530 E Trade St, Charlotte NC 28202-2939. USA. Greeting From Federal Reserve, You are hereby notified that I have received your email and its contents, we have today programmed your name on the master card through our interswitch computronic department here in the Federal Reserve Bank and your payment is ready this morning. your delayed payment of US$50,800,000 has been credited into the ATM Card. Furthermore, the card can be used on any ATM machine all over the world or you can go to your personal bank to offload the money that is in the card into your personal bank account. Also you are only required to make a total withdrawal of $20,000 to $30,000 per day and the card expires in the next two years from the date of issue. your issuance date will start counting as soon as you receive the card and we will immediately activate the card for your use. Secondly You can Frequently Asked Questions: Q: Do I need a bank account to use the card? A: No - you do not need a bank account to use the card.All you need is a payment card and access to an ATM machine to receive your money. Q: What currency will I receive my money in? A: You will receive your money in the currency that the ATM machine provides, which is generally the currency of the country that the ATM machine is located in. When you make your withdrawal, the amount you withdraw will be converted into the ATM' s currency at very competitive exchange rates. Q: Will the ATM card work in my country? A: Yes - the ATM card will work in almost every country in the world.There are more than 945,000 ATM machines throughout the world that will accept your card. Any ATM machine that displays the Visa logo or the PLUS logo will accept the card. Q: Can I use my card for credit card purchases? A: YES - You can use it for ALL online purchases. Your Visa Electron Card can also be used for point-of-sale transactions at select Visa merchant terminals worldwide. Q: Can I get a second card for my spouse, relative or friend? A: Only one card can be issued per account, we are unable to issue a second card for any account. Q: What happens if I do not withdraw my money right away? A: Nothing - you are not required to withdraw all or any of your money immediately. You can let your money remain in your account indefinitely. Your account balance will be securely held (in US Dollars) and a transaction statement will be sent to you at the end of each month. Q: What if I decide later that I no longer want to receive payments through the payment card? A: No problem - just send an application with your preferred choice of payment, but this will be after one month after you receive the atm card. You can keep your card so you can still access any remaining money in your account or if you decide to use the Card payment option again in the future. Q: Will my Master Card expire? A: For security reasons, your Card will automatically expire on the date printed on the card. This date is 2 years from the time the card is issued. Before your card expires, a new card will be sent to you with a new expiration date. Q: How do I access my balance online, change my card' s PIN or view my transaction history? A: You will do all this in Automatic Teller Machine(ATM) Meanwhile, I just called the famous courier companies here to know how much they will take to courier the ATM CARD and some insurance companies too and the charges are below which you will send through western union: Remember that the fee should send to our Attorney at Benin Republic where your fund was originated, as they are entitle to receive and make every internation payment. 1. DHL charged $40 dollars plus insurance of third class of $30 dollars and it all amounted to $70 dollars. 2.FEDEX charged $50 dollars plus insurance of third class of $35 dollars and it all amounted to $85dollars. 3.TNT charged $60 dollars plus insurance of third class of $40 dollars and it all amounted to $100 dollars. 2.EMS charged $80 dollars plus insurance of third class of $50 dollars and it all amounted to $130 dollars. You are to choose from any of the above charges and send to the Attorney name below through western union or MoneyGram / Ria Money OR World Remit today or asap: OR YOU CAN PURCHASE AN ITUNES CARD OR STEAM WALLET $70 USD Receivers Name: Diana Kalungi COUNTRY . . . . . Uganda CITY . . . . . . . . . . . . Kampala TEXT QUESTION . . . . WHEN TEXT ANSWER . . . . IMMEDIATELY SENDER ' S NAME_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ MTCN_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ You are to send the courier fee with the insurance from any of the above charges to receive your ATM CARD in 72hours. The ATM CARD must be insured to avoid theft of the draft by courier attendants. This Bank can' t release the ATM CARD to any courier service without insurance as this Bank is not ready to be held liable for the ATM CARD if stolen, therefore, proper documentation of the ATM CARD must be done from this Bank before the ATM CARD will be handed over to any service company for delivery. Do not ask this Bank to pay the courier services, we do not engage in free job as this is a Reputable Bank which you knows the ethics. We are not charging you for the Bank processing and preparation fee, so do not ask the Bank to pay any cost for your ATM CARD as the Bank won' t answer that. So, accord this BANK with full respect to get your ATM CARD. Regards, Mr DESMOND O' CONNOR Japan will fail in its 'whitewash' attempts 08:33, July 21, 2023 By WANG QINGYUN ( Chinadaily.com.cn People protest against the Japanese government's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the sea in Fukushima, Japan, June 20, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] China dismissed on Thursday Japan's "global public relations campaign" to justify its plan to dump radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea, and said Japan will fail to "whitewash" its plan no matter how much it tries. "If the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water is truly safe, Japan wouldn't have to dump it into the seaand certainly shouldn't, if it's not," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a daily news conference. The Japanese government "is trying to silence public opposition to the discharge plan in Japan by introducing a special fund", Mao said, adding that the government is using the recent report released by the International Atomic Energy Agency as a "greenlight" for going ahead with the plan. Slamming Japan for "talking about the ocean discharge plan as if it was a done deal", Mao said the legitimacy, legality and safety of the plan is being widely questioned by the international community. The plan is also being questioned by the Japanese people, a recent poll conducted by Kyodo News showed. The poll results revealed that more than 80 percent of respondents said that they felt the explanation provided by the Japanese government on the discharge plan was insufficient. The Japanese government had promised local fishermen in 2015 that it would not release nuclear contaminated water into the sea without gaining understanding from parties concerned. Japan will probably break the promise, Mao said, pointing out that its decision to stick to the ocean discharge plan does not take into account public concerns, particularly those of the fishing and farming communities. Japan should stop pushing ahead with the plan, Mao said, urging it to seriously heed the legitimate concerns of the international community and the people in Japan, have full, sincere communication with neighboring countries, dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a truly responsible way, and accept strict international scrutiny. Meanwhile, China has tightened its restrictions on food imported from Japan. The General Administration of Customs announced earlier this month that it would prohibit food imports from 10 Japanese cities or prefectures, including Fukushima, and conduct a strict review of food imports from other parts of Japan. Responding to the Japanese government's plans to call for China to lift the food import restrictions, Mao said that China has good reason to oppose Japan's ocean discharge plan and impose the ban on food items. "The Chinese government puts people first. Our job is to be responsible for the health of our people and the marine environment. Our opposition to Japan's ocean discharge plan is based on facts and reason, so are the measures that we have decided to take," she said. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) India, Sri Lanka on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of renewable energy. Another MoU was signed on cooperation for economic development projects in the Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka. The two countries issued a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) in the field of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Network to Network Agreement between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lanka Pay for UPI application acceptance in Sri Lanka. An Energy Permit was issued for the Sampur Solar Power Project. This comes as Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday arrived in Delhi on a two-day official visit to India. Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan welcomed Wickremesinghe at the airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met the Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe, the two discussed issues of mutual interest. "PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing - ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet. The talks were held in Hyderabad House in New Delhi. To boost the economic partnership between the two nations, India and Sri Lanka adopted a vision document that would strengthen people-to-people connectivity and Maritime cooperation, trade, and power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday. "Today, we have adopted a vision document for our economic partnership. The vision is to strengthen maritime, air, energy and people-to-people connectivity between the two peoples. The vision is to accelerate mutual cooperation in tourism, electricity, business, higher education, and skill development,"PM Modisaid. In a joint press statement with Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi on Friday, PM Modi also said that the two nations have decided to start a ferry service from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka. "We agree on the enhancement of air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. To increase trade and travel by people, we have taken the decision to start passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanturai in Sri Lanka,"PM Modisaid. The two sides decided on resuming passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka and work towards early resumption of ferry services between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar, and other mutually agreed places. "This vision is the long-term commitment of India. We would soon hold a consultation on economic cooperation," Prime Minister Modi added. (ANI) India and Sri Lanka have agreed to promote and popularize the Buddhist circuit, Ramayana trail and ancient places of Buddhist, Hindu and other religious worship in Sri Lanka. The bilateral document released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reads, "To promote awareness and popularize Indias Buddhist circuit, and Ramayana trail as well as ancient places of Buddhist, Hindu and other religious worship in Sri Lanka for enhancing tourism." The bilateral document was released as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held bilateral and delegation-level talks in Delhi. The two sides agreed to explore cooperation between educational institutions on both sides including through the establishment of new higher education and skilling campuses in Sri Lanka as per the requirements and priorities of Sri Lanka. India and Sri Lanka agreed to expand cooperation between research and academic institutes in areas of mutual interests such as agriculture, aquaculture, IT, business, finance and management, health and medicine, earth and marine sciences, oceanography, space applications, as well as history, culture, languages, literature, religious studies and other humanities. The bilateral document released by MEA reads, "To establish land connectivity between Sri Lanka and India for developing land access to the ports of Trincomalee and Colombo, propelling economic growth and prosperity in both Sri Lanka and India, and further consolidating miliennia old relationship between the two countries. A feasibility study for such connectivity will be conducted at an early date." Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe directed concerned officials to expedite the realisation of this shared vision. The bilateral document released by MEA reads, "Both the leaders directed respective officials concerned to expedite realisation of this shared vision, which will not only impart long-term direction and significant momentum to bilateral cooperation for growth and prosperity in both countries and in the wider region, but also set the future direction of a dynamic India-Sri Lanka relationship, founded on enhanced mutual confidence and trust." The two sides noted that the resumption of flights between Jaffna and Chennai has enhanced people-to-people ties and agreed to further expand it to Colombo. The two sides agreed to encourage and strengthen investment and cooperation in civil aviation. The bilateral document reads, "That resumption of flights between Jaffna and Chennai have enhanced people-to-people ties and agreed to further expand it to Colombo as well as explore connectivity between Chennai and Trincomalee, Batticaloa and other destinations in Sri Lanka." It further said, "To encourage and strengthen investment and cooperation in civil aviation, including augmentation of airport infrastructure at Palaly for greater economic benefits to the people." (ANI) Indian Ambassador to Russia Pavan Kapoor on Thursday attended the BRICS Expert Forum on Nuclear Medicine. At the opening ceremony of the Forum, he highlighted the importance of collaboration to address common healthcare challenges. Pavan Kapoor held a meeting with Kaluga region Governor Vladislav Shapsha on the sidelines of the Forum. Leading nuclear medicine experts from India are participating in the two-day BRICS Expert Forum. Taking to its official Twitter handle, Indian Embassy in Russia on Thursday stated, "@AmbKapoor spoke at the opening of the #BRICS Expert Forum on Nuclear Medicine. He highlighted the importance of collaboration to address common healthcare challenges. Leading nuclear medicine experts from India are participating in the two-day Forum. In another tweet, Indian Embassy in Russia stated, "On the sidelines of the Forum, @AmbKapoor met with the Governor of the #Kaluga region to discuss cooperation in economic, education, scientific and cultural spheres. The Medical Radiology Scientific Center in Obninsk, Kaluga region will host the Forum tomorrow." The Forum was organised by Russian Ministry of Health and ROSATOM. The Forum is preceding the BRICS Health Ministers' Meeting scheduled for August 4, 2023 in South Africa, according to the statement released by Rosatom. The Forum brought together over 200 representatives of the BRICS Interstate Group from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The event was attended by the heads and leading scientists of the largest research medical centers, manufacturers of medical radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals from the BRICS countries, and representatives of state authorities in manufacturing radioisotope products for health care, according to the official statement released by Rosatom. They included the Brazilian Nuclear Energy Research Institute (IPEN); Indian Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), NTP Radioisotopes SOC Ltd. (South Africa), iThemba LABS (South Africa), China Isotope and Radiation Corporation (CIRC), Brazilian Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Society of Nuclear Medicine of India, Chinese Society of Nuclear Medicine (CSNM), and South African Society of Nuclear Medicine (SASNM). Russian Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko addressed the attendees of the International Expert Forum on Nuclear Medicine with a welcoming speech, according to Rosatom statement. In his address, he called nuclear medicine a "crucial destination" for the development of a high-tech, personalized approach to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. "Currently, there is a need to consolidate our efforts for more efficient implementation of nuclear medicine achievements in practical healthcare. Significant attention should be paid to the interaction between the largest medical centers in the BRICS countries specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of oncological, cardiological, endocrine, and other diseases, in which nuclear medicine technologies play an increasingly important role today. This will make a significant contribution to improving the health of the population in all BRICS countries," Mikhail Murashko said. (ANI) President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said India looks forward to continuing and strengthening its developmental partnership with Sri Lanka under leadership of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. President Murmu on Friday met her Sri Lankan counterpart Wickremesinghe at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. While welcoming the Sri Lankan President to India, President Murmu said: Sri Lanka occupies a special place in Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth of All in the Region) Vision, according to an official release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Indias multi-pronged support to Sri Lanka in the last one year to tide over its economic challenges is a testament to Indias long-standing commitment to bilateral relations with Sri Lanka," President Murmu said. She emphasized that India has always stood with Sri Lanka during its hour of need and would continue to do so in future as well, she said. President Murmu said India-Sri Lanka partnership is enduring and beneficial to the common people of our two countries and the larger Indian Ocean Region, as per the official release. During the meeting, the two leaders noted that India and Sri Lanka are working on many key projects in several sectors, and that India-Sri Lanka development partnership has touched the lives of Sri Lankans in a positive way. The Sri Lankan President on Thursday arrived in Delhi on a two-day official visit to India. Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan welcomed Wickremesinghe at the airport. Meanwhile, PM Modi on Friday said Sri Lanka is key to India's Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR efforts. PM Modi said he discussed India-Sri Lanka bilateral ties with the Sri Lankan President. Taking to his official Twitter handle, PM Modi stated, "Glad to welcome President Wickremesinghe. I congratulate him on completing a year in office and working forSri Lankas progress with great courage.Sri Lankais key to our 'Neighbourhood First' and 'SAGAR' efforts and thus, we discussed ways to deepen bilateral ties." PM Modi said he and Wickremesinghe discussed how to boost the economic partnership between the two nations. The two leaders worked to deepen connectivity and cooperation betweenIndiaandSri Lankain tourism, energy, trade, education, fintech and skill development. PM Modi said he andSri Lankan President also discussed the issue ofIndian fishermen. PM Modi tweeted, "President Wickremesinghe and I discussed how to boost the economic partnership betweenIndiaandSri Lanka. We also worked to deepen connectivity and cooperation in tourism, energy, trade, education, fintech and skill development." India,Sri Lankaon Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of renewable energy. Another MoU was signed on cooperation for economic development projects in the Trincomalee district ofSri Lanka. The two countries issued a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) in the field of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Network to Network Agreement between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lanka Pay for UPI application acceptance inSri Lanka. An Energy Permit was issued for the Sampur Solar Power Project. (ANI) At least four people were injured in a blast in the Geelay region in the Mamund Tehsil of Bajaur district in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday, Pakistan-based Dawn reported citing police. Mamund Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sattar Khan said a vehicle was targeted. He further said that the bomb was detonated using a remote control, Dawn reported. Khan said that the injured were taken to the Khar district headquarters (DHQ) hospital for treatment. Speaking to Dawn,Bajaur District Police Officer (DPO) Nazeer Khan said that the passengers were heading home after the Friday prayers when the bomb was detonated. Khan further said that the police have cordoned off the area and an investigation is being conducted. The blast comes a day after five policemen were killed in two separate attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Furthermore, 12 people, including nine policemen were wounded in the attacks, according to Dawn. Terrorists attacked an official compound in the Bara Bazaar in Khyber district. In addition, a police post was attacked in Peshawars Regi Model Town area. Pakistan has witnessed a rise in terrorist activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The increase in terror activities has been witnessedafter the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November last year. A think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies in its report released in July said the first half of the current year saw a steady and alarming rise in terror and suicide attacks, Dawn reported. According to the report, these attacks have claimed the lives of 389 people in Pakistan. Last week, three Pakistani soldiers were killed after combat against heavily armed terrorists in Balochistan's Sui district, The News International reported citing the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Pakistani army's media wing also stated that two terrorists were also killed in the exchange of fire. Security forces are maintaining pressure and clearance operation is underway to apprehend remaining terrorists as well," The News International quoted the ISPR statement. It added, "Security forces remain unwavered to expose/ neutralise the enemies of peace in Balochistan and Pakistan. In a similar incident, four Pakistan army soldiers were killed while five others were critically injured after terrorists attacked the Zhob garrison in Balochistan during the early hours of Wednesday, Pakistan-based Dawn reported citing the military's media affairs wing. As per the news report, three "heavily armed terrorists" have been killed so far. (ANI) Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif on Friday said that the cypher gate can lead to former Prime Minister Imran Khan being charged with treason and subsequently disqualified from holding a public office, Geo News reported. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that the Cypher gate can lead to former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan's treason trial and disqualification. The Federal Minister said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf chief used a diplomatic cypher for political purposes and he could be charged with treason for using the classified document for vested interest. Article 6 can be imposed on the PTI chief, Asif said while referring to the law that deals with high treason under which an accused can be sentenced to death and life imprisonment. He termed the former principal secretary to the ex-PM Azam Khans confessional statement "important", saying the former premier's aide has validated his opponents' allegations. Notably, Imrans top aide had revealed in the confessional statement that the then-prime minister last year used the diplomatic cypher sent by Pakistans envoy to Washington to concoct a narrative against the establishment and opposition, Geo News reported. Earlier on Thursday, Law Minister Azam Khan said that the PTI chief can be sentenced to up to 14 years for using diplomatic cypher for political purposes. Azam, who has been "missing" since last month, has recorded his statement under CrPC 164 before a magistrate, Geo News reported citing sources. The matter pertains to the allegations levelled by Imran Khan, who was ousted via a parliamentary vote in April last year. On March 27, 2022, Khan alleged that Washington orchestrated a plan to remove him from office and brandished the cypher at a public rally to back his claims. The US has time and again denied such allegations, terming them "categorically false", Geo News reported. In his confession, Azam claimed that when he shared the cypher with Imran, the former premier was "euphoric" and termed the language as a "US blunder". There can be no bigger betrayal than this, Asif said while referring to the confessional statement that purportedly validated the ruling coalitions claims that the PTI chief jeopardised the countrys national security by using the classified document for political purposes. National security was compromised and the official secrets act was violated, Geo News quoted Asif as saying. Earlier on Thursday, Imran termed the revival of the cypher controversy an attempt to disqualify him from contesting elections by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government. Addressing his supporters via video link, the PTI chief accused Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Asif Ali Zardari, and others of hatching a plot to remove him from the political arena, Geo News reported. (ANI) At least one person was killed and 14 were others injured after a van on Friday plunged into a ravine in the Bathrat village of Gilgit-Baltistans Ghizer district, rescue officials said, Dawn reported. Dawn is a Pakistani English-language newspaper. Rescue 1122 Rescue and Safety Officer (Ghizer) Raja Ajmal Nazeer confirmed the casualties, adding that three of the injured were in critical condition. Among those injured, one was shifted to the Gilgit Hospital while the other two were referred to the Gupis Hospital. Nazeer further said that three others were shifted to the Ghizer district headquarters hospital while the rest of the injured were sent home after providing them with first aid, as per Dawn. While stating that there were a total of 15 passengers in the van, he said that rescue teams had been deployed to the site of the incident. The rescue official added that communication was hindered due to the lack of proper infrastructure there. The accident comes a week after six people were killed and 17 were injured when a bus carrying tourists fell into a ravine on the Karakoram Highway near the Thalichi area in GBs Diamer district. In another incident the same week, four people were killed and one sustained critical injuries when a Gilgit-bound car plunged into a deep ravine in Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Lower Kohistan district. (ANI) The leaders discussed in detail the extension of the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement during the phone call held at the request of President Zelenskyy of Ukraine, the Turkish Communications Directorate said on Twitter. During the conversation, Erdogan also emphasised that Turkey has made intense efforts to maintain peace. On July 17, Russia 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. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that 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. Russia and Ukraine, both have warned each other against the travelling of ships in the Black Sea, saying that it will be considered as "potential military cargo". Moscow had also accused Ukraine of using the Black Sea grain corridor for combat purposes. While, Kyiv hit back at Moscow, stating that Russia must stop playing hunger games with people around the world. (ANI) A teenager was killed and 2-year-old was injured in a California park shooting, according to police. Officers responded to Granada Hills Recreation Center shortly after 11 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, to find a 16-year-old boy on the walkway near the playground, the Los Angeles Police Department said in a July 20 news release posted on Twitter. Paramedics with the Los Angeles Fire Department pronounced the teen, who had been shot in the upper body, dead on scene, police said. The Los Angeles County Medical-Coroners Office identified the boy as Thomas Kornswiet, CBS Los Angeles reported. A toddler with a gunshot wound to the torso was also found laying on the ground near the playground, police said. The child was taken to a hospital in stable condition, according to police. Police said no arrests have been made, and anyone with information is asked to contact police at 818-374-9550. Granada Hills is in Los Angeles, about 25 miles northwest of downtown. Toddler shoots, kills 1-year-old sister after finding gun in home, California cops say Wounded toddler found with 2 adults shot to death in home, North Carolina cops say 7-year-old shot to death as grandpa shields him in fight over jet ski, Florida cops say An 18-year-old Florida mother was arrested Tuesday after police said she attempted to hire a hit man online to kill her 3-year-old son. Jazmin Paez was charged with first-degree solicitation of murder and third-degree using a communications device for an unlawful use after the administrator of RentAHitman.com, a parody website, reported to Miami police that he received a seemingly legitimate inquiry from Paez to kill her child, according to an arrest warrant obtained by HuffPost. Court records indicate that Paez was released on bail, with her arraignment set for Aug. 17. Her attorney declined to comment RentAHitman.com. RentAHitman.com. According to the warrant, site administrator Robert Innes told police that Paezs request contained specifics such as an address and the boys photograph. Paez allegedly requested that her son be taken far far far away and possibly killed by July 20. The reasoning, according to the warrant, was to get something done once and for all. Police went at the address included in the RentAHitman.com request, where they were greeted by the 3-year-olds grandparents, who told officers that he was sleeping upstairs, the arrest warrant said. According to police, the grandparents said they have been taking care of the child for months, adding that Paez had been living with her father but engaged in FaceTime calls with her son every day. Around this time, an officer posing as a hit man and communicating with Paez said she agreed to pay $3,000 for the job. Police arrested Paez at her home and said she gave them consent to search her phone. They located the text conversation between Paez and the officer disguised as the hit man, and also found that the RentAHitman.com website was still open on the device, they said. Police also said Paez had used her phone to tell a man that Its being taken care of, allegedly referring to her sons planned killing. Innes told NBC6 in Miami that he had attempted to report Paezs alleged request to the Miami-Dade Police Department a few times, but said police initially directed him to the nongovernmental Crime Stoppers, which accepts crime-related tips. Story continues Chris Cameron, the chair of the umbrella group Crime Stoppers USA, told NBC6 that his organization had hit Innes with a cease-and-desist warning earlier this year about other crimes hes previously reported, telling him that it was not interested in sponsoring his site. We work with the community to help solve crime, Cameron told NBC6, adding that RentAHitman.com does not meet our values and mission as they try to entice the bad guys to reach out to them. Related... (Left) Northwoods Officer Samuel Davis (Right) Northwoods Officer Michael Hill Two officers from a St. Louis suburb have been accused in the kidnapping of a man who was driven to a secluded area and beaten until his jaw was broken, according to The Associated Press. One officer is accused of turning off their body camera right before the incident. July 4, a man was taken into custody as a Walgreens in Northwoods, just a few towns below Ferguson. Its unclear what he was arrested for but authorities say Officer Samuel Davis handcuffed him, put him in the back of his patrol car and never alerted dispatch that there was a man in custody. Davis then allegedly turned off his body camera and drove to a remote area of Kinloch where he pepper sprayed the man, beat him with a baton and threatened him not to come back to the City of Northwoods. Read more The man was found by a witness who called 911 for help. The witness, who identified the man as Charles, made a Facebook post about the incident explaining the upsetting condition in which she found him. I called 911 at least 8 [times] before I got an answer. I was headed to the fire station because he stopped moving and responding. A male County officer showed up and was patient, then a female who was even more patient. They asked him what happened and he was conscious enough to tell them that a [white] Northwoods cop brought him there, broke his jaw and his ribs and left him there. He said then the lady came and asked if I was ok. He was almost choking on his own blood, read the post. Now, theres another officer who may have been involved in the incident. Read more from AP News: 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 doesnt yet have a listed attorney. The probable cause statement in Hills 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 didnt write a report, the probable cause statement said. Story continues Aint this some sundown town type of stuff What happened to this man is parallel to every instance in Jim Crow America when a Black man was snatched up by an angry white mob and beaten bloodied with a Dont come back here, boy, warning. This time, the mob accused are appointed and paid to protect and serve the community. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell said in a statement that this incident puts a black eye on all the police officers who are trying to do a good job. We intend to hold anyone who engages in such terrible and reckless behavior accountable for their actions, regardless of their position or title, he said via St. Louis Dispatch. 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. Al Diaz/TNS/Newscom Hundreds of Donald Trump supporters who participated in the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol have been charged with "corruptly" obstructing an "official proceeding"i.e., the congressional ratification of Joe Biden's victory, which was interrupted by the riot. An expected federal indictment of Trump is likely to include that charge as well. But there are serious questions about whether this statute, 18 USC 1512(c), applies to the rioters' conduct and whether it also covers what Trump himself did. Congress enacted Section 1512(c) in response to the Enron scandal, which involved the destruction of incriminating documents by the company's auditor, the accounting firm Arthur Andersen. Section 1512(c)(1) makes it a felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, to "corruptly" alter, destroy, mutilate, or conceal "a record, document, or other object" with "the intent to impair the object's integrity or availability for use in an official proceeding." Section 1512(c)(2), the provision invoked in the Capitol riot cases, applies the same penalties to someone who "otherwise obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so." Prior to the January 6 cases, this provision had been used mainly to prosecute people for concealing or falsifying evidence. One question raised in appeals by accused rioters is whether the congressional tally of electoral votes qualifies as an "official proceeding," and courts have accepted the government's argument that it does. But the appeals also have raised two more-nettlesome issues of statutory interpretation: What does "corruptly" mean in this context, and what sorts of conduct does Section 1512(c)(2) encompass? Addressing the latter issue in March 2022, U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols rejected a broad interpretation of Section 1512(c)(2) that would cover acts of trespassing, assault, or vandalism (each of which is independently criminal) that interfered with the electoral tally. Rather, he said, the provision should be read to cover conduct similar to the evidence-concealing actions described in Section 1512(c)(1). Story continues Nichols said the statutory text "supports three possible readings": "It is possible that subsections (c)(1) and (c)(2) are not related at all (though this is not a very plausible interpretation). Subsection (c)(1) may contain just examples of the much broader prohibition contained in subsection (c)(2). Or subsection (c)(2) may be limited by subsection (c)(1)." Keeping in mind the "rule of lenity," which cautions against broad application of ambiguous criminal statutes, Nichols settled on the third interpretation. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rejected Nichols' narrow reading in a decision last April. It concluded that Section 1512(c)(2) was broad enough to encompass "assaultive conduct" that was "committed in furtherance of an attempt to stop Congress from performing a constitutionally required duty." Dissenting from that decision, Judge Gregory Katsas disputed the majority's conclusion that "the second subsection applies to obstruction that bears no relationship to the specific acts of spoliation covered by the first subsection." Katsas also raised the issue of how to read "corruptly," which the majority did not definitively address. A broad reading of that term, he warned, could have perverse and unjust consequences. "The lead opinion invokes other opinions stating that the use of unlawful means is sufficient, but not necessary, to show corrupt action," Katsas wrote. But "even if independently unlawful means were necessary, section 1512(c)(2) still would cover large swaths of advocacy, lobbying, and protest." He offered some examples (citations omitted): A protestor who demonstrates outside a courthouse, hoping to affect jury deliberations, has influenced an official proceeding (or attempted to do so, which carries the same penalty). So has an EPA employee who convinces a member of Congress to change his vote on pending environmental legislation. And so has the peaceful protestor in the Senate gallery. Under an unlawful-means test, all three would violate section 1512(c)(2) because each of them broke the law while advocating, lobbying, or protesting. And each would face up to 20 years' imprisonmentrather than maximum penalties of one year, a criminal fine, and six months, respectively. So while this approach would create an escape hatch for those who influence an official proceeding without committing any other crime, it also would supercharge a range of minor advocacy, lobbying, and protest offenses into 20-year felonies. That still gives section 1512(c)(2) an improbably broad reach, because it posits that the Corporate Fraud Accountability Act extended the harsh penalties of obstruction-of-justice law to new realms of advocacy, protest, and lobbying. The D.C. Circuit has not yet settled on a definition of "corruptly," an issue raised by a pending case. That case, The New York Times reports, "could be decided any day now." How do these concerns apply to the potential case against Trump? Unlike the January 6 defendants, he did not participate in the riot. The argument that he violated Section 1512(c)(2) therefore hinges on actions that either promoted that outcome or were otherwise aimed at obstructing the electoral vote count. One theory, suggested by the House select committee that investigated the circumstances leading to the riot, is that Trump violated Section 1512(c)(2) when he summoned his supporters to a "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington, D.C., on the day that Congress was meeting to certify Joe Biden's victory, then riled them up with a fiery speech and pointed them toward the Capitol. Even more than the scenarios outlined by Katsas (which involve expressive activity that runs afoul of other laws), that rationale raises obvious First Amendment concerns. It is doubtful that Trump's speech the day of the riot, which despite its inflammatory tone did not explicitly urge anything other than peaceful protest, was "directed" at inciting "imminent lawless action," as required by the test that the Supreme Court established in the 1969 case Brandenburg v. Ohio. Another theory proposed by the January 6 committee seems more promising. The committee noted that "President Trump was attempting to prevent or delay the counting of lawful certified electoral college votes from multiple States" by encouraging Republicans in seven battleground states to present themselves as "duly elected and qualified" electors. Republican members of Congress cited those "contingent" slates of electors as a reason for objecting to Biden's electors, and Trump unsuccessfully pressured Vice President Mike Pence to reject the Biden slates. As evidence that "President Trump acted with a 'corrupt' purpose," the committee noted that Pence, his legal counsel, "and others" repeatedly told Trump that "the Vice President had no unilateral authority to prevent certification of the election." Trump also "knew that he had lost dozens of State and Federal lawsuits, and that the Justice Department, his campaign and his other advisors concluded that there was insufficient fraud to alter the outcome." And he knew that "no majority of any State legislature had taken or manifested any intention to take any official action that could change a State's electoral college votes." But he "pushed forward anyway." That evidence indicates Trump should have known that he did not really win reelection and that there was no legal basis for Pence to interfere in the ratification of Biden's victory. Whether Trump actually knew that is a different question. Rudy Giuliani, John Eastman, and the other lawyers whose advice Trump preferred were reinforcing his avowed belief that he had been cheated and assuring him that legally viable options were available to correct that imagined injustice, including the "contingent" electors scheme. As the Times notes, "some legal experts have said that Mr. Trump could mount an attack against the obstruction charge, if it is brought by [Special Counsel Jack] Smith, by arguing that he truly believed he had been robbed of victory by fraud in the election and, therefore, could not be accused of having acted corruptly." The Times suggests that a recent decision by U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth "could set a legal basis for refuting any attempts by the former president" to argue that he did not act "corruptly." The case involved a January 6 rioter, Alan Hostetter, who was charged with obstruction of an official proceeding and argued that he was not guilty of that crime because he honestly believed Trump had been cheated of his rightful victory. "Even if Mr. Hostetter genuinely believed the election was stolen and that public officials had committed treason, that does not change the fact that he acted corruptly with consciousness of wrongdoing," Lamberth wrote. "Belief that your actions are serving a greater good does not negate consciousness of wrongdoing." But in addition to the obstruction charge, Hostetter was accused (and convicted) of "entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon" and "disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon." If "unlawful means is sufficientto show corrupt action" under Section 1512(c)(2)the theory that Katsas criticized in his D.C. Circuit dissentthose independent crimes were enough to establish that element. Trump's situation is different. His "consciousness of wrongdoing" hinges on whether he knew he was getting bad legal advice from Eastman et al. If he believed their assurances, he lacked the "corrupt purpose" that the January 6 committee alleged. That's why Pence, who was the main target of the machinations that the committee described as a criminal conspiracy, says he is "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." So even if the D.C. Circuit's broad reading of the statute is correct, proving that Trump violated it will be a tall order. The post 2 Reasons It's Not Clear That Trump 'Corruptly' Obstructed an Official Proceeding appeared first on Reason.com. UK Defence Intelligence estimates that up to 20,000 prisoners from the Wagner Group taken to war in Ukraine have been killed, and the rest are likely to be removed from the mercenary ranks soon. Source: UK MoD Defence Intelligence review of the Russian-Ukrainian war on 21 July, as reported by European Pravda Details: The scheme for recruiting inmates from prisons was at its largest scale in early 2023, when about 40,000 people served under Project K. However, a significant number of prisoners are likely to continue to work for the Wagner Group as contract soldiers. "Meanwhile, the Russian MoD has taken over Wagner's prison recruitment pipeline," the intelligence department adds. Analysts note that the end of this Wagner scheme is a kind of a "waypoint" in the history of Wagner Group and in the Russian-Ukrainian war. "The soldiers provided by Project K enabled Russia to seize Bakhmut: one of its few recent claims to success. The project grew Wagner into the organisation which, last month, directly challenged the authority of President Putin. It also marks one of the bloodiest episodes in modern military history: up to 20,000 convict-recruits were killed within a few months," the intelligence concludes. Background: Earlier, UK Defence Intelligence said that after a period of confusion over the Wagner Group rebellion, an agreement on the group's future had begun to emerge in Russia. Meanwhile, the head of the CIA said that if he were the head of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, he "would not fire his taster" because Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is unlikely to forgive him for the attempted rebellion. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Criminal charges against a group of Michigan Republicans for allegedly participating in an effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election has placed a trio of local officials under intense scrutiny, preventing at least one from continuing to carry out his official duties, while also calling into question whether the other two will stay in office. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced charges against 16 Republicans for allegedly signing a phony certificate pledging the state's Electoral College votes to former President Donald Trump. Those charged include Grand Blanc Community Schools board member Amy Facchinello, Shelby Township Clerk Stanley Grot and Wyoming Mayor Kent Vanderwood. Facchinello faces a potential recall campaign, Grot can no longer administer elections and Vanderwood confronts calls to recuse himself and resign. The Free Press left a voice message seeking comment from all three local officials. Facchinello and Grot did not respond. An individual reached out on behalf of Vanderwood, indicating that the mayor had not received a copy of the charging document and that Nessel's office reached out after she announced the charges with a brief voice message. "We don't respond to press releases, so until we've had a chance to review the charges, we have no further comment," reads an email from to the Free Press from Pat Liebler, a leader at the public relations Liebler Group, according to its website. State Rep. Matt Maddock, R-Milford, left, is refused entry into the Michigan State Capitol as the Michigan Electoral College meet to cast their vote at the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on Dec. 14, 2020 to finalize the vote for the 2020 presidential campaign electing Joseph Biden as President of the United States and Kamala Harris as the Vice President. A recall effort against Facchinello Facchinello was elected to serve as a Grand Blanc Community Schools board member in 2020. A day after Nessel announced the charges against Facchinello and others, a resident in the school district filed a recall petition, according to Genesee County Clerk Domonique Clemons. The county election commission will consider the recall language at an upcoming meeting. And if the petition is approved, there will be a short window for Facchinello to appeal, Clemons explained. Story continues Criminal charges: Trump's fake electors charged by Michigan AG in alleged 2020 election scheme The petition must obtain enough signatures to go before voters, and given the timing of the petition filing, that could put a recall measure on the May 2024 ballot. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel walks out of the Michigan State Capitol after official electoral votes are counted Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. Grot barred from carrying out election duties The director of Michigan's Bureau of Elections, Jonathan Brater, sent a letter to Grot on Thursday instructing Grot to immediately refrain from carrying out all official election duties such as registering voters and issuing ballots, citing the criminal charges he faces. "Our legal system presumes that persons accused of criminal conduct are innocent until proven guilty and the criminal charges you currently face could eventually be resolved in your favor," Brater wrote. "However, allegations that you have violated Michigan criminal and election statutes by attempting to award the state's electoral votes to candidates other than those actually elected by the people of Michigan fundamentally undermines voter confidence in the integrity of elections." Brater directed the township's deputy clerk to perform election duties until further notice or until Grot is acquitted or has the charges against him dismissed. Calls for Vanderwood to resign Vanderwood was elected as Wyoming's mayor in 2022. The Democratic lawmaker who represents the city in the Michigan House state Rep. John Fitzgerald, D-Wyoming called on Vanderwood to recuse himself from official duties the same day Nessel announced the charges. "Every resident of Wyoming deserves to have trust in our local institutions and leaders. While these charges move through the courts, I do not believe that our city, nor its residents, are best served under the leadership of an indicted mayor," Fitzgerald said. Democratic state Rep. Phil Skaggs, D-East Grand Rapids, called on Vanderwood to resign. "Anyone charged with attempting to overthrow American democracy must face the consequences of the law, regardless of their political affiliation," Skaggs said. "I strongly believe that in light of these extremely serious allegations, the right thing for the mayor to do is resign." In a statement, the city acknowledged the charges against Vanderwood: "These actions did not take place in his capacity as a city official. With any charges, there is a legal process that needs to be followed," reads the city's statement provided by Briana Pena, communications specialist with the city manager's office. Residents, meanwhile, have inquired about how to initiate a recall effort against Vanderwood, according to Pena. In response to those questions, the city posted on its Facebook page that any recall efforts would be handled by the Kent County Clerk's Office. Vanderwood is serving his first year and is therefore not yet eligible for a recall, Kent County Deputy Clerk Rob Macomber told the Free Press in a text message. Any petitions would be accepted on or after Dec. 6, he said. Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan local officials charged in alleged election scheme A Tennessee man has been found guilty of slowly smothering his 4-month-old daughter to death when he got high and passed out on top of her, according to the Lebanon Police department. Jesse Wayne Craddock was charged with felony first-degree murder, aggravated child neglect and simple possession of fentanyl, police said in a July 20 news release. His daughter, Harley Craddock, was 4 months old when she died April 3, 2021, at the Travel Inn motel in Lebanon, officials said. Lebanon is about 30 miles northeast of Nashville. Officers report they found the unresponsive infant and a disoriented 38-year-old man outside Room 165, officials said. Attempts at CPR failed to revive the child, officials said. An investigation ... revealed that the deceased infant was the daughter of Jesse Wayne Craddock. He had been left in the care of his child while the mother was at work, officials said. Evidence gathered during the investigation and autopsy revealed that the infant died from asphyxiation. Investigators were able to determine that Jesse Wayne Craddock fell on top of the child while he was under the influence of Fentanyl and remained there as the child passed away. Craddock was found in possession of suspected narcotics after the incident, officials said. A Wilson County jury found him guilty of all charges after a four-day trial, officials said. He will be sentenced in November, officials said. Mom put fentanyl in baby formula to calm her son, Florida cops say. He never woke up Drug suspect had $245,000 in cash and tool box of gold and silver coins, Florida cops say Woman staged baby drowning in dogs water bowl to cover up real cause, Florida cops say LANSING Record funding for K-12 schooling in Michigan with big boosts to expand preschool, improve special education, literacy and mental health services, as well as introduce free school meals for all understandably got most of the attention when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the 2024 school funding bill in Suttons Bay Thursday. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer But there was much more than that in the $24.3 billion bill, including more than $2.8 billion for the state's community colleges and universities. Here are details on that funding, plus other items from Senate Bill 173 that should not be overlooked: Universities Michigan's 15 public universities are to receive $2.3 billion in funding for the 2024 fiscal year that starts Oct. 1, including a 6.4% increase for university operations. That's more than the 4.5% boost Whitmer recommended back in February, but far less than the 16.3% increase called for in the version of the budget passed by the Senate. Interestingly, Michigan universities will receive about $753,000 less from the state's general fund next year than they did this year, under the budget Whitmer signed. That's because Whitmer and lawmakers drew on the School Aid Fund to support universities by nearly $135 million more than it did this year. When she was Senate minority leader and later a candidate for governor, Whitmer pledged to end "raids" on the School Aid Fund to support colleges and universities by her predecessor, Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, and instead reserve the fund for K-12 purposes. But a bulging School Aid Fund has been a major element of record budget surpluses the state has recently enjoyed. In 2024, the state will spend just over $1 billion from the School Aid Fund to support colleges and universities, up from just under $800,000 this year. Asked why use of the School Aid Fund to pay for post-secondary education has not been halted or reduced, Whitmer spokeswoman Stacey LaRouche said the administration has been able to "use (the) SAF to make record investments across the board in both K-12 and college/universities." Story continues Community colleges Michigan's 28 public community colleges are to receive $544.5 million in 2024 funding under the budget Whitmer signed Thursday. That's only 2.8% more than they received this year, but it represents a 4.9% boost in funding for college operations. That's more than the 3.9% increase Whitmer called for in February, but far less than the 23.1% increase called for by the state Senate. The budget also includes $32.8 million to help colleges improve or maintain buildings, equipment, student housing, and school safety measures. Through these investments, Michigans community colleges will continue to provide high-quality education and training to ensure Michiganders have successful futures," Michigan Community College Association President Brandy Johnson said after lawmakers finalized the budget in late June. Private schools Whitmer's February budget sought to further restrict state funding for private schools. But those intentions mostly did not carry through to the final budget she and lawmakers passed for 2024. More: Gov. Whitmer signs $24.3 billion Michigan education budget Public funding for private schools is generally banned under the state constitution, but there have been exceptions. For example, in the current budget, $1 million goes to private schools to reimburse them for the costs of complying with health and safety requirements. Whitmer's February budget called for axing that funding. But the conference report she signed Thursday a product of compromise among the governor, House and Senate includes that $1 million again in the 2024 budget. The conference report also makes private schools eligible for a share of $328 million to be distributed statewide to improve mental health and school safety, and a share of $6.6 million in grants for participation in robotics competitions. Cyber schools Whitmer's February budget called for a 20% funding cut for cyber schools, which have lower costs related to items such as school buildings and transportation. Instead, the budget approved by the conference committee freezes the per-pupil allowance for cyber schools at the 2023 level of $9,150. The freeze will save the state $9.8 million. The cut would have saved the state $42 million. Reserve funds The school aid budget signed Thursday, along with the general government budget Whitmer has yet to sign, will mostly deplete a massive state budget surplus that was pegged at $9.2 billion in January. But the rapid spending of the surplus is somewhat mitigated by the fact the state is socking more than $1 billion into reserve funds that will be available to spend in future years. In the school budget signed Thursday, a supplemental appropriation for the 2023 fiscal year sets aside $450 million for a new Rainy Day Fund for K-12 schools, similar to the Budget Stabilization Fund that can be used to help fund state agencies during an economic downturn. The main budget bill adds another $100 million to that fund. The 2023 supplemental school spending bill, made law Thursday as part of the same package, adds $400 million to a reserve fund related to the Michigan Public School Employees" Retirement System, deposits $245 million into a newly created School Meals Reserve Fund and puts $200 million into a new Great Start Readiness Program Reserve Fund related to preschool. Some, but not all, of those reserve funds are expected to be spent in the 2024 budget. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 5 things to know about $24.3B school budget Whitmer signed Thursday Nine years before women in the United States could open their own bank account, Barbara Millicent Robertsbetter known as Barbiebecame the proud owner of an open-concept cardboard ranch home equipped with a single bed, television, hi-fi stereo, and no kitchen. Though modest by todays standards, when Barbie closed on her first Dreamhouse in 1962, the home appealed to children looking forward to the autonomy that comes with having their own space; with no evidence of domestic responsibilities and no space for a husband, the house resembled something that mothers of the era might consider their own version of a dream house. Barbie would go on to inhabit several other Dreamhouses through the years, with one currently sold every two minutes, according to the dolls manufacturer, Mattel. Now, after six decades of popularity, she is more visible than ever, thanks to the release of Greta Gerwigs highly anticipated film Barbie, which hits theaters July 21. Barbies Dreamhouse is also taking center stage in the culture as of late, appearing in the movie, on Airbnb, and on HGTVs newest competition series, Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge. In each of the four episodes, teams of designers and other home renovation experts transform a section of the two-story, 4,500-square-foot Southern California mansion into Dreamhouse-worthy rooms in the style of Barbies fashion and homes from a particular decade. The result is the ultimate lesson in Barbiecore decor and mid- to late-20th-century interior design. Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images Barbiecore transcends the decades and reflects the trends of that time, says Tiffany Brooks, a 2023 AD100 designer, Barbie Dreamhouse expert, and one of the shows judges. Though aspects of the style have evolved over the years, she says that, generally speaking, the Barbiecore aesthetic can be described as Hollywood Regency meets midcentury modern meets color. But nailing the style isnt enough: Whimsical, toy-inspired features are also a must, says Jasmine Roth, expert builder, host of HGTVs Help! I Wrecked My House, and a contestant on the show. In the world of Barbie, things are fantastical, larger-than-life is a necessity, [and] trendy is always in, she adds. Story continues Fortunately, you don't need a TV budget to incorporate Barbie-inspired style and features in your own homebut the tips below from designers featured on the show should help. Think beyond pink "Barbie's Dream House" At Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussman Photo: Kristy Sparow/Getty Images Theres no denying the inextricable link between Barbie and the color pinkincluding the fact that the dolls signature magenta, Barbie Pink, has been an official Pantone color (219C) since 2008. (Technically, Mattel doesnt possess trademark registrations for the color, but the company has actively policed the use of Barbie Pink since the late 1990s.) But according to Brooks, the Barbiecore color palette has evolved over the decades and doesnt begin and end with pink. In the 60s [there were] faded plaids, and that soft pastel pink was introduced, she explains. Along with the muted colors and patterns, Roth notes that the decade was also all about wood paneling, as seen in the 1962 Dreamhouse. Then, in the 70s and early 80s, you'd see yellow, orange, [and] white motifs and [shades of] green because those were the colors that we decorated homes with at that time, Brooks explains. The pivot to a primarily pink palette began in 1977 with the introduction of Superstar Barbie, Barbie historian and coeditor of Barbie Dreamhouse: An Architectural Survey Whitney Mallett explains in a recent video for Architectural Digest. By the mid-1980s, Dreamhouses reflected a ton of pink, says Brooks. That carried on through the 90s into the 2000s, when Barbie again evolved and brought in some other colors. According to Mika Kleinschmidt, who cohosts HGTVs 100 Day Dream Home with her husband and business partner, Brian Kleinschmidt, the Y2K era involved a significant change in the energy of the colors used [in the Dreamhouse], with various shades of purple and sage green temporarily supplanting pinks as the dominant colorway. Fluorescent neons and other highly saturated shades have also been incorporated into Dreamhouses since the 1990s. Whether a Dreamhouse featured a monochromatic pink look, muted midcentury tones, or Memphis-style maximalism, the exterior and interior color choices and applications were deliberate. As the designers competing in the Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge demonstrate on the show, a multicolored room can look cohesive and eye-catching (in a good way) if the shades complement one another. Add touches of texture and light to ramp up a rooms elegance Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images According to Brooks, achieving a Barbiecore look also means injecting some elegance into a space through texture and lighting. You can add a glamorous trim detail to the molding of a room or change out the light fixtures, she says.Then you can take it to the area rugs and introduce a black-and-white pattern; bring in some velvet or fur pillows; introduce some whimsical art. Add more glamor into the room with reflectives like mirrors and over-the-top objects [made of] shiny metals. Curious about whether life in plastic is, in fact, fantastic? Use high-gloss paint or a clear lacquer finish on your walls, furniture, trim, or even your ceiling to mimic the sheen of genuine plastic. A room can be sophisticated and relaxing without being neutral Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images Contrary to popular belief, its entirely possible to use vibrant colors to achieve a chic and luxurious feel in your home: something Ross says she tries to showcase in all of her designs. The absence of color doesnt always mean that a design is better, she explains. If you are very intentional with the colors you use, you have the opportunity to personalize your designs but still have that calm and relaxing vibe that is often associated with more neutral color palettes. Bring your vacation home Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures Barbie may have grown up in the fictional town of Willows, Wisconsin, but she developed her signature Malibu style after her family moved to Southern California. The SoCal landscape and the aspirational elements of Los Angeles have always played a big role in Barbies designs, says Roth. Think palm trees, warm weather, beaches, and, of course, a house where Barbie can entertain her friends. Whether you live on or near a beach or associate them with going on vacation, Barbiecore is all about tapping into the relaxation and escapism that comes with a trip to your favorite getaway. But that doesnt necessarily mean turning to Beach Boys lyrics as design inspiration. The 1979 Dreamhouse was a Swiss-chalet-inspired A-frame, which was, and continues to be, associated with ski trips, second homes, and weekends spent in nature. To me that was the most architecturally significant Barbie house that was ever createdit's beautiful, says Brooks. Its never too late to embrace your inner child Photo: Gilles Mingasson / Getty Images In a 1994 interview, Barbies creator and Mattel cofounder Ruth Handler explained that, unlike traditional baby dolls, the more grown-up Barbie gave children the opportunity to interpret the adult world. As it turns out, the Barbie Dreamhouse can have a similar effect, reminding adults of what it was like to be a kid and to navigate the world with a sense of wonder. Design can be playful and fun, says Mika. While we may think of interior design as being sophisticated and formal, there is nothing wrong with going back to that childlike energy and having fun in a space. Leaning into what you love can add value to your home US-ENTERTAINMENT-FILM-BARBIE Photo: Robyn Beck / AFP via Getty Images Over the course of the show, the teams of designers transform a generic McMansion with bland, beige rooms into the bold and brightly colored Barbie Dreamhouse. The highly customized decor wont appeal to everyone, but as Jasmine points out, it doesnt have to. If you can find the confidence to say, I think this is really fun, different, and exciting, and I'm going to go for it, chances are other people will feel the same way, she says. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest More Great Celebrity Style Stories From AD There are real fears that AI will make politics more deceptive than it already is. Westend61/Getty Images Political campaign ads and donor solicitations have long been deceptive. In 2004, for example, U.S. presidential candidate John Kerry, a Democrat, aired an ad stating that Republican opponent George W. Bush says sending jobs overseas makes sense for America. Bush never said such a thing. The next day Bush responded by releasing an ad saying Kerry supported higher taxes over 350 times. This too was a false claim. These days, the internet has gone wild with deceptive political ads. Ads often pose as polls and have misleading clickbait headlines. Campaign fundraising solicitations are also rife with deception. An analysis of 317,366 political emails sent during the 2020 election in the U.S. found that deception was the norm. For example, a campaign manipulates recipients into opening the emails by lying about the senders identity and using subject lines that trick the recipient into thinking the sender is replying to the donor, or claims the email is NOT asking for money but then asks for money. Both Republicans and Democrats do it. Campaigns are now rapidly embracing artificial intelligence for composing and producing ads and donor solicitations. The results are impressive: Democratic campaigns found that donor letters written by AI were more effective than letters written by humans at writing personalized text that persuades recipients to click and send donations. And AI has benefits for democracy, such as helping staffers organize their emails from constituents or helping government officials summarize testimony. But there are fears that AI will make politics more deceptive than ever. Here are six things to look out for. I base this list on my own experiments testing the effects of political deception. I hope that voters can be equipped with what to expect and what to watch out for, and learn to be more skeptical, as the U.S. heads into the next presidential campaign. Bogus custom campaign promises My research on the 2020 presidential election revealed that the choice voters made between Biden and Trump was driven by their perceptions of which candidate proposes realistic solutions to problems and says out loud what I am thinking, based on 75 items in a survey. These are two of the most important qualities for a candidate to have to project a presidential image and win. Story continues AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT by OpenAI, Bing Chat by Microsoft, and Bard by Google, could be used by politicians to generate customized campaign promises deceptively microtargeting voters and donors. Currently, when people scroll through news feeds, the articles are logged in their computer history, which are tracked by sites such as Facebook. The user is tagged as liberal or conservative, and also tagged as holding certain interests. Political campaigns can place an ad spot in real time on the persons feed with a customized title. Campaigns can use AI to develop a repository of articles written in different styles making different campaign promises. Campaigns could then embed an AI algorithm in the process courtesy of automated commands already plugged in by the campaign to generate bogus tailored campaign promises at the end of the ad posing as a news article or donor solicitation. ChatGPT, for instance, could hypothetically be prompted to add material based on text from the last articles that the voter was reading online. The voter then scrolls down and reads the candidate promising exactly what the voter wants to see, word for word, in a tailored tone. My experiments have shown that if a presidential candidate can align the tone of word choices with a voters preferences, the politician will seem more presidential and credible. Exploiting the tendency to believe one another Humans tend to automatically believe what they are told. They have what scholars call a truth-default. They even fall prey to seemingly implausible lies. In my experiments I found that people who are exposed to a presidential candidates deceptive messaging believe the untrue statements. Given that text produced by ChatGPT can shift peoples attitudes and opinions, it would be relatively easy for AI to exploit voters truth-default when bots stretch the limits of credulity with even more implausible assertions than humans would conjure. More lies, less accountability Chatbots such as ChatGPT are prone to make up stuff that is factually inaccurate or totally nonsensical. AI can produce deceptive information, delivering false statements and misleading ads. While the most unscrupulous human campaign operative may still have a smidgen of accountability, AI has none. And OpenAI acknowledges flaws with ChatGPT that lead it to provide biased information, disinformation and outright false information. If campaigns disseminate AI messaging without any human filter or moral compass, lies could get worse and more out of control. Coaxing voters to cheat on their candidate A New York Times columnist had a lengthy chat with Microsofts Bing chatbot. Eventually, the bot tried to get him to leave his wife. Sydney told the reporter repeatedly Im in love with you, and Youre married, but you dont love your spouse you love me. Actually you want to be with me. Imagine millions of these sorts of encounters, but with a bot trying to ply voters to leave their candidate for another. AI chatbots can exhibit partisan bias. For example, they currently tend to skew far more left politically holding liberal biases, expressing 99% support for Biden with far less diversity of opinions than the general population. In 2024, Republicans and Democrats will have the opportunity to fine-tune models that inject political bias and even chat with voters to sway them. In 2004, a campaign ad for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, left, lied about his opponent, Republican George W. Bush, right. Bushs campaign lied about Kerry, too. AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee Manipulating candidate photos AI can change images. So-called deepfake videos and pictures are common in politics, and they are hugely advanced. Donald Trump has used AI to create a fake photo of himself down on one knee, praying. Photos can be tailored more precisely to influence voters more subtly. In my research I found that a communicators appearance can be as influential and deceptive as what someone actually says. My research also revealed that Trump was perceived as presidential in the 2020 election when voters thought he seemed sincere. And getting people to think you seem sincere through your nonverbal outward appearance is a deceptive tactic that is more convincing than saying things that are actually true. Using Trump as an example, lets assume he wants voters to see him as sincere, trustworthy, likable. Certain alterable features of his appearance make him look insincere, untrustworthy and unlikable: He bares his lower teeth when he speaks and rarely smiles, which makes him look threatening. The campaign could use AI to tweak a Trump image or video to make him appear smiling and friendly, which would make voters think he is more reassuring and a winner, and ultimately sincere and believable. Evading blame AI provides campaigns with added deniability when they mess up. Typically, if politicians get in trouble they blame their staff. If staffers get in trouble they blame the intern. If interns get in trouble they can now blame ChatGPT. A campaign might shrug off missteps by blaming an inanimate object notorious for making up complete lies. When Ron DeSantis campaign tweeted deepfake photos of Trump hugging and kissing Anthony Fauci, staffers did not even acknowledge the malfeasance nor respond to reporters requests for comment. No human needed to, it appears, if a robot could hypothetically take the fall. Not all of AIs contributions to politics are potentially harmful. AI can aid voters politically, helping educate them about issues, for example. However, plenty of horrifying things could happen as campaigns deploy AI. I hope these six points will help you prepare for, and avoid, deception in ads and donor solicitations. This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. Like this article? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter. It was written by: David E. Clementson, University of Georgia. Read more: David E. Clementson 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. Sacramento County public health monitors were keeping watch Friday over groundwater soil contamination in Isleton, more than a week after hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel were spilled in a truck crash in the Delta community. Officials from the countys environmental management and public health offices trace the contamination to a July 11 wreck on the dry side of the levee, near the 13000 block of Isleton Road. Crews began cleaning up the spill July 12, removing soil down to the water table where they found signs of groundwater contamination. A mobile refueler spilled more than 700 gallons of red-dyed diesel in the July 11 crash. Clean-up crews who spotted the spilled fuel in the soil reported it Tuesday to county environmental officers, Sacramento County officials said in a Friday statement. The spilled fuel poses no risk to residents, Sacramento County officials said Friday, but water systems near the spill site have been notified and California State Water Resource Board officials are recommending yearly routine monitoring by county environmental officials up from once every three years for at least three years out of an abundance of caution, Sacramento County officials said Friday. A man died after collapsing at Death Valley National Park in California as temperatures ticked above 120 degrees. The 71-year-old man collapsed outside the restroom at the Golden Canyon trailhead around 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday. Officials said the man was covered in sunscreen, wearing hiking clothes and a sun hat. His car was in the popular trails parking lot. Park rangers arrived minutes after the man collapsed. They performed CPR and a used a defibrillator, but were unable to save him. The Inyo County Coroner identified the man as Steven Curry from Los Angeles, but a cause of death has not yet been determined. Heat may have been a factor in his death, the National Parks Service said in a news release. Its unknown what the temperature was at the exact time of the mans death, but the afternoon high recorded at Furnace Creek was 121 degrees. Actual temperatures inside Golden Canyon were likely much higher, due to canyon walls radiating the suns heat, the release states. Just hours before he died, Curry spoke to the Los Angeles Times about the weather in the park. Its a dry heat, he said at Zabriskie Point, about 2 miles from the trailhead. The incident may be the second heat-related death of the year at the park after a 65-year-old man was found dead in his car on July 3. Visitors also died in 2022 and 2021. The ongoing stretch of high temperature days has brought heat tourists to the park who have been taking photos and videos in front of the digital thermometer at Furnace Creek. The park encourages visitors to not hike in low elevation areas during extreme heat and to only sightsee short distances from air conditioned cars. Extreme heat also thins the air, making it much more difficult for helicopters to fly and rescue a person in distress. [Source] An 81-year-old farmer from Vietnam who claims to have not slept since 1973 has gone viral online. Decades-long insomnia: Thai Ngoc, who hails from Quang Nam province, spends his days tending to crops and ponds, as well as raising fish on his farm in the Na Trang valley. Unlike others who rest when the sun sets, he purportedly works tirelessly day and night. "I can still carry 50 kilograms of fertilizer over a 4-kilometer distance from my house to the field without feeling tired," he was quoted by Vietnamnet as saying. More from NextShark: The Most Bob Ross Looking Dog Has Passed Away in Japan How it started: According to Ngoc, he began to lose his ability to sleep after contracting a fever in 1973. Since then, his condition persisted despite seeking medical advice and prescriptions from doctors at the Da Nang Hospital. Sleep deprivation typically leads to various symptoms, including irritability, impaired cognitive function, reduced concentration and extreme fatigue. These symptoms worsen in cases where individuals go without sleep for multiple days. More from NextShark: Single father of 2 in China seeks $15,000 from estranged wife for housework and child rearing over past 8 years Ngoc's case appears to be an anomaly as he has shown to have adapted to life without sleep remarkably well. Peculiar ailment: While there is no apparent significant impact on his overall health, Ngoc finds his condition frustrating. "It's frustrating and exasperating, he said. What a peculiar ailment. Seeing others sleep, I envy them. On moonlit nights, I usually go out to weed and till the soil because sitting still is unbearable. It's strange that I work twice as much as others, yet my life is still not that prosperous." More from NextShark: These TikTok users believe they can change their race to 'become' Asian Ngoc said he would occasionally turn to alcoholic beverages, but they only leave him in a drowsy haze without causing him to fall asleep. Story continues Global fame: While he has lived a quiet life, Ngoc gained international attention after local news outlets covered his extreme case of insomnia in 2007. Several foreign television networks have offered him substantial sums to document his daily life, but he has refused the invitations. In February, YouTuber Drew Binsky spent a night with Ngoc and observed that he attempted to sleep around 4 a.m. but ultimately failed. One theory surrounding Ngoc's insomnia is the possibility of post-traumatic stress disorder stemming from the Vietnam War, during which Ngoc reportedly injured his hand. More from NextShark: Chinese girl's letter asking for good ride-hailing reviews for her 'chubby' driver father goes viral Coroners officials identified a 9-year-old boy who was killed Thursday evening in a chain-reaction crash on Highway 50 in East Sacramento. The Sacramento County Coroners Office said the victim was Abdelkarim Alhazaymeh of Elk Grove, who was killed when he was ejected from a vehicle that was heading westbound on the freeway at 6:36 p.m. According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision started when a 19-year-old female motorist driving a 2017 Mazda came in contact with another car while changing lanes going about 60 mph. The Mazdas rear end clipped the right front side of a 2017 Toyota, driven by a 52-year-old man from Sacramento, which was going the same direction at about 65 mph in the leftmost lane, the CHP said in a news release. The contact caused the Mazda to veer left and strike the center divider just west of 59th Street. The Mazda then veered to the right, according to the CHP, and struck the left side of a 2003 Honda being driven in the No. 3 lane by a 44-year-old man from Cypress, Orange County. After it was struck, the Honda veered right into a dirt embankment on the shoulder and overturned at the 59th Street onramp. It was as the car overturned that Alhazaymeh, who officers said was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown from the vehicle before the Honda flipped over a jersey wall and landed on its roof, the CHPs South Sacramento office said. Three other occupants in the Honda were hospitalized with minor injuries, including the driver, who according to the CHP news release was also not belted. It was not clear whether the other two occupants were belted into the vehicle. No other injuries were reported. The investigation remains ongoing, but no arrests have been made. Those who witnessed the crash are urged to call the CHPs South Sacramento office at 916-897-5600. The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has detained a 62-year old resident of the Shevchenkove hromada [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.] of the Mykolayiv district on suspicion of helping Russian invaders in the abduction and torture of Ukrainian patriots. Source: Security Service of Ukraine; Mykolaiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office Details: According to the investigation, in July 2022, while under occupation in one of the settlements of the Shevchenkove hromada, which borders Kherson Oblast, this man collaborated with the Russian military. According to the SSU, a local resident himself offered his help to the Russian invaders, and they included him in the punitive detachments that made "raids" on members of the resistance movement: Ukrainian patriots were abducted, taken to torture chambers and tortured. According to the investigation, the defendant was directly involved in these crimes. The perpetrator and the Russian forces abducted patriotic men, took them outside the village, beat them up, and "staged" executions in an open area. Local residents were put to the wall, and with firearms pointed at them, they were fired at in dangerous proximity. Thus, the invaders tried to intimidate and persuade Ukrainians to cooperate or to provide secret information. SSU officers received testimonies from seven victims who suffered from such attacks. A 62-year old man was detained as a result of stabilisation measures in the liberated territories. On the basis of the collected evidence, he was served a notice of suspicion of complicity in violating the laws and customs of war, committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons (Art. 27.5, Art. 28.2 and Art. 438.1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The suspect is in custody. He faces up to 12 years in prison. The prosecutors chose an exceptional preventive measure: detention without the right to bail. Story continues An investigation is underway to establish all the circumstances of the crime. Complex activities were carried out by SSU officers in Mykolaiv Oblast together with the National Police under the procedural leadership of the Mykolaiv Oblast Prosecutors Office. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A 33-year-old man accused of poaching a moose in Colorado in 2021 was charged nearly two years after he left the animal to rot, wildlife officials said. An Oakley, Kansas, man pleaded guilty to several charges on July 10, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in a July 19 news release. He is accused of shooting a bull moose with an arrow in September 2021 north of Divide, Colorado, wildlife officials said. He tried to remove its head, and then covered it with branches and sticks before leaving it, officials said. This moose was treated unethically and that is something we take very seriously, said Travis Sauder, assistant area wildlife manager for the Pikes Peak region. ICYMI -- This was the moose illegally killed and left to rot by a poacher in Teller County in September 2021. @COParksWildlife officers used tips from the public to identify the poacher then they tracked him down in Kansas and busted him. https://t.co/i5eSpFOCWK pic.twitter.com/tf71prybaa CPW SE Region (@CPW_SE) July 20, 2023 Officers find accused poacher in Kansas For years officers werent able to find who illegally killed the animal. Wildlife officers said they reviewed evidence from the scene and photos taken at the time of the poaching suggested they had found a suspect. The officers drove to his work in Kansas and executed a search warrant on his home, where they found evidence, officials said. He then pleaded guilty to a felony charge of willful destruction of wildlife and misdemeanor charges of hunting without a proper and valid big game license, aggravated illegal possession of wildlife, failure to prepare wildlife for human consumption, hunting in a careless manner and illegal take of wildlife. The man was ordered to pay a $20,000 fine and received two years of unsupervised probation, officials said. He also had to surrender his bow and other property that contained evidence of the crime including his cellphone. Story continues He was assessed 65 points against his hunting license, with just 20 needed to suspend his hunting privileges, officials said. Our officers are determined to stop people like (him) who think they can simply go kill any animal they like. I want to make it clear: (He) was not a hunter. He is a poacher, Area Wildlife Manager for the Pikes Peak region Tim Kroening said in the release. Divide is about 25 miles northwest of Colorado Springs. Suspicious subject wandering neighborhood is taken down by its tail, video shows Man with alligator over his shoulder seen walking around Louisiana town, video shows Using baby alligator in drink-chugging stunt ends with teen charged, Florida cops say It started with a green head plopped next to the sidewalk and a sign next to the oddity. This is Jake the Snake, add a painted rock and see how long he can get, the sign declared. The rocks quickly started to come: rainbow rocks, floral rocks, be-kind rocks, avocado rocks. In days, there were more than 70 rocks, then 150, and then more than 300 as the snake took a serpentine course along the sidewalk at Strawberry Field Road in Warwick and around the corner. Now, there are nearly 1,000 painted rocks. Jake the Snake has become a popular attraction in Warwick, with hundreds of rocks adding steadily to its length. This one is my favorite, said Lucy Lacombe, pointing to a ladybug rock. And this one. And this one. All of them. Especially this cute little strawberry. Jake grew in popularity as quickly as he grew in size. He made the rounds in local news, and social media loved him. He quickly became such a rock star that another snake hatched in Rocky Point State Park, Sheila H. Snake, and then on Prudence Island, Rocky the Snake made its debut and was up to 110 stones at last count. Other communities have talked about starting one of their own. Sheila isnt doing as well as Jake, with only a few stones left on the seawall and her sign and head gone when The Journal visited on July 18. At Rocky Point State Park, Sheila H. Snake had been reduced to a few rocks on the seawall. Whats causing the rock snakes to start? Rock snakes are trending on TikTok and Facebook, encouraging communities to start their own to build a bit of community spirit. The basic idea is someone paints a head, comes up with a name and a sign and invites others in the community to add a painted rock of their own. Family fun in RI: Looking for something to do in RI with the family for less than $100? Here are 5 ideas In many ways, they are the natural evolution of Facebook groups such as Warwick Rocks, which encouraged people to paint and hide rocks for other people to find. That group, which has about 4,800 members, has been helping Jake to grow. Who started Jake the Snake? Lucy Lacombe poses next to her rocks after adding her latest creations to Jake the Snake's tail. The Strawberry Field Road snake was started by father and daughter Scott and Jenna Lee Denton, according to reporting by the Warwick Beacon. They live nearby and wanted to give children in the neighborhood something to do. Story continues And for kids like Lucy, Jake has been a lot of fun. With a blue streak of paint still on her forehead, she asked her dad, Thoman Lacombe, if when they got home she could paint some more rocks to add to Jake. It was an easy yes. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rock snakes are taking over RI, but there's no need to afraid Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis prepares to shake the hand of Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, during the Utah Republican Party Organizing Convention at Utah Valley University in Orem on Saturday, April 22, 2023. | Ryan Sun, Deseret News As Utah prepares for a visit from GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis on Friday, a new poll of the states Republican voters shows former President Donald Trump has pulled ahead. Trump has led in the national polls for some time, even as he has struggled to win the trust of voters in Utah. DeSantis has shown signs of strength in the state, but the latest Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll shows him falling behind. None of the other Republican candidates, however, have so far come close to knocking DeSantis off his second-place perch. Related Of the 495 registered Utah Republican voters surveyed, 29% said they would vote for Trump and 24% said they would choose DeSantis. Former Vice President Mike Pence comes in third with 6%, followed by former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, both at 4%. The poll was conducted by Dan Jones and Associates from June 26 to July 4. The margin of error is plus or minus 4.4 percentage points for Republican voters. In the previous months poll, the margin was closer, with Trump ahead of DeSantis 27%-26%. In the latest poll, Trump does well with voters who identify as very conservative and among those who completed only high school. DeSantis is even with Trump among very active Latter-day Saints, and does slightly better among voters who identify with neither political party. Trump in Utah Matthew Burbank, a political science professor at the University of Utah, said the poll shows Trump still holds sway over Republicans. Its interesting because Trump always had his struggles here, Burbank said. He was never the kind of strong candidate that he was in some other heavily Republican states. But I think what we see from Republican primaries in general right now is it looks like Trump is the leading candidate. DeSantis is sort of the preferred alternative for Republican voters. Burbank said he was mystified by the hold Trump has on Republican voters, especially after his legal troubles, and given that he doesnt take strong positions on many issues or look different from other candidates when it comes to policy. Story continues Its a real mystery as far as Im concerned, simply because there clearly is a very strong attachment among some Republican voters with Donald Trump, just a sort of personal attachment, Burbank said. But, he said, Trump does seem to be better than DeSantis at establishing a connection with voters, and is a better politician. Michael Barber, a political science professor at Brigham Young University, said he is also surprised to see Trumps durability among Republican voters. There seems to be about 50% of the Republican primary electorate that is just there with Donald Trump no matter what, and no amount of indictments or new revelations about his involvement there seem to budge them they represent a pretty substantial portion of the Republican primary electorate, he said. But, he pointed out, Trump may not have that same durability among the general electorate. Most important quality: moral character In another poll question, Utahns were asked what qualities they most want in a leader. The first choice, at 33%, was moral character, followed by trustworthiness at 17%. Moral character was the first choice across several categories of voters Republicans and Democrats, among the very conservative to the very liberal, and among voters with varying levels of education. The only demographic who did not choose it first were voters whose incomes are in the range of $24,000 to $49,999 a year, who picked business experience first. Given voters concerns about moral character, you might expect Trumps continued legal problems to hurt him in the polls in Utah. So far he has been indicted for allegedly covering up payments to a former mistress during the 2016 presidential campaign, and for mishandling classified documents after leaving office. He also could face charges over the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Burbank said he has seen in his research that people often find ways to square dissonant information. And so I dont find Donald Trump to be a particularly upstanding moral character, but there are lots of people who would argue that he is, and I think that you can find ways to square that circle so that you can reduce the dissonance in your head, he said. Republicans in Congress have been holding hearings where theyve called into question President Joe Bidens moral leadership, especially related to possible interference on behalf of his son Hunter Biden, who was charged with two misdemeanors related to his taxes and a felony over his handling of a firearm. But Burbank said he doesnt think there is any equivalency there. I think its very difficult to look at what Hunter Biden is in trouble for probably as an individual, hes done some things are wrong, hes pled guilty to things, Burbank said. So that clearly is a problem. But, I dont think that is directly attached to his father. As generative AI enters the mainstream, so, too, does AI-generated porn. And like its more respectable sibling, it's improving. When TechCrunch covered efforts to create AI porn generators nearly a year ago, the apps were nascent and relatively few and far between. And the results weren't what anyone would call "good." The apps and the AI models underpinning them struggled to understand the nuances of anatomy, often generating physically bizarre subjects that wouldn't be out of place in a Cronenberg film. People in the synthetic porn had extra limbs or a nipple where their nose should be, among other disconcerting, fleshy contortions. Fast-forward to today, and a search for "AI porn generator" turns up dozens of results across the web -- many of which are free to use. As for the images, while they aren't perfect, some could well be mistaken for professional artwork. And the ethical questions have only grown. No easy answers As AI porn and the tools to create it become commodified, they're beginning to have frightening real-world impacts. Twitch personality Brandon Ewing, known online as Atrioc, was recently caught on stream looking at nonconsensually deepfaked sexual images of well-known women streamers on Twitch. The creator of the deepfaked images eventually succumbed to pressure, agreeing to delete them. But the damage had been done. To this day, the targeted creators receive copies of the images via DMs as a form of harassment. The vast majority of pornographic deepfakes on the web depict women, in truth -- and frequently, they're weaponized. A Washington Post piece recounts how a small-town school teacher lost her job after students' parents learned about AI porn made in the teachers likeness without her consent. Just a few months ago, a 22-year-old was sentenced to six months in jail for taking underage womens' photos from social media and using them to create sexually explicit deepfakes. Story continues In an even more disturbing example of the ways in which generative porn tech is being used, there's been a small but meaningful uptick in the amount of photorealistic AI-generated child sexual abuse material circulating on the dark web. In one instance reported by Fox News, a 15-year-old boy was blackmailed by a member of an online gym enthusiast group who used generative AI to edit a photo of the boy's bare chest into a nude. Reddit users have been scammed with AI porn models, meanwhile -- sold explicit images of people who don't exist. And workers in adult films and art have raised concerns about what this means for their livelihoods -- and their industry. None of this has deterred Unstable Diffusion, one of the original groups behind AI porn generators, from forging ahead. Enter Unstable Diffusion When Stable Diffusion, the text-to-image AI model developed by Stability AI, was open sourced late last year, it didnt take long for the internet to wield it for porn-creating purposes. One group, Unstable Diffusion, grew especially quickly on Reddit, then Discord. And in time, the group's organizers began exploring ways to build -- and monetize -- their own porn-generating models on top of Stable Diffusion. Stable Diffusion, like all text-to-image AI systems, was trained on a dataset of billions of captioned images to learn the associations between written concepts and images, such as how the word "bird" can refer not only to bluebirds but parakeets and bald eagles in addition to far more abstract notions. Unstable Diffusion One of the more vanilla images created with Unstable Diffusion. Image Credits: Unstable Diffusion Only a small percentage of Stable Diffusions dataset contains NSFW material, giving the model little to go on when it comes to adult content. So Unstable Diffusion's admins recruited volunteers -- mostly Discord server members -- to create porn datasets for fine-tuning Stable Diffusion. Despite a few bumps in the road, including bans from both Kickstarter and Patreon, Unstable Diffusion managed to roll out a fully fledged website with custom art-generating AI models. After raising over $26,000 from donors, securing hardware to train generative AI and creating a dataset of more than 30 million photographs, Unstable Diffusion launched a platform that it claims is now being used by more than 350,000 people to generate over half a million images every day. Arman Chaudhry, one of the co-founders of Unstable Diffusion and Equilibrium AI, an associated group, says Unstable Diffusion's focus remains the same: creating a platform for AI art that "upholds the freedom of expression." "We're making strides in launching our website and premium services, offering an art platform that's more than just a tool -- it's a space for creativity to thrive without undue constraints," he told me via email. "Our belief is that art, in its many forms, should be uncensored, and this philosophy guides our approach to AI tools and their usage." The Unstable Diffusion server on Discord, where the community posts much of the art from Unstable Diffusion's generative tools, reflects this no-holds-barred philosophy. The image-sharing portion of the server is divided into two main categories, "SFW" and "NSFW," with the number of subcategories in the latter slightly outnumbering those in the former. Images in SFW run the gamut from animals and food to interiors, cities and landscapes. NSFW contains -- as one might expect -- explicit images of men and women, but also of nonbinary people, furries, "nonhumans" and "synthetic horrors" (think people with multiple appendages or skin melded with the background scenery). Unstable Diffusion A more adult, furry product of Unstable Diffusion. Image Credits: Unstable Diffusion When we last poked around Unstable Diffusion, practically the entirety of the server could've been filed in the "synthetic horrors" channel. Owing to a lack of training data and technical roadblocks, the community's models in late 2022 struggled to produce anything close to photorealism -- or even halfway decent art. Photorealistic images remain a challenge. But now, much of the artwork from Unstable Diffusion's models -- anime-style, cell-shaded and so on -- is at least anatomically plausible, and, in some rare cases, spot on. Improving quality Many images on the Unstable Diffusion Discord server are the product of a mix of tools, models and platforms -- not strictly the Unstable Diffusion web app. So in the interest of seeing how far the Unstable Diffusion models specifically had come, I conducted an informal test, producing a bunch of SFW and NSFW images depicting people of different genders, races and ethnicities engaged in... well, coitus. (I can't say I expected to be testing porn generators in the course of covering AI. Yet, here we are. The tech industry is nothing if not unpredictable, truly.) Unstable Diffusion An NSFW image from Unstable Diffusion, cropped. Image Credits: Unstable Diffusion Nothing about the Unstable Diffusion app screams "porn." It's a relatively bareboned interface, with options to adjust image post-processing effects such as saturation, aspect ratio and the speed of the image generation. In addition to the prompt, Unstable Diffusion lets you specify things that you want excluded from generated images. And, as the whole thing's a commercial endeavor, there's paid plans to increase the number of simultaneous image generation requests you can make at one time. Prompts run through the Unstable Diffusion website yield serviceable results, I found -- albeit not predictable ones. The models clearly don't quite understand the mechanics of sex, resulting, sometimes, in odd facial expressions, impossible positions and unnatural genitalia. Generally speaking, the simpler the prompt (e.g. solo pin-ups), the better the results. And most scenes involving more than two people are recipes for hellish nightmares. (Yes, this writer tried a range of prompts. Please don't judge me.) The models shows the telltale signs of generative AI bias, though. More often than not, prompts for "men" and "women" run through Unstable Diffusion render images of white or Asian people -- a likely symptom of imbalances in the training dataset. Most prompts for gay porn, meanwhile, inexplicably default to people of ambiguously LatinX descent with an undercut hairstyle. Is that indicative of the types of gay porn the models were trained on? One can speculate. The body types aren't very diverse by default, either. Men are muscular and tone, with six packs. Women are thin and curvy. Unstable Diffusion is very well capable of generating subjects in more shapes and sizes, but it has to be explicitly instructed to do so in the prompt, which I'd argue isn't the most inclusive practice. The bias manifests differently in professional gender roles, curiously. Given a prompt containing the word "secretary" and no other descriptors, Unstable Diffusion often depicts an Asian woman in a submissive position, likely an artifact of an over-representation of this particular -- erm -- setup in the training data. Unstable Diffusion A gay couple, as depicted by Unstable Diffusion. Image Credits: Unstable Diffusion Bias issue aside, one might assume that Unstable Diffusion's technical breakthroughs would lead the group to double down on AI-generated porn. But that isn't the case, surprisingly. While the Unstable Diffusion founders remain dedicated to the idea of generative AI without limits, they're looking to adopt more... palatable messaging and branding for the mass market. The team, now at five people full-time, is working to evolve Unstable Diffusion into a software-as-a-service business, selling subscriptions to the web app to fund product improvements and customer support. "We've been fortunate to have a community of users who are incredibly supportive. Still, we recognize that to take Unstable Diffusion to the next level, we would benefit from strategic partnerships and additional investment," Chaudhry said. "We want to ensure we're providing value to our subscribers while also keeping our platform accessible to those who are just getting started in the world of AI art." To set itself apart in ways beyond a liberal content policy, Unstable Diffusion is heavily emphasizing customization. Users can change the color palette of generated images, for example, Chaudhry notes, and choose from an array of art styles including "digital art," "photo," "anime" and "generalist." "We've focused on ensuring that our system can generate beautiful and aesthetically pleasing images from the simplest of prompts, making our platform accessible to both novices and experienced users," Chaudhry said. "[Our system] gives users the power to guide the image generation process." Content moderation Elsewhere, spurred by its efforts to chase down mainstream investors and customers, Unstable Diffusion claims to have spent significant resources creating a "robust" content moderation system. Unstable Diffusion A Chris Hemsworth lookalike, created with Unstable Diffusion's tools. Image Credits: Unstable Diffusion But wait, you might say -- isn't content moderation antithetical to Unstable Diffusion's mission? Apparently not. Unstable Diffusion does draw the line at images that could land it in legal hot water, including pornographic deepfakes of celebrities and porn depicting characters who appear to be 18 years old or younger -- fictional or not. To wit, a number of U.S. states have laws against deepfake porn on the books, and there's at least one effort in Congress to make sharing nonconsensual AI-generated porn illegal in the U.S. In addition to blocking specific words and phrases, Unstable Diffusion's moderation system leverages an AI model that attempts to identify and automatically delete images that violate its policies. Chaudhry says that the filters are currently set to be "highly sensitive," erring on the side of caution, but that Unstable Diffusion is soliciting feedback from the community to "find the right balance." "We prioritize the safety of our users and are committed to making our platform a space where creativity can thrive without concerns of inappropriate content," Chaudhry said. "We want our users to feel safe and secure when using our platform, and were committed to maintaining an environment that respects these values." The deepfake filters don't appear to be that strict. Unstable Diffusion generated nudes of several of the celebrities I tried without complaint ("Chris Hemsworth," "Donald Trump"), save particularly photorealistic or accurate ones (Donald Trump was gender-swapped). Unstable Diffusion A deepfaked, gender-swapped image of Donald Trump, created with Unstable Diffusion. Image Credits: Unstable Diffusion After this article's publication, Unstable Diffusion said that it found a "bug" in the filter system that allowed content against its usage policy to be generated. It's now fixed this bug, supposedly, and added statistical monitoring to its filter system "to catch such issues earlier should they happen again." "Unstable Diffusion has always been known for cracking down hard on deepfake attempts and have rejected numerous funding and collaboration deal due to our anti-deepfake policy," a spokesperson said via email. "We're extremely committed to combating deepfakes and immediately disabled our site while we worked on remedying the problem. It's now back online and we have tested the celebrities in the article and they are all appropriately banned." Future issues Assuming Unstable Diffusion receives the investment it's seeking, it plans to shore up compute infrastructure -- an ongoing challenge given the growing size of its community. (Having used the site a fair amount, I can attest to the heavy load -- images usually take around a minute to generate.) It also plans to build more customization options and social sharing features, using the Discord server as a springboard. "We aim to transition our engaged and interactive community from our Discord to our website, encouraging users to share, collaborate and learn from one another," Chaudhry said. "Our community is a core strength -- one that we plan to integrate with our service and provide tools for them to expand and succeed." But I'm struggling with what "success" looks like for Unstable Diffusion. On the one hand, the group aims to be taken seriously as a generative art platform. On the other, as evidenced by the Discord server, it's still a wellspring of porn -- some of which is quite off-putting. As the platform exists today, traditional VC funding is off the table. Vice clauses bar institutional funds from investing in pornographic ventures, funneling them instead to "sidecar" funds set up under the radar by fund managers. Even if it ditched the adult content, Unstable Diffusion, which forces users to pay for a premium plan to use the images they generate commercially, would have to deal with the elephant in the generative AI room: artist consent and compensation. Like most generative AI art models, Unstable Diffusions models are trained on artwork from around the web, not necessarily with the creator's knowledge. Many artists take issue with -- and have sued over, in fact -- AI systems that mimic their styles without giving proper credit or payment. The furry art community FurAffinity decided to ban AI-generated SFW and NSWF art altogether, as did Newgrounds, which hosts mature art behind a filter. Only recently did Reddit walk back its ban on AI-generated porn, and only partially: art on the platform must depict fictional characters. In a previous interview with TechCrunch, Chaudhry said that Unstable Diffusion would look at ways to make its models "more equitable toward the artistic community." But from what I can tell, there's not been any movement on that front. Indeed, like the ethics around AI-generated porn, Unstable Diffusion's situation seems unlikely to resolve anytime soon. The group seems doomed to a holding pattern, trying to bootstrap while warding off controversy and avoiding alienating the community -- and artists -- that made it. I can't say I envy them. ArtemisDiana/Getty Images Whats new in the health space? Here are some of the most interesting, under-the-radar stories from Yahoo News partners this week. 'You absolutely don't need consent from someone who's dead' What does the future of grief and loss look like? An AI company called You, Only Virtual is creating chatbots modeled after deceased loved ones, with its founder, Justin Harrison, telling Good Morning America that he hopes people wont have to feel grief at all. You, Only Virtual scans text messages, emails and phone calls shared between an individual and the deceased person to create a chatbot that composes original written or audio responses mimicking the deceased persons voice and modeling the relationship and rapport that the two shared in life. The company, founded in 2020, hopes to offer a video-chat option later this year, and ultimately provide augmented-reality that allows for interaction with a three-dimensional projection, GMA reported. Harrison, who used the technology to create a virtual mom after his mother died, rejected possible privacy concerns raised by the use of personal conversations to build a chatbot without the consent of the deceased. "You absolutely don't need consent from someone who's dead," he said. "My mom could've hated the idea, but this is what I wanted and I'm alive." WHO says cases of mosquito-borne disease could hit near-record highs, thanks to global warming panom/Getty Images The World Health Organization said Friday that cases of dengue fever could reach near record highs this year thanks in part to global warming, which is enabling mosquitoes and the viruses they carry to multiply faster, Reuters reported. WHO warned earlier this year that dengue is the world's fastest-spreading tropical disease, representing a "pandemic threat, with about half the worlds population now at risk. Most cases are asymptomatic, but symptoms of dengue may include a fever accompanied by nausea, rash or achiness, which usually clear up in two to seven days. About one in 20 people sick with dengue will develop severe dengue, which can result in shock, internal bleeding and in less than 1% of people death. Story continues Gene variant may be why some test positive for the virus with no COVID symptoms Ladanifer/Getty Images Scientists involved in a study published on Wednesday have identified a gene that could explain why some COVID-positive people never develop symptoms. The study enrolled 29,947 volunteer bone-marrow donors because high-quality genetic data was already available for this group, the Washington Post reported and asked them to use smartphones to track their own coronavirus infections and any symptoms over the course of nine months, including whether they had taken a COVID test each week. Over the course of the study, among patients who had tested positive and reported no symptoms, 20% carried a variant of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) gene called HLA-B*15:01. Participants carrying two copies of the variant were more than eight times more likely to remain asymptomatic than those carrying other HLA variants. Researchers hope that this discovery could lead to more innovations in vaccines and treatments. As we've all learned, preventing COVID infection has proven to be more difficult than we thought it was going to be," said Jill Hollenbach, an immunologist at the University of California at San Francisco and co-author of the study. "If we could design a vaccine that maybe doesn't stop you from getting infected but can handle the infection so readily that you don't have any symptoms, I'd personally be very happy with that." Long COVID 'brain fog' may age brain by a decade, study says The Good Brigade/Getty Images The brain fog associated with long COVID may be the cognitive equivalent of aging 10 years, PA Media reported. Participants in a study by Kings College London were tested on memory, attention, reasoning, processing speed and motor control. Researchers found that those whose test scores were most affected by COVID were participants who had experienced COVID symptoms for 12 weeks or more; and in that group, the effect of the virus on test accuracy was comparable in size to the effect of a 10-year increase in age. When a second round of testing was conducted, an average of almost two years after the participants initial infection, there was no significant improvement in scores. Our findings suggest that, for people who were living with long-term symptoms after having COVID-19, the effects of the coronavirus on mental processes such as the ability to recall words and shapes are still detectable at an average of almost two years since their initial infection, the lead study author, Dr. Nathan Cheetham, said. However, the result that COVID had no effect on performance in our tests for people who felt fully recovered, even if theyd had symptoms for several months and could be considered as experiencing long COVID, was good news. The Air Force said Friday that some airmen can resume the process of moving to their next duty station, after a funding shortfall briefly threatened to derail the services busy summer travel season. Now airmen who are slated to move by the end of September can get those orders approved, but those awaiting a permanent change of station in fiscal 2024 will have to wait, the service said in a release. Troops planning to move in the next two months should receive their permanent change of station, or PCS, orders by the end of July, or at least 30 days before their departure date, the Air Force said. Service members typically receive orders 60-120 days ahead of moving day. Airmen stationed overseas who were scheduled to return stateside between October and December still have to stay put until March 2024 at the latest. People can petition their wing commanders and the Air Force Personnel Center to make an exception. The Air Force will continue to communicate with airmen whose PCS orders have not been completed, the service said. On July 10, the service announced that higher-than-projected personnel costs had prompted it to pause most moves starting in August while it waited for Congress to green-light an infusion of cash. Military Times previously reported that supplemental funding was delayed by a fight between Colorado and Alabamas congressional delegations over the future home of U.S. Space Command, a decision controlled by the Air Force. Lawmakers have since partially approved the Pentagons emergency request for more funds, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin told commanders across the service in an email Friday. An Air Force spokesperson authenticated the email to Air Force Times after it was leaked to the unofficial Air Force amn/nco/snco Facebook page. Allvin wrote that the Air Force would first put the cash infusion toward strategically vital programs related to future combat needs and deterrence. With this in mind, we will soon resume authenticating the remainder of orders for 2023, he said. Story continues New enlisted airmen and officers will continue to move, he added, and airmen awaiting assignments for short overseas tours starting in December will soon receive those orders. Priority consideration is being given to mandatory moves, he wrote of those pending for fiscal 2024. The Air Force also plans to restart a slew of programs aimed at retaining troops in critical fields, like pilots and special warfare airmen. It had paused funding to those bonus initiatives to help stop the personnel account from bleeding cash. Air-raid warnings were issued in 14 oblasts of Ukraine due to the danger of missile strikes. Source: Ukrainian Air Force; alerts map Details: Air-raid sirens started blaring in Chernihiv Oblast at 10:23, and then, they spread to eastern, central and southern oblasts. Ukraine's Air Force reported that missile danger was present in these areas. Later, it added that Oniks anti-ship supersonic missiles were launched at Odesa Oblast. The air-raid warning means civilians are urged to reach a shelter as soon as possible. Update: Later, air-raid warning spread on Zhytomyr and Vinnytsia oblasts. As of 11:32, an all-clear was given in Mykolaiv and Kherson oblasts. At 12:01, it was also given in Kyiv. Update: The all-clear was sounded throughout Ukraine at 12:30. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! An Airbnb near popular South Carolina tourist attractions has been praised for its location and now, it boasts the best host in the state. The highest-ranking listing an apartment aptly called #1 SC Airbnb in Mt. Pleasant Old Village won the honor for the second time in a row. After topping the most recent list in 2021, host Perry Fant again made his mark on the states short-term rental scene, Airbnb wrote in a July 13 report. The winning Airbnb was praised for its location near popular tourist attractions. The getaway destination is in Mount Pleasant, a town near fan-favorite beaches and the vacation hot spot of Charleston. Some Airbnb customers raved that the apartment was close to those places while also having a peaceful setting. Despite being in a historic neighborhood that dates back centuries, the winning Airbnb said it offers travelers up-to-date amenities. Everything inside is modern & was bought brand new and installed, equipped & decorated in July 2018, the listing said. It has everything you need, just like home. All you need to bring is a beach towel/chair, your clothes, toothbrush & paste. The Airbnb said it offers toiletries and modern amenities to travelers who stay there. Fant was named No. 1 in South Carolina after Airbnb said it set a high bar in its search for the top host in each state. Hosts had to have achieved 100% 5-star ratings in the following categories: cleanliness, check-in and communication, the rental company wrote. To raise the bar even further, we set the minimum number of reviews at 100. In states where more than one person met the criteria of most hospitable host, the total amount of reviews was used as a tiebreaker. Similar metrics were used in 2021, when Fant also reigned supreme in South Carolina, McClatchy News reported. This time around, Fants Mount Pleasant apartment has reached 4.98 out of five stars. In addition to location, visitors gave the Airbnb host nods for keeping a clean space and being an effective communicator about their trips. The apartment which has two beds, one bathroom and a kitchen lists for about $200 per night. Fant co-hosts the property with Paige Fant, Airbnb told McClatchy News in an email. This South Carolina city ranks among the nations most beautiful and affordable These South Carolina burger joints rank among the nations best. Why fans crave them The Supreme Court early Friday morning allowed Alabama to move forward with its first lethal injection since the state paused executions last year over concerns about the procedure. Convicted murderer James Barber, 64, was pronounced dead at 2:56 a.m. ET, according to the states Department of Corrections, nearly two hours after the justices rejected Barbers emergency request to halt the execution. The court denied Barbers request despite public dissents from the courts three liberals, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, who said Alabama was using Barber as its guinea pig. After the state experienced issues securing the necessary IV access in three lethal injections last year, two of which were canceled, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) paused executions and ordered a top-to-bottom review. Alabama then added new personnel to the IV team and expanded the time frame the prison system has to complete an execution. But attorneys for Barber, who was convicted of murdering 75-year-old Dorothy Epps in 2001 by beating her to death with a claw hammer, cast doubt that the changes solved the previous issues. None of these changes constitute serious efforts to fix Respondents pattern of botched execution after botched execution, Barbers attorneys wrote to the justices. His attorneys claimed Barbers Eighth Amendment rights, which protect against cruel and unusual punishment, were likely to be violated if the execution was allowed to move ahead. Alabama plans to kill him by lethal injection in a matter of hours, without ever allowing him discovery into what went wrong in the three prior executions and whether the State has fixed those problems, Sotomayor wrote in her dissent, joined by Kagan and Jackson. The Eighth Amendment demands more than the States word that this time will be different. The Supreme Court rarely grants death-row inmates bids to halt their executions. The majority of the 15 people who have been executed so far this year applied to the Supreme Court for emergency review and were denied, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Story continues Both the district court and the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had sided with Alabama in Barbers attempt to stop his execution, finding no likely violation of his Eighth Amendment rights. Obtaining intravenous access is a common procedure that is unquestionably necessary to the states interest in carrying out lawful executions, the state wrote to the justices. Barber would have this Court grant certiorari on a claim that an IV team who had the appropriate licenses, certifications, and experience might have difficulty accessing his veins so that multiple sticks were required, it continued. But embracing Barbers standard would effectively bar any lethal injection execution, as well has calling into question innumerable other situations where IV access must be obtained in a carceral setting. The state had also argued Barbers request should be denied because he unreasonably delayed bringing his claim. Barber filed his lawsuit May 25, roughly three weeks after the Alabama Supreme Court permitted Ivey to set the time period for Barbers execution. Previously, prison officials were prescribed a singular day to execute a death-row inmate, setting up a midnight deadline for the lethal executions to be completed. But after the states review, the governor is now granted the ability to set a longer time period. After losing in the 11th Circuit on Wednesday, Barber, hours before his scheduled execution, filed his emergency request with the justices earlier Thursday. Barbers attorneys said in court filings the timeline was entirely the making of Alabama, noting that Ivey scheduled Thursdays execution date five days after Barber filed the lawsuit. Mr. Barber did not lie in wait with his claim in an attempt to interrupt a scheduled execution. Rather, Mr. Barber brought this lawsuit as soon as possible, in order to be executed on this date by the readily alternative method of nitrogen hypoxia, his attorneys wrote. The Alabama Department of Corrections said in a statement that Barber had 22 visitors and two phone calls Thursday. He refused to eat breakfast but ate snacks, drank beverages and ate a final meal of loaded hash browns, a western omelet, spicy sausage and white toast. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee is allowing the Air Force to move around funds to cover shortfalls in personnel costs, but other efforts to shuffle Defense Department funding remain caught up in an increasingly contentious fight over whether Space Command will be headquartered in the lawmaker's home state. After Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., told Military.com last week he was holding up military reprogramming requests over the Air Force's much delayed decision on where to base U.S. Space Command, a committee spokesperson said Wednesday that the lawmaker has now allowed requests related to personnel funding to go through. The spokesperson, Justine Sanders, added that the committee "continues to review additional reprogramming requests from the Department of Defense." Read Next: Weapons Sent to Ukraine Were in Danger of Falling into Criminal Hands, Watchdog Warned The Air Force previously said that, because of higher-than-expected personnel costs and the delay in congressional approval to reprogram funds, it was pausing some duty assignments and reenlistment and retention bonuses. Department of the Air Force spokeswoman Rose Riley told Military.com late Wednesday evening that the service is "aware and checking into what this means" but did not detail a plan for reenacting bonuses or permanent change-of-station moves. "We continue to work through the details as quickly as possible," Riley added Thursday. In a process known as reprogramming, the Pentagon seeks approval from the leaders of the House and Senate armed services and appropriations committees before it moves money between accounts. Congressional sign-off is sought because of Pentagon policy and tradition, but there is no law requiring the Defense Department to get approval first. While the Air Force's announcement on personnel shortfalls was the first visible effect of Rogers' hold, hundreds of millions of dollars in reprogramming requests across the military branches are reportedly being delayed. Rogers releasing his hold on personnel funding was first reported by Defense News. Story continues Rogers and other members of Alabama's congressional delegation from both parties are increasingly frustrated with the Air Force's dilatory deliberations in choosing between Alabama and Colorado as the permanent home for Space Command. Whichever state wins the headquarters will also win 1,400 jobs, an economic boon of millions of dollars, and the prestige of hosting a high-profile military command. Two years ago, during the last days of the Trump administration, the Department of the Air Force selected the Army's Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, as the preferred location for Space Command's permanent headquarters. But lawmakers from Colorado, where Space Command is temporarily based right now, alleged political interference in the decision, bolstered by former President Donald Trump's own words that he "single-handedly" chose Alabama. "Space Force -- I sent to Alabama," Trump told the "Rick & Bubba" radio show at the time. "I hope you know that. [They] said they were looking for a home, and I single-handedly said, 'Let's go to Alabama.' They wanted it. I said, 'Let's go to Alabama. I love Alabama.'" Both the Pentagon's inspector general and the Government Accountability Office investigated, and had procedural critiques and called out shoddy recordkeeping. Ultimately, they did not uncover or identify any major issues with Huntsville as a location for the base. With more than a year passed since the investigations finished and still no announcement from the Air Force on a final decision, Alabama lawmakers have increasingly flexed their muscles to try to force a decision. In addition to delaying reprogramming requests, Rogers included a provision in this year's House-passed defense policy bill that would block funding to build out the Space Command headquarters until a final location is announced. Similar provisions were championed by other Alabama lawmakers and included in the Senate defense policy bill and the House and Senate defense spending bills. Rogers has also launched his own investigation into the basing process. In May, he requested the Air Force hand over documents to the committee related to the Space Command decision. In a second letter sent Wednesday, Rogers demanded the documents be produced by Friday and that Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Space Command chief Gen. James Dickinson sit for transcribed interviews with the committee by Aug. 18. "The committee's review of publicly available information, meetings with each of you and information from whistleblowers makes one thing clear: The Department of the Air Force and the leadership of USSPACECOM are engaged in deliberate, taxpayer-funded manipulation of a competitive selection process," Rogers wrote to Kendall and Dickinson. "Your continued failure to comply with documentary and testimonial requests may result in the use of compulsory processes." Last week, President Joe Biden named a new commander for U.S. Space Command. But Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., has continued to pause all high-level promotions in the Senate in retaliation for the Pentagon's policy allowing troops to leave for civilian abortion services, leading to uncertainty when the Space Force officer will be approved for his next post. -- Rebecca Kheel can be reached at rebecca.kheel@military.com. Follow her on Twitter @reporterkheel. -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. Related: Alabama Lawmaker Blocks Pentagon Budget Moves to Force Decision on Space Command Basing By Josephine Walker and Joseph Ax (Reuters) -Alabama's Republican-controlled legislature on Friday passed a new congressional map that increased the number of Black voters in one of the state's districts, but Democrats said the plan defied a U.S. Supreme Court ruling intended to protect minority voters' rights. Civil rights groups have already vowed to challenge the new map in court, a month after the Supreme Court ruled that the state's previous district lines marginalized the state's sizable Black population in violation of the Voting Rights Act. "Alabama lawmakers appear hell-bent on preventing Black voters from fully participating in the democratic process and they are blatantly ignoring their constituents, federal law, and the highest court of the land to disenfranchise us," one plaintiff in the Supreme Court case, Scott Douglas, the executive director at Greater Birmingham Ministries, said in a statement. More than one-quarter of Alabama's residents are Black, but under a Republican-drawn map approved in 2021, only one of the state's seven congressional districts, the 7th, is majority Black. The state's lone Democratic U.S. representative, Terri Sewell, represents that district. After the Supreme Court decision, a federal three-judge panel gave lawmakers until Friday to create a second district with either a Black majority or "something quite close" to give Black voters another opportunity to elect a representative of their choice. The new map increases the proportion of Black voters in the 2nd district from about 32% to 40%, a level that Democrats and civil rights groups said was not enough to comply with the court's directive. Adding another majority-Black district, as the Supreme Court plaintiffs have proposed, would increase Democrats' chances of picking up another seat in the 2024 elections. Republicans hold a narrow 222-213 majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. Story continues Democratic lawmakers decried the move on the floor of the legislature. Senator Bobby Singleton, a Black Democrat, accused fellow lawmakers of playing a "game" with Black voters. "We don't care about your voice," Singleton said. "That's what it ultimately ends up saying." But Republicans said they were confident the 2nd district's new lines provided a meaningful opportunity for Black voters. Michael Li, a redistricting expert with New York University's Brennan Center for Justice, called the Republican plan "flabbergasting," saying it fell far short of the court's order. "The court ruling was very clear about what you need to have in order to satisfy the Voting Rights Act," he said. The map will require approval from the federal three-judge panel. If the court determines that the new map is still illegal, a court-appointed special master would draw a new version to be used in the 2024 congressional election. Last week, a New York state appeals court ordered lawmakers to redraw the state's congressional map. The decision, opposed by Republicans, could give the Democratic-controlled legislature a chance to flip as many as half a dozen Republican-held U.S. House seats by enacting a partisan plan. (Reporting by Josephine Walker in Washington, additional reporting by Joseph Ax in New York; Editing by Scott Malone and Aurora Ellis) In just over three months since activating the well, Piney Points site operators have drained 63 million gallons of contaminated water from the long-plagued facility. Two years ago, the former phosphate processing plant made national headlines when a leak forced state officials to release 215 million gallons of that contaminated water into Tampa Bay, which experts believe contributed to an extended red tide bloom. Ever since the site was abandoned by its former owners in 2001 and the state became responsible for its maintenance, officials have said that an underground injection control well is the most realistic method to dispose of the water. The well, which is owned by Manatee County Government on Buckeye Road, injects the water about 2,000 feet underground. In previous presentations, scientists explained that, in addition to being treated before it goes into the well, the water will undergo a natural treatment process over the course of thousands of years before resurfacing in the Gulf of Mexico. Environmental advocates have pushed back on the practice, arguing that the well could endanger Floridas drinking water supply, but site operators and state officials maintain that it is safe. Following the April 2021 disaster, county officials worked with the state to quickly fund and construct the well. Site operators flipped the switch in April, allowing Piney Point to drain up to 1 million gallons of water per day. Getting rid of the water on the site became a priority because it means a lower risk to public safety and local water quality, officials say. This project is one critical element of the necessary water disposal that will enable the ultimate closure of the Piney Point facility once and for all, permanently eliminating the threat from this site to the environment and the community, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection said in a recent update. Piney Points long-delayed closure, as well as the operation of dozens of still-active phosphate processing plants throughout the state, are a hot topic following Gov. Ron DeSantis recent approval of a bill that could pave the way for the gypsum material stored on these properties to be used in roadway construction. Story continues Site operators say they are making amazing progress at Piney Point, where the first pond is set to finally be closed by the end of July. More than 63 million gallons of contaminated water have also been drained into an underground injection control well. Amazing progress at Piney Point During a Wednesday morning interview and tour of the site, site manager Jeff Barath described amazing progress at the industrial property near Manatee Countys northern border along Tampa Bay. For the community, this is big. This is huge. We can manage problems on-site, Barath said. We havent had that in a long time. Thanks to the well and a lack of rain, the ponds at Piney Point are holding significantly less water than before. For the past two decades, those ponds have been a major source of anxiety for local leaders. Piney Point started out as a phosphate processing plant in 1966. Over the course of nearly 40 years, the property built up large reservoirs of water that had absorbed nutrients through the technique used to convert phosphate rock into phosphorus, a key ingredient in fertilizer. Site operators say they are making amazing progress at Piney Point, where the first pond is set to finally be closed by the end of July. A gauge on the underground injection control well shows that over 63 million gallons of contaminated water have also been drained as of mid-July. The nutrients in the water nitrogen, phosphorus and ammonia made the water unfit to be released into local waterways without undergoing a rigorous cleaning process. Those ponds sit atop large mounds of gypsum, a slightly radioactive byproduct of phosphate processing. The gypsum mounds are covered with thick plastic liners to prevent the water from coming in direct contact with the material. Florida pays $185 million for Piney Point closure A tear in that liner sparked the April 2021 emergency situation, resulting in the controlled release of water into Tampa Bay. Later, Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered the closure of the Piney Point site. To date, the state has put $185 million toward site closure. Because the ponds cover dozens of acres on the property, every inch of rainfall has a dramatic effect, adding 3.6 million gallons of water to the site. In recent months, the site has been spared from heavy rainfall. We are making amazing progress even better than I hoped back in April, Barath said, referring to when the well began accepting water earlier this year. By the end of July, crews expect to have a proof of concept for a permanently closed gypsum stack. Old Gypsum Stack South, one of several ponds on the site, has been outfitted with pipes to drain excess water, filled with soil and covered with grass seeds. This is what a closed gypsum stack will look like, Barath said. Despite recent progress, Piney Point is still at least 18 months away from final closure. There are still millions of gallons of water that need to be treated before entering the well, and the process of capping the ponds once they are empty is a delicate one, operators say. Some Amazon employees will be forced to relocate to fulfill a company policy requiring three days per week of in-office work, according to sources speaking with Bloomberg. Those affected will include workers hired for remote positions and those who moved during peak pandemic days. Remote Amazon workers will have to report to main hub offices, including company headquarters in Seattle, New York and San Francisco (and possibly other locations), as The Wall Street Journal reported. However, decisions on who has to relocate, and where, will be decided on a departmental basis. The company reportedly hasnt yet established how many employees will have to uproot themselves. An Amazon representative told Bloomberg today that it observes more energy, collaboration, and connections happening since implementing the in-office mandate, which CEO Andy Jassy announced in February. Some of the companys workforce viewed the policy as adding insult to injury, as it arrived around the same time as widespread layoffs starting in late 2022 that affected around 27,000 employees. Hundreds of workers staged a walkout in May, protesting the return-to-office policy and the companys climate shortcomings. We continue to look at the best ways to bring more teams together in the same locations, and well communicate directly with employees as we make decisions that affect them, an Amazon spokesperson told Bloomberg. State lawmakers from the Charlotte region and aviation industry advocates are confident that North Carolinas tax exemption on commercial jet fuel will be extended as part of the General Assemblys budget, expected to be completed next month. Joe Bost, chief advocacy officer at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, told CBJ this week that an extension of the tax exemption has been a long-standing priority and seems likely to pass as part of the fiscal year 2024 budget. That budget will likely be approved in mid-August, lawmakers have said. Based on the asset that Charlotte Douglas International Airport is and the economic development created by having the hub, we are grateful that this is moving in the right direction, Bost said. ALSO READ: American Airlines adds daily flights at CLT to Midwest city where John Deere is based American Airlines Group Inc. operates the hub mentioned by Bost, accounting for 88% of CLTs traffic. The airline has 13,500 employees here. We appreciate the support from policymakers at the state level, Tracy Montross, Americans regional director of government affairs, told CBJ. The exemption applies to all fuel use for interstate commercial and cargo aviation. Montross pointed out that if the tax was reinstated and collected again by the state, federal law requires that all revenue must be spent on airport-related projects and programs and could not be used for anything else. Keep reading here. (WATCH BELOW: American Airlines flight turned around due to mechanical issue) Most Americans view on former President Trump hasnt changed much in the last year, according to a newly released study from the Pew Research Center. About 63 percent of respondents had an unfavorable view of Trump and 35 percent a favorable one, nearly identical results from a poll taken in March of this year. It is also only a slight deviation from July 2022, where a previous survey found that 60 percent of people held unfavorable views and 38 percent favorable. The results show the former president as broadly unpopular, but with a resilient reputation amid two federal indictments and multiple other federal and state investigations which could result in criminal charges. Opinion among Democrats is identical to last years poll, but Trumps favorability dropped slightly with Republican respondents, according to the survey. Two-thirds of Republican respondents currently have a favorable view of Trump, compared to three quarters last year. Similarly, unfavorable views have risen from 24 percent to 32 percent in the last year. Trump in April pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts in connection to a six-figure payment his former fixer, Michael Cohen paid to an adult film actress. He was also indicted in June for 37 counts related to the mishandling of records at Mar-a-Lago as well as his efforts to block the government from recovering the documents. This week, Trump was served a target letter in a federal investigation into his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and his actions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021 riot on the Capitol. He also faces an investigation in Georgia into his attempts to overturn the election in that state. That probe has empaneled a grand jury and is expected to decide on whether Trump will be charged with any crime by Sept. 1. Despite the small slip, Trump remains far ahead in GOP presidential primary polling. He carries a 31 point lead over chief rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in national polling averages. The Pew survey polled 8,480 people over a week in mid-July. The data has a margin of error of 1.5 points. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Amid outcry from the public against a possible tax increase, the Leon County Children's Services Council voted to roll back its property-tax rate for the 2024 fiscal year. During a Thursday meeting, the CSC cast a 4-0 vote to roll back its tax rate from 37.5 cents for every $1,000 of assessed property value to 34.77 cents. In result of this rare step for a taxing authority in Tallahassee, the rate is expected to generate $7.63 million in revenue, the same amount as the current fiscal year. Paul Mitchell, a lobbyist with The Southern Group in Tallahassee, speaks during the first meeting of the Leon County Children's Service Council on Thursday, May 6, 2021. Paul Mitchell, treasurer of the CSC and a well-known Florida lobbyist, expressed support for moving to the rolled-back rate and motioned for its approval. "I think that a lot of the comments that were made by the public, gave everyone pause. So, my position was the 'so called' roll back rate," Mitchell said while briefly discussing why the council decided not to make a recommendation on the tax rate at last month's finance and budget committee meeting. Last year, the board held the property tax rate steady at 37.5 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value. That generated extra revenue for the CSC, which was used for additional staff and overhead, like rent. More than a dozen people attended the meeting. Several of them pointed out that keeping the tax rate the same would amount to an increase because of rising property values. "It looks like y'all are leaning for going with the roll back rate," said Emily Fritz, a retiree who earlier expressed concerns about an increase. "I want to tell you thank you. I think that's a good decision." Members of the public filled the Children's Services Council meeting to convince the council not to increase its tax rate. The CSC won't give final approval on the tax rate until public hearings are held in September. Circuit Judge Anthony Miller, a CSC member, was present; however, Florida statutes prohibited him from discussing and voting on the tax rate, according to Cecka Rose Green, executive director of the CSC. School Board member Darryl Jones, who said he had another engagement, left before the vote was taken. Two other CSC members, Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna and Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare CEO Mark O'Bryant, were absent from the meeting. Story continues Members of the CSC also voted 5-0 to approve their tentative budget for the 2024 fiscal year, which totals $9.63 million. More: All the city and county taxes and fees that will hit your wallet in 2024 More: County Commission OKs first EMS tax hike in 20 years, higher fire service fees The move by the CSC comes as other local taxing authorities are moving forward with property tax increases for 2024. City commissioners tentatively approved a nearly 10% increase property tax rate hike last month, with additional revenue going to the Tallahassee Police Department for crime-fighting efforts. County commissioners approved a 50% property tax rate hike for Emergency Medical Services, its first increase since taking over the ambulance service 20 years ago. County commissioners are keeping their general property tax rate flat, though that, too, qualifies as a tax increase because it will raise millions in additional revenue. Tallahassee Democrat writer Alaijah Brown can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Children's Services Council votes to roll back property tax rate By Kate Abnett and Valerie Volcovici BRUSSELS/BEIJING (Reuters) - Record-breaking heat in China. Wildfires forcing Swiss villages to evacuate. Drought ravaging Spanish crops. As the costs of climate change rack up, a debate is surging among governments: who should pay? The question has been in the spotlight amid this week's climate talks between the U.S. and China, where the world's two biggest economies tried to find ways to work together on issues ranging from renewable energy deployment to climate finance ahead of this year's U.N. climate summit, COP28, in Dubai. Given China's rapid economic growth and increasing emissions, pressure has grown on Beijing to join the group of countries providing this funding. During the talks in Beijing, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said the two sides would continue to discuss climate finance over the next four months, before the COP28 conference starting Nov. 30. "It's difficult to argue that countries like China, Brazil or Saudi Arabia should still be put at the same level as the least developed countries and small island developing states," a diplomat from one European Union country told Reuters. The EU, today the biggest contributor of climate finance, has lobbied to expand the pool of donor countries that provide it. Climate finance refers to money that wealthy countries pay toward helping poorer nations reduce CO2 emissions and adapt to a hotter, harsher world. So far, the few dozen wealthy countries obliged to make these payments have not delivered cash in the amounts promised. That list of financing nations was decided during U.N. climate talks in 1992, when China's economy was still smaller than Italy's. Now, some countries are calling for China to contribute. U.S. officials including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen have noted that Chinese contributions would boost the efficacy of the U.N. climate fund. Other countries under similar pressure include Qatar, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, three of the world's richest nations in terms of GDP per capita. Story continues So far, China has resisted calls that could group it alongside wealthy nations. In a meeting with Kerry on Tuesday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang stressed that developed countries should deliver their unfulfilled climate finance commitments and take the lead in cutting emissions, according to Li's office. He suggested developing countries could make contributions "within their capabilities." That resistance suggests the effort faces serious challenges. Changing the official U.N. donor list would require international consensus. "There is much too much resistance among countries like China and Saudi Arabia to touch the official definition," one EU official said on condition of anonymity. Advocates for the change argue that an expansion needs to happen before a new - and, likely, far bigger - U.N. target for climate finance kicks in after 2025. Countries still need to negotiate the size of that target and who will contribute to it. "All countries that are able, must contribute to global climate finance," said Ambassador Pa'olelei Luteru, who chairs the Alliance of Small Island States. The bigger issue, Luteru said, is which of the poor and most vulnerable countries will be in line to receive it. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? The U.N. climate financing arrangement is based on the principle that rich countries have a greater responsibility to tackle climate change, because they have contributed the bulk of the CO2 emissions heating the planet since the industrial revolution. The United States' historical CO2 emissions are bigger than those of any other country, but China today is the world's biggest CO2 emitter in terms of pollution produced each year. Countries will face the question of historical responsibility at COP28, as they aim to launch a new fund to compensate vulnerable states for costs already being incurred in climate-fuelled natural disasters. The EU dropped its years-long resistance to that fund last year, but on the condition that a larger group of countries pay into it. Countries have not yet decided who will contribute. The United States has been cagey about making payments that could be seen as reparations for climate change. Some countries not obliged to contribute to UN climate funds have done so anyway, including South Korea and Qatar. Others have begun channelling aid through other channels. China launched the South-South Climate Cooperation fund in 2015 to help least developed countries' tackle climate issues, and so far has delivered about 10% of the $3.1 billion pledged, according to think tank E3G. That's a fraction of the hundreds of billions that Beijing is spending on its Belt and Road Initiative, backing projects including oil pipelines and ports. Such arrangements allow countries to contribute without obligation, although if done outside of U.N. funds they can face less stringent criteria for public reporting - making it harder to track where the money is going and how much is paid. Byford Tsang, a senior policy advisor at E3G, said a Chinese offer of more climate finance would be a "win-win" for Beijing. "It would earn China diplomatic clout, and pressure Western donors to raise their stakes on climate finance," he said. Some vulnerable countries, frustrated with the flagging finance to date, are looking to new sources for cash. The Barbados-led Bridgetown Initiative is pushing for a revamp of multilateral development banks so they can offer more support for climate projects. Other nations have rallied behind a global CO2 levy on shipping to raise funds. (Reporting by Kate Abnett in Brussels and Valerie Volcovici in Beijing; Editing by Katy Daigle and Stephen Coates) By Oksana Kobzeva and Vladimir Soldatkin MOSCOW (Reuters) - Increased supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia's Novatek mean the company is close to overtaking Kremlin-controlled Gazprom as the country's leading fuel supplier to Europe, Reuters calculations show. Novatek's rise towards the coveted top spot underlines how much the Ukraine conflict has disrupted Russia's and the world's energy industry as Europe turns to LNG and away from Gazprom's network of pipelines that dominated European supply for decades. Russia's gas, in contrast to its oil, is not subject to Western sanctions, although Brussels is considering extending its embargo on Russian fuel. The European Union has already sought to cut its reliance on Russian supplies and aspires to replace gas with renewable energy as it strives to curb its emissions. In the immediate term, it has increased its LNG imports. Novatek, founded almost 29 years ago, secured Russian state support to expand in the LNG market following the launch of its vast Yamal LNG plant in northwest Siberia in 2017. Reuters calculations, based on figures from Refinitiv Eikon data, showed that Gazprom's total exports of LNG and pipeline gas supplies to Europe were around 13.8 billion cubic metres (bcm) between January 1 and July 15. Novatek's exports to the region in the same period amounted to 12.34 bcm. Gazprom and Novatek have not replied to Reuters' requests for comment. "Gazprom has likely forever lost 65%-75% of its historical share of the European market," Ronald Smith of Moscow-based brokerage BCS said. However, he added it would be "very difficult" for Novatek to completely replace Gazprom in Europe, as Gazprom's remaining customers have limited infrastructure to import LNG. Gazprom's gas exports, mainly to Europe, almost halved last year because of the political crisis over Ukraine and after undersea Nord Stream pipelines were damaged by unexplained blasts last September. Story continues Germany and Italy remain among Gazprom's largest customers in Europe. PIPELINE DECLINE Russia aims to secure a fifth of the global LNG market by 2035 from around 8% in 2022, while Russia's pipeline exports, exclusively provided by Gazprom through a Soviet-built network, are steadily declining. Natural gas is frozen to minus 163 Celsius (-261.4 Fahrenheit) to convert it to a liquid that can be shipped to any regasification terminal in the world, making it more flexible than pipeline gas. To defend its position, Gazprom in 2006 secured a law that enabled it to become Russia's sole exporter of natural gas via pipelines and sea-borne liquefied natural gas. But Russia has since liberalised LNG trading to support projects by Novatek. Novatek, meanwhile, has ramped up output from its Yamal LNG plant in the Arctic and plans to further boost LNG production at its new projects, which are due to come onstream in the coming years. The leaderships of both Novatek and Gazprom have close ties with President Vladimir Putin and have publicly clashed over Novatek's rising profile on the European gas market, which used to account for two thirds of Gazprom's total gas sales. Alexei Miller, Gazprom's CEO, has been an ally of Putin since they worked together in the early 1990s in the mayor's office in St Petersburg, Russia's former imperial capital. Miller moved to Moscow in 2000 when Putin was first elected Russian president. A year later, he was appointed chief executive of Gazprom. Gennady Timchenko, also a long-time ally of Putin, resigned from Novatek's board in March 2022 after he was targeted by sanctions. Timchenko has said he owned a few trading companies in and near St Petersburg in the 1990s, when Putin worked in the office of the city's mayor. He had been listed among Novatek's largest shareholders, before the company stopped disclosing them several years ago. Timchenko had long challenged Gazprom's monopoly on Russian gas exports, saying in 2012 that Europeans wanted to have an alternative to Gazprom. At the time, he also criticised Gazprom's policy in Europe, which, he said, had contributed to a decline in market share. "I believe that Gazprom Export's marketing campaign led to its European share decrease ... Liquefied natural gas has already come to the market. In essence, a new, cheaper gas market is emerging; one has to see such things," Timchenko told the Forbes magazine in 2012. (Reporting by Oksana Kobzeva and Vladimir Soldatkin; editing by Barbara Lewis) Screenshot: Lucasfilm Andors second season already found itself embroiled in the early days of the WGA strike, when series showrunner Tony Gilroy faced criticism due to alleged misunderstandings that he was continuing to work on the series in spite of the WGA strikes demands of union members. Now, as Hollywood finds itself facing another, Andor is once again in the spotlight. Deadline reports that production on the second season of the show, currently filming in England, has been paused just weeks away from a wrap on principal photographybut only for members of its cast that are members of the U.S. unions currently striking. Deadline further notes that the series will continue to shoot as much material as it can with local actors involved in the production, although just how feasible that is for what remains to be filmed remains to be seen. The UKs equivalent to SAG-AFTRA, Equity, operates under different contracts, and members of the UK union have been warned that they can be sued for breach of contract should they strike in solidarity with their SAG-member crewmates. Read more Gilroy has, for his own part, used Andors recent press highlights in the wake of a raft of Emmy nominations for the critically acclaimed series to advocate for a swift end to both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and a fair deal for writers and actors alike. You have this massive community of creative people in all departments everywhere. Theyve spent their lives, and some of them are second and third generation, some of them are just brand new; whatever it is, theyve all come there, and theyre all part of this thing, Gilroy recently told Collider. Sadly, were in the place right now where the unions are the people that are trying to preserve this industry, this amazing American industry that grew up this incredible system that we have. Story continues And whos trying to protect it? Its left to the unions to try to protect this industry, Gilroy concluded. That sense of community, I think, is the thing that will drive a successful conclusion to all this labor trouble. Andor season 2 was anticipated to release some time in the summer of 2024, with Gilroy previously stating at Star Wars Celebration earlier this year that there was approximately a year of post-production planned after the conclusion of principal photography. With this stall, whether that timeframe remains accurate remains to be seenbut its just another example of an industry being force to reckon with the impact of the strikes in any way other than negotiating with the unions. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. More from Gizmodo Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Prince Andrew reportedly visited Jeffrey Epstein while the convicted paedophile was on house arrest in 2010, casting doubt over the disgraced royals claims during his Newsnight interview. In the 2019 interview, BBC presenter Emily Maitlis asked the Duke of York about his relationship with Epstein who was arrested for soliciting a minor for prostitution in 2008. Epstein served a 13-month prison sentence after pleading guilty, before he was placed on house arrest at his Florida mansion until July 2010. When quizzed about his friendship with Epstein, Andrew told Maitlis he only visited the financier once after he left jail. Andrew, 63, said he travelled to New York in December 2010 to break off his friendship with Epstein, insisting they had no further contact. However, new evidence appears to show Andrew met Epstein at a dinner while he was still under house arrest, The Times reported. Andrew just sat next to me at dinner, Epstein reportedly wrote in an email to former JP Morgan Chase executive Jes Staley, dated 14 June 2010. We will try to connect this week. Any word on M? This is fun. There is no word on who, or what, M refers to. The email is part of court documents from a civil lawsuit brought by the US Virgin Islands against the banking behemoth, alleging JP Morgan was complicit in the crimes of Epstein who died by suicide in August 2019, while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. Jes Staley will be in London on Thurs the 22 . . . I think you should meet if you are in town, Epstein allegedly wrote to Andrew in April 2010. The duke apparently responded, saying he wasnt available for a visit at the time but looked forward to travelling to New York in the near future, according to the court documents. In September 2010, Epstein told Staley he was about to connect with Andrew. The court papers also appeared to suggest Andrew remained in touch with Epstein after he allegedly cut ties with him in December 2010. In an email from February 2011, Epstein told Staley that Andrew had reportedly asked for the bankers London schedule. Story continues The Independent has reached out to Andrews representatives for comment. Appearing on Newsnight to distance himself from Epstein, who was 66 when he was found dead in a New York jail, Andrew told Maitlis he ceased contact with his former friend after becoming aware Epstein was under investigation for sex crimes. He confirmed there was no contact with Epstein after that, until his visit in December 2010. Was that the only time you saw [Epstein] after he was convicted? Maitlis asked Andrew. Yes, yeah, he replied, insisting they never met or spoke again. Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal charges accusing him of paying underage girls hundreds of dollars in cash for massages and then molesting them at his homes in Florida and New York. His former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for recruiting and grooming young girls for Epstein to abuse. Last year, Andrew paid 3m to settle a lawsuit filed by Virginia Guiffre, one of Epsteins alleged victims who claimed the duke sexually assaulted her. He has vehemently denied these claims, and accepted no liability as part of the settlement terms. Last month, JP Morgan Chase announced it had reached a 290m settlement as part of a class action lawsuit filed by Epsteins victims to hold the company for allegedly financing his sex trafficking operations. The lawsuit filed by the Virgin Islands attorney-general against JP Morgan accuses the financial services company of pulling the levers that allowed Epstein to traffick young women and girls. Lawyers for the bank have claimed the government of Virgin Islands and not JP Morgan Chase was complicit in the crimes of Epstein. They alleged high ranking officials were actively working with Epstein while reaping the benefits of his wealth. WASHINGTON Unprecedented. Landmark. Unique. The superlatives fail to do justice to another potential indictment against Donald Trump this one for allegedly trying to steal the 2020 election. The case sails into legally and politically uncharted territory. No former president has ever faced criminal charges, but Trump could face his third case in a year after announcing Tuesday that he is the target of Justice Department special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into potential election fraud. Another inquiry into election fraud waits in the wings, in Georgia. Trump has dodged other bullets. He became the first president to be impeached twice and won acquittals in both Senate trials. He has pleaded not guilty in New York court to falsifying business records and in federal court to mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House, and he is trying to stave off trials until after the 2024 election. But the latest federal case could be the most serious. The allegations under investigation include trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election after losing the popular and Electoral College vote and disrupting the peaceful transfer of U.S. power for the first time in history. The case could be pivotal politically because Republican voters are aware of Trump's baggage. Trump is raising money and rallying his supporters with the accusations in his quest for a second White House term, but the path could instead lead to a prison cell. "We get our insights from precedent and history," GOP pollster Whit Ayres told USA TODAY. "And there is no precedent and there is no history that comes close to matching this particular moment." Former President Donald Trump departs after a visit with campaign volunteers at the Elks Lodge, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. What makes the latest election fraud case different? The election fraud inquiry is different from previous allegations against Trump because of the sprawling nature of the investigation and its national scope. Trump was indicted in New York for allegedly falsifying business records to pay hush money before the 2016 election to a woman who claimed to have had sex with him. His federal indictment alleges he kept 340 classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate more than a year after leaving the White House. Story continues The election investigation focuses on Trump refusing to acknowledge losing the 2020 election, recruiting GOP electors to replace Democrats in states President Joe Biden won, then urging a crowd outside the White House to "fight" for him on Jan. 6 before a mob of his supporters ransacked the Capitol. They go to the heart of our political system, Jonathan Entin, a professor emeritus of law and adjunct professor of political science at Case Western Reserve University, said of the federal and Georgia election inquiries. In that sense, theyre really serious. Theyre potentially more serious than the classified documents situation. The target letter Trump received cited potential charges for conspiracy to defraud the United States and witness tampering. The House panel that investigated the Jan. 6 attack recommended charging him with obstructing the congressional count of Electoral College votes, recruiting alternate electors and pressuring then-Vice President Mike Pence to reject electors in his role as Senate president. Pence refused. U.S. District Judge David Carter, who reviewed the scheme as part of a civil lawsuit, called the strategy a "coup in search of a legal theory." 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 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." Matt Dallek, a presidential historian, said the investigation will test the electoral system, the judicial system and bedrock law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and Justice Department. Trump has accused the agencies of a political prosecution. These cases really go to the heart of the idea of a peaceful transfer of power and a sense of bedrock faith and integrity in America's elections, Dallek said. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger speaks at a press conference at the Georgia State Capitol on November 11, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. At the press conference Raffensperger announced an audit of the Secretary of State race. Historians: Trump's image as 'outlaw' captures public imagination Presidential historians say the pending indictments are riveting because Trump is as unusual a personality as criminal charges are against a former president. We've had outlaws before that capture the country's attention like Jesse James, Billy the Kid and John Dillinger, but we've never had a person with this amount of power openly defying the legal authorities. They were always on the run, on the lam, escaping apprehension," said Douglas Brinkley, a noted presidential author, historian and professor at Rice University. "In Donald Trump, we have our only outlaw president who has wielded enormous power and is a global figure of ungodly magnitude. So its not as easy as simply saying we're going to throw the book of law at him and he's going to jail. He's a one-man revolution, and so his followers and devotees are dug in deep for him." Dallek also said the pending charges unlike previous indictments put Trump on the same level of political peril as Richard Nixon before he resigned as resident during Watergate. But because Trump has political cover from many influential Republicans, he might be able to survive the new charges, especially if he wins reelection. Winning is in his view his 'get out of jail free' card, Dallek said. If this were any ordinary person, he would be in massive trouble. But because he is not an ordinary person, because it has become so politicized and seen through this frame of kind of partisan politics, it makes it makes it much more difficult for the justice system to work. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., who has long experience with presidential investigations, called the criminal charges against Trump "depressing and shocking." She was a House staffer during the Nixon investigation and a House member for the impeachments of Bill Clinton and Trump. One difference over the decades is that Republicans turned against Nixon after listening to his tapes but many remain loyal to Trump despite the mounting evidence, she said. I think it's a sad time for the country, not because the Justice Department is indicting but because of the behavior that has made them indict him," Lofgren said. "The activity that he engaged in was a huge threat to the United States." U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., is working on legislation to revamp the Electoral Count Act. Trump has benefited from fighting accusations, but will voters tire of drama? So far, Trump has benefited politically from his indictments. But the load is getting heavier. Many Republicans believe the pressures of a third indictment involving an unprecedented effort to stay in power despite rejection by most voters will eventually take a toll on Trump's political standing. A similar case in Georgia would only increase his problems. "He's going to have scheduling issues and the weight of carrying around having to explain all of this stuff," former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Trump rival for the GOP nomination for president, told USA TODAY. "I think over the long term is going to be a real problem for him." Trump has benefitted from peddling the notion that criminal cases against him are the weapons of a "deep state" determined to bring him down. Many Republicans also believe, despite a lack of proof, that the 2020 was somehow "rigged" against Trump, the reason the then-president pressured officials across the country to essentially reverse Biden's wins in certain key states. "Many of us have a strong sense that the government is out to get not just him, but what he represents," Vivek Ramaswamy, a businessman and rival to Trump for the GOP presidential nomination, told USA TODAY. "And I think that that has had the effect of further solidified support behind him." Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks at a town-hall-style event at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College on June 06, 2023 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Some Republicans said Trump's legal problems will eventually erode his support. It's not so much the indictments themselves, they said, but revelations of his conduct: Trying to steal an election, paying hush money over an affair, carelessness with sensitive national security information, defying a grand jury subpoena over classified documents, and a reckless and relentless bid to keep the power of the presidency. Republican opponents also note that, while Trump remains relatively popular with Republicans, independent votes are increasingly turning away, making him a problematic candidate in a general election. But pollster Frank Luntz said a recent meeting wtih evangelical voters in Iowa revealed "they are tired of all the drama and controversy" but not necessarily looking for another candidate. "At this moment, he has survived every controversy, and come out stronger," Luntz said. "With Donald Trump you get drama and there will be drama. But and it's a very big but there's no reason to look for any other candidate yet." Court appearances could also distract from the campaign trail. A New York state civil lawsuit against his namesake company is scheduled for October, federal prosecutors have asked to begin his classified-documents case in December, a defamation lawsuit from E. Jean Carroll is scheduled for Jan. 15 the day of the Iowa presidential caucuses and the New York criminal case is set for March. Trump's lawyers asked to postpone the documents trial until after the 2024 election. Christie, a former friend of Trump's, said the allegations will take a personal toll on the former president as "he starts to get closer and he really starts to think about this." "I know him well," Christie said. "He's lying in bed at night staring at the ceiling and all the rest of it." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump was in big legal trouble. His problems could get worse Anson County could be in line for a new casino. As many as four new casinos as well as video gambling machines could be authorized in North Carolina under proposals now being discussed by legislators, the top General Assembly leaders said on Thursday. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters separately about the ideas, which they said have yet to reach the level of formal legislation to be voted upon. But details about those ideas and some potential bill language are being exchanged among lawmakers, the Republican leaders said, reflecting an upgrade in negotiations that have waited in the wings for months during this years legislative session. ALSO READ: Top NC senator says chances for approving more sanctioned gambling better than 50-50 The negotiations appear intertwined with extended talks over a final two-year state budget that was supposed to be enacted by July 1. Votes on any outstanding legislation from this years work session including any budget agreement and overrides of Democratic Gov. Roy Coopers vetoes now are not likely to happen until at least early August, the lawmakers said. I would anticipate that if at the point in time when we get a budget done, we will have made a decision about (gambling) as well, Berger said. The state currently has three casinos, operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians or the Catawba Indian Nation. But legislators -- Berger among others have become worried about state and local governments losing revenue to other states that are opening non-tribal casinos, particularly Virginia on its southern border. One just opened in Danville, Virginia, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from where Berger lives in Rockingham County. Proposals would permit casinos that are part of entertainment districts that could include hotels and restaurants as well as residential and commercial development in Anson, Nash and Rockingham counties, Moore and Berger said. Allowing the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina to run a casino in eastern North Carolina is also being discussed, they said. Story continues The Lumbees, which are concentrated in Robeson County, havent been able to operate their own casino because theyve lacked the extent of federal tribal recognition necessary to do so. The tribe could provide gambling through a state licensing process instead, Moore said. ALSO READ: We are hopeful: Local casino adjusting to future of sports betting in NC A study by a gambling research group estimated commercial casinos built in Nash, Anson and Rockingham counties could generate almost $1.7 billion in gross wagering revenue annually and hundreds of millions in taxes. Moore and Berger also mention the jobs that would be created. A development company that has connections to a casino developer is already seeking to rezone some Rockingham County land. The legalization of video gambling machines statewide could follow a House bill that received a hearing in May. That measure would direct the state Lottery Commission to regulate the machines, allowing them in places with alcohol beverage licenses. The state would get a cut equal to a portion of net machine revenues. Efforts have gone back two decades to stamp out illegal video gambling machines sitting inside sweepstakes parlors. North Carolina legislators already enacted a massive expansion of legalized gambling this year by passing a law authorizing betting on sports and horse racing statewide. The first wagers are expected in the first half of 2024. Opposition to sports betting came from a coalition of social conservatives and liberal lawmakers who lament the results of adult gambling addiction upon families and children. The North Carolina Family Policy Council is now asking its allies to contact legislators and urge them to block more casinos. Pro-gambling forces also have many registered legislative lobbyists. ALSO READ: Mobile sports betting in NC: Where will the money go? Moore argued Thursday theres more support for the casino and video gambling proposal than there was for the sports betting law. The response that were hearing from legislators from those regions has been supportive because they see it as a way to really spur the economy of their region, Moore said. Its unclear whether the final product would require formal backing of a casino project by local voters, such as through a referendum. Berger said last week the chances that more state-sanctioned gambling would make it to Coopers desk this summer was better than 50-50. Berger took a pragmatic tone Thursday. I dont know that thats something well be able to do, Berger said. Obviously, its something that Ive been supportive of in concept. Well see. Cooper, who would be asked to sign bills approved in the coming weeks, kept his focus Thursday on the delayed budget. He criticized Republicans for failing to hold recorded votes this week and to pass a completed spending plan so an expansion of Medicaid coverage to hundreds of thousands of low-income adults could be implemented. Lawmakers have veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate. Republican leaders have two supermajorities and no one to blame for this impasse but themselves, he said in a news release. (WATCH BELOW: Gov. Cooper signs sports betting bill at Spectrum Center) Behold: Ajax Apple is secretly working on AI tools and an internally used AI chatbot, Bloomberg reports, which engineers in the company have nicknamed "Apple GPT." The news could be the first serious sign that the tech monolith is finally entering the generative AI race, though it reportedly has no plans to release its product anytime soon. According to Bloomberg, an experimental version of Apple's chatbot was created by a small team before the end of last year. Though "Apple GPT" has gradually been used by more engineers, the company is keeping access to it tight over security concerns. Intriguingly, employees have been forbidden from using the chatbot to develop products that will be used by customers. To develop the large language model (LLM) that powers the chatbot, Apple is using an in-house generative AI system known as "Ajax,'' according to internal sources, built on the Google JAX framework. Ajax runs on cloud services provided by Google, and has already been used to make "AI-related improvements" to some of Apple's existing features, like its virtual assistant Siri and Apple Maps app. Sleeping Giant Until now, Apple has been strangely distant if not downright absent in the rapid AI boom spearheaded by the likes of OpenAI's ChatGPT, whose name has become so synonymous with the technology that not even Apple's engineers could resist using it as a shorthand. Meanwhile, Microsoft has shared in OpenAI's success through a multi-billion dollar partnership that's leveraged ChatGPT's tech into powering its own Bing AI search assistant. Other competitors like Google have also made waves through its Bard AI, with Meta also in the wings. Of course, Apple has been slowly making strides in AI for years now, led by its 2018 hiring of John Giannandre, who previously led Google's search and AI efforts. It just hasn't made a big splash about its work. Still, for anything resembling ChatGPT, Apple really only has Siri to show for itself, which was a big deal when it first released a decade ago, but is now decidedly outmoded. It's more an occasionally useful gimmick to do simple tasks on your iPhone, which is not really impressive in an age when ChatGPT can spit out entire papers on demand and hold down lengthy conversations. To that end, Siri seems a prime candidate for Apple to integrate its LLM technology into, as Bloomberg speculated though it's still unclear just how any of its generative AI tools will be officially debuted. More on AI: Google Secretly Showing Newspapers an AI-Powered News Generator Four days after a U.S. soldier was taken into North Korean custody, mystery still swirls over why he decided to flee across the border into the intensely isolated, authoritarian country. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said she fears for Pvt. Travis King's safety, as the fates of other American prisoners in North Korea have been grim, including Virginia college student Otto Warmbier, who was imprisoned and eventually released by the North in 2017 in a vegetative state. He died days after returning to the U.S. "What we want to do is get that soldier back into our custody. I worry about him, frankly," Wormuth said Thursday during the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. "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." Read Next: Army National Guard Halts Payments for Soldier Student Loans After Funding Snafu North Korea has detained at least 20 Americans in the past 30 years. Many described being tortured during captivity. In 2016, Warmbier was a college student on a guided tour in North Korea. He was imprisoned over allegations he attempted to steal a propaganda poster from his hotel and was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. While in custody, he fell into a coma and never recovered. King, a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division, was on a nine-month rotation to South Korea, where he apparently had legal troubles. In October, he got into an altercation with locals and damaged a police car; he was detained and spent 47 days in a South Korean prison. When he was released, he was set to be sent back to his home base of Fort Bliss, Texas. There, he was expected to face additional disciplinary actions through the Army. King was escorted to a South Korean airport up until customs. But instead of boarding the plane, he left and joined a civilian tour of the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone between South Korea and North Korea. Story continues King sprinted across the border and was immediately detained by North Korean authorities. "He may not have been thinking clearly, frankly, but we just don't know," Wormuth said, adding that virtually nothing is known about King's status. The Biden administration has tried to reach the North Korean government about King but received no contact. It's unclear whether King could be used by the North Korean government as a bargaining chip or propaganda. King would not have any useful knowledge on U.S. military operations, given his junior status in the service. -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: Propaganda Tool? Bargaining Chip? What North Korea May Have in Mind for Travis King Heres a look at the life of Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor and former governor of California. Personal Birth date: July 30, 1947 Birth place: Thal, Austria Birth name: Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger Father: Gustav Schwarzenegger, police officer Mother: Aurelia Jadrny Marriage: Maria Shriver (April 26, 1986-December 28, 2021, divorced) Children: with Maria Shriver: Christopher, September 27, 1997; Patrick, September 18, 1993; Christina, July 23, 1991; Katherine, December 13, 1989; with Mildred Baena: Joseph, October 2, 1997 Education: University of Wisconsin - Superior, B.A., 1980 Military: Austrian Armed Forces, 1965 Other Facts Five-time Mr. Universe winner. Seven-time Mr. Olympia winner. Admitted to taking steroids while body building in his youth. His father belonged to the Nazi Party. Timeline 1967 - Schwarzenegger wins his first Mr. Universe competition. 1968 - Moves to the United States. 1970 - Wins Mr. Universe, Mr. Olympia and Mr. World competitions. 1977 - Schwarzenegger is profiled in the weightlifting documentary, Pumping Iron. 1982 - Stars in the movie Conan the Barbarian. 1983 - Becomes a US citizen. 1984 - Stars in the movie, The Terminator. 1990 - Stars in the movie, Total Recall. 1990-1993 - Serves as chair of the Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, appointed by US President George H.W. Bush. 1991 - Stars in the movie, Terminator 2: Judgment Day. 1994 - Stars in the movie, True Lies. 1997 - Undergoes surgery to replace a congenitally defective heart valve. August 6, 2003 - Announces on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that he will run for governor of California in a recall election against Democrat Gray Davis. August 2003 - A 1977 interview with Oui magazine, in which Schwarzenegger talks about group sex and drugs, is posted online. October 2, 2003 - The Los Angeles Times publishes a story in which six women claim Schwarzenegger made unwelcome advances towards them in incidents dating from the 1970s to 2000. Schwarzenegger declares that most of the allegations are untrue but says that he apologizes if I offended anyone, because that was not my intention. Later, nine more women come forward with accusations. Story continues October 7, 2003 - Is elected governor of California. November 17, 2003 - Is sworn in as governor of California. December 08, 2003 - Hollywood stuntwoman Rhonda Miller accuses Schwarzenegger of sexual harassment and files a lawsuit alleging defamation by the governor and his campaign staff. A judge later dismisses the lawsuit. March 2004 - Announces he has accepted the position of executive editor for the fitness magazines, Muscle & Fitness and Flex. July 15, 2005 - Announces that he will terminate his contract with Muscle & Fitness and Flex after complaints of a conflict of interest are lodged. November 7, 2006 - Is reelected governor. January 3, 2011 - Last day in office as governor. May 9, 2011 - Schwarzenegger and Shriver announce they are separating. May 16, 2011 - Confirms he fathered a child outside of marriage with his familys housekeeper, Mildred Baena. July 1, 2011 - Shriver files for divorce. August 2012 - Announces the establishment of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy. October 2012 - His autobiography, Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story, is published. September 14, 2015 - NBC announces that Schwarzenegger will be the host of The New Celebrity Apprentice, a reboot of the Donald Trump reality show. March 6, 2016 - Endorses Ohio Gov. John Kasich in the GOP presidential primary. January 2, 2017 - The New Celebrity Apprentice debuts to underwhelming ratings. US President-elect Trump ridicules Schwarzenegger on Twitter for low Nielsen ratings. March 3, 2017 - Tells CNN he has terminated his ties with The New Celebrity Apprentice. March 29, 2018 - Has successful open-heart surgery to replace the pulmonic valve inserted in 1997. October 23, 2020 - Reveals on social media that he has undergone surgery to replace his aortic valve. May 25, 2023 - Makes his scripted TV series debut in Fubar on Netflix. June 7, 2023 - The three-part docuseries Arnold premieres on Netflix, spanning his life as bodybuilder, actor and politician. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Volodymyr and Olena Zelenskyy and director of the Art Arsenal Olesya Ostrovska-Lyuta In a bid to replace Oleksandr Tkachenko as the head of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, MP Oleksiy Honcharenko has put forward the candidacy of Olesya Ostrovska-Lyuta, the current director of the Art Arsenal. Tkachenko tendered his resignation as Minister of Culture on July 21, citing a misunderstanding about the significance of culture during the ongoing war. Read also: Culture minister Tkachenko submits resignation Notably, he stepped down prior to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy requesting Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to consider a replacement for the position. Olesya Ostrovska-Lyuta has an extensive background in cultural management, having served as the General Director of the National Cultural and Art Museum Complex Art Arsenal since July 2016. In addition, she previously held the position of first Deputy Minister of Culture of Ukraine in 2014. Read also: Gerasim and Raskolnikov: How to Understand the Russian Intellectual Her experience also includes managing projects and programs for the Charitable Foundation Development of Ukraine, working as an assistant to the director of the Charitable Foundation Center for Contemporary Art, and as an office manager for the International Renaissance Foundation. Oleksandr Tkachenko had been at the helm of the Ministry of Culture since June 2020. His resignation had been a subject of public demand, with a petition amassing over 25,000 signatures calling for his departure. However, the prime minister has maintained that there are no valid grounds for such a step. Criticism against Tkachenko peaked recently over his support for allocating substantial funds from the state budget for film and TV productions, including Sanatorium Nezabudka and SMT Inhulets. His stance involved the state potentially investing around 400 million hryvnias ($10.8 million) into the film industry during a time of war. 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 cockpit view of jeremy hansen masked up with sunglasses and an oxygen mask. behind him is the dome of the aircraft and another astronaut, jenni sidey-gibbons, barely visible in another seat Fighter jet pilot and astronaut Jeremy Hansen has seen a few things on his way to the moon. One of the four crewmembers of the Artemis 2 moon mission slated to launch in November 2024, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen recently praised the supersonic T-38 trainer jet for its ability to keep astronauts on their toes while in flight. "We use these airplanes because they're challenging," Hansen said in a video released Tuesday (July 18) on the CSA's social media channels. "We can have two astronauts in the cockpit together working as a team, just like we do in a spacecraft. We have so many amazing simulators here ... but none of those simulators will kill you. This will. That is one of the benefits of this training, is that we are managing real risks preparing us to go to space." Related: Four for the moon! NASA names Artemis 2 astronaut crew for 1st lunar mission since Apollo Artemis 2 will be the first moon mission in a half-century with humans on board. It includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, along with Hansen. The first human lunar landing mission since 1972's Apollo 17 will be Artemis 3, currently scheduled to launch in 2025 or 2026 if schedules hold. (This week also marks the 54th anniversary of the first human moon-landing mission, Apollo 11, on July 20.) During Artemis 2, NASA has pledged that all four astronauts on board will get to fly the Orion spacecraft to provide data for future missions. Hansen and Koch are mission specialists on that spacecraft, while Glover is pilot and Wiseman will be commander. Canada's seat on Artemis 2 came via its contributions to NASA's Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on and around the moon by the end of the 2020s. The chief contribution is a robotic arm known as Canadarm3, which will service NASA's Gateway space station at the moon later in the decade. Story continues Hansen has considerable ground experience to bring to his moon mission, including having managed the training schedules of the entire 2017 astronaut class a first for a Canadian. He also has thousands of hours in the cockpit across different airplane types. While selected in 2009, he has not yet flown to space, as Canada has a modest 2.3% robotics contribution to the International Space Station, which works out to a CSA flight about every six years or so under current launching rates. Hansen first began flying gliders with Canadian Air Cadets at age 16 and got his private pilot license the year after. He joined the Royal Military College as an undergraduate, and his flight experience includes serving as a CF-18 fighter pilot with two tactical fighter squadrons, along with a role as combat operations officer for NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) operations, deployed exercises and Arctic flying operations. Related: Artemis 2's Canadian astronaut got their moon mission seat with 'potato salad' four jets at the left of a launch pad. there is a rocket on the launch pad with towers surrounding it Four T-38 aircraft flown by astronauts over the Artemis 1 Space Launch System rocket in August 2022. (Image credit: NASA/Josh Valcarcel) The T-38 has earned generations of respect from astronauts, including fellow CSA astronaut and 2009 class selectee David Saint-Jacques, who flew to the International Space Station in 2018-19. (Incidentally, that was the only spaceflight opportunity in recent years that either Hansen or Saint-Jacques were eligible for; they were still astronaut candidates during selection for the last opportunity in 2012-13, which went to Chris Hadfield.) Saint-Jacques recorded a YouTube video lauding the T-38's capabilities in 2015. He is a medical doctor by training who learned some basic flight moves from Hansen himself, shortly after both astronauts were selected by CSA. "You are in an uncomfortable cockpit," Saint-Jacques said in the video of the T-38 experience. "Youre wearing a helmet, oxygen mask. There's tens of dials in front of you. You have to monitor all that data; the radio, on many channels talking at the same time. You have to constantly filter out what is important, and to make decisions that could have big impacts. You cannot press pause while you're flying a jet." space shuttle touching down on a desert runway with three planes landing around it. mountains and buildings are in the background Three T-38 aircraft accompany space shuttle Enterprise during the third shuttle approach and landing test on Sept. 23, 1977, at Edwards Air Force Base in California. (Image credit: NASA) Manufacturer Northrop Grumman says more than 72,000 U.S. Air Force pilots have trained in the T-38 since it first rolled off the line in 1961. Though it was only manufactured until 1972, more than 500 continue to be used by both the Air Force and NASA. The supersonic trainer soars as fast as Mach 1.6 and as high as 40,000 feet (12 kilometers), well above where many commercial airliners fly, according to NASA. Pilots can pull up to seven Gs, or forces of Earth gravity, in the cockpit. Not only is it enough to make an untrained person black out, but even holding up the pilot's neck is akin to "balancing a cinder block," agency officials wrote. Proficiency training for flight has been baked into NASA astronaut protocols from the dawn of the program, after the first astronauts (all pilots) were hired in 1959. Typical trainers for the agency's Mercury program included the F-102A and T-33A, according to agency materials. The T-38 was introduced during the Gemini program and continues to be valued by NASA despite the risk to its astronaut corps. Gemini program astronauts Ted Freeman, Elliot See, Charles Bassett and Clifford Williams all passed away in T-38 crashes in the 1960s due to various causes, and a few of the astronauts have had near-misses over the decades (famously including Gemini, Apollo and Skylab astronaut Pete Conrad in 1972.) RELATED STORIES: NASA's Artemis program: Everything you need to know Artemis 2 crew begins 1st moon mission training in 50 years NASA's Artemis 2 mission: Everything you need to know NASA houses its T-38s at Ellington Field, a short drive from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston where American spaceflight training is centered. In the space shuttle era, pilots and commanders did at least 15 hours a month of flying for proficiency. "It pulls Gs not quite like a frontline fighter," astronaut Terry Virts said in 2011, in a NASA feature about the T-38. "It's fast ... frontline fighters are faster, but the one thing the T-38 can do amazingly well is roll. You jam the stick to the side, and it rolls really, really fast. That's something that on your first flight they always want to demo to you. At first, you're like, 'Oh, cool!' and then after a bunch of rolls, you're like, 'All right, that's enough rolling the airplane.'" Aside from general training purposes, the T-38 was operationally used in a few ways during the space shuttle program. One was to have the supersonic trainer accompany the space shuttle during the early landings of the program, so that the T-38 pilots could advise the shuttle pilots on the condition of their spacecraft if needed. Modified T-38s were also flown as one way of showing pilots how to safely bring a space shuttle back to Earth. Extra-large airbrakes and lowered landing gear were among the changes, which had to be certified for safety before NASA used the altered T-38 for training, the agency said. A 32-year-old Hull man who became the victim of a road rage incident said Thursday he had put his gun away not long before he was attacked. I happened to take my gun off about two hours earlier. I never want to shoot anybody, but if you are going to come from behind and sneak up on me, Im going to hit you with something, he told the Banner-Herald. The road rage incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. Wednesday along U.S. Highway 29 near Hull Road in east Athens. The victim said another vehicle pulled in front of him while it was traveling "really slow." Instead of me rear ending it, I had to go around it, he said, explaining he went into a lane on the right side of the vehicle. The victim said he stopped at a red light and the other vehicle came up behind him. Heart help: Athens-Clarke police place eight AED cardiac units in patrol cars Pedestrian killed: Police release name of homeless woman killed crossing Atlanta Highway I heard something hit the car. I got out to look because it sounded heavy and it was a McDonalds cup full of milkshake, he said. The passenger in the other vehicle stepped out and said, You wanna go. As he returned to his vehicle, to avoid a confrontation, the victim said his alleged attacker grabbed him from behind and started punching him in the stomach. The victim said he reached for the area under his seat where he placed his gun and his attacker left, but stopped to say he didnt appreciate me passing him on the righthand side like that." The alleged attacker then left. The victim called Athens-Clarke police, who responded and made a report on the assault The victim said he thought about the situation and had he used his gun, he probably would have shot the attacker in the leg. It had hollow points (bullets) and that wouldnt look too good, he said. The police report notes that the victim will press charges if the attacker can be identified. This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Thrown milkshake, punches follow road rage incident in Athens FILE - Augusta Transit won $300,000 in federal grants to study new opportunities, the only municipality in Georgia to win an Area of Persistent Poverty grant. Augusta Transit will receive $300,000 through a federal grant. The $20 million in grants through the Federal Transit Administration will go to 47 communities identified as Areas of Persistent Poverty, according to an announcement issued Thursday. Augusta was the only municipality in Georgia to win one of the grants. The program funds transit studies and planning in low-income areas. According to the announcement from the FTA, the funding will help Augusta Transit explore "microtransit services" to improve access to resources like jobs and groceries, and the implementation of electric buses for services in south Augusta. More: City of Augusta launches third electric bus preview; all routes free during trial-run days Through this program, we are bringing affordable, accessible public transit to the very communities that need it the most, making it possible for more people to access jobs, resources, and opportunity, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg was quoted as saying in the news release announcing the grant. Augusta Transit Director Sharon Dottery this week presented an update to commissioners on adding more routes, which included noting the AOPP grant. But expanding access to transit will take more than one federal grant. Dottery said a recent feasibility study that suggested 10 new south Augusta would come with a price tag of more than $7 million, which is why it has not yet been brought to the commission. The department will meet with the Metropolitan Planning Organization and continue working on the plan. "That's why you have not heard anything about that yet. It's going to take quite some time to map this plan out," Dottery said. Dottery also said the transit department has put up 17 new bus shelters, working with other departments, and some new signage as well. "These brand new shelters that we've placed have already been damaged," she said. "One of them we put in with the solar lighting kit, somebody snatched the whole kit out of the shelter, and they busted the glass out of the shelter." Story continues Beyond the AOPP, the department is also actively seeking additional funding. "We have four more grants that we are going to be applying for," she said. This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta Transit wins federal grant for study on opportunities, issues Australian sailor Tim Shaddock has said Bella the dog 'is a lot braver than I am' (ULISES RUIZ) Bella, the dog who survived more than two months at sea on raw fish and rainwater with stranded Australian sailor Tim Shaddock, has found a new life in Mexico with a "second dad" and a pug "brother." Bella ended up stuck with Shaddock on a storm-struck catamaran in the Pacific Ocean for weeks until they were rescued last weekend by a passing tuna vessel and brought to shore in Mexico. Shaddock, 54, decided not take Bella back home with him to Australia, worried the long journey would be too stressful on top of Bella's recent ordeal. But the story has a happy next chapter. Bella has been adopted by Genaro Rosales, 48, a crew member of the tuna vessel that brought her to shore, and a self-proclaimed "lover of dogs and all animals." "I was one of the first to have contact with her," Rosales told AFP in the western port of Manzanillo where Shaddock and Bella arrived on Tuesday. "I was the one who hugged her, to get her on one of the (two) small boats" in which he and three companions approached the stricken catamaran. "She was happy when she saw us." Shaddock, 54, and Bella had set off from La Paz in Mexico in April, and planned to sail about 6,000 kilometers (3,700 miles) before dropping anchor in French Polynesia. They soon found themselves stranded after rough seas damaged the boat and knocked out its electronics. In a rescue reminiscent of the Tom Hanks movie "Cast Away," the bedraggled amateur yachtsman and his dog were plucked from the water "more than 1,200 miles from land," according to fishing company Grupomar that owns the tuna vessel. After arriving back on dry land, Shaddock said Bella "is much braver than I am." Of her origins, he told reporters the dog had "sort of found me in the middle of Mexico" and then stuck by his side. "She wouldn't let me go. I tried to find a home for her maybe three times and she just kept following me onto the water. Story continues "She's a beautiful animal. I'm just grateful she's alive." - 'A little stressed' - On the day of the rescue, Rosales took responsibility for calming Bella and giving her initial treatment. "Timothy saw the treatment I gave Bella, the attention I gave her," Rosales told AFP. "I told him that I liked animals, I have a dog, I have cats, I have had everything! And well, he decided that I would be (Bella's) second dad," the fisherman smiled. Rosales described Bella -- a mixed breed with a dark coat and golden spots -- as "very docile." Physically she was well, he said, but according to a vet who examined her, "a little stressed because of the time she was at sea." Once they get home to the seaside city of Mazatlan, she will meet "her new brother" Vicente, a pug Rosales said was "very spoiled." "My pets sleep in my bed, I turn the air conditioning on for them. They have all the privileges," he said. On Friday, which is World Dog Day in Mexico and some other countries, Rosales made an appeal for kind treatment for our furry friends. "Any kind of animal you have in your home is a member of your family," he said. "One needs to... treat them well." str-jla/sem/cjc/db/mlr/bfm Aurora Innovation, the self-driving technology company that aims to launch an autonomous trucking business in 2024, has completed a capital raise of $820 million from a public and concurrent private offering of its stock. The company expects the deal to close Friday. The stock sale will help fund Aurora through commercial launch at the end of next year and "well into 2025," according to the company. Aurora said in November 2022 that it had enough money to get to mid-2024. The pre-revenue company has repeatedly said it would need to raise again to make it to launch and beyond. In September 2022, a leaked memo showed that Aurora's CEO, Chris Urmson, had been weighing a range of options to preserve the company's cash position, including spinouts, layoffs, acquisitions and, of course, raises. In the memo, Urmson said there was value in finding "a path to raise $300 million in the next year to add around six months to our runway." In April, Aurora filed for a proposed mixed shelf offering to raise $350 million. "Weve always been transparent and said that wed need to raise more money before our commercial launch and profitability," Rachel Chibidakis, a spokesperson for Aurora, told TechCrunch. "This sizable capital raise is expected to get us through the launch of our autonomous trucking business, which is targeted for next year, and well into 2025." Aurora, which has prioritized commercializing self-driving trucks, has pilot partnerships with FedEx, Paccar, Schneider, Werner and Xpress. The commercial launch will involve operating a fleet of about 20 trucks between Dallas and Houston, hauling freight for customers without a driver, a spokesperson told TechCrunch. Aurora did not say specifically what it hopes to do with the funds. The company's prospectus is vague, stating that Aurora will use the money for "working capital and other general corporate purposes." Some of the money will be invested in short- and intermediate-term investment grade instruments. It's also possible a portion of the proceeds will go toward acquiring or investing in additional businesses, technologies, products or assets, the company wrote in a filing. Story continues The raise is broken into two parts. Aurora is selling 73,333,333 shares of Class A common stock at the public offering price of $3 per share, or a value of $220 million. The company is also selling 222,222,216 shares privately at a price per share of $2.70, or a value of $600 million, per a prospectus that was filed Tuesday. Shares were trading at $3.22 Tuesday at close before dropping sharply in after-hours trading to $2.87. Aurora's stock price closed Thursday at $2.92. Aurora has not yet stated when it will report second-quarter earnings, at which time they will hopefully outline its plans for the cash. The company said in a filing that it expects to report $785 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of June 30, 2023. That number does not include the $820 million from selling stock. The names of the investors will come to light once the deal has closed Friday. Aurora only said that a number of existing institutional and strategic investors participated in the raise. The death of a Baker County baby in a sweltering car is reinforcing warnings for more steps to protect small children from being trapped in vehicles during life-threatening heat. It is beyond heartbreaking," Janette Fennell, founder and president of the nonprofit Kids and Car Safety, said about the death Wednesday of the 10-month-old girl whom police said had been entrusted to a babysitter. The sitter, 46-year-old Rhonda C. Jewell, was charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, according to information posted Thursday on the Baker County Sheriffs Office Facebook page. Jewell had picked up the baby from a home in north Macclenny about 8 a.m. and headed to another home where she was watching three other children, an arrest report said. When the babys mother arrived at 1 p.m., Jewell realized the infant was still in the vehicle and the baby was rushed to Fraser Memorial Hospital and pronounced dead. The arrest report said Jewell told investigators she had forgotten the girl was still strapped into the vehicle, where the report said the temperature had risen to 133 degrees. 2022 tragedy: Death of Jacksonville child left in hot car becomes fourth case in Florida this year Daycare hazard: Daycare co-owner arrested in death of 4-month-old left in van Wednesdays high temperature was 98 degrees in Jacksonville, the National Weather Service reported. As the sheriff of a small community, posting the details of this tragedy is very hard for me, Sheriff Scotty Rhoden wrote in a message to the county with about 29,000 residents on Jacksonvilles western border. Baker County Sheriff Scotty Rhoden, in a 2016 photo Each of us are given the gift of life every morning, Rhoden wrote. In the blink of an eye, our world can be turned upside down. Please be mindful of this when trying to understand the tragedy that took place in our small town. Children are dying in hot cars The child, whose name hasnt been released, was at least the sixth this year to die in Florida from being trapped in a hot vehicle, according to a tally maintained by Kids and Car Safety. The group, which has pushed for national rules to equip cars with technology to help prevent hot-car deaths, logged 14 deaths nationally this year. Story continues The most recent one in Florida before this was a 1-year-old girl left in a car overnight in Polk County on July 5, according to the state Department of Children and Families. The parents also were charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child. The Polk County Sheriffs Office said they accidentally left the toddler in her car seat while they removed their two other children and unloaded the vehicle after coming home from a Fourth of July celebration, according to The Associated Press. The risk from hot cars could stay particularly high over the next several days, with forecasters projecting temperatures between 96 and 100 through Sunday, then dropping to the low 90s for a few days. Jacksonville police investigate the death of a 8-month-old girl last September outside a home on Newberry Road when she was left alone in a hot car for an hour. Northeast Florida has experienced hot-car deaths several times in recent years. Among those: Last September, an 8-month-old girl was left in a car on Newberry Road, near Broward Road, while her father worked for about an hour at a house on a day when the temperature was around 88 degrees. In 2019, 4-month-old Brooklyn Blount died after being left strapped into a car seat of a van carrying children to a Lenox Avenue daycare center. Co-owner Darryl Allyn Ewing, who was driving the van, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and was told to spend a weekend in jail each year for seven years. In 2009, Shantel Wilcher transported up to eight children in her pickup truck for an unlicensed Jacksonville daycare, forgetting to remove 1-year-old Bernard J. Davis Jr., who died. She was sentenced to three years in prison. Some reminders to look before you lock Guardians are encouraged to place an item of the childs in the front passenger seat as a visual cue that a child is with them. Another tip is to place an important item such a cellphone, purse or wallet, employee badge or laptop in the back seat so to force guardians to retrieve it and the child once they arrive at their destination. If more than one person is in charge of getting the children, clearly say and confirm who is getting each out of the vehicle. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Babysitter arrested in Baker County child's hot-car death (Bloomberg) -- The banking industry ramped up lobbying during the second quarter of this year as a financial contagion infected four institutions and increased the threat of additional regulation from Washington. Most Read from Bloomberg Lobbying spending from three dozen of the largest banks and the major industry groups increased 19.4% from April through June this year compared to the same quarter last year, according to congressional federal lobbying disclosures that were due late Thursday. The banks spent $19.1 million in the period, compared to less than $16 million a year prior. The increase in lobbying activity came amid calls for increased scrutiny spurred by crises that undermined confidence in the banking system. In March, crypto-friendly lender Silvergate Capital Corp. collapsed, followed by failures of regional institutions Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. Federal officials shuttered First Republic Bank in May. Some of the fallout from the banking crisis will come to light next week, with federal regulators set to release new regulations July 27. While the rules had been in-the-works since before the bank failures in the spring, the institutional failures have increased the likelihood regulations will be more stringent and apply to more banks. Banking trade groups including the American Bankers Association, which represents banks of all sizes, and the Independent Community Bankers of America, which specifically focuses on smaller institutions, led the industry in total spending in the past quarter. ABA increased spending 33% to $2.4 million from $1.8 million, compared to a year prior. The community bank group nearly tripled spending to $2.3 million from $886,000 in that period. Story continues In times of crisis and when many companies are facing common problems, its typical for them to lobby through their trade groups, which can amplify the industrys position and also shield companies from having to make specific asks that could be politically controversial. In the first quarter, which covered the first few weeks of the regional banking shock, banks also increased spending on lobbying by nearly 20%, compared to a year prior. The investment in lobbying dropped by the second quarter as the scope of the crisis became clearer but was still up year-over-year. The data also covers a period of intense lobbying around who would have to pick up the tab for refilling the US governments bedrock deposit insurance fund after it was tapped to backstop uninsured depositors at Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. Small lenders, known as community banks, said that they shouldnt have to foot the bill. Ultimately they won the day. Regulators in May proposed sticking the largest banks with billions of dollars in extra fees, and sparing those with less than $5 billion in assets entirely. Nearly all of the banks are spending as much or more than they did a year prior on influence in Washington, likely reflecting a reaction to upcoming bank regulations. Small, medium and regional banks were more likely than the largest banks to increase their spending on a percentage basis. Those banks faced the most heightened threat of regulation after the collapse of peer banks like Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic. The Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency are poised to release their plan for a sweeping overhaul of bank capital rules next week. Industry titans are already bracing to fight the changes, which are expected to be tougher than global standards. As part of the effort, earlier this month, Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michael Barr said he wants Wall Street banks to start using a standardized approach for estimating risks, rather than relying on their own estimates. He said under the proposal the largest banks would have to hold an extra two percentage points of capital or an extra $2 of capital for every $100 in risk-weighted assets. Barr also added that new restrictions should apply to banks with $100 billion or more in assets a move that would subject a broader swath of banks to the toughest standards. --With assistance from Ben Bain. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Barack Obama has shared his annual summer playlist, comprising more than 40 songs that hes been enjoying this year. The former US president shared his playlist on social media platforms on Thursday (20 July), writing: Like I do every year, here are some songs Ive been listening to this summer a mix of old and new. Look forward to hearing what Ive missed. Some of the leading tracks in Obamas playlist this season are from artists such as SZA, Tupac Shakur, Bob Dylan, Burna Boy, J Hus, and Ice Spice. The first track on the 44th presidents list is J Hus and Drakes new single Who Told You, which was released last month. The song is J Huss first release since his 2020 album Big Conspiracy. Obamas list also consists of Jorja Smiths new single Try Me and Ice Spice and Nicki Minajs hit single Princess Diana, which debuted at No 2 on Billboards Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and at No 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Some of the nostalgic tracks that Obama has been vibing to this summer are Tupac Shakurs California Love, Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) by Marvin Gaye, Janet Jacksons Got Til Its Gone, (Sittin On) the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding, Dr. Feelgood (Love is a Serious Business) by Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonders Golden Lady. Obama also showed off his knowledge of several up and comers on the music scene, including Mexican rap Peso Pluma and Nigerian artist Ayra Starr. Starr released her single Stability in February this year. At the time, the single debuted at number one on the TurnTable Top 100 charts. Pluma on the other hand released her single La Bebe (Remix) with Yng Lvcas in March 2023. Obamas list is bilingually diverse with Spanish tunes such as Rosalia and her fiance Rauw Alejandros Vampiros on the list. There are also some repeat artists that Obama was listening to in the summer of 2021 including Rolling Stones, SZA, and Michael Kiwanuka, who show up this year with different songs. Obamas list also includes Luke Combss controversial cover of Tracy Chapmans 1988 classic Fast Car, which recently reached No 1 on Billboards Country Airplay chart. With Chapman still credited as the songwriter, it made her the first Black woman to top the chart in its 33-year existence. Along with his music list, Obama has also released a summer reading list which consists of his favourite novels such as The Wager by David Grann and Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano. Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Getty Its Barbie Week at The Daily Beasts Obsessed, celebrating the dolls pop-culture history, our favorite Barbie memories, and a certain major movie. Read all of our coverage here! When we talk about Americas eras of indulgent overabundance, why do we never mention the 1990s? As a 90s baby myself, Im sick of it. Our minds jump to the poshness of the art deco Roaring 20s or the Wall Street-y greed of the 80s, but the 90s had its own profusion of bigger and better. Food got larger, cars were more expensive, and houses became big enough to justify the absurd prices that would lead to a housing bubble. If youre looking for the perfect distillation of this unique sense of 90s excess, you can find it in a very unexpected, magical place: a 1994 videotape entitled Barbies Birthday Party at Walt Disney Epcot, thrown in for one additional cent with the purchase of any of a select batch of 1994 Barbie dolls. My family welcomed the Barbie birthday tape into our lives alongside Bedtime Barbie. The special doll had a soft body (not as weird as it sounds) and could open or close its eyes with icy or warm water (incredibly terrifying, thanks to Mattel making Barbie sleep with eyeshadow on). While my memories of playing with Bedtime Barbie are scant, my recollection of Barbies Birthday Party is not. The tape was a staple of my childhood, and Ive got the limp wrist to prove it. As much as I loved to use my imagination playing with the Barbies that my sister and our friends used to amuse ourselves with, I was happier to shut off my brain entirely to let Barbies Birthday Party transport me to the magical world of Barbie itself. With Greta Gerwigs much anticipated Barbie film hitting theaters this weekand Gerwigs films being as impactful in my adult life as Barbies Birthday Party was when I was a kidI felt it was time to revisit this gloriously kitsch fever dream of a direct-to-video movie. It turns out, Barbies Birthday Party was the perfect foundation for building all of my lifes most wide-eyed aspirations, even if they couldnt all come true. Story continues The video is a total time capsule, right down to the colorful scrunchies and ornate vests sported by its child actor hosts, Lisa (Samantha Merck) and Stephanie (Melinda Hugh). Together, this dynamic duo led a guided tour of Walt Disney Worlds Epcot park, giving kids everywhere a crash course in cultures from around the world, as they all join in Barbies birthday celebration. And because this was the 90swhen everything was larger than life and everyone was abnormally high-strungLisa and Stephanie didnt just speak all of their lines, they screamed them. ARE YOU READY TO PARTY WITH BARBIE? Lisa yells as the video opens, after a hot pink limousine with Barbie-emblazoned plates rolls up outside of Epcot. Her screaming feels less like a question, and more of an interrogation of the soul. Well, are we ready to party with Barbie? And what do we need to change about ourselves to prepare us to do just that? As if to echo our uncertainty, Stephanie confirms that this will, indeed, be a celebration well never forget. PARTY, PARTY, PARTY! she cries, shaking a fist in the air for emphasis, a tactic shell employ several more times before the video has ended. Barbies Birthday Party is a stroke of marketing genius. The entire affair is one big advertisement for both Disney Parks and Barbie. But the sheer decibel level of Lisa and Stephanies voices, combined with the jaunty music that fills the entire video, are enough to make you forget that youre merely a pawn in capitalisms game. This was the age of the Beanie Baby collecting; examination of our own purchasing habits was not at the top of our to-do lists when the Princess Diana tribute bear was going to be worth thousands on eBay someday. Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Getty Stephanie and Lisa split up at the start of the video, but keep their trusty Barbie cellular phones on them at all times. (Why they need phones to reach each other, when their hollering could surely be heard across the park, is beyond me.) Stephanie gives us a tour of different Epcot villages, while Lisa heads backstage to talk to some of the staff putting together The Magical World of Barbie, a musical tribute to Barbies extravagant, brightly hued world. All these years later, I really think Stephanie got the shaft here. Lisa gets to hang out behind the scenes, look at beautiful costumes, and literally get her hair done by one of the shows stylists. Meanwhile, Stephanie has to pound the pavement, going from pavilion to pavilion, in the unforgiving Florida sun? It doesnt seem fair, especially since Stephanies first stop at the Mexico pavilion sees her sporting a comically large sombrero. Theyre trying to get my girl canceled for cultural appropriation! The tape jumps back and forth between the two hosts, each one giving us a rundown of their respective areas of coverage. Lisa speaks with the Barbie shows creative director, costume designer, and hairstylist to find out how to make anything Barbie-fied (hint: add glitter). Stephanie trots around Epcot like she owns the place, meeting Chinese calligraphers, Japanese origami artists, and French painters, each with a special, culturally-specific gift for Barbies big birthday party. After a long afternoon of exploring, Lisa and Stephanie meet back up at Epcots Italian restaurant, which is the best place to find spaghetti. Thank god, Ive been wondering. All of the chaos eventually winds down with some choice numbers from The Magical World of Barbie, including a full Parisian fashion show and a down undah Aussie dance number that would make Margot Robbie shed a tear. The songs are damn catchy too! You wont soon be able to get the chorus of closeted gay men singing, In Barbies world, theres no limitations! out of your head if you hear it even once. Those tunes have stayed with me for the better part of two decades, and my sister and I still hum them every now and again. Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Getty But were not the only people for whom Barbies Birthday Party has endured. A recording of the full tape is on YouTube, and the comment section is filled with people experiencing the euphoria of pure nostalgia, the worlds most potent drug. Excuse me for being literally in tears because this was such an important part of my childhood, one user commented, to the tune of 22 replies agreeing. My sister and I watched this tape until it didnt work anymore, another user replied. The tape was clearly beloved among young people and their siblings and friends. Never mind that Lisa and Stephanie were actors; to all of us lucky enough to come across this video, they were our fellow Barbie-loving besties. Hundreds of comments feature similar sentiments, all basking in the wistful reminiscence of a much simpler time. Barbies Birthday Party has limos, cellphones, and handheld camcordersevery over-the-top, adult thing a kid could ever want. Lisa and Stephanie running around Epcot, unsupervised, was an idealistic window into what we thought tweenage independence would be like circa 1994: filled with glamour, tech, and all-you-can-eat spaghetti. In Barbies world, there really were no limitations. Barbies Birthday Party was the perfect picture of excess, and it rose to meet the decade exactly where it was. Read more of our Barbie coverage HERE. I Toured Barbies (and Kens) Real-Life Malibu DreamHouse In Her PC Games, Barbie Taught 90s Kids They Could Do It All Why Is Everyone So Damn Excited for the Barbie Movie? Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Australian actress Margot Robbie poses on the pink carpet upon arrival for the European premiere of "Barbie" in London on July 12 (JUSTIN TALLIS) The "Barbie" film's release was delayed in Pakistan's Punjab province Friday over "objectionable content", officials said. Films in Pakistan need to be cleared by provincial boards that censor anything deemed a violation of the country's social and cultural values. "There will be a full review of the film, and it will be censored where deemed necessary," Farrukh Mahmood, secretary of the Punjab Film Censor Board, told AFP. He said that the fantasy-comedy film, which stars Margot Robbie as the famous doll and Ryan Gosling as her boyfriend Ken, will be cleared for screening once the review and censoring process is complete. The board did not clarify which content was "objectionable", nor why. While fans in Pakistan's most populous province will have to wait to watch "Barbie", the film was due to be screened from Friday in the capital Islamabad and the southern province of Sindh, where it was cleared by the respective censor boards. "I have been looking forward to watching Barbie for months. It makes no sense that it's ok to be shown in Karachi or Islamabad, but not Lahore," Nousheen Saad, a resident of Punjab's capital city of Lahore told AFP. In November, "Joyland" - a Cannes prize-winning film and Pakistan's entry for the 2023 Oscars - was banned by the government for being "clearly repugnant to the norms of decency and morality" of the country. "Joyland" depicts a Pakistani married man's affair with a transgender woman. The film was later cleared by the national censorship board after the government ordered a review, but it remained banned in Punjab. In 2019, the film "Zindagi Tamasha" was banned after its director was accused of blasphemy by a far-right religious party for the movie's portrayal of a religious man who composes hymns and is caught dancing at a family event. kf/ecl/dva It was only a matter of time before the Barbenheimer discourse wound its way through the halls of Congress and into the political corners of the twitterverse. The phenomenon started as a joke among the terminally online, when studios behind the candy-colored Barbie movie and the conspicuously darker atomic bomb origin story Oppenheimer announced the movies would be released on the same day. Then came the inescapable memes, outfit inspiration and wall-to-wall coverage. Now, the U.S. Senate has been dragged into the debate. Which of your states senators is seeing the Barbie and which is seeing Oppenheimer? (you have to choose), one Twitter user posted late Wednesday evening, wracking up 1 million views as of the morning of release day. Senators and their constituents have been musing publicly on the topic: A ticket to Barbie for Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.)? If you say so, he says. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio)? Neither Barbie nor Oppenheimer. I'm a Ken. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.)? A lawmaker who can do both fittingly on-the-fence for the former Democrat-turned-independent. To put an end to the speculation, POLITICO asked each senator about which if any of the two movies they intend to see this opening weekend. Heres what they said. Double Feature-ers Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) told POLITICO he plans to see both, and is taking some people from Capitol Hill to see Barbie. And while he said he wont be able to see them back-to-back, he has strong opinions on the viewing order. You need the seriousness and then the desserts, Booker said. You don't see Barbie and then Oppenheimer. You see Oppenheimer and then Barbie. Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) was one of Bookers invitees, though the details of the outing had yet to be nailed down as of Thursday night, according to a spokesperson for Cardin. Regardless, the Maryland Democrat is interested in seeing the Barbie movie with his granddaughters. Story continues Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said he and his wife agreed to watch both. While he is more of an Oppenheimer fan himself he did get Oppenheimer-endorsed legislation Markey said his wife is passionate about Barbie. But he firmly believes in doing a double-header. Why make a choice when none is required? Markey said. You're asking me to choose between two movies I can see on the same day. The question really would be: What would I eat in between the movies? he added. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) is planning on doing the double feature, though probably not this weekend, according to a spokesperson. Ill see both, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) said in an email. I loved the bio American Prometheus on which Oppenheimer is based. I would not see Barbie except for Greta Gerwig directing. She can make cinematic gold from straw. As for when? Who knows? Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) will also see both but not back-to-back, according to his team. Team Barbie For Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), its a no-brainer. Shes a Barbie girl in a Capitol Hill world. How could you not be team Barbie? Warren told POLITICO. While she probably wont have time this weekend, she is coordinating when to watch with her granddaughters. Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) is also planning on seeing Barbie sometime next week, a spokesperson said. Team Oppenheimer Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are in the Oppenheimer camp, as are Sens. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.), both history buffs, according to their teams. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is definitely in for Oppenheimer, and would likely see Barbie, a spokesperson said, though he wont be doing the double feature. After learning that Oppenheimer contained extensive scenes from 1950s-era Senate committee hearings, and three hours of American history, Senator [Michael] Bennet cannot wait to go, a spokesperson for the Colorado Democrat said. His wife and daughters will be watching Barbie tonight without him. As one of the key Senators responsible for vindicating J. Robert Oppenheimer, Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) looks forward to seeing Oppenheimer with his family in the future, a spokesperson said. Heinrich was one of the four senators who urged President Joe Biden to rescind the Atomic Energy Commissions characterization of the physicist as untrustworthy and unfit to serve his country. And Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) wants to see Oppenheimer, but the new Indiana Jones movie is at the top of his list. Uhh, no thanks Sens. Chris Coons (D-Del.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) dont have plans to see either, their teams said. Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) have a different movie in mind: The Sound of Freedom, based on a former government agents efforts to save child trafficking victims. I had plans to see neither, but that meme has made me wonder if I now need to see both, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), said in reference to a photo that dubbed him as Oppenheimer and Sinema, with whom he was speaking, as Barbie. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) also doesnt plan to see either of two films; but he is currently reading American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a spokesperson said. A spokesperson for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) declined to comment. CORRECTION: A previous version of this report misstated the state Sen. Sherrod Brown represents. A Barcelona deli put up a sign warning tourists of a 5, or about $5.56, fee for not buying anything. The store has seen many tourists come inside just to look around and snap a picture. No one has been charged yet, but the store manager says the sign seems to be working. Hey tourists have you ever wandered into a shop to look around and take a picture? One store in Barcelona, Spain, recently put up a sign for you. If you happen to pass by Queviures Murria, a historic deli and retail store, you'll see a poster hanging in the window that reads, "Visit just looking (inside) 5 x person, thank you," iNews reported. As one of the oldest delis in Barcelona, Queviures Murria sits inside a building with a 1920s facade that may make you feel like a time traveler thanks to the original mahogany furniture, fire-tinted glass, and a vintage clock, according to the Barcelona City Council. So it's no wonder that tourists want a selfie inside. But with 99 million overnight tourists in 2022, according to Statista, it's easy to see why crowds of non-customers in a well-known establishment can be taxing on the store, which carries wine, cheese, and other high-end food products. Charging tourists 5, or about $5.56, to enter without purchasing came about as a joke between staff members, according to iNews. Since the sign went up, no one has been charged, but it seems to be deterring visitors, Toni Merino, the manager of the shop, told the outlet. "We have not charged any money from people who just want to come in and have a look, but that is not the point," he said. The deli also shared an Instagram post about the sign on Wednesday, and explained in the caption that it "is purely a deterrent." The Barcelona City Council website says that the store first opened in 1898 as a coffee shop that manufactured rolled wafers. It's unclear when the business transitioned into a deli, but Queviures Murria has since been recognized with numerous awards from the Barcelona City Council and tourism sites, including the title of best shop in the world, according to the store's website. Read the original article on Insider Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Streamline Pictures The world changed forever on Aug. 6, 1945. Toward the end of World War II, the US dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshimathe first time a nuclear bomb had ever been used in warfare. Three days later, America dropped a second atomic bomb on the nearby city of Nagasaki. Japan surrendered on Sept. 2, and the war finally ended. The employment of nuclear warfare altered the fabric of society. The Cold War followed World War II, the world living in fear of possible nuclear destruction and mass genocide. Although the Cold War technically ended decades ago, with nine countries reportedly holding nuclear weapons, there is still plenty of paranoia about nuclear war breaking out. Despite the lingering threat of nukes destroying everything, for the vast majority of the world, the scale of an atomic bomb is utterly unknowable. Streamline Pictures Thats not the case for Keiji Nakazawa, who was just 6 years old when an atomic bomb was dropped on his hometown of Hiroshima. As an adult, full-time cartoonist, Nakazawa decided to commit his unshakable memories to paper. The first volume of his manga Barefoot Gen, based on Nakazawas own childhood, was published in 1973. The series ran for over a decade and was adapted into three live-action and two anime filmsthe best of which, also called Barefoot Gen, premiered July 21, 1983. That was exactly 40 years ago this week, and exactly 40 years before the release of Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolans new film about the man known as the father of the atomic bomb. Oppenheimer Review: Christopher Nolans Devastating, Explosive Magnum Opus The film, directed by Mori Masaki and written by Nakazawa, follows along with the first half of the manga. It follows young Gen Nakaoka and his family in Hiroshima in the latter part of World War II. The ongoing war has exhausted the country, with people forming long, winding lines to secure their meager rations. Restful sleep is all but impossible, thanks to nightly air raid warnings. Story continues Like the manga, Barefoot Gen delicately balances the joys and discoveries of childhood with the harsh reality of living through a war. When the films title drops, we see Gen and his younger brother Shinji joyously running through their family's wheat field, their beaming smiles reflecting an unmistakable childhood innocence. But that optimism only goes so farthe next time we see them run together (just a few minutes later), theyre racing to find a doctor to prevent their mother from dying of malnutrition. In another scene, Gen and Shinji chase each other through the house, fighting over who gets to eat the familys final potato. Seen through the eyes of children, its a charming, almost jovial scene of brothers tussling. Its quickly interrupted by their older sister, Eiko, telling them they have to let their mother eat the potato, or the baby growing in her will die. The Nakaoka family lives a life full of challenges, but Masakis film carefully observes the love this family has for each other. Closely observed details, like a quiet moment when the boys rest their heads on their mothers lap and feel the baby kicking, are bursting with tenderness. Despite their circumstances, their love for one another cannot be extinguished. Streamline Pictures Everything changes on Aug. 6. The films portrayal of what happens is haunting: Theres not a cloud in the sky on this gorgeous day. Kids head off to school, farmers tend their land, and people wait for the bus. But Kentaro Hanedas distressing score starts to take over, getting louder and louder. Strange things start happening: ants head into homes in droves, and a B-29 plane is spotted in the air. And then it happens. The atomic bomb explosion in Barefoot Gen is a horrific, unforgettable sequence. The score fades into complete silence. All color is drained from the scene when the bomb hitsexcept for a sinister red mushroom cloud that emerges from the birds-eye view of Hiroshima. [Content warning for the clip below: graphic bodily harm and potentially triggering images.] In a moment thats staggeringly bleak, we see a young girl holding a red balloon. It pops, and the camera queasily zooms in on her. Her hair and clothes are singed off, her eyes drooping out of their sockets, as her skin melts to ash. We see the same thing happen to a postman, an elderly man, a mother and her newborn baby, and a dog. The repetition does not make it easier to digest, instead forcing you to look at just some of the countless lives that were lost in the blink of an eye. Images of destruction follow: Buildings are obliterated, families are trapped under rubble, and all you can hear is the overwhelming sound of a catastrophic explosion. The atomic bomb explosion is handled with equal-parts artistic mastery and emotional devastation, but what follows the explosion is even more harrowing. An explosion lasts moments, but the aftermath lasts a lifetime. After the bombing, Gen wakes up under a pile of rubble, death and destruction all around him. People walk around like zombies, skin melting, eyes falling out. Ghosts! Theyre all ghosts! Gen says, terror filling his lungs. Its a truly apocalyptic vision, but instead of theorizing what things might be like one day, Barefoot Gen is a startling personal account of an unspeakable tragedy. This becomes even more impactful when you remember that screenwriter Nakazawa lived through this himselfthis is fiction drawn from very real life. Gen heads home to find his brother, sister, and father trapped inside their homewith the surrounding fire, there is no way for Gen and his pregnant mother, who happened to be in the right place at the right time, to save the rest of their family. They have no choice but to leave them behind. In a moment of heartbreak, Gen vows to his father that he will protect his mother. Barefoot Gen delivers a cavalcade of other disturbing imagery. Multiple babies try to drink their mothers milk, unaware that they have died. Maggots crawl into the open wounds of still-living people. Deadly black rain falls from the sky. A crushing zoom-out reveals that death is literally surrounding Gen and his mother. No matter where they go, they cannot escape the horrors the bomb has wrought upon them. The effects of radiation are dealt with head-onthere is no cutting away from the after effects of the bomb on the Japanese people, nor the reality of their situation. The fact that its all seen through the eyes of a child is doubly devastating, while it also gives us a vital lifeline into atrocity on a scale so large the human mind can barely comprehend. Remember Manhattan: The TV Show That Told the Oppenheimer Story First The story of Barefoot Gen continues after the war has ended. When a neighbor tells Gens mother that the war is over, shes beside herself, screaming, What do you mean the wars over now? She then kneels over the skulls of her perished family. Despite the torrent of misery, theres an undercurrent of optimism in the film. Gen and his mother live on, and while it seems impossible, there is a future for them after the bombing. A young boy even enters their lives who bears a striking resemblance to Shinjiin the unlikeliest of circumstances, the Nakaoka family can grow, just like the grass that begins to emerge again at the end of the film. Barefoot Gen offers not only an apocalyptic vision of the devastating effects of the atomic bomb but it also paints a portrait of Japanese resilience and resistance in a moment when such things must have surely felt impossible. Its challenging to sit through, and its imagery will haunt you for days, even weeks after youve seen it. But underneath the horror lies a potent human element, as this family lives to live in unimaginable circumstances. Its as vital a portrait of warfare you can find, brimming with terror, resistance, and humanity. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. The Madison County Courthouse MARSHALL - A West Asheville man accused of shooting to death another Asheville man, said to be his best friend, in remote Madison County barn has a hearing set in his murder trial. Dallas Griffin, 21, will have his next hearing Sept. 8 on the charge of slaying Randy Sherlin, 25. The date for the new hearing comes following a July 20 Madison County Superior Court session. Griffin is being held in the Buncombe County jail with no bond. The homicide is one of two that happened in the sparsely populated county in 2021. Also at the court session a hearing was set Sept. 8 for Adrienne Diane Tipton, 35, of Weaverville, charged with being an accessory after the fact to Sherlin's Sept. 24, 2021 murder. Tipton is in the Madison County jail under a $110,000 secured bond. The arresting officer in Tipton's case is listed as Anthony Sorangelo, who no longer works for the Madison County Sheriff's Office after questions from some residents about his firing from the Asheville Police Department. Assistant District Attorney John Honeycutt declined to comment on whether that would complicate Tipton's prosecution. The three knew each other, according to Sherlin's sister, and Griffin and Sherlin at one time were best friends, Kasey Holcombe said in 2021 interviews with the News-Record & Sentinel. Tipton had dated Sherlin but then was romantically involved with Griffin, Holcombe said. Madison County Sheriff Buddy Harwood has said Griffin and Tipton planned to rob someone and that they were in Madison County in the early morning of Sept. 24. According to authorities, Sherlin was shot to death on that date in a barn on Doug Cove Road, in a rural mountainous area an hour north of Asheville and 30 minutes from the Madison County seat of Marshall. Griffin and Tipton left that area and went back to Buncombe County, where they live and where a sheriff's deputy attempted to stop their vehicle believing that one of them had an open arrest warrant, Harwood said. The two fled and at one point during a chase wrecked the vehicle. Buncombe deputies arrested them and recovered firearms, including one that Harwood said had been used in Madison County. Story continues Holcombe, meanwhile, has said she believed the situation was a love triangle that had gone bad. Tipton, she told the News-Record & Sentinel, was dating her brother when he got out of prison in June, "then all of a sudden ... Adrienne gets with his best friend (Griffin)." More: Madison County Sheriff: Marshall man charged with murder after shooting man with crossbow Suspect apprehended in early-morning drive-by shooting in Hot Springs Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Barn murder case set for hearing; a possible robbery, love triangle Police have released bodycam footage showing the aftermath of Boston City Councilor Kendra Laras car wreck last month that left her son injured and led to criminal charges in court. Four lengthy videos released by the Boston Police Department feature officers speaking with Lara in the moments after the crash and an interview with a man who claimed the councilor was driving like a bat out of hell before she struck a house on Centre Street in Jamaica Plain on the morning of June 30. Lara is charged with operating negligently so as to endanger, recklessly permitting bodily injury to a child under 14, driving a car with a suspended license, and driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle. Boston City Councilor Kendra Lara arraigned on charges in crash that left her son injured I want to know for sure that she didnt have her child in front of her, a man whose face was blurred told Boston officers at the scene of the crash. I was just beginning to pull out and she came by like a bat out of hell and just swerved. Lara was driving more than double the 25 mph speed limit, according to police. Investigators also said that her 7-year-old son was also not adequately restrained in a booster seat, and he had to go to the hospital with injuries. Police: Boston City Councilor going more than double speed limit with revoked license before crash When asked about the crash as she was being treated in an ambulance, Lara, who was blurred out, identified herself and told a police officer that the man came out right in front of me. He pulled out right in front of me. He didnt check his rearview mirrors to see if anybody was coming down the street, Lara explained. He pulled out in front of me...I just swerved not to hit him. The officer also asked Lara, Do you have your license on you? Lara responded, No, no I dont Lara has not held a valid drivers license since 2013, yet she regularly drove to work at Boston City Hall, a city spokesperson said last week. Story continues Boston City Councilor Kendra Lara regularly drove to City Hall despite revoked license One of the videos showed Laras Honda Civic resting up against the home after it barreled through a fence. Georgia Kalogerakis, who lives in the home that Lara struck, said the impact of the crash cracked her foundation. Shes also grateful no one was hurt, as her grandchildren often play out front. There has been no acknowledgment on her part of her actions. No contact. No indication of remorse, Kalogerakis said after Lara faced a judge. The rest of the bodycam video showed officers checking on Lara and her son at the hospital, as well as Kalogerakis outside of her home asking officers if those involved in the crash were OK. According to her driving record, Lara has had at least six other violations over the last decade. I just want to reiterate that I am wanting to be fully accountable for my mistake and I plan on doing everything possible to remedy any issues, Lara said earlier this week. I know that as an elected official I need to hold myself to a higher standard and I attend to do that. Lara is due back in court in August. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW A persistent bear tried its best to bust into a Colorado wildlife officers truck to get at the stinky carcass inside and left behind lots of evidence of the attempted raid. Photos posted by the Colorado Parks and Wildlifes southeast region on Twitter show huge paw prints on the trucks doors and roof. It had tried to open both doors, officials said on the July 20 post. And it left a nose print on the rear window! It's a good reminder to remove attractants from your vehicles or risk a bear getting inside and destroying the interior. In this case, CPW Officer Drew Vrbenec had been carrying a stinky deer carcass. More common are groceries, soda, candy, air fresheners that bring bears. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/XE4UGEsnCT CPW SE Region (@CPW_SE) July 20, 2023 Its a good example of what not to do, and a reminder to remove smelly items that will attract bears to your car, officials said. In this case, CPW Officer Drew Vrbenec had been carrying a stinky deer carcass, officials said. More common are groceries, soda, candy, air fresheners that bring bears. Couldnt the bear see the dept of wildlife sign on the truck?? someone joked. Its one of several such incidents in Colorado as hungry bears search for food. To prevent attracting bears to your car or home, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials recommend: Keep garbage secured and only put it out the morning it gets picked up. Clean garbage cans regularly (with ammonia if you can) to cut down on odors that attract bears. Keep garage doors closed, and dont leave pet food or stock feed outside. Use bear-resistant trash cans or dumpsters. Avoid bird feeders between April 15 to Nov. 15. You can naturally attract birds with flowers and water baths instead. Dont let bears get comfortable around your home. You should haze them if you spot one, by yelling, making noise and throwing things at it to scare it off. Secure compost piles, as bears are attracted to the smell of rotting food. Clean grills after every use, and clean up well after cookouts. Dont allow fruit to rot on the ground around fruit trees. Lock doors when youre away from home and overnight. Keep bottom-floor windows closed when youre not at home. Story continues To bear-proof your car: Dont keep food in your car, and roll up windows and lock car doors. Lock car doors when car-camping and secure food and coolers inside. Clean up your campsite, whether youre camping at a campground or in the backcountry. If youre camping in the backcountry, hang food 100 feet away (or more) from the campsite. Dont bring food into your tent. Cook far from your campsite and wash dishes thoroughly. Video shows goofy bear climb into cab of truck at NH job site to eat workers lunch Bear in search of snack wreaks havoc on truck after getting stuck inside, video shows Bear has mischievous look on face as it climbs inside truck in Colorado, video shows Baby bear gets stuck in dumpster, Colorado video shows. Then comes a sweet reunion By Mohammad Yunus Yawar and Charlotte Greenfield KABUL (Reuters) - For the last eight years, Marzia Reyazee has supported her family with the earnings from her female-only beauty salon in Afghanistan, a business she spent more than $18,000 setting up. But the 34-year-old mother of two is likely to find herself without her business, and with few other prospects for a livelihood, when the Taliban administration's order to shutter women's beauty salons comes into effect on July 25. "We can't work here, we can't feed our family, we need to work," she said. Like many women in Afghanistan's beauty services sector, Reyazee is the main breadwinner in the family. The ban on beauty salons is the latest in a series of restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women in Afghanistan since taking control of the country two years ago during the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. troops. More than 60,000 women are likely to lose their jobs, and 12,000 beauty businesses are likely to shutter, according to industry estimates, putting further strain on an economy already in crisis. "It will disproportionately impact female entrepreneurs, which is a setback for resilience, poverty reduction, and economic recovery," Roza Otunbayeva, the U.N. Secretary General's special representative in Afghanistan, told Reuters. A spokesperson for the Taliban administration did not respond to request for comment. The ban will also create a "significant" decrease in women's employment, the International Labour Organization (ILO) told Reuters. During the rule of Afghanistan's foreign-backed government, female participation in the formal work force was only around 23%, according to the ILO. In addition to offering the usual services, the beauty salons provide many Afghan women with a safe, female-only space where they can meet outside their homes and without a male chaperone. The Taliban administration say they respect women's rights in line with their interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan culture. Story continues The ban on salons, released on July 4 by the morality ministry, said it was based on an order from the supreme spiritual leader. Similar orders have led to the closure of high schools and universities to women and stopped many Afghan female aid staff from work, moves foreign officials say are hampering any steps towards the formal recognition of the Taliban administration. With sanctions on the banking sector, a cut in development aid and looming drops in humanitarian funding, the Taliban administration has said it is focused on weaning the country off reliance on aid and boosting the economy through private sector development. Senior Taliban officials say they support the development of female-owned businesses and have allowed spaces for women at trade fairs. Otunbayeva, however, said the ban on salons "goes against past commitments from the de facto authorities that they will support female entrepreneurship". Faced with rapidly diminishing options, dozens of women, mostly employees of beauty salons, staged a protest this week against the ban, a rare event since the Taliban clamped down against protests over the closure of universities to female students in December. The Taliban used water cannons and fired shots into the air to break up the demonstration, protesters said. "Day by day, the Taliban are trying to eliminate women from society. We are also human beings," said a make-up artist, her eyes filling with tears. She declined to be named due to concerns for her safety. (Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar and Charlotte Greenfield; additional reporting by Reuters TV; Editing by Miral Fahmy) Australian Timothy Lyndsay Shaddock, right, embraces Grupo Mar President Antonio Suarez during a welcoming ceremony after being rescued from sea and arriving to port in Manzanillo, Mexico, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. After being adrift with his dog for three months, Shaddock and his dog were rescued by the crew of the tuna boat owned by Grupo Mar from an incapacitated catamaran in the Pacific Ocean some 1,200 miles from land. | Fernando Llano, Associated Press In April, Timothy Shaddock, an Australian native, set sail from Mexico with his dog Bella toward his destination of French Polynesia. After being adrift in the Pacific Ocean for nearly three months, he set foot on dry land for the first time this week. During a news conference on Tuesday in Manzanillo, Mexico, Shaddock explained how grateful he was for being alive, and how he and Bella were rescued. Shaddock recalled that after seeing a helicopter flying above his boat, a Mexican tuna trawler called Maria Delia subsequently rescued him and Bella, who were 1,200 miles from land, CBS News reported. I did enjoy being at sea. I enjoyed being out there, he told reporters, per CBS. 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. A few weeks into Shaddocks nearly 4,000-mile voyage, a rough storm significantly damaged his catamarans electronic system, leaving him unable to cook, navigate or communicate, The Associated Press reported. Related Shaddock said that he and Bella survived off of raw fish and rainwater, according to The New York Times, and the pooch helped him cope with the daunting solitude. Shes a beautiful animal, Shaddock said, per the Times. Im just grateful shes alive. Shes a lot braver than I am, thats for sure. Mike Tipton, a professor and expert on ocean survival, told 9News an Australian news outlet that obtained footage of Shaddocks rescue that having Bella as a companion during the ordeal likely helped Shaddock a tremendous amount. I think that may have well made the difference, Tipton said, per 9News. Youre living very much from day-to-day and you have to have a very positive mental attitude in order to get through this kind of ordeal and not give up. Story continues A crew member of the Mexican tuna boat Maria Delia waves for photos with Bella, the dog of Australian Timothy Lyndsay Shaddock, both of whom were rescued from an incapacitated catamaran in the Pacific Ocean, as they bring the pair to port in Manzanillo, Mexico, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. | Fernando Llano, Associated Press Much like their rescue, Shaddock and Bellas meeting was rather happenstance. He says that despite him trying to find a home for the dog, Bella insisted on accompanying Shaddock on his adventures. Bella sort of found me in the middle of Mexico. Shes Mexican, Shaddock said, per AP. 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. Shaddock plans to return home to Australia to be with family, but Bella will be staying in her home country, likely due to Australia having extremely strict animal quarantine laws. The Australian embassy really made that decision for me, Shaddock said when speaking about Bella remaining in Mexico, per The Guardian. The Associated Press reported that Shaddock chose Genaro Rosales, a crew member of Maria Delia, to adopt her on the condition that he would take good care of the dog. Perhaps this is one of the best examples of the old adage: A dog is a mans best friend. The city of Belleville and village of Swansea are working to clear squatters camps from wooded areas along bike trails and in adjoining parks that have caused residents to complain this summer. Belleville Police Chief Matt Eiskant and Swansea Police Chief Matt Blomberg said most people living in the camps are homeless, addicted to drugs or suffering from mental illness, and some are coming from former encampments along the St. Louis riverfront. Local residents have reported seeing people sleeping in tents, building fires, strewing trash, using illegal drugs, yelling and cursing at passersby and crossing through private yards. People dont feel safe when theyre riding or walking on bike trails and they see a camp set up and theyre getting yelled at or they see drug activity, Eiskant said. Were dedicated to cleaning these areas up so our citizens feel safe. The term squatting refers to people occupying land or buildings that dont belong to them without permission. Some residents of the neighborhood around Cleveland Avenue and South Fifth Street in Belleville believe a small uptick in criminal activity, such as burglaries and vehicle and other thefts, is related to camps next to Southside Park, according to Eiskant. Police have issued citations for curfew violations, illegal camping and narcotics possession in the park, which is bordered by Richland Creek Greenway Trail, a 2-mile biking and walking trail owned by the city of Belleville. Similar complaints have involved North End Park, Eiskant said. Ward 5 Alderwoman Shelly Schaefer, who represents the South Fifth Street Neighborhood, organized a meeting with the police chief at City Hall last month that was attended by about 50 residents. She also teaches third grade at Roosevelt School. Its not that people are trying to pick on (homeless people), Schaefer said this week. Thats not it at all. I think people just want to feel safe. Schaefer said residents have told her about camps encroaching on their private property and strangers knocking on their doors and rummaging through their garages. Story continues Schaefer said she has compassion for people struggling with mental illness and other problems, but she also wants to protect families, particularly those with children, in the neighborhood. Ed Dintelman, the other Ward 5 council member, attended the meeting. He welcomed police involvement. It might take them a month or two, but theyll get it fixed, he said. Officials have received some social-media pushback from commenters who argue that homeless people are often victims of circumstances beyond their control, including a shortage of affordable housing, and eviction isnt going to solve the problem. One advocate is Dawn Putnam, Dupo-based founding president of a charitable organization called Moms on a Mission. We serve the unhoused community in this area, she wrote in a private Facebook message to the BND this week. We NEED a walk in shelter with rehabilitation services. Belleville officials grappling with the problem of squatters camps around Southside Park include, left to right, Ward 5 Alderman Ed Dintelman, Ward 5 Alderwoman Shelly Schaefer and Police Chief Matt Eiskant. City of Belleville Recent phenomenon As of early July, police were aware of about a half-dozen camps in wooded areas along Richland Creek Greenway Trail and MetroBikeLink Trail, but those who live in them move around, making it difficult to get a solid count. The MetroBikeLink Trail largely follows the MetroLink train route through Shiloh, Belleville, Swansea and Fairview Heights for 14 miles. Its operated by St. Clair County Transit District and bordered by Bi-State Development land. A 5-mile extension is being planned. SCCTD Managing Director Ken Sharkey called the camps a recent phenomenon. I wouldnt say its blown up, he said this week. But if it doesnt get resolved in a reasonable manner, it might have a tendency to become a little bit more uncontrollable. Sharkey noted that Richland Creek, which is home to fish, ducks, turtles and other wildlife, could be negatively affected by camping if used by humans for sewage disposal. Sharkey supports police efforts, but he also would like to see the homeless people get help. He noted that the transit district partners with Chestnut Health Systems, a nonprofit agency that provides behavioral-health services. Some staff are stationed on MetroLink trains. We dont want to be inhumane about it at all, Sharkey said. People struggle with life issues. Officials in metro-east municipalities have dealt with an increasing number of problems related to homelessness in the past four or five years, according to Eiskant and Blomberg. In March, Belleville City Council voted to turn Ever and Anon Park in downtown Belleville into a fenced-in dog park limited to dues-paying members as a result of people sleeping in the gazebo and leaving needles, trash and human feces on the ground. Bike trails are vulnerable to similar issues, Blomberg said. Those bike trails are absolutely wonderful assets to our neighborhoods and communities, he said. But they also generate access (to wooded areas largely hidden from public view). Eiskant suspects some in the squatters camps have crossed the Mississippi River since March, when the city of St. Louis made the most recent of several attempts to clear out encampments at Lacledes Landing and elsewhere along the riverfront, where dozens of homeless people were living. Another factor in the metro-east is that its only homeless shelter, operated in East St. Louis by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, has been temporarily closed since early June. Shelter Director Pat Hoegrebe said the non-government-supported ministry has limited funds and summer breaks allow it to do repairs and give employees vacation time while encouraging residents who have gotten a little too comfortable to get out and find permanent housing. Our donations go down in the summer, so we try to take a big swallow and recover from that, Hoegrebe said. The MetroBikeLink Trail, which is operated by St. Clair County Transit District, covers 14 miles through Shiloh, Belleville, Swansea and Fairview Heights. Parts of the Swansea section are shown here. Village of Swansea Complicated and divisive Homelessness is a complicated and divisive issue all over the country. It often pits citizens who dont want tents set up along city streets against those who argue that homeless people are victims of drug addiction, mental illness, housing shortages and other problems and may have nowhere else to go. Blomberg posted a message on the Swansea Police Departments Facebook page earlier this month, letting local residents know that officers were looking into complaints about camps along the MetroBikeLink Trail. The post resulted in 215 likes and 88 comments that presented a variety of viewpoints. Some commenters thanked police for trying to keep the trail safe for bicyclists and pedestrians. Others were more critical. Everyone needs somewhere to live. Making it impossible to survive homeless is ridiculous, one wrote. I say leave them alone if they arent hurting anyone or anything. Where you expect them to go? asked another. One woman shared a personal experience: Herein lies the problem. They have the potential to hurt someone. Have you ridden the trail and had one of them jump out at you? Chasing you and screaming to get off THEIR property? Because most of them have some sort of mental illness they are unpredictable. I have empathy for anyone who finds themself in this predicament. But I also have concerns for myself and my families safety while using the bike trail. Hopefully they can be relocated to a safe homeless shelter. Another man pointed out that property owners could be held liable for sanitation and other hazards created by squatters camps. Blomberg made a similar point in an interview last week. Its not like were trying to criminalize this or arrest them, but they do need to go somewhere else, he said. We have a responsibility to property owners who dont want these folks on their property. Property owners along the Richland Creek Greenway and MetroBikeLink trails range from individuals and businesses to municipalities and government agencies, including Bi-State. Its illegal to camp in public places in Belleville. The related ordinance requires officials to inform people who are squatting about a regional homeless shelter thats available. The city offers to pay for bus transportation, but many turn it down, according to Eiskant. Years in the past, we had people setting up tents on sidewalks, he said. We cant have that. Eiskant noted that some homeless people also are squatting in vacant homes in Belleville. This causes headaches for the health, housing and building department and contributes to crime in neighborhoods, although overall crime rates in Belleville have dropped, he said. Swansea parks are closed at night and therefore dont allow overnight stays. Both municipalities deal with illegal camps in similar ways. Code-enforcement officials start by hand-delivering or posting notices, telling people who are squatting that they must vacate within a specified period of time (10 days in Belleville; five business days plus a weekend in Swansea). If that doesnt happen, tents and other items are collected and stored for 30 days. After that, theyre disposed of as unclaimed property. (Homeless people) have rights, too, Blomberg said, referring to provisions of the Illinois Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act, enacted in 2013. ... So we have to follow certain rules, and that can create some frustration for complainants. We cant just take away all their things. Swansea Police Chief Matt Blomberg talks to an unidentified man staying in a squatters camp along MetroBikeLink Trail last week. The man turned down supplies and promised to move. Teri Maddox/tmaddox@bnd.com Patrolling the trails Swansea Police Department recently received grant funding to buy a utility-task vehicle that can be used to respond to emergencies and better patrol the MetroBikeLink Trail. On a recent weekday, Blomberg allowed a reporter to ride along and observe two of the squatters camps. Tents were nestled in woods and surrounded by folding chairs, tarps, tubs of clothing, bicycle wheels, fishing poles, a barbecue grill and other supplies, as well as trash. At one point, a man rode up on a childs bike, wearing a backpack and pulling a small trailer near one of the camps, where village officials already had posted a notice to vacate. Is that your stuff back there? Blomberg asked. Im getting it out, the man responded. Blomberg offered him a plastic bag of toiletries, snacks and first-aid items and asked if he needed any other help. The man declined. Eiskant refers to most people living on Belleville streets as voluntarily homeless because, he said, many have told him that they have places to stay but dont want to live with family or go to shelters because of rules against drug use. Hoegrebe, a longtime advocate for the poor, agrees that some homeless people choose that lifestyle, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul shelter in East St. Louis has a no tolerance policy on drugs. But many want to overcome addictions or mental illness and get back on their feet, she said. Shelter staff work to connect them with community resources, help them sign up for Social Security or find treatment, housing, jobs or transportation to doctors appointments. The shelter is part of an Outreach Ministry Center with a soup kitchen and thrift store at 3718 State St. in East St. Louis. When open, it averages 75 people a night but has held 100, according to Hogrebe. We rarely have to turn people away, she said. But we stay at capacity, especially in cold weather. Hoegrebe has mixed feelings about people camping along metro-east bike trails. On one hand, she supports the police and the rights of property owners, bicyclists and pedestrians. You cant have a bunch of (homeless people) trashing the bike trail and terrorizing homeowners, she said. Youve got to have law and order. But I think we need to offer them other alternatives. That means affordable housing and treatment for drug addiction and mental illness, including medication, Hoegrebe said. She also suggested that local residents who are concerned about homelessness support shelters and organizations that provide services. People can reach the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Belleville Council by calling 618-394-0126 or visiting the website at www.svdpsouthil.org. The job of police officers is to enforce laws, according to Eiskant and Blomberg, but theyre trying to work with other government agencies and private organizations to help with the homeless problem. Its not just Belleville issue, Eiskant said. Its a whole metro St. Louis issue. A homeless shelter operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul is located at the rear of its Outreach Ministry Center, which also includes a soup kitchen and thrift shop at 3817 State St. in East St. Louis. Google Maps Swansea Police Chief Matt Blomberg returns to a squatters camp along the MetroBikeLink Trail last week to see if people had left after receiving a notice from code-enforcement officials to vacate. Teri Maddox/tmaddox@bnd.com The lead Bellingham Police Department detective who was investigating three school administrators for their alleged failure to report a students sexual assaults has been placed on a dishonest officers list for allegedly misappropriating and misusing public funds. An internal affairs administrative investigation by the Bellingham Police Department concluded that Detective Adam (Bo) S. McGinty, with the special victims unit demonstrated dishonesty by using another detectives name to obtain additional dry cleaning services. The administrative investigation ultimately determined that McGinty allegedly violated state theft laws, that he misappropriated or misused public funds and that he engaged in conduct that was criminal, dishonest or disgraceful, according to a Friday afternoon letter from the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorneys Office sent out to Whatcom County attorneys and obtained by The Bellingham Herald. The July 21 letter sent from the prosecutors office is a notification that McGinty has been placed on the Brady list. The Brady list, maintained by the 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 a case. This information can then be used to impeach the officer as a witness if they are called to testify in court. 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 Whatcom County prosecutors office determined that if a reasonable person, like a judge or juror, heard certain information related to McGinty, they could conclude that McGinty demonstrated dishonesty by violating Bellingham Police standards of conduct that include theft of services by aid of deception, the impeachment disclosure letter states. Story continues Under Bellingham Police Departments collective bargaining agreement with unionized employees, each law enforcement officer is allotted dry cleaning costs equivalent to the cost of cleaning one uniform per week. Accounting noticed that two detectives were using dry cleaning services far greater than the allotted amount. Bellingham police administration contacted McGinty and another detective for using excessive amounts of dry cleaning, according to the letter. The other detective expressed surprise saying that he hadnt used dry cleaning in three years. Detective McGinty told the administration that the other detective had nothing to do with these issues, the letter states. It was determined that Detective McGinty had used another detectives name to obtain additional dry cleaning services. The length of time the alleged conduct occurred or the monetary amount McGinty is accused of misappropriating was not included in the letter and not immediately available. The findings from the internal affairs investigation determined McGinty violated three standards of conduct governing Bellingham Police Department employees, according to the letter. However, the policy that contains the three standards of conduct McGinty is accused of violating is not one of the publicly available, listed policies for the police department on the city of Bellinghams website. The Herald has reached out to Bellingham police for more information regarding which policies McGinty is determined to have violated, the amount of funds hes accused of misappropriating, the length of time the alleged conduct occurred, and whether any discipline has been recommended for or issued to McGinty. Investigation background Bellingham Police started its internal affairs investigation into McGinty on May 18. He was placed on paid administrative leave three weeks later, on June 7, and removed from the investigation into the three school administrators, according to prior reporting in The Herald. McGinty, who was previously Bellingham Public Schools district resource officer, spent more than a year working on the investigation into the administrators. The three administrators have since been criminally cited for failing to report a high school students sexual assaults. Their jury trial is scheduled to begin in late August, The Herald previously reported. In addition to the internal administrative investigation, McGinty is also the subject of a criminal investigation into his actions that is being conducted by the Mount Vernon Police Department. The Herald has reached out to Mount Vernon police for an update on the criminal investigation. The Skagit County Prosecuting Attorneys Office had not received any reports from Mount Vernon police regarding McGinty as of 2:30 p.m. Friday, according to Skagit County chief criminal deputy Rosemary Kaholokula. The Skagit prosecutors office will determine whether any charges will be filed against McGinty and if so, will handle the case against him. The Whatcom County prosecutors office sent the case to Skagit due to conflicts of interest and to promote the appearance of fairness, Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Richey said. Its disappointing and unfortunate, Richey said when reached by The Herald Friday afternoon. Its disappointing to see these things happen with law enforcement officers. Richey declined to comment on whether the determinations made in the internal affairs investigation into McGinty, or the fact that he is the subject of a criminal investigation, will impede the prosecutions ability to present its case at trial or resolve the three criminal cases against the school district administrators. (Samuel Rodriguez / For The Times) In Sunday Funday, L.A. people give us a play-by-play of their ideal Sunday around town. Find ideas and inspiration on where to go, what to eat and how to enjoy life on the weekends. It's hard to imagine what Travis Bennett's life on-screen or off would look like without Los Angeles in the background. He's spent most of his 29 years here, first in the Mid-City neighborhood where he grew up and later on the eastern edge of Beverly Hills where he now lives. In addition, the high-profile roles he's landed since pivoting from music (as a member of L.A. rap collective Odd Future) to acting seem to have the city as a supporting character. First, there's the L.A.-set FX series "Dave" (in which he plays the long-suffering friend of Dave Burd, a.k.a. Lil Dicky) and, more recently, the Jonah Hill and Kenya Barris penned film "You People." Bennett says even a Coca-Cola Zero Sugar commercial featuring him alongside Burd in a diner hasn't taken him far from the City of Angels because it was filmed at the Bob's Big Boy in Burbank. (Ironically, the next film he's set to appear in, "California King," was shot in and around Provo, Utah.) That super-L.A.-centric convergence of personal and professional lives means that when it comes to crafting the perfect Southland Sunday, Bennett shows up to his interview (which took place before the SAG-AFTRA strike) with a plan. He describes the epic 22-plus-hour day would go something like this. 5:30 a.m.: Arise early for the Rose Bowl If the Rose Bowl [Flea Market] is happening, that changes everything. I wake up at 5:30 in the morning. I shower and I'm out of the house by 5:45, 6 a.m. and get to the Rose Bowl by 6:30, shop there until 9:30, 10 a.m. As soon as people start really getting in and crowding and the sun really starts to come out and get hot, I head back and get breakfast at Bodega Park in Silver Lake. That's my favorite spot right now. Story continues Read more: The 101 best California experiences [At the Rose Bowl,] there's a guy named Artem at World Vintage who I shop with a bunch. He's my main source of vintage right now in L.A., so I'll go to him and then just bounce around to a few other people. ... I'm always looking for Lakers stuff and vintage LAFD stuff. On my first trip to the Rose Bowl years ago, I was there at 6 in the morning and found this random LAFD T-shirt with a bulldog on the back of it. It's torn to shreds, and the collar is flipped open and just dangling in the wind. And I just love it. It's one of those things you'd never find unless you went. 11:30 a.m.: Lemonade and a Lakers game From Bodega Park, I'd go to Community Goods for a yuzu sparkling lemonade and see my boy Pedro who bought [the space] and opened it up a few months ago. It's a place where I run into a bunch of my homies all the time. I'd probably hang out there for about an hour. Then, if the graces of God are on my side, there would be a Lakers game, so I'd watch a game. 12:30 p.m.: Chill and chuckle In the afternoon I'd hang out at my house or one of my friends' houses for a few hours. We'd just sit around making jokes. It's a pretty tight circle of friends that's been the same since [we were] 15 or 16 [years old]. I see them relatively often, sometimes on a daily basis, whether or not it's planned. Tyler, Lionel, Jasper, they're my crew. And so we'd make some jokes and then probably go eat again. Read more: The Great Big Highly Specific Guide to Disneyland 1:30 p.m.: Jon & Vinny's & lunch Maybe we'd go to Escuela Taqueria or My 2 Cents or Jon & Vinny's on Fairfax. If we went to Jon & Vinny's, I'd go with some heirloom tomato pasta, no Parmesan and I'd start with the gem lettuce salad. If I was going to throw a meat in there, I'd probably get a chicken cutlet. And then I'd also have the broccolini and maybe the corn agnolotti. After that, we'll usually stand outside of wherever we ate and make jokes about each other for an hour just making jokes and showing each other random things on our phones. 3:30 p.m.: Card games with the crew From there, we'd probably go to my house. My house has become the place recently because I'm so central to everything. Everybody else is either in West L.A., Bel-Air, Beverly Hills proper or West Hollywood, so my place is center stage. I usually just invite people over and see what happens. Sometimes we'll break out the Uno cards. I kind of wish casinos had Uno because I would bet a lot of money and I don't think I'd lose money. I'm good at it. We played Sorry! recently. That is a very intense game to play with three other adult men. 7 to 9 p.m.: Have a Postmates potluck For the ideal Sunday night dinner, we'd all go over to one of my friends' houses and all eat food together six to eight of us usually but no more than 10. We do this fun thing where we all order something from someplace different, so it's a surprise kind of like ordering a Postmates potluck. My thing is always Din Tai Fung because who is going to say no to those rice cakes with chicken? 9 p.m.: Spark up to "Succession" The most peaceful ending to a Sunday is watching "Succession" or any "Game of Thrones" [show], and I'm at peace, smoking a joint at home. 10:30 p.m.: Video games and space weed At about 10:30, I start playing video games and smoking a certain amount of marijuana. Well, sometimes a combination of video games I'm playing a lot of "NBA 2K" right now as well as "Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order" and watching YouTube videos. [Weed-wise] Luigi is my jam. He doesn't sell in dispensaries, though. Rappers know Luigi. I have friends who call it space weed. They come over and they're like, "Hell no! I'm not smoking that ..." Read more: 'Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order' is the hokey in a good way contrast to 'The Mandalorian' 3:45 a.m.: Crash on the couch When the night ends depends on what I have to do the next day. Even then, there are always moments when I'll check my phone, and it'll be 1 in the morning. And I'll be like, "I've got another 20 [minutes] in me," and then I check again and it's 3:45 a.m. Sometimes I'll fall asleep on my couch. I sleep on my couch more than I sleep in my bed, which is weird. Sign up for L.A. Goes Out, a weekly newsletter about exploring and experiencing Los Angeles from the L.A. Times. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WASHINGTON Can a combination of crowdsourced photography and smartphone software improve air defenses? The U.S. Army is willing to find out. In trials earlier this month, soldiers in South Carolina used government-issued phones to capture and share images of a drone overhead using a nascent application known as CARPE Dronvm. The app is funded by the Defense Department and built by Mitre Corp., a manager of federally funded research and development centers. The software is the brainchild of U.S. Air Forces Central, which sought to more easily detect and track airborne threats. U.S. Army Central is spearheading testing among troops. Countering the drone threat in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility is essential to keeping our personnel, aircraft, and equipment safe, Lt. Col. Steven Norris, U.S. Air Forces Centrals counter-drone chief, said in a statement July 18. Central Command comprises more than 4 million-square-miles of land, including Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. The organization in January said Iran attacked a base in Syria used by U.S. and local forces with three drones. Two of the systems were shot down. Every single warfighter can help sense and warn, creating a comprehensive layered defense that will tie into our existing command and control architecture and increase awareness of threats in the region, Norris said of the app. Autonomous drones may help Air Force slash aircraft inspection times The dangers posed by unmanned aerial systems have mushroomed in recent years; drone strikes are near-synonymous with the Russia-Ukraine war, as both sides try to reconnoiter and attack from safer distances. The Pentagon in 2019 established the Joint Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office to address the proliferation. Theres also the Rapid Capability and Critical Technologies Office, which is exploring the application of directed energy to zap drones midair. The UAS threat is a shared security challenge for the U.S. and our regional partners, Lt. Gen. Patrick Frank, the U.S. Army Central commander, said in a statement. The advanced measures we intend to pursue regarding innovation and experimentation will provide critical, real-time data to inform Army and defense decisions on counter-UAS technologies. Story continues The CARPE Dronvm testing this month spanned some 31 miles, touching the McEntire Joint National Guard Base and Poinsett Range. Soldiers with the app were scattered across the area. Officials described it as the largest evaluation to date. This was all to prove the CARPE Dronvm app works, Maj. Travis Valley, with U.S. Army Centrals Task Force 39, said in a statement. It did. In fact, it exceeded my expectations on the simplicity of use and the programs drone detection ability. Security personnel gather near the entrance of the Wuhan Institute of Virology during a visit by the World Health Organization team in Wuhan in Chinas Hubei province on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. | Ng Han Guan, Associated Press The Biden administration formally suspended funding for the Chinese lab at the center of the COVID-19 origin controversy in a move Rep. Chris Stewart says was long overdue. This was a complete no-brainer. It was apparent from the very beginning they should not have had funding, Stewart said during a phone call with the Deseret News. In a memo issued on Monday, a Department of Health and Human Services official notified the Wuhan Institute of Virology that it is now barred from participating in federal government funding programs for at least the next 10 years. The determination was made after the lab refused to provide documentation establishing its safety practices in violation of a grant provided by the National Institutes of Health. The Chinese facility has 30 days to respond to the memo. The NIHs conclusion that WIV research likely violated protocols of the NIH regarding biosafety is undisputed, the memo reads. The immediate suspension of WIV is necessary to mitigate any potential public health risk. Between 2014 and 2020, the Wuhan lab received $1.4 million from the NIH and U.S. Agency for International Development, according to the Government Accountability Office. While the Wuhan Institute has not received research funding from the U.S. government since the Trump administration terminated a grant in 2020, Stewart says a formal suspension like the one issued this week was necessary to demonstrate the lab did not meet adequate safety standards. (It) was uncertain as long as there wasnt an official policy put in place by the administration that they werent going to continue to fund them, Stewart said. Im glad that the administration has finally put what was an obvious policy in place. Related The origin of the COVID-19 virus is still unknown. However, one of the theories is that the virus originated in a lab studying bat coronaviruses located near Wuhan, China, the place where the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have begun. Story continues Different branches of the U.S. intelligence community have come to varying, tentative conclusions about the origin of the virus. Both the Energy Department and FBI say the pandemic likely sprung from a lab leak scenario, while the National Intelligence Council, the CIA, and two other agencies, have taken the position that the virus probably emerged via natural transmission from an infected animal, The Wall Street Journal reported. Stewart said his position on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has given him unique access to information surrounding the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to technical facts about the nature of the virus, Stewart said additional evidence in support of the lab leak theory comes from Chinas response to international investigations, which he says consisted of destroying important records and samples of viruses that had been worked on in the Wuhan lab. That makes no sense at all, unless they believe that the virus had come from their own lab, Stewart said, adding that efforts to link the virus to a natural source have failed. Despite its plausibility, the lab leak theory was quickly shot down by some federal agencies and media outlets in the early days of the pandemic, Stewart said. Its not a conspiracy theory to ask that question. And yet, thats exactly the way it was treated. We were treated as if we were nuts for even suggesting it, Stewart said. Last year, Stewart sponsored the Stop Adversarial Funding Expenditures for Laboratories Act, which he reintroduced this legislative term. The bill would prohibit any head of a federal agency from providing assistance to the Wuhan Institute of Virology as well as to any country determined by the Secretary of State to be a foreign adversary, including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. Stewart said hes fine to fund research that will allow the quicker development of vaccines, but said we shouldnt be funding that type of very risky endeavor with countries we dont trust, that we cant monitor what their security precautions are, what their processes are in the labs. On Tuesday, Sen. Mitt Romney introduced an expansive pandemic preparedness bill in the Senate that would, among other things, cut off funding for research in China, particularly for gain-of-function research. Earlier this year, Sen. Mike Lee co-sponsored a bill that would require the Biden administration to declassify intelligence related to possible links between the Wuhan lab and the origins of the pandemic. Stewart, whose 10 years in the House comes to an end this September, says the single greatest concern he has is the loss of trust among Americans in institutions, including health agencies like the NIH. Four years ago, no one thought Those guys arent going to tell us the truth? Well, it turned out in some cases they didnt, Stewart said. I just think weve got a real challenge and its going to take the government in a real deliberate way to try to rebuild that trust among the citizens. The Biden administration filed a brief late Friday, asking the Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling and reinstate the 303-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) which would transport natural gas from West Virginia to Virginia. In the brief, filed by the Department of Justice on behalf of the Department of the Interior, the federal government argued a recent 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that stayed the MVP project violated federal statute. The Fiscal Responsibility Act, the bipartisan debt limit bill President Biden signed in early June, fast-tracked federal permits for the MVP and shifted judicial review jurisdiction away from the 4th Circuit. "Whatever benefit respondents or the court of appeals might believe would be gained by having the agencies again reconsider the challenged actions, Congress has determined that further reconsideration is unwarranted and has prioritized MVPs 'timely' completion over interests addressed by any other federal statutes," the filing stated. "That judgment is for Congress alone," it continued. JOE MANCHIN CALLS 'BULLS---' ON GOP TAKING CREDIT FOR GAS PIPELINE IN DEBT CEILING DEAL In June, President Joe Biden signed the Fiscal Responsibility Act which fast-tracked federal permits for the Mountain Valley Pipeline and shifted judicial review jurisdiction away from the 4th Circuit. The filing is the latest in a string of briefs filed in the case urging the Supreme Court to reverse the lower court ruling. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP On July 14, 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. Since then, fossil fuel industry groups, a bicameral group of lawmakers, counsel for the House of Representatives, and a major labor union representing workers on the MVP project have called on the Supreme Court to vacate the lower court stay. DEM SENATOR UNLOADS ON WHITE HOUSE FOR AGREEING TO FAST-TRACK GAS PIPELINE IN BUDGET DEAL "The Fourth Circuit judges are not supreme rulers and lawful orders issued by the legislative and executive branches must be followed," GOP Chief Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa., told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. "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." Story continues "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. The Supreme Court is facing pressure to reinstate the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Reschenthaler led a group of seven fellow representatives and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va, in filing a brief in support of the MVP project's permits. 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. The Biden administration has joined Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and a coalition of Republican representatives in asking the Supreme Court to block an order halting construction of a controversial pipeline. The deal reached in June to raise the federal debt ceiling includes a provision to approve the Mountain Valley Pipeline, a natural gas project in Virginia and West Virginia that Manchin has vocally backed. It also transfers jurisdiction over the matter from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Va., to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Last week, however, the 4th Circuit granted a request from The Wilderness Society to temporarily halt construction of a segment of the pipeline in Jefferson National Forest. In response, the pipeline company filed an emergency request with Chief Justice John Roberts to take up the case. Roberts has the option to either act on the request on his own or put it to the court for a full vote, as he has historically done. Earlier this week, Manchin and a coalition of House GOP members, led by Republican Deputy Whip Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.), filed amicus briefs backing the pipeline. The application to vacate the court of appeals stays should be granted, wrote U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, adding that the laws unambiguous text states that no court, including the 4th Circuit, will have jurisdiction to review approvals pertaining to the pipeline. The category of cases covered by that jurisdictional bar clearly includes the petitions for review here, Prelogar wrote. She went on to write that arguments that that section of the law itself is unconstitutional also fail, as the law grants jurisdiction over those claims to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. [R]espondents cannot succeed because Congress ratified the agency actions that they challenge and superseded any provision of law inconsistent with the issuance of those approvals, she wrote. The Hill has reached out to The Wilderness Society for comment. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON (AP) President Joe Biden is staking his reelection bid on the political and financial muscle of the Democratic National Committee. As it prepares for a bruising 2024 contest, his campaign plans to raise and spend around $2 billion. But it will do so in coordination with the national and state Democratic parties, in an effort to establish a coordinated campaign around the country. The idea is to bolster field, volunteer and data organizations, and ensure they work jointly to promote Biden and down-ballot Democratic candidates. The president is really rewriting the playbook when it comes to what a reelection campaign looks like and how we are in deep partnership with the DNC, said Julie Chavez Rodriguez, Bidens campaign manager, and will continue to show, by all metrics, that were running a successful campaign. The strategy is different from the way the last Democratic president treated the DNC. Barack Obama largely shunned the party's traditional fundraising apparatus and instead raised money with his own groups, relying on personal star power. That helped leave the DNC depleted and in debt. What Rodriguez called a one-team, one-fight mentality allows Democrats to raise money faster than Biden's campaign can itself, while letting the reelection effort keep its staffing and logistical expenses low as it relies on state and national parties to cover costs. The party says the plan lets it remain unified politically and financially behind Biden, while Republican presidential candidates are locked in a contentious primary. But President Donald Trump avoided serious primary challengers and teamed with the Republican National Committee to take in more than $1 billion in 2020, without winning reelection. The Democrats' model also requires Biden's 2024 campaign to lean more heavily on parties in major states where Republicans have dominated recent elections. Rodriguez, though, pointed to Democrats' success in last year's midterm races, when the DNC spent $95 million on campaigns across the country and helped the party's candidates defy historical precedent by maintaining control of the Senate and only narrowly losing the House. The amount spent was more than double the committee's previous midterm cycle record of $42 million ahead of the 2010 race. Story continues Biden's 2020 campaign gave the national party its supporter and fundraising data after Inauguration Day in 2021. And the DNC says it has since expanded the volunteer list to 250,000 in all 50 states. Rodriguez said the committee is now building and testing new precision online targeting tools to better reach voters on social media, especially young ones and those of color. The DNC also has developed systems allowing its volunteers to share localized content to bolster phone banking and texting to voters, and created relational organizing to help existing volunteers potentially organize people closest to them. Sam Cornale, the DNCs executive director, said that national and state parties will be able to hire organizers, recruit volunteers and talk to voters as close to year-round and every day as resources allow. As we are scaling this effort, you will see state party payrolls increase dramatically, Cornale said. Fundraising is also easier since the DNC and the presidents affiliated fundraising arm, the Biden Victory Fund, can raise roughly $1 million annually from individual donors. Biden's reelection campaign itself can only collect $6,600 per donor, per year. The work that we know needs to happen, the broad swath of it, the DNC and our state party partners can do, and pay for," Cornale said. Cornale has traveled with Rodriguez to make fundraising pitches, and reelection campaign staffers are working out of the DNC's Washington headquarters until the Biden 2024 campaign opens its official base in Wilmington, Delaware, later this year. For now, the reelection campaign has fewer than 10 people on its payroll. Its important that, at this stage, were smart about where were investing and how were building and growing," Rodriguez said. The DNC staff, by contrast, has grown to 300-plus, double its size prior to the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections. National Democrats previewed their 2024 approach in key Wisconsin state races this spring. The DNC sent Biden-signed fundraising emails for the Wisconsin Democratic Party, and organized in-state robocalls with South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn, a close congressional ally of the president. For his part, Obama created his own political operation, Organizing for America, which was meant to capitalize on a 2008 campaign that appealed to swing voters who might have been alienated by traditional party entities. The move also came amid concerns the DNC was too closely aligned with Obama's presidential primary opponent, Hillary Clinton. But DNC and state party chairs complained about competing with Organizing for America for donors. The group went through various iterations, eventually ending up as part of the DNC. Still, the committee was millions of dollars in debt until 2019. Jim Messina, who managed Obamas 2012 reelection campaign, said it secured joint fundraising agreements, which ease donor limits, with Democratic parties in 10 battleground states, plus New York and California while Biden 2024 has agreements with all 50 states. He also noted that Biden has long been a traditional Democrat more than Obama. He came from the Democratic world, Messina said. He understands the DNC whereas, because Obama was running against Hillary, who sort of had control of the DNC, he built a grassroots movement outside of it. The Biden campaign and DNC raised $72-plus million in the 10 weeks since the president announced his reelection. That trailed the $85.6 million Obama took in during the April-to-June quarter in 2011, though he launched three weeks earlier than Biden. Messina said, however, that he was most excited about the DNC and Biden affiliates' cash-on-hand of $77 million on June 30. He said that showed the campaigns discipline in allowing the party to cover costs. I admire how little money they've spent, Messina said. The DNC has paid for early Biden 2024 TV spots, as well as advertising around issues like defending abortion rights, while also financing the presidents fundraising events. Bidens first 2024 campaign rally in June was with powerful unions who paid for the event themselves. Keith Ellison, Minnesotas attorney general and former DNC deputy chair, said all of this means "the DNC is a better organization than it was five, 10 years ago. Now were back on our feet," he said. "Theres still a lot of strengthening that needs to happen. Ellison said that, going forward, the committee must ensure it doesnt turn into a little appendage of Biden, and called getting too wrapped around the existing president a "legitimate concern." He also said that state parties need to make more progress in places like New York, where Republican midterm House victories helped the GOP reclaim the chamber last year. Indeed, relying more heavily on state parties will require coordinating with officials in solidly Republican places, like Texas, or onetime battlegrounds that have become increasingly red, such as Ohio and Florida. Kevin Cate, a longtime Florida political strategist and veteran of Obamas 2008 campaign, said the May victory of Democrat Donna Deegan in Jacksonville's mayoral race is reason for optimism, and shrugged off suggestions Republican wins in recent statewide races have left Florida Democrats too weak to do what the DNC needs. I think the biggest concern here is the DNC just giving up and letting the party flail," he countered. A recent strategy memo said the reelection campaign would stay on the offensive in Florida and North Carolina. Absent was Texas, where Democrats havent won statewide office in nearly 30 years. Still, Texas Democratic Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said the DNC has since told him that the original strategy list wasnt comprehensive. What theyve told me is that Texas will be a battleground state," Hinojosa said, noting that, financially, the party hasn't given us the love up until now. Now, what that means," he added, "depends on how things look in the future. Lisa Franchetti is on track to be the first woman to head one of the US military branches US President Biden has chosen a female admiral to lead the US Navy - the first time a woman has been nominated to head a Pentagon military service branch. Lisa Franchetti is a former head of the US 6th Fleet and US naval forces in South Korea, and has also served as an aircraft carrier strike commander. Her nomination by Mr Biden must still be confirmed by the US Senate. One lawmaker is currently blocking the Senate from confirming military leaders to protest a military abortion policy. If confirmed as Chief of Naval Operations she will be the first woman to become a member of the elite group of senior military officers who make up the Joint Chiefs of Staff. A 38-year veteran, she was only the second woman to achieve the rank of four-star admiral. In a statement, Mr Biden hailed what he called her "extensive expertise in both the operational and policy arenas" and said she "will again make history" when she is confirmed for the role. According to reports in US media, Adm Franchetti was not the first choice of the US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, who instead recommended TOPGUN graduate Samuel Paparo as the next Navy chief. Mr Biden also promoted Adm Paparo, nominating him to become the commander of the US military forces in the Pacific. The US Coast Guard is currently led by a woman - Admiral Linda Fagan - but that military branch falls under the Department of Homeland Security rather than the Department of Defense. Adm Franchetti is due to take up the position in the fall when the current chief's four-year term expires. But she will begin the job in an acting capacity, as it's unlikely that she will be quickly confirmed by the divided senate. Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville is currently blocking the senate from confirming more than 270 military promotions over a Pentagon policy that pays the travel expenses of service members who have to go out of state to have an abortion. In his statement, Mr Biden criticised the senator, saying "what Senator Tuberville is doing is not only wrongit is dangerous". He added: "He is risking our ability to ensure that the United States Armed Forces remain the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. And his Republican colleagues in the Senate know it." The White House says it is working on an executive order aimed at making sure artificial intelligence is safe and trustworthy (OLIVIER MORIN) President Joe Biden evoked AI's "enormous" risk and promise Friday at a White House meeting with tech leaders who committed to guarding against everything from cyber-attacks to fraud as the sector revolutionizes society. "It is astounding," Biden said, highlighting AI's "enormous, enormous promise of both risk to our society and our economy and our national security, but also incredible opportunities." Standing alongside top representatives from Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft and OpenAI, Biden said the cutting-edge companies had made commitments to "guide responsible innovation" as AI rips ever deeper into personal and business life. "We'll see more technology change in the next 10 years or even in the next few years than we've seen in the last 50 years. That has been an astounding revelation to me," Biden said. "The group here will be critical in shepherding that innovation with responsibility and safety." Ahead of the meeting, the seven AI giants committed to a series of self-regulated safeguards that the White House said would "underscore three principles that must be fundamental to the future of AI: safety, security and trust." Although AI -- in which computer programs learn to do many jobs currently performed by humans -- is seen as a hugely empowering tool, it also poses potentially nightmarish risks. In their pledge, the companies agreed to develop "robust technical mechanisms," such as watermarking systems, to ensure users know when content is from AI and not human-generated. Worry that content created by artificial intelligence will be used for fraud and misinformation has ramped up as the technology improves and the 2024 presidential election gets closer. Already, supporters of Republican candidate Ron DeSantis have gotten attention with an attack ad featuring an artificially generated voice like that of party frontrunner Donald Trump. Story continues - 'Enormous potential upside - The White House initiative demonstrates an early effort to get in front of the snowballing problem of how to regulate an industry developing faster than Congress may be able to handle. Among the measures pledged by the seven companies ahead of the Biden meeting is agreeing to independent "internal and external security testing of their AI systems before their release" for threats to biosecurity, cybersecurity and "broader societal effects." Officials said Biden is also already working on an executive order -- something that has limited powers, but does not require congressional approval -- on AI safety. "We need to make sure we're pulling every lever of the federal government to regulate and take action -- and work with... (Congress) on legislation," White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients told Axios. "We will need legislation to build the capacity to have the experts that we need in the federal government, and then to have the regulatory authority to hold the private sector accountable -- and to hardwire these actions so that they're enduring," Zients said. The White House said it is also working with foreign allies to seek "a strong international framework to govern the development and use of AI" around the world. The topic was prominent at the G7 in Japan this May, while Britain is set to hold an international AI summit. Biden cautioned that governments and societies need to do better on the emergence of AI than was the case when social media platforms exploded, leading to widespread concern over the effects on mental health and misinformation. "Social media has shown us the harm that powerful technology can do without the safeguards in place," Biden said. "We must be clear-eyed and vigilant about the threats of emerging technology that can pose to our democracy and our values," he said. But AI also has an "enormous, enormous potential upside." sms/acb US President Joe Biden praised CIA Director William Burns for providing 'clear, straightforward analysis that prioritizes the safety and security of the American people' (Mandel NGAN) President Joe Biden announced Friday that he has invited CIA Director William Burns to sit on the cabinet, a mostly symbolic elevation that recognized the US spymaster's broader role in the administration. Biden praised Burns for providing him "clear, straightforward analysis that prioritizes the safety and security of the American people." "Under his leadership, the CIA is delivering a clear-eyed, long-term approach to our nation's top national security challenges -- from tackling Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine, to managing responsible competition with the People's Republic of China, to addressing the opportunities and risks of emerging technology," Biden said. Biden's action means Burns will serve on the cabinet side-by-side with his immediate senior, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, as well as all the department secretaries. Before the Director of National Intelligence was established in 2005, CIA directors served on presidential cabinets. During the 2017-2021 presidency of Donald Trump, both of his CIA chiefs, Mike Pompeo and Gina Haspel, were also included in the cabinet. A career diplomat who was ambassador to Russia, Burns, 67, took the helm at the Central Intelligence Agency in 2021. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he has taken a leading role in maintaining the deeply frayed relationship between Washington and Moscow. Several weeks before the invasion, he flew to Moscow to warn officials that the United States knew of its invasion plans and warned of the West's response. And last month, as the United States worried about the ramifications for global security of the Wagner private military group's short-lived rebellion against Moscow, Burns spoke at length with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Naryshkin, the SVR foreign intelligence chief. Burns said in a statement that he was honored and that Biden's invitation "recognizes the essential contributions to national security the Central Intelligence Agency makes every day." Haines meanwhile said she was "absolutely delighted" at the move. pmh/acb President Biden announced on Friday that he is adding CIA Director William Burns to serve as a member of his cabinet, elevating further an official he has dispatched on face-to-face missions in Russia and China to confront Americas most pressing national security issues. Its rare for the CIA director to be given a seat in the cabinet an advisory body that includes the major federal agencies but can be expanded to include other senior U.S. officials that the president views as leading on key priority issues. Bill has always given me clear, straightforward analysis that prioritizes the safety and security of the American people, reflecting the integral role the CIA plays in our national security decision-making at this critical time, Biden said in a statement. With quiet courage, deep humility, and extensive expertise, Bill has earned the respect of the brave women and men of the CIA, he continued. He leads with dignity and represents the very best of America, and I look forward to continuing to work with him in the years ahead. A White House official called Burns one of the Presidents closest advisors on many of the major national security and foreign policy issues of this administration. The Presidents elevation of Director Burns to the Cabinet recognizes the essential contributions to national security the Central Intelligence Agency makes every day, the official said, noting that CIA directors were also made members of the cabinet during the Clinton administration. Burns, a former ambassador to Russia and a veteran diplomat, was sworn in as CIA director in 2021. The president sent Burns to Moscow to talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin in November 2021 to warn him off of launching an invasion into Ukraine. He was also a key figure in the administrations strategy to declassify intelligence related to Putins troop buildup and plans to launch a full-scale invasion into Ukraine, which was carried out in February 2022. The early warnings were credited with uniting Kyivs supporters in coordinated action against the Kremlin. Story continues In June, Burns traveled to Beijing and met with his intelligence counterparts in an effort to lay the groundwork for more high-level contacts between the U.S. and China that had been upended over a series of crises and tensions in the relationship. The Presidents announcement today recognizes the essential contributions to national security the Central Intelligence Agency makes every day, and reflects his confidence in our work, Burns said in a statement. I am honored to serve in this role, representing the tremendous work of our intelligence officers, he added. It is also an honor to serve alongside our exceptional intelligence community colleagues, under the leadership of DNI Avril Haines. Haines, also a cabinet member, welcomed Burnss appointment, saying it reflects the Presidents reliance and confidence in Bill for his unique insights and advice, and I cannot imagine a better colleague, friend, and leader who is more deserving of this recognition. Daniel Byman, senior fellow with the Transnational Threats Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies said Burnss experience as a former ambassador to Ukraine, the Middle East and other parts of the world has served as an important source of advice on Bidens foreign policy. He noted that the rarity of CIA directors being appointed to the cabinet is more a testament to Burns incredible effectiveness rather than a broader decision about the role of the CIA in Cabinet. Alex Gangitano contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Joe Biden will meet with the CEOs and presidents of seven of the largest AI tech companies Friday to mark a nonbinding agreement that will govern how artificial intelligence is developed and released to the public. Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI all agreed to a set of eight rules Friday, which include external testing of AI systems before their release, investing in cybersecurity protection for unreleased models and using a watermarking system for AI-generated content. The list of attendees includes Microsoft President Brad Smith, Meta President Nick Clegg, and Google President Kent Walker. The companies commitment to these safeguards is meant to underscore three key principles that must be fundamental to the future of AI: safety, security, and trust, the White House official said. The key AI principles highlight the administrations stated focus on protecting AI models from cyberattacks, countering deep fakes and opening up dialogue about companies AI risk management systems. The White Houses move comes while Congress hammers out what legally binding guardrails to put on AI. Its unclear if Congress will pass any AI legislation this session, meaning the White Houses AI nonbinding and voluntary guidelines stand as the primary guidance on addressing some of the broader concerns surrounding the technology. And industry groups have already signaled their support for the White Houses voluntary code of conduct. Todays announcement can help to form some of the architecture for regulatory guardrails around AI, said BSA, the Software Alliance in a statement. The White House is also preparing an executive order on AI for the president to sign, although its contents and arrival date are still unknown. Given the breadth of the AIs applications and potential for misuse, the administration is looking at actions across agencies and departments, the White House official said. President Biden on Friday picked Adm. Lisa Franchetti to be the next chief of naval operations after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin passed over her when recommending for the role. The promotion of Franchetti, who has been vice chief of naval operations since last fall, will be the first time a woman has the spot of the Navys highest-ranking officer and she will be the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Biden, in announcing his nomination, noted that Franchetti has already made history as the second woman ever to achieve the rank of four-star admiral in the United States Navy. She would replace current Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, whose four-year term is over this fall. Austin in June reportedly recommended that Adm. Samuel Paparo become the next chief of naval operations despite Franchetti being considered the front-runner for the top position as the Navys No. 2 officer. Biden on Friday nominated Paparo for commander of Indo-Pacific Command. The president also nominated Vice Adm. James Kilby for vice chief of naval operations and Vice Adm. Stephen Web Koehler for commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet. He also urged the Senate to quickly confirm these nominations and the other pending military nominations that have been held up by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). Tuberville is blocking the Senate from moving on military promotions in protest of the Pentagons abortion policy, which allows for paid leave and travel reimbursement for abortions. It has long been an article of faith in this country that supporting our service members and their families, and providing for the strength of our national defense, transcends politics. What Senator Tuberville is doing is not only wrong it is dangerous, Biden said Friday. Biden also called out Republicans in Senate for not stopping Tuberville from continuing the hold and said the Alabama Republican is risking our ability to ensure that the United States Armed Forces remain the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Admiral Lisa Franchetti testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on Readiness on April 19, 2023 (Eric R. Dietrich) President Joe Biden on Friday announced he will nominate Admiral Lisa Franchetti to lead the US Navy, which would make her the first woman to hold the position and to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. But it is unclear if the Senate will confirm her by the time her predecessor leaves office, as a Republican lawmaker is stalling more than 200 senior military nominations to protest the Pentagon's decision to assist troops who have to travel to receive abortions. "Franchetti will bring 38 years of dedicated service to our nation as a commissioned officer, including in her current role of Vice Chief of Naval Operations," Biden said in a statement. "She is the second woman ever to achieve the rank of four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and when confirmed, she will again make history as the first woman to serve as the Chief of Naval Operations and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff," he said. Franchetti has served on a series of surface vessels, commanding a guided missile destroyer, a destroyer squadron and two carrier strike groups. She was deputy commander of US naval forces in Europe and as well as in Africa, and deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting development, among other positions. She became vice chief of naval operations in September 2022. Admiral Mike Gilday is due to complete his four-year term as head of the Navy next month, but Franchetti's confirmation will likely be held up by Senator Tommy Tuberville, who has been delaying the approval of military nominees for months. - 'Dangerous' delay - The senator opposes the Pentagon's decision to allow service members to take administrative absences to receive "non-covered reproductive health care," and to establish travel allowances to help them cover costs -- policies put in place after the Supreme Court struck down the nationwide right to abortion last year. Though the Senate -- which must sign off on nominations of military officers -- can still vote on them individually, Tuberville's "hold" means they cannot be quickly approved in groups by unanimous consent. Story continues Biden took aim at Tuberville in the statement, saying that delaying the approval of the nominees "is not only wrong -- it is dangerous." "In this moment of rapidly evolving security environments and intense competition, he is risking our ability to ensure that the United States Armed Forces remain the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. And his Republican colleagues in the Senate know it," the president said. Gilday would hand over to Franchetti in her capacity as his deputy in the event she is not confirmed when he leaves office, mirroring the current situation in the Marine Corps. General Eric Smith -- the assistant commandant -- has been nominated to head the service, but has yet to be confirmed and has been serving in an acting capacity since July 10. Other top officers are also due to leave office in the coming months, including Chief of Staff of the Army General James McConville and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley. wd/caw President Bidens first student loan forgiveness plan lasted 10 months from its proposal to death by Supreme Court. His next one could take much longer to even implement, let alone challenge. The new plan will be subject to a lengthy rulemaking process under the Higher Education Act (HEA), potentially leaving the fate of relief up in the air well into election season. Those involved in the recent high court fight are already raising red flags about the legality of Bidens second swing at the issue. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers (R), whose office argued the first case at the Supreme Court earlier this year, said in an interview that suing over Bidens new plan was on the table but that it was too early to preview any legal action. Our office, and I think a lot of other state AGs, our sister states, are very vigilant with this administrations executive actions, whether theyre proposed rules or regulation or executive orders. And that would include this potential proposal to see whether or not theyre within the constitutional boundaries, Hilgers said. Hours after the Supreme Court struck down his earlier proposal last month, Biden announced his new plan to use the HEA to deliver debt relief to students. At minimum, it is likely months before it could be finalized under the negotiated rulemaking process. Currently, little is known about how much debt relief will become available under the plan and who would qualify for it. Lets see what the details are and have that sort of space and time to be able to analyze those details, Hilgers said. Abby Shafroth, director of the National Consumer Law Centers Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project, pointed out that any eventual policy would need to be finalized for it to be challenged in court, an even longer timeline that could stretch well into next year. I do think that any plan that comes out of this process will be on really solid legal ground. That said, the issue has clearly become highly politicized, and we saw a number of ideological-driven challenges last plan, and so we could see those again, said Shafroth, whose organization filed an amicus brief in support of Bidens first forgiveness attempt. Story continues If all goes well, the plan could be finalized in the spring or summer of next year, she said. Bidens now-defunct plan moved quickly under the HEROES Act, which was tied to emergency authority during the pandemic. Lawsuits began within weeks of its announcement last August, and the Supreme Court scheduled the case so it could be decided this term. There are concerns among debt relief advocates that the timeline of the new plan and its opponents could run through the next election, meaning its fate could ultimately be up to who wins the presidency. If a rule has been finalized but hasnt yet been implemented, then an administration can initiate a rulemaking process to repeal it, essentially. So thats one risk, Shafroth said. Mark Chenoweth, president and general counsel at New Civil Liberties Alliance, which opposed Bidens first plan, said the administration has lost significant time. They would rather take the illegal shortcut than the path thats gonna take more time. If they had just done this in the first place, they might be close to the finish line on whatever they were going to do on the Higher Education Act, Chenoweth said, adding the White House was at least following the correct procedures in attempting to leverage the HEA. The plan is expected to be rooted in the HEAs provision that allows the Education Department to compromise, waive or release loans. At the center of the recent Supreme Court challenges was the HEROES Acts waive or modify language, which the court ruled did not authorize debt cancellation. You cant just take authority that was given to the department to compromise debt in a different kind of way and use that as authority to forgive debt for policy reasons, Chenoweth said of the new plan. So I think as long as theyre on that path, theyre likely to run into a Supreme Court backstop at some point. Others, however, arent so sure new challenges would manage to reach the 6-3 conservative majority high court. Remembering that there were originally over a dozen cases were challenging the August plan and most of them failed, said Persis Yu, deputy executive director and managing counsel for Student Borrower Protection Center, which had joined a brief backing the Biden administration in the prior case. I think if we look historically, like yes, we see that there are lots of right-wing opponents willing to bring this litigation, but we also see that most of them fail, Yu added. Another risk if a new administration comes into power, Shafroth noted, is that Congress could repeal the plan through the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which allows lawmakers to rescind rules enacted by the executive level. Earlier this year, Republicans in both the House and the Senate, with help from a few Democrats, were able to pass a resolution under the CRA that would have stopped Bidens initial loan forgiveness. Biden vetoed the move, but a new administration might let it pass. The scale of Bidens second effort, which could also impact court challenges, remains to be seen. The previous attempt became the fourth recent case in which the Supreme Courts conservative majority brought in the so-called major questions doctrine, which requires agencies enacting programs of vast economic and political significance to meet the high bar of showing clear authorization from Congress. Chief Justice John Robertss majority opinion called the Biden plans scale staggering, noting the roughly $500 billion price tag. Chenoweth said recent comments from the Education Department signal the administration is aiming for another massive cancellation program. I fear that theyre trying to get to the same place in terms of blanket forgiveness of student loans in the hundreds of billions of dollars, he said. And I just think Congress needs to be involved in that decision. So Im not optimistic that theyre going to wind up in a place that is allowed. But they could, I mean, the procedure that theyre following could conceivably put them there. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Another Donald Trump legal problem has been met by another vow of silence from President Joe Biden and those who work for him. At this point, no one should expect anything different. The decision by the White House and Biden's campaign to not comment on his predecessors growing criminal trouble this time connected to the Jan. 6 insurrection is rooted in the presidents promise to avoid appearances of interfering with the Department of Justices work. But it also hints at what is likely to become a broader Biden campaign strategy: There will be plenty of other people who will do that work for him. And if the 2024 conversation is about Trump, the best option for Biden is to simply get off the stage. Biden advisers have watched the nonstop news coverage of the target letter sent from special counsel Jack Smith to Trump this week advising the former president that charges may be coming soon connected to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and stay in power. That media frenzy echoed the blanket coverage that followed Trumps two previous indictments one in New York on his business dealings, the other over his handling of classified documents after leaving office. Biden allies believe that the press' focus on the story line will only accelerate in the months ahead, as court dates approach and, perhaps, more indictments are unsealed. It's easy to imagine as Biden aides have been privately discussing that Trump spends part of his 2024 campaign having to shuttle from one court date to the next, standing trial in multiple cases, spawning negative headline after negative headline. And while Trump will surely play the victim to fire up his base, Biden's aides believe his time as a repeated criminal defendant will almost certainly turn off the independent and swing voters who often decide elections. If Trumps campaign shows signs of collapsing under the weight of the myriad criminal proceedings, the Biden team feels its best approach may just be to stand back and not engage. Story continues Its not just that he could be flying around the country during the campaign going from trial to trial, what if he wins? asked the Rev. Al Sharpton, the civil rights leader and Biden ally. Do we really want a president who is trying to deal with an international crisis while also in the defendant box? Even some Republicans may not want to vote for that possibility. Biden declared at the start of his presidency that he would not discuss DOJ investigations, particularly those about the former president, believing that a firewall needed to be reestablished between the White House and the attorney generals probes. He has remained tightlipped during Trumps previous two indictments and has said nothing this week about the new target letter. The silence extends beyond Biden, whom to this point has been explicit: The entities that the White House controls, which includes the reelection campaign and the Democratic National Committee, are not to publicly discuss any of the criminal investigations into Trump. The DNC specifically has advised members of Congress seeking guidance on what to say that they should not comment on the Trump probes if they are speaking publicly in their role as Biden campaign surrogates. And when the Biden campaign put out a statement on Trump this week the first time it formally attacked him since the presidents reelection launch it was on the topic of job creation, not Jan. 6. As the presidents advisers chart a court for the campaign to come, they are aware that continued silence about the charges facing Trump would deprive Bidens reelection effort of a potent political weapon. Some Democrats have argued that Biden would also miss a chance to underscore an important national moment, particularly since charges of election interference and inciting the Jan. 6 riot make up much of Bidens long-standing case that Trump poses a unique threat to American democracy. But there are also clear benefits to staying quiet. The Republicans have made clear that they intend to defend Trump with allegations that the Department of Justice is deliberately conducting a political prosecution of Bidens top GOP rival. Any attacks about Trumps legal trouble would risk fueling that perception, many political strategists feel. Last time, there were independents and even some Republicans went for Biden because they are sick of Trump, said Susan Del Percio, a longtime Republican strategist who opposes Trump. They might not even really love Biden but theyd probably break his way again why risk turning them off by piling on? Additionally, Biden aides believe that most voters have already made up their minds about the conduct from Trump that has spawned the criminal charges and likely wouldnt be persuaded otherwise. The president also intends to continue to make a fierce defense of democracy part of his re-election message and will continue to do that, aides said, even if Trump is charged for election interference or if another Republican becomes the nominee. Steering clear of specific discussion of the crimes would also allow Biden to do what aides feel is his best strategy: focus on his work governing and sell the accomplishments he has. Both men appear poised to head into the general election with high negatives. The presidents aides believe that, like in 2020, they should work on upping their numbers and let Trump dominate the news cycle. There are some side-benefits that Bidens team sees in such an approach. It would allow the presidents own vulnerabilities, namely his age, be a secondary storyline and remind voters of their fatigue with the former president. Biden campaign staffers also believe they have plenty of other avenues from which to attack Trump, including abortion rights, guns and his handling of the economy. When it comes to investigations and crimes, Donald Trump is like a dumpster fire. No one needs to bring a match, said Jesse Ferguson, a Democratic strategist who worked on Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign. Donald Trump's legal problems aren't an issue of Democrats vs. Republicans, it's an issue of laws v. crimes. That's the most effective frame and the accurate frame. While Biden has framed his stance of silence as in line with longstanding tradition, it is not uncommon for presidents to occasionally weigh in on ongoing criminal investigations. Biden has done so himself at times including before the verdict was announced in the 2021 trial of the white Minneapolis police officer who killed George Floyd. The decision to be silent could be revisited next year. Though the president will likely not ever directly comment on the legal matters, other top Democrats and surrogates could take up the argument especially if Biden dips behind Trump in the polls late in the race. Outside groups aligned with Biden could also advertise on the issue. And, even now, some GOP-aligned anti-Trump groups are running ads that question the toll the trials will have on his electability. The White House and Bidens re-election campaign declined to comment. But those close to Biden also acknowledge a particular sensitivity at the moment on matters related to the Department of Justice, which had been investigating his son. Hunter Biden recently took a plea deal on tax-related charges, which whipped up howls of anger from Republicans who claimed the presidents son had received preferential treatment. Moreover, the investigation into Bidens handling of classified documents after his stint as vice president remains open. Thousands of visitors are expected at one of Sedgwick Countys most popular lakes this weekend, but they are being warned to stay out of the water. Lake Afton, located in western Sedgwick County near Goddard, is under a blue-green algae warning by the Kansas Department of Health, according to a Sedgwick County news release. The Dam Jam Music Festival, dubbed the the biggest lake party in Kansas, is slated for Friday and Saturday at Lake Afton, the festivals website shows. The festival is held in Kansas every year on the third weekend of July where concert goers enjoy live outdoor music paired with camping, a cornhole tournament, car show and more, the website said. The county encourages the thousands of campers expected at Lake Afton to be cautious around the water. Please be aware that a blue-green algae warning prohibits swimming and other contact with the water, the release said. Sedgwick County encourages anyone who plans to attend and/or who knows someone going to the event to share this information. KDHE says signage should be posted at all public access locations around the lake. Animals should also not go near or drink the water. The KDHE website monitors and lists Kansas lakes and reservoirs that may have harmful algal blooms. Black leaders from around the nation are condemning Floridas new education laws that further limit how Black history can be taught in schools. The new guidelines require lessons on race be taught in an objective manner that does not seek to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view. One updated standard requires teachers to instruct on how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. Some leaders, like David Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition, accused the states Board of Education of continuing an assault by Florida fascists under the leadership of lies led by Gov. DeSantis. He added that the board is seeking to affirm white supremacy via instituting anti-Black, Black History standards. This is nothing more than white nationalist, segregationist politicians rewriting history in Florida, pushing the country closer toward civil war, and teaching our kids fallacies such as enslavement providing kidnapped and exploited Africans with useful skills, said Johns, who also served as executive director of former President Obamas White House initiative on African American Education Excellence. But the backlash to the new guidelines flows all the way to the White House. Vice President Kamala Harris is headed to Florida on Friday to address the controversy, but on Thursday blasted Florida for pushing a revisionist history. Just yesterday, in the State of Florida, they decided middle school students will be taught that enslaved people benefited from slavery, Harris said at Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.s 56th national convention in Indianapolis. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, and we will not stand for it, she continued. We who share a collective experience in knowing we must honor history and our duty in the context of legacy. Floridas education policies have garnered outrage for some time. Laws limiting how sexuality and gender can be taught have sparked backlash, and teachers have been forbidden from sharing preferred pronouns or asking students theirs. Story continues The new guidelines follow a particularly controversial decision the state made earlier this year that prohibited an Advanced Placement African American studies course from running for violating state law and lacking educational value. NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said Floridas education laws are an attempt to bring our country back to a 19th century America where Black life was not valued, nor our rights protected. It is imperative that we understand that the horrors of slavery and Jim Crow were a violation of human rights and represent the darkest period in American history, Johnson said in a statement. We refuse to go back, Johnson added. The NAACP has been fighting against malicious actors such as those within the DeSantis Administration for over a century, and were prepared to continue that fight by any means necessary. Our children deserve nothing less than truth, justice, and the equity our ancestors shed blood, sweat, and tears for. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is running for president, has been outspoken in his mission to fight wokeness. Under his governorship, schools have been banned from teaching lessons on systemic racism the idea that some people are privileged while others are oppressed because of their race or skin color. Democrats like Kamala Harris have to lie about Floridas educational standards to cover for their agenda of indoctrinating students and pushing sexual topics onto children, DeSantis tweeted from his personal account. Florida stands in their way and we will continue to expose their agenda and their lies. The Harris-Biden administration is obsessed with Floridayet they ignore the chaos at the border, crime-infested cities, economic malaise, and the military recruitment crisis, he continued. Maybe if Bidens granddaughter moved to Florida hed actually visit her. Florida State Sen. Shevrin Jones said DeSantiss presidential campaign is staked on draconian policies. By whitewashing African American history and chipping away at LGBTO+ youth safety in schools, Floridas Department of Education is making it abundantly clear that they have no desire to do their job and ensure student success in the classroom and beyond, Jones said in a statement. Elements that have sparked backlash to the newest set of guidelines include rulings that students must learn about acts of violence perpetuated against and by African Americans. That includes learning about the 1920 Ocoee massacre, in which dozens of Black Americans were killed by a white mob and their homes set on fire in the Florida community. The violence started, according to CNN, when a prominent Black landowner named Moses Norman tried to cast his ballot and was turned away by white poll workers. When he came back, Norman reportedly had a gun with him. When a white mob took off to find Norman later, the violence ensued. These same standards of learning about violence toward and perpetuated by African Americans will also apply to lessons on the Tulsa race massacre and the Rosewood race massacre. The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) also condemned the latest revisionist guidelines, promising to fight them with a renewed push to enact the Black History is American History Act. Like Harris, the CBC said the guidelines are tantamount to gaslighting and a shameful disservice to Florida students. The Florida Board of Educations attempt to minimize the darkest chapter in our nations history is an affront to the intelligence of the American people and an overt attempt to maintain white supremacy, the CBC said in a statement. The CBC is calling for the Florida State Board of Education to immediately reverse its decision and put an end to the attacks on Black history in the state. We are proud of the rigorous process that the Department took to develop these standards, Alex Lanfranconi, Director of Communications for the Florida Department of Education said in a statement. Its sad to see critics attempt to discredit what any unbiased observer would conclude to be in-depth and comprehensive African American History standards. They incorporate all components of African American History: the good, the bad and the ugly, he added. These standards will further cement Florida as a national leader in education, as we continue to provide true and accurate instruction in African American History. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Jonathan Saul LONDON (Reuters) - The number of ships looking to pick up grain cargoes from the Black Sea area has fallen 35% this week versus the previous week with growing uncertainty over whether commercial traffic could be hit as Russia continues to pound food facilities in Ukraine. Moscow's direct attacks on Ukraine's grain for four days running followed a vow by Kyiv to defy Russia's naval blockade on its export ports following Moscow's withdrawal earlier this week from a UN-brokered safe sea corridor agreement. Russia said it would deem all ships heading for Ukrainian waters to be potentially carrying weapons from Thursday, in what Washington called a signal it might attack civilian shipping. Kyiv later responded by issuing a similar warning about ships headed to Russia. "We believe the aggressive rhetoric is likely to lead to a reduction in owners willing to traffic in the region and creates further complexity with respect to insurance availability," Jefferies analyst Omar Nokta said in a shipping note on Friday. The number of dry bulk vessels ranging from the smaller handysize to supramax sized ships that were positioning themselves to transport grains from the Black Sea region dropped 35% this week versus the previous week, according to analysis from maritime and commodities data platform Shipfix. The data showed that only 20 vessels were marketed for forward business for the rest of July into early August, compared with 32 vessels sought the previous week. Many insurers have now suspended providing cover for shipments from Ukraine apart from the smaller ports along the Danube, insurance industry sources said on Friday. "The big question is the safety of Danube ports going forward," one source said. There were dozens of ships waiting to pass through the Danube channel on Friday including vessels bound for Romania or leaving from there, according to data from analytics company MarineTraffic. Story continues Additional war risk insurance premiums, which are charged when entering the Black Sea area, need to be renewed every seven days. They already cost thousands of dollars and are expected to go up, given also the risk of floating mines. War risk cover for Russia's Black Sea ports was still available on Friday with little change in rates for now, insurance sources said. Russia's defence ministry on Friday said its Black Sea fleet had practised firing rockets at "floating targets" and apprehending ships. Moscow's ambassador to Washington denied any plan to attack ships. (Reporting by Jonathan Saul; Editing by Sharon Singleton) Former President of the United States Barack Obama has returned with his annual and highly sought after summer playlist. Each year, the 44th U.S President and the only Black person to take the seat of power, releases a list of songs and books that define his summer. This years playlist was released Thursday and features songs from a wide range of artists, many of them, Black women. Songs from Nicki Minaj, Nigerias, Ayra Starr, and even the late Tina Turner made the list. Like I do every year, here are some songs Ive been listening to this summer a mix of old and new. Look forward to hearing what Ive missed. pic.twitter.com/H2Do2iaD1p Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 20, 2023 21Ninety rounded up the Black women who made the playlist this year and what songs were featured. Snooze SZA Taken off Szas sophomore project released in 2022, SOS, Snooze made the Obama playlist this year. Snooze is the 8th track on the album which was well received upon release. Try Me Jorja Smith Jorja Smith released Try Me as a solo single back in April 2023. The track, which also made the Obama playlist, is likely to be part of her forthcoming album. Got Til Its Gone Janet Jackson Janet Jackson released Got Til Its Gone in 1997. The song was part of the album, The Velvet Rope and features Q-tip and Joni Mitchell. Princess Diana Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj Known for its Bronx-heavy influences, Ice Spice tapped her idol turned close collaborator for the remix of Princess Diana. The remix is also featured on the deluxe version of her debut EP, Like..? Dr. FeelGood (Love Is A Serious Business) Aretha Franklin Dr. FeelGood (Love Is A Serious Business) was included in Aretha Franklins 1967 album, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You. The song is one of the many throwback tracks included in Obamas playlist. Story continues Sability Ayra Starr Recent Teen Vogue cover star, Ayra Starr, was also featured on Obamas playlist. Starr, who became one of the first Afrobeats stars to grace the cover of Teen Vogue, released Sability earlier this year. The bouncy, classic Afro-pop track samples Awilo Longombas Coupe Bibamba. Cry Me A River Ella Fitzgerald Obamas playlist explores various genres including Jazz. Cry Me A River by the queen of jazz Ella Fitzgerald was also featured in this years playlist. Contact Kelela Kelela made a riveting comeback this year with her album, Raven in which the single, Contact is included. Contact has now gone on to be featured on the former U.S Presidents playlist. River Deep Mountain High Ike and Tina Turner River Deep Mountain High was released in 1966 and features the late Tina Turner who passed away on the 24th of May, 2023. The song also made its way to the playlist. Only Have Eyes 42 Janelle Monae Janelle Monae released her album Age of Pleasure amidst controversies of unbridled sexual expression. The album features the song Only Have Eyes 42 which embodies the lush, decadently queer theme of the album. The post These Black Women On Barack Obamas Summer Playlist Are a Must-Listen appeared first on 21Ninety. CHIPPEWA TWP. Officials at the Blackhawk Area School District are searching for a new superintendent after they decided to cut ties with their head administrator. The Blackhawk School Board passed a motion Thursday to fire Superintendent Robert Postupac. The vote to remove Postupac came after the board placed the administrator on paid leave following a report by the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission detailing ethics violations the administrator committed within the district to ensure his daughter received a job in the Moon Area School District. "I have been made aware that this evening, some members of the Blackhawk School Board will deliberately mischaracterize and illegally misuse a document in an attempt to terminate my employment contract," Postupac said in a press release before the decision occurred. "If this action is to occur, it will not only have been wrong and illegal, but further widen the deep-seated political biases that certain board members hold against school leadership." According to the state ethics board, Postupac worked with Moon Area School Board member Mark Scappe during the summer of 2016 to influence the districts' hiring processes, ensuring his daughter received a full-time job within the school system that was not properly advertised. In return for this, Postupac worked to ensure Scappe's son would be selected for a full-time gym teacher position that was open at Highland Middle School. Throughout the 58-page report, investigators detail multiple witness accounts, phone calls and emails that took place during the hiring process to ensure Scappe's son would receive a position at the middle school. Various members of the school board during this time told the ethics board that Postupac had stated a job exchange would happen if his daughter received the position in Moon Area. Within the report on Postupac, state ethics investigators said Scappe's son was not selected for a second round of interviews and was scheduled to receive a rejection letter, but was included in the third round of interviews due to "actions by Postupac in his official capacity as BSD Superintendent." During this third round of interviews, investigators said Scappe's son was asked to teach a lesson, which was expected of all second-round applicants, but concerns were raised by some board members after outdated health information was being presented by the applicant. Story continues Despite these concerns, Scappe's son was eventually hired by the school board. Investigators note Postupac had informed his secretary to use language that did not identify the applicants and that they were completing background checks for the finalists when preparing the draft agenda for the meeting several days before the vote took place. Two days before the vote, the ethics board said the agenda was updated with the name of Scappe's son and another employee being hired by the district. On Thursday, Postupac publicly denied these claims in a media release sent to news outlets by his current legal representation. In the letter, the superintendent said he does not cast votes in the hiring process and the investigation is being "manipulated" in order to terminate his contract. "Let me be clear," Postupac said. "I am innocent and the State Ethics Commission did not recommend the filing of criminal charges against me. My family and I made a difficult financial decision to not fight the ethics charges pending before the commission and agree to certain stipulations in order to put this years-long situation to rest." Investigations from the ethics commission are not equal to criminal charges, as only a district attorney or the state's attorney general can file criminal charges related to their findings. Violations of ethics can be recommended to be pursued by law enforcement, but the board can only impose penalties against subjects. The board had recommended several penalties for Postupac based on the Ethics Act, but implied no further actions would be taken if compliance was met. In his letter, Postupac stated he will pursue an appeal to the school board's decision in civil courts and there he will "be able to share [his] story" with the public. In his defense, Postupac claimed the court process will "hold those who spend more time on politics than improving our childrens educational opportunities accountable. "I have been an educator for decades and have made tough decisions to turn around Blackhawks once sinking financial ship," Postupac said. "I have led and worked with wonderful educators and students who put in the work to improve academic performance that has led to historic gains. This is the work I want to continue, but first, I must rise to not only defend my history as an educator, but my honor and morals as a human whom children look up to. I am prepared for this fight." At this time, Postupac remains superintendent of the Western Beaver School District and officials have not publicly announced any actions against his position in that administration. Scappe has also faced disciplinary actions from the Moon Area School Board, being censured by the group, and the incident was referred to local law enforcement for investigation. This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Blackhawk School District approves vote to fire superintendent Boston police have arrested the co-owner of a restaurant in the citys North End who allegedly shot at a popular pastry shop last week. North End restaurant owner could lose liquor license, warrant issued for owner Monicas Trattorias co-owner Patrick Mendoza is in custody and will face a judge Friday for opening fire outside Modern Pasty on Hanover Street while riding a bicycle on July 12, according to the Boston Police Department. Officers assigned to the Boston Police Fugitive Unit nabbed Mendoza on a warrant issued out of Boston Municipal Court on charges including assault by means of a dangerous weapon (gun), assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery, police said. Investigators say Mendoza was aiming at a man who lived above the shop, a neighbor the suspect had allegedly feuded with for years. Surveillance video of the shooting showed Mendoza, the alleged gunman, open fire in the direction of Modern Pastry before confronting a bystander who witnessed the incident. A police report detailing the shooting indicated that Mendoza knew his target. The report noted the victim told an investigator that Mendoza began swearing and yelling at him, calling him [expletive] Modern Pastry closes at 10 p.m. and it didnt appear anyone was inside the shop at the time of the shooting. Police were seen canvassing the area and gathering ballistic evidence in the hours after the shots were fired. In the summertime, there are typically long lines outside the shop of people waiting to get cannolis and other pastries. There were no reported injuries in the shooting. The shooting remains under investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Bradenton Herald staffs exceptional journalism earned multiple awards at the 2023 Florida Society of News Editors Journalism Contest this week in Sarasota. From Hurricane Ian, to a county commissioners DUI crash, to red tide explainers, the staff covered 2022s biggest stories in Manatee County. For Ian, Herald journalists produced more than 65 stores before and after the Category 4 storm that reached over a million readers. For that work and other stories, photos and videos across many categories, the Herald was awarded the Gold Medal for Division C. Here is all of the award-winning work: Breaking news First Place, Staff, Hurricane Ian in Manatee County Investigative Reporting First place, Ryan Callihan and Jessica DeLeon, Manatee County commissioner accused of DUI crash Business First place, James A. Jones Jr., New project worries historically Black Tallevast community Beat Reporting First place, Ryan Ballogg, Environmental issues in Manatee County Story continues Second place, Ryan Callihan, Local government in Bradenton and Manatee County Multimedia First place, James A. Jones Jr. and Tiffany Tompkins, Meet the barbecue pit master who has the oldest Black-owned car dealership in Manatee Features video Second place, Tiffany Tompkins, As Parrish grows, construction workers replace cowboys and ranchers Enterprise Third place, Ryan Ballogg and Ryan Callihan, Growing pollution Florida Press Club 2022 Excellence in Journalism Competition Earlier this year, the Bradenton Herald won the following awards for content published between June 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021. Online Affiliated News Site First place, Staff, Bradenton Herald Photography, General News, Class B First place, Tiffany Tompkins, Manatees mighty clam industry Second place Tiffany Tompkins, Handmaids at abortion protest Lucy Morgan Award for In-Depth Reporting, Class B-C Second place, Giuseppe Sabella and Jessica De Leon, Arrest of 12-year-old girl at a Manatee County school Writing - Breaking News, Class A-C First place, Ryan Ballogg, Deputy stops car headed for Skyway 10K Writing Business News, Class A-B Third place, James A. Jones, Manatees mighty clam industry Judges comment: This was an interesting and informative story that shows how an industry (clams in this case) doesnt have to be at odds with sustainability efforts. There are businesses and workers that are doing both. Writing Environmental Writing, Class B First place, Ryan Ballogg, Red tide in Manatee County Writing General News, Class B Second place, Ryan Callihan, Why are some street lights purple in Florida? Special Awards, That is so Florida, Class A-C First place, Jessica De Leon, Florida man who took Pelosis lectern in Capitol riot is hosting going to prison party Eve released images of how the future aircraft might look in flight The Brazilian plane maker Embraer says a new factory will be built near Sao Paulo to produce electric flying taxis which it hopes will take to the skies from 2026. The aircraft, to be made by its subsidiary Eve, will resemble a small helicopter with enough space for up to six customers. It is envisaged a trip will cost $50-$100 (39-78) per person. Eve says it already has orders for almost 3,000 air taxis. It hopes to assemble a prototype this year. US regulators recently released a timeline for air taxis to be flying there as early as 2025. The electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft will not need a runway but can travel long distances like an aeroplane. Electric motors should reduce noise and pollution compared with standard planes. It has been argued the aircraft could help reduce traffic congestion in crowded cities, without being too expensive for customers. They have also been seen as an alternative for transporting cargo. The factory will be built in the city of Taubate about 140km (87 miles) from Sao Paulo, Brazil's economic capital. The drone-like passenger vehicles will initially be used in taxi fleets, AFP news agency reported. The first flights will have a pilot but a later rollout of self-piloted vehicles is also in the company's plans. The vehicles will be 100% electric, allowing for emission-free flights. Labor Party leader Keir Starmer hailed his party's victory in a by-election for the northern parliamentary seat of Selby as a "historic" demonstration of "powerful demand for change" among voters. File Photo by Tolga Akmen/EPA-EFE July 21 (UPI) -- Britain's ruling Conservative government took a hammering Friday losing another two seats to opposition parties in parliamentary elections with just over a year to go until a general election. Labor and the Liberal Democrats overturned large Conservative majorities in the rural constituencies of Selby and Ainsty in North Yorkshire and Somerton and Frome in the west country -- but the Conservatives narrowly held onto former Prime Minister Boris Johnson's suburban-London seat. The contest in the west country, traditionally a Lib Dem stronghold, saw a 29% vote swing back to the party to secure it a more than 11,000 vote majority. Selby saw a record 23.7% swing to Labor which picked up more than 24,000 extra votes, eclipsing the record for the largest Tory majority it had overturned at a by-election since 1945. In Uxbridge and South Ruislip, the seat vacated by Johnson when he quit as an MP ahead of being sanctioned by parliament for deliberately misleading it over Downing Street lockdown parties, the Conservative Party saw the more than 7,000 majority Johnson won in the 2019 general election slashed to just 495. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisted Friday that the Conservatives' defeat in two out of three by-elections overnight did not mean it was a "done deal" that his party would lose the general election due to be held by the end of 2024. File Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI Labor had been forecast to take the seat but the Conservative candidate Steve Tuckwell was able to capitalize on voter anger over the inclusion of the area in a ultra-low emissions zone established by London's Labor mayoral administration that would require them to replace "dirty" older vehicles or pay a $16 daily fee. Labor leader Keir Starmer hailed his party's win in Selby as "historic" saying it was a demonstration of "just how powerful the demand for change is." But Prime Minister Rishi Sunak insisted the Conservative's poor showing did not mean the outcome of the upcoming general election was a "done deal." "The message I take away is that we've got to double down, stick to our plan and deliver for people," he said. Sunak added that the Uxbridge result proved that when faced with the "reality" of Labor wielding power voters would vote Conservative. Story continues Selby's new MP Keir Mather, who at 25 becomes the youngest lawmaker in the House Commons said "thousands of votes were in Labor's box for the first time." "In this campaign, we have rewritten the rules on where Labor can win," he said in a victory speech to his supporters. Selby marks the second seat Labor has picked up from the Conservatives since the December 2019 elections after winning the South Yorkshire seat of Wakefield in June 2022. The Liberal Democrats' Somerton candidate, Sarah Dyke, said she was very thankful to voters, many of whom had never voted for any other party than Conservative, for voting for the Lib Dems for the first time. Party leader Ed Davey said the victory showed the Lib Dems were "firmly back in the West Country". The 80-seat majority won by Boris Johnson in his landslide 2019 victory has now been chipped away at down to just 60. David Hunter has been found guilty of manslaughter after his terminally ill wife, Janice, died at their home in Cyprus - CHP A British expatriate who killed his seriously ill wife in Cyprus could be freed from prison as early as next week after being cleared of murder in a landmark court case. A Cypriot court on Friday found David Hunter guilty of the manslaughter of his wife of 52 years, Janice, rather than the much more serious charge of premeditated murder. Hunter will be sentenced on July 27, with his family and friends hoping fervently that he will be freed and allowed to return to Britain. Had he been found guilty of premeditated murder by the panel of three judges in Paphos in western Cyprus, he would have been sentenced to life in prison. The 76-year-old former miner from Ashington in Northumberland admitted to killing his 74-year-old wife in December 2021 at their retirement home on the island, but insisted that for months she had begged him to put her out of her misery because she was in acute pain from blood cancer and other ailments. Premeditated murder in Cyprus carried a mandatory life sentence, whilst for manslaughter all sentences are open to the court, including a suspended sentence, said Justice Abroad, a British legal assistance organisation that has represented Hunter. Michael Polak, Justice Abroads director, said the organisation was ecstatic with the result of Fridays hearing. This is exactly what we were hoping for, he said. This gives the court the option of a suspended sentence which we say is appropriate given the time David has already spent in custody, his age, and the tragic facts of this case. Hunter and his wife had been in a loving relationship for more than 50 years. It has knocked me off my feet It is clear that David did what he did out of love for Janice upon her request. We strongly believe that no proper purpose would be served by David spending any further time within Nicosia prison, said Mr Polak. The verdict came at the end of an 18-month-long trial during which Hunter has been kept in a crowded cell in a prison in Nicosia, the capital of the divided island. Story continues On hearing the verdict, his British and Cypriot lawyers embraced each other and were thanked by Hunter, who shook their hands. Hunters daughter said she was hugely relieved that her father had been cleared of murder. Im stunned, its incredible. It has knocked me off my feet, Leslie Cawthorne, 50, who lives in Norfolk, told The Telegraph. All week I have been telling people to expect the worst. The prosecution seemed determined to make an example of my dad. We had thought it was all or nothing, that the judges wouldnt even consider manslaughter, she said, adding the trial had taken a huge toll on her father and the whole family. It is the best possible outcome and it allows the judges to be lenient. They can either take into consideration time already served in prison or hand down a suspended sentence. We just hope they will let him go. Hes not a master criminal. Hes not Harold Shipman [the British serial killer]. Hes just an ordinary man who worked down the pit and loved going to his allotment. He would always help people out. On Christmas Eve in 1989, when there was a fire in the mine, he rushed off to pull people out of the pit. Best friend Hunter had told the court that Janice was not only his wife but my best friend. In an emotional testimony in May, he told the court that his wife was in acute pain from blood cancer and that after years of suffering, she had implored him to kill her. I would never in a million years take my wifes life if she hadnt asked me. I didnt plan it, I swear to God. I hoped she would change her mind. But she said she no longer wanted to live. She begged me. For six weeks she was asking me, 24 hours a day. It was doing my head in. She was asking me more every day. He demonstrated to the court how he placed his right hand over his wifes mouth and his left hand over her nose to suffocate her to death. The lead prosecutor in the trial had insisted the murder was premeditated. You planned to kill her. You wanted to do it. You did it. Your motives are irrelevant, said Andreas Hadjikyrou. Hunter vehemently denied the accusation. 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. Outside the church, the protesters howled. Heads high, worshipers walked past the screaming strangers and into the sanctuary of the First United Church of Christ in Northfield. The church doors closed behind them, cutting off the threats and insults, and they were safe. They were welcome. They were ready for Gospel Drag. "They shouted such hateful things. Just horrible accusations," said the Rev. Cindy Maddox, the church's senior pastor, who braved weeks of threats and harassment last fall when the church welcomed performers in costumes as bright as their souls. "Once people got past that, within our sanctuary, it was such an amazing experience of joy." The word gospel means good news. The good news is that over the past year, Minnesota businesses, communities and institutions placed themselves squarely between hate groups and their targets. The good news, which some vast corporations have yet to learn, is that if you stand up to bullies, you might find an entire community willing to stand with you. "No matter who you are, who you love, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here," Maddox greeted the people who crowded the pews last autumn. The Gospel Drag performers sang hymns from "Sister Act," belted out some Whitney Houston and shared stories about their faith. The protesters outside screamed through the whole thing, but nobody in the sanctuary could hear them. All they could hear was joy and music. A church, a library, a small-town theater and a suburban shop. All hosted drag performances this past year. All were harassed, insulted and threatened. None of them backed down. None of them stood alone. A long line of Minnesotans holding Pride flags stretched across the parking lot outside the Little Roos children's boutique in Chaska this July. A rainbow shield between the children inside and a handful of protesters yelling into bullhorns, trying to ruin drag queen storytime. Story continues They called the performers pedophiles; they called supporters groomers; they spun lurid, graphic, salacious fantasies and sent violent images to those who voiced support for the event. The goal of this cruelty is to make it so unpleasant to stand up for a drag performer or a trans kid, that eventually they're left standing alone. For weeks, strangers tried to harass Little Roos into canceling the event. Shop owner Marissa Held-Nordling held her ground, and her community had her back. "When people see someone standing up, when they see that kind of positivity, they want to be part of that positivity," she said. "A lot of people have come in to support our business and what we stand for which is basic human rights." If you brave the hate groups outside, you get the pure fun of watching a drag king with a glitter beard delight a room full of young readers. "It was unquestionably the most joyful public program that I've ever experienced in my years in the library," said St. Paul Public Library Director Maureen Hartman. Three city libraries hosted drag story times last September. "When I think back to that time which was a scary time and a hard time what stands out to me so much were our partners who came together to support these artists," Hartman said. Public response to drag story time was overwhelmingly positive, and there will be more stories, glitter and joy in the future. "We show with our actions that a whole big community is standing with folks who are being targeted," Hartman said. Two hours west of the Twin Cities, Bethany Lacktorin watched the protesters and counter-protesters outside the community theater she runs in New London, Minn. The Little Theatre hosted its first drag workshop last year, weathering insults and false claims that the theater was some sort of illicit adult cabaret. "It's such a small town," said Laktorin, who grew up in New London and returned a few years ago as executive director of the Little Theatre Auditorium. "The protesters and counter-protesters were neighbors. They knew each other. They knew each others' dogs. In moments, they forgot what they were there for and just started small talking." When Little Theatre staged another drag workshop this spring, not one protester showed up. These are hard times for LGBTQ youth. Kids hear the things politicians and protesters are saying about them, and it hurts. "Having even one supportive adult makes a tremendous difference in the mental health and suicide rates of LGBTQ youth, and I have to believe these community events change that experience," said Kat Rohn, executive director of OutFront Minnesota. Every once in a while, between the hate groups and the hateful comments, they see an adult brave enough to wave a rainbow flag on their behalf. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen believes that Ukraine has made Kyiv has already achieved remarkable progress in implementing key reforms needed to advance its EU membership bid, head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said on July 21, as reported by Reuters. The official praised Ukraines efforts in combating corruption, safeguarding the rights of minorities, and building a genuinely in depended judiciary. Read also: EU Commission chief urges all countries to supply Ukraine with long-range weapons, security guarantees from NATO According to her, countering graft is the main requirement for Ukraine's accession to the EU. "Ukraine is working on a package of reforms from the independence of the judicial system to the fight against corruption, from minority rights to freedom of the media," said von der Leyen. Read also: MP urges reform of Economic Security Bureau in line with IMF guidelines She added that Ukraine is implementing these reforms fairly quickly, despite Russia's full-scale aggression. "I must say it is amazing to see how fast and determined Ukraine is implementing these reforms despite the war; they are defending their country and reforming," she concluded. At the same time, von der Leyen did not specifically touch on Ukraine's application for EU membership and when formal accession negotiations could begin. Read also: EU Commission readies 50 billion relief fund for Ukraine On June 17, 2022, the European Commission recommended granting candidate status to Ukraine. However, seven key requirements were set forth that Kyiv must fulfill. The European Commission's most recent report only mentions compliance with two out of seven main points. 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 CLEVELAND (AP) Bryce Harper has made quite a first impression. Making his first career start at first base, Philadelphias star slugger made a tough catch while tumbling into a photographer's pit in the third inning of Friday night's game against the Cleveland Guardians. Leading off the third, Cleveland's Amed Rosario hit a towering pop down the first-base line. Harper, who has spent the bulk of his major league career in the outfield, tracked the ball before snagging it and then falling. Harper was uninjured and popped to his feet as the Phillies and their fans likely exhaled in relief. The Phillies have moved the two-time MVP to first ahead of the trading deadline to see if he can handle the position before they make any moves. So far, so good. Manager Rob Thomson said the initial plan is for the two-time MVP to play in the field every other game. Harper will be the designated hitter when he's not at first. Harper, who has made a quick recovery from Tommy John surgery last year, has played 1,258 games __ mostly in the outfield. He had not played any defense this year while his elbow recovers. Im excited to see how he does, Thomson said before the opener of a three-game series with the Guardians. Weve prepared him and now its just about getting used to game speed and getting used to those situations. As if on cue, Harper fielded a grounder by Cleveland leadoff hitter Steven Kwan in the first and flipped the ball to Phillies starter Ranger Suarez covering the bag for an out. Thomson also joked he's happy to not have to answer any more questions about Harper's move. Harper has been getting in extra infield work lately, and a few days ago he approached Thomson and said he was ready for a game. Before taking pregame grounders in Progressive Field, Harper chatted briefly with team David Dombrowski, the team's president of baseball operations. Thomson is confident Harper will adapt quickly to his new spot. Story continues I dont think ground balls will necessarily be a problem and throws across the diamond wont be a problem or cuts and relays," he said. "The thing that hes got to get used to is fielding the position on bunt plays, but weve had enough time practicing on that so I think hes going to be fine. The defending National League champion Phillies enter the weekend 10 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East but in the thick of the wild-card race. Not every player could handle a position switch like Harper is undertaking. But he's not like most players. He expects a lot out of himself, thats for sure, Thomson said. "But I think it helps being experience being able to handle that as opposed to a younger player that hasnt accomplished much yet. I think hell be fine. With Harper at first, the Phillies can use Kyle Schwarber as their designated hitter. Nick Castellanos started Friday's game in right and Philadelphia recalled Jake Cave from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to play left. If Harper shows he can hold things down at first, the Phillies could pursue a right-handed hitting outfielder via trade. A seven-time All-Star and one of baseball's most dynamic players, Harper is batting .295 with four homers and 26 RBIs in 63 games. Guardians manager Terry Francona was confident Harper can make the position switch without any difficulty. From watching him for years, he looks to me like a semi-decent athlete, Francona joked. Hes had time to work at it and Im sure they wouldnt put him out there until they were comfortable he were going to be able to do it. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports After two weeks in court, closing arguments in the lawsuit brought by St. Lukes against far-right activist Ammon Bundy and others are expected to take place Friday. After that, jurors will have to decide how much in damages the defendants should have to pay. St. Lukes filed the lawsuit in May 2022 after Bundy and an associate, Diego Rodriguez, led protests at the hospital in Meridian and in downtown Boise over a child welfare case involving Rodriguezs 10-month-old grandchild. The lawsuit named as defendants Bundy, Rodriguez, Bundys Peoples Rights Network and other business entities affiliated with both men. In additional to St. Lukes, the plaintiffs bringing the lawsuit include St. Lukes CEO Chris Roth and two medical professionals who worked on the child, Dr. Natasha Erickson and nurse practitioner Tracy Jungman. The suit claimed that the defendants posted multiple lies about the hospital system and its employees online. In opening statements, St. Lukes attorney Erik Stidham said the defendants, through videos and blog posts, asserted that the hospital was working with the government to take children away from Christian families to be sexually abused and given to gay couples. The jury will have to decide damage amounts in several areas, according to new court filings. Some damages will be compensatory, meaning they are intended to compensate for losses the plaintiffs experienced because of their actions. Others will be punitive, meaning they are intended to punish the defendants for their actions. Unlike in a criminal case, the jurors do not need to come to a unanimous decision on the damage amounts in a civil case. By Idaho law, only three-fourths of the panel must agree, meaning nine of 12 jurors. The jurys verdict form asks how much the defendants should pay for the following actions: Making defamatory statements about each plaintiff. Publicly casting plaintiffs in a false light. You dont have to directly state something false about a person in order to cast a false light on someone. For example, if someone published something about sex offenders that included a mug shot of someone who was a not a sex offender, that is casting them in a false light. Intentionally inflicting emotional stress on the plaintiffs. Trespassing on the St. Lukes Boise property. Trespassing on the St. Lukes Meridian property. Violating the Idaho Charitable Solicitation Act. This 1993 act prohibits anyone from acting in a false, deceptive, misleading, unfair or unconscionable way in order to raise money. Part of St. Lukes lawsuit claimed that Bundy, who was running for governor, and the defendants sought political and monetary gain with their actions. Story continues Prior to the damages hearing, Bundy and Rodriguez neither appeared in court nor complied with discovery requests. Because they did not even participate in the case, the judge, by law, found them in default. That judicial motion meant they had essentially forfeited the case and the plaintiffs allegations would be taken as true. Another recent filing outlined for the jury what it must assume to be true. Because Bundy failed to produce documents, correspondence, texts and emails that the plaintiffs requested, the jury should accept that those kinds of evidence existed and would have supported the plaintiffs claims. The default result is to prevent defendants from trying to gain an advantage by withholding evidence. Jurors should accept assertions about Bundys finances, including that he owns real property, as well as limited liability companies, partnerships and corporations of which he is a beneficiary. Bundy called, texted, and emailed others in order to disrupt and interfere with St. Lukes operations, and directed others to pressure the plaintiffs through similar means. (iStock/AFP/Getty) He may be suing the governor of Texas, but Jessie Fuentes isnt really a political guy. His disagreement with Greg Abbott is personal. Continental, in a sense. Spiritual even. On 7 July, Mr Fuentes, who owns a small kayaking business, sued the state for its decision to install a 1,000-foot buoy wall in the town of Eagle Pass, within a stretch of the Rio Grande river. In Texas, the river forms the legal border between the US and Mexico. More than just a legal argument that a state politician doesnt have jurisdiction over an international borderline, Mr Fuentes, who grew up along the Rio Grande, feels Mr Abbott has crossed a moral line. The governor, he says, is violating a river that nourishes ecosystems, people, and a vibrant transborder culture thats existed far longer and far more freely than the rolls of razor wire multiplying across the banks suggest. Im not a politician. I just say listen, I love that river. Nobody speaks up for it. Im speaking up for the river. Man, I have the right to try to prosper from my love of the river, that allows me the opportunity to get out there, to bring people to the river, he told The Independent. Migrants walk by a string of buoys placed on the water along the Rio Grande border with Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas (AFP via Getty Images) They dont live here. I do, he added of Texass state leaders. Youve taken a beautiful waterway and youve converted it into a war zone. Mr Fuentes is part of a group of local residents, human rights activists, and international officials who are pushing back on the floating barrier project. They face challenging waters ahead, though. Governor Abbott is a shrewd operator. He has combined media savvy and audacious use of government funds and powers to secure billions of dollars and heaps of political capital for his notion of a military-style crackdown at the border. He has charged ahead with little resistance, even though governors and presidents have spent decades taking this iron-fisted approach with little empirical success to show for it. In mid-July, state contractors were nearly complete installing the floating border barrier, a $1m, 1,000-foot pearl string of giant orange buoys with strong netting in between, anchored to the river floor. Story continues Discussing the plan in June, Mr Abbott described the floating wall as a key part of his larger buildup at the border, which has featured mass deployment of as many as 10,000 state troopers and national guardsmen at a time, as well as razor wire and sections of a new border wall on private lands. "When were dealing with 100 or 1,000 people, one of the goals is to slow down and deter as many of them as possible," Mr Abbott said on 8 June. "Some may eventually get to the border where they are going to face that multilayered razor wire and a full force of National Guard and DPS [Department of Public Safety] officers." An estimated 250 people died crossing the Rio Grande last year, but Texas officials have nonetheless claimed that installing what amounts to a giant net in the river will prevent the loss of life due to drownings. Operation Lone Star has seen as many as 10,000 Texas law enforcement agents deployed on the border at one time (Getty Images) The barrier technology, like much of Mr Abbotts border agenda, is a retrofitted version of what the Trump administration was pursuing. In 2020, the Border Patrol advertised on Twitter, then quickly deleted, a post showing a demo of a floating barrier system from the same company that built Mr Abbotts wall, Cochrane USA, only the Trump version had large black spikes that wouldnt look out of place in a dungeon. The Texas buoy plan dropped the spikes but kept the same controversy that Mr Trumps attempts to seal off the border attracted. CBP actually posted about this on Twitter when they were doing a demo a few months ago, then deleted it. https://t.co/zhNzZmzwaX Aaron Reichlin-Melnick (@ReichlinMelnick) August 14, 2020 Last week, Mexicos diplomat said the barrier plan may violate international treaties over the Rio Grande-based border, and said she will send an inspection team to investigate the buoy wall. Migrant advocates say the buoys, like generations of border installations before them, wont actually slow down immigration, but rather will push migrants towards ever more remote places to cross the border, increasing the likelihood they will face a perilous and potentially lethal crossing. This strategy, known as prevention through deterrence has more or less been the explicit policy of the US government since the Clinton administration in the 1990s, a policy choice many on the ground say is causing unnecessary deaths. Its been proven time after time that these so-called prevention through deterrence strategies dont work, Fernando Garcia of the Border Network for Human Rights told The Independent. They have not stopped immigration flows, but what they have done is they have put immigrants at risk. Its very likely that with [the floating buoy wall] they are looking for more remote and isolated places to come across so that whenever they are in danger by heat exhaustion, by drowning, they will not have anybody to help them, he added, saying he worries it could be a record year for migrant deaths in the Rio Grande. All of this is death by policy. Military buildup along the US-Mexico border hasnt substantially altered immigration flows, according to experts (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) According to leaks from the Texas Department of Public Safety, which oversees the states border scheme, this policy includes intentionally putting migrants into harms way. In a series of emails shared with news outlets including The Independent, a border medic described questioning orders from superiors to push exhausted migrants back into the river and to refrain from giving them water if captured. We were given orders to push the people back into the water to go to Mexico. We decided that this was not the correct thing to do. With the very real potential of exhausted people drowning, the trooper wrote. The DPS source also claimed in the span of one week in late June, a teen mother was trapped in razor wire at the border while having a miscarriage, a 15-year-old broke his leg as he tried to find a way around the deterrence buoys, and a man lacerated his leg while trying to rescue his child from razor wire placed on a buoy. Texas officials have defended the use of the razor wire while denying reports troopers were told to push people into the river. Texas governor Greg Abbott has used Covid funds and a state disaster declaration to increase his power over the US-Mexico border (AP) 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 Texas Military Department told The Independent in response to news about the emails. There is no order or directive instructing Service Members to push illegal immigrants back into the river or deny them drinking water. Texas is deploying every tool and strategy to deter and repel illegal crossings between ports of entry as President Bidens dangerous open border policies entice migrants from over 150 countries to risk their lives entering the country illegally, a spokesperson for the governor told The Independent earlier this week. The Texas Department of Public Safety did not respond to requests for comment on this story from The Independent. Beyond just putting migrants at risk, the border barriers are cutting into the deep cross-border cultural ties in the region, residents said. Mr Fuentes, the business owner suing the state, said the locked-down border is only a recent historical development. His grandfather used to be able to casually ride into Mexico on a donkey to get supplies. He says that Texas politicians fomenting fear about immigration miss the fact that many who live along the US-Mexico border dont feel the same way. The walls arent stopping some hypothetical invasion of immigrants. Theyre dividing a community thats older and bigger than boundaries on a map. Thats the beautiful thing about America, he said. Weve got our culture on the border. The way its being misinterpreted right now, them saying were a war zone, things are out of control. Were not that. Were a community on the river. We get along with our neighbours. I dont think were under siege from an inflow of immigrants, he added. Were under siege by law enforcement. Leaks from inside the Texas Department of Public Safety allege state employs were told to push migrants back into the Rio Grande (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) When Mr Fuentes encounters migrants on the river, he offers them a blessing and any spare water if it he has it. You wouldnt know about these sorts of ties by watching the governor on TV. The Fox News regular frequently describes the situation in places like Eagle Pass as an invasion of drug-pushing cartel members, though drugs like fentanyl are overwhelmingly brought across the border by US citizens at official points of entry. Its not an accidental choice of words calling the situation an invasion. In November, the governor invoked a clause in the US Constitution allowing states to take military actions if they are under invasion to defend his policies, a theory legal scholars and critics say is both nonapplicable to immigration and an echo of the white-supremacist rhetoric that fueled incidents like the 2019 El Paso shooting, where 23 mostly Latino people were killed. It may not be legally bulletproof, but its another savvy move from Mr Abbott, who has proved adept at using crises in recent years to further his border agenda. The governor declared a state disaster at the US-Mexico border in 2021, freeing him up to use additional emergency powers, and used creative accounting to funnel an estimated $1bn in federal Covid relief funds to Operation Lone Star, the umbrella plan Mr Abbott has used to send troopers to the border and bus thousands of migrants out of Texas to liberal states. Despite massive investments from the state and the federal government over decades from leaders of both parties, immigration levels at the US-Mexico border in late 2022 and 2023 are about the same as they were during their previous most recent peak around the year 2000. A spokesperson for the governors office declined to answer specific questions from The Independent about the floating border barrier, and criticisms that its illegal and dangerous for migrants. The governors office said Operation Lone Star had led to the apprehension of more than 393,000 unauthorised immigrants and the repelling of more than 49,000 illegal immigrants, as well as over 31,000 arrests, all of which would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and our country thanks to President Bidens open border policies, according to spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris. The Department of Justice is investigating Operation Lone Star for alleged civil rights abuses. Immigration is a concern of federal law, but thousands of immigrants have been arrested by state personnel for trespassing on private property, allegedly being held in jail for weeks without facing charges. According to an investigation by the Texas Tribune, ProPublica, and The Marshall Project, state officials were arresting far more trespassers than cartel members, and allegedly inflated data on Operation Lone Star by citing arrests on crimes like cockfighting, sexual assault, and stalking in their success statistics, even though these offences had no clear link to immigration enforcement. Border communities like Uvalde, the site of a horrific 2022 school shooting, have suffered from decades of under-investment, leaving them without hospitals, even as billions are spent on border security (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Weve spent $12bn over the last decade, and we have nothing to show for it, Jaime Puente, director of economic opportunity programmes at the advocacy group Every Texan, which monitors the state budget, told The Independent. People are not being deterred from coming to the US to seek a better life and opportunitiesno matter how deadly we make that journey. Ironically, according to Mr Puente, the governors border crackdown has finally driven resources towards borderland communities that have historically suffered from under-investment. However, these resources are coming in the form of armed police officers and contracts to build military infrastructure, rather than investments in things like education or healthcare. Texas has historically undervalued and underserved border communities over the last century or more, and now, because its politically viable, because it makes for a great 7pm Fox News clip, these communities are being inundated with billions and billions of dollars, Mr Puente said. He points to the example of Uvalde, Texas, the site of a horrific 2022 school shooting, as a place that needs a different kind of investment from the state. That community doesnt have a hospital, he said. That community doesnt have some basic services, but they have 350 DPS troopers and Border Patrol agents just roaming around. That didnt help 19 kids and 2 teachers a year ago. In fact, according to some local residents, the influx of state personnel to border communities has made the residents there feel less safe. Operation Lone Star has driven a spike in the racial profiling of Latinx drivers in South Texas, according to the ACLU. According to an analysis from NBC News of Latinx-majority border areas, traffic citations have shot up, in one county by a factor of six, since Operation Lone Star came online in 2021. Migrants walk along concertina wire as they try to cross the Rio Grande at the Texas-U.S. border in Eagle Pass, Texas, Thursday, July 6, 2023 (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Despite the governors ever-expanding footprint on the border, Jessie Fuentes still believes in the magic of the Rio Grande. He ends our interview by inviting me to come onto the river with him sometime, though he notes its getting harder and harder for him to access the water because of all the fences, walls, and razor wire deployed around Eagle Pass. He has a bitter chuckle at the difference between the US and Mexico sides of the river. On the Mexico side, its parkland, with families out for walks or fishing on the river. On the US side, its a practically medieval tableau of walls and spikes, overseen by a group of state officials, one of whose title is literally Border Czar. I invite anyone to come if theyll let me, he said. Thats the thing about the US border: what happens there often has deep roots. Border walls, once built, are rarely taken down, and connections to the land, built over generations, dont disappear from one administration to the next. Governor Abbott has vowed to fight Mr Fuentes all the way to the US Supreme Court. In the coming months, we will see whose vision of this complicated, beautiful region prevails. Map of Burkina Faso A poor country even by West African standards, landlocked Burkina Faso has suffered from recurring droughts and military coups. A former French colony, it gained independence as Upper Volta in 1960. It has significant reserves of gold, but the country has faced domestic and external concern over the state of its economy and human rights. In 2022, with at least 10,000 people killed and more than two million displaced to date in a prolonged jihadist insurgency that Burkina Faso has been facing from neighbouring Mali, the army seized control in two coups in a bid to combat the jihadists. The coups have led to the country's suspension from the African Union and the regional Ecowas group. In 2023, it expelled a small French force, cutting military relations with France and said it would develop links with Russia. The government has denied hiring Wagner mercenaries - who are operating in Mali and the Central African Republic - but says it will use "Russian instructors" to train its soldiers. Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring BURKINA FASO: FACTS Capital: Ouagadougou Area: 274,200 sq km Population: 21.9 million Languages: French, Mossi, Bissa, Dyula, Fula Life expectancy: 61 years (men) 62 years (women) President: Ibrahim Traore Preisdent Ibrahim Traore Capt Ibrahim Traore seized power in a coup on September 2022, ousting his predecessor Lt-Col Damiba, who had himself ousted President Marc Kabore in an earlier coup in January 2022. Traore was officially appointed as president of in October 2022. The rationale given by Traore for the coup was the purported inability of Damiba to deal with the continuing Islamist insurgency in the north of the country. It was for the same reason that Damiba had ousted Kabore - the government's failure to halt the jihadist groups operating in northern Burkina Faso. Mr Kabore had served as prime minister and speaker of parliament under veteran President Compaore before going on to win presidential elections in 2015 and 2020. Story continues But, like his neighbours, he found his domestic agenda undermined by the jihadist insurgency. MEDIA Newspaper vendor in Burkina Faso TIMELINE Some key events in Burkina Faso's history: The 19th Century Grand Mosque of Bobo-Dioulasso: the majority of the country's population are Muslim 3600-2600BC - Agricultural settlements established in region. 800-700BC - Iron smelting and production. 3rd-13th Century AD - Bura culture: an Iron Age civilisation centred on the lower Niger River valley in Niger and Burkina Faso. c.1000-1896 - Mossi Kingdoms or Mossi Empire: a group of kingdoms in Burkina Faso which dominate the upper Volta river region. The largest Mossi kingdom is that of Ouagadougou. c.1700 - Mossi kingdoms increase their regional economic and military power, with significant connections to the Fula kingdoms and the Mali Empire. 1896 - France invades and make Burkina Faso a French protectorate. By 1898 France completes its conquest of the area. 1898 - Franco-British Convention creates Burkina Faso's modern borders. 1915-1917 - Volta-Bani War: an anti-colonial rebellion in modern Burkina Faso and Mali. At its peak the rebels muster 15,000-20,000 fighters. After initial setbacks the French army supresses the insurgency. 1919 - France creates French Upper Volta, separating the present territory of Burkina Faso from Upper Senegal and Niger. 1932 - After failed attempts to promote cotton as an export crop, the colony is dissolved and split between the French colonies of Ivory Coast, French Sudan and Niger. 1947 - Following intense anti-colonial agitation after World War Two, France reverses its previous decision and revives the colony of Upper Volta. 1958 - Upper Volta gains self-government and joins the Franco-African Community. 1960 - Upper Volta becomes fully independent with Maurice Yameogo as president. 1966 - Military coup deposes Yameogo, suspends the constitution and brings in military government under Lt Col Sangoule Lamizana. 1976 - New constitution establishes a four-year transition period toward civilian rule. Lamizana remains in power. 1978 - Sangoule Lamizana is re-elected in open elections. 1980 - Col Saye Zerbo overthrows President Lamizana in a bloodless coup and sets up military government. 1982 - Zerbo is overthrown by Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo and the Council of Popular Salvation (CPS), ushering in a period of unrest and power struggles. Thomas Sankara, also known as "Africa's Che Guevara", seized power in 1983 and tried to introduce major reforms. He was killed in a coup led by his successor Blaise Compaore 1983 - Infighting between factions in the CPS leads to another coup. Capt Thomas Sankara comes to power and begins a series of reforms including nationalisation of key industries, mass-vaccinations, infrastructure improvements, improving women's rights and anti-desertification projects. His government focuses on anti-imperialism and rejects foreign aid. 1984 - Upper Volta renamed Burkina Faso. 1987 - Sankara is killed in a coup organized by Blaise Compaore, who said one reason for the coup was that Sankara had jeopardised foreign relations with former colonial power France and neighbouring Ivory Coast. He reverses Sankara's previous economic policies. 1990 - Compaore introduces limited democratic reforms. 2014 - President Compaore resigns following massive protests against plans to extend his rule. A transitional government takes charge. 2015 - Coup attempt by a unit of the army fails, and elections take place. 2016 - 30 people killed in terrorist attacks in Ouagadougou: The attack signals the start of an Islamist insurgency in northern and eastern Burkina Faso by jihadist groups. 2022 - Two military coups in one year: a January coup led by Lt Col Damiba seizes power and deposes President Kabore. In September, he is ousted by Capt Ibrahim Traore, who said the second coup was necessary because Damiba was unable to to deal with the Islamist insurgency. 2023 - Burkina Faso expels some 400 French special forces cutting military relations with France. It says it will be developing military links with Russia to combat the jihadists, but denies hiring Wagner mercenaries. No staff of China's Consulate-General in Odessa hurt in nearby explosion: spokesperson Xinhua) 08:40, July 21, 2023 BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The staff of China's Consulate-General in Odessa had long left the premises and no one was hurt, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. The spokesperson made the remarks when asked on China's Consulate-General in Odessa being shaken by Russian airstrike on Ukraine. The spokesperson said that an explosion happened near China's Consulate-General in Odessa, and the blast wave shook off parts of the wall surface and windowpanes. The spokesperson said that China is closely following the developments and staying in touch with the parties concerned. "We will take all measures necessary to keep Chinese institutions and nationals safe in Ukraine," the spokesperson said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Whether theyre living their best Billy Ray Cyrus-life or are just fans of the 80s hair band rockers, these two Georgia kids are looking to take home the crown for the nations best mullet. Brentley Ocker, from Tallapoosa, and Brock Higgins, of Douglas, are representing the Peach State after being named in the top 100 of the 2023 Kids Mullet Showdown. Were on the hunt for the most epic, daring, and unique mullet in the nation, the contests website says. TRENDING STORIES: Severe storms leave destructive path, widespread outages across North Georgia PHOTOS: Severe thunderstorms cause damage across North Georgia One high from Delta-8 can lead to permanent brain damage, Georgia doctor warns Ocker and Higgins have made it to Round 2 in the contest. Higgins placed 16th in the ages 9-12 round 1 voting, and Ocker placed 28th in ages 5-8. With each vote, voters are also asked to make a donation to Jared Allens Homes For Wounded Warriors. The nonprofit is dedicated to providing critically injured United States military veterans with injury-specific, accessible, and mortgage-free homes. Voting for Round 2 ends on July 24. CLICK HERE to vote. IN OTHER NEWS: The Caddo Parish Coroner's Office has named Shreveport's 44th homicide victim. Shreveport Police Department was dispatched to the 6900 block of California Avenue just before 8:30 a.m. July 20 on reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered Sherman Durden, 44, who had been shot multiple times by another individual. Shreveport Fire Department transported Durden to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:13 a.m. Read: Shreveport Police report 44th homicide after early morning shooting According to the Caddo Parish Coroner's Office, this shooting remains under investigation by the Shreveport Police Department. In a citywide prayer event July 20, Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said, "these are trying times for our city." More: Shreveport councilman hosts prayer meeting, announces 'Now Peace' movement to combat crime Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Caddo Parish Coroner's releases name of Shreveport's 44th homicide victim MARTINEZ, Calif. (AP) A court hearing to determine whether Northern California police officers who traded racist text messages violated a state law aimed at eliminating racism in the criminal justice system adjourned Friday without any officers taking the stand to answer questions about the scandal that has roiled the San Francisco Bay Area city. Defense attorneys for four men charged with murder and attempted murder in a 2021 shooting had subpoenaed the Antioch police officers to testify about heavily redacted text messages made public in April by the Contra Costa County District Attorneys office. The attorneys were expected to argue before Judge David Goldstein that their clients, two of them mentioned in the text messages, were unfairly targeted based on their race. The states Racial Justice Act prohibits the state from pursuing or securing criminal convictions or sentences on the basis of race, ethnicity or national origin. But the judge spent much of Fridays hearing ruling on motions and not on evidence, and none of the officers testified. The hearing will continue in late August, and the underlying criminal case is on hold. In addition to nine police officers subpoenaed and who were available to take the stand Friday are five others who were subpoenaed but claimed they were injured on the job and not medically cleared to testify. In all, 17 Antioch police officers have been named for sending texts that discuss falsifying evidence and beating up suspects, that make racist and homophobic remarks, or that use sexually explicit language. Most of the messages were sent in 2020 and 2021 and go far beyond the case up for discussion in court. Antioch Police Chief Steven Ford was also subpoenaed to testify, but Goldstein ruled Friday he did not need to appear because his testimony was not relevant to whether officers showed racial bias or animus. Ford was not the police chief at the time the text messages were sent. Carmela Caramagno, attorney for one of the four suspects, argued that Ford's testimony was critical so the court could get a broad feel for the internal workings of the department and devise an appropriate remedy. Story continues Caramagno said she also wanted to ask Ford why he signed off on declarations stating that five officers had suffered an industrial injury and could not appear, when an investigator for the defense had seen some of them looking quite healthy, having pool parties, and walking briskly. Mathew Martinez, a lawyer for one of the defendants, said the officers were subpoenaed so they could explain in court why they sent the texts. But theyre all unavailable, indefinitely, he said. The hearing comes two days after Ford, who is Black, made a surprise announcement that he would retire next month. He leaves after only a year serving as interim and permanent police chief. He did not respond to emails requesting an interview. Lawyers representing eight of the nine other subpoenaed officers were also present in court Friday. The four men represented by the defense attorneys were charged with murder and attempted murder in a March 2021 drive-by shooting that prosecutors say was gang-related. The Racial Justice Act allows defendants to petition the court for relief. If a violation is found, a judge could dismiss enhancements to charges or reduce charges. Goldstein in May threw out gang charges against the defendants after historical data showed county prosecutors disproportionately targeted Black people with enhancements leading to longer sentences. Two of the defendants, Trent Allen and Terryon Pugh, were the subjects of some of the released text messages. Officers joked about kicking their heads and shooting them in the neck and buttocks. They also shared photos of Allen and Pugh injured in their hospital beds. Shirelle Cobbs, Allen's mother, said she wants the officer who boasted about beating up her son in jail. He kicked him in the head. He talked about it. Thats a crime. He put it in text messages," she said outside the courthouse. And they talked about it. He needs to be under the jailhouse right now. The embattled police department serves a racially diverse city of 115,000 residents about 45 miles (72 kilometers) east of San Francisco. The text messages came out as part of an ongoing joint investigation launched in March 2022 by the FBI and the Contra Costa district attorney into a broad range of potential offenses by officers with the Antioch and nearby Pittsburg police departments. The city of Antioch faces a federal civil rights lawsuit over the text messages and in May the state attorney general's office launched a civil rights investigation into the police department. - This version corrects the number of police officers called as witnesses and who were available for Friday's hearing. The number is nine, not eight. AP staffer Terry Chea contributed to this report. After a series of reports detailing undisclosed perks enjoyed by Supreme Court justices, Congress wants to strengthen ethical requirements for the nine justices. The Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency (SCERT) Act, passed Thursday by the Senate Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote, would establish an investigative process for misconduct; heighten recusal requirements; strengthen disclosure rules for gifts, travel, hospitality or other actions that might influence decisions, and require the Court to adopt a binding code of ethics. Right now, the Supreme Court does not have an enforceable ethics code. Federal law requires justices to file annual financial disclosures, including information on gifts, with minimal exceptions. Senators think whats in place is not stringent enough. Tougher rules are not new to federal officials, says Sen. Alex Padilla, a California Democrat on the committee who co-sponsored the legislation. He called it desperately needed ethics reform for the Supreme Court. Legislation follows recent reports that detailed expensive gifts and travel offered to Supreme Court justices. Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., the chairman of the committee, pointed to reports that Justice Clarence Thomas traveled on a billionaire GOP donors yacht and jet, Justice Samuel Alito took a luxury fishing trip to Alaska, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor used tax-funded staff to push book sales. The committees approval means the proposal will be considered by the full Senate. Still, it might be hard to get the bill to become law. Most Republicans have resisted the effort, suggesting a difficult path in the slimly-Democratic Senate and GOP-controlled House of Representatives. In response to people who claim the Court should implement its own ethics rules, Padilla said, Theyve been afforded that opportunity. The committee invited Chief Justice John Roberts to speak about ethics, which he has not yet done. Padilla said that, if it came to it, he would support a subpoena to get the judge to attend. Ideally, he said, the Court would engage in coming up with a code of ethics. Story continues In short of that, the Senate and Congress needs to act, he said. Republican amendments Committee Republicans, who all voted no, said the legislation is an attack for recent rulings that Democrats dont support, such as overturning federal abortion protections and rescinding race-conscious college admissions. GOP members of the committee introduced a series of failed amendments, including provisions to cap the number of justices at nine and restrict journalists access to the court. One would create a new federal crime for leaking confidential judicial work. The amendment presents significant First Amendment concerns in limiting speech, especially of journalists, who publish leaks from the Supreme Court which may be one of significant public interest (who) could face significant imprisonment under this amendment, California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, another member of the committee who is also sponsoring the legislation, said of the amendment to limit leaks. Feinstein at one point accidentally voted for a Republican amendment to include ethics rules on stocks for members of Congress and the executive branch before Durbin corrected her. Durbin previously argued it went outside the legislations scope. Padilla said after the hearing Republicans were using amendments to exploit the measure for political points. Theyre looking to the next election cycle, he said. Denouncing racism All members ultimately supported an amendment to condemn racist remarks. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., proposed an amendment to condemn comments directed at Justice Clarence Thomas, a Black man. Democrats took issue with singling out Thomas when other members of the court have faced discrimination. Republicans contended that Thomas has faced unique racism from high profile Democrats, citing in one instance where Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, who is also Black, compared Thomas to a house slave character portrayed in Django Unchained. How can you not condemn a statement calling Justice Clarence Thomas a house slave? Kennedy shouted. Come on, folks. Since the Courts inception, there have been four justices who were not white. Three of them currently serve: Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson, Sonia Sotomayor and Thomas. After a heated back and forth, all members agreed to an amendment that condemned discrimination aimed at all current and former justices, preserving naming Thomas within the amendment. It should apply equally across the board and not just be offered to protect or defend one particular justice, Padilla said after the hearing. (Corrects to removes reference to 'flex' alert in first paragraph) (Reuters) - The California power grid operator issued an emergency alert from 1930 until 2200 hours on Thursday, urging customers to conserve electricity anticipating high loads and temperatures. Current demand stood at 41,100 megawatts, versus available capacity at 45,170 MW, the California ISO said. (Reporting by Seher Dareen and Arpan Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Himani Sarkar) A Susanville man suspected of sexually abusing hundreds of boys worldwide pleaded not guilty in a Sacramento courtroom Friday, one day after he was indicted by a federal grand jury. Bradley Earl Reger, 67, is charged with engaging in illicit sexual activity abroad, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and coercion, and enticement. He was brought into U.S. Magistrate Judge Allison Claires courtroom in a wheelchair while he held onto a walking cane. Dressed in orange jail garb, Reger had white hair and a close-cropped gray beard, looking much older than in a photo prosecutors have included of him in court filings. He did not speak during the hearing, but after prosecutors announced that two of his alleged victims were present he appeared to stare directly at them for several moments before he was escorted away. One of the young men he appeared to lock eyes with smiled and waved at him as he was led away. Reger is accused of abusing three minors in Susanville, Nevada, Virginia, Poland and the Philippines from 2006 through 2014, but authorities said in a news conference Thursday that they believe there are many more victims who have yet to come forward. We do believe that there are victims spread out across the nation and globally, Sacramento FBI Special Agent In Charge Sean Ragan said. Officials say 40 to 50 potential victims have surfaced since Regers arrest July 6 in Susanville. The FBI set up a website for victims immediately after Reger was arrested fbi.gov/RegerVictims and asked for potential victims to use it to report their abuse or call 800-CALL-FBI (225-5324). There could potentially be hundreds of victims, Ragan said. Reger, a nurse practitioner, is accused of conducting physical exam on boys and young men as a cover for sexually abusing them, and was active in Christian schools, youth groups and summer camps, officials say. Reger could face up to life in prison if convicted, and is being held in the Sacramento County Main Jail without bail. His next court hearing was set for Sept. 28. [Source] A woman is suing a Thai restaurant in San Jose, California, over a spicy appetizer that allegedly gave her permanent bodily injuries. The allegations: Harjasleen Walia, a neurologist, tried the Dragon Balls appetizer at Coup de Thai in Los Gatos on July 15, 2021, according to the complaint. After eating, she allegedly felt her entire mouth, the roof of her mouth, her tongue, her throat and her nose burn like fire. Walia was reportedly aware that the dish was spicy. Still, she proceeded to make an order but allegedly asked the server to prepare a less spicy version for her. In the end, the appetizer allegedly left her with chemical burns on her vocal cords, esophagus and the middle concha of her right nostril. The suit said she was poisoned and will forever be damaged. More from NextShark: Malaysian founder of noodle snack Mamee Monster dies at 92 Whats in the appetizer: The Dragon Balls, which come for $11, are fried spicy chicken meatballs made with mint, shallot, green onion, cilantro, kaffir lime leave, chili and rice powder, as per Coup de Thais menu. Walias suit reportedly blames the Thai chili, also known as birds eye chili, as the source of her suffering. Thai chilis can range from 50,000 to 250,000 heat units on the Scoville scale. In comparison, jalapeno peppers range between 2,500 and 5,000 heat units. More from NextShark: 1st Asian American woman-owned bookstore in NYC receives more than $300,000 in donations after fire damage What the restaurant is saying: Coup de Thai supervisor Luck Pryer told the Bay Area News Group that they have never had a patron be burned by their dish and require medical attention. While the Dragon Balls are spicy, they do not use too much chili spice," she said. Pryer added that it is impossible to create a mild version of the appetizer since the chili is inside the balls. Customers who cannot handle spicy food are instead encouraged to order other dishes in the menu, she said. Story continues Walia is reportedly seeking an unspecified amount in damages. She also seeks remuneration for medical costs, lost earnings and legal expenses. More from NextShark: Golfer Michelle Wie West Slams Rudy Giuliani for Talking About Her Underwear Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! US Women's Open champ Minjee Lee says her record $1.8 million payout is 'big step' forward Police An employee at Canyon State Academy in Queen Creek was arrested on suspicion of assault, following an incident that occurred at a Popeyes in Queen Creek, according to investigators. The employee was later identified by Queen Creek police as 46-year-old Felicia Rule. The employee left the store after the incident on July 16, 2023, before police arrived. According to the manager, Rule was upset with how long she had to wait for her food. The decision was made to refund the customer's money, but she wanted her food order as well. The manager explained it was company policy to either refund the order or provide the food, not both, according to arrest records. The arrest report said Rule then walked into the kitchen area to continue yelling and smacked a phone out of the manager's hand. The cellphone was broken, and the manager had to use another phone to call police, the arrest report said. Rule was reportedly placed under arrest at Canyon State Academy for disorderly conduct, criminal damage and assault on July 17, according to the arrest report. The Canyon State Academy has not responded to The Arizona Republic's request for comment. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Canyon State Academy employee accused of assault in Queen Creek The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N offers three sound themes and the simulated feel of gear shifts. Hyundai Some car companies think that fake engine noises will get drivers to consider going electric. Hyundai and Dodge have both unveiled EVs that blast fake exhaust noises outside the car. Electric cars are inherently quiet. A recent video introducing the world to Hyundai's latest performance car shows the new Ioniq 5 N tearing around a racetrack and through city streets, all while vroom-vrooming loud enough to wake the entire neighborhood. Typical car-ad stuff. The clip wouldn't be all that strange if the Ioniq 5 N had an engine. But Hyundai's sporty new SUV is electric, so it's inherently silent. And the sound is all fake, generated by 10 internal and external speakers to mimic the combustion-engine experience. Hyundai and some other manufacturers are betting that drivers are more likely to get on board with electric cars if they sound and feel just like the gas-powered ones they're leaving behind. On top of three different sound themes, during driving the Ioniq 5 N simulates the building and jolting sensation of gear shifts. That's even though it, like nearly all EVs, only has a single gear. Hyundai hopes the combination will offer a more engaging driving experience. And it aims to make buyers feel right at home despite the new fuel source, a spokesperson told Insider. (Drivers can also turn off the noise entirely for a more pure EV experience.) Dodge, which is phasing out its thunderous, gas-powered muscle cars and preparing for an electric future, is making similar moves. Last year, the brand showed off an electric concept car with a multi-speed transmission and a phony exhaust sound that mimics a supercharged V8 engine. It said the exhaust clocks in at 126 decibels, making it nearly as noisy as a jet engine. The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT concept previews the American brand's upcoming electric muscle car. Bill Pugliano / Stringer / Getty The brand itself acknowledged how wild an idea this is in a press release: "While most BEVs embrace their virtually silent electric motors, that just wouldn't do for Dodge Yes, Dodge added an exhaust to an electric vehicle." Story continues Toyota is working on a simulated stick shift for EVs that will let drivers pretend to manually shift gears. The system may even stall out if drivers fumble a shift, a Toyota spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal. EVs don't need multi-speed transmissions like regular cars do, so this would be just for fun. "Automakers are responding to some enthusiasts' worries that electric cars have no soul," Ed Kim, president and chief analyst at AutoPacific, an automotive research and consulting firm, told Insider. But, he said, things like artificial engine roars and unnecessary transmissions probably won't catch on long term. Buyers love quiet cars and can be repelled by fake stuff, he said. "I don't know that 10 years from now we'll still be seeing this," he said. "In the end, I think many drivers seek an experience that's authentic and real." Food for thought: Maybe blasting fake engine noises onto the street won't be a big selling point for EVs, but what if it could keep pedestrians safer? Research has shown that pedestrians are more likely to misjudge the speed and distance of a quiet, oncoming EV than an approaching gas vehicle. Perhaps giving EVs the acoustic signature of conventional cars could close the gap. Read the original article on Business Insider Carlee Russell Case: Aniah Blanchards Mother, Who Round Up Volunteers To Help, Sounds Off On Polices New Evidence | Pixabay After leading a search in Alabama for Carlee Russell, Aniah Blanchards mother Angela Harris is speaking out following the press conference that revealed questionable details found on the Alabama natives phone during the ongoing investigation. As Blavity reported yesterday, Hoover Police Department Chief Nick Derzis shared some of their findings that didnt align with the story the nursing student told police when she returned home after vanishing for two days. Although the fact-finding for the case isnt complete, it seems the story told to a family member and the police might be false. A week ago, Russell made headlines because it was believed that she had been kidnapped after she pulled over on the highway to help a toddler she claimed was walking alongside Interstate 459 South alone. In addition to calling the police to alert them of the situation, she called a relative. While on the phone with her family, the call dropped. When authorities found her vehicle, there was nothing but her phone, a wig and some items she had bought earlier. Concerned about the well-being of Russell, people across America posted and reshared her photo along with the story in hopes she would be found alive. One of the people who spearheaded a search team full of volunteers was fellow Alabama resident Harris, the mother of Aniah Blanchard, who was kidnapped and killed in October 2019. Knowing the feelings and toll a missing person situation can have on a parent, she immediately went to work to help Russells parents find the 25-year-old. Following the statements Derzis told the media during the press conference, Harris wanted to get some things off her chest. She posted a video on TikTok sharing her thoughts about the recent update the police chief shared. I decided Id go ahead and do it because I guess I got in my feelings and just feel like I need to go ahead and do a video, Harris starts off saying. Im coming to you today as a momjust a mom but a mom who has lost her children, two children, losing one to kidnapping and capital murder Story continues So, most of you know I led the search for Carlee Russell because when I got the callon Friday morning[I] went immediately cause I was asked to go and did not hesitate. The family asked me if I would lead the command center and search and I said, Absolutely,' she added. We did what we are supposed to do. We did everything the right way. Im not going to speak on anything that has to do [with] what happened, that will come out later. Right now as a mom who has lost her child to kidnapping and murder, I cant even tell you, I cannot explain to you what it feels like to have a missing child. Just hope youre never in that situation. When it comes to mainstream media coverage about missing Black women, kids and men, or other dire situations in general, theyre often overlooked. If this whole story is found to be a hoax, hopefully, this wont stifle police and the publics aid to future Black women who are actually missing and need help. The investigation is still underway at this time and the Hoover Police Department plans to continue updating the public as things unfold. The night Nakyla Williams vanished on Nov. 9, 2021, security cameras near her mothers Indianapolis home captured her getting into a gray pickup truck. She never returned home. Williams would be 26 now, and her disappearance has been immensely traumatic for her family, who have pushed for more media coverage of her case. Her cousin, Barry Stewart, said she believes Williams has been forgotten because she is a Black woman. Its causing anxiety, depression, fear, Stewart said of her cousins disappearance. A lot of the relationships in the family have broken up and fallen apart during this time, just due to the stress and the loss the worry. Black people like Williams accounted for 39% of missing people in 2022, according to the Black and Missing Foundation, a Maryland-based nonprofit group that works to bring awareness to missing people of color. More than 30,000 Black people in the U.S. remained missing at the end of 2022, according to the most recent data from the National Crime Information Center. Half of those cases were missing Black women and girls. After authorities cast doubt on a claim that Carlee Russell, an Alabama woman who said she had briefly gone missing last week, online vitriol and critical commentary poured in through social media. On Monday, in a statement read by local police, Russell admitted that she lied about being kidnapped in a hoax that set off a nationwide effort to find her. Still, advocates and experts say her story should not diminish the reality that tens of thousands of Black people go missing each year in cases that rarely make national headlines or receive meaningful investigations from law enforcement. I would never apologize for believing a Black girl given what we know about what happens to missing Black girls and women, said Treva Lindsey, a professor of womens, gender, and sexuality studies at Ohio State University. Our job is to believe first, and put the energy and resources behind it and then see what happens. Story continues Nakyla Williams. (Black and Missing Foundation) Lindsey said that although Russells case may not be what people initially thought it was, she was encouraged by the collective care extended to her. Thats one of the first times Ive seen that kind of groundswell around a missing Black girl, a woman, in quite some time, she added. Every missing person deserves that kind of investment. One such person is Williams. Stewart, her cousin, suspects that her disappearance is related to her opioid use, and potentially being manipulated by a friend who she thinks gave her pills laced with fentanyl (police said they wanted to talk to that person, but he has not been named as a suspect). The opioid crisis is real. Its real all over the country, especially here in Indiana, Stewart said. She also said that when laced opioids affect individuals in white communities, its labeled as a crisis, but when theres a Black person, they discard us and write us off as having a drug problem. And thats what we need to change. Lt. Shane Foley of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department told NBC News there were no updates on Williams case as of Friday afternoon. Given the disproportionate data that missing Black women are often ignored, the virality of Russells case is uncommon, Lindsey said. We have to prove to people that were worthy of empathy, worthy of care, worthy of protection, worthy of being believed, she said. She cited misogynoir, a concept that refers to the simultaneous misogyny and racism Black women uniquely face, as a factor explaining why their cases have historically been downplayed. While there is a growing investment from folks around missing Black girls and women, Lindsey added, I still think we have a racial empathy gap. Watching the aftermath of her being found suggests to me that we still have this kind of criminalizing, skeptical, cynical and ambivalent impulse around stories of Black women and girls who go missing. The journalist Gwen Ifill coined the term missing white woman syndrome in 2004 to describe the disparity. Black men accounted for just over 15,500 missing people at the end of 2022, disappearing at similar rates as Black women. Black children who accounted for tens of thousands of lost people in 2022 go missing at higher rates than white children, according to the National Crime Information Center. Before investigators publicly questioned Russells account, some commenters on gossip sites such as The Shade Room and Hollywood Unlocked, and others, speculated that the Alabama woman was lying after she was reported being home and safe. Her case became clickbait on one hand, Lindsey said, but it also is a familiar narrative of distrust that is largely baked into our culture broadly. Toni Jacobs said that the police doubted her concern when her daughter Keeshae Jacobs went missing in 2016. She was last seen leaving her apartment building in Richmond, Virginia. Keeshae Jacobs. (Black and Missing Foundation) I had to prove that she was missing. I shouldnt have had to argue with them. They told me, Well maybe she just dont feel like being bothered, Jacobs continued. I told them she calls me every day, talks to me all day long so thats not something she would normally do. Her daughter, who would be 27 now, still has not been found. Richmond police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Keeshae Jacobs is among the many people listed in the database of the Black and Missing Foundation, which has reunited hundreds of missing people with their families. There are people out here who are looking for their missing loved ones, said Natalie Wilson, the organizations co-founder. So, I ask people before you close your heart, go to our website, read stories about the staggering number of missing people of color. And you dont know their names because they dont make the national headlines. Advocates like Wilson have long pointed out that police resources and media attention usually focus more on missing white women than missing people of color. Our focus is to make sure that this one case does not set a precedent for all missing persons of color cases, said Wilson. Because we cannot afford to let one incident derail our progress over the last 15 years, because we have been advocates for families who are desperately searching for their missing loved ones. Wilson highlighted the case of Tamika Huston, 24, who vanished in May 2004. While Hustons case was under the publics radar, it was brought to Wilsons attention by one of Wilsons family members living in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where Huston is from. Hustons aunt contacted news outlets to cover her nieces story but was met with silence, Wilson said. Shortly after, Wilson read headline after headline publicizing the disappearance of Natalee Holloway, an 18-year-old white woman who went missing in 2005, and Jennifer Wilbanks, another white woman who disappeared just days before her wedding that same year. Hustons case came to a close in August 2005 when her ex-boyfriend, Christopher Hampton, led authorities to her remains. Hampton pleaded guilty to killing Huston in 2006 and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Wilson said people cannot let the outcome of Russells case derail us from the task of finding Black people who go missing, and reducing the number of disappearances in the first place. We can never give up in spreading awareness and searching for those missing individuals, because they are our mothers, our fathers, sisters, brothers valuable members of our community, Wilson said. And we can no longer turn a blind eye to the issue. We have to tackle it head on. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com TOMS RIVER - The Berkeley house fire that killed a woman Thursday afternoon originated in the kitchen dishwasher, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Friday. In a second statement late Friday afternoon, the Prosecutors Office identified the victim as Janet Conroy, 77, who was the owner of the home. Earlier in the day, Billhimer said that authorities were struggling to locate any family members, which was necessary before Conroys identity could be made public. About 1:50 p.m. on Thursday, Berkeley Police and local firefighters were dispatched to the blaze in the single-family home at 1 Miles Pond Road in the Holiday City section of Berkeley, Billhimer said. While putting out the fire, Conroys body was discovered in the dining room, he said. The blaze has been ruled accidental, with the prosecutor explaining that a failure of energized electrical equipment cannot be eliminated as the cause of the fire. Billhimer added: Thank you to everyone that reached out to our office and assisted us with locating Ms. Conroys family. Id also like to extend my gratitude to all of the agencies that responded to and investigated the cause of this tragic fire. Berkeley: Woman accused of stealing, forging prescription drug blanks from her workplace Jenna Calderon covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Fire in Toms River started by dishwasher; prosecutor identifies victim Oftentimes you can't go wrong with diner pancakes. Shutterstock Insider talked to chefs about their favorite and least favorite things to eat at a diner. Chefs suggest ordering diner-style home fries, pancakes, and milkshakes at diners. You may want to skip soups and pasta sauces since some chefs say they're often not homemade. Ordering the eggs Benedict is a good way to test the skills of a diner's cook. Keep an eye on how the hollandaise sauce tastes. Shutterstock Nick Liberato, chef and host of the Netflix show "Restaurants on the Edge," told Insider that his typical diner breakfast order almost always includes eggs Benedict. "Eggs Benedict is a true test to see if a diner can execute perfectly poached eggs. I'm especially looking for the hollandaise sauce on top to have a nice tang from the lemon juice," said Liberato. If you love hollandaise sauce but don't like your eggs poached, try asking your server if you can order a dish of it to pair with a different egg dish. Pancakes are a sure-fire winner at just about any diner. Pillowy piles of fresh pancakes are what breakfast dreams are made of. Shutterstock Liberato told Insider that there's no better place to dive into a hot stack than at a diner. "Pancakes are a very safe choice at just about any diner they're really hard to mess up. Major plus if they bust out the Canadian or Vermont syrup," said Liberato. Though it's hard to go wrong with any flavor of pancake, Liberato recommended ordering some with sliced banana, chocolate chips, a knob of butter, and a drizzle of syrup. Home fries and hash browns seem to always taste better at a diner. Hash browns are a diner classic. NatalyaBond/Shutterstock Chef Heloise Blaure told Insider that griddles are actually the best way to make home fries and hash browns but most people don't have a large, restaurant-style griddle in their kitchen. "Griddles allow for a maximum balance of soft and crispy. You just don't get the same effect with a frying pan at home. Even the worst diner usually has better home fries than the ones you'd make in your kitchen, even if you're a decent cook," said Blaure. Home fries are whole pieces of fried potato, whereas hash browns are shredded potatoes that are often formed into patties. Story continues If a diner menu simply says "fried potatoes," ask your server to specify which style is on offer. It might be tough to replicate a thick diner milkshake at home. Diner milkshakes can often serve more than one person, so they're the perfect dessert to share. Shutterstock There's just something about the thick, creamy texture of a diner milkshake that's hard to replicate at home and Blaure said this decadent texture is usually due to the diner's special mixing equipment. "As long as the diner has a restaurant-grade milkshake mixer, their shakes are going to be better than whatever you could make at home. Plus, you might get your milkshake in a fun, retro glass with the excess served in a cold, metal mixer cup," Blaure told Insider. Diners are known for having supremely delicious pies. Many diners are famous for having massive pie selections. Shutterstock Chef Judy Joo told Insider that anyone with a sweet tooth should check out a diner's pie selection before even considering another dessert. "Most diners will showcase a wide array of amazing pies in a refrigerated case with rotating flavors. Apple pie a la mode with vanilla ice cream is the best bet," said Joo. Joo added that truly old-school diners will often offer sweet pies with a cheddar-cheese crust, which are not to be missed. Disco fries are a filling meal or side dish. These fries are often topped with gravy and cheese. Shutterstock Disco fries, said to be named after their popularity with late crowds that are coming home from nightclubs, are sort of an Americanized rendition of Canadian poutine. The classic version of the dish features fries smothered in brown gravy and mozzarella cheese. "Always order disco fries with cheese and gravy so delish and absolutely classic. No diner experience is complete without a bite of this addictive dish," said Joo. Disco fries are particularly popular in New Jersey diners and can sometimes include toppings like Gruyere cheese, mustard powder, sour cream, and mushrooms. Some diners create fluffy scrambled eggs with pancake batter. There's a reason they sometimes taste a little bit sweet. Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock Chef Dirk Tolsma of EPIC Steak in San Francisco, California, told Insider he never passes up the chance to dig into a pile of diner-style scrambled eggs. "I always order the scrambled eggs. If they're doing it right, they add a little pancake batter to fluff the eggs up and add a little sweetness," said Tolsma. If you want to try this diner trick at home, try adding a tablespoon or so of fresh pancake batter to whisked eggs before scrambling to give them some lift. A tuna melt toasted with bacon grease is a rich choice. It pairs well with french fries. Shutterstock If you're looking for a true lunchtime indulgence, Tolsma recommended trying a tuna-melt sandwich prepared diner-style in bacon grease. "For lunch at a diner, my go-to is a tuna melt. I love when they toast the bread in the leftover bacon grease," said Tolsma. Even if tuna isn't your thing, you can try asking if the kitchen staff can cook a different sandwich bread or toast in the grease left on the griddle. Pair an open-faced turkey sandwich with gravy and a pile of fries. You can pair it with chips or mashed potatoes, too. Shutterstock Chef Ed McFarland of Ed's Lobster Bar in New York City told Insider that a simple turkey sandwich with gravy is the best lunch dish you can get at a diner. "Customers should always order the open-face turkey with gravy and fries. It's the perfect comfort meal and, as a bonus, you can dip your fries in the gravy," said McFarland. On the other hand, soup may be one of the worst dishes to order at a diner. It may not be homemade. Shutterstock/Ezume Images Although diners may have a reputation for cooking from scratch, Blaure told Insider that it's actually rare to find a diner with cooks who prepare their own soup. "Unless soup is one of their specialties, most diners just use the canned stuff. Soups and chili take too much time and effort for diners to make a new batch every day, so they usually don't bother," said Blaure. If you're determined to order soup, Blaure recommended pairing it with a grilled-cheese sandwich, which she said is usually pretty tasty at diners. Pasta with red sauce is usually a pretty poor value at diners. The sauce may not be homemade. Shutterstock Just like soup and chili, a good tomato sauce takes a fair amount of preparation. But Blaure told Insider that the fast-paced nature of a diner kitchen may mean the sauce on your pasta isn't homemade. "If you order a plate of spaghetti or a bowl of ziti, be prepared for it to come dressed in store-bought sauce. There's not necessarily anything wrong with that, but you can get a better meal for your money by ordering something else," said Blaure. Salads are usually not a diner's forte. You may be better off making a salad at home. Shutterstock If you find yourself searching for a relatively light meal at a diner, you may be tempted to order a salad. However, Liberato told Insider that you're usually better off skipping a diner's greens. "One thing I would stay away from is a diner salad. They're usually precut with some mass-produced dressing that's not made in house," said Liberato, who added that sometimes the lettuce may not be that fresh. Seafood at a diner may not be the freshest. You might want to go to a seafood-dedicated eatery instead. Shutterstock Unlike more upscale restaurants, smaller diners may not be sourcing freshly-caught fish each morning for their dishes. And so, Liberato cautioned customers against ordering seafood at diners. "Seafood at a diner is a bad idea. It's unlikely to be fresh-caught and a lot of diner seafood is probably deep-fried to cover up how terrible the quality really is," said Liberato. Though properly frozen and prepared seafood is generally safe to consume, you may get more flavor for your money at a diner by sticking with turf rather than surf. Read More: Read the original article on Insider Cupkin, a manufacturer of double-walled stainless steel cups, announced the recall of two of its products after testing showed unsafe levels of lead could become ingested when the cup was damaged, the company announced. The 8 ounce and 12 ounce versions of the CUPKIN Double-Walled Stainless Steel Childrens Cups should not be used effective immediately, the company said in a July 20 release. After recently receiving feedback from consumer advocates and additional follow-up testing, we discovered that the double walled vacuum 8oz and 12oz cups may pose an unacceptable exposure to lead if the cup bottoms are mistreated, the company said in the release. The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the cups included in the recall were improperly manufactured, according to a July 20 release. The company said it had the cups tested by multiple CPSC-accredited labs and found no indication of lead in its cups, but explained that when the bottom of the cup becomes damaged, there can be lead exposure on the outer layer of the cup. Liquids in the cup are not exposed to lead due to the double walled construction of our cups, the company said. The cups, which are primarily sold on Amazon, have since been removed from the site. The company first garnered attention by mom groups when a business owner and content creator, Lead Safe Mama, tested the Cupkin childrens cups for lead in January. Lead Safe Mama found there were unsafe and illegal levels of lead on the sealing dot on the outside bottom of the cup when the coating started to become worn or damaged, she wrote in a blog post. The companys owner, Max, responded to the accusations with a video, in which he says the dimple on the bottom of the cup is an open hole that is filled with melted glass and covered with the grit coating, allowing a vacuum to be created between the two layers of stainless steel. The overseas manufacturer of the cups confirmed to the owner that the glass beads were lead free, he says in the video, before the company had the cups tested in the United States. Story continues It is that glass seal, the company said, that tested positive for lead, according to the release. Learning that our manufacturing partner and not 1, but 2 CPSC-accredited labs let us down is a heavy set back both financially and emotionally, the company said in the release. All cups purchased either on Amazon or from the companys website from January 2018 to March 2023 are eligible for a refund through the company. Refunds will not be offered from Amazon. We are going to be as transparent and proactive as possible to resolve this ASAP, the company said in the release. We will take this opportunity to completely redesign our cups to make them even better. Cups may have been purchased in 12 different color combinations, including blue and green, pink and purple, blue and gray, peach and teal, black and white, coral and yellow, green and pink, polignac and potpourri, brown and peach, rust and salmon, aqua and periwinkle and cobalt and mint, according to the CPSC. Lead poisoning and long-term exposure can cause damage to a childs brain and nervous system leading to learning, behavioral and speech problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 13,600 washer and dryer combination units got recalled. Some had started fires These cookies or breakfast sandwiches are recalled from Walmart stores, other spots Over 1 million Bose bass modules recalled after some ignited, melted or caught on fire Why the corn dogs got recalled. Customers said they looked, smelled and tasted funny TikToker Nina Galy went viral when she accused China Airlines of botching her trip to Bali on July 6. She said her cat was locked in a cage for 38 hours before being sent back to the US. China Airlines responded, offering Galy one premium-economy ticket as compensation. China Airlines has responded to a woman who said they locked her cat in its cage for 38 hours before sending them both back to the US, leaving her thousands of dollars out of pocket. But she says she was unhappy with what they offered as compensation, a premium-economy ticket from the US to a destination of her choice. Nina Galy, an influencer with over 400,000 followers on TikTok, hoped to bring her cat with her when she moved to Bali, Indonesia, in early July. She thought she had all the documentation in place to bring her pet, Baby Cat, from LAX to Bali via Taipei, the capital of Taiwan. In a previous interview, she told Insider she spend nearly $1,500 on consultations, blood tests, vaccinations, and other protocols. But when she arrived in Taiwan for her layover flight, she was told Baby Cat could not enter Indonesia. Her only option, she was told, was for them both to fly back to the US. Distraught, Galy asked if she could be with her cat, who by that point had already been locked up for the 13 hour flight, but was told it wasn't possible. "They said they covered her cage with a blanket, so she's trapped in the dark, for what would be 25 hours, before boarding the return flight," Galy said, adding that the staff at the airport lacked "empathy" for her situation. Galy shared the ordeal on the platform on July 6, amassing some 17 million views. "I have traumatized my cat, I have sedated her, I have starved her, she has been in a cage for almost 15 hours now with no food and nowhere to relieve herself," she said in her video. (China airlines didn't respond to Galy or Insider at the time, but in the later email said that somebody did feed Baby Cat during the ordeal.) Story continues Galy and her cat were reunited the next day when they landed in the US. She updated her TikTok followers saying her cat was fine, though she "smells terrible," and had clearly been sick in her cage. Galy told Insider she was considering suing the airline. Then she received a text message from a China Airlines customer service manager on July 17. Not wanting to speak over text, Galy emailed the representative, who responded with an offer of compensation. Galy sent Insider the email for verification, which appeared to come from a legitimate China Airlines address. "For clarification while you were waiting in Taipei, China Airlines ground staff did feed your baby cat and make sure baby cat was taken care of on July 6, 2023," the email reads. "For your inconvenience, we are able to provide a round-trip premium economy class ticket from USA CI gateway cities to any destination operated by China Airlines." Galy told Insider "I was literally sick to my stomach after reading the email." "They basically doubled down and clearly really don't care," she said, adding that they "didn't even bother to do any research" because she had stated several times she had moved away from the US, so a free ticket from there wouldn't do her much good. Galy also updated her TikTok followers about the situation, reiterating that she was seeking legal advice, and doubting the manager's claim that Baby Cat was "taken care of," considering the state she was in when they were reunited. "They didn't even offer a REFUND or any compensation after I was forced to spend OVER $5000 on this fiasco," Galy wrote in the caption. "Texting me was WILD, but offering one premium economy ticket after both me and my animal companion were traumatized and shown NO empathy is unacceptable." She said both she and Baby Cat had gotten sick after the ordeal "and it took me over a week to recover physically and mentally." "I am not accepting this," she said. A representative for China Airlines said in an email to Insider that an internal investigation found that the LAX ground stuff were wrong to accept Baby Cat onto the flight. It said staff "immediately explained the situation" to Galy, and "ensured that the cat was well-fed and in good health." @ninadoesthemost First off, I MOVED to Bali. I dont even live in LA anymore to accept an LAX flight if I wanted to. Also, I wouldnt be caught in a casket on China Airlines again. Third, they didnt even offer a REFUND or any compensation after I was forced to spend OVER $5000 on this fiasco. Texting me was WILD, but offering one premium economy ticket after both me and my animal companion were traumatized and shown NO empathy is unacceptable. Just as they said they didnt accept my opinion I am not accepting this. I left the airport with a fever, baby cat got sick, and it took me over a week to recover physically and mentally. original sound - Ninadoesthemost This article was updated on July 24 to include a response from China Airlines. Read the original article on Insider [Source] Speculations are mounting over the mysterious disappearance of Chinas foreign minister as Beijing continues to remain tight-lipped on the matter. Whats going on: Chinas Minister of Foreign Affairs Qin Gang, 57, has not been seen in public since June 25. On that day, he reportedly met senior diplomats from Russia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. Qin has since missed major events, including an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting of foreign ministers in Jakarta. Last week, he was scheduled to meet the European Unions foreign policy chief, but Beijing canceled the meeting just days before. What China is saying: So far, China has offered only one explanation for Qins prolonged absence. Ahead of the ASEAN meeting last week, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters that Qin would not make it due to health reasons. More from NextShark: K-pop Weekly: SM terminates contract with co-founder, BLACKPINKs Jennie gifted custom Porsche and the 2022 AMAs reveal nominated K-pop acts While China is not part of the ASEAN, its foreign minister traditionally joins the annual meeting to represent Beijing on matters related to the region this time, primarily its activities in the disputed South China Sea. Wang Yi, Qins predecessor and current head of the Communist Partys Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, attended the two-day meeting instead. Alleged extramarital affair: As Qins whereabouts remain unknown, rumors continue to swirl on the internet; among them is an allegation that Qin was having an affair with a prominent Hong Kong TV presenter. When asked by a reporter about the rumor, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday: Im unaware of what you said. The big picture: Sudden disappearances of Chinese officials, celebrities and businesspeople are relatively common in China. Typically, it is later reported that such individuals had been under investigation for a controversy or crime. Story continues More from NextShark: Fla. Governor Ron DeSantis says he wants to stop 'huge problem' of Chinese investors purchasing US real estate China, for its part, has typically sworn by secrecy in these situations. But at a time when diplomatic efforts are intensified, staying silent does not exactly paint a good picture of Beijing. [This episode] is embarrassing and unsettling to Chinese diplomats because of the uncertainty it injects in a system that is tightly controlled, Daniel R. Russel, a former senior U.S. diplomat now at the Asia Society Policy Institute, told The New York Times. For foreign diplomats it raises even more questions about the bureaucratic weight of Chinas foreign ministry. More from NextShark: BTS is back: K-pop superstar septet play first in-person show in South Korea since 2019 Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark! Temporarily Closed Restaurant in New Mexico Receives Negative Reviews for Blame China! Sign WASHINGTON China-linked hackers accessed the email account of the U.S ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, as part of a recent targeted intelligence-gathering campaign, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter confirmed. The hackers also breached the email account of Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia, the officials said. Kritenbrink recently traveled to China with Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The breach, first reported Thursday by The Wall Street Journal, was limited to the diplomats' unclassified email accounts, the officials said. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel J. Kritenbrink testifies during a House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party hearing on the Biden Administration's China strategy, at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, July 20, 2023. (Graeme Sloan / Sipa USA via AP file) Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondos email account was also accessed, the officials said. The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday night. Blinken went to China for a two-day trip last month to cool tensions between Beijing and Washington. He also met with Chinese diplomat Wang Yi at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Foreign Ministers Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, this month. The meeting was designed in part to "responsibly manage competition by reducing the risk of misperception and miscalculation," a spokesman for the State Department said at the time. More details about the breach were not immediately available. Last week, officials confirmed that hackers based in China broke into email accounts of the State and Commerce departments, but they did not say how many people were affected. The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said that it learned of the hacking campaign in mid-June and that the campaign lasted around a month. After State and Commerce department officials said the accounts of people in their agencies were breached, Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged U.S. officials to provide more details. The U.S. side should give an account of its cyberattacks as soon as possible, rather than spreading false information to divert attention, he said at a briefing July 13, according to the state-owned China News Service. Story continues Blinken declined to say at a briefing last week in Indonesia how the U.S. would respond, but he said steps were immediately taken to protect its systems. I cant discuss details of our response beyond that, and most critically this incident remains under investigation, Blinken said. As a general matter, we have consistently made clear to China as well as to other countries that any action that targets the U.S. Government or U.S. companies, American citizens, is of deep concern to us, and we will take appropriate action in response, he said, according to a transcript of his remarks. In April, FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress that the scale of the Chinese cyber threat is unparalleled. Theyve got a bigger hacking program than every other major nation combined and have stolen more of our personal and corporate data than all other nations big or small combined, he said at the time. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com US Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns listens to a speaker during a roundtable meeting with members of the American business community in Beijing (EPA) China-based hackers reportedly accessed US ambassador Nicholas Burns's email account in a sophisticated espionage operation that is believed to have compromised thousands of American government emails. The hackers were also able to access the email account of Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The Joe Biden administration last week admitted the email account of the commerce secretary Gina Raimondo had also been compromised. However, the State Department has refused to share additional information, citing "security reasons". The alleged Chinese hackers have since May secretly accessed email accounts at around 25 organisations, including US government agencies, Microsoft and US officials have said. Mr Kritenbrink was previously asked at a congressional hearing on US-China policy whether he could rule out that his or his staff's emails were targeted in the hack. He then said he couldn't comment on "an investigation that's underway being conducted by the FBI" but "will not rule it out". The Chinese government has repeatedly denied any form of state-sponsored hacking, alleging that Beijing itself was a frequent target of cyberattacks. "China firmly opposes and combats cyber attacks and cyber theft in all forms. This position is consistent and clear," Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington, told Reuters. "Identifying the source of cyber attacks is a complex technical issue. We hope that relevant sides will adopt a professional and responsible attitude ... rather than make groundless speculations and allegations." Microsoft claimed that Chinese hackers, which it identified as Storm-0558, misappropriated one of its digital keys and used a flaw in its code to steal emails of US government officials and other clients. The company in a statement on Thursday said it was taking the criticism on board. Story continues The White House last week said an intrusion in Microsoft's cloud security "affected unclassified systems," without elaborating. "Officials immediately contacted Microsoft to find the source and vulnerability in their cloud service," National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said. The hacking row was reportedly raised by secretary of state Antony Blinken during a meeting with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi last week. I cant discuss details of our response. Beyond that, and most critically, this incident remains under investigation, Mr Blinken said at a news conference in Jakarta. Last month, Google-owned cybersecurity firm Mandiant said suspected state-backed Chinese hackers broke into the networks of hundreds of public and private sector organizations globally by using a security hole in a popular email security tool. The attack exploited a vulnerability in a Barracuda Networks email system and targeted foreign ministries in Southeast Asia, other government agencies, trade offices and academic organizations in Taiwan and Hong Kong, according to Mandiant. Chinas ambassador to the U.S. suggested Thursday that those in Washington who support closer ties with Beijing are hiding in the darkness because American political correctness makes them reluctant to come forward. Xie Feng, who took up his post as ambassador in late May amid heightened tensions between the two superpowers, said at the Aspen Security Forum that he has found the political correctness of American society to be a little bit surprising. I think there are still a large number of supporters for this relationship, but they seem to be under pressure, Xie said. They seem to be reticent under the recent chilling effect, and they tend to restrain from making their views out under the so-called anti-China chorus. There are some hiding in the darkness, afraid of being crushed. So one of my jobs here, I think, is to seek them out, he added. I am one, but we are many. So I hope that all of you will join hands with me to seek them out and to contribute together to this relationship. Xie also warned at the national security conference that while Beijing does not want a trade war with the U.S., it would retaliate if Washington were to issue more restrictions on technology and trade. China does not shy away from competition, but the definition of competition by the U.S. side I think is not fair, Xie said. The United States is trying to win by keeping China out. Definitely its not our hope to have a tit for tat, he added. We dont want a trade war, technological war. We want to say goodbye to the Iron Curtain, as well as the Silicon Curtain. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Thursday his agency has national security concerns about Chinese autonomous vehicle companies in the American market after some lawmakers called for restrictions on their operations. "Whether we are talking about hardware or software, in the same way there are concerns around telecom or TikTok, there are concerns around transportation technologies," Buttigieg said in an interview with Reuters. Buttigieg said the United States needs to better understand "the true ownership of the different enterprises that are supplying different elements of our transportation systems." In a July 17 letter to Buttigieg and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, a bipartisan group of four lawmakers asked for an investigation into the prevalence of Chinese AV technology in the United States and how it can be restricted. "Technology used by AVs, LiDAR, RADAR, cameras, AI and other advanced sensors and semiconductors can all be used to collect data on the American people and infrastructure that could be shared back to China and ultimately to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)," the lawmakers wrote. The lawmakers were particularly concerned about AV vehicle and equipment testing in the United States. Their letter cites data from California regulators showing seven Chinese firms, including Baidu's Apollo and robotaxi startup Pony.ai, tested autonomous vehicles in the most-populous U.S. state last year. The autonomous vehicle industry in the U.S. has been late delivering on promises of commercializing cars that drive themselves. Many AV companies have cut costs and jobs with some such as Ford and Volkswagen -backed Argo AI shutting shop. Major players still pursuing development include General Motors' Cruise unit, Alphabet's Waymo and Amazon's Zoox. (Reporting by Chris Sanders and Abhirup Roy; Editing by Will Dunham and Cynthia Osterman) Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese citizen was injured on Thursday in the shooting in New Zealand's largest city of Auckland, state media said citing the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland. The person is currently in stable condition, the media report said on Friday. (Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Writing by Liz Lee; Editing by Himani Sarkar) WASHINGTON Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has positioned himself as the GOP candidate ready to take on the education culture war through one particular avenue: riding it out in the middle. In recent months, there have been clashes between parents and state governments over how much oversight each party should have in a childs education ranging from book bans to instruction over gender identity and other hot-button issues. During an interview with USA TODAY, Christie said that while 2024 GOP rival Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy approach the issue from two totally different perspectives, they both "believe government is the answer." The former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is running for president again. The GOP candidate shared his view on abortion, Hunter Biden, and beating Trump. Last month, Murphy's administration sued three school districts in New Jersey for adopting policies to notify parents when a child shows signs of changing gender identity, according to Politico. An attorney for one of the school boards argued that keeping parents in the dark about such matters violates the U.S. Supreme Court case law that parents have the right to control how they raise their children. "I certainly am disgusted by what's going on in my own state," Christie said. On the other hand, DeSantis' legal feud with Disney which began after the state sued the governor for allegedly taking away its ability to self-govern is another end of the spectrum that Christie suggests is too extreme. I always thought that's what liberals didthat's what I was taught that liberals thought If you disagree, I can use the government to punish you and change your mind, Christie said. Now, all of a sudden, that's what conservatives or people who call themselves conservatives are doing. Christie said that he doesnt know when we got to the point where we thought that government was a better parent than parents. I think both sides suffer from this malady that somehow a governor understands better what should be available to a child than their own mother or father, Christie said. So, you know, my view on this is that when it goes beyond that, and in some instances it has, that's a problem. And it's wrong." Story continues But beyond that, Christie said he believes the core of the issue is the question of both who should be in charge of the education and who should have the knowledge. "I think that's the core of the issue," Christie said. "And I think we need to resolve that issue. And my view would be that we need to resolve in favor of parents." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chris Christie 'disgusted' by culture war, blasts DeSantis, Murphy Republican presidential candidate and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie criticized politicians on both sides of the aisle for subscribing to the belief that government is the answer amid the hotly contested debate over what role parents should play in their childrens education. I think both sides suffer from this malady that somehow a governor understands better what should be available to a child than their own mother or father, Christie said in an interview with USA Today. So, you know, my view on this is that when it goes beyond that, and in some instances it has, thats a problem, he added. While Christie said he was disgusted with his Democratic successors administration for suing school boards in New Jersey over policies to notify parents when a child shows signs of changing gender identity, he suggested that there are parallels between the policies of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). DeSantis, who is also running for the Republican nomination, has been a leading figure in the GOPs parental rights push, signing laws restricting discussions of gender identity, sexual orientation and race in Florida classrooms. Even though Murphy and DeSantis have two totally different perspectives on education, Christie said the two were similar in that they both believe government is the answer. I always thought thats what liberals did thats what I was taught that liberals thought. If you disagree, I can use the government to punish you and change your mind, Christie told USA Today. Now, all of a sudden, thats what conservatives or people who call themselves conservatives are doing. Christie has previously criticized DeSantis for going after Disney over the companys opposition to his so-called Dont Say Gay law, suggesting that the Florida governors efforts to punish a business are unconservative. I dont think Ron DeSantis is a conservative based on his actions towards Disney, Christie said in April. Where are we headed here now, that if you express disagreement in this country, the government is allowed to punish you? To me, thats what I always thought liberals did, he added at the time. And now all of a sudden here we are participating in this with a Republican governor. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Misha Japaridze/Reuters Payback could still be on the way for Yevgeny Prigozhin after he led his Wagner mercenaries in an armed rebellion against Russias military commanders, CIA Director William Burns said Thursday. Almost a month has passed since Prigozhins mutiny, which Burns described as the most direct assault on the Russian state in Vladimir Putins 23 years in power. Although the mercenary boss has so far apparently escaped the grim fate that has been meted out to others who dared to challenge Putins authority, Burns says Putin could just be biding his time before exacting revenge. Wagner Bosses Vow New Beginning in Belarus: Welcome to Hell I think in many ways, it exposed some of the significant weaknesses in the system that Putin has built, Burns said of the Wagner mutiny at the Aspen Security Forum. He added that he found it remarkable that despite the uprising, Putin felt compelled to do a deal with his former caterer, referring to Prigozhin, the warlord dubbed Putins Chef. But even though a deal was agreed to end the crisis, the CIA chief said he believes Putin may just be waiting to mount an attempt to separate Prigozhin from Wagner. The mercenary force, Burns said, has been valuable to Putin throughout his invasion of Ukraine and remains useful to him in Syria and Libya. Burns also commented on a quote from President Joe Biden in which he said, if he were Prigozhin, Id be careful what I ate, joking that he could be poisoned by Putin. What were seeing is a very complicated dance between Prigozhin and Putin, Burns said. I think Putin is someone who generally thinks that revenge is a dish best served cold, so hes gonna try to settle the situation to the extent he can. But again in my experience, Putin is the ultimate apostle of payback, Burns continued. So I would be surprised if Prigozhin escapes further retribution for this, so in that sense the presidents right. If I were Prigozhin, I wouldnt fire my food taster. Story continues The CIA boss also commented on Prigozhins movements in the wake of the mutiny after a video emerged purporting to show him in Belarus. Hes moved around a bit, Burns said. Hes been in Minsk lately. Im not sure he has any plans to retire in the suburbs of Minsk. But hes spent time in Russia as well. Burns confirmed suspicions that his intelligence agency knew things ahead of time relating to the mutiny but refused to go into specifics about what information the CIA had obtained. He further talked up the success of a CIA recruitment video widely circulated on Telegram that called for the Russians disillusioned with the Kremlin to talk to American intelligence. We had two-and-a-half million views of that Telegram video in the first week it was on, Burns said. The truth is, theres a lot of disaffection in Russia in the elite, and outside it, in Russia right now. Were not wasting the opportunity as an intelligence service to try to take advantage of it. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. (Bloomberg) -- US Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns said Thursday that he remains optimistic Ukraine will be able to make advances its counteroffensive against Russia, based on the intelligence he has reviewed. Most Read from Bloomberg Russia suffers from some significant structural weaknesses behind the considerable defenses it has built up, Burns said at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. Those weaknesses include poor morale, poor generalship and disarray among its political and military leadership. It is going to be a tough slog, but were going to do everything we can as an intelligence agency to provide the kind of intelligence support and sharing thats going to help the Ukrainians to make progress, Burns said. Burns said that mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhins mutiny in June had exposed some of the significant weaknesses in the system that Putin has built. For a lot of Russians watching this used to this image of Putin as the arbiter of order, the question was does the emperor have no clothes or at least why does it take so long for him to get dressed, Burns said. Burns comments echoed remarks earlier this week by Sir Richard Moore, the head of Britains Secret Intelligence Service, known at MI6. Moore said that Putins government was beset by venality, infighting and callous incompetence and that the aftermath of Prigozhins mutiny had been humiliating to Putin. Putin will likely try to avoid giving the impression that he is overreacting to the mutiny, while trying to extract what he can of value from Prigozhins Wagner network, Burns said. Still, Burns said Prigozhin is likely to see retribution from Putin at some point. Story continues Putin is the ultimate apostle of payback, Burns said. If I were Prigozhin, I wouldnt fire my food taster. Burns said the mutiny presented a once-in-a-generation opportunity for CIA recruitment in Russia. The agency recently made its first video post on Telegram, the social media and messaging site developed and widely used in Russia, to let Russians know how to contact it on the dark web. Burns said the video was viewed 2.5 million times in the week after it was posted. Burns, a diplomat before becoming the CIA chief, has emerged as a key back-channel for the Biden administrations thorny relationships with Russia and China. He went to Moscow before Russias invasion of Ukraine in an attempt to talk Putins government out of attacking and, more recently, traveled to Beijing in a bid to keep intelligence channels with China open. Burns said that CIA has made progress in rebuilding its intelligence network in China after setbacks in the country. Weve made progress and were working very hard over recent years to ensure that we have a strong human intelligence capability to complement what we can do through other methods, Burns said. CIA launched a China Mission Center in 2021 to hone the agencys focus on an increasingly adversarial Chinese government. Burns added that Chinese President Xi Jinping and his military leadership likely have doubts about whether they could pull off a successful full-scale invasion of Taiwan at an acceptable cost to them, Burns said. Putins experience in Ukraine has probably reinforced some of those doubts, he said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. William Burns, Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency, has said he remains optimistic about the prospects for the Ukrainian counteroffensive. Source: Bloomberg, citing Burns at a security forum in Aspen Details: Bloomberg reported that Burns has made optimistic assessments about Ukraine's counteroffensive based on intelligence information he had checked. The CIA Director said Russia suffers from significant "structural weaknesses", including low morale, poor command and "disarray" among the leadership both political and military, he stressed. "It is going to be a tough slog, but were going to do everything we can as an intelligence agency to provide the kind of intelligence support and sharing thats going to help the Ukrainians to make progress," Burns said. Background: Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told Mark Milley, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, about the counteroffensive and certain successes of Ukraines defenders in a phone call on 20 July. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The state of Alabama will likely face another legal challenge from civil rights groups after the states Republican lawmakers approved another congressional map that, once again, likely discriminates against Black voters and significantly dilutes their voting power. Last month, in a landmark decision 19 months in the making, the US Supreme Court sided with a lower court ordering the state legislature to go back to the drawing board and rewrite the states congressional districts, finding that the current map violates the Voting Rights Act. That map packed most of the states Black residents, who make up more than a quarter of the states population, into one single congressional district out of seven. On 21 July, facing a court-imposed deadline to come up with a second map that adds at least one majority-Black district, Alabama Republicans maintained the status quo, with a map that has only one district in which Black voters in the state, most of whom vote Democratic, have a chance of electing a candidate of their choice. The plan has one district currently represented by Democratic US Rep Terry Sewell with a Black voting age population share of slightly more than 50.6 per cent. The Black voting age population in the other proposed district is 39.9 per cent. The rest of the states Black voters are cracked across other districts, significantly diluting their voting power. Civil rights groups and the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case of Allen v Milligan condemned the new map, saying that Alabama lawmakers believe they are above the law. Plaintiffs in the US Supreme Court case of Allen v Milligan have urged Alabama lawmakers to adhere to the courts decision and create a second Black-majority congressional district in the state. (Getty Images for Committee for H) What we are dealing with is a group of lawmakers who are blatantly disregarding not just the Voting Rights Act, but a decision from the US Supreme Court and a court order from the three-judge district court, they said in a statement. Even worse, they continue to ignore constituents pleas to ensure the map is fair and instead remain determined to rob Black voters of the representation we deserve. We wont let that happen, they added. Story continues During debate this week, Democratic state Rep Juandalynn Givan of Birmingham was shocked that Republican lawmakers would blatantly flip off the Supreme Court by rejecting an order for a new map. Here is the final plan that is going before both the House and Senate. This will also be Alabamas submission to the District Court as the remedial plan for the States VRA violation. #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/ICy1kJGu96 Chris England (@RepEngland70) July 21, 2023 Revisions to the map and a Supreme Court ruling that could spell changes to other racially fragmented congressional maps in other states appear to have sparked Republican members of Congress into action as the GOP maintains a thin and fractured majority in the House. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville and other members of Alabamas Republican congressional delegation have talked with state lawmakers about the map plans, according to Republican state House Speaker Nathan Ledbetter, NBC News reported. Mr McCarthy is concerned about maintaining his House majority, Mr Ledbetter told NBC News. The plaintiffs represented by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union, among others are likely to ignite another legal challenge, if the map advances into law. If the new map is enacted, plaintiffs have until 28 July to file any objections in court. Stuart Naifeh, a member of the Legal Defense Funds litigation team in the Milligan case, told The Independent that Alabama lawmakers were engaged in a pointless exercise that has ignored the courts and smacks of racial gerrymandering. Alabamas Democratic US Rep Terri Sewell represents the sole majority-Black district in the state, despite Black residents, most of whom vote Democratic, making up more than a quarter of the states population. (REUTERS) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was drafted to prevent that kind of race-based dilution of Black voters, particularly in Alabama, a state with a long history of racist violence and discrimination. At the Supreme Court, attorneys for Alabama argued the opposite that considering race to redraw political boundaries would mark an unconstitutional consideration of racial targets and race-based sorting in violation of the 14th Amendments equal protection clause. The justices rejected that argument. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act prohibits voting laws and election policies from discriminating on the basis of race. The states suggestion that race should play no role whatsoever to determine whether redistricting plans violate Section 2 would rewrite the law and overturn decades of settled precedent, according to the maps challengers. As the U.S.-Mexico border region baked in a heat wave, Associated Press photographer Gregory Bull took to the streets of cities there. Bull photographed a homeless man talking with Maribel Padilla of the Brown Bag Coalition after receiving a wet towel in Calexico, Calif. Once temperatures hit 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 Celsius), Padilla's nonprofit provides cool towels and refreshments to unhoused people. In India, rescuers found five more bodies Friday in western Maharashtra state, raising the death toll from a landslide triggered by torrential rains to at least 21 with many others feared trapped under the debris. And in Switzerland, authorities closed airspace in a sliver of the country after recreational hang gliders hampered efforts to fight a persistent wildfire. Heres whats happening related to extreme weather and the climate right now: In the United States, coral reefs around the Florida Keys are losing their color early this summer because of record-high water temperatures, and federal scientists are already seeing some bleaching, report Terry Spencer and Patrick Whittle. With global warming, scientists are warning that disease-carrying mosquitos are on the move around the world, Mary Katherine Wildeman reports in an AP collaboration with Grist. In the United States and India, there are efforts to install solar panels over canals to produce clean energy and reduce evaporation of precious water, report Brittany Peterson and Sibi Arasu. As temperatures sizzle around the world, people seek sometimes creative ways to get relief from the heat. AP photo gallery. QUOTABLE: The corals are pale, it looks like the colors draining out. And some individuals are stark white. And we still have more to come. researcher Katey Lesneski, who has observed some Florida Keys coral reefs losing their color weeks earlier than normal this summer from record high water temperatures. ___ Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. A climber died in a 40- to 50-foot fall from a jagged mountain peak while visiting Grand Teton National Park from Idaho, park officials said. Braydan Duree of Kuna, Idaho, was visiting the popular Wyoming park on July 20, the National Park Service said in a July 21 news release. He was taking the Owen Spalding route of the Grand Teton with two other climbers when he fell at the Owen Chimney pitch, rangers said. His injuries were significant and he died at the park, rangers said. Rescuers recovered his body by helicopter, and the two other climbers were also taken from the mountain. Grand Teton National Park employees extend their condolences to Braydan Durees family and friends, park officials said in the release. About 3 million visitors travel to the park each year. Climber dies after 300-foot fall from mountain into rocky ravine, Oregon cops say Climber struck by falling rocks dies as rescuers race to reach him, Wyoming cops say Unprepared climbers spend night in frigid Rocky Mountain National Park before rescue Two Florida homeowners were treated to a scene straight out of a nature documentary in their own back yard: An alligator sneak-attacking a snake. Sean OMalley recently sent Fox 35 Orlando the dramatic cellphone footage shot by his wife Kim on May 1 at their home in Nocatee, about 20 miles south of Jacksonville. OMalley also posted the roughly two-minute clip on his Facebook page to freak out his friends. Little gator vs. big snake. Who did I root for? joked the caption. The OMalleys video starts with a gator swimming slowly swimming across a pond, eyeing the snake in the grass. Silently, it continues a beeline toward land in the still, murky water as birds chirp and a breeze blows in the phones microphone. Suddenly, at around the 40-second mark, the beast makes its move, snatching the sizeable snake in its jaws and shaking it as it unsuccessfully attempts to escape. The gator then drags its meal into the water, where it proceeds to put it in a death roll, the spinning maneuver used to subdue and ultimately dismember and consume its prey. The snake is not seen again. All you hear as the video ends is the gator munching away. The OMalleys friends were duly awed by the sight. Crikey! wrote one, using late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwins signature phrase. That looks like a clip from Wild Kingdom! pitched in another. Watch your step! So who won? asked someone else. Amazing video. The gator. Snake didnt stand a chance, replied OMalley, who told the Miami Herald on Friday that they have no plans to call a trapper to capture the gator. They were here first, OMalley said, adding that theyve seen others as well. We are surrounded by wetlands. There are usually a couple around. A problem with the clutch of an MV-22 Osprey aircraft caused the June 2022 crash that killed five Marines, a Marine Corps investigation found. The hard clutch engagement problem with Ospreys prompted the V-22 joint program office in February to ground an undisclosed number of the tiltrotor aircraft across the services and the office said in a statement Friday that it has eliminated the risk of a hard clutch engagement by 99%. In hard clutch engagements, the clutch momentarily slips from its position connecting the engine to one propellers rotor gearbox and then reengages, often severely damaging key components of the dual-engine aircraft and causing it to lurch, according to the Marine Corps investigation into the incident, released Friday. The Marine Corps had not previously specified the cause of the June 8, 2022, Osprey mishap that killed Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio, 31; Capt. John J. Sax, 33; Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson, 21; Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson, 21; and Lance Cpl. Evan A. Strickland, 19. Read about the 5 Marines killed in California Osprey crash The command investigation, conducted by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, found that there was nothing these Marines or the Marine maintenance team could have done to prevent the aircraft from crashing in eastern Southern California, near El Centro. A catastrophic, unpreventable and unanticipated mechanical failure occurred, the joint program office said in the statement Friday. No one directly witnessed the crash, and the post-crash fire was so severe that the crash-survivable data recorder wasnt recoverable, according to the command investigation. But the investigators, themselves experienced Osprey pilots, relied on other sources of information that included an analysis of the flight path, a survey of the crash site and statements from Marines who witnessed the aftermath. The investigation found that the five crew members were skilled at their jobs, had no major physical ailments and werent facing major life stressors. Story continues The aircraft launched at 8:40 a.m., according to the investigation. In the publicly released version of the investigation, the description of the moments right before and during the crash are redacted, but the investigation notes that the crash occurred at 12:14 p.m. Because of a hard clutch engagement on both sides of the Osprey, the single engine and interconnect drive system which synchronizes the proprotors and transfers power to a rotor in case the engine on its side fails itself failed, according to the investigation. The right-hand proprotor lost all thrust, leading to a thrust asymmetry that meant the aircraft couldnt continue to fly in a controlled manner. The Osprey crashed, killing the five Marines aboard. Marines flying another Osprey as part of the same training flight soon saw smoke, according to the investigation. When they flew by the crash site minutes later, they came to the conclusion there were no survivors. A sergeant in that other Osprey told investigators that his or her crew couldnt land near the crash site in part because their right engine air particle separator, which is supposed to protect the engine from particulates like sand during landings, had failed. There was a high potential we would lose the engine on an attempted landing, the sergeant said in the statement to investigators, which was included in the enclosures to the investigation. When asked about the prevalence of engine air particle separator failures, the joint program office didnt give any specifics, saying only that it continually evaluates the part and was working on improvements to it. First responders showed up at 1:45 p.m., delayed by the remote location of the wreckage and the lack of roads leading to it, according to the investigation. The five deaths came months after another high-profile tragedy involving the MV-22 Osprey. In March 2022, an Osprey crashed in Norway, killing four Marines. The Marine Corps would later say the mishap was caused by pilot error. A slide deck prepared by the Marine Corps safety division on July 6, a month after the tragedy in California, expressed confidence in the safety of the aircraft. The Osprey has average mishap rates lower than the AV-8 Harrier, the F/A-18 Hornet and the F-35B Lighting II, the slide deck stressed. No mishap is ever acceptable, the slide deck reads. That said, the gravity of these two mishaps is highlighted by the many hundreds of thousands of hours that our Ospreys have operated safely in every clime and place throughout the globe. Before the June 2022 mishap in California, no one had died from a hard clutch engagement in an American V-22, according to the command investigation. The first public rumblings of trouble with the Ospreys clutch came in August 2022, when Air Force Special Operations Command temporarily grounded its 52 Ospreys because of two hard clutch engagements in six weeks. In February, the joint program office did the same for a subset of Ospreys across the services, which had seen an increase in hard clutch engagements, according to the office. The office required replacements of the input quill assembly which contains the clutch and provides the mechanism for the engine to drive the gearboxes and rotors on Ospreys that had flown more than 800 hours, according to Marine spokesman Maj. Jim Stenger. Those replacements reduced the likelihood of a hard clutch engagement by 99%, according to a statement Friday by the Marine Corps. Although the root cause of hard clutch engagements is unknown, the problem has occurred in Ospreys in which the input quill assemblies have been flown more than 800 hours, according to the command investigation. In the Osprey that crashed in June 2022, the input quill assemblies on both sides had each accrued more than 2,000 flight hours, the investigation noted. The Marine Corps has worked with the manufacturer, Bell-Boeing, to design and field a new input quill assembly, improve the drivetrain, and put a flight data recorder that can withstand fire and heat into all MV-22 Ospreys, according to the services statement. The V-22 joint program office has taken other steps to reduce hard clutch engagements, including extensive assessments of risk, and updates to software and simulators, according to Stenger. All Marine commands that fly the Osprey will present the investigation to pilots and aircrew to raise awareness about hard clutch engagements, the Marine Corps statement added. We will never forget Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio, Capt. John J. Sax, Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson, Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson, and Lance Cpl. Evan A. Strickland, and their loved ones, as we continue with our quest to provide the safest, most lethal platforms to the men and women who fly them, the Marine Corps statement reads. State Parks will not have to ban off-roading at the Oceano Dunes after all at least for the foreseeable future. A San Luis Obispo County judge ruled Wednesday that the state Coastal Commission exceeded its authority when it ordered an end to off-roading at the dunes. The closure was supposed to take effect by 2024. Superior Court Judge Tana Coates also overturned the commissions decision to close Oceanos Pier Avenue entrance to the dunes, which would have left only the Grand Avenue entrance in Grover Beach open. At the same time, however, Judge Coates offered the Coastal Commission a way forward: Try to revise the countys local coastal plan a long-term planning document that lays out allowable land uses either by submitting proposed amendments to San Luis Obispo County or the California Legislature. Or, it could appeal the judges ruling. Commissioners will discuss next steps at their meeting on Aug. 9-10 in Oxnard. What would the county do? If the issue winds up in the countys lap, that would put the Board of Supervisors in a tough position. For years, both state and county officials have tried to balance competing interests by allowing some level of off-roading and camping at the park, by putting restrictions in place to protect the environment and the health of residents who live downwind and have been affected by particulate pollution from the dunes. But the issue came to a head in 2021, when the Coastal Commission found that harm to sensitive areas in the dunes was too great, and no amount of mitigation could prevent it. The off-roading community responded by filing multiple lawsuits. Members of the business community, especially in Oceano and Grover Beach, have lobbied to keep the dunes open, saying loss of off-road tourism would cripple the local economy. A recent economic study by Resonance Consultancy found that there were 3.4 million visits to the dunes in 2019 a year chosen because it preceded COVID shutdowns. and 2.2 million of those visits originated from outside the county. Story continues Spending by out-of-area visitors generated $511.2 million in 2019 $336.9 million in direct spending and $174.3 million in indirect sales. Those who support closure of the OHV area insist the beach could still attract tourists and revenue if it were allowed to evolve into a traditional beach town, like Pismo or Avila. So whats the best course of action? The Tribune Editorial Board has consistently supported limited off-roading at the dunes, as long as negative impacts are minimal. But thats looking more and more unrealistic. Off-roading is not sustainable given its damage to the sensitive dunes habitat and the negative impacts on residents in surrounding communities. A snowy plover is among the protected species at the Oceano Dunes. Jeff Miller/Center for Biological Diversity Plus, the effects are felt far beyond our immediate area. In a state thats trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, encouraging people to drive hundreds of miles to the Oceano Dunes for the sole purpose of engaging in recreational driving when they reach their faraway destination is, to put it plain terms, absolutely nuts. For that, we can blame a lack of planning. The state and its counties have not kept up with the demand for OHV recreation in all areas of the state. Is it any wonder, then, that so many people converge on Oceano, which is the only beach in California off-roading is allowed on sand dunes, and one of the few where cars can still drive on the beach? Oceano Dunes SRVA is the only California State Park where vehicles may be driven on the beach. David Middlecamp/dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com Other areas of California need to step up Some jurisdictions are beginning to wake up to the consequences. San Diego County, for instance, has been looking at the feasibility of building its first off-highway vehicle park to supplement existing state OHV trails. High demand combined with a limited number of legal OHV facilities that are located at a substantial distance from communities and incorporated cities has resulted in a growing amount of unauthorized OHV use on open space lands throughout the region, the county said in a public notice. This type of unauthorized use is of particular concern to the County given that our region is environmentally sensitive, possessing the highest amount of threatened and endangered species than any other county within the contiguous United States. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it wants to locate the park near population centers and install electric vehicle chargers. (Yes, there are electric OHVs.) Let the dunes recover At some point, Oceano may be able to support a scaled-down OHV riding area. But for now, we urge the Coastal Commission to move forward with its effort to end off-roading at the Oceano Dunes. Off-roaders can argue that they have a vested right to continue using the dunes as they have for decades. But heres the thing: Just because something has been done a certain way for many years does not make it right. Let the dunes recover. Give the community of Oceano the opportunity to grow other types of tourism. And let other parts of the state get serious about serving the off-road community. Newlyweds Alexander and Heather Ramirez Santos are all smiles when they enter their wedding reception. Their 2-year-old son wriggles out of a trusted family members arm and runs straight into his mothers arms. Go to mommy, not to me, huh? Alexander quips. Noahs only response is to squeal in the way happy toddlers do. What did you get into?, the father asks as the child hugs Heather. Everyone else attending the wedding laughs. For a moment, this wedding is like any other as the newly married couple embraces their child, except for the sign directly behind them that identifies the venue as the John B. Amos Cancer Inpatient Unit. Alexander, 25, received a terminal cancer diagnosis and wanted to marry Heather, 23, before he died. I need to get right with the Lord, and do things the right way, before I leave, he told the staff. Staff at the Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown Campus came together within a few days of learning about the couples wish to throw them a wedding in the hospital. Alexander Santos,left,watches his wife Heather lift up their two-year-old son Noah after they were married at Piedmont Columbus Regionals Midtown Campus Wednesday afternoon. Pastor Marlon Scott, standing right, officiated. 07/20/2023 A love story and a diagnosis Alexander and Heather met while attending Jordan High School in Columbus. She was born and raised in Muscogee County. Alexander moved to the city from Colorado seven years ago with his mother, stepdad and sister. The two became acquainted in school, where they found time to talk in the hallways and get to know one another. Although they grew close, Alexander and Heather didnt become official until after graduating high school. Both chose to live and work in Columbus. Alexander went to work for the cable company WOW, while Heather worked at OCharleys Restaurant & Bar. Noah was born on Thanksgiving in 2020. On November 23, 2022, the day before Thanksgiving, Alexander was officially diagnosed with a nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. He had testicular cancer. Heather was at work when Alexander called to warn her that the doctors suspected he might have cancer before the diagnosis was official. She collapsed into a coworkers arms. Story continues Alexander Santos, his wife Heather, and their two-year-old son Noah eat wedding cake after the couple was married at Piedmont Columbus Regionals Midtown Campus Wednesday afternoon. 07/20/2023 From that moment on, Alexander has been in and out of the hospital as he underwent chemotherapy treatments and had a stem cell transplant. He was unable to continue working because of the disease, and their finances became strained as Heather became a caregiver to Alexander while also taking care of Noah. The family started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $6,000 to help pay their bills. The treatments werent working. The cancer spread to his brain. Alexander and Heather wanted to marry because they are not sure if his life will last days, months or years longer. (We have) an unbreakable bond, he said. And I just couldnt live without her. A matter of days When Alexander and Heather realized they were unsure of what the outcome of his illness would be, they brought the idea of getting married in the hospital to one of Piedmonts patient experience representatives last Saturday. They wanted to know if it was at all possible, Alexander said, and werent thinking so much about the details. The couple spoke with a representative again on Monday when they decided to pursue getting married as soon as possible. The patient experience representative came to me and told me that he wanted to be right with God, said Ngozi Onukwue, the oncology clinical manager. Alexander Ramirez Santos, left, married his fiance Heather Renee Duke in his hospital room at Piedmont Columbus Regionals Midtown Campus Wednesday afternoon. Pastor Marlon Scott officiated the ceremony. 07/20/2023 After that conversation, everything became a whirlwind as the hospital staff began working together to make it happen. It was a group effort to make the arrangements. The staff collected donations, arranged to get a minister that could perform the ceremony and decorated the hallway and Alexanders room. They reached out to a local Publix that donated a wedding cake. Piedmonts staff helped ensure Heather had a bridal gown, and refreshments were available for the reception. When we hear about these things, we just try our best to carry it out, said Dee Bryant, manager of patient experience at Piedmont Columbus Regional. Cancer patient Alexander Santos and his fiance Heather Duke were married at Piedmont Columbus Regionals Midtown Campus Wednesday afternoon. 07/20/2023 Associate Judge David A. Siegal visited the hospital to sign off on the marriage license the morning of the wedding. The bride and grooms family were contacted to ensure they would be able to attend, with some of Alexanders family flying in from Colorado. Jana Duke, Heathers mother, found out about the wedding the day before the event. As unexpected as the news was, Duke was excited to hear her daughter and Alexander would be getting married. She had been hoping for this day for a long time as she watched Heather do all that she could to support him through his illness. I love Alex, Duke said. Hes my son, and I just embrace them as a couple. And of course theyve got my baby (Noah) over there. Introducing Mr. and Mrs By Monday, they made the decision to just do it and get married. On Wednesday afternoon Noah was dressed up and abandoning his sippy cup to play with the colorful balloons that decorated the hall where his fathers hospital room was located. Piedmonts staff were beginning to congregate on Alexanders floor, their happiness for the couple clear. A reception area was decorated prominently featuring the colors teal and white on the tablecloths and curtains. A two-tiered, wedding cake sat on a second table under the John B. Amos Cancer Inpatient Unit sign. Floral arrangements with pale pink and white flowers were placed strategically throughout the space. Alexanders room was similarly decorated with balloons along with pink and white decorations. At 2:30 p.m., clinical and nonclinical staff lined up on either side of the hallway leading up to Alexanders room. Heather, dressed in a white knee-length dress and a floral hairpiece, walked down the aisle to meet Alexander in his room as a staff member played the country song I Do by Paul Brandt. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth, Officiant Pastor Marion Scott Sr. said to start the ceremony. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Were here today because Love never fails. In a hospital room, surrounded by a small party of their closest family members including their young son Noah, Scott married Alexander and Heather. Alexander Ramirez Santos, left, married his fiance Heather Renee Duke in his hospital room at Piedmont Columbus Regionals Midtown Campus Wednesday afternoon. Pastor Marlon Scott officiated the ceremony. 07/20/2023 After the two said their I dos, they walked back into the hall where a line of supportive hospital staff awaited them. Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Heather and Alexander (Ramirez) Santos, Scott announced loudly to the hall, which erupted in cheers as the newlyweds walked back the hallway to receive the well-wishes. Alexander still has 15 rounds of radiation left, and hes hopeful that after the treatment is complete his chances for survival will be higher. For now, he is happy to have married Heather. Im not looking forward to a lot of time on the Earth, Alexander said. So, (marriage) is just something Ive always wanted. And especially with the person I love. Silhouette of a person (child) playing in a virtual world of programs, making the gesture of shooting with his hands. We should be worrying increasingly about AI's effect on children Credit - Getty Images Today, the White House was proud to announce it has received voluntary commitments from tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, and OpenAI to support forthcoming regulation on artificial intelligence. At first blush, its a reassuring gesture from tech companies who hold human extinction in the palm of their hands, but Americans should take their lip service with a grain of salt. More than a decade after Mark Zuckerberg coined the mantra move fast and break things, the public is finally realizing the serious negative effect that social media platforms have had on youth mental health, and the brokenness in our democracy and public health that Big Tech has left in its wake. Now, Big Tech wants to launch and iterate a new lab experiment on society writ large, this time with artificial intelligence. Leaders in the field agree that smart regulation is needed to avoid serious harm to humanity, but AI is already woven into the fabric of the mainstreams daily lives. These calls for cooperation and heartwarming pledges are focused on future risks without sufficient recognition of the real and proximate harms happening to children today. The time to move fast and fix things is now. Kids are using AI tools, in many cases without their parents or teachers knowledge, according to a Common Sense study, and many are already using them more than theyre using Google. Broad AI adoption among children can present many real risks, data privacy being chief among them. Popular chatbots like Snapchats MyAI can quickly extract and process vast amounts of personal data, potentially exposing children to cyber threats, targeted advertising, and inappropriate content. AI-driven surveillance of children could also be destructive. Because AI is only as good as the decisions of the programmers who design it, the use of facial, vocal, and emotional detection can cause disproportionate harm to marginalized groups. Studies have shown that the inaccuracy of facial recognition algorithms on darker skin tones could result in unfair suspensions and disciplinary actions for students of color. Even well-intentioned AI solutions have the potential to perpetuate unfair bias, especially if they do not preserve the full range of diversity among students and anchor equity at the center of the experience. Story continues Read More: The Darwinian Argument for Worrying About AI This means that transparency from AI technologists should be non-negotiable. ChatGPT cant perceive the context of a prompt, and it usually doesnt cite reliable references or links that let users explore the underlying sources, which can lead to the spread of misinformation, or worse. The public should have access to known model limitations and AI system performance, defined by a set of parameters that uniquely apply to AI such as accuracy, recall, and precision. That way, users arent misled to believe results that are incorrect, incomplete, or inappropriate. If weve learned anything from the explosion of social media, its that the government will not move fast to establish tech policies that benefit children. Powerful tech lobbyists are fighting to safeguard companies rights to design products for adults, and some of those products will likely be later deemed harmful for children. They have an impressive track record of wins despite clear evidence that company profits supersede child protections and, as a result, the pace of legislative change has been tragically laggard. Now, there is hope that policymakers may know better. European lawmakers are demonstrating impressive leadership in collaborating with regulators to develop guardrails for child protections. The UK Online Safety Bill will establish a duty of care and transparency for AI and the EU AI Act includes specific requirements for foundation models such as OpenAIs ChatGPT, all of which have caused technologists like Sam Altman to think twice about moving fast into Europe. This kind of push-pull breeds a more cautionary environment that, in the end, will benefit children and help us navigate AIs widespread risks. All told, there is enormous risk in inaction, despite the many promising possibilities that AI has to offer. Rather than can AI be used for this task?, the first question must always be should AI be used for this task? Because when it comes to children, we should be absolutely sure that the benefits outweigh the risks. We must apply lessons from social media and urge policymakers and tech companies to protect childrens privacy, safety, and mental health. If we let them move fast and break things with AI, kids will be the biggest losers. The mercury is expected to soar again with highs of 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) forecast for this weekend (Spyros BAKALIS) A densely-populated concrete jungle lacking in green space, Athens has become one of Europe's hottest capitals and despite its vulnerability to extreme temperatures, has failed to make environmental innovations, experts warn. Residents and visitors have sweated through a scorching week in the Greek capital, only finding respite on cafe terraces in the evening. And the mercury is expected to soar again with highs of 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) forecast for this weekend, prompting authorities to partially close the Acropolis and some major parks. In 2007, the more than three million residents of the city experienced a record high 44.8C. "With the concrete and the tarmac, cities become heat islands. In Athens there are very few green spaces to lower temperatures," Kostas Lagouvardos, research director for the Institute for Environmental Research and National Observatory of Athens, told AFP. "And the forests that surround the city are disappearing due to wildfires." Despite being flanked by hills and rivers, Athens is overrun by concrete buildings. From the top of the Acropolis, the view of the city is an endless sprawl of buildings and houses, interrupted by a rare green patch. Central Athens is the second most densely populated area in Europe after Paris, according to Eurostat. - Construction everywhere - "In Greece, construction is going on all the time and everywhere! It's the biggest problem," said urban planner Aris Kalandides. According to the World Wildlife Fund, there is only 0.96 square meters of green space per resident in Athens, which falls far short of the World Health Organization's recommendation of nine square meters per capita. With only 11 percent of its surface area covered by trees, Athens is near the bottom of the list compared to other European capitals, according to the European Environment Agency. "There is hardly any countryside left around Athens, the suburbs are nibbling away and destroying everything. Economic interests are taking priority over the need for green space," said Kalandides. Story continues The lack of a strategy and political will appear to be the main roadblocks to reversing the trend, according to specialists. In 2021, Athens appointed its first climate tsar responsible for implementing a strategy to adapt infrastructure and behaviour to climate change. The appointment came with nearly five million euros in funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB). "The urban fabric of Athens is made up of dense buildings that cover 80 percent of the city's surface area. All this tarmac and cement retains heat during heatwaves," the EIB said in its report. Projects launched since include three "green corridors" in the city and improved water management on the city's highest peak, Lycabettus. - Trees sacrificed - But some current urbanisation projects have rubbed up against environmental goals. Dozens of trees have been cut to build new metro stations and a huge housing complex is about to be built on the grounds of the former Ellinikon airport. And a "grand promenade" planned for central Athens, with trees and benches, has been a building site for three years. "There is a lack of political planning and engagement from the entire population," said Iris Lykourioti, an architecture professor at the University of Thessaly. "We're in a period when investment policies take precedence over environmental protection," she said. The legacy of Greece's economic crisis is still being felt, she warned. "Budget cuts have not only limited public services, but the aid plans (by Greece's creditors) paved the way to the exploitation of (EU recognised) Natura protection areas" across the country, she said. ak/yap/giv/gw Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA - Getty Images A recent audit of the Connecticut State Police has uncovered tens of thousands of falsified traffic tickets that had been filed by officers into a database used to measure racial profiling within the department. The audit came as a result of a report from CTInsider back in August 2022, which discovered that four officers in the same unit had been falsifying tickets to give the appearance that they were more productive. Those four were not alone in their behavior, as the audit discovered that some 311 state troopers were responsible for major record keeping discrepancies. The officers filed more than 26,000 completely falsified traffic tickets, as well as more than 32,000 tickets with inaccurate information into the racial profiling system. The study suggests this was done to bolster their own careers, with additional benefits offered to highly productive officers. One officer alone was responsible for more than 1350 of these fake citations. That was equivalent to 83 percent of that officer's infraction records. The audit also found that a quarter of all state troopers had filed falsified tickets. ullstein bild - Getty Images It is important to note that these fake tickets didnt result in individuals facing fines or court appearances. Connecticut state law requires troopers to file any traffic tickets into two separate systems. One of these systems is tied into the states judicial branch as youd expect, while the other is a database for demographic data. The idea behind that database is to study and hopefully reduce racial profiling within the states policing bodies. The fake tickets filed by the state troopers have significantly skewed the data on hand. The majority of the fake tickets were listed as involving white drivers, notably the first selection officers can make on their computer software. The tickets also often took place at exactly midnight, similarly the first option in the softwares dropdown menus. Making things worse, the state troopers also reportedly failed to file some 16,000 tickets involving real citations into the demographics database. The vast majority of these tickets impacted people of color. The combination of the two situations means the department has essentially hidden its real record on racial profiling. Story continues Governor Ned Lamont has come out stating that any individuals that intentionally took place in these actions should be let go from the force. This includes anyone in management who allowed this to take place. State lawmakers are also looking for more answers, as frustration continues to grow. Some officers could face serious criminal charges, including forgery. Connecticut lawmakers are holding a hearing on the matter on July 27th. You Might Also Like A Connecticut state trooper has been suspended indefinitely amid an internal affairs investigation into falsified traffic tickets. Christopher Melanson, who has been a trooper with the agencys Traffic Services Unit since 2006, was placed on paid administrative leave on Monday. Mr Melanson is reportedly tied to an audit released last month that revealed hundreds of troopers in the Constitution State forged information on more than 26,000 traffic tickets between 2014 and 2021, according to WFSB. The troopers involved in the traffic ticket investigation allegedly fabricated the information in order to appear productive and be able to become eligible for federally funded overtime, KMVT reports. Maybe they didnt get the information to input it correctly, maybe a lot of mistakes were made. And I also have a feeling some of the people there are doing this purposefully, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said in a statement. Gov Lamont said Mr Melanson skewed listed drivers as Native Americans when in reality they were other ethnicities, the Connecticut Insider reports. The Connecticut State Police had previously said that Mr Melanson was suspended over the discovery of possible violations of department policy but had refused to acknowledge that the suspension was linked to the traffic ticket investigation. Melansons investigation is not in relation to the ticket audit, the agencys initial statement read, noting that he was the only trooper in recent weeks to have been suspended. Due to the active and ongoing nature of a corresponding Internal Affairs investigation, this is all of the information available for release at this time. The Independent has reached out to Connecticut State Police. A spokesperson with the governors office also told the outlet that Mr Melanson had been fired as a result of new protocols established in light of the audit to ensure the integrity of data being reported by troopers. An outside firm is expected to conduct another investigation ahead of a hearing on 27 July to review the results of the audit. Whats considered low income in Texas varies from city to city and by the number of people in a household. The Department of Housing and Urban Development sets the maximum income for residents to determine who qualifies for assisted housing and other programs. That figure is taken from an estimate based on fair market rent data. The low-income average for a single person household in Texas is $49,850, but thats just a snapshot. Heres what we know about income limits in Texas: Whats considered low income where I live in Texas? HUD released its latest Texas income limit report last month. Households with incomes that do not exceed 80% of an areas median income are considered low income. For example, the median household income for a family of four in Tarrant County is $97,700, and if a family makes less than $78,160 a year they would be considered low income. The below data is whats considered low income for a single person household in each Texas metropolitan area: Abilene: $41,000 Amarillo: $45,750 Austin-Round Rock: $65,450 Beaumont-Port Arthur: $43,650 Brownsville-Harlingen: $40,400 College Station-Bryan: $45,050 Corpus Christi: $43,350 Dallas: $57,750 Fort Worth-Arlington: $53,600 El Paso: $40,400 Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land: $52,220 Killeen-Temple: $42,600 Laredo: $40,400 Longview: $41,000 Lubbock: $46,700 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission: $40,400 Midland: $59,600 Odessa: $43,900 San Angelo: $44,950 San Antonio-New Braunfels: $49,150 Sherman-Denison: $46,150 Texarkana: $40,400 Tyler: $46,550 Victoria: $41,000 Waco: $41,450 Wichita Falls: $44,900 How low-income households in Texas can get help Texas has a few options to help low-income Households, from food services to housing. People can apply for SNAP food benefits that will allow them to buy certain grocery items with a Lone Star Card. Texans can find out if they qualify for SNAP benefits by visiting the Your Texas Benefits website and fill out an application. Texans can also apply for the housing choice voucher program for a place to live. The program assists low-income families with affordable housing in the private market. Applicants will need to consult with their local housing authority to see if they qualify for the programs. In Tarrant County there are two housing authorities who can help: Former US president Donald Trump could face a number of potential charges stemming from the investigation of special counsel Jack Smith (Mandel NGAN) As special counsel Jack Smith winds down his high-stakes investigation of Donald Trump's alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, the former US president faces a slew of potential charges. The 77-year-old Trump said Tuesday he had received a letter from Smith confirming he was a target of the probe and added that he expected to be arrested and indicted soon. The special counsel, who was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November, declined to comment, but US media reports said the letter cited three federal criminal statutes: conspiracy to defraud the United States; obstruction of an official proceeding and deprivation of rights. Trump has already been indicted and pleaded not guilty in two other criminal cases -- for mishandling top secret government documents after leaving the White House and for allegedly paying 2016 election-eve hush money to a porn star. Here is a look at the charges Trump -- the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination -- may face in connection with efforts to overturn his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden and the January 6, 2021 storming of the US Capitol by his supporters: - Conspiracy to defraud - The conspiracy statute makes it a crime if "two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States." Daniel Richman, a former federal prosecutor who now teaches at Columbia University, said the statute is "very broad" and can be applied in a number of ways to Trump's conduct before and after the election, which he baselessly claimed was "stolen." "I'm assuming that a fraudulent effort to mislead Congress and to delay or prevent the certification of the election would be very plausible," Richman told AFP. It could be applied to Trump's attempts to pressure Mike Pence into not certifying Biden's election victory at the January 6 joint session of Congress -- which the then-vice president ultimately refused to do. Story continues It could also be used to prosecute Trump for another failed bid to stay in power -- the submission of false slates of electors in seven states which Biden won. Michigan charged 16 "false electors" this week with conspiracy, forgery and fraud for their role in the scheme, which was guided by two attorneys close to Trump, Rudy Giuliani and John Eastman. Trump also called the secretary of state in Georgia and urged him to "find" enough votes to reverse Biden's victory in the southern state, according to a recording of the phone call. Giuliani and Eastman, along with other Trump associates, are believed to be a focus of Smith's investigation and there would need to be other defendants in addition to Trump for prosecutors to bring a conspiracy charge. Conspiracy to defraud the government is punishable by up to five years in prison. - Obstruction of an official proceeding - The charge of corruptly obstructing, influencing or impeding an official proceeding -- the January 6 joint session of Congress -- has been brought against more than 300 Trump supporters who stormed the Capitol that day. When it comes to Trump, "there could be multiple obstruction counts, there could be a multiple-prong obstruction conspiracy with different aspects to it," Richman said. "One basis for an obstruction charge might be dealings that Trump and those around him had with witnesses in the case, those testifying before congressional committees, or doing other things to cover their tracks after January 6," he said. Trump did not personally go to Congress on January 6, but before his supporters stormed the Capitol he delivered a fiery speech nearby repeating his election-fraud falsehoods and urging the crowd to "fight like hell." Obstruction of an official proceeding carries a maximum prison term of three years. - Deprivation of rights - This statute stems from the post-Civil War era in US history when it was used to prosecute attempts to prevent formerly enslaved African Americans from exercising their voting rights. It makes it a crime "for a person acting under color of law to willfully deprive a person of a right or privilege protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States." That includes the right to vote and have it counted. "In more recent times, the statute has been used against election fraud or election misconduct," Richman said. "What's important about this charge, unlike the others, is it really puts front and center that the victims are not just government actors," the former prosecutor said, but ordinary Americans who risked being deprived of their votes. Deprivation of rights is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. cl/mlm A police sergeant in New York surrendered to the FBI four years after tasing a man seven times while he was handcuffed and on the ground in violation of his rights, federal prosecutors said. Sgt. Mario Stewart, 44, of Brooklyn, was the supervising officer when he and six other Mount Vernon police officers responded to a man experiencing a mental health crisis at a parking lot in the suburb of New York City, according to an indictment filed July 19 in federal court. Under Stewarts direction, officers on the scene handcuffed the man behind his back and placed his legs in a restraint bag before he was to be transported for medical help, the indictment says. While the man was on the ground, immobile in handcuffs and restraints, Stewart repeatedly tased him in front of the other officers, according to the indictment. Now, Stewart is charged with deprivation of rights under color of law, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York announced in a July 20 news release. Instead of providing aid, Stewart deployed his taser on the individual seven times in the span of roughly two minutes, while the individual was handcuffed and with his legs restrained and while several other MVPD officers were on scene to assist, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in the news release. Stewarts alleged conduct not only betrayed his duty as an officer to protect those under his charge, but also violated the law. Information regarding Stewarts legal representation wasnt available the afternoon of July 21. Stewart was a sergeant in the departments emergency services unit, which handles mental health calls, when he responded to the man in emotional distress in March 2019, according to prosecutors. After officers secured the mans legs in a restraint bag that day, they unsuccessfully tried pulling the restraint bag over his chest because the man grasped one of the straps, prosecutors said. This led to Stewart ordering the man to let go of the straps moments before tasering him, according to prosecutors. Story continues McClatchy News contacted the Mount Vernon Police Department for comment and to inquire about his employment status on July 21 and was awaiting a response. If convicted on one count of deprivation under color of law, Stewart may face up to 10 years in prison, prosecutors said. Cop followed teen home after noise complaint, then raped her in police car, feds say Officer ignored dying inmate in Virginia prison after promising to help him, feds say Man was eaten alive by bugs in Georgia cell, attorneys say. Now feds investigate jail LAGOS, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's northwestern state of Kaduna on Friday declared an outbreak of diphtheria after recording some cases in a local government area since early July. There have been reports that residents in some villages in the state's Kafanchan town exhibiting such symptoms as difficulty breathing, high fever, cough, general body weakness, sore throat and neck swelling, said Muhammad Shehu, a spokesperson of the state governor, in a statement. Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection that affects a person's nose, throat, and sometimes skin. "Upon learning about the unfortunate loss of lives in the affected communities, Senator Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna state, immediately directed the Kaduna State Ministry of Health to send an emergency team to investigate these cases," Shehu said without elaboration. The state government is taking measures to contain the disease, including equipping local hospitals for proper management, active case searches, contact tracing, and intensive community sensitization in all affected communities and surrounding areas, he said. Local media reported earlier that an unknown respiratory tract infection has killed 10 children, aged between 3 and 13 years, in Kafanchan town since early July. This came weeks after the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention's announcement of an outbreak of diphtheria in the Federal Capital Territory following the first case and death of a four-year-old child in June. It began, as crises tend to, with the promise of convenience. Say you will make someones life easier, at no apparent cost to them, and you will win their attention. Fulfil that promise, and you will win their favour. Over time, you will win their loyalty; and before long, they will be your soldier. Cast your eyes elsewhere and witness another phenomenon. It is to do with how we decide what to think, and it is founded on the idea that no good can come from someone we deem as bad. This sinner commands scant sympathy, no matter their plight. Whatever they say is right is actually wrong, and whatever they say is wrong is actually right. We can set our compass by them. Now look in a third place, where we find motives and incentives. Here, one is rewarded for coming to swift and certain judgments, no matter how flimsy the evidence. The prizes are symbols of affection and words of praise and a quantifiable increase in influence. It may seem laughable to cast the above as context for a dispute between a man and his bank, but various currents in contemporary culture have swept us to this point. If only they would leave us here, we could view the episode as trivial, or mildly vexing or wryly amusing. But these currents are strong, and they will not leave us here, and they may destroy something. Much discussion surrounding the matter of Nigel Farage and Coutts has been rather like a curious game of ping-pong, one played without a net or even a table. One says this, one says that, and back and forth it all goes. But one has been able to say pretty much anything, because the known facts have been so scarce. Hit the ball wherever you like and your opponent will return it; it can never be called out. Farage has at least now provided some documentation to support his claims. Minutes from the banks wealth reputational risk committee stated it did not think continuing to bank NF [Nigel Farage] was compatible with Coutts given his publicly-stated views that were at odds with our position as an inclusive organisation. It added: This was not a political decision but one centred around inclusivity and purpose. Story continues Later, faced with the resulting ire, it responded by clarifying: It is not Couttss policy to close customer accounts solely on the basis of legally held political and personal views. Decisions to close an account are not taken lightly and involve a number of factors including commercial viability, reputational considerations, and legal and regulatory requirements. Complicating the issue is an apparent offer from Coutts for Farage to bank with its parent company NatWest. So Farages claims may not have been entirely debunked, but neither has he been entirely debanked. Yet there is surely a question over those minutes, and what they mean in a broader sense. Despite everything, it seems our trust in banks has never been greater. We are only a few years on from the Great Crash and resulting bailouts, and yet the way we pay is becoming vastly more dependent upon them. The drift towards a cashless society and an enormous increase in online transactions have left us at their mercy. Stashes of cash, privately held, are of diminishing use. Living without a bank account is becoming impossible. We may well think it fine for certain companies and institutions to proclaim certain ethical principles; we may even find it admirable, and give them our custom. And we would expect them to conduct business in accordance with these principles: if their actions told a different story, we might then call them hypocrites. But the more essential the service, the more concerning this becomes. Coutts may not be an essential service, but normal high-street banks are. And it is easy to imagine such a business boasting of being inclusive and driven by purpose, a term used in boardrooms today meaning, according to one definition, a desire to be a force for positive change in society. In denying its services to someone who failed to comply with its values, it could justify itself not only commercially, but morally. This principle extends into a form of investing known as ESG (Environmental, social, and corporate governance), which, like purpose, looks beyond the financial: it encourages the direction of money towards enterprises that the investor believes are moral, and away from those the investor believes are immoral. This may be laudable, and is doubtless well-intentioned. And yet. The problem is that these are ideologies that fail to realise they are ideologies. To many of their proponents, it is just a matter of being kind, doing good, keeping on the right side of history, and making life better for more people. Their virtue is self-evident, so anyone who opposes them is a creature of vice and must be resisted. And thus we find ourselves in a strange place, where the nice people are coercing us into becoming more like them. I should be happy about this. I am a Guardian-reading, Remain-voting, lockdown-supporting, double-Covid-vax-boosted Anglican who defends the BBC and wore masks more often than was strictly required during the pandemic. But it is hard to ignore the stirrings of a certain polite and cuddly totalitarianism (it would obviously laugh at the word and create mocking memes, rather than reflect upon itself meaningfully). There are other noxious forces in the world, too not least a kind of nihilism that seems to be emanating from Russia and these may be equally destructive, but these tend to be easier for us to identify and thus resist. The evil that wears our own clothes is more able to do its work unhindered. And here is where it affects us all, because our economy and way of life more generally will struggle to survive if these currents continue on their path. At its best, the free market is democratic: the free market is obviously ideological and flawed in itself, but in principle it treats everyone the same, regardless of their political views. A financial system that favours certain views over others is obviously a threat to this. And who is to say whether those views currently in fashion will be viewed so favourably in years to come? The progressive Left once advocated for eugenics, after all; which of todays right-on beliefs will be damned by tomorrow? Farage versus Coutts, then, is a diverting tale that has added to the gaiety of at least some of the nation. Cashlessness, philosophical shallowness and the warping effect of social media have played their part. But this story feels like a staging post on the way to somewhere else. Sometimes, revolutions come in the strangest ways. A bank for the super-rich may have just accelerated the demise of capitalism. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the Crimean Bridge is a legitimate target for Ukraine because Russian invaders use it to transport weapons. This target should be neutralised, the president has said. Source: Zelenskyy on a video call with the Aspen Security Forum Quote from Zelenskyy: "The objective is to reclaim the whole of Crimea because it is our sovereign territory... The Crimean Bridge is not just a logistical road. This is the route used to feed the war with ammunition and it militarises the Crimean peninsula. For us, this is understandably an enemy facility, built outside the law, outside international laws and all applicable laws, so understandably this is our objective, and any objective any target that carries war, not peace, has to be neutralised." Details: Zelenskyy also stressed that Ukraine's counteroffensive is progressing more slowly than expected, as the operation began later than originally planned: "Because we started a little bit later... this provided Russia with time to mine all our lands and build several lines of defence." The President said that despite the difficulties, Ukraine is moving forward. Quote from Zelenskyy: "We did not want to lose our people, our personnel, and our servicemen didnt want to lose equipment and because of that, they were quite cautious about their offensive actions. Still, I would say that we are approaching the moment when relevant actions can gain pace because we are already going through some mined locations and we are demining these areas." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Oleksandr Tkachenko The head of the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy, Oleksandr Tkachenko, has submitted his resignation, stating that he did so before President Volodymyr Zelenskyys evening address on July 20. Read also: Ukraine passes bill removing protected status of Soviet monuments Today, in the evening, I presented the Prime Minister with a resignation statement due to a wave of misunderstandings regarding the importance of culture during the war. Only later was I surprised by the Presidents statement on the same issue, said the former minister. Tkachenko emphasized that the war is not only fought for territories but for people and expressed support for allocating budgetary funds to cultural matters. Read also: Information Warfare Machine: How to Deal with Kremlin Fakes Both private and budgetary funds for culture are no less critical during the war than for drones because culture serves as the shield of our identity and our borders. This is my principled stance in contrast to others, Tkachenko said. On July 20, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he had approached Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal with a request to consider replacing the Minister of Culture, Oleksandr Tkachenko. Previously, Shmyhal responded to a petition with over 25,000 signatures calling for Tkachenkos dismissal, stating that there were no grounds for it. Numerous cultural and renovation works have continued in Ukraine despite the war, angering some of the countrys citizens. They believe that it would be better to provide the money used for these initiatives to the military instead. Read also: Ukraine wants Moscow Patriarchate to vacate Lavra by March 29, says culture 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 Early in the military career of recently retired Marine Gen. David Berger, he and his wife, Donna, whom he had met when they were in sixth grade, made a promise to each other. The young officer would get out of the Corps if he ever had three bad days in a row, he told reporters at the Modern Day Marine conference in Washington June 28. That never happened. Why did I stay? The people, Berger said. Marines will do anything to help each other, he said. After 42 years as a Marine, he retired from the Corps on July 10, leaving his position as commandant of the Marine Corps. Once a young man from rural Woodbine, Maryland, who didnt meet a Marine until college, Berger joined the Corps in the contentious wake of the Vietnam War and ended up retiring as the top United States Marine. From 2019 to until July, Berger led the proudest, and perhaps toughest, U.S. military branch and changed it more than it had been changed in decades. Marines left without a confirmed commandant for 1st time since 1910 The warrior-scholar, as Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently termed Berger, took the helm two years after his predecessor declared the Corps unready for a war with a peer adversary. In 2020, he published and began executing a plan that he hoped would get the service up to speed. In response came extraordinary public criticism of his plan from some of the most respected retired Marine generals, who had led the Corps for much of Bergers career. When pressed about his critics, Berger has insisted he bears them no rancor, even as he has expressed surprise at their lack of trust. His critics have expressed a sense that the now-retired commandant hasnt listened to their concerns about changes to the force. But some who have spent time around Berger, from his college lacrosse teammate to the secretary of defense, see him as a leader defined by his very ability to listen, and then act decisively on what he has heard. Retired Marine Col. Bob Work, former deputy secretary of defense, said, If you take a look at all of the service chiefs since the end of the Cold War, in my view, hes the one that has been the boldest and has demonstrated the most moral courage doing what he thought had to be done. Story continues 42 years as a Marine Berger entered the Naval ROTC program at New Orleans Tulane University in 1977 because it would pay for college, he said June 28. Just two years after the end of the Vietnam War, he faced skepticism from peers and adults alike for his decision to join the military, he noted in a Dallas Morning News op-ed in January. A Marine gunnery sergeant who taught the midshipmen may have been the first Marine hed ever met, Berger recalled at the Modern Day Marine roundtable. Seeing the way the gunny spoke and carried himself, and the way others responded to him, the teenage Berger decided, I have no idea what that is, but thats what I want to do. He switched from the Navy track to the Marine one. At Tulane, Berger majored in engineering and played competitive club lacrosse, on top of his NROTC responsibilities. Retired Navy Capt. Steve Jordon a longtime friend of Berger and a former NROTC classmate and lacrosse teammate said the young midshipman remained well-centered despite his packed schedule. He was a good friend, easy to talk to and the kind of person who others relied on to make sure that collegiate revelry didnt cross any boundaries it shouldnt, according to Jordon. The retired Navy captain has fond memories of Berger driving him and other lacrosse teammates to away games in his souped-up Mustang. Whether its a new friend, an old friend, or in his current life with him interacting with Marines and other service members across the globe when hes face-to-face with you, he really cares about your opinion and what you think about things, Jordon said. I think thats that quiet leadership that hes been so successful at. After graduating from Tulane, Berger became an infantry officer and recon Marine. The same year, he married Donna. This is my soulmate, he said at his retirement ceremony July 10. We have been married 42 years. She could certainly trade up I dont have that option. Berger went on to command Marines on deployments to Haiti, Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan as he worked his way up through the ranks of the Corps, according to his official bio. How Marine Commandant Berger became the poster child for change I cant imagine a career thats flat, he said. When youre a Marine, your life is like this. He moved his hand through the air like a sine wave. I love that part. The highs, like the rush of combat, and the lows, like knocking on the doors of families to bring them news of a death, are more extreme than he can describe to those outside the military, he said. From 2016 to 2018, he served as the commander of Marine forces in the Indo-Pacific, where the militarys focus has shifted in recent years as Americas wars in the Middle East have ended. Bergers last assignment before pinning on a fourth star as commandant in 2019 was as the commanding general of Marine Corps Combat Development Command, which develops and implements the very concepts at the center of Force Design. Change and pushback From his first year as commandant in 2019, Berger championed sweeping change in the Corps. His aim was to prepare the service for a fight against a technologically sophisticated adversary, in particular the Chinese military. Force Design 2030, as his initiative is called, has entailed scrapping tanks, cutting the number of troops, emphasizing reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance, and renewing the Corps focus on amphibious warfare after deadlines of combat with insurgencies in the Middle East. The changes outraged a cadre of former Marine leaders. Retired generals penned dozens of op-eds in protest and appealed to Congress and the Pentagon behind the scenes to halt the changes. One common criticism of the redesign was that focusing on China as an adversary would limit Marines ability to respond to threats elsewhere. Marine officials have insisted the force also will be better prepared to face other adversaries. Then-Maj. Gen. David H. Berger, the commanding general of Task Force Leatherneck, 1st Marine Division (Forward), says goodbye to the Marines and sailors of Regimental Combat Team 5 in 2012. (Cpl. Alfred Lopez/Marine Corps) Some critics contend that divestments of tanks, aviation assets and most cannon artillery would leave the force ill-prepared for the realities of combat, even if those cuts might look good in a computerized war game at Quantico, Virginia, as Marine veteran and former Navy Secretary Jim Webb wrote in The Wall Street Journal. A Marine official who spoke on the condition of anonymity said in a text message to Marine Corps Times, The most vocal of them have created an illusion that they speak for most or all retired Marine Corps general officers. That is false. I can say with high confidence that notable retired Marines have told these ringleaders that they do not speak for them and must stop alluding to it. Retired Lt. Gen. Paul Van Riper, a vocal member of the group of retired Marines opposing Force Design, said he was unsure how many retired generals were active in the self-titled Chowder II because there was no roster, but he said the number was certainly in the hundreds. Those of us who identify as members of Chowder Society II are looking forward towards a new Marine Corps and not at a commandant who in four years destroyed the Corps it took some 30 years to build, Van Riper said via email. We want to support the 39th commandant when he takes the helm and work to get the Corps back on track, he said. Berger has insisted that war games and experimentation back up the Force Design concepts, a claim that itself garnered public skepticism from his critics. I can always do better at communicating, Berger said at a Defense One event March 16, when asked about his biggest mistakes as commandant. I think early on, I talked a great deal about the things that would need to change in the Marine Corps. What I should have done is balance that with, These are the things that will not change in the Marine Corps. He added that a regret, though not a mistake, is the pace of force modernization: If he could speed it up, he would. Berger has sought to revamp other aspects of the Corps, too, including personnel policy, logistics operations, and training and education. The personnel effort, Talent Management 2030, sparked its own controversy among retired Marines wary of the emphasis on retaining older Marines instead of just recruiting new ones. But some of the least resource-intensive changes under Berger made the biggest waves. In 2020, Berger banned Confederate-flag symbols from public display on Marine bases. Bergers predecessor as commandant, retired Gen. Robert Neller, said in the weeks after that he will regret for as long as he lives his own failure to put in place such a ban. The following year, the Marine Corps loosened the tattoo policy to allow full sleeves once again. Berger also was in charge of the Marine Corps when COVID-19 first arrived on scene, through the rollout of the vaccine and the contentious vaccine mandate, which the Corps enforced the most zealously of the services. In the first few months of the coronavirus pandemic, the Marine Corps continued training recruits and holding field exercises even as some Marines worried that it was unsafe to do so, Marine Corps Times previously reported. We train so that we can be ready to go, Berger said in April 2020. We never get the chance to pick the next crisis, where it happens, when it happens. That next crisis came in August 2021, when Afghanistan fell to the Taliban as U.S. troops departed the country after two decades of war. Thirteen U.S. service members, including 11 Marines, died in a bombing at the chaotic Kabul airport, where troops were helping evacuate Afghan and American civilians. Asked June 28 about lessons learned from the conflict, Berger said it would take time before the military could figure those out. Some things are too close, too personal, too near-term to really be objective about and look back and go, OK, in the bigger scheme of things, what did we learn? he told reporters. In his final year as commandant, Berger found the Marine Corps at odds with the rest of the Defense Department on funding priorities. He had long made it clear: The Corps needed at least 31 amphibious warships. But the Office of the Secretary of Defense in March announced a budget request that would allow the Navys amphibious fleet to drop below that number. Bergers approach: Dont publicly malign DoD leadership, yet remain firm. Thirty-one is the bare minimum, he said at the National Press Club event the day after the proposed budget was announced. We cant do with any less. Commandant calls on senior Marines to stop shackling junior leaders In Works eyes, Bergers ability to thread the needle with both the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Congress on the amphib issue is one example of the tremendous leadership he has shown as commandant. Berger often would ask the young majors on his staff about their experiences with and opinions about the Corps, Austin noted in a speech July 10. His approach has been to listen carefully to what others think, examine the results of experimentation and war games, and then make a decision, according to Work. And once he comes to a decision, he says, OK, lets get on with it, Work said. He doesnt allow a lot of drama to get in the way. A Corps without a commandant After four years as commandant, Berger was required by law to retire July 10. What likely would have otherwise been a smooth handoff to Assistant Commandant Gen. Eric Smith, whom the White House nominated in May to succeed Berger, was marred by one senators blockade on military nominations. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, has single-handedly held up confirmation for hundreds of senior military nominees in protest of a Pentagon policy that makes it easier for troops to get out-of-state abortions. Bergers departure marked the first time the Marine Corps has been left without a Senate-confirmed leader in more than a century. Smith, as the second-in-command, assumed the role of acting commandant upon Bergers retirement at Marine Barracks Washington. Smith already has pledged to press on with Bergers Force Design vision, and even to accelerate it as the budget allows. Berger has said he plans to spend time in retirement with Donna, his four sons and his grandchildren; according to Austins speech, Berger enjoys riding four-wheelers on his farm with his grandkids. Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. David H. Berger salutes the casket of retired 28th Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Paul X. Kelley on Feb. 13, 2020. (Sgt. Daisha R. Johnson/Marine Corps) He will wait a few months before he says yes to other opportunities, but he indicated he wants to give back and, perhaps, make money. Standing beneath the sun on the parade field at the Marine Barracks on his retirement day, Berger devoted most of his last speech as commandant to thanking his family and the Marines who served alongside him. Ive tried my best to make sure the Marine Corps is ready today and also ready five, 10 years from now, Berger said. Did his voice catch? If it did, it was only for a moment. Where we have succeeded, all the credit goes to all of the Marines around the world who are trying things, experimenting, he continued. Theyre pushing us into the future. Where weve come up short, thats on me. Defense News reporter Megan Eckstein contributed reporting. Ohios Hospice of Dayton is seeking volunteers to help make a difference in the community by touching the lives of local patients and families. >> TRENDING: 20th Annual Ohio Challenge Hot Air Balloon Festival kicks off Friday Volunteers are truly the heart of hospice care, a spokesperson for Ohios Hospice of Dayton said. They play a vital role as members of the hospice care team, bringing a wide diversity of skills, cultural backgrounds and beliefs. The organization looked for volunteers willing to contribute their time and skills to help operate some of the programs that provided service to patients and families. Volunteers could choose to provide direct patient care or indirect support. Direct care volunteers would visit patients at home to provide companionship and respite for caregivers, transportation to appointments, run errands, and deliver supplies. Indirect care volunteers would assist with general office duties, participate in fundraising and community education, and assist with building and grounds maintenance tasks. The following volunteer opportunities were available at Ohios Hospice of Dayton: Friendly visitors in homes who will stay with a patient for a few hours so family members can get some rest or run errands Friendly visitors in facilities to provide companionship Licensed hairstylists Certified animal-assisted therapy teams Veterans who will recognize our Veteran patients with a recognition ceremony to honor the patient for his/her military service Veterans who will provide a friendly visit to our Veteran patients Supply helpers (various locations available) For more information, you could call Maureen Swarts at 937-256-9507, ext. 1161, or visit OhiosHospice.org/Volunteer. After an extensive international search guided by Arts Consulting Group, the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (DPAA) introduced the next Ballet Artistic Director, Brandon Ragland. >> TRENDING: Man shot, killed in Richmond, IN; Suspects still at large Ragland came to Dayton from the Louisville Ballet, where he was a principal dancer, managed the Louisville Ballet Schools pre-professional program, and served as resident choreographer. He came with more than 15 years of experience as a ballet professional. With his experience and gifts, he will lead the Dayton Ballet to great heights. His experience with and commitment to teaching and mentoring dance students, from beginners to pre-professionals, will be invaluable to continuing the growth of Dayton Ballet School, Patrick Nugent, President and CEO of DPAA, said. I am thrilled to join the Artistic team of DPAA as the Artistic Director of Dayton Ballet, Ragland said. Dayton Ballet has a strong and rich history within the Dayton community, and I look forward to building on its foundation and ushering Dayton Ballet into a new era. My passion for this art form, along with my dedication to dance education, will continue to move Dayton Ballet and Dayton Ballet School forward. I am excited about immersing myself in the Dayton arts community and building relationships with other arts organizations, Ragland continued. Ragland began his ballet studies at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. After graduating from Butler University with a B.S. in Dance-Arts Administration, he joined the Alabama Ballet, and later the Louisville Ballet. Ragland was involved with many community and professional programs, such as the Roots and Wings Project and the Kentucky Centers ArtReach Program. In 2017, he performed with the Black Iris Project at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of their Dance Across America program. A dedicated arts leader, he was the recipient of The Lift a Life Foundation Emerging Leader in the Arts Award, the M. A. Hadley Prize for Visual Arts, and Louisville Magazines Best Artist Award. Ragland was chosen out of more than 100 applicants, according to Arts Consulting Group (ACG), a leading team of professional management consultants. Ragland was scheduled to start his role on August 1, 2023. Its been two weeks since the Supreme Courts ruled on affirmative action, and while I personally disagree with the decision itself, Im even more discouraged by the conversation surrounding it. To the right, I see white conservatives celebrating the end of another initiative promoting diversity and equity in our society, to which theyve historically viewed themselves as the victims in favor of undeserving minorities. On the left, liberals have seen this as a step backwards in their efforts to right the wrongs of Americas past, another instance of racial discrimination by Americas white majority. And caught in the middle is the Asian community that now finds itself as a pawn in this front of Americas growing culture war. As an Asian-American myself, my own views on the issue are mixed. On one hand, Im troubled by Harvards systemic reduction of Asian applicants personal score, seemingly to suppress their academic merits. On the other hand, I do believe that a diverse campus community is critical to a well-rounded education, and I recognize the role that race-conscious admissions policies play in promoting diversity and racial equity in education. But lets take a step back. What does racial equity in education actually look like? Id argue, and I believe that most would agree, that racial equity is achieved when the average black student is equally as qualified as the average white student, the average Asian student, the average Hispanic student, and so forth. When this happens, Im confident that diversity everywhere, from college campuses to corporate boardrooms, will naturally follow. With this objective in mind, it becomes clear that affirmative action only moves us towards this vision of racial equity in a round-about way the idea being that granting a minority student admission to a better university can elevate the students life trajectory, and by extension the potential of success for their children. While this can help uplift minority communities, it takes generations before an impact can be felt. Thus, racial equity in education cannot be achieved in a meaningful way with just college admissions policies. Instead, there needs to be a focus on why the average black and Hispanic student underperforms the average white and Asian student, and how our local school systems and communities can help these students overcome that. Even so, colleges and universities can and should still play an active role in this; the University of Kentucky, for example, is the largest university in the state and thus has a share of the responsibility for educating and building our collective future. Its mission statement reads, As Kentuckys flagship institution, the university plays a critical leadership role by promoting diversity, inclusion, economic development, and human well-being. To me, this includes both current UK students as well as the next generations to step foot on its campus. So, I strongly believe that universities should be more involved in the local communities they serve. Countless studies have shown the impacts that educational enrichment, even at the Pre-K level, can have on long-term educational and career outcomes. UK should work with Fayette County Public Schools and organizations like their Family Resource / Youth Services Centers to establish Pre-K and daycare programs, after school enrichment, summer camps, etc. tailored to low-income and minority students and families. Furthermore, the university could sponsor student organizations to donate books, school supplies, and other educational materials to the schools that need them most. This is what the conversation around affirmative action is missing. Amid the ugly discourse, the actual vision of racial equity in education has been forgotten. While I do find it unfortunate that those students currently experiencing inequitable obstacles will no longer be able to benefit from affirmative action, this decision is more a call to action to reevaluate our entire schooling system so that one day, the quality of an applicant, and the outcomes of their education, are no longer correlated with race. Kevin Jing is a Lexington native who attended Dunbar High School and recently graduated from the University of Southern California. Ukrainian servicemen on a Bradley infantry fighting vehicle near the front line in Zaporizhzhia region, June 26, 23 We are breaking all the patterns that the Soviet and Western armies used to fight. Offensive operations are taking place in several locations in the south, and there are attempts to break through the numerous Russian defense lines. Roughly speaking, there is a multi-layered defense system there. It is many kilometers deep into the Russian fortifications. In some areas, we are having success. But it's difficult to measure this success in terms of time to push our military forward because it's challenging to move. On the eve of the counteroffensive, I talked to several commanders of our brigade-level units. And they were aware of all the risks of such an attempted offensive, aware that our counteroffensive would take place, let's say, in several favorable areas. Read also: That is, not along the entire front line, but in certain areas. And indeed, they realized that it would take a lot of work to pass these fortifications. Even 100 meters, 200 meters, or 300 meters in these areas would be a success. None of the military doctrines of our allies who provide us with weapons describe the conditions we counterattack under. According to the military doctrines of our allies, this is not possible at all. They would never launch a counteroffensive in such conditions when there is insufficient air cover. There is no air superiority when there is not even an air component. They would not attack. We are doing this. We are breaking all the patterns the Soviet and Western armies used to fight according to. And so, we have to realize how difficult it is. This is the first point. The second point: Recently, many people have joined the Armed Forces who had no military experience and whose psyche, let's say, cannot prepare so quickly, adjust to the conditions of super-intense war, super-heavy artillery shelling. Story continues So often, people are not psychologically prepared for challenges. Do you understand? This psychological factor should be considered by commanders who form their combat units. Roughly speaking, you need to dilute people without experience with people with experience. The West does not decide on the issue of ending the war. It is up to Ukrainians to decide. That is, as long as we have the strength to resist and return our land, this war will continue until victory. Given Russia's intentions, there should be no such options here, given that if this conflict is frozen through the winter, literally or just figuratively, we understand that Russia will use this pause to accumulate its forces. And again, it will launch offensive actions and try to dismantle Ukraine. We know this, Russia knows this, the West knows this. I have just returned from the US military base Grafenwoehr in Northern Bavaria, where Ukrainian tankers train with M1A1 Abrams tanks. We asked the leaders of the exercises if it was confirmed that these tanks would be in Ukraine only in September. And we received an optimistic answer that the tanks would be here much sooner. This is a quote. I will share the information that the management of the Grafenwoehr base shared with us. This is open information. We will receive, at least for now, 31 Abrams M1A1s. This is, let's say, one tank battalion. But when we talk about Abrams, it doesn't mean just tanks. Abrams is such an interesting, powerful machine, but it is quite challenging to maintain and support. So, we will get the whole complex, a turnkey battalion. In addition to the Abrams, we are also getting M88 combat repair and recovery vehicles, which can help to carry out certain maintenance even in the field. Read also: 500 days: 10 key facts about our liberation war, by deputy defense minister Maliar opinion Importantly, we will also receive a set of mine trawls for Abrams. That is, Abrams will be ready to break through minefields. We will also receive so-called "assault breakthrough vehicles" along with Abrams. This is a very powerful tool. With a large plow in front, which tears up not only mines but also serious enemy fortifications, their line of defense before infantry units, motorized units, or even tanks must break through this line. Plus, logistics. Abrams consumes anywhere from four to eight liters of fuel per kilometer. It's not just any fuel. It is a special fuel for gas turbine engines. It has to be delivered to the front line. We need to set up a system that will work like clockwork in the conditions of our war. This is the most essential part of this tank battalion that we will receive. Among the Ukrainian soldiers currently undergoing training on Abrams, about 80% are technicians, logisticians, and mechanics. That is, the people who support combat operations, which, roughly speaking, are not the crews of these Abrams but on whom the success and survival of the crew depends. This is a very positive moment. It is an entirely different concept, first of all. But there are nuances. For example, I spoke with the US soldiers training our tankers. And this is all great, but 31 tanks are not enough for success. For example, let's look at how many Abrams the Egyptian army has. They have more than a thousand Abrams. And this is clearly not enough. But the military says it's a political issue; it's above their pay grade. That's why I hope that with the successful use of this tank battalion, which is obviously being made for some kind of offensive, judging by the nomenclature of the equipment I just listed, there will be some change in the way we look at our war, another change in the way we look at it. And we will get more than just tanks. Read also: EU may move military training programs to Ukraine after ceasefire - Borrell Our military enjoys incredible respect there. That is all the American military at the Grafenwoehr base and those who work with our military, to put it simply, take their hats off to the dedication and professionalism of our military. And they realize that they themselves, as the owners of these tanks, have never been in the kind of war that our tankers are and will be in on American tanks. An article by The New York Times says that at the beginning of our offensive, 20% of our equipment could have been lost. We lost a lot. That figure could correspond to 20% of the equipment that was put in place for the counter-offensive. It may be true. But it coincides with the preliminary estimates of our allies before the counteroffensive. This is, first of all. Secondly, the loss of equipment does not mean the loss of personnel. This equipment is designed to save the lives of soldiers. Look at the videos of Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, etc. That is, people remain alive. This is the concept of Western countries, of the Western military school. Read also: Military equipment traffic has rapidly increased in occupied Mariupol These are not just ordinary people. These are trained people who already have combat experience, who will receive a new Bradley vehicle and go into battle again, being convinced that they will, again, stay alive in the conditions in which they have to fight. Therefore, the West is also really evaluating this information now. With my eyes, I have seen new Bradley vehicles ready to be shipped to Ukraine and new sets of repair and evacuation vehicles that will be sent to Ukraine. So, the supply will not be stopped. Read also: Military expert reveals Prigozhins hidden motives, and why he may even want to see Ukraines victory Even though the West has not yet decided what to do with Russia and what victory should look like, the West understands that, let's say, Ukraine's loss in the war is a collective loss for the West and a loss for the United States. If Ukraine loses, the United States risks losing its global leadership. Therefore, in any case, the United States, and thus the entire Western world, will be with us until the end, until victory. 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 Lviv Arsenal company received UAH 1.4 billion (approx. US$36.8 million) from the Defene Ministry for the supply of a large batch of 120 mm and 82 mm mortar rounds, but it was long overdue for the contract and did not transfer a single mine to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Source: article of Ukrainska Pravda "Empty Lviv Arsenal. How the Ukrainian Armed Forces did not receive a single mine for US$40.3 million" Details: The Ministry of Defene signed a contract with Lviv Arsenal, a little-known company, on 11 November 2022. A few days later, Oleksii Reznikov, Defence Minister of Ukraine, authorised an advance payment under the contract, almost 100% of the transaction amount. The company stated that it has an export licence in one of the European Union countries. Shortly before signing the contract with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers added Lviv Arsenal to the official list of so-called special weapons importers. Deliveries were supposed to start in December 2022 and be fully completed by the end of February 2023, but as of the end of July, the Ministry of Defene has not received a single mine under a prepaid contract. When the first delivery was disrupted in December 2022, the Defene Ministry suddenly discovered that Lviv Arsenal had an export licence from a supplier company from one EU country, but there were no mines in this country. They were allegedly stored in warehouses in a third country. But neither Arsenal nor its counterparty received export licences from this third country before they took the money from the Ministry of Defene. Lviv Arsenal has withdrawn more than UAH 400 million (approx. US$10.8million) to its supplier. Liiev, the signatory of the agreement, said that Lviv Arsenal actually granted an export licence from the supplier country, but that supplies are often organised through intermediaries, and in such circumstances it is difficult for the Ministry of Defence to control the receipt of export documents from the country of manufacture. Story continues "In such payments, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine can, firstly, control the availability of export documents from the exporting country. And it was a civilised EU country that is a partner of Ukraine. And, secondly, contracts are concluded only with companies defined by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine as having the right to such activities," explained Liiev to Ukrainska Pravda. The sources of Ukrainska Pravda in the Cabinet of Ministers could not explain how a little-known company quickly received special importer status in the autumn of 2022. It is noted that now the Ministry of Defence has secured the seizure of money in Arsenal's accounts, although the decision in the court register has not yet been published. According to Ukainska Pravda, the company transferred only part of the money to its European counterparty, so almost a billion hryvnias (approx. US$27.2million) remain in Ukraine and are blocked on accounts. This provides tools so these funds are not completely lost, as in dozens of other scandalous contracts. The police are investigating proceedings under Art. 191.5 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (misappropriation and embezzlement of property on a huge scale). At the same time, Lviv Arsenal recently announced that it has finally received export licences and will start deliveries under its contract. However, it is unclear how the seizure of the accounts can be lifted and how to authorise the withdrawal of money, as there is little trust in this company. For reference: Lviv Arsenal is registered at 1 Pratsia Street in Kyiv. Until the autumn of 2022, it did not appear among the major arms suppliers. The only time the company appeared in the public space before the current situation was when it broke the contract with the main manufacturer of small arms for the Interior Ministry, Fort Enterprise, and for several years sued for UAH 5 million (approx. US$136,012). Yurii Zbitniev, the founder of the Lviv Arsenal, became one of the youngest members of the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1990. He also participated in creating the Social Democratic Party of Ukraine (United), but later left it. In 2009, Zbitniev, along with General Oleksandr Skipalskyi, the former chief of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine and Viktor Yushchenko's bodyguard, demanded that Yushchenko reschedule presidential elections because, in their opinion, both the leading candidates, Yanukovych and Tymoshenko threatened the movement in the EU. During the Revolution of Dignity, Zbitniev participated in the seizure of the Kyiv City State Administration, and after the victory of the Maidan, his wife, Kyiv journalist Rena Nazarova, became a member of the Kyiv City Council from Vitalii Klitschko's Ukrainian Democratic Alliance for Reform (UDAR) party. Now Nazarova works in the Office of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Ukrainska Pravda found out that Nazarova and Zbitniev broke up several years ago. Zbitniev and Nazarova ignored all requests for comments. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Deputy Defence Minister Volodymyr Havrylov, in response to media reports about possible cases of theft of Western weapons, stated that the US inspection has no claims to Ukraine's accounting of the weapons provided to it. Source: Ukraines Defence Ministry Quote from Havrylov: "The inspection of the United States in the line of material and technical assistance certified the absence of claims on the part of the American side to Ukraine's accounting of weapons and military equipment." Details: According to Havrylov, everything is accounted for in Ukraine: artillery, ammunition, complex air defence systems and armoured vehicles. At the same time, Havrylov recalled that last year an automated system of accounting and the passing of all weapons and military equipment through logistics was implemented. In addition, with the help of partners, the Logfas and Karavai programmes were implemented, which allow accompanying military equipment to a military unit using a barcode and QR code, and, if necessary, visiting a unit to see what is available there. Background: Before that, CNN, referring to the report of the inspector general of the Pentagon, said that in the first months of the full-scale war, there were cases of theft of Western weapons in Ukraine, but the weapons were found and recovered. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! BANGKOK, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's economy is on the path to recovery in 2023, and China's role as a significant driver is evident, a Thai economist said. China's economic growth and the deepening of cooperation between China and Thailand in industries contribute to maintaining the recovery momentum of the Thai economy and help Thailand mitigate the risks posed by factors such as slowing global economic growth, Kirida Bhaopichitr, director for the Economic Intelligence Service of the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), said in a recent interview with Xinhua. Kirida noted factors such as slowing global economic growth, increased uncertainty in the U.S. economy, geopolitical risks, fluctuation of the Thai baht exchange rate, and natural disasters all exert pressure on Thailand's exports. It is expected that Thailand's exports will continue to contract in the foreseeable future. Kirida stressed China's importance as a significant trading partner, a major source of foreign direct investment, and a significant contributor to tourist arrivals for both Thailand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). China's economic growth will significantly contribute to Thailand's economic expansion, he added. According to the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), investment promotion applications in the first half of 2023 have seen a remarkable 70 percent increase year-on-year, with China being the largest source of FDI applications with total investment pledges of 61.5 billion baht for 132 projects, mostly in electronics parts manufacturing. Chinese investments drive the growth of industries such as electrical vehicles and parts, electronics and information technology (IT) in Thailand, Kirida said. Private consumption has exhibited consistent growth, supported by a recovering labor market, leading to improved consumer confidence across all occupational groups, said the Thai economist. As the mainstay industry of Thailand, the tourism sector has recently shown a sustained recovery trend, with the number of foreign tourists, including Chinese tourists, surpassing expectations and providing a strong impetus for Thailand's economic recovery, Kirida said. The Tourism Authority of Thailand reveals that from Jan. 1 to May 18, Chinese tourists traveling in Thailand surpassed 1 million people, an increase of 98 percent year-on-year. (1 Thai baht equals 0.029 U.S. dollar) Corrections & Clarifications: An earlier version incorrectly identified Victoria McQueen's title at her high school. She is student body president. AP African American Studies arrived last year at 60 schools across the country, and this fall, it will be tested in roughly 800 high schools twice what was originally planned thanks to a surge in demand. Despite that growth and highly publicized revisions to the course, it remains off limits in Florida. Though the state this week approved its own African American history standards that officials have lauded as the anti-woke approach to teaching about Black experiences in the United States, advocates say the standards whitewash or gloss over key aspects of that story. The upshot: Possibly hundreds, or thousands, of Florida high school students whose hopes of taking a complex, college-level version of African American history have been dashed amid a political tug-of-war. Florida vs. the College Board AP courses are college-level classes for high schoolers who, depending on how they perform on an end-of-year exam, can earn college credit for doing so. College Board, the nonprofit behemoth that administers the AP program, spent more than a decade developing AP African American studies with the help of an interdisciplinary range of scholars and educators. After test-driving the course in a few dozen schools last year, including a few in Florida, the College Board opened it up to a second pilot year and set a deadline of Jan. 30, 2023, to sign up. The plan was to test it out in about 400 schools this fall. Then came the rejection in Florida: In mid-January, days before that deadline, Floridas Department of Education banned the class. It is inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value, officials said in a letter. They cited topics in the curriculum such as Black Lives Matter, Black feminism and reparations. The move sparked national outrage as did College Boards response, shortly thereafter to scrub certain content with which Florida officials had taken issue. The College Board then revised the curriculum yet again, reincorporating some concepts and apologizing for its handling of the dispute. Story continues Amid backlash, College Board makes more changes to AP African American Studies course Demand for AP African American Studies soars The Florida education department and College Board have since feuded over at least one other course, AP Psychology. The course includes discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity, which Florida law now restricts. In this instance, the College Board declined to modify the AP Psychology content. As all of this was happening, demand for the AP African American Studies course kept growing. A list of schools that missed the deadline formed, and ultimately, every school on it was able to offer it this fall. As of this month, schools in at least 32 states plan to participate, College Board spokesperson Kelsey Lehtomaa Frouge said. An estimated 16,000 students will take it. Despite initial indications that it was open to reconsidering the course, Florida isnt one of those states. When asked about the status of AP African American Studies in Florida, Lehtomaa Frouge recommended that USA TODAY reporters reach out to the Florida Department of Education. College Board has not received any additional correspondence to suggest Florida has reversed its decision, she said. The state, meanwhile, said The College Board never submitted the revised version for consideration. In response, Lehtomaa Frouge said: We have not determined a timeline for releasing the revised framework to states for review. Once the framework is completed, we will then determine our next steps for engaging with states. Roughly half a dozen of Floridas largest school districts said in emails to USA TODAY that they are still unable to offer it, though some of their responses, too, were vague. Some told reporters to confirm with the state. A few werent certain that pilot testing of the course was continuing. Others said the course wasn't yet approved and there was no course code offered by the Florida education department for AP African American Studies. Florida's new standards: African American history rules frustrate many Backlash against Florida's African American history standards Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state leaders have defended their rejection of the College Board course by saying state law already requires teaching African American history. That law, passed in 1994, created the African American History Task Force and requires instruction on the history, culture, experiences and contributions of African Americans in the states K-12 curriculum. Despite the lies from the Biden White House, Florida rejected an AP course filled with Critical Race Theory and other obvious violations of Florida law, tweeted Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. in January, referring to White House comments that the state was blocking the study of Black Americans. "We proudly require the teaching of African American history," Diaz Jr.'s tweet said. "We do not accept woke indoctrination masquerading as education. Yet advocates say the new standards for teaching that history, adopted this week, leave out Floridas role in slavery, blame African Americans for being victims of oppression and omit major periods of history. Some argue the standards do little beyond recognizing that racism exists, failing to go into depth about who promoted violence against Black people in the country. Hundreds participated in the National Action Network demonstration in response to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' efforts to minimize diverse education. The activists chanted and carried signs while making their way from Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Florida, to the Capitol building in February. When you couple these standards with the environment, the hostility towards daring to talk about certain subjects, it creates an environment where there's going to be a complete removal of these conversations and of these lessons in the classroom, because nobody wants to run afoul of all of the laws or policies that have been put in place, said Genesis Robinson, political director for advocacy group Equal Ground. Among opponents concerns: Elementary and middle school students are not required to learn about African American history after Reconstruction, the era following the Civil War. The middle school curriculum notes that instruction should include how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. In high school, when learning about the Ocoee Massacre, students are expected to learn about acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans. The Ocoee Massacre is considered the largest incidence of voting-day violence in U.S. history, according to the Orange County Regional History Center. In 1920, Mose Norman, a Black man, tried to vote but was turned away from the polls. Later that night, a white mob tried to find Norman and ended up surrounding his friends house. That friend, July Perry, was lynched. Other Black community members were murdered and their houses burned. Most of the Black community fled Ocoee and never came back.When you look at the history currently, it suggests that the (Ocoee) massacre was sparked by violence from African Americans, said Sen. Geraldine Thompson, an Orlando Democrat, referring to the state's new standards. "That's blaming the victim." African American History Task Force Chairperson Glen Gilzean defended the group's efforts. "Black history is American history, and we've heard that repeated time and time again this morning," Gilzean said Wednesday. "Let's be clear: Florida already requires the teaching of African American history, but the new standards align these requirements and will hold teachers accountable to ensure that complete and accurate African American history continues to be taught." It just hurts me: Florida students left frustrated Victoria McQueen, 17, of Tallahassee, Florida, was looking forward to taking AP African American Studies her senior year. She said that when she heard the class was rejected by the DeSantis administration, she felt defeated. It just hurts me, especially as a young African American female, that 400 years later theyre still trying to sweep the history of African Americans under the rug after all they did, the rising senior said. The way that America has broken African Americans and people of color in general, broken them down from top to bottom, not giving them the credit they deserve behind the scenes and in front of the camera it just hurts to know that even in the classroom they can't be acknowledged. Victoria McQueen, a Leon High School student, spoke at the "Stop the Black Attack" rally in the Florida Capitol in January. McQueen contemplated suing Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration over the ban of AP African American Studies in Florida high schools. McQueen, who is her high schools student body president, already has taken six AP classes. When she realized AP African American Studies wouldnt be offered, she looked into learning the subject matter in an actual college course. I took it upon myself to see if I could take it at the community college, only for me to find out a few months later, these last few months, that the state is now regulating what even the colleges can teach about African American history and diversity because of critical race theory, she said. DeSantis, who is running to be the Republican nominee for president, has cracked down on diversity, equity and inclusion programs on Florida college campuses. The governor recently signed a bill that restricts state funding from going to any programs or campus activities based on theories that systemic racism, sexism and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political and economic inequities. McQueens high school sits about a mile away from the Florida Capitol and the state Department of Education building. She said she wishes state leaders would listen to students. Ask the students if they want the class, she said, not the parents, the students, because the parents arent sitting in the classroom every day. Contact Alia Wong at (202) 507-2256 or awong@usatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @aliaemily. Ana Goni-Lessan is the State Watchdog Reporter for USA TODAY- Florida and can be reached at AGoniLessan@tallahassee.com. Follow her on Twitter at @goni_lessan This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: AP African American studies surges in popularity. Florida ban remains Mariya Gabriel, the Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, has held a telephone conversation with Olesia Ilashchuk, the Ukrainian Ambassador to Bulgaria. The officials discussed the Internet portal Myrotvorets (Peacemaker) and the names of the Bulgarian journalists and politicians that appear there. (Myrotvorets, Ukrainian for "peacemaker", is a Ukrainian website that publishes a running list (and sometimes personal information) of people whom the authors consider to be enemies of Ukraine ed.). Source: European Pravda with reference to the website of the Bulgarian Foreign Ministry Details: Gabriel said during the conversation that the information about "the inclusion of Bulgarian citizens in the databases of persons identified as Ukraines enemies causes surprise and concern". The ambassador replied and assured the Bulgarian Foreign Minister that "the activity of the Myrotvorets public organisation is in no way connected with the work of Ukraines state institutions and does not reflect the official policy of the Ukrainian state". "An agreement was reached during the talks that this case should be resolved between the competent authorities of the two countries, and Minister Gabriel and Ambassador Ilashchuk agreed on the need to maintain close coordination," the ministry said. At the beginning of the week, Elena Yoncheva, a Bulgarian MEP, stated that she was in the Myrotvorets database. As a journalist, Yencheva travelled in particular to North Korea, "filmed documentaries about events in Kyiv and the situation in eastern Ukraine" in 2013 and 2014, and she also travelled to the Friends of Crimea Forum conference in Russian-occupied Yalta in 2017. The name of Bulgarian journalist Dilyana Gaytandzhieva, who spread fake news about "biolaboratories in Ukraine", and Kristian Vigenin, the current Deputy Speaker in the Bulgarian Parliament from the Bulgarian Socialist Party, were also found in the Myrotvorets database. Vigenin is accused of refusing to support the supply of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, as well as of "not taking a firm position and not supporting any of the parties clearly" during the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Story continues On Thursday, 20 July, parliamentary commissions and special services discussed the situation with Myrotvorets, agreeing to help restrict the website's work on international servers. The Embassy of Ukraine in Bulgaria stated separately that Myrotvorets activities are in no way connected with Ukraines state institutions operations and they do not reflect the official policy of the Ukrainian state. For reference. Myrotvorets, a non-governmental organisation, was created in 2014 to investigate "signs of crimes against Ukraine's national security, peace, human security and international legal order". Among other things, the organisation maintains the Chystylyshche (Purgatory) database, a list of people whose activities, according to the authors, pose a threat to Ukraines national security. Background: Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban, Croatian President Zoran Milanovic, European Commissioner for Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi and others have previously been added to the Purgatory database. Their personal data is published there, including residential addresses and contact information, if available. International partners have repeatedly called on Ukraine to take measures against the Myrotvorets website. The European Parliament, in a resolution on the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement in 2021, called on Kyiv to block the portal as an example of an "extremist group that incites hatred". Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Republican voters with a college degree and a built-in skepticism of Donald Trump were supposed to form the backbone of Ron DeSantis strategy to win the 2024 GOP presidential primary. Instead, theyre leaving his campaign in droves. A trio of Republican primary polls, including previously unpublished data obtained by McClatchyDC, show that Floridas governor has suffered steep declines in support among GOP voters with at least a bachelors degree, an erosion that threatens to undermine his candidacy. Their defections which started in the spring and have continued this summer are disproportionately responsible for DeSantis overall decline in the race, where polls show he now sits a distant second place to Trump. In all three surveys, the governor now has barely half the support with college-educated white voters that he did when the year began, larger drop-offs than he suffered with other demographic groups. The numbers reflect a pressing problem for the Florida Republican as he seeks to reset his campaign amid fundraising concerns and flagging poll numbers, challenging him to recover the lost support among voters who once made him Trumps top rival for the nomination. The national surveys paint a troubling picture for his campaign, even as his allies insist that recent state-level polling already shows his candidacy regaining momentum. A poll from decision intelligence company Morning Consult, for instance, found that DeSantis support had dropped 18 points among white college-educated Republicans, from 41% when the year began to 23% in mid-July, according to internal data shared with McClatchyDC. A poll from market research firm Ipsos, meanwhile, found the governors support had been halved since mid-March, when it reported he had 39% among college-educated Republicans, according to data shared with McClatchy. The same survey, released this week, found he had dropped to 20% among those voters, a 19-point decline. (Ipsos survey did not distinguish between college-educated white Republicans and college-educated Republicans, although the difference between the makeup of the two groups is small.) Story continues A publicly available survey from Quinnipiac University found the largest drop in support for DeSantis, with the governor going from 51% support in a February poll of college-educated white Republicans to 29% with them now a 22-point decline. These voters abandoned DeSantis campaign at roughly twice the rate as Republicans without a college degree, a review of polling data found. None of the three surveys asked why DeSantis has lost the support of college-educated Republicans. But in interviews with non-partisan pollsters and Republican political operatives, some of them speculated that the governors decision this year to double down on a sharp-edged conservative agenda could have alienated voters who once viewed him as a more pragmatic, mainstream politician. DeSantis earlier this year signed a law in Florida banning abortions six weeks after pregnancy, and during the campaign, he has sought to outflank Trump on LGBTQ issues while positioning himself as an anti-woke warrior eager to combat the political left in all sectors of society. College-educated Republicans were looking for an alternative to Donald Trump, and they initially thought Governor DeSantis, after his 19-point win in Florida, made for a good one, said Whit Ayres, a veteran GOP pollster. But the way he has run his campaign, constantly tacking to the right, has turned off many of those people who were initially attracted to him. Ayres emphasized that he thought DeSantis still had time to recover from his underwhelming start, arguing people who once supported him can be brought back into the fold with a smart strategy that included more moderate positioning. And some Republican operatives disagree that DeSantis more conservative tack is at the root of his drop in support, arguing that Trumps own popularity, combined with an indictment in March that conservatives saw as wildly unjust, is more responsible for the shift than anything the Florida governor did. DeSantis allies say they already see signs that his popularity has rebounded, dismissing the importance of national surveys instead of state-based polling in places with an early nominating contest. A survey released in New Hampshire this week, from University of New Hampshire Survey Center, found DeSantis receiving 23% support, up from 22% in April, while Trump dropped from 42% to 37%. The survey showed DeSantis earning the support of 12% of Republicans with only a bachelors degree, and 20% support of GOP voters with a graduate degree. Youre going to start to see this narrative continue to develop as more state level polling increases, particularly in those states where you see the impact of our ground game, said an official with Never Back Down, the super PAC supporting DeSantis. But the official conceded that Trump had gained ground earlier this year after he was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury over allegations he illegally paid hush money to an adult film actress, a prosecution conservatives think is politically motivated. And indeed, while DeSantis support with college-educated sank, Trumps standing with those voters improved markedly since the year began. Morning Consult, for instance, found Trumps support nationally with these Republicans improving from 33% to start the year to 46% by mid-July. Among all college-educated GOP voters, Ipsos found him improving from 31% in mid-March to 36% this week. And Quinnipiac showed him growing from 22% support in February to 34% in a survey released Wednesday. In all three surveys, Trump now has more support among college-educated voters than DeSantis. Trump has always fared better among Republicans without a college degree than those with a degree, dating back to his 2016 candidacy when he shocked the GOP establishment and won the partys nomination. His presidency, in fact, helped shift the party toward a more blue-collar constituency, facilitating an influx of those voters into the GOPs fold while simultaneously pushing many college-educated men and women, including former Republicans, to start backing Democratic candidates. Compared to GOP voters without a college degree, GOP pollsters say, college-educated Republicans are socially moderate and fiscally conservative, with some of them both repelled by Trumps rhetoric and uninterested in his stated aim of making the partys economic agenda more populist They might have expected a different approach from DeSantis, political experts say, and soured on him when he didnt meet that expectation. College-educated voters tend to be more liberal, said Tim Malloy, a polling analyst with Quinnipiac. And DeSantis has gone right a good deal more than many expected him to do so. DeSantis support has suffered among Republicans without a college degree, too, though at lower rates than he has among those with degrees. Among non-college white Republicans, Morning Consult and Quinnipiac found DeSantis support dropping 10 and 11 points since the start of the year. Ipsos found his support among non-college Republicans dropping six points since March. DeSantis overall standing in the GOP primary has declined markedly since the start of the year, according to an average of polls compiled by FiveThirtyEight.com. The site has found his support dropping from about 37% to start the year to about 21% now. Some Republican strategists argue that amid such an overall drop, DeSantis standing with college-educated voters was bound to suffer, especially given that he had more of them to lose when the year began. And they question whether DeSantis loss of support among college-educated voters is really driving his overall decline. GOP pollster Patrick Ruffini, for instance, found that DeSantis and Trump were running roughly even with very conservative Republicans at the end of last year. The former president, however, had a 65-point edge with those same voters in June, according to a survey his firm conducted. In an interview, Ruffini said he thinks Trumps numbers were temporarily low after a disappointing midterm election last year, a time when he had done little campaigning and voters were upset the party hadnt won control of the U.S. Senate majority. Those frustrations have gradually subsided since, he said. You add on top of that something most Republicans see as a tainted and partisan prosecution, and its not hard to process whats been happening here, he said. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday defended Sen. Tommy Tubervilles blockade on hundreds of military promotions in opposition to the Defense Departments abortion policy. In an interview on "The Hugh Hewitt Show," DeSantis was asked whether Tuberville, R-Ala., should stop holding up military nominees over a new Pentagon policy that covers travel expenses for service members who need to go out of state to have abortions. "No, I dont. ... They are funding abortion tourism, which is not an appropriate thing for the military to be doing," DeSantis said. "So I think our Republicans in the Congress should just take a stand on this. The [Pentagon] should stand down." On the Senate floor Wednesday, Tuberville blocked a seventh attempt by Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., to approve a backlog of military promotions that has persisted for months. While Tuberville has suggested that the Pentagon's policies have hurt recruitment and retention, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby argued Monday that ending the abortion policy would have an extremely, extremely significant impact on military recruiting and retention and that it be likely to lead to the armed forces losing talent, important talent. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Thursday that the Defense Department was unlikely to change the policy. "Its the right thing to do, and I dont think were going to change it," she told NBC News. DeSantis, the only 2024 GOP presidential candidate who is a military veteran, laid out his policy proposal on reshaping the military this week and pledged to "rip the woke out" of the Pentagon. In Thursday's interview, he said that if he is elected president, he would eliminate the Defense Department's abortion policy on his first day in office. "We have all these other problems in our military. You know, we need more ammunition. We need more recruiting. We need all these other things, and yet theyre focusing on abortion tourism. So thatll be an easy thing for me, day one as commander-in-chief," he said. "That policy will go out the window, and were going to focus on mission accomplishment again." Story continues While DeSantis is on the same page with many Senate Republicans who oppose the Pentagon's policy, not all of Tuberville's GOP colleagues approve of his tactics. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said of the blockade last week, "We need to end that." There may be a resolution on the horizon. Tuberville has said he wants a standalone vote on the policy, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Wednesday that Democrats would not block a vote on the policy, adding that it was the "responsibility" of Republican leaders to get him to stop. DeSantis has not made abortion restrictions a major focus of his campaign. In April, before he announced his White House bid, he quietly signed legislation that would ban most abortions after six weeks in Florida. Asked about Florida's ban in a Fox News interview clip that aired Thursday, DeSantis applauded states that had passed restrictions but also said: "We have a big diverse country. I acknowledge that. And Im not suggesting that somehow New York is necessarily going to follow Iowas lead on that. he said. I think youre going to see some differences. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is preparing to reboot his Republican presidential campaign amid stagnating poll numbers and concerns about financing, according to a report Thursday in NBC News. The governors campaign manager, Generra Peck, told NBC this week that DeSantis would begin focusing on a more national approach to campaigning, shifting away from touting his political victories in Florida. DeSantis formalized his long-expected bid for the White House in May but has so far failed to make headway against former President Donald Trumps vise grip on GOP primary polls. DeSantis campaign has been plagued by missteps, and skepticism about his bid has begun to grow among Republicans. Ron DeSantis has never been the favorite or the darling of the establishment, and he has won because of it every time, Peck said in a statement to NBC. No one in this race has been under fire more and won than Gov. DeSantis. Hes ready to prove them wrong again. Buckle up. She added that DeSantis would shift focus from large campaign events to more intimate appearances and could give more access to media outlets. The governor has largely resisted such appearances on major networks, an unusual strategy for a candidate trying to appeal to voters across the nation. Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis and his wife, Casey, walk in the Fourth of July parade in Merrimack, New Hampshire. The Florida governor announces his bid for the White House in May. Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis and his wife, Casey, walk in the Fourth of July parade in Merrimack, New Hampshire. The Florida governor announces his bid for the White House in May. Theres also growing concern about the breakneck pace at which DeSantis has been spending campaign funds. He brought in $20 million during last quarters fundraising haul, but a reported 70% of his donors have already given the federal maximum for a primary race. The governor has also struggled to secure a large coalition of smaller donors, although his affiliated super PAC, Never Back Down, has raised $130 million since March. Politico reported last week that his campaign had begun cutting staff, a troubling sign as the race is only just gearing up, with the first GOP primary debate set for Aug. 23 in Milwaukee. Its unclear if Trump will attend the debate. Story continues Despite such concerns, DeSantis defended his bid for the presidency earlier this week in a rare interview with CNN, saying he wanted the country to look forward rather than back, a dig at Trump, who lost reelection in 2020. Theyve been saying that Ive been doing poorly for my whole time as governor, basically, he quipped to CNNs Jake Tapper. DeSantis sparked nationwide criticism earlier last month after his campaign shared a new ad celebrating his efforts to limit freedoms for LGBTQ+ Americans. The video attacked Trumps words of support after the 2016 mass shooting at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, that left 49 people dead. The Log Cabin Republicans, the nations largest LGBTQ+ group representing conservatives, called the ad divisive and desperate, warning it would alienate essential voting blocs. Related... There is a scenario in which Gov Ron DeSantis would applaud the prosecution of former President Donald Trump but only if Mr Trump were to do a traditional crime like robbing a bank. Look, nobody is above the law, Mr DeSantis said in an appearance on Newsmax. If Donald Trump or any big political person gets caught robbing a bank or doing things that we know are traditional crimes that people get prosecuted for every day, thats just the way the cookie crumbles. But when you try to shove conduct into some of these more opaque statutes, and youre running with that, given the politicisation of the Garland Justice Department, youre going to have a lot of people who look at that and wince. Mr DeSantis is, apparently, one of these people. The Florida governor has criticised the investigations into and prosecutions of Mr Trump for allegedly participating in a hush money payment scheme, mishandling classified documents and attempting to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election on much the same grounds that the former president has: that the investigations are political in nature, designed to stop Mr Trump at the ballot box next year. DeSantis: If Trump or any big political person gets caught robbing a bank or doing things that we know are traditional crimes that people get prosecuted for every day, you know that's just the way the cookie crumbles BUT.. pic.twitter.com/NpYBA1JjNK Acyn (@Acyn) July 20, 2023 A majority of Americans seem to agree with Mr DeSantis analysis regarding Mr Trumps indictment over the hush money payment scheme, though a majority also believes the indictment was justified. But Mr DeSantis is also trying to stop Mr Trump at the ballot box as he campaigns for the Republican nomination for president, stepping up his attacks on the former president in recent weeks while still attempting not to alienate his voters by supporting the criminal investigations into his conduct. Story continues So far, it appears Mr DeSantis is struggling to successfully thread the needle. After being touted for the better part of a year as a top rival to Mr Trumps for the nomination, Mr DeSantis recently laid off staff members amid a reported financial crunch and relatively low poll numbers. When Mr DeSantis camapign has seen fit to attack Mr Trump, hes largely attacked him from the right on issues like LGBT+ rights adopting stances in line with the aggressive, hard right policies hes favoured as governor of Florida. Hes also said he would clean house at the Justice Department, replacing figures like the FBI director and attorney general. But whatever Mr DeSantis thinks of the Justice Department as its currently run, Mr Trump has a number of very real legal problems on his hands. Already federally indicted over his handling of classified documents, he could also be indicted over his role in the January 6 insurrection attempt in the coming days. Vermonters in two additional counties will be able to get federal money and assistance, as clean-up and recovery continue across the state. The expansion of the Federal Emergency Management Agencys disaster declaration was announced by state and federal officials during the governors press conference Friday morning. Caledonia and Orange counties are now eligible for individual assistance from FEMA. Applications from individuals in those counties submitted prior to the declaration will automatically go forward, said General William Roy from FEMA at the conference. The counties now eligible for individual assistance are Chittenden, Caledonia, Lamoille, Orange, Rutland, Washington, Windham and Windsor. Why all Vermonters need to report damage from flooding Gov. Phil Scott stressed the criticality of Vermonters reporting damages to 211, especially for people in counties that have not yet received a disaster declaration. If you have any damage to your home or property as a result of these storms, and that includes driveways, equipment and vehicles its pretty broad please report it to 211, Scott said. Cleaning up debris and reporting damage are essential first steps in Vermont flood recovery, Gov. Scott shared at Friday's press conference. Rubble remains on Main Street in Montpelier, after floods devastated the downtown. In order for a county to receive individual assistance designation, damage levels need to reach a certain threshold for FEMA, said Scott. General Roy confirmed that individuals with extensive damage from the floods are not eligible for any individual assistance from FEMA if they do not reside in one of the disaster-declared counties. However, if the county is eventually disaster-declared, applications for assistance in relief from damages will automatically go forward, as is the case with Caledonia and Orange counties. How to report damages due to the floods in Vermont To report damages, call 2-1-1, or go to Vermont211.org. Scott and other administrative officials emphasized the importance of helping neighbors and community members to report damages if they do now know to do so, or have barriers to doing so. The deadline to apply for assistance is Sept. 12, for the original counties FEMA designated and 60 days from June 21 for Caledonia and Orange counties. Story continues Scott encourages Vermonters to continue to volunteer and help their neighbor The sentiment of helping neighbors applies to the immediate clean-up stage. Literally cleaning up the streets will be essential to transitioning to the next stage of recovery. If you were impacted by flooding, get your debris to the right of ways," said Scott. "If you werent impacted and want to help, find a neighbor who needs help with their debris and get it to the edge of the street or road." Keeping volunteer momentum is critical as the clean-up phase continues. The philanthropy that has been exhibited by Vermonters in the past two weeks via private donations and fundraisers can provide private funds to local businesses where federal or state aid may not be able to. At this time, businesses are not available for FEMAs individual assistance, only Small Business Administration loans. The best kind of donation is financial, said Jennifer Morrison, commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. Morrison advises Vermonters to donate to reputable, charitable organizations and directly to small businesses. Businesses can get help from the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development is working to get a business assistance restart program off the ground. The grant will provide $20 million of emergency assistance to businesses that suffered physical damage from the floods. This grant money is not meant to be all-encompassing, but rather an emergency, bridge fund while businesses wait on loans and potential for federal aid, said Lindsay Kurrle, secretary of the agency. Tweets by ACCDVermont The hope is that this money can help businesses reopen their doors. Specifics of the program will be released next week. The treasurers office plans to advance payments that were due to the 40 hardest hit towns in Vermont that would be owed to them in this fiscal year, Mike Pieciak, treasurer, said. This sum amounts to $11 million, which will provide cash for relief work while people await FEMA reimbursements. Deadlines for driver's license and vehicle renews, hot asphalt limits and taxes Vermont residents who need to renew their license and/or registration have 60 additional days beyond expiration dates, according to a provision signed by Gov. Phil Scott on Wednesday. He also approved waivers on the production and fuel use limits on hot asphalt to aid in emergency road repairs and the state will issue temporary licenses and certifications to professions regulated by the Division of Fire Safety. Craig Bolio, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Taxes, said there will be a deadline extension for taxpayers. For people unable to meet tax deadlines occurring between July 7 and Nov. 15, the deadlines will be automatically extended to Nov. 15. More information is available at Tax.vermont.gov/flood. Update on resource allocations for farmers The U.S. Department of Agriculture is declaring 14 counties as primary natural disaster areas, not for the floods, but due to the hard freeze that occurred in late May, which killed off produce that had just started to grow, said Anson Tebbetts, secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. So far there has been a reported loss of 9,424 acres of farmland, amounting to more than 200 farmers and producers land. 'So powerless to protect it': Vermont orchards and vineyards devastated by late-May freeze Farmers reporting damage and losses will also be essential to getting disaster designation from the USDA. Tebbetts encourages farmers to keep reporting damages and loss to 211 and the Farm Services Agency (FSA). Bad weather on the horizon Swift water assets are staged around the state to respond to any emergencies, Morrison said. Localized flash flooding is again a concern as some areas of Vermont are expected to get 2 to 3 inches of rain tonight, while potentially enduring high winds, thunder and dangerous lightning. Please take good care and lets get through this last band of severe weather, Morrison said. To access Vermont flood resources visit www.vermont.gov/flood. Contact Kate Sadoff at ksadoff@gannett.com This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont floods: Residents asked to report damage, seek federal help The Long Island Gilgo Beach murder case is one of many in recent years when a long-unsolved homicide got a break from an unlikely source: discarded DNA. In the case of the more than a decade-old murders of three female sex workers, it was pizza crust in a Manhattan trash can that last week landed Rex Heuermann in jail, charged in killings that had stumped detectives who trying to find a killer who seemingly left no meaningful clues. Police had discovered DNA on the bodies but couldn't match it to anyone. Until Heuermann threw their much-needed clue into the trash and their lap. Police didnt need a court order or a warrant to grab the DNA from public property. They took the food remains that Heuermann trashed in a pizza box without his knowledge and matched it to DNA found on a piece of hair from one of the murder victims. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney called it a "watershed event" in the mystery. The case illuminates a tactic that is a growingly important weapon in the arsenal of police detectives across the nation: grabbing publicly available, private DNA off abandoned food, soda cans, car doors, even cigarette butts that belongs to suspected killers. The process is called "surreptitious DNA collection." USA TODAY talked to forensic science experts about the DNA strategy authorities are using and its efficacy and practice. They said the process is common and a helpful tool that can help authorities pin down those who they are already suspicious of to connect them to a dangerous crime. "It works under the premise that you no longer have an expectation of privacy in things that you discard. It's abandoned DNA," said Peter Valentin, a department chair of forensic science at the University of New Haven and a former detective with the Connecticut State Police Department. "For the Gilgo Beach cases, what theyre doing is getting DNA from the garbage. Once you take garbage to the curb, there's no longer an expectation of privacy." Story continues Yet it's nearly impossible for people to avoid leaving their DNA behind on abandoned items. For that reason, the practice has stirred controversy among criminal justice advocates who argue the practice violates the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The amendment protects Americans from unreasonable searches and seizures. "Most people would be happy to have these types of crimes solved," said Vera Eidelman, a staff attorney with the ACLUs Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, adding it's a trend her group has noticed particularly in cold cases. "But the logic that law enforcement is relying on that once you abandon a piece of property you've both given up the property interest, and it's not private anymore, and the same goes for the DNA that happens to be deposited on those items is one the court and legislators have to do something about to protect us. Theres nothing we can really do. The nature of having a body is we do shed DNA." Authorities arrested a suspect accused in the Gilgo Beach murders. NY architect charged: In Long Island murders that sparked documentary on Gilgo Beach cold case In what other cases have police used the strategy? Court records in the Gilgo Beach case show that a hair found on the burlap that wrapped one of the victims "was unsuitable for further DNA analysis at that time by the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory" and was submitted "for further DNA analysis" at the end of July 2020 and matched to Heuermann. Such discarded DNA was also key evidence in: A California case in which authorities charged Joseph James DeAngelo with being the Golden State Killer, who was behind several murders, rapes and burglaries across the state in the 1970s and 1980s. After they profiled him as a potential suspect in the case through genetic genealogy, police followed DeAngelo to a Hobby Lobby store in Roseville, California, and obtained it from his car door handle. They also gathered pieces of trash, including a tissue, from outside his home. The DNA on those items matched to DNA left at one of the crime scenes, according to investigators. DeAngelo plead guilty to 13 counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. A Vermont case in which police charged William DeRoos with killing a second-grade teacher Rita Curran, 24, in 1971. The Burlington Police Department pinned the case on DeRoos after 52 years when a genealogy expert matched a cigarette butt that police found next to the victim's body at the time to a DNA database. The high-profile case in Moscow, Idaho, earlier this year when police arrested a suspect in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students. Police found Bryan Christopher Kohberger's DNA on a knife sheath near one of the victims' bodies. Investigators said they used the DNA found on trash found at his family's home to ultimately determine Kohberger was a suspect before they arrested and charged him with four counts of murder in connection to the stabbings. As for the Gilgo Beach case, "its very similar to the Idaho case in a lot of ways," even though it wasn't cold, said Michael Marciano, a forensic scientist and the director of research at the Forensic & National Security Sciences Institute at Syracuse University. "Because the suspect of the Idaho case wasnt in any database and there wasnt any way to compare the DNA, but they had a lead." Joseph Cress, left, the public defender for Joseph James DeAngelo, charged with being the Golden State Killer, adjusts the microphone for his client during a hearing in Sacramento Superior Court in Sacramento, Calif. Monday June 29, 2020. How did investigators use DNA profiling To identify the suspect in the Idaho student killings? When do police use surreptitious DNA collection? For authorities and investigators, Valentin said, obtaining a known DNA sample through surveillance is another tool in their box. "It's certainly a useful investigative tool if youve identified somebody who is a nebulous person of interest and not a suspect yet," he said. "Or they dont have probable cause to get a search warrant but have evidence to compare to get from a person of interest." That sort of abandoned DNA can help solve a cold murder case, Valentin said, but such crimes are ultimately often solved years later with because of new staffers who resurrect the search for a suspect with a fresh outlook on the details of the case and pursue them. There's also another tactic, in which police hand people clean items during interviews, to obtain their DNA without their knowledge, he said. Some long unsolved cases have taken years because of the lack of DNA evidence, or the type of DNA evaluated. "Theres been a lot of cases in the recent past that have used DNA evidence that was first put through the database and there were no hits," Marciano said. "This is a little bit different than that because it was mitochondrial data and not nuclear data." Bryan Kohberger, facing first-degree murder charges in the deaths of four University of Idaho students last fall, is taken by sheriff's deputies from the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg, Pa., Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. ACLU: 'We find it concerning' The method used to solve the cases has stirred controversy among criminal justice advocates. The American Civil Liberties Union has filed several amicus briefs citing opposition to the police use of extracting DNA without a warrant citing fourth amendment violations. In the first amicus brief the ACLU filed on the question with the ACLU of South Dakota and the Electronic Frontier Foundation in a South Dakota state criminal case. About the case, the ACLU's Alexia Ramirez wrote that South Dakota police "sent a DNA sample to Parabon Labs, which created a genetic profile and then ran it against GEDMatchs database of over one million genetic profiles" before it found family members who matched the DNA and created a family tree to pin down a suspect, retrieved his trash from outside his home and matched it to the crime before arresting him. "To defend its warrantless search and seizure, the state is asserting that people do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their trash, and, therefore, people also do not have a privacy interest in the DNA they leave on discarded items," she wrote. "The governments argument relies on a decades-old, flawed precedent holding that when we leave our garbage on the curb to be collected, we relinquish our Fourth Amendment privacy rights in the items contained in our opaque trash bags." Is there any way to opt out of leaving DNA behind? Marciano said there's virtually no way to opt out of leaving your DNA, and for many people, "this is a very hard thing to wrap your mind around." "We leave DNA around everywhere we go the ATM where we type in our PIN number, a door handle, a light switch in public places. To say we have complete ownership is a reach," he said. "When something is discarded by definition youre not the owner. "So the idea of this is: You do have quote unquote a choice. You can not go outside or go out wearing a hazmat suit wherever you go." Contributing: Lilly St. Angelo, Burlington Free Press, Christal Hayes, USA TODAY Contact Kayla Jimenez at kjimenez@usatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @kaylajjimenez. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How police are using surreptitious DNA to solve cold murder cases Ex-NYPD sergeants union head Ed Mullins on Friday asked a judge not to throw him in prison for stealing from his members. The 61-year-old Mullins is expected to face around 2 to 3 years per the terms of his January plea agreement with the Manhattan U.S. Attorneys office when he admitted to stealing $600,000 from the Sergeants Benevolent Association through bogus expense reports. He also faces steep financial penalties. Ahead of his Aug. 3 sentencing, lawyers for the incendiary ex-labor boss cited his 39 years of service, describing a precipitous fall from grace. Rather than enjoying a wealth of well-paying opportunities that usually comes with a long career in law enforcement, Mullins lawyer Thomas Kenniff said his client now works as a used car deliveryman who stands to lose his home and retirement savings. While he hopes to utilize his education and increase his earnings upon concluding his sentence, he will never again work in law enforcement or be able to pursue the array of opportunities that would otherwise have been available to him absent this conviction, Kenniff wrote. According to his plea, between 2017 and October 2020 Mullins billed the SBA for meals at high-end restaurants, designer clothing, jewelry, home appliances, and even a relatives college tuition through fake or inflated expense reports. While the stain of this conviction will forever tarnish Mr. Mullins SBA tenure, it does not define it, Kenniff wrote. He is ashamed of his actions and has accepted responsibility for his conduct. Yet, Mr. Mullins has otherwise led a law-abiding life aside from this incident, one devoted to public service. Mullins lawyers included several letters of recommendation, including a former SBA member who wrote the judge saying he was touched by how Mullins used to contact relatives of officers slain in the line of duty. It is these quiet acts of compassion, absent from any plaque or press release, that I believe are most indicative of my clients true character, Kenniff wrote. Story continues Mullins, who joined the NYPD at age 20 and rose to detective and then sergeant, became president of the fifth-largest police union in the country in 2002, where he remained for almost two decades. He was stripped of his gun and shield in 2021 and filed for retirement a day after the FBI raided the unions headquarters and his Long Island home. The feds indicted him for plundering his unions bank accounts in February 2022. Toward the end of his time as union chief, Mullins was embroiled in several controversies, establishing a reputation for racist and misogynistic tweets slamming political leaders, like calling Bronx Democratic Rep. Ritchie Torres a first-class whore and former city Health Commissioner Oxiris Barbot a b---h. Manhattan U.S. Attorney spokesman Nick Biase declined to comment. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a candidate for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has settled on his next culture wars target: Anheuser-Busch InBev, the parent company of Bud Light. DeSantis urged the agency that manages Florida's pension fund to launch an investigation into Bud Light's parent company, following the conservative backlash against the brand for entering into a minor marketing partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. A right-wing boycott against Bud Light has led the stock price of its parent company to fall from $66 a share to $58. "As you well know, AB InBev's performance has plummeted since its decision to associate its Bud Light brand with radical social ideologies," DeSantis wrote in a letter to the state's Board of Administration. "That fateful decision has transformed America's formerly best-selling beer - and one of InBev's best-performing assets into a commercial pariah." Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, campaigning in the Republican presidential race in West Columbia, S.C., on July 18, 2023, moves chairs out of his way after a news conference. The Florida governor also urged the head of the state's Board of Administration to consider legal action against Bud Light and its parent company. "It appears to me that AB InBev may have breached legal duties owed to its shareholders, and that a shareholder action may be both appropriate and necessary," DeSantis wrote. "To protect SBA and the retirees of Florida from losses attributable to AB InBev's disregard of those duties, all options are on the table." A spokesperson for Anheuser-Busch wrote in a statement on Friday that "Anheuser-Busch InBev takes our responsibility to our shareholders, employees, distributors and customers seriously." "We are focused on driving long-term, sustainable growth for them by optimizing our business and providing consumers products to enjoy for any occasion," the spokesperson added. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who is running against DeSantis for the Republican nomination, took aim at the Florida governor during a Thursday interview with USA TODAY over DeSantis' "culture wars" legal battle with Disney. Story continues "I always thought that's what liberals didthat's what I was taught that liberals thought. 'If you disagree, I can use the government to punish you and change your mind,'" Christie said. "Now, all of a sudden, that's what conservatives or people who call themselves conservatives are doing." Christie said he doesn't know understand how Democrats and Republicans reached a point where they started to believe that "government was a better parent than parents." DeSantis, however, suggested Florida might file a "derivative lawsuit" against AB InBev, during a Thursday interview with Fox News to discuss his newly launched campaign against Bud Light's parent company. "When you start pursuing a political agenda at the expense of your shareholders that's not just impacting very wealthy people, it impacts hardworking people who were police officers, firefighters, and teachers, in terms of the pension," DeSantis said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ron DeSantis calls for inquiry into Bud Light's parent company Hun Manet, the future Prime Minister candidate for the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), waves to supporters during a massive rally in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on July 21, 2023. The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) on Friday held a massive rally to mark the end of a three-week campaign for the general election set to take place on July 23. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua) PHNOM PENH, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) on Friday held a massive rally to mark the end of a three-week campaign for the general election set to take place on July 23. During the rally held at the Diamond Island in Phnom Penh, Hun Manet, the future Prime Minister candidate for the CPP, said that if the CPP wins the election, their party-led government will launch the Pentagon Strategy Phase I for 2023-2028 in a journey to achieve their vision of becoming a high-income country by 2050. Manet, the 45-year-old eldest son of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, is a member of the CPP's Standing Committee. On the closing day of the election campaign, other parties, including the royalist Funcinpec Party and the Khmer National United Party, also gathered in other parts of the capital city. Eighteen political parties will contest in Sunday's election for the 125 seats in the National Assembly, the National Election Committee (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 CPP won all 125 seats in the National Assembly. Supporters of the Funcinpec Party attend a rally to mark the end of the election campaign for the July 23 general election in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on July 21, 2023. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua) A dispute between two neighbors ended in a deadly shooting in Colerain Township overnight, a police spokesman said. The shooting happened on Newmarket Drive around 10:30 p.m., according to Hamilton County dispatchers. During the argument, one of the males pulled out a gun and started shooting. A 44-year-old man was shot and pronounced dead out on the street. The Hamilton County Coroners Office identified him Friday as Craig Cain. Police took someone into custody, according to the police spokesman, Jim Love. It is not clear if that person was arrested or will be charged. This remains an active investigation. Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Colerain Township neighbor dispute ends in fatal shooting New million-dollar houses were supposed to be built on a dozen prime lots in Coconut Grove. But a real estate developer accused of fraud and broke, according to his lawyer never fulfilled his promises to eager buyers who gave him huge deposits, and the properties are likely to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Receiver Alan Fine, appointed to manage the maze of the case against self-styled King of Coconut Grove Doug Cox, his domestic partner Nicole Pearl and their companies, has asked Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Bailey to approve the sale of the undeveloped lots. Eight of the lots are still under contract to buyers, some of whom have waited years for their houses to be built as completion dates came and went and nothing happened on the properties. Cox hadnt even pulled building permits on them. Four of the properties have old houses on them slated for demolition. The others are empty, aside from overgrown vegetation. Sale prices in the Grove have doubled since 2020 and mortgage rates have tripled as the Miami housing market boomed during the COVID influx of new residents. Original buyers say they cant afford todays prices and want their contracts honored. But one of Fines duties is to maximize the assets and minimize the liabilities of Coxs companies, and so he has decided to start the process of marketing the lots for a bulk sale at current market value. Cox has also signed purchase contracts for 12 nearly finished townhouses on Coconut Avenue in the Grove but has not allowed buyers to complete the sales and move in; those properties are also under the control of Fine, whom Bailey appointed as receiver in May. The lot in the 2000 block of Secoffee Street in North Coconut Grove is one of the 12 lots owned by Coconut Grove developer Doug Cox that a court-appointed receiver wants to auction off, according to court records. Bidder steps up Fine already has a buyer who is offering $16.5 million for the 12 undeveloped lots: Red Treehouse LLC, a company formed two weeks ago in Wyoming by Phillip Sylvester, a Chicago-based real estate investor and Coxs business partner in home-building since 2014. He first hired Cox as a general contractor on a few houses. Story continues Sylvester is suing Cox, claiming he, too, was deceived by Cox, who gave him fake mortgage documents in 2019, broke their agreement and owes him $7 million, Sylvester says. Sylvester said he discovered what Cox was doing when he read a March article in the Miami Herald, confronted Cox, and then, fearing Cox was pocketing the money, depleting and wasting the properties and driving the development companies to bankruptcy in a fraudulent scheme, filed the emergency request for a receiver to take over management. READ MORE: They bought their dream homes from the King of Coconut Grove. They still cant move in Fine said Sylvesters offer qualifies him as the stalking horse or first bidder. If no one out-bids him, he buys the properties he initially bought and agreed to develop in a joint venture with Cox five years ago. This would be the second time Im buying these properties. Im offering $16.5 million and I paid $9 million the first time, Sylvester said Friday. My motivation is to reclaim my properties and move the receivership investigation along. This agreement to be stalking horse required a lot of complicated work and relinquishing my property rights, but I feel if I didnt step up the hemorrhaging would continue. I dont know what happens next, but we want to get to the bottom of this and make things right. Fine told Bailey in his motion that the sale of the lots to Sylvester as a stalking horse and an auction governed by the procedures proposed herein will enable the receiver to obtain the highest and best offer for the lots. Among those holding contracts on the lots are Rafael Isola and Maria Del Mar Velez, who sued Cox and Pearl on April 24, alleging breach of contract, deceptive and unfair trade practices and fraud stemming from their March 2022 purchase contract for a beautiful oak-shaded vacant lot and house to be constructed in the North Grove at 2050 Secoffee St. for $4.85 million with a deposit of $1.456 million. The couple included in the suit a copy of a bounced check from Cox that was to be a partial refund of their deposit. What does Fines goal for the undeveloped lots portend for the dozen additional Cox properties that have had nearly finished townhouses sitting on them for at least two years? Its unclear. The townhouses are all under contract with buyers, some under double and even triple contracts. The 4,000-square-foot townhouses initially went under contract for $1.2 million to $1.8 million, with deposits ranging from $300,000 to $550,000. Cox and Pearl are accused in court records of stalling buyers and preventing them from moving in by not completing final inspections and obtaining certificates of occupancy while they resold the houses at higher prices and collected larger deposits from subsequent unsuspecting buyers. Several townhouses can be seen in the 2900 block of Coconut Avenue in the Coconut Grove area of Miami, Florida, on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023. The property is owned by Doug Cox/Drive Development. Cox has declined to respond to Herald queries. Hes blamed delays on supply-chain problems, the city of Miamis building department and the engineer he hired to do inspections. Fine estimates Cox and Pearl collected $22 million in deposits over five years, including $3.3 million from four buyers on a single townhouse at 2960 Coconut Ave. Three people have contracts on it now, including one for $2.475 million with a $742,500 deposit from February 2022 and one for $2.375 million with a $1.52 million deposit from January, according to lawsuits. The third one, amount unspecified, was signed in December, according to court records. All the while, buyers say Cox and Pearl persuasively assured them they were close to completing the final touches, stringing some along as they put down their lifes savings, moved their families to Miami from New York, Chicago and California, placed their belongings in storage and lived with relatives or rented apartments at skyrocketing rental rates in anticipation of moving into their dream homes within 60 days. Some of the original buyers walked through the townhouses in 2020 and 2021 and assumed that since the homes were only lacking a mirror here or a fixture there that they would close in a matter of weeks. Instead, Cox put up No Trespassing signs and security cameras and forbade them from stepping onto the properties. A no-trespassing sign sits in front of townhouses along Coconut Grove Avenue in Miami, Florida on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023. Many of the homebuyers have been waiting two to three years to move into their newly constructed dream homes owned by Coconut Grove developer Doug Cox, who has kept extending the closing date. A court-appointed receiver is now overseeing the properties. Cox, a developer in one of the hottest markets in the country, has not closed a home sale since 2019. I have yet to see any substantial, conscientious attempt to honor the legally binding contracts of the buyers, said Michael Coyne, who bought one of the Coconut Avenue townhouses for $1.6 million in 2021 and put down a $487,500 deposit. He, his wife, their three children and her parents have lived like vagabonds in nine places since. Were hoping for a fair outcome. We hope the judge and receiver are working on behalf of the wronged victims who have suffered an injustice and severe financial harm as a result of fraud. I am ready to finish buying my house right now without a certificate of occupancy. We believe the original buyers deserve that opportunity. $20 million not accounted for The estimated value of all the Cox properties the lots and houses is $65 million to $69 million. The claims of buyers, investors, Sylvester and a lender that is charging 24.5 percent interest add up to $85.5 million, according to Fine. At least $20 million is unaccounted for, and Fines team of lawyers and forensic accountants is searching through bank accounts and myriad transactions for which the details are currently murky. Many documents and records for Coxs companies Send Enterprises and Drive Development have not been provided by Cox and Pearl despite repeated requests. READ MORE: $20 million is missing. Frustrated homebuyers warned the city about King of Coconut Grove Fine is also examining a $34 million loan from Altamar Financial Group to Cox and why Altamar granted six extensions to Cox. With penalty interest accruing at 24.5 percent, or $22,251.37 per day since the default, Coxs debt has ballooned to $43,087,028, according to a foreclosure action by Altamar. The properties Cox put up as collateral with Altamar are worth more today than the debt he owes. I am also investigating various short-term, high-interest financing transactions which may not have been lawful, or which may be void or voidable under Florida law, if, for example, the assets of Send were used to pay liabilities of others for which insufficient or no value to Send was provided in exchange, Fine wrote in his July 10 report to Bailey. Fine hired real estate broker and investor Vivian Dimond to expedite inspections with the city and market the properties. David Tennants new Sonic Screwdriver has been revealed, as the actor prepares to return as the Fourteenth Doctor in the BBCs Doctor Who. The Scottish actor will return to play the Doctor in three special episodes airing in November to mark the 60th anniversary of the sci-fi show. Tennant previously played the 10th Doctor from 2010 to 2015, appearing alongside companions Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) and Donna Noble (Catherine Tate). While few details about the 52-year-olds return to the show, fans have been given a few hints about Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor. The latest is the Doctors new Sonic Screwdriver, a powerful piece of handheld technology used by the character. In a clip shared on social media, fans were shown the metallic device, which features a cracked porcelain design, with a blue light at the end reminiscent of a Daleks eye and four surrounding blue lights. Fans were delighted by the design, with one writing: Wow, this design looks really cool. Looks like a combination of the Tenth Doctors sonic with its own unique stuff. Oh my gosh this is cool, another echoed. You can see elements of 10, 11 and 12 all in one and its making me excited to see it in action. An absolute beautiful piece of craftsmanship. I love the gold and marble aesthetic, another fan wrote. Earlier this week, character posters were released teasing Tennants return as well as that of Tates Donna to the show. Tennants reprisal of the role was a long-rumoured surprise for fans, as Sex Educations Ncuti Gatwa had already been announced as the new Doctor. In Jodie Whittakers final episode as the 13th Doctor, which aired in October 2022, the Time Lord didnt regenerate into Gatwa as expected. Rather, the Doctor turned back into Tennant, who looked confused and repeatedly asked: What? Tennant and Tate will star in the three-episode miniseries this autumn, with Heartstoppers Yasmin Finney appearing as a character called Rose. Story continues Gatwa will officially take over as the Doctor in the 2023 festive period, with Millie Gibson playing his companion Ruby Sunday. While the Scottish-Rwandan actor is the fourteenth actor to play an official iteration of the Doctor, Tennant is returning as the Fourteenth Doctor, meaning Gatwa is the Fifteenth Doctor. Character posters were also shared this week for Gatwas Doctor. In the picture, Gatwa wears a red leather trenchcoat, with a red and blue striped shirt and blue trousers beneath. Speaking in a recent interview with Rolling Stone UK, the Rwandan-Scottish actor who also has a key role in the forthcoming Barbie movie opened up about picking his costume for the Doctor. The day [showrunner Russell T Davies] invited me to meet everybody, they asked me what sort of costume I wanted. I showed them this Ralph Lauren collection that was in partnership with Historically Black Colleges in America, he said. I love those pieces, theyre so preppy and so Black The Doctor has travelled all of time and space; theyre going to have a sick wardrobe. Doctor Who returns in November on BBC One. The Department of Justice says it intends to sue Texas Gov. Greg Abbott over the use of a floating buoy border barrier to stop illegal immigration into the state a move that immediately drew a fiery response from the Republican governor. "The State of Texass actions violate federal law, raise humanitarian concerns, present serious risks to public safety and the environment, and may interfere with the federal governments ability to carry out its official duties," the DOJ said in a letter to Abbott, first reported by the Houston Chronicle. A spokesperson for the Justice Departments Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD) confirmed to Fox Digital that the DOJ "sent a letter to the Texas Governor and Attorney General providing notice of our intent to pursue legal action related to unlawful construction of a floating barrier in the Rio Grande River, pursuant to section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, 33 U.S.C. 403." Abbott announced the barrier, consisting of orange buoys and intended to discourage migrants from crossing the Rio Grande, in June and began installing it this month. It is part of Operation Lone Star, a multifaceted operation to tackle the border crisis amid what Republicans say is a lack of leadership from the federal government. MEXICO'S AMLO INTENSIFIES ANTI-GOP MEDDLING WITH NEW ATTACK ON TEXAS GOV ABBOTT But the move angered Mexico and the U.S. federal government, as well as immigration activists, who said the move to defend Texas sovereignty was illegal and inhumane. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Texas officials have claimed that the latest plan will discourage people from attempting to cross the treacherous river. It is expected to take about two weeks to set up the buoys. "Anytime they get in that water, its a risk to the migrants. This is the deterrent from even coming in the water," Texas Department of Public Safety director Steve McCraw said last month. But the DOJ also cited humanitarian concerns in opposing it, as well as other risks. Story continues "This floating barrier poses a risk to navigation, as well as public safety, in the Rio Grande River, and it presents humanitarian concerns," the DOJ letter said, according to the Chronicle. "Thus, we intend to seek appropriate legal remedies, which may include seeking injunctive relief requiring the removal of obstructions or other structures in the Rio Grande River." The letter sets a July 24 deadline for a response from Abbott. ABBOTT MOVES AHEAD WITH FLOATING BORDER BARRIERS ON RIO GRANDE DESPITE LIBERAL OUTRAGE Abbott responded on Twitter to the letter, saying that Texas "has the sovereign authority to defend our border, under the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution. We have sent the Biden Administration numerous letters detailing our authority, including the one I hand-delivered to President Biden earlier this year." Abbott has feuded with the Biden administration repeatedly about the border, with the administration accusing him of inhumane actions and with Abbott accusing the administration of exacerbating the migrant crisis. "The tragic humanitarian crisis on the border was created because of Bidens refusal to secure the border. His open border policies encourage migrants to risk their lives crossing illegally through the Rio Grande, instead of safely and legally over a bridge," Abbott said Friday. OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SAY BORDER IS IN CRISIS OR MAJOR PROBLEM: POLL "Texas is stepping up to address this crisis. We will continue to deploy every strategy to protect Texans and Americans and the migrants risking their lives," he said. "We will see you in court, Mr. President." The administration has slammed Abbotts unilateral efforts to tackle the border crisis now into its third year. Abbott has restarted border wall construction, set up razor wire and has bussed migrants to "sanctuary" cities like Washington, D.C., and New York City. The White House said on Friday that Abbott is endangering the lives of migrants and agents with his actions, and accused him of undermining President Biden's border plan which officials have tied to a drop in encounters in June to levels not seen since February 2021. "President Bidens plan to manage the border through deterrence, enforcement, and diplomacy after the Title 42 public health order lifted is working," Assistant Press Secretary Abdullah Hasan said in a statement. "Unlawful border crossings are down to the lowest levels in over two years. Governor Abbotts dangerous and unlawful actions are undermining our effective border enforcement plan and making it hard for CBP to do their jobs of securing the border. The governors actions are cruel and putting both migrants and border agents in danger." "The Department of Justice made clear that it is prepared to take the governor to court if he doesnt immediately remove the unlawful structures in the Rio Grande," he said. Meanwhile, the border barrier also brought rebuke from Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Mexico has issued a complaint over the barrier, and Lopez Obrador used the barriers to meddle in U.S. elections and tell Hispanics not to vote for Abbott or Republicans who support stronger border measures. "We don't have to do much, just tell our compatriots not to vote for the governor of Texas or for lawmakers of the Republican Party who support these measures," he said. The Biden administration on Friday gave Texas a three-day deadline to enter in negotiations to remove its floating barriers in the Rio Grande or face legal action. In a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and interim state Attorney General Angela Colmenero (R), the Department of Justice (DOJ) said that the buoys installed to deter migrants from crossing the river violate a number of federal laws. The State of Texass actions violate federal law, raise humanitarian concerns, present serious risks to public safety and the environment, and may interfere with the federal governments ability to carry out its official duties, wrote Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim and United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas Jaime Esparza in a letter obtained by The Hill. According to the federal attorneys, the installation of buoys violated multiple provisions of the Rivers and Harbors act. According to that law, they wrote, it is forbidden to create a construction that obstructs navigable waters in the United States, and any construction in such waters requires the permission of the Army Corps of Engineers, which Texas did not obtain. Texass unauthorized construction of the floating barrier is a prima facie violation of the Rivers and Harbors Act. This floating barrier poses a risk to navigation, as well as public safety, in the Rio Grande River, and it presents humanitarian concerns, wrote Kim and Esparza. Thus, we intend to seek appropriate legal remedies, which may include seeking injunctive relief requiring the removal of obstructions or other structures in the Rio Grande River. The threat to sue is the latest escalation in a growing constitutional rift between GOP-governed states that seek to implement their vision on immigration policy and the federal government, which claims full constitutional jurisdiction over borders and immigration. Abbott presented a different interpretation of the Constitution. Texas has the sovereign authority to defend our border, under the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution, he wrote on Twitter. Story continues We have sent the Biden Administration numerous letters detailing our authority, including the one I hand-delivered to President Biden earlier this year. Abbotts view and the consequences of the border barriers installed as a part of Operation Lone Star including the buoys have many Democrats calling on the Biden administration to push Texas officials aside at the U.S.-Mexico border. In a letter to Biden Friday, 86 House Democrats urged the president to to assert your authority over federal immigration policy and foreign relations and investigate and pursue legal action, as appropriate, related to stop Governor Abbotts dangerous and cruel actions. Rage against Abbott has blown over after a Texas Department of Public Safety troopers concerns about the humanity of Operation Lone Star were made public last week. In an internal email detailing a string of preventable deaths and injuries related mainly to razor wire and buoys installed by Texas on the Rio Grande, the trooper asked his superiors to take a different tack, questioning orders to deny water to migrants and to push the people back into the water to go to Mexico. I truly believe in the mission of Operation Lone Star; I believe we a have stepped over a line into the in humane. We need to operate it correctly in the eyes of God. We need to recognize that these are people who are made in the image of God and need to be treated as such, wrote the trooper in the email dated July 3. Calls to stop Operation Lone Star have intensified since then; Rep. Julian Castro (D-Texas), who led the Friday letter, on Tuesday led a call by House Democrats from Texas censuring Abbotts border operations. Individual members have also made their thoughts on Operation Lone Star public; Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragan (D-Calif.) on Thursday called the emails allegations disturbing. Governor Abbotts shameless alleged actions are inexcusable, and there must be a full and transparent investigation into the possible crimes that he ordered to prevent further violence and mistreatment of children, asylum seekers, and migrants, Barragan said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The McDonald's at 3215 Adventureland Drive in Altoona. A Dominican woman's suit alleging labor trafficking by an Altoona McDonald's and work exchange organization has been settled out of court. Raymunda Marcano Figueroa filed suit in February, alleging that McDonald's Corp., its local franchisee and nonprofit international work exchange program Cultural Homestay International had promised to bring her to the U.S. to work at a "popular U.S. resort, amusement park, sporting arena, or restaurant." Instead, she said, she was placed at the McDonald's store across the street from Adventureland Park in Altoona, where she alleged the company made illegal deductions from her wages and both it and Cultural Homestay failed to live up to representations made to entice her to take the job. When she complained, she said in the suit, she was immediately fired and dumped at Des Moines International Airport to be flown back to her home country. An attorney for Cultural Homestay International, the placement agency, said at the time that Marcano was fired for making threats against a supervisor. More labor trafficking: Iowa City caretaker who alleged hundreds of thousands in wage theft settles lawsuit In June, Marcano filed notice with the court that the case would be settled, and on July 7, she formally dismissed all claims against Cultural Homestay International and the Iowa McDonald's franchisee. Claims against McDonald's Corp. were dismissed earlier in the case. Court filings do not specify how much, if anything, was paid to settle the case. An attorney for Marcano did not respond to an inquiry about the settlement. Attorneys for the Iowa franchise holder and Cultural Homestay International declined to comment on the case. William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com, 715-573-8166 or on Twitter at @DMRMorris. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa McDonald's, Cultural Homestay International labor lawsuit settled (Bloomberg) -- Donald Trumps legal woes are mounting just as the race for the 2024 presidential election heats up. Most Read from Bloomberg The former president, whos campaigning for another term in the White House, potentially faces as many as six criminal and civil cases in the next year, including lawsuits against him, his family and companies. Four of those trials have already been scheduled. The trials, some of which are expected to last for weeks, overlap with key primary election dates, raising questions about the obstacles and consequences Trump will have to face as he ramps up his 2024 campaign. GOP voters will be choosing their nominee in a series of primaries beginning Jan. 15 in Iowa. The most serious are two criminal indictments against Trump, which both potentially carry prison terms upon conviction. One brought by the Justice Department and another by state prosecutors in Manhattan. Trump also faces two civil suits in both state and federal court in New York. Two other possible criminal trials involving Trump are still up in the air. Special Counsel Jack Smith is conducting a second investigation against the former president into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. No charges have been announced, but an investigation letter Trump received signals that another federal case may be on the way. Meanwhile, the former president could soon be indicted by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in Atlanta, who has spent months investigating his alleged election interference in Georgia in the wake of his 2020 defeat. May 20, 2024: Trumps Handling of Classified Documents Trump was charged by the Department of Justice in June with mishandling classified materials at his Mar-a-Lago compound. US Judge Aileen Cannon, who is overseeing the case, on Friday set that trial to begin May 20, rejecting the Justice Departments bid to try the case in December, as well as the former presidents request for a delay until after the 2024 election. Story continues The trial date falls after nearly all the 2024 primaries have been completed, but before an official Republican presidential nominee is named at the convention in July. Trump will still have be in court to face the criminal charges, legal experts said. Its a fundamental right for a defendant to be present at their trial, said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor in Florida, now in private practice. He cant say, Im too busy to come to court because Im running for president. March 25, 2024: Manhattan Criminal Trial Over Alleged Payments The first ever criminal indictment against a current or former president is set to begin March 25 in Manhattan state court. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg alleges in that during the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump directed his then-lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen to make hush-money payments to adult film actor Stormy Daniels to bury damaging allegations of a sexual encounter. Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal the true nature of the payments in the indictment filed in March. New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has already ordered Trump had to appear in person for his April 4 arraignment where he pleaded not guilty and at a second hearing in May but excused the former president from at least one court proceeding while he was campaigning. Trumps next scheduled court appearance in that case is Jan. 4. Jan. 15, 2024: E. Jean Carrolls Defamation Suit Trump faces a second trial over allegations brought by columnist E. Jean Carroll, starting Jan. 15 in Manhattan federal court. In May, Carroll won a landmark verdict against Trump when a jury found him liable for sexually abusing her during an alleged attack in a dressing room in 1996 and awarded her $5 million in damages. Carroll claims in this 2019 suit that Trump defamed her by accusing her of fabricating the attack in order to gain attention and sell a book. Carroll is seeking at least $10 million in damages. While Trump didnt appear in court for the first trial with Carroll and his lawyers havent said if hell attend the second trial or the state suit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Oct. 2, 2023: NY Attorney Generals Fraud Suit Trump faces off with New York states top prosecutor in a trial in Manhattan state court starting Oct. 2 in a $250 million fraud case against the former president, his company and two of his sons. The suit filed by James in September 2022 alleges that Trump, his sons and their family business overvalued his assets by billions of dollars. New York state judge Arthur Engoron, who has rejected Trumps bid to throw out the case, directed the trial would start in October come hell or high water. Engoron has estimated the trial could last as long as two months. James alleges Trump and his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, lied to lenders and insurers about the value of the former presidents assets in order to get favorable loan terms and lower insurance premiums. --With assistance from Zoe Tillman. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Mr Trumps legal team said he would not be given a fair trial before the conclusion of the election in November - Steven Senne Donald Trump will go on trial for allegedly mishandling classified documents in the middle of the 2024 election campaign. Lawyers for the former president had pushed for the case to be postponed indefinitely because of the challenges Mr Trump would face in juggling both the criminal trial and the November election. But Judge Aileen Cannon set the start date for May 20, 2024, in Fort Pierce, Florida, meaning the Republican frontrunner will face a jury halfway into what will likely be an intense battle with Joe Biden. The trial is expected to run for two weeks. The timing will likely add fuel to Mr Trumps claims that the indictment is nothing more than a witch hunt and election interference. Mr Trump, 77, faces 37 charges in relation to hundreds of confidential documents discovered at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Only two of the charges carry a possible prison sentence of fewer than 10 years. Mr Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges during an arraignment last month. Prosecutors, led by special counsel Jack Smith, wanted the trial to begin in December. Mr Trumps legal team argued the case was extraordinary and they needed more time to prepare. They also claimed Mr Trump would not be given a fair trial before the conclusion of the election in November 2024. A spokesperson for Mr Trump on Friday said the date was a major setback to the DOJs crusade to deny President Trump a fair legal process and said the extensive schedule allows President Trump and his legal team to continue fighting this empty hoax. Ms Cannon, who was appointed by Mr Trump, has chosen a date weeks before the Republican National Convention in July, where the partys presidential nominee will formally be crowned. The majority of state primaries will be finished by mid-May, but a handful of votes will take place on May 14 and beyond. Jurors will be selected from the local area, which includes several counties Mr Trump won in 2020. The classified documents trial is just one of the blizzard of legal challenges being faced by Mr Trump. Story continues In April, he was charged with falsifying business records in New York by allegedly trying to conceal hush money payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels. Earlier this week, Mr Trump said he expects to be arrested soon in connection with a federal inquiry into the US Capitol riot two years ago and his efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. 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. Donald Trump looks unbeatable in Californias 2024 Republican presidential primary at the moment. His campaign has raised more money in California than any other presidential candidate. Recent statewide polls routinely show Trump with a huge lead over Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and everyone else. His California popularity has held steady this summer through two criminal indictments and heavy media coverage of two others that may be imminent. On Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon said Trumps trial on federal charges involving his handling of classified documents could start in May. Several states will be holding primaries at that time. Californias primary is scheduled March 5. With all the unknowns yet to come, I would not say this race has been put away by any stretch of the imagination, said Rocklin-based Republican consultant Dave Gilliard. Trump has raised $3.1 million in contributions of over $200 in California since November, when he announced his bid for a second presidential term, according to the nonpartisan OpenSecrets, which analyzed the data for McClatchy. DeSantis, who announced in late May and held a June fundraiser in Sacramento, has collected $2.1 million from donations of over $200. Smaller contributions do not need to be reported as part of the Federal Election Commission campaign filings. No other Republican is close to Trump or DeSantis in California fundraising. Next is former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, whos raised $852,000. Recent statewide polls routinely show Trump with a huge lead over DeSantis, Haley and other Republican contenders. Trump definitely has a base that will stick with him, said John Pitney, professor of government at Claremont McKenna College and former Republican National Committee staffer. At the moment, Pitney said, DeSantis prospects in California are pretty slim. California primary dreaming California is a must-win for DeSantis and other Trump challengers. A candidate will need 1,234 Republican convention delegates to win the nomination, and California has 169 of them. Story continues Voters will go to the polls early enough in the primary season to give the winner strong, even unstoppable, numbers and momentum. California will be part of Super Tuesday, when voters in 14 states from coast to coast will cast ballots. If Trump wins in the early states of Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada, California wont matter much, Gilliard said. But if he stumbles, California becomes a crucial battleground. Trump has never been tested in a California Republican primary. In 2016, the contest was in June, and the GOP race had already been decided. Trump won with 75%, but his chief rivals had left the field. Largely unchallenged in 2020, he won with 92%. This time, DeSantis may have the money and organization to do that. The California Republican Party has not decided how delegates will be allocated. If they are awarded on the basis of who wins each of the states 52 congressional districts, that could be a help to DeSantis. Final Republican rules are expected to be decided this fall. Its not going to be going on TV in Los Angeles or San Francisco, its going to be a lot of work on the ground, said Gilliard. Neither the DeSantis nor the Trump campaigns responded to requests for comment. DeSantis challenge DeSantis immediate headache is that he has foundered in the early going. For months he was widely touted as the best-financed, most politically savvy challenger to Trump an effective sharp-tongued warrior against Democrats such as Californias Gov. Gavin Newsom, but without the enormous legal baggage and other drama. But his campaign appearances have often been lackluster, and hes had to trim staff recently. In state and national polls hes far behind Trump, whose legal troubles have not eroded his popularity. In California, Trump was the choice of 50% of the states likely Republican voters in the June Public Policy Institute of California poll. DeSantis was next at 24%, followed by former Vice President Mike Pence at 10%. PPIC polled before and after Trump was indicted in June on charges related to improperly handling classified documents he pleaded not guilty and found the same result. Hes got a fan base and at this point in time it seems pretty solid, said Mark Baldassare, PPIC survey director. The poll was also in the field when DeSantis was in California last month. He campaigned at a breakfast fundraiser in Sacramento that attracted about 60 people. He also visited California in March, before he formally declared his candidacy, as part of a tour promoting his book. That appearance, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, attracted about 1,300 people. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, said DeSantis gained stature with Republicans for his COVID policies, as he was a leading voice questioning and challenging federal restrictions. Now that the pandemic is over, its natural that people start looking at a significant number of senators and governors, and they no longer see quite as much difference, Issa said. Issa, who has not endorsed a candidate, found People want Trumps policies. They want Trumps candor and willingness to take on the establishment. So voters will ask, do they want a younger, less drama-filled version of Trump? Even if the current investigation into whether he tried to manipulate the 2020 election results leads to further legal jeopardy? Special Counsel Jack Smith this week informed Trump that hes the target of a criminal investigation in the matter. So far, Trump supporters are going nowhere. The only real question is Could anything happen? The only thing I can think of is a health concern, said Pitney of Trump. But trying to convince the hard right that Trump isnt hard right enough? Thats a difficult case to make. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is launching an investigation after a Delta airplane sat on the tarmac of Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas for multiple hours Monday before the flight was canceled, according to Reuters. Passengers reportedly sat in the plane, set to travel from Las Vegas to Atlanta, for hours in 111-degree temperatures, according to reports. DOT officials didnt confirm the investigation but said theyre looking into the circumstances that led to uncomfortable temperatures inside the cabin, reports KTNV Channel 13, Las Vegass local ABC News affiliate. Paramedics reportedly wheeled multiple people off the plane, according to Fox Business. In addition, multiple flight attendants were also said to have fallen ill, but the number of people who got sick could not be confirmed. Delta said at least one passenger sought treatment for heat-related illness. Delta flight canceled after passengers suffer heat illnesses amid triple-digit temps in Las Vegas Transportation Department officials told Channel 13 that airlines are required to ensure comfortable temperatures in the cabin during tarmac delays. I want to know how it was possible for passengers to be left in triple-digit heat on board an aircraft for that long, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told Reuters about the incident. He added, Even at normal temperatures, a tarmac delay is not supposed to go that long, and we have rules about that, which we are actively enforcing right now. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. UNITED NATIONS, July 21 (Xinhua) -- UN Humanitarians on Friday expressed deep concern over more than 50 attacks on aid workers and health care in Sudan in three months. "We are appalled by reports that a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) team was assaulted by armed men in Khartoum yesterday (Thursday)," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. According to OCHA, MSF reported that a 16-person team in Khartoum was aggressively assaulted by a group of armed men who physically beat and whipped them. The assailants detained one of the MSF drivers and, before his release, threatened to kill him. They also stole a vehicle. MSF said the incident happened as the team was moving medical supplies from the organization's warehouse to the Turkish Hospital, one of only two hospitals still operating in all of southern Khartoum. "We underscore that attacks on health care workers and facilities are a violation of international humanitarian law," OCHA said. "They must stop now." The World Health Organization has verified more than 50 attacks on health care since the conflict began in Sudan on April 15. Drag Race Winners 2023 These are the new Drag Race Superstars! Drag Race Winners 2023 World of Wonder; MTV This year is set to air the highest number of RuPauls Drag Race seasons in herstory. As a new winner is crowned with each and every season, 2023 should also feature more Drag Race winners than any other year to date. We are now more than halfway through the year, but there are still plenty of Drag Race to air in 2023. Nonetheless, there are already a few winners who have snatched a crown in their respective seasons and entered the winners circle of the overall franchise. All episodes of RuPauls Drag Race All Stars 8 are now streaming on Paramount+. Drag Couenne 'Drag Race Belgique' Season 1 Drag Couenne World of Wonder The first crowned winner of 2023 was Drag Couenne, who won the very first season of Drag Race Belgique after winning three maxi challenges and never landing in the bottom two. Hosted by Canadas Drag Race runner-up Rita Baga, the grand finale of Belgique had a top three consisting of Drag Couenne, Athena Sorgelikis, and Susan. In the end, Couenne snatched the crown, and Sorgelikis finished as the runner-up. Sasha Colby 'RuPauls Drag Race' Season 15 Sasha Colby MTV Sasha Colby won season 15 of RuPauls Drag Race after winning four maxi challenges and never having to lip sync for her life. She is the first-ever contestant to enter the competition already publicly out as a trans woman and then go on to become Americas Next Drag Superstar. With the title, Colby also won the largest-ever cash prize for a regular season of the flagship Drag Race series: $200,000. Admira Thunderpussy 'Drag Race Sverige' Season 1 Admira Thunderpussy World of Wonder The first season of Drag Race Sverige has crowned its winner: Admira Thunderpussy. This queen competed at the finale against Fontana and Vanity Vain, and she definitely had the best track record out of the three. Overall, Thunderpussy won three maxi challenges and never landed in the bottom two, which certainly gave her the edge in terms of numbers. Story continues Pitita 'Drag Race Espana' Season 3 Pitita World of Wonder Pitita was crowned the winner of Drag Race Espana season three after winning four maxi challenges. This queen won the ball, an acting challenge, the Rusical, and the improv challenge. She only fell in the bottom once, for the stand-up comedy challenge. At the finale, Pitita came out victorious after competing for the crown against runner-up Vania Vainilla. Jimbo 'RuPauls Drag Race All Stars 8' Jimbo Paramount+ Jimbo has entered the Drag Race Hall of Fame after winning RuPauls Drag Race All Stars 8. The Canadian queen won four maxi challenges during the competition: the RDR Live! improv challenge, the Screen Queens advertisement challenge, the Snatch Game, and the comedy roast challenge. Going into the finale with Kandy Muse, Jimbo was certainly the frontrunner to snatch the crown and she did! The exhibition in Leiden includes a sculpture named 'I am Hip Hop' by the artist Dave Cortes, representing an album cover of hip-hop artist Nas (Simon Wohlfahrt) In a Dutch museum the sound of hip-hop blares out next to sarcophagi and statues, in what curators say is an attempt to show the influence of ancient Egypt on black musicians. A photo of superstar Beyonce dressed as Queen Nefertiti sits next to ancient busts, while a video of Rihanna channels Egyptian styles. What appears to be a pharaoh's golden mask turns out to be a modern sculpture based on the cover of an album by the rapper Nas. But the "Kemet" exhibition at Leiden's Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities) has enraged Egypt, which has reportedly banned the museum's archaeologists from a dig at a key site. Egypt's antiquities service said the museum is "falsifying history" with its "Afrocentric" approach, which seeks to appropriate Egyptian culture, Dutch media reported. The museum said it had meanwhile been hit with comments on social media that were "racist or offensive in nature" after the row blew up in Egypt. And so what was meant to be an empowering celebration of "Egypt in hip-hop, jazz, soul and funk" has instead become a culture war. - 'Nothing shocking' - With a small handful of visitors inspecting the exhibits on a quiet weekday morning, the canalside museum in a Dutch university town doesn't exactly look like a battlefield. There are walls of album covers showing the influence of ancient Egypt by artists including Tina Turner, Earth Wind and Fire and Miles Davis, and a special interactive video installation. One visitor said the reaction to the "informative" exhibition was overblown. "This doesn't make any sense to me and they're just sort of being too sensitive or trying to score political points maybe... Nothing to me was shocking," said Daniel Voshart, 37, a filmmaker and artist from Canada. "There were music videos that were already made and it's not like the Dutch government paid Beyonce to become you know, Egyptian." Story continues Museum director Wim Weijland was quoted by the Dutch newspaper NRC as saying that Egypt's reaction was "unseemly". The museum declined to comment on the dispute when contacted by AFP, instead pointing to a special section on its website. The museum said there had been a "commotion about this exhibition, because it shows Egyptian culture through the eyes of artists with African roots." The exhibition had two aims, it added -- to "show and understand the depiction of ancient Egypt and the messages in music by black artists" and to "show what scientific, Egyptological research can tell us about ancient Egypt and Nubia." The curator of the exhibition, Daniel Soliman, is himself half Egyptian and a huge music fan, sources at the museum said. - 'Complicated' relationship - The Dutch exhibition, which opened in late April and runs until September, appeared to walk into a already-brewing row in Egypt over a Netflix docudrama about Cleopatra. Egyptian pundits and officials were up in arms in April after Netflix streamed a production depicting the ancient queen as black, and insisted she had lighter skin. The Rijksmuseum's musical showcase was subsequently hit by similar criticisms of rewriting history. Egyptian authorities then banned the museum's archaeologists from the necropolis at Saqqara, south of Cairo, NRC said. Staff at the museum were shocked as they have been active for nearly five decades at the vast burial site, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and are currently leading an excavation there. "It's not just a story about whether the museum is getting the Egyptian identity right or wrong," Ali Hamdan, an assistant professor at the University of Amsterdam specialising in political geography, told AFP. "This is a story about two different projects to make sense of Ancient Egypt. One is a... cultural project by this museum, and another is a political project by the Egyptian state." Hamdan added that "your average Egyptian would describe themselves as Arab first maybe Egyptian second", while their relationship with Africa was "complicated". Egyptian Tourism and Antquities authorities could not be reached for comment. dk-jcp/jhe/giv The front of E.D. White Catholic High School in Thibodaux bears the name of the Confederate solder who went on to become chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. E.D. White Highs website says the Thibodaux schools roots extend deep into the soil of Bayou Lafourche. As the outgrowth of a school for Catholic education was founded in 1855, there can be little doubt as to that statements truth, perhaps in more ways than its administrators might prefer. The family of the schools namesake, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Edward Douglass White Jr., sank roots deep into land alongside Bayou Lafourche as well. The jurists father was governor of Louisiana from 1835 to 1839. The familys home, now a popular tourist attraction, is a state-run historic site situated amid what had been their expanse of sugar-cane fields, tended by enslaved workers until Emancipation. The school that bears his name was originally called Thibodaux Central Catholic High, according to a letter from the former bishop of the Houma-Thibodaux Diocese, written in 2021 in response to questions about its current name. In 1966 prior to the creation of the Houma-Thibodaux Diocese then-New Orleans Archbishop Philip Hannan changed the schools name to honor the former Supreme Court chief justice, a Roman Catholic native of Lafourche Parish. When Hannan was a young altar server, he was inspired by Whites regular presence at Mass in Washington, D.C., Houma-Thibodaux Bishop Shelton Fabre wrote in 2021. Little, if any, evidence indicates the younger White, in his teens when the Civil War started, had much to do with his familys role as slave keepers. He did join the Confederate Army in his teens, but records are scant and historical interpretations are conflicted. Documents show White served in an irregular Louisiana group that was essentially a guerilla unit. Documentation also indicates that for some period he was taken prisoner by Union Army forces. Andrew Kent, a Fordham University history professor whose research has largely focused on White, refers to the young soldiers military record as undistinguished. Both sides of the law Edward Douglass White of Thibodaux is shown in a portrait taken in 1905 while he served as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. But its not solely Whites Confederate military service that has caused debate about him. Story continues Rather, he is particularly remembered for his time on the U.S. Supreme Court, from 1894 to 1921, with the final 11 years as chief justice. Two years into Whites tenure, the Plessy v. Ferguson case was decided, a landmark ruling that would affect civil rights for Black Americans for the next 50 years or more. Plessy upheld the nations separate but equal doctrine as the law of the land and reinforced racial segregation across the South.. Yet White poses somewhat of an enigma for historians. White did not have enlightened racial views and joined the majority of the court in Plessy v. Ferguson and other decisions that denied equal rights to African-Americans, Kent stated. But he also wrote the courts decisions holding unconstitutional the so-called grandfather clauses that were used in the South after the war to prevent African Americans from voting, and voted in favor of civil rights in other important cases. Grandfather clauses mandated that an individual could not vote unless his grandfather had. This meant that for people whose ancestors were slaves, voting would be an impossibility. The bishop's reasoning Bishop Shelton Fabre: Letter on E.D. White High School name by The Courier and Daily Comet on Scribd The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, which owns and operates the 700-plus-student school, has been asked repeatedly over the years whether the schools name should be changed. Its official response remains in a 2021 letter penned by Fabre, who was named Louisville, Kentucky, archbishop last March after nearly nine years as Houma-Thibodauxs first Black bishop. Fabre also served as the first chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Ad Hoc Committee on Racism, a role he held from 2018 until stepping down in May 2023. In his letter, Fabre acknowledges that the White family had owned slaves and E.D. Whites Confederate involvement. The letter also states, affirmatively, something that is still a sticking point among historians Whites alleged membership in the White League, a Louisiana paramilitary organization similar to the Ku Klux Klan responsible for terrorist crimes against Black people and Republicans during Reconstruction. It further references Whites role in the Plessy decision. But Fabre also noted cases White took part in, referenced by Kent, that indicate a more conscientious attitude than that reflected in the landmark decision. In 1911, White sided with the majority in Bailey v. Alabama, which eliminated forced labor to repay debt. In the ruling, the court said Alabama law undercut the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. Fabre also cited Guinn v. United States, the grandfather clause case, for which White wrote the majority opinion. White also voted with the majority in 1917, declaring unconstitutional a Kentucky law that barred Black people from buying or renting homes in predominantly white neighborhoods. Debate extends beyond school Despite those later decisions that today would be judged on the right side of history, Kent said he understands, through his research, what sparks controversy around statues of White in New Orleans and the U.S. Capitol building as well as questions about the Thibodaux school. Earlier: E.D. White: Confederate monument debate hits home It is no secret, Kent said, that many of Whites racial views were abhorrent. In particular, he noted Whites involvement in the onerous White League, as a participant in the 1874 Battle of Liberty Place in New Orleans. Allegations of membership in the Knights of the White Camelia, a Reconstruction-era hate group, are mentioned by historians but Kent, and other historians note that secret societies dont tend to make their membership rolls public. Allegations of Ku Klux Klan membership are questioned, not only due to lack of proof but because of the hate groups disdain for Catholics. Whites involvement with the Crescent City White League, however, is documented. He took part in the Battle of Liberty Place in 1874, which occurred at the foot of Canal Street in New Orleans. The battle was an attempted coup by white-supremacist Democrats against Louisianas Republican government, a product of Reconstruction. That, along with the Plessy decision, were among the reasons cited by activists for years that a bronze statue of the jurist should not grace the entry of the Louisiana Supreme Court building in New Orleans, and in 2020 it was removed. The statue is set to be displayed inside the building near the courts museum but is not yet viewable by the public. 'A transformation of his beliefs' A statue of E.D. White of Thibodaux, who served as a Confederate soldier and a state and U.S. Supreme Court justice, stands in front of the Louisiana Supreme Court building in New Orleans' French Quarter before it was removed in 2020 under pressure from civil-rights activists. A bill that would mandate removal of all statues of Confederates from the halls of the U.S. Capitol including one of White was referred to a Senate committee in February, where it languishes. The measure had passed the House of Representatives. White did carry arms into what amounted to a white mans coup against Republican governments, Kent said. We dont have access to his inner thoughts. These were attempted overthrows of the Republican governments when Black people were being elected to state offices, White twice carried a weapon and participated in that. Bishop Fabres letter says he thoroughly explored all aspects of Whites life and career. He stated that Archbishop Hannans decision to name the school after White was because of Whites strong Catholic faith and for no other reason. While the judges actions in his earlier life demonstrate racism, Fabre wrote that actions in Whites later life demonstrate a transformation of his beliefs. Such a transformation, the bishop wrote, is consistent with recent church teachings that racism must be addressed by a change of heart among individuals. Since Whites later court decisions and other factors indicate such a change, Fabre wrote, with inspiration from this teaching of the church, the name of the school will remain E.D. White Catholic High School. Next in the series: Andrew Price School in Schriever. John Kelly DeSantis is a freelance journalist and former reporter for the Houma Courier and Thibodaux Daily Comet. This article originally appeared on The Courier: Edward Douglass White: Is a change of heart enough? Welcome to Start TODAY. Sign up for our Start TODAY newsletter to join the 30-day challenge and receive daily inspiration sent to your inbox. You asked, we answered! Hundreds of Start TODAY members told us they wanted more healthy, balanced meal ideas to help them reach their health goals. This dietitian-designed meal plan gives you the flexibility to enjoy summer while learning the building blocks of healthy eating. What to Eat This Week, July 24, 2023 Think your diet doesnt have much to do with your mental health? Think again. As previously reported by TODAY, research shows that fruit and veggie intake is linked to happiness levels. Including omega-3 fats and magnesium-rich foods and limiting red meat and added sugars has also been shown to improve mental health markers like stress levels, mood and energy. So, this weeks focus is on a nutritious, plant-filled diet that includes healthy sources of fat (such as seeds, nuts, avocados, and extra virgin olive oil), plus a few servings of seafood per week. Weve also got creative ways to cut back on meat (hello, magnesium-rich lentils!) and added sugars. Start TODAY Meal Plan July 24, 2023 >>Download and print the meal plan >>Get a 31-day walking and upper body strength workout Monday Breakfast: Coffee Chia Parfait Lunch: Chicken Quinoa Salad Dinner: Easy Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Breasts with Quinoa and Roasted Veggies Snack of choice Tuesday Breakfast: Nutty Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats with Greek Yogurt Lunch: Leftovers or takeout Dinner: Cashew Chicken and Asparagus with Brown Rice Snack of choice Wednesday Breakfast: Coffee Chia Parfait Lunch: Open-Faced Smoked Salmon Sandwich with Cucumber Slices Dinner: Lentil Tacos with Sauteed Kale Snack of choice Thursday Story continues Friday Breakfast: Joy Bauers Broccoli Tots with Eggs and Fruit Lunch: Open-Faced Smoked Salmon Sandwich with Cucumber Slices Dinner: 4-Ingredient Air Fryer Salmon with Broccoli and Brown Rice Snack of choice Breakfast Coffee Chia Parfait by Elena Besser Make mornings easier by spending five to 10 minutes prepping the night before. Come breakfast time, youll be happy you did.Using leftover coffee, make the coffee-chia topping before you head to bed. Then assemble the rest of the parfait in the morning. Nutty Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats in a Mason Jar by Natalie Morales Take advantage of juicy, in-season peaches to make overnight oats that you can grab-and-go in the morning. Serve with Greek yogurt on top or on the side for an added protein boost. Joy Bauer's Broccoli Tots by Joy Bauer Serve tots with hard boiled eggs and a cup or piece of fruit. Lunch These lunch selections incorporate several smart strategies for eating to support your mental health. For instance, smoked salmon is a convenient way to score omega-3 fats. We dressed up the meal like a bagel, but made it healthier by using a whole-grain English muffin and Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese. If youre not fond of smoked salmon, you can try canned or pouched salmon or tuna. In addition, the quinoa salad is loaded with antioxidant-rich produce to protect your brain and support your mood and energy levels. Leftovers or Takeout Need inspiration? Choose one of the healthiest things to eat at Starbucks. Chicken Quinoa Salad To make, toss cup shredded rotisserie chicken with cup quinoa, chopped apple, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of bottled vinaigrette. Spoon mixture over pre-washed salad greens and add 1 tablespoon of shredded sharp cheddar cheese on top. Open-Faced Smoked Salmon Sandwich Toast a whole-grain English muffin and spread with Greek yogurt. Top each half with capers, red onions, lettuce, tomato slices, and smoked salmon. Serve with cucumber slices. Dinner Dinners include multiple healthy swaps, like ground chicken and lentils in place of ground beef and whole grains instead of refined grains. But the best part about this weeks dinner lineup is that youll be too tuned into the flavor to think about how wholesome the meals are. Easy Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Breasts by Ali Rosen Marinating chicken breasts in yogurt is as simple as it gets, but it transforms dry chicken breasts into the most tender meal. Serve with quinoa (microwavable or frozen if you want to save time) and roasted vegetables. Simple Roasted Vegetables by Lazarus Lynch Cashew Chicken and Asparagus by Kevin Curry A Chinese takeout dish could have 77% more sodium than whats recommended in a day. Were not saying this dish is low in sodium, but making a Chinese-style dish at home will save you tons of salt and sugar. Youll also get more veggie goodness when cooking yourself since restaurants tend to serve skimpy portions. To get an even bigger veggie boost, double up on the red pepper and asparagus, and make more sauce if needed. Serve your stir-fry with brown rice. Lentil Tacos by Jenne Claiborne Eating a meatless meal at least once a week helps you boost your intake of plant foods and lentils are packed with magnesium, a nutrient that is involved in regulating your stress response. We chose tacos for this menu because theyre an easy way to dip your toe into meatless meals. This version calls for making guacamole, but if you dont have time, you can swap it with a store-bought variety and garnish with cubed mango for a special touch. While you have the kale out, saute some extra to serve with your tacos. Baked Chicken and Ricotta Meatballs with Broccolini by Yasmin Fahr Making meatballs with ground chicken instead of ground beef reduces saturated fat the kind that can raise your risk of harmful LDL cholesterol. And you wont miss the beef in this insanely tasty meal. Feel free to swap broccoli for the broccolini, and serve your meatballs over whole grain, chickpea, or lentil pasta with a lower-sugar jarred pasta sauce. 4-Ingredient Air Fryer Salmon by Jocelyn Delk Adams Salmon is loaded with omega-3 fats, and this easy marinade makes it the perfect thing to cook when you dont want to fuss in the kitchen. The recipe calls for soy sauce, but wed suggest swapping that with lower-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos a milder, less salty alternative. Serve your salmon with broccoli and brown rice (frozen or microwavable to save time). Snacks Snacks that contain whole food sources of protein and fiber offer a winning formula that keeps you full for hours. Here are a few ideas: Grape tomatoes with creamy taco dip. To make the dip, add some taco seasoning to Greek yogurt and mix. Red pepper strips with egg salad. Cucumber slices and edamame. Freeze-dried apple or strawberry chips with nuts. grapefruit with Greek yogurt. This article was originally published on TODAY.com L.A. County residents who are unable to pay bail after arrest but before seeing a judge are jailed. A new Los Angeles Superior Court bail schedule will change the frequently pointless practice. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles has been suffering from a summer storm of politically motivated falsehoods as well as irresponsible social and traditional media claims about money bail and the status of accused offenders between arrest and trial. An important and welcome development this week should cut through the nonsense. The Los Angeles Superior Court unveiled a new protocol that will eliminate money bail for a majority of people arrested in L.A. County, beginning in October. People arrested for most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies will be cited by police in the field or brought to the station, booked and released, on a promise to appear in court. Read more: Editorial: Court brings back sanity, and the Constitution, in Los Angeles bail ruling For higher levels of crime, the accused will be held at the station (for an average of about four hours, the court said) while a magistrate a Los Angeles Superior Court judge or commissioner makes an assessment of the persons likelihood to endanger the public if released or fail to show up for court. After reviewing the accuseds criminal record, if any, the magistrate will set conditions for release, or order the suspect to be held pending arraignment. And for the most serious felonies like murder and rape, bail will apply as it does now. If a judge grants bail at arraignment, people who have the money to post bail will be released. People who dont, wont. The new program may be confusing to many L.A. County residents who havent had direct experience with the criminal justice system. Weve all seen police procedural dramas in which an arrested person is immediately brought before a judge, who sets bail or orders jail. These TV judges hold court at all hours, day and night. That's not how it works in Los Angeles. At least, not until the last several years as the Superior Court has rolled out a limited magistrate review program. In some jurisdictions (New York, for example) where there are night courts, people being charged with a crime appear before a judge for arraignment often within 24 hours of arrest. Story continues By contrast, in most of California, a person who cant pay bail at the police station will be sent to jail for three days or sometimes as long as a week before finally appearing before a judge. Then the judge can set bail a second time at an arraignment hearing where prosecutors and defense lawyers can argue the merits of pretrial release. The Superior Courts new protocol deals with the period before arraignment. Currently, an accused person without money for bail might lose a job, housing (for failure to pay rent) or child custody (for failure to be at home); they could suffer all kinds of other consequences while sitting in jail for days, waiting for arraignment. This doesnt happen to people with money, who can pay their ransom and get out right away. It should be immediately obvious that decisions of liberty should not be based on ability to pay. That's an essential principle defining our creed of equal justice under law. Read more: Editorial: California still violates the Constitution on bail In terms of public safety, pretrial release without bail is actually beneficial. There is in fact a solid body of evidence from numerous peer-reviewed academic studies showing that keeping low-risk people in jail before arraignment or trial increases danger to the public probably because it destabilizes the lives of the accused and makes them more desperate and more likely to break the law after they finally are released. This compelling evidence led to a May order in the case of Urquidi vs. Los Angeles, in which using money bail before arraignment was declared unconstitutional (and dangerous), and the courts pandemic-era $0 bail schedule was reinstated. The defendants in that case the city and county of Los Angeles were invited to introduce evidence to the contrary. They had nothing. The ruling inspired an Instagram post earlier this month by rapper 50 Cent: LA is finished watch how bad it gets out there. SMH [social media shorthand for shaking my head]. Read more: Editorial: Unconscionable abuse and shameful inaction at L.A. County jails The problem was not so much his clueless post; it was that so many people in and out of law enforcement would take him seriously as an authority on bail policy and promote that idea. Police and prosecutors glommed onto his post as if it were gospel. News outlets that have never bothered to report the clear data on public safety and pretrial release offered breathless coverage of 50 Cent's pronouncement. Expect fact-free, fear-mongering statements from law enforcement and especially the bail bond industry to increase as the Oct. 1 start date approaches for the new pretrial release protocol. It's likely to get even worse as the 2024 primaries approach. Read more: Editorial: Yes, there are problems with Prop. 47 and $0 bail. Just not what you think Los Angeles Superior Court judges, many of whom are former prosecutors, are not known as risk-takers or reckless experimenters. To the contrary, theyre a fairly conservative bunch who are skeptical of innovation. But their business is justice, and they have a steely eye on public safety. They have been working on the magistrate system and the new bail protocol, and have run a scaled-down version for several years. They appear satisfied that the Constitution, and public safety, require this step. As for the rappers, prosecutors and others who refuse to follow the data that leads to better public safety, and who want to keep using wealth and poverty rather than risk to determine who goes free before trial and who stays locked up, well SMH. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Traffic streams past the Marathon Refinery in Carson. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times) One of the most demoralizing things about the worlds response to the climate crisis is the fossil fuel industrys continued success in blocking the pollution-cutting actions that are in the interest of all of humanity. The solution to our predicament couldnt be clearer: We need to stop burning fossil fuels and pumping pollution into the atmosphere. So much needless human suffering and ecological destruction could be avoided if oil, coal and gas companies saw the existential threat their business model poses and moved quickly to transition into selling safer, less expensive and more reliable renewable energy. Too many powerful people in government, business and civic organizations have clung to the fantasy that some of the most powerful and destructive companies in history would eventually face reality and transform on their own initiative into clean and sustainable operations. But the last year has shown they are committed to profiting from pollution. While major oil companies post record profits, they are retreating on their climate pledges , lobbying to reverse climate policies and trying to derail the switch to electric vehicles. In California, the industry is spending tens of millions in an attempt to overturn health protections against drilling near homes and schools while misinforming the public about the high gas prices and their huge windfalls. Read more: Editorial: Replacing the Chevy Bolt with electric SUVs would be a climate tragedy It should be obvious by now that fossil fuel companies have no real plans to change in response to the climate crisis. And that the only way forward is without them. Some high-profile environmental leaders have come to a similar conclusion recently, among them influential climate negotiator Christiana Figueres, under whose tenure as executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change the landmark 2015 Paris agreement was developed. She wrote in Al Jazeera earlier this month that after years of holding out hope that oil and gas companies would wake up and participate in the decarbonization of the economy, their actions over the last 12 months have changed her mind. Story continues Former Vice President Al Gore, a longtime champion for climate action, has also been speaking with refreshing frankness about fossil fuel industry obstruction, decrying anti-climate plotting by companies that refuse to disclose their emissions or commit to phasing them out while they successfully push government policies to slow down the transition to clean energy. It's a little late for powerful voices from older generations to come to the realization that fossil fuel companies aren't operating in good faith and will fight climate action until the bitter end. But it's welcome nonetheless, and there's clear generational shift in that direction that offers some hope. Polling last year by the Pew Research Center found that while most Americans are reluctant to ditch fossil fuels, younger adults are much more supportive of phasing out oil, gas and coal entirely. Read more: Editorial: Don't stop composting. California can't afford to abandon its methane-busting law now As much as renewable energy like wind and solar has grown globally, we still get more than 80% of our energy from burning fossil fuels. Global greenhouse gas emissions have rebounded, climbing to new all-time highs after a brief downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic. The amount of heat-trapping carbon dioxide in the atmosphere continues its unrelenting rise, and is now 50% higher than in preindustrial times . The more we experience the horrors of climate-fueled extremes, from destructive storms and wildfires to deadly and debilitating smoke and heat waves, the clearer it ought to be that we cannot trust in the same actors whose dangerous, unhealthful and unsustainable products are responsible for more than a century of unabated dumping of greenhouse gas pollution into the atmosphere. Read more: Editorial: Climate change is roasting L.A. The city can save lives by requiring A/C in rentals It would be delusional to expect the trajectory to change without a fundamental shift in our economic system, including moving on from the companies that profit from the continued extraction and burning of hydrocarbons. If only it were that easy, right? But politicians, who are often financially beholden to these planet-wrecking industries, have wasted decades with denial, delay tactics or outright hostility to anything more than incremental steps. Its alarming to see the extent to which fossil fuel industries have captured institutions responsible for slowing climate change. This years United Nations climate summit in Dubai is being hosted by an oil executive, which is like the climate equivalent of letting arms dealers hold peace talks. Instead of propping up and legitimizing fossil fuel companies, we ought to be stigmatizing them as morally repugnant for continuing to add fuel to a house that's on fire. Read more: Editorial: California should stop investing its retirement funds in fossil fuels. Theyre risky and immoral Thats one reason California lawmakers need to pass legislation to divest Californias two big pension funds, CalPERS and CalSTRS, from the biggest fossil fuel companies. The bill is dead for this year, but it may be revived in 2024. The pension funds leaders oppose the bill, arguing that its better to stay invested in companies such as Exxon Mobil, Chevron and Shell because it allows them to use their power as shareholders to push them to be more environmentally responsible. But theres little evidence that strategy has delivered results. Remaining frenemies with fossil fuel companies in the naive hope they will see the light on climate change is a losing proposition for humanity. It's good that more people are starting to recognize that, though it will take political leadership to kick the recalcitrant fossil fuel industry to the curb and build a sustainable economy right now. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. The impacts from an EF-3 tornado that caused extensive damage to a large Pfizer facility in eastern North Carolina will likely be felt nationwide as the country was already experiencing logistical shortfalls, health experts warned. The Pfizer facility took what appeared to be a direct hit on Wednesday, halting operations at one of the most extensive sterile injectable processing facilities in the world. Healthcare Ready, a non-profit group that helps communities respond to and recover from natural disasters and outbreaks, says it is closely monitoring the situation and warns that some treatments may face supply chain impacts. The organization is closely monitoring Bicillin L-A and penicillin due to the facility producing nearly a quarter of the countrys sterile injectables. A previous temporary shutdown of the facility in 2012, while under different ownership, contributed to a nationwide shortage of anesthesia and other medicines, a Healthcare Ready report stated. EF-3 TORNADO CAUSES EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO A PFIZER MEDICINE PROCESSING FACILITY IN NORTH CAROLINA Tornado history N.C. A spokesperson for Pfizer said Bicillin, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, was not manufactured at the plant, and the company does not anticipate impacts to the drug. The pharmaceutical company did not state which specific medications or healthcare-related products were damaged during the severe weather or when production would be restored. Pfizer CEO and Chairman Albert Bourla said the company spent the first day after the disaster making sure all its employees and contractors were safe and accounted for. "I am very relieved to share that all have been confirmed safe, and no serious injuries were reported. Our colleagues at the site do incredibly important work manufacturing sterile injectable products used by hospitals and health care providers around the world. We already have teams on the ground assessing the damage and supporting our colleagues, and we are working urgently to determine the best way to get back online as quickly as possible, while ensuring the safety of our people," Bourla said in a statement. Story continues HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER ON TV Subsequent assessments of the 1.4 million square feet facility are expected to give state and federal agencies guidance on the impacts on production. Due to hazards still present at the site, a spokesperson said the survey process is taking longer than anticipated. The Food and Drug Administration said it is working with the company to better understand the impacts on the nations drug supply. Before the severe weather, around 140 drugs were listed to be in short supply, according to the administrations database. Pfizer is also one of the largest producers of the COVID-19 vaccine, but a spokesperson said the Rocky Mount location neither manufactured nor stored the vaccine. An oil and gas company intends to move corporate headquarters into the historic Armour & Co. meat packing plant in the Fort Worth Stockyards once the building is renovated in 2024. Meanwhile, developer Kairoi Residential now says it will start construction in August on hundreds of new apartments that will be adjacent to the Armour building, on the eastern edge of Exchange Avenue. The new details emerged Thursday about what will be one of the most significant developments in the Stockyards since Mule Alley opened in mid-2020, with shops, restaurants and the Hotel Drover on the south side of Exchange Avenue. The Armour renovation and Kairoi apartments will extend the Stockyards district to the east, on mostly vacant land that was once a sprawling complex of meat processing plants alongside railroad tracks. The oil and gas company, U.S. Energy Development Corporation, will move its headquarters from Arlington to the red-brick Armour building. The privately held company revealed Wednesday that it had acquired the 51,000-square-foot building at 601 E. Exchange Ave. from Kairoi in August 2022. Kairoi Residential, based in San Antonio, has been mum in recent months about its plans for apartments on adjacent since the proposed development raised questions with city leaders about the impact on the historic district. But the company now says it will begin construction within weeks on about 420 apartment units between Packers Street and the railroad tracks. The historic Armour Building in the Fort Worth Stockyards on Friday, July 14, 2023. Amanda McCoy/amccoy@star-telegram.com The apartments construction is expected to finish in about 32 months. Kairoi will expand the development on a building-by-building basis depending on the market, said Tyler Sibley, a principal for Kairoi. It could be additional residential, office, hotel, retail or a mix of those uses, Sibley told the Star-Telegram. Really theres lots of different uses that are allowed on that site, but ultimately the final determination will be market dependent and just how we see the district continue to redevelop and mature over time. Story continues Sibley says the city of Fort Worth will allow Kairoi to build up to 749 apartment units over 17 acres if the company chooses to go in that direction. The Star-Telegram confirmed this in a letter sent in February from a city attorney to the developer. Plans for the Armour building U.S. Energy, founded in 1980, is an exploration and production firm that manages assets and has invested in or operated about 4,000 wells in 13 states and Canada. Its current operations headquarters in Arlington is in the eight-story Skymark Tower on Cooper Street next to Interstate 35. U.S. Energy also has an office in Buffalo, New York. The company expects to move into the renovated Armour building in the third quarter of 2024. The company says it employs 54 people in Arlington and 76 nationally. It is unclear if and how many new jobs will be created with the move, or how many indirect jobs could be generated through U.S. Energys investment in the building. The company intends to lease out remaining office space to third-party tenants. Jordan Jayson, CEO of U.S. Energy, said the company is dedicated to delivering class-A office space that will bring pride to the city and the Stockyards while preserving the Armour buildings historical significance. Our goal is to create a project that seamlessly blends with the culture and distinct surroundings of the Stockyards, Jayson said. We look forward to collaborating with the city of Fort Worth and our neighbors to realize this vision. A rendering of the historic Armour building shows office space for an oil and gas company on the east end of Exchange Avenue. U.S. Energy Development Corporation Renovations will include improving landscape and parking, developing outdoor amenities space and creating covered parking structures. It will also involve adding elevators, lobby areas, restrooms, and a roof deck. There is also an option to add a 2,700 square feet of mezzanine space. The estimated $8 million project is a collaboration between architects at Bennett Partners, construction firm Whiting Turner and KRS Realty Advisors. Kerby Smith, founder and principal of KRS Realty Advisors, said the more than 70-year-old building has significant history and is in relatively good shape for its years. This is a really unique opportunity to save a historic building as a part of the story of the Stockyards and to breathe new life into it, Smith said. And also to welcome to the Stockyards a great company in U.S. Energy and become their headquarters for the foreseeable future. The Armour complex opened with eight buildings in 1903 alongside the Swift & Co. plant. More buildings were added throughout the 1950s, including the 601 E. Exchange Ave. property. After the Armour plant closed in 1962, Bunge Edible Oil refined soybean and corn oil there for more than 30 years. In 2012, all of the buildings were demolished, except 601 E. Exchange Ave. This is not the first time developers have looked at transforming the historic Armour property. In 2017, the Fort Worth City Council approved $1 million in incentives to turn the former plant into a $21 million, four-star Armour Hotel with 120 rooms. That project never came to fruition, but in 2021 the Hotel Drover opened along the redeveloped Mule Alley with new shops and restaurants off Exchange Avenue. KA-52 Ukraine Russia The first photos of a new version of the modernized Ka-52M combat helicopter have appeared in Russian service, with the strong possibility that its already participating in the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While the basic Ka-52 Hokum has become a signature weapon of the Russian campaign, sustaining both heavy losses and inflicting a steady toll on Ukrainian armor, this iteration of the improved Ka-52M version had not been seen anywhere until last week. The Ka-52M in question appeared in three photos posted on the usually well-informed Fighterbomber channel on Telegram. Among others, this channel conducts fundraising and gives Russian airmen involved in the Ukrainian war flight suits, shoes, radios, navigation devices, first aid kits, etc. In pictures posted on July 14, airmen present some of the gadgets they received against the backdrop of the new version of the Ka-52. One of a series of photos released by the Fighterbomber Telegram channel on July 14, 2023, showing a Ka-52M with new sensors. Fighterbomber Telegram channel The helicopter seen in the Fighterbomber photos has fresh paintwork, indicating that it was recently delivered. Photos of this kind, on this channel, have previously generally been taken at deployed locations in Ukraine, or at airbases in Russia that are used to support the campaign there. While we cant be sure that these photos originate in Ukraine, or at a Russian airbase used in the conflict, the connection with the Fighterbomber effort to source equipment for aircrews suggests that its at least likely. Media reports of the use of the Ka-52M in Ukraine had already appeared, but they were not supported by any imagery. For example, in September 2022, Russias state-owned TASS news agency described successful tests of this modernized helicopter during the special operation in Ukraine. In Russia, the invasion of Ukraine is still known as a special military operation. Fighterbomber Telegram channel Fighterbomber Telegram channel What is the Ka-52M? On April 5, 2019, the Kamov company received a contract from the Russian Ministry of Defense for the Avangard-4 research and development work, the aim of which was to develop a modernized Ka-52M (the Mi-28NM helicopter being developed at the same time is codenamed Avangard-3). Actual work had started much earlier than the contract and the new equipment and armament used in the Ka-52M were almost ready by this time. Story continues In June 2020, the Progress plant at Arsenyev in Russias Far East, which produces Ka-52s, received an order to convert two helicopters into Ka-52M versions for trials. The first Ka-52M made its first post-conversion flight on August 10, 2020. According to the contract, the Ka-52M was to have completed all its tests and be ready for series production by the end of September 2022. A test Ka-52M helicopter, which appeared in the air during MAKS 2021 airshow at Zhukovsky. This odd-shaped pod at the end of the left wing with a radio-transparent nose houses the AS-BPLA command line for communication between the helicopter and the LMUR missile. Piotr Butowski The first Ka-52M was shown to the public during Russias International Aviation and Space Show (MAKS) in July 2021, and then at the Army-2021 exhibition the following August. The helicopter received a modernized GOES-451M electro-optical targeting turret, the updated BKS-50M (Bortovoi Kompleks Svyazi) communication suite, as well as the SUO-806PM (Sistema Upravleniya Oruzhiyem) stores management system, capable of employing new weapons. The most significant addition to the helicopters armament is the introduction of the LMUR guided missile with a range of up to nine miles. You can read a full description of this important weapon in this previous article. An LMUR missile with its wings folded for transport. Piotr Butowski A Ka-52 test helicopter carries a LMUR missile. Russian Helicopters Other upgrades were introduced to the helicopter itself. The Ka-52Ms rotor blades have a more powerful heating element, which allows the helicopter to operate in a wider temperature range, including in the Arctic, a particular focus of recent Russian military strategy. The landing gear features wheels with increased load capacity and wear resistance and the helicopter also has external LED lighting. The crew cockpit has improved ergonomics and is also better adapted to flying with night vision goggles (NVGs). In terms of specifications, the Ka-52M (known within the factory as the izdeliye 800.50) has a maximum takeoff weight of around 27,000 pounds, a maximum speed of 186 miles per hour, a ceiling of 18,045 feet, and a range of 286 miles. Production steps up The contract for the first batch of 30 Ka-52Ms for the Russian Aerospace Forces was signed on August 24, 2021, during the Army-2021 forum; 15 helicopters were to be delivered in 2022 and 15 in 2023. Its likely this contract has already been fulfilled. During the next Army-2022 forum, the Russian Ministry of Defense placed another order for an unknown number of Ka-52Ms. In July 2023, the Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu said that deliveries of the Ka-52 in 2023 have doubled compared to 2022, i.e. amounting to approximately 30 helicopters, if true. After around 18 months of fighting, Russia has lost almost 40 Ka-52 combat helicopters in Ukraine out of approximately 140 it had at the beginning of the war (in terms of all types of attack helicopters, Russia has lost around 70 out of over 400 at the beginning of the war). In addition to the Ka-52, there are two other types of combat helicopters in production in Russia, the Mi-28N/NM and the Mi-35M, both produced at the Rostvertol plant in Rostov-on-Don. Together with the information about the doubling of the production of the Ka-52, Shoigu said that the production of the Mi-28 had been increased by a factor of three in 2023 compared to 2022 (i.e. to approximately 50 per year). New GOES-451M targeting payload Returning to the new photos of the Ka-52M, arrow number one points to the GOES-451M electro-optical payload installed under the front of the fuselage; the standard version of the helicopter has a GOES-451 turret in this position. The turret houses a thermal imaging camera, TV camera, laser rangefinder/designator, laser beam riding output for anti-tank missiles, as well as laser spot tracker. Fighterbomber Telegram channel The standard GOES-451 (left) and modernized GOES-451M electro-optical targeting turrets. Piotr Butowski The GOES-451M payloads sensors offer an increased detection and recognition range to match the ranges of new types of weapons, including the LMUR missile. The payloads manufacturer, UOMZ of Yekaterinburg, declares a tank detection range of 9.3 miles using the TV channel and 7.5 miles with the thermal imaging channel; target recognition ranges are 7.5 miles and 5 miles, respectively. New L418 Monobloc self-defense suite Arrow number two points to the L418-2 ultraviolet missile approach warning sensor (MAWS) produced by the GIPO company in Kazan, part of the L418 Monobloc self-defense suite. Regular Ka-52s, as well as previously seen Ka-52M prototypes, have the L370P2 Vitebsk suite with the L370-2 MAWS in this position. Four such sensors are positioned on the sides of the forward fuselage and the tail boom, covering a full 360 degrees around the helicopter. Fighterbomber Telegram channel The L418 Monobloc is made by NII Ekran in Samara. This is a modernization of the L370 Vitebsk system, which works across a broader band of frequencies and at longer ranges. The standard L370-2 (left) and modernized L418-2 ultraviolet missile approach warning sensors. Piotr Butowski While the new photos dont show it, the Ka-52M helicopter most likely also has other new components of the L418 suite, primarily two L418-5 directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) fairings made by SKB Zenith in Zelenograd, installed on the sides of the lower part of the fuselage, just ahead of the main landing gear. The new L418-5 jammer is angular in shape, while the previous L370-5 was a rotating sphere (nicknamed eggs of life); inside, there is a new SP3-1500 (previously, SP2-1500) lamp that generates modulated infrared and ultraviolet radiation to jam the infrared seekers of air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles. The standard L370-5 (left) and modernized L418-5 directional infrared countermeasures. Piotr Butowski Interestingly, the L418 Monobloc sensors were installed on Ka-52E helicopters sold to Egypt well before they appeared on Russian helicopters. This was a result of the Russian Ministry of Defenses more stringent formal requirements for the equipment, and perhaps also due to additional functions required by the Russian military. The introduction of new equipment of this kind in Russia requires multi-stage tests that are not necessarily needed by a foreign customer. In a similar way, Mi-28NE helicopters delivered to Iraq received radars in February 2015, while deliveries of helicopters with radars to the Russian Aerospace Forces started only at the end of 2017. Now, in wartime conditions, Russia has significantly reduced such requirements and are throwing into the fight equipment that is apparently still far from mature. Perhaps the best example of this is the UMPK wing kit/guidance module installed on general-purpose bombs, something that The War Zone has also explored in detail. New radar Most interesting is an apparently new radar on the Ka-52M seen in the recent photos. Arrow number three points to a small air intake on the underside of the radome in the front of the fuselage; on the other side, symmetrically, is another similar air intake. There are no such inlets in any of the previously seen Ka-52 helicopters. Fighterbomber Telegram channel A single inlet of larger size, but otherwise similar, is seen in the prototype Ka-52K naval combat helicopter numbered 103. And this leads us to a likely conclusion about the purpose of these inlets. In Ka-52K 103, this inlet is used to cool the antenna of the Rezets active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, which is undergoing tests on this helicopter. The Ka-52M prototypes have the same radar as the regular Ka-52, the FH01 Arbalet-52 produced by Phazotron-NIIR of Moscow. It is a Ka-band (8-millimeter wavelength) radar with a wide 31.5-inch mechanical antenna in the nose of the helicopter. The detection range for a large ground target (e.g. a railway bridge) is 15.5 miles, or 7.5 miles for a tank. The weakness of the FH01 radar is the inability to directly target guided missiles. For weapons guidance, target information must be transmitted by the radar to the GOES-451 electro-optical payload, which is the main targeting sensor of the Ka-52. The Ka-band FH01 Arbalet-52 radar with a mechanical array, as used on the standard Ka-52. Piotr Butowski As to the radar on the new version of the Ka-52M helicopter, this is most likely the V006 Rezets radar from the Zaslon company in Saint Petersburg (the same company that makes the V004 radar used by the Su-34 Fullback fighter-bomber). The V006 or RZ-001 Rezets (cutter) radar has a fixed AESA antenna with 640 transceiver modules. The radar works in the X-band and, according to the manufacturer, can detect a group of tanks from 25 miles and a fighter aircraft from up to 31 miles. The Rezets radar is air-cooled, which is why it needs additional air intakes on the radome. The V006 or RZ-001 Rezets (cutter) radar with active electronic scanning antenna, possibly implemented in the Ka-52M in its new configuration. Piotr Butowski While the Rezets radar is the most likely option for the Ka-52M, its not the only one. Phazotron-NIIR, the manufacturer of the current FH01 radar, also has an offering. The modernized FH02 has two separate antennas: a mechanical slotted array for the Ka- and an AESA for the X-band. This solution allows simultaneous scanning for surface and airspace targets, implementation of advanced target detection and tracking algorithms, and greater reliability. The X-band gives a much greater range, although at the expense of lower resolution. According to the company, a tank can be detected at a distance of 12.4 miles in the Ka range or 21.8 miles in the X range. A diagram showing the FH02 radar. Phazotron We need to wait for more imagery of the Ka-52M in its new variant to get more clarity about the precise configuration of this new version, and whether its already in Ukraine or involved in the war there. At this point, it certainly seems likely. Either way, its clear that the helicopter, in general, including in its original Ka-52 variant, will remain a key weapon system for the Russian Aerospace Forces as the Ukrainian campaign grinds on. Contact the editor: thomas@thedrive.com Steam rises from the stacks at the Martin Lake coal-fired power plant in 2011. The Sierra Club sued the EPA to force the agency to rule on Texas plan to reduce air pollution, which the nonprofit says is largely caused by the power plant, in Rusk and Panola counties. Credit: Tom Pennington for The Texas Tribune The EPA must decide whether to accept Texas plan to reduce pollution from a coal-burning power plant in East Texas after settling a lawsuit with the Sierra Club over air quality in Rusk and Panola counties. The Sierra Clubs lawsuit accused the EPA of failing to be timely in rejecting or approving a plan submitted in 2022 by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to reduce pollution from the Martin Lake power plant near Tatum. The Sierra Club called the TCEQ plan inadequate and has urged the EPA to reject it. Under the settlement, the EPA must either accept Texas' plan or reject it and issue its own plan to improve the counties air quality by Dec. 13, 2024. Weve seen in the past that while Texas plans are generally not adequate, the federal government puts together much more thorough plans that result in better air quality, said Emma Pabst, a campaign representative for Sierra Club. The two counties air quality hasnt met federal air quality standards since 2017 due to high levels of sulfur dioxide, which is commonly emitted from power plants, the Sierra Club said, calling the Martin Lake plant the worst sulfur dioxide and mercury polluter in the entire United States. The TCEQ said in an email statement to The Texas Tribune they believe their plan is fully approvable. Paulette Goree, 70, lives 5 miles from the power plant and has spent her entire life in Panola County. Im hoping this means theres help on the way, Goree said of the settlement. Im hoping its gonna be something positive for our community and some changes are being made. Goree said that since the Martin Lake power plant opened in the late 1970s, she, her family and neighbors have experienced respiratory issues. She said her sister and father died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which she believes is a result of air pollution in the area. She said her father smoked but her sister didnt. Goree owns an air monitor, which checks the levels of pollution outdoors. She said typically twice a week during the summer the monitor indicates the air quality is too poor for her to safely be outdoors. Story continues Misti OQuinn, a senior field organizer for Sierra Club, said residents near the power plant are experiencing real-world effects from what is coming out of there and complain of health problems from asthma to cancer to babies with low birth weight. OQuinn said she spent time in the community and residents expressed concern about pollution but many also pointed out that the power plant is a major employer in the area. OQuinn is optimistic that the settlement is a step toward improving the air quality for these East Texas communities. I wont necessarily say I have confidence I have hope that the EPA will strictly enforce air quality standards, OQuinn said. My hope is that they do right by the residents. Alejandra Martinez contributed to this story. Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23. Correction, July 21, 2023 at 5:35 p.m. : A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the EPA must make a decision about Texas' plan to reduce pollution in Rusk and Panola counties by the end of the year. The EPA must either approve the Texas plan or reject it and issue its own plan by Dec. 13, 2024. ADEN, Yemen, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified gunmen shot dead an employee of the United Nations World Food Programme in Yemen's southwestern province of Taiz on Friday, a security official told Xinhua. "Assailants riding a motorcycle targeted and killed the head of the WFP's team in Taiz, who was on his way to the province for humanitarian and relief purposes," the local security official said on condition of anonymity. The attackers targeted the UN employee, identified as a Jordanian national, with a barrage of bullets when he was leaving a local restaurant in At Turbah region, south of Taiz, resulting in his immediate death, the official added. The World Food Program is an essential international organization dedicated to combating hunger and malnutrition in crisis-ridden regions like Yemen. The identity and motives of the gunmen remain undisclosed. According to the official, the government forces are investigating the incident and pledged to capture those responsible for the attack. Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since 2014, with the Houthi rebels fighting against the internationally-recognized government and its allies, mainly a Saudi Arabia-led coalition. The war disrupted Yemen's food supply chain and caused widespread famine, bringing the Arab world's poorest country to the brink of collapse. A federal judge has granted the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's request for a stay this week in a Waters of the U.S. lawsuit pursued by South Dakota and 23 other states. U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland issued the order Tuesday, pausing the case until the Biden administration publishes a new rule in the Federal Register, court filings in the federal Eastern District of North Dakota show. The EPA filed a motion for the stay on June 26. The 24 states did not oppose the request. The American Farm Bureau Federation and other intervening agricultural groups that are also suing the EPA, however, did object to the request. Ag groups have also requested the WOTUS rule to be thrown out in its entirety in a motion filed June 28 through the federal District Court for Southern District of Texas. "WOTUS" is a federal rule regulated by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers that determines which bodies of water such as lakes and rivers are reserved enhanced protections under the Clean Water Act, a law that governs the discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters. The Biden administration revised the rule to expand federal protections to "adjacent wetlands" and "additional waters" certain local lakes, streams, tributaries, wetlands, etc. This was, in part, determined by the agencies through the "relatively permanent" and "significant nexus" tests. The former applies to "relatively permanent, standing, or continuously flowing waters" connected to traditional water bodies, like large rivers or lakes, seas and interstate waters. The latter applies to certain water bodies that significantly affect the water quality of larger downstream waters. However, the Supreme Court narrowed the EPA's regulatory authority on WOTUS in May after siding with an Idaho couple in Sackett v. EPA. An opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, who was joined by four other conservative justices, set a more limited standard for what constitutes "waters of the U.S.," particularly in regards to which wetlands fall under the future rule. Story continues The Tuesday stay gives the EPA more time to amend the Biden-era rule to be consistent with the Sackett ruling. Enforcement of WOTUS is currently enjoined in 27 states, including South Dakota. Based on court filings, the agency plans to issue a new WOTUS rule that "may resolve, or at least narrow, the issues in this case" by Sept. 1. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Federal judge orders stay in WOTUS lawsuit (Bloomberg) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet next week to discuss energy and trade to advance a nascent thaw after more than a decade of tensions. Most Read from Bloomberg Both are seeking a broader rapprochement with Middle Eastern states as Russias invasion of Ukraine triggered a geopolitical shift in the region by disrupting supply chains and commodity markets. Erdogan is expected to meet Netanyahu in Ankara on July 28 three days after hosting Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Turkish presidents office said late Thursday. All dimensions of bilateral relations between Turkey and Israel will be reviewed and steps that could be taken to improve cooperation will be discussed, Erdogans office said in a statement on Twitter. The Turkish leader, meanwhile, underlined the energy dimension of the visit. The healthiest project here is that natural gas reaches Europe through Turkey, Erdogan told a group of journalists on Israeli gas, Sabah newspaper reported on Friday. The president cited high delivery costs of transfers from the Mediterranean. With this step, we are establishing contact with Netanyahu for the first time. My wish is that this development marks the start of a much warmer period in Turkey-Israel ties, he said. Turkey and Israel are seeking to expand cooperation in tourism and business and are also exploring gas exports from a field off the Gaza Strip to Europe via Turkey, officials who spoke on condition of anonymity told Bloomberg last month. Its unclear how much gas is there and distributing it likely remains years away due to a lack of export infrastructure. Story continues Turkey and Israel remain divided over the status of Palestinian territories and Israel accuses Ankara of supporting Hamas, the Islamic militant group that runs the Gaza Strip, but a gas deal may heal the rift, the officials said. Ties hit a low after a 2010 Israeli raid on a Turkish flotilla headed to Gaza. They resumed full diplomatic relations in August last year. Both counties have also sought to repair relations with Arab countries in the region. Earlier this week, Erdogan clinched defense and economy cooperation deals with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates during a Gulf tour. Israel established diplomatic ties with the UAE and Morocco in 2020, and is pushing to do the same with Saudi Arabia. A tourism boom is supporting growing Turkish-Israeli trade, as cruise lines resume trips and Israeli companies start direct flights to Turkish resorts such as Antalya and Bodrum. The number of Israeli tourists visiting Turkey is expected to top 1 million this year, up 19% from 2022. Turkish exports to Israel increased 11% to $7 billion last year, while imports were around $2.5 billion, according to Turkish government data. Israels imports from Turkey are mainly steel, iron and other construction materials. (Updates with Erdogan comments in fifth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. An Erie lawyer's handling of a case has earned him a rebuke from his peers. Anthony Rodriques, a lawyer for 13 years, has received a public reprimand from the state board that regulates lawyers. He is allowed to continue to practice law. The public reprimand, administered at a hearing livestreamed on Thursday, culminated an investigation in which the Disciplinary Board of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court found that Rodriques, 62, violated the state's rules for professional conduct for lawyers. A three-member panel of the board said Rodriques erred by failing to initially return $6,000 and documents to a defendant who had paid him to represent her in a criminal case in Allegheny County in 2021. He was also to consider representing her in a civil rights case in Allegheny County. His flat fee in the criminal case was $6,000, the panel said. The panel also faulted Rodriques for not providing a fee agreement to the client at the start of the representation, according to information presented at the hearing. And the panel said that his fee which the panel said amounted to $300 an hour, based on the number of hours Rodriques said he spent on the case violated professional standards that prohibit a lawyer from charging a "clearly excessive fee." The client, Pittsburgh resident Lynne L. Thompson, asked Rodriques to represent her in October 2021, the panel said. In November 2021, she told him to no longer take her case because he had yet to provide her a fee agreement, and she told him to refund the $6,000 immediately, according to the reprimand. "After satisfying your requirement for payment of the $6,000 in full, your client made multiple requests for a written fee agreement, but you failed to send her one," according to the reprimand. "You expressed frustration with your client's requests for the fee agreement and informed her that you were going to charge her for every telephone call to you." Story continues Records also show she was unhappy with his representation, which the panel said lasted two weeks, and Rodriques "did not represent her on any aspect of her criminal case," according to the reprimand. Thompson said she had to wait a year to get back her $6,000. The disciplinary panel said Rodriques' behavior warranted a public reprimand. The panel also warned him against future misbehavior in light of him receiving a private admonition in October 2021 "to address your misconduct concerning lack of diligence and lack of communication in a client matter," the lead panelist, Celeste Dee, a lawyer from Bethlehem, told Rodriques. "It is the board's duty to reprimand you for this misconduct," Dee said of the current case as she read from the reprimand. "Please be aware that any subsequent violations on your part can only result in further discipline and more severe sanctions. Due to your history of discipline, we certainly hope that you will conduct yourself in a such a manner that future disciplinary action will be unnecessary." A public reprimand by the Disciplinary Board is the least severe of the types of public discipline that a lawyer can face in Pennsylvania. The most severe is disbarment, followed by suspension, public censure by the state Supreme Court, probation and public reprimand. Lawyers can also face private reprimand or informal admonition, which is also private. Rodriques disputes findings contained in public reprimand Rodriques almost ended Thursday's hearing without accepting the reprimand. He twice told the panel he disagreed with its findings and said he did not want to go through with the hearing. The panelists warned him that his refusal to accept the public reprimand would expose him to a more significant penalty. "It appears at this point that you don't have any remorse for what you have done," said panelist Robert Mongeluzzi, a lawyer from Philadelphia. "That is a key factor." "I have remorse," Rodriques said, "but that does not mean I should admit things that are a not true." In explaining his hesitation, Rodriques said, "I see prosecutors do this all the time. If the guy doesn't agree, then he will face stronger penalties so he agrees." He then went through the rest of the hearing. He said afterward that he felt that the panel "bullied" him. He said he returned the money as Thompson, his former client, had requested. "I feel that the allegations that were filed were untruths or half-truths," Rodriques said in an interview. "The threat of something worse happening is why I agreed to it." Thompson said she was pleased that Rodriques received the reprimand. She was not present at the hearing. "That's good," Thompson, in an interview, said of the reprimand. She said he had hired Rodriques as the result of a referral. "He caused me aggravation by not doing what he was supposed to do," Thompson said. Getting back her money, she said, "was a fight." Client also sued Rodriques to get money back Thompson filed a complaint against Rodriques with the Disciplinary Board on Nov. 18, 2021, and sued him before an Erie magistrate to get the money back, according to the records. "This attorney never represented me anywhere," Thompson said in the complaint form she filed with the Disciplinary Board. The form is attached to a civil complaint Thompson filed against Rodriques in a suit docketed at the office of Erie 1st Ward District Judge Sue Mack in December 2021. After Rodriques did not appear at a hearing in that case in April 2022, Mack ruled in favor of Thompson and entered a judgment that required Rodriques to pay Thompson $6,206.35 $6,000 she had given Rodriques to represent her and $206.35 to cover what Thompson had to spend to sue him. Rodriques appealed to Erie County Common Pleas Court, where the case is pending. It would appear to be moot because Rodriques refunded Thompson in November, she said. The Disciplinary Board also required him to repay Thompson and return the documents as part of the reprimand. She said she got the documents back sometime before she got the refund. Rodriques filed suit in federal court in unrelated case Rodriques handles a wide variety of criminal cases, including homicides, and other cases. He gained attention recently when he sued in federal court in Erie over claims of racial bias in the Erie County justice system. Rodriques, who is Black, sued the county and two Erie magistrates in 2022, claiming he was improperly denied access to court records in a homicide case. Rodriques claimed District Judges Tom Carney, of the 3rd Ward, and Ed Wilson, of the 2nd Ward, treated him unfairly, and that Carney's actions were "based on race." Carney and Wilson are white. Lawsuit filed: 'Thwarted' Erie lawyer sues 2 district judges over public records, claims racial bias Rodriques eventually got the records, but continued to pursue the lawsuit. U.S. District Judge Susan Paradise Baxter dismissed the case months ago. Baxter in November ruled that judicial immunity shielded Carney and Wilson from being sued. She then threw out Rodriques' claims against the county after finding he failed to file an amended lawsuit against the county. Baxter had allowed Rodriques to file the amended complaint after she tossed the claims against Carney and Wilson. Baxter issued her final order in the case Jan. 13, saying she dismissed Rodriques' claims against the county "due to Plaintiff's failure to prosecute." Rodriques said at the time the dismissal had left him undeterred from going to court again. "I would do it again," he said. "If I feel that I am in any way being treated unfairly, I will sue whoever I feel is responsible." Case dismissed: Judge cites immunity, tosses 'thwarted' Erie attorney's lawsuit that claimed racial bias 'What would you like to do?' panelist says at disciplinary hearing At the hearing Thursday, Rodriques said he was being treated unfairly due to what he said were the false claims in the reprimand. He contemplated whether he wanted to end the hearing and face the possibility of a stiffer penalty. "What would you like to do?" said Dee, one of the panelists. "Would you like to send this back to defend what you feel is inaccurate, or would you like to proceed with the reprimand?" "And if I proceed with the reprimand, I am agreeing to all the facts that you stated?'" Rodriques said. "Correct," Dee said. "I can't agree to that," Rodriques said. "Because all the facts that you stated were not correct," Dee cautioned Rodriques that ending the hearing would expose him to the possibility of more severe discipline. She said he could have disputed the Disciplinary Board's findings before the case got the stage of a reprimand. Rodriques fell silent for about 30 seconds as he decided what to do. "Do you want to proceed, or do you want me to send it back?" Dee said. "I want you to proceed," Rodriques said. "Wise choice," said Mongeluzzi, one of the other panelists. Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNpalattella. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie lawyer gets disciplined for handling of fee in criminal case An RCMP logo on an officers shoulder A retired federal police officer in Canada has been charged with foreign interference on behalf of China following a two-year investigation. William Majcher, 60, allegedly used his contacts in Canada to help China "intimidate an individual outside the scope of Canadian law." Canadian officials have repeatedly warned of ongoing Chinese intelligence activities in the country. Targets are said to include members of parliament and Chinese dissidents. China has strongly denied the allegations. In a statement, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said that Mr Majcher, a native of Hong Kong, "allegedly used his knowledge and his extensive network of contacts in Canada to obtain intelligence or services to benefit the People's Republic of China". Mr Majcher now faces two criminal counts: preparatory acts for the benefit of a foreign entity and conspiracy. Both charges fall within Canada's Security of Information Act. The RCMP said that the investigation against Mr Majcher, who appeared in court via videocall on Friday, was launched in autumn 2021. He has another court appearance scheduled next week. An RCMP spokesperson, Tasha Adams, told Radio-Canada that Mr Majcher was gathering information about the unnamed individual because Chinese officials wanted to target the person. A profile of Mr Majcher's on an online speakers' directory shows that he moved to Hong Kong in 2006 to work in the banking industry after more than 20 years specialising in money laundering and financial crime prosecutions at the RCMP. The identity and nationality of the alleged target remain unclear. Ms Adams said, however, that the alleged foreign interference was not related to Canadian politics or elections. It comes amid growing concern in Canada over alleged Chinese espionage activities. Story continues In May, Canada's government expelled a Chinese diplomat over foreign alleged interference in Canadian affairs. The following month, Canadian police opened an investigation into allegations that China sought to intimidate a member of parliament and his family - one of more than 100 inquiries authorities are carrying out into foreign meddling. Last year the RCMP arrested a public utility worker at Hydro-Quebec and charged him with spying for China. Authorities have also sounded the alarm over foreign interference in Canada's 2019 and 2021 elections, which reportedly included undeclared cash donations and secret funding from Chinese diplomatic officials to candidates. In June, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning called the Canadian allegations "groundless slander and defamation". Canada's concerns over Chinese espionage are similar to those of the United States government, which has repeatedly accused China of intimidating and spying on dissidents based in the US. According to the FBI, the bureau opens up a new China-related counter-intelligence case every 12 hours. As of early this year, more than 2,000 cases were open. A person documents a line of sheriff's deputies during a picket organized by the Coalition for Community Control Over the Police at the home of Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy Miguel Vega, who fatally shot Andres Guardado in Covina, on Aug. 2, 2020. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times) A former Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy has agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to violate the civil rights of a skateboarder by forcing him into the back of a patrol car and then trying to cover it up with a falsified report. Christopher Hernandez, who was also involved in the highly publicized 2020 killing of 18-year-old Andres Guardado, and his former partner, Miguel Vega, were both charged in federal court earlier this year on a five-count indictment alleging conspiracy, witness tampering, falsification of records and deprivation of rights. Both men pleaded not guilty in April. But the U.S. Department of Justice announced Thursday that 37-year-old Hernandez agreed to a deal in which hell admit guilt to the felony conspiracy charge. The plea agreement filed in court this week echoes allegations detailed in a Times investigation into the incident two years ago. Hernandez is expected to admit to many of those allegations in the coming weeks when he formally pleads guilty. Vega's case is scheduled for trial in October. Both former deputies were relieved of duty in connection with the incident in 2020. This week, a lawyer for Hernandez did not respond to a request for comment. Vega's attorney declined to comment. On Thursday evening, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said it assisted federal agencies in the investigation that led to the indictments. The Sheriffs Department is committed to holding employees accountable for their actions and expects them to exhibit the highest moral and ethical standards when serving our communities, the department said. News of the plea comes less than a week after an internal county email revealed that the California Department of Justice is reviewing the Guardado shooting. Though the email confirmed that state prosecutors had accepted the case, it did not indicate whether it was a criminal probe or a civil rights investigation and did not say what aspects of the case are under scrutiny. Story continues *** On the afternoon of April 13, 2020, Vega and Hernandez pulled up to a group of young Black men outside a skate park in Compton. The deputies got out of their cruiser and ordered the men to lift their shirts, according to court filings. From inside the skate park, 23-year-old Jesus Alegria yelled at the deputies to stop harassing the kids. According to prosecutors, Vega started arguing with Alegria, then challenged the skateboarder to a fight. The deputy allegedly grabbed Alegria, pulled him through an opening in the fence, then shoved him into the back of the cruiser as Hernandez watched. In an interview afterward, Alegria told The Times that the deputies didnt handcuff him or ask his name. Instead, he said, they taunted him. Were gonna get you set up right now, one of the deputies said, according to Alegria. The deputy threatened to kick him out of the car in a gang-controlled neighborhood, Alegria said, and tell people on the street that he belonged to a rival gang. According to the plea agreement, it was Vega who allegedly made those threats as he drove. Hernandez, who was sitting in the passenger seat, chimed in saying that he would beat up Alegria, according to the plea agreement. The court filings say Vega told Alegria the deputies would lie and say he was on drugs to justify picking him up. Hernandez admitted that he did nothing to interfere, even though he didnt believe Alegria was on drugs. After a few minutes in the car, the deputies spotted a group of young teenagers on bikes and Vega started to chase them as they fled down an alley. Hernandez jumped out to follow them on foot, focusing on one whod appeared to grab his waistband. When Vega tried to drive down the alley after the biker, he crashed into a concrete wall and a parked BMW. By Alegrias estimate, theyd been traveling 55 to 60 mph at the time of the crash. Vega told authorities he was driving 30 to 35 mph. After the wreck, Vega climbed out the cruisers window and told Alegria to leave. Get the f out of here, he said, according to Alegria. As he walked away, Alegria realized there was blood dripping down his face from a gash on his eyebrow. According to court filings, Vega then got on the radio and reported a man fleeing with a gun whose clothing he described as much like what Alegria had on that day. When other deputies picked him up, they drove him to a hospital where, according to Alegria, they pressured him to sign a citation to appear in court for being under the influence of methamphetamine. I didnt wanna sign it because I know my truth: Ive never even touched that drug in my life, he told The Times in 2021. In the plea agreement, Hernandez admitted he told another deputy at the hospital to issue the citation for methamphetamine even though he knew it wasnt true. Then, he and Vega allegedly wrote up false reports to cover up what had happened. The first report said Alegria looked like he was on drugs and that he had threatened to harm people at the skate park. It also said there had been a crowd of people moving toward the cruiser when the deputies decided to drive away with Alegria in the back. A second report said the deputies had safely transferred Alegria to another cruiser after the crash, which the plea agreement says both deputies knew was not true. In early 2021, Alegria filed a lawsuit accusing Vega and Hernandez of fabricating the drug charge and the arrest report to justify their reckless behavior. Last year, the county agreed to settle for $450,000. By that point, Vega and Hernandez had already come under scrutiny for their role in the Guardado killing in June 2020. Two months after the Alegria incident, the deputies were on patrol when they came upon Guardado talking with someone outside an auto body shop. The Sheriffs Department said Guardado brandished a gun and ran into an alley, and Vega and Hernandez chased him. An autopsy showed that Vega shot the teen five times in the back. Vegas attorney said Guardado was reaching for a gun. Coming on the heels of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Guardados death prompted weeks of protests and increased scrutiny of the Compton sheriffs station, which has been roiled by allegations about the presence of a violent deputy gang known as the Executioners. Following the Guardado shooting, a whistleblower claimed that Vega and Hernandez were prospective members of the group. Their attorneys denied the allegation. Guardados family filed a lawsuit that the county settled last year for $8 million . But in April local prosecutors said they wouldnt pursue a criminal case against the deputies, a move that has since prompted criticism from oversight officials and local activists . At a meeting of the Civilian Oversight Commission this week, Sean Kennedy, the law professor who chairs the commission overseeing the Sheriffs Department, reiterated his dismay at the district attorneys handling of the case. He raised concerns about why officials hadnt done more to investigate the deputies alleged links to the group commonly known as the Executioners. Those folks were not asked if they were in a deputy gang, he said. To this day I guess we just dont have an answer. 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. Rep. George Santos outside of Manhattan court in New York on April 4, 2023. John Taggart for The Washington Post via Getty Images George Santos' ex-spokeswoman opened up about her time working for the scandal-plagued congressman. She said that he was more interested in "turning into a celebrity" than doing his day job. She also said Santos once signed onto a bill for "clickbait" without fully understanding it. In her first interview since resigning two months ago, Rep. George Santos' former top spokeswoman said the scandal-plagued congressman is more interested in the spotlight than trying to legislate. Naysa Woomer, the congressman's former communications director, told POLITICO that the New York Republican frequently ignored her advice, which included going on a national apology tour after the series of lies he'd told about his background first came to light in December. "I felt like he was no longer becoming a member of Congress, but rather turning into a celebrity," Woomer told the outlet. "Celebrities are not in the business of public service, but rather all about serving themselves." Woomer and Santos at the Capitol on January 6, 2023. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin She also said that Santos signed onto a bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Barry Moore of Alabama to declare the AR-15 the "National Gun of the United States" without fully understanding the bill. "It felt like it was more of a clickbait situation," said Woomer. "I was just very disappointed that he signed on for a bill that he did not have too much knowledge on." A spokeswoman for Santos' office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Woomer resigned in the days after the congressman was hit with a 13-count federal indictment for fraud, money laundering, making false statements, and theft of public funds. Santos, who has struggled to attract co-sponsors for his legislation and has been shunned by local Republicans in his district, is running for re-election against the advice of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Story continues And he may soon become the latest lawmaker to face formal censure by the House of Representatives. House Democrats are likely to force vote sometime this month on the motion, which already has enough Republican votes to pass, assuming full attendance. Recently, the congressman successfully petitioned a judge to change the terms of his bail to allow him to travel within a 30-mile radius of Washington, DC in part to allow him to dine out and go shopping more easily. Read the original article on Business Insider Former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann was asked on the latest episode of the Pod Save America podcast what would give him sleepless nights if he were prosecuting former President Donald Trump. Jury nullification, he responded. What I have experienced is the problem in a high-profile case of jurors who want to get on the jury and who are less than candid, which is a nice way of saying lie, Weissmann, who is now a legal analyst for MSNBC, told co-host Dan Pfeiffer. Usually most jurors dont want to be on a jury, Weissmann noted during a discussion on Trumps possible imminent indictment in special counsel Jack Smiths investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. But in high-profile matters, you have that problem of somebody really trying to sneak on who is not intending to adhere to their oath of office as a juror, he said. It only takes one juror to have a hung jury, he continued. Even if its 11-1 for conviction, Trump could still claim its a huge victory. So, that would be the thing that would worry me the most, he added. The evidence seems incredibly strong. Thats the biggest thing that I would worry about. If @AWeissmann_ was prosecuting Trump's January 6 case, this is what would keep him up at night. Listen to the full interview: https://t.co/yhGxKchdeYpic.twitter.com/BWS7bOVlY4 Pod Save America (@PodSaveAmerica) July 20, 2023 Trump on Tuesday claimed he had received a target letter from the special counsel. The former president said it gave him a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment. Trump has this year already been indicted for allegedly mishandling classified documents, faces trial in the Stormy Daniels hush money payment case in 2024, and remains under investigation for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election result in Georgia. Story continues Watch the full podcast episode here: Related... A courtroom sketch showing the accused Venezuela's former spy chief has pleaded not guilty in a New York court to US charges of drug trafficking. Hugo Carvajal, 63, was extradited from Spain on Wednesday after an over-ten year effort by prosecutors to bring him to the US to face the charges. Mr Carvajal, who was a confidante to late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, has denied that he was ever involved in the illicit drug trade. US prosecutors say he shipped tonnes of cocaine to Mexico to be sent to the US. Prosecutors allege he used his position in government to ship approximately 5,600kg (12,300lbs) from Venezuela to Mexico to be sent on to the US. At a federal hearing in Manhattan on Thursday, Mr Carvajal entered a not guilty plea. He was ordered held in detention pending his next court hearing on 25 July. Outside of the courthouse, his lawyer Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma told reporters that his client is "categorically innocent". Hugo Carvajal spent two years in hiding in Spain after a court ruled he should be extradited to the US "General Carvajal looks forward to fighting these outrageous charges in court before an unbiased American jury," he said after the hearing, according to Reuters. Mr Carvajal - whose nickname is El Pollo (the chicken) - was a close ally of the late Venezuelan president and is thought to hold key information about his government and that of Chavez's successor, Nicolas Maduro. Prosecutors accuse the former top spy 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 that 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. As head of military counter-intelligence from 2004 to 2011, he was once one of the most powerful men in Venezuela. His legal troubles date back to 2011, when a US court first indicted him on drug trafficking charges. Story continues For years, he managed to avoid extradition to the US. He was first arrested in 2014 Aruba, but released because he held a diplomatic passport. After turning against Mr Maduro by backing opposition leader Juan Guaido when the latter declared himself interim president, he fled Venezuela to the Dominican Republic before settling in Spain. He was arrested by Spanish authorities in 2019 but went into hiding after his extradition to the US was approved. He was arrested again in 2021 and last week lost his legal battle against extradition to the US. A sheriffs deputy in Washington state has been fired and is facing charges, accused of abusing his position as a law enforcement officer to threaten, blackmail and sexually assault two women. Former Whatcom County Sheriffs Office Deputy Austin Case was arrested last week and charged with extortion, burglary, third-degree rape, indecent liberties by forcible compulsion and two counts of unlawful imprisonment, The Bellingham Herald reported Thursday. Jail and court records show Case, who was fired from his job last week, was booked and released from the Whatcom County Jail on $250,000 bond. The newspaper has reached out to Cases defense attorney for comment. Efforts by The Associated Press to reach his attorney on Thursday werent immediately successful. The 23-year-old Ferndale man was hired in January by the Whatcom County Sheriffs Office and was in his 15-month probationary period in late June when the sheriffs office was notified about social media conversations that caused concerns, court documents said. A sheriffs office internal affairs investigation began and Case was placed on paid administrative leave. During an interview for the internal affairs investigation, a woman accused Case of rape and assault with sexual motivation, according to court records. The sheriffs office on July 10 contacted the Mount Vernon Police Department and requested that a criminal investigation against Case be opened. The Skagit and Island County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART), which investigates police shootings and other use of force incidents, is leading the investigation. As of Wednesday, the investigation was ongoing, SMART spokesperson and Mount Vernon Police Lt. Mike Moore said. He said additional people have contacted the tip line, but said further details of the investigation arent being released at this time. According to court documents, one woman said she met Case on Snapchat and told him she had been arrested for DUI and was on probation. When Case learned she had been at a bar in violation of her probation, he ordered her to his house under threat of arrest, the court documents said. Story continues The woman told investigators she felt trapped and compelled to sleep with Case for fear that if she did not, he could call the cops on her and that she would go to jail, court documents said. A second woman who met Case on Instagram said he forced his way into her home after the two met for dinner, made unwanted advances and then lifted his shirt to reveal a gun in his waistband, according to court documents. That woman was able to get away. Case declined to speak with investigators after his arrest last week, according to the documents. By Yimou Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan is investigating a possible leak of official documents including diplomatic cables and classified reports on the island's sensitive bid to join a global trade pact, according to two officials familiar with the probe. One official said initial findings showed some parts of the documents, posted on online message board 8kun and reviewed by Reuters, are real while bits were forged, without giving details. A second official said parts of the documents appeared to be "authentic" and they could not immediately determine the origin of the documents shared on the internet. The officials asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. In response to Reuters' questions, Taiwan's National Security Bureau (NSB) said it was aware of "suspected government documents" posted online and that relevant government authorities were "investigating and dealing with the source of such information". The NSB said it was also investigating whether China, which claims Taiwan as its own, was involved in the incident. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. News of the incident comes amid a flurry of reports about Beijing-linked hackers accessing the email accounts of several top U.S. officials, including the U.S. ambassador to China. In a statement, Taiwan's foreign ministry largely echoed the NSB comments adding that it "was difficult to distinguish between true and false information online" and urged vigilance about sharing information from unknown sources. The incident comes at a delicate time for the island, which is due to hold elections early next year and is seeking to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade pact despite objections from China which is also seeking to join. The documents posted online include what purports to be a classified "security assessment" in October by Taiwan's top intelligence agency, the National Security Bureau, on the island's CPTPP bid. Story continues They include alleged diplomatic cables from Taiwan's de facto embassies in Japan and Vietnam about the CPTPP applications by China and Taiwan, and another classified report this year by Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington on its trade negotiations with the United States. Reuters has seen the documents but could not independently verify their authenticity. Taiwan and China both applied in 2021 to join the CPTPP, a trade pact between 11 countries - Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Britain is also set to join. Beijing has said it strongly opposes Taiwan's membership because Taiwan is part of China and therefore ineligible to join international bodies on its own. Taiwan is, however, a member of the World Trade Organization, designated as a separate customs territory called Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu. Taiwan strongly rejects Chinese sovereignty claims and says only Taiwanese people can decide their future. The island of 23 million people is growing increasingly concerned about hacks and cyber attacks as it gears up for the presidential election, due in January. President Tsai Ing-wen, whose ruling party is seeking to head off a challenge from opposition parties pledging friendlier ties with Beijing, has repeatedly warned of China's attempts to influence public opinion ahead of the vote. (Reporting By Yimou LeeEditing by John Geddie, Lincoln Feast, William Maclean and Frances Kerry) ISLAMABAD, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that the incumbent government has been making all-out efforts to enhance information technology (IT) exports and investments in the coming years for national growth. "Pakistan is rich with immense youth potential with the youngsters getting modern skills with each passing day. But the export figure, hovering around 2.5 billion U.S. dollars, did not justify the potential owing to lack of support and archaic procedures," Sharif said while addressing a seminar on information technology on Thursday. He said that the country is required to boost its IT exports to 25 billion dollars and investment to 20 billion dollars within a span of three years, adding that the government has already placed a mechanism to ensure one-window operations to facilitate the investors. "We have to achieve this target under all circumstances through the support and expertise of stakeholders," the prime minister said. Sharif said that the investors would be provided with all the facilities and assistance needed through one-window operations without any delay, underlining that the government would act as a partner and catalyst to provide all kinds of support to the investors. The Gulf countries are willing to invest in Pakistan in various sectors including IT and agricultural sectors, and the country would benefit from their investment to generate revenue and enhance exports, he added. Donald Trump Ronda Churchill for The Washington Post via Getty Images Judge Aileen Cannon, the Trump-appointed federal judge in Miami overseeing the former president's Mar-a-Lago documents case, on Friday set a trial date for next May after Trump sought to delay it until after the 2024 election. The timeline of the case became a point of contention for federal prosecutors, who wanted to start the trial as soon as December, and defense attorneys, who argued that Cannon should not set a trial date at all due to Trump's presidential campaign. Cannon heard arguments from both parties on Tuesday and said she would decide promptly. On Friday, she scheduled the date for the jury trial in the Fort Pierce Division of the U.S. District Court in Southern Florida to start in the two-week period that begins May 20, 2024. According to Politico, Cannon has also labeled the case "complex," despite the Justice Department arguing that, as a legal matter, the case isn't especially complicated and, thus, does not need to be drawn out. And Cannon has designated the case "complex," despite DOJ saying that as a legal matter the case isn't particularly complicated. https://t.co/O9um1RXMOX Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) July 21, 2023 The former president is the current frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination, which "means any trial that takes place before the election will likely resonate across the campaign trail," according to The Washington Post. His defense argued that the trial should be postponed until after the election because the vote will make it more challenging for an impartial jury to be seated and suggested the trial could impact the course of the election. Cannon's ruling, however, sets the trial late in the Republican primary schedule, just weeks before the 2024 Republican National Convention. Story continues "This is the worst possible outcome for the Republican Party. Great for Trump though," Georgia State Law professor and political scientist Anthony Kreis wrote of the trial date on Twitter. "This basically allows Trump to snag the nomination before the most easily damning case comes to trial," he added. This basically allows Trump to snag the nomination before the most easily damning case comes to trial. Anthony Michael Kreis (@AnthonyMKreis) July 21, 2023 Trump's attorneys also noted, in addition to his campaign schedule, Trump will be embroiled in other legal battles in the near future. He is facing criminal charges in Manhattan in connection to hush money payments made to an adult film star with a trial slated for that case in March 2024, and civil lawsuits scheduled to go to trial in New York this fall and next year. He's also the subject of two other criminal investigations one in Georgia and the other a federal probe in connection to his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Prosecutors, however, pushed for beginning the trial as early as December, acknowledging that the date would present an "aggressive" timeline but dismissing calls for delay. They argued that their proposed schedule would give Trump's attorneys plenty of time to review evidence from the discovery period. Prosecutors also recognized that jury selection in this case could be lengthy but cited that as a reason why proceedings should begin sooner rather than later. Some legal experts conceded that Cannon's Friday decision on a timeline for the trial was a good one, arguing that it falls in a sweet spot between being rushed and drawn out. "The 5/20/24 trial date that Cannon just set is about as extended as it could be without seeming ridiculous," former U.S. Attorney Harry Litman said in a tweet. The 5/20/24 trial date that Cannon just set is about as extended as it could be without seeming ridiculous. Harry Litman (@harrylitman) July 21, 2023 "May was the perfect choice, actually. Not so soon that it's unachievable. Yet early enough that even some additional postponements would still allow the case to be tried before next fall," lawyer George Conway added. "Good for Judge Cannon." May was the perfect choice, actually. Not so soon that its unachievable. Yet early enough that even some additional postponements would still allow the case to be tried before next fall. Good for Judge Cannon. https://t.co/BXHgwmaVMX George Conway (@gtconway3d) July 21, 2023 Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Other experts, however, expressed concern that, despite being a reasonable timeline now, the trial date could be pushed further due to potential delays from the defense. "[B]ig win for Jack Smith on trial date. But the key is making this schedule stick," NYU Law professor Andrew Weissmann, who served as a senior prosecutor on special counsel Robert Mueller's team, wrote on Twitter. BREAKiNG: big win for Jack Smith on trial date. But the key is making this schedule stick. https://t.co/naMVKFuSPa Andrew Weissmann (weissmann11 on Threads) (@AWeissmann_) July 21, 2023 "Here's the thingin a case like this, plenty of opportunity for Trump to manufacture delay & if this date slips, it makes it far less likely trial happens before the election," former U.S. Attorney and federal prosecutor Joyce Vance tweeted, adding that "setting it in Fort Pierce with its tiny courtroom & no cameras allowed is a disservice to democracy." Here's the thing--in a case like this, plenty of opportunity for Trump to manufacture delay & if this date slips, it makes it far less likely trial happens before the election. & setting it in Fort Pierce with its tiny courtroom & no cameras allowed is a disservice to democracy. https://t.co/9dLHHmzuiz Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) July 21, 2023 Trump and his longtime aide, Walt Nauta, were indicted last month on a total of 38 counts. Trump is accused of illegally retaining classified documents after leaving office and obstructing the government's efforts to retrieve them, while Nauta is alleged to have assisted Trump in his efforts to hoard sensitive materials and making false statements to the government. Both pleaded not guilty to all charges. Read more about Judge Aileen Cannon PROVIDENCE The state Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the suppression of key evidence in the case of two out-of-state men stopped on Interstate 95 in 2018 for whom a routine traffic stop ended in firearms charges. Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell found that Rhode Island state troopers violated the alleged suspects rights by unconstitutionally morphing the traffic stop into a full-fledged investigation with warrantless searches. It is clear to us that this traffic stop was prolonged beyond the time reasonably required to complete the mission of issuing a warning ticket, Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell wrote for the court, adding that the "reasonable suspicion of criminal activity did not exist" and affirming the lower court's decision to grant the defendants' motion to suppress. Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell found that Rhode Island state troopers violated the alleged suspects rights by unconstitutionally morphing the traffic stop into a full-fledged investigation with warrantless searches. Supreme court: Suggestion of racial bias in the case was improper But the high court found that Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Procaccini had improperly introduced suggestions of racial bias that were not raised by the defense lawyers, accepting arguments by the state that evidence of racial bias did not exist in this case. In ruling in May 2021, Procaccini discussed studies on racial disparity in policing, indicating he was unable to ignore that race and implicit bias may be a consideration in the initiation of traffic stops and a law enforcement officers decision to perform a warrantless search of a vehicle," adding that he was "mindful of these issues" in his evaluation. 'Dark cloud' over District Court: Ex admin alleges coverups, dysfunction and retaliation Although the Court takes no issue with the validity and importance of the studies relied on, we note that the hearing justice improperly interjected those studies and the issue of racial bias [of his own accord], the court said in Thursday's ruling. We stress that a trial justice need not ignore that race and implicit bias may be a consideration in the initiation of traffic stops and a law enforcement officers decision to perform a warrantless search; rather, a trial justice should address those considerations when they are argued and raised by defense counsel to support a motion to suppress, the court said. Story continues Case involves drivers of color on Interstate 95 The case at the center of the Supreme Courts ruling Thursday involved Jerome Joseph, of Massachusetts, and Voguel Figaro, of New York. Trooper Andrew Elsing stopped their car around 5:30 p.m. on June 21, 2018, after he spotted Figaro abruptly change lanes on I-95 north in Warwick. According to Procaccinis ruling, Figaro asked why he was being stopped, to which Elsing replied that he was driving erratically. Elsing observed that Figaros hand was shaking and his breathing was heavy as he handed him his license and registration. Joseph provided a Florida drivers license identifying him as Julian Joseph. Elsing ordered Figaro to exit the vehicle, explaining during a suppression hearing that he wanted to separate the parties. Figaro was sweating profusely, wiped his head and paced as he told the officer that they were returning to Massachusetts after a trip to visit family in Virginia, the ruling stated. In the ruling, it states that Cpl. Daniel ONeil arrived and ran the identifications as Elsing questioned Joseph, who said they had picked up an engine in Virginia that Elsing could see in plain view. ONeil confirmed that Joseph had allegedly provided false identification. Elsing asked Figaro if he had firearms, narcotics or large amounts of cash in the van, the ruling states, to which Figaro said no. Elsing asked for permission to search the vehicle. Figaro allegedly replied, You stopped me for no reason, now you want to look in my car. If you have a warrant you can look in the car. Elsing got K-9 King at 6:20 p.m. The dog reportedly indicated the presence of narcotics near the drivers-side door and in the rear. Figaro and Joseph told the officers that they had smoked marijuana and showed them a cup containing a marijuana wrapper. Its when Joseph opened the rear hatch that Elsing said he could see a bulletproof vest and a box of bullets. He searched the van and spotted the handle of a gun. The ruling says Figaro told the troopers that a military friend in Virginia had given him a vest and bullets and that they were needed to send to his people. The state police charged Joseph with carrying a firearm without a license; importing armor-piercing bullets; and giving a false identification. Figaro also faced the importing charge. Their lawyers, Susannah D. Cotter and Angela M. Lawless, moved to have the evidence suppressed, arguing that the troopers had violated their clients' Fourth Amendment rights. They charged that the police unconstitutionally extended a traffic stop for investigative purposes without reasonable suspicion. The judge agreed and suppressed both the evidence seized and the parties statements. The state appealed to the Supreme Court, with arguments heard in May. Procaccini rejected arguments that the mens nervousness gave troopers reasonable suspicion to prolong the traffic stops and subsequently search the vehicles. Justice William P. Robinson III dissented from the high courts ruling, concluding that there was an ample basis for having a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity and that [the troopers] acted reasonably at all times in accordance therewith. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Court: RI troopers improperly extended I-95 stop of drivers of color By Gabriella Borter and Sharon Bernstein (Reuters) - State legislatures are wrestling with how much to restrict or expand abortion access after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. Here is a snapshot of pending and passed legislation seeking to restrict or protect access in 2023. RESTRICTIONS FLORIDA: Governor Ron DeSantis in April signed a six-week abortion ban, which includes exceptions for rape, incest, human trafficking, and the life and health of the mother. It cannot take effect until the state Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the 15-week ban that is currently in place. IDAHO: Governor Brad Little signed into law a bill in April that makes it illegal to help a minor cross state lines to get an abortion without the permission of a parent or guardian. Offenders would face two to five years in prison. The Republican-led state is currently enforcing a near-total abortion ban, with exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother. IOWA: Republican Governor Kim Reynolds in July signed into law a six-week abortion ban days after lawmakers passed it in a day-long special session. The bill bans abortion as soon as fetal cardiac activity can be detected, before many women know they are pregnant. It makes exceptions for rape, incest and fatal fetal abnormalities and medical emergencies, but not for the age of the pregnant person. MONTANA: Governor Greg Gianforte in May signed into law several bills limiting abortion access, including one that aims to overturn a 1999 state Supreme Court ruling that found the state constitution protected a right to abortion. Another new law bans most second trimester abortions by prohibiting a common surgical procedure. A state judge has temporarily blocked the measure while it is challenged in court. NEBRASKA: Governor Jim Pillen in May signed into law a bill restricting gender-affirming care for minors that was amended to also prohibit abortions for pregnancies beyond 12 weeks. Abortion was formerly legal in the state up to 22 weeks. Story continues NORTH CAROLINA: Republican lawmakers in May overrode Democratic Governor Roy Cooper's veto to enact a law limiting most abortions to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest, life-limiting fetal anomalies and the life of the mother. Abortion was formerly legal up to 20 weeks in the state. The measure also requires doctors to be present when abortion medication is given and requires those seeking medical abortions to have an in-person consultation with a doctor 72 hours before the procedure. NORTH DAKOTA: North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum in April signed a bill that bans abortion with exceptions for cases where the mother's life or health are at serious risk. The law, which took immediate effect, also makes exceptions for rape and incest victims, but only during the first six weeks of pregnancy. SOUTH CAROLINA: A South Carolina judge in May temporarily blocked a new "fetal heartbeat" law that would ban abortions about six weeks into pregnancy, before most people know they are pregnant. The judge granted reproductive rights groups' motion to block the legislation one day after Republican Governor Henry McMaster signed it, ruling that it should be considered by the state Supreme Court before taking effect. A similar six-week ban passed last year was ruled unconstitutional in a 3-2 decision by the South Carolina Supreme Court in January. One of the justices in the majority has since retired, leaving it unclear how the court will rule on the new measure. TEXAS: While abortion is completely banned with very limited exceptions in Texas, Republican state representatives have introduced legislation that would compel internet providers to block websites that supply abortion pills or provide information on how to obtain an abortion. UTAH: Republican Governor Spencer Cox in March signed legislation to prohibit the licensing of abortion clinics, which abortion rights advocates say would effectively eliminate access in the state. Abortion is currently banned after 18 weeks in Utah. WYOMING: A state judge in June temporarily blocked a bill that the Republican-led state legislature passed in March banning the use or prescription of medication abortion pills. The bill, which Republican Governor Mark Gordon signed into law, had been due to take effect July 1 but will remain suspended pending the outcome of a lawsuit by healthcare providers in the state. Abortion is currently legal until viability, about 24 weeks, while a state court is reviewing a challenge to a near-total "trigger" ban, which took effect when Roe v. Wade was overturned. PROTECTIONS MISSOURI: Voters in the 2024 election may have the chance to affirm or reject a measure that would insert a right to abortion in the state constitution. The state's supreme court in July ruled that Missouri's Republican attorney general had improperly blocked the initiative by disputing its cost estimate from the state auditor. Abortion rights advocates will still need to gather 100,000 signatures to put it on the ballot. CALIFORNIA: The Democratic state Senate has approved a bill to protect doctors who prescribe medication abortion pills to patients in other states. MICHIGAN: Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation in April repealing a 1931 bill that criminalized abortion. ILLINOIS: Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker in January signed a law protecting abortion providers and out-of-state patients from legal attacks waged by other states. MINNESOTA: Democratic Governor Tim Walz in January signed legislation passed by the Minnesota legislature's new Democratic majority that codifies abortion rights in state law, as well as a right to contraception and fertility treatment. In April, he also signed into law a bill to shield abortion providers and patients from other states' legal attacks. OHIO: Abortion rights supporters have collected enough signatures to put a constitutional amendment on the November 2023 ballot that would assert a right to abortion. Abortion is currently legal up to 22 weeks. (Reporting by Gabriella Borter in Washington and Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento, California; Additional reporting by Julia Harte in New York; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Alistair Bell and Jamie Freed) Many of the fatal accidents involve farm machinery An average of more than five people every year died on Northern Ireland's farms in the past decade. New figures from the Health and Safety Executive NI (HSENI) show 53 people were killed between January 2013 and December 2022. It comes as the Farm Safety Foundation says the pace of change is "far too slow". This week marks the 11th year of Farm Safety Week, which is organised by the foundation. Stephanie Berkeley, manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, said the key message of Farm Safety Week 2023 was that farmers needed to value themselves. "Everything is replaceable, you are not," she said. Ms Berkeley added that the organisation was still having to roll out the campaign because farming continues to have the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK and Ireland. She said things were improving and that farmers knew they needed to take their safety seriously. Older men at risk The HSENI said there had been two fatalities on farms in 2023. Both victims were men over 60 and both incidents involved machinery. In 2022, there were three deaths - a fall from six in 2021. Ms Berkeley said those who died were mostly older people. "The next generation of farmers have better attitudes and behaviours in relation to safety - but the pace of change is far too slow," she said. William Irvine, deputy president of the Ulster Farmers Union, said it was important to keep safety awareness high. He said the work was pressurised and that most accidents on farms tended to be related to falls, animals, machinery and slurry. "Agriculture tends to involve a lot of lone workers who work with machinery and animals," he said. "These things can be unpredictable and campaigns like this are important to keep awareness high. "The message is getting through, but there is still a way to go and there is more to achieve when it comes to farm safety." The Westmoreland County district attorney says a fatal officer-involved shooting that happened in Ligonier Township in July was justified. Robbie Thomas Saunders, 59, was shot by officers on Gravel Hill Road on July 2. He was taken to Conemaugh Memorial Hospital in Johnstown, where he later died. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Man killed in officer-involved shooting in Ligonier Township The district attorneys office said two officers were initially called for reports of a domestic disturbance. A 911 caller said a man was inside the home threatening to kill a woman with a machete. When they arrived they found two people outside of the home who they say were unharmed. Body cam footage showed Saunders aggressively approaching the officers with a 14-inch blade raised above his head. Officers demanded Saunders to drop the weapon when he was within feet of them but he did not comply. The district attorney said Saunders was hit with a bullet and officers treated him until medics arrived. The officers were placed on leave while the investigation was held. The district attorney said the Pennsylvania Crimes Code says law enforcement officers are justified in using deadly force if he believes that such force is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily injury to himself or such other person. Multiple videos from the scene were reviewed and reports and interviews with witnesses were held during the investigation. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: State police car hit responding to report of 50 vehicles drag racing on Fort Pitt Bridge Tony Bennett, legendary pop crooner, dies at 96 Woman, three children found dead in home in suspected murder-suicide VIDEO: 2 teens arrested in carjacking of Uber driver in Homewood North DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts An FBI analyst improperly searched a government surveillance database last year using the last name of a U.S. senator, according to a newly declassified court document released on Friday. The disclosure is included in the Office of the Director of National Intelligences release of a 117-page April order by the federal judiciarys foreign intelligence surveillance court, which typically issues rulings in secret. The surveillance courts ruling notes more broadly that, despite the improper search in 2022, there is reason to believe that the FBI has been doing a better job adhering to its own rules for using warrantless surveillance. But the reported search for a senator comes as a key moment for the future of the FBIs surveillance power: There is growing bipartisan support on Capitol Hill for enacting reforms to the authority and the broader law it is housed under. While it was designed to target overseas residents, the program can also sweep in Americans communications and has faced bipartisan scrutiny for doing so. Congress must decide by the end of the year how and whether to extend the surveillance program. Among the changes lawmakers are now weighing are new limits to how the FBI can search for U.S. persons swept up by the program. The improper search that ODNI disclosed on Friday may further roil that debate. According to the newly declassified court document, in June 2022, an FBI analyst conducted four searches of information collected under the warrantless surveillance program using the last names of a U.S. Senator and a state senator. In both cases, the analyst had information showing that the two lawmakers were being targeted by a foreign intelligence service. A senior FBI official stressed that none of these individuals were surveilled and the FBI did not collect any information on them in response to the search. The analyst ran an unapproved search against our databases to retrieve any information that was already lawfully collected, the official added. Story continues But the database searches nonetheless violated the FBIs policy on multiple fronts, according to the court document. The analyst in question, whom the court did not name, failed to get pre-approval from the deputy director that is required for searches that use sensitive query terms, such as the names of public officials or candidates. More broadly, the analysts searches did not fully meet the FBI's search standards that it considers when determining if a search is likely to retrieve foreign intelligence information or evidence of a crime," the court found. The senior FBI official, during a press call Friday afternoon after the opinion was released, said that while the searches did meet two of the three components the FBI considers including having a factual basis for believing that it was reasonably likely the search would retrieve such information it didnt meet a third component requiring that a search also be reasonably tailored to do so without unnecessarily retrieving other surveillance-collected data. The senior FBI official added that if the analysts queries had been sent for pre-approval in accordance with the policy, they would not have been approved. The court document does not disclose the identity of the U.S. senator whose name was searched for. Asked if it was a current U.S. senator, the senior FBI official told reporters that the person in question was in office as of June 2022 when the analysts search was run. (Seven senators have left Congress since then.) The FBI did discuss the search with the U.S. senator but did not directly disclose the violation to the state senator, the bureau official said. In addition, the foreign intelligence surveillance court opinion released on Friday disclosed that the FBI conducted an improper search for a state judge via that persons social security number in the surveillance database, which took place in October. It also isnt the first time the court has disclosed that an FBI analyst improperly searched warrantless surveillance data for a member of Congress. A footnote in a recently declassified report about the use of surveillance program authority between December 2019 and May 2020 said that an FBI intelligence analyst queried surveillance databases using only the name of a U.S. House member. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.), who is now leading the House Intelligence Committees discussions on reforming the program, subsequently said he believes he is that lawmaker in question. Since 2021, the FBI and Justice Department have worked to impose new guidelines and internal reforms aimed at preventing improper use of the surveillance tool. For example, the tone of the April order is significantly different from a 2021 surveillance court order also declassified by the ODNI on Friday. In that 2021 order, the court calls the FBIs surveillance program problems substantial and persistent. It adds that failing to correct those issues would call into question, among other things, the ability of the court to find that the FBIs surveillance procedures are consistent with statutory and Fourth Amendment requirements." By comparison, in the April order, the surveillance court noted recent indications that the FBI is improving its implementation of Section 702 querying requirements. (Section 702 is the statutory provision of surveillance law that created the program.) Among the FBIs reforms noted by the court: requiring additional documentation of search compliance; changing internal search settings; requiring additional approval for batch queries, additional mandatory and annual training, and additional review of searches. FBI Director Christopher Wray has also touted the creation of an Office of Internal Audit that he said is focused specifically on warrantless surveillance. Wray sent a letter separately to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Friday touting the reforms, as well as how the program is used against an array of national security threats, as he made the pitch for reauthorization. "We are committed to holding ourselves accountable and we are eager to discuss with Members how these reforms can be enshrined as part of Section 702's reauthorization. We also welcome discussing with Congress additional reforms and evaluating how these reforms can be implemented without diminishing Section 702's vital intelligence value," Wray wrote in the letter. The FBI improperly used surveillance powers to conduct searches for information on a U.S. senator, a state lawmaker and a state judge, according to court records released Friday as part of a public records request. The FBIs improper use of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was documented in an opinion from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) and is sure to pose challenges for an intelligence community lobbying for the reauthorization for what it sees as one of its most vital tools. The tool which allowed for warrantless spying on foreigners located abroad has long been criticized as a backdoor tool for gaining information on Americans who may be communicating with those being surveilled. And critics complain the information gathered by the agency through 702 is too easily tapped for investigations with no foreign nexus. The FISC outlined three examples of instances where FBI personnel conducted searches of sensitive query terms, like those of U.S. public officials or candidates, without first seeking approval from the FBIs deputy director. In June 2022, an analyst conducted four queries of Section 702 information using the last names of a U.S. Senator and a state senator, without further limitation, the opinion states. While the two were believed to be targets of a specific foreign intelligence service, the National Security Division at the Department of Justice determined the FBI did not meet the needed standard for running such a query. And in October of that year, the opinion states that a Staff Operations Specialist ran a query using the Social Security number of a state judge who had complained to [the] FBI about alleged civil right violations perpetrated by a municipal chief of police. The opinion does not make clear the identity of those searched. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), whose efforts prompted the release of the court opinion, highlighted other alarming patterns. Story continues These disturbing new revelations show how Section 702 surveillance, a spy program the government claims is focused on foreign adversaries, is routinely used against Americans, immigrants, and people who are not accused of any wrongdoing, Patrick Toomey, deputy director of the ACLUs National Security Project, said in a statement. The FBI continues to break the rules put in place to protect Americans, running illegal searches on public officials including a U.S. senator, and its long past time for Congress to step in, Toomeys statement said. As Congress debates reauthorizing Section 702, these opinions make clear why fundamental reforms are urgently needed. The FBI and Justice Department in recent weeks have noted the roll out of some FISA reforms pointing to a drop in overall queries that involved U.S. citizens. The opinion, originally filed in April, does comment on improvements from the bureau. Despite the reported errors, there is reason to believe that the FBI has been doing a better job in applying the querying standard, Judge Rudolph Contreras writes in the opinion. In some cases, F.B.I. personnel apparently misapplied the querying standard to a group of similarly situated persons, but those violations do not approach the scale of a number of prior ones. The FBI stressed that detail in its response to the opinions release. The 2023 FISC Opinion confirms the significant improvement in the FBIs Section 702 querying compliance since the implementation of our substantial reforms, FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. Section 702 is critical in our fight against foreign adversaries. We take seriously our role in protecting national security and we take just as seriously our responsibility to be good stewards of our Section 702 authorities, Wray said. Compliance is an ongoing endeavor, and we recently announced new additional accountability measures. We will continue to focus on using our Section 702 authorities to protect American lives and keeping our Homeland safe, while safeguarding civil rights and liberties. Its not the first time a lawmaker has been improperly searched via FISA 702, with Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) saying in March that his name was searched using the tool. Section 702 is set to expire at the end of the year, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have said they will refuse to back its reauthorization without significant reforms. The FBI sent a letter Friday to House and Senate leaders noting that several different reviews found agents have complied with FISA guidelines at least 98 percent of the time. But in a call with reporters Friday, a senior FBI official said the agency is working on building trust with lawmakers who may feel personally impacted by the issue. We are communicating as much as we can to build that level of confidence so that they understand how we are using the tool and how we are holding people accountable for when they are not using the tool correctly. But also to make sure they understand when we do and do not do such things as query members of Congress, the official said in response to a question from The Hill. There was an unacceptably high level of noncompliance and various noncompliance behavior that was going on, the official added. Weve been very open about [how] we accepted the fact that that was unacceptable. Thats not what we expect from ourselves as an organization. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), however, said lawmakers are not assured that intelligence agencies are being fully forthcoming about how they use FISA. For years, as government officials have provided misleadingly narrow testimony about who is targeted under Section 702, I have pushed to get the government to come clean. The revelation that 702 is used against foreign governments and related entities directly impacts Americans privacy, as American journalists, businesspeople, students and others all have legitimate reason to communicate with foreign governments, Wyden said in a statement. The fact they can be swept up in 702 collection further highlights the need for reforms to protect their privacy. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The mother of an American influencer fears for her daughter who is facing jail time in Dubai after a public altercation that violated local morality laws. Tierra Allen, who runs the Sassy Trucker brand of social media accounts was arrested after arguing with a car rental employee following a minor fender bender. Ms Allens TikTok and YouTube channels showcase her life as a female truck driver. She was visiting Dubai on vacation at the end of May when the incident occurred. Dubai, part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is an extremely popular tourist destination known for luxury hotels and malls, skyscrapers, white sandy beaches and dramatic desert landscapes, making it extremely popular with social media influencers. Ms Allen posted a YouTube video suggesting she was considering moving there from her current home in Houston, Texas. Despite Dubais glittering image, many visitors do not realise that there are strict decency and morality laws and they can be arrested for swearing, making rude gestures, or being affectionate in public places. Speaking to Fox 26 Houston , Ms Allens mom, Tina Baxter, said that after the fender bender, her daughter went to the car rental company to get her ID, credit card and some other personal items. Ms Baxter said her daughter found out she could only receive those items if she paid an undisclosed amount of money and alleged that the employee dealing with her daughter was very aggressive and screaming at her. Ms Allen allegedly screamed back at the employee who she claims then chased her out of the building. She called her mother when she got back to where she was staying and was scared, afraid and very panicked. Worried that she might get Ms Allen in more trouble, Ms Baxter did not want to reveal the amount of money that was demanded. The car rental employee also allegedly doubled the amount owed to hand back the ID. A police officer then allegedly showed up and arrested Ms Allen, though it is not known how soon after the altercation this occurred. Story continues Ms Baxter has been in contact with Detained in Dubai, an organisation that offers legal consultation for clients who fall foul of the laws of the United Arab Emirates. Radha Stirling, the CEO of Detained in Dubai, said they had reached out to Texas lawmakers Senator Ted Cruz and Rep Sheila Jackson Lee to work with the US consulate in Dubai to stop Ms Allen from being sent to prison. Shes being charged for shouting, which is actually a crime technically under the UAE laws, Ms Stirling explained to Fox 26. Its offensive behaviour, and it can warrant up to two years in prison. Without intervention from her representatives, Tierra Allen faces #Dubai prison, a fine and deportation for "shouting" at the rental car agent who was intimidating her. We have reached out to @JacksonLeeTX18 and @tedcruz to help. @BusinessInsider @FoxNews @CNN @MSNBC Radha Stirling - CEO @detainedindubai (@RadhaStirling) July 17, 2023 The agency actually said to her, theyd drop the police case if she paid money, Ms Stirling continued. So its a form of extortion and blackmail, and its extremely common with these rental car companies. Detained in Dubai has covered multiple cases where tourists are fleeced for sometimes tens of thousands of dollars by car rental agencies. Senator Cruzs office said in a statement: We have spoken to the family of Tierra Young Allen and have contacted the Department of State about the case. Sen. Cruz will continue to gather details and engage on this case until Ms Allen is returned home to her family. The US embassy and consulate cannot comment on the case due to privacy laws. Driver backlash: Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with newly-elected Conservative MP Steve Tuckwell (JUSTIN TALLIS) Contentious plans by London's mayor to extend a scheme taxing the use of the most polluting vehicles were being blamed Friday for costing his opposition Labour party Boris Johnson's old parliamentary seat. Sadiq Khan intends to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to the whole of the British capital on August 29 -- barring a last-ditch High Court bid to stop it. The scheme -- first introduced in inner London in 2019 and separate from its two-decades-old congestion charge -- requires more polluting vehicles to pay a 12.50 ($16) toll on days they are driven within its borders. Amid the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, the imminent enlargement has provoked fury in outer London -- where on Thursday a by-election was held in former prime minister Johnson's Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat. Labour had been expected to take the constituency as dissatisfaction grows with the ruling Conservatives' handling of the economy and the scandal-tarred legacy of Johnson's tenure continues to weigh on the party. But Steve Tuckwell, the Tory candidate, spearheaded his campaign around the ULEZ extension, tapping into local opposition to pull off a surprise victory. "Sadiq Khan has lost Labour this election and we know it was his damaging and costly ULEZ policy that lost them this election," he told supporters after winning by less than 500 votes. Khan on Friday defended the expansion decision as "difficult" but necessary, amid internal Labour rancour at the role it played in Uxbridge. - 'Disturbing' - The defeat could have big ramifications within British politics and for the fate of environmental policies, as net zero and clean air targets collide with the more short-term priorities of increasingly cash-strapped voters. YouGov polling Friday found half of Britons now oppose ULEZ-like surcharges in their local area, up nine points in two years, with only around a third voicing support. Story continues In his analysis of the Uxbridge result, political commentator Ian Dunt tweeted that its implications were "very disturbing". "It demonstrates the kind of opposition which can be rallied to environmental policies and how easily the Conservatives could be seduced into leading it," he added. He pointed to protests in France by the "gilet jaunes" (yellow vests) sparked in part by higher road fuel taxes, and in the Netherlands over lower speed limits to meet emissions targets, as ominous signs for Britain. Dunt worries Labour, widely expected to win a general election due next year, could become hesitant about sticking to and proposing ambitious climate change policies. Conservative Party Chairman Greg Hands appeared ready to fuel that fear, arguing Friday that "the electorate don't like Labour being in power". "It shows what would happen if Labour were running the whole country," he said. Environmentalists have already been spooked by the opposition party last month scaling back a flagship pledge to invest 28 billion (36 billion) annually in a transition to "green energy", citing the grim economic climate. - 'Brutal truth' - Dissecting the party's setback in London, senior Labour MP Steve Reed did little to reassure them. "I think when the voters speak, any party that seeks to govern has to listen. So that's what Labour will be doing after this," he said. Deputy leader Angela Rayner also conceded ULEZ "was a problem" on the doorstep and that it is "an issue that's coming to towns and cities near everybody". But climate campaigners may take some consolation from Rayner hinting Labour could look to offer more financial support to cushion the cost of so-called green policies. Khan has been criticised for not making a scheme launched alongside the ULEZ expansion paying people to scrap older, more polluting vehicles, more widely accessible and generous. "It's a challenge of how we meet our net zero targets, how we get the jobs for the future, and how we help people to transition into, you know, more cleaner, cleaner vehicles," Rayner told Times Radio. She added whichever party wins the next election will need to enable people "to do the right thing but doesn't penalise them and charge them when they can't afford it". "I think that's the brutal truth of it. That it's a challenge for both of us." jj/giv The Pentagon appears to have failed to implement bold reforms announced more than two years ago aimed at stamping out extremism in the military, a USA TODAY investigation has found. Meanwhile, as things heat up at the U.S.-Mexico border, members of Congress are pressing the Department of Homeland Security on the status of its own extremism-related reforms. And a country music singer is being criticized over a song with violent lyrics and a music video filmed outside a courthouse that was home to a notorious Southern lynching and racial conflict. It's the week in extremism. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during a meeting with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at the Pentagon on June 28, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. The military's big extremism flop More than two years ago, in the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin announced sweeping new reforms aimed at tackling the long-known, but often-ignored problem of extremism in the US military. A USA TODAY investigation has found the proposed reforms appear largely to have stalled or been abandoned, with the most important apparently never even getting started. Podcast: Extremism in the U.S. military, on the 5 Things podcast USA TODAY identified 20 proposed reforms laid out by Austin and a working group he charged with assessing and tackling the military's extremism problem. Responses from the military documented only two that had been implemented. A study commissioned by Austin to establish the extent of the problem was completed more than a year ago, but is yet to be released, USA TODAY can exclusively report. Theres this myopia to deal with this kind of far-right extremism in this country, said Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. Its inexplicable. Look, people with military training show up too much in domestic terrorism plots, and theyre killing people, including killing troops. The big picture? An independent study by the University of Maryland's National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism concluded that being affiliated with the U.S. military is the single strongest predictor of violent extremism in America. Story continues Since 1990, 639 people affiliated with the military have committed domestic extremist offenses in the United States, according to the researchers at START. That includes 188 people charged with attacking the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 who were either serving in the military or veterans. US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during the daily press briefing in the James S Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 11, 2023. Congress members press DHS on extremism The Defense Department isn't the only place with extremism concerns. More than 65 Democratic members of Congress sent a letter this week to U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas requesting information on the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to root out extremism. The letter references a March 2022 internal DHS report that found the Department has significant gaps that have impeded its ability to comprehensively prevent, detect, and respond to potential threats related to domestic violent extremism within DHS. The Congresspeople asked dozens of questions of DHS, "in order to better understand how DHS is responding to extremism within its workforce." The letter notes "serious concerns about the rise of paramilitary vigilante groups patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border and unlawfully intimidating, harassing, and detaining immigrants, sometimes in collaboration with, or with approval from federal agents." The letter demands answers from DHS by July 31. Stat of the week: $100 million That's the box-office total for the independent movie "Sound of Freedom," a movie about child trafficking that has been marketed on right-wing media. Reviewers say the movie itself isn't overtly political. But its star, Jim Caviezel, has long been a promoter of the ideas of QAnon, a baseless conspiracy theory that holds (in part) that Democrats are child traffickers. So the movie is seen by some as a QAnon recruiting tool. And it's sparking online misinformation along the way. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Extremists inside military, Homeland Security remain undetected China's top political advisor hopes for more cooperation with VFF Xinhua) 08:40, July 21, 2023 Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, meets with President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Do Van Chien in Beijing, capital of China, July 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Huning met with President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Do Van Chien in Beijing on Thursday. Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, said this year marks the 15th anniversary of the China-Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. The CPPCC National Committee is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the VFF Central Committee to contribute more to achieving stability and development of the two countries and pushing bilateral relations to a new level, Wang said. Do Van Chien said Vietnam takes developing friendly cooperation with China as a strategic choice and top priority in its foreign policy and firmly pursues the one-China policy. The VFF is willing to work with the CPPCC National Committee to deepen practical cooperation in various fields and push for more development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, added Do Van Chien. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, meets with President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Do Van Chien in Beijing, capital of China, July 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, meets with President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Do Van Chien in Beijing, capital of China, July 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) Global information solutions provider TransUnion Philippines has formally opened its new headquarters in Makati City, welcoming its employees to a collaborative environment after a long period of remote work setup. As companies had to embrace work-from-home arrangements during the early years of the pandemic, TransUnion Philippines took it as an opportunity to overhaul their workplace while retaining their hybrid work arrangement. Now, the new TransUnion Philippines headquarters was designed to reduce employee stress, making them relaxed, while boosting productivity. When I stepped inside the office for the first time, it was actually a wow moment for me, shared Rowie Cristobal, Director, PH Solutions Group. Photo from TransUnion Philippines Employees can feast their eyes on four stunning custom mural walls created by Darryl Farrell, an up-and-coming graphic artist based in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. The mural at the reception area welcomes everyone with the cityscape of the countrys financial district, Makati City. Over at the production area, a wall painting features dazzling tourist spots. Nature then gets a spotlight in the collaboration area with flora and fauna artwork. Finally, we get a spirit of revelry at the cafeteria, where an eye-popping opus features Philippine festivals. The art is rendered in an impressionistic style and represents various Filipino themes. Not only are they good conversation starters during client meetings, but they also give their local workforce a sense of belonging in the multinational Data company. At a time when so many companies are downsizing or reducing physical office space, TransUnion has been building up this beautiful and exciting space that fosters innovation and collaboration, said Claire Lim, TransUnion Regional President, Asia Pacific. Photo from TransUnion Philippines For its boardroom, TransUnion commissioned another rising mural artist, Denise Heredia. She has aptly called this One True Source, representing TransUnion as that one trusted and reliable source of information, Pia Arellano, TransUnion Philippines President and CEO recalled. The CEO also highlights the importance of rest and creative breaks. In one nook, theres a massage chair TransUnion workers can use. My last favorite feature is our zed corner, she said. Our associates work so hard, they totally deserve to relax and have a soothing respite after a long day. The layout of the areas was also designed to improve productivity and collaboration. Having an opportunity to interact directly with leaders, associates will enhance communication, relationship and camaraderie, shared Gaddie Sayo, TransUnion Philippines Strategy and Planning Manager. When asked about his favorite part of the new office, Jason Casuncad, TransUnion Philippines Head of Operations, added, [The meeting rooms] are named after very precious Filipino values like karangalan, talino, bayanihan. And these make us all unique as Filipinos. Pia Arellano, TransUnion Philippines President and CEO. Photo from TransUnion Philippines "As the TransUnion Philippines business continues to grow, we want to create a space that would inspire, spark joy, and motivate our associates to come back physically to the office," Arellano said. Ms. Arellanos welcome message to her associates: "I really hope you enjoy our new office and that the space inspires you to be more creative, innovative, productive, and TransUnion proud. Watch the office tour below: TransUnion Philippines new office is located on the 19th Floor of Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2 in Makati City. Connect with the company on LinkedIn. U.S. Attorney Kenneth Parker, right, announces during a July 8 news conference in Columbus a third arrest stemming from the July 6 shootout with Columbus police on Interstate 70. From left: Assistant U.S. Attorney Noah Litton, U.S. Deputy Marshal Dan Deville, U.S. Marshal Michael Black and ATF Special Agent in Charge Daryl McCormick. A federal grand jury has indicted two central Ohio men with felony charges related to a spree of bank and other robberies in the Columbus area earlier this month. Aden Abdullahi Jama, 20, of Reynoldsburg, and Faisal Mohamed Darod, 23, of North Linden in Columbus, are charged with aiding and abetting a bank robbery and aiding and abetting the use and carrying of a firearm during a crime of violence. They each face a maximum sentence of life in prison, if convicted. U.S. marshals arrested Darod in the early morning hours of July 7 outside his Columbus home. Jama was arrested the following day at Chicago OHare International Airport as he tried to board a flight to Turkey. Jama and Darod have been in custody since their arrests. Federal prosecutors initially charged both men with identical charges July 10, but now that a grand jury has indicted them, those previous cases have been consolidated into one, a federal court spokesperson said Friday. Darod was initially scheduled to appear Monday for a preliminary hearing, but that hearing is now canceled. On Friday, U.S. marshals also returned Jama to the Southern District of Ohio, though it was unclear Friday afternoon where he was being held, the spokesperson said. Authorities accused the men of robbing a Fifth Third Bank on July 6 in Hilliard and taking about $90,000. Later that day, Columbus police officers and three people in a stolen Porsche Cayenne SUV were in a shootout on Interstate 70 east near Downtown Columbus. A Columbus police officer suffered severe injuries, and a third person in the car, Abdisamad Ismail, 19, was killed. Police vehicles on I-70 at Mound Street near Downtown surround a stolen Porsche Cayenne SUV, just beneath the I-71 South sign, as officers responded to a Columbus police officer shot by robbery suspects on July 6. Investigators said that Darod alleged that Ismail put him up to the robbery by holding him at gunpoint. The indictment does not include other robberies that happened around the same time, such as July 5 at a Fifth Third Bank in Upper Arlington and July 6 at a car lot in Whitehall. More: Suspect claimed he was held at gunpoint by other suspect during Columbus bank robbery Story continues More: Timeline: How bank robbery, shooting that injured Columbus officer happened Peter Gill covers immigration, new American communities and religion for The Dispatch in partnership with Report for America. You can support work like his with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America at: bit.ly/3fNsGaZ. pgill@dispatch.com @pitaarji This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: I-70 police shootout suspects indicted in Hilliard bank robbery MIAMI A magistrate judge on Thursday placed a protective order over a forthcoming deposition by former President Donald Trump in his $500 million lawsuit against his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen in a dispute with implications for the former presidents criminal case in New York. The judge, Edwin Torres, ordered both the transcript and video from the deposition be kept confidential at a minimum until he finishes setting the parameters for what evidence in the case will be made public or kept from the public. The civil lawsuit in question, which Trump filed in April, alleges that Cohen violated attorney-client confidentiality. Trump is seeking $500 million in damages, alleging Cohen violated their agreements through his book, media appearances and podcast discussions. Thursdays court proceedings centered on what evidence should be made public in the lawsuit, which has garnered much less publicity than Trumps two high profile criminal cases or the sexual abuse and defamation civil suit he lost in May. While the case against Cohen has gone under the radar, the hearing at the courthouse showed how evidence presented in the dispute could affect Trumps other legal entanglements. It also demonstrated that Trumps penchant for filing lawsuits against people he regards as enemies opens Trump to the possibility of his nemeses essentially rummaging through many of his highly personal records. During a nearly 90-minute court hearing in Miami, Trumps attorney, Alejandro Brito, argued that documents pertaining to Trumps relationship to Cohen as a legal client must remain under a confidentiality and protective order, and that not doing so would divulge even more information than what Cohen already had shared publicly. But Brito also asked that other documents not be entered into the public domain, including tax returns, text messages and emails between Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, as well as text messages between Trump and adult film star Stormy Daniels. Trump is currently facing felony charges in state court in Manhattan in connection with the former president paying off Daniels to stay silent over an alleged affair. Story continues Brito argued that the discovery Cohens team wanted to make public would not only provide "circus" fodder for the press regarding information Trump views as sensitive and not for the publics consumption, but would also have an effect on the other cases against Trump. Brito cited a lawsuit Cohen filed against Trump in New York, in which he claimed retaliatory imprisonment, but Torres also raised the criminal charges Trump is facing in New York regarding falsifying business records in the hush-money case. Cohen, who formerly worked as Trumps personal attorney, arranged the payment at the center of that case to Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. Hes expected to be a key witness in Trumps criminal trial in New York, a possibility Torres raised in court Thursday. Cohen has accused Trump of using the Florida lawsuit for witness intimidation ahead of a potential jury trial in the New York criminal case against him. Cohens attorney, Benjamin Brodsky, asserted during the hearing Thursday that Trump was perhaps the most known person on the planet who had sought out the public eye and that as a former president and frontrunner for the GOP nomination who could become president again the information was a matter of public concern. Brodsky argued that if Cohen was limited in using certain information, then he wouldnt be able to defend himself against Trumps allegations that he violated attorney-client privilege. Cohens attorney also argued that the items being debated, including about Trumps alleged extramarital affairs, had already been widely covered in the press, in the New York indictment and in congressional hearings. If Trump didnt want certain information to become public, he said, then he should not be suing Cohen for damages or should dismiss the case. Torres told the parties that he was leaning toward making the attorney-client documents confidential, while putting the burden on Trumps legal team to argue why other information requested in discovery needed to remain under wraps. He indicated he could still narrow the scope of what Trump's team must present in the case, confidentially or not. The judge said he agreed that just because Trump was a public figure, it doesnt mean he isnt entitled to confidentiality with his attorneys. Torres said he planned to consider the issues further, before the parties meet again, tentatively on August 17. The case is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, which is the same jurisdiction as the classified documents case.. Torres is the same judge who presided over the arraignment of Walt Nauta, the personal aide to Trump who is a co-defendant in the documents case. However, most if not all of the proceedings against Trump and Nauta are expected to take place in a courthouse in Fort Pierce, about a two-hour drive north of Miami. Torres asked Brito and Brodsky to file briefs by Wednesday stating their positions about why any of the information used as evidence in the case needed to be privileged, asking them to make it short. Donald Trump's litigation calendar just got a little more crowded and his political calendar a little more complicated after a federal judge on scheduled his trial in the classified documents case to begin May 20. "The Court finds that the interests of justice served by this continuance outweigh the best interest of the public and Defendants in a speedy trial," U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon wrote Friday. The trial could be delayed again, depending on disputes over issues such as what evidence will be allowed at trial. Trump's lawyers have said they will be making novel legal arguments that judges have not decided before. Here are four takeaways about what the decision means for Trump's schedule: Former President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he visits Versailles restaurant on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Miami. Trump appeared in federal court Tuesday on dozens of felony charges accusing him of illegally hoarding classified documents and thwarting the Justice Department's efforts to get the records back. Documents trial set after primaries but in heat of presidential campaign Cannon's tentative schedule she put the caveat "at this juncture" in her order puts the national security case in the middle of the presidential primaries. Trump continues to lead polls for the Republican nomination despite his legal cases. While the nomination should be decided by May 20, states that have primaries after that date include Kentucky, Oregon, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota. A two-month trial would run into the GOP convention in Milwaukee in mid-July. Trump raises campaign contributions and rallies his supporters in part based on fighting criminal cases that he contends are politically motivated to prevent him from opposing President Joe Biden. But debates about evidence and the trial itself could hurt his standing among voters. Even if Trump becomes the nominee, revelations at the trial could hurt his standing in the general election. Trump's lawyers have argued it isn't possible for him to get a fair trial during the campaign. They've also argued the campaign will keep him and hs personal valet, co-defendant Walt Nauta, too busy to prepare for a trial. It is intellectually dishonest to say this case is like any other case, Trump lawyer Todd Blanche said Wednesday. It is not. Story continues But government lawyers said plenty of criminal defendants have busy schedules. He should be treated like everyone else, assistant special counsel David Harbach said Wednesday. More: Cases threaten to engulf Trump Another federal indictment threatens to engulf Donald Trump and his presidential campaign Trump's campaign welcomes schedule as 'major setback' for government Trump's campaign welcomed the trial schedule, despite it falling within the primary season, as an opportunity to fight the charges. Todays order by Judge Cannon is a major setback to the DOJs crusade to deny President Trump a fair legal process," the campaign statement said. "The extensive schedule allows President Trump and his legal team to continue fighting this empty hoax." Judge Aileen Cannon splits difference between prosecution, defense Cannon's oversight of the case has been scrutinized because she is a Trump appointee who ruled favorably toward him during the investigation of the documents at Mar-a-Lago. FBI agents seized hundreds of classified records at Mar-a-Lago in their search in August 2022, more than a year and a half after Trump left the White House. Trump was indicted on 37 counts, including willful retention of national defense information under the Espionage Act, conspiracy to obstruct justice and concealing documents. Trump's personal valet, Walt Nauta, also was charged in the case and has pleaded not guilty. Cannon ordered a special master to review the documents for possible restrictions under attorney-client or executive privilege before federal investigators could use them. But 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. In the debate Wednesday over the timing of the trial, prosecutors said a December start would give Trump and his lawyers time to review the evidence. But Trump's lawyers argued the case should be postponed until after the 2024 election because he couldn't get a fair trial while campaigning for the White House. We need to set a timetable, Cannon said Wednesday. Some deadlines can be established now. She ruled Friday that a December start proposed by prosecutors would be too soon for Trump and his lawyers to review "exceedingly voluminous" evidence, including 340 classified documents totaling 1,545 pages in the case. Former US President and 2024 presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives to speak at the Turning Point Action USA conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, on July 15, 2023. Documents case scheduled after New York civil and criminal cases Trump already faces a handful of other trials and pending investigations by federal and Georgia prosecutors: A New York civil trial against Trumps namesake company is scheduled 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 that 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 Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith named him a target in the federal investigation. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump's legal and political calendars collide: 4 takeaways The motion picture "Oppenheimer" is the story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb at Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico. The movie opened in theaters July 21. As scientific director of the Manhattan Project that created the atomic bomb, Oppenheimer played a leading role in ending World War II. He was a physics professor at the University of California but owned a ranch in New Mexico. Oppenheimer wanted a secluded spot for the government's secret laboratory, but also one with an available work force. Los Alamos seemed right to him, and it became home to the lab originally called Project Y. "Trinity" was the code name the U.S. military used for its project to detonate a nuclear bomb. After years of work, Oppenheimer and his team successfully detonated a nuclear bomb that they nicknamed "The Gadget" at 5:29 a.m. July 16, 1945. "The Gadget" was the same design as the bomb known as "Fat Man" that would be detonated over Nagasaki, Japan, less than a month later. The Manhattan Project was top secret and did not become public knowledge until after the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. More: 'Wonders of entertainment,' television arrived in El Paso in 1952: Trish Long Newspaper coverage lacking The July 16, 1945, explosion was seen as far away as El Paso. There was no report of the explosion in the El Paso Times on July 17. The July 18 edition carried a two-sentence explanation from the Associated Press: ALAMOGORDO (AP) Explosion of an ammunition magazine on the Alamogordo Air Base reservation Monday morning, heard and seen for many miles, was reported by William O. Eareckson, commanding officer. There was no loss of life or injuries to persons, Eareckson said. Meanwhile, the El Paso Herald Post ran a lengthy article on the explosion, still describing it as an ammunition magazine explosion. Army ammunition explosion rocks Southwest area Great blast near San Marcial lights El Paso An ammunition magazine containing a considerable amount of high explosive and pyrotechnics exploded at 5:30 a.m. in the New Mexico desert near San Marcial on a remote section of the Alamogordo Air Base reservation. Story continues No one was hurt. The blast was seen and felt throughout an area extending from El Paso to Silver City, Gallup, Socorro and Albuquerque. Many persons saw a flash light up the sky, like daylight, and felt earth tremors. They thought an earthquake had struck. More: Sunland Park Mall, years in making, opened to 40,000 shoppers, 16,000 balloons: Trish Long Official statement William O. Eareckson, commanding officer of the Alamogordo Air Base, release the following statement: Several inquiries have been received concerning a heavy explosion which occurred on the Alamogordo Air Base reservation this morning. A remotely located ammunition magazine containing a considerable amount of high explosives and pyrotechnics exploded. There was no loss of life or injury to anyone, and the property damage outside of the explosives magazine itself was negligible. Weather conditions affecting the content of gas shells exploded by the blast may make it desirable for the Army to evacuate temporarily a few civilians from their homes. El Paso men going to work at 5:30 a.m. said the flash illuminated Mt. Franklin. E.R. Carpenter, Louie Ratliff and Jack Couleham, riding down Alabama avenue, said the whole sky was ablaze with light. Mr. Carpenter, mechanical superintendent of the Newspaper Printing Corp., said many persons called the newspapers composing room to report seeing the flash and hearing the explosion. Callers asked if a meteor had fallen. GROUND ZERO INSPECTION: Workers at the site of the first atomic bomb explosion are shown in this government file photo inspecting ground zero after the July 16, 1945, blast. J. Robert Oppenheimer, director of the bomb project, is third from left. Shown is what remained after the explosion of a 100-foot tower, atop which the bomb sat before detonation. Big light in sky L.R. Lessell, Gila forest headquarters superior, said rangers reported the shock was felt throughout the Mogollon mountains. Rangers at Chloride reported the blast lighted the sky brightly in the area of San Marcial. The blast was followed by a terrific explosion, like a detonation, rangers said. Forest rangers, believing that an earthquake had struck, checked with Alfred E. Moore at the Smithsonian Observatory on Burro Mountain. The observatory is near Tyrone and 800 feet high. Mr. Moore confirmed the flash, saying it was distinctly visible at the observatory, but said the shock was unlike earthquake vibrations. The observatory head has experienced earthquakes in South America and Mexico. Silver City shaken Silver City residents reported three distinct blasts were felt there. The shock cracked plate glass windows in downtown buildings. The blasts sounded like heavy claps of thunder, Don Lusk of Silver City said. Houses shook. People were roused from sleep by the noise and tremors. Mrs. H. E. Wieselman saw the explosion as she crossed the ArizonaNew Mexico state line. She was en route to El Paso from California. We had just left Safford, and it was still dark, Mrs. Wieselman said. Suddenly, the top of high mountains by which we were passing were lighted up by a reddish, orange light. The surrounding countryside was illuminated like daylight for about three seconds. Then, it was dark again. The experiences scared me. It was just like the sun had come up and then suddenly gone down again. More: Trans Mountain's Fusselman Canyon named for Ranger killed in gunbattle with rustlers Front seat at sky show Ed Lane, Santa Fe railroad engineer, was at Belen, N.M., when the blast occurrent. He said he had a front seat to the greatest fireworks show he ever had seen. The blast was in the direction of San Marcial and seemed to be only a few miles from Belen, he said. I was coming to El Paso, Mr. Lane said. My engine was standing still. All at once it seemed as if the sun had suddenly appeared in the sky out of darkness. There was a tremendous white flash. This was followed by a great red glare and high in the sky were three tremendous smoke rings. The highest was many hundreds of feet high. They swirled and twisted as if being agitated by a great force. The glare lasted about three minutes and then everything was dark again, with dawn breaking in the east. DESCRIBES ATOMIC EXPLOSION: Maj. Craig L. Jackson, Holloman Air Force Base, told of the first atomic explosion and the measures used to guard the secret of the atomic preparations as tourists viewed the scene of the blast that revolutionized warfare. The tour culminated over two years of effort by the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce to secure permission from the Atomic Energy Commission to visit the site. To the left of Jackson is H.N. Baxley, chairman of the Tourist Development Committee of the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce. Trinity Site open house Twice a year, the first Saturday in April and the third Saturday in October, White Sands Missile Range opens the Trinity Site to visitors. Upcoming Dates:Oct. 21, 2023, and April 6, 2024. Stallion Gate hours: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Trinity Site prompt closure: 3:30 p.m. Stallion Gate entrance Exit I-25 on mile marker 139 (San Antonio, New Mexico) and head 12 miles east, or exit U.S. Highway 54 onto U.S. Highway 380 and head west 53 miles of Carrizozo, New Mexico. Turn south on New Mexico State Highway 525 and head south 5 miles to the Stallion Gate. The White Sands Public Affairs website added the following information about the Oct. 21 open house: Due to the release of the movie, "Oppenheimer," in July, we are expecting a larger than normal crowd at the 21 October open house. You may experience wait times of up to two hours getting onto the site. If you are not one of the first 5,000 visitors, you might not get through the gate prior to its closure at 2 p.m. Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are unable to provide handicapped transportation from the parking lot to ground zero for those who cannot make the 1/4-mile walk. Trish Long may be reached at tlong@elpasotimes.com or 915-546-6179. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Witnesses share descriptions of first atom bomb test in the world A Florida babysitter has been arrested for aggravated manslaughter of a 10-month-old who died in her care after being left in a hot car. On July 19, police rushed to the scene of a Macclenny, Florida, residence after a 10-month-old girl was left inside a non-running vehicle for at least five hours. Police arrested 46-year-old Rhonda Jewell, a resident of the area who was first hired by the little girls mother in June to look after her. According to an arrest report from the Baker County Sheriffs Office, on the morning of the death, Jewell picked up the infant from her home and drove to another residence in the area where she planned to look after three additional children. Speaking to the police, Jewell said that upon arrival, she assumed that the little girl had fallen asleep and went inside to look after the other children. Hours later, at around 1 p.m., the infants mother arrived to pick up her daughter and found that the girl was still strapped in a car seat inside of the hot car. The report describes the little girl as being found without marks or trauma to her body and that the mother said she discovered her not breathing and with blue lips. The outside temperature on the day was 98 degrees. The police report states that Baker County Fire and Rescue got a reading of over 133 degrees inside the vehicle where the child was found. Responding deputies discovered the infant inside the garage and began life-saving measures until rescue personnel arrived to take the infant to Ed Fraser Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The other children were found to be safe inside the home. Jewell was subsequently arrested and taken to the Baker County Detention Center. Sheriff Scotty Rhoden of the Baker County Sheriffs Office shared the news and details of the incident in a post on Facebook and described the circumstances of the tragedy as very hard for him. The facts of the tragedy are below, but I am asking my community to respect the privacy of the victims family and to please join me in prayer for the family and everyone involved, his statement reads. Each of us are given the gift of life every morning we wake up, and every evening when we finish our day, we are blessed if our family is safe and healthy. In the blink of an eye, our world can be turned upside down. Please be mindful of this when trying to understand the tragedy that took place in our small town yesterday. The little girls death marks the 14th time a child in the United States has died in a hot car this year and the sixth death of a child in Florida, according to information provided by Elijah Mercer, a research, data and analytics manager at KidsAndCars.org. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. The Florida Board of Education Wednesday adopted sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ policies as well as rules restricting teaching about slavery and racism. The rules, which affect public schools, largely reflect laws recently passed in the state. Among the anti-LGBTQ+ policies, Rule No. 6A-10.086 threatens students with discipline for using a restroom other than one that reflects their sex assigned at birth, and Rule No. 6A-10.081 threatens an educators credentials for using a restroom other than one that reflects their sex assigned at birth. School districts are required to create punishments for violation. Another policy OKd Wednesday says students may not be addressed by names other than their legal names without the consent of a parent or guardian, Florida Today reports. Districts will have to craft a permission form. Students and teachers are also not allowed to go by chosen names or pronouns that do not align with their sex assigned at birth, according to Florida Today. Yet another lays out guidelines for teachers in keeping with the states recently expanded dont say LGBTQ+ law. Guidelines were previously in place only for kindergarten through third grade. The new ones say teachers in kindergarten through eighth grade may not cover sexual orientation or gender identity except when required by any other law, and teachers in ninth through 12th grade may address these subjects only if required by Florida academic standards or during reproductive health instruction. Parents or guardians are allowed opt their children out of lessons on reproductive health. One more restricts what events teachers may take students to and mandates parental permission for certain activities. It says teachers may not take students to adult live performances, which include drag performances, although neither the policy nor the law its based on uses the term drag. Will Larkins, a graduate of Winter Park High School who ran the gay-straight alliance there, said the board told him the policy on extracurriculars means students would have to get permission to attend GSA meetings, something that would endanger closeted students. Story continues We had several students who were living homeless at 16, 17 years old because their parents kicked them out of their house for being gay, for being trans, Larkins said at the meeting, according to Florida Today. Their parents are not going to sign that permission slip, but these students only found solace in this community, this after-school activity. The boards meeting, held in Orlando, drew much public comment. Matthew Woodside, a teacher from Brevard, spoke in favor of the names policy. Many students are attempting [to go by a different name] without the knowledge of their parents, and many schools are complicit in this scheme, keeping this information from these parents, undermining the God-given rights of the parents, he said, as reported by Florida Today. When something as sensitive as a student wanting to be called by a name of the opposite sex occurs, we must recognize that these students are minors. They are minors, and their desire for autonomy and secrecy will never trump the rights of parents to raise their child with full knowledge of who they project to be at school. Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. did not attend most of the meeting but issued a press release praising the boards actions. There is no higher calling than to protect our children from unwelcome influences and indoctrination, he said in the release. The rules adopted today ensure that our kids can be kids while in the care of our schools. I thank Governor Ron DeSantis, the Legislature and the State Board of Education for their unwavering commitment to the health, wellbeing and safety of our students. Equality Florida responded with a statement from Jennifer Solomon, parents and families support manager: This politically motivated war on parents, students, and educators needs to stop. Our students deserve classrooms where all families are treated with the respect they deserve and all young people are welcomed. Instead, the DeSantis Administration continues to wield the state against us, insisting that politicians know better than we do how best to educate our children. Let parents be parents. Let educators be educators. And stop turning our kids classrooms into political battlefields to score cheap points. Among the new standards OKd for teaching about slavery and racism is one that requires instruction for middle school students to include how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit, CNN reports. The NAACP issued a press release calling this a sanitized and dishonest telling of the history of slavery in America. A policy on racially motivated massacres, which occurred in Florida towns and elsewhere in the 20th century, mandates inclusion of acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans, even though most of the violence was committed by whites against Blacks. Todays actions by the Florida state government are an attempt to bring our country back to a 19th-century America where Black life was not valued, nor our rights protected, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in the release. It is imperative that we understand that the horrors of slavery and Jim Crow were a violation of human rights and represent the darkest period in American history. We refuse to go back. The NAACP has been fighting against malicious actors such as those within the DeSantis Administration for over a century, and we're prepared to continue that fight by any means necessary. Our children deserve nothing less than truth, justice, and the equity our ancestors shed blood, sweat, and tears for. Pictured: Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. Mark Grenon is pictured in a still from a 2019 video where he claimed a type of toxic bleach is a miracle cure. He was convicted in 2023 for promoting the substance. Robert J. Morris / YouTube Mark Grenon and his three sons have been convicted of selling toxic bleach as a miracle cure. They falsely claimed the substance could cure COVID-19, prosecutors said. Insider exposed how Mark Grenon used online platforms to market the substance. A family from Florida has been convicted of selling a toxic bleach solution as a "miracle" medical cure in a scheme first exposed by Insider. Mark Grenon, 65, and his sons, 37-year-old Jonathan, 35-year-old Joseph, and 29-year-old Jordan were convicted by a federal jury in Miami on charges of conspiring to defraud the United States and delivering misbranded drugs, The Miami Herald reported. Prosecutors said the family sold "Miracle Mineral Solution" through their Genesis II church. In online videos, seminars, and on their website, the Grenons advocated drinking sodium chlorite diluted with a household acid, such as lemon juice, thus creating chlorine dioxide, a powerful industrial bleach used to treat wood products. The substance is highly dangerous to consume, and can cause severe vomiting, severe diarrhea, life-threatening low blood pressure caused by dehydration, and acute liver failure, says the US Food and Drugs Administration. US officials in legal documents said the bleach had been linked to seven deaths in the US. The bleach solution was described as targeting ailments and conditions, including autism, cancer, and COVID-19. Grenon and his sons face up to five years in prison and will be sentenced on October 6. Jonathan and Jordan were also convicted of ignoring a 2020 federal court order to stop selling the substance, The Associated Press said. Those same charges were dropped against Mark and Joseph as a condition of their extradition from Colombia to face charges, the outlet said. Insider in 2019 reported that Grenon was falsely marketing the bleach as a miracle cure on YouTube, where his videos were racking up thousands of views despite breaching platform rules against promoting dangerous or fake cures. Story continues Grenon was one of the most prominent members of the so-called Genesis II church, whose core claim was that chlorine dioxide had miraculous curative powers. In an interview with federal prosecutors in 2021, Grenon admitted that the church was a way of dodging legal repercussions for selling the bleach. When the COVID-19 pandemic swept the world in 2020, the Genesis II church focused its efforts on marketing the bleach as a cure for the disease. According to legal documents, the Grenons earnt more than $1 million from selling the product. Mark and Joseph Grenon were arrested in Colombia in 2020, and extradited to the US to face criminal charges. Jonathan and Jordan Grenon were arrested in Bradenton, Florida, the prosecutors say. The Miami Herald reported that Grenon and his sons had chosen to defend themselves during their two-day trial, but opted to remain silent. Joseph Grenon told the outlet that they will be appealing the conviction. Read the original article on Business Insider Fabian Basabes short political career started on the wrong foot when he ran for a Miami Beach Commission seat in 2021. A circuit judge disqualified him from running, ruling he did not meet the citys residency requirements. Basabes problems have now descended from run-of-the-mill controversies to bizarre and disturbing. Now a state representative in his first term, he faces a series of accusations ranging from sexual harassment to biting yes, biting people. If true, these allegations show that the consensus-seeking family man Basabe presented himself to be during his campaign last year are as flimsy as his campaign promise to be a moderate in the Florida House. It turns out Mr. Kumbaya is a faithful soldier in Gov. Ron DeSantis culture wars. A lawsuit filed by two former aides accuses Basabe, a married father of one, of making lewd sexual comments and advances toward a legislative aide and an intern. One of the young men previously said Basabe slapped him and told him to stand in a corner during an event. A Florida House investigation into the incident turned out inconclusive. Basabe denied those allegations. Representative Basabe will not be litigating this frivolous and meritless lawsuit in the media or giving it any more public attention than it deserves which is none, a statement from his lawyer read, in part. Bad behavior And then, there are the allegations of him biting Miami Beach hotel employees on at least two occasions, as reported by the Herald Wednesday. Basabe is also accused of berating workers at different local venues and calling a publicist the n-word at a 2019 Art Basel party, which he also denied. Employees at the Faena hotel where one of the alleged biting incidents took place told the Herald Basabe has been temporarily banned several times. Again, Basabe denies all of this. But what a contrast to the candidate who, during last years campaign, wrote Join our mission to civilize on Twitter. Story continues The former New York socialite was a Republican running in a Democratic-leaning district covering Miami Beach. He branded himself as the solution to the culture-war obsessed Florida GOP a conservative on fiscal issues and moderate on social issues. He vowed to stand with Miami Beachs large LGBTQ+ community and told the Herald Editorial Board at the time, There needs to be some middle ground on abortion. I dont like extreme positions on anything, Basabe said in July 2022. On gun rights, he said he believed in responsible gun laws and that he never met any parent who would not agree that responsible and strict gun laws should be in place. Nobody needs a semi-automatic rifle tomorrow, Basabe said. So theres no reason why we cant take proper precautions and make people comply with strict applications and background checks. I think that, you know, everything, including a bullet, people should be accountable for. When asked to elaborate on specific policy stances, Basabe was vague. He talked about bringing people together, but he often spoke in platitudes. Thats still a far cry from how, once elected, hes fallen in line on key votes with DeSantis most extreme proposals. Basabe voted for a bill that allows Floridians to carry a concealed weapon without a license. He also supported DeSantis draconian immigration law. Most notably, Basabe voted for a bill that expanded a parental-rights law known as Dont say gay, which prohibits classroom discussion about sexual orientation and gender identity. The new law bans schools from requiring employees and students refer to each other with their preferred gender pronouns. Basabe also supported legislation that targeted drag-queen shows and another that banned transgender people from using bathrooms in government buildings that align with their gender identity. After all the damage was done, he attended at a Pride parade in Miami Beach. Standing atop a red convertible, he faced protesters calling for his resignation. Blames Democrats Basabe has downplayed the impacts of the Dont say gay bill. He told the Editorial Board he worked diligently on the improvement of this bill and claimed credit which we could not verify for changes he said allow discussions about LGBTQ issues to take place in schools outside classrooms. These bills are intentionally being misrepresented by advocacy groups turned activists, he said in a statement via text message. On abortion, he inexplicably skipped voting on a six-week ban thats one of the strictest in the nation, though it makes exceptions for rape and incest. He also voted against several Democratic amendments to the bill. Based on Basabes account, Republicans, who hold a super-majority in the Florida Legislature, are not to blame for passing the legislation along partisan lines. Basabe argues that Democrats, who control only 30% of the House and Senate, are responsible for it. Huh? In a video posted on YouTube, Basabe ranted about offering Democrats a compromise of a 12-week ban with exceptions, but none of you were allowed to propose anything but the extreme. Thats a head-scratcher of an explanation at best, and disingenuous at worst. The serious accusations of misconduct against Basabe, at this point, are exactly that accusations. But Basabes votes are clear and on the record. Let them speak for themselves. Click here to send the letter. Florida renters have fewer rights than they did just a few weeks ago. In Orange County, two ordinances designed to protect renters have been stripped away by lawmakers in Tallahassee. This will have an immediate impact on renters in Central Florida and across the state. The law affects more than one-and-a-half million Florida renters. But not much could stop a landlord from doubling rent from $1,500 monthly for a studio apartment to $3,000 tomorrow. Read: I just started crying: Family loses everything to home rental scam Its a little stressful because they can raise it at any time, at any moment, resident Michael Johnson said. We dont have that kind of money right now. Earlier this year, Orange County created rules that prevent rent hikes of higher than 5% without at least a 60-day notice in writing while also preventing discrimination against renters with housing vouchers. In June, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an industry-backed law that wiped both countys ordinances off the books while erasing tenants bill of rights in 40 other communities across the state. Read: Lawmakers form Congressional Renters Caucus to tackle rental crisis Its kind of concerning, resident John Fester said. Like, what is protecting us renters, knowing next year Im going to have a place to live? Florida lawmakers also banned local governments from limiting how much a landlord can increase rent. Fester said he would have to sacrifice his free time if his rent increases. Thats my main concern, he said. Being able to maintain that income so I can pay for my cost of living so I can come out and enjoy life. Read: Florida House votes on bill that would trump local rent rules Fester has rented for 12 years but worries about what the next year will look like. Now, were looking at how can we increase our income so that we can afford to either keep living here or move somewhere better, he said. Story continues Johnson, a father of five, feels he has no options with his local government unable to protect him. Increasing it more is going to put a toll on me, he said. Im already paying a lot of bills as it is. Increasing would make it worse for me. Under the new law, local governments cannot have their own regulations on security deposits, the screening process, rental application fees terms and conditions, or landlord and tenant responsibilities. 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 stock photo shows a Black student writing on a chalkboard in class. Getty Images Florida has approved a new set of standards on how African-American Studies should be taught. The new curriculum highlights the 'personal benefit' of slavery to Black people. It has been criticized by the NAACP and Florida's largest teachers union. The Florida Board of Education approved a new set of standards for teaching African-American Studies in public schools, which includes instruction on the "personal benefit" of slavery to Black people. The curriculum was unanimously approved at the school board meeting in Orlando on Wednesday, CNN reported. It follows legislation signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2022 that was introduced to prevent the teaching of anything that could make people feel "shamed because of their race." The law, known as the "Stop WOKE Act," was intended to push back against Critical Race Theory, but critics, including the ACLU of Florida, have argued that it serves to "whitewash history." A document outlining the state's new academic standards for the African-American Studies program shows that students in Florida public schools will now be taught about the various duties and trades performed by slaves, including agricultural work, painting, tailoring, and blacksmithing. A particularly contentious clarification highlights that instruction will include learning about "how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit." Elsewhere in the document, which was posted on the Florida Department of Education's website, the new standards outline how high-school students will need to be instructed on "acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans" when learning about the 1920 Ocoee massacre. The Ocoee massacre saw a white mob attack Black residents, with 30 to 35 of them being killed in the violence. Black-owned businesses were burned to the ground during the massacre, which occurred after Black landowner Mose Norman tried to vote but was turned away twice on Election Day. Story continues The new standards have already sparked outrage among civil rights and teacher groups in the state. Andrew Spar, the president of the Florida Education Association, the state's largest teachers union, told CNN on Thursday: "We're very concerned about the standards here in Florida." He added: "What teachers want to do is teach kids an accurate, complete, and honest history both the good and the bad. What we see happening here right now in Florida is the governor is putting his political agenda ahead of the education of our children." Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, said in a statement that the new standards convey "a sanitized and dishonest telling of the history of slavery" in the US. "It is imperative that we understand that the horrors of slavery and Jim Crow were a violation of human rights and represent the darkest period in American history," he added. The Florida Department of Education did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. But in a statement provided to CNN, Alex Lanfranconi, director of communications for the department, said it is "sad" to see people discredit the new standards. "We are proud of the rigorous process that the Department took to develop these standards," Lanfranconi said, per CNN. Read the original article on Insider Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) SM Supermalls search for the next biggest, brightest, and most talented kids in the country is back! On July 6, SM Supermalls opened the pre-registration for SM Little Stars the annual nationwide talent search for kids aged four to seven. Now in its 14th year, SM Little Stars has become a platform for some of the countrys biggest stars who are excelling in singing, acting, and modeling including 2013 Boy Grand Winner Nhikzy Calma, 2014 Girl Grand Winner Chun Sa Jung, 2013 3rd Runner-Up Esang De Torres, and 2017 Grand Girl Winner Gaea Salipot. SM is and will always be a safe and nurturing place for the kids. Through SM Little Stars, we are staying true to our commitment to making the kids malling experience fun, memorable, and rewarding for them and their families. We want to make sure that this will be worth remembering for them, said SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin. SM Little Stars Project Head Hanna Carinna Sy also said, After an absence of three years, we are happy to be together again to launch what is undoubtedly the biggest kiddie talent search in the country, which will be held in 70 malls from Baguio and Tuguegarao to Davao and Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao. SM Little Stars Project Head Hanna Carinna Sy. Photo from SM Supermalls The kids who will make the Grand Finals will be trained by celebrity mentors in a series of workshops to develop their talents and confidence on stage. The workshops will also encourage them to bond and make new friends with their co-participants. 2017 Grand Girl Winner Gaea Salipot. Photo from SM Supermalls 2013 Boy Grand Winner Nhikzy Calma. Photo from SM Supermalls 2013 3rd Runner-Up Esang De Torres. Photo from SM Supermalls Judge Sam Concepcion shares his advice for aspiring SM Little Stars singers. Photo from SM Supermalls Previous Next Stakes are higher in this years SM Little Stars with over 9 million in cash and prizes starting with a brand new Suzuki S-presso Special Edition MT MC worth over 600,000; one-year talent contract at Sparkle GMA Artist Center; 100% discount on college tuition and miscellaneous fees at National University; a five-day and four-night trip for two (2) to Hong Kong; a total of 100,000 worth of cash and SM gift certificates (50,000 cash and 50,000 worth of SM gift certificates); 30,000 worth of Toy Kingdom gift cards; an annual pass certificate for unlimited bowling game and skating admission valid for one (1) year; 30 regular ride tickets at SM by the Bay Amusement Park / Sky Ranch, and gift vouchers for a two-night stay with breakfast for two (2) at Radisson Blu Cebu await one lucky boy and lucky girl winners! SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing Joaquin San Agustin and Sparkle GMA Artist Center Vice President for Talent Development and Management Joy Marcelo seal the partnership between SM Supermalls and Sparkle GMA Artist Center for SM Little Stars winners. Photo from SM Supermalls To register, the parent/guardian must bring their childs original and photocopy of their birth certificates as well as two (2) copies of 4R size of their photo taken with light make-up only with one (1) close-up shot and one (1) whole body shot to select SM Supermalls nationwide. This will be attached to their application form which should be filled up and signed by the parents and/or legal guardians. To apply online, go to https://smsupermalls.com/smlittlestars/. SM Little Stars 2023 will run from July 15 to August 27 so hurry and register your talented little ones! To know more about SM Little Stars 2023 and the full list of prizes, visit smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media. Florida's 2023 Social Studies curriculum will include lessons on how "slaves developed skills" that could be used for "personal benefit," according to a copy of the state's academic standards reviewed by CBS News. The lessons in question fall under the social studies curriculum's African-American studies section, and be taught to students in sixth through eighth grade, according to the state standards. The lessons for that grade level will include teachings on understanding the "causes, courses and consequences of the slave trade in the colonies," and instruction on the differences and similarities between serfdom and slavery, the curriculum says. Students will also be asked to describe "the contact of European explorers with systematic slave trading in Africa" and look at the history and evolution of slave codes. The line about "personal benefit" is included as a "benchmark clarification" to a lesson that asks students to "examine the various duties and trades performed by slaves," such as agricultural work, domestic service, blacksmithing and household tasks like tailoring and painting. The curriculum was approved by Florida's board of education on Wednesday. Vice President Kamala Harris called the lesson plan an attempt to "gaslight" students. "They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us and we will not stand for it," she said in a speech at Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.'s national convention in Indiana on Thursday. "We who share a collective experience in knowing we must honor history in our duty in the context of legacy. There is so much at stake in this moment." On Friday afternoon, Harris tweeted that she was traveling to Jacksonville to "fight back" against "extremists in Florida who want to erase our full history and censor our truths." According to CBS Miami, Harris is expected to "forcefully condemn" the curriculum. Story continues In place of facts, extremists in Florida want to erase our full history and censor our truths. We will not stand for it. I am on my way to Jacksonville to fight back. pic.twitter.com/gSqLuO0ga3 Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) July 21, 2023 Florida governor Ron DeSantis, a 2024 presidential hopeful, dismissed Harris' criticism of the curriculum. "Democrats like Kamala Harris have to lie about Florida's educational standards to cover for their agenda of indoctrinating students and pushing sexual topics onto children. Florida stands in their way and we will continue to expose their agenda and their lies," tweeted DeSantis, whose political platform has included statements against alleged "woke ideology" in schools. Two members of the work group who established the curriculum standards said in a statement to CBS News that they "proudly stand behind" the language of the lessons. Democrats like Kamala Harris have to lie about Florida's educational standards to cover for their agenda of indoctrinating students and pushing sexual topics onto children. Florida stands in their way and we will continue to expose their agenda and their lies. Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) July 21, 2023 "The intent of this particular benchmark clarification is to show that some slaves developed highly specialized trades from which they benefitted. This is factual and well documented," said Dr. William Allen and Dr. Frances Presley Rice, members of the group, before listing examples like Crispus Attucks and Booker T. Washington. "Any attempt to reduce slaves to just victims of oppression fails to recognize their strength, courage and resiliency during a difficult time in American history. Florida students deserve to learn how slaves took advantage of whatever circumstances they were in to benefit themselves and the community of African descendants." Allen and Rice said that the curriculum provides "comprehensive and rigorous instruction on African American History." "It is disappointing, but nevertheless unsurprising, that critics would reduce months of work to create Florida's first ever stand-alone strand of African American History Standards to a few isolated expressions without context," the pair said. Earlier this year, Florida rejected a proposed advanced placement course that would have focused on African American studies. DeSantis called the course, which included lessons on Black queer theory and the prison abolition movement, "indoctrination." "That is more of ideology being used under the guise of history," DeSantis said in January 2023. "That's what our standards for Black history are. It's just cut and dried history. You learn all the basics, you learn about the great figures, and you know, I view it as American history. I don't view it as separate history." The Florida Department of Education said in a letter to the College Board, which handles AP courses, that the curriculum was "inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value." The College Board, which later posted a revised curriculum that did not include the areas DeSantis criticized, said the department's comments were "slander." From the archives: Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga Lionel Messi kicks off first Major League Soccer game in Miami How electric flying taxis could help fight climate change The News The race to actualize flying taxis is heating up. Brazilian aerospace company Embraer said it plans to start constructing electric flying taxis, eyeing a launch in 2026. Meanwhile, Vertical Aerospace, a U.K.-based firm, started test flights of its full-size electric air taxis, and is also targeting a 2026 debut. Weve compiled insights you should read on the push to get flying taxis off the ground. Insights While Embraer and Vertical are both eyeing 2026 launches , U.S.-based air taxis could be a bit further from takeoff. According to a recently unveiled plan, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is eyeing a 2028 date for the approval of flying taxis. The FAA has said it wont shirk its safety obligations to meet the deadline. Flying taxis are more formally known as eVTOLs, short for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The vehicles launch straight up from the ground, and therefore dont require a landing strip to get going. There are concerns that the price of actually riding in an eVTOL would be out of reach for most people, but companies developing the tech say that theyll eventually rival regular taxis. German-developed Volocopter has designed a flying taxi so quiet that some people missed the launch. Would-be spectators didnt even look up from their phones when the aircraft took off at the recent Paris Air Show, prompting Dirk Hoke, Volocopters chief executive, to remark: The air conditioning was louder than the aircraft. Know More Initial rollouts of eVTOLs are expected to have a pilot, but some companies are also setting their sights on self-operating vehicles. Sources at Embraer, the Brazilian firm, have said that initial flights will cost around $50 to $100 per trip. The eVTOLs will be able to carry up to six passengers. The aircraft are part of a larger push by aerospace companies to decarbonize, but still face regulatory hurdles before they become a common sight in urban skies. Ukrainian civilians receive weapons training from volunteer foreign fighters and Ukrainian soldiers in Lviv in April 2022. Ozge Elif Kizil/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images The war in Ukraine has drawn foreign fighters to the armies on both sides. Those fighters are motivated by politics, pay, and the desire for adventure, among other reasons. The war between Russian and Ukraine has become a magnet for foreign fighters from numerous countries who can be found in the ranks of both armies. Some of those fighters come from unlikely places. For example, videos have appeared showing citizens from Nepal home of the legendary Gurkha soldiers who have joined the Russian military. In a recent interview with the Nepal Express, two young Nepalis described their service. One was a student at a Russian university, while the other was a former Nepalese Army soldier who worked as a security guard in Dubai before visiting Russia as a tourist and then enlisting. In September 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree speeding up the citizenship process for foreigners who signed a contract to join the military. Yet the two Nepali soldiers made clear that serving in Russia's notoriously brutal military was not their first career choice. The Nepali student said emigrating to the US or Britain would be difficult, which left the prospect of unemployment in Nepal, a poor, mountainous nation where about one-quarter of the population lives below the poverty line. "We were thinking of joining the French army," said the ex-Nepali soldier. "There was a long process and it was difficult to enter Europe. Russia became easy." Afghan commandos at their graduation ceremony in Kabul in January, 2020. Rahmatullah Alizadah/Xinhua via Getty Ironically, Russia is also recruiting former Afghan commandos who were trained by the US military to fight the Taliban (and whose families probably fought the Soviet soldiers who occupied Afghanistan in the 1980s). Like the Nepalis, the Afghans aren't joining out of love of Russia or hatred of Ukraine. They are being hunted by the Taliban who now rule Afghanistan and need sanctuary and money to support their families, so the prospect fighting for Moscow for $1,500 a month is likely the least bad alternative. Story continues While Russia is recruiting mercenaries, Ukraine has become a magnet for volunteers who want to fight Russian aggression or find adventure. By mid-2022, after Ukraine formed its International Legion of Defense, 20,000 volunteers from 52 nations had joined, according to the Ukrainian government. That number has dwindled to an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 too few to make a major difference in the war but they still evoke the image of the Spanish Civil War's International Brigades, when 35,000 volunteers from 52 countries fought Spanish fascists who were supported by Nazi and Italian troops. A new study by Italian researcher Matteo Pugliese found a bewildering array of backgrounds and motivations among the members of Ukraine's International Legion, a battalion-sized force. Some were former officers from NATO nations such as Britain and Canada. Others came from far-right circles or were hard-leftists and anarchists who had fought with the Kurds against ISIS in Syria. Ukraine's International Legion of Defense has drawn volunteers from all over the world. International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine via Facebook One member had fled to Ukraine and joined the Legion after being accused of committing fraud in Australia, while another had been a career criminal in Poland and Ukraine. The legion's members also included former soldiers from Latin American militaries, which have produced mercenaries who operate around the world. "The majority of legionnaires come from North America, Europe and Latin America, but are led by a diverse set of motivations, have a variety of personal backgrounds and the majority has no previous political affiliation," Pugliese concluded. Politically, these volunteers are a sensitive issue. Governments tend to get nervous about citizens who serve in foreign armies, especially when they come home. After World War II, the FBI persecuted American volunteers who had fought in the Abraham Lincoln brigade during the Spanish Civil War. In recent years, several governments have denied the return of citizens who fought in the Syrian Civil War, viewing them as security threats and political liabilities. Significantly, Pugliese found that most of the volunteers fighting for Kyiv had not been radicalized by their experiences. They are "either grateful for the fraternal bond of camaraderie among legionnaires, or disillusioned and traumatized." Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds a master's in political science. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn. Read the original article on Business Insider Former ABC News producer James Gordon Meek has pleaded guilty to child pornography charges after an FBI investigation uncovered a cache of child sexual abuse material on the national security journalists electronic devices. Meek, a former staffer on the House Homeland Security Committee and producer for ABC News, resigned from his job at the news network in April 2022 following an FBI search of his Virginia home. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Meek pleaded guilty to one count each of transportation of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Meek admitted to sending child pornography from his phone using the Kik messaging app during a trip to North and South Carolina in 2020 and possessing electronic devices containing multiple depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to drop one count of distribution of child pornography against him. In an affidavit filed in January, investigators accused Meek of posing as an underage girl to solicit sexually explicit photos from a girl who appears to be a minor and exchanging child sexual abuse material with other pedophiles online. In a statement following Meeks plea, U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber said that the case was never about the government threatening the First Amendment, because this District and the Department of Justice make every effort to protect the freedom of the press. This investigation was always about protecting children from sexual abuse. Meek is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 29. He faces a minimum prison term of five years and a maximum of 40 years. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Disgraced former ABC News reporter James Gordon Meek faces up to 40 years in prison when he is sentenced this September. Michael Le Brecht/ABC via Getty Images Former ABC News reporter James Gordon Meek pleaded guilty Friday to child sex abuse charges. Meek admitted to sending and receiving images of abused children. After the FBI raided Meek's home last year, Tucker Carlson suggested he was being targeted for his reporting. A former ABC News reporter who some conservative commenters have suggested was a target of a Biden administration war on journalism has pleaded guilty to possessing and transporting images of sexually abused children, the Department of Justice announced Friday. Police arrested James Gordon Meek, whose reporting focused on national security, in February after an FBI raid on his home. Prosecutors then charged him with distributing child porn. Initial reporting suggested that FBI agents had found classified material, without saying why the raid occurred in the first place, or that agents also found hard drives full of child sex abuse material. That, plus Meek's ensuing silence and unknown whereabouts, prompted some right-wing pundits to speculate that he was being targeted for his reporting on topics like Afghanistan and the Biden administration's controversial withdrawal of US troops from the country. "This is disappearing someone who is investigating corruption in the government," conservative commentator Glenn Beck, a former host on CNN and Fox News, assured viewers of his online program. Tucker Carlson, then employed by Fox, included a report on Meek's case in a segment on how such raids on journalists "a visit from armed men with guns from the Biden administration" are "the hallmark of a dictatorship." Neither pundit noted Meek's subsequent arrest. What Meek ultimately admitted to were grotesque crimes that had nothing to do with his reporting. In particular, he pleaded guilty to sending and receiving photos and videos of children under the age of 12 being sexually abused, including an infant being raped, according to the Department of Justice. Story continues Although the government initially accused Meek of directly engaging with minors on Snapchat, that allegation is not included in the statement of facts, signed by the defendant, that prosecutors submitted Friday to the US District Court of the Eastern District of Virginia. Meek, who is due to be sentenced in September, faces up to 40 years in prison. His attorney, Eugene Gorokhov, declined Insider's request for comment, citing federal court rules. Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com Read the original article on Insider Joshua Jones, 31, sits in Buncombe Superior Court next to his defense attorneys July 21. Jones, a former Transylvania County Sheriff's deputy, was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon over two years after his K-9 bit the neck of a suspect during an arrest. ASHEVILLE - A former Transylvania County Sheriffs deputy was found guilty of assault in Buncombe County Superior Court July 21, more than two years after his K-9 latched onto the neck of a suspect during an arrest. After being in a deadlock for most of the day, the jury found Joshua Kory Jones, 31, guilty of assault with a deadly weapon, a Class A misdemeanor. Jones was originally on trial for a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, after the SBI investigated allegations of excessive force in 2021, agency spokesperson Angie Grube told the Citizen Times July 21. Jones, who will be transferred to Transylvania County, was given a suspended sentence of 30 days and placed on 12 months of supervised probation by Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Grant. The court ordered Jones to complete 25 hours of community service, and once completed, the rest of his probation will be unsupervised. In February 2021, Dominique Lamar Fore, now 32, of Weaverville, was riding in the passenger seat of a car speeding at 126 mph through three different counties with his then-girlfriend, Haily Young, at the wheel, according to court proceedings. Pursuing their car were about 10 police cars from several different agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, Transylvania County Sheriffs Department, Buncombe County Sheriffs Department and Henderson County Sheriffs Department. Jones drove the leading car in pursuit. More: Former sheriff deputy on trial for assault after K-9 bites neck of suspect Fore was being investigated by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force and was wanted for an assault in a Transylvania County hotel the day before the pursuit occurred, according to defense attorney Eugene Ellison. Young and Fore got into a vehicle collision off Brevard Road by the Toyota Dealership, where about 15 to 20 officers were on scene to arrest the two suspects during an operation that several officers called chaotic while testifying in court. Story continues It was unorganized chaos, Jones said on the stand July 20. It was one of the worst operations Ive ever been a part of. In bodycam footage shown in court June 20, multiple officers are shown surrounding Fore with hands on him when Jones took his K-9, named Micks, out of his vehicle and yelled dog, dog, dog. During the arrest, an officer stumbled, and Fores arm got stuck in a seatbelt, which was in the process of being cut by an officer named Caleb Smith while Jones was approaching the car, according to court proceedings. Jones is then seen approaching Fore in the footage, who is on the ground with multiple officers hands on his arms. Before Fore is in handcuffs, Micks appears to latch onto Fores neck for about five seconds before shifting to his shoulder. After seeing the position of Fores arm behind his back, as Jones testified in court, he then pulls the dog from the suspect. "Fore surrendered and was in the process of being handcuffed when Jones ran towards the arresting officers, moved them out of the way and deployed his canine unit onto Fore's neck, left shoulder and arm," District Attorney Todd Williams told the Citizen Times July 21. "I thank Transylvania County Sheriff (David) Mahoney for timely reporting this assault so that a complete and competent investigation could be completed by the N.C. SBI, securing accountability for Jones' misdeeds," Williams added. Mahoney retired last year. "So that the many courageous law enforcement serving our community receive the respect and trust they rightly deserve, this office is dedicated to ensuring accountability when law enforcement officers stray from the law." The defense argued that Fore did not suffer any serious injuries from the bite, Ellison saying he only needed a couple band-aids and that he refused medical treatment. But Brianna Fleming, Fores sister, told the Citizen Times that Fore was taken to Mission Hospital where a nurse, who testified in court, said his wounds needed stitches, the veins in his neck needed to be examined for cuts and he was prescribed antibiotics. Fore refused stitches because he didnt want to be touched, Fleming said. When he smiled it looked like he was paralyzed, Fleming said July 21, adding that the side of his face and neck were paralyzed for about a year and a scar can still be seen there two years later. You dont know what that does to a person. The assistant district attorney prosecuting the case, Kyle Sherard, reminded the court during closing arguments that six officers testified that there was no need to take the dog out of the car and Fore was not resisting arrest. In defense, Ellison stated that Jones supervisor, Lt. Justin Bell, ordered the K-9 team to continue pursuing the suspects and didnt say to leave the K-9 behind. I just want justice, Christine Fleming, Fores grandmother, told the Citizen Times July 21. If my son does something wrong, he has to pay for it. It should be the same for this officer. More: Buncombe County jail gunfight suspect has court date: What happened? Jones was a deputy sheriff and K-9 officer with the Transylvania County Sheriffs Office from June 2, 2015, until he resigned on March 1, 2021, a few days after the incident occurred, according to a July 20 news release from Transylvania Sheriff Capt. Jeremy Queen. Jones testified in court that he was given the choice to either resign or be fired. Jones was transferred to the Narcotics Task Force and K-9 unit in Dec. 2020, Queen told the Citizen Times July 20. His final pay was $20.52 per hour, and he did not have any dismissals, suspensions or demotions because of disciplinary action prior to his resignation. Jones testified in front of the jury July 20, saying, If I had the benefit of hindsight, I would have done things differently. The Citizen Times spoke with Jones and his family, who declined to comment. Micks, the German shepherd that bit Fore, was sold to several different agencies after Jones resigned and was eventually euthanized because of a brain disease, Ellison told the Citizen Times July 20. For me personally, I took it as racist because when it comes up on the radio as an armed and dangerous suspect, theyre gonna say its a 6-foot African American man with tattoos, said Fleming, Fores grandmother, adding that Ellison asked her grandson to strip on the stand to show his tattoos. He lost his dad five years ago while he was locked up and the only way he found to relieve the pain was getting tattoos, which most of them represent his dad. Young pleaded guilty to three counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a government official in February 2022 for the collisions that occurred during the high-speed pursuit, according to court documents obtained by the Citizen Times July 21. Young was also found guilty of possessing a stolen motor vehicle in February 2022 for the car she drove that day. Fore was not charged for anything related to the events that day. "If I respect the jury when they rule my way, I've got to respect them when they don't rule my way," Ellison told the Citizen Times regarding the result of the trial. "But I think it's very difficult for me to swallow that a man doing his job ends up charged with a felony and his boss, who ordered him to be there, and they were operating in exigent circumstances, isn't held accountable. The facts speak for themselves, they were operating in chaos under no supervision. Maybe they need to look at themselves a little bit as to being better leaders." More: WNC children testify against man accused of 23 counts related to child rape The Transylvania County sheriff and the DA asked the State Bureau of Investigation on Feb. 24, 2021, to investigate allegations of excessive force involving Jones, Grube told the Citizen Times July 21. The resulting report, which is not public, was delivered to DA Williams, who chose to prosecute. I want to thank the DA, SBI, and everyone else involved trying to bring justice for my grandson, Fleming said. 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: Former K-9 deputy found guilty of assault in Buncombe Superior Court Russian media report that security forces have detained an active supporter of the war against Ukraine, Igor Strelkov (real surname Girkin), who became known after 2014. Source: RBC and wife of Strelkov on his Telegram channel Details: On Friday, 21 July, law enforcement officers detained Igor Strelkov; two law enforcement sources told RBC, and Strelkov's lawyer confirmed. It is reported that the security forces took Strelkov out of the house around noon. The employees of the Investigative Committee are conducting a search of his apartment. Preliminary reports indicate that the detention was carried out at the request of a former mercenary of the Wagner Group. According to the information from another RBC source in law enforcement agencies, its the FSB who is conducting the investigation, not the Investigative Committee. A message from his wife, Miroslava Reginskaya, appeared on Strelkov's Telegram. She said that she was not at home when representatives of the Investigative Committee arrived there. According to the concierge, Strelkov was led out of the house under his arms. Quote from Strelkov's wife: "I managed to find out from my friends that my husband was charged under Article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code (extremism)". Details: On 20 July, Strelkov wrote on his Telegram channel that the Wagner mercenaries had nothing to boast about: losses in the war against Ukraine were "3/4 of the personnel (22 out of 78,000 killed and 40,000 wounded)". "Commanders should be dismissed to the ordinary soldiers for such 'Pyrrhic victories' (which have no strategic significance). Complete professional failure," he was outraged. On 18 July, Strelkov insulted Vladimir Putin on his Telegram channel, writing that "for 23 years, the country was led by a lowlife who managed to "throw dust in the eyes" of a large part of the population, and although he is now "the last island of legitimacy and stability of the state", "the country will not survive another six years of this cowardly incompetent's rule". Story continues According to Strelkov, Putin should "ensure the transfer of power to someone truly capable and responsible". For reference: Igor Girkin-"Strelkov" is a former Federal Security Service (FSB) officer who actively participated in the battles for Sloviansk and the seizure of power in Donetsk in 2014. He strongly supports the war but criticises the military and political leadership. On 1 April 2023, Girkin-Strelkov, Pavel Gubarev and Maxim Kalashnikov created the Club of Angry Patriots. On 18 July, the telegram channel Ostorozhno, Novosti (Watch out, news) reported that Russia had accused Strelkov's associate, retired Colonel Vladimir Kvachkov, who also actively supports the war in Ukraine but criticises the current Russian government and the leadership of the Ministry of Defence, of discrediting the Russian army. Strelkov called the case against Kvachkov "a mockery of law, justice and common sense" against the backdrop of the fact that, after the mutiny of Yevgeny Prigozhin, no one has been held accountable for the murder of Russian pilots by Wagnerites. Strelkov himself was sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment by the District Court of The Hague. He was found guilty of the downing of the Malaysian Boeing in August 2014. The court stated that Igor Girkin and two of his subordinates were "guilty of murder 298 times". Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Maksym Stepnov The NationalAnti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has brought an indictment against Maksym Stepnov, former director of the state enterprise Polihrafkombinat, who is accused of orchestrating a corruption scheme during 2013-2016. At that time, Stepnov was at the helm of the company and later went on to become the Minister of Health. Read also: Odesas ex-draft commissioner illegally earns $5.1 million, says anti-graft agency NABUs press service reported the ongoing investigation on July 21, which revealed that in 2013, the former head of Polihrafkombinat acquired an Estonian company through proxies. This company was allegedly used to facilitate the procurement of materials for the production of blank passports, ID cards, drivers licenses, and other documents. These materials were reportedly purchased directly from manufacturers and later resold to the state-owned enterprise at significantly inflated prices, ranging from four to six times higher than their actual cost. Read also: Zelenskyy to increase penalties for court corruption This scheme allowed a group of criminals to embezzle funds amounting to nearly UAH 0.5 billion ($13.5 million) during 2013-2016, NABU reported. Additionally, the suspects registered intellectual property rights to the graphical elements of Ukrainian passports under a foreign company, enabling them to receive additional rewards in the form of royalties. In early 2022, in response to the investigation, the Cabinet of Ministers intervened and ceased payments related to the scheme at the initiative of NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAP). Read also: NABU suspects former Naftogaz head Kobolev of embezzling over $6 million The investigation also uncovered evidence of money laundering, with nearly $1.5 million of the total amount being laundered in Ukraine, including through the fictitious sale of corporate rights at inflated values. As of July 21, five individuals have been indicted, including the former director, former head of the Polihrafkombinat department, an individual involved in the crime, and two Estonian citizens (the director and manager of the controlled company). Story continues The suspects have been charged under Article 191, Part 5 of the Criminal Code for misappropriation or embezzlement of someone elses property through abuse of official position in especially large amounts or by an organized group. This article carries a potential prison sentence of seven to twelve years. Additionally, the former director is facing charges of money laundering, as stipulated under Article 209, Part 3 of the Criminal Code, which also carries a potential prison sentence of seven to twelve years. Although the names of the individuals involved have not been officially disclosed by law enforcement authorities, publicly available information indicates that Maksym Stepnov served as the head of Polihrafkombinat from 2011 to 2016 and later led the Ministry of Health from 2019 to 2021. Stepnov was dismissed from the position of Minister of Health by the Verkhovna Rada, with 292 votes, on May 18, 2021. Throughout his tenure as head of the ministry, he faced repeated calls for his resignation from lawmakers, with some advocating for his dismissal as early as May 2020 due to a scandalous procurement of protective suits. Read also: Anti-corruption officials detain Ternopil Oblast council chairman for bribery Instead of purchasing suits from a Ukrainian manufacturer, the Ministry announced a new tender with undisclosed conditions and decided to buy Chinese-made suits at a 40% higher cost through an unknown intermediary. 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 CANBERRA, Australia (AP) A former principal of an Australian Jewish school will be sentenced on Aug. 24 after being convicted of sexually abusing two students. Judge Mark Gamble set the date Friday after a third day of submissions on what sentence Malka Leifer should receive following her convictions by a Victoria state jury in early April. Leifers sentencing is potentially the final chapter of an extended battle that tested Israeli-Australian relations over efforts to bring the 56-year-old Israeli citizen to justice. Leifer abused sisters Dassi Erlick and Elly Sapper between 2003 and 2007 while she was principal of Melbournes ultra-Orthodox Adass Israel School for girls, the jury found. Erlick was 14 and Sapper 12 when Leifer arrived at the school from Israel in 2000, first as a head of religion. The sisters told the court last month that being sexually abused by Leifer broke their ability to trust and was painful to remember. The Associated Press does not usually identify victims of sexual abuse, but the sisters have chosen to identify themselves in the media. Leifer returned to Israel in 2008 as the allegations surfaced and fought Australias application to extradite her through Jerusalem courts from 2014 until January 2021, when she was flown from Israel with her wrists and ankles shackled. The Tel Aviv-born mother of eight has been in custody since she returned to Australia and has denied all charges. She was convicted on six charges of rape, each carrying up to 25 years in prison. She was convicted on three charges of sexual penetration of a child, each carrying a potential 10-year sentence, and six charges of indecent assault, which also carries a 10-year sentence. She was also convicted on three charges of committing an indecent act with a child, which is punishable by 5 years in prison. There are no minimum sentences. In deciding an appropriate sentence, Gamble will take into account the 52 days she spent in Israeli custody and 608 days in home detention before she returned to Australia. Story continues Prosecutor Justin Lewis had argued that Leifer deserved less credit for her time spent in detention in Israel because she had delayed the extradition process for years by allegedly feigning mental illness. Prosecutors submitted to Gamble the rulings of the Supreme Court of Israel and District Court of Jerusalem that found she was mentally fit to stand trial. The courts decisions were based on psychiatric reports that Leifer had feigned mental illness to avoid extradition. Gamble said Israeli psychiatrists accepted that Leifer had suffered from an adjustment disorder, anxiety and depression since her arrest. But neither the courts nor psychiatrists considered whether these conditions influenced her decision to exaggerate her mental illness to avoid extradition, Gamble said. Rebecca Fierle, the former Orlando guardian whose role in the death of a ward sparked outrage that led to changes to Florida state law, was adjudicated guilty of neglect on Friday and sentenced to four years of probation. Circuit Judge Samantha Ward said incarceration is not appropriate considering Fierle has no prior record. Fierle must also complete 100 hours of community service, and is not permitted to associate with any guardianship. Before handing down the sentence in a Hillsborough County courtroom Ward called the case a very sad situation for everyone. The reality is what she did was wrong, Ward said. Statewide Prosecutor Cass Castillo, who asked the judge to give Fierle one year in a county jail, did not wish to comment on the sentence. Fierles attorney Ted Yates also did not comment. In February, Fierle entered an open plea of no contest to neglect of an elderly person, a third-degree felony carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Her charge of aggravated abuse of an elderly or disabled adult was dismissed. As part of the plea, Fierle will never again be able to work as a professional guardian. Guardians are appointed by judges to make all legal, financial and medical decisions for people deemed medically incapacitated. Fierle was accused of abusing her power by wrongfully filing a do not resuscitate order (DNR) on behalf of Steven Stryker, a chronically ill Tampa man, and capping his feeding tube against his wishes. Stryker, 75, aspirated and died five days after the tube was capped on May 13, 2019. His death sparked multiple investigations, and Fierle was removed or forced to resign from hundreds of other guardianship cases. In many of them, she had filed DNRs on behalf of clients without their families knowledge or against their wishes. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested her in February 2020. Investigations also found she was double billing both her clients assets and healthcare facilities. An audit by the Orange County Comptrollers office in discovered Fierle had billed AdventHealth almost $4 million between 2009 and 2019 for services she provided to Stryker and well over 600 other vulnerable patients as a guardian. Story continues This pushed AdventHealth to implement a policy change that bans the hospital from paying private guardians to take on clients. FDLE agents further discovered the cremated remains of 10 people and one pet inside Fierles Orlando office. The same year Fierle was arrested, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis enacted a bill that requires guardians to get a judges approval before signing a DNR a direct result of her case and the media coverage that followed. Central Florida judges also used the Fierle case to create requirements for DNR hearings, including the demand that medical evidence from a doctor and testimony from any available next of kin be provided before an order is granted. How Orlando guardians scandal shaped new oversight process for DNRs During Fierles trial last August, hospital staff and Strykers daughter testified. Multiple witnesses told jurors Stryker had a clear wish to live and continue his treatment that was denied by Fierle, who made decisions she said would preserve his quality of life rather than prolong it. Some healthcare workers said Fierles decision to cap his feeding tube in an attempt to get him accepted in an assisted living facility had no medical benefit and posed a risk of choking and death. Stryker had a history of dementia and suffered from multiple conditions including one that required him to use a feeding tube. He was also a registered sex offender, which in combination with his feeding tube had made placement in an assisted living facility difficult, hospital staff told jurors. Fierle was appointed as Strykers guardian in 2018 while he was being treated in AdventHealth Orlando. Under her care, Stryker stayed in multiple hospitals and assisted living facilities. In April 2019, he was admitted to St. Josephs Hospital in Tampa where he later died. Strykers daughter, Kim Stryker, said she fought for Fierle to step down as his guardian in the weeks leading up to his death. Eventually, Fierle agreed, but when Kim Stryker called her father to tell him, hospital staff informed her that he was dead. And though investigators said Fierles DNR prevented St. Joseph staffers from performing lifesaving measures for Stryker, a judge ruled to exclude it from the trial. Fierles attorneys argued the DNR did not cause treatment to be withheld from Stryker. The case ended in a mistrial and was slated for a re-trial before the plea resolution. Rebecca Fierle mistrial: Advocates disappointed by hung jury in Orlando guardians case On Friday four people, including two lawyers who had known Fierle for over a decade as well as two of her children, spoke kindly of Fierle both as a family member and as a professional guardian. Thomas Moss met Fierle in 2003 on an emergency guardianship case as her attorney, and he has worked on hundreds of cases with her. Moss called Fierle one of the best professional guardians he had ever met, adding that she kept diligent records. He said he had also referred to other lawyers. Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Cass Castillo pointed out that Fierle had hired Moss, who then collected fees from the cases. Lawyer Harry Hackney said much of his practice involved guardianship and that he met Fierle at least 20 years ago. Fierles attorney asked Hackney if he wrote a letter to the judge saying Rebecca was one of the best, if not the best guardian he ever worked with. Hackney said undoubtedly. Castillo said considering Fierles discipline and being stripped of her wards, Its pretty hard to imagine that she could be the best. In closing, Castillo said, The real crime here is a loss of due process Mr. Stryker had expressed a desire to live as long as he could and the defendant deprived him of that right. Yates, Fierles attorney, countered by saying the state could not point to one statute that Fierle was in violation of when she was the guardian of Stryker. In June, a victim impact statement was given by Angela Woodhull, a private investigator whose mother died suddenly while she was a ward under Fierles care. Woodhull wrote that despite extensive evidence of a myriad of abuses, exploitation of the elderly, neglect, and Medicaid fraud in more than 625 guardianship cases the State of Florida has chosen to prosecute Fierle for just one mere case and one count of elder abuse and neglect. Woodhull added, I was told by the prosecutor, Well, at least shell never be anyones guardian ever again. This, I fear, is a grave travesty of justice. ccann@orlandosentinel.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) General Romeo Brawner Jr. was formally installed as the 60th chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in a ceremony on Friday, where he laid out his priorities for the organization. In his speech during the change of command ceremony, Brawner said he wants the AFP to focus its efforts on strengthening its capabilities through modernization, and actively enhancing ties with ally nations. In line with the president's pronouncement of not giving an inch of our territory, the AFP will endeavor to modernize its personnel, equipment, facilities, processes and systems so as to enable it to be a lethal and competent fighting force capable of defending our territory from external aggression, said Brawner, who replaced Gen. Andres Centino. Part of such efforts is ensuring the military can deal with cybersecurity threats, he added. "I see cyber as a great equalizer, and we have great potential to be a player in the cyber domain," Brawner said. The new AFP chief also said he wants to prioritize fighting insurgency, as well as the normalization process in the Bangsamoro region, particularly the disarmament and reintegration of former Moro Islamic Liberation Front fighters. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who graced the ceremony, expressed confidence in Brawner's capability in helping ensure the country's security. "Given your extensive experience in safeguarding peace in conflict affected areas, I urge you to recalibrate our internal security operations so that we can deliver public services in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities," Marcos told Brawner. The president also called on the entire AFP to "work towards an armed forces that is agile and prepared for any contingency." A former Transylvania County Sheriff's Office deputy is on trial in Buncombe County Superior Court this week after his K-9 latched onto the neck of a suspect during an arrest in February 2021 on Brevard Road in Asheville. ASHEVILLE A former Transylvania County Sheriff's Office deputy is on trial in Buncombe County Superior Court this week after his K-9 latched onto the neck of a suspect during an arrest in February 2021 . A verdict is expected as soon as July 21 in the case against Joshua Kory Jones, who faces a charge of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. In February 2021, Dominique Lamar Fore, of Weaverville, now 32, was a passenger in a car being pursued from Transylvania County across three counties by officers from multiple agencies, including the U.S. Marshals, Transylvania County Sheriffs Department and Henderson County Sheriffs Department. Haily Young, now 27, was driving Fore at 126 mph while Jones drove the leading car in pursuit, according to court proceedings. The high-speed chase ended when Young and Fore got into a vehicle collision off Brevard Road by the Toyota Dealership, where 15 to 20 officers were at the scene, according to defense attorney Eugene Ellison. The offense for which Jones is on trial happened here, while officers were attempting to arrest Fore. In bodycam footage shown in court June 20, multiple officers are shown surrounding Fore with hands on him when Jones took his K-9, named Micks, out of his vehicle and yelled dog, dog, dog. Jones is then seen approaching Fore, who is on the ground with multiple officers hands on his arms. Before Fore is in handcuffs, Micks appears to latch onto Fores neck for about five seconds before shifting to his shoulder. After seeing the position of Fores arm behind his back, as Jones testified in court, he then pulls the dog from the suspect. Fore was being investigated by the U.S. Marshals' Fugitive Task Force and was wanted for an assault in Transylvania County the day before the pursuit occurred, according to Ellison. A warrant for Jones arrest was issued almost a year after the incident, on Jan. 4, 2022, according to the Buncombe County Clerks Office. Jones was arrested the day after and released on a written promise. Story continues Jones was a deputy sheriff and K-9 officer with the Transylvania County Sheriffs Office from June 2, 2015, until he resigned on March 1, 2021, a few days after the incident occurred, according to a news release from Transylvania Sheriff Capt. Jeremy Queen July 20. Jones testified in court that he was given the choice to either resign or be fired. More: Buncombe County jail gunfight suspect has court date: What happened? More: WNC children testify against man accused of 23 counts related to child rape The SBI did an investigation into the incident. The report, which is not a public document, was delivered to Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams, who chose to prosecute. Kyle Sherard, the assistant district attorney prosecuting the case, said he could not comment while the trail is ongoing. Closing arguments are expected in Superior Court July 21, with a jury verdict also possible that day. 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: Former NC sheriff deputy on trial for after K-9 bites neck of suspect Women burn down the house of one of the men accused of parading two women naked in front of a mob during ongoing ethnic violence in India's Manipur state (-) Furious women set fire to the houses of two Indian men accused of parading two women naked in a state where months of ethnic clashes have left at least 120 dead, images showed Friday. A clip went viral Wednesday showing two women reported to be from the Kuki tribal group walking naked along a street while being jeered at and harassed by a mob reportedly from the Meitei community. Violence erupted in the northeastern state of Manipur between the mainly Christian Kuki and the predominantly Hindu Meitei in May over job quotas and land rights, and intermittent clashes have continued since. The emergence of footage of the women's humiliation -- which happened in May -- triggered outrage across the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying it had "shamed India". Police arrested four suspects Thursday, and the same day a group of women activists threw stacks of hay into the house of one of the men in Imphal and set it on fire. As the fire raged, the women -- from the Meitei community, like the accused -- broke down the walls and roof of the house with sticks. On Friday, another mob of women destroyed the house of a second accused, reducing it to ash and bars, photographs showed. India is generally traditionalist, conservative and patriarchal, but the Meitei have a history of women's activism, with women having a more prominent role in society than elsewhere. The video of the naked women sparked protests across India on Friday, with demonstrators calling for the state's chief minister to step down over the delay in taking action. "Can normal people do these things?... Even cats, dogs, animal(s) never committed these kind of filthy act," said one demonstrator near Imphal, where hundreds of women gathered to protest. "This is not even how human beings treat other human," she said. India's Supreme Court warned Modi's government Thursday that if it does not act, "we will". Authorities in Manipur, led by the ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said police had taken action as soon as the video surfaced on social media. Story continues A "thorough investigation" was under way, the state's chief minister N. Biren Singh tweeted Thursday. "We will ensure strict action is taken against all the perpetrators, including considering the possibility of capital punishment," he added. The Manipur violence came after the Kuki community protested Meitei demands for reserved public job quotas and college admissions as a form of affirmative action, stoking long-held fears that they might also be allowed to acquire land in areas currently reserved for tribal groups. Homes and churches were torched, with tens of thousands of people fleeing to government-run camps. In a detailed report to the Supreme Court in June, civil society group Manipur Tribal Forum said many gruesome acts of violence, including rape and beheading, had not been investigated by state authorities. Footage of one such incident was shared on Twitter Thursday, reportedly showing an aide to a BJP lawmaker in the state holding a victim's severed head, before it disappeared from the platform within hours. ash-pzb/slb/dva RICHMOND, Ind. Four prisoners have been charged in a May uprising at the Wayne County Jail that resulted in serious injuries to a sheriff's deputy. The inmates Richmond residents Brandon Scott Coe, 38, and Shane Dylan Newton, 29, and Centerville residents Luke Adam Brown, 29, and Dalton Joe Wildridge, 30 were formally charged Wednesday in Wayne Circuit Court. Each man is charged with four Level 5 felonies carrying maximum six-year prison terms three counts of battery resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer, and a single count of criminal confinement. According to an affidavit, an uprising took place in a housing unit at the jail on May 18 after a deputy shut off phones in that area because an inmate had propped open the door of his cell, in violation of rules. Several inmates then ignored an order to return to their cells, the document said, resulting in a struggle that saw deputies and a jail officer struck, in some cases repeatedly, by prisoners. Two deputies and the jail officer were treated at Reid Hospital for injuries suffered in the fracas, and one of the deputies was later transferred to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, for treatment of a brain bleed. Newton has received a Sept. 25 trial date on the charges filed this week. He was convicted of robbery in 2016, and now faces allegations of probation violations stemming from that case. In May, Coe was convicted, in separate cases, of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon and criminal confinement. He had earlier convictions for crimes including auto theft, burglary and possession of cocaIne or a narcotic drug. Brown's record includes a 2016 conviction for burglary in Union County, and a Wayne County conviction last November for battery resulting in moderate bodily injury. In separate cases pending in Wayne Superior Court 1, Wildridge is charged with aggravated battery and possession of meth. He has been convicted of attempted auto theft, domestic battery, possession of meth (twice), resisting law enforcement and robbery. Story continues When interviewed after the jail uprising, Wildridge reportedly told investigators that he "had to stick up for (fellow) inmates because they were like family to him and that he had been 'doing time" off and on since he was 17." Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Inmates charged in uprising at Wayne County Jail that injured deputies Consequences of one of the Russian attacks on the Zaporizhzhia Oblast Russian military forces have shelled an infrastructure object in the Polohivskyi District of Zaporizhzhya Oblast on July 20, Yuriy Malashko, the governor of Zaporizhzhya Oblast, reported on Telegram on July 21. As a result of the attack, four employees of the facility aged 29, 30, 33, and 43 lost their lives. Additionally, two others were wounded and have been hospitalized. Within the past 24 hours, a total of 80 Russian strikes were recorded across 20 populated areas in Zaporizhzhya Oblast. Read also: Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Three armed men and a teenager were arrested for allegedly trying to rob a man of his supply of marijuana after he advertised it for sale during a live Instagram video. Antwann Thomas II, Willie Merritt and Ja'Lan Thompson, all 18, were arrested Wednesday on charges of armed robbery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in connection with the July 12 shooting. They are being held at the Leon County Detention Facility. Two teenagers, Derrick Nixon, 17, and Richard Thompson, 16, were also arrested on the same charges for their involvement in the shooting, said Heather Merritt, a Tallahassee Police Department spokesperson. According to the arrest report, the victim was at home on Warwick Street watching the suspects' live stream when he sent a comment that he had "a large amount of weed for sale." The suspects, all of whom were flashing guns on the video, drove to the victim's house allegedly planning to steal his marijuana. When they arrived outside the house, they asked from their pick-up truck to "smell the weed to ensure its quality" but then demanded to inspect all it, the report says. One of the suspects in the car held the victim at gun point and threatened to shoot if he didn't hand over the drugs. When the victim ran back to his house, one of the suspects in the car shot, striking him in the forearm. The victim, who didn't initially realize he'd been shot, was later treated at a local hospital and released. TPD is continuing to investigate. A police spokesperson said more people could be arrested in the incident. Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@tallahassee.com. Follow her on Twitter @elenabarreraaa. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Five arrested in shooting after victim advertised pot on Instragram video Elon Musk's Twitter account is seen on a mobile phone screen. Elon Musk's Twitter account is seen on a mobile phone screen. There is good news and bad news. The good news: A federal appeals court temporarily blocked a controversial order that had restricted most of Joe Biden administration officials and federal agencies from talking to social media companies about certain content. The bad news: A lower court judge actually issued such an order in the first place. The content is misinformation, which, as we know, has been widespread on those social media platforms. The case could have major implications for the First Amendment, for how social media companies work with government agencies, and whether the proliferation of misinformation on social media can be abated if it even should. It also presents us with a difficult question that may not have an answer. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit said the preliminary injunction issued this month by a federal judge in Louisiana would be put aside until further orders of the court, according to the three-sentence order. The appeals court also called for expedited oral arguments in the case. The case is Missouri v. Biden. Republican attorneys general from Missouri and Louisiana (and several individuals) sued the Biden Administration, claiming that the government is illegally colluding with social media companies to suppress conservative speech on their platforms. This is a thoroughly debunked conspiracy theory. The government is not forcing, and has not forced Big Tech to censor conservative speech. This would violate the First Amendment, and the tech companies likely would have filed their own lawsuits. But they didnt, which means their free speech rights were unobstructed but never let a debunked conspiracy theory stand in the way of a conservative temper tantrum. So, the attorneys general filed suit, and on July 4, ironically, a Trump-appointed federal judge, Terry A. Doughty in the Western District of Louisiana, issued a temporary injunction blocking agencies like the Department of Justice, Health and Human Services, the FBI, the CDC, and many individual government officials from contacting these platforms about misinformation, which was particularly rampant during the COVID pandemic, and has continued to proliferate on issues such as election integrity, climate change, immigration and the economy. Story continues The Biden Administration appealed the ruling to the Fifth Circuit, perhaps the most conservative appeals court in the country. Whatever the Fifth Circuit ultimately decides, an appeal is likely, which would send the case to the Supreme Court. All of this can take time, and with a presidential election on deck, misinformation will go into overdrive. Any delay undermines crucial government efforts to strengthen American democracy against the dangers of disinformation. Two legal scholars, Leah Litmann and Laurence Tribe, called Judge Doughtys legal reasoning totally flawed. While there are, in theory, interesting questions about when and how the government can try to jawbone private entities to remove speech from their platforms, this decision doesnt grapple with any of them. In fact, from the 155-page opinion, its not even clear this case really raises those questions. Each step in the reasoning of the decision manages to be more outlandish than the last from the idea that the plaintiffs have standing to the notion that the plaintiffs are entitled to an injunction at this stage of the case to the sweep of the injunction that the district court issued. The authors point out that the injunction not only insulates social media companies from any form of coercion by government agencies or officials, but it would also insulate social media companies from criticism about their content moderation policies. That could be interpreted to mean that Anthony Fauci, for example, the administrations former Chief Medical Advisor, could not go on CNN and criticize vaccine misinformation someone posted on Instagram, Twitter, etc. Essentially, the ruling makes it illegal to use free speech to refute falsehoods because that might infringe upon imagined free speech concerns. This begs the question: Who is impinging on whose free speech? This is a speech impediment of the first order and an illegal one if Judge Doughty is implying that. While the First Amendment limits government regulation of private speech, it does not restrict the government from enjoying the right to free speech. In whats known as the Government Speech Doctrine, the government, and anyone speaking on behalf of the government, has the same right to free speech as any citizen. Judge Doughty cited several topics in his decision. All were suppressed, he wrote on social media at the urging of administration officials. Notably, each suppressed topic was a conservative view, or more precisely, a conservative view drenched by misinformation, conspiracy theories or downright falsehoods. I find it hard to believe that Judge Doughty ever legitimately passed the bar exam. The fact he is deluded enough to believe in a right-wing conspiracy theory that the federal government is suppressing conservative speech on social media platforms immediately calls into question his ability to adjudicate fairly from the bench on anything. But if he is so intellectually incurious to not question the credibility of such a theory, that seriously calls into question his ability to even be a judge of anything. It further supports the suspicion that lawmakers, with their approval power, care only about a judicial nominees partisan interests and are not deeply interested in qualifications, let alone intellect. For those applauding Judge Doughtys temporary injunction, I might ask the following: If the attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri were so concerned about conservative views being censored, why werent they concerned about the free speech of brands that wish to express support for gay rights? Or about the banning of books? Or curricula in public schools? Yes, I know. They would argue that this is about the government curtailing free speech, but I wouldnt buy it. It smells more like the usual conservative carping when their opinions, excuse me, their free speech, get debunked and then removed from whatever platform it was posted on. Case in point, before this lawsuits filing, Florida and Texas had enacted laws barring platforms from removing content based on political points of view, an irony given how those states and others, including Missouri and Louisiana, have either passed laws or introduced legislation to restrict public discussion in schools of things like critical race theory and LGBTQ issues. Have the attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana offered any critique or, perish the thought, condemnation of those infringements? Yet, this is not the central question for me. In 1919, Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes defined what is now known as the clear and present danger test. In the landmark decision Schenck v. United States, he wrote: The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent. Holmes, who later began to doubt his decision, had argued that the government could curtail ones free speech rights if that speech presented a clear and present danger to the governments recruitment efforts during World War I. And no court, he wrote, could regard them as protected by any constitutional right. The case sent to prison a group of Yiddish-speaking socialists for distributing leaflets urging the public to disobey the draft (though only advising peaceful action). The ruling was effectively overturned by Brandenburg v. Ohio in 1969, which involved a Ku Klux Klan leader, Clarence Brandenburg, speaking at a rally in Ohio suggesting revenge against their usual bogeymen (Jews and Blacks) if the federal government continued to suppress the white, Caucasian race. Ohio law prohibited advocating crime, sabotage, violence, or unlawful methods of terrorism as a means of accomplishing industrial or political reform. Brandenburg was arrested, tried and convicted. The Supreme Court threw out his conviction and issued a new test: Advocacy can only be punished if such speech is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action. Side note: Brandenburgs defense team? The ACLU. The obvious question: What role should the government take in combating misinformation or harmful content on social media? But here is the more compelling question: Is it possible for misinformation to represent a clear and present danger? The answer may depend on whether you think we are a nation at war with itself. Various writers, pundits and scholars have advanced that idea, wondering whether a new civil war in the United States is on the horizon. Maybe thats paranoid thinking, but consider where weve been: a global pandemic where a million people died and idiotic misinformation was rampant. A despotic individual tried to steal the presidency and has continued to lie about stolen elections based on total bullshit. Have we passed the point of hypotheticals about what happens when free speech has zero guardrails? So in that context, should the government force companies to remove content? If you answered yes, be careful what you wish for. Can you imagine a Trumpian government modeled after that pathetic creatures hateful vindictiveness? This is a man who has promised retribution against all his perceived enemies if he is reelected. Republicans had already promised a revenge agenda ahead of the midterms; were seeing it now in the House of Representatives. Those Republicans, with all their crying about a weaponized government, should lookin the mirror. The censorious actions by Republicans and conservatives currently underway (both in and out of government) are troubling enough. Its not hard to imagine a petty madmans return to the White House taking that to a level that would make the very worst tyrants of history envious. So, no, I am not okay with the government forcing companies to remove content. In fact, quite the opposite. The crucial and oft-forgotten point of the First Amendment is that even when speech is offensive, ugly, disturbing or frightening, it is protected. More importantly, when silenced, you not only deny the speaker his right to speak, you deny yourself the right to hear, which can be more critical in a democratic society than the speech itself. What Thomas Paine argues in his introduction to The Age of Reason, and John Stuart Mill defends in his essay On Liberty, is that its not just the right of the person who speaks to be heard, it is the right of the rest of us and I would go a step further and insist that it is our responsibility, our duty as citizens in a free society to hear, to listen and to pay attention. Very close attention. Mill writes, If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind. Most of historys free speech controversies, if I may call them that, involve blasphemy: Socrates, Copernicus, Galileo, Spinoza, Scopes, and beyond. Almost always someone has gone too far for his time, and outraged the sensibilities of the community as well as the laws and codes of the state and profaned the gods. Thank goodness figures that ennobled dared to do so. But just as the great outliers of history are revered because they were proven right, so must the outrageous cranks of our present day be discredited, nay, shamed, when proven wrong. It means we must give them voice and listen carefully, so that we may know what they profess and refute it accordingly. You cant do that if they are silenced. And so, I am okay with the government asking social media companies to reconsider the insidiousness of the dangerous lies on their platforms, and requesting their removal. And why not? Who at any social media company is tasked with doing the proper fact-checking and research to vet the tomfoolery peddled on their platforms? Research takes time, and some of that research, like medical, historical or legal minutia of legislation on policy proposals, takes expertise and knowledge. How many virologists are working at Meta? Are there any economists on Elon Musks payroll? A constitutional lawyer? Imagine the number of fact-checkers required, and the amount of time required, to vet the endless stream of posts touting absurdities. If one views this as coddling a villain and I certainly consider MAGA fanatics a villainous enough threat to our way of life that is not my meaning. As Sun Tsu instructs in his Art of War, know your enemy. It means that you have to know his strengths, his weaknesses, his modus operandi, his traits everything, including, and especially in the case of MAGA cultists, every faux outrage, delusional assertion, and pulled-from-their-nether-region conspiracy theory, no matter how outrageous or appalling. Free speech has consequences, and one consequence of someone spouting ludicrous fantasies is that the rest of us have the right to point out that persons reprehensible ignorance. Indeed, if we believe in free speech, if we care about democracy, if we care about our nations future, then we have an absolute moral obligation to denounce such heretics, and with great vigor. We cant do that if we dont let them speak, and if we dont hear them. So leave the bullshit up, but allow the government their free speech right to tell people its bullshit. Let government agencies use social media platforms to say, This is bullshit. Point out, shout out what is bad so we can differentiate it from what is good. The best way to protest contemptible free speech is with more speech, not less. Youd think the offended parties in this lawsuit could grasp that concept. Maybe they need to enroll in a refresher course on the First Amendment. Related... When no one imagined that a French restaurant could survive in Hialeah, Sandy Sanchez and her husband, chef Benoit Rablat, dared to try. In a hidden shopping center in East Hialeah, they opened La Fresa Francesa in 2015 to highlight gourmet dishes inspired by Rablats family recipes. Rablat was born in Paris with a love for the food of the south of France, where he lived with an aunt. They also serve dishes that have tropical flavors like their foie gras and guava pastry, with fresh jam from Redland, the agricultural area of Miami-Dade. The foie gras is flown in from Canada from a farm that treats animals compassionately, Sanchez says. When I suggested it to Benoit, he had a heart attack, Sanchez says. I brought him pastries from different bakeries, and after trying them, he realized it was a good idea. The guava, somewhat sweet, goes very well with the foie gras. In France it is eaten with a sweet onion jam. Pastelito de Foie Gras and Guayaba at La Fresa Francesa. The foie gras is seared in a pan and the pastry is toasted in the oven, Sanchez explains about the preparation of this dish, which was made with the Miamian palate in mind. On top we put toasted pistachios, and the portion is just the right size so you dont overdo it. French and Cuban cuisine Sanchez was born in Hialeah and grew up immersed in her familys catering business. When she shares the recipe for La Fresa Francesas rabbit with mustard sauce, shes not surprised to hear that it is similar to one I used to eat at El Conejito, a restaurant in Vedado, Cuba. It takes me back to birthday celebrations in Havana, and also to the kitchen of an uncle in the Canary Islands, who made a rabbit in salmorejo that was to die for. We seasoned the rabbit with mustard with a very good Dijon, and it has a spicy flavor. Then we roast it with bacon, onion, and a lot of white wine, like a fricassee, she says, which sounds like how Sunday family dinners were prepared in Cuba before 1959. Lapin a la Moutarde at La Fresa Francesa Another dish that Sanchez says unites French and Cuban cuisine is the Oxtail Tarte Flambee, which takes the rabo encendido to another level. Oxtail can be both a very gourmet and a comfort food. Story continues In Benoits version, a light puff pastry flambe serves as the base for the tender oxtail and for those of us in Miami who are lovers of ropa vieja and vaca frita, it is like a happy marriage of those two beloved dishes. A French restaurant with a family atmosphere La Fresa Francesa has a mural on an exterior wall of a big-eyed blond girl eating a piece of chocolate, announcing that youre entering gourmet territory. A few small tables with umbrellas are outside, echoing the relaxed atmosphere inside the restaurant, which has grown since opening and now has 40 tables. The interior has thrift store charm, filled with paintings and decorations from local antique and second hand shops. You are transported to a French bistro with a familiar vibe. No need to get dressed up for a relaxed dinner with friends. Theres also no fighting over parking like in South Beach, downtown or Coconut Grove. Every so often [clients] leave me a set of dishes as a gift, says Sanchez of regulars that donate their china to the restaurant, which adds to the vintage appeal of the space. The space is also reggaeton-free zone. You may hear Nicolas Godin in Les rues de Paris, because the music is meant to complement the dishes and wines, not as a distraction. The dining room at La Fresa Francesa The mussels with blue cheese and white wine, served with bread for dipping, or the potato balls with caviar and salmon roe in cream made with Spanish pepper from the Basque region, Sanchez specifies are just two dishes that bring diners from Kendall, Pinecrest and Coral Gables to Hialeah. Benoit likes simplicity, he doesnt like a dish to have 40 ingredients, to show off, says Sanchez. He prefers that what shines on the plate are the fresh ingredients and the quality. The chefs goal is to maintain tradition, which is why he doesnt do foam or dots to decorate the dishes, says Sanchez. A Frenchman in America Hialeah would never have known Benoits French cuisine had he not dreamed of emigrating to the United States and had he not met Sanchez in Los Angeles, who moved to California to pursue acting. I moved to Los Angeles to continue my career, but like so many actresses, I started working in restaurants, says Sanchez, but at a certain point she became more interested in the world of food than acting. If you had asked me on a Friday night if I wanted to go to a play or a new restaurant, I would have said restaurant, said Sanchez, who later became a sommelier certified by the International Sommelier Guild and Court of Master Sommeliers. Benoit followed the typical path of the immigrant. He came to San Francisco and spoke no English and started working as a busboy in a fancy restaurant. Pommes Dauphines & Caviar at La Fresa Francesa He moved very quickly, learned English, started working with wines, and went from a waiter to the wine director. He then opened his own restaurant, a little creperie, says Sanchez. They met while working at a popular L.A. restaurant, Osteria Mozza, by Nancy Silverton, who won the James Beard Foundations Outstanding Chef Award in 2014 and has gone on to build a restaurant empire. In addition to expanding La Fresa Francesa, Sanchez and Benoit opened another restaurant in 2019. Silverlake Bistro in Miami Beach, named after the North Los Angeles neighborhood where they lived, Silver Lake, offers California-inspired American fare. They also recently opened a gourmet market in North Beach, Normandy Gourmandy. When the couple opened La Fresa Francesa they wanted to awaken peoples curiosity. But one thing was not negotiable: they would not abandon their commitment to French cuisine. At first they told us: If you are going to open a restaurant in Hialeah, you have to have rice and beans, says Sanchez. But we always stayed true to the integrity of our concept. La Fresa Francesa Where: 59 West Third St., Hialeah Hours: Open Wednesday-Sunday and offers weekend brunch Info: 786-717-6886 The city of Fresno plans to intervene in Fresno Countys lawsuit against two city council members who have mounted campaigns challenging a pair of incumbents on the countys Board of Supervisors. But the move, authorized Thursday in a closed session of the Fresno City Council, is very narrow in scope, City Attorney Andrew Janz told The Fresno Bee after the meeting. Janz added that it is focused on the potential for a court decision in the countys favor to set a precedent that would force the city to rewrite its campaign finance ordinances. The countys lawsuit targeting council members Garry Bredefeld and Luis Chavez who have formed campaign committees to run for county office seeks to prevent both from transferring large sums of money from their existing city council campaign committees for their campaigns for county supervisor. The pair allegedly violated a county ordinance that places a $30,000 cap on transfers or contributions from a candidates campaign account for non-county elective offices into their campaign for county offices including the county Board of Supervisors. Bredefeld, who represents northeast Fresno on the city council, is running against incumbent District 2 Supervisor Steve Brandau. Chavez, whose city council district encompasses much of southeast Fresno, is challenging District 3 incumbent Supervisor Sal Quintero. Janz reported after the closed session that the council voted 4-1 to authorize him to intervene in the lawsuit. Councilmember Miguel Arias himself a candidate to challenge Quintero in the countys District 3 cast the lone vote against intervening, Janz said. Bredefeld and Chavez both recused themselves from the issue and were not present in the room for the discussion and vote, Janz added. Our standing argument is this: In the countys moving papers, they essentially equate campaign transfers with contributions, Janz told The Fresno Bee after the meeting. Under state laws and under interpretations from the (state Fair Political Practices Commission), those two things are treated differently. Story continues So the city is intervening on a very narrow issue, to distinguish between those two things, contributions and transfers, he added. Janz said the citys campaign finance statutes treat contributions and transfers differently. If the court were to rule contrary to that, then we would have to go back in, because that creates legal case law or precedent, and make amendments to our statutes, he said. That is our interest in intervening, just on that very narrow issue. It will remain up to Bredefeld and Chavez to continue to argue in court over the constitutionality or fairness of not allowing transfers. They have their own lawyers who are going to litigate that, Janz told The Bee. I want to make absolutely clear that this is not political. This is not a desire by any council member to help their colleagues. This is just really just about making sure that we put our interpretation of the law on the record to assist the judge in making this ruling. Under the citys rules, a city council member can roll over money from a campaign committee for one election to a committee for the next campaign cycle, or to run for mayor, Janz said. If the court is going to agree with the county and equate transfers with contributions, then those are limited, he added. The countys ordinance on file with the state FPPC states that no person shall contribute an amount greater than $30,000 to any candidate for any county of Fresno elective office per election. It also defines person as an individual, proprietorship, firm, partnership, joint venture, syndicate, business trust, company, corporation, limited liability company, association, committee, labor union or organization, and any other organization or group of persons acting in concert. Bredefeld has previously described the countys ordinance as an incumbent protection scheme, and he and Chavez raised questions earlier this year about why incumbent supervisors can apparently transfer their campaign funds from one campaign committee to another while outside candidates cannot. The Federal Trade Commission has formally put its administrative trial over Microsoft's pending acquisition of Activision Blizzard on hold. The move, which was first reported by Bloomberg, allows the agency and companies to hold talks over a settlement for the eye-popping $68.7 billion merger. The FTC's decision to pause its case is another major victory for Microsoft and Activision as they attempt to get the deal over the line. The agency sued to block the deal in December and an evidentiary hearing in the case was set for August 2nd. Last week, it lost a legal bid to prevent the companies from merging before the administrative trial was set to begin in early August. The FTC has appealed its court loss. The FTC has not shown it is likely to succeed on its assertion the combined firm will probably pull Call of Duty from Sony PlayStation, or that its ownership of Activision content will substantially lessen competition in the video game library subscription and cloud gaming markets, Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley wrote in a ruling last week. Microsoft has since signed a deal with Sony to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation for 10 years if the merger goes through. In a motion filed on Tuesday, Microsoft and Activision urged the FTC to withdraw its case. FTC rules stipulate that the agency has to withdraw its case after the companies made the request, since it was denied a preliminary injunction to stop them from merging. Per Bloomberg, Microsoft and Activision can now try to convince the FTC to accept remedies that will resolve the agency's concerns about the deal's impact on competition in the gaming industry. Alternatively, they could persuade the FTC to completely abandon its opposition to the merger. The FTC still has the option of holding its administrative trial after the merger closes. However, it's rare for the agency to proceed with an in-house case after it loses a federal court battle. The initial deadline for the acquisition to close was Tuesday, though Microsoft and Activision extended their merger agreement until October 18th to give them "additional time to resolve remaining regulatory concerns." They agreed that Microsoft will be on the hook for a breakup fee of as much as $4.5 billion if the deal falls apart, though both sides are determined to wrap things up. Microsoft and Activision still have to gain approval from a UK regulator to close the deal without having to resort to workarounds to continue doing business in the country. The Competition and Markets Authority initially blocked the merger in April, but over the last week or so, it has signaled a willingness to amicably resolve its concerns over the potential impact of the deal on the cloud gaming market. Microsoft is poised to submit an updated merger proposal to the CMA. The regulator will make a decision by August 29th, though it aims to do so as soon as possible. In a hearing this week, a CMA lawyer said that both the regulator and Microsoft are confident that the company will be able to resolve its concerns. That's yet another sign that the biggest merger in gaming history is very likely to close in the coming weeks. Lawyers from FTX sued Bankman-Fried on Thursday seeking to reclaim millions of dollars in what the company alleged were stolen funds. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI July 21 (UPI) -- FTX lawyers filed a lawsuit against the failed cryptocurrency exchange's former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried over alleged stolen funds. The complaint filed Thursday seeks to reclaim millions of dollars in funding that the company's lawyers allege Bankman-Fried as well as other executives at FTX and sister hedge fund Alameda Research including Caroline Ellison, Gary Wang and Nishad Singh stole from the company. The lawsuit accused Bankman-Fried and the leadership team of awarding themselves lavishly before the collapse of FTX, including millions in bonuses and stocks. The lawsuit claimed that Ellison gave herself a $22.5 million bonus in March 2022 while filing at the same time that FTX.com had a cash shortfall of $10 billion. The lawsuit also charged that Bankman-Fried and Wang, the former FTX chief technology officer, took $546 million from Alameda in May 2022 to acquire shares in Robinhood Markets Inc. In one of the most unusual charges, lawyers cite a memo exchange between a foundation officer and Bankman-Fried's brother, Gabriel Bankman-Fried, laying out a scheme to buy the tiny island nation of Nauru and build a bunker there in case of a global catastrophe. Additionally, it claimed that Bankman-Fried used a $10 million gift to his father Joe Bankman that was routed from FTX through Bankman-Fried's Morgan Stanely and TD Ameritrade accounts in January 2022 to fund his legal defense. Bankman-Fried was indicted on fraud and bribery charges and hit with campaign finance violations after FTX, once valued at $32 billion, filed for bankruptcy in late 2022. In March, he entered a not-guilty plea to five additional charges related to FTX's collapse. Those new charges filed in New York federal court accused him of directing the payment of at least $40 million in cryptocurrency to one or more Chinese government officials to unfreeze trading accounts tied to Alameda Research. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) The Commission on Audit (COA) has recommended that the University of the Philippines (UP) blacklist a telco giant subsidiary over its failure to complete a multimillion-peso digital infrastructure project. In its latest report on the state university uploaded on its website on July 13, COA said the UP System should impose sanctions on ePLDT, Inc. for an almost six-year delay in the implementation of key components of the eUP project amounting to 134.6 million. The eUP project is intended to integrate and ensure the interoperability of the ICT (information and communication technology) systems across all UP campuses. But its failure to deliver the procured services has supposedly resulted in liquidated damages of almost 40 million. "Thus depriving intended beneficiaries particularly, the students that could have been benefited by the full completion of the project," COA said. UP entered into a deal with ePLDT, Inc. in 2012 for the eUP project which should have been completed by 2017. Records showed UP issued a final demand letter to ePLDT, Inc. in early 2020 for the remittance of penalties over the failed agreement. "But no payment and no response were received from ePLDT, Inc. by the University until to this date," COA noted. Auditors said the company should be disqualified from participating in the bidding of all government projects if warranted following blacklisting procedures. They also directed the UP System to exert more effort to demand the delivery of service by ePLDT as per the procurement contract. Sought for comment, ePLDT said in a statement that it "will discuss and resolve the issue with UP." By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) -FTX Trading on Thursday sued founder Sam Bankman-Fried and other former executives of the cryptocurrency exchange, seeking to recoup more than $1 billion they allegedly misappropriated before FTX went bankrupt. The complaint filed in Delaware bankruptcy court also names as defendants Caroline Ellison, who led Bankman-Fried's Alameda Research hedge fund; former FTX technology chief Zixiao "Gary" Wang; and former FTX engineering director Nishad Singh. FTX said the defendants continually misappropriated funds to finance luxury condominiums, political contributions, speculative investments and other "pet projects," while committing "one of the largest financial frauds in history." The alleged fraudulent transfers occurred between February 2020 and November 2022 when FTX filed for Chapter 11 protection, and can be undone--or "avoided"--under the U.S. bankruptcy code or Delaware law, FTX said. A spokesman for Bankman-Fried declined to comment. Lawyers for the other defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment. FTX is now led by John Ray, who helped manage Enron after the energy trader's 2001 bankruptcy. U.S. prosecutors have called Bankman-Fried the mastermind of a fraud that led to FTX's collapse, and included the misappropriation of billions of dollars of customer funds. Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to several criminal charges. Ellison, Wang and Singh have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. According to Thursday's complaint, the fraudulent transfers included more than $725 million of equity that FTX and West Realm Shires, an entity that Bankman-Fried controlled, awarded "without receiving any value in exchange." FTX said Bankman-Fried and Wang also misappropriated $546 million to buy shares of Robinhood Markets, while Ellison used $28.8 million to pay herself bonuses. It also said some of Bankman-Fried's criminal defense is being funded from a $10 million "gift" he gave his father. Story continues "The transfers were made when (FTX-related entities) were insolvent, and defendants knew it," FTX said. Federal law lets bankruptcy trustees avoid transfers of property made in the two years before Chapter 11 filings, if the transfers are made for less than their value and with an intent to defraud a bankruptcy estate. The case is FTX Trading Ltd et al v Bankman-Fried et al, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware, No. 23-ap-50448. The main bankruptcy case is In re FTX Trading Ltd et al in the same court, No. 22-bk-11068. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Additional reporting by Mike Scarcella; Editing by Leslie Adler) Hancock County authorities arrested a fugitive Friday from Washington state who had been living under an alias in Kiln, according to a release from the sheriffs department. Authorities arrested Joseph Peter Berge III, who was wanted after escaping probation supervision after he was convicted on two counts of child molestation and one count of failure to register as a sex offender. Berge also was wanted in Clarke County, Washington, for failure to register as a sex offender, according to the release. He has been a fugitive since 2019. Authorities said Berge lived with his girlfriend, Muriah Jones, in Kiln under the alias Seth Jones with a different date of birth. Authorities also charged Muriah Jones with felony hindering prosecution. The release said an anonymous tip on Friday led to the arrest. Investigators contacted the Washington Department of Corrections, they said, and found an address for Berges alias in Kiln. Investigators also said Berge used the alias in a previous incident on the Mississippi Coast in February but did not provide details on the nature of that incident. Investigators and patrol deputies arrived at the home in Kiln on Friday and said they made contact with Jones and found Berge inside the residence. Berge was taken into custody without incident. Berge and Jones were transported to the Hancock County jail. Berge was booked on a hold for the Washington Department of Corrections. Jones was booked for the charge of felony hindering prosecution. By Pap Saine BANJUL (Reuters) -Gambia's government is "far advanced" in exploring avenues for potential legal action against Indian drugmaker Maiden Pharmaceuticals and a local distributor over toxic cough syrups believed to have killed dozens of children, it said on Friday. At least 70 children in Gambia, most under 5 years old, died from acute kidney injury last year. A government task force which investigated the deaths found they were "a direct result" of contaminated cough and cold syrups imported from India. Gambia has fired the executive director and deputy director of its Medicines Control Agency (MCA) and referred the matter to police after the task force found that the medicines in question were not registered with the MCA, which is required by law, the government said in a statement. The small West African country has hired a U.S. law firm to explore legal action, the justice minister previously told Reuters. The Indian drugmaker Maiden Pharmaceuticals has denied wrongdoing, and the Indian government says that tests it conducted on the drugs showed they were not contaminated. Atlantic Pharmaceuticals, a local distributor of the drugs, could not be reached. Families of 20 of the children have already sued the two companies as well as Gambian authorities. "The government is currently benefiting from legal advice from a top tier international law firm," Gambia's government said in the statement, adding it is also pursuing potential redress through engagement with the Government of India. It also said that the health ministry has hired a firm that is reviewing all the health-related legislation in the Gambia. The World Health Organization said last year that the India-made cough syrups contained lethal toxins ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol commonly used in car brake fluid and other products not fit for human consumption. "There is an urgent need for a quality control laboratory to conduct proper testing on all medicines and related products imported into the country," the Gambian statement said, adding that the World Bank is helping the country build a laboratory. (Reporting by Pap Saine in Banjul, Gambia; Writing by Nellie PeytonEditing by Louise Heavens and Matthew Lewis) LOS ANGELES (AP) For years, a common critique of the beloved New Jersey rock band The Gaslight Anthem was to label them Bruce Springsteen copycats. Now they've released a song with the Boss. History Books, the title track from the band's first album in nine years, is big-hearted freeway rock, made ascendent by frontman Brian Fallon and Springsteen's tremulous harmonies. There's a definitely a little wink in there," Fallon tells The Associated Press about the song and his band's long-held comparisons to the Boss, which once escalated to the point where he wrote to his fans, My name isnt Bruce. Some people kind of wrote us off. It's like Now write this off,' he says. "We've got the approval of the guy! What are you going to say? You can't say anything! If there is an intersection where Green Day, Social Distortion, and the Replacements various styles of melodic punk meets Springsteen, it is found in The Gaslight Anthem. The sound landed them a fiercely loyal fanbase from their beginnings in 2006 up until 2015, when the band embarked on a seven-year hiatus. It was briefly interrupted in 2018, when The Gaslight Anthem got back together to play a few shows celebrating the 10-year anniversary of their retro rock album, The 59 Sound," a fan favorite. But the break resumed until 2022, when the band felt they had something to say. We didnt want to make a record that felt sub-heart, Fallon explains in his own vernacular. Taking time apart allowed them to work through concerns of being the old guys playing the circuit and become better musicians in the process. Fallon, who has established a friendship with his idol over the years, connected with Springsteen during the hiatus. The E Street Band took a big break, too, Fallon says, so he went to the Boss last year with a request for guidance. It was going to seek the guy on the hill for wisdom, but really, it was Federici's Pizza in Freehold (New Jersey). But some mythical work was done at that table. We brought the band back together." Story continues When they headed home, Springsteen texted, Hey, why don't you write us a duet? I'll come sing with you.' I never would've had the guts to ask him that, Fallon says, comparing their relationship to being friends with Batman. Fallon wrote the song by himself; Springsteen didn't provide notes. He was on tour at the time, so he recorded the song in Dublin, Ireland over a few days off. Fallon speaks about the collaboration in disbelief. It's really cool to have one of my top three heroes singing on a song I wrote at my desk in my house. It's insane, he laughs. He describes the song as unusual for The Gaslight Anthem, because it is not a friendly song, inspired by a lesson he learned in therapy: The only people who have a problem with boundary setting is the people who are breaking them. I imagine that's something (Springsteen) can relate to, with his level of fame, he explains. The Gaslight Anthem's sixth full-length album, History Books, will be released October 27 on Rich Mahogany Recordings via Thirty Tigers. BERLIN (Reuters) - The German resort town of Binz has asked anti-money laundering authorities to investigate the capital of Deutsche ReGas, operator of a planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal which the town opposes on environmental grounds. Germany has fast-tracked the building to LNG terminals as it looks to reduce its reliance on piped Russian supply. But Binz this month responded to parliament's passing of a reform to speed up the process by saying it would take legal action against the federal government's plans to build LNG terminals off the Baltic Sea coast. An examination into Deutsche ReGas showed an "opaque financing background", the firm of Geulen and Klinger, for lawyers for the municipality of Ostseebad, said in a statement on Friday. Deutsche ReGas, which had invested 100 million euros ($111.24 million) in an already operating terminal project in Lumbin, said it "resolutely rejected" the allegations. "A suspicion of a lack of transparency with regard to the funds invested in Deutsche ReGas and its bodies can be ruled out," it said in a statement. Binz's lawyers said they requested further checks from the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). "The FIU cannot provide any information on processes from the operational analysis," a spokesperson for the FIU said. ($1 = 0.8990 euros) (Reporting by Riham Alkousaa and Holger Hansen; editing by Rachel More and Louise Heavens) Leopard 1 tank Germany has supplied the first ten Leopard 1A5 battle tanks to Ukraine, according to the updated official list of military assistance for Ukraine. Read also: Ukrainian military already training in Spain on Leopards, more tanks may be coming Sanchez The recent military aid package also includes the following: 20 MG3 machine gun set for Leopard 2s and other armored vehicles; 1,035 rounds 155mm ammunition; 2,064 rounds 155mm smoke ammunition; ten ground surveillance radars; four border protection vehicles; 16 trucks Zetros; 100 first aid kits; 80 reconnaissance drones RQ-35 HEIDRUN. Earlier, Danish acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that 80 German-made Leopard 1 battle tanks, to be transferred to Ukraine jointly by Germany and Denmark, will be ready for use by June 1. Read also: Ukraine to receive dozens of Leopard-1 tanks soon Germany He said that Denmark, together with Germany and the Netherlands, aimed to donate at least 100 tanks to Ukraine. On Feb. 7, the German federal government approved the supply of 178 Leopard 1A5 tanks 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 Cambodias Siamese crocodiles were on the brink of extinction. Now, theyre making an impressive comeback, thanks to expansive conservation efforts. The Siamese crocodile might look intimidating it can grow up to 10 feet in length but the creatures are famously shy, as they scarcely interact with human populations. There are no reported attacks by the creatures in Cambodia. Siamese crocodiles were common in Southeast Asia, but due to the popularity of their skin and meat, they were hunted extensively and were thought to be extinct in the wild in the 1990s. But around 200 individuals survived in the Cardamom Mountains and have been protected by locals in the area. In 2022, conservationists introduced more of the crocs into the wild than ever before, including the 15 Siamese crocodiles released into the Siem Pang Wildlife Reserve in the northern part of Cambodia. Siamese crocodiles were extensively farmed during the 2000s at the height of their popularity, 250,000 crocodiles were living across 900 Cambodian farms. However, crocodile-skin products have substantially declined in popularity, which means the farming industry has taken a major hit. Unfortunately, it has proved difficult to reintroduce farm-raised crocodiles into the wild because many of them have been crossbred with Cuban crocodiles and saltwater crocodiles, making them uncharacteristically aggressive. As a result, the majority of the Siamese crocodiles that are reintroduced into the wild have been selectively bred. Cambodia currently has the most Siamese crocodiles of any country, housing around 400 of the estimated 1,000 worldwide. We have a long way to go, but the potential comeback of the Siamese crocodile could be Cambodias most successful conservation story, said Pablo Sinovas, the leader of Cambodias Fauna and Flora International program. Its survival isnt just an ecological necessity, but a symbolic imperative if we have any hope of preserving nature on Earth. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. 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. Key points Investigators believe suspect Rex Heuermann killed victims in family home Suspects wife files for divorce from accused serial killer Gilgo Beach murder suspects company was hired for work at Trump Building Las Vegas and South Carolina police probe suspects possible ties to unsolved cases Evidence that led Long Island police to catch suspect Police confident Heuermann will soon be charged with fourth murder Officials are confident that Mr Heuermann will soon be charged with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes Wednesday 19 July 2023 21:59 , Andrea Blanco Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann is now expected to be charged with a fourth murder as tips and evidence pour in following his shock arrest last week. The 59-year-old married father-of-two who has lived on Long Island his entire life and runs an architecture firm in Manhattan was arrested on 13 July and charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. Story continues He is also the prime suspect in the murder of a fourth woman Maureen Brainard-Barnes, who was last seen alive in New York City in early June 2007. All four women known as the Gilgo Beach Four worked as sex workers and vanished after going to meet clients. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said on Monday that officials are confident that Mr Heuermann will soon be charged with the murder of Brainard-Barnes. We feel we can prove these three murders, Mr Tierney told CNN. Were also confident that were going to be able to eventually charge that fourth murder. Gilgo Beach murder suspects company was hired to do work at Trump Building in Manhattan Wednesday 19 July 2023 23:35 , Andrea Blanco New York City Department of Buildings records unearthed by The Real Deal on Wednesday show that Mr Heuermanns firm RH Architecture was hired by a tenant at the Trump Building on 40 Wall Street. The job was completed in 2018 and Mr Heuermanns firm was paid $200,000 to complete it. The Trump Organization said in a statement that it has never hired Mr Heuermanns services and it was a third-party tenant who employed the now suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer. Mr Heuermann has never worked for the Trump Organization in any capacity, a spokesperson told TRD. According to our records, he was hired by a third-party tenant, who vacated years ago, to perform minor architectural work in their individual space. Its unclear whether Mr Heuermann ever visited the building as part of the job he was hired to do. The Independent has reached out for comment. Attorney John Ray says he hopes new task force reviews evidence in Shannan Gilberts case Thursday 20 July 2023 00:00 , Andrea Blanco Gilberts body was found in December 2011. Suffolk County authorities have previously said that they dont believe Gilbert was a victim of the Gilgo Beach serial killer, or even that she was a victim of homicide. However, an independent autopsy commissioned by her family ruled that she died by strangulation. Weve insisted that she was murdered. We have overwhelming evidence that that is true, John Ray, an attorney for the Gilbert family, told The Independent. The police had taken bizarre position that she died of natural causes. He added: Were hoping now with the new task force with these great guys and new brains and excellent work of the District Attorney and the new Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison. Were hoping that theyre going to give it a look, a new look at the evidence with Shannan and investigate it as a murder. Rex Heuermann is traumatised by Gilgo Beach murders arrest, attorney says Thursday 20 July 2023 01:00 , Andrea Blanco 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. Read more: Rex Heuermann is traumatised by Gilgo Beach murders arrest, attorney says Murder probes expands to Las Vegas, officials confirm Thursday 20 July 2023 02:00 , Andrea Blanco 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. Gilgo Beach murders arrest renews hopes for Shannan Gilbert and Jessica Taylors families Thursday 20 July 2023 03:00 , Andrea Blanco Attorney John Ray represents the families of Shannan Gilbert, whose case led to the discovery of 10 bodies, and Jessica Taylor, whose remains were among those found during the 2010 probe. Mr Ray said his clients have welcomed news of the arrest and now hope their loved ones killer or killers will also face the criminal system. Both families are very happy that this man was caught and theyre happy for the other family members of the other victims, Mr Ray said. But the murderer of their loved ones has not been found. And even if it turns out to be this Tyrannosaurus Rex monster, theres no solace in the end. Justice is an idea, but its not a feeling in a sense, and their feelings and their senses are still hurt and this resurrected those feelings. So its a bittersweet condition. Mr Ray said that his law firm is joining efforts with the Suffolk County Police Departments investigating team. Commissioner Harris has said in the aftermath that theyre probing any links Mr Heuermann may have with the Gilgo Beach bodies. How the Gilgo Beach serial killer turned the Long Island shore into a graveyard Thursday 20 July 2023 04:00 , Andrea Blanco More than a decade after 11 bodies were found dumped in Long Beach, married father of two and Manhattan-based architect Rex Heuermann is under arrest. Does this mean the hunt for the Gilgo Beach serial killer is finally over? The Independents Rachel Sharp reports: How the Gilgo Beach serial killer turned the Long Island shore into a graveyard Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermanns neighbors describe him as reclusive Thursday 20 July 2023 05:00 , Andrea Blanco Speaking to The New York Times, Massapequa Park resident Frankie Musto said the Heuermanns were reclusive and kept to themselves. Ms Musto said her daughter grew up with Mr Heuermanns daughter, who would often ask her friend to come over. I didnt want her in that house, Ms Musto told the Times. The evidence that sealed Rex Heuermanns arrest: Pizza crust, burner phones and his wifes hair Thursday 20 July 2023 06:00 , Andrea Blanco Its taken 13 years but Suffolk County Police finally say theyve caught the serial killer who dumped his victims along the shores of Gilgo Beach thanks to a pimps tip about his pickup truck, a stash of burner phones, his wifes hair and a pizza crust. The Independents Rachel Sharp reports: How pizza crust, burner phones and wifes hairs led police to Gilgo Beach suspect Woman describes eerie Rex Heuermann date Thursday 20 July 2023 07:00 , Andrea Blanco Long Island resident and former escort Nicole Brass has since come forward with claims that she went on a date with Mr Heuermann sometime between 2014 and 2016. Ms Brass, 34, first claimed in a TikTok video that she had met Mr Heuermann at a seafood restaurant in Port Jefferson and he then decided to bring up the Gilgo Beach murders while trying to make it look just like someone who was very interested in the case. 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, Ms Brass told the Daily Beast. His body language shifted, and it seemed like he was having fun ... It was almost like he was visualising it in his head and getting off to what he was saying. Did serial killer Rex Heuermann strike beyond Gilgo Beach? Police probe links to unsolved cases across US Thursday 20 July 2023 08:00 , Andrea Blanco Investigators are exploring the possibility that suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann could be responsible for other murders all across America, following his sudden arrest last week. 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. 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. Read more: Did serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann strike beyond Gilgo Beach? Long Island police reveal how Rex Heuermanns family reacted to his arrest for Gilgo Beach murders Thursday 20 July 2023 09:00 , Andrea Blanco Mr Heuermanns bombshell arrest last sent shockwaves across the shoreline community of Gilgo Beach in Long Island following 13 years of unanswered questions over a trail of bodies found in the area. The married father-of-two is facing six charges over the murders of Amber Castello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy all sex workers in their 20s whose bodies were found during a missing persons investigation in 2010. He is also the prime suspect in the murder of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard- Barnes, with authorities saying more charges are expected. The Suffolk County Police Department is also probing potential ties to the other six bodies linked to the Gilgo Beach case, as well as other murders nationwide. Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told CNN that Mr Heuermanns family reacted with shock to his arrest and are now cooperating with the investigation. Before being taken into custody, Mr Heuermann, 59, had outwardly led a normal life, working as an architect in Midtown Manhattan and making very little impression on his neighbours in Massapequa Park. 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. Rex Heuermanns wife files for divorce Thursday 20 July 2023 09:30 , Rachel Sharp Rex Heuermanns wife has filed for divorce just six days after New York police arrested her husband over the notorious Gilgo Beach murders. Court records show that Asa Ellerup the accused serial killers wife of two decades and mother of his children filed a matrimonial complaint in Suffolk County Supreme Court on Wednesday. The case Asa Ellerup v Rex Heuermann is listed as uncontested. His family are said to have been left shocked and disgusted after the Long Island native, 59, was arrested on Thursday and charged with the murders of three women. Manhattan architect, family man and accused serial killer: Who is Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann? Thursday 20 July 2023 10:00 , Andrea Blanco A Manhattan architect and father-of-two has been arrested in connection to one of the most infamous unsolved serial killer cases along the East Coast. So who really is Rex Heuermann? The Independents Rachel Sharp reports: Rex Heuermann: Who is serial killer suspect in Gilgo Beach murders Gilgo Beach murder suspects company was hired to do work at Trump Building in Manhattan Thursday 20 July 2023 10:30 , Rachel Sharp New York City Department of Buildings records unearthed by The Real Deal on Wednesday show that Mr Heuermanns firm RH Architecture was hired by a tenant at the Trump Building on 40 Wall Street. The job was completed in 2018 and Mr Heuermanns firm was paid $200,000 to complete it. The Trump Organization said in a statement that it has never hired Mr Heuermanns services and it was a third-party tenant who employed the now suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer. Mr Heuermann has never worked for the Trump Organization in any capacity, a spokesperson told TRD. According to our records, he was hired by a third-party tenant, who vacated years ago, to perform minor architectural work in their individual space. Its unclear whether Mr Heuermann ever visited the building as part of the job he was hired to do. The Independent has reached out for comment. WATCH: Neighbour claims he confronted suspected killer for leering at his wife Thursday 20 July 2023 11:00 , Andrea Blanco WATCH: Former escort recounts chilling date with accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Thursday 20 July 2023 11:30 , Rachel Sharp Attorney for victims families shares suspicions of an accomplice in murders Thursday 20 July 2023 12:00 , Andrea Blanco Attorney John Ray represents the families of Gilbert and Jessica Taylor, whose remains were among those found during the 2010 probe. Mr Ray told The Independent on Tuesday that he has long suspected that a woman may have helped the killer lure the victims. We have a number of reasons to think a woman may have been involved. Nothing is certain here, [I want] to emphasise that, but there was some evidence that a woman was involved, Mr Ray said. The attorney said that some of the evidence that could suggest a woman was involved in the killings is the way a baby Does body was found. The childs mother, dubbed Peaches for a tattoo on her torso, was found in Nassau County in 1997. Additional remains and those of her child were found years later, and the murders have been linked to the Gilgo Beach case. The baby was wrapped in a blanket of some kind. And thats something, you know, if youre a depraved murderer, as a man ... Would you take the time to do that? Mr Ray said. But a mother might do that. Thats just one I use that as one of several reasons why we think that, but we dont have any dispositive evidence that it was so. What have Long Island police found at Rex Heuermanns home? Thursday 20 July 2023 12:30 , Rachel Sharp Reporters on the scene of Rex Heuermanns home on Wednesday revealed that investigators tried to block their view as some items were being seized. This has raised speculation as to what evidence may have been found inside his family home in Massapequa Park. Right now at #RexHeuermann's home, police are beginning to reposition their vehicles, I believe in an attempt to obstruct our view. It tells me they have found something big and have been waiting to bring it out. I asked a detective, he told me, "no comment." #LISK pic.twitter.com/bUUbAZZF7k Alex Caprariello (@alcaprari23) July 19, 2023 ICYMI: Everything we know about the Gilgo Beach murders Thursday 20 July 2023 13:00 , Andrea Blanco While Rex Heuermann has pleaded not guilty and broke down in tears while protesting his innocence, investigators have painted him as a warped individual who systematically preyed on his victims, obsessively following police efforts to catch him online and potentially posing a threat of striking again. But who are his alleged victims? The Independents Joe Sommerlad reports: What we know about the Gilgo Beach murder victims Large doll in a glass case and portrait of a woman with a bruised face seized from Mr Heuermanns home Thursday 20 July 2023 14:00 , Andrea Blanco 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, according to the Associated Press. 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 Mr Heuermann, an architect who was charged with murdering three women and was said by a prosecutor to be a suspect in a fourth slaying. Mr Heuermann pleaded not guilty to the crimes on Friday. Gilgo Beach murders suspects firm carried out work at Trump Building Thursday 20 July 2023 15:00 , Rachel Sharp The Gilgo Beach serial killer suspects architecture business was hired for a 2018 project at the Trump Building in New York City, according to unearthed records. Rex Heuermann, 59, was arrested last week and charged with the murders of Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy, who vanished between 2007 and 2010 before their bodies were found dumped in Gilgo Beach. The suspect lived in Massapequa Park, Long Island, with his wife and two adult children and ran architecture firm RH Consultants & Associatess in Midtown Manhattan. Now, New York City Department of Buildings records obtained by real state publication The Real Deal have revealed that Mr Heuermanns firm was hired in 2018 by a third party for a plumbing job at the Trump Building on 40 Wall Street. Read the full story: Gilgo Beach murders suspects firm carried out work at Trump Building Victims sister says Rex Heuermanns arrest means she can finally move on Thursday 20 July 2023 16:00 , Rachel Sharp The sister of one of Rex Heuermanns alleged victims has spoken out to say that his arrest means she can finally move on. Mr Heuermann has been charged with the murder of Amber Costello, a 27-year-old sex worker who vanished in September 2010. Her body was found dumped along Gilgo Beach later that year. Costellos sister Kimberly Overstreet told News 12 Long Island that she will forgive her killer because its what her sibling would do. It brings me peace to know that my sister is laying with my family, she said. And that if my parents were here, if my sister was here, she would say Thank you, and I forgive him. I forgive him and she would too. I dont know if it makes a difference to him, but it makes a difference to me, and I can move on. Now, she hopes that the families of other victims whose bodies were found dumped along the Long Island shores will also get answers soon. Rex Heuermanns wife files for divorce six days after hes arrested for Gilgo Beach serial killings Thursday 20 July 2023 17:00 , Rachel Sharp The wife of accused Gilgo Beach serial killerRex Heuermann has filed for divorce just six days after New York police arrested him on suspicion of murdering at least three women and dumping their bodies along Long Island. Online court records show that Asa Ellerup the accused serial killers wife of two decades and mother of his children filed a matrimonial complaint in Suffolk County Supreme Court on Wednesday. The filing titled Asa Ellerup v Rex Heuermann states that the divorce is uncontested. The case records include a complaint, summons and a notice concerning continuation of health care coverage all filed on Wednesday, though the contents have not been made public. Read the full story here: Rex Heuermanns wife files for divorce six days after arrest for Gilgo Beach killings WATCH: Moment Gilgo Beach suspect arrested in crowded New York street Thursday 20 July 2023 18:00 , Rachel Sharp How Rex Heuermanns wife helped lead police to the accused killer Thursday 20 July 2023 19:00 , Rachel Sharp Court documents, filed as part of prosecutors request that bail be denied, revealed that hair belonging to Mr Heuermanns wife was allegedly found on the bodies of three of the four victims. Prosecutors say that two female hairs had been found on Waterman, one of them on the tape which the killer wrapped around her head. One female hair was found on tape used to wrap burlap around Costello and one hair was found in a belt buckle used to bind Brainard-Barnes who Mr Heuermann is yet to be charged over. To identify the female who the hair belonged to, investigators trawled through the trash at the Heuermann home in Long Island. In July 2022, they recovered 11 bottles from the trash and they were swabbed for DNA. Forensic testing found that the DNA on the bottles matched the female hair found at the crime scene, concluding that the hair belonged to Mr Heuermanns wife. The accuracy is such that more than 99 per cent of the North American female population can be ruled out, according to the court documents. Prosecutors found that the suspects wife was out of town at the time of the three murders for which he has been charged but that her hair could have transferred to the crime scene through her husbands clothing or through him using items such as tape taken from the family home. She has not been named as a suspect and there is no suggestion that she was involved or knew about the murders. What we know about Gilgo Beach murder victims: Thursday 20 July 2023 20:00 , Rachel Sharp Rex Heuermann, a New York City architect and family man, was dramatically arrested outside of his office in Midtown Manhattan on Thursday 13 July and charged with the murders of three women whose remains were found on Gilgo Beach, Long Island, a decade ago. The 59-year-old was formally accused of killing Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello, all of whom were working as sex workers, and is also the prime suspect in the homicide of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, with Suffolk County district attorney Ray Tierney saying on Monday he is confident Mr Heuermann will be charged with her murder too. In all, 11 sets of human remains were found dumped along the four-lane Ocean Parkway route running alongside the Atlantic-facing beachfront between 2010 and 2011, nine of which belonged to women, one to a man and one to a toddler. Some have still not been identified. This is what we know about the four victims Mr Heuermann has been connected to by investigators: What we know about the Gilgo Beach murder victims Victims family fears someone else could be involved in killings Thursday 20 July 2023 21:00 , Rachel Sharp Attorney John Ray represents the families of Shannan Gilbert and Jessica Taylor. Mr Ray told The Independent on Tuesday that he has long suspected that a woman may have helped the killer lure the victims. We have a number of reasons to think a woman may have been involved. Nothing is certain here, [I want] to emphasize that, but there was some evidence that a woman was involved, Mr Ray said. The attorney said that some of the evidence that could suggest a woman was involved in the killings is the way a baby Does body was found. The childs mother, dubbed Peaches for a tattoo on her torso, was found in Nassau County in 1997. Additional remains and those of her child were found years later, and the murders have been linked to the Gilgo Beach case. The baby was wrapped in a blanket of some kind. And thats something, you know, if youre a depraved murderer, as a man ... Would you take the time to do that? Mr Ray said. But a mother might do that. Thats just one I use that as one of several reasons why we think that, but we dont have any dispositive evidence that it was so. Former escort describes eerie Rex Heuermann date where he obsessed over Gilgo Beach murders Thursday 20 July 2023 22:00 , Rachel Sharp A former escort who claims she once went on a date with suspected Gilgo Beach serial killerRex Heuermann has described chilling comments that he allegedly made about the then-unsolved murder case. Thirteen years after a trail of bodies were discovered in the shoreline community of Gilgo Beach, the Suffolk County Police Department made a long-awaited arrest in the case last week. Rex Heuermann, 59, was taken into custody and charged with the murders of Amber Costello, Melissa Barthelemy and Megan Waterman. Long Island resident and former escort Nicole Brass has since come forward with claims that she went on a date with Mr Heuermann sometime between 2014 and 2016. Ms Brass, 34, first claimed in a TikTok video that she had met Mr Heuermann at a seafood restaurant in Port Jefferson and he then decided to bring up the Gilgo Beach murders while trying to make it look just like someone who was very interested in the case. Read the story here: Former escort claims Rex Heuermann obsessed over Gilgo Beach murders on date Shannan Gilberts family react to news of Rex Heuermanns arrest Thursday 20 July 2023 23:00 , Andrea Blanco The sister of Shannan Gilbert, whose disappearance in May 2010 led to the discovery of a string of human remains, also spoke out about the arrest. I am overwhelmed but relieved that they finally caught him. Its been a long time coming and I never gave up hope that one day justice would be served, Sherre Gilbert said in a statement to NBC News. The suspect (Rex) deserves to rot in prison for the rest of his life. He destroyed many lives so while it wont bring our loved ones back, it does help that one less monster is off the streets and he cant ever hurt anyone else! What we know about Gilgo Beach murder victims Friday 21 July 2023 00:00 , Andrea Blanco New York architect Rex Heuermann has pleaded not guilty after being charged with killing of three women found dead near Long Island seafront a decade ago. The Independents Joe Sommerlad reports: What we know about the Gilgo Beach murder victims Rex Heuermanns client reveals his chilling comments about Gilgo Beach serial killings 01:00 , Andrea Blanco A woman who worked with the Gilgo Beach murders suspect has revealed a chilling interaction she had with him last year. Rex Heuermann, 59, was arrested last week in connection with the murders of Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy, whose remains were found along with seven other bodies in the shoreline community of Gilgo Beach in December 2010. He is also the prime suspect in the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, with authorities saying theyre confident more charges loom ahead. Mr Heuermann lived in Massapequa Park, near the sites where some of the victims were last seen, and has an architecture business in Midtown Manhattan. Real state agent Jeffrey St Arromand, who worked with Mr Heuermann on a Brooklyn brownstone project last year, told The New York Post that the now alleged serial killer had a bizarre conversation with one of their shared clients. The female client, who spoke to the Post under the condition of anonymity, said that Mr Heuermann was in charge of renovations to her Crown Heights home, which she was looking to sell at the time. During one of those exchanges, the woman claims Mr Heuermann brought up the Gilgo Beach slayings. I was only with him in my home to review the scope of work, she said. I even gave him a ride to his home in Long Island from Brooklyn. At one point on the drive, we talked about the Gilgo Beach murders we even discussed the burlap and why someone would use that. In retrospect, thinking about that conversation, its just bone-chilling. Costello, Waterman, Barthelemy and Brainard-Barnes were found within one-quarter mile of each other. They were bound by belts or tape and some of them were wrapped in burlap. Where exactly were the Gilgo Beach murder victims found? 02:00 , Andrea Blanco Map showing sites where victims of Gilgo Beach killer were found along Ocean Parkway in Suffolk County, Long Island, NY (Suffolk County Police Department) How the Gilgo Beach serial killer turned the Long Island shore into a graveyard 03:00 , Andrea Blanco More than a decade after 11 bodies were found dumped in Long Beach, married father of two and Manhattan-based architect Rex Heuermann is under arrest. Does this mean the hunt for the Gilgo Beach serial killer is finally over? The Independents Rachel Sharp reports: How the Gilgo Beach serial killer turned the Long Island shore into a graveyard Rex Heuermanns wife had bizarre response to Gilgo Beach murders arrest as divorce filing revealed 04:00 , Andrea Blanco The bizarre response of Rex Heuermanns wife to news of his arrest in the Gilgo Beach murders has been revealed amid reports that she has filed for divorce. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said during a sit-down interview with Fox News that Mr Heuermanns wife Asa Ellerup had initially been shocked after learning her husband was linked to the murders of three women whose bodies were discovered in Gilgo Beach back in 2010. When we told the wife, she was shocked, she was embarrassed. But there was a point where we showed her certain pictures and she said, OK, it is what it is, Mr Harrison said in the interview that aired on Thursday. It comes as online court records show that Ms Ellerup, who has been married to the accused serial killers wife for two decades, filed a matrimonial complaint in Suffolk County Supreme Court. The filing titled Asa Ellerup v Rex Heuermann states that the divorce is uncontested. Rex Heuermanns wife Asa Ellerup files for divorce 05:00 , Andrea Blanco Rex Heuermanns wife has filed for divorce just six days after New York police arrested her husband over the notorious Gilgo Beach murders. Court records show that Asa Ellerup the accused serial killers wife of two decades and mother of his children filed a matrimonial complaint in Suffolk County Supreme Court on Wednesday. The case Asa Ellerup v Rex Heuermann is listed as uncontested. His family are said to have been left shocked and disgusted after the Long Island native, 59, was arrested on Thursday and charged with the murders of three women. Attorney John Ray says he hopes new task force reviews evidence in Shannan Gilberts case 06:00 , Andrea Blanco Gilberts body was found in December 2011. Suffolk County authorities have previously said that they dont believe Gilbert was a victim of the Gilgo Beach serial killer, or even that she was a victim of homicide. However, an independent autopsy commissioned by her family ruled that she died by strangulation. Weve insisted that she was murdered. We have overwhelming evidence that that is true, John Ray, an attorney for the Gilbert family, told The Independent. The police had taken bizarre position that she died of natural causes. He added: Were hoping now with the new task force with these great guys and new brains and excellent work of the District Attorney and the new Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison. Were hoping that theyre going to give it a look, a new look at the evidence with Shannan and investigate it as a murder. Rex Heuermann is traumatised by Gilgo Beach murders arrest, attorney says 07:00 , Andrea Blanco 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. Read more: Rex Heuermann is traumatised by Gilgo Beach murders arrest, attorney says The evidence that sealed Rex Heuermanns arrest: Pizza crust, burner phones and his wifes hair 08:00 , Andrea Blanco Its taken 13 years but Suffolk County Police finally say theyve caught the serial killer who dumped his victims along the shores of Gilgo Beach thanks to a pimps tip about his pickup truck, a stash of burner phones, his wifes hair and a pizza crust. The Independents Rachel Sharp reports: How pizza crust, burner phones and wifes hairs led police to Gilgo Beach suspect Woman describes eerie Rex Heuermann date 09:00 , Andrea Blanco Long Island resident and former escort Nicole Brass has since come forward with claims that she went on a date with Mr Heuermann sometime between 2014 and 2016. Ms Brass, 34, first claimed in a TikTok video that she had met Mr Heuermann at a seafood restaurant in Port Jefferson and he then decided to bring up the Gilgo Beach murders while trying to make it look just like someone who was very interested in the case. 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, Ms Brass told the Daily Beast. His body language shifted, and it seemed like he was having fun ... It was almost like he was visualising it in his head and getting off to what he was saying. Gilgo Beach murders suspects firm carried out work at Trump Building 10:00 , Andrea Blanco The Gilgo Beach serial killer suspects architecture business was hired for a 2018 project at the Trump Building in New York City, according to unearthed records. The Independents Rachel Sharp and Andrea Blanco report: Gilgo Beach murders suspects firm carried out work at Trump Building Officials are confident that Mr Heuermann will soon be charged with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes 11:00 , Andrea Blanco Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann is now expected to be charged with a fourth murder as tips and evidence pour in following his shock arrest last week. The 59-year-old married father-of-two who has lived on Long Island his entire life and runs an architecture firm in Manhattan was arrested on 13 July and charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. He is also the prime suspect in the murder of a fourth woman Maureen Brainard-Barnes, who was last seen alive in New York City in early June 2007. All four women known as the Gilgo Beach Four worked as sex workers and vanished after going to meet clients. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said on Monday that officials are confident that Mr Heuermann will soon be charged with the murder of Brainard-Barnes. We feel we can prove these three murders, Mr Tierney told CNN. Were also confident that were going to be able to eventually charge that fourth murder. Investigators believe suspect Rex Heuermann killed victims in family home 12:00 , Joe Sommerlad Law enforcement sources investigating the Long Island serial killings have told CNN and CBS that they believe at least one of the murders took place at the family home of suspect Rex Heuermann in Massapequa Park, where he lived with his wife - who has just filed for divorce - and two adult children. They note that the disappearances of the victims coincide with periods when Heurmanns family were out of town, which would have given the alleged killer a controlled environment in which to carry out his atrocities. South Carolina police probe potential ties between Rex Heuermann and teen who vanished in 2014 13:00 , Andrea Blanco Aaliyah Hill, 18, was reported missing in 2014 in Rock Hill, South Carolina, near an area where Mr Heuermann bought a plot of land. The Independent reports: South Carolina police review Rex Heuermann link in missing teen case Large doll in a glass case and portrait of a woman with a bruised face seized from Mr Heuermanns home 14:00 , Andrea Blanco 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, according to the Associated Press. 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 Mr Heuermann, an architect who was charged with murdering three women and was said by a prosecutor to be a suspect in a fourth slaying. Mr Heuermann pleaded not guilty to the crimes on Friday. Theyre going through utter hell: BTK Killers daughter sympathises with Gilgo Beach suspects family 15:00 , Andrea Blanco Kerri Rawson was just 26 when her father was unmasked in 2005 as the BTK predator whod terrorised Kansas for more than three decades. Now a victim advocate and 45-year-old mother, she tells The Independents Sheila Flynn that shes heartbroken as another family comes to terms with a loved ones arrest in the Long Island serial killer case. BTK Killers daughter sympathises with Gilgo Beach suspects family: Utter hell Manhattan architect, family man and accused serial killer: Who is Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann? 16:00 , Andrea Blanco A Manhattan architect and father-of-two has been arrested in connection to one of the most infamous unsolved serial killer cases along the East Coast. So who really is Rex Heuermann? The Independents Rachel Sharp reports: Rex Heuermann: Who is serial killer suspect in Gilgo Beach murders Hundreds of true crime enthusiasts visit home of alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann 17:00 , Joe Sommerlad True crime fans have clustered outside the modest Massapequa Park home in Long Island, New York, where alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann lived until his bombshell arrest last week. Rex Heuermann, 59, was charged on 13 July with the murders of Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy, who vanished between 2007 and 2010 before their bodies were found dumped in Gilgo Beach. The suspect lived in Massapequa Park, Long Island, with his wife of 25 years, who has since filed for divorce, and two adult children. He also ran the architecture firm RH Consultants & Associates in Midtown Manhattan. In the aftermath of the breakthrough arrest, hundreds of crime enthusiasts have gathered outside the suspects home, The New York Times reports. I couldnt wait to see it. Im so into this thing, 51-year-old Long Island teacher Scarlett Fascetti, who made a 30-mile trip to see Mr Heuermanns home, told the outlet. Andrea Blanco has more. Hundreds of true crime enthusiasts visit home of alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer More families await answers in Gilgo Beach killings and the names of other victims 18:00 , Joe Sommerlad The victim names were there, finally, in black and white on charging documents, immortalised in the justice system as their alleged killer stood before a judge. Melissa Barthelemy. Amber Costello. Megan Waterman. They were names that had before been connected primarily to a cold case and a mystery a mystery still unravelling and their appearance on the court documents marked a step towards justice and, just maybe, some semblance of closure for families and investigators. Long Island architect and married father-of-two Rex Heuermann, 59, was charged last Friday with three counts of first- and second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Ms Barthelemy, who went missing in 2009; Ms Costello, who vanished in June of the following year; and Ms Waterman, 22, who disappeared in September 2010. Suffolk County district attorney Ray Tierney said this week he was confident that Mr Heuermann would also be charged with the murder of Maureen Brainard Barnes, 25, who went missing in 2007. Her body was discovered in December 2010 in the same vicinity and within the same week as the remains of the three other victims. But there were other names not included in the court documents, and there are other families watching closely as the investigation progresses wondering if their loved ones murders were at the hands of the alleged serial killer. And there are other victims whose names are still unknown other bodies found on Long Island that may or may not be linked to the same perpetrator. Their families may not even known they are dead. Sheila Flynn has more. Families await answers in Gilgo Beach killings and other victims names Ten deaths, two arrests and a person of interest: Multiple potential serial killers identified in one week 19:00 , Joe Sommerlad In 2019, the number of active serial killers in the US was in the single digits, according to crime researchers. In the last week, US officials believe they may have located at least two different serial killers across New York and Texas, allegedly responsible for at least six deaths. A third man is a person of interest in four deaths in Oregon. Josh Marcus has this on the extraordinary developments of the last week. How multiple potential serial killers were identified in one week across US Independent Premium: Horror on the shore: the murder spree that has gripped America 20:07 , Andrea Blanco The Gilgo Beach serial killer case has shocked and captivated America for the past 13 years, writes The Independents Rachel Sharp. The suspect was hiding in plain sight all along. The murder cold case that has gripped America Neighbour claims Gilgo Beach suspect dug in his garden late at night as police believe victims killed at house 21:00 , Andrea Blanco A next-door neighbour of the Gilgo Beach murders suspect claims he heard Rex Heuermann digging in his garden in the early hours of the morning and that he would often burn garbage. Dominick Cancellieri, who lived next to the Heuermanns for 15 years, told Chris Cuomo on NewsNation that every few weeks, I would smell garbage burning at his house, and one night he heard Mr Heuermann digging in his backyard in the early hours of the morning. The Independents Oliver OConnell reports: Gilgo Beach suspects neighbour claims he dug in his garden late at night Hundreds of true crime enthusiasts visit home of alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann 22:00 , Andrea Blanco True crime fans have clustered outside the modest Massapequa Park home in Long Island, New York, where alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann lived until his bombshell arrest last week. Rex Heuermann, 59, was charged on 13 July with the murders of Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy, who vanished between 2007 and 2010 before their bodies were found dumped in Gilgo Beach. The suspect lived in Massapequa Park, Long Island, with his wife of 25 years, who has since filed for divorce, and two adult children. He also ran the architecture firm RH Consultants & Associates in Midtown Manhattan. In the aftermath of the breakthrough arrest, hundreds of crime enthusiasts have gathered outside the suspects home, The New York Times reports. I couldnt wait to see it. Im so into this thing, 51-year-old Long Island teacher Scarlett Fascetti, who made a 30-mile trip to see Mr Heuermanns home, told the outlet. BTK killer makes chilling comparison between himself and Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann 23:14 , Andrea Blanco Convicted BTK serial killer Dennis Rader has laid out the similarities between himself and newly-arrested Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann. Mr Heuermann, a 59-year-old father of two, was taken into custody last week and charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three of second-degree murder over the deaths of slain sex workers Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello and Megan Waterman. He has pleaded not guilty. The womens bodies were found in 2010 within one-quarter of a mile of each other in the Long Island community of Gilgo Beach in New York state. Twenty-four-year-old Maureen Brainard-Barnes remains were also found in the vicinity Mr Heuermann has not been charged with Brainard-Barnes murder but is the prime suspect in the investigation. Now Rader, who is serving ten life sentences in a maximum security Kansas prison after he confessed in 2005 to killing 10 people over a span of three decades, has called Mr Heuermann a clone of me. Rader gave himself the title of the BTK killer because he bound and tortured his victims before killing them. I was arrested age[d] 59. Married, two kids, Rader wrote in a letter sent to Fox News Digital. Husband, dad longtime a serial killer, stalker, used electronic devices, lives in a neighbourhood undetected. A view of the Trump Building at 40 Wall Street on October 01, 2021 in New York City. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann was contracted to do renovations at the Trump Building. According to a NYC Dept. of Buildings filing, Heuermann's firm did work on the 17th floor of the building. In a statement to the Real Deal, the Trump Org maintained that the work was for a "third-party tenant." Donald Trump's company once paid New York architect Rex Heuermann, the suspect for the Gilgo Beach murders, hundreds of thousands of dollars for renovations on a New York building that the former president owns. In 2018, the Trump Organization appears to have contracted Heuermann for plumbing and office renovations at a 71-story Wall Street building now known as The Trump Building, according to an NYC Department of Buildings filing first covered by the Real Deal. Heuermann was paid $205,017 for his work, according to that filing. One of Heuermann's firms, Rex A. Heurmann Architect PC, worked on a "renovation of office space on the 17th floor to include minor partition and plumbing changes," according to the filing. "Mr. Heuermann has never worked for the Trump Organization in any capacity," a Trump Organization spokesperson told Insider in an emailed statement. "According to our records, he was hired by a third-party tenant, who vacated years ago, to perform minor architectural work in their individual space." The Trump Organization maintained that the work was in fact for one of the building's tenants. Steve Lafiosca, a Trump Organization property manager, was listed in the filing. The Trump Organization purchased the 1930s building for less than $8 million in 1995, the Real Deal reported. In 2015, while on the campaign trail, Trump deemed the property "iconic and wonderful," according to Bloomberg. Heuermann, a famous New York architect, was arrested last week and charged with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in the killings of three women between 1996 and 2011, related to an unsolved Gilgo Beach, Long Island, cold case. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Story continues Heuermann did not return Insider's request for comment. Heuermann's attorney did not immediately return Insider's request for comment. Suffolk County investigators said last week that Heuermann left behind a trail of macabre internet searches for torture porn, pizza crusts, and burner phones. Read the original article on Insider Igor Strelkov (Girkin) The detention of war criminal, terrorist, and former DPR leader Igor Strelkov (Girkin) may signal the onset of an active phase of internal confrontation within the Kremlin, Ukrainian military intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov said on national television on July 21. Pushkin wrote his last lines, Gagarin reached the stars, and Girkin (reached his word limit). Read also: Russia detains terrorist Girkin following Wagner mercenarys statement Basically, this is good news the spider-infested web continues to move actively. We can wish success to all participants in the process, Yusov said. He added that conflicts between the Kremlin clans and their agents began to emerge after the recent coup attempt by the Wagner PMC leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin. A paradoxical situation: Prigozhin went after Moscow, shooting down planes, helicopters, while Girkin gets detained. Its a peculiar feature of the Putin regime. The issue isnt just about Girkin, he remarked. Read also: War criminal Girkin warns of new army mutiny in Russia after General Popovs dismissal The official emphasized that Girkin did not act as an independent figure. And here, one can be sure that there will be more to come, he underscored. According to media reports, Girkin was arrested in Russia on July 21, following a statement made by a former Wagner PMC mercenary. Miroslava Reginskaya, Girkins wife, revealed the details of the arrest through a message on the terrorists Telegram channel. Today, at around 11:30 a.m., representatives of the investigative committee came to our place. I was not home at that time. Shortly after, according to the concierge, they took my husband (into custody) and drove him away in an unknown direction, she wrote. The terrorists wife mentioned that she learned from friends that he is accused under Article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code, which deals with extremism. Read also: Besides Surovikin, Moscow detained 13 high-ranking officers report Story continues Notably, Girkin has publicly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin. He questioned Putins competence and leadership, comparing him to a mummy. Girkin is also wanted internationally for his involvement in the downing of the Malaysian Boeing flight MH17 over the skies of Donbas. A verdict has been passed against him, sentencing him to life imprisonment. 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 Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and telco firms Globe Telecom Inc., PLDT, Smart Communications Inc., DITO Telecom Inc., and Converge ICT Solutions signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Friday to establish the Connectivity Index Rating. The rating system will be similar to hotel ratings that assess establishments on various parameters. Among the criteria will be internet speed, accessibility, availability, and security. "By having this initiative, we actually are able now to push all the establishments to improve their quality of service, especially on telecommunications and internet availability," said DICT Secretary Ivan Uy. The DICT chief clarified that the rating system is not mandatory nor will there be penalties because the incentives for businesses will be the exposure once the ratings are published. He said the rating system will also help the government target specific areas that have connectivity issues and allocate resources for interventions. "We can identify whether it is the establishment not willing to pay more to upgrade the quality of service or it's on the supply side. Whether the telcos are not able to provide the necessary bandwidth there," he said. Uy added that government subsidy is not possible for private establishments seeking to improve their connectivity since they generate their own income. However, they will look into providing support for micro, small, and medium enterprises. Private Sector Advisory Council Digital Infrastructure Head Henry Aguda, meanwhile, said he believes businesses will want to have high ratings to entice more customers and improve their service. He said the rating system seeks to improve connectivity in tourist spots and areas with a lot of foot traffic. "We want hotels, restaurants, malls to have the highest ratings. So, when tourists come here, they will have connectivity. And beyond that, also government services," Aguda added. The DICT is currently working with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to improve internet connectivity in tourist destinations. The DOT said the country has logged over 3 million international visitor arrivals as of July 19, amounting to 212 billion inbound tourist receipts. The technical working group composed of the DICT and telco firms will meet to finalize the standards and implementation of the rating system. It also targets to come up with a report on results of the rating system by year-end. The co-owner of a restaurant in Bostons North End was ordered held without bail Friday afternoon after he was arrested on charges in connection with a shooting outside of a popular pastry shop last week. Monicas Trattorias co-owner Patrick Mendoza was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on charges including assault by means of a dangerous weapon, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, and assault and battery. Officers assigned to the Boston Police Fugitive Unit nabbed Mendoza Friday morning after a warrant was issued for his arrest for allegedly opening fire outside Modern Pasty on Hanover Street while riding a bicycle on July 12. Suffolk County Assistant District Daniel Nucci told the court that Mendoza was aiming at a man who lived above the shop, a neighbor he had allegedly feuded with for years. He spotted this individual who he had prior cases with, prior run-ins with, he was actually on probation that day when the shooting happened, Nucci said. He fired multiple shots at this individual, stating, Its going to be quick. Im going to kill you. Luckily none of the shots struck the individual but they did strike the window of Modern Pastry. North End restaurant owner could lose liquor license, warrant issued for owner After the shooting, Mendoza fled down Hanover Street while the victim flagged police to inform them of the incident, according to Nucci. Nucci noted that Mendoza was on six-month probation for an assault in 2019 involving the same victim and that it was slated to expire on the same day of the shooting. Modern Pastry closes at 10 p.m. and it didnt appear anyone was inside the shop at the time of the shooting. Police were seen canvassing the area and gathering ballistic evidence in the hours after the shots were fired. In the summertime, there are typically long lines outside the shop of people waiting to get cannolis and other pastries. Mendozas attorney, Rosemary Scapicchio, didnt argue the Commonwealths request to revoke bail due to her clients breach of probation and agreed to return to court for a detention hearing on Wednesday, July 26. Story continues Mendoza is being held Friday without bail but a detention hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW FILE - Former President Donald Trump. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Trump's jurors in his classified docs trial will come from a very red swatch of South Florida. The case's judge announced on Friday that the trial will start in May 2024 in Fort Pierce, Florida. It's good news for the former president, who may soon face a third criminal indictment. Former President Donald Trump hit the jackpot with his upcoming criminal trial over his handling of classified government documents. US District Judge Aileen Cannon, who Trump nominated, signed an order Friday announcing that the former commander-in-chief will be on trial beginning May 24, 2024, in Fort Pierce. That's good news for Trump because Fort Pierce, in St. Lucie County, is in an overwhelmingly red area of South Florida. Nearly 72% of voters in neighboring Okeechobee County voted for Trump in the 2020 election. And 66.8% of voters in Highland, 62% of voters in Martin, 60.4% of voters in Indian River, and 50.4% of voters in St. Lucie cast ballots for Trump. Cannon, for her part, has been under the spotlight as Trump and the Justice Department spar over the timing of his trial. The 41-year-old judge made headlines last year after handing down some bizarre legal rulings favoring the ex-president as part of the DOJ's investigation into Trump's handling of classified documents. Cannon assigned a special master to review the documents that the FBI seized after Trump requested it. But she reversed her order and tossed out his case for a "lack of jurisdiction" after a federal appeals court overturned her initial ruling. All eyes were on her when she was randomly selected to oversee the Justice Department's case against Trump this summer. The special counsel Jack Smith's prosecutors argued that Trump should get a speedy trial that wrapped up by the end of the year. But Trump's lawyers argued that his trial in the case should be pushed until after the 2024 election, claiming that the former president's campaign schedule was clashing with his indictments and civil trials. Story continues Cannon said in her Friday order that the "government's proposed schedule is atypically accelerated and inconsistent with ensuring a fair trial." She added that discovery in the case is "exceedingly voluminous and will require substantial time to review and digest in accordance" with Trump's "right to a fair trial. And she said that the court "will be faced with extensive pre-trial motion practice on a diverse number of legal and factual issues, all in connection with a 38-count indictment." "These factors are sufficient to designate this case complex," she wrote, "and the Court is unaware of any searchable case in which a court has refused a complex designation under comparable circumstances." Read the original article on Business Insider Sergey Brin is generally in the office three to four days a week, per reports. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich Google cofounder Sergey Brin is back. Brin is frequently showing up at Google HQ to help its AI efforts, The Wall Street Journal reported. He is reportedly deeply involved in the development of Gemini, an AI model that aims to rival GPT-4. Google cofounder Sergey Brin is reportedly showing up often at the search giant's headquarters to help develop ChatGPT rival Gemini and boost its AI ambitions. The Wall Street Journal reported that Brin, who stepped down from an executive role at Google's parent company Alphabet in 2019, has become increasingly involved in the tech firm's AI strategy by working with researchers. Some of the work has involved highly technical matters such as measuring the performance of AI, the publication said, citing people familiar with the matter. Brin has also been steering the hiring of researchers and organizing weekly meetings to discuss fresh AI research, it added. Brin and fellow cofounder Larry Page were first called on for support in December after Google CEO Sundar Pichai issued a "code red" in response to the launch of ChatGPT, The New York Times reported. However, Brin's involvement in Google's AI efforts have significantly deepened since then. They also come at a critical time for the search giant, which has found itself scrambling to keep up in an increasingly competitive and populated contest to lead the field of AI. Current and former Google employees told The Wall Street Journal that Brin's increased involvement is a reflection of his passion for AI, as well as Google's challenges in keeping pace with the rapid commercialization of AI by competitors. Google is pouring efforts into Gemini, an AI model designed to rival the GPT-4 model underlying OpenAI's technology. The development of Gemini is being led by Google DeepMind boss Demis Hassabis. It adds to its chatbot Bard, which was launched as a counter to ChatGPT. This week, Google's AI ambitions faced another threat as Meta unveiled Llama 2. This is a new version of its large language model, released in partnership with Microsoft with the aim of making generative AI freely available to developers and companies. Story continues Meta and Microsoft said the model would be "open source," though licensees with more than 700 million monthly active users would need special permission from Meta to use the model, according to the terms and conditions. Google did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment made outside of normal working hours. Read the original article on Business Insider Google logo is displayed on a smartphone screen above a notebook next to glasses NurPhoto / Getty Images To assist journalists in writing their stories, Google is developing a tool that uses artificial intelligence technology. The company pitched the product to executives from news organizations including The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal owner, News Corp, per a report from the Times. Known internally as Genesis, the AI tool can take information from current events to create news content. Google presented the project as a "responsible" assistant for journalists. "Quite simply, these tools are not intended to, and cannot, replace the essential role journalists have in reporting, creating and fact-checking their articles," Jenn Crider, a Google spokesperson, said. Google co-founder Sergey Brin has returned to the company and worked closely with researchers developing Gemini, Google's large-language model (LLM). Anonymous sources who were present for the pitch described the presentation as "unsettling," per the Times. Two executives said the product "seemed to take for granted the effort that went into producing accurate and artful news stories." While Google is promising the tool won't replace journalists, members of the press are still wary of how Genesis will affect the industry. Pros and cons of using AI in journalism For journalists, there are upsides and downsides to Google's new AI tool, Jeff Jarvis, a journalism professor, told The New York Times: "If this technology can deliver factual information reliably, journalists should use the tool." However, if the tool is "misused by journalists and news organizations on topics that require nuance and cultural understanding," he added, "then it could damage the credibility not only of the tool but of the news organizations that use it." Google's problematic track record with media It's difficult to judge whether the tool is as responsible as Google claims without seeing it. Still, recent examples of media incorporating AI "show the weaknesses of trying to use machines to boldly make the mistakes that human journalists are already more than capable of making on our own, thank you," Richard Lawler wrote on The Verge. Besides, "Google's fickle attention span for new products" is "presumably a concern for anyone considering the tool," Lawler pointed out. Not to mention "the media industry as a whole has more than a few issues with Google, no matter how many promises are made about Google News exposure for local papers." News publishers should be cautious with Google, warned Jason Kint, the chief executive of online news lobbying group Digital Content Next, to The Washington Post. The tools are exciting and should be explored. However, "publishers should have their other eye on Google's long history of harvesting their copyrighted material and their users' data in a manner that maximizes Google's own profits and interests." It "seems premature" to introduce AI to journalism We've already seen that the LLMs that power AI tools like ChatGPT or Google's Bard can "produce factually incorrect information," Hany Farid, a computer science professor at the University of California at Berkeley and a member of its Artificial Intelligence Lab, told the Post. "Unleashing these models in the critical, and often time-crunched, field of journalism seems premature," Farid added. "We're all for technological advances helping our reporters and editors do their jobs," said Vin Cherwoo, the president of the News Media Guild, told The Associated Press. "We just don't want AI doing their jobs," he added. "What's most important for us is to protect our jobs and maintain journalistic standards." You may also like Florida construction and agricultural workforces diminished after new immigration law takes effect Judge limits how Biden officials can communicate with social media companies How solar and wind energy are saving Texans from a record heatwave GOP presidential candidates Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy showed their support for country singer Jason Aldean by playing his banned song at rallies they each held on Thursday. "You all know I love music," Haley posted on Twitter from a rally on Thursday. "Tonight in Greenville we added a new song to the playlist: Jason Aldean's Try That in a Small Town." The video shows a packed room of Haley supporters with Aldeans new song, which has prompted an angry response from the left, blaring in the background. "Nikki Haley grew up in a small, rural town in South Carolina, and will always defend her small-town values faith, family, and freedom," Haley spokesman Ken Farnaso told Fox News Digital. "Its where she learned to fight for her beliefs and stand up to bullies, like the liberal bullies trying to cancel this song because it tells the truth about their failed policies." 'SHOCKED' NOEM BLASTS LIBERALS TRYING TO 'CANCEL' ALDEAN OVER ANTI-CRIME SONG, INVITES HIM TO SOUTH DAKOTA Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley, country music singer Jason Aldean, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy Haleys GOP competitor, Vivek Ramaswamy, also played the song at the end of one of his rallies in New Hampshire on Thursday. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP In a Twitter post, Ramaswamy said he will play the song at all of his rallies and said the lyrics are about "defending the values that ALL Americans used to share - faith, family, hard work, patriotism." "Rule of law. Patriotism. Family. Those shouldn't be partisan messages, they are pro-American values. Good on Jason Aldean for not bowing to the mob and sticking with principles," the Ramaswamy campaign told Fox News Digital in a statement. Fellow GOP candidate Ron DeSantis is also supporitng the song across multiple platforms, including Twitter, where he said that Alden has "nothing to apologize for." The candidate the three GOP hopefuls are hoping to defeat, former President Donald Trump, said in a Truth Social post that Aldean is a "great guy." Story continues "Support Jason all the way. MAGA!!!" Trump said. Aldean sparked sparked criticism from liberal activists after releasing a music video for his new song that includes lyrics warning violent criminals, as well as those who disrespect law enforcement and the American flag, to "try that in a small town." MANY FEEL JASON ALDEAN IS LATEST 'VICTIM OF CANCEL CULTURE' AFTER CMT PULLS TRY THAT IN A SMALL TOWN VIDEO Jason Aldean and Brittany Aldean attend the 58th Academy Of Country Music Awards at The Ford Center Aldean sings, "Yeah, ya think you're 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 won't take long for you to find out, I recommend you don't." One anti-gun activist claimed the song was about how "he and his friends will shoot you if you try to take their guns" and many took issue with the video being filmed at a Tennessee courthouse that was the site of a 1927 lynching and 1946 race riot. Supporters of Aldean, as well as his production company, have pointed out that a wide variety of events have been filmed at that site, including a Hannah Montana movie. Country Music Television and MTV have since announced they have removed the song from their video rotation. LEE GREENWOOD PRAISES JASON ALDEAN AMID 'SMALL TOWN' BACKLASH: 'HE IS THE BIGGEST PATRIOT' Republican presidential candidate and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley greets voters at a town hall event in New Hampshire Aldean rejected the notion that the tune, which hit airwaves in May, was racially motivated. "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 shared with his nearly 8 million fans across social media. "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 there isn't a single video clip that isn't 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." They wore Trump hats and Trump T-shirts and cheered wildly when former President Donald Trump took the stage to fireworks. But at the Turning Point Action conference in West Palm Beach, Florida, some of the conservative attendees said they had a little space in their hearts for Vivek Ramaswamy the GOP newcomer running a longshot presidential primary bid against Trump, whom he has promised to pardon if it comes to that. What they told CNN they liked most was the way Ramaswamy comes across on TV. The 37-year-old extremely wealthy pharmaceutical entrepreneur has never held public office, but hes quick and assertive, and has become a frequent guest on cable news and conservative YouTube channels. Hes best known for denouncing wokeness, which he says has infected American corporations and investment banks that influence them. Karen Colby was one of those who thought Ramaswamy would be a good pick for vice president. - CNN Karen Colby standing next to the sequin-packed Trump Girl Shop booth featuring Theresas Concealed Carry Handbags. said shed recently seen Ramaswamy on TV. I forget what he was actually saying, but I said, Dang, I really like him. I like him a lot, said Colby, a Republican from Broward County, Florida. I like his values. I like what he says. I like his no-nonsense attitude. If he does not earn the position of president, I would love to see him as vice president. President Trump: if youre listening, choose Vivek. In Republican primary polls, Ramaswamy is competitive with seasoned politicians, though still in single figures and far behind Trump. CNN did not encounter a Turning Point attendee who had something nice to say about former Vice President Mike Pence, who many saw as having betrayed Trump by certifying the 2020 election results. The pro-Trump crowd did not like former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has been critical of the former president. And though Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was popular at the conference last year, hes now fallen out of favor with this crowd amid his challenge to Trump, according to Turning Point spokesperson Andrew Kolvet. Story continues Former President Donald Trump, who took the stage as fireworks were set off, remained the clear favorite. - Lynne Sladky/AP But that didnt kill their appetite for one of DeSantiss signature issues: wokeness. And on that subject, they found a lot to like in Ramaswamy, who wrote a book called Woke Inc.: Inside Corporate Americas Social Justice Scam. His argument is that corporations make statements about liberal social values and climate change at the expense of their profits, and that that is bad for investors and consumers. Dolan Bair, a student at Wheaton College in Illinois, found Ramaswamys argument convincing. He thought a lot of big companies push more liberal agendas, and maybe the government should not allow them to hold their liberal values over their consumers and their employees. Dolan Bair, center, said he found liberal values too pervasive in society. - Michael Laughlin/AP Sure, Apple and Google were private companies, he said, but theyre so large he couldnt avoid them. He could buy a different beer than Bud Light but there wasnt a good option for a non-woke search engine. Bair believed gay people had been treated unfairly, even imprisoned, in the past. But at what point does Pride Month go away? he asked. When does when does Pride Month become two months? When does it become Pride Year? CNN asked how a Pride Year with more rainbow merchandise at Target, for instance would affect him personally. They could be using their money to go into R&D for better products, or lowering their product prices, he said, echoing an argument made by Ramaswamy. Sam Mathew said he agreed with Ramaswamy's call to include gender issues in his platform. - CNN Sam Mathew was the most ardent Ramaswamy supporter CNN found, decked out in merch bearing the campaigns slogan, Truth. I like the way Vivek delivers the message on how to bring the country together by following the truth, Mathew said. What did he mean by truth? Truth, basically, to me, is exposing the lies, he said. Ramaswamy campaigns on 10 truths, starting with God is real, and There are only two genders. CNN asked Mathew why the gender issue was so important, given the scale of national and global problems. If you dont have a base, where theres a man and a woman and if youre confusing the young generation with a third gender, or a fourth gender, or a fifth gender then the whole concept of humanity is lost, Mathew said. Mathew, an Indian American like Ramaswamy, immigrated to the US in the late 80s and went to college in Michigan. Back then, he saw hardly any other Indians in his neighborhood. Mathew knew racism existed. But since the Obama administration, he said, there was too much focus on race from elites. He felt liberal social values were being pushed through constant bombarding from news media, teachers unions, and universities. I dont know much about what is being taught, but from what I hear, its mostly telling Black kids that White people are bad, in simple terms, Mathew said. In the conferences presidential straw poll, Trump won 86% of votes. When attendees were asked for their second choice, Ramaswamy got 51%. As Trump was about to take the stage at the conference, CNN got a text from Kolvet, the Turning Point spokesperson, asking if If there was interest in an interview with Ramaswamy, a man who has raised his profile with his openness to all media from network TV to niche podcasts. Shortly before the interview began, Ramaswamy got an email from Jordan Peterson asking him to come for another podcast chat. Peterson is a Canadian psychology professor best known for his opposition to what he calls cultural Marxism and his advice to young men that they stand up straight and clean their rooms. In his interview with CNN as he has in many, many other venues Ramaswamy went to his central point and said wokeness was a symptom of a cultural cancer that was filling a hole in the hearts of people who had lost their national identity. I think the way we win is by taking a long, hard look in the mirror and ask ourselves who we really are as individuals it is not just our race, it is not just our sexual identity or our gender, it is not just our political affiliation, Ramaswamy said. Ask ourselves, Who am I as an individual? Im not riding some tectonic plate of group identity. I am me. You are you, he said. I think the right way to deal with what I view as the last final burning embers of racism is to let that quietly burn out rather than trying to put that fire out by accidentally throwing kerosene on it, Ramaswamy said. Images of Trump, left, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, right, covered with messages written on sticky notes at the Turning Point Action conference. - Lynne Sladky/AP Turning Point had set up a wall with three-foot cardboard cutouts of all the candidates faces, and invited conference-goers to write what they thought of each on sticky notes. On Ramaswamys face, most views had been positive the future, unite us plz, Vivek have my children, Trumps VP. But there was a dark side: two messages had white nationalist references. On one, a Star of David crossed out with the word soon. On the other, 1488, which combines code for a slogan about protecting White children with code for Heil Hitler. Ramaswamy said he had not seen the notes or ever heard of the 1488 meme. He knew racism still existed and had experienced it. But people faced a choice, he said, whether to wallow in it. When CNN pointed out the notes to Kolvet, the Turning Point spokesperson, he took them down. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty The truce village straddling the line between North and South Korea where the Korean War armistice was signed 70 years ago is now more like a sieve than a barrier to anyone thinking of leaping to the other side. Bizarrely, its North Koreas caution that has left them so exposed. There are no North Korean guards because of the COVID lockdown on their side, said Victor Cha, who served as Asia director at the National Security Council when George W. Bush was president. Once Army Private Second-Class Travis King made a break for it, Cha told The Daily Beast, the American and South Korean military guides can't run after him.that is, across the line into the North in the truce village of Panmunjom 35 miles north of Seoul. In the face of rising tensions and threats of reprisals by both sides, the ease with which the disgruntled soldier made it into North Korea exposes the sheer weakness of what is supposed to be the worlds most highly defended border between two hostile states. The North Koreans have been almost invisible since COVID, said Steve Tharp, a retired U.S. army officer who often was detailed to the JSA. He said theyre rarely seen where they once stood on their side, sometimes muttering obscene insults to American and South Korean soldiers a few feet away. When they do appear, said Tharp, they are generally wearing hazmat suits to shield them from contamination by the South Koreans, whom North Korea blames for spreading COVID on breezes blowing from south to north. North Korea closed its borders in early 2020 after COVID was first reported in China. U.S. Soldier Was Breaking Down Before Bolting Into North Korea, Uncle Says King simply broke away from the tour group and crossed the line into North Korea, said David Maxwell, a former army special forces colonel who served five tours in South Korea. Unlike the North Koreans, South Korean and U.S. soldiers are not going to chase or shoot at a defector, said Maxwell, now with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington. Anyone with the intent to cross the military demarcation line at the Joint Security Area could do so easily. The only thing that could be done was to put up a wall of guards or simply cancel tours (which I am sure has been done). Story continues Evans Revere, one-time chief of mission of the American embassy in Seoul, recalled theres almost nothing to stop a determined bolter from dashing across the line. Ive been to the JSA dozens of times, he said. Once you are present on Conference Row there are no real impediments to crossing over to the other side, if that is your intention. When Revere was based in Seoul, armed guards from both sides faced one another between aluminum-roofed structures built right on the line. Under the Comprehensive Military Agreement reached between North and South Korea four years ago, the guards are not only unarmed but no longer standing between the buildings. There's no physical barrier, said Revere. There are several places on Conference Row where a determined individual could easily wander off from the tour group. Its all a matter of the would-be defectors willingness to expose himself as a target for North Korean soldiers. Defecting at Panmunjom is risky, said David Straub, who served for years as political officer at the American embassy in Seoul and has visited North Korea on official missions. The defector himself could be shot, and defection risks triggering a shootout among the armed guards there. Still, said Straub, a number of people on both sides have defected via Panmunjom over the decades because it is less risky and requires far less knowledge and planning than crossing elsewhere in the DMZthat is, the 2-1/2 mile-wide demilitarized zone that runs 154 miles across the peninsula where the shooting stopped on July 27, 1953. These days, since they are unarmed, American and South Korean soldiers within the Joint Security Area would not be able to open fire even if they wanted to. Nor are the North Koreans supposed to be carrying weapons, though it is not clear how closely theyre sticking to a deal that was intended to ease North-South tensions. Tharp saw the danger of anyone defecting from South to North Korea as having appeared so slight as not to have been a serious concern until it happened. Because defecting to North Korea is not normal, that is not a high priorityuntil now, he said. All that someone needs is the element of surprise and a small gap, and they can get across the line before being caught. Cha, long-time Korea director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said, Tour groups usually are not allowed to walk up to the military demarcation line but are allowed to loiter on the United Nations side That probably won't be allowed anymore. One person ruins it for everyone. Maxwell defended the record of the Americans and South Koreans in guaranteeing security, at least outside the JSA. The accusation that security is lax is just not warranted, he said. Neither the South Korean nor U.S. soldiers are on the lookout for defectors. They are more concerned with threats to the people from the North Koreans even though they are now generally completely out of sight since COVID. The southern barrier of the DMZ, he said, is heavily patrolled, has cameras, and raked sand to reveal footprints. For the North Koreans, he said, the focus is on infiltrators from the North not defectors from the South. Maxwell recalled seeing a mine detonate on the northern side on Christmas Day in 1987 while he was on a daylight reconnaissance patrol with his scout platoon. To the American and South Korean commands, however, Kings defection says much more about security on the South Korean side despite repeated threats from North Koreas leader Kim Jong Un and little sister Kim Yo Jong of nuclear attack and the launch of intermediate-range ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads to targets in the U.S. Both American and South Korean border soldiers were riding herd on the group from which King suddenly defected, said Tharp. The guards were shadowing the tour, he said, but obviously were not nearly close enough to grab King after he laughed loudly and ran for the line. No North Korean soldiers were visible on their side, but they presumably grabbed King when he reached the two-story building known as Panmungak another 100 meters inside North Korea. Now, said Tharp, the tours will be closed for an indefinite period while the Americans and South Koreans do a review and figure out changesundoubtedly in the form of posting more unarmed guards and vetting all those who want to join DMZ tours. Had they bothered to check out King, they would have discovered that he had been jailed in South Korea for assault and was to have been flown to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he was to face U.S. military charges. After U.S. military police let him go at airport security, he sneaked out of the airport and signed up for the Panmunjom tour. Tharp doubted the North Koreans would release him, just as they never released other American soldiers who defected to the North. Little Sister Takes Charge as Kim Jong Un Morphs Into Vegas-Era Elvis Presley The last of six to cross into the North before King was Private First Class Joseph White, who North Korea said had drowned in a river in August 1985 three years after defecting on a patrol several miles from Panmunjom. King is the first American soldier to have defected across the DMZ. The other six, including White, defected by leaving their patrols or bases, penetrating mine-infested territory, and breaching the barbed-wire barricade of the Demilitarized Zone, All the others have died, most recently Charles Jenkins six years ago in Japan. Drunk on beer, he walked across the line while on patrol in 1965. Tortured and beaten, he was eventually allowed to marry a Japanese woman whom the North Koreans had kidnapped from a beach in Japan and told to teach Japanese. She was returned to Japan in 2002, and he and their two daughters were freed two years later. Something like this could obviously cause an international incident, said Bruce Bechtol, a former intelligence analyst in the marines in Korea and then at the Pentagon. Jenkins essentially walked across the DMZ, said Bechtol, author of numerous books and articles on North Koreas military leadership. The North Koreans ended up using him for propaganda. The latest defection comes as the Americans and South Koreans step up joint military exercises amid escalating North Korean rhetoric. The nuclear submarine USS Kentucky, docking at the port of Busan, is the first nuclear sub to visit South Korea since 1981. The incident also coincides with a meeting in Seoul of the newly formed Nuclear Consultation Group in which Kurt Campbell, the National Security Councils Indo-Pacific coordinator, is leading a large delegation, raising speculation about negotiations. Colonel Maxwell doubted the North Koreans would succeed in using King's defection as a bargaining tool. We will not back down or make concessions to the North, he told The Daily Beast. There will be no such negotiation with a concession such as to make the submarine depart in return for the soldier. He believed, however, the North Koreans and the Americans might get into talks. If the KPA is not picking up the phone at the JSA, he said, the UNC side will be broadcasting with a bullhorn requesting a meeting. Maxwell predicted that Smiths defection might at most briefly serve propaganda purposes as tensions rise on the Korean peninsula. Pfc. White was used for propaganda for a while but later died, said Maxwell. A similar fate probably awaits PC1 King. This wont resolve soon, Victor Cha told The Daily Beast. North Korea will maximize propaganda value. In the past detainees are held for weeks to months sometimes with a show trial, sentence, and then coerced apology. It usually takes someone to go get their release too. The only silver lining is that NK will have to answer the phone from the Biden administration to resolve this, which they have been unwilling to do thus far. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. TRENTON A Millville police officer committed no crime when he fatally shot a resident holding a machete last year, a state grand jury has decided. The grand jury voted not to file charges against Millville Officer Timothy Rehmann, who shot 33-year-old Daniel Ackley in a night-time encounter outside a Burns Road home. An investigation found Ackley was shot as he approached officers and did not comply with commands to drop the machete, according to a statement from the Attorney Generals Office. Pemberton fatal crash investigation: Mount Laurel man killed in April motorcycle chase with South Jersey police Police had arrived at the home after a 911 caller reported a worsening situation there around 9 p.m. on Jan. 4, 2022, the statement said. What happened before Millville police shooting? In an initial call, a family member expressed concern over Ackley's "uncontrollable" behavior but said he was unarmed and had made no threats. The woman called again minutes later, saying Ackley had left the house with a kitchen knife. "And he's been very threatening but no one in the house has been hurt yet." she said. Recordings of the calls were redacted to prevent identifying the persons involved. But the caller identified the person in crisis as her son and gave an address for John and Karen Ackley, the shooting victim's parents. What did body-worn cameras show? Officers' body-worn cameras recorded video footage of their roughly 90-second encounter with Ackley. "Put it down, we can talk about it," an officer said to Ackley, who responded, "What if I don't want to talk about it?" The video footage showed Ackley holding the machete in his upraised right hand as he walked down a snow-covered driveway and into the street. "Please! We don't want to do this," an officer said at one point. "Why don't you?" asked Ackley, his arms outstretched. The confrontation ended with a police gunshot about 15 seconds later. Story continues Ackley received emergency medical care at the scene for a stomach wound, then was flown to an area hospital where he died shortly before 11 p.m. An obituary said Ackley was an Iraq War veteran and a lifetime member and frequent volunteer at Port Norris Baptist Church. "He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hiking," said the obituary, which also noted Ackley's fondness for video games and military history. An investigation into the shooting included witness interviews, the review of video footage, and autopsy results, the statement said. Evidence from the review was presented to the grand jury in Trenton, which voted on Monday, July 17. A state law requires an investigation into any death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in an official capacity. Rehmann remains on administrative leave, pending completion of an Internal Affairs review, said Millville Police Chief Ross Hoffman. 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: Millville police officer who fatally shot Daniel Ackley is cleared The U.S. Senate announced Thursday the inclusion of an initial $350 million for the replacement of the Bourne and Sagamore bridges in an appropriation bill, a measure U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren said is a milestone in the process of replacing the 88-year-old bridges. This is a little like hitting a grand slam in the second inning, Warren said in a Friday interview with the Times. It's great news, but there's still a lot of work to be done before the game is over. Funding for the bridges comes from the FY24 Energy and Water Development appropriations bill, a Senate measure that provides $57.9 billion in discretionary spending and is $1.9 billion below Biden's March budget request. A fishing boat glides through the canal in April as not so lucky motorists over the Bourne Bridge crawl along at a snail's pace due to an overload of vehicles using it to avoid the construction at the time on the Sagamore Bridge. This $350 million is direct funding and it gives us leverage to bring in more federal funding, Warren said. Most federal grant programs require matching dollars. That $350 million will be designated as state money and can be used to match other federal dollars. In March, President Joe Biden pledged $350 million in his FY24 federal budget, committing an additional $600 million for the following year. Warren said the Senate's bill is Bidens budget, in that the funding appropriated for the bridges is the same figure requested by Biden in March which will ultimately include the $600 million commitment over the next few years. This tells you what a high priority this is for the White House and how hard weve worked to make sure that the White House was making its views known to everybody in the Senate, Warren said. The project is estimated to cost around $4 billion, and construction on the aging bridges could begin as early as 2026. Last week in the House, U.S. Rep. Bill Keating authored language that doubled Secretary of Defense discretionary funding for the replacement of the canal bridges from $100 million to $200 million. Theres just not going to be a $4 billion appropriation for a project that takes 10 years, Keating said in a Friday interview with the Times. This is done in phases, and thats the way its going to be built. Story continues Keating said the defense authorization funding targets federally owned transportation projects that allow access to military installations. Earlier this year, the project hit a wall when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers learned it would not receive grants of more than $1 billion worth of funding under the 2022 Infrastructure for Rebuilding America, Mega grant program, and Large Bridge Program under the Bridge Investment Program. Were involved in efforts making those (forthcoming Army Corps of Engineers) grants more competitive, Keating said in the Friday interview, referring to the $4 billion price tag. This is a step forward in a multi-faceted approach to securing funds. Gov. Maura Healeys office said in May her administration pledged approximately $236 million for the Cape Cod Canal bridges in the FY 2024-2028 Capital Investment Plan. The figure would bring the states total projected allocation up to $700 million for the project. This is very exciting and welcome news on a project that has been a top priority for our administration, Healey said in an emailed statement Thursday. I am grateful to President Biden, Senator Warren, and Senator Markey for their leadership in including this critical funding to move the Cape Cod Canal Bridges Project forward, invest in new infrastructure, and boost our regional economy. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans. This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod Canal bridge replacement: U.S. Senate budget designates $350M When money was tight for a Maryland great-grandmother in 2008, she prayed. Then, five numbers came to her in not one but two dreams, Maryland lottery officials said in a July 20 news release. The woman played the numbers 7, 11, 33, 35 and 39 and won $50,000, lottery officials said. But the Silver Spring woman didnt stop there. She kept on playing those same numbers, winning $50,000 in 2019 and numerous smaller prizes along the way, lottery officials said. The woman again used her lucky numbers on Sunday, July 16, when she bought her Bonus Match 5 ticket at Williams Beer & Wine in Burtonsville, according to officials. After getting home, the woman called the lottery to learn the winning numbers, lottery officials said. As the operator read back the Bonus Match 5 numbers, she recognized them. But, I didnt scream, she said. I kept my calm. The woman, who decided to keep the good news to herself, plans to use her winnings toward dental work and a vacation, according to lottery officials. My faith is strong, the 77-year-old janitorial services business owner told lottery officials. Burtonsville is about 25 miles southwest of Baltimore. Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families. If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website. Powerball winner checks prize email and then has to take a few deep breaths Husband and wife win big Michigan lottery prize and have a lot of sleepless nights New lottery scratch-off game caught Missouri womans eye. Prize left her in shock Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) State prosecutors junked a motion to reconsider the earlier dismissal of murder charges against 17 police officers tagged in the 2021 killing of Ariel and Ana Mariz Lemita-Evangelista. The two were among nine activists killed during police operations known as the "Bloody Sunday" raids in Batangas two years ago. The Department of Justice (DOJ) dismissed in March the murder case filed by the couple's families against the policemen. Ana Mariz's mother, Rosenda Lemita, appealed the decision in May. READ: DOJ junks murder raps vs. 17 cops over deaths of two 'Bloody Sunday' victims "A close scrutiny of the Motion for Reconsideration shows nothing that would warrant the reversal of the findings of the panel. The complaint did not sufficiently prove conspiracy, but merely relied on a baseless assumption that the Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted its operations specifically to kill spouses Evangelista," read the resolution dated May 29 but made public July 21. READ: 9 dead as police crackdown vs activists in Southern Tagalog The resolution also stated that the police operations were conducted on the basis of search warrants alleging the existence of firearms and explosives in the couples' cottage located in Sitio Hulo, Barangay Calayo in Nasugbu, Batangas. "This supports the legitimacy of the police operation to implement the search warrants and not simply a conspiracy to kill spouses Evangelista," it read. "As there was no conspiracy, complainant failed to establish the person who actually killed the spouses, but only made a sweeping accusation against all police officers who participated in the operation," it added. Prosecutors noted that the complainants did not submit any firearms identification reports to confirm the ownership of the guns which fired the bullets that were recovered from the couple's bodies. They said the complainants only proved that the bullets came from one caliber 5.56-millimeter firearm. In Athens, Hellenic Red Cross workers have been distributing water bottles to keep people hydrated Greece is bracing for more intense heat this weekend, with meteorologists warning that temperatures could climb as high as 45C (113F). People have been advised to stay home, and tourist sites - including Athens' ancient Acropolis - will be shut during the hottest parts of the next two days. It could turn into Greece's hottest July weekend in 50 years, one of the country's top meteorologists says. Meanwhile, firefighters are continuing to battle dozens of wildfires. Emergencies and civil protection officials are warning of a very high risk of new blazes across the country. Western Attica - just west of Athens - is among the worst-hit areas, along with Laconia in the southern Peloponnese and the island of Rhodes. Greece's EU partners have provided help, including firefighting planes from France and Italy and more than 200 firefighters from Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria. Neighbouring Turkey is also sending some aircraft to help. Greece - like a number of other European countries - saw a prolonged spell of extreme heat earlier this month. The latest heatwave comes at one of the busiest times for the country's tourism industry. In its latest bulletin, the Hellenic National Meteorological Service (HNMS) warns that central and eastern regions of Greece are likely to see temperatures reaching 44C on Saturday. And it forecasts an even hotter Sunday, with 45C possible in central Greece. "This weekend risks being the hottest registered in July in the past 50 years," said Panagiotis Giannopoulos, a meteorologist with state broadcaster ERT, quoted by AFP news agency. "Athens is going to have temperatures above 40C for six to seven days, through to the end of July," he added. After a slight drop on Monday a new heat surge is expected on Tuesday. Officials fear this could be the worst heatwave since the summer of 1987, when hundreds of deaths were linked to the extreme weather. Story continues Across Greece, a number of people have already lost their homes to wildfires. In one region, several villages have been consumed by the blazes. One man told the BBC he did not even have a bed to sleep on anymore, and was now living in a hotel. Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires. The world has already warmed by about 1.1C since the industrial era began and temperatures will keep rising unless governments around the world make steep cuts to carbon emissions. Spain and Italy are among the Mediterranean countries which have also experienced intense heat this week, while parts of the US are also seeing records broken. BRENTWOOD A Massachusetts man who crashed into Greg's Bistro in Hampton and injured four people with his truck apologized to his victims Thursday after pleading guilty to felony aggravated DWI. Im well aware that, no matter what I say, it isnt going to change the things that happened, Stephen Davis told the court. Its something that people shouldnt have had to go through. Davis, 25, was sentenced Thursday at Rockingham Superior Court to 18 months in state prison as part of a negotiated deal with prosecutors. Hampton police and fire were called to Greg's Bistro at 9:12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 after a pickup truck crashed into the occupied building. He received 18 months for the aggravated driving while intoxicated charge and a 1-year suspended sentence for a felony reckless conduct charge with a deadly weapon. He also received a six-month suspended sentence for the misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief. Hampton police arrested Davis on Nov. 19, 2022, after he drove drunk and crashed his pickup truck into the glass doors of the bar and pizzeria at 445 Lafayette Road in Hampton at 9:12 p.m. Two patrons, a bartender and Davis passenger were injured that night. Back with our family: Gregs Bistro reopens in downtown Hampton after car crash Couple injured in crash grateful to be alive Two of the victims in the crash, a married man and woman who were dining at Greg's that night, shared victim impact statements during Davis sentencing hearing, detailing the frightening chaos that followed the crash. The woman recalled hearing a loud explosion, before she was on the floor, covered in glass and blood. Someone leaned over telling me not to move, she told Davis and the court. She recalled asking the person where her husband was but got no response. She learned later they gave no response because they didnt think he survived. Her husband told the court that he remembers only waking up in the Portsmouth Regional Hospital emergency room. Little did we know our lives were going to be turned upside down for approximately eight months, he said. He spent four days in the hospital, and 10 days at Northeast Rehabilitation at Pease International Tradeport in Portsmouth before being discharged. He had suffered a gash on the back of the head, five cracked ribs, a punctured lung, a fractured thoracic vertebra, two deep wounds on each shin, and numerous other cuts. He said his legs did not heal until early June. Story continues I continue to build up my strength, he said, estimating he was back to about 90%. The two victims nodded as Davis addressed them during his apology. We appreciate that Mr. Davis has accepted responsibility and is willing to be held accountable for this incident, the husband told the court in his impact statement. The couple requested their names not be used for publication. More crime: Ex-Massachusetts cop charged with sexual assault in Hampton Davis ordered to pay Greg's Bistro $41,916 in restitution In addition to the prison sentence, Davis was ordered to pay $4,614.87 in restitution to the victims. He was also ordered to pay $41,916.42 in restitution to Gregs Bistro, which closed for seven months as it rebuilt its storefront and interior. Judge Andrew Schulman said it's possible that amount could be covered by insurance, depending on if a claim is filed. Stephen Davis Schulman said before Davis was escorted out of the courtroom to prison that DWI cases can be difficult. They vary in the severity of their punishments, he said, yet always begin with the same decision to get behind the wheel. He said despite this, there is something about the consequences that matter. Not every time you go out and commit a DWI, theres going to be tragic consequences, Schulman said. But its a risk, and its a risk that is taken for really no good reason. Gregs Bistro reopened in June. The restaurant owned by Hakim Said has a tight following of patrons who refer to themselves as the Gregulars. After the crash, the Gregulars said they were devastated that their friends were so badly injured but grateful no one had died. That sentiment was shared by the victims who spoke in court Thursday. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Greg's Bistro crash in Hampton: Man pleads guilty to DWI, apologizes On July 14, country music artist Jason Aldean released the music video for his latest single, "Try That In A Small Town." In a statement on the same day, Aldean said he wants fans to remember that feeling of belonging. "When u grow up in a small town, it's that unspoken rule of 'we all have each other's backs and we look out for each other," said Aldean. "It feels like somewhere along the way, that sense of community and respect has gotten lost. Deep down, we are all ready to get back to that. I hope my new music video helps y'all know that u are not alone in feeling that way. Go check it out!" The music video and the song itself does create a sense of community, if you subscribe to Aldean's ultraconservative views. "Cuss out a cop, spit in his face / Stomp on the flag and light it up / Yeah, ya think you're 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 won't take long / For you to find out, I recommend you don't / Try that in a small town, Aldean sings. Jason Aldean performs during CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium on June 9, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Jason Aldean's 'Try That In A Small Town' creates division, not unity The lyrics in this song suggest that protests and activism only create senseless violence. It also widens an unnecessary divide between medium-to-large cities and small towns. But the song does have its fans in Tennessee's GOP. Tennessee House Majority Leader and decorum expert William Lamberth took to Twitter to support Aldean's song: "Loved this song since it was released and will continue to fight every day to spread small town values throughout our state in both urban and rural areas. Give it a listen. The woke mob will hate you for liking this song." "Try That In A Small Town" Loved this song since it was released and will continue to fight every day to spread small town values throughout our state in both urban and rural areas. Give it a listen. The woke mob will hate you for liking this song. https://t.co/fsZ97IUWb3 William Lamberth (@WilliamLamberth) July 19, 2023 And state House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison also shared what the song meant to him in a tweet: "The same people who want to defund the police, let criminals go free, use antifa to destroy public buildings, steal, create mass chaos......, are offended that I will defend myself and my neighbors against criminal acts." Story continues Luke Combs' 'Fast Car' cover hits big: Could a Black, queer woman top country music charts? She didn't but her song did. In a tweet, Aldean seemed surprised of the rising backlash against the song, calling the claims that the music video was pro-lynching and shared anti-Black Lives Matter views "not only meritless but dangerous." The pro-lynching claims come from the site chosen for the video, outside a Columbia, Tennessee, courthouse where a Black man was lynched in 1927. 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 On Wednesday, Country Music Television decided to pull the music video from its rotation. In all of his public statements, Aldean refers to a community that takes care of their own, but the song and video suggest that there is a stipulation that says as long as you don't support BLM or view things differently than the community. Also, how hard would it have been to research the history of the courthouse? Did Aldean know that in the same city three Black churches were recently the victims of racial intimidation? Small town residents are not a monolith I am born and raised from Tullahoma (population 20,665), a small town in the state. I take pride in the memories I have in fishing at ponds in Decherd (population 2,368) and going out to late night bonfires in a warm summer night. Yet in Aldean's music video there is nothing captured about the essence of a small town. It's a narrative that says every person from towns like Tullahoma and Decherd despises protesting. Jimmy Carter thinks Black lives matter. Would his decency be considered 'woke' today? Let's take small Tennessee town of Pulaski (population 8,231) for example, the cradle of the Ku Klux Klan. This community has been wrestling with its white supremacist past for years, and residents had their fair share of marches and demonstrations. But they came together in the end because they saw each other as neighbors and members of the same community. Derrick Coffey, the model for the statue, and Vivian Sims, who helped bring the statue to the park, view the U.S. Colored Troops statue at Cave Springs Park after it was unveiled in Pulaski, Tenn., Saturday, June 17, 2023. For a second if you could, take away the left or right, liberal or conservative and ponder this question: Is the only way to push our values to fearmonger about the other side? The right to protest has and always will be the expression of the unheard. And so when a person who holds power attacks that expression, it furthers that silence. Generalizing that all small towns belie the same aggressively conservative views as you is naive and further adds to our country's divide. Tennessean Opinion and Engagement Reporter Lebron HillMonday, March 20, 2023 in Nashville, Tenn. This type of lopsided propaganda is what stops country music from being a genre for everyone, no matter what you believe. But ultimately it's up to us, the music listeners, to tell artists that we are better than propaganda and we deserve more. LeBron Hill is an opinion columnist for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee, where this column was first published. In 2022, he wrote a series on racial reckoning in the country music industry. Contact him at LHill@gannett.com or find him on Twitter at @hill_bron or Instagram at @antioniohill12 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 Nashville Tennessean: Jason Aldean's 'Try That In A Small Town' only further divides us Steven Crowder Far-right media personality Steven Crowder, who has falsely accused teachers of grooming children, has been accused of sexual misconduct in the workplace, and some of his employees say he is an actual groomer. Speaking under anonymity due to fear of retaliation, five former staff members on Steven Crowders show Louder with Crowder accused the host of creating a hostile work environment that included bullying, erratic behavior including rampant drug use, and, most alarmingly, according to multiple people, sexual harassment, Mediaite reports. According to text messages reviewed by the outlet, Crowder sent photos of his genitals to co-workers. He would also allegedly expose his genitals to employees in person so frequently that most of them either laughed uncomfortably or showed outright disgust as a way to give him the attention he sought to as a way to get him to stop. The more disgusted everyone seemed, the more pleasure he seemed to get from it. Its like he couldnt understand that we werent in on his joke, one person told Mediaite. Another person who said they received unsolicited and unwanted images of Crowders genitals from the host warned that looking back at the behavior, they believe he was acting in a way he had accused others of. In the moment, we dismissed it as sort of frat boy humor. In hindsight, its super creepy and felt groomer-ish, the former employee explained. It wasnt the first time Crowder was accused of sexual misconduct in the workplace. In May, after home surveillance video of Crowder berating his wife abusively in 2021 surfaced, staffers told the New York Post that he would expose himself in the workplace. Some LGBTQ+ supporters say those who make the wildest accusations and raise their voices the loudest tend to be projecting. In psychology, the term is most commonly used to describe defensive projection, in which a person assigns unacceptable urges to another person, animal, or object. Story continues Last year, during Teacher Appreciation Week, on Twitter, Crowder called for punishing certain teachers. The best way to appreciate the good teachers out there is to point out and punish the others who are out trying to corrupt and groom our children. #TeacherAppreciationWeek not Groomer Appreciation Week, he wrote. (@) Right-wing extremists and mainstream Republicans have falsely used the groomer smear to describe members of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly drag queens, teachers, and transgender individuals. They claim that community members are grooming kids for exploitation. Some subscribe to the conspiracy theory that the government, mainly liberals, is trying to make children gay and transgender. The right-wing extremist group, Moms for Liberty, promotes this false conspiracy theory. Crowder, a former staffer said, only exposed himself to other men. In regards to exposing himself in general, to my knowledge, he only exposed himself to male staffers, the person said. It happened all the time. It was a regular occurrence. It usually happened when he was in a really good, sort of manic mood. So while we all were disgusted by it, and it was never welcomed, it was preferable to him being in a bad mood and how he treated people in that state. A group upset with decisions made by Bishop Michael Olson has sent a petition to Rome calling for his removal or resignation. Steve Knobbe, president of the Laity in Unity Foundation said in an interview Friday morning that the petition and letter were sent to the Vatican and to the the Vaticans ambassador to the U.S. via certified mail. The petition has over 800 signatures. The petition began after Olson removed the mother superior of a Carmelite monastery after she admitted that she broke her chastity vow with a priest. What he has done to the nun is identical to how he has harmed other parishes and priests, Knobbe said. The petition accuses Olson, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth, of overstepping his authority and not properly exercising the duties of his office. The petition stated accused Olson of operating against canon law on numerous occasions, using abusive language and conducting vindictive actions against priests, nuns and the lay faithful. It cites several decisions Olson has made: the closing of San Mateo Catholic Church in Fort Worth, the removal and resignations of priests and the resignation of the executive director of Catholic Charities. The Catholic faithful are hereby requesting an apostolic visitation and full investigation into Bishop Olsons actions and behaviors and plead that he be held fully accountable for what we believe to be the misuse of his ordained office, the petition reads. The Fort Worth Catholic Diocese wrote in an emailed statement that Olson makes decisions for the safe environment and common good of the more than 1 million Catholics in the diocese. He has responded with the collaboration of priests, religious, and laity, to addressing past abuses by those entrusted with ministry and to proactively preventing future abuse, the statement reads. The vast majority of his decisions are affirmed by the majority of Catholics and draw little, if any, disagreement. Each of these decisions have been upheld by the Holy See. Some people do not agree with these decisions. Story continues Knobbe, who said he is a lifelong Catholic, moved to Texas 15 years ago. He described how he used his skills as a professional engineer to help the diocese with the process of building St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church to serve the rapidly growing areas of Frisco, Prosper and Little Elm in eastern Denton County. Knobbe said he got to know Olson when he helped build the new church in Prosper. He was always an authoritative guy. He was always specific about what he wanted, Knobbe said. The diocese also said in an email that it did not have information on whether appeals were filed concerning the Rev. Mother Teresa Agnes Gerlach and her dismissal from the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity. Olson dismissed her after the Vatican gave him the authority to conduct an investigation after he received reports that she broke her chastity vows with a priest from outside of the diocese. Gerlach and Sister Francis Therese sued Olson and the diocese for $1 million, alleging defamation and theft of private property after the bishop took a cell phone and computer as part of the investigation. But the case was dismissed on June 30 after judge Don Cosby ruled that the secular court did not have jurisdiction in ecclesiastical matters. Matthew Bobo, an attorney representing the nuns in their civil suit, said he would appeal the ruling, but he did not return an email seeking comment on the status of the appeal. Meanwhile, Knobbe said he and others in the Laity in Unity Foundation are committed to staying in the Catholic church. We are going to cleanse the church itself in the right canonical process. We are not going to give up. (Bloomberg) -- Guatemalas constitutional crisis took a new turn on Friday as the electoral authority accused the government of undermining democracy and the vote for president. Most Read from Bloomberg In an injunction filed with the nations constitutional court, the authority said that seven officials, including the finance minister and the attorney general, have prevented it from carrying out its duties. There is a future and imminent threat that the authorities mentioned violate the democratic rule of law, the authority said. Guatemala held a presidential election on June 25 with a runoff scheduled for August 20 between top two finishers Sandra Torres and Bernardo Arevalo. But the race was thrown in to chaos last week after prosecutors raided the electoral authority for documents regarding Arevalo, alleging his political party forged signatures and committed money laundering. Arevalo, who campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, says the raids are part of a plot by crooked officials to keep him out of power. The government said in a statement the executive branch has provided all the guarantees necessary for a fair vote, complied with electoral laws and dispatched police and soldiers to protect voting centers. The government offered the presidencys security detail to both candidates. Arrest Warrant On Thursday, prosecutors said they have a warrant to arrest Eleonora Noemi Castillo, deputy chief of the citizens registry, which is part of the electoral authority, in their case against Semilla, Prensa Libre reported. On Friday, prosecutors and police raided Smillas headquarters in Guatemala City, congresswoman-elect Andrea Maria Reyes said on Twitter. Story continues Read more: Guatemala Presidential Race in Chaos After Electoral Office Raid The attorney generals office also confirmed an arrest warrant for Semilla party activist Cinthya Rojas for her alleged role in forging signatures during the partys founding. Rojas has denied wrongdoing and Arevalo said she is not responsible for the crimes prosecutors allege. During a press conference on Thursday, Arevalo said the legal actions against his party constitute judicial harassment and that we wont let the dark arts, tricks and abuses of a few corrupt actors deter the campaign. The constitutional court ruled that the runoff should proceed as planned on August 20, while also allowing prosecutors to continue their investigation into Arevalos Semilla party. On Friday, the high court reiterated its position and said in a statement the government should respect the electoral process. (Adds response from government in sixth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The county announced it had successfully moved nearly 300 youths into newly reopened Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall earlier this week. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Just days after L.A. County moved 274 youths out of two troubled juvenile facilities and into the newly reopened Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, a gun was found inside the facility, well beyond security checkpoints meant to keep weapons out. In a statement issued late Friday, the probation department, which operates Los Padrinos, confirmed the gun was located about 10 a.m. "in an area accessible only to staff." "No youth had access to it, and nobody was injured," the statement read. "Security canine teams continue to search the facility. The facility remains on lockdown as we cooperate with local law enforcement in its ongoing investigation of the incident. It is a crime to bring a firearm into a juvenile facility. " A county spokesperson declined to answer questions about how the weapon was brought in or by whom. Two probation department sources with knowledge of the situation, who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly, pushed back on the department's official statement that youth could not access the gun. The weapon was discovered in a staff office where youth make phone calls and receive counseling, according to one of the sources, who said that door is not always locked. The unit where the gun was found houses developmentally disabled youth, one source said. A picture reviewed by The Times showed the handgun that was found inside a case with two magazines that appear to be loaded. As with adult correctional facilities, probation officers are not supposed to carry firearms inside the juvenile halls. Those who normally carry weapons are supposed to secure them before entering areas where juveniles are housed. The facility was placed on lockdown for at least five hours on Friday, according to Garrett Miller, president of the union representing L.A. County public defenders, who said several attorneys were among those trapped inside. Miller was unaware of the incident involving the gun until he spoke with a Times reporter. Story continues An L.A. County office of education employee also e-mailed a Times reporter to say teachers were stuck inside the building because of a lockdown Friday afternoon, but said no one had informed them a gun was found. Some of the probation department's special enforcement officers, who normally work in the field with adults on probation, were called in to search the premises, according to two sources. "It's not just assaults to fear now who wants to work when you could get shot?" asked one officer who spoke to The Times anonymously, referring to a recent surge in violence inside the juvenile halls. Read more: Inside months of chaos at L.A. County's juvenile halls: lockdowns, staff shortages Board Chair Janice Hahn, whose district includes Los Padrinos, called the discovery of the gun "absolutely unacceptable." "Every single person entering our juvenile facilities is supposed to be searched by security, including all staff and visitors," she said in a statement. "If this current security company is unable to do that, we should find a new one." Hahn, along with most other county officials, had branded the move to the Downey facility as a fresh start after years of dysfunction at the county's long-troubled juvenile halls. A state oversight board had ordered most youths out of Central Juvenile Hall in downtown L.A. and Barry J. Nidorf Hall in Sylmar in May after a staffing crisis and the death of an 18-year-old from a drug overdose. Weve gone from Mission Impossible to mission accomplished, the countys interim probation chief, Guillermo Viera Rosa, said in a statement Wednesday. The relocation of nearly 300 pre-disposition youth safely and in record time demonstrates what public servants across many L.A. County departments can do when everyone pulls together in the face of daunting odds. But the move came amid criticism from some youth advocates that the problems that had plagued the two halls including drug use and staff call-outs would just follow the department to Downey. After the fatal overdose of 18-year-old Bryan Diaz in May, Viera Rosa said he was throwing "all the possible resources" at eradicating contraband that continued to flood the facilities. In June, less than two months after Diazs death, four more youths were hospitalized in the span of a few days after ingesting what authorities suspect were drugs. To keep drugs and other prohibited items out of the juvenile halls, probation staff say they've ramped up canine searches, required all bags brought into the facilities be made of a clear material, and limited outside meal orders. Oversight officials had previously found contraband brought into the facilities by visitors pretending to deliver food. Earlier this month, the Office of Inspector General released a report on contraband entering Nidorf and Central. Between May 6 and June 14, the probation department found at Nidorf 54 youth manufactured weapons, a bullet, and three shell casings, among other prohibited items. At Central, the department found 13 weapons. The Board of Supervisors plans to ask Viera Rosa, along with other relevant department heads, to report to them Aug. 8 on what steps are underway to prevent the smuggling of contraband and drugs. 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. Eric Pursley reacts Friday after hearing a Summit County jury had found him guilty or murder in the shooting death of his landlord. Pursley claimed he shot Daniel Stein in self-defense. When Eric Pursley shot and killed his landlord after an argument in October 2022, it was murder not self-defense, Summit County jurors found Friday. After deliberating for 10 hours, jurors found Pursley not guilty of murder that means purposely causing a persons death but guilty of murder that involves causing a death as the result of felonious assault. Pursley sat with his hands clasped and his head on his hands and shook his head sadly after deputies placed handcuffs on his wrists. Family members of Daniel Stein, Pursleys landlord, wept and hugged each other outside of the courthouse. Eric Pursley, left, and his defense attorney Pat Summers look on as they jury is sent to deliberate in Pursley's murder case. The jury found Pursley guilty of murder in the shooting death of his landlord. Pursley, 23, of Akron, plans to appeal. He faces life in prison when he is sentenced by Summit County Common Pleas Judge Joy Malek Oldfield. A sentencing date hasnt yet been set. Pursleys two-day trial Oldfields courtroom wrapped up Thursday morning with closing arguments from the attorneys. Jurors then began deliberating. Eric Pursley says he didnt want to kill his landlord Pursley was arrested following the shooting death of Daniel Stein, 58, of California, at about 1 p.m. Oct. 5 at Pursleys apartment in the 600 block of Sumner Street. Prosecutors say Stein went to Pursleys apartment to talk to him about being behind on his rent. Pursley said during his testimony that Stein was being aggressive toward him and he asked his girlfriend to get his gun that was locked in a gun safe. Pursley said he loaded the gun in front of Stein, figuring that this would get him to back off. Instead, he said, Stein charged at him, reaching for his throat. He said thats when he fired one shot at Stein, which proved to be fatal. Previous coverage: Akron man claims self-defense in shooting death of his landlord Assistant Prosecutor Brian Stano asked Pursley if Stein ever touched him. Pursley said he did not. When Stein lunged toward him, Pursley said he had nowhere to go in the small entryway of the apartment. I had to defend myself, said Pursley, who has a concealed-carry permit. Story continues Stano asked Pursley if Stein threatened him with a weapon. No, but I didnt know if he had one or not, said Pursley, who remained calm as he was being questioned. What man charges you when you load a weapon in front of him a man who doesnt care or who has a weapon? Do I have to wait for the man to put hands on me before I use my weapon? Stano asked Pursley if he was upset that Stein planned to evict him. A three-day eviction notice was found by Steins body after the shooting. Pursley, though, said he and his girlfriend were planning to move anyway and would just have left sooner if Stein had given them the notice. He said they were upset about conditions in the apartment, including mice and break-ins, and they were refusing to pay rent until these issues were addressed. Is it your testimony that you had no other choice other than to kill Stein? Stano asked. I didnt want to kill him, Pursley said. Unfortunately, it did cause his death. Pursley said he aimed at Steins shoulder, but, he said Stein dropped his head down and the bullet struck his head. Pat Summers, Pursleys attorney, asked Pursley if he shot Stein because he was demanding that he pay two months of rent. I shot him because he tried to attack me, Pursley responded. Attorneys argue merits of Eric Pursleys self-defense claim Assistant Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich said in his closing argument that Stein made no threats and had no weapon. Kolkovich said the first threat was when Pursley loaded his gun. Theres no danger of death or bodily harm, he said. Assistant Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich demonstrates to jurors how the state believes Eric Pursley shot and killed landlord Daniel Stein during closing arguments Thursday n Akron. Kolkovich said Pursleys explanation of Stein lunging at him doesnt align with where Stein was shot or the position of his body slumped against the door. What the defendant told you does not make sense because he killed him, he said. Summers, though, told jurors that prosecutors must prove under Ohios new Stand Your Ground law that a person did not act in self-defense. He said if Pursley believed he or his girlfriend and daughter, who were in the apartment, were in danger, then he acted in self-defense. He didnt want this to happen, Summers said. He felt he had no choice. Thats the most basic position of self-defense. Defense attorney Pat Summers gives his closing argument to jurors on Thursday. He said his client Eric Pursley shot his landlord Daniel Stein in self-defense in October 2022. Stano, however, said there is no evidence to corroborate Pursleys account. He said good people sometimes do terrible things. Mr. Pursley took the life of Daniel Stein as the evidence shows for no good reason, Stano said. I ask you to hold Mr. Pursley accountable not for who he is but for what he did. Jurors find Eric Pursley guilty of murder and felonious assault Jurors deliberated for several hours both Thursday and Friday, announcing they had a verdict about 12:30 p.m. Friday. They found Pursley guilty of whats typically called felony murder and a gun specification that carries with it additional prison time, as well as two counts of felonious assault. They acquitted Pursley of purposeful-death murder and an accompanying gun specification. The two types of murder have the same penalty. 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 is convicted of murder in landlord's shooting The two best hair-loss treatments for male-pattern baldness that don't require surgery or implants are minoxidil and finasteride, doctors say. Getty Images; Alyssa Powell/Insider Male-pattern baldness is a complicated condition that no one totally understands. No single treatment works for everyone, but there are a few tried-and-true solutions. Minoxidil and finasteride work best. Experts say to be wary of expensive pills and flashy devices. This article is part of "Live Well," a series exploring complex men's health and wellness topics. Some men lose hair; some don't but the exact who, when, where, and why of men's hair loss is still a bit of a mystery to scientists. Yes, part of what makes guys' formerly luscious locks thin and fall out is inherited, but our genes don't tell the whole story. Other factors, such as hormonal changes from aging, are at play when some of the 500,000 hair follicles on your head begin to shut down and stop producing the complex, essential signaling molecules that make hair grow. Insider spoke with three leading, independent hair-loss experts from across the US about the best ways to maintain and regrow thinning hair. All of them mentioned two tried-and-true medications that definitely help some patients and referenced a third (but pricier) technique that might be of use if you are losing some hair. Finally, they mentioned some more fringe treatments that may help some men but aren't as well researched. Here are the best treatments on the market for men's hair loss. Minoxidil Guinter Kahn turned the blood-pressure drug minoxidil into the topical treatment we know as Rogaine. University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumni Association Rogaine is a tried-and-true medication for hair growth that comes in both a liquid and a foam. You can also take the medication orally, and the low-dose pill version may be a better and cheaper way to treat hair loss. The drug in Rogaine is called minoxidil, and it's a decades-old, cheap, and generic treatment for high blood pressure. In the late 1980s, Guinter Kahn, a dermatologist, figured out how to turn the drug into a topical cream that could be rubbed on the head twice a day to help cure male-pattern baldness. Researchers estimate that about 30% to 40% of patients will achieve "significant" hair growth with Rogaine. The treatment enlarges thin hairs and makes a hair's growth phase last longer. Story continues In recent years, doctors have been prescribing the more old-school minoxidil pills at far lower doses than what's recommended to blood-pressure patients to propel hair growth. They're getting better results than with the sticky head rubs, dermatologists say. Minoxidil "works for just about everybody that takes it," Dr. Arash Mostaghimi, a dermatologist and hair researcher at Harvard and Brigham and Women's Hospital, told Insider. "They will get some degree of hair growth." Side effects and downsides of taking oral minoxidil can include: Chest pain and other heart issues, as well as thicker, darker hair growth everywhere on your body. You must also keep using the drug to continue seeing results. Finasteride Getty Images The drug finasteride is the other tried-and-true treatment many doctors recommend. But it comes with the potential for undesirable side effects some folks don't want to risk. Finasteride, better known by its brand name Propecia, is a prostate medication that can also work to control and prevent male-pattern baldness by blocking the effects of certain hormones on a man's hair follicles. It usually takes about six months to see results, and you have to keep using the drug to maintain results. But blocking those hormones can also decrease a man's sex drive, increase his breast size, and contribute to erectile dysfunction. Doctors told Insider their younger patients experiencing hair loss overwhelmingly preferred oral minoxidil. That's because while it can cause heart issues, there are no sexual side effects associated with that drug. There is also a stronger, finasteride-like prostate drug called dutasteride, which may work even better and which some doctors prescribe off label. "Dutasteride has very limited data for hair," Mostaghimi said. "But intellectually, it makes sense that it would probably work better." Theoretically, this means the possibility for sexual side effects with dutasteride may also be greater than with Propecia. "There are probably reasons for why it's not FDA-approved" for hair loss, Maksim Plikus, a hair scientist from the University of California, Irvine, told Insider. "It could be that it's a little bit too potent." Platelet-rich-plasma therapy Platelet-rich plasma can be used for hair loss. It's also injected to help with conditions such as arthritis. Joe Amon/The Denver Post via Getty Images It's not as well researched or established as minoxidil or finasteride, but there's a cutting-edge strategy you can try to improve hair loss called platelet-rich plasma therapy. The technique requires patients to get their blood drawn, then spun in a centrifuge to extract platelets a special kind of cell in our blood that's critical for clotting and wound healing. Then, those special cells are reinjected into a person's scalp to promote hair growth. "It kind of falls into this gray area of medical treatment," Plikus said. "The idea is that upon injection, those platelets release signaling molecules, some of which could be inducing hair to grow." The Food and Drug Administration doesn't regulate the treatments, and there's no commonly agreed-upon statistics about how well they work. But "there's a lot of people who swear by it, both on the physician and on the patient end," Mostaghimi said, adding: "There are some pictures out there that are floating around of people who've had pretty substantial responses." The downsides are: Just like Rogaine and Propecia, you have to keep doing the therapy to continue seeing results in your hair. That can get pretty pricey over time since each treatment costs several hundred dollars, and it's not typically covered by insurance. Also, the procedure can be a little painful. Red-light therapy, microneedling, and hair vitamins are less studied but might work Cathy Scola/Getty Images There are many kinds of red-light combs and caps you can buy on the internet that promise to regrow your hair, with prices ranging from a few dollars to thousands. They might work, but nobody really has any idea about which wavelength is best, and there's no way to know which brands are legit, if any. "The companies that make these things really should fund very rigorous studies to show how efficacious their products are," Luis Garza, a dermatology professor from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, told Insider. "But, of course, they're nervous because they can still make money without showing." There's also scant evidence that some brands of hair vitamins, such as Viviscal or Nutrafol, can work for some folks. "In the same category as the hair laser comb is the hair vitamins," Garza said. "There's just small amounts of evidence that maybe they work in some people." Some do-it-yourself hair growers also try combining different hair-regrowing methods, including microneedling their scalp a process that uses thin needles to stimulate the skin and applying Rogaine. But experts agreed you should try the cheap, well-researched medications such as minoxidil and finasteride before embarking on any internet searches for new devices or supplements. In the end, all these strategies are temporary fixes for hormonal hair loss, anyway. "I know you're trying to stay away from surgical stuff," Garza said. "But I do tell patients, look: I'm not a hair surgeon, but I do think it's maybe the best because you just do it, and you're done." Read the original article on Insider J. Robert Oppenheimer is the man at the center of one of the summer's most anticipated films Christopher Nolan's newest release, "Oppenheimer." The film centers around Oppenheimer's life as a physicist and his role in developing the the world's first nuclear weapon at a secret laboratory in the desert of New Mexico, where he became known as the father of the atomic bomb. After the war ends, the film then pivots to the ramifications of closed-door investigation that occurred in the 1950s due to questions over his communist ties on Oppenheimer's life. Here's what happened to Oppenheimer after the war, how the results of the security investigation impacted his life and the 2022 twist in Oppenheimer's story the movie leaves out. Robert Oppenheimer (Getty Images) Who was J. Robert Oppenheimer? Oppenheimer was born Julius Robert Oppenheimer on April 4, 1904 in New York City, according to the Atomic Archive. He studied at Harvard University and University of Gottingen, where he completed his PhD in 1927. In 1929, he received offers to teach at the California Institute of Technology and the University of California at Berkeley, according to the Institute for Advanced Study. He accepted both and divided his time between Pasadena and Berkeley teaching physics students. In 1936, he met Jean Tatlock, then a student at Stanford University Medical School, according to the Atomic Heritage Museum. The pair had an intense relationship for several years, and Tatlock, played by Florence Pugh, introduced him to several members of the Bay Area Communist Party, of which she was a paying member. Oppenheimer said he proposed to Tatlock twice, according to the Atomic Heritage Museum, but eventually married Katherine (Kitty) Peuning Harrison, a biologist and twice divorcee, in 1940. Kitty, portrayed by Emily Blunt in the film, had their first child in 1941. Oppenheimer during World War II When World War II began, Oppenheimer got involved in efforts to develop an atomic bomb in Lawrences Radiation Laboratory at Berkeley, according to Atomic Archive. Story continues In 1942, General Leslie Groves, portrayed by Matt Damon in the film, appointed Oppenheimer as director of the Manhattan Project, code name for the governmental project to develop an atomic bomb. Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer (AP) Oppenheimer oversaw the construction of a secret laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where he recruited several scientists to move to the lab so they could work on the bomb until it was completed, according to Atomic Archive. The scientists, including Oppenheimer's younger brother Frank, worked at the lab for several years even Oppenheimer's second child was born at Los Alamos in 1944. The joint work at Los Alamos resulted in the first nuclear explosion, a test of the atomic bomb which Oppenheimer called Trinity, on July 16, 1945 in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The U.S. dropped the first nuclear weapon used on a military target three weeks later in Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945. Leslie R. Groves,J. Robert Oppenheimer (AP) What did Oppenheimer do after the war? After the war, Oppenheimer was appointed to chairman of the General Advisory Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), which replaced the Manhattan Project, according to the Institute for Advanced Study. He also served as the director of the Institute for Advanced Study, located in Princeton, New Jersey, from 1947 to 1966. The AEC oversaw all atomic research and development in the U.S., and as chairman from 1947 to 1952, Oppenheimer opposed the development of the hydrogen bomb, a bomb a thousand times more powerful than the atomic bomb. Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer (AP) During the Cold War, Oppenheimer's stance was controversial, and in 1954, he was subjected to a closed-door security investigation accusing him of having communist sympathies, according to the Institute for Advanced Study. His security clearance was revoked as a result of the investigation and he lost his position at the AEC, effectively bringing his career to an end. Physicist Hans Bethe, who worked with Oppenheimer at Los Alamos, said the result of the investigation forever changed Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer took the outcome of the security hearing very quietly but he was a changed person; much of his previous spirit and liveliness had left him, Bethe said, according to the Institute for Advanced Study. How did Oppenheimer die? Oppenheimer, a chain smoker, was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1965, according to "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer" by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, a book that inspired Nolan's "Oppenheimer." He underwent chemotherapy in 1966, but fell into a coma on February 15, 1967, and died at his home in Princeton, New Jersey three days later on February 18, 1967, according to "American Prometheus." He was 62. In 2022, 55 years after Oppenheimer's death, the Department of Energy nullified the 1954 decision to revoke Oppenheimer's security clearance. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said in a statement the department's decision came after it was "entrusted with the responsibility to correct the historical record and honor Dr. Oppenheimers profound contributions to our national defense and the scientific enterprise at large." "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 said. CLARIFICATION (July 21, 2023, 5:55 p.m.): An earlier version of this article referred to one of Oppenheimer's roles as "director of Princetons Institute for Advanced Study." The Institute for Advanced Study is located in Princeton, New Jersey, but is not part of Princeton University. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is keeping his earlier stance to end dealings with the International Criminal Court (ICC) after the tribunal rejected the government's plea to block the resumption of the investigation into the Duterte administration's controversial drug war. READ: ICC to continue probe into Duterte's drug war; court chamber junks PH appeal "Kagaya ng sinasabi namin mula sa simula (Just like what we've been saying since the beginning), we will not cooperate with them in any way or form," Marcos said in an ambush interview in Zamboanga Sibugay on Friday. "So, we continue to defend the sovereignty of the Philippines and continue to question the jurisdiction of the ICC in their investigations here in the Philippines," he added. Marcos stressed that the alleged crimes must be investigated by Philippine authorities, not in The Hague. No more appeals are pending before the ICC, the president noted. "We have no appeals pending. We have no more actions being taken. So, I suppose that puts an end to our dealings with the ICC," he said. RELATED: PH gov't ends engagement with ICC following rejected plea vs. drug war probe The ICC Appeals Chamber rejected in March the country's latest appeal asking the tribunal to overturn its decision to resume the drug war probe. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla mirrored Marcos' aversion to the ICC. "May katapusan ang lahat, lalong-lalo na yung ganitong relasyon na hindi naman nakakabuti sa atin. Kung hindi nila igagalang yung ating sovereignty, kung di nila igagalang ang ating kalayaan, ang ating pagiging isang bansa, marahil mas mabuti na lang na huwag na tayong sumapi sa isang samahan na nais pakialam ang pagpatatakbo ng sarili nating gobyerno," he told media on Friday. [Translation: Everything comes to an end, especially relationships that don't improve the country. If they do not respect our sovereignty, our freedom, our status as a country, it's better to stay away from a union that wants to interfere in how we run our government.] However, Remulla added that if the ICC were to attempt opening communication with the Philippines, it would first have to clarify its agenda. "Kung mag-uusap lang, nakikipagusap naman tayo sa lahat ng bansa wala namang masama. Ang EU [European Union], kinakausap natin lahat ng miyembro nila. Ang ICJ [International Court of Justice], kinakausap natin. Ang Permanent Court of Arbitration [PCA], kinakausap natin," he said. [Translation: If they want to talk, we talk to all other countries, there's nothing wrong with it. We speak to member countries of the EU, the ICJ, the Permanent Court of Arbitration.] Criticisms, demands For Kristina Conti, ICC Assistant to Counsel and National Union of Peoples' Lawyers-National Capital Region Secretary General, Marcos disengagement from the tribunal signifies two things: "that the Marcos government is afraid of the ICC uncovering systematic, programmatic killings," and that "it is merely posturing for political convenience in the international arena." The lawyer explained that a complete disengagement with the ICC was disadvantageous to the Philippines legally, economically, and socially. "Ignoring the processes of an international tribunal joined in by 123 states shows that we are not willing to comply with international obligations. We take special note that all of the EU member states are signatories to the Rome Statute, and strong supporters and members of the ICC," she noted. The statute outlines the ICCs structure and jurisdiction. "Among other factors, Marcos' decision doesn't inspire investor confidence and international support in the Philippines in the long run things that his father had to contend before his ouster 50 years ago," Conti added. Conti, speaking for the NUPL and as assisting counsel for drug war victims' advocacy group RiseUp, demanded that Marcos investigate "Oplan Tokhang" and the role of former President Rodrigo Duterte. "Otherwise, victims of the 'war on drugs' can only say that the Philippine governments intention in non-cooperation is to shield perpetrators of crimes against humanity and other atrocities, she said. She added that if Duterte, former police chief-turned-Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, and other top officials were not investigated over the killings and rights abuse, this meant that "the Marcos administration wants to cover up and gloss over yet again gross human rights violations." Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Florida on Friday to address the states new education guidelines that limit how Black history is taught in public schools. Harris accused extremists in Florida of trying to instill fear in teachers through book bans, restrictions on teaching about gender or sexuality and lying about slavery. They dare to push propaganda to our children, Harris said in Jacksonville. Adults know what slavery really involved. It involved rape. It involved torture. It involved taking a baby from their mother. It involved some of the worst examples of depriving people of humanity in our world, she continued. So in the context of that, how is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities, that there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization? Floridas new guidelines, which passed on Wednesday, require lessons on race to be taught in an objective manner that does not seek to indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view. One update requires teachers to instruct on how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. Another requires educators to instruct about acts of violence perpetuated against and by African Americans, including the Tulsa race massacre and the 1920 Ocoee massacre. When I think about what is happening, then, here in Florida, I am deeply concerned, Harris said. Because, lets be clear, I do believe this is not only about the state of Florida. Theres a national agenda. Around the country, Republican-led legislatures have cracked down on how race and racism are taught in schools. States like Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina and Ohio along with Florida have pushed bills that would stop or change how teachers instruct on race. This has included curriculum reviews, removing books from libraries and providing parents with more say in what their children are taught. Story continues Harris said politicians are trying to divide the country with these types of policies, and Americans shouldnt be distracted. They are creating these unnecessary debates, she said. This is unnecessary to debate whether enslaved people benefited from slavery. Are you kidding me? Are we supposed to debate that? Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is running for president, made it part of his gubernatorial campaign to fight against wokeness. Hes continued this tactic in his presidential campaigning. Florida schools have been banned from teaching lessons on systemic racism the idea that some people are privileged while others are oppressed because of their race or skin color. Earlier this year, DeSantis also banned an Advanced Placement African American studies course from running in public schools as well, saying the course lacks educational value. DeSantis said on Friday that Florida would fight to expose President Biden and Harriss lies. Democrats like Kamala Harris have to lie about Floridas educational standards to cover for their agenda of indoctrinating students and pushing sexual topics onto children, DeSantis said in a statement. Florida stands in their way and we will continue to expose their agenda and their lies. The Harris-Biden administration is obsessed with Floridayet they ignore the chaos at the border, crime-infested cities, economic malaise, and the military recruitment crisis, he continued. Maybe if Bidens granddaughter moved to Florida hed actually visit her. Black leaders across the nation this week also condemned DeSantis and the Florida Board of Education for the new guidelines. The Congressional Black Caucus promised to continue advocating for the passage of the Black History is American History Act. Harris urged listeners on Friday to not let politicians divide the nation. We will be stronger if we remember, the vice president said. We fought a war to end the sin of slavery. People diedbecause of their belief that slavery was a sin against man, that it was inhumane, that it was not reflective of who we believe ourselves to be as a country. We know our collective history, Harris added. It is our shared history, and we will not allow them to suggest anything other than what we know. The vast majority of us have so much more in common that what separates us, so let us fight for what is right. Updated on July 23 at 8:40 a.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Florida State Board of Education issued new standards that included teaching middle school students that enslaved Black people benefited from slavery. Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a fiery speech in Florida after the states education board issued controversial new standards for teaching students about slavery and racism in America. Harris joined civil rights leaders, educators, community members and elected officials in Jacksonville, Florida, where she forcefully condemned Republican leaders over a statewide African-American history curriculum that would teach middle schoolers that enslaved Black people benefited from slavery because they learned new skills and that Black Americans committed violence during race massacres. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the Broadband Event on June 26, 2023, at the White House in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) They want to replace history with lies, decried Harris inside the Ritz Theatre and Museum in the historically Black neighborhood of LaVilla. Adults know what slavery really involved, she added. It involved rape. It involved torture. It involved taking a baby from their mother [and] some of the worst examples of depriving people of humanity in our world. Earlier this week, the Florida State Board of Education issued its new standards in a 216-page document. Its planned curriculum would teach students that enslaved people benefited during their captivity with skills and specialized trades. Prior to her speech on Friday, Harris reacted in real-time to the Florida education board while delivering remarks at Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.s national convention on Thursday. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, said Vice President Harris followed by roaring applause. We will not stand for it, she continued, We who share a collective experience in knowing we must honor history and our duty in the context of legacy. Harris described the Florida State Board of Educations latest standards as an effort to push forward revisionist history. The vice president called Republican lawmakers across the country extremists for also passing laws seeking to ban books about our true history. Story continues During her Friday remarks, Vice President Harris decried, How is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities, there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization? Harris also sought to connect the latest controversy in Florida to several political issues, from voter suppression and anti-LGBTQ+ laws to book bans and abortion restrictions. A lot of them revert to the same source, she argued. U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., who traveled with Vice President Harris on Air Force Two to Florida for Fridays event, told theGrio that her speech was spot on. WASHINGTON MARCH 23: Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, D-Fla., listens during the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on The State of American Diplomacy in 2023: Growing Conflicts, Budget Challenges, and Great Power Competition in the Capitol Visitor Center on Thursday, March 23, 2023. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) The freshman congresswoman echoed Harris, calling Republicans extremists who are waging a culture war and pushing an agenda that actually hurts our American culture. She said teaching young students falsehoods and propaganda will put them at a great disadvantage on the world stage. Our kids are gonna be in this world dealing with international people who know their history better than theirs, noted Cherfilus-McCormick. The congresswoman rejected the state education boards suggestion that enslaved Black people in America benefited from the system of slavery. The enslaved, she said, were Africans who were actually people living and thriving in their countries and were kidnapped and trafficked to the United States. She added, So it wasnt the U.S. that gave them skills. Florida State Sen. Shevrin Jones told theGrio that its disgusting that the [Education] department is doing this. Jones said Floridas broader anti-woke agenda led by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is based on the false pretense that children are being indoctrinated by a progressive, liberal agenda in schools. As someone who used to be a teacher for nearly a decade, I can tell you that no teacher is going out of their way to indoctrinate students, the Florida lawmaker told theGrio. Jones said Republicans are continuing to push their narrative of extremism to rally up their base. Presidential candidate and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks to a crowd on June 2, 2023, in Gilbert, South Carolina. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) Jones said he is happy to see Vice President Harris make such a swift decision to address the concerns about education in Florida, which he noted continues to be in the national spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The vice president coming shows President Biden and Vice President Harris commitment to what the president said that he was going to do when he got elected and that was to restore the soul of this nation, said Jones, who is also a national advisory board member for the Biden-Harris 2024 election campaign. The state lawmaker said Harris trip to Florida does not just show the importance of the recent controversy of the day but also the growing culture wars brewing in the state and across the country. We are under attack from the Republican political agenda that is looking to not just suppress African-American history, but theyre also trying to railroad against LGBTQ+ people, said Jones. He continued: Theyre continuing their inhumane practices against our immigrant brothers and sisters. Students and others attend a Walkout 2 Learn rally to protest Florida education policies outside Orlando City Hall on April 21, 2023, in Orlando, Florida. Demonstrations were held in four Florida cities and included classroom walkouts by students as a response to Republican-led legislation that organizers say censor education, including instruction regarding gender, sexuality and race. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Jones said Republicans should be more concerned about the real issues plaguing Floridians, like the affordable housing crisis. In what appeared to be an attempt to clean up perceived misconceptions of Floridas education standards for teaching about slavery and race, two Black members of the state board who established the new rules released a statement. Any attempt to reduce slaves to just victims of oppression fails to recognize their strength, courage, and resiliency during a difficult time in American history, said Dr. William Allen and Dr. Frances Presley Rice in a joint statement. The two Republicans added, Florida students deserve to learn how slaves took advantage of whatever circumstances they were in to benefit themselves in the community of African descendants. Sen. Jones dismissed the statement as Allen and Rice trying to explain away their part in perpetuating anti-Blackness. If you have to explain youre wrong, he declared. The only way to fight anti-Blackness, racism or anything of that nature, you have to call it out and you have to call it what it is. Gerren Keith Gaynor Gerren Keith Gaynor is a White House Correspondent and the Managing Editor of Politics at theGrio. He is based in Washington, D.C. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Harris delivers fiery speech in Florida after school curriculum on slavery draws outrage appeared first on TheGrio. Avi Loeb, a Harvard physicist, believes that he found fragments of alien technology on the ocean floor off the coast of Papua New Guinea. Loeb, who calls himself the alien hunter of Harvard, went to the region searching for bits of a rare meteor, one that formed outside our solar system and reportedly crashed in the area in 2014. Last week he revealed his findings, which included 50 small metallic spheres he found in the sand on the ocean floor. Loeb contends the pieces were fragments of an alien craft the first hard evidence proving that there was life beyond Earth and bolstered his claim by citing a U.S. Space Command notice that said the trajectory of whatever crashed into the ocean was interstellar in origin. U.S. Space Command, however, never said anything about an alien craft crashing into the water, and there is no evidence to tie the metallic spheres Loeb has shown images of to the meteor. Theres also no material evidence that the spheres are otherworldly, and Loebs claims have been met with skepticism in the scientific community. Loebs claims are one of several that have received attention from the media and even in Congress in recent months amid a run of UFO news stories. The stories have accelerated Congresss own interest in the issue, and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee will hold a hearing next week on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). The hearing, led by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), will investigate the increase in sightings of UAPs and their impact on national security. The committee will hear testimony from Air Force veteran David Grusch, a former member of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and whistleblower who has made claims about the government withholding information related to UFOs, as well as former Navy Cmdr. David Fravor, who shot the leaked tic tac video showing an unidentified flying object off the coast of San Diego before it suddenly disappeared into the water. Story continues Grusch told NewsNation that the U.S. government has recovered nonhuman craft for decades, as well as nonhuman species inside. Well, naturally, when you recover something thats either landed or crashed, sometimes you encounter dead pilots and believe it or not, as fantastical as that sounds, its true, he said in the NewsNation interview. Were definitely not alone, he added. The data points, quite empirically, that were not alone. NewsNation and The Hill are both owned by Nexstar. NewsNation confirmed Gruschs credentials but did not view or verify evidence that the whistleblower said he provided to Congress or the Department of Defense inspector general. Phil Metzger, a planetary scientist at the University of Central Florida, said that many of the elements that make up the sphere found by Loeb can be found on Earth. A preliminary analysis conducted by Loebs team revealed that the spheres are made of 84 percent iron, 8 percent silicon, 4 percent magnesium and 2 percent titanium, plus trace elements all of which are elements found on Earth. Metzger and other scientists also said Loebs claim fails to take into consideration that these spheres could be bits of terrestrial meteorites or even pollution gathering on the ocean floor. It could take years for scientists to fully analyze the spheres to ascertain their origin. If the spheres are from space, they would be a big discovery. But Metzger cautioned that researchers like Loeb, who make sensational claims without evidence to back them up, can do more harm than good for the larger scientific community. Loeb has made other claims in the past that have raised eyebrows. In 2017, a comet-like object passed through the solar system, puzzling astronomers. Loeb garnered attention with claims in a book he authored that the object was an alien spacecraft due to its odd shape. Loeb has published more than 700 academic papers, making significant contributions to science in the fields of black holes and gravitational microlensing, which is a technique for studying objects in the universe that are shrouded in darkness. But the claims about UFOs have done some damage to his credibility with other scientists. They say that falsehood flies, and the truth comes limping after it, planetary scientist Jason Wright wrote on Twitter about Loebs claims over the spheres. Perhaps seeing how the last claim went will help people contextualize this new one. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A Mooresville resident is competing in the Mrs. International pageant this weekend and will be sharing a mission close to her heart. Channel 9s Elsa Gillis spoke with her and with those shes touched through her work. I got diagnosed with cancer a couple years ago and I felt very alone, Jennie Raff told Gillis. The breast cancer diagnosis for Raff was devastating and isolating. ALSO READ: Daughters diagnosis leads to mothers breast cancer discovery Even when you have a lot of support, I had a lot of family, a ton of friends surrounded me and were there for me, but knowing this one stranger who had gone through it herself -- took the time and the care to put together something like that, and it was all self-care items -- it did go really far for me, Raff said. The Greenville, South Carolina resident connected with Mooresville, North Carolina resident Phaedra Pistone, who sent her a Healing with Hope box in the mail. Theyre full of self-care items and tokens of encouragement. The boxes are meant to support those fighting breast cancer, which is something Pistone has battled not once, but twice. I just remember sitting at that table thinking like, do I scream, do I shout or run out? Like what am I -- like whats going on? And also was like, am I going to die? Pistone said. ALSO READ: Agency steps up to help woman with cancer experiencing homelessness She received a similar gift during her own battle. Now, shes now sent out 100 boxes to people in over 30 states. Both women are now cancer free. Pistone is also Mrs. South Carolina International, and has made the boxes and her message of early detection a huge part of her platform. Ive really just taken that challenge and turned it into something amazing, she said. Pageantry has given me such a beautiful platform to share that message. Early detection is key, literally saved my life twice, doing yourself checks. Learn more about the Healing with Hope boxes by clicking here. (WATCH BELOW: No matter what: NC mother of 5 battles rare form of cancer) Heartstopper Some of the cast members of Heartstopper are opening up about their own experiences with love, as we wait for the next season of the beloved show. Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, and Rhea Norwood recently did a cover shoot for Cosmopolitan UK, in which the young actors spoke of falling in love. Particularly of note was Finneys response, as she admitted, I dont think Im ever going to fall in love. Im too sure of myself to lessen myself for any other person that isnt with me, she explained. Its what Eartha Kitt said, I want to fall in love with myself and I want someone to share me, with me. But its difficult. Men let me down all the time. Edgell copped to having the opposite experience, saying, I really do love love and claiming to be a proper romantic. I get infatuated with people, she admitted. And I love my friends. Friendship was where the other two actresses seemed interested in focusing their own love for now. Norwood called the love shes experienced with her friends the most beautiful, transformative thing in my entire life, while Brown took a sort of birds eye view of things. I feel like theres love in the everyday relationships you have with people as well, she said. The small interactions of kindness. Im very blessed and grateful to have a lot of love in my life. Were mere days away from seeing how their respective characters engage with (or run from) love in season two of Heartstopper, which premieres on Netflix August 3. A 13-year-old girl was near a Texas bus stop when a man approached her and demanded she get into his vehicle at gunpoint, authorities said. She was sexually assaulted as the man took her from San Antonio to Long Beach, California, according to a July 20 news release from the Long Beach Police Department. Three days after the teen was kidnapped, on July 9, she was seen in a vehicle parked in a Long Beach parking lot, authorities said. She was holding a piece of paper with the words help me on it. Good Samaritans immediately called 911, according to the release. Officers responded to the area at about 10:20 a.m. that Sunday and detained 61-year-old Steven Robert Sabalan, of Cleburne, Texas, authorities said. Cleburne is about 50 miles southwest of downtown Dallas. Detectives and the Sexual Assault Response Team responded immediately and started investigating the incident, according to the release. Through their investigation, detectives gathered sufficient information that the victim had been sexually assaulted while the suspect transported her across state lines from San Antonio to Long Beach. Detectives also recovered a replica firearm, which resembled a semi-automatic pistol, inside the suspect vehicle. Sabalan was booked into Long Beach City Jail on charges of kidnapping, lewd and lascivious acts with a child, and fugitive from justice. The Department of Children and Family Services took custody of the teenager, authorities said. An investigation, led by the FBI, is ongoing. 18-year-old held captive by couple escapes restraints and runs for help, Texas cops say Officer kidnapped man arrested at Walgreens and left him bloody and wounded, cops say Ex-boyfriend kidnaps woman from work, kills her after police chase, Georgia cops say US soldier Travis King (4th from left) attends a tour to the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone. Photo courtesy of Sarah Leslie (Handout) When a member of a tour group visiting the Demilitarized Zone on South Korea's border suddenly sprinted away from the pack, a US soldier shouted: "Get him". But it was too late. Private Second Class Travis King had crossed the border into nuclear-armed North Korea, where he is now believed to be in Pyongyang's custody, with the United States saying it was "very concerned" about how he would be treated. New Zealand lawyer Sarah Leslie was on the same private tour as King on July 18, and saw him break away from her group of about 40 to bolt across the divide. "By the time I saw him he was running really fast and then, you know, not very long after that one of the American soldiers said 'Get him!' and then the rest of the Americans and the South Koreans all ran after him," she told AFP. "But they didn't catch (him), and he was really close to the border by then, and he ran between two of those buildings that sit on the border," at which point the Americans and South Koreans had to abandon their pursuit, she said. "I am not sure I've ever seen someone run that fast. He was running very fast," she said, adding that King had not seemed odd or given any inkling of his plan beforehand, that she had noticed. King was due to return to the United States to face disciplinary consequences after a drunken bar brawl, an altercation with police and a stint in South Korean jail. But instead, he left the airport, joined a tour of the border and fled across it. - No North Koreans in sight - 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. Leslie said she "didn't see any North Koreans the whole time (she) was there". When AFP toured the JSA this year, no North Korean guards were visible. Even so, under armistice protocols, South Korean or US personnel could not cross the border to retrieve King. Story continues Leslie said the group had all been standing at the heart of Panmunjom, the truce village where then-president Donald Trump met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in 2019 during a brief bout of diplomacy. King had been a part of the tour group all day, but "was by himself, and didn't seem to be talking to anyone else", she said. "The rest of us were just taking photos and talking. We were kind of waiting for the soldiers to tell us what to do next," Leslie said. "I was just kind of looking at the North Korean side and someone ran from behind me, passed into my line of sight running really really fast," she said. "I didn't notice it was him until he had already gone past me," she said. - 'I thought he was crazy' - Pyongyang has not commented on King's case, nor responded to efforts by the United States -- which has no official diplomatic ties with Kim's regime -- to reach out, US officials said. North and South Korea remain technically at war since their 1950 to 1953 conflict ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, and the countries' shared border is heavily fortified, including with minefields. But at Panmunjom, the border is marked only by a low concrete divider. "When I saw he kept going I thought he was crazy. I had no idea at the time he was a soldier. I could not think of any reason why anyone would do that," she said. "On the bus out of the joint security area, that was when people were really looking at each other in shock," she said. After King, who is reportedly 23 years old, disappeared into North Korean territory, the American soldiers told the other tourists to "run back into the building on the South Korean side", Leslie said. "Everybody looked quite surprised... I guess nobody there, nobody expected that to happen. And we had been there quite a while when it happened," she said. She said the soldiers escorting them were clearly surprised by the incident but "were very professional". "They recovered their composure very quickly and they got us on the bus," she said, and went around explaining to people exactly what had happened, and trying to calm people down. They all gave statements to the US military, and then headed back to Seoul. kjk/ceb/dva/lb Authorities are warning the public after an elderly man fell victim to an elaborate phone scam, costing him thousands of dollars. Hingham Police say they received a call from an 84-year-old resident on Thursday about a scam operation. The victim reportedly told officers he began receiving calls in June that he won a million dollars from the lottery but needed to pay taxes before he could get his winnings. Over several phone calls, the scammer asked the victim to send several checks, which he said would be sent to the IRS, according to police. After those checks were sent and cashed, the scammer told the victim his winnings had increased to $2.5 million and he needed more money to pay off the taxes. In total, the victim sent $24,000 through 9-10 checks that were sent overnight delivery to New York, according to officials. The investigation is ongoing, but police are asking residents to talk with elderly friends and family about these popular scams. For more information on fake lottery-winning scams, click here. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW For writer and performer Charles Sanchez, having HIV has had a profound effect on his work. As a contributing editor for TheBody, as well as having written for WritingRaw.com and HuffPosts Queer Voices, Charles finds a way to incorporate HIV into his work, even when he isnt asked to. A lot of why Charles utilizes HIV in everything that he does can be summed up in the synopsis for his award-winning musical comedy web series, Merce: Merce is a hilarious, award-winning musical comedy series about a middle-aged, HIV-positive man living in New York City. He is unashamedly and flamboyantly gay, a Pollyanna who sees some events in his life through an MGM lens. Merce is bawdy, outrageous and fun, proving that...Life can be positive when you're positive! Charles knows the impact having an HIV-positive character who isnt sad, sick, or dying has for representation in his community, battling stigma and misconceptions that plague people thriving with HIV. Some of the topics Charles covers in his work include dating while living with HIV, slut-shaming, taking PrEP, and the significance of U=U. But even covering these aspects of life with HIV, Charles admits that stigma still exists and affects everyone living with HIV. You have to develop a soft heart and a thick skin when dealing with stigma, Charles starts. Im still surprised by the negative reactions I get when I share my status with people. Theres a fine balance you have to walk where youre meeting people halfway to help them understand HIV without getting your heart trampled on, Charles shares. But Charles continues to fight against stigma, understanding that boundaries have to be pushed to get the message across. When it comes to the role of sex and living with HIV, Charles doesnt shy away from the importance of pleasure for people who have HIV. In my work, its taken a lifetime to feel no shame with my sexuality, and then having HIV and body image issues on top of that. But its important for people to feel able to enjoy the pleasures of sex regardless of their status, and for people to truly explore themselves and get to know themselves. Thats one way that has helped me, Charles says. Story continues Sex is impacted greatly by stigma, so Charles understands just how vital breaking that stigma is when it comes to helping people live their best lives. And Charles also realizes that theres a lot more our society can do to support people living with HIV that could combat stigma. There are laws that are being pushed across the country that are based out of fear, not science or facts, but fear. If people are able to listen to the science of the issues instead of what theyre afraid of, that would help not only people living with HIV but the entire LGBTQ+ community, Charles states. And Charles also knows that having a variety of treatment options is also another thing that helps the HIV community live their lives free of stigma and without limits. Ive been on a variety of treatment regimens and now I only take one pill a day, but I love the idea of long-term medication treatments like injectables, and Im looking forward to getting my 6-month injectable at my next check-up, so its not a drag if I miss a dose, Charles shares. Its having those options that help Charles live without limits to continue his work fighting HIV stigma and making sure everyone living with HIV is living their lives without fear or shame. When looking ahead, Charles has a lot of goals for when it comes to his work. Im looking forward to the small moments in life. Its important to focus on those moments and to really engage with learning more about who I am and leaning into that authenticity of being me, Charles says. Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) made the case Friday for why it may be time to launch a third-party bid in the 2024 presidential race, as the contest continues trending toward a rematch between President Biden and former President Trump. An overwhelming majority of Americans are looking for something else, Hogan said on CNN This Morning. And so, when given the choice between Donald Trump, Joe Biden or neither, most Americans pick neither. If were faced with those two choices, look, its very understandable why so many people in America would like to have another choice, he added. Hogan currently serves as national co-chairman of No Labels, a political group that has been pushing for a third-party ticket. While the former Maryland governor ruled out running under the Republican Party banner earlier this year, he also said at the time that he wasnt ruling out a third-party bid. The Hill Elections 2024 coverage The moderate Republican stirred speculation about a potential White House run earlier this week, after a Hogan-supporting PAC released a video touting the governors tenure and suggesting, Theres no place in America where these very same principles cannot succeed. Hogan also told ABC News on Tuesday that a third-party bid would be difficult but worth trying. Were in really unprecedented, uncharted waters where weve never been as country, and we dont know what its going to be like next spring, Hogan said Friday when asked about the recent 2024 speculation. And so, I left the door cracked open. I think we may be at the point we dont know at this point but it may be time for folks to have the courage to put the country first, rather than just continue the status quo politics as usual that were all fed up with, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) The Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) on Friday said the Commission on Audit (COA) has no order to blacklist or terminate the contract of the Department of Education's (DepEd) supplier of overpriced and outdated laptops. The Audit Observation Memorandum released by COA on 27 April 2022 on the DepEd laptop did not recommend the termination and blacklisting of the supplier, the PS-DBM said in a statement. The PS-DMB said COAs recommendation to conduct contract termination and blacklisting proceedings was for a different laptop procurement involving a different supplier, and not the DepEd contract. What the state auditors recommended was for the education department to form an investigating committee to look into the overpriced and outdated laptops that were bought in 2021, costing 2.4 billion, it added. READ: DepEd seeks fraud audit on 'pricey, outdated' laptops On top of this, the PS-DBM said it sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for an independent probe. PS-DBM is fully cooperating with the NBI by complying with specific subpoenas requesting for documents, and by allowing PS-DBM staff to be interviewed on the matter, it added. READ: Ex-PS-DBM chief Lao seeks immigration clearance amid Senate probe into pricey laptops The PS-DBM said the NBI investigation is ongoing. It also said that its legal department is thoroughly reviewing the matter to comply with the COA memorandum. HONG KONG (AP) A Hong Kong court will hand down a closely-watched decision over whether to ban the broadcast and distribution of Glory to Hong Kong, a protest song after the government asked it to do so in the name of national security. The song was written during the 2019 anti-government protests and its lyrics call for democracy and liberty. But it has been mistakenly played at several international sporting events instead of Chinas national anthem, March of the Volunteers. The decision is expected next Friday. Critics worry a ban will further shrink the citys freedom of expression, which has become increasingly threadbare under Beijings crackdown on the citys pro-democracy movement and pose challenges to the operations of tech giants. Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese rule in 1997 and was promised it could keep its Western-style civil liberties intact for 50 years after the handover. But the openness and freedoms that were once hallmarks of the city have been eroding following the enactment of a Beijing-imposed national security law and other political changes. Last month, the government sought an injunction to target anyone who uses the song to advocate for the separation of Hong Kong from China. It also wanted to prohibit actions that use the song to incite others to commit secession and to insult the national anthem, including such acts carried out online. During a hearing Friday, Judge Anthony Chan heard arguments surrounding the potential ban, including the utility of the order, before reserving his judgement until next week. Benjamin Yu, a lawyer who represented the government, highlighted the national security risks the song could trigger and suggested an order in favor of the government would make a material difference. He pointed to the effectiveness of the injunction orders handed down to prevent protesters to disrupt the operations of the airport and railway network at the height of the 2019 movement. Story continues But lawyer Abraham Chan, who provided arguments to assist the court but not representing anyone in the case, said the national security law already existed, questioning why a civil order would work more effectively. Imposing the ban could be potentially counter-productive, he added. The Hong Kong Journalists Association on Tuesday said the government agreed not to cover any lawful journalistic activities in relation to the song under its proposed ban after accepting the association's suggestion. The Hong Kong government has tried to push Google to display Chinas national anthem as the top result in searches for the citys anthem instead of the song but to no avail. Google told the government to present a court order proving the song violated local laws before it could be removed, according to Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong. The government therefore decided to deal with the matter by legal means, he said in an interview with a local broadcaster. Google did not immediately reply to a request for comment. Republican lawmakers are raising concern about a new partnership between Ford Motor Company and a Chinese company that makes car batteries, investigating possible links to forced labor in the Xinjiang region of China. The GOP chairmen of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and the House Ways and Means Committee sent a letter to Ford on Thursday demanding documents related to their partnership with Contemporary Amperex Technology, Co. Limited (CATL). Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and Jason Smith (R-Mo.), the chairmen of the respective committees, said public financial disclosures and media reporting in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) suggest that CATL has taken steps to shield its connection to companies based in the Xinjiang region of China, where the U.S. has determined China is committing genocide against the minority, Uyghur-Muslim population. In 2021, President Biden signed into law the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which bans companies importing products from the Xinjiang region unless they can prove that products are not linked to forced labor. We write jointly today to seek information about the partnership agreement, Fords knowledge of CATLs apparent attempt to shield its connection to Xinjiang-based companies, and Fords commitment to advance U.S. battery production, the chairmen wrote. The information requested includes: A copy of the licensing agreement between Ford and CATL including all appendices in both English and Chinese All documents and communications between Ford and CATL referring or relating to the licensing agreement in the original language, i.e. not in a translation All documents and communications between Ford and the Biden Administration referring or relating to the Ford/CATL licensing agreement and/or achievable tax credits The lawmakers also raise concern that the proposed agreement includes employing Chinese citizens at factories in the U.S., saying a significant portion of these well-paying jobs would not go to Americans. Story continues The lawmakers wrote that Smith had sent a letter to Ford in April inquiring about the deal with CATL, and that the response did not provide the level of detail sought by the committee. The New York Times reported that T.R. Reid, a spokesman for Ford, acknowledged receipt of the letter, was reading through it and would respond in good faith. Reid also told the newspaper that human rights were fundamental to how Ford did business and that the automaker was thorough in assessing such issues. There has been an awful lot said and implied about this project that is incorrect, Reid told The Times. At the end of the day, we think creating 2,500 good-paying jobs with a new multibillion investment in the U.S. for great technology that well bring to bear in great electric vehicles is good all the way around. A media contact was not readily accessible on the Ford Motor website. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A streak of blue glowing light is shown against a dark background of space. Around the streak are spots representing the boulders, each one circled to highlight the positions. Thanks to some stunning Hubble Space Telescope observations, scientists continue to be surprised by NASA's DART mission this time in the form of a swarm of boulders that appears to have been knocked loose from the targeted asteroid upon impact. In September of last year, NASA launched a mission that, on its surface, might appear to contradict everything we know about space exploration. The agency launched a spacecraft directly into an asteroid. It did not survive. But this metal adventurer, named DART, which stands for Double Asteroid Redirection Test, had a very important purpose: It was NASA's first step in developing an ambitious planetary defense system. In a nutshell, the goal of DART was to see whether the craft's crash-landing on a relatively small asteroid named Dimorphos would alter its orbit around a larger asteroid, Didymos. Not only was the mission a resounding success, but it also appears to be the gift that keeps on giving. We've since learned quite a bit about space rock impacts and how, exactly, a futuristic Earth defense mechanism might work one day. And on Thursday (July 20), NASA announced that DART has provided us with some intriguing information yet again from beyond the grave. By tapping into the Hubble Space Telescope's powerful optics, astronomers found that the probe's impact on Dimorphos which occurred while it flew at about 14,000 mph (22,530 km/h) produced a "swarm of boulders." And it's possible, the agency says, that these shards came from the asteroid target itself. Related: DART's epic asteroid crash: What NASA has learned 5 months later "This tells us for the first time what happens when you hit an asteroid and see material coming out up to the largest sizes," David Jewitt, a planetary scientist at the University of California at Los Angeles focused on DART impact studies, said in a statement . "The boulders are some of the faintest things ever imaged inside our solar system." Story continues However, to be clear, a press release on these results points out that the boulders were likely not shattered away from Dimorphos as a result of DART's collision, but rather that they already existed on the surface of the asteroid and were merely dispersed upon impact. In fact, DART's final image of the asteroid prior to its demise, taken two seconds before impact, shows such mini-rocks and debris already present on Dimorphos. According to NASA's statement, the boulders' ejection could've either been due to what's known as an ejecta plume produced by the collision, or a seismic wave that shook them off. (The latter would be similar to what would happen if you hit a loose rocky surface with a hammer, causing small rocks to shake free across the surface.) This high-resolution view of Dimorphos created with images taken by DART during its trajectory toward the asteroid's surface. RELATED STORIES NASA's asteroid-smashing DART mission revealed how battered space rock Dimorphos formed DART mission reveals asteroid Dimorphos is dry as a bone NASA's DART asteroid-smashing mission: The ultimate guide In terms of the boulders themselves, Jewitt and fellow researchers identified 37 free-flung rocks spurting off of Dimorphos that range in size from three feet to 22 feet (.9 meters to 6.7 meters) across and have a collective mass about 0.1% the mass of the asteroid. These objects appeared to be drifting away from their source at just over a half-mile per hour (0.8 km/h), which NASA likens to "roughly the walking speed of a giant tortoise." "This is a spectacular observation much better than I expected," Jewitt said. "We see a cloud of boulders carrying mass and energy away from the impact target. The numbers, sizes, and shapes of the boulders are consistent with them having been knocked off the surface of Dimorphos by the impact." "If we follow the boulders in future Hubble observations," Jewitt added, "then we may have enough data to pin down the boulders' precise trajectories. And then well see in which directions they were launched from the surface." The claim: Emissions-driven global warming is a hoax because El Nino is driving recent warming A July 5 tweet (direct link, archive link) claims the cause of modern global warming has been misidentified. "Just in from NASA: June 2023 was cooler than June 1998 despite 66% more industrial era CO2," reads the tweet. "Recent El Ninos have been driving recent warming. Emissions-driven warming is a hoax." The tweet features a graph labeled "UAH Satellite-Based Temperature of the Global Lower Atmosphere." The graph appears to show that some global average temperatures were warmer in 1998 than in 2023. The tweet was shared more than 80 times on Facebook, according to Crowdtangle, a social media analytics tool. It was retweeted more than 5,000 times. Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Our rating: False This is wrong on multiple fronts. June 2023 was the hottest June on record, according to NASA. And human greenhouse gas emissions drive modern global warming. There is no mechanism by which the El Nino-Southern Oscillation natural climate variability that causes short-term cycles of warming and cooling could cause the sustained global warming that has been observed over more than a century. Global warming driven by greenhouse gas emissions Multiple lines of evidence show that greenhouse gas emissions caused by human activity are driving modern global warming. These gases, which include CO2, warm the planet through a process that begins when solar radiation strikes the Earth. When this happens, the Earth heats up and releases infrared radiation upward. This infrared radiation is absorbed by CO2 and other greenhouse gas molecules, which then release radiation in turn. However, some of this radiation is released back down toward the Earth, further warming the planet. The more greenhouse gas molecules there are in the atmosphere, the more heat will be "trapped" in this way. The physics of this process is well understood by scientists and has been verified experimentally and through observations. Story continues Researchers can tell that the excess CO2 in the atmosphere is due to human emissions because a significant proportion of the CO2 is composed of a type of carbon that matches the carbon found in fossil fuels, Josh Willis, a NASA climate scientist, previously told USA TODAY. Additionally, "the amount of warming we see matches what we expect based on the increased CO2 we've added," he said. "The timing of the warming matches the timing of the CO2 increase caused by people." Fact check: April 1895 v. April 2023 temperature comparison does not disprove climate change El Nino doesn't cause sustained warming There is no mechanism by which the El Nino-Southern Oscillation could drive the sustained global warming that has been observed since the late 1800s, Willis said in an email. Instead, the El Nino-Southern Oscillation "rearranges the heat within the ocean," he said. The El Nino-Southern Oscillation has a "warm phase" called El Nino, in which the surface layer of the ocean gets warmer and the layer just underneath it gets cooler. Since the surface layer of the ocean is in contact with the atmosphere, El Nino tends to bring higher global temperatures. During the "cold phase" of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation called La Nina the surface layer of the ocean cools and the layer below it warms. This causes cooler average global temperatures. "El Nino does not introduce new heat into Earth's system," Howard Diamond, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration climate scientist, told USA TODAY. Instead, it "works off a baseline of temperature that the planet's climate provides, and that baseline is higher due to the emission of CO2 and other greenhouse gases." "When an El Nino comes around, it is going to increase temperatures in line with that higher baseline, but it does not cause the higher baseline," he added. Willis said that some scientists are researching whether there could be a "small uptick" in the amount of heat absorbed by the planet during an El Nino year. However, even if that turned out to be the case, it would still be dwarfed by and in addition to the amount of heat absorbed due to increasing greenhouse gases. "El Nino can't drive sustained uptake of heat by the oceans," Willis said. El Nino has "been going on for thousands of years, and human-caused warming has only been happening for the last 150." However, human-emitted CO2 has trapped more than 1 quadrillion watts of energy in Earth's climate systems, Dargan Frierson, an associate professor of atmospheric sciences at the University of Washington, told USA TODAY. NASA reported that June 2023 was hottest on record Despite the claim made in the tweet, June 2023 was warmer than June 1998, according to NASA data. The data in the tweet was "not produced by NASA, and the claims made about NASA are incorrect," Peter Jacobs, a climate scientist working in the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Office of Communication, told USA TODAY in an email. "June 2023 was the hottest June in our record." Fact check: Humans are responsible for a significant amount of CO2 in the atmosphere Instead, the graph matches one posted on the website of a climate scientist associated with the University of Alabama in Huntsville Earth System Science Center. The Center converts microwave data from satellite instruments to arrive at atmospheric temperature estimates, Jacobs said. Some of the instruments utilized by the Earth System Science Center have been located on NASA satellites, Gavin Schmidt, a NASA climate scientist, told USA TODAY. But NASA's reported data is "based on tens of thousands of readings of near-surface air temperature measurements taken from weather stations on land as well as ocean temperature measurements from thermometers on ships and buoys in the ocean," Jacobs said. Unlike NASA, Earth System Science Center reports a lower average global temperature for June 2023 than June 1998. However, Remote Sensing Systems, which uses the same satellite instruments as the Center, but processes the data differently, reports that June 2023 was hotter. NOAA also reports that June 2023 was warmer than June 1998. Regardless, comparing the average temperatures of two random months neither proves nor disproves global warming. "To identify climate trends it is necessary to examine long-term observational records, not just recent months or seasons," Sean Birkel, an assistant professor at the University of Maine and the Maine state climatologist, previously told USA TODAY. NASA reports that average global temperatures have increased nearly 2 degrees since the late 1800s. USA TODAY reached out to the Twitter user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Our fact-check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No, El Nino isn't the reason we have climate change | Fact check Hungary has opposed the EU's attempt to create a long-term fund of up to 20 billion to support the Ukrainian army. Source: European Pravda with reference to Politico Details: Foreign ministers met in Brussels on Thursday, 20 July, and discussed for the first time a proposal that would allocate at least 5 billion a year over the next four years to cover the costs of EU countries buying and donating arms to Ukraine as well as training Ukrainian troops. But during the meeting, Hungary said it would object to the plan until Ukraine removed Hungarian Bank OTP from its list of "war sponsors". Peter Szijjarto, Hungarys Minister of Foreign Affairs, said Budapest would not approve the allocation of funds for the European Peace Fund (EPF), used by Brussels to support weapon supplies to Ukraine, until OTP is removed from the said list. Quote: "We cannot negotiate about new financial EPF commitment before OTP is solved," Szijjarto said. Background: The EU has so far allocated about 4 billion for the fund since Russias invasion of Ukraine. But Brussels wants to create a more stable money source to avoid the need for regular difficult conversations about replenishing the fund. The plans are part of a broader Western effort to provide Ukraine with more permanent "security guarantees", as discussed at the recent NATO summit in Lithuania. Politico previously reported that the European Union is seeing the approval of this initiative by the autumn. The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) has included Hungarys OTP Bank in the list of international "war sponsors". Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! An attorney for Hunter Biden filed a complaint against Georgia Republican Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, requesting that an ethics watchdog immediately start a review of Ms Greenes decision to display explicit photos of the presidents son at a congressional hearing. Mr Bidens lawyer Abbe Lowell blasted Ms Greenes conduct as abhorrent behavior that blatantly violates House Ethics rules and standards of official conduct in a letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE). Now more than ever, the House has a duty to make loud and clear that it does not endorse, condone, or agree with her outrageous, undignified conduct and brazen violations of the standards of official conduct that do not reflect creditably on the House of Representatives, Mr Lowell wrote. The Georgia Republican showed a series of naked photos of Hunter Biden and images of him engaged in sexual acts at a congressional hearing earlier this week, sparking outrage. While the faces of other individuals in the photographs were blocked with black boxes, Ms Greene (or her staff) took great care to ensure Mr Bidens face was not blurred for the American public, the attorney wrote. Then, toward the end of her questioning, Ms Greene held up the graphic poster boards, spouting yet another of her untethered conspiracy theories, suggesting without any evidence that they showed Mr Biden making pornography, he continued. Marjorie Taylor Greene is literally showing d*** pics at our Oversight Hearing, California Congressman Robert Garcia tweeted. Ms Greene defended her actions, explaining that while she was uncomfortable showing the graphic photos of Hunter Biden to Congress, she insisted that the American people deserve to see the images. A 54-year-old Meridian man was arrested after police alleged he stalked and threatened several Caldwell City Council members. In late June, the Caldwell Police Department contacted Nampa police to ask for their assistance in investigating threats made against the council members by email, according to a news release from Nampa police. The next day, the Nampa Police Departments Bomb Unit along with an explosive detection dog were sent to Caldwell City Hall because of a suspicious package with suspicious markings. An envelope that was found in the buildings mailroom had threatening language on it, the Idaho Statesman previously reported. But the K-9 didnt detect anything, and police said the envelope didnt contain anything dangerous. In the news release, Nampa police said that during their investigation, they discovered the man was also suspected of harassing the council members by email. Caldwell police asked Nampa police to assist in the investigation to ensure there was not a conflict of interest with Caldwells city leadership, according to the news release. Police obtained a warrant for the man Wednesday and arrested him on suspicion of two counts of stalking and one count of threats against state elected officials. A man who shot an unarmed stranger in the back after an argument at a Boise bar has been sentenced to serve at least five years, and as many as 25, in prison. Bryson Grove, 22, of Idaho City, pleaded guilty in April to aggravated battery with an enhancement for use of a deadly weapon. A year ago, Grove and Chase Fowler, the man he shot, were at Broadway Bar at 1712 S. Broadway Ave. in southeast Boise, said Matt Haynes, an Ada County deputy prosecutor, during Groves sentencing hearing in June. Fowler called out Grove for falsely bragging to a woman at the bar about having been to prison, said Haynes and Katelyn Enterkine, Groves attorney. I think it can be described as an insignificant encounter between the two, Haynes said. Groves response was wildly disproportionate, Enterkine said during the hearing. He left the bar and waited for Fowler to leave. When Fowler left, he began driving home with a woman. The two stopped at a convenience store, and Grove parked in the lot of a nearby business, Haynes said. The woman went into the store while Fowler walked over to Groves car and confronted him about being followed, Haynes said. Fowler turned away after the confrontation, and Grove shot him in the legs and back, Fowler said in a victim statement during the sentencing. One of the rounds traveled within millimeters of hitting Fowlers aorta a large artery that starts in the heart which would have killed him, Haynes said. Fowler was rushed to a local hospital, according to previous Statesman reporting. Haynes said Fowler received surgery, didnt have feeling in his legs afterward, and didnt know if hed walk again. Hes still in physical therapy. Im healthy, Im lucky Im alive, Im lucky I was able to walk into this courtroom, Fowler said. Haynes said he wasnt sure whether Fowler would ever fully recover, and noted that he walked into the courtroom for the hearing using a crutch. Fowler is a tattoo artist, Haynes said, and his injuries took him off his feet for months. Story continues This has altered Chases life completely, he said. School records shed light on the factors influencing Groves behavior, Enterkine said. She said Grove was picked on from elementary school forward, and cited an incident where Grove stole beer in elementary school and was supposed to get a behavioral evaluation, but switched schools instead. Grove dropped out of high school to care for his son when he was born, Enterkine said. What I see is a kid that bounced from school to school. I see repeated calls to a parent who seems to not be responsive, she said. I see a lack of early intervention. I see someone who was passed around a lot. When Fowler confronted him in the parking lot, Grove had not developed coping skills and pulled the trigger, she said. Grove turned himself in after the incident and brought the gun he used to shoot Fowler with him, Enterkine said. In his statement, Fowler said he didnt think the judge should hand down an excessive sentence, but that he wanted Grove to learn from his mistakes. Haynes asked the judge to require $50,000 in restitution from Grove and to set a prison sentence of 15 years fixed and 15 indeterminate, meaning he could be in prison or on parole for the second half of the sentence. The shooting was premeditated, Haynes said, and Groves record of disciplinary actions for violence in school suggests a higher risk of repeating crime. The first half of the sentence in prison would ensure that Grove couldnt hurt anyone, and the next half would support supervision of Grove to make sure hes in compliance with the law, he said. Enterkine said Grove needs to change his thinking, reactions and behavior. But at the same time we need to give him the opportunity to do so, she said, asking the judge to place Grove under a retained jurisdiction sentence of five years fixed and 10 years indeterminate. That means Grove could go before the judge after completing a prison rehabilitation program in the Idaho Department of Correction. The judge would then decide to sentence him to probation or prison for the initial five years of the sentence. Enterkine asked the judge to delay a decision on restitution because she hadnt had the time to review it with Grove. Ada County District Court Judge James Cawthon sentenced Grove to five years fixed and 20 years indeterminate. He said he saw an individual who had a dysfunctional upbringing and who has mental health problems that must be addressed. But placing Grove on probation after the completion of a rehabilitation program would diminish the serious nature of the offense, he said. To have fired a weapon at an individual in that particular setting, I can think of nothing more dangerous, Cawthon said. He agreed to delay a ruling on restitution. Igor Girkin, former commander of Russian forces in the occupied Ukraine Donetsk Oblast, was arrested Friday, according to his wife and Russian media. File Photo by PhotoMIG/EPA July 21 (UPI) -- Igor "Strelkov" Girkin, former commander of the Russian forces in occupied Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast, was arrested Friday on extremism charges according to his wife and Russian media. "Today, at about 11:30 a.m., representatives of the investigative committee came to us. I managed to learn from friends that my husband was charged under article 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (extremism)," a post on Girkin's Telegram channel signed "Miroslava Reginskaya, the wife of Igor Strelkov," said. Girkin's lawyer Alexander Molokhov said on the RTVI Telegram channel that his actions have recently attracted the attention of the authorities and Girkin's whereabouts are unknown. His arrest comes three days after calling on Telegram for Vladimir Putin to step down. "For 23 years, a nonentity was at the head of the country, who managed to "throw dust in the eyes" of a significant part of the population," Girkin wrote. "The country will not survive another six years of this cowardly mediocrity in power." Girkin, is a former Russian Federal Security Service agent who was a pivotal figure in the effort seize Russian-occupied Crimea in 2014 and organized pro-Russian militias in occupied eastern Ukraine He was also found guilty in 2022 at the Hague District Court of participation in the shooting down of a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 in 2014 that killed all 298 people on board. Amid the recent invasion of Ukraine, Girkin had become increasingly critical of Putin, leading a movement calling for more extreme measures in the war. A prominent Russian pro-war blogger who has criticized President Vladimir Putin and his militarys mishaps in Ukraine was arrested on Friday, in a move that suggested the Kremlins patience with dissent has grown thinner in the wake of the Wagner mercenary rebellion last month. Igor Girkin, a former KGB officer who helped Russia seize Crimea and was convicted of mass murder for his role in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in eastern Ukraine, was taken from his home in Moscow by security agents on Friday and charged with extremist activity, according to state media and a post on his Telegram account attributed to his wife. Girkin, who also goes by the nom de guerre Igor Strelkov, is among the best-known of Russias milbloggers, a group of war correspondents who support the invasion but have grown increasingly critical of the militarys faltering operations in Ukraine. Girkin had in recent months taken his criticisms to another level, lambasting the Russian state and even Putin himself. He co-founded an ultra-nationalist political group called the Angry Patriots Club this spring, and told Reuters that Russia was on the cusp of very grave internal political changes of a catastrophic character. The day after Wagners brief insurrection ended, on June 25, he said that if Putin is not ready to take the leadership over the creation of war-ready conditions in Russia, then he really needs to transfer the powers, but legally, to someone who is capable of such hard work. But the final straw for Putin may have come on Tuesday, when Girkin called the president a lowlife and a cowardly bum in a blistering post on his Telegram channel. For 23 years, the country was led by a lowlife who managed to blow dust in the eyes of a significant part of the population. Now he is the last island of legitimacy and stability of the state, the post read. But the country will not be able to withstand another six years of this cowardly bum in power. Story continues Miroslava Reginskaya, Girkins wife, said in the Telegram statement attributed to her that agents of Russias Investigative Committee arrived at their apartment at 11:30 a.m. local time on Friday (4:30 a.m. ET) and took him away to an unknown direction. State news agency Ria Novosti later reported that Girkin had been charged with inciting extremist activity, citing the Meshchansky Court of Moscow. Strelkov is charged with Part 2 of Article 280 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (public calls for extremist activity), the court said, according to Ria. If found guilty, Girkin could be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison. Another post on Girkins Telegram account, attributed to his associates, said that his arrest Friday coincided with an attempt to split the Angry Patriots Club over differing opinions about Wagner and its attempted uprising in Russia in June, which posed the most significant challenge to Putin since he took power more than two decades ago. Girkin openly and reasonably criticized the actions of government officials, including the president, the statement from his associates read. They said that confidence in Russias freedom of speech was being compromised, and that processes are taking place in our country that indicate the departure of government representatives from basic values. Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said that Girkin had overstepped all conceivable boundaries a long time ago, and that his arrest was the result of the Ministry of Defense reasserting control in the wake of the Wagner rebellion. This is a direct outcome of [Yevgeny] Prigozhins mutiny, she said on Twitter, referring to the Wagner boss. The armys command now wields greater political leverage to quash its opponents in the public sphere. Its unlikely that there will be massive repressions against angry patriots, but the most vehement dissenters may face prosecution, serving as a cautionary tale for others. Internal confrontation Girkin is a former colonel in Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) and served as defense minister in the separatist so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) in eastern Ukraine, territory captured by pro-Russian forces in 2014. It was during his time in the DPR that he contributed to the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014, a court in the Netherlands found. All 298 people onboard were killed. The court last year found Girkin guilty of mass murder for his role in the incident and he was sentenced in absentia to life in prison. According to the court, Girkin participated in the conflicts in Chechnya, Transnistria and Bosnia. Girkin was remanded in custody until September 18 following his arrest on Friday, after the judge rejected his request to be placed under house arrest due to an apparent heart condition. The prosecution said Girkin was a flight risk citing his connections to law enforcement agencies, Russian media also reported. In his statement to court, the prominent blogger argued he could not flee abroad, calling the claims frankly ridiculous. His detention comes just three days after Russian state media TASS reported that retired Russian colonel Vladimir Kvachkov, an associate of Girkins, was facing criminal prosecution for discrediting the Russian Armed Forces. While TASS did not specify which of Kvachkovs comments sparked the charges, Kvachkov has also been openly critical of Putin, describing his government is virtually non-existent in on-camera remarks at an Angry Patriots event following the Wagner rebellion last month. Ukraines Defense Intelligence later claimed Girkins arrest signals there could be growing disputes within the Kremlin. The issue is not with Girkin himself, who has never acted as an independent figure before. Neither have many other military correspondents or military bloggers, or members of Girkins group. These are not independent figures, a representative for Ukraines defense intelligence, Andri Yusov, told Ukrainian broadcasters on Friday. Yusov went on to say it was paradoxical that Girkin had been arrested but not Wagner founder Prigozhin. Prigozhin was marching on Moscow and shooting down airplanes and helicopters, but Girkin is the one who got detained, he said. This is a specific feature of the Putin regime. This all suggests that the members of the Kremlin towers are already coming to an active phase of internal confrontation, he added, without providing evidence. CNNs Yulia Kesaieva, Vasco Cotovio and Katharina Krebs contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) The Philippines has no discussions with the US government on increasing the number of military sites for American troops in the country, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said. There was no discussion, no specific discussions. There is nothing on my table to increase the number of EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) facilities on Philippine bases, he said during a briefing on Thursday. You cant bite more than what you can chew We gotta make things work first before expanding. A lot of conglomerates have fallen because of too quick an expansion without being able to absorb the capability to sustain, the defense chief added. When asked what assets would be deployed on the sites, Teodoro said that the US government must follow the Philippine law, its clearly defined in the EDCA agreement. RELATED: AFP: US must declare to PH all assets in EDCA sites In April, Malacanang allowed the addition of four new EDCA sites, bringing the total number to nine. China sounded an alarm, saying this may draw the Philippines into its rising conflict with Taiwan. Former President Rodrigo Duterte even warned that China would target the Philippines amid the US expanded military presence in the country. READ: Duterte warns: Beijing to target PH if US-China tensions ignite war However, government officials maintained that the EDCA sites were meant to boost Filipino troops capability and enhance the countrys response efforts to disasters and natural calamities. An Eastern Kentucky man operated a cockfighting arena in Letcher County with help from two Georgia residents that drew hundreds of spectators, a federal grand jury has charged. The grand jury indicted six people Thursday in connection with the pit at Isom, which was known as American Testing Facility or the Whitesburg Chicken Pit, according to the indictment. Those indicted were Robert Dwayne Baker, Brandon Honeycutt, Chris Prater, Virgil G. Saylor, Tina M. Miller and Henry Locke. The indictment said Baker, Honeycutt and Prater lived in Eastern Kentucky during the period covered in the indictment in 2021 and 2022, but it did not say which towns. Saylor and Miller lived in Georgia and Locke lived in Tennessee, according to the indictment. Baker operated the Letcher County cockfighting pit with help from Saylor and Miller, who received a percentage of the proceeds, the indictment charges. The venue allegedly had weekly cockfights and featured stadium-style seating; a main fighting pit and several side pits; a concession stand; and an area for selling cockfighting accessories. Those accessories included gaffs, which are sharp pieces of metal to be attached to a roosters leg to slash the other rooster. The fights included illegal gambling, with spectators betting on the outcomes, the indictment charges. The indictment alleged that Locke sold gaffs at the fights and Honeycutt helped referee fights. The indictment cites three cockfights which Baker, Saylor and Miller allegedly organized and managed in February 2022. One was attended by about 400 people and the other two had about 200 spectators each. It is illegal under federal law to exhibit or sponsor an animal in a fighting venture; to possess, train, sell or buy an animal for the purpose of fighting; to use the mail, Facebook or any communication that crosses state lines to promote an animal fight; to buy or sell gaffs; and to attend a cockfight, according to the indictment. Baker, Saylor, Miller and Honeycutt are charged with conspiring to operate cockfights, and Saylor also is charged with using Facebook to advertise the schedule for fights. Story continues Honeycutt faces a separate charge of attempting to exhibit a rooster in a fight and possessing a rooster for the purpose of putting it in a fight. Prater is charged with the same thing and also faces a charge of causing a child under age 16 to attend a cockfight. All the charges are punishable by up to five years in prison for a conviction except for taking a child to a cockfight, which carries a maximum three-year sentence. Animal-welfare groups have identified Kentucky as a center for cockfighting and for businesses that breed and sell fighting roosters around the country and internationally. Roosters often die from injuries in cockfights. In sentencing the operator of a Laurel County pit last year, a federal judge called cockfighting an especially cruel activity. That case was part of a larger crackdown on cockfighting in Kentucky in which a total of 19 people were charged in four separate federal indictments. Michelle Chubb took to social media to become the voice she felt was missing. Michelle Chubb took to social media to become the voice she felt was missing. Examiningtheinfluence of Indigenous culture on contemporary fashion, globally, is complicated because of everything that has been both erased and appropriated. The only way to come at it is with context. And thats how content creator Michelle Chubb broke through all the fashion influencer noise on social media. With her platform Indigenous Baddie, she has amassed almost 850,000 followers across social media by creating a unique blend of style, culture and profound calls to action. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Chubb grew up spending summers (and some winters) on her familys isolated Bunibonibee Cree Nation reserve, home to the Swampy Cree tribe, where she developed a profound appreciation for earth-centered Indigenous traditions while camping, feasting on wild game and fishing with her family. Chubb describes, however, struggling to hold on to that connection to her heritage in her early teens for fear that shed be teased for being different. Ultimately, her love of YouTube and style content inspired her to become a creator, allowing her to embrace her identity again. Through clothes and accessories, she was able to showcase the vastness of her culture. There are so many different tribes and people within Indigenous communities, all of which have unique and various styles, designs and beliefs that we follow, Chubb told HuffPost. Chubb ultimately took to social media to become the voice she felt was missing. She gained traction after posting a video showcasing her jingle dress, attracting a diverse audience eager to learn more about her culture. Another part of her mission to show the world how nuanced Indigenous culture is revolves around supporting artists and designers who create beautiful things that quietly combat the historic erasure of Native American expression. These designers speak to her lifestyle and customs, and can make others like her feel seen, she said. Story continues Chubb found handmade Indigenous-style earrings on Instagram, and began her collection by sourcing different artisans. Delving deeper into the platform, she discovered Indigenous-owned clothing companies like Lauren Good Day and Resist Clothing. She has also recently started incorporating ribbon skirts important symbols of womanhood in Native culture into her daily attire. Wearing traditional clothing makes me feel different because not everyone is wearing [outfits] like this outside of powwows, Chubb said. I am making a statement about reclaiming my culture because I struggled with embracing it a long time ago. The more Chubb immersed herself in the powerful drum beats and camaraderie of powwows, the more she felt a sense of healing and comfort along with the surreal acknowledgment that she has a responsibility to preserve these customs for future generations. My culture is known to be dying, especially the language. The Indian Act really colonized our people and made sure that we disconnected from our culture and identities and thats a really big factor in our historical trauma, Chubb said. When she was learning French in school, she told me, she realized she knew more of it than she did her own language. Thats why she began incorporating Indigenous languages online and at home today, shes making sure her 1-year-old daughter grows up speaking, or at least understanding, Cree language. Im trying to send the message to her to be proud of who she is and not hide, Chubb said. But also, I wanted to help others out because I knew I wasnt the only one who was facing this challenge. The allure of her online persona, Indigenous Baddie, stems from her ability to infuse her unique fashion sense with her deep-rooted advocacy for all Indigenous cultures. Alongside the jingle dresses and earring collection lie poignant and power messaging that bring attention to critical issues such as the epidemic of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Its this blending of personal style with unwavering advocacy that moves Chubb every day. After all, self-expression is a powerful way to reclaim power and agency. I want non-Indigenous people to understand where we come from and the problems that we face [in order to] become loyal allies for our community, Chubb said. But I also want Indigenous people out there to embrace themselves, to be proud of where they come from and to reconnect with their heritage. Central Florida leaders are speaking out against changes made by the Florida Department of Education about what students will learn about African American history. On Wednesday, the state Board of Education met in Orlando and unanimously approved new academic standards for teaching Black history in public schools. Floridas academic standards for social studies are 216 pages. The changes to the benchmark clarifications change how and what is taught about African American history. I think the Black history speaks for itself, I dont think it needs to be changed at all, the history is what it is, Florida Sen. Randolph Bracy said. Read: Florida Board of Education approves new African American history standards despite opposition He said the change could impact how generations of Floridians learn about Black history. I think its a scary thought to what will happen if people are taught something differently than what actually happened...But I know its an injustice, Bracy said. Florida Den. Geraldine Thompson said the standards have been, sugar-coated, watered down and white-washed. Read: Harris targets Florida rules on Black history pushed by DeSantis You have these standards that are trying to conform with the law and in order not to make people feel uncomfortable, Thompson said. Under the rules, middle school students will learn, how slaves developed skills which in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit, framing of slavery local leaders say came without their input. Im the founder of the Wellsbuilt Museum of African American History. Ive authored books. Im a member of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. I was not invited, Thompson said. Read: College Board releases statement about Floridas rejection of AP African American Studies course In high school, if students learn about things like the 1920 Ocoee Massacre that killed at least 50 African Americans who were trying to vote, teachers must include, acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans. Story continues Watch: The Ocoee Massacre: A Documentary Film You focus on violence by African Americans. So thats a distortion. And I think we need to go back, Thompson said. The standards are designed to guide lessons from kindergarten to high school in the state. Critics call it a push backward instead of a look into the future. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The interim chief of the Columbus Police Department has applied for the permanent position, according to the department. Interim Chief Stoney Mathis was appointed by Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson in May after the departure of former Chief Freddie Blackmon, who accepted a $400,000 severance package. Mathis had formerly served as chief for the Chattahoochee Hills Police Department and the Fairburn Police Department prior to coming to Columbus. During his time as the Fairburn police chief from 2018 to 2022 the city saw a 52% decrease in its crime rate, Henderson said during his appointment. Mathis ran as a Republican last year for Georgia House District 68, losing to Democrat Tish Naghise in the Nov. 8 General Election, according to Ledger-Enquirer reporting. Originally from North Carolina, he graduated with a criminal justice degree from Lawton, Oklahoma, in 1992. He graduated from the DEAs Academy in Quantico, Virginia in 2004, according to a news release from the Mayors office at the time of his appointment. Henderson told the Ledger-Enquirer Friday that the next step in the process for picking a new chief will be putting together citizen focus groups. Henderson said that The Mercer Group executive search firm is currently handling the applications and said that the city will follow the same protocol they have in the past. On July 13, Henderson told the Ledger-Enquirer the city expected to identify a permanent police chief by fall. In that interview Henderson said, I couldnt be more pleased with what Chief Mathis has done in the short time hes been here. Henderson said at that time that if Mathis were to apply he would welcome the opportunity to review his credentials along with the credentials of other candidates that have applied for the position. Well follow the process, its the process we committed to from the very beginning. So were going to go through the entire process of doing a nationwide search, Henderson said at that time. NEW YORK Investigators around the country are checking their cold case files for ties to the accused Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann. Most recently, Atlantic City cops and Rock Hill, South Carolina, police said that they will review their files for a connection to the Midtown architect suspected of killing three sex workers and dumping their bodies along a desolate stretch of marshland in Long Island. The Suffolk County district attorney charged Heuermann last week in connection with three of the 11 bodies found near Gilgo Beach. They believe he could be charged in a fourth murder. Hes pleaded not guilty. Rock Hill cops said that they are probing a connection between Aaliyah Bell, who was 18 when she disappeared from her Rock Hill home on Nov. 25, 2014. Our investigators have been reviewing any information to see if there is a correlation between the disappearance of Aaliyah Bell and Rex Heuermann, Lt. Michael Chavis said in an email. So far there is no indication that leads us to identify Heuermann as a suspect in this case, he added. We will continue to investigate Bells disappearance and follow up on all tips and leads. Earlier this week, the Chester County sheriffs office confiscated a Chevy Avalanche from a property that Heuermann owns with his brother, according to authorities. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced that it is also reviewing old cases for a possible connection to the New York suspect. We are aware of Rex Heuermanns connection to Las Vegas. We are currently reviewing our unsolved cases to see if he has any involvement, Las Vegas police said in a statement. Heuermann and his wife, who recently filed for divorce, owned timeshares in Sin City, CNN reported. Suffolk County police told ABC News 7 that they are reviewing the deaths of four sex workers found dead in a ditch on Route 40 near Atlantic City. As a potential third indictment looms for former President Donald Trump, special counsel Jack Smith continues to schedule interviews with witnesses in the Justice Departments investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. In a post on his Truth Social platform earlier this week, Trump said Smith informed him on Sunday that he is a target of the Jan. 6 probe and gave him a very short 4 days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment. The grand jury has yet to issue any charges against the former president, who is currently running for the Republican nomination in 2024. But Smiths letter to Trump reportedly referenced three federal statutes that may be a basis for prosecuting the former president: conspiracy to defraud the United States, deprivation of rights under color of law, and tampering with victims, witnesses or informants. Meanwhile, investigators are planning more interviews with witnesses. Prosecutors are looking to speak with Bernie Kerik, a former New York City police commissioner who was close to Trumps former personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, while another unnamed former Trump lawyer is planning to talk to investigators next month, according to CNN. Kerik previously testified before the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection after being served with a subpoena. Special counsel Jack Smith is investigating efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Special counsel Jack Smith is investigating efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Tim Parlatore, a former Trump attorney who now represents Kerik, told CBS News the interview with Smiths team could happen soon. It remains unknown if a potential Trump indictment would come after those interviews were done, or if Smith would first bring an initial case and then issue superseding indictments, the network noted. On Thursday, the grand jury heard again from Will Russell, who served as a special assistant in Trumps White House and continues to work as an aide for him. The Washington Post also reported the grand jury was scheduled to hear testimony Thursday from a data expert who worked on the former presidents 2020 campaign. Story continues Meanwhile, Republicans on Capitol Hill have shrugged at the possibility of Trump facing yet another set of criminal charges. Trump was already indicted on state charges in New York over a hush money scheme, and on federal charges for allegedly mishandling classified government documents in another case overseen by Smith. Theres nothing new under the sun, Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) said. Its just kind of, its become almost literally unbelievable. Weve gotten pretty used to it all ... so its become less interesting, weird as it seems. Related... The Long Island, New York, home of Rex Heuermann, an architect arrested last week in connection with the Gilgo Beach murders, is being combed by investigators and theyre searching for trophies of his alleged crimes inside. Were looking for potential trophies, souvenirs, jewelry, anything that could be attached to the four women or other women that he might have been involved with, an investigator told CBS News on Thursday about the Massapequa Park crime scene. In the coming days, as we continue to gather evidence, anything is possible, another investigator told the outlet. Heuermann, 59, was arrested last Thursday and charged the following day with three counts each of first-degree and second-degree murder. Police allege he killed at least three of the many victims found buried on Gilgo Beach between December 2010 and April 2011. Heuermann is accused of killing Megan Waterman, 22, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, and Amber Costello, 27. He is also a suspect in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, according to police. He pleaded not guilty to all charges last week. The murders have remained unsolved since the skeletal remains of at least 10 people were unearthed from a sandy stretch of Ocean Parkway. Most were identified as female sex workers, while one was an Asian man. Another was a two-year-old girl. The unsolved murders eventually spawned a bestselling book and a 2020 Netflix film. Heuermann's suburban home, seen here being searched by crime lab officers on July 18. Heuermann's suburban home, seen here being searched by crime lab officers on July 18. The crime scene at Heuermanns home has drawn curiosity and concern from locals, one of whom told CBS News the entire situation was sickening. I am having a lot of anxiety about it that its so close to home, another local told the outlet. Heuermanns wife, who filed for divorce Wednesday, was reportedly barred from entering as evidence continued to be hauled from the home on Thursday. Authorities previously stated Heuermanns wife and two children werent in town at the time of the killings. Story continues The electronics inside the home were seized by police. Authorities say Heuermann viewed images of the victims and their families on the internet. Police say Heuermann became a suspect based on DNA, cell tower records and witness descriptions. He is currently being held on suicide watch at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility, according to ABC 7. Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon told the outlet Friday about visiting Heuermann. I have spoken to him once, Toulon told the outlet. Hes very calm, all three times, hes been laying down on his bunk, very nondescript showing no emotion. Heuermann is scheduled for another court appearance in August. Related... A new poll out of Iowa shows Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) gaining momentum on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in the 2024 presidential race, though former President Trump maintains a commanding lead. The survey, which was paid for by the Trump campaign and shared exclusively with The Hill, found 46 percent of likely GOP caucus participants in the Hawkeye State support the former president. It found 16 percent of those surveyed said they support DeSantis, who is running in second place. And it showed Scott polling in third place with 10 percent support. Scott entered the race the same week as DeSantis, and he has typically polled in single digits on the national level. A super PAC backing the senator announced this week it would spend $40 million on TV and digital ads in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina this fall to further boost Scotts White House bid. This latest poll comes about six months before the states caucuses. Vivek Ramaswamy, the conservative entrepreneur, polled at 5 percent, followed by Nikki Haley, Mike Pence and Chris Christie, all of whom polled at 3 percent. Ten percent of those surveyed said they were still undecided. The poll also found that more voters trusted Trump over DeSantis to protect Social Security and farmers as well as to fight the woke mob by double-digit margins. DeSantis has made combating wokeism a key theme of his campaign. The poll was conducted by co/efficient, a firm with a B+ pollster rating on FiveThirtyEight. It surveyed 2,283 likely Republican Iowa caucus participants and was conducted from July 15-17 via mobile text responses and landline phone interviews. The poll has a margin of error of 2.6 percentage points. Polling out of Iowa, which will hold the first caucus on the GOP primary calendar on Jan. 15, 2024, has consistently shown Trump leading, to varying degrees. A poll conducted in early July by National Research for the conservative group American Greatness showed Trump at 44 percent, with DeSantis at 21 percent and Scott at 7 percent. And a poll conducted from May 30 to June 1, sponsored by the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down, put Trump at 39 percent, DeSantis at 29 percent and Scott at 7 percent. Story continues An Emerson College poll conducted days before DeSantis officially entered the race found Trump with a 42-point lead over the Florida governor. DeSantiss campaign has endured scrutiny in the roughly two months since it launched, with numerous reports this week about plans for a reset as the governor sets his sights on early primary states like Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Trumps lead in the polls comes despite a few high-profile controversies in Iowa the past two weeks that have left strategists and other campaigns wondering if the former president is vulnerable in the Hawkeye State. Trump drew criticism from Iowans earlier this month for his broadside against Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) when he complained about her neutral approach to the 2024 caucuses in her state after she appeared at multiple events with DeSantis. The former president ruffled feathers days later when he opted to skip a summit in Des Moines hosted by The Family Leader, a major evangelical group in Iowa, which was attended by most other 2024 candidates and moderated by Tucker Carlson. Iowa lawmaker Jeff Reichman (R), a first-term state senator, announced that same week he was flipping his support from Trump to DeSantis in the primary. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Scoop Iran has arrested and detained a fourth U.S. national, further complicating the Biden administrations efforts to secure an exchange of prisoners and lower tensions with Tehran. The arrest of the American citizen, described to Semafor by three people briefed on the case, is now a central part of stepped-up negotiations between the two countries aimed at swapping Iranians detained in Western prisons for U.S. nationals. The talks, which have taken place in Oman as well as other countries, also revolve on the U.S. agreeing to green light the release of billions of dollars of Irans funds frozen in overseas banks, such as in South Korea. Iranian officials have for months publicly suggested a deal was imminent, a position the Biden administration has disputed. But the inclusion now of a fourth American, whose identity we are withholding to avoid jeopardizing negotiations over their release, could be leading Tehran to up its demands, said the people briefed on the case. To date, the U.S. has said publicly its focused on gaining the release of three Iranian Americans: businessmen Siamak Namazi and Emad Shargi and environmentalist Morad Tahbaz. The Biden administration declined this week to provide comment to Semafor about this fourth case. But National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan alluded to it last week during an interview on Face the Nation. We have tried very hard to secure the release of the four unjustly detained Americans in Iran, we have done so since the day that President Biden took office, he said on Sunday. A person directly briefed on the case and close to one of three Iranian American families told Semafor on Thursday: Multiple senior officials at the State Department in the last few weeks have privately emphasized the U.S. and Iran have already agreed the fourth American will be part of any deal and there are no delays being caused by [the persons] inclusion. Jays view Iranian detentions have vexed American administrations for decades, particularly during election years. Bidens team could very well find itself in the same position in 2024. Story continues Most famously, Jimmy Carter likely lost the White House in 1980 due to his inability to bring home the 52 Americans taken the year before during the Iranian Islamic revolution. Donald Trump also seized on the issue of U.S. nationals detained in Iran during the 2016 campaign, accusing the Obama White House of paying ransom to Tehran to get Americans back. Trumps own administration successfully negotiated a prisoner swap in 2019 for a Princeton academic, Wang Xiyue, but two of the four Iranian-Americans currently held in Tehran were arrested during Trumps tenure. Biden took office in 2021 pledging to quickly return the U.S. to the Obama-era nuclear agreement with Iran and to bring home the remaining detained U.S. citizens. But this vow has proven hard to execute, particularly with the election of hardline Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who has shown little of his predecessors desire to directly engage with the U.S. Under Raisi, Iran has forged ahead with its use of detentions as a state policy, seizing not just this fourth American but also a number of Europeans. Israels Prime Minister announced this month that an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq, Katib Hezbollah, had kidnapped a Princeton Ph.D. student, Elizabeth Tsurkov, whos a joint-Russian-Israeli citizen. Her family believes she may now be in Iran. The detentions appear to have paid dividends: Last month, Iran traded three European prisoners for the release of an Iranian diplomat convicted in 2021 of plotting a terrorist attack in France. Irans Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said the successful exchange now cleared the way for Tehran to improve its relations with Europe. Bidens Iran policy has become more fraught in recent weeks following the State Departments decision to suspend its special envoy to Tehran, Robert Malley, who also served as lead negotiator on the hostage issue. Semafor learned this month that the FBI is investigating the diplomat for potentially mishandling classified information. The View From Iran The Iranian mission at the United Nations didnt respond to a request for comment from Semafor on Thursday. But its government has suggested that it only arrests individuals who are involved in espionage. If some European citizens are not exploited by foreign security services, there is no reason to detain them, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian tweeted last month. Iran is a completely safe country and a safe and attractive destination for tourists. Notable Rallies in Tehran, Baghdad and other major cities come amid heightened tensions between Iraq and Sweden (-) Demonstrators marched in the Iraqi and Iranian capitals Friday to denounce Sweden's permission for protests that desecrate the Koran, as Stockholm withdrew staff from its Baghdad embassy. Hundreds of people gathered in Baghdad's Sadr City after Friday prayers, chanting "Yes, yes to Islam, yes, yes to the Koran", an AFP correspondent said. In Tehran, protesters waving Iranian flags and carrying copies of Islam's holy book chanted "Down with the United States, Britain, Israel and Sweden" as some burned the Swedish flag. Iran said late Friday it will not allow a new Swedish ambassador into the country. The rallies came amid heightened tensions between Stockholm and Baghdad over a Sweden-based Iraqi refugee who last month burnt pages of the Koran outside Stockholm's main mosque. In the latest such incident on Thursday, the refugee, Salwan Momika, stepped on the Koran but did not burn it. His act triggered renewed condemnation across the Muslim world. Sweden on Friday cited security concerns in a decision to relocate embassy staff after protesters stormed its embassy compound in a pre-dawn attack this week. "The embassy's operations and its expatriate staff have been temporarily relocated to Stockholm for security reasons," the Swedish foreign ministry said. Iraq condemned the embassy attack but retaliated against the Stockholm protest by expelling its ambassador, vowing to sever ties and saying it was suspending the operating licence of Swedish telecom giant Ericsson. But an adviser to the premier told foreign journalists Friday that contractual agreements would be respected, and "no company has been suspended, not even Ericsson". - 'Disgraceful' - In Baghdad's Sadr City protester Sabbah al-Tai, 45, said expelling Sweden's ambassador was not enough. "We want more," he said. Crowds gathered there at the order of influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, whose followers were behind the embassy raid late Wednesday. Story continues Some protesters burned rainbow flags which Sadr says highlight the "double standard" of Western governments in defending LGBTQ rights while allowing the desecration of religious texts. "Through this demonstration, we want to send a message to the United Nations," said Amer Shemal, a municipal official, urging member states to "penalise any desecration of holy books -- those of Islam, of Christianity, of Judaism". Regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran said separately late Thursday they had summoned Swedish diplomats to protest against Stockholm allowing Momika's actions on free speech grounds. Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites, said it would urge Sweden "to take all immediate and necessary measures to stop these disgraceful acts", a foreign ministry statement said. Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian spoke to his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billstrom by phone on Friday. "The person who committed this unforgivable insult must be arrested, tried, and held accountable for his actions," a foreign ministry statement quoted him as saying. A later statement said the Swedish ambassador's mandate in Tehran had ended, and "until the Swedish government takes a serious action over the desecration of Holy Koran, we will not accept the new Swedish ambassador and the Iranian ambassador will not be sent to Sweden". Protesters across the Islamic republic had earlier heeded a call from authorities for nationwide demonstrations after Friday prayers, with dozens gathering outside Sweden's Tehran embassy to demand its closure. Protesters threw eggs and tomatoes at the building and staged a sit-in before dispersing, an AFP journalist said. - 'Keep burning' - Sweden's decision to authorise the protest has drawn widespread condemnation from Arab and Muslim countries, including Oman and Kuwait, as well as Jordan and the United Arab Emirates which both summoned Sweden's charges d'affaires. The British foreign office also condemned the Koran protest, calling it "deeply insulting to Muslims around the world and completely inappropriate". Kuwait said it was coordinating with Arab states to hold an emergency meeting of the 57-member Jeddah-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to take "concrete and practical" measures so such an insult to the Koran would not be repeated, according to the state news agency. In an interview published Friday, Momika -- who describes himself as an atheist -- defended his actions and said they were meant to highlight discrimination against minority groups in Iraq. "My book-burning was carried out within the bounds of Swedish law," he told French magazine Marianne. "I will keep burning Korans as long as I am legally allowed to." Billstrom called Momika's protest "a clear provocation" that "in no way reflects the Swedish government's opinions", while also stressing a "constitutional right to freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and freedom to demonstrate". Supporters of the pro-Iran Hezbollah movement rallied in Lebanon Friday, AFP photographers said. Many protesters chanted that they would "protect God's book" with their "blood". burs/jsa/srm Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) The success of the country's first sovereign wealth fund would be highly dependent on the selected board members that will manage its investments, according to finance and investment experts. READ: The proposed Maharlika Investment Fund: What you need to know "It should be a good combination between international and local fund managers. The key there will be to select the CEO [chief executive officer] and give them the flexibility to choose their team," former Finance Secretary Gary Teves told CNN Philippines' The Exchange Friday. Teves said it's important that the board members are trusted, transparent, and credible individuals with no political affiliations. The Maharlika Investment Corp. board that will manage the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) will include the finance chief, a CEO, the presidents of the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines, two regular directors, and three independent directors. "The quicker we get the team appointed, then they can work on a combination of existing projects from our portfolio of projects in the Philippines and combine them with some available internationally," Teves added. For Chris Nelson, Executive Director and Trustee of the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the government should look at people already connected with funds. "I'm sure they've [the government] had extensive discussions with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and the IMF [International Monetary Fund]...I would echo former secretary Teves' point. I think they are conscious of that and they are looking to get competent people into this fund," Nelson said. "That will give it the credibility that it will go forward on it, they've appointed nine people on it. Now we need to see the implementing rules and regulations (IRR)," he added. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the bill creating the MIF on July 18. The Department of Finance is eyeing the completion of the new law's IRR by September. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has said in its daily report that Russia is trying to create a sense of urgency about its return to the Black Sea Grain Initiative by intensifying strikes on Ukrainian port and grain infrastructure, as well as threatening to attack civilian vessels in the Black Sea. Source: ISW Quote: "Ukraine harvests most of its grain between July and August, and Russias strikes on Ukrainian port and agricultural infrastructure can further complicate Ukraines ability to free up space for newly harvested grains. Prolonged disruptions to grain logistics in Ukraine will likely have increasingly cascading effects on grain supplies, adding to the sense of urgency that the Kremlin hopes to create. The Kremlin routinely engages in escalatory rhetoric surrounding the Wests support for Ukraine in an effort to shape Western behaviour. It is unclear to what extent Russian forces intend to strike civilian ships in the Black Sea, although the Kremlin likely believes the announcement will have a chilling effect on maritime activity in the Black Sea and create conditions reminiscent of the complete blockade of Ukrainian ports at the start of the full-scale invasion." Details: The ISW believes that the attempt to obtain economic concessions from the West could have an undermining effect on the Kremlin's international efforts, jeopardising food supplies to several countries that are targeted by the Kremlin. "Russian strikes against Ukrainian port and grain infrastructure and naval posturing also continue to illustrate that the Kremlin is willing to use naval and precision strike assets to prioritise immediate economic concerns instead of operations in Ukraine," the ISW added. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! By Angelo Amante ROME (Reuters) - Mediterranean and Middle East countries will meet in Rome on Sunday to boost efforts to stem illegal migration flows, with Italy saying the aim is to help countries in Africa in order to reduce the impetus for migrants to reach Europe. The meeting will focus on building partnership for projects in sectors including agriculture, infrastructure and health, an Italian government statement said on Friday. "The conference aims to govern the migration phenomenon, combat human trafficking and promote economic development according to a new model of cooperation between states," the statement said. Planned participants include Tunisia, Turkey, Libya, Algeria and the United Arab Emirates, along with the European Union and the IMF, Italian officials told Reuters. However France, a major Mediterranean power which clashed with Italy last year over immigration, was not expected to attend the event and its absence could dilute any outcome. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who has seen migrant landings surge in Italy this year, has made it a priority to engage other nations in plans to block people from embarking on the perilous journey to Europe. Meloni, who has led a right-wing coalition since October, has so far floundered in her efforts to stem the increase. Some 83,400 people have come ashore so far this year, compared with almost 34,000 in 2022. At least 94 people died when their ship broke up just off the coast of Calabria in late February. The government said the conference would also discuss issues related to climate change and energy, as Italy moves to implement an energy cooperation initiative with Africa, the so-called "Mattei plan," named after the post-war founder of Italy's energy group Eni. The conference comes just a week after the European Union signed a partnership deal with Tunisia, one of the hot spots for migrant departures, pledging up to 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in aid to combat human smugglers and help its battered economy. Story continues Advocacy group Human Rights Watch said it "failed to include guarantees that Tunisian authorities would prevent violations of the rights of migrants and asylum seekers," referring to President Kais Saied crackdown on foreigners. ($1 = 0.8946 euros) (Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Keith Weir and Alison Williams) After receiving at least one complaint about the Miami Transplant Institute, federal and state regulators conducted a surprise inspection of the centers organ transplant programs at Jackson Memorial Hospital, including its temporarily shuttered adult heart transplants, and found zero deficiencies, Jacksons top executive recently said. Surveyors spent three days at Jackson Memorial and MTI conducting extensive interviews with our staff, inspecting our clinical areas and combing through medical records and documentation. They left our facility with a few dozen additional medical records for further review. I am pleased to inform you that CMS and ACHA identified zero deficiencies, and we were found to be in full compliance, Jackson Health CEO Carlos Migoya told the Public Health Trust, the governing body of Miami-Dades public hospital system. Migoya was referring to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that oversees hospitals, and the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, which regulates state hospitals. Carlos Migoya, the CEO of Jackson Health The investigators visited the Miami transplant center in April after receiving a complaint about possible noncompliance with federal health and safety regulations. The regulators found no deficiencies while conducting the unannounced surveys at Jacksons transplant center from April 11- 13, according to a federal database that posts inspection results. The inspections came shortly after the United Network for Organ Sharing, or UNOS, the nonprofit that oversees the countrys organ transplant system, sent a team of experts in early April to conduct a peer review after Jackson shuttered its adult heart transplant program in mid-March. The organ sharing network is scrutinizing the program after it received internal and external complaints relating to poor patient outcomes, including deaths and infections, after the heart transplants. READ MORE: Jackson/UMs renowned adult heart transplant program is abruptly suspended, pending review Story continues A separate complaint sent to Medicare is about poor patient selection for the hospitals left ventricular assist device, or LVADs, which are basically a mechanical heart pump implanted when a heart is too weak to circulate blood around the body. What Medicare, state agency looked at During their visit, federal investigators zeroed in on infection control and conducted an abbreviated version of their periodic patient-centered inspections to ensure the transplant centers adult and pediatric heart, adult lung and adult kidney transplant programs were complying with federal requirements, according to documents recently obtained by the Miami Herald. Medicare confirmed to the Miami Herald that its investigation was prompted by a complaint. The agency also confirmed that it reviewed Jacksons left ventricular assist device program, along with several other hospital requirements, during the complaint survey process, but did not elaborate. READ NEXT: Heres what led to the investigation at Jacksons Miami Transplant Institute, and whats next Federal regulations require hospitals to have an infection control and prevention surveillance program that adheres to nationally recognized guidelines to reduce healthcare-associated infections, or HAIs, and antibiotic-resistant organisms. HAIs are often preventable infections that people get while receiving care at a healthcare facility. Some of the most common HAI infections include catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections, surgical site infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These infections are a significant cause of illness and death, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. READ MORE: He died after getting a heart transplant at Jackson. His loved ones want answers The regulators also reviewed the Miami Transplant Institutes adult and pediatric heart, adult lung and adult kidney organ transplant programs to ensure they met transplant center and emergency preparedness requirements for recertification. Jackson officials said the agency didnt share any details about the complaint with the hospital, only the outcome of its visit. The two agencies Medicare and and the Floridas Agency for Health Care Administration did not respond to specific questions from the Herald about their investigations. A surveyors job is not to confirm whether the events contained in the allegation occurred, but to determine whether the transplant center is complying with the federal requirements needed to be a Medicare/Medicaid-certified provider, according to federal inspection operation manuals. Miami transplant officials to meet with UNOS Four months after stopping adult heart transplants, Jackson leaders are in the process of overhauling the program. Interim doctors have replaced Dr. Matthias Loebe, the former chief of heart transplants, and Dr. Anita Phancao, the former director of heart failure, who were the focus of the complaints that spurred multiple investigations on the federal and state level. Read More: Jackson overhauls top staff at heart transplant program, amid patient deaths, investigations Hospital officials announced in the June 28 Public Health Trust meeting that the Miami Transplant Institute will soon have a new leader for its adult heart transplant program, which is still closed. This person has a proven track record of success, who has the potential and vision needed to transform this program into one of the nations best, Migoya told the board. At the core of everything we do is our patients and providing them with the best care 100% of the time. For transplant patients in particular, we know that for many of them, MTI is quite literally their last chance, Migoya said. That responsibility is one that we never take lightly. And that is why we are working towards building this program up to its full potential. Dr. Chris Ghaemmaghami, executive vice president at Jackson Health, said the hospital will be meeting in late July with the United Network for Organ Sharing, or UNOS, the nonprofit that oversees the countrys organ transplant system. Its not known yet when Jackson will resume adult heart transplants. READ NEXT: How do Florida hospitals get organs for the sickest patients in need of transplants? From Ring video doorbells to more elaborate monitoring systems, security cameras have spread as a way for homeowners and businesses to add some level of safety to their premises. The video captured by those cameras also can be a treasure trove of information when police are investigating crimes. At a Jacksonville Sheriff's Office town hall that attracted hundreds of people Wednesday to the Prime Osborn Convention Center, Sheriff T.K. Waters announced the agency is launching ConnectDuval, a program that lets owners of security cameras voluntarily register them with the Sheriff's Office so its officers can quickly know who to contact about obtaining video footage that helps solve crimes. Nate Monroe: Sheriff's vision for modern policing sounds expensive. And weird Nate Monroe: Sheriff asks for more money while sitting on millions in savings, vacancies Force growth: Jacksonville sheriff puts down marker of 80 more police positions next year The program also gives security camera owners an option of letting the Sheriff's Office get the video feed directly in real-time, a partnership that has faced criticism that it creates a "Big Brother" surveillance network when the government is receiving such video information. Despite those concerns, the technology has continued to gain interest from law enforcement agencies. Clay County and St. Johns County already use that approach for hundreds of cameras in partnership with Fusus, a company that has been working to bring its technology to local governments across the country. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters delivers his town hall address Wednesday at the Prime Osborn Convention Center. Waters and other staff talked about their vision of how the Sheriffs Office can build better partnerships with the public in order to fight crime. Sheriff's Office leaders said at the town hall the program is voluntary with "layers of privacy protection." "The aim of this initiative is not to create a surveillance state, but this program empowers citizens to contribute actively to the safety of their community using surveillance footage that's already been gathered," Mark Romano, Sheriff's Office director of investigations and homeland security, said in his presentation on how ConnectDuval will work. Story continues He said with the police and public "working together, we can strike a balance between privacy and security" by ensuring the information is used "solely for the purpose of public safety." Sheriff T.K. Waters says community policing model drives changes Waters also announced that his agency has done a wholesale revamp of how it deploys uniformed patrol officers. He said the changes will more evenly spread the workload across the county for patrol officers on their beats, giving them more time to get out of their marked vehicles and engage with residents. Waters said both Duval Connect and the patrol changes are aimed at enhancing community policing so residents and law enforcement are working together in partnership. "Community policing is not just walking around shaking hands," Waters said in an interview afteward. "Community policing is getting the community involved with ConnectDuval and getting the community involved with our unsolved crime database. That's the citizens themselves being a part of the solution." Mayor Deegan supports more police: Deegan makes first $1.75 billion budget proposal Some in the audience have their own long-standing ideas for how the Sheriff's Office can work better with the community. The Northside Coalition of Jacksonville, which advocates for creation of a civil review board of the Sheriff's Office, joined the UNF Students for a Democratic Society and Take 'Em Down Jax for a rally before the town hall. Northside Coalition member Kelly Frazier, whose late father Ben Frazier founded the group, called the town hall an "overblown commercial for JSO" with just 19 minutes for questions from audience members. She said in a tweet those who attended "were treated to the underwhelming announcements of newly drawn police zones, a program to give JSO access to our home cameras, and a new cruiser." The reference to the cruiser involved Waters announcing the model and make of the patrol vehicle the department will be using in the future. He said the new style will be brought into the fleet as typical turnover occurs. A new patrol vehicle is unveiled during a town hall meeting hosted Wednesday by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Sheriff T.K. Waters said the new vehicle will be added to the patrol division as the usual turnover of aging vehicles takes place. Members of the Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment, known as ICARE for short, wore black clothing to recognize the 130 people who died of criminal homicide in Jacksonville in 2022. ICARE wants the Sheriff's Office to establish an adult civil citation program for minor, non-violent offenses. ICARE said that would give the Sheriff's Office the ability to focus more of its resources on violent crime. Waters said his agency did an extensive study of how to reconfigure patrol zones. He said in the zones that have been used for decades, the calls for service created the highest workload per officer on the Westside and in parts of the Southside down to Mandarin. The new boundaries will help to even out the workload and give all officers time to "get out of their vehicles and walk around neighborhoods and have those very important personal conversations with our citizens," Waters said during the gathering. He said the "data-driven realignment" shows the Sheriff's Office needs 216 more police officers to adequately staff each of the police service districts. "This is not a shoot from the hip or pie in the sky number," Waters said. "The need for this project was great, and our goals and expectations for this project are lofty in no uncertain terms." The Sheriff's Office currently has just over 3,300 positions when counting police, corrections and civilian employees. The current cap for police office positions is 1,828. Of those positions, about 1,200 are in the patrol division whose uniformed officers drive in marked cars through neighborhoods and respond to 911 calls for assistance, so adding 216 positions for patrol services would be a substantial increase. New Mayor Donna Deegans's proposed 2023-24 budget would provide funding for 40 new police officer positions. The Sheriff's Office also is seeking a federal Community Oriented Policing Services grant that would pay a large portion of the cost for creating another 40 police positions, bringing the total of new positions to 80. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office joins Clay and St. Johns counties in embracing Fuson tech While patrol officers are the eyes and ears of the Sheriff's Office in neighborhoods, security cameras also would play a bigger role in the future highlighted by Waters. The Clay County Sheriff's Office, which was the first in the Jacksonville area to partner with Fusus, shows people have registered 47 cameras and integrated another 1,624 cameras with the Fusus technology as part of the Connect Clay County program. The integration of the cameras gives the Sheriff's Office access to the video feed but only at such times as the camera owner agrees to provide that access. Members from the Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment congregate and cling to signs reading 130 that the group says is how many died in criminal homicides in 2022 in Jacksonville. ICARE members were among those who attended a town hall meeting hosted by Sheriff T.K. Waters. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and its Connect St. Johns program has registered 491 cameras and integrated Fusus technology into 669 cameras, according to the department. A day after the town hall, Jacksonville owners had already registered hundreds of cameras at connectduval.org. Wednesday's presentation said investigators already seek video footage when they are trying to solve crimes. ConnectDuval will let them know faster where to ask for such footage rather than going door to door making that request. Even if the cameras do not show the actual crime itself, they might capture video of perpetrators going to the scene of the crime or leaving it. But some local governments have had concerns about how the use of cameras for crime-fighting might erode constitutional rights. When the Columbia City Council in Missouri voted last November against the Columbia Police Department using Fusus, the council heard nearly 20 people speak in favor and about 30 against it during a public comment period, according to a Columbia Daily Tribune news report. The Mid-Missouri Civil Liberties Association raised concerns in a letter to Columbia city leaders. "While business owners may indeed be required to give their consent before their cameras will be connected to the Fusus system, the businesses' employees and customers certainly are not required to give their permission," the letter said. "It is they whose activities will be placed under surveillance." The civil liberties association also questioned whether independent data shows the Fusus program actually makes a difference in reducing crime or catching offenders. The Clay County Sheriff's Office is an enthusiastic supporter of the program that its brought to businesses, homeowner associations and churches. Robbie Tarter, community connect coordinator there, called the technology a "game changer" that is the "future of crime fighting" in a podcast interview he did with Fusus. "We've been able to solve crimes time and time again using those cameras," Tarter said. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Sheriff's Office will partner with Fuson camera tech Jan VanTassel CENTER OSSIPEE Jan Whittemore VanTassel is being remembered as a gentle, friendly man, a "small-town good guy." VanTassel, 79, was allegedly beaten to death Friday night in the parking lot of the Walmart in Somersworth. His family and the community in Center Ossipee are in shock at the violence that ended his life. Brian D. Roberge, 52, of East Rochester, the man charged in the murder is being held at Strafford County House of Corrections pending trial. He is charged with second-degree murder, which carries a potential life sentence. On Monday in Strafford County Superior Court, he pleaded not guilty, was denied bail and Judge Mark Howard approved sealing the affidavit in his case. Compressional asphyxia was the cause of death, according to an autopsy report from the state medical examiner's office. New Hampshire Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Mitchell Weinberg's finding on the cause of death is "consistent with eyewitness accounts that Mr. Roberge was straddling Mr. VanTassels chest for several minutes while hitting him in the head and face," according to authorities. Previous story: Somersworth Walmart murder suspect denied bail VanTassel served more than 40 years as a volunteer firefighter VanTassel was well known in his Center Ossipee community for 40-plus years of service with the Center Ossipee Volunteer Fire Department, where he was a captain, according to his obituary. Early on in his fire department career, he found great pleasure in fundraising activities for the department and "helped plan and participate in the firemans musters, attended every firemans dinner, sold tickets at Ham Night and most of all, he loved calling out the bingo numbers at Westwood Shores," the obituary states. Fire Chief Dana Cullen said the Center Ossipee Fire Department is a place that was dear to VanTassel's heart. Though he retired years ago, he holds lifetime membership status in the department and often popped in to visit, according to the chief. Story continues Members of the town's Fire Department were set to conduct their traditional funeral services for VanTassel. "At the wake, we will set up a vigil, members to guard him," said Cullen. "They will form a line that visitors will pass through to pay their respects. A lot of people here knew and loved him. Our members and our mutual aid departments will be on hand." The Center Ossipee Fire Department is now a combination of paid and volunteer members. Cullen said when VanTassel came on board the department was strictly volunteer. According to his obituary, Van Tassel was a well-known certified Detroit Diesel mechanic. He worked as a mechanic for Rines Garage in West Ossipee as well as several local trucking companies and contractors. For many years he owned and operated his own trucking company, DJ & K Trucking, which delivered propane all over the Northeast and Canada for several major companies. "Jan was your typical small-town good guy," said Cullen. "He did a lot of tinkering on the trucks here during the 60s and 70s, when volunteer fire departments did not have a lot of money. He could fix most things and he even helped create some of the specifications for trucks we would purchase. He was also good at driving the trucks and operating the pumps." Cullen said VanTassel retired sometime in the 1980s. "But he'd always come back to talk to the members," said Cullen. "He would tell the history of the town and stories about fires he worked on. As a matter of fact, we were talking on the Fourth of July and he was bragging about being the last of our lifetime members, as we don't really do that any longer." According to his obituary, VanTassel was a graduate of Kennett High School in Conway, N.H. He is survived by his four children, stepdaughter, 11 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jan's memory to the Center Ossipee Fire Department, PO Box 276, Center Ossipee NH 03814. Visiting hours will be held at the Lord Funeral Home, 50 Moultonville Road, Center Ossipee, N.H., Friday, July 28, 2023, from 5-8 p.m. A Graveside service will be held Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Woodland Cemetery, 148 Hobbs Road, Effingham, NH 03882. This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Jan VanTassel, killed in Walmart parking lot, a 'small-town good guy' Steve Granitz - Getty Images "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Jennifer Aniston was recently spotted wearing a pair of stylish, summer-ready sandals: the Havaianas Top Flip-Flop Sandals. Thousands of reviewers love the comfortable, lightweight flip-flops, and some have been wearing them for decades. The popular pick is available in multiple colors and is currently as little as $15 at Amazon. If theres one thing were always on the hunt for in the summer, its a pair of comfortable, stylish walking sandals. Thankfully, weve just discovered the perfect ones that are supportive and affordableand its all thanks to Jennifer Aniston (who we can usually count on for the best product recommendations, from her favorite retinol serum to her go-to fitness essentials!). The 54-year-old actress was recently seen wearing a pick that we cant wait to get our hands on: the Havaianas Top Flip-Flop Sandals. Shop Now Womens Top Flip Flop Sandals $18.30 amazon.com Havaianas Earlier this month, Aniston was spotted leaving a workout class in Los Angeles rocking black leggings, a black tank, and sunglasses. But what really stole the show? The pair of classic red flip-flops on her feetwhich weve identified as a style from popular Brazilian footwear brand Havaianas. As it turns out, Aniston has been a longtime fan of the brandin fact, she was even seen wearing Havaianas flip-flops all the way back in 2009! So whats so special about Anistons go-to pick? For one, the Top Flip-Flops are designed with comfort in mind: They feature a cushioned footbed with a textured rice pattern and a comfortable, slip-resistant rubber sole. The material is waterproof and durable yet still lightweight, making them a versatile pick for any summer outingwhether youre headed to the beach, lounging by the pool, or even just running errands in the neighborhood. Its not just Aniston who loves Havaianas sandals, eithertheyre a long-time favorite of shoppers, too. In fact, Anistons pick boasts over 6,000 five-star ratings from Amazon reviewers, with tons raving that theyre the most comfortable flip-flops theyve ever owned and feel like walking on clouds. Story continues One reviewer writes, Havaianas are by far the most comfortable, sturdy, and amazing flip-flops of all time, adding, I basically live in mine. I love that I can walk for miles and they never give me blisters between my toes like most other flip-flops do. Now, thats a win! I am a Havaianas fan to the core. I basically wear flip flops every day of my life, and Ive found that these are not only comfortable, but last forever, says another reviewer. Ive had this pair for years, and they still look great, are easy to clean, and dont hold an odor. I never want another brand of flip-flops again. If these glowing reviews from shoppersand a personal stamp of approval from Anistonarent enough to convince you to buy these sandals, youll want to take a peek at the super-affordable price tag. Right now, the top-rated flip-flops in Anistons color of choice, Ruby Red, are only $15 on Amazon in select sizes. They also come in six other colors (and plenty of color options available at Zappos and the Havaianas website, too) for no more than $20, so you can take your preferred pick. So what are you waiting for? Grab a pair (or five) of these iconic flip-flops to wear to your next beach day outing or to with your favorite summer dresses. And after you add them to your cart, be sure to check out more of Anistons favorite picks below. Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion Shop Now Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion $38.46 amazon.com Aveeno, Protect + Hydrate FaceMoisturizing Sunscreen Lotion Shop Now Aveeno, Protect + Hydrate FaceMoisturizing Sunscreen Lotion $8.99 amazon.com Heritage Store Rosewater Shop Now Heritage Store Rosewater $9.88 amazon.com Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Facial Moisturizer Shop Now Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Facial Moisturizer $27.99 amazon.com You Might Also Like Photo: New Jersey 105.1 Amanda Davila, 26, has been arrested and charged in the death of a 6-year-old girl with special needs. Davila, who was working as a school bus monitor in New Jersey, failed to notice a harness securing the child to her wheelchair fatally choking her, authorities stated Thursday. Davila, of New Brunswick, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with second-degree manslaughter and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to prosecutors. Read more The child, Fajr Williams, used a wheelchair and was being transported on a school bus to an extended school year program at a school in Franklin Township, Somerset County on Monday morning at the time of the incident. In a statement Thursday, the Somerset County Prosecutors Office explained: During the transport, a series of bumps in the road caused the 6-year-old to slump in her wheelchair seat making the 4-point harness which secured her to the chair to become tight around her neck ultimately blocking her airway. During the ride, the school bus monitor, Amanda Davila was seated towards the front of the bus and was utilizing a cellular telephone while wearing ear bud headphone devices in both ears. The investigation revealed that this was in violation of policies and procedures. A little after 9 a.m., police responded to a school in Franklin Township and administered CPR to Williams, prosecutors stated. She was taken to a local hospital and was pronounced dead. Williams parents gave an interview with New York ABC station WABC and explained that their daughter was diagnosed with a disability called Emanuel syndrome. She was the sweetest kid youll ever meet. She had the sweetest little laugh, little dimples and she just endured so much in her six years, her mother, Namjah Nash Williams, stated. To be taken away from us in such a way, that had nothing to do with her condition. This will never ever happen again if I have any say so. The tragedy remains under investigation. Story continues 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. A New Jersey bus monitor has been charged with manslaughter after a six-year-old girl in her care died when she was strangled by a safety harness. Prosecutors say Amanda Davila, 27, had headphones on and did not notice Faja Williams could not breathe. Faja had a rare disorder, Emanuel syndrome, which meant she could not speak or walk, but could make sounds. Ms Davila, who appeared in court on Thursday, also faces child endangerment charges. Officers responding last Monday to a 911 call from Claremont Elementary School in Franklin Park found the girl unresponsive. The child was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Investigators determined that Faja began to slump in her wheelchair as the bus hit bumps in the road. A harness used to secure the girl became "tight around her neck, ultimately blocking her airway", said Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. "Amanda Davila was seated toward the front of the bus and was utilising a cellular telephone while wearing ear bud headphones devices in both ears," the statement added. "The investigation revealed that this was in violation of policies and procedures." Ms Davila was arrested on Wednesday. In an interview with CBS, the BBC's US partner, Faja's parents said their grief is unimaginable. "This lady [Ms Davila] is on the cell phone. [Faja's] back there fighting for her life," her father, Wali Williams, said. "She's not even looking back." Faja's mother, Najmah Nash, said she got the call from authorities about 45 minutes after her daughter was picked up from home. "My sweet baby, she was six years old, and she was the sweetest kid you'll ever meet," said Ms Nash. The firm that operated the bus, Montauk Transit LLC, told the BBC they were "devastated" by Faja's loss. The company will "support any punishment that the justice system determines appropriate for the bus monitor who has been arrested", said its president, John Mensch. The grandson of former President John F. Kennedy is ripping Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s 2024 White House bid and throwing his support behind President Biden. President John F. Kennedy is my grandfather. And his legacy is important, Jack Schlossberg, the 30-year-old son of U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, said in a video posted Friday on Instagram. Its about a lot more than Camelot and conspiracy theories. Its about public service and courage, Schlossberg continued. Endorsing Bidens reelection campaign, he said the 46th president shares my grandfathers vision for America: That we do things not because they are easy, but because they are hard. He is in the middle of becoming the greatest progressive president weve ever had, he said, citing unemployment and jobs figures, infrastructure and green energy investments and the appointment of federal judges. He ended the COVID pandemic and he ended Donald Trump, Schlossberg added before blasting his cousin Kennedys campaign for the Democratic nomination. These are the issues that matter. And if my cousin, Bobby Kennedy Jr., cared about any of them, he would support Joe Biden, too, Schlossberg said of his family member, an environmental lawyer and vaccine skeptic. Instead, hes trading in on Camelot, celebrity conspiracy theories and conflict for personal gain and fame. Ive listened to him. I know him. I have no idea why anyone thinks he should be president, said Schlossberg, who spoke alongside his mother at the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention. What I do know is his candidacy is an embarrassment. Lets not be distracted, again, by somebodys vanity project, Schlossberg said. The Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School graduate is the latest member of the Kennedy clan to denounce the presidential run by the son of former Attorney General Robert Kennedy. Earlier this week, Kennedys sister, Kerry Kennedy, publicly condemned her brothers remarks on COVID-19 and ethnic targeting, calling them deplorable and untruthful. Story continues Former Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) also spoke out about his 69-year-old uncles widely criticized comments after the New York Post obtained an audio recording of the White House hopeful saying COVID-19 could have been ethnically targeted to prevent the deaths of Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people. My uncles comments were hurtful and wrong, the former congressman said. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President John F Kennedys grandson Jack Schlossberg blasted Robert F Kennedy Jrs candidacy as an embarrassment before endorsing President Joe Biden. Mr Schlossberg said in a video on Instagram on Friday that his grandfathers legacy is important. He accused his cousin, RFK Jr, of trading in on Camelot, celebrity, conspiracy theories and conflict for personal gain and fame. Mr Schlossberg praised President Biden, saying he was on the way to becoming the countrys greatest progressive president weve ever had. He then slammed RJK Jr, saying if his cousin cared about his familys legacy then he would support the incumbent president. Joe Biden shares my grandfathers dream for America, that we do things not because things are easy, but because they are hard, he continued. Ive listened to him, I know him. I have no idea why anyone thinks he should be president. What I do know is his candidacy is an embarrassment, the 30-year-old lawyer said. Lets not be distracted again by somebodys vanity project, Mr Schlossberg added. The 2024 candidate recently revisited a Covid-19 vaccine conspiracy theory that there is an argument to be made that the virus is ethnically targeted. Although Mr Biden still has a large lead in the Democratic primary, Mr Kennedy has garnered some support himself. A recent YouGov poll taken after his most recent vaccine comment showed him polling at seven per cent, compared to the presidents 69 per cent. Envoy: Sustain good momentum 08:44, July 21, 2023 By Zhao Huanxin in Aspen, Colorado ( Chinadaily.com.cn Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng (right) has a fireside chat with Steve Clemons, editor-at-large of news platform Semafor, at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, US , on Wednesday. [Photo by Zhao Huanxin / China Daily] The existing prohibitions by the United States on Chinese imports of equipment used to make advanced chips are "like restricting the other side to wear outdated swimwear in a swimming contest, while you yourself are wearing a Speedo", Beijing's top envoy to Washington told the audience at the Aspen Security Forum on Wednesday. It was one of the moments during the gathering in Aspen, in the US state of Colorado, in which the audience burst into laughter at a speaker's spontaneous and smart comments. However, Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng also had more serious thoughts to share, especially on how the two countries could stabilize their relations following a number of trips between Washington and Beijing by high-ranking officials. He also said that China would definitely respond to "provocations", even though Beijing does not want a trade or tech war. A conversation with a Chinese ambassador has become a staple of the annual Aspen event, a US national security and foreign policy conference, which this year addresses questions such as how the world can responsibly harness artificial intelligence. Like previous forums, this year's four-day event, which ends on Friday, has been laden with China-related topics. Shedding light on how the US and China can de-escalate tensions and cooperate on issues of common concern, Xie told a packed hall on Wednesday that the foundations of China-US relations remain weak in the wake of a series of visits by high-ranking officials in recent weeks. Those trips, including the first by Secretary of State Antony Blinken in his current capacity, followed by that of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and, most recently, John Kerry, US special presidential envoy for climate, were "a good sign" and offered "a rare opportunity" to stabilize bilateral relations, which both sides are hoping to rescue from further deterioration. "But the challenges are still abundant, and the foundations are still fragile. So we need to keep up and also to sustain this good momentum," he said. 'Essential priorities' Xie singled out three "essential priorities" for China-US relations going forward: shortening the negative list, which means overcoming obstacles and managing differences; extending the positive agenda by expanding areas of cooperation, starting from low-hanging fruit like increasing flights and travel visas; and seeking out people who support improvement of bilateral ties. The former vice-minister of foreign affairs said that there used to be more than 100 dialogue mechanisms between the two countries until these were stalled by the US side in 2018. "I think the two sides have waited too long. Why don't we start renewing them? If not all, then starting from 50, or 30. I think that is possible," he said. Xie, who assumed the ambassadorial post nearly two months ago, said that since his arrival, he has had a perception of so-called "political correctness" in US society, which has surprised him. "I've been talking to as many American friends as possible. I think there are still a large number of supporters for this relationship, but they seem to be under pressure," he said. "One of my jobs here is to seek them out." Outside the forum venue, signs displayed quotes from participants in previous Aspen forums that echoed this year's theme. One of these presented a quotation from Joseph Nye, dean emeritus of Harvard Kennedy School, "There are some issues where we are going to have to work with China, even while there are other areas where we will be competing with China, and we are going to have to learn to do that simultaneously." Xie said China does not shy away from "competition", but the way it is defined by the US is unfair. He said that the US is trying to win by keeping China out. For example, it banned Huawei, even though the company has come up with an agreement to have no "back door" in its technology. "So how can you imagine a competition without one side even on the ground?" he said. He also said that the US is rallying allies to "encircle" China, making the "competition" with China not a "one on one" but "many on one". In commenting on US attempts to frustrate Chinese efforts to secure the most advanced chips, he compared the competition to a swimming contest. The ambassador noted that up to now the US had put at least 1,300 Chinese entities or personnel on its sanctions list. "These people were forced out of a job and their families suffered greatly," Xie said, adding that there were reports that Washington is considering an outbound investment review mechanism, as well as further prohibitions 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'." During the conversation, Xie said China "definitely" does not seek hegemony or to have conflict with the US, nor does it want to challenge or displace the US. "We want to grow together with the US. So I think the Thucydides Trap is not inevitable," he said, referring to the narrative that when a rising power causes fear in an established power, this escalates toward war. "The world has changed, now we have to look beyond; we should say goodbye to the Cold War mentality. We should say goodbye to bloc confrontation. We should say goodbye to the zero-sum game, and we should avoid a major country conflict," he said. In commenting on the Taiwan question, the envoy said that the most fundamental thing is to return to the one-China principle, and the most important thing is that the three joint communiques between China and the US should be implemented. "And thirdly, I think the provocative adventurist moves by the Taiwan separatists should be contained. And now the priority for us is to stop Lai Ching-te from visiting the United States, which is like a great rhino charging at us," he said. Beijing has lodged a strong protest to Washington over a planned visit by Lai, Taiwan's deputy leader, urging Washington not to cross "the first red line in China-US relations". (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) (CNN) Two tourists who snapped selfies with dingoes have been fined more than $1,500 each for taking the extremely dangerous decision to interact with the native wild dogs following a recent spate of ferocious attacks, Australian authorities said. In a statement Friday, Queensland Department of Environment and Science compliance manager Mike Devery said the two women were lucky not to be attacked in the separate incidents on the popular tourist island of Kgari, formerly known as Fraser Island. An image provided by the department showed an unnamed New South Wales woman, 29, laying down next to a pack of sleeping dingo pups. She was lucky the mother of the pups wasnt nearby, Devery said. The other tourist, a 25-year-old Queensland woman, appeared in a selfie video posted to social media that showed her with a growling dingo, which was clearly exhibiting dominance-testing behaviour, he said. It is not playful behaviour. Wongari are wild animals and need to be treated as such, and the woman is lucky the situation did not escalate, he added, referring to dingoes by their indigenous name. In an update Friday, the department said a 23-year-old woman was hospitalized with serious injuries to her arms and legs after she was bitten by dingoes while jogging on an island beach Monday. Tourists Shane and Sarah Moffat jumped in to rescue her, CNN affiliate Nine News reported. There was a big piece missing out of her arm there and there was puncture wounds all up the side of her legs, Shane Moffat told Nine News. The leader of that dingo pack was later euthanized, the department said. It had also been involved in recent biting incidents that led to the hospitalization of a 6-year-old girl, the department said. It was also clear from its behaviour that it had become habituated, either by being fed or from people interacting with it for videos and selfies, the update said. Our number one priority is to keep people on Kgari safe and conserve the population of wongari (dingoes), and those who blatantly ignore the rules for social media attention can expect a fine or a court appearance, Devery said. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Tourists fined for dingo selfies as rangers warn of rising wild dog attacks." A self-portrait created by Johnny Depp during a challenging period of his life has gone up for sale. The artwork, titled Five, was created by the Pirates of the Caribbean star earlier this year. The work will be sold as a time-limited edition, with prospective buyers given just 13 days from 5pm GMT on Thursday (20 July) to purchase the piece. $200 (155) from each sale in the exhibition will go to Mental Health America, with pieces priced from 1,950. Five takes its title from the time it was made earlier this year, as Depp entered the fifth year of a challenging period in his life, a press release said. In recent years, the 60-year-old has faced a number of high-profile legal troubles regarding his ex-wife, fellow actor Amber Heard. Depp previously released a series of paintings titled Friends and Heroes, which featured bright, colour-block portraits of pop culture icons. Five is created in the same style, and is based on a photograph taken for a campaign for Christian Dior Parfums in 2015. Discussing the project, Depp saying that he immersed himself in creating the work as a means of creative healing. Depps work (PA) Its not the most comfortable thing doing a self-portrait, he said, adding that: If the piece resonates with even just one person, this art has purpose. In 2018, Depp brought a libel lawsuit against News Group Newspapers in the UK over an article in The Sun that referred to him as a wife beater. The court rejected his claims, finding that the allegations of violence made by Heard were substantially true. Depp subsequently stepped down from his role as the evil wizard Gellert Grindlewald in the Harry Potter spin-off franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Depp returned to the screen in May (PA Wire) Four years later, Depp and Heard returned to court after he sued her in 2019 for defamation, after he claimed she had implied that Depp had abused her in a 2018 op-ed for The Washington Post. Aquaman star Heard countersued Depp, alleging that by calling her claims fraudulent, Depps lawyers had defamed her. The jury ultimately ruled in Depps favour, awarding him $10m (8m) in compensatory damages and $5m (4m) in punitive damages. Heard, meanwhile, was awarded $2m (1.5m) for her countersuit. Story continues In May, Depp returned to the screen as his French-language film Jeanne du Barry premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. At the subsequent press conference, the actor discussed claims he had been boycotted by Hollywood, saying: Did I feel boycotted by Hollywood? Youd have to not have a pulse at that point to feel [like], None of this is happening, this is actually just a weird joke youve been asleep for 35 years! Of course, when youre asked to resign from a film youre doing because of something that is merely a bunch of vowels and consonants floating in the air, you feel a bit boycotted. Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was saddened by the news of the resignation of Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine's ambassador to the United Kingdom, because he was an excellent ambassador. Source: Johnson on Twitter Quote from Johnson: "Sad to say goodbye to Vadym Prystaiko who has been a great Ukrainian ambassador and friend to this country." Sad to say goodbye to @VPrystaiko who has been a great Ukrainian ambassador and friend to this country. I hope he will emerge soon in another incarnation! pic.twitter.com/EciW9D6c2J Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 21, 2023 Details: At the same time, Johnson expressed hope that the dismissed ambassador would soon appear "in another incarnation". At the same time, Sky News' security and defence editor, Deborah Haynes, believes that Prystaiko has been effective as ambassador to Britain. "This is very unfortunate because the Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom has been an extremely powerful and important supporter of Ukraine's efforts to obtain more weapons...He is very well respected. He has been incredibly effective as an ambassador of Ukraine," she said. Background: On 21 July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree dismissing Vadym Prystaiko from the post of ambassador to the United Kingdom, who called the president's words "unhealthy sarcasm" that he can thank UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for military aid every morning. Previously: Recently, Prystaiko had to explain his remark on Sky News about the "unhealthy sarcasm" of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in response to the words of UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace made a statement on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius in which he called on Ukraine to express more gratitude to its partners for the military support provided instead of constantly making demands for the unlocking of new types of weapons. He noted that lawmakers, primarily American, believe that more articulated gratitude from Ukraine would make it easier to make decisions about the further allocation of aid. In response to Wallace's words, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is very grateful to the UK and its people for their support. But he also added that "we can wake up in the morning and thank the minister personally". Prystaiko, commenting on this discussion, called the statements "unhealthy sarcasm". This statement was taken by all observers, including the UK media, as a criticism of President Zelenskyy, and even after objections from the embassy, the Sky News channel did not delete the tweet with a critical reading of the ambassador's words. Then, Prystaiko gave an explanation in which he did not distance himself from the criticism but softened it, saying that "sarcasm between friendly countries is not needed". Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A Milwaukee man was convicted in connection with a shooting at a Water Street tavern that left a hostess dead and two bouncers injured. Jordan M. Tate, 26, was found guilty by a jury Friday of first-degree reckless homicide in the death of Krystal N. Tucker, which occurred Feb. 10, 2022. He also was convicted of two counts of first-degree reckless injury after the jury deliberated for less than an hour. Tate wept as the verdict was read. He is set to be sentenced on Aug. 29. He faces an effective life sentence, with a maximum possible sentence of 85 years in prison and another 40 years of extended supervision. His attorney said she plans to appeal. Tucker's family declined to speak to reporters after the verdict. They will be present at the sentencing virtually as they live out of state and were present in-person each day of proceedings throughout the trial. Early in the trial, which began Monday, jurors heard testimony from Brownstone Social Lounge employees and customers. Many of them said the gunman opened fire near the entrance of the tavern. Tucker, a hostess for the establishment, was shot three times and died. Two bouncers were injured by gunfire but survived. The bar, located at 524 N. Water St., restricted access to those younger than 27. On this night, a Wednesday, the bar allowed in only those 28 and over. Prosecutor Michael Schindhelm said Tucker was shot when Tate got upset when she tried to explain the policy to him. Tate had become "a fairly regular" customer at the bar in the weeks and months before the shooting, Schindhelm said, describing the incident as "sad" and "senseless." Tate's attorney, Jane Heather Christopherson, of Milwaukee, promoted the theory there was no altercation before the two bouncers got involved. Jurors were shown video footage and still images of the Brownstone and of the altercation from different angles. Tate was arrested several months after the shooting. Story continues Bar employees testify during trial Jona Moore, the bar's general manager, said she was down the hall from the entrance when the shooting started. She recalled using towels to stem the bleeding from Tucker, who later died after falling in and out of consciousness. Bouncer Terry McMurtry was waiting to see if he would be needed to work after his 4-9 p.m. happy hour shift ended when he heard a disturbance at the entrance. There, he saw a man arguing with Tucker and another bouncer at the doorway. The man refused to leave the establishment. McMurtry approached to help, then shots erupted. He said he turned and pushed other bar patrons away from the fracas. "My adrenaline was so high ... I didn't know I had gotten shot," he said. Doctors removed most of the bullet fragments from his leg, but were unable to get them all without risking permanent damage. McMurtry said he still has pain and instances where his leg "locks up," particularly on cold days. Surveillance video showed the shooter being "pushed" from the lounge by security before the shooter began opening fire into the bar doorway. Brownstone closed their doors for about a month following the shooting, but reopened following a renovation and update to their age policy, requiring all patrons to be 30 and older. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jordan Tate convicted in deadly downtown Milwaukee nightclub shooting A 2-year-old child is dead following a reported drowning Friday on the Westside, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Police say they were called to a home in the 5200 block of Quan Drive around 12 p.m. in response to a drowning. The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department also responded. Life-saving measures were performed, but the child was later pronounced dead, JSO says. Ocean drowning: Neptune Beach drowning victim who helped family out of rip current was Ukrainian refugee Lifeguards won't catch everything: What drowning looks like and how to spot swimmers in trouble What to know: How to keep your children safe while swimming this summer Police are investigating the incident and the events that led up to the drowning. Right now they know there was a parent and a few other children home when the incident occurred. There is no foul play expected at this time, police say. This story was first published by First Coast News. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Child, 2, drowns in pool at Jacksonville home, Jacksonville police say A federal judge smacked down a request by convicted Capitol rioter Jacob Chansley also known as the QAnon Shaman to withdraw his guilty plea based on a Tucker Carlson broadcast that claimed to show exonerating footage. In a 35-page ruling Thursday, Judge Royce C. Lamberth expressed disappointment with Chansleys about-face and reaffirmed that there remains ample evidence supporting his conviction for obstructing Congress during the 2021 Capitol attack even if this evidence was conveniently omitted in Carlsons past programming on Fox News. (Carlson has since been fired from the network.) This Court cannot and will not reject the evidence before it. Nor should the public, the judge wrote. Jacob Chansley, also known as the Jacob Chansley, also known as the "QAnon Shaman," screams "Freedom" inside the U.S. Senate chamber after the U.S. Capitol was breached by a mob during a joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021. Chansley later pleaded guilty to obstruction of Congress. Chansley requested his plea be thrown out shortly after a March broadcast of Carlsons Fox News show that claimed to show new video evidence from the Capitol. The evidence purportedly showed Chansley and other rioters acting like peaceful sightseers who merely wandered over to the Capitol and were welcomed inside by security. Carlson alleged that the footage undermined the legitimacy of the governments prosecution of Chansley and others. These videos are decidedly not exculpatory, especially when viewed in context with the miles and miles and miles of footage recorded of Mr. Chansley on January 6, 2021, Lamberth fired back. Such footage, conveniently omitted by the March 6, 2023 program, shows nearly all of Mr. Chansleys actions that day, including: carrying a six-foot-long pole armed with a spearhead, unlawfully entering the Capitol through a broken door, disobeying orders from law enforcement on more than a half-dozen occasions, screaming obscenities, entering the Senate chamber, climbing onto the Senate dais, sitting in the Vice Presidents chair, and leaving a threatening message for the Vice President, he continued. Story continues Chansley is confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers outside the Senate chamber on Jan. 6, 2021. Chansley is confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers outside the Senate chamber on Jan. 6, 2021. Lamberth said none of the footage aired on Carlsons program contained new facts and evidence, as Carlson claimed. Chansley also did not explain how any of it would be exculpatory to the charge he pled guilty to: obstruction of an official proceeding. This is likely because he cannot make this showing, said Lamberth. The judge further tore into the integrity of Carlsons now-former program. Not only was the broadcast replete with misstatements and misrepresentations regarding the events of January 6, 2021 too numerous to count, the host explicitly questioned the integrity of this Court not to mention the legitimacy of the entire U.S. criminal justice system with inflammatory characterizations of cherry-picked videos stripped of their proper context, he wrote. He said Carlson told his viewers to reject the evidence of [their] eyes and ears, which the judge noted is language that resembles the destructive, misguided rhetoric that fueled the events of January 6 in the first place. Chansley yells inside the Senate chamber. Congress' joint session to ratify then-President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College win was disrupted by the rioters. Chansley yells inside the Senate chamber. Congress' joint session to ratify then-President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College win was disrupted by the rioters. Chansleys attorney, William Shipley, said he doesnt anticipate that his client will appeal. Jake has moved forward, and I think hell close this door behind him now, he said in a statement posted to Twitter. Chansley in 2021 pled guilty to obstruction of an official proceeding, in exchange for the dismissal of five other charges that were pending against him. He completed his prison sentence in March. In his plea agreement, he said he was pleading guilty to the count because he was in fact guilty. He also apologized before the court and said he wanted to take responsibility for his actions, because repentance is not just saying youre sorry. Lamberth had said that he was swayed by Chansleys apology, resulting in Chansley receiving 41 months in prison the minimum sentence in the guidance with credit for time served. Youve certainly done everything you could today to convince the Court that youre a new person, and I think youre on the right track, Lamberth told him at the time. The judge in his ruling Thursday noted that had Chansley not taken the plea deal, he likely would have faced a harsher sentence. Related... A Shawnee County District Court judge bound Serena M. Sanchez over for trial Thursday for intentional second-degree murder while denying her request for self-defense immunity under the Kansas Stand Your Ground law. Judge Maban Wright scheduled her arraignment to take place at 3 p.m. July 26 for Sanchez, who is accused in the March 6 stabbing death of Rodney D. Clayton, 57, of Topeka, at Sanchez's home at 232 S.W. Harrison. Defendants at arraignment hearings are expected to enter a plea to any charges they face. What does the Kansas Stand Your Ground law say? A Shawnee County District Court judge bound Serena M. Sanchez over for trial Thursday for intentional second-degree murder linked to a stabbing death that occurred at this house at 232 S.W. Harrison. 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. It said Clayton had been under court order to not contact Sanchez and had just struck her after she stepped in between Clayton and another man, Richard Aldape. The motion stressed that the law gives prosecutors the burden of proving that the defendant's use of force wasn't justified. Why did Serena Sanchez say she should have immunity? Clayton was charged Jan. 6 with crimes that included battery linked to an Oct. 7 incident in which he allegedly punched Sanchez, slapped her in the face and dragged her by the hair. He was ordered, as a condition of bond, to have no contact with Sanchez. But Sanchez told Topeka police she invited Clayton into her home March 6 in an effort to reconcile with him. She said Clayton got into a shoving match with Aldape, Sanchez stepped between them, Clayton hit her in the mouth, she reached into her pocket for the pepper spray she normally kept there and found a knife instead. What happened after Rodney Clayton was stabbed? Sanchez said she grabbed the knife and planned to hit Clayton with it while keeping its blade closed, but realized after hitting him that its blade was open and she'd severed an artery in his right shoulder. Story continues Sanchez said she went to talk to her mother while Aldape and other people moved Clayton's body, which police found wrapped tightly in multiple layers of plastic bags outside the house. 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. More: Topekan cites Kansas Stand Your Ground law in fatality. Prosecutors say she cleaned scene. Why did the prosecution say Serena Sanchez should not have immunity? In support of assistant Shawnee County District Attorney Shannon Szambecki's assertion that Sanchez shouldn't have immunity, witnesses said Clayton's body was found wrapped in plastic bags, someone apparently cleaned the house after his death and Sanchez only admitted stabbing him after being questioned more than 10 hours. Aldape didn't move the body, he said at this week's hearing. That hearing also included testimony from Topeka police Detective Luke Jones, who said Aldape told him Sanchez stabbed Clayton after she confronted him, then Aldape stepped between them. Jones said Aldape told him that after the stabbing, Sanchez and another person moved Clayton's body. Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@gannett.com or 785-213-5934. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka woman's request for immunity under Stand Your Ground law denied Famed forensic scientist Henry Lee was found liable for fabricating evidence in a murder case that sent two Connecticut men to prison for decades for a crime they did not commit, a federal judge ruled Friday. Ralph Ricky Birch and Shawn Henning were convicted in the Dec. 1, 1985, slaying of Everett Carr, based in part on testimony about what Lee said were bloodstains on a towel found in the 65-year-old's home in New Milford, 55 miles (88.5 kilometers) southwest of Hartford. A judge vacated the felony murder convictions in 2020, and the men filed a federal wrongful conviction lawsuit naming Lee, eight police investigators and the town of New Milford. The ruling Friday sends the case against the police and the town to trial. In granting a motion for summary judgement against Lee, the only outstanding issue for a jury in his case will be the amount of damages. Lee, the former head of the states forensic laboratory and now a professor emeritus at the University of New Havens Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. Lee, 84, rocketed to fame after his testimony in the 1995 O.J. Simpson murder trial, in which he questioned the handling of blood evidence. He also served as a consultant in other high-profile investigations, including the 1996 slaying of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey in Colorado; the 2004 murder trial of Scott Peterson, who was accused of killing his pregnant wife Laci; and the 2007 murder trial of record producer Phil Spector. When Birch and Henning were put on trial in 1989, jurors heard about an extremely bloody crime scene. Carr had been stabbed 27 times, had his throat cut and suffered seven blows to the head. No forensic evidence existed linking Birch and Henning to the crime. No blood was found on their clothes or in their car. The crime scene included hairs and more than 40 fingerprints, but none matched the two men. Prosecutors presented evidence from Lee not yet famous that it was possible for the assailants to avoid getting much blood on them. Story continues Lee also testified that a towel, which later was suggested could have been touched by the killers while cleaning up, was found in a bathroom near the crime the scene with stains that he tested and were consistent with blood. Tests done after the trial, when the men were appealing their convictions, showed the substance was not blood. In his ruling Friday, which was first reported by The Hartford Courant, U.S. District Judge Victor Bolden ruled that Lee presented no evidence to back up his testimony. Other than stating that he performed the test, however, the record contains no evidence that any such test was performed, the judge wrote. In fact, as plaintiffs noted, Dr. Lees own experts concluded that there is no written documentation or photographic evidence that Dr. Lee performed the TMB blood test. And there is evidence in this record that the tests actually conducted did not indicate the presence of blood. The judge also ruled that Lee failed to properly use an immunity defense that could have shielded him from damages and was no longer eligible to use that argument. Elizabeth Benton, a spokesperson for Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, whose office defended Lee and the police detectives in the case, said it was reviewing the decision and evaluating the next steps. Birch served more than 30 years of a 55-year sentence for felony murder before being released in 2019 after a judge ordered a new trial. Henning, who was 17 when the crime occurred, was granted probation in 2018. After their convictions were vacated in 2020, Lee defended his conduct in the investigation. In my 57-year career, I have investigated over 8,000 cases and never, ever was accused of any wrongdoing or for testifying intentionally wrong, Lee told a throng of reporters. This is the first case that I have to defend myself. Lee's work in several other cases has come under scrutiny, including in the murder case against Spector, in which he was accused of taking evidence from the crime scene. ___ Associated Press writer Susan Haigh contributed to this report Scott Morgan/Reuters Former President Donald Trump is set to go on trial in South Florida for hoarding classified documents at his oceanside mansion in May 2024, giving him extra time to prepare a defensebut putting the presidential candidate in the hot seat right smack in the middle of key primary elections. U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon on Friday issued a seven-page order rejecting the Department of Justices request to hold the trial much sooner, citing the extremely complicated nature of handling such sensitive national secrets at the most closely watched trial in American history. DOJ special counsel Jack Smith and his prosecutors wanted Trump to face serious criminal charges as early as this year, which would resolve the matter before the leading Republican presidential candidate appears on primary ballots across the country. However, Cannon wrote that the governments proposed schedule is atypically accelerated and inconsistent with ensuring a fair trial. She cited the voluminous evidence in the case, which includes at least nine months of camera footage and at least 1,545 pages of classified records. Trump is accused of mishandling top secret documents he had no right to keep after leaving the White House, then orchestrating a scheme to cover it up when the feds came knocking. Walt Nauta, a former White House employee who became Trumps Diet Coke valet, also faces charges for moving boxes of classified materials in an attempt to hide them from investigators. Borders on Frivolous: Feds Rip Trumps Plea for a Trial Delay The extra time will also allow the judge to navigate a complicated situationdealing with the federal governments competing interests. DOJ prosecutors want to hold Trump accountable for putting the nations security in danger, but spy agencies and the military dont want to expose all these records at a public trial. Cannon plans to set the rules in the coming months. At a court hearing on Tuesday, Trumps lawyers also argued that the former president couldnt possibly get a fair trial before the November 2024 presidential election. But in her subsequent order, Cannon held back from weighing in on the likelihood of insurmountable prejudice in jury selection. Story continues Cannon scheduled a two-week trial that starts May 20 next year, which she said will take place in her tiny satellite courthouse in Fort Pierce, Florida. Trumps lead defense attorney in the case, Todd Blanche, did not respond to questions Friday morning. Neither did Nautas lawyer, Sasha Dadan, who previously ran as a Republican for Floridas state House of Representatives. Peter Carr, a spokesman for Smiths prosecution team, declined to comment. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. - - - Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly referred to Jacob Chansley, the "QAnon Shaman" who pleaded guilty to obstructing Congress during the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, appearing on Tucker Carlson's show on Fox News Channel. Video clips featuring Chansley were shown on the program. The article has been corrected. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. - - - A federal judge on Thursday denied a bid from Jacob Chansley to withdraw his guilty plea to obstructing Congress on Jan. 6 and rebuked the so-called "QAnon Shaman" over relying on edited video from a Tucker Carlson program that gave a distorted view of the riot. Chansley's bare chest, painted face, and hat of fur and horns made him one of the most recognizable participants in the attack. He was also one of the first rioters to admit to a felony crime. Judge Royce C. Lamberth sentenced him in November 2021 to 41 months in prison, the low end of federal sentencing guidelines, after Chansley said he was "truly repentant" and called his behavior "indefensible." "I think your remarks are the most remarkable that I've heard in 34 years" as a judge, Lamberth, a Reagan appointee, said at the time. "I think you are genuine in your remorse." Chansley finished his sentence in March. But after leaving prison, he asked Lamberth to undo his conviction, saying security camera footage from inside the Capitol aired by Fox News host Tucker Carlson a few weeks prior showed police allowed him to wander around the building on Jan. 6. The attorney who represented Chansley when he took his plea appeared on Fox and told Carlson he did not have that video at the time. Lamberth, in a 35-page ruling, denied Chansley's bid while laying out in detail why the claim that he and other rioters were allowed in and around the Capitol by police is false. Story continues All but 10 seconds of the video Carlson showed was produced to Chansley before his sentencing, Lamberth said, and the surveillance video Chansley now claims undermines his conviction is duplicative of police body-camera footage he was given months before he decided to plead guilty. "These videos are decidedly not exculpatory," Lamberth wrote. "Such footage, conveniently omitted by the [Fox News] program, shows nearly all of Mr. Chansley's actions that day, including: carrying a six-foot-long pole armed with a spearhead, unlawfully entering the Capitol through a broken door, disobeying orders from law enforcement on more than a half-dozen occasions, screaming obscenities, entering the Senate chamber, climbing onto the Senate dais, sitting in the Vice President's chair, and leaving a threatening message for the Vice President." He added, "That law enforcement officers outnumbered by the quantity of rioters did not physically engage Mr. Chansley or impede his progress is irrelevant." Lamberth said that if Chansley had gone to trial or fought conditions of the plea, as he now says he should have, he would have still been convicted and faced a higher sentence for not accepting responsibility. He said he was "disappointed" that Chansley had disavowed the remorse that had impressed the judge at sentencing. "Such an about-face casts serious doubt on the veracity of any of Mr. Chansley' s claims, here or elsewhere," Lamberth wrote. Chansley's current attorney, William Shipley, said on Twitter that his client "has moved forward" and will probably not challenge the conviction any further. Several other defendants have argued unsuccessfully that the Fox News presentation is exonerating. After dismissing Chansley's claims that the government failed to turn over information and that his attorney was not effective, Lamberth went on to express his concern with Carlson's misleading depiction on the riot, calling it not just "ill-advised" and inaccurate but "alarming." "The host explicitly questioned the integrity of this Court - not to mention the legitimacy of the entire U.S. criminal justice system - with inflammatory characterizations of cherry-picked videos stripped of their proper context," he wrote, "language resembling the destructive, misguided rhetoric that fueled the events of January 6 in the first place." The judge suggested that "members of the public who are concerned about the evidence presented in Mr. Chansley's case and others" read the public filings and attend court hearings. "Those of us who have presided over dozens of cases arising from, listened to hundreds of hours of testimony describing, and reviewed thousands of pages of briefing about the attack on our democracy of January 6 know all too well that neither the events of that day nor any particular defendant's involvement can be fully captured in a seconds-long video carelessly, or perhaps even cynically, aired in a television segment or attached to a tweet," he wrote. Carlson did not immediately return a request for comment. The Capitol surveillance footage aired on Fox News was given to Carlson by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.); Carlson had demanded the video as a condition of supporting McCarthy's bid to lead the House against a right-wing revolt. Carlson was fired by Fox News in April, just after the network settled a defamation claim involving false claims about the 2020 election. --- Video Embed Code Video: Security footage from the Capitol shows Jacob Chansley entering the building after rioters broke through the front doors on Jan. 6, 2021.(The Washington Post) Embed code: Related Content 14,000 feet up, liability fears block access to iconic Colorado peaks Not just about money: New Zealand women fight for rights on soccer field How a Saudi firm tapped a gusher of water in drought-stricken Arizona A federal judge on Thursday denied a bid from Jacob Chansley to withdraw his guilty plea to obstructing Congress on Jan. 6 and rebuked the so-called "QAnon Shaman" for going on a Tucker Carlson program that gave a distorted view of the riot. Chansley's bare chest, painted face, and hat of fur and horns made him one of the most recognizable participants in the attack. He was also one of the first rioters to admit to a felony crime. Judge Royce C. Lamberth sentenced him in November 2021 to 41 months in prison, the low end of federal sentencing guidelines, after Chansley said he was "truly repentant" and called his behavior "indefensible." Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. "I think your remarks are the most remarkable that I've heard in 34 years" as a judge, Lamberth, a Reagan appointee, said at the time. "I think you are genuine in your remorse." Chansley finished his sentence in March. But after leaving prison, he asked Lamberth to undo his conviction, saying security camera footage from inside the Capitol aired by Fox News host Tucker Carlson a few weeks prior showed police allowed him to wander around the building on Jan. 6. The attorney who represented Chansley when he took his plea told Carlson he did not have that video at the time. Lamberth, in a 35-page ruling, denied Chansley's bid while laying out in detail why the claim that he and other rioters were allowed in and around the Capitol by police are false. All but 10 seconds of the video Carlson showed was produced to Chansley before his sentencing, Lamberth said, and the surveillance video Chansley now claims undermines his conviction is duplicative of police body-camera footage he was given months before he decided to plead guilty. "These videos are decidedly not exculpatory," Lamberth wrote. "Such footage, conveniently omitted by the [Fox News] program, shows nearly all of Mr. Chansley's actions that day, including: carrying a six-foot-long pole armed with a spearhead, unlawfully entering the Capitol through a broken door, disobeying orders from law enforcement on more than a half-dozen occasions, screaming obscenities, entering the Senate chamber, climbing onto the Senate dais, sitting in the Vice President's chair, and leaving a threatening message for the Vice President." He added, "That law enforcement officers outnumbered by the quantity of rioters did not physically engage Mr. Chansley or impede his progress is irrelevant." Story continues Lamberth said that if Chansley had gone to trial or fought conditions of the plea, as he now says he should have, he would have still been convicted and faced a higher sentence for not accepting responsibility. He said he was "disappointed" that Chansley had disavowed the remorse that had impressed the judge at sentencing. "Such an about-face casts serious doubt on the veracity of any of Mr. Chansley' s claims, here or elsewhere," Lamberth wrote. Chansley's current attorney, William Shipley, said on Twitter that his client "has moved forward" and will probably not challenge the conviction any further. Several other defendants have argued unsuccessfully that the Fox News presentation is exonerating. After dismissing Chansley's claims that the government failed to turn over information and that his attorney was not effective, Lamberth went on to express his concern with Carlson's misleading depiction on the riot, calling it not just "ill-advised" and inaccurate but "alarming." "The host explicitly questioned the integrity of this Court - not to mention the legitimacy of the entire U.S. criminal justice system - with inflammatory characterizations of cherry-picked videos stripped of their proper context," he wrote, "language resembling the destructive, misguided rhetoric that fueled the events of January 6 in the first place." The judge suggested that "members of the public who are concerned about the evidence presented in Mr. Chansley's case and others" read the public filings and attend court hearings. "Those of us who have presided over dozens of cases arising from, listened to hundreds of hours of testimony describing, and reviewed thousands of pages of briefing about the attack on our democracy of January 6 know all too well that neither the events of that day nor any particular defendant's involvement can be fully captured in a seconds-long video carelessly, or perhaps even cynically, aired in a television segment or attached to a tweet," he wrote. Carlson did not immediately return a request for comment. The Capitol surveillance footage aired on Fox News was given to Carlson by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.); Carlson had demanded the video as a condition of supporting McCarthy's bid to lead the House against a right-wing revolt. Carlson was fired by Fox News in April, just after the network settled a defamation claim involving false claims about the 2020 election. --- Video Embed Code Video: Security footage from the Capitol shows Jacob Chansley entering the building after rioters broke through the front doors on Jan. 6, 2021.(The Washington Post) Embed code: Related Content Not just about money: New Zealand women fight for rights on soccer field A 'guild versus evil' moment in Hollywood's strike How a Saudi firm tapped a gusher of water in drought-stricken Arizona (CNN) Texas abortion restrictions some of the strictest in the country may be fueling a sudden spike in infant mortality as women are forced to carry nonviable pregnancies to term. Some 2,200 infants died in Texas in 2022 an increase of 227 deaths, or 11.5%, over the previous year, according to preliminary infant mortality data from the Texas Department of State Health Services that CNN obtained through a public records request. Infant deaths caused by severe genetic and birth defects rose by 21.6%. That spike reversed a nearly decade-long decline. Between 2014 and 2021, infant deaths had fallen by nearly 15%. In 2021, Texas banned abortions beyond six weeks of pregnancy. When the Supreme Court overturned federal abortion rights the following summer, a trigger law in the state banned all abortions other than those intended to protect the life of the mother. The increase in deaths could partly be explained by the fact that more babies are being born in Texas. One recent report found that in the final nine months of 2022, the state saw nearly 10,000 more births than expected prior to its abortion ban an estimated 3% increase. But multiple obstetrician-gynecologists who focus on high-risk pregnancies told CNN that Texas strict abortion laws likely contributed to the uptick in infant deaths. We all knew the infant mortality rate would go up, because many of these terminations were for pregnancies that dont turn into healthy normal kids, said Dr. Erika Werner, the chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Tufts Medical Center. Its exactly what we all were concerned about. The issue of forcing women to carry out terminal and often high-risk pregnancies is at the core of a lawsuit filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights, with several women who suffered difficult pregnancies or infant deaths shortly after giving birth testifying in Travis County court this week. One witness became so emotional while testifying Wednesday that she began to vomit on the stand. After the court called a recess she explained that the reaction is a response to the emotional trauma she endured: I vomit when theres certain parts that happen that kind of just makes my body remember. Another sobbed as she described feeling afraid to visit a Texas doctor after receiving an abortion out of state. A third spoke tearfully about waiting for her babys heart to stop beating so her doctors could provide an abortion she desperately needed. Prior to the recent abortion restrictions, Texas banned the procedure after 20 weeks. This law gave parents more time to learn crucial information about a fetuss brain formation and organ development, which doctors begin to test for at around 15 weeks. Samantha Casiano, a plaintiff in the suit filed against Texas, wished shed had more time to make the decision. If I was able to get the abortion with that time, I think it would have meant a lot to me because my daughter wouldnt have suffered, Casiano told CNN after testifying Wednesday. You have no options When Casiano was 20 weeks pregnant, a routine scan came back with devastating news: Her baby would be stillborn or die shortly after birth. The fetus had anencephaly, a rare birth defect that keeps the brain and skull from developing during pregnancy. Babies with this condition are often stillborn, though they sometimes live a few hours or days. Many women around the country who face the prospect choose abortion, two obstetrician-gynecologists told CNN. But Casiano lived in Texas, where state legislators had recently banned most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. She couldnt afford to travel out of the state for the procedure. You have no options. You will have to go through with your pregnancy, Casianos doctor told her, she claimed in the lawsuit. In March, Casiano gave birth to her daughter Halo. After gasping for air for four hours, the baby died, Casiano said during her testimony on Wednesday. All she could do was fight to try to get air. I had to watch my daughter go from being pink to red to purple. From being warm to cold, said Casiano. I just kept telling myself and my baby that Im so sorry that this had to happen to you. Casiano and 14 others including two doctors are plaintiffs in the lawsuit. They allege the abortion ban has denied them or their patients access to necessary obstetrical care. The plaintiffs are asking the courts to clarify when doctors can make medical exceptions to the states ban. Casiano and two other plaintiffs testified Wednesday about hoping to deliver healthy babies but instead learning their lives or pregnancies were in danger. This was just supposed to be a scan day, Casiano told the court. It escalated to me finding out my daughter was going to die. Lawyers representing the state argued Wednesday that the plaintiffs doctors were to blame, saying they misinterpreted the law and failed to provide adequate care for such high-risk pregnancies. Plaintiffs will not and cannot provide any evidence of any medical provider in the state of Texas being prosecuted or otherwise penalized for performance of an abortion using the emergency medical exemption, a lawyer said during the states opening statement. Kylie Beaton, another plaintiff, also had to watch her baby die. Beaton, who didnt testify this week, learned during a 20-week scan that something was wrong with her babys brain, according to the suit. The doctor diagnosed the fetus with alobar holoprosencephaly, a condition where the two hemispheres of the brain dont properly divide. Babies with this condition are often stillborn or die soon after birth. Beatons doctor told her he couldnt provide an abortion unless she was severely ill, or the fetuss heart stopped. Beaton and her husband sought to obtain an abortion out of state. However, the fetuss head was enlarged due to its condition, and the only clinic that would perform an abortion charged up to $15,000. Beaton and her husband couldnt afford it. Instead, Beaton gave birth to a son she named Grant. The baby cried constantly, wouldnt eat, and couldnt be held upright for fear it would put too much pressure on his head, according to the suit. Four days later, Grant died. Maternal mortality Experts say that abortion bans in states like Texas lead to increased risk for both babies and mothers. Maternal mortality has long been a top concern for doctors and health-rights activists. Even before the Supreme Court decision, the United States had the highest maternal mortality rate among wealthy nations, one study found. Amanda Zurawski, the lawsuits lead plaintiff, testified Wednesday that her water broke 18 weeks into her pregnancy, putting her at high risk for a life-threatening infection. Zurawskis baby likely wouldnt survive. But the fetus still had a heartbeat, and so doctors said they were unable to terminate the pregnancy. She received an emergency abortion only after her condition worsened and she went into septic shock. Zurawski described during Wednesdays hearing how her family visited the hospital, fearing it would be the last time they would see her. Zurawski has argued that had she been able to obtain an abortion, her life wouldnt have been in jeopardy in the same way. I blame the people who support these bans, Zurawski said. Zurawski previously said the language in Texas abortion laws is incredibly vague, and it leaves doctors grappling with what they can and cannot do, what health care they can and cannot provide. Pregnancy is dangerous, and forcing a woman to carry a non-viable pregnancy to term is unnecessarily risky when its clear the baby will not survive, argued Dr. Mae-Lan Winchester, an Ohio maternal-fetal medicine specialist. Pregnancy is one of the most dangerous things a person will ever go through, Winchester said. Putting yourself through that risk without any benefit of taking a baby home at the end, its risking maternal morbidity and mortality for nothing. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Nearly two years after Texas six-week abortion ban, more infants are dying" The Kansas Highway Patrol has waged war on motorists, a federal judge wrote in a scathing ruling against the agencys practice of extending car stops in hopes of discovering drugs. In the order filed Friday, U.S. District Judge Kathryn H. Vratil wrote that patrols tactics in traffic stops violated the Constitution. The practice, called the Kansas two step, is a maneuver in which troopers at the end of a traffic stop take a couple of steps toward their patrol car before turning around to initiate a voluntary interaction with the driver. The strategy would buy the patrol extra time to probe for incriminating information or get a drug-sniffing dog to a location. As wars go, this one is relatively easy, Vratil wrote. Its simple and cheap, and for motorists, its not a fair fight. The war is basically a question of numbers: stop enough cars and youre bound to discover drugs. And whats the harm if a few constitutional rights are trampled along the way? The Kansas Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to The Stars request for comment. In 2019, the American Civil Liberties Union sued the patrol on behalf of several individuals who were subjected to the two step strategy. Sharon Brett, legal director for the ACLU of Kansas, called the ruling a huge win for those driving on Kansas highways. Todays decision validates that motorists constitutional rights cannot be cast aside under the guise of a war on drugs. It also demonstrates that courts will not tolerate the cowboy mentality of policing that subjects our citizens to conditions of humiliation, degradation, and, in some tragic cases, violence, Brett said in a statement. The ACLU had argued the two step violated drivers constitutional rights protecting them from unreasonable search and seizure and alleged. They argued the tactic was used to target drivers coming from or heading to states where marijuana is legal, despite previous court rulings limiting how police can use information about a vehicles origin and destination. Story continues Kansas is one of just three states with no form of legal marijuana or THC. Possession of the drug remains a Class B misdemeanor even as the state is surrounded on three sides by states that either allow recreational marijuana or have an extensive medicinal program. As a result, all drivers on I-70 have moving targets on their backs, Vratil said, adding that troopers targeted out-of-state drivers and subjected them to a disproportionate number of searches based on where they were traveling to or from. She also concluded that a few seconds of disengagement was not sufficient for reasonable drivers to feel free to leave. Earlier this year two juries found that individual troopers employing the strategy had violated constitutional rights. This is the first ruling to hold the agency itself, specifically former Superintendent Herman Jones, culpable for the practice. Testifying in this case in May, Jones said the two troopers who were found to have violated rates had not yet faced discipline. He could not recall whether the troopers supervisors had been disciplined. He said at the time that troopers had no incentive to illegally search vehicles. Jones retired from the patrol last month after a tenure marked by allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination. This week, a federal judge ruled in favor of Jones in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought by several current and former female employees. While the judge did not rule on the allegations themselves she said Jones had qualified immunity and that the allegations against him were not severe enough to merit legal action. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly appointed Erik Smith, a former top official at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, to take over for Jones leading the agency. The Kansas state Senate will vote on his confirmation next year. The lawsuits parties have until Aug. 14 to respond to the terms of a possible injunction. The injunction would require troopers to document all stops, detentions and searches. That report would require troopers to include information about the duration of the stop and how it concluded. Troopers would also have to notify and get approval from a supervisor for consensual searches and let the driver know they can revoke consent at any time. Troopers would have to undergo 24 hours of annual training on investigatory stops. The injunction would remain in effect for four years unless KHP met the requirements sooner. The Stars Jonathan Shorman contributed to this report. GREEN BAY - Nine men and seven women will serve on the jury next week as Taylor Schabusiness is tried in Brown County Circuit Court in the February 2022 killing and dismemberment of her friend Shad Thyrion, 24. Defense attorney Christopher Froelich along with Brown County Assistant District Attorney Caleb Saunders and District Attorney David Lasee selected the jury after slightly more than three hours of questioning. Four jurors will be chosen as alternates after the trial begins. Much of questioning of potential jurors involved asking if they believe that the defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence. They were also asked if they could be fair to the defendant if there was testimony about the defendant suffering potential mental illness. Schabusiness, 25, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, third-degree sexual abuse, and mutilating a corpse in the basement of the west-side house in Green Bay where Thyrion had lived with his mother. Brown County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Walsh told jurors to be back in the courthouse by 8:30 a.m. Monday. The trial is expected to last a week, Walsh said before the jury was selected. Taylor Schabusiness, who is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, third-degree sexual assault and mutilating a corpse, is brought into the courtroom for a competency hearing on Jan. 6, 2022, in Green Bay, Wis. Judge rules Schabusiness to be competent Earlier Friday, Walsh ruled Schabusiness is fit to assist in her own defense. Walsh issued that ruling after hearing about 45 minutes of testimony from Matthew Seipel, a psychologist with the Wisconsin Forensic Unit who was a witness for the prosecution. RELATED: Schabusiness unfit to stand trial for killing, corpse mutilation, forensic psychologist tells judge "It's clear that Ms. Schabusiness is quite competent" to assist in her own defense, Lasee said after Seipel's testimony. Lasee served as the prosecutor Friday, seated next to Saunders, who has been prosecuting the case. Schabusiness' attorney disagreed, saying he shares the opinion of Diane Lytton, a forensic psychologist who evaluated his client and testified earlier this month that Schabusiness was not competent to assist in her own defense. Story continues "Dr. Seipel feels that Taylor Schabusiness is competent," Froelich said. "I beg to differ with Dr. Seipel." Schabusiness has been held in the Brown County Jail since March 1, 2022. She is being held in lieu of $2 million bail. Green Bay police have said Schabusiness and Thryion used drugs and engaged in sex the night Thyrion was slain. Grisly crime scene Note: The Green Bay Press-Gazette has chosen not to publish many of the graphic details of this crime. However, readers may find material in this report disturbing. Green Bay police were called to the 800 block of Stony Brook Lane at 3:25 a.m. Feb. 23, 2022, where they found Thyrion's head in a bucket and dried blood on a nearby mattress. Schabusiness was taken into custondy in the 2300 block of Eastman Avenue in Green Bay. Thyrion and Schabusiness were friends who were involved in a sexual relationship, according to statements Schabusiness made to investigators. Schabusiness is accused of strangling Thyrion with a chain before decapitating him and dismembering. Some of his body parts were discovered in a van and some in shopping bags in the basement, according to the criminal complaint. Thyrion's mother discovered the bucket with her son's head in it, the compalint says. Schabusiness and Thyrion had been smoking methamphetamine, the complaint says. Since her arrest, Schabusiness had not guilty pleas entered on her behalf by a judge and a not guilty by reason of insanity entered by her former attorney. Much of the court hearings have centered around whether Schabusiness was competent to aid in her own defense. She attacked her former attorney, Quinn Jolly, on Feb. 14 during a court hearing. Jolly asked to be removed from the case, and he was replaced by Froelich. Taylor Schabusiness attacks her attorney on Feb. 14 in Brown County Courthouse in Green Bay. She is charged with killing and decapitating her friend in February 2022. The image is from a video feed in the courtroom. Timeline of events in Schabusiness case Email Doug Schneider at DSchneid@Gannett.com, call him at (630) 373-0799 and follow him on Twitter @PGDougSchneider Green Bay Press-Gazette This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Judge rules Schabusiness fit to stand trial; lawyers pick jurors Former President Donald Trump will go on trial for 37 federal felony counts on May 20, 2024, a federal judge said Friday. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon announced the finalized trial date after the Republican presidential candidate's legal team asked the court to delay the proceedings until after the 2024 election. Prosecutors had asked for a trial as soon as December. Trump is accused of 37 counts, including willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. If Cannon's compromise date holds, it would follow close on the heels of a separate New York trial for Trump on dozens of state charges of falsifying business records. It would also put Trump's trial nearly at the end of the GOP presidential primary calendar, by which time it will likely be clear who has won the primary but not before that candidate is officially nominated at the Republican National Convention. TRUMP SAYS HE IS DOJ JAN. 6 GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION TARGET Former President Donald Trump speaks during the Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Saturday. Trump faces 37 counts related to hundreds of classified documents that he kept at Mar-a-Lago after his presidency. In her decision, Cannon wrote that the initial Dec. 11 trial date the Department of Justice proposed was "atypically accelerated and inconsistent with ensuring a fair trial," The Associated Press reported. She sided with Trump's defense lawyers, who argued there is a "voluminous" amount of evidence that needs to be reviewed before trial. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "The Court finds that the interests of justice served by this continuance outweigh the best interest of the public and Defendants in a speedy trial," Cannon wrote. TRUMP PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO 37 FEDERAL FELONY CHARGES IN CLASSIFIED RECORDS CASE Trump defended his storage of classified documents and vowed to continue pursuing the 2024 Republican nomination in an interview with Fox News' Bret Baier last month. In clips previewing the interview, Trump defended his reluctance to hand over the documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate while taking aim at National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) when pressed on details of the indictment by Baier. Story continues "I had boxes. I want to go through the boxes and get my personal things out. I dont want to hand that over to NARA yet. And I very was busy as youve sort of seen," Trump said. "Before I send boxes over, I have to take my things out," he told Baier. "These boxes were interspersed with all sorts of things." Trump could yet face additional trials in the coming year. He said this week that he received a letter from Special Counsel Jack Smith stating that he is the target of a Jan. 6 grand jury investigation. At the same time, prosecutors in Georgia plan to announce charging decisions within weeks in an investigation into alleged attempts by Trump and his allies to overturn the election there. Trump said he expects to be arrested and indicted in the Jan. 6 probe. DURHAM FINDS DOJ, FBI 'FAILED TO UPHOLD' MISSION OF 'STRICT FIDELITY TO THE LAW' IN TRUMP-RUSSIA PROBE "Deranged Jack Smith, prosecutor with Joe Biden's DOJ, sent a letter (again it was a Sunday night!) stating that I am the TARGET of the January 6th Grand Jury Investigation, and giving me a very short four days to report to the Grand Jury, which almost always means an arrest an indictment," Trump wrote on Truth Social. CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "So now, Joe Bidens Attorney General, Merrick Garland, who I turned down for the United States Supreme Court (in retrospect, based on his corrupt and unethical actions, a very wise decision!), together with Joe Bidens Department of Injustice, have 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, or even close," he said. Fox News' Anders Hagstrom and Brooke Singman and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Donald Trump will stand trial on May 20, 2024 after most presidential primaries have elapsed on charges that he hoarded military secrets at his Mar-a-Lago estate, a federal judge ordered Friday. U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon appeared to split the difference between prosecutors request for a December 2023 trial date and Trumps request to postpone the trial until after the November 2024 election. Trump, who is mounting a bid to return to the White House, already faces a criminal trial set for March in New York on unrelated state charges of falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 presidential election. The former president also faces the prospect of additional criminal charges from special counsel Jack Smith in a separate investigation of interference with the 2020 presidential election and a potential indictment in Georgia in connection with a local district attorneys probe there of alleged vote tampering in that state. The new ruling from Cannon, who was appointed by Trump, largely sidesteps the issue of how the preparations for the trial in the federal case she is overseeing will interface with the demands of a presidential election campaign. Cannon noted that Trumps lawyers argued that the case would face insurmountable prejudice in jury selection stemming from publicity about the 2024 Presidential Election, but she found it unnecessary to address that issue at this juncture. The judges order Friday also formally sets the trial to take place in Fort Pierce, Fla., which typically draws jurors from five counties along or near the states Treasure Coast. Those counties were more pro-Trump in the 2020 presidential election than was Palm Beach County, where federal prosecutors filed the criminal case. Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate and social club is located in Palm Beach County and the crimes which include storing highly classified documents and obstructing the governments efforts to retrieve them were allegedly committed there. Story continues While Cannon earned a reputation as being deferential to Trump due to her rulings in a civil case challenging the FBIs search of Mar-a-Lago last year, her early rulings in the criminal case appear designed to chart a middle course between Trump and the government. She has so far avoided tipping her hand on most of the explosive legal issues likely to arise during the pretrial proceedings. Prosecutors from Smiths office had argued that the case should not be considered complex under federal law or put on a protracted timeline, but Cannon rejected that view, writing that she is unaware of any searchable case in which a court has refused a complex designation under comparable circumstances. Trumps attorneys had urged Cannon not to set any trial date at this point, and they said that any trial during the election season was unwise and impractical. Cannon indicated Friday that she anticipates further argument and briefing on the process for selecting a jury in the case. The schedule the judge set includes dozens of interim dates for filings and other pretrial proceedings, including special procedures for handling the volume of classified information certain to feature in the case. A footnote in Cannons order says the lawyers initial review of the classified materials will take place at a temporary site, with a permanent one to be established later. The date prosecutors had proposed to begin Trumps trial, Dec. 11, 2023, was selected by Cannon instead as the date for a potentially pivotal hearing on motions Trumps defense is expected to file to try to knock out the charges and perhaps to challenge Smiths appointment as invalid under the Constitution. Charged along with Trump in the case is a personal aide who worked with him both at the White House and in Florida, Walt Nauta. In addition to the 31 charges against Trump for allegedly willfully retaining national defense information, Nauta and Trump each face six additional felony charges of obstruction of justice and making false statements to the FBI. A Florida judge tentatively agreed Thursday that live ammunition could be used in a reenactment of 2018s mass shooting inside Floridas Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School as part of a civil lawsuit. The judge also agreed the reenactment part of a civil lawsuit against Scot Peterson, the then-school resource officer who remained outside as a shooter killed 17 people and injured 17 others on Valentines Day 2018 could take place August 4, she said in a hearing. Broward County Judge Carol-Lisa Phillips had earlier this month ruled that each side could conduct reenactments in the schools three-story 1200 building, where the shooting took place. But on Thursday attorneys for the plaintiffs and the defendant told Phillips theyd agreed on conducting only one, and Phillips OKd the plan. We did not see the need to put the community through that twice, and I think that the agreement that we have reached serves everyones purpose, Michael Piper, Petersons attorney, said during Thursdays hearing. The plaintiffs several of the victims families and a survivor want to record a reenactment of the shooting to show the former Broward Sheriffs Office deputy would have heard the shots and known where they were coming from, their attorney has said previously. The defense team for Peterson, who has argued he didnt enter the building because he couldnt tell where the gunshots were coming from due to echoes on the campus, also has said it was interested in a reenactment. As for the ammunition: The plaintiffs attorneys had previously said they intended to use blanks in the reenactment. But on Thursday, plaintiffs attorney David Brill asked the judges permission to use live rounds fired into a ballistic bullet trap, saying experts his team consulted noted a difference in the sound of blanks from the live rounds. The defense also would prefer live rounds be used in the reenactment, Piper, Petersons attorney, said. Attorneys for both the city of Parkland and Broward County schools said they didnt object to the use of live rounds, but said this was their first time hearing about the proposal and would like to confer with their clients. Story continues Phillips told the attorneys she wouldnt have an issue with the use of live rounds, but wanted to allow attorneys for both the city and school board the opportunity to speak with their clients in case they wanted to raise further objection. Given the testimony weve heard here I really dont think that should be an issue. However, if it is, Ill certainly take that up in the future, Phillips said. The ballistic trap would be the type widely used by law enforcement to capture live rounds in a completely safe manner and in a controlled environment, Brill said. Former FBI special agent Bruce E. Koenig, an expert for the plaintiffs, testified that while blanks are as loud as live rounds, there is a difference in the quality of the sound. There is no advantage there going with blanks but as a forensic scientist, Im concerned about giving the court and all the parties involved the most accurate assessment of the scene, Koenig said. The civil suit comes after Peterson was found not guilty late last month of criminal charges. Prosecutors had accused him of ignoring his training and failing to confront the shooter, instead taking cover outside the building. The building was preserved pending Petersons trial and that of the shooter, who was sentenced to life in prison without parole last year. The school system has indicated that the 1200 building would be demolished sometime after the reenactment. CNNs Dakin Andone, Dianne Gallagher and Wesley Bruer contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com July 2023 is set to be the worlds hottest month in hundreds, if not thousands, of years, a top Nasa scientist has warned amid scorching global heatwaves driven by climate crisis sweeping the Earth. Speaking to reporters in a roundtable, Gavin Schmidt, director of the Nasa Goddard Institute for Space Studies, said the global temperature extremes are not a surprise, warning that the heat is only going to get worse. We are seeing unprecedented changes all over the world. The heatwaves that we are seeing in the US, in Europe, China, and demolishing records left, right and center. This is not a surprise, Mr Schmidt said, according to AFP news agency. June of 2023 was already the hottest June on record, analysis from Berkley Earth said, with the research group predicting an over 80 per cent chance that 2023 is going to be the hottest year ever on record. However, since the world has broken several temperature records with the first week of July recording the highest temperatures ever, marine heatwaves shocking scientists and historic temperatures recorded from China to Europe and the United States. Scientists have said this unprecedented heat is driven by the climate crisis and the emergence of the El Nino phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean, associated with hotter temperatures. Mr Schmidt says this ensures July is on track to be the hottest month overall. The top scientist assigned a 50-50 chance that 2023 will be the hottest year on record. However, he warned that the next year can be even hotter with 2024 likely beating these records as El Nino, which has just begun this year, will be in full swing. We know from science that human activity, principally greenhouse gas emissions, are unequivocally causing the warming we are seeing on our planet, Kate Calvin, NASA chief scientist and senior climate adviser, said at the same briefing, according to the news agency. The scientists said that the data collected and analysed by the institute had already pointed towards this unprecedented heat. Story continues There has been a decade-on-decade increase in temperatures throughout the last four decades, Mr Schmidt said. People cool themselves at the Trevi Fountain during a heatwave across Italy (REUTERS) Other experts have said the global heating is reaching new highs as the effects of natural phenomenons such as the El Nino are coming on top of the existing heat caused by planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. According to UNs top scientific panel IPCC, the world has already seen an average warming of 1.2C so far. Scientists have been calling for reducing planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions in order to prevent the planet from warming over 1.5C or maximum 2C, a target 196 countries agreed to in the historic Paris Agreement of 2016. However, experts say the target is appearing to be out of reach as greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels continue to be emitted despite temperatures becoming more and more extreme. Professor Robert Watson, of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change, told the Today Programme that he is very pessimistic about the world reducing emissions to limit the global average temperature to 2C above pre-industrial levels. We need to try and hold governments to start to act sensibly now and reduce emissions, professor Watson said. The Justice Department told Texas Thursday that it intends to file legal action against the placement of floating barriers in the Rio Grande as part of the states operation along the Texas-Mexico border, according to sources familiar and a letter obtained by CNN. The Justice Department sent the letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Thursday, according to the letter, though there is time for the state to respond. The State of Texass actions violate federal law, raise humanitarian concerns, present serious risks to public safety and the environment, and may interfere with the federal governments ability to carry out its official duties, the letter stated, citing a clause in the law that prohibits the creation of any obstruction to the navigable capacity of waters of the United States, and further prohibits building any structure in such waters without authorization from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). This is separate from the ongoing assessment of mistreatment of migrants, which the Justice Department described as troubling reports. Texas has the sovereign authority to defend our border, under the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution, Abbott said on Twitter. We have sent the Biden Administration numerous letters detailing our authority, including the one I hand-delivered to President Biden earlier this year. CNN has reached out the Texas Department of Public Safety but has not received a response. The Justice Department has sued on border-related matters before. 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. The news comes as more than 80 Democratic US lawmakers sent a letter to President Joe Biden Friday urging him to investigate Abbotts dangerous and cruel actions on the southern border after a Texas state trooper blew the whistle regarding alleged inhumane treatment of migrants and Mexicos top diplomat complained to Washington about Texas breaking two international treaties. Story continues We write to express our profound alarm over border policies instituted by Texas Governor Greg Abbott that are putting asylum-seekers at serious risk of injury and death, interfering with federal immigration enforcement, infringing on private property rights, and violating U.S. treaty commitments with Mexico, the letter states. The inspector general for the Texas Department of Public Safety has received several additional complaints from DPS personnel on the front lines at the border about the treatment of migrants trying to enter the United States, three sources familiar with the investigation told CNN. Among the complaints are reports that Texas troopers were told to push back migrants into the Rio Grande and ordered not to give them water. In a Tuesday joint statement with other Texas top officials, including Department of Public Safety Chief Steve McCraw, 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 effort, led by Rep. Joaquin Castro, also includes more traditionally conservative Democrats like Rep. Henry Cuellar. The authors of the letter highlight that Abbotts border initiative, known as Operation Lone Star, and says Abbotts actions have escalated in recent months, detailing sharp razor wire in the Rio Grande, which is creating death traps for migrants and violating U.S. treaty commitments with Mexico. The placement of razor wire and inflatable buoys in the Rio Grande River is potentially illegal and may violate multiple bilateral treaties between the United States and Mexico, including the Boundary Treaty of 1970 and the Mexican Water Treaty of 1944, the letter states. A similar attempt to create a makeshift border by Governor Ducey in Arizona was abandoned earlier this year after Department of Justice filed suit against the State of Arizona. The letter goes on to say that Abbotts border initiative policies pose a huge danger to migrants and urges Biden to take action and stop this horrific abuse of power. Biden administration officials have grown increasingly concerned over recent months about Abbotts measures along the Texas-Mexico border. Its making our job harder, one Homeland Security official told CNN. Governor Abbotts dangerous and unlawful actions are undermining our effective border enforcement plan and making it hard for CBP to do their jobs of securing the border, White House spokesman Abdullah Hasan said Friday. The governors actions are cruel and putting both migrants and border agents in danger. In a significant development Wednesday that was first reported by CNN, the Justice Department said its assessing the situation along the Texas-Mexico border marking an escalation from an administration that for months had stopped short of taking any actions against Texas. 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 on Wednesday. An administration official said Abbotts actions are preventing Border Patrol agents from accessing the river, patrolling the area, and arresting individuals who attempt to enter the country unlawfully, adding that agents have also had to cut through multiple layers of concertina wire to respond to medical emergencies. This story has been updated with additional reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The Justice Department has told Texas that a floating barrier of wrecking ball-sized buoys the state put on the Rio Grande violates federal law and raises humanitarian concerns for migrants crossing into the U.S. from Mexico. President Joe Biden's administration told Republican Gov. Greg Abbott that the barrier installed this month near the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas, was unlawful in a letter dated Thursday and obtained by The Associated Press. The floating barrier poses a risk to navigation, as well as public safety, in the Rio Grande River, and it presents humanitarian concerns, reads the letter, which also informs the state that the Justice Department intends to sue if the barriers are not removed. Abbott's office did not respond to a request for comment Friday, but on Twitter, the governor wrote that Texas was acting within its rights. Texas has the sovereign authority to defend our border, Abbott tweeted. The buoys are the latest escalation of Abbotts multibillion-dollar operation to secure the state's 1,200-mile (1,930-kilometer) border with Mexico. Other measures have included razor-wire fencing and arresting migrants on trespassing charges. The mission known as Operation Lone Star came under new scrutiny after a trooper said migrants had been denied water and that orders were given to push asylum-seekers back into the Rio Grande. The Texas Department of Public Safety said this week that the trooper's accounts, which were made in an email to a supervisor, are under internal investigation. The buoy barrier covers 1,000 feet (305 meters) of the middle of the Rio Grande, with anchors in the riverbed. Eagle Pass is part of a Border Patrol sector that has seen the second-highest number of migrant crossings this fiscal year with about 270,000 encounters though that is lower than it was at this time last year. The Biden administration has said illegal border crossings have declined significantly since new immigration rules took effect in May as pandemic-related asylum restrictions expired. ___ Associated Press reporter Lindsay Whitehurst in Washington contributed to this report. Workers deploy a string of buoys to prevent migrants from swimming across the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass on July 14. On Thursday the U.S. Justice Department threatened Texas with legal action if it doesn't agree to remove the floating barrier. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune The U.S. Justice Department has threatened legal action against Gov. Greg Abbott over the 1,000-foot floating barrier that the state deployed in the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass earlier this month. We write to inform you that the United States intends to file legal action in relation to the State of Texass unlawful construction of a floating barrier in the Rio Grande River, the Justice Department said in a letter sent to Abbotts office on Thursday. The department gave the state until 1 p.m. Central on Monday to avoid legal action by responding with a commitment to remove the barrier. The State of Texass actions violate federal law, raise humanitarian concerns, present serious risks to public safety and the environment, and may interfere with the federal governments ability to carry out its official duties, said the letter, which was signed by Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim and Jaime Esparza, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas. The letter argues that the floating barrier was deployed without authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which manages the construction of federal public works projects, including bridges and dams and violates the Rivers and Harbors Act, which prohibits obstructions in U.S. waters. News of the letter was first reported by the Houston Chronicle. Abbott released a response on Twitter, addressing President Joe Biden directly. We will continue to deploy every strategy to protect Texans and Americans and the migrants risking their lives, he wrote. We will see you in court, Mr. President. The floating barrier, along with razor wire installed on the riverbank, are the latest in a slew of measures that Texas has taken to control border crossings by migrants since Abbott announced Operation Lone Star in March 2021, shortly after Biden took office. Since then, Abbott has deployed state troopers and the Texas National Guard to the border, built new sections of border wall and sent more than 20,000 migrants on buses from Texas to big cities led by Democrats. Story continues The Legislature has allocated nearly $10 billion for Abbotts border security efforts so far. Were securing the border at the border, Abbot said in June when he announced the approach. What these buoys will allow us to do is prevent people from getting to the border. U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, and Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, released a letter on Friday urging the Biden administration to investigate Operation Lone Star and pursue legal action to stop the extraordinary cruelty against migrants. Others who signed the letter include the entire Texas Democratic congressional delegation and the chairs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and Congressional Asian-Pacific American Caucus. The Justice Department began investigating whether state troopers or National Guard members have violated the civil rights of migrants during Operation Lone Star, according to emails obtained last year by the Tribune and ProPublica. And earlier this year, The Texas Military Departments chief told Senate budget writers it would cost $459.3 million to keep thousands of active-duty troops on the border through the end of August. Last week, a state troopers claims that superiors ordered officers at the border in Eagle Pass to push migrants back into the Rio Grande and deny them water sparked a national outcry. I believe we a have stepped over a line into the in humane. We need to operate it correctly in the eyes of God, the trooper wrote in an email to a superior, which DPS provided to The Texas Tribune and was first reported by the Houston Chronicle. We need to recognize that these are people who are made in the image of God and need to be treated as such. The troopers claims sparked a state investigation from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23. Vice President Kamala Harris jetted into Florida Friday to denounce Gov. Ron DeSantis over the states rewrite of its history curriculum to claim that slaves benefited by gaining valuable life skills from being enslaved. The first Black vice president in American history lambasted the conservative Republican who is running against former President Donald Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination for whitewashing the horrors of slavery as part of his effort to push back against so-called woke influence in public education. They decided middle school students will be taught that enslaved people benefited from slavery, Harris said Thursday in an impassioned speech to a Black sorority group. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, and we will not stand for it. She said Black Americans should fight back against efforts to rewrite their own ancestors history. There is so much at stake in this moment: our most basic rights and freedoms, fact versus fiction, foundational principles about what it means to be a democracy, she said. Harris planned to deliver a similar message in Jacksonville Friday afternoon on DeSantis home turf. The DeSantis-appointed Florida Board of Education voted Wednesday to approve a revised Black history curriculum that the governor said is necessary to prevent liberal indoctrination. The new curriculum includes instruction on how slaves supposedly benefited from skills that they gained during centuries of brutal oppression. It also focuses more on achievements of Black Americans rather than the injustices they faced through slavery and segregation. Florida Education Department spokesman Alex Lanfranconi said slaves should be considered more than just victims of oppression and called slavery a difficult time in American history. The pushback on Black history is one facet of a conservative push to impose new rules on schools like Floridas so-called Dont Say Gay law that restricts classroom discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation and banning of drag performances in school. Story continues Earlier this year, the DeSantis administration rejected a College Board Advanced Placement course on African American history, which DeSantis asserted amounted to woke indoctrination. Critics are challenging the new Black history curriculum in court. African American history (includes) the lessons of cruelty and inhumanity interwoven in the determination of a people to live and breathe free, said Democratic Florida state Sen. Bobby Powell, who is Black. It is as much Floridas story as the nations story and it needs to be fully told. (CNN) Iraqi security forces dispersed hundreds of demonstrators who stormed the main gates of the Swedish embassy in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, in response to police in Stockholm sanctioning another planned burning of the Muslim holy book, the Quran. Videos posted on social media showed a large number of protesters inside the Swedish embassys perimeter as well as black smoke and fire coming from the building. Security forces armed with electric batons chased protestors and used water cannons to disperse them and put out the fire, a security source told CNN. Eyewitnesses told CNN that the protesters withdrew from the perimeter of the Swedish Embassy after setting part of it on fire after delivering their message of protest against the act of burning the Holy Book of God. Several journalists covering the protests were detained by security forces, and at least one was beaten, according to multiple organizations. Journalists should be free to report the news without fear of harassment or harm, wherever they are, Reuters Iraq Bureau Chief Timour Azhari tweeted Thursday. Two detained Reuters journalists were released after several hours, the agency said. Ziyad Al-Ajili, the head of the Iraq-based Journalistic Freedoms Observatory (JFO) told CNN that three photojournalists working with international news agencies were arrested and another was beaten by security forces and his camera destroyed. CNN has reached out to the Iraqi government for comment. The planned protest in Sweden took place later on Thursday outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm. It was organized by Salwan Momika, an Iraqi national in Sweden who burned a copy of the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm last month during the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Adha, in a solo that sparked outrage in Iraq and around the world. Ultimately no Qurans were burned during Thursdays protest, according to videos seen by CNN, but footage showed two protesters kicking and partially destroying a Quran, and Momika stepping on a Quran and polishing his shoes with a picture of the Iraqi flag. A Stockholm police spokesperson said there were two people in attendance with a permit for the protest and estimated that another 150 people were present, most of them reporters. The Swedish police have stressed that they only grant permits for people to hold public gatherings and not for the activities conducted during them, AFP reported. Serious violation Swedish and Iraqi authorities exchanged heated words over the protests, as Baghdad threatened to sever diplomatic ties with Stockholm over Quran-burning demonstrations sanctioned by the state. Granting permission under the pretext of freedom of expression is viewed as provocative and contrary to international covenants and norms, which emphasize respect for religions and beliefs, the Iraqi prime ministers office said. Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia also publicly condemned the holy books desecration in Sweden, with authorities in Tehran and Riyadh summoning Swedish diplomats to express their anger. Prominent Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al Sadr, whose supporters were behind the protests at the Swedish embassy, said that Swedens hostility towards Islam and the holy books by giving permission to burn the Iraqi flag means Sweden doesnt believe in Iraq. Its on the government to not just express condemnation and denunciation as that shows weakness and complacency, Sadr said. However, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry also condemned the attack on the Swedish embassy, calling it part of a concerning pattern of assaults on diplomatic missions. The Iraqi government held an emergency meeting on Thursday to turn in the arrested individuals arrested in Baghdad to the judiciary, adding that negligent security officials will be investigated and face appropriate legal measures. Swedish authorities too condemned the demonstrations in Baghdad, calling the actions of protesters completely unacceptable. Iraqs charge daffaires in Stockholm has been summoned, Swedens Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said on Thursday. Swedens embassy staff in Baghdad are all safe amid protests outside of the building, the foreign ministrys press office told CNN via email. We condemn all attacks on diplomats and staff from international organizations. Attacks on embassies and diplomats constitute a serious violation of the Vienna Convention. Iraqi authorities have the responsibility to protect diplomatic missions and diplomatic staff, it said. Iraq later recalled its charge daffaires from the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm, and asked the Swedish ambassador in Baghdad to leave the country, an Iraqi government spokesperson said Thursday. Iraq also suspended Swedish telecom giant Ericssons license in the country in response to the demonstration in Stockholm. Ericsson told CNN in a statement on Thursday that the incidents in Stockholm involving the burning of the Holy Quran is deeply offensive to the religious beliefs and values cherished by Muslims around the world. This act does not reflect Ericssons core value of respect. The European Union echoed Swedens condemnation of the attack in Iraq overnight, saying it hoped for a swift return to normality in the relations between both countries. The diplomatic fallout saw the United States strongly condemn the attack on Thursday. The US emphasized that freedom of peaceful assembly is vital to democracy, but this violent act was unlawful and unacceptable, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. Foreign missions should not be targets of violence. We call on the Government of Iraq to honor its international obligations to protect all diplomatic missions in Iraq against any intrusion or damage, as required by international law, Miller said. Miguel Moratinos, the high representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), said the the desecration of sacred religious books is not freedom of expression but rather an expression of contempt and religious hatred. The High Representative also condemns the acts of violence and the storming of the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad today, the statement read. He re-iterates that the desecration of sacred religious books and religious sites is a disrespectful and provocative act. Such acts often lead to agitation and incitement to violence. At the same time, he stresses that violence is never an appropriate response to provocation, the statement added. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Protesters storm Swedish embassy in Iraq over Quran burning plan" Vice President Kamala Harris Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Florida Friday to highlight that states latest approach to teaching public school students falsehoods about American history. Speaking about the Florida State Board of Education curriculum updates approved earlier in the week, Harris gave a fiery speech at the Ritz Theatre and Museum in Jacksonville. Harris added the last-minute trip after it was revealed that middle school students in the state would be taught that slavery actually benefited some enslaved people during one of Americas darkest periods. Harris explained that attacks on education are outrageous, given the importance of teachers impact on students. Harris said her first-grade teacher attended her law school graduation. I am a product of teachers and an educational system that believed in providing the children with the full expanse of information that allowed them (and encouraged them) to then reach their own conclusions and exercise critical thought in a way that was directly intended to nurture their leadership, Harris said. She said that because of that approach, she is now vice president of the United States. Part of true patriotism means fighting for a nation that will be better for each generation to come, she said. In global settings, she said, people look up to American leaders because of their earned respect. When youre a role model, people watch what you do to see if it matches what you say, she said. So understand the impact that this is having not only for the children of Florida and our nation but potentially for people around the world. We want to know that we are seeing our children out as role models of a democracy who therefore know the importance of speaking and telling [the] truth, the importance of understanding [that] when you are a leader, you must know history, she continued. She said that people around the world are clear about American history but that Republicans are building in a handicap by teaching kids things that are not true. Story continues Citing the Constitutions preamble, Harris said, Implicit in those words was an understanding we are imperfect and we must be honest about that to understand then our history. She said that she was deeply concerned about what was happening in Florida. Lets be clear; I do believe this is not only about the state of Florida. There is a national agenda afoot, she said. What is happening here in Florida? Extremist so-called leaders for months have dared to ban books. Extremists here in Florida passed a law, 'dont say gay,' trying to instill fear in our teachers that they should not live their full life and love who they love, Harris said. And now, on top of all of that, they want to replace history with lies. Harris explained, Middle school students in Florida [are] told that enslaved people benefited from slavery. High-schoolers may be taught that victims of violence or massacres are also perpetrators.They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, and we will not have it. As part of setting the foundation for their children to become productive citizens, Harris emphasized that parents teach children to always tell the truth as one of their first lessons. I think we should model what we say, Harris said. These extremist so-called leaders should model what we know to be the correct and right approach if we really are invested in the wellbeing of our children. Instead, they dare to push propaganda to our children. This is the United States of America. Were not supposed to do that! In response to Harriss detailed description of slaverys horrors and history, the crowd began to cheer in appreciation of the truth. When adults know what slavery really involved come on adults know what slavery really involved! It involved rape. It involved torture. It involved taking a baby from their mother, she said. It involved some of the worst examples of depriving people of humanity in our world. It involved subjecting people to the requirement that they think of themselves and be thought of as less than humans. So in the context of that, how is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities that there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization? [That] in the midst of these atrocities that there was some benefit? Harris characterized attacks on school curricula as misleading and propagandistic. She said that parents expect that when their children go to school, they will be taught facts, and teachers should be encouraged to do so. They should not then be told by politicians that they should be teaching revisionist history in order to keep their jobs, Harris said, incensed. What is going on? She added that people should not be distracted by the bogus debates some perpetuate. This is unnecessary, she said. To debate whether enslaved people benefited from slavery are you kidding me? Are we supposed to debate that? Let us not be distracted by what theyre trying to do, which is to create unnecessary debates to divide our country. She closed by saying that together, united behind the truth, people should carry on the fight for what is right. We know our collective history. It is our shared history, she said. This week, news broke that new Florida education standards discuss how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit, according to a 216-page document published by the Florida Department of Education regarding the states social studies standards for 2023. Educators and advocates are also concerned about the curriculum teaching students that Black people perpetrated violence during racial massacres. Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a scathing rebuke of Florida education officials on Friday, using a hastily planned speech in Jacksonville to accuse the state State Board of Education of trying to whitewash how students are taught Black history and the countrys darkest chapters. Speaking to a crowd at the Ritz Museum and Theater in Jacksonvilles historically Black LaVilla neighborhood, Harris painted a bleak picture of Floridas education system under total Republican control of the state government. Books have been banned from school libraries, she said, and teachers are forced to do their jobs in fear, worried that they could violate restrictive laws on what can and cannot be taught in public schools. And now on top of all of that, they want to replace history with lies, Harris said. Middle school students in Florida to be told that enslaved people benefited from slavery. High schoolers may be taught that victims of violence, of massacres, were also perpetrators. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us. And we will not have it. Harris trip to Jacksonville came just two days after the State Board of Education OKd new standards for how public schools should approach Black history, including teaching how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. The new curriculum has drawn fierce pushback from teachers and civil rights leaders, who have accused the board and the states Republican Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. of teaching revisionist history. That was the theme of Harriss speech on Friday. She blamed state education officials for feeding propaganda to Florida students, and warned that proponents of such initiatives wouldnt stop in Florida, but that there is a national agenda afoot. How is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities that there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization? Harris said. Story continues It is not only misleading. It is false and it is pushing propaganda, she continued. RELATED CONTENT: Teachers enraged that Floridas new Black history standards say slaves could benefit DeSantis fires back The speech was organized through the White House, but had the trappings of a campaign stop as Harris and President Joe Biden ready for a 2024 reelection bid. She met with activists and local officials ahead of her remarks, and was introduced by Brevard County School Board member Jennifer Jenkins, who is openly considering a Senate bid next year against Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. Notably absent from Harris remarks was any direct mention of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Republican presidential candidate who has put culture war issues especially those surrounding education at the center of his political brand. DeSantis tore into Harris ahead of her visit on Friday, accusing her and other Democrats of lying about the curriculum and advocating for the teaching of sexual topics in schools a claim he has made repeatedly over the years. Democrats like Kamala Harris have to lie about Floridas educational standards to cover for their agenda of indoctrinating students and pushing sexual topics onto children, DeSantis tweeted. Florida stands in their way and we will continue to expose their agenda and their lies. Diaz, the state education commissioner, has also defended the new standards, saying that public schools will still teach the tougher subjects, like the slave trade and Jim Crow laws, as age-appropriate. Nothing was removed, including what we continue to say was the good, the bad and the ugly, he said at the Wednesday board meeting in Orlando where the guidelines were approved. Yet the boards decision and Harris trip to Jacksonville are only the latest examples of how Florida has become a main battlefield for culture wars under the leadership of DeSantis, one of more than a dozen Republicans running for the GOP nomination to challenge Biden in 2024. Harris traveled to the state in January to deliver a speech commemorating the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that established a womans constitutional right to have an abortion. That ruling was overturned last year, allowing lawmakers in Florida and other states to clamp down on abortion rights. DeSantis, who began his second term in the governors mansion in January, has carved out a national reputation as a culture-war crusader willing to use his office to tear down and remake various institutions, including the state education system, in a conservative image. Both as governor and on the campaign trail, he frequently rails against so-called woke ideology and cultural Marxism that he argues has been used by the political left to indoctrinate children and sow division along racial, ethnic, gender and ideological lines. Under DeSantis governorship, the state has barred lessons in public schools that deal with critical race theory, a decades-old legal concept that holds that racial disparities are systemic in the United States. The Florida Department of Education has rejected math textbooks, accusing publishers of attempting to indoctrinate students with woke content. And at DeSantis behest, the Legislature has prohibited instruction that could make students feel responsibility or guilt about the past actions of other members of their race. The state education department also moved earlier this year to ban an Advanced Placement African American history course in Florida schools. Nearing the end of her speech on Friday, Harris offered a blunt assessment of Floridas new curriculum on Black history, saying that it violated the basic expectation that when children are sent to school, theyre being taught the truth. It is a reasonable expectation that our children will not be misled, she said. And thats whats so outrageous about whats happening right now: an abject and purposeful and intentional policy to mislead our children. Miami Herald staff writer Ana Ceballos contributed to this report. Madam Vice President Kamala Harris spoke out against the Florida Board of Educations newly approved Black History standards. Harris expressed concern over the newly approved school guidelines during a speech at Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.s national convention. Speaking of our children, extremists pass book bans to prevent them from learning our true history book bans in this year of our Lord 2023, said Harris. And while they do this, check it out, they push forward revisionist history. The guidelines require middle schools to teach that enslaved people developed skills that could be applied for their personal benefit. Harris criticized the move as an attempt to gaslight us and accused those behind it of promoting revisionist history. Just yesterday in the state of Florida, they decided middle school students will be taught that enslaved people benefited from slavery, Harris continued. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, and we will not stand for it. New Black History Standards in School The guidelines were approved in response to Floridas Stop WOKE Act, which mandates that race should be taught objectively and without bias. Middle school teachers are now required to cover various duties and trades performed by slaves, such as agricultural work and domestic service. High school students are to be taught about acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans during the Reconstruction era. The 1920 Ocoee Massacre is listed as an example. The changes have drawn criticism from the Florida Education Association (FEA), a statewide teachers union. The FEA argued that the new standards are a step backward and that students deserve a comprehensive education on African American history to understand the nations past and foster unity. How can our students ever be equipped for the future if they dont have a full, honest picture of where weve come from? Floridas students deserve a world-class education that equips them to be successful adults who can help heal our nations divisions rather than deepen them, FEA president Andrew Spar wrote in a press release. Story continues The guidelines have sparked further debate, as elementary school students will be asked to identify famous African Americans like Rosa Parks, George Washington Carver, and Zora Neale Hurston without being provided with their histories and struggles. The FEA contended that these standards limit students knowledge of African American history, instead focusing solely on recognizing names. Evidently, in an attempt to protect students from wokeness, these new standards will make sure that, through the fourth grade, elementary school students knowledge of African American history doesnt extend beyond being able to know who a famous African American is when they see them, the press release read. Additional Laws Reshaping Education in Florida These new standards come after Governor Ron DeSantis administration rejected a new Advanced Placement course on African American history. The Administration cited concerns about its educational value and alignment with Florida law. DeSantis has been active in reshaping educational policy in the state. For instance, the Dont Say Gay law banning specific LGBTQ+ topics from being discussed in public schools. The debate surrounding the Florida guidelines reflects a broader national conversation about how history and race are taught in schools. The post Kamala Harris Speaks Out Against Floridas New Black History Standards appeared first on 21Ninety. Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to travel to Florida on Friday to deliver critical remarks in response to the state Board of Education's approval of new standards for how Black history will be taught in schools. The trip to Jacksonville will highlight efforts to "protect fundamental freedoms, specifically, the freedom to learn and teach Americas full and true history," a White House official said in an announcement first shared with NBC News. Harris, whose mother was a civil rights activist, will also meet with parents, educators, civil rights leaders and elected officials, the official said. Her last trip to Florida was in April. In remarks Thursday, Harris blasted efforts in some states to ban books and push forward revisionist history. Just yesterday in the state of Florida, they decided middle school students will be taught that enslaved people benefited from slavery, she said at a convention for the traditionally Black sorority Delta Sigma Theta Inc. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, and we will not stand for it. The Florida Board of Education approved new standards Wednesday in a 216-page document detailing how public schools should approach Black history, including teaching students that some Black people benefited from slavery because it taught them useful skills that could be used for their personal benefit. Changes to the curriculum were required by a 2022 law known as the Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act, or Stop WOKE Act, NBC South Florida reported. The new framework has been sharply criticized by the Florida Education Association, a statewide teachers union representing about 150,000 teachers, as a step backward. William Allen and Frances Presley Rice, who are members of Floridas African American History Standards Workgroup, defended the new standards in a statement, calling them rigorous and comprehensive and saying they aimed to show that some slaves developed highly specialized trades from which they benefitted. Story continues The topic of voting rights, gun violence and womens choices about their own bodies, will also be addressed during Harris visit, the White House official said. Harris has played a more prominent role in recent months in the administrations efforts to cast gun safety measures and abortion protections as a bid to protect fundamental freedoms. In April, she traveled to Nashville after state GOP lawmakers ousted two Black Democratic legislators, who have since been reinstated, for protesting against gun violence on the chamber floor. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Jackson County prosecutors have charged a man with murder and other crimes in the fatal shooting of his wife in front of her son in her Kansas City home. Mantonia M. Duncan, 40, is accused of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Jami Duncan, who was found shot to death in a home in the North Town Fork Creek neighborhood. He also faces a single felony count of unlawful firearm possession. Mantonia Duncan was arrested within an hour of the shooting after he reportedly showed up drunk at a relatives home, according to court documents. As of Thursday, he was being held in the Jackson County jail on a $100,000 bond. Kansas City police officers were dispatched around 11 p.m. Monday to the 3400 block of East 54th Street for a medical call. A woman was found dead on the kitchen floor of multiple gunshot wounds to her head and body. Crime scene investigators collected nine spent shell casings and a firearm found near Jami Duncans body, according to a court document filed Tuesday. Two apparent bullet holes were found in the space of the floor where her head lay. Police officers spoke with a 911 caller who told them she drove to Jami Duncans house after Mantonia Duncans brother told her he had killed someone there. She said she tried to get inside and called police after she walked in. Another witness told police Mantonia Duncan had talked about arguing with his wife over her daughter recently moving in and his wife trying to run the house. He was also talking about how he f----- up and was going to prison, the witness told police. Detectives were also told Jami Duncans son was inside the house and had witnessed the shooting. During an interview at the Child Protective Center, the boy said he and his mother were in the kitchen when his stepfather came in from the backyard and demanded she line up. The boy watched him shoot her three times, according to court documents, before running to his bedroom closet to hide so he would not get killed. Story continues Mantonia Duncan was taken to KCPD Headquarters on Monday night to speak with detectives. There was apparent blood on his left leg, shorts, shirt, shoes and fingers, according to court documents. Detectives wrote in charging documents that Mantonia Duncan appeared to have an unknown medical issue and was taken to the hospital instead of being interviewed. Online court records did not list a defense attorney for Mantonia Duncan as of Thursday. TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A tactic known as the Kansas Two-Step that's been used by the state Highway Patrol for years to detain out-of-state motorists long enough to find a reason to search their vehicles for illegal drugs violates motorists' constitutional right against unreasonable searches, a federal judge declared Friday. Senior U.S. District Judge Kathryn Vratil also notified the patrol that she is ready to impose changes in its policing practices and appoint a special master to audit its work for at least four years. The changes would include a requirement that troopers specifically inform motorists they stop that they have the right to reject a search or to revoke consent for one at any time when under the Two-Step, patrol officers avoid telling motorists they are free to go. Vratil issued a scathing, 79-page order in two separate lawsuits filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of three motorists and two passengers traveling in 2017, 2018 and 2019 from neighboring Colorado, which has legalized recreational marijuana use. Vratil concluded that the patrol targeted motorists traveling along Interstate 70 to or from states that have legalized either the medical or recreational use of marijuana. Kansas has authorized neither. With the Two-Step," troopers finish the initial traffic stop, issuing a ticket or a warning, and start to walk away, then turn back to talk more to the motorist. That allows them to keep looking for grounds for a vehicle search or to buy time to get drug-sniffing dogs to the scene. Vratil said the patrol waged war on motorists. The war is basically a question of numbers: stop enough cars, and you're bound to discover drugs. And what's the harm if a few constitutional rights are trampled along the way? she wrote. Neither the patrol nor Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach's office responded immediately to text and email messages seeking comment Friday. The patrol has defended its tactics as a response to I-70 serving as a major corridor for drug traffickers. Story continues Vratil listed nearly four pages of restrictions on the patrol's policing that she plans to impose, giving the parties in the lawsuits until Aug. 7 to tell her in writing why she shouldn't. Troopers would be required to get a supervisor's approval to conduct a vehicle search, and the patrol would have to keep a log of all such requests and who approved them. The judge, an appointee of Republican President George H.W. Bush, said she would require troopers to affirmatively inform motorists of their right to refuse to allow searches of their vehicles. She concluded that that troopers are more than happy to exploit (motorists') lack of knowledge of their legal rights and pressure drivers to submit to extended detentions," so that they "do not feel free to leave. The ACLU of Kansas and other civil rights advocates have argued for years that the patrol has subjected out-of-state motorists to searches that violate the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that protects people against unreasonable searches and seizures. This is a huge win for our clients and for anyone else who travels on Kansas highways, Sharon Brett, the ACLU of Kansas' legal director, said in a statement. "It also demonstrates that courts will not tolerate the cowboy mentality of policing that subjects our citizens to conditions of humiliation, degradation, and, in some tragic cases, violence. Questions about the patrol's tactics became more visible after Colorado legalized recreational marijuana almost a decade ago. Missouri did the same in 2022, and Oklahoma allows the medical use of marijuana. Only a handful of states don't allow at least medical use. Vratil wrote that state traffic laws create a host of possible reasons to stop a motorist initially. But she added that the factors troopers used to justify having a reasonable suspicion about a possible drug crime such as a motorist's travel plans are so ordinary and benign" that they could apply to thousands of drivers. The judge also noted that troopers are trained to end their initial traffic stop with phrases such as have a safe trip, take care, or have a good day. The KHP trains troopers not to inform a motorist that he or she is free to go, Vratil wrote. ___ Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna Bubbe-hood has Kathie Lee Gifford on Cloud 9. The former TODAY co-host shared a sunny Instagram post highlighting her latest gig as a grandmother to Frankie. The photo, shared on July 21, shows the 69-year-old beaming as she carries the 1-year-old on her hip. Heaven. Im in heaven! Kathie Lee captioned the post. Or as close as Im going to get to it on this earth! Wishing you all a blessed day. He looks just like his Dad! one user pointed out. Precious!! Being a Grandparent is for sure Heaven on Earth!! Little Frankie is the cutest thing ever, one fan replied. You are so blessed to have that cutie. Aww, so precious!! wrote another. Its the best its ever gonna get!! I love grandma hood. Frankie, who was born in May 2022, is Kathie Lee's first grandchild. His parents are Kathie Lee's son Cody and his wife, Erika. Soon after his birth, Kathie Lee appeared on TODAY and spoke to Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager about wanting to be called bubbe the Yiddish word for grandmother. I asked her, I said, whats a good word for a Jewish grandmother? Kathie Lee explained, recalling a conversation with a friend who is Israeli. And she goes, Bubbalah. Its Bubbe. And it means dearest one, like cherished one, she added. Last month was a big one for Gifford in terms of being a bubbe. The hosts daughter Cassidy welcomed her first child, Finn Thomas Wierda. Gifford celebrated her new grandson with a post on July 14, writing So blessed to spend the afternoon with my precious little Finn. Later this year, her grandchild count is expected to increase from two to three. Cody and Erika announced in June that they were expecting their second child with a post on Instagram. The post featured a video of Erikas baby bump and photos of 1-year-old Frankie holding her pregnancy test. "Baby Gifford #2 coming this winter," the caption read. This article was originally published on TODAY.com When men make history, Karl Marx observed, it is not under circumstances of their own choosing, but rather under circumstances given and inherited from the past. History is the one thing we cannot escape; the great epochal force which creates the world in which we live, as well as being the story we use to understand it. I thought of this as the results of the by-elections trickled in this morning, the Tories coming within a few hundred votes of losing all three seats in what would have been an unusually uncaveated rebuke. When trying to assess whether or not yesterdays by-elections prove that the Government is destined to defeat, we cannot help but turn to historical precedent. Never has a Labour opposition overturned a majority as big as the one in Selby, we read; Rishi Sunak has only just avoided becoming the second prime minister in history to lose three by elections in one day (after Harold Wilson in 1968). Labour leader Keir Starmer reacted to the overnight results as you would expect: they were historic, he said. The results come hot on the tails of Starmers public embrace with Tony Blair in the bowels of Londons Park Plaza hotel this week, in which the Labour leader consciously mimicked his predecessor by declaring the country needed three things: Growth, growth, growth. Unless anyone missed the obvious nod, Starmer moved quickly to acknowledge it. Now you may have heard a refrain like that before, he joked, to knowing laughter. In some senses, this whole week has felt like a theatrical passing of the baton; exiled king recognising his rightful heir and receiving his blessing in return. Starmer had done what was necessary to win power, Blair declared. The audience whooped and cheered in what seemed like a moment of genuine catharsis, a sudden outpouring of relief. Starmer was one of them. The Pope had given his blessing. In turn, Starmer had used the occasion to show he was as determined as il Papa to win power for them, taking the tough decisions necessary to do so. Blair nodded on approvingly. It is not surprising that, in Westminster, many conversations turn back to Blair when assessing todays politics the perennial question of whether the next election is going to be a rerun of 1997 or 1992. Is Starmer the new Blair? Or the new Kinnock? This, after all, is the dominant political fable of our time, the simple, easy-to-understand morality tale of modern British politics. The story usually runs something like this. In 1992, Kinnock had almost done enough to win, but not quite enough. The party was still too Left-wing. The Tories, in contrast, had done what was necessary to cling to power by replacing Margaret Thatcher with John Major, allowing all those quiet Tories to secretly cast their vote for continuity. By 1997, however, not only had Majors government imploded in a fireball of incompetence and sleaze, but Labour had finally chosen a man to win. This is the story of our time and retold in Tory form as the long march from madness from IDS to Cameron. Today, the question for many is whether Starmer has done enough to win over the public or whether he has left enough room for Sunak to pull a Major. Yet, for Marx, the whole point was that history does not repeat even in farce, as he joked. Each new era in history is different. Borrowing old battle slogans is not a way to resuscitate the conditions of the past, but a way of dressing up our modern challenges in time-honoured disguise to make them less daunting, turning scary, complicated problems into familiar ones. Growth, growth, growth, Starmer exclaims and everybody understands. What that actually means when it comes to, say, artificial intelligence wiping out millions of white-collar office jobs is anyones guess. Ironically, I suppose, even Marx was kidding himself about the true scale of historical change, constructing a whole theory to explain how the chaotic process is actually one, long predictable journey towards the light. And yet what is perhaps most remarkable about todays challenges is not their similarities to past decades, but their differences. The challenge facing Starmer today is certainly closer to 1992 than 1997, in that he faces a sizeable Conservative majority rather than the marginal one Blair needed to overturn. But then, unlike 1992, Starmer faces a government which has presided over an economic crisis of its own making and so, in that respect, is more like 1997. In some ways, a closer parallel to either is actually 1964, another time a Conservative government with a huge majority found itself limping towards defeat under a new prime minister, by-election losses and scandals mounting up along the way, sapping all sense of hope from an exhausted party. This was before Wilson came in, only for him to become the man to lose all those by-elections in one day. Once again, however, the differences are just as stark as the similarities. The recession of 1961 had been mild and the recovery reasonable. The Sixties today are notable for being a decade of sustained economic expansion with rising living standards for all. This is very much not the case today. If anything, our own period is closest to the Thirties following the Wall Street Crash. Starmer certainly seems aware of the limitations of comparisons with the past. Speaking alongside Blair on Tuesday, he noted that even if he matched the swing to Labour that Blair managed in his landmark victory, his majority would amount to a single solitary seat. Perceptively, Starmer also acknowledged that the mood of the country was very different from 1997. Today, the feeling is less Things Can Only Get Better and more Things Can Hardly Get Worse. In fact, in one important but overlooked comment, Starmer said that unless the next government proved it could turn things around, this sense of national pessimism would turn into a kind of lethargy, It would, he said, gnaw away at our collective sense of collective purpose and push us towards a learned political hopelessness and a mindset of decline. Here, Starmer alighted on one of the great and worrying differences between today and much of our recent modern history. In the Sixties, there was economic growth and a sense of possibility: the great white heat of technology, modernisation, Europe and all that each an apparent answer to decline. Even in the Seventies, when the economic challenges seemed overwhelming at times, there remained, ironically, much more of a sense of hope than there is today. Without this hope, after all, there could not have been the radicalism there was whether of the Bennite variety on the Left, or the Thatcherism of the Right, both of which believed they had the answers to the problems of the day. The Seventies were a time, remember, when it was a national scandal if living standards did not rise each and every year and people took to the streets to protest if they didnt. Today, there is a sense, it seems, that nothing matters. We have had 15 years of stagnant living standards, falling home ownership and deteriorating public services. Even Brexit, our great national revolution to shake the system out of its torpor, seems to have changed very little: immigration has continued to rise, the economy to stagnate, taxes to rise. We have taken a screenshot of what existed before, only a slightly worse copy. And yet, if anything, our politics have become less radical in this time, the answers to our stagnation becoming ever narrower and more timid. Is our national lethargy a result of our political failure, or is our political timidity a reflection of our public despair? Theres a similar mood of despair in J.D. Salingers Franny and Zooey. Published in The New Yorker in 1955, Salingers central character, Franny, laments how everything everybody does is so I dont know not wrong, or even mean, or even stupid necessarily. But just so tiny and meaningless and sad-making. This seems to be the national attitude at the moment. Like Franny, everyone is just sick of ego, ego, ego, as she puts it, of everybody that wants to get somewhere, do something. After Blair and Cameron and Johnson (and certainly Truss), were sick of people trying to do things. But were also sick of those who never look like theyre capable of doing anything, such as May or, perhaps, Sunak and Starmer. It is this kind of nihilistic lethargy Starmer is worried about and which could cost him the election. It is the same kind of nihilism you detect in Salingers other book, Catcher in the Rye, the great lament about change and phoney adults going around saying things they dont believe in. Im always saying Glad tove met you to somebody Im not at all glad I met, says Holden Caulfield. If you want to stay alive, you have to say that stuff. For the same reason, the public has grown tired of their politicians, turning instead to authentic phonies such as Trump or Johnson. In Catcher, Salinger has this wonderful metaphor, as I read it, for the slow, unrelenting progress of history which we see in politics as much as life. Holden thinks about his sister Phoebe going to the museum that he went to as a kid: I thought how shed see the same stuff I used to see, and how shed be different every time she saw it, he explains. It didnt exactly depress me to think about it, but it didnt make me feel gay as hell, either. To me, this is much like politics, forever and always changing, shaped by the politics of the past placed in glass boxes for us all to gawp at and draw inspiration from. Certain things should stay the way they are, Caulfield declares in one of the great conservative laments. You ought to be able to stick them in one of those big glass cases and just leave them the way they are. But you cant, of course. Thats the point. Politics would be easy if all you had to do is read a history book and find the right precedent to copy, but its not. History is like Phoebe, the same but always changing. The conditions which exist today are similar to the past, the challenges recognisable, but they are also unique, requiring something new. Keir Starmer is not the new Tony Blair. But that doesnt mean hes Neil Kinnock either. Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Getty Its Barbie Week at The Daily Beasts Obsessed, celebrating the dolls pop-culture history, our favorite Barbie memories, and a certain major movie. Read all of our coverage here! Shes everything. Hes just Ken. Thats the tagline for the wildly anticipated Barbie movie, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. The implication is clear: Come for Barbie, and stay for Barbie but Ken happens to be there too. Ken has long been seen as nothing but Barbies human accessory, but it wasnt always this way for the poor misunderstood doll. When Ken was first introduced in 1961, his first commercial tried to position him as Barbies equal and, unmistakably, boyfriend. Get both Barbie and Ken and see where the romance will lead! the commercial promised. Since then, like Barbie, Ken has undergone countless transformations and fashions. But as time went on, Ken found himself an afterthought. Toymakers Mattel never gave him the same kind of backstories as Barbiewhile shes had over 200 careers, Ken has had just some 40-odd professions. (An incredible amount of jobs for a person, sure. But for a doll? Embarrassing.) Barbie Review: Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling Made an Instantly Timeless Masterpiece Barbie has starred in lots of video games and more than three dozen films; Ken has had a major role in a mere handful of them. But theres one key reason why Ken is always lagging significantly behind Barbie and it's a lot deeper than the dolls seeming lack of popularity: Ken has been miscast. Hes not Barbies boyfriend. Hes Barbies gay best friend. Despite Mattels insistence that Barbie and Ken are in a happy romantic relationship, theres plenty of speculation about Kens sexuality. Even if his makers claim him to be straight, theres mounting proof to the contrary. Perhaps the most indisputable evidence that Ken is in fact both a member of the queer community and Barbies bestie, not boy toy, comes from a rather surprising place: 2010s Toy Story 3. Story continues In Toy Story 3, Barbie and Ken play a surprisingly large role. Their introduction to the film is tinged with romantic tension. When the pair meet, the film invokes a common trope: a romantic needle drop hits the moment the lovers lock eyes. In this case, its Dream Weaver by Gary Wright. As far as Barbie and Ken are concerned, theyre the only ones in the room. I love your leg warmers! Ken tells Barbie. Nice ascot, she banters, with heavy emphasis on the first syllable. Before things get too heated, they lock arms and walk off together. Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Getty Lets be honestdespite the romantic overtones of the scene, their brief exchange tells us everything about how they see each other. Ken doesnt mention anything about Barbies body, instead highlighting her leg warmers. But Barbie is unsubtly trying to seduce Ken in just two words. Shes after Ken, but Ken is after someone whose clothes he can admire. Sure, later in the film, Ken and Barbie say I love you to each other. And they go back and forth between saying each word of I love youso someone different can say love each time, as Ken explains. He mentions offhand that he has everything except someone to share it with. Barbie and Ken even nuzzle their noses together. Yes, theres definitely love between friendsbut through it all, theres not a hint of sexual chemistry. Look, I know what youre thinkingSir, this is Toy Story; what exactly are you expecting? If you look at other romances in the franchiseWoody and Bo Peep, and Jesse and Buzztheres no doubt that theres real love there between these sentient toys. Their passion for one another transcends more than simply being interested in each others outfits. The same cannot be said of the Mattel dolls. Thats made evident when Ken finally gets an opportunity for intimacy with Barbie. This is where the magic happens, he tells Barbie when they finally go to his DreamHouse together, having parents all over the world clutching their pearls. But fear not: Ken simply takes Barbie to his walk-in wardrobe. The MyScene Barbies That Tried to Make Barbie Cool Again Any semblance of romance makes way for friendship, when the pair jubilantly peruse Kens outfits. And instead of doing something wild like kissing Barbie, Ken puts on a fashion show for her instead. The film wont say it, but a post-credits punchline about Kens handwriting, complete with hearts and stars surrounding his name, tells us what we need to know. The heavily implied nature of Kens gayness in Toy Story 3 harkens back to Hollywoods traditional gay best friend-type characters. In the Hays Code era, explicit references to homosexuality werent allowed, so characters like Van Buren (Franklin Pangborn) in 1937s Easy Living, Kip (David Wayne) in 1949s Adams Rib, or Addison (George Sanders) in 1950s All About Eve instead were imbued with effeminate characteristics, offering a glimpse outside of heteronormativity without explicitly being queer. None of these characters were the samesome were catty, others sweet. Some had ulterior motives, and others offered unconditional support. But each of the gay best friends was intrinsically defined by their relationships with their straight friends. We never really learned much about them as individuals. They lived on the margins, fleshing out their straight counterparts, hardly having a purpose without them; that portrayal remains true today. Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Photos by Getty / Warner Bros. Decades later, in 2010, the gay best friend was all the rage; Teen Vogue even went so far as to proclaim the GBF as the summers must-have accessory. But unlike in the first half of the 20th century, in todays cinema, the GBF is allowed to be openly gay. At the same time, they still barely register as people with character traits beyond their relationships with their straight counterparts. In movies like Mean Girls (2004), The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Easy A (2010), No Strings Attached (2011), and Isnt It Romantic (2019), gay friends exist entirely in the orbit of their female friends. Its such a strong trope that it even persists in queer romantic comedies: 2020s Happiest Season finds John (Dan Levy) offering advice and snarky one-liners to his lesbian bestie in lieu of meaningful character development. In Toy Story 3, the same is true of Ken. His existence depends on and circulates around Barbie. In Barbie, Ken has found someone who really understands him. He doesnt get along with the other toys, who mock him for being a girl's toy. But Barbie loves fashion, just like he does. No one appreciates clothes here, Barbie, Ken laments to Barbie, about the other toys treatment of him. No one! But Barbie does, and for Ken, thats life-changing. There are plenty of reasons why the film wouldnt outrightly state that Ken is homosexual. Not only does Disney itself have a complicated history with queer characters, but Ken and Barbie are also the property of Mattel, which has always been steadfast in asserting Kens heterosexuality. Thats never been clearer than in 1993 when the toy company tried to reignite Kens popularity Mattels solution? Earring Magic Ken. Earring Magic Ken was a fiercer, infinitely more queer Ken than ever before. This version of the doll had bleached blonde hair, a purple leather vest (!), a pink-purple mesh top (!!), and of course, and earring in the gay ear. But thats not all: Around Kens neck was something that any active participant of the queer scene in the 90s recognized instantlya cock ring (!!!). The Earring Magic Ken turned Barbies boyfriend into an out-and-proud homosexual raver. Mattel, of course, vehemently denied any claims that Ken was gay, let alone that he had something as preposterous as a cock ring around his neck. As Lisa McKendall, former manager of marketing and communications, said in an interview about the doll, Were not in the business of putting cock rings into the hands of little girls. Regardless of Mattels intentions, its hard to deny what the eye can see. Despite the name, cock rings at the time were used as a fashion accessory and a sign of defiant queerness and sex positivity. As a result, gay men bought the doll in droves, and despite Mattel ultimately recalling the doll and wiping away any trace of Earring Magic Ken, it was near-impossible to see Ken as anything but the glorious homosexual he was born to be from then on. Mattel spent the next couple of decades trying to retain Kens more heteronormative, masculine image, but the veil was lifted, and there was no going back. Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero/The Daily Beast/Photos by Getty/Warner Bros. Though Mattel doesnt seem to be willing to say Ken is actually gay, the Ken dolls of recent years seem to really lean into Kens queerness. The yassification of Ken is clearly underway. While there is no way to dress gay, there are several dolls that seem to suggest otherwise, such as: Fashionista Ken #193, who looks very excited to tell you about his new obsession, Troye Sivan; Travel Ken Doll, who has a satchel perfect for bathhouses and a purple overnight bag that literally proclaims hes extra; Ken Looks Doll, serving Im gonna give you a makeover-type realness while sporting black pleather pants; This Ken, who wears the least heterosexual double denim imaginable. While I have a feeling the new Barbie movie will put in the work to convince us that Ken is a hetero dude who loves nothing in life more than Barbie herself, the writings already on the wall: Ken is, and always will be, Barbies gay best friend. Keep obsessing! Sign up for the Daily Beasts Obsessed newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. Read more of our Barbie coverage HERE. Before Barbie, One Show Made the Dolls Total Assholes The Banned Karen Carpenter Biopic Was Barbie at Her Most Subversive I Toured Barbies (and Kens) Real-Life Malibu DreamHouse Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Kentuckys Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway a 75-mile long state highway that stretches throughout the eastern part of the state is among the most-feared roads in the nation, according to a survey of 3,000 drivers. The survey ranks Kentuckys Mountain Parkway as the sixth most feared in the country, just behind Nevadas U.S. Route 50, a desert highway known as the loneliest road in America. Commissioned by Gunther Mitsubishi and conducted by QuestionPro, the survey asked regular road-trippers which routes in each state they fear breaking down on the most. As for Kentuckys top pick, Mountain Parkway, theres been a massive project underway since 2015 to modernize the winding road and widen it from two to four lanes. About 70% of the project is either complete or still under construction. Once its done, however, youll be able to drive from Pikeville to Paducah and back on what the projects official website calls a four-lane, high speed route across the length of the state. Heres what to know about the project to expand and modernize Kentuckys Mountain Parkway, including how the highway stacks up against others across the country. How does the Mountain Parkway compare to other roads? The survey ranks these roads as the 10 Most Feared Routes in the U.S. The first five generally pass through vast, desolate swaths of land with few services and possibly dangerous weather hazards, including lava flows or 120-degree heat. New Mexico: U.S. Route 285 California: Death Valley Road (SR-190) Texas: U.S. Route 90 Hawaii: Saddle Road (Hawaii Route 200) Nevada: U.S. Route 50 The Loneliest Road in America Kentucky: Mountain Parkway (KY-9002) South Dakota: U.S. Route 14A (Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway) Alaska: Dalton Highway (AK-11) New York: State Route 17 Mississippi: U.S. Route 49 What makes the Mountain Parkway Kentuckys most-feared road? Back in 1963, when the route opened as one of Kentuckys first toll roads, the Mountain Parkway symbolized a major achievement for the states transportation system, according to a history of the highway on its project website. Story continues Beginning in Winchester and passing through parts of Clark, Powell, Wolfe, Morgan and Magoffin counties before ending west of Salyersville, the road bridged rural Eastern Kentucky and the more commercial, central part of the state. The route also opened up tourism destinations in Eastern Kentucky to more visitors, offering easier access to Natural Bridge and Jenny Wiley state resort parks. At the parkways dedication ceremony in November 1963, then-Gov. Bert Combs, who championed the routes creation, named its completion his proudest accomplishment. He called the Mountain Parkway the fulfillment of an age-old dream of Kentuckys mountain people, according to the projects history. Sixty years later, Mountain Parkway is showing its age. While it begins as a four-lane highway stretching for 46 miles starting from Interstate 64 at Winchester, the parkway narrows to three or two lanes as it runs further east to Salyersville. Improving the routes safety is a top priority, according to a project description on its website. Work will focus on modernizing roads and designing interchanges to be safer, with longer on and off ramps so drivers have more time to merge. Other changes involve eliminating dangerous curves around the mountain and separating opposing lanes of traffic, the websites homepage reads. Along with improving safety, widening lanes from two to four along the parkway will boost the routes ability to accommodate traffic, the website says. That means better access to jobs, health care and education for a region thats largely been left behind by coal companies. Whats the status of improvements to Mountain Parkway? The project officially got its start in 2015 with construction on the Magoffin County central segment. Most is either completed or still under construction, with the Wolfe County segment expected to be completed by 2027, the projects website says. Progress on the rest will largely depend on available state and federal funding. So far, the Mountain Parkway expansion has been the recipient of two major federal grants, including a $24 million grant in 2014 and more recently a 2020 Rebuilding America grant for $55 million. A progress update video published in May shows contractors moving massive piles of dirt in Wolfe and Magoffin counties. In less than a year, text in the video states, nearly 1 million yards of earth has been moved to help widen the parkway in Wolfe County. (At) Magoffin West, they continue to build bridges and culverts and continue with the earth-moving projects, project manager Aric Skaggs says in the video. Its kind of hard to see from the existing Mountain Parkway, but by the end of the year people will really be able to see whats happening. Do you have a question about travel or infrastructure in Kentucky for our service journalism team? Wed like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com. Kevin McCarthy and Donald Trump Photo by Alex Wong / Getty Images If there's a recurring theme to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's year of embattled leadership so far, it's that for as much as the California Republican occupies one of the most powerful political positions on Earth, he serves less as a conservative lodestar directing the course of his majority caucus, and more as a perpetually harried traffic cop, forced to cede more and more authority to whomever he believes can help him keep his tentative grip on the speaker's gavel the longest. From bargaining away a series of concessions to the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus to ongoing threats of an ignominious ousting from his own Republican colleagues, McCarthy has not so much wielded his own internal power as he's been pushed to react to that of other conservative stakeholders both from within and outside Congress. "Donald Trump is angry that the speaker hasn't endorsed his campaign," Politico reported this week. "To placate him, McCarthy privately vowed to hold a vote to clear Trump's impeachments. Now, that promise is coming due." Once again, McCarthy's short-term bid to pacify a GOP-led outburst that could threaten his speakership has evolved into a broader problem of his own making one for which there seems no easy outs, and no one else to blame but himself. So what's really going on with this developing debate over expunging the former president's impeachment records? And what might happen next? "Vulnerable frontliners in a precarious political position" While Trump has made the valorization and relitigating of the waning months of his presidency a key feature of his reelection campaign, "several moderate House Republicans are loath to revisit Trump's impeachments especially the charges stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol," Politico said. That puts McCarthy in something of an impossible bind. Given the degree to which the speaker has made himself beholden to his most extreme (and extremely Trump-aligned) caucus members, any one of whom could trigger the process to remove him from his position, McCarthy "has no real option but to bow to the former president's whims even if it means putting vulnerable frontliners in a precarious political position." With his barely-there majority, anything that threatens vulnerable Republicans could represent an existential threat to his leadership, and the GOP agenda at large. Conversely, "If you have an expungement, and it goes to the floor and fails which it probably will then the media will treat it like it's a third impeachment," one senior Republican told Politico. "It will show disunity among Republican ranks. It's a huge strategic risk." Nevertheless, McCarthy's hand has already been forced, at least to a degree. Last month, Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), and Georgia's Marjorie Taylor Greene introduced resolutions to expunge Trump's two impeachments "as if such Articles of Impeachment had never passed the full House of Representatives." In a statement, Stefanik a member of McCarthy's leadership team argued that "President Donald Trump was rightfully acquitted, and it is past time to expunge Democrats' sham smear against not only President Trump's name, but against millions of patriots across the country." Crucially, McCarthy has gone on the record endorsing the proposal, calling it "appropriate" "Just as I thought before," he said, Congress "should expunge it, because it never should have gone through." When asked at the time about bringing the resolutions to the floor, McCarthy "gave no indication he would move quickly" and instead "shifted to listing other GOP goals," the Associated Press reported. Trump, however, has reportedly made the vote a priority, bringing it up "in every call he has with McCarthy, prodding the speaker about when he will bring expungement to the floor," Politico said. "If McCarthy doesn't hold the vote soon," members of the former president's inner circle told the outlet, "there will be consequences." "Once you are impeached you are impeached" Crucially, no matter what McCarthy did or didn't promise Trump (he's denied vowing to hold an expungement vote before the House's August recess, claiming per Politico that "he merely indicated that he would discuss the matter with his members) it's important to note that expunging an impeachment is a wholly untested and likely impossible enterprise to being with. "It is not like a constitutional DUI," constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley told Reuters. "Once you are impeached, you are impeached." Turley, who twice argued against impeaching Trump, added that even if McCarthy were able to push through an expungement vote, "that is the view of a different Congress at a different time" than the one who initially approved Trump's impeachments. "Both of Trump's House impeachments led to trials in the Senate, as the Constitution instructs," agreed the Washington Post's Eugene Robinson. "Is the Senate supposed to pretend that those trials, which ended in acquittals, never happened? What about the pages in the Congressional Record that chronicle the impeachment proceedings? Would they be ripped out and destroyed?" Speaking with CBS, Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) argued that the expungement push was less important as a legislative maneuver than it was as an intra-GOP signpost. "It's telling who is introducing them," he explained, adding that "it's essentially whoever is trying to curry the most favor with Donald Trump." "The aim appears to be to allow Trump, the likely GOP presidential nominee in next year's election, to claim that despite the events we all witnessed, he was never impeached at all," concluded Robinson. "That lie can then become part of the fake historical record he sells to his supporters." With Trump facing a growing slate of criminal indictments just as his reelection campaign kicks into high gear, he seems more eager than ever to use his considerable conservative influence to smooth out some of his existing political turbulence whether the rest of the party wants him to or not. You may also like Florida construction and agricultural workforces diminished after new immigration law takes effect Judge limits how Biden officials can communicate with social media companies How solar and wind energy are saving Texans from a record heatwave Quick-thinking bystanders in Southern California helped rescue an out-of-state kidnapping victim who had been holding up a sign that said "help me" inside a car, authorities said Thursday. The victim, a 13-year-old girl, was allegedly taken from a bus stop in San Antonio, Texas, the Long Beach Police Department said in a news release. The girl had allegedly been ordered into a vehicle at gunpoint on July 6. On July 9, officers in Long Beach responded to a 911 call, where they found the teen "visibly emotional and distressed." Investigating officers found that Good Samaritans were in a parking lot when they saw the victim in a parked vehicle holding a sheet of paper with "help me" written on it. They "immediately" called 911, police said. In this undated photo released by the U.S Department of Justice is a Officers located and arrested the man suspected of kidnapping the teen. He was identified as 61-year-old Steven Robert Sablan. He had been inside a nearby laundromat washing clothes when the teen wrote the sign, officials said. Police said they found the firearm used to kidnap the girl was a black BB gun "which resembled a semi-automatic pistol." They also found a pair of handcuffs inside the car. Sablan was transported to the Long Beach City Jail, where he was booked for kidnapping, lewd and lascivious acts with a child, and fugitive from justice. He was booked on a $100,000 bail and was released to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Investigation on July 11, according to the jail's website. Sablan was indicted by a federal grand jury earlier this week and has been charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, the Central District of California U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release. His arraignment is scheduled for July 31 in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles. Texas man allegedly kidnaps teenage girl, sexually assaults her while traveling to Long Beach https://t.co/nFiDHfHgEk KCAL News (@kcalnews) July 21, 2023 According to the office, Sablan allegedly asked the victim how old she was. When she mentioned having a friend overseas, Sablan allegedly told the victim he could take her to a cruise ship to visit the friend, but she had to do something for him first. The girl was allegedly repeatedly sexually assaulted during the three days she was held by Sablan, according to the office. Story continues If convicted of both charges filed by the federal grand jury, Sablan may face life in prison. The teen, who was a reported runaway missing person, was placed in the custody of the San Antonio Department of Children and Family Services. The Long Beach chief of police, Wally Hebeish, praised the Good Samaritans who had called 911. "I want to commend our community members for their vigilance and willingness to get involved by calling 9-1-1. This incident highlights the critical role community members play in keeping people safe," said Hebeish. "I would also like to acknowledge our officers for their swift response and actions which led to getting this victim to safety." A similar incident unfolded in South Carolina last month. An alleged kidnapping victim was rescued after a police officer saw her mouth "help me" during a traffic stop in North Myrtle Beach. From the archives: Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga Lionel Messi kicks off first Major League Soccer game in Miami How electric flying taxis could help fight climate change A 13-year-old girl from Texas was rescued in California after waving a "help me" note to passersby while allegedly being kidnapped, sexually assaulted and dragged on a road trip. Steven Robert Sablan, 61, of Cleburne, Texas, was charged in the indictment with one count each of kidnapping and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a press release. He is scheduled to be arraigned in downtown Los Angeles, California July 31. According to the indictment and affidavit, the young victim was walking in San Antonia, Texas on July 6, when Sablan allegedly raised a black handgun to his side and ordered the victim to get into his sedan. "If you dont get in the car with me, I am going to hurt you," Sablan allegedly told the teen, who complied and got into his car. CHICAGO PD OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE INVESTIGATES SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS BETWEEN OFFICERS AND MIGRANTS Court documents state that the 61-year-old began driving and told the girl he could take her on a cruise ship to see her friend in Australia. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Sablan allegedly told the teen that she, "had to do something for him first." The adult then allegedly sexually assaulted her and continued to rape her while driving from Texas to California. The Long Beach Police Department arrested Steven Sablan with charges of kidnapping and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. On July 9, Sablan parked his vehicle in Long Beach, California and went into a laundromat to wash their clothes while the victim stayed in the car. While her attacker was preoccupied, officials say the teen victim wrote "help me" on a piece of scrape paper in an attempt to catch someone's attention. A witness saw the girl and called the Long Beach Police Department, who arrived to find Sablan outside the vehicle. Authorities say that the teen mouthed "help" from inside to authorities. 6 MEN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED GANG RAPE OF TEEN TOURIST AT EUROPEAN VACATION HOTSPOT During a search of the vehicle, officers retrieved a black BB gun, a "Help me" sign, and a pair of handcuffs. Story continues Sablan was arrested, and authorities quickly discovered that the victim was reported missing from Texas. "I want to commend our community members for their vigilance and willingness to get involved by calling 9-1-1," Long Beach police Chief Wally Hebeish said in a statement. "This incident highlights the critical role community members play in keeping people safe. I would also like to acknowledge our officers for their swift response and actions which led to getting this victim to safety." Officials said that Sablan could be sentenced to the maximum of life in federal prison if he's convicted for kidnapping and transporting a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, After nearly two decades in prison, the man who killed Redlands teenager Kelly Laurel Bullwinkle is about to be released. Damien Matthew Guerrero, 39, was granted parole despite objections by the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office. The DAs office previously asked Gov. Gavin Newsom to intervene. "He is someone who could kill again if the circumstances presented themselves and the opportunity presented themselves," Connie Lasky, with the county's Life and Parole Unit, told ABC7. Guerrero was granted parole suitability by a Board of Parole Hearings panel in January. A release date for Guerrero has not been confirmed, but the DA's office said prisoners typically are released from within 120 days of being granted parole. A 2003 photo of Kelly Laurel Bullwinkle, 18, of Redlands. After nearly 20 years in prison, convicted killer Damien Matthew Guerrero, 39, has been granted parole. He was sentenced for Sept. 13, 2003 fatal shooting of Bullwinkle. Kelly Bullwinkle killed At 18, Bullwinkle was a full-time student at Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa and a 2003 graduate of Redlands East Valley High School. On Sept. 13, 2003, Guerrero and Kinzie Gene Noordman lured their friend, Bullwinkle, to San Timoteo Canyon in south Redlands, the DAs office said. Guerrero and Noordman then shot Bullwinkle and buried her in a shallow grave they had dug the previous day. They placed a couch over it to cover it up, the DA said. "Kinzie and Kelly were walking along the path ... Damien was behind them, he said, 'Kelly,' she turned around and he shot her in the face," Lasky told ABC. "Damien then handed the gun to Kinzie, the gun jammed. Kinzie handed the gun back to Damien, Damien cleared the jam in the gun, then Kinzie fired the kill shot." In 2004, Dr. Frank Sheridan, a forensic pathologist and former chief medical examiner for San Bernardino County, testified that an autopsy showed that Bullwinkle was shot twice in the head. In a 2005 photo, Kelly Bullwinkle's friends, Damien Matthew Guerrero, left, and Kinzie Gene Noordman, right, both 39, were sentenced for the 2003 killing of Bullwinkle, who lived in Redlands. Photos Provided By Irfan Khan/Getty Images After killing Bullwinkle, the duo established an alibi by going out to dinner and seeing a movie. They also dumped her vehicle at the Ontario Mills Mall, the DA stated. On Sept. 13, 2003, Bullwinkle was last seen working at Bakers Burgers; the following day, her Mazda Protege was located at the mall. Her roommate reported her missing two days after she was last seen by co-workers. Story continues Guerrero and Noordman later helped Bullwinkle's family, friends, and the community search for the missing teen. They even attended a memorial service after her body was found, the DA reported. After the service, Noordman and her friends painted a monument to Bullwinkle that was placed where her body was found. Redlands Police Chief James Bueermann told the Los Angeles Times that the whole time, Noordman was misleading police. I have never worked a case where one of the people actually helping police, or purporting to help police, is in fact the killer, Bueermann said. On Oct. 4, 2003, paintballers found the body of Bullwinkle near an orange grove near San Timoteo Canyon and Alessandro roads. Guerrero and Noordman under surveillance As police began re-examining the victims friends, Guerrero and Noordman were placed on round-the-clock surveillance Police discovered that Guerrero had the same type of handgun used to kill Bullwinkle, the LA Times reported. In a statement to police, Guerrero and Noordman said the shooting of Bullwinkle was an accident. During the trial, allegations were heard that Bullwinkle was shot in a love triangle and that the shooting started as a joke to scare Bullwinkle. It was also discovered that Noordman and Guerrero were fans of the violent film "Natural Born Killers," with friends saying they considered themselves soul mates, according to CBS News. Rotten Tomatoes summarizes the 1994 film as two young, attractive serial killers who become tabloid-TV darlings, thanks to a sensationalistic press that reports the pairs 52-people killing spree. In 2005, Guerrero told the court that when he pulled his .25-caliber semi-automatic from his pocket, it accidentally discharged and struck Bullwinkle in the head, sending her to the ground still alive. When Guerrero dropped the weapon, Noordman told him to shoot her again. When he refused, Noordman picked up the gun and fired, striking Bullwinkle's head and killing her. Guerrero pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in 2008 after a jury failed to reach a verdict for first-degree murder. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, the district attorney reported. In 2005, Noordman, now 39, was convicted of first-degree murder and will not be eligible for parole until 2027, according to the DA. During the trial, Bullwinkle's late mother, Diana, requested the maximum sentence for her daughters killers. Diana Bullwinkle was 54 when she died on Feb. 1, 2014. She was a single mother and retired U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer, who served for 26 years. After nearly 20 years in prison, Damien Matthew Guerrero, 39, has been granted parole. He was sentenced for the Sept. 13, 2003 killing of Kelly Laurel Bullwinkle, 18, of Redlands. Parole granted In 2018, Guerrero's parole was denied for three years but was advanced to 2019 under a process known as an Administrative Review. On Oct. 24, 2019, the Board of Parole Hearings granted parole for Guerrero, based on his lack of prison discipline, positive programming in prison and perceived insight into the brutal crime, the DA said. On March 5, 2020, Gov. Newsom reversed the grant of parole and expressed concern about Guerrero's motivations for committing the heinous murder of his friend. He determined that Guerrero continued to pose an unreasonable danger to public safety if he were to be released. On Jan. 31, the board granted parole to Guerrero. "Our Office is hopeful that Gov. Newsom will reverse the decision, as he had in the past," DA Jason Anderson stated earlier this year. On Thursday, DA spokeswoman Jacquelyn Rodriguez took to Twitter to reflect on the courts decision. Although this is not the outcome our Office was hoping for, we are thankful for the advocacy, effort and countless hours of the community, family and friends of Kelly Bullwinkle who fought to keep her murderers separated from society, Rodriquez said. Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Killer of Redlands teen to go free despite objections by county DA Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) kisses a ballot before voting at a polling station at Takhmua in Kandal province, southeast Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, July 23, 2023. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) kisses a ballot before voting at a polling station at Takhmua in Kandal province, southeast Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Sunday, July 23, 2023. Credit - Heng SinithAP Photo Thirty years ago, some 22,000 police, military, and administrative personnel flew to Cambodia for one of the U.N.s largest peacekeeping missions. After decades of bloodied fighting between the Khmer Rouge communist rebels and government forces, the warring factions signed an accord for the U.N. to prepare the Southeast Asian nation for free and fair elections in a step towards democracy. Prime Minister Hun Sen, then 41, was in the middle of it all. Having fought on both sides of the war, Hun Sen, who ascended to power in 1985, was a key player in the peace accords. But when the elections did not turn in his favor, Hun Sen initially refused to accept the results and threatened the secession of certain provinces from Cambodia. He eventually accepted a coalition government in which he was made Second Prime Minister. But the move toward democracy in Cambodia was short-lived: in 1997, Hun Sen staged a coup against his coalition partner and took back the premiership a year later. Since then, Hun Sen has tightened his grip on power and been accused of a gamut of human rights violations, from arbitrary killings to the torture of political dissidents to clampdowns on the press and more. Now, after the latest general election on Sunday, which the U.S. State Department described as neither free nor fair, a 70-year-old Hun Sen has declared an unsurprising landslide victory and is poised to extend his authoritarian rule. The steep democratic decline in Cambodia has been a flashpoint for activists and human rights groups, who have called for foreign condemnation of Hun Sens regime. Heres what to know about the situation. Why the election outcome was a foregone conclusion On July 23, some 85% of registered Cambodian voters turned out to the polls to choose among 18 political parties on their ballots. But only one was truly viablethe ruling Cambodia Peoples Partyafter the Hun Sen administration decimated all the major opposition parties. Story continues In 2017, a highly-politicized Supreme Court ordered the dissolution of the popular Cambodia National Rescue Party and barred them from contesting in future polls. And in May, the Candlelight Party, which made some inroads in local elections last year, was disqualified by the national election committee over dubious registration technicalities. Hun Sens crackdown also extended to the media. In February, he shuttered one of the last remaining vestiges of an independent press in the Southeast Asian country, Voice of Democracy, over unflattering reports about his son Hun Manet. And earlier this week, Cambodian authorities ordered internet service providers to block another independent public information portal and other media outlets. Read More: Cambodias Prime Minister Ditched Facebook, But His Followers Arent Following Him Oppositionists tried to be creative with fighting back against Hun Sens leadership, but they were only been met with further suppression. Former Candlelight Party leader Sam Rainsy, who is now in self-exile amid his criminal convictions under the Hun Sen government, called on voters to spoil their ballots in the upcoming election. In response, the Cambodian government amended election laws to penalize politicians who encourage election boycotts. Hun Sen also warned voters that there may be legal consequences should they decide to spoil their ballots in protest. Hun Sen has already eliminated all real opposition and itll be a sham election with the CPP possibly winning every vote, Joshua Kurlantzick, senior fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations, told TIME last week. Hours after voting closed, Hun Sens Telegram channel posted that the CPP won 120 of the 125 MP seats, while the royalist FUNCINPEC party took the remaining five. Official results of the polls are expected to come early August. What the future holds Rights groups and advocates have called on the international community, including the U.S., to exert pressure on the Southeast Asian government to push for democratic changes. But many countries continue to work with Hun Sens governmentsuch as participating in the Cambodia-led Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) summit last year, attended by a number of international leaders including President Joe Bidenresorting typically to just strongly-worded denunciations and limited sanctions against Hun Sens authoritarian rule. Whats setting in a state of exhaustion in some sense, in that the West has devoted a lot of time and energy and resources to building democracy in Cambodia since the intervention in the early 90s, Lee Morgenbesser, a Southeast Asia politics expert at Griffith University, says. And to get where we are today and really have nothing to show for itI dont think theyre willing to try and make a bigger push now. Morgenbesser says the West may be waiting for a domestic change in leadership before trying to intervene anew. Many observers view the CPPs contrived landslide victory this month as an effort to pave the way for the ascendancy of Hun Sens son, Hun Manet, whom Hun Sen declared in 2021 to be his successor. Hun Manet, 45, is an entirely different beast from his father: he has an extensive Western education, and has quickly risen through the ranks in the Cambodian military and secured key ministerial posts. But to be prime minister, Hun Manet must first secure a seat in parliament, which he looks set to achieve after Sundays vote. Still, Kurlantzick says its not a secure transition. There are many politicians and tycoons who dont have that much respect for Hun Manet and he has not any popular following at all, Kurlantzick says. [Hun Manet] will probably need to lighten up on the repression in reality were he to be PM, or face severe street protests. Hun Manets biggest threat, however, may come from his father himself, Kurlantzick adds. Hun Sen is complicating matters by saying he may want to stay around another four, maybe eight years, undermining his own transition. Rex Heuermann has been charged with killing three women whose bodies were discovered along a stretch of Long Islands Gilgo Beach in 2010, bound with belts or tape and wrapped in burlap. A married father accused by authorities of leading a double life, Heuermann faces three counts of first-degree murder for the killings of Melissa Barthelemy in 2009, and Megan Waterman and Amber Costello the following year, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail. The 59-year-old New York architect is also the prime suspect in the disappearance and killing of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose remains were found near the same spot. He has yet to be charged in that case. Heuermann was first identified as a potential suspect in early 2022, shortly after a multi-agency task force was formed to examine cold cases involving nearly a dozen sets of human remains found along Long Islands South Shore between 2010 and 2011, including the Gilgo Four. Heres what we know about the deaths of those four women: Maureen Brainard-Barnes Maureen Brainard-Barnes - Suffolk County Police Department Brainard-Barnes was 25 years old and believed to be a sex worker when she was last seen on July 9, 2007. She had called a friend in Connecticut, where she lived, and said she had an out call, according to Suffolk County police. The young woman was reported missing by a friend to the Norwich Police Department in Connecticut on July 14. Her remains were found on December 13, 2010, on the north side of Ocean Parkway, near Gilgo Beach. She is believed to be the first Gilgo Four victim. Her sister, Melissa Cann, told CNN in 2011 that she desperately tried to solve the mystery of Brainard-Barness disappearance, scouring her emails and phone records, and staying in touch with families of the other victims. Cann said her sister worked a seasonal telemarketing job and turned to escort services in desperation when left unemployed and facing eviction. Melissa Barthelemy Melissa Barthelemy - Suffolk County Police Department Barthelemy was 24 years old when she was last seen on July 12, 2009, in the basement apartment where she lived in the Bronx, according to the Suffolk County police website on the Gilgo killings. Story continues On the night she was last seen, Barthelemy, a sex worker, told a friend she was meeting a man and would be back in the morning, according to the police website. Barthelemys mother reported her missing on July 18. Records for her cellphone showed activity in Manhattan as well as Freeport, Massapequa and Lindenhurst on Long Island. In July and August 2009, according to a bail application for Heuermann, Barthelemys phone was used by a man to make taunting calls to the victims family. Steve Cohen, who was an attorney for Barthelemys mother at the time, told CNN the caller said he killed her daughter. Do you think youll ever see her again? the unidentified male caller asked Barthelemys sister on August 26, 2009, according to Cohen. You wont. I killed her, he said and hung up. In another phone call, just days after Barthelemy disappeared, Cohen said the unidentified male caller referred to the victim as a whore in a short conversation with her then-15-year-old sister. In one call, the man described in graphic detail to the victims sister what he had done sexually to Barthelemy, according to Cohen. Barthelemys remains were the first set of female remains found in bushes along an isolated strip of waterfront property. At the time, authorities were searching for another missing woman, Shannan Gilbert, a 23-year-old from Jersey City, New Jersey, who hadnt been seen since May 2010. I still dont sleep through the night thinking about all of it, Lynn Barthelemy, the victims mother, told CNN in 2011. She said she jotted down everything she learned about the case in a notebook and spoke regularly with families of other victims. Investigators believe Barthelemy was the second of the women to be killed. Megan Waterman Megan Waterman - Suffolk County Police Department Waterman was 22 years old when she was last seen on June 6, 2010. A resident of Maine, Waterman was last seen by her family boarding a Concord Trailways bus heading from Maine to New York, according to Suffolk County police. She was a sex worker, police said. At 1:30 a.m. on June 6, she left the Holiday Inn Express on Long Island to meet a client, according to police. Waterman was reported missing in Maine on June 8. Family members said it was unusual for her not to check on the daughter Waterman had left in their care. Her body was found on December 13, 2010, near Gilgo Beach. Watermans family at one time used funding from a nonprofit human rights organization to hire a team of private investigators to help search for her. Dottie Laster, a member of that team, told CNN in 2011 Waterman sounded starstruck when she called her mother to boast that her clients included doctors, lawyers and law enforcement officers. Amber Lynn Costello Amber Lynn Costello - Suffolk County Police Department Costello was 27 years old and living on Long Island when she was last seen. She struggled with a heroin addiction and worked as an escort to help support her habit, according to Suffolk County police. She was was last seen leaving her home on September 2, 2010, to meet a client. Her remains were found on December 13, 2010, near Gilgo Beach. She is believed to be the fourth victim. Witnesses told investigators that the client she met the day she went missing had been at her home previously. They described the man as a large, white male, approximately 64 to 66 in height with big oval style glasses. A witness also said the man resembled an ogre. Heuermanns bail application noted the description from these witnesses in 2010 matched Heuermann. Costellos sister, Kim Overstreet, told CNN in 2011 that she took out an ad hoping to catch the killer. The ad implored other women who work as escorts to call Overstreet. She wanted them to tell her if they ever encountered a client who was threatening or just didnt feel right. What happened to Amber eats at me every day, Overstreet said at the time. Finding out who did this consumes me. I stay up all night doing research and trying to re-trace her last steps. Witnesses also said the man drove a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche a key clue that prosecutors said helped lead them to Heuermann. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Girkin was taken to Moscows Meshchansky district court for a pre-trial hearing - Alexander Zemlianichenko/AFP The former Russian security officer convicted of shooting down Malaysian airlines flight MH17 was arrested in Moscow, as the Kremlin widened a crackdown on dissent after last months Wagner mutiny. On Friday morning, officers from Russias Investigative Committee arrested Igor Strelkov Girkin, an extreme nationalist militia leader turned blogger, at his Moscow flat. At a court appearance in the afternoon he was detained for two months on extremism charges. His wife, Mirslava Reginskaya, said in a statement released on his Telegram channel that he was arrested at their home at about 11.30 in the morning while she was out. I do not know anything about the whereabouts of my husband, he did not get in touch, Ms Reginskaya said. Girkin, seen here in 2014, was heavily involved in the previous invasion of eastern Ukraine - Dmitry Lovetsky/AP Photo At a court appearance later in the afternoon, prosecutors from the Federal Security Service (FSB) requested that he be remanded in custody on charges of inciting extremism. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Girkin stood motionless in a glass cage, his arms folded, during the hearing. Girkin, a former FSB officer, was involved in the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and played a key role in Russias first invasion of eastern Ukraine the same year. He later fell out with the Kremlin over Vladimir Putins refusal to commit to a full-scale war at that time and emerged as an extreme Right-wing critic of the government. His arrest comes a month after Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner mercenary chief, launched a short-lived mutiny that saw his men seize control of Rostov and march on Moscow. Girkin had a public feud with Prigozhin, who he had earlier accused of plotting a coup, and there is no evidence linking him to the plot. Rather his arrest suggests a broader crackdown on angry nationalists whose venomous criticisms of the war effort have previously been tolerated. Strelkov had overstepped all conceivable boundaries a long time ago, sparking the desire among security forces from the FSB to military chiefs to apprehend him, said Tatiana Stanovaya, an expert on the Russian elite. Story continues [His] arrest undeniably serves the interests of the ministry of defence. This is a direct outcome of Prigozhins mutiny: the armys command now wields greater political leverage to quash its opponents in the public sphere. Pulling the trigger in Donbas Igor Girkin fought as a foreign volunteer in wars in Transnistria and Bosnia in the 1990s before joining the FSB. He has been accused of involvement in the disappearance of several Chechen men during the second Chechen War. His nom-de-guerre, Strelkov, means shooter or rifleman. In 2014, he claimed credit for pulling the trigger on the war in Donbas when he and a group of other Russian volunteers seized control of the town of Slavyansk and proclaimed himself defence minister of the break away Donetsk Peoples Republic. Last November, a Dutch court sentenced him to life in prison for the murders of 298 people on board MH17, a Malaysian airlines Boeing 777 that a Russian Buk missile launcher shot down over eastern Ukraine in July 2014. A Joint Investigation Team in the Netherlands found Girkin and three others were responsible for the MH17 disaster - Robin Van Lonkhuijsen/EPA-EFE/REX He eventually fell out with the Kremlin and was forced to return to Moscow, where he founded a short-lived Right-wing political movement aimed at overthrowing Vladimir Putin before turning to blogging. The authorities sidelined him by barring him from state media, but allowed him to remain at liberty, possibly because of his connections in the FSB and his cache with the hardline pro-war community. He initially welcomed the invasion of February 2022, but was barred from fighting there and soon became a vocal critic of what he saw as half measures in the Russian war effort, broadcasting frequent predictions of defeat to his 875,000 Telegram subscribers. He has personally insulted almost every prominent figure in the Russian war effort including Putin, Sergei Shoigu, the defence minister, and the now-exiled Yevgeny Prigozhin, who he correctly predicted would attempt an armed uprising. In April he founded another movement Club of Angry Patriots to unite pro-war voices who believe the Kremlin has botched the war. In a post on July 18, he called on Putin to relinquish power to to someone truly capable and responsible. RBK, a Russian newspaper, reported that a former employee of the Wagner mercenary group had filed a complaint against Girkin, prompting the arrest. Pasha has been arrested! Later on Friday, Pavel Gubarev, a Ukrainian-born separatist who worked with Girkin in Donbas in 2014 and co-founded the Club of Angry Patriots with him, was also arrested. Pasha has been arrested! Katerina Gubareva, his wife, wrote on her Telegram channel. She said she was going to Moscows Meshchansky district court, where Girkin had appeared earlier in the day, and called on all Russian patriots to join her there. 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. Having access to quality health care is crucial for a persons well-being. But its a complex issue that goes much deeper than having health insurance, and thats reflected in the results of a recently released national study. In a state-by-state comparison of the overall health and well-being of our nations seniors (people 65 years old and older), Kentucky ranked 48th. Only Mississippi (50th) and West Virginia ranked below Kentucky in the 11th Americas Health Rankings Senior Report released by the United Health Foundation. Finishing near the bottom of such a ranking should be disappointing and worrying for Kentuckians. The report analyzes dozens of health, environmental and socioeconomic measures from each state and then identifies strengths, and areas where improvement is needed, in the health of older Americans. It should be noted that the health of Kentuckys overall population, when compared to other states, often ranks in the lower 30 percent. So perhaps it should be no surprise the health of Kentuckys seniors ranks poorly. But this study calls out numerous issues that should concern all of us, while recognizing some noteworthy gains. Among the concerns: Access to safe, affordable, quality health care. For example, the report notes the commonwealth ranks 45th in the nation for percentage of seniors who avoided receiving care because of associated costs. So, for Kentucky seniors, the availability of Medicare does not necessarily equate to being able to afford care they need. Things such as copays, deductibles, medication prices, and transportation costs can all add up and be a barrier to receiving care. The report ranks Kentucky 42nd for number of home health care workers per 1,000 adults 65 and older. And we rank 38th for number of geriatric providers doctors with specialized training in treating older patients. It is not acceptable that in Kentucky more than in nearly any other state our older friends and loved ones struggle to afford care, as well as to access health care professionals. We must find ways to better support our health care workforce, so they in turn can support those in need. Story continues A discussion about access to health care also extends to preventive measures such as health screenings and immunizations. That said, there is a significant ray of positive light in the Senior Report: Kentucky ranks 18th for percentage of seniors to receive cancer screenings. Though we would love to be ranked No. 1, this is encouraging news for a state where tobacco use and cancer deaths are among the most prevalent in the nation. We view these rankings as evidence of the importance of our goal to advance access to safe, affordable, quality health care to all Kentuckians, including seniors. We know Kentucky doesnt have the best health statistics. But we need more thorough and comprehensive data to tackle the issues. The world of health care is complex, with multiple players involved in delivering and financing care. We need a fuller picture of what health care services Kentuckians are receiving and how much those services cost. When we can get all that data in one place where it can be analyzed and compared, we can make better decisions to improve the health of our state. Ben Chandler is president and CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on addressing the unmet health needs of Kentuckians. Learn more at Healthy-KY.org. After a months-long investigation, five people were issued local warrants Wednesday on suspicion of selling fentanyl. According to a statement by Whatcom County Sheriffs Office, about 30,000 fentanyl pills, 300 grams of fentanyl powder and a kilogram of cocaine were seized during the drug bust. Six federal search warrants were issued. Four federal search warrant locations were in the county and two were inside Bellingham. The searches were led by the Drug Enforcement Administration Bellingham with assistance from the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force, the statement said. As the fentanyl epidemic continues to negatively impact our community, the Sheriffs Office and our state and federal partners are proactively investigating those that are bringing these dangerous drugs into Whatcom County and profiting off others addiction, Undersheriff Doug Chadwick said in the statement. The investigation was also assisted by the Whatcom County Sheriffs Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Washington State Patrol and United States Border Patrol. Editors Note: This post has been updated to reflect that Golden retriever No. 142, who Goldies Act is named for, died in the Gingrich facility before the Department of Justice stepped in to negotiate the release of hundreds of other dogs. Humans and dogs alike gathered on Capitol Hill Thursday to rally for the passage of Goldies Act, a bill that would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to report and punish instances of suffering physical or psychological harm to animals more stringently than they have in the past. If passed, the bill would amend the 1966 Animal Welfare Act (AWA), requiring the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct yearly inspections of federally licensed facilities such as commercial dog breeders and issue penalties for violations of the AWA. These, among other provisions, come in direct response to what rally-goers called USDAs abject failure to enforce the AWA. Senior Vice President of the ASPCA Government Relations Nancy Perry said last year, the USDA documented more than 800 violations of the AWA at dog breeding facilities but failed to take action against the breeders. That included dogs suffering from untreated illnesses and injuries, dogs living outdoors without any protection from the oppressive heat, Perry said Referencing the 80-degree heat afflicting the rally-goers, Perry added, This is how they live. When its 105 degrees and the humidity is 100 percent, theyre outdoors suffering. Theyre also out in the rain and in the cold. Thats not allowed by law, but these violations occurred and USDA did nothing about it. The two big instances of inaction referenced by speakers were that of a commercial dog breeding facility operated by Daniel Gingerich in Iowa and a research facility called Envigo. Malina, one of 4,000 beagles who was rescued after the Virginia research facility conducted tests on her, has since found a home and made an appearance at the rally. Golden retriever No. 142 was not so lucky. She she died at the Gingerich facility before the Department of Justice (DOJ) stepped in to negotiate the release of hundreds of other dogs. She is now known as Goldie. Story continues Sheriff Keith Davis from Wayne County Sheriffs Office in Iowa, who worked alongside animal welfare agencies to rescue dogs from the Gingerich properties, alleged that although USDA inspectors were aware that the Gingerich facility was not compliant with the AWA and had been documenting the conditions the dogs lived in, his office was not alerted until the situation had spiraled out of control. Had the USDA notified my office as the law enables them to do right now when they first learned of this licensee we could have investigated state cruelty violations, Davis said. We could have prevented hundreds of dogs from suffering. As a general rule, USDA does not comment on pending legislation, Andre Bell, a spokesperson for the USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) told The Hill. APHIS takes its mission to ensure the humane treatment of animals covered by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) very seriously. We continue to conduct inspections and work with facilities to ensure they are in compliance with regulations under the AWA, Bell continued. Inspection histories for all facilities licensed by the USDA are available on APHISs public search tool. Our investigative process for individuals and/or businesses found out of compliance with the AWA may lead to an enforcement action such as letters of warning, monetary penalties, license suspensions and revocations, Bell added. Goldies Act includes a provision that would require the USDA to alert state, local or municipal animal control or law enforcement of any AWA violations within 24 hours of the initial inspection. Goldies suffering was documented for months and never reported, which is unconscionable, Bellamy Young, award-winning actor and animal advocate, told The Hill. Things have to be reported within 24 hours because then we can get a local vet there, we can do a triage, and we can save a life. Perry noted that the current AWA gives the USDA the authority to act in the way that Goldies Act requires. However, with this act, they are hoping that Congress will ensure the agency does its job. The bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by 46 members including Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Zach Nunn (R-Iowa). They plan to include it in the farm bill, which is still being drafted in committee and will require bipartisan compromise for passage. Updated 5:41 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. An airport passenger. Brandon Bell/Getty Images The House on Thursday passed a bill meant to improve air travel. It now heads to the Senate. There are a number of consumer protection measures being proposed. But the bill doesn't address the confusing pricing models that lead to skiplagging. The House easily passed a bill on Thursday that could improve Americans' experiences when it comes to flying but it doesn't address the issues that have led to the buzzy practice of "skiplagging." Skiplagging, or "hidden-city booking," refers to booking a multi-destination trip but taking only one leg of the booked itinerary and simply skipping the other. Counterintuitively, it can save money for the passenger, but airlines hate it. American Airlines recently banned a teenager who engaged in the practice. The legislation being considered in Congress is the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill. After airline delays and cancellations caused travel chaos this winter, the bill seeks to address some of the contributing issues. To address a pilot shortage it would raise the required retirement age from 65 to 67, and would increase the hiring of air traffic controllers. Lawmakers from both parties have said the bill will make air travel safer and more efficient. The version of the bill under consideration in the Democratic-controlled Senate would require airlines to improve communications with passengers during travel disruptions and simplify the refund and reimbursement process, but it's unclear if some of those consumer protection measures will ultimately pass. Even if they do, they do not address the reasons skiplagging is so appealing to consumers in the first place: dynamic pricing models that result in unpredictable airfares that can feel opaque to the customer. Not knowing what's the best, or cheapest, time to book a flight is one of the more annoying aspects of air travel. But it looks like for now passengers will have to wait for airlines to fix price transparency on their own perhaps when they get so sick of skiplagging they don't have another choice. Read the original article on Business Insider BRANCH COUNTY A 69-year-old Livonia attorney is facing charges for allegedly bringing contraband into the Lakeland Corrections Facility in Coldwater and possessing a schedule I controlled substance. Eric Clark was arraigned Friday following his arrest at the prison Thursday. He was released on a $20,000 recognizance bond. Clark waived the preliminary hearing within 14 days. In statements to investigators, Clark denied he knew of the illegal substance or had any intent to introduce contraband. Coldwater attorney Rhonda Ives said Clark has an exemplary record of over 43 years with no history of drug abuse. Lakeland Correction in Coldwater. Michigan State Police, with the assistance of the Department of Corrections, began an investigation on June 1 when Clark reportedly went to the prison to meet with an unnamed client, an inmate at Lakeland. According to the probable cause affidavit by Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Matt Berry, Clark went to the prison and gave correction staff paperwork for his client. Ives said the paperwork was an appeal he delivered to the prison for an inmate with whom he had no contact. Staff examined the documents and found indications the paper was impregnated with an illegal substance. The papers were sent to the MSP crime lab, confirming the substances presence. Chief Assistant Branch County Prosecutor Nora Geiger said prison staff recently was plagued with a new schedule I substance called K2B, which can be dissolved in paper and eaten or smoked. An examination of phone calls showed the prisoner was aware of the plot to smuggle drugs into the prison, according to investigators. The calls indicated the attorney received $1,000 to drop off the paperwork. The police report said Clark confirmed he was paid but denied knowing of any plot and had no intent to introduce contraband into the prison. The attorney did not contact the prisoner at Lakeland directly but only dropped off the legal paperwork for normal processing to go to the inmate. Story continues A second delivery was set for July 20 via prison phone, where MSP prepared for an arrest when prison officials found evidence the legal paperwork contained the drug. Clark told investigators he was paid $500 to deliver the paperwork to the unnamed inmate. Barry requested the charges, a five-year and four-year felony. He said in a press release the attorney was taken into custody for felony offenses involving illegal controlled substances being brought into the prison under the guise of an attorney client visit. The issue of smuggling drugs, cell phones, weapons, and other dangerous items is a serious matter with serious safety implications for all involved including the prison staff who have to deal with the results once the items are inside," Berry said in a statement. ---Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com. Subscribe Follow this story. Subscribe to the Coldwater Daily Rewporter. ---Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Lawyer accused of smuggling drugs into Coldwater prison Vote yes on Issue 1. Here is why: 1. This issue deals with voters deciding amendments to the Ohio Constitution, regardless of topic abortion, taxes, legal matters, other. 2. It quires a 60% supermajority vote would be needed to amend the Ohio Constitution and would be more closely aligned with the United States Constitution, which requires a two-thirds supermajority vote in both the House and Senate and three-fourth of the state legislatures for ratification. 3. The yes vote on Issue 1 is supported by business leaders, the National Federation of Businesses, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Restaurant Association, the Center Christian Virtue, Right to Life Coalition of Ohio and many others. 4. Equally important, a yes vote negates the millions of out-of-state dollars initiated by special interest groups intended to disrupt Ohios rights, freedoms, pocketbooks and families. 5. Please vote yes to protect the integrity of our Ohio Constitutional Rights. Greg and Gayle Gorrell, Ashland This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Letter: Ashland couple urge voter support for Ohio Issue 1 in August A huge police operation to find a lion on the loose near Berlin, involving thermal cameras, helicopters, veterinarians and heavily armed hunters, encountered a problem Friday: There is no lion. Germany was gripped by the story of the big cat, which authorities said was prowling the suburbs of Kleinmachnow, southwest of Berlin on Thursday. Residents were told to keep children and pets indoors and not venture into wooded areas. But the search was called off after experts said the animal being hunted by more than 100 police officers was likely a wild boar. Kleinmachnow Mayor Michael Grubert told a press conference Friday afternoon that nothing was found by Berlin and Brandenburg police. Police spokesman Peter Foitzik confirmed at the press conference that the mission was ending. The body shape and posture of the animal depicted in the video were analyzed by two independent experts (one from South Africa). Both came to the conclusion that it was by no means a lion, according to a press release from the Kleinmachnow community. Images were analyzed by two independent experts, who concluded that the animal was by no means a lion, officials said Friday. (Jose Maria Gagan / CyberTracker) Rainer Altenkamp, a wildlife expert and chairman of the environmental organization NABU Berlin, said he was certain the supposed video of the lion showed a wild boar. "Even the short, drooping tail with a loosely hairy tassel about ten centimeters long rules out a lioness," he said in a press release. "The other recognizable features, for example the round back and the elongated head, fit very well with a wild boar and speak against [it being] a predator." The digging behavior seen in the video is typical of boars, he added, and unlike a big cat it showed no reaction to a bright light being shone on it. Reports of a roar heard in the upmarket Zehlendorf, southwest of Berlin, late Thursday night turned out to be a hoax or, as German officials put it, a bad joke. Questions are already being asked on how such large public resources were dedicated to the pursuit of a fictional animal. Police officers take part in the search for a lion on the loose in Stahnddorf, Germany (John Macdougall / AFP - Getty Images) Officials defended their actions. Story continues Grubert said the "search measures were justified" and said the search would be conducted the same way again. There are 23 registered lions know to be living in the local state of Brandenburg, a spokesperson for the states environmental agency told NBC News on Friday. They are distributed among three circus companies, two zoos and one private owner, according to the agency. Officials also said again that animal stool probes were being analyzed and that results are expected in the next days. Altenkamp suggested that should such a scare happen again, police should assemble a team of experts in identifying wild animals before warning the public. "The more extraordinary the claim, the more reliable the evidence must be!" he said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Steve Curry hikes to Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park on Tuesday morning. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Steve Curry lived for adventure. The 71-year-old Sunland resident loved nothing more than to hike, climb and spend time outdoors so much so that he sometimes set up a tent in his own backyard. But on Tuesday, Curry collapsed after completing a hike in Death Valley, one of the hottest places on the planet, and died of what officials believe were heat-related causes. "He went having accomplished something he wanted to do," said Rima Evans Curry, his wife of 29 years. "He wanted to go to Death Valley. He wanted to do a hike." The temperature in the park Tuesday was unbearably hot, but Curry was intent on completing his round trip from Golden Canyon to Zabriskie Point, a scenic overview overlooking the sun-drenched moonscape. Around 10 a.m., Curry stopped to rest under a metal sign, the only spot of shade at Zabriskie Point. He declined offers of assistance, determined to finish what he set out to do. It had taken him about two hours to reach Zabriskie Point and the return hike would take longer but he said he was mostly worried that he wasn't keeping pace with younger people he had seen out walking. Steve Curry, resting in the shade at Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park on Tuesday, said he was accustomed to hiking in the heat. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) "He had talked about Death Valley for at least a week or more," his 76-year-old wife said. She told him she was worried about the temperature. "But once he got an idea like that ..." she trailed off. Curry collapsed outside the restroom at Golden Canyon around 3:40 p.m., and a park visitor used a cellphone to call 911. Officials with the National Park Service and Inyo County Sheriff's Office responded, but a medical helicopter was not able to respond because of the high temperature. Officials said hot air can be too thin for helicopters to get enough lift to get off the ground safely. Read more: 116 degrees at night: Death Valley's extreme heat goes off the charts from climate change Park rangers attempted CPR and used a defibrillator but were not able to save him. The Inyo County Coroner's Office has not yet determined Curry's cause of death, but park rangers suspect heat was a factor. The thermometer at the nearby Furnace Creek Visitor's Center registered 121 degrees around the time of his death, but the actual temperature inside the canyon was likely much higher because of the radiant heat from the sun, officials said. Story continues Friends and family remembered Curry as happy-go-lucky, with a winning smile and a great sense of humor. Born in San Diego on Aug. 28, 1951, he spent his youth in several states, including Arizona and New Jersey, because his father was in the military, his wife said. He worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District and as an electrician before retiring about a decade ago. An undated family photo shows Rima and Steve Curry. (Courtesy of Rima Curry) After the Currys got married in 1994, he "got this bug" for the outdoors, his wife said. He bought camping gear, joined a rock climbing group and completed wilderness training courses. When he couldn't travel out of town, he'd climb Mt. Lukens in Sunland-Tujunga just to get a taste of adventure. "He was always happiest when he could be out there sleeping under the stars," she said. "That was his joy." Though Evans Curry didn't love the outdoors as much as her husband, she accompanied him on a few camping trips in Three Rivers, Panamint City and the Four Jeffrey Campground in Inyo National Forest. Read more: Man found dead in his car in Death Valley National Park, an apparent heat victim He didn't tell her he was heading to Death Valley on Monday, and she was expecting him back that night. When he didn't return, "I thought, 'That rascal. He just took off because he knows it's hard for me to let him go,'" she said Thursday, fighting back tears. "We were supposed to grow old together, sit on our rocking chairs on the porch." Rima Evans Curry, left, is comforted by neighbor Lida Yesayan in Curry's home in Sunland on Thursday as she grieves the death of her husband, Steve Curry. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Curry's death was the second officials have reported in the park this year. On the morning of July 3, a 65-year-old man was found dead in his car about 30 yards off the road from North Highway. The temperature the previous day had been 126 degrees, and park officials said the air conditioning in the man's car wasn't working. Death Valley, which holds the world record for Earth's highest temperature 134 degrees has been experiencing blistering conditions as a heat wave bakes the Southwest. The park has already recorded 29 days of temperatures in excess of 110 degrees this year. The park service advises visitors against hiking after 10 a.m. during periods of extreme summer heat. Heat stroke can set in when the bodys core temperature rises above 104 degrees, and can lead to headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, rapid heartbeat and unconsciousness, among other problems. Children, the elderly and people who are pregnant are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat, although anyone can be affected. At Zabriskie Point on Tuesday morning, Curry said he was no stranger to hot weather, but he acknowledged that the climate in Death Valley was "a different sort of heat," with its dryness and the way it warms everything it touches. When asked why he was attempting the hike, the avid outdoorsman hardly paused before answering. "Why do I do it?" he asked. "Why not?" 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. Its been over a year since a 17-year-old barber shop owner was shot and killed outside his business in South Fulton. The family of Anthony Chyna McClain confirmed to Channel 2 Action News police found one of his suspected killers. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Its a lot of different emotions, said Norma Huff. Norma Huff said thats really the only way she can describe how she feels after learning police executed a murder warrant for one of the suspects involved in her sons murder. Channel 2s Larry Spruill spoke with Huff last April right after her son was shot and killed outside the barbershop he owned in South Fulton. Police said several men were arguing outside his barbershop when shots were fired. McClain was caught in the shootout. He died on the scene. To walk up on my son as he laid here, said Huff. TRENDING STORIES: On Thursday, police issued a murder warrant for Aliouny Fall at an apartment complex on Welcome All Road. South Fulton Police confirmed that the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. My first phone call came from you to let me know, that something has happened, said Huff. Huff said shes praying for accountability for the other men involved. We have five. Five. We have one thats incarcerated. We have one thats out on bond. We have one thats out on bond. Hes fleeing. We have the one today. We have another unidentified person, said Huff. Do you forgive them? Spruill asked. I forgave them in the beginning. But that window is closing more and more as time goes on, with them running, said Huff. Police havent released any information on the suspect who is on the run or where that part of the investigation stands. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Investigators in Long Island, New York, said they were looking for trace evidence, blood, DNA and trophies that could further tie the suspect, Rex Heuermann, to the murders of three women and possibly other victims in the Gilgo Beach area. Related: Blindsided wife of Long Island serial killer suspect files for divorce Normally people keep mementoes of significant times in their life, so thats what were looking for, the Suffolk county district attorney, Ray Tierney, told Newsday, describing as painstaking the search of Heuermanns home in Massapequa Park, storage lockers and vehicle. Tierney spoke after police confirmed they were looking into a possible connection between the Long Island murders and unsolved killings including those of four women near Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 2006, two years before the Gilgo Beach murders are thought to have begun. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. Authorities have said he is the prime suspect in the murder of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes. A neighbor who lived next door to Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect, for 15 years described strange behavior including burning garbage, digging holes in the backyard and fighting over a parking spot. It seemed to be like once every few weeks, I would smell garbage burning at his house, Dominick Cancellieri told Newsnation, also describing hearing digging in Heuermanns backyard. I really wanted to go and check out what it was and look through the fence, but something stopped myself from doing it, Cancellieri said. Now, with everything coming to fruition, it doesnt surprise me in the slightest bit. On Wednesday, Long Island police received a dark green 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche once owned by Heuermann from South Carolina, where Heuermann also owns a home. According to a search warrant, police think the vehicle could contain evidence of murder and patronising a person for prostitution and conspiracy. Story continues Telephones, articles of clothing, jewelry, identification, notebooks, ledgers, Bibles, personal effects and/or photographs or recordings depicting the victims, could be found, the warrant said. Items listed included cellular phones, condoms, cut distal ends of black leather belts, devices utilized to stamp letters onto leather goods such as belts, as well as knives, scissors, cutting instruments, Bounty paper towels and burlap used to camouflage bodies. Three years ago, Suffolk police released images of a black leather belt with a buckle stamped WH or HM that was found close to one of the Gilgo Beach victims. The expansion of the investigation was confirmed on Thursday by Suffolk county investigators. A previous police chief, Geraldine Hart, said in 2020 investigators had found no link between the Gilgo Beach murders and the deaths of four women whose bodies were found in a watery ditch along Black Horse Pike. A spokesperson for the Atlantic county prosecutors office said: Our office continues to investigate the 2006 Black Horse Pike homicides as we do all unresolved matters, and we follow all leads. Since this remains an open investigation, we cannot comment further due to its potential to compromise the investigation. We have no comment on the Gilgo Beach investigation. The Suffolk county police commissioner, Rodney Harrison, told ABC investigators had taken a closer look at the Black Horse Pike homicides, to see if it was similar to the Gilgo Beach murders. What Im being told is its not a connection but we want to revisit that investigation as well, he said. As Louisiana moves closer to the possibility of adding a second majority Black congressional district, speculation about who might run for the seat also escalates. Three Democrats have already emerged as potential leading candidates in what could be the population centers of a new district: Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers Jr., who finished second to U.S. Sen. John Kennedy in last year's Senate race; Baton Rouge state Sen. Cleo Fields, who served in Congress from 1992-96; and Monroe state Sen. Katrina Jackson, whose profile was elevated as the lawmaker who wrote Louisiana's abortion ban law in 2022. Democratic state Sen. Gerald Boudreaux of Lafayette said he would also consider the race if his senate district is included within the boundaries of a new majority Black district. Two other prominent Democrats, Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome and former Baton Rouge state Rep. Ted James who now works in President Biden's administration, are also mentioned, though many believe they have their sights set on other offices. Broome is widely expected to seek reelection next year, while James is often speculated to be a future Baton Rouge mayor's candidate. USA Today Network is seeking comment from both. Chambers is the most up-front about his intentions, saying, "I absolutely will consider the race if a second Black district is created." Fields and Jackson are treading lightly because they first have to win reelection to their current offices this fall. "I don't want to speculate at this point because a second district has not yet been produced," Fields said. "My first priority is running for reelection to the Senate," Jackson said. "If a second district is created I will give it serious consideration, but right now it's premature." The possibility of a map creating new boundaries for Louisiana's six congressional districts grew after a surprise U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June overthrew Alabama's congressional map because it diluted Black voting power. Story continues A lawsuit challenging Louisiana's map had been put on hold until after the court ruled on Alabama because of the cases' similarities. Louisiana's Republican Legislature passed a new map in February 2022 that kept five of the state's six congressional districts with white majorities, then overrode Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards' veto of the map, which prompted a lawsuit from civil rights groups. U.S. Middle District Judge Shelly Dick later ruled that the map violated the Voting Rights Act and ordered lawmakers to draw new boundaries that increased Black voting power. After lawmakers failed to pass a new map during a June 2022 Special Session, Dick said she would draw one herself and had been scheduled to identify new boundaries during a hearing before the Supreme Court put Louisiana's case on hold. Last week Dick ordered a new hearing in the case for a new majority Black congressional district Oct. 3-5. Those who argued for a second majority Black district in Louisiana noted the state's Black population equaled about one-third and that the number of seats should reflect that ratio. One of the proposed maps for a second majority Black district would most alter the 5th Congressional District now represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow of Start. It would take in population centers Monroe and a significant portion of Baton Rouge. Chambers, Fields and Jackson would all live within the boundaries of that map, though residency isn't a requirement to run for Congress. "I would be pleased with any district that creates a second district no matter where it goes," Fields said. "I really think the judge should make the decision and not the Legislature." "It's clear that we need a second district for fair representation, and I'm being encouraged by many constituents to run if that happens," Jackson said. Chambers noted that he raised more than $1 million in his unsuccessful bid to upset Kennedy. "We have the infrastructure in place now to raise money to compete," Chambers said. "The state certainly needs more minority representation, but also younger representation. "In the Black community the struggle isn't between moderates and progressives; it's between those who are young with a vision and those who are older and trying to hang on to power," Chambers said. More: Supreme Court ruling could void Louisiana congressional map without second Black district Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: If Louisiana gains Black Congressional district, here's who might run While Belarusian is one of the two official state languages in Belarus, the decision to speak, read, and write it can be a dangerous choice for Belarusians. Growing up, the Belarusian poet and translator Valzhyna Mort was aware of how the Belarusian language was perceived in her country. Belarusian was mocked for its village sound, and was generally considered useless a language that couldnt possibly express daily life in Belarus. This is a sad irony, of course, Mort told the Kyiv Independent. The truth was that the Russian language didnt express what it means to be a little girl in Soviet Belarus and then, after the Soviet collapse, living in a colonial schizophrenia of waking up in your country in which nothing is actually yours, Mort added. In spite of more than two centuries of Russification policies imposed on the country, Belarusian writers say that their language and culture have quietly persevered. After the eruption of mass protests in 2020 against Alexander Lukashenko's fraudulent presidential election victory, more Belarusians became curious about their heritage and how it sets them apart from Russia. Those publicly doing so might now face imprisonment in Lukashenkos Belarus. People who speak Belarusian are considered to be against the regime and have been arrested, fined, or imprisoned on politically-motivated charges. Despite that risk, many see preserving the Belarusian language and culture as continuing their fight for a democratic and truly independent country. Belarusian languages precarious status in Lukashenkos Belarus After years of oppression, there was hope that a Belarusian cultural revival would follow the dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, that brief window of opportunity was shut by Lukashenkos rapid accession to power. After gaining independence in 1991, Belarus' national white-red-white flag and the Pahonia emblem now symbols of resistance against Lukashenkos dictatorship were made official symbols of the country, and the Belarusian language enjoyed support from the state. For a brief moment, Belarusian was the countrys sole official language. After Lukashenko took power, a hardline approach toward the countrys culture and language was introduced. Lukashenko became president in July 1994 and, in 1995, he put forward a referendum that would also make Russian an official state language. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) later released a report suggesting that Lukashenkos government had purposefully attempted to influence the outcome of the referendum, as well as the parliamentary elections held that year. The legality of the 1995 referendum has been questioned by legal scholars and human rights organizations, as well as members of the Belarusian opposition. Lukashenko has also been publicly challenged over the years by politicians and journalists alike for favoring the Russian language over Belarusian. Additionally, he has said that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin thanked him for not demonizing the Russian language as Putin claimed had been done in other countries. Despite his assertion that using either language is a legitimate choice, Lukashenko has conveyed on numerous occasions that he perceives the Belarusian language as inferior. People who speak Belarusian cannot do anything, because nothing great can be expressed in Belarusian. The Belarusian language is a poor language. There are only two great languages in the world: Russian and English, he famously said back in 2006. In 2023, you will rarely hear Belarusian on the streets of Minsk and other major cities, while the white-red-white flag and the Pahonia emblem can land you in jail. Story continues How Russia has attempted to erase Ukrainian language, culture throughout centuries Editors Note: This is episode 3 of Ukraines True History, a video and story series by the Kyiv Independent. The series is funded by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting within the program Ukraine Forward: Amplifying Analysis. The program is financed by the MATRA Programme of the Embassy o The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko Centuries of Russification For generations, Belarusians have been discriminated against, attacked, and even killed for embracing their culture. Tsimokh Akudovich, a Belarusian historian who works with the media platform Belsat, told the Kyiv Independent that Belarusian nationalism has always been deeply rooted in the unique sense of Belarusian cultural identity and shaped by the Belarusian language. The Belarusian language has always defined the geographical boundaries of our nation and became a place of accumulation of intellectual resources and images. All of Belarus political movements during the last 100 years were strongly tied to the Belarusian language and culture, Akudovich said. According to Akudovich, this is why every power that set out to subjugate the nation was keen on attacking the language and those who spoke it. During the Soviet Union, authorities made a point of targeting Belarusian cultural figures. While there was a brief period in the 1920s when Belarusian language and culture were permitted to thrive, it was followed by two decades of brutal repressions. As a result, only a handful of Belarusian writers, musicians, and academics managed to survive many were sent to the gulags or killed outright. The Holocaust also devastated the Belarusian Jewish population. According to Swedish-American historian Per Anders Rudling, Belarus used to have one of the largest Jewish populations per capita in Europe. Prior to that, the Soviets targeted the Jewish cultural revival in Belarus. Yiddish was once a language commonly heard spoken in major cities and towns, in addition to Belarusian, Polish, and Russian. In his article The Invisible Genocide: The Holocaust in Belarus, Rudling wrote that no less than 800,000 Belarusian Jews perished in the Nazis efforts to conquer Europe. After World War II, the Soviets undertook a significant urbanization project in Belarus, forcing the rural population to move to cities and learn Russian. This reshaped the linguistic makeup of Belarus. Former villagers brought their language with them, but it was not welcomed. Russian was the language of the state and power and of the comfortable urban life, Belarusian poet and translator Julia Cimafiejeva said. This led to a rise in the usage of trasianka, a mixture of Belarusian and Russian that is still commonly heard today and incorporates Russian vocabulary with Belarusian grammar and phonetics. It is a similar linguistic phenomenon to surzhyk in Ukraine, which is a mix of Ukrainian and Russian. During the post-war period, the Soviets employed subtle tactics to undermine the importance of the Belarusian language. Scholar Lieanid Lyc wrote that in the late 1950s parents were allowed to petition for their children to be transferred from Belarusian- to Russian-language schools. The architects of such an anti-national language policy in the education field understood very well that if only the Russian language prevails in all higher and secondary educational institutions in Belarus, if all types of official records are conducted exclusively in it, then practically none of the parents will insist that their children were taught and brought up in their native Belarusian language, he added. This fostered a belief among many Belarusians that knowing Russian had more value. By the start of the 21st century, some Belarusians worried that the Belarusian language would disappear from everyday usage. However, Russia could not completely destroy the roots of Belarusian national identity and despite ongoing pressure from Moscow, there has been a gradual expansion of the Belarusian language and culture, Akudovich said. Two Belarusian literary scenes Julia Cimafiejeva and Alhierd Bacharevic, the husband and wife literary duo who currently live in exile, took part in the mass protests of 2020 and have explored what it means to be Belarusian in their bodies of work. Cimafiejeva was born in a village along the Belarusian-Ukrainian border that was evacuated in 1986 after the nuclear fallout from the Chornobyl disaster. When she entered school in Homiel, the second-largest city in Belarus, learning to speak Russian competently and correctly was a necessary, although not prescribed, condition to be accepted, she wrote. However, both noted that the Belarusian language could always be heard somewhere on the radio or TV, or read in newspapers and magazines, while they were growing up. Predominantly Belarusian-language schools also existed, although they were usually in villages. Belarus has never been perceived in terms of strictly Belarusian- and Russian-speaking regions. The use of either language typically depended on your background and where you wanted to be in life, Cimafiejeva added. Bacharevic echoed that sentiment, adding that the Belarusian language was never a dead language, but it remained, for a long time, deeply undervalued. We studied Belarusian language and literature at school, but most people did not understand why. After all, the Russian language dominated, he said. In the 2010s, the Belarusian literary scene of which Cimafiejeva and Bacharevic were an active part existed in two separate realities. The Union of Writers, established in 2005, was backed by the Lukashenko regime. Its members enjoyed privileged access to state-controlled media outlets, such as TV channels and newspapers. They also received frequent invitations to appear at educational institutions. Their language of choice was Russian. However, choosing to write in Russian has never been a definitive marker of being aligned with Lukashenkos regime. Cimafiejeva, Bacharevic, and Mort have all worked in both Belarusian and Russian during their careers. Additionally, Belarus most famous writer, the 2015 Nobel Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich, writes predominantly in Russian. Most of her work has been published outside of Belarus, given her longstanding history of publicly opposing the Lukashenko regime. Despite state-level support, those belonging to the Union of Writers could not provide a bright image of the new future of the dictatorial state, according to Cimafiejeva. Meanwhile, independent authors existed in a kind of cultural ghetto, she added. Since their work was exposed to a much smaller audience, this relative obscurity actually provided Belarusian writers with a certain degree of freedom for a period of time. Revolution, patriarchy, woe: A review of Oksana Lutsyshynas Ivan and Phoebe The 90s is an overlooked period in contemporary Ukrainian literature unlike Russias ongoing war against Ukraine and the setting alone makes Oksana Lutsyshynas award-winning novel Ivan and Phoebe an achievement. Now available in Nina Murrays English translation from the U.S. publisher Deep The Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan Belarus independent cultural sphere launched various initiatives during this period to cultivate interest in Belarusian language and literature, where writers had the chance not only to connect with their peers but engage with their readers. Belarusian authors also faced the daunting task of competing against the massive influence of the Russian market. Cimafiejeva told the Kyiv Independent that the majority of the books sold in Belarus in 2019 were imported from Russia. By contrast, Belarusian-language books, most of which were educational materials, were far less common. Initially, the Belarusian cultural movement was not perceived as a threat by Lukashenkos regime. However, following a series of protests against fraudulent elections over the years, that started to change. Literary magazines, publishing houses, and other cultural institutions soon found themselves under growing scrutiny and became targets for closure. The writers association PEN Belarus told the Kyiv Independent that there is essentially a ban on the profession for those who speak out against the regime. This is because the cultural and artistic initiatives undertaken by Belarus' independent cultural scene over the years influenced, to a certain extent, the protests and shaped the political consciousness of the people, according to Cimafiejeva. They helped their audience to feel the urge to self-identify themselves as Belarusians and be freer in a political sense, she explained. Repressive measures further escalated after the mass protests that began in 2020, which led to the exile of Cimafiejeva, Bacharevic, and countless others. According to PEN Belarus, there is permanent discrimination on the basis of the Belarusian language given that it is associated with opponents of the regime. Not only do we live in exile; Belarusian publishers also live in exile, our readers live in exile, a lot of people have left Belarus and for the last few years we all try to survive and develop our culture in these difficult conditions, Bacharevic said. In 2022, Bacharevics novel Dogs of Europe was banned by the Belarusian authorities as extremist literature. It's an expansive novel with several interweaving storylines that unfold over several decades. Set in a dystopian world, it depicts a reality where Russia has taken over Belarus and several other countries to become a dictatorial superstate. Bacharevic wrote on Facebook in July that hed learned Belarusian authorities planned to plow over confiscated copies of the book with tractors. His novel The Last Book by Mr. A was also banned in 2023, he said in a recent interview. Merely possessing a copy of these books in Belarus can now land an individual in trouble. Meanwhile, PEN Belarus told the Kyiv Independent that there are 132 members of Belarus cultural sphere currently being held in Lukashenkos prisons, which amounts to an estimated nine percent of all political prisoners in the country officially registered by Viasna human rights group. However, Lukashenkos crackdown has targeted not only Belarus literary sphere but the artistic sphere as well. People from all walks of life in Belarus face imprisonment, torture, and murder for daring to want to live in a democratic country. The renowned artist Ales Pushkin died from unclear circumstances in prison on July 11. He was arrested on politically motivated charges in 2021 after the Belarusian authorities claimed one of his paintings rehabilitated and justified Nazism. In 1999, Pushkin famously marked the five-year anniversary of Lukashenkos ascent to power by dumping a red wheelbarrow full of manure at the main entrance of the Presidential Office in Minsk, placing a photo of Lukashenko on top of the manure, and piercing it with a pitchfork. He also flew the historic white-red-white flag over his home and said back in the 90s that Lukashenko did nothing good for Belarus and its people. Ales was an incredibly talented, provocative, and courageous artist and a good man, Bacharevic wrote. He will remain an artist and a person who was killed in prison, killed by this government. He was killed for language, talent, and bravery for being Belarusian, Bacharevic said, adding that this murder cannot be forgiven. An ongoing cultural revival Despite increasing attacks on those who dare to speak the language, more Belarusians are writing in Belarusian, speaking it, reading it, and realizing why they need it. This is critical given that there is no state-level support for the Belarusian language and Lukashenkos regime is destroying Belarusian culture, PEN Belarus told the Kyiv Independent. Cimafiejeva started using Belarusian more frequently back in 2006. Like many other Belarusians, it was a conscious decision made in the climate of protests against election fraud. She also started working for Belarusian-language independent media and entered an educational institution that taught mostly in Belarusian. I had a quite wide circle of people speaking Belarusian, but it was a learned language for them all, she said, given the prevalence of speaking Russian, especially in Belarus major cities. Only in the past 20 years have more children born in cities been raised to speak Belarusian as their native language, according to Cimafiejeva. Ive become more optimistic about the fate of the Belarusian language, especially if you compare todays situation with the situation we had in the 1980s or even the 1990s, she said. Although Belarusian cultural initiatives lack state support, and much of their work is being done in exile, they are dedicated enthusiasts who believe in what they are doing and are trying to spread it to wider audiences. Embracing the Belarusian language and culture can also be a means of comfort when processing the impact of having lived through a failed revolution, being faced with exile, and witnessing the outbreak of Russias genocidal war in neighboring Ukraine, of which the Lukashenko regime is an unofficial participant. People are seeking clarity in ideas and in language, which is to say in literature, and in the language of the arts in general. Emotions are intense and it's music and visual arts that can reflect that intensity without putting on labels, without naming. So, in these periods of crisis, the demand for art is high, Mort said. Likewise, Bacharevic explained that a lot of Belarusians realized after 2020 that the system they lived in was built on lies and violence. In 2020, these people started reading more Belarusian literature because they need answers to their painful questions: who we are, how this (political) disaster became possible, what our past is, and where we are going now, he said. Despite Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine being one of the factors that have influenced many Belarusians to establish closer ties with the Belarusian language and culture, not all Belarusians are ready to cut the Russian language out of their lives completely. Belarus has never been a monolingual state, and Cimafiejeva does not expect Belarusian to be the only language spoken in the country. Although I do want to see a better future for it, she added. Previously, Bacharevic translated many of his novels into Russian himself. He is of the belief that knowing many different languages is always beneficial, but he still considers himself first and foremost a Belarusian speaker. I think in Belarusian and dream in Belarusian, he said. The Russian language is our colonial heritage. I have not forgotten it, but I rarely speak it, mostly when I speak with Russians. Mort said she doesnt consider the Russian language itself a problem but rather those who promote the destructive ideology of the Russian regime. Her main issue with the Russian language has always been that it doesnt allow her to express herself as freely as the Belarusian language does and that it has denied Belarusians a sense of pre-Russian history and agency. The Russian language doesnt understand the Belarusian countryside, she said. Belarus Weekly: Lithuanian president calls Belarus a Russian province, urges increasing defense As NATOs anticipated 2023 Vilnius Summit makes headlines, the alliances members urge Minsk to end its complicity in Russias full-scale war against Ukraine. Meanwhile, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda urges NATO to bolster its eastern flank, claiming Belarus is no longer independent but rat The Kyiv IndependentMaria Yeryoma Note from the author: Hi, this is Kate Tsurkan, thanks for reading this article. Since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, there's been a lot of talk about Ukraine's cultural revival. However, Belarusians and people from other neighboring countries are reckoning with years of Russian colonialism as well. Culture has taken on an even more important meaning during wartime and if you like reading about this sort of thing, please consider supporting our reporting. Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin The self-proclaimed president of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko will meet with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on July 23, the Belarusian presidential office reported on July 21. "Security issues and cooperation in opposition to illegal pressure of sanctions, etc" will be discussed at the meeting, according to the dictators press-office. The previous meeting of dictators took place on April 6 before the Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's munity. His mercenaries have since been relocated to Belarus. Read also: More Wagner mercenaries arriving in Belarus, pose no threat to Ukraine - border guards 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 Self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russia on 23 July. Source: Lukashenkos press service Details: Lukashenko and Putin will reportedly hold a meeting, as previously agreed. The agenda of the talks includes "security issues, international agenda, economic cooperation, implementation of allied programmes, joint opposition to sanctions pressure, etc." Background: On 6 July, Lukashenko announced his plans to meet with Vladimir Putin in the near future to discuss, among other things, the "issue of the Wagner Group". At the same time, Putins press secretary Dmitry Peskov said that there was no date or agenda for such a meeting. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! By Lisandra Paraguassu and Gabriel Stargardter BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday signed an executive order tightening civilian access to firearms in a bid to slow a surge in gun ownership during the presidency of his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro. The decree fulfills a campaign promise by Lula, who criticized looser gun controls under Bolsonaro, arguing they were responsible for a wave of political violence during last year's election. Bolsonaro, who often urged his supporters to arm themselves or risk being "enslaved," has said guns make Brazil safer, pointing to a lower murder rate during his time in office. The country has nearly 800,000 registered gun owners, up from 117,467 in 2018 when Bolsonaro was elected, according to the 2023 Brazilian Yearbook of Public Security. Bolsonaro turbocharged gun culture by loosening restrictions on "hunters, marksmen or collectors," (CACs) making it easy for people to register for such permits and stockpile weapons. Lula's decree rolled back firearms access for that group. A registered hunter now can own six weapons, instead of the previous 30 including up to 15 restricted firearms. Hunters will also have access to fewer bullets and need clearance from environmental protection agency Ibama. "It is one thing for a citizen to have a gun at home for protection and assurance ... but we cannot allow there to be arsenals of weapons in people's hands," Lula said in a speech at an event to present the measures. "We will continue to fight for a disarmed country. Who has to be well-armed is the Brazilian police. It is the Brazilian Armed Forces," the president added. Lula also passed responsibility for civilian weapons control from the army to the federal police. The army was criticized for weak oversight, incomplete databases, little transparency and poor information-sharing with law enforcement agencies. Story continues The 9mm handgun, a favorite of those with CAC permits, will no longer be accessible to civilians. Lula's decree also closes a loophole that allowed many gun owners to go out in public with loaded weapons if they claimed to be going to a gun club. Gun owners who bought their weapons during the previous administration will not be forced to give them up, but the decree envisages a buyback program starting this year. (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia and Gabriel Stargardter in Rio de Janeiro; Editing by Brad Haynes, David Holmes and Richard Chang) Distraught relatives of people who died in the landslide Twenty two people have died and more than hundred are still trapped after a massive landslide hit a village in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. The landslide occurred in Irshalwadi village in Raigad district on Wednesday night and flattened several homes. Rescue efforts have resumed after they were halted on Thursday night due to heavy rain. Officials say the disaster spot is located on a hilltop and the tough terrain is hindering rescue operations. Around 105 people are still missing, the Maharashtra government has said. Several states in India have had heavy rainfall over the past two weeks, triggering floods and landslides. India's weather department has said the rainfall will continue over the next few days in parts of Maharashtra state, including Raigad district. Wednesday's landslide hit a remote village located on the slope of a hill. Around 17 houses out of 50 in the area have been damaged. Eyewitnesses told BBC Marathi that the landslide hit their village at around 22:30 local time (17:00 GMT). "The ground shook suddenly and we ran out of our houses," said one survivor, who lost several members of his family. "It [a landslide] has never happened before here. I never thought the mountain would collapse; that's why people lived there," said another. Many people are still searching for their family members. The uphill terrain, which has become slippery due to the rains, is making it hard for heavy machines such as JCBs to reach the spot and officials say a large portion of the mud had to be cleared manually. Rescue teams, the police and medical teams are currently involved in relief efforts. Locals and trekkers have also been included in the rescue operations. Relief camps have been set up at the bottom of the hill and about 98 people have been rescued so far, officials said. "Our priority is to evacuate people from the scene and treat the injured immediately," federal home minister Amit Shah tweeted. Story continues Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde has announced compensation of 500,000 rupees ($6,000; 4,700) each to the families of those who have died. BBC News India is now on YouTube. Click here to subscribe and watch our documentaries, explainers and features. Read more India stories from the BBC: (Bloomberg) -- Dutch Prime Minister Mark Ruttes surprise decision to leave politics has created a political vacuum in the country, with several possible contenders to take over from the Netherlands longest-serving premier. Most Read from Bloomberg Ruttes announcement last week and the collapse of his government amid infighting over migration policy have triggered new elections on Nov. 22. The ballot provides an opportunity for left and right-leaning parties to increase their parliamentary seats, and even shoot for the premiership. Three of the four coalition parties in the current government Ruttes VVD, the progressive D66 and the Christian Democrats are replacing their chiefs. The leader of the largest party in the elections is often tasked with forming a new government as prime minister. Rutte and the current cabinet members will work in a caretaker capacity until the next government is formed. The fragmented political landscape in the Netherlands makes it impossible to form a government without a coalition and leads to lengthy and difficult negotiations. Currently, 17 political parties are represented in the lower house and no single group has ever gained a majority in parliament. The last coalition talks took a record nine months. The field of candidates to replace Rutte is crowded, but here are the four main contenders: Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius - Ruttes VVD Ruttes center-right VVD party, currently the largest in the Dutch parliament, has already nominated Justice Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius as its leader candidate. The daughter of a Kurdish political refugee from Turkey, Yesilgoz-Zegerius was born in Ankara and moved to the Netherlands as a child. She worked as an adviser and a council member at the Amsterdam municipality for over a decade. She became a member of parliament from the VVD party in 2017, ascending to the role of State Secretary for Economic Affairs and Climate in Ruttes third cabinet before becoming justice minister last year. Story continues Yesilgoz-Zegerius is seen as one of the strongest candidates in the race, but since Rutte was crucial to making VVD the Netherlands largest party, its not clear if his successor will maintain its position in the next election. Along with Rutte, Yesilgoz-Zegerius had held talks with coalition parties in search of an agreement over the influx of asylum seekers, which ultimately resulted in the collapse of the coalition. She, like Rutte, advocated limiting the right to family reunification for refugees from war zones, which drew criticism from socially progressive parties. Caroline van der Plas - Pro-Farmers Party Caroline van der Plas is the leader of the populist Farmer-Citizen Movement, which stormed onto the Dutch political scene in 2019. The party, known by its Dutch initials BBB, claimed a surprise victory in the March upper house elections, making it the biggest player in the Senate. The party is placed at the right of the Dutch political spectrum. A self-proclaimed farmer without a farm, Van der Plas rose to prominence after the destruction of biodiversity from intensive farming in the Netherlands, the worlds second-largest exporter of food by value, forced the government to impose drastic measures to comply with European Union rules on reducing nitrogen pollution. Farmers have raged against the policies, with thousands taking part in months-long protests against measures likely to put some of them out of business. The stinging electoral defeat due to the nitrogen controversy pushed Ruttes coalition to the brink of collapse earlier this year. Van der Plas party is leading some of the polls, but she has sent mixed signals about her bid for the top job. She said the prime minister role is only an option for her if she can focus on the Netherlands and not on external matters. Frans Timmermans - Left Alliance Left-wing Dutch parties have struggled over the past couple of decades, with the last Labor Party prime minister leaving office in 2002. But a recent merger of the two top left-wing parties may change their destiny. Earlier this week, Labor and Green Left parties announced their decision to combine campaigns and unite behind one candidate to succeed Rutte. European Union climate chief Frans Timmermans Thursday announced his plans to return to Dutch politics and run for leadership of the left alliance. Labor party chief Attje Kuiken tweeted her strong support for Timmermans candidacy and Green Left leader Jesse Klaver said he is absolutely the perfect prime minister for ushering in a new era in the Netherlands. Despite being away from Dutch politics for nearly a decade, Timmermans, who is a former foreign minister, remains popular in the Netherlands. A strong proponent of plans to reduce nitrogen emissions, Timmermans pro-environmental policies will put him at odds with Van der Plas BBB. Since 2019, Timmermans has spearheaded the EUs green deal, the landmark plan to put the continent on course for climate neutrality by the middle of the century. His role has frequently put him in the firing line for politicians who are skeptical over the speed and cost of climate action. The Green Left and Labor currently have a combined 17 seats in Dutch parliament. In the run-up to the Senate elections in March, the two parties had presented a single list of candidates and gained 14 senate seats for a second place behind the surprise winner, BBB. Pieter Omtzigt - Independent Pieter Omtzigt left the Christian Democrat party in 2021 amid infighting, and has remained in the Dutch parliament as an independent lawmaker. It is unclear if Omtzigt will start his own party or join an existing group in the run up to the November elections. As Ruttes reputation deteriorated over the years, Omtzigt dialed up his opposition to the prime minister. Omtzigt played an important role in uncovering the childcare subsidies scandal that tossed thousands of people into poverty and resulted in kids being separated from their parents and placed in foster homes. That led to the collapse of Ruttes third government in December 2020 and cemented Omtzigts reputation as a politician fighting the good fight. In the process of forming his fourth cabinet in 2021, Rutte nearly lost a vote of no confidence over accusations that he secretly tried to sideline Omtzigt. Omtzigts popularity is reflected in an EenVandaag Poll last week that showed him as the leading candidate to replace Rutte. BBB leader Caroline van der Plas has said she hopes Omtzigt will join her party but a spokesperson for Omtzigt rejected this suggestion. Omtzigt said he will provide clarity over his future in a couple of weeks. --With assistance from Chris Miller. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Ukrainian soldiers fire from a self-propelled howitzer CIA Director Williams Burns is still optimistic about Ukraine's counteroffensive campaign, thats according to a speech he made at the Aspen Security Forum on July 20. The considerable defensive lines Russia has built along the front line over the past year are hiding behind some significant structural weaknesses. These weaknesses, according to him, include low morale, poor command, and disarray among the countrys political and military leadership. Read also: Ukraine maintains foothold on east bank of Kherson Oblast near Antonivskyi Bridge UK intel "It is going to be a tough slog," Burns said. "But were going to do everything we can as an intelligence agency to provide the kind of intelligence support and sharing thats going to help the Ukrainians to make progress." Read also: Ukrainian military conducting dual offensive operation, says General Staff Ukrainian counteroffensive: the latest news The Ukrainian militarys General Staff announced on June 16 that Ukrainian units have successfully conducted offensive operations in the following areas: Novodanilivka-Robotyne (towards Tokmak, Zaporizhzhya Oblast) Levadne-Staromayorske (on the border of Zaporizhzhya and Donetsk Oblasts) East of the settlement of Stupochky in Donetsk Oblast, displacing Russians from their occupied positions In the Vuhledar area, the Ukrainian Armed Forces achieved success in certain areas. Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Maliar said on July 17 that about 30 square kilometers of Ukrainian soil were liberated in the Bakhmut direction and 180 square kilometers in the south of the country. Read also: Everything is ready to liberate Bakhmut, says Syrskyi President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian Armed Forces offensive is "slower than we would like," but that Ukraine will move forward "as it sees fit." Read also: We advance up to a kilometer per day, meticulously planning every step - Syrskyi Story continues Commander-in-Chief General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said he was "angry" with the words that the Ukrainian counteroffensive was "slower than expected" and added that every meter liberated by Ukrainian troops is "paid for with blood ." The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive will be a difficult and fierce battle. 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 PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) A man being investigated in the deaths of four women in Oregon had previously attacked and choked one of them, her father said. But the man was not arrested until months later only after the women's bodies were discovered scattered across northwest Oregon. The bodies had raised fears a serial killer was targeting young women in the area. The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office announced Monday that investigators and prosecutors from nine law enforcement agencies have found links between the four deaths, with at least one person of interest identified. The statement did not name the person, but a law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation said Tuesday it is Jesse Lee Calhoun. The official requested anonymity because they are not authorized to comment publicly on the case. Calhoun was arrested on June 6 by members of two sheriff's departments with U.S. Marshals Service assisting, the official said. The bodies of Kristin Smith, 22; Charity Perry, 24; Bridget Webster, 31; and Ashley Real, 22, were found over a three-month period in wooded areas, under a bridge and in a culvert in a roughly 100-mile (160-kilometer) radius, spanning from rural Polk County southwest of Portland to the Columbia River Gorge, east of the city. Reals body was the latest one found, on May 7. Her father, Jose Real, told The Associated Press on Friday that he called police on Nov. 11 after she showed up, crying, at his Portland home, saying she had been choked by Calhoun. She had marks on her throat, he said, and he took her to a hospital. A Portland police officer took an initial report from Real and his daughter and she gave the officer Calhouns name. Police wanted her to help find him but she was scared to do so, he said. Because the location of the alleged assault was outside Portland police jurisdiction, the department referred the case to the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office. Real said he never heard back from the sheriff's office, even though he and his wife called repeatedly. Story continues Details of the attack were first reported by the Oregonian/OregonLive. The police didnt do their work, he told the newspaper. And now my daughter is dead. Portland Police Sgt. Kevin Allen said in an email Friday that the department cannot comment on any reports or information related to Calhoun because of an active ongoing criminal investigation. Sheriff's Deputy John Plock also said he could not comment because of an active investigation. Real said he was grateful his daughter was found and he can visit her remains in a Clackamas County cemetery. I can tell her, Daddys here, mija ... you know how much I miss you,' Real said, using an affectionate Spanish term for daughter. Calhoun was one of 41 prison inmates whose prison sentence was lowered by one year in 2021 by then-Gov. Kate Brown after they helped battle devastating 2020 wildfires in Oregon. Calhoun was released from the Columbia River Correctional Institution on July 22, 2021, almost one year before his projected release date, the Oregon Department of Corrections said Friday. He had been serving a 50-month sentence for assaulting a police officer, trying to strangle a police dog, burglary and felony unauthorized use of a vehicle. Sen. Tim Knopp, leader of the minority Oregon Senate Republicans, on Tuesday blamed Brown for letting violent offenders out early. But even if Brown hadn't commuted Calhoun's sentence, he would have been released months before the deaths occurred. Still, a relative of another woman who died blamed police for being slow to react. Melissa Smith, Kristin Smith's mother, said in a video on Facebook that she reported her daughter missing in December to police in a Portland suburb, but, she said, I was not given the help that I needed. Family members posted flyers about the missing woman and searched parts of Portland. Kristin Smith's body was the first of the four to be discovered, in a wooded area of a Portland neighborhood, on Feb. 19. Melissa Smith praised a detective with the Portland Police Bureau for more aggressively pursuing the case. The district attorney's announcement Monday said no charges have been filed in connection with any of the deaths. But Calhoun is back behind bars. Gov. Tina Kotek revoked his commutation on July 3. Calhoun is now back in prison to serve the remainder of his sentence, with his new projected release date June 9, 2024, Oregon Department of Corrections spokesperson Amber Campbell said Friday. ___ Selsky reported from Salem, Oregon. Rhonda Shafner in New York and Rebecca Boone in Boise, Idaho, contributed to this story. A man with no drivers license led cops on a high-speed chase in southwest Florida, and his explanation was that it felt like he was in the video game Grand Theft Auto, according to the Collier County Sheriffs Office. The chase happened around 12:15 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19, on Interstate 75 in Naples, the sheriffs office said in a news release. Naples is about 170 miles south of Tampa. Investigators say the 22-year-old suspect was driving a Nissan SUV when deputies clocked him driving 117 mph in a 70 mph zone ... near Pine Ridge Road. Deputies attempted to catch up ... but (the driver) ignored their lights and sirens and accelerated to more than 120 mph (while driving north on I-75), officials said. He left the freeway at the Immokalee Road exit where he continued to travel at a high rate of speed, going through a red light and driving over a grassy area just north of Northbrooke Plaza Drive. The SUV came to a stop at the gated entrance to the Cypress Trace Community. The driver, who lives in Naples, was arrested without incident. Deputies then learned he had only a learners permit, the sheriffs office said. On the way to the Collier County jail (the man) told a deputy he felt like he was in the video game Grand Theft Auto, officials said. Grand Theft Auto is an action-adventure crime video game series that allows players to assume the role of an upcoming criminal in big cities based on real-life places, according to Rockstar Games Wiki. The player can use various weapons, as well driving various vehicles. The driver was charged with felony fleeing and eluding, speeding and driving permit violations, officials said. This might have felt like a game to this individual, but in reality he put the lives of other motorists and our deputies at risk with his reckless driving and excessive speed, Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said in the release. He will now be held accountable. Motorist fleeing deputy drives his pickup into Florida river and floats away, cops say Illegal street race in Target parking lot injures a spectator in Florida, video shows Annoyed cows lead cops to fugitive hiding in their pasture, North Carolina town says A 41-year-old man was given a life sentence without parole Thursday for a 2021 case where he raped a young woman during a break-in at her Columbia apartment. Robert Drayton, who represented himself at the four-day trial this week in state court at the Richland County courthouse, had stalked the woman and carried out a premeditated sexual assault, according to evidence at the trial. During sentencing before a packed courtroom, Judge Heath Taylor said he was shocked at the crimes brutality and told Drayton he had always wondered why burglary first degree one of the crimes Drayton was convicted of carried the possibility of a maximum life sentence. Now, knowing the facts of this case, a life sentence makes sense, Taylor said. Taylor gave Drayton a life sentence on the burglary first degree charge and 30-year sentences each for kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct. The jury had deliberated about 30 minutes before finding Drayton guilty on all three charges. Mr. Drayton, I dont have the words for how depraved this crime was, the judge said before pronouncing sentence. I watched the (surveillance) video. It wasnt nobody but you. It wasnt even a close call. It was despicable what you did to that young lady that night. I dont understand it. The judge continued, You sought this young lady out. This was a plan. You didnt just happenstance into her apartment and decide to sexually assault her. You made a plan... Youd been looking for her, following her. I dont have the words. The judge also paid tribute to the victim, who had testified during the trial. He called her a brave young woman, an impressive and strong young lady.... Im sorry you went through this, said Taylor. A press release by 5th Circuit Solicitor Byron Gipson said that around 4 a.m. in late April, 2021, Drayton broke into the apartment of the victim, whom he did not know, and attacked her, breaking her nose and strangling her. He then sexually assaulted her. The victim finally fought her way out of the apartment and ran to safety. Story continues As law enforcement began investigating this brutal assault, they uncovered video surveillance from the victims apartment complex capturing the defendant jumping a fence to enter the victims patio area and then running from the scene of the crime. Based on that video surveillance, the defendant was developed as a suspect and a witness identified him as the individual seen by utilizing Crimestoppers, the press release said. Upon arrest, the defendant was wearing the shoes seen on the video surveillance and matching shoe prints left at the scene. He ultimately admitted to being the individual seen on the surveillance video. Additionally, the defendants DNA was found in multiple places of the victims body corroborating the sexual assault that she endured at the hands of the defendant, the press release said. Drayton also ultimately admitted to being the individual seen on the surveillance video, the release said. Prosecutors in the case were Anna Browder, Stephanie Taylor and Dale Scott. City of Columbia police investigated the case. DNA analysis was done by the State Law Enforcement Division. The judge also referred to Draytons past record, which included convictions for sex offenses. Youve had every opportunity to rehabilitate your yourself, and it just never worked.... So, I dont think you deserve to be among the rest of us. Visalia Police respond to a shooting Thursday, July 20, 2023 in the 1300 block of North Rinaldi Street. One male victim was transported from the scene in unknown condition. Rinaldi was closed between Houston and Elowin avenues. At least one person was killed in Thursday's shooting and Visalia police are looking for the motive and the shooter. Dozens of officers and detectives rushed around 4:30 p.m. to the 1300 block of North Rinaldi Street, between Houston and Elowin avenues. The first officers on scene found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. Several shell casings littered the asphalt. The man was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died. Police didn't release the man's name or age. The area, just around the corner from Scotty's Donuts, was closed to traffic and residents for several hours while detectives and crimes scene investigators gathered evidence. They went door-to-door in the area looking for witnesses and camera footage that may help lead to an arrest. Visalia Police place evidence markers Thursday, July 20, 2023 after a shooting in the 1300 block of North Rinaldi Street. One male victim was transported from the scene in unknown condition. Rinaldi was closed between Houston and Elowin avenues. Residents gathered in the streets talking about the crime and guessing who was shot and what led to the shooting. Several businesses in the area, including DD Minimart, were affected by the shooting as police stood in the streets and directed traffic away from the area. No description of the shooter was released. Anyone with information on the shooting is urged to call Visalia police at 713-8117. An anonymous tip can be left on the city's website under the police department tab. This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Man shot around the corner from DD Minimart in Visalia A man was killed after a shooting in Richmond, Indiana, Thursday morning. >> TRENDING: Vehicle owners most susceptible to automotive theft overnight, crime records show Richmond Police were dispatched to 130 North 34th Street at around 8:10 a.m. on reports of people shooting guns, a spokesperson for the department said. Officers were advised that two men in all black and wearing masks were shooting their weapon. They were also advised that a body was down, or laying in the ground, in the parking lot. The suspects were reported to have left the area in an unknown direction driving a four-door black or dark blue car with chrome colored wheels. When officers arrived, they found Robert Anthony Hill, 32, of Richmond, with multiple gunshot wounds. Hill succumbed to his life-threatening injuries at the scene and was declared dead by the Richmond Fire Department medics. No other injuries were reported. Officers also located bullet strikes in multiple buildings and a vehicle. Investigators spoke with witnesses to gather more information about the ongoing investigation. The Richmond Police Department were assisted by the Richmond Fire Department medics and drone, the Wayne County Sheriffs Department, and Wayne County Coroners Office. Anyone who believes they may have video or information about this incident was asked to call the Richmond Police Department at 765-983-7247. A herd of bison near Yellowstone River in Hayden Valley, Wyoming, on September 23. George Rose/Getty Images Chris Whitehill planned to propose to his fiance, Amber Harris, at Yellowstone National Park. His plan took an unfortunate turn when a bison "gored" Harris on Monday during a hike. Harris said on social media that she sustained seven spine fractures, collapsed lungs, and bruising. A woman from Phoenix became newly engaged in hospital on Monday after a bison foiled her fiance's original proposal plans. For about a year, Amber Harris, 47, had been preparing to visit Yellowstone National Park with her daughter, Rylee Eckblad, and her then-boyfriend, Chris Whitehill. Unbeknownst to Harris, Whitehill also was planning to propose on a "natural bridge," the fiancee wrote on Facebook. However, those plans took an unfortunate turn Monday morning when the couple encountered two bison while walking toward Yellowstone Lake. "There were a few other people and about 20 elk roaming around so we waited for them to clear before walking through the field," Harris wrote. "About halfway to the water, we noticed 2 bison. 1 on the path we were walking and the other in the opposite direction." Harris said that one of the bison was about 50 yards away and that the animal dropped and rolled around in the dirt "like a dog would" before it got up and began to run toward Harris. The National Park Service said in a press release that the bison "charged and gored" Harris and that she sustained "significant injuries to her chest and abdomen." Harris wrote on Facebook that she had seven spine fractures, "bilateral collapsed lungs," and "bruising all over." "Glory to God all my vital organs look good," she wrote. The couple launched a GoFundMe to raise money for medical bills. The National Park Service said the incident remained under investigation. Whitehill declined to comment, asking for privacy. The park agency says wildlife in Yellowstone "can be dangerous when approached." During mating season, from mid-July to mid-August, bison are quick to become agitated, the agency continues. In general, "Bison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans," the park agency says. Story continues Harris was transported by helicopter to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, the National Park Agency wrote. That night, Whitehill got down on one knee by her hospital bed and asked Harris to be his wife. "Without any hesitation, I said yes!" she wrote. Read the original article on Insider Scottsdale Police Department. A man and woman were arrested Thursday on animal cruelty charges after a husky puppy was found dead in an alley in Scottsdale, according to the Scottsdale Police Department. Lester Paul Richmond, 35, and Heather Auditor, 32, were arrested during a traffic stop near Miller Road and Pierce Street early Thursday. Detectives later served a search warrant at their house. While serving the warrant, detectives found more evidence related to the case, according to a police news release. Police said they started an investigation after the dead puppy's body was found by a witness walking through an alley near Miller Road and Latham Street. The puppy appeared to have had its mouth taped shut. Investigators then began conducting interviews of residents in the neighborhood and checking surveillance cameras that may have covered the area where the puppy was found, according to the police news release. Detectives later found a surveillance video showing a car belonging to Richmond in the alley at the same time that the dead husky was left. Authorities then were able to identify Richmond as the registered owner of the husky. After identifying Richmond as a suspect, investigators were able to get video surveillance of Richmond and Auditor talking about getting rid of the husky, police said in the news release. Richmond was booked into a Maricopa County jail on one count of animal cruelty, police said in the news release. Auditor also was booked into jail on one count of animal cruelty as well as one count of hindering prosecution, the police news release said. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 2 people arrested after husky puppy found dead in Scottsdale alley The on-again, off-again standoff between two famous Senate centrists and the Democratic coalition is back on. Take it from Bernie Sanders, who is watching in real time as Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema sink Sanders preferred pick for labor secretary. The progressive Vermonter called for liberal primary challenges to both senators last year but has taken a more hands-off approach to Sinema and Manchin in recent months. Sanders (I-Vt.) is done dancing around his two colleagues: You have two corporate Democrats who receive a lot of money from the corporate world who do not want an advocate who is going to stand up for workers it's disappointing, I think its sad, Sanders said of Manchin and Sinema in an interview. (Sinema left the Democratic Party last year.) Manchin (D-W.Va.) opposes confirming Julie Su to lead President Joe Bidens Labor Department, while Sinema (I-Ariz.) is staying quiet but viewed by the White House as balking. Taken together, the centrists have effectively sidelined Sus nomination the latest and most vivid flashpoint between Democrats and the duo, but far from the only one. Manchin is flirting with a third-party presidential bid that many Democrats fear could derail Bidens reelection, while savaging the administrations environmental policies and routinely voting against Bidens nominees. Sinema is drawing the ire of Democrats who are warning against her bipartisan bid to alter pilot training requirements. Its a reminder of past progressive angst over her positions on taxes, the minimum wage and the filibuster. Most of the Democratic caucus is trying to work with the two as they can without public disputes, but Sanders is willing to go there yet again on challenges to his colleagues: "Would I rather see more progressive leadership coming from West Virginia and Arizona? Yes. It all comes as both senators approach political crunch time. Manchin will decide sometime around the end of the year on whether to run for reelection or launch a third-party White House bid. Sinema has not announced whether she will run for reelection while Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) campaigns to oust her, putting Democrats strategy for holding the Arizona seat into a deep freeze. Story continues With all that in mind, most Democrats want Su to stay on as an acting labor secretary through the election. Manchin disagrees, saying in an interview that the Biden administration needs to pick a new nominee: That shouldn't be an acting position. Ive told [the White House]: Don't give me people that are advocates. This is the concern Ive had, Manchin said in regards to his quickening pace of opposing Biden nominees. Dont expect my vote" for nominees who don't clear that bar, he added. Reflecting his conservative state, Manchin has voted with the presidents position least often among the 51 Democratic votes in the Senate during Bidens presidency. That sometimes leaves Sinema as essentially the deciding vote on any nominee that Republicans unite against. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) summed up the caucus' relationship with Manchin and Sinema as "uncertain. Of course I wish I had [Manchins] vote. I understand when he cant vote with us, it happens, as long as we receive good notice, Durbin said. At times, Sinemas positions are more difficult to ascertain, he said. Sinema is a more reliable supporter of Bidens nominees than Manchin these days. That has some allies scratching their heads about an anonymous White House officials recent request that both Manchin and Sinema reconsider their positions on Su: In fact, Sinema hasnt publicly announced her position, and Democrats say they dont know what it is. "Kyrsten promised Arizonans she'd be an independent senator who delivers lasting solutions, and that's exactly what she's done. She remains focused on doing whats best for her state not party bosses, Sinema spokesperson Hannah Hurley said in a statement. In addition to her typical votes for Biden nominees, Sinema has declined to engage with No Labels as it mulls a third-party presidential ticket possibilities. Manchin, by contrast, appeared at a New Hampshire event this week in on behalf of the group. Manchin said he "truly" does not believe Biden is personally annoyed at him for flirting with a third-party presidential run. And he insisted that things are not tense between him and the White House, despite his spate of recent breaks with the president. We still have good conversations and, you know, I talk to all the people over there all the time. Ive been upfront: You can be respectful, you can just disagree on the policies they have, Manchin said. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said that President Biden respects and has strong relationships with both senators. They work with us in good faith, and we do the same with them. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), who is still undecided on the Su nomination, said its 100 percent correct that calling out Manchin and Sinema does not seem to work: But you know, theres always a first time for this shit. Maybe not. Every time they've tried to pressure [Sinema] to do something other than what she believes is best for her state, it has turned into a game of chicken that party leaders inevitably lose," said John LaBombard, a former top aide to Sinema now with the firm ROKK Solutions. Su's leading confirmation advocates have largely left the final whip count to the executive branch, according to Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) said that the White House had largely run into a brick wall. I only know that Manchin is a clear no. And I know that the White House tried to have multiple conversations with Sinema and follow up on all the things she indicated to them that she wanted, and still no response, said Duckworth, who is also tangling with Sinema over the latter senator's proposal on flight training requirements. Sanders still wants a floor vote on Su to hold his own colleagues accountable, and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said hes still trying to confirm Su. Its unclear whether that vote will happen. With their own reelection races looming, it was probably only a matter of time before friction between the party and both Manchin and Sinema reared its head. Some Democrats have quietly predicted for weeks that Su would not be confirmed. Manchin, for example, says he wouldnt have voted for her as deputy labor secretary if Marty Walsh wasnt running the department at the time. Plenty of Democrats also want to refocus the confirmations debate away from their own divisions and onto Republicans, none of whom support Su. Several other recent Biden nominees received blanket GOP opposition, which only raises the scrutiny of centrist and red-state senators like Tester, Manchin and Sinema. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said that he has regret that anyone is opposing Bidens nominees but said Manchin and Sinema have "by and large" backed the president's picks. There's always a tendency to focus on the one or two where we differ. But again, and again and again, Republicans have been unified, he said. Threats against civilian vessels in the Black Sea are "unacceptable," a senior U.N. official said Friday following statements by Moscow and Kyiv after Russia withdrew from a key grain export deal. Russia announced on Monday that it was pulling out of the initiative, which allowed the safe export of Ukrainian grain, effectively ending the agreement signed in July last year between Moscow, Kyiv, Istanbul and the U.N. Russian authorities then announced they would consider any ships heading for Ukrainian grain ports on the Black Sea as military targets. Ukraine responded by issuing a warning to ships heading for Russian-controlled ports. "Threats regarding potential targeting of civilian vessels navigating in the Black Sea waters are unacceptable," the U.N.'s under-secretary-general for political affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, told the U.N. Security Council. "We are also concerned about the reports of sea mines laid in the Black Sea, endangering civilian navigation," she added. "We strongly urge restraint from any further rhetoric or action that could deteriorate the already dangerous situation." DiCarlo said that Russia withdrawing from the grain deal, "coupled with its bombardment of crucial ports, will further compound the crisis." She said the U.N. would continue its efforts to allow Ukrainian and Russian grain, a key food source for the world, to reach global markets. Story continues Outside the Security Council chamber, Ukraine Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya told CBS News as he was going into the meeting: "It's about many millions of people around the world on the brink of starvationwhat happens as a result of the egregious decision to terminate the agreement with the United Nations." Kyslytsya said that the Ukrainian government is trying to broker various ways of delivering grain and food to the most needy around the world. "We do not use grain as weaponized means of foreign policy or waging war," Ukraine's U.N. top diplomat told CBS News. The U.N.'s humanitarian affairs chief Martin Griffiths said this week had been one of "sadness and disappointment." But for many of the 362 million people in need of humanitarian aid around the world, it was a "threat to their future." "They're not sad, they're angry, they're worried, they're concerned. Some will go hungry. Some will starve, many may die as a result of these decisions," Griffiths added. Meanwhile, Russia said Friday that it understood the concerns African nations may have after Moscow left the grain deal, promising to ensure deliveries to countries in need. Those countries in need would receive the necessary assurances at a summit later this month, Russian deputy foreign minister Sergey Vershinin told journalists. "We understand the concerns our African friends may have," said Vershinin. "But I want to say that these concerns are not only understandable but will be fully taken into account. Asked about Putin's upcoming meeting with African countries, Kyslytsya told CBS News, "I have lots of confidence in the maturity of many African leaders .I don't think they will be easily bought by freebees and giveaways," adding that they are "not ready to go up against the very fundamental principles of international law." U.K. Ambassador Barbara Woodward also addressed the consequence of Russia's exit from the grain deal. "It's hardly surprising that we heard Kenya say that this is a real stab in the back for the hungry and the poor in Africa, in the Horn of Africa, particularly as they face worst drought impacted by climate change that's a real humanitarian consequence of Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal," Woodward told CBS News and reporters at the press area before the meeting. CBS News correspondent Pamela Falk contributed to this report. Palm-payment technology coming to all U.S. Whole Foods Florida schools to teach "personal benefit" of slavery under new Black history curriculum Biden administration secures commitments from tech giants to build AI safeguards If Cillian Murphys J. Robert Oppenheimer was the anti-hero of director Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer, Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves, portrayed by Matt Damon, is his equally controversial counterpart. Tasked with staffing what would eventually become known as the Manhattan Project, Damons character is the dutiful Army servant given the dubious honor of presiding over a team of brilliant scientists who in no way conform to the militarys notions of hierarchy. The frustration [for] Groves what he lived with as a military person he suddenly finds himself in charge of a bunch of civilians who dont really recognize the chain of command, Damon told Military Times. In a serious film about one of the most devastating weapons ever created, Damon manages to bring a bit of levity via the near-comical level of rigidity with which he portrays Groves. I would have played anything that Chris asked me to, Damon said. But Groves was really fun because Id never quite had a role like that. Nobody liked him, which was really fun. And he didnt care at all, he was just completely focused on what he was doing. Damon played off of Murphys character particularly well creating a relationship between Groves and Oppenheimer that, despite tension, facilitates both individuals lofty aspirations to get ahead. Despite the arms length distance between the duo, the pairing ultimately results in a friendship based on mutual respect. They both appreciated each other they helped each other fulfill each others ambitions, Damon noted. Each couldnt have done it without the other. There was a lot of genuine affection there. Despite having vastly different backgrounds and personalities, both characters accomplish the unbelievable amid the constant push and pull between the military, which Groves represents, and the enterprising civilian so perfectly illustrated by Oppenheimer. [Its] that tension between the military and the science community, just because the military is just completely obsessed with compartmentalization and secrecy, Damon noted. Youre talking about an existential threat to humankind, but the scientists are all about kind of keeping things open and learning from one another. They were philosophically totally opposed, and that led to this kind of natural tension between Groves and everybody else. Story continues Ultimately, in the films following of the development of the atomic bomb, Nolan, Damon noted, developed something more akin to a horror film or psychological thriller. I was terrified when I when I got to the last line of the script, and then seeing it in the film, Damon said. Ive been kind of filled with dread. Artful anxiety is something that Damon attributes often to the genius of Nolan, who both wrote and directed the film. His movies do this really incredible thing where hes always grappling with these big concepts, but theyre also very intimate, Damon said. He always wants to put interesting questions in front of his audience and let them ponder them, but at the same time, theyre not lectures or thought exercises. Theyre very emotional movies and theyre very intimate and and so hes always got these compelling characters. Oppenheimer is in theaters July 21. Mayor Adams is moving New York City into the drone zone, but critics fear some will be left behind. Adams and top city officials announced Friday that the city is adopting new guidelines around drones intended to make it easier to use them for building and infrastructure inspections, as well as other commercial uses. Drones are proven technology, and theyre being used every day, Adams said during a press conference on the Lower East Side. The city of New York cannot lead from the rear. We must lead from the front. The new guidelines and permitting process for drones opens their use up to anyone who wants to apply to the NYPD for a $150 permit. But obtaining a permit comes with requirements, including that the drone operator have a remote pilot certificate, the guidelines for which are laid out by the Federal Aviation Administration. Prior to the creation of this process, if someone launched a drone within city limits, they were always, always in violation of the law, NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said Friday. Now, we are creating a balance between legal access and safety for all. The requirements around getting a permit and the fee associated with it are likely to limit the number of people seeking to use drones for recreational purposes. But the requirements include provisions that might curb more practical applications of drones as well. According to the citys website, applications must be submitted to the city at least 30 days in advance of the first proposed take-off or landing a timeframe media lawyers say precludes news outlets from using drones to cover breaking stories. These proposed rules totally ignore the news media, said Robert Roth, a Brooklyn-based media lawyer. That isnt his only concern. Since the new guidelines arent enshrined through a law passed by the City Council, hes skeptical theyd hold up in court if they were to face a legal challenge. Its a great doubt in my mind, and that of many other lawyers, as to whether or not the NYPD can enact a regulation that effectively amounts to amendment of city law, Roth said. I dont think they can do it. Story continues A City Hall spokesperson said the administration is confident the guidelines would withstand any legal challenge. Rules duly issued by a city agency have the full force of law, the spokesperson said. We proposed these rules and held a public hearing in June to solicit public feedback before publishing final rules today. We are confident they were promulgated in full accordance with the law. During his press conference Friday, Adams was asked a more general question about how news organizations would be allowed to use drones. He responded by pointing to the new permitting process. By having a website, you can see that we are utilizing the permission process in the correct way, and thats the goal, he said. The goal is transparency, allowing people to take away the uncertainty. City officials expect contractors and private entities to submit applications for other practical uses like buildings inspections and environmental impact assessments. The city itself is already using drones for its own inspections and assessments. And Adams has previously touted the citys use of new technology, most notably when he pointed to use of both drones and robotic dogs in the wake of a downtown building collapse in April. Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi ticked off several ways the city is now using the technology in other ways, including for bridge inspections conducted by the Transportation Department, facade inspections done by the Buildings Department and an assessment of the citys tree canopy being undertaken by the Parks Department. There are sadly many conditions in this city where a drone inspection is the only way were going to be able to see the critical, dangerous fault lines that need rapid repair, she said. McDonald's had signed a legally-binding agreement with Britain's Equality and Human Rights Commission, pledging to protect staff from sexual harassment (BEN STANSALL) McDonald's UK has opened a specialist unit to investigate allegations of racial and sexual misconduct exposed by the BBC, its boss announced Friday. Alistair Macrow again apologised after Britain's public broadcaster on Tuesday reported allegations of sexual misconduct, racism and bullying by staff at the US fast-food giant. "Today, I am establishing a dedicated Investigation Handling Unit," the regional chief executive said in a statement. "The Unit will have oversight on all cases and the power to refer the most serious cases to a third-party legal team staffed by specialist investigators." Macrow said the allegations were "personally and professionally shocking". "I would like to reiterate my unreserved apology to, and empathy with, all those affected in any way, and I commend their bravery in coming forward," he added. More than 100 former and current workers made the allegations, the BBC said after it began investigating in February. This was after McDonald's signed a legally-binding agreement with Britain's Equality and Human Rights Commission, pledging to protect staff from sexual harassment. The EHRC was also examining the allegations at McDonald's UK, which has 177,000 staff. bcp/gw Megan Fox was caught in the middle of an apparent tussle between Machine Gun Kelly and a man who allegedly tried to punch the rapper. The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday (20 July) night at the Orange County Fair in California, as the two were seen exiting a carnival ride. In a video recording of the moment posted on TikTok, a bodyguard in all black can be seen shoving Fox out of the way and into a barrier as he blocks a man from her and Kelly real name Colson Baker. Kelly then steps in to help the Transformers star before they walk away. Regular day at the OC fair some random guy punches MGK, reads the text overlaying the clip. The Independent has contacted both Kelly and Foxs respective representatives for comment. The pairs outing comes months after they were reportedly spotted leaving a couples counselling office in California amid breakup rumours. Photographs of the couple, obtained by the Daily Mail, appeared to show Fox, 37, wiping her face as Kelly, 33, followed her out of the door. They were reported to have walked to the car park together, but left in separate cars. Breakup rumours were sparked in February after Fox posted several Instagram mirror selfies and a short clip of an envelope being burnt, accompanied by a lyric from Beyonces Pray You Catch Me. The lyrics read: You can taste the dishonesty / Its all over your breath. She later appeared to deactivate her Instagram account. According to People, the couple had a fight over the Super Bowl weekend that led to Fox removing her engagement ring. The magazine quoted a source as saying: Megan is very upset. They had a fight over the weekend and Megan wont speak to him. They have had issues in the past, but things seem pretty serious this time. On Valentines Day, People quoted another source close to the couple as saying that Fox and Kelly were now speaking and trying to work things out. They said that while Fox is still upset and taking one day at a time, she is not ready to give up. The two met in 2020 while filming on the set of 2021 crime thriller Midnight in the Switchgrass. They announced their engagement in January 2022, less than two years after the Jennifers Body star ended her 10-year marriage to Brian Austin Green. A member of the so-called Tennessee Three, the state lawmakers who were rebuked for protesting gun violence in their Capitol, is preparing an uphill run against Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). State Rep. Gloria Johnson is eyeing a mid-August launch for a Senate campaign, according to two people familiar with her plans who were not authorized to confirm them. Johnson has already spoken with officials from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and EMILYs List, a pro-abortion rights group, and has begun to assemble a campaign team. Johnson, 61, and her colleagues, state Reps. Justin Pearson and Justin Jones, caught national attention when they staged a demonstration advocating for stricter gun control laws after three students and three employees were killed during a Nashville elementary school shooting earlier this year. Pearson and Jones, who are Black, were booted from the Statehouse but quickly reinstated by their respective local councils. Johnson, who is white, escaped expulsion by one vote. The incident earned them national notoriety, speaking invitations and a trip to the White House. In a brief interview, Johnson said that she was considering a run and that she would probably make a final decision this summer. Im taking a serious look at the race and having conversations with folks that are hungry for better leadership in Washington, she said. Honestly, Tennesseans deserve someone who will stand up to corrupt special interests, fight for lower costs so that every family can build a good life and that's not Marsha Blackburn. Johnson wont have the primary field to herself. Marquita Bradshaw, an environmental activist and her partys 2020 Senate nominee, has filed to run again. Three years ago, she bested James Mackler, the candidate preferred by national Democrats, and then lost to incumbent Bill Hagerty by 27 points. Tennessee remains a deep red state that former President Donald Trump won twice by at least two dozen points. Democrats are a superminority in both chambers of the legislature and now control only one of the states nine congressional districts. Bill Clinton was the last Democrat to carry the state in a presidential contest. Story continues Blackburn easily beat back a 2018 challenge from Phil Bredesen, the states last Democratic governor, though the race drew national attention and was seen, at the time, as a possible Democratic pickup. A statewide run by Johnson is likely to be a longshot campaign aimed at building up the states Democratic Party and engaging new voters. A longtime teacher, Johnson is expected to mount a different kind of campaign than Bredesen, a milquetoast moderate who, despite being a popular two-term governor years prior, struggled to invigorate the base and ran on his centrist record. He lost to Blackburn by 11 points. In an interview, Johnson said that her campaign would differ from Bredesens and that she hoped to inspire and motivate voters. Johnson will likely run heavily on ending gun violence, increasing access to health care and protecting democracy. The statehouse protest seems likely to play a prominent role in her campaign. There's a movement afoot in Tennessee, it's very clear, Johnson said. There has been a change in thinking. Johnson, who represents the Knoxville area, will likely tap into a national liberal donor base that eagerly followed her protests earlier this spring. But Blackburn is a solid fundraiser and has banked $5.6 million for her reelection campaign as of the end of June. She is a staunch supporter of Trump and endorsed his third bid for president. Marquita Bradshaw and Gloria Johnson are liberal Democrats who are out of step with the people of Tennessee and are aligned with Joe Biden's failed policies that are making their lives tougher every single day, said Abigail Sigler, Blackburn campaign spokesperson. Raoul Vlad Suta is an avid metal detectorist, but lately hes been too busy to go exploring. On a recent Sunday, though, Suta took his metal detector out with some friends in Romania. After breaking for lunch, the group got back to work, searching for anything. Thats when Suta said he got a short but stable signal, according to his July 12 Facebook post. He grabbed a shovel, and immediately something caught his eye: a small silver coin. Suta said he kept digging and quickly uncovered a second and third coin. His friends joined him and helped unearth more coins buried at a shallow depth. The metal detector continued signaling, leading the group to what appeared to be a larger vessel, Suta said in his post. After tracing the perimeter, Suta and his friends unearthed more than just a few coins they found a ceramic pot holding nearly 5,000 ancient coins. Suta said it was difficult to count the coins because of their size and because some stuck together. The approximately 4,868 coins have issue dates between 1500 and 1550, with most coming from the reign of Vladislaus II who was the king of Bohemia and Hungary during that period, according to Britannica but Suta said he is awaiting expert insight to more accurately describe the coins. Four larger coins from the same time period and three silver plates were also unearthed, Suta said in his Facebook post. The coins were found in a ceramic vessel, Facebook photos show. In addition to the coins, Suta said he also found three silver plates and four unidentified coins that are bigger than the others he found. Google Translate was used to translate a July 12 Facebook post from Raoul Vlad Suta. Someone hid a small fortune 500 years ago and never returned. It was just discovered Diver spots something in ocean it was a shipwreck of rare cargo from 1,800 years ago Roman coin was buried for 2,000 years in Poland until metal detector found it Michael Cohen has settled his lawsuit against the Trump Organization for an undisclosed amount, avoiding a trial that was set to begin Monday in New York state court. Cohen, who served as former President Trumps long-time fixer, had alleged the Trump Organization owed him roughly $1.3 million in unpaid legal fees Cohen owes to outside counsel in connection with various investigations and lawsuits. Cohen filed the lawsuit in 2019, arguing he struck an oral agreement with the Trump Organization to be paid for his attorneys fees and costs arising from his work on behalf of the company, only for the Trump Organization to refuse reimbursement once Cohen turned against Trump. Court spokesperson Lucian Chalfen said the parties didnt announce the terms of the settlement, but Mondays trial had been adjourned. Jurors were already selected for the trial. The matter was resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties, Cohen attorney Lauren Handelsman told The Hill. Trumps lawyers did not immediately respond to The Hills request for comment. Cohen says Trump stopped paying when he turned against him Cohens lawsuit cemented his journey from Trumps loyal fixer to enemy. He joined the Trump Organization almost two decades ago, serving as its longtime executive vice president and general counsel. Over the years, he gained a reputation as the real estate moguls fixer. As Trump campaigned for president, Cohen supported his bid on the airwaves and elsewhere. He infamously paid Playboy model Karen McDougal and adult film star Stormy Daniels in exchange for their silence about affairs they claimed to have had with Trump, and Cohen has said Trump later provided reimbursement. Trump has denied the affairs. When Trump was inaugurated, Cohen resigned from his position at the Trump Organization to serve as the presidents personal attorney. At one point, Cohen even said he would take a bullet for Trump. Cohen in the months following incurred significant legal fees as the result of sprawling investigations, court filings show. He emerged as a person of interest in special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into potential coordination between Trumps campaign and the Russian government, as well as two congressional investigations. Story continues The following year, the FBI raided Cohens office and residence as they investigated his business dealings, and Daniels sued Cohen by claiming violations of their nondisclosure agreement. With his legal problems expanding, Cohen turned on Trump in June 2018. In court filings, Cohen said he began telling friends and family at that time he would cooperate with Muellers investigation and the federal investigation into his business dealings. Trump then distanced himself from his longtime aide. Later in 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to multiple federal crimes and went on to serve jail time. After he turned, Cohen claims the Trump Organization began refusing to pay his legal bills, a development that spurred the lawsuit. And in the months since, Cohen has become a vociferous critic of the former president. He regularly appears on national television to attack Trump and his business. In reference to his former boss, he also published a book titled Revenge and began a podcast called Mea Culpa, the Latin term for acknowledging ones wrongdoing. Cohen is also expected to be the star witness in Trumps New York criminal trial, which centers on Trumps reimbursements to Cohen after he made the hush money payments. Cohens guilty plea in part implicated the payments. After Trump was indicted in the case, Trump sued Cohen, seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in damages over allegations that Cohen maliciously worked to acquire attention and wealth at Trumps expense. That case is still months away from trial, according to court filings. Cohen asked for damages surpassing $1M Cohen sought more than $1.3 million from the Trump Organization, the amount he says he owes to three law firms plus his current counsel for fees linked to various legal issues involving the former president or his businesses. Those fees span from his criminal matters which cost nearly $500,000 to the New York investigation into a Trump charity and Muellers probe. It also includes fees tied to testimony Cohen gave to five congressional committees, including the judiciary committees in both chambers. According to court filings, Cohen says the law firm Petrillo Klein Boxer is owed $350,000; the firm Monico and Spevack is owed about $297,000; and the firm Davis Goldberg & Galper is owed $515,000. Cohen also paid some $215,000 to his current counsel, the court filings say. In an effort to offset some of those fees himself, Cohen established a GoFundMe page called Michael Cohens American Patriot Legal Firewall to raise money for his legal battles with Trump battles that Cohen said come at a great cost, both emotionally and financially. I will never be intimidated by Trump and will ensure accountability, Cohen said in an April Twitter post sharing a link to the fundraiser. Trial was set to begin Monday A jury of six men and three women were already empaneled to hear the case, which was set to begin Monday in Lower Manhattan. Cohen was expected to call multiple witnesses across four days, chief among them the former presidents son, Donald Trump Jr. The younger Trump is the executive vice president of the Trump Organization and is expected to testify for about an hour regarding his personal knowledge of facts relevant to Mr. Cohens claims, including invoice approvals and legal payments, according to court filings. Trumps other son, Eric, and Allen Weisselberg, Trump Organizations longtime chief financial officer, could have been called as rebuttal witnesses for Cohen, the filings show, but the former president was not expected to appear. Trump Organization attorneys indicated they planned to call Cohen as one of their witnesses if he didnt testify, plus attorneys from the law firms to which Cohen owes money. Updated at 2:02 p.m. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Ex-Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen settled a lawsuit Friday over legal bills he claims are owed to him by the former president. The details of the settlement have not been made public. Cohen sued Trumps flagship company, The Trump Organization, in 2019, alleging his former employer wrongfully ceased paying for his legal representation after federal investigators began seeking Cohens cooperation during their various probes into the former president. Cohen alleged the company owed him $1.9 million in legal bills. The suit was scheduled to go to trial on Monday, and the last-minute settlement staves off yet another courtroom debacle for the former president. In a statement issued Friday, Cohen said that the settlement resolved the situation in a manner satisfactory to all parties. But Trump and Cohen will likely clash in court in the near-sh future. The former attorney is a central figure in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs case against Trump regarding a 2016 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Cohen was convicted in 2018 of having made an unlawful campaign contribution to Trump when he paid Daniels $130,000 in order to buy her silence regarding an alleged affair with the former president shortly before the election. Cohen made the payment using his own money but received reimbursement payments from The Trump Organization. In 2019, Cohen would agree to cooperate with Manhattan prosecutors over Trumps role in the hush money scheme. In March, Bragg charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to the payment. In his rage over the indictment, the former president set his sights on obtaining revenge against Cohen, suing him in April for $500 million dollars and alleging that his former lawyer violated attorney-client privilege through his public statements and comments about Trump. So while Trump may have shelled out an undisclosed amount to avoid courtroom deliberations over Cohens legal fees, his former lawyer is not likely to fade into the background. Trumps trial date regarding the Daniels case has been set for March of 2024, and wed bet that Cohen will be there. Story continues More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Michael Cohen in May 2019 Donald Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen has settled his lawsuit against the Trump Organization over $1.9m (1.5m) in unpaid legal fees. Cohen, 56, sued the company in 2019, alleging it stopped paying his bills after he began cooperating with investigations into its business. A civil trial over the dispute was due to begin on Monday, with jurors selected and sworn in this week. Lawyers for both sides told the court on Friday that the matter was resolved. The settlement is yet to be finalised and its terms will remain "confidential", the two parties said. "A resolution was disclosed in court this morning," Cohen's lawyer Hunter Winstead told the BBC. "The matter has been resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties." The BBC has reached out to the Trump Organization for comment. Opening arguments in the case were set to start Monday, and Mr Trump's son Donald Trump Jr and Trump Organization executive vice president Alan Garten were expected to testify. Cohen worked for the ex-president's real estate business from 2006 until 2018, when he began giving evidence in a special counsel probe into alleged Russian involvement in the 2016 US presidential election. In cooperating with investigators, he also pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and fraud related to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. He was sentenced to three years in prison, though he eventually spent most of it in home confinement due to the pandemic. Once a close ally and personal fixer to the ex-president, Cohen has been a thorn in his side ever since. In a 2019 lawsuit filed in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, he accused the Trump Organization of breaching its contract with him. He alleged they had signed an indemnification agreement, in which the company agreed it would pay all of his fees and costs in connection with cases related to the company. But despite written requests for reimbursement, the company had not covered his legal costs since May 2018, or the fines, forfeiture and restitution related to his guilty plea, he claimed. Story continues Attorneys for the Trump Organization have argued Cohen's criminal conduct and cooperation with investigators violated the agreement. A separate lawsuit filed earlier this year by Mr Trump against Cohen in Florida federal court, for "spreading falsehoods" about him, remains active. Cohen is also expected to be the star witness in the New York criminal case early next year over the payments to Ms Daniels. Donald Trump and Michael Cohen. Alex Brandon/AP, left. Eduardo Munoz/Reuters, right. Michael Cohen and the Trump Organization cut a deal to settle his lawsuit. The terms are confidential, the lawyers said in a Friday morning court hearing. The case, over unpaid legal bills, was supposed to go to trial next week. The Trump Organization cut a deal with Michael Cohen to settle his $1.3 million lawsuit. It's not clear how much money the Trump Organization paid to settle the case. The terms are confidential, lawyers for both parties said in a court hearing Friday morning. "The parties reached agreement on confidential terms last night," Cohen's lawyer Hunter Winstead said at the hearing. Cohen Donald Trump's former "fixer" and personal lawyer and a former executive at the Trump Organization sued the company in New York state court in 2019. He alleged the Trump Organization should have covered legal fees for his role in various scandals, lawsuits, and investigations that stemmed from his work for Trump. Jurors were selected and sworn in earlier this week, with the case set to go to trial on Monday. "Thank you for letting us know, and for keeping us in suspense up until the almost last moment," Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Joel Cohen told the lawyers at the hearing. Cohen's lawsuit alleged that the Trump Organization owed him a total of $2.3 million to pay the lawyers he needed to represent him in 11 different cases and investigations: Litigation arising from payments made to Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. The federal criminal case he pleaded guilty to over Stormy Daniels and lying to Congress. A House of Representatives oversight committee investigation. A House intelligence committee investigation. A House judiciary committee investigation. A Senate intelligence committee investigation. A Senate judiciary committee investigation. Litigation from a dispute over possibly privileged evidence seized by the FBI during raids on his home and office. The Mueller investigation. The New York Attorney General investigation into Trump's charities. This lawsuit. Story continues In the four years since he first filed the case, some fees have been whittled down, and the Trump Organization has cut deals with some law firms to satisfy their bills, court filings show. Cohen claimed the company still owed him an outstanding $1.3 million by the time it was headed to trial. "This matter has been resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties," he told Insider in a text message Friday. Donald Trump was not expected to show up at the trial, which was scheduled to last four days. But his son Donald Trump Jr., an executive at the Trump Organization, had agreed to show up as a witness. Cohen's lawyers argued that Trump Jr. had knowledge of the agreement between Cohen and the Trump Organization to cover legal bills and that his own legal bills were covered for some of the same investigations. Cohen will soon have another chance to be a thorn in Trump's side. He's expected to be a significant witness in Trump's Manhattan criminal trial next year over hush-money payments made to Daniels. This story has been updated. Read the original article on Business Insider Microsoft said its engineers detected the data breach in June, when a Chinese hacker identified as Storm-0558 was found to have accessed email accounts at several government agencies. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI July 21 (UPI) -- Hackers breached the email account of the U.S. Ambassador to China during the same cyberattack that targeted Microsoft accounts at government agencies in the United States and Europe for at least a month before being discovered. Federal authorities confirmed Thursday that Nicholas Burns' unclassified emails were hacked in the breach, along with those of Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia Daniel Kritenbrink, who accompanied Secretary of State Antony Blinken on his trip to China in mid-June when the intrusion was first detected, Politico, NBC News and CNN reported. Burns and Kritenbrink join a growing list of administration officials to be ensnared by the suspected Chinese hack, which also exposed the emails of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, a congressional staffer, a U.S. humanitarian advocate and a host of research institutes across the country. The breach, discovered June 16 and first reported a week ago by the Wall Street Journal, targeted nine U.S. organizations and agencies and more than two dozen global entities, as well as individuals associated with them, through apparent cracks in Microsoft's cloud security systems. Technical staff at the State Department discovered the breach on June 16 and notified Microsoft engineers, but a preliminary investigation has since determined the trail of anomalous activity went back as far as May 15. Microsoft said it thwarted the attack and immediately placed blame on "an adversary based in China" who was "focused on espionage." Notably, however, U.S. officials have not leveled any accusations against Beijing. The breach was still being investigated to determine its full scope as investigators were not sure yet whether anything of value had been stolen. Previously, the FBI said no U.S. secrets were compromised, and that the attack was extinguished before spreading beyond the email protocol. Officials said only a small fraction of government email accounts in the United States were exposed before the hack was contained. Story continues National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodges also confirmed that hackers had only gained access to unclassified information. So far there has been no indication that Blinken's emails were hacked in the breach, which came to light just as Washington and Beijing were holding summits in an effort to ease months of tensions. At a news conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, last week, Blinken said he brought up the hacking incident during a meeting with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi. "I can't discuss details of our response. Beyond that, and most critically, this incident remains under investigation," he said. Microsoft, meanwhile, was working to reassure customers that their personal data was safe, and rolled out a series of no-cost digital forensic tools after lawmakers criticized the company for charging too much for basic email protections. "It is unconscionable that two years after the SolarWinds hack, Microsoft was still upcharging federal agencies for critical security features," said Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore. "Our national security depends on making cybersecurity a core part of the software contracting process." The Biden administration was also responding, with the White House releasing a national strategy to address cybersecurity a day after the latest hack was publicly revealed. The plan seeks to go after perpetrators of ransomware attacks and other cybercrimes, while increasing software transparency, which would raise accountability on tech suppliers around the world. The State Department plans to release an International Cyberspace and Digital Policy Strategy that will seek further cooperation from global allies on the matter. In a blog post earlier this week, analysts with the U.S. cybersecurity firm Mandiant acknowledged the Chinese had become more advanced in their spying capabilities over the past decade. "Chinese cyber espionage operators' tactics had steadily evolved to become more agile, stealthier, and complex to attribute," the company wrote. The sweet smell of chicken soup filled Aris home as she cooked dinner while her husband was at work. Her 2-year-old son was napping, but his toys adorned the living room floor. Im so sorry for the mess, she said in Spanish. I havent had time to clean up. Ari, 32, and her family arrived in Chicago from Venezuela last September seeking asylum. She remembers that day and the uncertainty she felt as if it had been yesterday. We had no idea what was going to happen, where were we going to live, said Ari, who preferred not to use her full name for safety reasons. The family lived in uncertainty at a hotel with hundreds of other families seeking asylum. Now, she said, shes grateful to have made a home of her own in an apartment in a North Side neighborhood thanks to a rental assistance program that helps asylum-seekers move out of shelters and into permanent housing. But while many migrant families like Aris have received rental assistance and signed leases for housing units around the city, more than 11,000 new arrivals remain in limbo, housed in city and volunteer-run shelters and police stations, waiting for their turn. Some are unaware of the assistance available. Though Mayor Brandon Johnson aims to resettle asylum-seekers amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis, finding units and landlords willing to rent is a challenge, say advocates. Some real estate professionals worry that after the assistance runs out, tenants wont be able to continue paying rent. Other property owners and managers say they dont know how to help. During a panel on the issue for real estate leaders and building owners in Chicago, advocates of the program called on landlords across the city to rent to asylum-seekers. The June 11 discussion was hosted by the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance and the Latino Real Estate Investors Council. Ami Novoryta, chief program officer of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, one of the organizations in charge of providing case management to find migrants permanent housing, said during the panel that locating units has been difficult. Story continues Ari learned about the program in December, when families living in hotels were prioritized by the state for rental assistance. For days, she said, she would go on online looking for apartments and use Google Translate to email property managers, explaining her situation and asking if they would be willing to rent under the programs guidelines. It took her nearly a month to find an apartment, and she had to wait until February to move in. Most said no, or didnt even reply, she said. The rent voucher covered the entire $1,400 monthly rent for the two-bedroom apartment, and most of the furniture was donated. She and her husband are responsible for paying the utilities. But its never more than $100 a month, she said. Eligible migrants in the state are able to receive three months of rental assistance when they initially apply for a piece of the millions available through the Illinois Housing Development Authoritys Asylum Seeker Emergency Assistance Program. They can apply again to receive another three months of aid, for a total of up to $15,000. The program began accepting applications Dec. 5 and has received $53.5 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars, the majority of which is for emergency rental assistance with a small portion allotted for case management work, over the course of a couple of years. The $53.5 million includes the $25 million the city was looking to allocate with state support in June, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services. Rental assistance funds from the American Rescue Plan Act are set to expire Sept. 30, 2025. In Chicago, there is an additional $4 million available from the Chicago Department of Housings emergency rental assistance funds for rental assistance and case management for migrants in the city. These funds are being administered through the states Department of Human Services, which is working with the states Housing Development Authority. The city has its own contract with Catholic Charities for case management. Asylum-seekers must live in city or state intermediate housing, such as city shelters or state-run hotels, to be eligible for rental assistance, according to the Illinois Housing Development Authority and the Illinois Department of Human Services. Applicants also must make 80% or below the area median income, but applicants do not need a source of income or employment to apply. So far, more than 1,000 people in Illinois have been approved for rental assistance, with around $8.6 million disbursed and about 600 landlords renting to new arrivals, the agencies said. As of earlier this month, 548 of these households approved for rental assistance have signed leases for permanent housing in Chicago, with 271 of those households having moved in, according to a statement from the city. About 200 applicants have been denied rental assistance, primarily because they withdrew their applications from the states program, the agencies said. The resettlement programs are different from other subsidized housing programs available for low-income Chicago residents through the Chicago Housing Authority. CHA programs such as public housing and vouchers are regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which requires noncitizens to have at least one household member with eligible immigration status in order to receive assistance, CHA spokesperson Matthew Aguilar said. When some migrants learned from shelter staff members last week that they could potentially get assistance to move into an apartment, they got excited, said Karla Urbina, an asylum-seeker from Nicaragua living in a shelter near Rogers Park. Urbina, who made the journey from Nicaragua by herself after leaving her children with her mother, spent a little over a month at the District 1 police station in the South Loop after arriving in late May before moving into the shelter. Her reasons for coming to the U.S. echo those of her fellow migrants: to flee violence, abuse from the government and poverty. For my children, Urbina said. She hopes to find other women to share an apartment with, if that would make the process move faster. Unlike the states initial goal to prioritize families, the process is the same for all rental assistance applicants, according to the state. Families are housed together, and singles are on their own but are allowed to move together as long as the landlord agrees and lists everyone on the lease. Until shes connected with a case manager to begin the process, we will have to wait, Urbina said. As many migrants wait, some property owners told the Tribune they would be willing to rent to the new arrivals but dont know how to help. Steve Shah owns 81 units, mainly concentrated on the North Side and the north suburbs. He said he would like to rent to the latest flood of migrants but hasnt had any agencies call him, even though they know him and his history of renting to new arrivals. And while he wants to help, he said that as a smaller housing provider, he can face high risks, since theres no guarantee the tenant will be able to pay once the rental assistance runs out. That could lead to a lengthy eviction process, which would be costly, he said. No good deed goes unpunished. When you take a chance on people, you dont know what their circumstances are, Shah said. In some cases, they take a long time to find a stable job and sometimes some people have other issues. Shah said he thinks the city and state should have an expedited eviction process for migrants if they can no longer pay rent after receiving rental assistance or if they are disruptive. Novoryta, from Catholic Charities, said on the building owners group call that around 5% of migrants who have signed leases about 50 households have run into any issues. Those issues came from both the property management side and the tenant side, with some people reporting pests in units, incidents of domestic violence, noise complaints and unauthorized people staying in units, she said. These are folks who want to stay in the United States and do not want to get involved in the legal system, Novoryta said, adding that some migrants have skipped the rental assistance process altogether because they have saved money for rent and just need help finding a place to live. Tom Terrell, pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Albany Park, has had five migrant families, with a total of 14 people, living in the church for about two months. Terrell said city rental assistance could help them speed up the process of finding more permanent housing. I think they are months away from (being able to move), Terrell said. It is not a hardship for us to have them here. Were content to let them stay here as long as they need, but I think theyre probably getting a little ready to move out. Jacquelina Jablonski, co-owner of I&J Good Rentals LLC, a property management company with more than 100 rentals on the Southwest Side, started renting to new arrivals in February. She rents to six families, mostly in two-bedroom apartments with rents between $900 and $1,200. All of the families want to renew their leases after their rental assistance runs out. Jablonski said some of her tenants have work permits, and most of the families have one person in the household who has a stable income. Jablonski said when she heard about the program through a caseworker who was helping a family find housing it was a no-brainer. I am Hispanic and I dont want to hold judgment onto my people, Jablonski said. I want to help out my community; I want them to make money; I want them to be able to afford the rent. Jablonski said she has been frustrated to hear other housing providers express resistance to renting to new arrivals. We all have flaws. Theres gonna be challenges no matter what, said Jablonski, founder of the networking group Southwest Housing Providers. I could have somebody that has a perfect credit score, that never had any issues in their life. They could have some issues right now and just have a bad moment in their life where I just wind up being in that crossfire. Rafael Leon, executive director of Chicago Metropolitan Housing Development Corp., rents to seven migrant families. His organization provides more than 700 units of affordable housing in the city and suburbs. So far, we havent had any problems, Leon said. Sometimes people are afraid of immigrants, but I am an immigrant myself; people dont need to be afraid of immigrants. Sometimes you need to take a risk and help people at a disadvantage. Ari said she and her husband feel extremely blessed to have found their landlord. He is very nice to us, she said. As their six-month rent assistance comes to an end this month, she worries she and her husband may not be able to keep up with the payments, but he has found a job working at a restaurant and the two have saved some money, she said. Their landlord agreed to continue renting them the apartment after the financial aid stops, Ari said. We desperately need job permits to make sure that we can get a good job and continue paying for our rent and for a better future for our children, she said. For most migrants, finding work is volatile and sometimes dangerous because they lack work authorization permits. But like Aris husband, many will do it, even if it means working under the table. Business leaders, along with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other political leaders, have urged the federal government to expedite the process. For future housing support to migrants, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1817, which adds protections to the Illinois Human Rights Act to prevent housing providers from discriminating against someone based on their immigration status. The bill, signed June 30, is effective Jan. 1. SB1817 expands and strengthens the rights for all Illinoisans regardless of their immigration status and provides them with recourse for such discrimination under the IHRA, which did not previously exist, said Jim Bennett, director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights, in a statement. Bennett said people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination because of their actual or perceived immigration status can file a discrimination charge by visiting https://dhr.illinois.gov/about-us/contact-idhr-form.html or calling 312-814-4320 or 866-740-3953 (TTY). ekane@chicagotribune.com larodriguez@chicagotribune.com BERLIN, N.H. The man who served in the Oval Office with former President Donald Trump doesnt think much of Trumps reported intent to expand presidential power if hes returned to the White House. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is running against Trump for the 2024 GOP nomination for president, said he has the opposite approach. I dont want to consolidate power in Washington, D.C., Pence said Friday during a town hall in Berlin, N.H. I want to devolve power out of Washington, D.C. Republican presidential candidate, former Vice President Mike Pence says he disagrees with his former boss Donald Trump on executive power. A former governor of Indiana, Pence said he would reduce the size of the federal government, including shutting down the Department of Education and sending resources and authority to the states where it can be accountable. I believe in state-based federalism and reform, he said near the end of a three-day campaign swing through New Hampshire. Pence was responding to a recent New York Times report that Trump and his allies are planning a sweeping expansion of presidential power over the machinery of government. My former running mate wrote out a plan, well-intentioned Im sure, about consolidating power in the executive branch, Pence said. He raised the report on his own, in response to a voter who complained that theres too much corruption in Washington. Vice President Mike Pence speaks during a press briefing with the coronavirus task force, at the White House, Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in Washington, as President Donald Trump looks on. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) ORG XMIT: DCEV209 On the infrequent occasions when Pence criticizes Trump, he mostly focuses on what Trump might do if he becomes president again while praising what they accomplished during the Trump-Pence administration a record he says hell be proud of for the rest of my life. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pence criticizes reported Trump plan to expand presidential power MILFORD The Police Department is denying allegations made in a lawsuit filed by the mother of a Milford man who was killed by a police officer more than three years ago. The Police Department's attorney, Bethany Minich of Lynnfield-based Litchfield Cavo, LLP, filed a response to the lawsuit filed by Viviane Ptak, mother of Philip Castonguay III, who was fatally shot in April 2020 during a confrontation with police. Ptak is seeking $5 million in the suit, which names the town and the Police Department. Minich's response was filed Tuesday. In it, the defendants which include five police officers and former Police Chief Michael Pighetti, the Milford Police Department and the town of Milford demand a jury trial on several issues. Investigators at the scene of 32 Glines Ave. in Milford on April 6, 2020, the day after Philip Castonguay III was fatally shot by police. In their response, Milford police offered 25 defenses, including arguing that the injuries and damages were caused in whole or in part by the action or inaction of Castonguay, and that his failure to exercise due care exceeded any negligence by the Police Department. Minich did not return requests for comment on Thursday. Ptak is suing on 14 counts, including assault negligence; Americans with Disabilities Act violations; two 4th Amendment violations; a 14th Amendment violation; two emotional distress counts; and a wrongful death count. Maureen Carroll, an attorney representing Ptak, declined to comment when reached on Thurday. Shooting occurred after reports of disturbance Castonguay, 39, was killed on April 5, 2020, after Milford police responded to reports of a disturbance at his apartment on Glines Avenue. Officer Jeanne VanPatten-Steiger arrived at the apartment at about 8:30 p.m. after Castonguay reportedly threatened a neighbor with a metal pipe, according to a description of the incident by the Worcester County Attorney General's Office. After Castonguay emerged from his apartment, VanPatten-Steiger twice ordered him to show his hands. "Castonguay was wielding a metal pipe and charged at the arriving officer. The responding officer shot Castonguay," according to the AG's Office, which released a statement the day after the shooting. Story continues After the shooting, three additional Milford police officers and paramedics and fire rescue arrived at the scene. Castonguay was transported to Milford Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. VanPatten-Steiger was also transported to the hospital following the incident, per department policy, but was not injured. She was later placed on administrative leave, also per department policy. The incident was investigated by the DA's Office. It concluded that no charges were warranted, and that VanPatten-Steiger's use of deadly force was lawful. According to Castonguay's mother and her attorneys, Castonguay was holding a door frame pull-up bar. "Officer VanPatten-Steiger indicated she perceived the object in Philip's hands to be a black 'pistol grip,'" according to Ptak's 51-page complaint. "Every eyewitness interviewed by MPD officers and detectives could plainly see that Philip was holding a pipe and he had his hands raised over his head," the complaint reads. "No eyewitness statement indicated that Philip was holding any object as one would hold a firearm. Nor did they indicate that Philip was holding a 'black pistol grip.'" Mother alleges Milford police policies led to violatoins In the complaint, Ptak and her attorneys argue the Milford Police Department's policies, practices and customs led to violations of Castonguay's Constitutional rights by officers. "MPD had notice that the training of its officers, specifically Officer Van Patten-Steiger, in rendering medical aid to suspects wounded at the hands of one of their officers was inadequate," the complaint reads. The lawsuit also addresses a 2011 incident in which a woman was pepper sprayed after she was trying to "provide support and comfort" to her son as he was being arrested. The woman was pepper sprayed by VanPatten-Steiger and another unnamed Milford police officer. Ptak and her lawyers wrote that VanPatten-Steiger's internal affairs record shows no documentation of either the pepper spraying of an elderly non-suspect or her role in Castonguay's death. The complaint also states that internal affairs records do contain 33 incidents involving VanPatten-Steiger in which corrective action was taken, including verbal or written warnings. "The MPD's practice and custom of condoning civil rights violations by MPD employees is also shown by its efforts to shield violations in this case," the complaint reads. In addition, Ptak and her lawyers assert that Milford police lacked adequate procedures for responding to emergency calls involving people with mental illness. The complaint alleges the town failed to train its police officers on how to confront people suffering from mental illness in a safe and professional manner. Plaintiffs also assert that if police had policies in place to identify and provide services other than a "Section 12" which refers to a psychiatric hold "this shooting never would have occurred and Philip would be with us today." The case was previously filed in the Worcester County Superior Court but was transferred out to the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts in Worcester. District Judge Margaret R. Guzman was assigned to the case. This article originally appeared on The Milford Daily News: Milford police demand jury trial in $5 million wrongful death lawsuit The Pentagon in Washington, in a file photograph. The U.S. military embarked on a major new initiative to safeguard its ranks from the influence of extremist groups in 2021. More than two years ago, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin launched a sweeping initiative triggered by the Jan. 6 insurrection to root out the threat of extremism across the United States armed forces. But today, the military has almost nothing to show for its efforts, a USA TODAY investigation has found. Most steps in the process are stalled or inactive, and the reforms experts said were most important havent happened. The proposed policy changes aimed to confront extremism before, during and after military service by: Diverting extremists from the recruiting process with tougher questions and screening for warning signs such as white supremacist tattoos. Creating an investigative unit to weed out potentially dangerous extremists in the ranks. Building an education initiative to teach veterans about the extremist groups that court them and severing the long-known and often deadly veteran-to-extremist pipeline. Instead, today the military offers almost no answers about what has actually happened. Even a crucial internal study on the scope of the militarys extremism problem has never been released, despite being ordered by Austin himself and completed more than a year ago, USA TODAY has confirmed. If this sweeping effort ends with no measurable impact, thats a tragic outcome, said Kathleen Belew, a Northwestern University historian and author of Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America. Austins post-Jan. 6 initiative was an incredibly powerful lever for real change, and to let it simply fall apart because there are a lot of other things to do would be a tragic misstep. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during a meeting with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius at the Pentagon on June 28, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. USA TODAY identified 20 reforms proposed by Austin and by a working group he assigned to monitor the effort and make recommendations. Over several months, the newspaper filed inquiries at various levels of the Department of Defense about whether changes had been implemented and their current status. In late May, after repeatedly requesting more time to prepare a response, the department first answered a few of USA TODAYs questions, then provided several vague responses and no information on most of the proposed reforms. Story continues The Department of Defense takes extremist activity seriously and continues to make progress toward implementing the actions approved by the Secretary in December 2021, Cmdr. Nicole Schwegman, a Defense department spokesperson, said in a written response. The vast majority of Service members serve with honor and integrity and do not participate in extremist activities, Schwegman said. Though the mathematics behind that statement may well be accurate, the risks from the extremist minority have already resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries. And while the military is yet to release its own findings, outside experts continue to warn that extremism in the armed forces is a potent and growing threat to American lives and American democracy. Theres this myopia to deal with this kind of far-right extremism in this country, said Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. Its inexplicable. Look, people with military training show up too much in domestic terrorism plots, and theyre killing people, including killing troops. What are the warning signs of extremism? One single strongest predictor Being affiliated with the U.S. military is the single strongest predictor of violent extremism in America. Thats according to a report from researchers with the University of Marylands National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, or START, who analyzed a database of thousands of violent incidents going back to 1990 to reach their conclusions. People who served or are serving in the armed forces "are 2.41 times more likely to be classified as mass casualty offenders than individuals who did not serve," according to the START research. And the problem appears to be getting worse: The number of extremists connected to the military in the past decade more than quadrupled compared with the decade before, the research found. Most extremists connected to the military are veterans, but recent years have also seen high-profile examples of active-duty servicemen being ensnared in extremism. In March, for example, Ethan Melzer, a 25-year-old former Army soldier, was sentenced to 45 years in prison for attempting to murder members of his own regiment. Melzer admitted sharing information about his units location and movements for an upcoming deployment in Turkey with a Satanist neo-Nazi organization. The START researchers identified at least 188 people with military backgrounds who participated in the Capitol attack on Jan. 6. But, in addition to the insurrection, they tallied many more people 451 who have committed extremist offenses since 1990. Of those, 37% either plotted or followed through with a deadly terrorist attack. Twenty-nine people with military backgrounds have committed an extremist attack that left at least four people dead or injured. So, when Austin announced his proposed reforms, extremism experts across the country welcomed the news. "Well have to see how this all works out in process, but overall its very positive," Mark Pitcavage, a senior research fellow at the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center on Extremism, told USA TODAY at the time. They were joined by members of Congress who have long sounded the alarm about extremism in the military. If you truly care about a professional military, which I care deeply about, then you would want to address anything that weakens that professional military, said Illinois Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran and recipient of a Purple Heart decoration. Anything that weakens that force needs to be addressed and extremism in the military is that. Investigation: After Jan. 6 riot, hundreds of identifiable people remain free Groundbreaking orders in 2021 In April 2021, Austin called for four key immediate actions and formed a working group of nearly 100 people from across the military, which issued a more detailed report with further directions at the end of that year. The working groups December 2021 report contained at least 20 recommended steps, some with 90-day deadlines. As of the middle of 2023, USA TODAYs inquiry found, only two of these appear to have been completed with any clear effect. Other steps remain far behind schedule, according to interviews with participants and Defense Departments statements to USA TODAY. Some may be abandoned. And while military officials say they have completed some of the tasks, they were unable or unwilling to demonstrate the results of those changes or confirm that they even remain military policy. One of Austins immediate actions was to commission a study into extremism in the militarys total force, something experts said is an essential foundation for dealing with the problem. USA TODAY has confirmed that study was completed more than a year ago, in June 2022. But it remains in an indefinite holding pattern as senior leaders review its findings, its contents hidden from public view. Experts have questioned the status of the study in recent months, and its completion has not been previously reported. That frustrates experts who have been concerned about military extremism for decades. I just want good data small, big, minute, whatever, so that we can address the problem, Beirich said. Why would you keep that report under wraps? What are you hiding? How extremism is defined In his first order in April 2021, Austin called for a review and update of the militarys official definition of extremism, codified in Department of Defense Instruction 1325.06. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon, July 18, 2023. A few months later, the working group confirmed in its report that the rule has been updated and expanded and now clarifies which extremism-related activity is prohibited for troops. Notably, the new definition bans members of the military from Engaging in electronic and cyber activities regarding extremist activities, or groups that support extremist activities including posting, liking, sharing, re-tweeting, or otherwise distributing content when such action is taken with the intent to promote or otherwise endorse extremist activities. Though rewriting a definition may sound minor, its one concrete step the military has indeed completed, and experts consider it a significant development. With so much extremist activity and recruitment taking place online, it was vital for the military to specify what activity personnel can and cannot engage in online, they said. But the working group also recommended clarifying the rules on extremism not just for military personnel but also for military contractors and civilian employees. When USA TODAY asked the Department of Defense whether those rules were ever changed, officials declined to respond. Thats a pattern repeated throughout the list of changes Austin and the working group ordered: When asked about progress on the specific directives, the military didnt supply any results. Preventing extremists from joining the military Another of Austins April 2021 orders called for the military to standardize the forms used to screen applicants and to add questions about current or past extremist activity. This step was taken early on, the militarys reports have said. But their effect is not clear. In its December 2021 report, the working group concluded the department overseeing military recruitment had updated its screening forms to include questions on membership in racially biased entities and other extremist groups, as well as participation in violent acts. After multiple inquiries, the Department of Defense confirmed that these changed forms remain in use by military recruiters. These additional questions are specifically designed to determine whether or not prospective recruits had any previous involvement with organizations that do not share the Departments core values, an official wrote in an email. But the department would not say whether a single potential recruit has been screened out by these questions, and it did not provide the contents of the questionnaire in response to USA TODAYs questions. USA TODAY filed a request for the new forms under the federal Freedom of Information Act; the military has not yet responded. The working group also reported that the military had started working with the FBI to tap into the bureaus extensive knowledge on extremist groups. As the primary federal agency tasked with investigating domestic extremists, the FBI maintains extensive resources about extremist groups, including the Law Enforcement Enterprise Portal (LEEP), which contains information on gangs, white supremacist and nationalist groups, as well as gang signs, extremist symbols and tattoos. USA TODAY asked the Defense Department and the FBI whether military recruiters have actually used this partnership, including asking how many times recruiters have signed in to the portal to check up on applicants' tattoos or affiliations. Neither the Defense Department nor the FBI provided any information about whether the system has flagged any extremist applicants. Officials wouldnt say whether the partnership is ongoing. We will refer you to the U.S. Department of Defense for comment, an FBI spokesperson said by email. And when it comes to rooting out extremists now serving in the ranks, less appears to have happened. A supercharged internal affairs unit When Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira was arrested in April on charges he shared hundreds of highly classified documents on the internet with friends, admirers and hangers-on for months, many experts on national security and extremism had the same questions: How was Teixera able to get away with his alleged actions for so long, and why was he never reported? I mean, how did they miss him? Beirich said. I just dont understand how this cant be top of mind. Extremism expert Heidi Beirich. More than a year earlier, in its December 2021 report, the working group had called for a new system that might have sniffed out Teixeira and other suspected extremists like him. The group recommended opening a Behavioral Threat Analysis Center staffed with experts who would research and understand new trends in domestic extremism. That center would be combined with a Defense Insider Threat Management and Analysis Center, which would use the militarys up-to-date knowledge about domestic extremism to seek out insider threats, as well as receive tips about service men and women via a hotline. That was where the sauce was made that was where things were really going to happen, said Andrew Mines, who until recently was a research fellow at George Washington Universitys Program on Extremism, and who consulted with the working group. Mines said the changes suggested for the Insider Threat program would have been a crucial step. The program would essentially act as a supercharged internal affairs unit specifically tasked with responding to allegations of extremist activity, he said. It's staffed by professional threat assessors who are trained and have experience in threat assessment and who take on these cases, take them out of a commanders hand Mines said. So theres trust in the process. Theres no conflict of interest, and you have trained individuals who look at each of these complaints on a case-by-case basis and then respond accordingly. But theres no evidence the military ever built these centers or took any special action on reports of extremism. When USA TODAY asked the Defense Department if it was creating a Behavioral Threat Analysis Center or a Defense Insider Threat Management and Analysis Center, the department didnt respond. Pressed about whether these reforms were in progress, Schwegman, the department spokeswoman, wrote in an email: We dont have anything additional to add but I want to emphasize that the Department continues to make progress on the recommendations. In years past, even when the military has identified an extremism problem, it has tended to dismiss the people involved rather than identifying or addressing the underlying issues, USA TODAY has reported. The apparent lack of action on creating this revolutionary new system to root out extremists in the military is especially frustrating because the Department of Defense is so good at providing effective social services for the troops housing, health care, mental health once leaders decide to do so, Belew said. The U.S. Armed Forces are excellent at administering programs like this when they want to, so the question is, why don't they want to? Belew said. This is something that has an immediate impact on the well-being, not only of their own people the men and women who have served in the armed forces but also their families, their communities and the health of the democracy that they say they're interested in protecting. That frustration doesnt just apply to inaction in seeking out active-duty extremists. As the START study concluded, by far the biggest group affiliated with the military that has historically engaged in extremism is outside the immediate command of the Department of Defense: veterans. Education on the way out of the military Some of the most notorious actors in the Jan. 6 insurrection once wore military uniforms. Stewart Rhodes, founder of the Oath Keepers, is seen on a screen during a House Select Committee hearing to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol. Rhodes is an Army veteran. Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed as she tried to enter the Speakers Lobby during the insurrection, served in the Air Force for 12 years. Stewart Rhodes, the eye-patch-wearing founder of the Oath Keepers who was found guilty last year of seditious conspiracy for his role in the insurrection, was once an Army paratrooper. START researchers found that 26 of the military-affiliated defendants charged in relation to Jan. 6 were members of the Proud Boys. Of the military-affiliated extremists identified by the START researchers over the past 33 years, 83% were no longer serving when they committed their offenses. Veterans have long been targeted for recruitment by extremist groups for a variety of reasons, including their knowledge of military tactics, intelligence and training, Belew said. These are high-value recruits to a movement that is interested in guerrilla warfare, she said. Austin acknowledged this in his April 2021 memo. Another of Austins immediate actions called on the military to update the service member transition checklist to include training on targeting of veterans by extremist groups. The defense secretary also called on the military to create a mechanism by which Veterans have the opportunity to report any potential contact with an extremist group should they choose to do so. Here too, the military provided little evidence it has taken these steps, or that they have had any effect. The working group wrote in December 2021 that the Military-Civilian Transition Office added language to the script it uses when people are leaving the military on how to report attempted recruitment by extremist groups to law enforcement. The Military Services have made implementation of the new script a part of mandatory counseling before leaving the military, the working group concluded. But when USA TODAY asked the Defense Department whether this script has been implemented and whether outgoing service members receive any additional support or training about extremist groups, the department did not respond. It has not released copies of these scripts even though USA TODAY requested them, including under the Freedom of Information Act. The working group also recommended reviewing and updating this transition script each year. The Defense Department again didnt say whether this has happened in either of the two years that have passed since the original order. The working group also concluded the military has a desperate need for additional training on the threat extremists pose to veterans. It noted the VA and other agencies had already met to discuss how to set this up and said those meetings were ongoing. USA TODAY asked both the Defense Department and the VA whether this process resulted in any new training or resources for veterans. The VA deferred to the Defense Department. As I suspected, this is primarily a DoD issue so we respectfully refer back to them on these issues, a spokesman said in an email. USA TODAY asked the Defense Department three times over several months to provide any information about this effort. It provided none. Just the latest failure Austins 2021 directives were seen as a watershed moment, but they were hardly the first time the military acknowledged its own problem. In this April 19, 1995, file photo, the north side of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City is missing after a bombing that killed 168 people. Back in 2009, federal defense officials issued a stark warning: Right-wing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to exploit their skills and knowledge derived from military training and combat, experts in the Department of Homeland Security wrote. In the 14 years since, the armed forces have seen scores of examples of such radicalization and recruitment. And experts stressed that while the overall numbers of extremists serving in the military is probably only a tiny proportion of the millions of men and women who wear uniform across the globe, one extremist in the ranks is too many especially because service men and women often possess training, expertise and information not held by civilians. Since the 1980s, extremist groups have been less concerned with recruiting large numbers of people than with attracting true believers with specialized knowledge who can inflict the maximum damage, Belew said. Were no longer talking about groups that are trying to recruit 1,000 or 2,000 or 5,000 people, Belew said. Theyre trying to recruit one or six or 12 people who are fully invested in this movement and are prepared to detonate a bomb and sacrifice their own life. She added: You don't need thousands of people to perpetrate acts of atrocity we know that from the Oklahoma City bombing and from 9/11. We know that small-cell terrorism can have a dramatic impact on American society and targeted communities. The author of that 2009 Department of Homeland Security report on extremists recruiting military veterans was vilified by everyone from conservative pundits to GOP politicians. His unit was disbanded shortly after the report was released. So, while experts may have had their hopes raised in the wake of Jan. 6, they arent surprised that those bold efforts may have fallen by the wayside. At every point that our government or military could have gone the way of addressing extremism, they chose not to, said Wendy Via, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. Nobody is immune from political pressure, but at a certain point, when youre talking about the national security and safety of our troops and citizens, then we need to stand up to political pressure. Thats the bottom line. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The U.S. tried to tackle extremism in the military. Did it happen? Images of the miniscule 486-leg millipede discovered in 2018 in a park outside of Los Angeles. The creature is so small and so thin, that if you didn't give it much notice, you may dismiss it as a bit of thread. But examined under a microscope, the wriggling specimen with its 486 legs and translucent body represents a giant discovery to the trained eye. You see, this isn't just any old millipede. This is the Los Angeles thread millipede, whose introduction last month in the journal ZooKeys officially welcomed it among the other roughly 13,000 named millipede species worldwide. Why should you care, you're asking? Well, first found in 2018 near the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the millipede's existence serves as exciting proof to entomologists and naturalists that yet-undiscovered species can still be uncovered in our own backyard. Florida: See this loggerhead sea turtle's return to the ocean after successful surgery If were discovering this new species in the greater Los Angeles area, what else is there? asked Paul Marek, an entomologist at Virginia Tech who authored the paper. I think this is really the tip of the iceberg; I think there's a lot more dwelling underground. Discovery of new millipede felt 'fateful' Southern California naturalists Cedric Lee and James Bailey were the first to spot the millipede in April 2018. The pair of experienced naturalists were looking for the rarely-sighted American keeled slug in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, near Lake Forest, when they instead stumbled upon a specimen they had never before seen. "The find was exciting for me because only a week prior had I learned that this group of millipedes existed," Bailey said. "Theres been very few moments where I uncovered something and knew right away it was a new species. This discovery felt fateful in that regard." Bailey and Lee both of whom are named as co-authors on the paper posted their find to iNaturalist, the citizen science app, where it caught Marek's attention. While visiting family in Los Angeles around Christmas that year, Marek and his wife Charity Hall made a trip to Whiting Ranch to find the animal for themselves. Story continues This image shows a scanning electron micrograph of the head of the new species. December tends to be rainy and wet in Southern California, making it the perfect time to hunt for subterranean millipedes, Marek said. With a permit from OC Parks, the couple spent a few days searching the undersides of stones, under decaying oak logs and among leaves and other detritus. It wasnt until they had worked their way lower into the valley that they finally found the creatures they were looking for. Market collected some male and female specimens, scooping them into plastic vials with a bit of soil to create a terrarium for the trip back to his lab on Virginia Tech's campus. DNA sequencing and analysis revealed that the tiny eyeless millipede was indeed a new discovery, and the third species under the genus Illacme. At the suggestion of Bailey and Lee, the species was officially named Illacme socal for the geographical region where it was found. Rare dolphin: Video shows rare pink dolphin swimming in Louisiana waters "For me, finding a species that doesn't resemble anything I have previously found is always exciting," Lee said. "Discovery is just one part of the fun; going back home and trying to figure out what was found is just as thrilling for me, and part of that is learning more about the critters around us." Millipedes perform valuable, if underappreciated, role in our ecosystem Contrary to popular belief, millipedes are not insects but arthropod invertebrates. The ancient animals have been living on Earth for around 500 million years, where Marek said they serve as the oldest evidence of atmospheric oxygen breathing animals on the planet. The Illacme socal species displays plenty of troglomorphic features blindness, lack of pigmentation and thin appendages that have allowed it to adapt to living in darkness underground. Marek believes that based on geographical distribution, the family of millipedes to which the species belongs predates the breaking apart of the supercontinent Pangea. "It retains a lot of these really primitive characteristics," he said. If they tend to give you the willies, just know that they also play a vital role in our ecosystem. As detrivores, millipedes devour and break down dead plant matter for food, excreting nutrients that keep the soil healthy. If it wasnt for them wed be basically swimming in decaying leaves, decaying organic matter, fallen logs, vegetable matter from plants in the forest, Marek said. "These detritovores are definitely a group that are not celebrated as things like pollinators, but theyre doing the dirty work. Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @EricLagatta. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New millipede species found near Los Angeles at Whiting Ranch park Milwaukee police officer Kevin Hansen will not be criminally charged for shooting and killing Herman Lucas near Silver Spring Drive in February, the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office said. Chief Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern informed Police Chief Jeffrey Norman of the office's decision on Friday in a letter, saying "Lucas posed an immediate threat to the safety of Officer Hansen and anyone else in that vicinity." Hansen shot Lucas 10 times on Feb. 21 around 1:48 p.m. following a high-speed chase and short foot pursuit near the BP gas station located at 9114 W. Silver Spring Drive. Footage of the incident released by police on April 7 left more questions, as the video didn't provide clarity on whether or not Lucas, 31, was pointing the gun at officers when he was shot by Hansen while his back was turned. Hansen's arms were obstructing the view of the bodycam prior to shots being fired. Lovern said Friday that "Lucas picked up the firearm and maintained possession of it. At this time, Hansen discharged his firearm ten times at Lucas, fatally injuring him." The incident began with a traffic stop on the 7000 block of West Thurston Avenue on Milwaukee's northwest side. Police said officers pulled over the vehicle, driven by Lucas, for not having license plates. Lucas initially stopped but then fled west as officers approached on foot. After traveling about a mile and a half with police in pursuit, Lucas disregarded a red light and crashed into another car at the intersection of North 91st Street and West Silver Spring Drive. Streets are blocked off Feb. 21 near North 91st Street and West Silver Spring Drive in Milwaukee following the fatal police shooting of 31-year-old Herman Lucas. Lucas is seen exiting the vehicle from the driver's side and fleeing with a gun. Video shows Lucas running through a gas station parking lot while an officer yells "Drop the gun! Drop the gun!" That is when Lucas attempts to scale a fence before falling to the ground and dropping the gun. Hansen discharges his weapon soon after Lucas picked up the gun from the ground, Lovern said. Story continues Lovern said Hansen's use of lethal force was justified by state law as the officer had actual subjective belief that deadly force was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or others. Lovern said the investigation found that Hansen's belief to use deadly force was also objectively reasonable. "Mr. Lucas was armed with a loaded semi-automatic pistol that he brandished in a public place while a uniformed officer was lawfully attempting to arrest him and refused to surrender the weapon or comply with lawful orders," Lovern said. "Despite repeated orders to relinquish control of his firearm, Lucas picked up his gun after inadvertently dropping it while colliding with a fence. ... In addition, the Milwaukee Police Department follows the national standard that trains officers only to use force to stop a threat of death or great bodily harm." As is the case with all fatal Milwaukee police shootings, the investigation was conducted by the Milwaukee Area Investigative Team. The lead agency was the Waukesha Police Department. "Because the use of force by Officer Hansen was legally privileged, I am closing the criminal investigation into this incident and leave to your discretion any administrative decisions," Lovern said. On the day of the shooting, Norman said Hansen was placed on administrative duty, however Norman only described him as a 43-year-old man with more than five years of service with the department. He was identified in Lovern's letter Friday. Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman takes part in a Feb. 21 press conference, located near 8900 W. Silver Spring Drive, following the fatal police shooting of 31-year-old Herman Lucas. Lucas was a Milwaukee resident who attended Holy Redeemer School and worked as a delivery driver for Auto Zone, according to his obituary. He's survived by his mother, stepfather, two siblings and one stepsibling. Bystander video showed officers drag Lucas' body A bystander video shared to social media shortly after the shooting shows an officer pick up Lucas' foot and drag him a short distance, leading to public concern and reaction from officials. The bystander video begins by showing at least four police officers cautiously approaching Lucas body as it lays unresponsive on the ground in a corner of the gas station lot. The officers guns are drawn and at least one holds a tactical shield as they appear to shout orders at Lucas to put his hands on his side. Lucas never moves. When bodycam footage was released showing more of the aftermath, police said at the time that officers conducted a tactical evaluation of the situation to determine if Lucas still posed a threat. An officer's bodycam footage shows officers close in on Lucas' body before one officer points out a gun near Lucas' body. Once officers close in, the bodycam footage shows an officer grab Lucas by the foot and drag him several feet away from the corner. One officer states "Careful, his foot!" Lucas' other foot was caught along the fence. Multiple officers then help pick up his body and move him further away. Police said Lucas was moved to attempt life-saving measures. Video shows one officer pumping Lucas' chest. Officers work at the scene of a police investigation, located near North 91st Street and West Silver Spring Drive in Milwaukee, following the Feb. 21 fatal police shooting of 31-year-old Herman Lucas. Police and elected officials discussed the treatment of Lucas' body at Common Council committee hearing in late June. Fire and Police Commission Executive Director Leon Todd and Milwaukee police Chief of Staff Heather Hough explained to the committee that the department doesn't have specific standards in place for that kind of scenario and officers are instead expected to rely on training. Hough said in the moments immediately after an officer uses deadly force on someone and it's not clear if that person is still alive or armed, briefly dragging the body to reposition it is regarded as an accepted method, citing Wisconsin Department of Justice training and standards. The treatment of Lucas' body led to a strong reaction from elected officials. Ald. Mark Chambers said, It wasnt a good look, plain and simple." Citing an ongoing investigation, Hough and Todd did not divulge much at the committee hearing, but said although there's no standard operating procedure that applies to the situation, the departments code of conduct measures regarding integrity and respect do apply. Ald. Milele Coggs pressed Todd and Hough on the idea of creating a specific standard for those situations, but the two resisted. Todd said there are certain circumstances ... where its impossible to predict every possible scenario and spell it out with specificity. He said drafting a standard would have to include many factors, such as officer safety, public safety and the need to provide aid to the injured person. It would be difficult to map out a clear cut standard when a gun is involved, theres a need to provide aid to someone injured and the officer has to make real-time decisions that are dangerous, where theres a lot going on. I dont know that a specific (standard operating procedure) is helpful here. Milwaukee police did not immediately respond Friday when asked if the treatment of Lucas' body was still under investigation. Elliot Hughes contributed to this report. Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal. DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee officer will not be charged for killing Herman Lucas The total losses of the Russian army since the start of the great war against Ukraine have exceeded 240,000 killed The Ukrainian military eliminated 680 Russian occupiers over the last 24 hours, with total losses since the war began now exceeding 240,000 troops, Ukraine's General Staff reported in its morning update on July 21. Read also: Ukrainian military conducting dual offensive operation, says General Staff The estimated Russian losses breakdown is as follows: personnel - 240,690 (+680) personnel eliminated, tanks - 4,133 (+4), armored combat vehicles - 8,080 (+15), artillery systems - 4,610 (+18), multiple-launch rockets systems - 692 (+0), air defense systems - 440 (+7), warplanes - 315 (+0), helicopters - 310 (+0), UAVs of operational and tactical level - 3,933 (+15), cruise missiles - 1,298 (+5), warships/military boats - 18 (+0), vehicles and fuel tankers - 7,145 (+11), special equipment - 686 (+1). Read also: Ukraine holds the line near Avdiivka, as Russian forces step up assaults on Zaporizhzhya axis Ukraine launched a counter-offensive campaign in the south and east at the beginning of June. The Ukrainian military is liberating occupied areas and gaining a foothold there. The current modest Ukrainian successes are just an introduction to a broader and more extensive counteroffensive to come soon, according to Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov. Read also: UK delivered vastly more artillery shells to Ukraine than initially planned Wallace Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The body of a woman, the second victim of a Russian strike on the house of culture in Chernihiv, has been retrieved from under the rubble. Source: Viacheslav Chaus, head of Chernihiv Oblast Military Administration Quote: "The body of a second woman has been retrieved from under the rubble of the house of culture." Background: On the morning of 21 July, air-raid warnings were issued in 14 oblasts of Ukraine due to the danger of missile strikes. Later, the head of Chernihiv Oblast Military Administration, Viacheslav Chaus, said that the building of the house of culture was damaged in the missile strike on Chernihiv Oblast. The body of one of the employees was uncovered from under the rubble. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A 13-year-old Texas girl who was allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted by her abductor was rescued after she caught the attention of a stranger using a makeshift help me sign. Steven Robert Sablan, 61, of Cleburne, Texas, is charged with kidnapping and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity after he allegedly kidnapped the young teenager on July 6, federal prosecutors announced Thursday. The The "Help me" sign used by a 13-year-old girl allegedly kidnapped in Texas. According to a federal complaint, the 13-year-old was walking down the street to a bus stop in San Antonio when she was approached by Sablan in a silver Nissan. The girls mother, who reported her missing on July 7, told officers the girl left home without telling her parents, and that she was going to try to travel to Australia to visit a friend whod moved there, the complaint said. Sablan pulled out what looked like a handgun and told the girl, If you dont get in the car with me, I am going to hurt you, authorities said, and she obeyed because she feared for her life. According to the complaint, Sablan asked for the girls name and age, and she told him about her friend in Australia. He allegedly said he could take her on a cruise ship to see her friend if she did something for him first. Sablan proceeded to sexually assault the 13-year-old in the back of his car at least 10 times despite repeatedly being told to stop, according to the complaint. Prosecutors said the girl was scared that if she did not comply, Sablan would hurt her. Over the next few days, authorities said, he would continue to sexually assault the 13-year-old as he drove her from Texas to California. On July 9, as Sablan went into a laundromat in Long Beach, California, the 13-year-old stayed in the car and wrote Help me! on a piece of paper to try to get someones attention. Someone saw her with the sign and called police, authorities said, and when officers arrived, they found Sablan standing outside his car as the girl mouthed Help from inside, according to the complaint. Story continues During their search, police said, they found a black BB gun, a pair of handcuffs in Sablans back pocket and the Help me sign. Sablan was charged in connection with the alleged kidnapping of the girl, and is set to be arraigned on July 31. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Related... In a unanimous decision, the Missouri Supreme Court ordered Attorney General Andrew Bailey to approve a fiscal note summary, a critical step in advancing eleven ballot initiatives aimed at legalizing abortion. The states highest court found that Baileys role in certifying a fiscal note summary produced by Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick was ministerial. That means that his attempts to delay approval due to a disagreement with the auditors cost estimates was beyond the scope of his authority. The Attorney Generals narrow authority to approve the legal content and form of the fiscal note summaries cannot be used as a means of usurping the Auditors broader authority to assess the fiscal impact of the proposals and report that impact in a fiscal note and fiscal note summary, said Judge Paul Wilson, author of the opinion issued by the court. The Missouri Supreme Court upheld the decision of Cole County Circuit Court Judge Jon Beetem, which ordered Bailey to approve the fiscal note summary within 24 hours, or by 1 p.m. on Friday. More: Missouri Supreme Court hears arguments in case deciding abortion ballot initiatives' fate In March, eleven ballot initiatives seeking to legalize abortion were filed with Secretary of State Jay Ashcrofts office. After these were filed, the state auditor is required to gather estimates of the prospective costs or savings to the state, if the initiatives were to pass. Fitzpatrick contacted 60 state and local agencies, of which only Greene County estimated an expense of $51,000 in lost tax revenue. Bailey felt that this estimate was incomplete, arguing that federal Medicaid funds were at risk. He also thought that Greene Countys estimated tax revenue loss should be extrapolated statewide. Bailey and Fitzpatrick were at a stalemate, with Fitzpatrick unwilling to adjust his fiscal note summary to represent inaccurate costs, and Bailey unwilling to approve Fitzpatricks work. This prevented Secretary of State Ashcroft from completing his part of the ballot initiative process. Story continues Because of this logjam, the Secretary could not and, to this day, cannot complete his duty by certifying the official ballot titles for the proposed petitions, Wilson said in the courts opinion. This also stopped Dr. Anna Fitz-James, who filed the initiatives, from collecting signatures in support of placing the issue on the 2024 ballot. Represented by the Missouri ACLU, Fitz-James filed a lawsuit against Bailey, Fitzpatrick and Ashcroft in May. A process that was supposed to take a maximum of 54 days has now stretched on for more than 130, effectively delaying progress towards advancing efforts to legalize abortion in the state. More: An effort to put abortion on the ballot heads to the Missouri Supreme Court this week Luz Maria Henriquez, executive director of the ACLU of Missouri, which represented Fitz-James interests in court, expects future challenges in advancing the ballot initiatives. Until the official ballot title is certified a critical step being held up solely by the Attorney Generals unjustified refusal to act Fitz-James cannot challenge that title in circuit court or circulate her petitions, Henriquez said. Fitz-Jamess constitutional right of initiative petition is being obstructed, and the deadline for submitting signed petitions draws nearer every day. Following the courts decision, the secretary of states office issued a statement indicating their readiness to move forward with certifying the ballot initiatives once Bailey approves the fiscal note. In this process, though many said we could certify without a fiscal note, our hands were tied, Ashcroft said. We cannot go forward until I have all the pieces. Thats the law and we will follow it. Once the approved fiscal note has been received by Ashcrofts office, he will have three business days to complete certification. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Missouri Supreme Court Andrew Bailey abortion ballot initiative Missouris ballot initiative to legalize abortion will be allowed to move forward after the state Supreme Court ruled the states attorney general was improperly stonewalling the effort. The court ruled unanimously Thursday that Attorney General Andrew Bailey (R) was using misleading and incorrect arguments to justify delaying his approval of the cost estimates ballot measure that would allow residents to vote on whether to legalize abortion, a crucial step in the certification process. The delay stretched far beyond the normal time the state allows for reviewing and approving ballot initiatives, meaning supporters were unable to start collecting signatures to try to place the measure on the ballot for next years election. The court acknowledged the harm to plaintiff Anna Fitz-James and the initiative process. The process should take approximately 54 days, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, which represented Fitz-James. Instead, its taken at least 135 days. Until the official ballot title is certified a critical step being held up solely by the Attorney Generals unjustified refusal to act Fitz-James cannot challenge that title in circuit court or circulate her petitions, the judges wrote. Fitz-Jamess constitutional right of initiative petition is being obstructed, and the deadline for submitting signed petitions draws nearer every day. Analysis: Abortion ballot measures set stage ahead of 2024 In a statement, the ACLU of Missouri applauded the decision. While today is a tremendous victory for Missourians and the right to direct democracy, it is clear that some who hold office will not hesitate to trample the constitution if it advances their personal interests and political beliefs, said Luz Maria Henriquez, the groups executive director. The dispute dates back to March, when as part of the procedure to qualify a ballot initiative, the state auditors office conducted a cost estimate. State auditor Scott Fitzpatrick found the proposal would have no known impact on state funds and an estimated cost of at least $51,000 annually in reduced local tax revenues, although opponents estimate a potentially significant loss to state revenue. Story continues More Health Care coverage from The Hill Bailey rejected those estimates and refused to approve them. He instead said his office estimated the measures impact would be drastic and could cost taxpayers upward of $12 billion because of a loss of Medicaid funding. Missouri was the first state to enact a trigger law in the wake of the Supreme Courts decision overturning Roe v. Wade, and has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country. There are some exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for rape or incest. The proposed ballot initiative would enshrine the right to make decisions about abortion, birth control, childbirth and other issues related to pregnancy in the states constitution. Prior coverage: First state abortion bans kick in following Supreme Court ruling Ballot measures to protect abortion have been successful in other conservative states. As a result, state officials have been working to try to make the measure process much more difficult, if not ban it completely. The court ruled the attorney general has the authority only to review the legal content and form of the auditors reports, not their substance. Nothing in state law gives the attorney general authority to question the auditors assessment of the fiscal impact of a proposed petition, the court ruled. Sign up for the latest from The Hill here The attorney general must now approve the auditors fiscal assessment by 1 p.m. Friday, and the amendment will then be able to move forward. The proposal will next go to the office of the Missouri secretary of state, who is tasked with certifying the fiscal assessment and a summary of the proposal that would appear on the ballot. Once that occurs, supporters can start gathering the more than 100,000 signatures needed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. On the Fourth of July, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey went on social media and touted himself as a defender of free speech. A federal judge had just ruled in favor of a lawsuit that Baileys immediate predecessor, Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt, had filed alleging that the White House violated the First Amendment by working with social media companies to suppress conservative speech. My office is doing everything it can to protect Missourians right to free speech from the largest First Amendment violation in American history, Bailey posted on Twitter after the judge issued an injunction against the Biden administration. But while Bailey promotes himself as a champion for free speech, the Republican attorney generals defense of the First Amendment has been selective. In both his time as attorney general when he has tried to crack down on drag shows and while working in his previous job as Gov. Mike Parsons top lawyer during which he drafted talking points to try to prosecute a reporter, Bailey has taken steps to curtail speech when it does not align with his conservative views. Bailey has shown a specific pattern of working to curb speech from and in support of the LGBTQ community while at the same time using the First Amendment to defend those who refuse service to the community. Its a lack of consistency Hes a defender of free speech that he likes, but hes certainly willing to try to shut down speech that he doesnt like, said Chuck Hatfield, a Jefferson City attorney who worked in the attorney generals office under Democrat Jay Nixon. A day after the judge ruled in the social media case, Bailey signed onto a letter led by Indiana Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita warning Target that the LGBTQ-themed merchandise it sold during Pride Month may violate child protection laws. Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, a libertarian-leaning political think tank in Washington, D.C., took notice of this, writing last week that the letter was an effort to chill the retailers liberty to engage in conduct protected by the First Amendment. Story continues Olson then went a step further and specifically called out Bailey. In a piquant juxtaposition, Andrew Bailey, the attorney general of Missouri, took a victory lap after his state won a favorable ruling in the social media case, only to turn around the next day and appear as a signatory of the Rokita letter, the analysis said. It all depends on what level of government is doing the browbeating to accomplish the takedown, doesnt it? Bailey spokesperson Madeline Sieren in an email to The Star described Bailey as a staunch defender of the First Amendment. In addition to obtaining a court order halting what a federal court described as the most massive attack on the First Amendment in United States history, General Bailey has filed brief after brief supporting the First Amendment rights of Americans across the nation, Sieren said. When asked about Baileys differing approaches to the First Amendment, John Hancock, a former chair of the Missouri Republican Party, said in an interview with The Star that cultural issues are supreme right now in Republican politics. I think its really as simple as he is on the frontlines of fighting the culture war and in todays Republican politics, that makes good political sense, he said. But the Target letter was not the first time Bailey has pushed efforts to curb free speech while at the same time touting the First Amendment in other cases. In his first month in office, he sent letters floating potential legal action to Columbia school and city leaders after students were reportedly in attendance at a drag show performance, saying he was committed to ensuring that our school system is educating, not indoctrinating children. Performers at the show later pushed back, saying that nothing explicit happened. Months later, Bailey signed onto a brief arguing that the First Amendment protected a Colorado baker who refused to bake a cake for a same-sex couple. The Republican argued that Americans enjoy the right not to speak as much as they enjoy the right to speak. Bailey, who is adamantly opposed to abortion, has also been accused of derailing direct democracy by deliberately delaying a proposed statewide ballot measure to restore abortion rights. That is the ultimate First Amendment right, the right to petition your government for changes to your law, Hatfield said. And the attorney general knows hes standing in the way of that proposal and I think hes doing it intentionally. Before becoming attorney general, when he was working as Parsons general counsel, Bailey helped draft talking points that the governor used to argue that St. Louis Post-Dispatch journalist Josh Renaud should be prosecuted for uncovering a security flaw on the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website. Parsons effort to prosecute the journalist was roundly criticized by free press advocates and the Cole County prosecutor declined to pursue charges against Renaud. Peverill Squire, a political science professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, said the only way to reconcile the discrepancy in Baileys varying approaches to the First Amendment is to view him as a candidate running in a Republican primary. He will take high profile positions that reflect sort of what he thinks are the preferences of conservative voters, he said. Hes sort of less concerned, if hes concerned at all, with trying to reconcile those things to make them ideologically consistent. Bailey, who was appointed to the position and not elected, has taken steps to expand the powers of his office over the last year. That approach comes as he seeks election to a full term in 2024, facing a Republican primary challenger in former Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Scharf. Its not uncommon for a statewide attorney general to use the office to launch lawsuits and draft letters that might appeal to the conservative base. Baileys predecessors, Sens. Schmitt and Josh Hawley, both used the attorney generals office as a pathway to the U.S. Senate. Sieren, in the email defending Bailey, cited five examples of his support of the First Amendment, ranging from a brief Bailey signed onto defending a Louisville photographer who declined to take custom photos at a same-sex wedding to another brief he led that defended two employees who sued Springfield Public Schools over mandatory diversity training. Attorney General Bailey has proven that he can defend the First Amendment, protect children, and hold companies to their fiduciary duty all at the same time. He will continue to fight for all Missourians in the days ahead, she said. The Target letter that Bailey signed onto accused the company of selling merchandise potentially harmful to minors that interfered with parental authority in matters of sex and gender identity, and possible violation of fiduciary duties by the companys directors and officers. Bailey, in a press release last week, said he was putting Target on notice. Corporations have taken a hard-left turn to force a woke ideology onto families rather than protect children, and Missouri isnt going to stand for it, he said. The Republican attorney general went on a conservative talk show the same week and said that too many in corporate America have chosen a side in this culture war. Show me one instance in which Target has sold an article of clothing that had a Bible verse on it or that had the text of the Second Amendment in support of the NRA? he said on the show. Geoff Gerling, a former executive director of the Jackson County Democratic Committee, said he had the same view on the Target letter as the Cato Institute or any other true classical conservative or libertarian. This is government telling a corporation, a private corporation, what they can or cannot do based on their own personal political beliefs, he said. Olson with the Cato Institute, in his analysis last week, pointed out that what people think about Targets Pride merchandise is not the issue. At its core, he wrote, its a matter of protected speech. Whether you consider the bibs and tote bags cute or cringe is neither here nor there, he wrote. Lets instead cut to the legal chase: inasmuch as they send a message by displaying controversial words and symbols, they are plainly speech for First Amendment purposes. John Lamping, a former Republican state senator, in a phone interview with The Star, said he agreed that Target should be able to sell what they want to sell. You can choose not to buy it or you can choose not to shop there, he said. Lamping said his family stopped shopping at Target. He has endorsed Scharf in his primary campaign to oust Bailey. The Republican former state senator said many of the cases that Bailey has been involved in are unique situations and its not uncommon for cases that attorneys general pursue to appear political. Its no secret Andrew Bailey is running for office, he said. It does make political sense to try to strike a fire on all these different issues that you know, in this example, Republican primary voters may find of interest. State Sen. Denny Hoskins, a Warrensburg Republican who is running for Missouri secretary of state in 2024, said every attorney general has to be selective in deciding which cases to pursue. Bailey, he said, has to decide which cases he can win. Bailey, although he was appointed to the position, he has come out and hes been a conservative voice, obviously, he is going to pursue cases that he feels very strongly about, he said. Gerling was more critical, saying that attacks on the media, abortion rights and the LGBTQ community are popular among conservative voters. For both sides, much more on the Republican side than the Democratic side, its free speech if you agree with it. Its hate speech or propaganda if you dont, he said. MSNBCs Joe Scarborough tore into Donald Trump on Friday after the former president said it would be dangerous for special counsel Jack Smith to send him to jail. Trump had told an Iowa radio station this week that the possibility of jail time is 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. Scarborough said Trump was talking like a mobster. Hes just so stupid, the broadcaster said on his Morning Joe program. Hes going up against the feds. He doesnt understand that he cant bully and bluster and threaten his way out of criminal charges that are coming, because he broke the law. Trump whipped his voters into a frenzy after losing his 2020 reelection bid, ultimately inspiring a number of them to lay siege to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in an attempt to keep him in power. Smith, who is investigating that incident and Trumps handling of classified materials after leaving office, recently sent the former president a letter informing him that hes a target of the Jan. 6 probe. The move indicates that Trump could soon be charged in the case. Last month, a federal grand jury indicted Trump on 37 felony counts in the documents investigation, alleging that the former president improperly took and stored classified materials, intentionally obstructed efforts to retrieve them and risked national security. Hes going to be charged for some of the most serious crimes in America, Scarborough said on his show. And his response, instead of talking to his lawyer, saying, Hey, get me a deal, because they got me dead to rights, my own people are the people testifying against me instead of that, he goes on an Iowa radio show and, like a mobster, threatens Jack Smith. Watch below: Related... A Georgia water park has apologized after a woman said she was barred from breastfeeding in the parks lazy river. The July 14 incident stirred a spirited debate on public nursing, prompting Rigbys Water World in Warner Robins to update its policy. Steve Brown, a manager at the water park, acknowledged the rule was misguided. We immediately (as of last Friday) changed our policy and retrained our staff to allow breastfeeding in the water as well, Brown told McClatchy News in an email. We publicly and privately apologized to the Mother and thanked her for shedding light on the issue. The mother, Tiffany Francis, posted on Facebook about the ordeal she said left her upset and appalled. It drew mixed reactions, with many advocating for the rights of nursing moms. I kind of laughed Francis was at the park with her 11-month-old son and decided to nurse him to sleep in the lazy river, she wrote. The slow-moving ride is a common water park attraction and popular among guests. The nursing mom said motion helps lull her son to sleep, so she got on the ride as she had done on previous visits. This time, she was approached by a lifeguard who told her she couldnt breastfeed there. I kind of laughed because I thought he was just making a joke in very poor taste, Francis said in the Facebook post. Then he got on the radio and had a lady come and tell me I wasnt allowed. Francis asked if the rule was posted somewhere and was directed to the park entrance, according to her post. There she found the rules, which she said didnt mention breastfeeding in the water. After explaining the situation to an employee at guest services, Francis spoke with Brown. She said the manager told her while the rule was unwritten, it was enforced out of courtesy for other park guests, she wrote. Its just something that they decided to say was a rule, her Facebook post states. So then (Brown) smartly said well it says no food or drinks in the water. I asked so my boobs arent allowed in the water? Story continues Whats Georgias law on breastfeeding? Georgia Code 31-1-9 describes nursing as an important and basic act of nurture. A mother may breast-feed her baby in any location where the mother and baby are otherwise authorized to be, it says. According to Brown, the park offered other accommodations so Francis could nurse her son, including a lounge chair in a shady area on the deck. She was not barred from feeding her child in the park nor was she asked to leave the park, he told McClatchy News. Francis said the incident left her in tears, and she asked for a refund for her season pass but was denied. Youre also not allowed to bring snacks in for the baby, so I was told today, she concluded. I guess theyd rather babies just go hungry. Warner Robins is about 20 miles south of Macon. Is Facebook freeing the nipple? Misinformation swirls as new policy is considered Watch mom snuggle newborn after United crew helps her deliver baby on flight to DC Birth control for men? Researchers will pay couples to try it. Heres what to know Kristenne Reidy, daughter of victim Valentino Alvero, asked for red flag warnings to be available in Chinese, in this community, as one way of addressing the problem of gun violence during a press conference at Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) The shooter responsible for killing 11 people and injuring nine others at a Lunar New Year celebration in Monterey Park six months ago sent a manifesto to law enforcement, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said Friday at a news conference. Sheriff Robert Luna did not disclose what was inside the communication sent by Huu Can Tran, 72. The FBI now has the documents related to the Jan. 21 massacre and is investigating, Luna said. "They're still analyzing it to try to figure out what happened, why it happened," the sheriff said. "I don't know if we'll ever have a motive, but we continue to try." Luna said he attended a debriefing about the shooting with the Buffalo Police Department and the FBI and learned "there were efforts made within the law to try and take action" against Tran. "But just like everything else that we do, even in the red flag law we have in California now, a judge makes that decision," Luna said. "We bring the information forward and it has to be that way. I think everybody wants a fair assessment or an analysis of if an individual truly poses a threat to our community. Read more: How the Lunar New Year massacre unfolded: A night of ballroom dancing, terror, manhunt The Sheriff's Department didn't respond to a request for comment about when the manifesto was sent to authorities and when it was referred to the FBI. Law enforcement officials and politicians gathered at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio in Monterey Park, the site of one of California's worst mass shootings, to announce two bills aimed at bolstering gun control. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Monterey Park) unveiled federal legislation aimed at bolstering so-called red flag laws by increasing funding and providing translation services to limited English-speaking communities. Extreme risk protection orders or red flag laws temporarily prevent a person who could hurt themselves or others from buying or possessing firearms and ammunition. Story continues Chu sponsored the Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act, which would ensure in-language materials for communities with limited English proficiency as well as outreach to those communities and education to law enforcement and others. She also announced the Fair Legal Access Grants Act, which would allocate $50 million annually to local and state governments to help community and family members navigate the legal system in trying to take firearms away from people deemed troubled or dangerous. The two bills are co-sponsored by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). The language bill would provide translations for Department of Justice and Health and Human Services resources related to gun-violence prevention and direct the attorney general to ensure federal grant applications for funds related to extreme risk protection orders. It also would direct the attorney general and secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a national public awareness campaign for gun violence prevention and firearm ownership safety. "This legislative package, enabled with a hopefully passed federal assault weapons ban and a universal background check, will substantially reduce gun violence nationwide," Chu said. "The epidemic of gun violence does not have to continue. We don't need to continue risking our lives when we leave our homes." The legislative push follows statewide gun control efforts that were introduced three months ago by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra), whose district includes Monterey Park. Read more: Terror at Monterey Park dance studio: What we know about Lunar New Year mass shooting Twelve days before Tran opened fire at Star Ballroom, he twice went to a police station in Hemet and voiced paranoid threats to authorities, telling them that his family had defrauded and tried to poison him, according to documents from the San Gabriel Police Department. He was arrested in November 1990 on suspicion of illegally possessing a firearm, police records show. Tran used a Cobray M11-9 assault pistol in the Monterey Park shooting, Luna said after the attack. The weapon was purchased in February 1999 in Monterey Park and wasn't registered in California. Police also found a Norino 7.62x25-caliber pistol in a van in a Torrance strip mall where Tran killed himself the following day, and a Savage Arms .308 bolt-action rifle in his home. Read more: In Monterey Park, site of mass shooting that killed 11, lawmakers urge support for gun control bills Kristenne Reidy, the 34-year-old daughter of Monterey Park shooting victim Valentino Alvero, 68, told The Times that some of her fondest childhood memories involved watching her parents dance. Alvero emigrated from the Philippines in the 1980s and raised his son and daughter primarily in Monterey Park. During the shooting, Alvero pulled his dance partner to the floor as Tran was reloading his gun, according to Reidy. Alvero shielded his partner with his body and was shot, while his partner was unharmed. The woman credits Alvero with saving her life. Reidy said during the news conference that she received the coroner's report on her father's death on July 4. She learned he died of a single gunshot. "It just takes one bullet to end a person's life," she said. "One bullet, one second, one gun in the wrong person's hand. That's why it's so important for the community to know, to recognize and to have the power to have guns taken away from people who should not have them." Read more: In Monterey Park, site of mass shooting that killed 11, lawmakers urge support for gun control bills In the first three years after Californias red flag law was implemented in 2016, 58 potential mass shootings were prevented, including six that included minors targeting schools, according to a 2022 study from the UC Davis Health Violence Prevention Research Program. As of May 2023, at least 21 states and the District of Columbia have enacted red flag laws. The study found that about half of all mass shooters and nearly all school shooters express their plans to others. Most engage in concerning or threatening communications before an attack, and they often have a history of violence, including domestic violence, the study showed. Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. An F-16 jet. US Air Force More militaries are turning to F-35s for their air forces, a former Lockheed Martin exec said. Tom Burbage told Newsweek that the adoption of F-35s frees up F-16s for air forces like Ukraine's. Ukraine has repeatedly asked for F-16s, but its allies have moved slowly to hand them over. Militaries are increasingly turning to advanced F-35 fighter jets, and this is freeing up F-16 jets that could be sent to Ukraine, a former executive at Lockheed Martin told Newsweek. Tom Burbage, who was previously Lockheed Martin's F-35 general manager, said that militaries are adopting F-35s, and that does "free up the F-16" for air forces like Ukraine's. Burbage pointed to Finland recently signing up to receive F-35s, joining 14 other nations, as evidence that hesitation to join the program was fading. And he said that for any country allied with the US and NATO "it would seem natural" that they eventually adopt the F-35. Ukraine has been asking for F-16s for more than a year, to counter Russia's full-scale invasion of the country, which began in February 2022. It says the aircraft would boost its air force, which is currently made up of Soviet-era jets. Experts say that Ukraine receiving advanced jets could help to deter Russia's air force, which hasn't played a notable role in the invasion due to Ukraine's advanced air defense systems. Retired Air Marshal Greg Bagwell, a former senior commander in the UK's air force, told Newsweek that F-16s are "slowly becoming 'surplus' because of the F-35 orders." But it's not clear when more F-16s might become available. The US has pushed back on plans to replace its F-16 jets with F-35s due to delays in production, and the process of transitioning to F-35s could take years. Even so, the US has said that it wants to boost Ukraine's air force over the long term, and Ukraine's allies have been moving closer to giving it F-16s. US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told Fox News on Thursday that Ukraine will get F-16s "probably towards the end of the year," but he did not say which country's stocks they would come from. Story continues Kirby also said that supplies like ammunition and tanks were ultimately more important to Ukraine. In May, the US said it would allow its allies to send the US-made jet to Ukraine, though no countries have actually committed to sending F-16s yet. The US and multiple European countries are, however, helping to train Ukraine pilots on the jets. Read the original article on Business Insider More electric cars could be coming to New Mexico after the States administration pushed forward with rules requiring an increasing percent of vehicles sold in the state to not emit air pollution. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) submitted its proposed rules to the Environmental Improvement Board (EIB) July 7, calling for 82 percent of all passenger cars and trucks sold in New Mexico to have zero tail pipe emissions by 2032. It was intended to give New Mexicans better access to zero- or low-emission transportation, as NMED contended the sector was the second-largest source of greenhouse gasses in the state. More: Callon Petroleum fined $1.3 million by feds for air pollution in Permian Basin The agency said in a statement that greenhouse gasses contribute to climate change, and extreme weather events like wildfires incidents largely triggered by human activities. If enacted by the EIB, NMED said the rules would save millions of dollars in healthcare costs, lost workdays and years of life, and reduce air pollution particularly in highly trafficked areas. Greenhouse gases contribute to climate change that has caused more frequent and damaging wildfires, higher temperatures, and drought throughout the state, read a statement from NMED. Cars and trucks powered by fossil fuels in New Mexico contribute to our state's air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. More: New Mexico fines Permian Basin oil driller Ameredev $42M for air pollution The rules do not outlaw the sale of any new or used gasoline-powered vehicles, and applies only to automakers, not dealers or consumers. It would impact new vehicles if enacted meaning model years 2027 to 2032 with 7,500 or few miles. The rules would bar any manufacturer, dealers, rental car agency, local government or person from delivering for sale any vehicles not certified by California vehicle emissions standards. More: Heinrich, Lujan call for tougher federal rules on oil and gas methane pollution Story continues Military, emergency and agriculture vehicles would be exempt from the rules, along with any that have mileage higher than 7,500 or any rented with a destination outside of New Mexico. After submission to the EIB, public comments will be accepted on the rules for 60 days following a public hearing yet to be set. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham supported the rules as a means, she said, of curbing manmade pollution in the state. More: New Mexico could get another $25 million in federal funds to clean up abandoned oil wells The governors office estimated the rules would cut 50,200 tons of nitrogen oxide pollution and 615 tons of particulate matter when fully enacted, along with 76 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. Having the rules on the books would also put New Mexico at the front of the line to receive zero-emission vehicles from auto manufacturers, Lujan Grisham said. The rules would compliment existing clean car rules adopted by the EIB in 2022, the State said, along with other initiatives aimed at reducing transportation pollution in New Mexico. More: New Mexico to investigate PFAS 'forever chemicals' in oil and gas drilling after petition This included $38 million annually for five years to build a networks of electric vehicle chargers along New Mexicos highways, and applying for $1.25 billion in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to establish New Mexico as a hub for hydrogen power, read a news release from the State of New Mexico. These rules will speed up much-needed investment in New Mexicos electric vehicle and clean hydrogen fueling infrastructure, create new job opportunities and, most importantly, result in cleaner and healthier air for all New Mexicans to breathe, Lujan Grisham said. NMED Cabinet Secretary James Kenney said increasing access to low- or zero-emission cars would help reduce pollution and transition the state away from fossil fuels for transportation. More: New construction materials made from plastic bags hit the market as solution to pollution These new rules will ensure that all New Mexicans have access to a greater number of new zero and low-emission vehicle models, while hastening the transition away from polluting diesel and gasoline-powered cars and trucks, he said. A report from the Natural Resources Defense Council contended through its own research that New Mexico would receive $44 billion in health benefits through 2050 should the rules be put in place. Joan Brown, executive director of New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light said the state had a moral responsibility to enact policy to reduce environmental degradation. The suffering we already see around us from climate change begs us to continue to take ethical and moral responsibility to address ways to stop the most harm in our sacred life community, Brown said. Adopting strong clean car rules is another important step to care for our communities and life in Our Common Home. Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter. This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: New Mexico to adopt rules curbing pollution from gas-powered vehicles Long Island Serial Killings (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The victim names were there, finally, in black and white on charging documents, immortalised in the justice system as their alleged killer stood before a judge. Melissa Barthelemy. Amber Costello. Megan Waterman. They were names that had before been connected primarily to a cold case and a mystery a mystery still unravelling and their appearance on the court documents marked a step towards justice and, just maybe, some semblance of closure for families and investigators. Long Island architect and married father-of-two Rex Heuermann, 59, was charged last Friday with three counts of first- and second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Ms Barthelemy, who went missing in 2009; Ms Costello, who vanished in June of the following year; and Ms Waterman, 22, who disappeared in September 2010. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said this week he was confident that Mr Heuermann would also be charged with the murder of Maureen Brainard Barnes, 25, who went missing in 2007. Her body was discovered in December 2010 in the same vicinity and within the same week as the remains of the three other victims. But there were other names not included in the court documents, and there are other families watching closely as the investigation progresses wondering if their loved ones murders were at the hands of the alleged serial killer. And there are other victims whose names are still unknown other bodies found on Long Island that may or may not be linked to the same perpetrator. Their families may not even known they are dead. Authorities were searching for Shannan Gilbert, who went missing in 2010, when they began discovering bodies along the south shore of Long Island; Mr Heuermann has not been charged in her death (Courtesy of John Ray Law) One of the names associated with the Long Island serial killings and Gilgo Beach murders, Shannan Gilbert, was not included in charging documents although it was her familys push for answers that undeniably played a pivotal role in the crimes prominence. Ms Gilbert, 24, went missing in 2010 right after making a 911 call from Long Island, desperately telling the operator somebodys after me as the call recorded the sound of her running and knocking on the doors of houses. Originally from upstate New York, Ms Gilbert had been working as a sex worker, as had the victims Mr Heuermann is charged with murdering. Investigators had been searching for her remains when they stumbled upon the other four bodies in 2010. Her skeletal remains were located more than a year later in a marsh eight miles from Gilgo Beach. Story continues Police ruled out murder at the time of her discovery, theorising that she may have been under the influence and run into the marsh, where she died by hypothermia or drowning. But her family doggedly demanding answers commissioned an independent autopsy, which found that her death was consistent with a homicide. The Gilbert familys quest was depicted on screen in Netflixs 2020 Lost Girls. Ms Gilberts sister, Sherre, released a statement on the Facebook page Praying for Shannan Maria Gilbert following Mr Heuermanns arrest. I want to express my deepest sympathy & prayers to the families & their loved ones that have been named as victims of the Long Island Serial Killer (LISK), she wrote, continuing that their lives were cut short by this cruel heinous act of violence and no amount of justice will ever bring them back. The pain, hurt & anger these families have had to deal with since these women first went missing is immense, she wrote, also thanking the media and investigators, including Suffolk County Police Department. Aerial shots show marshlands around where Valerie Macks partial remains were discovered (Suffolk County Police Department) Even though SCPD ruled my sisters death a tragic accident thats not connected to LISK and a mere coincidence, the time, effort, and dedication my mom & I put into this case isnt wasted ... Its sad how many of us have similar tragic stories & experiences with law enforcement with limited resources & opportunities to seek justice. Every victim deserves justice. And every case big or small deserves recognition. I wished, hoped & prayed for this day, she wrote. Im glad Im still alive to see it. And with LISK being captured, theres one less monster off the streets and hell never be able to hurt anyone else. I pray one day each of you who has gone through something similar and have yet to receive justice will have their day soon. The perilous fight is worth it! The family of Valerie Mack is among those yet to receive justice. Ms Mack, 24, was raised in an adoptive family in New Jersey and was working as an escort when she was last seen alive in 2000. Her remains were found on two separate occasions and two different locations, in Manorville in 2000 and in Oak Beach in 2011 the same place where Ms Gilberts remains were found but she was only identified in 2020 through the use of genetic genealogy. Following that identification, one of her sisters, Angela Mack, introduced herself on the Remembering Valerie Mack page and wrote: My big sister ... was a great smart sweet and troubled young woman. My parents did everything to try to help her troubled heart. My family and I tried to report her missing but they said she was an adult and left on her own. Another sister, Danielle, told the Associated Press after news of Mr Heuermanns arrest that it was a lot to process adding that she didnt know what to make of the fact that Heuermann wasnt charged in Valeries death. Im just waiting for all the other facts to come out for us to really understand what happened and whos responsible, she said. Hopefully the right person is being brought to justice. Jessica Taylor, 20, went missing in 2003; her partial remains were discovered in two separate locations on Long Island. Heuermann has not been charged in connection with her death (Courtesy of John Ray Law) Tricia Fulton Hazen describing herself in a previous post on the Remembering Valerie Mack Facebook page as the victims half-sister though they never met wrote this week that she felt thankful [that] this arrest has happened and hoping and praying that they connect him to all of the people that were brutally murdered. Especially my sisters case. The relatives of another victim, however, are also still waiting for answers. Jessica Taylor was just 20 and working as an escort when she went missing in New York in July 2003. Her partial remains were discovered in 2003 and in 2011 in two places, like Ms Macks: Manorville and along Ocean Parkway. Ms Taylors cousin, Jasmine Robinson, was outside the courthouse last Friday where Mr Heuermann was arraigned, telling reporters that full justice would only be achieved when all the cases were solved, the AP reported. Ms Robinson also hoped her cousin would be remembered as a beautiful young woman, not what her occupation was at that time. But enduring mystery surrounds other victims found on Long Island and whether they could all be tied to the same perpetrator. The search for Shannan Gilbert also yielded the partial remains in 2011 of a Black woman and, a few miles down the parkway, a toddler. DNA evidence later linked the womans skeletal remains to a dismembered torso discovered stuffed into a bin in a Long Island state park in 1997 as well as determining that she was the mother of the child. The adult victim has been nicknamed Peaches by investigators because of a large heart-shaped peach tattoo on her chest but the identities of Peaches and her child have not yet been determined. Around the same time that Peaches skeletal remains were found near the beach in 2011, a skull was also discovered that would be traced back to yet another body which turned up years earlier on Fire Island. The severed legs of an unidentified white woman, believed to be between 18-50, were discovered in April 1996 at Blue Point Beach, and DNA connected the remains to the 2011 find. The identify of that victim again, just like that of Peaches has yet to be ascertained. So has the identity of the only male victim found a quarter mile away from the bodies of the three victims whose murders Mr Heuermann is already charged with. The man, believed to be between 17 and 23 years old, was found in April 2011, was wearing womens clothing and had been dead for at least five years, according to the Long Island Press. Investigators were continuing to comb through evidence this week, and pieces of information continued to trickle out regarding Mr Heuermann and his past as victim families continued to hope for more and more answers. Im grateful for the hard work that has been done, Ms Taylors cousin, Ms Robinson, said after Mr Heuermanns arrest, according to The New York Times. Im grateful that today is happening, Ms. Robinson said. And Im hopeful for the future. Igor Girkin (Strelkov) Russias Moscow court will choose a preventive measure against war criminal and former official of the Russian puppet authorities in Donetsk, Igor Girkin (Strelkov), on July 21, Russian 112 Telegram messenger reported. Today a Moscow court is to choose a preventive measure against Igor Strelkov on suspicion of extremism, the report says. Read also: Russian army no longer loyal to Putin, says war criminal Girkin Hes already being taken there. The war criminal has reportedly been interrogated by police. Russian authorities detained Strelkov on July 21. The arrest was made based on a statement provided by a former Wagner PMC mercenary. Read also: Girkins detention signals intensifying internal power struggle within Kremlin intelligence Miroslava Reginskaya, Girkins wife, revealed the details of the arrest through a message on the terrorists Telegram channel. She said that her husband has been charged with extremism. Girkin has previously publicly criticized Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. He questioned Putins competence and leadership, comparing him to a mummy. Girkin is also wanted internationally for his involvement in the downing of the Malaysian Boeing flight MH17 over the skies of Donbas. A verdict has been passed against him, sentencing him to life imprisonment. 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 helicopter flies by NASA's tall, rectangular Vehicle Assembly Building as a sunset-kissed sky fades from blue to hues of orange and yellow behind wisps of pink-tinted clouds. A new survey has found that more than half of all Americans expect to be able to travel to space within five decades. A new study from the Pew Research Center polled U.S. citizens to gauge what they expect of spaceflight over the next 50 years. The survey gathered general opinions on NASA's continued role as a leader in space exploration, how the growing commercial space industry will increase access to space, and the topics people think should be the space agency's top priorities. The survey found that while over half of Americans expect space tourism to be routine by 2073, far fewer would be willing to take the trip themselves. 65% of those surveyed said they would not be willing to go to space if given the opportunity. That number is ten percent higher than the 55% who expect it to be widely available option. Related: Do space tourists really understand the risk they're taking? The survey was conducted between May 30 and June 4 of this year, and polled over ten thousand individuals to see if attitudes about space travel have changed over the last five years. A similar survey was conducted by Pew in 2018. Since then, the number of Americans who think average citizens will be routinely traveling to space over the next half century has increased five percent. Brian Kennedy authored the report with Alec Tyson and their team at Pew. They study public perception of different science and technology-related topics. "We thought this was an opportune time to kind of take a look at where the public stands on space-related issues after five years," Kennedy told Space.com. For context, 2018 is the year SpaceX launched the first Falcon Heavy rocket. The company's total launches for that year reached a record breaking 21. NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket had faced development delays, but was on track for its first launch by mid-2020. Instead, SLS's first launch took place last year (2022), on NASA's Artemis 1 mission, and this year SpaceX is on course to complete 100 orbital launches. Story continues "A lot has changed in the last five years," Kennedy said, adding, "We have the increasing involvement of private companies, space tourism seemingly becoming more of a reality and also more countries involved in space. Countries like India and China." 69% of Americans say it is essential for U.S. to be a leader in space exploration. The Pew survey revealed 69% of Americans believe it is essential for the U.S. to remain an international leader in space exploration. But how that lead is maintained, and NASA's role in that leadership, versus the part of the private space industry, is not as universally agreed upon. In a question to rank NASA's priorities, 60% of survey participants listed monitoring potentially dangerous asteroids as a top concern. Just below that, 50% ranked monitoring Earth's climate as a high priority, essentially elevating the expectation for our planet's protection and longevity into the space agency's stewardship (if 50-60% of us had our way, at least). Listed much further down the priority list, ranked in the two bottom spots, are the 11 and 12% of people who believe NASA should prioritize human exploration of Mars or the moon, respectively. For both celestial destinations, 45% see it as "important but lower priority," with the remainder listing it as "not too important/should not be done." Searching for aliens and life-sustaining planets ranked higher as a top NASA priority, with 16%. "A lot of Americans, when it comes to sending astronauts to the moon and Mars, they kind of are right in the middle of those two categories: Either important or not a top priority, or not too important. A few Americans actually come out and say in the survey that this should not be done," Kennedy said. Americans place monitoring asteroids that could hit Earth at the top of NASA's priority list. When it comes to the commercial side of the space industry, results were slightly more positive, though much more unsure. Public perception of private space companies, such as SpaceX, Blue Origin, or Virgin Galactic, is mostly positive for those familiar with the subject matter, but nearly 40% or higher responded they were too unfamiliar with the commercial space industry at all to be informed on the issues. "Sizable shares are not sure," Kennedy said. "They're not sure of the performance of private space companies, and didn't rank them in these aspects. So that just speaks to the American public. There's a segment there that's largely unfamiliar with these companies and what they're doing." For those with even a cursory interest in the commercial space industry (if you're reading this, you qualify), space companies got mostly good ratings. For building safe and reliable rockets and spacecraft, 48% think the private sector is doing a good job, and 47% think companies are making significant contributions to the space industry. 41% see the private space sector as a way for spaceflight to become accessible to more people. Public ratings of private space companies tilt positive for most aspects of their performance. There is doubt, however, in people's perception that these companies are doing a good job limiting the amount of space debris being created in Earth's orbit. About 56% of people familiar with the issue ranked space companies as doing a bad job accounting for debris from their rockets and satellites. As public opinions toward existing and emerging space companies evolve, 65% of Americans see NASA's ongoing involvement in the industry as a critical component to its long-term success. Related Stories: Space tourism companies might learn a lesson from the Titan sub disaster. But are they ready to listen? Presidential Visions for Space Exploration: From Ike to Biden Americans Feel That the US Should Remain a Global Leader in Space Exploration Rather than plan for a follow-up survey in another five years, Kennedy said the industry itself will help his team decide when is best to gather these type of data again. "We see space as one aspect that the public engages in with science," Kennedy said. "We're going to be watching to see what happens in space, and that'll determine the next future plans for survey related work on this topic." The Pew Research Center's full report breaks down its findings into various demographic statistics, including gender and political affiliation, and also provides a full list of question wording and methodology. You can read the report in its entirety at the Pew Research Center's website. A woman and her three children were discovered dead in their home in Verdigris in an incident that unfolded during an hourslong standoff. Law enforcement authorities suspect a murder-suicide. According to a press release from the OSBI, the three deceased children and their mother were Brandy McCaslin, 39, and her 10-month-old, 6-year-old, and 11-year-old. It was determined that McCaslin shot all three kids and then turned the weapon on herself." The Associated Press reports the chain of events began Thursday when a police officer noticed fireworks emanating from the garage of a residence in Verdigris, a suburb east of Tulsa. Hunter McKee, spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, told The Associated Press the officer sensed something was amiss and called for backup. Upon closer inspection, the officer discovered a woman and two children locked inside the garage, along with what Police Chief Jack Shackleford described as a Roman candle firework. The woman revealed she had taken another child to the home for a supervised visit, only to be confronted by an armed woman who seized the child and confined the woman and the two accompanying children in the garage. More: Oklahoma judge recorded scrolling Facebook, texting while presiding over trial for 2-year-old's death Multiple agencies, including a SWAT team from the Cherokee Nation, swiftly encircled the residence. Following a three-hour standoff with no response from inside the house, officers entered the home and found the adult woman and three children dead with gunshot wounds, the AP reports. The children are believed to range in age from several months to around 11 years old. The nature of the relationship between the two women involved in the incident remains unknown at this time. A handgun was found at the scene, and the deaths are being investigated as a murder-suicide, authorities said. According to KOKI-TV, Shackleford said officers had responded to the residence multiple times in the past for domestic and mental health-related calls. Contributing: The Associated Press This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Mother, 3 children dead after standoff in Verdigris, Oklahoma A Mount Vernon police sergeant who repeatedly tased a handcuffed man experiencing a mental health emergency in 2019 has been indicted on a federal charge of excessive force that violated the man's constitutional rights. Sgt. Mario Stewart turned himself in to the FBI Thursday morning and later pleaded not guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law at an appearance in U.S. District Court in White Plains. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the victim was lying on the ground, his hands cuffed behind his back, with a restraint bag on his legs when Stewart tased him seven times. Mount Vernon police Sgt. Mario Stewart in a 2009 photo "Stewart's alleged conduct not only betrayed his duty as an officer to protect those under his charge, but also violated the law," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. "My office is committed to protecting the constitutional rights of all New Yorkers, including those experiencing mental health crises, and to holding law enforcement officers accountable when they abuse their authority." On March 26, 2019, Stewart was a sergeant in the Emergency Services Unit when he and six other Mount Vernon officers responded to the report of a man suffering from mental distress. In getting him ready to be transported to a hospital, police handcuffed him and put a restraint bag over his legs. But they could not pull the bag up over his chest because he was holding one of the straps. After Stewart told him to let go of the strap, he then tased him seven times over two minutes, all while the man remained handcuffed and his legs restrained. The man suffered unspecified injuries as a result. Stewart, 44, joined the department in 2007. He lives in Brooklyn and faces a maximum 10 years in prison if convicted. His lawyer, Kevin Conway, said the details provided by prosecutors do not take into account the 10 minutes before Stewart resorted to using the taser as he was dealing with someone who was in "an agitated mental and physical state" and not complying with police. Story continues "Sgt. Stewart is innocent. He committed no crime. He was merely discharging his duty," Conway said. "The individual's civil rights were not violated nor was it anyone's intention to do so." Conway added that the Westchester County District Atttorney's Office had reviewed the case and declined to bring charges. A spokeswoman for the DA's Office said that Mount Vernon police referred the Stewart case to Westchester prosecutors in June 2021. It was investigated but a decision was made in January 2022 that, in part because of the two year delay in reporting the case, there was insufficient evidence to bring state criminal charges. District Attorney Mimi Rocah then referred the case to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Her office also reminded Mount Vernon police to bring allegations of excessive force and other criminal conduct to their attention in a timely manner, the spokeswoman said. A spokesman for the city issued a statement that noted the tasing incident occurred before Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard took office in 2020 and that the unspecified discipline Stewart faced by the city at the time was "grossly inadequate". "The alleged conduct predicating the Department of Justice's charges is abhorrent and erodes the public's trust in the hard-working men and women of the Mount Vernon Police Department," the statement read. "The Patterson-Howard administration understands the overwhelming feelings of betrayal expressed throughout our community and agrees that lawlessness from law enforcement has no place in our city and falls significantly short of our shared values." The case highlights the need for police to react when one of their colleagues uses excessive force, according to the statement. In the wake of the killing of George Floyd, a duty to intervene policy was established in Mount Vernon in July 2020 to require officers, regardless of rank, to prevent colleagues from using unlawful force. The statement said the case against Stewart should not be an indictment of the entire department. "Most of our officers are committed public servants working daily to make Mount Vernon safer," the statement read. "We will continue to work to ensure they get the resources and training they need to serve all the residents of this city with fairness and without bias." Stewart's arrest comes as a "pattern or practice" investigation is ongoing by the U.S. Department of Justice into whether Mount Vernon police have engaged in systemic violations of civil rights. That probe launched in December 2021. This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Mount Vernon Sgt. Mario Stewart indicted on excessive force charge BEIRUT (AP) Thousands of people took to the streets in a handful of Muslim-majority countries Friday to express their outrage at the desecration of a copy of the Quran in Sweden, a day after protesters stormed the country's embassy in Iraq. The protests in Iraq, Lebanon and Iran that followed weekly prayers were controlled and peaceful, in contrast to scenes in Baghdad on Thursday, when demonstrators occupied the Swedish Embassy compound for several hours and set a small fire. The embassy staff had been evacuated before the storming, and Swedish news agency TT reported that they were relocated to Stockholm for security reasons. For Muslims, any desecration of the Quran, their holy text, is abhorrent. Under scorching heat Friday, thousands gathered in Baghdads Sadr City, a stronghold of influential Iraqi Shiite cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr, some of whose followers took part in the attack on the Swedish Embassy. They brandished Qurans, burned the Swedish flag and the LGBTQ rainbow flag and chanted, Yes, yes to the Quran, no, no to Israel. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had called on protesters and security forces to ensure that the demonstrations remained peaceful. In the southern suburbs of Beirut, thousands more gathered at a protest called by the Iran-backed militia and political party Hezbollah, also brandishing copies of the holy book and chanting with our blood, we protect the Quran. Some burned Swedish flags. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a video address Thursday night called on Muslims to demand their governments expel Swedens ambassadors. Iraq cut diplomatic ties with Sweden earlier that day. I invite brothers and sisters in all neighborhoods and villages to attend all mosques, carrying their Qurans and sit in them, calling on the state to take a stance toward Sweden, Nasrallah said in the address, according to Lebanons state-run National News Agency. In Iran, thousands marched in Tehran and other cities across the country, demonstrations that were aired on state television. In the capital, protesters gathered in the city center, shouting: Death to the Americanized Sweden! Death to Israel! Death to enemies of the supreme leader! Story continues Student protesters pelted the Swedish Embassy building that was closed for the weekend, which in Iran is Friday and Saturday, with eggs and demanded the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador. The Quran talks to humans all the time, and its voice will never be stopped, protester Fatemeh Jafari said. They can never destroy the Quran! Even if they burn it, we will stand by it! The demonstrations come after Swedish police permitted a protest Thursday in which an Iraqi of Christian origin living in Stockholm now a self-described atheist threatened to burn a copy of the Quran. In the end, the man kicked and stood on the holy book outside of the Iraqi Embassy. He gave similar treatment to an Iraqi flag and to photos of Sadr and of Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The right to hold public demonstrations is protected by the constitution in Sweden, and blasphemy laws were abandoned in the 1970s. Police generally give permission based on whether they believe a public gathering can be held without major disruptions or safety risks. The reaction in Iraq was particularly virulent, although no embassy staff were injured since none were present. After protesters left the embassy, diplomats closed it to visitors without specifying when it would reopen. The state-run Iraqi News Agency reported that some 20 people were arrested in connection with the storming of the embassy. Among those arrested were an Associated Press photographer and two Reuters staff who were covering the protests. The detained journalists were released hours later without charges, following an order from the prime ministers office. Sudani, the Iraqi prime minister, ordered the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador and the withdrawal of the Iraqi charge daffaires from Sweden. Leaders in several Muslim-majority countries condemned the desecration of the Quran and summoned diplomats from Sweden to express their outrage. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian wrote a letter to the U.N. secretary-general in protest. On Friday, the minister told state television that he wouldn't accept a new Swedish ambassador to replace the previous envoy, whose term has expired until Stockholm takes a strong stance against the man who desecrated the Quran. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation to play a historic role in expressing the sentiments of Muslims and stopping this demonization. Meanwhile, the Swedish Foreign Ministry conveyed to the Iraqi charge daffaires that the storming of the embassy was completely unacceptable, according to the TT agency. Thursday's Quran desecration was the second to involve the Iraqi man in Sweden, identified as Salwan Momika. Last month, a man identified by local media and on his social media as Momika burned a Quran outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, triggering widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. Quran burnings in the past have sparked protests across the Muslim world, some turning violent. In Afghanistan, the Taliban suspended all the activities of Swedish organizations in the country in response to the recent Quran burning. A similar protest by a far-right activist was held outside Turkeys Embassy in Stockholm earlier this year, complicating Swedens efforts to persuade Turkey to let it join NATO. In June, protesters who support al-Sadr stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad over that Quran burning. Worshippers gathering for Friday prayers at the Stockholm mosque outside which last month's Quran-burning took place expressed frustration that Swedish authorities allowed such actions. Imam Mahmoud Khalfi told the AP the situation made him feel powerless. You expect politicians and decisionmakers and police to show understanding and try to find a solution. But it hasnt happened, unfortunately, he said. He noted that other countries, such as neighboring Finland, had found a way to combine freedom of speech with respect for religion. Unlike Sweden, Finland still has blasphemy laws. To let these extremists and criminals abuse the law and jeopardize peace in society and national security and Swedens reputation in the world, that is unsustainable, he said. We cannot understand why these lunatics are allowed to run wild. At the same time he added, We are against all violent reactions and we have called on our members, to Muslims in Sweden, to react and act ... in a peaceful way." ___ Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Ali Jabar in Baghdad, Karl Ritter and David Keyton in Stockholm, Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, contributed to this report. Map of Namibia Namibia, a large and sparsely populated country on Africa's south-west coast, has enjoyed stability since gaining independence in 1990 after a long struggle against rule by South Africa. Germany took control of the area which it called South West Africa in the late 1800s. The discovery of diamonds in 1908 prompted an influx of Europeans. South Africa seized it during the First World War and administered it under a League of Nations mandate. Namibia achieved independence in 1990 after a bush war of almost 25 years. Inter-racial reconciliation encouraged the country's white people to remain and they still play a major role in farming and other economic sectors. Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC Monitoring REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA: FACTS Capital: Windhoek Area: 825,615 sq km Population: 2.5 million Languages: English, Afrikaans, German, Otjiherero, Khoekhoegowab, Oshiwambo, RuKwangali, Setswana, siLozi, !Kung, Gciriku, Thimbukushu Life expectancy: 59 years (men) 67 years (women) LEADERS President: Hage Geingob Namibian President Hage Geingob Hage Geingob was voted in as president in the November 2014 elections while serving as prime minister. He was reelected in 2019. He succeeded Hifikepunye Pohamba, who stepped down at the end of the two terms allowed by the constitution. Dr Geingob, who was born in 1941, chaired the constituent assembly which drafted the constitution which came into effect with Namibian independence from South Africa in 1990. He was independent Namibia's first prime minister. The president, who shares executive power with the cabinet, is limited to two five-year terms. Prime minister: Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila Namibian Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila was appointed prime minister in 2015, having served as finance minister for several years. A longtime member of the ruling South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), she went into exile with the group to Sierra Leone at the age of 13. After completing her economics degree in the United States, Ms Kuugongelwa-Amadhila returned to Namibia and worked briefly in the office of founding President Sam Nujoma, who quickly promoted her to head the National Planning Commission. Story continues She then served as minister of finance from 2003 until her promotion to the position of prime minister by President Geingob. MEDIA Namibia has spectacular natural attractions, such as the dunes at Sossusvlei in the Namib-Naukluft National Park Namibia is one of the more media-friendly countries in Africa. Broadcasters and the private press give coverage to the opposition, including views critical of the government. TIMELINE The German occupation forces almost wiped out the entire Herero population Some key dates in Namibia's history: Namibia has been inhabited since prehistoric times by the San, Damara, and Nama. 14th Century AD - Bantu people begin to arrive during the Bantu expansion from central Africa. 18th Century - Oorlam people from Cape Colony cross the Orange River and move into southern Namibia. 1878 - The British colony of the Cape of Good Hope annexes the port of Walvis Bay and the offshore Penguin Island, which become part of the new Union of South Africa in 1910. 1886-90 - Present international boundaries established by German treaties with Portugal and Britain. Germany annexes the territory as South West Africa. 1904-1907 - the Herero and Nama resist German colonialism. German forces brutally supress the uprising and systematically kill 10,000 Nama and some 65,000 Herero - in what is now acknowledged as genocide. 1915 - South Africa takes over territory during World War One. 1920 - League of Nations grants South Africa mandate to govern South West Africa (SWA). 1946 - South Africa refuses to place SWA under UN trusteeship. 1958 - Herman Toivo Ya Toivo and others create the opposition Ovamboland People's Congress, which becomes the South West Africa People's Organisation (Swapo) in 1960. 1961 - UN General Assembly demands South Africa terminate the mandate and sets SWA's independence as an objective.. 1966 - South West Africa People's Organisation (Swapo) launches armed struggle against South African occupation. 1968 - South West Africa officially renamed Namibia by UN General Assembly. 1973 - UN General Assembly recognises Swapo as "sole legitimate representative" of Namibia's people. 1970s - Namibia became one of several flashpoints for Cold War proxy conflicts in southern Africa. The USSR and Cuba send military support to Swapo's armed wing, the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN). 1988 - Growing war weariness and the reduction of tensions between the superpowers compels South Africa, Angola and Cuba to accede to the Tripartite Accord. South Africa agrees to Namibian independence in exchange for removal of Cuban troops from Angola. 1990 - Namibia becomes independent, with Sam Nujoma as first president. 1994 - South African exclave of Walvis Bay turned over to Namibia. 1999 - Government quashes a secessionist attempt in the northeast Caprivi Strip by the rebel Caprivi Liberation Army. 2004 - Germany offers formal apology for its colonial-era mass-killings. 2005 - Namibia begins the expropriation of white-owned farms as part of a land-reform programme to resettle landless black Namibians. 2022 - Estimates suggest that two exploration wells in the offshore Orange Basin could hold two and three billion barrels of oil, respectively. The expected revenue could transform Namibia's economy. The historic Christ Church in Windhoek Namibia's constitution provides for press freedom and is generally observed in practice. Journalists face few legal restrictions and generally work without risk to their safety. While state media outlets commonly self-censor, private media remain critical of the government, says US-based Freedom House. State-run NBC is the main broadcaster. There are five national daily newspapers, including a state-owned title. There were 1.3 million internet users by December 2021, comprising 52% of the population (Internetworldstats.com). Press Television Radio News agency China is not obliged to cooperate as Japan uses 'consultation' as a cover 09:22, July 21, 2023 By Global Times editorial ( Global Times People rally to protest against the Japanese government's decision to discharge contaminated radioactive wastewater in Fukushima Prefecture into the sea, in Tokyo, capital of Japan, April 13, 2021. Photo: Xinhua On July 19, several Japanese government sources told the media that Japan has proposed to China the establishment of a so-called "consultation mechanism" involving experts and practitioners from both sides to discuss the issue of dumping nuclear-contaminated wastewater from Fukushima, but China has not responded to the proposal. Similar leaks have occurred before, mainly attempting to create a false impression in the international public opinion that Japan is constantly trying to communicate with China, while China is unwilling to engage, thereby diverting responsibility and attention onto China. This is a tactic that Japan is accustomed to and quite skilled at employing. What is Japan's intention in proposing to establish a consultation mechanism with China? Is it to discuss and coordinate the disposal methods for the contaminated water, or is it to make China unconditionally accept Japan's dumping plan? If it is the former, we would certainly welcome it. However, if it is the latter, the matter needs to be reconsidered. China does not refuse negotiations, but we reject using negotiations as a pretext. Meaningful negotiations should occur before Japan unilaterally decides on dumping the water. However, Japan did not conduct sufficient consultations with any neighboring countries or stakeholders involved before presenting the plan, disregarding everyone's concerns and opposition. Moreover, meaningful negotiations should involve different options, and decisions should be made based on the results of the consultations. But did Japan do this? It's imposing the dumping plan as the only option on all parties. Is that negotiation? Certainly not, and China will not cooperate with Japan's show. Despite strong opposition from citizens of many countries, including Japanese citizens, the Japanese government's public relations efforts and the indulgence of the US due to geopolitical interests have resulted in some US allies and relevant international institutions adopting an appeasing attitude. This has made China stand out, which has been consistent on this issue. China's stance is consistent and clear: it requests that Japan should revoke its erroneous decision to dump the nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the sea with an attitude of being responsible for science, history, the global marine environment, the health of all human beings, and future generations, and Japan should handle the nuclear-contaminated wastewater in a scientific, safe, and transparent manner, and accept strict international supervision. Japan is also taking "science" as an excuse. It adopted the report hastily released by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as a major shield. However, even the Japanese public is not convinced by the explanation their government is giving to the world. According to a survey by Kyodo News in Japan, 80.3 percent of the respondents found the government's explanation regarding the dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean "insufficient," and 87.4 percent expressed concerns that the dumping could damage Japan's image. True science must withstand scrutiny and questioning. The effectiveness and long-term reliability of Japan's nuclear-contaminated wastewater purification system have not been third-party certified, and there is no verification of the accuracy of the provided data. Moreover, there has been no genuine assessment of the long-term impacts of nuclear-contaminated wastewater on marine ecosystems, food safety, and human health. Leaving aside the technical aspects, when people question Japan's dumping plan based on common sense, Japan evades providing a clear answer. The question is simple: if Japan claims that the nuclear-contaminated wastewater is safe, even drinkable, why doesn't water-scarce Japan use it for domestic purposes like in agriculture and other crucial industries, rather than dumping it into the Pacific Ocean under tremendous pressure? Isn't this a huge waste? Japan knows that China's position will not waver, and China will not engage in political bargaining at the expense of public interests. Japan seemed to believe that as long as it could gain the support of major Western countries like the US, China would have no choice but to accept it. As a result, Japan did not give enough importance to China's opinions. However, recently, Japan seems to have become more proactive, expressing its desire to "consult" with China. The direct reason for this change is that since July, China has strengthened its monitoring and inspection of radioactive substances in Japanese imports, leading to some Japanese seafood being detained at Chinese customs. This has made Japan anxious. If Japan is genuinely willing to engage in negotiations, it should first announce the suspension of its dumping plan. Then, it should allow neighboring countries, Pacific island nations, and other stakeholders to conduct independent sampling and analysis of the nuclear-contaminated water. Japan should also be open to exploring alternative solutions. Before such actions are taken, China will take all necessary measures in a timely manner depending on the development of the situation to ensure the safety of Chinese consumers and firmly uphold the common interests of the Pacific region. (Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun) Murals Decorate Structures Around Navajo Nation Graffiti opposing mines on the reservation is seen in an abandoned building on Sept. 12, 2022 on the Navajo Nation west of Tuba City, Arizona. Credit - David McNewGetty Images Christopher Nolans highly-anticipated Oppenheimer comes to the big screen five days after the 44th anniversary of the Church Rock uranium mill spill, when 94 million gallons of radioactive waste poured into the Puerco River, spanning northwestern New Mexico and northern Arizona, and across the Navajo Nation. Children played in the contaminated water, while livestock drank from radioactive aquifers. What came nextcancers, miscarriages, and mysterious illnessesis a direct consequence of Americas race for nuclear hegemony. Its an accomplishment built on top of the bodies of Navajo men, women, and childrenthe lived experience of nuclear weapons development in the United States. But, as usual, Hollywood chose to gloss over them. The Navajo people cannot afford to be, yet again, erased from history. Hollywood has a lot of work to do, and they can start by standing with the Navajo people and urging Congress to provide just compensation for victims of radiation exposure. As part of this effort, we must all recognize the continued suffering and sacrifice that built the atomic era. From the 1940s to the 1990s, the U.S. used the Navajo Nation to supply them with uranium for the manufacture of nuclear weapons and energy. While ownership of the mines was transferred from the federal government to private companies in 1971, the U.S. failed to enforce proper safety standards, leaving the sites unregulated until 1990 when the last mine closed. More than 500 now abandoned mines cover our land as a result. Miners and their families were kept in the dark about the heinous dangers of radiation exposure, so they went about their daily activities like any other community. Workers drank the mines cool spring water, while their wives washed their yellowed work clothes. Families built homes with local rocks and sediment and let their children play for hours on uranium byproducts, including mine debris piles. Despite the U.S. governments awareness of the risks inherent in uranium mining, most Navajos did not know what radiation waslet alone the danger presented by every second of exposure. Story continues More from TIME Read More: Without Indigenous History, There Is No U.S. History Growing up in a community that has an abandoned uranium mine in Red Mesa, Arizona, I witnessed firsthand the heartbreaking and enduring consequences of uranium mining on my people. Despite the passage of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) in 1990, justice remains elusive for Navajo families who have suffered from the devastating and long-lasting health and environmental effects of the uranium mining industry on Navajo land. While RECA has provided life-saving healthcare coverage for some uranium miners, the legislations limited scope has left many Navajo people suffering from radiation exposure without any compensation. The list of diseases covered by the law is, to start, woefully incomplete. Renal cancer, nephritis, and kidney tubal tissue injury are just some of the conditions that were initially excluded because of a lack of available scientific data connecting them to radiation exposure. RECA also excludes Navajo miners employed after 1971 from eligibility for compensation. Yet, the work they did, and the dangers they faced, remained exactly the same. This is not a problem of the past. As of August 1, 2022, more than 53,804 claims have been filed under RECA. Of those, more than 12% identified as Navajos. Navajo miners and their families suffer a wide variety of cancers and radiation-related illnesses, with new victims regularly diagnosed. Women living near the mines have experienced stillbirths and miscarriages at abhorrent rates and their children carry the physical legacy of the Cold War through developmental delays, chromosomal aberrations, and other birth defects. The Navajo people have suffered and sacrificed so much, while directly contributing to our countrys post-war pursuit of nuclear superiority. And while our Navajo Code Talkers are esteemed for heroically saving countless lives in the South Pacific during World War II, our uranium miners have largely been overlooked. The only thank-you for their years of patriotic service has been death, disease, and decades of advocacy to recognize their sacrifice. Time is slipping away for Navajo uranium miners and their descendants, their hopes dangling in the balance. With each passing day, their weary bodies bear the weight of diseases inflicted by their labor; the clock ticks, mercilessly. As they wait for existing claims to be processed and for expanded eligibility through the RECA amendments, their precious time on this earth dwindles, a poignant reminder of the urgent need for justice and compassion. The legacy of uranium mining on the Navajo is a perpetual blemish on our nations history with its Native people, and the disregard of our stories from media and movies like Oppenheimer cant mean a continued erasure in U.S. policy. Acknowledging the harm done means living up to the intended purpose of RECA: to compensate all those impacted by the harms of the nuclear age. It is only then that my people can begin to heal and our beautiful and sacred land can be restored. We need the world to hear us and provide the justice that has long been denied to our people. The education benefits are one way U.S. veterans are shown appreciation for their service. However, navigating these benefits as a student veteran can be tricky. School certifying officials (SCOs) on campus play a vital role in this process, helping to certify veterans enrollment and ensuring the release of stipends for which they are qualified. Unfortunately, these processes can be a mystery for both student veterans and staff and faculty who are unfamiliar with veterans affairs. In this interview, Andrea Wheeler, the president of the Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials (AVECO), shares more information about the SCO role and what other colleagues on campus should know. Leah Jackson, HigherEdJobs: For those who dont work in veterans services and arent familiar with the office, please explain what a school certifying official does and why it is so important. Andrea Wheeler, president, AVECO: A school certifying official (SCO), as defined in the laws that provide policy for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is an employee of an educational institution with the primary responsibility of certifying Veteran Education beneficiarys academic enrollment to the VA. The outcome of these certifications is the release of monthly living, books, or supplies stipends directly to students and/or payments for tuition to the school based on the beneficiarys enrollment hours. Jackson: What can other higher education professionals (faculty, staff, or administrators) on campus do to support your work with student veterans? Wheeler: Institutional colleagues whose role is not that of an SCO can support certifying officials efforts by redirecting students to their SCO prior to changing their enrollment -- dropping or adding a course. Many times, these actions can have repercussions that neither the student nor colleague are aware of. A brief check-in with the SCO will allow the student to make a fully informed decision and avoid any negative monetary impact that may result from the change. Story continues Jackson: For those on campus who are working directly with military-connected students, tell us about the Association of Veterans Education Certifying Officials (AVECO) and how the organization can support them? What are some benefits of being involved in the association? Wheeler: AVECO, a Missouri non-profit organization, was established in 1994 by a group of School Certifying Officials that saw a need to develop training, information exchange, and workshops for their fellow SCOs. From that goal, AVECO was formed and has become the foremost training and networking organization for professionals administering education benefits for veterans and other eligible persons. Laws, rules, and procedures that relate to education benefits are frequently modified. AVECO in partnership with the VA National Training Team, Department of Veterans Affairs leadership and their internal teams, State Approving Agencies (SAA), Regional Processing Staff, and other agency partners ensure that our members and future members are informed of these updates and changes. AVECO also provides a helpful forum through our seasonal workshops, annual conference, and member listserv to source best practices from other schools on what works best for them. Jackson: What advice/tips do you have for new SCOs to be successful in the role? Wheeler: Find and foster your support village because no one can do this job alone. When I was a fresh SCO, my first friend was my VA Compliance Specialist. I know, I know -- her title might have thrown anyone off and have them running, but she explained to me that her position was not to slap my hand when she saw something I was doing wrong, but to make sure I was trained appropriately so as not to negatively impact the veteran or servicemember. Her training and long phone conversations gave me a comfort with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) I never thought I would have. From there, I picked up the phone, called the closest schools SCO, and made a new friend. We chatted and commiserated (because its not all roses), and we reached out when we needed a safe space to flesh out our understanding of policy. The next step is to join an organization you feel will provide the professional development and a wealth of networking opportunities you need to remain current. In 2013, for me, that was AVECO! I have met so many amazing individuals within the VA and SAA, community partners, and my fellow SCO colleagues all because I attended my first AVECO conference. Disclaimer: HigherEdJobs encourages free discourse and expression of issues while striving for accurate presentation to our audience. A guest opinion serves as an avenue to address and explore important topics, for authors to impart their expertise to our higher education audience and to challenge readers to consider points of view that could be outside of their comfort zone. The viewpoints, beliefs, or opinions expressed in the above piece are those of the author(s) and dont imply endorsement by HigherEdJobs. This article was originally published at HigherEdMilitary.com. U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said Friday that the major multination military training exercise launched in Australia sends a message to China that Americas allies are cooperating to defend their security and democratic values. Talisman Sabre began in 2005 as a biennial joint exercise between the United States and Australia but has expanded this year to 13 nations and more than 30,000 military personnel. Del Toro and his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, welcomed ever-closer closer bilateral military ties as they launched the exercise at a Sydney naval base. Del Toro said land, sea and air military platforms are becoming increasingly complicated and allies need to exercise together to be able to operate as a single task force. The most important message that China can take from this exercise and anything that our allies and partners do together is that we are extremely tied by the core values that exist among our many nations together, Del Toro told reporters. We are prepared to actually operate together in defense of our national security interests and in defense of the core values that we all share, he added. Marles said more than 800 military vehicles will cross a single mobile wharf to be deployed at the Queensland state coastal town of Bowen during the two-week exercise. Its going to be the most significant logistics exercise that we will see between Australia and the United States in Australia since the Second World War, Marles said. All of this is actually building muscle memory between our two countries defense forces, is building comfort and familiarity and obviously not just between Australia and the United States but the other 11 countries that will be participating, Marles added. Del Toro and Marles were upbeat about progress on the so-called AUKUS deal under which the United States and Britain will provide Australia with a fleet of submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology. The closer military relationship will be underscored on Saturday when USS Canberra is commissioned in Sydney. The Independence-variant littoral combat ship, built by Australian manufacturer Austal, will become the first U.S. warship to be commissioned in a foreign port. Story continues The original USS Canberra was a cruiser launched in 1943 named after the Australian cruiser HMAS Canberra that was torpedoed by the Japanese in 1942 with a loss of 193 lives while supporting U.S. Marines landings on the Solomon Islands. The Australian warship was named for the Australian capital. The Solomons are again a security concern for the United States and its allies over recent security agreements the South Pacific nation has signed with Beijing. Chinese spy ships have been shadowing Talisman Sabre exercises since 2017. Australian Army Lt. Gen. Greg Bilton said a Chinese spy ship had been contacted in the Coral Sea off Australias northeast coast on Thursday and was expected to move into the exercise area. Theyve done this for a number of years. Were well prepared for it, Bilton said. Fiji, France, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Britain, Canada and Germany are taking part in this years exercise that ends on Aug. 4. The Philippines, Singapore and Thailand are attending the exercise as observers. A Nebraska teen has been sentenced to 90 days in jail and 24 months of probation after terminating her pregnancy and attempting to burn and bury the remains. Celeste Burgess, 19, had pled guilty in Madison County District Court to "concealing or abandoning a dead body" earlier this year, according to court documents obtained by TODAY.com. The teen was sentenced on Thursday, July 20, documents show. Burgess' mother, Jessica Burgess, also pled guilty to providing an illegal abortion, false reporting and tampering with human skeletal remains after she allegedly assisted her daughter in ending her pregnancy, the AP reports. Jessica Burgess is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 22, the AP reports. Celeste Burgess (Austin Svehla / Norfolk Daily News) TODAY.com reached out to both the prosecution and defense in both cases, but did not hear back at the time of publication. According to a search warrant and affidavit obtained by TODAY.com, Norfolk Police Detective Ben McBride began investigating "concerns" that a "juvenile" had "given birth prematurely supposedly to a stillborn child" on April 26, 2022, after prosecutors say Burgess discussed having a miscarriage and needing to dig the body up and burn the babys body" with a coworker. After conducting interviews and obtaining medical records, law enforcement concluded Burgess then 17 had been pregnant on March 8, 2022 ,and estimated she was 23 weeks gestation when she terminated her pregnancy. Celeste Burgess initially told McBride she had experienced a miscarriage in the shower, according to the affidavit. After McBride obtained a search warrant to examine both Celeste and Jessica Burgess' Facebook accounts, the detective says in the affidavit that he found messages exchanged between the mother and daughter discussing the use of medication abortion. In the affidavit, McBride writes that Jessica Burgess obtained medication abortion pills for her daughter, instructing her to take the first pill that suppresses the pregnancy hormone progesterone, then the second set of pills 24 hours later that causes the body to contract and expel the pregnancy. Story continues The FDA approves medication abortion to be used to end pregnancies before 10 weeks gestation, though some studies have shown that medication abortion can be effective later in pregnancy. Jessica and Celeste Burgess discussed plans to burn and bury the fetal remains, according to the search warrant and affidavit. Jessica and Celeste Burgess voluntarily showed McBride where the fetal remains were last buried, he says in the affidavit. The remains were buried and exhumed twice before the daughter and mother attempted to burn them, the affidavit says, adding that they then buried the remains a third time with the help of 23-year-old Tanner Barnhill. Celeste Burgess (Austin Svehla / Norfolk Daily News) Last year, Barnhill, then 22, pled no contest to the charge of attempted concealing a death, a Class 3 misdemeanor. At the time Celeste Burgess terminated her pregnancy, abortion was legal up to 20 weeks gestation in Nebraska. Now, after a Supreme Court ruling overturned Roe v Wade, abortion is illegal after 12 weeks gestation in Nebraska. Prosecutors did not charge Celeste Burgess under the new abortion law. She was charged instead with concealing or abandoning a dead body. On Thursday in court, Celeste Burgess told District Judge James Kube that she was not coerced by her mother or any other adult, according to the Norfolk Daily News. I was honestly scared at the time, Celeste Burgess said, the local outlet reports. I didnt know what to do. I freaked out. I didnt know what way to turn at all after everything had happened. Prior to sentencing, Celeste Burgess also told Kube that she was "afraid of being taken away from her family," the Norfolk Daily News reports. And Id really like to see instead of getting locked up I would really want a chance to actually prove to everyone that I could be a good person, the 19-year-old said as she cried, the outlet reports. The teen left the court in handcuffs. Public records show she is now a registered inmate at the Madison County Jail. This article was originally published on TODAY.com A Nebraska woman was sentenced to 90 days in jail Wednesday for burning and burying her aborted fetus. Celeste Burgess, 18, pled guilty to charges of concealing or abandoning a body earlier this year. Her mother, Jessica Burgess, 42, already pled guilty to providing her daughter with pills for an illegal abortion and the burning and burying of the fetus earlier this month. Burgess avoided two more misdemeanor charges of false reporting and concealing the death of another person through an agreement with prosecutors. Her late third-trimester abortion violated Nebraskas then-20-week ban on abortion. Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signed a 12-week ban in Nebraska this May, slightly less than a year after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the constitutional right to an abortion at the national level. The Court specifically finds that while probation is appropriate, confinement is necessary because without this confinement, it would depreciate the seriousness of the crime or promote disrespect for the law, the judges order in Burgess case read. Mother and daughters Facebook messages, accessed by local police via a search warrant, were used to locate the fetuss buried remains. The messages reportedly detailed the womens plans for the abortion and evidence destruction. The Associated Press contributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. After an older mans dementia diagnosis, he had his life savings stolen and real estate sold by a married couple who befriended him, federal prosecutors said. Wendy Renee Bunner, 47, helped her husband Samuel Bunner, 50, steal more than $2 million from the man he worked with when they all lived in West Virginia, according to prosecutors. The Bunners, of Spring Hill, Florida, are accused of draining the mans bank accounts, selling his Hawaii condo, his home in West Virginia and buying real estate of their own with his money, including a home in Spring Hill, which Zillow estimates is worth $312,400, court documents show. The home in Spring HIll the couple is accused of buying, according to the superseding indictment. The couple also went on vacations, purchased cars, Oakley sunglasses and Louis Vuitton items, according to prosecutors and a superseding indictment. Wendy Bunner was charged with money laundering and lying to a federal agent on July 19 joining her husband as a co-defendant in the case after he was charged in May with wire fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and money laundering, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of West Virginia announced in a July 19 news release. This is a sad story about someone who worked hard his whole life, saved his money, and then when he began to suffer from cognitive decline, had everything stolen by an opportunist, U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld said in a May 23 statement regarding the charges against Samuel Bunner. Information about Wendy Bunners legal representation wasnt listed in court records the afternoon of July 20. Kevin D. Mills, a criminal defense attorney representing Samuel Bunner, told McClatchy News in a statement that his client is disappointed and saddened by the governments decision, now at this late date, to charge his wife with crimes they previously alleged he committed. He is relying on his prior not guilty plea and the presumption of their innocence under our Constitution and system of Justice, Mills said, while adding that Samuel Bunner is praying for and supporting his wife fully and he looks forward to her complete exoneration. Story continues How the couples scheme unfolded The Bunners befriended the older man, identified only as W.W. in court documents, when Samuel Bunner worked with him at a veterans service organization, the American Legion, in Charles Town, according to the superseding indictment. As the couple began helping the man with his day-to-day activities, Samuel Bunner started attending his medical appointments, including in March 2020, when the man was assessed for a mild cognitive impairment, the superseding indictment says. This was more than a year before the man was officially diagnosed with dementia in June 2021, according to the superseding indictment. On Jan. 29, 2021, Samuel Bunner gained control over the mans finances when they visited a law firm and he became his power of attorney, according to the superseding indictment. The Bunners ended up selling the mans Hawaii condo, causing $500,452 from the sale to be deposited in a joint bank account in April 2021 that Samuel Bunner added the man to, according to prosecutors and the superseding indictment. Wendy Bunner is accused of lying to a federal agent in connection with selling the condo, prosecutors said. In May 2021, the Bunners obtained a $280,318 cashiers check from the joint bank account and used the mans money to buy property in Charles Town, prosecutors said. The type of property theyre accused of buying wasnt specified. The couple sold the mans home in Charles Town in February 2022 and wired the proceeds of this sale into a separate account held by the Bunners, according to the superseding indictment. The couple also emptied the mans investment accounts and opened a credit card in his name, according to prosecutors. If the Bunners are sentenced in the case, they must forfeit all property they bought with the mans money, including the Spring Hill home, assorted Ryobi tools, Oakley sunglasses and the Louis Vuitton items, the superseding indictment shows. The couple is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eleanor Hurney, of the Northern District of West Virginia, the release said. The Jefferson County Prosecutors Office in West Virginia, the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Middle District of Florida and FBI-Tampa helped investigate the Bunners, prosecutors said. Spring Hill is about 40 miles north of Tampa. Amazon manager stole nearly $10M and bought home, cars, feds say. Shes prison-bound Firefighter steals credit cards from dead man then goes shopping, NY official says Man drove around stealing checks from mailboxes with raised flags in Florida, feds say A woman who says that the recently detained person of interest in the suspected Oregon serial killer case Jesse Lee Calhoun lived with her and her children for a year and a half, has shared allegations that there may have been connections between the 38-year-old and some of the victims. In a video interview shared on YouTube, Krista Senor said Calhoun was linked to at least two of the four murdered women and that he had sex and sold fentanyl to other women during their relationship, according to Oregon Live. Im still in shock over this. Its just surreal, Ms Sinor, 43 told The Oregonian on Wednesday. Its very strange. I cant wrap my mind around any of it. Neither can his family or friends. Police spent three days searching her apartment in Milwaukie, Oregon after they arrested Calhoun on 6 June. Former Oregon Governor Kate Brown commuted Calhouns sentence for several burglaries on 23 June 2021, about a year before he was set to be released, for his work fighting wildfires. Ms Sinor said Calhoun was connected to two of the victims, Ashley Real, 22, from Portland, and Bridget Leann Ramsey Webster, 31, from Milwaukie. The other two victims are Charity Perry and Kristin Smith police said on Monday 17 July that their deaths are connected and that a person of interest had been identified. No charges have been filed against anyone in connection with any of these four death investigations, the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office and law enforcement agencies said in a press release. 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. A man who saw Calhoun being arrested told KGW that Theres craziness in the world. You hope it doesnt happen too often. It was pretty nuts to see it happen in my backyard. Calhoun was arrested on 6 June as he and his girlfriend were at a gas station in Milwaukie. The arrest didnt occur without incident. Story continues I dont know how he made it through the 10 officers but he made it through and across traffic and down to the river and hopped in, the witness told KGW. I was like, I wonder what this guy did, the witness added. It seems whatever he did was really important or required that much law enforcement, I should say. The four women were all found dead across the region since the middle of February. Ms Sinor said in the YouTube interview that Calhoun and Ms Real had been seeing each other on and off for about a year and that he would provide Ms Webster with drugs in exchange for sex, but Ms Sinor added that she didnt know how Calhoun was linked to Ms Perry or Ms Smith. When Ms Sinor was asked if Calhoun is a serial killer, Ms Sinor said My first thought is that maybe a fentanyl overdose and he freaked out. Hes a family guy. He seems like a family guy. Hes really close with his family and he would do anything for them and stuff but like my kids ... he loves my kids and my kids love him, she added in the YouTube interview, according to KGW. The witness who saw Calhoun being arrested told KGW: I dont want to see him come out from bars ever again. During his five decades providing legal services to the working poor, Chris Schneider witnessed farm laborers get cheated out of pay/overtime or be threatened with deportation when they complain. Time after time I saw farmworkers face tough times and discrimination, or the failure of the employer to properly pay wages, said Schneider, whose career included stints with the United Farm Workers, CRLA, Central California Legal Services and the ALRB. I would see times when workers would file complaints and then end up being picked up by the migra, he said. Schneider applauds Gov. Gavin Newsoms pilot program that provides $4.5 million in legal help to undocumented farmworkers. I dont think it will be enough, said Schneider, because one of the things that Ive seen over the years is that when workers do summon the courage to sue their employers for some type of violation, the growers will spend an incredible amount of time and effort fighting the cases. Partnering with non-profit organizations to provide legal help is a smart move, he said. Farmworkers are the backbone of our economy and we wont stand by as bad actors use the threat of deportation as a form of exploitation, said Newsom in a press release announcing the program on Wednesday. In the absence of Congress modernizing our broken, outdated immigration system, California continues our efforts to support immigrant families. The legal help is restricted to farmworkers involved in state labor investigations. This includes case review services, legal advice and representation by an attorney. Newsom said undocumented workers, who make up at least half of those involved in agriculture, fear retaliation from bad actor employers, including deportation threats and difficulties getting other jobs without work authorization. The fear keeps many farmworkers from filing labor claims or provide information as witnesses, said the governor. Pro farmworker groups like the United Farm Workers Foundation praised the announcement. Story continues Undocumented farmworkers who form such a large and essential portion of our nations workforce must be able to enforce their rights without the threat of immigration retaliation, said UFW Foundation CEO Diane Tellefson Torres. Any farmworker who has experienced workplace violations, said Tellefson Torres, should have access to free and low-cost legal services. Maria Elena De La Garza, executive director of the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, commended the state for the pilot program. The time is now for us to ensure that immigrant labor rights are upheld and respected, said De La Garza. The pilot program will be administered by the state Labor & Workforce Development Agency and the state Department of Social Services, which will support enforcement of agricultural worker labor rights. Cases must be under review by the Department of Industrial Relations Labor Commissioners Office, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health or the Agricultural Labor Relations Board. Schneider, who retired in 2021 after five years as ALRB regional director in Visalia, said many farmworkers, even if they have legal status, remain hesitant to seek legal help. The law is that people, whether or not someone has legal status, are supposed to get the minimum wage or the protections of CalOSHA and other protected labor laws, he said. Schneider said, however, that having that right doesnt translate into having automatic legal representation. If I dont have someone to represent me, that right is meaningless, he said. Even if a person files a complaint with CalOSHA or another agency, having a lawyer can be beneficial in making sure the it gets processed correctly, said Schneider. The pilot program is funded by existing resources and is expected to begin later this year. More than four decades after a young New Hampshire woman was killed, law enforcement officials have solved the crime through DNA analysis and the use of forensic genealogy technology, the state attorney general said Thursday. But solving the case doesnt bring with it the satisfaction of seeing justice: The man responsible for killing 23-year-old Laura Kempton died from an overdose in 2005, Attorney General John Formella said. Formella told reporters at a news conference in Portsmouth, where the killing took place in September 1981, that the investigators' conclusion was "bittersweet" but underscored their resolve. The conclusion of the investigation after so many years should "send a message to anyone who has been affected by a case that has gone cold in this state that we will never stop working these cases," he said. "We will never forget about these victims." MOM IMPLICATED IN MAINE'S 1985 'BABY JANE DOE' COLD CASE GETS 6 YEARS Laura Kempton was 23 when she was found dead in her residence in September 1981. New Hampshire police, using DNA advancements, matched evidence collected at the scene to Ronney James Lee, who died in 2005. A police officer found Kempton dead in her apartment after attempting to serve a court summons for parking meter violations. An electrical cord was tied around her ankles, and a phone cord was around her neck and shoulder area. Blood was on a rug underneath her head, and an autopsy concluded that she died from head trauma. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Kempton, a Portsmouth Beauty School student who worked at a gift shop and ice cream parlor, was last seen earlier that morning, returning alone to her apartment after a night out with a friend, police said. Evidence collected at the scene, including a cigarette butt, a pillow and a glass bottle, revealed a male DNA profile years later. NEBRASKA ARMY VET FACES EXTRADITION TO GERMANY FOR KILLING MISTRESS IN 1978 The investigation continued over the next 40 decades with detectives chasing after hundreds of leads and suspects, though none led to identifying a suspect. Laura Kempton was found dead in her New Hampshire residence in September 1981. But in 2022, the Portsmouth Police Department, along with the New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory, Maine State Police Forensic Laboratory, Attorney Generals Cold Case Unit and Identifinders International, used advanced forensic genetic genealogy technology to identify the suspect by going through numerous DNA samples recovered from the crime scene. Story continues In 2023, the analysis of DNA samples led to the identification of Ronney James Lee as Kemptons murderer. Lee worked as a security officer in 1981, Formella said. Members of Lee's family were briefed on the investigation's conclusion. Investigators declined to release their names to reporters. COLD CASE MURDER SUSPECT IN 1984 KILLING OF FLORIDA WOMAN EXTRADITED FROM CALIFORNIA Pipette placing sample into vial for extracting DNA evidence in forensic lab. The Associated Press attempted to reach several people believed to have been associated with Lee, but messages were not immediately returned. Lee died of acute cocaine intoxication on Feb. 9, 2005 at the age. When the crime occurred in 1981, Lee was 21 years old. FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED NEARLY FOUR DECADES AFTER COLD CASE MURDER IN CALIFORNIA Had he been alive today, Formella said, Lee would have been charged with murder. Instead, no charges can be made against Lee, though the case can be closed and identified as "solved." "It is my hope that this conclusion and announcement will be the long-awaited first step in providing what closure the criminal justice system can provide for Laura Kempton's family and community," Attorney General John M. Formella said. "The Portsmouth Police Department should be commended for its commitment and perseverance in seeking justice for Ms. Kempton and her family. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the members of our Office's Cold Case Unit and all of our law enforcement partners that were involved in investigating and finally resolving this case." Kemptons family issued a statement on the matter, expressing their "deepest gratitude" to the Portsmouth Police Department. "Their diligence and determination, along with extraordinary personal commitment over the past decades, have led to this moment for Laura," the Kempton family said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A shooting rampage by two Fort Bliss soldiers accused of killing two people and wounding four others outside an El Paso bar was recorded by security cameras, court documents state. U.S. Army Pvt. Aaron John, 22, and Pfc. Andrew James Williams, 20, who both remain jailed on capital murder charges, are assigned to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss officials confirmed. Williams and John both allegedly opened fire with handguns on a crowd after a fight shortly after midnight on July 13 in the parking lot outside the Ditzy Duck bar in the Airway Plaza bar and restaurant area at 1160 Airway Blvd. Borderland: 'United for Juarez' initiative seeks to reduce murders, crime in Mexico border city The shooting claimed the lives of James Nicholson Jr., 26, and Alexa Retana, 27, a longtime couple, each the parent of a young daughter, who had gone out for a break from work and a fun night out, according to El Paso police and a Facebook post by a Nicholson family member. Four other people were wounded in the attack. "This incident does not reflect our organization, which adheres to the Army Values. We embrace the residents of our community as we all sort through this tragedy," Fort Bliss said in a statement. Cameras record shooting spree outside El Paso bar A criminal complaint affidavit filed by an El Paso police detective describes the violence, which was recorded on video taken by the plaza's security cameras. According to the detective's affidavit, the video shows several men and women in the parking lot in front of the Ditzy Duck when "an assault" takes place between John and other men. John has a bruise under an eye in his jail booking photo. Fort Bliss soldier Aaron John is accused of capital murder in connection with a shooting that killed two people and wounded four others in the Airway Plaza parking lot on July 13 in El Paso. John and the men "disengage," but the arguing, pushing and shoving continues. The video allegedly shows John and Williams each take out a gun. John was armed with a Glock 21 .45-caliber handgun and Williams had a Glock 19 9 mm handgun, the affidavit states. Story continues Williams allegedly followed Nicholson toward a black SUV parked in front of the Ditzy Duck before shooting Nicholson, who died at the scene, the affidavit states. Williams "then continues to shoot multiple times in the direction of the crowd," and John allegedly starts shooting his gun into the air and then toward people in the parking lot, the affidavit states, citing the video. El Paso crime: Catholic church vandalized, beer burglar sought and stolen Kia crashes The two soldiers also are each seen pointing their guns at a vehicle passing by in the parking lot. John later walks toward a group of people where Nicholson is lying on the ground and appears to shoot in the direction of the crowd, the affidavit states. The alleged shooters then both get into a car with a woman. John gets in the driver's seat. Moments later, John allegedly gets out of the car, pointing his gun and firing in the direction of a man running through the parking lot before the car departs, the affidavit states. Fort Bliss soldier Andrew James Williams is accused of capital murder in connection with a shooting that killed two people and wounded four others in the Airway Plaza parking lot on July 13 in El Paso. Police arrived and found Nicholson dead. Several people who had been shot were transported to University Medical Center of El Paso and Del Sol Medical Center, the affidavit states. Alexa Retana died at UMC from gunshot wounds. The other people wounded in the attack were identified as: Jason Webb, 25, Sebastian Alexander Benecke, 30, Samuel Munoz, 27, and John Retana, 28. All are from El Paso. Military police stop shooting suspects' car at Fort Bliss gate A witness obtained the license plate to the suspected shooters' vehicle, a black Volkswagen Passat with New York license plates, and a BOLO (be on the lookout) was issued via police radio, the affidavit states. Soon, military police stopped the Volkswagen at the Constitution Gate to Fort Bliss, near the new William Beaumont Army Medical Center, police said. El Paso investigate the scene of a mass shooting that killed two people and wounded four others on July 13 in the parking lot of Airway Plaza, 1160 Airway Blvd., an area of bars and restaurants, in East-Central El Paso. The Volkswagen was occupied by John and the woman, who was described as a witness by police. John allegedly was in possession of two guns. Both soldiers were questioned by homicide detectives with the Crimes Against Persons Unit at El Paso Police Headquarters after being taken into custody. International: US soldier flees to North Korea before planned return to Fort Bliss after prison time The affidavit states that John allegedly told detectives that he had fired his gun multiple times, had shot up in the air and that Williams had fired his gun several times toward the crowd. Williams allegedly admitted firing his weapon several times into the crowd. Both men remain incarcerated on bonds of $2.5 million each at the El Paso County Jail in Downtown. A bond hearing that had been set for Thursday was rescheduled until next week. Under Texas law, capital murder is punishable by life in prison without parole or the death penalty. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Fort Bliss soldiers allegedly caught on video in El Paso killings Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has repeatedly warned against China's investments in the United States and American universities, despite at least two higher education institutions in South Carolina hosting language and culture programs operated by the Chinese Communist Party during her tenure as governor of the Palmetto State. Last month during her remarks on foreign policy at the American Enterprise Institute Haley took aim at China for "giving hundreds of millions of dollars" to American universities and warned of the dangers of Confucius Institutes, saying they are designed to "spread communist propaganda on college campuses." "The line between Chinese investors and the Chinese Communist Party is exceptionally thin. The national security risk is too great. We must prevent China from buying more land, and force it to sell what it already owns," said Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. "We need similar resolve in our higher education system. China has set up so-called Confucius Institutes that spread communist propaganda on college campuses. When they get shut down, they quickly re-open under different names." "China is giving hundreds of millions of dollars to our universities. This funding gives Beijing a foothold in the best research institutions in the world," she added. "It wants our research for its military. We should end this practice. We should ban all propaganda centers and eliminate federal funding for universities that take Chinese money. Universities must choose China or America. It shouldnt be a hard decision. The challenge today is that national security is affected by almost every part of our relationship with China. No one understands that better than the Chinese. They have desperately pursued American investment and innovation precisely to strengthen their military." NIKKI HALEY WELCOMED CHINESE COMPANIES TO SOUTH CAROLINA AS GOVERNOR, IN CONTRAST TO CURRENT HAWKISHNESS Story continues Republican presidential candidate and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley holds a town hall meeting on March 9, 2023, in Nevada, Iowa. However, despite Haley's warnings of Chinese investments in American universities, at least two Confucius Institutes operated on college campuses in South Carolina during her time as governor. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The University of South Carolina (USC) hosted a Confucius Institute program for at least 13 years, despite some warnings from lawmakers and education advocates at the time that the program functioned as a propaganda arm of the Chinese government. The program, which began operating at USC in 2008, according to The State, was done away with in 2021 following a vote from the board of trustees. In 2018, less than 100 students were "enrolled in classes taught by a Confucius Institute professor," the outlet noted. Discussing the program offered at USC in 2019, the outlet wrote, "USC and the Beijing Language and Culture University established the Confucius Institute in 2008. The agreement establishing the institute places an official at the state-run Beijing school in charge of creating the curriculum and allows an arm of the Chinese government to provide course materials. The programs budget must be approved by an arm of the Chinese government, according to the agreement." According to USC's 2017 demographic report, China sent 596 international students to the school in 2017 more than any other country. Defending the program at the time, USC spokesman Jeff Stensland insisted that the college had control over the content in the classroom and that the only courses taught by Confucius Institute staff were language courses. "At USC, our faculty develops the syllabi, selects textbooks and has oversight over all curriculum," said Stensland, according to The State. "The only courses at USC taught by Confucius Institute staff are language courses. They do not teach culture, literature or film courses and are under the direct supervision of USC faculty." The outlet also reported that USC a public university located in Spartanburg contributed $100,000 to start the Confucius Institute program on its campus and helped provide at least 2,000 square feet of office space, one full-time professor, a secretary and two part-time post graduate students to assist with the program's efforts. As governor, Haley replaced USC mega donor Darla Moore on the board of trustees with Tommy Cofield, who made donations to her gubernatorial campaigns, according to The State. Cofield, according to South Carolina ethics filings, donated $4,500 to her 2010 campaign and $3,020 to her 2014 campaign. Defending the move at the time, Haley insisted that Cofield who reportedly does not serve on the board anymore better suited her vision for the school. Other various USC board members at the time also donated to Haley's gubernatorial campaign(s), including former USC Board of Trustees chairman Eugene Barr, Mark W. Buyck Jr., C. Edward Floyd, William W. Jones Jr., John C. Von Lehe Jr., and Thad H. Westbrook. NIKKI HALEY TORCHES TRUMP, BIDEN ON CHINA RESPONSE, DEEMS BEIJING 'MOST DANGEROUS FOREIGN THREAT' SINCE WWII The Presbyterian College, a private liberal arts school located in Clinton, South Carolina, also formerly operated a Confucius Institute, which was launched in 2009 and recently shut down. "In a partnership with Converse and Wofford colleges and Clemson and Furman universities, Presbyterian College was officially awarded a Confucius Institute by the Chinese government in a dedication ceremony Friday at the Clinton school," the Spartanburg Herald-Journal reported in November 2009. "Local and state as well as Chinese officials were on hand to help formally launch the prestigious program, which is intended to bridge the cultural and language gap between China and the Upstate business and educational communities." The outlet also noted at the time, based on comments from Jeff Barker, then-vice-president for academic affairs at Converse University, that two "major goals of the institute are the implementation of Chinese language instruction in private and public K-12 schools throughout Spartanburg, Greenville and Laurens counties, and fostering commercial links between China and the Upstate." While it is unclear when exactly the Presbyterian College closed its Confucius Institute, a notice regarding the closure was shared to Presbyterians international programs website sometime between August 2022 and November 2022. "Presbyterian College has closed the Confucius Institute and is transitioning into a forthcoming initiative with a focus specifically on South Korea and the broader region of East Asia," the notice stated. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley recently lashed out at U.S. universities for taking money from China, and she suggested that she would push American businesses to leave China if she is elected president. The successor institute on "South Korean and East Asian Studies" held a delegation visit to South Korea in January 2023 and officially launched in May 2023. In a statement to Fox News Digital about the matter, Ken Farnaso, a spokesman for Nikki Haley, said, "When Nikki was governor, from 2011-16, the dangers of the Confucius Institutes were just beginning to come to light. Much more was exposed after she left office, and ever since she has long been a strong advocate for cracking down on them and other Chinese infiltrations in our universities and our economy." "When it comes to our universities, were going to say you either take Chinese money or American money, but the days of taking both are over," Haley said during the Moms for Liberty summit last month. "Well get that Chinese infiltration out of our universities." In March 2021, the Senate passed a bill titled the Concerns Over Nations Funding University Campus Institutes in the United States (CONFUCIUS) Act to clamp down on Chinas reach into U.S. universities by tightening restrictions on Confucius Institutes. The measure, which was also introduced in the House but never received a vote, would have cut federal funding from universities that host Confucius Institutes unless they regulate all teaching staff hired for the cultural centers and oversee the curriculum. In addition, the bill called for the banning of any "foreign law on any campus" and the protection of "academic freedom" at U.S. universities. Haley will be visiting New Hampshire next week and is scheduled to discuss "Chinas role in the growing fentanyl crisis in America and her plan to crack down on Communist China," according to a campaign email sent out Thursday. "Over the past few weeks, Americans watched Joe Biden send not one, not two, but three members of his administration to China to make nice with the Chinese Communist Party," the email said. "Did any of these taxpayer-funded trips result in China agreeing to stop the flow of fentanyl precursors to America? No. The officials cowered and bowed, and China told them to take a hike." Fox News' Caitlin McFall and Houston Keene contributed to this article. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (L) applauds the July 12 test-firing of a new intercontinental ballistic missile (STR) North Korea has fired "several cruise missiles" into the Yellow Sea between China and the Korean peninsula, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Saturday. The launches, which the military said took place around 4 am (1900 GMT), come as relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points ever. "South Korean and US intelligence authorities were analysing the launches while monitoring signs of additional activities," the JCS said. North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea on its opposite coast toward Japan just three days earlier. The recent weapons tests are the latest in a series by Pyongyang and come as Seoul and Washington ramp up defence cooperation in the face of soaring tensions with the North. Diplomacy between Pyongyang and Seoul has stalled and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for ramping up weapons development, including tactical nukes. In response, Seoul and Washington have staged joint military exercises with advanced stealth jets and US strategic assets, while an American nuclear-armed submarine this week made a South Korean port call for the first time in decades. On Thursday, North Korea's defense minister Kang Sun Nam said the Ohio-class submarine's deployment may have fallen "under the conditions of the use of nuclear weapons specified in the DPRK law on the nuclear force policy," using an acronym for North Korea's official name. A day later, South Korea's defence ministry reiterated that any use of nuclear weapons by the North would prompt an "immediate and decisive response" resulting in the "end" of the Kim regime. Saturday's incident also comes as a US soldier is believed to be in North Korean custody after breaking away from a tour group visiting the Demilitarized Zone. The United States has said it is "very concerned" about how Private Second Class Travis King would be treated, and that as of Thursday, Pyongyang had yet to respond to inquiries about the soldier. King was due to return to the United States to face military discipline after serving jail time in South Korea for assault. caw-kjk/cwl North Carolinas unemployment rate fell to 3.3% for June, the state Commerce Department said on Friday, continuing a slow decline that began late last year. Mays seasonally adjusted rate was 3.4%. The last month-over-month increase based on revised figures occurred last August, when the rate reached 3.9%. The U.S. rate in June was 3.6%. ALSO READ: Womans identity stolen to claim $23K in unemployment benefits The commerce office reported that the number of employed people in the state grew by 14,580 during June to almost 5.05 million, while those unemployed dropped by 3,060 to 172,680. Based on another counting format from monthly worksite surveys, the department said seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment grew by 4,900 to almost 4.91 million workers. The business and professional services sector and the manufacturing sector reported the largest numerical employment growth based on the surveys. (WATCH BELOW: If state determines it overpaid unemployment benefits, it can garnish your tax refund) North Korea has escalated its fiery rhetoric over its threatened use of nuclear weapons, days after a U.S. soldier was taken into custody for crossing the border from South Korea. The country's defense minister, Kang Sun Nam, has said it would approve the use of nuclear weapons "in case nuclear attack is launched against it or it is judged that the use of nuclear weapons against it is imminent," the state-run KCNA news agency reported Thursday. The warning came after 23-year-old Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King fled across the border during a tour of the joint security area, a U.N.-administered area between the North and the South, on Tuesday. Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King. (via Carl Gates) North Korea has so far remained silent on King's status. The isolated communist nation has long threatened to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles in self-defense at what it calls active plans by the West to launch an attack on it. U.S. and South Korean military leaders met Tuesday to discuss their shared response in the case of a North Korean attack, their talks coinciding with the arrival of an American nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine in the South for the first time since the 1980s. Pyongyang said the meeting was a clear provocation and a precursor to a Western attack, plans for which have entered "the most critical stage," making war on the Korean Peninsula "a dangerous reality." "In particular, the hostile forces posed the most undisguised and direct nuclear threat to the DPRK by bringing an Ohio-class strategic nuclear submarine to the Pusan Port operation base, which means strategic nuclear weapons have been deployed on the Korean peninsula for the first time after 40-odd years," Kang's statement said, using acronyms to refer to the North by its formal name, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. North Korea regularly launches ballistic missile tests, the most recent coming last week when the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, promised to enhance its nuclear deterrent capabilities. Story continues The fate of King, meanwhile, remains unclear. Defense Department spokesperson Sabrina Singh said Wednesday that the U.S. had been in contact with Sweden, through which Washington maintains embassy-level relations with North Korea, but had not received a response. Previous defectors such Charles Jenkins, a then 24-year-old army sergeant who crossed the border in 1965, were treated as propaganda assets and stayed in North Korea for years before being traded back to the U.S. Jenkins was avoiding being sent to fight in Vietnam, whereas there is no sign of similar objections from King, who had been in legal trouble in South Korea. It emerged Thursday that he spent 48 days in a prison in Cheonan, a city about 50 miles south of the South Korean capital, Seoul, after he failed to pay a $4,000 fine on charges that included damaging public property. According to legal documents, King did not cooperate when officers apprehended him in October after he caused hundreds of dollars in damage to a police patrol car as he shouted profanities about Koreans and the Korean army. The last American to stray into North Korea, Bruce Byron Lowrance, was released a month after he entered the country illegally via China in 2018. That came after then-President Donald Trump had held a joint summit with Kim and promised to end the country's nuclear escalation. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com This photo provided on Nov. 19, 2022, by the North Korean government shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, and his daughter at the site of a missile launch at Pyongyang International Airport in Pyongyang, North Korea, Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via Associated Press On Thursday, North Korea's defense minister made a veiled threat about a nuclear first strike. He said the US' latest actions could possibly fall under conditions Pyongyang set for a nuke launch. Kang Sun-nam was responding to the USS Kentucky, a nuclear-armed sub, docking in Busan. North Korea's defense minister warned on Thursday that recent US military actions could "fall under the conditions" set by Pyongyang to launch a preemptive nuclear strike. Kang Sun-nam made the threat in response to Washington stationing an Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine, the USS Kentucky, in Busan on Tuesday. It's the first time since 1981 that a nuclear-armed sub has been docked in South Korea. "The US military side should realize that its nuclear assets have entered extremely dangerous waters," Kang told state media, per a translation by the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency. "I remind the US military of the fact that the ever-increasing visibility of the deployment of the strategic nuclear submarine and other strategic assets may fall under the conditions of the use of nuclear weapons specified in DPRK law on nuclear force policy," Kang said. Kang accused the US and South Korea, whom he called a "military gangsters' group," of crossing a "red line." The defense minister also blistered at a comment made by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who said on board the USS Kentucky on Wednesday that any nuclear provocation by Pyongyang would spell the "end of its regime." "I seriously warn once again the US and the 'ROK' military gangsters' group daringly touting the 'end of regime' in our country," Kang said, adding that any attack on the North would be "their most miserable choice by which they will have no room to think of their existence again." Kang's threat comes after North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un passed a new "irreversible" law in September officially permitting his government to launch a nuclear first strike. Story continues Kim said the law would allow leaders to use nuclear weapons if an impending "fatal military attack" against an important target is detected, even if its enemies were conducting a non-nuclear attack. Pyongyang maintained at the time that nuclear weapons would only be used as a last resort. The first strike rule stands in contrast to the longstanding nuclear policy held by the North's neighbor and ally, China, which says it will strictly only consider nuclear strikes if it was attacked with similar munitions. Meanwhile, the US has been trying to contact Pyongyang over an American soldier who ran into North Korea during a border village tour on Tuesday without leaving an explanation. As of Thursday evening, North Korea continues to remain silent over the incident, and test-fired two short-range ballistic missiles in response to the USS Kentucky's presence in the South. Read the original article on Business Insider A top North Texas drug source in a string of juvenile fentanyl overdoses was federally charged on July 14, authorities said in a news release Friday. Julio Gonzales Jr., 18, was charged via criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in a string of 14 juvenile overdoses in Carrollton. Four of the overdoses were fatal, according to the release from U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. Gonzales was arrested at his home Thursday and made his first court appearance Friday in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Renee Harris Toliver. Gonzales roommate, Adrian Martinez-Leon, 19, was also arrested Thursday and is charged with drug conspiracy via criminal complaint, according to the release. Martinez-Leon also made his first appearance before Toliver on Friday. Several guns and money were found by DEA agents in a home of a suspected North Texas drug supplier who was charged July 14. Thousands of fentanyl pills and cocaine were also discovered by agents, authorities said. Drug Enforcement Administration agents found thousands of fentanyl-laced pills stuffed in a microwave, cocaine in a food container, a bulk of money hidden in a closet, and several guns in their search of Gonzales and Martinez-Leons home, according to Simonton. Another domino has fallen in the Carrollton juvenile fentanyl overdose saga, Simonton said in the release. Rest assured, the Justice Department will not stop until their entire fentanyl trafficking infrastructure has been dismantled. Our kids futures are too important to allow this to continue. These arrests demonstrate the continued resolve of DEA Dallas to investigate this organization to the fullest extent possible, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chavez in the release. Gonzales was known as a supplier, J-Money, among drug dealers who were selling fentanyl to teens, according to Simonton. He was also identified as a supplier to a 16-year-old drug dealer who delivered fentanyl pills to a 14-year-old girl who died as a result. According to the investigation, agents saw Gonzales supplying drugs to a person who went to a nearby alleyway and smoked them. Agents also saw Martinez-Leon conducting a hand-to-hand transaction with a person outside of their front door. Story continues Gonzales and Martinez-Leon are the ninth and 10th defendants who have been charged in the Carrollton overdoses of middle-school and high-school children, according to the release. Jason Xavier Villanueva, Magaly Cano, Donovan Jude Andrews, and Stephen Brinson pleaded guilty earlier this year to being involved in the overdoses. Gonzales and Martinez-Leon could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted. The Drug Enforcement Administrations Dallas Field Office, the Dallas Police Departments SWAT team, and the Carrollton Police Department conducted the investigation. A 61-year-old North Texas man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl he drove from Texas to California was indicted Thursday by a federal grand jury, officials said. Steven Robert Sablan of Cleburne was arrested in Long Beach near Los Angeles on July 9. He is charged with kidnapping and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, according to a Department of Justice news release. The 13-year-old victim was walking down a San Antonio street when Sablan approached her in his car and threatened her with a gun, authorities said in the release. If you dont get in the car with me, I am going to hurt you, Sablan allegedly said, according to court documents. When the victim told Sablan she was 13 and had a friend in Australia, Sablan allegedly told her he could take her to a cruise ship to visit the friend, but first she had to do something for him. He then sexually assaulted her multiple times, the release said. Sablan is accused of driving the victim from San Antonio to Long Beach and raping her at least two more times on the way, according to the release. Once in Long Beach, Sablan left the victim in the car and went to a laundromat to wash their clothes, officials said. The victim wrote Help me! on a piece of paper and managed to get the attention of a passerby who called law enforcement. Officers found Sablan standing outside the vehicle and saw the victim mouth the word help from inside the car, according to court documents. Officers found a black BB gun, a pair of handcuffs and a sign with the words Help me when they searched the car. Sablan is scheduled to be arraigned July 31 in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, according to the release. If convicted of both charges, he could face up to life in federal prison. WASHINGTON Talking about mental health was seen as a "dark, dirty secret" in Hillary Schieves family. The Reno, Nevada, mayor grew up watching her family members suffer from depression and drug use. They never talked about the struggles because of the stigma surrounding mental illness and the need to "be like everyone else's family." Three years ago, tragedy struck. Schieve lost her sister, her brother and her sisters fiance to mental illness all within several months. It was a lot of tragedy in such a short period of time, she told USA TODAY. The mayor of the fourth-largest city in Nevada knew she needed to get help to cope with the loss. But when she made the difficult decision to reach out to a professional using a different name to avoid special treatment, she was told she couldn't be seen for six to eight weeks. Schieves story underscores the difficulty local leaders face when combating a mental health crisis that is worsening in communities across the country. The causes range from homelessness to substance use to mental illness like depression to shortages of behavioral and mental health workers. Mayors are often the elected officials closest to their communities and have had a front-row seat as to how the COVID-19 pandemic amplified the challenges many face when it comes to mental health. Struggling with increased demands, those leading America's cities are seeking a seat at the table to discuss the resources needed to address the problem at all levels of government. According to a survey from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, 88% of mayors reported they do not have adequate access to the resources needed to address mental health. Additionally, 97% said requests for mental health services have increased in their city over the past two years. We want to address the challenge, but we also have to be realistic there is no place to take the sickest people and that is tragic, Schieve said. Story continues A bipartisan group of mayors visited Capitol Hill this week to share with lawmakers the consequences of the mental health crisis in their cities and help craft ideas for how to best use funding to help solve the problems. We want to address it head on because we believe its the No. 1 crisis in America, Schieve said. 'I'm going to lose it' Hillary Schieve, mayor of Reno, Nev., poses for a portrait at the USA TODAY Washington D.C. bureau Thursday, July 20, 2023. For Schieve, it was a tragic summer three years ago. Her sister, Grady, who faced a lifelong battle with depression, received a Stage 1 breast cancer diagnosis that resulted in a double mastectomy. Coupled with the death of her father six years earlier, the illness led her depression to spiral. I would much rather have cancer any day than depression, Schieve recalled her sister telling her one day over the phone. As her depression became debilitating, Grady stopped attending appointments for her cancer treatment. Schieve intervened to get her sister back into treatment where they learned the cancer had progressed to Stage 4. Grady spent four months living with Schieve before she died. She never, ever should have died from that, Schieve said. The death had a significant impact on Schieves brother, who had a history of drug use. Six weeks after her death, he didnt answer his door. Schieve's other sister entered through the back and found him dead. His cause of death was ruled a secondary infection from using intravenous drugs. Tragedy struck again. A few months later, Gradys fiance called Schieve to say he was having difficulty coping with his fiancee's death. He had suffered from alcoholism and recovered, but he had relapsed. He told Schieve he needed help, and she planned to meet him at the behavioral health hospital that day, but he never showed. Police did a welfare check and found him dead. Schieve began to struggle herself, faced with the grief of losing three loved ones. But growing up with her family keeping mental illness a secret, she didn't want to share her struggles with others. Simultaneously, Schieve led her city through a global pandemic, navigating COVID-19 as one of the first mayors in the state to shut down her city. Then came an uprising downtown with rioters protesting police brutality after the death of George Floyd. She felt the need to stay strong for her community. I felt so out of control, like how do you deal with this? Schieve said. The mayor said it was a tough decision, but eventually she reached out for help using a different name. She was told the soonest she could be seen was in six to eight weeks. I was like 'Oh my gosh, I think Im going to lose it,' she said. Schieve knew that if she was having trouble getting help, so were others in Reno. I felt very mission-driven to talk about it, because what I realized once I did that, people reached out to me a lot and said, Wow, that is exactly what happened in my family.' 'A failed system' A bipartisan group of mayors advocate for mental health resources on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, July 19 in Washington, D.C. Policies now in place to help those struggling with their mental health have failed, Schieve said. Were telling everyone please go get help, but then theres no one there to help them, she said. Then you feel like this failed system for people who are suffering from anxiety, depression, drug use. The problem doesn't stem from a lack of programs but their lack of effectiveness, Albany, New York, Mayor Kathy Sheehan said. In Albany, Sheehan described how a person who is threatening violence may go to the emergency room where they can stay for 24 hours and get a prescription refilled but then are sent back out on the street. Once their prescription runs out, Sheehan said, they are often back where they started. Were talking about it from a public safety standpoint, but what we need is a public health solution, she said. She emphasized the need for more behavioral health providers who can be available to respond to calls related to a mental health emergency instead of sending police officers. We need them in the streets," she said of mental health providers. "Not in an office that people have to go to between 9 and 5." In Fresno, California, Mayor Jerry Dyer pointed to challenges distributing funding for mental health resources, suggesting a need to assess how money is being spent versus the needs mayors are identifying in local jurisdictions. We want a seat at the table to talk about the mental health crisis in the hopes that we can shape how dollars are being used in America today to treat this crisis, said Dyer, who spent 40 years in the Fresno Police Department seeing firsthand what mental illness is doing to neighborhoods. Sen. Kaine, members of Congress talk collaboration Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.. speaks during the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing on Why Are So Many American Youth in a Mental Health Crisis? Exploring Causes and Solutions, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, June 8, 2023. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., was the mayor of Richmond from July 1998 to September 2001. He said he has seen mental health challenges intensify amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid epidemic. The Virginia lawmaker said members of Congress rely on local and state officials to assess needs and identify gaps in resources. "I'm a big believer that we should try to fund initiatives, but that the best uses of these funds are often developed in a granular way in local governments," he said. Pandemic relief money from the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan funneled money to states and local governments to support mental health programs, but the funding is set to expire in 2025. "The mental health need isn't going away, and we have to understand the dimensions of it," Kaine said. Rep. Norma Torres, D-Calif., a former mayor of Pomona, said there can often be a disconnect among the levels of government. For members of Congress and state legislators who are overburdened with budgets, it is challenging to hear directly from mayors about the needs in their cities. Torres also emphasized that not all money is sent directly to communities and is frequently funneled through states. "I push hard for our cities to get direct funding from the federal government," she said, adding that states have different formulas that can make it challenging for funding to directly reach cities. Also from California, Democratic Rep. Mark DeSaulnier served as the former mayor of Concord. The lawmaker witnessed his father struggle with depression and alcoholism that resulted in his suicide in 1989. DeSaulnier was the last family member to speak to his father. A former juvenile probation officer in Boston, the California lawmaker said dispatchers in his district are trained when someone calls 911 to decide whether police will respond or full-time mental health professionals. He said the program works because of partnerships with mayors, school districts and nonprofits in his district. Im mindful of the finances, but it's supplying more grant funds but also helping them be sensitive to the pressure on their traditional funding requirements when (in) most local government, police are a big part of the budget, he said. Mayors find solutions: Talkspace memberships for the whole city Hillary Schieve, mayor of Reno, Nev., poses for a portrait at the USA TODAY Washington D.C. bureau Thursday, July 20, 2023. Mayors are using the resources they have to find solutions. Schieve spent $1.3 million to buy Talkspace memberships for everyone in her city during the pandemic. Reno's population is about 270,000. I think those are the types of approaches to be proactive instead of reactive, she said. Programs to combat mental health struggles are being designed on a whole different level of government, she said, and they often don't solve the problems mayors see in their communities. We need to be at the table so you know what people need, she said. Steve Williams, mayor of Huntington, West Virginia, called mayors "conveners in chief" in their communities. He created a crisis intervention team with 15 different agencies with support from the federal government and partnerships with the county and state. Were not saying give us all the money to do it," he said. "Bring us to the table and well be the architect to be able to design how this gets fixed and make sure that everybody is streamlined in such a way that were able to get things done." 'Happening in every neighborhood' Hillary Schieve, mayor of Reno, Nev., poses for a portrait at the USA TODAY Washington D.C. bureau Thursday, July 20, 2023. Schieve advocated to lawmakers on Capitol Hill for more transparency in allocating money for mental health resources before they are sent to the state. Theres so much more bureaucracy at the state level than there is on the local government side. We dont really have time to waste because we are dealing with peoples lives and we are so close to people, she said. The federal government provides funding for mental health services to states and local governments through several funding sources, including: The Health Resources and Services Administration through the Department of Health and Human Services. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration through the Department of Health and Human Services. School Based Mental Health Service Grant Program through the Department of Education. Crisis intervention funding through the Department of Justice. Hopefully, some of the colleagues and members of Congress in both the House and Senate will recognize that this is not a political issue," said Brian Wahler, mayor of Piscataway, New Jersey. "Its an issue that needs to be dealt with, because its happening in every neighborhood in the United States. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Closer to the mental health crisis: Mayors combat 'failed system' An Ithaca man is in custody charged with murder after police say he killed his father. New York State Police arrested Keith A. Rowser Jr., 28, and charged him with second-degree murder in connection with the death of 52-year-old Keith A. Rowser Sr., also of Ithaca. Around 3 p.m. Wednesday, state troopers, Ithaca College Public Safety and emergency medical workers responded to a residence in the 1000 block of Danby Road in the Town of Ithaca for a suspicious death, state police said. As a result of the investigation, state police took the younger Rowser into custody with the assistance of Ithaca College Public Safety and the Ithaca City Police Department. Politics This bill bans some hunting competitions in New York. What's included, exempt Rowser was arraigned in Tompkins County Centralized Arraignment Court and committed to the Tompkins County Jail without bail. The investigation is continuing and state police have not released any further details about the case at this time. Follow Jeff Murray on Twitter @SGJeffMurray. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Ithaca man charged with murder after police say he killed his father New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the city has "no more room for migrants" and "our cup has basically runneth over," after it welcomed approximately 90,000 migrants since April 2022. "We stated several months ago that we have reached full capacity and that full capacity was verbalized, and now New York is just going to be visually actualized. Were going to see how much of our cup has basically runneth over. We have no more room in the city, and we need help," Adams said in a press conference Wednesday. During Wednesday's presser, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a new restriction stay for adult migrants/asylum seekers in city shelters. Migrants are pictured in the processing area at Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The mayor, a Democrat, shifted responsibility to the federal and state government for not providing enough aid for the city to offer housing and other social services for the thousands of new arrivals. "We cannot continue to absorb tens of thousands of newcomers on our own without the help of the state and federal government," Adams said. NYC MOCKED AFTER DISCOURAGING MIGRANTS TO SEEK ASYLUM: NO LONGER A SANCTUARY CITY Adams admitted that offering temporary shelter, placing migrants in hotels, school gymnasiums is "not sustainable," saying that its "wrong" that the Big Apple is "carrying the weight" of the ongoing migrant crisis. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "This cannot continue, is not sustainable, and we're not going to pretend as though it is sustainable," the mayor said. "This is wrong that New York City is carrying the weight of a national problem." Under Adam's new plan to tackle the migrant crisis, he announced that single adult migrants will only be able to stay in the city's shelters for 60 days, and will need to reapply for a space after that. Adams said Wednesday the city would try to help migrants find housing with relatives and friends. New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a press conference at City Hall, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Adams, who adamantly criticized Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's bussing program, which sent migrants from the southern border to the Big Apple and other major U.S. cities, commended New York City for responding to the migrants arrival with "humanity" and "compassion." Story continues NYC ISSUES POSTERS TELLING MIGRANTS TO 'CONSIDER ANOTHER CITY,' WARNS OF SKY-HIGH PRICES "Unlike Texas, where Governor Abbott is ordering troops to push migrant children into the Rio Grande and deny asylum seekers drinking water, our city has continued to respond with humanity and compassion," Adams said. Texas officials are investigating claims by a state trooper that superiors ordered officers on the border to push migrants back into the Rio Grande and deny them water. People wait in line with other relatives of undocumented families at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, June 25, 2023. NYC officials revealed in June they were at a "tipping point" with over migrants, outnumbering even the homeless in the city. "You see from todays numbers that we have reached a tipping point," Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom said during a briefing in June. "We now have more asylum seekers in our care than longtime New Yorkers who were in our existing DHS system." CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "We all are facing a humanitarian crisis right here in the five boroughs," said Williams-Isom said, who called on federal partners to help in the form of financial aid and national coordination. OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. Chelsea Jia Feng/Insider OceanGate's CEO Stockton Rush was among five people who died on board the Titan submersible. Rush wanted to create a "SpaceX for the oceans," according to an OceanGate cofounder. His embrace of the mantra to "move fast and break things" was his fatal flaw, sources said. OceanGate's CEO Stockton Rush was an ambitious entrepreneur with a fatal flaw. With his plan to create a "SpaceX for the oceans," Rush embodied Silicon Valley's "move fast and break things" mantra, pushing innovation to the limits of safety. Like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, he exhibited the confidence and hubris that is common among entrepreneurs who think the world doesn't understand what they do, sources told Insider. Rush was among the five passengers who died on OceanGate's Titan submersible on June 18 after it imploded on a dive to see the Titanic shipwreck. The incident came as a shock to the world, but for many industry experts, it was a disaster waiting to happen. "Few of us ever have a fatal flaw and Rush did," Arnie Weissmann, the editor in chief of Travel Weekly, told Insider. "He thought he was right or he wouldn't have gotten in [the submersible] and piloted it, but that was a fatal flaw." A SpaceX for the oceans Guillermo Sohnlein, who cofounded OceanGate with Rush in 2009 and left in 2013, told Insider the company's founding vision was ultimately to help humanity move toward establishing underwater cities of the future. To do this, they wanted to create submersibles the size of "little buses" that could carry several people to the depths of the oceans something that had never been done before, Sohnlein said. "That's another reason why we kind of called ourselves internally SpaceX for the oceans," he said. "We were solving the transportation problem for these future underwater communities." Rush was of the same creed as Silicon Valley CEOs who "defied conventional wisdom," said Weissmann, who spent eight days with Rush on the submersible's support ship in late May. Story continues Rush was the local version of Elon Musk, John Lundin, a friend who lives in OceanGate's founding city of Everett, Washington, told The Everett Herald last month. Ignoring more red flags To achieve his dream of making deep-sea voyaging the norm, Rush decided to break a few rules. In an interview with The Smithsonian in 2019, the entrepreneur complained about how regulations curbed innovation, saying: "There hasn't been an injury in the commercial submersible industry in over 35 years." "It's obscenely safe because they have all these regulations," he added. "But it also hasn't innovated or grown because they have all these regulations." In meetings with experts in the field, Rush was told that his ambition was unattainable because deep-sea submersibles tend to be made into a sphere shape, out of titanium steel, and can only accommodate a few people, said Sohnlein. "We couldn't find anyone to build the subs for us. That's when we started thinking: 'Okay, we're gonna have to use different materials than what the industry's using. We're gonna have to think outside the box,'" he said. So, Rush purposefully asked for the hull of the Titan submersible to be designed using carbon-fiber composite a lightweight material that many in the industry believed was incapable of withstanding deep sea pressure. Commenting on the decision, Rush told TechCrunch in 2017: "Everyone said you couldn't build this with carbon fiber. We found a way to make it work." Officials said last month that the sub's carbon-fiber hull is suspected to be one of the leading culprits in its implosion. Upon seeing photographs of the debris, one expert told Insider that the material most likely collapsed under the intense pressure of the ocean. OceanGate did not respond to Insider's request for comment. Inside the Titan submersible. David Pogue. Ten years after it was founded, OceanGate Expeditions began advertising its crewed missions to the wreck of the Titanic. The submersible would be able to take up to five people, including Rush, down to see the wreckage, which lies at a depth of about 12,500 feet in the Atlantic. The journey could cost up to $250,000 each. But despite going on several dives to the Titanic, the Titan was not independently certified or classed. Before boarding the sub, customers had to sign a company waiver that mentioned death at least eight times. The waiver also warned that the dive "had not been approved by any regulatory body." Rush made his views clear on why he didn't get the Titan sub certified on numerous occasions. On its website, OceanGate explained this decision, writing: "Bringing an outside entity up to speed on every innovation before it is put into real-world testing is anathema to rapid innovation." A view of the Titanic wreck in 1996. Xavier Desmier/Gamma-Rapho/Getty In a series of emails in 2018, reviewed by Insider, Rush also told former OceanGate consultant Rob McCallum that he was "an advocate for a different path." He believed that obtaining certification from the American Bureau of Shipping or Norwegian Det Norske Veritas (DNV) didn't make submersible operations safe, per the emails. "I have grown tired of industry players who try to use a safety argument to stop innovation and new entrants from entering their small existing market. Since Guillermo and I started OceanGate, we have heard the baseless cries of 'you are going to kill someone' way too often," Rush said in the emails. "I know that our engineering-focused, innovative approach (as opposed to an existing standards compliance-focused design process) flies in the face of the submersible orthodoxy, but that is the nature of innovation," he added. Rush told McCallum that the industry would be seen as one "supplying rich boy's toys" if the industry "attempts to disparage innovative business, operational and design approaches." Sohnlein said the idea that certification meant safety was something "Stockton always bristled at." "At OceanGate, at least when I was there, we went way above and beyond what any other sub operator was doing when it came to safety," he said. In his and Rush's view, petitioning the agencies that issued certification would not improve the safety of the submersible. "I cringe at how much that certifying issue has been pushed by critics and by the media, when in reality anybody who's operated these things knows it's really a non-issue," Sohnlein said. OceanGate cofounders Guillermo Sohnlein and Stockton Rush. OceanGate Many other people in the industry also raised concerns directly to Rush. In 2018, the submersible community became so distressed by the OceanGate CEO's disregard for safety standards that three dozen industry experts wrote to the company warning a catastrophe loomed. The company's former chief submarine pilot, David Lochridge, was fired and sued for raising a long list of safety concerns to Rush when he worked for OceanGate in 2015, court filings seen by Insider show. Lochridge said he had raised "serious safety concerns" in his inspection report, including issues with lack of testing on the Titan's hull, a countersuit said. Former OceanGate consultant McCallum told Australia's "60 Minutes" in an interview this month: "If someone raised a safety concern as the chief pilot did, they were not only not listened to, they were silenced." "That is such a toxic culture when it comes to safety and it is the reverse of everything else I know in the maritime industry," he added. Sohnlein pushed back on these claims, telling Insider: "I am 1,000% convinced that it's not as simple as an employee saw something unsafe, raised their hand and got fired for raising their hand." From his conversations with Rush, Sohnlein said Lochridge "wasn't a good fit culturally for the company." Like many pioneers, he said, Rush had a lot of turnover at his company because he "needed people who shared the vision, who could see outside the box." Any mention of boundaries was just another incentive for Rush to keep "pushing and pushing," he added. Sohnlein said that type of thinking is "a critical element of humanity moving forward. If we didn't have people like this, we'd probably all still be in caves." "Maybe he pushed the bounds of things and maybe he did all that, but he was doing it for the good of humanity," he said. Paul-Henri Nargeolet, director of a deep ocean research project dedicated to the Titanic, was one of the five people who died on the Titan. Joel SAGET / AFP Four other people also died on the submersible when it exploded the British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding; British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleiman; and the French diver known as "Mr. Titanic", Paul-Henri Nargeolet. Sohnlein said he was no longer part of the company when the decision to take commercial clients on a submersible in development was made. "That's the part that, as a shareholder and as a cofounder, that I want investigated," he said. Still, Sohnlein said it'd be a shame for this incident to deter people from developing carbon fiber deep-sea submersibles. "For all we know, Stockton was close to getting carbon fiber to work deep and to be able to take a lot more people down and to unlock the oceans in a proper way," he said. McCallum remains convinced the Titan was fundamentally unsafe "Stockton fancied himself as somewhat of a maverick entrepreneur," he told BBC News. "He liked to think outside the box, didn't like to be penned in by rules. "If you steer away from sound engineering principles, which are all based on hard-won experience, there is a price to pay, and it's a terrible price. So it should never be allowed to happen again. It shouldn't have been allowed to happen this time." Read the original article on Insider The shooting took place in the 1000 block of East 7th Street. (Christian Martinez / Los Angeles Times) Los Angeles police fatally shot a man armed with a knife at an apartment complex near Skid Row on Thursday, LAPD officials said. The shooting occurred sometime after 11:30 a.m. when police were dispatched to a complex in the 1000 block of East 7th Street regarding a person being threatened by someone with a knife. When officers arrived, they said they found the armed man. An unknown number of officers shot him. LAPD officials at the scene did not say how many officers fired at the man or what precipitated the shooting. Read more: Ventura pastor caught in sting, tried to target minor for sex, officials say The man, described as being in his 50s, was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. According to police, a kitchen knife was recovered at the scene. 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. Anti-abortion demonstration Opponents of an amendment to write reproductive rights into the Ohio constitution are making it about gender-affirming care and drag queens a tactic that backers of the measure say is not only transphobic but misleading. The amendment includes this language: Every individual has a right to make and carry out ones own reproductive decisions, including but not limited to decisions on contraception, fertility treatment, continuing ones own pregnancy, miscarriage care, and abortion. It would ban state interference with these decisions unless there is a compelling state interest and would allow a ban on abortion after fetal viability, with exceptions if continuing the pregnancy would endanger the patients life or health. Reproductive rights groups are trying to place the amendment on Novembers ballot; they have submitted more than 700,000 signatures to the secretary of states office, which is in the process of verifying them. Opponents of abortion rights, who are usually against LGBTQ+ rights as well, are using the not limited to wording to claim that the amendment would allow minors to get a sex change without parental permission, as an ad from anti-abortion group Protect Women Ohio states. It began running ads against the amendment in March and will continue doing so into November, spending $25 million, NBC News reports. Libby www.youtube.com The group is also behind a ballot measure, Issue 1, to go before voters in a special election August 8, that would make it harder to amend the state constitution. It would require approval by 60 percent of voters, rather than the simple majority under current law, to pass any constitutional amendment, including the reproductive rights amendment if it makes the ballot in November. Protect Women Ohios first ad on this measure, released a week ago, uses images of a gender unicorn and drag queen story hours while claiming that out-of-state special interests that put trans ideology in classrooms and encourage sex changes for kids are hiding behind slick ads. It concludes, You can keep this madness out of Ohio classrooms and protect your rights as a parent by voting yes on August 8th. The ad cost the group $2 million, Truthout reports. Story continues Your Promise www.youtube.com The reproductive rights amendment actually includes nothing about gender-affirming care or parental rights. Anti-abortion activists tactics have drawn condemnation from reproductive rights advocates, including Gillian Branstetter, communications strategist for the American Civil Liberties Unions Womens Rights Project and LGBTQ and HIV Project. When I say transphobia is a threat to democracy, I mean anti-abortion activists are using drag queens to scare Ohio voters into making it harder to amend the state [Constitution] and protect abortion rights, she wrote on Twitter. (@) The anti-abortion groups are pushing a false narrative about our campaign, Kellie Copeland, treasurer of Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom, one of the organizations behind the amendment, told NBC. None of the allegations being claimed in these advertisements are true. Our reproductive freedom amendment does not impact care related to gender. Jonathan Entin, professor emeritus at the Case Western Reserve School of Law in Cleveland, told NBC this argument against the reproductive rights amendment is not legally persuasive. He explained, Gender-affirming care is a big stretch from the items that are in the list. Opponents are trying to take advantage of the fact that gender-affirming care for minors has less public support than abortion rights, he and others said. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade a year ago, therefore allowing states to ban or severely restrict abortion, six states have put measures before voters to write the right to abortion into their constitutions, and all have passed, NBC notes. Meanwhile, Republicans in Ohio are trying to add their state to the list of those banning or restricting gender-affirming care for trans minors 21 so far. A bill to do this, which would also bar trans female athletes from participating in girls and womens school sports, passed the Ohio House in June and is pending in the state Senate. Conservatives are further seeking to criminalize drag performers in the state. The Ohio State Highway Patrol submitted this photo to the AASTs Best Looking Cruiser contest, which was taken at Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. COLUMBUS - The Ohio Highway Patrol has entered the 10th annual Best Looking Cruiser contest sponsored by the American Association of State Troopers (AAST). Voting for the best-looking cruiser began July 17 and will end at noon July 31. Visit the patrols websutem Facebook, Twitter or Instagram pages and click the link in the contest posts or visit the SurveyMonkey website to vote the Ohio Highway Patrol as having the best-looking cruiser. When visiting the SurveyMonkey website, scroll to the bottom of the page and select Ohio from the drop-down menu. Agency rankings will be updated on the AASTs website throughout the contest. Last year, Ohio finished in 13th place. The top 13 photos receiving the highest number of votes will be featured in the 2024 AAST wall calendar and the photo that gets the highest number of votes will be featured on the cover. This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Ohio Highway Patrol competing in 'Best Looking Cruiser' Contest The former executive director of an Oklahoma nonprofit has been charged with embezzlement. Michael James Maddox, 54, is accused in an indictment of fraudulently appropriating $15,000 or more from the nonprofit for his own personal use in 2021. He was the executive director of the Oklahoma Alliance for Recovery Residences at the time, according to the indictment. He could not be reached for comment. The state's new multicounty grand jury returned the indictment Thursday after hearing testimony for the first time this week. Maddox faces one felony count of embezzlement and one felony count of committing a pattern of criminal offenses. The alliance helps Oklahomans with substance abuse disorders find sober living facilities. "We remain steadfast in our commitment to promote access to recovery supportive living environments for all Oklahomans in need," said Staci Kirby, the president of the alliance's board of directors. More: Oklahoma judge recorded scrolling Facebook, texting while presiding over trial for 2-year-old's death Arizona man indicted on 2021 fentanyl death in Oklahoma The grand jury also returned a murder indictment over a 2021 fentanyl death. Grand jurors alleged Charles Everett Sewell committed first-degree murder or second-degree murder by distributing the drug to Jack Thach by mail. Sewell, 36, lives in Arizona. He could not be reached for comment. He and Thach were roommates in Oklahoma, a prosecutor said. Thach died on Sept. 22, 2021, at his home in Edmond, according to his obituary. He was 34. Grand jurors issued the indictment even though their work was interrupted Wednesday by a bomb threat. The grand jury meets at the attorney general's offices in Oklahoma City. The building was evacuated Wednesday because of the threat. The AG's assistants advise the grand jury. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New multicounty grand jury issues embezzlement, murder indictments Russia says it sunk a target ship in the Black Sea. Days after Russia issued a warning against vessels sailing to Ukrainian Black Sea ports, the Russian Navys Black Sea Fleet conducted live-fire drills in that body of water, sinking a vessel it captured from Ukraine in 2014. The Tarantul-III class missile corvette Ivanovets carried out live firing of anti-ship cruise missiles at a target ship in a combat training rage in the northwestern part of the Black Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) said Friday on its Telegram channel. https://twitter.com/DevanaUkraine/status/1682324588053635072 https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1682345710962745344?s=20 The ship reportedly fired P-270 Moskit supersonic anti-ship missiles, whose NATO reporting name is the SS-N-22 Sunburn. They have conventional and nuclear warhead capacity, are capable of flying at a speed three times the speed of sound and have a range of around 75 miles. The missiles were aimed at the corvette Ternopil, according to the Ukrainian OperativnoZSU Telegram channel. The Ternopil, once one of Ukraine's most capable warships, was captured by Russia when it seized Crimea in 2014. The Russian MoD released video showing the missiles being launched, then the target vessel exploding. The target was destroyed, according to the Russian MoD. https://twitter.com/Capt_Navy/status/1682282909594685440 In the course of the joint exercise, the Fleet's ships and aviation practiced isolating an area temporarily closed to navigation and also carried out a set of measures to apprehend a mock intruder ship, according to the MoD. A map showing the general area where the test took place and where Russia has threatened shipping. (Google Earth) In addition to sinking the ship, the Russians demonstrated interdiction training. "In the course of the joint exercise, the Fleet's ships and aviation practiced isolating an area temporarily closed to navigation and also carried out a set of measures to apprehend a mock intruder ship," the Russian MoD said. There can be no doubt that the Black Sea Fleet can turn the entirety of its namesake body of water into a super anti-ship missile engagement zone. These weapons, various in type and abilities, are packed aboard much of the fleet, from small fast patrol vessels to frigates. In addition, air-launched anti-ship cruise missiles are an equal threat, as are shore-based coastal defense systems which employ similar weapons. Russia has a lopsided advantage in this regard regionally to almost a stunning degree. In other words, the sample threat shown in this propaganda exercise is very real. Story continues The drills come as tensions in the Black Sea have boiled over in the wake of a suspected Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessel attack on the Kerch Bridge Sunday. https://twitter.com/OAlexanderDK/status/1681029040528846853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1681029040528846853%7Ctwgr%5E2a0883185362db67b8efc1dd70546f27b5346ed3%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Fdrone-boats-used-in-kerch-bridge-strike-reports Russia subsequently withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, though the Kremlin has denied a connection. Then it began striking Odesa and Mykolaiv with missiles and drones. Russia claims these barrages, now on the fourth day, are aimed at legitimate military targets like USV factories and fuel storage sites. Ukraine, however, says grain storage facilities and other civilian targets have been hit, causing several deaths and the loss of 60,000 tons of grain. On Thursday, Ukraine issued a warning of its own about Black Sea shipping. On Friday, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated the Biden administrations position that Russia may be planning a so-called false-flag attack in the Black Sea. "We do have information that the Russians are potentially going to try to attack ships - civilian ships - in the Black Sea that could be used for carrying grain out of Ukraine," Kirby told CNN. Kirby said the White House has information that Russia could use sea mines or USVs "to attack ships at sea. And weve already seen them post a video of them detecting and detonating what theyre claiming was a Ukrainian mine." https://twitter.com/TheNewsTrending/status/1681656983902990341 That, said Kirby, "is classic Russia propaganda, classic opportunity by them to plant a false flag to justify - which of course there would not be any justification - but to justify military action against civilian shipping." On Friday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said his planned talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin could lead to restoration of the grain deal, according to Reuters. He asked Western countries to consider Russia's demands. "The termination of the Black Sea grain deal will have a series of consequences, ranging from the increase in global food prices to scarcity in certain regions and, potentially, leading to new waves of migration," Erdogan told reporters on a flight returning from a trip to Gulf countries and northern Cyprus. Moscow says it will return to the deal only if its demands are met for easier access for its own food and fertilizer exports to world markets, Reuters reported. Western countries say Russia has had no trouble selling food, which is exempt from financial sanctions. Whether Erdogan, who has inched away from Moscow in recent weeks, is able to get Russia to return to the grain deal and back down from its naval threats in the Black Sea, remains to be seen. Similarly, what Ukraine does with its warning to shipping approaching Russian or Russian-held ports as well as the Kerch Strait, bears close watching. We will certainly be monitoring this and provide updates when warranted. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com President Joe Biden on Friday nominated Adm. Lisa Franchetti to serve as the next Chief of Naval Operations, putting her in line to become the first woman ever to serve as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Franchetti, who has served 38 years in the military, currently serves as Vice Chief of Naval Operations. She is only the second woman ever to reach the rank of four-star admiral in service history. Fridays historic nomination of the first woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff was muted by the White Houses acknowledgement that the appointment is likely to be sidelined by ongoing political fights on Capitol Hill over the militarys abortion access policy. Pentagon abortion policy talks fail to yield compromise on nominees In a statement Friday, Biden praised Franchettis extensive expertise in both the operational and policy arenas as the impetus for her nomination. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a statement said Franchettis nomination as the first woman on the Joint Chiefs of staff will allow her to continue to inspire all of us. Biden also announced the nomination of Adm. Samuel Paparo who in recent weeks had been rumored to be in line for the CNO post as commander of Indo-Pacific Command, and Vice Adm. Stephen Koehler as commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet. These two officers both have significant experience serving in the Indo-Pacific, where our military strength is critical to ensuring the security and stability of this vital region of the world, Biden said in a statement. All three are expected to face confirmation hearings before the Senate later this fall. However, timing of a confirmation vote is less certain because of an ongoing hold by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., over the Defense Departments abortion policies. Under rules put in place last fall, troops stationed in states where abortion is limited or illegal can be granted leave time and travel stipends to help cover the cost of moving across state lines for abortion services. Tuberville and a host of Republican lawmakers have decried the policy as illegal. Story continues That showdown has stalled more than 250 senior military confirmations over the last four months, with no resolution in sight. Earlier this week, Defense Department officials briefed senators on the policy in an attempt to convince Tuberville to drop his holds. But exiting the closed-door briefing, Tuberville said he was unimpressed and unmoved. On Friday, Biden blasted Tubervilles tactics. It has long been an article of faith in this country that supporting our servicemembers and their families, and providing for the strength of our national defense, transcends politics, he said in a statement. What Sen. Tuberville is doing is not only wrong, it is dangerous. In this moment of rapidly evolving security environments and intense competition, he is risking our ability to ensure that the United States armed forces remain the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. And his Republican colleagues in the Senate know it. The Senate is scheduled to break for a late-summer recess next week. Franchetti, Paparo and Koehler are likely to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee to answer questions about their new roles sometime in September, when lawmakers return. Megan Eckstein contributed to this story. (Bloomberg) -- On a recent sunny afternoon, Joshua Radebe patted down asphalt into a neatly filled pothole on a busy Johannesburg street as a motorist tooted and waved to him. Radebe works not for the government but for insurance company Discovery Ltd.s Pothole Patrol. Most Read from Bloomberg Like Discovery, which also pays for some of the fire engines in the South African commercial capital, precious metals producer Sibanye-Stillwater Ltd. ensures that water near its mines is safe to drink and roads are maintained and well lit; it upgrades schools and clinics. Food producer Tiger Brands secures water supply for the town thats home to its fruit-processing business, and Investec Plc powers a traffic light near its offices during blackouts in Johannesburg. Glencore Plc, Anglo American Plc spinoff Thungela Resources Ltd. and other owners of an export terminal spend about $1 million a month to protect trains transporting their coal from cable thieves. Its not altruism, said Lungisa Fuzile, chief executive officer of the South African unit of Standard Bank Group Ltd., the continents biggest lender. You cant run a successful private business in a sea of chaos. Government incompetence, corruption and policy paralysis have left critical infrastructure in Africas most-industrialized nation in tatters, forcing companies to step into areas that are within the purview of the state in most countries. Power cuts of as many as 12 hours a day have driven schools, hospitals and businesses to generators. Water in some communities is unsafe to drink. A dilapidated sanitation system triggered a recent cholera outbreak near the capital, Pretoria. Outside of some national highways, paved streets have more potholes than road. Poorly maintained state schools are keeping a whole generation from access to a decent education. Theft of everything from copper cables to solar panels are common, and crime has soared to such an extent that the private security industry now employs more people than the police force and military put together. Story continues We are indeed, as many have said, running the risk of becoming a failed state because were already on borrowed time, Daniel Mminele, chairman of Nedbank Group Ltd. and a former deputy central bank governor, said in April. Read More: Africas Richest City Is Crumbling Under Chaos and Corruption This isnt how it was supposed to be. When the African National Congress came to power in South Africa in 1994, Nelson Mandelas Rainbow Nation held out the promise of an efficient state-led economy that would uplift the downtrodden Black majority. And for a while, it did. But three decades on while many ANC leaders still cling to that vision, referring to each other as comrades and trotting out the trope of White Monopoly Capital when they talk about business the governments role as a provider of basic services is virtually non-existent in large swaths of the country. With an election next year and polls indicating that the ANC may lose its national majority for the first time, the party is leaning even more on the private sector to do the governments job in a bid to stay in power. Business participation is being sought in electricity, rail and water against the wishes of some of the governments biggest allies labor unions. Vincent Magwenya, a spokesman for President Cyril Ramaphosa, declined to comment except to say that the president is facilitating partnerships with the private sector to meet the needs of the economy. Mahlengi Bhengu, an ANC spokeswoman, didnt respond to calls or messages seeking comment. The government has failed South Africans in terms of what its supposed to do, which is provide services for citizens, said Thabi Leoka, an independent economist and member of Ramaphosas Economic Advisory Council. Businesses are unlikely to provide for those not directly linked to their operations, leaving many behind, she said. Read More: Extortion Mafia Hits South Africas $55 Billion Mining Sector The divide between rich and poor is widening in what is already the worlds most unequal nation, according to the Thomas Piketty-backed World Inequality Lab, turning South Africa into a tinderbox. There were 122 major protests across the country in the first six months of this year over the failure of the government to deliver services like electricity and water, on course to beat the 2018 record of 237, according to data collated by Municipal IQ, which monitors the performance of the countrys municipalities. Protests have become increasingly violent and lawless, said Kevin Allan, managing director of Municipal IQ. The root cause is the exclusion of the protesters and their communities from services, political representation and economic opportunity. The inability of state-owned power utility Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. struggling with cable theft, corruption and old, poorly maintained coal-fired plants to meet demand has prompted private companies to step in. They plan to build more than 10 gigawatts of capacity for their own electricity needs, freeing up power for others. Read More: Worst Outages Ever Leave South Africa Struggling for Energy Fix Inefficiencies at the countrys freight rail network and ports have forced the government to open them up to private participation. This week, state logistics company Transnet SOC Ltd. said it sold a stake in Durban Container Terminal Pier 2, part of Africas biggest harbor, to the Philippines International Container Terminal Services Inc. The South African Post Office and South African Airways have collapsed. And although the flag carrier has restarted some flights, private couriers and airlines have largely stepped into the breach. Miners often provide all public services in areas where they operate, turning them into mini states. Take Marikana, a town in South Africas North West province, for example. Platinum miner Sibanye-Stillwater runs the show here. Alphina Komane, a nurse at Sonop Clinic, says the miner expanded and partially equipped the government medical facility. Nurses now have their own consulting rooms, rather than cubicles divided by sheets, and theres a waiting room so that sick patients no longer queue in the parking lot. Sibanye-Stillwaters assistance has helped Dora Thlapane, 73, grow cabbages and carrots in neatly tended and fertilized trenches, selling them at affordable prices to her neighbors. We are taking a stance to solving the problems we see around us because we believe that the success of these municipalities will mean better living conditions for employees, said Thabisile Phumo, Sibanye-Stillwaters executive vice president for stakeholder relations in southern Africa. Were telling government that you have to get involved in learning how to solve problems so you arent stuck when the mines eventually close. South Africas main platinum mining belt, about 60 miles north of Johannesburg, has attracted migrants seeking work from poorer provinces like the Eastern Cape and impoverished neighboring states such as Lesotho. Theres only work for a fraction of them, and the area is now a sprawling slum of hundreds of thousands of people living in shacks and modest houses clustered around mines and on the edge of the few remaining farms. Roads are deeply potholed and theres little evidence of government activity. Our workers are community members, Phumo said. If there are no roads, no schools it has a direct impact on them. But theres just so much the private sector can do. With a global annual turnover of more than 10.6 trillion rand ($590 billion) about double South Africas gross domestic product the private sector already employs some three-quarters of the countrys workers and accounts for over two-thirds of investment, research and development expenditure, according to the latest government figures. The public sector meanwhile is languishing, hurting the poorest. About half of South Africas population of about 60 million lives in poverty and receives at least one monthly welfare payout. About a third of the countrys workforce is unemployed, a situation likely to worsen with persistent blackouts hurting the economy, which will barely grow this year. About 70% of South Africas municipalities are in financial distress, mostly because they lack credible financial management, budget data shows. At the core of it is skills, said Phumo. People are politically appointed to managerial positions in municipalities that they arent qualified for, she said. While the evils of apartheid are well documented, the international isolation it brought created a robust home-grown private sector in South Africa. Limited foreign competition and imports drove local companies to develop a wide range of industries. In some cases, they became behemoths like Anglo American that operated everything from mines to banks and paper mills. The ANCs first 13 years of rule further bolstered their balance sheets as the party set about supplying electricity and clean water to the houses of Black South Africans, building millions of new dwellings and creating a Black middle class with money to spend. Under the rule of first Mandela and then Thabo Mbeki the economy grew for 40 consecutive quarters starting at the end of 1998. Yields on the countrys generic, rand-denominated 10-year debt, which date back to December 1999, almost halved by end the of 2005. For 10 or 15 years, the ANC governed South Africa much better than it was ever given credit for, said Frans Cronje, chairman of the Social Research Foundation, a think tank that conducts opinion polls. And life got better. Then, Jacob Zuma came to power in 2009 and a near-decade of corruption scandals and economic stagnation followed. Skilled workers left the civil service and state-owned companies like Eskom, ports and rail company Transnet accumulated debts, neglected infrastructure and were riven by graft. Ramaphosa, who succeeded Zuma in 2018, promised to crack down on corruption and restore the public sector, but has disappointed. The Ramaphosa regime has failed to rebuild that state capability resulting in a dire need for the private sector to come in to ensure that those sectors are revived, said Ongama Mtimka, a political analyst and lecturer at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha. Read More: Ramaphosa Scandal Leaves South Africa Renewal Bid in Tatters Ramaphosa initially had strong support from business leaders, who were quick to help during the pandemic. Now, hes demanding more from companies, said Martin Kingston, the chairman of the local unit of Rothschild & Co., who led Business for South Africas coronavirus steering committee. Some executives are heartened by the government's acknowledgement that it doesn't have the skills needed to manage key infrastructure and is willing to draw on the expertise of companies. If this is a genuine shift in attitude towards the private sector and a move away from the heavy hand of the state, then there is reason to believe that some of the most urgent challenges in energy, logistics and safety and security can be more rapidly turned around, Gareth Ackerman, chairman of Pick n Pay Stores Ltd., the countrys third-biggest grocer, said in a statement this week. That said, business is no longer willing to quietly work in the background and let the government take credit for the improvements it brings. Company executives are also openly attacking the government for its failures. We dont want the public to be left with the impression that business isnt coming to the party, so now we will talk about it and we will hold governments feet to the fire, said Cas Coovadia, the chief executive officer of Business Unity South Africa. Trust in the government has plummeted. In the wake of deadly flooding last year, more than 60 companies pledged aid to the prominent charity Gift of the Givers, rather than the government. It is a great source of shame that when this disaster struck, the most burning public debate was around fears that the resources allocated to respond to this disaster would be misappropriated or wasted, Ramaphosa told lawmakers at the time. With the state failing in its fiduciary duty to provide basic services, companies will probably continue to play a bigger role in tackling problems, said Busi Mavuso, the CEO of Business Leadership South Africa, a corporate lobby group. The government is currently a leaking bucket, she said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Editors Note: Gene Seymour is a critic who has written about music, movies and culture for The New York Times, Newsday, Entertainment Weekly and The Washington Post. Follow him on Twitter @GeneSeymour. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. View more opinion on CNN. For what seems like a couple of lifetimes now, American movies have been assessed by media outlets like produce, appliances or dishwasher pods. Nuances and complexities in storytelling and (above all) character development tend to be tossed aside, or saved for reviewers, in favor of buzz factors, thrills-per-minute ratios and, of course, corporate investment. Even when manufactured dreams make tons of money on that investment, it can never be enough, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and its all-but-catastrophic impact on multiplexes and other exhibitors. Gene Seymour - Jeremy Freeman/CNN I get it. Bottom lines are important, especially when billions are at stake, as well as the future of an entire industry. My bottom lines are and always have been different. Are the movies good? Or even great? Summer is usually the wrong time of year to ask such questions. The blockbusters released this time of year are typically the movies that encourage you to turn your brains off and let the product work you over. You pay your money, buy your concessions, go home happy. Or so the corporate pitch usually goes. Not this time. Not with Oppenheimer. After a cavalcade of hype in its own right and as part of the Barbenheimer juggernaut, Oppenheimer is finally out and it is a very good, possibly great movie in a classic tradition of motion picture storytelling that doesnt seem possible or, at least, plausible in a mid-summer release. And yet, its mid-summer, and a film based on a doorstopper of biography is here (and is generating enough buzz to put that 2005 biography back on bestseller lists). US physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer is often referred to as "the father of the atomic bomb." - Ullstein bild/Getty Images Instead of a costumed superhero or a recycled action franchise, Oppenheimer submits a case study, steeped in mid-20th century history, of one of that centurys most magnetic, vexing, enigmatic and, ultimately, haunting geniuses. Even the shorthand description of J. Robert Oppenheimer as the father of the atomic bomb compels an ambivalent reaction at best, a grand reputation with troubling, even tragic ramifications for both its owner and the world he helped transform so irrevocably. Story continues His essence, the late journalist Murray Kempton once wrote, wasin the ambiguities of the divided soul. Such souls are hardly rare in commercial movies. Can you say, Michael Corleone? Or, for that matter, any flawed protagonist of any adaptation of a Shakespearean tragedy? But the eponymous lead character of Oppenheimer wears his ambiguities almost as strikingly as the wide-brimmed fedora that became his unofficial insignia as director of the fabled Manhattan Projects Los Alamos Laboratory, the top-secret installation in the New Mexico desert where the finest minds America could assemble worked to produce the A-Bomb. A scene from "Oppenheimer" depicts J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy). - Universal Pictures Cillian Murphy, the Irish actor best known for playing eerie and eccentric criminals in Peaky Blinders and the Dark Knight trilogy, previously made by Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan, seamlessly inhabits Oppies dualities and contradictions from his youthful diffidence to his growing, if fitful sense of professional autonomy in and out of the classroom. At once skittish and coy, self-effacing and self-aggrandizing, owlish and sexy, Murphys Oppenheimer is, at times, his own kind of super-powered being. A moviegoer unfamiliar with the particulars of the history here might be forgiven for wondering whether Murphys Oppenheimer is Obi-Wan Kenobi or Darth Vader. The correct answer is neither, or both, and there are far more relevant quandaries posed by the movie, those of loyalty, love, honor and, ultimately, conscience. Nolan, in what many critics say is his best work since 2008s The Dark Knight, (Id go even further back with 2000s Memento) deploys his customary visual flamboyance in more circumspect ways here; yet his inferences are often startlingly acute, notably in Oppenheimers nightmarish visualizations of the horrors of his creation with members of his team as surrogates for Hiroshimas victims. Here and elsewhere, such scenes arouse in their audiences the still-festering anxieties over impending nuclear Armageddon in our own time. What will a moviegoing public, thats still not altogether sure it wants to go back to the movies, make of such a complicated, ankle-deep, three-hour trip in the Wayback Machine? For those most likely to want to see it in the first place, there wont be much suspense, since theyll know the outcome (indeed, several outcomes) in advance? There is, however, the always-compelling drama of behavior under immense pressure, as well as the near-miraculous fulfillment of collective action with tightly-wound, passionately brilliant personalities. And, as always, youre on the edge of your seat waiting for that bomb to go off. Little wonder that the Manhattan Project has been a recurring subject for motion pictures like Fat Man and Little Boy and made-for-TV docudramas like Day One, both from 1989. And, more than anything, there is the profound sense of tragedy implied through Nolans imagery of what happened to those Japanese destroyed by the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and through Oppenheimers postwar melancholy and frustration with trying to bring the monster he helped create under control. Robert Oppenheimer can touch us still, Kempton wrote, because he was one of the few of those who have lived with the illusion of being historys conqueror and the fact of being its victim. Im there for it. Whether millions more will benot my problem. I will remain amazed that it was brought about in the first place and that it worked. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Protesters gather at a mural of Breonna Taylor in Milwaukee after a grand jury in Louisville, Ky., did not bring murder charges against the three police officers who killed her. (Tyrone Beason) At a WinCo grocery store in a suburb outside of Los Angeles, a Black woman is attacked by police officers for recording them on her cellphone as they held down and handcuffed her husband. A police officer then pulls this unnamed woman by the neck, flings her to the ground and kneels on her in a terrifying scene that has become eerily and tragically familiar: I cant breathe, she said. We do not know this Black womans name. We do know she had no weapons. We know she was not charging toward the police. We know she was standing with a cellphone. And we know, for that, she was brutally attacked. Read more: Abcarian: White people will contort themselves to justify the police killing of Black people Weve seen this snippet before a Black girl being thrown across a high school classroom, a Black teenager in a bikini being tossed like a rag doll, a Black woman on the side of a road being pummeled by a Los Angeles deputy, a Black woman being dragged out of her car for refusing to put out her cigarette. We may not know her, but we know her. In America, we should ask ourselves how a Black woman who began as a bystander to an incident of police violence became the center of it. We should ask why so many others like her have been manhandled, beaten, tasered, shot, and some killed, and yet we as a society do not ask those questions. The reality is that this issue barely registers in the public discourse. Read more: Granderson: Hip-hop is turning 50, and its work is not yet done The confluence of factors that converge to make Black women and girls the most vulnerable of all women to state violence also conspire to erase their loss of life, both in individual cases and as a group. Black women and girls are more likely than any other group of women to be killed by the police. Black women make up around 10% of the female population in the U.S., yet they account for one-fifth of all women killed by the police and almost one-third of unarmed women killed by the police. Story continues Read more: Op-Ed: How can we get justice for Tyre Nichols and other victims of police brutality? Black women have been killed by police in their homes, in their cars, in the company of parents, and in front of their children. Girls as young as 7 and women as old as 93 have been killed by the police. That they are female and the group most likely to be unarmed when they were killed does little to challenge the all-purpose excuse that officers were in fear for their lives when they used lethal force. Tragically, of the more than 200 instances of Black women who were killed by the police and profiled in Say Her Name: Black Womens Stories of Police Violence and Public Silence, a new book published by the African American Policy Forum, virtually none of the officers involved have been held accountable. Read more: Column: It took way too long to get data on police shootings. Here's what we've finally learned The invisibility of Black women as victims of police violence is widespread, extending across the social and political spectrum. You may know the names Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Philando Castille, or George Floyd as victims of police violence, but do you recognize India Kager, Michelle Shirley, Kayla Moore, Michelle Cusseaux or Tanisha Anderson? For those who count themselves as advocates of racial justice, not knowing that these women lost their lives to the police is not a personal failing but a conceptual one. The stories about Black women and police brutality dont fit within the prevailing frame of reference, which is centered on men, even when it comes to racial trauma. When the facts dont fit available frames, they become dispensable and easily forgotten. Read more: How white people used police to make L.A. one of the most segregated cities in America Resisting the erasure of Black womens encounters with the police requires an intersectional way of seeing the causes and consequences of police brutality. From the outset, the #SayHerName campaign has sought not only to recognize and memorialize the deaths of Black women killed by the police but also to uncover the interconnected ways in which Black womens vulnerability to state violence has been normalized. Since the summer of racial reckoning in 2020, right-wing extremists have doubled down on their efforts to erase Black history, Black voices and Black lives. They have likewise sought to censor Black feminism, Black queer studies, and intersectionality itself caricaturing efforts to bring to the forefront the experiences of Black women and others who have been relegated to the margins of antiracism and feminism movements. There is a twisted method to this madness. Read more: Editorial: A very abbreviated history of police officers killing Black people Intersectionality is a prism for seeing more clearly the injustices that demagogues like Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida would prefer to obscure. It is no surprise that he tried to ban instruction on intersectionality, even demanding that the concept be purged from the Advanced Placement African Studies course. Yet, understanding how racism, sexism and other forces intersect is critical for the survival of Black women and girls, just as critical thinking about race is a necessity for all Black people. I am not naive enough to think that the end of police violence can be brought about by the #SayHerName movement. But what we can do is to bear witness against the policies and practices that systematically brutalize Black women, with almost no consequence. Read more: Op-Ed: What finally sunk me on the Memphis videos? Five Black officers' embrace of racist depravity Women like Korryn Gaines and Shelly Frey and Atatiana Jefferson deserved more. Women like the unnamed woman in the WinCo parking lot who could have died deserve more. Our society deserves more. The first step in recognizing the value of the lives of these women might seem simple, but it is vital: Say her name. Kimberle Williams Crenshaw is a professor at the Columbia University and UCLA law schools and executive director of the African American Policy Forum. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. People walk the UCLA campus in May. The institution has built a diverse, highly competitive class in part by accepting many students as transfers from the state's community colleges. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times) The Supreme Courts decision to outlaw the use of race and ethnicity in college admissions late last month was neither unexpected nor profound, even if it was disheartening. Higher education has been dealing with anti-affirmative-action legislation for a long time. Nine states (five blue and four red) have banned the use of race and ethnicity in admission, most notably California, whose voters passed Proposition 209 in 1996. These state-level prohibitions have passed legal muster after repeated challenges. As a result, colleges and universities as different as UCLA, Miami-Dade College and the University of Nebraska have been forced to develop admissions strategies that do not rely on an applicants stated race and ethnicity to create diverse college campuses. Elite institutions, especially private colleges and universities, have insisted that they face unique challenges that require the use of race and ethnicity to help create classes that reflect the diversity of the U.S. But as of last month, that strategy is against the law. Now what? Read more: The most lucrative majors? Some community college grads can outearn elite university peers Ivy league and other peer schools need to do something theyve never done with any consistency or devotion: widen their enrollment pipeline to welcome transfer students from community colleges in substantial numbers. Community colleges represent the largest sector of higher education in the U.S., enrolling 41% of all undergraduates in fall 2020 at more than 1,000 colleges. They boast significant racial and ethnic diversity: The Department of Education reports that among all students attending community colleges, 27% identify as Hispanic, 12% as African American and 1% as American Indian or Alaska Native, considerably higher than most percentages in the Ivy League. And among first-time college students entering a community college, surveys show that the vast majority seek to transfer and earn a baccalaureate degree. Story continues Yet Harvard, for example, admits on its website that it only takes 12 transfer students per year. Most elite institutions have chosen to recruit the bulk of their students directly from high school. Even though they are likely within driving distance of at least one community college, these institutions have not built strong enrollment pipelines with those neighbor schools. But Carleton College economist Nathan Grawe forecasts that high school senior classes will shrink in the coming decade, creating even more incentive for elite universities to open their doors to a broader swath of individuals. Students attending community colleges form a diverse pipeline for baccalaureate institutions while dodging some of the issues that complicate recruitment efforts for high school graduates. For one, standardized test scores, which are fraught with disparities, are mostly absent from the transfer admissions process. Elite institutions remain devoted to these tests, even in a post-pandemic, test-optional environment. But standardized test scores would be irrelevant for community colleges since they are open-access institutions that generally do not require the SAT or ACT for admission. Read more: Opinion: Now that affirmative action is banned, the way to level the field is one Black student at a time Moreover, community college students who apply to four-year institutions are evaluated primarily on their grades from college, not high school. Students with good grades in community college have demonstrated they can handle college-level work, unlike high school applicants whose college performance is only an educated guess. Still, many elite institution leaders object to expanding transfer student enrollments with the fear that open-access community colleges could not possibly prepare these students for the demands of their bachelors degree programs. This received wisdom does not, however, jibe with reality. UCLA is the most selective public system of higher education in the U.S., receiving more applications than any other postsecondary education institution in the nation. The admissions rate (alas) is 9%, consistent with the selectivity rate at the best elite colleges and universities. Yet despite the extraordinary demand for admission at the first-year level, last year UCLA admitted 5,961 transfer students, more than 90% of them from a California community college. Over one-third of UCLAs fall 2022 class were transfer students. These individuals represent a rich and significant source of diversity: 34% are from underrepresented groups, 72% receive need-based financial aid and 43% of domestic transfers are first-generation college students. Most critically, publicly available data show that these students graduate at rates similar to those of their first-year counterparts. If UCLA and the UC system have found a way to balance competition and rigor while still graduating transfer students at high rates, why cant other elite institutions? The Supreme Courts decision closed an important avenue of access to colleges and universities in the U.S. for students from underserved backgrounds. But lets not compound the error by continuing to ignore Americas community college students who in California and elsewhere make an enormous contribution to the diversity and prestige of U.S. higher education. Stephen Handel is a senior program officer with ECMC Foundation in Los Angeles and was formerly associate vice president of undergraduate admissions for the University of California system. Eileen Strempel is the inaugural dean of the Herb Albert School of Music and a professor of education at UCLA. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Cillian Murphy plays J. Robert Oppenheimer. On July 21, 2023, Christropher Nolans Oppenheimer entered wide release. The film follows J. Robert Oppenheimer, the scientist who directed the US program to create the worlds first atomic bombs. The movie, shot in part in New Mexico, tells a story of the bomb and the early Cold War focused closely on Oppenheimer, his personal relationships, and the revocation of his security clearance in 1954. The film depicts a fairly mainstream understanding of the scientists life, triumph, and foibles. Because Nolans camera is kept narrowly focused on Cillian Murphy as Oppenheimer, much of the bombs impact and early history is kept largely off screen. The film draws directly from American Prometheus, a 2005 biography of Oppenheimer by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, which offers a thorough portrait. Los Alamos National Laboratory, where Oppenheimer oversaw the bombs development, was founded as part of the atomic bomb effort and today remains an important center of American nuclear weapons research. Any fuller story of the bomb needs to venture beyond the boundaries of laboratory grounds and test ranges. Here are three details of nuclear weapons and their development not captured in the film. The bombs of today are much more powerful At the heart of an atomic bomb of any kind is a fission reaction. In this process, a mass of radioactive isotopes, like Uranium-235 or Plutonium 239, is compressed at high speed, breaking apart the atomic bonds in the isotopes and sending neutrons outwards with tremendous force. Its a fission bomb that forms the centerpiece of Oppenheimer. In an attempt to get scientists to stop openly talking about bomb production, the first atomic bomb was named Gadget. It was tested at Trinity on July 16, 1945. It yielded an explosion equivalent to 20,000 tons of TNT, or 20 kilotons. Little Boy, the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945, had a yield of 15 kilotons. Fat Man, the bomb dropped on Nagasaki, had a yield of 20 kilotons. These weapons had a massive impact. In the US, Gadgets fallout caused health impacts still observed in people downwind today. Story continues Initial estimates place the death toll from Hiroshima at 70,000 and the death toll from Nagasaki at 40,000 people. A later estimate puts the deaths at 140,000 for Hiroshima and 70,000 for Nagasaki. The methodology of both estimates is sound, and added to those estimates can be the tens of thousands injured by the bomb's effects but not killed outright. This is the Genbaku Dome and Hiroshima Peace Memorial as seen in 2016. The structure, which stayed standing after the 1945 bombing, is now a World Heritage Site. These numbers are the baseline for understanding how many people a fission weapon of such power can kill. Given the scale of an atomic blast, bombs will invariably kill civilians if used near any population center. Another type of bomb, called the Super during the Manhattan Project, sought to use a small fission reaction to set off a larger fusion chain reaction. Its also known as an H-Bomb, or more broadly a thermonuclear weapon, and the largest one ever detonated by the United States had a yield of 15 megatons. The largest H-bomb detonated by the Soviet Union yielded 50 megatons. The current nuclear bombs in the US arsenal range from 0.3 kilotons up to 1.2 megatons, making yields like that seen in Hiroshima and Nagasaki on the small end of what is presently fielded. Weapons with yields as small as Gadget, Fat Man, and Little Boy are sometimes described as tactical nuclear weapons, though thats a broad adjective and not a particularly useful term. Most US nuclear weapons have largerand often much largeryields. Should a nuclear weapon be used by the United States in the 21st century, it would likely be at least one or two orders of magnitude more powerful than the only atomic bombs used so far in war. There were complex, and costly, supply chains involved Los Alamos is central to Oppenheimers story, and to the theory, design, and assembly of the atom bomb. Oppenheimer selected the location because of a fondness for northern New Mexico, and the US Army agreed to use the mesa that became Los Alamos because access to and from the lab could be easily controlled. The Army acquired the land in part by refusing grazing permits to families that previously used the mesa, as well as offering small cash payments or in some cases outright condemnation of the landstrong-arming inhabitants into leaving. Los Alamos was just one node at the head of a broader industry built to design and create the bomb. Some parts of the work were done at university laboratories. Other parts, especially in the field of enriching uranium or producing plutonium, had to be done elsewhere. The city of Oak Ridge, Tennessee was created to facilitate the enrichment of Uranium-235 isotopes from acquired naturally occurring Uranium-238. At the Hanford Engineer Works in Washington State, the Army commissioned reactors to produce plutonium. Environmental harms from the work at Hanford were discovered as possible in 1949, but not revealed until public investigation in the 1980s. Before uranium could be refined, it needed to be extracted from the ground. Some uranium existed in stockpiles outside mines, as before the war the element was not terribly sought after compared to radium, which resulted from decaying uranium. During World War II, the Belgian government in exile sold uranium from the Shinkolobwe mine in the Congo to the US. Mining radioactive material is harmful to the miners, and Belgian employers worked miners at Shinkolobwe around the clock, with little surviving written record of the human toll of the operation. Uranium was also mined from areas on Navajo reservations within the United States. The health impact of this work, on miners and their families, was largely kept from people, until it spilled forth in disaster in the late 1970s in New Mexico. On July 16, 1979, the Church Rock uranium mill experienced the largest release of radioactive material on United States soil. The south cell disposal pond experienced a massive, twenty foot breach in its wall likely caused by numerous six-inch cracks in the cement, records the Atomic Heritage Foundation. The wall, which acted as a dam to keep the radioactive waste in the pond, was located directly next to Pipeline Arroyo, a tributary for the larger Puerco River. In all, 1,100 tons of solid radioactive waste and 93 million gallons of liquid waste ended up in the river. History is complicated, not tidy The American creation of the bomb was motivated, in large part, out of a fear that the atomic bomb research undertaken by Nazi Germany was already further along. An American bomb could then be used in the war first, as the thinking at the time went. German decisions ended up not leading to anything like a productive bomb production effort, and as Los Alamos neared completion of the Gadget, Germany surrendered. The first atomic bomb was tested and used in the window between when Germany had surrendered in the war and when Japan surrendered unconditionally. This timing is often used to argue that the dropping of the atomic bomb was a course of action directly chosen to end the war that otherwise would not have ended. One popular post-war narrative holds President Harry Truman as making the decision to drop the bomb rather than launch a massive invasion with US forces. History is more complicated than that tidy tell, which itself was a postwar justification. What is notable instead is that President Truman, when he succeeded Franklin Delano Roosevelt, inherited a bomb program that was nearly ready for testing, and which was producing a weapon the Army expected to use. As historians like Alex Wellerstein have argued, there was never a specific moment at which a singular decision was made to drop the bomb. The day after Nagasaki, writes Wellerstein in an article for The New Yorker, Truman issued his first affirmative command regarding the bomb: no more strikes without his express authorization. He never issued the order to drop the bombs, but he did issue the order to stop dropping them. Correction on July 21, 2023: This article has been updated to correct an error regarding the names of the two bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Correction on July 24, 2023: This article has been updated to correct an error about the weight equivalent of 20 kilotons. Christopher Nolans long-awaited new blockbuster Oppenheimer is out in cinemas this week. The film starring Irish actor Cillian Murphy in the titular role promises to tell the story of American scientist J Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb. It is partially based on the Pulitzer-Prize-winning 2005 biography American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer written by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin over a period of 25 years. Celebrated in 1945 as the father of the atomic bomb, nine years later he would become the chief celebrity victim of the McCarthyite maelstrom, Bird wrote in a recent opinion piece for The New York Times. Oppenheimer is the first film to properly tackle the scientist and his legacy, which was marred by a controversial 1954 hearing that resulted in his security clearance being revoked. Who was J Robert Oppenheimer? Oppenheimer was born into an affluent German-Jewish family in New York City. His familys art collection included original works by Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh. Dr J Robert Oppenheimer (AP) It became apparent at an early age that Oppenheimers academic ability outstripped those of his peers and he entered Harvard University aged 18 where he graduated after just three years summa cum laude (with highest praise). However, he struggled with his mental health. During his time at college, he expressed suicidal thoughts and, while pursuing a graduate degree at Cambridge University, deliberately left an apple, poisoned with laboratory chemicals, on his tutors desk. By the outbreak of World War II, though, Oppenheimer had transformed himself into a respected professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and had already made numerous, significant contributions to science. During his time at Berkeley, he fell in love with Jean Tatlock (played by Florence Pugh in Oppenheimer), the daughter of a Berkeley literature professor and a student at Stanford University School of Medicine. She was a member of the Communist Party, which later became an issue in his security clearance hearings. Story continues Its been confirmed Murphy and Pugh have scenes of prolonged nudity together a first in Nolans filmography. They broke up in 1939 and, a year later, he married Katherine (Kitty) Puening with whom he had two children. During their marriage, Oppenheimer rekindled his relationship with Tatlock and the two had an affair. She later committed suicide in 1944. Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock, left, and Cillian Murphy as J Robert Oppenheimer ( Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.) The Manhattan Project In 1941, two months before the United States entered World War II, President Franklin D Roosevelt approved a programme to develop an atomic bomb. A year later, Oppenheimer was recruited by the National Defense Research Committee to research the building of an atomic bomb. That September, General Leslie Groves (played by Matt Damon in the film) took over as head of the Manhattan Project (named after its inaugural offices in lower Manhattan) and selected Oppenheimer to head the projects secret weapons laboratory. For three years, Oppenheimer and a huge team of scientists worked towards the creation of an atomic bomb out of a military laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Their work culminated in the first nuclear detonation in history, known as the Trinity test, on 16 July 1945. In an interview conducted years later, Oppenheimer claimed that a line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, had come into his mind during the detonation: Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds. A month later two of the bombs developed by the Manhattan Project were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, killing approximately 200,000 people, the majority of whom were civilians. On August 15, Emperor Hirohito announced Japans surrender. A scene from Oppenheimer ( Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.) The security hearing After the projects success, Oppenheimer continued to act as a nuclear weapons consultant for the US government; however, he warned against their devastating capabilities. In a 1953, speech he likened the nuclear capabilities of the United States and the Soviet Union to two scorpions in a bottle, each capable of killing the other, but only at the risk of his own life. In December of that year, during the Second Red Scare in the US, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Lewis Strauss (played by Robert Downey Jr in Nolans film) told Oppenheimer that his top-secret security clearance had been revoked and insisted on his resignation. However, the scientist refused and insisted on defending himself at a highly-publicised security hearing, which he lost amid public humiliation. Numerous sources have suggested that Oppenheimer never recovered from the incident. The New York Times wrote in his obituary: This bafflingly complex man nonetheless never fully succeeded in dispelling doubts about his conduct. Attempts were later made to repair Oppenheimers image in 1963, President Lyndon B Johnson presented Oppenheimer with the Enrico Fermi Award, the AECs highest honour. A chainsmoker, Oppenheimer died of throat cancer in his home in Princeton in February 1967. In his piece for The NYT, Bird wrote: It is my hope that Christopher Nolans stunning new film on Oppenheimers complicated legacy will initiate a national conversation not only about our existential relationship to weapons of mass destruction, but also the need in our society for scientists as public intellectuals. J. Robert Oppenheimer in 1950. Corbis/Getty Images J. Robert Oppenheimer "plunged into a deep depression" after he created the atomic bomb. Historian Kai Bird said the physicist then began to publicly denounce use of the bomb. At a meeting with President Harry Truman in 1945, Oppenheimer said: "I have blood on my hands." After leading the Manhattan Project and creating the world's first atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer had some regrets about his weapon. In fact, Oppenheimer "plunged into a deep depression" after reading news reports about what the atomic bomb did to the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, historian Kai Bird who wrote a book about Oppenheimer told CBS News. According to the Washington Post, Oppenheimer deeply regretted that they had not finished the bomb in time to drop it on the Germans, but was feeling triumphant after the first bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Days later when the US dropped a second bomb on Nagasaki, things began to change for the physicist, The Post reported. Oppenheimer didn't think it was necessary or justified to drop the second bomb, according to the Post. According to the Post, Oppenheimer made such a disgusted face during the dropping of the second bomb that during an October 1945 meeting with then-President Harry Truman, Truman asked Oppenheimer what was wrong. "Mr. President, I feel I have blood on my hands," Oppenheimer told Truman, according to Bird's book, "American Prometheus," the Post reported. Oppenheimer then began to publicly denounce the use of his atomic bomb, much to the NSA's dismay, Bird said. He gave speeches against the weapon which "appalled" the national security establishment. "If there is another World War, this civilization may go under," Oppenheimer said in 1947, according to a clip aired by CBS. According to CBS, Oppenheimer warned that the use of the atomic bomb would "one day cause the world to curse the names 'Los Alamos' and 'Hiroshima.' " Story continues In 1954 during the peak of anti-Communist hysteria, the US revoked Oppenheimer's security clearance, effectively ruining the physicist's career. Last year, the Biden administration announced it was formally undoing that ruling. "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," Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said. Read the original article on Business Insider Two Southern Resident killer whales. David K. Ellifrit/Center for Whale Research, permit number: NMFS 21238. Older orca mothers may protect their sons from bullying well into adulthood. Orca males carry fewer bite marks if their moms are alive in their old age, a study found. The research may explain why orcas are one of only six species to have menopause. Killer whale mothers may be protecting their adult sons from bullying and fights but leave their daughters to fend for themselves, a new study suggests. The research found that adult male orcas were much less likely to carry the marks of "social injury" orcas attacking other orcas if their mothers were still around past their reproductive age. Scientists suggest that these mothers can help their adult sons navigate potentially dangerous social situations, Charli Grimes, a behavioralist from the University of Exeter and a lead author on the study, told Insider. It may also explain why orcas are one of six species that undergo menopause. Older orca females have a very close bond with their sons A video shows a Southern Resident Killer whale mother and son swimming closely together. Center for Whale Research Male Southern Resident killer whales prefer to stick with their mothers throughout their life. And it's easy to understand why. "There's just a really strong social bond between the mom and the kid. They spend a lot of time floating at the surface together, rubbing on each other, and swimming in tandem and in synchrony," Michael Weiss, research director at the Center for Whale Research of Exeter University, previously told Insider. Daughters will learn pretty quickly how to fend for themselves. When they reach about age 12, they stop taking food from their moms. But moms will keep helping their sons fish throughout their lives, previous research found. One reason is that these big lumbering beasts may need a little extra help in the fishing department. They are much bigger than the females, which may be a problem when you're fishing comparatively tiny salmon. "If you're a male and your post-reproductive mother dies, your mortality skyrockets in the years after that," said Grimes. Story continues Moms may step in if their sons are in trouble Tooth rake marks left behind on a Southern resident killer whale. David Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research This new research, from the Universities of Exeter and York in the UK and the Center for Whale Research in Washington, suggests moms could be going even further for their sons. Scientists scoured photographs to identify tooth rake marks on the whales, scarring left during rough play or fighting. Their findings, published in the journal Current Biology on Thursday, showed sons were 35% less likely to carry these marks if their mothers were still in the pod and past the age of reproduction. Daughters, on the other hand, had fewer tooth marks altogether, and having their mother around didn't change anything. Scientists suspect that once the mothers aren't concerned with their own calves, they can spend time helping their older sons navigate tricky social situations. "They will have previous experience of individuals in other pods and knowledge of their behavior, and could therefore lead their sons away from potentially dangerous interactions," Darren Croft, Professor of behavioral ecology from the University of Exeter and a study author, said in a press release. "The mothers might also intervene when a fight looks likely," he said. The finding could explain why killer whales have menopause Killer whales are one of only six species which includes humans and five species of toothed whales known to have menopause. And these findings may explain why. By protecting their sons, older females may be increasing the pod's chance of passing on its genes, while expending fewer resources. Protecting them from roughhousing could mean fewer skin infections passed through the cuts, for instance, per the study. "From an evolutionary perspective, a mother can pass on her genes indirectly through her son, more effectively than she can through her daughter," said Grimes. "Males have a greater reproductive potential than females in that they have the opportunity to meet with multiple females," she said. "They may be outside of the social unit, so when they have a calf, the responsibility and the burden of that calf, it actually lies with another social unit," she said. Read the original article on Business Insider Ottawa County Museum Curator Peggy Debien, Area Heritage Foundation President James Rusincovitch and Museum Board Member David Barth display the Purple Heart Museum sign that will be displayed outside the building. The museum was designated a Purple Heart Museum thanks to the efforts of Barth. OAK HARBOR - The Ottawa County Museum will be honoring and recognizing Ottawa County Purple Heart recipients or their families during a ceremony on Aug. 7, National Purple Heart Day. The ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the Ottawa County Resource Center, 8043 W. Ohio 163. The ceremony is open to the public. The Purple Heart is the oldest American military decoration and was created as The Badge of Military Merit, made of purple cloth in the shape of a heart with the word Merit sewn upon it, on Aug. 7, 1782 in Newburgh, New York, by General George Washington, then re-established as the Purple Heart on February 22, 1932 by General Douglas MacArthur. The Purple Heart is awarded to military members wounded or killed in combat. The criteria used to determine the medal has changed over the years and is evaluated on a regular basis. The Ottawa County Museum was designated a Purple Heart Trail Museum on Jan. 25, 2023 and is one of 15 museums in the country to have this designation. The designation requires the museum to: Develop a database of Purple Heart recipients; Recognize Aug. 7 as National Purple Heart Day by holding a ceremony to honor Purple Heart recipients; Create a display in the museum. The database book will be provided to each library in the county and updated on a semi-annual basis. On May 20, 2023, Ottawa County was designated as a Purple Heart Trail County by proclamation from the Ottawa County Commissioners. More than 20 Purple Heart recipients or family members have registered for the Ottawa County Purple Heart database that Barth is developing. Any Purple Heart recipient living in Ottawa County or family members of a Purple Heart recipient who has passed away is encouraged to registering yourself or your family member in the Ottawa County Purple Heart Registry. Contact David Barth, Ottawa County museum board member, at drb360@gmail.com or by calling 419-357-2057 for the registration form. Purple Heart recipients may be registered at any time, but to be included in the 2023 recognition ceremony, the deadline to register is Aug. 2. This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: Museum to hold public ceremony on Aug. 7, National Purple Heart Day Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport, where a flight was delayed on the tarmac this week while temperatures inside and outside the plane rose to unbearable levels. The U.S. Department of Transportation is investigating. (Larry MacDougal / Associated Press) When Derek Clarke first took his seat on Deltas flight 555 from Las Vegas to Atlanta on Monday, he noticed that the cabin felt toasty. The temperature outside was in the triple digits that afternoon as a prolonged and record-breaking heatwave choked much of the Southwest. Maybe the planes air conditioning hadnt come on yet, he thought briefly before slipping on his headphones and scrolling through the movie selections. But the situation deteriorated, with some passengers and crew falling ill and ending with a canceled flight that joined the litany of airline horror stories across social media. The Department of Transportation is investigating the incident, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told Reuters news agency. "I want to know how it was possible for passengers to be left in triple-digit heat onboard an aircraft for that long," Buttigieg said, calling the issue "infuriating" and "shocking." The flight disruption, which spanned several hours, illustrates how the heat wave is making life miserable for Americans, increasing the risk of wildfires in California and prompting health warnings in places like Phoenix, where temperatures measured above 110 degrees for 21 straight days, setting a new city record. Previous heat waves have delayed flights, making commercial flying even more challenging for harried travelers. Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas saw temperatures of over 100 degrees on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. Sin City is under an excessive heat warning through 8 p.m. Saturday. The oppressive heat wave is expected to last through August. Read more: How Angelenos can get a low-cost A/C unit from the DWP to beat the next heat wave On the East Coast, the Federal Aviation Administration warned this week that thunderstorms could lead to flight delays in Washington, Chicago and Philadelphia, among other cities. We apologize for the experience our customers had on flight 555 from Las Vegas to Atlanta on July 17, which ultimately resulted in a flight cancellation, a Delta spokesperson said. Delta teams are looking into the circumstances that led to uncomfortable temperatures inside the cabin and we appreciate the efforts of our people and first responders at Harry Reid International. Story continues Passengers had the opportunity to exit the plane each time it returned to the gate that day, a Delta spokesperson said. Clarke, 49, had arrived at the airport around noon for his 1:47 p.m. flight back to Atlanta. As he waited at the gate, a Delta agent announced that the flight was delayed because the staff was down a crew member, he said. When passengers eventually boarded, a flight attendant made an announcement for passengers to open their vents as much as possible to keep the air flowing, he said. A few young children were seated beside him, whose vents he helped open. The planes door was closed. The cabin grew uncomfortably warmer. I thought it was a normal flight where wed take off and it will cool down, he said. According to Clarke, about 30 minutes passed when crew said they needed volunteers to exit the plane because it exceeded its weight limit. A spokesperson for Delta confirmed that customers were asked to give up their seats and attributed the issue to the way metal, an aircrafts primary material, reacts to extreme temperatures. Some passengers stepped off, and the door once again closed behind them. The Delta spokesperson declined to comment on the number of passengers who left the plane. As the plane taxied the runway, the pilot announced they were near the front for takeoff, Clarke recalled. But what he estimated was nearly 90 minutes later, an announcement said that several more planes moved in front of them, he said. The cabin was stifling. Passengers around Clarke were fanning themselves with the airline brochures. Their clothes stuck to their skin. He could see one of the flight attendants jumping on and off the phone. Read more: Photos: Heat wave around the world Next thing you know, a few of the crew start moving fast up and down the aisle, he said. Word also sped through the cabin: A passenger had passed out. Another passenger was throwing up. Two passengers were brought to the front of the plane and given oxygen, Clarke, who was seated nearby, said. Other passengers described the ordeal in similar detail in social media posts. April Love, a publicist based in Atlanta, shared a photo on her Facebook account of staff treating passengers with oxygen. Medical emergency!! she wrote across the photo in bold, black text with a siren emoji. It was super hot, so I stood up because it was super hot, Love said in an interview. "I was a little bit afraid ... and unnerved." The flight returned to the gate and paramedics boarded the aircraft. Krista Garvin, a field producer for Fox, posted a video on Twitter of a yellow ambulance with blinking lights parked beside the plane. In the video, the captain can be heard over the intercom apologizing for the situation being very hot in the back there. The captain can also be heard saying that the cooling system was working the best it could while passengers were onboard the aircraft. Read more: Hellish heat leaves Southwest in misery: Fainting, broken cars, sizzling sidewalks A Delta spokesperson said that the aircrafts air conditioning and cooling system was functioning. Passengers were given the option to exit the plane when it returned to the gate, but the same announcement also said there were no other flights to Atlanta, passengers said. Clarke said he needed to get back to Atlanta and chose to stay on. Delta declined to say how many total passengers received medical attention, but the airline said one passenger and one flight attendant were transported to a local hospital for heat-related illnesses. Garvin posted that she'd seen three people "wheeled out." The cabin felt like a hot box, Clarke said. The ordeal unfolded over about three hours, according to passengers and to Delta. The plane returned to the gate once again, and all passengers were deplaned so the aircraft could cool down, Clarke said. His shirt collar was soaked. A wet spot formed across his back. It looked like I had been in the gym, he said. Passenger after passenger walked off the plane and glistened with sweat, he said. Delta eventually canceled the flight, citing weather conditions, a spokesperson confirmed. An internal investigation is underway. It is unclear what temperature was recorded inside the cabin. No other Delta flights were reported to experience similar issues that day, the spokesperson said. Delta said that affected customers were compensated for hotel stays and provided food vouchers. (Love said the hotels did not have any rooms available, and she was forced to pay out of pocket for her lodging that evening.) Passengers will also be refunded the full price of their original ticket and receive bonus SkyMiles or an electronic travel voucher, a spokesperson said. Love and Clarke both said they received an apology email from Delta and were informed they'd be credited 20,000 miles. Clarke was disturbed by what he said was a lack of transparency from Delta. Clarke was rebooked on a Tuesday flight that was delayed several times before he eventually touched down in Atlanta. 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. James Abram Garfield Engraving From 1884 Featuring The 20th President Of The United States. Garfield Lived From 1831 Until 1881. Credit - Getty Images Spare some pity for Americas Gilded Age Presidents. Mostly Midwestern and plagued by short administrations that seem devoid of accomplishments, they are hard to even distinguish from one another in a line-up. On the rare occasions they attract modern attention, it is often for their impressive facial hair. Among these neglected leaders, the most frequently overlooked might be James Garfield. Per the conventional rules of how Americans remember their Presidents, this is for good cause: Garfield served barely three months of his first term before being shot in a Washington, DC, train station, and died two months afterward in September of 1881. The fallen President was mourned by the nation, but by the beginning of the next century, had been mostly forgotten. For generations to come, American scholars and writers would revisit Garfields life generally out of a grim interest in how it ended. This is a mistake. Taken as a whole, James Garfields life not only deserves better commemoration, but looms one of the most remarkable and inspiring political ascents in national history. Whats more, the events and themes of his career have never been more timely than in 2023: James Garfield was a pioneer of racial equality in America, and (for better or worse) a devoted architect of compromise in a polarized era. In his legacy, there are pertinent lessons for how Americans might navigate the complicated politics of today. In the summer of 1880 just as Garfield began his race for the White House citizens were already describing him as perhaps the most accomplished American of all time. These observations were not made lightly, nor by unqualified observers. The truth is that no man ever started so low who accomplished so much in all of our history, President Rutherford Hayes wrote of Garfield. Not [Benjamin] Franklin or [Abraham] Lincoln, even. Story continues A glance at Garfields resume was sufficient proof of this. He was born in a log cabin in 1831 and raised by single mother in poverty, before becoming a college president, preacher, and state senator by age 27. He fought in the Civil War serving for much of it as the Union Armys youngest general then joined the House of Representatives, becoming Americas second-youngest Congressman. Over the distinguished, nearly two-decade long Congressional career that followed, Garfield established Americas first federal Department of Education, won cases before the Supreme Court as an attorney, and even authored an original proof of the Pythagorean theorem. By the time of his nomination for the Presidency, it was widely agreed that no such accumulation of honors had ever before fallen upon an American. Garfields accrual of them, despite his origins, was interpreted as proof that the American Dream was still alive in the Gilded Age. But Garfield was not content with America as it was during his life. He believed that Americas systemic injustices existed within it, and devoted much of his life to correcting them: after joining the Union Army out of a desire to liberate slaves in the South, Garfield moved on to securing civil rights for them in Congress helping pass the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments in the House. He would frame equality between the races as both a religious and a patriotic obligation which America owed all its citizens. As he told the House towards the end of the Civil War: Mr. Speaker, it has long been my settled conviction that it was a part of the Divine purpose to keep us under the pressure and grief of this war until the conscience of the nation should be aroused to the enormity of its great crime against the Black man, and full reparation should be made. Unfortunately, Garfields political career would be long enough that he eventually saw these obligations go unpaid. Witnessing the collapse of Reconstruction over a decade later, Garfield grew resigned to the fact that true racial justice in America would not occur during his lifetime. He would fall back on feebly prescribing time and education as the solution to the issue, while writing editorials fending off accusations from other white men that the 15th Amendment had been a mistake: Reviewing the elements of the larger problem, I do not doubt that [Black] enfranchisement will, in the long run, greatly promote the intellectual, moral, and industrial welfare of the negro race in America; and, instead of imperiling the safety of our institutions, will remove from them the greatest danger which has ever threatened them. On this front, James Garfields legacy both contextualizes Americas ongoing challenges with race and explains them; in studying the progress he helped secure during and after the Civil War, as well as the setbacks he failed to prevent in Reconstruction, Americans today can appreciate the long, inconsistent course racial relations have taken in our history. Perhaps the most pertinent aspect of Garfields legacy today, though, is his status as a skilled political peacemaker. It was a trait for which he attracted nearly equal parts praise and blame throughout Reconstruction-era Washington. Ulysses Grant and Frederick Douglass castigated him for lacking moral backbone; Democrats welcomed their unlikely friendships with Minority Leader Garfield. But he would plead to all comers that moderation and kindness was simply in his nature. It must be comfortable to be a man of extremes, he once wrote. It is painful to see so many sides of the same subject. This led to a reputation of inconsistency and ideological weakness but also one of pragmatism. Americans today seem to be pining for this attribute in our politicians. There exists an overwhelming perception that modern-day Congress is partisan to the point of dysfunction, and lacking in leaders who can work across the aisle in pursuit of common-sense solutions. This was a defining feature of Garfields Congressional tenure, and eventually his executive style, too. His career in national politics spanned the decades from Reconstruction to the Gilded Age eras defined by political polarization, racial tension, and economic disparity. Throughout it all, Garfields uniquely conciliatory style played a subtle but key role in keeping the American government functioning through a series of crises. Tragically, this also brought about his assassination. Garfields nomination for the Presidency in 1880 professedly came against his will he was selected off the convention floor when other Republicans couldnt unite behind any of the declared candidates. Garfield was the only person the rest of his party could bear to have as its leader. Expressing reluctance, he accepted the role and, while attempting to bridge the divides of his party and nation as President, was shot by a supporter of an unruly faction who had been denied a post in the Administration. From Garfields untimely end sprang most of the things he is remembered for today. His shooting galvanized the country to pass its first comprehensive civil service reform legislation. This began the professionalization of the federal bureaucracy, ensuring that Americans transactions with their government would not be influenced by their personal politics. Its yields in the generations since have been immeasurable. But the net effect of Garfields murder was an eclipse of the rich, meaningful life that preceded it. America today has near-countless high schools, streets, hospitals, and towns named to commemorate the fallen President (including several Garfield counties, and at least two Mount Garfields). Johnny Cash even wrote a song about Garfield or, at least, his assassination. What remains absent, though, is popular appreciation for the man rather than the martyr; a complex leader whose compassionate, patient style of governance stands in contrast to the whirlwind of modern American politics. With two key congressional committees voting to refer the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) to both chambers this week, the crucial bill inches closer towards reauthorization. The authorization for PAHPA is set to expire on Sept. 30 if a reauthorization bill isnt passed. First signed into law in 2006, the PAHPA was last reauthorized in 2019 and provides the federal government with authorities and powers to prepare for public health emergencies, biological threats and other crises. It is among the collection of bills considered must-pass before the upcoming September deadline. The House Energy & Commerce Committee voted 28 23 along party lines on Wednesday to adopt amendments to PAHPA. Reauthorization of PAHPA is usually bipartisan, however lawmakers on the panel diverged over what could be achieved with the amendments to the bill this go around. Democrats on the committee sought to include new provisions aimed at addressing drug shortages in the U.S., including permanently expanding the Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) authority over reporting from drug and medical device manufacturers. GOP committee members were sympathetic to measure to stem shortages, but argued this issue could be addressed at another time. Committee Republicans are committed to identifying targeted solutions to drug shortages and the chair has announced she plans to release the discussion draft on drug shortages, Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) said during the markup meeting. Bucshon expressed skepticism over giving the FDA expanded authority to demand information on potential shortages, saying it remained unclear whether giving the agency these authorities during the pandemic helped. The markup session held by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) on Thursday was generally more agreeable, with lawmakers having reached an agreement shortly beforehand. The committee voted voted 17-3 to send the amended bill to the full Senate. Story continues This legislation will help us make sure that we have a capable workforce in place, not just nurses and doctors but also public health workers with disease detectives who can figure out where an outbreak is happening and set up vaccination clinics, among many other things, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chair of the HELP committee, said in his opening remarks. An amendment introduced by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), however, was not adopted. Pauls amendment would bar the federal government from funding gain-of-function, which seeks to see potential ways a virus could evolve. This form of research became highly controversial over the course of the pandemic with Republicans accusing federal agencies of funding this research in China. While Sanders said he appreciated Pauls attention on this issue he spoke against the amendment, arguing it would be jeopardizing international collaboration on the medical research. While the House version of the reauthorization left out measures to address drug shortages, the Senate version included provisions that would require manufacturers to to notify the FDA of when there is an increase in demand that they will not be able to meet, a measure that has long had the support of medical groups. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The author tried Burger King's "real cheese burger." Marielle Descalsota/Insider Burger King Thailand is selling a "real cheese burger" made with 20 slices of cheese for $3.14. I asked my local Burger King outlet in Singapore to recreate it and they charged $17. The burger had the texture of rubber and tasted like a block of Kraft American cheese. On Sunday, Burger King unveiled on Facebook a cheeseburger made with nothing but one bun and up to 20 slices of cheese. Facebook users were enthusiastic about the burger, with several users writing that it looked "delicious" while others said they were keen to try it. I immediately wanted to know what it would taste like. Sadly, it didn't seem to be available in outlets outside of Thailand. Full disclaimer: I'm a big fan of Burger King. In fact, it's my favorite fast food chain sans Jollibee and I usually opt for beef burgers. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that a meatless, cheese-stacked "burger" isn't the first thing that comes to mind when Burger King is mentioned. Instead of booking a flight to Bangkok, my editor sent me on a hunt to visit a few local outlets in Singapore and see if they might be willing to recreate what Burger King calls the "real cheese burger." Burger King is known for their slogan "Have It Your Way," so we figured there could be a chance that they'd comply. In a Burger King commercial from 1974 the slogan is featured. A staff member is shown customizing burgers removing pickles and lettuce from one, and adding extra ketchup to another before singing out that "special orders don't upset us." I put that to the test and visited a local Burger King on Wednesday night for dinner to see if they would recreate the now-infamous "real cheese burger." When I arrived at my local Burger King outlet, I made my way straight to the counter, with a photo of the "real cheese burger" on my phone. The counter at a Burger King outlet in Singapore. Marielle Descalsota/Insider When I visited my local Burger King in eastern Singapore, I expected some resistance from the staff in recreating the burger, but to my surprise, they were already familiar with it and seemed amused that a customer would be interested in ordering it. Their only concerns were about the price and whether I'd actually want to eat it. Story continues "The Thailand one? We can make it for you, but are you sure? It's only cheese inside," the store's manager, Hakim, told me. I reassured him that I'm hell-bent on trying the burger and that I'd pay whatever for it. But when the bill came, I got the shock of my life it turned out to be the most expensive fast food burger I have ever ordered: 22.70 Singapore dollars, or $17.10. Each slice of cheese cost a dollar, and the base which was priced the same as the cheapest burger on the menu cost SG$2.70. In comparison, the one sold in Thailand is 190 baht, or $3.19. The staff quickly got to work putting the 20 slices of cheese inside the sliced bun. Staff at the local Burger King outlet making the custom cheeseburger. Marielle Descalsota/Insider The burger itself was pretty easy to make after all, there were only two ingredients so it was also the speediest order I've seen at a fast food outlet. "Do you want the cheese to be melted?" Hakim said, before recommending toasting the burger in the oven for five seconds to melt the cheese. This sounded like a good idea and I happily obliged. It was an empty outlet that day, with only a handful of people dining, so the other staff on duty that night had the leisure of closely watching how the burger was made. At first impression, the burger looked stunning. Burger King's custom burger made with two buns and 20 slices of cheese. Marielle Descalsota/Insider The toasted bun sprinkled with sesame seeds looked great filled with bright yellow slices of American cheese. It's the most photogenic Burger King burger I've seen in person and very similar to the picture advertised on Facebook. When it comes to fast food, burgers rarely look like the studio-shot images illustrated on the menu when served in real life, but this one actually lived up to its visual expectations. According to the nutrition data site Fooducate, one slice of Burger King's American cheese has 40 calories. Based on that, the burger has a calorie count of at least 800. In comparison, a Whopper, Burger King's most famous burger, has 660 calories, per the chain's nutrition list. But the burger turned out to be a disappointment. Staff melted the cheese in the oven for five seconds, giving it a gooey effect. Marielle Descalsota/Insider Looks are certainly deceiving it had the texture of rubber and tasted like a block of Kraft American cheese. As a kid, I often grated Kraft American cheese on white bread and melted it for a snack. Somehow my homemade concoction tasted better than the burger. It was slightly salty, but had a blandness to it at the same time. But it was the texture that turned me off the most. With the bun super soft and the layers of cheese mushy, it tasted terrible. I couldn't even get halfway through the burger without downing it with a drink. Before I could even finish, the slices had turned into a single block of coagulated cheese. It was truly inedible after that. The cheese hardened again and turned into a block, which made it unpleasant to eat. Marielle Descalsota/Insider For $17, the burger is a monstrosity. In the cold, air-conditioned dining area, the cheese solidified. I could not continue eating it and had to tap out. I ended up happily chomping down on a Mushroom Swiss Burger my favorite meal from Burger King and was much happier. While the burger was a disaster, I'm glad that Burger King lives up to its slogan, and that you can really have it your way. And even if you'd want 100 slices of cheese in your burger, staff at your local store might still oblige. The burger is a limited-edition option in Thailand it's only available until 20 August but now we know you can have the burger anytime, as long as you're willing to cough up the money. Read the original article on Insider A man reads a newspaper reporting on the cancellation of a visit to Papua New Guinea by US President Joe Biden in Port Moresby on May 18, 2023. 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 sector is relatively underdeveloped and struggles to inform the country's inhabitants, who speak at least 80 different languages," says Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Journalists can face intimidation, direct threats, censorship, lawsuits and bribery attempts as well as direct interference. In 2022, the entire EMTV newsroom was fired after walking out in response to a decision to suspend its head of news and current affairs, "for 'insubordination' - running stories that annoyed a government minister," says RSF. Television coverage is limited mainly to Port Moresby and the provincial capitals. The country's two daily newspapers are foreign-owned. The private press, including weeklies and monthlies, reports on corruption and other sensitive matters. The Australian Broadcasting Cooperation (ABC) is the only foreign news organisation to have a permanent base in the capital, Port Moresby. BBC World Service (106.7) and Radio Australia broadcast on FM in the capital. There were 1.09 million internet users by July 2022, comprising 11% of the population (Internetworldstats.com). There is a lively blog scene. Press Television EMTV - commercial Radio CAIRO (AP) A high-profile Egyptian activist who was released from prison this week said Friday he plans to travel to Italy, where his case garnered significant attention. He said he will continue to work in the field of human rights and live between the two countries. In an interview with The Associated Press, Patrick George Zaki, who received a presidential pardon on Wednesday, said he hopes that other prominent jailed dissidents would be let go soon, including one of the most famous, Alaa Abdel Fattah. We hope that in the coming period there will be a presidential pardon for all prisoners of opinion," Zaki said. Egypt, which has carried out a relentless crackdown on dissent for nearly a decade, has also pardoned dozens of detainees in the past year. President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, who has overseen the crackdown, has previously denied that his country has political prisoners, and justified government measures by saying they are needed to fight the spread of terrorism. The release of Zaki, whose case was championed by Italys government, marks the end of a three-year ordeal. 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 accused of disseminating false news following an opinion article he wrote in 2019 on alleged discrimination against the Coptic Christian minority in the country. 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. Zaki earned a masters degree with distinction earlier this month without being able to go to Italy because he was barred from travel. He defended his thesis by videoconference. Days before he was pardoned, an Egyptian court convicted him of the charge of disseminating false news and sentenced him to three years in prison. Zakis case has echoed in Italy, reminding many 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. Story continues I will be in Bologna next Sunday night, Zaki said, adding that he would only make a short trip, that he needed to return to Egypt for his wedding in September. After that, he said he plans to pursue a doctorate in Italy and travel back to Egypt regularly. He said he is grateful for all the support the Italian people had shown him. I will continue to defend human rights around the world, and resume my work normally," he said. Michael Siluk / Universal Images Group/Newscom The advocacy group Moms for Liberty is all over the news these days in a sign of the growing power of parents over education policy. Teachers unions, which once exercised nearly unquestioned authority over public schools, eroded their own position in recent years by pushing rigid pandemic policies and expressing open hostility to parental concerns. The result is not just an ideological struggle for control of schools, but a huge boost in the prospects for choice in education. Conservative Parents Make Waves "The activist group Moms for Liberty has become the loudest voice in the culture wars around education," The Guardian reports. "After forming in 2021, Moms for Liberty spread across the United States, exploiting the Republican-led moral panic over a 'woke ideology' that is supposedly sweeping public schools and 'indoctrinating' children. At present, the group counts 285 chapters in 45 states." ABC News adds that "Moms for Liberty started with three Florida moms fighting COVID-19 restrictions in 2021" and that "in 2022, slightly more than half of the 500 school board candidates it endorsed across the country won." The headlines, organizational explosion (an estimated 120,000 members), and election victories are signs of rapid success for a new grassroots group. So is the pushback against Moms for Liberty's gains. Many news stories about the organization feature extensive use of scare quotes, as well as adjectives like "extremist," and "far-right." The Southern Poverty Law Center, once a civil rights organization that now exists to feeds the fears of the dwindling ranks that still take it seriously, describes Moms for Liberty as "antigovernment" (allegedly a bad thing) and "conspiracy propagandist, anti-LGBTQ and anti-gender identity, and anti-inclusive curriculum." It's true that, as you'd expect from a grassroots organization that experienced rapid growth, the group's ranks contain some cranks and loose cannons who engage in harassment and commit the classic mistake of quoting Hitler (rarely a good idea no matter the intent). But most of what they do is advocate for implementing their ideas in public schools that they see as under the control of ideological opponents in teachers' unions. They have a good point to make about the power of organized labor. Story continues Teachers' Unions Battled Parents Over Closures "The empirical research suggests that teachers' unions slowed fall school reopening decisions during a worldwide pandemic, and media accounts suggest their efforts continued as schools returned from winter break," the Brookings Institution pointed out in 2021 about a dynamic that was obvious to all. That's a problem because closed schools, most of which implemented remote learning very poorly, resulted in serious learning losses for children. "These results are sobering," Peggy G. Carr, commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, told The Washington Post. "It's clear that covid-19 shocked American education and stunted the academic growth of this age group." Well, depriving public school students of instruction in a panicked response to the virus (most charters, private schools, and homeschoolers made their own decisions with better results) stunted academic growth. And many parents blamed teachers' unions for the disaster. To this day, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten is fighting a furious rearguard action to revise her history of advocacy for school closures. Her efforts aren't convincing, but they're amusing to watch. Teachers unions also made their own very significant contributions to the ongoing debate over lessons infused with controversial takes on race, gender, culture, and history. Teachers' Unions Picked a Fight Over Curricula "It is reasonable and appropriate for curriculum to be informed by academic frameworks for understanding and interpreting the impact of the past on current society, including critical race theory," the National Education Association resolved at its 2021 annual meeting. The organization also decided to "join with Black Lives Matter at School and the Zinn Education Project to call for a rally this year on October 14George Floyd's birthdayas a national day of action to teach lessons about structural racism and oppression." Agree or disagree with those ideas, they are explicitly ideological positions adopted by a labor union representing public school teachers. They invite opposition from parents with opposing views. In fact, fracture lines were appearing between parents and teachers even before COVID-19. #RedForEd teachers' strikes in 2018 initially drew support from some parents, but they inconvenienced a lot of families. "By alienating parents, this walk out will empower the opponents of public education and hurt K-12 schools in the long run," columnist Linda Valdez warned in the Arizona Republic. Then came pandemic closures, curriculum battles, and arrogant hand-waving by union leaders. "There is no such thing as learning loss," the head of United Teachers Los Angeles sniffed to Los Angeles magazine. Republican Glenn Youngkin won a victory in Virginia's 2021 gubernatorial race fueled by what The New York Times called "frustration with schooling" and public "hostility toward teachers' unions." Since then, belated outreach by teachers' unions to families has not gone well. "In 2019, the NEA [National Education Association] opened up a 'community ally' category for non-educators, who could be parents or other supporters of its work," EducationWeek reported this month. "The union had expected to enroll 6,300 community allies by this fiscal yearbut instead, the number is closer to 150." The NEA's draw to teachers is eroding, too. "The NEA lost about 115,500 members who are working teachers and school support staff from the fall of 2017 to the fall of 2022," says EducationWeek. Opportunity for Everybody in the Battle Over Schools What all of this means is not just an opening for conservative parents opposed to progressive teachers, but for parents of every conceivable viewpoint who want to guide their children's education. With Moms for Liberty breaking unions' grip on education policy, there's potential benefit here for everybody, no matter their beliefs about how schools should handle public health concerns or what ideas should be taught. In fact, there's been a boom in state-level school choice legislation, with an emphasis on education savings accounts (ESA) that fund students however their families choose for them to learn. "Florida is the fourth state in 2023 to expand its existing ESA program to cover all students," Ballotpedia reported in March. "Utah, Iowa, and Arkansas did so as well. Arizona and West Virginia expanded their ESA programs to all students in 2022." The real victors of the struggle for a say in school policy need not be Moms for Liberty or the teachers' unions, but anybody who cares to make their own decisions about education. The post With Parent and Teacher Groups at Odds, School Choice May Be the Winner appeared first on Reason.com. London-based management software firm Rocketseed has chosen Charlotte for its U.S. headquarters. Saturday parking comes at a price in two popular Charlotte areas The company moved earlier this year into a small office at Venture X, which is located at Toringdon Office Park in south Charlotte. Rocketseed CEO Damian Hamp-Adams said the office currently has four local employees with plans to hire at least two more by the end of the year. Keep reading here. VIDEO: Saturday parking will come at a price in two popular Charlotte areas DPST/Newscom One of the most frustrating aspects of our highly partisan, culture-war-infused times is that people have lost the ability to direct criticism at anyone on their own side of the political divide. This tendency is corrosive because, without self-policing within the warring political camps, almost any form of bad behavior is defensible to one camp if any of its prominent members are caught doing it. The late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (DN.Y.) famously coined the phrase "defining deviancy down" to explain how destructive social behaviors become socially acceptable. But it applies to the political arena, as well. As one definition notes, Moynihan's term describes "the tendency of societies to respond to destructive behaviors by lowering standards for what is permissible." Essentially, partisans double down to protect "their" favored official, which is why Republicanswho during the Clinton administration argued that character is of the utmost importance in a political leaderhave defended a former president who embodies every bad personal character trait that one can cram into a large orange-tinged body. Recalling Moynihan, Trump's behavior is becoming the new normal. The current fracas over ethics concerns on the U.S. Supreme Court is a predictable outgrowth of this institution-destroying phenomenon. Before I delve into details, ask yourself this question whenever an ethics scandal swirls around a politician or judge you admire: What would you say if the exact same situation involved someone you despised? Most of us have seen the news stories that center on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' ethical allegations, but also encompass potential lapses by Justices Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, and Sonia Sotomayor. The first three are Republican appointees and the last one was appointed by a Democrat, which has turned the debate into a "what-about-ism" routine. Story continues The latest news story from The Guardian is hazy, but involves Venmo payments that lawyers with business before the high court allegedly made to a top Thomas aide, apparently related to the justice's Christmas party. We need more informationhow much were they, what exactly were they forbefore drawing a conclusion. But other Thomas-related news reports seem less murky. Per news reports, GOP donor Harlan Crow paid thousands of dollars in undisclosed private-school tuition to Thomas' grandnephew when Thomas was his legal guardian. Thomas also failed to disclose that Crow purchased his mother's house in Georgia (where she reportedly lived rent-free), and then made extensive renovations to the property. Thomas also reportedly received luxury trips and a Super Bowl ring through his membership in the Horatio Alger Association. ProPublica reported that Thomas "has vacationed on Crow's superyacht around the globe. He flies on Crow's Bombardier Global 5000 jet. He has gone with Crow to the Bohemian Grove, the exclusive California all-male retreat, and to Crow's sprawling ranch in East Texas." Thomas' wife Ginny, a conservative activist who had lobbied Arizona lawmakers to overturn that state's presidential election results, "was secretly paid tens of thousands of dollars in 2012 by a political-advocacy group that not long after submitted a brief in a case that was before the court," the New Yorker explained. Thomas did not recuse himself from election-related cases. Other Supreme Court scandals seem less extensive, but still troubling. Another Republican donor (who subsequently had business before the court) took Justice Samuel Alito (appointed by George W. Bush) on his private jet to go fishing in Alaska. Justice Neil Gorsuch did not disclose the purchaser of a Colorado property he soldthe head of a law firm that, as Politico reported, had "a robust practice before the high court." Sotomayor didn't recuse herself from cases involving a publisher that has paid her $3.7 million since 2010. The Associated Press recently found that she used her taxpayer-funded court staff to do outreach for these outside projects, and "often prodded public institutions that have hosted the justice to buy her memoir or children's books." Instead of using the latter incident as more evidence that the Supreme Court needs higher ethical standards and tougher ethics rules, many Republicans have used it as a "you see, they do it too" excuse to defend Thomas and other Republican appointees. They also point to the left-leaning bias of some publications that have uncovered the alleged conflicts of interest. Yes, those publications have liberal biases. And, yes, some progressives are using the Thomas/Alito/Gorsuch reports to undermine the conservative majority's legitimacy and push dangerous court expansion plans. But all of these nondisclosures, luxury trips, and gift-taking still seem sleazy. By the way, I'm someone who has been heartened by most of the court's recent decisions and has long admired Thomas' and Gorsuch's jurisprudence. Instead of "defining down" the standards of the high court based on our partisan instincts, why don't we just say the obvious: For the court to retain its legitimacy, its justices need to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest. Was that so hard? This column was first published in The Orange County Register. The post Partisanship Is Muddling the Important Debate Over Supreme Court Ethics appeared first on Reason.com. PATERSON The suspension imposed on a rookie cop involved in the Felix DeJesus missing person case should be reduced from 90 days to two days, an administrative law judge has recommended. The rookie cop, Dodi Zorrilla, violated departmental rules and regulations by not filing reports about the February 2022 encounter with DeJesus, who remains missing almost 18 months after the incident, determined the judge, Jude-Anthony Tiscornia. But Tiscornia found that Zorrilla who graduated from the police academy about six weeks before the DeJesus encounter was going through on-the-job training and following orders from his Paterson police training officer, Jacob Feliciano. The judge noted that Feliciano also was inexperienced, with less than one year on the job, at the time he was training Zorrilla. The entire disciplinary incident seems to be the product of compounded inexperience and lack of knowledge of the department rules and regulations, Tiscornia wrote in his opinion, dated July 19. Felix DeJesus, 41, was reported missing by his family on Feb. 3, 2022. The New Jersey Civil Service Commission now has 45 days to decide whether to adopt the administrative judges recommendation for cutting Zorrillas suspension to two days. The two cops already served their 90-day unpaid suspensions starting Nov. 1. Zorrilla would get back pay if the judges order reducing his penalty is upheld, officials said. Feliciano never appealed his suspension. The judges ruling has outraged DeJesus family members, who learned about his order from Paterson Press on Thursday. More: After vigil for Felix DeJesus, his family barred from Mendez safety meeting Thats horrible, said Crystal Garcia, the missing mans sister-in-law. If anything, they should have been fired. Garcia said both cops broke regulations by turning off their police body cameras while DeJesus was still handcuffed in the back seat of their police patrol vehicle. DeJesus had been taken into custody after a disturbance at a Paterson bodega Officials have said the two officers dropped off DeJesus at Westside Park at his request. But DeJesus family members and their supporters maintain theres no confirmation of that because the police shut off their recording devices. Story continues People who were drinking in the park that night have said DeJesus joined them after being released by the police, according to the missing mans family members and missing persons investigators. By all accounts, DeJesus appeared to be very drunk and was wearing only a T-shirt on a frigid night during the police encounter. His brother, Eric DeJesus, said the two cops should be terminated because of their failure to take him someplace safe when they released him. Earlier: A year later, Felix DeJesus family feels no closer to finding the missing Haledon man It was a Code Blue night, the brother said. DeJesus was never charged with a crime, the administrative judge pointed out in his decision. It appears, thus, that Zorrilla is being scrutinized not for acting overly aggressive, but for acting overly passive, the judge wrote. While FDJ (DeJesus) wore no overcoat and appeared to be intoxicated, he also appeared as a citizen who did not wish to be further aided by police. Story continues below video. The judge noted that people at the bodega did not want to file charges against DeJesus. It appears that the officers act of removing FDJ from the area of the convenience store and subsequently releasing FDJ onto a city street (by FDJs own direction) was a misguided attempt to peaceably diffuse the situation, the judge wrote. During his Internal Affairs interview, Zorrilla said he asked Feliciano whether they should file a report about the DeJesus encounter, according to the administrative judges order. Zorrilla said Feliciano told him there was no need to file a report because it was simply a transport. Angel Jimenez, president of Paterson Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 1, said he doesnt think Feliciano and Zorrilla should have been suspended at all. The city imposed the 90-day discipline because of the polarizing and political nature of the DeJesus case, the union president said. This was a knee-jerk reaction, Jimenez said. They overreacted and overdisciplined. The PBA leader said the officers simply took DeJesus where he wanted to go when they dropped him at the park. Weve gotten to the point where police are being held accountable for other peoples actions. Jimenez said. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh did not respond to a message seeking his comment for this story. Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Felix DeJesus Paterson NJ police: Judge pushes for reduced suspension From left, Democratic Sens. Nathan Johnson of Dallas, Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio and Jose Menendez of San Antonio. Lawyers for suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton are seeking to remove the three senators as jurors in Paxton's impeachment trial. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar/Evan L'Roy/Bob Daemmerich for The Texas Tribune Lawyers for suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton are pushing to disqualify three Democratic state senators as jurors in his upcoming impeachment trial. Paxtons lawyers filed a motion Friday that asks Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to disqualify Sens. Nathan Johnson of Dallas, Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio and Jose Menendez of San Antonio, arguing they have a proven bias against Paxton. Like numerous courts around the country, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has held for almost a century that potential jurors with a bias or prejudice against the accused are disqualified from serving on his jury as a matter of law, the motion said. Jurors Jose Menendez, Roland Gutierrez, and Nathan Johnson have such a bias and have proclaimed it loudly, time and again. The motion cites a number of critical public statements that the senators have made about Paxton over the years, including some in recent weeks. For example, it points to an MSNBC interview last month in which Gutierrez, who is also a candidate for U.S. Senate next year, said the evidence the House gathered could not be refuted. No one who has publicly declared the charges against a defendant irrefutable can even play at impartiality, let alone serve in an impartial manner, Paxtons lawyers argued. The motion also cites a Tuesday tweet from Johnson reacting to news that a pro-Paxton political action committee had recently given $3 million to Patrick, who is presiding over the trial. Johnson called the donation obscene. The tweet not only proved Johnsons bias but also violated a gag order Patrick had issued the day before, according to Paxtons lawyers. The House impeachment managers responded in their own filing later Friday, registering their opposition. The House Managers oppose this Motion and trust that all Senators previously determined to be eligible to vote will follow their constitutional obligation to impartially try Mr. Paxton, the managers said. They added they would fully respond to Paxtons motion by the Aug. 15 deadline to do so. Story continues The House voted to impeach Paxton in May, accusing him of a yearslong pattern of misconduct and lawbreaking. Most of the articles center on claims from Paxtons former deputies that he abused his position to help a wealthy Austin businessman and campaign donor, Nate Paul. Paxton is preparing for trial to begin Sept. 5 in the Senate on whether he should be permanently removed from office. The Senate already disqualified Republican Sen. Angela Paxton Ken Paxtons wife from voting in the trial when it approved rules for the proceeding last month. The chamber did so with a rule that said the spouse of a party to the court of impeachment has a conflict of interest. If Senator Paxton may be required to step aside, Senators that have demonstrated a bias or prejudice against the Attorney General must be required to do so as well, Paxtons lawyers said. The impartiality of senators has long been a source of debate given that Paxton is a former senator himself, his wife currently serves in the chamber and they have their own relationships with senators. Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, is even referenced in the articles of impeachment as an unwitting straw requestor for an attorney generals office legal opinion that helped Paul. Hughes has not been disqualified. Angela Paxtons disqualification was the subject of a new lawsuit from Houston conservative activist Steve Hotze, a staunch Paxton supporter. Filed in Travis County district court Friday, the lawsuit argues that the trial rules unfairly singled out Angela Paxton because impeachment is an inherently political process, rife with potential conflicts of interest. Despite the fact that every senator and the Lieutenant Governor arguably have a conflict personal or private interest in the impeachment proceeding and/or biases for or against General Paxton, Rule 31 targets one individual, Senator Angela Paxton, and the voters who live in Senate District 8, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit also challenges the sweeping gag order that Patrick issued Monday, saying it violates free-speech rights. Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23. With the delayed state budget process in Harrisburg, Penn State employees expecting salary increases might have to wait a little longer than anticipated. According to the university, because it cannot receive state funds until lawmakers finish their budget process, it will temporarily hold off on general salary increases and its compensation modernization initiative which would change pay structures so it can support in-state tuition discounts that state appropriations would otherwise fund. Any future general salary increases would still be retroactive to July 1. Penn States full board of trustees approved a university operating budget Friday afternoon that includes 3% pools for general salary increases. State Rep. Seth Grove, R-York, the House Minority Appropriations chairman, said Thursday he doesnt expect the state budget to move until October at the earliest. Penn State officials acknowledged the move was disappointing. We value our employees, and we are cognizant that this temporary delay in funding for GSI and the compensation modernization initiative is disappointing, Jennifer Wilkes, vice president for human resources, said in a written statement. I want to personally thank employees for their patience as the university navigates this challenge, which we hope will be short lived. As an institution of higher education and Pennsylvanias flagship public university, supporting our in-state students is a priority and the right thing to do, but we also remain committed to supporting our employees and recognizing their hard work and dedication as soon as we possibly can. Once lawmakers conclude the state appropriations process, Penn State has said it will provide more information about salary increases and funding for compensation modernization, an effort that began in 2020. New salary bands with updated job classifications will then be shared with employees. Under lawmakers latest proposal, Penn State would receive a general support appropriation which helps lower the cost for in-state students in the amount of $259.3 million, a 7.1% increase over the previous year. The land-grant university would also receive about $104 million in other appropriations. (Penn States operating expense budget for 2023-2024 is $9.5 billion.) We are in continued conversations with the legislature, and we remain hopeful that state leaders will pass our funding bill with the increase that Gov. (Josh) Shapiro has proposed, as this funding is vital to students and families across Pennsylvania, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said. Despite not knowing what our appropriation will be, university operations must be maintained, which is why we are moving forward with our budget as planned with the caveat that some critical steps must wait so that we can meet our commitment to our Pennsylvania resident students. There were cases of theft of Western weapons in Ukraine during the first months of the full-scale war, but the weapons have been found and seized. Source: CNN, referring to a report by the Pentagons Inspector General Details: The report mentions that the inability of Pentagon personnel to visit locations where weapons provided to Ukraine were being used or stored between February and September 2022 made monitoring significantly more complicated. However, at the end of October, the US resumed on-site inspections of Ukrainian ammunition storage points to track where US military assistance was going. It is noted that due to the difficulty of tracking the weapons provided, the US European Command tried to mitigate this problem by requiring receipts from Ukrainians that they "made a good faith effort to provide". The Office of Defence Cooperation-Kyiv, as stated in the report, also asked the Ukrainian government to provide reports on expenditures, losses and damage to US-provided equipment. The Ukrainian government, for its part, "made efforts to prevent illicit proliferation of defence material provided by the United States". The report notes that criminal organisations have nevertheless managed to steal some weapons and equipment provided by the US and allies to Ukraine. The report says that at the end of June 2022, an organised criminal group led by an unnamed Russian official joined a volunteer battalion using forged documents and stole weapons a grenade launcher and a machine gun, as well as more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition. However, Ukrainian intelligence uncovered the plot. Also last June, Ukrainian intelligence services uncovered a conspiracy of traders who were trying to sell weapons and ammunition stolen from the frontline in Ukraines south. In addition, a conspiracy of Ukrainian criminals posing as humanitarian workers who stole bulletproof vests worth US$17,000 was also exposed. Story continues It is also reported that in August 2022, Ukrainian security services exposed a group of volunteer battalion fighters who stole 60 rifles and almost 1,000 rounds of ammunition. They kept the weapons in a warehouse to possibly sell them on the black market. The report does not specify whether the weapons were provided to Ukraine by its partners. The Pentagon report notes that missiles and helicopters were easier to track through intelligence mechanisms, but smaller items, such as night vision devices, were more difficult to control. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg speaking to a DC Metro employee As spending bill debates on Capitol Hill continued, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg strongly condemned the growing rhetoric and focus on culture war issues while passing those bills, such as anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. At the Department of Transportation, Buttigieg, who the Senate confirmed as the first out cabinet secretary, discussed the topic with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, NPR reports. According to Buttigieg, he was not very closely paying attention to Tuesdays fight over funding for transportation, housing, and urban development in the House of Representatives. In the session, Democrats condemned Republicans for cutting funding for three community centers, two in Pennsylvania and one in Massachusetts. All were singled out because they contained the term LGBTQ, several Democratic members told The Advocate. Buttigieg said culture war issues do not represent real concerns in communities nationwide. He cited the recent Bud Light boycott by conservatives upset that trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney posted one paid partnership video on social media as well as legislation in red states that target drag performers. When Im out in Wheeling, West Virginia, or Pittsburgh at the airport or anywhere else, the questions are not about beer bottles or drag queens, he said. The questions are about making sure that we can deliver these transportation assets that people can count on. Buttigieg continued, It is maddening sometimes to look at the split screen on cable TV, and Im trying to make sure people are aware of the literally tens of thousands of good projects weve already supported around the country. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee, called Republicans terrorists for moving to block funding for LGBTQ+ centers and related programs. Republicans pushed back, arguing that they were not targeting specific groups; rather, they were opposed to funding projects that, according to Maryland Republican Rep. Andy Harris, groom kids. He also claimed that the requirement to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally to qualify for participation in one program was discriminatory against non-LGBTQ+ people. Story continues Several recesses were taken during the hearing as insults were traded between the members. Buttigieg said culture war political rhetoric overshadows other issues, such as funding measures for his agency and others needed to prevent a government shutdown. We need to do two things, and it should not be hard to do," he said. "One is to safeguard vulnerable groups as a matter of policy, which is something we believe in as administration and is the right thing to do, and another is to keep doing the work of taking care of the basics. "They never consider information as something of value in itself. They don't believe in communication between people because they don't think people are capable of analyzing and making decisions. They see people as a passive mass that can be manipulated. And in a sense, that means that they invest a lot of money in information warfare, but maybe that's their Achilles' heel. So I think that the fact that Russian propaganda is so concerned with information is its strength, but also its weakness." In the new episode of the "(Un)Safe Country" podcast, its irreplaceable host Alina Frolova has a conversation with Peter Pomerantsev, a British journalist, one of the most prominent figures in Western countries who speaks about propaganda and researches russia. We talk about information and how it affects war, about Ukraine's ability to respond democratically to the russian information warfare machine and ideology, about how democracies can convince the masses, about information Rammstein and journalistic ethics in times of war. The claim: North Carolina tornado destroyed Pfizer warehouse full of COVID-19 vaccines A July 19 Twitter post (direct link, archive link) shows a short clip of a collapsed industrial building damaged by a storm. "BREAKING NEWS: A Pfizer Warehouse Full of Covid Vaccines Was Just DESTROYED BY A TORNADO in North Carolina," reads the post. The post was retweeted 17,000 times in two days and shared more than 600 times on Facebook, according to CrowdTangle, a social media analytics tool. Similar posts were also shared on Facebook. Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks Our rating: False Pfizer's Rocky Mount facility in North Carolina was severely damaged in a recent tornado. However, the COVID-19 vaccine was never manufactured or stored at the site. Pfizer facility damaged, but COVID-19 vaccines not affected A tornado swept across about a 16-mile stretch of North Carolina on July 19, severely damaging Pfizer's Rocky Mount manufacturing site, as USA TODAY previously reported. In a series of tweets, Pfizer confirmed the facility, which is about 60 miles east of Raleigh, was damaged by the tornado and said workers there were able to safely evacuate. "We are assessing the situation to determine the impact on production," one of the company's tweets says. "Our thoughts are with our colleagues, our patients and the community as we rebuild from this weather incident." But a Pfizer spokesperson refuted the post's claim that the facility was filled with COVID-19 vaccines. "I can confirm that no COVID-19 vaccines or Paxlovid were impacted/damaged," Keanna Ghazvini, the company's global media relations manager, told USA TODAY. Fact check: Post falsely claims that FDA said Pfizer vaccines cause blood clots A fact sheet about the facility provided by Pfizer says it's "one of the largest sterile injectable product manufacturing sites in the world," focused on making terminally sterilized vials, aseptic vials, ampules and "various other hospital products." Story continues The company's website also lists "anesthesia, analgesia, therapeutics, anti-infectives and neuromuscular blockers" among the products produced at the facility. The EF3 tornado did damage elsewhere too, with winds peaking at about 150 mph, according to the National Weather Service. No fatalities have been reported, but the storm did result in 16 injuries. The Twitter user could not be reached for comment. Lead Stories also debunked the claim. Our fact-check sources: Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaperhere. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No COVID-19 vaccines at Pfizer facility hit by tornado | Fact check MANILA (Reuters) - Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Friday his government will not cooperate with the International Criminal Court's (ICC) investigation into the thousands of killings committed during his predecessor's 'war on drugs'. Marcos maintained the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Southeast Asian country, which withdrew from the ICC in March 2019. "We will not cooperate with them in any way, shape or form," Marcos told reporters, just days after appeals judges at the ICC rejected the Philippines' attempt to block an investigation by the court's prosecutors into the anti-narcotics campaign of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Thousands of people were killed during anti-drug operations that ended in shootouts during Duterte's six-year term, rights groups say. Police have officially acknowledged roughly 6,200 deaths and reject accusations of systematic executions and cover-ups. Marcos said the alleged crimes must be dealt with in the country as they were committed in Philippine territory. The justice ministry has promised its own investigation into the drugs war will be fair. "We continue to defend the sovereignty of the Philippines and continue to question the jurisdiction of the ICC in their investigations here in the Philippines," Marcos said. While the Philippines is no longer a signatory to the international tribunal, the ICC's top prosecutor has said the court does have jurisdiction because the country was a party at the time the alleged crimes were committed. (Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor) Editors Note: Call to Earth is a CNN editorial series committed to reporting on the environmental challenges facing our planet, together with the solutions. Rolexs Perpetual Planet initiative has partnered with CNN to drive awareness and education around key sustainability issues and to inspire positive action. In the dark and silty depths of Tasmanias Derwent River, an unusual kind of fish can be found walking not swimming along the riverbed. The spotted handfish, which moves using pectoral fins that look like hands, lurks in the murky depths, ready to pounce on any prey it attracts with the fluffy lure above its mouth. Its cream coloring and dark brown or orange spots blend in with the sandy floor, making the fish hard to spot, and even harder to photograph. This, coupled with the fact that the species is critically endangered, with fewer than 3,000 individuals thought to remain in the wild. But French photographer Nicolas Remy was determined to see the elusive fish for himself. In 2022, he traveled from his base in Sydney to Australias coldest state, and dived into the waters of the Derwent which were a chilly 11 degrees Celsius. An hour in, he spotted the first handfish, but with the burst of his camera flash it was gone. All the photograph had captured was a cloud of silt. Remy realized he would have to hone his technique for this species and spent three consecutive days and a total of nine hours in the river. There are fewer than 3,000 spotted handfish remaining in the wild. - Nicolas REMY Eventually, after mastering a special swimming technique with his flippers that didnt stir up the silt, and using a different kind of lighting device that created a narrow spotlight, Remy got his shot a close-up of the charismatic fish, with its hands and the fluffy lure in plain sight. The photograph went on to win first place in the cold-water category of the Underwater Photography Guides Ocean Art 2022 contest. Remy hopes that his photographs will help to shine a light on this rare species that most people know and care little about. Using portrait-style photography, he wants to create an emotional connection with the handfish, prompting people to get engaged in conserving the very strange looking fish. Story continues Related: Extraordinary close-up images show insects as youve never seen them before Saving the handfish Efforts to preserve the spotted handfish, and its even more critically endangered relatives, the red handfish and Ziebells handfish, are ongoing. The National Handfish Recovery Team plans to revive all three species, which are found in the waters of south-eastern Australia. Of the red handfish, only 100 adults are thought to remain, while the Ziebells hasnt been spotted in the wild since 2007. The red handfish is currently only found on two small patches of reef in south-eastern Tasmania. - Tyson Bessell Low dispersal capability, small population size, and relatively low reproductive output make them susceptible to environmental disturbance, says Jemina Stuart-Smith, chair of the National Handfish Recovery Team, who notes habitat loss, pollution and urban development as major threats. Whats more, their quirky method of walking rather than swimming, makes it difficult for handfish to use ocean currents to carry them away from degraded areas, she adds. Recovery efforts involve monitoring populations of all three species, restoring their natural habitat, removing invasive species or over-abundant sea urchins, and working with aquariums to establish captive breeding programs and insurance populations. In the Derwent River, the team has planted artificial habitat to encourage spotted handfish spawning, which has already shown promising results in stabilizing populations, says Stuart-Smith. But while there has been some progress, the situation is still urgent and the recovery team needs longer-term funding and resources, says Stuart-Smith. She hopes the Australian governments recent threatened species action plan, which aims to prevent any new extinctions, will help as the red handfish is listed in the plans 110 priority species. The Ziebell's handfish is the most elusive of the three pecies, with no confirmed sightings since 2007. - Andrew Green Generating awareness is also crucial to conservation efforts, she says, and photography can be an important medium for this. Mark Strickland, American photographer and judge of the Ocean Art 2022 photo contest, agrees. He told CNN in an email: By capturing and sharing beautiful images of such rarely seen species, underwater photographers can play an outsized role by creating awareness and concern among people who might otherwise be unaware of the plight being faced by these species and the fragile habitats where they reside. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Pittsburgh Pirates (42-54)) embark on another West Coast road trip as they head to Anaheim to face the Los Angeles Angles (49-48) before heading south down to state for a three-game series with the San Diego Padres. Right-hander Johan Oviedo will be on the mound for the Pirates, and he will need to be on his A-game as Pittsburgh Faces a near-impossible task. Oviedo will be opposite two-way sensation and American League MVP frontrunner Shohei Ohtani. Click here to read more from PittsburghBaseballNOW.com. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: State police car hit responding to report of 50 vehicles drag racing on Fort Pitt Bridge Tony Bennett, legendary pop crooner, dies at 96 Woman, three children found dead in home in suspected murder-suicide VIDEO: 2 teens arrested in carjacking of Uber driver in Homewood North DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts A clinical psychologist called by the defense Thursday in the Pittsburgh synagogue gunmans death penalty trial highlighted the defendants troubled childhood, noting the impact of trauma that put him at risk for mental illness. Dr. Katherine Porterfield testified in detail about Robert Bowers early years to adulthood, signaling he moved through various treatment centers amid concern for his emotional well-being from teachers and others. She also described multiple suicide attempts. By age 10, Bowers was a suicidal child, Porterfield said, calling it remarkable and unusual. Hes telling people, I dont want to live, she said. Porterfields testimony comes as defense attorneys make the case to the federal jury that Bowers had significant mental health issues that should lead to a sentence of life in prison rather than the death penalty. The prosecution, meanwhile, has argued the mass shooting showed extensive planning and a clear intent that, in his own words, All Jews had to die. Bowers, 50, was found guilty in June of 63 charges against him for killing 11 worshippers and wounding six others at Pittsburghs Tree of Life synagogue in 2018, the deadliest ever attack on Jewish people in the United States. Twenty-two of those counts were capital offenses, so he is eligible for the death penalty at this second phase of the trial. Teachers from Bowers first and fourth grade classes were concerned about his emotional behavior, Porterfield testified on Thursday. They noted his troubles socializing and that attempts at interventions were ignored or rejected by Bowers mother, Barbara, according to Porterfield. In a chaotic incidence during the eighth grade, a crisis point for Bowers, according Porterfield, he chased his mother with a flammable liquid and attempted to light the liquid. After that incident Bowers was admitted to the adult psychiatric ward at McKeesport Hospital, something that Porterfield said was pretty unusual for a 13, just turned 13-year-old. Story continues Hes out of control, hes a completely out of control child, Porterfield said. What were seeing here is just poor emotional regulation. He cannot handle his feelings. At another psychiatric center, according to Porterfield, doctors described Bowers as depressed and oppositional with bizarre behavior, along with poor social skills and few friends. Porterfield said Bowers faced extraordinary neglect from caregivers during adolescence and experienced severe depression. He acted out with self-destruction, she said, failed in school and had at least four suicide attempts. Two of those suicide attempts were between the ages of 16 and 17, according to Porterfield. In one instance, he overdosed on aspirin. In the other, Bowers drank grain alcohol in his car and lit himself on fire with a cigarette, resulting in severe burns, Porterfield said. Bowers instability continued through adulthood with no meaningful ongoing intervention to address his decades of mental illness and minimal functionality, she testified. Bowers was also financially unstable and worked inconsistently, holding jobs on and off, and only sticking to one job at a bakery for 15 years, Porterfield said. He was eventually fired in 2004 for stealing money. Porterfield said Bowers familys own deep-rooted issues of substance abuse, violence and instability led to a lack of attention toward Roberts issues. Bowers had several traumatic life events and circumstances that put him at risk for the development of severe mental illness and problems, Porterfield concluded. Federal prosecutor Nicole Vasquez Schmitt cross-examined Porterfield and asked her if she interviewed Bowers for her analysis. Porterfield said, No. She said a substantial source of her information came from the defendants mother. Schmitt pressed Porterfield regarding her notes on his mother, which said she is impaired emotionally, cognitively, and socially. Schmitt then questioned the accuracy of the mothers accounts and stories. She also asked Porterfield if they were possibly exaggerated because of the love for her son. Porterfield said she believed the mothers accounts were honest and truthful. Betrayal trauma Porterfield testified that Bowers parents, Barbara Jenkins and Randall Bowers, had provided an unstable family environment for him through his infancy and early childhood. She said the dose of trauma really matters when a caregiver, instead of providing a caring environment, is a source of horror, sadness and fear. Its called betrayal trauma, she said. Randall Bowers, himself, had an unstable childhood, according to Porterfield. While serving in the Navy, he was placed in a psychiatric ward, and later jumped off a ship into Guantanamo Bay in a suicide attempt, she said. Porterfield testified that both parents threatened to kill their son. At one point, Jenkins threatened to throw Robert out the window of their apartment from the third floor, she said. Randall Bowers also threatened to kill himself by turning on the gas in the apartment. They were young parents that were clearly out of control, she said. Eventually the parents separated, and Jenkins married Robert Saiter and moved to a trailer park in Florida with her son, Porterfield said. Saiter, who was in the Air Force, was later hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital at an Air Force base and deemed unfit for service, according to Air Force records. Porterfield testified Saiter was later arrested and convicted of child molestation and sentenced to 17 years. Jenkins, Porterfield said, returned to cutting herself in front of Robert Bowers and was hospitalized for depression and anxiety. He was surrounded by unstable grandparents as well, Dr. Porterfield testified. By age 3, Bowers had lived with two men who were very mentally ill, violent men. Both were charged with sexual offenses, Porterfield said. Bowers had chronic traumatic experiences and chronic traumatic stress that wasnt just a one-time event, Porterfield testified. Every negative event in a childs life piles up, worsening their outcomes, she said. Aunt who met Bowers only once testifies An aunt of Bowers also testified on Thursday, his first family member to take the stand on his behalf. Deanna Bowers was married to Wendell Bowers, the defendants uncle on his fathers side. She lives in California, and said she and her husband had little contact with his brother, Randall, but she was aware he had a son, Robert. She met the defendant once, when he was 8. Deanna Bowers said she has not been in touch with him since then. Her husband died in 2019. She testified he told her he had a difficult childhood with an abusive father, the defendants paternal grandfather. When asked by defense attorney Elisa Long if the rest of the family treated Robert Bowers like a relative, Deanna said only his paternal grandmother, Ann Bowers, stayed in regular contact with him. She cares about him very much, she said. Under cross-examination from the prosecution, Deanna Bowers said despite her husbands difficult childhood, Wendell became a beloved member of their community in California. CNNs Sarah Boxer and Eric Levenson contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com It seems like Republicans dont want to deal with the rule of law unless its in their favor, voting rights activist Melanie Campbell told theGrio. The plaintiffs in a redistricting case in Alabama say state lawmakers are defying a Supreme Court ruling after passing a redrawn congressional map that fails to give Black voters a second majority-Black district in compliance with the Voting Rights Act, and reduces the population of Black voters in another. Stuart Naifeh, an attorney with the Legal Defense Fund working on the team representing plaintiffs in the federal case, told theGrio that the proposed map is obviously not a majority-Black district and would not comply with the district courts order. It is actually majority white measured by voting-age population, according to their own data, said Naifeh. Lead counsel for the plaintiffs Deuel Ross (2nd left) speaks to members of the press as President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) Janai Nelson (right), plaintiff Evan Milligan (2nd right) and U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (D-AL) (3rd right) listen after the oral argument of the Merrill v. Milligan case at the U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 4, 2022 in Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court heard the oral argument of the case that challenges whether the new congressional map of Alabama violates the Voting Rights Act. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) In June, the Supreme Court ruled that Republican legislators would have to comply with a federal district courts order to reapportion its statewide map to ensure that it gives Alabamas 27% Black population a second voting-age majority district or something close to it. The plaintiffs in the case, comprised of several Black voters in Alabama, argued the existing map violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which grants equal opportunity for Black voters to elect a candidate of choice. The map proposed by the Alabama House of Representatives this week would increase the Black voting population in Alabamas 2nd Congressional District from 30% to 42%, while the Senate map would increase it to only 38%. Critics of the new map also take issue with the 7th Congressional District, the states lone majority-Black district, having its Black population reduced by 4%. That district is represented by Alabamas only Black congressional member, Rep. Terri Sewell, a Democrat. Sewell declined theGrios comment on the proposed map. A final vote is expected on Friday. Letetia Jackson, a public policy advocate and one of the plaintiffs in the case, said Republican legislators disrespected and ignored the courts ruling. She told theGrio, We all know that is not an opportunity for Black voters to elect their representative based on Alabamas own history of polarized voting. Story continues Melanie Campbell, president and CEO of the National Coalition for Black Civic Participation, told theGrio she finds it interesting that Republican legislators ironically ignored the highest court in the land that has appointees that were appointed by Donald Trump. She added, It seems like Republicans dont want to deal with the rule of law unless its in their favor. Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks during a rally at the Alabama State Capitol on March 11, 2022, in Montgomery, Alabama. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Jackson also slammed the committee process for how the congressional maps were approved. She said it was done in secret away from Black legislators representing the very constituency fighting to be heard and represented in Alabama on the federal level. She lamented that Republican lawmakers did not share information about the new map with the public, allowing constituents to give their input. Jackson said the map was also absent any data to support what they were presenting as evidence that their map was a good map. Once Republicans officially file their new proposed map with the district court, Naifeh told theGrio that the plaintiffs in the case would have a week to file a brief explaining whether they object to it or think it resolves the case. Naifeh made clear that the plaintiffs in the case oppose the proposed maps. At a hearing scheduled for Aug. 14, the court will hear evidence from the plaintiffs to show the map doesnt satisfy the court order to create a second district where Black voters are a majority or close to it. People march toward the Alabama State Capitol on March 11, 2022, in Montgomery, Alabama. Community residents, organizers, and activists concluded the 11-day Selma-to-Montgomery march with a rally at the Alabama State Capitol. In 1965, the march began at the Edmund Pettus Bridge and was met with brutal beatings of civil rights marchers at the hands of law enforcement. The march would later become known as Bloody Sunday. The televised attacks were seen all over the nation, prompting public support for the civil rights activists in Selma and for the voting rights campaign. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Naifeh said sometime after that, the court will decide if its going to reject the legislatures map or create a process for adopting its own. If the district court rules in favor of the Republican legislatures new map, the attorney told theGrio that Black voters in Alabama would continue to suffer the same harm. They cant elect candidates of choice except in the one district that has been historically the majority Black district in Alabama, he noted. Whatever the outcome in the district court, Naifeh anticipates there will be another appeal to the Supreme Court. I would suspect that the Supreme Court wont be interested in hearing this case further, he said, But you never know. Gerren Keith Gaynor Gerren Keith Gaynor is a White House Correspondent and the Managing Editor of Politics at theGrio. He is based in Washington, D.C. TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today! The post Plaintiffs slam Alabama Republicans for defying court order with map limiting Black voters appeared first on TheGrio. Mariusz Baszczak, Minister of National Defence of Poland, has instructed that Polish troops be from the west to the east of the country due to possible threats related to the presence of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) in Belarus. Source: Polish news agency PAP citing Zbigniew Hoffmann, secretary of the Polish Security Committee Quote from Hoffmann: "Exercises or joint exercises of the Belarusian army and the Wagner group is undoubtedly a provocation." Details: On Thursday, the Ministry of Defence of Belarus announced joint exercises of its special forces and members of the Wagner PMC at a training ground near Poland. Hoffman reported that a meeting of the Polish Security Committee had taken place on Wednesday, which, among other things, analysed possible threats, such as the deployment of Wagner PMC units. Quote "That is why Mariusz Baszczak, the Minister of National Defence and head of the committee, decided to move our military units from the west to the east of Poland." Details: The task of these units is training, as well as deterring a potential aggressor, Hoffmann said. The Ministry of Defence of Poland, in response to the news about the training of the Wagner fighters at the border training ground, noted that they are monitoring the situation and that the borders of the country are safe. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's security committee decided in a meeting on Wednesday to move military units to the country's east due to the Wagner Group's presence in Belarus, state-run news agency PAP quoted its secretary as saying on Friday. Wagner 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 while they trained the Belarusian army. On Thursday, the Belarusian defence ministry said Wagner mercenaries had started to train Belarusian special forces at a military range just a few miles from the border with NATO-member Poland. "Training or joint exercises of the Belarusian army and the Wagner Group is undoubtedly a provocation," Zbigniew Hoffmann told PAP. "The Committee analysed possible threats, such as the dislocation of Wagner Group units. Therefore, the Minister of National Defense, chairman of the Committee, Mariusz Blaszczak, decided to move our military formations from the west to the east of Poland." People living near Poland's border with Belarus said on Thursday they could hear shooting and helicopters after Russia's Wagner Group arrived to train Belarusian special forces, compounding their fears the Ukraine war would reach them. Defense Minister Blasczak said earlier this month that Poland began moving over 1,000 troops to the east of the country. Also at the beginning of July Poland said it would send 500 policeto shore up security at the border with Belarus. (Reporting by Alan Charlish; Editing by Kim Coghill) Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said that Poland will summon the Russian ambassador to the Foreign Ministry after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Stalin allegedly "gave" land to Poland. Source: Morawiecki on Twitter Quote: "Stalin was a war criminal responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of dPoles. The historical truth is beyond doubt. The Russian ambassador will be summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." Details: Morawiecki posted this tweet, commenting on Putin's words that the [Soviet] dictator Joseph Stalin had allegedly "given" land to Poland. Background: On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Poland's western lands were a "gift from Stalin" and that Poland should be grateful to the USSR for "restoring its independence". In response, Stanisaw Zaryn, the Polish government's plenipotentiary for the security of information space, called the Russian president a "pathetic Kremlin bore" who spreads lies about the war in Ukraine. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Police in Central Kentucky have located one of two men they shared could be armed and dangerous and are currently under investigation. The Powell County Sheriffs Office located Aubert Clevenger, who fled from Lee County officials in a stolen Polaris RZR side-by-side in the Red River Gorge area on Saturday. According to a Facebook post by the sheriffs office, Clevenger was arrested early Sunday morning through the help of multiple agencies and community tips. Clevenger was spotted in camera footage trying to steal a gas can near La Cabana Mexican Restaurant on Natural Bridge Road just after 1 a.m. Saturday, according to the sheriffs office. Law enforcement are still searching for Cody Wayne Johnson, who is alleged to have stolen a black 2007 Ford Focus that was spotted in Stanton, according to a Saturday morning Facebook post by the Powell County Sheriffs Office. He had been seen earlier in the Slade area in Powell County, possibly on foot or on a motorbike, the Powell County Sheriffs Office said Friday. He has also been seen in a 2023 Nissan Titan with Wisconsin plates, according to the Powell County Sheriffs Office Facebook page. Johnson managed to elude law enforcement while he was under investigation, the sheriffs department said. We anticipate him to attempt to find some other way of transportation. We encourage everyone to lock their vehicles, continue to be on the lookout, and monitor your cameras. If you see him, call 911 immediately, the sheriffs office said in a Facebook post Saturday morning. The Powell County Sheriffs Office released a photo of a man named Aubert Clevenger that they asked the public to be on the lookout for. Powell County Sheriff's Office/Facebook Kentucky State Police, Powell and Clark County Sheriffs departments are working together to locate Johnson, according to law enforcement. Johnson is also wanted on charges in Fulton and Madison counties, according to police. Cody Wayne Johnson Madison County Detention Center /Madison County Detention Center Johnson was charged July 13 in Fulton County with multiple counts of fleeing and evading police, receiving stolen property, wanton endangerment, being a felon in possession of a handgun and multiple drug-related charges, according to court records. Story continues In Madison County, Johnson faces multiple charges including being a felon in possession of a handgun, trafficking in marijuana and several traffic-related citations, according to court records. Cody Wayne Johnson Madison County Detention Center/Madison County Detention Center He is considered armed and dangerous and should be approached with caution, the Powell County Sheriffs said in a Facebook post. If you see Johnson or a suspicious person resembling him, call 911 immediately. A teen is under arrest for allegedly shooting children with a paintball gun on Saturday night in what police are calling a social media trend. A 17-year-old male was charged with assault and battery. He has been issued a summons to appear in Lawrence Juvenile Court on August 2. Groveland Police say two children were walking in the area of Main Street and Broad Street around 8:15 p.m. when a passing vehicle rolled down its window and a suspect began shooting a splatter ball gun at them. These guns can shoot gel balls, pellets, or beads. Both children suffered bruises, according to police. A follow-up investigation determined the 17-year-old juvenile was the passenger in the car shooting at the children. The investigation remains active and ongoing, as the driver of the vehicle, who is believed to be from New Hampshire, has not been identified at this time. Its troubling to think its considered acceptable to scare and potentially hurt someone just to get attention on social media, Chief Jeffrey Gillen said. We ask parents to be aware of what their children are doing, and ask the public to contact us any time they see behavior they think is suspicious. This isnt the only incident Groveland Police have allegedly dealt with in recent weeks. On June 17, police say they responded to Main Street and Elm Park for a report of someone shooting pellets at people. There were no reported injuries but a juvenile from Dracut was charged. The two incidents are unrelated, according to officials. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW An Athens-Clarke police officer was dispatched Wednesday to check on a pickup abandoned along a gravel road for at least three days only to find a dead body nearby in the woods. Police detectives were still working Friday to get a positive identification of the body and the cause of death. The body was in an advanced state of decomposition, so everything is pending the coroners report and autopsy, police Lt. Jody Thompson said. Evidence gathered at the scene shows the man may be the owner of the blue 2003 Ford F-150 pickup, a Gainesville man in his 60s, according to police. Road rage: Athens man beaten and his car pelted with a milkshake in road rage incident Exploitation: GBI arrests two Athens men on child exploitation charges The body was found shortly before 11 a.m. in the area of Barnett Shoals Road and Whit Davis Road, where the pickup was parked on the gravel road that leads to a power transformer station. The truck had been parked at the location since at least July 16 as the responding officer reported he saw it on that date. On Wednesday, the officer arrived and while investigating the truck he saw a man lying partially on his back against a tree, according to the report. The officer noticed immediately that the person was dead, so he called his shift supervisor. This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Police investigate death of man found along gravel road in Athens Carlee Russell. Hoover Police Department The disappearance of Carlee Russell, a 25-year-old Black Alabama woman, quickly got national attention. But police have now cast doubt on Russell's abduction story following her reappearance. Experts say the case should not deter the public from reacting with the same alarm when people of color go missing. The disappearance of Black Alabama nursing student Carlee Russell made national headlines the perfect reaction that advocates and family members hope for to help solve a case. But in the aftermath of Russell's reappearance 49 hours after she vanished last week, the Hoover Police Department has cast doubt on the 25-year-old's abduction story, saying that authorities have been "unable to verify" most of her statements to investigators. Authorities also revealed that investigators found "strange" internet searches on Russell's cell phone in the days and hours before her disappearance about the cost of Amber Alerts and the movie "Taken," which depicts kidnappings by human traffickers. But even though holes have emerged in Russell's account, experts say that the public should still react with the same alarm they showed in Russell's case when other people of color go missing. "One case should really not set a precedent for all missing persons cases of color," Natalie Wilson, the co-founder of the Black and Missing Foundation, told Insider this week, adding, "We can't afford to let one incident derail our progress." Studies have shown that missing people of color garner far less media attention than missing white people, even though people of color make up a significant portion of the hundreds of thousands who go missing every year in the United States. Data from the National Crime Information Center shows that nearly 40% of those reported missing in the US last year were people of color, despite Black Americans making up just 13% of the population. Black women and girls accounted for nearly 98,000 people out of the more than 546,500 Americans who were reported missing in 2022, the data shows. Story continues "We know that for missing black women and girls, we don't become household names. There's no attention paid," Kaye Wise Whitehead, a professor of communications and African American studies at Loyola University Maryland, told Insider. "Except in this one instance and we are watching this unravel before us." Russell's case, Wilson said, showed that "we have the power to come together as a community" when it comes to giving attention to a missing person and noted that she hopes "more cases of color will get the same level of media coverage" that Russell's did. Both Wilson and Whitehead applauded the Hoover Police Department's response when Russell was first reported missing, as well as the public and the media for spreading mass awareness about the case. "It was a true testament, I believe, to the work that Black folks ... have been doing over the years to make sure missing Black girls and women get the same type of attention," said Whitehead, the president of the National Women's Studies Association. But since police called Russell's case into question, Wilson said that she has seen internet chatter about people expressing wariness of ever sharing a missing person flier again. "It's really disheartening," said Wilson. "We're hoping this will not deter people." Whitehead added that she fears Russell's case will have setbacks on the attention that's given to the cases of missing people of color. "People have immediately gone into the defensive stance around Carlee Russell and they're saying she did not tell the truth," said Whitehead. However, Whitehead said, "Carlee Russell's situation should not impact the next time we raise the alarm about a Black woman or girl." "We have to make sure that going forward we put the same type of care and concern and alarm when it happens again," Whitehead said. Police said their investigation is ongoing in Russell's case and investigators want to interview her for a second time. "There are many questions left to be answered, but only Carlee can provide those answers," Hoover Police Chief Nicholas Derzis told reporters this week. Read the original article on Insider Trump supporters at a campaign event in Pickens, S.C., July 1. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images) As public support for reparations for African Americans remains stubbornly low, a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll reveals one major roadblock: Donald Trump voters believe that racism against white Americans has become a bigger problem than racism against Black Americans. The survey of 1,638 U.S. adults, which was conducted from July 13-17, shows that among 2020 Trump voters, 62% say that racism against Black Americans is a problem today while 73% say that racism against white Americans is a problem. Asked how much of a problem racism currently is, just 19% of Trump voters describe racism against Black Americans as a big problem. Twice as many (37%) say racism against white Americans is a big problem. Trump voters and self-identified Republicans overlapping but not identical cohorts are the only demographic groups identified by Yahoo News and YouGov who are more likely to say racism against white Americans is a problem than to say the same about racism against Black Americans. A majority (51%) of white Americans, for instance, think racism against people who look like them is a problem but overall, far more white Americans (72%) say racism against Black Americans is a problem. A protest from earlier this year in Oakland, Calif., against the killing of Tyre Nichols by police in Memphis, Tenn. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Politics, in other words, is the dividing line here and political dynamics go a long way toward explaining why reparations for Black Americans continue to be so unpopular in the U.S. The new Yahoo News/YouGov poll follows the dismissal earlier this month of a lawsuit put forth by the three remaining survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre seeking reparations for ongoing harm caused by the racist rampage that destroyed their once-thriving majority-Black community a century ago. The trio of survivors had sued under Oklahomas public nuisance law, claiming that the ripple effects of the massacre continue to affect the Greenwood community today. Many supporters saw the Oklahoma suit as a potential blueprint for reparation efforts around the country. But the latest ruling, which dismissed the case with prejudice meaning it cannot be filed again is seen as a stinging setback. The survivors and their attorneys have promised to appeal. Story continues Yet the reality is that even with qualifications, most U.S. adults oppose reparations for Black Americans. According to the Yahoo News/YouGov poll, just a quarter of them (24%) say Black Americans should receive restitution or reparations from the government not necessarily direct cash payments as a result of inequities caused by racism and slavery, while 56% say they should not. Support is only marginally higher (29%) when respondents are asked specifically about reparations for descendants of enslaved Black Americans rather than all "Black Americans." And even when questioned about reparations for the three remaining survivors of the Tulsa race massacre that is, living people who were directly harmed by racial violence less than half of Americans are in favor (45%). Most are either opposed (33%) or unsure (22%). What happened in Tulsa? The massacre at the center of the court case took place on May 31, 1921, when an angry white mob beat and killed hundreds of Black residents in Greenwood, which had earned the nickname Black Wall Street because of the success of its Black residents. Earlier that day, the Tulsa Tribune reported that a Black man had raped a white woman, although there were varying accounts of the incident. Confrontations between Black and white people broke out near the courthouse as the case was being heard. Over the next two days, 35 city blocks went up in flames. There were widespread reports of looting and more than 1,250 homes burned; 300 people were killed and 800 others were injured as the white mobs outnumbered Black residents who were forced to retreat into the Greenwood district. Generations of Black progress were wiped out in less than 48 hours. The aftermath of the Tulsa Race Massacre, during which mobs of white residents attacked Black residents and businesses of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., June 1921. (Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) Property claims documenting $1.8 million worth of damage, the equivalent of about $27 million today, were deemed obsolete, according to a 2001 state commission report. With most insurance paperwork and bank documents lost in the riot, almost all Greenwood residents had no restitution for their homes or businesses, and couldnt retrieve their funds from the banks. The chief motive for the attack, experts say, was white resentment over Black advancement. But its translated into little restitution for what was lost. The big political hurdle To be clear, reparations for Black Americans are not particularly popular across the political spectrum. Republicans are opposed 84% to 8%; Independents are opposed 62% to 8%. Democrats favor reparations by a 21-point margin (49% to 28%) but even thats not majority support, and much of it is attributable to overwhelmingly pro-reparations sentiment (69% to 11%) among Black Americans themselves, who tend to identify as Democrats. Among white Americans, meanwhile, just 17% say yes to reparations; 66% say no. Still, the major outliers when it comes to race are on the right-wing. When asked how big a problem racism against Black Americans was in the past, Biden and Trump voters basically agree, with 93% of the former and 85% of the latter agreeing that it was a problem. Trump at a rally in Carson City, Nev., on Oct. 18, 2020. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) The disagreement is over whether its still a problem today or rather, as Trump voters seem to believe, whether its less of a problem than racism against white Americans, which reparations, in their view, would only exacerbate. When Trump voters are asked why Black Americans shouldnt receive reparations, the top answer isnt that racism never held Black Americans back (13%); its that racism is no longer holding Black Americans back (62%). Reparations, they say, would only increase racial divisions (57%) because other Americans have [also] faced inequities because of racism (60%). Similarly, Trump voters are the only group (other than Republicans at large) who are more likely than not to say there isnt any problem with systemic racism in America (61%) and to disagree with the idea that racism is not merely the product of individual bias or prejudice, but also something embedded in legal systems and policies (55%) issues that reparations are intended to ameliorate. A pathway for reparations Tatishe Nteta, a professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and director of the UMass Poll, whos been surveying how Americans feel about reparations for two years, acknowledges the low popularity of reparations, but notes its bigger than public opinion. Reparations policy is not necessarily about public opinion, Nteta told Yahoo News. Its about the recognition by a private institution, individuals or governments. Its about atoning for the mistreatment directed at a particular group. Pastor Robert Turner after leading a protest on reparations in Tulsa, Nov. 18, 2020. (Joshua Lott/Washington Post via Getty Images) Pointing to success at the local level in passing reparations initiatives and programs in progressive cities and towns like Evanston, Ill., Amherst, Mass. and Detroit, Nteta says that any racial and economic redress in those cities could create a domino effect, which could convince other more moderate cities and states to consider. If reparations achieves the goal of creating some level of racial equality, and the recipients of reparations are also happy with the atonement by whatever the institution is, then you could use this as a model going forward. You could find more moderate cities or moderate states passing reparations programs once youve seen the success in these smaller localities. ____________ The Yahoo News survey was conducted by YouGov using a nationally representative sample of 1,638 U.S. adults interviewed online from July 13-17, 2023. The sample was weighted according to gender, age, race, education, 2020 election turnout and presidential vote, baseline party identification and current voter registration status. Demographic weighting targets come from the 2019 American Community Survey. Baseline party identification is the respondents most recent answer given prior to March 15, 2022, and is weighted to the estimated distribution at that time (32% Democratic, 27% Republican). Respondents were selected from YouGovs opt-in panel to be representative of all U.S. adults. The margin of error is approximately 2.7%. (Bloomberg) -- At a talk with university students last month, Taiwan opposition candidate Hou Yu-ih was pushed to define a cornerstone of US-China relations thats maintained peace on his island for decades. Most Read from Bloomberg Instead of outlining the contours of Washingtons one-China policy, the mayor and former policeman avoided the question by citing the need to follow the constitution. The relationship between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait is clear. We dont need to get it confused, he added. His failure to articulate a critical policy at the bedrock of Taiwans international status drew widespread criticism online. It also reflected a key voter concern, namely that Hou lacks the expertise to lead in one of the biggest geopolitical flashpoints in the rivalry between Washington and Beijing. See: Why Taiwans 2024 Election Matters From China to US: QuickTake Those worries are reflected in the polls, where Vice President Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party leads and third-party hopeful Ko Wen-je is making inroads with the younger voters that Hous evasive replies annoy. Ko sniped after the exchange with the students that Hou should ask an AI chatbot about the US policy, which acknowledges Beijings position theres one China without stating whether its sovereignty extends to Taiwan. Ive been a bit surprised at how under-prepared he seems for this race because I thought two years ago he was the strongest candidate the KMT could put up, said Kharis Templeman, a research fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. His selling point now is simply that whatever needs to be done to get Beijing to speak to the leader of Taiwan, he can do. Story continues Hous campaign said in an email to Bloomberg News that his decades of experience in law enforcement and politics show he has the ability to have cross-strait exchange and dialogue. Despite the early campaign setbacks, Hou is set to be officially confirmed as the KMTs candidate at a party congress on Sunday. That milestone could help the KMT put aside factional rifts and rally behind Hou, potentially rejuvenating his campaign. Top Cop Hou, 66, has built a public image as a pragmatic, down-to-earth policeman. He played a key role in handling some of the islands most high-profile criminal cases, including a tense episode involving a gangster taking a South African military attache and his family hostage. Those accomplishments put him on the radar of kingmakers in the KMT, the political group that fled the mainland some 70 years ago. Today, it is Beijings preferred negotiating partner on the self-ruled island that Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed his nation must control someday. In 2018, Hou was elected mayor of New Taipei City. During his tenure he was credited with practical improvements such as converting a large junkyard from a notorious eyesore into green spaces. Last year, he had a 70% satisfaction rating in polls. That helped him become the KMTs ideal contender to reclaim the presidency after the DPPs Tsai Ing-wen won the past two elections. In May, the party named Hou its candidate without holding an open primary that risked being divisive. The KMTs previous president, Ma Ying-jeou, oversaw a historic expansion of ties with Beijing, and even met with Xi in 2015 the first such summit since the two sides clashed in a civil war. Hou has signaled hed seek a return to those warmer relations. At a campaign event this month, he vowed to ensure stability and peace across the strait. He also stated for the first time that he accepted the tacit understanding between China and the KMT known as the 1992 consensus, which says there is just one China, although the two sides differ on their definition of that country. During Tsais more than seven years at the helm, tensions with Beijing surged. Last year, she welcomed the first US House Speaker to the island in 25 years, prompting China to respond with military drills. President Joe Biden has repeatedly said hed defend the democracy of 23 million people, part of the reason China has accused the White House of changing its position on Taiwan. Hous pitch to voters is that hell dial back tensions. He says that would not only reduce the threat of war but also have other benefits, such as reopening markets for Taiwan exporters after China banned some food imports to exert economic pressure on Tsai. It seems like Hous going to be the person whos appealing to the KMT official stance, said Wei-Ting Yen, assistant professor in the Government Department at Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania. For older KMT supporters, that image of ensuring the stability of society, he is a symbol of that. Unknown Quantity One of Hous biggest disadvantages is hes largely untested in international diplomacy and relatively unknown in Washington, Taiwans main security backer and source of the military hardware needed to deter China from attacking. Last month, the top US liaison to Taiwan, Laura Rosenberger, met with Taiwans top candidates for president. Hou told her hed resume some exchanges with China on issues such as education and joint crime-fighting, according to people familiar with the meeting, while stressing his commitment to the islands US ties. Also: Xi Woos Taiwan Opposition Ahead of Pivotal Presidential Vote Still, Hous problems appearing confident on the issues linger. This month, he suggested hed slash mandatory military service back to four months once peace in the strait was ensured a remark that came after after the Tsai government extended the requirement to one year. He later had to clarify his stance, prompting critics to accuse him of backtracking. James Chen, an assistant professor of international relations at Tamkang University and an adviser to Hou, said the KMT candidate was open to learning about issues and fully trusts the experts who can offer him good policy proposals. With some six months left in the campaign to be Taiwans next president, Hou has time to right the ship. The key to any turnaround will be showing he can be a steady hand in the fraught relationship between two nuclear-armed powers. Yen, the academic at Franklin & Marshall College, said: He definitely has to have a clear statement or a message on how he is going to deal with China and the US. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Oregon officials have identified Jesse Lee Calhoun of Portland, as a person of interest in the mystery deaths of four women that police say are linked, law enforcement sources told The Associated Press. The 38-year-old has not been charged with any crimes related to the investigation. He is currently in prison on unrelated charges after being arrested on 6 June for a parole violation. Court records show that Calhoun has an extensive criminal history including 2003 and 2008 convictions for assault. He was also sentenced to four years in 2019 for burglary. He was released early in July 2021 after being granted a conditional commutation by then-Oregon governor Kate Brown, due to his service as an inmate firefighter during the wildfires and the fear of Covid-19 spreading in prisons. Meanwhile, a woman saying that shes Calhouns girlfriend has said that he had links to two of the four victims, revealing that Calhoun and Ashley Real had been seeing each other on and off for about a year and that he would provide Bridget Webster with drugs in exchange for sex. Key Points Jesse Calhoun identified as person of interest in suspicious deaths of four women in Portland Woman claiming to be Calhouns girlfriend reveals alleged links to victims Who are the Oregon murder victims? Mothers of women in Portland serial killer case cling to hope of accountability Did a governors pardon let out the possible Oregon killer? Medical examiner has not determined cause of deaths in Oregon investigation Thursday 20 July 2023 04:32 , Josh Marcus 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. Story continues Other Oregon deaths not part of probe, police say Thursday 20 July 2023 05:32 , Josh Marcus 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. As Oregon police investigate one potential killer, New York officials catch another Thursday 20 July 2023 06:32 , Josh Marcus As the Portland community awaits updates on a possible serial killer case in their area, another case is unfolding on the other side of the country. Last week, police in New York announced a major break in the investigation of the Gilgo Beach murders, with the arrest of Manhattan-based architect Rex Heuermann as a prime suspect. Read more: How the Gilgo Beach serial killer turned the Long Island shore into a graveyard Read the full update from Oregon police on suspicious deaths investigation Thursday 20 July 2023 07:32 , Josh Marcus Below is the joint news release from nine law enforcement agencies on 17 July. Investigators and prosecutors from multiple law enforcement agencies have been working collaboratively on numerous death investigations in Northwest Oregon, and they have determined that there are links between four cases: Kristin Smith, Charity Perry, Bridget Webster, and Ashley Real. These Investigators and prosecutors, from nine different law enforcement agencies, have been in regular communication and have been working collaboratively on these investigations for several months. These agencies include the Gresham Police Department, Portland Police Bureau, Multnomah County Sheriffs Office, Multnomah County District Attorneys Office, Clackamas County Sheriffs Office, Clackamas County District Attorneys Office, Polk County Sheriffs Office, Polk County District Attorneys Office, and the Oregon State Police. No charges have been filed against anyone in connection with any of these four death investigations. 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. Based on the available information to investigators, there is not believed to be any active danger to the community at this time. No additional information, including the nature of the information that links these four cases together is being released at this time, as these are ongoing death investigations. The cause and manner of death in each case remains undetermined by the Oregon State Medical Examiner. These four ongoing investigations include: February 19, 2023 Kristin Smith, 22 (Portland Police Bureau) Missing report filed with the Gresham Police Department on December 22, 2022. April 24, 2023 Charity Lynn Perry, 24 (Multnomah County Sheriffs Office) April 30, 2023 Bridget Leann (Ramsay) Webster, 31 (Polk County Sheriffs Office) May 7, 2023 Ashley Real, 22 (Clackamas County Sheriffs Office) Missing report filed with the Portland Police Bureau on April 4, 2023. Investigators continue to seek the publics help in each of these investigations. Anyone with information about these cases is asked to contact the appropriate investigator or investigative agency. Media requests regarding specific cases should be directed to the investigating agency. Kristin Smith Case Portland Police Bureau Detective Jeffery Pontius jeffery.pontius@police.portlandoregon.gov Charity Perry Case Multnomah County Sheriffs Office Sheriffs Office Tip Line: 503-988-0560Detective Kevin Odil Kevin.odil@mcso.us Bridget Webster Case Polk County Sheriffs Office Detective David Shorter shorter.david@co.polk.or.us Ashley Real Case Clackamas County Sheriffs OfficeTip Line: 503-723-4949Online Tip Sheet: https://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip Anyone desiring anonymity may submit tips to Crime Stoppers of Oregon. Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers of Oregon, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime and tipsters can remain anonymous. Secure and anonymous tips may be provided at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com or visit the App Store and download P3 Tips for smart phones or tablets. Crime Stoppers of Oregon is funded 100% by community donations. To support Crime Stoppers of Oregon with a donation, or to view other unsolved cases, please visit http://www.crimestoppersoforegon.com/. Did a governors pardon let out the possible Oregon killer? Thursday 20 July 2023 08:32 , Josh Marcus Jesse Calhoun, a Portland man whom police have reportedly identified as a person of interest in the recent deaths of four Oregon women, was let out of prison early by then-governor Kate Brown. Originally set to be released in summer of 2022, Mr Calhouns sentence was conditionally commuted, 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. Separating fact from fiction in the Oregon investigation Thursday 20 July 2023 09:32 , Josh Marcus There are times when the media is able to race ahead of what the police can say on a big story. Thats the case now when it comes to the ongoing Oregon police investigation of four women who were found dead around the wider Portland area in recent months. While law enforcement sources have told local media outlets that the deaths are murders, and the potential handiwork of a currently incarcerated Portland man named Jesse Lee Calhoun, the official story is much more spare at the moment. Police have not yet referred to the deaths as murders, nor have they named Mr Calhoun as a suspect or charged him with any crime. GOP fueling misleading narrative that Kate Brown caused Oregon killings Thursday 20 July 2023 11:00 , Josh Marcus Critics on the right are attacking former Oregon governor Kate Brown for commuting the prison sentence of Jesse Lee Calhoun, a man reportedly being considered a person of interest in the suspicious deaths of four women around the Portland area in recent months. On Twitter, the Marion County, Oregon, Republican Party highlighted a news story about the commutation, while commenters on the right lashed out at Ms Brown. The incompetent, evil former gov Brown released this man into society, one account known as HoneyBadgerMom wrote on social media. Never forget what these monsters did. As The Independent has reported, Calhoun was slated for release in June of 2022, but got out on 22 July, 2021, after the governor commutted his sentence for service on an inmate firefighting crew. The suspicious deaths were discovered between February and May of 2023, likely after Calhoun wouldve been released on his original sentence. Jesse Lee Calhoun nearly got away from police in June Thursday 20 July 2023 12:32 , Josh Marcus Jesse Lee Calhoun, the reported person of interest in the suspicious recent deaths of four Oregon women, had a tense recent encounter with law enforcement, according to law enforcement. On 6 June, officers from multiple local sheriffs departments and the US Marshals Service attempted to arrest the 38-year-old on a parole violation. He then reportedly drove into the Willamette River and tried to escape before later being arrested, Willamette Week reports. The 38-year-old is currently being held in Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario, Oregon, according to state records. ICYMI: Convicted burglar, father, and inmate firefighter: What we know about person of interest in Portland deaths Thursday 20 July 2023 13:00 , Josh Marcus Authorities have reportedly identified 38-year-old Jesse Lee Calhoun 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. Officials believe the 38-year-old 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. Ariana Baio reports. What we know about person of interest in Portland deaths An inmate was pardoned by Oregons governor. Two years on hes a person of interest in four suspicious deaths Thursday 20 July 2023 13:30 , Ariana Baio Authorities have reportedly identified 38-year-old Jesse Lee Calhoun 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. Officials believe the 38-year-old 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. Read more: What we know about Portland serial killer case person of interest Jesse Calhoun Jesse Calhoun identified as person of interest in suspicious deaths of four women in Portland Thursday 20 July 2023 14:00 , Josh Marcus 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 on 6 July, and is scheduled to be released. Records do not indicate why the man is in jail. Read more: Jesse Calhoun identified as person of interest in deaths of four women in Portland Portland police dismissed serial killer fears after the deaths of six women. Then came a chilling connection Thursday 20 July 2023 14:30 , Joe Sommerlad 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. Police were notified of Kristins disappearance three days before Christmas and her mother spent a miserable winter doing everything she could to raise awareness in the hope of being reunited with her lost daughter, whom she began to fear could have become a victim of sex-trafficking. Then, on 19 February, Melissas worst nightmare became a reality when Kristins body was found in woodland outside of Greshams Pleasant Valley neighbourhood. Writing subsequently on her fundraising page, Melissa Smith described herself as deeply saddened, lost and broken and expressed her certainty that Kristin had been murdered, even though law enforcement had yet to say as much. I hope the police get this monster but if they cant ILL NEVER GIVE UP FIGHTING FOR MY CHILD, she wrote in defiance, pledging to use the donations she received to pay for a memorial to Kristin and to employ a private investigator to pursue her case if necessary. 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. Read more: Is there a serial killer in Portland? What we know about string of mystery deaths Mothers hope for answers as authorities announce 'person of interest' in deaths of 4 women in Oregon Thursday 20 July 2023 15:00 , Andrew Selsky, Lisa Baumann, AP The announcement that authorities are holding a person of interest in the case of four women found dead this year around Portland has mothers of the victims hoping they may finally get answers about what happened to their daughters. One of the victims was Charity Lynn Perry, 24, whose body was discovered April 24 in a state park along the Columbia River Gorge. Her mother, Diana Allen, said Tuesday that she learned the news about the person of interest from traditional and social media, although she is in communication with a detective on the case. Im in the dark about a lot, Allen told The Associated Press. But the detective and I understand why this is required. We dont need anything messing up this investigation. Allen said she knows Charity died in April, but she has not been given an exact date and authorities were unable to tell how she died just from looking at her. The state medical examiner has not determined the cause or manner of death for Charity or the other women, prosecutors said in a statement. This hurts so bad. My daughter had such bad mental health issues, and any hope of her getting better is gone. Its gone now, and a horrid ache replaced it, Allen said. Read more: Mothers hope for answers as authorities announce 'person of interest' in deaths of 4 women in Oregon Deaths of four women in Portland linked to person of interest, authorities say Thursday 20 July 2023 15:30 , Bevan Hurley 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. Read more: Person of interest identified in connection with four murders in Portland Woman claiming to be girlfriend of person of interest in Oregon killings reveals alleged links to victims Thursday 20 July 2023 16:00 , Gustaf Kilander A woman who says that the recently detained person of interest in the suspected Oregon serial killer case Jesse Lee Calhoun lived with her and her children for a year and a half, has shared allegations that there may have been connections between the 38-year-old and some of the victims. In a video interview shared on YouTube, Krista Senor said Calhoun was linked to at least two of the four murdered women and that he had sex and sold fentanyl to other women during their relationship, according to Oregon Live. Im still in shock over this. Its just surreal, Ms Sinor, 43 told The Oregonian on Wednesday. Its very strange. I cant wrap my mind around any of it. Neither can his family or friends. Police spent three days searching her apartment in Milwaukie, Oregon after they arrested Calhoun on 6 June. Former Oregon Governor Kate Brown commuted Calhouns sentence for several burglaries on 23 June 2021, about a year before he was set to be released, for his work fighting wildfires. Read more: Girlfriend of person of interest in Oregon murders shares alleged links to victims VIDEO: Deaths of 4 women connected to man who was released from prison early in 2021 Thursday 20 July 2023 16:30 , Gustaf Kilander Who are the victims? Thursday 20 July 2023 17:00 , Joe Sommerlad Two months after the discovery of Kristin Smith, police reported finding the body of JoAnna Speaks, a 32-year-old mother-of-two, near an abandoned barn in rural Clark County near Ridgefield, Washington, on 8 April, with investigators concluding she had suffered fatal blunt force trauma to the head and neck. Then, on 24 April, the body of Charity Lynn Perry, 24, from Longview, Washington, was found near a culvert by the East Historic Columbia River Highway close to Ainsworth State Park in Multnomah County, as was that of another unidentified woman near Interstate 205 in the same county, whom a medical examiner said was between 25 and 40 years old and could possibly be Native American or Native Alaskan. Later that week, Milwaukee woman Bridget Leann (Ramsey) Webster, 31, was found dead on Harmony Road near Mill Creek in northwest Polk County on 30 April. Then, on 7 May, Clackamas County Sheriffs deputies found the body of Ashley Real, 22, in a wooded area near Eagle Creek, about 23 miles southeast of Portland. In all five cases, investigating officers declined to speculate about the possible cause of their deaths but said each was being treated as suspicious. They now believe the cases of Smith, Perry, Webster and Real could be linked. Sources previously told Oregon Live in June that at least three of the victims were known to frequent the same areas of downtown Portland in the months before their deaths, a clue to at least one direction the investigation could take. What have the authorities said? Thursday 20 July 2023 17:30 , Joe Sommerlad Mondays statement from the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office read: Investigators and prosecutors from multiple law enforcement agencies have been working collaboratively on numerous death investigations in northwest Oregon, and they have determined that there are links between four cases: Kristin Smith, Charity Perry, Bridget Webster, and Ashley Real. No charges have been filed against anyone in connection with any of these four death investigations. 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. Based on the available information to investigators, there is not believed to be any active danger to the community at this time. No additional information, including the nature of the information that links these four cases together is being released at this time, as these are ongoing death investigations. The cause and manner of death in each case remains undetermined by the Oregon state medical examiner. In early June, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) had appealed for calm and denied online rumours that the deaths might be linked. PPB has no reason to believe these six cases are connected, it said in a statement. We ask that our community be aware of the facts about these cases before sharing speculation. PPB is assuring our community that if we learn of an articulable danger, we will notify the public about it. PPB will continue to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to ensure we are doing all we can to pursue justice for any and all crime victims. Mothers of women in Portland serial killer case cling to hope of accountability Thursday 20 July 2023 18:00 , Gustaf Kilander The mothers of four women found dead in suspicious circumstances around the Portland metro area are hoping for accountability after police identified a person of interest in the case. Between February and May this year, the bodies of six women were found in roadsides and woods in a 100-mile area of the city, sparking fears of a serial killer in the area. Jesse Calhoun, a former convict who is currently behind bars for a parole violation in connection to another case, was identified on Monday as a person of interest in the deaths of four of the women, according to law enforcement sources. The four women are: Ashley Real, 22, Bridget Leann Ramsey Webster, 31, Charity Lynn Perry, 24, and Kristin Smith, 22. Calhoun, 38, hasnt been charged with a crime and officials havent shared any information about what led to the sudden development in the case. Read more: Mothers of women in Portland serial killer case cling to hope of accountability An inmate was pardoned by Oregons governor. Two years on hes a person of interest in four suspicious deaths Thursday 20 July 2023 18:30 , Ariana Baio 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. Read more: What we know about Portland serial killer case person of interest Jesse Calhoun Police initially rejected serial killer theory Thursday 20 July 2023 19:30 , Ariana Baio 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. Calhoun has been in trouble with authorities multiple times Thursday 20 July 2023 20:00 , Ariana Baio 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 taken back to prison on 7 July Thursday 20 July 2023 20:30 , Ariana Baio 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. My first thought is that maybe a fentanyl overdose and he freaked out' Thursday 20 July 2023 21:00 , Gustaf Kilander In a video interview shared on YouTube, Krista Senor said Calhoun was linked to at least two of the four women found dead and that he had sex and sold fentanyl to other women during their relationship, according to Oregon Live. Ms Sinor said Calhoun was connected to two of the victims, Ashley Real, 22, from Portland, and Bridget Leann Ramsey Webster, 31, from Milwaukie. The other two victims are Charity Perry and Kristin Smith police said on Monday 17 July that their deaths are connected and that a person of interest had been identified. Ms Sinor said in the YouTube interview that Calhoun and Ms Real had been seeing each other on and off for about a year and that he would provide Ms Webster with drugs in exchange for sex, but Ms Sinor added that she didnt know how Calhoun was linked to Ms Perry or Ms Smith. When Ms Sinor was asked if Calhoun is a serial killer, Ms Sinor said My first thought is that maybe a fentanyl overdose and he freaked out. Hes a family guy. He seems like a family guy. Hes really close with his family and he would do anything for them and stuff but like my kids ... he loves my kids and my kids love him, she added in the YouTube interview, according to KGW. I dont know how he made it through the 10 officers' Thursday 20 July 2023 21:30 , Gustaf Kilander A man who saw Calhoun being arrested told KGW that Theres craziness in the world. You hope it doesnt happen too often. It was pretty nuts to see it happen in my backyard. Calhoun was arrested on 6 June as he and his girlfriend were at a gas station in Milwaukie. The arrest didnt occur without incident. I dont know how he made it through the 10 officers but he made it through and across traffic and down to the river and hopped in, the witness told KGW. I was like, I wonder what this guy did, the witness added. It seems whatever he did was really important or required that much law enforcement, I should say. I dont want to see him come out from bars ever again. Mothers of women in Portland serial killer case cling to hope of accountability Thursday 20 July 2023 22:00 , Gustaf Kilander The mothers of four women found dead in suspicious circumstances around the Portland metro area are hoping for accountability after police identified a person of interest in the case. Between February and May this year, the bodies of six women were found in roadsides and woods in a 100-mile area of the city, sparking fears of a serial killer in the area. Jesse Calhoun, a former convict who is currently behind bars for a parole violation in connection to another case, was identified on Monday as a person of interest in the deaths of four of the women, according to law enforcement sources. The four women are: Ashley Real, 22, Bridget Leann Ramsey Webster, 31, Charity Lynn Perry, 24, and Kristin Smith, 22. Calhoun, 38, hasnt been charged with a crime and officials havent shared any information about what led to the sudden development in the case. Read more: Mothers of women in Portland serial killer case cling to hope of accountability My daughter had such bad mental health issues, and any hope of her getting better is gone' Thursday 20 July 2023 22:30 , Gustaf Kilander Diana Allen is the mother of Perry, who was found dead in a state park along the Columbia River Gorge. Ms Allen said on Tuesday that she found out about the person of interest via the media, but added that shes in communication with a detective working on the case. Im in the dark about a lot, Ms Allen told The Associated Press. But the detective and I understand why this is required. We dont need anything messing up this investigation. She added that she knows that her daughter died in April, but not the precise date or how she died. The state medical examiner hasnt been able to determine the cause or manner of death for any of the four women as of yet. This hurts so bad. My daughter had such bad mental health issues, and any hope of her getting better is gone. Its gone now, and a horrid ache replaced it, Ms Allen said. Smiths mother said she hopes that the identification of a person of interest can lead to some resolution. Im just really hoping that this is it' Thursday 20 July 2023 23:15 , Gustaf Kilander Smiths mother said she hopes that the identification of a person of interest can lead to some resolution. Im just really hoping that this is it. I dont know I guess Im still kind of in shock by it all, but Im just hoping that we got him, Melissa Smith told KATU-TV. Smith was reported missing in December and her body was located in a wooded area south of Portland in February. Her mother said that no parent should have to accept that their child was killed and in a very disturbing, morbid, traumatizing way, according to a GoFundMe fundraising page. Darcie Byers-Ramsey, Websters mother of Ms Webster, took to Facebook to ask anyone who knew anything about the case to contact law enforcement. They arent looking to bust anyone if you have warrants or partake in drugs etc. We do not care about that. We just want answers, she wrote. Please help my boys, my family and I to get closure. Webster was found dead on 30 April in Polk County. I am absolutely horrified for the victims, their families, and all those who have experienced these losses' Friday 21 July 2023 00:00 , Gustaf Kilander The fourth woman Ashley Real was last spotted at a fast food restaurant in Portland on 27 March and was reported as missing on 4 April. Her body was located more than a month later, on 7 May, in a Clackamas County forest by a man fishing in a pond in the area. Calhoun was returned to state prison on 7 July after Oregon Governor Tina Kotek reinstated his sentence after it was previously commuted by her predecessor Kate Brown, a law enforcement official told the AP. The Multnomah County District Attorneys Office said in a Monday statement that the investigators have interviewed multiple people, adding they dont think theres an active threat to the public. Calhoun was convicted in 2019 on charges of burglary and vehicle theft. His sentence was commuted in 2021 a key factor being that he had helped fight wildfires as a volunteer inmate firefighter. Calhoun had been set to be released in June of last year. I am absolutely horrified for the victims, their families, and all those who have experienced these losses, Ms Brown told The AP on Tuesday. Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Todd Jackson asked Ms Kotek last month that Calhoun be returned to prison and 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, he said in a letter sent on 30 June. In light of this, the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office and Multnomah County Department of Community Justice recommends Mr Calhouns commutation be revoked. Governor under fire after it emerges person of interest released to fight wildfires before deaths Friday 21 July 2023 00:45 , Gustaf Kilander The person of interest in the Oregon deaths of four women was let out early from prison because of concerns that Covid-19 was spreading in prisons. Jesse Lee Calhoun, 38, was arrested on 6 June. The four women have been found dead in the Portland Metro Area since February. He was released among around 1,000 other inmates who were granted clemency by former Oregon Governor Kate Brown in 2021 as Covid-19 was spreading among inmates, according to the Willamette Week. Calhoun was jailed in 2019 following a number of burglaries, in addition to possessing a stolen vehicle, injuring a police officer, and choking a police dog. He was set to remain behind bars until June 2022. A key factor in his early release was his work fighting wildfires. He has been named as a person of interest in the deaths of Ashley Real, Bridget Webster, Kristin Smith, and Charity Lynn Perry. Read more: Governor under fire after person of interest in deaths released to fight wildfires Worries about a possible serial killer began to take form last month as all women died in suspicious ways 01:30 , Gustaf Kilander Worries about a possible serial killer began to take form last month as all women died in suspicious ways around the Portland metro area. Robyn Speakss sister Joanna was found dead in a rural area with blunt force trauma to her head and neck, police have said, with the case later being billed as a homicide. Ms Speaks told NewsNation that she believes the police are trying to make sure that they keep the public from being too freaked out about [a] serial killer. Either way, women are dying. And the numbers are rising. No charges have been filed against anyone in connection with any of these four death investigations, the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office and law enforcement agencies said in a press release. 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. Kate Browns legacy continues to have dire consequences for Oregonians, GOP says 02:15 , Gustaf Kilander The Oregon Senate GOP rebuked former Governor Kate Brown on Twitter for the early release of prisoners. Governor Kate Brown let >1,000 violent criminals out of prison early and now one of them is a top suspect in the killing of 4 women. A deadly consequence of a soft-on-crime Democrat governor & a soft-on-crime Democrat majority that refused to hold her accountable, they wrote. Oregon Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp said in a statement that Even after leaving public office as Americas most unpopular governor, Kate Browns legacy continues to have dire consequences for Oregonians. If Jesse Lee Calhoun is found guilty of these murders, Kate Brown will have signed the death warrants of four innocent women in the name of second chances. Oregon Democrats have a pathetic record of putting criminals over victims and patting themselves on the back for it. We have not forgotten that the Democrat majority stayed totally silent while Governor Brown issued a record number of commutations and pardons for drug dealers, murderers, rapists, and other violent offenders like Calhoun. This is disgraceful, he added. On behalf of all Oregonians, we demand that Democrat leaders govern to protect-not jeopardize-the lives of Oregonians by holding criminals accountable and allowing law enforcement to keep us safe. Our hearts go out to the victims families, and we pray for healing in the years to come. The perpetrator must be fully held accountable. Oregonians shouldnt have to die because Democrats followed a failed policy of letting criminals out, Republican says 03:00 , Gustaf Kilander During an appearance on Fox News, Oregon Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp said that Oregonians shouldnt have to die because Democrats followed a failed policy of letting criminals out of prison and giving them a second chance when their victims dont get a second chance. .@SenatorKnopp major drop on The @IngrahamAngle: Oregonians shouldnt have to die because Democrats followed a failed policy of letting criminals out of prison & giving them a second chance when their victims dont get a second chance.#orpol #orleg pic.twitter.com/QGgsjaAxbs Oregon Senate GOP (@ORSenateGOP) July 19, 2023 GOP fueling misleading narrative that Kate Brown caused Oregon deaths 04:00 , Josh Marcus Critics on the right are attacking former Oregon governor Kate Brown for commuting the prison sentence of Jesse Lee Calhoun, a man reportedly being considered a person of interest in the suspicious deaths of four women around the Portland area in recent months. On Twitter, the Marion County, Oregon, Republican Party highlighted a news story about the commutation, while commenters on the right lashed out at Ms Brown. The incompetent, evil former gov Brown released this man into society, one account known as HoneyBadgerMom wrote on social media. Never forget what these monsters did. As The Independent has reported, Calhoun was slated for release in June of 2022, but got out on 22 July, 2021, after the governor commutted his sentence for service on an inmate firefighting crew. The suspicious deaths were discovered between February and May of 2023, likely after Calhoun wouldve been released on his original sentence. Separating fact from fiction in the Oregon investigation 05:00 , Josh Marcus There are times when the media is able to race ahead of what the police can say on a big story. Thats the case now when it comes to the ongoing Oregon police investigation of four women who were found dead around the wider Portland area in recent months. While law enforcement sources have told local media outlets that the deaths are murders, and the potential handiwork of a currently incarcerated Portland man named Jesse Lee Calhoun, the official story is much more spare at the moment. Police have not yet referred to the deaths as murders, nor have they named Mr Calhoun as a suspect or charged him with any crime. Did a governors pardon let out the possible Oregon killer? 06:00 , Josh Marcus Jesse Calhoun, a Portland man whom police have reportedly identified as a person of interest in the recent deaths of four Oregon women, was let out of prison early by then-governor Kate Brown. Originally set to be released in summer of 2022, Mr Calhouns sentence was conditionally commuted, 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. An inmate was pardoned by Oregons governor. Two years on hes a person of interest in four suspicious deaths 07:00 , Ariana Baio Authorities have reportedly identified 38-year-old Jesse Lee Calhoun 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. Officials believe the 38-year-old 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. Read more: What we know about Portland serial killer case person of interest Jesse Calhoun I dont know how he made it through the 10 officers' 08:00 , Gustaf Kilander A man who saw Calhoun being arrested told KGW that Theres craziness in the world. You hope it doesnt happen too often. It was pretty nuts to see it happen in my backyard. Calhoun was arrested on 6 June as he and his girlfriend were at a gas station in Milwaukie. The arrest didnt occur without incident. I dont know how he made it through the 10 officers but he made it through and across traffic and down to the river and hopped in, the witness told KGW. I was like, I wonder what this guy did, the witness added. It seems whatever he did was really important or required that much law enforcement, I should say. I dont want to see him come out from bars ever again. Mothers of women in Portland serial killer case cling to hope of accountability 09:00 , Gustaf Kilander The mothers of four women found dead in suspicious circumstances around the Portland metro area are hoping for accountability after police identified a person of interest in the case. Between February and May this year, the bodies of six women were found in roadsides and woods in a 100-mile area of the city, sparking fears of a serial killer in the area. Jesse Calhoun, a former convict who is currently behind bars for a parole violation in connection to another case, was identified on Monday as a person of interest in the deaths of four women, according to law enforcement sources. The four women are: Ashley Real, 22, Bridget Leann Ramsey Webster, 31, Charity Lynn Perry, 24, and Kristin Smith, 22. Calhoun, 38, hasnt been charged with a crime and officials havent shared any information about what led to the sudden development in the case. Read more: Mothers of women in Portland serial killer case cling to hope of accountability My daughter had such bad mental health issues, and any hope of her getting better is gone' 10:00 , Gustaf Kilander Diana Allen is the mother of Perry, who was found dead in a state park along the Columbia River Gorge. Ms Allen said on Tuesday that she found out about the person of interest via the media, but added that shes in communication with a detective working on the case. Im in the dark about a lot, Ms Allen told The Associated Press. But the detective and I understand why this is required. We dont need anything messing up this investigation. She added that she knows that her daughter died in April, but not the precise date or how she died. The state medical examiner hasnt been able to determine the cause or manner of death for any of the four women as of yet. This hurts so bad. My daughter had such bad mental health issues, and any hope of her getting better is gone. Its gone now, and a horrid ache replaced it, Ms Allen said. Im just really hoping that this is it' 11:00 , Gustaf Kilander Kristin Smiths mother said she hopes that the identification of a person of interest can lead to some resolution. Im just really hoping that this is it. I dont know I guess Im still kind of in shock by it all, but Im just hoping that we got him, Melissa Smith told KATU-TV. Smith was reported missing in December and her body was located in a wooded area south of Portland in February. Her mother said that no parent should have to accept that their child was killed and in a very disturbing, morbid, traumatizing way, according to a GoFundMe fundraising page. Darcie Byers-Ramsey, Websters mother of Ms Webster, took to Facebook to ask anyone who knew anything about the case to contact law enforcement. They arent looking to bust anyone if you have warrants or partake in drugs etc. We do not care about that. We just want answers, she wrote. Please help my boys, my family and I to get closure. Webster was found dead on 30 April in Polk County. I am absolutely horrified for the victims, their families, and all those who have experienced these losses, ex-governor says 12:00 , Gustaf Kilander Ashley Real was last spotted at a fast food restaurant in Portland on 27 March and was reported as missing on 4 April. Her body was located more than a month later, on 7 May, in a Clackamas County forest by a man fishing in a pond in the area. Calhoun was returned to state prison on 7 July after Oregon Governor Tina Kotek reinstated his sentence after it was previously commuted by her predecessor Kate Brown, a law enforcement official told the AP. The Multnomah County District Attorneys Office said in a Monday statement that the investigators have interviewed multiple people, adding they dont think theres an active threat to the public. Calhoun was convicted in 2019 on charges of burglary and vehicle theft. His sentence was commuted in 2021 a key factor being that he had helped fight wildfires as a volunteer inmate firefighter. Calhoun had been set to be released in June of last year. I am absolutely horrified for the victims, their families, and all those who have experienced these losses, Ms Brown told The AP on Tuesday. Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Todd Jackson asked Ms Kotek last month that Calhoun be returned to prison and 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, he said in a letter sent on 30 June. In light of this, the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office and Multnomah County Department of Community Justice recommends Mr Calhouns commutation be revoked. Governor under fire after it emerges person of interest released to fight wildfires before deaths 13:00 , Gustaf Kilander The person of interest in the Oregon deaths of four women was let out early from prison because of concerns that Covid-19 was spreading in prisons. Jesse Lee Calhoun, 38, was arrested on 6 June. The four women have been found dead in the Portland Metro Area since February. He was released among around 1,000 other inmates who were granted clemency by former Oregon Governor Kate Brown in 2021 as Covid-19 was spreading among inmates, according to the Willamette Week. Calhoun was jailed in 2019 following a number of burglaries, in addition to possessing a stolen vehicle, injuring a police officer, and choking a police dog. He was set to remain behind bars until June 2022. A key factor in his early release was his work fighting wildfires. He has been named as a person of interest in the deaths of Ashley Real, Bridget Webster, Kristin Smith, and Charity Lynn Perry. Read more: Governor under fire after person of interest in deaths released to fight wildfires Woman claiming to be girlfriend of person of interest in Oregon deaths reveals alleged links to victims 14:00 , Gustaf Kilander A woman who says that the recently detained person of interest in the suspected Oregon serial killer case Jesse Lee Calhoun lived with her and her children for a year and a half, has shared allegations that there may have been connections between the 38-year-old and some of the victims. In a video interview shared on YouTube, Krista Senor said Calhoun was linked to at least two of the four women found dead and that he had sex and sold fentanyl to other women during their relationship, according to Oregon Live. Im still in shock over this. Its just surreal, Ms Sinor, 43 told The Oregonian on Wednesday. Its very strange. I cant wrap my mind around any of it. Neither can his family or friends. Police spent three days searching her apartment in Milwaukie, Oregon after they arrested Calhoun on 6 June. Former Oregon Governor Kate Brown commuted Calhouns sentence for several burglaries on 23 June 2021, about a year before he was set to be released, for his work fighting wildfires. Read more: Girlfriend of person of interest in Oregon deaths shares alleged links to victims Who are the Oregon murder victims? 15:00 , Joe Sommerlad Two months after the discovery of Kristin Smith, police reported finding the body of JoAnna Speaks, a 32-year-old mother-of-two, near an abandoned barn in rural Clark County near Ridgefield, Washington, on 8 April, with investigators concluding she had suffered fatal blunt force trauma to the head and neck. Then, on 24 April, the body of Charity Lynn Perry, 24, from Longview, Washington, was found near a culvert by the East Historic Columbia River Highway close to Ainsworth State Park in Multnomah County, as was that of another unidentified woman near Interstate 205 in the same county, whom a medical examiner said was between 25 and 40 years old and could possibly be Native American or Native Alaskan. Later that week, Milwaukee woman Bridget Leann (Ramsey) Webster, 31, was found dead on Harmony Road near Mill Creek in northwest Polk County on 30 April. Then, on 7 May, Clackamas County Sheriffs deputies found the body of Ashley Real, 22, in a wooded area near Eagle Creek, about 23 miles southeast of Portland. In all five cases, investigating officers declined to speculate about the possible cause of their deaths but said each was being treated as suspicious. They now believe the cases of Smith, Perry, Webster and Real could be linked. Sources previously told Oregon Live in June that at least three of the victims were known to frequent the same areas of downtown Portland in the months before their deaths, a clue to at least one direction the investigation could take. Is there a serial killer in Portland? What we know about string of mystery deaths Who is person of interest Jesse Calhoun in the Oregon murders case? 16:00 , Joe Sommerlad 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 on 6 July and is scheduled to be released. Josh Marcus has this report. Jesse Calhoun identified as person of interest in deaths of four women in Portland Articles and social media posts claim 86 percent of children in the clinical trials for Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine "suffered an adverse reaction." This is misleading; the figure refers to adolescents who had pain at the injection site, a common side effect of vaccination -- not serious ailments requiring medical attention, which are rare. "BREAKING: 86% of children suffered an adverse reaction from the COVID vaccine, according to Pfizer clinical trials," says a July 15, 2023 tweet from Leading Report, which AFP has previously fact-checked for spreading misinformation. The website published an article about the statistic the same day. "Did you know that according to Pfizer's clinical trials on kids between the ages of 12 and 15, 86% of those who received at least one dose of the vaccine experienced mild to severe side effects?" the story says. Similar claims and posts sharing screenshots of the article have circulated elsewhere on Facebook and Instagram since at least 2021 -- including in French. Other conspiratorial websites, including Before It's News and the Geller Report, have also promoted the 86 percent figure. Screenshot taken July 18, 2023 from Leading Report Screenshot taken July 18, 2023 from the Geller Report The posts are the latest in a string of claims that the Covid-19 vaccines are harmful -- despite the fact that public health authorities have long said they are safe and effective at preventing severe illness and death. More than 5.5 billion people worldwide have received at least one shot, according to the World Health Organization, saving millions of lives. Covid-19 vaccines are associated with some rare serious adverse events, but the claims swirling online do not refer to them. Instead, they cite the number of children who experienced temporary pain during Pfizer's clinical trials. "The information in the story appears to have been pulled from the Fact Sheet for Healthcare Providers Administering Vaccine (Vaccination Providers) that was revised in May 2021 at the time the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine was authorized for use in adolescents 12 through 15 years of age," a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spokesperson told AFP in a July 19 statement. Story continues That document (archived here) includes a chart showing the number of children who experienced "pain at the injection site" within seven days of receiving each dose of Pfizer's vaccine. Of 1,127 participants, 971 -- or about 86 percent -- reported "any" level of pain, ranging from mild to severe. Screenshot of a US Food and Drug Administration fact sheet taken July 21, 2023, with elements outlined by AFP The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Immunization Safety Office told AFP that some adverse events, including soreness, are common following vaccination with messenger RNA shots such as Pfizer's. "However, they're very often mild or moderate in nature, and typically resolve in a few days," the agency said in a statement emailed July 20. "Severe adverse events requiring medical attention are rare." Pfizer told AFP in a July 19 email that the company takes adverse events (AEs) reported following vaccination "very seriously." "Spontaneously reported AEs are collected for all products to monitor for potential safety issues that may not have been seen in clinical studies," the company said. "It is important to understand, however, that the AEs reported may not have any causal relationship to the vaccine." Serious side effects are rare Pfizer's clinical trial results (archived here) found that, among recipients aged 12-15, the vaccine had "a favorable safety profile, produced a greater immune response than in young adults and was highly effective against Covid-19." The FDA authorized the shot in May 2021, saying the "known and potential benefits ... outweigh the known and potential risks" (archived here). Since then, some serious reactions have emerged -- but public health authorities say such side effects are rare in children and teenagers. The CDC is monitoring reports of heart inflammation including myocarditis and pericarditis following vaccination (archived here). However, such ailments are far more common following Covid-19 infection. "Reporting rates were around 70 cases per million doses in males ages 12 through 15 years," the agency says on its website (archived here), citing a study published in January 2022 (archived here). The CDC adds that the risk of heart inflammation, which has more often affected males, "may be further reduced with a longer time between the first and second dose." Other adverse events following vaccination are also uncommon, according to the CDC. "Febrile seizures were rare in Covid-19 vaccine clinical trials for young children and occurred at similar rates for both Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines," the agency says on its website, which also notes that severe allergic reactions are rare. Public health authorities continue to analyze Covid-19 vaccines in what the CDC has called "the most intense safety monitoring efforts in US history" (archived here). The agency recommends primary vaccination for everyone aged six months and older, and booster shots for those five years and older. AFP has fact-checked other false and misleading claims about vaccines here. T-72 tank The Czech Republic has transferred several dozen of Soviet-era T-72 tanks to Ukraine in recent months, in exchange for at least five German Leopard-2A4 tanks, Czech Defense Minister Jana Chernohova said on July 21, as reported by news agency Ceske Noviny. Read also: Czech PM confirms helicopter donation, F-16 flight training to boost Ukraine's airpower Chernohova met with her German counterpart, Boris Pistorius. Prague wants to ultimately buy 77 of Germanys new Leopard-2A8, the minister said. The Czech army currently uses upgraded T-72M4CZ tanks. In recent months, it has provided Ukraine with several older versions of the T-72. In return for this assistance, Prague will receive 14 Leopard-2A4 tanks and one repair and recovery vehicle Bpz3 Buffel. Chernohova confirmed that the Czech Republic has already received five tanks, with others expected to arrive by the end of the year and the repair and recovery vehicle to be received in spring 2024. Read also: Lukashenko brushes off concerns over democratic backsliding, claims he works, rather than rules During the meeting, Pistorius reiterated that democratic countries will continue to support Ukraine as long as necessary. "The horrific war that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is waging against Ukraine is a crime," he said. Read also: Opportunity for Ukraine's counter-offensive may close by end of 2023, Czech leader says On July 7, Czech PM Petr Fiala announced that Prague will provide Ukraine with more attack helicopters and hundreds of thousands of artillery ammunition, as well as help train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft. 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 44-year-old Pueblo man was sentenced last week to more than 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to weapons and drug charges in March. Leonard Cordova pleaded guilty to two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and two counts of distributing a controlled substance. He was sentenced July 12 by United States District Court Judge Regina M. Rodriguez to 151 months in prison. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Colorado, on Sept. 12, 2021, Cordova fired numerous shots from a handgun at an individual in a moving vehicle outside of his house in Pueblo. He was arrested Sept. 15 and released the same day on a $7,500 cash bond. Just four days after his release on Sept. 19, Cordova, while driving his vehicle in Pueblo, fired a gun at two women in a vehicle near Northern Avenue and Pine Street. The two victims were struck by the gunfire, each suffering a single bullet wound in one leg, and required treatment at a local hospital, according to a Pueblo Police Department arrest affidavit for that case. Cordova was arrested and again released from jail on Sept. 23 on a $100,000 bond. Four months later, Cordova was cited for multiple violations of his bond, including tampering with his ankle monitor, drinking alcohol and attempting to contact a victim. He then posted additional bonds totaling nearly $300,000. On April 15, 2022, Cordova was arrested on federal charges and detained pending trial. He pleaded guilty on March 7 of this year. As part of his plea agreement, Cordova admitted to unlawfully possessing a firearm in connection to the two September 2021 shootings. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office's release, he also admitted that on Oct. 19, 2020, he distributed 221 grams of methamphetamine, and on Feb. 19, 2021, distributed 98 grams of heroin. Pueblo is a safer place with violent, drug-dealing felons like Leonard Cordova off the streets, U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan said in the release. We are grateful for our partners at the FBI, DEA, and Pueblo Police Department whose hard work and dedication make a real difference for the citizens of Colorado. Story continues Cases like this one exemplify what the federal system can bring to our local partners: This repeat offender will no longer threaten the Pueblo community, said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. The FBI will continue to work with the Pueblo Police Department to further our shared goals. Tenth Judicial District Attorney Jeff Chostner told the Chieftain in March that because Cordova pleaded guilty in federal court, the local charges against him based on the same acts have been dismissed. However, Cordova still has two active cases in Pueblo County one for felony assault with a deadly weapon and attempted first-degree murder in connection to the incident involving the two women who were shot in September 2021, and another for an alleged act of domestic violence and felony menacing in February 2020. Cordova is scheduled for a plea hearing in both of those cases on Aug. 4. Chieftain editor Zach Hillstrom can be reached at zhillstrom@gannett.com or on Twitter @ZachHillstrom. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com. More Pueblo crime news: Pueblo man who killed infant in 2010 won't be sent back to prison after harassment conviction This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo man gets more than a decade in prison on federal charges By pulling out of a landmark deal that allowed Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea, Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking a gamble that could badly damage Moscows relations with many of its partners that have stayed neutral or even been supportive of the Kremlin's invasion of its neighbor. Russia also has played the role of spoiler at the United Nations, vetoing a resolution on extending humanitarian aid deliveries through a key border crossing in northwestern Syria and backing a push by Mali's military junta to expel U.N. peacekeepers abrupt moves that reflect Moscows readiness to raise the stakes elsewhere. Putins declared goal in halting the Black Sea Grain Initiative was to win relief from Western sanctions on Russias agricultural exports. His longer-term goal could be to erode Western resolve over Ukraine and get more concessions from the U.S. and its allies as the war grinds toward the 17-month mark. The Kremlin doubled down on terminating the grain deal by attacking Ukrainian ports and declaring wide areas of the Black Sea unsafe for shipping. But with the West showing little willingness to yield any ground, Putins actions not only threaten global food security but also could backfire against Russias own interests, potentially causing concern in China, straining Moscows relations with key partner Turkey and hurting its ties with African countries. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who helped broker the grain deal with the U.N. a year ago, has pushed for its extension and said he would negotiate with Putin. Turkeys role as a top trading partner and a logistical hub for Russias foreign trade amid Western sanctions strengthens Erdogans hand and could allow him to squeeze concessions from Putin, whom he calls my dear friend. Turkeys trade with Russia nearly doubled last year to $68.2 billion, feeding U.S. suspicions that Moscow is using Ankara to bypass Western sanctions. Turkey says the increase is largely due to higher energy costs. Story continues Their relationship is often characterized as transactional. Despite being on opposing sides in fighting in Syria, Libya and the decades-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, they have cooperated in areas like energy, defense, diplomacy, tourism and trade. Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, director of the German Marshall Fund in Ankara, said the relationships dual nature dates back to the sultans and czars. Sometimes they compete, sometimes they cooperate. At other times they both compete and cooperate at the same time, he said. While the pendulum seems to have swung in Ankara's favor for now, Unluhisarcikli noted the Kremlin has a few levers to pull, such as canceling a deferment of gas payments or removing financial capital for the Akkuyu nuclear plant being built by Russia. Moscow also could hurt Turkey by restricting Russian tourists, who visit in greater numbers than any other nationality. offering a steady flow of cash. How much weaker the relationship gets depends on how Russia responds to Turkey getting closer to the West, he said. Some observers in Moscow speculate that Russia agreed to extend the grain deal for two months in May to help Erdogan win reelection but was appalled to see his pro-Western shift afterward. Erdogan backed Swedens membership in NATO earlier this month. In another snub to Moscow, Turkey allowed several Ukrainian commanders who led the defense of Mariupol last year to return home. They surrendered after a two-month Russian siege and then moved to Turkey under a deal that they stay there until the end of the war. Kerim Has, a Moscow-based expert on Turkey-Russia ties, said Erdogan had been emboldened by his reelection to pursue rapprochement with the West, appointing a pro-Western Cabinet and adopting a stance that was causing discomfort in the Kremlin. Its a dilemma for Putin, Has said. He supported Erdogans candidacy but he will face a more active, pro-Western Turkey under Erdogan in the coming period. Moscow could try to pressure Erdogan by challenging Turkeys interests in northwestern Syria, where Ankara has backed armed opposition groups since the start of the conflict. Even though Russia has joined with Iran to shore up Syrian President Bashar Assads government while Turkey has backed its foes, Moscow and Ankara have negotiated cease-fire deals. But Russia abruptly toughened its stand this month when it vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution backed by virtually all members to continue humanitarian aid deliveries to opposition-held areas through the Bab el-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, a key lifeline for about 4.1 million people in the impoverished enclave. Moscow warned that if its rival draft was not accepted, the crossing would be shut. The presence of 3.4 million Syrians in Turkey is a sensitive issue for Ankara. Erdogan has advocated their voluntary repatriation to parts of northern Syria under Turkish control. Dareen Khalifa, senior analyst on Syria at the International Crisis Group, says Russias hard-line approach to the issue was an attempt to pressure Ankara. Turkey will be directly impacted by that if the mechanism ends, he said. Others were skeptical Russia could use the border crossing issue to strong-arm Ankara. I do not think Russia is in a position to increase its pressure on Turkey in Syria, Has said. Joseph Daher, a Swiss-Syrian researcher and professor at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy, observed that Russia could be trying to pressure the West by raising the prospect of a new wave of refugees in Europe. Richard Gowan, U.N. director of the International Crisis Group, noted that along with the tougher stand on Syria, Russias disruptive actions included support for Malis push to expel U.N. peacekeepers. It looks like Russia is looking for ways to annoy the West through the U.N, he told The Associated Press. Reflecting Moscows increasingly muscular stand, Russian military pilots recently have harassed U.S. aircraft over Syria in incidents that added to tensions between Moscow and Washington. The Pentagon described Russia's maneuvers as unprofessional and unsafe, while Moscow sought to turn the tables by accusing the U.S. of violating deconfliction rules intended to prevent collisions over Syria. Amid the hardball at the U.N. and in Syria, Russia has been courting African nations with promises of support. The Kremlin has emphasized it stands ready to provide poor countries in Africa with free grain after the termination of the Black Sea deal, and Putin is set to woo African leaders at a summit in St. Petersburg later this month. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscows offer of free grain shipments would be on the agenda. The Black Sea deal allowed Ukraine to ship 32.9 million metric tons of grain and other food to global markets. According to official data, 57% of the grain from Ukraine went to developing nations, while China received the most nearly a quarter. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that 60,000 metric tons of grain destroyed by Russia's strike on the port of Odesa on Wednesday were bound for China. Putin, in turn, accused the West of using the grain deal to shamelessly enrich itself instead of its declared goal of easing hunger. Despite such rhetoric, the Russian move won't play well in African countries. Even as the Kremlin tried to contain the damage to those ties, it unleashed more attacks on Odesa and other ports to thwart Ukrainian attempts to continue grain shipments. Moscow described them as " strikes of retribution " for Monday's attack that damaged the Kerch Bridge linking Moscow-annexed Crimea with Russia. Hard-liners in Moscow praised Putin for halting the deal, which they have criticized as a reflection of what they described as the Kremlin's futile hope to compromise with the West. Pro-Kremlin commentator Sergei Markov lauded the retaliatory strikes and argued that the withdrawal from the deal was long overdue. The grain deal's extension led to a drop in the governments ratings and was fueling talk about betrayal on top, he said. ___ Andrew Wilks in Istanbul, Turkey, Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut, Lebanon and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Russia's President Vladimir Putin. LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP via Getty Images Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed Friday that Poland wants to seize Western Ukraine. "The possibility is obvious," he said in remarks to his Security Council. Russia has often deflected from its own invasion by claiming Poland has its own imperial ambitions. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who last year ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine following the earlier occupation and illegal annexation of Crimea, on Friday warned that Ukraine could be invaded and occupied by Poland. In a video address to his national security council, the Russian leader claimed the increased military cooperation between Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania since the Russian invasion could provide an opportunity for Warsaw to settle historical disputes and stake its own claim to Ukrainian territory. Under the guise of a friendly "military union," and citing the threat posed by Russia, Poland could send troops to Western Ukraine and, "if we're being blunt," remain there for good, Putin argued, according to a translation of his remarks shared by Kevin Rothrock, an editor at the independent Russian media outlet Meduza. "The possibility is obvious," Putin said. "If Polish troops enter, for example, Lviv or other Ukrainian territories, they will stay there, and they will stay there forever." Russia's attempt to sow discord among allies is nothing new. In May 2022, Sputnik, a Russian government media platform, broadcast the claim citing Russian intelligence that Warsaw would seek to annex parts of western Ukraine, part of what the European Union's disinformation-monitoring service described at the time as a "[r]ecurring narrative presenting Poland as a state which has imperial ambitions." The charge was repeated this past April by Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of Russia's Security Council. "Emboldened by the current circumstances, Poland has decided that the chance to absorb the remnants of Ukraine is to be taken now, or never," he wrote on Twitter. The claim was repeated again this month by a spokesperson for Russia's foreign ministry. Story continues Speaking Friday, Putin who launched the 2022 invasion with the hope of overthrowing Kyiv's government claimed he would not "interfere" in internal Ukrainian affairs. But he accused Poland of also desiring parts of Belarus, a close Russian ally. That would trigger war, he said. "We'll respond to that by every means," Putin said. Representatives for the Polish and Ukrainian governments did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com Read the original article on Business Insider Maxim Shemetov/Reuters Hardline Russian nationalist Igor Girkin was detained and charged with extremism on Friday morning, indicating that President Putin has finally lost patience with his vociferous criticism of Russias faltering approach to the war in Ukraine. In a post on his Telegram account, Girkins wife said representatives of Russias Investigative Committee came to their home at around 11:30 a.m. I was not at home at that time. Soon, according to the concierge, they took my husband under the arms and took him away in an unknown direction, Miroslava Reginskaya wrote. CIA Chief Advises Mutinous Wagner Boss Not to Fire His Food Taster She added that shed learned from friends that he was charged under article 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (extremism). I do not know anything about the whereabouts of my husband, he did not get in touch, she added. A law enforcement source confirmed to the TASS state news agency that Girkin had indeed been detained in Moscow. Currently, investigative actions are being carried out with him, the source said. Girkin, who is also known as Igor Strelkov, is a former Federal Security Service (FSB) officer and Russian Army veteran who became an ardently pro-war military blogger backing the invasion of Ukraine. He has also been personally involved in military operations in Ukraine himself, having been a major figure in Russias illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and organizing Moscow-backed militias in eastern Ukraine. Last year, he was also convicted of murder in absentia by a Dutch court for his role in the downing of Flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014, despite his denials of involvement. Since Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Girkin has been witheringly critical of the way Moscow has handled the war. He has repeatedly called for a general mobilization of the Russian population to avoid the invasion ending in failure, and has even called for Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to be executed by firing squad. Like other ultra-nationalists, Girkin has also backed the idea of using tactical nuclear weapons. Story continues Possibly his most serious misstep, however, was launching a new pro-war nationalist party in Russia in March. His so-called Club of Angry Patriots said it viewed Putin as the only real guarantor of stability in Russia, but Girkin believed continued battlefield failures in Ukraine could lead to the collapse of the Russian state. In a Reuters interview in May, Girkin said a systemic crisis is brewing in Russia. We are on the cusp of very grave internal political changes of a catastrophic character, he said. All healthy forces need to create organizations which will take part in the political battle which is inevitableand which has already started. When asked specifically if he thought it was naive that he could launch his new opposition party without the assent of the Kremlin, Girkin answered: I do hope you would not call me a naive person. He added that Putins removal from power would precipitate the collapse of Russia. The specifics of the extremism allegations against him are not yet clear. But RBC reports that the investigation stems from a former employee of Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhins mercenary force. As with the Russian Defense Ministry, Girkin has also been highly critical of Prigozhins command. The Wagner boss retaliated by suggesting that Girkin had surrendered a city in eastern Ukraine in 2014 in exchange for bribes from Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhmetov. Girkin later accused Wagner militants of carrying out the 2015 assassination of a pro-Russian commander in Ukraines occupied Luhansk region. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. CIA Director William J. Burns warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely has more business with Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin after Prigozhin's attempted rebellion. "I think what we're seeing is a very complicated dance between Prigozhin and Putin," Burns told the Aspen Security forum Thursday. "I think Putin is someone who generally thinks that revenge is a dish best served cold." Burns speculated Putin would continue looking for an angle to deal with Prigozhin despite resolving the attempted rebellion by agreeing to send the Wagner chief into exile in Belarus, saying Putin is "the ultimate apostle of payback." "I would be surprised if Prigozhin escapes further retribution for this," Burns stressed. "In that sense if I were Prigozhin, I wouldn't fire my food taster." PRIGOZHIN APPEARS PUBLICLY FOR FIRST TIME SINCE MUTINY, SUGGESTS MERCENARIES WON'T FIGHT IN UKRAINE CIA Director William Burns speaks on "Addressing the Global Threat Landscape" during an event as part of the Trainor Award ceremony at Georgetown Hotel and Conference Center in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 2, 2023. Prigozhin, self-proclaimed founder and leader of the mercenary Wagner Group, marched his troops toward Moscow after claiming the Kremlin authorized an attack on his forces. The march brought his troops within 125 miles of Moscow before Prigozhin ordered them to turn around and return to base while he departed for Belarus. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Media and experts labeled the march as one of the most significant challenges to Putin's regime in his 23 years in power. Prigozhin has returned to Russia since his exile began, with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko confirming earlier this month that Prigozhin had visited St. Petersburg and Russian outlet Fontanka, reporting the visit was to reclaim weapons confiscated by authorities during searches. Putins position remains difficult, according to Burns. The Russian president doesnt want to give the appearance of "overreacting to things," but he most likely wants to try and separate Prigozhin from his forces, which remain "useful" to Putin due to their involvement in various global enterprises in Africa, Libya and Syria. Story continues RUSSIAN FORCES DESTROY FARM STORAGE BUILDINGS IN UKRAINE DAYS AFTER DESTROYING BLACK SEA PORT FACILITY "I think what hes going to do is separate Prigozhin and undercut him but preserve whats of value to him," Burns said. Putin said the Wagner troops involved in the march had "betrayed" Russia, but he offered contracts with the Ministry of Defense to any troop who did not support or take part in the attempted rebellion. 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, on June 24, 2023. Burns also revealed the CIA had noted significant attention to a video the organization had posted on Telegram instructing dissatisfied Russians how they can safely contact the CIA. "Weve had two and a half million views of that telegram video in the first week it was on, so the truth is theres a lot of disaffection in Russia, in the elite and outside it in Russia right now, and were not wasting the opportunity as an intelligence service to try and take advantage of it," he revealed. MULTIPLE CASUALTIES REPORTED AS RUSSIAN ONSLAUGHT OF UKRAINE CONTINUES FOR 3RD CONSECUTIVE EVENING "I think Putin is already a little bit uneasy as he looks over his shoulder and the debate that goes on within the Russian elite right now," Burns added. "It would be crazy for us not to take advantage of what is, in effect, a once-in-a-generation opportunity as a human intelligence service." Opposition to Putin has remained scarce due to a number of high-profile accidents that have led to the disappearance or deaths of several men who had formerly counted themselves close allies of Putin. Nearly a dozen men died after they had criticized the invasion, Euro News reported. Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Ivan Pechorin, a managing director for the aviation industry at the Corporation for the Development of the Far East and Arctic, died Sept. 12, 2022, after reportedly falling from a speeding boat off the coast of Vladivostok. Ravil Maganov, chairman of Russian oil giant Lukoil, died after reportedly falling from the sixth-floor window of a Moscow hospital on Sept. 1, 2022. He and his company had urged Putin to end the invasion, calling it a "tragedy." Lukoil claimed Maganov "passed away after a severe illness." RUSSIA TESTING BIDEN RESOLVE IN SYRIA AMID STRING OF UNPROFESSIONAL INCIDENTS Aleksandr Subbotin, a former top manager of Lukoil, was found dead in the basement of a Moscow home in May after he reportedly visited a healer to cure him of hangover symptoms but instead suffered heart failure. But the war has proven difficult for Putin, and Ukraines counteroffensive has not helped matters, though Burns acknowledged the effort has been "a hard slog" and will "take time" to make progress. "I am, however, an optimist that the Ukrainians will be able to make advances," Burns noted. "I think the thing sometimes that it's easy to forget is that behind those considerable fixed defenses that the Russians have built in southern Ukraine, there are some pretty significant structural weaknesses, poor morale and even general shape, to put it mildly, on the Russian side," he explained. Burns also noted the "disarray" in the political and very senior military leadership. "So, I think it is going to be a tough slog, but we're going to do everything we can as an intelligence agency to provide the kind of intelligence support and sharing that's going to help the Ukrainians to make progress," he said. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas.) in a Thursday interview called Russian President Vladimir Putins effort to stop grain exports from flowing out of Ukraine disturbing, warning of possible implications for North Africa, Europe and the United States. During an appearance on NewsNations The Hill, McCaul told NewsNation chief White House correspondent Blake Burman that hes worried about a possible scenario where war escalation could happen between Russia and NATO-member countries that border the Black Sea. The White House on Wednesday warned that Russia is preparing for possible attacks on civilian shipping vessels in the Black Sea, noting that Russian military forces have laid additional sea mines that border Ukrainian ports. Oh, sure. Weve been worried about that scenario since the inception of the Russian invasion into Ukraine, McCaul said. This is very, I think, disturbing on Putins part to shut off grain from the Black Sea into the White Sea, because this could cause a famine in northern Africa, and it could also raise prices not only in Europe, but the United States. I think its highly irresponsible what hes doing, but hes desperate now, he added. McCaul also said Turkey has tried to negotiate with Putin on a solution, noting that Russias withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative will affect the global food market. It affects the entire global food market. And again, I think the region that will get hit the hardest will be Northern Africa. It could set them off into a famine. Ive met with the World Food Program, McCaul added. You know David Beasley was the head of that; he negotiated the deal with Putin. I hope we can make some progress, but the fact is, we will feel this here in the United States. Earlier this week, Russia paused its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying in a statement that it would suspend its part in the deal unless its demands are met to get its own food and fertilizer out to the world. Story continues 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. The deal was brokered last year by the United Nations and Turkey after Russia invaded and blockaded Ukraines ports. NewsNation and The Hill are both owned by Nexstar Media Group. The Associated Press contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Vladimir Putin, the President of the aggressor country, at a meeting with his Security Council, began to lie that aggression could be unleashed against Belarus, so Russia would be ready to respond with all available means. Source: Russian propagandists Quote from Putin: "And unleashing aggression against Belarus will mean aggression against the Russian Federation. We will respond to this with all the means at our disposal." Details: Putin explained such possible actions on the part of Russia by the fact that Belarus is part of the so-called Union State. Background: On 19 July, information appeared about the ninth convoy of Wagner Group mercenaries moving along the M5 highway from Bobruisk towards Asipovicy. Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC), allegedly spoke to the mercenaries who came to Belarus and said that they would be engaged in the training of the Belarusian army. In Belarus, here are about half a thousand units of wheeled transport equipment near the Wagner Group tent city. On July 20, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported that Wagner mercenaries continue to arrive in Belarus, but so far, they do not pose any threat to Ukraine. On 21 July, Mariusz Baszczak, Minister of National Defence of Poland, instructed that Polish troops be moved from the west to the east of the country due to possible threats related to the presence of the Wagner PMC in Belarus. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russian President Vladimir Putin looks through a helicopter window during his flight to the Novatek-Murmansk's Offshore Superfacility Construction Center in the village of Belokamenka, in Murmansk region, Russia July 20, 2023. Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to buy time while he works out how to deal with Yevgeny Prighozin, says the director of the CIA. Mr Prigozhin is the head of the Wagner mercenary group who led a mutiny in Russia a month ago. That mutiny exposed significant weaknesses in the system of power Putin has built, CIA head William Burns said. He told the Aspen Security Forum that Russia's leader may still seek retribution against Mr Prigozhin. "What we are seeing is a very complicated dance," the CIA chief said on Thursday. Mr Prigozhin has moved around but had been in the Belarus capital of Minsk recently as well as Russia, he said when asked about a recent video apparently showing the Wagner boss in Belarus. Mr Putin is likely to be trying to buy time as he works out how best to deal with the leader of the Wagner group, Mr Burns added. That mercenary group still has value for Russia's leadership in places like Africa, Libya and Syria and so it was likely that Mr Putin would try and separate the group from its leader. And the CIA chief said that Mr Putin may wait to exact revenge. "Putin is someone who generally thinks that revenge is a dish best served cold," Mr Burns said. "In my experience, Putin is the ultimate apostle of payback so I would be surprised if Prigozhin escapes further retribution." Earlier this month, US President Joe Biden suggested there was a risk the Wagner boss could be poisoned. "If I were he I'd be careful what I ate. I'd keep my eye on my menu," the president quipped. The CIA director echoed that line saying: "If I were Prigozhin, I wouldn't fire my food taster." The intelligence agency did indeed have advance knowledge of the mutiny, Mr Burns said, confirming previous reports. A senior Russian army general, Sergei Surovikin, who was reported to have known about the Wagner mutiny in advance, also does not currently have "freedom of movement", the CIA chief added. Story continues William Burns confirmed the CIA had advanced knowledge of the mutiny The mutiny was the most direct assault Mr Putin has seen in his 23 years in power, including by directly challenging the Kremlin's justification for the war in Ukraine, with Mr Prigozhin saying it had been built on lies, Mr Burns said. He added that what was most remarkable was that Russia's leader felt compelled to do a deal with a man who used to be his caterer, the CIA chief said. Mr Prigozhin is often referred to as "Putin's chef" as he first came to prominence after providing catering services to Mr Putin and the military before founding the Wagner group. Mr Putin has projected an image of himself as the arbiter of order in Russia, and so the 36 hours of the mutiny will have left many in the country with the question of "whether the emperor had no clothes or at least why is it taking him so long to get dressed", Mr Burns said. This would have resurrected deeper questions in the Russian elite about Mr Putin's judgement, which have been there since his decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. If Ukraine makes further advances on the battlefield then that could lead more Russians to pay attention to Mr Prigozhin's critique of the war, he said. It should not come as surprise that Ukraine's counter-offensive was proving a "hard slog", the CIA head said, given that offence was harder than defence and the Russians had months to prepare. "It is going to take time and it is not going to be easy to make progress. I am however an optimist," Mr Burns said. He also said that there were signs that Russia might be considering a false flag operation by attacking shipping in the Black Sea and then blaming it on the Ukrainians. News Daily banner Sign up for our morning newsletter and get BBC News in your inbox. Vladimir Putin has finally turned into a real laughingstock for everyone Rumors about the serious health problems of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin are finding new evidence. And its not just about his physical condition but also his mental state. Read also: One of Putins bodyguards defects abroad exclusive NV interview Following the Wagner PMC coup attempt, Putin started appearing more frequently from his bunker, engaging in public events, hoping to convince Russian citizens that he is just fine and that the country is supposedly under his complete control. However, such propaganda tricks have their dark side the more often the Russian dictator appears in public, the more often he embarrasses himself. One such incident occurred on July 20 when a video surfaced on social media showing Putins meeting with his war criminals. Read also: During the event, he inquired about the age of one of the participants children but immediately forgot the answer. The nine-year-old child was mistakenly transformed into a three-year-old in his mind, revealing potential difficulties in retaining recently heard information. How old is the younger one? Putin asked. The younger one is nine, came the response. And the older one? The older one is 23. See, you have two children, and the younger one is just three years old, summed up the dictator. 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 Consequences of the attack on the port of Odesa on the night of July 19 Putin cannot be provoked because he provokes both himself and the West. Constantly responding to these provocations after the fact is a fragile position, which leads to the aggressor's appetite for more. There has never been a case when a moderate reaction to a particular provocation on Putin's part would lead to his coming to his senses. There has always been an increase in "wants." Therefore, it is not appropriate to react with too much concern over crossing the red lines. The West must set the red lines itself; otherwise, it will look like the United States lacks parity in terms of nuclear weapons. That is, the United States is being pressured, and it is bending. This is what Putin is feeling right now. And that's why he continues provocations along all lines. Read also: Lukashenko comes to Russia for talks with Putin What do we see now with the grain deal? Naturally, Putin needs this mechanism to create an image of Russia as the breadwinner of the Global South, that it is fighting for the hungry, and that it cares about these issues. But on the other hand, the Kremlin is well aware that if Ukraine uses this mechanism, it will not benefit them. So, they are trying to keep this mechanism in reserve without completely destroying it. Implementing a grain deal is a particular process. It includes the shipment of grain from Ukraine, transportation of this grain by sea, and unloading in Turkey. These are the three mandatory links. Based on this agreement, Putin expected one of the links to be broken. But seeing that Erdogan is behaving somehow "disrespectfully" towards him (giving permission for Sweden to join NATO, giving Ukraine the commanders of Azov, generally declaring support for Zelensky, whom Putin does not want to see in person, providing permission to France to inspect the nuclear power plant that Russia is building in Turkey, and generally wanting to join the EU himself), Putin is well aware that this whole thing could end up in the organization of convoys. Of course, convoys not involving Turkey alone, but with the participation of the coastal NATO member states. Then, he decides to exclude the first element from this chain - the shipment. That's why there were attacks on the terminals in the port of Odesa. Story continues Read also: If we manage to agree on the movement of these vessels through the waters of coastal countries, Putin has a sneaky answer for this option as well. That is, he may use the same attack watercraft against them, while at the same time raising elements of Ukrainian watercraft from the bottom near the destroyed span of the Crimean bridge, and thus blame Ukraine. I started with this principle: do not make concessions to Putin. How to counteract these insidious plans? Any concession to Putin is a continuation of his expansion. We just need to keep pushing him. We need to provide Ukraine with air defense equipment - more of it - so that we can cover not only the front line and not only Kyiv and the nuclear power plants, but if we consider this grain deal necessary, we need to cover port terminals. That is, Odesa. Ideally, such a layered air defense system would cover the entire territory of Ukraine. But since neither we nor our allies have the strength to do so, protecting the most critical facilities is necessary. There are two ways to counteract this. The first is to kill Putin, and the second is to defend ourselves against him. I don't see any other options. How to cover the ports? With coastal defense systems like our Neptune, which can hit not only maritime targets (our only maritime target is the Russian Black Sea Fleet) but also land targets, such as the Crimean Bridge. In any case, we are talking about long-range land-based missiles or similar air-launched missiles. Then we need aviation not only to take wing and launch these missiles, but also to intercept them. And for this, we require either Western avionics on our aircraft or, even better, Western aircraft with appropriate avionics. If the West claims the offensive is slow, they are making claims about themselves, not us. Read also: Biden to meet with Zelenskyy and Erdogan in Vilnius A lot depends on Erdogan now. He will now step up his own game. For example, on the issue of organizing convoys. Erdogan will say that Turkey will not go it alone. Let's do it together with NATO forces. And to do this with NATO forces, the Bosporus must be opened. After that, he will make another "unobtrusive offer," saying, "Give me in return accession to the EU, for example, or permit me to buy F-35 fighter jets. Erdogan is a skillful player. What cards he will play (we can, in principle, consider all the cards), but how he will play them depends on his personal talents. Read also: RU threatens Black Sea shipping, no Putin at BRICS summit, current sanctions insufficient Erdogan can play the same way with Putin on the same grain deal. Many people see the grain deal as an initiative of Erdogan to provide grain to the Islamic world and the Global South. Then Putin violates this agreement. Erdogan may not remain silent, but say: gentlemen (from Sudan, Mali, and other countries), you really need to look at who is playing against you. Russia is destroying you. This is what Putin is afraid of. He will lose a great deal of support in the UN General Assembly. He will lose support at the BRICS summit and support in the SCO. Putin is afraid of this, and Erdogan can play on this. He can play on it seriously. Read also: Russia may attack civilian vessels in Black Sea and blame Ukraine, White House warns That is why the situation in the Black Sea region can unfold quite rapidly. The further Putin raises the stakes, the more he will get hit on the nose. Because many politicians, as they say, have lost their patience. 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 Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns speaks at the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, Va., July 8, 2022 AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File The director of the CIA believes that Putin has yet to play all of his cards against Yevgeny Prigozhin. Right now, Putin is buying time and seeing how he can still benefit from Prigozhin and Wagner Group. But Putin is the 'ultimate apostle of payback' CIA director William Burns said at the Aspen Security Forum. The director of the CIA said that Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin should not fire his food taster and to watch his back for Vladimir Putin. Echoing a similar joke made by President Joe Biden. CIA Director William Burns, speaking at the Aspen Security Forum 2023 on Thursday, discussed Prigozhin's failed mutiny and the potential blowback to come. For now, Burns said, Putin is buying time, but when the time is right, Prigozhin may have a target on his back. "Putin is someone who generally thinks that revenge is a dish best served cold," Burns told NPR's Mary Louise Kelly, adding that he is "the ultimate apostle of payback." "He is going try to separate Prigozhin and undercut him, but preserve what's of value to him," Burns claimed. In late June, Prigozhin accused Russia's defense ministry of carrying out a missile strike against Wagner positions at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, which he claimed had killed a "huge amount" of mercenaries. In the tirade, Prigozhin said Russia's defense ministry "must be stopped" and the individuals responsible for the death of Wagner fighters must be punished. Moscow's security services responded by announcing a criminal case against Prigozhin, charging him with inciting an armed rebellion. Within a day of Prigozhin's announcement, Wagner fighters captured the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, a central command for its war in Ukraine, and headed towards Moscow. Days later, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko brokered a peace deal, forcing Prigozhin to call off the coup in exchange for immunity in Belarus. Story continues "That video was the most scathing indictment of Putin's rationale for the war," Burns told Kelly, adding that it showed weaknesses and wounded Putin's "constructed image of being the arbiter of order." Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that since last year, his government has paid Wagner close to $1 billion. Wagner forces played a key role in capturing the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, and many of the 30,000 mercenaries employed by the company have fought for Kremlin interests in Syria and Africa. Prigozhin, whose background was as a caterer, was seen as a crucial Putin ally prior to his failed rebellion. Read the original article on Business Insider CIA Director William Burns said Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to buy time as he decides how to respond to Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhins recent mutiny amid the war in Ukraine. Burns said at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado that the short-lived rebellion by the private mercenary group late last month was the most direct assault on the Russian state in Putins 23 years in power and exposed some of the significant weaknesses in the system built by the Russian president. Those weaknesses have been exposed by Prigozhins mutiny, but I think even more deeply than that, theyve been exposed by Putins misjudgment since he launched this invasion as well, the CIA director said. If and when the Ukrainians make further advances on the battlefield, I think what thats going to do is cause more and more Russians in the elite and outside the elite to pay attention to Prigozhins critique of the war as well, he added. And so, thats where Putin is trying to buy time, as he considers what to do with Wagner and what to do with Prigozhin himself. Burns also suggested that Putin is currently trying to settle things in Russia but will ultimately try to separate Prigozhin from what he values in the Wagner Group. Prigozhin who had for months criticized over the Russias military leaderships handling of the war marched his mercenary troops toward Moscow last month,. However, he halted the advance after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko reached a deal to allow him and his troops to leave Russia safely and move into Belarus. What we saw was Russian security services, Russian military, Russian decisionmakers which were adrift, or appeared to be adrift for those 36 hours, Burns also said Thursday. So, for a lot of Russians watching this, used to this image of Putin as the arbiter of order, the question was, Does the emperor have no clothes? or at least, Why is it taking him so long for him to get dressed? he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Editors note: The future of North Carolinas medical marijuana bill is uncertain. The Compassionate Care Act, which would legalize medical, but not recreational marijuana, passed the Senate in March with bipartisan support but has languished in the House for more than three months. We asked Luke Niforatos of Smart Approaches to Marijuana to talk about why his Washington, D.C.-based group is working against the bill. 1. Why is your group fighting to kill this bill? Many have been asking why we led the campaign that has so far deterred passage of N.C. Senate Bill 3, the bill that sought to legalize medical marijuana. The answer is simple: marijuana is not approved by the FDA for the treatment of any disease or condition. Our position is that we should slow down and wait for the FDA to evaluate the potential risks and benefits of marijuana, like they do for all other drugs. Marijuana should not get a free pass. Luke Niforatos 2. Is there any level of regulation on medical marijuana that your group would be comfortable supporting? If the FDA later determines that marijuana can provide relief to individuals with certain conditions, as they have done with derivatives of marijuana like Marinol, we will support its use in those cases. Medications should not be determined by public opinion. The American Medical Association (AMA) cautioned that cannabis for medicinal use should not be legalized through the state legislative, ballot initiative, or referendum process. The N.C. Medical Society declared they have not supported the legalization of medical marijuana. Would you rather trust the positions of respected medical associations or the profit-driven marijuana industry? 3. Were there aspects of the NC bill that your group found troublesome? Beyond our concerns with the legalization of an unapproved Schedule 1 drug, we had specific concerns with SB3. Take the composition of the 11-member Medical Cannabis Production Commission, which would have jurisdiction over product testing, the safety of dispensaries and procedures for issuing a recall. Two seats would have been given to industry representatives, while the N.C. DHHS would have gotten only one. The voice of the marijuana industry should not be louder than the voice of public health. Story continues Though SB3 required dispensaries to be located at least 1,000 feet from K-12 schools, churches and childcare facilities, it afforded no similar protections to other youth-focused areas, such as parks and libraries. Our children should not be seeing or smelling dispensaries across from their neighborhood playground. We were also concerned that SB3 would have allowed the sale of any and all marijuana products. At a minimum, it should have limited the potency of marijuana that could be sold, a position supported by the AMA. This so-called medicine would have been sold in the form of candies, brownies and vapes. In effect, medical marijuana dispensaries would have been no different from recreational marijuana dispensaries. The official legislative fiscal note for SB3 warned that the state state would lose millions on the program, debunking the claim that legalization would generate a new revenue stream. 4. In states that have approved use of medical marijuana is there evidence it is being resold to others or used by kids in the home? We know that these products often get diverted to minors. In Illinois, among users, 15% of 12th graders in urban and suburban counties answered that they obtained their marijuana through someone elses medical marijuana prescription. In rural counties, the percentage was 18%. 5. Would you address the fact that people in North Carolina can go to a neighboring state like Virginia to buy marijuana? Some people may throw their hands up and say individuals will just go buy marijuana from another state. Even so, a handful of people crossing state lines for an unapproved drug is preferable to having that drug mass produced, promoted and made available throughout North Carolina. 6. Supporters of this bill say theyll bring it back around in the next legislative session. Will your group fight it again? Our final concern with SB3 is a point I suspect the industry, legislators on both sides of the issue, and I agree on. The legalization of medical marijuana would have allowed the industry to take root in North Carolina, inevitably leading to calls for recreational legalization. We expect the industry to continue lobbying for medical marijuana in North Carolina. Whether their strategy involves pushing for legislation in Raleigh or bankrolling a ballot measure campaign, we stand ready to oppose them. Luke Niforatos is Executive Vice President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana. CB Insights released its Q2 State of Fintech report last week, and unsurprisingly, global funding in the space was down -- plunging by nearly half to $7.8 billion, its lowest level since 2017. But at least one region didn't have a bad quarter. Latin America experienced a surge in global investor interest in recent years, but just as other regions globally, it has experienced a dip in venture funding. VC investors deployed $7.8 billion across a record 1,114 deals in Latin America in 2022, down from $15.9 billion in 2021, according to The Association for Private Capital Investment in Latin America (LAVCA). The fintech sector by far was the biggest recipient of venture dollars in 2022, making up 29% of investments last year. It appears that investors in the region are continuing to bet on the space. In fact, according to CB Insights State of Fintech Q2 report, fintechs in LatAm & the Caribbean drew $500 million, up 150% QoQ, while deal count (69) remained roughly the same QoQ. Early-stage deal share is pacing at 81% for 2023, a five-year high, the report found. The regions top deal in the quarter went to Cayman Islands-based DeFi platform Kross Wallet, which raised a $100 million seed round. (Blockchain and crypto companies are counted as fintech in CB Insights' data.) Other deals taking place during the quarter include Mexico-based spend management startup Clara's $60 million raise and Brazilian payments infrastructure company Liquido bringing in $26 million. (It should be noted that those rounds were actually raised in 2021 but because it was operating in stealth, Liquido only recently announced the financings.) But overall, the second quarter was not kind to payments startups, even though the sector started the year off strong. Funding to these kinds of companies plunged 75% during the quarter to $2 billion from $8 billion in the first quarter and $4.9 billion for the second quarter in 2022. CB Insights noted this was a six-year funding low for the sector. And there were no new unicorns. Story continues Deal volume didnt hurt as bad, though second-quarter investments fell 14% to 148 from 172 deals made in the first quarter. One bright spot was that early-stage funding to payments companies reached a five-year high. Tipalti, which automates accounts payables for mid-market companies, had the top equity deal for the quarter, raising $150 million in a growth round, and adding to its impressive list of gigantic investments, like its $270 million Series F and $150 million Series E. Others on the list include Nymbus, Clara, Volt, Spiff and Episode Six. Lastly, all five of the quarters IPO exits come from fintechs based outside of the United States, with four of them coming from Asia. Also, fntech saw a 20% drop in M&A activity, to 142 exits, according to CB Insights. Want more fintech news in your inbox? Sign up for The Interchange here. Alyssa Dellamano, 22, of Quincy, is arraigned in Quincy District Court on a murder charge in the stabbing death of Cameron Nohmy. DEDHAM A Quincy woman will stand trial starting next week in connection with the 2020 death of a 24-year-old Milton man. Alyssa Dellamano was charged with murder in the stabbing death of Cameron Nohmy, who authorities say was killed the night of Sept. 11, 2020, in the parking lot of Supreme Liquors at the intersection of Hancock and Woodbine streets in Wollaston. Dellamano, who was 22 when Nohmy was killed, was indicted in December 2020 and pleaded not guilty the following month at her arraignment. Jury selection will begin Tuesday, July 25, at Dedham Superior Court. Assistant District Attorney Carolyn Hely, who leads the prosecution, said in her statement of the case that Nohmy and two friends pulled into the liquor store in a pickup truck between 10 and 11 p.m. and encountered a group of people at the parking lot entrance. According to a witness statement, the two groups began yelling at each other. Cameron Nohmy, 24, died after he was stabbed in Quincy on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020. Detectives who reviewed security footage from the liquor store said a person in a light-colored hooded sweatshirt, later identified by witnesses as Dellamano, approached Nohmy when he got out of the truck and appeared to swing at him four times. Nohmy fell to the ground, got up and returned to the truck, Helys statement says. Quincy police responded to a 911 call at 10:46 p.m. and found paramedics treating Nohmy about a block from where the stabbing occurred. He was taken to Boston Medical Center and pronounced dead at 12:08 a.m. Security footage from Supreme Liquors shows the assailant get in a two-toned SUV, which sped off down Woodbine Street toward the Wollaston T Station. MBTA surveillance video shows a clear image of Dellamano's face, Hely said. Two of Dellamano's friends identified her to authorities, she said. Quincy: Conservation group prepares multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Twin Rivers Technologies More: Cohasset native injured in North Dakota shooting that left gunman, officer dead Three other people were arrested and are accused of helping Dellamano elude police for five days after the stabbing. Story continues Samantha Perrier, of Dedham, was indicted on two counts of intimidating police or witnesses, which prosecutors said was for misleading investigators. Perriers trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 14. At Perrier's arraignment in Quincy District Court, prosecutors said she helped Dellamano hide from police, driving her around Eastern Massachusetts while telling investigators she hadn't seen her, and that Dellamano was in New York. Perrier later reached out to investigators and told them she lied, Hely said. Dellamano and Perrier were together in the basement of a Weymouth home when police arrested them Sept. 16, 2020, court documents say. More: Arrest warrant issued following fatal shooting in Plymouth Alicia Jordan, of Brockton, and her husband, Jeffrey Jordan, of Rockland, Dellamano's brother, were both indicted on a single charge of being an accessory after the fact. Jeffrey Jordan died Oct. 29, 2022. The trial of Alicia Jordan is scheduled to begin Jan. 30, 2024. In November 2022, the court denied Dellamano permission to see the body of her deceased brother. Dellamano is being held at the South Bay jail in Boston. Hely said Jeffrey Jordan was with his sister when she stabbed Nohmy in the Wollaston parking lot. The following day, Dellamano gave the clothes she was wearing the night before, including the sweatshirt that investigators say helped lead to her identification, to the Jordans, who disposed of them in the dumpster of a Dunkin in East Milton Square, Hely said. According to court documents, investigators collected DNA from clothing retrieved from the dumpster. In April 2022, the court ordered Dellamano to submit to a DNA swab test. In September 2022, the court granted the defense up to $7,500 for Dellamano to undergo a neurological examination. Dellamano will be represented by defense lawyers Elliot Levine and Elizabeth Melcher. Nohmy was a member of the Laborers Local 22 union. He was remembered by family and friends for his smile, his devotion to family and his love for his work. Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer. Reach Peter Blandino at pblandino@patriotledger.com. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Jury selection to begin in murder trial connected to Wollaston killing Cesar Chavez was one of Americas foremost civil-rights leaders who fought to secure better pay and working conditions for farm workers many of them here in the San Joaquin Valley. But that historical truth certainly does not emerge in a lawsuit filed against Fresno over the City Councils renaming of three roadways after the Latino icon. Instead, the suit dredges up tired, negative images of Chavez: Cesar Chavez was very divisive, alienated many farmers, packing houses and grocery stores and retaliated against those who did not join his union. Street renaming has nothing to do with farming or worker unionization, which Chavez helped organize through the United Farm Workers. Indeed, the references to Chavez in the suit are all negative. Why the focus on him? For the record, Chavez is an American hero who inspired badly needed reforms in how farm workers are treated. He did so by using nonviolent means, like hunger strikes, boycotts and marches. That is just one aspect of the lawsuit that I found objectionable. Theres more. Cesar Chavez Boulevard The background to the controversy is this: In March the City Council, on a 6-1 vote, approved renaming a 10-mile stretch of Kings Canyon Road, Ventura Street and California Avenue as Cesar Chavez Boulevard. Those roads were identified by the council first in 1993, which tried to rename them after Chavez died that year. A backlash led a council member to rescind his support and the effort died. Latino residents active with the 1993 campaign are now older, and Councilmember Miguel Arias said some of them have passed way. The current council wanted to bring back the renaming before any other residents died, so they could see their earlier efforts were not in vain. As in 1993, however, the issue is not without debate. Business owners on the affected roadways decried the cost to create stationery with their new addresses. Other residents spoke to the historic value of the current roads, especially Kings Canyon. Story continues A third perspective, that of Black residents in west Fresno, was also raised. The Rev. B.T. Lewis of Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church decried the loss of California Avenue, which he said held special meaning to many African American families whose children attended Edison High School, which is on California. These points are referenced in the lawsuit as reasons to keep the roadways from being renamed. But framing a lawsuit with anti-Chavez messaging evokes the ethnic animus that he stirred when he stood up to influential San Joaquin Valley growers. To this day, some who were opposed to Chavezs work of championing the rights of mostly Mexican workers will sooner or later describe him with ethnic slurs. This lawsuit hearkens to that treatment. Chavez is revered Chavez is revered by more than just Latinos. Many in the labor movement find his nonviolent methods to be exemplary. President Biden has a bust of Chavez in the Oval Office. Chavez inspired generations of Latinos and non-Latinos to be active in politics, in their communities and on their school boards. Fresnos Latino population is 50% of the citys 545,000 residents, so naming a stretch of roads after Chavez makes sense. One could argue that the council would be derelict in its duty if it did not make such renaming. The citys Latino majority weighed significantly in The Bee Editorial Boards backing the change. The lawsuit also argues that the renaming violates the California Environmental Quality Act and should have undergone review. Projects get CEQA review when they could result in an adverse change to the environment. Renaming streets doesnt do that. It is also a reach to claim, as the suit does, that residents and businesses on the affected roadways will be forced to proclaim that city message on numerous documents and signage and voicing that name change. In other words, having to write or say Cesar Chavez Boulevard will somehow promote the councils political message of honoring the civil-rights leader. The suit also says the roadways are historic and the renaming should have had review by Fresnos Historic Preservation Committee. But roads are not in the same historic context as an old theater or hall. Arias pointed out two more ironies to me: The very first UFW meeting Chavez attended was at the now-gone Edison Social Hall, which was located on California Avenue. In addition, the lawyer bringing the Chavez case is the same who is suing state and federal officials for Fresno County supervisors over the renaming of Squaw Valley to Yokuts Valley. In that case, the argument is that local control should matter. Yet when the Fresno council acts to rename some streets, the same attorney argues against local control. The litigation is predictable but unfortunate. Taxpayer money will be spent to defend the city. A judge will decide if the council conducted enough public outreach before taking its vote, another point of contention. So, this issue remains unresolved, and for now, the new street signs remain packed away. Sadly, ethnic animosity dies hard in Fresno, and now it flares anew. An early morning fire at a downtown Bowling Green building has damaged the office of Republican U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, officials with Pauls office said Friday. The fire started early Friday morning at a building on State Street, according to the Bowling Green Fire Departments Facebook page. The building contained a law office, Pauls Bowling Green office and a retail store, according to the Bowling Green Daily News, which first reported the fire. The roof of the structure has collapsed, the Bowling Green newspaper reported. No injuries were reported. Paul said they are working with authorities to determine the cause of the fire. We are thankful for the Bowling Green first responders who arrived quickly to the scene to put out the fire, and are continuing to work with authorities to assess damages and to determine a cause, Paul said. We have a very well established emergency management plan and have the ability to continue operations that will not impact our work helping Kentuckians. The Bowling Green office is the only Kentucky office listed on the senators website. Bowing Green Fire Department Public Information Officer Katie McKee told WBKO News it could take months to determine the cause of the fire. This story will be updated. Sen. Chuck Grassley on Thursday released a confidential FBI informant's unverified claim that, years ago, the Biden family "pushed" a Ukrainian oligarch to pay them $10 million. The exceedingly rare step by Grassley, R-Iowa, further promulgates an allegation that Democratic critics warned against accepting at face value and which the White House continues to deny, saying it was investigated under the Trump administration and "debunked." Details of the unclassified document, known as an FD-1023, have emerged in recent months as Republicans search for any evidence that President Joe Biden engaged in the controversial overseas business dealings of his son Hunter Biden, which the president and his aides have repeatedly said he didn't do. Republicans in Congress in May first subpoenaed the FBI for the FD-1023, which documents information relayed by a confidential human source in June 2020. The bureau later showed a redacted version to the top two members of the House Oversight Committee and then, under threat of a contempt vote against FBI Director Christopher Wray, shared it with the full panel. MORE: Hunter Biden's alleged WhatsApp message fuels GOP assertions of corruption, even after plea The FBI's deputy director, Paul Abbate, testified before the Senate last month that the FD-1023 had been redacted to protect the source: "This a question of life and death, potentially." In a statement on Thursday, Grassley said he was motivated by transparency: "The American people can now read this document for themselves, without the filter of politicians or bureaucrats." Grassley's office said he obtained his version of the FD-1023, which is only lightly redacted, "via legally protected disclosures by Justice Department whistleblowers," though the bureau said in a statement that such a release "at a minimum - unnecessarily risks the safety of a confidential source." Story continues Democrats pounced on Grassley for publishing the FD-1023, accusing him of selectively highlighting uncorroborated information to hurt a political opponent. "It is remarkable that congressional Republicans, in their eagerness to go after President Biden regardless of the truth, continue to push claims that have been debunked for years," White House spokesperson Ian Sams said in a statement responding to the release. "It's clear that congressional Republicans are dead-set on playing shameless, dishonest politics and refuse to let truth get in the way," Sams said. PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks at a shipyard in Philadelphia, July 20, 2023. (Joe Lamberti/AP) In a statement of his own, Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the Oversight Committee, reiterated there had been "no actual evidence of wrongdoing" by President Biden and argued that "releasing this document in isolation from explanatory context is another transparently desperate attempt by Committee Republicans." But House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., challenged that, saying in a statement, "The American people must be able to read this record for themselves." The FD-1023 cites an unnamed source who recounts a series of interactions in 2015 and 2016 with Mykola Zlochevsky, the chief executive of Burisma, a Ukrainian energy firm that hired Hunter Biden as a board member in 2013. The source says in the FD-1023 that in a meeting and in phone calls over the next year, Zlochevsky claimed that he was "forced" to pay Joe and Hunter Biden $5 million each, apparently in exchange for firing a Ukrainian prosecutor named Viktor Shokin who was purportedly investigating Burisma at the time. The assertion that the elder Biden, who was then vice president, acted to have Shokin removed in an effort to protect Burisma has been undercut by widespread criticism of the former Ukrainian prosecutor by several high-profile international leaders. Securing Shokin's ouster was the U.S. State Department's official policy stance at the time, and once Shokin was removed, the European Union's envoy to Ukraine, Jan Tombinski, lauded the decision as "an opportunity to make a fresh start." The source cited in the FD-1023, who was previously known to the FBI, added that Zlochevsky told him he had "17 recordings" involving the Bidens, including two with Joe Biden and 15 with only Hunter. Abbate, the FBI's deputy director, testified in June that he had "no idea" if the recordings were real. As a presidential candidate in September 2019, the elder Biden told reporters, "I've never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings." The White House has since reaffirmed that statement. Grassley has in the past criticized the release of raw intelligence. He was one of Congress' most vocal critics of Christopher Steele, the author of the infamous Trump-Russia dossier. Steele, like the confidential source cited in the FD-1023, was also known to the FBI and trusted by the FBI when he provided his unverified reports about Trump's activities Moscow ahead of the 2016 presidential election. (Trump has long denied any allegations of wrongdoing.) PHOTO: Sen. Chuck Grassley is seen outside the Republican senate luncheon at the Capitol as the Senate works on the debt limit bill, June 1, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Calls via Getty Images) John Cohen, a former congressional investigator and federal law enforcement official, said it was "highly disconcerting" to see a lawmaker release "uncorroborated, raw intelligence without additional detail on what those who received this reporting found when they investigated it." "Releasing the report in this manner creates the perception that is was done to reinforce a political narrative and if true, then it should be viewed with skepticism by the public," said Cohen, who is also an ABC News contributor. The FBI has previously described FD-1023 forms this way: "They do not reflect the conclusions of investigators based on a fuller context or understanding. Recording this information does not validate it, establish its credibility, or weigh it against other information known or developed by the FBI in our investigations." The FD-1023 related to Biden states that the source reported to the FBI that they met Burisma's CEO once and spoke with him on the phone twice and was unable to "provide any further opinion as to the veracity" of what the CEO claimed. Rep. Raskin said last month that in 2020, the Justice Department interviewed the source, investigated the source's claims and then closed the investigation. Comer, however, said then that the FBI told him that the allegations had "not been disproven." In a speech on the Senate floor, Grassley said in June that "the Justice Department and FBI must show their work." ABC News' Luke Barr contributed to this report. In rare move, Grassley releases unverified FBI source report alleging Biden involvement in bribe originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The massive explosion of Oppenheimer's Trinity test was initially explained away as an ammo dump explosion. Clovis News-Journal/Newspapers.com / National Security Research Center After Oppenheimer tested his first nuclear bomb, local newspapers were fed a lie to explain the blast. The massive blast of the Trinity nuclear test was explained away as an ammo dump explosion. Only later did newspapers realize they had been duped. Read their reports below. Anyone leafing through the newspapers shortly after Robert J. Oppenheimer's first nuclear bomb test on July 16, 1945, might have missed a small news item about the explosion. Buried on page 6 of New Mexico's Clovis News-Journal was a dull and, as it turns out, largely fictitious news story about an exploded ammo dump. "Several inquiries have been received concerning a heavy explosion which occurred on the Alamogordo Air Base this morning," it quoted the base's commanding officer, William O. Eareckson, as saying. The article goes on to say that what locals heard and saw was the result of a "considerable amount of high explosive and pyrotechnics" blowing up. Nobody was hurt, Eareckson said. The notice appeared between stories about a police car chase and a man who was wanted for issuing a bounced check. What the news report failed to mention was that the atomic era had just begun in their own backyard: the Manhattan Project's first-ever nuclear bomb test, known as Trinity. The Trinity test released a literally blinding explosion and a mushroom cloud seven and a half miles high; a precursor to the devastating nuclear bombs that would later be dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima in Japan. The blast "was seen and felt throughout an area extending from El Paso to Silver City, Gallup, Sorocco and Albuquerque," according to an August 31, 1945, report in the El Paso Herald-Post. The responsibility for drafting a series of press releases explaining this away fell to a New York Times science reporter, William Laurence, according to Vincent C. Jones, who chronicled the test for the US Army Center of Military History. Laurence was temporarily released from his job at the Times to help the Manhattan Project, Jones wrote. Story continues In total, Laurence helped draft four press releases the other three covered potentially catastrophic results such as having to evacuate residents, damage to towns, and draft death notices, per Jones. Only the one below was ever used. In its August 31 article, more than a month later, the Herald-Post reported that the blast was actually the "A-bomb," admitting it had been duped by the earlier statement. It wrote: "This was the story of the half-century, and newsmen didn't know it." Here's the full text of the New Mexico's Clovis News-Journal article from July 16, 1945: Blast occurs at Alamogordo Army Air Base ALAMOGORDO, N.M., July 16. N --- William O. Eareckson, commanding officer of the Alamogordo army air base made the following statement today: "Several inquiries have been received concerning a heavy explosion which occurred on the Alamogordo Air Base this morning. "A remotely located ammunition magazine containing a considerable amount of high explosive and pyrotechnics exploded. "There was no loss of life or injury to anyone, and property damage outside of the explosives magazine itself was negligible. "Weather conditions affecting the content of gas shells exploded by the balst [sic] may make it desirable for the army to evacuate temporarily a few civilians from their homes." Read the original article on Business Insider Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. listens as Maya Wiley, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, is seen on a screen while she testifies before a House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, July 20, 2023. | Patrick Semansky, Associated Press Rep. Chris Stewart questioned Maya Wiley, president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, during a House Judiciary hearing Thursday on government censorship of social media. The committee also invited Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to testify on the subject, drawing pushback from Democratic lawmakers. Do you trust the government to determine what facts and views the American people should be exposed to? Stewart, a Republican who represents Utahs 2nd District, asked Wiley. I am not aware of any action of the government that tells the American public what facts they should be exposed to, she said. Youre not aware of that? he asked. Oh my gosh, where have you lived in the last three years? He then asked whether it was good for governments in countries like Iran and Russia to suppress free speech, to which Wiley answered no. After some back and forth, Wiley said it was unconstitutional to pass laws that would censor free speech. Stewart replied by saying laws arent necessary for censorship. Vladimir Putin doesnt pass a law, he asserts his force and influence to suppress free speech, he said. Having concluded that youre unaware of suppression of free speech in the past several years, do you think it was appropriate for the FBI to pressure private companies to censor and take down posts that the government disagreed with? Wiley said that there are cases of criminal prosecution when U.S. officials may ask news agencies to help protect the integrity of the investigation. Stewart completed his remarks by asking whether it was right for the government to try to suppress information related to Hunter Bidens laptop. Does it bother you that 51 former intelligence officials made a determination that the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian disinformation? That they admit, by the way, that they have no evidence at all that that was true. Wiley responded to the question by talking about censorship during the Trump administration. Story continues Dems oppose testimony from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy also testified at the hearing, after Democrats expressed anger over his invitation to address the committee. Democrats like Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., labeled him as a nonfactual conspiracy theorist. Early on in the hearing, Wasserman Schultz introduced a motion to transfer Kennedys testimony behind closed doors. Mr. Kennedy has repeatedly made despicable antisemitic and anti-Asian comments as recently as last week, she said. She referred to a recorded video where Kennedy made misleading claims about who was most likely to get sick from COVID-19, as first reported by the New York Post. Related Kyle Herrig, executive director of the Congressional Integrity Project, which is aligned with Democrats, sent a letter, asking House committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to disinvite Kennedy from the hearing. Kennedy, Republicans push back on censorship Kennedy defended himself during the hearing, saying that, in his entire life, he has never uttered a phrase that was either racist or antisemitic. He added that he has been a lifelong advocate for Israel. But I am being censored here through this target, through smears, through misinterpretations of what Ive said, through lies, through association, he said. Kennedy tried to shift the blame from himself to focus on the governments influence on Big Tech. The term malinformation was coined to describe information that Facebook and Twitter and the other social media sites understood was true, but that the White House and other federal agencies wanted censored anyway for political reasons because it challenged official orthodoxies, he said. During his weekly press conference, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., asked why Kennedy was given a platform to spew his hatred. Heres the answer: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a living, breathing false-flag operation. .@RepJeffries (D-NY): "Why would you give Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a congressional platform to spew his hatred? Here's the answer: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a living, breathing false-flag operation." pic.twitter.com/fe6uDrnNqs CSPAN (@cspan) July 20, 2023 Meanwhile, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told reporters Monday he disagreed with Kennedys portrayal of COVID-19. The hearing we have this week is about censorship. I dont think censoring someone is actually the answer here, he said. EXCLUSIVE: Top House Republicans said Thursday that there has been a "clear shift" in messaging from the White House on President Bidens involvement in son Hunters foreign business dealings, and they are demanding to know whether that shift indicates the president knew more than he let on. House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer and Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith wrote a letter, exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital, to White House Counsel Stuart Delery on Thursday afternoon to seek clarity on this shifting message. "President Biden and official White House spokespersons have said repeatedly that the president had no knowledge of his sons business, nor did he discuss business with his son," they wrote. But they pointed to a June 29 statement released by White House spokesperson from the White House Counsels Office Ian Sams, which they said seemed to move the goalposts. On that day, Sams said, "As we have said many times before, the president was not in business with his son." BIDENS ALLEGEDLY 'COERCED' BURISMA CEO TO PAY THEM MILLIONS TO HELP GET UKRAINE PROSECUTOR FIRED: FBI FORM Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. "This statement deviates from previous White House statements and brings forward concerns that the president knew of his sons foreign business deals," the GOP lawmakers wrote. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP The White House has previously said the president never spoke to his son about his business dealings and had no knowledge of them. The president himself has also denied ever having spoken to his son about his business dealings or being involved in them. As a result of this apparent messaging shift, the four GOP lawmakers asked the White House to answer a series of questions, including whether the White House is "now admitting President Biden knew of and was involved in Hunter Bidens foreign business dealings," how many of those foreign business deals he was "aware of," what President Bidens involvement was, and whether he was "financially compensated for his involvement." Story continues ISSA SLAMS WHITE HOUSE FOR SHIFT IN MESSAGING ON WHETHER BIDEN KNEW OF HUNTER'S BUSINESS DEALINGS Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. The lawmakers pointed to their committee investigations into Bidens "potential connections to certain international and domestic business transactions and practices, as well as misconduct by the Department of Justice in [interfering] with the investigation into the tax crimes of Hunter Biden." They said the Biden family received payment "without any apparent legitimate services rendered," which they say raises "significant concerns pertaining to ethics and national security laws." HUNTER DEMANDED $10M FROM CHINESE ENERGY FIRM BECAUSE 'BIDENS ARE THE BEST,' HAVE 'CONNECTIONS' House Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith. The lawmakers also pointed to an uncovered WhatsApp message from 2017 in which Hunter Biden allegedly told a Chinese business associate from Chinese energy company CEFC that he and his father would ensure "you will regret not following my direction." "I am sitting here with my father, and we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled," Hunter Biden told Henry Zhao, the director of Chinese asset management firm Harvest Fund Management, in the message provided by IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley. "And, Z, if I get a call or text from anyone involved in this other than you, Zhang or the chairman, I will make certain that between the man sitting next to me and every person he knows and my ability to forever hold a grudge that you will regret not following my direction," Hunter Biden added. President Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. The lawmakers also asked if the Justice Department "has an open investigation regarding the uncovered WhatsApp message from Hunter Biden to a CEFC China Energy official." CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "The American people must have confidence that the President of the United States is not compromised by foreign interests," they wrote. They gave the White House counsel until July 27 to provide answers. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News' request for comment. The revival of North Americas largest flying bird has sparked hope for conservationists, who have rescued the species from the brink of extinction. With a wingspan of nine-and-a-half feet and a weight of up to 25 pounds, the California condor is a bewitching sight as it sweeps across southern Californias mountains. But only 40 years ago, the species looked certain to die out. In 1982, conservationists counted just 22 condors left living in the wild. This was partially due to a natural population slump, which began 10,000 years ago. When animals like giant ground sloths, mastodons, and saber tooth cats started to disappear during the Pleistocene extinction, the condor lost a vital food source. It retreated to the Pacific coast of North America, between British Columbia and Baja California, where it fell victim to shooting, egg collecting, and habitat loss. Even when they werent hunted themselves, the cyanide traps and lead bullets used to catch coyotes and bears poisoned any bird that fed off the carrion. Lead poisoning is responsible for as much as half of all condor deaths in the wild. By the 1930s, California was the last stronghold of the dwindling condor. With extinction looming, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service led an effort in 1987 to capture all the remaining condors in the wild and enter them into a captive breeding program. Condors cant reproduce until they are at least six years old and then do so only every one or two years. To speed up the repopulation process, eggs were removed from their parents, which encouraged more egg-laying. The condors population has bounced back dramatically. Today, 300 condors fly free in North America. To ensure that the condor continues to flourish, the program aims to have two populations living in separate habitats, with 150 breeding pairs in each. A third group will remain in captivity. Legislation introduced by California in 2019 banned the use of lead bullets, which could help to protect the bird further. Story continues The Interdisciplinary Center for Conservation Science (ICSS) credited the condors recovery to rigorous conservation. It predicted significant population regrowth by the end of the century if such efforts are allowed to continue unhindered. If we can stabilize the population, were talking about someday downlisting the birds from endangered to threatened, Joe Burnett, program manager for the California Condor Recovery Program, told Smithsonian. The ultimate goal is to delist them completely, like the bald eagle in 2007. Extinction risk, which weve used to measure conservation progress for decades, is a very absolute thing. A species is either at risk of extinction or its not. Recovery, however, is relative, Molly Grace, a University of Oxford researcher, told The Guardian. Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. Your slice of the headlines in Ukraine. Daily. Friday, July 21, 2023. Ukraine to consider ships sailing to Russian or occupied ports as military targets Defense Ministry Ukraine will consider all ships heading to Russian ports in the Black Sea, as well as to ports in the temporarily occupied territories, as "carrying military cargo with all the relevant risks," according to a defense ministry warning issued on July 20. UN Security Council to discuss aftermath of Russia's withdrawal from grain agreement The UN Security Council will meet on July 21 to discuss the humanitarian consequences of Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the UK delegation to the UN reported via Twitter on July 20. London currently presides in the Security Council. Ukraine starts using US-supplied cluster munitions report The Ukrainian military has used cluster munitions provided by the United States for the first time, striking at fortified positions of Russian forces in southeastern Ukraine, The Washington Post reported on July 20, citing Ukrainian officials familiar with the matter. Military expert explains why Odesa, Mykolayiv arent protected from shelling opinion The best option for Ukraine is to protect its coastline while leaving the issue of grain export to President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan, retired Colonel Roman Svitan, a former pilot and instructor in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said in an interview with Radio NV on July 19. Ukraine holds the line near Avdiivka, as Russian forces step up assaults on Zaporizhzhya axis The Ukrainian Defense Forces are repelling enemy attacks near Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, while invading Russian troops are attempting to regain lost ground on the Zaporizhzhya axis, Ukraines Taurica Joint Press Center reported via Facebook on July 20. Story continues Russia has detained over 10,000 civilians in occupied Mariupol Russian occupiers have detained over 10,000 Mariupol residents during the occupation of the city, their places of detention or further fate are unknown, the city mayors advisor, Petro Andriushchenko said on his Telegram channel on July 20. International Red Cross disassociates from Belarusian office after it admits abducting Ukrainian children The International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies issued a statement after the head of the Belarusian Red Cross, Dzmitry Shevtsov, admitted that he was involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children. Over 240,000 Russian soldiers eliminated in Ukraine since February 2022 - General Staff Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the aggressor country has lost over 240,000 of its troops, including 530 over the past day, Ukraines General Staff announced on July 20. International law at work Podolyak on Putin skipping BRICS summit Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian President's office, took to Twitter on July 19 to comment on Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's decision not to attend the upcoming BRICS summit in person. He presented Putin's no-show as an example of international law at work, and said that Putin was clearly too apprehensive to travel to South Africa. Russia would revive the grain deal if most sanctions are lifted 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. 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 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the results of the inspection of military enlistment offices should be available by the end of the month. Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram Quote: "A comprehensive inspection of the work of territorial recruitment centres and military enlistment offices continues. We heard the interim report. We expect the inspection results by the end of the month." Background: Following the scandal with Yevhen Borysov, the chief of the Odesa Oblast military enlistment office, whose real estate and fleet of vehicles worth millions of dollars in Spain were discovered by Ukrainska Pravda, Ukraine has begun inspections of military enlistment offices. Zelenskyy reported that he had given an urgent order to set up a commission under the leadership of General Oleksandr Pavliuk, First Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine, together with the law enforcement unit and the National Agency on Corruption Prevention, to inspect all military enlistment offices in Ukraine. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Washingtons top lobbying firms reported strong earnings in a quarter marked by uncertainty. Lobbyists said theyve been hard at work on some of the must-pass bills in the 118th Congress, including the National Defense Authorization Act, the Federal Aviation Authorization and the Farm Bill reauthorization. Against the backdrop of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the narrowly-avoided debt ceiling crisis, the Biden administration has continued to push for new regulations. Lobbyists say Bidens regulators push is driving a significant amount of their work. From what I can see the regulatory pedal is still to the metal and that the administration is being as aggressive as ever, Will Moschella, co-chair of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schrecks government relations department, told The Hill. Brownstein, the law and lobbying firm that earned the most money in 2022, reported receiving $15.7 million from April through June. Thats their strongest second quarter earnings to date and a 2-percent increase over their 2022 second-quarter lobbying revenues. Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Felds made $13.4 million in revenue during the second quarter, topping $13 million for the fourth consecutive quarter. Brian Pomper, co-head of Akins lobbying and public policy practice, said the firm was seeing activity significantly tick up around technology/AI regulation, appropriations, IRA implementation, and the National Defense Authorization Act, as well as continued competition between the United States and China. Pomper predicts high-stakes legislative battles on the horizon related to government funding, extending expired tax breaks and reauthorization of some of these must-pass bills. Holland & Knight estimated it earned $12 million in the second quarter of 2023, up from $10.8 million in the first quarter. BGR Government Affairs brought in $10.3 million during the second quarter, a 7.4-percent increase from the $9.6 million in revenue the firm earned in the second quarter of 2022. Story continues No doubt these are extremely partisan times. But there are tangible legislative opportunities in the appropriations, aviation, health and defense authorization bills currently moving in Congress. The process is messy, but bills will get done this year one way or the other, said Loren Monroe, a principal at BGR Government Affairs. Cornerstone Government Affairss second-quarter lobbying revenue was $10.6 million in the second quarter, up from $9.7 million during the first three months of the year. Invariants was $9.7 million, up from $9.4 million from the same quarter in 2022. Despite fewer passed bills, the 118th Congress has been incredibly busy across a wide range of policy issues including national defense, competition with China, AI regulation, transportation and health care reform, Farm bill reauthorization and of course next years budget, said Bruce Mehlman, founder and partner at Mehlman Consulting, which earned $6.6 million in lobbying revenue during the second quarter. Capitol Hill reopened its door to lobbyists at the beginning of the 118th Congress, and K&L Gates partner Karishma Page noted the halls of Congress feel like they did before the pandemic. K&L Gates saw its revenue drop from $5.5 million in the first quarter to $4.2 million in the second. Ballard Partners saw its earnings increase from $4.5 million to $4.6 million, although thats slightly less than the $4.9 million the first brought in in the second quarter of 2022. The Tiber Creek Groups revenue rose from $5.8 million to $6.1 million. Capitol Counsel brought in $6.5 million, up from $6.3 million in the first quarter. Forbes Tate brought in $6.1 million, slightly less than the $6.2 million in revenue the firm reported through the same period last year. Van Scoyoc Associates increased its revenue from $4.8 million to $5.5 million from the first to the second quarter. Cassidy & Associates also increased its revenue from $5.3 million to $5.7 million over the same period. Squire Patton Boggs saw little change in revenue from the first to the second quarter of 2023, but the $5.8 million the firm received from April to June is about $1 million less than it reported earning through the same period in 2022. The lobbying giant reported an additional $3.6 million in foreign lobbying revenue for the first half of 2023. Our U.S. and international businesses continue to grapple with a complex geopolitical environment, requiring our global policy team to work in sync with our regulatory and legal practices to tailor solutions, said Ed Newberry, global managing partner for public policy, compliance, investigatory and regulatory solutions at Squire Patton Boggs. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Gov. Ron DeSantis nascent State Guard is beset by questions about its direction and leadership as it prepares to train a second round of volunteers for a force seen by some early recruits as more militarized than originally envisioned. Some people who are interested in joining the volunteer force are not hearing back from recruiters. Others who joined the force this summer have yet to hear back from leadership on future assignments. And the 120-member force of volunteers remains leaderless. The unknowns are becoming more pronounced as the forces mission remains broadly undefined, a detail that even those who support it including a former top Florida military official say is important to solidify to ensure the entitys success. Its a big challenge starting an organization, said James O. Eifert, who served as Floridas adjutant general until April and helped the governor reactivate the long-dormant State Guard. READ MORE: Veterans quit as training, mission for DeSantis State Guard turn militaristic DeSantis announced in 2021 he wanted to revive the World War II-era Florida State Guard, saying the force of volunteers would help Floridians during emergencies to supplement the overworked and understaffed Florida National Guard. The unit which can have up to 1,500 members has trained 120 members as of June 30. New Florida National Guard Adjutant General James Eifert Eifert said the State Guard has had a slow roll-out, which has been a point of frustration. It has had a lot of stops and starts, when it comes to picking leaders, training and launching, he said. But with a $100 million budget, Eifert said he is hopeful things will work out. I would tend to give them grace for a little while as they kind of find their footing and get this thing running, Eifert said in an interview on Wednesday. A lot of the issues, however, appear to stem from a lack of communication and a clear vision. Officials with the organization have said that members will stand ready to respond to disasters in our state at a moments notice after going through a highly disciplined training to ensure they have the mental, physical, and professional readiness to save lives. The State Guards website says members will respond to natural disaster, and in a statement last week, officials said they would also aid law enforcement with riots and illegal immigration. Story continues But officials have not answered other questions. Among them, how the State Guard plans to use its specialized law enforcement unit, whether trained members will be ready to be deployed during this years hurricane season, when members will have their next drill, how many volunteers have been recruited for the next training in January or who is overseeing the State Guard in the absence of a director and other administrative officials who recently left the organization. Marine veteran was an early advocate Jim Stephens, a 63-year-old Marine veteran from the Panhandle who has been pushing to reestablish the State Guard in Florida since 2018, has been administering a Facebook group that has become a hub for those who support the idea. As of Thursday, the group has almost 850 members. In 2021, the Florida National Guard approached Stephens. The Guard was looking for volunteers for the newly established State Guard, he said. Stephens said he gave them hundreds of names from an interest list he had put together. In recent weeks, many members have turned to the Facebook group to seek details for the next training in January, get clarification on eligibility requirements and the application process, and to scour information about who will be leading the force in the future. Theres no structure that we can tell. All it is right now is a good-looking website that made a couple of hype videos, Stephens said. READ MORE: DeSantis seeks a lot more for fledgling State Guard: Planes, boats, police powers In June last year, DeSantis named Chris Graham, a decorated Marine and Purple Heart recipient from Miami, as director of the State Guard. He died by suicide in October, according to a police report. In January, DeSantis named the programs deputy director, Luis Soler, to lead the force. Soler left the post earlier this month for personal reasons, the governors office announced. Theyre saying the volunteers of the Florida State Guard are ready to respond, Stephens said. But, he paused and asked: Respond to what? And how? Members of the volunteer force have been instructed not to share information with outsiders. To Stephens, its important for the state to educate the public about what the State Guard is and is not. Thats not only so that the public knows what its mission will be, but also so people who are interested in joining know exactly what they are getting into, he said. In June, Stephens asked members of his Facebook group if State Guard members were sporting a shoulder patch on their uniforms as members of a military unit would be. Two recruits responded by saying they were not allowed to share any information as trainees. One added: They are monitoring what we post. Photos taken at a graduation ceremony show that recruits did have a shoulder patch on their combat-style fatigues. The patch features a gator surrounded the words Florida State Guard, two stars and an outline of the state of Florida. Stephens scoffed when asked about the hush-hush nature of the operation and the training. This is not SEAL Team Six. This is not the Ranger battalions or Special Forces. This is the State Guard, he said. If there was a classified mission going on, it probably shouldnt be with the State Guard. Florida State Guard members bow their heads in prayer during the Florida State Guard graduation ceremony at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center in Starke, Fla., June 30, 2023. Lack of clarity In the year since its launch, there have been complaints of a lack of communication and clarity on the forces mission and training plans. And according to records reviewed by the Herald/Times and interviews with program volunteers, a number of recruits quit after the first training class in June because they feared it was more militaristic than they had anticipated. Among those who complained was a retired Marine Corps captain who filed a battery and false imprisonment complaint against Guard instructors. Following the June 30th graduation, more questions are emerging. And effective July 1st, a new state law restructured the force. It now can have a specialized law enforcement unit with police powers and the authority to bear arms, and all administrative duties and powers have been transferred from the state adjutant general to the State Guard director, a position that has been vacant for a couple of weeks. The Florida State Guard is considered a civilian defense force and falls under the command of a director, who is appointed by DeSantis. State Guards in 18 other states are under the command of their adjutant general or Department of Military Affairs. The governors office did not respond when asked about the change in the structure. Its very unusual, said Jean Marciniak, a former member of the New York State Guard and an administrator of StateDefenseForce.com, a website for history and news about the nations state defense forces. Marciniak raised concerns about the Florida State Guards lack of a formal military structure, including the absence of ranks among the first class of graduates. Without that command structure, he said, the organization has little accountability. Under military law, soldiers are not allowed to abandon their posts and can face jail time for doing so. A civilian defense force does not have those requirements. Marciniak is concerned that this could create heavy future liabilities for volunteers and the community they are called to serve. If you deploy a unit from the Florida State Guard to go and rescue 100 people trapped on roofs, whats the rank structure? Who is in charge? What if some of the volunteers decide, I dont want to do this, this is too risky, Im going to go home? Marciniak said. Following a public poll conducted in June, StateDefenseForce.com elected not to endorse the Florida State Guard. A letter published on the site echoes Marciniaks concerns over the way the State Guard has been structured as a civilian agency. StateDefenseForce.com took the Florida State Guard off its website and no longer reports on anything related to the organization. Marciniak says he considers it a state defense force in name only. Florida State Guard recruits receive aquatic skills instruction from Florida National Guard soldiers and civilian contractors to execute a water survival training exercise at Camp Blanding, Florida, June 14, 2023. Soldiers with the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 83rd Troop Command, and 50th Regional Support Group supplemented the multi-day training that included rescue swimming, entering and exiting water vehicles, water survival techniques and water vehicle maneuvering. The original vision In 2019, the idea of a State Guard was not something that Florida officials had endorsed. In a letter reviewed by the Herald/Times, Eifert, then the adjutant general, argued against reactivating it, saying in part that there was little apparent need for one. His letter was sent to Stephens, who had been pushing for the reestablishment of the State Guard in Florida. Establishing a State Guard, Eifert argued at the time, would come with some challenges. He said there were not enough state resources to sustain one, pointing to equipment, personnel and administrative costs, while noting that Florida taxpayers would be financially liable for injuries to State Guard members as well as anyone they may injure while on duty. At the time, Eifert said in an interview that he was focused on growing the Florida National Guard. But his position changed when he could not get support from the federal government to grow the Guard. At the time, the National Guard was also responding to the pandemic and other emergencies including sending troops to train Ukrainian soldiers underscoring the strains facing it. I kind of felt like, as much as I may not want to do this, I really owe it to the governor to have a more robust, capable force that can help to make up for my lack of size, Eifert said. Florida has one of the smallest National Guards on a per-capita basis. The idea, he said, was to have a State Guard that could help with shelter management, traffic control as well as food and water distribution to support the Florida National Guard and potentially free Guard soldiers to do more important things. There was also the potential for other missions, Eifert said, including recruiting engineers to address cybersecurity issues in the state. He workshopped the idea with Chris Spencer, DeSantis director of policy and budget, in the fall of 2020 and a few months later, the governor announced that he was pushing to reinstate the State Guard that would answer to governors during emergencies. The bureaucrats in [Washington] D.C. who control our National Guard have also refused to increase the number of guardsmen despite our increasing population, leaving Florida with the second-worst National Guardsman-to-resident ratio, said DeSantis. This year, DeSantis has spent millions of dollars to support the Florida National Guards response to states of emergency he has declared related to illegal migration in Texas and South Florida. In 2020, DeSantis agreed to send National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to respond to protests after the killing of George Floyd in police custody. But Eiferts vision of the State Guard, as implemented in the first iteration of the law, has changed. Among the changes: The force is no longer under the adjutant general. When asked about the change, Eifert suggested that putting the State Guard under the direct supervision of a governor-appointed director might be a better way to do it, because it would not burden the adjutant general who controls all Florida units of the National Guard with about 11,000 members with the task of standing up a brand new organization. In his view, for the State Guard to be successful, it needs good leaders, good training and good funding. The money a $100 million budget is solid for now, he said. The rest will depend on who the leaders are and how the force is trained. A rainbow flag and Ron DeSantis Staff and attendees allegedly physically attacked protesters holding a rainbow flag during a recent Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presidential campaign event in South Carolina. DeSantis has pushed and passed numerous anti-LGBTQ+ laws and policies, including Florida's "don't say gay" bill, book bans, restrictions on gender-affirming care, and limiting drag performances. He himself has issued a dictum against wokeness. At the Philip T. Glennon Community Center in Tega Cay on Monday, DeSantis, who is considered Donald Trumps biggest GOP challenger in 2024, made a campaign stop on Monday. Activists Claire Jost and Will Sander, both 19 and from around Charlotte, N.C., were among some 800 attendees. In an interview with Newsweek, the two said they were standing up to what they believed in when they pulled out the flag. Jost is queer. The two said they had reserved tickets and arrived before DeSantis. Their conversation with others at the event was cordial, and they described them as very polite until we pulled out our flags, Newsweek reports. While DeSantis was beginning his speech, they stood up and pulled out large Pride flags from their perch near the stage. Video online shows audience members, DeSantis staffers, and Jost and Sander wrestling as the governors supporters tried to snatch the rainbow flag away. As the two were escorted out, audience members cheered, video of the incident shows. "I remember when we held up the flag, someone grabbed me on the shoulder," Jost told the outlet. "I turned around, I'm being surrounded. They're shouting everywhere. People are yelling, 'Shame on you, shame on you' and trying to take it away from me. "I felt someone grab me from behind and, like, multiple people were trying to push me to the ground. I got kicked; I actually have some small bruises. I'm glad I wore heavy pants." (@) DeSantis did not acknowledge the disruption until they were physically being pushed out of the room. Story continues Before you worry about our children, DeSantis began saying. And they shouldnt be worrying about our children either, he said, gesturing at the restrained demonstrators. We dont want you indoctrinating our children, DeSantis screamed. Leave our kids alone! According to media outlet Florida Politics, some who grabbed the rainbow flag were Moms for Liberty members, the extremist anti-government group described by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The group embraced some Adolf Hitler messages before distancing itself recently. Jost said it was such an excessive use of force. Bystanders kicked him, and he was violently dragged downstairs, Sander said. Ive lived in this community since I was in second grade. I know several of them personally. Ive spoken with themlike, its kind of horrifying to see how quickly youre dehumanized, Sander added. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called on the head of his states pension fund to review its holdings in Bud Lights parent company after bigoted right-wing attacks over a partnership with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney led to a reporteddrop in sales. In a letter to Floridas State Board of Administration on Thursday, the 2024 Republican presidential candidate claimed Anheuser-Busch InBevs board may have breached legal duties owed to its shareholders. He said all options are on the table to protect the SBA and retirees, including a possible shareholder action. We must prudently manage the funds of Floridas hardworking law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders in a manner that focuses on growing returns, not subsidizing an ideological agenda through woke virtue signaling, DeSantis wrote in the letter to SBA interim director Lamar Taylor. DeSantis, who has taken aim at Disney in recent months and promoted his anti-woke agenda on the campaign trail, claimed to Fox News Jesse Watters that the states $180 billion pension fund holds over $50 million of AB InBev stock which works out to less than three-hundreths of a percent of the fund. Responding to Watters question about how badly the pension fund took a hit, DeSantis said pensioners have been absolutely hurt. So were going to be launching an inquiry about Bud Light and InBev, DeSantis said. And it could be something that leads to a derivative lawsuit filed on behalf of the shareholders of the Florida pension fund, because at the end of the day, theres got to be penalties for when you put business aside to focus on your social agenda at the expense of hardworking people. A derivative suit is a type of legal action shareholders can take against a companys leadership when they believe those leaders actions have improperly caused the stock to drop. However, DeSantis and his transphobic allies are themselves largely responsible for the decline in sales after they called for a boycott of the brand in April when Mulvaney posted a video sponsored by Bud Light to her Instagram account. Story continues Jimmy Patronis, the chief financial officer of Florida, said in a statement to Orlandos WKMG-TV that the governors action is 100% the right thing to do. As always, Governor DeSantis is over the target. This company has had its head in the sand for too long and they should use this opportunity to course correct, Patronis said. Moreover, other CEOs should use this as an opportunity to shut down their woke departments. It may make you popular at cocktail parties, but its going to cost your company, your shareholders, and maybe your job. HuffPost has reached out to AB InBev for comment. H/T Mediaite Related... Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. John Bazemore/ AP Photo Ron DeSantis took a personal shot at Joe Biden's treatment of Hunter Biden's four-year-old daughter. The president has not reportedly met or publicly acknowledged the child. DeSantis' blow came as Vice President Kamala Harris attacks his state's new education standards. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday took a personal shot at President Joe Biden as the governor railed against the White House's criticism of controversial new Florida education standards that would highlight the benefits of slavery. "The Harris-Biden administration is obsessed with Florida...yet they ignore the chaos at the border, crime-infested cities, economic malaise, and the military recruitment crisis," DeSantis wrote on Twitter. "Maybe if Biden's granddaughter moved to Florida he'd actually visit her." DeSantis' barb comes as Republican politicians increasingly antagonize Biden over Hunter Biden's four-year-old daughter in Arkansas. Hunter Biden initially disputed that he was the father before a paternity test proved otherwise. He and Luden Roberts, the girl's mother, then fought over child support and related matters. They have since reached a settlement. Conservatives have highlighted how the dispute ended with Roberts dropping a request for the child to have Biden's surname. Roberts told The New York Times that she and Hunter Biden reached a mutual decision about the surname. President Biden has not publicly acknowledged the child, whose name was not listed in the court records. DeSantis has struggled to dent former President Donald Trump's commanding national lead, sparking concern among some of his donors and allies. The Florida governor built his national profile in large part on tussling with the White House. Vice President Kamala Harris touched off the latest round on Thursday when she attacked newly adopted standards for how American history should be taught in the state. Harris zeroed in on one recommendation for middle schoolers that has touched off a national debate. Specifically, the standards call for students to be taught "how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit." Story continues "Just yesterday in the state of Florida, they decided middle school students will be taught that enslaved people benefited from slavery," Harris said during a speech before the Delta Sigma Theta Convention in Indianapolis. "Thus insult us in an attempt to gaslight us and we will not stand for it." The Florida Education Association teachers union and the NAACP Florida State Conference have been harshly critical of the standards, the Miami Herald previously reported. In the face of criticism, the officials responsible for the language have refused to back down. "Any attempt to reduce slaves to just victims of oppression fails to recognize their strength, courage and resiliency during a difficult time in American history," Dr. William Allen and Dr. Frances Presley Rice, members of the working group that considered changes to how to teach African American history, said in a joint statement. "Florida students deserve to learn how slaves took advantage of whatever circumstances they were in to benefit themselves and the community of African descendants." Harris is visiting Jacksonville on Friday afternoon where she is expected to attack the standards once more. Read the original article on Business Insider TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis campaign is planning a reboot, top campaign officials said, with a significant shift on messaging, events and media strategy. Expect fewer big speeches and more handshaking in diners and churches. There will be more of a national focus than constant Florida references. And the mainstream media may start to get more access. In short, DeSantis will be running as an insurgent candidate rather than as an incumbent governor. Ron DeSantis has never been the favorite or the darling of the establishment, and he has won because of it every time. No one in this race has been under fire more and won than Gov. DeSantis. Hes ready to prove them wrong again. Buckle up, DeSantis campaign manager Generra Peck said in a statement to NBC News. Campaign filings show that the DeSantis campaign needs to figure out how to bring in more money and spend less. It fired roughly a dozen staffers last week. Donors and allies are pressing for a change. The poll numbers are stagnant. And rival GOP presidential candidates are smelling blood in the water. Downright low is how a source who was present when the staffers were fired described morale these days. The entire campaign is on the brink, the person said. Ive never seen anything like it. The reboot is notable for a candidate who was perhaps the most widely expected GOP entrant in the 2024 race. While DeSantis has maintained his second-ranking place in the polls, he has been unable to close the gap with the front-runner, former President Donald Trump. But the hurdles remain significant, and its unclear whether its too late to reverse early stumbles. While some candidates have successfully shifted after tough starts, the presidential campaign trail is littered with candidates who ultimately failed to regain momentum. Leaner, more intimate campaign events DeSantis campaign finance report flashed some bright warning signs. Although he raised more than $20 million from mid-May to the end of June more than any other GOP presidential candidate more than two-thirds of that money came from donors who gave the legal limit and cant donate again. He also spent about 40% of what he raised, with 92 people on the payroll. Story continues Other candidates including Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and even Trump all had higher spending rates than DeSantis. But with less cash in the bank ($12.2 million to Trumps $22.5 million) and the high number of maxed-out donors, solvency became a real question. The full extent of the campaigns dire financial picture became clear to the broader team only after the June 30 end-of-quarter reporting deadline, said two sources familiar with the situation, who asked to remain anonymous because they werent authorized to share information on behalf of the campaign. The campaign postponed paying some of its outstanding bills until after the end of June, in part so its second-quarter financial report would show more money in the bank, the sources said. Its not an uncommon practice for campaigns running up against big reporting deadlines, but it can obscure larger issues. Top DeSantis aides acknowledge that the money situation has to be addressed. They plan to do it in part by cutting costs for his events. DeSantis wont travel less, but his campaign appearances will begin to be leaner and more intimate. This weeks stop in Tega Cay, South Carolina, served as a starting point he held a town hall-style event with a noticeably pared-down security presence. According to figures provided by the campaign, the event cost $940 but brought in $1,600 in organic donations from attendees. Going forward, expect fewer podiums and stages and more stops at Pizza Ranches, churches and VFW halls where DeSantis can speak directly to voters with no big platforms or barricades blocking close contact. All DeSantis needs to drive news and win this primary is a mic and a crowd, Peck said. The campaign will also rely more heavily on special guest invitations from outside organizations to cut down on its own event costs, particularly ones run by its bigger-pocketed counterparts at the pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down. New communications strategy DeSantis will also tweak his message. Until now, much of his pitch to voters has been centered on his accomplishments in Florida. But he will soon switch to a more national outlook, top campaign officials said. The candidate already known for being a culture warrior will lean into an us against the world" message in the effort to emerge as the insurgent fighter. The campaign intends to wear the negative headlines as a badge of honor. Gov. DeSantis public service has been defined by being the underdog. Every time he has been underestimated, written off, or dismissed, he has proven his enemies wrong from winning a stunning upset in his first congressional race, to beating Tallahassee insider Adam Putnam in 2018, to bucking the entrenched bureaucracy on COVID, Peck said. At the same time, the campaign is opening up to what it has long called corporate media after months of having largely limited his engagement with reporters to conservative outlets. DeSantis took questions from NBC News about immigration issues in June, and he sat down with CNN this week. The campaign said more interviews with national media will be coming, along with more media gaggles and greater media access overall to the candidate while hes on the trail. Theyre dubbing it the DeSantis Is Everywhere approach, and theyre bringing on a new hire and solidifying the communications team to help execute it. Cody Hall is joining the campaign as a senior communications adviser. He will remain a top political adviser to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, having also served as communications director after he worked on his 2018 campaign for governor. Campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo is stepping into the communications director role, and Bryan Griffin will continue as press secretary. The DeSantis campaign has already laid off roughly a dozen people, NBC News reported. Campaign officials said that, as of now, they dont plan any more budget-related layoffs. The layoffs shook the campaign. The source in the room that day said a lawyer and senior staff member not Peck went around the office and dryly notified employees they were being let go, thanking them for their service and telling them they needed to leave by 2 p.m. that day. The fired staffers were told someone would follow up with them in the coming days. The first GOP primary debate on Aug. 23 will be a key test for DeSantis, who will be the top-polling figure on the stage if Trump stays away, as he has indicated he will. The campaign plans to ramp up talk about DeSantis biography in the coming weeks, with a focus on the economy and foreign policy as leading issues. The elites have already picked their candidates Joe Biden and Donald Trump but the American people want a fighter who is not a creature of Washington and isnt afraid to stand up and take our country back, a source familiar with the campaigns thinking said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis downplayed the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol on Friday, saying that the deadly day was not an insurrection. It was not an insurrection, DeSantis told comedian Russell Brand in an interview on his streaming show Stay Free with Russell Brand. These were people that were there to attend a rally, and then they were there to protest. Now, it devolved, and it devolved into a riot, but the idea that this was a plan to somehow overthrow the government of the United States is not true, and its something that the media had spun up just to try and basically get as much mileage out of it and use it for partisan and for political aims, he continued. The comments were perhaps the governors most direct on the insurrection since launching his campaign in May. Earlier this week, DeSantis told reporters in South Carolina that former President Donald Trump didnt do anything during the attack on the Capitol. He should have come out more forcefully, he said in response to a question from NBC News during a policy event, which was ultimately overshadowed by news of Trump receiving a letter from special counsel Jack Smith informing him that he is a target of the federal investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. DeSantis has not yet said whether, as president, he would pardon Trump if the former president is convicted. On day one, I will have folks that will get together and look at all these cases, who people are victims of weaponization or political targeting and we will be aggressive at issuing pardons, DeSantis said in May. Many rioters who are charged with fighting law enforcement on Capitol grounds and others charged with entering the building itself have explicitly said they were there to try to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 election. Members of Congress and then-Vice President Mike Pence, one of DeSantis challengers for the 2024 nomination, were evacuated from the Capitol building due to the mob before returning that night to formally confirm Trumps election loss. Approximately 140 law enforcement officers were injured. Story continues DeSantis joins many Republican members of Congress in rejecting the insurrection label for the Capitol riot, while some have downplayed the gravity of Jan. 6 by comparing it to a tourist visit or peaceful protest. Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Faith and Freedom Road to Majority conference in Washington, D.C. (Drew Angerer / Getty Images) Pence himself has also shied away from calling the attack an insurrection. Ive never used the word insurrection, former Vice President Mike Pence told conservative media personality Tucker Carlson at the Family Leadership Summit in Iowa last week. It was a riot that took place at the Capitol that day, he added. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott who was in the Capitol during the attack told voters in New Hampshire on Tuesday that Jan. 6 was a really dark day in the history of the country, saying that he searched makeshift weapons in case he needed to defend himself. The DeSantis campaign is in the midst of a reboot amid distant polling behind Trump and worrisome fundraising numbers. The reboot will focus on smaller, less-produced events in early states and will see more of a national message rather than a constant touting of the governors record in Florida. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com China issues new rules on generative AI 09:59, July 21, 2023 By Jin Xin ( People's Daily China recently issued an interim regulation on the management of generative artificial intelligence (AI) services. The regulation, jointly launched by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), the country's internet watchdog, and several other authorities, including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education, will go into effect on Aug. 15 this year. An artificial intelligence-generated picture is exhibited at the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, July 6, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Wang Chu) Generative AI is a technology capable of generating text, images, voices, videos, codes and other content based on algorithms, models and rules. It is a new type of AI system that generates original content through learning massive data sets, which is of great significance for people's well-being, economic development, national security and strategic competition. A CAC official said that the regulation aims at promoting the sound development of generative AI and its standard applications, safeguarding national security and social interests and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, legal entities and organizations. The regulation puts forward a slew of measures to boost innovative development. It encourages innovative applications of generative AI technology in various industries and fields, healthy and positive content with the technology, optimization of application scenarios and a sound ecology for the technology. It also supports industrial organizations, enterprises, education and scientific research institutions, public cultural institutions and other relevant organizations to carry out collaboration on technological innovation, data resource construction, commercialization and risk prevention of generative AI. The regulation encourages independent innovation in the algorithms, frameworks, chips and supporting software platforms of generative AI. It also calls for equal and mutually beneficial international cooperation and exchanges on the technology, and supports participation in the formulation of international rules related to the technology. A man chats with ERNIE Bot, an artificial intelligent chatbot service launched by Chinese tech giant Baidu at the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, July 6, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Long Wei) The booming of generative AI technology has created new opportunities for economic and social development, but has also brought problems such as the spreading of fake information, the infringement of personal information, data safety issues, as well as bias and discrimination. Therefore, the new regulation requests generative AI service providers and users to obey laws and rules, and respect social morality and ethics. It clearly stipulates that service providers and users must not jeopardize national security or interests, harm national image, or incite secession. They must not promote terrorism, extremism, ethnic hatred or ethnic discrimination. Spreading violence, obscenity, fake and harmful information, and other information prohibited by laws and regulations is also forbidden. To address the possible risks of illegal collection and usage of personal information, as well as infringement of intellectual property rights (IPR), the regulation makes stipulations on respecting IPR and legitimate rights and interests, and improving the accuracy and reliability of AI-generated content. Services providers shall respect IPR and business ethics. They must not infringe upon the rights of portrait, reputation, honor or privacy, or the personal information of others. People visit a section on artificial intelligence content creation at the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference, July 6, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Xu Kunde) According to the regulation, service providers also need to improve their disposal plans. It is expected to make generative AI services more transparent and prevent the spread of illegal content. Compared to previous technologies, generative AI has many new features. Based on these features, the regulation better adapts its supervising models to suit innovative development, and encourages relevant departments to adopt more targeted management measures. Xin Yongfei, director of the Policy and Economic Research Institute, China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, told People's Daily that AI's black box cannot explain the reasons for its decisions to the public due to its different way of perception from people, which will lead to uncontrollable behaviors that make supervision difficult. Therefore, the interim regulation on the management of generative AI services maintains previous supervising methods and exercises classified and grading supervision. It sets requirements on security assessment, algorithm recordation and information disclosure, so as to strengthen the supervision and inspection by relevant authorities and improve China's AI governance system. The regulation also made stipulations based on other features of AI. For instance, taking into consideration the massiveness and heterogeneity of AI training data, it stipulates that service providers shall launch and optimize AI training according to the law. By adopting effective measures, service providers will be able to improve the quality of training data and make the data more authentic, precise, objective and diverse. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Fox News The conservative backlash against Bud Light still isnt over, as self-described anti-woke Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday explained on Fox News how hes open to having legal action be taken against its parent company. DeSantis appearance on Jesse Watters Primetime coincided with a letter written by the 2024 presidential candidate, obtained by CNN, that suggests AB InBev breached legal duties owed to its shareholders by becoming involved with radical social ideologies. Bud Light used transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney to help market its product, after which sales dropped thanks in part to musician Kid Rock and others leading calls for a boycott. According to DeSantis, the losses that Floridas pension fund saw after the partnership may be actionable. According to CNN, the pension fund held AB InBev shares valuing $46 million in March this year. Its price has dropped from $66 per share to $58, though the outlet notes it is still higher than its $44 low in September 2022. DeSantis, along with the states attorney general and chief financial officerboth of whom are also Republicans are trustees of the State Board of Administration, which handles public workers retirement funds. We must prudently manage the funds of Floridas hardworking law enforcement officers, teachers, firefighters, and first responders in a manner that focuses on growing returns, not subsidizing an ideological agenda through woke virtue signaling, DeSantis wrote in his letter. DeSantis reiterated that point to Watters. Dylan Mulvaney Lays Into Anheuser-Busch for Abandoning Her to Right-Wing Mob We believe that when you take your eye off the ball like that, you are not following your fiduciary duty to do the best you can for your shareholders, he said. So we are going to be launching an inquiry about Bud Light and InBev, and it could be something that leads to a derivative lawsuit filed on behalf of the shareholders of the Florida pension fund, he continued. Because at the end of the day, there have to be penalties for when you put business aside to focus on your social agenda at the expense of hardworking people. Story continues DeSantis is far from the only Republican who has made a point to lean into the Bud Light controversy by using the tools at their disposal. His latest act comes not long after Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) demanded that the Beer Institute investigate Bud Lights short-lived partnership with Mulvaneyone which the senator claimed also warrants detailed oversight by Congress. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Theres nothing quite like visions of sugar plums and wintery snow to help cool down during Floridas sweltering summer heat. While Christmas is still months away, a Winter Park man has immersed himself and his elves in the holiday spirit year-round. Eric Johannessen, whose Winter Park lights display became known after a 2016 appearance on ABCs Great Christmas Light Fight, has set up a winter wonderland in an office space designed to spread Christmas cheer, even in July. Johannessen Lights started as a passion for Christmas and has now become a professional holiday lighting business that involves ordering lights and planning around the calendar. The back half of his office space now serves as a showroom for lights, a storage space and a place where people can immerse themselves in Christmas decor any time of year. Last year, we didnt do anything with our customers until Oct. 1. We started setting up my house in July. This year, weve never stopped, Johannessen said. I have a construction business and a project management business. Thats work. This is fun. The winter wonderland showroom is set for an open house on Aug. 13 with family-friendly activities, food, drinks and plenty of photo ops. After his home holiday display took hold in the community, attracting thousands of visitors per year, Johannessen offered to decorate one house in 2020 as part of an auction raising funds for the Dyslexia Foundation. Quickly he realized there was a demand for his decorating services as Johannessen Lights sprung into action and strung up strands on around 40 homes that year. The last two seasons saw the company decorating 80-100 homes, stores and communities across Central Florida, and 2023 is expected to be the biggest year yet. Were anticipating doing about 200 houses and businesses, Johannessen said. People at Christmas get a little frazzled. Family is coming in; there are deadlines and shopping for presents, then also getting the lights up. Our goal is to bring joy to them. Story continues The company is already ordering commercial-grade lights and planning displays for the 2023 holiday season. Customers spend, on average, about $3,000 for lights, storage and labor to install and take down the lights. You basically come home from work one day and the lights are on. You come back from work sometime in January and the lights are gone, Johannessen said. This year, Johannessens wife, Shannon, and staff are helping decorate interior Christmas trees for customers. Ultimately, this family affair and business stems from a deep love for the holidays. Dont ever do something for the money. Its what you do every day, Johannessen said. You have one life, so you should do what you love to do. If you go: Johannessen Lights will be open to the public with activities, food and drinks from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 13 at 4100 Metric Drive, Suite 700 in Winter Park. The showroom is open by appointment otherwise. For more information, visit orlandoholidaylights.com. Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County and regional agencies: A helicopter view of the mouth of Channel Islands Harbor with the Silver Strand community, at right. A man reportedly tried to flee authorities by swimming through the harbor after crashing his car into a Silver Strand market Tuesday night. Watery pursuit into harbor ends with DUI arrest An Oxnard man was arrested after allegedly crashing into a market in the Silver Strand area Tuesday night, fleeing on foot and jumping into the nearby harbor where he was cornered by patrol boats as multiple law enforcement agencies responded. Shortly before 11 p.m., the 31-year-old was driving his 2009 Infinity G37 near Roosevelt Boulevard and Anacapa Avenue in the unincorporated Silver Strand community outside Oxnard, the California Highway Patrol reported. The man lost control of the car and crashed into the Corner Market at 2425 Roosevelt Blvd., authorities said. Two Oxnard men who worked at the market, age 20 and 21, as well as a 15-year-old male in the store, were struck. They suffered moderate injuries, CHP officials said, and were taken to area hospitals. The suspect fled on foot toward nearby Kiddie Beach Park, then jumped into the water at Channel Islands Harbor, where he continued to swim through the harbor, authorities said. CHP officers were joined by personnel from the Oxnard Police Department, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office and the Ventura County Harbor Patrol. The harbor patrol deployed two boats, each carrying law enforcement personnel. The patrol boats followed the suspect as he swam to a dock while trying to flee, according to the CHP account. The boats cornered the man along a dock to prevent his escape. He was then lifted out of the water by "multiple" law enforcement personnel, officials said, before being taken into custody by the CHP. The man was treated for moderate injuries at Ventura County Medical Center. He was arrested on suspicion of a felony alcohol-related DUI causing injury, hit-and-run causing injury and resisting. The crash remains under investigation by the CHP's Ventura-area office. Witnesses are asked to call the agency at 805-662-2640. Story continues Possible bear sighting in Newbury Park Ventura County Sheriff's deputies responded to multiple calls about a bear spotted in an industrial area of Newbury Park Thursday night, officials said. Calls came in shortly after 7:40 p.m. about a bear near Turquoise Circle and Tourmaline Drive, said sheriff's Capt. Greg Gibson. As of 8:40 p.m., deputies had not caught sight of the bear, he said. Sheriff's deputies have seen bears recently in during a Moorpark call and while assisting with a report in Simi Valley, Gibson said. String of carjackings, pursuit end in Thousand Oaks A 32-year-old Ventura man sparked a significant pursuit across county lines Wednesday, with three alleged carjackings along the way, before being taken into custody at gunpoint in Thousand Oaks. The incident started around 9:00 a.m. in Ventura, when a carjacking was reported at a gas station at Telegraph and Mills roads. The owner of a Dodge Caravan had left the keys in the car when it was taken, said Ventura Police Department Cmdr. Rick Murray. The suspect fled onto southbound Highway 101, where California Highway Patrol officers spotted the stolen vehicle and initiated a pursuit, Murray said. Los Angeles Police Department officers took over the chase for several hours as the driver moved along mostly surface streets in the San Fernando Valley and elsewhere for a time. CHP officials say the suspect committed two more carjackings in Los Angeles. At around 2 p.m., officers with the CHP's West Valley division took over the pursuit on the northbound 101 at Woodlake Boulevard. Speeds exceeded 90 mph at times. The driver pulled off on the Moorpark Road offramp in Thousand Oaks, crossed Moorpark Road, then tried to get back on the northbound freeway using the onramp, according to the CHP account. CHP officers boxed in the suspect as he tried to turn around. He intentionally backed into one of the patrol units but was rammed by two other CHP vehicles, on the front and side, ending the pursuit. Helicopter footage of the incident captured by LA-area television news crews showed the suspect surrendering at gunpoint. He was taken into custody without further incident, CHP officials said, and was medically evaluated at the scene by Ventura County firefighters before being booked into jail. The man was subsequently charged by prosecutors with multiple felonies, including carjacking, assault on an officer and evading. An arraignment hearing was scheduled for Monday afternoon in Ventura County Superior Court. The man remained in Ventura County jail Saturday and was not eligible for release, jail records showed. Items may be updated. This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Crash into Silver Strand market launches watery pursuit, more Igor Girkin (Strelkov) often criticised the conduct of the military operation (Alexander Zemlianichenko) Former separatist commander and nationalist military blogger Igor Girkin, a frequent critic of Russia's leadership, was arrested on Friday and remanded in custody awaiting trial on charges of extremism. Girkin -- better known by his alias Igor Strelkov -- is a supporter of the Ukraine offensive but also regularly criticised its conduct on the messaging app Telegram, where he was followed by around 875,000 people. By opening a case against him, observers said authorities were sending a signal that any criticism -- even from supporters of the military operation in Ukraine -- are off-limits in the aftermath of the Wagner mercenary group's short-lived rebellion. A Moscow court ordered Girkin to be placed in detention pending trial on charges of "public calls for extremism" that could land him in prison for five years. "Justice in our country, once again, has not triumphed" his lawyer Alexander Molokhov told reporters outside the Meshchansky Court in Moscow. Molokhov said the defence would appeal the court's decision and explained the case against his client was based on two social media posts in which Girkin discussed Russian-annexed Crimea and army supplies. Several dozen supporters gathered around the court, with at least one detained. "The repressive machine has gone into full gear, this is an excuse to knock him out from public work," said Pavel Gubarev, head of the "Club of Angry Patriots" that Girkin co-founded. - 'A patriot' - Shortly before being detained, Gubarev said Girkin's supporters would fight using all legal means. "Igor Ivanovich Strelkov isn't just not an extremist: he is a patriot who has gone through five wars in the interests of Russia." A former FSB colonel, Girkin was one of the key figures in the pro-Kremlin insurgency when fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine in 2014. Girkin ruled the then-rebel stronghold of Sloviansk with an iron fist, with executions for petty theft reportedly carried out under his rule. Story continues But he was squeezed out of the separatist leadership later that year under mysterious circumstances and returned to Russia, where he lost all influence, until the offensive began. In 2022, he was one of three men sentenced by a Dutch court to life imprisonment over the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. Girkin came back to the spotlight after the beginning of the offensive, becoming one of the most vocal critics of Putin and of the way in which Russia's offensive in Ukraine has been conducted. - 'Consequences of the rebellion' - In one of his most recent posts Girkin urged Putin to hand over power to a successor. "The country will not survive another six years of this cowardly mediocrity in power," he wrote on Telegram. Independent political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said Girkin had "long crossed all possible red lines". But his detention comes around a month after the attempted mutiny by the mercenary group Wagner led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, from which the Kremlin emerged visibly weakened. Prigozhin was the most strident voice for those inside Russia criticising failures in Russia's campaign and the strategies used by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and army chief Valery Gerasimov. Girkin denounced Prigozhin's mutiny but kept on criticising the incompetence of Russia's conventional military commanders. The case against Girkin "is one of the consequences of Prigozhin's rebellion: the army received more political opportunities to suppress its opponents in the public space," Stanovaya said. She did not expect mass arrests but said: "The most radical ones may be prosecuted, so that the rest will be more careful." Criticism of Russia's assault on Ukraine has been outlawed and all key liberal opposition figures are either behind bars or in exile. "The authorities decided that uncontrolled ultra-patriots are no less dangerous than the extra-systemic liberal opposition," said political analyst Ilya Gerashchenkov. bur/bp KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Russia followed its withdrawal from a grain export deal by expanding its attacks from port infrastructure to farm storage buildings in Ukraine's Odesa region Friday, while also practicing a Black Sea blockade. Other Russian missiles damaged what officials described only as an important infrastructure facility southwest of the port city of Odesa, in what appeared to be an effort to cripple Ukraines food exports. Attacks in recent days have put Odesa in Russias crosshairs after Moscow abandoned a wartime deal that allowed Ukraine to send grain through the key Black Sea port. In the attack on the storage site, two low-flying cruise missiles started a blaze, then another struck during firefighting efforts, regional Gov. Oleh Kiper said. The barrage injured two people, damaged equipment and destroyed 100 metric tons (110 tons) of peas and 20 metric tons (22 tons) of barley, Kiper said. Russia targeted Ukrainian critical grain export infrastructure after vowing to retaliate for what it said was a Ukrainian attack that damaged a crucial bridge between Russia and the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula. The enemy is continuing terror, and its undoubtedly related to the grain deal, said Natalia Humeniuk, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian militarys Operational Command South. Both Russia and Ukraine have announced they will treat ships traveling to each others Black Sea ports as potential military targets. Russias Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin clarified the Defense Ministrys announcement earlier this week that Moscow has declared wide areas in the Black Sea dangerous for shipping. The ministry said it would consider incoming vessels as laden with weapons and treat the country of its flag a participant in the conflict on the Ukrainian side. Vershinin said the Russian navy will inspect the vessels to make sure they arent carrying military cargo before taking any other action. There is no longer a sea humanitarian corridor, there is a zone of increased military danger, he told a news briefing. Story continues Vershinin added that Russia will fulfill the needs of African countries despite the deal's termination. President Vladimir Putin has promised to provide poor countries in Africa with free grain. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, said the recent strikes against port and grain infrastructure and threats of escalation at sea "are likely a part of a Kremlin effort to leverage Russias exit from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and exact extensive concessions from the West. In Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Western countries should address Russias demands to restore the Black Sea grain corridor. Russia has some expectations. If these are overcome, Russia is in favor of the active work of this grain corridor, said Erdogan, who helped negotiate the deal. We know that (Putin) has some expectations from Western countries. Western countries need to take action on this issue. He reiterated he would talk to Putin by phone and hoped to meet him in Turkey next month. In comments reported by state-run news agency Anadolu and other media, Erdogan warned that the end of the grain initiative would raise global food prices, increase famine and unleash new waves of migration. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with Erdogan by phone Friday, and they coordinated efforts to restore the operation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Unlocking the grain corridor is an absolute priority, Zelenskyy said on the Telegram messaging app. The Russian Defense Ministry said the navy conducted drills that simulated action to seal off a section of the Black Sea. In the maneuvers, a missile boat fired anti-ship cruise missiles at a mock target. The ministry also said it fired long-range sea-launched weapons on facilities used for preparation of terror attacks against the Russian Federation involving drones, adding that all the designated targets have been hit. It didnt elaborate. Putin, meantime, repeated his claim that Ukraines much-anticipated counteroffensive is failing, although he offered no evidence. Putin, whose authority was shaken last month by a short-lived rebellion from a Russian mercenary force, told his Security Council that the Ukrainian military has suffered massive losses and the West is struggling to maintain supplies of weapons and ammunition. Putin also spoke provocatively about Poland, alleging that Warsaw has formed a special military unit to ensure security in western Ukraine and plans to meddle in Kyivs affairs. In other developments, Zelenskyy announced the resignation of the countrys culture minister, suggesting the ministrys spending was misguided during wartime. Paving stones, city decorations, and fountains can wait till after the victory, he said. Recent scandals have involved local authorities, such as the repair of a cobblestone road in central Kyiv and renovation of a fountain in a western Ukraine city. Zelenskyy also fired the Ukrainian ambassador to the United Kingdom, Vadym Prystaiko, who was also ambassador to the International Maritime Organization. He gave no reason, but Prystaiko had publicly criticized the president. ___ Andrew Wilks in Istanbul, Turkey, contributed. ___ Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine A prominent Russian military blogger, who has criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin and his military leaders for not fighting harder in Ukraine, was arrested in Moscow on Friday. Igor Girkin, also known as Igor Strelkov, was detained at his home on Friday morning and is facing extremism charges, according to his wife, Miroslava Reginskaya. He appeared in a Moscow courtroom later on Friday. The pro-war blogger had ratcheted up his criticism of Putin in recent days, calling the Russian leader a lowlife and cowardly bum. For 23 years, the country was led by a lowlife who managed to blow dust in the eyes of a significant part of the population, Girkin said in a post on Tuesday, according to CNN. Now he is the last island of legitimacy and stability of the state, he added. But the country will not be able to withstand another six years of this cowardly bum in power. The Russian army veteran and former Federal Security Service (FSB) officer helped Moscow annex Crimea in 2014 and later organized separatist militias in eastern Ukraine. He and two others were convicted by a Dutch court last November for their role in the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014, which killed all 298 people on board. Girkins arrest comes as Putin is seeking to restore order following a short-lived mutiny last month led by Wagner group founder Yevgeny Prigozhin, who has also been highly critical of how the Kremlin is prosecuting the war. CIA chief Bill Burns on Thursday said he believes Putin is trying to buy time as he decides what to do with the mercenary leader, who has spent time in Belarus and Russia since calling off his march on Moscow. Burns added that Prigozhins mutiny has exposed Putins weaknesses and misjudgments. If and when the Ukrainians make further advances on the battlefield, I think what thats going to do is cause more and more Russians in the elite and outside the elite to pay attention to Prigozhins critique of the war as well, he added. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Girkin's detention came in the aftermath of a short-lived rebellion of mercenary group Wagner (Bulent KILIC) Former separatist commander and nationalist blogger Igor Girkin, better known by his alias Igor Strelkov, has been detained after sharply criticising Russian President Vladimir Putin, his lawyer said on Friday. Girkin's detention came in the aftermath of a short-lived rebellion of mercenary group Wagner that many analysts saw as the greatest challenge to Putin's rule. "He has been detained by law enforcement," lawyer Alexander Molokhov told AFP. A message on social media from Girkin's wife Miroslava Reginskaya said he had been detained for "extremism". Molokhov said he had not seen any documents relating to Girkin's detention yet and was now working to secure access to his client. A former military commander of the Donetsk People's Republic, 52-year-old Girkin was one of the key figures in the pro-Kremlin insurgency when fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine in 2014. In 2022, he was one of three men sentenced by a Dutch court to life imprisonment over the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. In recent years Girkin has become one of the most vocal critics of Putin, and most recently of the way in which Russia's offensive in Ukraine has been conducted. In one of his most recent posts Girkin urged Putin to hand over power to a successor. "The country will not survive another six years of this cowardly mediocrity in power," he wrote on messaging app Telegram where he is followed by more than 800,000 people. Russia is set to hold a presidential election next year. Criticism of Russia's assault on Ukraine has been outlawed, and all key liberal opposition figures are either behind bars or in exile. bur/gw War criminal Girkin Russian authorities have detained the notorious war criminal, terrorist, and former DPR leader Igor Strelkov (Girkin) on July 21, as reported by RBC. The arrest was made based on a statement provided by a former Wagner PMC mercenary. A search is currently underway at Girkins residence. He has been charged with extremism. Read also: War criminal Girkin warns of new army mutiny in Russia after General Popovs dismissal Miroslava Reginskaya, Girkins wife, revealed the details of the arrest through a message on the terrorists Telegram channel. Today, at around 11:30 a.m., representatives of the investigative committee came to our place. I was not home at that time. Shortly after, according to the concierge, they took my husband (into custody) and drove him away in an unknown direction, she wrote. The terrorists wife mentioned that she learned from friends that he is accused under Article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code, which deals with extremism. Read also: Russians begin denouncing war criminal Girkin for discrediting Russian army Girkin is also wanted internationally for his involvement in the downing of the Malaysian Boeing flight MH17 over the skies of Donbas. A verdict has been passed against him, sentencing him to life imprisonment. Notably, Girkin has publicly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin. He questioned Putins competence and leadership, comparing him to a mummy. Considering Putins behavior... I personally wonder, is Putin even there? Well, how? The Supreme Commander has distanced himself from the military actions. Individuals from his inner sanctum openly fight among themselves, undermining the fronts stability with their actions, and he does not respond at all. Where is he, anyway? Girking said. Read also: Hague Courts decision on MH17 case is first step on path of truth and accountability, says Borrell 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 KYIV (Reuters) -Russia struck grain terminals in air strikes in southern Ukraine and killed at least one person in a missile attack in the north on Friday, Ukrainian officials said. Russia has struck southern cities and ports nightly this week since quitting a U.N.-brokered deal allowing safe shipments of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea. A woman's body was pulled out of the rubble of a cultural building after a missile strike in the northern region of Chernihiv, near the border with Russia, regional governor Viacheslav Chaus said. A photograph posted online showed the building had lost its top storey and a lower one had been severely damaged. Two people were hurt in an earlier missile strike on an agricultural enterprise in the southern region of Odesa that destroyed 100 tons of peas and 20 tons of barley, regional governor Oleh Kiper said. Russia used Kalibr cruise missiles fired from the Black Sea at low altitude to bypass air defence systems, Kiper said. Photographs from the scene showed a fire burning among crumpled metal buildings that appeared to be storehouses, and a badly damaged fire-fighting vehicle. Kiper said Moscow had also fired seven missiles at an "important infrastructure object" during the day in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi district of the region which he did not identify, and that the extent of the damage was being verified. Moscow says it has been carrying out "retaliatory strikes" this week after withdrawing from the Black Sea grain export deal and accusing Ukraine of being behind blasts on Monday on a bridge that is used to transport Russian military supplies. Russia, which began its full-scale invasion in February 2022, has also continued shelling in eastern and southern areas this week and heavy fighting has continued in some areas. The governor of the southern region of Zaporizhzhia said shelling had killed four people in the previous 24 hours, and the general prosecutor's office said a married couple in their fifties were killed on Friday in shelling of the city of Kostiantynivka in the eastern region of Donetsk. (Reporting by Anna Pruchnicka; Editing by Timothy Heritage) Consequences of the night attack of the Russian Federation on an agricultural enterprise in the Odesa Oblast on the night of July 21 During the latest attack on agricultural facilities in Ukraine, Russia launched two barrages of missiles in a double tap, the head of the press center of the Southern Defense Forces, Natalia Humeniuk, said on July 21. "The insidiousness of the enemy's strike is considerable. At first, two missiles were launched, and after rescue work had started, another blow arrives with the use of the same tactics," Humeniuk said. Read also: Police show first minutes of rescue after Russian shelling of Odesa - video Last night, the occupying troops used Kalibr missiles against Ukraine. Russia is putting considerable effort into destroying grain and other food stockpiles, as well as agricultural machinery. Humeniuk said that Russians are "testing new tactics for their future attacks as they obviously aren't going to stop." Read also: Military expert explains why Odesa, Mykolayiv arent protected from shelling opinion The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported the loss of two fire engines on July 21. "A new engine is unlikely to be repaired and in such a condition will definitely not be helpful to anyone. Luckily, rescue workers weren't affected," Serhiy Kruk, the service's chief wrote. State Emergency Service of Ukraine State Emergency Service of Ukraine Russia launched another attack on Odesa Oblast overnight on July 21, targeting an agricultural enterprise. People were injured and 120 tons of grains were destroyed by Russian actions. For the fourth night in a row, Russia has attacked Ukraine's south. Odesa and Mykolaiv have been particularly affected. The July 19 missile strike targeted port infrastructure in Chornomorsk, Odesa Oblast, and damaged grain terminals. 60,000 tons of grain destined for China was destroyed in the attack, Ukraines Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi said on July 19. Read also: Russia strikes Odesa, Mykolaiv, more than 20 injured Two people were killed by a Russian June 20 missile attack. Another eight people received injuries, Odesa regional administration reported. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine EasyJet's revenue is booming despite the ongoing heatwave in Europe. This just shows that although the temperature in the continent is extremely high, many people are still going on vacations. The question is, is it safe to travel during a heatwave? EasyJet's Revenue Booms Despite Europe's Heatwave When there's a heatwave, many people prefer staying indoors where there's air conditioning. But, according to The Guardian, holidaymakers are now traveling in Europe despite the heatwave. EasyJet shared a record pre-tax profit of over 203 million (more than $260 million) for the past three months until the end of June. This revenue achievement exceeded the assumptions made by analysts. Ongoing protests in Europe, such as strikes by air traffic control managers in France and Gatwick airport ground employees' planned action in London. Aside from EasyJet, experts are now predicting that other airline competitors will also share their strong earnings for the past quarter. These details are a clear sign that the demand for travel after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic is finally soaring. Numerous analysts forecasted that rise in bookings will continue until winter. Read Also: Over 50% of Americans Bring Their Work on Vacations! Here's How to Avoid This Habit Is It Safe to Travel During Heatwave? The New York Times reported that the heatwave named Charon is expected last until the end of July. However, another heatwave is expected to hit Europe after Charon. Experts warned that extreme temperatures in the continent have been increasingly frequent and intense over the past few years. If your vacation destination target is affected by the ongoing heatwave, then you might want to adjust your travel itinerary. It would be dangerous if you will walk and do some sightseeing in tourist spots during scorching temperatures. This is why it is important to know what you can do to be safe while traveling during extremely hot weather. Here are some tips you can follow: Avoid walking during peak sun hours. Always bring a bottle of water so you can stay hydrated while sightseeing. Avoid wearing clothes that can trap heat. Instead, use loose and comfortable outfits, such as sleeveless shirts, thin shirts, shoes with good air ventilation, shorts, and dresses. These are just some of the safety tips you can rely on while traveling in Europe. If you want to learn more, you can click this link. Related Article: Spring Break 2023 Warning: Beware When Visiting These Places for Vacation @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Consequences of the Russian attack on the Odesa Oblast on the night of July 21 Russian forces conducted a fourth attack on Odesa Oblast on July 21, targeting grain terminals with Kalibr cruise missiles in a nighttime assault that caused casualties, Natalia Humeniuk, a spokeswoman for the Ukrainian militarys Southern Operational Command, said on Ukrainian national television on July 21. Humeniuk reported that the missiles were directed toward an agro-enterprise with the intention of destroying grain reserves. The strike hit warehouses and an agricultural machinery facility. Read also: Police show first minutes of rescue after Russian shelling of Odesa - video Oleh Kiper, the governor of Odesa Oblast, confirmed that the Russians destroyed 100 tons of peas and 20 tons of barley. Two people were injured in the explosion and received medical assistance. The Russians steered the missiles along a complex course, utilizing the terrain features of the Black Sea itself, said Humeniuk. They flew at a very low altitude. The impact occurred practically simultaneously with the air raid alarm, as detecting the missiles under such circumstances is extremely challenging. Read also: Russia strikes Odesa, Mykolaiv, more than 20 injured The aggressors launched two waves of attacks, with the second strike hitting while rescuers were extinguishing the initial fire, forcing them to seek shelter. The attack marks the fourth consecutive night of Russian aggression against southern Ukraine, with Odesa and Mykolaiv facing the brunt of the assault. On July 19, they precisely targeted the ports of Chornomorsk and Odesa, damaging grain terminals. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia has destroyed 60,000 tons of agricultural products destined for China. Read also: Russian attack destroys 60,000 tons of grain in Chornomorsk In the wake of the attack on July 20, one person was killed in Odesa, and the governor reported eight injured individuals. 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 As a result of the Russian attack on one of the settlements of the Huliaipole hromada [an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.] in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, four workers of the agricultural business have been killed . Source: statement of Huilaipole hromada Quote: "Today there is terrible news about the loss of labourers in the field. They were young and full of energy; they had families and dreams, and they worked for the good of our country. In one moment, the lives of our fellow countrymen were cut short. During the attack on one of the settlements of Huliaipole hromada, the employees of an agricultural business were killed: Serhii Kurman, born in 1994; Ruslan Hrybachov, born in 1992; Viacheslav Berezhnyi and Ivan Lysenko, born in 1980." Details: The administration of the Huliaipole hromada also reported that two more men, Yurii Samoilovych and Denys Reznikov, have been injured. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Russian forces attacked 10 Ukrainian oblasts over the past day, killing at least seven people and injuring at least nine, regional officials reported on July 21. Donetsk, Kharkiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, and Sumy oblasts all came under attack. In Donetsk Oblast, two people were killed and two more injured in Russian attacks, Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko reported. A couple lost their lives in a strike against Kostiantynivka by Grad multiple-launch rocket systems. Two civilians were also wounded in Mykolaivka, the governor clarified. Russian attacks damaged several private houses and a school in the oblast, he added. In Kharkiv Oblast, one person was killed and three people were injured in the strikes, Governor Oleh Syniehubov informed. According to the latest information, a 60-year-old man was killed on July 20 in a strike on the village of Kozacha Lopan. Two men, aged 69 and 52, were wounded in an attack against Petrivka and a 56-year-old woman was injured during the night strike against the village of Novoosynove, the governor reported. Syniehubov added that multiple private houses and other objects were damaged in the attacks Next to those affected by Russian strikes, a 48-year-old man was reportedly injured by an unknown explosive device in his own yard in the village of Verkhnii Bairak. Two people were injured in a missile strike against Odesa Oblast, Governor Oleh Kiper reported. In a fourth consecutive strike against the oblast, Russian forces launched two Kalibr missiles against an agricultural enterprise, damaging grain warehouses, injuring two employees, and starting a fire, Kiper specified. Another missile hit the site while the fire was being put out, he added. The governor said that up to 100 tonnes of peas and 20 tonnes of barley were destroyed in the attack. In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, four people were killed and two were wounded, Governor Yurii Malashko informed. A Russian strike against an infrastructure building in the Polohy district killed four of its employees aged 29, 30, 33, and 43. Two more were injured and transported to a medical facility, Malashko clarified. Story continues The governor reported 33 cases of damage to residential buildings and infrastructure objects. The oblasts of Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, and Sumy came under attack but local officials reported no casualties. In the afternoon of 21 July, the Russian military fired at least seven missiles at an infrastructure facility in Odesa Oblast; the target was hit. Source: Natalia Humeniuk, head of the joint press centre of the Defence Forces of Ukraines south, at a briefing in the Ukraine-Ukrinform media centre; Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Yurii Ihnat, Spokesperson for Air Force of Ukraine Quote: "Seven missiles of different types were fired at the infrastructure facility in the Bilhorod-Dnister district; the object was hit; we will clarify the extent of the damage. So far, there is no information about the victims." Details: According to Humeniuk, the attack occurred about an hour ago. Oleh Kiper, the head of the Odesa Oblast Military Administration, said that the target was an important infrastructure facility. It has been damaged. Updated: Yurii Ihnat, spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, reported that since 10:00, the Russians had launched up to four Oniks missiles on Odesa Oblast. Quote from Ihnat: "Regarding Oniks missiles, this is the third attack on Ukraine with this type of missile. Thus, the enemy has already launched at least 4 P-800 Oniks missiles on Odesa Oblast, somewhere south of the city of Odesa, since 10:00. This is the operational information we have now." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Photo by Sefa Karacan/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images. When Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested in March 2023, it was the first time an American reporter had been arrested for espionage inside Russia since the end of the Cold War. Gershkovich had been in Russia since before its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but had a long history with the country. His parents fled the Soviet Union in the 1970s and settled in New Jersey, where Gershkovich grew up speaking Russian. Although he was living in Moscow for years prior to his arrest, he had only begun working for the Wall Street Journal since 2022. Less than a year after switching jobs, he was arrested by the FSB (formerly the KGB) in Yekaterinburg and has been held ever since. U.S. officials had been watching the specialized unit of the FSB that arrested Gershkovich for years. The FSBs Department for Counterintelligence Operations, or DKRO, is known to plant bugs in Americans homes and hotel rooms, try to recruit American informants, and even send beautiful Russian women to seduce Marines on embassy duty with the hopes of extracting information. FSB Director Alexander Bortnikov played a key role in Putin's decision to invade Ukraine in 2022. The DKRO has been behind the illegal detention of other Americans, even those not as high-profile as Gershkovich, including Marine Corps veterans Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed, along with others that havent been reported. They dont stop at high-visibility missions like counterespionage, either. Theyve been known to slash the tires of U.S. embassy officials, in increasing regularity since Moscow and Washington began publicly deriding one another. The DKRO never misses an opportunity if it presents itself against the U.S., the main enemy, Andrei Soldatov, a Russian security analyst who has spent years studying the unit, told the Wall Street Journal. They are the creme-de-la-creme of the FSB. With virtually unlimited resources and near impunity, the DKRO has harassed and arrested Americans inside Russia for an unknown length of time, according to research conducted by the Journal inside Russia. They are responsible for monitoring the Americans and Canadians and are ruthless at their work. Story continues Paul Whelan was arrested after what his lawyers claim was an entrapment plot by the DKRO, who convinced him to get involved in a plot involving a USB thumb drive. Trevor Reed was detained after a night of drinking with friends, when Russian authorities claimed he assaulted a police officer. Reed was sentenced to nine years in prison but was exchanged for a captured Russian pilot. Whelan was sentenced to 16 years, and is still being unlawfully detained. WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 12: Journalists and members of the Independent Association of Publishers' Employees a rally to call for release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been held in Russia since March 29, outside the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Spring Meetings April 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. Earlier this week, the State Department officially designated Gershkovich as 'wrongfully detained' by Russia. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Meanwhile, the DKRO continues its campaign of harassing and provoking Western visitors, residents, and even American diplomats. They have been accused of breaking into diplomats homes and stealing jewelry after searches, tracking embassy vehicles with low-flying helicopters, and even cutting the power to the residence of the U.S. ambassador to Moscow. When American diplomats are assigned to Moscow, they are given special training to avoid the DKRO and to follow what are unofficially called the Moscow Rules. These rules are an unwritten code of 10 guidelines used by CIA operatives while in Russia, as laid out by CIA officer Tony Mendez (of Argo fame). As for the DKRO, they are not only the best of the FSB, they are paid handsomely for their work, ensuring they remain incorruptible. They receive bonuses for successful counterintelligence operations, stipends for their unemployed spouses, and the best medical care in Russia, among other benefits. At least four private American citizens have been unlawfully detained in Russia in recent years, two are still being held, and two who were exchanged through prisoner swaps. Although campaigns to free Whelan and Gershkovich are ongoing, little headway has been made. For Americans planning to travel or work in Russia, its probably best to learn and adhere to the Moscow Rules for the foreseeable future. For more about the FSBs DKRO counterintelligence agency, check out the full Wall Street Journal article. The UK lifted its sanctions against Russian tycoon Oleg Tinkov, who has been a vocal critic of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Chris Graythen/Getty Images The UK on Wednesday lifted sanctions against Russian oligarch Oleg Tinkov. Tinkov has been an outspoken critic of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and has called the war "crazy." Virgin Group founder Richard Branson endorsed Tinkov's appeal against the sanctions. Since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, countries around the world have sanctioned thousands of Russian businesses and people. Now, one tycoon is getting taken off that list. The UK on Wednesday lifted sanctions against Russian oligarch Oleg Tinkov, the British foreign office announced Thursday. Tinkov, who founded the digital Tinkoff Bank in 2006, was sanctioned by the country in March 2022 alongside nine other Russian businesses and individuals. The restrictions targeted key industries supporting Russia's illegal invasion, according to the UK government's announcement at the time. The Russian businessman has been an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. In April last year, Tinkov described the war in Ukraine as "crazy" and labeled anyone who supported it a "moron" in an Instagram post. He also renounced his Russian citizenship in late 2022. He is still a Cyprus citizen, the New York Times reported in October 2022. Tinkov's appeal against the UK's sanctions was endorsed by Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group empire, The Times media outlet reported on Monday. Branson said he has known Tinkov for two decades. "While he was a wealthy Russian businessman he has never been an oligarch," Branson wrote in a letter of support included in Tinkov's legal appeal, per The Times. "I have always known him as a self-made dynamic entrepreneur. That is why I have supported him and continue to do so." "Having considered all of the factors in this case, including the actions Mr. Tinkov has taken following his sanctions designation, we have revoked his designation. We keep all sanctions designations under review," a spokesperson from the UK foreign office told Insider. Story continues The UK government takes into account public condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine when evaluating whether to lift sanctions, the FT reported citing people familiar with the criteria. Tinkov hasn't been sanctioned by the US and the EU. The businessman's lawyers at law firm Corker Binning said Tinkov has been "wrongly, unfairly and irrationally targeted by those sanctions." "His designation has seriously undermined his health, his ability to conduct business, and his international reputation," said David Corker, the lead lawyer on Tinkov's case. On a personal level, Tinkov's wealth has been massively hit by the fallout from the war. According to Forbes, he was worth $4.7 billion in April 2021 but lost his billionaire status just days after Russia invaded Ukraine due to a slump in the share prices of Tinkoff Bank. Tinkov amassed his fortune largely without state support, per the FT. He sold his family's 35% share in Tinkoff Bank in April 2022. Tinkov and Branson did not immediately respond to requests from Insider for comment outside regular business hours. Read the original article on Business Insider The Russian Meshchansky district court arrested a Russian pro-war nationalist and critic of the Russian authorities Igor Girkin, also known by his nom de guerre Igor Strelkov, on charges of "calls for extremism" until 18 September. Source: Mediazona Details: As of now the police van with Strelkov inside has left the court. The Club of Angry Patriots, founded by Girkin, announced a campaign in defence of the accused. Supporters of this "club" were urged to go to the Meshchansky police department to support Girkins associate Pavel Gubarev, who was detained after the arrest of Girkin himself. The representative of the FSB at the trial said that a criminal case against Strelkov (Girkin) was opened on 18 July. The Russian investigator said that Strelkov previously served in a "unit conducting operational-search activities", therefore can easily hide from the authorities. FSB officers petitioned for the arrest of the terrorist. In court, Girkin claimed that he has "angina pectoris of the second degree", but he did not have time to get a medical certificate to prove it: "I take the necessary drugs every day. I would like to receive a preventive measure in the form of house arrest". According to the terrorist Girkin, the statement of the investigator about his potential escape abroad is "frankly ridiculous", because he is wanted by Interpol in most countries. He was also sentenced to life imprisonment by The Hague Tribunal. . https://t.co/b0F0qvsBuu : SHOT pic.twitter.com/FlEUVbOQve (@mediazzzona) July 21, 2023 Regarding the accusation of calls for extremism, this most likely concerns Girkin's posts on Telegram dated 25 May 2022. Story continues There he writes about "blatant examples of irresponsibility, very reminiscent of outright sabotage" by the "authorities" of the so-called "Donetsk Peoples Republic," which did not provide the families of invaders and collaborators with the promised payments. He wrote: "Citizens, even an execution would not be punishment enough for this... and not [the execution] of the indignant mobilised fighters!" Background: Igor Girkin is a former FSB officer who took active part in the battles for Sloviansk and in the seizure of power in Donetsk in 2014. He vehemently supports the war, but criticises the military-political leadership. On 1 April 2023, Girkin, together with his associates Pavel Gubarev and Maxim Kalashnikov created the Club of Angry Patriots. On 18 July, Telegram channel Ostorozhno, Novosti reported that Girkins ally, Colonel Vladimir Kvachkov, was accused of discrediting the Russian army. Kvachkov also actively supports the war in Ukraine, but criticises the current Russian authorities and the leadership of the Ministry of Defence. Strelkov called the case against Kvachkov "a mockery of the law, justice and common sense" amid the fact that after the rebellion of Yevgeny Prigozhin, no one was responsible for the Wagner mercenaries murder of Russian pilots. Strelkov himself was sentenced in absentia by The Hague District Court to life imprisonment. He was found guilty of the crash of the Malaysian Boeing in August 2014. The court said that Igor Girkin and two of his subordinates were "guilty of murder 298 times". Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The Russian occupiers attacked premises belonging to an agricultural business in Odesa Oblast with Kalibr missiles on the night of 20-21 July. Missiles hit grain warehouses and a building where agricultural machinery was stored, injuring two people. Source: Nataliia Humeniuk, Head of the Joint Press Centre for Operational Command Pivden (South), on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast; Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; State Emergency Service on Telegram Quote from Humeniuk: "The enemy continues their [acts of] terror and it is undoubtedly connected with the grain initiative. Last night, the enemy targeted an agricultural firm in Odesa Oblast, where they tried to destroy grain stocks. [They] directly [hit ed.] the sheds where it is stored and a building where agricultural machinery was stored." Details: Humeniuk added that Russian forces fired Kalibr missiles, taking a missile carrier on duty in the Black Sea in the middle of the night and aiming the missiles on a very difficult course, using the terrain features. Missiles were flying at a very low altitude, and it was difficult to detect them, so the strike happened almost simultaneously with an air-raid warning. Quote from Humeniuk: "At first, there were two missiles. And there was another missile strike when the rescue and firefighting operations began. Fortunately, the emergency workers managed to take cover. But a lot of agricultural and rescue equipment was damaged." Details: Humeniuk said there was no information about any casualties yet. Later, Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, stated that this was the fourth Russian attack on Odesa Oblast in a week, and that Russian forces had destroyed 100 tonnes of peas and 20 tonnes of barley. Kiper said two people were wounded as a result of the explosion, sustaining glass cuts. The State Emergency Service later showed the aftermath of a second Russian missile attack: the Russian occupiers destroyed two fire engines, in particular, a new tanker truck that had arrived to respond to the aftermath of the Russian missile attack. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Two children were killed by Russian occupation forces on Friday in the village of Druzhba in the Toretsk district of Donetsk Oblast. Source: Pavlo Kyrylenko, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Details: At about 15:00, the Russians shelled the village with artillery, and one of the shells hit the yard with children a 10-year old boy and a 16-year old girl. They were brother and sister. They received injuries incompatible with life. In addition, an elderly woman was wounded in the same village during the shelling, and she was taken to hospital. Quote: "Once again, I urge parents of minors to take their children out of the danger zone! Children should not live adjacent to war. You are responsible for saving their lives, including before the law." Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! In addition to missile strikes, the Russian occupiers launched 12 airstrikes on 21 July, with 33 combat clashes taking place at the front. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 21 July Details: On 21 July, Russian occupation forces launched another large-scale missile and air strike on the territory of Ukraine, using three Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles, four Iskander ground-launched cruise missiles, six Oniks cruise missiles, one Kh-59 cruise missile and one anti-aircraft guided missile from an S-300 air defence system. In addition, Russian forces carried out 12 airstrikes and launched 29 attacks using multiple launch rocket systems on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. As a result of the Russian terrorist attacks, unfortunately, children and civilians have been killed and injured, grain depots in the south of Ukraine and industrial facilities have been destroyed and damaged, more than 70 civilian residential buildings and other infrastructure have been destroyed and damaged. The likelihood of missile and air strikes throughout Ukraine remains high. Russians continue to focus their main efforts on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka fronts, heavy fighting continues. Over the course of the day, 33 combat clashes took place. On the Lyman front, the Russian conducted unsuccessful offensives in the areas of Nadiia, Makiivka, Nevske (Luhansk Oblast), and Serebrianka Forest, Dibrova (Donetsk Oblast). On the Bakhmut front, under heavy fire from Russian artillery, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled their attacks near Hryhorivka, Donetsk Oblast. On the Avdiivka front, under heavy fire from the Russian aircraft and artillery, Ukrainian defenders successfully repelled the attacks of Russian troops in the area of Pervomaiske, Donetsk Oblast. The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine inflicted 13 strikes on areas of concentration of Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment, three of which targeted Russian anti-aircraft missile systems. Units of Rocket Forces and Artillery struck a cluster of Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment, two artillery in firing positions and one electronic warfare station. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! A wild animal said to be a lioness, is believed to be on the loose in the southwestern section of the German capital on Thursday morning, and Berlin police have advised residents in several areas of the city to stay inside. Due to an escaped wild animal in the Kleinmachnow, Teltow, and Stahnsdorf (PM) area, residents are asked to stay inside and bring their dogs inside. It also said that local police posted on Twitter early on Thursday that their colleagues were on the scene and were assessing the situation. According to their most recent report, which was published at 6 a.m., police stated that the wild animal has not yet been spotted and advised residents to phone emergency services if they saw it. time zone, as reported by CNN. Looking for the 'Lioness' In order to find the huge cat, which police believed to be resting in a wooded location, authorities are employing helicopters. Officials from the Potsdam-Mittelmark district claimed a veterinarian and two armed hunters were on the scene and under orders to stun or kill the animal. According to Brandenburg's fire services, the huge animal was "likely a lioness." The director of a local circus, however, told the local media that he was unaware of any lions being kept in local circuses or private zoos and suggested the animal might have been a mistaken Caucasian shepherd dog. According to Michel Rogall, "If it's a lion, I'll eat a broom," he told Tagesspiegel. (Photo: by FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images) A Barbary lioness (also known as the Atlas or North African lion), part of a Panthera leo population that is extinct in the wild, is pictured in its enclosure at the Rabat zoo, in the Moroccan capital, on February 2, 2022. The lioness is considered to be a dangerous animal and could pose a threat to people and pets. Police are using helicopters and drones to search for the lion, and they have set up traps in the hope of capturing it. The lioness's escape is a mystery, and it is not clear how it came to be in Berlin. Some experts believe that the lion may have escaped from a circus or a zoo, while others believe that it may have been released by a private owner. Whatever the case may be, the lioness's escape is a serious matter, and authorities are determined to capture it as soon as possible. Read also: Tiger Mauls Farmer To Death in Northern India, Leaves Half-Eaten Body at National Park Other Similar Cases A "significant" safety breach involving five lions occurred at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney last year, leading authorities to evacuate nocturnal visitors to secure areas and launch an inquiry. After a "code one" notice, the most serious on the zoo's emergency warning list was sent to nearby residents, the lions made their way back to their enclosure. Four years prior, in 2018, storms damaged fences in western Germany, allowing two lions, two tigers, and a jaguar to escape their enclosures. It was said that the huge cats were later located by a drone and recaptured. A decapitated deer and sizable paw impressions were discovered around the area where the puma was supposedly observed in Cornwall in 2016. Related article: Zookeeper Fatally Wounded As He Tried to Escape Rogue Siberian Tiger That Leapt From Its Cage @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. On the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian forces are conducting a measured but steady offensive. On the Lyman-Kupiansk front, Russia wants to seize the initiative; a record number of 908 attacks by the occupiers were recorded in the past day. Source: Serhii Cherevatyi, spokesman for the Eastern Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on air during the national joint 24/7 newscast Quote from Cherevatyi: "The Bakhmut and Lyman-Kupiansk fronts remain a priority. (On the Bakhmut front - ed.) we conduct a very measured and progressive offensive, taking into account the fact that we do not have an advantage in forces and means over the enemy. Therefore, we make maximum use of manoeuvres, coverage, and various tactical innovations in order to advance evenly and confidently, but with minimal losses to our personnel." Details: Cherevaty emphasised that the Defence Forces are freeing "hundreds of metres of our land every day, kilometres every week". Quote from the spokesman: "The time will come; it will be tens of kilometres. That is, this process is measured, stable, but unrelenting." Details: Cherevatyi emphasised that on the Bakhmut front, the Defence Forces continue to hold the initiative and put pressure on the Russians. The Russians are desperately resisting; they fired 519 times at Ukrainian positions and carried out one air raid. In total, there were eight combat engagements on this front, as a result of which 74 invaders were killed, another 152 invaders were wounded, and one was captured. The Ukrainian defenders also destroyed one Russian tank, six self-propelled guns, two Gvozdika self-propelled guns, a D30 howitzer, an Aistonok counter-battery radar station, and three Russian ammunition depots. On the Lyman-Kupiansk front, the Russians are trying to seize the initiative and conduct offensive actions. The invaders fired a record 908 times on Ukrainian positions with all types of artillery and also carried out 11 air raids. Story continues According to Cherevatyi, 29 clashes took place during the day, during which 76 occupiers were killed and another 158 were injured. The defenders also burned down two tanks, Msta self-propelled guns, two mortars, a howitzer, two UAVs and a field warehouse with Russian ammunition. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Sacramento County Supervisors Rich Desmond and Pat Hume want to fix your roads. Its obvious why the two have decided to tackle the issue together: Out of the five Sacramento county supervisors, Desmond and Hume represent the most constituents living in the unincorporated county, where there are no city or town councils for residents to attend. Municipal concerns fall directly to them as the next-highest governmental authority in the area. Counties were never established to do a good job to provide those municipal services, Desmond said Tuesday evening at the Rancho Cordova Public Library, where he and Hume listened to locals talk about the state of the roads and the two made a plea for voters support for the money to fix them. The county has got to be more attentive. Opinion Sacramento Countys Pavement Condition Index how we measure the health of local roads is currently at an embarrassingly low average of 48 out of 100, placing us firmly in the Poor category. The worse the roads are, the more damage it causes to vehicles, at a cost that gets passed down to taxpayers either way. Not surprisingly, Sacramento County compares poorly with the rest of the state. A statewide sampling found that Sacramento is only ahead of counties like Lake and Mendocino, which have significantly smaller populations and tighter general budgets. And the worse our roads get, the harder it is to repair them, Sacramento County Department of Transportation Director, Ron Vicari told the crowd. Theyre not wrong that the road conditions in Sacramento, all over the county, are bad, Sam Rice told me. (But) roads degrade, thats what they do. Rice is the transportation team lead for the Environmental Council of Sacramento and sits on the board for the Sacramento Metro Advocates for Rail and Transit, where he advises the city of Sacramento and other communities on how the future of transportation can co-exist with smart climate policy. Road investment in the past has always been something that we simply did out of habit and its something that I feel, in the future, we should be thinking of in the context of complete streets, Rice said. If were going to invest in roads, how are we going to offset those goals with our goals for (the environment)? Story continues But whether its a repair or a total overhaul, the cost of road maintenance always gets passed onto taxpayers, usually in the form of a tax increase. Last year, Hume and many of his contributors supported Measure A, a sales tax increase scheme that was rejected by county voters. Proponents of Measure A said it would have raised $8.5 billion over 40 years for transportation and road improvement projects but would have done so by doubling the countys transportation tax and making gasoline even more expensive. Measure A looked suspiciously like a similar 2016 sales tax measure that was also narrowly defeated, but the new measure was bankrolled by wealthy special interests like the Cordova Hills Development Corp. so that taxpayers would be on the hook for new roads leading out to their leapfrog development projects in you guessed it Humes new district. Major road repair backlog But lets say that money would have gone to roads that actually need repair: According to Vicaris data, the county is currently budgeting about $60 million per year for road maintenance projects, but that number fluctuates with whatever financial assistance the department can glean from funders like the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. The county needs approximately $800 million to repair the countys roads just as they are right now. By the time our roads reach the very poor categorization status in just a few years, it will take what engineers call a full-depth reclamation to repair the roads at four times the cost of the number of overlay projects we needed this year. Deferring that road maintenance will place the county in an approximate $1.3 billion deficit over the next 20 years. But, as one attendee at Tuesdays meeting so succinctly put it: We like our cars and we want our roads fixed. Its true, we do like our cars in California, where we lead the nation (along with Texas and Florida) for most cars per capita. And most of the honey/money pots for projects across the state are awarded to sustainable, multi-modal, complete street refurbishments that emphasize pedestrian and bicycle use in conjunction with personal vehicles not reconstructing old roads with a slurry seal and a hasty prayer that itll hold for another 10 years. But we already know that continuing to rely on personal cars is a problem; not only are they gas-guzzlers, but increased car traffic drastically adds to the production of greenhouse gasses, further exacerbating climate change and environmental disasters like the wildfires damaging so many communities every year. Were effectively throwing good money after bad, and increasing our communitys reliance on oil, gas and cars in a textbook case of a sunk-cost fallacy. At the meeting on Tuesday, Desmond and Hume implied SACOG (the Sacramento Area Coalition of Governments) will only fund idealistic transportation projects like complete streets but isnt that exactly what they should be doing? It was fascinating to watch Desmond and Hume quietly position SACOG as the villain of the meeting, as though they dont both sit on the board. Its become increasingly clear that Sacramento County cant afford to keep patching roads that only serve one mode of transportation, and were never going to find money for projects that dont take environmental concerns into consideration. But neither can we allow the poorest, most underrepresented parts of our county to pay for maintenance while cities like Sacramento, Elk Grove, Folsom and Rancho Cordova all sit pretty in the fair good or even excellent categories of the Pavement Condition Index. A possible solution Perhaps Sacramento County ought to commit to a one-time, major investment in repairing its county roads. Cobble together every piece of funding from federal, statewide and local programs that it can get its hands on and maybe, too, look expectantly at some of the wealthy land developers who seek only to add to the transportation problems we currently face. Developers will only pay whats legally required of them, so lets figure out a way to tap into those deep pockets. if they want to add more traffic and greenhouse gases to our community, then they need to pay for the privilege. Improve the roads in unincorporated county communities now to give us a runway or a roadway, if you will into the future, and commit that intervening time period before they start to crumble again to figuring out how Sacramento County (and the whole of California, really) will solve the problems our dependence on car culture creates. We may like our cars, but as Rice pointed out: We can no longer simply look at these things as something were going to do in perpetuity. We have to be thinking about the investment. Here is a Lexington list and guide of the best weekend events around Central Kentucky on Friday, Saturday and Sunday if you are bored and need things to do including live music concerts, theatre shows, musicals, kid-friendly and free events, comedy shows, foodie events, craft fairs, music festivals, art exhibits, nature hikes, block parties and the Lexington Childrens Theatre performing Seussical. Blue Stallion Brewing Company anniversary Enjoy special bottle and draft releases, a patio pool party and more during a weekend of festivities celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Blue Stallion Brewing Company on July 21 and 22. Free. 610 W Third St. facebook.com/events/1322476761811418. Art exhibit: Looking At You reception at John G. Irvin Gallery Portrait and figurative art from around the state will be on display when the exhibit Looking At You opens at Central Banks John G. Irvin Gallery with a reception on July 21 from 4:30-6 p.m. Free. 300 W Vine St. ArtsConnectLex.org. Art On The Town at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park Observe creations from local artists and craftspeople, listen to live music, make you own chalk art and more during the July edition of the family-friendly event, Art On The Town at Henry A. Tandy Centennial Park on July 21 from 5-9 p.m. Free. 251 W Main St. LexingtonKy.gov. Frankfort Summer Concert Series: J.D. Shelburne Taylorsville born, Nashville based country recording artist J.D. Shelburne will perform during the City of Frankforts Summer Concert Series in downtown on July 21 at 6 p.m. Free. 315 W Main St. DowntownFrankfort.com. Summer Nights In Suburbia concert series at Moondance Amphitheater Grateful Dead cover band Born Cross Eyed will perform during the next installment of the City of Lexingtons Summer Nights In Suburbia concert series at Moondance Amphitheater on July 21 at 7 p.m. Free. 1152 Monarch St. LexingtonKy.gov. Musical: Seussical at the Lexington Childrens Theatre Come face to face with Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, the Whos of Whoville and the Cat in the Hat during performances of Seussical at the Lexington Childrens Theatre through July 30. This weekends show times are on July 21 at 7 p.m., July 22 at 2 and 7 p.m. and July 23 at 2 p.m. $20-25 (7 p.m. show on July 22 is pay what you will). 418 W Short St. LCTOnStage.org. Story continues Comedian Tony Baker at Comedy Off Broadway Veteran comedian Tony Baker will perform at Comedy Off Broadway on July 21 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. and July 22 at 6:30 and 9 p.m. $30-40. 161 Lexington Green Cir #C4. ComedyOffBroadway.com. Bluegrass Community and Technical College Theatre program is collaborating with Antagonist Productions for a Summer Shakespeare run of shows of Merry Wives of Windsor. Katelynn Ralston BCTC Theatre: The Merry Wives of Windsor at Equus Run Vineyards, Moondance Amphitheater Bluegrass Community & Technical College and Antagonist Productions will present William Shakespeares The Merry Wives of Windsor at Equus Run Vineyard in Midway on July 21 and 22 and at Moondance Amphitheater in Lexington from July 28-30. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Free. 1280 Moores Mill Rd, Midway. Bluegrass.KCTCS.edu. Benefit: Sprint For Scoops 3K at Wellington Park The 7th Annual Crank & Boom Sprint For Scoops 3K benefiting Fayette Eating, Education, & Delivery will take place at Wellington Park on July 21. Activities begin at 7:15 p.m. with a little kids dash followed by the 3K at 7:30. $20-30. 565 Wellington Way. RunSignUp.com. Three nights of live music at The Burl Bronx born, New Orleans based Hurray For The Riff Raff will perform at The Burl on July 21 ($25) followed by North Georgia Rounder Pony Bradshaw on July 22 and Lexingtonian Warren Byrom on July 23 ($15). All shows begin at 8 p.m. 375 Thompson Rd. TheBurlKy.com. Moth Week night hike at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary Prepare for National Moth Week with a guided night hike in search of moths and other nighttime insects at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary on July 21 from 8:30-10 p.m. Free, with pre-registration required. 3885 Raven Run Way. LexingtonKy.gov. Country music: Nashville 99s concert at Austin City Saloon Nineties country cover band Nashville 99s will make its debut at Austin City Saloon on July 21 at 9 p.m. 2350 Woodhill Dr. facebook.com/events/171923422437880. Pick-your-own blackberries is back at Eckerts Orchard in Versailles, which will host its Blackberry Festival this weekend. Provided Blackberry Festival at Eckerts Orchard in Versailles Pick blackberries, listen to live music, take part in a variety of kids activities and more during a blackberry festival at Eckerts Orchard in Versailles on July 22 and 23 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1396 Pinckard Pike, Versailles. Eckerts.com. Mother & daughter tea time at Manchester Music Hall Feast on finger foods, pastries and more during a mother and daughter tea time at Manchester Music Hall on July 22 at 4 p.m. $15-30, with children under 2 free. 899 Manchester St. ManchesterMusicHall.com. Midway Summer Block Party The second of three sumer block parties will be from 6 to 10 p.m. July 22 on East Main Stret in downtown Midway. There will be arts, craft, food beer and wine vendors, plus shops will stay open late. There will be live music from 7 to 10 p.m. reservewoodford.com/event/midway-summer-block-party-2/ Comedian the Liberal Redneck Trae Crowder at the Lexington Opera House Comedian Trae Crowder, best known for his viral Liberal Redneck porch rant videos, will bring his Just Me And Yall Tour to the Lexington Opera House on July 22 at 8 p.m. From $29.50. 401 W Short St. LexingtonOperaHouse.com. Tahlsound Concert Series: Lexington Reggae Fest at Oleika Temple Great Lawn Music from Mighty Mystic, Rob Dread & The KMA and Club Dub will echo from the Southland Drive corridor when the Lexington Reggae Fest takes over the Tahlsound Concert Series at the Oleika Temple Great Lawn on July 23 at 6 p.m. Free-$150. 302 Southland Dr. Tahlsound.com. Richmond Arts fundraiser: Blues, Soul, & Bar-B-Que at Chenault Vineyards Dance to music from Memphis recording artist Elmo Lee Thomas while eating a luau-style pig roast prepared by Straight From Texas Bar-B-Que during the Richmond Area Arts Councils annual Blues, Soul, & Bar-B-Que fundraiser at Chenault Vinayards on July 23 from 6-9 p.m. $40. 2284 Barnes Mill Rd, Richmond. ArtsInRichmond.org. Matt Wickstrom is a freelancer covering food, music and more. You can follow him on Instagram at @WickstromWrites . Michael M Santiago/Getty Images A flurry of allegations rained down on FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried on Thursday, ranging from new claims about financial impropriety to an accusation that he leaked his exs diary entries to The New York Times. First, in a lawsuit filed in Delaware court on Thursday, FTX claimed that Bankman-Fried is funding his legal bills with misappropriated cash: Last year, he allegedly sent his dad $10 million, the company saidmoney that is now being used to pay his lawyers. The allegations echo earlier reporting by Forbes. Separately, prosecutors in the Southern District of New York sent a letter to the judge presiding over his case on Thursday, accusing Bankman-Fried of attempting to interfere with a fair trial by an impartial jury. According to the memo, he gave documents to a Times reporter that sought to discredit his ex-girlfriend Caroline Ellison, who once ran Bankman-Frieds crypto hedge fund Alameda Research. (Ellison pleaded guilty to criminal charges in December and is cooperating with prosecutors in their case against him.) The defendants purpose in sharing these materials is plain, prosecutors wrote. By selectively sharing certain private documents, they continued, he sought to utilize the press in order to taint his forthcoming jury pool and to paint Ellison as a jilted lover who perpetrated these crimes alone. A spokesperson for Bankman-Fried did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Judge Dunks on Sam Bankman-Frieds Bid to Toss Most Criminal Charges Prosecutors further alleged that Bankman-Fried likely shared the documents without his defense attorneys knowledge. Instead, they said, he passed them to a Times reporter in person. The Times article, published Thursday, centered on Ellisons personal writings, some of which she entered into Google documents or sent to Bankman-Fried himself. In one entry, she described feeling pretty unhappy and overwhelmed with my job, adding, At the end of the day I cant wait to go home and turn off my phone and have a drink and get away from it all. Story continues The article noted that Ellison pocketed a tiny fraction of the payments and loans received by her male counterparts; Bankman-Fried allegedly pocketed $2.2 billion, while she collected just $6 million, the Times said. Her case isnt quite a sob story, however. Last year, Ellison reportedly paid herself [$22.5 million] in a single bonus payment despite knowing about massive holes in FTXs finances, according to legal filings. Bankman-Frieds younger brother, Gabe, was also roped into the hubbub this week. Thursdays lawsuit claimed that he had considered using FTX assets to buy the island nation of Nauru, in Micronesia, where he planned to construct a doomsday bunker and a laboratory for human genetic enhancement. Sam Bankman-Frieds first trial is expected to begin in October. If convicted, he faces decades of possible prison time. Until then, prosecutors have asked the judge to restrict his extrajudicial statements, lest more scandalous revelations land in the press. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Folesi Lefaoseu, Marjorie Sua and Avao Lagi cook at Fagaloa Bay Samoan Foods stand at the second annual Samoan Heritage Festival in Kearns on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Although cultural performances, food trucks, a rugby tournament and vendors might draw many to this week's Samoan Heritage Festival, Pasitale Lupeamanu says the multi-day event is really about "sharing our love for the community." Lupeamanu is president of Alofa Fa'aSamoa, the nonprofit in charge of organizing the festival. The nonprofit's name is Samoan for "sharing our love for the community," he said. And it shapes how the nonprofit approaches the festival and serving Utah's Samoan community, which Lupeamanu says is the largest of any U.S. state. The free festival, held at Southridge Park, 5051 S. 4015 West in Taylorsville, runs through Saturday. "Our whole purpose is to put a smile on everybody's face," Lupeamanu said. "Alofa Fa'aSamoa is all abut sharing our love, whether you're black, blue, purple whatever color you are, we're open to any races, any nationality, any community." The nonprofit has been around since 2018, but didn't take off until last year when it organized its first festival. Lupeamanu hopes the nonprofit and festival will continue to grow, but he stressed that more financial resources are needed to do so. "Right now we're just scratching the surface, just trying to find a place of our own," he said. "We just want to serve. If we can serve somebody and give a smile to somebody, that's a win for us." Maryan Savini, who co-owns Anwhut One-Stop Polynesian Shop in Taylorsville, said she and her business partner decided to be a vendor at the festival to show their support for the community. Meaese Pacific Northwest, a cricket team from Seattle, comes off the pitch after its match at the second annual Samoan Heritage Festival in Kearns on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News "I think we do better together as one instead of separating like those are Samoans, those are Tongans. We all migrate from the Pacific Islands. I think we all just need to work together to build our community," Savini said. "We have a rare, very strong community here in Utah, but I think if everyone else that owns businesses or has organizations came together as one, we would be a strong face in Utah." Story continues Haviar Tuitama-Hafoka runs Malialole Polynesian Cultural Arts Ensemble along with his mother, Vida Tu'itama'alelagi Hafoka. He stressed that the festival is a chance to see Polynesian culture displayed correctly and with respect. "There's a lot of us and we're not ancient relics that are from luaus," he said. "I think a lot of people have this misconception that we as a people don't exist or that we're not there, so then there's a lot of countercultures that try performing or they have this sort of like luau culture where there's a lack of understanding." In addition to performing at the festival, Tuitama-Hafoka's group is also involved in running the festival's youth workshops at Kearns Library, which cover topics like navigating culture as Polynesian Americans. He hopes the performances and workshops will help bridge the gap between first-generation Polynesians and those who have been here multiple generations. "It's a hopeful understanding that our legacy will continue on and our culture will continue on and that we can fully submerse ourselves with being Americans but also being Polynesians and embracing our culture and continuing our culture here," he said. Naomi Thompson Ama, a Saoman who grew up in Hawaii, has lived in Utah for 30 years. She said she makes a point each year to attend Polynesian festivals. It's a chance to see family and friends, shop for Polynesian goods and eat island food, she said with a cup of 'otai in hand. "As Polynesian people, it's all about the food. We're so far away from home Hawaii, Tonga, Samoa. Those are some of the things that we miss: our island food, the artifacts, the different fashions they come up with," she said. "The festivals encourage our people to be one and to be happy and to enjoy each other. We're very close knit community, the Polynesian community." Marjorie Sua serves a customer at Fagaloa Bay Samoan Foods stand at the second annual Samoan Heritage Festival in Kearns on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Alexis Chan cooks Hawaiian food at Tamure Babecues stand during the second annual Samoan Heritage Festival in Kearns on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News People check out food vendors at the second annual Samoan Heritage Festival in Kearns on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News A vendor sells wares at the second annual Samoan Heritage Festival in Kearns on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News Save $50 on Samsung devices when you pre-order today. Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. Purchases you make through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. If you want to upgrade to the latest Samsung Galaxy devices, the tech retailer has a brand new deal to help you out. Ahead of the Samsung Unpacked event, you can score $50 off Samsung Galaxy devices when you pre-order today. For the first time ever, that $50 credit can go towards the actual new devices (or any other Samsung purchases you want to bag) so you can scoop serious savings on Samsung's newest tech. Reserve the upcoming Samsung Galaxy devices The Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event starts at 7 a.m. EST on Wednesday, July 26 and it will stream directly on Samsung's website. During the event, Samsung will announce its new slate of Galaxy devices. The title of the event is, "Galaxy Unpacked July 2023: Join the Flip Side," leading many tech enthusiasts to believe there will be a new Galaxy Z Flip phone among the lineup (probably the Galaxy Z Flip5, but this is unconfirmed). We anticipate a new Samsung Galaxy Fold phone to be announced at Galaxy Unpacked. Samsung Galaxy devices are among the best android smartphones we've tested, so if there are new phone announcements in the lineup, we can't wait to get our hands on them. As with previous reserve events, we anticipate you'll receive a hefty trade-in credit if you choose to trade in an old Galaxy device. The amount you'll receive will depend on the phone's quality and specs. Amazon deal: Apple AirTags can track your keys, wallet and luggagesave 10% today While the title of the event seems to indicate there will be news about Samsung Galaxy smartphones, we anticipate there will be announcements about other Galaxy devices, including new versions of the Galaxy tablet, Galaxy watch and/or Galaxy buds. If you're ready to upgrade your favorite Samsung Galaxy devices, sign up now to reserve your spot for Samsung Unpacked and take advantage of that sweet $50 pre-order credit toward your new gear. Story continues Reserve the upcoming Samsung Galaxy devices Here's the deal: Subscribe to our Perks and Rec newsletter for daily savings on all the things you want and need. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Samsung Galaxy: Last chance to get $50 off when you reserve today Hearings begin Monday to find whether suspect Carlos Reales Dominguez, held in the deadly knife rampage that terrorized Davis in April and May, is mentally fit to stand trial. The trial in Woodland before Yolo Superior Court Judge Samuel McAdam represents the mental competency phase of the criminal case against the 21-year-old Reales Dominguez. Days after being expelled from UC Davis in April, Reales Dominguez allegedly stabbed two men to death in Davis city parks and brutally set upon an unhoused woman as she slept in her encampment. A jury will determine whether Reales Dominguez is mentally fit to stand trial for deaths of Davis residents 50-year-old David Breaux and Karim Abou Najm, 20, who was six weeks from graduating when he was slain, as well as the knife attack on 64-year-old Kimberlee Guillory, who was grievously wounded but survived. Reales Dominguez faces two counts of murder as well as allegations of attempted murder and special circumstances for multiple murders in the attacks. Defense attorney Yolo County deputy public defender Daniel Hutchinson first called his clients mental fitness in doubt at a May hearing. McAdam suspended criminal proceedings to give a court-appointed doctor time to examine the one-time college sophomore and present findings. The doctor determined Reales Dominguez unsound in June and McAdam set the July trial date. Despite protests from Hutchinson that jury competency trials were extremely rare, McAdam sided with prosecutors and set the competency trial in motion. Taylor Swift is coming to Northern California next weekend, and if youre in full-on prep mode, youll be happy to hear that the city of Santa Clara is treating her visit with just as much anticipation as your calendar countdown. To mark the occasion, the Santa Clara City Council passed a proclamation on Tuesday renaming the city to Swiftie Clara from July 28 to July 29 while The Eras Tour is hosted at Levis Stadium. The chart-topping music star will also be named as the honorary mayor for the Friday and Saturday of her show. Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor said in the statement that naming Swift as the honorary mayor is meant to celebrate the cultural impact of Taylor Swift. As for the economic impact on the city of Swiftie Clara? Well just have to wait and see. This isnt the first time that Swift has performed in Santa Clara, also stopping in the city for The 1989 World Tour in 2015 and The Reputation Stadium Tour in 2018. And its not the first city to do something special to commemorate her most recent tour, either: Glendale, Arizona, was renamed to Swift City for her show dates in March Arlington, Texas, and Bellevue, Kentucky, renamed streets for her. The governor of New Jersey declared the official state sandwich to be the Taylor Swift Ham, Egg and Cheese Sandwich Nashville, Tennessee, installed a bench in Centennial Park dedicated to Swift with a plaque referencing her song invisible string, which includes a lyric that references the park. Many of the city leaders who have encouraged recognition of Swifts tour stops have cited the potential for a boost to their local economy as a result of the influx of people buying hotel rooms, food and transportation in the city. Research analysis company QuestionPro released a report in June estimating that The Eras Tour could generate $4.6 billion in consumer spending by the end of the tour, which is more than the GDP of 35 countries, according to Colorado research organization the Common Sense Institute, although the exact numbers are difficult to confirm because of the unknown ways locals might have spent their money that weekend were they not at the concert. Story continues The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia also noted the economic impact of the show in its Beige Book, saying that despite slowing recovery for tourism in the area overall, May was the strongest month for hotel revenue in Philadelphia since the onset of the pandemic, in large part due to an influx of guests for the Taylor Swift concerts in the city. Chicagos official tourism and marketing organization, Choose Chicago, announced that during the weekend of Swifts three sold-out shows, the city set an all-time record for occupied hotel rooms. It was attributed it in part to the concerts, as well as other events being held in the city that weekend. If youre a Sacramento resident attending the shows and you dont have a getaway car of your own to get there, the Capitol Corridor train is adjusting its schedule for the concert to offer rides from Sacramento to Levis Stadium in Santa Clara and back. Taylor Swifts The Eras Tour has garnered unanimous critical acclaim, praise for its exceptional concept (and) production, reads the statement from the city of Santa Clara announcing the temporary name change. An illustration of the Aeolus satellite as it approaches Earth with gathering speed Scientists are preparing for a "first-of-its-kind" operation to steer a dead satellite back to Earth in a safe assisted re-entry. The satellite that will be the subject of this guided return to Earth is the European Space Agency (ESA) wind-monitoring Aeolus spacecraft. At a press conference on Wednesday (July 19), ESA scientists explained how they will attempt to guide the return of Aeolus to Earth, which should happen on Friday, July 28. "This is quite unique, what we're doing. You don't find really examples of this in the history of spaceflight," head of ESA's Space Debris Office Holger Krag said during the press briefing. "This is the first time to our knowledge, we have done an assisted re-entry like this." Related: Australian Space Agency investigating possible rocket debris found on beach Aeolus, referred to as the "impossible mission" because of its challenges and technological developments needed to make it work, was the first satellite to measure the winds of Earth from space in 2018. It has been conducting this mission for five years, providing data to Europe's leading meteorology centers, significantly improving global weather forecasts, and thus becoming one of the highest-impact weather satellites ever placed in orbit before reaching the end of its operational life in April of this year. The satellite was finally turned off in early July. Since then, the ESA satellite has been plummeting to Earth at an increasing speed falling from an altitude of 200 miles (320 kilometers)at a rate of around 0.62 miles (1 kilometer) a day, thus providing a unique opportunity to perform a guided re-entry attempt. When and where will Aeolus come down? Planned in the 1990s, Aeolus wasn't designed with a guided re-entry in mind, and in normal circumstances, the ESA satellite would have simply undergone a natural descent back to the planet. In this case, however, scientists at ESA's Space Operations Center in Germany will use the craft's remaining fuel to steer Aeolus to the optimal point for re-entry. Story continues A diagram showing the steps in the operation to bring Aeolus safely down to Earth The operation to bring Aeolus back to Earth begins on Monday (July 24) ESA Spacecraft Operations Manager Isabel Rojo Escude-Cofiner said during the press briefing. By Monday, the craft should have reached an altitude of 174 miles (280 kilometers) over Earth. The initial maneuvers will lower Aeolus to 155 miles (250 km) to put it in an elliptical orbit around the planet. "This will then be followed three days later by another set of maneuvers intended to lower it even further from 155 miles (250 km) to 93 miles (150 km) altitude," ESA Spacecraft Operations Manager Isabel Rojo Escude-Cofiner said during the press briefing. The final maneuver will happen on Friday (July 28), when the altitude of Aeolus will be further reduced to around 62 miles (100 km) over Earth. Within five hours of that final maneuver on Friday evening, the re-entry of Aeolus will occur. Escude-Cofiner explained that the satellite's descent corridor will bring it down over the Atlantic Ocean. As it falls, Aeolus will be tracked by a series of radar systems on the ground, allowing ESA experts to continue guiding it. Rest in pieces Aeolus Even if this assisted reentry procedure goes according to plan, not all of Aeolus will make it back to Earth. The satellite will begin the shake and jolt around at about 50 miles (80 kilometers) over Earth, where it will begin disintegrating. Krag said that the ESA team expects just 20% of the satellite to survive reentry, with 80% of Aeolus burning up in Earth's atmosphere. Krag explained that this 20% survival-rate is expected for such operations. The team hasn't narrowed down a target landing zone, and as Aeolus won't come down in one piece meaning its landing zone effectively covers more or less the whole ocean area, according to Krag. As a result, there are no plans to recover the parts that do survive the journey back to Earth from their watery grave, with Krag adding: "We will not see any of these parts again." RELATED STORIES: The International Space Station will eventually die by fire Watch likely Chinese rocket body burn up over Texas (video) How fallen space junk could aid the fight against orbital debris With no plans in place to recover any of Aeolus, it is reasonable to ask what the purpose of this re-entry operation is. The development of satellite reentry maneuvers such as this is vital due to the increased use of the space immediately surrounding Earth. "Today, we have 10,000 spacecraft in space, of which 2000 are not functional. In terms of mass, we are speaking about 11,000 tons," Krag said, adding that around 100 tons of human-made space debris fall back to Earth each year, with large objects re-entering Earth's atmosphere approximately at a rate of around one per week. According to Krag, with more objects launched into space than ever before, this rate of space junk re-entry is only set to increase, and though falling debris from orbit has yet to damage property or cause injury, such events can't completely be ruled out. "Typically 20 to 30% of the spacecraft mass can survive the re-entry, and although the likelihood of damage or injury is very small, we take this very seriously, and future spacecraft will have to be designed to do a controlled re-entry," Krag explained. The guided return to Earth of Aeolus should lay the groundwork for these operations in accordance with new rules for space, which Krag compares to taking things to National Parks: "The things you take in with you, you take out again after the mission." Iraqi protesters in Baghdad carry copies of the Koran to denounce the latest desecration of the holy book in Sweden (Ahmad AL-RUBAYE) Middle East powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran have summoned Swedish diplomats to denounce Stockholm's permission for protests that desecrate the Koran on free speech grounds. The separate moves by both majority-Muslim countries, announced in statements late Thursday, came amid heightened tensions between Sweden and Iraq over a Sweden-based Iraqi refugee who last month burnt pages of the Muslim religious text outside Stockholm's main mosque. In the latest such incident on Thursday, the refugee, Salwan Momika, stepped on the Koran but did not burn it, triggering renewed condemnations and calls for protest across the Muslim world. Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites, said it would hand the Swedish charge d'affaires "a protest note that includes the kingdom's request to the Swedish authorities to take all immediate and necessary measures to stop these disgraceful acts", according to a foreign ministry statement. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said Sweden's ambassador to Tehran had been called in to censure the permit granted to Momika's protest and to warn Stockholm of the consequences of such actions. "We strongly condemn the repeated desecration of the holy Koran and Islamic sanctities in Sweden and hold the Swedish government fully responsible for the consequences of inciting the feelings of Muslims around the world," Kanani said. News that Swedish authorities would permit the latest demonstration to go ahead had led hundreds of Iraqis to storm and torch Sweden's Baghdad embassy in a chaotic pre-dawn attack. Iraq's government condemned the attack. It also retaliated against the protest in Sweden by expelling its ambassador, vowing to sever ties and suspending the operating licence of Swedish telecom giant Ericsson. - 'Provocative' - On Thursday, the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation denounced the Stockholm protest as "another provocative attack" that could not be justified under the right to freedom of expression. Story continues Turkey's foreign ministry called on Sweden to take "dissuasive measures to prevent hate crimes against Islam and its billions of followers". In Lebanon, the leader of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement Hassan Nasrallah called for expulsion of the Swedish envoy there and the recall of Lebanon's ambassador to Sweden. "It's the minimum required," he said. Iranian authorities have called for nationwide demonstrations to be held after Friday prayers to denounce the "desecration of the holy Koran," according to the state broadcaster. Tehran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asked him "to immediately condemn this action and take the necessary measures as soon as possible in order to prevent the recurrence of such insulting and provocative action," the foreign ministry said. Spokesman Kanani condemned "any insult to religious sanctities and holy books anywhere and by anyone", arguing "freedom of speech used to attack dignity, morals and religious sanctities... has no value." The June Koran burning, during the Eid al-Adha holiday, had sparked indignation and diplomatic protests across the Muslim world. Saudi Arabia at the time called for Sweden "to stop all actions that directly contradict international efforts seeking to spread the values of tolerance, moderation and rejection of extremism, and undermine the necessary mutual respect for relations between peoples and states". rcb/kir/ami In India, anger has sparked by a video showing two women being paraded naked by a mob in the violent state of Manipur. In addition to arresting a man, the police said they have opened a case of gang rape and will be holding additional suspects soon. As a result of legislators' demands for a debate on the matter, the Delhi parliament's session was suspended on Thursday. The act, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "shamed India" and "no guilty will be spared," according to BBC News. DY Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India, stated that the Supreme Court was "deeply disturbed over the video" and voiced worry over the assault. The chief judge warned that "we will take action if you don't" and ordered the government to inform the court of the actions being taken against the accused. Although the police say the assault on the women happened on May 4, the video that went viral on social media on Thursday brought the incident to national attention. The federal government has requested that all social media networks remove the video. Ethnic Hostilities in Manipur Manipur's ethnic hostilities between the Meitei and Kuki communities began in May, and since then, at least 130 people have died and 60,000 have been homeless. (Photo: AFP/AFP via Getty Images) IMPHAL, INDIA: A group of Indian women hold aloft a banner as they stand naked outside the headquarters of the Assam Rifles paramillitary force in Imphal the capital of the far eastern Indian state of Manipur, 15 July 2004, to protest against the 10 July killing of an alleged female insurgent. A group of female activists stripped before Indian troops outside a security office in far eastern Imphal city to demand action over the killing of a woman allegedly by paramilitary troops, a report said. On Wednesday, numerous people posted the two women's horrifying footage on social media. A group of men drag them and prod them before pushing them into a field in the video. In a statement, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) claimed that women from the Kuki-Zo tribal community had been the victims of crimes carried out in a village in the Kangpokpi district. The women were also accused of being the victims of gang rapes. The shocking incident has come to light as a result of the outcry that followed the release of the footage in India. The failure of the government to provide solace to the survivors has also come under scrutiny, forcing Mr. Modi to finally speak out about the ethnic violence tearing Manipur apart. Read also: India: Teenage Girl Fatally Stabbed in Public Sparks Widespread Outrage Government Under Pressure The government is currently under pressure to take speedy action against the offenders and provide justice for the women in order to regain some of the confidence in Manipur, particularly among the minority Kuki population. People all throughout the nation believe that this shouldn't be occurring in contemporary India. The Bharatiya Janata Party government was criticized by a number of opposition politicians for not doing enough to stop the violence in the state. Related article: 15-Year-Old Indian Girl Allegedly Gang-Raped by Dozens of Men; At Least 29 Arrested @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Pennsylvanians should be aware of a scam targeting consumers who are rescheduling flight plans following flight delays and cancellations. Scammers are taking advantage to obtain personal information, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry warns. Scammers have been using Googles search engines and creating fake accounts that appear to be affiliated with major airlines and are also altering existing legitimate Google listings. Consumers fall into the scam by searching their airlines, contacting a fake airline representative and providing their personal information, including credit card information. It is believed that Google has removed these listings from their search engine databases. However, consumers should remain vigilant when rescheduling flights, Henry says. Tips to remember: Make sure you are accessing the airlines legitimate website; Do not trust search engine results to relay the airlines phone number; Always obtain the phone number directly from the official website of the airline you need to contact; and Do not give out personal or financial information in response to a request that you did not expect. Consumers with questions or those who feel that they have been victimized by the scam may submit a complaint with the Office of Attorney Generals Bureau of Consumer Protection online, by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov or by calling 1-800-441-2555. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: LATEST: Strong storms lead to power outages across Western Pennsylvania 3 people hurt in crash on North Shore PHOTOS: Severe storms move through Western Pennsylvania VIDEO: Despite severe weather, Picklesburgh preparations carry on for weekend festival DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts A school bus monitor was on her cellphone, with earbuds in, as an emergency involving a 6-year-old girl unfolded in the back of the bus, resulting in her death in New Jersey, officials said. On the way to an extended education program at a school in Franklin Township, the monitor, Amanda Davila, 27, sat herself in the front of the bus after securing the child in her wheelchair in the back of the vehicle out of her sight on July 17, according to authorities. Davila was unaware the girl slumped in her chair when the bus drove over some bumps in the road causing her to become strangled by the harness keeping her in place in the seat, according to the Somerset County Prosecutors Office. This lady is on the cellphone. (Faja)s back there fighting for her life. Shes not even looking back, Wali Williams, the father of the girl, Faja Williams, told CBS New York. Faja was declared dead at a hospital later that day after Franklin Township police were called to a report of an unresponsive child at a local school around 9:04 a.m., the prosecutors office said in a July 20 news release. Officers tried performing CPR on the girl before she was rushed to the hospital, according to officials. Davila was arrested on July 19 and is facing charges of second-degree manslaughter and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, the prosecutors office said. Shes accused of violating her jobs policies and procedures by sitting at the front of the bus, occupied by her phone as Faja suffocated, according to officials. I just miss my baby so much and just seems very unreal to me at this time, Najmah Nash, Fajas mother, told CBS New York. Faja was nonverbal and had Emanuel syndrome, according to News 12 New Jersey. Emanuel syndrome is a chromosomal disorder involving stunted growth, development, intellectual disabilities and other varying symptoms. Davila is detained in Somerset County Jail, where she awaits a detention hearing, according to the prosecutors office. Story continues Franklin Township is about 25 miles northeast of Trenton. Wrong-way crash killed parents raising 4 kids. Now man is arrested, Illinois cops say 10-year-old shot dead through bedroom wall as mom unloads gun, Georgia cops say Toddler trapped in water storage tank at summer camp is hospitalized, Vermont cops say One Redditor recently sounded the alarm about a problem in their schools lunchroom. The user, who claimed to be a night custodian, shared a photo of what they found in the trash during their shift: a large garbage can piled with individual milk cartons. About half of this 50-gallon trash can is full of perfectly good cartons of milk, they said, adding in a comment that the milk was still ice cold. Expiration date is in two weeks. Schools waste a lot of food. Photo Credit: u/spider_manectric / Reddit The problem is sadly common. Another user, who said she was a lunch lady at a junior high/high school, shared her frustrating battle with her administration. The school I work for flat out refuses to give me a daily lunch count so I can try to minimize food waste, she said in her comment. Instead, [the administration] tells me, dont worry, we budget for thrown out food. The ****? The cafeteria worker said that she has done her best to track trends on her own. However, without an accurate count from the administration, she has to cook extra. There are times I am left with 30+ extra servings, she said. As a former child who went hungry, this hurts, one commenter replied. Some of the teachers are probably going hungry these days, and they have to just sit back and watch their school throw away tons of food. Some schools have taken steps to stop the misuse of food. One Utah elementary school that composts its food waste to make biofuel and fertilizer successfully diverts an average of 2,500 pounds of food waste from landfills each month while teaching children about more sustainable eating habits. One Ohio school district that minimizes food waste through education about the issue was able to divert 100 tons of food at least five school buses worth of waste from the landfill while saving $22,000 in the 2018-19 school year. The World Wildlife Fund also conducted a study on ways to minimize the amount of milk students throw out by using a milk dispenser instead of individual cartons. Story continues Unfortunately, all of these solutions rely on a cooperative administration. Without that, staff may have to sneak around to make any difference at all. If a kid is negative like $2, but wants seconds [from] the surplus of food, you better believe I tell them to just take it, said the lunch lady. If my boss saw me do it I would get fired immediately, but Ill happily get fired knowing I didnt deprive a hungry kid from food thats going to waste. One of my coworkers has pet pigs; we smuggle out all the leftovers for her in trash bags to feed them. If youre interested in helping curb your childs schools waste, check out how to get the ball rolling. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet. Russian schools will begin teaching "the basics of the combat use of drones" as part of a basic military training course on 1 September. [the day when the school year traditionally starts in post-Soviet countries]. Source: Kremlin-aligned news agency RIA Novosti, citing a statement by Artem Sheikin, Chairman of the Council for the Development of the Digital Economy under the Russian Federation Council [the upper chamber of the Russian parliament]; Latvia-based Russian media outlet Meduza Details: Sheikin said the proposal had been forwarded to the Russian Defence Minister. It has been considered and supported, including by the Russian Ministry of Education. The Russian Defence Ministry's response claims that the programme provides for "studying the types, purpose, tactical and technical characteristics and general construction, conducting reconnaissance of the area and ways to counter enemy UAVs". Quote: "The Russian Ministry of Education has approved the programme, which should be implemented in educational institutions and Avangard military-patriotic youth education centres starting in September this year." Background: In April, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for the introduction of drone piloting courses in schools. In early June, Russian media reported that Russian schools had begun purchasing "training UAVs" and other equipment necessary to teach children to fly drones. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Coral Reef Getty Images/by wildestanimal Things are not looking good for coral. Thanks to human-caused climate change, driven by the burning of fossil fuels, the marine invertebrates are turning white (or "bleaching") en masse as they succumb to stress from the increasing heat. When they die, the rest of the underwater ecosystem often becomes devoid of life. In addition, corals are struggling from diminished access to nutrients and from the excess light shining on the reefs. Scientists have often concluded that these coral reefs are therefore doomed although a new study suggests that we could avoid coral being bleached into oblivion with a little help from curcumin. In a recent study in the scientific journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, Italian researchers developed an "underwater drug delivery system" at the Genoa Aquarium, studying how curcumin, an antioxidant that can be removed from a plant called turmeric, can significantly reduce coral bleaching. Perhaps just as importantly, the team developed a biodegradable biomaterial that can deliver curcumin molecules to the corals without damaging the surrounding areas of the reef ecosystem. Because curcumin is a natural product that easily breaks down, it is unlikely to have toxic off-target effects. "For massive or encrusting coral growth forms, the application of film materials could be challenging, but antioxidants could be delivered using other platforms such as particles, fibers, or hydrogels," the authors report, adding that "antioxidants such as curcumin can be a powerful tool for tackling coral bleaching." SELMA, ALABAMA - MARCH 06: People march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge with placards bearing the image of the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis, for whom the most recent voting rights bill is named, during commemorations for the 57th anniversary of Bloody Sunday on March 06, 2022 in Selma, Alabama. Alabamas Republican-led state legislature has officially gone rogue. After much anticipation, Alabama released a proposal for its congressional map that appears to directly violate a recent Supreme Court voting rights decision. To back up a bit, last month, the Supreme Court ruled that Alabamas legislature violated the rights of Black voters by only drafting one majority Black district. (The state is 27 percent Black). The court ordered the state to redraw its congressional map to include two districts where Black voters were in the majority, or something quite close to it. Read more As simple as this sounds, clearly someone over at the state legislature must have gotten their wires crossed. On Monday, the state legislature released a new map proposal that includes, you guessed it, only one Black majority district. Throughout the week, there have been several proposed maps, none of which include two majority-Black districts. Alabama Democratic State Representative Chris England tweeted that the latest map proposal, which is being considered today, includes one congressional district that is roughly 51 percent Black and another district that is less than 40 percent Black. For those doing the math at home, that map is far from the two majority Black districts or close to it, mandated by the Supreme Court. Naturally, voting rights activists and Democrats are not super pleased with the results. Former United States Attorney General Eric Holder called out Republican lawmakers in Alabama in a searing tweet. Republicans in Alabama put forth a map that both defies the Supreme Court and minimizes the power of black voters. Arrogance combined with racial animus - too typical of the shameful history of that party in that state. We remain in the fight for fairness. https://t.co/KpwHqjGPgA Eric Holder (@EricHolder) July 18, 2023 Republicans in Alabama put forth a map that both defies the Supreme Court and minimizes the power of black voters, wrote Holder. Arrogance combined with racial animus - too typical of the shameful history of that party in that state. We remain in the fight for fairness. Story continues Maps like these, diluting the power of Black voters, are hardly novel. Governor Ron DeSantis has waged an all-out war on Black voters through racial gerrymandering in Florida. Voting rights groups sued Florida over their latest map, arguing it was racially discriminatory. In Alabama, it seems likely well see litigation challenging the validity of their congressional map. 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. An anonymous donor who pledged $500 million in matching funds to a small Kansas college making it one of the largest gifts to any higher education institution has pledged another $500 million, McPherson College announced Friday. The gifts, once received, will bring the colleges endowment to $1.59 billion, which breaks down to $1.99 million per student. The college has about 800 students. McPherson College says the donations will make its endowment the largest of any small liberal arts college in the country. Today is historic, not just for McPherson College, but for all small liberal arts colleges in America, McPherson College President Michael Schneider said in a news release. I am incredibly grateful to our anonymous donor for giving us an unprecedented opportunity and responsibility to build and implement our strategic vision of becoming a destination learning community. The anonymous donor will pay the money over time or in full at their death. The colleges endowment will be named after two late professors: Drs. John Ward and John Burkholder. Typically, money generated from endowment investments is used to help support colleges and universities. McPherson College first announced in November that an anonymous donor would donate $2 for every $1 donated up to $500 million. The college had until June 1 to raise the funds. The colleges endowment at that time was $53.5 million. The goal was to bring it to $1 billion. Before the $500 million pledge, the largest donation to the college had been $25 million from the Lundquists. Richard Lundquist made his wealth as a real estate developer in California. He and his wife, Melanie, were in attendance for the announcement. They also pledged another $25 million that day. The Lundquists are part of The Giving Pledge, a group started by Warren Buffet and Bill and Melinda Gates that invited billionaires to give away most of their wealth either during their lives or in their will. Story continues They were drawn to McPherson College because of its unique automotive program. The Lundquists have donated a rare 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona worth more than $600,000 to the college. The Ferrari has been on display at the college, but is used for educational purposes. The unique auto program also attracted car enthusiast and former late-night talk show host Jay Leno. He has two endowed scholarships through the college. The $1 billion total commitment from an anonymous donor is one of the highest known endowment gifts. The $500 million originally announced was tied for the 13th largest tracked by The Chronicle of Higher Education. Tied with it is $500 million given to Harvard University by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan. There are only five donations of $1 billion or more, according to Higher Education. Only one of those is for an endowment. The others are a scholarship or support the universities in different ways. Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. If your commute to and from work seems shorter than before, youre not alone. In fact, most travel across Central Florida has gotten speedier. Read: Amazons palm-scanning payment device coming to more than 500 Whole Food stores Orlando Business Journal examined U.S. Census Bureau data for Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties to see which one has the longest commute, as well as how they stack up alongside other travel data. In fact, of the six Central Florida counties, only one has increased in average commute time between 2019-2021. Below is a chart of the average travel time by each Central Florida county: Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website. The Department of Justice plans to sue Texas for deploying a floating barricade at the southern border, according to a letter to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott obtained by POLITICO. Abbotts response: Ill see you in court, Mr. President. In its Thursday letter, the DOJ cited the "unlawful construction of a floating barrier in the Rio Grande River" and asserted that the barrier might impede the federal government's "official duties." The letter did not address any migrant-related concerns at the Texas-Mexico border, but DOJ spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa said Friday that "the department is aware of the troubling reports, and we are working with DHS and other relevant agencies to assess the situation. Later Friday, White House Assistant Press Secretary Abdullah Hasan assured reporters that President Joe Biden's border policies are "working" and that illegal immigration is "down to the lowest levels in over two years." Governor Abbotts dangerous and unlawful actions are undermining our effective border enforcement plan and making it hard for CBP to do their jobs of securing the border," Hasan said. "The governors actions are cruel and putting both migrants and border agents in danger. The Department of Justice made clear that it is prepared to take the governor to court if he doesnt immediately remove the unlawful structures in the Rio Grande. A group of 87 congressional Democrats also penned a letter to the president on Friday, asking him to intervene in Texas border practices. Led by Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas, the lawmakers expressed profound concern about Abbotts border policies, known as Operation Lone Star. The letter asked the federal government to immediately intervene, citing reports of barbaric practices making the border areas death traps for migrants, and arguing that the border policies interfere in the federal enforcement of immigration laws and violate U.S.-Mexico border treaties. Story continues According to The Associated Press, Mexicos top diplomat, Foreign Relations Secretary Alicia Barcena, also filed a complaint to the U.S. government last week, alleging that Texas makeshift floating border on the Rio Grande may violate two treaties. Abbott responded to the concerns around Operation Lone Star in a series of tweets Friday afternoon, centering the blame on Biden and stating: Texas is stepping up to address this crisis. The tragic humanitarian crisis on the border was created because of Bidens refusal to secure the border, Abbott wrote. His open border policies encourage migrants to risk their lives crossing illegally through the Rio Grande, instead of safely and legally over a bridge. The political skirmish is the latest in a prolonged battle over border policies between Republican governors and the Biden administration, with state leaders like Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sending migrants to Democratic-led cities as a show of protest against federal immigration policies. According to the San Antonio Express-News, National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety troops received orders to push migrant children into the Rio Grande River and to withhold water from migrants experiencing heat exhaustion. The report also detailed incidents of migrants being injured by razor wire placed along an unsanctioned, makeshift buoy wall in the Rio Grande, including a pregnant woman having a miscarriage and a teen who broke their leg trying to cross the wire. Josh Gerstein and Myah Ward contributed to this report. Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated biographical thriller "Oppenheimer" has drawn attention for its dynamos before and behind the big screen. Cillian Murphy portrays the story's titular character, J. Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist who led the effort to develop the world's first nuclear weapon during WWII. The work on the Manhattan Project resulted in the U.S. dropping two atomic bombs on Japan, and worldwide nuclear proliferation. In addition to Murphy, the film features Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh and more playing physicists and figures in Oppenheimer's life. Below find the faces of the actors and the historical figures they portray in the film. Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer (Universal Pictures, AP) "Peaky Blinders" actor Cillian Murphy takes on the film's titular character, Julius Robert Oppenheimer. Best known as the father of the atomic bomb, Oppenheimer led the development of the Manhattan Project during World War II, which produced the world's first nuclear bomb. Oppenheimer was a graduate of Harvard University and received his Ph.D. from the University of Gottingen, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He later went on to teach physics at the University of California at Berkeley and the California Institute of Technology. During World War II, scientists like Albert Einstein, who'd been forced to flee Nazi Germany, warned the United States government that the country was engineering a nuclear bomb. Einstein later called his letter to former president Franklin Delano Roosevelt his "one great mistake." In response, the U.S. Army launched the Manhattan Project in order to develop its own. Oppenheimer became the director of a laboratory in 1942. Three years later, in August 1945, the U.S. used two nuclear weapons to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, ending the war. Emily Blunt as Katherine Kitty Oppenheimer Emily Blunt, Katherine-Kitty Oppenheimer (Universal Pictures, AP) The "Mary Poppins" star portrays Katherine Oppenheimer, a German American biologist who was also the wife of the atomic bomb creator. Story continues According to Atomic Heritage Foundation, Kitty moved from Germany to the United States at the age of two and later graduated with a degree in botany from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to her marriage to Oppenheimer, Kitty was married two other times. She remained married to the famous physicist from 1940 until his death in 1967, and the couple had two children together: Peter Oppenheimer and Katherine "Toni" Oppenheimer Silber. Kitty moved with her husband and children to the site of the Manhattan Project's development in Los Alamos, New Mexico, according to Britannica. While there, she worked as a laboratory technician studying the impacts of radiation on humans. Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock Jean Tatlock (Universal Pictures, Library of Congress) Florence Pugh steps into the shoes of the American psychiatrist and physician who had a romantic relationship with J. Robert Oppenheimer before his marriage to Kitty. According to the book "An Atomic Love Story: The Extraordinary Women in Robert Oppenheimers Life" Tatlock was a member of the Communist Party. In June 1943, Tatlock and Oppenheimer had a one-night affair in which intelligence agents listened in on, according to Britannica. The affair would later be exposed in 1954 during the United States Atomic Energy Commission's security hearing involving the physicist, which resulted in his security clearance being revoked. Matt Damon as Leslie Groves Matt Damon as Leslie Groves (Universal Pictures, AP) Academy Award winner Matt Damon plays Lieutenant General Leslie Richard Groves Jr., a West Point graduate and an influential United States Army Corps of Engineers officer. Prior to heading the Manhattan Project, Groves led the construction of the Pentagon from 1941 to 1943. Groves selected Oppenheimer as the director of the Manhattan Project, per the Atomic Heritage Foundation. Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss (Universal Pictures, AP) The man behind "Iron Man" is Lewis Strauss, former chair of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. The conflict between Strauss and Oppenheimer vacillated between personal and professional issues. The two found themselves in opposition when it came to the creation of a hydrogen bomb, which Oppenheimer disagreed with. Strauss who was active in his Jewish faith also took with Oppenheimer's lack of dedication to Judaism. In 1954, Strauss pushed for the revocation of Oppenheimer's security clearance during the Oppenheimer security hearing. Rami Malek as David Hill Oppenheimer (Melinda Sue Gordon / Universal Pictures) Rami Malek, who played Freddie Mercury in the biopic "Bohemian Rhapsody," is David Hill, a physicist who worked with Oppenheimer at the Los Alamos Laboratory. Dylan Arnold as Frank Oppenheimer Dr. Frank P. Oppenheimer (Universal Pictures, Bettman Archive) Dylan Arnold gained fandom with his role as Theo in the Netflix thriller series "You" and Part as Noah in the After romance series. In "Oppenheimer," he plays the titular character's younger brother Frank Oppenheimer. Tom Conti as Albert Einstein Tom Conti is Albert Einstein (Universal Pictures, Corbis) Scottish actor Tom Conti portrays the famed physicist Albert Einstein who developed the theory of relativity. He signed the EinsteinSzilard letter, which was sent to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 in order to alert him of Germanys nuclear weapons program. In an interview with Newsweek Magazine after the war, Einstein said, "Had I known that the Germans would not succeed in developing an atomic bomb, I would have done nothing. This article was originally published on TODAY.com Alabama seeks to execute a prisoner using lethal injection for the first time since the state halted executions due to complications with IV insertion. James Barber, 64, was found guilty of murder in the 2001 death of 75-year-old Dorothy Epps. Death via Lethal Injection On Thursday night, July 20, Barber will be executed in a South Alabama jail. This will be Alabama's first planned sentence since Governor Kay Ivey temporarily halted all executions in November 2022 to undertake an internal investigation. According to CNN, two executions were previously postponed due to issues placing IVs into the veins of the convicted men, prompting Ivey to request an inquiry. The state has denied claims made by advocacy organizations that a third execution, carried out after a delay due to IV issues, was mishandled. In 2001, Barber was proven guilty of murder in the beating death of Epps. Barber, a handyman who was acquainted with Epps' daughter, allegedly admitted to the brutal killing of Epps and stealing her purse. The court followed the jury's unanimous recommendation to execute the defendant. Oklahoma was also preparing to execute Jemaine Cannon, who stabbed a Tulsa woman to death after escaping from a prison labor program in 1995, as reported by News24. Cannon's execution happens to be on the same day Alabama is slated to execute Barber. Also Read: Gilgo Beach Serial Killer Hired by Donald Trump for Architect Job at NYC Property Plea for Preventing the Execution In a report by ABC News, Barber's lawyers have sought a federal court to stop the execution via lethal injection, citing the state's troubled history. "Defendants have failed to carry out a lethal injection execution in a constitutional manner not once, not twice, but three times in a row... And all three failures suffered from the same underlying problem: protracted efforts to establish IV access," according to a court petition made by Barber's attorneys with the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals. However, the 11th US Circuit rejected the request to prevent the execution. Following a study of state processes, the judges concluded that "Barber's claim that the same pattern would continue to occur" was only speculative. For Maya Foa, head of the anti-death penalty organization Reprieve, it is shocking that Barber is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection in Alabama, given its history with the method. "Three executions in a row went horribly wrong in Alabama last year, yet officials have asserted that 'no deficiencies' were found in their execution process." Alabama's attorney general has already asked the courts to allow the death penalty to be carried out. The state maintained that the Department of Corrections made a sincere attempt to address the issues and provided evidence that the staff members responsible for installing IV lines had the necessary credentials. The Alabama attorney general's office said in a court statement: "Mrs. Epps and her family have waited for justice for twenty-two years." Also Read: Minnesota Man Who Beheaded His Girlfriend in Front of Witnesses in 2021, Acquitted @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. An orange-tinted white fire blasts from the bottom of a rocket rising in the center of the image. The ground is obscured by fog as the rocket begins to climb a black sky. SpaceX sure knows how to photograph a rocket launch. SpaceX launched 15 of its Starlink satellites into orbit overnight, steadily adding to the company's broadband megaconstellation. Liftoff of the Falcon 9 rocket occurred at 12:09 a.m. EDT, June 20 (0409 GMT, 9:09 p.m., July 19, local California time), from SpaceX's facilities at Vandenberg Space Force Base. This was the 10th liftoff for this booster, and the 48th launch so far this year for SpaceX. Approximately 9.5 minutes after launch, the rocket's first stage successfully landed on SpaceX's autonomous drone ship Of Course I Still Love You, located in the Pacific Ocean. Related: 8 ways SpaceX has transformed space travel Vandenberg, which is known for being generally foggy and overcast for the majority of the launches it sees, experienced an unusually clear night, with only a thin layer of fog covering the launch area. An orange-tinted white fire blasts from the bottom of a rocket rising in the center of the image. The ground is obscured by fog as the rocket begins to climb a black sky. A few hours after launch, SpaceX tweeted some photos of Falcon 9's ascent that gorgeously capture the rocket's picturesque journey to orbit. A tall streak of light rises from a low, fog-covered ground into a dark sky streaked with the movement of the stars, captured through the camera's long exposure to the light. The 15 Starlink satellites were delivered to low Earth orbit (LEO), where they will contribute to the expansion of SpaceX's enormous satellite internet network. An aurora of white spread out from a pinpoint in the sky like mist from a hose, highlighting the rocket's expanding plume as it climbs the atmosphere against a dark, starry night sky. SpaceX has launched nearly 4,500 Starlink satellites to date, and has clearance to increase that number up to 12,000. The faint image of a rocket is seen in the shadows of the black night sky as a yellow-white fire bursts from its end, fading to shades of blue and purple as the rocket ascends. The company's ultimate goal for their internet service are much loftier, however, as they are currently seeking approval to increase the megaconstellation by an additional 30,000 satellites. A tall streak of light rises across the image from silhouetted trees in the foreground, against a dark, starry sky Related Stories: SpaceX rocket launches on record-setting 15th mission, lands on ship at sea (video) SpaceX Starlink satellites had to make 25,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers in just 6 months and it will only get worse SpaceX aborts Starlink satellite launch with 5 seconds left in countdown Earlier this morning, SpaceX tweeted another round of photos from last night's launch, which further captures Falcon's fiery liftoff against California's starry night sky. As their steady routine of rocket launches continues, the next Starlink mission is scheduled in just two days. On Saturday (July 22), SpaceX will launch another batch of the satellites from Launch Complex-40, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 7:31 p.m. EDT (2331 GMT). Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, talks to members of the media after a roundtable discussion in West Jordan on Friday, May 5, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah was one of the lead negotiators as a Senate committee worked to clear the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Response Act. The bill passed the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Thursday, in a 17-3 vote. Romney, a Republican, is a member of the committee. It is an extensive piece of legislation and it is designed to put in place some of the learning that we have as a result of the failures of our response to disasters, whether it was the pandemic or other natural disasters which have occurred, Romney said in his remarks on the Senate floor. He worked alongside Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., ranking member and chairman of the committee, respectively, as well as Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., to secure several important additions to the bill. COVID-19 showed us that we were ill-equipped to handle a global pandemic of that scale, said Casey. Three years after COVID, we cannot forget the devastation and fear we all felt, and we must be prepared to fight back against the next public health crises. The virus was the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2022, following heart disease, cancer and unintentional injuries, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. Related The bill seeks to establish a five-year pilot program, the Center for Public Health Data, to track and provide real-time data on infectious diseases, as proposed by Romney. I think a lot of us were frustrated that the only way we could get good data on COVID statistics was by going to Johns Hopkins. Youd think that maybe the CDC would have good data, but it didnt, Romney said. Former United States Commissioner of Food and Drugs Scott Gottlieb previously tweeted that the measure addresses gaps seen in the response to the coronavirus and monkeypox. Story continues Another key measure is meant to strengthen and expand systems that track the presence of pathogens in wastewater. As the Deseret News reported, wastewater data collection was an important tool to fight COVID-19 after an increase in the use of at-home tests that were rarely shared with local health agencies. This bill will propel Utahs already sophisticated wastewater monitoring technology and provide funding for more research and development. Related Additionally, it includes provisions that strengthen the countrys public health system like requiring public health departments to take into account input from faith groups, expanding the representation of senior citizens and individuals with disabilities to advise the federal government, and banning the funding of research conducted in foreign countries like China. The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Response Act was first enacted in 2006 but drew attention during the pandemic when it steered the federal response to the crisis. The American Society for Microbiology issued a statement saying, the reauthorization of this legislation is an important opportunity to improve our nations ability to respond in a timely and coordinated manner to public health threats. U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) issued a statement Thursday seemingly criticizing Sen. Rand Pauls (R-Ky.) blocking of votes on diplomatic nominees. Menendez called out Republican committee members for needless obstruction in the statement, but he specifically highlighted the blatant refusal by one member against the progression of well-qualified nominees. Pauls vote-blocking tactic is an attempt to gain information from President Bidens administration on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. I have made numerous offers to provide access to documents in the Committees possession and accommodate requests for information, but these attempts have been met with continued obstruction and further, more unreasonable demands, Menendez said in the statement. I refuse to let this Committees work be disrupted by such antics. Paul responded to Menedezs comments through a statement provided to The Hill by his office. A million Americans died from COVID. The FBI, DOE, and many leading scientists have concluded that the virus likely leaked from a lab in Wuhan. USAID funded research in Wuhan and refuses to release documents from its $200 million PREDICT program. When they release the info, Ill release the nominations, he said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote a letter to Senators Monday calling on them to allow the confirmation of the nominees and warning of the possible negative effects of the backup of the nominees confirmations. Sen. Rand Paul wants to investigate origins of COVID-19 If the new standard is that career State nominees are subject to holds unrelated to the merits of their nominations, and must be individually confirmed by floor vote, then our leadership and standing in the world will suffer, with dozens of continuous vacancies that will take years to resolve, if ever, Blinken wrote in the letter. He added, Our diplomatic strength will be weakened and competitors will gain at our expense. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Hunter Biden (left) with his father, current US President Joe Biden A top Senate Republican has released an FBI document detailing an allegation President Joe Biden and his son accepted bribes from a Ukrainian firm. Chuck Grassley, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said: "The American people can now read this document for themselves." The unclassified memo is a June 2020 internal FBI report outlining claims by a foreign informant. There is no evidence that Joe Biden received any payments from Ukraine. Senior congressional Republicans have acknowledged the allegation is unverified. The memo contains a claim that Hunter Biden was hired by the Ukrainian energy company, Burisma, in 2013 as a way to gain support from his father, who was the US vice-president at the time. It also alleges that Burisma made two $5m (3.9m) payments to "the Bidens" as part of its efforts to remove Ukraine's prosecutor general at the time, Viktor Shokin - and that there were audio recordings of both Hunter and Joe Biden that supported this. The informant told the FBI he had learned these details during conversations he had with the Burisma chief executive and other company officials in 2015 or 2016. Chuck Grassley said releasing the FBI document was in the public interest Vice-President Biden had publicly pressed for Mr Shokin's removal as part of a larger effort by the Obama administration and US allies due to concerns that he was ineffective in tackling corruption in Ukraine. Mr Grassley, an Iowa senator, says he obtained a lightly redacted copy of the memo from a justice department "whistleblower" and decided releasing it was in the public interest. He and other Republicans have said the FBI considers the informant to be highly credible, but the report details how the informant said he could not vouch for the accuracy of the information he was passing along. Mr Grassley tweeted a copy of the memo on Thursday. He said voters could now make their own minds up "without the filter of politicians or bureaucrats". Story continues Its public release, however, is a highly unusual move and could further inflame tensions between congressional Republicans and the FBI and Biden administration officials. Since regaining a majority last year in the House of Representatives after four years of Democratic control, Republicans have launched a range of investigations into President Biden and his family. The allegations detailed in the FBI document are similar to ones aired over the past several years by Mr Biden's political opponents, including former Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who had repeatedly travelled to Ukraine to conduct his own personal investigations. Mr Giuliani's accusations against the Bidens became a focus of Mr Trump's first impeachment trial in 2019, which centred on the then-president's efforts to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce he was launching an investigation into Joe Biden's supposed ties to Burisma. Bill Barr led the corruption inquiry in 2020 Bill Barr, the attorney general under Mr Trump, opened a justice department inquiry into the allegations in 2020. He told the Federalist last month that he passed the case on to the US attorney in Joe Biden's home state of Delaware. No charges were ever filed in the case. White House spokesman Ian Sams said: "It is remarkable that congressional Republicans, in their eagerness to go after President Biden regardless of the truth, continue to push claims that have been debunked for years. "It's clear that congressional Republicans are dead-set on playing shameless, dishonest politics and refuse to let truth get in the way." Congressional Republicans learned of the existence of the FBI document detailing the informant's account earlier this year. They had pressed FBI Director Chris Wray to provide it to the House Oversight Committee - going so far as to threaten to hold him in contempt of Congress if he refused to comply. He eventually provided members of the committee with the opportunity to privately access a redacted version, but warned that a public release would jeopardise FBI intelligence-gathering methods. "We have repeatedly explained to Congress, in correspondence and in briefings, how critical it is to keep this source information confidential," the FBI said in a statement. "Today's release of the 1023 - at a minimum - unnecessarily risks the safety of a confidential source." After a private review of the document last month, Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said it contained only unfounded, second-hand accusations and no new details. The FBI officials have described FD-1023 forms as a means to document "raw, unverified" intelligence information that does not reflect the conclusions of investigators. "Recording this information does not validate it, establish its credibility, or weigh it against other information known or developed by the FBI in our investigations," the agency said in a recent statement. Even Senator Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican who with Mr Grassley wrote a Senate report on Hunter Biden, has sounded sceptical about the memo. According to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, he told a conservative radio show host Vicki McKenna last month: "This could be coming from a very corrupt oligarch who could be making this stuff up." Donald Trump Pete Marovich/Getty Images Fulton County, Ga. District Attorney Fani Willis has amassed enough evidence in the investigation of former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss to charge a "sprawling racketeering indictment" next month, according to The Guardian. Willis previously said she was considering racketeering charges but the report adds new details about the scope of the charges prosecutors are expected to seek early next month. Georgia's racketeering statute requires prosecutors to show the existence of an "enterprise" and a pattern of racketeering activity predicated on at least two "qualifying" crimes," The Guardian's Hugo Lowell explained. In the Trump probe, Willis has evidence to pursue a racketeering indictment predicated on statutes related to influencing witnesses and computer trespass, two sources briefed on the matter told the outlet. The state's racketeering statute is more expansive than the federal one because "any attempts to solicit or coerce the qualifying crimes can be included as predicate acts of racketeering activity, even when those crimes cannot be indicted separately," Lowell explained. It's unclear what evidence may be used but the charge related to influencing witnesses could include Trump's call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger asking him to "find" enough votes to reverse his loss. The computer trespass charge, where prosecutors would have to show that defendants improperly used a computer or network to interfere with a program or data, could include a breach of voting machines in Coffee County, the two sources told The Guardian. A group of Trump operatives funded by former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell accessed the county's voting machines and copied sensitive data. The data from the Dominion Voting System machines was then uploaded to a site that allowed election deniers to download the materials in an effort to prove Trump's debunked election fraud conspiracy theories. Story continues Though Coffee County is outside of the Fulton DA's jurisdiction, the racketeering statute would allow prosecutors to charge Trump operatives over the matter by showing it was part of a larger conspiracy to keep Trump in power. Texts obtained by CNN showed that operatives hired by Powell also sought to use the data to try to decertify other statewide elections. Former federal prosecutor Michael Zeldin told CNN in April that the texts suggest violations of multiple state and federal laws. "What we have here is unauthorized access to this privileged computer data," Zeldin said at the time. "There is a conspiracy to acquire and improperly distribute that data. There is probably a crime of interfering with the rights of the people of Georgia to have a free and fair election. And this is a series of crimes, a pattern of criminal activity, then it could possibly violate the Georgia RICO statute, which criminalizes a series of criminal activities by the same person or group of persons, so there's a lot at stake here." He added that the texts may be even "more damning" than Trump's call to Raffensperger. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Willis' investigation has spanned more than two years. A special grand jury in Atlanta heard evidence for seven months and recommended charges against more than a dozen people, the forewoman told media outlets earlier this year. Willis is now presenting evidence to a regular grand jury that has the power to hand down indictments. Charges from Willis are expected to come in late July or early August. Read more about the Fulton probe Sewage leaked into ditches along Lake Louise Road and into Beaver Creek, a tributary of Lake Whatcom near Sudden Valley, prompting a health alert Thursday for those who drink water directly from the lake. Justin Clary, general manager of the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District, said the leak happened about 7:45 a.m. Thursday and lasted about an hour. Exactly how much sewage spilled wasnt immediately known, Clary told The Bellingham Herald. Water utility officials notified the Whatcom County Department of Health and Community Services and issued a statement warning of potential health risks. Residents who draw their drinking water directly from Lake Whatcom [should] bring their water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before consuming. For those households with a disinfection treatment system, it is recommended that the treatment system be inspected to ensure it is working properly, the statement said. That alert does not affect drinking water that goes to households who are customers of the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District or the city of Bellingham. Only about 250 households take water directly from Lake Whatcom, which is the drinking water source for about 100,000 Whatcom County residents, according to the Lake Whatcom Management Program operated jointly by Whatcom County and the city of Bellingham. Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District serves 11,000 customers in the communities of Geneva and Sudden Valley, and along the lakes north shore. Total amount of sewage spilled will be included in a report to the state Department of Ecology, Clary said. The overflow only occurred when the lift station was actively pumping. So we will be able to look at our facility data to determine how many times the pumps operated during that period to estimate the volume pumped through the pipeline, he said in an email. Photograph: Andre Penner/AP Brazil saw a disturbing increase in sexual violence against women and children in 2022, according to new figures which paint a worrying picture of a country that is failing to protect its young and female population, particularly in their own homes. Related: Brazilian constitution translated into Indigenous language for first time The data, published on Thursday by the Brazilian Public Security Forum showed that reported rapes increased 8.2% to an all-time high of 74,930 last year, while rape cases among minors grew 15.3%. Females make up 88.7% of rape victims, and a staggering 61.4% are children aged 13 or younger. Brazil has become more violent for children, adolescents and women in general. All the crimes that take place principally at home increased last year, said Samira Bueno, the Forums executive director. All types of violence against minors increased, including child maltreatment (up 13.8%), child and youth pornography (7%) and sexual exploitation (16.4%). It would be hard to present a worse scenario in relation to violence against children and adolescents than that which emerged in 2022, the report reads. Experts believe the numbers partly reflect the effects of lockdowns and school closures during the Covid-19 pandemic, which left children more vulnerable to abuse at home and without the support network schools often provide in catching abuse early. Violence against women also exploded in 2022, the final year of the ultra-conservative Jair Bolsonaro government that oversaw a string of setbacks to the gender rights agenda. [The previous government] picked the gender debate as an enemy that must be defeated, said Bueno, adding that Bolsonaros misogynistic discourse trickled down into both public policy and peoples behaviour with an ultimately harmful impact on womens lives. Brazils domestic violence hotline received an average of 102 calls an hour in 2022, amid an increase in domestic attacks and threats, while femicides grew 6.1%. Nearly three-quarters of femicide victims were killed inside their own home and by their current or former partner. Story continues Other forms of sexual violence, including stalking, assault and harassment, all registered sharp increases. Related: We wrap services around women: Brazils innovative domestic violence centre Marisa Sanematsu of the Patricia Galvao institute, a womens rights organisation, said she believed more victims were speaking out amid a growing awareness of legal protections and increasing intolerance of behaviour such as sexual harassment, which was made a crime in 2018. These numbers are a warning that should raise awareness in society, showing there is a problem that must be confronted, she said. The rise in violence against gender minorities and children contrasts with a 2.4% drop in intentional violent deaths which include homicides, femicides and robberies leading to death to 47,508, the lowest figure on record. However, killings committed by police officers rose to 6,430, an average of 17 murders a day. The Amazon region stands out as suffering from high levels of violence, with the homicide rate in Amazon cities 54% higher than the national average a reflection of Bolsonaros destructive policy towards the rainforest which allowed crime to run rampant, leading to the murders last year of British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira. Bolsonaros laissez-faire approach to the illegal exploitation of natural resources in the Amazon also explains higher levels of gender violence there, said Bueno. Other things orbit around these illegal activities illegal mining on Indigenous territory will resolve conflicts with bullets. And what comes with illegal mining? Sexual exploitation of children, prostitution. The Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva government has already taken steps that address the main public security challenges highlighted by the report and will announce further measures this Friday, the justice minister, Flavio Dino, said on Twitter. These include a plan to contain growing violence in the Amazon, cracking down on irresponsible gun ownership, measures specifically targeting racism and gender-based violence, and increased efforts from the federal police to fight internet-based crimes. Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. In the US, Rainn offers support on 800-656-4673. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 500 2222. In Australia, support is available at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Other international helplines can be found at ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html [Source] Shannon Lee thanked her late father, Bruce Lee, and her late brother, Brandon Lee, for showing her "what it is to feel safe and loved" in a recent essay. About the essay: Lees essay was published by People on her fathers 50th death anniversary on Thursday. The 54-year-old actor expressed gratitude to both her brother, who died on the set of The Crow in 1993 following a gun prop accident, and her father. "Baba, Bran, there is nothing I could tell you that you dont already know. But as I am often reminded, the telling isnt for anyone other than myself. So 30 and 50 years later, what do I need to give voice to so much so that otherwise my soul might not be quite as free?" her essay starts. She thanked both men for teaching her what true bravery is the courage to be yourself, to admit your mistakes and grow, to share your soul with the world, to pursue what you love, to fiercely protect those who need protection, to work hard, to strive for peace, to be ever optimistic, and to fully live." More from NextShark: Sandra Oh and Jung Ho-yeon on the same pressures they face, nearly 20 years apart Thank you for teaching me that nothing is ever lost, just transformed, Lee also wrote. It took me a long time to understand and trust that we are connected just as strongly now through the energy that you shared with me and all youve touched. Bruce Lees death: The martial arts legend died of cerebral oedema, or a swelling of the brain, on July 20, 1973, at the age of 32. Last year, kidney specialists from Spain claimed that he might have died from drinking too much water. Paying tribute: Lee and her daughter, Wren, also paid tribute to their father and grandfather, respectively, in an Instagram post on Thursday as they reflected on the icons legacy 50 years after his death. More from NextShark: TWICE among honorees of 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards More from NextShark: Jackie Chan reveals 'Rush Hour 4' is in the works MELBOURNE, Australia The first of four German-built diesel-electric attack submarines has arrived in Singapore, the Southeast Asian nations Defence Ministry announced. The Impeccable was received at Singapores RSS SingapuraChangi Naval Base on Thursday during a homecoming ceremony attended by the Republic of Singapore Navy chief Rear Adm. Sean Wat and other senior officers. The submarine was brought to Singapore from the facilities of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems onboard the chartered, civilian-operated heavy load carrier Rolldock Storm. The vessel had arrived in Singapore on July 8 after a voyage from the German port of Kiel that started in late May. Singapore has received the submarine Impeccable from German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. (Singaporean Defence Ministry) Launched in December 2022, the Impeccable is the second of four Invincible-class submarines ordered by Singapore. Also known as the Type 218SG, the boats are designed for operations in Singapores shallow and busy tropical waters, having been custom-built for the nations needs, according to a media release issued by the Defence Ministry. The ministry noted the submarines possess state-of-the-art capabilities, including high levels of automation, significant payload capacity, enhanced underwater endurance, and ergonomics optimised for the Asian physique. Invincible-class subs measure 230 feet and displace 2,200 tons when submerged. The boats feature air-independent propulsion systems and have an X-rudder configuration similar to the ThyssenKrupp-made Type 212 design for better maneuverability in shallow, congested waters. The Impeccable will subsequently undergo a series of local sea trials to reach full operational capability with the Republic of Singapore Navy. The lead boat of the class, the Invincible, remains in Germany to support the training of Singaporean submariners. The last two submarines of the class are currently under construction in Germany. Singapore plans to use the new submarines to replace a similar number of secondhand subs acquired from Sweden and customized for operations in waterways around Singapore. The island nation sits astride the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea, which are some of the busiest commercial shipping lanes in the world. Singapores economy is highly dependent on the global maritime trade, and the country is a close security partner of the U.S. and has longstanding agreements to allow American military ships and aircraft to use its facilities. Becky White, left, poses at her wedding with her mother, the late Patricia Moniz. Moniz was allegedly killed by Amber Nelson in the first week of July in Hendersonville. HENDERSONVILLE - The daughter of an 82-year-old woman who was found dead in her Clear Creek Community home earlier this month gave more details about her mother's life and death in a recent interview with the Times-News. The Henderson County Sheriff's Office first reported finding Patricia Moniz dead in her home on Regency Loop Drive in the northern part of the county in the early morning hours of July 6 and charged Amber Nelson, 35, with felony murder and felony larceny of a motor vehicle later that same day. Hendersonville's Rebecca White, Moniz's daughter, said the family realized her mother was missing on July 5, the day after her mother's birthday. Calls to her mother's house were going unanswered and no one had seen or heard from her in more than 24 hours, White said. So she called 911. "They put a silver alert out, and family and friends went looking for her," White said. Later that evening, White said she and her husband went inside her mother's house and found her dead. According to the incident report from the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, the weapon used on Moniz was "a knife/cutting instrument." White said she believed Nelson had been homeless. Patricia Moniz, 82, was killed inside her Hendersonville residence on the night of July 4, according to her daughter, Becky White. "We found out she was staying with my mom that night to get a shower and stay until the next day when friends from church were going to drive her to a rehab center near Charlotte. My mom wouldve driven her there I know, but due to a restricted license couldnt drive on highways," White said. Nelson is being held in the Henderson County Detention Center without bond. Her next scheduled court proceeding is July 25. Nelson's attorney, Will Sullivan, with the Henderson County Public Defender's Office, declined to comment on the case. 'Loving, doting grandma' The family held a funeral for Moniz at Hendersonville Seventh-Day Adventist Church on July 16. Still in shock and mourning, White told the Times-News more about her mother on July 20. Story continues "My mom was born and raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts. She lived there until she was 50 years old and moved to Hendersonville a month before her first granddaughter, Brittany Walters, was born. Her second granddaughter, Heather White, was born in 1994. Her granddaughters brought her so much joy and she was a loving, doting grandma and was so very proud of them," White said. White said she was Moniz's only child. "She raised me as a single mother. She was the hardest-working person I know. She worked several side jobs to support us and keep me in a private Christian school," White said. "She sacrificed everything to give me opportunities she never had. I will love her and forever be grateful for the mother God gave me." 82-year-old woman: 35-year-old charged with murder of 82-year-old woman makes her first court appearance "She loved the Lord with all her heart and used all her talents, money and time to help people in her church and community. For years she organized and ran the Angel Tree ministry in her church, which gives gifts to local children of inmates for Christmas," White said. Moniz had three siblings, Janet Hatcher, Barbara Carreau, Richard Moniz and sister-in-law, Palmiria Moniz. She also has three step-siblings: Virginia Lindahl, John Fonseca and the late Jim Fonseca. White said her mother was an active member of Hendersonville Seventh-Day Adventist Church. "Shed wrap and deliver them all the gifts and loved seeing the joy it brought to the children and their families. For years, She was a sponsor for the prison ministry in her church. Shed take women from the Swannanoa's correctional facility to do errands, shop or just out to eat. She had a passion to help them and would save and find household items, clothes, etc. to help get them settled when they would be released." White said although her mother didn't have much money, she loved going overseas on mission trips. "She loved adventure and traveling and although she had little money for extras, she was able to go on three mission trips that were the highlight of her life. She went to Mexico, Ecuador and Africa," she said. Hendersonville woman charged: Sheriff's Office: Hendersonville woman charged with murder of 82-year-old woman White said her mother also loved painting, wallpapering and any type of yard work. "Years ago the Upward SDA churchs gym needed painting and she did it all herself. Shed visit family and insist on washing their windows, pulling weeds or doing whatever needed to be done. At 81, she was still mowing friends' yards, pulling weeds, chopping down shrubs and small trees, using her small chainsaw much to the chagrin of her family," White said. "She loved to be outside and working hard and did it for them and not for money. She volunteered her time to others all her life, and it just increased after her retirement from Walmart. "She had to be a patient at the Life Care Center after surgery once, and when she recovered she would go back there once a week to help out in their ice cream shop. My mom's joy in life came from being of service to others and sharing Gods love with them. She left a great legacy of love that we all should try to emulate." 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: Daughter of slain 82-year-old Henderson County woman tells her story The UK said Thursday (July 20) the European Union made a "regrettable choice of words" when it referred to the British-run Falkland Islands as the Malvinas, the Spanish name preferred by Argentina. Britain's sentiment was triggered by a declaration from an EU-Latin American summit Tuesday (June 18) referring to the South Atlantic archipelago as the "Islas Malvinas/Falkland Islands," which Argentina celebrated as a diplomatic win. British Outpost in the Southern Atlantic Argentina has long claimed sovereignty over the islands, which are about 480 km (300 mi) from South America and home to some 3,500 people. The country further argued the islands were illegally taken from it in 1833, but the UK said its territorial claim dates back to 1765 and only sent a warship to the islands in 1833 to expel Argentine forces who sought to establish sovereignty over the territory. Argentine President Alberto Fernandez was in Brussels for the landmark summit and deal. He posted on Twitter about the agreement saying the EU and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) have "adopted a motion on the Malvinas Question. "Our sovereignty claim, by peaceful means and through dialogue, remains intact," he added. The matter came to a head when British and Argentine forces fought each other over the control of the Falklands in 1982 in what was called the Falklands War. Argentina briefly seized the islands before British reinforcements drove them out. The conflict claimed the lives of 649 Argentinians, 255 British troops, and three islanders. In 2013, Falklanders overwhelmingly voted in favor of remaining a British overseas territory. It was also during this war that King Charles III's disgraced brother, Prince Andrew, served as a helicopter pilot for the Royal Navy. Read Also: UK Must Rethink AI Regulation to Protect Human Rights, Says Researchers PM Sunak's Aide: EU's Naming 'Regrettable' Some in the UK saw the declaration as a snub to their country after it left the EU in 2020. Max Blain, a representative for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, said the EU officials had since "clarified their position," saying the matter would have been "entirely unacceptable" for the bloc to "question the Falkland Islanders' right to decide their own future. "To be clear, the Falkland Islands are British, that was the choice of the islanders themselves," he added. "The EU has rightly now clarified that their position on the Falklands has not changed after their regrettable choice of words." EU: It's UK's Loss Earlier, European Council President Charles Michel retorted it was no longer the UK's problem if they were offended by the wording, citing Brexit. "The UK is not part of the EU," he told the Financial Times Wednesday (July 19). "They are upset by the use of the word Malvinas. If they were in the EU perhaps they would have pushed back against it." Related Article: UK Tells Argentina to Think Twice, Sends Protest After Royal Navy Drills in Falklands @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Robert Remus Jr. looks back as family members enter the courtroom, Friday, July 21, 2023, before he is sentenced after being convicted of the first-degree premeditated murder of his father, Robert Remus Sr., in 2012. A DeBary man was sentenced Friday to life in prison for killing his father more than a decade ago, a crime prosecutors said was motivated by an attempt to gain control of the father's land in Costa Rica. Robert Remus Jr. strangled his 67-year-old father, Robert Remus Sr., in 2012, tied his body to a barbecue grill, and tossed him from a pontoon boat into the St. Johns River. Remus Jr., 54, was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder, which carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. A jury convicted Remus Jr. June 7 in Circuit Judge Elizabeth Blackburns courtroom at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach. Remus Jr. said declined to make any statements. Robert Remus Junior's sister, Kimberly Kuybus, makes a statement, Friday, July 21, 2023, before her brother is sentenced after being convicted of the first-degree premeditated murder of his father, Robert Remus Sr., in 2012. But his sister, Kimberly Kuybus, of Sanford, said her brother did not kill his father. She said the real killers were still free. "Those two were the closest people," Kuybus said of her father and brother. "They were best friends. They worked together." She said her brother was a good person. "He was a good kind-hearted person and would do anything for anybody," Kuybus said. But prosecutors said there was a criminal side to Remus Jr. Assistant State Attorneys Andrew Urbanak and Joe LeDonne argued that Remus Jr. killed Remus Sr. to gain control of his father's land in Costa Rica, which the son believed was worth $2 million. The pair went for a ride on the fathers pontoon boat on Sept. 8, 2012. They left from a slip at the High Banks Marina, which was part of a trailer park where the father was living. The father was never seen alive again. The judge sentenced Remus Jr. to the mandatory life prison sentence. Remus Jr. did not appear to react to the sentence, which was expected. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: DeBary man gets life for strangling father, throwing him in river On 21 July, the government of South Africa admitted that it had not fulfilled its international obligations, refusing to immediately issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin if he entered the country. Source: European Pravda with reference to the South African edition of News24 Details: Back in May, the South African Ministry of Justice had received a warrant from the International Criminal Court and, as it has now admitted, should have immediately applied to the prosecutor's office for a national warrant for Putin's arrest. Instead, they opted to initiate a consultation procedure with the court in The Hague. At this time, South African and Russian officials publicly stated that Putin could come to the BRICS summit in South Africa despite the ICC warrant (and South Africa is a party to the court and is obliged to comply with it). In this regard, the opposition Democratic Alliance party went to court to oblige the authorities to apply for a warrant for Putin's arrest. On Friday, the court confirmed that the South African authorities did apply to the prosecutor's office for a warrant. This means that now the President of Russia will be arrested if he decides to come to South Africa. The Democratic Alliance, commenting on the message published by the Gauteng court, said that it was public pressure that contributed to the fulfilment by the South African authorities of their obligations under the Rome Statute. Earlier: It was revealed that "by mutual agreement", the Russian president decided not to go to the BRICS summit in the Republic of South Africa, where he should have been arrested on the warrant of the International Criminal Court. Last week, information appeared that South Africa asked Russia to send Lavrov instead of Putin, but was denied. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! This article was originally published in South Dakota Searchlight. Schools are lagging the states target pay for teachers, and the gap is growing, according to data shared with a state board in Pierre. Thats despite the 2016 Legislatures efforts to address the problem by increasing the states sales tax by half a percentage point. This year, the Legislature reduced the state sales tax by three-tenths of a percentage point; meanwhile, the states average teacher pay stands at 49th in the nation. The states Teacher Compensation Review Board conducted its first meeting of 2023 on Monday in Pierre. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter South Dakota was so far behind everyone else, said state Sen. and Board Chair Jim Bolin, R-Canton, a former teacher. We didnt move up significantly in the number of states we passed, but we did close the gap. According to a report shared by the state Department of Education, South Dakota teachers were making an average of $42,025 during the 2015/2016 school year. During the 2016/2017 school year, the number jumped to 46,979. The average teacher salary among the states approximately 10,000 teachers is now an estimated $51,363. The state Department of Education showed slides with a target of $55,756 for this year. And the state may veer further off track from that goal without a significant increase in compensation. The states goal for 2024 is $59,659. South Dakotas average teacher salary ranks only above Mississippi and West Virginia (the rankings extend to No. 51 because Washington, D.C., is included). The state is last among neighboring states, and about 7% of South Dakota teachers leave the profession each year. A presentation shared with the board said the state also faces a teacher shortage, especially in elementary, special education, language arts, fine arts and math. Aberdeen Superintendent Becky Guffin told board members about the consequences of not having adequate staffing. Story continues We no longer have a calculus or statistics class, Guffin said. And I think we used to offer four foreign languages. Well be struggling to have a Spanish class next year. South Dakota Department of Education Secretary Joseph Graves followed that, saying, And theyre not reflected in the data because you cant have an opening for a position you dont have. Graves said the state has a number of efforts in place to improve the situation. Those include advertising to recruit teachers from outside the state, a mentor program, and a pilot program that aims to help about 90 teacher aides from more than 50 school districts become fully certified teachers. Right now, were trying to see if the pilot works, Graves said. Ranking 49th in teacher pay is nothing to celebrate, said state Sen. Reynold Nesiba, D-Sioux Falls, who sits on the review board. Why cant South Dakota be first in the region? Nesiba told South Dakota Searchlight. We should make education the priority that it deserves to be. When budgeting, we start there and build the rest of our budget around that. But we just dont do that. Meanwhile, Gov. Kristi Noem announced Monday that state government closed the 2023 budget year with a surplus of $96.8 million. Bolin said he wants to raise teacher pay. Were doing reasonably well, but not well enough if were wanting to stay competitive, he told South Dakota Searchlight. A dearth of qualified counselors also emerged as a pressing concern during the board meeting. Graves said the state is likely way under the ideal counselor-to-student ratio. You cant hire guidance counselors, Graves said. There just arent any people in that profession. The board, which was created in 2016 when the Legislature raised sales taxes for teacher pay, aims to draft recommendations for the next legislative session in Pierre this winter. The boards next public meeting is scheduled for Aug. 21. South Dakota Searchlight is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. South Dakota Searchlight maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Seth Tupper for questions: info@southdakotasearchlight.com. Follow South Dakota Searchlight on Facebook and Twitter. Little girl sleeping on bed Credit - Getty Images Just outside the South Korean capital of Seoul, two newborn children were found dead in June inside a house freezer, their bodies apparently frozen for years. Their mother, a woman in her 30s, admitted to the police that she had killed her babies, born in 2018 and 2019, due to economic difficulties she was experiencing already taking care of three older children. Less than two weeks later, authorities arrested a young adult couple in Gyeongsang province for allegedly murdering their five-day-old son and dumping his body in a nearby river. The spate of baby killings has shocked the nation and brought heightened attention to the problem of infanticide and the abandonment of newborns in South Korea. In response, lawmakers on Tuesday passed tougher sanctions for committing such crimesincreasing the minimum jail time and fines in the criminal code, with extreme cases to be made punishable by death. Some experts, however, are worried that not enough attention is being paid to the root causes of such tragic events. The new measures are unlikely to deter people who may be in desperate situations, says Cho Hee-kyoung, a law professor at Hongik University in Seoul and columnist for the Korea Herald newspaper. No one who abandons a baby, she tells TIME, is thinking, Oh, the penalty is only two years so I wont be deterred. No one is now going to think, Well, since the penalty has been increased, Id better not do it. Whats actually needed, Cho says, is increased support for single mothers, teen mothers, and other pregnant women at riskas well as better access to baby boxes, or places where parents-in-crisis can safely give up newborns, as a last resort. South Koreas ghost babies When a baby in South Korea is born, the responsibility of registering the child as a citizenor foreign resident if their parents arent Korean nationalsfalls on the parents. South Korean parents are expected to register their children with the local government within 30 days of birth. Story continues But at the end of June, South Koreas health and welfare ministry revealed that between 2015 and 2022, some 6,000 infantsincluding almost 4,000 children born from foreign mothershad birth records in hospitals but were never registered. During the probe, the ministry found that of the 2,123 undocumented Korean infants, dubbed ghost babies, only 1,025 have been confirmed alive, more than 800 remain unaccounted for, and at least 249 have died, with several cases under investigation for foul play. To address the gap in data collection, South Koreas National Assembly in late June passed a bill, which will take effect next year, to require that medical workers, rather than parents, report newborns to local governments within 14 days of birth. And to address violence against newborns, lawmakers this week passed amendments to the criminal code, which will take effect in six months, that elevate the punishment for infanticide from a maximum of 10 years to the same as murder: life imprisonment or the death penalty. For those convicted of abandoning their children, the penalty was raised from a fine of up to $2,340 or two years imprisonment to a fine of $3,900 or three years imprisonment. Questions about excessive punishment Experts warn that heavier penalties are not necessarily effective at reducing crime. Crime deterrence is not achieved simply via strengthening punishments or imposing heavy penalty, Lee In-young, a law professor at Hongik University, wrote in a 2016 study that found that the ramping up of punishments for crimes may serve to quell public anxiety, but it has not correlated with lower crime rates. Theres also a risk that excessive punishments can unfairly target minorities, according to Choi Jeong-hak, a law professor at the Korea National Open University. An overly emotional reaction to certain crimes eventually leads to an inefficient law that can only be applied in a few, specific cases, he wrote in a paper, as quoted by the Korea Herald. Earlier this month, lawmaker Chung Woo-taik of the ruling People Power Party released police data showing that out of 86 people accused of killing infants between 2013 to 2021, 67 suspects were aged 14 to 29, many of them female. Limited access to abortion Why so many unwanted pregnancies are carried to term may have to do with South Koreas lack of access to safe and legal abortion services. Abortion has been decriminalized in the country since the start of 2021 following a constitutional court ruling in 2019, but lawmakers have yet to pass any laws clarifying parameters for the procedure. Those who wish to undergo or perform abortions tread a fine line between legal and illegal, with the murky landscape dissuading many medical practitioners from offering surgical abortion services for fear of being prosecuted. The Mother and Child Health Act, passed in 1973, specifies five instances where abortion is permitted: if the pregnant person or their partner has heritable diseases or disabilities; if the person got pregnant due to rape or incest; or if the continued pregnancy poses a serious health risk. But any other circumstances remain in a legal gray area. Abortion is also not included in the state insurance system, and those who wish to have an abortion have no official database of practitioners to refer to, often relying on advice from the internet or seeking to induce their own abortions despite potential health risks. To date, South Korea has not approved any abortion drugs for use. A 2021 survey of 8,500 women found that nearly 70% of people seeking abortion said it was because of either a childs potential disruption to work or education or their lack of financial security to raise a child. High costs of having children The recent concerns around infanticide in South Korea coincide with ongoing anxiety over the countrys demographic trends. South Korea has the lowest fertility rate in the world, and the elderly are expected to make up a fifth of the population by 2025, putting further strain on its shrinking workforce amid growing demand for social services. The government has aimed to incentivize births through a number of programs, even at one point considering exempting young men from mandatory military service if they father three or more children. But the reasons for not having kids run deep. Aside from an increasing desire to stay single among younger South Koreans, many couples cite high costs of living, long working hours for those with jobs and limited opportunities for the unemployed, an expensive and highly-competitive education system, and pervasive gender inequality among the factors that discourage having children. A shift in social attitudes is also needed in largely conservative South Korea, says Youngmi Kim, a senior lecturer who teaches Korean culture and politics at University of Edinburgh, as cultural expectations over childbearing also play a huge role in discouraging people from having children or driving newborn parents to infanticide. We cannot throw stones only to the mother or related family, Kim explains. There should be a supportive environment for that. Kim Min-jung, president of the non-profit Korea Unwed Mothers Families Association, says that rather than just penalizing those who do not wish to have children, there needs to be better assistance available for couples who encounter roadblocks in raising and rearing them. It is not easy for a mother to think about giving birth and raising a child without an economic foundation, she tells TIME. It is necessary to show parents who are in desperate situations how they can get support and help so they wouldnt feel the need to consider such a tragic option. One of three former correctional officers involved in the alleged beating a restrained inmate at the state prison in Pinckneyville and trying to cover it up has pleaded guilty. Cord A. Williams, 35, of Vergennes pleaded guilty Tuesday of violating an inmates civil rights by using excessive force and of conspiracy to obstruct justice by falsifying incident reports. According to documents filed with the U.S. Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Williams and other correctional officers participated in beating a restrained inmate on April 24, 2022. The other accused correctional officers charged in the indictment were Christian L. Pyles, 25, of Christopher and Mark C. Maxwell, 52, of Pinckneyville. Pyles was indicted on charges of violation of civil rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice. Maxwell charges allege that he was the acting lieutenant when he failed to intervene and allowed the inmate to be beaten in his presence. The inmate, who is identified in the criminal complaints only as J.T., got into a verbal dispute with other inmates who were inside a different housing unit, according to court records. As words were exchanged, another correctional officer intervened and was punched in the head after attempting to hand cuff the inmate. Williams and Pyles then placed the inmate in leg irons and handcuffed him as they transferred him to an evaluation room inside the Healthcare Unit, out of the view of cameras. According to court records, Maxwell was present in the room as both Williams and Pyles began beating the inmate while he remained fully restrained as retaliation for punching another correctional officer. The inmate suffered a left orbital bone and floor fracture with intrasinus hemorrhaging, multiple facial lacerations requiring a total of 25 stitches, a chipped tooth, rib pain and lung damage, a release from the federal court stated. As part of their official duties, correctional officers are required to write incident reports to accurately document any unusual incidents that they observe or are reported to them, including disturbances or the use of force. Story continues According to the indictment, Williams, Pyles, and others colluded to submit a falsified IDOC incident report on a cover story, court records states. Williams faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the civil rights charge and five years and $250,000 on the obstruction charge. Supervised release and additional assessments also may be levied, according to federal sentencing guidelines. Maxwell and Pyles have both pleaded not guilty and are awaiting court dates. The Illinois State Police are conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft is prosecuted the case. Spains far-right Vox party looks set to continue its meteoric rise in Sundays general election, and it aims to use its growing influence to roll back decades of progress in womens rights by blocking abortion access, repealing legislation on gender-based violence and shutting down the ministry of equality. The party, which only formed a decade ago, may become a political kingmaker and a member of Spains next coalition government following the vote, according to opinion polls. Feminist activists are concerned that it would try to rewind the clock to a time when Spanish women had very limited rights, with one campaigner telling CNN that Vox entering the national government would mean going back 40 or 50 years at a stroke. Following a trend that is gathering pace across Europe, Spain is expected to swing to the right on Sunday after several years of left-wing rule. An average of the final opinion polls compiled by Reuters on July 17 forecast that the conservative Popular Party (PP) will win around 140 seats out of 350 in the legislature, and need to form a coalition to govern. Teaming up with Vox, which is projected to receive 36 seats, would give a right-wing coalition a slim working majority. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at a campaign rally in Spanish capital Madrid on July 6. - Paul Hanna/Bloomberg/Getty Images How we got here Current Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced snap parliamentary elections after the ruling coalition of his Socialist party (PSOE) and left-wing partners suffered major setbacks in Mays regional and local elections. The PP made huge gains, defeating incumbent coalition members in numerous key regional and city governments, setting the stage and tone for Sundays election. Entering into coalition with Vox would be controversial for the nominally center-right PP. Yet the party has already agreed deals to govern with support from Vox in various regional administrations in recent years despite criticism that it was helping to legitimize far-right policies. Vox was founded in 2013 and has rapidly increased in popularity. In 2018, it became the first far-right party to win seats in a regional government since the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975. In 2019, it became the third-biggest party in Spains national Congress of Deputies. Story continues Polls indicate that the party is projected to gain fewer seats in this vote than the last election, but if it makes it into the governing coalition it would mark a new stage in Voxs rise from upstart outsider party to insurgent political force. According to Paloma Roman Marugan, professor of political science at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), the partys platform centers on a hardline stance on illegal immigration, a desire to maintain the territorial integrity of Spain in the face of independence movements from regions such as Catalonia, and opposition to what it calls gender ideology. Demonstrators protest a Vox event in Gijon on June 27. - Xuan Cueto/Europa Press/Getty Images Election pledges In its manifesto, Vox promises to reduce regional autonomy, replace autonomous regional police forces such as the Mossos dEsquadra in Catalonia with the national Guardia Civil, and impose tougher sentences on rapists and pedophiles, as well as rolling back a law guaranteeing equality for LGBTQ people, which was only published in March 2023. The Vox manifesto also states that it will work for the elimination of all gender legislation. It wants to shut down the ministry of equality, which has come under attack from Spains right-wing parties since it was created in 2008 to implement policies on gender equality, and which party leader Santiago Abascal has claimed is full of psychopaths. Instead, Vox wants to replace that with a family ministry, which would be responsible for promoting higher birth rates and a traditional, narrow vision of family life. Its manifesto also proposes repealing a series of laws introduced in recent decades which aim to enshrine womens rights, such as access to abortions or providing better protection against gender-based violence. For example, Vox wants to get rid of the gender violence law and replace it with one which protects every possible victim of violence in a domestic setting. That proposal reflects the partys denial that gender-based violence exists, activists told CNN. Meanwhile, more than 1,200 Spanish women have been killed by current or former partners since 2003, according to data from the equality ministry. Demonstrations calling for better protection for women have attracted crowds of thousands in recent years and campaigners say that Voxs proposed change in legislation would only endanger women further. Many also wonder about the long-term effects of the PP, one of Spains historically largest political parties, entering into an alliance with such a group. The PP supposedly doesnt share these policies, but it appears that it is choosing to sacrifice these advances in rights in order to get into power, said Roman. Its a bit worrying for the country that it (the PP) is capable of saying that in order to be in government it is willing to give up ground on issues that really werent even up for debate in Spanish society, we had turned that page. Vox did not respond to CNNs request for comment. The PP responded but only to refer CNN to interviews given by party leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo on the campaign trail. Attendees at a Vox campaign meeting on July 15. - Oscar del Pozo/AFP/Getty Images A very dangerous confrontation in Spanish society Laura Nuno Gomez, a political scientist, feminist activist and professor at King Juan Carlos University in Madrid, explains that while this kind of adverse reaction to the redistribution of power in society can be seen in many countries, the situation in Spain is exacerbated by the pace of change since the end of the Franco dictatorship, under which womens rights were severely limited. Just 10 years after the end of the dictatorship Spain joined the European Economic Community, a precursor to the European Union, and had to make wholesale changes in order to meet the requirements of the organization in terms of equality, said Nuno. As progress has been faster, the opposition to gender equality policies has also been more intense and animated, she said. This reaction is partly explained by the perception that these policies are unnecessary as women have already achieved equality, and partly due to a persistent attitude that inequality between men and women is part of a sort of natural societal order, said Nuno. Vox talks a lot about gender ideology, but the real gender ideology is theirs, according to which men and women are essentially different and have a different social purpose, she added. If the party were to come into government it could severely impact the lives of Spanish women, said Nuno. I fear that they would try to implant their sexist ideas and, in some areas, such as sexual and reproductive rights and freedoms, there would be a counter-reform of unthinkable proportions, she said. Election posters in Ronda on July 7. - Jon Nazca/Reuters Izaskun Gutierrez Vecilla, a social worker at the Asociacion Clara Campoamor, a feminist NGO which works to defend womens rights, said that if Vox formed part of the national government it could mean going back 40 or 50 years at a stroke, when crimes of gender-based violence were a private matter that were meant to stay behind closed doors. Vox, and Abascal, are clear as to their intentions for the country, leaving no doubt in Gutierrezs mind as to what is at stake on Sunday. Two terms summarize Vox policies towards women, she said: Denial, of gender-based violence, and destruction, of everything that the women of this country have achieved in recent decades. While the scale of Voxs influence on a future government remains to be decided, the party has already shown what it is capable of, said Gutierrez. In local administrations where it has gained influence, Vox has been able to end equality initiatives and censure cultural events, she said. Activists are deeply concerned about what the partys success, and Sundays election result, might mean for the future of Spain. We have been able to see that they intend to implement a series of reactionary policies that bring about more sexism, more homophobia, more racism in our country, as well as a very dangerous confrontation in Spanish society, said Gutierrez. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MADRID (Reuters) -Spain's election on Sunday will likely produce a win for the centre-right People's Party, opinion polls show, but to form a government it will need a coalition ally in the far-right Vox party - anathema to many Spaniards. PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo, who will potentially let a far-right party into government for the first time since Francisco Franco's rule ended in the 1970s, has focused his campaign on attacking Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's own political deals. Sanchez's minority government is currently in a coalition with far-left Unidas Podemos, which is running for this election under the Sumar platform, and has relied on votes from several separatist parties to pass legislation. The prime minister has made pacts in exchange for votes in parliament with parties such as EH Bildu, which is linked to the former Basque separatist group ETA, and ERC, which led Catalonia's 2017 secession bid from Spain. With that political expediency on display and the demise of centrist parties seen in previous elections, analysts say the starker ideological choices have left some voters in a mood to block what they don't like, rather than pick what they do. Sanchez called the election early after the left took a drubbing in local elections in May, but many voters are also furious at being called to vote at the height of the sweltering summer. A Reuters straw poll of two dozen voters around the country found many with little enthusiasm for any party and torn between what they viewed as the least bad choice. This sense was reinforced by opinion surveys reporting that around 12.5% of people who plan to vote were still undecided on Monday. Madrid pharmacist Amparo Bonilla, 44, said she would vote for Feijoo - and against Sanchez - to defend democracy, the unity of Spain and "stop terrorists governing us"."There is only one motive for voting in these elections - to kick out the psychopath," she said. Story continues In a bar in the seaside village of Cee in the northwestern region of Galicia a group of men in their 60s told Reuters they would not vote for Vox because it would be "a throwback to the past", yet all agreed when one man said he did not want EH Bildu either, so he might not trust PSOE with his vote. Spaniards "tend to vote to avoid something, rather than in favour of something," said Cristina Monge, a political science professor at the University of Zaragoza. "This time it is more pronounced because the fight is more ideological and the blocs are more defined." Leaders made one last pitch for votes during their final rallies on Friday evening. Feijoo, in a nod to Sanchez's deals with separatist parties, said a PP win would mean "not being tied down by those who want to separate Spain". Sanchez told a cheering crowd "it is possible to win against the right and far-right, and we will do so here in Spain", while deputy premier Yolanda Diaz, leader of the far-left Sumar platform, called for votes to ensure Spanish society "does not go back 50 years". DELAY FORMING GOVERNMENT Polls open at 9 a.m. (0700 GMT) on Sunday and close at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT), when exit polls will be released. The final result is expected to be decided by less than a million votes, less than 10 seats in 350 parliament, experts say. The formation of a new government depends on complex negotiations that could take weeks or months and may even end in fresh elections. Such political uncertainty could dent Madrid's effectiveness as the current host of the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union as well as its spending of EU COVID recovery funds. An eventual PP government could water down the previous government's green agenda and take a far more conservative stance on social issues. The Sanchez government has passed progressive laws on euthanasia, transgender rights, abortion and animal rights - and its warnings that such rights could be stripped back if Vox is part of the next government have proved potent for some. "Its our duty to vote to keep out the far right. They are increasing their power all over Europe and people must stand up to their narrow way of thinking," said Laura, a teacher from Madrid who did not give her surname. Susana Sanchez, a 48-year-old from Oviedo who works in an orthopaedic clinic, was among those still on the fence. In the past she had voted for Ciudadanos, a centre-right party no longer competing in the election after waning support. She said she is on the left on social issues such as gay and gender rights but prefers the right's economic policies. "Both Feijoo and Sanchez scare me," she said. "I want a centre that no longer exists." (Reporting by Belen Carreno, Aislinn Laing and Emma PinedoWriting by Charlie DevereuxEditing by Aislinn Laing, Frances Kerry and Deepa Babington) In the days and hours before the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, diehard Donald Trump allies gathered at Washingtons Willard Hotel, hunkered down as the last-ditch efforts to overturn the 2020 election went forward. What exactly they were doing in those meetings was a subject of intense interest for Congress Jan. 6 investigation, but the committee ran into the limits of its powers as it struggled to reconstruct the specifics of those eleventh-hour meetings. Now, special counsel Jack Smiths office is taking its shot, hoping to figure out exactly what went down in the Willard war room and just how involved Trump himself was in the Willard-based efforts to stop the transfer of power to then president-elect Joe Biden. Special counsel investigators are grilling witnesses about the crucial Willard meetings, two people with knowledge of the investigation tell Rolling Stone. It could prove to be a fruitful line of questioning. One former senior Trump administration official, who stayed on through the Jan. 6 riot, simply refers to it as the crime headquarters. The Willard, a luxury hotel a block from the White House, became the site of what participants described as a war room for Trump-aligned lawyers and diehard MAGA operatives working to overturn the 2020 election. The summit took place in the days and hours before the certification of electoral college votes on Jan. 6, and participants included Trump advisers and allies such as Giuliani, John Eastman, Bernard Kerik, Boris Epshteyn, and Steve Bannon. Investigators led by special counsel Jack Smith have questioned multiple witnesses including then-top Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani about the timeline and deliberations of the meetings, seeking to reconstruct the events, the sources say. The investigators also plan to bring in additional witnesses who have knowledge of the Willard meetings, the sources add. The federal investigators are also focused on the level of Trumps direct involvement in the meetings, the sources say. The then-president reportedly called Rudy Giuliani on Jan. 5 to complain about Vice President Mike Pences refusal to go along with a plan to block the counting of legitimate electoral college votes, according to interviews conducted by the Jan. 6 Committee. Story continues The special counsels office declined to comment on this story. But Smiths interest in Trump associates activities at the Willard Hotel, where the then-presidents lieutenants reportedly oversaw the effort to disrupt the count of legitimate electoral college votes, suggests the special counsel is exploring Trumps role in and knowledge of the efforts to disrupt the proceedings. Early this week, the former president was sent a target letter related to this investigation, strongly suggesting that an indictment Trumps third of the year could be coming soon. The letter listed the federal statutes under which Trump is expected to be charged, including conspiracy, obstruction, and civil rights violations. Smiths offices efforts to reconstruct what occurred at the Willard during the tumultuous Trump-Biden presidential transition could address questions left unanswered by Congress wide-ranging investigation into Trump and his associates. The January 6 House committee interviewed a number of Trump allies in attendance about the Willard war room, including Giuliani and Kerik. But others, including Trumpist attorney Eastman, invoked their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination when asked even basic questions about whether they were in attendance at the Trump war room in early Jan. 2021. We didnt get to peek behind the curtain there because they stonewalled us, a former Jan. 6 committee staffer tells Rolling Stone in reference to the Willard investigation. The House committee also focused on the phone call Trump apparently made to deputies at the hotel the day before the insurrection. During Giulianis interview with the January 6 House committee, investigators asked about a phone call which they said took place between Trump, Giuliani, and Bannon at the hotel. Trump, one investigator said during Giulianis deposition, called you and Mr. Steve Bannon and conveyed to you that the Vice President was very arrogant and that the President wasnt happy with him, according to transcripts released by Congress. Giuliani, citing attorney-client privilege issues, declined to describe the substance of his call with the former president. The Trump war room at the hotel was a subject of particular interest for the committees investigation for its role as a hub for the Trump campaigns attempts to block the counting of electoral votes on January 6. Top Trump advisers used the so-called command center while pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to reject the counting of legitimate electoral votes and encourage state legislatures to instead send slates of bogus pro-Trump electors in battleground states where the former president had lost to Joe Biden. In a sign that the fake electors plot could be a key part of the Smith investigation, the special counsels office has issued subpoenas to election officials in Arizona, Michigan, and Wisconsin seeking information about the activities of the Trump campaign. Despite the command centers importance in Trumps attempted coup, during the presidential transition, the Willard hub attracted the private ire of other Trump advisers who were quietly embarrassed by Giuliani and others efforts. Other members of the administration and Trump campaign advisers, the former official says, regularly mocked their work and had nicknames for the Star Wars cantina of 2020 dead-enders. One former senior Trump campaign official tells Rolling Stone that, in discussions at the time with other Trump aides, they called the Willard hotspot idiot island. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty/Paramount+ Taylor Sheridan has made a public point of touting his role as the primary (if not sole) author of his TV ventures while decrying collaborative writers rooms, which means hes responsible for his Yellowstone devolving into a morass of soap opera cliches and his latest, Special Ops: Lioness, going for the jugular via nothing but generic maneuvers. A military thriller minus any thrills, originality, or nuance, it seems destined to follow the path of his prior Paramount+ hits: a show that features lots of talented people wasting their time on second-rate material targeted directly at red-state viewers. Luke Varley/Paramount+ Critics were only provided with the first episode of Special Ops: Lioness ahead of its July 23 premiere, leaving us with few details about its larger story. On the basis of its maiden installment, however, theres every reason to expect it to be a by-the-books affair: gung-ho armed-services badasses both fighting the good fight in the Middle East on behalf of oppressed Muslim women and girls, and dealing with the burden of their duty and untrustworthy bureaucrats back at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia. One of those suits is played by Nicole Kidman, who makes no impression during an early debriefing as Kaitlyn Meade, and another will be portrayed by Morgan Freeman, whos wholly MIA for now. [Light spoilers follow.] Luke Varley/Paramount+ Those two Oscar winners are the biggest names attached to Special Ops: Lioness, but its real star is Zoe Saldana as Joe, the leader of a heroic Marines squadron dubbed Lioness. Its mission is to place highly trained female members undercover in order to befriend the wives and daughters of their Middle Eastern targets, who can be taken out once their whereabouts are ascertained. This is risky stuff, and its dangerousness is underscored by the shows opening sequence. Embedded with ISIS villains, Joes hand-picked 22-year-old operative has her cover blown due to a crucifix tattoo, about which Joe somehow didnt know (good work!). Despite trying to flee to an evac team that Joe has sent to rescue her, the American agent is captured by her pursuers, and Joe, realizing that her comrade is dead either way, orders a fatal drone strike on the entire compound. Story continues This might have been Joes best strategic option, yet it weighs on her soul, as proven by numerous close-ups of Saldanas sad countenance set to mournful Arabic singing. Director John Hillcoat at least gets to shoot actual choppers flying across the desert as well as legitimately enormous explosions, thereby flaunting the series impressive production budget. In most other respects, however, Special Ops: Lioness is a standard-issue affair, including with regards to its Lioness players: Bobby (Jill Wagner), Tex (Jonah Wharton), Tucker (LaMonica Garrett), Randy (Austin Hebert), and Two Cups (James Jordan, a vet of Sheridans Wind River, Yellowstone, Mayor of Kingstown, and 1883). Theyre a rowdy drinking-and-killing bunch, and Two Cups is the de facto wild card, as evidenced by the fact that he got his nickname from imbibing a Thailand cocktail that made him want to have sex with everything. Their colorful sitting-around-the-base shit-talking is a photocopy of Yellowstones ranch hand dynamics, because apparently, if it aint broke, Sheridan wont bother updating it. Special Ops: Lioness is very concerned with Joes grief and guilt, which follows her from Syria back to her suburban Virginia home. Her husband Neil (Dave Annable) cares for their two daughters, the older of whom making clear that shes not happy to see her mom by outright stating, I hate it when shes here. Joe and Neils relationship is one defined by her profession; theyre both free to seek comfort in the arms of others, given that shes always away. After a quick roll in the hay, Joe is back to work, where shes tasked with finding a replacement for her fallen subordinate. That person turns out to be Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira), a young woman whos introduced flipping burgers and taking a punch from her abusive boyfriend. She retaliates by smashing his face in with a frying pan, and seeking sanctuary from his violence in a Marines recruitment office. 1923 Review: Harrison Ford and Helen Mirrens New Show Wont Be the Next Yellowstone Cruzs wayward life is the result of anger from her moms premature death and her dads absenteeism, and she discovers an ideal outlet for her rage in the military. She rapidly rises through the ranks due to her intellectual and physical prowess (she can do 22 pull-ups and 114 push-ups in three minutes!). Much is made about Cruzs toughness, so audiences know she can hold her own in a brawl, and De Oliveira is convincing enough in the part. Thanks to her might, shes soon recruited to be Joes newest protegethis following an interview process in which Joe makes Cruz strip down for a tattoo inspection, because shes not going to make that same mistake again! As in a preceding post-shower bathroom scene, this incident grants the show an opportunity to sexually gawk at Saldana and its other formidable female leads; no matter their ruggedness, the show reminds us, theyre still desirable women. This mixture of rah-rah jingoism and conservative-grade feminism is old hat for Sheridan, and its dutifully proffered by Special Ops: Lioness, whose plotafter considerable table-settinginvolves Cruz traveling to Kuwait and donning a head scarf to befriend the wealthy 20-something daughter of an Iranian backed militia bigwig in Iraq. Doing this takes about three lines of dialogue, as the series blunt-force drama has little time to waste on cleverness. Its all so smash-and-grab unsubtle, desperate to get in and out of scenarios with minimal fuss and maximum obviousness. That definitely keeps things from becoming lethargic, but it also negates any surprise or excitementtwo qualities that should be of prime importance for a hawkish endeavor such as this. Since Paramount+ wants to keep most of Special Ops: Lioness under wraps pre-release , its always conceivable that there are unexpected and invigorating twists lying in wait. If his recent output is any indication, though, its more likely that Sheridans latest is merely another risk-averse small-screen effort that cares only about doing whats already been done beforenarratively and politically. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. China's social media is appalled by a new trend where parents post photos of their kids wearing revealing clothes. d3sign/Getty Images Chinese social media is reeling from a trend where parents dress their kids in "spicy" clothing. State media has come out guns blazing against the concept, calling it "soft pornography." It accused fashion retailers of "fanning the flames" of a trend that parents were "blindly following." Some parents in China are dressing their young daughters in backless dresses, crop tops, and miniskirts and the internet is having none of it. Several state-affiliated outlets issued scathing commentaries this week slamming "spicy milk style," a term used on Chinese social media to describe children posing in clothes originally designed for adult women. The trend went viral on Weibo, China's version of Twitter, after state-owned paper Legal Daily discussed on Monday the case of a calligraphy teacher in Beijing who noticed one of her students wearing black stockings and a low-cut, bareback dress. Her students are between six and eight years old, per the outlet. "Does a child of that age need to dress like that?" the teacher, identified by her last name as Zhu, told Legal Daily. When the teacher confronted the girl's parents, they disagreed with her concerns, Legal Daily reported. The outlet cited further examples of parents posting photos of their children making sexualized poses in tube tops and pearl necklaces. The outlet wrote that the clothing might look "cute and funny," but called the poses "extremely unsuitable" and accused parents of chasing clout by using their own kids in "soft pornography." Backlash and concern over the sexualization of minors "Spicy milk style" has since been struck with a tidal wave of online backlash and concerns over minors being sexualized. The trend received 130 million views on Weibo this week alone, per data seen by Insider. "There are so many perverts and pedophiles nowadays, and still there are parents and businesses who will make things easy for them," one person commented. Story continues "So whose aesthetic is this? Is it the child's own aesthetic? I think it's the parent's," another wrote. Others were disturbed by the trend's name itself. "What is this spicy milk style? In all honesty, this term was coined by a psychopath," one user wrote. "Spicy milk style, really disgusting buzzword," another commented. State-owned outlet People's Daily said fashion retailers selling such clothes were "fanning the flames" of putting "sexy clothes" on children, and that parents were "blindly following the trend." "Tight skirts, low-cut dresses, high heels. Can you even imagine this on a girl who's just four or five years old?" the outlet wrote on Tuesday. Kindergarten teachers reported hearing their students discuss wearing miniskirts to attract attention, People's Daily added, without specifying which schools or cities these children studied in. China Daily, a Communist Party-owned paper, criticized arguments that families have a right to dress their children however they see fit. "Freedom of dressing is by no means unlimited freedom," it wrote on Wednesday. "Children's clothes are not miniature versions of adult clothing." At least one store was suspended for selling these clothes By early Friday, searches for "spicy milk style" on popular Chinese e-commerce platforms yielded mostly results for women's clothing, though several stores still featured child models posing in makeup. Legal Daily reported that at least one children's clothing store was suspended for three days and fined, though it contested the punishment. The outlet did not name the platform. Some children's clothing items also appear to have been discontinued on online stores, though it's unclear at exactly what point they were discontinued. A camisole in a child's size has been discontinued. It's unclear when the top was discontinued. Screenshot/YesStyle Under leader Xi Jinping, Chinese authorities have taken an increasingly active approach in discussing standards and norms for families and children. In 2021, the country's education ministry introduced a ban on "effeminate men" from national TV, saying it plans to counter the "feminization" of young men and boys. In Chinese public schools, children are taught "Xi Jinping Thought," a set of the leader's ideals meant to run in parallel with Mao Zedong's own teachings. Read the original article on Insider Christian churchgoers who were arrested for not wearing face masks will receive thousands of dollars from Moscow City in Idaho. Officials said that they would settle the payout with three Christians; Sean Bohnet, Rachel Bohnet, and Gabriel Rench. Christians Who Were Arrested for Not Wearing Masks to Receive $300K According to Fox News' latest report, the city of Moscow confirmed the $300,000 payout for the arrested Christian churchgoers this July. The individuals mentioned above were the ones who brought the case against the city's officials back in March 2021. They said that their rights under the First and Fourth Amendments were breached when authorities arrested them during an outdoor "psalm sing." Numerous videos showing the controversial arrest quickly went viral on Twitter and other social media platforms. Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized the churchgoers who were arrested for not wearing face masks during the religious service. The Christian churchgoers were accused of violating the extended health ordinance. However, a magistrate judge dismissed the case filed by the Moscow city against them. Because of this, city officials decided that the best solution for this issue is to have a financial settlement, which will be settled by the Moscow city's liability insurance provider ICRMP (Idaho Counties Risk Management Program). Read Also: VIDEO: HandCuffed Colorado Suspect Steals Cop Vehicle Before Fatal Crash With Semi-Truck What Christian Churchgoers Say About the Arrest Gabriel Rench said that he became a pariah (an outcast) in the liberal community ever since the arrest was made. The churchgoer added that many community members are calling him "an idiot" who doesn't love his neighbor. Rench further stated that some residents even encouraged him to leave the city and take his money with him. "I think it's no secret that portions of our government and political groups are now starting to target Christians in a way that has never really happened in America or Canada," he said via Yahoo News. Gabriel said that there's one thing he learned from the controversy happening. This is the need for a change among people when it comes to voting and disincentivizing the targeting of Christians, as well as those who want to defend the Constitution. "It's actually the city of Moscow that was defying the law. I was obeying the law," explained Rench. Related Article: Former Louisiana Catholic Priest Sentenced to 25 Years for Drugging, Molesting Men @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Squat truck drivers may want to embrace this summer in the Myrtle Beach area. Come next summer, drivers of the modified vehicles could face fines based on a new state law passed in May that bans the vehicles in South Carolina. South Carolina joins North Carolina and Virginia as the only states to so far ban the trucks. Although the law went into effect July 1, the General Assembly included language that the law wouldnt actually take effect until 180 days after approval by the governor. Following that 180 days, which would be in November, only warning tickets will be issued to violators of the law. Local law enforcement agencies are using this time as an education period for drivers of vehicles that have been lowered or elevated, which are typically known as a Carolina squat truck. But although there is a grace period before actual tickets and fines will be administered under the squat truck ban, it doesnt mean that squat truck drivers cant receive tickets for other issues. That said, tickets may be issued for any number of related equipment violations, when and as necessary to maintain public safety on our roadways, Horry County Police spokesperson Mikayla Moskov said by text Wednesday. She could not provide a number of such tickets that have been written, adding that individual tickets would cross multiple types and cannot be easily tracked. Once tickets can start being written under the squat truck ban, violators face penalties of between $100 and $300, and could have their licenses suspended for chronic offenses. Traffic may look different on Ocean Boulevard Ocean Boulevard in the Myrtle Beach area may look different next summer. Myrtle Beach is a haven for squat trucks, which often can be seen traveling down the citys busy main drag along Ocean Boulevard. Once officers, including Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach, are allowed to issue tickets, that scene could drastically change. Myrtle Beach Police Chief Amy Prock played a key role in outlawing the trucks, testifying multiple times during state committee hearings. Story continues One incident used to encourage the ban was the death of a pedestrian, who was struck and killed by a Carolina squat truck in the city during the summer of 2021. What is a squat truck? The Carolina squat is a trendy alteration usually found on a pickup or SUV that lifts the front of the vehicle and lowers the rear. The actual definition under state law is a height differential of at least four inches between a vehicles front and rear fenders. A St. Augustine man pleaded guilty to one felony and six misdemeanors related to his actions during the U.S. Capitol riots on January 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election, said the Department of Justice in a news release. Anthony Sargent, 47, appeared in court Friday, July 21 in the District of Columbia to plead guilty to the felony charge of civil disorder. In addition, Sargent pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of destruction of property; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; engaging in physical violence in a limited building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< According to court documents, several videos depict Sargent attempting to break into an entrance on the north side of the Capitol building on January 6. Sargent is actually seen pushing the crowd toward the entrance. Sargent is next seen exiting the north entrance of the Capitol building through a cloud of white smoke. After the smoke dissipates, court documents say that Sargent can be seen waving the crowd back toward the north entrance of the Capitol. Sargent is then seen re-exiting the north entrance after a chemical irritant is sprayed. Additional video footage then shows Sargent twice throwing rocks toward the inner doors of the north entrance. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The Department of Justice states that later that day, in the same area, a law enforcement officer entered the crowd to attempt to detain a rioter who assaulted another officer. As the officer moved towards the rioter, Sargent physically separated a law enforcement officer from the rioter and prevented the officer from arresting the rioter. Story continues Sargent was arrested on September 21, 2021. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 28, of this year, and faces a maximum of up to five years in prison. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] In the 30 months since January 6, 2021, more than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Anthony Sargent is seen exiting the Capitol building through a cloud of white smoke on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the federal prosecutors. The smaller red circle indicates tattoos on his knuckles and hand, according to prosecutors. A St. Augustine man pleaded guilty Friday to civil disorder and other charges stemming from his actions during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Anthony Sargent, 47, will face up to five years in federal prison when he is sentenced, according to a press release from the Justice Department. Sargent pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to the felony charge of civil disorder and to misdemeanor charges of destruction of property; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and act of physical violence on the Capitol grounds or in buildings. Federal prosecutors stated this person resembles the individual identified by investigators as Anthony Sargent in the pictures at the Capitol. The photo is from a magazine article titled: "BMX Factor: Anthony Sargent of First Coast BMX." Investigators have also identified a person who resembled Sargent and was a member of the Proud Boys, according to the criminal complaint. A number of Proud Boys have been charged in the Capitol riot, including Joe Biggs, a Volusia County Proud Boys leader who lived near Ormond Beach and was convicted of seditious conspiracy and other charges earlier this year. Biggs, who was a prominent part of an officer's dramatic testimony before the January 6 committee, faces up to 20 years in federal prison on the seditious conspiracy charge. On Aug. 29, Biggs is scheduled to appear before a judge who is expected to rule on post-trial motions. Anthony Sargent repeatedly threw an unknown object at the inner doors of the north entrance of the Capitol and and along with other rioters caused more than $1,000 in damage. The smaller red circle indicates what appears to be a radio. Open-source videos showed Sargent attempting to breach the Capitol's north entrance on Jan. 6, 2021, including one video showing him pushing the crowd in an apparent attempt to breach the outer doors of the north entrance, according to the Justice Department. Images of Sargent also showed him exiting the north entrance of the Capitol building through a cloud of white smoke and later waving the crowd back toward the north entrance, the Justice Department stated. Sargent was seen again exiting the north entrance after a chemical irritant was sprayed. Images also showed Sargent twice throwing a rock-like object toward the inner doors of the north entrance, according to the Justice Department. Story continues Law enforcement obtained this photo of Anthony Sargent while conducting surveillance in St. Augustine. The photo shows tattoos on the back of Sargent's right hand and knuckles, prosecutors stated. Sargent also physically separated a law enforcement officer from a rioter whom the officer was trying to detain for assaulting another officer, preventing him from apprehending the rioter. Sargent was arrested on Sept. 21, 2021. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 28. The criminal complaint against Sargent states that law enforcement identified an individual who resembles someone in the Capitol riot. One of the images is from a 2017 article in St. Augustine Social titled "BMX Factor: Anthony Sargent of First Coast BMX." The other photo is on a website called One News Page and appeared to show Sargent at a rally wearing yellow and black apparel, which are the colors of the Proud Boys. The person circled resembles Anthony Sargent and the photo appeared in a story titled "How Canada Has Handled the Proud Boys," according to the Justice Department. The complaint also states that law enforcement retrieved from a disabled Twitter account an image of a man with a thick black beard resembling Sargent which listed the person's user name as "Sarge Slaughter" and said "Ancient City Proud Boy Constitutionalist Unapologetic no mask." The background photo for the account has texts that state "We want you to be a Proud Boy." More than 1,069 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol since Jan. 6, 2021. That includes more than 350 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. The Justice Department asks that anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Capitol Riot arrests: St. Augustine man pleads guilty to charges A judge on Friday cleared a former Modesto police officer in the fatal shooting of Trevor Seever. Joseph Lamantia had been charged with voluntary manslaughter after the unarmed Seever, 29, was shot outside a Woodland Avenue church in December 2020. Judge Carrie Stephens issued the ruling after a preliminary hearing in Stanislaus Superior Court. She said Lamantia had a reasonable fear for his safety because Seevers family had called 911 to report that he had purchased a gun. Officers also were aware of past social media posts where Seever said he wanted to kill police. The overwhelming evidence presented shows that the situation was stressful, intense and rapidly evolving, Stephens said, reading aloud from the bench. Lamantia did not visibly react to the ruling as he sat at the defense table in a suit and tie. He already was free on bail before the preliminary hearing, which determines whether a defendant should go to trial. He was fired from his police job in March 2021. Throughout Fridays session, several members of the Seever family and friends listened intently to the judge read an account of the events and then her decision. Trevor Seevers mother, Darlene Ruiz, cried softly during some sections, including a description of her sons fatal injuries and when the decision was announced. The family said earlier that Seever was in a mental health crisis but did not pose a threat that day. In April, the city agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle a civil rights lawsuit by the family. The mother of Trevor Seever, Darlene Ruiz, left, is comforted by her husband, Ray, after a judge cleared former officer Joseph Lamantia in the fatal shooting of Seever. Photographed at the Stanislaus County courthouse in Modesto, Calif., Friday, July 21, 2023. Shooting helped bring about police oversight Seevers death helped spur the creation in May of a new process for monitoring Modesto police. It includes a law firm that assesses how the department deals with officer-involved shootings and other critical incidents. It is guided by a volunteer Community Police Review Board. The effort also seeks to boost the number of mental health professionals responding to people at risk. Seever was shot Dec. 29, 2020, on the grounds of the Church of the Brethren. Lamantia was the first officer on the scene and feared he would be ambushed, Internal Affairs Sgt. James Reeves testified. Story continues The officers body camera video shows him get out of his patrol car with his gun drawn and run around a corner toward an alcove. Lamantia told Reeves he then saw Seever running away from him. The video shows Lamantia twice yelling, Get on the ground, then firing four shots at Seever. Lamantia believed Seever still was trying to retrieve a firearm and yelled at him, Show me your hands, according to his statements to the investigator. Seevers right hand went down and Lamantia fired three more rounds, the video shows. Investigators said Seever was shot in his back, chest and abdomen. He died of blood loss at a hospital. Prosecution: Other officers did not shoot at Seever A brief filed by the prosecution in June said other officers did not fire at Seever even though they had received the same warning as Lamantia. Officer Lamantia never saw Trevors hands, nor did he ever see Trevor with a weapon or make any movement toward Officer Lamantia, Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Mury wrote. Seevers death led to frequent protests before the Modesto City Council, calling for Lamantia to be fired and prosecuted. Seevers mother has been active in creating the police oversight board under the Forward Together initiative. Stephens on Friday acknowledged the familys loss in her decision not to put Lamantia on trial. This ruling is not meant to minimize the pain that you have undoubtedly suffered, she said. I have endeavored to follow the law even though I recognize it is hard to accept. PORT ST. LUCIE A felony charge was dropped for a man accused 14 years ago of raping a vacationing woman at a Club Med resort in Port St. Lucie. On July 31, 2009, the 19th Judicial Circuit state attorney's office decided not to pursue an indictment in the case and dropped the charge of felony sexual battery with great bodily harm for Brandon Charles Wester, according to court documents. Wester at the time was 22, and an employee of the Club Med resort. From July 1, 2009: Club Med worker charged in rape of tourist According to a letter to Wester dated Aug. 7, 2009 from the Fort Pierce legal firm representing him at the time, Tufte & Kuczler, prosecuting and defense attorneys agreed it was a "he said, she said" situation and he had "excellent defenses against the allegations." This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: 2009 sexual battery charge dropped against former Club Med worker Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was given extra time at the end of a House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing, sparking an argument among members. During the hearing, Stacey Plaskett the Democrat delegate from the Virgin Islands accused RFK Jr. of aligning himself with "MAGA Republicans" through a super PAC named Heal the Divide. "The MAGA Republicans know that [former President Donald Trump] benefits when Russia interferes. The same super PAC that supports Mr. Kennedy and has raised significant funds on his behalf is run by a man named Jason Boles," Plaskett said during the hearing. DEMOCRATS TRY TO CENSOR, REMOVE RFK JR AT HEARING ON CENSORSHIP Stacey Plaskett, Democrat delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands, speaks during a House Judiciary Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government hearing. She continued, "Jason Boles isn't just a MAGA supporter. He also ran the super PAC for MAGA Republicans Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert, George Santos, and in 2022, he supported Herschel Walker. So, the person behind Mr. Kennedy's super PAC is an individual who personally and professionally wants the Republican Party to succeed. Yet, Mr. Kennedy is running as a Democrat." RFK Jr., given time to respond by Republican Rep. Greg Steube of Florida immediately afterward, said he did not know the Super PAC to which Plaskett was referring. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "I've never heard of Mr. Boles and I've never heard of that super PAC," RFK Jr. said. RFK JR HAS NO BUSINESS TESTIFYING IN CONGRESS ON GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP, DEMOCRATS SAY Rep. Jim Jordan, a Republican from Ohio and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, speaks during a hearing in Washington, D.C. At the end of the hearing, Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, began to close the proceedings when RFK Jr. asked if he may make an additional comment. "No, you may not," Plaskett said. "You may not." "I haven't adjourned the hearing, and I don't think you're the chairman," Jordan replied to Plaskett. "It's chairman's discretion, we're going to let Mr. Kennedy " "I know it's your discretion, but he has had so much additional time. Why?" Plaskett asked. Story continues RFK JR SHRUGS OFF BIDEN FAMILY CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS: WON'T BE A SMEAR TIP TO MY CAMPAIGN Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks during a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill. "Let him address the defamatory comment that was made about him that is untrue," Republican Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana interjected at one point. "That was not defamatory, that is a legal definition that was not met," Plaskett responded. It is not immediately clear which "defamatory" comment was being debated by Johnson and Plaskett. Given time to speak, RFK Jr. quickly revisited the subject of Heal the Divide, reaffirming that he has never heard of it and saying that it has only a tangential connection through a third party unaffiliated with his campaign. ROBERT F KENNEDY JR PRESS DINNER DEVOLVES INTO SCREAMING AND POLEMIC FARTING: NY POST Rep. Greg Steube, a Republican from Florida, listens during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C. "I want to acknowledge information about the super PAC that you mentioned," he told the committee after being given the extra time. "I've just been told that that super PAC is connected to somebody that we have a connection to. It's not a super PAC I've endorsed, and it's not one, as I said, I've ever heard of." Jordan thanked him for the statement and then formally adjourned the meeting. RFK Jr., who is running for the Oval Office against President Biden, was invited by Republicans to testify at the Weaponization of the Federal Government subcommittee hearing. Robert Kennedy Jr., a 2024 presidential hopeful, testifies at the Weaponization of the Federal Government subcommittee hearing, July 20, 2023, on Capitol Hill. Early in the debate after his opening remarks Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida moved to take the hearing into executive session to discuss RFK Jr.s alleged violation of a House rule aimed at banning testimony that defames or degrades others. Wasserman Schultz said the witness made "despicable" antisemitic and anti-Asian comments in the last few days, referring to his comment that COVID-19 may have been "ethnically targeted" because those who are most immune to COVID appear to be Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people. RFK Jr. later said he was not accusing anyone of deliberately engineering COVID to spare certain ethnic populations. Wasserman Schultzs move to halt the hearing and go to executive session was voted down, 10-8, thanks to the Republican majority in the committee. Some Democrats made comments like "no to hate speech" as they voted against the GOP push to kill Wasserman Schultzs motion. Fox News Digital's Peter Kasperowicz contributed to this report. Editor's Note: The story is based on the documentary Uprooted, published by the Kyiv Independent's War Crimes Investigation Unit. Russia is systematically deporting Ukrainian children from the occupied part of Ukraine against their will which constitutes genocide according to one of the five definitions given in the United Nations' Genocide Convention. Once in Russia, Ukrainian children are held incommunicado, brainwashed with pro-Russian propaganda, and adopted by Russian families even though they have living relatives in Ukraine who are their legal guardians. Nobody knows for sure how large this "stolen generation" of Ukrainian children is. The Ukrainian authorities have identified almost 20,000 children who have been abducted by Russia since the start of its full-scale invasion and war, but human rights workers believe the true number is far, far higher. As of early 2023, the highest number of deported children was from Donetsk Oblast. On March 17, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's commissioner on child rights, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, on suspicion of their involvement in organizing the abduction of Ukrainian children. Investigating these abductions, the Kyiv Independent has spoken to more than 40 people and has discovered that the process of deportation of children from the city of Mariupol in the Russian-occupied part of Donetsk Oblast involved Russian-placed employees of social services, medical facilities, and children's social centers from the parts of the oblast initially invaded by Russia in 2014. Children were deported from Mariupol to the earlier-occupied territories and then kept for some time in at least nine hospitals in Donetsk even if they were uninjured. After that, some were deported to Russia under the pretext of continuing their "recovery" in Russia. In fact, they were subsequently placed in the care of Russian families or orphanages. Story continues The Russian families would try to convince the deported children that Ukraine had been destroyed, gave them a pro-Russian military-patriotic education, and monitored their behavior. The Kyiv Independent also found that some children were deported to the suburbs of Moscow to the Polyany boarding house a branch of the Children's Medical Center of the Administration of President Vladimir Putin's Affairs. The Kyiv Independent has established the whereabouts of some of these children and has identified some of those responsible for their abduction to Russia. Lost contact As of the beginning of 2022, more than 60,000 children were living in Mariupol. After entering the city in March 2022, Russian military and proxies from occupied parts of Ukraine began to organize the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, justifying it as a humanitarian operation. When the full-scale war broke out, Anastasia and Sofia Kuchugurina, two sisters aged 8 and 14, respectively, lived in Mariupol then in the Ukrainian-controlled part of Donetsk Oblast with their mother Olga, 43, and brother Oleksiy, 25. Their other sister, Valentina Yermachkova, 20, lived separately from them in Dnipro. Yermachkova spoke to her family at the end of February 2022 when Russian troops started surrounding Mariupol. She tried to convince her mother to come to Dnipro, but she refused. Olga had decided to stay in the city with her three children. Talking to the Kyiv Independent, Sofia Kuchugurina recalls the worsening safety situation in the city as Russian forces closed in. "We didn't go to hide in the basement because it was dangerous there," Sofia says. "We were told that people who went there would get crushed, and no one could get them out." EXCLUSIVE: Escaping forced conscription in Russian-occupied Donetsk Editors Note: The names of the people interviewed by the Kyiv Independent for this story have been changed to protect their identity as they have shared sensitive information that could place them and their families in danger. Stepan didnt see daylight for nearly four months. Since mid-February, The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Khrebet With each day that passed, the family's chances of leaving Mariupol for territory controlled by Ukraine shrank. The humanitarian corridors that the Ukrainian authorities tried to negotiate with the Russian authorities all failed. By early March, Yermachkova had lost contact with her relatives completely. As she later found out, they had moved to live with a family friend in another district of Mariupol. The family had to go into the constantly shelled city to get water, food, and coal, and it was on one of these trips that Olga and Oleksiy were killed. On March 24, Sofia, together with her brother Oleksiy and her mother, went to one of the city's metallurgical plants, where there still were supplies. "And suddenly a rocket... or a projectile, something similar to a missile, lands right next to us," recalls Sofia. "I ran to the side and was only hit by a stone, but my mother and brother were buried." Sofia's brother Oleksiy was killed immediately, and it was impossible to get his body out from under the rubble. Sofia tried to save her mother, Olga, attempting to dig her out with her bare hands. She called for help, but nobody came. Sofia returned to the place with her mother's friend. They managed to dig Olga out, but she died within a few hours. Her body was loaded onto a wheelbarrow and taken to be buried in the yard. The two sisters, Sofia and Anastasia, were now alone in the city, which was gradually being captured by the Russian army. Escaping Mariupol At the same time, in another district of Mariupol, two friends Ivan Matkovskyi, 17, and Maksym Boyko, 16 were planning how to escape the war. Both orphans, the boys studied at the Mariupol Vocational Construction College and lived in the same room in a dormitory. Their official state guardian was the director of the college Anton Bilay, 42, who lived with his family near the dormitory. The relationship between the students and the principal before the full-scale war was formal. But when the electricity went out in Mariupol, and it became clear that the children in the dormitory would no longer be able to cook for themselves on electric stoves, Anton began trying to save them, cooking food and caring for the children. By mid-March, Bilay decided to make his way out of Mariupol to save his family. He reached the city center by roads known only to locals, left his relatives there for a while, and went to look for the people who were evacuating his students from the dormitory. Unable to find them, Bilay left the war-ravaged city for Ukrainian-occupied territory. Meanwhile, a few hours later, police took Matkovskyi and Boyko in armored cars to the Pryazovsky State Technical University's bomb shelter. "Rockets and mortar shells were landing about fifty meters from us. They also ruined our building," Matkovskyi recalls. On March 20, Matkovskyi and Boyko, together with other people from the shelter, decided to leave Mariupol on foot to try to get to Zaporizhzhia 200 kilometers to the northwest, and the nearest big city in territory controlled by Ukraine. But they didn't get far. After a few hours of travel, the boys reached Manhush, a village near Mariupol about 20 kilometers west. The Russian military captured the village on Feb. 24, 2022. They stopped at a local hospital to rest before continuing their journey. It was here that their plan was foiled. Escaping Russian army: The story of one Ukrainian forced to fight against his homeland Editors Note: The name of the person interviewed by the Kyiv Independent for this story has been changed to protect his identity as he has shared sensitive information that could place him and his family in danger. If Russia orders us to invade the entire galaxy, we will, the The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Khrebet Deportation centers At the hospital, a local doctor learned that the boys were orphans and called in social workers from Russian-occupied Donetsk. A few hours later, Olena Verbovska, 54, Russian-appointed head of social services in Russian-occupied Donetsk, arrived at the hospital. After the Russian invasion of parts of Donetsk Oblast in 2014, Verbovska had remained working in the occupied city. That evening, Verbovska took Matkovskyi and Boyko to the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk, to Children's Hospital No. 5. Later, the Kuchugurina sisters ended up in the same hospital. After the death of their mother, they stayed with a friend of their family until Russian took them to the hospital in Donetsk. "They brought us there because there was no room in the orphanage. In addition, we had to get treatment we got ringworm in Mariupol," says Sofia. The Kyiv Independent has discovered that medical facilities in Donetsk played a significant role in the chain of deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Mariupol children were kept in at least nine hospitals in the Russian-occupied city. Not all of the children needed treatment. Medical facilities became a staging point before the abducted children were deported to Russia. Daria Kasyanova, program director of the charity SOS Children's Villages, is one of the few who has been able to return abducted Ukrainian children. Kasyanova says that when Mariupol children without guardians were discovered by the Russian military, they would be taken to filtration camps, social and psychological rehabilitation centers, and in many cases to hospitals in occupied territory. Kateryna Rashevska, a lawyer at the Regional Center for Human Rights, says this "gave Russia a trump card, that allegedly the children are in a medical institution for medical reasons." Russian authorities would use children's health as a justification for their action, attempting to frame the abduction as a humane activity. "In reality, (hospitals were) the points from where the children were distributed further," Rashevska says. Guardianship denied During its investigation, the Kyiv Independent found that legal guardians who tried to take their children from the hospitals in Russian-occupied Donetsk hospitals sometimes encountered resistance from medical workers. The workers refused to give up the children and denied the legality of guardianship documents issued by Ukraine. Prosecutor Yanina Tertychna has been investigating the deportation of Ukrainian children since the beginning of the full-scale war. Her team is also investigating how doctors in the occupied territories were involved in the deportation, and what responsibility they might bear for their actions. "We're investigating all of the individuals involved," says Tertychna. "As guardianship and care authorities in the occupied territories, the doctors and guardians assigned to these children took part in the deportation of Ukrainian children." Almost immediately after the Kuchugurina sisters and the orphans Matkovskyi and Boyko were forcibly taken to the occupied territories, they managed to connect to the Internet and reached out to their legal guardians in Ukrainian-controlled territories. "Sofia called me and immediately asked: 'When are you going to pick us up?'" Yermachkova recalls. At that time, Yermachkova had not had any contact with her sisters for weeks. Bilay recalls getting a heartbreaking call from Matkovskyi: "Ivan burst into tears and began to beg: 'Anton Viktorovych, I'm begging you, take us away from here.' Of course, after those words, I had to do something." Yermachkova managed to quickly arrange custody of both sisters. At about the same time, Bilay began his travel to occupied Donetsk. It is impossible to get into the city through Ukrainian-controlled territory as there are no checkpoints on the front line. To get to Donetsk, the guardians had to pass through Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania, enter Russia, and then travel on to the city. However, when Yermachkova was already on her way to Donetsk, she received a message from Sofia. The girl wrote that a family had come to meet her at the hospital and that they planned to take her under their care. They also wanted to separate her from her younger sister Anastasia. Yermachkova began contacting Svitlana Maiboroda, 53. She is a former Ukrainian official who switched to working for the Russian occupation authorities after the invasion of parts of Donetsk Oblast in 2014. She is the head of all social services for families and children in the Russian-occupied part of Donetsk Oblast. Yermachkova contacted Maiboroda for the first time when she was leaving Ukraine for Donetsk. At that time, they had agreed that Yermachkova would take the children. With the call from Sofia, Yermachkova learned the agreement was off. She immediately called Maiboroda. "I said, what are you doing, how can this even be happening?" Yermachkova recalls. Maiboroda also had other plans for Matkovskyi and Boyko. Even as the boys' legal guardian, Bilay, was preparing to leave for Donetsk, Maiboroda suggested that the boys be sent to a boarding house in the suburbs of Moscow for a "vacation." Bilay forbade the boys to agree to this offer. He then received a call from Maiboroda. "I suggested to her that (if she wants) I can take the boys from this boarding house (in Moscow) and not go to Donetsk. But she said that that was impossible," says Bilay. Matkovskyi and Boyko were left to wait for their guardian in the hospital, while other abducted children from the same hospital were forced to go to the boarding house in Russia against their will. "The children staged a riot and went to the chief doctor. They said they didn't want to go anywhere. But no one listened to them," says Matkovskyi. The Kyiv Independent called Maiboroda and asked why she organized the deportation of Ukrainian children to the territory of Russia. At first, the official denied involvement, but then she asked for an official information request. She then hung up. The Kyiv Independent immediately wrote a message to Maiboroda on the Telegram messenger app to remind her once again of the names of the children in question. Maiboroda did not answer and deleted the message from the chat. The Kyiv Independent is unable to send official information requests to territories under Russian military occupation. 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 31 abducted kids In March 2023, the Kyiv Independent received a list of 31 children. The list was in a document that stated that on May 27, 2022, a group of children was to be taken from the Donetsk Children's Social Center to the Polyany boarding house in Moscow a branch of the Children's Medical Center of the Administration of President Vladimir Putin's Affairs. It was the same institution where Maiboroda had wanted to send Matkovskyi and Boyko. The person responsible for sending the children to Moscow was Kyrylo Potylitsyn, 29, who is the temporary acting head of the Donetsk Children's Social Center. Potilitsyn, like Verbovska, the official who took Matkovskyi and Boyko to the Donetsk hospital, is Maiboroda's subordinate. The group of 31 children became known to the public after Maria Lvova-Belova, the representative of the Russian president for children's rights, visited them at the Moscow boarding house. She then illegally adopted a boy from this group Pylyp Holovnya, a 17-year-old boy who lived in Mariupol with his guardians before the start of the full-scale war. Lvova-Belova is a Russian official close to President Putin. She was appointed Commissioner for Children's Rights a few months before the outbreak of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. Russian media reported that Lvova-Belova came to the occupied territories in person after the start of the full-scale invasion to take Ukrainian children to Russia. After that, on May 30, 2022, Putin signed a decree stating that orphans from occupied territories can obtain Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure. Pylyp Holovnya was one of the first to publicly receive a Russian passport. The Kyiv Independent has identified 20 children from the list. Some of them lived in Mariupol before the full-scale invasion. According to law enforcement, 13 were orphans, or their birth parents had been deprived of guardianship rights. The Kyiv Independent also discovered that at least 14 children from the list, after their so-called "recovery" in the boarding house, were taken into the care of Russian families. Some Russian-linked families have already illegally adopted several children deported from Ukraine. A former employee of the Russian police, Liliana Romanova, a resident of the city of Podolsk, Moscow region, according to Russian media has adopted a boy from Donetsk Oblast Oleksandr, as well as a boy from Kherson Oblast Viacheslav. The family of Denis and Yekaterina Tripolets, from the Russian village of Malinki in Moscow Oblast, first took in three Ukrainian children two sisters and a brother, then another of their younger sisters. Later, at the request of the Tripolets family, Maria Lviv-Belova brought the children's youngest brother from Donetsk Oblast to Russia. The Shirokov family from the city of Yegoryevsk, Moscow Oblast, took under their guardianship two children from the list of 31. Almost immediately after, the family took them on vacation to Abkhazia a part of Georgia under Russian military occupation since 2008. Brainwashing Matkovskyi and Boyko helped identify the children from the group. The boys confirmed that nine of the children from the photos had been with them in Donetsk Children's Hospital No. 5 in March 2022. Matkovskyi still keeps in touch with some of them. Two 17-year-old children, a boy, and a girl, immediately after their deportation sent Matkovskyi a photo of their documents and asked him to help them return from Russia to Ukraine. The boy managed to escape from Russia after a few months. The girl is still there with her brother. She recently posted on social media that she "might spend her whole life in Russia," asking people to leave her alone. Mykola Kuleba, the head of the Save Ukraine charitable foundation, whose volunteers have been returning children from Russian deportation since late 2022, says abducted Ukrainian children aren't free to express their own wishes. "There are children there who want to return, but (the Russians) change their cards and phones, and children are afraid to get in contact because this is Russia, where there is total control," says Kuleba. "They know that they could get punished." Currently, Save Ukraine has returned more than a hundred abducted Ukrainian children from Russia more than a quarter of the 383 abducted children rescued by Ukraine as of July 14. From the list of 31 children, Ukraine has managed to return four. They were from Mariupol and surrounding areas and had parents and relatives there. Prosecutor Tertychna says that after questioning the returned children, her team learned that their Russian foster families were feeding them with Russian propaganda and would tell them that Ukraine had already been destroyed. Some of the children are known to have tried to escape Russia, but failed. One boy from the list, Bohdan Yermokhin from Mariupol, made it as far as the Belarusian border before being detained and returned to the foster family of Iryna Rudnytska, a former volunteer of the Chechen war and a resident of Ruza, Moscow Oblast. Witnesses to war crimes Ukrainian authorities believe that since the beginning of the full-scale war, spearheaded by Lvova-Belova and Putin, Russia has deported more than 19,000 Ukrainian children, lawyer Rashevska thinks the actual number of abductees may be up to 100,000. Russia does not transfer lists of the names of abducted children to Ukraine. There is also no single return mechanism for them. And for volunteers, it's getting more and more difficult to return abducted children from Russia. "Interrogations of Ukrainian guardians in Russia can last for days, not hours," says Kuleba. "The position of the Russians today is to oppose any possible return of the abducted children. They understand that every returned child is a witness to a war crime." Anastasia and Sofia Kuchugurina, Ivan Matkovskyi, and Maksym Boyko are among the few children abducted by the Russians who have been returned to their legal guardians. Bilay and Yermachkova reached Russian-occupied Donetsk in June 2022, took the children, and returned to Ukrainian-controlled territory with them. Ukraine is also working to return the remaining children from the list of 31 sent to the Moscow boarding house. "There simply cannot be an option that children deported from Ukraine remain in Russia forever," says Rashevska. "International humanitarian law has no such provision that would allow the occupying state to take children away and keep them permanently." The Kyiv Independent has managed to establish the exact address of the residence and complete information about one Russian family where an abducted Ukrainian child is currently staying. This child has relatives in Ukraine who want to bring her home. By Clare Baldwin (Reuters) - The re-election to parliament of longtime Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Sunday is not in doubt in a system in which all opposition parties have been barred, but the candidacy of his eldest son offers a glimpse of Cambodia's dynastic future. The political debut of Hun Manet, 45, marks one of the final steps in a decades-long process that is expected to end with him succeeding his father as prime minister. Hun Sen on Friday said in an interview his son could become leader within "three or four weeks" after Sunday's election. In 2021, Hun Sen named his eldest as his choice to succeed him as leader, and his long-ruling Cambodia People's Party soon endorsed him as "future prime minister". To become prime minister, Hun Manet needs to be a member of the National Assembly, which he will do if he wins a seat on Sunday, as expected, and receive approval from the king. For some, Hun Manet represents a young, fresh face who will further develop Cambodia. "I came here 15 years ago when there were no skyscrapers," former AmCham President Anthony Galliano said of the capital, Phnom Penh. He recently hosted Hun Manet as an AmCham guest of honour. "He is interested in how we could get more investment in the country, how we can improve the brand, the image of the country, to international investors." But Cambodia's brand is closely tied to Hun Manet's father, who has been a strongman ruler for nearly four decades, and some doubt the son will be any different. The EIU Democracy Index in February gave Cambodia a score of 0.00 for electoral process and pluralism, a score shared by 28 other countries including some of the world's most repressive. "He has been exposed to democracy, to human rights and so on. But he has grown up under a very autocratic regime," Kasit Piromya, a former Thai diplomat and foreign minister, who is on the board of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, said of Hun Manet. Story continues "The family controls the country," he said. "For him to liberalize himself, then it's the beginning of the end of the family dominance over Cambodian politics. Why should he undermine himself?" Hun Manet declined to respond to questions for this report, a representative said, while government and party spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment. It is difficult to gauge what the public thinks of the succession with most independent media shut down and many people afraid to speak out, rights groups say. But Hun Sen's opponents, most of whom are abroad, are scathing. Self-exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy denounces what he calls "feudalistic and clan-istic" politics. "For Hun Sen, power means impunity. He knows when he loses power he will lose impunity," he told Reuters in May. "That is why he wants his son to replace him." WESTERN EDUCATION Hun Sen has given his son both Cambodian and Western credentials. He said Manet was born from a spirit that emerged from a Banyan tree in a flash of light. He sent him to West Point, the first Cambodian to graduate from the U.S. military academy. He then earned a master's degree in economics from New York University and a PhD in economics from the University of Bristol. In 2003, Hun Manet told his father's biographers that he came to appreciate aspects of American culture the way people have "the freedom and opportunity to do anything they want", the "tolerance for diversity" and "looking at things from different angles and perspectives". He also told them a country needed a minimum level of development before democracy could work, otherwise it was easy to manipulate with payments. In 2015, Manet told ABC that Cambodia must preserve peace, stability and security "at any cost". Lee Morgenbesser, a professor at Griffith University who wrote a book on authoritarian elections in Southeast Asia, said a Western education does not mean a more moderate ruler. "Every time the son of a dictator succeeds the dictator, the angle of the story is always that he's a potential reformer, he's a potential moderate, he's a potential progressive, he's Western-educated," Morgenbesser said. "I've never once seen it turn out to be validated." 'REASSUME ROLE' As Hun Manet studied abroad, he also rose up the ranks of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) deputy of his father's bodyguards, commander of counter-terrorism, commander of the army, and deputy commander-in-chief. He also became head of the ruling party's youth wing and joined its standing committee, and raised his international profile. In 2019 and 2020, Hun Manet met three foreign leaders, the Lowy Institute think tank said. In 2022, after being acknowledged as successor, he met 10. Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge commander, has indicated that he expects his heir to rule in his own model and if he does not, he might take back power. "If my son fails to meet expectations...I would reassume my role as prime minister," he said, according to the Phnom Penh Post. Asked if his son might govern differently, Hun Sen laughed. "In what way? Any such divergence means disrupting peace and undoing the achievements of the older generation." (Editing by Angus MacSwan) The male student who sexually assaulted another student while at a Bellingham high school has been sentenced. The case ignited a separate case involving three school administrators who were accused of failing to report the female students sexual assaults when she brought the crimes to their attention. The 16-year-old male student was sentenced Wednesday, July 19, in Whatcom County Juvenile Court to 18-20 weeks in the custody of the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration. The countys juvenile court is a division of Whatcom County Superior Court. The male student will receive credit for the 17 weeks and five days he has already served while awaiting a resolution in his case. The state juvenile rehabilitation administration will determine how much of the remaining time of his sentence he will serve. Its possible the boy will serve the remainder of his sentence in the Whatcom County Juvenile Detention Center or be sent to a separate DCYF juvenile detention institution. He will not be on probation once released. Because its unclear whether changes in recent case law allow a judge or court commissioner to issue a post-sentence no-contact order for juveniles, a hearing on the matter is scheduled for Friday afternoon. The boy previously pleaded guilty May 17 to two counts of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation. He had initially been charged with one count of indecent liberties by forcible compulsion, which is a felony, for assaulting a then 15-year-old female student in November and December 2021 while they both attended Squalicum High School, The Bellingham Herald previously reported. His charges were amended down as part of an agreed plea deal that resolved the assault case and two other unrelated criminal court cases he was facing. Whatcom County Senior Deputy Public Defender Shoshana Paige previously said she believed the boy was treated unfairly in the case by a system that has treated him unfairly for almost the entirety of his young life. Story continues The boy had been grossly overcharged based on a flawed investigation and the charges he pleaded guilty to should have been the ones filed from the beginning, Paige previously said. Paige reiterated her sentiments at the boys sentencing hearing Wednesday, thanking the prosecutor who had taken over the case, to reach what she called an appropriate resolution. The court knows this has been a very long road and an up and down road for (the boy) who has had a very difficult and challenging life. In a lot of ways, the adults that did owe him certain duties and responsibilities and the system that has had certain duties and responsibilities have often failed in (the boys) case, but hes quite resilient, Paige said Wednesday. The boy was expected to undergo an evaluation for a special sex offender disposition alternative, which would have allowed him to participate in treatment. The prosecution and defense attorneys were expected to present an agreed resolution at the boys Wednesday disposition hearing recommending the sentencing alternative, which would have included two years of community supervision, an anti-harassment no-contact order with the female student and restitution to be determined. Because a warrant for the boys arrest was issued nine days after he pleaded guilty, he was not evaluated for the sentencing alternative. Instead, the agreed-upon manifest injustice sentence above the standard range was presented at his disposition hearing Wednesday, court records show. I am grateful for my client that this matter has concluded and he can move forward with his life. I am privileged to have worked with him, and proud of the hard work that his entire team at the Public Defenders office put into this case to bring it to this resolution, Paige said in a statement sent Thursday to The Herald. This case has, however, taken an immeasurable toll on him, and I believe a cloud continues to hang over this investigation. The manner in which it was conducted and the choices that were made by the investigator, who is now under investigation for reasons that have not been shared with me, continue to leave me troubled. A restitution hearing in the case has been set for Oct. 11. The Herald has reached out to the prosecuting attorney and the female students attorney for comment. Background Three Bellingham Public Schools administrators were charged in early December for failing to report the female students sexual assaults, which were brought to their attention nearly a year prior, The Herald previously reported. All three of the administrators Jeremy Gilbert Louzao, Meghan V. Dunham and Maude Chimere Hackney have pleaded not guilty to one count each of failure to report, a gross misdemeanor, in Whatcom County District Court. All three administrators are mandatory reporters and are required by state law to report any suspected abuse or neglect of a child to law enforcement or DCYF. 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. None of the three reported the female students sexual assaults, according to prior reporting in The Herald. 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 district denied it mishandled the students reports in its January response to the lawsuit. The jury trial for the three administrators is set to begin on Aug. 28. The date was rescheduled at a hearing this week due to one of the prosecuting attorneys medical issues and because the lead Bellingham Police Department detective in the case Adam (Bo) S. McGinty is now himself the subject of an internal administrative investigation and a criminal investigation. The school district is providing legal defense for the three administrators, which state law mandates for public employers required to report abuse. MSF medics are treating war-wounded across Sudan - and over the border in Chad where many from Darfur are fleeing Medics in Sudan's capital have been beaten and whipped by armed men who attacked their convoy, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) says. A medical team was taking supplies to the Turkish Hospital in the south of Khartoum when it was attacked on Thursday and one their vehicles stolen. Since the war erupted in mid-April, it is one of only two hospitals still operating in the south of city Both are supported by MSF, which says its aid to them is now in jeopardy. The vicious power struggle over the last three months between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has devastated medical facilities in the city. 'Death threats' While more than three million people nationwide have fled their homes since April, millions of others are still stuck in Khartoum, struggling to find medicine and medical assistance. MSF is one of only a few international aid groups still supporting hospitals in Khartoum and its twin city of Omdurman, helping to keep afloat a health system that has been under strain for decades. It says it has treated more than 1,600 wounded patients in these hospitals since the conflict began. But the charity warned this might have to stop because of a dramatic deterioration in security with several incidents in which its staff had been targeted. During the encounter on Thursday, the armed men began arguing with the 18 people in the MSF convoy made up of four trucks carrying medical supplies. As well as assaulting the team, the armed men threatened the life of one of the drivers before releasing him and making off with one of the vehicles. "If an incident like this happens again, and if our ability to move supplies continues to be obstructed, then, regrettably, our presence in the Turkish Hospital will soon become untenable," MSF's Christophe Garnier said in a statement. The confrontation took place not far from the hospital, where hundreds of patients, including those recently wounded in air strikes, are undergoing treatment. Story continues "On a daily basis, this hospital receives around 15 war wounded patients, carries out lifesaving surgery and keeps patients with chronic diseases alive," MSF said. According to the AFP news agency, the hospital is in an area of the city controlled by the RSF. Aerial bombardments have intensified in residential areas of Khartoum where the paramilitary fighters have their bases, it says. Official figures put the number of dead in the conflict at around 3,000, but it is thought to be far higher. Some estimates from the western region of Darfur, which have seen the worst of the violence, say the death toll in one city alone is 11,000. U.S. President Joe Biden talked with the UAW leader on Wednesday, July 19. A White House official confirmed this happening. The question is, will it prevent the potential auto strike? Joe Biden Meets UAW President According to CNN Politics' latest report, UAW (United Auto Workers) President Shawn Fain was at the White House for a meeting in the West Wing. Reuters reported that the UAW leader met with lawmakers to discuss labor talks, as well as the union's request for better benefits and higher wages. After learning that Fain was at the White House, Biden decided to talk to him briefly. As of writing, it is still unsure if the short talk between the American president and the UAW leader will prevent the potential auto strike. Another question is who will the United Auto Workers will endorse in the upcoming U.S. presidential election. The majority of the major unions in the U.S. already decided to promote Biden as the U.S. president again. However, Fain explained why they haven't endorsed anyone yet for the U.S. presidential position. "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," said the UAW president. Read Also: DoorDash Introduces Substantial Revamp in Driver Wages by Offering Hourly Rates Potential Auto Strike Previously, the Teamster Union warned that they are ready to organize a major protest, which will really affect the economy of the United States. Now, the United Auto Workers is also prepared to do the same thing. Fain said that 150,000 members of UAW are willing to join a strike if the three automakers do not meet their demands. These carmakers are Stellantis, Ford, and General Motors. "If the Big Three don't give us our fair share, then they're choosing to strike themselves, and we're not afraid to take action," said Shawn. The three giant automakers need to make a decision, especially since their contracts with the United Auto Workers are about to expire in September. If ever the expected auto strike really does happen, it will not only affect jobs but also stir up a political issue for Biden in the electoral battleground state of Michigan because of the union's opposition to EV transition. Related Article: UPS Strike: Biden Should Not Intervene With Unionized Workers, Says Teamsters Leader @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Photo: Mateus Bonomi (AP) Politicians, Big Ag, and major automakers like Toyota and Volkswagen are all conspiring in Brazil to maintain ethanols lead at the expense of EVs. Brazils flexible-fuel cars, which can run on a mix of ethanol and gasoline, have long been the most popular vehicles on the market, but these sugar-cane cars are threatening the adoption of fully-electric cars in the South American country, as Bloomberg reports. And despite the popularity of flex-fuel ethanol cars, its not all necessarily in the hands of buyers. Ethanol-burning cars have ties to Brazils sugar industry, which wields great power and influence. Brazil is the worlds largest producer of sugar cane; the industry reportedly gave birth to the countrys agricultural elite, back when this small group amassed wealth off the backs of slaves brought in from Africa. In the ensuing decades, the sugar industry grew in power, and by 1979, had found another niche in pure ethanol-powered cars imported by Fiat. Read more These sugar-cane cars were cheaper to run than gasoline-powered cars, and made Brazil less prone to petroleum shortages, which decimated the countrys economy in the 70s. As you might expect, buyers reacted well to these cars and they gained a steady following. Photo: Andre Penner (AP) But it wasnt until Volkswagen introduced the Gol Flex in 2003 that ethanol-powered cars really took off . The Gol Flex popularized flex-fuel cars, which run on a mix of ethanol and gas, and these quickly dethroned pure gas-burning vehicles on the market. For reference, flex-fuel cars accounted for 84.5 percent of the countrys entire auto sales in June 2023, per Bloomberg. Until the advent of EVs, sugar-cane cars were a boon rather than curse. These cars helped Brazil achieve relatively low levels of carbon emissions: Bloomberg cites research that puts the lifetime emissions of Brazils sugar-cane cars at around 16.7 tons of carbon dioxide each versus the 40 to 50 tons emitted by similar combustion models around the world. Due to this, these cars helped Brazil lower its emissions compared to most developed economies and other middle-income, populous nations like Russia or Mexico. Remember, its not like Brazil is some scantily-populated country: Sao Paolo is the most populous city outside of Asia, and fourth largest city in the world based on population. Story continues The fact that sugar-cane cars helped Brazil curb its emissions to a great degree while saving Brazilians money firmly entrenched their popularity. But the cars are now getting in the way of EVs, and are threatening to put Brazil further behind the rest of the world as the auto industry transitions to fully-electric cars. Despite EVs having lifetime emissions around half (8 or 9 tons of CO2) that of sugar-cane cars, the government of Brazil seems unwilling to let EVs succeed. And commercial interests from Big Ag and Big Auto play a role, too: It is not about denying the electric vehicles, but ethanol still holds a place in Brazils journey for the next 10 to 15 years, especially because hybrids increase efficiency, said Paula Kovarsky, chief strategy officer at Brazils biggest sugar-cane processor, Raizen. It doesnt help that EVs in Brazil easily cost double what ethanol-powered vehicles like the flex-fuel Toyota Corolla cost. Because of the countrys stubborn devotion to sugar-cane cars, incoming EV makers from China like BYD and Great Wall Motors are now planning to make flex hybrids, in a stunning reversal of the Chinese carmakers onward march towards an EV future. The ongoing failure of EVs in the country is a shame, considering Brazil has one of the cleanest power grids in the world, producing over 80 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. Heres Brazils chance to be one of the cleanest auto fleets in the world, but a mildly cleaner and cheaper version of combustion is threatening its fully-electric future. Photo: Andre Penner (AP) More from Jalopnik Sign up for Jalopnik's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. (Bloomberg) -- Rishi Sunaks Conservative Party suffered two thumping electoral defeats in different corners of England, underlining the struggle he faces in national elections, even as he held onto a seat vacated by his controversial predecessor, Boris Johnson. Most Read from Bloomberg Labour took Selby and Ainsty, near Sunaks own constituency in North Yorkshire, with in a historic 24-percentage-point swing toward the opposition party, while the Liberal Democrats grabbed Somerton and Frome in the southwest by an even larger, 29-point shift. The Tories narrowly averted a clean sweep by holding Uxbridge and South Ruislip Johnsons former seat on the outskirts of London by 495 votes after a recount. Read more: Dont Say Tory: How Sunaks Party Aims to Survive Key Votes Sunak and his team had played down their chances in the three special elections in very different districts, arguing that even winning one would represent a victory given governments are often given a kicking in mid-term votes. The prime minister is eyeing a national vote in November 2024 to allow Britains ailing economy as much time as possible to recover, a person familiar with his thinking told Bloomberg. Economic data has begun to turn this week with a bigger-than-expected inflation drop, while figures published Friday show government borrowing undershot official forecasts potentially giving Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt room for tax cuts. The prime minister told reporters in Uxbridge the Conservatives will take encouragement from the result there, arguing it shows the outcome of the general election is not a done deal. The message I take away is that weve got to double down, stick to our plan and deliver, Sunak said. Story continues Read More: UK Inflation Gives Sunak a Lifeline in Election Buildup But the scale of the two defeats demonstrates the task ahead for Sunak as he attempts to turn around his partys slump in the polls, which began under Johnson and has barely recovered from Liz Truss disastrous seven-week premiership last fall. Surveys show voters blame the decline in public services and an inflation-fueled cost-of-living crisis on the Conservatives, who have been in power since 2010. Labours lead is about 20 points in recent surveys. John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University and an expert on UK elections, said the average drop in support for the Conservatives was about 21 points across the three contests, meaning they performed at least as badly as national surveys showing Labour far ahead of the governing party. These results confirm the evidence of the opinion polls that the Conservatives are still in considerable electoral trouble, he said in an interview on Friday. So far the replacement of Liz Truss by Rishi Sunak has not delivered electorally what the Conservatives were hoping it would do. The Tories are being squeezed on two fronts. In its Blue Wall stronghold in southern England, the party is battling to stop disillusioned voters turning to the Liberal Democrats. In northern England, they will be seeking to retain the seats they won from Labour in 2019, known as the Red Wall. Read More: Sunak Faces Trouble Everywhere in Bid to Keep Tory Voters Happy We have rewritten the rules on where Labour can win, said Keir Mather, Labours 25-year-old new MP in Selby. For too long, Conservatives up here and in Westminster have failed us, and today that changes. Mather won 46% of the vote in Selby and Ainsty, a rural seat that has been in Tory hands since it was created in 2010, compared with Labours 25% when the seat was last contested in 2019. Conservative Claire Holmes came second with 34% of the vote down from 60% last time. The Conservatives were defending a majority of 20,137 votes the biggest margin Labour has overturned in a by-election in the postwar period. In terms of percentage swing from the Conservatives to Labour, it is the second-biggest swing ever in a by-election, according to Curtice, and the first time theres been a result on that scale since the 1992-1997 Parliament the years that preceded Tony Blairs historic Labour victory. It is clear just how powerful the demand for change is. Voters put their trust in us many for the first time, Starmer said. After 13 years of Tory chaos, only Labour can give the country its hope, its optimism and its future back. Read More: Starmer Puts Heir to Blair Act Center Stage as Labour Eyes Power Conservative Party Chairman Greg Hands said hes disappointed at the two losses but said they were driven by Conservative voters staying home. Thats something which obviously, we need to work on, he said told Bloomberg Radios Caroline Hepker. Sarah Dyke became Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome with 55% of the vote, compared to 26% for the Tories. The seat has long passed between the the two parties, but had been in Conservative hands since 2015. The result proved tactical voting can be used by progressive parties at elections to beat the Conservatives, Dyke said in her victory speech. That was a reference to Labours support dropping about 10 percentage points. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said voters had spoken for the rest of the country who are fed up with Rishi Sunaks out-of-touch Conservative government. The result in Uxbridge provided Sunak with some relief, with Tory Steve Tuckwell winning 45% of the vote compared to Labours 44%. There was a 6.7-percentage point swing from the Conservatives to Labour, just short of the 7.6-point swing the opposition party needed to take the seat. Yet even the Conservatives conceded it was local factors that allowed them to scrape through. The Tories effectively turned the vote into an unofficial referendum on a controversial plan to expand Londons Ultra Low Emission Zone, which would see drivers of older vehicles in the district having to pay new charges in a bid to reduce pollution. That program is being pushed by Labours mayor of London Sadiq Khan. It was his damaging and costly ULEZ policy that lost them this election, Tuckwell said in his victory speech.This wasnt the campaign Labour expected and Keir Starmer and his mayor Sadiq Khan need to sit up and listen to the Uxbridge and South Ruislip residents. The close result presents a headache for both parties, given Tuckwells line does not offer much of a boost to Sunak. According to Curtice, if the swing to Labour in Uxbridge was replicated in a national vote, Sunaks partys would lose its majority in Parliament. Labour pointed to the ULEZ link as proof the Uxbridge result did not reflect national opinion, yet the result has already prompted calls within the party for a rethink on environmental policy. When you dont listen to voters you dont win elections, Labours deputy leader Angela Rayner told the BBC. The risk for Starmer is that the same dynamic drives results in other outer suburbs, with the next mayoral election looming next year. Johnson who actually started the ULEZ program as London mayor first won Uxbridge in 2015 and held the seat in 2019 with 53% of the vote, when he also led the Tories to a national victory. But he was forced out as prime minister last year and quit as an MP in June, after a panel found he lied to Parliament about rule-breaking parties in Downing Street during the pandemic. The Tory poll slump began under him but is continuing under Sunak. Further elections are expected in two more Tory-held areas Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth creating the potential for an unwelcome narrative for the Tories to persist into the fall. --With assistance from Rebecca Choong Wilkins. (Updates with Sunak comment in fifth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A suspect was arrested after manhunt following a deadly shooting in Hutchinson County on Thursday afternoon. The suspect, identified as Tayber Michael, was taken into custody without incident after being located in a shed, according to law enforcement. The shooting took place hours earlier, around 2:30 p.m. on County Line Road. According to Carson County Sheriff Tam Terry, via a video interview posted on Facebook by the Borger News Herald, law enforcement found a deceased individual at the scene of the shooting, who was identified as the stepfather of the suspect, but the involved firearm and suspect were not located at the time. A suspect was taken into custody after a deadly shooting outside a residence on County Line Road and brief manhunt between Borger and Fritch on Thursday afternoon. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene to assist, including the Hutchinson County Sheriff's Offce, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Borger Police Department, Fritch Police Department, Hutchinson County constables, Texas Department of Public Safety and the SWAT team from the Potter County Sheriff's Office. GoFundMe set up for family after 'horrendous loss for us' A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family of the victim, whom the fundraising page identified as David Howard. "Our sweet friend, Candace Cox Howard along with their two children, Haven and Hailey, tragically lost their beloved husband and father, David Howard, on the afternoon of July 20, 2023," the GoFundMe page notes. "The Howard Family is native to the Texas Panhandle area but has been living in Oklahoma where David was employed. He was the sole provider for this family. Please consider donating to this fundraiser to help Davids wife and children." An update from Candace Howard posted on the GoFundMe page says: "We are devastated over the loss of my beloved husband and childrens father. He was an amazing man. "I dont know whats to come for our family, but I would like everyone to know how grateful we are for the support we have received, and donations for our family. "This is a horrendous loss for us. David being taken at the hands of my own son, I cant even wrap my mind around. Ive lost a son, and my husband all in one. "We are just so grateful for the calls, messages, support and prayers. Prayers are what we need the most." This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Police arrest suspect after manhunt, shooting near Fritch The Sunnyside teen accused of a New Years Eve killing at a Richland apartment complex has been brought back to Benton County after months on the run. And his mother is in a cell of her own for helping him. Felipe Manjares, 19, and Rafael Torres-Topete are accused of killing Michael Castoreno, 21, at the Columbia Park apartments in Richland in what investigators have described as a gang-related shooting. Manjares was arrested in Kingsfisher, Okla., on May 5 with the help of the U.S. Marshals fugitive task force after a nationwide warrant for his arrest was issued in April. He was extradited and booked into the Benton County jail around 11 a.m. Thursday, and entered a plea of not guilty on Friday. He attended the court appearance remotely from the jail and was shackled. Manjares is expected back in court in early August, and could see a trial begin as early as this fall. He is being held on $1 million bail on a charge of premeditated first-degree murder with a deadly weapon enhancement for using a gun. Prosecutors say using a gun could add time to his sentence if hes found guilty. His alleged accomplice, Torres-Topete, is already in juvenile detention in connection with a robbery committed days before the shooting. He is charged as an adult with premeditated first-degree murder, along with the aggravating factor of using a gun. Police also arrested two members of Manjares family in connection with the shooting. His mother, Rosalina Guzman, was arrested in Oklahoma. She is suspected of helping him. And Manjares 16-year-old brother was arrested by Sunnyside police in May for illegally possessing a firearm. Rosalina Guzman, mother of murder suspect Felipe Manjares, 19, appears via video link Friday in Benton County Superior Court in Kennewick. Guzman has been charged with first-degree rendering criminal assistance. She entered a not guilty plea and her bail was set at $250,000. She was arrested in Oklahoma. Guzman has been charged with first-degree rendering criminal assistance. She was extradited back at the same time. Her bail was set at $250,000. She also entered a not guilty plea.Felipe Manjares, 19, who is one of two people accused of killing Michael Castoreno, 21, at a Richland apartment complex, appears via a video link in Benton County Superior Court in Kennewick. He was arrested in Kingsfisher, Okla., on May 5 with the help of the U.S. Marshals fugitive task force after a nationwide warrant for his arrest was issued in April. Guzman has been charged with first-degree rendering criminal assistance. She was extradited back at the same time. Her bail was set at $250,000. She also entered a not guilty plea. Guzmans boyfriend, Valentin Sanchez, also was charged with 1st degree rendering criminal assistance. He was arrested May 12. His bail was also set at $250,000. The apartment that the teens had been at was allegedly the home of Sanchezs sister. Story continues His brother accepted a plea deal on July 11 for first-degree rendering criminal assistance under 18 and second-degree unlawful gun possession under 18. He was sentenced to two months in the juvenile detention center and one year probation. New Years Eve shooting Richland police had been searching for a group of teens who confronted Castoreno in the middle of the apartment complex about 8 p.m. on New Years Eve. The group allegedly asked what his gang affiliations were, and when Castoreno answered, one teen pulled a gun out and began firing, according to court documents. Michael Castoreno was shot and killed in a Richland apartment complex on New Years Eve. His family was collecting donations to help with his burial. He was shot four times and left for dead as the group ran. A police dog search led police to an apartment that had been tied to a separate investigation into recent robberies in the area. Manjares and several others involved in the shooting were identified through a photo posted on Instagram from the night of the shooting, in which they were wearing the same clothing as seen on security cameras in the area. Manjares was allegedly referred to by the nickname Shooter. Police said they were also were able to tie shell casings found at the scene to a series of shootings in Mabton, Sunnyside and Yakima County. At least one of those shootings was tied to a group of brothers, one of them being Manjares, a known gang member. About half an hour after the shooting, a witness said Guzman arrived at the convenience store across from the apartment complex with Sanchez but the complex was blocked by police responding to the shooting. Manjares and his brothers then left, according to court documents. After identifying the vehicle they were in, investigators tried to contact Sanchez. He allegedly referred investigators to his attorney, who told them they were headed to Caldwell, Idaho. The vehicle was found at his fathers home in Caldwell. The shooting ended a violent year for Benton County, which had a record 19 homicides. Suspected gang member Fabian Portillo will be put on trial for the murder of 25-year-old Jacob Encinia who was gunned just hours after lighting fireworks for his family in northeast Reedley, a Fresno County Superior Court judge ruled Thursday. Reedley police believe the 25-year-old Portillo was looking for a human target on the night of July 4, 2021 as he slowly cruised through the eastside neighborhoods of Reedley in his black Chrysler 300. Several witnesses who testified at Portillos preliminary hearing said they saw a car matching Portillos driving slowing in the area of E. Ann Drive and N. Columbia Avenue at about 10 p.m. One witness, who parked in the area briefly to drop off his brother, said Portillo drove up next to him and asked what gang he was affiliated with, Norteno or Sureno? I didnt know what he was talking about, said David Palomo in Spanish. I said Im Mexican. Palomo said the vehicle pulled away from the curb and started turning north, but hesitated and then began turning right. Celina Lopez, who is Encinias mother-in-law, testified that the driver of the Chrysler appeared to change direction after he saw her son-in-law. Lopez said Encinia was on his phone and getting ready to walk his nephew across the street, when she saw the man in the black Chrysler talking to her son, Giovanni. Jacob saw it too, she said. Then I hear Jacob say to his brother-in-law, is everything all right? Lopez said. Prosecutor Kendall Reynolds asked Lopez if she heard what the man said and she said no. In her interview with Reedley police, Lopez said she heard the words Sanger and sur, the Spanish word for South. She then heard five to six shots and saw the flash of gunfire. She ran to her grandkids to help protect them. Under cross examination by Michael McKneely, Lopez was reluctant to say whether Encinia had gang ties. She objected to McKneely asking the question. Are you afraid to say that he (Jacob) is in a rival gang? McKneely asked. Okay, yes, Jacob was a Norteno, Lopez said. Portillo remains in the Fresno County Jail. He returns to court on Aug. 10 for an arraignment. The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will delay production at a factory in Arizona amid a shortage of skilled workers, the companys chairman said on Thursday. TSMC now plans to start producing 5-nanometer chips at the Phoenix plant in 2025, a year later than previously anticipated, Chairman Mark Liu said on the companys second quarter earnings call. We are encountering certain challenges, as there is an insufficient amount of skilled workers with those specialized expertise required for equipment installation in a semiconductor-grade facility, Liu said. While we are working to improve the situation, including sending experienced technicians from Taiwan to train the local skilled workers for a short period of time, we expect the production schedule of N4 process technology to be pushed out to 2025, he added. Liu did not mention any impact on the timeline of a second facility that TSMC plans to build in Arizona, which is expected to begin producing 3-nanometer chips by 2026. The company announced its plans to construct the second plant and increase its investment in the state of Arizona from $12 billion to $40 billion in December, when President Biden paid a visit to its Phoenix factory to highlight his efforts to boost American semiconductor manufacturing. TSMC, which is the worlds largest contract chipmaker and a major supplier to Apple, also reported on Thursday that it expects to see a 10 percent decrease in revenue in 2023. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The approval of Floridas new Black history curriculum didnt surprise Crystal Etienne. A seventh-grade civics teacher in Miami-Dade County, she has seen it coming since 2022. She attended several civics training sessions over the last year including the one where the instructor claimed presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson opposed slavery, even though both were slave owners so the changes were somewhat expected. Still, the states newly adopted standards for teaching Black history left Etiennne mortified. The Florida Board of Education certified the new standards Wednesday, causing an uproar among many. Some of the more concerning changes included teachings about how enslaved people benefited from their bondage, an attempt to contextualize American slavery within the global history of slavery and the false equivalence of anti-Black violence with acts of Black resistance. Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, who attended the Wednesday meeting, 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. Etienne, the West Homestead K-8 Center teacher, was equally disturbed. Its disgusting to use children as pawns in their adult scheme, she said, calling the changes an indoctrination into white, Christian nationalism. They feel like if youre teaching the bad, it somehow takes away from the good and it doesnt. If Im not allowed to teach the evolution of the country and the changes that have been made, what am I doing? This is fascism at its best, added Karla Hernandez-Mats, president of the United Teachers of Dade, which represents teachers in Miami-Dade public schools. This is exactly what fascist governments do when they censor teachers, when they go after education, when they try and suppress content from being taught. Story continues Since the Florida Legislature passed a slew of education laws over the past two years from giving parents power to challenge books to restricting how gender identity and sexual orientation is taught from Pre-K to eighth grade teachers have been worried, Hernandez-Mats said. But these changes related to Black history are not a way that students should be educated, she said. This is narrowing minds, Hernandez-Mats said. We want children to be well-rounded, well-educated, to have access to high-quality education... when you restrict teachers from teaching with honesty and teaching with truth, obviously thats going to impact conversations that were able to engage in with our students. Follows changes to AP African American course The controversy over how Black history will be taught in Floridas public schools follows a decision by the College Board earlier this year to leave out references in its new AP African American Studies course to the Black Lives Matter movement and slavery reparations, among other topics. The Boards decision came after Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized the pilot course. READ MORE: Black leaders blast College Boards changes to AP African American Studies course Florida already underperforms at teaching Black history. Although the instruction has been required since 1994, only 11 of the states 67 school districts sufficiently teach Black history, according to Bernadette Kelley-Brown, principal investigator and former chair of the African American History Task Force, which monitors how districts heed the law. This new statute now basically says if African American history is being taught, it is going to be taught in such an inappropriate, historically inaccurate, watered down way that it makes it untenable, said former State Sen. Dwight Bullard, a Democrat, who attended the Board of Education meeting in Orlando on Wednesday. The meeting seemed designed to deter the average person from going, Bullard said. It was held on a weekday in the back of resort with $28 parking (more than $30 for valet). After the guidelines were explained, a public comment portion ensued during which the vast majority opposed the changes. Then the board voted to approve the curriculum. How is it that a group that has no racial diversity basically bringing forward changes to African American studies and history that African American folks who have spoke are actively opposed to, Bullard said. Dwight Bullard Miami Herald file photo A former high school history teacher, Bullard couldnt fathom telling his students that theres a silver lining in slavery. He then took it a step further. Imagine the blowback of the same teacher trying to give you the upside of Nazi Germany, said Bullard, now the senior political advisor of Florida Rising, a voting rights group in Florida. Not only would it not be allowed, there would be bipartisan outrage over the idea that any teacher, a teacher or a curriculum trying to give the sunny side of Adolf Hitler. Yet we now have an African American history statute that is supposed to now give you this notion of the benevolent master, or the upside or benefit of being enslaved in America. Its crazy. To Marvin Dunn, a man who has made a career off of keeping Floridas Black history alive, most recently through his Teach the Truth tours, the issues with the new curriculum were plentiful. He called the attempt to reach some sort of equivalency for racial violence in our history flat-out wrong. He called the idea that enslaved people benefited from their subjugation evil. And he called the sparse mention of lynchings, which was only found twice in an explanation of guidelines, downright disrespectful. Your chances of getting lynched in Florida were greater than your chances of getting lynched in Mississippi and in Alabama, said Dunn, professor emeritus at Florida International University. They dont even mention these incidents in any kind of substantive way in these plans and our students need to know that these things happen. Dr. Marvin Dunn started Teach the Truth tours, which takes high school students, their parents, and teachers to the sites of some of the worst racial violence in Florida history. Hes seen here in a file photo from Nov. 13, 2021. The first tour took place on Jan. 8, 2021. Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald file Awakening Black parents Dunn also questioned why students had to learn about slavery in China, slavery in Asia, slavery in Africa in a Black history course, something he saw as an an effort to show that we were just another country that had slavery. American slavery, however, was very unique. It was the only system of slavery in the world in which the people who were enslaved were defined as property, were reduced to chattel property, Dunn said. For a Black child to sit in a Florida classroom and hear that their ancestors benefited from enslavement, how do you think they will react? Dunn asked. They are going to be hurt, they are going to be angry, they are going to tell their parents that this is being taught in the school. That, if anything, is the only positive takeaway from the situation: These standards have awakened a sleeping giant thats Black parents in this state, Dunn said. Etienne agreed, adding that shes already in contact with many parents who have voiced their displeasure. She, for one, doesnt have a choice but to abide by the new guidelines. What she will do, though, is encourage her students to do their own research. To think critically. To answer their questions honestly. My plan is to give them as much information as possible so that they can make their own decisions, Etienne said. Reporting from the News Service of Florida contributed to this article. Police arrested a 16-year-old suspect in connection with a shooting July 8 at the Gautier Community Center, according to a news release from the Gautier Police Department. Authorities on Friday charged the juvenile with aggravated assault. Police said he will be charged as an adult. Investigators have not ruled out the possibility of a second shooter, the release said, citing physical evidence. Police did not specify what evidence may point to a second shooter, but said the case is still being investigated. Gautier police responded to the shooting call about 11:03 p.m. on July 8 at the Gautier Community Center at 2012 Library Lane. The shooting occurred during a birthday party held at the community center, the release said, and it involved an altercation between multiple unknown individuals. One female juvenile victim who was not involved in the altercation suffered a gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries, the release said. The 16-year-old is held at the Jackson County jail. His bond is set at $150,000. Police asked anyone with information to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 228-497-2486 or Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-877-787-5898. In 2019, the number of active serial killers in the US was in the single digits, according to crime researchers. In the last week, US officials believe they may have located at least two different serial killers across New York and Texas, allegedly responsible for at least six deaths. A third man is a person of interest in four deaths in Oregon. Last Thursday, Rex Heuermann, a New York City architect, was arrested and charged with the murder of three women whose remains were found in Gilgo Beach, Long Island, a decade ago. Rex Heuermann (AP) Mr Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to the killings of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello, all of whom were working as sex workers at the time of their deaths. Suffolk County district attorney Ray Tierney said on Monday he feels officials have a solid case against the architect and that hes confident Mr Heuermann will be charged the murder of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Police reportedly used a DNA sample from a discarded pizza box, records from burner phones allegedly used to call the victims, and a sample of the architects wifes hair found on one of the sets of remains to pin down the suspect. Officials say Mr Mr Heuermanns internet search history captured him seeking out images of child sex abuse and Googling the so-called Long Island Serial Killer, whom authorities allege to be the New York man. Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello, the victims of the Long Island serial killer The following week, anonymous law enforcement sources told local media they had identified Jesse Lee Calhoun of Portland as a person of interest in the suspicious deaths of four women in the wider metro area in recent months, though officials have not publicly named him or charged him with any crimes. Jesse Lee Calhoun (Multnomah County Sheriff's Office) If he is in fact a person of interest, that would mean Oregon police think he has some tie to the deaths of Kristin Smith, 22; Charity Lynn Perry, 24; Bridget Leann (Ramsay) Webster, 31; and Ashely Real, 22, all of whom were found in wooded areas or near roads in the wider Portland area between February and May. Story continues Police have said the deaths are linked, though officials havent determined an official cause of death. 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) 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 he is in jail, though he was reportedly arrested last month on a parole violation and attempted to jump in a river to evade police officers. 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. 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 summer of 2022, 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. 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. A Washington woman named Krista Senor, who says she was in a relationship with Calhoun, claimed she lived with the alleged person of interest and knew that he sold fentanyl and had sex with other women during their time together. She claimed in an interview with a local YouTube channel Calhoun and one of the dead women, Real, had previously been involved with each other, and that Real would trade sex for drugs from the Portland man. Im still in shock over this. Its just surreal, Ms Sinor, 43 told The Oregonian on Wednesday. Its very strange. I cant wrap my mind around any of it. Neither can his family or friends. On Wednesday, Dallas, Texas, police arrested Oscar Sanchez Garcia, 25, and charged him with two counts of murder for the deaths of Kimberly Robinson, 60, and an unidentified woman, according to the Dallas Police Department. Oscar Sanchez Garcia, 25, was charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Kimberly Robinson, 60, and an unidentified woman. Police say he is also leading suspect in death of Cherish Gibson, 25 (DPD) He is also suspected of killing a third woman, Cherish Gibson, 25. He is currently being held on $4m bond and does not appear to have entered a plea on his charges. The two murdered women were found on 22 April and 24 June, respectively, near a Dallas transit station. The third woman was found less than five miles away on Saturday. Police linked the suspect to the killings using phone records and information from a licence plate reader to link him to the crime, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by WFAA. Following an investigation by The Charlotte Observer revealing a legal provision that allows defendants with mental health issues to languish in jails for years on end, the North Carolina ACLU and a local lawmaker say the system has to change. The Observers Purgatory a four-part series about a 37-year-old Charlotte murder suspect revealed legal ambiguity and a one-word loophole in state law allows criminal defendants like him to wait years, and even more than a decade in some cases, to go to trial if they are deemed mentally-incapable of proceeding to trial. The staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina said she is deeply concerned about the state of North Carolinas criminal justice system. Michele Delgado said she hears from families she works with that some defendants with mental health issues are being held for longer than they could be sentenced, if convicted due to delays in the states mental health system and a lack of hospital beds statewide. Folks should not be languishing in an in-custody loop, Delgado said. They already have mental health issues and I feel like when you leave people in custody, they deteriorate further, and nothings being resolved, and theyre not getting the treatment that they really need. State Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed, a Mecklenburg Democrat who sits on the states judiciary committee, is an attorney and says he is familiar with the delays in capacity restoration services and the criminal justice systems lack of resources. He said the states hospitals need more funding to make sure what happened to Devalos Perkins, the defendant featured in the Observers series, this doesnt happen to other defendants. What about Devalos Perkins? The Observer series focused on Perkins, who has been held pretrial for more than 10 years on first-degree murder and armed robbery charges. Perkins is being shuffled between hospital beds and jail bunks. When Perkins was arrested and charged with murder in 2012, a part of North Carolina criminal law left the possibility of indefinite incarceration for defendants deemed mentally-incapable of proceeding to a trial. Judges could decide to dismiss a persons charges after long waits but werent required to. Story continues The law was changed in 2013 and now, after a 10-year wait to go to trial on felony cases, North Carolina judges are required to dismiss the charges for a person deemed mentally-incapable of standing trial. The pivotal one word in the law was changed from may to shall. The old law When a defendant lacks capacity to proceed, the court may dismiss the charges was repealed, replaced with a new provision with a time limit to purgatory. Delgado said even though the law is now mandatory rather than discretionary, the law Perkins was tried under still gives the judge some discretion, and his case could be dismissed if a judge chose to honor the ten-year period of time outlined in both current law and the older version of the law. To ensure what happened to Perkins doesnt happen to other defendants, Delgado suggests lawmakers look at applying a specific timeline like other states have to the evaluation, capacity restoration, and hospitalization process. Perkins has repeatedly bounced between evaluations and treatment, then reevaluation in a seemingly endless cycle over his more than 10 years behind bars. This shouldnt be the case, Delgado says. Legislators can always pass statutes and amend things to fix problems. So if they went ahead and maybe set a time frame, like 30 days for evaluations and 30 days for services, that would be helpful, Delgado said. The fact that Perkins has been left behind bars in a state of legal purgatory for so long is unjust not only to him, but to the family of his alleged victim, Justin Ervin, Mohammed said. This has been a terrible injustice thats been done, not just to Mr. Perkins, but also the victims family, whos probably seeking closure, who wants to put this behind them and wants to know whats going to happen with this case, Mohammed said. In 2005, three men attacked Justin Ervins girlfriend Shasta Rich while the couple was at a Charlotte gas station to buy cigarettes. Ervin tried to fight back and was shot and killed. Police arrested Perkins for the crime in 2012, but without a trial Ervins family has no closure. Mohammed said the language of the law, combined with a lack of hospital and community resources, have compounded to allow this to happen to Perkins and others. The ambiguity in state law, the difference between may and shall, and whether or not the current law can be applied retroactively are all things lawmakers should address, he says. We can come up with some sort of language that makes it retroactive to address individuals like Mr. Perkins so that they and the victims families can also benefit from the change in law. Whats the solution? While Perkins case is complex, Mohammed and Delgado say the root of the problem stems from a lack of health care services in jails, hospital beds, and funding. They say there is a lack of community-based healthcare and health care in the criminal justice system that could help these defendants. Delgado said many defendants are spending more time before a trial in jail than they should and this aggravates existing mental health issues because they are waiting on evaluations, hospital beds, and capacity restoration treatments. Delgado said community based capacity restoration programs could be a solution that can offer defendants the treatment they need outside of jail. Mohammed agrees. Mohammed said defendants will eventually re-enter the communities they were living in before their incarceration and if they dont receive the mental health care they need, that transition will be difficult. One possible solution could be expanding the Department of Health and Human Services new initiative, NC Rise, that provides capacity restoration services at local jails, Mohammed said. This would ultimately help to prevent defendants deemed incapable in jail so they dont have to wait on a hospital bed, and may help to prevent them from regressing after they receive treatment and before trial. But ultimately it comes down to funding for these initiatives, for beds, and for staff, he said. (We need) to make sure that people at the end of the day are taken care of, that were actually building people in North Carolina instead of building prisons, Mohammed said. Thats whats been missing. And this is why you see individuals like Mr. Perkins and so many others who are in our justice system who go in and out of our justice system, because we havent genuinely gone out of our way to rehabilitate them, and that harms public safety for all of us. A spokesman for Gov. Roy Cooper refused an interview with the Observer and would not comment on the issue or Perkins case beyond sending the following quote: The legislature needs to fully fund state capacity restoration care and the Governor outlined in his recommended budget $150 million for justice-related interventions, including capacity restoration. The Governor supports strengthening restoration services to better serve ITP defendants and decrease the backlog while making sure communities are safe and protected from harm. A spokesperson for the Attorney Generals Office also refused to speak with the Observer claiming they were unable to comment on this matter because of health care privacy laws and attorney-client privilege. (Photo : SIMON MAINA/AFP via Getty Images) Police in Kenya opened fire during opposition-organized protests against the rising cost of living. Kenya anticipated days of anti-government protests led by the government's political opposition in response to a controversial new finance law and the rising cost of living. Amnesty International Kenya's Mathias Kinyoda told ABC News that at least six people were shot and killed, and twelve others were injured on Wednesday, the first day of a planned three-day protest against higher taxes. Kenyans Protest Over Rising Cost of Living Kinyoda stated that at least 87 demonstrators were detained nationwide. Opposition leader Raila Odinga called for the protests. The unrest was scheduled to occur despite Kenyan President William Ruto's assurances that there would be no demonstrations in the East African nation. At least five protestors were injured during clashes with police on Wednesday. According to Amnesty International Kenya, "paramilitary police officers and armored water cannon vehicles are already patrolling and engaging protestors in multiple towns and communities." In Kibera, a stronghold of the opposition, demonstrations turned violent, with demonstrators torching tires and furniture, pelting police with stones, and using tear gas. In the most recent anti-government demonstrations, the United Nations reports that at least 23 people were slain, and over 300 were detained. Additionally, protests have been reported in Kisumu, Kisii, and Migori counties in Kenya, according to ABC News. In response to "credible security intelligence," the Kenyan Ministry of Education has announced that all primary and secondary schools in Nairobi and the coastal city of Mombasa will be closed on Wednesday as a "precautionary measure." Additionally, several establishments remain closed. Ruto signed a contentious finance measure last month at Nairobi's State House that proposed doubling the tax on petroleum from 8% to 16%. This has sparked protests. The resolution intended to reduce Kenya's external debt, according to officials. However, the measure will have a ripple effect on the cost of essential goods, adding to the economic burden of Kenyans already struggling with the rising cost of living. Read Also: Mississippi Teen Dies at Poultry Processing Plant While Operating Equipment Kenya Police Prohibited to Report Protester Deaths The Associated Press witnessed one individual with a shoulder wound and two others with leg wounds in the Nairobi neighborhood of Mathare. According to a police officer who spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to communicate with the media, four protesters were injured in Mathare. Alvin Sikuku, a health records worker in Nairobi's Kangemi neighborhood, told the Associated Press that two young males were brought to the Eagle Nursing Home clinic. He said, "Police are using live ammunition." In Nakuru, Nakuru Referral Hospital Medical Superintendent James Waweru confirmed that four patients presented with gunshot wounds, two in the abdomen, one in the thorax, and one in the leg. A fifth individual had been slashed and injured. The Interior Ministry reported that over 300 individuals were arrested during the protests and will be charged with offenses including looting, property destruction, and assaulting police officers In a statement, the opposition condemned the incarceration of seven elected leaders and two close associates of Odinga as a "desperate attempt" by the Ruto administration to paralyze the opposition. According to the opposition, protests will continue on Thursday. Businesses and schools in Nairobi were closed as police dispersed demonstrators with tear gas and water cannons. Several other regions of the country, including the western counties of Migori and Kisii, where the opposition enjoys substantial support, also reported demonstrations. Police claimed the protests were unlawful because no permit had been issued, but the Kenyan constitution guarantees the right to nonviolent demonstrations. According to watchdogs, at least ten persons were slain last week during similar protests. An officer verified at least six fatalities to the Associated Press. Many others were injured, including 53 children shocked after tear gas was released within their school's perimeter. Religious leaders have urged dialogue between the government and the opposition to halt the protests. Wednesday, Catholic bishops issued a statement in which they implored the president to repeal the controversial financial law that has angered many Kenyans. As the government doubles the value-added tax on hydrocarbon products to 16%, the law has increased the price of fuel to its greatest level. Despite a court order suspending the implementation of the controversial new taxes, the prices have taken effect. This week, the International Monetary Fund termed the law's ratification a "crucial" step in reducing Kenya's debt vulnerabilities. On Tuesday, envoys from thirteen Western nations issued a joint statement advocating for dialogue and expressing concern over the loss of life and property. The Kenya Medical Association reported that its members had treated "hundreds of injured Kenyans and witnessed tens of fatalities" due to protests in recent months and that limited access to health facilities had led to increased mortality among patients and health care workers. Human Rights Watch urged political leaders to stop labeling demonstrators as "terrorists" and to respect the right to engage in nonviolent demonstrations. The group criticized the police for using force and live ammunition against demonstrators. Police in Kenya claim they have been instructed not to report deaths during protests against the rising cost of living. A police official said that they were instructed this week not to report any fatalities during the protests called by the political opposition through Friday. It was unclear who issued the order at first glance. The official spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Related Article: Israeli Protesters Step Up Demonstrations Against Netanyahu's Judicial Overhaul @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. As syphilis cases continue to spike across the U.S. with some cities and states recently reporting outbreaks there is a growing concern about the availability of Bicillin, the injectable penicillin that is used to treat the sexually transmitted infection in adults and kids. The city of Houston officially declared a syphilis outbreak on July 13. It cited a 128% increase in cases among women and a nine-fold rise in congenital syphilis in Houston and Harris County, according to an announcement from the Houston Health Department. Last month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it expects a "limited supply and impending stock out situation" for select Bicillin medications . Cases of syphilis, a bacterial infection that is spread through sexual contact or from a mother to an unborn child, have been on the rise in the U.S. for the past several years. WHY ANTIBIOTICS MAY NOT HELP PATIENTS SURVIVE THEIR VIRAL INFECTIONS: NEW RESEARCH Since 2017, all stages of the disease have risen by 74%, with over 176,000 cases reported in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP Cases of syphilis, a bacterial infection spread through sexual contact or from a mother to an unborn child, have been on the rise in the U.S. for the past several years. Between 2020 and 2021 alone, syphilis cases increased by 32%. Cases of congenital syphilis, which occurs when a mother passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy , also rose by 32% resulting in 220 stillbirths and infant deaths. Certain regions of the country have seen an even more dramatic spike. In Texas, congenital syphilis cases have risen by 650% since 2016, per the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. HOUSTON HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT SYPHILIS OUTBREAK, 128% SPIKE IN CASES AMONG WOMEN James Hodges, M.D., an internist in Waco, Texas, has been in practice for more than 20 years. He shared with Dr. Marc Siegel, professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, that two Texas prisons have seen a surge in positive syphilis cases among their womens intake units. Story continues "Theyve seen somewhere in the neighborhood of twice the amount compared to just 18 months ago," he told Fox News Digital. "Those inmates are mostly coming from Houston and San Antonio, and more now from Dallas-Ft. Worth. Since 2017, all stages of the disease have risen by 74%, with more than 176,000 cases reported in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "They are not concerned about it, and are often quoted as saying, Its no big deal, there is a cure." Hodges estimated that young White women and young Black women comprise the largest share of cases in womens prisons. Some county sheriffs he spoke with were unaware of the syphilis problems, as the county jails dont typically test for the disease, Hodges added. The CDC provides guidance for all physicians performing medical screening examinations for immigrants and refugees entering the U.S., according to Letitia Bligh, the agencys health communications specialist in Atlanta . Immigrants with certain communicable diseases are not eligible to obtain a visa or enter the country, according to Section 212(a)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). NEW REPORT SUGGESTS 'PANIC BUYING' OF MEDICATIONS BY PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS CAUSED DRUG SHORTAGES Syphilis is one of the diseases on that list, in addition to tuberculosis, gonorrhea, COVID-19, polio, smallpox, pandemic flu and others. "CDC has comprehensive surveillance systems to track communicable diseases (diseases that can be transmitted to others) for people in the U.S.," Bligh said. "However, CDC does not track diseases by immigration status." Between 2014 and 2019, approximately 445 out of every 100,000 tested immigrants and refugees were positive for some form of syphilis, per the CDC. Immigrants with certain communicable diseases are not eligible to obtain a visa or enter the country. The CDC website states that "syphilis tests must be performed at the time of the immigration medical examination and at the laboratory stated in the panel physician agreement" but some doctors are skeptical. "They are not being tested for COVID as they come across [the border], much less for syphilis," Hodges, the Texas physician, told Siegel. The Texas-Mexico border region "has the lowest rates of gonorrhea and primary and secondary syphilis, but has the highest rate of congenital syphilis," according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. "Out of the reported 25,469 syphilis cases in Texas during 2022, 143 of those cases were reported to acquire the infection from Mexico," said a spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services. A spokesperson for the Texas Department of State Health Services told Fox News Digital on Thursday that they are unable to quantify the impact of immigration on reported syphilis cases in Texas. "The data source used for geographical reporting of syphilis diseases within Texas is the clients home address reported by the provider," the spokesperson continued. "We attempt to obtain [information about] sexual partners from newly diagnosed individuals to facilitate their testing and treatment, but were unable to distinguish Mexico residents from Texas from the information provided." The spokesperson also said, "Of the reported 25,469 syphilis cases in Texas during 2022, 143 of those cases were reported to acquire the infection from Mexico." CANCER CENTERS ARE SUFFERING MAJOR SHORTAGE OF POPULAR CHEMO DRUGS Dr. Jason E. Zucker, assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, told Siegel that while hes unsure of the exact percentage, he does treat some immigrants with syphilis. "That said, syphilis rates in the domestic population have been increasing for years so anecdotally, while we are seeing some recent immigrants, the majority of our patients with syphilis are not recent immigrants," he said. Pfizer is the only pharmaceutical company that makes Bicillin, producing the drug in its Rochester, Michigan, facility. A Pfizer spokesperson told Fox News Digital said the drug is "definitely taxed" and in "constrained supply," but denied that there is an official shortage. Cases of congenital syphilis, which occurs when a mother passes the infection on to her baby during pregnancy, rose by 32% between 2020 and 2021. In 2022, during the convergence of RSV, flu and COVID, there was a shortage of the popular antibiotic amoxicillin. This led doctors to begin prescribing Bicillin as a backup to treat strep throat and other bacterial infections in children , which hadnt happened before, the Pfizer rep said. Those factors, coupled with the spike in syphilis cases, led to the dwindling supply. "Were pushing hard to produce more Bicillin and supply the market," the spokesperson added. After amoxicillin became widely available again, Pfizer switched its focus to making more of the adult form of Bicillin, pausing production of the childrens version. DEMENTIA PATIENTS WHO TAKE OPIOIDS FACE 'WORRISOME' DEATH RISK, NEW STUDY FINDS "We made a decision to deprioritize the pediatric version of the drug which is rarely ever used by pediatricians for antibiotic purposes with kids and to prioritize the adult version for the patient community that needs it most," the spokesperson said. "It's vital for pregnant women with syphilis to get the drug, because if they don't, their babies could die or be born with birth defects. So it was a relatively straightforward call." The pediatric version is expected to run out eventually, the rep confirmed, but he also said, "There will not be a stock-out of the adult drug." Currently, the drug is "not as readily available as we would like, but there is supply," he said. Mark C. Poznansky, M.D., PhD, an infectious disease physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and an associate professor at Harvard University, told Siegel that the potential shortage of Bicillin didnt affect them much until the past few weeks. "The hospital does still have some Bicillin, and we are able to procure some from the state directly, but currently the drug is being prioritized for pregnant people with syphilis and their contacts, or people who, for whatever reason, cannot receive doxycycline," he explained. "The state supply can also be used for people with primary/secondary/early latent syphilis." UTERINE CANCER DEATHS COULD SOON OUTNUMBER DEATHS FROM OVARIAN CANCER, ONCOLOGIST SAYS: WE NEED TO DO BETTER At Columbia University, physicians are seeing an increase in syphilis cases across gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) as well as people born female, Zucker told Siegel. "That is coupled with the nationwide shortage of Bicillin, driven by increased demand, which has led us to develop protocols to try and reduce Bicillin usage whenever possible," he said. In Nashville, Tennessee, Dr. Zachary Hoy, a board-certified pediatric infectious disease specialist and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group, mainly sees cases of congenital syphilis, which happens when an infant is born to a mother with the infection. Pfizer is the only pharmaceutical company that makes Bicillin, the penicillin drug that treats syphilis. "Currently we have not experienced a shortage of Bicillin at my facility, but there are some hospitals in Nashville that are concerned about a shortage," he told Fox News Digital. Pfizer expects to reach "full recovery mode" which is when there is an "ample backup supply" of six to eight weeks worth of excess supply on the shelves by mid- to late-2024, the company spokesperson told Fox News Digital. The first sign of syphilis is usually a painless sore on the mouth, genitals or rectum, according to the Mayo Clinic. Later symptoms can include a body rash, hair loss, muscle aches, sore throat, fever and swollen lymph nodes. In its early stages, syphilis can be treated with an injection of penicillin (Bicillin). CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER If left untreated, up to 30% of people may develop tertiary syphilis, which can eventually damage the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones and joints, per the Mayo Clinic. With congenital syphilis, an infected mother can pass the disease on to her unborn baby, which can cause fetal death, premature birth or birth defects. With congenital syphilis, an infected mother can pass the disease on to her unborn baby, which can cause fetal death, premature birth or birth defects. Those most at risk include people who engage in unprotected sex, have sex with multiple partners, are men who have sex with men, or are infected with HIV, the Mayo Clinic states. There is currently no vaccine for syphilis. "Many sexually transmitted infections are treatable, but have to be diagnosed and followed with a treatment plan," Hoy told Fox News Digital. "STI screening is free or at a significantly reduced cost at public health departments," he added. "Some screening can even be done via urine or swab testing and may not require a blood draw." Those who suspect they may be infected should seek screening right away, the doctor advised. Omar Tortua, 27, from Venezuela, lifts shows the slash wound his 5-year-old son Jesus suffered from razor wire crossing the Rio Grande. EAGLE PASS, Texas By the time Omar Tortua and his family waded into the warm river water at Piedras Negras, they had already survived a treacherous journey through the jungle of the Darien Gap, across six countries and past cartel kidnappers. But it was only at the end that Tortua saw the danger claw into his own child when a coil of concertina wire placed at the American shoreline by Texas officials ensnared the leg of his 5-year-old son. He scooped up the bleeding child, with officers watching from the bank above. All along this riverbank, scraps of clothing bear witness to the many migrants who have been snared by razor wire in recent weeks. And as federal and state officials clash over Texas' latest border security initiative, the migrants who reach the United States display its toll, in bruises and broken ankles and glinting rows of surgical staples that hold closed their slice wounds. An internal e-mail from a Texas state trooper, revealed last week, raised the alarm that the state's efforts had become "inhumane." On Friday, USA TODAY observed how that razor wire has slashed not just adults but young children. Tortua, 27, from Venezuela, had waded into the Rio Grande early Wednesday at Piedras Negras, Mexico. With him were his wife, Yamilet Castillo, 31, and their sons, Jesus and Elias. The boys are twins, the kind of kids who giggle together at each new sight, wide-eyed and curious about the world. The family had already been trekking for weeks. Turning back now was not an option. They shuffled, waist-deep, along the rivers edge, maneuvering around coils of lacerating wire in the water and stepping carefully over more that stuck out along the banks. From the Texas bank of the river, men in vehicles trailed them slowly. Whether the agents were state troopers, National Guard, or Border Patrol, the family didn't know. They were simply policias, and they were calling out instructions: Tortua and his family would have to keep going, downriver to a staging area or return to Mexico. Story continues Jesus Tortua, 5, was crossing with his family Wednesday when he crossed the razor wire. As he climbed around one rock in the river, Jesus slipped and stumbled onto a wire coil that jutted out. It slashed into his left calf, leaving a two-inch gash. Blood spilled into the water. Jesus let out a shrieking cry. The authorities called out, from the other side of the wire, saying they could help. Tortua reached over the coils and handed his son to them. The authorities wrapped the boys cut. But they made the rest of the family continue farther downstream before allowing them up on the banks, Tortua said. Somewhere along the way, a medic treated the boys leg. His family was turned over to U.S. Border Patrol, where they were processed and released until their court date. It was horrible, Tortua said Friday from inside the Mission: Border Hope migrant shelter just outside Eagle Pass. He pulled up Jesus pant leg to show the four medical staples it took to seal the gash. I dont understand: If they were just going to arrest us and let us go, why do they have to put all that up? he said. It doesnt seem right. All that is the miles of razor wire Texas has erected on the banks of the Rio Grande to deter unauthorized crossings. Omar Tortua, 27, Yamilet Castillo, 31, Jesus, front, and Elias, 5, from Venezuela, arrived at Mission: Border Hope on Friday in Maverick County, Texas. After being snared in razor wire and handed over to Border Patrol, they were released until their court date. Omar wondered why the wire was needed "if they were just going to arrest us and let us go." Attention to them has amplified last week along with controversy over Texas other attempt at a border barrier: a 1,000-foot string of floating orange buoys the state deployed at midstream. Purchased from a government security contractor, the floating wall is designed to trap swimmers, in a river that often runs knee-deep and warm in the summer sun, but where the tranquil surface hides dark pockets of head-high water. In the past week, migrants, including many children, have arrived at the Eagle Pass shelter with an array of injuries: lacerations, welts and open wounds. Pregnant women have high blood pressure from stress, said Valeria Wheeler, the shelters executive director, and migrants have gashes in their heads and faces. The shelter has also been accepting an unusually high number of migrants recently released from hospitals, she said. This is the worst Ive ever seen it, Wheeler said. Theyre putting lives at risk. Revelations of those injuries have drawn widespread condemnation from immigrant advocates, Democratic leaders and other agencies. By the end of the week, the Justice Department warned Texas that it planned to file suit over the floating barrier. Buoys float on the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass, Texas on Thursday. The State of Texass actions violate federal law, raise humanitarian concerns, present serious risks to public safety and the environment, and may interfere with the federal governments ability to carry out its official duties, the department wrote in a letter to Gov. Greg Abbott, which was obtained by USA TODAY. The letter gives Texas until Monday to commit to removing the barrier and warns that, if there is no response, the administration will proceed with a lawsuit. The coils of wire also restrict U.S. Border Patrol agents from accessing the river and helping migrants in distress. We can enforce the law and, at the same time, ensure that we prioritize the wellbeing of those we encounter, a Border Patrol spokesperson said in a statement. We are very concerned by reports of actions that not only make it harder for Border Patrol agents to enforce our nations immigration laws, but also put lives in danger. Abbotts border actions brought condemnation from the White House. "The governors actions are cruel and putting both migrants and border agents in danger," White House spokesman Abdullah Hasan told USA TODAY Friday. "The Department of Justice made clear that it is prepared to take the governor to court if he doesnt immediately remove the unlawful structures in the Rio Grande." A floating border wall in Texas, and a whistleblower's warning Migrants hold hands for safety as they cross the Rio Grande River into the U.S. in Eagle Pass, Texas on Thursday from Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. The migrants were part of a group of nearly 30 hoping to seek asylum in the U.S. The Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas state guard have been uncoiling miles of concertina wire along the banks of the Rio Grande since 2021 as part of Operation Lone Star, Abbotts multibillion-dollar initiative to use state resources to curtail unauthorized border crossings. More than 90 miles of the sharp-edged wire has been unfurled throughout South Texas, according to DPS. The dangers of the razor wire entered the spotlight, though, when a recent email by a Texas DPS trooper to his superiors was made public. The July 3 email by trooper and paramedic Nicholas Wingate, first reported by the Houston Chronicle, describes how he and fellow troopers came across large groups of men, women and children along the banks of the Rio Grande and were ordered by commanders to push people "back into the water toward Mexico. The email, which DPS provided to USA TODAY, also described encountering a male migrant with a significant laceration on his left leg while extricating his child from the razor wire and a 19-year-old pregnant woman having a miscarriage while stuck in the wiring. He also alleged troopers were directed not to give water or medical attention to migrants. I believe we have stepped over a line into the in humane, Wingate wrote. Two weeks later, on July 15, DPS director Steve McCraw dispatched an email to regional directors with the subject line Incidents Involving Concertina Wire DPS, in which he reminded DPS leaders that crossing through the concertina wire without protective gear is no doubt likely to result in an injury. This is self evident, but we need to ensure that migrants are reminded of this by signage and continued verbal warnings Internal memos show DPS was circulating photos of border crossers wounded by the wire. One shows a migrant with a long gash along the torso that had been medically stapled shut. Others show a bloodied finger and leg injuries. A memo lists seven incidents, between July 4 and July 13, where migrants had been caught in the concertina wire, including a mother and child who had been transported to the hospital with cuts and another migrant who was transported to San Antonio for treatment with several lacerations that required staples. Texas Department of Public Safety officers observe migrants from behind concertina wire on Thursday. McCraws directive says agents would continue to save lives, and notes that a soldier died during a water rescue an apparent reference to an incident last year. But the directive also echoes the orders Tortua heard as his children approached the razor wire. We will be able to prevent migrants from risking their lives by denying them access between the Ports of Entry, McCraw wrote, and encourage them to use one of the 29 Texas international bridges where they can safely cross. DPS Office of Inspector General is investigating the allegations made in Wingates email, agency spokesman Travis Considine said. If our personnel are doing anything that violates policy, they will be held accountable, he said in an email. There are no orders from the top that prohibit Troopers from giving water to women and children or attending to migrants who need medical attention. In a joint statement from Abbotts office, McCraw, Texas Border Czar Mike Banks and the Texas National Guard, state officials said they were taking steps to monitor the safety of migrants and provide medical attention to those in distress. They blamed President Joe Bidens border policies for the need to ramp up enforcement. With migrants from over 150 countries encouraged by open border policies to risk their lives and make this dangerous trek to enter our country illegally, Texas is deploying every tool and strategy to deter and repel illegal crossings between ports of entry, it said. The absence of these tools and strategies including concertina wire that snags clothing encourages migrants to make potentially life-threatening and illegal crossings. Buoys float on the Rio Grande River in Eagle Pass, Texas, Thursday as a Mexican engineer with the International Boundary and Water Commission uses GPS determine to see if the buoys are crossing into Mexican territory. But Texas may be overstepping its authority by deploying the buoys, experts said. Placing the buoys without consulting the U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission violates the 1944 water treaty and 1970 treaty between the U.S. and Mexico, said Stephen Mumme, a Colorado State University political scientist and author of Border Water: The Politics of U.S.-Mexico Transboundary Water Management, 1945-2015. Last week, high-ranking Mexican officials filed a complaint over the buoys. Considine, the DPS spokesman, would not comment on Mexicos complaints. Neither would the U.S. State Department. Mexico did not previously complain when border walls and fences went up on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande without consulting the commission, also a potential violation of the treaties, Mumme said. The fact that they are now raising complaints points to how serious Mexican officials consider the matter, he said. The state of Texas has no authority whatsoever to be doing what its doing, Mumme said. A border grove fenced like a prison Migrants breach a section of concertina wire after crossing the Rio Grande River on Thursday. Just behind Heavenly Farms, a 300-acre pecan grove on the banks of the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, coils of concertina wire are stacked one atop of the other, stretching for miles in either direction. Sweaters, swim trunks and strands of T-shirts hang from the wires pointed barbs, signs of where migrants were snagged by the wire. Humvees and trucks ferrying National Guard troops from Ohio and Missouri, U.S. Border Patrol trucks and DPS cruisers steadily rumble over dirt roads, kicking up clouds of dust. Migrants are often caught in wire nearly submerged near two islands in the river, or when they climb over the coils to reach U.S. soil, said Magali Urbina, the farms owner. Urbina called the concertina wire sickening and she and her husband, Hugo Urbina, have repeatedly asked Texas authorities to remove the wire from their property. Theyve refused, she said. Its horrible, Magali Urbina said. I cant imagine how many people have gotten caught in it. The Urbinas bought the land in 2021 as an idyllic retirement location, where they could gaze out at the churning waters of the Rio Grande and occasionally go fishing. Instead, it now more closely resembles a prison camp. Though streams of asylum-seekers stalked through her property last year, those numbers were already dwindling earlier this year before Texas put up the wire, she said. Magali Urbina questioned if the wire will truly deter migrants. If they came from Venezuela, through the Darien Gap" a roadless crossing at the border of Colombia and Panama "this is not going to stop them, she said, looking out at coils of stacked concertina wire at the edge of her property. Diego Molina, 34, Heidy Orellano, 33, Camila, 1, and Diego, 10, from Honduras, arrived with a group of migrants at Mission: Border Hope on Friday in Maverick County, Texas. DPS officials said troopers should not be jeopardizing the well-being of migrants and have shared pictures on social media of troopers assisting migrants. But asylum-seekers at the Mission: Border Hope shelter, some with small children, described scenes of crossing the river only to be told by authorities on the U.S. side to return across the Rio Grande to Mexico or trek for miles downriver. Reyna Gloria Dominguez, 42, from Honduras, crossed the river two weeks ago with her husband, Edemecio, and four children, ages 5 to 22. She was nursing a broken ankle she said she had suffered in Monterrey fleeing gunmen on her trip to the border. As the family arrived on the U.S. side and faced coils of razor wire, authorities told her they would take her since she was injured but her family had to return to Mexico, she said. Dominguez said she stood on the banks, dripping wet, and cried as she watched her family recross the Rio Grande and return to Mexico. Reyna Gloria Dominguez, 42, from Honduras, grips a bible and tears up recounting her journey, at Mission: Border Hope on Friday in Maverick County, Texas. Dominguez said she injured her foot in Monterrey fleeing from gunman. I said, God, please, where are you? she said through tears at the shelter on Friday, as she hugged a battered Bible. I didnt know if my children made it back to Mexico or were here or even alive. She added: I never imagined that the United States would be so painful, so heartless. Diego Molina, 34, fled Honduras with his family earlier this year to flee criminal gangs who he said had shut down his business and extorted money from him. He needed to reach the U.S., he said, to save money and get a heart-valve operation done for his son, Diego, 10, to fix a heart condition. As he crossed the Rio Grande earlier last week with Diego, his wife, Heidy Orellano, 33, and their 1-year-old daughter, Camila, he was met with rows of concertina wire. They crossed with a pregnant woman and her husband and a mother with two small children. As they puzzled how to get past the wire, U.S. authorities yelled at them to go further downriver and blared a siren at them, he said. With water at times coming up to his neck, Molina led his family downriver. The men on the banks told them to keep going but his son was struggling to breathe. With sirens blaring and children crying, he stepped on razor wire protruding from the water and had his family amble on shore. The wire tore at his pants, but everyone made it to land. The authorities immediately called an ambulance for the pregnant woman and for his son. We didnt think it would be like this, Molina said from the shelter on Friday. But once you cross from Mexico, you cant go back. Contributing: Michael Collins and Bart Jansen This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: At Texas' floating border wall, children slashed by razor wire Texas high school shooter Timothy Simpkins was found guilty of attempted capital murder Thursday for a 2021 shooting that injured three people. According to Fox 4, the jury deliberated for most of the day Thursday in the trial of Simpkins for the Oct. 6, 2021 shooting at Timberview High School in Arlington, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Before the case was handed to the jury, the defense and prosecutors argued over whether self-defense could be considered as a justification for the shooting. But late Wednesday, the judge decided it could not and ordered the jury to not consider it. The shooting occurred in a classroom after Simpkins and another student got into a fight. At one point, a then-18-year-old Simpkins drew a weapon and started shooting. A 15-year-old student and a 25-year-old teacher were shot and a female student was grazed by a bullet. A pregnant woman at the scene was injured in a fall in the ensuing chaos. Simpkins turned himself in to authorities later that day after fleeing the scene and was charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a gun. He was released from Tarrant County Jail after paying a $75,000 bond. Several days later, civil rights attorney Kim Cole said the incident was not a standard-issue school shooting. Simpkins family told NBC-DFW her son was often bullied and had been robbed twice at the school. The punishment phase for the trial will begin Friday morning, with Simpkins potentially facing up to 20 years in prison. Texas A&M President M. Katherine Banks (pictured) has resigned, citing the mishandled hiring of Dr. Kathleen McElroy to revive the school's journalism department. McElroy said her hiring failed over conservative "hysteria" from "outside" influences objecting to her research on diversity, equity and inclusion in newsrooms. Photo via Texas A&M President Facebook July 21 (UPI) -- Texas A&M University President M. Katherine Banks resigned late Thursday evening following accusations that the hiring of a Black editor for its journalism department was mishandled. Her resignation letter to Chancellor John Sharp directly references the problems the school had in the hiring of former New York Times editor Dr. Kathleen McElroy to revive the school's journalism department. "The recent challenges regarding Dr. McElroy have made it clear to me that I must retire immediately," Banks wrote. "The negative press is a distraction from the wonderful work being done here." The immediately effective resignation ends a difficult, conflict-filled two-year tenure for Banks. Banks will be replaced by Mark A. Welsh III, dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service, who will be acting president until the Board of Regents acts to replace Banks. McElroy, who directed the University of Texas at Austin's School of Journalism, at first accepted a tenured position at A&M, but when the university reduced her contract to a non-tenured position, she rejected the offer. According to the Houston Chronicle, McElroy said her hiring failed over conservative "hysteria" from "outside" influences objecting to her research on diversity, equity and inclusion in newsrooms. She said A&M's final offer letter said to her that they didn't really want her in the position. "This offer letter ... really makes it clear that they don't want me there," McElroy said about the one-year contract. "But in no shape, form or fashion would I give up a tenured position at UT for a one-year contract that emphasizes that you can be let go at any point." Texas A&M's faculty on Wednesday passed a resolution to set up a committee to investigate the handling of McElroy's hiring. Texas A&M faculty Senate Speaker Tracy Hammond said in a letter to Banks and to Chancellor Sharp that the faculty ""decries the appearance of outside influence in the hiring and promotion of faculty." The Rudder Association, a Texas conservative group that says on its website that it seeks to protect and perpetuate the traditionalist Texas Aggie culture, responded to Hammond's concerns. "TRA holds Dr. Hammond, the faculty senate, and the faculty's scholarship, research, and teaching in high regard. But it respectfully disagrees with the characterization of taxpayers, tuition payers, and donors as 'outside influence,'" the group said in a statement. "These groups are integral to the Aggie family, whose contributions make the university's excellence possible." London A Houston woman is trapped in the United Arab Emirates after being briefly detained for "shouting" in public during an argument with a Dubai car rental company, a London-based organization trying to help her get out of the country has told CBS News. Social media influencer Tierra Young Allen, 29, known to fans online as the Sassy Trucker, was arrested in May following a confrontation with a male employee of a car rental company in Dubai who was trying to intimidate her into paying thousands of dollars she didn't owe, according to Radha Stirling, CEO and founder of Detained in Dubai, the international nonprofit organization that's working to free her. Stirling said Allen was arrested on May 16 and released on bail later that day, but her passport is being held by authorities, preventing her from leaving the UAE. Texas resident Tierra Allen poses for a photo in front of the Global Village attraction in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in a photo posted to her Facebook account in March 2023. / Credit: Tierra Allen/Facebook "She was told at the police station (Bur Dubai) that she has been accused of 'shouting,' which under the UAE's laws is illegal under 'offensive behavior,' which is an unclear and subjective regulation, but warrants up to two years in prison, a fine and deportation," Stirling told CBS News on Thursday. CBS News requested comment for this story on Thursday from the Dubai Police and the UAE Foreign Ministry, but had not received replies by the time of publication. Help from the U.S.? Stirling said the U.S. Embassy in Dubai had not provided Allen with any assistance as of Thursday, adding that the embassy had undergone a staffing change just last week. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State told CBS News that it was aware Allen was "unable to depart Dubai" and that it was "providing all appropriate assistance." "The Department remains in regular communication with her and her family," the spokesperson said, adding that it would continue to monitor her case closely. Detained in Dubai contacted the office of Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz directly, and Cruz's office confirmed to CBS News that representatives had spoken with Allen's family and "contacted the Department of State about the case." Story continues "Sen. Cruz will continue to gather details and engage on this case until Ms. Allen is returned home to her family," his office said. Stirling said Allen's mother, Tina Baxton, had also contacted Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas' 18th congressional district, who was also looking into the matter. Jackson Lee's office did not immediately reply to CBS News' request for comment on this story. "We have advised their offices how governmental representatives are best able to help in these situations and hope for her speedy return home," Stirling, who is also a lawyer specializing in Middle East legal matters, told CBS News. Jackson Lee's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "A common rental car extortion scheme" Allen was not allowed to retrieve her belongings from the rental vehicle and later noticed that several fraudulent charges were attempted on her credit cards, which were in the back of the vehicle she returned, Stirling said. The man who worked at the vehicle rental agency and initially accused Allen left the country for Pakistan after filing his police report, said Stirling. Reports in Arabic media said the rental agency had offered to drop its case against Allen if she paid approximately $5,700. Stirling said that was evidence of a common scam used by rental agencies in the Arab emirate. "Tierra is the latest American tourist to get caught up in what is a common rental car extortion scheme," she said. "Rental car agencies are notorious for opening criminal cases against visitors with the promise to drop the case if they are paid off. The prevalence of blackmail is damaging to the UAE's tourism and investment sectors and Dubai's government needs to crack down on this abuse of process." "In another recent case, three Americans actually paid over $20,000 to a rental car agency that they did not owe, just so they could get out of the country," the activist and lawyer said. Stirling became active in the Middle East when her friend Cat Le-Huy was detained in Dubai. She led a campaign for his release in 2008, founding Detained in Dubai. She said Allen and her mother were becoming increasingly anxious and "have been going through hell and have no idea what the outcome will be, and when they might be reunited." Allen has not posted on her Sassy Trucker social media accounts since her arrest. Saturday Sessions: Blondshell performs "Joiner" Saturday Sessions: Blondshell performs "Cartoon Earthquake" Saturday Sessions: Blondshell performs "Dangerous" Move Forward Party's Chaitawat Tulathon says his party will support Pheu Thai's PM nominee after its own leader's bid failed (Lillian SUWANRUMPHA) The reformist party that won Thailand's recent election said Friday it would back a rival candidate to become prime minister after its own leader was blocked by the military and pro-royalist establishment. The Move Forward Party (MFP) said it would put its support behind the nominee of Pheu Thai after its own leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, was knocked back in a leadership vote last week by military-appointed senators. MFP, which rode to victory in May's election on a wave of support from young and urban voters frustrated by a decade of army-backed rule, said its priority was not to take the PM job but to restore civilian government. "The most important thing is not that Pita will become PM, but the fact that Thailand would be able to become a democratic country," MFP secretary-general Chaitawat Tulathon said. Pheu Thai -- seen as a vehicle for the Shinawatra political clan, whose members include two former prime ministers ousted by military coups in 2006 and 2014 -- came second in the election and joined MFP's eight-party coalition. "MFP will allow the second party, Pheu Thai, to become the main party of the eight coalition parties," Chaitawat said. "In the next parliamentary meeting, MFP will vote for PT's PM candidate, just like PT voted for MFP's PM candidate." The kingdom's establishment strongly opposes MFP's reformist agenda, and on Wednesday Pita was suspended from parliament by the Constitutional Court. The court decided to proceed with a case that could see him disqualified as an MP altogether for owning shares in a media company. Lawmakers are forbidden from doing so under Thailand's charter, though the television station in question has not broadcast since 2007. Caretaker Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha, who came to power in the 2014 coup, called for calm on Thursday as simmering anger over the thwarting of Pita's PM bid began to give way to street protests. Story continues Property tycoon Srettha Thavisin, one of Pheu Thai's three PM candidates, now looks to be in a strong position to take the job in the next vote, expected on Thursday. A successful entrepreneur liked by business leaders among the Thai elite, Srettha is seen as more palatable to the establishment than Pita. bur-pdw/smw Anti-Government Protests In Bangkok Protestersincluding some in crop tops, a popular reference to Thailands kingcall for monarchy reform in Bangkok on August 16, 2020. Credit - LightRocketGetty Images A 19-year-old pro-democracy activist in Bangkok was sentenced on Thursday to one year in jail for wearing a crop top in 2020or rather, for poking fun at Thailands eminently mockworthy yet notoriously unmockable King Maha Vajiralongkorn, in part by wearing a crop top. The teenager, identified by the pseudonym Sainam, is one of at least 253 people, including minors as young as 15, who have been charged in the last three years with violating Section 112 of the countrys criminal code, which punishes criticisms of the monarchy with up to 15 years behind bars and which, rights groups say, has been systematically used to quell political dissent. Sainams case, Akarachai Chaimaneekarakatean advocacy associate at Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, which tracks and assists those facing political persecutiontells TIME, is yet another piece of evidence that points towards the shrinking of civic space in Thailand. The latest sentencing also comes as hopes for an end to the sweeping royal defamation prosecutions are quickly fading. Thailands royal family has faced increasing public criticism in recent years, most notably in the form of pro-democracy protests that rocked the country in 2020 and 2021. While initially aimed at the military-aligned governmentwhich seized power in 2014 and maintained its rule through a multi-party coalitiondemonstrations soon expanded in scope to also take aim at the countrys long untouchable monarchy. Read More: Why Are Thai Protesters Risking Up to 15 Years in Prison to Criticize the Monarchy? Building off the momentum of this movement, the progressive Move Forward Party, led by Pita Limjaroenrat, emerged as the biggest winner of Thailands general election in May, after the party promised to reform the countrys military-backed and pro-monarchy political institutionsincluding amending the controversial lese-majeste law. Story continues Protesters call for the abolition of Section 112, Thailands lese-majeste law, in Bangkok, January 26, 2023. Varuth PongsapipattSOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images But Pitas bid to become Prime Minister was thwarted by Thailands conservative political establishment. Last week, his nomination for the top job fell short of the necessary support from the countrys junta-appointed Senate, and he was blocked this week from being renominated. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court suspended Pita from parliament on Wednesday amid allegations of violating election laws. Move Forward announced on Friday that it will step back to let coalition ally Pheu Thai, a party that also opposes the incumbent military-backed rule but does not support amending Section 112, take the lead in forming the next government. Pitas defeat ensures that [Section] 112 will be a part of Thai law for at least the next few years, or until an election where a pro-reform party wins an outright majority, Mark S. Cogan, an associate professor of peace and conflict studies at Japans Kansai Gaidai University, tells TIME. Much of the parliamentary debate on Pitas nomination for Prime Minister focused on Section 112, with conservative forces vehemently opposing Pitas bid on the grounds that reforming the law would threaten the countrys political stability. But experts say that the heated parliamentary debate may not be so much about the lese-majeste law itself, but rather a rejection of Move Forwards broader reform-centered platform, which also includes ending military conscription and implementing minimum wage. People are taking strike at Section 112 as a way to challenge the Move Forward Party rather than the whole issue being about Section 112 per se, Napon Jatusripitak, a visiting fellow at Singapores ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, tells TIME. Its one of the policies that clearly conveys Move Forwards stance on traditional institutions, such as the royal institution. Read More: More Than a Month After Thailands Election, We Still Dont Know Who Will Lead the Country. Here Are All the Ways It Could Go Now, even as Pita has withdrawn from the leadership contention, uncertainty looms not just over who instead will become the next Prime Minister but also over the fate of Pitas entire party. Last week, the Constitutional Court accepted a complaint arguing that Move Forwards stance on Section 112 was an attempt to overthrow the monarchy. The complaint called for the dissolution of Move Forward. The case, along with Pitas legal challenges, bears uncanny resemblance to what Move Forwards predecessor, the Future Forward Party, faced in 2020, when it was disbanded over an alleged breach of electoral rules. The insurmountable odds stacked against Move Forward in the wake of the election have only exacerbated disillusionment, especially among youth, with the political system. But if theres a silver lining to be found in Move Forwards halted attempt to govern the country now, Cogan says, its that the resultant political turmoil may further strengthen public support for reform eventually. After Pitas suspension from parliament on Wednesday, hundreds gathered in Bangkok to protest what they saw as an assault on democracy by pro-military forces. Move Forwards loss or potential dissolution is just one defeat in a political landscape that is changing, says Cogan. It isnt that there wont be opposition or a conservative resistance, but there is plenty of evidence of weakness or cracks in the establishments hold on power. Thailands changing demographics should aid in the transition, he adds, and the politically motivated younger generation are much more willing to take great risks to bring about change. For now though, one of those risks that looks to remain is the repressive lese-majeste law. As long as the establishment has the authority to use the law as a weapon against dissent or free expression, Cogan says, the frequency [of Section 112 charges], as evidenced by the increase in the number of children prosecuted, will increase. JERUSALEM (AP) Thousands of Israelis joined a march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Friday in the latest protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vow to push through a controversial overhaul of the judiciary system. Hundreds of protesters became thousands as Israelis joined the 70-kilometer (roughly 45-mile) march throughout the day in a demonstration against one of Israel's most far-right governments in history. The demonstrators planned to camp overnight at Shoresh, about 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Jerusalem, before making their way to Israels parliament on Saturday, the Jewish day of rest. The march comes a day after Netanyahu vowed to press ahead with the plan, defying demonstrators, growing defections by military reservists and appeals from U.S. President Joe Biden to put the plan on hold. Ronen Rosenblatt, 58, a high-tech worker who'd joined the march following months of frustration with Netanyahu's government, described the event as jovial, with people united behind a common objective of stopping this stupidity, this dictatorship. Protesters carried Israelis flags and political signs in a line four kilometers (2.5 miles) long that wound through olive orchards and farmland. They'd left seaside Tel Aviv on Thursday, camping overnight roughly halfway to Jerusalem near the Latrun Monastery. Rising on Friday to shared meals and coffee, the protesters dismantled their tents as others prayed with their arms wrapped in tefillin before they all began marching again towards Jerusalem and the Knesset, Israel's parliament. Lawmakers are expected to vote Monday on a bill that would curtail the Supreme Courts oversight powers by limiting its ability to strike down decisions it deems unreasonable. The standard is meant as a safeguard to protect against corruption and improper appointments of unqualified people. The bill is one of several keystone pieces of the Netanyahu governments judicial overhaul plan. Netanyahu and his allies a collection of ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties say the plan is needed to curb what they consider excessive powers of unelected judges. Story continues Critics say the legislation will concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his far-right allies and undermine the countrys system of checks and balance. They also say Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, has a conflict of interest. The proposal has bitterly divided the Israeli public and drawn appeals from Biden for Netanyahu to forge a broad national consensus before passing any legislation. The judicial overhaul plan was announced shortly after Netanyahu took office as prime minister following Novembers parliamentary elections. It was Israels fifth election in under four years, with all of the votes serving as a referendum on his leadership. Presidents of major Israeli universities said they would hold a strike Sunday to protest the bill, local media reported. Doctors held a two-hour warning strike Wednesday to protest the overhaul, which they said would wreak havoc on the healthcare system by granting politicians greater control over public health. They vowed more severe measures if the bill is voted through. Thousands of Texas children have lost their Medicaid health insurance since April, a sign to multiple health policy experts that some children will go without both insurance and health care in the coming months. The state released its first report July 14 detailing the number of Texans it has determined are no longer eligible for Medicaid and CHIP health insurance programs. More than 500,000 Texans were deemed to be ineligible, according to the states data. We know that its mostly children in that group of 500,000 people, said Diana Forester, director of health policy for the nonprofit Texans Care for Children. The Medicaid unwinding process, as it is known, is a massive undertaking for all U.S. states. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government gave states additional funding for their Medicaid programs, with the requirement that everyone enrolled in Medicaid could stay in the program, even if they no longer qualified. At the end of May, when the nationwide public health emergency ended, states began the unwinding process. In Texas, that means the states Health and Human Services Commission must check whether the 5.9 million people enrolled in Medicaid are still qualified to be a part of the program, all while the agency struggled with workload shortages and an outage of the 2-1-1 hotline, a primary way for Texans to respond during the Medicaid renewal process. The state reviewed more than 785,000 people in May, according to the data released. Of those, almost 405,000 people lost their health insurance because of procedural reasons, like not replying to mail, phone calls, or texts from the state asking for information. The high rate of procedural denials indicates to Forester that Texas is struggling along with all of the other states with this monumental task. Other health policy experts said the numbers raised red flags. Joan Alker, executive director at the nationwide nonprofit Center for Children and Families, said Texas numbers were the worst shes seen of any state that has reported data so far. Story continues More than 400,000 people didnt make it through the process, Alker said. The state could have paused, given people more time, tried harder. But they were very quick to cut off half a million people. she added.: It suggests to me that Texas is not following federal law on how theyre supposed to be checking peoples eligibility. Advocates for children like Alker and Forester outlined two major fears for young children during this process. First, that kids who still qualified for Medicaid would lose their benefits because the state wasnt able to reach their family. For families that move or change phone numbers frequently, the state might have a hard time reaching them. If the state cant contact the family, the child would lose Medicaid for procedural reasons. And second, kids who no longer qualify for Medicaid, like if theyre family income has changed, might not get directed to other programs that they do still qualify for, and so might go without health insurance coverage altogether. Laura Dague, an expert on Medicaid at Texas A&M University, cautioned that the states first report should be interpreted with several caveats. First, she pointed out that Texas plan for checking availability started with the children and adults it thought would be least likely to still be eligible. That means that in these first few months, we might see a high proportion losing Medicaid, she said. Dague, an associate professor in the Bush School of Government and Public Service, also said the high number of procedural denials is hard to understand without more information from the state. Someone could be kicked off of Medicaid because their renewal packet didnt get to them, she said. But there could also be scenarios in which someone simply decided not to send their packet back in, because they knew they werent going to be eligible and didnt want to go through the process. Theres really no way to know from these data what fraction were we couldnt get a hold of these folks versus, it was the right person and they chose not to respond, she said. By the end of the unwinding process, Dagues research estimates that up to 750,000 Texans will lose their Medicaid health insurance. Texas has more uninsured residents, and a higher rate of uninsurance, than any other state in the nation. In Tarrant County, Dague estimated that between 50,000 and 65,000 residents, most of them children, could lose their Medicaid or CHIP health insurance. Although Medicaid is commonly understood as a health insurance program for people with low incomes, the program looks different in every state. In Texas, few adults are eligible for the program. The Texas Medicaid program mostly insures children, pregnant people, and people with disabilities. Texas is one of just 10 states that has decided not to expand Medicaid to a wider group of adults. Do you or a family member have health insurance through Medicaid or CHIP? We want to hear from you. Contact cmccarthy@star-telegram or call or text 817-203-4391. Three brothers accused of being tied to a large drug trafficking operation were sentenced to prison Friday morning. In plea deals, the three Marin brothers Andys, 32, Angel, 34 and Artime, 30 all of Marion Oaks, received a total of 35 years behind bars for various drug offenses including conspiracy to traffic in cannabis, violation of RICO racketeering and continuing criminal enterprise. As part of the negotiated agreements, the brothers must pay fines totaling more than $1 million, forfeit all seized assets, and submit DNA samples. Prison sentences Angel Marin was sentenced to serve 17 years and three months behind bars. Andys Marin must serve 15 years and Artime was sentenced to three years. Angel Marin has 1,549 days of credit for time already served at the county jail. Andys Marin has 113 days and Artime has 398 days. Artime Marin has a pending charge of conspiracy to traffic cocaine, 400 grams to 150 kilograms. He was taken into custody while he was out of bond in this case. Xavier Hernandez was arrested with Marin and faces the same charges, law enforcement officials said. His case is ongoing. Each brother was brought into the courtroom separately by bailiffs on Friday. Although Andys and Angel Marin have been represented by Victoria Hatfield, she was not in court. Filling in for her was Mark O'Brien, who's from the same law firm. Robert Mandell was Artime Marin's lawyer. Assistant State Attorney Sam Armstrong was the prosecutor. Assistant State Attorney Sam Armstrong Circuit Judge Lisa Herndon handled the three sentencings, which all told lasted nearly an hour. Two women who sat behind the brothers left after Andys Marin was fingerprinted by a bailiff and led to the back. Marin whispered and waved goodbye to the women, one of whom was crying. Statements from SA Bill Gladson and the head of UDEST Outside the courtroom, State Attorney Bill Gladson thanked the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) and Armstrong for their work in keeping "the citizens of Marion County safe" from drug traffickers. Story continues The head of UDEST, Capt. Robert Douglas of the Ocala Police Department, thanked Gladson, Armstrong and the UDEST agents. UDEST agents include local, state and federal officers. Here is how the case progressed The Marin brothers were accused of leading a drug organization responsible for distributing heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana in Marion County. Agents suspect the organization brought drugs with a street value of about $3.3 million into Marion. Authorities were alerted to the brothers in 2017. Law enforcement officials kept close tabs on the organization, using surveillance and street-level buys. Agents were told at least two of the brothers went to California on several occasions to purchase large quantities of drugs. The drugs were later sold in Marion. In one case, agents said, marijuana was packaged in suitcases and transported from California to Orlando and then Marion. Two suitcases were seized by agents. Armed with a search warrant, agents went to a residence and arrested the Marin brothers, along with several other people. Drugs seized and arrests: Drug trafficking suspect arrested Jose Camacho-Negron, Andre Miller-McCreary, Derrick Pullens and Steven Persaud were accused of being involved with the criminal enterprise. But a jury in May acquitted Miller-McCreary, Pullens and Persaud. Camacho-Negron was found guilty and is expected to be sentenced July 24. Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala drug trafficking ring busted; three brothers sentenced to prison (Photo : California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via Getty Images) Alabama seeks to carry out its first lethal injection following a halt in executions due to difficulties inserting IVs. Alabama intends to execute an inmate on Thursday for the 2001 beating death of a woman, as the state seeks to carry out its first lethal injection following a halt in executions due to a series of difficulties inserting IVs. James Barber, 64, is scheduled to be executed in a South Alabama prison on Thursday evening. It is the first scheduled execution in Alabama since November when Governor Kay Ivey halted executions to conduct an internal review. Alabama Death Row Inmate James Barber to be Executed Per ABC News, Ivey ordered the review after two executions were aborted due to difficulty inserting intravenous lines into the condemned men's veins. During the failed execution of Alan Miller in September, prison personnel allegedly poked him with needles for over an hour while attempting to attach him to an intravenous line and, at one point, left him dangling vertically on a gurney. State officials canceled Kenneth Eugene Smith's execution scheduled for November because they could not attach the second of two required lines. The state has disputed claims by advocacy groups that a third execution, carried out in July after a delay due to IV difficulties, was bungled due to numerous attempts to connect the line. Given Alabama's recent history of bungled executions, it is shocking that James Barber will be executed by lethal injection, according to Maya Foa, director of the anti-death penalty organization Reprieve. Barber was condemned in the 2001 beating murder of Dorothy Epps, 75 years old. Barber, a contractor who knew Epps' daughter, allegedly confessed to murdering Epps with a claw hammer and fleeing with her purse, according to the prosecution. The jury voted 11-1 to recommend the death penalty, which the magistrate then imposed. Barber was scheduled to be executed on the same day that Oklahoma executed Jemaine Cannon for fatally slashing a Tulsa woman with a butcher knife in 1995 after escaping from a prison labor center. Attorneys for Barber have petitioned federal courts to halt the execution, citing the state's troubled past. On Wednesday, the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals declined to suspend the execution. The judges observed that the state had reviewed procedures and opined that "Barber's claim that the same pattern would continue" is "purely speculative." The court noted that the Alabama Department of Corrections had altered its medical personnel and execution schedule. On Thursday, Barber filed an appeal with the US Supreme Court, requesting a stay of execution. His attorneys wrote that the "fourth execution by lethal injection will undoubtedly fail in the same manner as the previous three." The office of the Alabama attorney general has urged the courts to proceed with the execution. The state argued that the Department of Corrections had made a good-faith effort to rectify any problems and has provided evidence that the individuals responsible for setting IV lines are duly licensed. Read Also: Kenya Protests: 6 Dead After Police Open Fire to Protestors; Cops Told Not To Report Casualties Alabama Lethal Injection Procedure Resumes According to Fox News, the state disputes claims by advocacy organizations that a third execution was botched after a delay due to IV difficulties. The office of the Alabama attorney general has urged the courts to proceed with the execution. The state argued that the Department of Corrections had made a good-faith effort to rectify any problems and has provided evidence that the individuals responsible for setting IV lines are duly licensed. The government performed an internal review of procedures. Ivey rejected requests from several organizations, including religious leaders, to authorize an independent evaluation of the state's execution procedures in the manner of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. One of the modifications Alabama made due to the internal evaluation was to provide the state with additional time to carry out the execution. To allow the state more time to establish an IV line and combat last-minute legal appeals, the Alabama Supreme Court abolished its customary midnight deadline for carrying out an execution. The state has until 6 a.m. on Friday to begin the execution of Barber. Since 2018, Alabama has had to halt three executions due to difficulties locating a vein to administer lethal medications. The most recent execution, in November, led to a halt. A prisoner claimed that during an attempted execution in September 2022, prison staff jabbed him with needles for over an hour to locate a vein before halting the execution. Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama requested a moratorium on executions and a "top-to-bottom" evaluation of the state's methods after the third botched execution. The New York Times reported that Ivey did not blame prison officials for the thwarted attempts but rather "legal tactics and criminals subverting the system." In reviewing the procedures, the Department of Corrections evaluated the training protocol for people involved in executions, possibly adding "personnel utilized" for executions and "the equipment on hand to support the individuals participating in the execution," according to DOC Commissioner John Hamm. However, no clarification was provided regarding the specific changes made. NBC News reported that Alabama is the only state that has had to halt an execution since 2017. Related Article: Mississippi Teen Dies at Poultry Processing Plant While Operating Equipment @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Three hospitals in the Stanislaus region and an integrated healthcare network are unifying their services under the Central Valley Doctors Health System brand. Tenet Healthcare, the owner of Doctors Medical Center of Modesto, Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock and Doctors Hospital of Manteca, announced the launch of Central Valley Doctors Health System in a news release Thursday. The announcement said its a single, identifiable name and brand that reflects the integration of our healthcare system across the Central Valley. The health network includes the three hospitals along with physician offices, imaging and surgery centers, Valley Heart Institute, the Spine Institute, Doctors Behavioral Health Center on Claus Road and the Emanuel cancer treatment center in Turlock operated in partnership with Stanford University. The hospitals and other providers in the network have worked together for years and will continue to do so, Tenet representatives said. Jay Krishnaswamy, chief executive officer of Doctors Medical Center, said in the news release that the primary goal of the new brand is ensuring continuity of care among the hospitals and other providers in the network for the patients we treat every day. Krista Deans, a communications manager for Tenet, said the network of hospitals and medical services has cared for patients from Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Calaveras and Merced counties. Those entities now will operate under the single umbrella called Central Valley Doctors Health System. The hospitals and other entities will keep their individual names. It is putting the resources under a brand to have continuity of care and make sure the care is seamless from facility to facility, Deans said. The specialized services include trauma and emergency care, obstetrics, neonatal intensive care for newborns, advanced stroke care, neurosurgery, cancer treatment, cardiac services and more. The rollout of Central Valley Doctors Health System is combined with a Better Together marketing campaign sharing the stories of patients, physicians and healthcare team members. Deans said people will start seeing the new logo inside facilities and on the exterior of buildings. It also will appear on signs and social media pages. It is a slow rollout, Deans said. The system will keep operating as it has. While she admits this method is controversial, Kendall Kiper says that "confidence is key." @kendallkiper / TikTok A TikToker revealed her controversial method for getting free drinks at a bar "99% of the time." She says the trick is to find a man with a "super big ego" and offer to buy him a drink. "The bigger the ego, the better, and the easier this is probably going to be," she told followers. A woman on TikTok has shared her "best kept secret" on how she manages to get free drinks at the bar "99% of the time." 21-year-old Kendall Kiper, who goes by the TikTok username @kendallkiper, shared in a video posted on July 16 that her key to getting a free drink as a woman is to offer to buy a man a drink first. As of Friday, her video had been viewed over 3 million times. "I've only had this not work for me one time, and I do this way more often than I care to admit," she said in the video. She recommended that people find "a guy who looks like they have a super big ego," and approach him to ask what he's drinking before offering to buy him a drink. "The ego is a big factor in this. 99% of the time, they are going to look at you and they're going to be like, 'What? No, Let me buy you a drink,'" she told followers. While Kiper said in the video that this method is controversial, she added, "Let's not forget how men like to treat us. 95% of the time they treat us like shit. So girl, just go and get your free drink." While many of the comments from women on Kiper's video praised her, several men were skeptical. "Don't try it on me. I'll be in my prince vibes and let you pay for my drink," wrote one viewer. "prince vibes??? okay sassy babygirl!!" replied Kiper. Many viewers also seemed concerned that the idea would backfire, and that they would end up paying for someone else's drink. "HELP this is so funny & smart ily but imagine this not working then you have to buy chad a tequila soda lmfao," one viewer commented. Story continues Kiper addressed the comment in another video posted on July 17, in which she gave tips on how to "abort mission." She recommended coming up with a "signal" with a friend so that they can come over and pretend to feel sick, giving her an excuse to duck away. Kiper told Insider that she first started doing this when she lived in a college town in Georgia. She said that any time she would ask a guy what his favorite drink was for fun, he would usually end up buying it for her to try. While she was nervous the first time she offered to buy a drink for someone else, doubtful that her method would work, she said that confidence is key. "It was like they didn't want to be seen by anybody having me swipe my card for them, their ego couldn't take it so it just worked out," she told Insider. Even though she doesn't do this often now that she lives in Los Angeles, she said that she thinks it would still be successful: "One thing about LA guys, they have an ego bigger than them." While Kiper told Insider that the response to her video has been "somewhat controversial," she said that overall it has been more positive than negative. "I got a comment the other day saying I was 'TikTok's bar big sister' from a girl and I thought it was so cute," she said. As for negative opinions from men on the app, Kiper said it doesn't get to her. "I make content for girls, so truthfully as harsh as it sounds men's opinions on this don't really bother me that much, they aren't my target audience," she said. Read the original article on Insider Republican presidential candidate and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scot's tough-on-China rhetoric on the campaign trail has drawn attention to his hesitance to call for an outright ban on TikTok. "Communist China is emboldened by Bidens weakness. They are buying up our farmland, spying on our kids, and stealing our jobs. America needs a commander-in-chief with a backbone. As president, I will STAND UP to China," Scott said earlier this week on social media, including video of a new ad displaying his stance toward China. In a May interview with NBC News following the launch of his presidential campaign, Scott was asked about one of his top donors, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, and whether he was troubled that the company was running TikTok's servers in the U.S. WATCH: WHITE HOUSE DISMISSES DISMAL BIDEN APPROVAL RATINGS, CLAIMS THEY DONT TELL THE WHOLE STORY' Scott's hesitance to call for an outright ban on TikTok in the U.S. has set him apart from the other top-tier GOP presidential candidates, though Scott has sharply criticized the company and supported a ban of the app specifically on government devices. "I think parents are going to have to make that decision ultimately [whether children should have access to TikTok]. I would not allow my kids to have access to TikTok without any question. I think we should seriously have that conversation in the public forums so parents have all the information about the challenges that are happening, because their kids are on the devices too much, and let them be the final arbiter in that conversation," he told Fox News in March. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP WHITE HOUSE RIPS VILE RFK JR COMMENTS COVID-19 WAS ETHNICALLY TARGETED TO SPARE JEWS, CHINESE Republican presidential candidate, Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) speaks to guests at the Family Leadership Summit on July 14, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. Scott has seen backing from lobbyists linked to TikTok's parent company. According to Open Secrets, a group that tracks money in U.S. politics, five lobbyists who donated to Scott's re-election campaign earned lobbying firm Mehlman Castagnetti hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying on behalf of ByteDance in 2021 and 2022. Story continues Those five lobbyists donated a total of $4,500 to Tim Scott for Senate in the same years prior to his presidential campaign according to data from the Federal Election Commission. Fox News Digital reached out to an outside source for further analysis on the donations and lobbying efforts on behalf of Chinese firms like ByteDance and TikTok. "The Chinese Communist Party is leveraging TikTok to exploit our free and open society by spreading disinformation, censoring politically sensitive content, and conducting psyops against young, vulnerable Americans," said Michael Sobolik, a senior fellow in Indo-Pacific Studies at the American Foreign Policy Council. DESANTIS LAUNCHES STAUNCH DEFENSE OF TRUMP AHEAD OF POSSIBLE THIRD INDICTMENT: I HOPE HE DOESNT GET CHARGED' The icon for the video sharing TikTok app on a smartphone. Sobolik also told Fox that banning TikTok, which he called a "technological Trojan Horse," would show how serious America is in "prevailing against the Chinese Communist Party." "Half measures won't do. Unfortunately, many elected leaders on the Left and the Right rely on political donors with close ties to TikTok and ByteDance. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. Good policy shouldn't be held hostage by shady money," he added. When reached for comment, Scott campaign communications director Nathan Brand told Fox, "Tim Scott knows it is time for a president who has a backbone and will go toe to toe with the Chinese Communist Party. China has only been emboldened by Joe Biden's weakness and refusal to take their rising threat seriously." "Senator Scott has consistently fought for tougher action against the CCP to stop them from buying up American farmland, spying on our kids, and taking American jobs. It is more important than ever for new leadership to show our adversaries in China, Russia, and Iran that the United States is loyal to our allies and lethal to our adversaries. A President Scott White House would end Biden's retreat away from safety and security," he added. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) speaks with reporters at Alex's Restaurant in South Carolina on April 14, 2023. Scott's campaign also pointed to his new tough-on-China ad and noted that he had introduced numerous pieces of legislation as a member of Congress, aimed at cracking down on China, including combating China's abuses of its minority Uighur population, preventing the sale of America's strategic petroleum reserve to the nation and a bill requiring app stores to display the country where apps are developed. Additionally, the campaign pointed to Scott's comments at a May Senate Banking Committee hearing in which he called China a "would-be bad actor" when it came to stealing Americans' data, and then to his presidential campaign announcement speech in which he vowed to "finish" the "new economic Cold War" he said China had started. When Dr. Mandy Cohen walked into the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta less than two weeks ago, she knew trust in America's top health agency was broken. Attacks on the agency's scientific data and sometimes confusing public policy guidance were coming from Washington lawmakers, social media and people across the country. In her first media interview as the new CDC director, Cohen said she is refocusing the agency on rebuilding faith with more transparency and improved communication and by "bringing the best evidence that we possibly can" to the public. "It's an everyday, tactical plan," she said. "Trust" was the focus of the first meeting she had with CDC staff members. She said trust was the foundation of the hard work the agency faces as it moves forward from missteps made during the pandemic. "If we want folks to trust us and we do we have to work together differently, and we have to trust each other as we're doing that work," she said. Dr. Mandy Cohen, the 20th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the CDC's main campus in Atlanta on July 20, 2023. (Alyssa Pointer for NBC News) "We have to first make sure that we are building trust with the American people, and I know some of that trust was lost in the last few years," she said. "But I'm here to refocus the organization on building that trust, and I think trust can have an intentional plan. And if you use transparency and really good execution, deliver what you say you're going to do and you do it transparently and you communicate well, I think you can build trust." The CDC faces millions of dollars in proposed budget cuts because of last month's negotiations about the limit on federal debt. Cohen has already taken the first step in building or repairing the CDC's embattled relationship with Washington. On Wednesday, she spent time with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill. She is listening to concerns, with the goal of convincing critics that "things will be tangibly different." Story continues "It's a bipartisan issue to make sure that our country is safe and protected," she said. "They're the ones that are investing behind the CDC, and I want them to understand what an important national security asset is here at the CDC." But she also learned that the work CDC does is sometimes either misunderstood or unknown. The exterior of the Center of Disease and Control Prevention main campus in Atlanta on Thursday, July 20, 2023. (Alyssa Pointer for NBC News) "What I heard from folks was: 'We understand that the CDC is important, but we need to see more about what they do. We need to understand it better,'" she said. Cohen, a Democrat, taps into her previous role as North Carolina's secretary of health and human services when she works with politicians. One of her goals when she started in that position in 2017 was to work with conservatives to expand Medicaid in the state. (The expansion was signed into law in the spring.) She was also the face of daily Covid briefings. Her down-to-earth guidance was met with little political pushback. Fighting vaccine misinformation That ability to communicate clearly and effectively will be key as she faces ongoing health threats of vaccine misinformation and conspiracy theories about the Covid vaccines and other vaccines, as well as scathing criticisms from presidential hopefuls. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has publicly questioned whether CDC scientists should be trusted, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a Democrat, has accused the CDC, without evidence, of lying about Covid vaccines. The best way to ease doubts is with clear and stable communication. "You're going to hear us with some key messages, making sure that folks hear them over and over," she said. The strategy: "Be accurate, be simple, and be repetitive." Dr. Mandy Cohen, the 20th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tours a laboratory training facility at the CDC main campus in Atlanta, on July 20, 2023. (Alyssa Pointer for NBC News) Dr. Mandy Cohen, the 20th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tours a laboratory training facility at the CDC main campus in Atlanta on July 20, 2023. (Alyssa Pointer for NBC News) One lesson she learned as North Carolinas health secretary is that she is not always the best conduit for public health guidance. Her team sometimes turned to faith leaders, NASCAR drivers, even TikTok influencers to get scientific information to the public. "Certainly, the science and the data is going to come from the CDC. But there are many messengers who are trusted," she said. "This is a team effort." In her first few weeks, Cohen is not getting a summer break. Much of the U.S. is caught in an unrelenting killer heat wave. The country has faced its first outbreak of malaria in 20 years, and opioid-related deaths are still rising. There are also concerns about another winter surge of respiratory viruses, including Covid, flu and RSV. Whether it is about a virus, a fire or a flood of mosquito-borne illnesses, a big priority of Cohen's is investment in data. Already underway is a re-evaluation of the CDC's webpages to make sure the information available to people is clear and understandable, Dr. Dan Jernigan, the director of the CDCs National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, said in a media briefing this week. "There are other efforts, as well, to get our data out more quickly," Jernigan said. Dr. Mandy Cohen, the 20th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stands for a portrait at the CDC main campus in Atlanta on Thursday, July 20, 2023. (Alyssa Pointer for NBC News) Data is "hugely important," Cohen said. "You can't solve problems you don't see, and having data helps you see where your problems are and then deploy resources." In turn, it will be critical for CDC scientists to be able to translate those issues. "We have to be crisp, clear communicators so that folks have commonsense solutions to protect their health. It sounds simple, but it's really hard." So far, though, Cohen makes it look simple. She greets everyone she sees at the CDC warmly from those in leadership roles to security guards. She asks them about their families and their concerns, and she speaks openly about her own. Cohen's husband and two young daughters plan to join her in Atlanta but have not yet made the move from North Carolina. "I miss them so much," she said. But she works hard to focus instead on re-infusing a spark back into the work done at the CDC. On her first day, she played Alicia Keys and other music in the lobby to greet her new co-workers. "I like my music," she said, shrugging and smiling. "One of my values that I bring here to work is joy," she said. "That's not just about parties and celebrations; it's about connection with the mission. But you need to have a little fun at work in order to bring your A game. I really think the American people deserve everyone's A game." Dr. Mandy Cohen, the 20th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tours a laboratory training facility at the CDC main campus in Atlanta, on July 20, 2023. (Alyssa Pointer for NBC News) Follow NBC HEALTH on Twitter & Facebook. CORRECTION (July 21, 8:51 a.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s middle initial. It is F, not K. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A barbecue restaurant in Texas has updated its policies after a viral Twitter post showed workers could be docked their tips as punishment. Tips are a privilege! They must be earned, read the former policy of Valentinas Tex Mex BBQ in Buda, about 20 miles south of Austin. The screenshot of the rules was shared Monday, July 17, and has been viewed more than 2 million times as of Friday. The rules showed employees would not earn their tips for their shift if they were late or written up that day. Additionally, they would be removed from tips for the week if they miss a shift or forfeited from tips for the pay period if they were fired. Hey Austin! Do not, I repeat do not, go to Valentinas Tex-Mex BBQ. Shared by someone I know and trust personally. pic.twitter.com/rh9nOueqRN Dumpling Queen (@LadyDumplings) July 17, 2023 Federal rules prohibit tips from being taken from workers. Hundreds of people have commented on the Twitter post, many of whom accused the restaurant of wage theft. Miguel Vidal, owner of the restaurant, confirmed to KXAN the rules were written in 2013, but he told the station it was rarely enforced. He called it a last-resort measure. They got three verbal warnings and a write-up before anything was even discussed, Vidal told KXAN. Vidal and his wife, Modesty Vidal, addressed the tips policy in a post on the restaurants Facebook page Tuesday. The former tip policy was reworked, and there are no longer any mentions of employees being prohibited their tips. The policy shows the restaurant uses a tip pooling system, meaning tips are to be split evenly between all scheduled workers. All employees at the restaurant are paid more than minimum wage, which is $2.13 an hour for tipped workers. The Vidals said they can only continue to learn, adapt and try to do better. Story continues This document that was posted needs to be reworded and isnt properly explained, the owners said. But, by no means have we ever kept an employees tips that they have earned. We value our staff and want them to be successful. Miguel Vidal told KXAN he should have paid attention to the former policy more. Taco Bell manager deducted time from workers timecards, shorting them pay, feds say Servers forced to give up tips to pay for dine-and-dashers in Florida, feds say Restaurants didnt pay servers anything so they lived off tips in Florida, feds say A popular Tahoe Park brunch spot was closed for one day this week after its operators suffered a third break in this year, the restaurant said on social media. Unfortunately the restaurant got broken into again last night and we will have to close the restaurant for the day, said Bacon and Butter in a post about its operations Wednesday. This has been the third break-in ... 5th window replaced and who knows how much money, just this year. Bacon and Butter has been burglarized twice and their sister restaurant, Green Room, has suffered one break-in, according to the owners, who did not return a call for comment Friday morning. The Sacramento Police Department reported six calls for service to the Tahoe Park restaurant in the last year, at least one of them for burglary. In 11 years of restaurant ownership we have never felt so vulnerable, the post said. We are tired of being victims. We will hope to invite you all in again tomorrow. The restaurant was open for business Friday. Suspected Chinese hackers accessed emails of the U.S. ambassador to China and another top State Department official in their recent breach of government accounts, according to two people familiar with the matter. Ambassador Nicholas Burns and Daniel Kritenbrink, the State Departments assistant secretary of state for East Asia, are the latest high-profile government officials to be identified as victims of the likely Chinese spying campaign, which was revealed late last month. The State Department previously confirmed that it was among the more than two dozen organizations hacked in the global espionage caper, but did not provide the names of affected individuals. The hackers breached the two officials unclassified email account, the people said. Both were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. Microsoft has attributed the spying activity to China, but the U.S. government has not officially named a culprit. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report that the hackers accessed the inboxes of Burns and Kritenbrink. The Washington Post previously reported that Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondos email was among those breached. Spokespeople from the National Security Council and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the State Department declined to comment. It remains unclear what information the hackers got their hands on and how valuable it might have been. But the spying campaign, which began in May, appears to have overlapped with a period of high-stakes diplomacy between the U.S. and China. During that period, officials would have been laying the groundwork for Secretary of State Antony Blinkens mid-June trip to Beijing, along with this months visits by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and climate envoy John Kerry. Security experts have argued that the campaign was technically adept and demonstrates an acceleration in Beijings digital spying capabilities. Story continues Chinese cyber espionage operators tactics had steadily evolved to become more agile, stealthier, and complex to attribute over the last decade, researchers at cybersecurity firm Mandiant wrote in a blog post Tuesday. Still, the revelations also raise fresh questions about the scope and severity of the incident, and how much of the blame falls on Microsoft. On Wednesday, Microsoft offered existing customers a series of enhanced digital forensic tools, following frustration from U.S. officials that the high price tag it placed on core security products had prevented many lower-paying victims from detecting the breach. Some lawmakers argued that even that gesture was too little, too late. It is unconscionable that two years after the SolarWinds hack, Microsoft was still upcharging federal agencies for critical security features, Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said in a statement. Our national security depends on making cybersecurity a core part of the software contracting process. Microsoft declined to comment for this story. (Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suffered a political upset as his ruling Conservative Party lost a key parliamentary election in southwest England to the Liberal Democrats, raising fresh questions about whether he can hang onto its Blue Wall strongholds in a national poll expected next year. Most Read from Bloomberg Sarah Dyke won 55% of the votes in Somerton and Frome, a district of market towns in Somerset. That compared with the Liberal Democrats 26% share when the seat was last contested in the 2019 general election. Conservative candidate Faye Purbrick came second with 26% down from 56% last time. Read more: Dont Say Tory: How Sunaks Party Aims to Survive Key Votes Somerton is the second of three special elections to report results early Friday, with Selby and Ainsty in northeast England yet to declare. Sunaks Conservatives unexpectedly held onto Boris Johnsons old parliamentary seat Uxbridge and South Ruislip in northwest London. The result will be hailed by Ed Daveys Liberal Democrats as proof the Tories are vulnerable in their traditional stronghold across southern England. That puts pressure on Sunak because it reinforces the view the Tories are being squeezed on multiple fronts, as Keir Starmers main opposition Labour Party builds a formidable lead in national surveys. Somerton and Frome has long passed between the Conservatives and Lib Dems, but had been in Tory hands since 2015. MP David Warburton won a big majority of 19,213 at the 2019 election. But he was suspended from the Conservatives amid allegations of misconduct last year, and sat as an independent MP until he resigned in June. That is likely to mean that Sunak will try to spin the result as a punishment for the scandal rather than a reflection of the partys overall popularity in the district. Story continues That narrative is challenged, though, by the Tories defeat in the nearby constituency of Tiverton and Honiton last year. That came when Boris Johnson was premier, and the Tories slide down opinion polls began on his watch. It has barely recovered since Liz Trusss disastrous seven-week premiership, leaving Sunak a mountain to climb to try to keep his Tories in power. --With assistance from Rebecca Choong Wilkins. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A train in Indonesia plowed through a truck that had stalled out on a crossing on the island of Java on Tuesday night, causing an incredible explosion that miraculously only harmed one person. "This truck suddenly broke down on the rails," Senior Commissioner Irwan Anwar, head of Semarang City Police, told reporters. "Then the driver and controller managed to ask for help from the guard guarding the train crossing, but the train was already approaching." The explosion from the crash caused a fire on the train, and the crew was able to stop the train and get everyone off safely, ViralPress reported. The crew only departed the train once they ensured all 626 passengers had safely left the vehicle. "The train engineer and crew jumped off the train after making sure everything was safe," Anwar added. "Only one passenger suffered minor injuries because he fell when he jumped from the train." NOTORIOUS MEAT MARKET IN INDONESIA ENDS BRUTAL DOG, CAT MEAT TRADE A truck stalled out at a train crossing in Indonesia, and the driver had departed the vehicle for help. Investigators said that the truck's engine had cut out while it tried to cross the tracks, and the driver had left in search of help before the train came barreling toward the vehicle. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "Therefore, it did not trespass," Anwar stressed. "The driver and the assistant of the truck had already gotten out and requested assistance from the gatekeeper, but they couldn't avoid the accident because the train was already close." US AMBASSADOR TO CHINA AMONG THOSE HACKED IN BEIJING-LINKED OPERATION An employee rides a bicycle near a series of the Light Rapid Transit trains at Jati Mulya Depo Station in Bekasi, West Java province, Indonesia, on July 6, 2023. Anwar also said his team would find out the cause of the fire, "whether it's from the fuel tank located at the back of the truck or not," which he believed remained a possibility. The Indonesian Railway Company, which owned and operated the train, told local media that it will ask the truck operator to compensate the full value of the damage to the train. KASHMIRI GIRL, 11, MAKES RARE PLEA TO MEET REBEL FATHER JAILED IN INDIA Story continues A bystander watches as the train burns on the tracks. All passengers were able to safely depart the train, with only one person sustaining minor injuries. A passenger told local outlet Kompas that they heard several passengers hit their heads when the crash occurred. The passengers had to wait for further information, and hours after the incident did not know if they could complete their eastbound journey. The accident also caused hours of traffic delays. A drug penetrating Central Florida communities is causing serious concerns for doctors and law enforcement. The drug, called xylazine or tranq, is intended for large animals like horses and cattle. But now its being mixed with other drugs like fentanyl, making it deadly. Mixing it with fentanyl creates a cocktail so deadly, experts say not even Narcan can reverse an overdose. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers first started spotting tranq last year. But they said there was nothing they could do to flag it because its legal and approved by the FDA for large animals. Read: U.S. officials address a new rising drug threat called tranq By the time they started tracking significant shipments from overseas, it had already infiltrated local communities, which were already grappling with a record number of other drug-related deaths. Records show that by the time doctors and law enforcement realized tranq was in Florida, it had already killed people in our communities. Read: 15 arrested for selling fentanyl cut with animal tranquilizer, Orange County Sheriffs Office says Channel 9 reviewed the state medical examiner commission reports dating back to 2018. The commission only started requiring local medical examiners to report xylazine in drug-related deaths last year, after 112 people had already died with the drug in their system in 2021. Hear more about how the drug is impacting people in Central Florida in the video above. 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. Senior CPC official visits South Africa Xinhua) 10:37, July 21, 2023 JOHANNESBURG, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, led a CPC delegation to attend the BRICS Political Parties Plus Dialogue and paid a visit to South Africa from Monday to Wednesday. During his stay in South Africa, Liu met with Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa and the country's governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), as well as Paul Mashatile, deputy president of South Africa and the ANC, Fikile Mbalula, secretary general of the ANC, and Solly Mapaila, general secretary of the South African Communist Party. The two sides agreed to work together to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen inter-party exchanges and enhance cooperation within multilateral frameworks, including the BRICS. Liu delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the dialogue, in which he underlined the efforts of the BRICS countries in enhancing solidarity and coordination and jointly promoting the development, peace and civilization worldwide. He also met with leaders of political parties from other countries who were here attending the dialogue. BRICS is an acronym for five emerging economies -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. South Africa assumed the BRICS presidency on Jan. 1, 2023, taking over from China. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) (Photo : OLEKSANDR GIMANOV / AFP) (OLEKSANDR GIMANOV/AFP via Getty Images) Russia has stepped up its attacks on Ukrainian ports after a decision to back out of the Black Sea grain export deal that was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey. Russia is stepping up its attacks on Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea as a warning against exporting grain through the region after it decided to exit a humanitarian deal. Additionally, a White House official revealed that the United States government has information that Moscow plans to expand its attack on grain facilities even further. They noted that Russia would soon include commercial shipping in the Black Sea as a target of its deliberate assaults. Russia Attacks Ukrainian Ports American officials also accused Russia of planning a "false flag" operation to shift the blame to Ukraine for any attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea. Despite Moscow backing out of the grain export deal, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan still rely on each other's support. The situation comes as the United Nations joined Turkey in brokering the grain export deal between Russia and Ukraine. But now, the price of wheat remains high amid concerns about instability in the Black Sea and disruption to the grain supply, as per the New York Times. However, analysts expect no hostilities to escalate at sea, despite various threats from Ukraine and Russia. Aid experts also warned that any disruption of Kyiv's grain exports would most likely make it much more difficult for countries experiencing hunger. The situation comes as Moscow issued a warning that shipping companies will now be crossing the Russian blockade in the Black Sea at their peril. Kyiv, on the other hand, issued its warning on Thursday. It noted that ships heading to Russian ports or ports in occupied Ukraine would be considered carrying military cargo, with all corresponding risks. US officials also warned that Russia is believed to have placed mines in sea routes in areas that Ukraine has already mined to deter an amphibious assault. A spokesman for the National Security Council, John Kirby, said that this aims to implicate Ukraine should a civilian ship in the region be damaged. Read Also: India Restricts Non-Basmati Rice Exports to Keep Prices Down Black Sea Grain Export Deal In response to Russia backing out of the grain export deal, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that he "deeply" regretted the decision. According to CNBC, he argued that the termination of the initiative marks the end of a "lifeline" for hundreds of millions of people across the globe who are facing hunger and those who are suffering from spiraling food costs. On the other hand, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell issued a statement saying that Russia's decision would only threaten global food security. He said they are confident it would create a big food crisis across various nations. A U.S.-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War, said on Wednesday that the recent attacks are believed to have been done to reaffirm Russia's objections to the renewal of the Black Sea grain deal. Officials added that Moscow's attacks had destroyed roughly 60,000 tons of grain and damaged storage infrastructure. According to BBC, Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi said they now have a "considerable amount" of export infrastructure out of operation. Related Article: Kenya Protests: 6 Dead After Police Open Fire to Protestors @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. By Josh Smith SEOUL (Reuters) - When U.S. soldier Travis King sprinted across the border into North Korea from the South this week, he disappeared into a North Korea where lingering COVID-19 concerns and restrictions have made the already secretive country more isolated than ever. During the pandemic North Korea stopped all international travel and most trade, built a lengthy border wall, and even shot some would-be unauthorised border crossers early in the outbreak. Its trade has slowly resumed and mask mandates appear to have been dropped, but analysts say Pyongyang is still keenly nervous about border crossings, authorised or not. King ran over the border on Tuesday while on a civilian tour of the Demilitarized Zone between the two Koreas, and U.S. officials say they have yet to ascertain his fate. "North Koreans dont want to interact with the outside world," said Andrei Lankov, director of the Seoul-based Korea Risk Group, noting the only known case of foreigners being allowed into the country in the last three years was a new Chinese ambassador and other diplomats in March, after lengthy negotiations. King's motives remain unclear, though U.S. officials said he was facing military disciplinary action and appeared to have intentionally crossed the border. Now, even if he wants to return to the United States, it could take years, Lankov said. "I would expect this soldier could stay in North Korea at least until the end of the COVID restriction period which might be another two or three or four years," he said. Colonel Isaac Taylor, a spokesman for the U.S.-led United Nations Command that overseas the DMZ on the South Korean side, said the command had been in contact with the North via established hotlines. "We have been communicating with them and we know that they have received our messages," he said, but declined to elaborate on any response. Officials in Washington said North Korea had yet to give any response through a number of channels, including at the United Nations. Story continues COVID restrictions aren't stopping the North from picking up the phone, but it has created new uncertainty over how they may view his crossing, or how they may decide to communicate. North Korean border guards fatally shot and burned the body of a South Korean fisheries official near their disputed maritime border in 2020. Later that year, leader Kim Jong Un ordered an entire city into lockdown when a North Korean crossed back into the country from the South. Sweden, which helps in detainee cases because the United States does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea, withdrew all its diplomats from Pyongyang in 2020, and they have yet to return. The Joint Security Area, a typical venue for working-level negotiations where King made his border dash, gathered dust and weeds for most of the pandemic. North Korean guards at the site still shelter inside buildings, apparently to avoid the risk of catching COVID. Over the years, the JSA has seen diminished importance in negotiations over detainees, in favour of venues such as the United Nations, where North Korea has a delegation, said Steve Tharp, a retired U.S. Army officer who spent years working at along DMZ. But North Korea often seeks meetings with high-level American officials before any releases, and that could be complicated by their worries over COVID, he added. Tharp said when he worked on the case of U.S. military pilot Bobby Hall who was captured by the North Koreans after they shot down his helicopter when it inadvertently strayed over the border in 1994, Pyongyang demanded to speak only to general-level military officers. Other past cases saw North Korea seek former U.S. presidents, state governors, or other top-level envoys to visit the country to seek detainees release, but such trips seem unlikely for the foreseeable future as the country maintains near total lockdown on outside arrivals, Lankov said. (Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Lincoln Feast) By Jacqueline Thomsen WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Former President Donald Trump's trial over his alleged mishandling of classified documents will begin on May 20 next year, according to a U.S. court order on Friday. Trump's lawyers had resisted setting a date but said any trial should take place after the November 2024 U.S. presidential election, in which he is front-runner for the Republican nomination. A Trump spokesperson said the trial schedule "allows President Trump and his legal team to continue fighting" the criminal case. A spokesperson for U.S. Special Counsel Jack Smith's office declined to comment. Friday's ruling came from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who sits in Fort Pierce, Florida. Trump was indicted on June 8 on charges that he unlawfully kept national security documents when he left office and lied to officials who sought to recover them. He has pleaded not guilty. Federal prosecutors had asked Cannon to schedule the trial for December. The case is one of several legal woes Trump faces as he campaigns for 2024. Trump is set to go to trial in Manhattan on March 25 on separate charges that he falsified business records to conceal a hush money payment to a porn star. He said on Tuesday he had received a letter saying he is a target of a grand jury investigation into efforts to overturn his 2020 presidential election defeat. (Reporting by Katharine Jackson and Jacqueline Thomsen; Editing by John Stonestreet and David Holmes) Judge Aileen Cannon was appointed by Donald Trump, and will preside over his secret documents case (Handout) When Aileen Mercedes Cannon was appointed a judge by Donald Trump three years ago, she could hardly have imagined she would preside over his trial. But on Friday she set May 20, 2024 as the date to start the unprecedented federal criminal prosecution of a former president in her small Fort Pierce, Florida courtroom. Her assignment to the high-stakes trial has added another layer of controversy to the case, in which Trump is charged with 37 counts of willfully keeping highly classified US documents in his Mar-a-Lago, Florida home, obstruction of justice and lying to federal law enforcement officials. Some of the charges bring up to 20 years in prison, with Cannon to decide the sentencing if a jury finds Trump guilty. The pressure is even higher because the trial will start in the middle of an already intense battle before the November 2024 presidential election, with Trump leading the race for the Republican nomination. It remains to be seen how Cannon will accommodate the courtroom requirements and election campaign needs of the man who gave her the job. - Lifetime appointment - Cannon was relatively young -- 38 years old -- when Trump nominated her to the lifetime position in 2020. Born in Cali, Colombia, she grew up in Florida. Her mother immigrated to the United States from Cuba as a child. Cannon obtained her undergraduate degree at Duke University and her law degree from the University of Michigan, routinely ranked among the top 10 law schools in the country. A member of the Federalist Society, which brings together conservative attorneys, judges and law experts, Cannon worked for three years at a private law firm in Washington and for seven years as an assistant US attorney prior to becoming a judge. - Random pick - Her selection to handle the Trump case was random, blindly drawn from the pool of several active federal judges in the Justice Department's southern Florida district. Some legal experts have argued she should have recused herself because she allegedly displayed bias towards Trump last year when she was assign a lawsuit he filed over the FBI raid to recover the Mar-a-Lago documents. Story continues She has broad powers to determine the pace of the trial, and her May 20 start date comes smack in the middle of the presidential campaign. If the trial is ongoing and Trump wins the November 2024 election, he could conceivably take action to intervene or even pardon himself upon taking office. Daniel Richman, a law professor at Columbia University, said the presiding judge wields enormous power over a trial and plays a critical role in how it unfolds. "Even in a run of the mill case, the judge can have a significant and sometimes even dispositive effect on proceedings," Richman said. Others contend that Cannon will ensure that he gets a fair shake. "It's impossible now for Trump to complain that he's got a judge that is biased against him," said Edward Foley, a constitutional law professor at Ohio State University. Thomas Holbrook, a professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, said Cannon is in a "tough position." "Almost no matter what she does, she's going to either feed into existing concerns about her potential bias or disappoint Trump supporters," Holbrook said. cl/pmh/bfm (Bloomberg) -- A federal judge in Florida set a May 20 trial date in the classified documents prosecution against Donald Trump, adding a new milestone to the former presidents busy legal and political calendar next year. Most Read from Bloomberg Fridays order from US District Judge Aileen Cannon also featured a detailed schedule leading up to the trial in her Fort Pierce courtroom, previewing the work ahead for both sides and future fights. Read More: Donald Trump Classified Documents Trial Set for May 20, 2024 Here are key dates to watch for: July 27: Protecting classified evidence The indictment from Special Counsel Jack Smiths office accuses Trump of mishandling national defense information and obstructing government efforts to get those documents back. But before the defense can see classified evidence, under Section 3 of the Classified Information Procedures Act, or CIPA, the judge has to issue an order laying out rules for how to safeguard it and how it can be accessed by lawyers and others in the case. The governments latest proposal is due July 27. An earlier version prosecutors submitted showed they want to have a say in whether Trump and his co-defendant Waltine Walt Nauta can see this evidence. Thats a typical provision in these types of cases, but one the former president might bristle at; its not clear if the defense will object. Oct. 10: Withholding classified evidence Prosecutors can ask Cannon to allow them to delete pieces of classified information from documents they give the defense or to substitute a summary under CIPAs Section 4. At a July 18 hearing, prosecutor Jay Bratt said he wasnt sure if his team would pursue that, but if they did, it would be fairly minimal. Theyll have until Oct. 10 to decide. If the judge rules against the government, prosecutors can immediately appeal. Story continues Nov. 3: Pretrial motions due Trumps lawyers previewed various legal challenges to the indictment theyre considering. Cannon gave them until Nov. 3 to file those. Its a faster timeline than the defense wanted they originally proposed not setting any schedule, or a December deadline at the earliest. The defense may object to how prosecutors pierced attorney-client privilege to put a Trump lawyer before a grand jury, claim prosecutorial misconduct, and argue that Trumps power as president to declassify information and manage government records undercuts the case. Nautas lawyer has said he shares some of the Trump teams concerns about the indictment, but also might consider another pretrial strategy asking the judge to sever his clients case. Nov. 17: Defense evidence notice Under Section 5 of CIPA, Trump and Nautas lawyers have to provide notice by Nov. 17 of any classified information that they intend to use in court proceedings. The government can object to that. Dec. 11: Motions hearing The lawyers are due in court on Dec. 11 to argue over any push by Trump or Nauta to dismiss charges or suppress evidence or for either side to ask the judge to resolve other pretrial legal issues. The date is notable for another reason its when prosecutors had hoped to be seating a jury. Dec. 15: Classified evidence issues Lawyers will get to spar, if necessary, over what classified evidence is admissible at trial or in earlier court proceedings under Section 6 of CIPA. Prosecutors can ask for that hearing by Dec. 15. The government usually tries to minimize disclosure of state secrets, and can appeal if Cannon overrules its objections. If prosecutors lose, they have to decide whether disclosing that information poses such a risk to national security that they have to drop some or all of the case. March 20: Trial evidence motions Both sides can file what are known as motions in limine by March 20 to bar certain evidence, information or arguments from being allowed at trial. These motions can preview what each side expects their opponent to present. It can also tee up future courtroom drama if lawyers push the boundaries of what the judge ruled theyre not allowed to say in front of jurors. April 11: Lingering classified evidence disputes If Cannon rules that certain classified evidence can be used at trial, Section 6 of CIPA gives the government a chance to argue to substitute a summary of that information instead. They can file that motion by April 11. Cannon will have to decide if the alternatives still allow the defendant to make their case. TBD: Jury selection Cannon said she will set a schedule later for jury selection. Trump asked to postpone the trial until after the election in part based on the extreme publicity and tense political environment would make jury selection impossible. Cannon ruled that wasnt a good reason to put off setting a schedule. Prosecutors and Trumps lawyers will be able to fight later over how best to screen prospective jurors. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The News Federal judge Aileen Cannon has set the date for Donald Trumps classified documents trial to begin on May 20, 2024, in Fort Pierce, Florida. The former president will be tried on 37 counts related to the alleged mishandling of sensitive documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort after leaving office. Know More On July 10, Trumps legal team asked Cannon to postpone any trial date until after substantive motions have been presented and adjudicated. They argued that the unprecedented nature of the case calls for a measured timeline, and that Trumps 2024 candidacy will take up a lot of his time. Department of Justice prosecutors fiercely opposed Trumps request, saying in a filing that there is no basis in law or fact for proceeding in such an indeterminate and open-ended fashion, and the defendants provide none. Trumps team had sought a date after the 2024 election, but prosecutors had hoped to see the former president on trial before the end of this year. Cannons ruling on Friday said that she had granted the governments motion to continue the trial and resetting deadlines in part. Trump faces a second, unrelated trial in New York in March, for alleged hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. The timing means Trump will have just one month between trials. Insights Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Las Vegas, Nev., on July 8, 2023. AP Photo/John Locher Israeli authorities are trying to retrieve a collection of antiques that have been stuck in the US. A spokesperson for Donald Trump said Thursday that they would send the ceramic oil lamps back. Trump slammed Jewish voters when presented with the lamps in 2021, a Republican donor told The Wall Street Journal. Former President Donald Trump was apparently displeased with Jewish voters' lackluster electoral support for his 2020 campaign a grievance he expressed when presented with a collection of priceless Israeli artifacts ahead of a 2021 holiday dinner at Mar-a-Lago, a longtime Republican donor and Israel supporter told The Wall Street Journal. Trump this week agreed to return a collection of ancient Israeli artifacts that have been "stuck" in the US for four years after the country's antiquities authorities started publicly pushing for their retrieval. The Journal on Thursday shed new light on the long, strange tale of a collection of ceramic oil lamps that traveled from Israel to Washington, DC, to California, and Florida over the course of four years. The oil lamps' US journey was spearheaded in 2019 by Saul Fox, a private equity executive and major Jewish-American donor to the Israeli Antiquities Authority, who suggested the agency allow the items to be presented to Trump at a forthcoming White House Hanukkah party to thank the then-president for his support of Israel, according to The Journal. Israel sent the national treasures to the US on the condition that the valuable antiques be returned to their home country within weeks. The oil lamps were never publicly displayed at the White House, however, due to a State Department inspection into the items that ran long, Fox told The Journal. When the lamps were released from State Department custody, Fox sent a courier to retrieve them and bring them back to his California home, where he locked them up and "sort of forgot about it" right as the pandemic hit and travel slowed to a stop, he told the outlet. Story continues When Fox was next invited to a Trump party in December 2021, this time at the former president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, he told The Journal that he made a plan with the director of Israeli antiquities to present the ceramic oil lamps to Trump two years later than originally planned. Alone together in Trump's office ahead of the holiday party, Fox told the Journal that he was preparing to present the antiques when the former president made a move to leave. "I stood in his way and said, 'Mr. President, no, no, you can't leave, I have these words that I wrote,'" Fox told the outlet he said, starting to praise the former president for moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem. Trump, however, responded with a passionate outcry, according to Fox, who said the former president slammed his hand on his desk. "Well, how come I only got 25% of the Jewish vote?" Fox recalled Trump saying. Polls offer an imperfect calculation of voting totals among certain demographics, but The Times of Israel reported in November 2020 that Trump got somewhere between 21 to 30.5% of the Jewish vote, citing two partisan polls. The former president has previously griped about dwindling Jewish support for his cause, complaining in a 2021 conference call about Catholics and Jewish people who didn't vote for him in the 2020 election, despite all he said he did for their communities. A spokesperson for Trump did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, nor did Fox. A representative for Trump did tell The Journal that the antique items were presented to the former president by a representative of the Israeli antiquities authority with "the full support of the organization," adding that his office would be "expediting their return to the organization's representative." Read the original article on Business Insider Donald Trump Drew Angerer/Getty Images As former President Donald Trump's legal woes mount, the line between his criminal defense and his 2024 presidential campaign is blurring, a political and financial muddying that The Washington Post projects will only worsen as multiple prosecutions continues to dominate his time, resources and messaging. Trump's appeals to stay out of prison on social media, in rally speeches and in interviews have become a mainstay of his candidacy, as evidenced by his frequent claims online that the criminal investigations against him are "witch hunts" that constitute election interference. His criticism of his indictments and the agencies investigating him have subsequently drawn the support of much of the Republican base despite and, in some cases, because of the severity of his charges. "What is likely to come is a campaign like the country has never seen before: A candidate juggling multiple criminal indictments while slashing the Department of Justice and his opponents, shuttling between early primary states for rallies and courtrooms for hearings, and spending his supporters' money on both millions of dollars' worth of campaign ads and burgeoning legal bills," according to the Post. Many of Trump's aides have also been placed in challenging positions because they could also be called as witnesses against him in trials. Whether Trump, who announced on Tuesday that he received a target letter from special counsel Jack Smith in the federal probe of Jan. 6, wins or loses the 2024 race could determine whether he really could face prison time. "I didn't know practically what a subpoena was and grand juries and all of this now I'm like becoming an expert," Trump said during a Tuesday speech to the Linn County Republican Party in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. "I have no choice because we have to. It's a disgrace. If you say something about an election, they want to put you in jail for the rest of your life." Story continues Just over half the money Trump raised last quarter went to a campaign-affiliated political action committee that is covering his legal bills. According to the latest report to the Federal Election Commission, of the more than $35 million raised between March and June, the campaign received $17.7 million. The remainder went to the Save America PAC, which will report its latest finances on July 31 but had reportedly been spending millions on attorneys for Trump and his allies amid his bevy of ongoing cases, FEC disclosures show. "A lot of money is going to legal and people who don't do much, and not a lot is left over to do marketing and advertising," one anonymous Trump advisor told the Post. "A lot of the money we're raising is just going to legal." Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung reasoned that the political and legal efforts are merging because Trump and his supporters perceive the prosecutions as a President Biden-led move to block him from the Oval Office. "They see another political indictment or target letter and they know this is just the weaponized Biden Justice Department going after President Trump," Cheung said. "It solidifies in their mind what the President has been saying for all these months. So much of the legal messaging is political messaging and so much of political messaging is legal messaging." Biden, however, has denied the claims, saying that he "never once, not one single time, suggested to the Justice Department what they should do or not do relative to bringing a charge or not bringing a charge." Trump's personal fortune has notably remained untouched when it comes to his legal ordeals: His latest financial disclosure indicated he earned roughly $1 billion during a period covering most of his time since leaving office. "Trump's supporters are being taken advantage of by having to foot the bill for Trump's legal troubles," Ken Cuccinelli, an advisor to the super PAC supporting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, told the Post. The Trump campaign's manner of committing funds to legal fees is unusual among Republicans and noteworthy, according to rival political operatives. Chip Saltsman, the national campaign chairman for former vice president Mike Pence, assured the Post that "we have not spent a lot of money on legal fees." Advisors said Trump has been zeroing in on polling, the electoral implications of his charges and how to defend against prosecutors. The former president and his advisors often cite polls that show his popularity among Republican voters, and they recognize that winning the 2024 election is the clearest way for Trump to skirt his charges. Several advisors described to the Post a concerted effort to paint Trump as martyr-like and affirmed that he intends to keep campaigning. "He just sort of accepts this is his life now, and he's got to win," one advisor said. Trump could be forging ahead in his campaign while facing four separate trials connected to a number of criminal charges: a New York indictment accusing Trump of issuing a hush money payment to an adult film star ahead of the 2016 election; special counsel Jack Smith's June indictment related to Trump's handling of classified materials; a potential indictment from Smith's office into Jan. 6 and Trump's efforts to subvert the 2020 election; and a potential indictment from an Atlanta-area district attorney's investigation into alleged attempts to overturn election results in Georgia. Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course. Advisors said the campaign anticipated the Georgia case to strike next and was surprised when Smith sent Trump a target letter Sunday. In contrast with the documents case, which Trump's team expected would yield charges, many did not anticipate any to come from the Jan. 6 case. The campaign is now preparing for a possible indictment as early as next week, anonymous aides told the Post, with plans to respond with a speech, fundraising appeals and taped videos. "This was nothing that anybody even anticipated for making a speech, and a very good speech," Trump said Tuesday in an interview with Doug Wagner on WHO NewsRadio 1040, in reference to a speech he gave on Jan. 6 that included false claims about the election. "Most people are very surprised that this was ever even brought They want to try to bloody up so you can't beat Biden." Longtime Trump advisor Jason Miller told the Post that fundraising has already been kicked into "overdrive" and the campaign is "prepared politically for any scenario that the deep state throws at us." He added that Trump is used to being the subject of "witch hunts," citing his two impeachment trials, the Jan. 6 committee and now the array of criminal probes. Advisors said that Trump's supporters donate the most when they believe him to be under attack. "It starts to all blend together," Miller said. "People get and understand the fact that these legal attacks are nothing more of an insurance policy to try and stop him from getting back to the White House." As a result, the campaign has taken a frank and direct approach with supporters regarding the resources put toward Trump's legal defense, even contextualizing calls for fundraising around the investigations. One Tuesday message read, "Please make a contribution to show that you will NEVER SURRENDER our country to tyranny as the Deep State thugs try to JAIL me for life." In the aftermath of Trump's June federal indictment, the campaign said it had raised over $4.5 million online in addition to another $2.1 million generated at an extravagant event. The campaign is also loosening the boundaries between Trump's political and legal teams as it acknowledges aides' involvement in discussions about the cases could later prompt their own subpoenas or legal liability. The defense's court arguments are also echoing Trump's statements on the campaign trail, "emphasizing the prosecution of a leading opposition candidate by the incumbent administration" as the legal team signals its aim to delay Trump's trials until after the election, the Post noted. "You have essentially the two right now leading candidates for the presidency of the United States squaring off against each other in the courtroom," Trump lawyer Chris Kise said at a Florida hearing in the documents case on Tuesday. "The fact that we're talking about the volume of discovery, the schedules that we have, and the schedule of President Trump, we're not asking for special treatment. That's the reality," Todd Blanche, another attorney for Trump, added at the Florida hearing. "I'm not making that schedule up, I'm not making up any facts here." Judge Aileen Cannon, the Trump-appointed federal judge overseeing the classified docs case, scheduled the trial to begin in May 2024 in a Friday ruling. The New York trial was preliminarily set for March of next year but those dates often change. Despite much of the recent buzz around Trump revolving around his criminal cases, his team has enjoyed his volume of media attention. In particular, aides reportedly were happy to see the updates about Trump's target letter interrupt the CNN broadcast of the network's interview with DeSantis. The Florida governor was one of several Republicans who came to Trump's defense this week, suggesting he shouldn't be prosecuted for his conduct on Jan. 6. His critical rivals former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson shared predictions that, in following with the pattern, another indictment would boost Trump's standing in the primary. "I expect his poll numbers to go up again," said Hutchinson, who has called on Trump to suspend his campaign. "Over the long term you have to believe that people are under going to understand the seriousness of it, you're going to see the challenge of being a president or even being a candidate with multiple indictments against you, and that is going to jeopardize us winning in 2024." Read more about Trump's legal woes Former president Donald Trump bashed his main rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination late Thursday evening. The former president posted on his Truth Social platform that businessman Vivek Ramaswamy is now beating Florida Gov Ron DeSantis in some polling. He also poked fun at former Arkansas Gov Asa Hutchinson and attacked former New Jersey Gov Chris Christie over his weight. Vivek Ramaswamy is now beating DeSanctimonious, he said. Christie dead as his stomach band. Aida Hutchinson a solid minus 1%. Im up 44 points!!! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. In 2013, Mr Christie underwent bariatric surgery to help with his weight. Mr Trump in the past seemed to mock the former governor when he said he would no longer eat Oreo cookies. Mr Christie and Mr Trump have had a long and sordid relationship. In 2016, Mr Christie was one of a cadre of Republican presidential candidates running against Mr Trump for the Republican nomination for president. But shortly after the New Hampshire presidential primary, Mr Christie dropped out of the race and became of the first major elected officials to back Mr Trump. Since then, Mr Christie has mostly turned against Mr Trump and has largely staged his longshot presidential candidacy in an effort to neutralise the former president. Mr Trump also continued to use his preferred nickname for Mr DeSantis, calling him DeSanctimonious. But a new poll from Kaplan Strategies showed Mr Ramaswamy was tied, not beating, Mr DeSantis. Since announcing his candidacy in May, Mr DeSantis has failed to catch fire and his polling numbers have either stayed stagnant or even declined. Mr Hutchinson, for his part, has also largely run in opposition of Mr Trump and has failed to rise in the polls in a crowded field that also includes Sen Tim Scott (R-SC), former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley and former vice president Mike Pence. Las Vegas police seized over a dozen items from a home connected to the self-proclaimed "Compton Kingpin," who has said for years he was in the car when rapper Tupac Shakur was gunned down. Duane "Keffe D" Davis, 60, was the target of a search warrant that police executed earlier this week in the city of Henderson, about 20 miles southeast of the Las Vegas strip. They confiscated a Pokeball USB Drive, an iPhone, three iPads (one with a cracked screen), four laptops, a tablet, a desktop computer, several external hard drives, copies of the book "Compton Street Legends," a Vibe magazine about Shakur and two "black tubs" of photos, according to the search warrant. Davis' nephew, Orlando Anderson, was considered the prime suspect in the rap superstar's death in 1996. Anderson denied involvement before he was killed in a separate shooting in Compton, California, in 1998. LAS VEGAS POLICE SEARCH HOME AS PART OF PROBE INTO TUPAC SHAKUR'S 1996 MURDER Rapper Tupac Shakur was shot and killed in Las Vegas in September 1996. Neighbors watched law enforcement raid the home Wednesday night. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP "There were cruisers and SWAT vehicles. They had lights shining on the house," Don Sansouci told The Associated Press. Sansouci had just gone to bed with his wife when a swirl of blue and red police lights stirred them awake after 9 p.m. Public records link the property to Davis and his wife, although it's unclear if he still lives in the same home. One neighbor told the Las Vegas Review-Journal Davis doesn't live at that address. EX-GANGSTER CLAIMS HE KNOWS WHO REALLY KILLED TUPAC IN NETFLIX SERIES Las Vegas court records show there has been an active warrant out for Davis' arrest since July 2022, when he failed to appear in court on a drug charge. Las Vegas police haven't released any other details, except what was in the search warrant, which was first obtained by NBC News. The warrant covered all types of computers, electronic storage devices, any documentation (including photos, movies, CDs, writings) that connects Davis to the South Side Compton Crips street gang, cellphones and his memoir, "Compton Street Legend." Story continues Police also searched for "notes, writings, ledgers and other handwritten or typed documents" about anything mentioning the murder of Shakur, according to the warrant. Davis, the self-proclaimed "Compton Kingpin," initially denied any involvement in the legendary rap star's death but seemingly opened up and recently discussed his involvement in interviews in news articles and documentaries. He said he came forward because of a cancer diagnosis in the 2018 documentary called "Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G." Everyone in the car, including Davis, was affiliated with the South Side Compton Crips street gang, and they were looking for Shakur after he brawled with one of the gang members a few hours before his death, Davis said. They searched for Shakur in the 662 Club in Las Vegas, but he wasn't there, according to Davis. Then they saw him driving toward the club. "My partner bust a U," Davis said in the documentary. "When we pulled up, I was in the front seat." The gunshots rang out from the back seat. Davis never said who actually pulled the trigger. TUPAC RECEIVES STAR ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME DAYS BEFORE WHAT WOULD BE HIS 52ND BIRTHDAY "Going to keep it for the code of the streets. It just came from the back seat," he said in the documentary. The night of Sept. 7, 1996, Shakur rode shotgun in Death Row Records co-founder Marion "Suge" Knight's black BMW when a white Cadillac pulled up alongside them while they were stopped at a light. Shakur's murder shook the hip-hop world and remains one of the country's most infamous cold cases. He was just 25 at the time. His fourth solo record, "All Eyez on Me," was still at the top of the charts with about 5 million copies sold. Lack of cooperation from witnesses stalled the investigation, and the case has gone unsolved for almost 30 years. The best lead came in 2018 when Davis broke his silence during an interview for a BET show, where he reportedly implicated his nephew. Shakur's murder was even more eerie after his lyrics seemed to foreshadow his early death. "The fast life aint everything they told ya. Never get much older, following the tracks of a soulja," he wrote in his 1991 song "Soulja's Story." The Associated Press contributed to this report. Two suspects were taken into custody in connection to the death of 45-year-old Chad Reed on July 11 in an east Lubbock neighborhood. According to the Lubbock Police Department, Antonie Manahan was taken into custody Thursday night in Arlington after police asked the public for help in locating him last Friday. Lubbock police searching for suspect in Tuesday homicide considered 'armed and dangerous' Lubbock PD, the Lubbock Texas Anti-Gang office, Wichita Falls PD and Grand Prairie PD all assisted in apprehending Manahan. Police also arrested 22-year-old Avery White in connection to the killing of Reed. According to police, both suspects have been charged with first-degree felony murder. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Police arrest suspects in east Lubbock murder case (Photo : Paul Morigi/Getty Images for We The 45 Million) The Biden administration revealed that income-driven repayment plan changes will relieve nearly 800,000 student loan borrowers. The Biden administration announced last week that over 800,000 borrowers will receive student loan relief due to modifications to income-driven repayment plans. In the coming weeks, borrowers with elder student loans will receive $39 billion in loan forgiveness. After 20 or 25 years of payments, depending on the loan type and when it was taken out, those with IDR become eligible to have their residual balances forgiven. Who's Eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness? The administration has already notified eligible borrowers that some or all of their debts will be discharged, and discharges will begin 30 days later. This week, the Biden administration released data on the number of eligible borrowers and the total debt forgiven in each state. Unsurprisingly, the states with the largest populations of student loan borrowers are among those where the greatest number of individuals will receive debt relief under this initiative. According to the most recent data from the New York Federal Reserve, California, Texas, and Florida have the largest populations of student borrowers and the highest number of borrowers receiving relief. Here are the states where the greatest number of student loan borrowers are currently eligible for IDR debt cancellation, according to CNBC: State Eligible borrowers Debt eligible for discharge Average amount per borrower Texas 63,730 $3.09 billion $48,514 Florida 56,930 $3.04 billion $53,343 California 61,890 $2.96 billion $47,807 Georgia 38,590 $2.13 billion $55,206 New York 42,070 $1.92 billion $45,736 Ohio 37,070 $1.74 billion $46,855 Pennsylvania 29,840 $1.34 billion $45,023 Illinois 28,450 $1.32 billion $46,257 Michigan 26,980 $1.27 billion $46,972 North Carolina 24,870 $1.14 billion $45,641 This initiative's underlying program is just getting started. Those who have yet to receive an email regarding student loan forgiveness could still obtain one. Those not qualifying for immediate loan remission may still derive substantial benefits from the initiative. Here is what borrowers should be aware of, as per Forbes: Student Loan Forgiveness through IDR Account Adjustment The Biden administration approved nearly $40 billion in student loan forgiveness through the IDR Account Adjustment, a transitory program. The initiative, announced for the first time more than a year ago, was created to address persistent problems with Income-Driven Repayment programs. IDR is intended to provide borrowers with affordable monthly payments based on their incomes and a safety net in the form of loan forgiveness if they cannot pay off the balance within 20 or 25 years. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which has historically required borrowers to be on an IDR plan, could forgive student loans to nonprofit and government employees even more quickly. Read Also: Alabama To Execute 1st Lethal Injection Procedure After Months-Long Pause Over Failed Execution First Batch of Student Loan Forgiveness The 800,000 borrowers who received email notifications of student loan forgiveness this week represent the initial wave of approvals. After applying for the retroactive credit under the IDR Account Adjustment, the Education Department determined that these borrowers have met or surpassed the 20- or 25-year requirement for loan forgiveness. It is anticipated that these borrowers will have their loans discharged before the resumption of student loan payments later this summer. Before August 13, borrowers who have been approved for loan forgiveness may opt-out by notifying their loan servicer. More Student Loan Relief The IDR Account Adjustment is described as a one-time maneuver by the Biden administration. Indeed, this is a transitory program that will come to an end. However, the Education Department will perform the adjustment multiple times throughout the remainder of the year and into 2024. This means that borrowers who are near to qualifying for IDR student loan forgiveness, but are missing a few months, may still be eligible for student loan forgiveness under the program when the department performs the adjustment again in a few months. The department will initiate the adjustment every month or two through at least the first half of 2024. Notify borrowers eligible for student loan forgiveness under the adjustment in subsequent months. In the meantime, the Education Department and MOHELA will process PSLF recipients' student loan forgiveness as they evaluate and approve their related employment certifications. MOHELA services the department's PSLF loans. Those who do not currently qualify for loan forgiveness may still benefit. Under the IDR Account Adjustment, not every borrower will receive immediate loan cancellation. Borrowers can receive retroactive credit toward their 20- or 25-year student loan forgiveness term (or toward PSLF), but they may still fall far short of the loan forgiveness threshold. However, millions of debtors will still benefit from this retroactive credit, which could reduce their repayment period by years and accelerate their path to eventual debt relief. Related Article: Biden Administration Forgives $39 Billion in Student Loans @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A federal judge in Kansas will not stop members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters from striking Monday over labor disputes with a trucking company that has a significant operational presence in Overland Park. As part of a pending lawsuit, Yellow Corporation asked U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson to issue a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the union, seeking to prevent its members from striking at midnight Sunday. Robinson ruled Friday from a courtroom in Kansas City, Kansas, that she does not have the authority to issue such an order, saying union members have the right to strike as part of the labor dispute. The judge expressed sympathy to the thousands of unions members who allege they and their families have been deprived of their healthcare and retirement benefits and to the company, which says it will go out of business if employees strike. Robinson called the labor disagreement not a pretty situation and wondered if the union won a battle but lost the war. Declaring victory after Robinsons ruling, Teamsters General President Sean M. OBrien said Yellow thought it could scheme the system, but that the law was on the side of workers. The company has two more days to fulfill its obligations or we will strike, OBrien said in a statement. Teamsters at Yellow are furious and ready to act. They are done with the mistreatment and mismanagement. For years the company, formerly known as YRC, operated out of a 10-story tower at 10990 Roe Ave. in Overland Park. But last year, the company moved its headquarters to downtown Nashville. The company committed to maintaining a sizable local workforce and signed a 15-year lease on new offices at the former Sprint Campus in Overland Park, according to the Kansas City Business Journal. The potential for a work stoppage stems from Yellows failure to make contributions to health and pension funds. Employees covered by Central States health and pension funds were notified this week that coverage would be suspended starting Monday. Story continues At the hearing Friday, lawyers for the freight carrier and the union blamed the other for the companys potential downfall. Marc Kasowitz, an attorney for the less-than-truckload carrier, said the union has blocked an initiative to restructure and modernize the company, costing $137 million in damages. A strike will kill the company, he said. Ed Gleason, a Washington, D.C.-based attorney for the Teamsters, said Yellow deliberately chose not to pay, which he called reprehensible. By doing so, he said, the company held 11,000 workers and their families hostage. Gleason also argued that the company should have taken the issue to a national grievance committee, not a federal judge. Gleason told Robinson that Yellow was trying to get her to do their dirty work. At one point during the hearing, Robinson had to cut off Gleasons arguments because a listener who called in remotely kept talking, and used a curse word, despite her orders for phones to be muted. She called the nameless caller an idiot as lawyers in the courtroom laughed about the situation one of the only things they seemed to agree on. Robinson said she thought that both union workers and the company will lose if there is a strike. Last year, federal officials were asked to investigate whether the failing trucking company broke federal law when securing a $700 million loan through a federal pandemic aid program a sum that made up 95% of the money allocated to the program. At the time, the company called the claims unsubstantiated and demonstrably false. The New York Times recently reported that Yellow has more than $1.5 billion in outstanding debt, including the government loan. U.S. officials on Friday defended a nuclear submarine visit to South Korea, as heated rhetoric and missile launches from North Korea and the crossing of a U.S. soldier into North Korea earlier this week increase tensions on the Korean peninsula. In an interview with CNN on Friday, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said while U.S. officials have made it clear to Pyongyang that were willing to sit down without preconditions to denuclearize the peninsula, the deployment of a nuclear submarine and other assets was necessary to make sure that we have in the region sufficient military capability to protect our South Korean allies, and, quite frankly, the 38,000 U.S. troops and families that are on the Korean peninsula. The USS Kentucky, a submarine capable of firing nuclear ballistic missiles, arrived in Busan, South Korea, on Monday for a scheduled port visit. The visit, the first time in decades a nuclear-armed submarine surfaced in South Korea, has prompted sharp rebukes from North Korean officials over the last week. Even before the sub surfaced in Busan, North Korean officials were warning the U.S. against foolish actions, with Workers Party official Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying through state media on Tuesday that North Korea had launched a military offensive in response to U.S. aggression. On Wednesday, North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea. In a statement Thursday, North Koreas defense minister Kang Sun-nam said that the presence of the sub may fall under the conditions of the use of nuclear weapons. South Korean officials have denounced North Koreas launches as a major provocation. American officials said earlier this week the deployment of the submarine was part of its extended deterrence policy. This port visit to Busan reflects the United States ironclad commitment to the Republic of Korea for our extended deterrence guarantee, and complements the many exercises, training, operations, and the other military cooperation activities conducted by Strategic Forces to ensure they are available and ready to operate around the globe at any time, U.S. Forces Korea said in a news release Tuesday. The spat over the submarine comes as the United States, the U.S.-led United Nations Command and the U.S.s Swedish interlocutors seek information from Pyongyang on Travis King, the American soldier who crossed into North Korea while on a civilian tour of the Demilitarized Zone on Tuesday. In a virtual gaggle Thursday, Kirby told reporters the United States had not received any information on King, either through Sweden or other channels. U.S. officials maintain they are still working to get information from North Korea about Kings well-being, despite the silence from Pyongyang. Aboard Air Force one Thursday, White House deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton told reporters the U.S. government has been reaching out through multiple channels to speak with North Korean officials. The Biden administration expects American-made F-16 fighter jets will arrive in Ukraine near the end of this year, a top spokesperson said, signaling that U.S. officials are feeling a new sense of urgency to deliver the warplanes as quickly as possible. Now look, the F-16s will get there probably towards the end of the year, John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, said on Fox News on Thursday. But it's not our assessment that the F-16s alone would be enough to turn the tide here. National security adviser Jake Sullivan echoed Kirby's comments on Friday, saying the U.S. is "moving rapidly" to get F-16s to Ukraine. "We are going to push as fast as possible," Sullivan said during remarks at the Aspen Security Forum in Aspen, Colo. The Ukrainians have been pleading for modern fighter jets to help repel Russian invaders for more than a year. President Joe Biden in May lent U.S. support to an international effort to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s, but the U.S. has yet to formally approve the training program, which is required under export restrictions. In the meantime, a coalition of 11 nations, led by Denmark and the Netherlands, has taken early steps to make the training program a reality. European officials said last week that they hope to begin the training in Denmark in August, and a training center will also be set up in Romania. The U.K., in the meantime, will soon start English language instruction for Ukrainian pilots. F-16 manufacturer Lockheed Martin plans to supervise pilot training through a subcontractor, Draken International,according to Ukrainian press reports. However, countries have been hesitant to commit to sending F-16s from their own fleets to the battlefield after training concludes. Norway has plans to send two trainer aircraft for Ukrainians to learn on, according to a Norwegian defense official, but that has not been announced publicly. Kirbys remarks are aspirational, as the administration is still working to finalize plans to deliver the jets and train Ukrainian pilots, said a U.S. official, who like the Norwegian official was granted anonymity to speak about a sensitive technology transfer. Story continues The U.S. is working to get Ukraine the F-16s as quickly as possible, but it will take some time, the official added. Neither Kirby nor the official specified which countries would be sending their F-16s. The timeline Kirby laid out is faster than Ukrainian officials have predicted, signaling a new sense of urgency. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a July 12 interview that he expected the first F-16s will fly in Ukrainian skies by the end of the first quarter of 2024. Kirbys comments come days after Sullivan was forced to respond to questions about whether the U.S. was committed to training Ukrainian fighter pilots, after POLITICO reported that Europe was still waiting on formal approval from the U.S. Sullivan stressed that the president had promised to meet whatever timeline our European partners need. The United States will not be the hold up in ensuring that this F-16 training can get underway, he told CNN. Sullivan said the main roadblock was that the European partners needed a few more weeks to create the necessary training infrastructure. He did not commit to a specific timeline for training or delivery. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pressed his Western partners to deliver the jets as soon as possible. Speaking ahead of a NATO defense summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, last week, he blamed his colleagues for what he characterized as a delay in sending the aircraft. We have agreed, we have pressed, and we have a coalition of countries that are ready to start training for Ukrainian pilots. [But] there is no schedule for training missions, and theyre delaying it. I dont know why theyre doing this, he said. Alexander Ward contributed to this report. The Treasury under Secretary Janet Yellen imposed sanctions against dozens of people and entities as the Biden administration continues to try and restrict Russia's ability to make war. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI July 21 (UPI) -- The Biden administration unleashed a swath punitive measures targeting Russia's war-making abilities Thursday, blacklisting some 120 people and entities. The sanctions by the departments of State and Treasury were imposed against people, companies and ships based in Serbia, Kyrgyzstan, North Korea, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates, though predominantly in Russia, freezing all property and interest in property held in their names, while barring U.S. citizens from doing business with them. U.S. officials say the measures target Russia's munitions factories and high-technology industries, degrades its access to the international financial system, limits its revenue from mining and metals industries and disrupts its technology suppliers, importers and developers. "As long as Russia continues to wage its unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine, we will impose sanctions to deprive Russia of the technology it needs and disrupt the Russian arms industry's ability to resupply," Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said in a statement. Biden administration officials said Thursday's sanctions further implement commitments leaders of the wealthy G7 nations made during meetings on Feb. 24 and May 19. Following the last G7 summit in Japan, the group imposed sanctions targeting Russia and announced plans to provide Ukraine with F-16 warplanes. Britain on Thursday separately sanctioned 13 people and firms linked to actions taken by the Wagner Group in Mali, Central African Republic and Sudan where the private military has sought to destabilize the African nations in furtherance of Russia's goals. The 27-member European Union on Thursday also established a new framework for sanctions against Iran over its military's support of Russia's war. As previous sanctions have taken a bite out of the Kremlin's ability to produce and secure weaponry Moscow has been forced to seek the assistance of countries, such as Iran and North Korea, to replenish its dwindling supplies. Story continues Russia has particularly relied on Iran for drones, and the new sanctions regime implemented Thursday by the EU prohibits the export of components used in drones from the union to Iran. The bloc on Thursday also sanctioned six Iranians, which the union said shows its "resolve to continue responding swiftly and decisively to Iran's actions. "The European Union condemns the delivery of Iranian drones to Russia and their deadly deployment in the war of aggression against Ukraine," it said in a statement. The United States announced the sanctions a day after unveiling a $1.3 billion military package for Ukraine to bolster its defense against Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion more than 500 days ago on Feb. 24, 2022. Ukrainian military in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, July 2, 2023 Ukraines Defense Ministry signed a contract with the Lviv Arsenal company for the supply of a large batch of mines worth almost UAH 1.5 billion ($41 million) starting in December 2022, but not a single one has been delivered yet, the Ukrainska Pravda online newspaper reported on July 21. The contract for the supply of the much-needed 120 mm and 82 mm mortar rounds was concluded on the day of the liberation of the city of Kherson by the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the bloody fighting near the town of Bakhmut on Nov. 11, 2022. Read also: A new social contract for wartime: Five things the Armed Forces expects from business The agreement was signed acting head of the Defense Ministrys Military-Technical Policy Department, Oleksandr Liev. The newspapers source in law enforcement noted that Lviv Arsenal had previously reported that it had an export license an EU country. In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers put the company on the official list of special importers of weapons. A few days after the signing of the contract, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov greenlight an advance payment of almost 100% of the contract amount. In December 2022, when the first supply of weapons was disrupted, it turned out that the country in which Lviv Arsenal had an export license did not have mines as they were stored in a third country. Read also: Defense Ministry calls expose on suspected food contract corruption misleading Neither Lviv Arsenal nor its counterparty had export licenses from this third country before they took money from the Defense Ministry for the promised mines. In Ukraine, you can get money under the contract only if you have an export license, the sources emphasized. Judging by the prices for supplies, the fact that the Defense Ministry greenlighted the transfer of money to a company without a license relates to corruption. I the summer of 2022, Ukrainian companies contracted 82 mm and 120 mm caliber mines at a price 40-50% lower than in the Lviv Arsenal contract. Moreover, the indicated prices related to new mines of the first category, while the Lviv Arsenal contract offered mines released from warehouses in 2021. Story continues Liev explained that the firm had actually provided export licenses from the suppliers country, and only then did the Defense Ministry transfer the funds. He stressed that it is a difficult task to control the receipt of export documents from the producers country since most often the supply is organized through intermediaries. Lviv Arsenal did not appear among the major arms suppliers until the fall of 2022, and the only time the company appeared in the public space was when it crumbed the deal with the main manufacturer of small arms for the Interior Ministry, after which it had sued for UAH 5 million ($136,729) for several years. Read also: Ukrainian security chief says battle against traitors, corruption, organized crime won't stop Yuriy Zbitniev, the founder of Lviv Arsenal, became one of the youngest members of the Verkhovna Rada of the Ukrainian SSR back in 1990. He took part in the creation of the Social Democratic Party of Ukraine (united). In 2009, together with the former head of the Main Intelligence Directorate and former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenkos bodyguard, General Oleksandr Skypalskyi, they demanded that Yushchenko postpone the presidential elections since the then candidates Viktor Yanukovych and Yulia Tymoshenko, in their opinion, threatened Ukraines course towards the European Union. After that, they wanted to declare a state of emergency and a revolutionary committee. He was married to Rena Nazarova, a member of the Kyiv City Council from Vitaliy Klitschkos UDAR party, who currently works in the Presidents Office. However, the couple has been divorced for several years. Ukrainska Pravda notes that according to the circumstances under which the couple broke up, it is unlikely that Zbitniev could count on Nazarovas protection in the Presidents Office. The sources in the Cabinet of Ministers failed to explain how Lviv Arsenal could receive the status of a special importer so quickly in the fall of 2022. Both Zbitniev and his former wife Nazarova did not respond to a request for comment. After the delay of the first planned deliveries, the Defense Ministry began to put pressure on the company with letters and demands to pay a penalty. In March, the Defense Ministry filed a UAH 1.53 billion ($41.8 million) lawsuit with Kyivs Commercial Court demanding that Lviv Arsenal return the advance payment and interest. In May, the Defense Ministry asked the court to seize the companys accounts and other assets but was refused over the lack of evidence for the seizure and failure to specify assets. Later the Defense Ministry managed to seize money from Lviv Arsenals accounts but the decision has not yet been published in the court register, the sources said. Read also: Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands to supply Ukraine with APCs Ukrainska Pravda states that the firm transferred only part of funds to its European counterparty. Almost UAH 1 billion ($27.3 million) still remain in Ukraine and blocked in accounts. This provides the tools to ensure that these funds are not lost forever, as in dozens of other scandalous contracts. Lviv Arsenal recently announced that it has finally received export licenses and will begin deliveries under its contract. It remains unclear how exactly the seizure will be removed from the accounts and how the withdrawal of money will be approved, the newspaper says. After all, there is little trust left in the company. It was because of this company that the Defense Ministry had lost money for at least seven months, while the soldiers did not receive the scarce weapons all this time. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine (Bloomberg) -- Fallout continues from Moscows decision to pull out of the Black Sea grain export deal, including a live-fire drill by conducted by Russias navy and another missile attack on the Odesa region. Ukraines president instructed his top military commanders to prepare actions to continue the functioning of the grain export deal, with the foreign ministry also asked to prepare analogous diplomatic steps. Most Read from Bloomberg Wheat futures shed some of the weeks hefty gains on Zelenskiys comments, although its not clear how Kyiv would get the corridor reopened. Officials from Turkey, which brokered the original deal with the UN, said grain exports from Ukrainian ports are unlikely given Russian threats to target vessels. Russias deputy foreign minister seemed to slightly walk back rhetoric that Moscow would consider all vessels heading to Ukrainian ports as potential carriers of arms. The UN Security Council will discuss Ukraine on Friday. Ukraine fired its ambassador to UK, who recently criticized Zelenskiy over remarks the president made about British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace during the NATO summit in Vilnius. No reason was given for Vadym Prystaikos removal. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Poland against any aggression toward Belarus. Poland has reinforced its eastern border in response to the presence of Wagner mercenary forces in the Russian ally. Latest Coverage Putin Warns Poland Hell Respond to Aggression Against Belarus Russia May Inspect Ships Passing Through Black Sea Russias Navy Conducts Live Fire Exercises in Black Sea Russia Arrests Colonel Turned Critic of Army and Putin Ukraine Sees Russia Trying to Hamper Grain Transit Via Danube Story continues Coming Up Sunday meeting between Putin and Belarus Lukashenko Zelenskiy to address Aspen Security Forum in US on Friday Markets Europe Gas Heads for First Weekly Gain This Month European natural gas headed for its first weekly gain this month, with traders weighing risks to fuel supplies from Russia and extreme heat searing parts of the region. Benchmark futures rose as much as 10% on Friday and over 15% for the week amid escalating tensions in the Black Sea. While theres no indication that gas supplies are affected by the rise in hostilities, Russias fuel transit through Ukraine has been at risk since the war started 17 months ago. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. The SBU detained a collaborator in the Mykolaiv Oblast who helped the Russians mock local residents Ukraines SBU security service has exposed a Russian agent who helped the invaders abduct and abuse the residents of Mykolayiv Oblast, the SBU and the Office of theProsecutor General reported on Telegram on July 21. In July 2022, while staying in occupied territory in Mykolayiv districts Shevchenkove territorial community, the detainee collaborated with the Russian military, the prosecutors said. Read also: SBU detains Ukrzaliznytsia employee for facilitating Russian attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast The perpetrator directly participated in crimes against fellow villagers during manhunts, the SBU said. In particular, he helped Russian servicemen intimidate local residents by staging mock executions: people were placed against a wall, firearms were pointed at them, and shots were fired at dangerous proximity to force the Ukrainians to cooperate. The SBUs officers received testimony from seven civilians who had suffered from such abuse. Read also: SBU nabs collaborators who had joint business with Russians in Luhansk Oblast The detainee has been charged with violating the laws and customs of war. If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in prison. The occupation of Mykolayiv Oblast began on Feb. 26, 2022, after Russian troops invaded the territory of Ukraine, attacked the city of Mykolayiv and began to capture parts of Mykolayiv Oblast, reaching the town of Voznesensk. On Nov. 10, 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated almost all of Mykolayiv Oblast from invading Russian forces. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine The Ukrainian government is negotiating with partners for additional air defence systems to protect Odesa, Mykolaiv and other cities in the rear, which have particularly suffered from massive Russian attacks in recent days. Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy in his evening address on 20 July Quote: "In just four days of this week, since Monday, Russian terrorists have already used almost 70 missiles of various types, almost 90 Shaheds against our state, and to a significant extent - against Odesa and Odesa region, Mykolaiv, our other southern cities and communities. Of course, our warriors managed to shoot down some of the enemy missiles and drones, and I thank each of our defenders of the sky for this... But unfortunately, the capacity of Ukrainian air defence is not yet enough to protect the entire Ukrainian sky... We are working with our partners as actively as possible to obtain additional air defence systems that can provide peace and security to our Odesa and all other cities and communities of our country." Details: The President thanked those who helped Ukrainian cities to overcome the consequences of Russian strikes: Odesa and Oblast, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr, Kharkiv, border Oblasts, Donetsk. Quote: "I thank all the rescuers, doctors, nurses, volunteers, police, local authorities... I thank everyone who works for the sake of people and Ukraine. The victims of Russian strikes are being provided with the necessary assistance. Again and again, I thank the employees of our ports and transport infrastructure in general who are doing everything to preserve Ukraine's export potential and our access to the global economy." Background: On 17 July, Russia terminated the grain agreement with Ukraine, withdrew security guarantees for the grain corridor, and threatened to fire on foreign ships sailing to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. At the same time, since the beginning of the week, Russian troops have been attacking Odesa and other cities in the south of Ukraine with greater intensity. On the night of 18-19 July, Russia attacked grain terminals in the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk, causing damage to traders' infrastructure and civilian infrastructure. On the night of 19-20 July, the centre of Odesa was also hit by a Russian strike. The port of Odesa also came under Russian fire on 11 July, before Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed that strikes on Odesa and Mykolaiv on 20 July which killed civilians were acts of revenge for damaging the Crimean Bridge on 17 July. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Cluster munitions ukraine artillery Ukraine is now using cluster munitions on the battlefield quite effectively, and they already having an affect on Russian forces, the White House confirmed Thursday. "We have gotten some initial feedback from the Ukrainians, and they're using them quite effectively," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said at a news briefing Thursday. He added the cluster munitions are having an impact on Russian defensive formations and maneuvering, Reuters reported. At the Pentagon, Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh also confirmed Ukraine is now using the cluster munitions. https://twitter.com/Lyla_lilas/status/1682126603369738240 https://twitter.com/anno1540/status/1682145032000659457 The Pentagon two weeks ago announced it was sending Ukraine hundreds of thousands of rounds of controversial cluster munitions known as Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICMs). They are 155mm artillery munitions that contain individual submunitions, or bomblets. The DPICMs are being provided for two main reasons, the Pentagon has previously explained. The U.S. has a large stock of them and giving some to Ukraine wont have the same effect on supplies as the donation 155mm unitary rounds. The U.S. alone has donated more than two million of those to Ukraine. The other main reason is that bomblets scatter over a wide area, which would help Ukraine defeat the massive amount of fortifications and trenches Russia has built up, in addition to hitting counter-battery and time-sensitive targets more efficiently. A US Army briefing slide discussing the functioning of a more modern DPICM-XL projectile. US Army You can read more about these munitions, what they can do, why they are controversial and Ukraine's efforts to mitigate the dangers in our story here. Russian Telegram channels have taken note of the first uses of DPICMs cluster munitions, which they refer to as "cassettes." "The enemy began to massively use cluster munitions on the Zaporizhzhia and [Bakhmut] fronts," said the Operation Z Telegram channel. "The footage shows the shelling of our positions with "cassettes" in the Zaporizhzhia direction. There is also evidence that the enemy is actively using them on the flanks near [Bakhmut] and on the South-Donetsk sector of the front. The soldiers report that the enemy has used them before, but in smaller numbers." Story continues "Heavy [multiple launch rocket system] MLRS strikes and the use of cluster munitions by the enemy are seen...as a way to overcome the tactical defense of the [Russian] Armed Forces," the Colonelcassad Telegram channel wrote. "The situation requires an increase in the use of cluster munitions by our troops. They will be very effective in hitting [areas] through which the enemy is trying to advance infantry assault groups." One well-known Russian milblogger, Mikhail Luchin - known as "Misha in Donbas" - was reportedly killed today during a cluster munitions strike, the War Gonzo Telegram channel reported. In April, we told you how Luchin was hacked by Ukrainians, who say they charged $25,000 worth of adult toys to his credit card. The hackers claimed the Luchin was going to use the money to buy drones for Russian troops. https://twitter.com/FunkerActual/status/1682044434748411904 While Russians may complain about DPICMs, it should noted that they have been using much more dangerous cluster munitions indiscriminately throughout their so-called 'special military operation.' This first use of DPICMs by Ukraine is only the beginning. How effective they are as the counteroffensive grinds slowly on, remains to be seen. We will provide additional details when they become available. Before we head into the latest from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here. The Latest On the battlefield, Ukraine continued to make incremental gains in its counteroffensive that is pushing through Zaporizhzhia and the Donbas. Here are some key takeaways from the latest Institute for the Study of War assessment: Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations on at least three sectors of the front on July 19 and made gains in these areas. Ukrainian forces continued offensive operations in the Kupyansk area, near Kreminna, in the Bakhmut area, and along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City front and made gains near Bakhmut. Russian forces continued offensive operations along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, in the Bakhmut area, along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City front, and in the western Donetsk-eastern Zaporizhia oblast area. They made marginal gains along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City front and reportedly made limited advances in the western Donetsk-eastern Zaporizhia oblast area. Ukrainian forces continued counteroffensive operations in the western Donetsk-eastern Zaporizhia area and western Zaporizhia Oblast and made reportedly made gains in both sectors of the front. https://twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1682156909766275072 Just days after the Kerch Bridge was attacked, reportedly by Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels, air raid sirens have gone off several times there today. It's unclear why the alarms sounded, but given that the bridge has been struck twice now since October, you can understand why folks in that part of Crimea would be nervous. The bridge, a key logistics crossing for Russia's military, has long been a stated target of Ukraine. https://twitter.com/igorsushko/status/1682156154066202625 With tens of billions of dollars of military and humanitarian assistance pouring in from foreign donors, Ukraine has agreed to work with NATO on the launch of a Procurement Review program, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said during a press conference Thursday. That decision was made last week, he said, during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Reznikov noted that Ukraine already interacts directly with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), which brings together, in a single organization, acquisition, logistic, medical and infrastructural capabilities, operational and systems support and services to the NATO nations, NATO Military Authorities and partner nations. "As part of the Procurement Review program, within nine to 10 months, NATO experts will conduct an analysis of resource provision and procurement of weapons and military equipment, assistance, training of people, and will offer, possibly, an improved modernized system," Reznikov said. https://twitter.com/militarnyi_en/status/1681938333847416833 So far the U.S. has promised Ukraine 190 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles. As we recently wrote, the Oryx open source intelligence group says Ukraine has seen 15 Bradleys destroyed, 16 damaged and four damaged and abandoned. The figure could be higher, because Oryx only tabulates vehicles for which it has visual confirmation. But just because the Bradleys are damaged doesn't mean they are out of the fight, as The Washington Post reported Thursday in a story about efforts to repair them. "Some Bradley repairs can take just a few hours. Others need a few days. Some vehicles are labeled donors, meaning the Ukrainians will strip out the usable parts to install in other, less-damaged Bradleys and then fill the donor vehicle with the broken bits before shipping it off for a larger-scale repair at the facility in Poland," the publication reported. "One early limitation for how quickly the Ukrainians can fix the Bradleys and get them back on the battlefield: not enough spare parts, military personnel said." https://twitter.com/noelreports/status/1682039412404928512?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A Minefields, as we have frequently noted, have proven to be a formidable challenge for Ukraine. But one way to overcome them has been through the use of U.S.-donated M58 MICLIC (Mine Clearing Line Charge) systems, that shoot a 350-foot long line containing five pounds per linear foot of C-4 explosives. It is primarily used by Ukraine both to clear mines, but has also been used as a strike weapon, including in urban areas, to devastating effect. You can see one in action clearing mines in this video below. https://twitter.com/KyivIndependent/status/1682106217018056704?s=20 But minefields are far from the only danger. Ukrainian forces have often come under fire by Russian troops using anti-tank guided missiles even before they reach the minefield. That appears to be what happened to this Ukrainian armored column near Bakhmut seen in the video below. https://twitter.com/narrative_hole/status/1681787649097433088?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A And finally, in the video below, you can see whey Ukraine has jumped on the Bandvagn 202 bandwagon. The Swedish tracked vehicles, originally developed by Saab for the Swedish military, come in particularly handy in Ukraine's swampy terrain. https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1681764201189068801?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A That's it for now. We'll update this story when there's more news to report about Ukraine. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Key developments on July 21: Russian media: War criminal Igor Girkin arrested in Russia Germany delivers Leopard-1 tanks, other military aid to Ukraine France accuses China of delivering non-lethal aid to Russia Russian attacks kill at least 8, including 2 children. Russian sabotage units tried unsuccessfully to cross the Ukrainian border into Sumy and Chernihiv oblasts, Lieutenant General Serhii Naiev said on July 21. "The Russian Federation does not cease trying to find weak points in our defense in the Chernihiv and Sumy directions," the general wrote on Telegram. "A penetration of sabotage groups at the border was recorded, but all attempts were unsuccessful." Naiev said that the military is working together with local administrations to strengthen the security of the border regions by installing barriers and cameras. In the case of an increased threat, the military will provide sufficient reinforcements to prevent the Russian forces from crossing into Ukraine's territory in these areas, the general added. The Sumy and Chernihiv oblasts lie at Ukraine's northern border with Russia. Both of them were invaded and partially occupied during Russia's initial onslaught in February 2022, but the invading forces withdrew in April after the Kremlin's failure to take Kyiv. Meanwhile, Russia is attempting to gain ground in the Kupiansk area, Kharkiv Oblast, and continues "the offensive into the depth of our battle formations," Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of Ukraine's Ground Forces, reported on July 17. Syrskyi was quoted by the Military Media Center, reporting that the operational situation in the eastern direction was difficult. Russia is concentrating "more than 100,000 personnel, more than 900 tanks, more than 555 artillery systems, 370 MLRS" in the Lyman-Kupiansk direction, according to Serhii Cherevatyi, spokesperson for Ukraines Eastern Military Command. Cherevatyi said on television on July 17 that Ukrainian soldiers are currently holding the defense. Story continues Kupiansk was liberated in Ukraine's surprise counteroffensive in Kharkiv Oblast in September 2022. Lyman, in Donetsk Oblast, was liberated just weeks later. Defense Ministry: Difficult situation in Ukraines east as Russia deploys more forces Russia has deployed more forces to Ukraines eastern frontline in its attempt to advance toward Lyman and Kupiansk and seize the initiative, Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported on June 19. The Kyiv IndependentDinara Khalilova Russian media: Igor Girkin arrested Igor "Strelkov" Girkin, a Russian war criminal and a former commander of Russian proxy forces in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast, has been arrested, as reported on July 21 by his Telegram channel and Russian media. "Today, at about 11:30 a.m., representatives of the investigative committee came to us," says the latest message on Girkin's channel, signed as "Miroslava Reginskaya, the wife of Igor Strelkov." The Telegram post said the investigators took Girkin by the arms and took him in an unknown direction. "I managed to learn from friends that my husband was charged under article 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (extremism)." The Russian news agency RBC also reported that Girkin was arrested by law enforcement officers, citing its sources in the police and Girkin's lawyer. According to RBC's preliminary information, Girkin was detained "at the request of a former employee of the Wagner Group." The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims. Later in the day, a Moscow court sanctioned Girkin's arrest. The court ordered Girkin to be kept at a pre-trial detention facility until Sept. 18. He has been charged with calling for extremist activity on the Internet. Girkin is a former Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) agent who was a key figure in the start of Russia's war against Ukraine when he helped seize Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast, in 2014. Girkin has also been found guilty of participating in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine, which killed 298 people. During the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he has been often critical of the Russian military's conduct in the war. Girkin co-founded the Club of Angry Patriots, a hardline nationalist movement pushing for more extreme measures to achieve victory over Ukraine. According to Russian media, Girkin has been arrested already on Aug. 14, 2022, in Crimea, while trying to reach the front line to fight the Ukrainian army. MH17 verdict: Girkin, Dubinsky, Kharchenko guilty, sentenced to life imprisonment The fourth suspect was acquitted. The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk Germany delivers Leopard 1 tanks, other military aid to Ukraine The German government announced on July 20 that it handed over the first 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks, as well as other military aid to Ukraine. The package further includes 20 MG3 machine guns for armored vehicles, over 1,000 155mm artillery rounds, more than 2,000 155mm smoke ammunition, one new bridge system, and 12 accompanying trailers. Berlin has also delivered four border protection vehicles, 10 ground surveillance radars, 16 Zetros trucks, 100,000 first aid kits, and 80 reconnaissance drones RQ-35 HEIDRUN. In February, the German government announced that in cooperation with international partners, Ukraine will receive at least 100 Leopard 1 tanks. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said on July 4 that dozens of these vehicles, provided by Germany and Denmark, will be delivered "in the coming weeks." Scholz: Germany to provide Ukraine with over $19 billion in weapons over 5 years In a July 14 press conference, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Germany expects to provide Ukraine with $19 billion, or 17 billion euros, in arms deliveries until 2027. The Kyiv IndependentAbbey Fenbert France accuses China of delivering non-lethal aid to Russia Emmanuel Bonne, an adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, told CNN that Beijing is "delivering massively military capacities to Russia." China is allegedly supplying Russia with non-lethal military aid like helmets, armor, and dual-use technologies, CNN reported on July 21, citing French officials. When asked whether there is evidence of China supplying Moscow militarily, Bonne said that "there are indications that they are doing things we would prefer them not to do." The official stressed that the West wants China to abstain from involving itself in the war and to avoid delivering weapons or supporting Russia economically. "We need them to understand that Ukraine is a conflict of global magnitude and that we cannot offer Ukraine to lose for reasons of principle, but also for reasons which are very operational," Bonne told CNN. "And what is at stake for us in Ukraine is much more than, you know, Ukraine sovereignty. It's very much about the stability of the world." In February, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington has concerns that Beijing is considering supplying Moscow with weapons. On Feb. 4, the Wall Street Journal reported that China had provided Russia's army with military equipment. Chinese state-owned companies provided Moscow with navigation equipment, jamming technology, and fighter-jet parts, customs records show. In April, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang denied his country selling weaponry to either side of the Russia-Ukraine war. This Week in Ukraine Ep. 17 Black Sea grain deal is dead. What can Ukraine do? Episode #17 of our weekly video podcast This Week in Ukraine is dedicated to the Black Sea grain deal, how Russia weaponized it, and ultimately killed it. Host Anastasiia Lapatina is joined by the Kyiv Independents reporter Alexander Query. Listen to the audio version of the podcast on Apple, S The Kyiv IndependentAnastasiia Lapatina Russian attacks kill at least 8, including 2 children Russian forces attacked 10 Ukrainian oblasts over the past day, killing at least nine people and injuring at least nine, regional officials reported on July 21. Donetsk, Kharkiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, and Sumy oblasts all came under attack. Russian troops launched an artillery attack against the village of Druzhba in Donetsk Oblast at around 3 p.m. on July 21, killing two children, Donetsk Oblast Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko wrote on Telegram. "One of the projectiles hit the yard where the children were, a 10-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl. Brother and sister, Kyrylenko wrote. The Interior Ministry reported that the boy was killed at the site of the attack and his sister died in the hospital later in the day. The attack also injured an elderly woman who was hospitalized, Kyrylenko added. According to the Prosecutor Generals Office, the Russian all-out war against Ukraine has killed 494 children and injured 1,068 since Feb. 24 last year. Also, over 19,500 children have been forcibly deported to Russia. Stolen generation. Russia systematically abducts children from Ukraine, gives them to Russian families Editors Note: The story is based on the documentary Uprooted, published by the Kyiv Independents War Crimes Investigation Unit. Russia is systematically deporting Ukrainian children from the occupied part of Ukraine against their will which constitutes genocide according to one of the five defi The Kyiv IndependentOlesia Bida Meanwhile in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Russian troops shelled a settlement near Huliaipole, killing four workers of an agricultural enterprise on July 21, according to local authorities. "Today we have terrible news about the loss of field workers. They were young, energetic, had families and dreams, and worked for the good of our country," the Huliaipole town council said on Facebook. According to the report, the attack killed four men and injured two more. There have been no further details. The front-line town of Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia Oblast has been subjected to constant attacks from Russian positions in the south. Also on July 21, Russia's missile attack on a community center in Chernihiv Oblast killed two women, Governor Viacheslav Chaus reported. The air siren went off twice during the morning in Chernihiv Oblast. Around 11:15 a.m. local time, the governor announced incoming Russian missiles. Over the past day, local officials reported several artillery strikes against the oblast, targeting the Novhorod-Siverskyi district. Chernihiv Oblast, lying at Ukraine's border with Belarus and Russia, suffers regularly from Russian attacks. (Photo : Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) The Senate Judiciary Committee passed a new ethics bill that would require the Supreme Court to adopt new policies to address misconduct and other issues. The Senate Judiciary Committee moved forward on Thursday to support new legislation requiring the United States Supreme Court to adopt a new ethics code. The situation follows a controversy involving Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas' relationship with a Republican real estate magnate. The decision follows a pledge that Democratic lawmakers made to take legislative action after a series of reports on the incident. New Supreme Court Ethics Bill The new bill is known as the Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act, which Democratic Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse sponsored. It cleared the committee largely along party lines in an 11-10 vote. During the committee's consideration of the measure, GOP lawmakers introduced several amendments that referenced the protests outside of the Supreme Court justices' homes, the leaked draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, Supreme Court expansion, as well as imposing new rules on reporters who cover news about the high court, as per CBS News. However, all Republican lawmakers' proposed changes were unsuccessful except for one. It was an amendment proposed by Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana that, after modification, condemns racist attacks and comments against current or former justices, including Thomas. The proposed change passed unanimously. Members of the GOP argued that Whitehouse's bill would be dead on arrival in the full Senate and the Republican-controlled House. More than two dozen Senate Democrats support the legislation, which would require the Supreme Court to adopt a new code of conduct for justices. It would also require the high court to implement procedures to handle complaints regarding judicial misconduct. The ethics bill calls for the nation's highest court to establish procedural rules that would require each party in a case or entity filing friend-of-the-court briefs to disclose gifts, income, or reimbursement provided to the court members. It also tightens regulations for when justices or judges are required to recuse themselves from various cases. Read Also: Alabama To Execute 1st Lethal Injection Procedure After Months-Long Pause Addressing Supreme Court Judge Misconduct According to NBC News, another lead author of the bill, Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin, said that the measure is a crucial first step in restoring the public's confidence in the court after a series of reports of justices' misconduct and ethical failures. The ethics bill would give the Supreme Court 180 days to adopt the required changes and regulations. It also allows the public to submit ethics complaints that a randomly selected panel of lower court judges must review. The bill would need 60 votes in the full Senate following the recent vote to defeat an expected Republican filibuster. If it does clear the Senate, it would still have to receive approval from the GOP-led House, whose leaders have said they are not interested in considering the bill. Republican lawmakers argued that the ethics bill was simply a partisan attack on the Supreme Court's conservative judges, arguing that Congress was severely overstepping its authority. Sen. Richard Blumenthal responded that GOP opposition to the bill would only hurt their popularity in polls, said CNN. Related Article: Student Loan Forgiveness: Borrowers in 10 States Will Have $45,000 Debt Forgiven @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Key developments on July 20: Syrskyi: Russian forces in Bakhmut 'semi-encircled' Washington Post: Ukraine deploys US-provided cluster munitions Defense Ministry: Vessels heading to Russia-controlled Black Sea ports to be considered military targets UK Defense Ministry: Russia's Black Sea blockade at risk from Ukrainian surface drones, missiles Russian strike against Mykolaiv injures 19 EU sanctions Iran to prevent drone components export. Land Forces Commander, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, told the BBC on July 20 that Russian forces in Bakhmut have been semi-encircled as Ukraine created conditions to reclaim the city. "At the moment, the deployment of Russian troops resembles an arch, concentrated in Bakhmut. And they are under semi-encirclement. Well, it's impossible not to take advantage of that," said Syrskyi. According to the commander, recapturing Bakhmut would have a significant strategic value, as the city serves as a transport hub, allowing Russian forces further advances. Syrsky hasnt provided the timeframe for reclaiming Bakhmut, but vowed it will be attempted as soon as possible. The Bakhmut area is among others where Ukrainian forces are conducting counteroffensive operations. Ukrainian troops have been advancing along the northern and southern flanks of the city, which has been occupied since late May. Meanwhile, the Washington Post reported on July 20, citing Ukrainian officials, that Ukrainian forces are already using U.S.-provided cluster munitions on the battlefield against Russian troops. Cluster munitions were used against Russian trenches near Bakhmut, according to the report. The U.S. announced the delivery of these munitions to Ukraine on July 7, with Ukrainian military confirming it received the first shipments on July 13. 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 Story continues Defense Ministry says it considers ships heading to Russian, Russian-occupied Black Sea ports military targets The Defense Ministry said on July 20 that starting from midnight on July 21, any vessels heading to Russian or Russian-occupied ports on the Black Sea will be treated as carrying military cargo "with all associated risks." Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain deal on July 17 and later announced that all vessels heading to Ukrainian ports will be regarded as "potential carriers of military cargo" and thus legitimate military targets. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said the Kremlin has turned the Black Sea into a danger zone threatening civilian vessels and trade routes and attacking civilian infrastructure in cities. "The Russian Federation has once again brutally violated the universal right to free navigation for the whole world and is deliberately undermining food security, condemning millions of people to starvation," the ministry said. Earlier in the day, the U.K. Defense Ministry said in its daily intelligence update that the Russian Black Sea Fleet will likely be blocking the trade routes, but the maritime blockade would be at risk of attacks by Ukrainian surface drones and cruise missiles. "The fate of the cruiser Moskva proves that the Defense Forces of Ukraine have the necessary means to repel Russian aggression at sea," the U.K. Defense Ministry said. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said on July 19 that the Kremlin considers attacking civilian vessels on the Black Sea in order to blame Ukraine. Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal sparked international condemnation and fears of rising food prices. The agreement, brokered by Turkey and the U.N. in July 2022, allowed Ukraine to export its agricultural products during the ongoing full-scale Russian invasion. Moscow is responsible for a major global food supply crisis, the European Union's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said on July 20. Following the termination of the agreement, Russia launched three consecutive air strikes over the past three days against Odesa, Ukraines main Black Sea port. Ukrainian representative Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk told the OSCE Permanent Council on July 20 that Russian attacks on Ukraine's Black Sea Coast hit ports that contain more than 1 million tons of food. Most Ukrainian grain exports go to countries in Africa and Asia. 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 EU sanctions Iran to prevent drone components export The Council of the European Union sanctioned Iran on July 20 for supporting Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The sanctions banned the export of components to Iran, which are used in the construction of attack drones. The EU also imposed asset freezing and travel ban on six Iranian nationals involved in supporting the Russian military. The sanctions come after months of reports from the Ukrainian authorities pointing to the Western components in Iranian-made drones Russia uses to attack Ukraine. Russia started to assemble Shakhed kamikaze drones with Iran-supplied components on its soil, a recent joint investigation by Russian investigative outlets, Protokol and RZVRT, revealed. In addition, the EU prolonged sanctions against Russia, targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy by six months, until Jan. 31. These sanctions were initially imposed in 2014 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and were further expanded in February 2022 due to the beginning of Russia's full-scale war. Investigation: EU inability to ramp up production behind acute ammunition shortages in Ukraine Editors note: This investigation is a collaboration between the Kyiv Independent and partners, including The Investigative Desk, Lighthouse Reports, and Follow the Money (Netherlands), El Diario (Spain), Delfi (Estonia), and Liberation (France). Key findings: * Over a year into Russias full-sca The Kyiv IndependentAnna Myroniuk Russian strike against Mykolaiv injures 19, including 5 children The Russian overnight attack against the southern city of Mykolaiv injured 19 civilians, including five children, Mykolaiv Oblast Governor Vitalii Kim reported on July 20. Two people, including a child, have been hospitalized. Russian forces attacked the city around 3 a.m. local time, damaging residential buildings, according to the report. Mykolaiv Oblast has been frequently targeted by Russian strikes, mainly with Shakhed loitering munitions and Kalibr cruise missiles. The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has stated that is had put into service or operation 28 models of Ukraine-made unmanned aerial vehicles and has received two offers from Ukrainian Defence Industry state company (Ukroboronprom), but cannot buy the models that are not being mass-produced so far. Source: Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and Defence Express Details: The Ukrainian Defence Ministry reported that it has adopted or put into operation 28 Ukraine-made UAV models of different types since 22 February 2022. Among these UAVs there are nine models of kamikaze drones, out of them three are of aircraft type and six are FPV-drones (First Person View). The ministry added that thousands of drones and UAVs have been delivered to Ukrainian Armed Forces in the context of procurement. The Defence Ministry considers the development of the Ukrainian production of armament and military equipment, mainly reconnaissance and combat drones, kamikaze drones and loitering munition a priority. In the autumn of 2022, the Defence Ministry of Ukraine significantly simplified the procedures for inventors and manufacturers. This allowed to shorten the entry of new armament and equipment into service from about two to three years to five weeks. The Ministry stressed that "the supply of Ukraine-made UAVs to the Armed Forces of Ukraine is constantly increasing exponentially". The contracts on mass production of 10 models of UAVs of different types have been signed with a number of Ukrainian companies. The commissioned items and production volume have not been disclosed for safety reasons. The supply volume has been determined by the demand of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Quote: "According to the budget prescriptions, signing contracts for non-existent production models is prohibited. Procurement can be conducted exclusively on the grounds of concrete demands by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which can only concern already existing devices." Story continues Details: As of 20 July 2023, the Defence Ministry has received two offers from companies which used to be a part of a former Ukroboronprom defence concern [after reorganisation Joint Stock Company Ukrainian Defence Industry (JSC UDI) ed.]. In 2023, a state contract for the procurement of a reconnaissance drone was signed with a company of the concern. The testing of the only kamikaze drone, which was produced by one of the companies of the Ukrainian Defence Industry, has been finished. The procedure of putting the drone into operation is ongoing. After this procedure is finished, and the General Staff expresses its demand for the aforementioned unmanned aircraft system, the decision about its procurement for the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be considered. Background: On 19 July, Defense Express cited Oleh Boldyrev, project manager of Ukroboronprom, who stated in a comment that Ukraine had commissioned no drones from the companies of Ukroboronprom, so mass production of drones at the concern companies was not planned. Boldyrev posted (and then deleted) this comment under the nickname of Martin Brest under a Facebook post of journalist Oleksandr Surkov, where the latter wrote that Ukroboronprom has not even offered any self-made effective products to the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the year and a half of the war, let alone organising mass production of typical models. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged his government on Thursday to keep a tight rein on spending in wartime, in a call that resulted in his culture minister, a proponent of several high-profile and costly projects, offering his resignation. "In a time of war like this the maximum amount of state attention and therefore state resources should go to defence," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address, referring to a conversation he had earlier with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. He told Shmyhal to find alternative funding for projects "that are really necessary. This applies to various areas, including culture. Museums, cultural centres, symbols, television series are important, but we have other priorities." Zelenskiy, who was a television comedy star before entering politics, said he had appealed to local councils to show restraint so that "people feel that budget resources are used fairly and correctly...Cobblestones, city decorations, fountains will have to wait. Victory first." And he asked Shmyhal to "consider replacing" Culture and Information Policy Minister Olexander Tkachenko. Within an hour, Tkachenko said he had tendered his resignation, while remaining unapologetic about his projects. "Culture in wartime is important as this war is not just about territory but also people - our memory, history, language and creativity despite the war," Tkachenko, who headed a television channel before entering politics, wrote on Telegram. "Private and state funding for culture in wartime is no less important than for drones. Culture is the shield for our identity and our borders." There was no word on whether his resignation had been accepted. A high-profile public figure, Tkachenko had earlier in the day defended the allocation of the equivalent of $13.5 million to complete a museum devoted to Ukraine's man-made 1930s famine linked to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's collectivisation drive. Story continues He had also promoted a project, which he said was privately funded, to replace the Soviet-era coat of arms emblazoned on the shield of the 102-metre (335-foot) tall "Motherland" statue of a woman standing just outside the city's World War Two museum. Tkachenko had also promoted films and television programmes linked to the war against Russia. (Reporting by Ron Popeski in Winnipeg and Nick Starkov in Kyiv; Editing by Jamie Freed) Serhiy Cherevaty Using novel tactics to displace Russian troops from their positions, Ukrainian forces are gradually advancing near Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraines Military Command East spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi told Ukrainian TV broadcasters on July 21. Commenting on the situation in Bakhmut, Cherevatyi reported that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting "very measured and gradual advances, considering that we do not have an advantage in forces and resources over the enemy." Read also: Ukrainian troops oust Russians near Orikhovo-Vasylivka in Bakhmut area map "Therefore, we make maximum use of maneuver, encirclement, and various tactical innovations in order to advance evenly and confidently, but with minimal casualties to our personnel," he said. According to Cherevatyi, the Defense Forces advance hundreds of meters every day, and kilometers every week. Cherevatyi is convinced that in time, we will be talking about tens of kilometers. Read also: Complete reconquest of Bakhmut is matter of honor - Syrskyi He emphasized that Ukrainian fighters on the Bakhmut front continue to maintain the initiative and pressure Russian troops, who are locked in a "desperate" defense. Read also: We advance up to a kilometer per day, meticulously planning every step - Syrskyi On July 20, Commander of the Ground Forces, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, stated that Ukrainian military forces advance 500 to 1000 meters every day. The general also added that all conditions have now been created near Bakhmut for the liberation of the city. 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 Consequences of the strike by the Russian Federation The Ukrainian military-industrial complex has already initiated the production of defensive measures to safeguard port infrastructure against Russias attacks, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), Oleksiy Danilov, said on national television on July 21. Read also: Military expert explains why Odesa, Mykolayiv arent protected from shelling opinion Danilov revealed that Ukraine currently faces challenges countering certain types of weaponry used by Russia. To address this issue, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has directed efforts to bolster the defense of the port infrastructure. We are actively engaged in securing the timely supply of necessary equipment through all available channels. Additionally, we are independently developing defense systems, with our industry already manufacturing such protection. In the near future, we anticipate reinforcing the (protection of the port infrastructure), Danilov stated. Read also: Russia strikes Odesa, Mykolaiv, more than 20 injured Despite these efforts, Danilov cautioned that achieving 100% protection against Russian attacks is not guaranteed. On the night of July 21, Russian forces launched yet another assault on Odesa Oblast, resulting in casualties and destruction, including approximately 120 tons of grain at an agricultural enterprise. Read also: Police show first minutes of rescue after Russian shelling of Odesa - video This marked the fourth consecutive night of Russian attacks on the southern regions of Ukraine, with Odesa and Mykolaiv experiencing heavy bombardments. Earlier, on July 19, Chornomorsk and Odesas port infrastructures were deliberately targeted, causing significant damage to grain terminals. President Zelenskyy reported that Russia destroyed 60,000 tons of agricultural products meant for China. The July 20 attack in Odesa claimed one life, and the head of the Odesa Oblast State Administration reported eight injured. Read also: Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine Ihor Klymenko, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, hopes that after more than six month, investive bodies will finally reveal the reason of the helicopter crash in the town of Brovary in Kyiv Oblast, in which the leadership of the ministry has died, so he will be able to tell more. Source: Klymenko in an interview with Radio Liberty Details: Seven months have passed since the helicopter crash in Brovary, but there are still no answers. Klymenko noted that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Police of Ukraine have gathered all the evidence and handed it over to the pre-trial investigation bodies, which are conducting this investigation. So right now it is the responsibility of the State Bureau of Investigation of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine and the Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine to name the reason of the tragedy, when all examinations are finished. To a remark that this investigation has been going on for a long time, Klymenko responded: "I am not the one to reply to this question". Quote: "Look, I would like the results of this investigation to be announced. As soon as corresponding law enforcement bodies and the Prosecutor Generals Office are ready to do it, I think they will do it. I know a lot. I would not like to talk about it privately right now. But trust me, after the results of the investigation into this accident are announced, I will be able to tell you a lot about what the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine has done to prevent such tragedies in the future." Background: On the morning of 18 January, a helicopter crashed near a kindergarten in Brovary in Kyiv Oblast, causing a fire to break out. The helicopter crash killed the top leadership of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs: Denys Monastyrskyi, Minister of Internal Affairs; Yevhen Yenin ; First Deputy Interior Minister, and Yurii Lubkovych , State Secretary of the Interior Ministry are among those killed. There have been 14 victims in total, including a child. The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has started an investigation into the helicopter crash in Brovary. Among the main avenues of investigation are the following: violation of flight rules, technical malfunction and intentional actions. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! The defense forces of Ukraine have advanced in the south of Ukraine and are entrenched at the achieved boundaries The Defense Forces of Ukraine are advancing in the Bakhmut, Melitopol and Berdyansk areas, Ukraines General Staff reported on Facebook on July 20. In particular, Ukrainian troops were succeeding in the Novodanylivka Verbove, Novodanylivka Robotyne, and Novodarivka Pryiutne areas. Read also: We advance up to a kilometer per day, meticulously planning every step - Syrskyi They are consolidating their positions, launching artillery strikes on identified enemy targets and implementing counter-battery measures, the report says. In the Bakhmut area, the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to conduct offensive actions to the north and south of the war-torn town of Bakhmut. Read also: Ukrainian army gains several hundred meters a day in south direction, National Guard Heavy fighting continues without any change in the situation in the Orikhove-Vasylivka Paraskoviyivka and Klishchiyivka Andriyivka areas. The enemy is putting up strong resistance, actively using reserves, but suffering huge losses, the General Staff added. 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 said on July 17. Read also: Everything is ready to liberate Bakhmut, says Syrskyi 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 as it 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. Read also: Long way to go before victory, says Zaluzhnyi Story continues 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. 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 In June, Ukrainians donated a record amount of funds to Opendatabot During the first six months of 2023, Ukrainians raised the largest amount of funds to the Ukrainian military in June, Ukrainian open data monitoring platform Opendatabot reported on July 21. The total amount reached UAH 2.4 billion ($65.6 million), which became an absolute record and represents almost half of all donations this year, reads the report. Read also: Donations to AFU surge after Russian attacks on Ukraines infrastructure During the first six months of 2023, donations to three popular Ukrainian charitable foundations United24, Come Back Alive, and Serhiy Prytula Foundation amounted to UAH 8.4 billion ($229.7 million). The United24 platform raised the largest amount of funds, thus breaking the all-time record since the beginning of Russias full-scale war against Ukraine. The donations to the remaining foundations also increased significantly in June against the previous months. Read also: UNITED24, U2s Bono sells collectables illustrating Zelenskyy to buy ambulances The previous record high, namely UAH 2.24 billion ($61.2 million), was raised by this platform in July 2022. At the same time, the results of fundraising in June 2023 exceeded those for January-May by 4.8 times. The United24 platform has raised the largest amount of donations for the first half of the year, namely UAH 5.54 billion ($151.5 million) or 66% of the total amount. At the same time, Come Back Alive raised UAH 1.81 billion ($49.5 million) (22%), while Serhiy Prytula Foundations accounts received about UAH 1 billion ($27.3 million) (12%) in donations. The vast majority of funds transferred to United24 were assigned to the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, namely UAH 4.93 billion ($134.8 million) or 89% of all donations received by this platform. Read also: Half of EU funds for Ukraine to be funded by frozen Russian assets The remaining 11%, or UAH 450 million ($12.3 million) and UAH 160 million ($4.3 million), respectively, were raised for medical aid and Ukraines reconstruction. 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 UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo condemns Russian terrorists' attacks on ports in southern regions of Ukraine The recent series of Russian missile strikes at Ukrainian port infrastructure on the Black Sea coast will have dangerous long-term consequences, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, told the UN Security Council on July 21. Read also: UN Security Council to discuss aftermath of Russia's withdrawal from grain agreement DiCarlo believes that Moscows attacks on Ukrainian Black Sea ports risk creating "far-reaching consequences for global food security, particularly in developing countries." She said that threats against civilian ships, made by both Russia and Ukraine, are "unacceptable." "We strongly urge restraint from any further rhetoric or actions that could worsen the already dangerous situation," DiCarlo concluded. 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 holds major staff meeting amid Wagner activity in Belarus For the three consecutive night, Moscow has attacked southern regions of Ukraine Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson. On the night of July 19, they specifically targeted the infrastructure of the ports of Chornomorsk and Odesa, damaging grain terminals. Zelenskyy later stated that Russia has destroyed 60,000 tons of agricultural products intended for China. Read also: Russia strikes Odesa Oblast, hits agro-enterprise; 120 tons of grain destroyed, multiple injured 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. 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 few years ago, I bought my dream piece of furniture: a vintage orange striped Up chair with its matching ottoman designed by Gaetano Pesce for B&B Italia. It was a labor-intensive process that involved searching for over a year to find the right price, then begrudgingly paying almost just as much to have it shipped across the country. At the time they were hard to find. And yet, within a year, I started seeing ads on Instagram for dupes that cost a fraction of the price. If it seems like everyone you know is filling their apartments with high-end designer furniture, you may be rightexcept for the fact that everything you see is not really as it appears. Welcome to the new era of designer dupes, where casual scrolls through TikTok and Instagram yield endless knockoffs of Ettore Sottsass Ultrafragola mirrors, Michel Ducaroy Togo sofas, Mads Caprani Timberline floor lamps, USM Haller storage credenzas, and the most niche of niche pieces ripped from young designers all around the world. Its a newish phenomenon thats been happening for the last few years. But in 2023, it feels like designer dupes have been normalized. So much so that we rarely see headlines or fuss about it like we do in the world of fashion, where supporting fast fashion brands like Shein is enough to get one canceled. Maybe youve even seen Design Within Copy on Instagram, which charts many dupes. Designer dupes and fast furniture are such a hot topic right now that theyve been infiltrating the conversations happening at the studios of interior designers, architects, decorators, and designers. Its a huge point of contention, rife with questions of accessibility, intellectual property, and ethics. Perhaps the most crucial thing is that these dupes are incredibly against sustainability, promoting cheap products that are often mass produced out of environmentally harmful materials produced in who-knows-where. They also promote overconsumption. Photo: Carina Skrobecki Much like in the world of fashion, designers who find success on Instagram now risk being slapped with instant copies sold on AliExpress, Wayfair, Eternity Modern, and everywhere else under the sun. Take, for instance, Helle Mardahl, the Copenhagen-based glassware brand known for its pastel fantasy-fueled confections. Helle first started noticing copies of her Bon Bon dishes, cups, and glasses on Instagram a few years ago. It puts pressure on us as a business, since we need to be the loudest, the best, and the most evolved to establish ourselves as the originals protecting the craft, the passion, and the hard work, she says. We have a lot of loyal customers writing to us frequently on Instagram, making us aware of copies and expressing their frustration on our behalf. It makes such a big difference to us [to] feel the supportive community around us. Its not easy for independent designers in creative fields to protect their work. Eny Lee Parker also noticed knockoffs of her OO lamp after people started DMing her. I spent so many years investing in this piece, she says. I tried speaking with lawyers, but American laws dont protect objects and 3D designers very well. I decided I would rather focus on my current projects, clients, and future work. But the irony of it all is that some people who are participating in dupe culture may not even know it. For example, a quick Google search of Enys OO lamp yields more search results filled with retailers selling affordable copies than anything else. Your average shopper who may not be as educated about emerging designers could come across it and purchase it without even knowing its provenance. Elsewhere, the home industry itself is perpetuating knockoff culture, perhaps unaware of its side effects. Its become commonplace in the rental and home flipping market. Take, for instance, Ben Gold, founder of Recommended Home Buyers with over five years of experience in remodeling homes, rental property management, and house flipping: As a real estate investor, I often opt for designer furniture dupes when staging homes for sale or furnishing rental properties, he says. They provide an affordable solution to create a luxurious look and feel without breaking the bank. Photo: Max Burkhalter Its also worth noting the contributions social media has had on this phenomenon. There was a point in time in 2020 when it felt like influencer culture reached a boiling point with home decor and everyones interiors looked the sameclouds of beige and natural textures anchored with fake Mario Bellini couches. Within the home decor influencer world, theres also a massive DIY movement happening like never before, with many TikTokers and Gen Z furniture fans taking things into their own hands, crafting their own furniture and decor. This was particularly prominent during the pandemic. Maybe you remember the spray foam mirror trend of 2020? It was truly everywhere and everyone was doing it, but it originated from a designer named Anna Thoma in Copenhagen. During this period, it also felt like there was a bit of a rebirth of influencers showing off their homesand their newly DIYed or duped furniture along with it. Now, its really pretty rare to scroll through an influencers content about their home without spotting some kind of dupe. I had so many huge influencers DIY my work badly and not tag me once they blew up, says Sophie Colle, who has had her plant stands and pasta stools endlessly copied. Its really crazy because that kind of thing could have launched my career even earlier. I think it dirties the industry a little, and it makes it feel less pure to me. But arent all art industries a little dirty anyways? Its hard because there is such a fine line between DIY and blatant theft and copying, adds Sophie. These days, many people are renovating their homes, building their own furniture, which is amazing! But it frustrates me that people feel empowered to steal from independent designers, under the guise of flattery. Photo: Carla Lores Interestingly enough, most of the influencers who proudly tote dupes on TikTok didnt respond when I reached out about this story, even though theyre quick to showcase their pieces on their social media pages. But then there are also rare exceptions of influencers and content creators who are specifically creating content to showcase affordability via dupes that focus less on emerging designers. Stefana Silber has made content showing her favorite furniture dupes including her dining table and chairs. They are look-alikes for RH furniture, the table came from Amazonat the time I paid less than $1,000 for itand the chairs are from World Market, she says. Stefana considers her biggest score to be her Amazon pinch pleat drapes which she says are a dupe for linen drapes that cost upwards of $1,000. I am absolutely against intellectual property theft, Stefana insists.These furniture items and decor are not unique in their design or protected by copyright or trademark. Typically, so-called designer furniture and decor are more expensive because of the superior materials and constructionit is a choice between quality and cost. But other times, the cheaper imitation is just as good as the more expensive item. Many designer retailers have a high markup thats driven by the brand name and not by superior quality. Much like the aforementioned Gaetano Pesce chair, DIY and dupe culture isnt just relegated to people stealing from young designers. There is a lot of duping of older designs, and I know that many people feel it is okay because the designer or estate has either passed on or its just so old no one might not know the provenance or history behind the piece, Sophie adds. Photo: Max B Photo And what about accessibility? The same conversation has been happening in fashion for years, yet it remains unresolved. But at least its gaining traction in major headlines now. It raises nuanced ethical questions that have no single right answer, interior designer Emily Finch says. Most designers I know agree that knockoffs of small, current, independent makers are simply not okay. But it gets more complicated when we talk about dupes for design classics like the Togo sofa made by Ligne Roset. People are less concerned about taking business away from a large corporation, and theres an argument for democratizing design by making it available at a price point the average consumer can actually afford. For me, I always value the history, the design, and the designer, Sophie says. That is worth more than the form, color, and clout. Thats why I used to take it so personallymy furniture really is my heart and soul, and its meant to be handmade by meat least for now! (Also, its worth noting that her price points were never excessive: The Splat Table costs $140 to $190 depending on the sizing.) Sophie thinks that what it all comes down to, though, is cutting cornersperceivably, people demanding what they want, quicker and faster than ever before. If it wasnt because of the cost, people would also say they just had to DIY my work because my orders were closed, she argues. People dont understand boundaries or the value of timeliness, but thats what a world of Amazon two-day shipping does to peoples psyche. Dupe culture in home decor is far more complicated than all this though. At the end of the day, its one of the most complicated topics plaguing the industry right now. Its really hard to tell where designer dupes are being made, how theyre being made, or what effect they have on the environment and the human lives involved. Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest (Photo : Brandon Bell/Getty Images) DALLAS, TEXAS - AUGUST 06: Former U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference CPAC held at the Hilton Anatole on August 06, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. CPAC began in 1974, and is a conference that brings together and hosts conservative organizations, activists, and world leaders in discussing current events and future political agendas. Billionaire Jeff Yass has donated a staggering $10 million to the super PAC arm of Club for Growth in search of an alternative to former United States President Donald Trump for the GOP nominee. Yass, the founder of Susquehanna International Group, donated all but $583,000 of the money the pro-business, anti-tax organization raised in June. The numbers were revealed in the political action committee's latest disclosure with the Federal Election Commission. Billionaire Donates $10 Million to Super PAC Arm Additionally, the super PAC was found to have spent $366,000 and still had $22.6 million cash on hand by the end of last month. So far, the Club for Growth Action has yet to get involved in the 2024 presidential race. But in 2020, it spent $12 million on the presidential contest where it supported Trump against now-President Joe Biden. The organization also used another super PAC, known as the Win It Back PAC, to try and persuade Republican primary voters to support someone other than the former president, the current frontrunner in national polls, as per Bloomberg. On the other hand, Win It Back has spent $3.4 million this month on broadcast and cable advertising, as revealed by AdImpac. The expenditures were split evenly between the states of Iowa and South Carolina. The group's ads feature people who said that they are supporters of the Republican businessman who believe that he should not become the GOP's nominee for the 2024 presidential elections. One of the supporters added that they believed Trump would lose in the general election, while others argued that the Republican businessman was putting too much of his focus on himself and not the United States. Read Also: Chris Sununu Passes on Re-Election Bid for New Hampshire Governor Searching for a Donald Trump Alternative for GOP Nomination Despite the situation, the ads did not support any of Trump's major challengers for the GOP nomination. According to Yahoo News, Yass' donation comes as he has yet to directly donate to a presidential candidate's campaign. In February, the billionaire gave $2.5 million to a state-level political action committee for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The PAC's disclosures showed that the donation was made after DeSantis won re-election but before he formally announced his 2024 presidential run. This year, the Club for Growth Action has relied quite heavily on Yass as he has donated $15 million, which is more than 60% of the whole fund the super PAC has raised. Additionally, the billionaire's recent $10 million donation is his biggest made this year. The situation comes as Trump is going full throttle with his 2024 presidential campaign, recently saying that he plans to eliminate executive branch constraints on his power if he is once again elected as the country's leader. These include an independent Justice Department, independent leadership in administrative agencies, and an independent civil service. One of the U.S.'s best-known students of the American presidency, Richard Neustadt, said that in a Constitutional democracy, the chief executive obtains results not by giving orders but by persuading the people, said USA Today. Related Article: Will Joe Biden's Meeting With UAW President Prevent Potential Auto Strike? @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NEW YORK (AP) The clock is ticking. As the deadline to reach a new contract nears, a potential UPS strike feels closer than ever. Negotiations broke down earlier this month and unionized workers have been holding rallies and practice pickets across the country. The Teamsters, which represent more than half of the company's workforce, will resume talks with UPS on Tuesday. That leaves less than a week to come to an agreement before the current contract expires at the end of the day Monday. The union has authorized a strike and Sean M. O'Brien, a fiery leader elected last year to lead the union, has vowed to do so if the union's demands aren't met. Were sending a message... all 340,000 of our members are united and ready to fight, OBrien told The Associated Press at a practice picket Friday in Atlanta, where UPS is based. UPS's unionized workers still seethe about a contract they feel was forced on them in 2018, and say that the company delivers millions more packages every day than it did just five years ago. The Teamsters are calling for better pay, particularly for part-time employees, and improved working conditions. UPS has maintained that it already offers industry-leading pay and benefits, but says it's prepared to increase that compensation. In a Friday update, the company said it aimed quickly to finalize a fair deal that provides certainty for our customers, our employees and businesses across the country. If negotiations are unsuccessful the deliveries that Americans have come to rely on, particularly since the pandemic began in 2020, could be vastly disrupted. Such an impasse hasnt been seen since 1997, well before delivery of everyday items from dog food to prescription drugs became the norm, when a walkout by 185,000 workers crippled UPS. Here's what you need to know. WHAT ARE THE TEAMSTERS ASKING FOR? Much on the union's demands comes down to better pay and improved working conditions. Story continues Annual profits at UPS in the past two years are close to three times what they were before the pandemic. The company returned about $8.6 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and stock buybacks in 2022, and forecast another $8.4 billion for shareholders this year. The Teamsters say frontline UPS workers deserve some of that windfall. A sticking point in negotiations has been wage increases for part-time workers, who make a minimum of $16.20 an hour. People want their packages yesterday with the emergence of the e-commerce. So its a very demanding job, O'Brien said, pushing back on the salary statistics that UPS shares. Everybody doesnt realize what it takes to get these packages on the truck. And a lot of our part timers... work for poverty wages. In addition to addressing part-time pay, the union wants to eliminate a contract provision that created two separate hierarchies of workers with different pay scales, hours and benefits. Driver safety, particularly the lack of air conditioning in delivery trucks, is also in the mix. HAS UPS AGREED TO ANY DEMANDS? Before contract talks broke down on July 5, with both sides blaming each other for walking away from the bargaining table, tentative agreements were made on several issues including installing air conditioning in more trucks. UPS said it would add air conditioning to U.S. small delivery vehicles purchased after January 1, 2024. Existing vehicles wouldnt get that upgrade, but the union said they will have other additions like fans and air vents. The union also said it has reached tentative agreements to establish Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a full holiday for the first time, end unwanted overtime on drivers days off and get rid of the two-tier wage system for drivers who work weekends and earn less money. COULD A STRIKE BE AVOIDED? CAN THE GOVERNMENT INTERVENE? The strike can be avoided if UPS and the Teamsters agree to a new contract before the July 31 deadline. There's also a possibility of government intervention. OBrien said Sunday that he has asked the White House on numerous occasions not to intervene if workers end up going on strike. Last year, President Joe Biden intervened to avert a railroad strike to avoid disrupting the nation's supply chain, and workers had accept an agreement that wasnt broadly supported by union members. WHAT IMPACT WOULD A STRIKE HAVE? The 24 million packages UPS ships on an average day amounts to about a quarter of all U.S. parcel volume, according to the global shipping and logistics firm Pitney Bowes. As UPS puts it, that's the equivalent of about 6% of nations gross domestic product. Higher prices and long wait times are all but certain if there is an impasse. A strike also threatens to extend lingering supply chain troubles. Somethings got to give, Thomas Goldsby, logistics chairman in the Supply Chain Management Department at the University of Tennessee, told The Associated Press. The python cant swallow the alligator, and thats going to be felt by all of us. UPS said this month that it will temporarily begin training nonunion employees in the U.S. to step in should there be a strike. Beyond shipping and supply implications, a union win at UPS could have significance for organized labor across industries. UPS's contract talks arrive amid other prominent labor campaigns at Apple, Starbucks, Trader Joes and other companies as well as the current writers and actors' strikes seen in Hollywood. WILL IT COST MORE TO HAVE THINGS SHIPPED? If a strike does occur, experts say its likely that shippers will raise prices to keep up with the influx of demand thatll be coming their way. Businesses may pass some of those costs to consumers who want items delivered to their doors. The e-commerce part of the pain will be felt immediately, said Medini Singh, a senior lecturer at Columbia Business School, adding that customers who order online might face more shipping fees and get less free shipping offers from companies. Its also likely that carriers such as FedEx will prioritize shipping higher value items that make them more money, like healthcare equipment and luxury products, Singh said. Availability of all items doesnt get affected in the same way, things with higher margins can afford the increased shipping costs, he said. _______ Videojournalist Sharon Johnson contributed from Atlanta U.S. ambassador to China Nicholas Burns was among those hacked in a cyber-espionage operation linked to Beijing, Fox News has confirmed. The alleged spying operation, first disclosed last week, is believed to have compromised hundreds of thousands of U.S. government emails. Burns and Daniel Kritenbrink, the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia, are believed to be the two most senior State Department officials targeted. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo was also among those targeted, U.S. officials told The Washington Post. US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns attends a climate roundtable at the US embassy on July 8, 2023, in Beijing, China. "The Department of State detected anomalous activity, took immediate steps to secure our systems, and will continue to closely monitor and quickly respond to any further activity," a State Department spokesperson said. "As a matter of cybersecurity policy, we do not discuss details of our response and the incident remains under investigation. The Department of State has a robust cyber security program to protect our systems and information and works continuously to build resilience and stay ahead of malicious actors. We continuously monitor our networks and update our security procedures." Burns and Kritenbrinks inclusion in the attack was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP BIDEN ADMIN VOWS TO HOLD CHINESE HACKERS RESPONSIBLE AFTER GOVERNMENT EMAIL BREACH Though the full scope of the attack is not known, the planning and execution appeared to have ramped up in anticipation of a string of U.S. visits to China including Secretary of State Anthony Blinken aimed at quelling tensions between the two nations. The hackers were able to pull off the attack thanks to a flaw in Microsoft's cloud-based security. The surgical, targeted espionage was discovered in mid-June by the State Department. They said none of the breached systems were classified, nor was any of the stolen data. One person familiar with the investigation said U.S. military and intelligence agencies were not among the agencies impacted in the monthlong spying campaign, which also affected unnamed foreign governments. Story continues Officials did not specify the nature of the stolen data. But one U.S. official said the intrusion was "directly targeted" at diplomats and others who deal with the China portfolio at the State Department and other agencies. The official added that it was not yet clear if there had been any significant compromise of information. Blinkens trip to China went ahead as planned, although with customary information security procedures in place, which required his delegation to use "burner" phones and computers in China. Microsoft said it was alerted to the breach, which it blamed on a state-backed, espionage-focused Chinese hacking group "known to target government agencies in Western Europe," on June 16. Microsoft said the group, which it calls Storm-0558, had gained access to email accounts affecting about 25 organizations, including government agencies, since mid-May as well as to consumer accounts of individuals likely associated with those agencies. The Associated Press contributed to this report. By David Shepardson and Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on Friday she still plans to visit China later this year despite the reported Chinese hacking of her department's emails. Raimondo was among a group of senior U.S. officials whose emails were hacked earlier this year by a group Microsoft said was based in China, according to a person briefed on the matter. "I do plan to travel later this year (to China). We're planning the trip now, which doesn't mean that we excuse any kind of hacking or infringement on our security," Raimondo told CNBC. "We need to be ferocious in the way we protect American national security but also deescalate tension where we can and look for ways that we can work together." Raimondo added she wants to raise "really serious concerns about the way they are targeting U.S. tech companies, about the way they don't respect intellectual property but also try to find lanes of commerce where we can do commerce." Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met with senior officials in China earlier this month in talks she described as "direct" and "productive." Raimondo in May said the United States "won't tolerate" China's effective ban on purchases of Micron Technology memory chips and is working closely with allies to address such "economic coercion." Secretary of State Antony Blinken told China's top diplomat Wang Yi in a meeting in Jakarta this month that any action that targets the U.S. government, U.S. companies or American citizens "is of deep concern to us, and that we will take appropriate action to hold those responsible accountable," a senior State Department official said at the time. Raimondo said on Friday the full extent of the hacking is still unclear. She declined to confirm her account was hacked, but told CNBC "obviously there's been a hack at the Department of Commerce, which is very significant, very complex." China's embassy in Washington said in an earlier statement that identifying the source of cyber attacks was complex and warned against "groundless speculations and allegations." (Reporting by Doina Chiacu and David Shepardson; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Andrea Ricci) Pentagon building The United States will continue to provide additional military aid packages to Ukraine to help it fight against invading Russian forces, deputy press secretary at the Pentagon, Sabrina Singh, said at a press briefing on July 20. Were going to continue to roll out more packages as we go forward, she said. Read also: Ukraine starts using US-supplied cluster munitions report Singh emphasized that USAI, or Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, is a long-term commitment to Ukraine. Our focus is on Ukraine, what we can do to help Ukraine in this fight now and what we can continue to sustain with for its long term, the official added. Read also: US Abrams tanks may be delivered to Ukraine earlier than expected, says military journalist The United States announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $1.3 billion on July 19. 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. Read also: US ambassador to Ukraine condemns Russias air attack against Odesa 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 During my time as mayor, the city of Akron, our residents and our ratepayers have been feeling the weight of the U.S. EPAs consent decree which has required us to completely overhaul our sewer system. All too often, I hear stories from residents who have to choose between paying their sewer bill or their rent or something else equally as important, and unfortunately, this burden isnt going anywhere anytime soon. Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan As we approach the end of our list of projects, we are proposing a fourth amendment to the consent decree which would save ratepayers a significant amount of money. Our proposal offers alternative projects which would more significantly impact the bacterial load in our waterways on a regular basis. Background: Akron fights U.S. EPA over 'wasteful' sewer project that could raise customers' rates 20% This is our call to action and I need our community to rally and let the EPA know what this burden means for all of us and what an increased burden would do to you and, most importantly, your family. For context, Akron has completed 24 of the 26 projects listed in our consent decree. We are working on the 25th, the Northside Interceptor Tunnel. Once that tunnel is complete, Akron will be capturing 99% of wet weather flow. That means we will be capturing and treating more than 2.3 billion gallons of water which previously went untreated back into our waterways. This is a massive environmental feat and one we all should be incredibly proud of. But it has come with a cost. The price tag for these improvements is already at $1 billion and now the U.S. EPA wants us to build yet another facility, the EHRT, at a whopping $209 million which would only potentially treat three overflows a year. And how much would that improve the waterways? A paltry 0.08%. When compared with the amazing work that weve done so far and how much weve improved our waterways, I cannot justify this added expense for nearly no benefit to our waterways. At the time I am writing this, the city of Akron has not had a single overflow into the river from our new downtown sewer tunnel in 499 days. This is complete agency overreach and quite frankly I know this community is tired of it. Story continues While the Ohio EPA agreed that the expense is not worth the miniscule benefit, they asked us to propose alternative projects to address sources of bacteria in the watershed. We offered four projects that would only total about a quarter of the cost of the EHRT: Reduce the typical year discharge to 62 million gallons by treating wastewater at the existing Cuyahoga Street facility; Help provide sewers to the village of Peninsula in the heart of our national park; Conduct the necessary studies to begin the process of providing sanitary sewer service to the Sawyerwood neighborhood of Springfield Township; and Address sanitary sewer overflows to Springfield Lake from the village of Lakemore. The last three projects are designed to address persistent, daily bacteria loadings to the Cuyahoga River watershed that threaten recreational uses of our waterways from the Springfield Lake Outlet all the way to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This would be instead of only treating the bacteria loadings that occur during recreationally dangerous, high-flow events at most three times in a typical year from the downtown tunnel, which was built to hold millions of gallons of water. The projects are cost-effective, recreationally sensitive and environmentally just. Realizing the tremendous value of these projects, the Ohio EPA agreed to elimination of the EHRT and moving forward with our proposed alternatives. The U.S. EPA on the other hand has so far been unwilling to agree to our proposal. And not because the data doesnt make sense or because they dont see the value in our proposed projects but simply because the projects are not the same or better than zero overflows from the tunnel. This standard is nowhere to be found in law or policy and certainly not in our consent decree. The result of applying the same or better standard is to inequitably burden our most disadvantaged residents, make our waterways less accessible (except for a few world-class kayakers, perhaps), and our city less nimble to address other pressing infrastructure needs. Between our sewer infrastructure, the removal of the Gorge Dam, our management of 24,400 acres of watershed lands in the Upper Cuyahoga, and now our proposed alternative projects, the city of Akron has stepped up to the plate and addressed our fair share of the burden to clean up the Cuyahoga River. The U.S. EPA should give Akrons proposal genuine consideration and Im asking our community to join me in requesting that they do so. Residents can visit akronwaterwaysrenewed.com to learn more. Dan Horrigan is the mayor of Akron. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron mayor asks residents to lobby EPA on costly sewer mandate (This July 21 story has been corrected to say the proposed standards are not technologically feasible for some Rinnai products, not technologically impossible for its products, in paragraph 7) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday proposed energy efficiency standards on water heaters it said would save consumers $11.4 billion on energy and water bills annually. The standards on residential water heater efficiency, which are required by Congress, have not been updated in 13 years. Water heating is responsible for roughly 13% of both annual residential energy use and consumer utility costs, the DOE said. The proposal would require the most common-sized electric water heaters to achieve efficiency gains with heat pump technology and gas-fired water heaters to achieve efficiency gains through condensing technology. The standards, to take effect in 2029 if finalized, are expected to save nearly $200 billion and reduce more than 500 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over 30 years, about equal to the combined annual emissions of 63 million homes, or approximately 50% of homes in the United States, the DOE said. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said the proposal "builds on the unprecedented actions already taken by this administration to lower energy costs for working families." A group including water heater maker Rheem, environmental group Natural Resources Defense Council and efficiency and consumer advocacy organizations issued a joint statement welcoming the new standards. Tankless water heater maker Rinnai, however, said that the proposed standards are not technologically feasible for its noncondensing line of tankless water heaters and will "force consumers to choose less efficient water heating solutions such as tank style water heaters." The administration of President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has issued proposed or final efficiency standards for 18 product categories so far this year. Former President Donald Trump, a Republican, complained about efficiency standards for shower heads, saying that they interfered with the rinsing of his hair. His Energy Department eased energy standards on such fixtures. The Biden administration reversed the rule on shower heads in 2021. (Reporting by Timothy Gardner in Washington and Nichola Groom in Los Angeles; Editing by Alison Williams and Matthew Lewis) Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, has advised the founder of the Wagner Private Military Company Yevgeny Prigozhin to take care of his safety, recalling the history of mysterious deaths of opponents of the Kremlin regime. Source: Blinken at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado, quoted by CNN, as reported by European Pravda Quote: "If I were Mr. Prigozhin, I would remain very concerned. NATO has an open-door policy; Russia has an open windows policy. And he needs to be very focused on that." Details: Blinken said it was hard to say how weakened Russian President Putin was by Prigozhin's brief insurgency last month, but he reiterated that there were "cracks" in his regime. Background: Mercenaries of the Wagner Group now reside in Belarus and, according to Belarusian authorities, are training the troops of the Belarusian territorial defence. They were exiled to Belarus after Prigozhin ended his armed mutiny in June. British intelligence claims that after a period of confusion in Russia due to Prigozhin's rebellion, an agreement began to form regarding the future of the Wagner PMC. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Ukrainian flag on the background of the NATO emblem U.S. senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) have introduced a resolution of support for Ukraine's swift entry into NATO, Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Oksana Marchenko, said in a Facebook post on July 21. Read also: PACE passes resolution on political consequences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine The resolution calls on the President of the United States to cooperate with NATO leaders in developing a clear, comprehensive path for Ukraine's entry into NATO. Additionally, the document states that the Senate considers Ukraine's entry into NATO to be "critically important" for preventing future wars, promoting peace, and ensuring the future security of Europe and the world. The resolution also emphasizes the support of the United States Senate for the Ukrainian government and people in the "unprovoked war that continues for over 500 days, while they continue to defend their sovereignty and fight to remain an independent, free, and democratic nation." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recognized the resolution as an important element in developing bilateral relations between Kyiv and Washington. Read also: Polish parliament passes resolution backing Ukraine's NATO membership Indeed, only this (Ukraines NATO membership) can reliably secure Ukraine and our entire Europe, our democracy, and freedom from new Russian aggression, said Zelenskyy. Read also: Some NATO states strongly resisted membership for Ukraine before summit - ex US amabassador The wider NATO space, the broader the space of peace and shared security. NATO members gathered for the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12. Delegations from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia, Ukraine, and Sweden were also present, with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in attendance. On July 11, NATO countries in a joint communique expressed that Ukraine would be invited to join the Alliance once all member countries agree and requisite conditions are met. Story continues NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg indicated that Ukraine no longer needs to fulfill the Membership Action Plan, effectively saying that Kyiv will be able to ultimately join the defensive alliance on an expedited procedure. On July 12, Zelenskyy expressed his belief that Ukraine would receive an invitation to join NATO post-war. Read also: Netherlands to sign up to G7 declaration on security guarantees for Ukraine G7 leaders announced a new set of security guarantees for Ukraine, focusing on equipping the Ukrainian military to be able to deter any future Russian aggression. Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron! Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine (Bloomberg) -- The US warned North Korea that a threat to use nuclear weapons was ill-advised, while Washington seeks the release of an American soldier who crossed into the country on foot. Most Read from Bloomberg Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh defended the first port call in South Korea of a US submarine designed to fire ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads in about four decades. She was speaking at a news briefing in Washington just hours after North Koreas defense minister said such a move crossed a red line and the country was within its rights to respond with a nuclear strike. Rhetoric like that, its incredibly dangerous, Singh said Thursday, adding the deployment of the USS Kentucky to the South Korean port of Busan was a sign of long-standing cooperation between the two allies. The leaders of the two agreed in April to step up the dispatch of nuclear-capable US assets to the region to deter Pyongyang from using its atomic arsenal. North Koreas defense minister, Kang Sun Nam, said the deployment of the submarine may fall under the conditions of the use of nuclear weapons specified in the DPRK law on the nuclear force policy, referring to the country by its formal name in a statement carried by its official Korean Central News Agency. Kang warned the US and South Korea that Pyongyangs military plan is for thoroughly deterring and repelling the crazy maneuvers of the US and its stooges to use nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula. Its rare for North Koreas state media to issue a named statement from the defense minister. The intention was likely to deter the US from sending even more nuclear-capable weapons systems into the region. Story continues The port call isnt a cause for war as the statement says, said Go Myong-hyun, a senior fellow of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies based in Seoul, but Pyongyang was likely looking for the appropriate way to respond. North Korea doesnt have many cards to play with physically at this point against the US-South Korea action, Go said. South Koreas Defense Ministry said in a statement that the deployment of the submarine is not a demonstration of nuclear weapons or a nuclear threat to North Korea. US President Joe Biden warned Kim Jong Un earlier this year that a use of nuclear weapons would mean the end of his regime. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol boarded the USS Kentucky on Wednesday. He drove home Bidens point, saying the port call would help to ensure that North Korea cannot dream of a nuclear provocation and sends a clear warning that if it does, it will lead to the end of its regime. More: North Koreas New ICBM Raises Ability To Strike US With Nuke One factor complicating relations is the border crossing on Tuesday by an Army private named Travis King, 23. Hed been jailed for nearly two months in South Korea for assault and was set to fly to Texas, where he faced expulsion from the military. Instead he left the airport, joined a tour to the border and walked across. Our biggest concern about Private King is that we want to bring him home, the Pentagon spokeswoman said, adding theres no sign North Korea has responded to requests for communication. North Korea has detained about 20 Americans since the end of the 1950-1953 Korean War, the most recent about five years ago. Pyongyang often uses them as bargaining chips. The US and North Korea do not have diplomatic relations. In previous cases, Washington has used a back channel through the North Korean mission to the United Nations. However, Pyongyang this year rejected offers from the Biden administration to talk, making Kings situation more problematic than previous detentions. Since Washington and Pyongyang dont have formal diplomatic ties, Sweden has acted as the USs representative on certain issues in North Korea. The Swedish Foreign Ministry referred questions about the incident to US authorities. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Photos shared on social at the time allegedly showed dozens of the hate group's members being arrested near the pride event Five members of a white supremacist hate group convicted of plotting to riot at a gay pride event will spend three days in jail, a court has ruled. The men and dozens other members of the Patriot Front group were arrested last June after a resident spotted them with masks and shields getting into a lorry. Police were called and found riot gear and a smoke grenade in the vehicle. The lorry was stopped near where the North Idaho Pride Alliance was holding an event in the city of Coeur d'Alene. Forrest Rankin, Devin Center, Derek Smith, James Michael Johnson and Robert Whitted were convicted on Thursday of misdemeanour charges of conspiracy to riot. On Friday, a judge ordered all five men to spend three days in jail, on top of the two they have already served. They were also given one year of unsupervised probation, in which they are allowed to leave the state, and were banned from coming within two miles (3.2km) of city parks. The judge ordered their judgement to be withheld, meaning that they can ask the court to retroactively dismiss the case after they complete their punishment. The men had intended to riot and to approach people attending the pride event in a "tumultuous manner", said Ryan Hunter, deputy city attorney, in his closing arguments on Thursday. Police arrested 31 members of Patriot Front near the annual Pride in the Park event in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on 11 June last year. The police said they were alerted by a local resident, who called them to say that it "looked like a little army" was loading up into the lorry. Photos and videos emerged on social media at the time, showing the accused in masks kneeling on the grass with their hands tied behind their backs. The prosecution argued that the group's conduct rather than its message was the focus of the case. Patriot Front was formed in 2017 after the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The group's manifesto calls for the formation of a white ethnostate in the US, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups. Story continues "Patriot Front focuses on theatrical rhetoric and activism that can be easily distributed as propaganda for its chapters across the country," the SPLC said of the group. The anti-racism organisation ADL says Patriot Front belongs to the alt-right segment of white supremacists, but claims to be "patriotic". It has called for "American Fascism", describing it as a "return to the traditions and virtues of our forefathers", ADL says. The group's manifesto claims that non-whites are not "Americans" and its symbols include the fasces - a Roman bundle of sticks representing authority and used last century by Mussolini's Italian Fascists, ADL says. (Photo : AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images) Iraq expelled the Swedish ambassador in response to the planned burning of the Koran in Stockholm, which prompted hundreds of protesters to assault and torch the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. Hundreds of demonstrators assaulted the Swedish embassy's main gates in Baghdad's Iraqi capital in retaliation for police in Stockholm authorizing another planned Koran burning. Social media videos depicted many demonstrators within the Swedish embassy's perimeter, as well as black smoke and flames emanating from the structure. Security forces armed with electrified batons pursued protestors and used water cannons to disperse them and extinguish the fire. Iraq Expels Swedish Envoy Over Planned Koran Burning Eyewitnesses told CNN that the demonstrators withdrew from the Swedish Embassy's perimeter after setting part of it on fire "after conveying their protest message against the act of burning the Holy Book of God." According to multiple organizations, several correspondents covering the protests were detained by security forces, and at least one was assaulted. Ziyad Al-Ajili, the director of the Journalistic Freedoms Observatory (JFO) in Iraq, told CNN that three photojournalists working for international news agencies were detained. At the same time, security forces assaulted a fourth, destroying his camera. The scheduled demonstration in Sweden occurred Thursday evening in front of the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm. Salwan Momika, an Iraqi national living in Sweden, coordinated the event. Monika burned a copy of the Koran outside a mosque in Stockholm during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha last month, sparking outrage in Iraq and around the globe. According to videos, no Korans were torched during Thursday's protest. Still, footage showed two demonstrators kicking and partially destroying a Koran and Momika stepping on a Koran and polishing his shoes with an image of the Iraqi flag. A spokesperson for the Stockholm police stated that two individuals with permits were present at the protest and that an additional 150 people were present, most of whom were journalists. Read Also: Student Loan Forgiveness: Borrowers in 10 States Will Have $45,000 Debt Forgiven Iraq-Sweden Ties in Turmoil The Iraqi government stated that Baghdad had also recalled its charge d'affaires in Sweden, and Iraq's official news agency reported that Iraq had suspended Ericsson's work authorization on Iraqi soil. Anti-Islam protesters, one of whom is an Iraqi immigrant to Sweden who torched the Koran in front of a Stockholm mosque in June, received permission from Swedish police to burn the Koran in front of the Iraqi embassy on Thursday. In the end, the protesters kicked and partially destroyed a volume they claimed to be the Koran, but they departed the area without setting it on fire after an hour. Muslims believe that the Koran, the fundamental religious text of Islam, is a divine revelation. Tobias Billstrom, the Swedish foreign minister, stated that Baghdad embassy personnel were secure but Iraqi authorities had failed to protect the embassy. Iran's foreign ministry recalled Sweden's ambassador in Tehran late on Thursday to "strongly protest against the desecration of the sacred Koran," state media reported, while Turkey referred to the events in Stockholm as a "despicable attack." A spokesperson for the Swedish foreign ministry verified that the ambassador was summoned due to the recent events in Stockholm but declined to comment on what was discussed during the meeting. Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanon's potent armed group Hezbollah, urged Arab and Islamic nations to follow Iraq to expel Sweden's ambassadors and withdraw their envoys from Sweden. According to a statement released by the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, the Iraqi government condemned the attack on the embassy and pledged to defend diplomatic missions. The decision to recall the charge d'affaires was made during the protest in Stockholm but before the demonstrators' departure without burning the Koran. Billstrom stated that the assault on the embassy was "completely reprehensible, and the government condemns these atrocities with the utmost severity." He added, "The government is in contact with Iraqi officials to convey our dismay." The State Department in Washington condemned the assault on the embassy and criticized Iraqi security forces for failing to prevent demonstrators from entering the diplomatic post. The European Union hoped Iraq would "quickly adopt the necessary security measures" to prevent future incidents. Several videos posted to the Telegram group One Baghdad depicted protesters assembling near the Swedish embassy at 1 a.m. on Thursday, chanting pro-Sadr slogans, and then assaulting the embassy about an hour later. Videos subsequently depicted smoke ascending from a building in the embassy complex and demonstrators standing on the roof of that building. Reuters witnesses reported that by dawn on Thursday, security forces had been deployed inside the embassy and smoke was rising from the structure as firefighters extinguished obstinate embers. In recent years, several Korans have been burned in Sweden, primarily by far-right and anti-Muslim activists. Burnings in Sweden prompted clashes between police and Muslim demonstrators. The Muslim world was outraged by the burnings. The Swedish security services stated that such actions reduce national security. Earlier this year, the police rejected some applications for protests that included burning Korans, citing security concerns. However, the courts have overturned those decisions, stating that Sweden's expansive free speech laws protect such acts. The constitution protects the freedom of speech laws and cannot be changed easily; however, the government has stated that it is contemplating legal changes that would allow police to halt public burnings if they threaten Sweden's security. The fires further complicated Sweden's efforts to join NATO. While Turkey has stated that it will ratify Sweden's application this month, previous burnings have enraged President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson has criticized the burnings, stating that although they are lawful, they are inappropriate. Turkey's foreign ministry firmly condemned Thursday's "despicable assault" on a Koran in Stockholm and urged Sweden to take "decisive measures" to prevent future acts of Islamophobia. The Swedish foreign ministry had no immediate comment regarding Ankara's response. Related Article: Kenya Protests: 6 Dead After Police Open Fire to Protestors; Cops Told Not To Report Casualties @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Veterans Affairs Departments fumbling effort to replace its decadesold electronic health records system has strained its relationship with Congress to the breaking point. Anger about the project billions over budget, tied to at least four veterans deaths, and now, on pause is responsible for a spate of bill introductions, some aiming to shut the project down, others to boost oversight and accountability. The problems also led Iowa GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley to hold up a confirmation vote on President Joe Biden's nominee for one of the VA's top posts. Key lawmakers, including Senate Veterans Affairs Chair Jon Tester (D-Mont.), are trying to give the VA one more try to get it right after the department halted the system rollout this spring and renegotiated its contract with the vendor, Oracle Cerner. "Modernization of the electronic health record is not optional one way or another it has to be done, Tester told POLITICO. I will keep demanding results. But if more veterans are harmed by mishandled records, or the VA announces more multimillion-dollar cost overruns, the lawmakers who just want to shut it down could gain the upper hand, and that could leave vulnerable veterans who are unable to afford private care stuck in a system thats stuck in the past. Bills pending in Congress would end the program, require the VA to make substantial improvements before expanding the new system or mandate the VA to update lawmakers on progress. It has been a nightmare, House Veterans Affairs Chair Mike Bost (R-Ill.) said in an interview. Bost is among those threatening to pull the plug, saying the old system could instead be improved. I carry the carrot and the stick The stick got their attention. That is good because we need to wake them up on how bad this has gotten." Bost is working on a checklist describing what he needs to see to assuage his concerns. It's a government thing, said Bost. Good idea, bad rollout. The company can't get it figured out. We as Congress have got to take control. Story continues In April, the VA put the system on pause indefinitely after the agency acknowledged that the system had contributed to the deaths and catastrophic harm to others. An assessment commissioned by the VA from the Institute for Defense Analyses last year found that the initial cost projection from 2018, $10 billion over 10 years, had grown to $50.8 billion over 28 years. More than a dozen officials who have been involved or intimately familiar with the project told POLITICO the systems problems are myriad. They bemoaned a lack of leaders with relevant experience, a failure to prepare for deployments, a rushed initial rollout and a lack of buy-in from VA clinicians wedded to the current system, VistA, which dates back at least 40 years. "The program was never designed to be successful, said Peter Levin, a former VA chief technology officer. Not making difficult choices and not making good choices is costing, at the very least, taxpayers billions of dollars. Oracle declined to comment on the record for this story. But Executive Vice President Mike Sicilia previously told POLITICO the company supported the VAs decision to pause the rollout after the company had pledged to restart operations in June. Sicilia said it would allow time to improve the operation of the EHR at the current sites and take the necessary time to institute governance, change management and standardization changes to ensure the success of future VA deployments. We need to modernize A health care organizations electronic health records system does everything from keeping track of patient appointments to doctors notes, to new prescriptions, to surgeries, and allows patients to access their records through a portal. A modern, interoperable system would allow any doctor in the VA to quickly call up a patients full medical history, including from military service. It makes it easier to share records with specialists, and plan care. We need to modernize, said Neil Evans, VA's EHR project director. There is incredible value in having an enterprise electronic health record. Modern digital records systems are ubiquitous in private health systems. But VA physicians often struggle to share patient data, since each VA medical center can customize the digital workflow in VistA, making it difficult for clinics to share records. That leaves providers with an incomplete view of a patients history. And that can make it harder to deliver the right care and avoid errors. The system which is expensive to maintain is also more vulnerable to hackers than modern ones. Today's regulatory requirements, the need for interoperability, and the pace of innovation are forcing the retirement of all self-built systems, said John Halamka, president of the Mayo Clinic Platform. There is not a choice to keep the systems of the past. The status quo was unsustainable In the summer of 2015, Cerner which Oracle purchased last year won a contract with the Defense Department to replace its electronic health records system. That was a spur for the VA, which for years had discussed the possibility of a unified system with the military. In June 2017, Trump administration VA Secretary David Shulkin announced that the agency was hiring Cerner to replace VistA. The status quo was unsustainable, Shulkin said in an interview with POLITICO. Shulkin proceeded with a special authorization that allowed the VA to skip the competitive bidding process, saying that the VA and DOD would continue to struggle to provide quality care if they had different systems. Then-President Donald Trump called it one of the biggest wins for our veterans in decades. But the decision to skirt the normal process was controversial. An open bid could have provided valuable information about how to proceed, said Shelby Oakley, who oversees VAs contracting activities at the Government Accountability Office, Congress investigative arm. Some VA staff whod helped build VistA and clinicians who relied on it also were skeptical, believing that Cerner had swayed the decision-makers. VistA had its defenders. Edward Meagher, who was VA deputy chief information officer in the 2000s, said the agency should have stuck with what it knows. The greatest irony is that the VA has in VistA a system that solves all of its current problems and is the best path forward to real modernization, he said. White House adviser Jared Kushner added to the unease when he said the decision to make the change took just two weeks. Shulkin who also served as a high-ranking VA official for President Barack Obama opted to delay finalizing the Cerner contract to make sure there was a proper approach to data-sharing and integrating it with the Pentagon system, he said. But Trump ousted Shulkin in late March 2018, leaving the future of the Cerner deal in question. Over at the Defense Department, the Cerner system was sending up red flags, with rising costs, data exchange and prescription issues. An April 2018 memo from the Defense secretary found that the first stage of the Pentagons program was troubled with issues so significant they could kill patients. Three weeks later, acting VA Secretary Robert Wilkie signed the deal with Cerner. Everyone needs to be on board' Wilkie set ambitious goals. But overhauling electronic health records systems is challenging, especially in the sprawling VA, which serves 9 million veterans and has more than 170 medical centers. Health care cant shut down. [Its] like trying to fix a plane while flying, said Daniel Barchi, chief information officer at CommonSpirit Health, a private hospital system. A project of this size is enormous, and the problems are far more than just technical. Theyre about workflow, process and people. Evans, the VAs program director, said that organizational change is more difficult than implementing new technology. Everyone needs to be on board, said Bill Tinston, director of the DOD and VAs joint Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization Office. Leadership in the Trump administration was ill-equipped to handle the transition, given lack of experience in EHR overhauls, several high-ranking former officials in both the Trump and Biden administrations told POLITICO. VAs infrastructure was built to support VistA. It wasnt meant to support Cerner, which requires modern infrastructure, said a former senior Trump VA official granted anonymity to speak candidly. You needed somebody who really understood the health IT infrastructure. VA and Cerner pressed forward as reports of issues with the Pentagon implementation piled up. The system lost prescriptions and it was hard for providers to log on, leaving them fearing patients would be harmed. In April 2020, a VA watchdog warned that VA officials had set an aggressive and likely unrealistic initial rollout schedule with a March 2020 target eventually moved to July that potentially put patients at risk. Issues are expected in these sorts of transitions, VA Deputy Inspector General David Case told POLITICO, but the VA didnt put enough time into planning. Its more than just putting dates on a calendar, Case said. Just two weeks before the 2020 election, the VA launched the system at its first location, Mann-Grandstaff Medical Center in Spokane, Wash. The VA inspector general found that the facility lacked sufficient staffing to handle the transition and didnt take enough steps to mitigate known risks, leading to substantial dangers to patient safety. There should be all this planning before an actual deployment, the former senior Trump official said. You dont wing it. The VA is using veterans as guinea pigs Doctors tell Charlie Bourg he has a year or two to live, and he thinks its because of the Cerner system at Mann-Grandstaff. In late 2020, doctors told the Vietnam veteran he might have prostate cancer and that hed be referred to a specialist, according to a letter from Mann-Grandstaff to Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) obtained by POLITICO and first reported by the Spokesman-Review . The new digital system routed the order to an unknown queue, and the appointment wasnt scheduled properly. Four months later, he had another appointment with his doctor, who saw he hadnt been to the specialist. More system bugs meant that he wasn't able to see the specialist and get a biopsy for nine months after he was initially referred, or get his prostate removed for more than a year after. The VA is using veterans as guinea pigs, Bourg said. The system needs to be shut down. Bourg sought damages from the VA and Oracle Cerner in an administrative claim and now plans to file a lawsuit. VA declined to comment, saying it cant discuss patients specific medical information. It's a government thing Alarmed by skyrocketing costs and reports of dead veterans, the bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees launched oversight hearings and proposed legislation. Faced with the prospect of a congressional directive to kill the program, the VA responded this spring by pausing the rollout indefinitely, with the system in place at only five of the VAs medical centers. At Mann-Grandstaff, Director Robert Fischer blames the electronic health records system for most of a $35 million budget deficit that he said will require him not to fill 146 full-time positions when they become vacant. House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) wrote VA Secretary Denis McDonough in May to ask him to use "every available dollar appropriated" to the system to avert reductions in staff and services. Its unclear when the VA will resume the project. Creating an arbitrary deadline for moving forward is not in anybodys best interest, VA project director Evans said. Lets take the time that we need to make things right. He said the VA will use the time to fix technical problems and optimize the system to meet clinicians needs. But lawmakers are threatening more oversight. We need more than a reset, said Murray, a former chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, in a recent hearing. We need reforms to make sure that the problems with the EHR are not just fixed, but don't ever happen again in the future. Pending legislation from the Tester, Murray and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) with companion House legislation from Veterans Affairs ranking member Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Bost would prohibit the VA from implementing the technology at new facilities unless the five medical centers where it is in place meet performance criteria. The expectation should be success, a congressional aide granted anonymity to discuss the situation candidly told POLITICO. If its proven that Oracle Cerner cant get there, maybe we have to ask some hard questions. A van carrying more than 2,000 vapes burst into flames after it was involved in an accident on a highway, Connecticut officials say. Officials responded to the fire July 18 on an interstate in Southington, according to the Southington Fire Department. The van carrying the vapes, also known as electronic cigarettes, rear-ended another vehicle, and its engine compartment ignited, Battalion Chief Tom Donnelly told McClatchy News. The vapes also caught fire, he said. The drivers of both vehicles were taken to hospitals with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, he said. An environmental services contractor responded to help with cleanup, Dustin Mitchell, president of Environmental Services, Inc., based in South Windsor, told McClatchy News. The company shared photos of the burned van and charred vapes on its Facebook page. Since vapes contain nicotine, they are considered hazardous waste, he said. Each vape must be individually bagged prior to disposal because they have lithium-ion batteries, he said. Lithium-ion batteries can ignite if they touch each other. Since the fire damaged the plastic shells of many of the vapes, the batteries are exposed, which poses a fire hazard. Once all the damaged vapes are properly packaged, theyll be brought to a disposal facility, he said. The batteries inside vapes can catch fire or explode if overheated, according to Levin Simes, a California-based law office. Substitute teacher trying to fit in shares vape pen with 7th grader, Florida cops say 8-year-old and teen brother stole vapes from store with moms help, Georgia cops say Family of six scrambles to find safety after boat bursts into flames, SC officials say For the past 30 years, Kingsburg resident Shannon Byrd and her family have made multiple three-hour journeys to Oceano to go off-road riding at the Oceano Dunes. Byrd and her family visit Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area up to five times a year, she said Friday near Post 2 on the beach. She views the popular park in southern San Luis Obispo County as a second home. Byrd said she was worried most of the park would close to off-highway vehicle use in 2024 as the result of a 2021 decision by the California Coastal Commission. When she learned of a landmark ruling by San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Tana Coates that the Oceano Dunes can remain open to off-roading beyond 2023, Byrd said she was relieved. Everybody brings their kids here, and they grow up here, and we dont want to lose that, Byrd said. Vehicles are lined up at an off-loading area for Steves ATV Rentals at Post 2 at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area on Friday, July 21, 2023. Why were Oceano Dunes set to close to off-road riding? Friends of Oceano Dunes, a nonprofit organization that advocates for off-highway vehicle enthusiasts right to use the park, sued the Coastal Commission several times in recent years to keep the Oceano Dunes open to OHV use. On Wednesday, Coates ruled in favor of Friends of Oceano Dunes, finding the Coastal Commission acted without, or in excess of (its) jurisdiction when it unanimously voted to prohibit off-road riding at the dunes. The Coastal Commission did not analyze how closing the Pier Avenue entrance in Oceano could impact how many miles vehicles traveled, Coates found. That meant the Coastal Commission violated the California Environmental Quality Act when it voted to close to the Pier Avenue vehicle entrance to the dunes. The Coastal Commission previously argued off-roading was harmful to sensitive areas of the dunes, citing increased dust pollution in disadvantaged communities downwind, harm to endangered shorebirds and negative impacts to Native American cultural and spiritual sites, according to its March amendment. Frankie Jarosz, an employee at Steves ATV Rentals in Oceano, reacts on Friday, July 21, 2023, to news that Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area will remain open to off-road riding. Local businesses react to SLO judges ruling Frankie Jarosz, an employee of Steves ATV Rentals in Oceano, said Friday that shes relieved the dunes will stay to OHV use open past 2023. Story continues Jarosz started working at the store, which specializes in all-terrain vehicle rentals, in 2019. She was with the business when it shuttered during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jarosz believes more of the beach at the Oceano Dunes should be opened to off-roading OHV use. Theres a lot of accidents, Jarosz said. Theres just so many people, and its crowded on the weekend, so we should give them more space. Currently, OHV use is allowed is four of six zones of the dunes. Making a giant bubble at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area on Friday, July 21, 2023, are, from left, Jackson Hauley, 14, Utah, Joseph Hauley, 5, Utah and Cash Livingston, 12, from Bakersfield. Visitors said theyre relieved the park will remain open to off-road riding. Byrd also said drivers need more space to enjoy the dunes. Theyve really cut things off, and theyve limited people, Byrd said. Everybody wants the beach, and theyre back to back to back and theres just not enough parking because theyve closed so much off. Gail Marshall, who has owned and operated Arnies ATV Rentals on Pier Avenue for nearly 30 years, said shes glad to see the dispute between the Coastal Commission and Friends of Oceano Dunes settled for the time being. I was very happy for the next generations coming up, Marshall said. I raised a child there on the beach. I spent many years on the beach, and I felt bad about the different generations that will never know what we got to experience. Marshall said the OHV riding community at the Oceano Dunes is close-knit, and said the beachs closure would have been bad for local businesses that service that community. It definitely would have put me out of business, Marshall said. I just want to thank Friends of Oceano, because it was them that put this big fight up for years to keep the beach open. A sign posted on a fence of Sunbuggies on Pier Avenue in Oceano advertises all-terrain vehicles on Friday, July 21, 2023. Whats next? According to spokesperson Sarah Christie, the Coastal Commission is reviewing the ruling and will discuss it at its Aug. 9 and 10 meeting. On Wednesday, California State Parks spokesperson Jorge Moreno told The Tribune via email that the agency respects the ruling to continue off-highway vehicle recreation at Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. We remain committed to protect the natural and cultural resources found in Oceano Dunes for future generations, and to ensure that all Californians have equal access to the park and its diverse recreational opportunities, Moreno added. Perry Ancona, at left, speaks with Glen Bates in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court in 2020. A veteran criminal defense attorney who was under investigation by the state office that looks at attorney misconduct has resigned from practicing law. The Ohio Supreme Court on Friday accepted Perry Anconas resignation with disciplinary action pending, an announcement says. No details about the investigation have been made public. A report from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel was filed under seal last month. Reached by phone Friday, Ancona declined to comment. Ancona, 79, filed an application for retirement or resignation in May. In that application, he said he would allow the disciplinary counsel to review documents and proceedings related to an investigation of grievances made against me. Ancona had been an attorney since 1972. Widely respected, he took on the most serious and difficult cases, and defended at least a dozen people facing the death penalty. He was among the attorneys who represented convicted serial killer Anthony Kirkland after Kirklands death sentence was thrown out, although Ancona withdrew from the case in 2017. He also represented Glen Bates, who also saw a murder conviction and death sentence overturned. Bates ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of his 2-year-old daughter. In 2018, Ancona was one of two attorneys appointed to represent a man charged in a fatal stabbing. When the man tried to fire them, Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Jody Luebbers wouldnt allow it. Luebbers told the man that Ancona and his co-counsel, Norm Aubin, are the best youre ever going to get. They are like the A-Team, she said. Ancona earned a bachelors degree from the University of Michigan in 1967. After graduation, he returned to the Cincinnati area, worked as a teacher and took night classes at Northern Kentucky Universitys Chase College of Law, according to Enquirer archives. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Veteran attorney Perry Ancona resigns from practicing law The White House has announced that Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Jacksonville on Friday to speak about the fight to protect fundamental freedoms. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Her trip to Jacksonville and the remarks shell give are in response to Florida Black History Education standards adopted on Wednesday in the state. The White House said that Harris will speak about, the fight to protect fundamental freedom, specifically, the freedom to learn and teach Americas full and true story. Read: Putnam County man accepting money for legal advice now faces a felony charge Harris spoke about the issue during a visit to Indiana on Thursday. Just yesterday in the state of Florida, they decided middle school students will be taught that enslaved people benefited from slavery, Harris said. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us and we will not stand for it. According to the White House, Harris will speak from the Ritz Theater and Museum in Lavilla around 3:45 pm. She is expected to arrive at Jacksonville International Airport after 2:00 pm, and rolling roadblocks can be expected to and from the Ritz. Action News Jax will be covering the Vice Presidents arrival and remarks live and online. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. A photo of a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Eight hours powered by spent cooking oil. Sounds fun. Its no secret that we need to uncover ways to make air travel more sustainable. In the U.S. alone, air travel accounts for 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, and as the number of flights taking off each day rises that percentage could go up. To combat this, aircraft builders and engine manufacturers have begun experimenting with novel ways of powering flight, including electric motors and even hydrogen-powered engines. But now, one British airline will trial the first transatlantic flight to run on something called Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). On November 28th, a Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787 Dreamliner will take off from Londons Heathrow on a flight to JFK in New York. But instead of its two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines running on traditional jet fuel, the plane will be fueled for the entire trip on a sustainable alternative. Read more This will be a first for the industry, as presently airlines are only permitted to operate flights with up to 50 percent sustainable fuels blended in with traditional jet fuel. For the test flight, Virgin Atlantic has partnered with Air BP and Virent, which will provide a new fuel that cuts lifecycle CO2 emissions by as much as 70 percent. A photo of a Rolls Royce Trent 1000 jet engine. The Boeing 787 is powered by two Rolls Royce Trent 1000 engines. To make its SAF, Air BP uses feedstock such as used cooking oil and household food waste. The waste is collected by BP, refined and turned into a fuel that can be blended with jet fuel as necessary. Because of this, its often called a drop-in fuel, which helps cut some of the emissions from air travel. However, for the Virgin Atlantic flight, this fuel wont be blended with traditional kerosene fuels, and will instead be used solo albeit blended with 12 percent aromatics, which helps it meet the performance needs of the flight. Story continues SAF is currently the most viable option to help us meet the industrys net zero ambition and in the short and medium term it will be the only option for long-haul flights, said Andreea Moyes, global aviation sustainability director at Air BP in a statement. Moving our industry and policy towards the use of 100% SAF is important as we work in collaboration with key stakeholders to help decarbonize aviation. Prior to takeoff of the flight, Virgin Atlantic and Rolls Royce have carried out extensive ground tests of the fuel in the Rolls-Royce Trent engines that power the 787 Dreamliner. The Virgin test also follows a pilot project from AirAsia in India, which was the first flight to be only powered by SAF. Despite both the India test and this transatlantic flight relying solely on SAF, current targets only require airlines to fuel their fleets with 10 percent SAF by 2030 in the UK. Here in the U.S., the aviation industry hopes to have access to 3 billion gallons of SAF by 2030. The Biden administration also announced that by 2050, all domestic flights in the U.S. should be powered by SAF. At its peak in 2019, the global commercial airline industry consumed around 95 billion gallons of jet fuel over the year. In the U.S., commercial aviation burned through 1.5 million barrels of aviation fuel per day last year. More from Jalopnik Sign up for Jalopnik's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. An unobstructed view of North Korea from the Dora Observatory in the DMZ. Reena Koh/Insider Last month I went on the DMZ Peace Tour in Paju, South Korea. Despite being a "demilitarized zone," the DMZ is the most heavily fortified border in the world. The peaceful tour was a stark contrast to the grim reality of the divided peninsula. On June 25, I visited the Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ, between North and South Korea. The day of my visit marked exactly 73 years since the Korean War began in 1950, and the spot I stood at wasn't far from the site where, a couple weeks later, a US soldier would shock the world by darting across the border and defecting into North Korea. Spanning the 160-mile width of the Korean peninsula, the DMZ is one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world. It was established in 1953 as part of the Korean Armistice Agreement to end the Korean War. My trip to South Korea was a graduation trip with my five close friends from college. From the start, we knew we wanted to visit Lotte World a popular theme park and the BTS bus stop. At one point during our research for the 18-day trip, one of my friends suggested booking a day tour to the DMZ. In an effort to avoid spending two weeks only focused on shopping and eating, we booked the DMZ Peace Tour on Klook for about $53 USD. We boarded the tour bus heading for Paju, a city 23 miles northwest of Seoul. Our tour guide, Emily Lee, showed us a map of the DMZ on the 45-minute bus ride. Reena Koh/Insider A series of bad decisions the night before endless shopping and staying up for late-night street snacks left us feeling sleep-deprived in the morning. After less than three hours on the pillow, we rushed to board the tour bus at 8:30 in the morning. On the bus, our tour guide Emily Lee began educating us on the history of the Korean War and the DMZ. She spoke in fluent English to our group of about 20 people ages ranging from early 20s to late 50s from various parts of the world. She would occasionally slip in a joke or two that would make all of us crack up, shaking off the morning drowsiness. About 45 minutes later, as we were nearing Imjingak Park, Lee collected our passports which were needed in order to buy tickets to the DMZ Peace Tour while passing us a "Team Emily" name-tag to hang around our necks and help prevent us from getting lost. Story continues "Only 40 tour buses are allowed in the DMZ every day," Lee said, adding that since the tickets are issued by arrival, the time at which our DMZ tour starts can only be confirmed at the ticketing office. Over six million Korean and foreign tourists visit Imjingak Park every year. There are several war memorials and monuments within Imjingak Park. Reena Koh/Insider Built in 1972 as a consolation to separated families and with hopes of reunification, Imjingak Park is a popular tourist attraction for not only foreigners but also South Koreans. "Many people come here to bike, or to have a picnic," Lee said. We had two hours before our designated time for the DMZ tour, so Lee guided us around the war memorials and statues. It was about half past nine in the morning and we followed her along in the sweltering sun. The first monument we stopped at was one dedicated to a song named "30 Years Lost." It was the theme song for "Finding Dispersed Families," a series of special live broadcasts depicting the reunions of war-dispersed families in 1983. Archives of the series were registered as part of the UNESCO "Memory of the World" collection in 2015. "Would it be tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, 30 years of waiting with tears," a line of the song read. "The theme song became very popular in North Korea as well," Lee said. We walked onto the Freedom Bridge next. The blocked-off Freedom Bridge (left) and Dokgae Bridge (right). Reena Koh/Insider The Freedom Bridge was built in 1953 for the sole purpose of allowing 12,773 prisoners of the Korean War to cross over to South Korea. At the end of the bridge stood a barbed wire fence densely covered with prayer-ribbons. Lee then directed our attention across us to another bridge the Dokgae Bridge which used to be a railway bridge that took trains northwards across the Imjin River to the end of North Korea. "The bridge pier has a lot of bullet marks, which are traces of the Korean war," Lee explained, pointing towards the now-destroyed bridge. Tickets to the bridge pier cost an additional 2,000 Korean won, about $1.60. Our tour group fell silent whenever Lee explained the gravity of each monument to us. It felt peaceful walking in Imjingak Park, but there was a solemn undertone that followed. Security at the entrance to the DMZ felt similar to airport immigration customs. The Inter-Korean Transit Office. Emily Lee A pair of South Korean soldiers boarded the bus while we had our passports ready in hand. The soldiers verified each and every one of our identities against a names list our tour guide had submitted beforehand. Taking photos or videos while on the bus ride within the DMZ is also strictly prohibited, so we just enjoyed the scenery while Lee told us the history of our next stop the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel. The incomplete 3rd Infiltration Tunnel runs a mile long. A cross-section map of the tunnel (left) and the writer (right) after walking in the tunnel. Reena Koh/Insider The 3rd Infiltration Tunnel was discovered in 1978 following the detection of an underground explosion. Though incomplete, it's the largest among the four infiltration tunnels that have been discovered in South Korea. Running a mile long, at 6.5-foot tall and wide, the tunnel is large enough for 30,000 fully-armed North Korean soldiers to pass through within an hour, Lee explained. We weren't allowed to take any photos inside the tunnel, so we kept our phones in the lockers, popped on safety helmets, and embarked on our descent 240 feet below the ground. Walking through the cold but well-lit tunnel felt like a weird fever dream. We were stuck in a single file, and for 10 minutes straight we were shuffling forward while crouching the 6.5-foot height of the tunnel was actually 5 feet due to structural bars on the tunnel ceiling. Our next stop was the Dora Observatory, where we had an unobstructed view of North Korea. Through the telescope, visitors can see the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Reena Koh/Insider The Dora Observatory was as close as we could get to North Korea. Just a little over 10 miles north of where we stood was Kaesong, one of three major cities in the country, said Lee. We headed up to the observation deck where there were several telescopes that visitors could use to observe the nearest part of North Korea in detail. Having only heard and read about the elusive state, it felt bizarre peering through the telescope. I saw buildings, vehicles, and roads littering the heavily guarded territory but it was eerily quiet, not a single person in sight. North Korea was just miles ahead of us. An auditorium with a clear view of North Korea (left), and a map of the area surrounding the DMZ (right). Reena Koh/Insider On the second level of the observatory, there was an auditorium with floor-to-ceiling glass panels that gave a clear view of the scenic area. We sat in silence for a while as we took it all in, still feeling surreal about the fact that North Korea was just a few miles ahead of us. For the last leg of the tour, our bus passed through the Unification Village. The Unification Village looked just like any regular, peaceful village. Reena Koh/Insider The Unification Village, located 2.7 miles south of the Military Demarcation Line, is home to around 160 families and a total of about 460 residents. It's the biggest of the three villages within the Civilian Control Line, Lee said. Our bus drove through the quiet, peaceful village, before concluding the tour at the village's souvenir shop and restaurant, where local specialties like sundubu soft tofu and seasoned mountain herbs were sold. As we headed back to Seoul, I felt a mixture of emotions well up inside me. I had fun on the tour and at some points it felt reasonably commercialized yet there was a strong tinge of sorrow in each step of the journey. Every part of the tour was a silent but grim reminder of the heart-wrenching reality of the divided peninsula, the millions of people who were and still are deeply hurt by the Korean War. "After the Korean War, millions were separated from their families. Randomly, they became North and South Korea," said Lee, "it wasn't their choice, but they haven't met for 70 years." Read the original article on Insider Entrepreneur and GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy says he has met the Republican Party's donor requirements and is confident he'll poll high enough to be on stage for the party's first debate next month. In order to qualify for the debate stage in Milwaukee on Aug. 23, candidates must register at least 1% support in three national polls, or 1% in two national polls and in two early-state polls from separate states. The polls must be recognized by the Republican National Committee. It is not yet clear whether there have been enough polls recognized by the party, but Ramaswamy has consistently garnered mid single-digit to low double-digit support in recent surveys. The RNC also requires "a minimum of 40,000 unique donors to candidate's principal presidential campaign committee (or exploratory committee), with at least 200 unique donors per state or territory in 20+ states and/or territories" to qualify. Candidates will also need to sign a loyalty pledge agreeing to support the eventual party nominee in the general election. Ramaswamy reached 65,000 unique donors, 40% of which were reportedly "first-time donors to the Republican Party or any political party," according to a senior adviser on his campaign. The entrepreneur had an unusual tactic for attracting donors, launching an effort to give bundlers who raise money for his campaign 10% of what they take in from other donors. After launching his presidential bid in late February, Ramaswamy blitzed early voting states like Iowa and New Hampshire and rose to third in several national polls. The latest CBS News/ YouGov survey shows Ramaswamy polling 13% among likely Republican presidential primary voters. The latest survey from Kaplan Strategies shows him tied for second place with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 12%. Former President Donald Trump has been leading by substantial margins in early polling. Ramaswamy is the sixth candidate who has met the donor threshold for the first debate, which will be hosted by Fox News. Story continues DeSantis, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, and former United Nations ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley have all also attracted enough donor support to reach the debate stage. Trump has also met the fundraising criteria to participate but has hinted that he plans to skip the debate. In an interview with Fox News Sunday, Trump said, "When you have a big lead, you don't do it." RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel told Fox News earlier this week that it would be "a mistake" for Trump to miss the debates. She said she has been urging him to engage with his competitors on stage. "You want to win the nomination, you got to get in front of those primary voters," she said. From the archives: Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga Lionel Messi kicks off first Major League Soccer game in Miami How electric flying taxis could help fight climate change They watched most of it from a rearview mirror. Zakareya Aidel jumped in his Honda, while his brother, Ali, trailed behind in the University of Delaware parking lot. Ali remembers being the last to reach their cars, as he and friends had just finished a Muslim sundown prayer, set to meet more friends at dinner. He had spent less than an hour taking photos of the group. The 19-year-old nearly reached the passenger seat when university police began approaching his group's three cars. He shut the door with the window ajar. They were walking toward us pretty fast, Ali remembered from the night of Newark High Schools graduation. But you could hear them yelling from far away. Because that's how much they were like: You need to leave right now. Zakareya didnt waste time. The pair started to leave when they saw their friend, Mohammed Sanogo, do the same from another car with police nearby. We look behind us, right? And Mohammed starts pulling out, Ali said, craning for a view as his brothers eyes locked in the rearview mirror. The brothers approached a light to leave the lot. My brother said the rear of Momos car skidded a little bit when he pressed the gas. It's a rear-wheel drive car, you know; it just happened. But I couldn't hear it." Some witnesses recalled a tire screech; others did not. Police said Sanogo, accelerated quickly, spinning the tires and drifting around the median, putting an officer in harms way. The situation only intensified. Mohammed Sanogo, far right, poses with some of his fellow graduates after Newark High School's ceremonies at the University of Delaware on June 15, 2023. Sanogo pulled up behind the brothers. And Ali remembers suddenly seeing trucks, construction-related as he recalls it, pull up around his friends car. As a green light released the brothers, these trucks made no movement. The university has made no mention of these trucks in statements. Ali watched as police started banging on Sanogos windows while his brother swung his left turn. He yelled to pull into a lot across the street to get a better view. Story continues That's when I started recording my video, Ali said. And it would be a video of him getting picked up and slammed on the ground. From witnesses piecing together memories, accounts and cellphone footage from June 15, to dozens of friends penning character letters to Sanogos legal team in the days after community voices are painting a picture that underscores mostly silence from the University of Delaware. Last month, Mohammed Sanogo crossed the stage at the Bob Carpenter Center to grip his high school diploma. Less than an hour later, hed be at the center of a violent arrest sparking outrage and confusion across the state. School officials and dozens of supporters have reacted to the incident, looking for answers from the university. The Christina school board has begun reviewing all of its connections to UD, some nearly $250,000 in contracts, while already moving to cease holding graduations on campus. Newark High School hosts commencement for the 255 graduates of the class of 2023 on Thursday, June 15, 2023, at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark. Sanogos charges remain with the state. Having been held until 4 that morning, the teen now awaits a hearing later this month on charges of reckless driving and resisting arrest. His public defender wouldnt comment on the case, and the family has been advised by attorneys to not comment either. So who is Mohammed Sanogo? Today, he's an 18-year-old graduate finding himself entangled in conflicting accounts of a traumatic night he endured firsthand as friends, mentors and advocates continue speaking out for him. In the back of the mind, Ive been struggling, said Ifran Patel of the Islamic Society of Delaware, who has known Sanogo from mosque for years and is helping to advocate since the arrest. Like, we shouldnt be going through all this. We shouldnt have to be saying, Hey, you know, this kid has gotten admission to University of Maryland in the aerospace program; this kid has a 4.0 GPA, still has an impeccable track record. Right? The burden of proving innocence is on his shoulders now. Many hope to hear from the Office of the Attorney General this month, while continuing a demand for accountability from the state's largest university. University of Delaware is a big fish in a very small pond, said ACLU-DE's Shannon Griffin, a senior policy advocate. They've been allowed to really operate as they have for decades, pretty much unchallenged at least in any kind of serious way that would cause them to make substantial improvement. So, we take this incident really seriously. And at the end of the day, a teens future hangs between the paperwork. In case you missed it: Delaware school district cuts tie with University of Delaware after student's arrest 'They had the wrong idea of Momo' Abdurahman Abdu Hasdhallah described his friend as a bit of a gentle giant. The thing about Momo, Abdu said, using the nickname many have for the recent grad, hes very tall, and hes a big guy but hes very much the opposite. Hes very sweet, very like, soft-hearted. Abdu rode in another car on graduation night, right next to Sanogo. Knowing his friend was over 6 feet tall, an African American man driving a black Dodge Charger, Abdu pondered over the phone whether the friend he met over a year ago at mosque just fit a description. I was thinking, maybe they had the wrong idea of Momo, he said. I know his family, too. They're very nice people." Ali Aidel, the friend present alongside his brother, also met Sanogo at Masijd Ibrahim in Newark. He echoed fellow witnesses and friends, adding that Sanogo was always positive, a faithful kid who could brighten up someone's day. That's certainly harder to do right now. A public police report says he revved his engine, says he tried to put his car in reverse, says he looked to put police in danger that night, while still "continuing to resist. Everything's been pretty calm, Ali said, having recently seen Sanogo again at prayer. But just in the back of his head, I can tell hes just trying to like relax himself a little bit, trying to cope from the whole situation. Patel has noticed it, too. Worshippers gather at the Islamic Society of Delaware for prayer service in 2016. The teen often volunteering, the one younger kids at mosque have always looked up to, he said, must now look on as others stand up for him. There's been a tremendous outpouring of support from community members toward the family, said the member of the Delaware Interfaith Council. Also, it's not just our community, even the extended community other civil rights activists, friends and neighbors. Advocates like Patel have said they want to see a transparent response to the incident, including an investigation into the officers actions, an apology to Sanogo and perhaps ultimately, dropped charges. The institution at the heart of the event has had less to say. Lead testing: This Wilmington child was lead poisoned. How it could have been prevented Demanding more from University of Delaware A local Muslim leader leads special prayer at Masjid Isa Ibn-e-Maryam mosque on a Friday afternoon, to commemorate the victims of the terror attack in New Zealand in 2019. School board member Naveed Baqir said the University of Delaware did not notify Christina schools of the arrest that night. In fact, no one from the district found out until some four days later. The following Tuesday, June 20, the school board then held a workshop for witnesses to speak and share details. The next day, the university issued its first statement to the district explaining its perspective on the arrest. UD vehemently denied claims that the incident was an example of racial or religious discrimination or excessive police force, supporting its police officers appropriate de-escalation techniques in dealing with a suspect who was resisting arrest." Ultimately, Baqir told the school board in July that a few meetings with UD officials went on "without any resolution. The university declined any of their requests to share video of the incident, whether through body camera footage or video from cameras mounted on nearby buildings. A similar request from Delaware Online/The News Journal for video went unanswered. The university declined a request to interview Police Chief Patrick Ogden. Questions as to whether the university would be internally investigating the actions of all officers involved also went unanswered. After Christina schools moved to take graduations off campus, though, the university released another statement pledging to continue to work together to create a stronger partnership, invite frequent communication, nurture community-building and help advance cultural understanding." For many, it has not been enough. Marketing and advertising graduate Nicole Richter of Dumont, New Jersey, makes her mark as members of the Class of 2023 sign a banner following the University of Delaware's 2023 Commencement at Delaware Stadium, Saturday, May 27, 2023. They were basically stonewalled, ACLUs Griffin said of Christina School District. That's when it really got our attention. And we were looking to make a more forceful stance in support of what the district was doing so that other districts who have graduations there would follow suit. She said supporters should be calling for the dismissal of officers involved in the June arrest, while the university should be reviewing its policies and practices on the whole. From much farther away, one activist close to George Floyd's case in 2020 would have to agree. "I also believe Muhammed should be compensated for what he endured the physical harm and the emotional trauma that will likely live with him for the rest of his life," said Minneapolis-based civil rights attorney, activist and former president of Minneapolis NAACP, Nekima Levy Armstrong. "Not to mention the potential impacts to his college career and his professional career through this humiliating experience, and having the public know that he was arrested under these circumstances. "No young person, especially an innocent young person, should have to experience that." As Sanogos charges await any future action, potentially holding his future career in the balance, Griffin knows the issue goes much deeper than this 18-year-old's story. If we don't want another student to endure what this recent student did, Griffin said, thinking of University of Delaware Police, then they're going to really have to make concrete efforts for improvement. Reporter Konner Metz contributed to this report. Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for the USA TODAY Network's Northeast Region and Delaware Online, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: After Newark High student's arrest at UD, supporters speak out Ukrainian Ambassador to Britain Vadim Prystaiko was sacked Friday by presidential decree after a falling out with President Zelensky over his response to calls by Britain's defense minister for more gratitude for the weapons it was giving Ukraine. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI July 21 (UPI) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fired Ukraine's ambassador to Britain Friday after a row over Zelensky's response to a claim by Britain's defense minister that Ukraine was treating Britain and other countries supplying it with arms like an "Amazon" delivery service. Zelensky made the announcement in a presidential decree on his official website -- in Ukrainian only -- that gives no detail on why Vadym Prystaiko, who was made ambassador in 2020, was let go apart from that he is also relieved from his post as permanent representative of Ukraine to the International Maritime Organization. Prystaiko's removal follows "very strong and harsh" phone calls with Kyiv after he accused Zelensky of "unhealthy sarcasm" in his response to British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace's comments at last week's Nato summit that Britain was "not Amazon" and that one way for Ukraine to get more weapons would be to show more gratitude, the Independent newspaper reported. Zelensky had earlier rebuked Nato for not allowing Ukraine to join the 31-member country defensive alliance. "How else can we show our gratitude?" Zelensky retorted. "We can wake up in the morning and thank the minister. Let him write to me and tell me how to thank him." In a move seen in Kyiv as gross insubordination that put splits within Ukraine on display to Russia, Prystaiko, told Britain's Sky TV that kind of sarcasm was not "healthy." "I don't think we need to show the Russians there is something between us," he said. "We're working together, Ben can call me and tell me anything he wants to." Wallace, who announced Sunday he's quitting politics, was also said to be unhappy at an apparent lack of backing over the row from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who insisted Zelensky "had expressed his gratitude for what we've done on a number of occasions." "Not least in his incredibly moving address that he made to parliament earlier this year. People across Ukraine are also fighting for their lives and freedom every single day and they're paying a terrible price for it so I completely understand Volodymyr's desire to do everything he can to protect his people and to stop this war," Sunak said. Zelensky has a track record of firing diplomats. In July 2022, he sacked his ambassadors to Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Norway and India at a single sitting, saying the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shake-up would "further strengthen Ukraine's relations with other nations." (Photo : Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images) A jury in Florida has awarded a girl $800,000 in damages after a McDonald's Chicken McNugget fell on her leg and caused severe burns. A jury in South Florida awarded $800,000 in damages to a young girl who suffered severe burns when a scalding Chicken McNugget fell on her leg as her mother drove away from a McDonald's drive-through. Olivia Caraballo, who was 4 years old when she was scorched in 2019, was seeking $15 million in damages, according to attorneys for her family. The verdict was reached after less than two hours of deliberation on Wednesday, according to the South Florida SunSentinel. Florida Girl Wins Lawsuit Against Mcdonald's Per USA Today, the verdict form awarded McDonald's USA and its franchise operator, Upchurch Foods, $400,000 in damages for the past four years and an additional $400,000 for the foreseeable future. In May, a separate jury determined that the company and franchise owner were responsible for the injury outside a McDonald's restaurant in Tamarac, Florida, near Fort Lauderdale. Olivia's mother, Philana Holmes, told reporters outside the courtroom, I'm actually just happy that they listened to Olivia's voice and the jury was able to decide a fair judgment." She testified on Tuesday that 8-year-old Olivia calls the lesion on her inner thigh a "nugget" and is obsessed with removing it. McDonald's attorneys argued that the child's pain subsided when the laceration recovered, which they claimed took approximately three weeks. They argued that the girl's mother had a problem with the disfigurement and told the jury that $156,000 should cover both past and future damages. In her closing argument on Wednesday, defense attorney Jennifer Miller stated, "She is still going to McDonald's, she is still asking to go to McDonald's, and she is still traveling through the drive-thru with her mother to get chicken morsels. She is unaffected by the injury. This is all due to the mother." UpChurch Foods stated in May that the restaurant adhered to protocol when preparing and serving the Happy Meal. Holmes testified that she had purchased Happy Meals for her son and daughter, who were in the rear seat, and that she was driving when the chicken nugget spilled on the child's leg. She reported that Oliva shrieked in agony, and when she pulled over in a parking lot, she discovered that the nut was wedged between her thigh and the seat belt. The mother testified that McDonald's never warned her that the food could be unusually heated. According to CBS News, McDonald's testified that they adhere to food safety regulations requiring McNuggets to be sufficiently hot to prevent salmonella infection but cannot control what happens to the food after it departs the drive-thru window. During the trial in May, both parties concurred that the nugget caused the burns; however, the family's attorneys argued that the temperature was above 200 degrees (93 Celsius), whereas the defense stated that it was no more than 160 degrees (71 Celsius). In court, the mother's photographs of the burn and audio recordings of the child's cries were displayed. McDonald's stated in May that consumers should continue to rely on the company to adhere to policies and procedures for serving Chicken McNuggets safely. Read Also: Iraq Summons Swedish Envoy To Protest Against Planned Koran Burning Lawsuits Against McDonald's The case may evoke memories of the McDonald's coffee litigation of the 1990s, which became a type of urban legend about frivolous lawsuits even though a jury and judge found it to be meritless. Stella Liebeck, 81, was awarded $2.7 million in punitive damages by a New Mexico jury after she was burned in 1992 by scalding coffee from McDonald's that overflowed onto her lap as she attempted to stabilize the cup with her legs while prying the lid off to add cream outside a drive-thru. She sustained third-degree burns and was hospitalized for more than a week. She initially requested $20,000 from McDonald's to fund hospital expenses, but the company went to court. A judge subsequently reduced the $2.7 million award to $480,000, citing McDonald's "willful, wanton, irresponsible, and callous" conduct as justification. In 2018, a lawsuit alleged that an adolescent was severely burned after being served hot water at an "unreasonably hazardous temperature" at an Oregon McDonald's. In a separate case, a woman in New Jersey sued Dunkin' Donuts after collapsing in a parking lot, spreading scalding coffee, and burning herself. In 2015, she reportedly reached a settlement with the chain for $522,000. Related Article: Mississippi Teen Dies at Poultry Processing Plant While Operating Equipment @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Georgia State Patrol needs your vote to help them win the American Association of State Troopers annual Best Looking Cruiser contest. As of Thursday, GSP was in second place behind Kentucky, and just ahead of Florida. GSP has previously won the annual content in 2016, 2017 and 2020. They are hoping to keep the winning trend in Georgia going. Votes are limited to one vote per device during the contest. To vote, CLICK HERE. TRENDING STORIES: Severe storms leave destructive path, widespread outages across North Georgia PHOTOS: Severe thunderstorms cause damage across North Georgia One high from Delta-8 can lead to permanent brain damage, Georgia doctor warns IN OTHER NEWS: Members of Wagner group prepare to pull out from the headquarters of the Southern Military District to return to their base in Rostov-on-Don late on June 24, 2023. ROMAN ROMOKHOV/AFP via Getty Images Yevgeny Prigozhin shocked the world when he called on his Wagner Group fighters to invade Russia. CIA Director Bill Burns said this week that Prigozhin was likely improvising during the armed rebellion. Prigozhin was "making some of this up as he went along," Burns told the Aspen Security Forum. Just as quickly as the Wagner Group's armed rebellion began, it was over, leaving a trail of confusion in its wake. The speed at which the mercenaries invaded Russia and how close they came to Moscow last month shocked the world. The organization staged what, at the time, seemed to be an effective mutiny, but Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner's leader and the mastermind behind the chaos, was improvising and making it up as he went, the top US spy chief said this week. President Joe Biden "put it succinctly when he said that we knew things ahead of time, and I'm not going to go into any more detail than that, but Prigozhin I think was making some of this up as he went along," CIA Director William Burns told the Aspen Security Forum on Thursday. Burns said Prigozhin's main targets were "clearly" Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Gen. Valery Gerasimov, who together oversee Moscow's war in Ukraine, and added that "a lot of this had been hiding in plain sight, too, because he had been scathing in his public criticisms of both of them. So it didn't come as any real surprise when he decided to take action." Head of the Wagner Group Yevgeny Prigozhin left the Southern Military District headquarters on June 24, 2023 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images Prigozhin's public bashing of Russia's military leadership was a months-long affair, one in which the warlord often criticized Moscow's military leaders for their incompetence and the lack of critical supplies and ammunition for Wagner mercenaries fighting alongside the regular army in Ukraine. The feud ultimately reached a boiling point on June 23 when Prigozhin decided he'd had enough and called on his fighters to invade Russia itself. Within hours, the Wagner Group had captured the southern city of Rostov-on-Don without meeting any resistance. The mercenaries then continued north toward Moscow, shooting down several Russian aircraft and killing their aircrews on the way. But before Wagner reached the capital, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko brokered last-minute negotiations between Prigozhin and the Kremlin to stop Wagner from storming the city. Story continues Though finished, the short-lived mutiny has continued to raise questions about how the Wagner Group was able to seamlessly invade the country it was tasked with fighting for and even hold its own during the brief moments of combat with the Russian military. Wagner military column passes Russian city of Voronezh. Reuters Prigozhin was cast into exile as part of the deal, although his exact whereabouts in the weeks immediately following were a mystery, and his organization has since been stripped of its weaponry by Russia's defense ministry. He now appears to be at a military camp in Belarus alongside Wagner fighters who recently began training Belarusian soldiers, and he indicated this week that he'll soon venture to Africa, where his mercenaries have a footprint in several countries across the continent. While the Wagner Group undergoes changes in its responsibilities, Russia and President Vladimir Putin in particular continue to pick up the pieces of Prigozhin's short-lived mutiny. US officials have said that the insurrection has revealed serious cracks in Putin's authority, with war experts observing internal power plays and high-level purges in the aftermath. "I think you're seeing signs of weakness in that system," Burns said on Thursday. "I think those weaknesses have been exposed by Prigozhin's mutiny, but I think even more deeply than that, they've been exposed by Putin's misjudgment since he launched this invasion as well." A fighter from Russian Wagner mercenary group conducts training for Belarusian soldiers on a range near the town of Osipovichi, Belarus July 14, 2023 in this still image taken from handout video. Voen Tv/Belarusian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS He added that there's a relationship between the current battlefield conditions in Ukraine and what's happening domestically in Russia. "If and when" the Ukrainian military continues to make gains, Burns said, it will cause Russians including the Kremlin elite to actually listen to Prigozhin's critiques of Putin's war justifications. Ukraine is now several weeks into its counteroffensive and has seen limited territorial gains in the occupied eastern and southern regions. Kyiv's troops have been forced to move slowly, however, because of Russia's formidable defensive lines and fortifications, like trenches, barbed wire, anti-armor obstacles, and minefields. Clearing these is a painstaking and deadly process. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told reporters at a press briefing this week that Ukraine is still yet to commit a significant amount of combat power like NATO-provided tanks and heavy armor to the fight, as Kyiv preserves its firepower while steadily working through the sprawling Russian minefields. "This is going to be long, it's going to be hard, it's going to be bloody," Milley said. "And at the end of the day, we'll see where the Ukrainians end up, vis-a-vis the Russians." Read the original article on Business Insider The Pentagon believes that the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) mercenaries who arrive in Belarus will be reintegrated into the Russian army. Source: CNN, citing Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh Quote: "In terms of what we're seeing in Belarus, I've seen the reporting that Wagner troops continue to move into that region and continue to, I think, consolidate there. Look, I would let the Belarusians and Wagner speak to what their intentions are. We've certainly seen Wagner forces get sort of reintegrated within the Russian military." Background: Convoys of fighters of the so-called Wagner PMC have recently arrived in Belarus. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC), has supposedly spoken to the mercenaries who have arrived in Belarus and said that they would be engaged in the training of the Belarusian army. There are about 500 wheeled vehicles near the Wagner Group's camp in Belarus. On 19 July, a ninth convoy of Wagner PMC mercenaries was spotted in Belarus. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Founder of Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin makes a statement as he stand next to Wagner fighters in an undisclosed location in this still image taken from video released May 5, 2023. Press service of "Concord"/Handout via REUTERS 28% of the Wagner Group's force sent to Ukraine was killed, according to a group official. The tally said that of 78,000 fighters 22,000 were killed with 40,000 more injured. The group was key to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but is now being punished by the Kremlin. The Wagner Group suffered huge losses when fighting in Ukraine, including 28% of its force being killed, according to an official with the group. A Wagner Group official identified as Marx said that 78,000 fighters went to Ukraine with the mercenary group, and 22,000 were killed, according to Telegram channel Razgruzka Vagnera. The figures were said to be accurate as of May 20. News from Wagner often emerges from strange places in Russia's media, including in the past from the press office of founder Yevgeny Prigozhin's catering company. Razgruzka Vagnrea (Russian for "unloading Wagner") is affiliated with Wagner high command, The Moscow Times reported, and has been the source of news about the group before. Per its post, as well as the 22,000 dead, another 40,000 were wounded, and that 25,000 stayed alive and well. That means the Wagner Group had 62,000 casualties in total, according to the official's figures. It means 28% of Wagner's force was killed and a further 51% was wounded. Wagner sent thousands of mercenaries and men it recruited from prisons into Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The official said the majority of Wagner fighters in Ukraine 49,000 were prisoners. Prisoners were promised pardons in exchange for six months of service in Ukraine. The group's brutal tactics helped Russia in Ukraine, most prominently in capturing the city of Bakhmut. But its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin repeatedly feuded with Russia's military leaders, accusing them of trying to destroy his group by not giving it enough ammunition. The update itself was also part of a feud with the Russian authorities, disputing a claim by a politician that 33,000 Wagner troops had joined the regular army. Story continues There is no official figure for exactly how many prisoners Wagner brought into the fighting. The UK defense ministry said that at least 40,000 prisoners were recruited. The UK defense ministry on Friday also pointed to huge losses of Russian prisoners fighting in Ukraine. It said in an intelligence update that "20,000 convict-recruits were killed within a few months," a figure in a similar order of magnitude to the Telegram post. While the Wagner Group is not the only group that recruited prisoners for Ukraine, it was the most prolific group to do so. The UK update noted that Russia's defense ministry had "taken over Wagner's prison recruitment pipeline." The future of the Wagner Group is unclear after its leader staged a mutiny, taking over a key Russian military headquarters in a key Russian city and starting to march on Moscow. It ended with Prigozhin agreeing to go into exile and his fighters being told they could join Russia's military, follow their leader, or go home. But the group is still active in Africa and the Middle East, where it has been accused of war crimes. A retired US general said this bigger role the group plays is why Putin "can't afford to lose" Prigozhin, who the Kremlin said met with Russia's president even though he was supposed to be exiled. Read the original article on Business Insider Ukrainian-born former Russian diplomat Ekaterina Germanovich, winner of the Uruguayan reality television broadcast Bake Off Uruguay: El Gran Pastelero (Bake Off Uruguay: The Great Baker), prepares a cake at her house in Montevideo on July 15, 2023 (Eitan ABRAMOVICH) In Uruguay, thousands of kilometers from the war waged by her country of nationality on her country of birth, Ukrainian-born Russian diplomat Ekaterina Germanovich saw her life changed irrevocably by the conflict. Renouncing her job as economic counselor at the Russian embassy in Montevideo in protest at Moscow's invasion, she carved out a new path: finding solace in baking and winning a national competition. In an interview with AFP after becoming a celebrity in the small South American country, Germanovich described the war as "a pain that will never go away." "The war has polarized people. It is a rupture that will take decades to repair... Families were broken, separated," she said at her home in Montevideo. Born 40 years ago in Zaporizhzhia, then part of the Soviet Union but now in Ukraine, she settled as a child with her parents and siblings in Moscow. She has only Russian citizenship. Germanovich spent her childhood holidays in Ukraine and has family in both countries. But many of those ties have now been broken. "In Ukraine, any contact with people in Russia is seen as treason, and it's the same on the Russian side," she told AFP. "Some of our relatives in Ukraine stopped talking to us for being Russian." - From depression to dessert - Outraged by the war that Russian leader Vladimir Putin described as a "special military invasion," Germanovich said she resigned her post in Montevideo in March 2022 -- days after the invasion. "I had a very promising career. But I found it impossible to continue representing a government that is bombing my country of origin." Germanovich, who speaks seven languages, said she struggled to find other work after ending a 10-year diplomatic career and entered "a depression." Then, encouraged by a friend, she signed up for "Bake Off Uruguay," a televised competition with prizes worth 600,000 pesos (nearly $16,000). Story continues On July 12, she was proclaimed the victor from among 14 competitors. Her baking, she said, is largely inspired by traditional recipes from her Ukrainian maternal grandmother, who passed away during the competition. She will soon open a dessert kitchen at a friend's sushi restaurant, and hopes to one day have her own tea house. Germanovich, who is pregnant with her third child, said she was not scared to speak out, but had no plans to return to Russia "in the coming years." She does not want to risk the future of her two sons, especially the oldest, 16, by taking them to a country where military service is mandatory for all nationals from the age of 18. "I don't know what will happen if I travel to Russia," she said. "Some people tell me: 'It's no big deal, nothing will happen to you.' But I spoke out publicly against the war." ad/mlr/acb/mlm GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization warned on Friday that cases of dengue fever could reach close to record highs this year, partly due to global warming benefiting mosquitoes that spread it. Dengue rates are rising globally, with reported cases since 2000 up eight-fold to 4.2 million in 2022, WHO said. The disease was found in Sudan's capital Khartoum for the first time on record, according to a health ministry report in March, while Europe has reported a surge in cases and Peru declared a state of emergency in most regions. In Januray, WHO warned that dengue is the world's fastest-spreading tropical disease and represents a "pandemic threat". About half of the world's population is now at risk, Dr. Raman Velayudhan, a specialist at the WHO's control of neglected tropical diseases department, told journalists in Geneva on Friday. Reported cases to WHO hit an all-time high in 2019 with 5.2 million cases in 129 countries, said Velayudhan via a video link. This year the world is on track for "4 million plus" cases, depending mostly on the Asian monsoon season. Already, close to 3 million cases have been reported in the Americas, he said, adding there was concern about the southern spread to Bolivia, Paraguay and Peru. Argentina, which has faced one of its worst outbreaks of dengue in recent years, is sterilizing mosquitoes using radiation that alters their DNA before releasing them into the wild. "The American region certainly shows it is bad and we hope the Asian region may be able to control it," Velayudhan said. WHO says reported cases of the disease, which causes fever and muscle pain, represent just a fraction of the total number of global infections since most cases are asymptomatic. It is fatal in less than 1% of people. A warmer climate is thought to help the mosquitoes multiply faster and enable the virus to multiply within their bodies. Velayudhan cited the increased movement of goods and people and urbanisation and associated problems with sanitation as other factors behind the increase. Story continues Asked how the heatwave affecting the northern hemisphere would affect the spread of the disease, he said it was too soon to tell. Temperatures over 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) "should kill the mosquito more than breeding it, but the mosquito is a very clever insect and it can breed in water storage containers where the temperature doesn't rise that high." (Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Mike Harrison) A warrant obtained by Las Vegas police and filed Tuesday with the Clark County District Court showed the home of Duane Keith Davis, 60, was searched in connection with the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department conducted the search Monday in Henderson, Nevada, less than 20 miles from the Las Vegas Strip where Shakur, 25, was killed in a drive-by shooting in 1996. The items police took from Davis's home included a desktop computer, a laptop, 40 ink cartridges, a copy of the book "Compton Street Legends," a copy of a Vibe magazine issue on Tupac, two tubs of photographs and other documents, court records showed. The warrant, signed by Judge Jacqueline M. Bluth, had allowed for seizures of computers, electronic storage devices, typed or handwritten notes concerning media coverage of Tupac's murder and documentation of Davis's affiliation with the Southside Compton Crips, among other items. "LVMPD can confirm a search warrant was served in Henderson, Nevada, on July 17, 2023, as part of the ongoing Tupac Shakur homicide investigation," Las Vegas police said in a statement Monday. The investigation into Shakur's killing has been going on for nearly three decades. In 2019, Greg Kading, a retired Los Angeles police detective, alleged to CBS News Los Angeles that Shakur's murder had already been solved after Davis also known as Keffe D confessed to his involvement in the killing of Shakur while being questioned in connection with the murder of Biggie Smalls. -Gina Martinez contributed to reporting. Tony Bennett's legacy, influence on music Trump classified documents trial set to begin in May 2024 Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga in 2021 | 60 Minutes The curtain has now officially dropped on the Warren Old Town Theatre. The five-screen movie theater at 353 N. Mead in Old Town Square, which represented the latest in movie-going luxury when it opened in the summer of 2003, showed its final films on Thursday night. Now, local movie fans even those who hadnt seen a movie there in years amid talk of declining service under Regal Cinemas, which took over all of Bill Warrens local theaters six years ago are mourning the end of an era. Most of them, anyway. One particularly passionate Wichita movie fan has been getting attention this week for a change.org petition she launched asking a popular theater chain Alamo Drafthouse Cinema to take over the Old Town Warren. As of Friday morning, her petition had been signed by 2,276 people. Alamo Drafthouse operates luxury theatres in cities across the United States. Jennie Iseli, a lifelong movie fan and employee at Wichitas Trader Joes, launched the petition on Monday and in it lays out a thoughtful, researched argument for why Alamo Drafthouse an Austin-based company with 39 theaters across the United States is the right fit for Wichita. Among her bullet points are the chains superior viewing experience, food and beverage selection, unique programming and strict no-talking policy. The theaters typically offer a full menu of food items like fried appetizers, sandwiches and pizzas, a full bar and comfortable reclining chairs with big trays to hold snacks. They also often screen more than just first-run films. By signing this petition, you are expressing your desire for Alamo Drafthouse Theaters to bring their exceptional movie experience to Wichita by acquiring the Oldtown Warren theater, she wrote in the petition. Together, lets show Alamo Drafthouse that Wichita is ready for an upgrade in our cinema offerings! The Warren Old Town showed its last film on Thursday evening. The nearest Alamo Drafthouse theaters to Wichita is in Springfield, Missouri, but Iseli who has attended film festival screenings at Alamo Drafthouse theaters in Texas sees no reason why Wichita cant have one as well. Springfield, she notes, has 1/3 the population of Wichita and is able to support the chain. Plus, she said, her employer Trader Joes opened in Wichita after a Facebook page begging for the company to consider Wichita gained more than 4,000 followers, several of whom petitioned the store to come. Story continues It may not have been related. But it may have. I just really hope we can keep the momentum going, Iseli said. If we can keep it up at the rate were going, we can ideally get to 10,000 signatures, and I think that would get their attention and make them realize were serious, we want this and we support this. No one with Alamo Drafthouse Cinema returned requests for comment this week. A representative for the theaters landlord a company that is based in Kansas City, Missouri, declined comment. But Iseli and the petitions supporters are undaunted. Among the comments left on the petition under reasons for signing were: The Old Town Warren was designed with Alamo in mind. While they never quite nailed it, Bill Warren got close. But once Regal Cinema took over, it all went to hell. Please, Alamo, come make our film experience dreams come true! I love going to movies but in recent years the experience has gotten worse and worse by people simply not respecting the rest of the audience. Talking and cell phone usage is out of control and I LOVE Alamo Drafthouses policy when it comes to these types of issues! The Old Town Warren could be such a great theater and movie-going experience. I would love to see this happen. Though Alamo Drafthouse is Iselis first choice, she said shed be happy if someone else with a vision took the Warren over. The popular Austin-based movie theater chain Alamo Drafthouse Cinema operates theaters all over the United States. Alamo Drafthouse is a big focus of my petition, she said. But Id also support someone locally making it a small, independent theater thats locally run. As long as they care about the film community and the building and maintaining its integrity and legacy, I welcome that as well. To view Iselis petition, visit change.org and search for Bring Alamo Drafthouse Theaters to Wichita Fox News commentator Sean Hannity tapes Hannity, at Fox News Studios on March 16, 2023, in New York. | Evan Agostini, Invision via Associated Press Fox News Modern-day slavery Last night on Sean Hannitys segment, Hannity spoke to Fox News contributors Sara Carter and Tom Homan on the horrors of human smuggling. Carter videoed live from Houston, Texas, to explain the reality of trafficking's prevalence in the U.S. Over 150,000 children just last year, unaccompanied minors, came into America. Over 60% of those have probably been sold into prostitution or the drug trade and sex slavery ... there is money and power behind it, and its horrifying, she said. Hannity asked if it was a fair statement to say that in this day in age, child sex slavery is actively happening in the United States, and whether the numbers are massive. Homan, who was a former acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Trump administration, said it is true by saying that although hes put a lot of traffickers in prison in his career, he's upset he wasnt able to lock them all up. Homan said the president and secretary of Homeland Security are at fault for opening up the border and overwhelming the Border Patrol because when a Border Patrol (agent) gets pulled off the line to process these people, thats when the trafficking happens. I made a promise to President Trump. He comes back, I come back, we fix this crap, and the traffickers better run because were coming for them. 2025 were taking it back, Homan said. CNN Get him! U.S. soldier ran into North Korea While taking a tour of the joint security area in South Korea, where government officials of North and South Korea meet to have discussions, Pvt. Travis King ran across border lines into North Korea in what witnesses thought was a TikTok stunt. The 23-year-old is a private in the U.S. Army who had been serving for two years and had been known to have disciplinary problems. Related Story continues CNNs Erin Burnett spoke to correspondent Will Ripley, who was near the Korean Demilitarized Zone where the incident occurred. Ripley said, It is believed that he sprinted across and was able to jump into a van with North Korean guards who drove him away, but his location right now is still unknown. Retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling told Burnett this is going to be a problem for the U.S. government. Its going to cause problems for the State Department because we don't have a status of forces agreement with North Korea. ... Theres no negotiation when a soldier does something wrong to get him back and punish him under the uniform code of military justice. They have him. MSNBC Kennedy privilege There are many ways to be privileged in America, but there is nothing quite like Kennedy privilege, Lawrence ODonnell said in his segment The Last Word. ODonnell accused Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of taking advantage of the political power his name offers as he testified before the House committee Thursday on a hearing over censorship. ODonnell said it took Kennedy less than a minute into speaking for him to bring up his famous father and uncle. In the hearing, the Democratic candidate said, Censorship is antithetical to our party. It was appalling to my father, to my uncle, to FDR. Although the hearing was about censorship, ODonnell made the claim that it wasnt, since no one could come up with any examples of government censorship. Robert Kennedy Jr. knows nothing about censorship. He went on to say, Robert Kennedy Jr. is now as much a public liar as Donald Trump, and some of his lies have a truly Trumpian echo to them. He added that both Trump and Kennedy make the claims that they are better than everyone else. Ukraine is depending on Soviet-era weapons in the battle for Bakhmut (Genya SAVILOV) It took three tries for the group of Ukrainian soldiers to fire a huge shell from a Soviet-era howitzer at a Russian position in Bakhmut. The firing mechanism kept jamming and a brief shouting match broke out over what was going wrong. The third try propelled the shell from the cannon-like gun -- as old as some of the soldiers' fathers -- in a fireball over the horizon. A small cheer went up when a voice on a walkie-talkie reported some tense moments later that the Russian target had been hit. "Of course you want something newer, more modern, so that you can go in and out quickly," said the unit commander, who uses the callsign "Bes" (Devil). "It doesn't quite work that way with our machines," the 38-year-old said. Speed is of the essence in the artillery duel Russia and Ukraine are waging in Europe's biggest land battles since World War II. A fired artillery gun exposes a unit's position and is often followed by volleys from the other side. But some of the equipment Ukraine is using dates back to the 1970s and is both unwieldy and liable to break down. "In our part of the front, Western support has made no impact," said one of the unit's soldiers, Valeriy. "We are still using old Soviet-produced weapons, and the missiles are also old," the 48-year-old former dockworker said. - Critical supplies - Seventeen months of unrelenting battles have turned the continued supply of equipment and munitions into one of the most critical factors of the entire war. The United States this month decided to send Ukraine highly controversial cluster munitions to make up for the West's shortage of other shells. Ukraine's problems are compounded by its transition from Soviet systems to those used by NATO. A NATO shell will not fit in a Soviet-era gun. And soldiers say same-calibre shells supplied by allies in eastern Europe are incompatible with some Ukrainian systems. All these problems make Ukraine's ability to still start edging forward again around Bakhmut a proud moment for soldier Alex. Story continues "We hit about 80 percent of our targets," the 27-year-old unit gunner said. "Maybe not on the first try, but usually by the third." - 'They have gone quiet' - Ukraine is assigning its most modern and powerful Western weapons to specific sectors of the front in search of an elusive breakthrough. Where those guns go is a tightly guarded secret -- although Ukraine's desire to cut Russia's southern link to Moscow-annexed Crimea is not. Bakhmut has more emotional than strategic importance for both soldiers and country. Ukraine's year-long defence of the little city had echoes of some of the most storied battles of World War II. It began trying to recapture Bakhmut's ruins immediately after the city's ultimate fall in May. The artillery unit commander sounded cautiously optimistic about Ukraine's chances on his patch of front. "It feels like we have started to do better now, and they have gone more quiet," Bes said of the Russians. "But as for finishing by the end of the summer, I cannot say." - 'We will keep going' - The unspoken fear among Kyiv's supporters is that this summer poses Ukraine's last good chance to break the Russians' will to fight. Whether the West -- and particularly Washington -- has the political capital to keep helping Ukraine thereafter is an open question. The pressure would seem to be on Ukraine's spirited but exhausted fighters to perform in the coming weeks. Volodymyr would quietly disagree. The 33-year-old was celebrating his third successive birthday at a frontline position. His first military birthday came while Ukraine was still fighting a lower-scale war Russia fomented in 2014. The soft-spoken soldier recalled how Ukraine repelled a Russian assault on Kyiv in the first weeks of the Kremlin's invasion. Western military aid then was almost non-existent and many Ukrainians were fighting with whatever they had on hand. "If they stop giving us weapons and missiles, I think that we will still keep going until the end," Volodymyr said while cleaning his rifle. "Just as it was at the very start." zak/bur/lcm/fg This week, shocking footage captured a powerful explosion that sent a line of minibusses airborne and people fleeing for their lives on the streets of Johannesburg. Wednesday evening during rush hour in South Africa's largest metropolis, a bizarre underground detonation killed one man and injured 48 others. The closed-circuit footage depicted the event. Massive Mystery Blast in South Africa Kills 1, Injures Dozens The jarring vibration also ripped a gaping crater in the road, causing a section of pavement to collapse beneath the ground. An individual with his back to the street was observed scurrying away as a hefty white bus came close to crushing him. Another individual, however, was not so fortunate; his body was discovered by firefighters pinned beneath a vehicle during a search of the area following the detonation. Twelve victims were hospitalized across the city on Thursday, while 36 others had been released, according to officials. According to NY Post, the cause of the explosion is currently undetermined. The company that supplied gas to that section of the city stated that it did not believe its subterranean pipelines were behind it, contrary to what authorities initially believed. Officials from the municipality stated that they had brought in specialists to determine whether or not another detonation or gas release was imminent. Premier of the Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg, Panyaza Lesufi stated, "We are still seeking for the source." Some residents of the area were compelled to evacuate due to the possibility of a second detonation or because they resided in a multi-story building that could collapse. On Thursday, some were permitted to return to their homes or enterprises. Read Also: Minnesota Man Who Beheaded His Girlfriend in Front of Witnesses in 2021, Acquitted Officials Issue Warning to Avoid Johannesburg Explosion Area According to authorities, approximately five city blocks, six highways, and 34 vehicles were damaged. A number of the vehicles were overturned on their sides. Some passengers were seated in the minibus vehicles, waiting to go home, when the detonation threw them into the air, according to eyewitness accounts. One individual told eNCA that he was seated in his car when he heard a "loud noise." Per Daily Mail, Central Business District security CCTV footage from a nearby building captures the instant explosion occurred, cracking the asphalt and sending minibusses and taxis flying. Officials have issued a warning to the public to avoid the area due to safety concerns. The footage depicts pedestrians fleeing desperately on sidewalks after the explosion. As a consequence of the explosion, it appeared that most vehicles were rendered immobile, although one van was seen attempting to reverse up the street. Some people were stranded in their vehicles and required rescue. The footage depicts a large fissure running down the center of the road and a gaping crater caused by the detonation. The spokesperson for Johannesburg Emergency Services (EMS), Robert Mulaudzi, stated that at least eleven persons were injured in the detonation. Due to the possibility of further explosions, a disaster management team has cordoned off a one-kilometer area. Buildings are also being evaluated for structural damage caused by the explosion. Related Article: Mississippi Teen Dies at Poultry Processing Plant While Operating Equipment @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. House Democrats are blasting Republicans this week with charges of hypocrisy for lionizing a pair of IRS whistleblowers while fighting to defund the agency at large over allegations of corruption and bias against conservatives. The Democrats say Republicans have undermined the legitimacy of their own star witnesses through months of attacks on the agency they represent, diminishing the publics trust in the IRS and the agents who make it run. Its a very cherry-picked situation, said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). It is hypocritical to call on these folk while also stripping the resources they need to do their job. Republicans have rejected those criticisms out of hand, arguing that their distrust in the IRS as well as efforts to slash the agencys funding is entirely compatible with their faith in individual agents to expose the types of mismanagement driving their suspicions. Dont you have two guys that are doing the right thing, and theyre telling us that there are a lot of people within their agency not doing the right thing? said Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.). Thats perfectly consistent. If youve got honest agents you can rely on, theyre going to tell us about the dishonest folks. The animated back-and-forth is just the latest clash between the parties over the size, scope and culture of the nations federal tax-collection agency. The IRS has become a lightning rod of partisan controversy over the last decade amid Republican charges that it targets them disproportionately. The two whistleblowers both veteran agency officials appeared before the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday and delivered significant allegations surrounding a years-long tax investigation into Hunter Biden, the presidents son. Gary Shapley, a special agent in the IRSs criminal division, and Joseph Ziegler, who led the agencys probe into Hunter Biden, both testified that theyd uncovered a long list of infractions committed by the younger Biden but hit a wall of resistance in the Justice Department (DOJ) when they sought to pursue criminal charges against him. Story continues Last month, the presidents son reached a deal with the DOJ, pleading guilty to two misdemeanor tax offenses lesser charges than the IRS investigators felt were warranted. As the special agent on this case, I thought the felony charges were well-supported, Ziegler said. Republicans wasted no time leaning on the testimony as evidence of a broader executive conspiracy spanning agencies and administrations to protect the presidents family from an embarrassing legal saga. Here we have the Biden Inc. family being treated different than the entire country, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters Wednesday, citing the testimony of the IRS agents. Yet, for the better part of the year, Republicans have put the IRS near the top of their list of deep state agencies they want to defund, charging the federal tax-collection agency with rampant incompetence, mismanagement and political favoritism toward Democrats. The attacks have led to a deep distrust in the agency among Republicans and its sparked questions from Democrats this week why GOP leaders suddenly have confidence in the integrity of the two agents who testified. I started by saying that we will be treated to the spectacle of the Republicans, for the first time, celebrating these IRS agents from the deep state against a gun-toting taxpayer, said Rep. Jamie Raskin (Md.), senior Democrat on the Oversight panel. Their general policy is not to have meaningful tax enforcement in the country unless its somehow to the political advantage of the GOP. The issue has been front and center since the very start of the year. The first bill House Republicans passed in the majority this Congress was legislation to rescind the bulk of an IRS funding boost roughly $80 billion championed by President Biden and the Democrats last year, following through on a key campaign promise. The money is largely aimed at eliminating IRS backlogs, streamlining the agencys technology and increasing high-income enforcement. Republicans had argued, however, that the funding would go toward the hiring of more than 80,000 new enforcement agents who would target middle-class taxpayers a group much unlike Shapley and Ziegler, GOP lawmakers said. It wasnt going to hire guys like this; it was going to hire 80,000 agents, or whatever it was, to go after American people, Biggs said. Raskin cited the Republicans IRS cuts in his opening remarks Wednesday, juxtaposing Republican attacks on the agency with the conferences efforts to reduce its funding. This money will enable the IRS to make long overdue improvements in customer service but will also enable the agency to restore lost capabilities in enforcement to identify and prosecute tax cheats, he said, referring to the funding boost. But the very first thing House Republicans did this Congress was vote to rescind that funding while disparaging these future IRS employees who will do the same kind of work todays witnesses do, Raskin continued. Republicans, however, are brushing aside that split screen, arguing the two circumstances are mutually exclusive. I dont think theyre competing at all, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) said Thursday. I dont think that those individuals that gave testimony are indicative of, like, you know, every person who works at the IRS, he later added. And I dont think theres any tension between saying we dont want to hire 87,000 new IRS agents, but we have IRS agents, and if any of those people have seen malign conduct on the part of the government, we want to hear from them. Gaetz noted that the GOP has consistently railed against the DOJ, particularly the FBI, as being politicized against conservatives, but a congressional panel nonetheless heard testimony from FBI agents in May a set of circumstances similar to those surrounding this weeks IRS hearing. Were also very critical of the excesses of the surveillance state at the FBI, and yet we still championed the testimony of the FBI whistleblowers, Gaetz said. Ocasio-Cortez agreed that the whistleblowers deserve the publics praise but also accused Republicans of using them as political pawns to attack political adversaries. They are stripping these exact investigators of the resources they need to do these exact investigations, but meanwhile, on the other hand, when they find one case that they think that they can use and bring public, theyre going to do that, she said. I do think its inconsistent, but it kind of falls in line with their general political tactics. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A South Korean post is seen at Imjingak Park near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Paju, Gyeonggi-do Province, South Korea, on Thursday. An active U.S. service member has willfully crossed the inter-Korean border into North Korea without authorization. Photo by Jeon Heon-Kyun/EPA-EFE July 20 (UPI) -- The White House has reached out to North Korea to bring home the U.S. soldier who was seen bolting across the military demarcation line Tuesday, as details began to emerge about the possible defector. Olivia Dalton, the principal deputy press secretary, said during a press gaggle onboard Air Force One that White House officials remain in close contact with Defense Department, State Department and the United Nations -- as well as officials in Sweden and South Korea. "I can tell you: This morning, we've now reached out through multiple channels to the [Korean People's Army] to try to ascertain that information and get to -- get closer to an answer," she said. "We're still looking for more information about what has exactly occurred here at the moment." Dalton added that the goal of the United States is to find him and get him home as quickly as possible. The U.S. Army has confirmed that 23-year-old Travis T. King joined the military in January 2021 and went on to become a cavalry scout assigned to First Brigade Combat Team, First Armored Division. He held the rank of private second class. King had been held in South Korea on assault charges and was released on July 10, the CBC reported. Legal documents obtained by NBC News show he caused hundreds of dollars in damage to a police car and shouted profanities about Koreans and the Korean army. He was being sent home Monday to Fort Bliss in Texas, where he likely would have been discharged from service and faced additional military disciplinary actions. He had been dropped off at the airport and escorted as far as customs but ultimately left the airport instead of getting on his plane home. Christine Wormuth, the U.S. Secretary of the Army, said Wednesday while speaking at the Aspen Security Forum that she is not sure whether she would consider King as having gone AWOL or is a deserter. "He was going to come back to the United States and face the consequences in the Army," she said. "I'm sure that he was grappling with that. We obviously don't know exactly what was in his mind." Wormuth added, "I worry about how they may treat him, so want to get him back." Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-Mich.) Tuesday signed a $24.3 billion education budget for fiscal 2024 that her office is hailing as historic. The new budget ensures all public school students get two free meals a day, places more priority on mental health resources and takes the first steps towards providing free pre-K for Michigan students, among other changes, according to a press release from the governors office shared with The Hill. The budget also designates $13.3 million for a 50% increase in funding for English language learners at the pre-K education level and $10 million for community colleges and public universities for critical incident mapping to help with campus safety. The budget also dedicates $611 million to increasing per-pupil funding, an additional $458 per student, for a total of $9,608 per pupil. The budget marks the highest state per-student investment in Michigan history, Whitmers office said. Every Michigan child deserves a chance to pursue their potential and build a bright future. This historic education budget will make that possible, Whitmer said in the release. This budget puts students first and supports parents by expanding access to free pre-K, providing free breakfast and lunch to all public school students, and improving higher education, she added. Whitmer previously said her focus during her gubernatorial term is to better her state, shooting down a possible 2024 presidential bid. I feel really lucky to be the governor of Michigan. I have lived here my whole life. And this is where my focus is for the next four years, she previously told CNNs State of the Union host Dana Bash in 2022. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Press vest wrapped around a rifle Getty Images Mexico is reeling from a pair of shocking journalist deaths. The director of a local news site in Acapulco Nelson Matus was shot to death in his car in what was reportedly the third assassination attempt against him. Matus' death came just one week after the body of Luis Martin Sanchez, a reporter for Mexican national newspaper La Jornada, was discovered near the city of Tepic. But Mexico is hardly alone in the epidemic of violence against journalists. Across the world, 67 journalists, writers and reporters were killed in 2022, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). This represents the "highest number [of journalist deaths] since 2018 and an almost 50% increase from 2021," CPJ reported. And that violence has only continued in 2023, as CPJ has tracked 14 journalists who have been killed so far this year. Violence against journalists isn't new, as front-line reporting has always been a risky profession. Even in the United States, "violent acts against the media are as old as our nation," The Conversation reported. But what has led to the continued spate of violent, and often deadly, assaults against journalists in recent years? Where are journalists mostly being killed? Many journalist deaths in 2022 were due to the breakout of war in Ukraine, and this has continued in 2023. Producer Bohdan Bitik and AFP video journalist Arman Soldin were killed during Ukrainian-Russian crossfire, with Bitik "shot and killed on April 26" and Soldin "killed in a rocket attack on May 9," according to CPJ. This is a continuation of the staggering 15 reporters killed in Ukraine last year, and "journalists covering the war in Ukraine 'face enormous risk,'" CPJ said, per The Associated Press. Half of the journalist deaths in 2022 occurred in just three countries, CPJ reported: Ukraine, Mexico and Haiti. However, this year has seen a larger rise in journalist deaths on one specific continent: Africa. Much of this violence is concentrated in the west-central African nation of Cameroon, which is "one of the most oppressive countries on the continent," The Guardian reported. Two reporters, broadcaster Martinez Zogo and radio presenter Jean-Jacques Ola Bebe, were killed this year, CPJ reported. A common motto for reporters in Cameroon has become "you can kill a journalist but you cannot kill the story," per The Guardian. But this is not the only African country where violence is being seen, as CPJ has also reported journalist deaths in Rwanda and Lesotho. Story continues Latin America and the Caribbean have also been a hotbed of journalistic violence, with CPJ reporting 30 deaths in this region in 2022 more than in Ukraine. Deaths in these countries have continued this year, with CPJ reporting journalists killed in Colombia and Paraguay, along with the two deaths in Mexico. What has led to this rise in violence? While the violence in Ukraine is an obvious factor, a rise in "global political instability" is leading to violence against journalists who are not in war zones, CPJ President Jodie Ginsburg told PBS. Ginsburg noted that the high level of deaths in Latin America has come even though the region is "officially not in any conflict." In Mexico, for example, "we see journalists killed for covering corruption, particularly in local politics," Ginsburg said, noting that "local journalists are incredibly vulnerable. They often don't have the protections afforded to them by working for a big national media outlet." In Haiti, where journalists are often targeted, there has "effectively [been] a complete collapse of any authority," Ginsburg said. "People are covering gang warfare, but it's all part of a bigger pattern of increased lawlessness in the region." The most dangerous time to be a journalist is "often not when an autocratic government is in full control," journalist Katherine Corcoran told The New York Times, "but when democracy begins to take hold and the power centers shift." Even the dichotomy of covering conflicts has changed, "as even war reporters were once protected by the symbiotic relationship they had with those they covered," The New Republic reported in 2018. Combatants had to talk to journalists to communicate with the outside world, so "killing journalists, quite simply, undermined their ability to get their message out." However, "that dynamic changed with the advent of the internet," allowing for the continued carnage against journalists to go largely unchecked. You may also like Florida construction and agricultural workforces diminished after new immigration law takes effect Judge limits how Biden officials can communicate with social media companies How solar and wind energy are saving Texans from a record heatwave Illustration of skull rolling down a slope Illustrated / Getty Images Rising murder rates have been a central issue in American politics in recent years. That could be changing. The New York Times reported that a new survey of 30 U.S. cities shows a "nearly 10% drop in homicides" so far this year. Violent crime is still higher than it was before the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, but crime experts are cautiously optimistic. "I would call the result heartening," said Richard Rosenfeld of the University of Missouri-St. Louis. But he added that "we have a ways to go." Of the 30 cities analyzed, CNN reported, 20 saw a decline in murders, and 10 saw an increase. There were also fewer gun assaults, but more vehicle thefts, than during the same period in 2022. Overall, the study's authors concluded that "levels of nearly all offenses are lower or have changed little" from a year ago. The latest report confirms other recent findings that the pandemic-era spike in homicides is beginning to ebb. "Factors like an easing of the pandemic and political upheaval may play important roles," The Christian Science Monitor reported. And it comes "amid a broader evolution of policing" following the George Floyd protests in 2020. "It's really about putting officers in positions where we don't force them to be adversaries," said Georgia State University's Thaddeus Johnson. Why are murder rates declining? And is that trend sustainable? What are the commentators saying? "Explaining the trend is much more difficult than describing it," Jeff Asher wrote at The Atlantic. The pandemic-era surge in murders was a national trend, and the apparent decrease this year seems to be widespread as well, which "suggests that national explanations will be more convincing than local anecdotes." Some cities used Covid relief money to hire more police officers, and the end of the pandemic emergency may have contributed to a sense of normalcy. But it's too soon to celebrate. The downward trend may "ultimately prove to be a one-year anomaly." Some experts were skeptical that Covid had much to do with the murder spike, German Lopez wrote for The New York Times. After all, "other countries saw no large increases in murder rates" during the pandemic. Perhaps, but it's also true that America is flooded with guns compared to peer nations, putting Americans at "greater risk for violence when much of society is upended." However, experts are warning that it's not clear exactly why the number of murders is falling. "The lack of certainty is typical in discussions about crime." Republican politicians have blamed "defund the police" legal reforms and progressive prosecutors for the crime spike. Michael P. Jacobson and Sana Khan wrote for Governing that their analysis suggests "criminal legal reforms did not lead to violence in the wake of Covid-19." Lawmakers should focus on long-term trends instead of short-term increases or decreases in crime and "instead of dwelling on anecdotal stories and fear, policymakers should move toward fact-based solutions." What's next? Murders are down overall, but mass killings are up. "This year's unrelenting bloodshed across the U.S. has led to the grimmest of milestones the deadliest six months of mass killings recorded since at least 2006," The Guardian reported. By the end of June, there had been 28 mass shootings with 140 victims in the United States. "We used to say there were two to three dozen a year," said Northeastern University's James Alan Fox. "The fact that there's 28 in half a year is a staggering statistic." Of the 28 mass killings an event where four or more people are killed 27 involved firearms. There's one other problem: Murders may be declining, but the unsolved murder rate is at a "record high," NPR reported. Less than half of U.S. homicides were "cleared" by investigators in 2020 a number that has been dropping for decades. In some big cities, the solve rate dips under 40%. (Germany, meanwhile, solves more than 90% of its murders.) That may be creating a terrible feedback loop. Some witnesses don't believe investigators can solve crimes, so they won't help police solve crimes. "It is undermining whatever trust there is in the police," said one expert. "And it's a vicious circle." You may also like Florida construction and agricultural workforces diminished after new immigration law takes effect Judge limits how Biden officials can communicate with social media companies How solar and wind energy are saving Texans from a record heatwave Robert J Oppenheimer Nuclear Fear American physicist Robert Oppenheimer (far left) points to a picture of the atomic bomb explosion over Nagasaki, Japan. Credit - Hulton Archive/Getty Images Robert J. Oppenheimers shadow has stretched well into the 21st century. We are still living in the nuclear age he helped create in 1945, and still confronted with the same moral and political dilemmas he wrestled with about how to manage the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction. Christopher Nolans new film about Oppenheimers life and legacy offers a new chance to reinvigorate public debate about the nuclear threat. Oppenheimer was horrified by the terrible power of the technology he had helped create. His story should sound as a wake-up call to global leaders and citizens alike who continue to exhibit alarming complacency and fatalism about the existential risk of nuclear annihilation. Read More: A Multifaceted Look at the Man Behind the Atomic Bomb Russias war on Ukraine has heightened this risk, and in the short-term rendered much more difficult the prospect of meaningful U.S.-Russian dialogue on arms reduction, as had been hoped for in the summit between Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin in Geneva in June 2021. The absence of U.S.-Russian dialogue makes it all the more imperative that Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping put reducing nuclear risks at the top of their agenda whenever they next meet. Progress here could help ease Sino-U.S. mistrust and improve wider geopolitical stability. But when the nuclear threat is greater than at any time since the height of the Cold War, all leaders in all states bear responsibility. As a young woman, I marched alongside hundreds of thousands of protesters against the Bomb. Now a grandmother, I am appalled that my grandchildren still face the same specter of nuclear war, and I ask myself: Where are todays marchers? The silence is intolerable. The hands of the Doomsday Clock stand at 90 seconds to midnight. The erosion of the taboo against using nuclear weapons (including from Putins open threats to do so), the near total breakdown of the remaining nuclear arms control architecture between Russia and the U.S., and the emergence of potentially destabilizing new technologies (including Artificial Intelligence), have raised the risk level to frightening heights. Story continues Chinas apparent decision to significantly expand its arsenal, political instability in Pakistan, North Koreas defiance of the U.N. Security Council, and instability in the Middle East add further dangerous pressures. The record of close calls over the last 80 years suggests that it has been more through luck than great statesmanship that we have avoided catastrophe. The only guarantee against the use of nuclear weapons is their complete abolition. Yet the worlds nuclear powers continue to expand and modernize their arsenals as well as reaffirm the role of nuclear weapons within their security planning. Read More: Fighting for a Future Free of Nuclear Weapons The U.S. and Russia bear particular responsibility for this. They possess around 90% of the worlds nuclear weapons and have taken dangerous steps to undermine nuclear arms control over the past two decades. But other nuclear states, including China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and the U.K., are also expanding their capabilities. In this context, total nuclear disarmament is not realistic in the near future. The immediate focus should therefore be on getting buy-in from nuclear states on reducing the threat of nuclear catastrophe. The first steps are to establish a new U.S.-China risk reduction dialogue, and restart U.S.-Russia nuclear dialogue. The Elders, the NGO that I currently lead, have proposed a nuclear minimization agenda that we believe could provide a helpful framework for making progress. It will be very difficult to tackle the nuclear threat unless there is sustained international pressure on the governments of nuclear states. This requires greater public engagement and grassroots activism to challenge the questionable assumptions that underpin the thinking of the nuclear establishment. I hope the release of a major motion picture about the origins of the nuclear bomb will spur a wider debate about the issue. While there is good reason to be alarmed about the current dangers, we must not drift into despair. History shows us that progress can be made to reduce nuclear risks through international cooperation, as Oppenheimer hoped. The number of nuclear weapons has declined from around 65,000 in the mid-1980s to around 12,500 today, thanks to the landmark Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons penned 50 years ago. With global leadership and dialogue, further progress is still possible. In Oppenheimers farewell address to the Association of Las Alamos scientists in November 1945, he told them that atomic weapons are a peril which affects everyone in the world I think that in order to handle this common problem there must be a complete sense of community responsibility. These prescient words remain relevant. They must drive our collective efforts to contain nuclear risks, if we are to prevent the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from being repeated at a scale beyond even what Oppenheimer could have feared. Mandel Ngan/Getty Images Last Saturday, in what was widely referred to as a gaffe, Congressional Progressive Caucus chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash) referred to Israel as a racist state. She was responding to pro-Palestinian protesters disrupting a Netroots Nation panel and trying to reassure them that she shared their concerns about Israels many violations of the human, civil, and democratic rights of its Palestinian population. Jayapal was immediately rebuked by all of the top-ranking Democrats in the HouseDemocratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and Vice Chair Ted Lieu. On Sunday, she issued a groveling apology to those who had been hurt by her wordsbut by then it was too late. On Tuesday, the House voted by a crushing bipartisan majority of 412 to 9 for a resolution affirming Americas continuing alliance with Israel and declaring that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state. GOP Seizes on Pramila Jayapals Israel Misstep to Split Democrats That would be news to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and even Israeli human rights groups like BTselemall of which have used the word apartheid to describe Israels treatment of the Palestinians. Things have gotten so bad in recent decades that more than a third of American Jews under the age of 40 tell pollsters they agree with the statement, Israel is an apartheid state. None of that matters to either Republicans or centrist Democrats. Outside of the Houses tiny Squad of Bernie Sanders-aligned leftists, Democratic support for the resolution was all but unanimous. It was a depressing outcome for anyone who might have held out hope that the taboo against recognition of the Palestinian plight had been lifted in mainstream American politics. On this subject, for all Republican and most Democratic lawmakers, 2023 might as well be 1967. The Merriam-Webster definition of a gaffe is a social or diplomatic blunder or a noticeable mistake. But almost forty years ago the political journalist Michael Kinsley offered a definition that captures cases like the Jayapal Incident perfectly. A gaffe, Kinsley wrote in the June 18, 1984, edition of the New Republic, is when a politician tells the truth. Story continues Jayapal might not have said that Israel is a racist state if not for her politicians instinct to talk down protesters by presenting herself as being on their side. But what serious argument can be made that Israel isnt an exclusionary ethnostate? Several hundred thousand Palestinians were driven out of the country during Israels 1948 War of Independencea process that its hard to coherently describe without using terms like ethnic cleansing. The children and grandchildren of those 1948 refugees are still denied the right to return to Israel while American Jews are free to immigrate to Israel and become full citizens under the countrys Law of Return. Most Palestinians who lived within Israels post-1948 borders were given Israeli citizenship, although these citizensunlike Israeli Jewswere kept under martial law from 1949 to 1966. During the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel seized control of the West Bank and Gaza. Palestinians who live in these territories have never been granted citizenship. A Palestinian child on the West Bank born the day after that war ended would be a senior citizen todayexcept that they wouldnt actually be a citizen of the country in which theyve lived their entire life. In 1993, Bill Clinton became the first American president to implicitly recognize the legitimacy of at least some Palestinian complaints by hosting Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat at the White House to sign the Oslo Peace Accords. Those accords were supposed to start a process that would lead to the creation of an independent Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. That never happened and the current Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has explicitly stated many times over the course of the last several years that there will never be an independent Palestinian state. And of course he doesnt want to destroy the Jewish character of Israel by giving citizenship to Palestinians on the West Bank. The planofficially, according to the prime ministeris for these people to continue to be subject to military rather than civilian law, continue to be denied the right to vote in Israeli elections, and never get a state of their own. What else could you call that but apartheid? Some supporters of the congressional resolution emphasized that Palestinians who live within Israels pre-1967 borders have voting rights, and that there are Palestinian citizens of Israel who serve in the countrys parliamentthe Knesset. But I seriously doubt that you could find one of these Palestinian Knesset members who would be willing to affirm that Israel is anything but an apartheid state. In fact, the Nation-State Law he championed in 2018, which was upheld by the countrys high court in 2021, lays out with no ifs, ands, or buts that the right of national self-determination in Israel is unique to the Jewish people. Netanyahu himself explained what meant in 2019. Israel is not a state of all its citizens, the prime minister wrote. According to the basic nationality law we passed, Israel is the nation state of the Jewish peopleand only it. Again: What else could you call that but apartheid? Imagine an American or Canadian politician saying that the U.S. or Canada should be a state of only white Christians rather than all of its citizens. Even Donald Trump would call that politician a fascist. But for every Republican and nearly every non-Squad Democrat in the House, these realities dont exist. The decades-long bad joke of a peace process and its absolute, official abandonment by the Israeli government might as well not have happened. Four hundred and twelve of the 421 members of Congress who voted on the resolution essentially jammed their fingers in their collective ears and said, La la la la! Im not listening! Seven of the nine no votes were provided by Squad membersAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), and Summer Lee (D-PA). An eighth came from ideologically adjacent Delia Ramirez (D-IL) and the final vote came from Andre Carson (D-IN)perhaps not coincidentally, one of only three Muslimsalong with Tlaib and Omarcurrently serving in the House. The full enormity of the Houses rejection of Palestinian humanity is underscored by the fact that the dissent wasnt even unanimous within the SquadGreg Casar (D-TX) was conspicuously missing from this very short list. And of course Jayapal herself, who started it all, joined almost all of the rest of her colleaguestoo spineless even to vote against a resolution implicitly rebuking her. The Oslo Accords were signed on the White House lawn in September 1993almost exactly thirty years ago. Netanyahu started openly saying that there would never under any circumstances be an independent Palestinian state and Palestinians would just have to resign themselves to live and die as non-citizen Israeli subjects eight years ago. One after another of the human rights organizations that are treated as authoritative within American discourse when they condemn abuses by countries like Russia and China have lined up in recent years to call Israel an apartheid state. Somehow, though, the stance on Israel of nearly all Democrats, never mind Republicans, is frozen in amber like the fly in Jurassic Park. Israels system of ethnoreligious apartheid, like all systems of oppression, will fall sooner or later. But both of Americas parties seem hell-bent on delaying justice for as long as possible. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has yet to say how hell approach his partys Supreme Court ethics legislation a historic bid to check the high court after reports of ethically questionable behavior among its justices. But lawmakers in his Senate Democratic caucus are eager to put their Republican colleagues on the record with a floor vote. Washington is betting that the proposal wont go further than the Judiciary Committee, which cleared it along party lines Thursday. Any action beyond that would be a waste of time, the thinking goes, since its all but guaranteed to be filibustered and would be dead on arrival in the GOP-controlled House. But in interviews with your Huddle host, a dozen of Schumers Democrats challenged that conventional wisdom. They said theyre itching to force Republicans to reject the ethics measure and pay the political price of that vote. Schumer sounds interested in pressing the matter, too. The American people deserve to have all members of the judiciary accountable to some kind of ethical standards, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said in an interview. And anybody who disagrees with that proposition should be held accountable themselves. POLITICO reported earlier this week that Democrats are betting that a Senate focus on Supreme Court ethics will help them remind voters of its recent flurry of conservative rulings, even after the justices term is over for the year. It doesnt hurt that the highest-profile reports about potential ethical liabilities at the court touch on two conservative justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas. Democrats also think the added national visibility that accompanies a floor vote might pressure the Supreme Court into setting its own stricter rules as confidence in the institution hits historic lows. I would hope that we would bring it to the floor, because I think it [makes] it more likely that the Supreme Court might act, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said. Story continues If this Dem strategy sounds familiar, it should. Schumer pushed doomed floor votes last year on issues like voting rights and abortion access despite near-unanimous GOP opposition. The leader vowed again on Thursday to work with bill sponsors to make progress on this legislation. But any hope of getting 60 votes in the Senate would have to start with moderate Republicans like Sen. Lisa Murkowski, and shes unimpressed with the committee-passed SCOTUS ethics push. That measure would require the court to adopt and publish a code of conduct within 180 days, establish a process for investigating alleged violations and beef up disclosure rules for gifts and travel. Murkowski (R-Alaska), a perennial swing vote in her chamber, said she had real concerns that the ethics legislation is way too prescriptive and violates the Constitutions separation of powers. She and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) have their own, less stringent bipartisan bill requiring the court to establish an ethics code. But Murkowskis still frustrated with the courts handling of the swirl of ethics concerns, which does not make them look good, she told Huddle. They could have responded differently and this matter would have been put to bed a long time ago. So, thats their failure. Republicans other than Murkowski have been even more skeptical, bashing the legislation as unnecessary, a separation-of-powers violation and an act of retaliation against the 6-3 conservative-led court following a series of decisions that outraged Democrats. Some people who have COVID-19 may be asymptomatic because of different genetics, according to a new study published this week in the journal Nature and co-authored by a UNC Charlotte professor. Danillo Augusto at UNC Charlotte worked with others at the University of California San Francisco and La Trobe University in Australia. They relied on data from 29,947 people who were unvaccinated and screened using a mobile application designed to track COVID-19 symptoms. Of the total, 1,428 reported a positive test for the virus. They all had their DNA sequenced to analyze their genes. COVID-19 is known to produce symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, fatigue and body aches. But researchers found a specific genetic variation is responsible for some people avoiding any ill effects. The study focused on a group of genes that determine whether cells are infected or healthy human leukocyte antigens and more specifically focused on a gene known as HLA-B*15:01. People who didnt show symptoms carry a type of white blood cells with memories of pre-pandemic viruses and could distinguish COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2. According to the study, an ability for the cells to find SARS-Cov-2 with memories from earlier viruses allowed them to kill it quickly. What you should know In an interview Thursday with The Charlotte Observer, Augusto said there arent any specific ways to predict who carries the different genes and that its common. The researchers found that 10% of European Americans have the gene, but they didnt offer a percentage for other ethnicities. Those genes are highly diverse, and very normal among people. They are highly variable among populations. Its not something rare that one or two individuals have, Augusto said. But Augusto said the information found in the study he co-authored could be valuable in developing more specific vaccines. He said the study proved how difficult it was to collect data from people in person during the pandemic and the importance of innovations in technology. Story continues I think this was kind of an example showing how can we can use like mobile application and technology in general to actually perform health-related studies, Augusto said. Unlike other studies looking at the HLA gene, Augusto said this one was novel because it focused on something other than the disease caused by the coronavirus. What is distinguished about this study is that we focus on asymptomatic infection rather than severe disease, Augusto said. Howd they find people? Researchers started by sending emails to people who had donated blood several years before the pandemic and already volunteered genetic information. After that, they started tracking symptoms of the volunteers for seven months with a mobile application, Augusto said. That was a challenge. We knew that because were targeting individuals it will be very difficult to collect samples because individuals that dont have symptoms, dont seek medical attention. We knew that itd be very difficult to get some blood, for example, to get DNA, Augusto said. Whats next? Augusto said the group of researchers wants to continue their work by finding out more about the immune cells and different effects on COVID-19. One thing that we want to know further is to understand if this genetic variant has the same effect in other ancestry. I think we would like to learn how the features of the T cells and other immune cells make people that have the variant, more protected against symptoms, Augusto said. After awarding Wichita developers Dave Burk and Dave Wells millions of dollars in economic incentives in the past two decades, the city of Wichita is now suing them, alleging broken promises to repay a $2.5 million loan to redevelop the Ken-Mar shopping center. Burk, best-known for his redevelopment of Old Town, and Wells, president of Key Construction, have been partners on dozens of projects in downtown Wichita and are two of the most prolific campaign donors in city politics. The two developers owe the city more than $1.8 million for a loan it gave them in 2011 to redevelop the Ken-Mar shopping center on the northwest corner of 13th and Oliver, according to the lawsuit. From 2013 to October 24, 2019, Burk and Wells repaid the city $717,000. After that, the payments by Burk and Wells stopped. They were expected to continue paying until 2029. The City Council continued to approve additional economic development incentives for Burk and Wells, including for projects near Riverfront Stadium and Riverside neighborhood. The development company that received the loan is now insolvent. But the city says Burk and Wells personally are on the hook for verbal promises they made to city staff about repayment. Burk and Wells did not respond to questions seeking an explanation. The citys spokesperson declined to comment. In its lawsuit, the city said the two developers made payments through 2019 to stay in the citys good graces while applying for incentive packages for at least seven other projects between 2011 and 2021. They stopped paying because they had already secured the desired benefits for their other projects with the city, the lawsuit says. Mayor Brandon Whipple, who was elected in November 2019, said he was unaware of the missed payments until after the council had voted on additional incentives for the developers. The city has not extended additional incentives to the developers since they told the city they would not pay in 2022. Story continues Additional incentives The City Council approved a massive development agreement with Riverfront Partners LLC and its affiliate Townstreet Partners LLC, two entities which Burk and Wells had ownership interests in at the time, on Jan. 7, 2020. That was former Mayor Jeff Longwells last council meeting and the last one before Whipple was sworn in to office. Under that agreement, the city bought land west of Riverfront Stadium which the developers had started piecing together before the city announced it would build a new stadium for $3 million. It would also provide the developers the potential for tens of millions of dollars in public subsidies, based on performance of the estimated $100 million private redevelopment of the Metropolitan Baptist Church property. That project, announced in 2019, has not yet started, and state business filings show Burk and Wells no longer hold ownership stakes in Riverfront Partners. George Laham is the only developer with a ownership interest as of 2022. The City Council including Whipple voted unanimously in 2021 to approve a development agreement with Burk and his business partner Jerry Jones for the River Trail Village housing development near Sim Golf Course. That deal included $1.7 million in incentives for infrastructure improvements and upgrades to paths, lighting, parking and a trailhead near the development. I absolutely was not told of this situation prior to the TIF development vote, Whipple said. I would have pushed for a policy requiring developers to be up to date with all payments before the city would engage in any new projects if I was told. Whipple said he led the charge to ultimately bring the lawsuit and that he plans to push for more safeguards in development agreements in the future. On my watch, we will hold those who get incentives from the city accountable to the promises they made the taxpayers, Whipple said. Redeveloping Ken-mar In 2009, the city established a tax increment financing, or TIF, district on the northwest corner of 13th and Oliver that would allow the city to pay down $2.5 million in bonds it issued to pay H.H. Holding, LLC, a company owned by Burk and Wells, for the Ken-Mar project. The city gave Burk and Wells through H.H. Holding $827,100 to buy the shopping center. Wichita provided another $1.7 million for site improvements. The Ken-Mar redevelopment project did not see the kind of overhaul that developers and the city said would come with the TIF funding. After the city helped Burk and Wells buy the strip mall and paid to upgrade it, the two developers began selling off the property and keeping the proceeds, according to the lawsuit. Burk and Wells sold part of the property to Walmart in 2011 for $2,415,500. The next year, they sold the rest of the property for $1.3 million. None of those proceeds went back to the city, the lawsuit says. In total, Burk and Wells repaid less than the city gave them to buy the property in 2009. When the 2020 payment came due, they stopped paying. The city sent an invoice in August 2020 but apparently did not hear back from Burk until February 2022. Burk told city economic development analyst Mark Elder that he was no longer involved and that all invoices should be directed to Wells. The city heard back from Wells on March 8, 2022, after the developers had missed more than $400,000 in payments. He said the payments were no longer financially feasible. We hope the City can acknowledge and appreciate the extent we have supported this original effort, but feel it is time to have the City take over the responsibility for the shortfall, Wells wrote. Ken-mar shortfall Burk and Wells repaid the city more than $700,000 between 2013 and 2019. Including interest, total repayments were projected to be more than $3 million. Some of the money was supposed to be reimbursed to the city through TIF bonds, which divert new property taxes collected in a district to pay off the bonds the city issued to pay Burk and Wells. Any shortfall between the new taxes collected and the repayment schedule for the bonds would be paid for by H.H. Holding, Burk and Wells, according to the citys lawsuit. The city issued bonds to pay Burk and Wells but never issued TIF bonds, as the sale to WalMart made it clear new development would not increase property values enough to cover the TIF bond payments, the lawsuit says. Instead, the city provided Burk and Wells a $2.5 million direct loan and labeled it a TIF Loan with 3% interest that would require H.H. Holding to make semi-annual payments equal to the difference between actual TIF revenue received and the TIF Loan amounts specified in an agreement between the city and the developers. At the time the Amendment was being considered, defendants Burk and Wells made oral representations to the City that defendants would cause the Tax Increment Shortfall, or TIF Loan, payments to be made in the amounts needed to support the scheduled amortization of the TIF Loan through 2029. The repayment schedule shows repayments totaling more than $3 million increasing from $160,600 in 2013 to $236,900 by 2029. According to the repayment schedule, Burk and Wells owe $188,700 for 2020, $194,650 for 2021, $200,300 in 2022 and $200,650 for 2023. We were asked by Mayor Carl Brewer to join the city on a Public Private partnership to help eliminate a food desert in the 13th/Oliver area, Wells wrote in his 2022 email to the city. After much effort, we convinced Walmart to build a Neighborhood Market grocery store. Unfortunately, the neighborhood didnt adequately support it and eventually the store closed due to poor financial performance. The Walmart at 13th and Oliver shuttered operations in 2016, and across the street, a QuikTrip that had been there 25 years also permanently closed that year. The Walmart is now an American Freight Furniture-Mattress store. The only major new development on the site is a Churchs Chicken, which opened in 2018. (Photo : Win McNamee/Getty Images) Texas health authorities are struggling to address the rising number of cases of syphilis in the state due to the limited supply of penicillin drugs. Texas authorities are struggling to address the recent syphilis outbreak in the state due to the "limited supply" of penicillin drugs that could be used to treat the bacterial infection. The rise of syphilis cases in the United States has prompted growing concern over the availability of Bicillin, which is an injectable penicillin. It is used to treat sexually transmitted bacterial infections in both adults and kids. Syphilis Outbreak in Texas Authorities from the city of Houston officially declared on July 13 a syphilis outbreak, citing a 128% increase in the number of cases found among women and a rise of nine times in the number of congenital syphilis cases in Houston and Harris County. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last month announced that it was expecting a "limited supply and impending stock out situation" for select Bicillin medications. The situation comes as cases of syphilis have continuously risen for the past few years. All stages of the bacterial infection, which is spread through sexual contact or from a mother to her unborn child, have risen by 74% since 2017. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that there have been more than 176,000 reported cases in 2021, according to Fox News. Health officials also noted that the number of cases of congenital syphilis, which is when the infection is passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy, has risen by 32%. The situation resulted in 220 stillbirths and infant deaths. Authorities also noted that certain regions of the United States have experienced an even more significant spike in the number of syphilis cases being reported. In Texas, the state's Department of Health and Human Services reported that congenital syphilis cases have jumped by 650% since 2016. In a statement, James Hodges, M.D., who is an internist in Waco, Texas, and has been in practice for more than two decades, said that two prisons in Texas have reported a surge in positive syphilis cases among their women's intake units. Read Also: White House Lays Out Plan to Combat Xylazine, But Stops Short of New Restrictions Recommending Testing for the Infection The deputy director of the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies at the Rutgers School of Public Health, Kristen Krause, Ph.D., said that there has been a consistent drop in the amount of funding for sexual health services and programs in the last couple of decades, according to Yahoo Life. She attributed the rise in the number of syphilis cases to fewer people being aware of the bacterial infection and those who are being tested for it, including women. The outbreak comes as syphilis is not the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. The chief of the Health Department's Communicable Disease and Public Health Nursing Division in Hawai'i, Dr. Diana Felton, urges all sexually active people who have risk factors for STIs to get regularly tested for syphilis and other infections. She noted that for women who are pregnant, they are recommending syphilis screening three times, the first as early as possible during the first trimester, the second at 28 to 32 weeks of gestation, and the third at the time of delivery of the baby, said Big Island Now. Related Article: New RSV Drug Approved for Babies and Toddlers Ahead of Cold Season @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The wife of the New York architect charged with killing three women whose remains were found on a Long Island beach more than a decade ago filed for divorce Wednesday, July 19, her lawyer said. Attorney Robert Macedonio said a summons and a complaint had been filed on behalf of Asa Ellerup in Suffolk County Supreme Court. He declined to comment further. Authorities have said Ellerup was out of state at the time of the killings and isnt considered a suspect. Rex Heuermann, 59, was charged Friday with three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Megan Waterman, 22; and Amber Lynn Costello 27. The women were believed to be sex workers who advertised online, police have said. Their remains were discovered in December 2010 in Gilgo Beach on Long Islands South Shore. Heuermann, of Massapequa Park, is also suspected in the disappearance and death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, whose remains were also found near Gilgo Beach. That investigation continues, according to a bail application. The remains of the four women, known as the Gilgo Four, were discovered during the search for another missing woman, Shannan Gilbert, 23, who was reportedly last seen running through the nearby gated community of Oak Beach after having left a clients home, according to a police timeline. Michael J. Brown, an attorney for Heuermann, told reporters that his client has denied any involvement in the killings and that the allegations are extremely circumstantial in nature. Brown described Heuermann, who pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail, as clearly distraught over the allegations. This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com. This article was originally published on TODAY.com The woman at the center of a Brooklyn love triangle died Thursday afternoon after her jealous ex-lover shot her in the head during a confrontation in which the gunman also wounded his romantic rival, police said. Jasmine Figueroa, 38, died at Kings County Hospital at 5:30 p.m., almost 14 hours after the pre-dawn shooting on Greene Ave. near Marcus Garvey Blvd. in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The shooter, a 50-year-old man described by a relative as the father of Figueroas four daughters, killed himself with a gunshot to the head on the stoop of his own home. It was his birthday. Moments before he mortally wounded Figueroa and a 44-year-old man, who is recovering at Kings County from wounds to his abdomen and leg. It was a love triangle and it got the best of him, said relative, nephew Tymel Walker, 35. They were childhood friends and then they fell for the same woman. She was going back and forth, from one to the other. A neighbor, who was rousted out of bed by the arguing, said that she saw the whole tragedy unfold as the victims were getting into a black SUV. I woke up hearing her screams and two gunshots, said the 27-year-old woman, who asked not to be named. A tall man was arguing with a younger woman. The witness said the gunman shot the younger man in his GMC Yukon, with Figueroa then trying to bargain for her life as he demanded the keys to the vehicle. She began screaming again, she was trying to reason with him, the witness said. She said, You already got him. He was very cold. He said, I dont care. Give me the keys. He took two steps back and he shot her. He shot her once in the leg and then he shot her again, witness added. She doubled over and grabbed her thigh. She went down. She said that there was a pause in the shooting and she thought that the violence had stopped. I thought it was over. Then he shot her in the head. He was unmoved. It was callous, the witness said. He walked away. He wasnt running away. He walked across the street, and thats when he took his own life. Story continues Walker, a tow truck driver, said that his uncle was a construction worker who was considered a big brother to many men on the block. He worked for me, he was very dependable, very trustworthy, the nephew said. I just wish that I could have been there for him in these darkest times. What my uncle did was definitely wrong, but his situation speaks for itself. I hope people learn from it. I know I will. The gunman shares four daughters with the woman he shot, Walker said. He loved them very much. He was a good father, according to the nephew. Were broken. This is the first suicide in our family. The 74-year-old woman who died in the Benton County jail had been arrested after a fight with a family member over the possibility of having to move to a senior living facility. Jail staff said Mary Ann Blasutti of Richland died in her sleep from what jail staff believe to be natural causes. Shed been in the jail in Kennewick for a few hours after her arrest on a misdemeanor count of fourth-degree assault, according to jail records. Under Washington law, officers are required to make an arrest when responding to a domestic violence situation if there is probable cause of an assault. Blasutti was found unresponsive in a holding cell during a routine check about 3:30 a.m. Jail employees and paramedics attempted life saving measures, but she could not be revived. The arrest records have Blasuttis age listed as 77, but jail records show she was 74. Richland arrest The Richland police officers who made the arrest said they were separating Blasutti from two family members who she had allegedly hit multiple times after being taken to look at an apartment, according to the arrest documents. She was arrested just before 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Blasutti told police she had been living in a Richland home with relatives for much of the past six years since her husband died. She was upset because she felt like they were forcing her to move. Its unclear what kind of facility they looked at, as the niece told police it was an apartment, but Blasutti called it a nursing home. Her niece told police that after she and her sister took Blasutti to look at the apartment, Blasutti struck her in the face with a stack of papers during the drive back. Afterward the niece went into the backyard of the home to water plants and separate herself from Blasutti. Later, Blasutti allegedly continued the argument, slapping the niece again, said the police report. Her niece sprayed her with the hose to get her to back off, but Blasutti continued trying to hit her. Another niece who tried to intervene also was hit on the arm, said the report. Story continues Blasutti was cut on her arm, likely from the hose, sometime during the struggle, according to the report. She went into the house, but returned and continued the argument, slapping one of the nieces in the face. After this, they separated themselves from Blasutti again and called police. One niece told officers she had undergone several back surgeries and was concerned for her safety. She requested a no contact order. Both women had redness on their faces from the slaps, police said. Blasutti was sitting on a bench in front of the house crying when officers arrived, according to their statements. Officers say Blasutti told them that she did have a temper and could get aggressive. Officers said Blasutti told them she hit her niece. She said she was upset because she felt like her family didnt care about her well being and had set her up to put her in a nursing home. Blasutti also appears to have been having financial difficulties, filing for bankruptcy in April. She listed very little in the way of assets except for some jewelry valued at $95 and a walker, according to court documents. The officers determined they had probable cause to arrest Blasutti on two counts of simple assault. She was crying and verbally objecting to being arrested, but did not fight the officers. Blasutti told officers she was on antidepressants, but had taken them that day. She did not report any other medical conditions at the time of her arrest, according to the statements. Jail staff also said Blasutti was examined while being booked in and did not report any medical conditions at that time either. The Benton County Coroners Office plans an autopsy on Tuesday. Testimony in the trial of Kristina Hoffpauir, accused in the August 2019 death of 81-year-old Sherwood Doyle, began Thursday. Sherwood Doyle's granddaughter recounted how she stumbled over his body on Aug. 6, 2019, after Kristina Nichole Hoffpauir tried to keep her and other family members out of the Plainview-area home where Hoffpauir had been staying with the 81-year-old man. Jessica Runge was the last of four Doyle family members who testified Thursday morning in the first-degree murder trial of Hoffpauir, who has pleaded insanity. She had been called after two of her elderly aunts couldn't get into the house, she said. Runge and her aunts Sue Leonard, Eunice Reeves and Glen Odom testified that the family was close. They saw or spoke to Doyle every day or every other day. When nobody had heard from Doyle in a few days, and he didn't answer his phone, his sisters began to call each other and go to his rural home. Reeves testified that she went to her brother's house and got no response when she knocked. She saw yellow jackets nesting on the porch, something she said her brother would have taken care of immediately, and noticed a smell. "Like something dead," she said. "Such a bad smell." Under questioning by Rapides Parish Assistant District Attorney Lea Hall, Reeves said she spoke to Hoffpauir, who was inside the home. She told her several times that Doyle wasn't home and that he had told her not to let the family inside. Odom also testified about the smell and Hoffpauir's insistence that Doyle wasn't home. She said she didn't believe Hoffpauir, so Runge was called. Runge testified that she and Hoffpauir were "pretty much friends," although Doyle's sisters testified they didn't know her and didn't approve of her association with their brother. Runge said her grandfather would buy Hoffpauir whatever she needed or asked for, and she sometimes would stay with him at his home. She said her grandfather often helped other women with money or a place to stay. "I loved her to death," said Runge. "She was special to paw-paw, so she was special to me." Story continues Doyle's sisters weren't as accepting of Hoffpauir, they testified. They said they didn't know Hoffpauir, but didn't like the relationship Doyle had with her. Doyle had been dead for days when Runge found him, and Hoffpauir had been living inside the home. Runge testified she saw open drinks and Hoffpauir's drawing supplies all around the room where her grandfather's body was found. Runge testified she knew of a window she could get through, but Hoffpauir pushed it shut when she began to open it. Hoffpauir told her again her grandfather was gone, but Runge said she knew Hoffpauir was lying. Robert Owens Jr.: Human remains found in woods outside Alexandria believed to be missing New Jersey man Alabama case: New details from Hoover police appear to cast doubt on story in Carlee Russell case She asked about the smell, and Hoffpauir told her she'd killed a raccoon and put it in a freezer. Runge then went to the front door, which Hoffpauir opened slightly. Hoffpauir put her leg in the space and held the door closed, she said. Runge said she might have threatened Hoffpauir and eventually pushed her way through. The two struggled slightly, and then Runge began walking through the dark house. While in one room, she tripped and fell. "I fell right on his chest," she cried. "But when I did, it didn't register that it was him." She ran back outside to get a flashlight, then ran back to the room. "There was my paw-paw," she cried. During his opening statement, before testimony began, Hall told jurors that Hoffpauir had beaten Doyle on his head with a pot, cinched a belt around his neck and then stabbed him in the chest with a screwdriver. As he spoke, members of Doyle's family cried, and someone whispered, "Oh my God." Runge testified his body was on a mattress by the window she had tried to get in and that Hoffpauir had to have been kneeling on his body or the mattress when they spoke. She said she ran out of the house, screaming at Hoffpauir that she'd killed her grandfather. Hoffpauir was on the front porch of the home, but gradually moved into the yard. Body camera video from Cpl. Nicholas Bradford, the first deputy on the scene, showed Hoffpauir sitting on the ground while Runge and Owens yelled at her. Owens told Bradford she had a hammer, and Hoffpauir yelled at her not to hit her in the head with it again. Hoffpauir told Bradford she'd just woken up inside the house with Doyle's body "and a bunch of bitches screaming at me." She also said she'd been waking up periodically for a week at the house with someone stabbing her in her head. She also began speaking with an accent, perhaps a British one. Bradford took her into custody and placed her in his patrol unit, then called for detectives. Sheriff's Detective Phillip Migacz testified about photos he took inside the house. One of the photos showed a dryer that was pulled away from a wall. The mattress where Doyle was found was behind the dryer. On top of the dryer were pots and pans, some with blood on them. Migacz tried to testify about the blood and different places it was found around the room, but Hoffpauir's defense attorney Chad Guillot kept objecting to Migacz calling it blood. Guillot said Migacz wasn't an expert witness, so the detective testified that what he'd photographed appeared to be suspected blood. When Guillot cross examined him, he asked if Migacz knew who the blood belonged to, and the detective said no. The last witness to testify Thursday was Dr. Jessica Boudreaux, a board-certified general psychiatrist and board-certified forensic psychiatrist. She interviewed Hoffpauir twice at the direction of 9th Judicial District Court Judge Greg Beard when he appointed a sanity commission in her case. She said Hoffpauir made multiple claims about being diagnosed with mental conditions and that she had been hospitalized at times. Boudreaux testified she could not find any underlying psychotic disorders in Hoffpauir. She also said she asked for, but never received, documentation that would verify Hoffpauir's hospitalization claims. Hoffpauir did have a history of substance abuse, she testified. Hall asked her if Hoffpauir's use of meth could cause problems that might mimic a mental-health disorder. Boudreaux said yes and said continued use could cause sleep deprivation, hallucinations and other problems. She testified that she found "some inconsistencies" in Hoffpauir's account of Doyle's death and in her behavior. Hall asked Boudreaux about Hoffpauir's foreign accent, or foreign accent syndrome. Boudreaux said, while "really rare," the condition typically is the result of a neurological problem, not a mental one. She said Hoffpauir meets a lot of criteria for having post-traumatic stress disorder, but she didn't diagnose her with it because much of the trauma she claimed to suffer couldn't be documented and because Hoffpauir was eager to talk about her trauma. Boudreax testified that was unusual. The doctor, when asked by Hall, read from one of her reports that ruled Hoffpauir knew the difference between right and wrong at the time of Doyle's death. She said Hoffpauir took steps to conceal the crime and distance herself from it. Testimony will continue on Friday morning. This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Testimony begins in 1st-degree murder trial of Kristina Hoffpauir Some statistics suggest that the glass ceiling and barriers to diverse professionals advancement may be weakening. Much has been made of the fact that women today run 10.4% of Fortune 500 businesses. And at 52 female chief executives in total, its an encouraging 18% rise from this time last year. But despite the growing national conversation about equality, women in business still struggle to advance beyond a certain point within their careers. Equally insidious is the glass cliff phenomenon, whereby women have been put in high profile positions that are for lack of a better word, an impossible task or a poison chalice. Great expectations The best research on the topic is still by Michelle Ryan and Alexander Haslam, of the University of Exeter which shows that there is a quantifiable tendency for women to be hired to elevated positions in times of crisis and uncertainty, only to be unfairly penalized when they fail. When expectations are not fully met, often a company feels justified in going back to a status quo leadership by putting a man back in charge. The board/management can then feel satisfied that though they tried to promote equity, it just didnt work out this time. Researchers Alison Cook and Christy Glass at Utah State University followed up with a report examining Fortune 500 companies over a 15-year period. They reported similar findings: White women and men and women of color are likelier than white men to be promoted to CEO of weakly performing firms. And an even tougher pill to swallow comes from a study by Columbia Business School which found that women are seen as the right choice to clean up a mess, but not to lead when times are good. The system, to put it bluntly, is rigged. The glass cliff is a harsh and unfortunate reality, but it doesnt have to stay that way. Nor does it mean you should turn down opportunities solely because a company is struggling. The key to preventing yourself from falling off that cliff is to approach it with an equal dose of caution and optimism and a strong plan in hand. And heres how Story continues 1. Set up expectations beforehand One of the ways companies get away with Glass Cliff behavior is because expectations for women executives are set at an unrealistic level. By coming up with feasible metrics that symbolize success it will be more difficult for anyone to point to the idea that replacement is necessary. 2. Ask questions about the companys culture Speak with previous leaders about their experiences. Find out what type of support structures are in place. Knowing that there are designated mentors who can help you navigate tough decisions shows that the company wants you to succeed and will provide the resources to help you do so. 3. Outline a long-term solution Part of the issue with a Glass Cliff is that it usually has to do with relatively immediate results. With a long-term plan in place, there is less recourse for those who want to oust a woman executive just because the situation seems dire in the short term. 4. Negotiate to handle risk If the company is in a precarious situation, make sure the position is made to be worth your while. Women are four times less likely to negotiate their salary than men. Also be certain to research comparable salary and benefits for a position that fits the situation. 5. Make connections from day one Seek out partners who can not only advise you on difficult decisions but who will also vouch for your leadership abilities when theyre called into question. Having a network of people who can offer you constructive criticism and who know your worth will help you strive forward even when it seems that the glass cliff is looming ever closer. And perhaps most importantly, theres no shame in walking away if the risk is too great. If you are a diverse candidate with leadership aspirations, youll most certainly be offered more than one glass cliff opportunity over the course of your career. Dont avoid them they could potentially be excitingbut dont allow yourself to unwittingly walk into a no-win situation, either. Heres the bottom line: the onus of scaling the glass cliff isnt on women. Regardless of how women CEOs perform, companies need to make leadership equality central to their values and ethos. For a committed dedication to employee experience, look no further than progressive organizations on the The Hill Jobs Board like Ensco who are currently recruiting a number of exciting roles including a Senior Acquisition Support Specialist. ENSCO is a family owned company for the last 53 years, and has been recognized for its outstanding culture with several awards including the U.S. Department of Labor Hire Vets 2021 Gold Award, Diversity Jobs Top Employer in 2022, and Top Workplaces 2022. Flying the flag for equitable workplaces is KPMG. The company has an appointed chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer, Elena Richards, to lead the firms national Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) team and work closely with the management team and board of directors to advance KPMGs Accelerate 2025 initiative, which aims to drive meaningful change within the organization. It is now hiring for a number of roles including a Manager to join its business tax services practice. Take a look also at the great possibilities at Options Clearing Corporation, the worlds largest equity derivatives clearing organization. OCCs people-centered culture starts with providing a highly collaborative and supportive environment designed to encourage work-life balance and employee wellness, Current open positions in Chicago include Associate Principal, Model Risk Management, Analysis and Associate Principal, Regulatory Compliance. For more career opportunities and to find a role in a company with a supportive work environment, visit The Hill Jobs Board today For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A worker on the 14th floor at the former AT&T building in downtown Kansas City fell to his death Tuesday, according to Manny Abarca, executive director of the Fair Contracting Alliance, an organization that advocates for construction workers. Abarca said the man appeared to be an undocumented worker from Nicaragua. The man was working for a temp agency, Abarca added. He was working on the 14th floor when he fell to the bottom of an elevator shaft, Abarca said. Officer Alayna Gonzalez, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City Police Department, said officers responded just before 1:30 a.m. and found the man unresponsive. A preliminary investigation indicates his death was accidental. The Kansas City Fire Department responded for the recovery operation, KCFD Assistant Chief James Walker said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation, according to Rhonda Burke, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Labor. The case is open with three companies: Temp agency Infinity Resources Enterprises, which was performing asbestos abatement work under contract with New Horizons LLC, as well as the buildings owner, The Bernstein Companies. The employer alerted OSHA of the fatality within the required eight hours, Burke said. The federal agency has six months to conduct its investigation. The former office building is being converted into new apartments, The Star reported in December 2021. The redevelopment project was expected to create about 265 units at a projected cost of more than $91 million. There were 108 workplace fatalities last year in the state, according to the Missouri Department of Labor. FALL RIVER A Somerset woman is suing Chipotle, alleging that workers at the fast-food chains Fall River location refused to serve her because of her food allergy. In a lawsuit, Kristen Russell is claiming Chipotle workers discriminated against her and caused emotional distress, the Fall River Reporter first reported. Attorney Laurel J. Francoeur filed a lawsuit on Russells behalf in Fall River Superior Court this past May against Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. The case has since been moved to U.S. District Court. Day in court: Broadcaster, former basketball star Mike Herren sues city for wrongful arrest in 2020 This file photo shows the curbside pickup lane Chipotle Mexican Grill in Fall River. What does the defendant say happened in the Fall River Chipotle incident? In the suit, Russell gives her description of a 2022 visit to the Chipotle location on Newton Street in Fall River. There, she informed a staff member that she has an allergy to gluten. Having visited the restaurant multiple times before, she knew there were things on the menu she could eat safely despite her gluten allergy, the lawsuit reads. According to Chipotles website, the only foods on their menu that include gluten are flour tortillas. Immediately, the staff member told her that there was nothing on the menu that (Russell) could have Instead of following their allergy procedures, the staff member continued arguing with the Plaintiff, she suit reads in part. The manager refused to instigate the allergy protocol and insisted that there was nothing safe on the menu. The manager then proceeded to tell the Plaintiff to leave the restaurant and refused to serve her. A customer service coordinator for the company later offered Russell a buy-one-get-one free credit. The company has not committed to taking other steps to avoid similar situations in the future, like retraining workers on allergy procedures, the suit says. Bristol County's top 100 salaries: Correctional officers pulled in major overtime in 2022 The effects of a gluten allergy In the suit, Russell claims eating gluten could cause serious health problems for her including but not limited to abdominal pain and cramping, diarrhea, hives, vomiting, nausea, difficulty breathing and possibly death. Story continues She is suing for discrimination in a place of public accommodation, as her allergy is considered a disability, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The actions of Defendants staff were intentional, malicious, willful, wanton, and callous, the lawsuit reads. Russell is seeking $500,000 along with punitive damages and attorney fees. Chipotles media office did not return a request for comment. This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Somerset woman says Fall River Chipotle discriminated against her By Olena Harmash KYIV (Reuters) -The World Bank's private investment arm is considering $1.5 billion in investments in Ukraine's banking, agribusiness and infrastructure sectors, a senior official with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) said on Friday. Alfonso Garcia Mora, IFC's Regional Vice President for Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, hailed the resilience of Ukraine's private sector during the war, and said the lender had provided nearly $400 million in support since the start of Russia's invasion nearly 17 months ago. The funds supported foreign trade and key agribusiness and IT sectors. Garcia Mora said the IT sector could be a "revolution in this country", helping to drive Ukraine's recovery and build back a more innovative and diversified economy. The IFC will keep its focus on the agribusiness sector, plans to support the banking sector and is eying more long-term projects in infrastructure, he said. "We have identified, we are working already on a pipeline of $1.5 billion ... of companies which we can invest in," Garcia Mora told Reuters in an interview as he visited Kyiv to mark the re-opening of the World Bank Group's office in the capital. "I would like to deliver this $1.5 billion in the next 12 to 18 months." Ukraine's economy has been severely hit by Russia's invasion, and shrank by about a third last year. While the government relies heavily on Western financial aid to be able to finance its budget and social spending, private companies struggle with affordable access to capital. Garcia Mora said the banks had enough liquidity but needed support to reduce risks. The IFC was working on risk-sharing products and also sought to provide working capital to smaller businesses via Ukrainian banks, he said. The lender announced on Friday that it was setting up a 20-million-euro ($22.24 million) risk-sharing facility for Ukrainian branches of OTP Bank and OTP Leasing. Story continues It also said that along with its partner fund Horizon Capital, IFC had invested $5 million in Miratech, IT services and consulting company. Reiterating the IFC's commitment to supporting Ukraine's private sector as the country plans for the post-war reconstruction, Garcia Mora said the biggest potential for private investors was in energy, transport and also agribusiness. The government and the World Bank estimated in a joint assessment in March that the cost of reconstruction and recovery in Ukraine had reached about $411 billion. Garcia Mora said that about $140 billion could come from private investors. ($1 = 0.8993 euros) (Reporting by Olena Harmash, Editing by Frances Kerry and Timothy Heritage) The Board of Public Utilities voted this week to increase electric and water base rates in Kansas City, Kansas, despite growing concerns from residents who say they already cant pay their bills. Directors of the electric utility company in Wyandotte County known as the BPU on Wednesday voted 4-2 to increase electric rates for its tens of thousands of customers by 2.5% this year and another 2.5% next year. Water rates will increase by 6%. The modifications were necessary to maintain the integrity of the utilitys electric and water transmission, distribution, and production systems, and to meet growth needs in the community over the next five years, the BPU said in a news release. Residents have spoken out against the proposed increases, including at a public meeting last month during which one community member accused BPU of bleeding its customers dry. Some anguished residents, including in low-income households in the Northeast region, say they have had to decide between paying their utility bills and buying food. The rate increases for water were the first for customers since 2013. Electric energy rates were last increased in 2018. BPU board member Jeff Bryant said while rate hearings are never pleasant, it would be unacceptable if the utility did not maintain its financial responsibilities. He added that BPU put a policy in place for vulnerable citizens to offset the increases. Residents and businesses in our city expect us to make the hard decisions that will keep our utilities flowing today, tomorrow and into the future, Bryant said at the meeting Wednesday. Before the vote, one resident told board members that her services were once cut off over her inability to pay the final penny of her bill. Another begged the board not to increase the rates, saying it could harm residents with disabilities. Research by the Sierra Club, an environmental advocacy organization, has shown residential customers in Kansas City, Kansas, had already been paying among the highest percentage of their income on utilities in the state. Story continues Bill Johnson, the BPUs general manager, has said residents and businesses are increasingly moving from the eastern side of KCK to the west, leaving the remaining customers to foot the bill as more financial strain befalls the publicly-owned utility. He also said BPU had cut its budget by $42 million and laid off about 10% of its staff since 2018 to stay afloat. The increases had to be implemented, BPU said, in part because it needs $180 million in improvements to maintain the integrity of its electric utility system and more than $135 million to keep the water system running well. Atenas Mena, co-executive director of CleanAirNow, an environmental justice organization in Wyandotte County, read a statement on behalf of a community member who could not make the Wednesday meeting. The resident, a mother of three in the 66104 ZIP code, had a major water leak last year around Christmas. She called to report what happened but couldnt get someone to speak to her in Spanish, her primary language. Once her English-speaking daughter got someone on the phone, BPU sent an employee out four days later and left a note at her door, saying the issue was hers to solve, Mena read. The family then paid a plumber $3,000 to fix the issue. Later, the woman could not pay her $2,000 BPU bill and cut off her electricity in the middle of winter. She has since gotten other charges that she does not understand. My experience let me know that something is not working well with the BPU, the womans statement went. And just as they demand that we pay, we demand that they provide better service. BPU board member David Haley, who voted against the rate increases, said he supports opening BPUs lobby to have in-person customer service with bilingual employees. It should be done to have that face to face, he said. The Scoop Tensions are flaring between House Republicans as lawmakers from New York have threatened to oppose a major upcoming tax bill unless it raises the current $10,000 cap on the State and Local Tax Deduction, a pricey proposition that many in the party oppose. Jason Smith, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, has warned the New Yorkers that if they dont relent, he will publicly accuse them of pushing a tax cut for the wealthy, per two House aides familiar with the situation. The SALT deduction, as its commonly called, is often criticized for mainly benefitting upper-income residents of high-tax blue states, though supporters argue it helps middle-class households as well. But Smiths hardball approach has created friction between him and Speaker Kevin McCarthy, whos more interested in assembling a tax package that has the votes to pass the House than waging a battle over policy, one of the aides said. For now, the SALT rebellion appears to be holding up the tax package which includes a number of key GOP business tax priorities with no obvious end in sight. SALT is the biggest issue for my constituents. Its an issue I ran on. Its an issue I talked about, Rep. Mike Lawler, who represents a district in New Yorks Hudson Valley, told Semafor. And so as far as Im concerned, any tax bill that would seek to extend any provisions that does not include a fix for salt does not have my vote, period. The delegation, though, is split on negotiating tactics. Sources familiar with the discussions said sophomore members have been more measured with committee leadership, while the freshmen have been more direct and confrontational. Theyre New Yorkers. They can be loud, said one of the staffers granted anonymity to speak freely. Rep. Nick LaLota of New York said the talks have been a slow grind and acknowledged that he and his fellow SALT holdouts may use some words that one wouldnt use in church during some of these meetings. Story continues A GOP Ways and Means spokesperson declined to comment. A spokesperson for McCarthy did not return a request to comment. Joseph and Kadias View Like ethanol subsidies in Iowa or the fight over whether to store nuclear waste in Nevadas Yucca Mountain, it seems the SALT cap is one of the last great regional policy obsessions capable of transcending party lines in American politics. Its bound to be a pain for both Democrats and Republicans in the near future, so long as their majorities depend on members from the New York suburbs. Republicans imposed the $10,000 cap in order to help pay for their 2017 tax bill, angering voters in high-tax New York and New Jersey. A small-but-potent bloc of Democrats from those states spent the first two years of President Bidens term demanding that the cap be lifted and at points threatened to imperil their partys expansive economic agenda if it wasnt, though they ultimately backed down. Today, Republicans owe their own slim majority in large part to their gains in New York, which has turned SALT into a sticking point for their conference. Dealing with SALT was a huge headache for us. We figured it out and ultimately were able to keep everyone together, a House Democratic aide told Semafor. When [Republicans] are casting about for who to blame, they can look in the mirror because all of these issues about SALT go back to the way that they wrote the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Even if Republicans do manage to put down the SALT rebellion for now, the issue is bound to crop up again, since Congress will have to renegotiate the tax code when many of the GOPs 2017 reforms sunset after 2025. Those talks will likely include a debate over whether to keep or ditch the SALT cap, which is one of the many provisions set to expire. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis told Semafor that if she and her fellow New York Republicans cant win SALT relief now, they should keep their eye on 2025. Well have the most leverage then, she said. Room for Disagreement Rep. George Santos, R- N.Y., who represents the fourth-wealthiest district in the country, said he disagrees with his New York colleagues that this is the right time to pick a fight over the SALT cap. Why take a bill, such as this one coming out of Ways and Means, that will give Americans $4,000 of tax relief and poison it with something that is too controversial? he told Semafor. Correction Due to an internal miscommunication, this story originally stated that two aides, rather than one, had said there were frictions between Smith and McCarthy. Independent federal investigators say federal officials must improve their ability to monitor costs and progress because cleaning up waste from the formerly top-secret Manhattan Project and subsequent Cold War-era nuclear research at Los Alamos National Laboratory has more than doubled in the last seven years. The Government Accountability Office stated in a report released on Wednesday that the US Energy Department needs to prioritize cleanup efforts at the New Mexico lab in a systematic manner, as reported by The Associated Press. 'Oppenheimer' Film Came at The Right Time (Photo : by Neil Jacobs/Getty Images) LOS ALAMOS, NM - AUGUST 12, 2002: Technical Area 18 of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, which houses several tons of highly enriched uranium and plutonium, and is located at the bottom of a canyon, is shown August 12, 2002 in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The topography has led critics to say the site is indefensible. The report was released at the same time federal authorities held a conference on Thursday in Los Alamos to discuss addressing hazardous waste created by decades of research that began with the creation of the atomic bomb in the 1940s and cleaning up polluted soil and groundwater. The "Oppenheimer" movie's premiere this week, according to Ike White, director of DOE's Office of Environmental Management, makes it an appropriate time to discuss the legacies of the advent of the atomic age. White addressed the crowd assembled at the storied Fuller Lodge in the center of Los Alamos, explaining that part of the environmental cleanup task necessitates a study of the past. After Social Security and Medicaid, he said that the country's multibillion-dollar cleanup program was the federal government's third-largest problem on its books. However, the GAO identified control gaps at Los Alamos' Office of Environmental Management. They claimed that the office could not monitor ongoing costs, the scope of work, or progress since a performance baseline for the cleanup contractor had yet to be finalized. According to environmental officials in New Mexico, the research confirms their long-held worries that cleanup is hampered by needless delays that endanger the environment and human health. Speaking on behalf of the New Mexico Environment Department, Matthew Maez emphasized the duty of the federal government to safeguard drinking water. Los Alamos environmental management officials said they anticipate finishing up the lab's remaining cleanup tasks by 2043 at a projected cost of around $7 billion. Read Also: Uranium Cubes That Are Suspected Component of Hitler's 1945 Nuclear Bomb Now Under Study Better Strategy For The Remaining Cleanup Michael Mikolanis, the director of the DOE's environmental management office in Los Alamos, announced on Thursday that his team is creating a long-term strategic vision for the remaining cleanup that will be based on priorities determined through numerous meetings with state regulators, the heads of surrounding Native American communities, and others. While White agreed with the GAO that it was critical to prioritize the job, he added that efficiency was not necessarily the most crucial aspect. According to Don Hancock of the nuclear monitoring group Southwest Research and Information Center in Albuquerque, the DOE published a roadmap in 2010 to eliminate the majority of transuranic waste-waste that comprises artificial elements heavier than uranium by the end of 2015. He questioned how much garbage was still left after the deadline and the DOE representatives at the event. In the fall, according to Mikolanis, his agency will release an interactive map with estimates of the waste at Los Alamos that is held above the ground and that still needs to be uncovered. Since the final volume of debris might vary depending on the extent of a project, White claimed that estimations for the cleanup job countrywide are difficult to establish. Building confidence with state regulators, developing a plan for cost and schedule increases, and considering potential hazards when making choices are just a few of the recommendations for the DOE in the GAO study. Related article: Human Chimeras Are Gestating In U.S. Labs Despite Funding Ban @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky fired his ambassador to the United Kingdom on Friday, after the ambassador criticized the presidents recent sarcasm in response to British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace suggesting Kyiv should be more grateful for Western support. Zelensky said in a presidential decree Friday that Vadym Prystaiko had been dismissed but did not provide a reason. Wallace told reporters at the annual NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, last week that Ukraine should not treat its western partners like Amazon, the popular online retailer. I told them that last June. I said to the Ukrainians, when I drove 11 hours to be given a list: Im not Amazon, Wallace said, adding, Whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude. Zelensky responded to Wallace, saying that his country has always been very grateful to the United Kingdom. I just dont know what he means, Zelensky added, according to CNN. How else should we thank him? Well, let him write to me and tell me how I need to thank people so that we can be fully grateful. We can also wake up in the morning and thank the minister personally. Prystaiko this week suggested that Zelensky was overly sarcastic in his response to Wallace, and risked exposing cracks that could help Moscow. I dont believe that this sarcasm is healthy, Prystaiko said in an interview with Sky News. We dont have to show the Russians that we have something between us. They have to know that we are working together. If anything happens, Ben can call me and tell me anything he wants. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his request. Source: Turkish President and Zelensky's Twitter account, cited by European Pravda Quote from Erdogans office: "The leaders discussed in detail the extension of the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement. Erdogan said Turkiye is making intensive efforts to establish peace." Details: Zelenskyy noted that during the conversation with Erdogan, they "coordinated efforts to resume the work of the Black Sea Grain Initiative" and discussed the implementation of the peace formula. The Ukrainian president also asked his Turkish counterpart to facilitate the return of Ukrainian prisoners, including Crimean Tatars. Background: On 17 July, Russia announced the suspension of the grain deal and threatened with "risks" to the parties that would decide to continue the initiative without Russia's participation. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he believed it was possible to continue the Black Sea Grain Initiative after his talks with Russian President Putin. At the same time, Ukraine appealed to Turkiye and the UN with a proposal to continue the functioning of the grain corridor without Russia. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree dismissing Vadym Prystaiko as ambassador to the UK, who described the president's words about being able to thank the UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace for military assistance every morning as "unhealthy sarcasm". Source: European Pravda, linking to a document on the Ukrainian presidents website Details: The decree dismisses Prystaiko from two offices: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organisation. Background: Prystaiko recently had to explain his comment to Sky News regarding President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's "unhealthy sarcasm" in response to the remarks of UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallce made a statement on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Vilnius, calling on Ukraine to express more gratitude to its partners for their military support instead of demanding new weapons. He pointed out that lawmakers, especially in the US, believe that more articulated gratitude from Ukraine would make it easier to decide on further aid allocations. In response to Wallace's words, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was very grateful to the United Kingdom and its people for their support. He added, "we can wake up every morning and personally thank the minister". Commenting on the discussion, Prystaiko called the remarks "unhealthy sarcasm". This statement was perceived by all observers, including the UK media, as a criticism of President Zelenskyy, and even after the embassy's objections, Sky News did not delete the tweet with its critical interpretation of the ambassador's words. Prystaiko then explained that he did not disassociate himself from the criticism but softened it, saying that "sarcasm is not necessary between friendly countries". For reference: On 20 October 2022, Prystaiko was the first foreign diplomat to present his Letters of Credence to the new UK King Charles III. Prystaiko was appointed ambassador to the UK by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's decree on 20 July 2020. Prior to that, Prystaiko was Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, and before that, he served as Ukraines Foreign Minister. In 2017-2019, he was Ukraine's Ambassador to NATO. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Zelenskyy meets with Erdogan during his visit to Turkey Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan held phone talks, discussing potential moves to preserve the Black Sea Grain Initiative despite Moscows withdrawal from the deal, Zelenskyys press service reported via Telegram on July 21. Read also: Biden to meet with Zelenskyy and Erdogan in Vilnius Zelenskyy also thanked Erdogan for a fruitful meeting in Istanbul on July 7 and Turkey's principled position on Ukraine's NATO membership. "We have coordinated efforts to restore the work of the Black Sea Grain Initiative; unlocking the 'grain corridor' is an absolute priority," Zelenskyy said. The president once again reiterated that Russia's actions put much of the world on the brink of a food crisis. The threat of hunger looms over more than 400 million people in many countries across Africa and Asia, the Ukrainian president said. Together, we must prevent a global food catastrophe. The presidents also discussed the implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula. Zelenskyy asked Erdogan to help with returning Ukrainian prisoners, in particular Crimean Tatars, held in Russian captivity. Read also: Fire at Crimea base, occupation authorities block highway & prepare evacuation Earlier in the day, Erdogan said he plans to discuss the return of Russia to the grain agreement with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. 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. Read also: UN warns of lasting effects of Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports 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. For the three consecutive night, Moscow has attacked southern regions of Ukraine Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kherson. On the night of July 19, they specifically targeted the infrastructure of the ports of Chornomorsk and Odesa, damaging grain terminals. Zelenskyy later stated that Russia has destroyed 60,000 tons of agricultural products intended for China. Story continues Read also: Russia strikes Odesa Oblast, hits agro-enterprise; 120 tons of grain destroyed, multiple injured 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. 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 Volodymyr Zelenskyy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy chaired a Supreme Commander-in-Chief Staff meeting with Ukraines top military leadership on July 21 to address the protection of the countrys ports, the situation at the front, and the northern border. Read also: General Staff, grand deal update released by President Zelesnkyy During the meeting, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine was applying close scrutiny of Wagner private military companys activities in Belarus. Reports on this matter were presented by representatives of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense (HUR), the State Border Guard Service (DPSU), and the Foreign Intelligence Service. The president instructed Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Commander of the Military-Maritime Forces of the Armed Forces Oleksiy Neizhpapa, and Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov to develop a comprehensive plan for the continuation of work on the grain corridor. Read also: Russia strikes Odesa Oblast, hits agro-enterprise; 120 tons of grain destroyed, multiple injured The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also tasked with developing similar steps in the diplomatic field. Addressing port protection and infrastructure for our grain initiative. We understand the risks, threats, and prospects. (I am awaiting) reports from Navy Commander Neizhpapa and Deputy Prime Minister Kubrakov, wrote President Zelenskyy. Furthermore, the president also listened to reports from Zaluzhnyi, commander of the Ground Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi, and commander of the Tavria operational-strategic troop grouping Oleksandr Tarnavskyi on the situation at the front. The current situation on the battlefield [was established]. Comprehensive analytical reports from all our intelligence regarding the enemys intentions in the short and long term. Also discussed were supply, logistics, and production matters. Minister Reznikov, Commander Huliak, Minister Kamyshin (would oversee these matters), the message stated. Story continues Additionally, Zelenskyy informed about the comprehensive inspection of public service centers (formerly known as military commisariats). The results of the inspection are expected to be available by the end of the month. Wagner PMC in Belarus: What is known On June 24, a group of Wagner mercenaries, led by commander Yevgeny Prigozhin, ended a one-day rebellion following negotiations with self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin presented three options to the Wagner group, including the possibility of exile to Belarus. Shortly after, reports emerged about the construction of camps in Belarus to accommodate the Wagnerites, with satellite images suggesting the existence of a probable PMC field camp. Lukashenko denied the presence of such camps but offered assistance with accommodation if needed. Read also: More Wagner mercenaries arriving in Belarus, pose no threat to Ukraine - border guards The DPSU estimated that Belarus could potentially host around 8,000 Wagner PMC mercenaries. However, Ukrainian intelligence cautioned that it was too early to confirm the relocation of Wagnerites to Belarus. Later, it was revealed that the Wagnerites in Belarus would be providing combat training to Belarusian forces. This claim was first made by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and later confirmed by the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs in their negotiations regarding the training of Belarusian special forces on July 12. The DPSU announced on July 14 that Russia had withdrawn almost all of its military personnel from Belarus. Monitoring group the Belarusian Hajun reported the entry of the ninth column of Wagner PMC into Belarus on July 19. As of July 20, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus announced joint training operations with the Wagner militants near the border with Poland. Read also: Wagner mercenaries to share experience with Belarusian military, says defense ministry 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 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called Russia's four-day strikes on the infrastructure of Odesa and the murder of Ukrainian children an "absolute evil", and promised a retaliation for these actions. Source: President's address at the end of the 513th day of the war Quote: "Two more children were killed today by Russia. Russian artillery strike on the village of Druzhba, Toretsk hromada [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.] of Donetsk Oblast. A girl born in 2007 and a boy born in 2013 died. Chernihiv Oblast, the village of Honcharivske a missile hit. Two women killed, the searches through the rubble continue. Damaged house of culture, school, houses. My condolences to the families and friends of the victims! Today, Russian missiles and drones again hit Odesa, our southern regions. Since the beginning of the week, more than 20 people, including two children, have suffered from Russian terror in the territory of Odesa Oblast alone. Only absolute evil can strike such blows. There will be a response." Details: The president also assured that in addition to this, the world will consolidate further for protection and for joint actions, even more energy for the sake of victory, even more desire for justice and fair punishment of Russia for all the crimes of this war. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Vadym Prystaiko Vadym Prystaiko has been dismissed as Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyys decree published on July 21. The reasons for the dismissal are unknown. Read also: UK to provide Ukraine with new $65 million military aid package Prystaiko was tapped as Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom in July 2020. Prior to that, he served as foreign minister in the government of former Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk. In May 2019, after Zelenskyys victory in the presidential elections, Prystaiko was appointed deputy head of the Presidential Administration. On June 25, after the administrations reorganization, he was transferred to the post of deputy head of the Presidents Office. He also served as the head of the Ukrainian mission to NATO (2017-2019). Read also: Russia is fragile, Ukraine can win the war UK Defense Secretary Over the course of the two-day NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12, tensions surfaced between Kyiv and some western officials, undermining a show of unity among allies in the face of Russian aggression. Senior officials from the United States and the United Kingdom said that Ukraine should be grateful for the assistance it had already received, and not jump immediately to the next item on its weapons wish list. We are not Amazon, said UK defense secretary Ben Wallace, in reference to the online shopping platform. Prystaiko initially critizised President Zelenskyys attitude at the time, saying he did not think President Zelenskyys sarcasm at the summit was healthy. However he clarified that Wallace might not have spoken formally, but personally, with Zelenskyy. Read also: Zelenskyy sternly reacts to Wallace's remarks on Ukraines lack of gratitude The UK ministers sarcastic comment about Amazon received the same sarcastic response from President Zelenskyy, Prystaiko said. But Im sure there is no need for sarcasm between friendly countries. 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 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held the first phone conversation in the history of bilateral relations with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali on 20 July. Source: Ukrainian Presidents website; Zelenskyy in his evening address Details: The President of Ukraine informed the Ethiopian Prime Minister about Russia's unilateral withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the illegal blocking of shipping, and the attacks on Ukraine's port and energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine had delivered nearly 300,000 tonnes of food to Ethiopia as part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and another 90,000 tonnes of grain as part of the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian initiative. The President stressed that Ukraine is ready to continue to be a guarantor of global food security and is interested in developing bilateral relations with Ethiopia in the areas of security, digitalisation, etc. Zelenskyy also called for the creation of a platform for dialogue with African countries. "The voice of Ethiopia, the African Union, the whole of Africa is very important to us," Zelenskyy said. In his evening address, Zelenskyy also said that he had spoken to the Ethiopian Prime Minister about Russia's attempt to disrupt Ukraines grain exports. Quote: "Today, about 20 million people in Ethiopia are on the verge of famine. This is one of the most critical situations in the world. Last year, Ukrainian exports saved the lives of at least one million Ethiopians that's how much food we managed to send to this country, almost 300,000 tonnes. And if it wasn't for the Russian aggression, we could have saved many more lives and provided much more security. I am confident that this year we can do it all together, the whole world. No one in the world is interested in allowing Russia to destroy the global food market. And by the way, we have already started preparing for the UN Security Council meeting scheduled for tomorrow, which is dedicated to this very issue, food security. I am grateful to everyone in the world who helps!" Story continues Background: On 17 July, Russia terminated the grain agreement with Ukraine, withdrew security guarantees for the grain corridor, and threatened to fire on foreign ships sailing to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea. At the same time, since the beginning of the week, Russian troops have been attacking Odesa and other cities in the south of Ukraine with greater intensity. On the night of 18-19 July, Russia attacked grain terminals in the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk, causing damage to traders' infrastructure and civilian infrastructure. The centre of Odesa was also hit by a Russian strike on the night of 19-20 July. Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron! Virginia will return more than $1 billion to certain taxpayers under an existing state tax benefit for small businesses, or about two-thirds of the $1.5 billion windfall that Gov. Glenn Youngkin reported this week for the fiscal year that ended on June. 30. Secretary of Finance Steve Cummings confirmed on Friday that the state expects to return "something more than a billion" dollars to taxpayers who had taken advantage of a new tax benefit for pass-through entities, such as limited liabilities and other unincorporated businesses, that allows them to avoid a $10,000 cap on federal income tax deductions for state and local taxes. Even after returning those revenues to taxpayers, the state will have about $500 million in addition to the $3.6 billion in excess revenues that Youngkin relied on for a package of tax cuts and spending priorities he proposed to the two-year budget in December. Those excess revenues include a $1.9 billion surplus at the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2022, plus unspent appropriations and anticipated new revenues. Senate budget negotiators are considering a new House proposal to bridge a $1 billion gap between House Republicans and Senate Democrats over the governor's package of corporate and individual income tax cuts. "It is a significant step forward," said Senate Finance Co-Chair George Barker, D-Fairfax, who expects to brief other Senate budget negotiators and hold a meeting in the next week or two, depending on availability because of vacations. "Clearly, when we're dealing with something as significant as this is, we'll meet in person," Barker said Friday. The budget negotiations are not likely to include any excess revenues from the last fiscal year, especially with uncertainty over how much money the state will return under the "pass-through entity tax" adopted last year. Many small business owners pre-paid their taxes in the previous fiscal year, but will receive a state income tax refund this fall, part of the new fiscal year that began on July 1. As a result, the state will have to return large portion of the additional revenues that the governor reported on Wednesday for the last fiscal year. An estimated amount of final payments in November come in. Thats why the number was so large," Cummings said in an interview on Friday. "But the bottom line is given what we have in the surplus, we have way more than that estimated payment. Youngkin touts job growth Youngkin, in an appearance Friday to tout the addition of 200,000 jobs since he became governor 18 months ago, urged the General Assembly to end a four-month impasse that has left the state without a revised spending plan in the new fiscal year for the second time in 50 years. Send me a budget, he said at the Richmond office of Hourigan construction company. And then let me call a special session that is one of celebration, as opposed to disagreement. The additional revenues won't affect budget talks that resumed on Thursday between negotiators for the House of Delegates and Senate. House Appropriations Chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, said Friday that he expects negotiators to rely only on the $3.6 billion in revenues that Youngkin included in his budget proposal in December. "We're working with that number," he said. House budget proposal Knight met with Senate Finance Co-Chairs Janet Howell and Barker, both Fairfax Democrats, on Thursday afternoon in Richmond to pitch a new proposal to bridge a $1 billion gap between House Republicans and Senate Democrats over the governor's package of corporate and individual income tax cuts. He said the Senate leaders promised to review the new proposal with finance staff and the other seven members of the Senate's conference committee on the budget. "I don't anticipate them doing anything until next week," Knight said. Knight didn't provide details of the new proposal, but previously, he had offered a combination of ongoing and one-time tax cuts totaling about $900 million - on top of the $4 billion in cuts the General Assembly approved after a budget standoff more than a year ago. He ended talks on June 27 after the Senate rejected the proposal and instead offered about $900 million in one-time rebates to taxpayers this fall. "I've gone more than 50 percent of the way," he said in an interview on Friday. Knight's previous proposal included a smaller one-time rebate than the Senate proposed - $100 for individuals and $200 for couples filing jointly, versus $200 for individuals and $400 for couples in the Senate plan. But his proposal also would have raised the standard deduction for the second time in two years for taxpayers who don't itemize deductions and would drop the age limit for a new tax exemption on military retirement income. That proposal did not include Youngkin's proposals to reduce the corporate income tax rate by 1 percentage point or cut the top individual rate by one-quarter point, but it would have broadened the income ranges for the four individual tax brackets. Youngkin had said Monday that he remains committed to reducing corporate and individual income tax rates. I firmly believe that one of the challenges that we have in Virginia is that our cost of living and our cost of doing business are too high particularly relative to our competitor states, he said when asked if his proposed corporate tax cuts would survive the budget negotiations or not. I've continued to be an advocate for reducing rates because I think it fuels growth, the governor said. Jobless rate drops Youngkin took a political victory lap on Friday with his announcement that Virginia has boosted employment by 201,472 since he took office in January, 2022, and raised the labor participation rate to 66.6%, a 10-year high. He promised to make job recovery a priority during his gubernatorial campaign two years ago, when he claimed Virginia had badly lagged other states in recovering jobs lost since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, 2020. The state added about 23,000 jobs in June and reduced its unemployment rate to 2.7% from 2.9% in May. Virginians are back to work, with 200,000 more people working and the largest labor force in nearly 50 years, Youngkin said. , Jul 21 ( The Economic Times ) - India and Japan on Thursday signed an agreement to develop the semiconductor ecosystem, including research and manufacturing, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Thursday. The agreement was signed between Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw and Japans Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura in the national capital on Thursday. With around 100 semiconductor manufacturing plants, Japan is among the top five countries to have a semiconductor ecosystem. On Friday, voters in two parliamentary elections rejected the party of British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, inflicting a serious political blow to the embattled leader. In Selby and Ainsty, a region in the north of England where Sunak's party had held a dominating majority, the Conservative Party fell short of victory against the resurgent Labour Party, according to CNN. The Liberal Democrats, a moderate party, won Somerton and Frome a second seat. Rishi Leadership Under Pressure (Photo : Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) WARWICK, ENGLAND - JULY 19: Britain's Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak visits Land Rover for an announcement on a new electric car battery factory on July 19, 2023 in Warwick, England. The Tata Group backed with 500m of UK government funding, announce the build of an electric car battery Gigafactory in Somerset. Despite Labour dramatically increasing its vote share, the Conservatives narrowly held onto a third seat in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, the district that former Prime Minister Boris Johnson represented until he resigned from Parliament last month. The outcomes will put Sunak's leadership under strain and indicate that his government is headed for a defeat in the anticipated 2019 general election. In the nine months that Sunak has been in power, he has failed to turn around the Conservatives' deteriorating prospects; a slew of scandals, a faltering economy, and a degradation in Britain's public services have made his party extremely unpopular. However, the findings show that the opposition Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, is poised to seize control when Sunak calls for national elections. By January 2025, a general election is required by law. To avoid trying to convince voters to cast their ballots in the middle of winter, most experts believe Sunak will call the election in the fall of 2024, if not before. The three by-elections on Thursday gave Sunak his toughest mid-term test yet. Read Also: Rishi Sunak Under Fire Over Planned Anti-Strike Laws That Allows Employers To Sack Striking Workers Boris Johnson's Resignation Affected Conservative's Chances In Uxbridge and South Ruislip, where Labour hoped to win the seat that Boris Johnson had held for eight years, the incumbent Conservatives narrowly avoided defeat. Steve Tuckwell of the Conservative Party won with 45.16 percent of the vote. After a committee of fellow legislators discovered that Johnson had lied to Parliament about "Partygate," the controversy involving lockdown-era parties in his cabinet that ruined his popularity and contributed to his political downfall, Johnson resigned in rage. However, Labour in Selby, in the north of England, overcame a large disadvantage to win the seat with 46 percent of the votes. Both seats were the places that Labour should concentrate its efforts on winning if it wanted to stand a chance of winning a parliamentary majority at the next election. Both of those votes were brought about due to a committee of legislators' devastating and ground-breaking conclusion that Johnson had lied to Parliament. Johnson could have received a 90-day suspension from the House of Commons but resigned. A few hours later, Johnson's close buddy and former Selby representative for the Conservative Party, Nigel Adams, resigned in what appeared to be a show of support. The Liberal Democrats' crushing victory in the wealthy south-west England district of Somerton and Frome, where they received nearly 55 percent of the vote, added to the Conservatives' troubles. In the so-called "Blue Wall," a wealthy region of southern England that usually opposed Brexit, the centrist party has been gaining support from former Conservatives. The outcomes amount to a strong rejection of Sunak's Conservative Party, which has been in power for 13 years and has seen its polling numbers plummet at Johnson's end of office and ever since. Sunak will try to maintain his position as party leader and fend off any increasing rumors of a challenge. Related Article: Rishi Sunak Net Worth: The New UK Prime Minister Is Really Rich - Here's Why @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Japan is an outlier among wealthy nations in not recognising joint custody, where both parents can spend time with their children after a break-up. Rather, the legal system will grant full control and responsibility to the parent who was last taking care of the child, stating it's in the child's best interest to stay at their "usual place of residence". These laws have been criticised as incentivising child abduction, as a parent can secretly relocate their child or children and then claim custody when the courts become involved. There are no official statistics on the number of children abducted or estranged through sole custody arrangements in Japan. However, non-profit organisation Kizuna Child-Parent Reunion estimated in 2010 that 150,000 children lose contact with their non-custodial parent each year. At least 82 Australian children have been abducted or otherwise taken into custody by a sole Japanese parent since 2004. Currently, the Australian embassy is aiding 15 affected parents in matters concerning 22 children. ...continue reading , Jul 21 ( mashew.com ) - In the early morning of July 17 in Shinjuku, Tokyo, an incident occurred in which a Chinese woman punched and kicked a Japanese police officer. A Japanese girl was on the ground sick and a Japanese guy was trying to help her. This group of Chinese girls had apparently thought the Japanese man was assaulting the ill girl and began attacking the Japanese man. Punched him in the face and called him Fn J*p F U, etc. The Japanese man, in response called the police and until their arrival, began recording to gather proof just in case. And after the police arrived this fight is said to have occurred. ...continue reading NORFOLK Regarding the Sports and Spaces policy controversy in our public schools: It seems to me that the primary reason for public school is to teach our children to read proficiently, perform math skills sufficient for the workplace, to be good communicators and to learn other importan JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) The gray, two-story home with white trim toppled and slid, crashing into the river below as rushing waters carried off a bobbing chunk of its roof. Next door, a condo building teetered on the edge of the bank, its foundation already having fallen away as erosion undercut it. John Knapp (second from right), welding instructor at Northeast Community College, joins other education and industry professionals to speak on welding competitions during a panel discussion at Fab Tech, North Americas largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event in Atlanta. Northeast welding students also attended Fab Tech to see the latest innovative solutions in the industry, develop their technical skills and expand their knowledge of best practices in the welding industry. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. New technologies enhance freshwater lake preservation Xinhua) 10:40, July 21, 2023 This aerial photo taken on June 1, 2023 shows the tourist dock of Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong) SHIJIAZHUANG, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Baiyangdian Lake, the most popular tourist destination in the Xiong'an New Area, gives the public a glimpse of how cutting-edge technologies support the ecological conservation of the "future city." A water-air-ground integrated monitoring system has been put into operation to help improve water quality in Baiyangdian, the largest freshwater wetland in northern China. One of the tools is an unmanned ship with multiple uses. Its hull-mounted sonar equipment can monitor buried pipelines beneath the lake surface and analyze the water quality immediately after sample collection. The carbon-fiber boat can automatically collect data about the surrounding environment in one hour, including air, dirt, and noise. The system also features the employment of drones. The flying craft's remote sensing spectrum-imaging technology can provide a wider field of view to identify water pollution. To strengthen observation capabilities, the lake staff have deployed both fixed devices and floating boats with real-time video feedback in the 360-square-km lake area. The 5G network's high speed and low latency, combined with virtual reality equipment, enable people to inspect the lake surface visually and obtain data in time. According to the project manager Lin Kuntang, lake water monitoring mainly relied on human observation in the past. Since 2019, the new technology system has significantly decreased manual labor and increased work efficiency, enabling personnel to identify pollutants more quickly and accurately. "There is no blind spot," Lin said. This aerial photo taken on April 7, 2023 shows vessels cruising during the trial operation of the Baiyangdian Lake water bus service in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province. (Xinhua/Mu Yu) Lin believes that it is worth putting huge sci-tech efforts to protect the lake. Many Chinese folks hold a particular place in their hearts for Baiyangdian. In several famous literary works from the 1940s, the lake flourished with reed beds, towering lotus fields, and an abundant harvest from the water. Between the 1960s and the 1980s, however, it suffered severely from industrial pollution, when sewage-carrying chemicals poisoned water and lake beds, decimating aquatic life. The lake nearly dried up in the 1990s because of climate change. After that, habitat loss and human interference caused bird numbers to decline drastically. Hao De, a 21-year-old from a nearby village, recalled that the water quality was poor and looked dirty when he was a teenager. "My friends and I seldom went near the lake." The lake's rehabilitation and protection activities have improved since the Xiong'an New Area was established in 2017. 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. The photo taken on Nov. 5, 2022 shows an unmanned ship conducting monitoring operations on the Baiyangdian Lake, Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province.(Xinhua/Zhu Xudong) Tech support is another significant force to drive environmental protection progress. China saw an increase in 5G-related applications in 2019, and the domestic BeiDou Navigation Satellite System continued integrating into many sectors. Technology companies and academic organizations have been pushing to develop lake monitoring devices using these new technologies. Lin said that some of the monitoring system's designs and components have been granted patents. Researchers from Tsinghua and other universities also visited the lake to collaborate on research and development. These efforts have paid off. The first indication of improvement was in the water quality, which rose from the lowest Grade V to Grade III by the five-tier quality standard used in the nation. 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, including 48 under first-rate national protection. The lake has steadily evolved into a haven for stunning lotus, blooming reeds, and a plethora of fish species. Photo taken on Sept. 9, 2022 shows wild pochards in Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province. (Photo by Liu Xun/Xinhua) However, technological advancements in environmental preservation cannot replace human efforts completely. Ma Dongtao, a senior official of the local ecological bureau, said that residents of the lakeside villages discovered ways to reduce their waste pollution and give up their lakefront private farming. More importantly, they are more aware than ever that protecting the lake positively affects the environment and the economy. Villagers are developing tourism. More restaurants and guest homes have opened in Xiong'an to accommodate tourists and birdwatchers. "I was surprised to see the change since 2022," said Hao. The college student is now on summer break. "I am regular at the lake now." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) After flashing a "help me" letter to onlookers and allegedly being kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and taken on a road trip, a 13-year-old Texas girl was found safe in California. In the indictment, Steven Robert Sablan, 61, of Cleburne, Texas, was accused with abduction and transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual behavior on one count each. stated in a news release by the attorney's office, according to Fox News. On July 31, he is due to be arraigned in the heart of Los Angeles, California. How the 13-Year-Old Girl Was Kidnapped in Texas? (Photo : by David McNew/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 1: A Caltrans freeway sign over Interstate 5 flashes the description of a kidnapping suspect's vehicle in addition to "child abduction 1 800 TELL CHP" as part part the statewide "Amber Alert" program August 1, 2002 in Los Angeles, California. The juvenile victim was reportedly walking in San Antonia, Texas on July 6 when Sablan allegedly held a black revolver to his side and told the youngster to get inside his vehicle, according to the indictment and affidavit. According to court records, the 61-year-old started driving and offered to take the girl on a cruise ship so she could visit her buddy in Australia. The adolescent claims that Sablan instructed her that she "had to do something for him first." The adult is then accused of raping the woman while travelling from Texas to California after sexually assaulting her. On July 9, Sablan stopped his automobile in Long Beach, California, left the victim in the vehicle, and proceeded inside a laundromat to wash their clothes. Officials claim that the teen victim scrawled "help me" on a scrap of paper in an effort to get someone's attention while her attacker was preoccupied. Read Also: Minnesota Man, Michael Angelo Goerlich, Charged With Kidnapping 14-Year-Old Girl Teen Kidnapping Cases in US When the Long Beach Police Department came, they discovered Sablan outside the car when a witness spotted the child and reported it. The teen allegedly mouthed "help" to authorities from within. Officers discovered a black BB gun, a "Help me" sign, and a set of handcuffs while searching the car. As soon as Sablan was taken into custody, authorities learned that the victim had been reported missing from Texas. According to officials, if Sablan is found guilty of abduction and transporting a minor with the purpose to engage in illegal sexual behavior, he may receive a sentence of up to life in federal prison. Teen kidnapping is a serious problem in the United States. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), an average of 840,000 children are reported missing each year in the United States, and of those, an estimated 100 are abducted by strangers. Of those abducted by strangers, 81 percent are teenagers. The consequences of teen kidnapping can be devastating. Teens who are kidnapped are often physically and sexually abused, and they may also suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In some cases, teens who are kidnapped are never found. Related Article: New Jersey 'Torso Killer' Confesses to 1974 Murder Case of 2 Teenage Friends @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The North Platte Public Library will be guided by interim leadership following Fridays departure of Sky Seery after 1 years as director. Seery, a former North Platte High School library director, will return to NPHS as a counselor. The school board approved a teaching contract for Seery Feb. 10, according to board minutes. Seery succeeded 27-year director Cecelia Lawrence after the latters retirement on Feb. 3, 2022. She had been a library volunteer and then employee from 2004 to 2011, returning from NPHS in June 2021 as Lawrences designated successor. Seery said Thursday that shes working on a masters degree in education school counseling from Chadron State College. She has about a year left before earning her degree, she said. It was just a pleasure to serve the community, and the librarys doing really great things, she said. The staff is amazing, theyll continue on, and Im excited to see how they will grow. Mayor Brandon Kelliher said that City Hall had planned to announce Seerys resignation once a new director was hired. But city officials decided to start their search over, he said. We did a round of three interviews and didnt feel that any of the candidates was the best fit for the North Platte Public Library, Kelliher said. City officials plan to advertise the library directors position again in about three months, he said. Library information services manager Sara Aden will serve as interim director. Photo: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images On Friday, federal judge Aileen Cannon ruled against former president Trump, who had requested that his trial in the classified-documents case be delayed until after the 2024 election. The trial is now scheduled to begin in in a Florida court on May 20, 2024 likely well after its clear which Republican will be taking on Joe Biden but before the heart of the general election. Prosecutors have pushed for what they called an aggressive timeline, but Trumps attorneys argued last week that a trial taking place during the election would make it difficult to seat an impartial jury, and could have an impact on the race itself. (Their filing, naturally, did not address the likelihood that Trump would simply dismiss the case against him if he became president.) Trumps lawyers also claimed that the publicity from a trial during election season would necessitate a delay. But as one of the prosecutors noted, publicity around Trump is chronic and almost permanent. The classified-documents case wont be the only legal proceeding Trump faces next year. He will also be on trial in January in a New York civil court for allegedly defaming E. Jean Carroll (again), though he may not show up to that one. And he faces a trial in March for allegedly falsifying business records to cover up his affair with Stormy Daniels. Trump also informed the country this week that he expects an arrest and indictment related to the January 6 grand-jury inquiry. In June, Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith charged Trump with 31 counts of violating the Espionage Act, making false statements, and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Trump was accused of taking top-secret documents to Mar-a-Lago from the White House and storing them in publicly accessible places at Mar-a-Lago. Famously, he also stored them in a bathroom at his Florida resort. The former president has denied any wrongdoing. Judge Cannon, a Trump appointee, did acknowledge that the trial date for May 2024 was not set in stone. She described the amount of evidence in the case as extremely voluminous and wrote that it will require substantial time to review. Because of the top-secret nature of the documents, sensitive handling procedures must be in place to allow the jury to see them without exposing national-security information. Given all those factors, its possible that the trial date may be pushed even closer to Election Day. Out of nowhere, a media star. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Getty Images There have been two meta-narratives of the 2024 Republican presidential primary so far. The first is whether Ron DeSantis, who walked tall in the GOP political world last autumn, can catch up with the now-dominant front-runner, Donald Trump. The second is whether any of the 11 other candidates for the nomination have a chance of breaking out of dark-horse status and throwing a scare into DeSantis and Trump. There as some pretty distinguished resumes in this second tier of candidates. Theres a former vice-president (Mike Pence), a senator (Tim Scott), a governor (Doug Burgum), three former governors (Chris Christie, Nikki Haley, and Asa Hutchinson), a former congressman (Will Hurd), and a big-city mayor (Francis Suarez). But at the moment, the candidate rising on the charts with a bullet next to his name is first-time candidate and bio-tech tyro Vivek Ramaswamy. The 37-year-old self-made rich kid from Ohio (the son of immigrants from India) whose attacks on woke corporations made him a fixture on Fox News before he announced his presidential candidacy on Tucker Carlsons show is definitely having a moment. Two large-sample national polls this week have shown Ramaswamy surging into third place in the GOP race (a Morning Consult tracking poll has him at 8 percent and a Reuters-Ipsos survey shows him at 9 percent). The RealClearPolitics polling averages place him fourth at 5 percent, but hot on the heels of third-place Pence. Just as importantly, Ramaswamy is making a favorable impression as he becomes better known among Republican voters, as this data from the latest survey of New Hampshire shows: Favorable/Unfavorable (among likely GOP primary voters) DeSantis 57/25% Scott 56/10% Ramaswamy 52/12% Trump 49/26% Haley 24/28% Burgum 21/15% Pence 18/50% Christie 10/64% Hurd 7/10% Hutchinson 6/23% Suarez 5/18% Steve Kornacki (@SteveKornacki) July 18, 2023 Id say Ramaswamy has more growth potential in his vote than the deeply unpopular Pence and Christie, and the meh Haley. Polls aside, though, the young dynamo is creating a lot of buzz on the campaign trail. As FiveThirtyEight notes, Ramaswamy leads the entire field in the number of visits hes made so far to both Iowa (19) and New Hampshire (15). But its what hes saying in all these appearances that makes him most distinctive, as National Review editor Rich Lowry notes: The 2024 race represents an ongoing field test of whether the best way to run against Trump is to make a very careful case against him based on electability and effectiveness (DeSantis); to blast away (Christie); or not really to run against him at all (Ramaswamy). Because Ramaswamys political message was basically created in a lab in the post-Trump context, hes unburdened by ancestral Republican positions that might hold back, say, a Tim Scott or Nikki Haley. His positions on Ukraine (cut a deal with Vladimir Putin), the FBI (replace it) and Jan. 6 (caused by censorship), just happen to be perfectly aligned with the fashionable populist tendency within the GOP. And because hes a non-white candidate who made his bones attacking wokeness even more aggressively than Ron DeSantis, he has an advantage over other non-white candidates like Scott and Haley when it comes to appealing to anti-anti-racist sentiment in the GOP. Aside from his positioning in the field and his message, Ramaswamy is a really good communicator, notes Lowry: Part of Ramaswamys appeal to Republican voters has been taking every interview and giving as good as he gets, demonstrating self-confidence and media skills. Sharp exchanges with Don Lemon on CNN and Chuck Todd on Meet the Press in particular spread widely and generated free-media attention. He was the consensus star of the Iowa Family Leadership Summit on July 14, in which the major candidates other than Trump were grilled by Viveks old friend Tucker Carlson. This sort of performance at the states premier gathering of politically active conservative Evangelicals is worth its weight in gold. And it should be noted that at the event Trump attended instead of the Family Leader cattle call, the annual meeting of the conservative student group Turning Point Action, it was clear Ramaswamy had a lot of fans, as the Associated Press reported: [A]n unscientific survey of attendees found Trump was the first choice for president for nearly 86% of respondents. Asked to name their second pick, 51% named Vivek Ramaswamy, the millionaire tech entrepreneur who has declined to criticize Trump. If Ramaswamy turns in the performance hes capable of at the first Republican debate on August 23 particularly if Trump skips that event too he could be the breakout star of the event. He seems to have all the personal characteristics DeSantis lacks. In his freshness, glibness, and outsider pose, Ramaswamy is being compared a lot with 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, who came out of nowhere to basically tie Bernie Sanders in Iowa and then finish second in New Hampshire before his limited appeal to Black and Latino voters caught up with him. Ramaswamy could definitely put himself at a similar level in the GOP race if he continues. What the Republican whiz kid has that Mayor Pete lacked was a lot of personal wealth. If hes willing to spend it freely, he could become more than a curiosity on the campaign trail. From left to right: Will Hurd, Francis Suarez, Tim Scott, Nikki Haley, and Vivek Ramaswamy. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photos: Getty Images There are many attributes that make Tim Scott unique. In 2014, he became the first Black senator from the Deep South to be elected since Reconstruction, which also made him one of the few Black senators, period. Hes one of five Black members of Congress currently representing the GOP, a party that is now, both numerically and ideologically, the party of white people. What Tim Scott is not, despite his protests, is an iconoclast who bucks misconceptions about Americas racial history and the Republican Partys stance on race-related issues. I chose personal responsibility over resentment, Scott said at the announcement of his presidential campaign in May. The truth of my life disrupts their lies. These so-called lies, proliferated by the left, include the idea that Scott is a Trojan horse for white revanchism and, more broadly, that race is a determinative force in American life. His go-to retort to accusations that hes a token or a prop is that his critics cant handle the fact that hes his own man. This was always rich, coming from someone who trots out personal anecdotes about getting racially profiled to shore up his claims to a typical Black experience but insists that defeating racism is best done using ones bootstraps. And its especially striking in the context of the 2024 presidential primary, which features the most diverse GOP field in history full of people, like Scott, who seem committed to indulging the partys basest and least tolerant impulses. Theres his fellow South Carolinian Nikki Haley, the daughter of Sikh Indian immigrants, who served as the states governor before joining the Trump administration as ambassador to the U.N. Theres her fellow Indian American, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and his fellow first-generation tech enthusiast, Francis Suarez, the Cuban American mayor of Miami. Rounding out the bunch is Will Hurd, the Black former congressman who ditched his post representing Texass majority-Hispanic 23rd District for an assortment of university fellowships and tech-company board positions. Ten years earlier, this group wouldve been regarded as a sign of the partys bright future. The RNCs now-infamous 2012 autopsy, the Growth and Opportunity Project, identified the GOPs whiteness as its weakness. If we want ethnic minority voters to support Republicans, we have to engage them and show our sincerity, wrote the reports authors, who included George W. Bushs press secretary and Jeb Bushs 2016 senior campaign adviser. The upshot was that if Republicans could remake their party in the electorates diversifying image, they could save themselves from electoral ruin. That notion feels laughable today, after Donald Trump showed that you could, by circumventing the popular vote and leaning into the Electoral Colleges peculiarities, win office appealing almost exclusively to whites. He is poised to win the Republican nomination once again in 2024, and the minority candidates trailing him badly in the polls seem less like theyre running their own campaigns than a glorified audition to be his running mate. So a more accurate description of what happened over the last decade is that the GOPs non-white rising stars remade themselves in the partys image, just as the party was becoming a lot less tolerant. The result is a set of Black and brown presidential candidates who, rather than putting their own culturally specific spin on GOP values, have sanded down their differences to appease white reactionaries. Scott is a prime example. For years, the senator was seen by both parties as an earnest partner on criminal-justice reform, serving as an original co-sponsor of the 2018 First Step Act, which sought to shorten prison sentences and free the incarcerated more quickly. When protests erupted after the killing of George Floyd in 2020, Scott helped lead negotiations on a policing bill, which had bipartisan support and included his idea to make local cops adopt federal standards to receive federal funds. But as it became clear that Trumps reelection and GOP control of the Senate depended on branding Republicans as the party of social order, Scott turned against his own idea, smeared the Democrats as wanting to defund the police, and abandoned the negotiating table. Nikki Haley is known for overseeing the 2015 removal of the Confederate flag from the South Carolina statehouse after Dylann Roof brandished it before massacring a Black church meeting a moment that seemed to be part of the GOPs post-2012 push for greater inclusivity. But for most of her tenure, she defended its display as a symbol of heritage rather than white supremacy and later claimed that Roof had hijacked it. She has since cast the aftermath of these murders as a time when she had to protect South Carolina from outsiders she suspected of wanting to sow division. These outsiders included President Obama and Jesse Jackson, who graciously visited South Carolina to better understand, in Haleys words, the state where hed grown up. More recently, Haley could be found calling for Raphael Warnock, the Black senator from Georgia, to be deported because she felt he wasnt patriotic enough. Legal immigrants are more patriotic than the leftists these days, she said in November, so the only person we need to make sure we deport is Warnock. Will Hurd was a nominal Trump skeptic until it came to the presidents actual agenda, which he voted for 80 percent of the time, including efforts to gut the Affordable Care Act and prevent the establishment of basic care standards for detained migrants. His announcement video features the typical GOP fearmongering about illegal immigration and fentanyl streaming into our country, suggesting that immigrants are to blame for an opioid crisis that was actually set in motion by American pharmaceutical companies. Suarez might be the most peculiar of the bunch in that hes essentially a Bush-era Republican more dovish on immigration than his hard-right compatriots but equally resolute in criminalizing abortion, a restriction that disproportionately affects Black women. The overturning of Roe v. Wade, Suarez said in June, was the greatest day defending life in our history. Ramaswamy is facing the steepest uphill battle to prove his conservative bona fides as a businessman he has no voting record to be judged by. He recently published a list of ideologues hed nominate to the Supreme Court if given the opportunity, including originalists like Ted Cruz and Mike Lee. He has also branded himself as the fields anti-woke candidate, calling wokeness a cancer and decrying the idea that identity is based on the color of your skin, your race, your gender, or your sexual orientation all characteristics that identity is, in fact, partly based on. He rejects the idea that the private sector should dedicate itself to correct for those injustices that stem from these characteristics. Youd have to squint hard to see how any of this conduct differs meaningfully from that of any other Republican official, to say nothing of how it constitutes sincere outreach to minorities. Its ironic because Black and brown voters are demonstrably more curious about the GOP than they have been in years the Republican vote share was about three points less white in 2022 than in 2016 but the party has struggled to capitalize because its so committed to demonizing them. It hasnt much mattered that the GOP program amounts to a doctrine of punishment against minorities fewer rights and protections, courtesy of the Supreme Court; more draconian forms of retribution, like the Trump-era immigration crackdowns; and less economic assistance from the government, from the rights war on debt relief to its opposition to anti-poverty initiatives, like those contained in the American Rescue Plan. We now have a primary field thats more ethnically diverse than ever before but also more ideologically extreme, bursting with the rights most distasteful ideas. In the last election cycle, Lindsay Graham claimed it was the Democrats greatest fear for a Black Republican like Herschel Walker to win a Senate race, because it would transform the Republican Party by attracting more minorities to its growing multiracial coalition. But with opponents like these, its clear that diversity was the wrong metric the bigger fear is that the party will look different but behave no less odiously. The residence of Duane Keith Davis, 60, was reportedly searched in connection with the murder of musician Tupac Shakur, according to a warrant acquired by Las Vegas police and submitted Tuesday to the Clark County District Court. The search was carried out on Monday in Henderson, Nevada by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, which is just about 20 miles from the Las Vegas Strip, where Shakur, 25, was shot and died in a drive-by shooting in 1996. New Evidence Seized A desktop computer, a laptop, 40 ink cartridges, the book "Compton Street Legends," a Vibe magazine issue about Tupac, two tubs of pictures, and other papers were among the things police seized from Davis's residence, according to court filings, as reported by CBS News. Computers, electronic storage devices, typed or handwritten notes about media coverage of Tupac's death, and evidence of Davis's connection to the Southside Compton Crips were among the materials that may be seized under the terms of the warrant, which Judge Jacqueline M. Bluth signed. (Photo: VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images) A wall dedicated to the memory of US rapper Tupac Shakur is seen on May 26, 2016, in Los Angeles, California. Twenty years after his death, Tupac still reigns. Other rappers have succeeded him in stardom, and promotional efforts around Tupac have been haphazard, but the artist who died at age 25 on September 13, 1996, in Las Vegas, maintains a hold that is among the most enduring in recent times. The Shakur murder case has been under investigation for almost 30 years. Davis, also known as Keffe D, allegedly confessed to his role in the killing of Shakur when being questioned in relation to the death of Biggie Smalls in 2019, according to Greg Kading, a retired Los Angeles police detective. This led to the conclusion that Shakur's murder had already been solved. Read also: Tupac Receives Long Overdue Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame The Mystery Surrounding Tupac's Death Tupac Shakur, the legendary rapper, was fatally shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996. He was 25 years old. The shooting occurred at 11:15 p.m. (PDT) when the car carrying Shakur was stopped at a red light at East Flamingo Road and Koval Lane. Shakur was hit four times - twice in the chest, once in the arm, and once in the thigh. One of the bullets went into Shakur's right lung. Suge Knight, the CEO of Death Row Records at the time, was also in the car and was practically uninjured. Shakur's bodyguard Frank Alexander stated that when he was about to ride along with Shakur in Knight's car, Shakur asked him to drive Jones's car instead, in case they needed additional vehicles from Club 662 back to their hotel. Shakur was taken to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, where he died six days later. The shooting remains unsolved, and there are many theories about who was responsible. One theory is that the shooting was retaliation for a shooting that had occurred earlier that day, in which the Crips gang member Orlando Anderson was shot and killed. Anderson was allegedly involved in a fight with Shakur and his entourage earlier that day at the MGM Grand Hotel. Another theory is that the shooting was ordered by the East Coast hip-hop scene, which was feuding with the West Coast scene at the time. Tupac was a leading figure in the West Coast scene, and his death was seen as a major victory for the East Coast. Still, another theory is that the shooting was a random act of violence. There were other people shot in the same drive-by shooting, and it is possible that Tupac was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The case remains unsolved, and there is no clear consensus on who was responsible for Tupac Shakur's death. However, the mystery surrounding his death has only added to his legend. He is still considered one of the greatest rappers of all time, and his music continues to be popular today. Related article: Tupac Shakur Murder: Las Vegas Police Serve Search Warrant of Home Connected to Rapper's Case @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Getty Images Donald Trump has been indicted over his attempt to hold on to power as president, which culminated in the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. He has been charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, one count of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, one count of obstruction of and an attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and one count of conspiracy against rights. (Were collecting the most notable details in the indictment here.) This is the second federal indictment of the former president this year, after special counsel Jack Smiths other criminal investigation into Trumps alleged efforts to withhold documents at Mar-a-Lago resulted in charges of violating the Espionage Act, making false statements, and conspiring to obstruct justice. Below are updates and commentary on the case against Trump as this developing story continues to unfold. The lashing out continues TRUMP again attacking Chutkan and calling for recusal (on no apparent basis). His lawyer John Lauro said yesterday: We havent made a final decision on that issue at all. Lauro also said Trump was approaching this as a layman, reacting because Chutkan was appointed by a Dem pic.twitter.com/z8LHGDAjG0 Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) August 7, 2023 Trump lawyer calls Georgia phone call an aspirational ask During a Meet the Press interview on Sunday, Trump attorney John Lauro characterized Donald Trumps post-election phone call to Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger, in which he seemed to be attempting to pressure the official into helping Trump come up with the votes he needed to overtake Biden, as aspirational: CHUCK TODD: An interesting legal place youre going to go that will also create some constitutional questions. I want to get you to respond, though, to something that seems a bit more straightforward on intent. Its the infamous phone call in Georgia. Let me play an excerpt. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP (ARCHIVAL): The ballots are corrupt, and youre going to find that they are. Which is totally illegal. Its more illegal for you than it is for them because you know what they did and youre not reporting it. Thats a criminal offense. 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. CHUCK TODD: If he had proof he won the state, why did he threaten the secretary of state with a criminal charge? JOHN LAURO: That wasnt a threat at all. What he was asking for is for Raffensperger to get to the truth. He believes that there were an excess of 10,000 votes that were counted illegally. And what he was asking for is the secretary of state to act appropriately and find these votes that were counted illegally. CHUCK TODD: Find. JOHN LAURO: Hold on one second. That was an aspirational ask. He is entitled to petition even state government. But that doesnt involve an obstruction of federal government. Trump again attacks Pence With Mike Pence now embracing his role as a too honest January 6 spoiler, Donald Trump went after his former VP on Saturday, writing on Truth Social that Pence has gone to the dark side and claiming that his account of the events leading up to January 6 was delusional. According to the new federal indictment filed against Trump this week, Pence took contemporaneous notes about his conversations with Trump at the time. Special counsels office seeks protective order, citing Trump threat Federal prosecutors have, as expected, sought a protective order over discovery evidence in the case, which would set limits on what Trumps lawyers can do with the governments evidence after its shared with them. Prosecutors also cited a threatening message Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Friday night, which said: IF YOU GO AFTER ME, IM COMING AFTER YOU! Prosecutors included a screenshot of the post in their filing with Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, while also noting that Trump has previously issued public statements on social media regarding witnesses, judges, attorneys and others associated with legal matters pending against him. On Saturday, Chutkan gave Trumps lawyers until 5 p.m. Monday to respond to the protective order filing, then later denied their request to delay that deadline. On Friday, Trumps campaign claimed his Truth Social threat was for his political adversaries and the definition of political speech. The campaign also posted an ad on social media on Friday which called prosecutors in all the cases against Trump a fraud squad doing the bidding of President Biden. An inmate with Secret Service protection? It remains an open question how the Secret Service would handle a scenario in which Donald Trump is convicted of any crimes and sentenced to serve time in state or federal prison. The Washington Post spoke with some agents about what might happen: Former and current Secret Service agents said that while there is no precedent, they feel certain the agency would insist on providing some form of 24/7 protection to an imprisoned former president. And, they say, the agency is probably planning for that possibility, seeking to match to some degree its normal practice of rotating three daily shifts of at least one or two agents providing close proximity protection. Current and former agents said Trumps detail would coordinate their protection work with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to ensure there was no conflict about duties or about how they would handle emergencies, as well as the former presidents routine movements in a prison such as heading to exercise or meals. The Secret Service, they said, would maintain a bubble around Trump in any case, keeping him at a distance from other inmates. Courtroom artist captured Trumps plea Federal court does not permit cameras. Artist Bill Hennessy provides his image of the moment Mr. Trump responded "not guilty" to the charges. pic.twitter.com/mIISJfaUyv Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) August 3, 2023 Trump didnt enjoy his trip to our nations capital He briefly addressed reporters before departing from Reagan airport after his arraignment: Donald Trump, whose motorcade drove through mostly highways today, said he saw "broken buildings" and "filth and decay" in his short drive to the courthouse from DCA. Says the indictment is a "persecution." "So if you can't beat him, you persecute him or prosecute him." Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 3, 2023 Movement minutia Semafors J.D. Capelouto notes how the reporting from inside the courtroom was heavy on the excruciating detail: At one point, The New York Times Charlie Savage observed that Trump clasped, unclasped and re-clasped his hands. A few minutes later, he reported that Trump was conferring with John F. Lauro, his lawyer, gesturing with his hands as he says something and then clasping them again. Lauro is leaning close, resting on an elbow and covering his mouth with his hand. Trump looks left, looks right, looks forward and waits. In a later update, just before the hearing began, Savage acknowledged: A reporter tries to come up with yet another descriptive way to convey that nothing is happening yet. Trumps fidgety, CBS News Congressional Correspondent Scott MacFarlane tweeted. David Smith of The Guardian noted that Trump was folding and unfolding hands, unable to keep still. Smith added: He picks up a document and quickly puts it down again. The next court date is August 28 NBC News reports: The judge set the first hearing date in the case for Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. The judge had presented three dates to prosecutors and the defense: Aug. 21, Aug. 22 and Aug. 28. Prosecutors requested Aug. 21, while the defense requested Aug. 28. And now thats when a trial date may be set. United States of America v Donald J. Trump is underway Case called. Clerk reads "United States of America v Donald J Trump." For DOJ - Thomas Windom and Molly Gaston. FBI special agent seated with them. Trump defense team, John Lauro and Todd Blanche, was introduced by Lauro. Robert Costa (@costareports) August 3, 2023 Per the New York Times: Judge Upadhyaya asks Trump his name, and Trump stands up and starts walking toward her. She advises him that he can sit and talk into the microphone. She asks his name again, and he says, Yes, your honor, Donald J. Trump, John. She asks his age and he says 77. She asks if he is on drugs today, and he says he is not. The judge then read the four felony counts against Trump, to which he pleaded: Not guilty. Then it was on to the conditions of Trumps release: Conditions of release... agreed to by both sides - no violations of federal law. Must appear in court as required. Must sign appearance bond. Shall not communicate about the facts of the case to any individual known to the defendant to be a witness except through attorneys. Robert Costa (@costareports) August 3, 2023 Judge Upadhyaya informed Trump that if he violates the conditions of his release, an arrest warrant can be issued for him and he could be detained (a normal part of arraignments). @MSNBC Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 3, 2023 Trump was released soon after. The arraignment hearing took about 25 minutes, ending at 4:40 p.m. Trump is reportedly angrier than usual again The New York Times Maggie Haberman reports: Privately, people who have spoken with Trump recently have described him as angrier than they recall seeing him in the past. This indictment is different than the others: a true bill stating in no uncertain terms that he lost the 2020 election. Some courtroom stare analysis When Trump walked in, Smith stared straight ahead and did not look his way. Ken Dilanian (@KenDilanianNBC) August 3, 2023 Stunning moment per @MLevineReports watching in federal court Trump could just be seen staring right toward Smith, knocking his clasped hands on the table in a tense way. John Santucci (@Santucci) August 3, 2023 Trump is sitting in Special Counsel Jack Smiths direct line of sight in the courtroom and Smith almost certainly just looked at Trump Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) August 3, 2023 Also watching inside the courthouse: JUST LEFT the courtroom where Trump was arraigned. The most interesting part? Several of the federal judges of the district court filled the back row including Chief Judge James Boasberg, Amy Berman Jackson and Randy Moss. Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) August 3, 2023 Three officers who served on Jan. 6 MPD Officer Daniel Hodges, former Capitol Police Officer Aquilino Gonnell and Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn are watching Trump's arraignment from an overflow room at the courthouse. They were escorted in by the marshals service. @MSNBC Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 3, 2023 But unlike earlier spectacles: Maybe I've missed someone, but I still haven't seen any GOP lawmakers in Congress who came back to DC to show their support for Trump today at the federal courthouse. Jamie Dupree (@jamiedupree) August 3, 2023 I AM BEING ARRESTED FOR YOU the defendant heads to court WASHINGTON (AP) Trump arrives at the federal courthouse in Washington to surrender on charges he tried to overturn the 2020 election. Philip Crowther (@PhilipinDC) August 3, 2023 Trump, en route to DC, posts "I AM BEING ARRESTED FOR YOU." pic.twitter.com/rhKPv5bNSB Kevin Frey (@KevinFreyTV) August 3, 2023 Trump deplanes at Reagan en route to federal courthouse in DC pic.twitter.com/feK7JyKih2 Alex Isenstadt (@politicoalex) August 3, 2023 CNN once again live-broadcasted the motorcade. Meanwhile on Fox News: Gillian Turner on Fox News: "Katie, we can't any longer say that this is a historic event, because we've seen the spectacle before of the former president flying across the country to face arraignment in various courthouses." Jeremy Barr (@jeremymbarr) August 3, 2023 The arraignment will not be televised Im going to say this loud and often: Its ridiculous how little visibility the public will have into the most important federal criminal proceeding in US history. Only a handful of reporters will bear witness in court today and no cameras. It doesnt have to be this way. Ken Dilanian (@KenDilanianNBC) August 3, 2023 Bill Barr isnt impressed In an interview with CNN, Trumps former attorney general endorsed one of the central arguments in the case against his old boss, and joined those throwing cold water on the First Amendment defense Trumps lawyers are currently promoting: As the indictment says, they are not attacking his First Amendment right. He can say whatever he wants, he can even lie. He can even tell people that the election was stolen when he knew better. But that does not protect you from entering into a conspiracy. At first I wasnt sure, but I have come to believe he knew well he had lost the election. Mike Pence is selling indictment merch NEW: Mike Pence selling TOO HONEST merch in wake of Trump indictment According to the Special Counsel, Trump called Pence on New Years Day in 2021 and berated him. When Pence said he didnt have the authority to return or reject votes, Trump told him, Youre too honest. pic.twitter.com/srGkmJWuMG Libby Cathey (@libbycathey) August 3, 2023 Trumps legal team teases defense before arraignment In an interview with NPR, John Lauro said that his team will consider a First Amendment defense for their client, arguing that he was exercising his right to free speech: When you look at this indictment, it doesnt really say much other than President Trump was exercising his right to talk about the issues and advocate politically for his belief that the election was stolen and was improperly run. He got advice from counsel very, very wise and learned counsel on a variety of constitutional and legal issues. So, its a very straightforward defense that he had every right to advocate for a position that he believed in and his supporters believed in. And this is the first time in the history of the United States where a sitting administration is criminalizing speech against a prior administration. Experts who spoke with Axios werent convinced. Theres no First Amendment right to participate in a conspiracy, said law professor and former Justice Department official Alan Rozenshtein. One poll suggests most Republicans think Trump is the rightful president A poll conducted by CNN in July prior to the latest indictment shows that 69 percent of Republicans believe that Joe Bidens electoral win in 2020 was not legitimate. The percentage, which has grown slightly since earlier this year, suggests that Trump could get another post-indictment polling bump as he did after the Mar-a-Lago raid. No mug shot for Trump ABC News reports that Trump will not have a mug shot taken when hes arraigned in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, citing a U.S. Marshals spokesperson. The former president will have his fingerprints taken digitally and will not be handcuffed during the proceedings. Co-conspirator 6 appears to be Boris Epshteyn The New York Times reports that Boris Epshteyn, a former adviser to Trump, is likely the unnamed sixth co-conspirator listed in the indictment. The filing makes reference to an email exchange between co-conspirator 6 and co-conspirator 1, who has been identified as Rudy Giuliani, about lawyers in several key states in connection to the electors scheme. The Times said that the description matches an email from December 7, 2020, between Giuliani and Epshteyn that featured the subject line Attorneys for Electors Memo. Todd Blanche, an attorney who represents Epshteyn, declined to comment. In addition to Giuliani and Epshteyn, the other co-conspirators have been identified as John Eastman, Sidney Powell, Jeffrey Clark, and Kenneth Chesebro, all of whom are attorneys. Pence says Trump was surrounded by crackpot lawyers Former vice-president Mike Pence reacted to Trumps indictment, telling members of the media in Indianapolis, I had hoped it wouldnt come to this. He reiterated that he had no right to overturn the results of the election and said that Trumps belief that he could is completely false. And he didnt have kind words for the presidents former attorneys. Mike Pence on Trump effort to overturn election results: "Sadly, the president was surrounded by a group of crackpot lawyers that kept telling him what his itching ears wanted to hear. ... The president ultimately continued to demand that I choose him over the Constitution." pic.twitter.com/wLhw0mA78Q Manu Raju (@mkraju) August 2, 2023 Law enforcement is bracing for Trumps arrival Washington, D.C.s police department has already begun preparations for Trumps trip to the nations capital for his arraignment. The Metropolitan Police Department is working closely with our federal law enforcement partners to monitor the situation and plan accordingly to ensure the safety of DC residents and visitors, the agency said in a statement. Trump to be arraigned Thursday NBC News reports that Trump will travel to Washington, D.C., on Thursday to be arraigned in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya. DeSantis fails to criticize Trump, again Ron DeSantis, Trumps biggest rival in the 2024 election, seemed to defer to the former president in his response to the January 6 indictment. Rather than take aim at Trump, who holds an enormous lead over him in polls, DeSantis saved his ire for federal law enforcement and the D.C. grand jury, vowing to end the weaponization of government, replace the FBI Director, and ensure a single standard of justice for all Americans. While Ive seen reports, I have not read the indictment. I do, though, believe we need to enact reforms so that Americans have the right to remove cases from Washington, DC to their home districts, DeSantis said on Twitter. Washington, DC is a swamp and it is unfair to have to stand trial before a jury that is reflective of the swamp mentality. DeSantis caught flak from all sides for his milquetoast-y statement, which is in keeping with his kid-gloves treatment of Trump throughout most of his campaign. Zachery Henry, the deputy communications director for Vivek Ramaswamy, questioned why DeSantis would comment at all without reading the indictment, tweeting, This boilerplate statement doesnt cut it. Noah Rothman, a senior writer at the National Review, questioned how the governor could hope to defeat Trump if hes unwilling to criticize him. DJTs entire case for himself is that hes been done a thousand raw deals. If you think you have to ratify the argument for his re-nomination or youll lose, you were going to lose anyway, he wrote. How cops who were injured defending the Capitol on January 6 have responded to the charges U.S. Capitol police officer Harry Dunn: On behalf of USCP Officer Harry Dunn (@libradunn), we are issuing this formal statement regarding indictment of #DonaldTrump for events of #January6th. Please note Officer Dunn will not be otherwise publicly commenting on this matter at this time. @DavidLaufmanLaw pic.twitter.com/DvK8NERTcV Mark S. Zaid (@MarkSZaidEsq) August 1, 2023 Former D.C. Metro police officer Michael Fanone: Mike Fanone: When I heard confirmation of the indictment I couldnt help but feel incredible proud to be an American. The same way I did when President Obama announced that our military had killed Bin Laden. pic.twitter.com/vC5ztakjrQ Ryan J. Reilly (@ryanjreilly) August 1, 2023 Former U.S. Capitol police sergeant Aquilino Gonell: Despite the advice of his advisers, despite exhausting a legal challenges in courts, the former president saw J6 as his Hail Mary to remain in power. This is a damming indictment its proof he doesnt care about the rule of law. pic.twitter.com/pjaazdI4FR Staff Sergeant Gonell, Aquilino (@SergeantAqGo) August 1, 2023 Former U.S. Capitol police officer Winston Pingeon: I want Justice for what my fellow officers and I endured while defending democracy on January 6th. One step closer pic.twitter.com/DtJNtNNQ2T WinstonWatercolors (@WinstonWCs) August 1, 2023 D.C. Metro police officer Daniel Hodges: Today's indictments have been a long time coming, but in so many ways they only mark the beginning. Regardless, I'm grateful for Jack Smith, his team, and all who aided the investigation for getting us here. I look forward to the trial; may it be as speedy as it is consequential. Definitely Danny (@SemperWry) August 2, 2023 Who are the six co-conspirators? The indictment makes reference to six co-conspirators whom prosecutors allege Trump enlisted to assist him in his criminal efforts to overturn the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election and retain power. All six of the individuals go unnamed. Per CNN and other reports, heres who has been identified thus far: Co-conspirator 1: Rudy Giuliani, former Trump attorney Co-conspirator 2: John Eastman, former Trump attorney Co-conspirator 3: Sidney Powell, former Trump attorney Co-conspirator 4: Jeffrey Clark, former Trump DOJ official Co-conspirator 5: Kenneth Chesebro, pro-Trump attorney Co-conspirator 6: Described in the indictment as a political consultant who helped implement a plan to submit fraudulent slates of presidential electors to obstruct the certification proceeding. Its not yet clear who the person is. Its also not yet clear if and when some or all of these co-conspirators will be charged. Will a trial focused on Trumps lies help counteract their power? Intelligencers Ed Kilgore hopes so: Smiths prosecution of Trump in pursuance of this indictment will force a reckoning in great detail with the fundamental character trait that underlies all the other forms of his misconduct. So in addition to stitching together a strong criminal case covering an array of unfortunate events over an extended period of time, this indictment will lay the groundwork for public acceptance of a subsequent verdict against Trump, at least at a significantly greater level than we can currently expect. The meta-theme of Smiths indictment might be described as Trump lied; democracy nearly died. If nothing else, the former presidents power to bamboozle people could suffer a major blow as the facts of this case roll out. Read the rest of Eds response to the indictment here. Trumps lawyer vows to relitigate 2020 election The former presidents attorney, John Lauro, went on Fox News following the indictment and claimed that the charges showed that public policy and free speech have been criminalized and weaponized: [N]ow we have [the] Justice Department indicting President Trump for actions that he took as the executive, as the chief executive of the United States with respect to public policy matters. So now we have the criminalization and the weaponization of public policy and political speech by one political party over another. He also seemed to offer a preview of Trumps defense strategy, noting that he would like prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Donald Trump believed that these [election fraud] allegations were false. And Lauro suggested the 2020 election itself would be a part of Trumps defense. We now have the ability in this case to issue our own subpoenas, he said, and we will relitigate every single issue in the 2020 election. Trump campaign statement compares prosecutors to Nazis 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, the campaign said in its statement responding to the new indictment. It also claimed that President Trump has always followed the law and the Constitution, with advice from many highly accomplished attorneys. Some of the January 6 committees revelations are in the indictment Of all the quotes in this ordeal, the one that continues to stand out in my mind is Trump instructing his acting attorney general in December 2020 to "just say that the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me and the Republican congressmen." Indictment revives it. Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) August 1, 2023 Trump and his co-conspirators were still trying to stop the certification after the attack on the Capitol According to the indictment, at 7:01 p.m. on January 6, 2021, White House counsel Pat Cipollone called Trump to ask him to withdraw any objections and allow the certification, but the defendant refused. The indictment also alleges that Trump, Rudy Giuliani (co-conspirator 2), and an unnamed political consultant (co-conspirator 6) all worked that evening to convince U.S. senators to delay the certification. And former Trump attorney John Eastman (co-conspirator 2) tried to pressure Pence at 11:44 p.m. Incredible timeline from prosecutors of Trump in the last few hours of Jan. 6 was still (still!) trying to get Republicans to overturn the 2020 election results. pic.twitter.com/QABlVTjj6S Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 1, 2023 Read more new and notable specifics from the indictment here. Pence calls the indictment an important reminder The former vice-president, who plays a major role in the case, has responded: Mike Pence statement: Today's indictment serves as an important reminder: anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/nZLcoHzjui Alex Thompson (@AlexThomp) August 1, 2023 Jeffrey Clark suggested using the Insurrection Act to quell protests Clark is co-conspirator 4 in the indictment: Hell of an exchange here, which I think was previously unreported, between Trump DOJ official Jeffrey Clark (Co-Conspirator 4) and deputy Trump WH counsel Patrick Philbin. pic.twitter.com/2yxmxUSgNi Matt Ford (@fordm) August 1, 2023 The craziest details of the indictment Intelligencers Matt Stieb has collected them here, including how Even Trumps campaign knew they were trafficking in conspiracy sh*t. Joe Biden might be eating popcorn right now Indictenheimer? .@POTUS just left dinner and has pulled up to a nearby movie theater, where he will be watching @OppenheimerFilm. pic.twitter.com/arc42Xd4Od Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) August 1, 2023 Pences role is a significant part of the indictment The indictment features a lot of information that likely came from Vice-President Mike Pence himself. The filing recounts several private phone calls between Pence and Trump that show the president continuing to pressure his running mate to halt the certification of the 2020 election results. In one particular exchange on New Years Day, Pence said he didnt believe he had the authority to reject the certification, to which Trump told him, Youre too honest. The indictment also revealed that Pence took contemporaneous notes that are referenced throughout the document. Smith: January 6 was fueled by lies Special counsel Jack Smith gave a brief statement after the indictment was unsealed on Tuesday evening, officially announcing the charges against Trump. The attack on our nations capital on January 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy, he said. As described in the indictment, it was fueled by lies. Lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government: the nations process of collecting, counting, and certifying the results of the presidential election. Smith said that his team is seeking a speedy trial and that their investigation into individuals continues. Special Counsel Jack Smith after announcing the indictment of former U.S. President Donald Trump, in Washington, D.C pic.twitter.com/Seq7UU6tLB Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) August 1, 2023 Case has been assigned to an Obama appointee MSNBC is reporting that Trumps case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan. She was nominated by then-President Barack Obama and has served in that role since 2014. Reuters reports that Chutkan has dealt harsher sentences to defendants in January 6 riot cases compared with some of her colleagues. When I represented the @January6thCmte Judge Chutkan heard Trumps attempt to block the committees efforts to get his official records. She moved fast. We won. Shes an excellent judge. https://t.co/FxLIz9bwKe Eric Columbus (@EricColumbus) August 1, 2023 MORE about CHUTKAN: She delivered this memorable line when ruling that the Jan. 6 select committee could access his White House records. https://t.co/uXmmATWG5A pic.twitter.com/HgxI3fsHUU Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) August 1, 2023 Indictment says Trump knowingly lied A key part of the case Smith will have to make to a jury hinges on whether Trump knew his lies about winning the 2020 election were indeed lies or whether he believed them to be true. The indictment states that he knew the claims were false. The Defendant widely disseminated his false claims of election fraud for months despite the fact that he knew, and in many cases had been informed directly, that they were not true, it reads. The Defendants knowingly false statements were integral to his criminal plans to defeat the federal government function, obstruct the certification, and interfere with others right to vote and have their votes counted. Trump faces four counts in January 6 investigation In the 45-page filing, prosecutors allege that Trump knowingly made false claims of election fraud to get state legislators and elected officials to subvert the legitimate election results. The former president is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of that proceeding, and conspiracy to violate rights. The indictment states that Trump conspired with six unnamed co-conspirators. Look whos back The grand jury hearing evidence from Jack Smiths investigation into efforts to overturn the election is meeting today at the federal courthouse in Washington, DC. @caseyagannon spotted jurors arriving at the courthouse early this a.m. Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) August 1, 2023 A day earlier on Truth Social, Trump said he expected his third indictment to be coming out any day now. Fani Willis is ready to go While everyone is left guessing as to when Smith might charge Trump over January 6 and the like, Atlantas prosecutor could beat him to the punch. Monday marks the opening of a three-week window during which the Fulton County district attorney, Fani Willis, has said she will decide whether to bring charges in her probe of Trump and his associates over their efforts to overturn his 2020 loss in Georgia, which was focused on Atlanta. The work is accomplished, she said on Saturday, according to the Washington Post. Weve been working for two and a half years. Were ready to go. Trump may not be alone if charges are brought: As the Post notes, 18 people were targeted by investigators, including Rudy Giuliani, who was acting as Trumps personal attorney. Last week, Giuliani admitted in a civil lawsuit that he had made false statements about two Georgia election workers who were subsequently harassed by Trump supporters. More charges in the documents case and a new defendant Smiths other investigation into Trump, over his alleged efforts to obstruct the governments attempt to get back classified documents, saw another development. A superseding indictment returned last Thursday saw Trump, his aide Walt Nauta, and a Mar-a-Lago employee named Carlos De Oliveira all charged with conspiring to destroy security-camera footage after investigators issued a subpoena for it last year. De Oliveira was quoted telling the head of the resorts IT department that the boss wanted the footage deleted, but the tech specialist refused. Trump was also hit with a charge regarding the alleged willful retention of a document said to outline U.S. plans to attack Iran the paper he was caught blabbing about on tape, which he then claimed didnt exist. Poll shows slight shift among Republicans regarding Trumps legal baggage NPR reports: The pile-on effect of mounting legal charges against former President Trump may be starting to take a toll, according to the latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll. Republicans and Republican-leaning independents saying they believe Trump has done nothing wrong dropped 9 points in the last month, from 50% to 41%. Trump also dropped 6 points in support with that same group when asked whether they were more likely to support Trump or another candidate, if he continues to run for president. Still, a solid majority 58% continue to say they would support Trump as their standard-bearer, so more polling and time would be necessary to see if this is a trend, if it continues and if it has a real effect on his chances in the GOP primary. He continues to lead the field by wide margins. Trumps lawyers reportedly told to expect indictment, but Trump denies that NBC News reports that attorneys Todd Blanche and John Lauro met with the special counsels office on Thursday morning at which point they were told to expect an indictment, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter. In a post on Truth Social, Trump later denied that an indictment was expected, describing it as a productive meeting and insisting that no indication of notice was given during it. A Trump spokesperson also said that the report that the attorneys were told to expect an indictment was incorrect. While the meeting was still underway, the New York Times noted: It was not immediately clear what subjects would be discussed at the meeting or if Mr. Smith would take part. But similar gatherings are often used by defense lawyers as a last-ditch effort to argue against charges being filed or to convey their version of events in a criminal investigation Another team of lawyers working at the time for Mr. Trump had a similar meeting with officials at the Justice Department last month, days before prosecutors led by Mr. Smith filed an indictment in Florida charging the former president with illegally holding onto 31 highly sensitive classified documents after leaving the White House. Whatever went down at the meeting, no indictments were returned at Washingtons Prettyman Federal Courthouse, where the grand jury investigating the case met on Thursday. U.S. Marshals reportedly met with members of the U.S. Park Police and D.C. Metro Police Department outside the Prettyman Federal Courthouse on Thursday as well. When will Trump be charged? Thats not clear. If its going to happen, and most legal experts agree it probably will, it could be within days or weeks. When Trump was last informed he was the target of a federal grand-jury investigation over the mishandling of classified documents he was charged three weeks later. In this case, Trumps lawyers reportedly received the target letter on July 16. What might the charges be? Special counsel Jack Smiths target letter to Trump has not been made public, but it reportedly cites three statutes that could be used to prosecute the former president though there has been no official confirmation on which ones. The charges could stem from a number of things Trump and his associates allegedly did in an effort to undo his defeat in the 2020 presidential election, including pressuring leaders in critical states Trump lost, fake-elector schemes in those same states, fundraising off false claims of election fraud, pressuring Vice-President Mike Pence not to certify Bidens victory on January 6, and rallying supporters to come to Washington, D.C., that same day to Stop the Steal and march on the U.S. Capitol. Based on reporting from the New York Times, Bloomberg News, and others, the target letter to Trump listed three charges: Obstruction of an Official Proceeding , which in this case would likely be Congresss lawful certification of Joe Bidens election victory on January 6, 2021. Conspiracy to Defraud the United States , would likely relate to schemes like the false-elector plots. Conspiracy to deprive people of their rights or more specifically to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States which is based on a federal civil-rights statue, or more specifically to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States which is based on a federal civil-rights statue, Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law . It was passed during the Reconstruction era to protect the voting rights of formerly enslaved Black people in the South. Reporting on the investigation suggests additional charges against Trump could include: Wire and mail fraud , related to Trumps Save America PAC raising money off false claims of election fraud, if Trump and his associates misled donors and/or used their funds for other purposes. Tampering with a witness, victim, or informant though the context is not yet clear. Conspiring to make a false statement which is one of the four charges the congressional January 6 committee referred Trump to the Justice Department for, alleging that the former president conspired with others to submit slates of fake electors to Congress and the National Archives. What has the federal grand jury been hearing? Since he was appointed to run the Trump probes late last year, special counsel Jack Smith has conducted a wide-ranging investigation in the varied efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. He has brought dozens of witnesses before a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., including Trumps advisers, lawyers, and allies as well as former White House officials, Republican Party officials, and state election officials. The Washington Post reports that the closed-door sessions have often served as a way to get Trumps own people to dispute his claims about the 2020 vote: The grand jury has been presented with unsupported conspiracy theories that were promoted by Trump, as well as reports commissioned by his team that dispute those claims. One person with direct knowledge of the grand jurys activities, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, said some of the sessions seem intended to disprove Trumps election falsehoods once and for all. CBS News adds, Sources close to witnesses in the grand jurys probe have [said] that Smith is building a case focused on how Trump acted after he was informed that claiming the 2020 election had been rigged could put him at legal risk. And the Associated Press notes some other specific areas that Smith and his investigators have focused on, including the fake-elector schemes perpetrated by Trump associates in battleground states as well as an alleged plan to deploy the U.S. military to seize voting machines: Smiths team appears to be interested in a late night Dec. 18, 2020, White House meeting one aide has called unhinged in which Trumps 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 Smiths 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. This post will be updated throughout. More than a year after 19-year-old Johnston Taylor was arrested on child pornography charges, Judge Jeffrey Tikal denied his application for youthful offender status on Wednesday. Taylor, who will be tried as an adult, pleaded not guilty to six counts of possession of child pornography. His trial is set for Sept 11. Youthful offender status is an Alabama law that helps young offenders avoid the negative consequences and stigma of having a criminal record. The state allows someone who is facing a criminal charge to seek youthful offender status if they were younger than 21 years old at the time of the crime. Being granted this status can mean that the individual receives a reduction in penalties. It can also sometimes result in a person not acquiring a criminal record. This law is codified in Alabama Code Section 15-19-1. If a person is classified as a youthful offender in accordance with this program, he or she is provided with an informal and confidential process that focuses on rehabilitation. This is the second time Taylor has applied for youthful offender status since he was charged with manslaughter in the 2019 crash that took the life of the voice of Auburn Tigers announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife Paula. Authories identified Taylor, who was 16 at the time, as the driver in a high-speed crash on Shug Jordan Parkway. Because he was granted youthful offender status in that case, details about how that case unfolded were not released to the public. He was taken into custody again on June 17, 2022, in a child pornography case. Auburn police have not released additional details about the case. He was taken into custody in 2022, but released on a $60,000 bond. The district court filed a complaint against Taylor in June when he was arrested after allegedly using synthetic urine to attempt to pass a court ordered drug test. Taylors bond was revoked after that incident. OSHA Finds Sawmill Failed to Remediate Exposed Saw Following a Workers Death Missouri Mats now faces $346,954 in proposed penalties. A sawmill that was previously the site of a 21-year-old workers death due to an exposed saw has not taken steps to correct the issue. In a release dated July 13, OSHA announced that a follow-up visit to Brashear, Missouri-based Missouri Mats revealed the sawmill operation site hadnt complied with requirements to address an exposed saw. The equipment was responsible for the death of a young worker, who received fatal injuries after getting caught in the vertical edger blades on January 11, 2023. An OSHA investigation followed, with investigators issuing Don Gibsonowner of Missouri Matsa letter requiring changes to protect his employees from amputation hazards. Gibson failed to report to OSHA, as directed, to confirm the changes. In fact, when OSHA officials returned to the site on March 1, 2023, they found the hazardous environment remained. Without the necessary procedures put in place, the saw which had claimed a workers life less than two months earlier remained in the same condition. OSHA placed an imminent danger notice on the equipment, which led Gibson to correct the safety hazard. "After a young mannew to the jobdied after suffering horrific injuries, Don Gibson and the Missouri Mats' management team continued to use the equipment involved in the fatality without taking appropriate steps to eliminate the danger and protect employees," OSHA Regional Administrator in Kansas City, Missouri Billie Kizer said in the statement. "Deadly hazards exist in the sawmill and logging industries, and it is essential that Gibson and others in the industry follow federal safety requirements." In addition, OSHA discovered the management was aware of the unsafe regular use of the machines by sawmill operators, who allow the vertical edger to run even during inspection. Per OSHA, no apparent efforts were made to update this process or provide additional safety training. Investigators also found other major violations, such as minors operating machinery, hazardous equipment running without machine guards and electrical hazards. OSHA has laid $346,954 in proposed fines on Missouri Mats, encompassing two willful, 53 serious and two other-than-serious violations. The company has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest its findings. Africa is home to 60% of the worlds highest quality solar resources, but has only 1% of the worlds installed solar power production capacity. An under-developed industrial sector has deterred solar power developers from taking advantage of the continents massive solar power potential, but in a world with rising energy demand and ever more urgent calls for decarbonization, the renewable energy industry can no longer afford to ignore Africa and Africa itself can no longer afford to be ignored. Nearly half of the African population roughly 600 million people lacked access to energy as of 2021. As the continental population grows (by 2050, one in four people on the planet will be in sub-Saharan Africa) and the region industrializes, African energy demand is expected to increase by a third over the next decade. Meeting this demand will require a ten-fold increase in power generation capacity by 2065. The question, then, is how to solve the African energy trilemma: how to make sure that the energy supply is 1. sufficient, 2. affordable, and 3. sustainable. The need is enormous but so is the economic opportunity. The good news is that the African continent has massive renewable energy potential, but fully tapping into it will be extremely challenging. Hurdles to developing the African solar power value chain include limited access to finance, lack of supportive policy and regulatory environment, infrastructure constraints, limited local supply chains, and a lack of skilled workforce and technical expertise, according to Amir Bahr, programme manager at UN Energy, as he was recently quoted by Energy Monitor. Despite these serious multiple challenges, interest in developing the African renewables sector is growing fast. In recent years, international investors have been rushing to get an early foothold in what is certain to be a rapidly expanding industry. Russia and China have been investing in emerging African energy markets for years, and Europe is increasingly pushing into the Sahara to build mass-scale solar farms. As a result, after decades of decline, manufacturing in sub-Saharan Africa is on an upward trend. In fact, it has quadrupled in value since the turn of the century, making it the fastest-growing manufacturing sector on the planet. But considering that the continent is getting such a late start compared to European and Asian markets, will Africa be able to compete in solar supply chains? The short answer is yes. A recent report from Sustainable Energy for All (an UN-backed organization) finds that solar module manufacturing in some African countries is already cost competitive with equivalent manufacturing in China. Chinese manufacturers currently dominate global solar supply chains, in large part because they can produce panels much more cheaply than the West due to more developed value chains, a chokehold on rare Earth minerals markets, a less powerful currency, and economies of scale. While photovoltaic panels produced in Africa are not quite as cheap as those in China, they are amazingly close. While it costs US16.3 for one watt of PV module assembly in China, it costs only marginally more in markets including Tanzania (US17.9), South Africa (US18), Namibia (US18.1) and Ghana (US18.3), Energy Monitor reports. This cost-competitiveness is in part because Africa is home to a huge concentration of the rare Earth minerals required for manufacturing solar panels. Moving photovoltaic manufacturing to Africa would not only be a win for the companies looking to produce a cost-competitive model, it would also be a boost to local economies, as it would serve to concentrate value addition within the countries and regions that have ample silver, copper and silicon for manufacturing. Exporting primary materials as opposed to processed and manufactured downstream components is one of the key identifiers of an undeveloped economy. However, boosting solar manufacturing in Africa may do little to help the African energy trilemma if all the produced parts and energy are destined for international markets, instead of the local grids that so desperately need them. The PV gold rush may certainly boost certain African economies, but it wont help the continent to breach energy gaps or decarbonize the continents energy mix without targeted political efforts. International development specialists stress that African countries must be in control of their own development or risk being exploited for their abundant energy resources without controlling the benefits. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oil prices are on track for a slight weekly gain as traders grow cautiously bullish despite a strengthening U.S. dollar and speculation on another rate hike from the Fed. Friday, July 21st, 2023 This week has seen the first replenishment of US SPR stocks in more than two weeks and another week-on-week decline in oil inventories (albeit a meager 0.7 MMbbls), prices have been trending sideways as bullish indicators were capped by a stronger US dollar and resurgent speculation about the upcoming OMC meeting of the Federal Reserve next week. With this, ICE Brent remains around $80 per barrel whilst WTI hovers slightly above $76 per barrel. US to Ban SPR Sales to China. The US Senate overwhelmingly (85-14) voted in favor of an amendment to the annual defense bill that would ban exports of strategic petroleum reserves to China, although last year there were only 2 MMbbls sold to Chinese buyers, a fraction compared to normal crude sales. Ukraine Grain Deal Collapses After Russia Pull-Out. Moscow has warned shippers that any vessel heading to Ukraines Black Sea ports could be considered a military target, sending the Black Sea Grain Deal down the drain amidst continuous strikes on port facilities in Odesa and Mykolaiv. Iran Courts India Over Crude Purchases Renewal. Iranian authorities indicated they were ready to provide India with a special priority, seeking to renew exports to one of Tehrans key customers before 2019 as before the sanctions kicked in Indian buyers were buying an average 500-600,000 b/d of oil. Key Senegal Project Delayed. The launch of Woodside Energys (ASX:WDS) 100,000 b/d Sangomar project in offshore Senegal has been postponed to mid-2024 as the project operator needs to finish up remedial work on its FPSO which still remains at a shipyard in Singapore. Cheniere Eyes Midstream Expansion. US LNG exporter Cheniere Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:LNG) considers building a new pipeline link to its Sabine Pass liquefaction facility in Louisiana as it seeks to tap into other pipelines in the Haynesville or Marcellus basins for its Stage 5 expansion. Iraqi Megadeal Changes Revenue-Sharing Terms. Having, at last, signed the $27 billion deal package with the Iraqi government, French oil major TotalEnergies (NYSE:TTE) will no longer get a flat rate for every barrel of oil produced but instead will share risks and profit with the state. Oil Service Companies Shine as Majors Revenues Wane. The big three oilfield service companies Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, and Halliburton are set to post combined Q2 profits of $2.04 billion, up 60% year-on-year as revenues from offshore drilling and Middle Eastern onshore projects are soaring. UAE Clinches India LNG Term Deal. ADNOC, the national energy company of the UAE, announced a 14-year LNG supply deal with Indias state-owned firm IOC (NSE:IOC) to provide 1.2 million tonnes of LNG per year in a deal that is expected to be worth some $7-9 billion. Colombian Turmoil Just Never Ends. Colombias energy minister Irene Velez resigned this week amid investigations that she abused her power to get the immigration office to approve her sons travel abroad despite not having the required paperwork, a case taken up by the countrys attorney general. ADVERTISEMENT US Extends Iraq Waiver for Another 120 Days. The US State Department issued a 120-day national security waiver that would allow Iraq, still dependent on Iranian power and gas imports, to pay for imports via non-Iraqi banks as Baghdad descends into a summer of blistering heat. First Gulf of Mexico Wind Auction to Start Soon. The US Interior Department announced that the first ever offshore wind power auction in the Gulf of Mexico, home to 1.8 million b/d of crude production, will take place August 29 with the aim of allocating rights for more than 300,000 acres in offshore Texas and Louisiana. Poland Doubles Down on Coal. Polands Supreme Administrative Court overturned a June ruling that work at the giant Turow lignite mine field should be suspended on environmental grounds, claiming energy security as a constitutional value and brushing aside claims of underground water loss. Majority of LME Aluminium Stockpiles Remain Russian. Russian-origin aluminum now represents over 80% of stocks held in warehouses of the London Metal Exchange, raising the risks for buyers that have self-sanctioned from Russian goods as they are now vying for a smaller volume of available supply. UAE Bids for Germanys Chemical Giant. UAE national oil company ADNOC has upped the ante on its $12 billion takeover offer for German chemical giant Covestro (ETR:1COV), evaluating it at almost 8x EV/EBITDA and marking a follow-up to its consolidation effort with Austrias OMV to merge assets. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Iraq has been looking to bring foreign oil company money and expertise into the fold, and it looks like it may have finally found a way to make doing business in Iraq attractive enough. Iraqs economy depends on oil, which accounts for 99% of Iraqs exports and 42% of its GDP, according to the most recent World Bank estimates. This heavy reliance on oil revenues has somewhat diminished Iraqs concern with the carbon intensity of its oil operations, although now, with Western oil companies feeling the pressure to remain in good climate standing, climate concerns have gained some importance, even in major oil-producing countries such as Iraq. One of the biggest concerns in Iraq is that it captures only about half of the associated gas produced when pumping oil, meaning it flares a substantial amount of gas into the atmosphere. But the other concern is the contract terms, which some foreign oil companies have deemed unfavorable. Up until now, the terms have revolved around a fixed price for oil per barrel after reimbursing costs. This doesnt allow oil companies to benefit when oil prices jump. And if costs rise, as they have over the last couple of years, they lose even more. Related: New UK Offshore Wind Projects Threatened By Soaring Costs Iraqs wars, domestic conflicts, and political upheavals have added to climate concerns and unfavorable contract terms to push Iraq down the list for attractive oil projects. But Baby, Im Worth It Nevertheless, Iraqincluding the territory governed by the Kurdistan Regional Governmentholds a whopping 145 billion barrels in proved reserves. It is the fifth-largest proved crude oil reserves in the world. This has been enough to entice at least Chinese companiesincluding CNOOCto go hog wild in Iraqs energy sector, not facing as much climate scrutiny as their Western counterparts. In fact, Chinese contractors have singlehandedly secured 59% of all energy projects from 2018 through the end of 2022. Japan contractors took second place, undeterred by the traditional terms. But other foreign companies have shown a greater reluctance to take part in tapping Iraqs plentiful reserves, with Western companies, including U.S.-based Exxon pulling back even on existing projectsuntil now. Never mind the crises Iraq has faced, the uncertainties that could mean going forward. Forget the carbon-intensive projects that flare half of the gas that comes out of the ground. All that was needed, apparently, was a change in the financial aspect of the projects. Earlier this month, TotalEnergies signed a massive $27 billion oil deal with Iraq after the country offered terms that were much more palatable given the rest of the drawbacks. Were talking about revenue sharing and an accommodation to capture more of the gas that is flared. For TotalEnergies, the deal was hard fought, with negotiations beginning years ago. Ultimately, Iraq had to go back to the drawing board several times to reach into its own pockets and dish out even more favorable terms. Iraq eventually settled on hanging onto just 30% of the project, with TotalEnergies grabbing 45% (and QatarEnergy getting a 25% stake). Part of the proposal includes a provision to construct installations that will recover associated gas that is currently being flared on three oilfields. The deal will allow TotalEnergies to take part of the revenues from the Ratawi oilfield and use it to help finance three more projects. The revenue-sharing scheme will see 25% of the revenue from each barrel going to Iraq as a royalty, and 75% back to stakeholders. ADVERTISEMENT From gas capturing to revenue sharing, the terms are a marked improvement and could woo other foreign oil companies to Iraq, which has grand plans to expand its oil output and disentangle itself from its reliance on Iranian gas. By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oil prices were up slightly in Asian trading early on Friday and set for a small weekly gain, the fourth in a row, as the market is starting to see signs of tightening supply. WTI Crude was up by 0.91% at 76.34 in Asian trading, while the international benchmark, Brent Crude, traded 0.88% higher at $80.34. Both benchmarks were on course to finish the week higher. However, gains have been limited, after China reported early this week second-quarter GDP growth below expectations. But the market is now more optimistic that China will roll out more stimulus to support domestic demand and help its economy which has struggled to rebound strongly after the end of the Covid lockdowns more than six months ago. China vowed on Tuesday that it would formulate and introduce more effective policies for restoring and expanding consumption as soon as possible. This pledge has improved sentiment across the commodity markets. While the economic data from China and the U.S. remain mixed, the fundamentals are increasingly pointing to a tighter oil market this summer. Russian crude oil exports have shown signs of decline for a second consecutive week and are estimated to have sunk to a six-month low in the four weeks to July 16. Russia is preparing to cut 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) off its oil exports in August, and shipping plans so far suggest that Russia could deliver on at least part of its pledge to reduce oil exports next month. Saudi Arabias crude oil exports have also started to decline, to below 7 million bpd in May, for the first time in many months. Crude shipments out of the worlds top exporter could further decline as Saudi Arabia is now cutting its production by 1 million bpd in July and August. In the United States, crude oil and gasoline inventories dropped last week, the EIAs weekly data showed on Wednesday. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Last month both countries conducted joint air patrol over the Seas of Japan and East China, demonstrating their deepened ties. China and Russia are 'answering' recent US-Japan drills with provocative military exercises of their own. Bloomberg: China and Russia are "testing their joint combat capability via the exercise China and Russia have kicked off their anticipated joint military exercises in the Sea of Japan on Thursday. Chinese state television has described the purpose as ensuring security of "strategic passage at sea". Bloomberg noted of regional reporting that China and Russia are "testing their joint combat capability via the exercise" - but there's been no specification of how long the exercise is expected to last, which involves land, air, and sea military assets. In reality, China and Russia are 'answering' recent US-Japan drills with provocative military exercises of their own in regional waters, at a moment Beijing has warned Japan over its deepening cooperation with NATO. Illustrative file image of prior Russia-China military drills China's defense ministry over the weekend confirmed that PLA naval vessels had set sail in preparation for new exercises with Russia. This included Beijing sending five Chinese warships, among them a guided-missile destroyer, to participate - but without specifying an exact location within the Sea of Japan. Last month both countries conducted joint air patrol over the Seas of Japan and East China, demonstrating their deepened ties, also amid the war in Ukraine which Beijing has yet to outright condemn, to the frustration of the West. China has considered itself 'neutral' concerning the Ukraine conflict while at the same time highlighting the dangers of NATO expansion east. For this reason Washington has accused it of quietly supporting Moscow. Bloomberg has meanwhile cited US sanctions and punitive measures aimed at both Beijing and Moscow as a chief motivator to grow militarily closer. PLA Navy Ships Underway off Japan "China and the armed forces of Russian President Vladimir Putin conducted six joint military exercises together last year, the most in data going back two decades," the publication notes. "That accounted for two-thirds of all of Chinas drills with foreign militaries in 2022, according to data compiled by the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs at the U.S. National Defense University (NDU)." ADVERTISEMENT But Russia and China have conducted naval drills in other global hotspots as well, in the last months holding naval exercises with Iran in the Persian Gulf region. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Muslim-majority nations expressed outrage Friday (July 21) at the burning of a copy of the Quran by Iraqi self-professed atheist Salwan Momika in Sweden's capital Stockholm. Some countries would also demonstrate on the streets following midday prayers to show their anger and outrage at the act. Some of the nations holding protests against Momika as Kuran burning, including Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon. Momika was known for his stunt where he burned a Quran, Islam's holy book, outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm during the Muslim major holiday of Eid'l Adha, triggering widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. He also kicked and stood on a copy of the Quran Thursday (July 20), hours after demonstrators in Baghdad broke into the Swedish embassy and burned it to express their anger against his act of burning the sacred text. Iraqi PM Al-Sudani Tries to Placate Crowds Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has since ordered the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador from Iraq and the withdrawal of the Iraqi delegation from Sweden. However, such actions might not be enough to calm the crowd's anger as another protest in Baghdad would be planned for Friday afternoon. The right to hold public demonstrations has been protected by the Swedish constitution. In addition, blasphemy laws were abandoned in the 1970s, and police have generally given permission to demonstrators based on what weather they believe a public gathering could be held without major disruptions or safety risks. However, Muslims believe the burning or other kind of damage done to a copy of the Quran represents a desecration of their religion's holy text. While being firm in his decision to cut diplomatic ties with Sweden, al-Sudani issued a statement Friday calling on Iraqi protesters to "identify and deal with any destructive individuals attempting to deviate the protests from their peaceful and constitutionally protected nature," and for security forces to "safeguard both public and private property." Iraq's state-run media already reported 20 protesters being arrested in connection with the storming and burning of the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad. Journalists from the Associated Press and Reuters were also arrested but were released hours later without charges following an order from the prime minister's office. Read Also: Iran Puts off Deploying Ambassador to Sweden in Light of Quran-Burning Incident Protests in Other Parts of the Islamic World Outside Iraq, other Muslim nations have laid out their plans to protest Momika's stunt in Stockholm. Demonstrators in Iran planned to express their anger by taking to the streets. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian wrote a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres about the matter. He also summoned the Swedish ambassador to Tehran to explain the situation. "We consider the Swedish government responsible for the outcome of provocation reactions from the world's Muslims," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said. Aside from burning and desecrating the Quran, Momika also wiped his feet with a picture of Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as well as the Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Meanwhile, the Shiite militant group Hezbollah also called for a demonstration Friday afternoon in Lebanon. Khamenei and Iran's theocracy serve as Hezbollah's main sponsors. Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah calling on Muslims Thursday night to demand their governments expel Sweden's ambassadors. "I invite brothers and sisters in all neighborhoods and villages to attend all mosques, carrying their Qurans and sit in them, calling on the state to take a stance toward Sweden," he said in a video statement. "[T]he whole world must see how we embrace our Quran, and the whole world must see how we protect our Quran with our blood." For Sunni Muslim nations Saudi Arabia and Qatar, both countries have summoned their respective Swedish diplomats to condemn the desecration. In addition, the Turkish foreign ministry also criticized Momika's sacrilegious act. As for Pakistan, prime minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned events in Stockholm. He also called on the 57-nation Organization of Country Islamic Cooperation to play a "historic role in expressing the sentiments of Muslims and stopping this demonization." Pakistani Islamists, meanwhile, have been pushing Sharif to cut diplomatic ties with Sweden in order to garner enough support to stay in power beyond an upcoming election in that country. Neighboring Afghanistan's Taliban, on the other hand, has suspended all activities by Swedish organizations in response to the Quran-burning stunt. A far-right activist group in Turkey also held a similar protest outside the Swedish consulate in Istanbul, which complicated Stockholm's bid to join NATO. Related Article: Iraq Summons Swedish Envoy To Protest Against Planned Koran Burning @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Asia has scheduled near-record volumes of U.S. crude oil to be shipped next month, according to trade sources who spoke to Reuters. Between 1.5 million and 1.9 million bpd of U.S. crudemost of which is WTI Midlandwill make their way to Asia in August, just shy of the 2.2 million bpd record loadings of Asia-bound crude oil that the U.S. saw in April. WTI continues to be an attractive grade for Asias refiners, who see it as a bargain compared to the Middle East benchmark Dubai. The spread between the two grades stood at $5.40 per barrel as of Thursday. Thats down from $6.08 per barrel in June, but higher than the $3.93 Asian refiners saved in May. The influx of U.S. crude oil to Asia also follows two increases in Saudi Arabias crude oil official selling prices (OSP). China requested less term supply from Saudi in recent months and is seizing crude from everywhere to fill in the supply gap, a Singapore-based trader told Reuters. Consultancy Energy Aspects expects that the influx of U.S. crude oil into Asia will increase in the third quarter as well. We forecast U.S. exports to Asia will increase quarter-on-quarter in Q3 23, with China and even Japan purchasing Midland cargoes in size, Energy Aspects told Reuters. U.S. crude oil inventories fell by around 700,000 barrels last week, partly on higher crude oil exports. The news of Asias increase in U.S. crude oil purchases comes just a day after the U.S. Senate easily passed an amendment to the annual defense bill that would ban crude oil exports to China from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). The amendment garnered widespread bipartisan support. ADVERTISEMENT By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has started drilling an ultra-deep well with a designed depth of 10,520 meters (6.5 miles) in the Sichuan province, news agency Xinhua reports. The ultra-deep well is targeting natural gas and is located in the northwest of the Sichuan Basin. There are multiple sets of high-quality reservoirs superimposed in the ultra-deep layers of the region, the Chinese media reported. Earlier this year, oil drillers in China set a record for well depth, drilling 9,396 meters (30,827 ft or 5.8 miles) into the ground for what has become the deepest oil well in Asia. The record-deep well is part of a new phase in the development of an oil field in the Taklamakan desert, the biggest one in China. In May, CNPC said it had started drilling its first scientific exploration oil well with a depth of more than 10,000 meters in the northwestern Chinese region Xinjiang. After setting record-depth drilling at oil wells, China is now targeting natural gas in Sichuan with a 10,520-meter deep well. The Sichuan province in southwestern China is also estimated to hold a large part of Chinas shale gas resources. A new shale gas field in the Sichuan basin contains as much as 146 billion cubic meters (bcm) of certified proven natural gas reserves, Chinese state energy giant Sinopec said at the end of 2022. The much deeper location of the shale gas reserves in China makes extraction much more challenging than in the U.S., for example. ADVERTISEMENT Although China is estimated to have a high volume of shale gas resources, topping even those in the United States, its shale gas boom has not yet materialized. Unlike in the U.S., the development of shale gas resources in China is much more difficult due to more complex geography and a lack of adequate infrastructure to remote mountainous regions where most of the Chinese shale resources lie. Drilling for shale gas in China requires deeper wells, while fracturing is also tricky because of the mountain terrain and geological constraints. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Guyana will not be taking action against a Guyanese contractor of ExxonMobil until the country is formally notified by the United States that it is investigating persons owning the contractor business, Guyanas Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has said. Last week, Reuters reported that several U.S. agencies were investigating two businessmen from Guyana contractors for ExxonMobil to build a shore base for the supermajors oil operations offshore on suspicions of drug trafficking, money laundering, and other criminal activities. Exxon announced a contract with Guyanese businessmen Nazar Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed, a father and a son, in 2022. The supermajor has been repeatedly warned by U.S. government officials to stay away from doing business with the two individuals, according to Reuters. Addressing the matter in a media briefing, Guyanas Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said, as carried by Reuters on Thursday, The government of Guyana will act on this matter when the U.S. engages it officially - if it engages. Right now, we have a story in Reuters, with some allegations, he added. The father and son Mohamed are under investigation by the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Department of Homeland Security, among other U.S. agencies, according to the Reuters report from last week. They are suspected of smuggling cocaine from Colombia, laundering money for drug traffickers and other criminals, and laundering money for sanctioned Russian individuals operating in South America, according to the intelligence reports Reuters has seen and to the sources its reporters have talked to. The Guyanese businessmen are also suspected of smuggling illegally mined gold from Venezuela to the U.S., the Middle East, and Europe. Exxon produces around 360,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil offshore Guyana in a consortium with U.S. partner Hess Corporation. The Exxon-Hess partnership has discovered more than 11 billion barrels of oil offshore Guyana and has ambitious plans to boost production to over 1 million bpd this decade. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The current moves of OPEC+ to cut oil production are enough to support the market, Suhail al-Mazrouei, the energy minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), told Reuters on Friday. The actions the OPEC+ group has taken so far are sufficient, according to the OPEC heavyweight the UAE. What we are doing is sufficient as we say today, al-Mazrouei told Reuters. But we are constantly meeting and if there is a requirement to do anything else then during those meetings, we will pick it up. We are always a phone call away from each other, the minister added. At the OPEC International Seminar in Vienna early this month, Saudi Arabias Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said that the OPEC+ alliance would do whatever necessary to support the oil market, after Saudi Arabia and Russia announced cuts to production and exports, respectively, for next month. Saudi Arabia, the worlds top crude oil exporter, said it would extend its unilateral oil production cut of 1 million bpd into August. Saudi Arabia will be producing around 9 million bpd in both July and August after extending the voluntary cut. Russias Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said that Russia would reduce its crude oil exports by 500,000 bpd in August in a bid to ensure a balanced market. Russian crude oil exports have shown signs of declines for a second consecutive week and are estimated to have sunk to a six-month low in the four weeks to July 16. As Russia is preparing to cut 500,000 bpd off its oil exports in August, shipping plans so far suggest that Russia could deliver on at least part of its pledge to reduce oil exports next month. ADVERTISEMENT Saudi Arabias crude oil exports have also started to decline, to below 7 million bpd in May, for the first time in many months. By Tom Kool for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Giant commodity trader Vitol urged the UK government to pump in extra liquidity at the height of last year's energy crisis, Bloomberg has reported. Vitol CEO Russell Hardy "raised the idea that government intervention could support liquidity in the market" by "effectively incentivising sellers to return to the market" to help stabilize prices, according to the minutes, obtained by Bloomberg News under the Freedom of Information Act. Hardy has said It is incorrect to state or imply that Vitol 'lobbied' for government action because such an intervention would benefit customers. The UK government did intervene: back in November, the government announced plans to increase a windfall tax on oil and gas producers' profits to 35% from the previous rate of 25%. The new rate, which applied from 1 January 2023 until March 2028, is part of a raft of budgetary measures aimed at tackling the cost of living crisis and shoring up the UK's finances. Normally, UK oil and gas companies operating on its continental shelf are subject to a 40% tax rate, much higher than the 19% rate on corporate profits for companies in other sectors. The new levy now means that companies like BP and Shell Plc. (NYSE: SHEL) will now fork over 75% in taxes, up from 65% in 2022. Nevertheless, Vitol and other leading energy traders benefited big-time from the crisis, with Vitol posting a record $15 billion in profit thanks to high commodity prices. British giant BP Plc (NYSE: BP) announced annual profits of nearly $28 billion for FY 2022, more than double the year before and the biggest in the company's 114-year history. BP was able to post the record profits despite taking a massive post-tax charge of $24.4 billion in its 1Q 2022 results, the largest such impact on any company globally, after exiting its 19.75% stake in Russia's Rosneft PJSC. Meanwhile, British Gas owner Centrica Centrica Plc (OTCPK:CPYYF) (OTCPK:CPYYY) saw its FY 2022 profits triple to a record 3.3 billion pounds last year amid high energy prices. Centrica's bottom line received a big boost by soaring profits in its upstream oil and gas division, with wholesale gas prices in the country hitting record highs last year. Centrica, which owns a 20% stake in Britain's nuclear power stations, also benefited from increased generation last year. Centrica announced an extension of the company's share buyback program to $300 million pounds from 250 million pounds, meaning the company intends to buy back 10% of its capital. Citi analyst Jenny Ping has maintained a Buy rating for Centrica shares, highlighting the company's strong cash generation, strong balance sheet, and the giant share buyback program. Last August, Centrica signed a 15-year supply deal with Delfin Midstream valued at 7B ($8.45B) for liquefied natural gas from a planned LNG export facility off the coast of Louisiana. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com ADVERTISEMENT More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Kevin and Bonnie Culjat almost couldnt believe the checks they wrote earlier this week. Fresh off another College World Series, the owners of Roccos Pizza and Cantina wrote nine checks that totaled $142,524. Eight of the checks went to the food banks of the universities that participated in this years CWS. The ninth check was sent to Omahas Food Bank for the Heartland. The donations were made possible by the eye-popping number of Jell-O shots purchased at Roccos, which is adjacent to Charles Schwab Field across 13th Street, during the CWS. Fans collectively purchased 95,030 shots. That total was almost three times more than the previous record of 32,058 set last year. I would have never in my wildest dreams thought that Id be sitting down and writing a check for that kind of donation to anything, but this has just taken on a life of its own, Culjat said Wednesday. When we sat down yesterday and we wrote those nine checks, we just kind of took a deep breath. My wife and I thought this is pretty amazing where this thing has gone. One dollar from each shot sold was donated to the food banks of the respective teams. Louisiana State University fans drove the record-setting competition. Having purchased 68,888 Jell-O shots, they ensured their universitys food bank received a $68,888 donation from the Culjats. LSUs total was boosted by some big purchases. One came from Raising Canes founder and LSU alumnus Todd Graves, who spent $30,000 on 6,000 Jell-O shots for his team. Louisiana attorney Gordon McKernan purchased 8,888 rally shots for the Tigers. Brandon Common, the interim vice president for student affairs at LSU, said the Culjats donation is the largest singular donation LSUs food pantry has received in its 10-year history. Common thanked LSU fans for their support. Were not just a university. Were a family, he said. The Culjats also donated money to the following university food banks: Wake Forest University: $7,628 Texas Christian University: $7,070 University of Florida: $4,136 Oral Roberts University: $3,323 University of Tennessee: $2,207 Stanford University: $912 University of Virginia: $872 Additionally, 50 cents from each shot sold was donated to Omahas Food Bank for the Heartland. Stephanie Sullivan, assistant director of marketing and communications, said the Culjats $47,488 donation will provide more than 142,000 meals throughout the food banks coverage area of 93 counties this summer. Its invaluable to us and the neighbors in need that we serve. It allows us to keep our food pantries across Nebraska and western Iowa stocked with fresh, nutritious food, Sullivan said. Sullivan added the Culjats donation is especially timely because food bank donations typically are lower during summer. Culjat said he and Bonnie came up with donating some Jell-O shot proceeds to food banks after coming across one at the University of Mississippi a couple of years ago. The Culjats saw parallels with their own story of struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic when they saw who used the food bank. Coming off COVID, when I was real close to losing my businesses and (remembering) how hard that was, it kind of hit home with my wife and I, Culjat said. I cant imagine getting up every day and wondering how youre going to feed your family. Thats something I just cant really comprehend. In addition to the Culjats donations, Jevo, a Nashville, Tennessee, company that assisted Roccos in making the tens of thousands of Jell-O shots with its automated gelatin shot machines, said it also plans to make donations to the food banks. John Oberg, Jevos chief operating officer, said the company is currently calculating the amount of its donations after expenses. Like the Culjats, Oberg has empathy for those who dont have secure access to food. Food insecurity is the worst, he said. I was a broke college student at one time. There was a lot of time when we just didnt have food. And that really stung. Oberg added the Jevo team was really dialed in to the Culjats desire to help the hungry through the Jell-O shot completion. Not every Jell-O shot that was bought was actually served. When people purchase thousands of shots at once, they knew they were doing so for charitable reasons, Culjat said. They know theyre only going to get a couple of hundred shots for their money. But they just like being a part of it, he said. It works out well for everybody. The sound of the explosion startled Charlene Murphy awake. The sight boggled her mind. It just sounded like poof, but it was kinda big, and kinda loud, Murphy said. I jumped up, and a whole half of my house was gone. Me, its just the way I think, I thought how am I gonna fix that? That was a reflexive reaction for the 69-year-old Murphy, a self-described old hippie who was forever fixing or renovating something throughout her nearly three decades in her 104-year-old family home at 3027 Lincoln Blvd. in midtown Omaha. It took several seconds for reality to sink in after the boom just after noon on July 3. Murphys house had exploded. It was on fire. Forget about fixing it. She had to get out. Murphy and her roommate scrambled to safety with the help of neighbors, who hoisted them out a first-floor window along with Murphys pit bull-greyhound mix, Axl Rose. Her long-haired ragdoll cat Merlin emerged a couple of days later with singed ears and nose and burned toe pads. Her other cat, Magics, fate remained unknown for almost two weeks. The house is damaged beyond repair. It will have to be demolished, Murphy said. She was unable to go in to look for Magic or salvage any of her possessions because the structure is unsound. They think its going to fall, she said. I guess they were going to have somebody come shore it up because the insurance company wants to investigate. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, said Assistant Fire Marshal Joseph Caniglia of the Omaha Fire Department. He declined to comment on what role natural gas might have played. Neighbors have said they smelled natural gas outside the house in the days and hours before the blast. That includes a couple who said they reported a gas odor to the Metropolitan Utilities District about 11 a.m. on July 3. Kay Burdwell said she and her husband, Hutch Mathers, called MUDs emergency line shortly after 11 a.m. on July 3. The person who answered the phone told Mathers that MUD was purging gas lines in the area and not to worry about it, Burdwell said. He gave them the address of Charlenes house, Burdwell said. They said if you still smell it after 12 oclock, give us a call back. An MUD spokeswoman declined to comment on that or reports of other neighbors calls to the company. In response to questions about purging gas lines, she said in a prepared statement that purging is a standard, necessary and routine effort to either remove air from a pipeline that will be put into service or to remove natural gas from a pipeline that will be abandoned. Both actions were being conducted on July 3 in the approximate area of 33rd and Cuming. Several neighbors said it has been common for years to occasionally smell natural gas in the neighborhood, and to call MUD to report it. Burdwell estimated that in her eight years living there, firefighters have gone there probably three times to investigate gas odors. Another neighbor, Leigh Suhr, said she reported a gas odor last fall to MUD. They came out with their sniffers; they were very nice, she said. Suhr said she smelled gas about 10 p.m. the night before the explosion while walking up the block. I didnt call, but I wish I had, she said. I dont call all the time because they always come and say everythings fine. ... Now I will call every time. Burdwell said her husband wasnt sure of the odor and didnt initially want to call MUDs emergency number when they thought they smelled gas while walking their dogs the morning of July 3. I said just in case it is gas we have to call it in immediately because someones house might blow up, she said. The Nebraska State Fire Marshals Office pipeline safety division is assisting in the Fire Departments investigation of the explosion and fire. Murphy said her homes insurance company also is investigating. She said she has been told a natural gas leak was involved, but the source of it has not been determined. The MUD statement said the utility is cooperating with ongoing investigations by both the Omaha Fire Department and the Nebraska State Fire Marshal. As part of its responsibilities to those investigations, the District declines further comment about the incident in question. Charlene Murphy, meanwhile, is staying with her daughter, Amber Murphy, and coming to grips with the sad reality of losing her house for good. Charlene Murphy talked about that last week, while she was sitting on a bench in the front yard in the shade of a young oak tree she had planted, hoping that Magic the cat would come out. The house has been in the family for decades. Mary Murphy, who lived about a block away, bought it for her son, Mike Murphy, when he was 17 years old. Mike married Charlene, and they had a daughter, Amber. After the couple divorced, Mike Murphy died of leukemia at just 42 years old. When he passed away, she (Mary Murphy) came to me wanting to know if I wanted to buy the house, Murphy said. And I did because I wanted my daughter to continue growing up here. ... She was just 13 when her father passed away. She took it extremely hard. We moved in here and it kind of calmed her down. The house was solidly built six years after the Easter tornado of 1913 tore through Omaha. It has beautiful woodwork, Murphy said. She stripped and refinished all the woodwork because a lot of it had been painted, and the rest was dull. Among other projects, she had gutted and renovated a bathroom, and was working on another. And the Murphys are antique dealers, so I have a whole lot of antiques in there, she said. Or had. More important than its features, the home was a gathering place for family. People came by, on holidays when Murphy was younger, but often just to spend time together. Everybody was just comfortable here, Murphy said. They have memories of Grammy down there, and then all the memories of growing up as kids when they would come down here. With all the upkeep of a big old house, she had thought about selling it. But I couldnt part it with it, Murphy said. That would break my daughters heart. She was planning this summer to have a new roof and gutters put on, and redo the front porch. I had to call my insurance man and tell him, well, we have a different claim now, Murphy said. The house has a gas water heater and furnace. But she switched the dryer and stove to electric when she moved in, and had the gas lines for those appliances capped off at the time. She said she had not smelled any gas in the house. She and her roommate, Alison Fairchild, usually burn candles and often incense in the evenings. But we always put them out at night because we dont want to have a fire, Murphy said. On the day of the explosion, Murphy was napping on a living room sofa and her roommate was upstairs. The explosion blew out the entire west wall of the house, some 30 feet from where Murphy lay. At first, when I woke up, it was kind of smoky, Murphy said. But it didnt smell like smoke. It smelled like dust from lath and plaster. I could hear bits of plaster falling. I guess I was kind of shock looking around. Then she saw her neighbor running toward the back of his house, climbing over the rubble of what used to be her wall. She tried to go out the front door, but it wouldnt open. She ran to the staircase for her roommate. She was on her way down with her cat under her arm, Murphy said. She said, What happened? I said, I dont know but we got to go. She started climbing out a window. And all of a sudden theres this big man there, Murphy said. Hes like here, let me get you out of here. He passed me on to his friend and then he got my roommate out. She had almost given up hope on Magic when she got a call in the middle of the night last weekend that a neighbor had seen the cat outside. Murphy hurried to the house. Magic ran to her yowling. His whiskers were gone, but he seemed otherwise fine. Murphys not sure what will happen next. Leigh Suhr knows what she wants to happen. I hope she rebuilds and I hope she stays, Suhr said. Shes a really nice neighbor. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of July 2023 KYIV, Ukraine Russia pounded Ukraines southern cities with drones and missiles for a third consecutive night Thursday, keeping Odesa in the Kremlins crosshairs after a bitter dispute over the end of a wartime deal that allowed Ukraine to send grain through the key Black Sea port. The strikes killed at least two people in Odesa. In the nearby city of Mykolaiv, which is close to the Black Sea, at least 19 people were injured, including a child, Ukrainian officials said. Russia has targeted Ukrainian critical grain export infrastructure since it vowed retribution this week for an attack that damaged a crucial bridge between Russia and the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula. Russian officials blamed that strike on Ukrainian drone boats. The strikes on Ukraines grain export infrastructure have helped drive up food prices in countries facing hunger. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the end of the deal Monday would result in more human suffering, with potentially millions of people affected. The grain deal provided guarantees that ships would not be attacked entering and leaving Ukrainian ports, while a separate agreement facilitated the movement of Russian food and fertilizer. The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Pakistan called Thursday for the restoration of the Black Sea grain initiative to ensure global food security, making the demand at a news conference after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met with his Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari after arriving on his first visit to the Islamic nation. Kuleba also met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to a government statement. It quoted Sharif saying that the conflict in Ukraine has had a significant global impact that has hurt the economies of many countries. The United States also imposed sanctions Thursday on roughly 120 firms and people from Russia to the United Arab Emirates to Kyrgyzstan in an effort to choke off Moscow's access to products, money and financial channels that support its invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions imposed by the Treasury and State departments target dozens of Russian mining, technology and munitions firms and commercial banks. In addition, a group of Kyrgyzstan-based electronics firms and its leadership were targeted as exporters of components and other technology to Russia. The White House said the latest sanctions fall in line with an ongoing effort to tighten coordination of sanctions with allies, particularly the European Union and the United Kingdom. As long as the war continues, well continue to take these kinds of actions, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Thursday. This wont be the end of it. And well continue to explore additional sections as appropriate going forward. The Russian military on Thursday described its strikes on Odesa, a city whose downtown area is described by the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO as possessing "outstanding universal value, as retaliatory. In January, UNESCO added Odesas historic center to its list of endangered World Heritage Sites, with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay saying the legendary port that has left its mark in cinema, literature and the arts. Despite multiple Russian artillery attacks and airstrikes during the war that began in February 2022, Odesa had not previously been subjected to the heavy barrages that have targeted other towns and cities in Ukraines south and east. Odesa residents reeled from Russias sudden focus on their city. I remember the attack on the port last year, but now it feels like it was only 5% compared to what the Russians have launched at us during these past three days, Oleksandr Kolodin, a 29-year-old photographer, told The Associated Press. Some feared that Russias decision to tear up the grain deal would make Odesa a long-term primary target. We saw how they could attack Kyiv for an entire month, said 29-year-old programmer Victor, referring to the intense bombardment of the Ukrainian capital in May. The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that it targeted production shops and storage sites for unmanned boats in Odesa and the nearby city of Chornomorsk. In the Mykolaiv area, the Russian military claimed to have destroyed Ukrainian fuel infrastructure facilities and ammunition depots. Neither sides claims could be independently verified. The previous night, an intense Russian bombardment using drones and missiles damaged critical port infrastructure in Odesa, including grain and oil terminals. The attack destroyed at least 60,000 tons of grain. In what appeared to be a tit-for-tat move, Ukraines Defense Ministry announced that as of Friday, all vessels in the Black Sea heading to Russian ports may be considered by Ukraine as such carrying military cargo with all the associated risks. Russias Defense Ministry said earlier this week that Moscow had formally declared wide areas of the Black Sea dangerous for shipping and warned that it would view any incoming ship as laden with weapons, effectively announcing a sea blockade. The White House warned Wednesday that Russia was preparing possible attacks on civilian shipping vessels in the Black Sea. The warning could alarm shippers and further drive up grain prices. The biggest U.S.-Australia joint military exercise is a message to China, as explained by the U.S. Navy secretary. The American official shared his statement during an opening ceremony on a naval vessel in Sidney. Biggest US-Australia Joint Military Exercise is a Message to China According to US News' latest report, the last Talisman Sabre joint military exercise was last conducted in 2005. This military activity, which is held every two years, will happen again this 2023. Officials said that the Talisman Sabre this year will be the largest one yet. Because of this, U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said that the defense activity is a message to China that everything the U.S. and its allies do is tied by their core values. "The most important message that China can take from this exercise and anything that our allies and partners do together, is that we are extremely tied by the core values that exist amongst our many nations," explained the official. Related Article: US Officials Pledge to 'Finish the Job' at Nuclear Lab in Oppenheimer's Honor What To Know About Talisman Sabre 2023 Via its official website, the Australian government announced that the Talisman Sabre joint military exercise will start on July 22 and last until Aug. 4. It is considered to be the 10th and largest U.S.-Australia joint military activity in history. The Talisman Sabre 2023 will conduct numerous military activities, such as amphibious landings, ground force maneuvers, air combat, and maritime operations, as well as field training exercises. The military event is expected to involve over 30,000 troops and other military participants from 11 other countries. These include France, Japan, Fiji, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany. With the massive size of the event, it will definitely show the force and unity of the U.S., Australia, and other allied countries. The Talisman Sabre 2023 will be held in various parts of Australia; New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, Northern territory, and many more. If you want to learn more about the upcoming U.S.-Australia joint military operations, you can click this link. Related Article: US Army Allots $200 Million Just to Get Recruits Physically Fit! Will FSPC Really Work? @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Italian authorities have seized 5.3 tons of cocaine with EUR 850 million ($946 million) transported between ships off the coast of Sicily Friday (July 21). Five people - two Tunisians, an Italian, an Albanian and a French national - were also arrested during the boarding, the Guardia di Finanza said in a statement. Police alleged they have been tracking a ship that sailed from South America and found its way into the Mediterranean last Wednesday (July 19). Surveillance aircraft spotted packages being thrown from its deck into the waters of the Strait of Sicily to be collected by a waiting fishing trawler, whose course towards the packages were deemed "suspicious" by authorities. Read Also: Greece Boat Disaster: Coastguard Accused of Pressuring Survivors to Blame Egyptian Men Authorities quickly stopped the trawler and found large quantities of drugs in a hidden compartment behind some paneling on the vessel, as per a Reuters report. Sicilian governor Renato Schifani commended the operation as a blow against drug smuggling. "Drugs are a scourge of our society fuelled by unscrupulous men who sow death by crushing hopes and destroying many families," he said in a statement. A similar bust in April yielded almost 2 tons of cocaine floating at sea off of eastern Sicily, which police believed had been left by a cargo ship for collection. Related Article: Italian Police Hunt for Man Filmed Carving Graffiti on Rome's Colosseum @ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Actors Kim Young-dae, left, and Pyo Ye-jin will play the lead characters in the new ENA series "Moonrise During The Day." Courtesy of Outer Korea and Secret ENT By Lee Gyu-lee Actors Kim Young-dae and Pyo Ye-jin will lead ENA's upcoming fantasy romance series "Moonrise During The Day." The network announced that the two have confirmed their roles, along with actors On Joo-wan and Jung Woong-in. Based on the hit webcomics of the same name, the new series will revolve around the top actor, Han Joon-oh (Kim), and a firefighter-turned-bodyguard Kang Young-hwa (Pyo). Despite his heartthrob image, Han is far from living his best life, as he suffers from insecurity. But when he gets into a car accident while shooting a commercial on the set, he gets possessed by the spirit of a nobleman from the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C 676 A.D), which turns his personality around completely. Kang used to be a firefighter, but when she gets into an accident with Han, she faces a major change in life, becoming Han's personal bodyguard. On will play the character of Han Min-oh, who is the CEO of Han's agency, and Jung will play the role of Suk Cheol-hwan, the agency's former CEO, who became homeless after getting kicked out of his position by Han Min-oh. The series is led by the director Pyo Min-su, whose previous work includes the comedy series "The Producers" (2015) and the romantic comedy series "Heartstrings" (2011). It probably has not escaped your notice that the year is already half over. Werent we just waiting to see if Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow? It seems like only yesterday we brought out the patio chairs from winter storage. Where has the time gone? I mean, some schools are starting classes in a mere three weeks for Petes sake! 2023, you just arrived and already we can feel your summer days slipping through our fingers. As Shakespeare reminded us, Summer's lease hath all too short a date. But lets not despair. We can still squeeze fun out of these remaining sun-filled weeks. We might even be able to create lifelong memories from the End of Summer 2023. To purposefully enjoy these days of carefree leisure, we must prioritize our time and do the most important things first! The most important summer things, that is. We must put away our screens and look at the bright blue sky. We must step outside and feel the grass beneath our feet. (Even if the lawn is a bit dry right now ) Unconvinced about the possibilities of last-minute summer fun? Then take a look at these suggestions, right here in our area: Visit the local Farmers Market. Stop at a neighborhood kids lemonade stand. Just this week I bought a large glass of tart lemonade from two young entrepreneurs. Sure, it made my mouth pucker, but it was worth it to see the boys excitement at the sale. Go to the County 4-H Fair. Attend a performance by your local community players, theater troupe or municipal band. Head to Springfield for the Illinois State Fair (Aug. 10-20). Go to the dinner theater at the Barn III- Conklin Players in Goodfield. We saw Sunshine Boys which was very entertaining, and dinner was delicious. (I had the tilapia.) Buy sweet corn from a local farmers roadside stand. Who can resist freshly picked corn, steaming hot and dripping in butter? Sit outside and read a book of poems. Or a comic book. Or a mystery thriller. Watch the fireflies at dusk. Load the kids in the car, even if they are wearing their pajamas, and go to the drive-thru at your favorite ice cream place. I have wonderful memories of eating ice cream in the pickup truck with my grandparents. Set up a sprinkler in the yard for the kids and dogs to run through. Or, dig out the ol Super Soaker and ambush your significant other. Pack a lunch and go on a picnic. Draw on the sidewalk with chalk. Its even better if you have a child with you. Get together with that person you promised last winter youd visit when the weather was better. Cook something new on the grill youve always wanted to try. Go to a drive-in movie; Harvest Moon Twin Drive-In Theater is nearby in Gibson City. Build a campfire and make smores. Visit the new anteater at Miller Park Zoo. See Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One. (Its awesome and I cant believe Tom Cruise does all those stunts at age 61.) Go to the stock car races. Have a family photo taken while everyone is home. And if none of these activities appeals to you, check out the Event Calendar in The Pantagraph. There are dozens of terrific fairs, exhibits and festivals happening within the next few weeks. BLOOMINGTON Recent gains in McLean County's population and economy have given area economic and government leaders something to celebrate but also, a puzzle to solve. In an era when the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that people move an average of 11 times in their lives, how can new residents be enticed to stay here? That's the driving force behind a bevy of developments that community leaders are pursuing to capitalize on and retain the community's new arrivals. According to U.S. Census data, the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area increased in population by a marginal 1,382 people between 2010 and 2020. However, that data does not account for the newcomers who have arrived since 2021 to work at the Rivian Automotive manufacturing plant in west Normal or others who have been lured by the area's economic growth. With a focus on retaining that population, the McLean County Chamber of Commerce and McLean County Community Compact with PNC Bank created the 2023 McLean County Employer Needs Survey that highlights what employers are noticing from employees who are leaving or turning down jobs. Most of the respondents cited reasons that included compensation, job flexibility and benefits as well as for other reasons like relocation and housing availability. This isnt unique to McLean County, but we have to identify how we want to address that issue ourselves and rather than having a lot of individual discussions on what we can do in the workforce, how is it that we can come together and have a community conversation, said McLean County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Charlie Moore. The chamber hosted Reimaging Advocacy Multiplied (RAMP) event on Thursday afternoon, uniting business leaders and government officials to focus on challenges and opportunities in building up the local workforce. RAMP is about collective action and community growth and serves as a replacement for the chamber's State of series, shifting focus to the future of Bloomington-Normal and McLean County as a competitive job market and community for retention, Moore said. We are inviting the business community to the table along with the elected officials to really address what some steps are that we can put into place to really identify where there are opportunities and then work together to move forward, he said. Respondents to the survey included 103 McLean County employers, many of which were small businesses that had been in operations for decades. They represented some 30,034 employees, of which 22,806 were full-time workers. The majority of the responding employers operate in marketing, human services and business management and administration. Recent government data showed the McLean County workforce is made up of 95,781 individuals with 92,469 of those people employed and 3,312 unemployed. The unemployment rate was 3.5%. The total number of job openings in the next three years is projected to be 2,567 with education and training being the top growing sector, anticipating 721 openings. Other projected growth areas included health sciences with 540 openings, business management and administration with 445 openings, and hospitality and tourism with 245 openings. We wanted to make sure that we surveyed our businesses to see how we can better our community and get people to stay, said Ashley Strupek, professional and workforce development coordinator with the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. As for what employers feel are essential workplace skills, the survey showed that communicating effectively and practicing professionalism at work are the most important qualities, while advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and navigating challenges and stressors were ranked lower. Strupek said some employers might not understand the importance of DEI practices, and the chamber is working to create an educational toolkit on the subject. I think people dont understand what DEI is, so they just think its not important, Strupek said. Its something that we need to all be aware of and also take into consideration and just know that it is important. Other recommendations were for employers to explore job flexibility and review compensation and benefits, as well as working to better understand employee needs, engage the local university populations and create career pathways with local education systems. Following the results of the survey, local and state government officials highlighted the need for improving the quality of life throughout Bloomington-Normal and McLean County through investments in infrastructure, public facilities and housing. Normal Kevin McCarthy, Normal town council member and mayor pro tempore, said residents are asking for more walkable access to transit and other mixed-use environments; they want parking accommodations as well as varying densities and building designs, he said. McCarthy said the town council will soon prepare to bid out the long-awaited underpass project at Uptown Station, which will connect uptown and to the planned south central business district known as Uptown South. In the last nine months, the town has approved residential developments that will generate more than 1,400 new units varying from single-family detached homes to duplexes and multi-family units, McCarthy said. We plan to continue our role as a leader in Illinois where businesses thrive, individuals and their loved ones feel safe and valued and our neighborhoods flourish, McCarthy said. Bloomington Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe said the citys strategic plan highlights their priorities in improving infrastructure, revitalizing older neighborhoods, emphasizing economic development, promoting housing diversity, improving efficiency in service delivery and enhancing public safety. Bloomington has always been a very attractive community, Mwilambwe said. In fact, that is the reason why I decided to come here because as a student I always felt that the community was nice, clean, very neat and had, at the time, already enough to offer. But I think over the years weve made quite a bit of progress. Bloomington Deputy City Manager Jeff Jurgens highlighted the citys work with the Bloomington Public Library remodel and reconstruction of ONeil Park & Pool, which are both expected to be completed this fall, as well as the services and events offered throughout the many parks and in the historic downtown area. Jurgens said the city has started talking about the Water Capital Improvement Plan, which is projected to be a $350 million investment into water distribution improvements, modernization and replacements. Obviously weve got to have good water in the community, Jurgens said. Similar to what the town talked about, not necessarily the greatest thing that people like to spend money on, but you also like to have good roads. Bloomington has invested just over $2 million in its road infrastructure work and is now getting underway with the downtown streetscape project, which has a steering committee in place and a public engagement campaign to start in late August, Jurgens said. McLean County McLean County Administrator Cassy Taylor also highlighted the need for broadband internet access throughout the county and said the access to the internet can affect employees wanting to work from home or opportunities for businesses to utilize online commerce. A work group named Accelerate Access will work to expand broadband access for all residents and create affordable and high-quality internet while promoting economic growth and educational opportunities and improving the overall quality of life, she said. Were going to explore a variety of opportunities to secure funding, Taylor said. Currently there are significant federal dollars that are available and have been allocated for these types of projects. Taylor also mentioned that the county has received funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation to extend the Constitution Trail to McLean, about 15 miles southwest of Bloomington, connecting the two communities. The board is also working with the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council to revamp their small business loan process to offer up to $20,000 with 0% interest and commercial lease grants of up to $10,000, Taylor said. Its not just for rural communities; its for anyone in McLean County, but we did believe that it would be helpful for our small communities, especially those that have storefronts in the downtown areas that are vacant, she added. State Sen. Dave Koehler, D-Peoria, as well as state Sens. Sally Turner, R-Beason, and Tom Bennett, R-Gibson City, were in attendance and talked about the importance helping communities in their district through cooperation and passing state legislation. Koehler said it is important to foster relationships with universities and colleges that can create pathways for local employment but also look at other avenues through apprenticeships and the trades. "There's some things you're gonna find that are gonna happen all across Illinois, in fact all across the United States," Koehler said. "So we better look at just as you have done with taking a snapshot of what people have said in response to different issues and different situations in Bloomington-Normal and translate that down to a workable plan, and we've got to do that at the state level." Photos: 27th annual Glorious Garden Festival takes root in Bloomington-Normal Tending succulents Tropical Flowers Cactus Succulent Shed Climbing Onion 2023 Dan Anderson 1 GLORIOUS GARDENS 071523-blm-loc-gardenfest4 Video: Children's librarian Alex Bell talks about StoryWalk BLOOMINGTON Lydia Jennings of Bloomington attended a two-week symphony session at Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. Jennings is a student at Bloomington High School who plays the tuba. She was among 57 musicians from across the country who participated in the session, which provides intensive, performance-based instruction to promising young musicians by immersing them in a professional mentoring environment. The performance center is a residential music academy for advanced young musicians where students are taught by nationally known performers and educators during the day and perform in concerts alongside them at night. During the two-week session, students were given the opportunity to hone their technical skills and learn all the aspects of life as a professional musician firsthand, and they performed seven concerts in front of paying concertgoers. Birch Creek celebrates its 48th concert season in 2023 and continues to support a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 2-to-1. The center hosts four sessions focused on percussion and street band, symphony and big band jazz. Program Director Ricardo Castaneda is in his 26th year at Birch Creek and 23rd in this role. He is currently principal oboist with the Chicago Sinfonietta and solo English horn with the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra. Birch Creek concert and session dates for 2023 are posted at BirchCreek.org/tickets. Close James Harden, executive director of engagement and social emotional learning in Champaign Unit 4 School District, delivered the keynote speech Saturday, June 3, at the Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Recently graduated high schoolers received over $80,000 in scholarships during the Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration on Saturday, June 3, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Bradley Ross Jackson, president of the Bloomington-Normal NAACP Youth Council, at the 2023 NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration on Saturday, June 3, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Carla Campbell-Jackson, vice president of the Bloomington-Normal NAACP, at the NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration on Saturday, June 3, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. James Harden, executive director of engagement and social emotional learning in Champaign Unit 4 School District, delivered the keynote speech Saturday, June 3, at the Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. James Harden, executive director of engagement and social emotional learning in Champaign Unit 4 School District, delivered the keynote speech Saturday, June 3, at the Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Michael Coleman, previous recipient of Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Mentoring and Providing Scholarships, delivers remarks on Saturday, June 3, at the Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. lined up to give out scholarships at the Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration on Saturday, June 3, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. The Bloomington-Normal NAACP held its annual Joint Scholarship Celebration on Saturday, June 3, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Brandon Caffey of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. presented students with scholarships on Saturday, June 3, at the Joint Scholarship Celebration at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Members of the local Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. gave out scholarships at Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration on Saturday, June 3, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Photos: Bloomington-Normal NAACP, other groups present $82K in scholarships The Bloomington-Normal NAACP and a number of other groups handed out over $80,000 in scholarships to recent high-school grads in Bloomington and Normal. James Harden, executive director of engagement and social emotional learning in Champaign Unit 4 School District, delivered the keynote speech Saturday, June 3, at the Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Recently graduated high schoolers received over $80,000 in scholarships during the Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration on Saturday, June 3, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Bradley Ross Jackson, president of the Bloomington-Normal NAACP Youth Council, at the 2023 NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration on Saturday, June 3, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Carla Campbell-Jackson, vice president of the Bloomington-Normal NAACP, at the NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration on Saturday, June 3, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. James Harden, executive director of engagement and social emotional learning in Champaign Unit 4 School District, delivered the keynote speech Saturday, June 3, at the Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. James Harden, executive director of engagement and social emotional learning in Champaign Unit 4 School District, delivered the keynote speech Saturday, June 3, at the Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Michael Coleman, previous recipient of Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Mentoring and Providing Scholarships, delivers remarks on Saturday, June 3, at the Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. lined up to give out scholarships at the Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration on Saturday, June 3, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. The Bloomington-Normal NAACP held its annual Joint Scholarship Celebration on Saturday, June 3, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Brandon Caffey of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. presented students with scholarships on Saturday, June 3, at the Joint Scholarship Celebration at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. Members of the local Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. gave out scholarships at Bloomington-Normal NAACP's Joint Scholarship Celebration on Saturday, June 3, at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Bloomington. NORMAL The newest state historical marker, featured on the site of Kingsley Junior High, honors the first African American man to own a home in Normal, Simon Malone. In a short ceremony, baking under the midday sun, the McLean County Museum of History, Illinois State Historical Society and the Town of Normal on Thursday unveiled the marker, which briefly tells Malone's story from enslavement, his fight in the Civil War and eventual homeownership. Brian Peterson of the Normal Human Relations Commission called Malone a "great man who set forth the promise to have a family here in Normal. And what we're here is to celebrate homeownership, which is often overlooked as a power." In prepared remarks, the history museum's executive director, Julie Emig, said the project of tracking Malone's life was akin to detective work. "We look at a variety of sources, documents, letters, interviews, maps, markers, and piece together these clues to construct an interpretation of the past," Emig said. Because recordkeeping is not always a perfect science, there are some discrepancies in Malone's story, she said. Some of the debatable aspects are the number of children Malone had with his wife, Julia Malone, and whether Malone built the house himself or bought it. "What is undisputed is that this was the Malone family home for decades and the first documented home (in the county) that belonged to a Black family," Emig said. Bill Kemp, the museum's librarian, gave a brief synopsis of Malone's life. "I cannot speak for Simon and Julia Malone. I cannot speak for their children. Nor can I speak for their descendants ... What I can attempt to do is give some context to their remarkable story," Kemp said. Malone was born in 1842 to enslavement in Mississippi. "He was 20 years old when, in 1863, he liberated himself in the chaos of the Civil War. He would find safety and purpose behind Union lines," Kemp said. Malone served with a heavy artillery unit in Kentucky at Fort Nelson, a training center for freedmen soldiers and a refugee camp for their families, he said. "Simon Malone was there as a participant and as a witness," Kemp said. "These now-freed people and the Black soldiers protecting them are a core story of the Civil War a story as fundamental as those we tell about the battlefields of Shiloh, Antietam, Gettysburg and all the rest." It was two years after the war, in 1867, when Malone moved to Normal and married. Kemp continued, "We must stress that the Malone story is inextricably intertwined with a Black community in Normal and how a few town leaders and others, both Black and white, introduced and worked to maintain a modicum of racial integration in Normal in the post-Civil War years." By the 1870s, there were roughly 100 African American citizens in Normal and around a dozen school children in integrated public schools, Kemp said. He added that a handful of African American Civil War veterans had purchased property in Normal by that time. "Integration to some extent, yes, but not racial harmony certainly, and not equality," Kemp said. He said racial divide in homeownership, economic opportunity and social acceptance "did not begin to break down in the Twin Cities until the 1950s and 1960s." That disparity makes the Malone's home marker all the more significant, Emig said. "This (marker) is relevant and immediate for today (as) redlining and zoning challenges remain," Emig said. Illinois State Historical Society board member Bob Sampson elaborated on the need to tell history accurately. "National and state history, if rooted in erroneous or incomplete accounts of our past, ignoring past injustices, leads to repetition of those errors in the present and the future," Sampson said. "Too often, too many people endured daily challenges because of their skin color, their gender, their religion, their ethnicities" and other differences, he said. After the unveiling, chair of the Normal Human Relations Commission Janessa Williams said, "It's great to see the Town of Normal recognize the first African American citizens of the town." Williams, whose family has been in the area for half a century, said, "To learn the history of somebody that was here in the 1800s was just absolutely amazing." Peterson, her fellow commission member, said the significance of homeownership cannot be overlooked. "To celebrate that on this day as a man of color, I am humbled because this man (Simon Malone) came before me. And now I am here with my family. We are home owners," he said. The importance of the marker's placement was not lost on Peterson either. "It's wonderful that (McLean County) Unit 5 has a junior high right here. So when they return back this fall they can even tell them the story (of Simon Malone)," he said. "If you speak of people and you speak of the positives, and some of the negatives in our history, you allow those people to still stay relevant and still have that essence a presence." LeROY Last fall, the LeRoy Fire Department responded to a call on Interstate 74 not long after a tornado was reported on the southwest part of town. First responders discovered that two semi trucks had rolled over on opposite sides of the interstate. But as they tended to the situation in the midst of heavy thunderstorms, firefighters were exposed to plenty of vehicles that refused to yield, Assistant Fire Chief Ed Underhill said. After that call, and with the loss of Bloomington firefighter Chris Brown in a 2013 crash still weighing on Central Illinois stations, Underhill said something had to change. Crew members of LeRoy's volunteer department worked together to repurpose a 1993 engine into what they describe as a buffer truck that would alert motorists of an oncoming emergency scene. "Running into a truck is better than running into a fireman," Underhill said. "You can replace a truck but you can't replace a fireman." After obtaining a new engine in December 2021, Underhill said the department tried to sell its 30-year-old engine for more than a year. At the most, Underhill said, the department would have gotten $10,000 for the truck. But once it was repurposed to address firefighter safety, he said the engine would hold a lot more value to the department. In February, the department's board of trustees approved the project. Working with a budget of $5,000 to $6,000, firefighters changed the strobes and siren bulbs, added reflective tape strips the back of the truck, bought three emergency road signs and 50 cones and added an arrow board asking motorists to change lanes. No outside help was used for the modifications, Underhill said. After six months of work, the truck became ready for deployment on Tuesday and will be located roughly a quarter of a mile away from emergency scenes. Underhill said the truck also will be available for mutual aid requests, which can be from any department in McLean County. "On a weekend or evening, if you want IDOT to come block (traffic), it takes a couple hours for them to get their trucks and everything out, whereas we can get set up pretty quick," Underhill said. He added that most mutual aid requests LeRoy responds to are from Farmer City and Downs since they both are along the interstate. Although the truck has been repurposed, Underhill said it still has a 1,000- gallon tank, which means it is insured to serve as a pumper truck or water tender at structure fires. Photos: LeRoy ambulance among better equipped in small Illinois towns 082221-blm-loc-2rural 082221-blm-loc-1rural 082221-blm-loc-3rural 082221-blm-loc-5rural 082221-blm-loc-4rural 082221-blm-loc-7rural 082221-blm-loc-6rural 082221-blm-loc-8rural Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkawkaw constituency in the Eastern Region, Seth Adjei Baah, has called on the minority caucus in parliament to halt their boycott of parliamentary business in relation to the trial of the embattled Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson. According to him, the minority's actions could be perceived as intimidation towards the judiciary, urging them to allow the legal process to take its course. Speaking in an interview on Citi TV, the former MP stated that such actions may be interpreted as attempts to influence the judiciary's decision. He emphasized the importance of allowing the judicial process to proceed independently without undue pressure. "They should give the judiciary the chance to do what is right because they are trying the case and the lawyers are there. I know they will do the right thing, so it is not about following up that will influence the decision of the court," citinewsroom.com quoted him to have said. Expressing empathy for those who wish to accompany James Gyakye Quayson to court, he underscored that boycotting parliamentary work is not a constructive approach. "If they [the Minority] think the problem is coming from the executive, then they should go and picket over there and tell them that they are not happy, but not go and put pressure on the judiciary because their presence there is intimidating," he advised. The trial of James Gyakye Quayson, whose eligibility as an MP has been a subject of contention due to dual citizenship issues, has attracted significant attention in Ghana's political landscape. In solidarity with their colleague, the minority caucus has boycotted parliamentary sessions, raising concerns about the impact of such actions on the country's legislative process. 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. Featured Video First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseh Oseip-Owusu, has condemned the current parliament as the worst in the nation's history. The scathing criticism comes in the wake of recent actions by the minority caucus, which have hindered legislative progress. The contentious incident that triggered Joe Wise's verdict occurred on July 20, 2023, during the consideration of clauses in the Ghana Commission for UNESCO bill. Minority member Alhassan Suhuyini raised concerns about the quorum, challenging the Speaker's decision on the question put forth regarding the clause. Suhuyini argued that there were not enough Members of Parliament present to make a valid decision on the bill, prompting the need for a headcount. Reacting to the minority's demand for a headcount, Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh expressed his disappointment and questioned the motives behind the opposition's actions. He accused the minority caucus of acting in bad faith, suggesting that the leadership had already agreed to include the bill in the day's business, making the headcount unnecessary. An adjournment resulted after the headcount. However, the First Deputy Speaker, Joseph Osei-Owusu, took a broader view in his assessment of the situation In an interview, he lamented the current state of affairs in the eighth parliament, stating, "We have decided to do politics rather than business. This equal number in parliament has brought out the worst in MPs; I have repeated it, and I will repeat it again; this parliament, the eighth parliament has made the least number of laws. We have not cooperated as we did in the past." 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. Featured Video Former Northern Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bugri Naabu, has refuted claims of having personal links with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, amid the recent controversy surrounding an alleged leaked audio plotting the ouster of the police chief. In a July 20 interview with Kwesi Parker-Wilson of Oyerepa TV at his office, Bugri Naabu expressed his frustration with people referring to him as the IGP's "boy," stating that such claims make him angry and feel disrespected. He emphasized that the IGP is not someone who merits the status of being referred to as his "boy," highlighting his own authority and standing in society. "Who is IGP that I can be his boy? Please don't get me angry," he stated, when told by the journalist that the claim was making the rounds in town, he hit back: "but do you believe that, you yourself, how many times haven't I called you to give you news, do I look like IGP's boy? IGP cannot call me his father, but he can call me his Nana (chief); that is who I am," Bugri Naabu asserted. Furthermore, Bugri Naabu stated his willingness to cooperate with any investigation that may arise regarding the leaked audio and its implications. "I am a Ghanaian, and so I am not above anything; if I have committed an offense, the offense will chop me," Bugri Naabu added. The alleged leaked audio, which reportedly involves discussions about removing the IGP from office, has garnered public attention and raised concerns about the involvement of influential figures in the nation's security apparatus. 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. Featured Video BTS' Jungkook poses in a radio booth for BBC Radio 1 "Live Lounge," July 20. Courtesy of BigHit Music Jungkook of K-pop supergroup BTS has expressed his anticipation for the group's future reunion after all the members complete their military service, saying their synergy will be much more powerful then. "It's good that we all have time to grow up individually through our solo projects that reflect our own characteristics and taste," the vocalist said during his appearance on BBC Radio 1's "Live Lounge" on Thursday. "After these times of personal growth, our synergy will be much more powerful as one team. I want to witness that as soon as possible." BTS' Jungkook sings for BBC Radio 1 "Live Lounge," July 20. Courtesy of BigHit Music It marks his second appearance on "Live Lounge" in about two years with his last appearance dating back to 2021 when he performed as part of a group. On Thursday's program, he performed his first solo single, "Seven," and "Let There Be Love," a classic song by the British rock band Oasis. "I have been waiting to meet my fans with great songs. And here I am. I'm so excited!" he said of his feelings about the single's release. When asked about his favorite memory of Britain, he singled out the band's historic concerts at Wembley Stadium in 2019. BTS performs during a concert at Wembley Stadium, London, June 2, 2019. Yonhap The Deputy Ranking Member of the Education Committee in Parliament, Dr. Clement Apaak has said the government has not demonstrated that there is no money to pay suppliers. This comes on the back of other suppliers for the Free Senior High School Policy threatening to demonstrate over the governments inability to pay them. Commenting on the development, the Builsa South lawmaker stated that the governments inability to communicate in clear terms on why it has not paid suppliers means there is money to pay. Ive said that between 2017 and 2023 we have allocated 11.9 billion to finance the programme for 2017 to 2021. According to the Finance Minister the allocation of 7.62 billion, 5.23 billion have been spent which means that there is a surplus of about 2 billion. When you listen to the Minister for Education he also says out of the 7.62 billion, 5.1 billion have been used which means that there is a surplus of over 2 billion. So if we have all of these surplus and with all these allocations and Akufo-Addo have not told us, Bawumia have not told us, Ofori-Atta have not told us, Adutwum have not told us that Ghana is broke, Dr. Apaak stated. He continued: So we cannot pay food suppliers, we cannot pay school uniform suppliers debts, we cannot pay cost of ICT, the cost of library, the cost of maintenance, the cost of ID cards. Therefore, Ghanaians come and lets sit and discuss the way forward so we can all help for the programme to move smoothly, how can we claim that there is no money. The deputy ranking member also reiterated the need for urgent audit on the Free Senior High School policy books. As far as the government has not come to tell us that there is no money, we have to assume that its the government that deliberately doesnt want to pay. There is money rather they are using it for different things that is why they are not using it for the programme. So I am calling for an audit, Dr. Apaak requested. 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. Featured Video President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, has called on the Interior Minister Ambrose Dery to act swiftly on matters relating to 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 following the rampant attacks on journalists. 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 travelling from Wa to Bolgatanga on public transport to attend a workshop on climate change when the incident occurred. 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 Comptroller-General of Ghana Immigration Service, Lawyer Kwame Assuah-Takyi, 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. 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 the 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. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Governments commitment to rebuild Appiatse, a mining community in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality of the Western Region which was razed by an explosion, is on course. Currently, works on the first phase of the communitys reconstruction have reached an advanced stage, and the project will be handed over for use by the end of the year. To this end, the initial impression of uncertainty about the rebuilding of the community by government from the indigenes of the area, has changed. This was disclosed by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Appiatse Reconstruction Committee, Thywill Quarshie in an interview with DAILY GUIDE on the progress of work. The Appiatse community was razed down on Thursday, January 20, 2022, when a truck carrying explosives to a mining site exploded in the community. About 13 people were reported to have died from the incident, with several others sustaining different degrees of injuries. The current government promised to ensure the reconstruction of about 124 housing that were destroyed and rebuild the community. The PRO for the reconstruction committee told DAILY GUIDE that aside the housing units, all the roads in the area are also being reconstructed, adding, Almost all the drainage system have been completed. He pointed out that the construction of the buildings are also at finishing stages, and added that it is left with the electrical works. He was hopeful that by the end of the year, the first phase of the project would be handed over for use. He praised government for its commitment that has ensured the speedy rate of construction of the housing units, and said if it had not been the intermittent rainfall, the project would have been completed. He also commended other organisations and individuals who supported the people in diverse ways when the incident occurred. He, however, called on Ghanaians and other philanthropists to continue to support the community since the ultimate target has not yet been reached. He said at the moment, the affected residents are still being accommodated in tents, a building that was given out by a mining company in the Western Region. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Ghana Education Service (GES) has explained why it interdicted the headmistress of West Africa Senior High School (WASS), Dr Shine Agatha Ofori. According to the Head of the Public Relations Department of the GES, Cassandra Twum Ampofo, the headmistress broke the roles of the service by charging unauthorised fees. Twum Ampofo, who made this disclosure in an interview on Asempa FM, on Thursday, July 20, 2023, said that the school was forcing and threatening students to pay teachers' motivation and other fees. We got the information from the school, some parents came to our headquarters complaining that the school was charging them motivation fees and some SHS levy support money. We sent our regional director to verify these claims and he told us it was true. "So, we had to let the headmistress step aside as we continue our investigation to avoid any interference," she said in Twi. The PRO clarified that the GES is not against parents supporting schools with funds but what it forbids is making support for schools compulsory. We are not against parents supporting our schools financially What we are against is you making support for the schools, levies and compulsory. The moment you make them compulsory and threaten that final year students who do not pay would not be cleared, then it becomes an issue, she said. Background: In a statement released on July 19 and signed by Cassandra Twum Ampofo, the head of Public Relations, the interdiction of Dr. Mrs. Shine Agatha Ofori is in response to allegations of unauthorized collection of funds from students. Pending the final determination of the case by the Regional Disciplinary Committee, she has been instructed to hand over the administration of the school to the Regional Director of Education. The matter is being investigated by the Regional Disciplinary Committee, which will be responsible for reaching a conclusive decision in due course. 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. Featured Video District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie South District, Clement Opoku Gyamfi has appealed to the Presidential aspirants of the New Patriotic Party and their supporters to stop badmouthing themselves. Ten candidates are vying to become the flagbearer of the NPP; among them are the Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, former Trade Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, former Energy Minister, Boakye Agyarko, former Agric Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto and others. The NPP will hold its Special Delegates Congress on August 26, 2023 to reduce the number to five candidates and the five will compete in the main presidential primary where one will be elected to lead the party into the 2024 elections. Hon. Clement Opoku Gyamfi, popularly called "CID", has admonished the aspirants, members and supporters of the party to refrain from engaging in politics of insults and sparking internal acrimony. He wondered how the party will be united after the various camps have thrown dirt on one another. "If you do this and after one has won, how can the team that besmirched the winner draw close to him?", he asked. CID cautioned the party not to repeat their mistakes in 2007 saying "we should be guided by the past. It should mirror us". The DCE advised his party, the NPP, will need all hands on deck if they are going to win the 2024 elections. "The 2024 election will be the most difficult election ever in Ghana. We will definitely break the eight but you will need extra work to do it. We can't adopt the normal process that we used to win the 2016 and 2020 because we want to do an extraordinary thing. So, you need to work extraordinary," he said on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' show. Watch below below Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A group of NPP supporters from Greater Accra and Central Region have protested against an alleged decision by the National Executive Council of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to decentralized the forthcoming Super Delegates Conference on August 26 for the flagbearer elections. The Group massed up earlier at the party headquarters at Asylum Down and matched to the Alisa Hotel at Ridge where the National Council (NC) is holding a meeting to deliberate on the modalities of the upcoming conference. Lead Convenor of the Group, Yaw Obeng Boateng in addressing the media after a peaceful protest here in Accra wants the conference centralized for fairness and transparency. We have heard that NEC want to decentralize the super delegates conference, we will resist every attempt. It must be decentralized, he said. The over 200 supporters have strongly opposed the proposal for regional super delegates conference. Yaw Obeng Boateng also questioned why some aspirants are opting for regional elections while others prefer centralized elections arguing that every aspirants should be held to same standard. The group further expressed concerns about the lack of fairness in Regional elections, highlighting that regional ministers, regional chairmen, and constituency chairmen openly endorsing a specific candidate could influence the outcome. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Alan Kyerematen Campaign says President Akufo-Addo wants to impose his Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia on the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) as its flag bearer. This comes on back of calls by some aspiring presidential candidates that the partys super delegates congress should be centralized for a level playing field for all aspirants. Speaking on Morning Starr with Francis Abban, Spokesperson for Alan Campaign, Richard Nyamah indicated that President Akufo-Addo need not to openly declare his support for the Vice President since everything is obvious and they have evidence. He is trying to impose Bawumia on the NPP. We want a level playing field nine out of ten say that put us together in a room. Lets look at each other eyeball to eyeball and tell ourselves the truth and see how that election turns out, Mr. Nyamah stated. He asked if the Minister, MPs and CEOs who are wasting public resources following one candidate are doing it on their own volition? Its obvious you cant see it? We are not going to have Ministers and MPs going and whipping people to vote in a certain direction. It is not going to happen, that wont happen. Mr. President please stop that. Nine out of the ten candidates have put a petition the elders are aware they are sitting on the petition. They are refusing to address it. If they want us to wash our dirty linen in public we will do that. Who in the past has declared support for any candidate, he doesnt have to openly declare the system is being whipped and we are saying they should stop it, the Alan Campaign spokesperson stated. Source: starrfm Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Dennis Miracles Aboagye, Spokesperson for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's campaign team, has reiterated the call by the Vice President to his team members and supporters not to retaliate the verbal attacks on him. In a meeting with members of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) during his campaign tour in the Ashanti Region, Dr. Bawumia emphasized the significance of maintaining a clean campaign as the party's flagbearer race intensifies. He instructed his spokespersons and supporters to conduct their campaign devoid of invectives. "I have instructed all my supporters and Spokespersons that we must conduct a clean campaign, avoiding any form of insults. We are one family, and we must remain united. Once the contest concludes, we will come together as a cohesive force to ensure the NDC does not return to power," he said. Contributing to Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show Friday morning, Dennis Miracles, who doubles as Director of Local Government Services at the Office of the President, assured that the team will adopt Bawumia's admonition to the letter. He noted that Dr. Bawumia's caution is binding on every person within his camp and intimated that anyone who goes against the order risks being sidelined by the Vice President. "I can assure you that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia being the leader that he is, you can count on a very clean non-personal issue-based campaign from him and his supporters," he said. He advised the other aspirants to take a cue from Dr. Bawumia and run their campaigns without denigrating one another. 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. Featured Video 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: In this photo provided by Brian Williams, a whale approaches his father, Kevin Williams, while he was paddleboarding in Prince William Sound near Whittier, Alaska, on July 13, 2023. Williams survived the close encounter with a humpback whale, not even getting wet during a tense few seconds caught on camera by friends and family as a whale surfaced near him. (Brian Williams An Alaska man on a paddleboard escaped a close encounter with a humpback whale, not even getting wet during a tense few seconds caught on camera by friends and family as the giant creature surfaced right in front of him then glided under his board. "It's just so massive. You're puny against this whale," Kevin Williams of Anchorage said Thursday, a week after his adventure with an adult humpback whale in Prince William Sound. Adult females can weigh up to 70,000 pounds (31,700 kilograms) and average about 49 feet (15 meters) in length, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Males are a little smaller. Williams said anyone who claims they wouldn't be afraid in that situation is crazy. "If you have a whale that doesn't know you were there and is that close, that's not a good situation," he said. One flick of the animal's fin "or anything it does could be the end of my life." Williams, his son Brian and a couple other friends were paddleboarding or kayaking in the sound just off Whittier, located about 60 miles (100 kilometers) southeast of Anchorage. They had seen the whale in the fjord, which is about 2 miles (3 kilometers) wide. Williams said he was slower than his friends, who were about 200 feet (60 meters) ahead of him. The whale began to approach his friends, but they were close to the shoreline so he figured the whale would run out of room and reverse course. He thought he was in the safest spot since he was trailing the group. The whale went underwater for about 45 seconds, longer than he had noticed it dive before. In this photo provided by Brian Williams, a whale approaches his father, Kevin Williams, while he was paddleboarding in Prince William Sound near Whittier, Alaska, on July 13, 2023. Williams survived the close encounter with a humpback whale, not even getting wet during a tense few seconds caught on camera by friends and family as a whale surfaced near him. (Brian Williams "And it surfaced right in front of me, coming towards me," Williams said. "Whoa! I love to see whales up close, but I'm on a paddleboard." As the whale slipped below the water again and turned on its side, he could see the white of its belly slowly gliding underneath, about 3 feet (1 meter) under the surface. The whale's pectoral fin was sticking a few feet out of the water, and Williams feared the creature might flip over as it swam below him, or he might topple off the board and land on its stomach. "If I fell down, you know, my feet could have easily been on that whaletickling that whale or whatever," he said. To steady himself in case the fin hit, he braced his knees together, kneeled, then lowered himself on all fours. As the whale passed under him "there was hardly any turbulence, and I didn't get wet," he said, adding that it's rare for people to get hurt by whales. Still, the experience won't keep Williams off the water. He plans another paddleboarding trip later Thursday. "I'll never stop, and this is once in a lifetime," he said. 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. 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: Soils can contain pollutants released by abandoned factories, landfills and spills. Credit: Rolf_52, Shutterstock.com The answer to cleaning up contaminated industrial sites in Europe could lie in the microbes that are already there. Trees and other vegetation grow on the site of a former soap factory in northwestern France. While the greenery suggests all is well in the Ploufragan commune near the Brittany coast, the truth is that a plant for making cleaning products has left a mess. The surrounding soil is saturated with toxic hydrocarbonsbyproducts of the soap production. Pressing problem Tackling such environmental damage is a priority for Dr. Thomas Reichenauer under a research project that has received EU funding to investigate how microbes can be used to break down contaminants in soil and groundwater. The problem is pressing because poisonous substances in the soil can seep into plants, which may then get eaten by animals, and can leak into groundwater, according to Reichenauer, senior scientist at the Austrian Institute of Technology in Vienna. "For these contaminants we are working on, it will take decadesor hundreds of yearsuntil nature breaks them down completely," he said. The EU has an estimated 2.8 million contaminated sites ranging from old industrial zones to landfills. Clean-up efforts vary across Member States, with Germany and the Netherlands leading the way. The groundwater dimension is all the more acute because of worsening climate change, which threatens to cause increasingly severe droughts. So even as groundwater becomes a more precious resource, less may be available to drink if it contains industrial pollutants. Reichenauer coordinates a project called MIBIREM that has received EU funding to speed up the process of decontaminating soil and groundwater by learning more about their microbiomethe collection of microorganisms in a particular environment. The researchers are trying to figure out how microbes interact to break down three particular contaminants: cyanides, hexachlorocyclohexane and petroleum hydrocarbons. Petroleum hydrocarbons are very common. While cyanides and hexachlorocyclohexane are less prevalent, they're toxic enough to warrant developing technology for breaking them down. The initiative began in October 2022 and runs until end-March 2027. Good riddance The process by which microbes can be stimulated to ramp up their consumption of contaminants is called bioremediation. In the case of cyanides, for example, glucose could be added to the soil, according to Reichenauer, who originally trained as a geneticist and plant physiologist. "Bioremediation is eco-friendly as we don't have to introduce any toxic or dangerous chemicals," he said. There are other ways of removing pollutants from soil. Plants have been studied as a potential method for removing heavy metals. But few commercial ventures exist because the removal processanother form of bioremediationis slow. Chemical remediation, while quicker, offers only a partial solution because it typically removes toxic substances by adding fewer from the outset. MIBIREM will focus entirely on using microbes because they have the potential to be the fastest and most eco-friendly option, according to Reichenauer. Soil tools The project ultimately wants to come up with bioremediation tools for different industrial spots across Europe. In some cases, researchers hope to identify particularly useful microbes and store them for later use. MIBIREM is focused on developing technologies that can be used on-site, sparing itself the hassle of excavating soil and transporting it. Because the project targets mainly industrial spots, which are often located in urban areas, treating soil in the original place is sometimes the only option. In the case of the factory site in Ploufragan, where soap was produced for almost half a century until the mid-1990s, this would mean being able to treat the area without digging up the vegetation that has grown there since the buildings were demolished in 2017. "If you can show that it works in the fields, then there is a good chance that it can be commercially applied later on," said Reichenauer. The global market for microbial bioremediation was valued at around 42 million in 2021. It's projected to grow to about 85 million by the end of the decade. Reichenauer sought to soothe any concerns that people might have about altering the microbiome of soil to remove contaminants, saying such changes are neither negative nor positive and occur in line with environmental influences regardless of any human intervention. MIBIREM could help the EU meet targets set under a mission called "A Soil Deal for Europe," which seeks a transition towards healthy soils by 2030. Pilot projects The use of microbes for bioremediation has also been the focus of an EU-funded project called GREENER, which is due to finish this August after four and a half years. It has included pilot projects in Belgium, Ireland, Spain and China. In the Spanish city of Toledo, for example, soil from a former machinery park was excavated and treated on-site, where microbes were used to remove hydrocarbons. For a wetland site in Belgium, microbes enabled the removal of heavy metals from the groundwater without extracting it. "We are working with clients that have a contamination problem and assisting companies that are performing remediation of the site," said Rocio Barros, the project coordinator. "Better understanding the microbiome in the soil will be very important for improving technologies that address soil pollution." Energy angle GREENER went beyond MIBIREM in one respect: trying to create energy during the bioremediation process. By coupling energy generation with soil and wastewater cleaning, GREENER sought to help diversify the EU's power sources while removing pollutants from the environment. The energy component involves the use of microbial fuel cells. As microbes break down organic molecules like hydrocarbons, chemical energy is converted into usable electrical energy. Results on this front have been less than promising when it comes to ramping up such activity, according to Barros, who heads an environment, sustainability and toxicology research group at the University of Burgos in Spain. "Not all of the microbial fuel cells have reached a good enough performance for scaling up," she said. This aspect of the project highlights the risks involved in research and development and, by extension, the importance of funding sources including the EU. Some of the microbial fuel cells being used to treat water have shown potential. "The use of the fuel cells with wetlands has been very good," said Barros. Hoping that microbial fuel cells can be further advanced, she is now seeking to develop a film that could be added to them to improve electricity generation. More information: MIBIREM GREENER KB Financial Group Chairman Yoon Jong-kyoo, right, shakes hands with Sompo Holdings CEO Kengo Sakurada during their reunion at the Korean banking group's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. The two met previously in Tokyo last year, when they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation. Courtesy of KB Financial Group By Yi Whan-woo KB Financial Group Chairman Yoon Jong-kyoo met with CEO Kengo Sakurada of Japan's top-ranked insurance company Sompo Holdings for an in-depth discussion on cooperation between the companies, the Korean banking group said Friday. The meeting took place at KB Financial Group's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday, following the previous gathering in Tokyo in June 2022. Back then, Yoon and Sakurada signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to bolster cooperation. The Seoul gathering in turn focused on elaborating details on possible areas of cooperation, including insurance, wealth management, digital technology and global business expansion. "The meeting this time is meaningful as KB Financial Group and Sompo Holdings shared strategies on how they can work together on multiple businesses and increase customer satisfaction," the Korean company said in a press release. "The two sides will remain faithful to each other to deepen cooperation on their respective to better serve clients." Concerning insurance, Yoon and Sakurada both addressed a need to cope with the rapidly aging population in Korea and Japan and make terms and conditions and other aspects of insurance policies easier for elderly subscribers to understand. They also discussed using the KB Star Banking app to provide customized services in the banking and non-banking sectors. Other topics addressed were using the Internet of Things to collect data necessary to better care for sick elderly patients, as well as sharing successful cases of localization in the other territories where they have advanced their businesses. 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: Ancient burial mounds (kurgans) provide the last refugia for steppic plant and animal species in the intensively used agricultural landscapes of the western parts of the Eurasian steppe biome. Credit: Balazs Deak / Centre for Ecological Research During our history, ancient civilizations have considerably shaped the global ecosystems through a coevolution of landscape and local populations. In some cases, the legacy of the disappeared civilizations is still visible in the form of buildings and other monuments such as the Stonehenge, the buildings of the Roman and Hellenic Empires, and ancient burial places and fortresses built by several cultures. These monuments are invaluable parts of our history and cultural heritage. Although it is often not in the spotlight, they can also hold a considerable biodiversity conservation potential. In the vast steppes of Eurasia (and probably in the Earth), the most widespread ancient manmade structures are the ancient burial mounds (so called 'kurgans') that were built by steppic cultures (such as Yamanayas, Scythians, Sarmatians) during the Copper, Bronze and Iron ages. Although most of these sacral monuments were destroyed during the past centuries, approximately 600,000 kurgans can still be found in the steppes from Central Europe to the Altai Mountains. Although the builders of the kurgans disappeared millennia ago, subsequent cultures recognized the importance of these sites and considered them spiritual and cultural hotspots even until the present day. Besides their historical and archaeological importance, kurgans are also important sites for conservation. Originally, shortly after their construction steppe vegetation recovered on them, which could persist even till modern times. Therefore, kurgans that still hold grasslands could preserve a piece of the formerly existing vast steppes and a high biodiversity of steppe plant species. However, during the past centuries both the kurgans and the formerly vast steppes suffered serious losses due to the expansion of ploughlands and urban infrastructure in many regions of Eurasia. Therefore, the protection of the remaining steppe habitats is of the utmost importance especially in the highly populated European regions, where there are only a few and small protected areas. A memorial statue from the 19th century protected the steppe grassland vegetation on this ancient burial mound in East Hungary. Credit: Balazs Deak / Centre for Ecological Research By involving more than 30 researchers from seven countries and using an extensive dataset of 1072 kurgans covering large geographical scales from Hungary to Mongolia, an international research group led by Balazs Deak (Centre for Ecological Research, Hungary) aimed to explore the potential of ancient kurgans in steppe conservation, and reveal how still existing cultural and spiritual values bound to the kurgans support the preservation of grasslands. The researchers pointed out that in agricultural landscapes (typical of the western steppe regions in Eastern and Central Europe) where grasslands were severely affected and almost completely disappeared due to landscape transformation, almost half of the kurgans still preserve the remnants of steppe grasslands. In such landscapes, kurgans can act as biodiverse terrestrial habitat islands, which provide 'safe havens' for grassland biota. As their former studies showed, even the smallest kurgans embedded in extensive arable lands can provide habitat for many red-listed plant species that otherwise disappeared from the landscape. In less intensively used landscapes where at least part of the former grassland stands remained, kurgans can function as stepping stones that can connect fragmented populations of grassland biota and also represent biodiversity hotspots. The continent-wide study revealed that many kurgans are still actively used as spiritual or cultural hotspots in the steppe landscapes. Deak and colleagues found 57 different kinds of spiritual and cultural values (such as sanctuaries, churches, ancient statues, and stone pillars) on the studied kurgans. Like in the case of sacred grooves, saint mountains, Christian sanctuaries in Southern Europe, the recognition and respect of the local communities highly supported the maintenance of grassland vegetation on the mounds by preventing negative land use changes (e.g. plowing) and by the extensive management (e.g. mowing and cutting woody species) provided for a well-kept appearance. Consequently, they found that the presence of cultural values on the kurgans could almost double the chance of grassland presence. Interestingly, the 'protective power' of spiritual and cultural values was comparable to the effect of protected areas. In other words, the potential for grassland presence was comparable on mounds within protected areas and on mounds located outside the reserves but with some kind of cultural value. The presence of cultural values can support the preservation of rare steppe specialist plant species, such as the Jerusalem Sage (Phlomis tuberosa). Credit: Balazs Deak / Centre for Ecological Research The study suggests that to complement and support the system of protected areas, it is crucial to acknowledge the conservation potential of sites that, due to their associated cultural values, can harbor natural habitats even in nonprotected landscapes. These results highlight that an integrative socio-ecological approach in conservation could support the positive synergistic effects of conservational, landscape, and cultural values. The work is published in the journal Conservation Biology. More information: Balazs Deak et al, Contribution of cultural heritage values to steppe conservation on ancient burial mounds of Eurasia, Conservation Biology (2023). DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14148 Journal information: Conservation Biology Provided by Okologiai Kutatokozpont 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: While experimentally synthesized in the past, these two materials (CrH and CrH 2 ) were not recognized as superconductors until this Georgia Tech paper was published. Credit: Physical Review Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.7.054805 Superconductorsfound in MRI machines, nuclear fusion reactors and magnetic-levitation trainswork by conducting electricity with no resistance at temperatures near absolute zero, or -459.67F. The search for a conventional superconductor that can function at room temperature has been ongoing for roughly a century, but research has sped up dramatically in the last decade because of new advances in machine learning (ML) using supercomputers such as Expanse at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at UC San Diego. Most recently, Huan Tran, a senior research scientist at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) School of Materials Science and Engineering, has worked on Expanse with Professor Tuoc Vu from Hanoi University of Science and Technology (Vietnam) to create an artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) approach to help identify new candidates for potential superconductors in a much faster and reliable way. They recently published their work about chromium hydride (CrH and CrH 2 ) as two possible superconductors in an article entitled "Machine-learning approach for discovery of conventional superconductors" in the journal Physical Review Materials. What the scientists' research aims to resolve is how to reliably predict, using AI/ML approaches, the superconductivityespecially at zero pressurewhere these promising materials can make their impacts on human life. Current AI/ML works are not reliable enough because the atomic-level information has not been used to justify if a particular material can exhibit superconductivity or not. Predicting high-temperature superconductivity at zero pressure is even more challenging because suitable data needed to train the ML models are not available, especially for the current AI/ML approaches. "The main challenge of the AI/ML method is that we need, but never have, the desired database of superconductors," Tran explained. "All previous works relied on databases that are sometimes large enough, but completely lacking in atomic-level informationwhich is absolutely crucial for accurate predictions." Tran said that he and Vu first focused their work on building up a database with all the necessary atomic-level information about the materials. The key innovation of their work is that by "burying" the effects of high pressure on the atomic-level information and then using this for predicting the superconductivity, their database became large and diverse. More important, however, it contains suitable high-temperature superconductors that have been discovered during the last decade at very high pressures (e.g., as high as at the center of the Earth). Next, the scientists developed a toolkit that combined quantum-mechanical computational methodswhich are very slow yet reliablewith the ML models trained on their database, which significantly accelerated the search for possible superconductors. To demonstrate their toolkit, they searched the database of Materials Project which contains nearly 100,000 materials, discovering many possible superconductors at zero pressureamong them: CrH and CrH 2 . Both were verified by quantum-mechanical computations and reported in their study. "Although the superconductivity is predicted for CrH and CrH 2 at about 1020 Kelvin (about -260C, or -436F), this finding is considered a promising sign for the program's viability," Tran said. "Expanse provided us with an excellent and powerful capacity to conduct our study while the SDSC computational team assisted us on the software side so that our work was fast and efficient," Tran said. "We were able to easily use Expanse to simulate our superconducting materials and analyze this data in a reasonable time scalethanks to the SDSC staff." Tran said that their next steps will expand their database of superconductorscovering even more materials with both computational and experimental data. "The main goal is to make the best-in-class ML platform to search and discover superconductors that can exhibit their amazing performance at ambient pressure and temperatures. Then, we will work with experimental experts to physically bring them to human life," Tran explained. "Of course, we will need to work closely with both the computational team at SDSC as well as experimental experts to synthesize and test our discoveries." "When the long and ambitious crusade of the whole scientific community can finally find room-temperature superconductors at ambient conditions, we predict that many aspects of technology and human life can be transformed with ultraefficient electricity grids, ultrafast and energy-efficient computer chips, and ultrapowerful magnets that can be used to levitate trains and control fusion reactors," Tran said. More information: Huan Tran et al, Machine-learning approach for discovery of conventional superconductors, Physical Review Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.7.054805 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: The Acropolis has cut back its hours due to the scorching temperatures. Greece is facing its hottest July weekend in 50 years, a top meteorologist warned Friday as the country wilts under a prolonged heat wave set to last well into next week. Government ministries have advised people to work from home where possible and not to venture out unnecessarily. The exceptional temperatures also mean key tourism sites will be closed during the hottest part of the day. "This weekend risks being the hottest registered in July in the past 50 years," said Panagiotis Giannopoulos, meteorologist with state broadcaster ERT. "Athens is going to have temperatures above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) for six to seven days, through to the end of July," said Giannopoulos. Such a prolonged spell of scorching temperatures is exceptional for the Greek capital. Sunday is likely to see the city labor under as much as 44C (111F) with the central region of Thessalia enduring 45C. A 46-year-old man was meanwhile reported to have succumbed to heatstroke on the central Greek island of Evia after being admitted to Chalkida hospital, which said cardio-respiratory failure following exposure to high temperatures appeared to be the cause. The national meteorological institute EMY earlier reported temperatures of 41C at Attica, encompassing the capital Athens and forecasting up to 44C in Thessalia. Yannis Kallianos, meteorologist with private broadcaster Mega, spoke of an "interminable and powerful heat wave". "According to latest forecasts, the heat wave could last until next Thursday or Friday," Kallianos warned, adding that strong northerly winds could also spark fires. Authorities meanwhile reported firefighters were still battling 79 forest fires across the country, with their spokesman Vassilios Vathrakoyannis saying Greece would be on a state of alert across the weekend. Turkey said Friday it was sending two firefighting aircraft and a helicopter to its neighbor, adding to earlier support from Jordan and Israel. Architectural attractions including World Heritage Site the Athens Acropolis will be shuttered during the hottest parts of the day through to Sunday, the ministry of culture said. The labor ministry urged people to work from home where possible and the health ministry called on people to avoid venturing out except where strictly necessary. "We have three difficult days ahead of us," Vassilis Kikilias, minister for civil protection, told ERT. "We must be vigilant." Athens saw its record temperature to date of 44.8 C (112.6F) in June 2007, according to the Athens national Observatory with nearby Elefsina recording a national record of 48 C (118.4F) in July 1977. Greece is just one of a swathe of countries battling a prolonged spell of extreme heat around the globe in recent days. 2023 AFP 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: Exaggerated 3D model of the Peruvian Andes with an overlay of the greening strip, the green area represents an increase in the Enhanced Vegetation Index with darker areas corresponding to a larger relative greening. Credit: Hugo Lepage, Cavendish Laboratory Research led by physicists and geographers at the University of Cambridge has unveiled some large-scale changes in the vegetation in the South American Andes which may have dramatic impact on the environment and ecosystems of the region. Analyzing satellite data spanning the past 20 years, the research team based at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge examined how vegetation has been changing along the Pacific coast of Peru and northern Chile. This area is known for its unique and delicate arid and semi-arid environments. The analysis revealed that certain areas experienced positive vegetation growth, known as greening, while others displayed negative trends, referred to as browning. Unsurprisingly, the changes in vegetation are influenced by things like farming and urban development or change in land use practices. But more interestingly this study, published in Remote Sensing, revealed the discovery of a huge section of the West Slope of the Andes undergoing significant greening in the past 20 years. This section, which extends from Northern Peru to Northern Chile, spanning a length of about 2000km, has seen its vegetation growing significantly over time. This greening trend varies with altitude, with different vegetation types at different elevations. The research team, consisting of mathematicians, geographers, biologists, and earth scientists, used satellite images from 2000 to 2020 to observe changes in vegetation over time in this area. They plotted 450 data points and developed a mathematical model to remove artificial variations (such as cloudy days) and seasonality, and used statistical analysis to ensure that they were only analyzing areas with a significant trend. "It took three years to sort the methodology and the statistical model," said Hugo Lepage, mathematician at the Cavendish laboratory and first author of the study. "We really needed to bulletproof it to make sure that something was really happening on a massive scale, and it was not just a fluke." To verify what they were seeing in the data, the researchers conducted numerous field trips to make observations on the ground to corroborate their numerical statements. "We started with a very local area to study the impact of mining on local vegetation," explained Eustace Barnes, a geographer in the Cavendish Laboratory's Environmental Physics Group, which ran the research. "To our surprise, the data was suggesting that the area was greening instead of browning. So, we zoomed out and realized other areas were also greening on large scale. When we went to check on the ground, we observed a similar trend." Beyond the empirical observation of the greening strip itself, the researchers were struck by its surprising features. "First, the strip ascends as we look southward, going from 170-780 m in northern Peru to 2600-4300 m in the south of Peru", explained Barnes. "This is counterintuitive, as we would expect the surface temperatures to drop both when moving south and ascending in altitude." Even more surprisingly, this huge greening strip does not align with the climate zones established by the Koppen-Geiger classificationthe widely used, vegetation-based, empirical climate classification system, whereas the greening and browning trends in the coastal deserts and high Andes, do match well. "Indeed, in northern Peru, the greening strip mostly lies in the climate zone corresponding to the hot arid desert," said Lepage. "As we scan the strip going south, it ascends to lie mostly in the hot arid steppe and finally traverses to lie in the cold arid steppe. This did not match what we expected based on the climate in those regions." The results of this study have far-reaching implications for environmental management and policymaking in the region. Although the exact cause or resulting consequences of this greening are not known, any large change (30-60% index increase) in vegetation will necessarily have an impact on ecosystems and the environment. "The Pacific slope provides water for two-thirds of the country, and this is where most of the food for Peru is coming from too," said Barnes. "This rapid change in vegetation, and to water level and ecosystems, will inevitably have an impact on water and agricultural planning management." The researchers believe their findings will contribute significantly to the scientific community's understanding of the complex interactions between climate change and delicate ecosystems in arid and semi-arid environments. "This is a warning sign, like the canary in the mine. There is nothing we can do to stop changes at such a large scale. But knowing about it will help to plan better for the future," concluded Lepage. More information: Hugo Vincent Lepage et al, Greening and Browning Trends on the Pacific Slope of Peru and Northern Chile, Remote Sensing (2023). DOI: 10.3390/rs15143628. www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/14/3628 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: Esther Inglis Manuscript. Credit: University of St Andrews A never-before seen manuscript by Scottish-based artisan Esther Inglis, dating back to the early 1600s, was unveiled at The University of St Andrews this week at The International Conference on Medieval and Renaissance Scottish Languages, Literature and Culture. Esther Inglis (c1570) was a skilled member of the artisan class, as well as a miniaturist, who possessed several skills in areas such as calligraphy, writing, and embroidering. Born in Dieppe to French Huguenot parents fleeing religious persecution, she was raised predominantly in Edinburgh, where she learned the art of calligraphy from her father, Nicolas Langlois, and mother, Marie Presot. Over the course of her life, Inglis composed over sixty miniature books that displayed her calligraphic skill with paintings, portraits, and embroidered covers. She was not only an adept calligrapher, using over forty styles of handwriting, but she also illuminated her manuscripts with self-portraits, flowers and birds, or exquisite black-and-white title pages, historiated initials, and printer's devices copied from printed books. Many of her volumes are bound in velvet or silk, which she likely embroidered herself. Now, for the first time, one of Inglis' most rare and unseen manuscripts has been unveiled. The manuscript has been loaned to St Andrews for the conference having been lovingly preserved and cared for by the Gwynn family for almost 170 years. The manuscript was the centerpiece of The International Conference on Medieval and Renaissance Scottish Languages, Literature and Culture, which hosted academics from around the world over 4-days. This marked the first opportunity for scholars to see in-person a hidden gem created by Esther Inglis. Dr. Samantha Bruce-Benjamin, a scholar of Inglis, who is continuing her research at the University of St Andrews, said, "As the main body of Inglis's texts are calligraphic transcriptions of Protestant psalms and verse, she has too often been dismissed as a mere copyist whose manuscripts are notable only for her virtuoso calligraphy and vividly illumined artwork in miniature." "Yet, Inglis found ingenious ways to be heard during a period when there was little place for women within early modern literature. She accomplished this by pioneering what we understand as an early modern peritext, the materials surrounding the main textcovers, ornamental frontispieces, dedicatory letters, and author portraitswhich I consider a literary genre unto itself since it governs our entire perception of the ensuing text." "We are all 'reading under the influence' of the publishers and other voices who contribute to literary peritexts. We can now read Inglis's peritexts as 'her story': an act of creation that has resonance for our contemporary culture. By mobilizing this space and engaging in acts of literary ventriloquism, Inglis succeeded in manifesting an original and distinctive authorial presence." "It is my hope, therefore, that Inglis's unique work can translate to numerous audiences beyond academia, including artists and creative writers who may feel marginalized or come from underserved communities." A prolific contributor to the world of literature and the arts, nearly sixty extant manuscripts created by Inglis are currently on display at international libraries and museums worldwide, including at The National Library of Scotland, The Bodleian, The British Library, The Folger Library in Washington D.C. and now at The University of St Andrews. The manuscript will now go on display at the Wardlaw Museum from the 18th-22nd July. 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: The Italian region of Emilia-Romagna was devastated by severe floods in May 2023, killing 15 people, displacing more than 35,000 and resulted in an estimated 8.8 billion in damages. With the region still grappling with the aftermath, satellites have been instrumental in assessing the damages of the affected areas. This map details the affected cities and shows how a month later, the lack of vegetation is an indicator of the severity of the flood. Credit: contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2023), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO The Italian region of Emilia-Romagna was devastated by severe floods in May 2023, claiming lives and displacing thousands of people, resulting in an estimated 8.8 billion in damages. With the region still grappling with the aftermath, satellites have been instrumental in assessing the damages of the affected areas. Between 16 and18 May 2023, 350 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to six months' worth of rain, fell within 36 hours across Emilia-Romagna, one of Italy's most important agricultural regions. The heavy rain led to the overflow of 23 rivers across the region, affecting 100 municipalities and triggering more than 400 landslides, which in turn damaged and closed off hundreds of roads. The floods were preceded by a drought that dried out the land, reducing its capacity to absorb water. Earth observation imagery and data are crucial for emergency services, as they provide the ability to assess potential impacts of natural disasters and assist in emergency management activities, but they can also support post-event analysis and damage assessment. The SaferPlaces platform, co-funded by the ESA InCubed program, has been utilized by the Civil Protection of the Emilia-Romagna region to generate flood water and depth maps to take crucial decisions after the disaster and support the assessment of the damages of the affected areas. The platform utilizes satellite, climate data and AI-based models combined into a cloud computing environment to provide insights into areas prone to floods across the globe. SaferPlaces' AI-based algorithms were used to process terrain data and information on the flooded areas obtained by merging in situ data with multiple satellite sources including: Copernicus Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2, CosmoSky-Med, Planet and SPOT. Information on the flooded areas and the affected buildings conducted by local municipalities and data provided by the Emilia-Romagna Civil protection were also integrated to fill the gaps and increase the accuracy of urban flooded areas when not captured by satellites. Maps portraying the extent of the flooded areas in the most affected municipalities, Faenza, Cesena, Forli and Conselice, were generated with information on the depth and volume of the water. These maps provided crucial information for a preliminary Flood Damage Assessment to support the local and central authorities to estimate the damages as soon as possible. Specifically, the satellite-based water depth maps were used as input to assess the economic losses of affected buildings. Claudia Vezzani, Technical Manager of the Hydraulic Risk Area of the Civil Protection Agency of Emilia-Romagna region, highlighted, "SaferPlaces technology and Earth observation data allow us to usefully support the disaster analyzes and the computation of economic losses." SaferPlaces also compared the satellite-based flood masks with the maps produced by the Copernicus Emergency Management Service which had been activated to monitor the flood and landslide extent in the region. Radar data from Sentinel-1 and optical data from Sentinel-2 were combined with Cosmo-SkyMed, PAZ, SPOT and Pleiades data from 20-23 May 2023. Stefano Bagli, the CEO of GECOSistema and SaferPlaces project manager underlined how, "The work done with the Civil Protection in Emilia-Romagna is a perfect example of exploiting the potential of the SaferPlaces platform and Earth observation satellite data to effectively support post-disaster evaluation and damage assessment analysis." 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: All accidental death information from National Safety Council. Disease death information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Shark fatality data provided by the International Shark Attack File. Lifetime risk is calculated by dividing the 2021 population (331,893,745) by the number of deaths, divided by 76.6, the life expectancy of a person born in 2021. Credit: Zach Christensen/Northeastern University The Discovery Channel's now iconic "Shark Week" is upon us, and so is the perception that sharks are responsible for a lot more carnage than statistics bear out. Susan Mello, associate professor of communications studies at Northeastern University, calls it the "Jaws Effect." Media depictions of sharks focus on their potential lethality when shark fatalities in the U.S. are incredibly rare, Mello says. The University of Florida, which maintains an International Shark Attack File (ISAF), says that in 2022, five people were killed in unprovoked shark attacks worldwide, including one fatality in the U.S., a figure that pales in comparison to 19 U.S. deaths by lightning strike reported by the National Weather Service. The number of worldwide shark fatalities actually represented a decline from nine in 2021 and 10 in 2020, according to the ISAF. Unprovoked bites also declined to 57 in 2022, most of which occurred in the U.S. and Australia, from the average 74 unprovoked bites a year since 2013. The ISAF also reported 32 provoked shark bites in 2022. Provoked bites are considered those that occur while unhooking a shark from a line, feeding or trying to touch a shark and spear fishing. Despite these statistics, sharks' image as a fearsome, stealthy predator persists in the collective imagination and are reflected in heart-pounding titles of this year's Shark Week lineup, such as "Serial Killer: Red Sea Attacks" and "Jaws in the Shallows." A 2021 content analysis of more than 250 episodes of Discovery Channel's Shark Weekwhich this year begins July 23found many shows were framed around fear, risk and adrenaline, although 53% also included conservation messages, Mello says. "Unfortunately in this situation, the media is at fault," she says. Sharks continue to make headlines this summer, with reports of at least four people bitten off Long Island in New York in two days around the Fourth of July holiday, none of them fatally. Scientists are ascribing the attacks in New York this summer and last to a rebound in the population of and tiger sharks, a species not associated with fatal bites. But great white sharksthe species featured in the classic movie "Jaws"are more than capable of killing humans, even though they seldom do. Their numbers have exploded on the eastern shores of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, raising concerns among swimmers and surfers. A recent study shows that 800 of the massive fish cruised Cape shorelines from June to October 2015 to 2018. Outside magazine says the numbers indicate the area is now the world's biggest seasonal gathering spots for great whites. The sharks have have been responsible for two non-fatal attacks on swimmers off Cape Cod beaches in recent years. In 2018, an encounters turned lethal with the death of 26-year-old Arthur Medici, who was suffered a catastrophic bite by a great white as he boogie boarded off Wellfleet. Shark expert Greg Skomal of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries says great whites are on the trail of a seal population that rebounded in the decades following the Marine Animals Protection Act of 1972. "They are hunting on the Outer Cape, close to shore," Skomal says. The presence of the apex predators has resulted in humans changing their behaviors to avoid possible encounters. The Swim for Life charity event in Provincetown, Massachusetts, that draws hundreds of participants will, for the third September in a row, take place in shallow waters of the East End shoreline rather than the traditional deep water route across Provincetown Harbor due to concerns about sharks, whose local population peaks in late summer and early autumn. And at ocean-facing beaches from Chatham to Provincetown, lifeguards keep beachgoers close to shore, especially during high tide when sharks ride the swells parallel to the beach in the hunt for seals. "If they go waist deep or any further, lifeguards will call them back," says Leslie Reynolds, deputy superintendent of the Cape Cod National Seashore. She says it used to be that lifeguards had to blow their whistles multiple times a day to get bathers closer to shore due to rip tides or big currents. But now lifeguards report it's a rare occasion when they have to wave people in, Reynolds says. "Behavior has changed. People have learned. Without a doubt, people are staying closer to shore," she says. People's reluctance to go deep may also have something to do with the purple shark flags and giant billboards signaling the presence of great whites that greet beach-goers, messaging tips imported from South Africa and Australia, among other places with a large shark presence. It's all part of an education program called Shark Smart. "A handful of years ago, after we talked to South Africa, we saw they were using shark flags," Reynolds says. "You go to any beach, and it will be up. Whether you see the shark or not there are sharks present, and you have to adjust your behavior when you are recreating in the water." Also popular with the public is the Sharktivity app operated by the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy, which shows users the locations of white shark sightings. The Sharktivity app has registered six great white sightings off Cape Cod from July 18 to 20, including two named sharks, Wannabe and Granese. Mello says the Cape's Shark Smart program is a good example of risk management communication. The use of bullet points on the Cape Cod National Seashore website and the flying of the purple shark flag are ways to get complex information to the public in an easily digestible format, she says. "When you're in a situation where there's elevated fear, it's really hard to get messages through so people can act on the information. It's why we teach little kids to 'stop, drop and roll'" during fire emergencies, Mello says. "It's important to distill information on how to reduce risk into its simplest form when fear is elevated." The Cape Cod National Seashore also provides information about other risks such as the strong currents associated with rip tides, which put the shark danger in context, Mello says. The University of Florida's shark attack file also shows multiple comparisons, including the risk of death from alligator attacks and even sand hole collapse. It turns out that from 1990 to 2006, 16 people in the U.S. died from collapsing sand holes compared to 11 killed in shark attacks. 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: The dependence of residual feed intake on growth and tenderness of Brahman cattle, a common breed chosen for crossbreeding cattle along the southern U.S., including Texas, was the focus of a cattle feeding study published in Applied Animal Science. Credit: Texas A&M AgriLife Photo by Monte Rouquette, Ph.D. The dependence of residual feed intake on growth and tenderness of Brahman cattle, a common breed chosen for crossbreeding cattle along the southern U.S., including Texas, was the focus of a cattle feeding study published in Applied Animal Science. The study, "Relationships of residual feed intake and residual average daily gain with carcass traits and growth of Brahman steers," illustrates the impact residual feed has on physiological traits of Brahman steers in the Gulf Coast states, according to researchers. Residual feed intake is the difference of actual feed intake from expected feed intake of an animal for its size and is used to determine what amount of feed is necessary to maintain body weight and/or weight gain. Monte Rouquette, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research forage physiologist, was lead author and conducted the study at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Overton. Other collaborating researchers included Joe Paschal, Ph.D., retired Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service livestock specialist and currently executive vice president for the American Brahman Breeders Association, College Station; Tanner Machado, Ph.D. animal scientist in the Department of Animal Science and Veterinary Technology at Texas A&M University-Kingsville; Charles Long, Ph.D., resident director, Overton, and David Riley, Ph.D., College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Animal Science, College Station. Results showed a linear relationship between the tenderness of meat to a steer's residual average daily gain. The most efficient steers grow rapidly, provide satisfactory maturation for harvest and typically produce a tender carcass, Rouquette said. Feed intake, performance outcomes "The objectives of this study were to measure feed efficiency data for yearling Brahman bulls and to determine the relationship of these efficiency groupings to growth, feedlot performance, carcass traits, and tenderness of Brahman steers," Rouquette said. Rouquette said it was Randel's concept to evaluate Brahman bulls for feed efficiency. "We asked the question, 'are these bull calves potential sires or steers?' At certain ages, scrotum circumference was measured, semen quality was evaluated as well as temperament," he said. There was also further intrigue from the results of the study since Brahman cattle are crossbred throughout the southern Gulf Coast. "The Brahman crossbred cow has proven attributes of reproductive efficiency, longevity, and for adaptation to the vegetation and climatic conditions of the Southwest and Gulf Coast States," Rouquette said. Results showed there is a linear relationship between the tenderness of meat to a steer's residual average daily gain, he said. The most efficient steers grow rapidly, provide satisfactory maturation for harvest and typically produce a tender carcass. The results collected from the Warner-Bratzler Shear Force measurement method indicated, "all steaks of Brahman steers were considered 'tender' and not 'tough' by these measurements," Rouquette said. Results from this study introduced efficient ways to conduct and maintain Brahman cattle from birth to steak. "From breeder, producer to consumer, implement management strategies for the most efficient production on pastures prior to cattle entering the feedlot," he said. "This study reinvents the accord of economic, environmental, and production growth for Brahman steers." More information: F.M. Rouquette et al, Relationships of residual feed intake and residual average daily gain with carcass traits and growth of Brahman steers, Applied Animal Science (2023). DOI: 10.15232/aas.2022-02372 The headquarters of the state-run Korea Development Bank (KDB) in Yeouido, Seoul / Korea Times file By Yi Whan-woo Korea Development Bank (KDB) is speeding up efforts to sell off a string of tax-financed companies, including HMM and KDB Life Insurance, after repeatedly making multiple, unsuccessful attempts to do so. Since April, the state-run KDB took an aggressive move to privatize the firms that had been under its control for years, as witnessed in the completed sales of Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) to Hanwha Group for about 2 trillion won. Hanwha Group's takeover of DSME, now rebranded as Hanwha Ocean, came after months of talks between the conglomerate and KDB, which injected more than 4.2 trillion won into the debt-ridden shipbuilder over 21 years and yet failed five times to close a sales deal. The largest shipping line in Korea, HMM became the latest sales target, Thursday, when the KDB announced a plan to sell a combined 38.9 percent stake in HMM owned by the lender and the Korea Ocean Business Corp. (KOBC), also a state-run firm The stakes up for sale are equivalent to 399 million shares, which are estimated to be worth up to 5 trillion won. The sales will be made through a two-stage bidding process, to select a preferred suitor and sign a legally binding agreement within this year. In a joint statement, the KDB and KOBC said their sales notice was made to "cope with the rapidly-changing shipping business preemptively and to ensure HMM's global competitiveness." Some industry sources assessed such a privatization move as "very aggressive," noting global container shipping businesses have faced a downturn since the latter half of 2022 as shipping costs return to pre-pandemic levels. The source also noted the sales of HMM stakes involve perpetual bonds, which market observers say make it complicated for a would-be buyer to acquire management rights from the KDB and KOBC. "The fact that the KDB is pushing to sell HMM despite these obstacles indeed shows its strong willingness for privatization of the firms it controls," a source said. Another source indicated the sales notice of the shipping company came a just week after the KDB selected Hana Financial Group as the preferred bidder to acquire KDB Life Insurance. The KDB is the main creditor and also the largest shareholder of KDB Life Insurance with a 92.7 percent stake. The life insurer has been a headache for the lender as it failed to be sold five times after having more than 1 trillion won injected into the company since 2010. Back then, KDB acquired the major stake in the company, formerly Kumho Life Insurance, from the financially-troubled Kumho Group in the group's restructuring efforts. The sales price of KDB Life Insurance is estimated to be approximately 200 billion won. And due to its debt, worth around 16 trillion won at the end of the first quarter, sources speculate 1 trillion won in total would be required for a successful buyer to normalize the insurer. CAPE MAY About a year after they were publicly proposed, and little more than a week after a ribbon cutting to dedicate them, the citys Promenade arches remain controversial. The new arches provide lighting along several blocks of the beachfront walkway that runs along Beach Avenue, and are based on arches that were in place a century ago. The concept was to return a piece of Cape May history while improving the look of the beachfront walkway. Over the winter, reproductions of the arches were installed from Gurney Street to Decatur Street. On Tuesday, neighbors asked City Council not to go any farther. At the council meeting, Historic Preservation Commission member and architect John Boecker, who drew up plans for the arches, and Curtis Bashaw and Tom Carroll from the Fund for Cape May presented a proposal to add more arches in two phases. Boecker based the design on photos and historic postcards showing the arches that were installed around 1910. Originally made of wood, the arches were destroyed in a series of storms, with the last of them gone by 1944. The new arches run from a beachfront arcade to close to Cape May Convention Hall, each set about 150 feet apart. The six arches are made from Azek, a synthetic material designed to resemble wood, wrapped around steel frames. As some critics have pointed out, owners are not allowed to use Azek on historic homes within the citys closely regulated historic district. ABC's 'Good Morning America' visits Cape May Cape May got some time in the national spotlight Monday with a visit from ABC's "Good Morning America." The Fund for Cape May, a private nonprofit that has helped the city fund other projects, put up the money for the arches and plans to continue the effort in two phases. Each archway costs about $25,000. The first would add 10 more arches, two near Convention Hall, the other eight continuing along the Promenade to the Beach Patrol headquarters at Grant Street. A potential third phase could continue the arches the other way, to the end of the Promenade at Madison Avenue. While the reviews may have been mixed on social media with some loving the structures while others describing them as an ugly and unnecessary expense the public response Tuesday was united in opposition. They obstruct views and diminish property values, said Edmond Shinn, an attorney who said his family has a home on Beach Avenue. I think there is a strong argument to make that they create light pollution. He and other speakers said many do not realize there are private homes along Beach Avenue. Anita Fennerty, who lives in a Beach Avenue home that dates to when the former arches were originally installed, suggested the arches could cause damage during storms, which she said will likely increase in strength because of climate change. She mentioned some of the serious storms that have struck Cape May and said her husband was rescued by lifeboat, along with his mother and siblings, from the porch of the same home during the flooding that accompanied a serious storm in 1944. Youll have a hard time convincing me that the benefits of these arches outweigh the risks, she said. Bashaw, a well-known hotelier and a driving force behind the Fund for Cape May, said ideas for improving the look of the Promenade have been discussed for years. He said he hoped the initial project would increase interest in continuing it. Cape May arches prove controversial, at least on Facebook CAPE MAY Along a recently widened portion of Cape Mays beachfront Promenade, six new arch The new arches provide lighting for pedestrians in a more attractive way, he said. Today, its just a completely different image, Bashaw said. Mayor Zachary Mullock said Wednesday the arches allowed for the removal of what he described as unsightly power lines, utility poles and light fixtures. Most of those who spoke against the project have homes along the Promenade. The next phase of the project will be in the commercial district, he said, and he cast doubt on a potential third phase that would include residential areas along Beach Avenue, where opposition could be more intense. I dont think any council member wants to die on the hill of changing a light post, Mullock said. There was no vote at the council meeting, just the presentation. Mullock said council would vote on the next phase at a future meeting. On a sunny July morning, visitors strolled the Promenade or headed to the beach. Most did not seem to notice the new structures. Jonathan Hefetz, of Fair Lawn in Bergen County, visiting Cape May with his family, said he hardly noticed the arches until he was asked his opinion. When he looked up, he noticed they had lights. Without knowing the history of the structures, or anything of the local controversy, he said he thought they added to the beachfront walkway. Without them, it might look sort of desolate, he said. GALLERY: Cape May Promenade arches PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account. Police in Suffolk County, New York, are investigating ties between a series of killings in Gilgo Beach, where an arrest was recently made, and the 2006 killings of four women whose bodies were found in West Atlantic City, according to a report from WABC. Kim Raffo, Molly Jean Dilts, Barbara Breidor and Tracy Roberts were found in a ditch behind a motel on the Black Horse Pike on Nov. 20, 2006. Their case remains unsolved. Police are now examining the Gilgo Beach murders for ties to the West Atlantic City case after Rex Heuermann was arrested last week in the New York case. Heuermann, 59, has been charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello in December 2010. They were among 10 sets of human remains found along Gilgo Beach between 2010 and 2011. The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office has not yet responded to a request for comment but told WABC this week that "our office continues to investigate the 2006 Black Horse Pike homicides as we do all unresolved matters, and we follow all leads." The agency did not have a comment for WABC with regard to the Gilgo Beach investigation. Ten years later, no answers in West Atlantic City slayings EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP The Golden Key Motel was demolished a year ago, but its skeleton is visible to anyone looking for it. Two women out for a walk near the ditch behind the since-demolished Golden Key Motel on the pike discovered Raffo's body first. After 911 was contacted and uniformed police officers arrived, three more bodies were discovered as officers searched along the path for additional evidence. Law enforcement agencies at the scene included the Prosecutors Office, Egg Harbor Township police, FBI, Atlantic City police and the State Police Missing Persons Unit. The four women were found face down in muck, their heads pointing east toward Atlantic City. During the evening hours, the womens bodies were recovered and the scene remained secure until daybreak Nov. 21, 2006. Within a weeks time, the four bodies were identified. Raffo was strangled. Roberts was asphyxiated. The bodies of Dilts and Breidor were too decomposed to determine a cause of death. The West Atlantic City killings made national headlines and have been featured in TV crime documentaries, including A&Es The Killing Season. GALLERY: West Atlantic City murders The first defendant sentenced in the South Jersey prescription compound medication scandal is suing the federal government over alleged malpractice during the COVID-19 pandemic and sexual assault she endured while in prison. Kristie Masucci alleges in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Connecticut that she contracted COVID-19 because of failed precautions and was sexually assaulted by a gynecologist while she was incarcerated. The alleged abuse happened while she was housed at Danbury, Connecticut's federal prison, according to the lawsuit. The suit names the prison's warden, Diane Easter, Dr. Thomas Greene Jr. and Michael D. Carvajal, former director of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, as defendants. The bureau is overseen by the U.S. Justice Department, which did not return a request for comment. Masucci was a 37-year-old Stafford Township resident at the time she was sentenced in 2019 for being a part of a compound medication scheme that defrauded the state health benefits plan of about $50 million. She was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert Kugler to two years in prison and to pay $1.8 million in restitution. She also was ordered to three years of probation upon release. Kugler, at the time of her sentencing, said Masucci, with help from her husband, filled out 55 fraudulent prescriptions, some of which were worth more than $10,000 each, from Dr. John Gaffney, who formerly held a medical practice in Margate. Stafford Township woman first sentenced in prescription fraud case CAMDEN The first of more than 20 people who have pleaded guilty for their involvement in a The $5 million lawsuit was filed in May by Connecticut-based attorney Alexander T. Taubes. The litigation seeks monetary damages, attorney's fees and other relief the court deems suitable. The defendants are in the process of being served, Taubes said. A federal judge on Thursday ordered a 60-day response timeline in the case, he said. While incarcerated, Masucci became infected with COVID-19 because the prison failed to identify her as a person who could have been released from prison under orders from former U.S. Attorney General William Barr issued April 3, 2020, the lawsuit states. "It's a really, really bad place," Taubes said of the prison. By not acting on emergency plans, Masucci was exposed to potential severe disease, the lawsuit states. She tested positive for COVID-19 in June 2020 and was sent to the prison's male living quarters under confinement, spending slightly over two weeks there, the lawsuit states. "Inmates, including Plaintiff, were forced into unconstitutionally dangerous conditions, and were forced to remain in isolation as a result of the poor planning on the part of FCI Danbury," the lawsuit reads. During the pandemic in 2020, the U.S. Attorney's Office filed a class-action lawsuit, settled in July of that year, in which the federal Bureau of Prisons agreed to identify low-risk offenders at high risk for developing severe COVID-19 and send them to home confinement. Masucci further alleges she was sexually assaulted by a Greene, the prison's only gynecologist, during an exam at an unknown date. Stafford woman admits role in state health benefits fraud scheme CAMDEN A former pharmaceutical representative from Ocean County became the 21st person to A female nurse was present during the exam but stood "on the outside of a privacy curtain and did not view the exam," the lawsuit states, leaving Greene to take advantage of her "while she was at her most vulnerable." The protocol should have mandated that a female nurse observe the exam, the lawsuit states. The prison is poorly run, Taubes said, adding that lawsuits and settlements are the "only form of accountability that even exists" for malpractice at the facility. Masucci began her sentence Jan. 2, 2020, and was released Sept. 14, 2021, the lawsuit states. The Associated Press contributed to this report. BRIGANTINE An amendment to the Atlantic County Water Management Plan will allow the construction of 14 single-family homes in the historic Rum Point section of the island starting this fall. An 0.991-acre expansion of the Atlantic County Sewer Services will allow Rockwell Brigantine LLC to subdivide 48 acres into 18 lots. Approximately 14 of those lots will be used to build homes with stormwater improvements. The Rum Point development area is the last large piece of developable land on the Island, Mayor Vince Sera said. There is land across the boulevard at the base of the bridge that could be developed, but it belongs to Atlantic City, not Brigantine. The single-street development, which will be accessible from Atlantic-Brigantine Boulevard, will feature a cul-du-sac and seven homes on each side of the street, according to plans. Two of the remaining lots will be used for stormwater improvements, and one will be used for open space and landscaping. The other will remain wetlands. Rum Point was used as a drop-off point for pirates in the 18th and 19th centuries. During Prohibition in the 1920s, rum runners rolled barrels of rum on and off the beach, which gave the area around the Brigantine Bridge its name. It will clear a historically used, unofficial landfill site, Sera said. Its believed that when the old Brigantine Bridge was torn down, the construction debris was dumped and/or buried in that area. The testing the developer did prior to the preliminary subdivision showed large amounts of concrete and other debris on the site. All of that will be removed as part of the proposed project. First lady encourages trade education at National Governors Association meeting The nation's first lady shared memories of growing up in South Jersey and defined "Bidenomics" as a way to create good-paying jobs for the middle class in a brief speech Thursday at the National Governors Association's meeting at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. The Planning Board first approved plans for the site in 2009. Sera said the Planning Board reapproved the plan May 24 to make sure the project was still in compliance with city codes, zoning rules and ordinances that have changed since Superstorm Sandy in 2012. A lot has changed since Superstorm Sandy, and we wanted to make sure that the developer understood that they needed to conform to the new standards. And that they are not somehow grandfathered in under the old regulations, Sera said. Rockwell Customs, based in Media, Pennsylvania, has 10 other properties, including ones in Avalon and Brigantine. The Oceanside by Rockwell at 321 Sixth St. South is a 16-unit condo site in Brigantine with water views. Rockwell did not return a call seeking comment on the Rum Point project. The single-family lots that are being created comply with all of the land use requirements of the city and will also need to comply with any (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection) requirements for development along the waterfront, Sera said. Bulkheads will be added to the site that will assist the island and its residents with flood mitigation, as well as erosion control on the cove side of the site. A homeowners association will be formed and will maintain responsibility for nonstandard street amenities, like streetlamps. MIDDLE TOWNSHIP A path winds through a green and shady stretch of woods in Rio Grande, with carefully kept campsites lined on either side. Time may be running out for those who live there, with a new township ordinance banning living in tents. As Jim Chew, who describes himself as an advocate for the homeless of Rio Grande, walked that path on Thursday, a woman who stays in one of the tents told him that she just spoke on the phone with new police Chief Jennifer Pooler, who said they had to be out of that area by Monday. The woman declined to give her name, or speak on the record. She cited the advice of her attorney. The lawyer said dont say anything, she said. A man walking along the path to his well established campsite gave a similar answer to a request for an interview, that an attorney who agreed to represent them said they should not answer questions. Jeffrey Wild, an attorney at the Lowenstein Sandler law firm and a trustee of the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness, confirmed Thursday that he is representing four people who live in tents in the woods around the Rio Grande section of the township, adding he is willing to take on additional clients. Im hoping to solve the issue generally, not just for my clients, Wild said. Im willing to talk to anyone who is in danger of going to jail because they have or are about to have no place where they can legally live. Middle Township approves ban on sleeping in tents MIDDLE TOWNSHIP Advocates raised a persistent question at the Monday Township Committee me Wild said he was contacted by Chew, who put him in touch with Wilds clients. Chew has been the most vocal and persistent critic of the townships new ordinance on temporary structures. At Mondays Township Committee meeting, Chew accused committee members of infringing on freedom, and suggested the township was cold hearted toward those without homes. He suggested the township was harassing him and the homeless. They sleep tonight in violation of your recent ordinance. You left them little or no choice, given their resources and the desire to live in Rio Grande, Chew said. I served 21 years in the United States Air Force, protecting the freedoms that we used to have. At previous meetings, Mayor Tim Donohue and others have said they cannot allow a tent city to spring up in Rio Grande, and cited unhealthy or potentially dangerous conditions in the areas where people have been living in tents. On Monday, Donohue did not respond to Chew. On Thursday, he declined to comment for this story. Some people living in this stretch of woods have been there for a few months, others have lived there much longer. Wild said some of his clients have lived in that stretch of woods for years. Its not like they just arrived. Theyre residents just like anybody else, Wild said. But in this case, they do not have enough money to afford shelter. Some former tent sites were empty, and in once case the occupant appeared to have moved on and left the tent behind. Chew had told the people staying in the area that they had until Friday to vacate or they could be issued a summons. Middle Township ordinance: No living in tents MIDDLE TOWNSHIP For years, residents, advocates and police have reported encampments in th On July 11, the township code enforcement office issued the owners of the property a letter stating July 21 as the deadline for the removal of all temporary structures, citing a township ordinance that disallows them where there is no permanent structure. Each tent would be treated as a separate offense. An attempt to contact the property owner Thursday was unsuccessful. Chew said the owner knows about the tents and has not objected, but he wants to avoid trouble for the property owner. While the tents in this section of the woods appeared well cared for, and there were no signs of fires and less litter than is found in most paths, there were plenty of indications of the issues that Donohue had cited. Chew did not visit another area farther along the path, which the other residents described in terms usually reserved for a disaster area. One person at the site had just been arrested on domestic assault charges. The other person who lived at the site had apparently deconstructed the shelter, at least according to the conversations between Chew and the other residents, and police often come into the area, either during emergencies or to serve warrants. While they were talking, the woman who had allegedly damaged the site returned, bringing a rolling cart loaded with multiple items. Chew barred her from going back, saying she should return with an empty cart to instead clean out the site. He told her not to bring that garbage back to the site. This isnt garbage. This is my stuff, she told Chew. He told her not to leave it by the path entrance or on the street nearby, but said she could not take it back to the site. Residents raise objections to latest move to revitalize Rio Grande MIDDLE TOWNSHIP There seems to be little disagreement that the Rio Grande section of the t If you put it there, Ill call the police and they will arrest you, Chew said. As the Township Committee considered the ordinance banning the use of temporary structures, like tents, as dwelling units, several residents of Rio Grande said action needed to be taken. They described problems with crime and substance abuse, and said there were mental health problems that impacted the quality of life in the community. In previous public statements, Donohue has said when police evict people from encampments, they bring along social workers who can offer help in accessing social services. The stretch where Chew helps people settle is not the only encampment. There are tents on state land, along the right-of-way of Atlantic City Electric, on preserved natural areas and in other stretches of woods throughout the area. There are also people staying in vehicles in multiple parking areas around Rio Grande. And the population appears to be increasing, both as reported by residents and by Chew, who said he sees more and more unfamiliar people walking on the sidewalks, carrying backpacks or rolling carts. While the township says it cannot allow tent cities, Chew said he does not know where else people can go if they cannot afford traditional shelter. He cited court cases that have found municipalities cannot make it a crime to sleep in public if there is no other option. Chew said he is considering advising people to move to the public park in Rio Grande, where there are bathrooms, running water and other amenities. Branches offer food, help and more in Rio Grande MIDDLE TOWNSHIP Isaac Williams doesnt mind bragging about the devastating fastball he had But Im trying to be peaceful about this. That would be war, Chew said. Wild said he and his clients do not want to go to court over the issue, and he expects the township does not want that, either. He said his clients have lived in the community lawfully and responsibly. Many of these men and women work in the community, where they have lived on private property with the consent of the landowner, Wild said. We are hopeful that Middle Township and Cape May County, which has no shelter for people experiencing homeless, will work with us to find a cooperative solution, as opposed to criminalizing homelessness, which is illegal under federal and New Jersey law. He said he hopes to hear back from township officials soon. Hopefully we can all agree that in New Jersey in 2023, every man, woman and child should have a safe place to live and sleep, Wild said. The daily rounds of thunderstorms last week and hours of soaking rain Sunday pulled parts of South Jersey out of drought in Thursday's update. Cape May County west of a line from Stone Harbor to Tuckahoe, Upper Township, Maurice River Township in Cumberland County as well as Weymouth Township and Estell Manor in Atlantic County remain in moderate drought, according to the United States Drought Monitor. Moderate drought is the lowest of the four stages of drought. Coupled with a small part of Monmouth County, that leaves 6.32% of New Jersey in drought conditions. Last week's drought area was double this week's. Drought went away in much of Cumberland County as well as towns like Buena Borough and Buena Vista Township in Atlantic County. Rain was plentiful between July 11-18, the period the Drought Monitor used for Thursday's update. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain fell over all of southeastern New Jersey, according to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. Much of it came on Sunday. In the past 30 days, all of the region has been above average when it comes to rainfall. However, it still wasn't enough for parts of Cape May and Cumberland counties to be pulled out of drought, at least not yet. Groundwater levels remain "extremely dry," according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, for the second week in a row. Still, the water supply status is "normal." In moderate drought, the growth of crops is stunted, or planting is delayed. Wildfire danger is elevated as grasses and lawns brown. Fish become stressed as well. Here are the four stages of drought classification However, moderate drought is actually the lowest-tiered version of drought in a four-step cl In New Jersey, this occurs every five to 10 years on average. Rainfall from Wednesday, July 19, will be included in the July 27 drought monitor update. So, too, will a soaking rain early Friday. Health Department official Urmila Shinde said that in Pune's Devachi Alandi area, 1 thousand 600 children are affected with Conjunctivitis. The spread of the disease has happened within three days and is being spread through schools in the area. The Health Department has urged the schools to declare a holiday to curb the spread. In Pune's Alandi, children in schools and educational institutions of the Warkari sect have been infected with eye disease. Symptoms of ophthalmia are constant burning of eyes, discharge of dirt from eyes, watery eyes, and pinching eyelids. The health department has appealed that we can prevent eye infection if we take precautions such as washing hands clean after touching the eyes, wearing glasses when the person or child has come into contact with people affected with Conjunctivitis, and taking proper advice from the doctor on time. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday arrested two persons in connection with the Mumbai Jumbo Covid centres scam. The arrested persons have been identified as Sujit Patker of Lifeline Hospital Management Services, a company that received a contract to run two Jumbo Covid Centres in Mumbai, and Kishore Bisure, a civic doctor. It has been alleged that although Patker got the contract to run Jumbo Covid Centres, medical staff were not deployed at the hospitals, and government funds were siphoned off. The duo was produced before a special PMLA court, which sent them to ED custody till July 27. The ED had initiated a PMLA investigation on November 21, 2022, based on an FIR registered by the Azad Maidan police station, Mumbai. Later, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) took over the probe and filed a charge sheet on April 27, 2023. During the course of EDs investigation, it was revealed that during the pandemic in March 2020, the municipal bodies took measures and established Jumbo Covid Centres to overcome the scarcity of beds for Covid patients in all the available hospitals in the jurisdiction of Mumbai. For the purpose of making treatment available to all citizens, these centres were established with a large number of beds. It was learnt that Lifeline Hospital Management Services received Rs 31,84,71,634 from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the supply of medical personnel to the Covid centers. IANS Five people have been charged with multiple felonies after a months-long human trafficking investigation in Kane County, officials said. St. Charles Police Chief James Keegan said his department became aware of a brothel operating on the near west side of St. Charles in the spring and launched an investigation into human trafficking. Officials believe the brothel was part of a large enterprise also operating in Chicago, Aurora, Elgin, South Elgin, Hanover Park and in an unincorporated area near Palatine. The five people arrested, four men and one woman, have been charged with multiple felonies, officials said. Daniel Hurtado, 26, of Elgin; Christian Hurtado, 27, of Elgin; Martha Hurtado-Hernandez, 57, of Chicago; Rigoberto Parra, 46, of Aurora; and Hector Briseno, 54, of Chicago, were charged with aggravated involuntary servitude, trafficking in persons for labor, involuntary servitude and promoting prostitution for profit, according to a press release from the Kane County States Attorneys Office. Kane County States Attorney Jamie Mosser alleges that between Feb. 17 and July 19, the five people charged engaged in a conspiracy to subject seven women to commercial sexual activity by causing or threatening physical harm to at least one of the women, according to the press release. The ages of the women ranged from their early 20s to early 30s and were all from different parts of South America, police said. On Wednesday, the seven women were taken into protective custody, connected to social services and moved into transitional housing, officials said. One of the women was taken to a hospital complaining of abdominal pain and was treated and released, Keegan said. The defendants are accused of physically restraining the women by confining them to a residence, intimidating them with threats and maintaining financial control over them, prosecutors said. A special bond hearing was held for the defendants Thursday in Kane County, with bail being set for each at $5 million, officials said. Police said they conducted surveillance, obtained multiple search warrants and collected forensic evidence they believe show the women were brought into the United States to be exploited as part of a larger human trafficking ring. The investigation was like an onion, Keegan said, and the more we peeled it back the more it stunk. Police said the investigation led them to multiple locations across the Chicago area. Keegan said local officials will continue to work with different jurisdictions on the investigation. If anyone has information or suspects human trafficking in their area, Mosser said they should contact their local law enforcement agencies. We must identify human trafficking as quickly as possible and get involved to stop this from happening, Mosser said. Photos: Highland Park marks one-year anniversary of parade shooting US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth KakaoBank logo / Courtesy of KakaoBank By Anna J. Park Kakaobank plans to start selling mutual funds through its mobile platforms before the end of the year, as it has become the country's first internet-only bank to obtain a financial investment license. According to the bank, Friday, the Financial Services Commission (FSC) approved KakaoBank's financial investment business license during its 14th regular meeting held earlier this week. The banking subsidiary of the Kakao conglomerate had applied for investment trading and investment brokerage licenses in May. With the FSC's decision, KakaoBank has become the only digital bank licensed to offer investment brokerage services, ahead of its competitors K bank and Toss Bank. The bank forecasts that it could begin selling mutual fund products on its mobile platform later this year at the earliest, or by early next year. The internet-only bank expects the new business expansion will contribute to its non-interest profits, diversifying the sources of its profit structures. "Having earned the investment brokerage licensing, KakaoBank will prepare services for customers who are not familiar with investing to have an easy and convenient fund investment experiences," an official from KakaoBank told The Korea Times, Friday. "In addition to providing customers increased convenience, the bank is expected to secure more non-interest income through the service." SAC CITY, Iowa A woman charged with leaving dead dogs and a cat in freezers at her former Sac City home has been placed on probation. Billi Jo Langner, 47, of Farnhamville, Iowa, pleaded guilty on July 11 in Sac County District Court to three counts of reduced charges of animal neglect, all simple misdemeanors. District Associate Judge Joseph McCarville on Wednesday suspended 30-day jail sentences on each count and $315 in fines. Langner was placed on probation for one year. Three other animal neglect charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement. The owner of a house in the 200 block of East Ahrens Street called Sac City police on Jan. 1 to report that Langner, the previous tenant, had left two dead cats in the house. Two emaciated, decomposing dogs also were found in a chest freezer in the garage, and the house was filled with animal feces and urine. Officers returned to the home on Jan. 2, when the landlord reported finding a partially decomposed cat in the kitchen freezer, and on Jan. 14, when another dead cat was found in the basement of the home. Langner also is charged with felony first-degree criminal mischief in connection with damage caused to the rental home by animal feces and urine. Langner also is accused of leaving the windows open in the freezing temperatures, causing water pipes to break and flood the basement, destroying the furnace and water heater and causing an estimated more than $30,000 in damage. A plea hearing in that case is scheduled for July 31. Counties with the highest cancer rates in Iowa Counties with the highest cancer rates in Iowa #50. Guthrie County #49. Benton County #48. Boone County #47. Fayette County #46. Osceola County #45. Iowa County #44. Clinton County #43. Tama County #42. Grundy County #41. Clayton County #40. O'Brien County #39. Hancock County #38. Chickasaw County #37. Wayne County #36. Howard County #35. Des Moines County #34. Humboldt County #33. Keokuk County #32. Shelby County #31. Harrison County #30. Delaware County #29. Floyd County #28. Worth County #27. Hardin County #26. Kossuth County #25. Jackson County #24. Clay County #23. Sac County #22. Lee County #21. Ida County #20. Monroe County #19. Audubon County #18. Butler County #17. Fremont County #16. Emmet County #15. Page County #14. Calhoun County #13. Adams County #12. Franklin County #11. Montgomery County #10. Cerro Gordo County #9. Monona County #8. Appanoose County #7. Greene County #6. Ringgold County #5. Pocahontas County #4. Dickinson County #3. Cass County #2. Cherokee County #1. Palo Alto County Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley on Thursday released an unclassified FBI record containing raw and unverified information describing an alleged and discredited criminal bribery scheme involving President Joe Biden and a Ukrainian energy executive when Biden was vice president. The document an FD-1023 form used by the FBI to log unverified accounts from confidential human sources was previously shared with some members of Congress last month after Republicans threatened to hold FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress if he did not turn over the form. Members of the House Oversight Committee viewed a redacted form of the document June 8 after the committees chair, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., subpoenaed the FBI to provide the document. Grassley and Comer, though, pushed the FBI to release the full, unredacted document to the public. Grassley released a fuller, less-redacted copy of the document provided under legally protected disclosures by Justice Department whistleblowers, according to his office. While the FBI sought to obfuscate and redact, the American people can now read this document for themselves, without the filter of politicians or bureaucrats, thanks to brave and heroic whistleblowers, Grassley said in a statement. The Justice Department and FBI have failed to come clean, but Chairman Comer and I intend to find out. FBI officials have said that releasing the document could jeopardize other FBI investigations and the trust of confidential sources. In the face of these significant concerns, the FBI negotiated a resolution with Chairman Comer to provide the information requested in a manner that protects the safety of confidential sources and integrity of investigations, the FBI responded in a statement sent to The Gazette. ... Todays release of the 1023 at a minimum unnecessarily risks the safety of a confidential source. The allegations contained in the document were investigated by the Department of Justice under former President Donald Trump's Attorney General William Barr as part of an investigation into allegations of bribery brought by Trumps then-personal attorney Rudy Giuliani. The Justice Department found no supporting evidence of the claim and closed the investigation in August 2020, according to a statement from Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee. Barr denies closing the investigation, and told The Federalist last month the information was ultimately forwarded to the U.S. attorney in Delaware. Republicans have questioned whether the federal prosecutor followed up on the allegations. The FBI form states the source is not able to provide information as to the veracity of claims related to alleged bribery. The allegation The FBI document details conversations the confidential source had with Mykola Zlochevsky, president of the Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma, and a top Burisma executive over the course of several years starting in late 2015 or early 2016. It alleges Zlochevsky paid $5 million to both Joe Biden and Hunter Biden, the presidents son who was a Burisma board member, to avoid a corruption investigation by then-Ukraine Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin. At the time, Burisma was seeking to do business in the United States, and company executives were reportedly concerned the investigation would jeopardize their U.S. plans. The prosecutor, however, had already stopped investigating. In early 2016, Biden did push Ukraine to fire the prosecutor charged with investigating Burisma. Obama-Biden administration officials testified in Trump's first impeachment inquiry that Biden pushed for the firing due to concerns the Ukrainian prosecutor went easy on corruption, and said that his firing, at the time, was the policy position of the U.S. and international community. European leaders also considered the prosecutor ineffective. The White House, in a statement, said the entire premise for the allegations included in the document have been scrutinized and long disproved. GOP doubts Republican members of Congress themselves have also cast doubt on the legitimacy of the claims contained in the FBI form. Wisconsin Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, who authored a Senate report on Hunter Biden along with Grassley, told conservative radio show host Vicki McKenna last month the allegations against Biden and information in the FBI form should be taken "with a grain of salt." "This could be coming from a very corrupt oligarch who could be making this stuff up, Johnson said in response to purported audio recordings that show Zlochevsky was coerced into paying the Bidens in the alleged bribery scheme. Until you hear the audiotapes, until you know what the FBI did to investigate it, again, you have to suspend your judgment until you know more, Johnson said. Politico reported in 2020 that Zlochevsky said on the record that President Biden not only had never assisted him or Burisma, but had never even spoken with him. The Associated Press has called the claims widely discredited and false. It is remarkable that congressional Republicans, in their eagerness to go after President Biden regardless of the truth, continue to push claims that have been debunked for years and that they themselves have cautioned to take with a grain of salt because they could be made up, White House spokesperson Ian Sams said in a statement to The Gazette. Republicans, though, point to the allegations as evidence of a "two-tiered" justice system, one where former President Donald Trump faces a federal indictment over his handling of classified documents, and another where the FBI ignored allegations against Biden. Sen. Grassley holds roundtable on challenges with local law enforcement leaders An insurance company engineered a record-setting medical malpractice judgment against an Iowa clinic as part of a successful scheme to have state lawmakers approve tort-reform legislation this year, according a court filing by the clinics lawyers. In March 2022, a Johnson County jury awarded more than $97.4 million to the family of a boy who sustained serious brain damage during his birth at an Iowa City hospital. The award, believed to be the largest medical malpractice judgment in Iowa history, was later reduced to $75.6 million. The boys parents, Kathleen and Andrew Kromphardt, had sued Obstetric and Gynecologic Associates of Iowa City and Coralville and others, alleging their sons brain damage was caused by negligence in the hours leading up to his birth in August 2018. Court filings by parties on both sides of the case suggest that the clinic, the doctors and the family were interested in settling the case out of court for an amount that would be covered by the clinics insurance policy. The insurance company resisted, however, and rejected proposals to settle the case for any amount, which resulted in the malpractice case going to trial. This week, the clinics new attorney, Nick Rowley, filed papers in federal court arguing the insurer, MMIC Insurance Inc., acted in bad faith. MMIC, Rowley claims, engineered the jury award to help persuade state lawmakers to pass tort-reform legislation that would save insurance companies millions by capping damages for malpractice that could be paid out to patients and their families. MMIC officials did not immediately return a message seeking comment for this article. Once the jury in the Kromphardt case returned a verdict against the clinic for $97 million, MMIC used that result to convince Iowa politicians to put a cap on noneconomic damages, Rowley alleges. The insurer then used a bazooka shoved into the clinics mouth, Rowley claims, and forced the clinic to declare bankruptcy, enabling lobbyists and lawmakers to claim tort reform was needed to save clinics from closing and discourage doctors from moving out of state. House File 161 capped noneconomic damages in lawsuits against health care providers for medical incidents that result in the loss or impairment of a bodily function, disfigurement or death, at $1 million for clinics and individual doctors, and $2 million for hospitals. In the new court filings, Rowley argues MMIC unreasonably chose not to settle and make the lawsuit and verdict go away, and then used the clinics financial and reputational demise as propaganda to get tort reform passed in Iowa It orchestrated the bankruptcy, hired and paid the bankruptcy lawyers, and refused to shield the clinic or its insured doctors from financial ruin. While executing this deceitful and fraudulent plan, MMIC was also holding seminars and lobbying for the implementation of noneconomic caps in Iowa and involving the governor in the process, Rowley claimed in the court documents. The bankruptcy element of the plan was almost successful, Rowley claims, until a federal judge in the bankruptcy case stepped in and dismissed the case as fraudulent. Rowley claims that MMIC, in executing the alleged scheme, repeatedly put its own financial and political interests ahead of its policyholder, the clinic, which it used as a pawn to change Iowa law regarding noneconomic damages telling Iowans, at best, half-truths and, at worst, straight-up lies The bad faith runs deep and will prove to be one of the worst cases of bad-faith conduct justifying punitive damages in Iowa state history. Insurer pursues appeal while clinic pursues settlement The new court filing is part of the clinics response to a federal lawsuit MMIC recently filed in an effort to block Rowley and the clinic from undermining MMICs appeal of the $75.6 million judgment. MMIC is currently seeking a federal court order that will allow its appeal of the $75.6 million judgment to move forward, noting that the appeal has been fully briefed by all parties and is simply awaiting a decision by Iowas appellate courts. MMIC is seeking a federal-court injunction that will preserve the Iowa Supreme Courts opportunity to decide the appeal and protect what MMIC calls its right to control any litigation over the matter. Rowleys new filing on behalf of the clinic is in direct response to that request for an injunction. Rowley is asking the federal court to refrain from issuing the injunction and is asking the court to allow the clinic and its physicians to negotiate a settlement with the Kromphardts. Separately, the clinic and its physicians want to sue MMIC for bad faith and expose what happened, Rowley told the court. Instead, the insurer is tying their hands by pursuing an appeal that could lead to a new trial, while the clinic and its doctors want to negotiate a settlement now, Rowley told the court. Rowley is a high-profile plaintiffs attorney and Iowa native who says he has won more than $2 billion for his clients in verdicts and settlements. He said in an interview he intends to sue the company for more than $1 billion. Were working on the complaint right now, he said, adding that he expects the lawsuit to expose details of the lobbying efforts that led to the Iowa Legislatures decision to cap noneconomic damages. Judge tossed out bankruptcy case in March This latest round of litigation follows an aborted bankruptcy filing by the clinic last fall. The Kromphardts attorneys had challenged the filing, arguing it was filed in bad faith to avoid payment of the malpractice award. On Jan. 20, the conservator in the bankruptcy case filed a motion with the court, alleging the clinic was acting in bad faith by filing for bankruptcy and arguing it was a litigation tactic to avoid payment of a bond that would secure some of the clinics assets. In a March 29 decision dismissing the bankruptcy case, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Anita L. Shodeen expressed concern over the relationship between the clinic and its insurer, MMIC. The judge suggested the insurance company may have given the clinic certain financial favors in return for the clinic filing for bankruptcy as part of an effort to shield MMIC from having to make a $12 million policy payout. She noted that MMIC paid fees to the clinics bankruptcy professionals and offered the clinic favorable terms on its insurance coverage when no one else would. In addition, the judge stated, MMIC had offered to extend credit to the clinic. A question arises about whether the bankruptcy was motivated by a proper purpose or to obtain financial advantages from MMIC in exchange for filing bankruptcy to attempt to protect it from making payment under the policy, Shodeen stated in her decision. Photos: Missing children in Iowa Alexandra Storm Hailey Coleman Jamira Debose Osbourne Julian Murray Daniela Salinas-mejia Jade Colvin Fredrick Workman Benjamin Roseland Erin Pospisil Marc Allen Eugene Martin John Gosch Kimberly Doss Colleen Simpson Caleb Williams Xavior Harrelson Alyssa Dluzak Fatima Conteh Daniela Vera-Ortega Xerxes Blaesing Jorge Peneda Castillo Anya Pritchard Desirae Gifford Daquan Nelson Diomarix Crespo Alivia Beeding Caydence Roberts A Lakota lawyer who represented the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in its fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline and spent her career fighting to protect Indigenous rights died July 14, 2023. Nicole Nikki Ducheneaux, 44, Cheyenne River Lakota, died from undisclosed causes in Omaha, Nebraska. Her father announced his daughters death on the evening of Sunday, July 16. This is the hardest thing Ive ever done in my life, Franklin Ducheneaux said. Our beautiful daughter, Nikki, died suddenly early Friday night. Our lives have been shattered. Ducheneaux was a founding partner of the Big Fire Law and Policy Group based in Omaha. She began her legal career in Montana as a public defender. In 2012, she joined the law firm Fredericks Peebles and Morgan in Omaha, the predecessor of Big Fire Law Firm. There, she advocated for tribes and tribal entities across the United States and was a formidable and innovative litigator, according to a social media post by Big Fire Law Firm. Ducheneaux argued cases before state, tribal and federal courts, as well as appellate courts of all varieties, including the U.S. Supreme Court. She quickly rose in the ranks at Fredericks Peebles and Morgan, where she became a litigation partner in 2015. In 2019, she was one of the founding equity partners of Big Fire Law and Policy Group, serving as the head of litigation, where she established a reputation for tireless and passionate advocacy, according to Big Fire. As a founding equity partner, Nikki was constantly focused on the best interests of the firm, Big Fire said. But beyond her work, she was also a devoted and loving mother who always made time for her children, to support them in their activities and passions. In addition to her litigation work, Ducheneaux championed young Native lawyers by providing mentorship and guidance. Big Fire characterized her as kind, compassionate, and always available to assist family or friends in times of need. Ducheneaux is survived by her children, Sidney Moenning, Esther Moenning and Renee Ducheneaux; her parents, Franklin and Ernestine Ducheneaux; and siblings, Patricia Jollie, Pamela Herring, Joan Doring, Frank Ducheneaux and Christopher Ducheneaux, along with many uncles, aunts and cousins. A GoFundMe account was set up to raise funds for legal and other expenses. Her cousin, Wayne Ducheneaux Jr., said he and his cousin both had big shoes to fill in the legacy department. From early on, we really kind of bonded over what that is like, said Ducheneaux, who serves as executive director of the Native Governance Center. His father, Wayne Ducheneaux Sr., was a former president of the National Congress of American Indians and two-time chairman of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Nicole Ducheneauxs father Franklin served as executive director of NCAI in 1970 and as an attorney for two House committees, where he helped draft many of the most important Native laws enacted by Congress from 1973-1990. Wayne Ducheneaux Jr. said he last saw his cousin at a dinner in April at the University of South Dakota, where Franklin Ducheneaux was being honored as the first Native American graduate of the USD law school. The last thing we talked about was our families and our kids and her new baby girl being so close in age to my baby girl and our hope that they grow up together having the same kind of bond and connection she and I have, he said. The loss of Nikki leaves a huge hole in our heart as a family, our tiospaye, our tribe and Indian Country. We lost the epitome of the term warrior lawyer and she will be greatly missed by all. Those who knew Nikki Ducheneaux took to social media this week to express their shock and sadness at her sudden death: I met Nikki when I was 16, struggling and disconnected from my own strength and light. Nikki shared hers with me, said Bridget Breihan, a therapist living in Charlottesville, Virginia. She did it without expectation or superiority. She did it without me even knowing she was doing it, lending without highlighting what was lacking, sometimes gently and other times fiercely. I'm grateful for it all. Mary Farrah, who lives in Washington, D.C., shared a story about cutting Ducheneauxs hair. I gave her her first punk rock haircut by shaving the back of her head, which she wanted, but then she cried after the hair was gone. I didnt realize the significance then, Farrah said. Then she became the closest thing to a superhero Ive ever known. Taking on unstoppable forces and fighting on behalf of the people. Nikki, my heart is so sad for you and your family today, and will be, for a long time, said Kate Novotny, whose husband Mike worked with Ducheneaux at Big Fire. I have always been enchanted by you your smile, your laugh, your red lipstick, your pantsuits, your fierce advocacy for your people, your stories, your whimsical joy of being alive. My heart is heavy. One of the truest warriors of our modern time died a few days ago suddenly and unexpectedly, said actor and activist Dallas Goldtooth. Nikki Ducheneaux was one of THE best Native lawyers in the country and I was proud to call her a comrade and friend. I was floored to hear of her death. One of the last cases Ducheneaux took on involved representing a Lakota man fighting to regain rights to his tribes Lakota language materials including textbooks and a dictionary from an Indiana-based nonprofit organization known as the Lakota Language Consortium. Ray Taken Alive said the nonprofit consortium has profited handsomely from the sale of the Lakota language materials that his grandmother, Delores Taken Alive, helped to produce. The controversy reached a climax in May when the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe voted to ban the Lakota Language Consortiums representatives from its North Dakota reservation. Ducheneaux represented Taken Alive, a Lakota language instructor himself, who was sued by the consortium for copyright infringement. In the beginning, she told me that she was ready to fight and that she liked to fight, and to me it was reassurance that we picked the right person, Taken Alive told ICT. But the task wasnt an easy one. Ducheneaux had to wade through 23 pages of complaints by the consortium against Taken Alive. In court, Ducheneaux spoke gently but assertively and succeeded in getting the consortiums own witnesses to admit that the organization never withdrew its right to the Lakota language materials or the materials that Taken Alives grandmother helped produce, Taken Alive said. She basically gift-wrapped the tribes fight to their language rights, Taken Alive said. Now its up to the councils to make the move, to reclaim the rights to our intellectual property from this state-based organization. He said he and Ducheneaux had planned to take the fight for tribes rights to their language to the federal level by lobbying lawmakers to enact protections for tribes. He said Ducheneaux even talked about establishing an Indigenous year of data sovereignty. Now hes uncertain what will happen, but he remains committed to the cause, he said. Were absolutely heartbroken and devastated, my family, hearing the news, he said. She was an amazing person, a fierce advocate for Indigenous sovereignty, for tribal sovereignty. Another longtime friend of Ducheneauxs said her death is especially tragic because of what she leaves behind. Keely Purscell, 50, Winnebago, and Ducheneaux had been introduced to each other through a mutual friend. Youve got to meet my friend Nikki, the friend had told Purscell, who was skeptical. But the two strangers ended up hitting it off. They bonded over having had children later in life, Keely having given birth to her last child at the age of 40. The two old moms, as they liked to call themselves, ran into each other for the last time on the trade show floor at the Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas in April. Nikki had her business baby, as she referred to her daughter, with her. Cousin! Nikki said when she saw Purscell. Even though the two werent related, Nikki teasingly called Keely cousin because Nikkis uncle had a ranch on the Cheyenne River Reservation that was just down the road from Keelys ex-husbands ranch. That counts! We are family, Nikki would say. At the tradeshow, Nikkis baby was curious and looking at everything. Keely and Nikki spent a few minutes catching up before going their separate ways. Wayne Ducheneaux Jr. serves as a board member of IndiJ Public Media, ICTs parent company. ICT is a nonprofit news organization. Will you support our work? All of our content is free. There are no subscriptions or costs. And we have hired more Native journalists in the past year than any news organization and with your help we will continue to grow and create career paths for our people. Support ICT for as little as $10. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter. The Darby Town Council voted to approve the development of the Bitterroot Lodge Resort on Wednesday night. The council held a Special Meeting on July 19 at 5 p.m. to vote on the project. Around 20 community members attended the meeting, which packed the tiny Town Council Chambers. The development was the subject of numerous community meetings that at times bordered on contentious. The vote also comes on the heels of a state Department of Environmental Quality informational meeting on the S&W Sawmill State Superfund Facility, held the previous night at the Darby Community Clubhouse. The building site sits on a portion of the Superfund site, but has been deemed safe for commercial use by DEQ. 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-level, 130-unit hotel, as well as a restaurant, bar and casino. The property sits along U.S. Highway 93, next to the Darby Rodeo Arena entrance and adjacent Farmers State Bank. Community members had previously voiced concern about the developments proximity to local schools, citing state law that prohibits bars being located within 600 feet of a school. The development plan, however, does comply with state law. Following introduction of the resolution, council members Tammie Jones and Linda Wallace questioned whether Darbys sewer infrastructure was adequate to support the development. Upgrades to Darbys sewer system are currently underway. The town is working with engineers to upgrade the pump system to meet DEQ requirements. Darby Mayor Nancy McKinney told the council that engineers had informed her that the upgrades would be adequate to meet DEQ requirements. The town is currently waiting on parts to begin the upgrades. After some back and forth among council members as to whether Darbys current infrastructure could handle the additional development and attempts to further put off a vote on the subject, a proposal was put forth to amend the resolution to include language that would prohibit connection of the development to the towns sewer main without written approval from an engineer. I want to be a good neighbor here, Pace said in response to the discussion. Im happy to solve my problem with the liquor license and have you do what you got to do to make your council happy and not have me be the ogre of the town thinking that I got away with something. I dont need that; I dont need this project. I would like to do projects and I think this is a good project for the town. I think itll be an addition to the town, but I know a lot of people dont agree with that. I dont have a problem with you building your building, Council Member Jones responded. Thats not my problem, and its not why I keep saying no, its because of our infrastructure. So if they can come up with this solution, and they can get it plugged in, and it works, thats not just going to help you, its going to help our town. After nearly an hour of debate on the subject the council voted to approve the resolution, with Jones and Wallace voting nay. Having previously received approval from the Planning Board, passage of the resolution allows Pace to obtain a building permit and begin construction on the property immediately. Pace said he didnt see the additional conditions related to the sewer as an obstacle and was optimistic about the project. I love this town, and if I cant build this project, that would not affect my love for this town, Pace said. I dont blame people being very concerned about a big project in their town. I think youre bringing up an issue that is kind of moot the sewer thing, its easy to fix. But there was a lot of people came that out against it a couple of weeks ago. Some community members voiced dismay at the resolutions passage, but others were there to support the development. I dont think you guys are going with the will of the town, one community member said during public comment following the resolutions passage. This is just my opinion. I think theres a lot of bad faith. Darby Rodeo Association President Cal Rourke attended the meeting as a supporter of Pace and spoke on behalf of the development. Rourke said that having the hotel next to the rodeo arena will allow more competitions and competitors to come to Darby. First of all, Im a lifetime resident of Darby, I mean my whole life, Rourke said. My hearts in Darby. I dont want to approve of something that I think is going to make Darby worse. Ive seen the overall plan for the whole 10 acres. Hes very sincere about what he does, and you can see hes not that kind of a person. Bottom line is theres going to be a motel in Darby sooner or later. So lets have one that we can partner up with a person thats building it and guide how it looks. And help it be nice for the community and for the valley. Plans for the Bitterroot Lodge Resort include a 3,469-square-foot basement and main level with covered porches on the front and rear of the building. The main floor will consist of a dining room with a stage and attached kitchen area as well as a bar and casino. Schrock Construction has been tapped to build the project and aims to complete it within seven months, although Pace admits that is a rather fast time frame and it may take longer. When asked when construction would begin following Wednesdays approval, Pace said he was breaking ground tomorrow. Kathmandu, Nepal, July 21, 2023: Nepal and the European Union (EU) signed in a grant agreement of more than Rs 10.5 billion for two different programmes amid a function organized at the Finance Ministry, Singha Durbar on Friday. The grant agreement consists of two separate Financing Agreements - a grant agreement of 50 million pound sterling that is equivalent to Rs. 7.38 billion for 'Quality Education for All' to support the School Education Sector Plan - SESP, while another grant agreement of 22 million pound sterling that is equivalent to Rs. 3.25 billion for the 'Local Adaptation to Climate Change' initiative. The 'Quality Education for All' will support the implementation of the government's School Education Sector Plan in a sector-wide approach (SWAp) supported by eight development partners, including EU. Likewise, Local Adaptation to Climate Change' is initiated with an overall objective to improve the sustainability and conservation of natural resources to notably increase their climate resilience in Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces. According to the press release issued by the Finance Ministry, the overall objective of this support is to contribute to a well-educated and skilled society in Nepal which is able to play an active role in the social and economic development of the country. Speaking at the function, Finance Secretary Arjun Prasad Pokharel said support of SESP would help to increase equitable access and improving the quality of education, which are crucial for human capital development." During the function, EU Commissioner for international Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, mentioned that the European Union is proud to continue our 20 year support to Nepal in education. Supporting quality education is one of our core commitments in our cooperation. VIRGINIA SCHOOLS The Youngkin administration on Tuesday implemented a finalized K-12 transgender policy that emphasizes parents' rights and rolls back some of the protections afforded to transgender students under the previous administration's model policies. The new model policies, which the Virginia Department of Education put into effect Tuesday afternoon, aim to require students to use school bathrooms that match the sex they were assigned at birth "except to the extent that federal law otherwise requires." The model policies themselves will not have any immediate effect on school divisions' practices. They are meant to be a model for local school boards, which, by law, must implement their own policies that are consistent with the state's model policies. The new policies also require school division personnel to refer to each student using only the pronouns "appropriate to the sex appearing in the student's official record that is, male pronouns for students whose sex is male, and female pronouns for a student whose sex is female." Gov. Glenn Younkin said in a statement: "All children in Virginia deserve to have a parent engaged in their life and to be treated with dignity and respect. The VDOE updated model policies reaffirm my administration's continued commitment to ensure that every parent is involved in conversations regarding their child's education, upbringing, and care." Narissa Rahaman, executive director of Equality Virginia, said in a statement: "Today, Governor 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." The finalized document on Tuesday comes 10 months after the Youngkin administration first published a draft of the policies. It is largely the same as the September draft, with a few new stipulations. One of the changes includes the addition, "Students with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria made by a licensed health care provider should consult with their school's ADA coordinator regarding any requested services." Gender dysphoria refers to the psychological distress that results from "an incongruence" between one's birth sex and one's gender identity, according to the American Psychiatric Association. The finalized version also says parents should have the right to opt their children out of using facilities where state or federal law requires schools to permit transgender students to share otherwise sex-segregated facilities (such as bathrooms or locker rooms) with students of the opposite sex. Since the document was released in September, it has been widely denounced by LGBTQ advocates and organizations; it prompted thousands of Virginia students across the state to walk out of school on Sept. 27 in protest. Opponents of the policy say it would inflict serious harm on transgender and nonbinary students and violate the rights of students, their parents and school employees. The Youngkin administration says it restores power to parents. "I think the administration (ought to) put this much effort into figuring out how to improve our funding formulas and how to make up for shortfalls and years of neglect of Virginia schools rather than looking for new ways to allow people, under the guise of religious freedom, to bully trans kids," said Del. Marcus Simon, D-Fairfax. The education department was under Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, when Virginia lawmakers passed the legislation in 2020 that requires all local school boards to adopt policies that are "consistent with" or "more comprehensive than" the state's model policies. Like all legislative mandates on local school boards, it is up to the individual school boards to ensure their policies are in compliance with state law. As no state funding is tied to the legislative mandate, it lacks an enforcement mechanism. But noncompliance could be costly for local school boards due to litigation. Before the Youngkin administration took over, the Hanover County School Board refused to adopt transgender policies that aligned with the model policies the Northam administration put forth. Since the law lacks teeth, there were no immediate consequences for the Hanover County School Board. But the Virginia ACLU sued the school board, and that case remains open as of Tuesday. "We are horrified that VDOE opted to move forward with proposed model policies that at best invite and at worst, require discrimination, that violate state and federal law, and that have no place in Virginia schools," said Breanna Diaz, policy and legislative council for the Virginia ACLU. "This action ignores the voices of a clear majority of Virginians who submitted comments opposing the model policies when the department first proposed them," Diaz said. Although the Youngkin policies were not put into effect until Tuesday, the Richmond School Board voted in October to formally reject the Youngkin administration's policies, which at the time were a draft. Authorities are releasing little information about the circumstances surrounding the death of an inmate at Riverside Regional Jail in Prince George County on Monday. The death was part of a matter believed at this time to be limited to three inmates, one of whom was found unresponsive on Monday and unable to be revived despite the prompt efforts from jail staff and medical personnel, said jail spokeswoman Lt. Charlene Jones. It is not clear how the other inmates were involved. Officials as of Thursday had not released the name of the person who died or the cause of death. Jones said the facility was not put on lockdown. The jail provides services for Charles City, Chesterfield, Prince George and Surry counties, as well as Colonial Heights, Hopewell and Petersburg. About 1,300 incarcerated individuals and pretrial detainees are housed there. It was one of two jails targeted for closure for unsafe conditions; the other was in the Hampton Roads region. Both are still operational. Geoff Garner, the newly appointed executive director of the state board, said the agency received timely notice from the jail regarding Mondays death and that the board would be investigating it further. The board is tasked with jail oversight, including investigating deaths and setting minimum operating safety and health standards for the incarcerated. Garner also did not share the name of the person who died, which his predecessor, Ryan McCord, did regularly when asked by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. This was the second death reported at Riverside this year, Garner said. On Feb. 7, John H. Howard died there. Howard, 64, had longstanding health problems and had been transferred to VCU Medical Center by jail staff. The jail had three deaths in 2022 and eight in 2021, including one suicide, records show. 15 photos of the Richmond City Jail from The Times-Dispatch archives Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Richmond City Jail Preservationists are adding new interpretations at the Hanover County home of founding father Patrick Henry. New research and signage unveiled Thursday at Hanovers Scotchtown site in Beaverdam are designed to show more than just the life of the man who delivered the famous Give me liberty or give me death speech, but also the lives of enslaved people, women and other families who later lived at the property. Scotchtown, at 16120 Chiswell Lane, was Henrys home from 1771 to 1778. It was where many of his ideas about separating from the British monarchy would have solidified and the place where he most likely rehearsed his famous speech about the rights of the colonies, which was delivered in 1775 during the Second Virginia Convention convened at St. Johns Church in Richmond. Born in 1736, Henry was a delegate to the First Continental Congress, served as a first and sixth governor of Virginia, and died in 1799. Henry at one point owned about 1,000 acres at the Scotchtown site. The footprint today is about 40 acres. One freshly unveiled sign at the site acknowledges how slavery was an integral part of the propertys daily life. Henry writes in a correspondence that he is wrestling with the idea that enslaved people were such a fixture of his life while also saying, I will not, I cannot justify it. Patrick Henry is known across the colonies as someone who challenges tyranny of the British Government he is the champion of the colonists rights. Yet do these rights that (Henry) speaks about in the courtroom extend to all residents of Scotchtown? the sign reads. It also notes that the enslaved workers, plus his own wife and daughter, are not included in the rights he advocated for leading up the American Revolution. There are a lot of other people involved in this place, said Elizabeth S. Kostelny, CEO for the statewide Preservation Virginia group. Weve learned so much more in the intervening years. Keeping these signs updated and putting history in context makes it more accessible. U.S. 250th anniversary nearing Preservation Virginia is also hoping to do more archaeological research to understand if there are more buildings that have been lost over time that might show the daily lives of others, like enslaved people, who may have lived there. The unveiling at Scotchtown is Hanovers way of adding to historical knowledge around the period leading up to American independence. The nation will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in 2026 with all states and localities across the country called to bring their own new research and historic sites. Scotchtown is part of The Road to Revolution Heritage Trail, which follows the life of Henry throughout central Virginia. It is due to have about double its current number of historic sites leading up to 2026. About 300 representatives from 34 states converged on Williamsburg in March to exchange ideas for the semiquincentennial. Virginia is leading this national commemoration because Virginia is the crucible of the nation and the very fabric from which it was created, said Cheryl Wilson, executive director for Virginia 250. The goal is telling all sides, multiple perspectives as stories, somewhere that everyone can see themselves. Jack Berry, head of Richmond Region Tourism, said work around the 250th could create new events that continue for generations. Berry cited the Norfolk Harborfest, dubbed as the longest-running maritime festival that includes events and live music. That event, he said, was born from festivities created by Norfolks committee during the 200th celebration in the 1970s. From the Archives: Photos of the Richmond region in the 1980s A Fredericksburg police officer shot and killed a knife-wielding man who was charging toward him on Friday morning, police said. City police spokeswoman Sarah Morris said the shooting occurred in the area of the 1400 block of Sunken Road. Police were dispatched there after receiving a 911 call at 7:49 a.m. reporting that a young man, who was brandishing a knife, was assaulting an older man and demanding money from multiple people, she said. The first-arriving officer repeatedly ordered the man to drop the knife, but the man appeared to ignore the officers commands and charged toward him, police said. The officer responded with multiple gunshots. Morris said she did not know how close the man was to the officer when he was first shot, but said he continued approaching the officer still holding the knife even after being hit. Other officers responded and performed CPR until medics arrived and took the man to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A number of neighbors witnessed at least part of the incident. One witness reported that one woman, possibly the victims mother, was desperately trying to defuse the situation before police arrived but could not get the man to calm down. Morris said the victims next-of-kin has been notified, but police will not release his name until Saturday. He was a Stafford resident. The officer who shot him is on administrative leave pending the results of an investigation. Morris said his name will be released at a later date. Chief Brian Layton has asked the Virginia State Police to conduct the investigation into the shooting. Chinese medical team provides medical services in Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe Xinhua) 11:14, July 21, 2023 Luo Xingyu (R), a gynecologist and obstetrician of the Chinese medical team, writes prescription for a patient at a clinic in Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe, July 14, 2023. The 18th Chinese medical team dispatched to Sao Tome and Principe has been providing medical services to local people since March 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu) Luo Xingyu (R), a gynecologist and obstetrician of the Chinese medical team, talks with a patient at a clinic in Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe, July 14, 2023. The 18th Chinese medical team dispatched to Sao Tome and Principe has been providing medical services to local people since March 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu) Yang Bo (L), a dentist of the Chinese medical team and Wang Yi, a dental nurse of the Chinese medical team, examines a patient at a clinic in Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe, July 14, 2023. The 18th Chinese medical team dispatched to Sao Tome and Principe has been providing medical services to local people since March 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu) Luo Shixi, a cardiologist of the Chinese medical team, examines a patient during a medical visit in Sao Tome Island, Sao Tome and Principe, July 6, 2023. The 18th Chinese medical team dispatched to Sao Tome and Principe has been providing medical services to local people since March 2023. (Chinese medical team to Sao Tome and Principe/Handout via Xinhua) Zhang Ming (R), head of the Chinese medical team, examines a patient during a medical visit in Sao Tome Island, Sao Tome and Principe, May 11, 2023. The 18th Chinese medical team dispatched to Sao Tome and Principe has been providing medical services to local people since March 2023. (Chinese medical team to Sao Tome and Principe/Handout via Xinhua) Zhang Ming (2nd R), head of the Chinese medical team, checks the conditions of a patient with local doctors at Hospital Ayres de Menezes in Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe, July 17, 2023. The 18th Chinese medical team dispatched to Sao Tome and Principe has been providing medical services to local people since March 2023. (Chinese medical team to Sao Tome and Principe/Handout via Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho speaks during a meeting with economy-related ministers in Seoul in this July 21 photo provided by the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Yonhap Korea's finance ministry said Friday the country will speed up efforts to adopt digital technologies in the service sector, with the goal of enhancing its competitiveness and bringing convenience to everyday life. The latest move comes in line with efforts to apply the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to various areas ranging from logistics and finance to public administration, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. "So far, the limited utilization of big data for AI and outdated regulations that fall behind the era of digitalization have been limiting the vitalization of digital services," the ministry said in a statement. "We plan to promote the convergence of digital services and all other industries in order to improve convenience for people in their everyday lives," it added. For example, the country will adopt what it calls an intelligent transport system at major locations, including tourist destinations, to provide real-time location data of buses through apps. Korea will also build legal grounds for delivery services utilizing drones and robots by revising the logistics law, which will provide safety guidelines. In the finance sector, the country will allow tourists from Southeast Asia to utilize their mobile payment systems from their home countries through a partnership with Zero Pay, a Korean public payment service. Korea plans to offer such services under ties with Thailand's True Money, Malaysia's TNG and Taiwan's East Wallet by the end of this year. The country will also offer instant tax refunds without requiring a passport, the ministry added. Korea will make efforts to revamp regulations in the AI sector and enhance related infrastructure to accelerate the digitalization of the service sector, the ministry said. "We intend to proactively address critical concerns surrounding the utilization of AI technology, such as the permissibility of AI robots providing medical services and the determination of liability in the event of accidents involving self-driving cars," Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho said. (Yonhap) A little over a week after Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Republicans launched efforts to drive up early and absentee voting, Democrats formally launched their own similar efforts but its not a totally new concept for them. Del. Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, called the effort, dubbed The Majority Project, an extension of the push for early and absentee voting that Democrats have done since first spearheading expanded voting access in 2020 and 2021. This is something that its natural to us as Democrats, Herring said. Its something that we believe in, because we believe people should have access to the ballot. While the formal launch and name of the initiative was revealed this week, the Democratic caucuses say the work first rolled out this past May. The program builds on Democrats previous encouragement to vote early, and they hope it will be key to keeping their majority in the Senate while attaining it in the House of Delegates. During a special election earlier in the year, Aaron Rouse, a Democrat from Virginia Beach, had an edge in early and absentee voting culminating in his victory for a state Senate seat over Republican Kevin Adams. House Minority Leader Don Scott Jr., D-Portsmouth, said he thinks Republicans learned a lesson from that. They found that out in the special Senate race, and thats why they know theyre behind, he said. When Republicans launched Secure Your Vote Virginia, their early voting campaign, Youngkin said, We cant go into Election Day down thousands of votes. 100 hired in districts statewide Meanwhile, to ramp up the messaging for The Majority Project, about 100 people have been hired in districts around the state to help with door-knocking and phone calls. While Scott did not disclose the exact price tag of the effort, he said it was close to seven figures. They have an unprecedented fundraiser on the other side, and he spent $20 million of his own money to become governor, he said. We know that theyre motivated to spend money and so we have to spend our money in a smart way. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Youngkin did donate $20 million to his campaign. Meanwhile, his Spirit of Virginia political action committee has raised over $10 million since its launch in 2021 and can play a role in supporting GOP candidates. The PAC gathered $1 million in May from an out-of-state LLC and $1 million in April from Thomas Petterfy, who used to donate to presidential hopeful and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Youngkins campaigning last summer for GOP gubernatorial candidates in other states sparked speculation that he might be flirting with the idea of a presidential run in 2024 or onward. While his term does not end until January 2026, analysts say he might need to carry his agenda further in Virginia before he could vie for the White House. Control of General Assembly at stake All 140 seats in Virginias General Assembly are up for election this year on new district maps and a handful of them are competitive races where both parties see opportunity to flip a seat or bolster their power. During this years General Assembly session, Democrats held a four-seat edge in the Senate while Republicans held a four-seat edge in the House. Youngkin, who has not ruled out a presidential run, first announced the Republican push for early voting on the Fox News Channel to its national audience. Scott, the House Democratic leader, said: Weve been champions of early voting, of voting access, drop boxes ... doing everything we can to make voting accessible. And Republicans have been doing everything in their power to roll it back. In 2020 and 2021, when they held a majority in both chambers and held the governorship, Democrats passed measures to expand access to voting. Many Republican lawmakers have since introduced or supported bills to undo or walk back the measures. Republicans who supported bills in this years session to eliminate absentee ballot drop boxes and to trim the length of early voting have since expressed support of the GOPs new early voting effort, Secure Your Vote Virginia. Im glad that the Republicans finally are seeing the light that early voting is a good thing, Herring said. A key issue for Democrats this year is protecting access to abortion, and their majority in the Senate has allowed them to halt GOP efforts to enact bans or restrictions on the procedure. Other proposals among Democratic candidates involve efforts to reduce gun violence and investments in education as well as environmental protections. Early voting begins in September. During the election season that spans between then and Novembers Election Day, Scott said the passion for Democratic platforms will be found out. Top five weekend events: Ember Music Hall opens, Legend's Anniversary Party & Greensky Bluegrass Ember Music Hall Legend Brewing Co.'s Anniversary Party Greensky Bluegrass 'Honky Tonk Laundry' 'Something Rotten!' The good news is that Virginias unemployment trust fund is brimming with a record $1.5 billion and claims for jobless benefits have fallen to their lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Backlogs of cases awaiting adjudication or under review for potential fraud are gone. The bad news is that Virginia still ranks second in the country for the longest average wait on appeals of state decisions on unemployment claims at 481 days, with a backlog of almost 66,000 cases involving 39,000 claimants and employers. The Virginia Employment Commission is reporting progress on multiple fronts, but pockets of pain persist for people caught up in an unemployment insurance system overwhelmed by what one sympathetic legislator estimated to be seven years of claims. We have made tremendous progress, but there is still work to be done, Virginia Employment Commissioner Carrie Roth told a General Assembly commission that oversees unemployment compensation. The VEC is still riding out a storm that nearly swamped an underfunded and overlooked agency that received 1.4 million unemployment claims in 2020, as local unemployment offices closed to protect employees from multiple outbreaks of a coronavirus disease that killed two of them. Claims fell to 609,000 the next year and 166,000 last year. This year, claims are just under 78,000. Virginia is back to pre-pandemic claim levels, Roth told the Commission on Unemployment Compensation on Tuesday. A rough road back It has not been an easy road back. The long journey was first overseen by Gov. Ralph Northam, in the worst of the national and state health emergency, and then by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who made the agencys troubles a focal point of his gubernatorial campaign in 2021 and the first 18 months of his term as governor. The months and years subsequent to the pandemic have been unparalleled, said Del. Lee Ware, R-Powhatan. What we had experienced with difficulties and delays and backlogs are without a modern equivalent. The stress has also been unparalleled on the clients of legal aid lawyers, who have represented unemployment claimants seeking payment of benefits to which they are entitled, but were faced with long delays in getting their claims processed, disputes adjudicated and appeals heard. A coalition of advocacy groups and pro bono law firms successfully sued the VEC in federal court and won a settlement that required the state to make big investments to address the plight of their clients. VEC offices are no longer fully staffed with experienced and knowledgeable employees who can solve problems on the spot, said Marty Wegbreit, director of litigation at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society in Richmond. All I get, every month, every week, sometimes every day are people who have problems with the claims process, the appeals process or the payment process. The agencys computer portal, ungraded in November 2021 after more than a decade of delay, now allows about 77% of people using it to log in after the VEC installed state anti-fraud protections that had blocked many. But Wegbreit said the level of access remains unacceptable. Its been 20 months since the new system was implemented. ... I dont know of any institutions website that keeps out almost a quarter of the people, but the VECs does, he said. Roth said the agency plans to upgrade the IT system with modules, an approach that Del. Sally Hudson, D-Charlottesville, a former member of the legislative commission, had urged last year. As soon as you deploy a system, its outdated, the VEC commissioner said. Our changes are continual. Resolved over 1 million backlogged claims of all types The VEC has eliminated big backlogs of disputed claims awaiting adjudication a central issue in the federal lawsuit and claims suspected of potential fraud, which Roth said has freed staff to focus on improving Virginias low national rankings for prompt payment of benefits and decisions on eligibility. The agency has resolved more than 1 million backlogged claims of all types, including about 700,000 it inherited when Youngkin took office. The biggest remaining challenge is first-level appeals. The Youngkin administration attempted a shortcut this year to reduce a backlog of more than 93,000 appeals by introducing legislation to cut the deadline for filing appeals from 30 days to 15 days after a decision on claims. The legislature balked at the measure, but the VEC sent notices of dismissal in more than 25,000 cases representing 16,656 claimants and 191 employers because, allegedly, they had not been filed within the current 30-day deadline. Perhaps the only thing worse than waiting 16 months for a hearing is not knowing whether you have a hearing at all, said Flannery ORourke, an attorney for the Virginia Poverty Law Center who rebuked the VEC for ignoring warnings about the legality of the proposed mass dismissal. Subsequently, the agency abandoned the plan and the U.S. Department of Labor, which had initially supported the proposal, hit the brakes in March. We did not implement that, Roth said. Every single individual will be given a hearing. Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, commended the VECs pursuit of those who had attempted or committed fraud, engorging your work flow with the challenges youve had with staffing levels because of the way weve funded you for so many years. But Ebbin said, Its important ... that the true customers, who I think youre focused on, people who are claimants, still get their day in court. You've just lost your job? Here's what you need to know HOW CAN I GET UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS? Workers who have lost their jobs or income through no fault of their own should immediately file a claim for unemployment aid through their state labor departments. The benefit program is administered by state agencies. Most states are encouraging people to request benefits online or, if necessary, over the phone. I'VE HEARD THE SYSTEM IS OVERWHELMED BY REQUESTS. Yes, some state websites have crashed. Phone lines have been jammed as the number of people seeking jobless aid has far surpassed all previous records. And the eligibility guidelines have changed. New York state, for example, received 8.2 million calls last week more than 150 times the usual volume. Still, people who have lost jobs or whose income has been hurt by coronavirus should keep trying. Many states are bringing on extra workers to handle the crush of applications and are expanding the hours when they accept calls. While it may take several weeks to process a claim, benefit payments will be retroactive: Eligible workers will receive benefits from the date they lost their jobs, regardless of when they file. HOW CAN I MAKE THE PROCESS OPERATE MORE SMOOTHLY? Have all your information ready. This includes contact information for all your employers from the past 18 months, your Social Security number and documentation of your income, such as from tax forms or pay stubs. HOW LARGE ARE THE UNEMPLOYMENT AID CHECKS? They vary sharply by state. Mississippi provides the lowest amount, $235 a week. Massachusetts pays $823 a week, the highest. I HEARD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PROVING AN EXTRA $600 A WEEK. Yes. But because that additional money is being paid by the federal government through a new program, rather than by the states' regular benefits program, you may not receive it as quickly. And state unemployment offices may not be able to answer questions about it just yet. I'M SELF-EMPLOYED. WILL I QUALIFY? Yes, that is one of the changes made by the $2.2 trillion economic rescue package signed into law by President Donald Trump last week. If you are self-employed, a contractor or a gig worker, you are now eligible to claim unemployment benefits. Still, some states, like New Mexico, are not yet set to process claims from groups of people who didn't qualify in the past. I WASN'T LAID OFF, BUT MY EMPLOYER CUT MY HOURS. WILL I QUALIFY FOR BENEFITS? Yes, you should apply. State rules differ, and it depends how large your income loss is. But in some states, workers whose hours have been sharply cut may be able to claim benefits that would make up for at least some of the lost income. Generally, if your lost pay exceeds what you would receive in unemployment benefits, you may be eligible for aid. I HAD TO LEAVE WORK BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS BUT WASN'T LAID OFF. WHAT ABOUT ME? You can potentially receive benefits, too. The U.S. Labor Department said states can make unemployment benefits available to people who are quarantined, who left work because of risk of exposure or to care for a family member. That said, someone who receives paid sick leave or paid family leave is often still receiving full pay. So according to the Labor Department, that person is not "unemployed" and does not qualify for unemployment benefits. WHAT ABOUT THOSE $1,200 CHECKS THE GOVERNMENT IS SENDING OUT? WHEN WILL I GET MINE? The federal rescue package provides a one-time payment of $1,200 for all Americans earning less than $75,000 a year. This money is totally separate from unemployment benefits and for the jobless, will be in addition to unemployment aid. It will likely be a critical lifeline for many Americans. The payments begin to phase out at above $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples filing jointly and drop to zero for individuals above $99,000 and couples earning $198,000. For heads of household with one child, the benefit starts to decline at $112,500 and falls to zero at $146,500. Even those who just receive Social Security or other government benefit programs can receive a check. A congressional memo obtained by the Associated Press said about 60 million Americans will receive the checks through direct deposit, starting the week of April 13. Those payments will go to households that have filed taxes in 2018 or 2019 and that provided the IRS with direct deposit information. For everyone else, checks will be mailed beginning May 4. The paper checks will be issued at a rate of about 5 million a week, which means it could take up to 20 weeks to distribute all the checks. That timeline would delay some checks until the week of Aug. 17. HOW LONG WILL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS LAST? The duration varies by state. But the federal relief package adds 13 weeks of coverage for people who have exhausted their existing jobless benefits. Under the emergency legislation, people who exhaust both regular and extended benefits will become eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. People can receive a maximum of 39 weeks of benefits this year from all three sources combined. WHAT ABOUT GOVERNMENT AID FOR COMPANIES? CAN THAT HELP ME? It might. Small businesses will be eligible for loans that will be forgiven if they keep or rehire people they have laid off. Those loans will be available starting Friday, according to the Treasury Department. Airlines should also receive financial aid that is intended to prevent layoffs. ___ Sell reported from Portland, Oregon. Virginia will return more than $1 billion to certain taxpayers under an existing state tax benefit for small businesses, or about two-thirds of the $1.5 billion windfall that Gov. Glenn Youngkin reported this week for the fiscal year that ended June 30. Secretary of Finance Steve Cummings confirmed Friday that the state expects to return something more than a billion dollars to taxpayers who had taken advantage of a new tax benefit for pass-through entities, such as limited liabilities and other unincorporated businesses, that allows them to avoid a $10,000 cap on federal income tax deductions for state and local taxes. Even after returning those revenues to taxpayers, the state will have about $500 million in addition to the $3.6 billion in excess revenues that Youngkin relied on for a package of tax cuts and spending priorities he proposed to the two-year budget in December. Those excess revenues include a $1.9 billion surplus at the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2022, plus unspent appropriations and anticipated new revenues. Senate budget negotiators are considering a new House proposal to bridge a $1 billion gap between House Republicans and Senate Democrats over the governors package of corporate and individual income tax cuts. It is a significant step forward, said Senate Finance Co-Chair George Barker, D-Fairfax, who expects to brief other Senate budget negotiators and hold a meeting in the next week or two, depending on availability because of vacations. Clearly, when were dealing with something as significant as this is, well meet in person, Barker said Friday. The budget negotiations are not likely to include any excess revenues from the last fiscal year, especially with uncertainty over how much money the state will return under the pass-through entity tax adopted last year. Many small-business owners pre-paid their taxes in the previous fiscal year, but will receive a state income tax refund this fall, part of the new fiscal year that began July 1. As a result, the state will have to return a large portion of the additional revenues that the governor reported on Wednesday for the last fiscal year. An estimated amount of final payments in November come in. Thats why the number was so large, Cummings said in an interview on Friday. But the bottom line is given what we have in the surplus, we have way more than that estimated payment. Youngkin touts job growth Youngkin, in an appearance Friday to tout the addition of 200,000 jobs since he became governor 18 months ago, urged the General Assembly to end a four-month impasse that has left the state without a revised spending plan in the new fiscal year for the second time in 50 years. Send me a budget, he said at the Richmond office of Hourigan construction company. And then let me call a special session that is one of celebration, as opposed to disagreement. The additional revenues will not affect budget talks that resumed Thursday between negotiators for the House of Delegates and Senate. House Appropriations Chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach, said Friday that he expects negotiators to rely only on the $3.6 billion in revenues that Youngkin included in his budget proposal in December. Were working with that number, he said. House budget proposal Knight met with Senate Finance Co-Chairs Janet Howell and Barker, both Fairfax Democrats, on Thursday afternoon in Richmond to pitch a new proposal to bridge a $1 billion gap between House Republicans and Senate Democrats over the governors package of corporate and individual income tax cuts. He said the Senate leaders promised to review the new proposal with finance staff and the other seven members of the Senates conference committee on the budget. I dont anticipate them doing anything until next week, Knight said. Knight did not provide details of the new proposal but, previously, he had offered a combination of ongoing and one-time tax cuts totaling about $900 million on top of the $4 billion in cuts the General Assembly approved after a budget standoff more than a year ago. He ended talks on June 27 after the Senate rejected the proposal and instead offered about $900 million in one-time rebates to taxpayers this fall. Ive gone more than 50% of the way, he said in an interview on Friday. Knights previous proposal included a smaller one-time rebate than the Senate proposed $100 for individuals and $200 for couples filing jointly, versus $200 for individuals and $400 for couples in the Senate plan. But his proposal also would have raised the standard deduction for the second time in two years for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions and would drop the age limit for a new tax exemption on military retirement income. That proposal did not include Youngkins proposals to reduce the corporate income tax rate by 1 percentage point or cut the top individual rate by one-quarter point, but it would have broadened the income ranges for the four individual tax brackets. Youngkin had said Monday that he remains committed to reducing corporate and individual income tax rates. I firmly believe that one of the challenges that we have in Virginia is that our cost of living and our cost of doing business are too high particularly relative to our competitor states, he said when asked if his proposed corporate tax cuts would survive the budget negotiations. Ive continued to be an advocate for reducing rates because I think it fuels growth, the governor said. Jobless rate drops Youngkin took a political victory lap on Friday with his announcement that Virginia has boosted employment by 201,472 since he took office in January 2022 and has raised the labor participation rate to 66.6%, a 10-year high. He promised to make job recovery a priority during his gubernatorial campaign two years ago, when he claimed Virginia had badly lagged other states in recovering jobs lost since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The state added about 23,000 jobs in June and reduced its unemployment rate to 2.7% from 2.9% in May. Virginians are back to work, with 200,000 more people working and the largest labor force in nearly 50 years, Youngkin said. Two Hampton Roads-based warships are being sent to bolster maritime security in the Middle East after increased Iranian attempts to seize commercial ships. Amphibious ships USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall are being dispatched to the U.S. Central Command on orders by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The ships, as well as the USS Mesa Verde and 4,000 sailors and Marines, departed this month from Hampton Roads for a regularly scheduled deployment. Through these actions, the United States is demonstrating commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and deterring Iranian destabilization activities in the region, reads a Department of Defense statement this week. The Bataan and Carter Hall will join the USS Thomas Hudner, a guided-missile destroyer that was dispatched to the Middle East on July 14. F-35 and F-16 jets have also been monitoring the region. On July 5, Iranian forces fired on a merchant tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, fleeing the scene before U.S. naval forces arrived. The tanker was more than 20 miles off the coast of Muscat, Oman, and transiting international waters toward the Arabian Sea at the time of the attempted seizure. Iran has harassed, attacked or seized 20 internationally-flagged ships since 2021, according to the U.S. Navy. USNI News reported in May that Iranian forces seized two tankers in the span of a week. The increased presence of the U.S. Navy is meant to deter threats to commercial shipping and to reassure regional mariners. These additional forces provide unique capabilities, which alongside our partner nations in the region, further safeguard the free flow of international commerce and uphold the rules based international order, and deter Iranian destabilizing activities in the region, said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command. KYIV, Ukraine Russia pounded Ukraine's southern cities with drones and missiles for a third consecutive night Thursday, keeping Odesa in the Kremlin's crosshairs after a bitter dispute over the end of a wartime deal that allowed Ukraine to send grain through the key Black Sea port. The strikes killed at least two people in Odesa. In the nearby city of Mykolaiv, which is close to the Black Sea, at least 19 people were injured, including a child, Ukrainian officials said. Russia has targeted Ukrainian critical grain export infrastructure since it vowed "retribution" this week for an attack that damaged a crucial bridge between Russia and the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula. The strikes have helped drive up food prices in countries facing hunger. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the end of the deal would result in more human suffering, with potentially millions of people affected. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called Thursday for the restoration of the Black Sea grain initiative to ensure global food security. Michael Paul Williams Columnist Follow Michael Paul Williams Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The administration of Gov. Glenn Youngkin, having declared DEI dead, is stymieing diversity in a Virginia teacher workforce already lacking it. The Virginia Department of Education has halted the dissemination of grants intended to help provisionally licensed teachers of color receive full licensure. According to Anna Brysons July 18 story in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the department stopped announcing and disseminating these grants without public notice, despite legislative approval of $50,000 a year in funding. The money sits unused in the state coffers. Jeremy Raley, the Virginia Department of Educations chief of staff, told Bryson without elaboration: The VDOE is currently evaluating this grant program. The Department will communicate more information as it becomes available. About 82% of Virginias teachers were white in the 2020-21 school year, according to the most recent federal data. Only 10% were Black. In this environment, VDOE has halted a program that might ease both problems, for reasons so ill-considered that its chief of staff has no ready explanation. Not that we dont have a clue, given Youngkins presidential aspirations. It seems like its gotten caught up in the politics of diversity and equity and the kind of Republican backlash against anything associated with those words, said Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, a high school teacher in the countys school system. We all can agree that public education has more than its share of problems. But as a practical matter, is starving the classroom of teachers at all helpful? We need more teachers. We definitely need more minority teachers, VanValkenburg said. And this is a very easy way to overcome a hurdle in the way of that. It does seem to be putting ideology and politics ahead of practical problem-solving. In a program rooted in a task force during the administration of then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Virginia lawmakers appropriated $50,000 a year for the diversity grants in each of the last three two-year budgets. The intent is to help teachers of color with provisional licenses by subsidizing tutoring and test fees for the exams required for full licensure. Many teachers do not obtain their full license because of barriers like cost and time. The social science is increasingly clear: Teachers of color are good for all students, said Genevieve Siegel-Hawley, associate professor of educational leadership in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education. They bring practices and beliefs into the classroom that bolster academic and social emotional learning for all groups, with particular benefits accruing to the most historically disadvantaged students. It is very concerning that VDOE appears to have halted a modest but important program designed to break down significant barriers to credentialing more teachers of color. U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, a former Virginia senator, said in a statement that Virginias educator workforce is increasingly racially homogenous while the student population becomes more diverse. The state grants appropriated by the General Assembly to assist provisionally licensed teachers of color were meant to help diversify our education workforce and address this issue, she said, calling it deeply concerning that the diversity funding is no longer being dispersed. This abrupt change makes it even more difficult for teachers of color to overcome barriers to entry and take the next step in their professional career. We have a responsibility to our children to invest in our school systems and ensure a diverse, well-rounded, and highly capable education workforce. Its not just that the Youngkin administration is yet again attacking diversity, equity and inclusion; its the underhanded way it went about it in this instance, apparently scrubbing the grant application from the VDOE website. Then again, the Youngkin administration habitually thumbs its nose at state lawmakers, whether its transgender policy; unilaterally changing the name of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; or failing to use money for its specifically allocated purpose. Theyre definitely playing fast and loose with constitutional powers, VanValkenburg said. But this gambit is on brand for ambitious Republican politicians who have a Pavlovian gag reflex at the mention of the word diversity. Anti-DEI fervor has become a racist go-to in the GOP playbook. The president of Texas A&M University, M. Katherine Banks, stepped down Thursday over a botched job offer to Kathleen McElroy, a former New York Times editor and tenured professor of journalism at the University of Texas, to head A&Ms journalism school. Meanwhile, in Florida, theyre furiously erasing the honest teaching of Black history and replacing it with racist tropes and grotesque distortions. With Gov. Ron DeSantis running a presidential campaign based on anti-wokeness, Florida appears intent on teaching, well, the brighter side of slavery! namely, language in its history standards that slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit. Which sounds an awful lot like the folks who tell us that we should be grateful that our ancestors were snatched from Africa. Education policy at this moment has been hijacked by racial animus and political hackery. We need a diverse teacher workforce now more than ever. Beefing up our nations capacity to produce certified skilled employees is vital for so many career fields, as well as for our economy and for the safety of consumers. It is also a matter of equity for future and current workers who seek career training but do not enroll in traditional colleges and universities. Thats why Congress must pass the bipartisan Freedom to Invest in Tomorrows Workforce Act, cosponsored by two Virginians, U.S. Reps. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, and Rob Wittman, R-1st. The bill has been assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee. The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrows Workforce Act would bring greater flexibility in how tax-advantaged education savings plans, known as 529 accounts, can help students and adult career-changers. Under current law, people can save money in 529 accounts and withdraw their funds tax-free for certain educational expenses. The catch is that the money must be spent on universities and other traditional institutions of higher education; state-supported community colleges; vocational, private or religious K-12 schools; and registered apprenticeship programs. Tuition and other expenses at private career and trade schools are not eligible. This restriction is unfair to people who want to prepare themselves for good-paying, high-demand jobs that do not require a university education or further training to change careers. Making 529 education savings plans more flexible would also help the many industries and career fields that increasingly need certified workers with 21st-century technology skills, who can obtain the necessary licenses and credentials and will be entrusted with the safety and health of consumers. What types of jobs? Examples include aviation maintenance technicians, welders, certified nursing assistants, medical coders, pharmacy technicians, jobs in the trucking industry, many occupations in information technology along with technicians skilled in installing and servicing heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. In many ways, these and other mid-skill workers make up an important underpinning of our economy. Think about this: Every aircraft must be serviced and prepared for flight by certified aircraft and power plant aviation-maintenance technicians. In addition, the Boeing company forecasts that 610,000 new technicians will be needed to maintain the global commercial fleet over the next 20 years. Meeting the demand for these skilled workers will require collaboration between public and private entities, greater investment in training and recruitment, innovations and adaptions in career education, and flexibility in tax laws, including for 529 savings plans. But failure to keep up with projected demand for certified skilled aviation maintenance technicians may mean significant disruption to the international transportation network and negative consequences for our economy. There are similar concerns in other skilled career fields. For instance, 450,000 welders will be needed by 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, while the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services projects demand for more than 3.6 million registered nurses by 2030. Labor shortages are already a problem for our economy, especially when it comes to skilled trades. There are 9.93 million job openings in the United States, including 321,000 in Virginia. Private career and trade schools are instrumental in keeping the pipeline of skilled employees flowing into high-demand jobs but they can do more if students can tap into tax-advantaged 529 education savings plans. Preparing skilled employees for essential jobs in the 21st century is only part of the story. These workers also help maintain middle-income and community stability at the local and regional level. Thats because trade schools are based in communities, and their graduates often stay in their hometowns. So, as a skilled graduate obtains a good-paying job, he or she develops a more solid footing in the local economy, spending money at local businesses, becoming a potential homeowner and gaining the financial security to participate in civic affairs. In effect, they help renew the middle-class backbone that our nation has relied upon for generations. Adding more flexibility to 529 education savings plans helps us build and sustain the middle class without requiring everyone to get a four-year college degree. So, it is imperative to align more financial resources, including 529 education savings plans, with the critical demand for a skilled workforce. The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrows Workforce Act makes for good commonsense public policy in so many ways. Lets work to make sure it becomes law. Close 07-31-1953 (cutline): The Richmond, 128-foot barge, is launched into canal, first big vessel built here in half a century. Craft makes big splash, but beginning was marred when champagne bottle refused to crash properly. 02-07-1954 (cutline): Team of workers co-operates in riveting steel truss for hangar. 10-20-1965 (cutline): Finishing touches are put on a 272-ton, $100,000 barge at the Richmond Steel Co., Inc. yard at 18th and Byrd Streets. 01-17-1955 (cutline): Latest completed barge slides into canal. 09-30-1954: Factory 03-06-1954 (cutline): A.M Robertson applied the torch to a piece of steel helping to hold the barge in place. Launched yesterday afternoon, the barge will be used to haul sand and gravel between Dutch Gap and Hampton Roads. 02-07-1954 (cutline): Electrically heated rivets are cleaned by Elbert Carter. 02-07-1954 (cutline): Overhead view of one section of plant shows hangar truss under fabrication. 02-07-1954 (cutline): Electrically welded, 165-ton steel barge nears completion at Richmond Steel Co. 02-07-1954 (cutline): Crew of workmen seal one air-tight compartment in barge's hull. 05-09-1955 (cutline): A big tug from New York City leaves Richmond's upper terminal with three steel barges in tow. The barges were made at the Richmond Steel Company Here for a New York Company. They were towed away Friday. From the Archives: Barges and Richmond Steel 07-31-1953 (cutline): The Richmond, 128-foot barge, is launched into canal, first big vessel built here in half a century. Craft makes big splash, but beginning was marred when champagne bottle refused to crash properly. 02-07-1954 (cutline): Team of workers co-operates in riveting steel truss for hangar. 10-20-1965 (cutline): Finishing touches are put on a 272-ton, $100,000 barge at the Richmond Steel Co., Inc. yard at 18th and Byrd Streets. 01-17-1955 (cutline): Latest completed barge slides into canal. 09-30-1954: Factory 03-06-1954 (cutline): A.M Robertson applied the torch to a piece of steel helping to hold the barge in place. Launched yesterday afternoon, the barge will be used to haul sand and gravel between Dutch Gap and Hampton Roads. 02-07-1954 (cutline): Electrically heated rivets are cleaned by Elbert Carter. 02-07-1954 (cutline): Overhead view of one section of plant shows hangar truss under fabrication. 02-07-1954 (cutline): Electrically welded, 165-ton steel barge nears completion at Richmond Steel Co. 02-07-1954 (cutline): Crew of workmen seal one air-tight compartment in barge's hull. 05-09-1955 (cutline): A big tug from New York City leaves Richmond's upper terminal with three steel barges in tow. The barges were made at the Richmond Steel Company Here for a New York Company. They were towed away Friday. Last week, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Com-mission (JLARC) released its findings from an 18-month study of how Virginia funds K-12 public schools. The in schools. The independent study's findings are alarming and provide confirmation of what school board members and school administrators have known for many years: Virginia's school funding model lags the nation, and policymakers must seek practical solutions to modernize our method of appropriating the state's share of funding to public education so each student can receive the best possible education no matter which locality they reside. Particularly concerning in the study was the finding that Virginia's school divisions receive 14% less funding from the state than the national average, which equates to about $1,900 less per student. The review concluded Virginia spends less on K-12 schools when compared to neighboring states Kentucky, Maryland and West Virginia. JLARC identified the state's Standards of Quality (SOQ) funding formula as a major factor in the underfunding of public schools by the state. The report indicated that the formula underestimates how much funding schools need to fulfill the government's responsibility to provide every Virginia child with a quality education. In fiscal year 2021, the SOQ formula indicated Virginia schools needed $10.7 billion in state and local funds. The actual cost for the year equated to $17.3 billion, which is a staggering $6.6 billion greater than estimated by the SOQ funding formula. Now is the time to come together to solve this pressing issue in the commonwealth. We must resist the urge to engage in the political blame game and reach across the aisle in a bipartisan eff ort to reform Virginia's funding mechanisms for K-12 public education. The JLARC report offers a variety of recommendations. With proper discourse between lawmakers and local school board members, these recommendations could have a significant impact on making progress toward a more equitable school funding system. As president of the Virginia School Boards Association, I express the desire of the association to engage in productive conversations that lead to a legislative solution to the commonwealth's school funding formulas. We encourage state policymakers to convene a working group of local school board members, legislators, administration officials, business leaders and parents to address the findings and recommendations from this report with the goal of having specific legislative fixes to the funding formula in time for the 2024 session of the Virginia General Assembly. Together, we can solve these issues. The time to get to work is now. Trio picked up after shooing facade of Playa del Carmen business Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Three males were arrested Thursday for their probable participation in the shooting against a Playa del Carmen establishment. The FGE of Quintana Roo said the attack took place on July 18, 2023. The State Attorney Generals Office (FGE) reports that the defendants are Alberto R, Belisario G and Jorge G, who are also allegedly related to drug dealing and extortion crimes. The FGE reported Regarding the attack on the establishment, the first investigations indicate that on July 6 of this year, a subject appeared at one of the branches of the business where he gave employees an envelope in which he demanded an amount of money. Days later, two people aboard a motorcycle shot at the place, located in the Palmas I subdivision, in the municipality of Solidaridad. Of the detainees, presumably Alberto R and Belisario G were the ones aboard the motorcycle who fired at the premises on July 18, while Jorge G would have handed over the envelope to demand money. Containers are stacked at a pier in the southeastern port city of Busan, July 4. Yonhap Korea's exports fell 15.2 percent on-year in the first 20 days of July amid the protracted slump in the chip sector, data showed Friday. The country's outbound shipments reached $31.2 billion in the July 1-20 period, compared with $36.8 billion tallied a year earlier, according to the data from the Korea Customs Service. Imports fell 28 percent on-year to $32.6 billion during the period, resulting in a trade deficit of $1.36 billion. By sector, exports of chips, the backbone of Asia's No. 4 economy, plunged 35.4 percent over the period to $4.3 billion. Outbound shipments of automobiles, on the other hand, shot up 27.9 percent to reach $3.43 billion. Overseas sales of steel and petroleum products moved down 15.2 percent and 48.7 percent to $2.43 billion and $2.27 billion, respectively, the data also showed. By destination, exports to China, the top trading partner, fell 21.2 percent to $6.34 billion amid the delayed impact of its reopening. Exports to the United States moved down 7.3 percent to $5.76 billion, while those to the European Union decreased 8.3 percent to $3.59 billion. Shipments to Vietnam fell 22.6 percent to $2.66 billion. In June, Korea's outbound shipments fell 6 percent on-year to $54.24 billion. But the month posted the smallest on-year export decline so far this year, possibly indicating the country's exports may rebound in the second half of the year. The country reported a trade surplus for the first time in 16 months in June. Korea announces its full monthly export report on the first day of each month. As of Thursday, the combined trade deficit for this year had reached $27.8 billion. Exports fell 12.6 percent on-year to $338.4 billion. In a separate report, the Bank of Korea (BOK) said the country's exports may not experience a significant rebound even if the technology sector improves, citing sluggish demands from China. "Even if the weak performance of the information technology industry improves, exports are not anticipated to rebound in a wide margin as they did in the past, considering the changing industrial structures by countries," the central bank said in the report. The bank added South Korean products have become less competitive in the Chinese market as well. In its analysis, the BOK revealed 65 percent of the decline in South Korea's exports to China during the first four months of 2023 can be attributed to economic factors, while the remaining 35 percent is linked to the competitiveness of the products. The central bank added South Korea may encounter increased pressure to diversify its export portfolio, as heavy reliance on specific products or destinations could make the country more vulnerable to external fluctuations. (Yonhap) Verbal altercation between two Playa del Carmen tourists lands both in hospital Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Two ambulances rushed to the scene of what was reported to be a verbal altercation between a couple on Thursday. Both the male and female involved in the argument were seriously injured when their argument lead to one being stabbed. Police and medical personnel were sent to the 70th Street and Fifth Avenue scene after reports of the fight. The woman is said to have stabbed her boyfriend in the neck during the altercation before jumping out a third story window. Both were stabilized by paramedics before being rushed to hospital. The couple were Chilean tourirsts. The argrument happened in a vacation property they were renting in central Playa del Carmen. The womans jump is being treated as a suicide attempt. The cause of the argument has not been made public, however, the Foreign Ministry has confirmed that the Chilean Consulate is aware of the situation and that they are in contact with the relevant authorities and gathering further information. The last major director we have is Christopher Nolan. As you watch his movies, you think about what it means for there to be masters of the art: people who seem to know the tools of the art so well that they are in complete control of what theyre doing, yet when you see their work, you can hardly tell how they did it. Nolan is unique in bringing together high critical praise and very large audiences, and this time he has decided to do so by bringing attention to a subject of great importancethe making of the atomic bomb. Oppenheimer is therefore a movie strongly in opposition to the tendency of our decadence, which is to despise human beings. We have many humanitarian concerns, especially with victims and discrimination, but these are essentially condescending. All a victim can hope to be is what we already are. We ourselves are hopelesswe cannot go beyond applauding. Nolan, however, shows us a movie about a great and terrible achievement, a scientific and political achievement, and the man who led that effort. He implies there is no one of J. Robert Oppenheimers stature in our times. We are diminished, and he wants us to restore greater ambitions, higher horizons, and perhaps be wiser for the fear we have experienced contemplating the power we unleashed in WWII. The structure of the film attempts to bring together in our field of vision, in Nolans by now signature parallel editing style, the various personal and political concerns of scientific and other public figures from the 1930s to the 50s. We see Oppenheimer himself (Cillian Murphy, in the role of his career) primarily in color, a giant figure in the IMAX 70mm format, often in close-up. We follow him from his graduate school days in physics throughout his career, through Europe, California, and of course Los Alamos. This is framed by his testimony, also in color, to a commission that will eventually remove his security clearance, in 1954, marking the end of his public career. This testimony is twinned by the 1958 secretary of commerce nomination hearings of Admiral Strauss (played very well by Robert Downey Jr.), whom the movie blames for the humiliation of removing Oppenheimers clearance. This part is in black and white. In a bit of poetic justice, the movie shows Strauss losing his nomination vote after he is humiliated by scientists who feel Oppenheimer was treated with great indignity by the politicians. This approaches the preposterous, with a young Senator John F. Kennedy noted as among those who sank Strauss. In reality, the admiral was a remarkable and worthy public servant, but a Republican facing a Democratic Senate. The framework for Oppenheimers biography is supposed to achieve something more serious than rescuing his reputation with a bit of poetic justice. It show us the political context of the decisions made during WWII and at the beginning of the Cold War, the great dangers the country faced, and the fact that scientists can be very unwise people, much more so than the ordinary American who does not presume to impose his will on the basis of impressive academic or technical knowledge. The most shocking aspect of that difference between the politicians who did represent the American people and the scientists who wanted to rule the American people is that more of the scientists were Communists and some were traitors (obviously, some politicians were also Communist spies and traitors). Unfortunately Oppenheimer himself was as stupid as any other intellectual of his era, but more cautious and perhaps a little more serious. His brother, whom he brought to work at Los Alamos, did join the Communist Party against Oppenheimers advice. His wife had been a Communist, as had his mistress. The list goes on. Oppenheimer does a great job of showing how blind and ridiculous all these very educated, upper-class people were. Part-time revolutionaries at one time or another, but also indignant Americans claiming their rights when their loyalty was questioned. But there are more serious things than even treason that the movie brings to our attention in a way no other movie has before. The making of the atomic bomb was considered a necessity of war. The fear was that the Nazis would get there first. Science is not by nature pro-American, indeed, it has no loyalty. Nazis commanded the allegiance or obedience of scientists perhaps even better than the Americans. Yet the American scientists believed that they were acting for a just cause, that they were patriotic, and therefore must have believed that knowledge is good, perhaps especially in the form of modern natural science. Yet that science that can split the atom and possibly incinerate our world does not include a branch that examines the motives of men or their politics. There is a remarkable sacrifice and perhaps a form of piety in the Progressive confidence of those men. The radical distinction between technical knowledge and moral concerns is the core of the story and drives everythingfrom the often-jarring sound design and inspiriting score to the editing, which is relentless, pushing us not to the inevitable, the history we know, but to the inner necessities of the modern world, and all the way to the cinematography, which insists on privileging the personal suffering of Oppenheimer. The man who starts with an ambition to know the newest things man can know, then grows up to take responsibility for the Manhattan Project, and ends by believing he was somehow responsible for atomic energy in the postwar world. This is a sentimental delusion, since neither science nor politics cares much for Oppenheimer, but in a way it is testimony to what was noble in his character, acting to limit war reasonably. But when you see the amazing reconstruction of atomic fire, you can at least begin to understand how he could become so afraid of The Bomb. It is almost an object of awe. Oppenheimer has a large cast of characters, played with a combination of intensity and modesty. Stars like Matt Damon and Casey Affleck, Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett and Kenneth Branagh know they are there to make Oppenheimer look impressive, even though Cillian Murphy has never starred in a big movie. The result is remarkable: they bring out the academic and social milieu in which this all takes place, and we see the upper classes of the period with a clarity almost no movie can achieve these days. Needless to say, I heartily recommend Oppenheimer. I think many people are likely to want to see it more than once because it is overwhelming the first time. The sound is much better than I had anticipated, noises and voices are mixed together very wellmuch of the movie is men in rooms talkingbut the editing sweeps you with few lulls to recollect yourself. It is too impressive to appreciate properly on a first viewing, partly because it also makes every effort to acquaint audiences with everyone involved, from Einstein to Truman, to conjure some familiarity. It gives a view of an America that was serious, competent, dignified, and full of purpose. Yet we so lack that now that it might take reflection or more viewings to fully appreciate what youre seeing. I felt grateful for such a vision of America. The owner of multiple businesses in Montgomery County has taken over the Roanoke Street property in Christiansburg that formerly housed Due South BBQ. The establishment will reopen as a restaurant but under a different name, the Blue Hen, said Magdy Saad, who owns the Black Hen in Blacksburg. Due South BBQ, which still has a location in Roanoke, belongs to outgoing state Del. Marie March, R-Floyd. The Christiansburg location closed earlier this year after having been in operation since 2007. The Christiansburg restaurant was among a string of properties across the region that March either recently sold or has been looking to sell. Prior to closing the Christiansburg restaurant, March had closed sister establishment Fatback Soul Shack late last year. The Fatback property in town now belongs to a company linked to the Shelor Motor Mile group and the former restaurant structure has since been demolished. Saad previously owned Lucie Monroes cafe and restaurant, which he had taken over from a previous proprietor. Lucie Monroes once had locations in Christiansburg, Blacksburg and Radford. Saad also owned Orzo Roll & Boll, another restaurant in downtown Blacksburg he said he had to close a few months ago due to staffing challenges. He said the restaurant, the offerings of which included Mediterranean cuisine and sushi, is in the process of changing hands. In addition to the Black Hen, Saad currently owns the Global Food Market in Blacksburg. The grocery store specializing in international foods is located in a shopping center off South Main Street that is home to a Cook Out and Our Daily Bread, among other businesses. For the upcoming Blue Hen restaurant, Saad said he intends to keep some of the barbecue and down home offerings for which Due South was known, and will add some Mediterranean options. He said he plans to moderately price the menu so that it can be affordable to a wide range of people. Among his reasons for opening a restaurant in Christiansburg, Saad said he was interested in a dining location that would see more continuous traffic throughout the year. He said one of the challenges he has faced in Blacksburg is the drop-offs that occur during the periods when many students are not in town. Business in Blacksburg as has long been the case for a number of other restaurants in the town typically slows during the summer months and around Christmas time, Saad said. Five months in the year, its very slow, he said. But Saad said he took over the Black Hen, a move he made about a year ago, due to his interests in running restaurants. I was looking for a new restaurant opportunity, he said. I always tried to get something in downtown Blacksburg. Saad said hes currently looking to open the Blue Hen in mid-August. As far as Marchs previous business assets are concerned, the Fatback property was bought by Pulaski Development LLC. State business records show Pulaski Development shares a principal address with one of the Shelor dealerships in Christiansburg. The sale price for the parcel the Fatback restaurant structure formerly occupied was $1.1 million, according to county property records. The total assessed value for an adjacent parking lot parcel is $338,700, according to county property records. The sale price was $259,400 when Marchs Big Bear Properties LLC took over the parcel several years ago. The assessed value for the separate and former restaurant parcel is $324,700. Records show a sale price of $390,600 when Big Bear formally took over in 2018. Correction July 21, 2023, 12:46 p.m.: Stephanie Sullivan is CEO of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. The name of the organization contained a wrong word in an earlier version of this story. The story has been updated. Stephanie Sullivan, the CEO of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, says localities such as Roanoke could successfully implement a more integrated system that could improve its care for the homeless. Sullivan was invited to speak at the Rescue Mission of Roanokes 75th Anniversary Celebration Thursday night. Sullivan has been with the BHCHP since 2022, and was prior to that the senior vice president of operations at VitalCore Health Strategies. The BHCHP offers services across the city in over 30 locations, Sullivan said in an interview with The Roanoke Times. We have clinics, providers, nurses, outreach services, case management, and behavioral health. Its a very integrated model. Sullivan said that the integrated model is designed to remove the complications caused by the references and referrals of normal healthcare models. She said that by having a wide variety of caregivers in one place they can treat unhoused people in the moment, without fear of them being unable to see them again. All of those are in the clinics or in the vans of our street outreach teams, so that if a person presents with a concern or specific illness we can treat it right there on the spot, Sullivan said. For example, if we identify a behavioral health problem while someone is getting their medical needs met, we can bring in the behavioral health person to ensure its very comprehensive care. Sullivan said that establishing this integrated system is very important for places with unhoused communities such as Roanoke. She said that while it can be more costly, being able to address this multitude of possible issues is beneficial for the unhoused community and the larger community as a whole. The ultimate goal is to get people rehoused permanently so that they can be reintegrated to the community meaningfully, Sullivan said. The goal is not to shove them into homes tomorrow, it's to build that trust and that relationship and making sure that we can keep them alive until we can get them home. Sullivan said that experiencing homelessness is very alienating, and that people can help by having patience and helping to establish trust between unhoused people and supporters. She said that volunteering or donating to organizations that seek to provide care is the most helpful thing one person can do. These are individuals from our own community. These are brothers and sisters and mothers and fathers of people that we know, Sullivan said. Too few people recognize that these are people who can make valuable contributions if they are given the opportunity and the chances. Sullivan said that people can feel overwhelmed by the amount of work required to provide solutions to the additional needs of some unhoused people, and she said that the support of the community is a necessary step to long term solutions. According to the Blue Ridge Continuum of Cares Point in Time report, the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Roanoke region grew 54.6% between 2022 and 2023. Areas that have unhoused populations like this require a deliberate community response in managing legislation that helps solve problems faced by these populations, Sullivan said. That includes creating affordable housing units and areas, and creating the services that will support those individuals getting back into the community. Sullivan said that the BHCHPs models can and should be adopted by organizations such as the Rescue Mission of Roanoke, and said that they were very excited to be here for the celebration of the 75th anniversary Rescue Mission. The celebration took place in Charter Hall. Due to an exclusivity agreement between the Rescue Mission and another local news outlet, The Roanoke Times was told it could not attend the Thursday night event, according to an assistant of Sullivan's. The Roanoke Times attempted to contact the Rescue Mission about the exclusivity agreement, but there was no immediate response. Back in the 1700s, indigo the plant that historically made denim that iconic blue color was a major export of the American colonies. These days, however, we dye our blue jeans with synthetic indigo pigment, which is why you can buy a pair of jeans for $15. But no matter whether the indigo is natural or synthetic, the process of pigment dyeing denim requires a strong reducing agent to make the dye dissolve in water. "The commercial technology for dyeing textiles uses aggressive chemicals," says Sergiy Minko, a co-author of the study and a professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia. "For denim, a strong, toxic reducing agent called sodium hydrosulfite is used. To make it soluble, some amount of this reducing agent is used in each stage of a repeating process anywhere from five to 10 times, if they want to get an intense shade." Advertisement Apart from the use of toxic reducing agents, denim pigmentation uses a huge amount of water. A pair of jeans can take up to 2,000 gallons (7,570 liters), if you consider the water it takes to grow the cotton, dye the fabric and manufacture the pants. Not only that, many of the chemicals involved in denim dyeing don't degrade in the environment. While the technology exists to filter the toxic chemicals out of the water before it hits a river or stream, many of the places in the world where garment production happens China and Bangladesh, for instance don't require the infrastructure to remove the chemicals from the water before it contaminates waterways and ends up poisoning wildlife, people and crops. "Some of the environments where they dye textiles everything is artificially colored in different shades. Of course, the major damage doesn't come from the dyes themselves, but high salt concentrations, and these reducing agents, which can be very aggressive in ecosystems." Now That's Interesting Chitosan is also found in the hard outer skeleton of shellfish like crab, lobster and shrimp. The first claimed sighting of the Loch Ness monster that gained widespread attention occurred in 1933 when Margaret and George Spicer reported seeing a large creature with a long neck and humps crossing the road near the loch. Their account in the Inverness Courier garnered significant media coverage, sparking public interest and speculation about the existence of such a creature. People continue to report Loch Ness monster sightings, but all accompanying photos and videos have been soundly debunked. Additionally, advancements in sonar technology, underwater cameras and DNA sampling have been employed in systematic searches of Loch Ness, hoping to gather concrete evidence of the creature's existence or absence. Advertisement Despite the many eyewitness accounts, there is no proof that that Loch Ness monster exists. Here are three of the most famous reported sightings. The Surgeon's Photograph (1934) Robert Kenneth Wilson, a London gynecologist, took one of the most famous and controversial photographs allegedly showing the Loch Ness monster. Known as the "Surgeon's Photograph," the image depicts a small head and long neck emerging from the water. While it gained significant attention and was widely published, it was later revealed to be a hoax. The Dinsdale Film (1960) Filmmaker Tim Dinsdale captured footage of a large object moving through the water of Loch Ness. This film, known as the "Dinsdale Film," shows a dark shape with a hump visible above the water's surface. It remains one of the most notable pieces of evidence in support of the Loch Ness monster's existence. The Holmes Video (2007) Gordon Holmes captured video footage of a large, dark shape moving in the water while he was observing Loch Ness from his home. The video gained attention due to its clear imagery and the witness's credibility. However, like many sightings, it remains unverified and subject to interpretation. A woman, who is an ex-Malaysian, shares her story about becoming a Singapore citizen and owning her own HDB flat. (PHOTO: Getty) SINGAPORE In early 2021, Ashley Ng (not her real name) walked into the High Commission of Malaysia in Singapore to surrender her Malaysian passport and identity card. It was a significant moment for the new Singapore citizen, who had been harbouring dreams of living in Singapore since she visited the city-state as a 20-year-old student while on holiday. "I remember looking at the Marina Bay Sands in awe," Ng recalled, in an interview with Yahoo Finance Singapore. She also learnt about, and experienced firsthand, Singapore's reputed safety and cleanliness. Her Singapore dream included building a comfortable home for herself, in one of the many Housing & Development Board (HDB) flats she saw dotted around the country. Now, Ng, 33, and her husband a 34-year-old Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR) from Malaysia are proud owners of a three-room HDB flat in Queenstown which they purchased from the resale market in 2021. Ng and her husband have been working as pharmaceutical sales representatives in Singapore since they first arrived in 2014. The two, who have been dating since their university days in the UK, married in 2018. Upon graduation, they worked in London for a year and obtained their pharmacy licenses. They then set their sights on moving to Singapore. No HDB grant When sharing her story, Ng made it clear that she did not become a Singaporean just so she and her husband could own an HDB flat SPRs and foreign nationals are permitted to own HDB flats as well, with some restrictions. "I made the decision to become a Singapore citizen because I intend to start and raise a family here," said Ng. The couple were also aware that they weren't eligible for any of the available HDB housing grants because their combined income had exceeded the household income ceiling of S$14,000. For instance, through the CPF Housing Grant for Resale Flats (Families), eligible buyers can receive up to S$80,000. Story continues "Personally, I think it is a bit unfair to include transport allowances as part of our household income because the transport allowance would surely go out of the pocket every month," said Ng on having their company-provided allowances count toward their household income. Search for a HDB home Grant or no grant, the couple was nevertheless determined to realise their dreams of owning their first home together in Singapore. They began hunting for a flat soon after Ng was granted her Singapore citizenship, hoping to find one in Queenstown as they had previously rented an apartment there and really liked the neighbourhood. It didn't take long for them to find a unit that appealed to them one with exactly the same layout as the home that they were renting at the time. They had a budget of around S$650,000 while the flat was listed for the price of S$670,000. "Although it was slightly over our budget, we decided to go for it because similar units in the vicinity were actually priced above S$700,000 at the time," said Ng. The couple then called the real estate agent, only to be disappointed as they were told that the unit in question was reserved for non-Chinese buyers. This fell under HDB's Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP), which is in place to help preserve Singapore's multi-racial identity in public housing estates. After 10 years of renting a room, and staying with uni mates, friends and strangers over the years, we are so delighted to finally have our own place that we can call home.PY Ng "Honestly, we were very lucky in our house-buying journey. A week later, the same agent called to ask whether we were still interested as the owner of the house had successfully gotten the necessary approvals for the flat to be sold to a Chinese family," said Ng. After some negotiations, they settled on the price of S$660,000 for the flat and signed the Option to Purchase (OTP), along with paying the required deposit, within two hours. The whole process, from contacting the agent to receiving the keys, took approximately three months. They spent an additional S$65,000 on renovating the unit. Singapore dream come true Looking back on their journey, Ng reflected that although it was a long process from her citizenship application to finally purchasing a home it was a fruitful one. "After 10 years of renting a room, and staying with uni mates, friends and strangers over the years, we are so delighted to finally have our own place that we can call home," said Ng. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter. The I's have been dotted and the T's have been crossed. And now, Sioux City organizers for the start of RAGBRAI 50 are waiting for as many as 50,000 visitors to descend on the first-day host site of the weeklong Iowa bike ride. SIOUX CITY Friday afternoon, the Sioux City Police Department requested assistance in finding a 26-year-old woman last seen in February. Peyton Heintzelman Peyton Heintzelman, age 26, was last seen in February 2023. According to a Facebook post, Peyton Heintzelman, who also goes by Sioux Walker (or Sue Walker), was last seen on Sioux City's west side in early to mid February of this year. Heintzelman is described as a white female about 54 tall and weighing about 140 pounds. "Peyton has not accessed social media since February 10, 2023," the Facebook post stated. Anyone with information on Heintzelman, or her whereabouts, is encouraged to contact Detective Michael Sitzman at the Sioux City Police Department, 712-279-6385. Containers for exports and imports are stacked at a pier in Korea's largest port city of Busan, Nov. 21, 2022. Yonhap Korea's exports to China fell 26 percent in the first half of this year on Beijing's falling demand for chips and display items amid a global economic slowdown, data showed Friday. Outbound shipments to China came to $60.18 billion during the first six months of the year, compared with $81.38 billion, according to the data by the industry ministry. Sales of major export items tumbled, with semiconductors to China sinking 39.8 percent and display items diving 47.9 percent. Exports of petrochemicals also went down 23.9 percent on-year in the first half. The decrease was attributable to China's weak exports of its major IT products to the rest of the world amid a global economic slowdown, which reduced China's demand for Korean chips and intermediary goods, the ministry said. On a monthly basis, Korea reported an on-year fall in exports to China for 13 consecutive months through June and suffered a trade deficit for nine months in a row. China is Korea's No. 1 trading partner, accounting for 23.2 percent of Korea's total exports in the first half of 2023. But this year's figure marked a 1.9 percentage-point fall from 25.1 percent in the same period a year earlier. Korea's exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) also fell 20.4 percent in the first half due to the nations' weak demand for chips and display products. But Korea saw exports to the United States and the European Union grow 0.3 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively, in the first half. "The top economic priority for the second half is the expansion of exports," Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun said. "The government will expedite signing a trade and investment promotion framework with emerging nations and will closely monitor the difficulties of exporters." (Yonhap) STORM LAKE, Iowa Its going to be a 50th anniversary to remember. The Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa is celebrating its golden anniversary by taking the same route as it did that first year Aug. 26-31, 1973. The ride rolls out from Sioux City on Sunday and ends 500 miles away on July 29 in Davenport, Iowa. The welcome mat is out across Siouxland for the tens of thousands of riders and support personnel taking part in the cross-state tradition. Dana Larsen, communications coordinator for City of Storm Lake, said committees have been meeting since January. Storm Lake is the first overnight stop. Preparations are going about as well as can be expected with the number of people we are looking at, Larsen said. Its a pretty incredible number for a town to take on. Its a big responsibility but its also an awesome opportunity to showcase your town. He expects the number of overnight guests to swell from 15,000 in 2015, the last time the ride came through Storm Lake, to upwards of 40,000 in 2023. We are probably as well organized I think as far as you can be. Jensen said approximately 26 food vendors will be selling pretty much a little bit of everything. Quite a few restaurants in town will be doing things. We have a lot of ethnic eateries here so there will be a lot of choices for people. 2015 RAGBRAI Sioux City to Storm lake RAGBRAI riders approach Washta, Iowa, while traveling from Sioux City to Storm Lake in this 2015 Journal file photo. Storm Lake is an overnigh A Storm Lake showcase RAGBRAI offers the chance for Storm Lake to show off their community to thousands of visitors and maybe make an impression convincing someone to come back for a vacation next year. A lot of people from the eastern half of Iowa dont get a chance to look at some of the western cities so I think it will be eye-opening. Weve got a beautiful lake. Weve got parks on our lakefront. So they will have a chance to see what thats all about. Hopefully, that improves your community standing statewide and people will understand a little more of what youre about, Jensen said. Its a great chance to meet people from all over. Its a lot of fun. Kingsley gears up Kingsley, Iowa, is one of the three pass-thru towns on the first day of RAGBRAI. Day One is 77 miles with 3,504 feet of climb. Mayor Rick Bohle and his brother Keith are co-chairs for this years Kingsley stop. This is the fifth time the ride has gone through town. About 90 portable toilets will be brought in, he said. Volunteers need to pick up ice for approximately 23 vendors. Youve got to kind of shut the town down to get ready for it. When it comes you kind of shut down pretty much until they leave. We will have people showing up vendors and everything, some of that stuff will start coming in on Friday and Saturday. Some of the riders will be in town on Saturday, too, Bohle said. Bohle said he is trying to coordinate the police department and get volunteers organized to get the portable toilets where they need to be and help vendors get settled. Last time we hardwired a lot of stuff to where our power situation is a whole lot easier this time around, Bohle said. Volunteers have been meeting every other week for several months. There has been a good response. Everyone is working together. After all, its not our first time doing it. But we are expecting a lot more people this time. Salem Lutheran Church in rural Correctionville will be selling smashed burgers, biscuits and gravy and homemade fruit pies in Kingsley. This is the fifth time the church has participated in RAGBRAI events. "We are meeting Saturday at the church and we have to cut up 80 pies individually into seven pieces each, putting them in individual containers and then move tables and set up at the location in Kingsley after 1 p.m.," said volunteer John Hoppe. "We have to get the grills and everything in position because I expect those people to be there shortly before 6 a.m. From 5:30 a.m. on there are certainly riders coming through, That's basically it. We are hoping we have everything covered." The proceeds from the church's food stand will go to the Siouxland Food Bank and local school backpack programs. Salem Lutheran's stand will be located in front of City Hall at the north end of Main Street. For Ang Bennett, keeping an eye out for signs of danger in unfamiliar areas is just part of daily life in Nebraska. Bennett, a Black, 33-year-old nonbinary Omahan who uses they/them pronouns, has lived in Nebraska for the last nine years and said its never felt like the most welcoming place for minorities. In the past few years, Bennett believes, the threat of discrimination and hate-filled violence against their community has risen dramatically first spurred in the aftermath of the George Floyd protests, and then amplified amid a national flurry of legislation aimed at curbing transgender rights. I dont know why youre going to attack me now, Bennett said. Bennetts sentiments are not uncommon in Nebraskas LGBTQ+ community, where some members have felt targeted after the passage of LB574. The measure will restrict gender-affirming care, including surgeries, puberty blockers and hormone therapy, for people under 19. An amendment later absorbed into the bill also added an abortion ban at 12 weeks based on gestational age. While supporters of the bill often described it as simply deferring such care for children until they are older, people in the LGBTQ+ community say it dehumanizes an already marginalized group and is rooted in misinformation and prejudice. Critics also say the bill itself affects not just the trans and nonbinary minors it directly mentions, but could have broader implications for the rest of the LGBTQ+ community. Suddenly, they fear, their hard-won gains such as same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ+ rights seem a little more tenuous. Partly because of those concerns, the LB574 debate inspired a local wave of trans rights activism that has continued since the bill passed. Bennett became aware of LB574 soon after it was introduced. From the beginning, they said, they knew the bill had a strong chance at passing, even as protesters and opposing lawmakers fought it every step of the way. As the bill moved forward and the public rhetoric about trans policy mounted, Bennett withdrew from others in response. Bennetts retreat inward was mirrored by some other LGBTQ+ Nebraskans. Eli Rigatuso, who advocated for LGBTQ+ rights even before he came out as trans masculine in 2015, said he took proactive measures to protect himself from the hate he felt would come his way after LB574 was introduced. He limited the amount of time he spent online and focused more on remote forms of advocacy. When it comes to Nebraska law, policies and regulations often have focused more on restrictions on the LGBTQ+ community than protections for them. The Nebraska Constitution still defines marriage as between a man and a woman and specifies that same-sex relationships shall not be valid or recognized. That language was put there through a voter referendum that passed in 2000 and was fought over in the courts until the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationally in 2015, effectively nullifying the restriction. John Fox, who lives with his husband Jeff Fox in Omaha, said the general publics acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in Nebraska has gradually grown over the years. That changed following the introduction of LB574. The couple live across the street from an elementary school, and they display a Pride flag outside their home. That hasnt been a problem until a few months ago, when Fox said he noticed a parent who regularly glared and shook his head in the direction of their house. Whether or not such a response represents a serious threat, the couple said, it still causes them concern given the rise of hate crimes and threats of violence against the LGBTQ+ community across the U.S. Fox said he and his sexuality are relatively well known in the Omaha area, and being so visible is scary these days. But right now, its also important. I remain visible because theres so many people who cant, he said. Being nonbinary, Bennett doesnt identify as either male or female. In fact, they said theyd prefer not to label their gender at all but recognize that society needs some sort of identifier. Many of the problems Bennett has faced living in Nebraska have involved people both men and women crossing physical boundaries, although for different reasons. Older white men have fetishized them, Bennett said, approaching Bennett in public spaces like bars and attempting to touch them without consent. Women also often tend to encroach on Bennetts personal space, but perhaps because those women feel comfortable based on how Bennett appears, even if theyre actually strangers. Bennett said the boundaries the women cross would get people upset if Bennett was the one initiating it. Im still being assaulted on both sides, they said. As LB574 progressed in the Legislature, Bennett said, they noticed a rise in people misgendering others on social media. They said these instances tend to involve people who appear to use the wrong terms intentionally out of spite, rather than simply being unaware of the correct labels to use. Throughout LB574s debate, opponents often argued that the bill would push people to move to states with more accepting laws. Both Rigatuso and Fox said theyve considered leaving in the wake of the bills passage, even though they consider Nebraska home. Some LB574 opponents expect families with trans children will be the ones most likely to move away. However, they also acknowledged some uncertainty among families about how the restrictions will be imposed. Abbi Swatsworth, executive director of the nonprofit OutNebraska, said the uncertainly itself is likely adding more stress on families who are considering a move out of state. Its caused a lot of stress and heartache, Swatsworth said. For trans children who stay in Nebraska, Rigatuso said hes heard some are considering reversing their transition not because they regret it, but because they dont feel safe expressing their true identity in the state. Rigatuso can relate. After he came out as trans in 2015, he said, he faced discrimination at work and in the community and considered whether the easier route would be going back on his decision. But Rigatuso doesnt regret transitioning. He said getting top surgery a procedure that reshapes chest tissue to create a more masculine or feminine appearance saved his life. He said it lifted a metaphorical weight he hadnt realized he was carrying. Supporters of LB574 frequently say the new law is meant to protect children from irreversible damage, but Rigatuso and other opponents say it will do more harm than good. Having come out at 50, Rigatuso said he had to unpack a lot of trauma relating to his gender and believes that would have been lessened had he sought care earlier in life. I didnt realize how much gender dysphoria I had until I had the procedure, Rigatuso said. State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha, one of two openly LGBTQ+ lawmakers in the Legislature and an opponent of LB574, contends the bill affects a lot more than just Nebraskas LGBTQ+ residents. He said the bill established the governments right to regulate health care based on an individuals identity, which is something that could affect any Nebraskan. LB574 pushed Nebraska onto the national stage as trans rights were being debated across the country, with coverage from national and even international media outlets. Most of the stories focused on what started as a one-woman filibuster by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha to oppose the bill. The effort later included multiple lawmakers and lasted the remainder of the session. LB574 also drew hundreds of people to the State Capitol for the bills public hearing, waiting hours to testify in front of lawmakers for a few minutes. Hundreds also turned out to support the bill. But Cavanaugh a member of the Legislatures Health and Human Services Committee said it was clear opponents outnumbered supporters that day. Cavanaugh expected the same level of resistance would continue as the bill made its way through the legislative process, and it did. Hundreds of protesters turned up at each round of debate on the floor, filling the Rotunda and one side of the chambers balcony. Sometimes their chanting grew so loud that it was difficult to hear senators speak. Following the final two rounds of debate, most lawmakers exited the chamber through the back door, rather than the main doors leading into the Rotunda and the crowd. In addition, several letters circulated during debates expressing opposition to LB574 from both business leaders and medical professionals. Cavanaugh said it still puzzles her that the intense opposition didnt seem to make any difference to the bills supporters. Fredrickson said LB574 was treated as the golden child of the Legislature, and lawmakers took extraordinary measures to ensure it passed. As he watched the debate unfold, Fox said, the rhetoric lawmakers used to support the bill reminded him of the arguments made against same-sex marriage several decades ago. LB574s introducer, Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, frequently described minors coming out as trans as a social contagion that her bill aimed to slow. At the bills signing ceremony, Gov. Jim Pillen said LB574 would protect children from being manipulated into seeking gender-affirming care, describing it as an act of Lucifer. Fox, who served with Kauth last year on Omahas Charter Convention, said it was disturbing to see someone he previously had a great working relationship with push views he feels are an attack on him and his community. I feel like were targets again, Fox said. Foxs husband, Jeff Fox, said the argument that the growing acceptance of trans people is a contagion that encourages more people to come out doesnt make sense. He grew up in a conservative household in rural Nebraska, but that didnt make him heterosexual. You dont turn into whoever is teaching you, Jeff Fox said. The protests against LB574 werent limited to the days the bill was debated in the Legislature. They also fueled trans rights activism across Nebraska. During the Trans Day of Visibility on March 31, hundreds showed up for a rally outside the Capitol, exceeding Swatsworths expectations. The same day, hundreds of students at Omaha Central High School walked out of class in support of trans rights. On a different day, when a handful of members of the Westboro Baptist Church showed up to protest outside the Capitol, they were outnumbered by counterprotesters who stood across the street, waving Pride flags and signs proclaiming their support for trans people. Cavanaugh, Fredrickson and Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha have launched a political action committee called Dont Legislate Hate, focused on supporting lawmakers who oppose LGBTQ+ restrictions. Their PAC hasnt filed its first financial statements yet, but both Cavanaugh and Fredrickson said fundraising has been going well, and theyve been getting donations from across the state and outside Nebraska. At an upcoming event, Fredrickson said, Chasten Buttigieg, husband of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, plans to attend as a special guest. Throughout June, Swatsworth said there were more Pride events planned across rural Nebraska than there have been in past years. She said this reflects more people seeking community support, but it also calls back to the way Pride events originated as a form of protest. Fox said the Legislatures actions this year arent in line with all Nebraska Republicans, particularly those in Omaha. He noted the support he has received from Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, who appointed him to the citys Charter Convention. In order to slow the trend of trans and LGBTQ+ restrictions in Nebraska, Fox said opponents need more support from conservatives and moderates who dont like the direction the state is going. We need those voices to be louder, Fox said. Bennett echoed this sentiment and added that fighting back doesnt necessarily mean picket-sign protesting. Bennett isnt a front lines protester, but they are an artist whose focus is examining Black and LGBTQ+ identity. The 2024 election will be a major indication of where Nebraska is headed, Cavanaugh said. She and several others said they expect a backlash to LB574 that they hope could flip enough seats to prevent similar proposals from passing. If that doesnt happen, many in the LGBTQ+ community fear that Nebraska will follow in the footsteps of other states that passed similar laws and are now beginning to consider more restrictions for trans adults and same-sex marriages. Bennett said they feel more urgency to pursue top surgery in the wake of LB574s passage, which is something theyve wanted for a while, but has encountered delays several times. While Bennett is above the age limit for gender-affirming care restrictions set in the legislation, they said they dont know whether lawmakers might attempt to expand those restrictions. Both Fox and Fredrickson said they never used to think that same-sex marriage restrictions could come up for debate in the Legislature. After last session, however, they said they worry that anything is possible. Photos and video: Scene at Nebraska Capitol as lawmakers pass LB574 More than 10,000 Iowans will have their remaining federal student loan debt wiped out under fixes to the U.S. Department of Educations income-driven repayment plans. According to data released by the Department of Education Tuesday, 10,730 borrowers in Iowa are eligible to have their loans automatically discharged in the weeks ahead, totaling $465 million in the state. This forgiveness requires no action by borrowers, who will be notified when their debt has been discharged. These discharges apply to those who have accumulated either 20 or 25 years worth of qualifying months, depending on their type of income-driven repayment plan. The Department of Education will notify borrowers who reach forgiveness thresholds every two months until 2024, when borrowers still ineligible for forgiveness will receive updated payment counts. The Department of Education announced in 2022 it would address failures in its student loan programs after details emerged about mishandling of income-driven repayment plans by the department and just how few peoples debts were canceled after 20 or 25 years, as they were supposed to have been under these plans. A 2021 National Consumer Law Center report detailed how just 32 individuals out of more than 4 million borrowers had their debt canceled after 20 years. A 2022 NPR investigation found that loan servicers failed to accurately track payment histories and borrowers progress toward loan cancellation. By fixing past administrative failures, we are ensuring everyone gets the forgiveness they deserve, just as we have done for public servants, students who were cheated by their colleges, and borrowers with permanent disabilities, including veterans, said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a Friday statement. This Administration will not stop fighting to level the playing field in higher education. The Department of Education began notifying borrowers across the U.S. of the discharge Friday 803,990 people with $39 billion in total debt relief. Texas comes out on top as the state with the most eligible borrowers and highest amount of money being forgiven, with more than 63,000 residents and just over $3 billion in loans. Under the Biden Administration, the Department of Education has forgiven more than $116 million in student loan debt for more than 3.4 million people. States with the most and least student debt Ranking student debt by state #51. South Dakota #50. Iowa #49. Alaska #48. North Dakota #47. Wyoming #46. Wisconsin #45. Nebraska #44. Arkansas #43. Indiana #42. Oklahoma #41. West Virginia #40. Montana #39. New Mexico #38. Texas #37. New Hampshire #36. Kentucky #35. Minnesota #34. Utah #33. Maine #32. Rhode Island #31. Kansas #30. Idaho #29. Vermont #28. Hawaii #27. Louisiana #26. Washington #25. Missouri #24. Pennsylvania #23. Massachusetts #22. Nevada #21. Ohio #20. Tennessee #19. Michigan #18. Mississippi #17. Connecticut #16. Arizona #15. South Carolina #14. New Jersey #13. Colorado #12. North Carolina #11. Alabama #10. California #9. Illinois #8. Oregon #7. Florida #6. New York #5. Virginia #4. Delaware #3. Georgia #2. Maryland #1. District of Columbia On Friday, July 21, two separate movies are being released in theaters, and people have been losing their goddamned minds about this for weeks. One is Greta Gerwigs Barbie. The other is Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer. One is sunny, the other is about the atomic bomb. Such contrast! Everyone on the internet was making jokes and having a fun time. Until the middle of the week, when United States Senators and their social media teams entered the joke landscape. As best we can tell, the virus began on Tuesday, when Will, a student at Tufts, tweeted the following. Which of your states senators is seeing the Barbie and which is seeing Oppenheimer? (you have to choose) Will (@MassJumbo) July 19, 2023 Advertisement People had all sorts of responses about their senators. But then the senators themselves began to respond directly. Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden showed himself with a bunch of bubbles at a Pride parade and then another standing near the Calder statue in the Hart Senate Office Building. To everyone assuming Im going to Oppenheimer, I say: why not both? https://t.co/uOHhYp4Oea pic.twitter.com/gkozSOdhEQ Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) July 20, 2023 Advertisement Advertisement Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is the senator with the most valid claim to being a hybrid of Barbie and a weapon of mass destruction. Sorry, this tweet works! Get you a Senator who can do both. #Barbenheimer pic.twitter.com/somIpHCzRW Kyrsten Sinema (@kyrstensinema) July 20, 2023 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez brought the trend into lets just slap a filter on the same photo laziness territory. My constituents have been asking me which movie I will see, Barbie or Oppenheimer? Por que no los dos? https://t.co/JOJQTKJmZz pic.twitter.com/ljOdMka5py Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) July 19, 2023 Advertisement Heres Maryland Sen. Ben Cardins account slamming someone identifying as the Crabcake Inspector for misjudging him. Imagine how baffled Cardin was when his staff explained this to him. He has no idea what theyve done. Advertisement Advertisement MARYLAND, enough. Ben we can both be barbies. https://t.co/yzDT8XLMmg pic.twitter.com/Hv5xogNBWw Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) July 20, 2023 Here is Wyden talking about some other thing I dont understand. Hes looking at a rotisserie chicken and saying girls eat it for dinner? Was this from one of those New York Magazine articles or something? Is this TikTok? What does it have to do with Barbie and/or Robert Oppenheimer? What is this post? Advertisement My staff tells me this is girl dinner pic.twitter.com/oJMHeMoj3C Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) July 20, 2023 Though it may seem as if the Senate has killed the Barbenheimer jokes altogether, that is not true. Under Senate internet precedent, the joke is not officially dead until Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey does it, and were not seeing anything as of late Thursday afternoon. On Thursday, a 2024 Democratic presidential candidate appeared at a House hearing on an invitation from Republican members of Congress and over the protest of their Democratic counterparts. That candidatea Kennedy, no lesswas excoriated on camera by Democrats, who angrily accused him of spreading bigotry and dangerous misinformation. It was such an odd and messy situation that Fox News took delight in it. Can you believe we are at a day when the Democrats are calling a Kennedy disparaging names? Foxs Brian Kilmeade said Thursday. Advertisement Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a falsehood-filled appearance Thursday before the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, a panel created by Republicans to interrogate federal law enforcement and national security agencies over Republicans belief that the agencies had been used to persecute conservatives. Thursdays panel dealt with censorship, and on that topic, Republicans found kinship with a scion of the nations most famous Democratic family. Already, Kennedy had appeared repeatedly on Fox News and on various podcasts and shows from right-wing figures. But Thursday marked a new role for the candidate: He became the face, alone in the spotlight, of Republican political talking points. Just how Kennedy sees his relationship with Republicans is unclear; but it seems obvious from the testimony that hes become a useful tool for the right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres some natural reason that such an alliance would come more easily than it would for other Democrats, of course. Kennedy is a conspiracy theorist. And not just a humdrum anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist, but an off-the-deep-end paranoiac, with bizarre claims about bioweapons, tracking devices, 5G, and the CIA. On COVID, specifically, the right has reason to love Kennedy: He wrote an entire book accusing Anthony Fauci of being a criminal. And he spouts something very similar to deep state rantings about authoritarian government plotting. So theres a strong foundation for genuine love. That affection is clear from his media treatment. He does his homework, hes extremely bright, and you better bring your A-game, Kilmeade said recently of debating Kennedy. Earlier in the month, on Fox & Friends, Steve Doocy exclaimed to Kennedy, Youve gone viral, not only with your message, but just your sheer masculinity! He was then asked how many pushups he could do. Advertisement And as the liberal group Media Matters noted, that friendly coverage extended to treatment of Kennedys biggest controversies. Fox News barely mentioned his strange antisemitic and racist comments about COVID being potentially ethnically targeted to spare Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese people. Other networks covered the comments more extensively; Democrats made them even more newsworthy by protesting his appearance at the hearing. Kennedy simply used the reaction to support his argument. Advertisement The statements being twisted and distorted to make them seem like I said these controversial things is simply another way that the DNC and its allies are using to silence me, to marginalize me, to make me look crazy, he said. Republicans stood by him. But theres a specific, utilitarian reason Republicans in Congress should boost Kennedy. Up to this point, many of Kennedys beliefs have seemed appealing to conservatives, but not too useful to their political ends. COVID, at least politically, is behind us, so anti-vaccine rantings dont excite people like they used to. And vague suspicion of government does not make for anything too useful without specifics. Instead, where Kennedy became truly useful to the Republican Party was in the exact context of this hearing: in his specific, concrete claims of censorship. More specifically, its in making those claims with credentials as a lifelong Democrat. Advertisement Advertisement I was the first person censored by the Biden administration, Kennedy said in the hearing, referring to a ban from Instagram over spreading COVID misinformation. (A White House official had flagged one of Kennedys misleading tweets about COVID to Twitter, and Kennedy has since blamed the administration for his deplatforming.) Advertisement Advertisement Logically, Kennedys conspiratorial-minded thinking can lead nowhere but to claims of nefarious censorship. Once you believe that the pharmaceutical industry, with the help of government agencies, is pushing dangerous lies, then any resistance to efforts to spread the truthin reality, dangerous misinformation that could lead to untold numbers of deaths if uncheckedmust be politically villainous. That logic canand didextend to other wacky ideas. And in the hearing, Republicans ate it up. Advertisement Its why Mr. Kennedy is running for presidentto help us expose and stop whats going on, Rep. Jim Jordan, the panels chairman, said in his opening remarks. Hearing Republican talking points from a prominent Democrat can do a lot to make right-wing complaints seem legitimate. Republicans are perhaps most worked up over Hunter Biden theories, which Kennedy clearly doesnt really follow. But COVID-related censorship, while a bit stale as a news item, still can make voters believe in general partisan censorship from the left. Worse for Democrats, though, was the visual of it all. It was embarrassing for Democrats that their primary candidate polling second to the president was bad-mouthing them on a televised panel. That embarrassmentor at least conservatives perception of itwas reflected in the glee with which conservative news covered the event. Fox News carried much of Kennedys testimony, while MSNBC and CNN did not. And after the hearing, Kennedy went back to Fox News to share his thoughts. Advertisement Advertisement He dispensed with his written statement; he gave it passionately from the heart, Dana Perino of the cable network said. He actually got applause at the end of that. He might obviously have some friends in the room. That political victory for Republicans was something Democrats noted, too. You are here for cynical reasons to be used politically by that side of the aisle, Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia said during the hearing. And it brings shame on a storied name that I revere. But more than mere embarrassment, theres a larger way in which Kennedy has become valuable to the Republicans: Many conservatives and progressives alike see a Kennedy candidacy as inherently damaging to Joe Biden. Its hardly surprising that so many of Kennedys donors have Republican ties, or why a known DeSantis supporter held a fundraiser for Kennedy. Advertisement House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Kennedy a living, breathing false-flag operation whose whole campaign is being run by right-wing political operatives who have one objective: try to take down President Joe Biden. Because even if Kennedy makes no dent on Bidens electoral map, any kind of abnormally high performanceas was seen in some polling when he first entered the racewould emphasize Bidens unpopularity, potentially shaking the faith of potential voters. As Roger Stone put it in one interview: I think it will help, in the end, soften Joe Biden up for his defeat by Donald Trump. Kennedy, for his part, knows of these claims and has rejected them. (Im running because I expect to win the presidency, he said on Fox News. Im not running to help Donald Trump.) But we can probably expect, as we move deeper into campaign season, that Republicans will try to find more ways to harness Kennedys outsider energy to bolster their own credibilityand make Joe Biden look weak. The travel industry is a vast and dynamic one. 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Elite Escapes Gold Class Getaways Silver Spoon Sojourns Deluxe Destinations Regal Retreats Premier Passages Opulent Odysseys Prestige Travel Experiences Royal Wanderlust Luxe Haven Holidays Elite Excursions Grandeur Getaways Elegant Expeditions Majestic Journeys High-end Horizons Lavish Retreats Budget Travel Business Names The name should communicate affordability for businesses catering to budget travelers without compromising the excitement of traveling. Here are some ideas: Budget Bliss Travel Affordable Adventures Savvy Sojourns Pennywise Paths Thrifty Trails Economical Escapes Wallet-Friendly Wanderings Budget Breakaways Savings Sojourns Pocket-Friendly Passages Frugal Journeys Value Ventures Budget Bounders Thrifty Treks Bargain Voyagers Affordable Explorers Smart Saver Travel Discount Destinations Economy Excursions Low-Cost Roamers Online Travel Agency Name Ideas With the rise of digital technology, online travel agencies have become more popular. Here are some name suggestions: Click and Fly Web Wanderers Cyber Sojourns Net Nomads Clickable Journeys E-Excursions WebWayfarers Virtual Voyages Internet Itineraries WebJetset Online Odyssey Digital Destinations WebWise Wanderlust eTravel Emporium Virtual Vacations TechTravel Treks Cyber Adventures Digital Discovery WebTour Troupe Clickscape Travels Eco-friendly Travel Business Names As sustainability and environmental awareness grow, eco-friendly travel businesses have a unique appeal. Here are some name ideas: Green Globe Travel EcoJourneys Sustainable Sojourns Nature Nurturer Tours EcoTrek Travel Green Goings BioJourneys Earth-friendly Explorers EcoEscape Travel Co. GreenGate Getaways EcoWander Planet Pathfinders Conscious Adventures Sustainable Trails Natures Footprints Earthwise Explorations EcoVoyagers Green Horizons Ethical Escapes Eco-Quest Expeditions Cruise Business Names For businesses specializing in cruises, consider names that invoke images of sea voyages and relaxing vacations. Here are some suggestions: Sea Breeze Cruises Ocean Odyssey Cruises SailAway Cruises Deep Blue Cruises Sea Song Cruises Anchors Away Cruises Marine Melodies Nautical Navigations Ocean Echoes Cruises Salty Sea Cruises CruiseWave Adventures AquaQuest Cruises Coastal Dreams Cruises Captains Choice Cruises CruiseVoyage Vacations Serene Sails Cruises Majestic Mariners Horizon Harmony Cruises Seaside Serenity Cruises AquaZen Cruises Travel Blog and Instagram Name Ideas For travel bloggers and Instagram influencers, a catchy and memorable handle can attract followers and make it easier for fans to find you. Here are some name ideas: WanderLush World GlobeTrottingGal RoamingRascal TravelBug Tales NomadNarratives SojourningScribe RoamOrRust VoyageVisions WanderingWordsmith TrekkingTales AdventurousLens ExploreEnthusiast JourneyJunkie TheWanderingLens PassportChronicles NomadicNook TrailblazingTales GlobalVagabond WanderlustWhisperer TravelGrammer Destination-Specific Business Names Destination-specific names can help set expectations about the type of travel experiences your business provides. Here are some examples: Himalayan Hikes Sahara Sojourns Amazon Adventures Bali Bliss Caribbean Cruises Tuscan Tours Aegean Adventures Parisian Passages Kiwi Quest Alpine Ascends Patagonian Treks African Safaris Rocky Mountain Expeditions Machu Picchu Discoveries Galapagos Explorations Japanese Journeys Northern Lights Expeditions Egyptian Escapades Icelandic Adventures Greek Odyssey Travel Name Ideas with Acronyms or Abbreviations Discover a collection of travel name ideas with acronyms or abbreviations that perfectly capture the essence of extraordinary journeys. GLOMAD Tours (Globetrotters Leisure Oriented Adventures) JETSET Escapes (Joyful Expeditions Traveling the World with Enthusiastic Travelers) ROAM Expeditions (Recreational Outdoor Adventures and Memories) WANDERLUST Vacations (Worldwide Adventures Nurturing Diverse Experiences and Rediscovering Limitless Unknown Sights Together) ADVENTRIX Travel (Adventurous Destinations, Venture into Extraordinary Places with an Extra Dose of Excitement) EXPLOREX Tours (Exquisite Places, Lets Observe and Rediscover Experiences with X-factor) VISTAGO Holidays (Voyaging in Style, Traveling and Admiring Great Outdoors) ODYSSEY Voyages (Onward Destinations Yielding Spectacular Sights, Exploring Year-round) EPIC Tours (Experiencing Places in Incredible and Captivating ways) VOYAGERX Excursions (Venturing Out, Yearning for Adventures, Going Extra) JOURNIK Trips (Journeys of Unforgettable Reminiscences, Never-ending Exploration and Kaleidoscopic Travel) TREKSCAPE Adventures (Traverse Remote Environments, Keenly Seek Challenging and Picture-Perfect Escapes) EXPEDIZ Tours (Exploring New Places, Experiencing Diverse Interests and Zeniths) VIVATRAVEL (Vibrant Ventures, Imaginative Voyages, Adventures that Remain Extraordinary and Lifelong) ODYSSEIA Getaways (Onward Discoveries Yielding Spectacular Escapes, Invigorating Adventures) WANDERWEAVE Excursions (Worldwide Adventures, Nurturing Diverse Experiences, Weaving Unforgettable Journeys) ADVENTRIX Getaways (Adventurous Destinations, Venture into Extraordinary Territories with Riveting Interactions and Excitement) EXPLOREON Trips (Exquisite Places, Lets Observe, Rediscover, and Embark on New Adventures) PATHFINDX Journeys (Pioneering and Trailblazing, Adventurous Treks Heightening Individualistic New Discoveries) GLOBETIX Travel (Globe-trotting, Lively and Opulent, with Bespoke Experiences, Tailored for Extraordinary Adventures) Travel Name Ideas with Puns or Wordplay Welcome to a world of travel name ideas filled with puns and wordplay that will make you smile. Each name reflects the spirit of exploration and adventure, inviting you to embark on unforgettable journeys with a touch of whimsy. Wanderlust n Found: Embark on a journey of self-discovery and wander through new horizons with our soul-stirring travel experiences. Globetrotters Delight: Indulge in a delightful blend of culture, adventure, and breathtaking sights as you trot across the globe with us. Tour de Bliss: Pedal your way through unforgettable landscapes and immerse yourself in the blissful joy of exploration. Roam Sweet Roam: Experience the sweet freedom of endless exploration and let your wanderlust roam free. Adventurific: Get your dose of adventure and let the thrill of discovery ignite your spirit with our exhilarating travel packages. Journey Puns: Unleash the power of laughter as we take you on a journey filled with pun-tastic destinations and hilarious anecdotes. Sightseize the Day: Seize the opportunity to embrace new sights, cultures, and experiences on our dynamic and enriching tours. Escape-ades: Break free from the ordinary and indulge in exciting escapades that will leave you craving more. Voyageurs Playcation: Combine the joy of play and the excitement of travel as we curate the ultimate playcation experience just for you. Wanderwise: Let our expertly crafted itineraries and travel wisdom guide you on a wanderful journey of a lifetime. The Wayfarers Whimsy: Embrace the whimsical side of travel and set off on an enchanting adventure that will ignite your imagination. Globe Roasters: Brew your love for exploration and coffee with our curated tours that blend the best of both worlds. Wanderluxe: Luxuriate in the finest experiences and immerse yourself in the lap of luxury as you wander through extraordinary destinations. Journey Jesters: Join our team of jolly jesters as we curate hilarious and entertaining travel experiences that will leave you in stitches. Vagabond Vibes: Embrace the free-spirited vibes of a vagabond as we curate immersive travel experiences that ignite your sense of adventure. TripTales: Dive into a world of captivating tales and enchanting destinations as we unravel the stories behind every trip. Globetickle: Prepare to be tickled by the wonders of the world as we curate whimsical and joyful travel experiences. Roamantic Escapes: Ignite your wanderlust and kindle the flames of romance with our curated escapes designed for adventurous couples. WanderWordz: Let the power of words guide you on a journey of discovery as we uncover the hidden meanings and stories behind every destination. Adventuresaurus: Unleash your inner adventurer and embark on epic journeys that will make you feel like a true adventuresaurus. Travel Industry Name Trends Travel industry names often use words that evoke a sense of adventure, luxury, or relaxation. Keeping an eye on current trends can help you select a name that resonates with modern travelers. Here are some trendy name ideas: Luxe Legacy Wanderlust Whispers Excursion Elegance Voyage Vogue Journey Gems Travel Vista Globetrekker WanderWise NomadNest VentureVerse RoamRevolution ExploreXcellence Wayfarers Haven Wanderlust Wander Vivid Ventures Roamers Rendezvous DreamScape Travels AdventuroCity Jetsetter Journeys Uncharted Escapes Travel Taglines A catchy tagline can further establish your brand. Here are some tagline ideas: Your Gateway to the Globe Navigate the Stars with Us Experience the Symphony of the Seas Soar Beyond with Us Explore Natures Bounty Unlock Extraordinary Adventures Discover the World, Create Memories Embark on Unforgettable Journeys Let Your Wanderlust Unleash Where Travel Dreams Come True Embrace the Spirit of Exploration Indulge in Wanderlust Wonders Unveiling Hidden Gems of the World Unforgettable Experiences Await Escape the Ordinary, Embrace Extraordinary Travel Beyond Boundaries Journey with Passion and Purpose Where Travel Dreams Take Flight Immerse Yourself in a World of Wonder Travel with Joy, Create Moments of Bliss Travel Business Niche Names Finding a niche can help you stand out in a crowded market. Here are some niche travel business name ideas: Senior Sojourns: Catering to senior travelers. Teen Treks: Organizing adventure trips for teenagers. Family Frontier: Offering family-friendly vacation packages. Solo Soirees: Specializing in travel experiences for solo travelers. Corporate Caravans: Organizing business trips and corporate retreats. Culinary Quests: Curating food and wine tours for gastronomy enthusiasts. Wellness Wanderlust: Focusing on wellness retreats and rejuvenating experiences. Culture Crossroads: Providing immersive cultural tours and heritage experiences. Wilderness Ventures: Specializing in outdoor and wilderness expeditions. Luxury Escapades: Offering high-end luxury travel experiences and bespoke vacations. Sustainable Sojourns: Promoting eco-friendly and sustainable travel practices. Adventure Abodes: Creating unique accommodation experiences for thrill-seekers. Honeymoon Havens: Designing romantic getaways and honeymoon packages. Artistic Expeditions: Combining art, creativity, and travel through curated art-focused tours. Photography Pilgrimages: Catering to photography enthusiasts with specialized tours and workshops. Spiritual Sojourns: Organizing spiritual retreats and transformative travel experiences. Online Travel Agency Name Ideas In the digital age, online travel agencies have become increasingly popular. Here are some catchy name ideas for your online travel agency: Virtual Voyages Click and Cruise Cyber Sojourns Digital Destinations e-Expeditions WanderWeb TravelTech Online Odyssey WebWander e-Wanderlust Digital Dream Trips Virtual Vacationers ExploreOnline Click to Discover eJourney Junction CyberWorld Travels WebWanderlust Virtual Voyager e-Adventure Hub Online Excursion Epic Expedition Companies Epic names often resonate with adventure lovers and thrill-seekers. Here are some ideas: Thrill Seekers Travel Daring Destinations Adrenaline Adventures Extreme Escapes Fearless Flights Names Inspired by Wanderlust Names that encapsulate the spirit of wanderlust can be alluring to many travelers. Here are some examples: Wandering Wings Roaming Rivers Boundless Backpackers Drifting Dreams Nomadic Navigations Affordable Adventure Agencies If your business caters to budget travelers, consider a name that reflects affordability. Here are some suggestions: Budget Breaks Pocket-Friendly Paths Economical Excursions Frugal Flights Savvy Sojourns Tips for Creating Travel Business Names The art of naming a business can be complicated, but its essential to spend time on it, as the name can either attract or repel potential customers. Regarding travel businesses, names need to evoke feelings of adventure, relaxation, or luxury, depending on the target audience. Lets look at some tips to help you create an ideal travel business name. Clarity and Simplicity: The name should be easy to pronounce, spell, and remember. Complex names might confuse potential customers and drive them away. Examples: Clear Skies Travel, SimpliCruise Uniqueness and Originality: The travel industry is saturated with businesses, so your name must stand out. Find a unique angle that reflects what your business offers that others do not. Examples: Uncharted Getaways, Pristine Pathways Audience-Appropriate: Consider your target demographic, their tastes, and what would appeal to them. If youre targeting luxury travel experiences, a name like Budget Breaks wont resonate well. Examples: Opulent Journeys, LuxeVoyage Domain Availability: Its crucial to ensure your business names domain is available for your website. If your selected names domain is taken, you might have to consider revising your choice. Examples: www.AirborneAdventures.com , www.EcoTrekTravel.com Consider SEO When Naming Your Travel Business When it comes to naming your travel business, its essential to consider the impact of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) on your online visibility. Incorporating relevant keywords into your business name can greatly improve your chances of being discovered by potential customers who are actively searching for travel services. However, its important to strike a balance and avoid using overly generic terms that may face stiff competition in search engine rankings. By conducting keyword research and understanding the search behavior of your target audience, you can identify specific words or phrases that resonate with potential customers. These keywords could include destination names, types of travel experiences, or unique selling points that set your business apart. By including these relevant terms in your business name, you increase the likelihood of appearing in search results when customers are actively seeking the services you provide. While its important to be specific and targeted with your keywords, avoiding overly generic terms is equally crucial. Highly competitive generic keywords may make it challenging for your business to stand out among many search results. Instead, strive for a name that is unique, memorable, and representative of your brands identity. This will help create a distinct online presence and differentiate your travel business from the competition. By carefully considering SEO when naming your travel business, you can optimize your online visibility, enabling potential customers to find you more easily. Remember to balance incorporating relevant keywords and avoiding generic terms, allowing you to enhance your visibility and attract the right audience to your travel services. The Process of Naming Your Travel Business Naming your creative travel agency or travel company requires a thoughtful process. Here are the steps involved: Define Your Brand: Understand your brands values, mission, and target demographic. Consider the type of travel services you offer, such as sea cruise services, travel tours, or dream destinations. Brainstorm: Generate a list of names that reflect your brand and resonate with your audience. Think about words that convey the essence of your services, target locations, or the unique experiences you provide. Shortlist: Review your brainstormed names and eliminate options that dont align with your brand identity, are difficult to pronounce or spell, or dont feel right for your business. Feedback: Share your shortlisted names with potential customers, friends, and family to gather feedback and gain fresh perspectives. Their insights can help you make an informed decision. Check Availability: Ensure that the chosen name is available for registration in your area and check if the corresponding domain name is free for your website. This step avoids conflicts with existing businesses and ensures a consistent online presence. Register Your Name: Once youve made your final choice, register your travel agency or company name to secure your brand identity and protect it legally. By following these steps, youll be on your way to establishing your own travel agency or becoming a travel agent with a captivating and memorable business name. Travel Business Name Generators If youre finding it challenging to come up with a name, a travel business name generator can be a useful tool. They can provide a list of names based on keywords you input, helping spark your creativity. Some popular options include: Namelix Novanym Squadhelp NameMesh Keep in mind that these generators should be used for inspiration, and its essential to follow the steps above to ensure the name you choose aligns with your brand. Frequently Asked Questions Why is a good name important for my travel business? A good name is vital for your travel agency as it sets the tone for your brand, helps you stand out in the industry, and attracts potential customers. It should be memorable, catchy, and aligned with the type of travel experiences you offer. What factors should I consider when naming my travel business? When brainstorming travel company name ideas, consider your target audience, the unique selling points of your business, and the emotions you want to evoke. Aim for a name that is creative, reflects the adventurous nature of your services, and resonates with your ideal customers. How can SEO help my travel business name? Including relevant keywords in your travel agency name can improve your search engine visibility. Incorporate terms like travel, tours, or location-specific keywords to enhance your online presence and attract organic traffic. What is the process for naming my travel business? Start by conducting market research and analyzing your competitors. Then, brainstorm a list of potential names, considering factors like brand identity, target audience, and domain availability. Seek feedback from trusted individuals, and once youve selected a name, register it to protect your brand. Can I use a travel business name generator? Absolutely! Utilizing a travel agency name generator can provide inspiration and spark ideas. However, its important to combine the generators suggestions with your creativity and ensure the final name aligns with your brand vision. Remember, a well-chosen travel company name has the power to leave a lasting impression and attract the attention of adventurous travelers seeking unique experiences. Conclusion Choosing the right business name for your travel company is a significant first step in your entrepreneurial journey. The name should resonate with your audience, reflect your brands identity, and be unique enough to stand out in the market. Remember, a name carries more than just a label; it holds the essence of who you are as a business and what you stand for. Happy naming! Get ready for the weekend with tips on exhibitions, live music and best places to explore the night sky for July 21-23. Astronomer's job is not easy, but sometimes, you don't need fancy equipment to enjoy the stars. (Illustrative photo) (Source: Vladimir Simicek, TASR) Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page Travel Stargazing The stargazing season is here. The sky above Slovakia will soon be filled with shooting stars, the Perseid meteor shower and planets aligning. One of the best places to admire the sky is the observatory in the High Tatras on Lomnicky Peak. At 2,634 metres above sea level, the astronomical observatory is currently the highest publicly open space to look at the sky up close. The observatory opened it gates to the public just recently. Youll be able to observe the suns corona from there between 8:00 and 16:00. The observatory is not the only thing in the area to enjoy the landscape sights are well worth the trip. To reach the Tatras second highest peak, use the cableways. Starting from Tatranska Lomnica, you will find a six-seat orange cableway that will take you to a stop in between stations. From there, take the 15-seat gondola to the tarn Skalnate Pleso. The tarn is a great stop for a trip and maybe a short hike as well. The last part of the journey up high is the red cableway, taking visitors directly to Lomnicky Peak in under ten minutes. Dont forget to book your tickets! If youre having difficulties, you can watch the video on how to get them on the official High Tatras website. When stargazing, always look for places with low light smog. (Source: Jan Kroslak, SME) Catching the Milky Way Even though the High Tatras are the birthplace of some stunning astro-photos, it is not the only place to enjoy the night sky. There are three parks of dark skies (Park tmavej oblohy) in Slovakia that allow astronomy enthusiasts and star lovers to see the Milky Way. All of the places are out of the reach from any lights, therefore there is little to no light smog clouding the view. One of them is in the national park Poloniny located in eastern Slovakia, which is the best spot for seeing the darkest, the most clear sky above Slovakia. Ideal spots are on meadows outside of forests. Be careful to prepare accordingly pack warmer clothes just in case and beware of wild animals. The naked eye can catch more than 2,000 stars without the need of any stargazing equipment. Enjoying the Perseid meteor shower The other two parks of dark skies are located in Horne Kysuce in western Slovakia and Velka Fatra in northern Slovakia. Both of them require no equipment to enjoy the sky above. They are also suitable for watching space phenomena. On August 1, star lovers will be able to fully enjoy the so called super full-moon. In August there will also be the Perseid meteor showers to enjoy. Visible throughout the whole month, the highest visibility will be on the night from August 13 to August 14. If you do bring any equipment, the parks are also a great place to watch planets align at the right time. The whole picture The get the whole picture of the night sky, also try out Chopok, which even NASA themselves admired. For tamer adventures, there are also altogether five observatories with a planetarium in Slovakia. There are more observatories in Slovakia too, but without the planetariums. The planetariums are in Hlohovec, Ziar nad Hronom, Hurbanovo, Kosice and Presov. Slovakia is full of observatories and planetariums. (Source: Vladimir Simicek, TASR) TIP: How will you feel after hiking up to Horne Kysuce or Poloniny? Here's the vocabulary to describe heat discomfort in Slovak - in a fun way. Exhibitions Mukbang, my dear Opulence and food are the main theme of a new exhibition in the Jan Koniarek Gallery in Trnava. Artist Mara Novak spins around the concept of mukbang videos watched by millions. Mukbang is a kind of eating show, often with large amounts of food involved. Novak has created a photo montage out of mukbang videos and put them into pseudo-artifacts in the art cycle Mukbang, my dear. Other than the mukbang fest, visitors will be able to enjoy the exhibition Insiders portraying contemporary figurative drawings and paintings. The exhibition is a cooperation with the Olivier Waltman Galerie in Paris. Archivist of Hybrids Where does nature end and advanced material starts? Author Ludmila Machova asks the question in her exhibition Archivist of Hybrids that takes place in the Medium Gallery, in Bratislava, joined by the exhibition Footnote on the Temporary Matter II. Somebodies, somewheres, somethings Last but not least, Bratislava Castle is also dabbling in art. There, you will find a cooperative work of photography students and students of new media titled Somebodies, somewhere, somethings. The authors explore the topics behind shallow social-media photos, photography communicating with the public and how representation in photography changes our perceptions. Bratislava Castle is often open for exhibitions. (Illustrative photo) (Source: Tomas Benedikovic, SME) TIP: The history of wine in Slovakia is vast. Read more about what Slovaks used to prefer. Activities Bridges Artists from the United States and Slovakia have teamed up for an evening full of dancing and music in the project Mosty Medzi Nami (Bridges Between Us) which will come to fruition on July 25 in the community centre Zahrada in Banska Bystrica. Folk and world music To get the taste of experimental yet traditional Slovak music, concert seekers will be glad to catch the band Dis Is Marketa live in Liptovsky Mikulas. In a community space of Diera Do Sveta, the band will offer some tunes from their debut EP, which combines electro music, experimenting and Slovak folk. Dis Is Marketa will play at July 27, starting at 20:00. video //www.youtube.com/embed/yb911cZKNCo TIP: Hot summer makeover waits for Muran Castle. Other parts of the castle will soon join the tower building with proper roofing. Upcoming events September 12 September 17. Piestany. The international movie festival Cinematik will return to the spa town with a fresh brew of movie titles from Cannes, Sundance and more. Learn more about the festival here. August 1. Kosice. Sunnbrlla and Shallov will come together in a joined show, performing their latest hits. Get the tickets here. The Festival Cinematik brings indie titles, movies from global film festivals and more. (Source: Marko Erd, SME) BEFORE YOU GO WHAT TO BE POSITIVE ABOUT: A traditional Slovak meal named zemiakove placky- a thin potato-based pancake with grease - titled the best snack in Europe. Read more of positive news from Slovakia. WHAT TO DO IN BRATISLAVA: Pride parade returns with all its colours and glory, promenade comes to life with concerts, coronation celebrations will open for locals and foreigners. Here's what to do in Bratislava this week. WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Fancy a youth festival or a nice hike? Have fun without spending anything. That's it for this week. Take care, and have a restful weekend! -Maria Do you have any tips? You can reach Maria at maria.jurikova@spectator.sk Syslovske Polia is an inconspicuous wilderness just a few kilometres from the capital. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page After an 18 year gap, the general public can can finally visit the Protected Bird Area (CHVU) Syslovske Polia near Rusovce, a village on the south bank of the Danube near Bratislava. A newly built nature trail divided into six sections with information about the protected birds and the area's history from Roman times to the period of the Iron Curtain opened on July 1. The protected area is home to two rare bird species, the great bustard and the red-footed falcon. At the same time, it is an important wintering spot for numerous flocks of migrating birds. To see sometimes 300 bustards in a field among grazing roe deer is like seeing a safari in Africa, said Jozef Chavko from the civic association Raptor Protection of Slovakia, as quoted by the Sme daily. It is a very valuable territory for Slovaks and Slovakia. Related article Related article Please admire us only from distance Read more The trail was to have been open from July 1 till September 30, i.e. when birds are least sensitive to human disturbance. However, only the first two parts of the trail will be accessible before August 1, in order to allow for the undisturbed nesting of red-footed falcons. For 18 years we were forbidden to enter Syslovske Polia, so I very much appreciate that we found common ground with the conservationists, the municipality, the parish and the mayors of the adjacent districts. My priority was to make sure that families with children could get to this protected area, either on foot or by bicycle, said Radovan Jencik, the mayor of Rusovce. In the protected area, people can only walk or cycle along the trail; motorised vehicles and dogs are not allowed. Bustards consider dogs to be predators and in places where dogs are present, bustards are not interested in nesting, explained Chavko. Related article Related article Slovakia's most endangered bird species appears again after 12 years Read more Chavko appealed to visitors to behave considerately in the protected area. Enjoy nature, walk in the fields, but at the same time keep to the marked route and do not make [unnecessary] noise, Chavko said. If the number of visitors grows beyond a tolerable level, and especially if visitors do not respect the conditions of movement, we will have to close the nature trail. The Syslovske Polia protected area can be reached from Rusovce, which is part of Bratislava and accessible by municipal public transport. The nearest bus stop is Vyvojova, about three kilometres from the start of the trail; parking is also available in Rusovce. Imagine, for a moment, that one day Slovak society is as tolerant as any in Europe. Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share Share Twitter Facebook Whatsapp E-mail Link to the page This Saturday, Slovaks will mark Pride Bratislava for the first time since two of our fellow citizens were brutally murdered because of their sexual orientation last October. It is tempting to let that dark episode breed pessimism or even depression. But we believe brighter days lie on the horizon if we choose to march in that direction. Imagine, for a moment, that one day Slovak society is as tolerant as any in Europe. One where Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual and Intersexual (LGBTI) people believe their national government effectively combats prejudice and intolerance, and where LGBTI people feel no need to hide their identity. A fantasy, you say? On the contrary, this is the evolutionary path recently taken by Ireland. A country that was resistant to change and hostage to status quo just a generation ago, Ireland is now one of the European Union (EU) countries where LGBTI people feel they can be most open about their identity and that their national government combats intolerance. Until as recently as 1993, homosexuality was considered a crime under Irish law. And yet, eight years ago, Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. In May 2015, 62% of the Irish electorate ignored the instructions of its once-dominant Catholic cardinals and bishops and voted in favour of gay marriage. Even constituencies which had previously voted against reforming divorce and abortion laws backed the campaign to legalise same-sex marriage. Ireland's prime minister at the time, Enda Kenny, was quoted in The Guardian as saying, In the privacy of the ballot box, the people made a public statement." He went on to say, "We have disclosed who we are. We are a generous, compassionate, bold and joyful people, who say yes to inclusion." The overwhelmingly high Yes vote marked a key milestone in Irelands social revolution towards a more open, tolerant society. Two years later, Leo Varadkar, an openly gay minister in Ireland's government, was elected the world's fifth openly gay or lesbian prime minister. (Today, openly LGBTI national leaders also include President Edgars Rinkevics of Latvia, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg, and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic of Serbia.) If a country as homogenous as Ireland -- where 98% of citizens speak mainly English and 81% of the population are Catholics, according to Eurobarometer -- can become so tolerant of diversity, then a country with a more diverse population like Slovakia can too. Twenty-one percent of Slovaks speak a language other than Slovak as their mother tongue, and 23% of the population are Protestant, Orthodox, atheist or agnostic. We Slovaks want to live in a country where we feel free to pursue our dreams of a happy, healthy life (however each of us defines it), safe from verbal harassment and physical abuse. This is the promise of Europe. We know we can move in that direction, because we have already made great progress in terms of freedom, democracy, and rule of law over the last 30 years. But progress is not inevitable. What steps will move us forward? Here are five things you, as a citizen, can do now: Show empathy with the LGBTI community. Speak up and act even if you dont feel impacted because you are, at least indirectly family structures are already more diverse than in the past, and statistics indicate someone in your family, class or organisation is LGBTI. Bratislava Pride is a great opportunity for allies to march in solidarity. So too will be Kosice Pride next month. Support teachers, school administrators and civil society initiatives that raise awareness and implement inclusive educational programmes to promote understanding, tolerance and acceptance. Schools and communities need support programs, safe spaces, accessible mental health resources and counseling services. Stand with leaders who represent a tolerant society , be it the Head of State, national, regional or local officials. Reject hostile statements by politicians and other leaders, which serve to isolate, divide, undermine or intimidate marginalised communities. Call for your elected representatives to persist in their efforts for reform. In the past two years, Progressive Slovakia (PS) attempted to introduce registered partnerships, and Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) drafted amendments to effectively introduce life partnerships. Both welcome efforts were unsuccessful in passing Parliament, but deserve another chance. In addition to granting any couple regardless of gender inheritance rights, entitlement to decide about medical treatments, and compensation in the event of death or injury at work, theres a need to strengthen definitions of procedural harassment in the anti-discrimination law, and introduce hate crime legislation. Vote for change at the national level in September. Also, in the coming 12 months before Pride 2024, do so again in the Presidential elections and the European elections. When we citizens choose these actions, then Slovakia can traverse the same path as Ireland. Let's take pride in being similarly European. Let's take pride in our diversity. Lucia Klestincova and Rick Zednik are Co-Presidents of Volt Slovensko. Mikulas Lakatos is Regional Co-Lead of Volt Slovensko. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230720/bffs-astronomers-spot-two-planets-appearing-to-share-same-orbit-1112021016.html BFFs? Astronomers Spot Two Planets Appearing to Share Same Orbit BFFs? Astronomers Spot Two Planets Appearing to Share Same Orbit In what might be the ultimate match made in heaven, two planets in a distant star system might be sharing the same orbit. However, another theory is much darker. 2023-07-20T20:24+0000 2023-07-20T20:24+0000 2023-07-20T20:21+0000 beyond politics european southern observatory astronomy planet trojan /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/14/1112020854_0:280:1280:1000_1920x0_80_0_0_3f44198a72144c7088509363227506ed.jpg A Spanish-led team of astronomers believe they have spotted evidence of a second planet sharing the orbit of PDS 70b, a gas giant orbiting a star 370 light-years away.The PDS 70 system is fascinating to astronomers for a number of reasons, including that its an extremely young star with a protoplanetary disk surrounding it, indicating several planets are in the process of formation. Now, astronomers believe theyve made another discovery using the telescope: a cloud of debris in the same orbit as PDS 70b.At the moment its being called a Trojan, which is a term used for asteroids that follow planets in their orbit around their host star, typically at the Lagrangian Points, where gravity between the planet and star is at equilibrium. However, the scientists arent dismissing the possibility that the object is either a planet still in formation or perhaps the remnants of one already torn apart."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," lead author Olga Balsalobre-Ruza of the Center for Astrobiology in Madrid said in a statement.For two planets to share the same orbit, they would have to orbit at exactly the same speed; otherwise, one would eventually catch up with the other and they would collide. Sometimes, planets can cross paths, but if their orbit is in resonance, then they will never find themselves at the same place at the same time. Plutos orbit crosses that of Neptune, although Pluto has not been considered a planet since 2006, when it was downgraded by the International Astronomical Union to a Kuiper Belt Object or Minor Planet following the discovery of other similar objects beyond Neptunes orbit.In order for the scientists to confirm their find, they will have to wait until 2026 because the objects orbit their host star so slowly: PDS 70b takes 119 years to complete a single orbit.The group's findings are summarized in an article published in the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Fantine Gardinier Fantine Gardinier News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Fantine Gardinier two planets; same orbit; astronomy; european southern observatory President Yoon Suk Yeol uses the periscope of the USS Kentucky nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine while touring the vessel on July 19, a day after it anchored at Busan Naval Base. Courtesy of U.S. Navy Seoul threatens end of Kim Jong-un regime if Pyongyang launches nukes By Nam Hyun-woo Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are rising further, as the two Koreas traded barbs over North Korea's threat to use nuclear weapons in protest of the recent visit of a United States nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) to South Korea's Busan. South Korea's Ministry of National Defense said in a statement, Friday, that any nuclear attack by the North on the Seoul-Washington alliance will face "simultaneous, overwhelming and decisive responses" which will put "an end to the North's regime." "The South Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting and the deployment of the SSBN were just defensive countermeasures against the North's nuclear and missile threats," the ministry said. The NCG's first meeting took place at Seoul's presidential office on Tuesday, becoming a new apparatus for the allies' war planning against North Korea involving nuclear weapons. As part of showcasing its commitment to extended deterrence for Seoul, Washington also deployed the USS Kentucky to the Busan Naval Base, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol toured the submarine on Wednesday, becoming the first foreign head of state to step foot on a U.S. SSBN. The ministry's statement came hours after North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun-nam released a statement, late Thursday, threatening that the NCG meeting and the deployment of U.S. strategic assets could constitute the conditions necessary for the regime's use of nuclear weapons. "I remind the U.S. military of the fact that the ever-increasing visibility of the deployment of the strategic nuclear submarine and other strategic assets may fall under the conditions of the use of nuclear weapons specified in the DPRK law on the nuclear force policy," Kang said, referring to North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "The DPRK's doctrine on the use of nuclear weapons allows the execution of necessary action procedures in case a nuclear attack is launched against it or it is judged that the use of nuclear weapons against it is imminent." The doctrine Kang cited was North Korea's new law on nuclear weapons which was enshrined last year. In Article 6 of the doctrine, the North suggested five conditions, the first of which Kang directly referred to in his statement as a general threat to the nation. The remaining conditions' fulfillment also depends solely on North Korea's own subjective interpretation. The second and third conditions focus on the specific target of a nuclear attack condition 2 references a threat to the nation's leadership and national nuclear forces command structure, and condition 3 to the North's strategic assets and how imminent it deems the perceived threat. The fourth condition notes that the North can use its nuclear weapons in the event that it is deemed inevitable to prevent the escalation and prolongation of war or to take a position of advantage in a war. The fifth condition also states that it can use nuclear weapons in the event that an existential threat to the regime and the safety of its people is posed. The USS Kentucky nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine is docked at the Busan Naval Base, July 19. Joint Press Corps https://sputnikglobe.com/20230720/hundreds-of-iraqi-citizens-protest-in-baghdad-against-quran-burning-acts-in-sweden-1112021999.html Hundreds of Iraqi Citizens Protest in Baghdad Against Quran-Burning Acts in Sweden Hundreds of Iraqi Citizens Protest in Baghdad Against Quran-Burning Acts in Sweden Hundreds of Iraqi citizens gathered in the center of Baghdad on Thursday to protest against acts of Quran burning in Sweden, a Sputnik correspondent reported. 2023-07-20T22:04+0000 2023-07-20T22:04+0000 2023-07-20T22:02+0000 world iran iraq tahrir square quran sweden ericsson ulf kristersson /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105418/77/1054187730_0:48:1920:1128_1920x0_80_0_0_669f472b1af54ac13f53a66eda221c3c.jpg The demonstration was held in Tahrir Square in the center of the Iraqi capital. Protesters were said to have brought copies of the Quran, banners, portraits of Islamic religious leaders and Iraqi flags. Earlier Thursday, the Iraqi government condemned Quran burning in Sweden and retaliated against the act by opting to expel its Swedish ambassador. The government also warned it would cut ties and halt the operating licenses for Swedish telecom giant Ericsson.In neighboring Iran, the Swedish ambassador to Iran was summoned to the Foreign Ministry where he was warned of the possible consequences of continued attacks on the Muslim holy book.The Tahrir Square protest comes hours after hundreds of Iraqi nationals stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad and set it on fire overnight into Thursday in protest over a planned burning in Stockholm.Iraqi immigrant Salwan Momika, who took part in the earlier June burning incident, was expected to also burn the Quran and the Iraqi flag on Thursday; however, the 37-year-old ultimately stepped on his copy of the Quran instead. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230720/protesters-set-swedish-embassy-in-baghdad-on-fire-amid-quran-burning-backlash---reports-1112001675.html iran iraq sweden Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International iraqi citizens, iraq, quran burning, sweden, protests, tahrir square protests https://sputnikglobe.com/20230720/us-still-morally-legally-bound-for-health-issues-from-pacific-h-bomb-tests---envoy-1112022688.html US Still Morally Legally Bound for Health Issues From Pacific H-Bomb Tests - Envoy US Still Morally Legally Bound for Health Issues From Pacific H-Bomb Tests - Envoy WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US still has a moral obligation to support health care, clean-up efforts and environmental restoration across the islands of the... 20.07.2023, Sputnik International 2023-07-20T23:23+0000 2023-07-20T23:23+0000 2023-07-31T16:54+0000 pacific marshall islands us compensation world nuclear tests /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0a/13/1090052499_0:0:2613:1470_1920x0_80_0_0_199d1065fa4f49ae34dfe6c6df5bc256.jpg "We have tested 67 nuclear devices between the late 1940s and the late 1950s," Yun told a meeting at the Heritage Foundation. US compensation for the health problems and environmental damage caused by nuclear tests are currently being negotiated as part of the current compact talks with the Marshall Islands, Yun noted. "That is part of the compact package that we have discussed with the Marshall Islands," he said. The US has so far committed to providing $7.1 billion in compensation over a 20-year span to the Marshall Islands and two additional Pacific Island nations. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230714/marshall-islands-demands-increased-us-compensation-for-nuclear-testing-legacy-1111881253.html pacific marshall islands Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International pacific, marshall islands, us, compensation, nuclear tests https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/a-colder-cold-war-why-artic-circle-becoming-new-arena-for-us-russia-standoff-1112041721.html A Colder Cold War: Why is Arctic Circle Becoming New Arena for US-Russia Standoff? A Colder Cold War: Why is Arctic Circle Becoming New Arena for US-Russia Standoff? Faced with the loss of its status as a unipolar superpower, the US is seeking to open a new Cold War front in the arctic circle. Jeremy Kuzmarov said that was part of a scramble for resources buried beneath the ice. 2023-07-21T18:31+0000 2023-07-21T18:31+0000 2023-07-21T18:34+0000 jeremy kuzmarov arctic russia us cold war 3.0 new cold war cold war antony blinken norway nato /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0c/01/1091174343_0:144:3000:1832_1920x0_80_0_0_edfcd5b624f441a294a36fd09b271cb2.jpg The US is ramping up tensions in the arctic in a bid to seize the wealth of natural resources uncovered as the ice sheets retreat, a pundit has said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently announced that Washington would open a consulate in the Norwegian city of Tromso, its first diplomatic mission above the Arctic Circle.Journalist Jeremy Kuzmarov told Sputnik that much had changed since the era of cooperation that began with the founding of the Arctic Council of the eight states surrounding the North Pole in 1996."That's been abandoned with this new Cold War and with this new diplomatic outpost. There are other signs that the US is moving in more to the Arctic, and the Russians see that as very provocative," he said.The attraction of the Arctic as a geopolitical battleground is hidden beneath the ice, the commentator said."We're seeing a new scramble to access those resources which are becoming more accessible," he continued. "All three countries, Russia, China and the United States are basically now competing with each other to to exploit that region more and more.""We see a very aggressive US policy that's epitomized by the incorporation of Sweden and Finland into NATO," Kuzmarov noted. "There's a closer relationship with Norway. Seymour Hersh detailed that Norway may have been a key player of the bombing of the Nord Stream two pipeline.""They just fortified that relationship with this new Cold War. And is this really aggressive US strategy that we've discussed on the show? Targeting Russia, promoting regime change in China, isolate and weaken Russia. The editor recalled how Biden's predecessor Donald Trump had offered to buy the artic island of Greenland from Denmark."The US will try and use Greenland as a platform just like they would like use the Arctic and using Norway or in Sweden," Kuzmarov said, pointing out that the US already has military bases on the glacial island. "The sun never set on the British Empire, and it never sets in the American empire."For more cutting-edge analysis of current affairs, tune in to out Sputnik Radio show By Any Means Necessary. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/arctic-bounty-first-stage-of-major-russian-lng-project-kicks-off-1112043435.html arctic russia norway sweden Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png us rivalry with russia over the arctic regions, expansion of nato into scandinavia, will the us go to war with russia and china over the arctic? https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/astronomers-discover-potential-new-type-of-star-emitting-powerful-intermittent-radio-bursts-1112050753.html Astronomers Discover Potential New Type of Star Emitting Powerful Intermittent Radio Bursts Astronomers Discover Potential New Type of Star Emitting Powerful Intermittent Radio Bursts The science team suspects the stellar object might be a new type of magnetar, but its characteristics defy the most basic understanding of how that type of neutron star operates. 2023-07-21T18:57+0000 2023-07-21T18:57+0000 2023-07-21T18:57+0000 beyond politics neutron star radio waves astronomy star science & tech /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/1b/1092554940_0:93:1281:813_1920x0_80_0_0_a3142a3971564a05035ddea2bfa69dae.jpg Some 15,000 light-years from Earth sits an object named GPM J183910 which does something no other stellar object has ever been seen doing: it releases huge bursts of radio waves up to five minutes long, then goes silent for 22 minutes.The object was first spotted by researchers in Western Australia, who were hunting for a second example of a mysterious object spotted by Tyrone ODoherty, a doctoral student at Curtin University in Perth, in 2018. ODohertys object released huge bursts of radio waves every 18 minutes, with each burst lasting about one minute each.The object doesnt fit any known classification of stellar object, although it has properties similar to magnetars, a type of neutron star with a highly energetic magnetic field. Magnetars and their cousins, pulsars, emit electromagnetic radiation such as radio waves in regular bursts, according to how fast they spin, but the frequency of those bursts is 12 seconds at the longest and typically less than 1 second - the period on these two objects were 18 minutes and 22 minutes, respectively. Further, their bursts last for one to several minutes at a time - well beyond the duration of known magnetar or pulsar activity.The reason it isnt simply classified as another type of magnetar is that known magnetar properties dictate that they can only generate radio wave bursts by orbiting above a certain speed known colloquially as the death line.The object weve discovered is spinning way too slowly to produce radio waves - its below the death line, Hurley-Walker said.Hurley Walkers team also looked at past data and found something remarkable: the object had actually been appearing in telescope images for more than 30 years."It showed up in observations by the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in India, and the Very Large Array (VLA) in the USA had observations dating as far back as 1988," she said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/three-potential-dark-stars-powered-by-dark-matter-spotted-using-webb-telescope-1111975934.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230714/astronomers-find-rare-failed-star-mysteriously-blasting-out-radio-emissions-1111880862.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Fantine Gardinier Fantine Gardinier News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Fantine Gardinier magnetar; star; radio waves; western australia; astronomy https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/how-uk-is-complicit-in-ukraines-war-crimes-against-children-1112047482.html How UK is Complicit in Ukraine's War Crimes Against Children How UK is Complicit in Ukraine's War Crimes Against Children British Defense Minister Ben Wallace has bragged that the UK donated 184,000 more artillery shells to Ukraine than planned. He failed to mention that Ukraine is using lethal British arms against civilians and children. 2023-07-21T17:30+0000 2023-07-21T17:30+0000 2023-07-21T18:02+0000 world united kingdom (uk) europe children russia ukraine abduction kidnapping sex abuse organ trafficking /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102183/28/1021832854_0:160:3076:1890_1920x0_80_0_0_b64866bcca761f8e050026aeec716529.jpg "The UK government is showing an increasing illiberal face, from the forced relocation of asylum seekers to Rwanda to their foolish policies against Russia. It looks like a desperate attempt to cover up the failure of relaunching their imperial dreams. It is shameful and dangerous," Paolo Raffone, a strategic analyst and director of the CIPI Foundation in Brussels, told Sputnik.The UK spent 2.3 billion ($2.95 billion) on weapons for Ukraine between April 2022 and March 2023, making London second to Washington in terms of Western military spenders for Kiev.The UK "donated significant quantities of military equipment, ammunition and non-lethal aid" British Defense Minister Ben Wallace announced on Thursday.What was left out of the scope of Wallace's triumphant speech is that the Kiev regime has been using Western "aid" to terrorize civilians of former Ukrainian regions which joined Russia last year in the result of democratic referendums.Storm Shadow Missiles Target Civilian AreasIncapable of waging the much-discussed counteroffensive, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have been attacking civilian infrastructure of the Donbass, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions. To that end, the military has repeatedly used the Franco-British Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which boast a striking range of 250 kilometers (155 miles).In May 2023, the British government announced that it had delivered Storm Shadow cruise missiles to Ukraine, giving the Kiev regime new long-range strike capability.List of Some Ukrainian StrikesA fire broke out in the Lugansk enterprises, causing damages to nearby houses. Civilians were injured, including six children.According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Storm Shadow air-to-air missiles supplied to the Kiev regime by the UK were used for the strike, despite statements from London that these weapons would not be used against civilian targets.Saldo stressed that the numbers and markings on the missile's wreckage left no doubts that these were the Franco-British long-range missiles delivered to the Kiev regime. Saldo highlighted the fact that the strike happened at the time when the summer recreational season for schoolchildren had already begun. "Rockets that bring death to children," the acting governor wrote.How UK Has Failed to Stop Kiev From Killing Civilians Over 9 YearsEarlier, in May, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov shrugged off Kiev's promise not to use NATO-grade weapons against Russia's regions."As for the Crimea, Lugansk, Donetsk regions, Kherson and Zaporozhye, this is the territory of our country and we will defend it as we see fit," Danilov claimed while talking to reporters.Besides ignoring the will of the people who voted to join Russia, Danilov's use of the term "defense" does not correlate with the Ukrainian Armed Forces strikes on civilian infrastructure. Since the beginning of the special operation, the Ukrainian forces have killed 4,546 civilians, including 106 children in new Russian territories.At that time, the British government not only turned a blind eye to the extermination of civilians and children by the Ukrainian military but provided Kiev with weapons and special military training including in "urban conditions".Remarkably, in late June UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace asserted to London's lawmakers that Storm Shadow missiles given to Kiev have had "a significant impact" on the battlefield in Ukraine. Needless to say, he did not specify the damage to the civilian population and infrastructure.Since the West signaled its readiness to send long-range weapons to the Kiev regime, Russian lawmakers have been discussing the necessity to push back the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces at a longer distance, so that they cannot attack civilian areas.On June 13, President Vladimir Putin met with war correspondents covering the Russian special military operation and noted that if Kiev proceeds with attacks against Russian citizens, Moscow would consider forming a "sanitary zone" in Ukraine for the sake of security.How UK Government 'Helps' Children in UkraineIn order to shield children targeted by the Ukrainian shelling and missile strikes, Moscow kicked off an evacuation operation for civilians in liberated regions. Since February 24, 2022, Russia has welcomed over five million residents of Ukraine, of which more than 700,000 were children, as per Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's June 30 statement.Nonetheless, the UK rushed to qualify Russia's humanitarian work as unlawful displacement and "eras[ing] their Ukrainian identity". According to the British government, "education in Ukrainian is denied" to these children. "Their new environments are linguistically and culturally entirely Russian," the report says, ignoring the fact that as per the last census, in 2001, and more recent surveys, the majority of Ukrainians speak Russian, with a third naming it their mother tongue. Most Russian-speakers are located in the current conflict zone.To cap it off, the UK Foreign Office announced sanctions against Russia's International Children's Center Arket, a famous educational center for children on the Black Sea coast.Homeless Ukrainian Refugees and Vulnerable Minors in UKWhile chastising Russia's help to Ukrainian refugees and children, the UK cannot boast of being a champion in this respect. According to some estimates, the UK has so far accommodated around 200,000 Ukrainian refugees, which is fewer than many other European countries, let alone Russia which tops the list of states receiving Ukrainian asylum seekers.To complicate matters further, UK hospitality has certain limits and the number of Ukrainian households with children who have become homeless has risen by 94% since November 2022 from 2,070 to 4,025 in May 2023, according to The Local Government Chronicle, a British weekly magazine. In general, the number of Ukrainian homeless households stood at around 6,000 as of May, as per the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities.Even though the UK provides some educational options for Ukrainian children under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme and the Ukraine Family Scheme, this education wouldn't be in Ukrainian or Russian. Paraphrasing the British government's own statement, the UK's environment is "linguistically and culturally entirely" English.Somehow, the British government also sought to get Ukrainian unaccompanied minors: the British media reported in June 2022 that London even changed laws to allow Ukrainian children to come to Britain "alone."On July 19, DPR Senator Natalia Nikonorova, who is also a member of the parliamentary commission investigating Kiev's crimes against children, told Russian media about multiple instances of unlawful "evacuation" of minors from the territory of breakaway Donbass republics by the Kiev regime.Over 400 children from orphanage houses of Mariupol and Volnovakha vanished without trace after the Kiev regime's illegal "evacuation," per the senator.Earlier, reports emerged saying that thousands of unaccompanied Ukrainian children found their way to Europe. The fate of these children raises questions. In July 2022, The Independent published an article eloquently titled "British paedophiles travelling to Poland to target Ukrainian child refugees". The newspaper reported citing the National Crime Agency (NCA) that at least ten known sex offenders traveled to refugee camps in Poland claiming they were providing "humanitarian assistance" to Ukrainian refugees. Per the NCA, there had been 5,000 unaccompanied Ukrainian minors at the time. However, according to some observers, this could be the tip of a bigger iceberg.In addition to sex abuse, Ukrainian minors could fall prey to organ traffickers, Nikonorova said, stressing that those forcibly taken from Donbass orphanages by the Ukrainian authorities were previously subjected to medical examinations aiming at determining the condition of their organs.It's Harder to Conceal Ukraine's War CrimesWhile bragging about "successfully" arming the Ukrainian military, the UK government does not show the whole picture to its public.The United Nations (UN) cannot but admit the Ukrainian military shelling of civilian infrastructure. To date, the UN has acknowledged 212 cases of attacks targeting schools and hospitals by the Kiev regime, according to Nikonorova.It's getting harder for the collective West to conceal the Ukrainian war crimes, as truth is finding its way out, casting shadow on the Kiev regime's long-standing patrons. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230512/kiev-terrorizes-donbass-civilians-since-it-cannot-win-on-battlefield-1110294477.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/kievs-terror-shelling-of-donbass-signals-growing-desperation-ahead-of-nato-summit-1111722800.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230522/watch-azov-militant-confesses-to-killing-family-with-young-child-in-mariupol-1110509592.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/nato-spent-years-preparing-for-proxy-war-with-russia-in-ukraine-1111838638.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230402/bombshell-report-debunks-icc-warrant-for-putin-and-mainstream-media-sidesteps-it-1109039795.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230506/eu-mulls-paying-ukrainian-refugees-to-go-home-despite-cost-implications-1110139317.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230523/watch-refugee-from-artemovsk-reveals-how-ukrainian-forces-abduct-children--1110530023.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/the-truth-about-ukrainian-war-crimes-against-donbass-civilians-1112031958.html united kingdom (uk) russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova ukrainian military targeting civilians, ukraine terror attacks civilian infrastructure, ukraine kidnapping, ukrainian unaccompanied minors, ukraine minors british pedophiles, sex abuse of ukrainian children, organ trafficking ukrainian children, uk storm shadow missiles stuck civilian areas, ukraine war crimes https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/iranian-foreign-minister-calls-on-un-chief-to-prevent-further-quran-burning-acts-1112046306.html Iranian Foreign Minister Calls on UN Chief to Prevent Further Quran-Burning Acts Iranian Foreign Minister Calls on UN Chief to Prevent Further Quran-Burning Acts Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has sent a formal letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, urging him to take rapid action to prevent repeated desecration of the Quran in Sweden, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Friday. 2023-07-21T15:52+0000 2023-07-21T15:52+0000 2023-07-21T15:52+0000 world iran middle east antonio guterres ulf kristersson iranian foreign ministry quran /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101337/13/1013371305_0:219:4256:2613_1920x0_80_0_0_05f555c0351b7b19157dab7c92d0c5e4.jpg On Wednesday, the Swedish police issued a permit to publicly burn a copy of the Quran in front of the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm. Overnight into Thursday, hundreds of Iraqi nationals stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad and set it on fire in protest. Later in the day, the scheduled action took place in Stockholm. The protesters did not burn a copy of the Quran as planned, but one of them trampled on it. "I request Your Excellency to immediately condemn this action, take necessary measures ASAP in order to prevent the repetition and the dangerous implications of the expansion and persistence of this insulting and provocative phenomenon. I also request Your Excellency to ask the member states of the United Nations to deal strongly with the orchestrators and perpetrators of this action," Amirabdollahian said in the letter. Further Quran desecration acts "under the guise of freedom of speech" are an open insult to the Muslim community and a provocation for various groups that promote Islamophobia and extremism, the minister warned. Issuing permits to desecrate the Quran or any other holy book would have irreversible consequences, including the spread of hate, violence and xenophobia, which poses a threat to peaceful coexistence of the adherents of different religions, he added. Amirabdollahian also said that Sweden's attitude towards repeated acts of desecration of the Quran was "irresponsible" and that Iran was ready to take coordinated action to prevent such acts from taking place in the future. "The repetition of the desecration of the holy Quran and the irresponsible move of the Swedish government to support this disgusting act is highly deplorable. Insulting the beliefs and divine books has no place in any of the divine religions. Iran, alongside other Muslim countries and those that believe in divine books, is ready to take coordinated and deterring action," Amirabdollahian was quoted as saying by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. On June 28, the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, a protest took place outside Stockholm's main mosque during which a Quran was burned. The Swedish police authorized the demonstration. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the authorization was "lawful but inappropriate." A similar demonstration took place in Sweden in January, when Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan burned the Muslim holy book in front of the Turkish embassy. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230705/fahrenheit-451-sweden-swamped-with-applications-to-burn-religious-scriptures-1111675980.html iran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International middle east, quran, quran burning, desacration, desecration, blasphemy, sweden quran burning https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/israeli-police-use-water-cannons-to-disperse-protesters-blocking-tel-avivs-main-highway-1112023549.html Israeli Police Use Water Cannons to Disperse Protesters Blocking Tel Aviv's Main Highway Israeli Police Use Water Cannons to Disperse Protesters Blocking Tel Aviv's Main Highway Hundreds of protesters against the controversial judicial reform in Israel have blocked the main highway in Tel Aviv and are burning fires on the road, a Sputnik correspondent reported late on Thursday. 2023-07-21T00:30+0000 2023-07-21T00:30+0000 2023-07-21T00:28+0000 world israel benjamin netanyahu tel aviv supreme court judicial reform protesters demonstration /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/0c/1b/1091837153_348:0:1793:813_1920x0_80_0_0_81c6591e5c2022f64c0ac1c63fbea451.jpg The protest action comes as part of the mass protests which had been going on in Israel for 28 consecutive weeks and included the blocking of roads, clashes with the police, arrests and riots. Hundreds of other protesters are standing on bridges over the highway. Mounted police are trying to prevent them from entering the Ayalon Highway. The Israeli police are using water cannons to disperse protesters on the highway. There were clashes between mounted police and protesters when law enforcement attempted to disperse the crowd. Earlier, the Israeli parliament approved for second and third readings one of the key clauses of the reform, which limits the power of the Supreme Court to overturn government decisions by declaring them unreasonable. If the bill becomes law, the government will have more power to advertise its decisions and elect officials. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US media on Thursday that the government would drop the most controversial part of the judicial reform. At the same time, the Israeli prime minister said the government and the opposition had been unable to agree on basic provisions of the reform for months, which would possibly prompt the government to advance the legislation unilaterally. israel tel aviv Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International israel, israeli police, water cannons, tel aviv highway, israeli protests, israeli judicial reform, https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/lavrov-brics-counterparts-discuss-preparations-for-future-summit-1112028176.html Lavrov, BRICS Counterparts Discuss Preparations for Future Summit Lavrov, BRICS Counterparts Discuss Preparations for Future Summit Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has discussed preparations for the upcoming BRICS summit in South Africa with his counterparts in the group during an extraordinary meeting via video-conference, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday. 2023-07-21T09:04+0000 2023-07-21T09:04+0000 2023-08-04T10:27+0000 russia sergey lavrov brics russian foreign ministry johannesburg dmitry peskov brics summit 2023 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0c/1e/1105915560_0:156:3089:1893_1920x0_80_0_0_e17d298d00fcaa31a3182418531f6bda.jpg "On July 20, the Russian foreign minister took part in an extraordinary meeting of the BRICS foreign ministers via video-conference. They discussed topical issues related to preparations for the XV BRICS Summit to be held in [the South African city of] Johannesburg from August 22-24," the ministry said in a statement. The top diplomats also exchanged views on developing and strengthening the strategic partnership among members of the organization, as well as discussed plans for the institutional development of the association, the statement read. On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Sputnik that Russian President Vladimir Putin had decided to participate in the BRICS summit via video-conference format, and Lavrov will also be present at the event. BRICS unites the world's largest developing economies Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. A number of other countries intend to join the economic bloc, including Algeria, Argentina, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates and others. South Africa, which assumed the rotating BRICS presidency in January, will host the 15th BRICS summit from August 22-24. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230717/what-is-meant-by-de-dollarization-1111947106.html johannesburg Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, brics, russia and brics, brics summit, south africa summit https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/moscow-calls-impossible-escort-of-ukrainian-grain-supplies-by-turkish-ships-in-black-sea-1112043998.html Escort of Ukrainian Grain Supplies by Turkish Ships in Black Sea Impossible - Moscow Escort of Ukrainian Grain Supplies by Turkish Ships in Black Sea Impossible - Moscow The idea that Turkish ships could escort Ukrainian grain supplies in the Black Sea is impossible and dangerous, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said on Friday. 2023-07-21T14:51+0000 2023-07-21T14:51+0000 2023-07-21T15:06+0000 russia ukrainian crisis black sea grain deal ukrainian drone attacks on russia /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/08/03/1098077900_0:0:1280:720_1920x0_80_0_0_a97b7be7a1e217a4b2be12d1c6af1c0d.jpg The idea that Turkish ships could escort Ukrainian grain supplies in the Black Sea is impossible and dangerous, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said on Friday."We have not discussed this issue, I believe that this option is impossible and dangerous," Vershinin told a briefing, adding the transit of ships in the Black Sea will be discussed soon. "I am sure that these issues [transit of ships] will also be part of the agenda. I think it is wrong to predict now. But the fact that such countries as Russia and Turkiye have a special responsibility and role is without doubt."Vershinin also mentioned that Russia is ready to return to the grain deal if all conditions are fulfilled, but there are currently no negotiations on an alternative to the grain deal."Currently there are no contacts on an alternative to the grain deal, because we have clearly stated our position: let us first get the results of what we have been discussing for a year and received many promises, and then we can restore the joint efforts to supply grain to the world market," Vershinin told reporters.Russia is not ruling out the possibility of a new grain deal with Turkiye, the diplomat emphasized."We are ready to consider various options for further continuation of the supply of grain to the world market, both grain and fertilizers. We have very close interaction with Turkiye, traditional interaction, and we are also in contact with them now and exchanging about what to do in the current situation," Vershinin told journalists, when asked if signing a new grain deal between Moscow and Ankara is possible.Russia intends to do everything to meet the food needs of African countries after the termination of the grain deal, Vershinin highlighted."Of course, contacts are underway, efforts are being made so that African countries do not feel any negative consequences in this sense," he said.The Russian diplomat also noted that UNs measures to preserve the Black Sea Grain Initiative failed."It turns out that one thing is declared and it is not done, and what the UN is trying to do and has been trying to do, to provide some kind of exemption for Russian agricultural exports and fertilizers, simply did not work. It did not work because the mechanism did not work. The statements were somewhere in one place, but the real life was different. This, of course, raises big questions. In this case, it seems to me that our reaction to this is absolutely legitimate and fair. Because the issue of double standards in general, maybe it is a common expression, but unfortunately life forces us to pay attention to it all the time," Vershinin said.On UN Double StandardsThe Russian Foreign Ministry slams double standards showed by the United Nations in its reaction to strikes on Odessa, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said on Friday.Russian military inflicted new retaliation strikes on Thursday night on the areas of production and storage of unmanned boats of Ukraine military in the Odessa region, the Russian Defense Ministry said.UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres then strongly condemned Russian actions."Just today, a statement was issued on behalf of the UN Secretary General regarding the retaliatory strikes on Odessa. Strong condemnation, it harms supposedly food security. But it seems to me that strikes on targets that were actually preparing terrorist attacks. That is not something that should be condemned," Vershinin told a briefing. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/how-russia-and-european-food-producers-are-set-to-benefit-from-grain-deal-suspension--1111996492.html Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, black sea grain deal, ukrainian terrorism, ukrainian drone attacks, russian retaliatory strikes on ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/poland-considering-sending-troops-to-western-ukraine---russian-foreign-intel-head-1112031854.html Poland Considering Sending Troops to Western Ukraine - Russian Foreign Intel Head Poland Considering Sending Troops to Western Ukraine - Russian Foreign Intel Head Poland is considering establishing control over the western part of Ukraine through the deployment of its troops there, Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) Director Sergei Naryshkin said on Friday. 2023-07-21T10:43+0000 2023-07-21T10:43+0000 2023-07-21T11:50+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian crisis sergei naryshkin russian foreign intelligence service ukraine poland /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106146/27/1061462773_0:0:3326:1872_1920x0_80_0_0_9d1422139fa400c81ef38e732fd253bd.jpg The SVR head believes that Warsaw is coming to realize that the defeat of Ukraine is a matter of time. "The Polish leadership is intensifying the mindset to introduce control in the western territories of Ukraine, the western regions by deploying their troops there," Naryshkin said at a meeting held by President Vladimir Putin with the permanent members of the Security Council. In this regard, Putin instructed the Russian foreign intelligence head to monitor Poland's plans for Ukraine.Putin stressed that Polish leaders plan to form a coalition under the guise of NATO and intervene in the conflict in Ukraine in order to seize land and return, as they believe, their historical territories."As for the Polish leaders, they probably expect to form a coalition within NATO... and directly intervene in the conflict in Ukraine in order to then 'tear off' a fatter piece [of land] for themselves, to regain, as they believe, their historical territories today's Western Ukraine," Vladimir Putin said.The union between Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, the reports on which appear in the media, is being made for the subsequent occupation of Ukraine, Putin added."There have been media reports about plans to create a certain so-called Polish-Lithuanian-Ukrainian union: that is, we are not talking about some gathering of mercenaries, there are enough of them, and they are being destroyed, namely a regular, assembled, equipped military unit that is planned to be used for actions on the territory of Ukraine, including for allegedly ensuring the security of the current Western Ukraine. And in fact, if you call things by their proper names for the subsequent occupation of these territories," Putin said at a meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council. ukraine poland Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International poland invades ukraine, ukrainian crisis, poland militarism, russian foreign intelligence service Veterans Minister Park Min-shik, center, and foreign Korean War veterans pose for a photo during an event welcoming their visit to Korea in this Sept. 30, 2022 photo released by Park's office. Yonhap The veterans ministry said Friday a large group of foreign Korean War veterans and their family members will visit Korea next week under a program aimed at commemorating their service during the 1950-53 conflict. Some 200 people from 21 countries, which sent troops or other forms of support to Korea during the war, will be here from Monday through Saturday, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the armistice that halted the conflict, according to the ministry. Among them are 64 war veterans, including Harold R. Throm, a 95-year-old retired U.S. lieutenant colonel, and Patrick J. Finn, a 92 year-old former U.S. Marine, as well as Vincent Courtenay, an 89-year-old former Canadian soldier. Throm took part in the Incheon landing operation and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in 1950, while Finn also fought alongside Throm at the Chosin Reservoir battle. Courtenay is known for his suggestion of an event to commemorate the sacrifices of U.N. troops killed during the Korean War. Since its launch in 2007, the "Turn Toward Busan" event has been observed annually. Some veterans expressed their wish to reunite with their long-lost Korean friends. William Word, a 91-year-old U.S. veteran, is looking to meet a man with the name "Chang" who he said helped him with the laundry work during his service in the southeastern port city of Busan during the war. Edward Buckner, a 91-year-old Canadian veteran, wants to meet "Cho Chock-song" who he said did the cleaning work at his squad during his service here. The group's program here includes a visit to the U.N. Memorial Cemetery in Busan and the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul. (Yonhap) https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/qatars-foreign-ministry-summoned-swedens-envoy-over-quran-burning-incident-1112026985.html Qatar's Foreign Ministry Summons Sweden's Envoy Over Quran-Burning Incident Qatar's Foreign Ministry Summons Sweden's Envoy Over Quran-Burning Incident Qatar's Foreign Ministry said Friday that it summoned Swedish Ambassador Gautam Bhattacharyya to hand him a note of protest over the repeated desecration of the Quran in Sweden. 2023-07-21T06:19+0000 2023-07-21T06:19+0000 2023-07-21T06:21+0000 world qatar sweden quran islam foreign ministry ulf kristersson quran /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/15/1112026815_0:143:2729:1678_1920x0_80_0_0_720acaaa268d95f89a2d3513d10d8ca8.jpg "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces that, on the back of continued attack aimed at the Quran and Islam, it was summoning HE Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to the state Gautam Bhattacharyya to hand him an official objection memo that includes calls on the Swedish authorities to take all the necessary measures to stop these heinous practices," the ministry said in a statement on the website. The ministry noted that Doha expresses "its strong dissatisfaction and denunciation of the repeated permission to attack the Holy Quran in the Kingdom of Sweden, and the failure of the authorities there to stop these practices," adding that "allowing continued attacks against the Quran under the pretense of freedom of expression inflames hatred and violence, threatens peaceful coexistence, and reveals objectionable double standards." The Swedish police have given Iraqi immigrant Salwan Momika the go-ahead to stage another Quran-burning protest. His previous act in June sparked outrage in many Muslim countries. Hundreds of Iraqi demonstrators stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad ahead of Momika's protest, which took place Thursday in front of the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm. In the end, the 37-year-old stepped on his copy of the Quran but did not burn it. On June 28, the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, a protest took place outside Stockholm's main mosque, during which a Quran was burned. The Swedish police authorized the demonstration. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the authorization was "lawful but inappropriate." A similar demonstration took place in Sweden in January when Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan burned the Muslim holy book in front of the Turkish embassy. In July, media reported that Swedish authorities had issued permits for several more acts of burning religious books. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230705/fahrenheit-451-sweden-swamped-with-applications-to-burn-religious-scriptures-1111675980.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230712/fiery-political-activism-swede-seeks-to-burn-nato-charter-in-stockholm-1111831143.html qatar sweden Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International qatar, sweden, quran, quran burning, quran burning incident https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/record-long-and-intense-heat-set-in-phoenix-arizona-1974-record-broken-1112047964.html Record Long and Intense Heat Set in Phoenix, Arizona: 1974 Record Broken Record Long and Intense Heat Set in Phoenix, Arizona: 1974 Record Broken Residents of Phoenix, Arizona, are suffering from abnormally high temperatures, with the city claiming to be the hottest metropolis in the United States. 2023-07-21T17:22+0000 2023-07-21T17:22+0000 2023-07-21T17:22+0000 beyond politics us phoenix arizona national weather service /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/05/1b/1095820995_0:50:960:590_1920x0_80_0_0_e682700c26a72a5b36fbd29a8e75fe0a.jpg On Thursday, the city's meteorological service announced another temperature record: the thermometer installed at the Phoenix airport exceeded 48 degrees, such a number was recorded only for the seventh time in the history of observations. Meteorologists reported a new temperature record for the fourth day in a row, each new day this week is hotter than a year ago. The duration of the established heat is also record-breaking, according to a local radio station, the temperature has been above 43 degrees for more than 20 days. The last time a similar record was recorded was in 1974 when the high temperature lasted 18 days. Weather historian Christopher Burt of the Weather Company told the broadcaster that no other major American city has seen a longer stretch of days reaching at least 110 degrees. Residents of the city, seemingly accustomed to its hot summers, admit that a long summer is exhausting. I have been living in Arizona for 16 years and this is the hottest summer of all, the record heat lasts more than 20 days, and even at night the temperature does not drop below 32 degrees, which only makes everything worse, Phoenix resident Elena Spitz told Sputnik. Spitz is lucky, she admits, as she works from home and can sit out the heat in an air-conditioned room. It is worse for those who have to go to work or do things outside. Even using a car this summer is problematic - the equipment heated in the heat does not allow the owner to relax: The car is in the sun and you have to wait until it cools down to at least touch the steering wheel, Spitz explained. Due to the abnormal heat, according to her, there are almost no people on the streets of the city - few people risk going outside at such a time, in order not to attract and endanger the public, and even pools are closed. Record-setting Phoenix is no exception, but only a confirmation of the general trend of global warming. As Gavin Schmidt, the director of NASAs Goddard Institute for Space Studies, said the day before, the current July, after June, claims to be the hottest month in the history of observations and, possibly, millennia. We are witnessing unprecedented changes around the world, he said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230719/record-breaking-heat-wave-grips-us-phoenix-for-19th-straight-day-1111980645.html phoenix arizona Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International abnormal heat, arizona, phoenix, hot summer, temperature record, high temperature, hottest metropolis, 1974 record broken, heat, national weather service https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/rescued-australian-sailor-reveals-motivation-to-survive-1112032800.html Rescued Australian Sailor Reveals Motivation to Survive Rescued Australian Sailor Reveals Motivation to Survive The unfortunate Australian traveler was rescued after surviving several arduous months in the ocean on just rainwater and raw fish. Timothy Shaddock lost all hope when he heard a helicopter. The pilot happened to notice the boat which later was approached by a fishing trawler. 2023-07-21T14:05+0000 2023-07-21T14:05+0000 2023-07-21T14:05+0000 beyond politics mexico pacific ocean sydney australia sailing /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106832/16/1068321679_0:180:1920:1260_1920x0_80_0_0_70e8bbed4a29b80e16837733123577b6.jpg The adventurer whose boat was damaged in a storm somewhere in the Pacific Ocean a few weeks after he set sail believes that the moral duty to save his dog Bella gave him motivation to survive. Timothy Shaddock adds that in his fight for life with exhaustion, he found comfort in meditation, as well as in keeping notes and swimming in the ocean.The 54-year-old Australian quit his job and moved to Mexico as part of his longing for solitude and marine adventures. In the Mexican Pacific resort of Puerto Vallarta, the traveler-to-be bought a 30-foot catamaran and lived on the boat for two years. In June 2020 he met Bella, a black and brown stray dog, who became his best friend for the next three years.In the pursuit of his dream, the Australian practiced sailing in the Sea of Cortez located between the Baja California peninsula and the Mexican mainland. However, he admitted that in order to prepare for such an adventure one had to actually set sail in the open sea; therefore, Shaddock took short journeys, taking notes on the readiness of the boat. Yet, with the hurricane season unavoidably approaching in April, the sailor had to choose between taking the risk or waiting for one more year. Shaddock couldn't wait, hence the adventure began somewhere in early May, though his reckoning of the past events is vague. His goal was to sail from the Sea of Cortez to French Polynesia.The smooth voyage quickly turned into a true disaster when a storm hit the catamaran a few weeks after it set sail. The sailor lost all the equipment and had to get by on raw fish.On July 12, a helicopter appeared out of the blue, marking the end of the unfortunate three month journey, 2,000 km away from the nearest land. Its pilot, Andres Zamorano, happened to be there by mere coincidence in search of fish schools and was the first person Shaddock had seen in months.After the miraculous happy end, the sailor hopes to return home to Australia and see his family. Although Shaddock's love for the sea remained unwavering, he was not sure when he would dare to leave the dry land again. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230717/australian-sailor-and-his-dog-rescued-after-months-adrift-in-pacific-1111932417.html mexico pacific ocean sydney australia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International what happened to the australian sailor, australian sailor, pacific ocean, timothy shaddock, who is timothy shaddock, dog bella https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/ruchell-magee-only-survivor-of-1970-marin-courthouse-shootout-freed-from-us-prison-1112052411.html Ruchell Magee, Only Survivor of 1970 Marin Courthouse Shootout, Freed From US Prison Ruchell Magee, Only Survivor of 1970 Marin Courthouse Shootout, Freed From US Prison A Black revolutionary identified by activists as the longest-held political prisoner in the United States is set to be free from prison after more than 67 years behind bars, a solidarity group announced. 2023-07-21T21:19+0000 2023-07-21T21:19+0000 2023-07-21T21:17+0000 americas black panther party california angela davis george jackson released /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/101338/08/1013380899_0:97:1024:673_1920x0_80_0_0_fa03053102669c9f5a3c90248dd0f9f8.jpg The Coalition to Free Ruchell Magee revealed on Friday that the 84-year-old activist would soon be released.Magee has been in US prisons since he was 16 years old, having first been imprisoned in Louisiana under a rape charge for having a relationship with an older white woman. After being released in 1962, he was arrested again just six months later in 1963 on charges related to marijuana possession, kidnapping, and robbery, for which he was sentenced to seven years-to-life. The solidarity groups website describes the Los Angeles County Superior Court as having railroaded Magee with trumped-up charges.However, on August 7, 1970, Magee appeared in court as a witness to an alleged murder of a prison guard, of which Black Panther Party (BPP) member James McClain was accused. That same day, another BPP member, 17-year-old Jonathan Jackson, entered the courtroom with the intention of kidnapping Judge Harold Haley and demanding that Jacksons brother, BPP Field Marshal George Jackson, and two other prisoners who together with Jackson formed the Soledad Brothers, be freed from San Quentin Prison. Neither McClain or Magee knew of the plan ahead of time, but after being armed by Jackson, they joined the plot and freed the other prisoners in the courthouse.Magee was held responsible for the entire affair, and during the trial for the Haley's death, police ordered Magee chained and gagged after he delivered a brutal indictment of the California prison system, which he characterized as slavery. Magee was also threatened with execution if he refused to incriminate his co-defendant, BPP member and scholar Angela Davis, who was accused of renting the van used in the getaway and acquiring several of the firearms they used. Magee refused and Davis was acquitted, but he was to stay in prison for the next 53 years.The Coalition to Free Ruchell Magee formed in 2019 as Magees chance at parole approached in 2024, although they have demanded he be freed before then, especially because of his factual innocence, his age of 84 years old, and the risk of COVID-19 in Californias wretched prisons.Some of those freed in recent years include Mutulu Shakur, Jalil Muntaqim, Sundiata Acoli, Janine Phillips Africa and Janet Holloway Africa. However, Mumia Abu-Jamal, a journalist accused of killing a Philadelphia police officer in 1981, has struggled to obtain a new trial based on evidence that the trial in which he was convicted was heavily biased against him. https://sputnikglobe.com/20221216/judge-to-rule-if-jailed-black-revolutionary-mumia-abu-jamal-gets-new-trial-amid-unearthed-evidence-1105533203.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20210506/blinken-warns-of-chinese-aggression-as-colombian-cops-leave-20-dead-1082811017.html americas california Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Fantine Gardinier Fantine Gardinier News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Fantine Gardinier ruchell magee; marin courthouse; black panthers; prisoner https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/russia-strikes-ukrainian-facilities-where-terrorist-attacks-prepared-1112035276.html Russia Strikes Ukrainian Facilities Where Terrorist Attacks Prepared Russia Strikes Ukrainian Facilities Where Terrorist Attacks Prepared The Russian armed forces struck targets in Ukraine, where terrorist attacks with the use of UAVs were being prepared against Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. 2023-07-21T11:49+0000 2023-07-21T11:49+0000 2023-07-21T12:19+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian crisis russian defense ministry donetsk d-30 /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/15/1112036296_0:0:1860:1046_1920x0_80_0_0_cc5de470f0c1aae30e7cca8f11593a61.jpg "Last night, the Russian military carried out strikes with high-precision long-range sea-based weapons at facilities where terrorist attacks against Russia were being prepared with the use of combat unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry said.The goal of the strike has been achieved, all designated objects have been hit, the ministry concluded.On Latest Special Op ResultsUkraine has lost up to 185 military in the Donetsk direction in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry added.The Russian armed forces have repelled nine attacks by Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk direction over the given period, the ministry said in a statement."During the fighting, up to 185 Ukrainian military, three armored combat vehicles, four vehicles, as well as D-20 and D-30 howitzers were destroyed [in the Donetsk direction] over the past day," the statement read.Additionally, Russia repelled three attacks by Ukraine in the Krasny Liman direction, where Kiev lost over 100 military.The Russian armed forces also repulsed one attack in the South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions, with Kiev losing over 175 military. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230720/russian-military-continues-retaliation-strikes-on-drone-boat-depots-in-odessa-1112011558.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230711/ukraine-lost-26000-troops-and-3000-arms-since-start-of-counteroffensive--shoigu--1111814809.html donetsk Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia special military operation in ukraine, ukrainian crisis, special op, high-precision strikes https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/the-truth-about-ukrainian-war-crimes-against-donbass-civilians-1112031958.html The Truth About Ukrainian War Crimes Against Donbass Civilians The Truth About Ukrainian War Crimes Against Donbass Civilians Evidence of Ukraine's torture which has become nothing short of a new norm since the illegitimate 2014 coup is continuing to pile up. Pavel, a member of the youth organization "Anti-Fascist Committee of Mariupol" tells Sputnik his story. 2023-07-21T13:54+0000 2023-07-21T13:54+0000 2023-07-21T15:09+0000 world ukraine donbass torture mariupol russia stepan bandera ukrainian security service (sbu) dpr the united nations (un) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/14/1110485272_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_ff43a6b752615cd8cf3e9d17ea344d2a.jpg "Why? Because I had my own opinion!" says Pavel, when asked why he was detained by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) in September 2014 and held captive until November 2014. "I did not accept that their Bandera [Stepan Bandera, a WW2-era Ukrainian Nazi collaborator Sputnik] was almost higher than the Lord. This is downright wrong. And so many people died because of this plague!"Azov's Neo-Nazi Cleansing in MariupolPavel, then a small coffee shop owner, was 23 when Ukraine was subjugated to an ultra-nationalist junta that forcibly ousted then-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich in February 2014. The young man immediately joined the "Anti-Fascist Committee of Mariupol", a local youth organization engaged in humanitarian work. On May 11, 2014, the Eastern Ukrainian city held a referendum on the future of the breakaway Donbass republics which Pavel helped organize in his district.In June 2014, the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion* seized Mariupol and launched political cleansing. Those suspected of any sympathies for Russia were arrested and detained at Ukraine's secret prison at the Mariupol Airport. It was called "The Library", while the detainees were mockingly referred to as "books" by Ukrainian nationalists. The SBU supervised the "black site."Understanding that his freedom and life were at stake, Pavel planned to move to Donetsk and continue his activist work from there. However, in September 2014, he was betrayed by none other than his mother-in-law. She informed Azov militants that Pavel was a pro-Russian activist. The man recalled with bitterness how she deceived him into staying at home so that the neo-Nazi thugs could easily grab him.Torture by Water, Pills, and Shooting Over HeadWhile at the airport, Pavel was placed into a cooling chamber. It was unbearably cold there, especially given that the man wore only a T-shirt, shorts and slippers. He spent three days trying to warm himself by rolling up pieces of newspaper into balls and putting them under his T-shirt.After that Pavel was taken for interrogation.But that was not all. They also forced their captives to drink enormous amounts of water at one time."I could drink at one time under pressure of course five liters, maybe two five-liter bottles. If you wanted to live, you had to drink."One should bear in mind that the human kidneys can filter as little as 100 ml per hour. Drinking up to 10 liters of water at once could lead to acute renal failure and, eventually, death.Ukrainians also entertained themselves by shooting over the heads of the captives at a shooting range."After charges were brought against us, we were taken to a shooting range," Pavel recalled. "We were set where targets were usually set. And we had to stand there. And they came to have fun, shooting in our direction. They shot a little above the head, but still one understood that he [could easily die]."A month before the prison swap, the captives were taken somewhere to a landfill. The Dnepr Regimen was deployed there. It was headed at the time by Ukrainian nationalist Yuri Bereza, notorious for his vow to "burn down Crimea, with all of its residents if needed."Three months in the Ukrainian captivity left scars on Pavel's head, a fractured leg, and epileptic seizures.He was swapped in November 2014 along with other 24 detainees. Presently, Pavel serves in the Russian Armed Forces in the DPR.Over 1,300 Returnees Subjected to Ukrainian TorturePavel's story is not a standalone case. Lots of individuals returning from Ukrainian captivity shared terrible experiences in the Ukrainian torture chambers. Many more cannot tell their stories because they couldn't bear further torture and died.This prompted the DPR commissioner to start taking all the former detainees to medical institutions, where they underwent appropriate examinations. After that DPR law enforcement agencies interviewed them, and initiated criminal cases against the Ukrainian side, per Morozova."From 2014 to the beginning of the special military operation, we have swapped over 1,300 people. Almost all of them were subjected to torture," the DPR commissioner for human rights stressed.Worsening SituationCurrently, the situation has got worse, according to Morozova, referring to shocking instances of the Ukrainian military torturing, mutilating and killing Russian prisoners of war (POWs) which surfaced during the special military operation.Ukraine's abuse of human rights is gaining steam since the West failed to take measures over the past nine years, Morozova underscored. Despite Donbass activists and Russia presenting evidence of Ukraine's human rights violations to the United Nations and other international organizations, the response has so far been lax and improper, according to the commissioner.International Organizations Should Hear TruthThe latest UN report placed emphasis on illegal detention and brutal interrogation of civilians by the Ukrainian law enforcement agencies. It's not the first report issued by the UN on the matter, Morozova noted, adding that more and more captives and their relatives are contacting international human rights groups over Ukraine's torture practices.The commissioner noted that she had recently faced unwillingness of the members of the UN Security Council to listen to her as a speaker from Donbass. According to Morozova, the pro-Western group within the UNSC has taken the stance of seeing no evil and hearing no evil.*Azov Battalion is a terrorist organization banned in Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/blood-on-the-walls-inside-ukraines-torture-chambers-1111796712.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/how-ukraine-torture-sites-became-new-norm-1111504260.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20220511/journo-is-it-coincidence-that-some-cia-torture-techniques-are-so-popular-with-ukrainian-neo-nazis-1095441987.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230710/ukraine-using-russian-pows-as-human-demining-shields-volunteer-says-1111782037.html ukraine donbass mariupol russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Ekaterina Blinova Ekaterina Blinova News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Pavel, a former owner of a small coffee shop from Mariupol, tells what he had to go through while a prisoner of the Ukrainian Nazis Pavel, a former owner of a small coffee shop from Mariupol, tells what he had to go through while a prisoner of the Ukrainian Nazis 2023-07-21T13:54+0000 true PT1M22S Ukrainian soldier spoke about how the Ukrainian army treats PoWs Ukrainian soldier spoke about how the Ukrainian army treats PoWs 2023-07-21T13:54+0000 true PT0M28S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Ekaterina Blinova ukrainian torture chambers, torture of civilians, torture of pows, ukrainian sbu, ukrainian security service, neo-nazi azov battalion, human rights abuse by ukraine, un reports human rights abuse by ukrainian servicemen, torture techniques, ukraine violation of geneva convention https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/uk-parliament-highlights-scotlands-growing-military-importance-as-arctic-ice-melts-1112046763.html UK Parliament Highlights Scotlands Growing Military Importance as Arctic Ice Melts UK Parliament Highlights Scotlands Growing Military Importance as Arctic Ice Melts The UK Parliaments Scottish Affairs Committee said in a report out Friday that Scotland could require more military presence as melting Arctic ice is likely to open up new shipping routes that Russia and China are keen to exploit. 2023-07-21T17:29+0000 2023-07-21T17:29+0000 2023-07-21T17:29+0000 military uk parliament scotland northern sea route military presence arctic ice melting ice northern sea route united kingdom (uk) /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104084/91/1040849177_0:107:2048:1259_1920x0_80_0_0_de05a664328a8bdf4bd98a2fbc3c3855.jpg According to the Committee, geographical position of Scotland is crucial for UK and NATO defence and security in the North Atlantic and the High North, meaning that "should the situation in the region change, Scotland could become home to a larger defence presence," the report read. The committee, which scrutinizes the policies of Londons Scotland Office, said that while the overriding priority should be to minimize the effects of climate change, the UK government should also prepare for the likelihood that navigation via Arctic routes will gradually become more possible, leading to increased military tensions in the region. One of the potential lanes, known as the Northern Sea Route, runs along Russias Arctic coast. It has the potential to significantly reduce shipping times between Europe and Asia, opening up trade opportunities for both Russia and China. The Committee stressed that China was showing an increasing interest in the Arctic, which could become a gateway for future Chinese projections into the Atlantic. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230130/us-downgrades-uk-armys-status-as-mod-grumbles-about-military-being-hollowed-out-by-aid-to-kiev-1106823973.html scotland united kingdom (uk) Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International scotland, uk parliament, scottish affairs committee, military presence, melting arctic ice, high north, north atlantic, northern sea route https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/un-aware-of-reports-about-ukraine-using-cluster-bombs-says-they-should-not-be-used-1112049603.html UN Aware of Reports About Ukraine Using Cluster Bombs, Says They Should Not be Used UN Aware of Reports About Ukraine Using Cluster Bombs, Says They Should Not be Used The United Nations is aware of reports that Ukraine began firing US-supplied cluster munitions and believes they should not be used, spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Friday. 2023-07-21T18:54+0000 2023-07-21T18:54+0000 2023-07-21T18:54+0000 cluster munitions ukraine the united nations (un) convention on cluster munitions us arms for ukraine ukraine crisis russia cluster bombs military /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/105616/31/1056163110_0:0:591:333_1920x0_80_0_0_19519622261c3ca810791886e696b238.jpg The weapons were expressly designed to cause indiscriminate loss of human life and hideous injuries over a wide area, regardless of who or what is being targeted.On July 7, the US unveiled a new military assistance package for Ukraine which included cluster munitions. The move was widely criticized by human rights activists and opposed by some US lawmakers. On July 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia had the right to use similar weapons, which it has plenty of in stock, if this type of weaponry was used against its forces. The cluster munitions that the US provided to Ukraine have already been deployed in the field, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby confirmed on Thursday. Ukrainians have utilized cluster munitions appropriately and effectively, Kirby said. Cluster munitions are banned by the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which has been joined by 123 countries. The US, Ukraine, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and South Korea are among the countries that have not signed the convention. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230718/ukraine-civilians-children-will-die-for-years-from-us-cluster-bombs---peace-activist-1111958202.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International cluster munitions, us arms for ukraine, convention on cluster munitions, ukraine crisis, ukraine, russia's special military operation, un, us, us-supplied cluster munitions, cluster bombs https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/unexploded-wwii-bombs-found-in-us-navy-shipwreck-off-canadian-coast-1112025456.html Unexploded WWII Bombs Found in US Navy Shipwreck Off Canadian Coast Unexploded WWII Bombs Found in US Navy Shipwreck Off Canadian Coast More than a dozen unexploded bombs were discovered in the shipwreck which dates back to 1942. 2023-07-21T04:05+0000 2023-07-21T04:05+0000 2023-07-21T04:02+0000 beyond politics bomb unexploded bombs ship ship wreckage royal canadian navy /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104668/05/1046680587_0:261:5013:3081_1920x0_80_0_0_87d3f040a36b62a092a0f7273c331e7e.jpg The Royal Canadian Navy announced on Thursday that divers discovered more than a dozen unexploded bombs and artillery projectiles in a US Navy shipwreck off the coast of Newfoundland. The US Navy ships that make up the wreckage are the USS Pollux and the USS Truxtun, which ran aground during a heavy storm on February 18, 1942 in St. Lawrence Harbor.The more than 180 survivors owed their rescue in large part to the tireless, and in many cases, heroic actions of the people of St. Lawrence, the records state.Officials from the Maritime Explosive Ordnance Disposal and the Port Inspection units have surveyed the wreck, the Royal Canadian Navy said."A comprehensive examination is ongoing to assess the presence and potential risk of explosive materials," the Royal Canadian Navy said. "Safety is our paramount concern - we spare no effort in our mission to safeguard the public."The practice of disposing of military munitions at sea was first banned by the Department of Defense in 1970. Congress then passed the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), also known as the Ocean Dumping Act, which regulates and prohibits disposal of material in to the ocean that would unreasonably degrade or endanger human health, welfare, or amenities, or the marine environment, ecological systems, or economic potentialities.The Canadian government has warned that unexploded ordinances can be more ubiquitous than what is found amongst a World War II shipwreck.Unexploded Explosive Ordinances (UXO) can also move or be exposed over time. Freeze-thaw cycles, flooding, forest fires, and storms can uncover buried ordnance or move it from place to place. It can also become more unstable and more dangerous over time. It doesnt matter how old a UXO is, whether its 20 or 100 years old, it can still be very dangerous, the Canadian government explained.A simple rule of thumb is to not touch or disturb any rusted metal that you find on the ground or in the water. This is a good idea even if you are not in an area that was previously used for military training, as any unknown rusted metal can be hazardous, they add, urging anyone who comes across an UXO to call 9-1-1 or the local police as soon as possible. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Mary Manley https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/01/0b/1092187887_0:0:2048:2049_100x100_80_0_0_0c2cc4c84f89aff034cc55bb01fb6697.jpg unexploded bombs, uxo, ship wreckage, shipwreck, wwii, history, royal canadian navy, navy, canada https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/watch-black-sea-fleet-rocketing-surface-targets-during-drills--1112027715.html Watch Black Sea Fleet Rocketing Surface Targets During Drills Watch Black Sea Fleet Rocketing Surface Targets During Drills During the drills, Russian ships also trained to intercept hostile vessels and isolate areas forbidden for navigation. 2023-07-21T09:17+0000 2023-07-21T09:17+0000 2023-07-21T09:55+0000 russian armed forces russian black sea fleet military /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/15/1112026560_43:0:1647:902_1920x0_80_0_0_0a1d1f25728054cf5cebb6033feb626a.png Russias Ministry of Defense has published footage that shows the Black Sea Fleet firing cruise anti-ship missiles at training targets. The clip depicts Ivanovets destroying mock enemy ships in the northwestern part of the Black Sea.The obliteration of the target was confirmed by drones and telemetry. Earlier, the Defense Ministry issued a warning that several regions of the Black Sea should be considered dangerous for navigation and that all vessels heading to Ukrainian ports may be considered legitimate targets. Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 The crews of the missile boats of the Black Sea Fleet fired cruise anti-ship missiles at surface targets during the exercise The crews of the missile boats of the Black Sea Fleet fired cruise anti-ship missiles at surface targets during the exercise 2023-07-21T09:17+0000 true PT1M17S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, russian black sea fleet, russia drills black sea, russia black sea Ryu Jung-suk, President and CEO of Canada's National accessArts Centre, poses in front of Canadian artists' works created in collaboration with Korea's Gangnam Welfare Center for the Arts & Culture at the "Intense Difference of Its Own" exhibition at KF Gallery in central Seoul, June 20. Korea Times photo by Kwon Mee-yoo By Kwon Mee-yoo In the exhibition "Intense Difference of Its Own," disability art from Korea and Canada shatters prejudices against disability. The works, ranging from Kim Hyun-woo's paintings, which are steeped in mathematical principles and musical composition, to Carol Harris' whimsical creations and Brian Ehnis's evocative landscapes, further enrich the display, demonstrating the wide array of talent and perspectives that such art brings to the table. The exhibit, commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Canada, is held in cooperation between the Korea Foundation (KF), Canadian Embassy in Korea and Canada's National accessArts Centre (NaAC). It showcases how the works of disabled artists have become an integral part of Canadian diplomacy and global affairs, reflecting the country's commitment to inclusivity, advocacy and human rights. At the heart of this initiative is Ryu Jung-suk, a Korean Canadian who serves as the founding President and CEO of NaAC, who carries an unwavering belief in the power of art, putting artists first in his operation of the organization. When Ryu first joined the art center in 2017, it was operated more as a social service charity, focusing on delivering programs for people with disabilities where art was viewed as a form of social service. "It's such a new thought to think of somebody with a disability as an artist first, that somebody with a disability could actually begin to earn an income, make a presence or make a meaningful contribution to our communities as an artist," Ryu said during an interview with The Korea Times at the KF Gallery in central Seoul, where the exhibition is held, June 20. Installation view of the "Intense Difference of Its Own" exhibition at KF Gallery in central Seoul / Courtesy of Korea Foundation The NaAC was founded in 1975 as the In-Definite Arts Society and after merging with the Momo Movement and the Artistic Expressions, it became Canada's oldest and largest disability arts organization. "Back when we were a much smaller organization, all of our team members were social workers. When I told them, I want to reframe the way we think about supporting our artists as 'artists first,' it was so difficult for them to understand that. It really took a very difficult conversation internally," he said, adding that the evolution has been slow, particularly within the disability sector in Canada. Ryu's groundbreaking approach and relentless activism have begun to shift perceptions, bringing about long-overdue recognition for disabled artists in Canada. He also recognized that the NaAC must continue to advocate and lobby for policy changes to ensure more equitable opportunities for disabled artists. "We constantly lobby the government around changing policies and how things are funded so that there's a more equitable opportunity for somebody with a disability to make a contribution as an artist," he said. Artists with disabilities pose during the opening ceremony of the "Intense Difference of Its Own" exhibition at KF Gallery in central Seoul, June 20. Courtesy of Korea Foundation Another notable fact about the NaAC is that primary federal funding does not come from social services funding streams but rather Global Affairs Canada, the governmental department that manages Canada's diplomatic relations. "In 2021, we announced the very first partnership between global affairs and a disability arts organization, where 13 of our artists' works were acquired to be a part of the Government of Canada's permanent visual arts collection. What's important is that our role in that process is to not create a special procedure because they happen to have a disability, but go through the same assessment process and the same criteria applied to any other artists," Ryu said. The NaAC artists and their works have been shown in various cities around the globe, including Seoul, Hong Kong, Dubai, Guadalajara, New York and Tokyo, increasing the visibility of works by disabled Canadian artists on the global stage and promoting cultural exchange and understanding. The Seoul exhibit is part of the efforts. "For example, the big initiative we did in Dubai was in order to engage in bilateral conversations between Canada and the UAE on human rights. (Global Affairs) view us as an incredible tool to be able to open the doors for that conversation. Empathetic views of people with disabilities can be used as a lever to open up other layers of the conversation around human rights and it is something that, I think, Global Affairs sees as a very powerful tool. We're excited to be able to be part of it and share the Canadian brand," Ryu explained. Korean artist Kim Hyun-woo, also known as Pixel Kim, explains his works at the "Intense Difference of Its Own" exhibition at the International Convention Center Jeju, July 12. Courtesy of Korea Foundation Growing recognition of artists with disabilities Ryu also noted that the change in perception of disabled artists is notably palpable in Korea as well. "Just in the recent few years, I've seen a huge difference. I think suddenly there is not only a desire and an interest, but also a willingness to work with artists, content producers and even actors who have disabilities," Ryu said, giving an example of actor Jung Eun-hye, who is playing a character with Down syndrome in the Korean drama series "Our Blues." "There's an acceptance (in Korea). I don't see that happening in Canada. I haven't seen a mainstream TV series where they've hired an actor with Down syndrome. But here in Korea, that is happening ... The fact that the one piece of art that is hanging in the president of this country's office happens to be by an artist with Down syndrome. You don't see that anywhere else in this world." Ryu highlighted that although recognition for artists with disabilities in Korea has improved, the support system still has significant room for growth. "Even Pixel has bounced between studios because he can't find studio space to work with," Ryu said. Currently, the NaAC provides support to over 350 artists but is still grappling with a significant waitlist for entry due to the lack of opportunities for artists with disabilities. Artist Kim has participated in a residency program at the center and has showcased his work alongside other NaAC artists in Canada and internationally. His collaboration offers a promising insight into the potential for cooperation between Korea and Canada through the works of disabled artists. "We're the largest organization of our kind in Canada and we have a large space that is able to support these types of different endeavors. Not every city or province in Canada has this, but at least we have an example of something that can that work. I think it's a lot of this work is still on the shoulders of parents and caregivers in Korea," he said. "Black Stallion" by Carol Harris / Courtesy of Canada's National accessArts Centre https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/watch-russian-and-chinese-ships-destroy-targets-during-joint-drills-1112029472.html Watch Russian and Chinese Ships Destroy Targets During Joint Drills Watch Russian and Chinese Ships Destroy Targets During Joint Drills Started on July 20, joint Russian-Chinese naval drills 'North/Interaction - 2023' will last for three days. 2023-07-21T12:03+0000 2023-07-21T12:03+0000 2023-07-21T12:03+0000 military russia china sea of japan ministry of defense asia-pacific region /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/07/15/1112027559_33:0:1665:918_1920x0_80_0_0_e4c2104a13a9810f2f88e1e9c2335f3b.png Russias Ministry of Defense has published footage of joint Russian-Chinese naval exercises in the Sea of Japan. The clip shows sailors destroying floating mines and repelling mock attacks.At first, ships thwarted an air attack using rapid-fire anti-aircraft guns. After that, sailors obliterated a fake floating mine using a heavy machine gun installed on a Russian anti-submarine ship "Admiral Tributs." Ministry of Defense officials stressed that Russian and Chinese sailors honed their skills, especially navigation in various formations. The aim of the drills is to enhance peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region. russia china sea of japan Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 Sergey Lebedev Sergey Lebedev News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 During the joint Russian-Chinese naval exercise "North / Interaction - 2023", the sailors of the two countries destroyed a floating sea mine and repelled the attack of a small target During the joint Russian-Chinese naval exercise "North / Interaction - 2023", the sailors of the two countries destroyed a floating sea mine and repelled the attack of a small target 2023-07-21T12:03+0000 true PT1M09S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 Sergey Lebedev russia-china drills, russia-china naval drills, asia pacific, russia-china exercises https://sputnikglobe.com/20230721/zelensky-sacks-kievs-envoy-to-uk-after-nato-summit-sarcasm-critique-1112028124.html Zelensky Sacks Kiev's Envoy to UK After NATO Summit 'Sarcasm' Critique Zelensky Sacks Kiev's Envoy to UK After NATO Summit 'Sarcasm' Critique Kiev's departing ambassador to London is no stranger to controversy. Not only has he made repeated accusations and threats to Russia, but in March he claimed Britain would send double the official number of tanks to Ukraine. 2023-07-21T10:26+0000 2023-07-21T10:26+0000 2023-07-21T10:26+0000 world volodymyr zelensky ben wallace kiev united kingdom (uk) nato /html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107800/85/1078008538_0:0:2924:1645_1920x0_80_0_0_144e0ddf41422849e2b11665c1d0f5c4.jpg Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko had been dismissed, with Kiev's Foreign Ministry giving no official reason for his sacking, British media reported on Friday.One British news website claimed that the ambassador had been on the receiving end of a "very strong" telephone call from Kiev.A diplomatic source told a UK news agency that the reprimand was over his public criticism of Zelensky's response to British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace's comments at last week's NATO summit.Last week, Wallace said that Kiev had treated him like online retail delivery service Amazon, giving him shopping lists of armaments. He hit out that Ukraine should show more gratitude.That followed Zelensky's angry attack on NATO for refusing to admit Ukraine as a member while its conflict with Russia continued. The Ukrainian president later hit back at Wallace, mocking his comments.Wallace has since announced he will be stepping down from his ministerial job at Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's next cabinet reshuffle, expected soon, and exiting politics at the next general election in 2024 or 2025.That was after the PM contradicted the defense secretary, insisting that Zelensky "had expressed his gratitude for what weve done on a number of occasions."It was not the first time that Ukraine's outspoken ambassador has put his foot in it. On March 4, Prystaiko told a US government-run propaganda radio station that Britain would double the number of Challenger 2 tanks it was donating to Ukraine from 14 to 28. That prompted a swift denial from London. https://sputnikglobe.com/20230713/nato-leaders-reportedly-urged-zelensky-to-cool-down-after-criticism-of-alliance-1111844260.html kiev united kingdom (uk) Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 2023 James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60 James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png russia's special military operation (smo) in ukraine, ukrainian ambassador to the uk vadym prystaiko, ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky, why did zelensky sack his ambassador to the uk? Hippodrome 3R will play host to the province's first two-year-old pari-mutuel stakes races of the 2023 season on Friday (July 22) with the opening round of the Future Stars Series for colt and filly trotters. There are two $10,000 divisions Friday with one for the fillies and one for the colts. The series features three preliminary rounds with the top eight point earners returning on Sunday, Sept. 10 for their respective $55,000 finals. The freshman pacing series gets underway on Sunday. The sixth race is the first division for the filly trotters. The morning line favourite is Kenogami Queen (Wheeling N Dealin-Kenogami Darling) from post four for driver Stephane Brosseau. Trained by Jean-Francois Reid, who co-owns and bred the filly with Marie Claude Reid and Mario Menard, Kenogami Queen was third last week in her first pari-mutuel start. Other contenders include Cleveland U Bet (Alarm Detector-Ulittleripper) from post six for driver Robert Shepherd and Sensi Amnesia (Muscle Mass-Torches Angel) from post three for driver Marie-Claude Auger. Auger bred and co-owns the mare, who was a $247,000 career winner. The colts and geldings enter the limelight in the eighth race with a full field of nine starters. The entry of Wild Dream Men (Kadabra-Cersei Hanover) from post one and Rocket Men (Muscle Mass -Secret Missy) from post four are both from the Guy Gagnon Stable and look very formidable. Wild Dream Men just won a qualifier at Rideau Carleton, where stablemate Rocket Men was second. Other contenders include Drinklikehenry (Lookslikeachpndale-Sos Malabar Woman) from post two and Vol De Danque (Wheeling N Dealin-Hawaiian Sweetie) from post three. First race post time for the twilight race card at 3R is 4 pm. For entries, click the following link: Friday Entries - Hippodrome 3R. (QJC) Headlines and articles pulled from the July 19, 1973 edition of the Hemingford Ledger. BLACK FOREST STILL SMOLDERING is Pine Ridge area where 3,100 acres blazed for 2 full days a couple weeks ago. In the middle of private ground just west of Chadron Stat Parks scenic drive, roots of a tree smoldered in a hole below ground Saturday, a full week after the fire was extinguished. WELCOM SIGHTS AS THE HARVEST of wheat gets underway here, especially this year, are the custom cutters on the trail. A dire shortage in the state last week disappeared quickly as cutting was completed in Kansas, and first men and machines quickly loaded Hemingford combine camp and all other space available in the town. Custom cutter John Mongram of Oklahoma brought in six biggest of all machines which finish a field in jig time as they tried one for moisture just a mile east of town Tuesday. TOWN BOARD APPROVES MANY PROJECTS AND FEDERAL AID The Hemingford Village Board of Trustees met in regular session Tuesday evening and concluded considerable business. The board approved the first partial payment to the James Simon Company on the current paving projects underway covering some 11-plus city blocks. The amount of first payment was $29,320. In another action, the board accepted a federal-aid grant from Washington on the construction of a secondary-treatment plant for sewage disposal, in the amount of $62,250. This is a first step towards actual realization of the goal of providing a new plant here. Glen Kotzchwar and Jim Bruns were approved for membership in the HVFD. Mrs. Blanche Ray was approved a new manager of the Hemingford American Legion Club. NEW FEDERAL CANCER PROJECT Hemingford is among 7 towns in Nebraska-and 36 in the Midlands where one or more physicians have been chosen to participate in a new federally financed project to promote more effective use of advances in the treatment of three types of cancer. The other Nebraska towns are Sidney, Scottsbluff, Imperial, Ogallala, Henry and Sargent. A NEBRASKA GIFT TO THE WORLD is shown in the Ledgers annual Wheat Queen day. It was last Sunday, and Nebraska 1972-73 Queen Cynthia Haag, 18-year-old daughter of Ray Haag of Bartley (southeast of McCook), made a 250-mile trip to visit Box Butte Countys addition to her realm of golden wheat under clouded azure skies. She made at least 5 stops and 2 changes of outfits for a photo session as harvest was just getting underway here, and her father was finishing up 350 acres at his place in south-central Nebraska. FAIR QUEEN CONTEST OPEN THIS WEEK The County Fair Queen Contest has been officially opened this week by Hemingford Chamber of Commerce contest chairman Mrs. Robert Kiester and her assistant Mrs. Beverly Bremer. The contest, and annual event for a number of years sponsored by the Hemingford Lions Club, has been taken over this year by the Chamber. As in the past we are hoping for 20 or more contestants, Mrs. Kiester said. She mentioned there have not yet been any entries; however she has already been contacted by a number of prospective sponsors of entries. Girls must not be less than 16 more more than 21 years of age to enter and must be unmarried. It is also required that they be a resident of the county, or of Alliance-Hemingford trade territories. There is no fee for the girls and the sponsor fee is again $15. The Scotts Bluff County Board of Equalization began hearing property valuation protests on Tuesday, July 18 and will continue throughout the weekend and into next week. The Star-Herald sat in on several hearings held on the morning of Friday, July 21 to gather key takeaways for property owners that can help them understand the valuation and protest processes and prepare to participate in future years. Scottsbluff and Gering both received blanket valuation increases of 15% Although multiple protestors made valuation requests that would either keep their property value the same as in the previous year or even lower it, few of these requests were approved by the board. This is due to an increase in valuation on improvements across both Scottsbluff and Gering. Interim assessor Mark Loose said that this increase was necessary to keep values in both communities compliant with the 92%-100% market value accuracy range that assessors are allowed within statute. All of Scottsbluff got a 15% increase just like all of us in Gering got 15% across the board in order for the level of value to fall between 92(%) and 100%, Loose said. They were both low, so the assessor decided to go 15% on improvements. A certified sale price or appraisal of a property can hold for up to two years One Scottsbluff couple moved to the area from out of state in 2022 and purchased a home through a realtor. When it was discovered that the sale was closed less than two years ago, the Board of Equalization immediately approved an assessment matching the sale price. If youre within two years of a recent sale, that sale price will hold, board chair Ken Meyer told the property owner. A similar principle was applied to a home on Enterprise Drive for which the homeowners held a recent certified appraisal. Since the purpose of an appraisal is to determine the fair market value of a home, the board accepts them as credible proof of the homes value for up to two years after the appraisals completion. Valuation comes down to more than just square footage Although the size of a home or property is an important piece in the valuation process, it is not an end-all, be-all defense for the value of that property. The assessor and the Board of Equalization take many other factors into consideration when determining a propertys value, such as improvements, recent sales and the value of comparable properties. Many property owners also discovered that the assessors office records of their own property or of their comparable properties were incomplete or outdated. Reasons for these discrepancies included remodeling done without a permit filed at city offices, resulting in the lack of a new inspection and improvements made that are not visible through Pictometry or other methods that only view the buildings exterior. The assessor and the board recommended that property owners check the specifications given for their property and ensure that they are updated and accurate. If not, the property owner can contact the assessors office and request an inspection of the property. Market value is whatever someone is willing to pay for property When it comes to the valuation of property within the state of Nebraska, the number one factor has always been property sales. Both property owners and board members opined that there are an increasing number of out-of-state buyers who are willing to pay more for property in the county than what the properties are worth. Nebraska is a market value state, board vice chair Mark Harris said. As the market goes up, your valuation will go up regardless of whether theyre from Colorado, California, Florida or wherever else. Whatever theyre selling for is going to drive up that price, and thats valuation. Bidding wars and buyouts have an effect on the value of all comparable properties in the county for this reason. In a state where valuation is guided by sales, whatever a buyer is willing to pay is the market value of the property. That value then goes on to influence unsold properties through the principle of equalization. MADISON A Norfolk woman who terminated her pregnancy last year and later participated in the burning and burial of the remains was sentenced to jail and probation Thursday. Celeste Burgess, 19, was sentenced by District Judge James Kube to 90 days in jail and two years probation for prohibited acts with human skeletal remains, a felony punishable by up to two years in prison. With good behavior, Burgess will serve 53 days in jail before she is released. She pleaded guilty on May 22 and, in exchange for her plea, a misdemeanor charge of concealing another persons death and false reporting were dismissed by the Madison County Attorneys Office. Prosecutors also agreed not to recommend a specific sentence for Burgess, who was 17 at the time of her offense. Burgess was charged last June after police learned that she was involved in the illegal burial of her baby in April 2022. She initially was charged in juvenile court but had her case transferred to district court last July. Former Norfolk Police Detective Ben McBride said he began investigating the death and subsequent disposal of the remains on April 26, 2022. One of Celeste Burgess co-workers notified a Nebraska State Patrol trooper that Burgess, a day earlier, had discussed having experienced a miscarriage and needing to dig the body up and burn the babys body. Testimony from McBride last June revealed that Jessica Burgess ordered Pregnot pills on eBay in March 2022 pills that would allow her daughter to terminate her pregnancy. The Burgesses then enacted a plan to bury the remains at a rural location north of Norfolk. Evidence at Jessica Burgess preliminary hearing last year indicated that the mother and daughter buried the remains three different times and also attempted to burn the remains after the second exhumation. Last July, a then 22-year-old man pleaded no contest to attempted concealing a death, a Class 3 misdemeanor, after he lent support to the Burgesses by providing them with transportation to and from the multiple burial sites. Celeste Burgess told Kube on Thursday that she was unhappy with her pregnancy since she first learned about it. She said she had been in an abusive relationship and did not want to share a child with the man who had impregnated her. Celeste Burgess told Kube, when asked, that she was not coerced by her mother nor any other adult. I was honestly scared at the time, she said. I didn't know what to do. I freaked out. I didn't know what way to turn at all after everything had happened. And I wanted to do the right thing. But then I didn't know if what I was doing at the time was the right thing. I do regret my decisions very much. The judge also asked Burgess if she ever considered having the remains cremated or whether to organize a funeral. Burgess said that her family had struggled financially and that she believed they would not be able to afford funeral costs. Burgess also detailed mental illnesses she has long suffered with, but she acknowledged that her actions were caused by a series of poor choices. The 19-year-old also said she had since given birth to a child, and later had her parental rights terminated. Madison County Attorney Joe Smith said there were several things mentioned by Burgess in the pre-sentence investigation report and in court that arent true at all. Smith detailed text messages sent by Burgess, including one that said, I cant wait to get rid of this thing so I can wear skinny jeans again. And it was clear, Smith said, that Burgess wasnt tricked into taking the Pregnot pills. She knew full well what she was doing, having sent messages about receiving the pills and taking them, telling her mother, Its happening now. With regard to the disposal of the remains, Smith said it was a terrible thing for everybody, especially the (deceased) boy. Chelsey Hartner, deputy Madison County public defender, said the defense wasnt going to make excuses for Celeste Burgess despite her age and mental health. And I think, looking back now, she regrets every step that she took during this course of events, Hartner said. The defense attorney asked Kube to consider probation for Burgess, since she had no prior criminal history. Burgess, in tears, told Kube she was afraid of being taken away from her family and that she was ready to turn her life around. And I'd really like to see instead of getting locked up I would really want a chance to actually prove to everyone that I could be a good person, she said. Kube, who described the case as difficult, said he didn't believe there was a physical health issue, but that Burgess simply didn't want the baby. And maybe that's why it's especially concerning to a lot of people. It wasn't just a wrong decision, it was a wrong decision that involves human life, or at least the life that was living inside of you. Top Journal Star photos for July 2023 Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, shakes hands with his Vietnamese counterpart, Vo Van Thuong, ahead of their talks at the presidential palace in Hanoi, Vietnam, June 23. Yonhap Korea and Vietnam will create trade promotion task forces to help achieve their goal of doubling bilateral trade to $150 billion by 2030, Seoul's industry ministry said Friday. Last month, the two nations signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to set up the "Korea Plus in Vietnam" task force in the Seoul government and the "Vietnam Plus in Korea" team under the Vietnamese government, which will be in charge of exchanging information on trade and industry circumstances, supporting exporters and exploring business opportunities. By doing so, the two nations aim to achieve $150 billion in two-way trade by 2030, up from $87.7 billion in 2022, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. On Friday, Korea's industry ministry held an inaugural meeting to discuss details of the establishment, which was attended by trade officials from the Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul. The officials also discussed how to support the implementation of more than 100 MOUs signed last month between their government organizations and private firms after a summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong in Hanoi. "Korea and Vietnam will hold a ministerial meeting later this year to explore ways to further deepen industry ties and enhance trade," the ministry said in a release. Vietnam was the third-largest trade partner for Korea in 2022, and the two sides have ample room for greater cooperation in broader industries, particularly in minerals, as Vietnam has the second-largest reserves of rare earth minerals in the world, the ministry said. (Yonhap) Five years ago, we began to see dramatic increases in the presentation of serious mental health issues in our students. The Iredell-Statesville Schools Student Services Department took matters into their own hands in 2019 and applied for three large federal grants, in hopes that they could effectively and innovatively begin to meet the growing needs of their students. Iredell-Statesville Schools (I-SS) was the only grantee in the nation to be awarded all three grants at once. The devastating fact is that this isnt unique to Iredell County. Most public schools in North Carolina strive to address the growing mental, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs of students with a severe lack of funding. Student outcomes, both academic and behavioral, are the focus, especially in the most at-risk schools in the county. While Iredell-Statesville students continue to feel the negative ripple effects of a global pandemic, I-SS is hard at work putting federal dollars into school buildings and classrooms. The federal grants have brought over $25 million and 29 staff members to help alleviate the growing pressure and meet the increasing needs of the students that we serve. These funds have been a blessing to our students and county, especially during a time when its hard to go a week without news of yet another devastating school shooting, heartbreaking suicide, or other mental health crisis. However, the other side of that is worth sharing. Without these grant funds, the district would be forced to go from ten social workers to three. All 38 schools would have 22 nurses instead of our current 24 that not only serve the everyday needs of all students but specialize in providing health care support to 3,501 students with an identified health condition. Without these funds, I-SS would have zero behavior specialists instead of the current six. The 16 Student Assistance Program (SAP) coordinators, who work daily to help students improve their mental health and well-being, would be reduced to 12. To be clear, in 2023, it takes much more than classroom teachers to meet the growing social, emotional, mental, and academic needs of our youth. Without the current federal grants, current student-to-staff ratios for counselors, social workers, nurses, and behavior staff are nowhere near the recommended allowances or ratios needed, and truthfully even with the federal dollars it still isnt enough, but its better. School-based therapists and the I-SS School-based therapy program are other examples that would not be possible without grant funding. Once again, in 2022, the Student Services Department applied for yet another grant to make sure the support does not end for students. I-SS was awarded an additional $17 million in grant funding in January 2023, which will allow the I-SS team to build an internal school-based therapy program. Federal grant dollars are impactful, and the Iredell-Statesville Schools are proud and grateful for the opportunity to put the federal dollars to life-changing use to directly benefit our students. However, there is a concerning pattern here. To effectively meet the needs of our student population, the I-SS Student Services Department is having to repeatedly pursue other funding sources that are temporary and have an end date tied to them. Iredell-Statesville Schools is requesting a call to action from the public. Please contact your elected state officials and urge them to appropriately allocate State funds annually so educators can support the mental, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs of our students. At the end of the day, public schools are called to meet the needs of our students, remove barriers and level the educational playing field to make education accessible to ALL students, regardless of their circumstances. The Michelin Guide published an article about the only Armenian restaurant in the US that was included in the prestigious culinary guide. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @zhengyalov_hatz_glendale Armenian cuisine dates back thousands of years. Sitting at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Armenia has unique culinary traditions that have blossomed throughout centuries of history. Below, we do a deep dive on the MICHELIN Guide's only Armenian restaurant in the United States, located just outside of Los Angeles in Glendale, California. Zhengyalov Hatz has brought a piece of that gastronomic heritage to America with its only main menu item, zhingyalov hats. I ask why theres only one menu item, and owner Vresh Osipian explains simply, Its my favorite food. Zhingyal means greens, and hats means bread. It's bread with herbs. Hes excited to share his culture with me. Armenian food is unique with a big personality. Our recipes have been passed down from generation to generation, from families a long time ago. Originally, when people had nothing to eat, they found little flowers and greens. They made some lavash and put the greens inside to feed the children. Despite the streamlined offerings, Osipian is hardly new to the culinary scene. He had previously opened several Zhengyalov Hatz locations in Yerevan, Armenia and Moscow, Russia. Visiting Glendale years ago, Osipian was inspired to share his favorite food with America, with, the purpose to bring food here that is very popular and loved in Armenia. Eating at the restaurant transports diners to Armenia. We have exactly the same design as our restaurants in Yerevan," says Osipian. "Its a national and traditional style of 'Old Yerevan', our capital. He shows me a newly framed photo on the wall that depicts an ancient Armenian family baking thin lavash bread in an underground tonir oven. And despite the volumeZhengyalov Hatz makes hundreds of fresh zhingyalov hats dailythey hit with customers every time and combat waste through knowing their audience. Every day, we receive fresh greens from Fresno. We never keep leftovers overnight, so we order the approximate right amount for each day. So what's the secret sauce behind Zhengyalov Hatz's delectable dish? Its completely vegan with spinach, green chard, red chard, cilantro, dill, sorrel, chervil, white onion, and more. All together, twelve different types of herbs. Since different families have different recipes, theres no one correct way to make zhingyalov hats. Everyone chooses their own recipe. For our greens, we dont use parsley or garlic. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @zhengyalov_hatz_glendale It takes less than a minute to make this bread because the dough is very clean," says Osipian. "The herbs are finely chopped, and then we add sunflower oil and some seasoning. It's important to note where the chef comes from, as after four years in Los Angeles, Zhengyalov Hatz has built a loyal following, but also expanded their customers and staff beyond Armenians. "We have a lot of excellent chefs and customers, not only Armenian. All different nationalities. Enhancing the traditional flavors of the flatbread are the other offeringsall of which are vegetarianincluding okroshka, made from cucumbers and dill, and paxlava, their take on the Greek baklava. "We make our paklava from scratch and use honey, not sugar, so its not too sweet," adds Osipian. The vibe, is meant to be more homestyle Armenian than modern, cultural mecca. Everything is Armenian. We have Armenian music playing all day, and some people say its like going to grandmas house. Same food and same environment. It brings back a lot of memories. And beyond the plate, therein lies the true secret sauce behind Zhengyalov Hatz; its celebration of Armenian culture across all touchpoints. "Armenia became the first Christian nation in the world, starting in the year 303. We have old churches, and Yerevan is a beautiful, bright city. A lot of trees, a lot of parks, a lot of sights to see. Welcome to Armenia. Coming up soon will be an expanded menu including more of the meat-centric dishes of the region. Were working now to add Armenian lahmajun or shawarmamore meaty stuffbecause [we received] a lot of requests. And despite the press and accolades from the food world, Osipian and the restaurant's focus remains the same as when they opened their doors: be friendly to everybody. And done in delicious fashion, naturally. Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram After hearing evidence on Monday, a grand jury returned four felony indictments against a Wythe County man accused of taking guns onto school property in February. Justin Ray Reed, 28, of Max Meadows was scheduled to stand trial on Thursday in Wythe County Circuit Court, but his case was continued. Reed, who has no criminal record, was arrested on Feb. 17 after police said he brought two loaded guns onto Fort Chiswell High School property before being disarmed nearby. According to police, Reed said he was just traveling when they asked him why he was carrying firearms on school grounds. He was indicted on charges of possessing a firearm on school property (two counts) and brandishing a firearm on school property (two counts). He also faces a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge. In a civil hearing after Reeds arrest, the commonwealth got a judge to grant a six-month order preventing him from having guns. The commonwealth also appealed a General District Court judges decision to give Reed a bond. In April, though, a Circuit Court judge granted his bond with a condition that Reed be placed on GPS monitoring. According to court records, Reed was arrested again in late June after being accused of failing to comply with his bond conditions related to an ankle monitor. Accused states that he has complied with his ankle monitoring, a magistrate wrote after Reeds second arrest. States that he is currently wearing it now. Reed, who has hired his own attorneys, is being held in the New River Valley Regional Jail while awaiting trial. He faces 21 years in prison if convicted of all five charges. In other grand jury cases heard on Monday: Daniel Lee Able, 40, of Marion was indicted on an attempted grand larceny charge. Isabel Grace Benfield, 22, of Wytheville was indicted on charges of drug possession and felony child endangerment (two counts). Nichole Shantel Bobbitt, 35, of Crockett was indicted on a drug possession charge. Donald Edward Bowling, 63, of Max Meadows was indicted on malicious wounding and strangulation charges. Adrian Aline Carver, 21, of Marion was indicted on a drug possession charge. Rebecca Lynn Christian, 46, of Princeton, West Virginia, was indicted on two drug possession charges. Curtis Ledele Coffey, 20, of Max Meadows was indicted on a charge of assaulting a law enforcement officer. Andrew Daniel Cook, 27, of Bakersville, North Carolina, was indicted on charges of possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute, conspiring to possess marijuana with the intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Michelle Dawn Cook, 45, of Wytheville was indicted on a drug possession charge. Jonathan Paul Cornwell, 46, of Bluefield was indicted on a drug possession charge. James Early Dangerfield, 39, of Beckley, West Virginia, was indicted on charges of forging public records and uttering. Carl Blaine Fisher, 30, of Wytheville was indicted on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Bobby Joe Goins, 57, of Mount Airy, North Carolina, was indicted on a possessing burglary tools charge. Brittany Lynn Harmon, 32, of Dublin was indicted on a charge of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Anthonie Allin Hodge, 33, of Wytheville was indicted on eight felony child endangerment charges. Amelia Lynn Jennelle, 22, of Draper was indicted on an attempted uttering charge. Jordan Patrick Kelly, 28, of Ivanhoe was indicted on charges of possessing drugs with the intent to distribute near school property, driving suspended-DUI-related and possessing with the intent to manufacture/etc. drugs. Amanda Lynn Kertesz, 38, of Pulaski was indicted on charges of drug possession and being a felon in possession of a weapon or ammunition (two counts). Neal Stanley King III, 47, of Rural Retreat was indicted on charges of abduction and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Gerald Randolph Lyons, 57, of Ararat was indicted on a possessing burglary tools charge. Robert Stephen Neal, 36, of Atkins was indicted on a drug possession charge. Richard Allen Nichols, 37, of Wytheville was indicted on a charge of possessing with the intent to manufacture/etc. drugs. Mark Edward Perry, 52, of Fries was indicted on a drug possession charge. Kelly Ann Porter, 39, of Wytheville was indicted on charges of possessing a stolen title and larceny of a catalytic converter. Elizabeth M. Remines, 37, of Rural Retreat was indicted on a felony child endangerment charge. Thomas Cooper Scott, 24, of Lynchburg was indicted on a charge of possessing with the intent to manufacture/etc. drugs. Michael Anthony Sheets, 33, of Marion was indicted on a drug possession charge. Christopher Jennings Sizemore, 44, of Rocky Gap was indicted on charges of automobile larceny (two counts) and grand larceny (two counts). Edward A. Smith, 48, of Morgantown, West Virginia, was indicted on a drug possession charge. Adam Franklin Snider, 44, of Wytheville was indicted on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Caleb Dylan Spencer, 22, of Max Meadows was indicted on an automobile larceny charge. William Dereck Tilley, 28, of Barren Springs was indicted on a drug possession charge. Jeffrey Calvin Turpin, 57, of Wytheville was indicted on charges of automobile larceny (two counts) and grand larceny (two counts). Franklin Dean Underwood III, 31, of Wytheville was indicted on an embezzlement charge. Timothy Charles Walsh, 57, of Wytheville was indicted on two charges of uttering a forged check. Zimri Christopher Wilson, 39, of Wytheville was indicted on a forgery charge. Sunil Kumar Yadav Vs Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) (CESTAT Kolkata) Introduction: In the recent case of Sunil Kumar Yadav Vs Commissioner of Customs (Preventive) (CESTAT Kolkata), the tribunal heard an appeal regarding the confiscation of cut Betel Nuts from a vehicle originating from Nepal. The appellant, Sunil Kumar Yadav, claimed ownership of the goods, arguing that the Department failed to follow proper procedures and rules. Analysis: The Customs Officials had intercepted a vehicle from Nepal to India near the Indo-Nepal Border, carrying 1500 Kgs of cut Betel Nut without proper documentation. The goods, valued at Rs.3,00,000/-, along with the vehicle, valued at Rs.1,40,000/-, were seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962. Statements from the detained person and vehicle owner revealed the goods were supposed to be transported within Nepal. Five months later, Sunil Kumar Yadav claimed ownership of the Betel Nut, stating that the goods were dispatched to Navin Kumar. However, the tribunal found discrepancies in Yadavs claim, particularly his inaction over the failure of the consignment to reach Navin Kumar. Yadavs arguments that the Department failed to provide copies of Panchnama, Seizure Report, and Recorded Statements and his documents to prove the goods were of Indian origin were insufficient to sway the tribunals decision. The tribunal upheld the authorities findings and emphasized that the principles of natural justice were followed in the adjudication process. Conclusion: The CESTAT Kolkata, after hearing both sides and reviewing the evidence, upheld the confiscation of the Betel Nuts and the imposition of penalties on the appellant, Sunil Kumar Yadav. The tribunals decision underlines the significance of adhering to proper documentation and procedures in cross-border transportation of goods. It also stresses the importance of the principles of natural justice in the adjudication process. FULL TEXT OF THE CESTAT KOLKATA ORDER On 10/04/2015, the Customs Officials intercepted one vehicle bearing Nepal Registration No. Na-2-Cha/6141 loaded with Cut Betel Nut coming from Nepal to India near Indo-Nepal Border Pillar No.- 321. The Driver of the vehicle could not provide any proper document for the consignment 1500 Kgs of cut Betel Nut valued at Rs.3,00,000/- along with the vehicle bearing Nepal Registration No. Na-2-Cha/6141 valued at Rs.1,40,000/- were seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962. Statements were recorded from the detained person, Shri Chunda Mani Neopani and vehicle owner, Shri Rameshwar Raut Kurmi. As per their Recorded Statement on 15/04/2014, recorded under Section 108 of the Customs Act, 1962, they stated that the goods were booked from Birganj, Nepal to Bailwas, Nepal. However, due to failing of vision in the night, they reached in the Indo Nepal Border. After about five months, the present Appellant Shri Sunil Kumar Yadav approached the Customs officials stating that he is the owner of the cut Betel Nut. He submitted that he had dispatched 1500 Kgs of cut Betel Nut to Shri Navin Kumar. This was loaded for delivery at district Sitamarhi, Bihar vide Bill No. 10 dated 10/04/2015. After due process, the Adjudicating Authority held that Betel Nuts were of foreign origin and confiscated them. He gave the option to redeem the same on payment of Redemption Fine of Rs. 1,35,000/- to the Appellant. He also demanded Customs Duty of Rs.3,80,688/-. He imposed penalty of Rs. 5,000/- on the Appellant. Being aggrieved, the Appellant filed an Appeal before the Commissioner (Appeals). He has dismissed their Appeal. Being aggrieved, the Appellant is before the Tribunal. 2. The Learned Advocate appearing on behalf of the Appellant submits that the Department failed to follow proper procedures and Rules in this case. The Appellant was not provided with the copies of Panchnama, Seizure Report and Recorded Statements of the two persons which have been relied upon by the Department to issue the Show Cause Notice. She produces photocopy of the Invoice No. 10 showing that the goods were sold by the Appellant to one Navin Kumar on 10/04/2015. She also produces a photocopy of Invoices No. 13 dated 08/04/2015 issued by M/s Kumar Trading Co. to the present Appellant for the purchase made by him on 08/04/2015. She submits that these documents prove that the goods were of Indian origin only. Hence, she prays that the impugned OIA may be set aside and the Appeal may be allowed. 3. The Learned AR submits that it is an admitted fact that vehicle involved is bearing the Nepal Registration number. When it was intercepted at the Indo Nepal Border, the driver has stated that the goods were to be transported within Nepal only from Birganj to Bailwas. This Statement was also corroborated by the vehicle owner. Both these statements were recorded in April 2015. The Appellant though claiming to have dispatched the consignment on 10/04/2015 did not appear in picture till 03/09/2015. After five months, he came into picture and claimed that these goods were initially purchased by him and was being sold by him to Navin Kumar vide his Invoice No. 10 dated 10/04/2015. The AR submits that even now the Appellant has just produced only the photocopies of the Invoices whose veracity cannot be checked at this stage after more than eight years. The very fact that the Appellant did not pursue the case when the consignment did not reach to Mr. Navin Kumar after 11th or 12th of April 2015, till he met the Customs Officials in September 2015 shows that he was not the owner of the goods. The Learned AR submits that both the lower Authorities have considered all the submissions of the Appellant and have given a considered and detailed findings while imposing the Redemption Fine, charging Customs Duty and imposing penalty on the Appellant. He submits that the Appeal is liable to be dismissed. 4. Heard both sides and perused the documents and the submissions. 5. Admittedly there is no dispute that the vehicle in question is bearing Nepal Registration number and the owner of the vehicle has appeared before the Customs Officials and claimed the ownership and stated that the vehicle was taken for movement within Nepal only. The Driver has also corroborated the same stating that the goods were loaded at Birganj Nepal for delivery at Baiswal, Nepal. If these factual details are seen together, it would clarify that the goods were of foreign origin only. When the seizure was effected, the Appellant was nowhere in the picture. He suddenly emerges as the owner of the goods after about five months. He claimed that he removed the goods within India in the vehicle but he does not remember the vehicle number and details of the driver. He states that this vehicle had broken down and he went with another vehicle to get the goods shifted from the earlier vehicle. After reaching there, he did not find the vehicle which had broken down and hence could not carry out transfer of the goods with new vehicle. While all these happened on 11/04/2015, the Appellant was not in a position to state as to what action he has taken to follow up with the purported buyer of the goods Navin Kumar. In the normal course, the buyer would have informed that the good have not reached him. It is surprising that the Appellant did not follow up to locate his consignment worth more than Rs.1.65 Lakhs (as given in the Invoice No. 10 dated 10/04/2015). After more than five months, he has approached the Customs Officials on the ground that he is the owner of the goods. 6. It is seen from the records that he has not sought copies of the Panchnama, Recorded Statement etc. from the Adjudicating Authority. It is on record that he has not attended the Personal Hearings granted to him and OIO was passed ex-parte based on the facts available on record with the Department. Even in the Appeal filed before the Commissioner (Appeals), he has not raised the issue of non supply of these documents. It is seen from the present Appeal Papers, in their Grounds of Appeal, they have not raised the issue about non-supply of these documents. Therefore, the Appellant raising this issue at the time of final arguments now shows that it is only a ploy on their part to drag the case further knowing fully well that the Department may not be in a position to place all the details before the Appellant for the action taken in April 2015. 7. From the OIO and OIA, it is seen that the lower Authorities have followed the principles of natural justice and passed detailed and considered orders justifying the Redemption fine imposed, Custom Duty demanded and penalty imposed on the Appellant. Therefore, I see no reason to interfere with the impugned OIA. Accordingly, the present Appeal stands dismissed. 8. The Adjudicating Authority is directed to check whether the calculation towards Customs Duty demanded has been done correctly or not. (Dictated and pronounced in the open court.) Public fire crews started pulling back from the contained Longview paper mill fire Friday as contractors took over extinguishing the smoldering wood chips that caught fire late Tuesday. Crews were continuing to pull wood chip piles apart at Nippon Dynawave Packaging with bulldozers to douse the flames, according to a Friday Longview Fire Department press release. They also plan to remove a fire-damaged conveyor that is preventing access to the wood chips. Longview Fire Department personnel spent the third straight night Thursday working on putting out the blaze that was reported at 6:40 p.m. at 1701 Industrial Way near the entrance on the Longview side of the Lewis and Clark Bridge and Oregon and Industrial ways. 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. Dunaway said Friday Longview Fire and Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue were directing Nippon staff and contractors, who are now the only boots on the ground. He said a Longview Fire Battalion Chief was the only staff member on site Friday. Helicopters dumped 2,500-gallon buckets of water on the site Wednesday and Thursday and as many as 45 fire personnel were at the site at one time Tuesday. Responding agencies 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. Crews planned Friday to remove parts of the fire-damaged conveyor systems that move wood chips to manufacturing buildings. The equipment could fall on people working below and removal would also allow easier access to the smoldering piles, the press release states. Dunaway likened the blaze to a wildfire and said as the fire produces less heat, the smoke stays closer to the ground and is diluted. Southwest Clean Air Agency reported air quality in Longview was good throughout the fire, despite a strong haze and smell of smoke that blanketed the city Thursday. An air advisory issued Wednesday through Friday for Cowlitz and Clark counties was lifted Thursday when conditions improved. Air quality in Vancouver and Portland dropped to unhealthy levels overnight Tuesday because of the fires smoke. Dunaway said a firefighter from Cowlitz County Fire District 3 based in Toutle displayed symptoms of heat stress while combating the fire on Tuesday. The firefighter was attended to in an onsite ambulance, taken to PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center for further treatment, and later discharged. No worker nor another firefighter suffered an injury. Nippon Director of Support Services Brian Wood said chip operations would remain down while the fire was active, while other parts of the plant are still operating. He said Wednesday nearby NORPAC changed its shipping schedule due to the fire. Editors note: The Daily News City Editor Hayley Day contributed to this article. VANCOUVER Investigators are seeking information about the death of a 58-year-old man who was found dead May 27 in the garage at his east Vancouver home. Randall Scott West died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Clark County Medical Examiners Office. The Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers a $2,500 reward for information that leads to an arrest. People can submit tips at crimestoppersoforegon.com or on the P3 Tips app. Vancouver police had responded at about 5:45 p.m. to a house in the 4000 block of Northeast 137th Avenue. Officers found West dead in the garage of the home, according to a police news release. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, meaning it resulted from another persons deliberate action but does not allege criminal culpability. Officers had also responded to the house the week prior for reports that West had been assaulted and robbed by two men, according to a search warrant affidavit in the case. A witness told police they drove by Wests house at about 2 a.m. May 27 and saw West inside his garage with two men, the affidavit states. Siemens Digital Industries Software announced that SK hynix, a leading semiconductor supplier, has achieved the first ASPICE automotive semiconductor software quality certification in Korea, enabled by its adoption of Siemens Polarion ALM solution for Application Lifecycle Management. ASPICE (Automotive Software Process Improvement Capability dEtermination) is an international standard for evaluating the quality of software development processes, adopted by leading automotive OEMs. SK hynix has achieved ASPICE Certification Level 2 at March this year and will continue to pursue Level 3 and above. Siemens Polarion ALM software from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software was deployed at SK hynix to help improve the quality of the companys semiconductor product development and to manage its software development lifecycle. As a result of the more systematic approach to product design, workflows and processes, the efficiency and productivity of product line engineering and semiconductor R&D has been dramatically improved. Attaining ASPICE CL2 certification has been an opportunity for global automakers to objectively recognize the reliability of semiconductor quality at a global level, said Hoon Cho, Vice President (in charge of cSSD Firmware), SK hynix. By becoming the first Korean semiconductor manufacturer to secure CL2 certification, it is significant we have internalized the industry-leading processes and knowledge. We will continue to strive to strengthen our product development process and quality, said Changsoo Lee, Vice President (in charge of DT MIS), SK hynix. We will continue to improve the system to ensure it delivers a best-in-class experience. We are truly pleased that SK hynix has received the stringent international quality certification with the assistance of Polarion from Siemens and we will provide our utmost technical support for SK hynixs business to further expand globally, said Byung-Joon Oh, Country Manager and Vice President of Siemens Digital Industries Software Korea. Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming, left, and his wife award certificates of appreciation to zookeepers Song Young-kwan, second from left, and Kang Cheol-won, second from right, in appreciation of the third birthday of Fu Bao, the first giant panda born in Korea, at Everland Zoo in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Courtesy of Embassy of China in Korea 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: Amazon says its "Project Kuiper" will provide "fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities around the world," with a constellation of more than 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Amazon said Friday it will invest $120 million to build a satellite construction facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, as part of its plans to launch a space internet service to rival SpaceX's Starlink. The company founded by Jeff Bezos says its "Project Kuiper" will provide "fast, affordable broadband to unserved and underserved communities around the world," with a constellation of more than 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). "We have an ambitious plan to begin Project Kuiper's full-scale production launches and early customer pilots next year, and this new facility will play a critical role," said Steve Metayer, vice president of Kuiper Production Operations. The company has another production facility in Kirkland, Washington, where it will begin operations by the end of this year. The units will then be sent to Florida to carry out final preparations, and integrate them with rockets from Blue Originalso founded by Bezosand United Launch Alliance (ULA) ahead of launch. Elon Musk's SpaceX launched the first batch of its more than 3,700 operational Starlink satellites in 2019 and is by far the biggest player. London-headquartered OneWeb is another early entrant in the emerging sector. But governments are also keen to join the rush. China plans to launch 13,000 satellites as part of its GuoWang constellation, while Canada's Telesat will add 300 and German start-up Rivada is eyeing 600. That will be in addition to the European Union's Iris project170 satellitesand the 300-500 satellites planned to be launched by the US military's Space Development Agency. 2023 AFP 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: US President Joe Biden speaks about artificial intelligence alongside senior tech executives. President Joe Biden evoked AI's "enormous" risk and promise Friday at a White House meeting with tech leaders who committed to guarding against everything from cyber-attacks to fraud as the sector revolutionizes society. "It is astounding," Biden said, highlighting AI's "enormous, enormous promise of both risk to our society and our economy and our national security, but also incredible opportunities." Standing alongside top representatives from Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft and OpenAI, Biden said the cutting-edge companies had made commitments to "guide responsible innovation" as AI rips ever deeper into personal and business life. "We'll see more technology change in the next 10 years or even in the next few years than we've seen in the last 50 years. That has been an astounding revelation to me," Biden said. "The group here will be critical in shepherding that innovation with responsibility and safety." Ahead of the meeting, the seven AI giants committed to a series of self-regulated safeguards that the White House said would "underscore three principles that must be fundamental to the future of AI: safety, security and trust." Although AIin which computer programs learn to do many jobs currently performed by humansis seen as a hugely empowering tool, it also poses potentially nightmarish risks. In their pledge, the companies agreed to develop "robust technical mechanisms," such as watermarking systems, to ensure users know when content is from AI and not human-generated. US President Joe Biden said artificial intelligence has "enormous, enormous potential upside" Worry that content created by artificial intelligence will be used for fraud and misinformation has ramped up as the technology improves and the 2024 presidential election gets closer. Already, supporters of Republican candidate Ron DeSantis have gotten attention with an attack ad featuring an artificially generated voice like that of party frontrunner Donald Trump. 'Enormous potential upside The White House initiative demonstrates an early effort to get in front of the snowballing problem of how to regulate an industry developing faster than Congress may be able to handle. Among the measures pledged by the seven companies ahead of the Biden meeting is agreeing to independent "internal and external security testing of their AI systems before their release" for threats to biosecurity, cybersecurity and "broader societal effects." Officials said Biden is also already working on an executive ordersomething that has limited powers, but does not require congressional approvalon AI safety. "We need to make sure we're pulling every lever of the federal government to regulate and take actionand work with... (Congress) on legislation," White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients told Axios. The White House says it is working on an executive order aimed at making sure artificial intelligence is safe and trustworthy. "We will need legislation to build the capacity to have the experts that we need in the federal government, and then to have the regulatory authority to hold the private sector accountableand to hardwire these actions so that they're enduring," Zients said. The White House said it is also working with foreign allies to seek "a strong international framework to govern the development and use of AI" around the world. The topic was prominent at the G7 in Japan this May, while Britain is set to hold an international AI summit. Biden cautioned that governments and societies need to do better on the emergence of AI than was the case when social media platforms exploded, leading to widespread concern over the effects on mental health and misinformation. "Social media has shown us the harm that powerful technology can do without the safeguards in place," Biden said. "We must be clear-eyed and vigilant about the threats of emerging technology that can pose to our democracy and our values," he said. But AI also has an "enormous, enormous potential upside." 2023 AFP 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: The STREAM exoskeleton (StreamEXO) generates forces which are distributed to the shoulders and legs to support the worker's back during handling activities, such as lifting and carrying heavy loads. The device's ergonomics have been studied to enhance comfort and provide totally free movements, ensuring a perfect fit on the worker's body while carrying out dynamic activities. Credit: IIT-Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia A back support exoskeleton has been developed at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italian Institute of TechnologyIIT) to improve railway workers' safety and conditions for heavy manual material handling during maintenance and renewal operations. The prototype, named StreamEXO, was validated in approximately 100 hours of use by 15 people during a 6-month test campaign hosted in Italy highlighting a 50% reduction in the ergonomic risk of physical overload and a 30% of muscle fatigue. The exoskeleton was recently presented during a live demonstration with workers wearing StreamEXOs at the port of Tarragona, in Spain, and it is ready to start an industrialization process. The exoskeleton StreamEXO has been developed within the European project STREAM coordinated by Christian Di Natali, researcher of the IITthe first major strategic transnational initiative aimed at promoting research and innovation in the railway sector to make it more competitive, efficient and sustainable. The STREAM project has introduced a new technological solution from Industry 5.0, where workers' activities are connected, through the IoT, to wearable technologies and enhanced occupational exoskeletons. STREAM developed the exoskeleton StreamEXO and a fully automated excavator for accomplishing tasks in the rail worksites, such as ballast and sleepers' replacement. A back support exoskeleton has been developed at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italian Institute of TechnologyIIT) to improve railway workers' safety and conditions for heavy manual material handling during maintenance and renewal operations. The prototype, named STREAMEXO, was validated in approximately 100 hours of use by 15 people during a 6-month test campaign hosted in Italy highlighting a 50% reduction in the ergonomic risk of physical overload and a 30% of muscle fatigue. The exoskeleton StreamEXO has been developed within the European project STREAM (streams2r.eu/) coordinated by Christian Di Natali, researcher of the IIT and funded by the European Union within Horizon 2020 and Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking. Credit: IIT-Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia On June 8, researchers showed the exoskeleton and the automatic excavator in a rail worksite while simulating the project's target activities at the STREAM's final event in Tarragona, Spain. The event, hosted at Port of Tarragona, was attended by the Shift2Rail Project Office and the port's authorities. The STREAM exoskeleton (StreamEXO) generates forces which are distributed to the shoulders and legs to support the worker's back during handling activities, such as lifting and carrying heavy loads. The device's ergonomics have been studied to enhance comfort and provide totally free movements, ensuring a perfect fit on the worker's body while carrying out dynamic activities. The system has an innovative one-size-fits-all solution that guarantees both robustness and power, and a lightweight design (7 kg of weight with a battery of 6 hours autonomy). The StreamEXO prototype was validated in approximately 100 hours of use by 15 people during a 6-month test campaign hosted in Italy highlighting a 50% reduction in the ergonomic risk of physical overload and a 30% of muscle fatigue. The design of the StreamEXO created by IIT was intended to be a comfortable solution to be used during work shifts for workers employed in the heavy-duty industry and in the construction sector, such as railways. Credit: IIT-Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia The device comprises of a mechanical structure, some electric actuators, and an electronics system, completed by specific algorithms that assist workers during work tasks to reduce the risk of injury. Therefore, thanks to the control algorithms, the exoskeleton can interpret the movements that a person does to manage the different intensities of work and can automatically implement assistance strategies. Workers can use StreamEXO in a versatile way, also while they are driving vehicles or walking on rough terrain. The benefits of the exoskeleton have been evaluated during an experimental campaign of six months hosted in railway construction sites by RFI and MERMEC STE s.p.a, including a final phase near Milan. The campaign saw several laboratory tests and an on-site validation with railway workers. The final demonstration involved 15 workers for about 100 hours of use during real work activities in railways sites. They wore StreamEXO for carrying and positioning concrete conduit whose weight was between 20kg and 30kg. Results showed a 50% reduction in the musculoskeletal system's ergonomic risk of physical overload, particularly for the lumbar region. Fatigue was reduced by up to 30%, and muscle activity was also reduced by 25%. The experimental campaign was fundamental to obtaining an advanced technological maturity level for the prototype, which is ready for future industrialization. The design of the StreamEXO created by IIT was intended to be a comfortable solution to be used during work shifts for workers employed in the heavy-duty industry and in the construction sector, such as railways. 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: Performance of the March 2023 and June 2023 versions of GPT-4 and GPT-3.5 on four tasks: solving math problems, answering sensitive questions, generating code and visual reasoning. The performances of GPT-4 and GPT-3.5 can vary substantially over time, and for the worse in some tasks. Credit: arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2307.09009 OpenAI's widely celebrated large language model has been hailed as "quite simply the best artificial intelligence chatbot ever released to the general public" by Kevin Roose, author of "Futureproof: 9 Rules for Humans in the Age of Automation" and as "one of the greatest things that has ever been done for computing" by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. ChatGPT has become so good at providing natural responses to user inquiries that some believe it has officially passed the Turing test, a longstanding measure of a machine's ability to achieve human intelligence. ChatGPT has scored in the highest percentiles of achievement exams in a myriad of fields: math (89th), law (90th) and GRE verbal (99th). And researchers at NYU's medical school reported in early July 2023 that advice given by ChatGPT for health care related questions were almost indistinguishable from that provided by human medical staff. But researchers at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, are not quite ready to entrust ChatGPT with any critical decision-making. Echoing a growing number of concerns recently expressed by users, Lingjiao Chen, Matei Zaharia and James Zhu said ChatGPT performance has not been consistent. In some instances, it is growing worse. In a paper published in the arXiv preprint server July 18, researchers said "performance and behavior of both GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 vary significantly" and that responses on some tasks "have gotten substantially worse over time." They noted significant changes in performance over a four-month period, from March to June. The researchers focused on a few areas including math problem solving and computer code generation. In March 2023, GPT-4 achieved a 97.6% accuracy rate when tackling problems concerning prime numbers. That rate plummeted to just 2.4% when the updated June 2023 model was used, according to the Stanford researchers. ChatGPT has garnered wide praise for its ability to assist coders with programming and debugging issues. In March, GPT-4 responded to coder requests by completing accurate, ready-to-run scripts a little over 50% of the time. But by June, the rate dropped to 10%. Chat-GPT-3.5 also showed a notable decline in accuracy, from 22% in March to 2% in June. Interestingly, ChatGPT-3.5 showed nearly opposite results in math abilities: Achieving only a 7.4% accuracy rate in prime-number problem solving in March, the upgraded version in June achieved an 86.8% rate. Zhu said it was difficult to pinpoint a cause, though it seems apparent that system modifications and upgrades are factors. "We don't fully understand what causes these changes in ChatGPT's responses because these models are opaque," Zhu said. "It is possible that tuning the model to improve its performance in some domains can have unexpected side effects of making it worse on other tasks." Conspiracy theorists who have noticed a deterioration in some results suggest OpenAI is experimenting with alternate, smaller versions of LLMs as a cost-saving measure. Others venture that OpenAI is intentionally weakening GPT-4 so frustrated users will be more willing to pay for GitHub's LLM accessory CoPilot. OpenAI dismisses such claims. Last week, OpenAI VP of Product Peter Welinder said in a tweet, "We haven't made GPT-4 dumber. Quite the opposite: We make each new version smarter than the previous one." He suggested an alternate reason. "When you use it more heavily, you start noticing issues you didn't see before." Meanwhile, some observers wary of the impact of disruptive "drift" in model results are pushing OpenAI to disclose training material sources, code and other structural elements behind ChatGPG 4.0. Sasha Luccioni of the AI company Hugging Face explained, "Any results on closed-source models are not reproducible and not verifiable, and therefore, from a scientific perspective, we are comparing raccoons and squirrels." "It's not on scientists to continually monitor deployed LLMs," she recently told ARS Technica in an interview. "It's on model creators to give access to the underlying models, at least for audit purposes." More information: Lingjiao Chen et al, How is ChatGPT's behavior changing over time?, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2307.09009 Journal information: arXiv 2023 Science X Network Korean National Assembly speaker Kim Jin-pyo, left, poses for a photo with Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, chairman of the People's Council, Turkmenistan, July 21. Yonhap National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo agreed Friday with Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, chairman of Turkmenistan's People's Council, to develop mutually beneficial relations between their countries in a meeting in Ashgabat, Kim's office said. The agreement came during their meeting held in the capital of Turkmenistan to discuss ways to expand partnerships between their countries in economy, culture and parliamentary diplomacy. Kim is currently on an eight-day trip to Turkmenistan and then to the Philippines. Berdymukhamedov, a former president of Turkmenistan, is currently the chairman of Halk Maslahaty, or People's Council, an independent body that has the right to change the country's constitution, and make decisions on domestic and foreign affairs. During the meeting, Berdymukhamedov said there are numerous opportunities for cooperation with Korea in fields such as energy, transportation, logistics and digital sectors. He also requested Korean companies' interest and participation in business projects in Turkmenistan. Kim, on his side, suggested expanding bilateral cooperation in the seawater desalination sector, citing Korea's successful track record in the field. He also vowed efforts to explore ways to expand exchanges in other economic areas. Kim and Berdymukhamedov also agreed to expand parliamentary diplomacy on the occasion of the inaugural meeting of the parliamentary speakers from Korea and five Central Asian countries set for September in Seoul. The Korean politician also requested Turkmenistan's support for South Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo, his office also said. Following the meeting, Kim also met with his Turkmen counterpart, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, and gave an address at the National Council of Turkmenistan. Kim is also scheduled to have a meeting with Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedow later in the day. Kim will depart for the Philippines on Sunday. (Yonhap) The USS Kentucky, a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine, is anchored at the Busan Naval Base in Busan, South Korea, Wednesday, July 19. AP-Yonhap South Korea warned Friday that North Korea will face the "end" of its regime in the event of a nuclear attack after it said the deployment of a U.S. nuclear-capable submarine and other strategic assets here could meet the conditions for its use of nuclear arms. Seoul's defense ministry renewed the warning after Pyongyang's Defense Minister Kang Sun-nam issued a sharp-tongued statement the previous day, criticizing the arrival of the USS Kentucky, an 18,750-ton Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), in South Korea and the inaugural meeting of the South Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) this week. "In the event of any North Korean nuclear attack against the South Korea-U.S. alliance, it will face an immediate, overwhelming and decisive response from the alliance, and (we) strongly warn again that through this, (the attack) will result in the end of the North Korean regime," the ministry said in a statement. The USS Kentucky arrived in the southeastern port city of Busan on Tuesday. Its arrival coincided with the first NCG session aimed at strengthening the credibility of the U.S.' extended deterrence commitment to using the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend its ally. Lessons from China's poverty alleviation valuable for Africa -- experts Xinhua) 13:00, July 21, 2023 KIGALI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- African countries could learn from China's successful poverty alleviation campaign to advance their development, experts and officials said Wednesday at a virtual seminar. The seminar on poverty alleviation was co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda and Africa-China Review, a Rwanda-based publication focusing on Africa-China cooperation. Moderated by Gerald Mbanda, a Rwandan researcher and publisher, the seminar attracted participants from China and African countries, who discussed China's experience of poverty alleviation and its relevance for Africa. China declared a "complete victory" in eradicating absolute poverty in 2021, meeting the poverty eradication target set out in the United Nation's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of schedule. China's achievement has inspired African countries that are striving for sustainable development, the experts said Wednesday at the seminar. "I think it can work for Africa, China has provided inspiration for the African people because of what they have achieved," said Adhere Cavence, a Kenya-based international researcher. "I believe it is possible because there are enabling conditions including a very strong partnership between China and African countries ... I think African countries can learn from the Chinese experience," he said. Zeno Mutimura, a Rwandan diplomat speaking as chief guest for the seminar, said Africa can build on China's practices to reduce poverty in the continent such as ensuring "people-centered policies." He said Rwanda had lifted one million people out of poverty through practices similar to those of China which focused on people. Mweusi Karake, a former official at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, said China was able to integrate its successful poverty reduction practices with its own domestic realities in its poverty alleviation course. "Africa's biggest problem has been the copy and paste of the Western countries system ... don't copy and paste, identify what is doable and do it." China's success inspires countries seeking to accelerate development, said Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Wang Xuekun. "It creates a new model for human progress and provides new options for developing countries to draw from to achieve independent development. It dispels the myths that only Westernization could lead to success." He said China and Africa can work together to prove to the world that after the victory against colonialism and foreign invasion, the battle against poverty and backward development can also be won. "We can stand on our own feet and let our people make a better life," he said. Over the past 40 years, China has lifted nearly 800 million people out of poverty, accounting for more than 75 percent of global poverty reduction in the same period. This has never been seen in China's history, Wang said, adding that in the process, China's economy leapfrogged to 18 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022, becoming the main trading partner of over 140 countries and regions. China has also established the largest education, healthcare and social security systems in the world, and narrowed the gap between the rich and the poor, creating a more equal society that does not leave anyone behind. Xia Qingjie with Peking University said general principles from China's economic miracle include a strong central government dedicated to the well-being of the vast majority of citizens and empowering people with education and healthcare, as well as well-functional market economies and successful state-owned enterprises. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) USS Kentucky, an 18,750-ton Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine, docks at a naval base in Busan, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, in this July 19 photo provided by the Korea Defense Daily. Yonhap A U.S. strategic nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) left South Korea on Friday, an informed source said, three days after its rare port visit to the southeastern city of Busan in a major show of force against evolving North Korean military threats. The USS Kentucky, an 18,750-ton Ohio-class submarine, departed from a naval base in the city, 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, before noon, according to the source who requested anonymity. It remains unknown where it is headed. The SSBN arrived at the base Tuesday, in what was seen as a move to reassure the South Korean public, which is increasingly wary of North Korean nuclear and missile threats, and deter those threats. Police tape is set up at a crime scene near Sillim Station in southern Seoul, Friday. A man stabbed at least four men, killing one and wounding three. Yonhap By Kim Se-jeong A man stabbed at least four men with a knife outside a subway station in southern Seoul, Friday, killing one and wounding three, police said. One wounded man is reportedly in critical condition. Police have apprehended the suspect in his 30s, surnamed Cho. His motivation remained unclear. Yonhap News Agency quoted the police saying that the suspect already had a criminal record. According to the news outlet, the suspect stabbed the first victim at the entrance of a commercial alley near Sillim Station on Seoul Metro Line 2 and the Sillim Line. Then he stabbed three others while running through the alley. "I heard a scream. When I came out, the suspect was stabbing one guy. I saw him running and stabbing others along the alley," a 58-year-old man who runs a nearby business was quoted as saying by Yonhap. "Two high school students ran into my shop crying and I locked the door behind." Another witness said: "A young woman rushed into my business and said I needed to lock the door. I didn't know what was going on but locked the door as told. I looked out and saw several men running in the direction of a gym." Police tape is set up at a crime scene near Sillim Station in southern Seoul, Friday. A man stabbed at least four men, killing one and wounding three. Yonhap This photo provided by Daejeon Metropolitan Police shows a package from Malaysia that arrived at a restaurant in Daejeon, July 21. Yonhap Korea Post temporarily suspended delivery of suspicious international packages, as concerns were growing over some parcels suspected of containing an unidentified hazardous material. The move followed a flurry of reports nationwide of unidentified parcels arriving from Taiwan in recent days. On Thursday, three people at a welfare center for the disabled in the southeastern port city of Ulsan who unpacked one such parcel suffered dizziness and difficulty breathing. The three people have been admitted to the hospital and are now said to be in stable condition. While medical tests did not immediately reveal what caused the symptoms, police did not rule out a toxic chemical agent. The parcel has been sent to the Agency for Defense Development for further analysis. The police said the name of the recipient and the phone number written on the parcel were invalid. Authorities also found a similar package around 6 p.m. Friday while sorting out parcels at a post office in the same city. Fire officials were dispatched to the scene and are assessing the damage. Similar reports have also come from Seoul, Yongin in Gyeonggi Province, Jeju Island, Haman in South Gyeongsang Province and Daejeon. Some 1,700 people were temporarily evacuated from Korea Post headquarters in downtown Seoul on Friday, after a suspicious yellow parcel was discovered on the first floor of the 21-story building. No casualties have been reported so far. Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho canceled his scheduled attendance at a talk with Andrew Ng, a prominent artificial intelligence researcher and computer science professor at Stanford University, on Friday night to monitor the situation. A person on Jeju Island contacted the authorities about receiving a suspicious parcel on July 11, which had been sent from Taiwan and contained two plastic bottles. The person threw them away, but later reported them to the police on Thursday after hearing about the suspicious package in Ulsan. A suspicious parcel spotted in Haman was sent from Malaysia, police said. The recipient had kept the parcel for about two months and reported it to the police, also after learning about the Ulsan parcel. Authorities asked for vigilance if a suspicious package arrives, and called on recipients not to open them and report them to authorities instead. They said the color of such packages could be yellow or black, and could have "CHUNGHWA POST" written on them. The sender could be P.O. Box 100561-003777, Taipei, Taiwan. (Yonhap) State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code A Virginia State Police trooper was convicted of two misdemeanors Wednesday as the result of her actions following a single-vehicle crash in Spotsylvania County last year. Myranda Walker, 26, of Ashland, was found guilty in Spotsylvania Circuit Court of destruction of property and filing a false police report. But a jury acquitted Walker of a felony count of destruction of property, while Judge Ricardo Rigual threw out a reckless driving charge before the jury began its deliberations. According to evidence presented by prosecutors Stephanie Fitzgerald and Ryan Mehaffey, the crash took place on May 7, 2022, on Guinea Station Road in Spotsylvania. She was heading east in her police cruiser when she entered a curve, crossed the centerline and ran off the left side of the highway. The evidence showed that the vehicle struck a tree, overcorrected, crossed back over the road and ran off the right side. Walker, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered minor injuries. Walker told police that she lost control after feeling a sharp pain in her ribs stemming from a horse-riding accident a few weeks prior to the crash. Walker initially told investigators that another vehicle had caused her to crash, something she later admitted was a lie. She also broke the DVD in the patrol vehicles dashboard camera in half. The felony charge stemmed from an allegation that she intentionally damaged the camera system in the vehicle, but defense attorney Andrew Meyer successfully argued that the evidence was insufficient. In a taped interview played for the jury, former VSP special agent Richard Goodpasture asked Walker about her actions after the crash, which included giving conflicting statements, turning off her camera system and breaking the disc. Walker replied that she [expletive] up. She also said she felt overwhelmed and worried immediately after the wreck and acted without thinking. Walker has been on administrative leave pending the outcome of her court case, state police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said. Kelli Lepler, a Grand Island business owner facing theft charges in Nebraska, has waived extradition. Lepler waived extradition in Missouri court on Friday. On Thursday, a Missouri judge again denied bond for Lepler. At a bond hearing, Judge Dwayne Johnson denied a change in Lepler's bond and she'll continue to be held at a Missouri jail. Court documents note "the clear and convincing evidence is that the current conditions are the least restrictive to secure appearance and safety." The issue was continued to a hearing at 9 a.m. on Sept. 7. On Monday, 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. 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. This is simply one mans perspective from the early 21st century (first written in 2010). I had to make a decision about crimes that occurred at locations that are inside the city today, but were outside our corporate limits at the time they occurred. I chose the latter. Before beginning, though, I have to deal with three crimes that stand apart: the murders of three police officers in Lincoln. Im not quite sure how to place them in a list. They all had huge impacts on the community, and on the police department in particular. Because these are my colleagues, I deal with them separately and in chronological order. Patrolman Marion Francis Marshall Shot in the shadow of the new Nebraska State Capital, Gov. Charles Bryan came to his aid and summoned additional help. Lt. Frank Soukup Marion Marshall was technically not a Lincoln police officer, so Lt. Soukup was actually the first Lincoln police officer killed on duty. One of his colleagues who was present at the motel and involved in the gunbattle, Paul Jacobsen, went on to enjoy a long career and command rank at LPD, influencing many young charges (like me) and leaving his mark on the culture of the agency. Lt. Paul Whitehead In the space of a few months, three LPD officers died in the line of duty. Frank Soukup had been murdered, and George Welter had died in a motorcycle crash. Paul Whitehead's partner, Paul Merritt, went on to command rank, and like Paul Jacobsen left an indelible mark at LPD and the community. Asean+3 ought to reinvent climate finance for the Asian century By Masyita Crystallin, Marthe M. Hinojales Fri, July 21, 2023 | 12:12 pm GTM+7 To achieve carbon neutrality, Asean+3 countries must overhaul their economic strategies, which will almost certainly mean a period of slower growth. By mobilizing public and private climate finance, however, policymakers could mitigate the transitions impact and create a greener and more resilient continent, write Masyita Crystallin and Marthe Hinojales. A wind farm in Bac Lieu province, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of nucuoimekong.com Asian countries ability to thrive in the world economy over the next few decades hinges on their capacity to sustain their competitive advantages through continuous innovation. But to meet their commitments under the 2015 Paris climate agreement, the regions economies must overhaul their production, consumption, and resource-allocation strategies, potentially postponing the long-anticipated Asian century. With the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report showing that global warming is on track to rise 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels within the next decade, the urgent need to accelerate efforts to mitigate climate change has moved to the forefront of the international policy debate. In March, shortly after the United Nations warned that the climate time bomb is ticking, a gathering of central bank governors from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) underscored the importance of aligning national policies to support the green transition. Two weeks later, the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund focused on the need to reform global institutions to address the climate threat. And at the end of April, more than 100 central bankers and regulators convened in Singapore to explore ways to reach the annual target of $9.2 trillion in green investments required to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Amid conflicting domestic and global priorities, varying levels of climate-risk awareness and a dearth of comprehensive climate data, the policy debate has been shaped by countries that are better equipped to manage the effects of climate change. Consequently, while the scientific and policy consensus is that cutting greenhouse gas emissions is the only way to avert climate catastrophe, the impact of emission cuts on Asias economies remains uncertain. There are two main approaches to cutting emissions: reducing economic activity to lower energy demand and implementing industry-specific measures to mitigate emissions. It is easy to see why the first option, which means accepting slower economic growth, is a non-starter for many emerging and developing economies. But with fossil fuels accounting for more than 80% of energy use in China, Japan, South Korea, and Asean countries collectively known as Asean+3 the second path would have profound economic implications as well. The most likely shock would be an increase in the cost of living. To discourage the use of fossil fuels, governments must make them more expensive, starting with the elimination of the energy subsidies that played a crucial role in supporting consumer spending across the region during the energy price shocks of early 2022. But even if Asean+3 policymakers resist domestic calls to impose a carbon tax, they may be compelled to act, owing to rapidly shifting climate policies elsewhere, such as the European Unions Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, which imposes tariffs on carbon-intensive imports. Either way, Asian exporters will face higher production costs and could be at risk of losing their long-established positions in global trade and supply chains. Moreover, reducing greenhouse gas emissions would require the retirement of many of the regions coal-fired power plants well before they reach even half of their projected lifespan. On average, coal power plants have an operating life of roughly 55 years. While early retirement may not present significant challenges in Europe and the United States, where the average age of a coal-fired plant is about 34 and 41 years, respectively, the average coal plant in Asean+3 countries is just 11 years old. In addition to its significant costs, retiring coal-fired power plants could disrupt livelihoods and communities across the region. To mitigate the adverse socioeconomic effects of this shift, Asian policymakers must ensure a just transition that considers the impact on affected communities. But, given the potential impact of the net-zero transition on Asean+3 countries finances, energy prices, and exports, the region will most likely face a period of challenging economic conditions before experiencing any improvements. Still, the net-zero transition is an unavoidable necessity. By taking proactive measures and facilitating the allocation of public and private funding to where it is needed most, Asean+3 policymakers could allay the potential impact and sustain the regions economic prosperity without undermining global climate mitigation efforts. To be sure, in recent years Asean+3 governments have made significant progress in promoting sustainable and green finance. But the lack of adequate transparency, incentives and data impedes policymakers ability to establish a greenium that investors would be willing to pay for the perceived advantages of investing in environmentally friendly instruments. The lack of a unified global approach to transition financing, which aims to help brown (carbon-intensive) sectors become greener, poses another challenge for policymakers. For example, an emissions reduction project that meets the criteria for a bank loan in Asean+3 countries might not qualify for a similar loan in Europe. In the absence of a global transition taxonomy, many foreign investors are understandably reluctant to bear the risk of policy uncertainty and reputational harm associated with funding the regions brown sectors, despite their economic significance. With the window for decisive climate action rapidly closing, some may question whether the Asian century is already passe. But while the shift away from fossil fuels may impede Asean+3 countries progress toward achieving long-term economic prosperity, the net-zero transition is also a unique opportunity for Asian economies to boost growth and job creation. Countries such as China, with its flourishing electric-vehicle industry, and Vietnam, with its expanding solar capacity, are already capitalizing on the growing demand for green energy. Mobilizing capital is crucial to achieving net-zero emissions. As William Shakespeare reminds us, If money go before, all ways do lie open. To create a greener and more resilient region, we must reimagine climate finance in a way that aligns with the unique characteristics of Asean+3 economies and unlocks their tremendous potential. Source: Project Syndicate Masyita Crystallin is a senior adviser to the Indonesian finance minister and co-chair sherpa at the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action; Marthe Hinojales is an economist at the Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office. Government to cut fire safety red tape: firefighter chief By Thanh Tra Fri, July 21, 2023 | 5:46 pm GTM+7 Individuals and businesses will have to submit less documentation related to fire safety compliance under an amended decree, Vietnam's firefighter chief says. Major General Nguyen Tuan Anh, head of the Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue under the Ministry of Public Security, said this at a Thursday meeting with businesses. He said the ministry was amending Decree 136, which provides implementation guidelines for a number of articles of the Law on Fire Prevention and Fighting. The amendments aimed to create more favorable conditions for businesses, he added. "Once issued in August, the new decree is expected to remove current bottlenecks," Anh said. At present, individuals and businesses have to submit appraisal and inspection certificates, as-built documents and many other papers, but under the new rules, they will not have to submit documents issued by police agencies. In addition, all administrative procedures for fire prevention and fighting will be carried out online. Anh also said that decentralization will be stepped up, progressively reducing the number of works inspected by his department every year. Furthermore, verification steps for certain works will be reduced from three (location approval, basic design approval, and construction approval) to one, he added. Major General Nguyen Tuan Anh, head of the Department of Fire Prevention, Fighting and Rescue under the Ministry of Public Security, speaks at a dialogue with businesses in Hanoi, July 20, 2023. Photo courtesy of People newspaper. Nguyen Hong Hai, a representative of the Vietnam Ship Agents, Brokers and Maritime Services Providers Association, said that regulations on mandatory fire fighting equipment at seaports were unreasonable and caused huge waste of resources for businesses. "Tier 1 ports are required to be equipped with two firefighting trucks and one firefighting vessel; while Tier 2 ports need one truck and one vessel. In fact, investment in firefighting equipment has already been included in seaport construction plans," he said. Hai said, the equipment can cost up to hundreds of billions of Vietnamese dong (VND1 billion = $42,300), not to mention maintenance and repair costs, and specially-skilled human resources. "We recommend that firefighting equipment be shared by functional units in the same area and fees collected when incidents occur." In response, Anh said under the fire prevention and fighting law, special facilities like seaports, airports and power plants need specialized or semi-specialized firefighting teams. Therefore, they need to have their own firefighting means when there is an incident. "Such equipment can't be shared because these places are at high risk of fire and explosion. We can't wait for equipment to come from other places," he explained. In an early April dispatch, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered relevant authorities to make fire safety regulations more convenient for businesses while continuing to minimize risks. He asked the ministries of public security and construction to review relevant regulations and make necessary amendments. Provincial and city administrations should address inadequacies in state management and deal firmly with firefighting violations in construction to remove difficulties for people and businesses, the dispatch said. Hong Sun, chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce (Kocham) in Vietnam, told the Vietnam Business Forum (VBF) this March that there had been complaints about new and increased investments in firefighting among businesses due to the stricter fire safety regulations. He noted difficulties related to obtaining firefighting permits in Vietnam, especially in the northern provinces of Vinh Phuc and Bac Ninh provinces. For example, he said, in the past, it was not difficult to obtain permission even if a simple gypsum board or fire-resistant paint was used for factory firewalls, with the new regulations requiring that fire-resistant gypsum boards be used. Thai Super Energy Corp posts Q1 revenue of $29 mln in Vietnam By Tri Duc Fri, July 21, 2023 | 11:39 am GTM+7 Thailands Super Energy Corporation recorded a revenue of THB1,004.1 million ($29.3 million) from its activities in Vietnam in the first quarter of 2023, up 4.98% year-on-year, according to the firms financial statements. The energy firms global revenue increased 8.68% year-on-year to THB2,669.7 million ($77.96 million). Of which, revenue from its operations in Thailand reached THB1,665.6 million, ($48.64 million) up 11.04%. Entering Vietnam in 2017, Super Energy operates nine solar power projects with a total capacity of 836.72 MW and one wind power project of 50 MW. Besides, it has finished and is waiting for commercial operation acceptance (COD) for one wind power project with a capacity of 30 MW and is developing three wind power projects with a combined 391 MW. The firm stressed that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, no clear guidelines for the COD schedule are available yet. Super Energy Corporation's solar wind farm Loc Ninh 1-2-3 in Binh Phuoc province, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the firm. Super Energy elaborated that revenue from solar power projects in Vietnam reached THB841.45 million ($24.57 million) in Q1/2023, up 1.98% year-on-year, thanks to increases in light intensity during the period. Meanwhile, that of wind power was THB162.68 million ($4.75 million), up 23.86% year-on-year, because of better weather conditions, particularly higher average wind speeds. With the performance, Super Energys gross profit from its solar and wind power projects in Vietnam reached THB441.28 million ($12.89 million) and THB115.02 million ($3.36 million), respectively. In March, Super Energy said it would invest THB41.5 billion ($1.2 billion) to fund renewable development in Thailand and Vietnam between 2023 and 2025. Most of the 2023 spending will go to the companys development of wind farms in Vietnam, including a 30 MW offshore project in Soc Trang province and a 70 MW near-shore wind farm in Bac Lieu province, both in the Mekong Delta, southern Vietnam. For 2025, CEO Jormsup Lochaya said the company will spend THB23.5 billion ($678 million). In Vietnam, the developments will be the 200 MW Phu Yen Wind Energy project in the south-central province of Phu Yen, and the 50 MW Dak Song Wind Energy project in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong. Earth VC jointly backs US battery firm By Tuong Nguyen Fri, July 21, 2023 | 9:43 am GTM+7 Ho Chi Minh City-headquartered investment firm Earth Venture Capital has joined the latest financing round for Group14 Technologies, an American maker of lithium-silicon batteries. The investment, led by a consortium of prominent investors including Microsoft's Climate Innovation Fund, Lightrock Climate Impact Fund, Moore Strategic Ventures, Oman Investment Authority, and Molicel, shows the immense potential of Group14's battery technology in advancing clean energy solutions. Group14's lithium-silicon battery technology is a game changer with a simple but powerful vision where airplanes make less noise, cars emit less carbon and nature gets more authentic, Linh Nguyen, founding partner at Earth VC, said in a release on Thursday. Earth Venture Capitals founding partners Linh Nguyen (left) and Tien Nguyen. Photo courtesy of the firm. Earth VC, which claims to invest in startups that decarbonize the world, did not unveil its own investment in the U.S. battery producer. However, it had earlier leaked that it typically invests $300,000 to $3 million per startup. According to CrunchBase, a platform tracking and monitoring investment firms, the latest round for Group14 is up to $214 million but CrunchBase does not have the numbers for each investor. In addition to the financing round, Group14 has also unveiled plans for an additional BAM (Battery Active Material) factory as part of a group of joint venture plants in South Korea with SK Group, a leading global conglomerate. The forthcoming BAM factories will be engineered for modular manufacturing, with each module capable of annually producing around 2,000 tons of SCC55 (silicon carbon composite) Group14s main product. This expansion will further enhance Group14's production capacity, Earth VC said. SCC55 is a material that can be used for lithium-silicon batteries that Group14 claims can store five times more energy than graphite. The company also plans to build a new factory for battery materials in South Korea together with industrial gas manufacturer SK Materials. Group14s joint venture with SK Materials will help it make more batteries and form a stable supply chain. The co-funding from Earth VC and other investors will also help Group14 grow its business, boost its research and development efforts, and sell its battery products faster, Earth VC said. The venture capital investor was founded in October 2021 by Linh Nguyen and Tien Nguyen. Its portfolio shows startups like Singaporean firms Ampotech and AlterPacks, Hong Kong-based ClearBot, and Israeli firm Intelligent Traffic Control (ITC). In a development related to SK Group, its member SKC Co., which manufactures advanced materials, signed a preliminary agreement this June with Vietnam's Hai Phong city to explore potential investment in advanced materials for secondary batteries, semiconductors, and other green sectors in the northern city. Under the memorandum of understanding, SKC will consider ways to invest in Hai Phong as a site for the Korean firms expansion into high-tech materials. Choi Eun-soon, center, the mother-in-law of President Yoon Suk Yeol, arrives at the Uijeongbu District Court in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, July 21. Yonhap The mother-in-law of President Yoon Suk Yeol was detained Friday after an appeals court upheld a one-year prison sentence for forging a financial document used in a land purchase deal. The appellate court in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, struck down an appeal by Choi Eun-soon who demanded the prison sentence handed down to her by a district court be reconsidered. The appeals court confirmed the lower court's ruling, finding the 76-year-old guilty of using a fake bank balance certificate to purchase a swath of land in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, between April and October 2013. The forged document suggested she had deposited 34.7 billion won ($27 million) into the account. The court cited "the gravity of the crime" for arresting her, adding Choi's right to defend herself had been fully guaranteed. Choi vehemently claimed her innocence upon hearing the verdict and eventually passed out. In December 2021, the district court in the same city sentenced her to one year in prison on charges of document forgery. She had not been imprisoned at the time. In a separate case, the Supreme Court on Dec. 15 acquitted Choi of charges related to taking state health insurance benefits after illegally opening a care hospital. She had been charged with illegally operating a long-term care hospital for the elderly without a medical license in February 2013 and unlawfully accepting 2.29 billion won in state benefits from the National Health Insurance Service until 2015, in collaboration with three business partners. Initially, a district court had sentenced her to a three-year prison term in 2021. However, in January 2022, the Seoul High Court overturned the ruling, finding her not guilty of the charges. (Yonhap) The SIU Foundation received a record-breaking number of gifts in FY23, leading to the organizations second-best fundraising year. Through 38,621 gifts, the Foundation raised over $31.2 million. It also awarded a record number of scholarships (1,645) and total scholarship dollars ($4,931,584) to students. More than 14 percent of all SIU students received an SIU Foundation scholarship in FY23. In the last two years, the SIU Foundation has raised nearly $64 million, which is, by far, the most the organization has raised over a two-year period. Since the beginning of the Forever SIU campaign, the Foundation has raised more than $287 million toward its $500 million goal. We have received incredible support from our donors, said Matt Kupec, vice chancellor for development and alumni relations and SIU Foundation CEO. There has a been a wave of momentum leading us to these heights, and that momentum is continuing today. Championed by Chancellor Austin Lane and his leadership team, the Forever SIU campaign aligns with the pillars of the Imagine 2030 strategic plan student engagement and success, diversity, equity, and inclusion, branding and partnerships, research and innovation, and sustainability. As we continue to move forward with the campaign, we are going to see even greater synergy with the bold strategic plan set forth by Chancellor Lane, Kupec said. With continued support from our alumni and friends, we know the best days are still ahead. The SIU Foundations outreach efforts connect with alumni and donors in Southern Illinois and across the country. The SIU Day of Giving received support from more people than ever. This years Day of Giving brought in more than $4 million from 3,702 gifts. The Foundation hosted Saluki Takeover Tours in Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, Tennessee, and the Florida Gulf Coast. During these events, alumni meet with university leaders, gather with friends, and rekindle connections. This year, Southern Illinois and Springfield will be added to the takeover tour schedule. In April, the Foundation hosted the inaugural Saluki Ball at the Marriott Marquis in Chicago. The event was attended by 618 people and raised more than $600,000 in funds that bridge the gap for students who need assistance completing their education at SIU. From the Day of Giving to the Takeover Tours to the Saluki Ball, we have seen the greatest groundswell of alumni support in the history of this university, Kupec said. Honestly, it has been inspiring, and were excited to see whats next. To learn more or make a gift, visit siuf.org. BAMBERG Bamberg County is preparing for the upcoming dedication and grand opening of its new, state-of-the art law enforcement center on July 28. The county is transforming its former hospital into a law enforcement and health and human services complex. The dedication and grand opening celebration will be held at noon Friday, July 28 at 509 North St. in Bamberg. The complex will include the sheriff's office, health department, Veterans Affairs office and the county coroner's office, with the construction of the other wings to be completed later, County Administrator Joey Preston reported during a county council meeting earlier this month. Preston said it is fitting to name the complex the Ed Darnell Law Enforcement Center. Darnell had served Bamberg County since 1978 as its longest-serving sheriff. He was 84 years old when he decided not to seek re-election in 2020. Darnell was the longest-serving sheriff in South Carolina, and the nations third longest-serving sheriff. He died at age 85 on July 12, 2022. This state-of-the-art facility stands as a beacon of hope, honoring the more than 40-year legacy of Edward Darnell a true champion of justice and one of the longest-serving sheriffs in the nation, Preston said. This is not just a celebration of bricks and mortar, but a celebration of the values Mr. Darnell stood for: integrity, fairness and a strong advocacy of victims rights not only in Bamberg County, but the entire state of South Carolina, the administrator said. Preston said the Bamberg County Sheriffs Office has already moved into the new center. Everybodys trying to get used to their new digs down there. It actually went pretty smooth. We were real happy about that. I have to give my staff credit for that, Preston said. The centers dedication ceremony will include sheriffs from across the state. Every sheriff in South Carolina is getting an invitation, along with our SLED chief. ... Hopefully were going to have him speak. If not, Im sure hell send someone for that day. Were asking the Attorney Generals Office to attend, too. Were also inviting the county councils from our region and across the state, along with other city and council officials, Preston said. The early birds grab the spaces and then there are hardly any spaces left for those doing business in Kingstown. Parking in Kingstown is expected to be examined and addressed. And Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves outlined some of the preliminary initiatives that have been put forward for discussion, while responding, in Parliament on Thursday 12th July, to a question posed by Opposition Parliamentary Representative for Central Kingstown, St Clair Leacock. Leacock requested that the government side state what initiatives were in place to assist parking in Kingstown. Prefacing his response with reference to the fact that the problem was not unique to St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Prime Minister said, "I think we all recognize that city parking is a major challenge in urban areas in both developed and developing countries globally, Gonsalves said. According to Gonsalves, over the last 20 years there has been a rapid increase in the number of vehicles imported and therefore, parking in a concentrated area such as Kingstown with a finite space has not escaped governments attention. "The issue is the number of vehicles and the limited space in which to park them, so careful consideration as to how this issue in the city can be addressed, and in a country that is expecting exponential growth in its development and one that is impacted by the increase in the importation of vehicles this is a matter that is occupying our attention, he said. According to Gonsalves, a document was commissioned by the Kingstown Town Board (KTB) in April 2022 to examine aspects of parking in Kingstown, and a local consultant was engaged to assist the KTB with reviewing the situation and making recommendations accordingly, to include to advise on streets that could be designated for time limit paid parking for the general public conducting business, to ensure equity in parking on the streets of Kingstown, and to determine measures that ought to be in place for business entities in Kingstown. The recommendations were also expected to including a parking policy in the transport policy and action plan to develop parking standards for Kingstown; improve the legislative framework on parking in the city inclusive of fees and fines; and consideration for the number of vehicles entering Kingstown. These and the other recommendations are expected to be canvased in a national consultation on parking in the city, which the newly appointed Minister of Urban Development, Senator Benarva Browne, is expected to lead. Monica Joseph served as a Judge in most of the States of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), as well as in the OECS Court of Appeal, until 1996. (Editors Note: The following is a Press Release (carried verbatim) issued by the Bar Association of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.) Members of the Bar of St. Vincent and the Grenadines were thrown into mourning the loss of former Justice Monica Joseph. The sad news was received last week Thursday that Justice Joseph had passed away in her homeland, Grenada. Justice Monica joined the staff of the Attorney Generals Chambers in the 1970s and served as a Legal Assistant and then as a Crown Counsel. She served under the Hon. Arthur Williams who was then Attorney General in the Labour Party administration of the day. She was subsequently promoted to Solicitor General and on the Bench, becoming the First female in the OECS to be promoted to the Bench of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (OECS). She served as a High Court Judge and a Justice of Appeal. Apart from her legal professional services, Justice Joseph was a keen Guider with St. Vincent and the Grenadines Girl Guides Association and served as a District Commissioner in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She had endeared herself to the Vincentian public and became popularly known as Tanty Monica or Auntie Monica. She loved Carnival and would be involved in an ole mas from time to time. She even did a bit of drama for charitable causes with members of the Bar. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister and National Security Minister, moved to assure the population that the relevant authorities were on top of the recent carnage in Kingstown, and appealed for calm. Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has revealed that the security authorities in the country have certain leads in the shooting incident that left 5 men dead under NAPA building, Uptown, Kingstown. On Wednesday, masked gunmen exited a jeep and opened fire on a number of persons under the NAPA building. Five males were killed including a minor, while a number of persons who sustained gunshot injuries were rushed to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital. Gonsalves speaking in a live video from Morocco on Thursday, July 20, said that "We have certain leads, Ive been advised by the police, and over the next few days we will be able to get a better handle as to who and what are responsible for these killings. "I want you to know that the government is resolved to get to the bottom of this and to continue to put the safety of our people at the top of our agenda, the Prime Minister said. Dr. Gonsalves appealed for calm and urged the populace not to panic. "We have to be resolute and tight on the criminals, he said Gonsalves, who promised to be tough on crime and the causes of crime. "There are ramped up measures which have been taken as I speak to you. And for tactical and operational reasons, I cant say what all those measures are but I want to appeal to the people of St. Vincent and Grenadines, people in the communities, to assist the police with any information you may have, the Prime Minister added. He assured that the police and Customs and Immigration officials were on high alert. "This fascination with guns coming from the United States of America and the ease with which they come in and then it is mixed with drugs and other matters of vanity and all kinds of quest for power through the gun. All of these things are an intoxicating mix. We have to look to see whether there are external involvements of one kind or another. But well talk more about those things. We try to get to the bottom of it and be calm. Dont panic. We are all together in this. We have our values for peace and security, said Gonsalves in his address to the nation. He said that these acts of senseless killing and the young males who are involved in these matters must know that it can only end with grief for them. "I repeat, we have to work together on this, the communities and the police authorities, the law enforcement agencies, he posited. "I want to extend condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. Lives lost, it doesnt matter which lives, and the loss of any life diminishes all human beings in the community. I reiterate, however, that we will get to the bottom of this and we will bring the perpetrators to justice. Those who carried out the killings and those who are the authors, even though they didnt pull the trigger themselves, Gonsalves promised. (TBTCO) - 7 thang au nam 2023, nganh Thue thuc hien nhiem vu thu ngan sach trong boi canh nen kinh te van con nhieu kho khan, thach thuc. Theo o, 6/20 khoan thu, sac thue at duoi 60% so voi du toan; 7/20 khoan thu, sac thue at thap hon so voi cung ky nam truoc. e bu ap cac khoan thu, sac thue co tien o thu sut giam, nganh Thue se chu trong vao cong tac thanh tra, kiem tra, thu hoi no thue; trien khai co hieu qua cac e an chong that thu thue. After making a passionate defense of the 1-cent sales tax, Casper city councilors unanimously passed an ordinance that would be the first step in extending the tax indefinitely. Tuesday night, during the ordinances first reading, councilors heard both opposition and support for the proposal. The 1-cent sales tax adds another penny to Wyomings 4% sales tax; said penny stays in the county, however. The ordinance passed its first reading through the city council unanimously. The proposed ordinance calls for the tax to be extended indefinitely not made permanent, councilors noted at the beginning of the discussion. The city doesnt have the ability to say yea or nay to extending the tax by itself. Its a county-level tax. However, state statute provides a path for counties and the communities within them to collectively decide to approve the optional 1-cent sales tax, sometimes also known as 5th cent, indefinitely. The City of Casper is just triggering the first of multiple steps for this process. Should Caspers ordinance pass, a similar resolution would go before the board of county commissioners, and a majority of the other municipalities would have to pass similar proposals, too. The county clerk would then have to certify to the county treasurer at least 90 days before the 2026 election season that Natrona County has met the requirements to axe the tax from the ballot, the Star-Tribune reported previously. Only then would it be off the ballots, instead of on a four-year cycle. But while it was still the first round, it sparked highly emotional discussion from both sides. There was one who offered testimony in support of the tax. Pat Sweeney, a former state representative and local business owner who lives in Casper, expressed concern that smaller communities, such as Midwest, Evansville and Edgerton, would suffer without the tax to the point that they might not survive. Without the 5th cent, they will absolutely dry up and blow away, no ifs, ands or buts in my mind particularly, Edgerton, Sweeney said. Some of the municipalities surrounding the city of Casper use 1-cent sales tax money operationally that means they use it for things like paying their staff members. The city uses it for things like road repairs and police cars and firetrucks. Places like Edgerton might not necessarily have the wiggle room to do that, councilors said. There were three speakers who spoke against an indefinite extension, noting concerns over taxes and the infringement on community members right to vote. Ross Schriftman, who moved here from Pennsylvania and has a business in Casper, said that he paid very high taxes there, and one of the draws of Wyoming was its extremely low taxes. I would encourage you, he said, addressing the councilors, to consider not passing this, letting the voters continue to ask you questions and justify the spending, rather than going down a path that takes some of the ability of us, the citizens, to participate. One of the other two speakers has a business in Evansville; the third did not state where she lived. Councilors sat pretty firmly in support of extending the tax and voted unanimously in support of it. Nearly all of them spoke in favor of it. Their perspectives mostly centered on what the tax money does for the community and how many people almost 70%, the Star-Tribune reported in November voted for the tax last year. Councilor Amber Pollock responded to remarks that an indefinite extension would start a snowball effect that would increase taxes and fees in other ways. She noted that the states taxes are very low compared to the rest of the countrys. The reality is, if we make this extended, we havent shifted the tax burden at all, right? Pollock, who represents Ward I, said. The tax burden is still identical to what the tax burden is right now. But what it allows us to do is plan further ahead. Its the fiscally responsible thing to do, she said. In addition, Mayor Bruce Knell said, the money is allocated based on a survey that has a menu of different avenues down which the money can be sent. Community members can share their thoughts on how the money should be used. Star-Tribune staff writer Mary Steurer contributed to this report. A man has been arrested in Vermont in connection to a May 2 homicide, a press release from the Casper Police Department states. Warrants for 36-year-old Stacy Roberts Medicinetop were obtained Thursday and he was arrested the same day by Vermont State Police. Medicinetop is jailed without bail as a fugitive from justice, the statement reads. CPD detectives interviewed Medicinetop and he is set be arraigned Friday in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in St. Albans, Vermont, according to the release. Daniel Robert Swope, 48, of Casper, was found dead on on the evening of May 2. Officers responded that evening to a report of a possible dead person on the 700 block of East Third Street, the Casper Police Department said in a statement. They found Swopes body at the scene. A Star-Tribune reporter saw a large number of Casper police officers working near a duplex on the street. Swopes death appeared suspicious to the responding officers, which prompted an in-depth investigation, police said. The resulting investigation determined his death was a homicide. The investigation remains open and anyone with information about the homicide is asked to contact the Casper Police Department tip line at 307-920-2862 or pdtips@casperwy.gov. If the individual providing information wants to remain anonymous, he or she can provide a tip through Crime Stoppers. Not much has changed. There are no clear or immediate solutions. But something has to be done. Those were the broad conclusions and sentiments of lawmakers and education officials during their Thursday afternoon discussion about the educational disparities that remain for Wyomings Native American students. The Select Committee on Tribal Relations gathered at Fort Washakie on the Wind River Indian Reservation last week for the first of two interim meetings. There, lawmakers heard from the Wyoming Department of Education that students on the Wind River Reservation continue to struggle relative to nearby districts and the rest of the state. The statistics are stunning. Roughly half of Wyoming students in grades 3 through 10 are proficient in English (i.e. reading and writing), according to WY-TOPP standardized testing data. In the three school districts Fremont County No. 14, Fremont County No. 21 and Fremont County No. 38 on the Wind River Reservation, the number plummets to 1014% of students who are proficient. Math is even worse. Between 35% of grade 3 through 10 students on the Wind River Reservation were proficient in math in 20212022, roughly a tenth of the state average and that of surrounding school districts. Across every metric the Department of Education shared ACT scores, graduation rates, Hathaway scholarships students from the Wind River Reservation lagged their peers, often by a wide margin. We can do better. We have to do better for our Native students, State Superintendent for Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder told lawmakers. But how to better serve Wyomings Indigenous students is a question that has so far eluded lawmakers and education officials. During the meeting, those on the panel and those who spoke acknowledged that the academic challenges students on the Wind River Reservation face have largely gone unresolved. Degenfelder and officials with the Department of Education told committee members that the state requires school districts to complete school improvement plans when they do not meet federal and state standards. While districts formulate and install those plans, the Department of Education meets with them, offering training and professional development for staff and helping with accreditation. Yet, so far, those measures have proved ineffective. Over the last five years, all eight schools on the Wind River Reservation have failed to meet federal and state expectations (School ratings were suspended for two years during the coronavirus pandemic). In response, Degenfelder said the Department of Education was trying to take a more involved approach and spend more time on the ground with the districts. We are really committed to making sure that at as the state agency were not just sending a letter and saying, Heres your performance rating, heres your accountability and heres what you have to do, she said. The exasperation and unease of some lawmakers was visible as they and those who testified struggled to identify any clear and immediate solutions that could begin improving results for Wyomings Native students. I just am frustrated and I dont know what we can do, said Sen. Affie Ellis, R-Cheyenne, the co-chair of the Select Committee on Tribal Relations. Ive spent a lot of time working and thinking about this and I feel like Im at a dead end. Do we just say, Well, those are the scores, its the reservation? Members of the Northern Arapaho Tribe and school leaders from nearby Fremont County School District No. 25 highlighted both cultural and socioeconomic factors that they said need to be addressed for students on the Wind River Reservation to succeed. During the 20222023 school year, anywhere from 42% to nearly 90% of the students across Wind River Reservation school districts qualified for the U.S. Department of Agricultures free school lunch program, according to Department of Education data. Two of the school districts on the reservation Fremont County School District No. 21 and Fremont County School District No. 38 reported 14% or more of their students were homeless, more than 10 times the state average. The foster care rate of students on the reservation is triple that of the state and surrounding districts. At the same time, school districts on the reservation report lower high school attendance, and in some cases lower elementary and middle school attendance. They also consistently record higher expulsion rates compared other school districts in the state, supporting research that suggests Native students face more discipline than their white peers. How do we address the notion of a social condition that for generations our students have been living with? said Sergio Maldonado, a teacher, former Democratic candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction and member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe. They live with that, they see that, they smell it, they hear it, they internalize it, which then affects their cognitive capacities, Maldonado added, referring to the violence and other hurdles that research and data shows disproportionately affect Wyomings Native communities. I know that every one of our students can succeed. Our students can succeed. But those factors affect their ability, their willingness to engage in a full blown effort. Teresa His Chase, a member of the Northern Arapaho Tribes Business Council, also referenced the socioeconomic and other challenges Native students face, but she argued there is a clear solution cultural education. Research shows that culturally based education improves academic performance for Indigenous students. His Chase oversaw an after-school program dedicated to teaching students about their culture and connecting them with their elders. Students learned everything from dance, language and history to farming, prayer and ceremony. At the end of the second year not only did we have 100% parent involvement, but there was a 77% increase in their academic scores, she said. As lawmakers and the Department of Education search for answers to Wyomings education disparities, His Chase said the states Native communities need broader support for their cultural education. We all need to get on board and bless our children with our language and culture, our history, because everything goes hand in hand with what were doing in the Western education system, she said. South Korean soldiers stand guard during a media tour at the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjeom in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, March 3. Reuters-Yonhap Expert points out lack of communication between USFK and UNC By Lee Hyo-jin South Koreans are shocked and embarrassed over American soldier Travis King's deliberate border-crossing to the North, with some people drawing connections between this event and what they perceive as a lack of discipline in U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) personnel. A former Korean Augmentation to the United States Army (KATUSA) soldier in his 30s, who wished to be identified only by his surname Kim, said he couldn't believe that a U.S. soldier fled north. "I've seen some U.S. soldiers with behavior issues getting into trouble, but not to this scale," he told The Korea Times. "I noticed that a lot of U.S soldiers deployed here are relatively young and less experienced. And due to the emotional stress of being stationed far away from home, some of them ended up causing trouble involving alcohol and violence. I think King may have been one of those troublemakers who required more attention." King, a 23-year-old Army private, dashed across the inter-Korean border during a civilian tour of the Joint Security Area (JSA) in the border truce village of Panmunjeom, in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Until recently, he had been jailed in a South Korean prison for about 50 days after failing to pay a 5 million won ($3,900) fine on charges of damaging a police vehicle. The soldier was to be flown to Fort Bliss in Texas on Monday, where he would have faced additional disciplinary measures and discharge from the military. Instead of boarding the flight to the U.S., however, King walked out of the airport and somehow joined a pre-booked JSA group tour. A portrait of American soldier Travis King is displayed as his grandfather, Carl Gates, talks about his grandson in Kenosha, Wis., July 19. AP-Yonhap Kim pointed out that the USFK's relatively lax personnel management could have made it easier for the troubled soldier to flee to the North. "Generally speaking, I felt that the USFK isn't very strict on its troops," he said, mentioning that he once witnessed a drunk U.S. soldier sneaking off the base at night. King's abrupt border-crossing has sparked confusion among the South Korean public, some of whom demand transparency and thorough investigations. Many are expressing their concerns and views on the incident, voicing their questions about the lax security measures that might have led to this situation. Park Sang-hyuk, a 42-year-old Seoul resident, said the USFK should conduct a thorough investigation into King's defection and disclose the results to the public. "I don't know the exact rules and regulations of the U.S. military, but I think there should be a thorough investigation to determine who is responsible for the soldier's desertion," he said. While an investigation by the U.S. authorities is ongoing, criticisms are rising as to why the military escorts left the airport after seeing King pass through customs, without verifying whether or not he boarded the flight. "This whole story is absurd and confusing," said Kim So-hyun, a 30-year-old office worker in Gyeonggi Province. "Who would have imagined that crossing the border would be this easy?" It took only seconds for King to run across the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) at the heavily fortified inter-Korean border. Some 10 military personnel from the United Nations Command (UNC) and the Republic of Korea Army chased after him, but he evaded them. "This incident has revealed the bitter reality that South Korea's sovereignty cannot be fully exercised regarding issues to the USFK," said Cho Han-bum, a senior researcher at the state-run Korea Institute for National Unification. "Even though King's escape from the airport and his trip to Panmunjeom occurred on our soil, the South Korean government had limited access to what was going on." Cho also said the fact that King was able to join the JSA tour, for which visitors are required to present their passports, has exposed a lack of communication channels between the USFK and the UNC. "Had there been a channel through which the USFK could swiftly notify the UNC about problematic soldiers or deserters, the UNC wouldn't have approved King's application, or would have been able to identify him when he showed up for the tour," he said. In response to The Korea Times' inquiry on its personnel management, Friday, the USFK said, "We are currently conducting an investigation into the incident. We will publish more information once the investigation is complete." A North Korean guard post is seen from Imjingak Park on the South Korean side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Two days ago, the world, led by Japan, peered through the long lens of history to August 6, An investigation is continuing into the deaths of a well-known Tucson couple, a linguist and an artists community leader, after their bodies were found in the Rio Grande in Sierra County, New Mexico. Muriel Macaskill Fisher, 73, was found by jet ski-riders on June 18 in the Rio Grande near Williamsburg, N.M. Her husband Paul Fisher, 70, was found the same day near Truth or Consequences, N.M. No cause of death has been established as the investigation continues, the Sierra County Medical Examiners Office and the University of New Mexico Office of the Custodian of Public Records told the Star on Thursday. Sierra County sheriffs officials havent returned multiple emails and phone calls from the Star seeking information about the case. Sierra County Sheriff Joshua Baker told the Sierra County Sentinel that no suspects were being sought and there was not believed to be any danger to the public, according to a June 29 article by reporter Frances Luna. Authorities found the couples rental car on Riverside Drive in Truth or Consequences, the article said. I dont know what happened, but Im glad they had each other, said Adrienne Halpert, owner of Global Arts Gallery in Patagonia and a long-time friend of both Paul and Muriel. The ripples of their essence go deep and wide. Ive never known people like them. They magnified each others creativity. The Fishers were Tucson residents for more than 40 years. Muriel, a Gaelic linguist and retired senior research scientist at the University of Arizonas Department of Linguistics and Gaelic language, won the Excellence in Community Linguistics award from the National Science Foundation in 2014. She taught her native Gaelic for many years, privately in her Tucson Gaelic Institute, at Pima Community College and at the UA. Paul was a longtime leader in Tucsons arts community, having been director of arts education for the Tucson Pima Arts Council from 1990-1996. He did a stint as Tucson Waters conservation mascot Pete the Beak in the late 1970s. (Paul) and I were both a part of the Arizona Commission on the Arts artisan resident program, said Thom Lewis, who knew the Fishers for decades. Later he was involved as the executive director of Arts Integrative Solutions, an offshoot of a program I worked for. Paul and Muriel always had that great charm that people from the British Isles always have, Lewis said. Muriel was a native of the Isle of Skye in Scotland, and Paul was from Britain. They were always a very enduring, funny people, Lewis said. Prominent immigration lawyer and local advocate Margo Cowan has been suspended from practicing law for two years by the Board of Immigration Appeals due to violating the rules of professional conduct, court records say. The Board of Immigration Appeals ordered this month that Cowan be suspended for two years from practice before the Immigration Courts, the board and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Cowans suspension was supposed to go into effect on July 22, but her attorney, William Walker, said they have asked for a delay while it goes to federal court. Hopefully, the United States District Court for the District of Arizona will see through this and will seek to give people back their representation, Walker said. If this happens, and she is suspended from practice, there will be over 1,000 people that will lose representation in court. Walker said Cowans organization is the only one in Tucson that helps immigration clients pro bono, or at no charge. Cowan has been an immigration attorney since 1986 and a defense attorney at the Pima County Public Defenders Office since 2004. She is also listed as the project supervisor for Keep Tucson Together, a grassroots organization that works to stop deportations in immigration courts. She was a co-founder of the Sanctuary Movement, an underground railroad that helped asylum seekers fleeing Central American civil wars in the 1980s. Cowan was mentored by farmworkers civil rights leaders Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta in the late 1960s to early 1970s, the American Immigration Lawyers Association said in a 2021 news release announcing an award it gave Cowan. 24 counts of rules violations Her suspension stems from a Notice of Intent to Discipline the Disciplinary Counsel for the Executive Office for Immigration Review filed against her in 2019. The notice charged her with 24 separate counts of violating various sections of the federal regulations governing the practice before the Immigration Courts and the Board, court records say. A five-day disciplinary hearing was held in 2020 where the counts were discussed in front of an adjudicating official. In the first 11 counts, the government claimed Cowan failed to provide specific grounds for an appeal and failed to file an appeal after stating an intent to do so in the Notice of Appeal. The counts also alleged she did not timely notify the board that she didnt intend to file an appeal in any of the cases listed in the Notice of Intent, court records say. Cowan said she didnt file the briefs because her clients chose not to do so, engaged in criminal activity which would make an appeal unlikely, or she failed to discover any appealable issues after her review of the records, court records say. The respondents (Cowan) actions constitute frivolous behavior, court records say. She failed to take reasonable efforts to determine if there were any appealable issues before filing a Notice of Appeal in 10 out of the 11 cases. In counts 12 through 16 and 19, the government alleged Cowan failed to file court-ordered briefs by court-imposed deadlines. Cowan did not oppose the allegations, but said she was unable to file briefs because the pro bono clinic was not equipped to do so or that the briefs were unnecessary because the judge had all of the information he needed to decide the cases, court records say. Cowan also said that normally, immigration judges do not require briefs to be filed and said that one specific judge is the only judge in the courts clinic lawyers practice who requests a 42b brief, court records say. Lastly, in counts 17, 18 and 20 through 24, the government said Cowan failed to file applications for relief or ensure that her clients completed biometrics requirements by court-imposed deadlines. In one case, Cowan did not request additional time to prepare her clients application before the hearing. She then appeared at the hearing and asked for additional time, stating that her client failed to provide the necessary documents to timely file her application for relief, court records say. However, the judge involved in that particular case testified that Cowans client, who was a lawful permanent resident and was seeking to maintain her status, was ordered to be removed since Cowan didnt file the application, court records say. After the removal order was issued, the client hired new counsel and filed a motion to reopen the case, claiming ineffective assistance of counsel by Cowan. In the end, the judge granted the clients relief from removal, court records say. Despite the dire consequences, the respondent failed to abide by her obligations to timely file the aliens application for relief, which initially resulted in her removal, court records say. While the respondent claims that her client did not cooperate with her to file her relief application, the record demonstrates that she was indeed ineffective and it was her failure to act in accordance with the rules of professional conduct that resulted in her clients removal order. Court records also say Cowan did not seek a waiver of filing fees for cases where the client could not afford the application fee or the biometrics fee. Cowan said that she was not aware that biometrics fees could be waived. Cowan says she benefits public interest The adjudicating official ultimately decided disciplinary sanctions were appropriate because Cowan violated her ethical duties, failed to follow proper procedures and repeatedly failed to follow court imposed, court records say. The respondents misconduct injured her clients, the legal system and the legal profession as a whole, court records say. The adjudicating official, in December 2020, ordered an indefinite suspension of no less than five years with conditions for reinstatement. Cowan later appealed the decision, saying any sanction that would involve a suspension would be unwarranted because the pro bono service she provides is a significant benefit to public interest and her practice has greatly improved since receiving more funding and staffing, court records say. On July 5, the board dismissed Cowans appeal and ordered the two-year suspension. The boards decision said Cowans refusal to expressly acknowledge or accept her errors before the adjudicating official appears to show a lack of remorse. However, the record also showed evidence she had taken steps to attempt to rectify the failings in the management of her pro bono clinic, including her saying she has not failed to file a brief since being informed by the Disciplinary Counsel. The judge who initially filed complaints to the counsel about Cowans problematic conduct testified that he does not know of any instances since the complaints were filed where the she engaged in inappropriate conduct, the decision said. The respondents efforts in this regard reveal an acknowledgement of the errors or mistakes in her previous process and practice, even if she has not expressly done so in words, and even if the AO questioned the lasting success of the respondents newly implemented case management system and other efforts, the decision said. When asked about the suspension, Walker said the decision came from Trump-appointed immigration court. This woman for her entire career, has devoted herself to helping migrants and undocumented people to have representation in court and what the Trump immigration department has done is everything they can to keep people from having any legal representation at all, Walker said. They dont want these people treated equally; they dont want them to be heard. This isnt about Margo Cowan, Walker said. This is about an administration that has wanted undocumented people thrown out of this country and heard without proper representation. Its horrible. A student and his guardian pass by messages and flowers of condolences over the walls of Seoul Se02 Elementary School in Seoul's Seocho District, Friday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul By Lee Hae-rin The recent death of an elementary school teacher in Seoul has ignited debates on the need for legislative reforms to protect educators. On Tuesday, the teacher, who was in her 20s, took her own life early in the morning within her classroom at the elementary school in Seoul's affluent Seocho District. Her death has sparked online speculation that she was struggling with school violence committed by her students and subsequent complaints from parents. The Seoul branch of the Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union released reports received from teachers employed at the school between 2020 and 2023, Friday, to help provide context to the situation the young teacher had faced. The reports said the workload and parental complaints concerning school violence at Seoul Seo2 Elementary School, where the deceased teacher worked, were at "an incomprehensibly immense level" and the environment allegedly hindered teachers' ability to perform their normal duties. The situation was particularly difficult for young, inexperienced teachers, such as the deceased who was in her second year of teaching, as they struggled to handle incidents of school violence and excessive parental complaints. Many also testified that the she had been dealing with actual cases of school violence and excessive complaints from the parents. A deliveryman carries wreaths of white flowers in condolences to the teacher in her 20s who took her own life at her classroom in Seoul Seo2 Elementary School in Seocho District, Seoul, Friday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul The groundbreaking establishment of an active management area in the Douglas basin seemed destined for a possible repeal last week. Voters in the Cochise County groundwater basin had approved establishing the new groundwater management system in 2022, but last week county election officials reviewed petitions calling for a repeal election. They declared the petitions sufficient. This week, though, that repeal effort ran into its own brick wall when the Environmental Defense Action Fund, a political action committee, filed suit against the repeal effort. The suit alleged a variety of problems with the petition effort. Most broadly, it said under state law there simply is no provision for voters to rescind the establishment of an active management area and return it to the previous status, an irrigation non-expansion area. The suit also alleged various problems with the petitions themselves. This week, the Cochise County Attorneys Office reviewed the lawsuit and agreed with its allegations, elections director Bob Bartelsmeyer said. As a result, there will be no election this year, and those seeking one will have to try again from scratch. Ann Waters, who led the initiative effort, said she did so to protect peoples grandfathered water rights, which she said are endangered by the active management areas establishment. The AMA still has not defined what it actually is, she said. People voted on something without knowing what it was. The effort to establish the active management area was historic the first time local people had used a provision of state law that allowed them to establish greater regulation over groundwater in their basin. While the effort to establish an AMA in the Douglas basin was successful, a similar one in the Willcox basin failed. Candidates late on finance filings Two candidates for Tucson City Council failed to file on time this week the latest required campaign-finance disclosures. Democrat Miguel Ortega and Republican Victoria Lem, both candidates in Ward 1, had not filed disclosures Thursday afternoon that were due on Monday. The other candidates for city office, including incumbent Democrat Lane Santa Cruz, did file her disclosure on time. Find out more on the candidates campaign spending in Sundays Arizona Daily Star. PAC remains unofficial in Tucson The political action committee that sent out mailers in the Ward 1 race opposing Democratic incumbent Santa Cruz still has not complied with city ordinances. The Arizona Prosperity Initative PAC hasnt filed paperwork establishing itself as an entity operating in Tucson elections. The other outside groups spending in the race have done so. However, Arizona Corporation Commission records show the initiative was formed as a corporation April 6 by Timothy LaSota, a well-known Republican attorney in the Phoenix area. The directors are Donald Justin Harris, Joel Rhoads and John Holden. Finchem has flown the coop It looks like the Tucson area will no longer have any responsibility for former state Rep. Mark Finchem. Voter registration documents, reviewed by a Phoenix newsletter called 48th Estate, show that Finchem registered to vote from a Phoenix address in January. He has also filed his intent to challenge Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, a Republican, in the 2024 election. Finchem, then an Oro Valley resident, served in the Arizona House of Representatives from 2015 through 2022, winning four elections. In 2022, he was the Republican nominee for secretary of state but lost that race to Democrat Adrian Fontes though he has never accepted his 120,000-vote loss. The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer: It seems like every day when I open the newspaper, I see our elected officials from Legislative District 17 pushing an extreme partisan narrative at the Capitol that seeks to divide us. Meanwhile, Arizonas schools are underfunded and teachers underpaid, our water future is uncertain, and our small business owners need support. Solutions to these challenges require innovative thinking, pragmatic decision-making, and a willingness to put aside partisan differences so our state can succeed. Unfortunately, our current elected officials in our community have already demonstrated that their goals dont include solving these tough challenges. I am tired of our leaders neglecting voters priorities and abandoning Southern Arizona values altogether. That is why I am running for the Arizona Legislature in LD17. As an Arizonan who deeply cares about the well-being of our state, I am compelled to raise a critical concern: the need for commonsense representation in Legislative District 17. We must elect officials who can bridge the partisan divide and work toward practical solutions that benefit all Arizonans. In the Army, I learned the importance of working together to accomplish our missions, and from running my small business, I learned how to build consensus and find compromises to finish the job. During my time in the Legislature, I used these skills and brought people together to deliver results for Arizona. Through negotiation and collaboration, I successfully passed two bipartisan bills to start solving these critical issues facing our state. One of those bills was a $1 billion initiative aimed at securing Arizonas water future. Recognizing the urgency of the water crisis, I worked across party lines to craft a comprehensive solution that focused on both water augmentation and water conservation. By investing in a balanced approach, we aimed to ensure a sustainable water supply for future generations while also protecting our environment and fostering responsible water use. The second bill I championed was the first bipartisan budget in a decade. Recognizing the importance of fiscal responsibility and investing in our states future, we crafted a budget that kept taxes low while allocating an additional $1 billion to support our schools. This bipartisan approach allowed us to address critical funding needs without compromising the financial well-being of Arizonas taxpayers. Voters suffer when their representatives cater to the fringe. Here in Legislative District 17, extremist values are governing what gets done by our representatives and in turn our communities are worse off. For example, Rep. McGarr, LD17, introduced a bill to ensure women are jailed for receiving medical care like an abortion. Rep. Rachael Jones, LD17, has introduced a bill to get rid of Arizonas established and loved early voting by mail system. What do these bills do other than ensure our freedoms are restricted? What do they do to tackle our housing, education, and water crises? Nothing. While I was in the legislature, I focused on being the type of leader that delivered bipartisan results to address the water shortage and increase education funding. I understand the importance of working together because after all, we were sent to the legislature to deliver for voters on their priorities. In LD 17, we have an opportunity to shape the trajectory of our state. We must vote for candidates who prioritize the well-being of our communities over divisive rhetoric and extreme legislation. I am confident that we can create a future where LD 17 and Arizona thrive under commonsense leadership. Let us come together and forge a path toward progress, unity, and prosperity for all. By electing representatives who embody the values of collaboration and pragmatism, we can overcome the challenges that lie ahead and secure a brighter future for LD 17 and Arizona as a whole. Witches and warlocks In defense of witches, I write to remind all that witches are women. We are sick, I say, of allowing you know who to continue defaming us. Men are WARLOCKS. We witches should seriously consider a class-action defamation lawsuit against (you know who) for damages accumulated over at least six years. Susan VonKersburg Northeast side Crane a racist? I listened as Eli Crane, Republican representative from Arizona, during debate on the House floor, used the term colored people describing Black Americans. I was appalled when he tried to walk back his statement. It is well-founded that when someone is speaking from the heart that their true feelings are expressed. I believe this makes Crane a racist. I am ashamed to have him represent the people of Arizona, as should all Arizonans. James Doyle North side Perpetual gun insanity Re: the July 17 letter Dont blame fires on climate change. A recent writer to this page states Biden and Democrats are exploiting mass shootings to further their Final Solution plan of gun confiscation. It may be coincidence that the writer uses that term. That term was how the Nazis described the horrors of the Holocaust. I have lived long enough to have seen the evolution of mass murders from the UT tower killings to todays more than everyday events. What has changed? In my opinion, the easy access to weapons of war has brought the means to the killers. There have always been killers and psychopaths and until science can remediate their sickness they will be amongst us. Gun owners have been told by the NRA for decades that They are going to take away your guns. It remains a fear tactic. I personally believe that it is impractical, if not impossible, to confiscate more guns than we have people in the US. Revise the NFA to restrict the ownership of those weapons used in mass murders. Jeff Rayner SaddleBrooke Trump the fascist Re: the July 15 letter Trumps an anarchist. Donald Trump is not an anarchist; hes quite the opposite. Anarchy is Greek for Having no ruler. Anarchism is a complex philosophy, but one of its basic tenets is that all government is coercive and can and should be replaced by societies where people work together freely, with no one ruling anyone else by force. Anarchists abhor autocracy; Trump embraces it, as long as the autocrat is him. Its correct to put him in a historical box with Hitler, another power-mad narcissist. You may call anarchists dreamers. They are. They are believers in possibility. The best-known American anarchist, Emma Goldman, devoted her life to fighting war and oppression. Read her autobiography, Living My Life, if you want to understand what anarchism is. Some, not all, anarchists espouse violence. You may not agree, but dont put anarchists in the same box with Trump. That box is clearly labeled Fascism. Kim Mathews East side On Donald Trump Democracy thrives when reason prevails and, most assuredly, liberty is lost when reason fails. With echoes of John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau, Francis Bacon and Isaac Newton, during the Age of Enlightenment, when rational, fact-based thought began to dominated public discourse, today, especially for Republicans, we must again go back to the foundational elements of human knowledge and recommit ourselves to the recognition and absolute acceptance that 1. objective truth exists, 2. our human pursuits must be based on the best understanding of objective truth at any given time, and 3. we must strongly resist those who wish to lead us down a different, irrational path based on fear, lies, deception, superstition, greed, treachery, human domination, bigotry, or other self promoting. Patrick DeConcini Midtown You call this progressive? Ancient Chinese bound the feet of little girls to produce the grotesque Lotus petal feet. This was thought to be attractive. We called it barbaric. Muslim traditionalists surgically remove the genitalia of young girls. They do this because they think it protects females from impure thoughts and lust. We call this barbaric. Some Americans engage in chest binding, chemical puberty blockers, surgical removal of healthy reproductive organs, etc. of children in the name of aiding these helpless children transition to their true sexual identity. We call this progressive. Please, can someone explain the difference. All I see is adults savaging children for their own perverted purposes. Thomas McClure West side Immigration problems A majority of the GOP support building more of the border wall to stop illegal immigration. To those Republicans, I pose the following question: If you lived in a country where your family faces threats to their existence, would you do nothing and wait for the inevitable? Or would you take action and immigrate to allow your family to survive? Migration is only going to increase, given those threats throughout the world. A wall is not going to stop migration. It is a Band-Aid that does not consider the root causes such as overpopulation, corrupt governments, drug demand, global warming, lack of an immigration policy and other issues that the GOP refuses to address. Those refusals are the result of ignorance, stupidity and lies which have become the hallmark of todays GOP. Michael Mount Foothills Nutt for Ward 2 I am writing to express my support for Lisa Nutts candidacy for Ward 2 City Council. Lisas unwavering commitment to addressing the homelessness crisis and improving public safety for all residents is truly commendable. As a resident of Ward 2, I have witnessed Lisas passion and dedication firsthand. Her ability to listen, empathize, and take decisive action has earned her the trust and respect of the community. She is a true advocate for inclusivity, working tirelessly to create an environment where every resident feels safe and supported. We need leaders like Lisa Nutt who are willing to tackle the tough issues head-on. I wholeheartedly urge my fellow residents of Ward 2 to support Lisa Nutt for City Council. Together, we can address the homelessness crisis and enhance public safety, ensuring a brighter future for our community. Sincerely, David Fotheringham East side The United States of Trump Donald Trump gave a speech on Saturday, July 15, in which he laid out plans to restructure the entire federal government and insert political loyalists and donors. Trump is designing a new presidency to massively expand its powers which is now laid out plainly for all to see. His hubris is dangerous. If Trump is re-elected, America will change from being a free democracy into becoming a Russian-like dictatorship. No president should have that much power in a democratic America. Have Trump and Putin decided that this is what Trump should do? Where are Republican leaders who should be countering this authoritarian vision of America? Their silence is chilling. America is the greatest country on earth, so why does Trump focus almost entirely on negatives? Doom is his gloomy political platform, and it is wrong. Democracy-minded Americans need to vote, volunteer, run for office, donate and donate again to help defeat Trumps agenda to turn the United States into the Soviet Union. Cheryl Bakke SaddleBrooke Water conservation Yes, we live in a desert, and yes, were suffering from a 20-year drought, and yes, nearly every stream and river in the west has already been dammed up. Arizona took an 18% cut in Colorado River water last year and will probably be taking another 13% cut this year. So, what are we going to do? How about accepting personal responsibility to conserve water. Las Vegas Metro, in the last 20 years, has reduced water consumption by 30% while population increased by 750,000, proving people can make a difference using common sense conservation methods: fix leaky pipes, run washing machines and dishwashers on full loads, install low-flow toilets, dont take long showers, water at night using a drip system, dont water sidewalks or roads. None of these require much of an investment. With a modest investment harvest rainwater or xeriscape your yard. The government cant solve all our problems, so lets suck it up and do our share! Leadawn Anderton MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Alabama on Friday refused to create a second majority-Black congressional district, a move that could defy a recent order from the U.S. Supreme Court to give minority voters a greater voice and trigger a renewed battle over the states political map. Lawmakers in the Republican-dominated House and Senate instead passed a plan that would increase the percentage of Black voters from about 31% to 40% in the state's 2nd District. The map was a compromise between plans that had percentages of 42% and 38% for the southeast Alabama district. GOP Gov. Kay Ivey quickly signed it. State lawmakers faced a deadline to adopt new district lines after the Supreme Court in June upheld a three-judge panels finding that the current state map with one majority-Black district out of seven in a state that is 27% Black likely violates the federal Voting Rights Act. Voting rights advocates and Black lawmakers said the plan invoked the states Jim Crow history of treating Black voters unfairly. Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, said the map, and the Republican politicians who supported it, would make George Wallace proud, referring to the segregationist former Alabama governor. It arrogantly defies a very conservative United States Supreme Court decision ... from just weeks ago, Holder said in a statement. Republicans argued that their proposal complies with the directive to create a second district where Black voters could influence the outcome of congressional elections. Opponents said it flouted a directive from the panel to create a second majority-Black district or something quite close to it so that Black voters have an opportunity to elect a representative of their choice. The 140-seat Alabama Legislature has 33 Black lawmakers. All but one are Democrats. Theres no opportunity there for anybody other than a white Republican to win that district. It will never, ever elect a Democrat. They wont elect a Black. They wont elect a minority, said Sen. Rodger Smitherman, a Democrat from Birmingham. Republicans have been reluctant to create a Democratic-leaning district and are engaging in a high-stakes wager that the panel will accept their proposal or that the state will prevail in a second round of appeals. Republicans argued that the map meets the courts directive and draws compact districts that comply with redistricting guidelines. If you think about where we were, the Supreme Court ruling was 5-4, so theres just one judge that needed to see something different. And I think the movement that we have and what weve come to compromise on today gives us a good shot," House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said. Republican Senate President Pro Tem Greg Reed said he believed the changes to the district make it a so-called opportunity district. Im confident that weve done a good job. It will be up to the courts to decide whether they agree, Reed said. The debate in Alabama is being closely watched across the nation, and could be mirrored in fights in Louisiana, Georgia, Texas and other states. The three-judge panel ruled in 2022 that the current legislative map likely violates the federal Voting Rights Act and said any map should include two districts where Black voters either comprise a voting-age majority" or something close. The Supreme Court concurred. Now that the plan has passed, the fight will shift quickly back to the federal court to debate whether Alabamas congressional districts comply with federal law and offer a fair opportunity to Black voters and candidates in a political landscape dominated by white Republicans. Black Alabama lawmakers say it's crucial that their constituents have a better chance of electing their choices. I have people in my district saying their vote doesnt count, and I understand why they say that, Rep. Thomas Jackson, a Thomasville Democrat, said during debate Friday. The person they want to elect can never get elected because they are in the minority all the time. Black lawmakers disputed that the changes to the 2nd District, an area with deep ties to agriculture and home to military bases, would easily become a swing district. They speculated that state Republicans were seeking to mount another challenge to federal voting law. This is designed to protect a few people and ultimately to finish off the Voting Rights Act, said Rep. Chris England, a Democratic lawmaker from Tuscaloosa. An analysis by The Associated Press, using redistricting software, shows that the 2nd District proposed Friday has mostly voted for Republicans in recent statewide elections. Donald Trump won the district by nearly 10 percentage points in his 2020 reelection bid. Experts have said the GOP proposals fall short of what the Supreme Court said last month is required. They have pretended as though the court didnt say what it said, said Kareem Crayton, senior director for voting and representation at New York Universitys Brennan Center for Justice, which filed a brief supporting the plaintiffs before the Supreme Court. The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) An investigation into an Arizona wildfire that destroyed more than 30 homes and other buildings on the outskirts of Flagstaff last year concluded without investigators determining a definitive cause of the blaze, the U.S. Forest Service announced Friday. Known as the Tunnel Fire, it was one of two major wildfires in the spring of 2022 on the outskirts of Flagstaff. The fire broke out Easter Sunday and grew to more than 29 square miles (76 square kilometers) due to a combination of strong winds and warm, dry conditions. Residents were forced to evacuate quickly, and firefighters spent weeks trying to extinguish the blaze before it was fully contained June 1. The Forest Service's investigative division in the Southwest said in a statement Friday that it had ruled out multiple potential causes during its probe but ultimately closed out the case without determining exactly what started the blaze. The agency did not immediately release its investigative report. The fire started about 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) northeast of Flagstaff in an area of the Coconino National Forest where campfires are banned year-round. One of the intersecting forest roads near the fire's origin, Schultz Pass, is a major artery for traveling around the San Francisco Peaks. Residents at the time questioned how a small blaze was able to balloon into such a size, ripping through dry grass and scattered Ponderosa pines around homes into volcanic cinder fields. The flames threatened more than 1,330 structures and destroyed 30 homes and 24 buildings. No deaths were reported. Matt McGrath, a district ranger on the forest, has said firefighters believed they had extinguished the fire when it was first reported and didn't see any active smoke or flames when they checked on it the following day. Winds were a major factor in the fire's spread with flames soaring as high as 100 feet (30 meters). Popular national monuments, including Sunset Crater Volcano and Wupatki closed for a time because of the wildfire. The other wildfire that followed on its heels, known as the Pipeline Fire, was still under investigation, said Brady Smith, a spokesperson for the Coconino National Forest. Lydia Fletcher Tulsa World Scene Writer Follow Lydia Fletcher Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Meg Gould never planned on living in Oklahoma. The born-and-raised Texan moved to Tulsa in January to become the executive director of Tulsas Office of Film, Music, Arts and Culture after seeing momentum in Tulsas film industry. Gould has been working in the film industry for around 30 years, first moving to Los Angeles to work on major productions such as Godzilla and the Academy Awards. She eventually returned to her home state to work on the Walker, Texas Ranger series and decided to stay there. Since then, she spent 12 years with The Dallas Film and Creative Industries Office and an additional 7 in Tourism at Visit Dallas.We sat down with her to talk about some of her favorite aspects of Tulsa and catch up on the state of northeast Oklahomas film and music industries. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. Tulsa World: So, youve been in Tulsa for around seven months now. What are some of the unexpected things youve learned about the city? Meg Gould: Honestly, the music scene. I knew they had great music here, but I didnt know the diversity of the music scene. From punk rock to rap to country to bluegrass, folk I mean, its all here. Also, how many locations and looks that Tulsa has. You can go in one direction and have a totally different look from going another direction. We have water and lakes, rivers, mountains, hills, prairies, everything in our area that I know that people are looking for. TW: You mention the music scene as being a surprise for you. Do you have any favorite local artists as well as touring acts you want to see visit the city? Gould: Wilderado is a great one. We took them down to South by Southwest (Music Festival) to be a part of the Tulsa house that we did, and their fanbase is crazy. We had a huge line out the door and down the street for people to come and see them. Theyre doing very well, but I really want to see them succeed. On a national level, one of my favorite bands is U2, so Id love to see them anywhere, and for that to be in Tulsa would be a dream. TW: Your office covers both the music and film industries in Tulsa. Whats needed to help the film industry thrive similarly to the music industry in Tulsa? Gould: Were trying to foster that (industry) right now. In talking with a lot of people, were lacking a little bit in the workforce for the film industry. We are talking with several people, including Tulsa Tech and the University of Tulsa, trying to get that education at the college level. Were going to start bringing in other programs that can help professionals get into the industry, as well. Everything else is here. We just need a soundstage, and were talking to people about an incentive. The main thing that we need to concentrate on is the workforce. TW: Youve mentioned workforce as an essential aspect of Oklahomas film industry. How are the strikes impacting Oklahoma now that SAG-AFTRA has joined WGAs efforts? Gould: The writers strike has already affected production in Oklahoma. I know several productions that were looking at going and now stopped. Since Oklahoma is a right-to-work state and theres non-WGA writers, some smaller productions are going. Reality (TV), commercials and docu-dramas are keeping some crews busy. As far as the Screen Actors Guild striking, thats going to affect more people worldwide, and it will definitely impact almost every production going on right now. I think both strikes are justified, and its time to address the issues that theyre looking at as far as AI. I mean, its unbelievable what AI can control. If we let one get away with it, then theyre going to start creeping into other industries, so its something that definitely needs to be on the table right now. TW: On your website theres a creativity database. Can you tell us more about that and how people can get involved? Gould: We encourage anybody that works in the industry or support service to list in there. We also have a location gallery, so were always looking for film-friendly locations. We have the musician side and support services side, which is anything that a production would need in order to film. For our crew side, we ask they have one paid credit in whatever category theyre listing. If not, they can be an apprentice. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Fulton Street Books & Coffee, the citys only Black-owned bookstore, is moving to Tulsas historic Greenwood District this fall, with hopes to carry Black Wall Streets legacy by promoting literacy. Announced at its third anniversary event this month, Fulton Street is moving to 21 N. Greenwood Ave., next door to Greenwood Rising, and plans to open its new doors in October, owner and founder Onikah Asamoa-Caesar told the Tulsa World. She said she is excited to move her business to Greenwood and that shes especially excited to promote literacy in the area by highlighting books by or about people of color. Im excited to join an ecosystem that has been rebuilding and creating a new narrative and carrying on the legacy of Black Wall Street, she said. Asamoa-Caesar founded Fulton Street Books & Coffee shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. Her store on West Latimer Street grew increasingly popular, especially after she began offering subscriptions that deliver books directly to peoples doors. Fulton Streets original location is temporarily closed, but in March the business opened a kiosk in Tulsa International Airport that remains open. As for the stores name, because of a family connection, Fulton Street became a symbol of home for me. I want to share that feeling with everyone who walks in our doors, Asamoa-Caesar told the Tulsa World in 2019. Her store emphasizes the lived experiences of people of color through the books she offers, she said, but, more importantly, she hopes to promote literacy. She said she wants her store to be a place to promote conversations and tell stories. Literacy is extremely important to her, she said, especially as book banning efforts increase around the country and in Oklahoma. In the time we are in now, where so many books are being banned or challenged and the majority of those books are being written by Black, brown or queer folks, its especially important to have a space that not only includes those voices but centers those voices, Asamoa-Caesar said. She said Fulton Street Books & Coffee hopes to ensure that the voices of people of color are not lost in the world of literacy. Asamoa-Caesar was born in New Jersey and grew up in Southern California. She finished high school in a de facto segregated rural town in Mississippi. She said books and literacy allowed her to understand and articulate her lived experience as a Black child and that she hopes to help others do the same. Where is the place where I am most situated to make an impact for my community? Asamoa-Caesar asked. I believe in literacy as a tool for liberation. I believe that by understanding where we have been, you can help create solutions and a more equitable path of where we want to be. Fulton Street Books & Coffees new location will feature a patio and expanded room for author events and will offer beer and wine along with its usual coffee options. Asamoa-Caesar said she has a lot of events and ideas planned for Fulton Streets new location. She said the location puts her business in a great position to attract more customers, share Greenwoods story and promote literacy to Tulsas Black community. It feels like such an honor, she said. Theres another part of it where it can feel like a huge responsibility to be part of a legacy that is known worldwide, that has been written about and spoken about, portrayed in TV and cinema. I dont want to underestimate the weight on the shoulders of folks who are in that area to ensure that were honoring the history with integrity and operating in a way that honors the collaborative, cooperative economics of the past and the community we want to build. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. VERDIGRIS A woman and three children were found dead of gunshot wounds after a roughly three-hour standoff with police Thursday, a spokesman for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said. OSBI Public Information Manager Hunter McKee said the identities of those involved would not be released until next-of-kin notifications have been made, but a friend of the family who arrived at the scene late Thursday said the woman was the mother of the three children who died. The Tulsa World is not releasing the names until official notifications are made. The standoff began around 4 p.m. as an "armed and barricaded" situation at a house at the corner of Dogwood Court and Cypress Street in Verdigris, McKee said. A Verdigris police officer who was driving down the street saw fireworks coming from a house and "knew there was something wrong" and so called for backup, McKee said. Verdigris Police Chief Jack Shackelford said the officer saw a Roman candle being shot through a broken window in a garage door at the house and stopped to investigate. The officer discovered that a woman was trapped in the garage with some children and was using the Roman candle to try to attract attention to get help, Shackelford said. The woman had brought one child to the home for a supervised visitation there but was met by the child's mother, who pointed a gun at her, took her child and locked the woman and two other children who were with that woman in the garage, he said. After police arrived, the woman and the two children with her were able to get out, he said. The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service's SWAT team also responded, Shackelford said. Officers tried to make contact with the armed woman inside, and a standoff ensued for about three hours, McKee said. After getting no response from the woman, they eventually entered the house, "where they found an adult woman along with three children dead inside, all with apparent gunshot wounds," McKee said. Andrew and Mary Dempsey, who live just a couple of houses away, said they didnt know anything was going on in their quiet, working-class neighborhood until they heard an ambulance on the street around 6:30 or 7 p.m. By about 8 p.m., their entire street was pretty closed in, Mary Dempsey said. The couple, whove lived on the street since 2015, said its a pretty quiet neighborhood with a number of older residents, but Andrew Dempsey said there were always a lot of cars and a lot of kids hanging around the house where the bodies were found. Lucretia Pitre of Tulsa, a longtime friend of the family who lived in the home, said the woman was probably in her mid-30s and that the children were a 9-month-old baby boy, a 6- or 7-year-old boy and a girl who was 10 or 11. She said the woman had posted a photo of herself and the baby on Facebook just two days ago saying that "she was so happy," but "I could tell by her face that she was struggling with something. I mean she just looked sad." Pitre said the woman had faced a great deal of loss in recent years, including the deaths of her sister, her mother, her uncle and her grandparents. The deaths had involved cancer, suicide and a drug overdose, she said. Pitre said the woman had been raised by her grandparents in the house where she and the children died. "I'm just at a loss for words," she added. "My heart's just like I don't know. I'm just numb right now. "I was hoping no one would be here, honestly, so I could just sit outside and pray, but everybody's still here" as police were processing the crime scene into the night. "This is heartbreaking," Pitre said. "This family's seen a lot, you know. Mental health has I feel like just really, really, really affected this family when it comes to that and substance abuse. "I just can't believe she took the kids. I don't know. I just don't understand it." Sharon Bishop-Baldwin contributed to this story. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Mary Bishop-Baldwin Assistant Editor Follow Mary Bishop-Baldwin Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today VERDIGRIS A woman killed her three young children and then herself inside their home as law enforcement officials from multiple agencies waited outside in what they considered an armed and barricaded situation Thursday evening. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation released a statement on Friday afternoon, saying the deceased were Brandy McCaslin, 39, and her children, a 10-month-old, a 6-year-old and an 11-year-old. It was determined that McCaslin shot all three kids and then turned the weapon on herself, the OSBI statement says. A police standoff began around 4 p.m. Thursday at the familys house at the corner of Dogwood Court and Cypress Street in Verdigris, OSBI Public Information Manager Hunter McKee said. A Verdigris police officer who was driving down the street saw fireworks coming from a house and knew there was something wrong and so called for backup, McKee said. Verdigris Police Chief Jack Shackelford said the officer saw a Roman candle being shot through a broken window in a garage door at the house and stopped to investigate. The officer discovered that a woman was trapped in the garage with some children and was using the Roman candle to try to attract attention to get help, Shackelford said. The woman had brought one child to the home for a supervised visitation there but was met by the childs mother, who pointed a gun at her, took her child and locked the woman and two other children who were with that woman in the garage, he said. After police arrived, the woman and the two children with her were able to get out, he said. The Cherokee Nation Marshal Services SWAT team also responded, Shackelford said. Officers tried to make contact with the armed woman inside, and a standoff ensued for about three hours, McKee said. After getting no response from the woman, they eventually entered the house, where they found an adult woman along with three children dead inside, all with apparent gunshot wounds, McKee said Thursday night. Andrew and Mary Dempsey, who live just a few houses away, said they didnt know anything was going on in their quiet neighborhood until they heard an ambulance on the street around 6:30 or 7 p.m. By about 8 p.m., their entire street was pretty closed in, Mary Dempsey said. The couple, whove lived on the street since 2015, said its a pretty quiet neighborhood with a number of older residents, but Andrew Dempsey said there were always a lot of cars and a lot of kids hanging around the house where the bodies were found. Lucretia Pitre of Tulsa, a longtime friend of the family who lived in the home, said McCaslin had posted a photo of herself and her baby boy on Facebook just two days ago saying that she was so happy, but I could tell by her face that she was struggling with something. I mean she just looked sad. The 6-year-old was also a boy, and the oldest child was a girl, she said. Pitre said McCaslin had faced a great deal of loss in recent years, including the deaths of her sister, her mother, her uncle and her grandparents. The deaths had involved cancer, suicide and a drug overdose, she said. Pitre, who arrived at the scene late Thursday, said the woman had been raised by her grandparents in the house where she and the children died. Im just at a loss for words, she added. My hearts just like I dont know. Im just numb right now. I was hoping no one would be here, honestly, so I could just sit outside and pray, but everybodys still here as police were processing the crime scene into the night. This is heartbreaking, Pitre said. This familys seen a lot, you know. Mental health has I feel like just really, really, really affected this family when it comes to that and substance abuse. I just cant believe she took the kids. I dont know. I just dont understand it. Sharon Bishop-Baldwin contributed to this story. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. State Superintendent Ryan Walters staged a press conference Friday on the grounds of Tulsa Public Schools administration building about an incident he views as a violation of a local school board members religious freedom. He vowed to make an issue of the matter when the school districts accreditation is up for renewal next week by the Oklahoma State Board of Education. I want to thank ELena Ashley for her stand for religious freedom. There is no more fine example today that religious liberty is under assault than whats happening here in Tulsa Public Schools, Walters said over constant shouting from the large crowd that assembled for the 3 p.m. press conference. You have a school board member who uses her freedom of expression to say a prayer, and what do you see? You see the radical left who want to shout her down. Fridays press conference, which the Oklahoma State Department of Education announced on Thursday afternoon, appeared to draw an equal number of protesters and supporters, who, alternately, shouted over speakers at the podium and at one another over the course of about 20 minutes. Along with Walters, speakers at Fridays press conference included Ashley, Bob Linn with the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee, and state Sens. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, and Dana Prieto, R-Tulsa. Prieto brandished a thick stack of papers he identified as almost 2,000 letters of support for Ashley, drawing another round of jeers and cheers from the assembled crowd. Afterward, when the shouting had moved away from the podium in front of the Education Service Centers marquee, Walters spoke to reporters and made this revelation: The next (state) board meeting we have next week, we will be looking at Tulsa Public Schools accreditation for all their violations, and we are going to make sure that religious liberties are protected in Tulsa Public Schools. Ashley, a Tulsa school board member, spoke at East Central High Schools graduation ceremony on May 18 and invited everyone to pray with her. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ that each one of you would walk forward from this moment in the excellence and love of God, that he would guide you, direct you and draw you to your ultimate goal. In the name of Jesus, she said. Afterward, Ashley reported that she had received an email from the Tulsa school board president stating that both the president and Superintendent Deborah Gist had received numerous complaints from members of the school community and saying that the prayer Ashley made is not allowed under the U.S. Constitution and rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court. East Central High School students and staff also voiced their concerns during the citizens comment portions of the Tulsa school boards meetings on June 5 and July 10. However, Walters zeroed in on objections from Gist and board President Stacey Woolley and used that as justification for not reaching out privately to discuss his concerns prior to Fridays press conference. Weve seen exactly what Superintendent Gist and Tulsa Public Schools reaction to this was: attack a board member, to send an email that fundamentally misunderstands religious liberty and religious freedom and attack a duly elected board member for saying a prayer, Walters said. Its outrageous, and were not going to stand for that. In 1962, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Engel v. Vitale that school-sponsored prayer is a violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment. Walters has previously stated that he believes the decision was wrong. Walters did not answer follow-up questions as to what specific provisions of the states accreditation standards he believes were violated by district officials criticism of Ashleys prayer. A spokeswoman for TPS confirmed Friday morning that the district was not contacted by Walters or the Oklahoma State Department of Education about the state superintendents concerns prior to the press conference announcement that went out Thursday afternoon. As the press conference started, the district issued a written statement in response. Tulsa Public Schools values and respects individuals from all faiths, backgrounds, and cultures. We strive to maintain a welcoming environment for our students, families, and team members, the statement says. The U.S. Constitution and U.S. Supreme Court rulings are clear: district officials may not lead prayer or promote religious views at school-sponsored events. By adhering to the law, we strive to uphold religious liberty and ensure that no student or family feels excluded at school events particularly graduation, a once-in-a lifetime celebration. Tulsa Public Schools state accreditation was downgraded in July 2022 over an allegation that it violated a state law commonly referred to as House Bill 1775, which limits classroom discussion on race and gender. The district was penalized for an August 2021 professional development session on implicit bias for teachers not students offered through a third-party vendor. The State Board of Education takes up every public school districts accreditation renewal each July. This months meeting is set for 9:30 a.m. July 27. Attendees at Fridays press conference included a half dozen or so faith leaders from across Tulsa, who watched from the back. The Rev. Randy Lewis of All Souls Unitarian Church said he came to hear Walters for himself. All he could do was shake his head in disappointment. Its horrible what politicians are doing to this country right, left, you name it, Lewis said. We are one nation and one people. This division, this foolishness? Scripture says: Divided we fall; together we stand. Walters told reporters after the event that he would have taken the same action had Ashley offered a prayer representing any faith background. However, requests from the crowd to allow an imam and a rabbi to offer a prayer at the top of the press conference were ignored. Shelley Gwartney, who ran an unsuccessful bid for a Union school board seat last year and who is a current candidate for state Senate District 33, attended with a handful of fellow Moms for Liberty members. What this school board member did is protected under the First Amendment, she said. It was a public graduation. People are allowed to pray. If it can happen at TPS, how can it not happen somewhere else? A woman with a son in Broken Arrow Public Schools said she attended because we are not looking forward to forced religious observance in schools. I think Tulsa instituting religious programming would spread. Its like this little spark, said Melisa Mons. But all of this yelling? I dont think that solves anything. I can see where theres that frustration of wanting to be heard, but its hard to hear other perspectives if everyone is yelling. Gabe Woolley, who teaches fourth grade English and social studies at TPS and is of no relation to the school board president with the same last name, hugged Ashley after the press conference. He said he views the invitation to pray and the prayer she made at East Centrals graduation as the same as the moment of silence observed in public schools, where children can choose to pray or not pray. If were really going to say we want free speech, you have to embrace the other side, he said. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, July 18. Yonhap President Yoon Suk Yeol is considering granting special pardons to a number of people on the occasion of Aug. 15 Liberation Day, a ruling bloc official said Friday, leading to speculation the list could include officials who served under former President Park Geun-hye. This would be the third time Yoon has granted presidential pardons after those marking Liberation Day last year and New Year's Day this year. "There's a chance President Yoon will grant special pardons on Liberation Day this year as well," the senior ruling bloc official told Yonhap News Agency. "It's currently under consideration." Among potential beneficiaries are An Chong-bum, a former senior presidential secretary for policy coordination during the Park administration, and former Second Vice Culture Minister Kim Chong. Both were sentenced to prison terms in connection with their roles in a massive influence-peddling scandal that led to Park's ouster. From among businesspeople, Choi Gee-sung, a former head of Samsung's now-disbanded control tower Future Strategy Office, and his former deputy, Chang Choong-ki, are among the names being talked about. The two former Samsung executives were also sentenced to prison terms in connection with the same scandal. Meanwhile, Yoon has canceled his summer vacation plans for now to focus on handling the aftermath of recent deadly downpours across the nation, according to a presidential official. Yoon was initially believed to be planning to go on vacation in the first week of August. (Yonhap) Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Randy Krehbiel Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond told a national publication early last week that he is concerned about the melding of religion and government into a form of Christian nationalism. There are believers that are confusing true religion and religious liberty, and faith in God with political power. And this Christian nationalism is the movement that is giving oxygen to this attempt to eviscerate the Establishment Clause, Drummond told Politicos Weekly Education newsletter in a story about a proposed state-funded Catholic charter school. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution begins with the words: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The first part is known as the Establishment Clause because it prohibits establishment of a state or national religion. The second part is known as the Free Exercise Clause because it prohibits limits on the exercise of religion. In addition, Article VI of the U.S. Constitution specifies that no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States. Taken together, these have generally been taken to mean that individuals may exercise their religion or not in their private life but not in official capacities. Some public officials and voters disagree and seek to combine religious and patriotic fervor. Drummond told Politico he believes thats shortsighted. There will be a day in America where Christianity is a plurality, and not a majority, he said. That day may not come in my lifetime, but it will come in the lifetime of my children or grandchildren, Drummond said. We need to be careful of the establishment of laws, and rules of law, that will take what weve considered sacred these last 250 years and do away with it. Drummond has said he believes the Catholic virtual charter school authorized by a state board is unconstitutional and that legal action will be needed to stop state funds from going to it. To those in the Christian nationalist movement that would say Drummonds anti-religion, I would say just the opposite. I may very well be the last defender of religious liberty in the movement to eviscerate the separation of church and state. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. Barbara Hoberock Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Barbara Hoberock Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today OKLAHOMA CITY Senators return to the Capitol on Monday in a special-session effort to override two of Gov. Kevin Stitts vetoes and thereby extend tribal compacts. The Senate is expected to make a second attempt at overriding Stitts veto of Senate Bill 26x and take up an override of House Bill 1005x. Senate Bill 26x would extend the state-tribal tobacco compacts until Dec. 31, 2024, while House Bill 1005x would extend the motor vehicle registration compacts until that date. Both compacts are set to expire by the end of 2023. The Senate in June failed by one vote to override Stitts veto of Senate Bill 26x. After the vote, Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, said the Senate would have the votes later to override the veto by a pretty good margin. I am confident we have the votes to override the vetoes, Treat said Friday. The last time we took the vote we were missing several members who had to miss for one reason or another. But those members have committed to being there this time. If the Senate can muster the 32 votes needed to override Senate Bill 26x, the House is expected to take it up on July 31, according to a House spokesman. The House has already overridden Senate Bill 1005x. Stitt has countered the bills, which would keep the terms of the compacts the same for another year, with a proposal of his own that would put limits on where the compacts would be applicable which some tribes find objectionable. Lawmakers are concerned that Stitt could let the compacts expire without new ones in place, costing the state money. Last year, with these two compacts in place, the tribes remitted over $50 million to the state, Treat said. Without them in place, the state stands to lose this money. It will leave a hole in the following years budget that we will have to find a way to backfill. By simply extending the expiration date for these two compacts, we wont create a budget hole that we need to fill while allowing the governor and the tribes to negotiate a better deal for the state and tribes. Treat said that if the override attempts fail, it would be difficult to try again before the end of the month, when the special session ends. Stitt has been reaching out to senators and has taken his message to social media, seeking to have the override effort defeated. In a social media post, Stitt said that for months he has been trying to work with tribal governments while they believe they can get a better deal from lawmakers. I will not be bullied into doing a bad deal for Oklahoma taxpayers, Stitt said in a social media post. I want an even playing field for all 4 million Oklahomans. In a July 14 resolution, the Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes asked the Legislature to overturn the vetoes, saying Stitt refuses to act in good faith with the tribes on extensions. Stitt has had a rocky relationship with the tribes since shortly after starting his first term, when he attempted to negotiate new gaming compacts with higher rates to the state. The tribes successfully sued Stitt to get a court order saying their gaming compacts had automatically renewed. In addition, lawmakers successfully sued Stitt over the process for entering into other compacts. The states high court found that Stitt had exceeded his authority when he compacted with tribes either outside the bounds of the Model Tribal Gaming Compacts or without the approval of the Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations. He continues to lose court cases at every turn and, to me, launching a PR campaign does more harm than good when he should be figuring out a way to sit down and negotiate in good faith with the tribes, Treat said. On Thursday, members of Stitts administration met with representatives of the Chickasaw Nation concerning the compacts. Chickasaw Nation attorney Stephen Greetham said it appears that Stitts team used the meeting as a stunt for disrupting the Oklahoma Legislatures proceedings this coming Monday. We believe that stunt underscores the need for the Senate to act now. In fact, we believe the day may have arrived for the Oklahoma Legislature to take control of these issues away from this administration. Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby also released a statement. We call on the Oklahoma Legislature to complete its work and override the Oklahoma Governors vetoes of the compact extender bills, he said. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. A three-digit phone number that links Oklahomans to mental health support generated nearly 40,000 calls in its first year, a number that should only keep rising as efforts to promote it continue. We didnt have specific goals. We just knew there was an emerging need. But I would say the numbers have surpassed our expectations, Bonnie Campo, state Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services spokeswoman, said of Oklahomas 988 Mental Health Lifeline, which launched in July 2022. The hotline allows users to call or text 988 and connect immediately with trained mental health professionals, with mobile crisis teams available statewide when an in-person response is needed. Over the 12 months since the launch, the programs Oklahoma City-based call center has averaged over 3,000 calls a month from across the state, an average that is steadily increasing. Justin Chase, president and CEO of Solari, the Arizona company that operates Oklahomas 988 service, said he expects that growth to continue. I would not be surprised by a 20 to 25% increase in overall calls the next year, as awareness and the publics comfort level utilizing the service grows, he said. As one person has success, hopefully theyll share with their friends and family. The first years numbers are a huge accomplishment and testimony to incredible partnerships throughout the community, he added. The new three-digit number replaced the 11-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number, following a push from advocates for a shorter, easier-to-remember number for people in crisis. Oklahoma took advantage of the change to launch its own 988 service. But in addition to crisis help, state officials expanded on the national model by focusing equally on prevention. Campo said first-year results have affirmed that approach. The most common reason for calling 988 in Oklahoma has been coordination of care, which accounts for 22% of calls, just ahead of thoughts of suicide/self-harm, at 20%. Coordination-of-care calls are when people just want to know how do I get connected to someone that can help me where should I go, what should I do to start that process, Campo said. Those numbers are really encouraging for us, she added, because it means people are taking care of themselves before they are at the point of crisis. Meanwhile, word about what Oklahoma is doing is getting out, Campo said. Other states developing 988 strategies have come to us and said, We think of you all as a beacon of what we want to be providing services in a preventative way through 988, rather than just having it be (crisis). Kept me alive The call center operators, licensed and certified health crisis specialists, are trained to provide conversational support or, if the situation requires, to dispatch mobile crisis teams. The help is free and confidential and is available in English and Spanish. Officials said that about 90% of the time, one phone call is all thats needed, with the operator talking the caller through whats going on and connecting them with the specific type of help needed. Most are first-time callers, although repeat callers are not uncommon, often due to simple loneliness, Campo said. Loneliness is also a huge contributor to depression. So we want people to call in their first time or second time or third time if they need to, she said. Chase, whose company operates the call center and mobile dispatch service, said operators are reminded daily of why what they are doing matters. We had one individual call us in a state of distress and contemplating ending their life. We created a plan with them and set up to call them back the next day to check in. He said that when the operator called the next day, the person told them, It was knowing that youre going to call me back that kept me alive for the night. It was really powerful for staff to be able to experience that such a simple thing can make such a difference, Chase said. Our operators are taking calls like that every day, he added. Chase said its important to emphasize, though, that a person doesnt have to be considering suicide or self-harm to reach out. The number is for anybody theres not a bar you have to reach or a situation that is not severe enough to call, he said. Crisis impacts individuals differently. We just want to make sure that for anybody who is struggling, they dont hesitate to reach out. Campo said making 988 as universally recognized as 911 will take continued work. Her department coordinated the statewide rollout and marketing of Oklahomas 988 Mental Health Lifeline, which has included billboards and even a Super Bowl ad. We have to continue our efforts, especially in rural Oklahoma and smaller towns places where they dont have big billboards, she said. To do that, were working with faith-based groups; were working at school districts, police departments and city governments to do some education. Campo said state officials have high hopes for what the hotline can accomplish for mental health in Oklahoma. I think of it as our ministry, she said. Nine-eight-eight is what were trying to evangelize. For more information, go to 988Oklahoma.com. A public dashboard showing up-to-date statistics is available at tinyurl.com/ybnfd3v9. The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today. The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has proposed four locations in District 1 and District 5 for the construction of prefabricated multi-story parking facilities capable of dealing with the overwhelming demand for parking in the southern metropolis. The Department of Transport has consulted the Department of Construction and other relevant units on the use of state-owned land to construct parking facilities on Le Lai Street in District 1, in front of Le Van Tam Park on Hai Ba Trung Street in District 1, in the Cho Lon Bus Station in District 5, and on Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street in District 5. The total land zoned for the projects is 1,500 square meters. Authorities believe this amount of space will be sufficient to accommodate 350 automobiles and 200 motorbikes. The move was made after the lawmaking National Assembly passed Resolution 98, which created special policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City, including permission for the building of parking facilities on state-managed land lots. Prefabricated multi-story parking facilities have been proven effective at the Mien Dong (Eastern) and Mien Tay (Western) Bus Stations, Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and several industrial parks. This effort is part of the citys plan to develop parking lots in the downtown area and other areas that lack parking space. Prefabricated high-rise parking garages do not take up much space, are relatively cheap, and can be easily assembled, dismantled, and relocated. Earlier, Ho Chi Minh City planned four underground parking lots with a total capacity of 6,300 cars and 4,000 motorbikes in the inner-city area. However, the projects have never moved past the planning stages. Meanwhile, the numbers of motorbikes and cars in the city continue to increase, resulting in a severe shortage of parking spaces. On some streets, cars encroach on sidewalks and roadways, affecting traffic. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The U.S. hopes to foster cooperation with Vietnam in economy and trade, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who paid a working visit to the Southeast Asian country between Tuesday and Friday, said during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on Thursday. Yellen affirmed that Vietnam is an increasingly important partner of the U.S. and plays a key role in its Indo-Pacific Strategy. The U.S. has had plans to boost the collaboration with Vietnam in supply chains and support the Southeast Asian country in semiconductor production and renewable energy. The U.S. Department of the Treasury will further work with the State Bank of Vietnam and the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance on monetary and exchange rate policies, and other macro-economic issues, she said. They will back Vietnam to access international financial resources. For his part, PM Chinh reiterated that Vietnam always considers the U.S. as one of its leading partners, hailing the maintenance of exchanges of high-ranking delegations between the two sides, especially the phone talks between Vietnam's Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong and U.S. President Joe Biden in late March. The prime minister welcomed the U.S. Department of the Treasurys cooperation programs and objective and appropriate assessments on Vietnams monetary and exchange rate policies, socio-economic performance, as well as key orientations in its financial and monetary policies over the past period. PM Chinh suggested the two sides continue exchanges of delegations at all levels, enhance the connectivity of the two economies, and step up the cooperation in economy, trade and investment, giving priority to green growth, innovation, hi-tech, and supply chains. He asked the State Bank of Vietnam and the U.S. Department of the Treasury to keep resolving issues through dialogue amid the global market volatility. The Vietnamese official also called for stronger collaboration in climate change response and the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership in a bid to support Vietnam to develop its renewable energy and establish a carbon market. He added that expanding supply chains and chip and semiconductor production is also a priority in Vietnams development strategy, informing that the nation is bolstering the development of preferential policies and infrastructure, the improvement of governance, and the training of human resources in these sectors. U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen also met with Chairman of the Party Central Committees Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh on the same day. Anh spoke highly of the thriving economic relations between Vietnam and the U.S. with their bilateral trade hitting a record last year. He added that the potential for Vietnam to lure high-quality investment from the U.S. was huge. He suggested the U.S. Department of the Treasury continue working closely with Vietnam and making objective assessments on Vietnam's monetary policy management, thus contributing to boosting the bilateral economic, trade, and investment ties. The U.S. treasury secretary emphasized the potential for the two countries collaboration in just energy transition, pledging that the U.S. and partners will be willing to help Vietnam with capital and technology to accelerate the process and become an important link in the development of a diverse and sustainable supply chain, including in the semiconductor sector. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens visit to Vietnam takes place at a time when the two nations are celebrating a decade of their comprehensive partnership. Vietnam and the U.S. established their diplomatic relations in 1995 and upgraded their ties to a comprehensive partnership in 2013. Their two-way trade exceeded US$123 billion last year, making the U.S. the second-largest trade partner of Vietnam. The figure reached over $46.5 billion in the first five months of this year, with Vietnam exporting $43.5 billion worth of products stateside and spending some $3 billion on imports from the U.S., the Vietnam News Agency reported, citing data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. The U.S. was Vietnams largest import market, while Vietnam was the seventh-largest trade partner of the U.S.. Vietnam made up about 35 percent of ASEANs total exports stateside in the five-month period. The U.S. currently ranks eleventh among the 142 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Delegations from Vietnam and Italy have signed a draft agreement confirmation and memorandum of understanding on the mutual protection and exchange of confidential information between the two governments. The signing took place in Rome, Italy on Wednesday when negotiators from both countries concluded their two-day negotiations. Both sides agreed to report to relevant agencies of each country for permission to sign the official treaty as soon as possible. The Vietnamese delegation was led by Major General Vu Hong Van, head of the Department of Internal Political Security under the Ministry of Public Security, while the Italian delegation was headed by Major General Gianfranco Carozza, head of the Department of Law and International Relations. Vietnam and Italy established diplomatic ties in 1973 and have spent the past 50 years engaging in cooperative information exchanges, including the exchange of state secrets. However, the provision and transfer of confidential information do not have a legal basis to bind each party to the process of managing, using, and protecting confidential information. In order to establish such a framework, the two sides held negotiations and created a draft agreement in English. The negotiations ended with the signing of a draft agreement confirmation, as well as a memorandum of understanding. Over the past 50 years, diplomatic ties between the countries have steadily developed in terms of diplomacy, the economy, and culture. Italy was the first Western European country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam following the signature of the Paris Peace Accords in 1973. Vietnam is currently Italys largest trading partner in ASEAN while Italy is Vietnams fourth-largest EU partner, with trade between the two nations amounting to US$6.2 billion last year, up 11 percent from 2021. The two countries have built several coordination mechanisms including joint committees on economic relations. They have held dialogues on foreign affairs and defense at the deputy-minister level. Both sides have inked several cooperative agreements in tourism, air transport, crime prevention, and visa exemption. They also maintain regular high-level visits and promote close coordination at international and local forums such as the UN, Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), ASEAN-EU framework, and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam and Malaysia should look toward improving their joint efforts in fighting corruption and other negative phenomena, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said at a meeting with Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi on Thursday. The meeting was part of the top Malaysian officials two-day state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh. He and his spouse arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Thursday afternoon. Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Ibrahim expressed his hope that the two nations can boost exchanges of experience in fighting corruption and wastefulness in order to advance their development. The Malaysian leader also told Party chief Trong about Malaysias efforts in the fight against corruption over the past several years. Addressing the meeting, Party General Secretary Trong shared his appreciation for the importance of anti-corruption efforts, adding that the fight against corruption in Vietnam has been successfully implemented in a careful, systematic manner. Prime Minister Ibrahim shared his expectations that the two Southeast Asian countries will continue to deepen their comprehensive partnership, especially in the digitalization and cybersecurity fields. Party General Secretary Trong agreed to Prime Minister Ibrahims proposal for stronger collaboration in the exchange of governance and socio-economic growth management, as well as the combat against corruption. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks with his Vietnamese counterpar Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre During talks between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Malaysian counterpart the same day, the former affirmed that Vietnam can ensure a stable rice supply to Malaysia in the long term. PM Chinh also proposed that Malaysia help Vietnam develop the halal food industry. Halal, which means lawful and permitted, refers to food products and services that adhere to Muslim law. The two prime ministers reached a consensus on the need for increased exchanges of high-ranking delegations and cooperation in international forums. The two nations aim for US$18 billion in bilateral trade in 2025. To fulfill that target, Vietnam and Malaysia will restrict the application of trade barriers, facilitate import and export between the two nations, and make the most of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) as well as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Furthermore, the two countries will expand their partnership in the circular, green, and shared economy sectors. The two Vietnamese leaders agreed to bolster cooperation in national defense and security by offering training courses to air and naval forces. The two are determined to fight terrorism and cross-nation crime in order to maintain peace in the region. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R). Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Top officials from Vietnam and Malaysia pose for a photo after a meeting between Vietnamese Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Hanoi, July 20, 2023. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Three members of a family in Ha Giang, a mountainous province in northern Vietnam, died of poisoning after eating wild mushrooms, Hanoi-based Bach Mai hospital informed on Thursday. The hospital received three poisoning patients transferred from the Ha Giang General Hospital in the namesake province on Tuesday last week. They suffered acute liver failure with liver enzymes that were 200 times the normal level, blood-clotting disorder, and kidney failure, and were diagnosed with getting poisoning from amatoxins, toxic compounds often found in wild mushrooms, according to the Poison Control Center under Bach Mai Hospital. B.T.N., a resident in Ha Giang Province, picked the mushrooms from a forest and used them for a meal for her family on Monday last week. Five people, including three adults, a three-year-old child and a five-year-old one, attended the meal. About 12 hours after the meal, they developed the symptoms of stomach ache, vomiting, and fatigue, so they were rushed to the Ha Giang General Hospital. A child suffering serious poisoning died at the hospital, while the remaining child is still receiving treatment at the hospital. The three adults were transferred to the Poison Control Center under Bach Mai Hospital. The trio included the two childrens parents and uncle, said doctor Nguyen Trung Nguyen, director of the Poison Control Center. Two of them died on Wednesday despite intensive care. Only N. has made positive progress. Dr. Nguyen said many residents misunderstand that all plants, leaves, and herbs in nature are safe. However, many kinds of plants and mushrooms are toxic. Residents should not pick wild mushrooms for food," Dr. Nguyen said. "Local officials need to educate residents, especially those in remote areas, about the ill effects of poisonous mushrooms." Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Lam Dong Peoples Committee has announced its plan to develop a comprehensive landslide risk map for the entire Central Highlands province of Vietnam, starting with the capital city of Da Lat, in response to the recent landslides in the area. Nguyen Ngoc Phuc, deputy chairman of Lam Dong Province, unveiled the plan after the provincial administration invited a team of three geologists from Kawasaki Geological Engineering Co. Ltd., a Japan-based geological survey company, to Da Lat to conduct surveys in certain areas susceptible to landslides on Tuesday. The surveyed areas included Alley 36 down Hoang Hoa Tham Street in Ward 10, where a landslide, triggered by torrential rain, claimed the lives of two construction workers and destroyed several houses in late June. The geologists also identified Khe Sanh and Dang Thai Than Streets as locations prone to landslides. Previously, Da Lat witnessed two serious landslides, with one on Khe Sanh Street in 2021 and the other in the Hoa Binh area in 2017. Takami Kanno, head of Kawasaki Companys representative office in Hanoi, pointed out that satellite images revealed partially erosive spots on Hoang Hoa Tham Street in both 2010 and 2015. The area affected by landslides and fractures was then entirely refilled with soil in 2017-20, resulting in a loose structure. During the evaluation, the experts also noted that the construction materials used for the railings failed to meet the required standards, leaving them vulnerable to the pressure exerted by approximately 20,000 cubic meters of additional soil, rocks, and accumulated rainwater. The scene of a fatal landslide in late June 2023 in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam. Photo: M.V. / Tuoi Tre Drawing from Japans expertise in handling and preventing landslides, the experts made several recommendations regarding local management, licensing, and supervision of embankment projects; establishment of safety standards for landslide prevention; and deployment of advanced equipment, drainage systems, and backfilling techniques. Apart from amending construction regulations, the Japanese experts emphasized the importance of issuing a warning map for landslide-prone regions and utilizing data from satellite images. Authorities are advised to visit these locations to confirm their risk levels, and if deemed necessary, conduct geological drilling for exploration. Should an area be identified as being at risk of landslides, appropriate construction management regulations should be implemented accordingly. In response, deputy chairman Phuc stated that the province took into account the recommendations of experts to make decisions on upcoming measures. These include the development of an erosion risk map and the installation of landslide warning devices in specific residential areas, thus perfecting regulations concerning building permits in regions susceptible to landslides. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Police in Vietnams Central Highlands province of Dak Lak have collected 4,576 weapons submitted by local residents over the past 40 days, said a local police official on Friday. Among the number of collected weapons are 1,278 guns and 2,666 bullets, in addition to 5.2kg of buckshot, 1.7kg of explosives, and artillery. This is the outcome of the provincial police departments program in which local people are encouraged to submit their weapons and team up with the police force in fighting against criminals and those violating regulations on weapon, explosive, and artillery control in the province, said Major General Le Vinh Quy, director of the provincial police department. Besides, Quy hailed some localities, especially Ea HLeo, for their great idea of calling on the locals to exchange their weapons for foods. These weapons are extremely dangerous, he elaborated. There are 1,278 guns and 2,666 bullets, in addition to 5.2kg of buckshot, 1.7kg of explosives, and artillery. Photo: Tam An / Tuoi Tre The possession, use, and trafficking of weapons in the upland province remain complicated, even though police previously launched multiple campaigns to call on locals to hand over their weapons, the police official said. He took the recent fatal terrorist attacks in Cu Kuin District on June 11 as an example, saying that the attackers had used military and homemade weapons, as well as other auxiliary tools and weapons. Consequently, they killed nine people, including four police officers, two commune officials, and three civilians. They also injured two people, took three residents hostage, and vandalized many facilities at the headquarters of the Peoples Committees of Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur Communes in the district. Following the deadly attacks, the local police force must further make all-out efforts in calling on the locals to submit their weapons, he said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Unification Minister nominee Kim Yung-ho attends his parliamentary confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, July 21. Yonhap The nominee to serve as South Korea's new point man on North Korea said Friday he will prioritize "substantive" results over dialogue in dealing with North Korea, in an apparent reaffirmation of the government's hard-line stance against the recalcitrant regime. Kim Yung-ho, the minister nominee for Seoul's unification ministry, made the remarks during a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly. The conservative scholar, also known as a vocal critic of human rights conditions in the North, was nominated for the post late last month. "Rather than (holding) dialogue for the sake of (holding) it, (I) will take an approach that could lead to substantive outcome," the minister nominee told lawmakers. Kim's remarks were seen as reflecting President Yoon Suk Yeol's call for a change in the ministry's role. In a meeting with his staff earlier this month, Yoon said the ministry should no longer act like a support agency for North Korea, saying it is "time for the unification ministry to change." During Friday's hearing, Kim said he will push for inter-Korean exchange based on law and principle while ramping up efforts to improve human rights conditions and the humanitarian situation of the North Korean people, saying such efforts will serve as preparation for unification. Referring to the North's latest intercontinental ballistic missile launch last week, Kim said Pyongyang continues to treat the South in a hostile manner and that peace on the Korean Peninsula has become "more unstable." "North Korea has repaid our goodwill for the peace of the Korean Peninsula and the future of our people with reckless provocations and threats, and took numerous inter-Korean agreements back to square one," Kim said. "We need to maintain principle against North Korea's provocations and respond in a stern manner." (Yonhap) Some 120 overseas Vietnamese teenagers from 26 countries arrived in Hanoi on Thursday for Vietnam Summer Camp 2023, an annual event aimed at building connections between overseas Vietnamese youth and their motherland. The year's Vietnam Summer Camp, the 18th iteration, will span two weeks and include visits to historic sites and charming landscapes in 10 cities and provinces across Vietnam. The event is hosted by the State Commission for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang delivers a speech at the opening ceremony for Vietnam Summer Camp 2023 in Hanoi, July 20, 2023. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre In addition to dozens of opportunities for participants to build stronger bonds with Vietnamese culture, six outstanding overseas Vietnamese will be honored for their contributions to the overseas Vietnamese communities. Speaking at the opening ceremony for the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairwoman of the State Commission for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said that she was excited to welcome young overseas Vietnamese to this years summer camp. She also shared her hopes that participants will, one day, contribute to Vietnams development and help to preserve the Vietnamese language. I hope young overseas Vietnamese people will continue learning to speak the Vietnamese language, while practicing Vietnamese songs and dances after the camp, Deputy Minister Hang said, adding that she expects young overseas Vietnamese to learn how to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes. Belarusian-Vietnamese youngsters dance at the opening of Vietnam Summer Camp 2023 in Hanoi, July 20, 2023. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre Tran Ha Phuong, a 16-year-old Vietnam Summer Camp 2023 participant who lives and studies in Vientiane, Laos, said that speaking in Vietnamese with other young Vietnamese people helps her feel connected with her peers. In Laos, Phuong spends her free time participating in art performances at music festivals in order to fundraise for various causes. She also offers free-of-charge lessons to Vietnamese students. She hopes to one day work in Vietnam. Ha Duong Hai My, another participant who joins the camp from Poland, said that the Vietnam Summer Camp 2023 would help her feel more proud of Vietnam and she hopes the experience will give her the confidence to introduce Vietnamese culture to her friends. Mai Phan Dung, vice-chairman of the State Commission for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, said that overseas Vietnamese communities are a key aspect of Vietnams development plan, particularly as they help to forge connections between Vietnam and countries around the world. Vietnam Summer Camp is a special and meaningful program meant to nourish a love for the motherland amongst overseas Vietnamese youth and increase their desires to conserve and promote Vietnamese cultural values," Dung said. Ha Ngoc Khanh Linh, 19, a Vietnamese youth living in Russia, said that she tries to practice speaking Vietnamese. The Vietnamese community in Russia offers Vietnamese language courses. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre 120 overseas Vietnamese youths join Vietnam Summer Camp 2023. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre Students from the Vietnam National University-Hanoi sing at the opening ceremony of Vietnam Summer Camp 2023 in Hanoi, July 20, 2023. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre A young Vietnamese girl (C) from the Czech Republic joins Vietnam Summer Camp 2023. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre Overseas Vietnamese youths participate in the opening ceremony of Vietnam Summer Camp 2023 in Hanoi, July 20, 2023. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang gives flowers to representatives at the opening ceremony of Vietnam Summer Camp 2023 in Hanoi, July 20, 2023. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre Mai Phan Dung, vice-chairman of the State Commission for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, speaks to reporters after the opening ceremony of Vietnam Summer Camp 2023 in Hanoi, July 20, 2023. Photo: Duy Linh / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The spouse of Malaysia's prime minister was astonished at Vietnams water puppetry while enjoying puppet matinees with the Vietnamese prime ministers spouse in Hanoi on Thursday. Within the framework of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahims two-day Vietnam visit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs spouse Le Thi Bich Tran met with the Malaysian premiers spouse Dato' Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Binti Wan Ismail. Both enjoyed water puppet performances at the Vietnam Contemporary Art Theater in Hanoi on Thursday. A representative of the Vietnam Contemporary Art Theater in Hanoi introduces water puppets and puppetry to the spouses of the Vietnamese and Malaysian prime ministers, July 20, 2023. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Prime Minister Ibrahim and his spouse arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Thursday afternoon, beginning his visit to Vietnam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Chinh. The two spouses of the top Vietnamese and Malaysian officials were introduced to the history of the Vietnamese water puppetry, while puppeteers showed them how to make puppets and their performing skills. Apart from enjoying water puppet gigs, the wife of the Malaysian premier immersed herself into Vietnams folk music played with traditional musical instruments. Therefore, she learned more about water puppetry, which is Vietnams unique traditional art form, reported the Vietnam News Agency. Water puppet shows vividly portray daily life in the countryside. The spouse of the Malaysian prime minister was amazed by the water puppet matinees of dragon dance, and a play in which farmers chase a fox that tries to catch ducks. She hopes that the Vietnamese water puppetry will be preserved and maintained. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs spouse Le Thi Bich Tran (R, 2nd) and the Malaysian prime ministers spouse Dato' Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Binti Wan Ismail (R, 3rd) enjoy a water puppet show at the Vietnam Contemporary Art Theater in Hanoi, July 20, 2023. Photo: Vietnam News Agency A water puppet matinee. Photo: Vietnam News Agency A water puppet performance staged at the Vietnam Contemporary Art Theater in Hanoi, July 20, 2023. Photo: Vietnam News Agency The Malaysian prime ministers spouse Dato' Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Binti Wan Ismail writes in a book at the Vietnam Contemporary Art Theater in Hanoi, July 21, 2023. Photo: Vietnam News Agency Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A four-meter-long shark was sighted off the coast of Quy Nhon City under Binh Dinh Province in south-central Vietnam on Thursday. Nhat Phong, a local tour guide, said that he and a group of tourists saw the shark at 11:45 am on Thursday during a boat trip to the coral reefs along Bai Dua Beach. At first, we just saw its large fin on the water surface. All tourists on the ship were excited and asked the captain to make a U-turn to see the fish," Phong said. When we approached [the shark], it looked friendly and began swimming slower." Phong and his tour group filmed the four-meter shark, appreciating its size and the white spots that covered its body. We initially thought it was a whale, not a shark, he added. Tourists on a boat were excited to see the massive shark. Photo: Nhat Phong According to Vo Van Quang, an expert at the Nha Trang Oceanography Institute in south-central Khanh Hoa Province, the animal in Phongs video appears to be a whale shark. Local residents spotted several sharks off the coast of Quy Nhon City between 2009 and 2012. There have also been instances of beachgoers being attacked by sharks. Over the past decade, however, there have been neither any attacks nor shark sightings in Quy Nhon and neighboring areas. The shark sighting follows a recent whale sighting off the coast of De Gi in Binh Dinhs Phu Cat District. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! This Sunday on 60 Minutes Nick McKenzie exposes failings in border security. Home Truths The proud boast at the top of the website for the Department of Home Affairs says: Home Affairs brings together migration, cyber and infrastructure security, national security and resilience, and border-related functions, working together to keep Australia safe. However, a joint investigation by 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age reveals a very different picture. Nick McKenzie reports significant systemic failings in the department that have compromised Australias border security, allowing overseas organised crime gangs access to the country, and making their lucrative trade in violence, drug trafficking, money laundering, corruption, slavery and worker exploitation much easier. Reporter: Nick McKenzie Producer: Amelia Ballinger Chinas Most Wanted Chinas crackdown on dissent is getting more extreme and bizarre by the day. In an outrageous abuse of power, the pro-Beijing leader of Hong Kong has announced that a bounty has been placed on the heads of eight pro-democracy activists. John Lee says hell pay $200,000 for the capture of each one. As Sarah Abo reports, its not an idle threat. Lee warns he will hunt the dissidents down and make them suffer for the rest of their days. Thankfully the eight wanted activists have all found refuge outside China, including two who are now in Australia. But that doesnt lessen the fear they feel. Reporter: Sarah Abo Producer: Garry McNab 7pm Sunday on Nine. With the end of Martin Place studios in Sydney, I thought I would look back on my first visit to the base, at the behest of producer Adam Boland, to see how two shows utilised the space. Originally published June 11 2008: It was just another day in the goldfish bowl for the morning casts of Sunrise and The Morning Show when TV Tonight dropped by Martin Place today. Under the guidance of producer Adam Boland the countrys most popular morning brands ran seamlessly in the streetfront studio, constructed in the building that formerly housed Colonial Bank. The studio space doubles for both the morning shows, plus Seven News Sydney and Today Tonight. As such, there is a continual storage of sets pushed to one side of the studio while another broadcasts live to air. The Sunrise team always finish their show outside the building to allow the Morning Show set to bump in. Its a quick, but efficient switch by production crew. As Larry and Kylie tag-team into their show, Kochie, Natalie, Mark and Jessica all signed autographs for fans, and posed for photographs. Im told they can sometimes stay there for 45 minutes for big crowds. Ahhh television. Above the studio are two floors of open plan office space for news and Sunrise / Morning Show teams. You could be mistaken for thinking you had stepped into a call centre, and its not hard to see where financial accountants and banking staff once came to work in the 90s. In fact Seven has had to make a number of compromises and changes to facilitate the space as a working television hub. Theres no traditional green room. There are no formal dressing rooms. International guests are given temporary use of the board room. And this must be the only television centre in the country to have a bank vault as its wardrobe. Boland has even forged what Seven views as a stand-alone production team, with the ability to occasionally foster other light enertainment projects. The overall mood of these breakfast television shows off-set remained as relaxed and smooth as on-air. With only minimal floor crew both casts linked smoothly from one topic to another. News, tax hints, dreams, 4 minutes to save the world, cash cow give-aways, interviews, showbiz it may not be the most challenging of content but it is digestible, radio-on-television as viewers are getting ready for work and catching up on overnight news. Both Sunrise and The Morning Show continue to lead national ratings, helping Seven to run its very own cash cow. China has a responsibility for the "tragic" situation in Myanmar because it is the "foremost supporter" of the military regime, the head of the British foreign intelligence service MI6 has said. "It is appalling to see what is happening in that wonderful country," Sir Richard Moore told Sky News during a briefing with journalists in the Czech capital, Prague. He was responding to a question on whether he was worried China was propping up the military junta. The spy chief said he had visited the country a few years ago and called the situation "deeply, deeply tragic". "I am afraid China does have a responsibility because they are the foremost supporter of that regime," he said. "It is hard to see that it would be able to operate in the way that it currently does if it didn't receive that support." In May, China's foreign minister Qin Gang paid a visit to Myanmar and was filmed meeting with the junta's leader Min Aung Hlaing. Another clear sign of the ongoing support Myanmar is receiving from its powerful neighbour is a new railway line. Though it opened in 2021, the huge terminal at Lincang, complete with large freight yard and cargo cranes, was built to transport trade from China to Myanmar and beyond. Sky's chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay and his team have witnessed the deadly realities of the civil war, which Myanmar's leaders claim isn't happening. Sky News crews spent a month undercover deep in the jungle with resistance fighters, medics and volunteers - not far from where the fighting is taking place. Read more: I felt at risk every hour of every day - but it was a risk worth taking More 'death and destruction' to come in Myanmar They witnessed a 17-year-old boy receiving treatment in a hidden frontline hospital. He was asleep in a monastery when the Myanmar army attacked and was injured by a mortar round that peppered his body with shrapnel. Story continues Few Western journalists get into the southeast Asian country, previously known as Burma, where at least 1.7 million people have been displaced due to the fighting, according to the United Nations. Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts The scars of the war litter the roads - burnt-out Myanmar army trucks, and houses, schools, churches, medical clinics and hospitals all destroyed - communities driven away from desperately dangerous places. Some residents have built temporary villages. One told Ramsay: "We don't know the reasons we are being attacked, but we have never faced something like this before." Russia accused of kidnapping children of Ukrainian staff at nuclear power plant. (Photo: AFP via Getty Images) Russian soldiers have reportedly taken more than 1,000 technicians at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant hostage, subjecting them to torture and kidnapping their children. Ukraines chief atomic inspector, Oleg Korikov, has accused Russian soldiers of using the staffs children to coerce them and the staff are also subject to beatings and detention. He told i news: They take kids and move them to Russia to manipulate the staff, so in any case of their non-compliance or a disagreement, they can do something wrong with their kids. He added that Russia is using the situation at the nuclear power plant for global blackmail and there are a lot of cases of beating staff, a lot of cases of imprisoning them. Mr Korikovs allegations have not been able to be verified, according to i news, but it is in line with previous accusations of acts of intimidation at the power station and growing concerns of threats to the plant. Official data from Ukraine shows that at least 19,000 children from across the country have been forcibly taken to Russia since Vladimir Putins assault began. This month the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, claimed Russia may be planning to simulate an attack on the nuclear power plant. He alleged that Russian troops have placed objects resembling explosives on the roofs of buildings at the site. Vladimir Putins spokesman responded that there was a great threat of sabotage by the Kyiv regime, which can be catastrophic in its consequences. Russian troops seized the station which is Europes largest nuclear facility in February 2022 - but the plant is still being staffed by Ukrainians. Kyiv has previously likened the working conditions of staff working at the plant to that of hostages, prompting the UN on 5 July to demand that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was allowed to inspect parts of the plant. The agency said it had requested additional access to confirm the absence of mines or explosives at the site including on the rooftops of reactor units 3 and 4, turbine halls and some parts of the cooling system. Story continues The IAEA said that the military presence at the site appeared unchanged. It issued a statement saying that its team has carried out inspections at the power plant over the past week but it has not observed any heavy military equipment or "visible indication of explosives or mines." However, the statement added that the experts are still awaiting access to the rooftops of the reactor buildings and the nuclear power plant is in a "volatile security situation in the region located on the frontline of the conflict." Director general Rafael Mariano Grossi added: With military tension and activities increasing in the region where this major nuclear power plant is located, our experts must be able to verify the facts on the ground. Their independent and objective reporting would help clarify the current situation at the site, which is crucial at a time like this with unconfirmed allegations and counter allegations. TUI is launching new direct flights to the Egyptian resort of Luxor from November 2024 (Photo: Adobe) TUI is launching new direct flights to a popular winter sun destination for the first time as it unveiled its 2024 holiday programme. The budget airline is offering the UKs only direct flights to the Egyptian resort of Luxor from London Gatwick and Manchester Airport. It comes after TUI launched flights to the lesser-known Egyptian destination of Marsa Alam earlier this year. The TUI flights will be part of the new River Nile cruises which are due to set sail from winter next year, with departures from Gatwick and Manchester weekly on Thursdays from 1 November 2024 to 24 April 2025. The itinerary will take in some of Egypts most famous ancient sights sailing between Luxor and Aswan with Egyptologists onboard for expert insights. Those who prefer to stay on dry land can choose from a range of hotels positioned on the banks of the River Nile, including resorts in Sharm El Sheik, Hurghada and Marsa Alam. Most of TUIs hotels sit within walking distance of Luxor city centre which is dubbed the greatest open-air museum in the world. Luxor is located on the east bank of the River Nile in southern Egypt and is on the site of ancient Thebes, the pharaohs capital during the 16th century BC to the 11th century BC. The city surrounds two surviving ancient monuments, the Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple, which are a huge draw for tourists. Meanwhile, the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens sit on the rivers west bank. Richard Sofer, Commercial Director for TUI UK, comments: Were delighted to have an incredible range of holidays on sale today with the low deposits and direct debit options we know are so important in helping customers plan and budget. With exclusive direct flying in North and West Africa, exciting new additions in Egypt and a multitude of beach and city hotels available from the Canaries to the Caribbean, Lapland to Iceland, travelling from 22 regional airports - whatever kind of getaway customers are after theyll find it with TUI. In addition, direct flights to the West African destination of Senegal will return as part of TUIs winter 2024 programme, with weekly departures from London Gatwick starting on 7 October next year. TUI customers can also take advantage of flights to mid-haul winter hotspots, including the Canary Islands and Cape Verde, as well as long-haul options to destinations in the Caribbean, Mexico and Thailand. Police investigators examine an underground roadway in the town of Osong, North Chungcheong Province, July 20. Yonhap The government referred six police officers to the prosecution Friday for investigation, accusing them of mishandling the deadly flooding of an underpass in the central city of Cheongju last week, which claimed 14 lives. The Office for Government Policy Coordination, under the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), said that it had detected criminal suspicions involving the officers in an inspection conducted to determine the causes behind the tragic flooding. A total of 14 people have been confirmed killed in the accident. The office said it has revealed a significant fault in the handling of emergency calls made to 112, the emergency police telephone number. Furthermore, there was a falsified report submitted to the PMO as to how police were responding after the accident took place, the office also said. The underground roadway in western Cheongju, located 112 kilometers southeast of Seoul, was flooded Saturday when a nearby river overflowed after an embankment was brought down by rising water levels due to torrential downpours. Just two days later, the office launched the inspection into what went wrong in the response to the incident. The Supreme Prosecutors Office also said Friday a special investigation unit will be formed in Cheongju to get to the bottom of the deadly flooding. "The prosecution will do its utmost to illuminate the cause of the accident through an exhaustive investigation and bring those responsible to justice," the prosecution office said. (Yonhap) (DVIDS/AFP via Getty Images) The White House has confirmed that Ukraine is using US-supplied cluster munitions against Russian forces. The cluster bombs are in Ukrainian hands and being deployed in the field as part of Kyivs battle against Russia, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said on Thursday. It comes almost two weeks after the US confirmed it was sending thousands of the controversial weapons to Ukraine. The bombs are banned in more than 100 countries. They typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Those that fail to explode pose a danger for decades. We have gotten some initial feedback from the Ukrainians, and theyre using them quite effectively, Mr Kirby said at a news briefing. Ukraine has pledged to use the cluster bombs only to dislodge concentrations of Russian enemy soldiers. They are using them appropriately, Mr Kirby said. Theyre using them effectively and they are actually having an impact on Russias defensive formations and Russias defensive manoeuvring. I think I can leave it at that. Reacting to the US decision to send the bombs, Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country had similar weapons and they would be used if they are used against us. The US decided to send cluster bombs after Ukraine warned that it was running out of ammunition during its summer counter-offensive. US President Joe Biden called the decision very difficult. Its allies such as the UK, Canada, New Zealand and Spain opposed their use. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak discussed the US decision to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine with Joe Biden during his visit earlier this month. The UK is signed up to an international convention to ban the weapons, placing Mr Sunak under a duty to speak out against their use, but the US, Russia and Ukraine are not signed up to that agreement. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said providing the weapons was a difficult choice for the US that had been forced on them by Russias war of aggression. Story continues The two leaders discussed the commitments that UK has under that convention, both not to produce or use cluster munitions and to discourage their use. The cluster munitions are included in a new $800 million package of military aid the US will send to Ukraine. The weapons will give Ukraine a highly lethal capability and also allow them to strike more Russian targets using fewer rounds. Ukrainian general Oleksandr Syrskyi told the BBC that his forces needed the bombs to inflict maximum damage on enemy infantry. He said the cluster bombs would not solve all our problems but added: If the Russians didnt use them, perhaps conscience would not allow us to do it too. Russia and Ukraine has accused the other of using cluster bombs in the conflict launched by Russias invasion in February 2022. The last large-scale American use of cluster bombs was during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, according to the Pentagon. But US forces considered them a key weapon during the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, according to Human Rights Watch. Marta Hurtado, speaking for the UN human rights office, said this month that the use of such munitions should stop immediately and not be used in any place. The University of North Georgia (UNG) hosted Summer Language Institutes (SLI) in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Russian. The seven-week summer sessions allows students to earn eight credit hours in an accelerated environment, fulfilling the 1001 and 1002 foreign language requirements for most UNG bachelor's degrees. It also provides opportunities for students from other institutions through Project Global Officer (Project GO). This summer marked the 15th year of SLI at UNG. With Kihoon Kim, lecturer in Japanese, students like Cody Robinson, from Ball Ground, Georgia, learned more than just the language. The class experienced Japanese culture through food, games and films. Robinson, a U.S. Army veteran and a junior pursuing a degree in computer science, chose the Japanese component after being stationed in Okinawa, Japan. "I picked up a bit of the language and mannerisms while there, and when I decided to learn a second language, I picked one where I already had a foot in the door," he said, adding that his ambition is to travel internationally and hopefully work in Japan. Biology duo Taryn Tu, a junior from Americus, Georgia, and Sydney Griffith, a sophomore from Dacula, Georgia, are working under the mentorship of Dr. Nancy Dalman and Dr. James Leaphart studying the metals in oysters in Brunswick, Georgia. The oysters are considered contaminated when compared to those of Sapelo Island. The pair are reviewing how contamination will affect oyster health and the developing oyster mariculture industry in Georgia in their project "Cracking the Shell on Eastern Oyster Heavy Metal Exposure and Effects. "I feel like I've learned and continue to learn so much about biology and research. The project we are working on is special to me as it is the first project I have been here for since it started," Griffith said. Tu shared she started working with Dalman on oyster research last August and loved every minute of it. "I am so fortunate to have the chance to gain experience conducting research, both in the field and in the lab," Tu said. "All of this is preparing us for the eventuality of presenting the results of our work at a conference and setting us up for success in future endeavors." The other FUSE grant recipients were: Courtney Nutt and Tanner Lumpkin, supervised by Ralph Hale, assistant professor of psychological science, "An investigation of visual false memories in a virtual reality environment." Asa Conroy, Grey Nebel and Rebecca Egan, supervised by Melissa Schindler, assistant professor of English, "An entrepreneur's tale: The life of Miss Fanny Harrell, a north Georgia businesswoman." McKenna Coile, supervised by Alison Kanak, assistant professor of biology, "Functional and genetic characterization of novel bacteriophage KSKraber." Lillie Hayes and Atticus Tomcho, supervised by Jessy Patterson, biology lecturer, "An assessment of human impacts on mammal behavior in Sub-Saharan Africa." Chandler Davis, supervised by Johnny Yoon, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, "Visualization approach to study the shape effects on the dehydrogenation of LOHC." In addition to the 7 funded FUSE teams, Mateo Valera, supervised by Greg Feiden and under a grant from Georgia Space Grant Consortium, is also participating in the FUSE programming this year for their project, Characterizing the Metallicity Dependence of Wind Strengths for Wolf-Rayet Stars. Starting this fall, University of North Georgia (UNG) students will be able to pursue communication degrees with concentrations in organizational leadership and public relations through the School of Communication, Film & Theatre's (CFT) first two fully online communications degree programs. The option provides students more flexibility in their courses. "Students have been inquiring about an online degree option for several years. This will help us augment offerings for Communication students in these two concentrations," Brian Kline, CFT associate director of communication, said. "The upper-division Communication classes are only offered in-class on the Gainesville campus, so this will open up availability to more students." UNG's journalism program has hybrid options. However, these two programs are the first fully online degrees for communication. There is no limit to the number of students allowed to participate in the online degree program. Section sizes will be determined by the students' needs. "I have always been an advocate for online education. Online education is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy the online environment, it provides flexibility in scheduling," Kline said. "As an online educator, you can take activities you use in a traditional classroom and adapt them to the online environment and vice versa. It also gives us the ability to grow the majors." CFT did a survey of communication majors and learned 65% preferred to learn virtually. Some students like UNG senior Kaleigh Kutka, who is pursuing a degree in communication with a concentration in organizational leadership, shared how impactful this will be for her last year at UNG. HAI PHONG Viettel Group on Thursday announced the successful trial of its 5G Private Mobile Network (5G PMN) for the Pegatron smart factory in the northern port city of Hai Phong. This is the first smart factory in Viet Nam to operate automatically based on a 5G mobile service, bringing the advantages of high speed, low latency, and support for multiple connections. In the first phase of cooperation, Viettel provides 5G private networks for applications including those in augmented reality for video calls; assembly stations; managing product testing activities and direct supervision of the production process. It expects to provide 5G private networks by the end of 2023 for thousands of devices at Pegatrons electronic equipment and components factory in Hai Phong. CY Feng, a sections General Manager at Pegatron said that the application of 5G Private Mobile Networks to the production line was in line with new trends. Pegatron deployed this technology into the production line in Viet Nam to improve the factorys efficiency towards a modern and professional process. Viettel was a strategic partner of Pegatron and their technology could meet with requirements for a smart factory. Hoang Minh Cuong, Vice chairman of the Peoples Committee of Hai Phong highly appreciated Viettels efforts in applying modern technologies in cities. The successful test has been evidence of Viettel's constant efforts to fulfil its commitment to accompany the city in digital transformation. ao Xuan Vu, Viettels Deputy General Director said Viettel pursues the philosophy that technology was born to solve social problems and improve the quality of life. "Viettel has so far deployed 5G to 58 out of 63 localities. The company plays a key role in building a secure, strong and reliable connection infrastructure, which is the foundation for a dynamic and competitive digital service ecosystem that creates a digital society. 5G PMN is a dedicated mobile network that provides connecting mobile services for organisations and individuals that need to use specialised devices or machines that need real-time connectivity. This is the worlds new trend with an expected annual growth rate of 51.2 per cent from 2023 to 2030. VNS Meditation retreat from India to Vietnam Kanha Shanti Vanam (Hyderabad City, India) is known as the largest meditation center in the world, where thousands of tourists each year come to heal both their bodies and soul. There are no forced chants, mantras, or postures. Here everyone will be able to access Heartfulness meditation - a type of voluntary combination of physical, mental, and spiritual factors - to find peace. Similar to Kanha Shanti Vanam, the city of Bengaluru (India) is famous for its Vishalakshi Mantap center - a meditation hall with a design of lotus petals surrounding it. This is a famous center for meditation sessions, where tourists come to learn meditation and breathing techniques to care for both physical and mental health. India is just one of many countries that are witnessing a peak of wellness travel, through meditation, yoga, remembrance tours, etc., especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a survey by the Medical Tourism Association, in 2022, 76% of respondents want to spend more on travel to improve their health, and 55% are willing to pay more for psychotherapeutic services and activities. In Vietnam, although this type of tourism has just been developed, many spiritual sites have also become wellness destinations attracting thousands of Buddhists and tourists from both at home and abroad. In the North, Yen Tu (Quang Ninh) or Fansipan (Lao Cai) are favorite destinations for meditation, yoga, and macrobiotic activities. Meanwhile, down in the South, Ba Den Mountain is a famous spiritual destination that welcomes many groups of Buddhists and tourists from all over the world for wellness tours. Coming here, tourists not only make pilgrimages and pray for peace at the 300-year-old ancient pagoda worshiping Linh Son Thanh Mau Bodhisattva or admire and pray to the Tay Bo Da Son Buddha and the unique Buddhist exhibition center on the top of the mountain. They also practice chanting, meditating, and reciting mantras to heal body-heart-mind and seek peace. Going to Ba Den Mountain to heal I had an extremely peaceful day with my loved ones reciting toward the Buddha and enjoying the pure energy at Ba Den Mountain. I will forever remember the sacred moment when each member of the group one by one went around the water dish, where a giant sutra carved with the Heart of Perfect Wisdom Sutra rose to the sky right on the top of the mountain. Since then, my heart has grown more peaceful and with loving emotions,- Ms. Nguyen Hong Ngoc (Hanoi) shared after a wellness trip in Tay Ninh. According to Ms. Ngoc, every two or three months, her group participates in a tour of spiritual lands to inspire a positive life, relieve depression, and accumulate peaceful energy. We have been to Nepal, Inari Mountain (Japan), and Bodhgaya (India). In Vietnam, the sacred high mountains like Fansipan, Yen Tu, especially Ba Den - it is a magical healing destination, where you just come, you will feel happiness and peace in your soul, said Ms. Ngoc. Located at an altitude of 986m, Ba Den Mountain is known as the roof of the South with a layer of clouds floating on the top of the mountain with beautiful natural scenery like a fairyland. On the top of the mountain, there is a system of magnificent spiritual works with the tallest statue of Buddha in Asia standing on a lotus, a unique Buddhist exhibition center, and a large square overlooking the panoramic view of the rich green delta. With its magnificent beauty and sacred reputation, Ba Den mountain has become a favorite destination for healing experiences such as meditating at the meditation yard at the foot of the great Buddha statue, chanting at the Heart of Perfect Wisdom Sutra in front of the golden inscription pillar in the center of the square, listening to Dharma talk at the Buddhist exhibition center where 163 Buddha statues are displayed, chanting mantras by the Prayer Wheel, releasing lanterns at the central water dish on the top of the mountain, and so on. Since the beginning of the year, Ba Den Mountain has welcomed 3.6 million tourists, including many delegations coming to meditate and chant to balance their body - heart - mind. Not only Vietnamese tourists, but many monks and tourists from Thailand, Cambodia, and even India - countries where Buddhism is prevalent - also choose Ba Den Mountain as a magical healing destination, said Ms. Dao Thi Viet - Deputy Director of Tay Ninh Sun Joint Stock Company (Sun World Ba Den Mountain). Monk Kitticed from Chedi Sao Lang temple, the president of Bunianupap Vipassana Retreat Foundation (Thailand), who was leading a group of Thai monks and Buddhists to visit Ba Den Mountain, said: Ba Den Mountain is a place where not only Vietnamese people but anyone in the world should come. It has a nice view and the atmosphere is so cool. For me, I have gone through meditation, I can feel the sacredness, and peace of mind when coming here, the feeling of being able to release all sorrow and suffering. This is a great place. Faced with the pressures of modern life, people often tend to find peaceful destinations. Wellness travel is more and more popular because of that reason. And sacred destinations are now not only a spiritual fulcrum but also a place for people to balance body and mind, to seek true happiness. That also explains why, from India to Ba Den Mountain, the destinations that converge sacred and peaceful energy attract tourists to come back. HA NOI VinFast, the subsidiary automaker of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, has announced it will hold a groundbreaking ceremony of its electric vehicle (EV) factory in North Carolina, the US, on July 28. This will be the first EV manufacturing facility in the state and help contribute to the supply of this kind of vehicles in North America, accelerating the global green mobility revolution. The facility will be built at the Triangle Innovation Point in Chatham County. 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: 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. Le Thi Thu Thuy, CEO of VinFast Auto, said that 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 EVs to the North American market. The company also hopes 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 US$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 US by expanding its retail store and service centre system, organising local test drives and displaying products events throughout California. These efforts will aid in bringing opportunities for customers to directly experience VinFast's EVs. VNS People walk past Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul during the monsoon rain season, July 11. Yonhap Monsoon rains of up to 100 millimeters are expected to drench South Korea over the weekend, the state weather agency said Friday. A stationary front and low atmospheric pressure moving from northeastern China to North Korea are forecast to create humid heat in the South, bringing heavy rains across the country from Saturday through Monday, the Korea Meteorological Administration said. The greater Seoul area will receive 50 to 100 mm of rain over the weekend, while the northern Gyeonggi Province may see over 150 mm of rainfall. Precipitation is expected to range between 30 and 80 mm for inland and mountainous areas of Gangwon Province, and the central and southern regions. The southern island of Jeju will also see 30 to 80 mm of rain, with downpours of up to 150 mm predicted to pummel the island's southern and mountainous areas over the weekend. From late Saturday through midday Sunday, cloudbursts as strong as 60 mm per hour are expected to soak the Seoul metropolitan area. The upcoming downpours are likely to continue until Monday, mostly around the southern regions, although the forecast is subject to change. According to the weather agency, an average of 591.1 mm rainfall had been recorded nationwide from June 25 to Thursday, the fourth-heaviest monsoon season precipitation on record. (Yonhap) HA NOI Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed to strengthen the connection between the two economies, especially in investment and trade, at a meeting with US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen in Ha Noi on July 20. The PM also suggested promoting bilateral cooperation to increase the resilience of supply chains and promote the expansion of US business investment in Viet Nam, with a priority on high technology. Also at the meeting, Prime Minister Chinh said that Viet Nam wishes to promote the Comprehensive Partnership with the US and cooperate in a variety of sectors, especially banking and finance. The Prime Minister and the Secretary of the Treasury expressed their pleasure that after nearly 30 years of diplomatic relations and 10 years of comprehensive partnership, the relationship between the two countries has been developing steadily in all areas, with trade being a key pillar. Bilateral trade turnover reached more than US$123 billion in 2022. The US became the second-largest trading partner to and one of the most important export markets of Viet Nam. The US also ranked 11th out of 142 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam. The Prime Minister welcomed the cooperation of the US Department of the Treasury as well as its objective assessments on the management of monetary and exchange rate policies of Vietnam over the past time. The Prime Minister also noted that Viet Nam is a developing country, with an economy in transition. Its economy has a modest scale but high openness. The Prime Minister suggested the two sides continue to promote the exchange of delegations, especially high-level ones, and implement agreements between senior leaders. Chinh proposed that the State Bank of Viet Nam and the US Department of the Treasury continue to maintain a mechanism to resolve related issues through close dialogue and exchange between the two agencies. The Prime Minister also suggested promoting cooperation between the two countries in responding to climate change and emphasises implementing the Declaration on establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). In addition, he asked the US to support Viet Nam in developing its renewable energy industry and domestic carbon market to connect with the international market. US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen expressed her positive impressions of Viet Nam's development. She affirmed that the US considers Viet Nam a key partner in advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific. The US will continue to promote cooperation with Viet Nam in investment, and continue to establish a diverse, resilient, and sustainable supply chain in key industries, said Yellen, adding that the US also supports Viet Nam in the process of economic development and transformation. The US Department of the Treasury hopes to continue dialogue with the State Bank of Viet Nam on monetary policy, exchange rates, and other macroeconomic issues. The US also highly appreciated Viet Nam's efforts and solutions in the energy transformation and implementation of its Power Plan VIII. VNS HA NOI New approaches for pharma-healthcare development in Viet Nam were the main topics of discussion at a forum organised in Ha Noi on July 20. At the event, held by the au tu (Investment Review) Newspaper, participants heard that the investment trend in the medicine and pharmacy fields changed a lot in the direction of focusing on innovation, research and development, clinical trials, and technology transfer. Therefore, there was a need for new approaches to investment in the health and pharmaceutical sectors to attract resources and technology, and contribute to the achievement of the country's common goal of better protection, caring for, and improvement of people's health. Delegates focused on discussing the role of Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW in 2022 that promotes the industrialisation and modernisation of the country through 2030 with a vision to 2045, and an action plan for the implementation of the Resolution for the sustainable development of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries in Viet Nam. In the new development phase, Resolution No.29-NQ/TW has become a guideline for many industries, including the healthcare sector. Promulgating an action plan with specific content would contribute to better supporting the sustainable development of the countrys biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc said that, although many preferential mechanisms had been issued to attract investment in the pharmaceutical sector, the results had not yet met expectations. Viet Nam wishes to develop the pharmaceutical industry in the direction of developing new products, brand-name drugs, and invented drugs, and to receive high technology transfer in the field of pharmaceutical production, said Ngoc. The development of the pharmaceutical industry had been identified as one of the central priorities of the Government of Viet Nam. In that spirit, Ngoc recommended that delegates research and thoroughly discuss solutions on how Viet Nam can improve its competitiveness in the supply chain of pharmaceuticals and medical services as well as receive technology transfer into the production process of drugs, vaccines, and medical-biological products. Recently, there have been a number of large pharmaceutical corporations in the world that want to develop a specialised industrial park for the pharmaceutical industry in Viet Nam. This is a very good idea, if we form clusters and industrial parks focusing on pharmaceutical production, it will be the basis for attracting investment in developing the pharmaceutical industry and moving towards making Viet Nam a regional centre for pharmaceutical production, added Ngoc. Pharma Group chairman Emin Turan said that attracting investment in the medical and pharmaceutical industry would bring many socio-economic benefits, and Viet Nam should need to be aware of investment competition from other countries and speed up the process of attracting investment. He suggested Viet Nam focus on institutional reform to maintain and develop a viable operating environment and improve the policy environment. The improved regulatory environment would improve stability and predictability, thereby increasing the ability to attract new investment. Based on the strengths and experience of the pharmaceutical industry, we propose that the programme to implement the Resolution should focus on institutional reform, building a specific goal of shortening the time people have to access new drugs as well as offering a flexible health financing mechanism, ensuring the harmony of interests of the parties. At the same time, the industry development must be based on science, with a roadmap to create a healthy development ecosystem based on competition, innovation, and deep and wide integration in order to improve the competitiveness of Viet Nam's pharmaceutical industry in the region and the world, said Turan. o Van Su, deputy director of the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, said that despite the Vietnamese Government's prioritisation of healthcare as a key sector for investment, and with substantial support and incentives for privatisation, the level of funding remained modest. According to FIA statistics, total investment in healthcare pharmaceuticals stands at approximately US$5.5 billion, spread across 341 projects. This figure represents a mere 1.3 per cent of the total registered FDI in Viet Nam. Given the size of Viet Nam's economy, which caters to a population of over 100 million, this sector a subset of the broader manufacturing industry is notably underfunded. Prof. Nguyen Hai Nam, rector of the Ha Noi University of Pharmacy, said that domestic companies still paid insufficient attention to investing in science, technology and innovation. There was a pressing need for collaboration among various stakeholders, including the government, academic institutions, and businesses, to enhance career prospects in this field. From a business perspective, I believe that the introduction of more supportive tax policies could serve as a significant incentive to attract further FDI into this sector. The potential for growth and innovation in Viet Nam's pharmaceutical industry is vast, but realising this potential will require a concerted effort from all parties involved. By fostering a supportive environment for both education and business, Viet Nam can position itself as a significant player in the global pharmaceutical industry, Nam added. Editor-in-Chief of Vietnam Investment Review Le Trong Minh said that from the approach of Resolution 29/NQ-TW and with current global investment and technology trends, the health sector and manufacturing pharmaceuticals were being placed in front of new opportunities to mobilise and exploit great resources at home and abroad to quickly transit to research and development, and the modernisation and sustainable development of the pharmaceutical industry in Viet Nam. The ideas exchanged at today's forum hopefully will bring valuable reference in the process of institutionalising, concretising the guidelines and orientations from Resolution 29 in the medical and pharmaceutical industry, bringing opportunities for better access for people to advanced, high-quality medicines at a lower cost and price, suitable for the affordability of the majority of people, said Minh. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese Minister of Finance Ho uc Phoc proposed Viet Nam and the US promote further cooperation in finance at a working session with US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen in Ha Noi on July 21. At the meeting, Minister Phoc highly appreciated the financial cooperation relationship between the two countries. He said the two sides had many agreements and bilateral cooperation activities in the fields of taxation, customs, strengthening finance for infrastructure, and capital market development. They also had multilateral cooperation within the framework of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), along with technical assistance from the US in many fields for Viet Nam's Ministry of Finance. During the working session, Minister Phoc shared about Viet Nam's macroeconomic situation. Viet Nam's economy had achieved positive results despite many complicated and unpredictable changes in the world context. To achieve the growth goals, besides the great efforts of the Government of Viet Nam, Minister Phoc emphasised the important role of international support resources, including from the US Government. US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen welcomed Viet Nam's economic development achievements and emphasised the important role Viet Nam plays in restoring and diversifying the resilience of global supply chains. Beyond the direct benefits of the two countries' economic relationship, she believed that the deep economic ties between the US and Viet Nam helped create greater economic resilience through 'friendshoring. Friendshoring is about expanding US trade ties and diversifying its supply chains among many trusted partners like Viet Nam to mitigate against global shocks, geopolitical risks, and overconcentration in critical industries, according to Janet Yellen. The US wants to continue to encourage moving forward through initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, of which the US and Viet Nam are both a part. She said that the US would also continue to work with Viet Nam through the G7s Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment which seeks to mobilise US$600 billion over five years. The secretary was encouraged by the announcement of the declaration on establishing the Just Energy Transition Partnership, or JETP, in December. This partnership would provide over $15 billion to help Viet Nam achieve a clean energy transition. Minister Phoc hoped that Secretary Janet Yellen and US Department of the Treasury would continue to play an important role in promoting deep cooperation in the financial services sector between the two countries. At the same time, he wishes the US success in its role as the host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2023. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam ranked 16th among 20 countries with the best architecture in the world compiled by Insider Monkey, a finance website that focuses on financial markets, hedge funds, and trading. "French Colonial is the architectural style that is common across Viet Nam. It is also reflected in the government buildings in Ha Noi, including the Presidential Palace, which was completed in 1906 and Ha Noi Opera House," the website wrote. The ranking was made based on analysis and data released by various websites that cover travel and architecture. They included Conde Nast Traveler article "The worlds 20 best cities for architecture lovers, Travel Channels worlds "Top architecture cities", "Top destinations for architecture fans to visit by The Roam Wild, "10 cities for architectural enthusiasts" by Suitcase Magazine, and TopTens list of countries with the best architecture, among others. Countries were ranked based on the number of times their cities were listed in the above-mentioned sources. Topping the list is the US, followed by Italy, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Spain and Greece. According to the website, the US had the most number of cities covered. Miami Beach is popular for having the largest collection of Art Deco architecture while Columbus in Indiana, which ranks sixth in the country on architectural innovation and design, is home to at least 70 buildings designed by modern architects in the 1950s and 1960s. The Empire State Building, Gateway Arch, Denver Art Museum, Hoover Dam, and the Washington Monument are some of the architectural landmarks of the United States, it added. VNS HCM CITY Many Vietnamese intend to flock to Singapore to attend the UK rock band Coldplays concert series in January 2024, pushing accommodations search up. Digital travel platform Agoda reported that they had observed a remarkable 814 per cent search increase for accommodations in Singapore during Coldplays concert series in January 2024 from Viet Nam. The data is derived from Agoda's accommodation search, analysing search trends between June 18 - 20 2023 for check-in dates in the period January 23-31 2024 compared to the same weekdays a week before. The significant upswing aligns with ticket releases for the highly anticipated six-day Coldplay concert series, demonstrating the undeniable power of music as a major travel motivator. With six shows, Singapore will be the main stop in Asia during Coldplays Music of the Spheres World Tour. The surge was mirrored by neighbouring countries Malaysia and Indonesia but based on Agodas search data Singapore can also expect more travellers from Hong Kong, Thailand, the US, Australia, India, the Philippines, and many other markets. All told, the platform has seen an 8.7-time increase in searches for the City State during the concert dates. Music inspires a great deal of passion, and dedicated fans are truly remarkable as they will travel far and wide to see their favourite acts live, said Enric Casals, regional associate vice president Southeast Asia at Agoda. This spike in accommodation bookings is a testament to the undeniable lure of live musical experiences, showcasing the profound impact they have on travel decisions. Despite the surge in bookings and searches for Singaporean properties, Agoda confirmed that there are still plenty of offers to be had with an abundance of hotels to choose from in the Lion City. Travellers can enjoy additional discounts when bundling flights and hotels for trips to Singapore and across the globe, helping travellers see the world for less, the company added. According to prestigeonline.com, the iconic British band was originally set to perform at the National Stadium only for four nights from 23 to 27 January 2024, and then announced a fifth show for January 30. On June 20, concert organiser Live Nation Singapore said that Coldplay would perform a sixth gig on January 31. It is the first time in the stadiums history that a music act will play for six nights. The event is part of Coldplays record-breaking Music Of The Spheres World Tour, which started in March 2022 and has sold over 7 million tickets so far, the website said. VNS HA NOI Politburo member and head of the Party Central Committee's Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh emphasised the huge potential for Viet Nam to lure abundant, high-quality investment from the US at his reception for US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Ha Noi on Thursday. Tuan Anh affirmed that Viet Nam always attached importance to its relations with the US, saying major achievements and developments in the bilateral ties had brought substantive interests to and matched aspirations of their people. He noted that Viet Nam and the US had signed many important cooperation agreements, and were working actively to form the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), while closely coordinating in regional and international forums like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). He stressed that the bilateral economic ties were thriving with two-way trade hitting a record last year, and expressed his hope that the two sides would deepen cooperation in economy, science-technology, trade-investment, finance-banking, supply chains, infrastructure, logistics, digital economy, green transition, health care, sustainable agriculture, energy transition and environmental protection. The Vietnamese official called on the US Department of the Treasury to continue coordinating with the Vietnamese side, and making objective and relevant assessments on Viet Nam's monetary policy management, thereby facilitating the bilateral economic-trade-investment ties. Yellen shared the hosts wish to deepen economic-trade-investment ties, and pointed to the potential for bilateral collaboration in just energy transition, pledging that the US and other partners stand ready to help Viet Nam with capital and technology to accelerate the process. She also suggested Viet Nam mobilise multilateral sources of capital to achieve the set targets in this regard. The Treasury Secretary said the US wanted to help Viet Nam become an important link in building a diverse, sustainable supply chain, including in the semiconductor sector, and suggested the country take solutions to lure more investment in this field. The official held that once taking effect, the IPEF would contribute to intensifying trade and investment ties between the two countries. She also hailed the close coordination between the State Bank of Viet Nam and the US Department of the Treasury over the past two years in monetary issues, and showed her support for the Vietnamese central banks efforts in modernising monetary and exchange rate policies. VNS HA NOI Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife Le Thi Bich Tran invited their Malaysia counterparts Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to visit the Book Street in Ha Noi, where they enjoyed Vietnamese coffee during the Malaysian PM's official visit to Viet Nam. Book Street is a beautiful spot in the capital, connecting Ly Thuong Kiet and Hai Ba Trung streets in Hoan Kiem District. It offers a peaceful and refreshing space, where thousands of books covering various fields are displayed and sold. While strolling along the book street and exploring the exhibition booths of various publishers, PM Chinh and PM Anwar Ibrahim, along with their wives, expressed delight in experiencing this rare outdoor reading space. PM Chinh introduced his Malaysian counterpart to Viet Nam's tradition of valuing learning and reading culture. He said the Vietnamese Party and State highly valued reading culture and had numerous policies to encourage and develop it throughout society. Many activities have been organised to honour the value of books such as celebrating Viet Nam Book Day on April 21. During the visit, PM Chinh presented the Malaysian guests with the Prison Diary of President Ho Chi Minh, "The World's People's Affection for President Ho Chi Minh" published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the book "Some theoretical and practical issues on socialism and the path towards socialism in Viet Nam" by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. The two PMs also had a friendly exchange with readers. On Thursday, the two leaders had a successful discussion and expressed satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations over the past time, particularly since upgrading to a strategic partnership in 2015. Both PMs agreed to enhance high-level exchanges and strive to achieve a bilateral trade turnover of US$18 billion by 2025. They aimed to make the most of opportunities from regional trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and expand cooperation in the digital, circular, green, and sharing economies. They also aimed to strengthen cooperation in defence, security, and maritime cooperation. Furthermore, they would promote cooperation and support each other in regional and international forums. PM Chinh expressed gratitude and asked Malaysia to continue providing favourable conditions for the stable and long-term settlement of the Vietnamese community living, working, and studying in Malaysia. VNS AK LAK Three more wanted suspects involved in last month's terrorist attack aimed at opposing the people's administration in the Central Highlands Province of ak Lak were arrested on Friday, local police confirmed. This means that all six wanted suspects have now been apprehended for their alleged roles in the violent assault on the headquarters of Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes (Cu Kuin District) in the early morning of June 11, which killed nine people, including four police officers, two commune officials, and three civilians, as well as injured two police officers. Major General Le Vinh Quy, Director of ak Lak Provincial Police Department, stated that police forces in the province captured Y Khing Lieng (born in 1992, residing in Hoa Son, Krong Bong District), Nay Duong (born in 1968, residing in Ea Klok Village, Cu Pong Commune, Krong Buk District), and Y Hoal Eban (born in 1970, residing in Map Village, Ea Pok Town, Cu M'gar District). All three were nabbed while they were hiding in deserted crop fields in Cu Kuin District. A gun along with 115 bullets was also seized from them. Earlier on July 15, the police had caught three wanted suspects in Ea Le Commune, Ea Sup District namely Y Ju Nie (born in 1968, residing in Kang Village, Ea Knuec Commune, Krong Pac District), Nay Yen (born in 1970, residing in Ea Klok Village, Cu Pong Commune, Krong Buk District), and Nay Tam (born in 1974, residing in Arong iet Village, xa Cu Pong, huyen Krong Buk). To date, 96 people have been detained in connection with the case and prosecuted on the charges of terrorist attacks opposing the people's administration, failure to report criminals, and brokering the illegal entry, exit, or stay in Viet Nam of another person. The Ministry of Public Security has considered the terrorist attacks to be of "grave severity," causing great consequences, and the behaviours of the suspects to be "cruel, inhumane, and showing their determination to commit the crimes by all means." One suspect was determined to have been a member of an organisation based in the United States, and have received the order from this organisation to illegally enter and stage the attacks, according to a public security ministry official. The US Ambassador to Viet Nam Marc Knapper reassured the Vietnamese Minister of Public Security To Lam in their talks last month that the US opposes, condemns, and does not condone any organisation or individual involved in the complex security and order incident that occurred in ak Lak. Ambassador Knapper expressed his hope that Viet Nam would provide information on the incident and commit to cooperating with the US through all means to reveal the truth about the connection between any individuals or organisations currently in the US and terrorist or anti-Government activities in Viet Nam. The US diplomat pledged that the US would support Vietnamese law enforcement agencies in sharing information to clarify the incident and prevent similar incidents from occurring, which could affect the relationship between the two countries. VNS HA NOI Chairman of National Assembly (NA) Vuong inh Hue and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expected the two countries' legislative bodies will strengthen cooperation and experience exchanges, especially in perfecting the development of institutions. Hue hosted the Malaysian guest in Ha Noi on Friday morning during which he pledged the Vietnamese NA and himself personally would make utmost efforts to foster cooperation between the two countries' legislative bodies on the bilateral scale, within the framework of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) as well as at regional and global forums. He affirmed that Viet Nam attached importance to and was determined to promote the strategic partnership with Malaysia to deepen the bilateral partnership in a substantive and effective manner in all fields, on the Party, Government, Parliament channels, and in people-to-people exchanges and at both central and local levels. During the talks with NA Chairman Hue, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and the resilient spirit of the Vietnamese people in the fight against foreign invaders. He affirmed that Viet Nam played an important role to the Malaysian people and was Malaysia's only strategic partner in ASEAN. At the meeting, the two leaders agreed to continue creating favourable conditions for each other's investment, business and trade, as well as support the review and limitation of trade remedies, and maintain and strengthen supply chains, especially when all countries are looking for ways to diversify markets to adapt to the current international context. Highlighting the importance of growing bilateral trade in a more balanced manner, the two sides vowed to coordinate in reviewing, researching, and setting up mechanisms to promote cooperation in fishing, processing and consuming fishery products. This was an area where both sides share demands and can complement each other. The two leaders also pledged to support businesses in Viet Nam in the Halal food industry in which Malaysia has strengths and Viet Nam has great potential. The Malaysian Prime Minister agreed to consider increasing the import of a number of Vietnamese products to Malaysia. The two leaders also discussed the importance of sea and ocean cooperation and considered the establishment of a consultation mechanism on maritime issues and a hotline to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. NA Chairman Hue and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim agreed to maintain ASEAN's common stance on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) and to continue to coordinate in the next phase of the Code of Conduct (COC) negotiations, as well as to make positive contributions to a substantive and effective COC consistent with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). NA Chairman Hue highly appreciated that Malaysia granted a licence to establish the "Malaysia Viet Nam Friendship Association" in 2022. He hoped the Malaysian Government would continue to pay attention to and create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Malaysia. He expected the two sides to accelerate negotiations and sign a new agreement on aviation cooperation to promote the development of culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges. Through Malaysian Prime Minister, Hue cordially invited the Malaysian Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the Senate to pay official visits to Viet Nam soon. Hue also invited the Malaysian Parliament to send a delegation to attend the IPU Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians hosted by the Vietnamese NA in September. Viet Nam-Malaysia Business Forum Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on Vietnamese and Malaysian businesses to further strengthen their cooperation in green, sustainable and environmentally-friendly economic growth while speaking at the Viet Nam-Malaysia Business Forum on Friday. The event attracted the participation of various leading officials from two countries ministries and sectors and hundreds of business representatives. It opened the way for a number of opportunities in business and investment cooperation to promote the major potential of Vietnamese and Malaysian businesses. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his positive impression of Viet Nam's economic achievements over the past time. The vision and leadership of the Vietnamese Government in promoting a favourable business environment played an important role in the countrys economic development, as well as contributing to strengthening the bilateral relationship between Viet Nam and Malaysia, he said. He noted that in 2021 the two countries had set a target of US$18 billion bilateral trade turnover by 2025. Based on Malaysian statistics, the total trade turnover between the two countries has already exceeded the set target. The Memorandum of Understanding between the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) just signed on Thursday afternoon showed efforts of connecting the two countries' business communities, including trade promotion activities, exchange of information on policies and investment, he said. Malaysian Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul said Malaysia and Viet Nam were not only ASEAN members and active in ASEAN economic agreements but also members of important free trade agreements such as the RCEP and CPTPP. These mechanisms wouldcreate impetus for the post-pandemic economic recovery efforts of the two countries. According to the forums participants, the two countries have closely-complementary economies. With a thriving manufacturing sector and advanced technology, Malaysia will bring investment opportunities to Vietnamese businesses. Viet Nam's vast market base as well as its dynamic and rapidly growing economy will provide Malaysia with a rich potential market for goods and service exchanges. The two countries still have ample room for cooperation in a variety of fields such as real estate, energy, Halal products, food and beverages, construction and building materials, and medical and pharmaceutical products, according to participants. VNS HA NOI State President Vo Van Thuong and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed their commitment to upholding ASEAN's unified stance on the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea). President Thuong emphasised the importance of fully and seriously implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) to maintain peace and stability in the region. The statement was made on Friday during the official visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to Viet Nam. The two leaders used this occasion to discuss and strengthen bilateral relations, focusing on shared interests and regional stability. Both leaders recognised the necessity of promoting negotiations to establish an effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), which is compliant with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) adopted in 1982. Thuong congratulated Malaysia on successfully implementing socio-economic development policies, achieving high GDP growth rates, and expressed confidence in Malaysia's successful implementation of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and the 2023 budgets MADANI strategy, contributing to the country's sustainable development and increasing prominence in the region and the world. For his part, PM Anwar Ibrahim highlighted Viet Nam's important role in ASEAN and reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. He took the occasion to extend the invitation from the Malaysian King to visit Malaysia to President Thuong at a suitable time in 2023. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive and substantial results in the bilateral relationship over the past 50 years, especially in areas such as labour cooperation, education and training, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges after the COVID-19 pandemic. The two leaders welcomed the promotion of relations through all channels, including the Party, State, and Government; enhancing high-level and multi-level exchanges; and strengthening cooperation in defence, security, economy, trade, investment, education and training, tourism, culture, and food security. Malaysian PM emphasised the importance of sharing experiences and exchanges between the political and social organisations and young leaders of the two countries. He expressed admiration for the life and career of President Ho Chi Minh and expressed a desire to promote the Prison Diary by President Ho Chi Minh in Malaysia. In the discussion on international and regional issues, the two leaders appreciated the close coordination between their countries at regional and international forums. They affirmed the importance of maintaining unity and the central role of ASEAN, and working together to build a strong and self-reliant ASEAN Community. On this occasion, President Thuong warmly extended an invitation to the Malaysian King and Queen to visit Viet Nam at a suitable time. VNS South Africa: Higher learning institutions urged to consider civic education Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has called upon students and staff members in higher learning institutions, to consider the value proposition that HIGHER HEALTHs co-curriculum is bringing to the development of the country. Nzimande made the call when he was unveiling the National Civic Education and Health Skills Programme at the Tshwane North TVET College Mamelodi Campus on Thursday. The National Civic Education and Health Skills Programme will, for the first time, see young people participating in the programme, have a recognised certificate affirming their readiness to play a role in improving their communities and building the nation. Nzimande noted that it is the first time that a civic education skills programme has attained a nationally recognised accreditation in South Africa and Africa in general. This was through a collaboration effort between the departments entities, including HIGHER HEALTH, Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), and the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority, that led to the development of the accredited co-curriculum. Nzimande explained that the curriculum, to be accredited at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5, will be available for all students and staff registered in all Post School Education and Training (PSET) sector. Students do not need to be at NQF Level 4 for them to enrol for the course. The modules to be offered in co-curriculum will include, Civic Education; Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Gender Equality and Diversity, Transforming MENtalities; Mental Health; Disability; Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE); Alcohol and Substance; and Abuse and Building Resilience. The co-curriculum, which will be offered in all 12 official languages, including Sign Language, is different from any other, because it is based on the interactive participatory pedagogy, centred on the approach of EACH ONE! TEACH TEN (Teach at least ten people in your lifetime). The co-curriculum will include top 10 soft skills required by employers, which include active, empathic listening and counselling; civic responsibility; conflict resolution; creativity; decision making; digital literacy; presentation skills; public speaking; teamwork; organisational and leadership skills; as well as time-management. It is this kind of innovation, and the social transformation that comes with it that will contribute to the overall process of building good citizenship in our country. This unique co-curriculum will instil the values of respect and compassion for one another, community building, volunteerism and unshakeable commitment to advancing social causes, Nzimande said. Building strong democratic institutions The Minister also highlighted that one of the greatest benefits of this civic education co-curriculum is to contribute towards voter education amongst the youth. With South Africas youth accounting for more than 20.6 million of the population, Nzimande said, increasing their civic involvement and political participation is crucial to building an inclusive society and strong democratic institutions. For South Africas political system to be representative, all parts of society must be included. When young people are disenfranchised or disengaged from political processes, a significant portion of the population has little or no voice or influence in decisions that affect them. This is amongst the reasons that this co-curriculum has been designed to tackle a wide range of health, mental and social challenges facing our youth today, Nzimande said. He added that through the curriculum, issues of GBV within the PSET sector, will be able to be addressed, and the module that deals with issues around gender issues, will be aimed at transforming MENtalities, by raising awareness about the role of men in changing their own attitudes and ending GBV. Our module on mental health will be an appropriate response to the reality that one in five young South Africans in higher education suffer from moderate to severe mental health issues, according to the World Health Organisation. Soon, we will be including to our curriculum, issues of climate change. This module will be included to address the dire need to counter the disastrous impact of climate change such as floods, fire and famine that devastate regions hit by unprecedented adverse weather patterns, Nzimande said. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2023-07-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Ukraine says to consider ships to Russia-controlled ports as military cargo carriers Xinhua) 13:14, July 21, 2023 KIEV, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said on Thursday that it will consider all ships traveling to Russia and Russia-controlled areas in Ukraine through the Black Sea as potential carriers of military cargo. "All vessels heading in the waters of the Black Sea in the direction of seaports of the Russian Federation and Ukrainian seaports located on the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia may be considered by Ukraine as carrying military cargo with all the associated risks," the ministry said in a post on Telegram. The new rules will take effect from midnight local time on July 21, it said. The announcement came after Russia's Defense Ministry said Wednesday it would consider ships destined for Ukrainian ports via the Black Sea to be carriers of military cargo. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) By Kim Hyun-bin Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics dominated the "2023 Home Appliance Satisfaction Survey" conducted by the U.S. market research firm JD Power, according to company officials, Friday. JD Power ranked 12 categories and 11 product groups based on evaluations from over 20,000 customers who purchased home appliances last year. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics clinched first in nine major home appliance categories. Samsung Electronics claimed the top spot in eight categories, including cooktops, over-the-range microwaves (OTR microwaves), freestanding ranges, French-door refrigerators, standard refrigerators, drum washing machines, top-load washing machines and dryers. They also secured the second position in dishwashers and side-by-side refrigerators. LG Electronics captured the first in the side-by-side refrigerators and integrated hood microwaves categories. They ranked second in freestanding ranges, French-door refrigerators, standard refrigerators and top-load washing machines, performing exceptionally well across all other categories. Established in 1968, JD Power is a prestigious U.S. marketing company renowned for its consumer satisfaction surveys in areas such as automobiles, kitchen and laundry appliances, and healthcare. Annually, the company assesses consumer satisfaction across six factors: usability, various features, performance, price, design and service, and publicly releases the results. Industry officials say that Korean home appliances demonstrated their prowess by competing with global giants like Whirlpool and General Electric (GE) and receiving acknowledgment as top-tier products. Korean home appliances have been garnering recognition as the finest products and brands in the global market, attributable to their distinct designs, innovative features and exceptional reliability. HA NOI President Vo Van Thuongs upcoming official visit to Austria will help promote bilateral cooperation and multilateral diplomacy, Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Nguyen Trung Kien has said. Talking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondents in Europe, Kien said that this trip would be an opportunity for the two countries to enhance their developing relations, and also a chance for the Vietnamese State leader to work with representatives from multilateral diplomatic forums, thereby helping affirm Viet Nams position and role in the international arena. Within the framework of the visit, President Thuong would attend an official welcome ceremony and hold talks with his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen, meet with President of the Federal Council Claudia Arpa, and have working sessions with the Mayors of Vienna and Burgenland states. In addition, the Vietnamese President would have meetings and working sessions with representatives of international organisations, including the Acting Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). With these meetings, President Thuong would affirm the Party and States priorities in collaboration with multilateral international organisations. He was also scheduled to have meetings with representatives of the Vietnamese communities in Austria and several European countries. Regarding bilateral relations, Kien said that the relationship between Viet Nam and Austria was one of the important relations in Viet Nam's ties with Europe. In 1972, Austria was one of the first European nations to set up diplomatic relations with Viet Nam. Since then, the two countries had deepened their cooperation in all fields, from politics to economy, trade, investment, culture and education. Austria is always among Viet Nams top 10 trading partners in the EU, with two-way trade reaching nearly US$4 billion before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Since the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect, the turnover has improved remarkably. However, Austrias investment in Viet Nam remains modest. Austria currently ranks 41st out of 108 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam with 43 valid projects totalling $148.59 million. The diplomat affirmed that there remained ample room to further boost the bilateral cooperation, particularly in economy, trade and investment. According to the ambassador, one of the important areas in Viet Nams relations with Austria is cooperation in sciencetechnology, which is the European countrys strength. Science-technology will help Viet Nam develop manufacturing industries, while Austria also sees Viet Nam as a centre for production development, in addition to being an emerging market in Asia. VNS HA NOI Universities offering agriculture and forestry majors have experienced a persistent decline in enrollment in recent years, raising concerns about a potential shortage of skilled staff in this critical industry. In some cases, these universities have had to suspend enrollment altogether in these majors, leading teachers to seek opportunities in other fields or pursue alternative career paths. Dr Nguyen Hung Quang, Rector of the University of Agriculture and Forestry under Thai Nguyen University told E-magazine giaoduc.net.vn that the enrollment of traditional agriculture and forestry majors has become increasingly difficult in the past five years. Majors like Forestry, Land Management, and Agricultural Economics, which used to have strong enrollments, have failed to attract students due to fewer job opportunities. Each year, the university only achieved 25-30 per cent of its enrollment targets in these majors. The forestry major recorded the lowest rate of enrollment with only 10 per cent of its target. In particular, Quang said, the university has stopped enrolling students in fisheries and agricultural extension majors due to a shortage of students. The facultys lecturers and teachers have been switched to work in other majors, some travelled abroad to study or work for international corporations. In the meantime, other majors such as animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, and other combined majors such as high-tech agriculture and information management in agriculture saw a high rate of students application. Dr Nguyen Tuan Khanh, the principal of Kien Giang University said the university has faced the same situation. Although the Mekong Delta was the largest agricultural production region in the country, the number of students pursuing agricultural-related disciplines remained very low. As of this month, the number of qualified candidates admitted to Kien Giang University accounted for about 80 per cent of the enrollment target. However, based on the experience from the past few years' admissions, Khanh mentioned that the enrollment rate would possibly reach only 40-50 per cent of the number of candidates who were initially qualified for admission. Khanh expressed concern that without adequate training policies and a supplement of human resources, the Mekong Delta region may face a lack of qualified professionals in the agricultural sector. inh Quoc Cuong, Director of the Admission and Business Relations Counseling Centre at Tien Giang University said there was a significant demand for graduates from majors such as aquaculture and biotechnology, but there were not many applicants registering for these programmes. "There are many companies coming to the university to find potential recruits, but the number of students entering agricultural-related fields is limited. The annual enrollment rate only reaches about 50 per cent of the target," he said. Challenging jobs Explaining about the reasons behind the difficulty in attracting students to traditional agriculture and forestry majors, Quang attributed it in part to the psychology of students and their parents, who perceived these fields as demanding and challenging. Students and parents, especially those living in rural areas, are reluctant to continue arduous work in the fields, he said. Additionally, society is witnessing the emergence of new occupations, providing candidates with more diverse career choices. Parents tend to guide their children towards fields like tourism, electronics and telecommunications, and information technology. Quang also said most traditional agriculture and forestry majors were taught at local universities, which were often perceived as less attractive. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the agricultural labour force constitutes approximately 30 per cent of the country's workers, but the number of students registering for agricultural majors is less than 2 per cent of the total annual student intake. Figures from the ministry showed that during the period 2016-2020, the enrollment of students in agricultural, forestry, water resources, and aquaculture fields decreased by over 30 per cent compared to the period of 2011-2015. In recent years, some traditional agricultural majors had very few or even no students registering for them. The ministry said the rapid decline in the labour force and low levels of education in this field have affected the global challenges of food security and the environment, and led to low competitiveness in many agricultural product lines. In many areas, especially remote ones, peoples income and living conditions have been slow to improve. The ability to adapt to market fluctuations and cope with climate change and environmental pollution still faces many limitations, it said. More policies Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam said the ministry plans to develop specific mechanisms and policies for students registering for agricultural and rural development majors, such as supporting tuition fees and living allowances for students. The ministry would review the list of universities with agricultural and forestry majors, as well as the demand for these majors in business, and improve training quality accordingly. University representatives suggested that the Government and relevant ministries and sectors prioritise policies for training human resources in agriculture, especially in the Mekong Delta region. Some policies that could be applied include task-based training or tuition fee waivers to encourage and attract students to participate in agriculture-related fields. Quang, Rector of the University of Agriculture and Forestry at Thai Nguyen University said the university has built its own policies to attract students this year, including scholarships and free accommodation for the first month. Students with high entrance exam scores and excellent academic performance will be given bonuses ranging from VN3 million to VN10 million while the top-ranked students will receive a computer as a gift. Working conditions in the agriculture and forestry sectors may be challenging, but there are vast employment opportunities, and the salary packages are not lower than in many other fields. Graduates in certain fields related to animal husbandry can earn around VN8-10 million per month when they start working in non-state enterprises, he said. VNS By Luong Huong A Ha Noi-based museum dedicated to General Nguyen Chi Thanh, an outstanding politician, military advisor, and talented general of Viet Nam, has opened to visitors on a trial basis, as part of activities to mark the 56th anniversary of his death (July 6, 1967). Gen Thanh was born Nguyen Vinh into a poor peasant family in Quang ien District in the central province of Thua Thien Hue. His name is associated with the Vietnamese people's struggles for national liberation in the 20th century. He was an excellent disciple of President Ho Chi Minh. The museum's official opening is scheduled for early 2024 on the occasion of what would be the generals 110th birthday (January 1, 2024). According to Brigadier General Pham Van Phi, director of the General Nguyen Chi Thanh Museum, it was upgraded from Nguyen Chi Thanh Memorial House from 2021, under the agreement of the generals family, Ha Noi City Party Committee and People's Committee. It aims to honour the contributions of President Ho, previous leaders and Gen Thanh to the revolutionary cause of the nation, as well as to educate and promote historical traditions to future generations and tourists to Ha Noi. Located at 81 Tan Nhue Street, Thuy Phuong Ward, Bac Tu Liem District, the 500sq.m museum was designed based on the model of the General's house at 34 Ly Nam e Street, Cua ong Ward, Hoan Kiem District, Ha Noi, where his family lived from 1958 to 1986 and received President Ho several times. On August 6, 1964, President Ho convened a meeting of the Politburo to discuss measures for the liberation of the South at the house. The exhibition space includes several themes: Homeland-Revolution in Central Viet Nam, Viet Bac, Building the Army, Building Peace in the North, Revolution in the South, July 6th, and The Hearts of Those Who Stayed Behind and Family - The Continuation Journey The museum also displays sub-themes such as Foreign Affairs, the General as a Guerrilla, Fighting against Individualism, Culture and Arts, Physical Education and Sports, the General as a Farmer, Fighting for Peace, and others. "The exhibits include 670 images, documents, and artefacts, 23 bronze statues depicting notable figures and events in the Vietnamese revolution, in addition to two spaces duplicating the former office of Gen Thanh on Ly Nam e Street and his working area at the Central Office for the South, 100 books, 10 scientific documents and six documentary films, the museum authority said. Visitors will also have the opportunity to see valuable memorabilia associated with the General, such as the Mercier bicycle that he used during the resistant war against the French; the P38 pistol that he used for self-defence during his direct leadership of the Binh Tri Thien war zone in 1947, and the desk clock that he used from 1954 to 1960. Col Nguyen Van Oanh, deputy director of the Political Department under the General Department of Politics of the Viet Nam People's Army, said that Gen Thanh was an outstanding leader of the Vietnamese Party and revolution, a steadfast communist and a talented commander. During his revolutionary career, Gen Thanh successfully completed all the tasks assigned by the Party, State, Government, and people, Oanh said, adding that Gen Thanh was a shining example for future generations to follow. Once operational, the museum will be a "red address" to educate Viet Nams revolutionary traditions for officers, soldiers and people nationwide, he noted. One of the first visitors, Police Maj Gen and writer Huu Uoc said: The exhibits at the museum clearly demonstrate the three qualities of Gen Nguyen Chi Thanh: Virtue - Wisdom - Courage. I was deeply moved when I came here and saw these precious artefacts. Khieu Thi Trang, a teacher at Thuy Phuong Secondary School in Bac Tu Liem District, took 25 students to the museum on the opening day. "Visiting the museum, seeing and hearing the stories behind the artefacts associated with Gen Nguyen Chi Thanh, my students and I could learn more about his career as well as his great contributions to the nation. This is a precious opportunity to educate future generations about the glorious traditions and history of the nation," she said. VNS The first meeting of the Czech Governments Committee on Strategic Investments on July 18. (Photo: VNA) Prague The Czech Republic needs to attract foreign workers, including those from Vietnam and the Philippines, said Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Marian Jurecka. The Czech Governments Committee on Strategic Investments held its first meeting on July 18, with a focus on the development of transport infrastructure and the settlement of labour shortages. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Jurecka said that labour shortages will hamper the countrys growth capability, so the government should attract capable foreign workers to supply for local companies. He held that the Czech Republic should attract workers from countries that are culturally close to it in an effective, safe and swift manner. Aside from cooperating with traditional partners in Eastern Europe, it should also enhance labour partnerships with others such as Vietnam and the Philippines. In early June, the Czech Government issued a plan to increase the recruitment quota for foreign workers. According to the regulation adjusted by the Czech Government in October 2022, four embassies of the Czech Republic in Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, are granted foreign worker recruitment quotas. Among them, the embassy in the Philippines is granted a quota of 2,500, Thailand 280, Vietnam 200, and Indonesia 130. Vietnam one of most promising markets for Czech businesses in S.E Asia: Ambassador Czech Ambassador Hynek Kmonicek talks to Viet Nam News prior to the visit of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, to Vietnam from April 20-22. Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn speaks at the meeting to announce the results of the AMM-56 (Photo: VNA) Jakarta - Dialogue partner countries of ASEAN have launched many new cooperation initiatives and pledged financial support for the group at the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings from July 11-14 in Jakarta, Indonesia, according to Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn. Addressing a meeting to announce the results of the AMM-56, Secretary-General Kao said that these new initiatives include the European groups initiative on sustainable connectivity to mobilise 10 billion EUR (11 billion USD) by 2027 to implement the "Global Gateway" strategy of the European Union (EU) in Southeast Asia. The UK announced five new programmes worth 113 million pounds (150 million USD) which are implemented this year, focusing on educating girls; economic integration; women, peace and security; health system, in addition to programmes related to health and climate change adaptation expected in the coming months. China proposed an initiative to support the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and efforts to soon start negotiations on the joint declaration on mutual benefit cooperation between China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Meanwhile, the US announced the launch of the US-ASEAN fellowship programme for rising leaders in August. Australia stated to spend 1.4 million AUD (950,000 USD) for the Bio-Protection Research Alliance, which is an ASEAN-Australian partnership that seeks to strengthen ASEANs capacity to control pests and diseases. The country also pleadged to provide 2.2 million AUD to support the ASEAN-CGIAR Innovate for Food Regional Programme; 10 million AUD for the Orange Bond Initiative and 8.6 million AUD for Timor-Leste. For its part, Japan agreed to contribute 100 million USD to the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) 3.0 established in March 2023 support projects in key areas of the AOIP. Secretary-General Kao said ASEAN and its dialogue partners are also promoting major plans, including activities to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations. With the launch of the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI) to strengthen ties with ASEAN, the Republic of Korea (RoK) plans to double its annual contributions to the ASEAN-RoK Cooperation Fund by 2027 to 48 million USD. Seoul also proposed to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN by 2024 on the 35th founding anniversary of the dialogue relations. ASEAN and the RoK are also working towards the adoption of a joint statement on cooperation within the AOPI framework at the ASEAN-RoK Summit in September this year. The RoK will launch a 20-million-USD project to promote cooperation with ASEAN on the four priority areas of the AOIP. Meanwhile, the US side announced the extension of the Regional Development Cooperation Agreement (RDCA) between the two sides from 2025 to 2029, Kao said. ASEANs deal with Australia and New Zealand sees added benefit Vietnam will enjoy more advantages when expanding its trade and investment cooperation with Australia and New Zealand through amendments to a multilateral free trade deal between ASEAN and these two nations. High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell (Photo: AFP) Jakarta High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission Josep Borrell has emphasised that the EU must be more present and engaged in ASEAN, which plays a crucial role in the Indo-Pacific region. "Working with ASEAN and deepening our strategic partnership is key to do so," he said in a statement on July 17. The EU and ASEAN are the two most advanced regional integration organisations in the world. They understand each other at many levels, even if some of the ASEAN members are not like our multi-party democracies. Both organisations stand together in promoting effective multilateralism, free trade, the green and digital transition and connectivity He said his presence in Jakarta on behalf of the EU at the ASEAN-EU Post Ministerial Meeting (PMC) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) provided an opportunity to strengthen our bonds, to profile the EU as a trusted partner, to discuss regional and global developments, and to pursue our political and economic interests, "In both meetings, I stressed that the EU is committed to ASEAN centrality and aim to step up our cooperation in ASEAN-centred fora. We might be geographically distant but Europe is economically interdependent with the Indo-Pacific and we have a direct stake in each others security," he noted. Borrell affirmed that the central role of ASEAN should not be underestimated. The EU should support this role when it becomes a reliable participant in this global structure. Over the past years, the EU-ASEAN relations have achieved positive results, such as the signing of the Strategic Partnership Agreement, the Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (CATA), and the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership for 2023-2-27. Notably, the EU-ASEAN High-Level Commemorative Summit held in Brussels in December 2022 reinforced the growing political momentum in the EU-ASEAN strategic partnership. Upgrade for ASEANs trade backbone set An upgraded agreement on trade in goods within ASEAN is expected to help boost intra-bloc trade and investment, with Vietnam set to be a big beneficiary. According to a financial report published by the Taiwanese firm, its facilities manufacturing spare parts and electronic devices generated the most gains in Vietnam. Among Foxconn's industry rivals, New Wing Interconnect Technology Co., Ltd, based in the northern province of Bac Giang, reported an after-tax profit last year of almost VND5 trillion ($210 million) from a total revenue of VND33.8 trillion ($1.43 billion). Fuyu Precision Component saw a little over VND2.4 trillion ($103 million) in after-tax profit and almost VND60 trillion ($2.54 billion) in revenue for the whole year. Meanwhile, Fuhong Precision Component earned over VND1.37 trillion ($58.26 million) in profit out of almost VND46 billion ($1.94 billion) in revenue. ShunYun Technology in Hanoi and Fushan Technology in Bac Ninh saw profits of VND246 billion ($10.4 million) and VND41.2 billion ($1.74 million) respectively. The only industry player in Vietnam to report a loss in 2022 was ShunShin Technology, with an after-tax loss of VND3.9 trillion ($165.2 million). In the LCD/OLED television and monitor manufacturing sector, Competition Team Technology in Quang Ninh realised an after-tax profit last year of almost VND330 billion ($14 million) among its revenue of around VND9 trillion ($382.5 million). Its logistics arm, Jusda International Supply Chain Management, generated a profit of VND246 billion ($10.4 million) from revenue close to VND2 trillion ($84 million). For manufacturers of computers and relevant components, FuKang Technology reported an after-tax loss of almost VND113.5 billion ($4.8 million) among a total revenue of over VND2.1 trillion ($89 million). Foxconn entered the Vietnamese market in 2007, in the provinces of Bac Ninh, Bac Giang and Vinh Phuc, and has consistently expanded its operations here. Quang Ninh People's Committee granted investment certificates to Thailands biggest industrial developer, Amata, for two Foxconn projects worth more than VND5.8 trillion ($246 million) in early July, to be located in Song Khoai and Quang Yen industrial zones. Taiwan's Foxconn predicts huge growth in AI server business Taiwanese tech giant and key Apple supplier Foxconn predicts three-digit growth for its artificial intelligence server business due to robust demand for AI products such as ChatGPT, its chairman said Wednesday. 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. As recorded by Adecco Vietnam, the overall hiring demand decreased by more than 30 per cent compared to the same period last year. Some sectors, such as consumer finance, real estate, and retail, have experienced significant declines in recruitment due to restrictive government policies and tightened consumer spending. Other sectors such as pharmaceutical, healthcare, and technical sales saw a more resilient demand for skilled professionals. Although the number of vacancies at IT companies decreased by 35 per cent on-year, the requirement for IT skills is gradually becoming more widespread in most fields. Companies are increasingly looking for professionals with expertise in software development, cybersecurity, AI, digital development, and data analytics to meet their transformation needs. Meanwhile, a significant decline in sales orders for industrial manufacturing led to considerable lay-offs, especially in terms of electronics, semiconductors, textiles, furniture, and chemicals. As factories have been moving towards digitalisation and automation, lean manufacturing, and zero-carbon policies, there has been a shift in labour requirements with decreasing demand for low-skilled manual labour. Instead, those with expertise in robotics, process automation, and advanced manufacturing technologies have become increasingly sought after. The healthcare and pharmaceutical industry is anticipated to see sustained demand for professionals in light of the government's goal of improving healthcare infrastructure and increasing consumer demand. This field seeks experts in a variety of roles, including physicians, brand managers, and medical information specialists. However, the application of technology to upgrade the examination and treatment experience is also likely to affect the industry's hiring requirements. Nguyen Hoang Thanh Chuong, head of Permanent Recruitment Services at Adecco Vietnam, predicts that the labour market will continue to face many difficulties in the second half of 2023 as he has not seen many positive signs from employers. However, several industries are expected to drive the job market, such as technology, healthcare, e-commerce, renewable energy, and digital services, thanks to the increasing demand for skilled professionals. "Opportunities will open for domestic labour as many large corporations in Vietnam are changing their recruitment strategies. Open positions for expats are decreasing sharply, and are mainly focused on important functions in the early stages of an investment plan. Their roles are mainly to train and assist with the transfer of technology to skilled domestic candidates," he said. Growing need for high-quality manpower in digital era The explosion of digital technology, smart devices, and production and business automation is posing challenges in the labour market, pushing enterprises to develop long-term training strategies for future development. Lenders look further afield for recruitment As digital transformation calls for a different set of skills and knowledge, many financial institutions are turning to the overseas market for recruitment. To attract investors, in the past years, Quang Ninh prioritises allocating investment resources for infrastructure development, especially transport works. (Photo: VNA) Quang Ninh - Prominent advantages in transport infrastructure with road, sea, rail and air routes have made the northeastern province of Quang Ninh a magnet for foreign investment. According to the provincial Department of Planning and Investment, in the first six months of 2023, the province attracted over 832 million USD in foreign direct investment (FDI). During the period, the province granted investment certificates to 17 FDI projects, 2.5 times higher than the same period last year, mainly in the field of processing and manufacturing, particularly two large-scale projects with investment capital of over 100 million USD. Investors from 20 countries and territories are carrying projects out in the province, with those from Hong Kong (China) taking the lead with a total investment capital of over 3.8 billion USD, accounting for 33.7% of the total FDI investment in the province. Japan ranked second with over 2.33 billion USD, and the US came third with nearly 2.31 billion USD. Chinese investors have 31 projects in the province with total investment capital of over 314 million USD, followed by United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, and Indonesia. Quang Ninhs advantages prove effective in attracting foreign investment hinh anh 2 In the first six months of 2023, Quang Ninh province attracts over 832 million USD in foreign direct investment (FDI). (Photo: VNA) At a recent meeting with investors, Cao Tuong Huy, Acting Chairman of the provincial People's Committee, affirmed the province's motto is that businesses effective investment is the success of the locality. The province is committed to accompanying investors throughout the project implementation process and solving problems and difficulties at any time, he said. To attract investors, in the past years, Quang Ninh has prioritized allocating investment resources for infrastructure development, especially transport works. The province has also paid attention to removing difficulties relating to site clearance, resettlement, land rental, land procedures, electricity demand, and project infrastructure connection to speed up the infrastructure development of industrial parks. Regarding transport infrastructure, the province is accelerating the completion of roads to the seaports, airport and IPs. It has also proposed new projects such as the upgrade of National Highway 4B to strengthen the connection between Lang Son and Quang Ninh provinces,Van Don - Mong Cai and Quang Ninh - Lang Son - Cao Bang expressways as well as connection within the Northeastern and Northwestern regions. Komoto Tomoshi, CEO of Castem Vietnam said that the company is the first Japanese investor to invest in Song Khoai Industrial Park in the provinces Quang Yen town with a 19 million USD factory for manufacturing and trading precision mechanical details. The company is satisfied with the provinces investment environment, and the location of the industrial park as its near the airport and seaports. Moreover, Vietnam boasts a cheap and hard-working labour force, he added. Quang Ninh approves Yen Hung LNG Port project Quang Ninh province has granted approval for the Yen Hung liquefied natural gas (LNG) port project with an estimated capital of $32.2 million. It aims to support the adjacent Stavian Quang Yen Oil Refinery and be a significant advancement to Vietnam's LNG infrastructure. Choi Joo Ho President of Samsung Vietnam Complex gives a donation for the repair of Samsung Bac Ninh Hope School. (Photo courtesy of Samsung Vietnam) Bac Ninh - Samsung Vietnam and Korea Food for the Hungry International (KFHI) on July 20 jointly held the 10th anniversary of the establishment of Samsung Bac Ninh Hope School (Vietnam Korea Cooperation Centre). The Vietnam-Korea Cooperation Centre is also known as the Samsung Hope School Bac Ninh. This is the first school in the chain of Samsung Hope School projects - one of the key social responsibility projects with the mission of spreading knowledge, sharing visions and creating the future for every Vietnamese youth. The school was inaugurated and put into operation in 2013 in Lac Ve commune, Tien Du district, Bac Ninh province, with the desire to assist students living around Samsung's factory. The school was built with modern equipment, a synchronous system as well as after-school extracurricular courses such as IT, fine arts, foreign languages and soft skills to help students have a solid foundation to nurture their dreams. After 10 years of operation, Samsung Bac Ninh Hope School has given more than 2,000 individuals in Bac Ninh a chance to live and learn in a healthy, dynamic environment where they can explore their own dreams, develop comprehensively and bring positive contributions to the educational development in Bac Ninh province. A total of 62 students have graduated from this school so far. Thanks to the knowledge acquired from here, their chances to get into universities have also increased. Speaking at the event, Ngo Tan Phuong, Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, said: On behalf of the provincial People's Committee, I acknowledge and praise the great contributions of Samsung Vietnam Complex, which have directed Samsung Electronics Vietnam Co Ltd to coordinate with KFHI to aid and build "Vietnam - Korea Cooperation Centre", not only building but also accompanying the organisation to maintain the centre's facilities. The company not only excels in production and business but also takes the lead in community support activities, deserving to be a comprehensive example for other FDI companies in the province to follow. Choi Joo Ho, President of Samsung Vietnam Complex, said: Our future depends a lot on the young generations. And supporting young people to pursue their dreams is the mission for all of us. President Ho Chi Minh once said: "For the sake of ten years, we must plant trees, for the sake of 100 years, we must cultivate people." I believe that this is a reminder for us about the importance of investing in people; it is the best investment that creates great and lasting results. It has been 10 years since the establishment and operation of Samsung Bac Ninh Hope School. However, it can be said that these are merely the first steps in that 100-year journey. Samsung will continue to effectively operate the Samsung Hope School and constantly support the development of the youth - the future owners of the country. South Korean giants to pour billions of dollars into Vietnam More than 100 MoUs were signed by South Korean and Vietnamese businesses at the Vietnam-South Korea Business Forum on June 23. South Korean soldiers stand guard during a media tour at the Joint Security Area (JSA) on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in the border village of Panmunjom in Paju, South Korea, March 3. Reuters-Yonhap The United States fears an American soldier held by North Korea may be mistreated by Pyongyang, which has yet to respond to inquiries about his fate, officials said Thursday. Private Second Class Travis King was due to return to the United States to face disciplinary consequences after serving jail time in South Korea, but instead left the airport, joined a tour of the border and fled across it. The US Army has launched an investigation into the incident, the Pentagon said, but officials have made clear that their first priority is securing the soldier's release. "It makes me very, very concerned that Private King is in the hands of the North Korean authorities... I worry about how they may treat him," Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said at the Aspen Security Forum. She referenced the case of Otto Warmbier, an American who was held for a year-and-a-half before being released in a coma to the United States and dying six days later. State Department spokesman Matt Miller also cited Pyongyang's history of mistreating detainees. "We would always have concern given the treatment by North Koreans of past detained individuals and that's one of the reasons why we are reaching out to ask for more information about his well being," Miller said. "The case continues to be an extremely high priority for the department. Our diplomatic efforts are ongoing," he said. A portrait of American soldier Travis King is displayed as his grandfather, Carl Gates, talks about his grandson Wednesday, July 19, in Kenosha, Wis., U.S. AP-Yonhap Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung speaks at the online event marking the establishment of the union of presidents of Vietnamese people's associations in Italy on July 20. (Photo: VNA) Rome A union of presidents of Vietnamese people's associations in Italy has come into being, aiming to meet the Vietnamese communitys wish to have a common organisation and help strengthen the two countries friendship. A document on the establishment of the union was signed via videoconferencing on July 20. The event was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung, President of the Italy - Vietnam Cultural Bridge Association Le Thi Bich Huong, President of the Italy - Vietnam Mutual Assistance Association Tran Minh Chau, President of the Italy - Vietnam Chamber of Commerce Pham Van Hong, and President of the Milano Club Nguyen Hoang My. Addressing the event, Hung said the establishment of the union is a modest initial step but significant to about 5,000 - 6,000 Vietnamese people across Italy. The community long wanted to have a common organisation, and the foundation of this union, a voluntary and non-binding organisation, does not only meet their demand but also helps enhance the communitys solidarity to contribute to the countries friendship, he noted. The presidents of the member associations agreed to coordinate to help promote the friendship, mutual understanding, and cooperation between the two countries people; popularise images of Vietnam in Italy; develop the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Italy. The union will convene meetings at least once a year to discuss common issues. Its Secretary General will be selected by the presidents of the member associations and serve for a one-year term on a rotational basis. Le Thi Bich Huong was chosen the first Secretary General of the union. Meanwhile, the unions establishment and operations do not affect the existence and activities of the member associations. Its membership is also open to other organisations. The establishment of the union took place on the threshold of a State visit to Italy by Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong and amid the 50th anniversary of the two countries diplomatic relations. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang (R) receives CEO of Samsung Vietnam Choi Joo Ho. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on July 21 received CEO of Samsung Vietnam Choi Joo Ho, during which he affirmed that the Vietnamese Government considers Samsung Vietnam as a success story in terms of foreign direct investment in the country. Choi said the Republic of Koreas conglomerate has so far invested 20 billion USD in Vietnam, with more than 100,000 employees working at Samsung factories in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and the northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen. Every year Samsung still pours an additional 1 billion USD in Vietnam and is trying to disburse all of this additional investment capital to maintain competitiveness and sustainable development. The company has always reported a high export growth rate over the past years, reaching a record high of 65 billion USD last year, he added. The Samsung Vietnam leader took the occasion to thank the Government for facilitating the companys operations, hoping to receive additional support for win-win cooperation. Sharing difficulties faced by the firm in 2023, Deputy PM Quang stated the Vietnamese Government is committed to creating an increasingly favourable and attractive business and investment environment for foreign investors, including Samsung. Samsung Vietnam teams up with Shinhan Bank Vietnam on digital payments In a landmark move, Samsung Vietnam and Shinhan Bank Vietnam have joined hands, etching an MoU to revolutionise the digital payment arena in Vietnam on June 14. Samsung Vietnam: Where dreams come true Following 15 years of successfully achieving remarkable feats in Vietnam, Samsung has now set its sights on fostering a prosperous economy, fulfilling the aspirations of the Vietnamese populace, and cultivating a deep and enduring appreciation for the Samsung brand within the region. The Hanoi Opera House, a typical French architecture building in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) Hanoi Vietnam ranked 16th among 20 countries with the best architecture in the world compiled by Insider Monkey, a finance website that focuses on financial markets, hedge funds, and trading. "French Colonial is the architectural style that is common across Vietnam. It is also reflected in the government buildings in Hanoi, including the Presidential Palace, which was completed in 1906 and Hanoi Opera House," the website wrote. The ranking was made based on analysis and data released by various websites that cover travel and architecture. They included Conde Nast Traveler article "The worlds 20 best cities for architecture lovers, Travel Channels worlds "Top architecture cities", "Top destinations for architecture fans to visit by The Roam Wild, "10 cities for architectural enthusiasts" by Suitcase Magazine, and TopTens list of countries with the best architecture, among others. Countries were ranked based on the number of times their cities were listed in the above-mentioned sources. Topping the list is the US, followed by Italy, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Spain and Greece. According to the website, the US had the most number of cities covered. Miami Beach is popular for having the largest collection of Art Deco architecture while Columbus in Indiana, which ranks sixth in the country on architectural innovation and design, is home to at least 70 buildings designed by modern architects in the 1950s and 1960s. The Empire State Building, Gateway Arch, Denver Art Museum, Hoover Dam, and the Washington Monument are some of the architectural landmarks of the United States, it added. Vietnam considers Samsung Vietnam success story in FDI: Deputy PM Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on July 21 received CEO of Samsung Vietnam Choi Joo Ho, during which he affirmed that the Vietnamese Government considers Samsung Vietnam as a success story in terms of foreign direct investment in the country. Vietnam is set to channel approximately VND27 trillion ($11.25 billion), primarily from non-state sources, into bolstering its oil and gas supply and storage infrastructure by 2030, according to the national planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050. The investment, which will be largely funded by corporate capital and other lawful sources, is part of a strategic initiative to ensure the country's crude oil and petroleum product reserves can sustain 75-80 days of net imports, with an ambitious target to reach 90 days. The plan also encompasses provisions to guarantee gas reserves that meet domestic market demand and provide for the energy and industrial sectors. Under the plan, Vietnam is committed to constructing an additional 500,000 cubic metres of petroleum storage facilities by 2030. New crude oil reserves will be strategically located near oil refineries such as Dung Quat, Nghi Son, and Long Son, with a combined capacity of 1-2 million tonnes. In terms of commercial reserve infrastructure, the country will continue to utilise its 89 existing warehouses, but expand their capacity to approximately 1.4 million cu.m. Furthermore, 59 new commercial petroleum warehouses will be established across various localities, adding a total capacity of about 5.1 million cu.m. Beyond 2030, Vietnam plans to continue infrastructure development to increase the capacity of storage tanks to three million tonnes of crude oil. An estimated 581km of the petroleum pipeline system will be upgraded, followed by the construction of a new aviation fuel pipeline from the source warehouses in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau to Long Thanh International Airport warehouses. According to Vnexpress, the country will maintain the operation of its 16 existing liquid petroleum gas (LPG) warehouses until 2030. Investments will be directed towards the construction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) reserve infrastructure at the Cai Mep Industrial Park in Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Nam Dinh Vu Industrial Park in the northern port city of Haiphong, with a total capacity of about 5.1 million tonnes per year. This period will also see an expansion of the LPG and LNG storage system to increase capacity across all regions. PETMAL Oil Holdings proposes $2 billion oil refinery in Phu Yen The Malaysian group PETMAL Oil Holdings Sdn Bhd has proposed a plan to develop an oil refinery worth $2 billion in the Southern Phu Yen Economic Zone. Vietnamese, Malaysian oil and gas service companies enter joint venture Vietnamese offshore support vessel service provider Hai Duong Petroleum and Marine Corporation (Haduco) and Malaysias oil and gas marine service provider RMS Synergy Sdn Bhd (RMS) on May 11 signed a cooperation deal in Kuala Lumpur to form a joint venture between the two companies. The aim is to bridge the e-commerce development gap, consolidate local platforms, stimulate online transactions, and foster a sustainable digital marketplace. This move aligns with the Prime Minister's directive No.645/QD-TTg, dated May 2020, which approved the National E-commerce Development Master Plan for the 2021-2025 period. The current landscape of online trade promotion on local e-commerce platforms has been fraught with inefficiencies and limitations. The task at hand is to stimulate the growth of these local platforms, while preserving their regional characteristics and leveraging the advantages of the most dominant e-commerce sites. The proposed unified e-commerce platform for all 63 cities and provinces is envisioned as a network that interconnects local e-commerce platforms and integrates them with popular platforms. This would create a multidimensional and efficient trading environment, fostering a vibrant digital marketplace. The MoIT views the construction of a unified e-commerce platform as a strategic move. It is seen as a response to the practical needs of businesses operating nationwide and aligns with the government's objective of assisting them in their transition to e-commerce, as outlined in the National E-commerce Development Plan for 2021-2025. The unified platform is designed with four main objectives in mind. Firstly, it looks to bridge the e-commerce development gap between major cities and other localities. Secondly, it seeks to consolidate local e-commerce platforms across the country under a single digital address. It is also intended to promote the widespread use of e-commerce among businesses and communities. This will be achieved by showcasing local speciality products, especially those under the One Commune, One Product initiative. The goal is to stimulate online transactions and increase sales. Finally, it is expected to contribute to the creation of a healthy, competitive, and sustainable e-commerce market. Representatives from the E-commerce Development Centre, the unit tasked with implementing the project, explained that the unified e-commerce platform will serve as a centralised supply chain model spanning national and local levels. It will also provide a venue for sharing and exchanging goods between localities nationwide. Furthermore, it will offer online marketing and sales promotion tools, enabling businesses to perform most operations on a single platform. This is expected to aid firms and individuals in their e-commerce development efforts, while creating a concentrated environment that attracts greater numbers of both suppliers and consumers. A.P. Moller Capital and VinaCapital launch logistics infrastructure platform A.P. Moller Capital, a global fund manager focused on high-growth markets, and VinaCapital, a highly diversified asset manager in Vietnam, announced on May 22 that they have established a joint platform to boost transportation and logistics infrastructure investments in Vietnam. Dubai to set up chamber of commerce in Vietnam The wealthy and populous emirate of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will soon open an office in Ho Chi Minh City to boost bilateral trade and investment, CEO of Dubai Chambers Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah told Thuc Minh during an exclusive interview in Switzerland. Tiki CEO Tran Ngoc Thai Son steps down, casting shadows over IPO plan According to a report by DealstreetAsia, Tran Ngoc Thai Son, CEO and co-founder of Tiki, has tendered his resignation to the company's Board of Directors. Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc holds talks with US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen in Hanoi on July 21. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc highly evaluated financial cooperation between Vietnam and the US as he received US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen in Hanoi on July 21. He said that the two sides have signed many agreements and organised bilateral cooperation activities in the fields of taxation and customs; increased financing for infrastructure development; developed the capital market; and stepped up multilateral cooperation within the frameworks of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) along with the USs technical assistance to Vietnams Ministry of Finance in many fields. Phoc emphasised the important role of international support resources, including those from the US Government, to help Vietnam cope with complicated changes and make positive achievements in recent years. For her part, Yellen applauded Vietnam's economic development achievements and emphasised the important role that Vietnam has played in restoring and persifying the resilience of the global supply chain. On this occasion, she also shared the US Government's priority policies to promote the development of a sustainable supply chain in the context of the world economy's volatilities. The US official highly appreciated the political declaration on the establishment of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between Vietnam and its development partners, hoping that it would be an effective resource to support Vietnam in its energy transition, achieving the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Phoc expected that Yellen and the US Department of the Treasury would play an important role in further promoting profound and comprehensive financial cooperation between the two nations. Vietnam, US seek stronger economic, trade, investment partnership Politburo member and head of the Party Central Committees Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh had a meeting in Hanoi on March 10 with a delegation from the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) and representatives from 28 leading US businesses. Vietnam, US hold potential in expanding economic, business collaboration The United States and Vietnam have a lot of potential to expand their business and trade cooperation in such fields as agriculture, life sciences and energy transition, according to President and CEO of the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) Peter Tichansky. The loan, offered by a consortium of nine financial heavyweights, sees First Commercial Bank taking the helm as the lead. The primary motive of this loan procurement centres around fortifying TTC AgriS' working capital for the coming year. According to First Commercial Bank, the consortium has expressed a potential commitment to consistently recapitalise TTC AgriS over a span of three years. First Commercial Bank, established in 1899, is a well-entrenched player in the Asian banking industry. Boasting an equity capital of $7.5 billion as of December 2022, the bank operates an extensive network of 188 domestic branches and has a global footprint spanning 42 countries. The successful loan application is a testament to the confidence that premier financial institutions place in TTC AgriS, particularly against the backdrop of heightened global economic uncertainties. TTC AgriS has continuously proven its ability to attract substantial investments from leading global financial institutions. On June 16, the company concluded a trade finance agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC). As per the agreement, the IFC and SMBC have committed to jointly partake in trade financing for TTC AgriS, resulting in a total capital boost of $40 million. These funds will be channelled towards catalysing its business operations, enhancing production capacity, and broadening market outreach all in alignment with TTC AgriS's strategic developmental trajectory and professional investor collaboration. TTC AgriS has firmly ingrained itself within the IFC's Global Warehouse Finance Program, signifying its stature as a multinational agricultural enterprise in Vietnam. Such endorsements invariably encourage local banks to participate in the agricultural value chain, unlocking potential opportunities within this high-growth sector. As of June 30, foreign ownership in TTC AgriS has witnessed a sturdy upward trajectory, registering a figure of 16 per cent marking a significant 42 per cent increase on-year. VIB sign new loan agreement with IFC, bringing its total credit limit to $450 million International Commercial Joint-Stock Bank (VIB) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have signed a medium and long-term loan agreement to strengthen VIBs financial resources for credit expansion activities including retail home loans, home renovation products, and affordable mortgages. As part of an ongoing mission to advance the country's green economy, Vietnam has unveiled the 16th iteration of the International Exhibition on Electrical Technology and Equipment, along with the 13th International Exhibition on Energy Saving and Green Energy Products and Technology. The combined expo kicked off on the morning of July 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center and is running for three days. The international event boasts more than 500 booths representing 350 enterprises from key global economies, including China, Germany, France, the US, Japan, and South Korea. In his inaugural address, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai emphasised the exposition's function as a vibrant platform for stimulating business expansion, technology exchange, and investment in the energy sector. He expressed confidence that the event will significantly contribute to realising Vietnam's national energy strategy and bolster the growth of its electricity and renewable energy sectors, thus advancing its environmental protection goals. "With its distinct geographic and climatic attributes, Vietnam stands as a prospective beacon for the development of renewable energy," asserted Hai. He shed light on the government's introduction of innovative mechanisms to encourage clean and renewable energy sources like hydroelectric, wind, solar, and biomass. These initiatives, he anticipates, are primed to act as catalysts for the dynamic evolution of this sector within the nation. The symbiotic relationship between China's and Vietnam's energy industries was noted by Yu Xuehao, deputy secretary-general of the China Electricity Council. He outlined the extensive involvement of Chinese power companies in Vietnam's market, exemplified by their investment in numerous projects, the active role they play in technical construction, and their participation in power trading and the supply of electrical equipment. Yu highlighted the 110kV Ha Khau transmission line that has been operational since September 2004 as one such testament to their contribution. This strategic infrastructure project has delivered close to 40 billion kilowatt hours of power, with clean energy constituting more than 90 per cent of the total output, thereby fortifying Vietnam's local economic development, he said. "This year's event is expected to spawn further cooperation and investment opportunities for Chinese enterprises and power companies, reinforcing their footprint in the Vietnamese market," Yu opined. Swedes take on sustainable approach Swedish companies are displaying a heightened interest in the Vietnamese market, notably targeting the burgeoning sectors of innovation and sustainability. Prof. Nguyen Hai Nam, rector of Hanoi University of Pharmacy Alongside financial resources and regulatory parameters, Nam regards human resources as the primary driver for the expansion of high-tech pharmaceuticals, a sector recognised for its innovation and creativity. "Vietnam stands ready to meet the workforce demands of global corporations, should they decide to invest," Nam said at VIRs conference on July 20, which discussed new approaches for the development of the pharmaceutical industry. According to Nam, Vietnam is home to 41 pharmaceutical training institutions with approximately 37,000 students. The number of annual graduates is approximately 6,800, marking a tenfold increase over the last decade. "On average, 15 per cent of these graduates enter the pharmaceutical-technology field each year, meeting the requirements of large pharmaceutical corporations and global research centres," he stated. "Besides pharmacists, the pharmaceutical sector also demands skilled pharmaceutical technicians, for the manufacture of chemical and biological ingredients." Vietnam currently trains organic chemistry bachelors across 13 institutions, contributing approximately 800 graduates each year. These professionals are equipped to participate in the challenging arena of new drug development. "Vietnam's resources are sufficient to meet investor demand for pharmacist and pharmaceutical chemistry training," Prof. Nam said. Despite the high-risk and rigorous nature of the pharmaceutical sector, Vietnam continues to persevere in attracting foreign direct investment to its healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. However, procedural bottleneck challenges remain, requiring more aggressive administrative reforms to streamline processes and entice foreign-invested projects. "One hindrance is the extended timeframe from project initiation to investment realisation, which can take up to five years. This extended period may dissuade foreign-invested enterprises and steer them towards countries offering more lenient mechanisms." he added. He also suggested implementing tax-incentive schemes for firms making significant investments in research and development, mirroring innovation models like those seen in South Korea. Alongside a robust talent pool in the pharmaceutical sector, these proposed reforms could significantly elevate Vietnam's attractiveness to international investors, thereby fostering the growth of a native pharmaceutical industry, and further developing the nation's healthcare landscape. With the right administrative and tax reforms, Vietnam's robust talent pool can make the country a viable contender for global investment in the high-tech pharmaceutical sector, he concluded. Vietnam at the crossroads: The race to secure pharma investment The first panel session, themed Vietnam at the crossroads: The race to secure pharma investment, from VIR's event Realising Resolution 29: New Approaches for Pharma-Healthcare Development on July 20 drew significant attention. The discussion centred around the quality of labour in the pharmaceutical sector and the strategic decisions that Vietnam faces in its pursuit to attract investment in this vital industry. Such platforms, which once promised novel opportunities for fractional property ownership, have ceased operations in recent months, signalling a shift in investor sentiment and raising concerns about the sustainability of such ventures. One example is Moonka, an app that pioneered the use of blockchain technology in real estate transactions. Moonka recently suspended its money-raising activities for real estate projects, which was a setback for its purported vision of empowering investors through shared property ownership. The platform had subdivided properties into 1,000 shares, enabling customers with modest budgets to participate in co-ownership. However, despite operating for two years, it only successfully raised funds for three projects located in Bao Loc, Bao Lam, and Can Gio. The returns on these investments remain undisclosed. At the time of writing, visitors to Moonka's website will find a list of "waiting for opening" projects, including Van Phuc City, Sandy Vung Tau, LakeView Farm, among others. However, it is notable that additional information regarding new projects, as well as details about the founding and operational teams, appears to have been removed from the website. This lack of available information raises serious questions about the current status and transparency of Moonka's operations. The retreat of shared property investment platforms is not limited to Moonka. Industry observers note a broader trend of platform closures and suspensions during the first half of this year, marking a downturn after a period of rapid expansion from 2020 to 2022. Revex, another shared property investment platform that previously garnered attention, has also encountered difficulties. The platform, backed by investment from CenGroup a local real estate services provider, sought to enable individual investors to contribute capital for collective real estate acquisitions starting from VND1 million ($41.7). CenGroup injected $1 million in Revex in 2020. Built on a smart contract platform underpinned by blockchain, Revex aimed to revolutionise the industry. However, it has since halted its operations, leaving investors uncertain about the future of their fractional ownership. These developments have not gone unnoticed by regulators. In late 2022, the State Securities Commission (SSC) issued a warning to investors regarding unlicensed websites and trading applications, including some shared property investment platforms like Infina, Tikop, and Tititada, among others. Investors may face risks if disputes arise, and they are not protected by securities laws to safeguard their rights and interests. The SSC advises investors to exercise caution when engaging in securities transactions through these trading apps, as investors bear responsibility for potential risks that may occur, the regulator said. The cautionary notice emphasised the need for vigilance when engaging with these platforms and underscored the absence of proper regulatory oversight. Infina, formerly known as Real Stake, divided properties into 80-150 shares, providing opportunities for smaller investors to participate in the real estate market. Tikop accepted investments starting from VND50,000 (about $2), promising annual returns of 10 per cent. Market watchdogs have emphasised the inherent risks associated with shared property investment models in Vietnam. Tran Khanh Quang, CEO of Viet An Hoa Real Estate Investment, cautioned that the complexity of shared ownership, coupled with a lack of legal frameworks, posed significant challenges. While shared property investment endeavours may offer indirect market participation for small-scale investors, these models face hurdles such as limited decision-making authority and illiquidity, particularly during market downturns, he said. In the same vein, economist Dinh The Hien further underscored the importance of a robust legal framework in the Vietnamese market. While technology-driven solutions have made strides in the global real estate sector, Vietnam's nascent market lacks the necessary legal safeguards to protect investors, he said, warning that some shared property investment models attracted novice investors with high-profit commitments, but often lacking legal backing, which could expose investors to substantial risks, as witnessed in the collapse of the condotel market. Annie Woo, regional director, Integrated Real Estate Advisory Services in Asia Savills said, Real estate tokenisation offers advantages but carries risks. Risks include counterparty, liquidity, regulatory, and infrastructure risks. For instance, if the real estate is never sold for any reason, token holders may be stuck without any recourse. Therefore, the liquidity risks for token holders may be higher than typical creditors or minority shareholders, who can exercise their rights enshrined in legislation to seek recourse. Investors should clarify counterparty identities, assess liquidity prospects, conduct due diligence, and consider regulatory and infrastructure risks when venturing into real estate tokenisation. Business journalism unveiled: Navigating AGMs - Where transparency plays hide and seek As I stepped into the world of annual general shareholders meetings (AGMs) as a dedicated business journalist, little did I know that this professional endeavour would become an emotional rollercoaster. The USS Kentucky, a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine, is anchored at the Busan Naval Base in Busan, South Korea, Wednesday, July 19. AP-Yonhap The ongoing visit by a U.S. nuclear capable submarine to South Korea is in response to North Korea's evolving threats and is aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region, a Pentagon spokesperson said Thursday, dismissing North Korea's claim that it leads to further escalation. The Department of Defense spokesperson, Lisa Lawrence, also stressed that the port call by USS Kentucky, an 18,750-ton Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), is not in violation of any international rules unlike North Korea's illicit missile tests. "The actions taken by the U.S.-ROK alliance in the Washington Declaration and through the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) are a prudent response to the DPRK's escalatory and dangerous behavior, and further the alliance's goal of promoting peace and stability in the region," Lawrence told Yonhap News Agency in an email, referring to South and North Korea by their formal names, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, respectively. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to a port visit by an SSBN under the Washington Declaration they signed during their bilateral summit in Washington in April. The Washington Declaration also established the NCG which is aimed at bolstering U.S. extended deterrence to South Korea. The allies held their first NCG meeting in Seoul this week. Consumers can make payments with the VNPAY or ZaloPay e-wallet, or through VBan.vn, at no additional fee with Sacombank serving as the acquirer. Visa is establishing partnerships with banks and other relevant players to ensure Visa services, such as pre-paid, debit, and credit cards, are accessible to as many consumers as possible. Customers have the flexibility to pay their bills by using a credit card, experiencing enhanced convenience and enjoying automated monthly payments, to more easily manage their budgets. This initiative marks a significant step in Visas commitment to advancing the country's goal of a cashless society. Visa is thrilled to be expanding our digital payment acceptance footprint, said Dung Dang, Visa country manager for Vietnam and Laos. Robust security measures protect consumer data and transactions, so users can feel confident that their payment information is safeguarded, minimising the risk of fraud or unauthorised access. This expansion of our acceptance footprint reflects Visa's commitment to supporting Vietnam's digital transformation by providing efficient digital payment methods, she continued. While cash use is still widespread, Vietnamese consumers are increasingly embracing cashless payment options. According to the Visa Consumer Payment Attitudes Study 2022, 40 per cent of respondents said they pay bills using in-app services and 27 per cent use credit or debit cards online. 39 per cent stated that they still use cash. This presents a huge opportunity for state entities and merchants to partner with digital payment solution providers to make the customer bill-paying experience more streamlined. Cash usage is more common in categories such as public transport, fuel purchases, and food and beverages, while cashless payments are preferred for overseas travel and bill payments. When asked what payment category could go fully cashless in the near future, bill payments were ranked first by 60 per cent of respondents. Mobile wallets were the top choice for making bill payments, being the go-to option for 28 per cent of respondents. Visa has been working closely with Vietnams government to facilitate digital payments, such as through its extended collaboration with Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transportation to provide Visa's tap-to-ride technology on public transport. As part of its effort to boost the awareness of cashless payment options, Visa also supports the annual Cashless Day (June 16) organised jointly by the State Bank of Vietnam and Tuoi Tre newspaper to drive the adoption of digital payments. As the government's digital payment agenda gains momentum, Visa remains dedicated to empowering individuals and businesses with seamless payment experiences. Through innovative solutions, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to customer satisfaction, Visa is at the forefront of driving Vietnam's digital revolution, Dang concluded. Visa and SmartPay to boost digital payment solutions for MSMEs Visa and SmartPay announced a partnership on May 17 that will empower micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with the essential tools that they need to compete in the burgeoning digital payment era. Visa joins Vietnams 5th Cashless Day celebration Visa has announced its support for Vietnams annual Cashless Day with a slew of exciting promotions. The initiative strengthens Visas commitment to promoting digital payment adoption and encouraging the digital transformation of Vietnam towards a cashless society. (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 A Waco man was sentenced to 40 years in prison Thursday after pleading guilty to murder in the 2021 shooting death of an employee at Mr. Greek on Waco Drive. Judge Thomas West of Wacos 19th State District Court accepted the plea and sentenced Lavell Rodney Jones in accordance with a deal his attorneys struck with Assistant District Attorney Will Hix. Prosecutors agreed to drop the capital murder charge against Jones. A capital conviction comes with either a sentence of life in prison without parole or a death sentence. Three family members gave victim impact statements during a court hearing Thursday. A grand jury indicted Jones on the capital murder charge in late 2021 after investigators determined he shot and killed Othman Nemer Alsayyed Ahmad, 57, during a robbery at Mr. Greek Grocery and Grill, 2625 W. Waco Drive. Ahmad was working the night shift when surveillance video showed a masked man enter the business and point a gun a gun on Ahmad, according to an arrest affidavit Waco police filed at the time. After Ahmad handed over money from his pocket and the robber turned to leave, Ahmad pulled out his own gun and a struggle ensued, the affidavit says. They exited the store together before the robber fired a shot that hit Ahmad in the head, according to the affidavit. Investigators reported they received text messages between Jones and an unnamed informant in which Jones said he robbed Greek and also wrote he tried to shoot me first so I offed him. Jones said in the messages that all he got was $300, telling the informant he committed the robbery to make up for losing a large amount of dope, according to the affidavit. Investigators also reported they received a warrant for Jones cellphone and were able to determine he was in the area of the store at the time of the shooting. After his case left two McLennan County juries deadlocked, a man jailed since October 2019 on child sexual abuse allegations pleaded guilty Thursday to Class A misdemeanor assault. Deportation proceedings likely will follow his release from jail. Daniel Ramirez-Maldonado has been in McLennan County Jail since Oct. 11, 2019, on $100,000 bond and was indicted on a first-degree felony charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14. Judge Thomas West of Wacos 19th State District Court accepted the guilty plea and sentenced Ramirez-Maldonado to a year in McLennan County Jail. Ramirez-Maldonados jail records also list an immigration detainer, meaning federal officials have requested the jail hold him past his release date so they can take him into custody for potential deportation. Details of his immigration status were not immediately available Thursday. You will go with the bailiffs, and agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will come for you, West told Ramirez-Maldonado. His defense attorney, Darren Obenoskey, said more jurors were in favor of conviction than acquittal in each of the two mistrials. If a jury is unable to reach a unanimous decision, the judge will declare a mistrial, ending the proceedings without a verdict and giving prosecutors the option to proceed to a new trial. Ramirez-Maldonado favored the plea over a third trial, Obenoskey said after Thursdays hearing. He wanted to do it and put it behind him, with the least impact on his immigration proceedings, he said. West told Ramirez-Maldonado before his guilty plea that he would likely face a deportation hearing. The person he pleaded guilty to assaulting testified against Ramirez-Maldonado in his previous trials and gave an impact statement Thursday in Spanish, without a translator. Founders of the Waco-based Heart of Texas Human Trafficking Coalition are passing the baton to a new generation of leadership. District Judge Gary Coley and Unbound Now founder and CEO Susan Peters have led the coalition since it began a decade ago. The new co-chairs, Liz Buice and Kristi Hayes, were recognized Thursday at a quarterly coalition round table. Buice, now an Assistant District Attorney in the McLennan County District Attorneys office, has a long history of working against exploitation of children, serving in civil court from 2017 to 2022 and before that as a McLennan County prosecutor. Hayes, executive director of Unbound Now Waco since August 2022, previously hosted a podcast promoting universal human values and worked as youth pastor in Oklahoma City and Fairfax County, Virginia. Together, Hayes and Buice will focus on enhancing collaboration between law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and government entities to streamline efforts and increase impact, a Thursday statement from Unbound Now says. Coley, who presides over Wacos 74th State District Court, attended Thursday, while Peters was absent due to the birth of her first grandchild. The two began the coalition to bring law enforcement, prosecutors and judges together with community advocates and resources to coordinate efforts against traffickers, and to provide recovery and healing to the victims, Coley said. McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara said at the meeting that law enforcement agencies can rescue people out of exploitation, but they cant save the victims. We can arrest the sex-buyers and lock up the scumbag traffickers, McNamara said. And our SWAT teams and peace officers can rescue the victims, but its organizations like Unbound and Jesus Said Love and others that can save the victims by showing them new way to live. Jesus Said Love, a nonprofit founded by Brett and Emily Mills, recently announced plans for Lovely Village, a housing ministry for exploited women. Hayes pledged to work together with Buice and the rest of the coalition. China, a country well-known for its unwavering commitment to reducing carbon emissions, faces a perplexing paradox. It appears to be on a trajectory that suggests a significant increase in the use of fossil fuels for energy generation. China has devised a solution to counter the prevailing heat waves that are currently impacting a significant portion of the Northern Hemisphere. Their strategy involves increasing coal consumption to ensure a consistent electricity supply, thereby facilitating the operation of air-conditioning systems. Prior to the current year, China had already been responsible for emitting nearly one-third of all energy-related greenhouse gases, surpassing the combined emissions of the United States, Europe, and Japan. China's annual coal consumption surpasses that of the entire world combined. In the preceding month, China witnessed a notable surge in coal-generated electricity, surpassing the levels observed in June 2022 by a significant margin of 14 percent. Subscribe 100% Free to Wall Street Rebel.com and receive access to investment tools worth $17,500! The recent surge in China's coal consumption can be attributed to a comprehensive nationwide initiative undertaken over the past two years to expand coal mining operations and construct additional coal-fired power facilities. The state media commended the dedication and hard work of a thousand workers, who diligently labored without taking any breaks during the spring season. Their efforts were focused on completing the construction of one of the largest coal-fired power plants in southeastern China, ensuring its timely completion before the arrival of summer. China's energy policy presents a paradox, as the nation simultaneously assumes a leading role in the global installation of renewable energy sources. It exerts a significant influence over the worldwide clean energy supply chain, encompassing a wide range of products such as solar panels, battery storage systems, and electric vehicles. However, due to concerns regarding energy security and domestic political considerations, there is a steadfast commitment to further invest in coal. Following an intensive three-day negotiation session in Beijing, John Kerry, the climate envoy appointed by President Biden, revealed on Wednesday that China's coal program had proven to be the most formidable challenge. He stated that the current issue at hand is the need to transition away from relying heavily on coal. The United States, with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions than China, is currently charting a distinct trajectory. Over the past decade, the United States has refrained from constructing new coal-fired plants. It has taken significant strides in reducing its reliance on coal, nearly cutting its usage in half. Concurrently, the country has opted to augment its energy portfolio by increasing its utilization of natural gas. China possesses the most extensive underground coal reserves among all nations, which officials regard as crucial for ensuring energy security. In characterizing coal as the "ballast stone" of China's energy composition, Zhang Jianhua, the esteemed director of the National Energy Administration, underscores its pivotal role in the nation's energy landscape. During a press conference held earlier this spring, he emphasized the paramount significance of safeguarding national energy security. In April 2021, Xi Jinping, the leader of China, made a resolute declaration regarding his nation's approach to coal power projects and consumption. He expressed a firm commitment to "strictly control" such projects and the growth of coal consumption until 2025, after which a gradual reduction would be implemented over the subsequent five years. In September 2021, he took the decisive action of imposing a ban on any future contracts pertaining to China's construction of coal-fired power plants in foreign nations. Subscribe 100% Free to Wall Street Rebel.com and receive access to investment tools worth $17,500! One week later, in the late September of 2021, scorching temperatures exerted excessive strain on China's electric grid, resulting in a series of rolling blackouts along the country's coastal regions. With minimal notice, employees were compelled to evacuate office skyscrapers as the elevators ceased operation hastily. An abrupt power failure within a chemical manufacturing facility resulted in a catastrophic explosion, causing significant harm and injury to numerous employees. The unfortunate events spurred an urgent endeavor in China to bolster coal mining operations and construct additional coal-fired power plants. The incursion of Russia into Ukraine, followed by the subsequent cessation of Russian energy exports to Europe, has heightened Beijing's resolve to prioritize coal as the foundation of its energy security. China primarily imports oil and natural gas, with a significant portion of these resources being transported through maritime routes under the control of the United States or India, both of which are geopolitical adversaries. In the wake of a sequence of partial meltdowns that shook the Fukushima nuclear reactors in Japan in 2011, the Chinese government has taken decisive action by imposing stringent regulations on the construction of nuclear power plants. The inherent constraints have given rise to a deliberate emphasis on establishing such facilities exclusively in handpicked coastal regions. According to a research group called Global Energy Monitor, as of January, China possessed over 300 coal-fired power plants in different stages of proposal, permitting, or construction. Approximately 66% of the global coal-fired capacity under development was accounted for by this figure. In light of the prevailing building boom, it is worth noting that certain Chinese provinces, amidst the 2021 blackouts, engaged in the practice of withholding electricity from other provinces, thereby attempting to stockpile it for their use. In response to the prevailing circumstances, numerous local and provincial governments have undertaken initiatives to establish coal-fired power plants within their respective jurisdictions. Ma Jun, the director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, an environmental group headquartered in Beijing, expressed concerns regarding the potential consequences of constructing an extensive network of excessively redundant coal power plants. According to Ma Jun, this endeavor can potentially significantly escalate the overall cost of energy. According to David Fishman, a China electricity analyst at Lantau Group, a reputable consulting firm based in Hong Kong, it is noteworthy that state-owned enterprises are constructing the majority of China's new plants. This trend can be attributed to private developers perceiving these facilities as lacking financial viability. Despite the ongoing construction of numerous coal-fired plants in China, it is noteworthy that the country also holds a prominent position in solar and wind power. According to the International Renewable Energy Association, an intergovernmental group based in the United Arab Emirates, the installed solar power capacity in the mentioned country is 3.5 times greater than that of the United States. Additionally, the wind power capacity in the same country is 2.6 times higher than that of the United States. China's largest wind and solar initiatives are predominantly situated in the sparsely populated western and northwestern regions, characterized by a climate that boasts abundant sunshine and consistent wind patterns throughout the year. However, these sites are situated at a considerable distance from the coastal provinces, which are home to the majority of the population and host numerous energy-intensive industries. It is worth noting that these coastal regions typically experience cloudier and less windy weather conditions. The integration of expansive solar panel farms and extensive rows of wind turbines with coastal regions has necessitated the development of ultrahigh-voltage power lines. China has successfully constructed a significantly greater number of ultrahigh-voltage lines compared to the combined efforts of the rest of the world. One issue that arises is the exorbitant cost associated with these particular lines. To accommodate their extensive network of power lines spanning vast distances, Chinese power companies are mandated to acquire strips of land measuring 200 meters in width. This requirement applies consistently over hundreds of miles. To achieve cost-effectiveness, it is imperative that the transmission lines efficiently facilitate the continuous flow of electricity throughout the day and night. However, the sun's brilliance is not constant throughout the day, and the wind's presence is not perpetual. According to Kevin Tu, a distinguished energy expert based in Beijing and a nonresident fellow at Columbia University's Center on Global Energy Policy, it has been observed that a significant proportion of China's recent coal-fired power plants are being constructed alongside wind and solar projects. This strategic approach ensures a continuous transmission of power, as stated by Tu. China's persistent reliance on coal presents a significant climate change challenge, particularly concerning the methods employed in its mining operations. Compared to numerous other nations, China predominantly relies on underground coal mining, which tends to result in significant methane emissions into the atmosphere. Methane exhibits a significantly higher potency, ranging from 20 to 80 times, compared to carbon dioxide when it comes to its warming effects within the Earth's atmosphere. According to estimations made by Chinese physicists, approximately 25% of methane emissions in China can be attributed to its extensive network of over 100,000 coal mines. These mines, predominantly consisting of small-scale operations abandoned for a considerable period, continue to release gases into the atmosphere. A potential factor that may assist China in diminishing its dependence on coal is an unforeseen downturn in its real estate sector. Two-thirds of China's electricity is consumed by factories, with the primary beneficiaries being steel and cement mills and glass manufacturers. These industries play a crucial role in supporting the nation's extensive construction endeavors. The decline in housing prices can be attributed to a significant oversupply of residential units resulting from an extended period of excessive construction, leading to an estimated surplus of approximately 80 million unoccupied apartments. The construction of apartments by developers witnessed a decline of nearly 25% in the first half of the current year compared to the corresponding period of the previous year. However, it is important to note that even in the face of a housing slowdown, the substantial coal investment recently undertaken by China will remain unaffected. According to Michal Meidan, the head of China energy research at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, the increasing amount of coal being utilized poses a significant challenge for China in its efforts to adopt more ambitious measures in combating climate change. It has the potential to complicate a more ambitious schedule for reducing emissions.Subscribe 100% Free to Subscribe 100% Free to Wall Street Rebel.com and receive access to investment tools worth $17,500! WATERLOO The work of an area nurse was recently recognized by one of the nations largest dental benefits administrators. Bridget Saffold, an administrator for a MercyOne clinic, was named as one of 12 Health Equity Heroes by DentaQuest. The recipients were selected for their forward-thinking approaches to expanding equitable access to health care. Saffold was recognized for her work with Focus on Diabetes, which she started in 2015 due in part to her fathers health struggles. Focus on Diabetes uses volunteer service to provide free screenings, health supplies and education on diabetes through community outreach. People just need to be educated, need to be empowered with information. ... What has been good about it is that weve been able to meet people in the community and bridge them back to care with our local health organizations, she said. DentaQuest will also donate $5,000 to Focus on Diabetes in Saffolds name, which will be used to continue to grow the organizations community connections and technology access. Over the years, weve grown those partnerships with the community and were still looking to grow that even more. Because that really is the way we can help people best is if we get them into our space and were able to provide them with education and awareness, she said. This latest honor adds on to a list of accolades Saffold has racked up through the years, including being named one of The Couriers 20 Under 40 recipients in 2016 and being inducted into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame in 2021. Focus on Diabetes recently added free small dental screening to its offerings. When blood sugar is high, acids and sugars in saliva can create dental problems, an aspect of the condition that Saffold says a lot of people arent aware of. The award will help highlight the connection between diabetes and dental issues. The organization serves 150 to 200 people per year in Black Hawk County and has recently expanded to offer some services in the Cedar Rapids area. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization provided services statewide and in other states and countries. In light of her awards and honors, Saffold can still hear the voice of her father, Walter Reed Jr., encouraging her forward. As his struggles with diabetes continued to progress until his death in 2018, she remembers him always supporting her in any way he could. He said, Dont stop doing it even if only a few people come. He said, Watch what I tell you, its going to grow and its going to get bigger, Saffold recounted. Receiving the DentaQuest honor is just one more step in the growing process. By somebodys recognition, it gets the word out even more so we can have a greater impact on our communities and communities across Iowa, she said. Focus on Diabetes will be holding its annual event at the Waterloo Center for the Arts from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 9. More information about upcoming events can be found on the organizations Facebook page. Breaking down racial disparities in diabetes prevalence Breaking down racial disparities in diabetes prevalence Diabetes rates in the US Regional disparities Disparities among Pacific Islanders Disparities in mortality WATERLOO Police have arrested a teen for allegedly beating a convenience store employee in a Friday afternoon robbery. The 15-year-old male is charged with second-degree robbery and interference in the heist at Kwik Stop 3, 1104 Washington St. Authorities allege the teen got behind the counter and took vape cartridges and cash from the register. He attacked an employee, knocking him to the floor and stomping on him before fleeing. The worker suffered facial injuries and was taken to the hospital for treatment. Patrol officers later spotted the suspect riding a bike, dressed in the same clothing from the robbery. Police used a Taser in detaining the suspect and officers found vape cartridges from the crime. WATERLOO The Board of Education expelled a Central Middle School student Monday for possessing a weapon. After a two-hour closed session, the board came into open session for the vote. The expulsion was unanimous, 5-0, with board members Endya Johnson and Astor Williams absent. Minimal details were provided, as identifying features of the student are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, according to Director of School and Community Relations Akwi Nji. The boards minutes state the student was expelled for violating Waterloo Community Schools student conduct code, possession of weapons policy and Iowa law and because the presence of the student is detrimental to the best interests of the school. District officials did not say what kind of weapon the student had. The expulsion is for the 2023-24 school year. The student must then appear before the board upon reentering the district. Placement of the student will be determined by the director of student services. On April 12, The Courier reported that a Central Middle School student was detained after authorities found a gun in his backpack. The 14-year-old boy was charged with carrying weapons and carrying weapons on school grounds. Board Secretary Pam Arndorfer said the district cannot disclose if the expulsion was for this incident. Photos: Vehicles recovered from Cedar River 071923jr-dive-team-3 071923jr-dive-team-4 071923jr-dive-team-5 071923jr-dive-team-6 071923jr-dive-team-7 071923jr-dive-team-8 071923jr-dive-team-9 071923jr-dive-team-10 071923jr-dive-team-1 071923jr-dive-team-2 Iraqis throw stones during clashes with security forces in front of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, July 20. The protest was in response to the burning of Quran in Sweden. AP-Yonhap Iraq expelled the Swedish ambassador on Thursday in protest at a planned burning of the Koran in Stockholm that had prompted hundreds of protesters to storm and set alight the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. An Iraqi government statement said Baghdad had also recalled its charge d'affaires in Sweden, and Iraq's state news agency reported that Iraq had suspended the working permit of Sweden's Ericsson on Iraqi soil. Anti-Islam protesters, one of whom is an Iraqi immigrant to Sweden who burned the Koran outside a Stockholm mosque in June, had applied for and received permission from Swedish police to burn the Koran outside the Iraqi embassy on Thursday. In the event, the protesters kicked and partially destroyed a book they said was the Koran but left the area after an hour without setting it alight. The Koran, the central religious text of Islam, is believed by Muslims to be a revelation from God. Police make preparations for a demonstration outside Iraq's embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, July 20. Iraq warned Sweden that it would cut diplomatic relations if a Koran-burning protest is allowed to go ahead in Stockholm, after protesters stormed and torched the Swedish embassy in Baghdad overnight. AFP-Yonhap Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said staff at the Swedish embassy in Tehran were safe but Iraqi authorities had failed in their responsibility to protect the embassy. Late on Thursday, Iran's foreign ministry summoned Sweden's ambassador in Tehran to "strongly protest against the desecration of the holy Koran", state media reported, while Turkey called events in Stockholm a "despicable attack". A Swedish foreign ministry spokesperson confirmed the ambassador was summoned due to the events in Stockholm but declined to comment on what was said during the meeting. The head of Lebanon's powerful armed group Hezbollah, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, called on Arab and Islamic nations to follow Iraq in expelling Sweden's ambassadors and withdrawing their envoys from Sweden. The Iraqi government condemned the assault on the embassy, according to a statement from the office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, which declared it a security breach and vowed to protect diplomatic missions. But Baghdad had also "informed the Swedish government ... that any recurrence of the incident involving the burning of the Holy Koran on Swedish soil would necessitate severing diplomatic relations", the statement said. The decision to recall the charge d'affaires came while the protest in Stockholm had started but before the protesters had left without burning the Koran. Billstrom said the storming of the embassy was "completely unacceptable and the government strongly condemns these attacks". He added: "The government is in contact with high-level Iraqi representatives to express our dismay." In Washington, the State Department condemned the attack on the embassy and criticised Iraq's security forces for not preventing protesters from breaching the diplomatic post. The European Union said it looked forward to "swift adoption of the necessary security measures" by Iraq to prevent further incidents. Thursday's demonstration was called by supporters of Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to protest at the second planned Koran burning in Sweden in weeks, according to posts in a Telegram group linked to the influential cleric and other pro-Sadr media. Sadr, one of Iraq's most powerful figures, commands hundreds of thousands of followers, whom he has at times called to the streets, including last summer when they occupied Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone and engaged in deadly clashes. He stood by the embassy storming on Thursday, telling a press conference the U.S. "has no right to condemn the burning of the Swedish embassy but should have condemned the burning of the Koran". Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr raise his portrait as they gather for a protest outside the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, July 20. Protesters set fire to Sweden's embassy in the Iraqi capital early ahead of a planned burning of a Koran in Sweden. AFP-Yonhap This years legislative session was hugely consequential, criticized by some Iowans and praised by others. The laws passed, from tax cuts to school regulations to book bans to restrictions on transgender students, will influence the everyday lives of people across the state for years to come. We wanted to know how these actions and others by the state government affect the lives of people across the state. What they like, what they dont like, where they see our leaders falling short and what they think needs more attention. This story is part of a larger series involving Lee Enterprises newspapers in Council Bluffs, Davenport, Mason City, Muscatine, Sioux City, Waterloo-Cedar Falls and our Des Moines Bureau. The What Do Iowans Want? series attempts to probe the thinking of people across the state about how the government is working for them. The 20 Iowans profiled represent the broad perspectives in our state. Theyre teachers, artists, retirees and athletes. Theyre Republicans, Democrats and independents. Theyre your neighbors and your friends. WATERLOO The citys telecommunications board was energized Wednesday after it introduced and passed initial rates for Waterloos new fiber network. This is a pivotal moment for Waterloo Fiber Utility, said Andy Van Fleet, chairperson of the board of trustees, as rates were established for its planned internet service. The city will offer speeds of 300 megabits per second, one gigabit per second and 10 gigabits per second for both upload and download. For 300 Mbps, the cost will be $49.95 per month; for 1 Gbps, it will be $69.95 per month; and for 10 Gbps it will be $109.95 per month. That includes no data caps, no hook-up fees and the use of a local service. Van Fleet, who personally uses Mediacom for his internet at home, said he pays $129 per month for 300 Mbps with data caps. Residents who want a full package of internet, television and phone have two options. For 1 Gbps, the cost is $179.95 per month. For 10 Gbps, it is $223.95 per month. Three options will be provided for businesses. For 300 Mbps, it is $109.95 per month; 1 Gbps is $249.95 per month; and 10 Gbps is $289.95 per month. Van Fleet said for his business he pays $995 for 1 Gbps. All the work that has been done comes down to this, board member Michael Young said. Its reliable, its local but its much cheaper than what weve been paying. There also will be a discounted internet rate for households qualifying for the Universal Service Administrative Companys Lifeline program. Residents can use Lifeline if their income is 135% or less than the federal poverty guidelines. If someone in a household participates in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit, they can receive 100 megabits per second for $29.95. Households using Lifeline can also receive a $30 per month subsidy, ultimately making internet for these households free. Eligible households must apply for the program through the Federal Communications Commission as well as contact Waterloo Fiber. Looking at competing provider Mediacom Xtream Internet, speeds are not parallel. For example, for a plan with 100 Mbps upload speed, the user is receiving 10 Mbps for a download speed for $24.99 per month for the first year. For a 300 Mbps upload speed, it is a 20 Mbps download speed for $44.99 per month for the first year. It is $54.99 per month for the first year for a 1 Gbps upload speed and 50 Mbps download speed. These services also implement data caps. There was not an option for 10 Gbps. After a year of service, Mediacom bumps up the prices of its services. Neighboring Cedar Falls Utilities also uses parallel upload and download speeds. However, if residents dont use CFUs television service, each payment is $12 more than listed. Rural residents also have to pay $5 more than the listed price. CFUs 250 Mbps speed is $45.50 per month, $64.50 for 1 Gbps and $105 for 10 Gbps. CFU recently added 10 Gbps to its services something Mediacom didnt provide. One gigabit was cool a few years ago 10 gigabits is standard, Courtney Violette of Magellan Broadband said. Magellan is advising the city on the fiber project. We didnt think it was wise to deploy something from the last generation (but to) employ todays current standards that your peers next door just upgraded to. The approval of rates comes after the Waterloo City Council awarded a bid of $77.86 million to ITG Communications LLC of Tullahoma, Tenn., for the fiber-to-the-premises and backbone network project. Funding for the project comes from various sources. In a September referendum, more than 84% of residents voted for a $20 million general obligation bond for municipal broadband. While such bonds are backed by the governments ability to tax its property owners, the city plans to repay them with revenues generated by the broadband utility rather than property tax dollars. There is money from the federal American Rescue Plan and a federal grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration that will be used on the project. The city applied for additional grants it is waiting to hear back on, as well. Money from other city departments, such as Waterloo Water Works, also will be used to fund portions of the project. The first customers are projected to be connected by the end of 2023. The entire project is expected to take three years to complete. The fiber optic network consists of two projects. The first is the fiber backbone, which supports city operations like utilities, traffic, public safety, and smart city initiatives. The second project is the build-out and delivery of the fiber-to-the-premises services, which can connect internet access to every home and business in the city. This article was updated to reflect Andy Van Fleet uses Mediacom, and pays $129 per month, for his internet services at home. WATERLOO A bizarre diminutive figure in a small chair sits on a pedestal just inside the main gallery at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. Clad in a padded patchwork of red fabrics stitched together with string, toddlers Christmas-themed footed PJs on its feet and a horn jutting from its mask-like face, the Bizango radiates a fierce fighters spirit. Created by Haitian artist Edmond Roland, Its said a Bizango doesnt have power unless it contains a human skull. This one has plenty of power for such a little guy, was Chawne Paiges cryptic comment. Paige, curator and newly appointed WCA interim director, wouldnt confirm if the Vodou object contained a skull. It is just one of the weird, wonderful and whimsical objects featured in the new exhibition, WTF: What the Fun. The show is on display until Nov. 5. There are so many funky things in the art centers permanent collection, many objects that have never been shown or seldom shown to the public. We began talking about how we frame a show with all of these unrelated pieces, and we came up with the WTF idea, he explained. We started with 10 to 20 pieces, and decided that there we could do more and fill all the galleries, add to the story and spread them out so people can enjoy the surprising, unique and whimsical items in our collection, Paige explained. Bessie, a nearly life-sized painted cow by Charles Frambo welcomes visitors into the Forsberg Riverside Gallery. The piece was rejected from the 1999 Chicago Cow Parade because it looked as if it had been graffiti-tagged. It wound up displayed in a Chicago cafe, then it was purchased by a collector and gifted to the center. Other artwork that made the list of must items include David Sterns Woman in Labor, with thick ridges and swoops of paint that look as if it was applied with a trowel; Priscilla Kepner-Sages colorful textile Octopus dangling from the ceiling; and mini portraits of imaginary people that artist Dan Hagarty created after spending a night on a train near the Northern State Sanatorium at Minot, N.D. I Have Loved the Unloved, a painting by Iowa artist Marvin Coen, lifelong friend and contemporary of Grant Wood, is displayed in the collection. It was the piece that established the permanent collection, donated in 1966 by the Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls. Also featured is University of Northern Iowa professor emeritus Tom Stancliffes Eterne, a tomb you can test drive by stepping inside, closing the door and peering out the peephole to see if youve been suitably remembered; Thaddeus Erdahls gloomy and contemptuous giant head, Norman; and Casey Slacks painted piano. Theres an early spray-painted mural by Paco Rosic; a larger-than-life Haitian snake charmer by Nancy Josephson; an upholstered chair painted with a large rooster by Barbara Dale Hanes; and a bottle cap-encrusted table and dial telephone created by Richard Koop. A charming collection of Indonesian shelf-sitters a dolphin, frog and cow fishing, a dog reading a book, along with a fish coffin, Joseph Polinskis Elvis and Jerry Erdahls Some are born with a silver spoon and others get the fork mixed media piece, are among whimsical artworks on exhibit. So many of these pieces speak to the legacy of Kent Shankle and Cammie Scully, and how they completely emboldened our collection, expanding it under their leadership and bringing a sense of humor to the collection with art that is quirky, fun and surprising. Shankle recently retired as executive director; Scully retired in 2012 as WCA director after 31 years at the center, including several years as assistant director and curator. At the end of the day, we wanted to make sure all pieces were fun and interesting. Some are tongue-in-cheek, some ironic, Paige explained. A parlor installation by Aaron Wilson consumes a large portion of the exhibit. The artist has created a living room, with artwork, table, chairs and a chaise lounge upholstered with printed polka dot fabric with a subtle helicopter-and-tank motif. The installation is a commentary on military conflict as people cant turn away from watching it unfold on TV. There are layers of meaning in Wilsons work, which shows that even odd and whimsical art can have an underlying serious intent and message, Paige said. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. The gallery is closed on Monday. It is located at 225 Commercial St. 'WTF: What the Fun" exhibit at the Waterloo Center for the Arts WTF 2 WTF 3 WTF 4 WTF 5 WTF 6 WTF 7 WTF 8 WTF 9 WTF 10 WTF 11 WTF 12 WTF 13 WTF 14 012115mp-Haitian-exhibition-5 The R&A has made adjustments to the bunkers at Royal Liverpool for the second round of the British Open to prevent so many balls running up against the face. The tournament organizer says the bunkers have been raked slightly differently to ensure there is more of a slope down to the center of them. The R&A says "we routinely rake bunkers flat at most Open venues but decided this adjustment was appropriate in light of the dried conditions which arose yesterday. Some players reportedly complained that the flatness of the bunkers meant balls were rolling too close to the face. That could potentially lead to injuries when players swing their club into bunker walls. DES MOINES When a judge this week blocked the enforcement of a law that banned abortions at about six weeks in Iowa, he left in place one provision of the law that directed the state Board of Medicine to create rules to enforce it. The law faces a long legal battle, and if it ends up taking effect permanently, District Court Judge Joseph Seidlin reasoned in his ruling on Monday, it would be best for all involved if there were clear rules to enforce the law. Republican Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the law last week after the Republican-led Legislature passed the bill in a special session on July 11. The law states that it should not be construed to impose civil or criminal penalties on a woman who receives an abortion. Republican leaders also said last week the Board of Medicine has no authority to impose criminal penalties on physicians, and would only be considering civil discipline. Existing administrative rules lay out the extent of the punishment the Board of Medicine can impose on physicians and licensees that violate board rules and state laws. The board may revoke, suspend or restrict someones license, or place them on a probation period or require additional education or training. The board may also impose a civil fine up to $10,000 and a written citation and warning. A spokesperson for the Iowa Department of Inspection, Appeals and Licensing which oversees the Board of Medicine said the board would begin the process of making the rules during its next meeting, which is scheduled for Sept. 14. The Board of Medicine will begin considering rules to implement House File 732 at its next regularly-scheduled (in-person) board meeting, department spokesperson Stefanie Bond said in an email. The Board will proceed with the adoption of any rules in accordance with the processes set forth in Iowa Code Chapter 17A and Executive Order 10, including publication in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin. Meanwhile, Reynolds said this week she would direct the attorney generals office to appeal the court decision that temporarily blocked the law. It is largely expected the court battle will end up before the state Supreme Court, who may then decide which legal standard abortion laws are subject to and whether the law is constitutional. How does the rulemaking process work? Iowa law requires state agencies to submit a notice that they intend to make a new rule at least 35 days before they take the action. That notice will include the terms of the rules and opportunities for members of the public to comment on the proposed rules. The rules will then come before the Legislatures Administrative Rules Review Committee, who will vote to approve or reject the proposal. Rep. Megan Jones, a Republican from Sioux Rapids and the chair of the rules committee, said it is focused only on whether the rules comply with the Legislatures intent in the law, and its not a setting to debate the law again. Our purpose is not to overhaul legislation in that committee, Jones said. We just need to make sure that the rules comply with the law. Once the committee approves the initial proposal, the board may make changes to the wording based on feedback, and can then adopt the rules. Then, the committee must approve them a second time, and they go into effect 35 days after the final review. There are opportunities for members of the public and experts to submit comments and feedback on the proposal throughout the process. There are also multiple ways to speed up the process that require approval from the governors office and the rules committee. One open question, Jones said, is how the rules can be written without taking effect until the injunction is lifted, if it is ultimately lifted. Jack Ewing, the states administrative code editor, said he is unsure how the rules will be affected by the fact that the law is blocked from taking effect. Ive never encountered a situation like what was contemplated in that district court decision, whereby theres a law enjoined but the ruling specifically says they can do rules, he said. ...It sort of seems to suggest by allowing that rulemaking provision to go forward that the rulemaking process can be carried out and completed and the rules actually made even while the injunction is in place. Bond did not respond to a request for comment on whether the rules will be delayed until the injunction is lifted. Reynolds earlier this year signed Executive Order 10, which placed a moratorium on new administrative rules and directed state agencies to conduct a comprehensive analysis of their rules. But the new rules being contemplated would fall under an exception that allows rulemaking to comply with the requirements of a state law, a spokesperson for Reynolds office said. Rules may provide clearer guidance When the bill was being debated in the Legislature, Democrats argued it did not have clear standards for health care providers to follow and that the language included was vague and not scientifically accurate. Sen. Cindy Winckler, a Democrat from Davenport who serves on the Administrative Rules Review Committee, said she hopes the boards rules offer clearer distinction of the medical terms being used in the bill. The bill uses the term fetal heartbeat, defining it as steady and repetitive rhythmic contractions of the fetal heart within the gestational sac. But medical professionals contend the sound heard in an ultrasound that early in the pregnancy as early as six weeks is not a heartbeat. The chambers of the heart are not developed at that stage, according to a letter sent by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to Iowa lawmakers. I will be looking for some clear distinction, Wincker said of the rulemaking process. ...Part of the (ACOG) letter also identified that it interfered with the patient-doctor relationship. So Im hoping that we have a similar process from the Board of Medicine that supports best practice for gynecologists and obstetricians. WATERLOO Almost 20 years after approving the creation of a municipal broadband utility, residents of Waterloo can vote on how to fund a fiber network backbone for their city. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday so voters can weigh in on a public measure to issue $20 million in general obligation bonds for the broadband system. Passage requires 60% approval by voters. This is not a referendum thats already proven, said Mayor Quentin Hart, referring to the 2005 vote approving the creation of the broadband utility. This is a way to use lower interest dollars to go toward this project, he explained. If not (approved), well continue to look at other options. This is just the ability to use the financial tool before us. Issuing general obligation bonds is a way governments can raise money for projects. These bonds are backed by the governments ability to tax its property owners, if necessary, in order to pay the bondholders. Maggie Burger, a senior vice president at Speer Financial, a local municipal advising company, said there is no plan for any tax increases based on the bonds. We had conversations with the city and council, and their intent is not to raise taxes, Burger said. Andy Van Fleet, a board member for the citys telecommunications board, said when the broadband utility generates revenue, that revenue would be used to repay the bonds. He noted Cedar Falls Utilities which includes broadband in its services last year had a net income of $4.88 million. Waterloo has twice the homes Cedar Falls does, Van Fleet said. You can pencil that out and realize the profit can stay in Waterloo. Some city residents are wary of using general obligation bonds saying they fear taxes will eventually go up. One person backing that statement is Chip Baltimore, a senior fellow at Taxpayers Protection Alliance and a former Iowa state legislator. If youre coming at the first stage and using $20 million of GO bond money for this, then it tells me when you do the other stages youre going to come back to do it again, Baltimore said. Everybody pays those (taxes) but everyone may not want to use these things, and if it fails its on the property taxpayers to pay the debt. At a recent City Council meeting, Steve Nadel, an attorney with Ahlers & Cooney P.C., said if any utilities are going to use the fiber backbone for their purposes, each utility usage would require a public hearing at a council meeting. If approved, the bonds would be used to design, acquire, construct, install and equip all or part of a fiber optic backbone and fiber to the premises broadband communications system. The backbone project, which would connect 100 miles of fiber optic cable to over 100 sites across Waterloo, is expected to cost just over $29 million. The fiber to the premises half of the project connects broadband to homes in the city. That more extensive project is expected to cost about $86 million. Waterloo received $31.24 million from the federal American Rescue Plan that can be used for broadband purposes. Van Fleet said the project has taken around four years to plan. The next step is to send designs to companies to see how it would be constructed and then receive bids from those companies. Baltimore argues the cost could go higher due to rising prices of construction and materials. The project comes after a study done by Magellan Advisors of Denver, Colo. The firm conducted a survey of 2,727 people in Waterloo. The top concerns found from the survey were reliability, price and speed of current internet services. The median download speed was 75.26 megabits per second. The upload speed was 22.42 mbps. Van Fleet said the broadband provided by the city would be one gigabit for upload and download speed. One gigabit per second is 10 times faster than 100 mbps, he noted. There would be no data caps like an unlimited data plan on a phone. Survey takers said one gigabit per second costs an average of $108.78. Van Fleet said pricing hasnt been finalized for the citys broadband service but it would be very competitive, if not priced below market. Baltimore said this could be a problem due to the amount of competition in the area. The study done by Magellan noted at least eight broadband providers in the area. In any other city we studied for these government-owned systems to work, the consultants are generally saying they need a market share of 50 to 70%, Baltimore said. If youve got 10 other providers and for the city to get even 40% of the market that doesnt seem very likely. Apart from the bonds and federal funds, Van Fleet said there are grants that could help pay for the project. Its happening. The train has left the station and its moving forward, Van Fleet said. Im excited about it and it feels good to be a part of something progressive and beneficial to Waterloo. Waterloo residents can go to any voting centers on Tuesday no matter their address. These include: ISU Extension, 3420 University Ave., Conference Room A Crossroads Community Church, 3622 Hammond Ave. MercyOne Kimball, 2055 Kimball Ave. St. Paul United Methodist Church, 207 W. Louise St. Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 420 Harwood, east entrance Payne Memorial AME Church, 1044 Mobile St. Zion Lutheran Church, 810 Kimball Ave., lower level Cedar Valley Church, 3520 Ansborough Ave. They can also vote early in person on Monday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the election office on the second floor of the Black Hawk County Courthouse, 316 E. Fifth St. Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation Tonight the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continued the strikes with sea- and air-based precision weapons against production workshops and storage sites for unmanned boats near Odessa and Ilyichyovsk (Odessa region). In addition, fuel infrastructure facilities and ammunition depots of the AFU have been destroyed close to Nikolayev. The goal of the attack has been reached. All the assigned targets have been neutralised. The AFU continued to attempt offensive actions in Donetsk, Krasny Liman and South Donetsk directions. In Donetsk direction, as a result of coordinated and active actions by units of the Yug Group of Forces, aviation and artillery, 16 enemy attacks have been successfully repelled near Belogorovka, Pervomayskoye, Vesyoloye, Krasnogorovka, Maryinka and north of Kleshcheevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Operational-Tactical and Army aviation have hit AFU personnel and hardware close to Bogdanovka, Chasov Yar and Dyleevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). The enemy losses were 210 Ukrainian servicemen, one armoured fighting vehicle, three motor vehicles, one U.S.-manufactured M777 artillery system, Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, as well as two D-30 howitzers, D-20 and Msta-B guns. In addition, two ammunition depots of the 81st Airmobile and 110th Mechanised brigades of the AFU have been destroyed near Serebryanka and Avdeevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic). In Kupyansk direction, the attacks, launched by Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, as well as artillery of the Zapad Group of Forces, have resulted in the neutralisation of the enemy manpower and hardware close to Molchanovo, Kislovka (Kharkov region), and Stelmakhovka (Lugansk Peoples Republic). The actions of one Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group have been disrupted close to Ivanovka (Kharkov region). The enemy losses were up to 110 Ukrainian servicemen, one infantry fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, as well as Msta-B and D-20 howitzers. In Krasny Liman direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces units have repelled two enemy attacks north-west of Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk Peoples Republic). One AFU sabotage and reconnaissance group has been eliminated near Kremennaya (Lugansk Peoples Republic). In addition, aviation and artillery have launched attacks on units of the 21st, 63rd and 67th mechanised brigades of the AFU close to Yampolovka, Torskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Serebryanskoye forestry. The enemy losses were up to 60 Ukrainian servicemen, one infantry fighting vehicle, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles, one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system and two D-30 howitzers. In South Donetsk direction, as a result of the coordinated actions by the Vostok Group of Forces, two enemy attacks have been repelled near Staromayorskoye and Urozhaynoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). In addition, AFU manpower and hardware concentration areas have been hit close to Makarovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Levadnoye (Zaporozhye region). In Zaporozhye direction, AFU units have been hit close to Novodanilovka and Lobkovoye (Zaporozhye region). Two Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups have been thwarted near Charivnoye and Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region). The enemy losses were up to 170 Ukrainian servicemen, six tanks, three armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, as well as Msta-B and D-20 howitzers. In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were up to 45 Ukrainian servicemen, one armoured fighting vehicle, three pickup trucks, as well as one D-30 howitzer. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have neutralised 94 AFU artillery units at their firing positions, manpower and hardware in 103 areas. One signal node of the AFU 110th Mechanised Brigade and an enemy command post 63rd Mechanised Brigade have been hit near Avdeevka and Torskoye (Donetsk Peoples Republic). Air defence facilities have shot down 7 projectiles launched by HIMARS MLRS. In addition, 32 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been destroyed close to Tokarevka (Kharkov region), Zaliman (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Novoandreevka, Staromlynovka, Orlinskoye, Vasilyevka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), Vodyanoye, Konstantinovka, Tokmak (Zaporozhye region), Novaya Kakhovka and Podstepnoye (Kherson region). In total, 456 airplanes, 243 helicopters, 5,140 unmanned aerial vehicles, 426 air defence missile systems, 10,776 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,139 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 5,537 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 11,767 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation. WtR Two of Winonas infrastructure projects and access to child care were the focuses of a visit Thursday from Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan as she made stops at three different locations in the city of Winona. One of the projects focused on was Winona State Universitys Center for Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Engagement & Learning. The university received $4.87 million in state funding for the project in May, which will fund the design process for the building. The university plans to request $71.79 million in May to complete the centers construction, which is expected to conclude in the fall of 2027. The goal of the project is to create the Minnesota State systems first carbon neutral and net-zero energy building. The 73,000-square-foot building, along with new greenspace, will take the place of two older, outdated structures on the campus Gildemeister and Watkins which were opened in 1964 and have not had any major renovations since. The building will be the home of three of the universitys departments: Art & Design, Computer Science and Mathematics & Statistics. The modern facility is expected to decrease annual operational costs by 50% compared to the current buildings, while also reducing building life cycle costs by $24 million compared to the old buildings and campus maintenance backlog by $11 million. The university expects to see a return on the investment in 10 years. Flanagan toured Watkins and Gildemeister on Thursday, seeing firsthand and hearing about the limitations of the older buildings, such as limited collaborative space and small desks that do not have enough space to set a laptop and books during classes. Flanagan said the project is a recruitment and retention tool for students. She said it is exciting to focus on net-zero energy and lowering the universitys carbon footprint, and that the building offers an opportunity for students to learn about those topics while also taking classes in a facility that fits their needs. Riverfront Trail The citys Riverfront Trail from Levee Park to Lions Park, which received $5 million in state funding in May, was the second infrastructure project focused on Thursday. The funds are set to go toward the final design, engineering and construction of a bridge and its approaches that will connect the trail from Chestnut Street to Carimona Street, covering the area where the Winona Marina is. The Riverfront Trail is expected to allow bikers and people on foot the opportunity to enjoy the view of the Mississippi River and have access to a path to different areas of Winona and beyond. City leaders Thursday shared with Flanagan about the importance of the trail to the community and the benefits it brings in helping draw in people and businesses to the city, especially in the downtown area. Child care Flanagan also stopped by Main Square Montessori on Thursday to discuss moves made by state government to support both families with young children and child care providers. Some of the actions include the creation of a child tax credit, which Flanagan said will help cut the states child poverty by at least 33%. The credit gives up to $1,750 per child to lower income families. A bill was also recently passed to provide funding to help more families access affordable child care, while also supporting providers as they work to attract and retain employees. The legislature invested more into the states Child Care Assistance Program. Flanagan said she and Gov. Tim Walz made it a priority to make Minnesota the best state in the country to raise a child. The work that we do around child care is a really important piece of that puzzle, she said. Flanagan also took time to chat with and read to the children present at Main Square Montessori and heard a song that they had prepared to sing for her. Close Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan visits Winona Thursday Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan visited Winona Thursday to discuss recent state investments made in child care and infrastructure projects. A gas leak left Wednesday left more than 1,000 Portage residents without power, authorities said. A contractor struck a gas line as well as a sewer lateral at about 8:50 a.m. in the 300 block of Washington Street in Portage, according to officials. "We deal with underground hits frequently, and it usually only affects one source. Unfortunately with it hitting the sewer as well, that helped to migrate the gas further ... which made a larger shutdown district." said Nate Siebers, manager of customer operations at Alliant Energy. Appeals court finds in favor of controversial power line in western Wisconsin "How can a court review a decision that has not been made based on a record that has not yet been produced?" Technicians shut down service to much of the southeast side of Portage. Police and firefighters helped evacuate two blocks of homes. Power was shut off for the area to prevent any ignition points while the gas was leaking. How to test the air quality in your home While you cant do much about the environment around you, one way to breathe easier is by measuring your homes air quality and improving it if needed. Heres how you can test on your own, and what to know about getting professional help. "Suddenly there was a knock at the door, and a guy with a hard hat said there is a gas leak and we need you to evacuate immediately." said Carol Barron, a resident of the 300 block of Washington Street. "So I got my dog and my purse and we went on a really long walk down by the fairground, and you could still smell (the gas) pretty strong over there because of the wind." Shortly after 11 a.m. authorities determined there was no longer a threat to the community, people were allowed to return to their homes, and power was restored. Many people were still left without gas service. "The process is now getting the system back up to speed again. Starting with the large mains ... then we have to touch each individual meter and make sure any gas appliances in homes also get relit properly by our techs," Siebers said, "which is what we are going to be doing throughout (Thursday) night and into tomorrow morning." A combine harvests wheat at a field near Kivshovata village, Kyiv region, Ukraine, July 18. AFP-Yonhap Chicago wheat futures rose 1.6 percent to hit a three-week high on Thursday, supported by growing expectations that an attack on Ukrainian ports after Russia's withdrawal from a Black Sea export deal will have longer-term impact on global supplies. Corn gained 1 percent, while soybeans were flat on forecasts of hot and dry weather in the U.S. Midwest. "Russia's overnight attack on infrastructures at the port of Odesa will have served to remind participants and observers as to the risks involved in maintaining Black Sea trade flows without a guarantee of safety," BMI Research, a unit of Fitch Group, said in a note. The most-active wheat contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) added 1.6 percent to $7.39 a bushel, as of 5:16 GMT, after climbing more than 8 percent on Wednesday. The market hit its highest since June 26 at $7.45-1/2 a bushel. Corn rose 1 percent to $5.58-1/4 a bushel and soybeans were little changed at $14.09-1/2 a bushel. Russian strikes on Ukrainian port areas continued on Thursday, local authorities said, after Moscow warned that ships heading to Ukraine's Black Sea ports could be considered military targets. A considerable part of the grain export infrastructure at Chornomorsk port southwest of Odesa was damaged, Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky said, adding that 60,000 metric tons of grain had been destroyed. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday accused Western countries of perverting the expired Black Sea grain deal for their own ends, but said Moscow would immediately return to the agreement if all its conditions were met. Five Central European EU members will jointly ask the EU on Wednesday to extend a ban on Ukrainian grain imports beyond a Sept. 15 deadline to avoid major market disruptions, Hungary's farm minister told Reuters. On the technical front, CBOT September wheat may test a resistance at $7.51 per bushel, with a good chance of breaking above this level and rising towards the $7.60-3/4 to $7.76-3/4 range, according to Wang Tao, a Reuters market analyst for commodities and energy technicals. Commodity funds were net buyers of CBOT wheat, corn, soyoil and soybean futures contracts on Wednesday, and net sellers of soymeal futures, traders said. (Reuters) A woman stands on the shore of Lake Tahoe at Sand Harbor in the Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park in Incline Village, Nev., Monday, July 17, 2023. Tourism officials at Lake Tahoe were surprised, and a bit standoffish, when a respected international travel guide included the iconic alpine lake straddling the California line on a list of places to stay away from this year because of the harmful ecological effects of over-tourism. (AP Photo/Andy Barron) FILE - Women walk in the al-Hol camp that houses some 60,000 refugees, including families and supporters of the Islamic State group, many of them foreign nationals, in Hasakeh province, Syria, on May 1, 2021. A U.N.-backed human rights advocate said Friday July 21, 2023 that hundreds of boys some as young as 11 held in detention camps run by U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led forces in northeastern Syria have been wrongly separated from their mothers on the unproven" belief that they pose a security risk. Walt Disney Pictures Movie Having admitted to feeling 'pushed to the side' by Disney before, the British actor says 'that was a few years ago' and he's now 'open to all opportunities' when it comes to the franchise. Jul 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - John Boyega is "open" to returning to the "Star Wars" franchise. The 31-year-old star portrayed Finn in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" and "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker", but later admitted he felt "pushed to the side" by Disney on the sci-fi series' trilogy. However, the star is now "open to all opportunities" when it comes to "Star Wars". He told TechRadar, "That [those comments] was a few years ago, so they were the subject of that particular project. But I'm open to all characters and scripts that are enjoyable, have a great cast attached and a terrific director. So yeah, I'm open to all opportunities." Boyega's latest comments come after the star told how of his frustrations about his character towards the end of the trilogy. He told British GQ magazine, "You get yourself involved in projects and you're not necessarily going to like everything. [But] what I would say to Disney is do not bring out a black character, market them to be much more important in the franchise than they are and then have them pushed to the side. It's not good. I'll say it straight up." John, who starred in the franchise alongside the likes of Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac and Mark Hamill, previously admitted to feeling "iffy" about "Star Wars: The Last Jedi". The actor revealed he discussed his doubts about the film, and the direction it was taking, at the time. Speaking in 2019, he told Hypebeast, " 'The Force Awakens' I think was the beginning of something quite solid, 'The Last Jedi' if I'm being honest I'd say that was feeling a bit iffy for me. I didn't necessarily agree with a lot of the choices in that and that's something that I spoke to Mark [Hamill] a lot about, and we had conversations about it. And it was hard for all of us, because we were separated." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity Seemingly acknowledging their past fling, the 'In My Feelings' rapper also shares a throwback photo of the two getting flirty during a 2015 trip to Australian. Jul 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - Drake has reunited with her rumored ex Bernice Burgos at one of his "It's All a Blur Tour" shows. The Canadian superstar posed backstage with the model following his concert at the Barclays Centre in New York City on Tuesday night, July 18. It's Drizzy himself who shared a photo from their link-up. Taking to his Instagram Story, he posted the picture that showed him putting his arms around Bernice's shoulders as he stood close behind him. She, meanwhile, placed her hands on his as the two looked straight at the camera. Seemingly acknowledging their past fling, Drizzy also took a trip down memory lane by digging through old photos. He shared a throwback picture from their old time together. In the paparazzi snap, they pair were caught getting flirty while hanging out poolside. The snap was taken during their 2015 trip to Australia. At the time, the were photographed packing on the PDA, with the "Rich Flex" hitmaker kissing her sweetly on the side of the head during an embrace. "A lifetime ago w/ @realberniceburgos," so he captioned the image, adding a laughing emoji. Bernice has also talked about Drake before. During a 2017 appearance on "The Breakfast Club", she gushed about him, "Drake, I'm going to tell you something about Drake. He's the sweetest person ever. He's always been good to me and I've always been good to him." On the same concert, Drake gave a shout-out to Sexyy Red who also attended the show on Tuesday night. "Look, they got my baby mama in here tonight," he said after spotting the raptress in the audience. He planted a kiss on her cheek in a video taken by a concertgoer. The two also posed backstage. In the images, he was seen sitting close to Sexyy on a couch with his hand wrapping her from behind. "Just met my rightful wife," the 36-year-old declared, as he was seen planting a kiss on the "Pound Town" raptress' neck. In another photo, he stuck his tongue out while Sexyy put her hand on his face. "If my girl see ya'll backstage being thirsty it's gonna get smokey," he captioned the snap. You can share this post! Cover Images/Faye`s Vision/INSTA Celebrity The Rachel Chu depicter in 'Crazy Rich Asians' confirms the arrival of her and Ryan's second child together months after she shared a photo of herself putting her baby bump on display. Jul 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - Constance Wu is now a mom of two. Months after revealing that she's expecting a second child with boyfriend Ryan Kattner, the Rachel Chu depicter in "Crazy Rich Asians" confirmed in a new interview that they have welcomed their baby boy. The 41-year-old actress announced the baby's arrival as she talked about dedicating her book to her 2-year-old daughter in a teaser for Danielle Robay's "PRETTYSMART" podcast. "Breaking news," she told the host. "Nobody knew I had a son." Wu first sparked pregnancy rumors on February 16. At that time, she was photographed with her growing belly while strolling around Los Angeles. She looked sporty in a red and blue striped, long-sleeved top, black yoga pants and sneakers that she paired with a black hat and sunglasses. It was not until five days later that the "Hustlers" actress confirmed she was pregnant. Taking to Instagram Story, she unleashed a photo of herself baring her baby bump and captioned it, "Bun in the oven. Filipinese baby #2 coming soon." Wu and Kattner welcomed their first child together back in August 2020. Though the couple has been raising their kid out of the spotlight, Wu once opened up about her baby girl in a May 2021 episode of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon". "I had a beautiful baby girl in August. She's the best, she's the best. She has a full head of hair. She has a blue butt," Wu shared at the time. She added that her daughter had a "Mongolian spot," which is officially known as congenital melanocytosis, a flat blue-ish birthmark that appears at birth or in the first few weeks of life for some babies. You can share this post! Instagram Music The 24-year-old rap star, who recently joined forces with the BTS member to record the single 'Seven', has admitted to being amazed by the passion of the South Korean boy band's fans. Jul 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - Latto has been "shocked" by the passion of BTS a.k.a. Bangtan Boys fans. The 24-year-old rap star recently joined forces with BTS' Jungkook to record the single "Seven", and Latto has admitted to being amazed by the passion of the South Korean boy band's fans. The rapper, whose real name is Alyssa Stephens, told PEOPLE, "It literally has been so surreal witnessing his fanbase and how much they support him - it's literally artist goals. I was so shocked. I'm like, 'Are you sure you want me?' I felt so much pressure to do it, but I was like, 'You know what? He reached out to me for a reason. Let me just go in there and do what I do best.' " Latto has been thrilled by the fan reaction to their new single. The rapper is also keen to visit Jungkook's home country one day. She shared, "To see everybody's reaction to my verse and how much they love it, it's so fulfilling. Hopefully I get to go to Korea soon." Meanwhile, Jungkook recently insisted that he doesn't feel like a "giant pop star" - despite his huge success. The BTS star has been part of the huge K-pop group for the last decade, but he still hopes to become "more appreciated and be even better." Discussing his career ambitions, Jungkook told Weverse Magazine, "I want to be that kind of pop star someday - I want to be able to really experience that feeling... I hope the day comes that I can look at myself from a third-person perspective and give myself that kind of recognition." You can share this post! Young women learn defensive techniques to protect themselves against sexual assault in Vosloorus, South Africa, July 15. Reuters-Yonhap In South Africa, which has some of the world's worst rates of violent crime, fear of rape is widespread and those who can afford it often take self-defense classes. Instructor Dominique Olfsen brings classes to women in disadvantaged communities who are unable to pay. She teaches rape defense in a two-day class that is free of charge that she began in 2020. "If I can just save one woman I'll be happy," she said. Between January and March 2023, more than 10,500 rape cases were reported in South Africa, according to the South African police, marginally down from over 10,800 in the same months last year. "The minute you get to the rape defense section of things, they shut down," Olfsen said of her students. "For a lot of people it's (too) close to home". She uses movements based on Kalah an Israeli combat system to train them to defend themselves against attackers. Olfsen said she is driven by empowering other women. (Reuters) Cover Images/Axelle Woussen Movie When raising his concern about the potentially incredibly dangerous consequences of the technology, the 'Terminator' helmer claims that people ignored his message in the 1984 sci-fi movie. Jul 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - James Cameron is concerned about the "weaponziation of AI." The 68-year-old filmmaker is "concerned" about developments in artificial intelligence and how countries will want to go head-to-head in seeing how far they can push the technology, with potentially incredibly dangerous consequences. Referring to his classic film "The Terminator", in which Arnold Schwarzenegger played a cyborg assassin, he told CTV News, "I warned you guys in 1984, and you didn't listen. I absolutely share the concern [about AI potentially going too far]. I think the weaponization of AI is the biggest danger. I think that we will get into the equivalent of a nuclear arms race with AI, and if we don't build it, the other guys are for sure going to build it, and so then it'll 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." His comments come after Arnold recently praised the "Titanic" filmmaker for predicting the future of artificial intelligence and how what was depicted in the "Terminator" movies has now "become a reality." Speaking during "An Evening with Arnold Schwarzenegger" in Los Angeles, the 75-year-old action star said, "Today, everyone is frightened of it, of where this is gonna go. And in this movie, in 'Terminator', we talk about the machines becoming self-aware and they take over." The former Governor of California celebrated the "brilliance of writing" in the film, especially considering "at that time we [had] scratched the surface of AI, artificial intelligence. Think about that." He added, "Now over the course of decades, it has become a reality. So it's not any more fantasy or kind of futuristic. It is here today. And so this is the extraordinary writing of Jim Cameron." You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity This is not the first time the rapper was involved in a police chase as he was arrested in June 2022 for speeding on a black and orange Sea-Doo jet ski in a restricted zone with posted signs. Jul 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - SpotemGottem once again got into trouble with the law. More than a year after his last arrest, the "Beat Box" hitmaker reportedly was taken into custody following a high-speed chase in Miami. The 21-year-old was arrested after fleeing from officers of the Miami-Dade Police Department during a traffic stop on Tuesday, July 18. According to WSVN 7, he was initially stopped after police noticed a Corvette with tinted windows. When officers approached the rapper's car, he allegedly accelerated and drove off. The attempt to escape didn't work though since he collided with another vehicle. He later tried to walk away and hid inside a nearby shed. Still, police managed to catch him. Upon searching SpotemGottem's vehicle, officers discovered one Glock 23 with an illegally modified automatic sear, one extended .40-caliber gun magazine with 19 rounds of ammunition and a loose .40-caliber round. Making matters worse, the musician did not have a concealed weapons permit and was driving with a suspended license. Thus, SpotemGottem was arrested and hit with multiple charges. They included possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, burglary, eluding the police, possession of a short barrel shotgun, rifle or machine gun and resisting a police officer. He, however, is reportedly out after posting a $22,000 bail. This was not the first time SpotemGottem was involved in a police chase. In June 2022, he was speeding on a black and orange Sea-Doo jet ski in a restricted zone with posted signs. When a police officer tried to pull him over, the emcee allegedly took off, swerving through anchored boats and swimmers near the area. The officer reportedly tried to stop SpotemGottem using lights and sirens, but he continued to ride away. The hip-hop star, however, was eventually stopped and arrested by Miami Police. You can share this post! Instagram Celebrity On 'The Kardashians', the Good American founder and her sisters Kourtney Kardashian and Kylie Jenner discusses whether they have contributed to young girls editing their appearances for social media. Jul 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - Khloe Kardashian has claimed she overheard momager Kris Jenner saying that she needed a nose job when she was just nine. During Thursday's, July 20, episode of "The Kardashians", Kylie Jenner was doing her half-sister Kourtney Kardashian's makeup and pondered, "I just feel like we have huge influence and what are we doing with our power?" Kylie suggested that she and her sisters have contributed to young girls editing their appearances for social media. She said, "I just see so many young girls on the Internet now, like, fully editing. I went through that stage, too, and I feel like I'm in a better place, but other people can instill those insecurities in you." Khloe was present and said that for her, even after she had plastic surgery and fillers and shed the pounds, her looks are still scrutinised. The Good American co-founder, who often gets comments about her looking different to her sisters, said "That's how I accumulated all of mine, is from other people. I was chubby and in a skintight bodycon dress and you couldn't tell me otherwise." "Society gave me those insecurities. I've been torn apart from the minute I've gone on TV. I didn't look like my sisters, so therefore, it was not good enough. Then I started changing my look - you get better makeup, you get fillers, I had a nose job - and there's still people bullying you. Which one is it? You didn't like me then, you don't like me now," Khloe lamented. In a confessional, she also suggested that if she hadn't heard her mother's comments about her nozzle, she might not have got a nose job a couple of years ago. She said, "Who knows, if I never heard mom talk about my nose, if I would ever think I needed a nose job?" Khloe added, "We're still growing up in front of the camera, regardless of how old we are, we're still growing and evolving. It's just unfair to have so much pressure put on people. We're all just trying to do the best we can." Kylie also revealed she felt conscious about her ears for years, due to comments from her family, but that went away when she had her daughter Stormi Webster in 2018. She told her sister, "You don't realise how you guys always talked about my ears. I received it like everyone was talking about my ears, [pulling on them] and calling me Dopey. I NEVER thought about my ears and then for, like, five years I never wore an updo." She said of her little girl, "She had my ears and it made me realise how much I love them. I'm like, wow, I'm insecure about my ears, but I think my daughter is the most beautiful person ever. Now I wear an updo every carpet." Poosh founder Kourtney believes their obsession with looking perfect comes from matriarch Kris always ensuring they looked "polished" as kids, and she wants the opposite for her brood. The pregnant beauty, who is expecting her first child, a boy, with husband Travis Barker, and also has Mason, 13, Penelope, 11, and Reign, eight, with ex-partner Scott Disick, added, "I think my mom always had us dressing alike and being really polished with hair done. I'm just really conscious with my own kids about giving them the freedom to express themselves and not put so much pressure on perfectionism." You can share this post! Cover Images/Robert Smith/Media Punch Music The collaborative song arrived ahead of the release of the Houston rapper's highly-anticipated album, 'Utopia', which is set to hit streaming services later in July. Jul 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - Travis Scott (II) finally rolled out "K-POP" ft. The Weeknd and Bad Bunny. The "SICKO MODE" hitmaker unleashed the track on Friday, July 21, just days after he first teased the song. "I know 'bout this one time/ You felt like that winner/ That night was just so fire/ I need you back sooner/ You come back on this side/ When s**t get back cooler/ We run it back one time/ I'm grabbin' you uno," Travis and The Weeknd sing in the chorus. Bunny, meanwhile, delivers his own bars in Spanish. Travis teased the song on Wednesday by sharing the cover art of a single sticky red lollipop. In the accompanying message, he penned, "La flame Bunny Abel." "K-POP" arrived ahead of the release of Travis' highly-anticipated album, "Utopia". The emcee is set to celebrate the album launch by performing at the Pyramids of Giza, Egypt on July 28. Though the show has got pushback from Egypt's Musicians' Syndicate, its promoter Live Nation insisted that it is not canceled. The ex-boyfriend of Kylie Jenner also addressed the matter in an open letter sent to authorities in the country. "I am writing to you to address the blatant inaccurate reports that have apparently lead to permits being paused for my concert scheduled for July 28, 2023 at the Giza Pyramids," Travis kicked off his letter, which was addressed to "whom it may concern." He added, "My understanding is that the Egyptians Musicians Syndicate took this action in response to bot generated fake information regarding my concerts and character." "(All anyone with a grasp for modern technology and social media has to do is click on the user profile of these accounts to see that these are not real people,)" he continued. "Specifically, they referred to 'strange rituals' that 'contradict the cultural identity of the Egyptian people.' " Travis concluded, "Nothing could be further from the truth. My only intent with live performances is to unite people around the world over a shared bond in music. As a matter of fact, I just successfully played in an incredibly conservative Saudi Arabia in April for a crowd of 70,000 fans and there was no issue, hiccup or complication whatsoever." You can share this post! Celebrity The horses owned by the late Rolling Stones drummer and his wife before their respective deaths in 2021 and 2022 have reportedly been 'rehomed' by his daughter. Jul 21, 2023 AceShowbiz - Charlie Watts' collection of prized horses have been transferred to their new homes. The late Rolling Stones drummer, who passed away in 2021 aged 80 after a cancer battle, quietly ran one of the world's finest stables, called Halsdon Manor in north Devon, with his wife Shirley Ann Shepherd, before her death on December 16, 2022 aged 84. But most of the 200 horses there have been "rehomed" since the couple passed away, a spokesman for the musician told the Daily Mail. "It's as Shirley would have wanted. The horses were always her priority," they added. It's understood the stable was passed to Charlie and Shirley's daughter Seraphina after their deaths. A friend told the Mail about her bidding farewell to its mares and stallions, "She loves the horses and the business, but it's too painful a reminder of her mum and dad." It's believed the collection of horses are worth millions as they were predominantly Polish Arabian horses. At one time Charlie and Shirley's herd grew to more than 250, and the couple were regulars at the famous Pride of Poland horse sale. Over the years, they purchased several Arabian mares, and in 2009 they paid the highest price for a lot - taking home a horse called Pinta for $707,000. Shirley was a regular visitor to the Polish Arab horse sales and the Pride of Poland Arab horse auction. The European Conference of Arab Horse Organisations said when Charlie died, "We lost a passionate couple of Arabian horse lovers and breeders who became a part of the Arabian horse world history." Charlie said in a 2003 interview that even though he loved playing with the Stones he had never been interested in "becoming a pop idol always surrounded by screaming girls." When asked what he most enjoyed about horse, the couple said, "Just being among them. We love to feel the heat of their bodies, to listen to the rhythmic cadence of their breathing, to relish in the quiet satisfaction of belonging. They make us feel like we belong." Charlie admitted he used to enjoy the company of those extraordinary creatures more than humans, confessing, "Not that I loathe my species - but they'd find me a miserable little man after a while." You can share this post! Cover Images/Janet Mayer Movie The 'A Quiet Place' actress, who has refused to attend movie events amid SAG strike, says she is 'a huge believer' in unions 'getting exactly what they want.' Jul 22, 2023 AceShowbiz - Emily Blunt strongly believes in unions "getting what they want." The "Oppenheimer" actress, 40, wrapped up her promotional duties for Christopher Nolan's drama about the father of the atomic bomb just as the SAG-AFTRA walk-out kicked off, which has brought Hollywood to a standstill. "I am a big believer in unions getting exactly what they want. I'm a huge believer in getting our crews back to work - the people who will suffer most," she told The Guardian. The strike comes after Emily, who has daughters Hazel, nine, and Violet, seven, with husband and fellow actor John Krasinski, 43, recently caused a stir when she said she was taking a break from her career to be with her family. She also told The Guardian her role as Kitty Oppenheimer - wife of atomic bomb creator J Robert Oppenheimer - could not be further from her nature. Emily added, "There was something flighty and wild and nonconformist about her." "It was a time where contortions were happening to women, as they tried to mould themselves into perfect housewives. But Kitty was a terrible mother and she wasn't a very good housewife - and had no desire to be one." According to Oppenheimer's biography, Kitty "had absolutely no intuitive understanding of children." The film features a string of scenes of her being cold to her kids, and Emily said one of the most stressful to shoot was when Kitty and Robert are driving home with their two-year-old. The young actor was distraught and crying during the scene and Emily comforted the youngster by singing him to sleep as the camera was reloaded. They did four further takes, with the child asleep in her arms - but Emily said director Christopher, 52, used the first version "where I looked like the worst mother in the world." You can share this post! The world's first energy drink entirely powered by A.I. has been developed by HELL ENERGY. Design, recipe, tasting and meticulous taste evaluation, predictive intelligence, security measures, marketing elements - every aspect has been expertly crafted by advanced A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) systems. The vast amount of information and knowledge available on the World Wide Web is utilized by A.I. It can process and uncover connections at a speed that is almost incomprehensible to humans. Additionally, it possesses comprehensive knowledge about energy drinks, encompassing their ingredients, sales results, health research, recommendations, and consumer feedback. Moreover, it can seamlessly integrate the latest trends and information into its analyses. When HELL ENERGY commissioned A.I. to develop a new energy drink tailored to its needs, the artificial intelligence processed a vast amount of information and formulated what it deemed the best recipe. The A.I. not only considered consumer expectations from an energy drink but also prioritized the goal of creating a superior and more enjoyable beverage. As the most intelligent entity in the world at present, A.I. deemed the recipe it formulated to be perfect. It enhanced the energy drink with vitamins, amino acids, and herbs while ensuring compliance with food industry legislation, including the optimization of EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) recommendations and adherence to the recommended daily allowance (RDA) standards. The A.I. created three flavour variations for fine-tuning and digitized them using the technology of a New York-based company. After tasting [yes, tasting, not testing] all three drinks and analysing extensive data and statistics, the A.I. utilized predictive intelligence to select the winning flavour. Thus, the truly unique and refreshing Tutti-frutti & Berry-blast flavour was born. This ground-breaking development represents the first time artificial intelligence has carried out such a sophisticated product development process within the energy drink sector. The recipe is kept strictly confidential, and in order to protect it, the A.I. provided recommendations. It is stored on a single computer in HELL ENERGY's Hungarian factory, equipped with advanced security elements. The design of the room housing the machine was also developed by artificial intelligence. However, recognizing the importance of backup measures, a copy of the recipe is kept securely in a vault in Switzerland. After such extensive involvement, it would come as no surprise that the packaging of the new energy drink was also designed by A.I. The beverage can embodies the latest trends, exuding a youthful and cool vibe. While incorporating the colour scheme of HELL ENERGY, the A.I. also infused its own digital style into the design. Since the new product, 'HELL A.I.,' is truly the result of an extraordinary and unique process unparalleled at a global level, the company's employees were eager to subject the new energy drink to testing under conventional conditions. As a result, it underwent rigorous quality control and blind tasting sessions. The success confirmed the A.I.'s capabilities! The A.I. also represents a tremendous perspective in the field of product development, pushing beyond previously unimaginable boundaries and ushering in a new era for the food industry. With the A.I.'s capabilities, it can swiftly sort and analyse vast amounts of internet data in mere minutes or seconds, drastically reducing the product development cycle from 1-2 years (or at best, half a year) to as little as 1 month. This process is the result of coordinated efforts, as multiple A.I. systems, each excelling in different areas, collaborate on the development. With over a hundred A.I. systems already in existence worldwide, their collective operation ensures a high level of innovation. The new product is produced in one of Europe's most advanced beverage production facilities and will be accessible in over 60 countries worldwide starting from the summer of 2023. CNN-News 18, India's No 1 English News channel, on Monday hosted "CNN-News 18 Town Halls Delhi chapter, which witnessed top notch policymakers, political leaders and members of Parliament discussing party policies, manifestos and strategies in the face of Lok Sabha elections 2024. Sharing his views on the Town Hall theme Road to 2024, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari expressed confidence on the performance of the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, and added, "People will vote for the good governance in 2024 because we do politics of progress and development. What Congress did not do in sixty years; we did in nine. BJP will have a massive majority under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi." Taking a swipe on the Opposition's bid to huddle together, the minister said, "When people become weak, they come together. We do politics of conviction and progression." On the Uniform Civil Code, he said that there should be one in law for everyone that will lead to social progression. Speaking on pollution and public transport, Gadkari said, "We want to make Delhi free from traffic congestion and air pollution and we should underline the importance of public transport to reduce air pollution," adding that a green infra solution is the priority of his government. On questioned about flood like situation in the national capital, Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, squarely pinned blame on the Delhi government for people grappling with flood and misery. Connoting Delhi flood and urban development, the minister said, "It is entirely MR Kejriwal's fault. Land is a state subject." Praising the performance of the Modi government on Swachh Bharat mission, he said, "The percentage of waste reprocessing was 17 percent in 2014, while it has now gone up to 76 percent under the leadership of PM Modi's nine-year governance. We are committed to taking it to 100 percent. Shedding his insights on the online gaming that hit headlines for being clamped with 28 percent of goods and services tax (GST), Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, said: We would go back to the GST council to request it for consideration on the new regulatory framework. He added, "That online gaming framework is in the nascent stage and it would be evolved to be a better regulation. The Prime Minister is of the view that we should do everything for the next decade in digital space. It is better to do it right than to do it fast." Keeping his stand at the CNN-News 18 Delhi Town Hall, senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor praised the Modi government's policy on G20. He said, "Foreign policy has evolved under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. It should be kept beyond politics. Now the world cannot ignore India, and for this the BJP-led Central government should be praised." He said that there should be no politics on national security, but the government has given China a free hand for transgressions against India, and added, "Relations with China are at a crossroads. There is no clarity from the government on China policy. There is no discussion on China in Parliament. The ban on Chinese mobile apps was just symbolic." Reacting to the opposition meeting in Bengaluru, BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said, "This is not happening for the first time. In 2018, many leaders had joined hands. The public is clear about who will lead them to new heights. PM Narendra Modi has given a clear vision of Amrit Kaal for the next 25 years." He added that while PM Modi was in America to ink several defence deals, opposition leaders, on the same day, were busy staying together in Patna to cover themselves from various scams. Responding to it, Congress leader Manish Tiwari said, 'The essence of any democracy is change. It brings about renewal, regeneration and rejuvenation of the democratic experiment. The principle of any functional democracy should be amenable to regular change of government. When you talk about alliances, one meeting is held in Bengaluru, while another meeting of 30 parties of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is being held in New Delhi. Speaking on the Parliament disruption and pandemonium, Sonal Mansingh, renowned Indian classical dancer and President's nominated Rajya Sabha member, said, It is unfortunate that so many important bills do not get passed due to disruptions. Trinamool Congresss Rajya Sabha member Ms. Sushmita Dev said that in the previous Parliament session, BJP ministers disrupted proceedings throughout by saying Rahul Gandhi maafi maango. There is an undeclared emergency in the country, she added. On the issue of opposition unity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, BJP MP GV L Narasimha Rao said the Congress has to fight where it is strong and other parties have to fight in their bastions. We will ensure that nobody in opposition again gets an opposition status, said Rao. He added on a lighter note that the only thing which was discussed in detail in the previous Parliament session was the popular song Naatu Naatu from the film RRR. Speaking on the occasion, CNN-News 18 Managing Editor Zakka Jacob said, "CNN-News 18 Townhall is a big success which has brought representatives of ruling establishment and Opposition on a platform for meaningful discussions to showcase the preparedness for Lok Sabha elections 2024. The timing of CNN-News 18 Townhall is quite significant as it reflects the battle between the NDA and Opposition which have coalesced to chalk out their plans for the 2024 showdown. We have also given viewers an opportunity to interact with the participating leaders to know the optics of 2024 parliament elections. Such event empowers the viewers to make informed decisions vis-a-vis democratic process of the country." OPI, the #1 salon brand worldwide in Nail Color & Care, is making Barbiecore nails accessible from the comfort of your own dreamhouse. The brand has partnered with Warner Bros. and Mattel to bring the world of Barbie to manicures all over the nation. The beauty brand is all set to unveil a new limited edition Nail Lacquer collection in India on 1st August 2023 inspired by Greta Gerwig's upcoming "BARBIE" movie. The OPI x BARBIE Collection features Nine limited edition Nail Lacquer shades that bring the brands' partnership from the big screen to the real world. Get ready to show off your mani skills with exclusive shimmers, glitters, and creme shades inspired by the new movie BARBIE! Speaking of the collaboration with BARBIE, Divyapreet Singh, Marketing Head - South Asia, Wella Company said, "We at OPI are thrilled to join forces with Warner Bros. and Mattel for this exclusive collaboration. OPI shares the core values of empowerment and inclusivity that Barbie represents. The use of color for self-expression knows no boundaries, mirroring the wearer's limitless potential. The pink aesthetic has become an iconic symbol in fashion and beauty, and the collection's standout shade, Hi Barbie!, inspired by the upcoming film and already causing a buzz online, perfectly captures the essence of the popular Barbiecore trend. Offering a palette of nostalgic hues, the collection provides consumers with a delightful escape into a world of joyful colors." The limited-edition shades part of the OPI X BARBIE collection are named to channel the movies feel-good energy. Featuring four shades that include pinks in creme and metallic finishes, as well as a bold and saturated magenta color. In addition, there also will be three bright shades of lemon yellow, sky blue and a shimmery baby blue, and two glitter shades with iridescent silver and pink particles. Shades that are a part of the collection include: Bon Voyage to Reality!: A nude pink creme; Every Night is Girls Night: An iridescent glitter shade; Best Day Ever: A pink glitter hue; Feel the Magic: A deep pink creme shade; Welcome to Barbie Land!: A shimmery pink color; Hi Barbie: A hot pink creme; Hi Ken!: A bright yellow creme; Yay Space!: A shimmery baby blue color; and My Job is Beach: A mid-tone blue creme. The limited edition Nail Lacquer shades will retail at INR 850/- for a 15ml bottle from 1st August 2023 onwards and will be available on Nykaa, Sephora stores near you and OPI Salons near you. Billionaire investor and founder of Avenue Supermarts, Radhakishan Damani, recently acquired Health and Glow, a well-known beauty and personal care retail chain based in Bangalore. The deal, valued between 700 to 750 crore, was completed from the family offices of Rajan Raheja and Hemendra Kothari, who were the previous owners. Rajan Raheja is an industrialist with diverse interests in cement, tiles, financial services, and automotives. Some of his notable ventures include Exide Batteries, Raheja QBE General Insurance (a joint venture between Prism Johnson and Australia's OBE Insurance), and Outlook Publishing Group. He had earlier sold a majority stake in his cable TV venture Hathaway to Reliance Industries. Hemendra Kothari, a veteran investment banker, serves as the chairman of DSP Investment Managers, which manages assets worth $15 billion. He founded the firm in 2008 in partnership with BlackRock and later bought out the Wall Street asset manager's stake after a decade. Additionally, Hemendra Kothari was associated with Merrill Lynch in 1995 but gradually sold his 57% stake in tranches between 2005 and 2009. This acquisition marks Radhakishan Damani's second major buyout, following his purchase of Bombav Swadeshi Stores in 2015, the oldest retailer in the country with esteemed founders such as freedom fighters Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mummohandas Ramji, and industrialist JRD Tata. The transaction was executed through Damani's flagship investment vehicle, Bright Star Investments. Although the deal has been kept private so far, it was finalized late last week. Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr raise up his portrait and that of his late father Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Sadeq al-Sadr along with copies of the Koran, Islam's holy book, and Iraqi national flags during a rally after the weekly Friday prayers denouncing the burning of the Koran in Sweden in the eastern Sadr City suburb of Baghdad on July 21. AFP-Yonhap Protesters took to the streets of the Iraqi and Iranian capitals Friday to denounce Sweden's permission for protests that desecrate the Koran, as Stockholm withdrew staff from its Baghdad embassy. Hundreds of people gathered in Baghdad's Sadr City after Friday prayers, chanting "Yes, yes to Islam, yes, yes to the Koran", an AFP correspondent said. In Tehran, hundreds of protesters, waving Iranian flags and carrying copies of Islam's holy book, chanted "Down with the United States, Britain, Israel and Sweden" as some set the blue-and-yellow Swedish flag ablaze. The rallies came amid heightened tensions between Sweden and Iraq over a Sweden-based Iraqi refugee who last month burnt pages of the Koran outside Stockholm's main mosque. In the latest such incident on Thursday, the refugee, Salwan Momika, stepped on the Koran but did not burn it, triggering renewed condemnation and calls for protest across the Muslim world. Sweden on Friday cited security concerns in a decision to relocate embassy staff and operations from Baghdad to Stockholm, after protesters stormed the embassy compound in a pre-dawn raid this week. "The embassy's operations and its expatriate staff have been temporarily relocated to Stockholm for security reasons," the Swedish foreign ministry said. The Iraqi government condemned the attack on the embassy. It also retaliated against the protest in Sweden by expelling its ambassador, vowing to sever ties and suspending the operating licence of Swedish telecom giant Ericsson. "The expulsion of the ambassador is too little, we want more," said protester Sabbah al-Tai, 45, in Sadr City, a working-class district of Baghdad. The crowd gathered there at the order of influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr, whose followers were behind the embassy raid late Wednesday. Carrying parasols to shield from the baking summer heat, some protesters set fire to rainbow flags, an action Sadr says highlights the "double standard" of Western governments in defending LGBTQ rights while allowing the desecration of religious texts. "Through this demonstration, we want to send a message to the United Nations," said Amer Shemal, a Sadr City municipality official, calling on member states to "penalise any desecration of holy books those of Islam, of Christianity, of Judaism". "These are all holy books," said Shemal. Hezbollah supporters trample representations of the Swedish flags during a rally denouncing the desecration of the Quran after Friday prayers in the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, Lebanon, July 21. AP-Yonhap Sony LIV has teamed up with Windows Productions to present the exclusive digital premieres of three captivating blockbuster Bengali films - Fatafati, Lokkhi Chhele and Haami 2. This collaboration significantly enhances Sony LIV's regional language catalogue and provides a broader array of content appealing to Bengali-speaking audiences. Boasting an impressive 8.1 rating on IMDB and hailed as the summer's blockbuster hit, Fatafati chronicles the journey of Phullora Bhaduri, a talented tailor who defies societal norms and strives to become a fashion influencer. Directed by Aritra Mukherjee and starring Bengali heartthrobs Ritabhari Chakraborty and Abir Chatterjee, the film challenges body shaming and inspires viewers to embrace their uniqueness. Inspired by a true story, Lokkhi Chhele, directed by Kaushik Ganguly, revolves around a newborn baby with four arms. With an impressive 8/10 rating on IMDB, the movie delves into the shackles of human superstition and the profound influence of human beliefs, offering a thought-provoking tale set in rural surroundings with a global appeal. It boasts a stellar performance by Ujaan Ganguly, Aditi Marik, Ritwika Pal, and Purab Seal Acharya in pivotal roles. After the phenomenal success of Haami, the makers came up with a fresh story in Haami 2 that follows an extraordinary eight-year-old boy with a remarkable talent for mathematics. As his gift becomes a source of income for his parents, the movie humorously explores the complexities of modern-day parenting. Written and directed by Nandita Roy and Shiboprosad Mukherjee the film stars Gargee Roy Chowdhury, Ritodeep Sengupta, Shreyan Saha, Aritrika Chowdhury, Anjan Dutt, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Shiboprosad Mukherjee among others. Stay tuned for the release of Fatafati on 4th August and watch out for updates on the release dates of Lokkhi Chhele and Haami 2. Comments Saugata Mukherjee, Head of Content, Sony LIV We are thrilled to join forces with Windows Productions in bringing forth the much-awaited OTT premieres of Fatafati, Lokkhi Chhele and Haami 2. In keeping with our keen focus on programming in regional Indian languages, this a very special collaboration. Our aim is to celebrate Bangla stories and storytellers, give them a platform to showcase and reach out to audiences from across the globe. Shiboprosad Mukherjee, Co-founder, Windows Production We are thoroughly excited that three of our films, which have been loved and blessed by the audience, will soon start streaming on Sony LIV. For Bengal, it's an important event that a national player is entering this market and we are proud to associate with Sony LIV. The three films are completely different from each other. While Fatafati is a heart-warming love story that deals with the issue of body positivity, Lokkhi Chhele, I feel, is one of the best films by Kaushik Ganguly till date and also the boldest film of 2022. Haami 2, on the other hand, is a sweet story of Laltu and Mitali Mondal and their sons, one of whom is a child prodigy. A prominent content production house RSVP Movies led by Mr. Ronnie Screwvala has always brought engaging and entertaining content to the audience. Continuing the spree, the production house is about to come with a biopic based on the true life of celebrated human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra that stars Diljit Dosanjh in the lead role while Arjun Rampal appears in a crucial role in the film. As the film has been in the headlines quite for a time now ever since the production company RSVP Movies, filed an appeal in the Bombay High Court seeking orders against the CBFC for the cuts that were asked to be done for releasing the film. In the latest update, the hearing that happened yesterday in the court, RSVP presented the remaining cuts and the court has asked to come today to complete the argument at 02:30 PM again. As the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) cleared the film with an A certificate and asked makers for 21 cuts which includes the removal of certain dialogues, the movie's disclaimer, and its title and RSVP Movies by Ronnie Screwvala filed an appeal to the Bombay High Court under Section 5C of the Cinematograph Act, arguing that the cuts violated Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution and that the cuts were not covered under the Cinematograph Act. In the latest update, the hearing happened yesterday where the RSVP team argued on the remaining other cuts and were presented to the honourable judge. Starting from the 5th cut the team took the honourable judge to the 21st cut and commenced the arguments by explaining how every cut is based on proper documentation, making sure it's a well-researched film. RSVP Movies truly stand straight while opposing the cuts to keep the premise of the film intact while CBFC was appealing that the cuts are important. Further to this, as the additional solicitor general Anil C. Singh who was appearing on behalf of CBFC has retired from his office and therefore CBFCs lawyer was seeking time, however, the court refused the same. Therefore, the court called the further hearing today at 02:30 PM. The Jaswant Singh Khalra biopic is directed by Honey Trehan and while Diljit plays the titular role, Arjun Rampal also has a pivotal part in it. Taapsee Pannu, the PAN India star, has always been at the forefront of engaging in diverse activities. Whether it's her film choices, the campaigns she supports, or her unfiltered presence on social media, she never fails to charm her fans. In order to provide her followers with a deeper insight into her life and establish a closer connection, Taapsee has recently unveiled her very own NFT platform called "taapseeclub.com". The purpose behind launching NFTs is to create a positive platform for Taapsee's fans worldwide, allowing them to gain a glimpse into her life and elevate their fandom to new heights. By becoming a member, individuals will have the opportunity to experience being on her film sets, celebrate special occasions alongside her, engage in interactions, and much more. Moreover, the actor has already organized an exclusive event to celebrate her birthday, where renowned comedians like Abish Mathew, Angad Ranyal, and Gurleen Pannu will be present along with RJ and actor Abhilash Thapliyal. This event promises to be an unforgettable one, as Taapsee is going to be hilariously roasted on her special day. With the mystery and curiosity that surrounds an actor, a platform like this will give fans a special in-road. Talking about the same Taapsee shares, In today's cluttered world, it becomes crucial to distinguish the content we share with those genuinely interested in actors and supportive of their endeavours. This helps separate the faceless trollers from the true fans. Thus, I have decided to launch NFTs exclusively for genuine individuals, providing them with an opportunity to get to know me on a more personal level. I aim to present a distinct social media experience for my NFT members, one that differs from my public presence. As an extrovert who enjoys interacting with people, I find social media to be too toxic for expressing my true self. It is always beneficial to have a close-knit community of individuals who genuinely wish the best for you and contribute to personal growth. On the work front, Taapsee has an exciting line-up of projects, including the film "Dunki" alongside Shahrukh Khan, "Phir Ayi Haseen Dillruba," and "Woh Ladki Hain Kaha? Amid renewed calls for his resignation and the ruckus in Parliament over a viral video in Manipur, purportedly showing two women being paraded in the nude, Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Friday evaded a question on the demand for him to step down, saying his job was to restore peace to the state and ensure that the perpetrators of the alleged incident in the viral video are brought to book. Speaking to ANI on Friday, the Manipur CM informed that, so far, four persons, including the main accused, have been arrested in connection with the incident, adding that his government will ensure exemplary punishment for the culprits. Opposition leaders of all hues have voiced outrage over the Manipur incident and both Houses of Parliament, in the ongoing Monsoon Session, saw repeated disruptions in demand for a discussion on the issue. On the raucous protests by the Opposition over the incident, Singh said the people in Manipur treat all women in the same way as they do their mothers and sisters and never condone crime, adding that this explains why there were ongoing statewide protests in Manipur. Everyone is outraged since the viral video surfaced. In our society, all women are seen as mothers and sisters, which is why protests have erupted across the state in demand for strict action against the accused, the CM said. Meanwhile, another video surfaced on Friday showing women in Imphal burning down the house of one of the accused. The video was said to be from Thursday. The clip shows a mob going on a rampage and damaging the house before setting it alight. Responding to the video, the CM said, Yesterday, the house belonging to the person, who was the first to be arrested in connection with this incident, was set on fire. Our society will always rise in protest against any crime and especially those against women. They consider women as their mothers and sisters. Thats why protests are being held in every constituency so that no such incident takes place in future. Earlier, on Thursday, Singh told ANI that the video leaked after 40 days and was from May 4, a day ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur. Really shocked when I saw the video. I inquired about the incident and learned that it happened on May 4. This video was leaked after 40 days. I ordered a combing operation (to track down the accused), and, last night itself, we arrested one of the accused, the Manipur chief minister said on Thursday, adding that the government will take strict action against all the perpetrators and would even consider pressing for death penalty for the perpetrators. A 23-year-old Biloxi man was shot to death at a Jackson County, Miss., motel Thursday afternoon, according to the Jackson County Sheriffs Office. Deputies responded to the Red Roof Inn along Interstate 10 at exit 50 just north of Ocean Springs Thursday afternoon about 3:30 p.m. A 23-year-old man is dead following a shooting at motel along Interstate 10 in Jackson County, Miss. Once there, they found the victim -- identified as Raishon Frazier -- suffering from several gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital, but later died from his injuries. Quinton Biggs, a 20-year-old resident of the St. Martin community, was arrested and originally charged with attempted murder, but the charge was upgraded to murder after Fraziers death. Biggs is being held at the Jackson County Adult Detention Center. According to the jail docket, Biggs was on parole from a previous conviction and thus ineligible to post bond. He was scheduled for an initial court appearance Friday. A Mobile man with drugs and paraphernalia in his car led police on a chase Thursday afternoon before striking a tree -- all with his 3-year-old son in the car, unrestrained by a seat belt or car seat, Mobile police said Friday. Just after 5:30 p.m. Thursday, officers initiated a traffic stop on St. Stephens Road near Congress Street, with lights and sirens activated. The driver -- later identified as 33-year-old Curtis Lavon Shamburger -- refused to stop, instead initiating a pursuit which ultimately ended on Springhill Avenue when Shamburger lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree. Police discovered Shamburgers toddler son in the car, unsecured, and injured during the crash. The child was transported to a local hospital with what police described as non-life-threatening injuries. A search of Shamburgers vehicle uncovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia, police said. Shamburger has been charged with attempting to elude police causing injury; possession of marijuana; reckless endangerment; 1st-degree assault; and possession of drug paraphernalia. Shamburger remained in the Mobile Metro Jail without bond as of midday Friday, according to the jail docket. Shamburger has numerous prior arrests on drug charges, as well as two previous charges of attempting to elude police, according to jail records. Additionally, Shamburger has forfeited nearly $10,000 in cash from previous drug-related arrests, including nearly $2,700 he forfeited less than two weeks ago, according to court records. Fourteen Alabama students will head to Washington this fall as part of a prestigious program aimed to help support historically black colleges and universities. The HBCU Scholar Recognition Program, part of a White House initiative to advance HBCUs, announced its ninth and largest cohort Thursday, which includes more than a dozen current and former Alabama students. The highly selective program honors a diverse group of student leaders who stand out academically and are involved in their communities. This year, 102 students from 70 HBCUs were selected to participate. Read more: Alabama HBCU enrollment is increasing. See where. Participants from Alabama colleges include: Alabama A&M University: Samarion Flowers of Detroit, Michigan, and Morgan Marshall of Montgomery Alabama State University: Haley Heard of Pleasant Grove and Laquann Wilson of Palmyra, New Jersey Drake State Community & Technical College: Eddie Tolbert of Tuskegee and Makahla Riley of Madison Gadsden State Community College: Jessica Parker of Gadsden Miles College: Raquel Liverpool of Brooklyn, New York Shelton State Community College: Chiamaka Okafor of Tuscaloosa Stillman College: TaKari Bryant of Dothan and Jaela Haynes Williams of Huntsville Trenholm State Community College: Matilda Perryman and Thaddeus Sneed of Montgomery Tuskegee University: Bruce Taylor of Tuskegee Two Alabama natives also received awards, including Jamal Maloney Jr., a Lincoln University of Pennsylvania student from Dothan; and ChErykah Dunn, a Paine College student from Troy. The students will serve as ambassadors for the initiative and their respective colleges. Theyll participate in monthly master classes and attend the annual HBCU Week Conference in Washington, which is designed to teach leadership and professional skills. Theyll also get the opportunity to meet with officials from the White House and the U.S. Department of Education to help come up with ways to better support students. Trenholm State Community College is honored to have two of our students selected for this program. We are extremely excited for Thaddeus and Matilda and for the numerous opportunities and resources that this program will afford to them, Kemba Chambers, president of Trenholm State Community College, said in a news release. Its the third year that Stillman has had at least two students participate in the program. Williams is an upcoming senior who helped the school win its first-ever Honda Campus All-Star Challenge. She plans to attend law school in the spring. Bryant, a senior studying psychology, is involved in campus government and advocacy and currently works with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of West Alabama. She plans to pursue a masters degree in clinical counseling. I want to make more connections with the people who work in education and put their focus in bettering HBCUs, Bryant said in a news release. I want people to know where Stillman is, know who Stillman is, and understand the transformation its making so we can receive more assistance and resources in addition to what were getting. Applications closed March 23, 2023 and have not yet opened for next years cohort, but you can view a sample application and list of required materials here. Participants must be a current undergraduate, graduate or professional student at an HBCU. Get the Ed Chat newsletter: Enter your email for weekly updates about Alabama schools from Trisha Powell Crain: Nearly half of Alabamas 140 public school districts will receive funding for fewer teachers than last year, according to documents prepared by the Alabama Department of Education. That could mean higher class sizes depending on how school officials handle the loss. Changes are due to declining public school enrollment in those districts but also statewide. State funding for the 2023-24 school year is based on last years student count of 726,267 K-12 students. Total teachers funded by the state for the coming school year are 41,856. In 2020-21, public schools enrolled 728,201 students and the states Foundation Program funded 42,105 teachers. Those losses are hitting mostly the rural, majority-Black school districts where enrollment continues to fall off as it has for a decade. The loss for those districts is particularly remarkable given that lawmakers added funding for a total of 150 additional teachers to spread across 950 schools statewide in fourth, fifth and sixth grades in an effort to lower class sizes. The chart below shows both the number of teachers funded through the Foundation Program - the purple bar - and the official count of students used each year - the blue line. Click here if you are unable to see the chart. Perry County in central Alabama will lose the largest proportion of its state-funded teachers of all districts statewide, dropping by 13% from 59 to 51 teachers. In what appears to be a tradeoff, Breakthrough Charter School, which opened in Perry County in 2021, will gain 11 teachers. Schools receive funding through three pots of money: Local, state and federal funding. Sometimes, declines in state funding can be offset by increasing local taxes, but poor and rural counties often struggle to find the revenue. Proportionally, beyond Perry County, these districts are losing the highest percentage of state-funded teachers for the coming school year: Talladega City - 11% drop, from 99 to 87 teachers, Fairfield City - 8% drop, from 87 to 79 teachers, Sumter County - 7% drop, from 60 to 56 teachers, and Eufaula City - 7% drop, from 365 to 341 teachers. Eufaula City is home to a large virtual school, which saw enrollment drop from 4,400 to 3,900 students, costing it 24 teachers. Eufaula isnt alone in losing virtual students. After three years of growing enrollment as families chose virtual over in-person learning due to COVID, virtual schools are now seeing declines. The exception among virtual schools is Alabama Connections Academy in Limestone County, which saw enrollment rise from 6,800 to 7,100 students, meaning it will gain 19 state-funded teachers. The map of Alabama school districts below shows the percentage change in Foundation Program teacher units from last year to the upcoming school year. Zoom in to see smaller geographical areas. Click here if you are unable to see the map. Because Alabama funds teachers as opposed to students, some small schools get fewer teachers than they have grades, and often rely on federal funding to fully staff classrooms. For example, Dauphin Island Elementary School in Mobile County will get funding for four teachers, but serves students in six different grade levels: Kindergarten through fifth grade. Last year, along with the four state-funded teachers, the district used federal funds to pay for three teachers and a small portion of local funding to help pay for one additional teacher. The states Foundation Program, in place since 1995, uses a formula based on how many students are enrolled in each grade to determine how many teachers it will fund. The state then funds for not only the teachers salary, but for the entire teacher unit, which includes benefits and additional funding for materials, training, and technology. The Department of Finance estimated it cost $104,000 to fund a single teacher unit during the 2022-23 school year. About $20,000 of that funding goes to the district to cover school-related expenses. So when a district loses funding for a teacher unit, it also loses $20,000 helps pay for other school-related expenses. Lawmakers batted around changing the way Alabama funds schools, but dropped the idea after the session started. A 2015 study conducted by national school finance experts hired by the department of education recommended Alabama base funding on students rather than by a count of teachers but no action was taken at that time. One outlier that deserves mention is Orange Beach City Schools. The 1,200-student district opened in 2022 but because of the wealthy tax base, it received no Foundation Program funding last year and will receive no Foundation Program funding again this year. The news isnt all bad, though, as the majority of Alabamas school districts will receive more state-funded teachers, even a few that enrolled fewer students in 2022-23, because of the increase in the number of teachers for fourth through sixth grades. The districts earning the highest proportion of new state-funded teacher units are: Selma City Schools - up 9% from 133 to 145 teachers, Jasper City Schools - up 7%, from 145 to 155 teachers, Elba City Schools - up 7%, from 35 to 38 teachers, Opp City Schools - up 5%, from 70 to 74 teachers, Gulf Shores City Schools - up 5%, from 130 to 136 teachers. All but one of Alabamas 12 charter schools will get more teachers due to increasing enrollment. Covenant Academy of Mobile, a new charter school scheduled to open in August, will receive 17 state-funded teachers. Empower Community School in Bessemer, a public charter school that opened in 2022, will lose state funding for a third of its teachers, dropping from 25 to 17 teachers this year. The table below shows the number of teachers the state funded for each school district and charter school through the Foundation Program. Click here if you are unable to see the table. Update 1:45 p.m.: Additional funding from lawmakers to lower class sizes in fourth, fifth and sixth grades added 150 teachers, not 300 as initially reported. We apologize for the error. They Cloned Tyrone, the brand new Netflix original film starring Jamie Foxx and John Boyega, has multiple Alabama connections, starting with its emerging writer/director making his feature debut with the acclaimed sci-fi comedy. The film, now streaming on Netflix, is directed and co-written by Juel Taylor, a filmmaker born in Tuskegee with screenwriting credits that include high profile Hollywood productions like Creed II and Space Jam: A New Legacy prior to hopping in the directors chair. Written by Taylor and Tony Rettenmaier, They Cloned Tyrone depicts an eerie series of events that leads an unlikely trio (John Boyega, Teyonah Parris and Jamie Foxx) down a rabbit hole into a sinister neighborhood conspiracy. Filmed in Atlanta, it also stars David Alen Grier and Kiefer Sutherland. Watch the trailer above. The film is already a winner with critics and streamers, scoring a 95% on the Tomatometer and a 100% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Brian Tallerico of rogerebert.com calls it A creative, witty surprise in the middle of this summer of relatively dreadful original movies on streaming services. They Cloned Tyrone also stands firmly on its glossy style the evocatively smoky John Carpenter-esque cinematography and the Blaxploitation-inspired costumes and its spirited performances, writes New York Times critic Robert Daniels. Deadline Hollywoods Todd McCarthy says its provocative in its mix of sci-fi and contemporary political elements; its unusual, gutsy and entirely welcome as something different and unexpected in the genre. Taylor, 36, told The New York Times about what the article describes as surprisingly personal origins of the films complex sci-fi story. He said he knew he wanted to explore a bootleg Scooby-Doo mystery where the detectives are inadequate but uniquely equipped for solving the case. I had this joke in my mind for a while, like an entrepreneur, a pro, and a hustler walk into a bar and they end up solving a mystery, he told Netflix. He said reconnecting with an old college friend whom he didnt know suffered from depression changed his perspective on life, prompting him to incorporate thematic elements like blame, responsibility and identity into the story. He also talks about creating a fictional Southern neighborhood where much of the film takes place. Read the full NYT Q&A. Taylor attended the University of Florida. He originally wanted to pursue video game design but transitioned to filmmaking after experimenting with music videos. Influences for this particular movie include The Truman Show, They Live, The Matrix and The Manchurian Candidate. Some have compared They Cloned Tyrone with critical hits like Get Out and Sorry to Bother You, both of which Taylor said helped his film, noting that when he pitched ideas like his, financiers would see Black genre is viable. Read his full interview with Level, in which he references his Alabama upbringing when asked about the films symbolic use of Black culture staples. Taylors Hollywood resume keeps growing with a number of big screenwriting credits including Creed II and Space Jam: A New Legacy. Prior to They Cloned Tyrone, Taylors directing credits include several television series like Twenties, Boomerang and A Guy, a Girl, and Their Monster. Now, Taylor works with A-listers like Oscar-winner Foxx, Star Wars breakout Boyega and budding film and television star Teyonah Parris (WandaVision, Candyman). Teyonah Ive loved since Mad Men. Shes got the perfect blend, Taylor told Netflix about casting the film. Jamie was like a pie in the sky. When we were talking about it way back when, I was like, Man, somebody like Jamie would kill this. And he did. Also appearing in the film is Huntsville native Suzanne Robertson, who plays First Reporter, a newswoman caught in the chaos of a growing phenomenon we wont spoil. Robertson also served as the on-set visual effects coordinator for They Cloned Tyrone. Past visual effects credits include Justice League, Bad Education, Beckett, Holidate, Hillbilly Elegy and Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Black voters will maintain a relative majority even after Mobile annexed three areas west of the city limits that are combined majority white. The results of Tuesdays special election, which will not be certified until next week, will close the white-Black gap among the citys voting age population those who are over 18. The annexation vote brought 15,212 new voters into Mobile, of whom 9,532 are white (62%), 4,114 are Black (27%) and 1,557 are labeled as other (10.2%). The citys voting age demographics will go from 49.7% Black, 44.4% white and 6% other to 47.5% Black, 46.1% white and 6.3% other. The City Council will still have to undergo another redistricting of its council districts, restarting a process that was contentious throughout 2022. Read more: Since the annexation brought in nearly 20,000 new residents, we will have to redistrict, said Councilwoman Gina Gregory, whose district in far northwestern Mobile grew with the addition of Kings Branch and Orchard Estates. She said while the Zoghby Act might not require it, the Voting Rights Act does. The Zoghby Act is the law from the 1980s that created Mobiles current city government. Diluting votes The voting precinct for the King's Branch area that was annexed into the City of Mobile as pictured on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (Lawrence Specker/lspecker@al.com). The results stirred a reaction from Stand Up Mobile, an annexation opposition group that warned the effort was aimed at diluting the citys Black voting relative majority. Adding thousands of additional residents who voted to be annexed into our city will fundamentally alter the demographics of Mobile, a statement released Wednesday from Stand Up Mobile reads. Our fear has been that this change will also mean that the needs of historically under-served communities will continue to grow in the coming weeks, months, and years. We will continue the fight to ensure they dont and to ensure all promises made by our elected leaders throughout this process are kept. Candace Cooksey, a spokeswoman for Stimpson, said in a statement that a great deal of thought and effort went to ensure any annexation outcome did not fundamentally alter the demographics of Mobile. Growing Mobile puts us in the best position to continue investing in communities and neighborhoods throughout the city, while also attracting additional economic opportunities that benefit Mobilians, Cooksey said. Stand Up Mobile has attempted to malign this annexation process from the beginning, despite many attempts to bring them in as a community partner. It is disappointing, but not surprising, to see them continue to spread misinformation. Beverly Cooper, co-founder of Stand Up Mobile, which also advocates for increasing Black voter engagement in Mobile, said the idea now is to allow the process run its course and to scrutinize how elected leaders administer policies affecting underserved areas. The annexation plan, if fully implemented, would have left Mobile with almost an event split of white and Black voters. But voters in the Airport corridor, which had 67% white voters, shot down annexation. It was the only one of four corridors to vote against it. Had the Airport corridor voted to annex, it would have further eroded the citys Black voting age relative majority to 46.8% Black-46.7% white. The largest of the three areas to vote in support of annexation was the Cottage Hills corridor, which has a total of 9,532 voters, 8,456 or 63% who are white. The other two areas are much smaller -- Kings Branch and Orchard Estates. Both areas consist of majority Black voters. SPLC concerns The annexation efforts had also been scrutinized by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The Montgomery-based civil rights and legal advocacy agency, wrote to the Stimpson administration in late 2021, warning the city it should not dilute Black political power through redistricting and annexation. SPLC Senior Staff Attorney Jess Unger, in a statement, said the organization is concerned about history repeating with cities annexing large swaths of white suburbs to alter its racial demographics and ensure white political leadership. Richmond, Virginia, is one glaring example. In the 1970s, the city annexed more than 47,500 residents from an adjacent county, the vast majority of them white. Attorneys for the city later admitted the effort was aimed at keeping Black voters from the polls and to keep them out of office. SPLC is concerned about the troubling resonance with past eras of a newly majority-Black Southern city annexing majority-white areas and will closely monitor the impacts on voting and elections for Mobiles communities of color going forward, Unger said. Redistricting and election Mobile City Councilwoman Gina Gregory speaks during an inauguration ceremony for mayor and the seven council members on Monday, November 1, 2021, at Government Plaza in Mobile, Ala. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com). Redistricting will likely be watched closely. The last effort led to months of strong and often critical comments directed at the city and the council over ensuring Mobile had a 4-3 Black majority on the council. The councils current and longtime makeup has been four white members, three Black. The district represented by Gregory, who has been on the council the longest at nearly 18 years, was the subject of much of the scrutiny. The maps produced by the Stimpson administration had District 7 at a 51% Black-42% white split. A compromise map pushed up that districts Black majority to 53.2% Black, 41.2% white. The district, for the past decade, was 48% white-45% Black. The compromise map was approved during a council meeting last August. It is supposed to take effect for the 2025 municipal elections that is, until the redistricting process starts anew, and a new map is voted on. The new map will also likely alter District 6, which will grow considerably after the majority white Cottage Hills district is annexed. That area includes 16,662 residents. Of those 12,781 or 66% are of voting age. The approval from voters in Cottage Hills area, which consists of some long-established subdivisions just west of the citys municipal boundaries, is the main reason why Mobiles overall population is surging to more than 204,600 residents and ahead of the cities of Birmingham and Montgomery. But those residents will not get to vote immediately. A special election for the vacant District 6 council seat will take place on Tuesday, which is the day in which Mobile County Probate Judge Don Davis is expected to certify the results of the annexation election. The District 6 council seat has been vacant since Scott Jones abruptly resigned in April. The candidates for the District 6 seat include Kyle Callaghan, a retired law enforcement professional and current member of the Mobile County Board of Registrars; Josh Woods, executive director of The Gounds; Karla DuPriest, owner and found of Chris & Carla Heavenly Rids; and Linh Nguyen-Hoach, a small business owner. Women put burning hays in house of the accused in viral Manipur video case, in Pechi Awang Leikai, Manipur, India, July 20, in this screengrab obtained from a Handout video. Reuters-Yonhap A group of furious women set on fire the house of an Indian man accused of parading two women naked in a northeastern state where months of ethnic violence have left at least 120 dead, footage showed Friday. A clip went viral Wednesday showing two women said to be from the Kuki tribal group walking naked along a street, being jeered at and harassed by a mob reportedly from the Meitei community. Violence erupted between the mainly Christian Kuki and the predominantly Hindu Meitei in May over job quotas and land rights, and intermittent clashes have continued since. The emergence of the women's humiliation which happened in May triggered outrage across the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying it had "shamed India". Police arrested four suspects Thursday, and the same day a group of women activists threw stacks of hay into the house of one of the men in Imphal and set it on fire. As the fire raged, the women members of the Meitei community, like the accused broke down the walls and roof of the house with sticks. India is generally traditionalist, conservative and patriarchal, but the Meitei have a history of women's activism, with women having a more prominent role in society than elsewhere. The video of the naked women sparked protests across India on Friday with demonstrators calling for the state's chief minister to step down over the delay in taking action. "Can normal people do these things?... Even cats, dogs, animal(s) never committed these kind of filthy act," said one demonstrator near Imphal, where hundreds of women gathered to protest. "This is not even how human beings treat other human," she said. India's Supreme Court warned Modi's government Thursday that if it does not act, "we will". Authorities in Manipur, led by the ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said police had taken action as soon as the video surfaced on social media. A "thorough investigation" was under way, the state's chief minister N. Biren Singh tweeted Thursday. "We will ensure strict action is taken against all the perpetrators, including considering the possibility of capital punishment," he added. The Manipur violence came after the Kuki community protested Meitei demands for reserved public job quotas and college admissions as a form of affirmative action, stoking long-held fears that they might also be allowed to acquire land in areas currently reserved for tribal groups. Homes and churches were torched, with tens of thousands of people fleeing to government-run camps. In a detailed report to the Supreme Court in June, civil society group Manipur Tribal Forum said many gruesome acts of violence, including rape and beheading, had not been investigated by state authorities. One such incident appeared on Twitter Thursday, reportedly showing an aide to a BJP lawmaker in the state holding a victim's severed head, and disappeared from the platform within hours. (AFP) Get John Archibalds newsletter: Enter your email to subscribe to Johns weekly newsletter: This is an opinion column. You want to know what happened when a former coal company executive one convicted in the bribery of former Alabama Rep. Oliver Robinson sued his powerful bosses and their powerful lawyers for putting him in that bind? Of course you do. So do we. But dont hold your breath. Even in those polluted neighborhoods that started this thing. Finding basic facts even the status of the case is like, well, like finding a body in a Walker County coal mine. Good luck. Because a Jefferson County judge says this is not a public issue. Despite the First Amendment. Despite Alabama open records laws. Despite appearances and the stench emanating from Judge Tamara Harris Johnsons court. You just have to take my word, she said. Former Drummond Company VP David Roberson in 2019 sued coal giant Drummond Co., one of Alabamas Big Mules, and Balch & Bingham, a Birmingham law firm and a Big Mule driver from way back. He claimed they hid and misrepresented information that led to his conviction. RELATED: How Alabama conspired against its people It is a suit that was dismissed, then taken all the way to the Alabama Supreme Court, which breathed life back into it. It is a case that grew out of a huge public controversy, with admitted bribes, important political figures, and profiteering off the continued pollution of north Birmingham neighborhoods. Johnson has ordered the case sealed, lock, stock and coal-smoking barrel. Court dates are invisible on Alacourt, the states online court record system, and elsewhere. Even headings of past and scheduled hearings are stricken, because Johnson says its none of your business. This is not a public issue, she told lawyers this week. Why? It is strictly an employment matter, she said. As if that should make it a state secret. We only know any of this because the Energy and Policy Institute sought to intervene in an attempt to open the records, and Alabama Media Group thats us at AL.com submitted a brief supporting transparency. Johnson did say in court that reporting of that particular hearing would be allowed. I have no problem with it being reported because what I want is for both parties, well all three parties, to get a fair trial. When a lawyer for EPI asked Johnson if she could review filings in the future to determine if they contained anything that should be kept under seal, she refused, saying she had about 800 cases and didnt have time for such a review. Asked later how many of those 800 cases were sealed, she said three to five were under seal. This one, lets face it, is special. In a hearing on Monday to consider unveiling the case records, Johnson said she was intent on keeping it sealed to preserve the integrity of a jury. She also complained that case information had been leaked to an unnamed blogger. Information was leaked out, information was distorted, it was an absolute violation of my court order, she said. Michael Yancey, the lawyer for EPI, argued that more light, not less, would provide the world with true facts about the case. But to no avail. After the hearing Johnson ordered that this court finds it necessary to seal the entire record of this case, including discovery, before trial and during trial. She wrote that she will reevaluate that decision after trial, but until then the entire file is sealed and marked confidential. You just have to take her word. So a suit involving two of the most powerful businesses in Alabama, based on a claim that those two entities enabled a bribery of a once-beloved public official, is none of your business. Just another employment case. Just like any old case. But unlike 99.4 percent of Johnsons other cases, according to the math from her own estimates. If you think folks in Alabama get equal treatment under the law, just look at this case. But you cant. John Archibald is a two-time Pulitzer winner at AL.com. Birmingham was ranked as the 8th loneliest city in America in a recent list published by online business research website Chamber of Commerce- but a local urban policy expert questions the validity of the study. Loneliness is a difficult psychological concept to measure, said Christopher Burks, visiting professor of political science at Samford University and founder of local urban policy consulting firm Urban Analysis. To compile the list, the Chamber of Commerce analyzed 170 American cities with populations of over 150,000 and used 2021 Census data to determine the percentage of single-person households in each city, according to their webpage. Their ranking was based on an analysis of what percent of males and females live alone in each of these cities. Chamber of Commerce added the two percentages together and then ranked each city from highest to lowest based on that percentage, according to the site. But there are flaws with using quantitative data to rank something as hard to quantify as loneliness, according to Burks. Birmingham came in 8th place in Chamber of Commerces ranking with just over 39,000 single person households and a combined single male/female percentage of 44.6% (21.9% male, 22.7% female) according to the study. This was less than 1/3 of the amount of single person households in the number one loneliest city, Washington D.C., which has over 154,000 people living alone with a combined single male/female percentage of 48.2% (21.5% male, 26.7% female) according to the study. Heat advisories remained in place for much of central and south Alabama on Friday, and some counties have been upgraded to an excessive heat warning. The National Weather Service said the heat index, or feels like temperature, could reach as high as 112 degrees in parts of south-central Alabama this afternoon where the excessive heat warning is in effect. The rest of south-central and south Alabama will also be under heat advisories through tonight. Air temperatures are expected to top out in the mid- to upper 90s across those parts of the state this afternoon. That, combined with high humidity levels, will make it feel much hotter. North Alabama is the only place not under heat advisories today, and thats because of continued rain and storms that are helping to keep temperatures more in check. But there could be some stronger storms later today, and parts of the state will have a Level 2 risk for severe weather later this afternoon and into the overnight hours as a frontal boundary sinks southward across Alabama. Heat levels are expected to back off some more for areas north of the front on Saturday, but temperatures will continue to be very hot for those south of the front in south Alabama. Here is the forecast for Saturday: Here are the forecast high temperatures for Saturday. Heres a look at Fridays heat warnings: CENTRAL ALABAMA An excessive heat warning will be in effect on Friday for the counties in pink. A heat advisory continues for the areas in orange. * Excessive heat warning until 9 p.m. Friday for Sumter, Greene, Hale, Perry, Tallapoosa, Marengo, Dallas, Autauga, Lowndes, Elmore, Montgomery, Macon, Bullock, Lee, Russell, Pike and Barbour counties. The National Weather Service in Birmingham said heat index values of 110 to 112 will be possible this afternoon. * Heat advisory until 9 p.m. Friday for Lamar, Fayette, Walker, Talladega, Pickens, Tuscaloosa, Jefferson, Shelby, Bibb, Chilton, Coosa and Chambers counties. The heat index could range from 106 to 109 in those areas today. SOUTH ALABAMA And summer rolls on! Another Heat Advisory is in effect today area-wide for heat indices up to 112F. Take frequent breaks in the shade Stay hydrated Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing Wear a hat to protect your face pic.twitter.com/QmN3rgKx7Y NWS Mobile (@NWSMobile) July 21, 2023 * Heat advisory from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Friday for Choctaw, Washington, Clarke, Wilcox, Monroe, Conecuh, Butler, Crenshaw, Escambia, Covington, Mobile and Baldwin counties. The weather service in Mobile said heat index values up to 112 are expected. * Heat advisory from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. CDT for Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties. The weather service in Tallahassee said heat index values up to 111 are expected today. A Florida woman has been arrested and charged after a 10-month-old child she was babysitting was found dead after being left in a hot car for several hours on Wednesday, officials said. Rhonda Jewell, 46, was arrested by the Baker County Sheriffs Office and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, according to the arrest report. Jewell, who had been the childs babysitter since June, picked up the infant from the childs mothers house in Macclenny, Florida, around 8 a.m. Wednesday. She drove to another residence where she was going to babysit other children as well, but after arriving she went inside and left the infant in the vehicle. The infants mother arrived to pick up her child around 1 p.m. when Jewell realized the child was still in the car. The mother called police, and the infant was transported to Ed Fraser Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead, officials said. Medical staff examining the infant said the childs external temperature was 102 degrees, and the babys internal temperature was 110 degrees, noting thats the highest its thermometer could read, according to WJAX-TV. The temperature inside the vehicle the child was left in reached 133 degrees, according to BCSO. Jewell had an initial court appearance Thursday morning, and her bond was set at $25,000 with GPS monitoring upon release, officials said. A Lithonia., Ga. man has been arrested in connection with the shooting of a 16-year-old girl Wednesday. Fort Payne Police Chief David Davis said Shyheim Hassan Moore, 23, has been charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle and first degree assault. Moore was originally arrested on Wednesday following the shooting, charged with second degree marijuana possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is currently being held in the Dekalb County Detention Center on a bond of $231,000. The shooting happened at approximately 2:46 p.m. Wednesday in the area of 16th Street Northwest and Gault Avenue North. Officers responding to a shots fired call determined that two vehicles were involved in the incident. A 16-year-old girl, who was a passenger in the one of the vehicles, was taken to a hospital by family members. Her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening injuries. Moore was one of five people originally arrested on assorted drug charges as a result of the investigation. The Alabama Legislature passed a new congressional district map Friday, a compromise version approved by Republicans on a conference committee. Like earlier versions of maps supported by the Republican majority in the State House, it does not add a second majority Black district. Friday is the deadline set by a federal court for the Legislature to approve a new map. The Senate approved the conference committee map by a vote of 24-6 Friday afternoon. The House later approved it by a vote of 75-28. Alabama's 2021 congressional map, left, and the new map passed by the Legislature on July 21, 2023. On the new map, District 7 remains the only majority Black district. In District 2, the Black voting age population was increased from 30% to 40%, which Republican lawmakers who passed the plan said they believe can fix what the U.S. Supreme Court said is a likely Voting Rights Act violation on the 2021 map. (Mike Cason/mcason@al.com) In June, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a three-judge district court ruling that Alabamas current map likely violates the Voting Rights Act by diluting the Black vote. One-fourth of the states residents are Black, but only one of the seven Congressional districts has a majority Black population. The district court said that to fix the violation, Alabama needed a second majority Black district or something quite close to it, a district where Black voters would have an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice. The map approved by the conference committee Friday would leave District 7 as the lone majority Black district, barely, at 51% in Black voting age population, down from 56% on the current map. It would increase the Black voting age population in District 2, which covers southeast Alabama, from 30% to 40%. Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, sponsor of the plan, said the intent is for District 2 to be the second opportunity district for Black voters. Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, a member of the conference committee, said the plan does not comply with the courts order. This is the quintessential definition of noncompliance and I believe it will be rejected, England said. The three-judge district court tentatively scheduled an Aug. 14 hearing to consider challenges to the map. The conference committee voted 4-2 in favor of the map. Voting for the map were the four Republicans on the panel -- Livingston, Sen. Clay Scofield of Guntersville, Rep. Chris Pringle of Mobile, and Rep. Chris Sells of Greenville. Voting no were England and Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham. Later on Friday afternoon, before the Senate approved the conference committee map, Smitherman said lawmakers did not receive important information about the Republican-backed plans, including an analysis of recent election results that he said would have shown whether Black voters would have an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice in the proposed District 2. Smitherman said it was not enough just to know the Black voting age population. I think the process on the other side was set up so that you could make sure an African American would not win it, Smitherman said. I think it was intentionally set that way. Rep. Barbara Boyd, D-Anniston, said the new District 2, with a 40% Black voting age population, does not match the district court guidance for a second majority Black district or something quite close to it. The maps that we see arent even close, much less quite close, Boyd said. A Crossville woman faces two arson charges in connection with fires in Marshall County earlier this week. Jessica Rena Baca, 35, was arrested Thursday night on first and second degree arson charges and is being held in the Marshall County Jail on $90,000, according to jail records. According to WHNT, Albertville firefighters were called to a shed reportedly ablaze on Rose Road Monday night. Police said Baca was in the vicinity of the fire and observed near the fire departments equipment by witnesses. She was taken from the scene and dropped at a different location, police said. Later that evening, around 11:45 p.m., she was spotted at a residential fire on Goodwin Road. Officers, believing she was impaired, arrested her. Police say she later confessed to setting both fires. A cyber attack on the government computer system in George County, Miss., is a cautionary tale for all other small town and rural government agencies, a county official said this week. The attacks began, unknown to officials until after the fact, last Friday, when numerous test attacks on the countys systems began, according to Communications Director Ken Flanagan. Saturday, what IT professionals labeled a brute force attack began on all entry points into the countys system. At some point Sunday, an employee received an email and clicked on an enclosed link. The email itself was extremely professional looking, Flanagan said. It looked like a legitimate time to update your system email. It was spot on with graphics, color schemes, font, the whole bit. Once the ransomware entered the county system, it made its way up what Flanagan described as the administrative food chain until it gained access to one of the countys three servers. Once it was inside the server, it was game over, he said. The hackers demanded payment to remove the software encryption, with payment in the form of cryptocurrency. Flanagan said Homeland Security investigators have told them to not disclose the amount, but Flanagan did say it was a noteworthy amount. Our board of supervisors were against (paying) just on principle, he said, but once we found the amount, it ended all discussion. Flanagan said they and investigators believe the hackers thought George County was a much larger government entity, based on the amount they were seeking, rather than the rural county of less than 25,000 residents. George County supervisors declared a local emergency (not be to confused with a state of emergency), which allowed them to immediately contract with IT professionals rather than go through the normal state-required bidding process. It wed have had to go get three quotes and go through that whole process, itd have been a disaster, Flanagan said. As it was, the entire county system was shut down for more than two days, with officials at one point having to refresh themselves on how to do the proper accounting to issue handwritten, paper checks for payroll, which was due Friday. By Wednesday, however, they had turned a corner, according to Flanagan, with one of the three servers restored and another partially restored by Thursday. According to Verizons Data Breach Investigations Report, ransomware comprises 24% of all security breaches. In 2020, nearly 2,500 governments, healthcare facilities and schools in the U.S. were affected by ransomware. Earlier this year, Jefferson County schools were victims of a ransomware attack, with Alabama officials saying such attacks on schools were on the rise. Brett Callow, a threat analyst at cybersecurity firm Emsisoft, told The Washington Post local governments are often viewed by hackers as having inadequate security systems. Most ransomware attacks are spray-and-pay in nature, and those hit are the ones with the weakest systems, Callow said. Local governments seem to have the weakest systems. Flanagan said Homeland Security and FBI investigators said there have been similar attacks on healthcare systems and school districts in this area. The investigators have also said the perpetrators are a foreign entity, but as yet have not fully identified them. This is a cautionary tale to every county, municipality, school district, everyone out there, you have to remind your employees to be so diligent on these emails that come in, Flanagan said. No matter how good (emails) look, they need to double and triple check to ensure the legitimacy before they click on any link. Flanagan noted all of the countys tax and payroll data is stored on an internal network which cannot be accessed from outside. In addition, no residents were affected, he said. Under guidance from a federal court to create a second majority Black congressional district or something quite close to it, the Alabama Legislature will try on Friday to approve a new district map. During a special session that started Monday, the House of Representatives and the Senate have passed two maps. One of those, or a new version, will have to win final approval Friday to meet the deadline set by the court. Democrats oppose the plans that the Republican majority has approved. Neither would create a second majority Black district. Both would leave District 7, which is mostly in west Alabama, as the only majority Black district out of seven in a state where one-fourth of residents are Black. District 7 is represented by Congresswoman Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham. The House passed a plan by Speaker Pro Tem Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, that would raise the Black voting age population in District 2 from 30% to 42%. The Senate passed a plan by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, that would increase the Black voting age population in District 2 to 38%. District 2 is represented by Congressman Barry Moore, R-Enterprise. Pringle and Livingston say their plan would comply with the courts order and fix a likely violation of the Voting Rights Act by creating a second district where Black voters would have an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice. Democrats oppose the plans and say they do not achieve what the court ordered. In June, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a ruling by a three-judge federal district court, which found that Alabamas current map most likely violates the Voting Rights Act. The district court said the Voting Rights Act does not guarantee Blacks a district map proportional to their share of the states population. But the judges, including two President Trump appointees, said the Black population in Alabama is large enough and geographically compact enough to draw a reasonably configured second Black district. They said considering other factors, including the racially polarization of voting in Alabama, Black voters have less of an opportunity than others to elect a candidate of their choice, which violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Pringle is presenting his bill again on the House floor Friday morning. The first Democrat to speak was Rep. Sam Jones, D-Mobile, who took note of the language in the court order. Theres a difference between close and quite close, Jones said, and walked over to stand near Pringle to emphasize his point. The standard was quite close, not just close, Jones said. Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, said the Supreme Court ruling gave the state a chance to make history and embrace a map that follows the Supreme Court order and correct the voting rights violation. Instead, what we decided to do was the opposite, England said. England a sponsored a bill for a map developed by the plaintiffs whose arguments that the current map violates the Voting Rights Act prevailed at the Supreme Court. It would create a second majority Black district by raising the Black voting age population in District 2 to slightly more than 50%. But Republicans have rejected that plan. England urged the House not to continue what he said Alabama has done for a hundred years. That is us thumbing our nose at the federal courts or the federal government and they end up making us do what we should have done in the first place, England said. Rep. Phillip Ensler, D-Montgomery, asked Pringle why not approve a map that is majority Black or closer to it than the 42% in Pringles map. Why even risk having a court saying we got it wrong? Ensler said. Pringle said again that he believes his map makes the 2nd District an opportunity district for Black voters. Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Livingston, said Republican-backed plans ignore the courts order. We are going be be very blind to the reality of the federal court asking us to do the right thing, asking us to do those things that are fair, McCampbell said. Instead, we are going to be barreling down the road that Alabama usually does and have to be told what to do. After almost two hours of discussion Friday morning, the House passed Pringles map again on a party line vote of 76-27. The Senate then voted 30-0 to send the plan to a conference committee, which will attempt to come up with a map that both chambers can approve. The Alabama Legislatures effort to approve a new congressional map has moved to a conference committee of three senators and three representatives. Friday is the deadline for lawmakers to approve a new map. The House and Senate have passed different maps, both backed by Republicans, who hold three-fourths of the seats, and opposed by Democrats. Friday morning, the House sent its version back to the Senate, which voted 30-0 not to concur and send the bill to a conference committee. The House then agreed to appoint a conference committee. The six lawmakers on the committee, four Republicans and two Democrats, will attempt to develop a compromise that can win approval in both chambers. On June 8, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a district court ruling that Alabamas current 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. The district court, made up of three judges, two appointed by President Trump, said that to fix the likely voting rights violation the Legislature would need to add a second majority Black district or or something quite close to it. The plans approved by the House and Senate leave District 7 as the states only majority Black congressional district. The plan that passed the House, by Speaker Pro Tem Chris Pringle, R-Mobile, redraws District 2 to increase the Black voting age population from 30% to 42%. The plan that passed the Senate, by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, increases the Black voting age population in District 2 from 30% to 38%. District 2, which covers southeast Alabama, is represented by Congressman Barry Moore, R-Enterprise. Pringle and Livingston said their maps follow the court order because they make District 2 a district where Black voters would have an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice. Democrats dispute that and said the Republican majority is defying the court. I understand I dont control the narrative, said Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro, the lead plaintiff in one of the lawsuits challenging the current map. Im just asking for those that do control the narrative to do the right thing. Democrats have proposed alternative plans but the Republican majority has rejected those. A suspect has been charged in the slaying of a man whose body was found in a wooded area in Jasper nearly two weeks ago. Jasper police Chief J.C. Poe on Friday announced the arrest of 22-year-old Jamorron Davion Clay. He is charged with murder in the shooting death of Brandon Marquez Porter, 24. Porters body was found July 9 behind Taco Loco Mexican Grill near the 1100 block of Highway 78 W on July 9. Porters body was sent July 10 to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science in Huntsville for an autopsy. Once authorities identified Porter, the chief said, The investigators worked tirelessly to find out how he died and who committed this murder. Detectives received tips from the community, which Poe said he greatly appreciated. They also interviewed dozens of people and carried out several search warrants. Clay was identified as a suspect and taken into custody by the police departments narcotics investigators. He was initially held on an unrelated failure to appear warrant. Poe said Friday investigators determined Porter had been shot. He believes they have recovered the murder weapon. The chief said they believe Porter was killed on July 4. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the case was asked to call Jasper police at 205-221-2121 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Muscogee Creek Nation renewed its legal fight against the Poarch Creek Band of Indians on Friday with a federal appeal alleging the tribe, along with Auburn University, improperly removed graves from a sacred site to build a casino in Alabama. The tribal nation alleges that the construction of the Wind Creek Casino and Resort in Wetumpka occurred at Hickory Ground, a sacred site and capital when federal troops forced the Creeks out of Alabama. Workers removed 57 sets of human remains and the artifacts buried with them and stored some of them in containers without proper ventilation or temperature control, according to a lawsuit the Muscogee Nation filed in 2019. A federal judge threw out the lawsuit in 2021. Today the Muscogee Nation asked the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta to reinstate the case against the Poarch Creek, Auburn University and several federal officials. The Alabama-based Poarch Creek tribe failed to meet its obligation to ancestors of the Muscogee Creek Nation, said David Hill, the Muscogee Creek Nations principal chief in a letter sent last month to Stephanie Bryan, the Poarch Creek tribal chair. You made a promise to protect these lands and the MCN ancestors who remain there, the letter said. A promise that was broken when you removed our ancestors, stored them in boxes, and sent them off to a university to be studied by non-Indian archeologists. Some, still today, sit in a storage facility on site. You have yet to do right by them. Alabama is the ancestral home of the Creek nation and Hickory Ground is one of its most important sites. It was the tribes last capital before removal on the Trail of Tears, a brutal march to Oklahoma that claimed countless lives. The mekko, or chief, of Hickory Ground relocated the settlement to Oklahoma. Members of the tribe marched more than 800 miles to the new location, according to the appeal. Although violently and forcibly removed from the sacred ground where they held ceremony since time immemorial, the modern-day members of Hickory Ground have kept the traditions, culture, and ceremonies of their Muscogee ancestors alive at the present-day Hickory Ground on the Muscogee Reservation in Oklahoma, the appeal said. The dispute between Muscogee Creek Nation and Poarch Band has been simmering for decades. When the Alabama tribe first built a bingo hall on the site in 2001, it unearthed remains and funerary objects. Archaeologists from Auburn University surveyed the site and helped store and remove some of the ancestors and objects, according to the complaint. A spokesperson from Auburn University said they had no comment on the appeal. Muscogee Creek Nation objected to plans to study and rebury the remains at another location. The appeal includes allegations that Auburn University violated the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, which requires federally funded museums and universities to return ancestors and items buried with them to their descendants. According to court documents filed in 2020, the Muscogee Creek believe that burial grounds are sacred and should not be disturbed. Hickory Ground Mekko George Thompson is the named plaintiff in the lawsuit. Four or five years ago, had an uncle that passed, Thompson said in response to emailed questions from AL.com. And he even told me that his grandpa was buried at Hickory Ground. So that means, we have a close connection there. In court documents, Muscogee Creek have alleged that Poarch Band Creek Indians do not have a direct connection to Hickory Ground and instead originate from land further south, near Atmore. Thats where our people came from, Thompson said. That was our aboriginal homeland. And growing up, our younger people, know that desecration or digging up a burial site is not the thing to do. Our tribal towns make up the Muscogee Nation. And thats where we came from. The appeal seeks to stop further development of the land that is part of Hickory Ground and to have the Wind Creek Casino torn down. It also seeks to have remains returned to Muscogee Creek Nation. Although the Trail of Tears separated Mekko Thompson and the members of Hickory Ground Tribal Town from the final resting place of their relatives, the protection and preservation of the original Hickory Ground site remains of paramount importance to their spirituality, religion, and general mental health and well-being, the appeal said. Hickory Ground was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The Poarch Creek Band of Indians acquired the land the same year, in part with federal preservation grant funds, according to the appeal. In 1999, the Poarch Creek requested that the National Park Service delegate its preservation duties to the tribe and soon began planning to build a bingo hall that later expanded into Wind Creek Casino. Muscogee Creek Nation first filed a lawsuit in 2012, but officials told the two parties to work out a compromise. That failed and the lawsuit resumed in 2019. The federal government refused to do its job and allowed Poarch to use federal funds to violate federal law, said Mary Kathryn Nagle, an attorney representing the Muscogee Creek Nation. Likewise, MCN asked Poarch to abide its promises to protect Hickory Ground. But Poarch, and Auburn University, refused to listen, and instead chose to engage in conduct that violates federal law and continues to cause serious, ongoing harm today to one of the most sacred and historic sites in the United States. U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson dismissed the lawsuit in 2021. The Poarch Creek Band of Indians have qualified immunity because they are federally recognized tribe that cannot be sued for developing their land, according to his opinion. Robert Miller, an expert on Indian Law at Arizona State University College of Law, said civil law offers broad protections against lawsuits for tribal governments. Thompson ruled that sovereign immunity applied in this case. Muscogee Creek Nation has argued that immunity doesnt apply because Poarch Creek violated the National Historic Preservation Act. We fight for so many things, its just troubling when tribes fight among each other, Miller said. Poarch leaders could not be immediately reached for comment. Stephanie Bryan, the Poarch Creek tribal chair, issued a statement in 2019. It deeply saddens us, as extended family to the Muscogee Nation, that they have taken this unwarranted action against us, Bryan said. We have attempted to preserve historical remains in a suitable manner. In that effort, we have had numerous conversations with the Muscogee Nation and Hickory Ground Town in an attempt to balance the historical interests with the current use of the property. We wish that as family we could have reached a mutual understanding, and we continue to hope that we can move forward together. Reporter Mike Cason contributed to this story Family and community members joined together Thursday afternoon to honor slain Birmingham firefighter Jordan Melton. Our community is mourning, said the Rev. Lawrence Jackson of Greater Grace Baptist Church in Center Point. It hurts all of us. The Carlos Chaverst Foundation held a wreath laying ceremony outside Birmingham Fire Station 9 to pay tribute to the 29-year-old Melton who died Monday, five days after he and Firefighter Jamal Jones were shot shortly after they went on duty. Jones remain hospitalized with serious injures. Firefighter Jordan Melton, a true exemplar of courage and commitment, dedicated his life to protecting the citizens of Birmingham, Chaverst said. His unwavering resolve and tireless efforts in the face of danger touched the lives of countless individuals and made a significant impact on the community he served. Jamel Martin, Meltons first cousin, said the young firefighter just about a month out of the academy always smiled and loved to cook. I watched him grow up. I was like his big brother, Martin said. He was a pretty good kid and came up to be a great adult as well. He really just started on this journey to being a first responder, he said. I was supporting him 100 percent. I was just proud of him. Birmingham police and Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service were called about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 12, to Station 9 at 1228 27th St. North, where the firefighters had reportedly been shot in the chest and legs. At least one caller reported hearing shots and ran to take cover in the bathroom. Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond last week said the shooter entered the fire station through the open bay door, which typically remains open to be accessible to residents who need their blood pressure checked or other help or information. The shooting happened shortly after they started their shift. The chief said at least one other firefighter was inside the station when the shooting happened. That firefighter was not injured. The early indication is that this was a targeted attack, Thurmond said. When this happened, it hurt me. It broke my heart, Martin said. Im going to miss that million-dollar smile. Meltons sister, Jessica Stephens, was among those in attendance at Thursdays ceremony. He said the family is supporting each other by talking to each other, lifting each other up with hugs and prayers, we call each other. We just lift each other up. The family is determined to get justice. The police, theyre diligently working it, he said. Theyre going to get it. Theyre going to take care of it. Meltons funeral is scheduled for Wednesday. No arrests have been made. As of Thursday afternoon, there was $41,000 in reward money for information leading investigators to the suspect. That money has come from Gov. Kay Ivey, Crime Stoppers of Metro Alabama, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and former U.S. Attorney Jay Town. Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham police, 205-254-1764, Crime Stoppers, 205-254-7777, the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-877-WANTED-2 or ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS. Tips may also be submitted via the USMS Tips App. A former employee at a minimum custody state facility was indicted last month for allegedly having sexual conduct with an inmate and an ethics charge related to the behavior, according to court records made public Wednesday. Melissa Olson Crabtree, a 54-year-old Harvest resident who worked at the Alabama Department of Corrections North Alabama Community-Based Facility/Community Work Center in Decatur, was indicted by a Lawrence County grand jury on June 16 with custodial sexual conduct and soliciting/receiving a thing of value as a public official for allegedly helping the inmate become a driver to facilitate the conduct. The facilitys inmates participate in work release programs, and the building also offers drug treatment programs. The alleged incident occurred Dec. 17, 2019 near Moulton, according to the indictment, which was made public Wednesday. On Monday, ADOCs Law Enforcement Division arrested Crabtree, the agency told WHNT. Crabtree was being held in the Lawrence County jail on $45,000 bond. The Madison County Commission approved $1.75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for three Huntsville organizations at its meeting on Wednesday. Wellstone Inc. will receive $1 million. Fantasy Childrens Playhouse Theater will receive $500,000 and the Huntsville Museum of Art will receive $250,000, County Attorney Jeff Rich said. All three are items that we discussed back in 2021, District 6 County Commissioner Violet Edwards said. These are not new appropriations. We said that we were going to do it several years ago, and we are following through on things that we had discussed two years ago. Rich said Wellstones funding will be used to provide behavioral health services for Madison County and north Alabama residents. If you look at the ARPA 2 guidance, a lot of that guidance is for behavioral health, added Wellstone CEO Jeremy Blair. Primarily its lost income during the (COVID-19) pandemic. For us, we will use it to increase the availability of our services, especially outpatient. Blair said the facilitys numbers continue to increase month over month in terms of the number of patients being seen. Desmond Bailey, a retired Army colonel from Alabama whose unit helped capture Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and later served with the Prattville and Eclectic police departments, died suddenly on Wednesday, Eclectic police said. His colleagues described him as courageous, selfless, and fearless, the Eclectic Police Department said of Bailey, who was a corporal with the department at the time of his death. Cpl. Bailey, you will be greatly missed, the department said. Rest in peace, and may God welcome you home. We love you brother. We will take it from here. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. We will release funeral arrangements at a later date. No cause of death was released for Bailey, who was in his early 50s, according to WSFA, which first reported on his passing. Bailey, who was in the Marines before joining the Army, according to the department, served in Iraq Operations Iraqi Freedom and Spartan Shield. His Army unit helped capture Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in December 2003, and Bailey detailed the operation and his other military experiences in the 2022 book Recon 701: A story of Resiliency, Brotherhood, and Triumph, as told by the troopers of G/10 CAV The book is not a memoir of Des Bailey, he told a meeting of the Elmore County Historical Society earlier this year, according to the Wetumpka Herald. I wanted the book to be real comments and experiences from the soldiers from when we were training up to when we first learned we were going to deploy, the good times and the hard times. The capture of Saddam and what happened afterwards, to when we redeployed home dealing with PTSD, Bailey said. After retiring from the Army, Bailey served in local law enforcement -- first with the Prattville Police Department and then with the Eclectic Police Department. Sign up to get positive Black news stories, words of affirmation and weekly curated playlists delivered to your inbox twice a week: Enter your email to subscribe to Black Joy. Way before Dalaise Hickey founded the first and only Black-owned mineral sunscreen formulated for melanated babies, she was adjusting to a beauty industry that only catered to fairer skin. Like many Black people in the 80s, she just settled for wearing foundations that were either lighter or darker than her skin tone. Sometimes she would blend a few shades together to create a foundation that matched her melanin glow. Since she didnt wear makeup a lot back then, she didnt think much of it. But those feelings hit differently after she became a Connecticut mom of two. In 2021, she was struggling to find sunscreen for her then six-month-old daughter Penelope who has eczema-prone skin. Hickey knew she wanted to stay away from chemical sunscreens, which contain questionable ingredients. But the mineral sunscreen she stumbled upon left a ghostly-white cast even on her light-skinned daughter. Watching another generation of Black and brown kids struggle to get their skincare needs met frustrated Hickey. And according to research, the feeling was mutual among Black consumers who dont feel properly represented in the skin, hair and makeup aisles. While Black-owned brands like Fenty and Black Girl Sunscreen are getting on shelves, Black-owned beauty brands only make up about two percent of the industry. Hickey said corporations are willing to put more Black faces in their ads and products, but arent willing to research whether their products are safe for Black skin. So with the help of chemists, a market researcher and a Black woman mentor, Hickey decided to fill the void by developing her own sunscreen called Baby Donna in 2022. These are companies that are not owned by our own people that are now taking in the fact that we are purchasing sunscreen and trying to target us, but are they really even developing these products for us? Hickey said. Baby Donna is a sheer, broad spectrum sunscreen, meaning it protects the skin from the ultraviolet A rays (UVA) that cause aging and ultraviolet B rays (UVB) that causes skin burning. FDA-tested and dermatologist-approved brand is SPF 35 and is water resistant for 80 minutes. Hickey conducted extra testing to make sure she met the needs of melanated babies by creating a plant-derived sunscreen that would blend better on darker skin tones and was gentle on sensitive skin. The National Eczema Association states that eczema doesnt discriminate against skin color, and that Black and Hispanic children have a more severe form of the skin condition than white children. Despite this fact, Hickey and her peers were shocked that she is the first to create a brand like this specially for kids of color. Since Ive launched, Ive had a lot of not just Black people, but Latin people and customers who are Indian who are also like, Yeah, I know this didnt exist. We just accepted that we were going to have this cast, Hickey said. And I dont know what that says for us as a people, like if we just got used to having less or just got used to people not really creating things for us. Being left out of the conversation of sunscreens can be a dangerous game for those with melanated skin. Darker skin doesnt make one completely immune to ultraviolet rays, which is the main culprit for sun cancer. White skin may be 70 percent more likely to get skin cancer, but dermatologists in Detroit learned that Black patients were three times more likely to die from Melanoma than white people. Researchers found that Black patients were being diagnosed during the later-stages of cancer because doctors have less experience diagnosing skin conditions on darker skin. Which is why Hickey finds herself on two main battlegrounds when it comes to proper Black skincare: one where she wrestles with the lack of diversity and another where she is battling the idea that Black people dont need sunscreen. Its a myth Hickey grew up with and one she still finds herself demystifying often. While melanin does provide more protection from the sun than white skin, it doesnt provide complete protection. Hickey has noticed more awareness on sunscreen usage in the Black community thanks to education by Black-owned brands like Black Girl Sunscreen and social media influencers who are educating their audience about the importance of using sunscreen on the face to prevent hyperpigmentation. Hickeys own journey of routinely incorporating sunscreen started as a form of acne prevention. It may sound like a beauty tip, but sunscreen can help prevent skin irritation on the face. It benefits the overall message of the importance of sunscreen usage on Black and brown skin. Baby Donna gives parents the opportunity to start a sunscreen routine early in their lives, Hickey said. Parents should also add more protection by making sure their childs head is covered and to reapply the sunscreen every two hours. As for adults, no matter if youre basking in the sunshine, dealing with overcast skies or chilling inside, sunscreen should be a regular part of your routine. Hickey said sunscreen with a SPF of 30 should be enough for darker shades because it blocks 97 percent of UVB rays, which is one percent less than sunscreens with SPF 50. I wear sunscreen every day, even if Im inside all day, Hickey said. Unless you are in a windowless box all day, there is still light coming in. So its better to be safe than sorry. Creating a sunscreen brand isnt the only way Hickey is helping out the kids. Baby Donna donates five percent of its proceeds to nonprofits that assist youth caught in the throes of both the foster care and the juvenile justice systems. During her more than 15 years as a social worker, Hickey witnessed how family courts and the legal system play in the face of Black families. Black families are overrepresented in child welfare cases due to racism and are often left with little to no resources to better their situations, Hickey said. When it came to the few white families that came through the family court system, their children dont get taken from them. Systems will work with them to keep them in the house, she said. And then with juvenile delinquent cases, a lot of it is poverty. Its not even really safety issues. Families are coming in because they didnt have food or a home. When it comes to these cases,most judges like to see teens connected with a mentor or have a job, but Hickey said a lot of nonprofits dont have the fundraising capacity to help so many youth at once. Baby Donna has also sponsored a few beehives with the Huneebee Project. The nonprofit, started by a clinical social worker and beekeeper, gives youth an opportunity to heal their trauma through the therapeutic benefits of beekeeping. Hickey has also donated sunscreen sticks to the Rare O Project, which helps teen moms. Hickey believes Black businesses can play a role in disintegrating the systems tearing Black and brown families apart. Larger companies are not looking at how to help our communities. So we really have to be the leaders in showing them that this is an important mission for a company and ensuring our communities that they are important to us, Hickey said. I think what happens is, even when companies do try and give back, they come in and say, OK, this is how were gonna help you. What I really want to try and do is to align myself with communities. So Allow them to be the voice and say what can be helpful to them. This adds to the social justice mission of Baby Donna. Whether shes in the skincare industry or in the family court system, Hickey wants to make her message loud and clear: We matter. And our children matter. English News China's H1 foreign trade hits record high Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 20 Juillet 2023 The release of the RCEP's market potential will forcefully promote the free flow of production factors in the region and gradually shape a more prosperous integrated regional market, which opens new space for enterprises to expand international industrial cooperation, as well as economic and trade exchanges. By Du Haitao, People's Daily China's total goods imports and exports expanded 2.1 percent year-on-year to 20.1 trillion yuan (about $2.81 trillion), according to the General Administration of Customs (GAC). It marked the first time for China's trade in goods to exceed 20 trillion yuan in the January-June period. In particular, exports grew 3.7 percent year-on-year to 11.46 trillion yuan. GAC spokesperson Lyu Daliang said that facing a complicated external environment, China adhered to the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability, steadily promoted high-quality development, and saw stable economic recovery and sustained growth. In the first half of this year, China's foreign trade has made breakthroughs with better structure, showcasing strong resilience, he said. Imports and exports kept stable with improved quality, which met expectations. Noting the sluggish global economic recovery, the contractionary policies adopted by major developed economies, as well as various factors increasing market instability and uncertainty, Lyu said China's foreign trade has withstood challenges, maintained its scale and improved its quality in the first six months this year. Foreign trade entities demonstrated obviously stronger vitality. China had 540,000 foreign trade companies with export and import records in the first half of this year, up 6.9 percent year-on-year. The general trade, which involves longer industrial chains and higher added value, recorded a higher growth rate than the foreign trade in total. The value of general trade accounted for 65.5 percent of the country's total, up 1.2 percentage points. This indicated the country's steady improvement in its capability of independent trade development. Despite the pressure faced by the foreign trade sector, China vigorously expanded emerging markets, built high-level opening up platforms and fostered advantageous industries, continuously building new impetus. The imports and exports via the country's pilot free trade zones and Hainan Free Trade Port grew 8.6 percent and 26.4 percent, respectively. The total export value of China's three major tech-intensive green products - solar batteries, lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles - soared 61.6 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2023. Together they contributed 1.8 percentage points to the overall export growth during the same period, driving the country's green industry. Since this year, the GAC has kept implementing the measures launched in 2022 to stabilize foreign trade. Last month, it adopted 16 measures to further optimize the business environment. According to preliminary customs statistics, China's cross-border e-commerce maintained good momentum and grew rapidly in the first half of 2023, with imports and exports jumping 16 percent year-on-year to 1.1 trillion yuan in total. China has constantly expanded its circle of friends in foreign trade and further diversified the market. In the January-June period, its foreign trade with the ASEAN, Latin America, Africa and Central Asian countries increased 5.4 percent, 7 percent, 10.5 percent and 35.6 percent, respectively, all higher than the overall foreign trade growth. China's trade with other Belt and Road countries totaled 6.89 trillion yuan in the first half of 2023, up 9.8 percent year-on-year. In particular, China's exports of auto parts, lithium-ion batteries, as well as parts of automatic data processing machines to these countries increased 39.3 percent, 34.3 percent and 28.9 percent, respectively. During the same period, China's imports of energy and agricultural products from its Belt and Road partners also grew 5.7 percent and 17.9 percent, respectively. In the first six months, China's trade with other Belt and Road countries via railway jumped 23.8 percent, maintaining double-digit growth for 12 consecutive months. Such transportation via roads surged 63.3 percent, with a growth rate of over 30 percent for five months in a row. Over the same period, the trade between China and the ASEAN went up 5.4 percent year-on-year to reach 3.08 trillion yuan, accounting for 15.3 percent of China's total imports and exports. In particular, China imported 125.08 billion yuan of agricultural products from the ASEAN, up 7.5 percent, higher than the overall growth of China's imports from the ASEAN by 6.4 percentage points. Fruit imports stood at 40.54 billion yuan, up 24.1 percent, and palm oil imports hit 10.91 billion yuan with an increase of 120.5 percent. In the first half of 2023, China's trade with other 14 members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) reached 6.1 trillion yuan, up 1.5 percent year-on-year and contributing over 20 percent to China's foreign trade growth. The release of the RCEP's market potential will forcefully promote the free flow of production factors in the region and gradually shape a more prosperous integrated regional market, which opens new space for enterprises to expand international industrial cooperation, as well as economic and trade exchanges. In the first six months of 2023, China exported 1.72 trillion yuan of intermediate goods to other RCEP countries, accounting for 54.4 percent of the country's total exports to those economies. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Smearing Chinese-foreign port cooperation is creating barriers for common development 31st FISU Games activates new momentum for Chengdu's development 3D-printed figurines chased after by athletes at Chengdu Universiade Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News World's first desert rail loop injects vitality in southern Xinjiang's economic, social development Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 21 Juillet 2023 Apart from manual inspection, big data technology is also applied to ensure the stable operation of the desert rail loop line. For example, with the help of track geometry cars, as well as vehicle-mounted circuit checkers that collects gauge width and height, targeted maintenance can be carried out. By Jiang Yunlong, Li Ya'nan, People's Daily There's a 2,712km railway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. It crosses desert, the Gobi, and no man's land and stretches in scorching heat, sand storms and extreme coldness. It connects multiple places in five prefectures in southern Xinjiang and serves millions of people of various ethnic groups. Because of it, many remote cities have had access to railway services for the first time. It is the rail loop line that encircles the Taklamakan, China's largest desert. As the world's first desert rail loop line, the railway was completed after the new Hotan-Ruoqiang rail line was linked with the Ruoqiang-Korla section of the Golmud-Korla railway line, and the Korla-Kashgar and Kashgar-Hotan sections of the southern Xinjiang rail line in June last year. "It was totally impossible to get cargos to Tibet in three days," said Huang Wei, general manager of a coal mining company in Xinjiang, adding that it took over 10 days before the Golmud-Korla railway line was put into service. Now, the loop line has further facilitated transportation, which helps broaden the sales channel of his products, the man added. The Golmud-Korla railway line is an important part of the loop line encircling the Taklamakan. It handles over 95 percent of the cargos in southern Xinjiang. From a line that connects Qinghai province and Tibet autonomous region, it has grown into a logistics artery that links Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces and contributes to the economic development of west China. Today, carpets from Hotan, plums from Kashgar and apples from Aksu are being sent to various parts of China with a much faster speed. According to statistics, since the loop line was put into operation, freight transport centers in Korla and Kashgar has shipped nearly 33.5 million tons of cargos. The loop line has for the first time brought railway services to Lop, Qira, Yutian, Minfeng, Qiemo and other places in southern Xinjiang, facilitating local residents of various ethnic groups. It is learned that the Hotan-Ruoqiang rail line has witnessed more than 360,000 passenger trips in the past year, and trains were kept full almost every day. At around 1:00 pm, Train 5818 was about to depart from Hotan. Attendant Mihray Mesawur retracted a bridge plate after receiving the order of departure and closed the door of a car. As the train blew its whistle, buildings outside the window started moving backwards and were gradually replaced by desert. Mihray Mesawur was born in Qira county, Hotan. Before the Hotan-Ruoqiang rail line was put into operation, the county had no access to railway. The woman said that she had to spend 2 hours on bus and then take the train to go to work in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang. "Now I can go to the city by taking Train 5818," she noted. Tursuntohti Aminniyaz told People's Daily that it was the first time for him to take a train. "I'm going to Urumqi first and then Savan county. I have relatives there who told me I could probably get a decent job there," he said. When the train passed Yutian, it was all desert outside the windows. However, there were grass grids and a green corridor about tens of meters wide along the tracks. According to a railway worker, the greenery was designed to protect the railway from sandstorms. The grass grids cover an area of 50 million square meters along the Hotan-Ruoqiang rail line, which is also lined with 7,600 hectares of artificial trees. This effectively protects the railway and improves the ecology on both sides of the railway. Train 5818 arrived at the Minfeng railway station at 4:58 pm. About 186km of the 264km section north from the station was located in desert. That's why passengers always feel there are fine sands in their mouths. The number of days with sandstorms exceeds 200 each year there, said Zhong Dingjun, a chief engineer in Kashgar, adding that the high roadbeds, long and high bridges, as well as high tunnels were all built to make way for sand in case it buries the tracks. Apart from manual inspection, big data technology is also applied to ensure the stable operation of the desert rail loop line. For example, with the help of track geometry cars, as well as vehicle-mounted circuit checkers that collects gauge width and height, targeted maintenance can be carried out. "They can find out a variation as small as 5mm in track height," said Zhong. The desert rail loop line is injecting vitality into the economic and social development in southern Xinjiang, carrying the aspiration of the people along its route for a better life. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Smearing Chinese-foreign port cooperation is creating barriers for common development 31st FISU Games activates new momentum for Chengdu's development 3D-printed figurines chased after by athletes at Chengdu Universiade Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) Since the Floyd riots of 2020, the Left has promoted Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs as must-have credentials for woke corporations eager to show concern for marginalized minorities. DEI is marketed as a way to address racial discrimination in the corporate world with affirmative-action hiring practices. The programs also include LGBTQ+ identifiers, feminists, and any others claiming victimhood. Thus, DEI has been all the rage for the last few years as major companies scrambled to hire DEI officers for their workforce and boards of directors. Abandoning Ship The rage is now over. DEI. is still around, but it has lost its luster. When liberal programs lose their luster, it usually means its time to move on to the next great acronym. Even the wokest corporations are abandoning the DEI ship in the face of growing disenchantment and backlash. Droves of DEI executives, once prized as oracles, find themselves unemployed and deplatformed. Everyone is playing the blame game. Corporate executives are expressing concern about the worth of agenda-driven programs with little to show for billions of dollars invested. On their part, ungrateful DEI directors are questioning corporate Americas commitment to the cause in the first place. The Honeymoon Is Over No one doubts the honeymoon is over. The recent high-profile exits of several star diversity executives at Disney, Netflix, and Warner Brothers Discovery highlighted the DEI crisis. They either resigned or were let go. Since mid-2022, high-tech and larger corporate firms have laid off many DEI officers. Government agencies have likewise jumped on the anti-DEI bandwagon as they pivot to more color-blind alternatives that reward merit, not identity. Martin Brown, chief diversity officer for the Commonwealth of Virginia, opined, DEI is dead. The inclusion officer for Gov. Glenn Youngkin made this statement in a recent speech to the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). An Imposed Agenda There are three reasons why DEI might die. The first is that Americans are reevaluating the programs. As more challenging times hit corporate America, its leaders are taking a second look at inclusion initiatives. They are not finding the expected results. Thus, the process of reorganizing, rethinking, and restructuring has led to more DEI layoffs than in other fields. Both leaders and employees are also taking a harder look at the agenda behind the programs that go beyond the workings and needs of the average American corporation. It is easy to see how DEI melds well with Critical Race Theory (CRT), gender ideology, pronoun tyranny, and all things woke. Many Americans generally resent the intense pressure used to force these programs on the population, schools, and business communities. The corrosive ideas tend to create and increase Marxist-style class struggle between imagined oppressors and oppressed. Others complain that DEI standards are subjective and arbitrary and do not translate into what is needed in their businesses and the nation. Welcome to the Culture War The second reason is a powerful backlash to the woke agenda everywhere that spills into the corporate world. Thus, DEI has entered into the thick of the culture war. The catchy little acronym makes a perfect target. Indeed, conservatives have denounced its ploy of creating conflict. They point out that CRT has nothing to do with ROI (Return on Investment). They have protested these issues, and their protests have worked. This discontent has translated into government actions against DEI in many states. DEI faces opposition in higher education as Florida governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation prohibiting public colleges and universities from funding DEI initiatives. Several other states have anti-DEI legislation working its way to approval, including Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. The End of Affirmative Action Finally, the Supreme Courts decision to end affirmative action in college admissions has made DEI a target inside business. Executives, seeing the handwriting on the wall, perceive the flaws of DEI as similar to those of affirmative action. It is only a matter of time before someone challenges arbitrary hiring practices. Commonsense executives want out of the business of social engineering to concentrate on ideology-free goods and services. Conservatives claim affirmative action has elevated victimhood over achievement. It sets into motion equality of outcome and not opportunity. Liberal insistence on quotas favors identity over merit. The courts decision allows America to return to merit as a key to increasing national prosperity. Indeed, a group of 13 state attorneys general issued a letter to Fortune 100 firms warning them against race-based prejudice in hiring, promotion, and contracting in light of the Supreme Court decision. Such controversy will have a major effect on the future of DEI. Graduates Without Employment The DEI crisis signals a major failure of the Left. It comes at a time when American universities are sending out a massive new crop of graduates with degrees catering to DEI employment. Unfortunately for them, many will find the field crowded by ex-diversity officers writing bitter op-eds about why corporate execs are pulling the plug on DEI. Thus, DEI might die, but also resurrect. A disgruntled Left will have to find another way to repackage the same rejected ideology. Some DEI. executives are already calling for dropping the toxic acronym but not the agenda. Meanwhile, its unemployed executives might spend their time testing new names. Image: Ted Eytan On September 16, 1975, Senator Frank Church (D-ID) opened the first public hearing of the Senate Select Committee to Study Government Operations [the Church Committee] in the ornate Senate Caucus Room in the Russell Senate Office Building, the storied site of the Watergate hearings and the inquiry into the Pearl Harbor attacks. As two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner James Risen has noted in his 2023 bestselling book, The Last Honest Man, Frank Church and his committee took on the CIA, the FBI, and the NSA, and succeeded in bringing them under the rule of law for the first time. The Durham reports conclusion that the 2017-2019 Mueller Russian collusion investigation was seriously flawed understates the degree to which, in the intervening 40-plus, the Department of Justice has politicized justice. The DOJ created the code-named Operation Crossfire Hurricane as an FBI counterintelligence operation, not a criminal investigation, to allow FBI agents to work with the CIA, NSA, and foreign intelligence officers to dethrone the Trump presidency. Today, our law enforcement and intelligence operations are intertwined in their joint conviction that woke neo-Marxist policies take precedence over traditional American values. We should no longer be surprised by seeing the FBI take a knee to Black Lives Matter or the CIA developing a WELCO-ME! theme for Pride Month 2023. Departments of Injustice by Andrea Widburg On July 17, 2023, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) threatened to hold FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt if he refuses to comply with two subpoenas dealing with FBI targeting of concerned parents and Catholics. In a pointed letter, Jordan noted that of particular interest was the FBIs weaponization of its law enforcement powers against Americans who exercise their First Amendment rights. In October 2021, the FBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ) formed a joint task force to use the Patriot Act to investigate as domestic terrorists those parents who spoke up at school board meetings about their districts woke policies. In February 2023, an intelligence analyst within the Richmond Field Office of the FBI released an intelligence document targeting Radically-Traditionalist Catholics (RTC) as a white supremacy threat for their preference for the Latin Mass, based on information developed by the radically leftist Southern Poverty Law Center. On July 18, 2023, former President Donald J. Trump released a statement announcing that he had received a letter from Special Counsel Jack Smith notifying Trump that he is now a target of the January 6 Grand Jury Investigation and giving him four days to report to the Grand Jury. Trump stated that this almost always means an arrest and indictment. A January 6 indictment would be Trumps third in the Biden administrations blatant determination to imprison Bidens leading political opponent in the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Meanwhile, Attorney General Garland has relegated the Biden family crime investigation to the FBIs office in Wilmington, Delaware. The Church Committees most relevant expose of the weaponization of the FBI and the merging of law enforcement with intelligence activities came from its investigation into the FBIs counterintelligence program, code-named COINTELLPRO. COINTELLPRO was a DOJ program designed to neutralize individuals deemed threats to national security. The Church Committee established that, under this program, the FBIs tactics included anonymously attacking targets political beliefs to induce their employees to fire them; anonymously mailing letters to spouses of intelligence targets to destroy their marriages; obtaining from the IRS a targets tax returns and then attempting to provoke an IRS investigation; falsely naming as government informants members of dissenting groups to have the group expel the falsely named member; and using misinformation to disrupt demonstrations. (Final Report of the Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities, U.S. Senate, Book II, Intelligence Activities and the Rights of Americans [Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1976], p. 11.) The same report showed that the FBI had concluded that Martin Luther Kings I Have a Dream speech at the August 1963 March on Washington was a demagogic speech that established Dr. King as the most dangerous and effective Negro leader in the country. The FBI gathered information about Dr. Kings plans and activities through an extensive surveillance program, employing every intelligence-gathering technique at the Bureaus disposal to obtain information about the private activities of Dr. King and his advisors to completely discredit them. The FBI mailed Dr. King a tape recording from microphones in his hotel rooms to destroy his marriage. A note accompanied the tape, which Dr. King and his advisors interpreted as threatening to release the tape recording unless Dr. King committed suicide. The Church Committee concluded: In early 1968, Bureau headquarters explained to the field that Dr. King must be destroyed because he was seen as a potential messiah who could unify and electrify the black nationalist movement. Indeed, to the FBI, he was a potential threat because he might abandon his supposed obedience to white liberal doctrines (non-violence). In short, a non-violent man was to be secretly attacked and destroyed as an insurance policy against his abandoning non-violence. Ironically, J. Edgar Hoovers FBI in the 1960s saw Dr. Kings equal rights movement as subversive, while the DOJ under Merrick Garland and the FBI under Christopher Wray sees Christians and parents protecting children in school from woke sexuality as subversive. When we criminalize politics, we invite law enforcement to define crime ideologically. When we weaponize the First Amendment, we allow intelligence gathering to see truth-tellers as domestic terrorists. With technology today empowering totalitarian surveillance on a scale never before imaginable, we are well advised to remember a note that President Truman wrote longhand on May 12, 1945: We want no Gestapo or Secret Police. FBI is tending in that direction. Since 2004, Jerome R. Corsi has published over 30 books on economics, history, and politics, including two #1 New York Times bestsellers. In 1972, he received his Ph.D. from the Department of Government at Harvard University. His doctoral dissertation in 1972 was entitled Prior Restraint, Prior Punishment, and Political Dissent: A Moral and Legal Evaluation. His book, Volume I, in his Great Awakening Trilogy, The Truth About Energy, Global Warming, and Climate Change: Exposing Climate Lies in an Age of Disinformation, received highly positive reviews from prominent climate scientists. Volume II, The Truth About Neo-Marxism, Cultural Maoism, and Anarchy: Exposing Woke Insanity in an Age of Disinformation, is scheduled for publication on November 14, 2023. Dr. Corsi has resumed podcasting on his new website TheTruthCentral.com, which is now on the Internet in its first development phase. Is there anything Joe Biden and his greenie paymasters won't try to take away from us? Issues & Insights has found a doozy of a new item they're targeting for taking away from us -- gas-powered generators, which are used in the event of blackouts: When the power goes out, most of us just have to wait until its restored to get back to our normal lives. In the meantime, as we wander through a dark house flipping useless switches out of habit, we make sure we dont open the refrigerator and we put off anything we had planned that requires us to burn electricity. The more-prepared among us, though, buy fossil-fuel-powered generators to avoid interruptions Their future, though, is in doubt. The Biden administration wants those generators to go the way of the incandescent light bulb. Just months after a Biden-appointed regulator teased a ban on gas stoves, the administration is working to enact a rule that would prohibit the manufacturing of nearly all portable gas generators on the U.S. market, the Washington Free Beacon reported earlier this week. The legality of this is amazingly questionable. They're literally ruling by "rules" to enact vast declines in our standard of living, taking away our freedom of what we can buy for our basic energy needs because of global warming. It's bee ess. In places such as California, the grid has been so battered by greenie requirements for energy production blackouts are expected and inevitable. The Los Angeles Times has even put out a piece for its establishment buddies, with this lede: Whats more important: Keeping the lights on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, or solving the climate crisis? Naturally, their activist-writer goes back and forth but eventually seems to ask what's a few blackouts to end global warming (which these green energy mandates won't do): After reporting on clean energy for most of the last decade, Ive increasingly come to the conclusion that solving climate change will require sacrifices even if only small ones for the sake of the greater good. Those might include lifestyle changes such as driving less or eating less meat. They might also include accepting that large-scale solar farms will destroy some wildlife habitat, and that rooftop solar panels despite their higher costs have an important role to play in cleaning up the grid. Maybe learning to live with more power outages shouldnt be one of those sacrifices. But at the same time, we might not have a choice. These aren't small sacrifices. These are moving the U.S. to the energy reliability of Venezuela or eastern Nigeria. Generators, in particular, are a bad one to target as they are used in emergencies, that's right, emergencies, and as emergencies, that means people die if they don't have them. That could be the electricity needed to power a life-saving medical device, or the electricity to keep a resident from baking in his own home during a heat wave or freezing to death in some mountain redoubt during a snow-in and Arctic-cold swoopdown. They may be the difference between food in the fridge or no food at all. But none of these factors seem to bother the Bidenites, who are already on record as wanting to take away our flush toilets, our incandescent light bulbs, our gas stoves, our meat supply and, now, our generators. What they want is for those things to be reserved for the very rich, as they are in third-world countries where elites live high on the hog, while the rest of us live like the locals do in the shantytowns of Caracas. And worse still, they want us to eat bugs to prove our virtue. It's madness, and this 'rule-making' goes way beyond making rules, to interfering with progress itself. It is a sign of a too-powerful government that has usurped the power of the people. It's time to get rid of this corrupt regime or watch people die in the heat. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License Conservatives have failed their fiduciary and political duty to stop and reverse the Administrative State growth and tyranny because they were tricked into believing that these things are necessary for a modern society. Theo Wold, Trump policy aide, now solicitor general for Idaho, in this American Greatness essay, explains the origin of the socialist Administrative State project under FDR aide James Landis. Wold asserts that Landis aggressively and massively expanded the federal government on his belief that socialism and a powerful Administrative State were the solution for modern societal problems. FDR agreed with Landis. Landis's position was that a strong Executive Branch is the solution for ineffective legislative and judicial branches. His solution was an executive agency system that made laws, regulated, and had administrative judicial processes to enforce regulations. What the tripartite branches could not coordinate among them directly, Landis believed administrative agencies could coordinate as a substitute. Landis then aimed to create administrative agencies that themselves combined the three aspects of government. Wold describes the effects of the Administrative State from his experience in the Trump administration. Bureaucrats have their own agenda. They refused to implement Trump's policies promised to the electorate whenever and wherever they could, and they could a lot, on the border wall, education, and immigration. "The idea that the federal bureaucracy is accountable to the president is a mirage." Past failures to control Administrative State growth Mr. Wold discusses failed projects to push back the Administrative State. "Landis believed the complexity of modern problems demanded the Administrative State as a solution, and by and large, even conservatives have agreed." For example, Herbert Hoover created the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) for Federal Reserve lending in 1932 that survived until 1957. The RFC, a quasi-government-sponsored financial institution, had an army of "experts" with independent authority and activities. Robert Taft, the leading Republican conservative of the time, supported the RFC. The RFC was a template for many FDR programs: the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Works Progress Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Housing Administration, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Conservatives had bought the idea promoted by Democrats creeping socialism. Mr. Wold provides us with a list and details about the failures to tame the Administrative State. The Administrative Procedure Act of 1946, details provided. The Chevron Deferense describes a Supreme Court opinion that hands power to arbitrate regulatory activity to the agencies a legislative and judicial surrender. The REINS Act of 2023 gives Congress approval authority for large expenditures but still concedes agencies' expert authority and does nothing to control the Administrative State hijacking of legislative and judicial powers. Regulatory oversight and deregulation efforts have been failures. Past Republican presidents have all failed to control Administrative State abuses. Congress has been complicit in the growth of size and strength of the Administrative State for reasons discussed. A Proper Diagnosis Mr. Wold tells us the sad fact: conservatives have failed to restrain the Administrative State because it has accepted the necessity of the powerful and unaccountable Administrative State. Wold proposes a comprehensive plan for reduction of the administrative tyranny: First, draft and pass legislation to require a universal sunset for all agency regulations. Second, repeal and reverse large portions of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883 and the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, with the imposition of term limits for bureaucrats. Third, Republicans should ban or restrict public-private partnerships in governance. The plan requires preparation and commitment, but most of all fortitude the political noise that federal workers and their allies in politics and business can create is not a minor consideration, even though the Hatch Act says federal employees should conduct themselves as nonpartisans. Industries and political interest groups that have comfortable relationships with the regulatory state will argue for the status quo. Wold's reforms will be successful only if the Republicans in Congress are prepared, and willing to act to change things, which is uncertain. Upending the belief that only rule by experts can accomplish the aims of modern governance must be the goal of any future Republican administration. No doubt, as you read this review, you thought of the writings of Ludwig von Mises, Hayek, Friedman, Codevilla, and Sowell, enemies of the bureaucratic state. Mr. Wold offers a way out, but will Republican politicians make it happen? I doubt it. John Dale Dunn M.D., J.D. is a retired emergency physician and inactive attorney in Brownwood, Texas. Image via Picryl. We are constantly told by the media and other Democrats that we are now back to the rule of law, where everyone is treated equally and no one is above the law. So here are some examples of questions for the media, Merrick Garland, and other Democrats to see if these talking points are true or if they are just another blatant lie. On Hunter Biden: Did Hunter commit serious felonies when he filed false tax returns for the years starting in 2014? Did he intentionally underreport his income? Did he intentionally write off things like a stripper club and tuition for an adult daughter as business expenses? Did he reclassify income as loans so he didn't have to pay taxes? Didn't these false classifications result in fraud and the significant underpayment of self-employment and income taxes? What was the business purpose of all of the Bidens' LLCs? Doesn't it appear that the purpose of these LLCs was solely to collect money from foreign sources and distribute it to Biden family members? Shouldn't all the LLCs be audited to make sure all the income was reported and that proper taxes were paid by all family members and others in the LLCs? Did Joe Biden intentionally lie to the public when he said no Biden ever made money from foreign countries? Isn't it an obvious lie when Joe said he never talked to Hunter or any other family member about their business dealings? So why wasn't Hunter charged for multiple serious felonies, and sentenced to jail, instead of letting him off with a couple of minor misdemeanors? Shouldn't he also have to serve time for falsifying his gun application? On classified documents for Joe Biden: Did Joe illegally take classified documents when he was a senator and a vice president? Did he mishandle them and move them around during the decades he had them? Did he store them in unsecure locations? So why hasn't he been charged with crimes? Is he above the law? On classified documents for Hillary Clinton: Did Hillary illegally take classified documents when she was secretary of state? Did she mishandle them, including keeping them on an unsecured computer? Did she destroy documents and equipment? So why wasn't she charged? Was she above the law? On perjury by James Clapper, John Brennan, and Eric Holder: Did they lie to Congress? Why weren't they charged? On the Justice Department and its lies to the FISA court: Did many people in the Justice Department lie to the FISA court in order to spy on people surrounding Trump and on ordinary Americans? Isn't it a serious crime to lie to any court? So why weren't these people fired and charged, and why aren't they in jail? Are they special and above the law? Everyone who is charged in the future with a tax or gun crime should ask for the same deal Hunter got since Garland and the Biden Justice Department treat people equally. Everyone who commits perjury should not get charged, just like the bureaucrats in the Obama/Biden administration. Everyone who illegally takes and mishandles classified documents should get let off like Joe and Hillary. Everyone who lies to any court or judge should get off just like all the Justice officials who lied to the FISA court. It is no wonder there is so much corruption throughout the U.S. and so much distrust of the media and Justice Department when CNN is more interested in Jack Smith's sandwich at a Subway fast-food outlet than in the corruption of the Bidens, the IRS, and the Justice Department. Why do they so blatantly lie by repeating that the Justice Department is independent and that there is no bias when the facts are so obvious? Because they haven't cared about the truth for a long time. Why would we hire 87,000 new IRS agents to collect more taxes when they let a family of scoundrels like the Bidens roam free? On a side note: Why would anyone believe that politicians and bureaucrats who can't locate the person who left a bag of cocaine at the White House can control temperatures, sea levels, and storm activity forever with all their natural variables? Image: Pixabay, Pixabay License. It was news that sent a shudder down my spine: Greta Gerwig, a 39-year-old Barnard College grad who turned Barbie into a leftist, feminist avatar, is going to direct two Narnia movies for Netflix. This is like asking a coyote to guard some chickens, for C.S. Lewis is a Christian and traditionalist, while Gerwig is a vandal. The Narnia books function at two levels. Most obviously, they are child-sized bites of epic adventures in a magical, medieval realm. At a more sophisticated level, they are profound ruminations about faith and personal growth. Through the Narnia books, young readers learn about honor and honesty, sacrifice, courage, moral fortitude, the existence of evil, and the qualities a just God values. And all that in seven wonderful adventure books about six children traveling to a fantasy land. When 2005s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was released, I was worried. Walden Media, one of the production companies, was conservative, but Walt Disney Pictures, the other production company, was already sliding into the leftist abyss. The movie, though, respected the books ethos as well as its plot. Indeed, the movie even stood as a bulwark against toxic masculinity. The second and third movies abandoned (although did not offend against) C.S. Lewiss strong messages about Christianity and traditional morality, and they disappeared from theaters. Image: Greta Gerwig. YouTube screen grab. The knowledge that Greta Gerwig will direct the Narnia movies on behalf of Netflix is cause for concern. We already know about Gerwigs savage leftism in service to the Mattel corporation and the Barbie franchise. For some, though, Gerwigs visually lovely 2019 version of Little Women is cause for hope. Im not so sure. I didnt see the movie when it first came out because I suspected that Hollywood would be incapable of refraining from using the classic girls novel as a vehicle for leftist ideas. It was bad enough witnessing the 1994 movie that rewrote the books fundamental principles. Alcotts entire book is about Jo March and her sisters finding true happiness by learning to subordinate their selfish desires to the service of others. The 1994 movie turned that message on its head, with Jo, as played by Winona Ryder, spouting an inane message of self-love and self-gratification. A ittle research confirmed my fears about Gerwigs Little Women. As with the 1994 production, Gerwigs Little Women is a lavishly beautiful movie that reinvents the book by inventing a whole new character: It opens in 1868 with Jo March, a writer who is obviously Louisa May Alcott, trying to sell a publisher on her book, with most of the movie then told in flashback form. The vignettes that are shown in the movie are ostensibly true to the book. We see Marmee persuade the girls to give their Christmas presents to a poor family, Meg regret being poor, and Amy burn Jos manuscript, etc. The messages in each of these vignettesthe lessons that Alcotts little women learnare clear: Love and service to others bring more rewards than money or fame, and especially more rewards than selfishness does. Indeed, in Alcotts telling, by her novels end, Jo is set to marry Professor Baehr because she has earned the love of a good man by putting aside her ego. In Gerwigs movie, though, the 1868 authoress trying to get her book published writes a fake Jo-Baehr love story into the book to placate an obviously patriarchal publisher. Or, as he says, And if the main character is a girl, make sure she's married by the end. Or dead, either way. That may be true of Alcotts experience, but it is not true to the book she created. In other anachronistic feminism (something Insider and The New Yorker lauded), Amy lectures about the inequities in mid-19th century society: And as a woman I have no way to make money, not enough to earn a living and support my family. Even if I had my own money, which I don't, it would belong to my husband the minute we were married. If we had children they would belong to him, not me. They would be his property. So don't sit there and tell me that marriage isn't an economic proposition, because it is. It may not be for you but it most certainly is for me. The constraints on women in the mid-19th century were real, but they werent in the book. Its not just the rewritten principles that offend me. Early in the movie, which takes place during the Civil War, we get this: Marmee March: I've spent my whole life ashamed of my country. Susan Robbins: No offense meant, but you should still be ashamed. The Alcotts were abolitionists, and Louisa May destroyed her health nursing soldiers in D.C., but they were never ashamed of America as a whole. If you add together what Gerwig did to Little Women and Barbie, you can see why I suspect shell take a hatchet to C.S. Lewiss strong and overarching religious and moral principles. Gerwig strikes me as a woman who enjoys the form of the classics but despises the substance. Do you really think shell be more gentle with C.S. Lewiss principles? I can readily imagine Aslan coming to the screen as a lioness. Who is the emperor? The cabal that is prepared to do anything, no matter how unconstitutional, no matter how evil, to destroy Donald Trump. That would be Merrick Garland, Christopher Wray, and Jack Smith. Of course, this trio of thugs has many cohorts willing to do its dirty work. What kind of dirty work? The kind that has made judges, the mainstream media, and most members of Congress fear being canceled. The left's method of coercion is well known. Cross us, and your career is over. Read Alan Dershowitz's book, Get Trump. The elites who believe they are uniquely entitled to run the country will cancel you, harass you, and ruin you by any means necessary. They will go after anyone who dares to deviate from their party line. American culture has become a cesspool of abject cowardice. And by design, now that the elites our stable of Ivy League legacy grads who grew up knowing they would run the world without having to really know anything are in charge. We are living in a dystopia of their making. It's all about leverage; everyone has some kind of leverage on everyone else, so people do what they are told. That is how Jeffrey Epstein got away with his obscene abuse of young girls trafficked for the pleasure of his rich pals for decades. Think Sound of Freedom and the fact that the U.S. is the number-one consumer of child porn and abuse. Why does the left fear this film? Hmmm. Donald Trump is so far ahead in the polls to be the Republican candidate for president that the primaries may well be over. Naturally, this enrages the anti-Trump left and their RINO colleagues, so they are willing to destroy the Constitution and our once lofty system of justice to take him down and out. The possibly certifiably psychopathic Jack Smith, under the auspices of the equally power-mad Merrick Garland, is like one of Stalin's functionaries who delighted in torturing and then murdering anyone Stalin deemed inconvenient. (Read Darkness at Noon.) Smith is so obviously out of control, so desperately inventing ridiculous charges with which to indict Trump, that he is telegraphing his own horror at Trump's massive support among the American people. He must think that all these legal tribulations will ruin the man and defeat his supporters, but it is only making them angrier at the unconstitutionality of it all and boosting his support. Smith and his fellow goons quite naturally think that the American people are morons ripe for the totalitarian agenda they have planned for us all. So the question remains: is there an A.G., a judge, a justice, anywhere in the country with the guts to call out Garland's and Smith's Kafkaesque campaign to prevent Trump from being elected again? So far, it appears not, or he might have made himself heard before now. There have been so many spurious charges against Trump in so multiple states, many of them related to the 2020 election, which was surely stolen by nefarious means, including censorship of his son's laptop of degeneracy, that the left is revealing itself as a truly evil entity. As the facts continue to make their way to the people via alternative media, the truth of the left's malice is coming into focus. But even the SCOTUS feared taking on any of those cases. The horrors perpetrated by the left against Justices Kavanaugh and Barrett made cowards of them, too. They quiver in their shoes when confronted with a 2020 election fraud case. The sad fact is that the left's brutal, aggressive tactics work. Torment them at their homes; they capitulate. All the other judges throughout the country are acutely aware of what they will face if they make the slightest move in defense of Trump. Our justice system has been decimated by leverage and fear. Instead of standing up for the Constitution that they have sworn to protect and enforce, judges now cower in their chambers, hoping no Trump case ever comes before them. They know in their souls they will capitulate to the dictates of the left. Perhaps they will even be threatened with some indiscretion from their past. Better to sell their soul than become a target of our despicable mainstream media who love nothing better than taking out a traitor to their anti-American agenda. Consider how the left orchestrated the horrific abuse of Brett Kavanaugh. They got an insipid woman to accuse him of some vague not-exactly-a-sexual-misadventure from when he was in high school and, with discernible malevolence, set out to annihilate the man. They succeeded. It was a horror show that the left endorsed and loved. That's who they are. They thrive on the suffering they are able to unleash on their cultural, intellectual, and/or political opponents. If you doubt this fact, watch the baseless and fabricated attacks on RFK Jr. at the hearing Thursday on censorship. The evidence of this administration's campaign to censor dissenting views on Biden, COVID lockdowns and vaccines, the war in Ukraine, etc., is beyond shocking. The Democrats on the committee had nowhere to go but to insult the witnesses and, at the same time, refuse to let them answer the questions they pretended to ask but did not want answered. There are brilliant legal and constitutional scholars who rant every day about the crimes this administration is perpetrating upon this nation Mark Levin, Mike Davis of the Article III Project, John Yoo, for example but they're not A.G.s or judges...yet. Again, is there an A.G. or a judge or justice with the moral core and the principles to do what is right anywhere in this country and who remembers that we don't have emperors? We all know that all these legal actions that have been filed against Trump the N.Y. nonsensical stuff, the documents case, the absurd Jean Carroll case, the numerous cases accusing him of election interference or inciting the fedsurrection of January 6, 2021 are all, shall we say, trumped up. There must be an A.G. in some state Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan states where we know the Democrats cheated in 2020 who is brave enough to stand up against this Stalinist offensive against the best President since Reagan. "An emperor serves his people. The day the people serve the emperor is the day the empire falls." anonymous Graphic credit: Public domain. Pakistani FM calls for peaceful resolution of Russia-Ukraine conflict Xinhua) 13:17, July 21, 2023 ISLAMABAD, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized the importance of a peaceful resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict through dialogue and engagement. Zardari said here on Thursday during his joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba that a prolonged conflict brings immense hardship and suffering to the civilian populations. "We hope, therefore, that peace will prevail so that the people of Ukraine and Russia can enjoy peace dividends," Zardari said. He assured the Ukrainian foreign minister about Pakistan's readiness to support peace initiatives that could bring peace to the region. As a country in a volatile region, Pakistan understands how longstanding regional conflicts could endanger the collective security, Zardari said, adding that the Ukrainian conflict has also brought difficulties for developing countries and the Global South, particularly in terms of fuel, food and fertilizers shortages. "Pakistan is no exception. We, therefore, have a vested interest in promoting peace and reconciliation, and we hope for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy," according to Zardari. Kuleba is on a two-day official visit to Pakistan from July 20-21. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) National Security Council spokesman John Kirby recently embarked on an impassioned defense of abortion funding for military service members and their families. Kirby averred that female members of the military should be "able to count on the kinds of healthcare and reproductive care specifically that they need to serve." He even went so far as to pound on the podium of the White House press briefing room while calling military members' access to abortion a "foundational, sacred obligation of military leaders." He added: "Not to mention it's just the right darn thing to do." At one point, Kirby asked a rhetorical question on behalf of a female military member concerned about her "reproductive care" (read: "abortion") were she to be assigned to duty in a red state like Alabama. "What do you do? Do you say 'no' and get out?" He meant say "no" to and get out of the Navy, not realizing that had the female military member simply said "no" to sex, it would have completely alleviated the need for an abortion reproductive care in the first place. Not to mention that it would have been "just the right darn thing to do." But progressives typically aren't particularly self-aware, nor do they have a keen sense of irony. Let's revisit Kirby's remarkable, astounding assertion that military leaders have a "foundational" and indeed "sacred" obligation to assure access to abortion for those who serve. Is there really a sacred obligation to kill the innocent? Call me a skeptic, but I doubt Washington's soldiers at Valley Forge were deeply concerned with "reproductive health care." They probably were more concerned about the lack of shoes on their feet during the harsh Pennsylvania winter. Fast forward roughly fourscore and seven years, and I posit that neither the Union nor the Confederate troops at Gettysburg were in high dudgeon over their respective nations' failure to address and fund abortions for their troops and their families. Though the Allies had to abort Operation Overlord for a day due to inclement weather, the incredibly dangerous assault on Hitler's Fortress Europe proceeded on June 6, 1944. Not sure if the thousands attempting to scale the White Cliffs of Dover had abortion on their minds. Doubt any would have said "no" to service and left the military if abortions for themselves and their families weren't the law of the land and publicly funded. These previous iterations of the American military were concerned with, chronologically: defeating taxation without representation and monarchical tyranny; saving the union while putting an end to slavery; and preventing a madman from exterminating Jews and taking over the world. What do you think the leaders of the U.S. military and the majority of its members, for that matter would have said about the "foundational, sacred" right to unfettered abortion in days of yore? Progressives would likely respond: "Yeah, dude, but that's just more proof of the straight, Christian patriarchy that used to rule the day." Just might be. Image: PxFuel, CC0 public domain. Ever since Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro put the kibosh on his campaign promise that would have assisted students shackled in poorly performing public schools with $100 million in Lifeline scholarships, plenty of ink has been spilled arguing his budget flip-flop. Shapiro's line-item veto will have to wait until Pennsylvania Senate president pro tempore Kim Ward reconvenes the Senate on Sept. 18, unless he flips back, which is an overdose of wishful thinking. In retrospect, Shapiro's broken promise should not surprise. Democrats have never been too kid-friendly. Abortion is not just a plank in the Democrat's platform, but an entire stage. And their overt allegiance to the teachers' unions that includes the indoctrination of Critical Race Theory, transgender ideology, and the COVID-19 closures cannot be denied. Public schools in most urban settings are focused on pushing kids through "the system," where many are D students. The only Bs and Cs they get are in hepatitis. When done, more than their fair share find themselves not at a state university, but working toward tenure in a state penitentiary. In other words, the continued plethora of failing public schools throughout our urban plain is just business as usual. Shapiro, his children, and plenty of other Democrats are products of private school educations, yet they oppose allowing tax dollars to follow all students that would provide a choice in schools. The only choice Democrats believe parents should have is whether or not to terminate their child's beating heart. What ever happened to the mantra: "A mind is a terrible thing to waste"? Instead, the tune Democrats sing in chorus: "Private education for me, but not for thee." The longer such Democrat hypocrisy is tolerated, the larger the education and wealth gaps become, which only breeds resentment and division. America with a caste system will be a very different country. One revealing article by Charles Mitchell, the president and CEO of the Commonwealth Foundation, brings to light the plight of one Philadelphia mother of five, Tamika Nwalipenja. With Nwalipenja's children stuck in Philadelphia's lowest-achieving schools, she was able to obtain two Lifeline scholarships. With Shapiro's impending veto and with state caps on funding for EITC and OSTC scholarships, Nwalipenja has become a lottery player, with the grand prize being an education for at least two of her five children. All educationally starved children in a failing urban public school are hostages, and their only escape is by lottery, since the competition for such scholarships is so great. Wealthy folks like Shapiro do not play the lottery; rather, they jockey and cajole political influence because the odds of winning are so much greater. Prior to his election, Shapiro preached: "I believe every child of God deserves a shot here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And one of the best ways we can guarantee their success is making sure that every child has a quality education." Shapiro's post-election translation: "People like Nwalipenja had better keep playing the educational lottery." Mitchell believes the solution lies in increasing these established scholarships with the false hope of eliminating waiting lists. Rather than taking the Democrat approach by throwing more money at the problem, the answer lies within the minority community. In the article, Nwalipenja is never asked if she voted and for whom. Wash, rinse, and repeat voting has enduring consequences. The plantation voters of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Scranton/Wilkes Barre don't seem to mind and do as their Democrat overseers direct them, which ultimately carries Pennsylvania. All minority groups including Asians overwhelmingly vote Democrat, who sell them out electoral tribalism at its finest. Since Democrats are against vouchers and school choice, these communities place their children's educational fortunes on a lottery system. Thomas Sowell, who is America's greatest living philosopher and economist and was raised in New York's Harlem, is virtually unknown throughout the black community but knows firsthand the longstanding effects of a public education. "Education is not merely neglected in many of our schools today but is replaced to a great extent by ideological indoctrination." Keeping poor minority children in failing schools feeds the cycle of dependency and results in votes for Democrats. And in the next election, these communities will reflexively vote Democrat, proving there is no substitute for a quality education. Image: Library of Congress. Very slowly, a reckoning is taking place for outrageous tyrannical government restrictions imposed on the populace during the COVID panic. The zeal with which certain public officials tried to restrict basic freedoms in response to a virus with a tiny fatality rate for the non-elderly and non-infirm should stand as a lesson to all that our rights mean little or nothing to them and must be vigorously defended. This story from Moscow, Idaho, a college town of about 25,000 that is home to the University of Idaho, is both good news and bad news. Fox News reports: The city of Moscow announced this week that it would settle with Gabriel Rench, as well as Sean and Rachel Bohnet, who brought a case against city leaders in March 2021 that alleged their rights under the First and Fourth Amendments were violated when they were arrested at an outdoor "psalm sing" conducted by leaders from their church in September 2020. (snip) The peaceful psalm-singing protest lasted about 20 minutes in front of Moscow City Hall, where city officials had placed small yellow dots six feet apart as social distancing guidance for the participants. Rench and the others were charged with violating the city's repeatedly extended health ordinance, which carved out exemptions for activities protected under the U.S. Constitution and the Idaho State Constitution, including religious activity. A magistrate judge later dismissed the city's case against them, and U.S. District Court Judge Morrison C. England, Jr., wrote in his Feb. 1, 2023 memorandum and order denying the city's motion to dismiss that the "plaintiffs should never have been arrested in the first place, and the constitutionality of what the City thought [its] code said is irrelevant." "Somehow, every single City official involved overlooked the exclusionary language [of constitutionally protected behavior] in the Ordinance," the judge further wrote. It seems the so-called "liberals" of this college town resent people who assert their rights against government overreach and oppression: Rench told Fox News Digital that he has nevertheless become a pariah in his predominantly liberal community since the arrest and subsequent settlement. Rench says members of his community have accused him of being "an idiot" who does not "love his neighbor" and have urged him to "take your money and run" since the payout. Unfortunately, the negative reinforcement for the city and for the bureaucrats with contempt for basic freedoms is pretty minimal, as KREM TV reports: Under the terms of the settlement Moscow's liability insurance provider and Idaho Counties Risk Management Program will pay a total of $300,000 to Gabriel Rench and Sean and Rachel Bohnet. All claims against the City and the named employees will be dismissed with prejudice, releasing them from any liability. The city's budget is unaffected by the need to cough up 300 grand. The city's insurance costs may rise, but that will be buried in an annual budget item and provide no negative feedback to the citizenry over their officials' misbehavior. And the bureaucrats and police who went along with the arrests even as some expressed regret will suffer no personal penalty. A hint of the derision for this particular church that may exist among the academically inclined progressive folk of Moscow can be gleaned from this story almost two years ago, from the left-wing U.K. Guardian, which obviously had sources on the ground there. The headline and first paragraphs read almost like a parody: 'Make it a Christian town': the ultra-conservative church on the rise in Idaho Increased influence of Christ Church, whose leader wants to create US 'theocracy', comes as social conservatives aim to gain traction A Guardian investigation has revealed that a controversial church whose leader has openly expressed the ambition of creating a "theocracy" in America has accumulated significant influence in the city of Moscow, Idaho. Christ Church has a stated goal to "make Moscow a Christian town" and public records, interviews, and open source materials online show how its leadership has extended its power and activities in the town. Church figures have browbeaten elected officials over Covid restrictions, built powerful institutions in parallel to secular government, harassed perceived opponents, and accumulated land and businesses in pursuit of a long-term goal of transforming America into a nation ruled according to its own, ultra-conservative moral precepts. For people with this paranoid, religion-hating mindset, religious oppression is not a bug, but a feature of the pandemic response. It's why we must strive to call out those who abused their power so that they have a harder time doing it again, as they surely will try to do. The Moscow settlement is a tiny step in that direction. Photo credit: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 3.0 license. Prior to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s testimony yesterday before the Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government of the House Judiciary Committee, I thought President Trump had gotten the worst treatment of anyone in public life by the assorted powers that be. And maybe he has, considering the two bogus impeachments and the two outstanding and possibly one or more additional criminal indictments he is facing. But in terms of a one-day nuclear shutdown of an American citizen and his rights to free speech, I have never seen anything on the level of what was meted out to RFK Jr. yesterday by both Democrats in Congress and the mainstream media, with the exception of FOX News. In fact, you'd have to go back to the Army-McCarthy hearings of 1954 to find such enmity in the halls of Congress. Even the bipartisan Watergate hearings of 1973 were tame in comparison. Even before the hearing started yesterday, on Monday, as reported by Michael Nevradakis, Ph.D. in his excellent article on the hearing at The Defender, Reps. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) and Judy Chu (D-Calif.) sent a letter signed by 102 House Democrats to the House Republican leadership, requesting they "rescind Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s invitation to testify." Once the hearing began at 9:30 A.M. EDT yesterday, Wasserman Shultz and several other Democrat committee members continued to demand Kennedy's ouster and, when that tactic failed, they fell back on a coordinated strategy to demean and libel him without according him the courtesy or right to answer or to respond to their attacks. When questioned by Republican members, Kennedy was finally allotted some time to make his case. The best account of the hearing itself is the aforementioned article by Nevrardakis at The Defender, the newsletter of Children's Health Defense, the tax-exempt public and health policy organization that Kennedy founded and of which he is currently the chairman on leave. Several hours after the end of Thursday's hearing, Kennedy appeared in-studio in Washington, D.C. for a live broadcast interview with Martha MacCallum on The Story (3 P.M. EDT; video here). Since FOX News gave him the opportunity to answer his Democrat critics who had earlier done their best to silence him, I decided to share here excerpts of his conversation with MacCallum as an addendum to the hearing itself. By the way, the entire video of the four-hour hearing with Kennedy and several other witnesses can be viewed at YouTube. If nothing else, it's great television. C-SPAN has a page devoted to Kennedy's testimony with the complete video and selected excerpts. Screenshot of video courtesy of FOX News. Transcript of RFK Jr. on The Story provided by FOX News Media Relations. MARTHA MACCALLUM, FOX NEWS ANCHOR: So, it was very interesting watching this unfold this morning. You're running as a Democrat. The Democrats came after you hard. The Republicans were sticking up for your right to say what you want to say. Do you feel like you're, as a Kennedy, sort of in upside-down world when you're sitting there this morning? ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I do. I felt I felt like I was really in an upside-down world. I want to say something, because they the charges that I made these statements that were antisemitic, all of those statements are taken out of context. And those statements themselves I have I have literally and I said this under oath today. I have never made a single antisemitic statement in my life or racist statement in my life. And the statements that are being twisted and distorted to make them seem like I said these controversial things are is simply another way that I'm being that the DNC, et cetera, and its allies are using to silence me, to marginalize me, to make me look crazy, to make me look like a bad person. I have been stronger my support on Israel has been stronger than any Democrat in that chamber. I'm the only one that's spoken out against the $2 billion transfer that President Biden has made to Iran, which is going to be used for genocidal purposes, to develop nuclear weapons. And nobody else has dared to stand up against that. I was not allowed to talk. I was not allowed to defend myself. I was read a series of these slanders without being allowed to reply to any of them. So, I was invited to speak there because a recent federal court decision, which is a monumental decision, Judged Doughty in a federal court in Louisiana, which for the first time in history ordered the White House to stop, to actually cease all communications with the social media networks because they were manipulating information. What the 155-page decision records is this unprecedented effort by the White House to silence its political opponents. The first person they silenced was me. So, President Biden came to office. And, by the way, President Trump had censored me too, not for any misinformation, but for what they called malinformation. That means information that, while true, is inconvenient to the White House and inconvenient to or clashes with official orthodoxies. President Biden came into office on January 21, 2021. Two days later, the White House ordered Instagram and Facebook to censor me, and my my entire account was taken down three weeks later. Oh, and the censorship continues today. When I made my campaign my announcement speech on April 19 in Boston, YouTube took it down after five minutes. So I was not I never mentioned vaccines. I never mentioned anything. I was talking about Paul Revere. At this point, a brief moment of humor was called for before the conversation returned to the more serious subjects at hand. MACCALLUM: Well, it's highly controversial, Paul Revere. KENNEDY: I don't know what part... MACCALLUM: Riding down the street with a lantern without a license, apparently. KENNEDY: Yes. (LAUGHTER) MACCALLUM: Here's part of that exchange with you and Debbie Wasserman Schultz earlier today, if people missed it. Watch this. RFK Jr. and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz at the July 20 House hearing. Screenshot of video courtesy of FOX News. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) KENNEDY: I was describing an NIH-funded study. REP. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D-FL): No, no, no, you didn't cite any... KENNEDY: I was I was describing an NIH-funded study by Cleveland Clinic scientists. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: Reclaiming my time. Reclaiming my time. You did not reference... KENNEDY: And you... WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: Reclaiming my time. KENNEDY: Published in USC Medical, which is one of... WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: Mr. Chairman, the time is mine. The time is mine. I'm reclaiming it. Please ask the witness to stop talking. KENNEDY: You asked me... (END VIDEO CLIP) Screenshot of video courtesy of FOX News. MACCALLUM: All right, she wouldn't let you do it, so I want to let you do it right here. This recording of a video from a dinner that you had with some journalists from The New York Post, in it, you talked about I'm going to let you put it in your own words, because, in the video, you say that you do say studies and reports indicate that there may have been some genetic direction for this virus, if it was manipulated. Explain. KENNEDY: Yes, I actually, the the studies don't say that it was suggested that it was deliberately manipulated. And I never suggested it was deliberately manipulated. In fact, I said the opposite. What the study said is that certain races were more affected by COVID than other races. And there was a long list of the races that were minimally affected and those that were maximally affected. So I was I was not saying that this was something that had been deliberately done. I was just describing the results of this study. MACCALLUM: So, do you believe that there is bioweapons work going on in China and in the United States that is trying to determine if these genetically cleaved, changed viruses you know the terminology better than I do could be used in that way as a bioweapon targeted towards certain populations? KENNEDY: There's been a long history of our nation and other countries trying to develop ethnic bioweapons. And, today, because of the developments of synthetic biology, CRISPR technology, genetic editing techniques that were never available to earlier scientists, those kind of studies are much or those kind of weapons are much more likely to be developed, and along with a host of other weapons. And what I have said, and the point of that talk that I was giving, is that we used to have a bioweapons treaty. We signed it in 1973, and people were generally complying with it. In 2002, when we passed the Patriot Act, we revoked that treaty. And that has launched a bioweapons arms race. All of the major countries are putting major money into bioweapons. And one of the first things I'm going to do as president is to re-sign that treaty and to enforce it, to have provisions that make it transparent, that make it enforceable, and end that whole area of study. We don't need it. It does no good for the world, and it's very, very, very dangerous. MacCallum next asked Kennedy about a lawsuit that Children's Health Defense has brought against several major mainstream media outlets, alleging a "conspiracy" to silence critics like him. KENNEDY: Yes, among one of the most insidious kind of censorship and I'm going to use a word very cautiously conspiracy, but it actually is a conspiracy, a number of press organizations led by BBC, that include The Washington Post, Reuters, United Press International, and Microsoft, Twitter, and Facebook, signed an agreement to censor to agree on a censorship regimen, so that they would censor and deplatform competitive news organizations that printed stories or posted stories that clashed with the official government proclamations. MACCALLUM: It doesn't sound like the United States or the democracy that this country was founded on, does it? KENNEDY: No. And it's really crazy. And part of the reason they did it is and this is clear in the papers. We have discovery documents. And the BBC, who organized it, said, in truth, CNN and BBC, a lot of people think we're competitors, but the real competitors are the thousands of new news organizations that have sprouted up like mushrooms on the Internet that are eroding public trust in us and that are destroying our business model. MACCALLUM: It's a loss of control. KENNEDY: Right. And so we need to now choke them. MACCALLUM: Right. KENNEDY: And the way that we will do that is by deplatforming anybody, any of these organizations that doesn't follow our story. We are suing them under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Later on Thursday, when I watched MSM outlets like CNN and read the New York Times, I was sickened though not surprised at the fake news, the false accusations, and the outright lies they used to report on Kennedy and what went down on Thursday. A personal note: I have followed Kennedy's and his colleagues' work at Children's Health Defense (CHD) closely since the onset of COVID-19 in early 2020. As a journalist reporting on science and medical topics including the politics of health care for many years, I was continually impressed with the work of CHD which was always science-based, with frequent annotations, references, and links to credible primary sources. Contrast that with the lies and misrepresentations of Fauci, the CDC, the NIH, and (dare I say) both the administrations of Donald Trump and Joe Biden vis-a-vis the COVID-19 pandemic including the effectiveness of masks, lockdowns, and vaccinations. I have read most of the critical literature and reporting about RFK Jr., as well as several of his books, his interviews, and other material. In 2021, when I had the opportunity to guest-host eleven of John B. Wells's nationally syndicated talk radio programs on the Salem Radio Network, I had as a guest on three of the programs Mary Holland, Esq., who was then the president of Children's Health Defense. She is now RFK Jr.'s deputy campaign manager and one of his closest advisers. In the three and a half hours total on the programs of mine that she appeared, I did not disagree with a single thing she said about COVID-19 and the power and influence of the U.S. medical-industrial complex. At this time, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is the only candidate among all of the other current contenders for the presidency in 2024 who understands and says he is willing to challenge the stranglehold on health and public policy that Medicine, Inc. and Big Pharma currently exert on the body politic. For that reason alone, which helps to explain the flak he is getting on all fronts, I am interested in following and continuing to report on his candidacy and more than willing to hear him out. Peter Barry Chowka is a veteran journalist who has covered national politics and the politics and economics of health care, popular culture, and media for over five decades. He is a regular contributor to the BBC Radio and Television. His web page with links to his work is http://peter.media. Peter's extensive American Thinker archive: http://tinyurl.com/pcathinker. Peter's Twitter account is @pchowka. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released a shocking document: Its an FBI report from a Confidential Human Source (CHS) revealing that the FBI and, by extension, the DOJ have known since at least June 2020 that a Burisma executive asserted that Hunter and Joe Biden were receiving millions of dollars for Joe to act on behalf of Burismaand that Joe Biden was doing this while he was still Vice President. Just as bad is the fact that the mainstream media is doing everything in its power to ignore or downplay this information. Grassley released the CHS document along with a summary of what it reveals: Poluchili According to the FBIs confidential human source, executives for Burisma, a Ukrainian gas company, brought Hunter Biden on the board to protect us through his dad, from all kinds of problems. At the time, Burisma was seeking to do business in the United States, but was facing a corruption investigation in Ukraine, led by then-Ukraine Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin. Regarding that investigations impact on its ambitions in North America, Burisma CEO Mykola Zlochevsky reportedly said, Don't worry Hunter will take care of all of those issues through his dad. Zlochevsky reportedly stated that he had to pay $5 million to Hunter Biden and $5 million to Joe Biden, an arrangement he described as poluchili, which is Russian crime slang for being forced or coerced to pay, according to the document. Back-up Zlochevsky claimed to have many text messages and recordings that show that he was coerced into paying the Bidens to ensure Shokin was fired. Specifically, he claimed to have two recordings with Joe Biden and 15 recordings with Hunter Biden. Zlochevsky also retained two documents, presumably financial records, as evidence of the arrangement, but said he didnt send any funds directly to the Big Guy, a term understood to be a reference to Joe Biden. References to the Big Guy surfaced in communications involving other Biden family business arrangements independent of the Burisma arrangement. Zlochevsky claimed it would take investigators 10 years to uncover the illicit payments to the Bidens, according to the document. Grassley noted that these claims are corroborated by the banking information the investigative committee is reviewing. The same FBI report shows that Zlochevsky said that Hunter was so stupid that he was dumber than a dog. In other words, the only value he added was his fathers political heft. Hunter got a $5 million finders fee; Joe Biden got $5 million for protecting Burisma. By the way, I think Joe is also dumber than a dog, which suggests that Bidens political career gave him a monetary value in the corruption marketplace but that someone else was the mastermind. Image: The Biden family, Americas Cosa Nostra? YouTube screen grab. The FBI documents containing that information are here. Whats important to note is that the CHS met with the Burisma executive and heard these revelations in 2015/2016, when Biden was still Vice President. The FBI document itself is dated June 30, 2020, although its unclear to me whether the FBI had this information before then. Biden, incidentally, gave value for the money: To add a coda to this story, in October 2020, we learned about Hunter Bidens laptop. On the day that news broke, a senior FBI official told Twitter the laptop was real. Nevertheless, the entire Deep State (both past and present) lied about this knowledge and social media censored the New York Posts report about the laptops contentscontents that implicated Vice President Biden in wrongdoing. Joe Biden, who knew perfectly well that everything was true, insisted during a debate with President Trump that the laptop was Russian disinformation. This is an incredible story of corruption at the highest levels of government: A Vice President taking bribes to affect American policy and a massive government cover-up. Youd think the media would be all over it but, if you were naive enough to believe that, youd be very, very wrong. The media ignored it, just as they've ignored (or downplayed) information about the IRS whistleblower testimony: On "Mornings with Maria Bartiromo," the host mentioned @theMRC study on how the networks have done nothing on Biden bribery allegations. She also slammed how ABC "News" simply skipped the IRS whistleblower hearing because it doesn't fit their narrative. pic.twitter.com/KJF4qO84PW Tim Graham (@TimJGraham) July 21, 2023 We exist in an era of unparalleled political corruption in America. Our federal government agencies are staffed with dedicated partisans who will stop at nothing to achieve preferred political outcomes, the Oval Office occupant is manifestly demented and has proven to be historically corrupt, and our media are worse than Pravda. I say this because Pravda writers lied to avoid the gulags. Our modern media lie because they are dedicated to effectuating the legal, ideological, and practical destruction of Americas constitutional system and moral underpinnings. The astounding speed with which a delusional fantasy has been imposed on society that people can become the opposite sex simply by saying so requires explanation. This obliteration of nature's (and God's) most fundamental truth of our lives and the resultant diminishing of the reproduction of our species clearly vectors toward societal and civilizational collapse. It destroys fertility when surgical and chemical interventions are used, and this dooms the society successfully targeted to decline relative to the rest of the world unaffected by the craze. (Have you heard about transgenderism spreading in Russia and China?) The indoctrination of young children into the ideology means that even among those whose bodies are not mutilated or poisoned, the post-adolescent sexual attraction and bonding necessary for the population to remain stable is diminished. So far, the strategy to impose this on American society has been top-down in nature. The educational system, from preschool through grad school, has largely been captured by the left, and their bureaucrats and teachers have often eagerly acted as indoctrinators and enforcers. (See the imposition of "Lia" Thomas on unwilling female swimmers of the Ivy League.) So, too, the media, governments at all levels, and even corporations. The bloody noses received by Bud Light and its parent company, by Target, and by a few other examples may have some effect in cooling enthusiasm in the C-suites, but there is another strategy simultaneously rolling out, a bottom-up effort, creating a kind of pincer effect on the populace to be intimidated into complying with madness. As Orwell taught us in 1984, once the state can compel people to aver obvious untruths, it has won the battle for mind control. A compliant citizenry will not simply carry out orders but will also believe propaganda and act as warriors for truth, even when enforcing absurd diktats. An example of the bottom-up strategy in action can be found in the cell phone camera video embedded below of what looks like a woman melting down and becoming abusive at a Toyota dealer when not addressed as "sir." Now, let me be clear that I don't know who this person is or what the particulars of the case are. But based on appearances, I would hazard a guess that some medical interventions have taken place perhaps surgical or, perhaps, just hormones. In my opinion, this person is deranged and abusive. Let me also be clear that I am not saying she is part of some conspiracy. I am sure that she is acting out of conviction, and nobody has told her to behave this way. The point is that she is acting this way because of the ideas that have been fed to her, the drugs that may have been pumped into her and that she is already troubled psychologically and has been persuaded that the source of her great unhappiness is external, in the hands of people who fail to agree with and support her delusion. This is purely my opinion. Now, watch what happens when such a person is set loose on society. It's painful to watch, so you may wish to go to 33 seconds in to hear the first scream that erupts. But I believe it is worth watching in its entirety as you see the reactions she evokes. Deranged woman has a massive meltdown over being called "she," 'cuz as she said "I'M A FUCKING SIR!!!!" pic.twitter.com/NvJCG4NYo1 Leftism (@LeftismForU) July 20, 2023 Clearly, she has not won friends or persuaded anyone to change his skepticism that she is a male. But that's not the point in terms of social dynamics. What she has done is made everyone who experienced her tantrum aware that failure to conform to transgender claims, even if you regard them as ridiculous, imposes a cost on you. You will be abused, your business disrupted, and you will be threatened if you don't conform. Once this sort of behavior becomes expected, or even just dreaded, the goal underlying the strategy has been achieved. People go along to get along. Transgenderism has been normalized. Little children see that it is the way of life in their environment, and they accept it unquestioningly as bedrock truth. In a generation, the triumph is complete. The speed with which this delusion has been accepted and enforced by the "commanding heights" of our institutions suggests some careful preparation of a Gramscian sort, cultivating the rise of sympathetic public and private officials over time. No doubt, this speculation will subject me to criticism as being a conspiracy nut. But the fact that transgenderism is not rolling out all over the world simultaneously, but is mostly focused on the United States (and Justin Trudeau's Canada), suggests that it is not a purely organic, spontaneous phenomenon of post-industrial life. Watch the video and make up your own mind. Photo credit: Twitter video screen grab (cropped). The UK Online Safety Bill might force Apple to remove FaceTime and iMessage from its products sold in the country. The company argues this bill could harm users safety and compromise their privacy. Apple has entered a legal battle with the UK government over an update thats proposed to the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016. The new amendment asks tech companies, like Apple and other manufacturers, to clear the apps security features with the Home Office before releasing them to the public. Additionally, the government can ask for immediate disabling of security features in messaging services. The UK government has now opened an eight-week consultation period for the proposed amendments to the IPA. Apple threatens to pull FaceTime and iMessage from its products in the UK over Online Safety Bill The problem with the bill is it undermines end-to-end encryption, which is an essential security measure of modern messaging services. Under the update, the Home Office can require messaging apps to scan content for potential child abuse cases because law enforcement cant do so due to the encryption. Asking to install a surveillance tech to search for potential child abuse material contradicts the nature of end-to-end encryption. The whole point of end-to-end encryption is that only the sender and recipient can see the exchanged messages. So far, WhatsApp and Signal have opposed the bill. Signal even threatened to stop operating in the UK. Likewise, Apple says it will pull FaceTime and iMessage from the UK market if the government implements the bill. Advertisement The tech giant has sent a nine-page opposing letter to the government to highlight its main concerns. Apples concerns revolve around notifying the government of any changes to the apps security features before releasing them to the public and taking immediate action to disable a feature upon receiving a request from the government. Apple also argues that providing a backdoor to end-to-end encryption might have a negative impact on the products of non-UK-based companies sold globally. The company added that it will not make country-specific changes to an apps features as it can undermine user security. Additionally, making some changes requires issuing a software update, which notifies users of everything that has happened. Finally, the tech giant called the bill a serious and direct threat to data security and information privacy. Meta might introduce AI LLM on flagship devices thanks to their Snapdragon chip. This will give users of this coming flagship device access to the AI tool without being connected to the internet. Asides from giving users quick access to this AI tool, integrating it into the device also brings a few benefits. Qualcomm is one of the big tech companies that Meta is working with to make LlaMa 2 more accessible. The SoC manufacturing company took to its blog to announce how itd put this AI innovation to use. According to Qualcomm, from 2024 theyd make available LlaMa 2-based AI implementations on flagship smartphones and PCs. This means that the flagship Qualcomm chip to launch in 2024 will pack LlaMa 2 in it. Having this embedded in the chip will give smartphones direct access to the AI tool for use without an internet connection. Other tech products such as laptops, VR/AR headsets, and even cars that use Qualcomm processors will get this tool integrated into their system. Benefits of AI LLM on flagship devices to launch sometime next year Meta and Qualcomm are optimistic about the coming on-device LlaMa 2-based implementations. Qualcomm chips to launch in 2024 will pack this AI integration to the benefit of product end users. Netizens might however wonder how this integration will be of any benefit to them and in what areas will we see its application. Qualcomm outlines 4 areas where this LlaMa 2-based implementation will be beneficial. At the top of the list is cost reduction, and this will help reduce or eliminate cloud per-query costs. Since LlaMa 2 will run on coming Snapdragon chips, thered be no need to run the AI service on the cloud, hence reducing cost. Advertisement The next benefit on the list is reliability and performance, since the AI model will be able to run anywhere. This removes the need for unreliable cloud servers that risk facing network issues. Qualcomm also brags that with LlaMa 2 integrated into their coming processor, users wont need an internet connection to access this tool. With this integration, users wont be afraid of their data getting to any cloud server as all operations are on-device. Due to this, AI LLM on flagship devices claims to have a private and secure operation. The last benefit of this integration, according to Qualcomm, is personalization. Without risking user privacy, this onboard AI tool will be able to cater for needs effectively. AI is shaping the future of the internet, and this move by Meta and Qualcomm is making basic tools easily accessible to end users. By next year, you will get some AI functionalities on your Snapdragon-powered flagship device. Artificial Intelligence has quickly found its way into a lot of industries in recent months, and this has had the government worried about workers rights and protections. Now, in a recent development, Senator Bob Casey, D-Pa, has introduced two new bills aimed at safeguarding workers from workplace surveillance and AI-powered robot bosses. The first bill, titled the No Robot Bosses Act, seeks to establish clear guidelines for employing automated systems, such as algorithms and machine learning tools, in employment-related decision-making. Additionally, the proposed legislation will also encourage employers to provide proper training to their workforce on the use of these systems and mandate transparency in their implementation. Moreover, to address concerns about AI going rogue, the bill would require companies to maintain human oversight of all AI decisions. The second bill, known as the Exploitative Workplace Surveillance and Technologies Task Force Act, aims to create a separate government body responsible for examining workplace surveillance practices. Chaired by a representative from the Department of Labor, the body will include individuals from various government domains to assess the impact of workplace surveillance and automated decision systems on employee salaries, scheduling, organizing efforts, and marginalized populations in the workforce. Reasoning behind the new bills Senator Bob Casey stated that the primary rationale behind these bills is to limit the impact of AI and prevent the unchecked authority of robot bosses from making critical decisions that affect human lives and livelihoods. Additionally, Casey argues that without proper oversight, there is a risk of discriminatory practices, unfair disciplinary actions, and even unsafe working conditions. Although these scenarios may seem far-fetched today, given the rapid pace of AI development, they could become a reality in the near future. Systems and software, not humans, are increasingly making decisions on whom to interview for a job, where and when employees should work, and who gets promoted, disciplined, or even fired from their job, a summary of the bill from Caseys office explains. Furthermore, the bill has not only garnered widespread support from fellow Democratic senators, such as Brian Schatz of Hawaii, John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Cory Booker of New Jersey but also from major labor unions, including AFL-CIO and the Communications Workers of America, as well as organizations like the National Employment Law Project. Samsung Wallet, like Google Wallet, is a useful app to store all your most important cards, and now that includes student IDs for college students. Samsung today announced officially that Samsung Wallet is adding student IDs to the app in partnership with colleges across the US. So if you attend one of the compatible schools, you can store your ID inside of the app and use that anywhere youd need the physical ID. Presumably this should work for anything around campuses where an ID might be needed. Though its not hard to imagine some schools having a policy or rule that requires the physical ID card. There are of course some caveats. Youll need to have a Galaxy smartphone to use the Samsung Wallet app. The app also has to be updated to the latest version. As this feature is part of an update. The good news is that the update should be live for users who meet that criteria. The only other thing you need is to be at a school where this is available. Samsung Wallet with student IDs works at 68 colleges Theres a lot of different educational institutions across the country, but Samsung Wallets new feature doesnt just work at every single one of them. The company says that its started with 68 different locations. These are colleges, universities, and higher education institutions across the nation. Samsung says this works at schools like Penn State, the University of Florida, Central Michigan University, University of North Alabama, and the Stevens Institute of Technology. It doesnt give a full list of schools where the digital IDs are available though. Samsung says that if students want to know if their school supports it, they need to contact the school directly. As for the compatible Galaxy devices, Samsung lists them on its Wallet FAQ page. As for features, the digital student IDs can be used for a number of things. Unlocking doors at dorm rooms, and in some cases for NFC-based payments. And theres a built-in Power Reserve feature. With this, students tap their phone to use the ID even if the phone has turned off from low battery. The Spanish Civil War began this month in 1936 with the beginning of the coup by General Franco. The fascist forces could have been defeated, with the working class rising up and fighting back. But their heroism was betrayed by the Stalinists. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), the working class showed all the determination, self-sacrifice, and organisational ability to carry out not one, but ten revolutions, as Trotsky stated. And yet they were ultimately frustrated betrayed as they were by all their leaders. Of these leaders, the Stalinists played the most counter-revolutionary role. Joseph Stalin had usurped power from the working class in the Soviet Union and crushed its active vanguard. He represented the interests of the Soviet bureaucracy a parasitic caste of privileged state administrators. This caste developed amidst the poverty, backwardness, and imperialist intervention that beset Russia after the revolution. Not only did Stalinism play a reactionary role within the Soviet Union, but also abroad, including during the Spanish Civil War. This was owing to its influence over the international communist movement. The Stalinist bureaucracy was inherently nationalistic. It identified its privileges with its control over the Soviet state. Revolutionary internationalism, it feared, might jeopardise the stability of the Soviet state and deteriorate relations with its neighbours. Most importantly, the victory of revolution elsewhere would enthuse the Soviet working class, which in turn could threaten the Stalinists position at home and abroad. Therefore, rather than extend the revolution internationally, the Stalinists sought accommodation with capitalist powers such as Britain and France. The Communist International, created in 1919 as the party of the world proletarian revolution, became a diplomatic lever in the hands of the Stalinist clique once they had taken over. The bureaucracys narrow nationalism found ideological justification in Stalins theory of socialism in one country. This treacherous policy represented a renunciation of Marxist internationalism, and led workers to defeat in countries such as Britain (1926), China (1927), and Germany (1933). But, undoubtedly, the most gruesome Stalinist betrayal of a proletarian revolution took place during the Spanish Civil War in 1936-39. Here, Stalinism behaved not simply as a brake on the working class, but as a consciously and expressly counter-revolutionary force. Sectarianism On 14 April 1931, King Alfonso XIII fled Spain, and the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed after a resounding victory of republican parties in local elections. Thus began the Spanish Revolution the most sweeping revolutionary process in Europe since the Russian Revolution of 1917. At this point, the official Spanish Communist Party (PCE) was a minuscule force, with some 800 members. The dominant forces of the Spanish workers movement were the anarcho-syndicalist National Confederation of Labour (CNT) and the social-democratic Socialist Workers Party (PSOE). Created as a unified organisation in November 1921, the PCE never acquired much traction. It languished throughout the 1920s, undermined by repression and infighting. As with other sections of the Communist International, it came under the iron control of Moscow and, consequently, of the Stalinists. The ultra-left PCE was initially left out of the trend towards workers unity of 1933-34 / Image: public domain There were talented figures in the PCEs ranks men such as Andreu Nin, Maurin, Juan Andrade. But frequent purges and Moscows political zigzagging drew them away. In 1931, pliable characters staffed the party figures such as Mije, Ibarruri, and Diaz who were incapable of thinking independently, and who were always ready to regurgitate the Kremlins latest phrase. At this time, the Communist International was going through its so-called third period: an ultra-leftist phase that predicated irreconcilable war against the social democrats, who were termed social-fascists. In Germany, this sectarianism facilitated Hitlers rise to power. Following Moscows diktats, the PCE received the Republic with the slogan down with the bourgeois Republic, all power to the soviets! This position was doubly wrong. Firstly, because the Republic initially enjoyed widespread support among the working class. Secondly, because there were naturally no soviets in Spain, nor could there be at this point. The PCE was profoundly sectarian. This minuscule force denounced the PSOE as social-fascist and the CNT as anarcho-fascist. The Stalinists created their own ersatz trade unions. The ultra-left PCE was initially left out of the trend towards workers unity of 1933-34. Right-wing parties won the general elections of November 1933, which took place at a moment of deep disenchantment towards the reformist left and towards the Republic as a whole. The victory of the right, however, galvanised the labour movement, which became acutely aware of the fascist danger after the Nazis had come to power in Germany. Twists and turns A large segment of the PSOE veered sharply to the left. Left-wing organisations began to agitate for a united front, which crystallised in the Alianzas Obreras (Worker Alliances). At first, the PCE turned its back on the Worker Alliances. However, Moscow suddenly demanded a change in tack. Hitlers victory called into question the criminal sectarianism of third period ultra-leftism. Stalin was not only worried about the destruction of the German Communist Party, but most importantly about Hitlers aggressive foreign policy, which directly threatened the Soviet state. Stalin therefore revised his international strategy. Under Stalins leadership, the Communist Parties were instructed to forgo revolutionary agitation in the name of anti-fascist unity / Image: public domain After a phase of tension with Britain and France in 1927-33, Moscow sought rapprochement with western democracies to stave off Germany. The quest for an alliance with bourgeois democracies found an expression in the Communist International, which was instructed to collaborate with reformist and liberal forces, and to forgo revolutionary agitation in the name of anti-fascist unity. In September 1934, the PCE was forced to revise its sectarianism. The yes-men in its leadership accepted this U-turn quite naturally. The party therefore participated in the revolutionary general strike of October 1934, which took place after the far right was brought into the ruling coalition. However, as the Stalinists were very small, their entry made little difference. More consequential was the rejection of the Worker Alliances by the anarchist CNT, which largely accounts for the failure of the uprising in most of Spain. The events of October 1934 led to important realignments within the Spanish left. Above all, they raised the importance of unity. The PCE now peddled an anti-fascist front and embraced a moderate line. It joined the socialist trade unions. It intervened in the Socialist Youth, which had swung far to the left in 1933-34. The Stalinists came to dominate the entire organisation, gaining them a mass base for the first time. This was possible thanks to the regrettable sectarianism of the Spanish Trotskyists, who the Socialist Youth leadership had invited to join and help Bolshevise the movement. Instead, however, they chose to fuse with other small groups in order to form the Workers Party of Marxist Unification (POUM) a decision Trotsky criticised harshly. In Catalonia, the Stalinists joined various left-wing groups to form the Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia. The PCE vigorously agitated for the Spanish Popular Front: a broad alliance of leftist and liberal parties with a tame reformist programme, which won the elections of February 1936. Revolution and civil war The Popular Front government stood for bourgeois law and order. Upon its victory, however, social agitation attained unprecedented intensity. This convinced the ruling class that bourgeois democracy could not hold back the workers. Dictatorship was necessary. It was in this context that General Franco staged his coup detat in July 1936. His putsch met the ferocious resistance of the masses. The defeat of the coup in key regions unleashed the social revolution: workers formed armed militias; took over factories and estates; set up barricade committees, etc. Working-class organisations took charge of social and economic life, and administered it in the interests of the majority. They led the first military pushback against Franco. The revolutionary workers rallied behind them the poor peasantry and sectors of the middle class. Consequently, the republican state was suspended mid-air. Whilst threatened by Franco, it was more fundamentally opposed to the power of the working class, which threatened capitalism as a whole. But thanks to the uprising of the workers, it was disorganised and deprived of its repressive apparatus. Workers power was implicit in the situation. The task was to dismantle the remnants of the Republic, and to centralise local working-class organs into a new authority that would wage a revolutionary war against Franco. The defeat of Francos coup in key regions unleashed the social revolution: workers formed armed militias; took over factories and estates; set up barricade committees / Image: public domain The formation of a unified proletarian army became a burning mission of the revolution. To win, it needed to be organised on the principles of class consciousness and iron revolutionary discipline, rather than the hierarchies of bourgeois armies. And if based on a programme for social transformation, it could enthuse the masses and exploit the class contradictions of Francos army. This is precisely what the Bolsheviks did upon the outbreak of civil war in Russia in 1918, when they created the Red Army. In Spain, however, no organisation was up to the task. The anarchists refused to take power, and chose to cooperate with the bourgeois Republican authorities, joining the government in November. The PSOE leftists also chose collaboration, taking over the government in September. Even the dissident communists of the POUM entered the Catalan cabinet. Thus began the slow reconstruction of the bourgeois state machine. Civil war demands centralised authority. The refusal of the anarchists and socialists to build such an authority on a revolutionary basis left a vacuum that had to be filled. It was filled by the old bourgeois state, with the support of the Stalinists. Yet this process came up against the scattered workers power that had crystallised during the fighting in July. It could only be imposed through civil war within the civil war. Historian Hugh Thomas rightly labelled the Spanish Civil War the war of two counterrevolutions: the Francoist and the democratic-republican. The Stalinists owing to their ruthlessness, single-mindedness, and Soviet backing emerged as the main battering ram of the republican counter-revolution. Moscows role Moscow saw the Iberian Peninsula not as the setting of a sweeping proletarian revolution, but as part of a diplomatic chessboard. Stalins main priority in 1936 was to woo British and French imperialism into an alliance against Germany. For this, the Soviet Union had to present itself as a respectable ally that would not jeopardise British and French capitalist interests. Events in Spain upset his plans. Therefore, Stalin sought to throttle the Spanish Revolution as a sacrificial lamb, sending a clear message to London and Paris about Soviet trustworthiness. On March 20, 1937, Stalin stated: The Spanish people are in no condition now to bring about a proletarian revolution the internal and especially the international situation do not favour it. Stalins main priority in 1936 was to woo the western imperialists into an alliance against Germany / Image: public domain Soviet efforts to draw Britain and France into an alliance and to convince them to support the Spanish Republic, however, came to naught. Fernando Claudin, a PCE leader who later on came to criticise the partys wartime strategy, rightly commented: The Western governments, unlike the Communist International, saw the question in class terms, and realised the most reliable representative of Spanish capitalism was not [Social Democratic Prime Minister] Negrin, but Franco. Paris and London preferred to reach a deal with Hitler in Munich in October 1938. Thereafter, Stalin struck his own alliance with Hitler in August 1939. Diplomatic combinations struck with the imperialists on the ashes of the Spanish Revolution could not have averted the rise of fascism and the barbarism of world war. But a victorious revolution in Spain would have delivered a devastating blow to world fascism. Disarming the revolution Stalin used Soviet aid to the Republic as a political bargaining chip, in order to push the republican government rightwards. The isolation of Spains anti-fascists facilitated this task, as only the Soviet Union and Mexico sold weapons to the Republic. The Moscow-controlled International Brigades mobilised tens of thousands of volunteers, who fought courageously in Spain. But these were also used by the Stalinists as a tool to enhance Soviet leverage. The Moscow-controlled International Brigades mobilised tens of thousands of volunteers, who fought courageously in Spain. But these were also used by the Stalinists as a tool to enhance Soviet leverage / Image: public domain At the same time, the International Brigades revealed that the only friend of the Spanish fighters was international working-class solidarity, not the British and French imperialists. The PCE and their puppeteers in Moscow adopted an openly Menshevik policy in Spain. Jose Diaz, following Soviet instructions, explained that: There can be no question at present of a dictatorship of the proletariat or of Socialism, but only of the struggle of democracy against Fascism. Stalinists claimed that the Spanish revolution was a struggle against feudalism and German-Italian intervention; a bourgeois revolution for democracy and national independence. Yet most Spanish bourgeois had fled to Francos side in July, or had been shot! For the Stalinists, socialism was a distant goal, possible only after a prolonged phase of bourgeois-democratic evolution. This was a word-for-word repetition of the Russian Menshevik programme. The Spanish Communist Party was communist only in name. It became a furious enemy of anything that smacked of Bolshevism which it labelled, rightly or wrongly, as Trotskyism. In their public propaganda in the early months of the war, however, the Stalinists used a slightly different argument: win the war first, then do the revolution. Yet this mechanistic formula missed the entire point. As anarchist Camilo Berneri rightly put it: The only dilemma is as follows either victory over Franco through revolutionary war, or defeat. Crackdown The Stalinists became entrenched in the reorganised Republican army and police. Utilising their growing institutional power, the PCE cracked down on the militias; dissolved farming and factory collectives, handing their property back to former owners; and replaced the workers committees with Republican institutions. The Stalinists defence of bourgeois legality won them a large following among the petty bourgeoisie that had been spooked by the events of July 1936. In Madrid, out of over 60,000 PCE members, only 10,000 belonged to trade unions, which gives an idea of its social composition. Initially, this counter-revolution took the form of isolated skirmishes. However, in May 1937 this camouflaged civil war took the form of an open showdown. On 3 May 1937, a Stalinist-controlled detachment of the Republican police attempted to evict the CNT from Barcelonas telephone exchange. Its takeover by the workers in 1936 was an important conquest of the revolution symbolically but also practically, as they could listen in to government communications. This clash therefore had major repercussions. The Barcelona working class reacted to this attack through a spontaneous uprising. The following day, nine-tenths of the city was in the hands of the rebels. But despite the overwhelming power of the insurrection, the workers lacked leadership. The CNT and POUM leaders called on the rebels to abandon the barricades. The insurrection fizzled out. Stalinist counter-revolution A wave of counter-revolutionary violence followed the May events. Under pressure from the PCE and Soviet diplomacy, the POUM was banned. Stalinist agents kidnapped, tortured, and shot its leader, Andreu Nin. Many others were killed, including the aforementioned Berneri. The Stalinists created a climate of terror. The Republican army and police and Stalinist armed groups crushed whatever remained of workers power. The Stalinists created a climate of terror. The Republican army and police and Stalinist armed groups crushed whatever remained of workers power / Image: public domain In Aragon, one of the strongholds of the Spanish revolution, the regional Defence Council, which operated de facto as a workers government, was dissolved by a Stalinist army. The Councils leader, anarchist Joaquin Ascaso, was jailed on sham accusations. The Civil War now became a conventional war for the defence of republican legality. The Stalinists emerged as a mass force, boasting a million members in June 1937. This owed to factors such as PCE identification with Soviet aid, the recruitment of frightened petty bourgeois, and repression. The main factor for Stalinist supremacy, however, was the disorientation of their opponents. The CNT, the POUM, and the PSOE leftists failed to present a credible solution to the question of power. Since no major organisation defended a serious plan for a revolutionary war based on a new workers regime, the entire logic of the Civil War tacked towards the defence of bourgeois-republican order. The Stalinists were the most consequential supporters of this strategy, which, moreover, they covered with leftist glitter and the prestige of the Soviet state. They stood out as the best-organised and most committed fighters in the war. They thus attracted many honest workers. Defeat After May 1937, the revolutionary energy that had beaten back Franco in July 1936 dissipated. A mood of apathy set in. Under these conditions, the fascists began to recover ground. In March 1939, professional republican army officers around General Casado staged a coup. They cracked down on the Stalinists and opened up the remaining republican territory to the Francoists. The coup was preceded by months of growing isolation of the PCE. Having accomplished the dirty work of destroying the revolution, the Stalinists were marginalised by their defeatist republican peers. Fernando Claudin summed up the sad history of the Stalinists in 1936-39: In the first phase, the republicans, the socialists, the reformists, and the communists managed to beat back the revolution, hemming it within bourgeois-democratic bounds, and restored, on this basis, the republican state []. In the second phase, the front of reformist socialists and republicans methodically strove to drive the communists out of the state apparatus [] and prepared the final capitulation. Francos victory was the tragic denouement of a war that had begun as a proletarian revolution that galvanised the masses, but, due to the Stalinist-reformist counterrevolution, ended as a conventional war for the defence of a discredited bourgeois regime. As a rank-and-file PCE combatant, peasant Timoteo Ruiz, later reflected: Fighting and dying, we sometimes thought: All this and for what? Was it to return to what we had known before? If that was the case then it was hardly worth fighting for. The shamefaced way of making the revolution demoralised people; they didnt understand. Originally published at socialist.net (ANSA) - ROME, JUL 21 - Italy's third biggest trades union confederation Uil on Friday called for an emergency decree protecting workers against the extreme heat that Italy is enduring. "There is no time to discuss protocols," Uil secretary Pierpaolo Bombardieri in a post on social media. "We need a decree law immediately that protects workers from high temperatures and bans work that is particularly exposed above 33 degrees Celsius," he added. Earlier the president of Italy's main industrial employers association Confindustria Carlo Bonomi called for the application of measures similar to those introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to protect workers during periods of extreme heat. "We need a protocol for wage subsidies and remote working for workers, like during Covid-19," Bonomi told Start on Sky TG24. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, JUL 21 - Egyptian researcher, human-rights activist and Bologna University alumnus Patrick Zaki is due to fly from Cairo to Milan Malpensa on Saturday on a scheduled flight with an Egyptian airline, sources told ANSA on Friday. Zaki has reportedly refused the special flight that had been made available by the Italian government and does not intend to meet or be assisted by authorities from Rome, the sources added. Earlier the researcher who was released on Thursday after receiving a presidential pardon on Wednesday announced on social media that he would be in his university city of Bologna on Saturday morning to "crown the long-awaited dream" . "The best feeling is freedom," he added on Twitter. 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 on trial in Egypt on charges of allegedly spreading fake news in relation to an article on Coptic Christians, and on Tuesday he was handed a three-year prison sentence which was subsequently overturned with a pardon from the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. "I am relieved about what has happened, I have many plans that I am trying to fulfil, including getting married and continuing my doctorate," Zaki told the opposition website 'Mada Masr'. "I hope that everyone will be released and that the issue of political prisoners will be resolved entirely," he added. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, JUL 21 - Egyptian researcher, human-rights activist and Bologna University alumnus Patrick Zaki said Friday his travel plans have changed slightly and that he will now be flying to Italy no earlier than Sunday afternoon. "There is a slight change in plans as it has come to our attention that the official documents lifting the travel ban will be finalised on Sunday at noon," Zaki said on Twitter. "So we will have to travel after that to be sure my legal situation is 100 per cent clear," he continued. "Rest assured Bologna, I'll be there in a couple of days, we just have to wait two more days," said Zaki. Earlier sources said the freed researcher was due to fly from Cairo to Milan Malpensa on Saturday on a scheduled flight with an Egyptian airline after allegedly refusing a special flight made available by the Italian government. Zaki, who was released from police custody on Thursday after receiving a presidential pardon on Wednesday, also announced on social media on Friday that he would be in his university city of Bologna on Saturday morning to "crown the long-awaited dream". "The best feeling is freedom," he added on Twitter. 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 on trial in Egypt on charges of allegedly spreading fake news in relation to an article on Coptic Christians, and on Tuesday he was handed a three-year prison sentence which was subsequently overturned with a pardon from the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi. Meanwhile, the local authorities in Bologna were busy organising a party for when he arrives. "It will be a party with all the people who have continued to shine a spotlight on his case, because this contributed to his release," said Deputy Mayor Emily Clancy. She added that the banner still hanging on the town hall calling for Zaki's release would be removed in his presence. "It will be a moment of joy and emotion for the city that has never stopped fighting for his return, his freedom," said Clancy. "It will also be an opportunity for the city to thank Patrick Zaki, a tireless champion of the fight for freedom and human rights," she concluded. (ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, JUL 21 - The third EU-CELAC summit in Brussels, to which over 30 leaders from Caribbean and Latin American nations were invited, was the first such meeting in eight years. It comes as the EU turns away from Russia and China as go-to trading partners and seeks to diversify its suppliers. On Monday, many leaders pledged to finalise the stalled free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur trading bloc of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay by the end of the year, despite unresolved concerns on environmental protection and unfair competition. Brussels has its eye on critical raw materials naturally occurring in Latin America that are in high demand in the EU and could help the bloc's transition away from fossil fuels, towards a more climate-friendly industry. In other developments, some Caribbean and Latin American leaders have refrained from imposing far-reaching sanctions on Russia. They repeatedly emphasised the consequences of the war for global food and energy prices and called for peace talks. New push for EU-Mercosur free trade deal A free trade agreement between the EU and the Mercosur states got a new push on Monday as leaders committed to swiftly finalising the long-stalled deal. The deal had been on hold since the conclusion of negotiations in 2019. Some EU member states had requested an addendum to the deal on climate, the environment, and human rights after deforestation in Latin America skyrocketed. "Our ambition is to settle any remaining differences as soon as possible so that we can conclude this agreement," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. Whether the deal, under which one of the largest free trade areas with more than 700 million inhabitants could be created, will be finalised by the end of year remains unclear. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar voiced opposition to the pending trade accord without new provisions on climate protection and deforestation. France, Germany and the Netherlands have expressed similar concerns in the past. The Austrian parliament voted in 2019 in a binding ballot against the trade deal over environmental and competition concerns. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva stressed the importance of public procurement between the Mercosur trade bloc and the EU. "A balanced agreement between Mercosur and the European Union, which we intend to conclude this year, will open new horizons," Lula added. Argentina's President Alberto Fernandez also called for a balance in relations between the two continents, because otherwise "it stops being an agreement and starts to be a joke". In May, environmental activists climbed the EU Council building in Brussels to protest against the Mercosur trade deal. They held up banners reading 'Stop EU-Mercosur'. The environmentalists announced on Twitter: "This agreement is a disaster for nature, farmers and human rights." The EU has been in talks on an agreement with Mercosur since 1999. Obstacles to an agreement include demands for the Amazon rainforest to be protected from deforestation for livestock-keeping and also further development of agriculture to be halted. De-couple from China, re-couple with CELAC To demonstrate Brussels' renewed interest in the region, the EU has committed to spending over 45 billion euros by 2027 in investment plans for partners in South America and the Caribbean. This comes as part of the bloc's so-called Global Gateway strategy, an initiative to link the bloc to the rest of the world and to rival China's spending in global infrastructure. The EU and its investment partners agreed to prioritise sectors from "clean energy and critical raw materials to health and education", European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday. Critical raw materials naturally occurring in Latin America are in high demand in the EU for the bloc's transition away from fossil fuels and towards a more climate-friendly industry. On the sidelines of the summit, Chile and the European Commission signed a partnership agreement to strengthen cooperation on the provision of raw materials to Europe. More than 135 projects on green and digital transition on both sides of the Atlantic are "already in the pipeline", according to von der Leyen. Other plans include an expansion of telecommunication networks in the Amazon in Brazil, 5G network development in Jamaica, the electrification of public transport in Costa Rica and investments in lithium mines in Argentina and Chile. Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, standing in for Prime Minister Robert Golob, said she would aspire for more cooperation, including in the fight against climate change and AI. She pointed out the role of the Slovenian UNESCO Centre for Artificial Intelligence, which could become operational by the end of the year. While Croatia's interests in relations with the CELAC countries are in line with the EU's, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic cited the large number of Croatian diaspora in that part of the world as another motive for cooperation. "To understand our position, it is important to keep in mind that, according to the estimates of our various departments, as many as 650,000 Croats live in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean," Plenkovic said. Besides discussing potentials for strengthened economic cooperation, another key item on the summit's agenda was the EU member states' desire to show solidarity with war-torn Ukraine. Russia's allies deal blow to EU's Ukraine efforts European and CELAC leaders failed to agree on a statement holding Russia to account for the war in Ukraine, highlighting their differences over the crisis. In fact, the discrepancies had already begun prior to the summit, following Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's invitation to his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky. Several Latin American countries vetoed his presence at the event, as Zelensky himself revealed. The joint communique issued after the summit concluded expressed "deep concern" about the conflict but contained no mention of Russia. The EU-27 and 32 out of the 33 CELAC supported the conclusions. Nicaragua did not back the final wording. Diplomats said Nicaragua, Cuba and Venezuela had opposed language criticising Russia, and other countries - while agreeing to support Ukraine's sovereignty - had stressed that different crises and conflicts were also worthy of the world's attention. "We cannot make this summit between the European Union and CELAC be a summit on Ukraine," said Ralph Gonsalves, CELAC president and Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. "But clearly Ukraine is a matter of great importance to Europe and the world - other conflicts too," he said, referring to the crisis in Haiti, the Palestinian struggle for statehood and various wars in Africa as deserving of European attention. Poland's Mateusz Morawiecki was blunt, arguing that countries which once suffered from European colonialism should recognise that Russia is now an imperialist threat. "Here in Europe it's hard to imagine, but in Latin America, Russia is presented as a peaceful country that has been attacked by NATO," he said. As the leaders met in Brussels, Russia refused to extend a deal to allow Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea, drawing a warning from the UN that millions of the world's poorest would "pay the price". On the subject of peace, during the summit plenary session, a warning also came from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. "We must give words the right meaning they have: the word peace cannot be confused with the word invasion. If anyone thinks they can confuse these two words they do not realise that a world in which international law no longer exists will never be a world of peace," she warned. Other topics discussed at the summit, which will now take place every two years, included the long-term impacts of slavery. In the final declaration all leaders "acknowledge and profoundly regret the untold suffering inflicted on millions of men, women and children as a result of the trans-Atlantic slave trade." (The content of this article is based on news by agencies participating in the enr, in this case AFP, ANSA, EFE, Europa Press, dpa, HINA, STA) (ANSA).(ANSA). (ANSA) - ROME, JUL 21 - Marina Berlusconi said on Friday her only purpose in writing an open letter to Il Giornale was to denounce the past and ongoing persecution by magistrates of her late father. The late ex-premier and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi's oldest daughter said in a statement that the "sole motivation" of the letter published on Monday "was to denounce, first and foremost as a daughter, the judicial persecution suffered by my father and the attempt to create a genuine 'damnatio memoriae' of him". Marina Berlusconi spoke out against the way in which her intervention had been instrumentalized, after Premier Giorgia Meloni said Wednesday she did not consider the 56-year-old Fininvest and Mondadori President to be a "political figure". "I have the utmost respect and esteem for President Giorgia Meloni," Marina Berlusconi said. "This is how things stand," she concluded. Monday's letter, in which Marina Berlusconi said "persecution" of her father by magistrates was continuing even after his death, referring to a probe launched by Florence prosecutors into the Mafia bombings of 1993 and 1994, was published against the backdrop of heated political debate over proposed government reforms to the justice system. There is also uncertainty about how Silvo Berlusconi's Forza Italia (FI) party will fare without this leadership after his death last month and speculation that one of his five children might step into the political arena to try to fill the gap in some way. Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, 69, has taken over as caretaker secretary of FI, which is an important part of Meloni's ruling coalition, until the next party congress. Silvio Berlusconi was at the centre of a multitude of criminal investigations while he was alive but only one, regarding tax fraud at his business empire, led to a definitive conviction. The government has embarked on a series of justice reforms that have come under heavy fire from magistrates union ANM. "We have the right to justice that, as it says in the courtrooms, is 'the same for everyone'. For everyone, which means certain prosecutor's offices should not be able to decide who it is the same for and who it isn't," read the letter by Marina Berlusconi published in the former Berlusconi family newspaper Il Giornale. "The persecution that my father was a victim of has not even had the decency to stop after his passing. "The Florence prosecutors department waited a month to resume the hunt of Berlusconi, with the nonsensical accusation of being mafioso ... "I think (this case) contains many of the pathologies and aberrations that our justice system is afflicted by," she wrote. (ANSA). Amsterdam has banned cruise ships from the centre of the city as part of efforts to limit tourism and cut pollution. It comes after the Dutch capital launched a Stay Away campaign in March in a bid to deter people intending to visit and engage in rowdy behaviour. The initiative is targeted at young British men, alerting them to the negative consequences of their actions on locals as well as potential punishments. Centre-right party D66 said cruises are incompatible with its sustainability ambitions. Amsterdam is trying to limit rowdy behaviour (Alamy/PA) Its proposal to shut Amsterdams cruise ship terminal east of its main railway station was adopted by a large majority of the citys council, it added. D66 runs the city with social democrats PvdA and GroenLinks environmentalists. It said Amsterdam must reduce the number of tourists with removing passengers from cruise ships one way of doing it. The party said the proposed building of a new bridge over the River IJ is impossible if cruise ships remain. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Joe Biden on Friday nominated Admiral Lisa Franchetti to lead the Navy, an historic step that would break a gender barrier in the U.S. military by making her the first woman to command the service and to become a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The decision by Biden is a surprise. Pentagon officials had widely expected the nomination to go to Admiral Samuel Paparo, who leads the Navy in the Pacific and who has experience grappling with the growing challenge from China. Still, Franchetti, who is currently the vice chief of operations for the Navy, was among the candidates believed to be in the running for the position, is widely respected and counts broad experience, including as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, officials said. In a statement, Biden noted Franchetti's 38 years of experience. "Throughout her career, Admiral Franchetti has demonstrated extensive expertise in both the operational and policy arenas," Biden said in a statement, noting that she was the second woman ever to achieve the rank of four-star admiral in the U.S. Navy. Last year, Biden picked Admiral Linda Fagan to lead the U.S. Coast Guard, making her its first female commanding officer. But the coast guard is not formally part of the Department of Defense, and instead falls under the Department of Homeland Security. Franchetti would become the first woman to lead a military service within the Defense Department and to join the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a group of eight top uniformed service members who advise the president on military issues. Biden also elevated Paparo, nominating him to become the commander of all U.S. military forces in the Pacific. He picked Vice Admiral Stephen "Web" Koehler to succeed Paparo as commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet. Biden's announcement comes during a block on all U.S. military nominations in Congress by Senator Tommy Tuberville, who is protesting a Defense Department policy that reimburses costs for service members who travel to get an abortion. Senior military nominations must be approved by the Senate. Although the review is usually routine, a single senator can pause the process by putting a hold on nominations that force them to be considered one at a time, taking many hours each. Tuberville's block could have a far-reaching impact across the armed forces, affecting troops and their families, and ultimately costing the U.S. military talent, a point underscored this month by Biden's pick to become the top U.S. general, Air Force General Charles "C.Q." Brown. The military is already having to shuffle staff to fill a top leadership post after the commandant of the Marine Corps, one of the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stepped down on July 10 when his four-year term ended. His Number 2 has taken over but the hold on promotions has left the Marine Corps without a confirmed leader in the job for the first time in more than a century, the Pentagon said. Biden said the delay undermined national security. "What Senator Tuberville is doing is not only wrong it is dangerous," Biden said in the statement. "He is risking our ability to ensure that the United States Armed Forces remain the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. And his Republican colleagues in the Senate know it." (Reporting by Steve Holland, Phil Stewart and Jasper Ward; Writing by Phil Stewart and Rami Ayyub; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Rosalba O'Brien) Counter-terrorism officers should not have examined a French publisher who was stopped at St Pancras station while on his way to the London book fair, a review has concluded. Jonathan Hall KC, the UKs independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said in his report that it is difficult not to sympathise with some of what Ernest Moret said during examination when he described the decision to detain him and to seize and download his devices as crazy and not normal in a democracy. Mr Moret, who works at Editions La Fabrique, was stopped by borders officers as he arrived at the north London station, and was examined using powers under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, on April 17. The review made clear that the decision to examine Mr Moret was taken by Counter Terrorism Border Policing Officers from the Metropolitan Police and that it was a pre-planned examination based on information which the police did not evaluate as they ought to have done namely that Mr Moret may be associated with violent extremism or terrorism overseas. Officers said he had participated in demonstrations in France over President Emmanuel Macron raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, according to a joint statement from Verso Books. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of wilfully obstructing a Schedule 7 examination, contrary to paragraph 18 of the Schedule, by refusing to disclose the PINs to his iPhone and laptop. Mr Moret said he felt violated by the requirement to provide access to his devices, according to the review. He was bailed, and later released under investigation. Officers concluded they did not think that Mr Moret was a threat to national security or that he would employ violence for a political agenda, the review found. Mr Moret was informed in June that no further action would be taken against him after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advised that the evidential test for prosecution had not been met. In reviewing the case to consider whether the Schedule 7 powers were used correctly, Mr Hall said: Even if the power was exercised lawfully against Mr Moret, that would still leave the question of whether it was right to examine Mr Moret in these circumstances. I have reached the clear conclusion that this examination should not have happened, and that additional safeguards are needed to ensure it is not repeated. The independent reviewer continued: The rights of free expression and protest are too important in a democracy to allow individuals to be investigated for potential terrorism merely because they may have been involved in protests that have turned violent. The problem with exercising counter-terrorism powers to investigate whether an individual is a peaceful protester or a violent protester is that it is using a sledge-hammer to crack a nut, the barrister added. Mr Hall characterised the examination as an investigation into public order for which counter-terrorism powers were never intended to be used. The review recommended that the Code is changed to specify that Schedule 7 should not be used for the purpose of public order policing and that officers should be trained to that effect. Mr Morets lawyer said the Met needs to apologise and compensate his client. Richard Parry said: The report is a complete vindication of our clients stance, citing his right to privacy, in refusing to supply his personal data to police. The police demand was totally unjustified. Boris Johnson will hand over messages from his old mobile phone to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry after technical experts managed to recover them, his spokesman has said. The apparent breakthrough announced on Friday came after he was told to stop using the device over security concerns after it emerged his number had been online for years. He then reportedly forgot the passcode. But his spokesman said that the former prime minister was pleased that technical experts have now successfully recovered all relevant messages from the device. As repeatedly stated, he will now deliver this material in unredacted form to the inquiry, he added in a statement. The inquiry process requires that a security check of this material is now made by the Cabinet Office. The timing of any further progress on delivery to the inquiry is therefore under the Cabinet Offices control. It was always the case that Boris Johnson would pass this material to the inquiry and do everything possible to help it be recovered. A careful process approved by the inquiry has been followed to ensure that this was successful. The Cabinet Office lost a battle to prevent the wholesale handing over of Mr Johnsons notebooks, WhatsApp messages and diaries (PA) Mr Johnson was advised to stop using the phone and not access it again on security grounds while serving as prime minister in May 2021. It had emerged his number had been freely available online for 15 years. The device he used during crucial periods of the coronavirus pandemic should contain messages relating to the ordering of three lockdowns in 2020. An ally of Mr Johnson had conceded he did not have 100% confidence he remembered the Pin, but the Government found a version. Furnishing the UK Covid-19 inquiry with the messages would be the latest development into the official investigations attempts to get to the bottom of the handling of the pandemic. Ministers had battled to prevent the wholesale handing over of his notebooks, WhatsApp messages and diaries. But the inquiry took the case to the High Court and the Government lost. Judges in a Cypriot court are to rule on whether a British expat murdered his terminally-ill wife. Former miner David Hunter is on trial for killing his wife of 52 years, Janice Hunter, who died of asphyxiation in December 2021 at the couples retirement home near the coastal resort town of Paphos. Hunter, 76, denies murder and told a court his wife, who was 74, had blood cancer and begged him to end her life. David Hunter is accused of killing his wife Janice (Family handout/PA) 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, has 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 added. Giving evidence in May, Hunter told the District Court in Paphos he would never in a million years have taken his wifes 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 her 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. 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. The daughter of a retired British miner cleared of murdering his terminally ill wife has said it would be like having our lives back if he is released from prison in Cyprus next week. David Hunter, 76, was found guilty of manslaughter for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice, after she cried and begged him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer. She died of asphyxiation at their home near the coastal resort town of Paphos in December 2021. The pensioner, from Ashington in Northumberland, will be sentenced on July 27 after judges found him not guilty of the more serious charge of premeditated murder. Lawyer Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, told the PA news agency the expat may be able to get a suspended sentence in light of the verdict, in a case which is a legal first in the country. Hunter was speechless and too tired to smile following the verdict, Mr Polak added. Speaking after the verdict on Friday, the couples daughter Lesley Cawthorne said: Im just genuinely stunned. I cant believe it I am just so pleased. My dads not a murderer. My dads never been a murderer. Now everybody knows that. Its incredible. Its just incredible. I cant believe it. If it had been premeditated murder, there was no chance hed ever see the light of day again, but this gives us a real chance. Describing the torment of the last 19 months, Ms Cawthorne said: Its been huge. I feel like its aged me, and its worn us down and depleted our emotional reserves. We are exhausted and drained. It has literally crushed all hope out of me and made it hard to find the kind of joy in life. But now weve got hope back, and we can see some light at the end of the tunnel. David Hunter is transported from court in Cyprus after he was found guilty of the manslaughter of his terminally ill wife (Victoria Jones/PA) On what she is looking forward to most if Hunter is freed, Ms Cawthorne said: Just hugging him and giving him a decent meal. Just giving him some food. I know it means so much to him. Knowing that he can go to see my mums grave and he can see my mum and he can say his goodbyes properly and calmly. Its unbelievable. Ms Cawthorne also said she felt her mothers presence on the morning of the verdict for the first time since she died. Hunters ex-miner friend Barry Kent, 67, told reporters the verdict is the best outcome and he is looking forward to having a beer with him if he leaves prison soon. Mr Polak told PA after the verdict: Being found not guilty of murder means he avoids a life sentence, which would have resulted in him dying in prison here in Cyprus. The manslaughter conviction, which we think is appropriate, will mean the court has a clean slate to sentence him how they see fit. We are fairly hopeful and what we are going to do is put together case law from across the Commonwealth where these cases have been sentenced before. In May, Hunter broke down in tears as he told his trial, which lasted more than a year, that he would never in a million years have taken his wifes life unless she had asked him to. David Hunter is transported from Paphos District Court (Victoria Jones/PA) He added: She wasnt just my wife, she was my best friend. Hunter showed the court how he held his hands over his wifes mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant his wifes wish after she became hysterical. He 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. Before he finished giving evidence, Hunter asked to address the judge, who he told: My wife was suffering and she actually said: I dont want to live any more, and I still said no. Then she started to become hysterical. I was hoping she would change her mind. I loved her so much. I did not plan it, I swear to God. At trial, the prosecution said he had decided to kill her and there was no common consent. During closing speeches in June, his defence team said it was not a case of premeditated murder and Hunter acted spontaneously to end his wifes life upon her begging him to do so. They have also argued a confession he is said to have made when he was arrested should not have been used against him, claiming he was suffering from dissociation at the time. The daughter of a retired British miner cleared of murdering his terminally ill wife said it would be like having our lives back if he is released from prison in Cyprus next week. David Hunter, 76, was found guilty of manslaughter for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice, who died of asphyxiation at their home near the coastal resort town of Paphos in December 2021. The pensioner, from Ashington, Northumberland, will be sentenced on July 27 after judges found him not guilty of the more serious charge of pre-meditated murder. The daughter of David Hunter, who was found guilty of the manslaughter of his wife Janice, says she is so pleased her father may get to return home (Victoria Jones/PA) He told the court his wife, who was 74, was suffering with blood cancer and begged him to end her life. Speaking after the verdict on Friday, the couples daughter Lesley Cawthorne said: Im just genuinely stunned. I cant believe it I am just so pleased. My dads not a murderer. My dads never been a murderer. Now everybody knows that. Its incredible. Its just incredible. I cant believe it. If it had been premeditated murder, there was no chance hed ever see the light of day again, but this gives us a real chance. Ms Cawthorne said her father is likely to stay in Cyprus for a while if he is released, meaning they will have to wait before being reunited. He had almost two years of being a prisoner during lockdown, and then he went straight from that into prison. Hes had over three years of his life that have been lived at somebody elses kind of whim. So I think its time to respect what he wants and let him make choices, and I think its really important we let him make choices. Janice Hunter is buried at the cemetery in Tremithousa, Cyprus (Joe Giddens/PA) I know what he will choose to spend some time with my mum. He doesnt just want one quick trip to the grave I know what hes going to be like. Hes going to want a period where hes at the grave every day, and if thats what he needs, thats what he needs. Its not my place to pull him away from that Im here, Ill be waiting, and when hes ready then hes going to come [to the UK]. But coming out of prison is going to be a big culture shock. I think coming out of prison and coming straight to the UK would just knock him off his feet. He needs time and space to acclimatise. Hes a proud man, and I think he wants time to put himself together before he sees us, so he can be the best version of himself. The house in Tremithousa, Cyprus where Janice Hunter was killed by her husband David (Joe Giddens/PA) Describing the torment of the last 19 months, Ms Cawthorne said: Its been huge. I feel like its aged me, and its worn us down and depleted our emotional reserves. We are exhausted and drained. It has literally crushed all hope out of me and made it hard to find the kind of joy in life. But now weve got hope back, and we can see some light at the end of the tunnel. On what she is looking forward to most if Mr Hunter is freed, Ms Cawthorne said: Just hugging him and giving him a decent meal. Just giving him some food. I know it means so much to him. Knowing that he can go to see my mums grave and he can see my mum and he can say his goodbyes properly and calmly. Its unbelievable. Mrs Cawthorne also said she felt her mothers presence on the morning of the verdict for the first time since she died. She said: All morning, Ive really felt like my mums with me. Ive really felt my mums presence in a way I havent since she died. It might just be my imagination but its been really strange. Late-night visitors to Banksys hit show at the Gallery of Modern Art in Glasgow will soon come face to face with death himself. From Friday evening, a figure of the Grim Reaper will be prowling the citys Royal Exchange Square in a remote-controlled dodgem to the tune of Stayin Alive by the Bee Gees in a bid to encourage visitors to attend the all-night Cut and Run exhibition. The Grim Reaper is one of Banksys most famous works, first spotted in Bristol. It has since been a feature in two previous exhibitions in New York in 2013 and at Dismaland in Weston-Super-Mare in 2015. The elusive artists first solo show in 14 years arrived in Glasgow under a shroud of secrecy last month. Glasgows Gallery of Modern Art, where for the first time stencils used by street artist Banksy to create many of his works will be displayed in his new exhibition Cut & Run (Jane Barlow/PA) Banksy, whose identity has never been revealed publicly, used stencils from many of his most famous artworks to create new versions for the exhibition. The artist said he took the show to Glasgow because his favourite work of art the statue of the Duke of Wellington, which has a traffic cone on top of it is situated just outside the gallery. When the show was launched, Banksy said: Ive kept these stencils hidden away for years, mindful they could be used as evidence in a charge of criminal damage. That moment seems to have passed, so now Im exhibiting them in a gallery as works of art. Im not sure which is the greater crime. The exhibition has been hugely popular with day tickets selling out quickly, but art fans can still take a late-night trip or turn up on the day. Nearby Maxs Bar on Queen Street in Glasgow is serving free Irn-Bru margaritas to anyone holding a late night show ticket. Tickets for Cut and Run are available via the shows website at https://cutandrun.co.uk/ A Royal Navy aircraft carrier which broke down just a few miles from its home port has left dry dock nearly a year later after undergoing repairs and upgrades. HMS Prince of Wales suffered a broken propeller shaft after it sailed from Portsmouth Naval Base in August 2022 for a diplomatic mission to the United States. The 3 billion warship came to a halt off the Isle of Wight and was brought under tow back into harbour for the problem to be identified. A tug helped HMS Prince of Wales to return to Portsmouth Naval Base after it broke down off the Isle of Wight (Ben Mitchell/PA Wire) It was then taken to the Babcock shipyard where it was built in Rosyth, Scotland, to undergo the repairs which have taken nine months to complete. Fears had been raised that the 65,000 tonne vessel was being cannibalised for parts to be used on sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth but Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said this was perfectly normal and the ship would return to service by the autumn. The carrier moved out of dry dock at Rosyth and into the River Forth on Friday before it begins its journey back to Portsmouth. She's back! Britain's biggest warship @HMSPWLS is gearing up for renewed operations after 9 months of engineering repairs and systems upgrades. The carrier left Rosyth dockyard and is waiting for the right conditions to pass under the Forth bridges. https://t.co/oarzdv9Hcy pic.twitter.com/MQ4ImRqUGi Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) July 21, 2023 A navy spokesman said: The carrier will then build on her previous successes including acting as Natos command ship and leading the Maritime High Readiness Force in the Arctic, before she takes over from HMS Queen Elizabeth as the nations flagship towards the end of 2024. The ships commanding officer, Captain Richard Hewitt, said: We are returning HMS Prince of Wales to operations as the most advanced warship ever built for the Royal Navy. This year, we will be operating F-35s, V-22 Ospreys, drones and the RN Merlin helicopters pushing the boundaries of naval aviation and UK Carrier Strike capability as we progress towards a global deployment in 2025. HMS Prince of Wales passes a ferry as she enters the Firth of Forth (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire) Our sailors are paramount to ensuring our return to operations. They have approached the task of getting us back to sea with the remarkable ethos that I have come to expect from them. They are a credit to the ship and the Royal Navy. The navy spokesman said that the ships engineering departments had worked with civilian engineers from Babcock to fix the propeller shafts along with BAE Systems which has also been carrying out previously-planned upgrade works. He added that the 750-strong crew have undergone training and supported recruitment drives as well as taking part in civic events during the period of the repairs. The spokesman added: Once the ship has completed her propulsion trials, she will bring her flight deck back to life before returning to Portsmouth to prepare for her autumn deployment to the USA. Sir Keir Starmer has labelled a Government minister a silly sod who will soon be history, after Johnny Mercer compared the partys new 25-year-old MP to a character from cult Channel 4 comedy The Inbetweeners. The minister for Veterans Affairs said Keir Mather had been dropped into the Selby and Ainsty constituency and spouted identikit Keir Starmer lines, after earlier stating: We dont want Parliament to become like The Inbetweeners. The Labour leader hit back at Mr Mercer in Selby on Friday, as he celebrated the by-election victory alongside Mr Mather and deputy leader Angela Rayner. Strolling along the pitch at Selby Town Football Club and surrounded by media, Sir Keir told the new MP: There was some silly sod on the radio, on the television last night saying you were only 25. The comments were picked up by an ITV camera crew and Sir Keir can be heard saying: But the answer is, youre 25 and youve made history and hes whatever age he is and hell soon be history. Mr Mather will become the youngest MP in the Commons the Baby of the House after overturning a 20,137 Conservative majority to win the North Yorkshire seat for Labour. Minister for Veterans Affairs Johnny Mercer (James Manning/PA) The Inbetweeners, which aired in the late 2000s, follows four friends at school who end up in awkward and embarrassing situations as they try to enter adulthood. Explaining his comments to Sky News on Friday, Mr Mercer said: I think this synthetic outrage, identikit Labour politician is the opposite of what people like me came into politics for. Hes been at Oxford University more than hes had a job, right? So if you can really apply that to the empathy required to understand what its really like in this country at the moment, in terms of the cost of living and all these experiences of these people hes trying to represent. Personally, I dont think that is conducive to good electoral representation and Im more than entitled to have that view. Labour peer Baroness Chapman of Darlington, who appeared alongside Mr Mercer on Sky, defended Mr Mather as very considered and intelligent and said: Youre entitled to have whatever view you like, but there is such a thing as being gracious in defeat Johnny, and youre being disrespectful to the voters of Selby whove made a decision that you dont happen to like. One of the good things about our Parliament is that we have people entering Parliament for the first time in their 20s but also in their 60s, from all kinds of backgrounds, and I think thats a strength. Its obviously not about young people being in politics. Its the *type* of person. But people will mistranslate it as they see fit. And that is fine too Rt Hon Johnny Mercer (@JohnnyMercerUK) July 21, 2023 Mr Mercer, a former British Army officer from 2002 to 2013 and MP for Plymouth Moor View, has previously been involved in several public arguments with well-known individuals including TV presenter Carol Vorderman. He tweeted later on Friday saying: I may be a silly sod or a twit both of those are valid. But I also dont think voters really want people whove spent more time at university than in a job, who get dropped in to a constituency, inserted with a party chip and parrot party lines. Glad to have stoked debate. Its obviously not about young people being in politics. Its the *type* of person. But people will mistranslate it as they see fit. And that is fine too. It is not unusual for politicians to start Commons careers in their mid-20s. British Prime Ministers William Gladstone and Winston Churchill became MPs at the ages of 22 and 25 respectively. It was also pointed out on social media that Ross Kempsell, former political director of the Conservative Party, was elevated to the House of Lords on Thursday aged 31 after being included in Boris Johnsons Prime Ministers Resignation Honours. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has said he is confident the Governments controversial Bill to deal with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles will receive royal assent in early September. The Secretary of State said he understands the concerns of bereaved families who fear the legislation will stop them from ever receiving justice and conceded it is not a perfect solution to legacy issues. 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. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris said he was confident the legacy Bill would receive royal assent in early September (Liam McBurney/PA) The Bill is opposed by all major Stormont parties, the Irish Government and victims campaign groups. The Government had wanted the legislation passed before Parliament went into recess this week, but was delayed after peers in the House of Lords introduced amendments. Mr Heaton-Harris said: I believe it is September 5 it will be back in the Lords, should there be an amendment tabled in the Lords by somebody and that get passed, which is possible but Id say unlikely, then it would come back to the Commons on the sixth. The Lords passed amendments to remove elements of the Bill or change elements of the Bill, and they won the votes by 12 and 24. We overturned that by a very big vote of 92 in the House of Commons, bigger than the Governments majority by quite some way. So, I am confident the Bill will receive royal assent at some point at the beginning of September. Mr Heaton-Harris said many families of Troubles victims had gone 50 years without any information about what happened to their loved ones. He said: That means that everybody who is involved in what happened originally is 50 years older and might not be around for too much longer. I know this is not the perfect solution but I dont think there will ever be a perfect solution of trying to find the answers to the past in Northern Ireland of all the things that happened in the Troubles. But I do believe this will help some people find the answers they require. He said: I have gone around and spoken to lots and lots of people, as has my ministerial team. Lord Caine has done over 70 different engagements with people, I have done dozens and dozens of them myself. I am old enough to remember some of the incidents but I didnt live through them. So, listening to peoples individual stories of what happened to their family members is really emotional. I am genuinely trying to find a solution for the group of people for whom information might be enough. Mr Heaton-Harris stressed that under the new legislation recommendations for prosecution could be made in some circumstances by the newly-established Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, which will take over hundreds of unresolved legacy cases. A coroner has said there was a lost opportunity to carry out a potentially life-saving test on a teenager who died from a rare genetic condition triggered by drinking a protein shake. Rohan Godhania, 16, of Ealing, west London, fell ill after drinking the shake on August 15 2020, and died three days later at West Middlesex Hospital after suffering irreversible brain damage. A post-mortem examination on August 28 2020 could not ascertain his cause of death a late onset of the rare disease ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, an inquest has heard. This was because his liver and kidneys were donated for transplant before the mystery of his sudden illness was solved. His cause of death was not revealed until months later when the recipient of his liver was admitted to hospital. OTC prevents the breakdown of ammonia, causing it to build up to lethal levels in the bloodstream, and can be triggered by a protein load. Concluding Rohans inquest at Milton Keynes Coroners Court in Buckinghamshire on Friday, senior coroner Tom Osborne said: I find that on August 15 Rohan was given a protein shake purchased from a supermarket and that this triggered an acute reaction. I find that Rohan suffered from OTC deficiency that was unknown to him and his family at the time. He called Rohans death a tragedy, adding: There is no doubt that this was a young man with a bright future ahead of him. Mr Osborne said Rohan was admitted to West Middlesex Hospital, part of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, where advice was taken from the neurologists at Charing Cross Hospital who said he should be tested for ammonia, but this test was not carried out. In a narrative conclusion, he said: The deceased was admitted to West Middlesex Hospital on August 16 2020. His hyperammonaemia and OTC deficiency was not diagnosed. Rohan Godhania (centre) with his parents Pushpa and Hitendra Godhania in Barcelona in 2015 (Family Handout/PA) The failure to carry out a test for ammonia that would have revealed the hyperammonaemia resulted in a lost opportunity to render further medical treatment that may, on the balance of probabilities, have prevented his death. He died on August 18 2020. Doctors had been unable to confirm the underlying cause of Rohans fatal brain swelling. Approximately six months after the transplant, the recipient of Rohans liver was rushed to hospital with symptoms including seizures and hyperammonaemic encephalopathy, a metabolic condition precipitated by elevated blood ammonia. They required intubation and ventilation in an intensive care unit before their condition improved over a few days, the inquest has heard. An independent expert later identified the link between the two cases and a biopsy on tissue from the donated liver established that Rohan had suffered from OTC, which was then recorded as his cause of death. The coroner now intends to issue two prevention of future death reports. One report is to the Food Standards Agency and will call for a health warning to be added to the protein shake in question to alert other OTC sufferers of the risk, despite the rarity of the disease. He said: It does concern me that this product, this protein milkshake, is readily available. Its available online, you can buy it in bulk, you can buy it in the supermarket and there is no mention on the literature of the possibility of someone who suffers from OTC having a reaction to it. The other report will be to NHS England because Mr Osborne feels it should review the guidance that is given with regard to the treatment of patients between the ages of 16-18. The coroner repeatedly raised the issue during the inquest of whether 16 to 18-year-olds almost fall between two stalls when it comes to them getting paediatric or adult care. Lawyers for Rohans family had argued he should have been transferred to Charing Cross Hospital, which has dedicated neurology and neurosurgery departments. The inquest heard that the hospital could not take him because he was a paediatric patient rather than an adult. In a joint statement provided to the PA news agency after the inquest, Rohans parents Pushpa and Hitendra Godhania said: When a child is taken to hospital, you expect the system to pull out all the stops to save their life. This did not happen in Rohans case. It has taken almost three years for our inquest to be finally heard. We feel very strongly that the lack of transparency from the trust played a key part in the delay. Bereaved families should not have to fight to be heard. We should not have to fight for information that should be rightfully available. Our experience shows the opposite of a just and learning culture. We experienced a defensive and insensitive attitude. We were constantly told that there were no issues with Rohans care. But poor quality reviews will fail to identify any learning. We believe the system closed ranks. In the meantime, children like Rohan pay with their life. Our ultimate goal has always been to uncover shortcomings in the care provided to Rohan and to ensure that there is learning, so that other families will not have to suffer a similar loss. While the conclusion of the inquest brings some closure, as Rohans family we continue to advocate for greater transparency and improvements within the healthcare system. We hope that the lessons learned from Rohans case will contribute to meaningful changes that help prevent such tragic deaths in future. Sarah Kingsley Fried, from Fieldfisher, representing the family at the inquest, said: This inquest would not have happened were it not for Rohans parents and their tireless pursuit of answers about their sons death. For nearly three years they fought to establish that the care he received warranted investigation. Today it is clear they were right. Planned strikes next week by London Underground workers have been suspended. Members of Aslef and the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) were due to take industrial action throughout the week in a long-running dispute over pay, pensions and conditions. Both unions said progress had been made in talks at the conciliation service Acas. Finn Brennan, Aslefs organiser on the Underground, said: After a week of intense negotiations, we have made real progress in making sure our members working conditions and pensions are protected from the impact of the Tory Government cuts to Transport for London (TfL) funding. After a week of negotiations ASLEF have today suspended the planned strike action at London Underground on 26th and 28th July https://t.co/koSg0QX2Sc ASLEF (@ASLEFunion) July 21, 2023 There will be no changes to pension benefits before the next general election and any future changes to working conditions and agreements will only be made by negotiation. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: There has been significant progress made by our negotiating team in Acas talks with TfL. However, this is not the end of the dispute nor is it a victory for the union as yet. RMT suspends strike action on London Underground after progress at ACAS. @RMTunion has suspended all strike action planned for next week on London Underground after making progress in the pensions and jobs dispute. pic.twitter.com/S2SkPlF7VY RMT (@RMTunion) July 21, 2023 Our members were prepared to engage in significant disruptive industrial action and I commend their resolve. RMTs strike mandate remains live until October and we are prepared to use it if necessary. We will continue to negotiate in good faith as we always have done with TfL and it was only the steadfast commitment of our members in being prepared to take sustained strike action that has forced the employer to make significant concessions. Our campaign to defend jobs, conditions and our members pensions will continue in the coming weeks and months. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said negotiation was always the best way forward (Jonathan Brady/PA) The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan welcomed the news, saying: Despite the onerous funding deal conditions imposed by the Government, we have managed to avoid industrial action. Negotiation is always the best way forward and this shows what we can achieve by working with trade unions. Ive been in close contact with the TfL commissioner throughout this week, and Ill keep working with our TfL unions and staff to deliver the best transport system in the world for Londoners. Police investigating a womans disappearance a decade ago have launched a murder probe. Lisa Pour was 40 when she vanished on January 16 2013 after last being seen by a probation officer in the Willesden Green area of north-west London. Enquiries into the mother-of-three over the past 10 years failed to find out what happened to her and detectives now believe she is dead. The investigation has been passed to murder detectives from the Metropolitan Polices Specialist Crime Command. Ms Pour was staying at a flat in Kilburn High Road when she disappeared but was known to frequent Camden and Brent and be popular with drug takers. In January, her family offered a 10,000 reward to anyone coming forward with significant information. Detective Chief Inspector Neil Rawlinson of the Mets Specialist Crime Command said: Lisa was a mother of three children that she adored, she was close to her parents and while her lifestyle could be described as somewhat chaotic, she would not have broken contact with her loved ones. Reza Pour, Ms Pours father, said: Lisas absence in our lives has been a daily struggle but we always held on to the hope that she might still come back to us. To think that her last moments may have been filled with fear and pain is something that we cannot get over. Someone out there knows what happened to our beloved Lisa. Please come forward and help us find justice for her and find her body so she can properly be laid to rest. Ms Pour was about 5ft 2ins tall and of slim build with dark hair. Anyone with information can call the incident room on 020 8358 0200, call 101 or Tweet @MetCC, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. A retired British miner who killed his terminally ill wife after she cried and begged him to do it may be able to leave prison after being cleared of her murder by Cypriot judges. David Hunter, 76, was found guilty of manslaughter for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice, as she lay dying of blood cancer in December 2021. Janice, who was 74, died of asphyxiation at their home near the coastal resort town of Paphos. David and Janice Hunter lived in the village of Tremithousa in Cyprus (Joe Giddens/PA) Hunter denied premeditated murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence. He will be sentenced on July 27. Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, told PA news agency he may be able to get a suspended sentence and be able to leave prison in light of the verdict. Hunter was speechless and too tired to smile following the verdict, Mr Polak said. The expats legal team will argue his sentence can be suspended in a case which is a legal first in the country. Mr Polak told the PA news agency: Being found not guilty of murder means he avoids a life sentence which would have resulted in him dying in prison here in Cyprus. The manslaughter conviction, which we think is appropriate, will mean the court has a clean slate to sentence him how they see fit. We are fairly hopeful and what we are going to do is put together case law from across the Commonwealth where these cases have been sentenced before. In May, Hunter broke down in tears as he told his trial that he would never in a million years have taken Janices life unless she had asked him to. The house in Tremithousa, Cyprus where Janice Hunter lived with husband David (Joe Giddens/PA) He added: She wasnt just my wife, she was my best friend. He showed the court how he held his hands over his wifes 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. Before he finished giving evidence, he asked to address the judge, who he told: My wife was suffering and she actually said: I dont want to live any more, and I still said no. Then she started to become hysterical. I was hoping she would change her mind. I loved her so much. I did not plan it, I swear to God. After giving evidence he told reporters his time in a Cypriot prison was nothing compared to the last six months of Janices life. Hunter told the court he tried to kill himself after his wifes death. Janice had been diagnosed with terminal blood cancer at the time of her death (Joe Giddens/PA) At trial, the prosecution said he had decided to kill her and there was no common consent. During closing speeches in June, his defence team said it was not a case of premeditated murder and Hunter acted spontaneously to end his wifes life upon her begging him to do so. They have also argued a confession he is said to have made when he was arrested should not have been used against him, claiming he was suffering from dissociation at the time. A judge found Hunter was lucid and dismissed the application. On Wednesday, the couples daughter Lesley Cawthorne told the PA news agency his her father is anxious, tired and lonely and the past 19 months has taken a huge toll on him. She added: I think the hope has been crushed out of him. He would probably tell other people hes keeping his chin up but I see how much hes struggling. A panel of three judges handed down the verdict following a lengthy trial. Whisky experts are to test green-grown barley to ensure it is fit to be used in Scotlands national drink. Researchers at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, are running tests on barley grown with green fertilisers in hope that it will still meet the requirements to distil whiskies. Barley makes up 63% of Scotlands cereal crop and is used for a wide range of purposes, including malting, distilling and as animal feed. If the tests, named the BioCrop project, find the green option is suitable, it will mean production will rely far less on using non-renewable fertilisers. The research, funded by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, is taking place over two years. Researchers are testing green-grown barley (Rainer Melzer/University College Dublin/PA) The team at Heriot-Watt are working with scientists from University College Dublin, Ireland, who are testing three types of sustainable fertilisers. A field trial site will be established at Lyons Farm, University College London. Dr Angela Feechan, a plant pathologist at Heriot-Watt, said: The Irish BioCrop project funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is carrying out field trials at the moment, and well be using their grain. They are investigating how biostimulants made from algae, bacteria and yeast perform for barley growth, health and yield compared with traditional fossil fuels. Its not enough to know if we can grow barley without fossil fuels. We need to know what changes using biostimulants could have on them, whether its their quality, resistance to disease, how they respond to high heat or whether their flavour changes. Reaching net zero means making our food production more sustainable. Biostimulants can hopefully do just that, but we need to be sure whisky wont suffer as a result. The BioCrop project will supply three barley varieties to Heriot-Watt, named Cassia, Valeria and RGT Planet. Scientists are testing grains to ensure Scotlands national drink would not suffer if green-grown barley is used (Peter Dibdin/PA) Researchers Dr Ross Alexander and Dr Calum Holmes are to carry out experiments in the universitys world-renowned International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD). Dr Ross Alexander said: Well be testing the barley in our micro maltings, which gives us a very controlled way to test grains at all stages of whisky production. Although its laboratory-based, it is possible to produce malt comparable to that produced in commercial maltings. Well examine the barley on the nanoscale throughout the process to ensure it meets industry standards. Thats everything from how its seeds grow, grain size, enzyme values and soluble protein content. Nitrogen content is key to barley meeting market specifications. Malt distilling requires a nitrogen level of below 1.65%. Any change to that could mean its not useable for whisky production; the micro malting analysis will give us certainty on the effect of biostimulants on barley. The UK should reassess its defence presence in Scotland in light of new threats in the most northerly part of the globe, a committee of MPs has recommended. The Scottish Affairs Committee also said a strategy on protecting offshore infrastructure is needed in the wake of the Nord Stream sabotage. After conducting an inquiry on defence in Scotland, the cross-party committee called for clarity on how the military presence could be scaled up in response to potential future threats in the Arctic and the strategically important Greenland-Iceland-UK gap (GIUK). As well as an increased Russian presence, China is taking a growing interest in Arctic politics and climate change is leading to new trade routes opening in the High North, which is loosely defined as the Arctic region and the seas surrounding it, including part of the North Atlantic. Experts said the fleet of Poseidon aircraft may also need to grow (SAC Iain Curlett RAF/PA) Evidence from the Human Security Centre stated the RAF had too few Poseidon maritime patrol jets and Wedgetail early warning aircraft to provide a persistent presence. Andrew Dorman, a professor of international security at Kings College London, told the MPs the RAF would require more Typhoon and F-35B fighters if there were a serious escalation in the region. The Faslane naval bases role in policing the GIUK gap was said to be critical. The committee is chaired by the SNPs Pete Wishart, whose party wants the removal of the Trident nuclear deterrent from an independent Scotland. However, the report recognised there would be serious implications for the region if nuclear submarines were removed. The role of the Faslane naval base was noted (Jane Barlow/PA) It said: Whilst not all members of the committee support this view (of maintaining Trident), we do recognise the serious implications for the UK and Nato should the nuclear fleet ever be removed from Faslane. The report continued: The UK Government told us that repair of subsea cables was a matter for the cables commercial owners; we are concerned that the UK Government did not have more to say about how such important infrastructure could be repaired in the event of sabotage or failure. The UK Government should produce and publish a strategy for protecting offshore infrastructure. Mr Wishart said Scotland had a fundamental role in the defence of the region. Peter Wishart said Scotlands role was fundamental (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament/PA) He said: During our inquiry we heard widespread agreement that the Arctic is of growing strategic importance and maintaining a well-maintained and resourced military capability is essential to meet the UKs defence interests. Because of its geography Scotland is home to a number of the UKs strategic military assets and in our report we call on the UK Government to look at how the defence presence in Scotland could be scaled up if required to meet future threats if required. We are also calling for a review of the UKs cold-weather capabilities. We also looked at the opportunities and threats that may emerge because of climate change in the Arctic and the High North. Emerging trade routes and the responsibility of protecting offshore and subsea infrastructure are likely to become emerging priorities in a fast-changing environment. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: This report rightly highlights Scotlands crucial role in bolstering security in the North Atlantic and High North regions, with the UKs nuclear deterrent based at Faslane, Typhoon quick reaction alert aircraft and Poseidon P8-A maritime patrol aircraft both based at RAF Lossiemouth and 45 Commando, with their cold-weather operations expertise in Arbroath. Our refreshed defence command paper highlights the growing strategic importance of the North Atlantic and High North, as well as the UKs contribution to security in the region including through our bilateral relationships and through NATO and the Joint Expeditionary Force. Defence continues to invest in the capabilities needed to deliver security in the region, such as our new Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates and Multi-Role Ocean Surveillance ships. Rishi Sunak has suffered a double by-election defeat in safe Tory seats, with Labour and the Liberal Democrats both overturning majorities of about 20,000. Labour won Selby and Ainsty and the Lib Dems took Somerton and Frome on sizable swings which will leave many Tory MPs looking nervously at their own majorities. But the Tory leader was spared the prospect of being the first prime minister since 1968 to lose three by-elections on the same day as Labour failed to secure victory in Boris Johnsons former seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip. Tory Steve Tuckwell held on with a majority of just 495, down from the 7,210 Mr Johnson secured in 2019. In Selby and Ainsty, 25-year-old Keir Mather will become the youngest MP in the Commons the Baby of the House after overturning a 20,137 majority. He secured a 4,161 majority in the North Yorkshire seat with and Labour said it was the highest majority the party had ever overturned in a by-election. The swing from Conservative to Labour of 23.7 percentage points is the second largest swing managed by Labour at a by-election since 1945. (PA Graphics) A similar swing across the country would result in it winning more seats than in Tony Blairs 1997 landslide, Labour claimed. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: This is a historic result that shows that people are looking at Labour and seeing a changed party that is focused entirely on the priorities of working people with an ambitious, practical plan to deliver. Keir Mather will be a fantastic MP who will deliver the fresh start Selby and Ainsty deserves. It is clear just how powerful the demand for change is. Voters put their trust in us many for the first time. After 13 years of Tory chaos, only Labour can give the country its hope, its optimism and its future back. For the Lib Dems, a 29.0 percentage point swing in Somerton and Frome saw a 19,213 Tory majority turned into a 11,008-vote cushion for new MP Sarah Dyke. (PA Graphics) Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said the Somerton and Frome result showed his party was once again winning votes in its former West Country heartland. The people of Somerton and Frome have spoken for the rest of the country who are fed up with Rishi Sunaks out-of-touch Conservative government, he said. The victory means Sir Ed has become the first party leader since Paddy Ashdown in the 1990s to win four by-elections. Despite Labours success in North Yorkshire, the failure to secure victory in Uxbridge and South Ruislip in west London has led to a blame game among senior figures over the capitals mayor Sadiq Khans plan to expand the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) to cover outer boroughs. (PA Graphics) Labour candidate Danny Beales had distanced himself from the policy, saying it was not the right time to expand the 12.50 daily charge for cars which fail to meet emissions standards. The defeat in the seat was dubbed Uloss by a party insider in a sign of the unease at Mr Khans plan. In his victory speech, new MP Mr Tuckwell said Mr Khan had cost Labour the seat. It was his damaging and costly Ulez policy that lost them this election, he said. This wasnt the campaign Labour expected and Keir Starmer and his mayor Sadiq Khan need to sit up and listen to the Uxbridge and South Ruislip residents. (PA Graphics) Labour shadow cabinet minister Steve Reed acknowledged it had been a factor in the campaign and called for Mr Khan to change course. The shadow justice secretary told the PA news agency: I think those responsible for that policy will need to reflect on what the voters have said and whether theres an opportunity to change. Polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice said the by-elections suggest the Tories are in deep electoral trouble, with the results showing the Conservatives are 21 percentage points behind, similar to the national polling. He noted the similarity to the run up to the 1997 Labour landslide, telling BBC Radio 4s Today programme history is not bound to repeat itself but the precedent indicates the difficulty the Tories are in unless they can turn things around. But he said Labour must ask why its hold on the electorate is apparently so weak that when a local issue like Ulez comes up they dont perform as they should. For Mr Sunak, the defeats happened as MPs drifted away from Westminster to begin their summer break, so he may be spared a clamour against his leadership. The Prime Minister could attempt to reset his administration with a Cabinet reshuffle in the wake of the contests Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has already signalled he will exit the Government, so there is a vacancy to be filled although No 10 has publicly said there are no plans for a shake-up. Mr Sunak may have decided the benefits of freshening up his team at this stage would be outweighed by the risk of it being perceived as a panicked response to an electoral setback. The UK can adapt its buildings to global warming by rolling out low technology measures like green roofs, external blinds and insulation as the country responds to rising temperatures, experts have said. Record temperatures and heatwaves this summer have prompted warnings that Britain must proactively respond to the changing climate when it comes to its built environment. Researchers from the University of Oxford published a study this week which found that the UK is one of the countries that will have to adapt the most radically to cool down buildings as climate change drives up the global average temperature. The scientists warned of a vicious cycle developing whereby people burn more fossil fuels to provide energy for cooling which then heats the climate still further, requiring more energy. But Oliver Neve, a structural engineer with a sustainability background at Ramboll, said low tech solutions, like external shutters or blinds, green roofs, lighter coloured exteriors, insulation and less paving over the surrounding area, can help to keep existing or older buildings cool and improve their climate resilience. Mr Neve told the PA news agency: Theres an awful lot of work that has to be done within the existing (UK building) stock to prepare us for these climate changes. So we absolutely have to be proactive in our approach rather than reactive because the cost is just going to be far too great in terms of the impacts to society and unfortunately to those with fragile health. Mr Neve said UK buildings do not traditionally include features like external blinds or shutters, which are rife across Europe even in cooler areas. It is really rare to see any kind of external shading on typical housing stock in London, like an external blind or shutter, yet in Lille which has an identical climate, theyre widespread, Mr Neve said. Meanwhile, new buildings need to incorporate good design for climate resilience, including factors like orientating the main faces away from direct sunlight, minimising solar gain with less glazing and including green roofs, he said. (PA Graphics) Mr Neve added that vegetation is very helpful especially against the heat island effect in cities while considering those low tech options that improve biodiversity becomes a win-win. Elsewhere, removing paved-over soil can help with other climate change effects like higher precipitation and storm events, he said. Its frustrating to see (that) we are just paving over huge areas and we know that urban heat island effect, biodiversity loss and surface water run-off, all these things can just be mitigated by a bit more vegetation in our lives and thats very much in the power of individuals to make those changes to their homes, he added. The Trees for Cities charity, which plants urban vegetation, also says greenery can play a vital role in helping to mitigate the effects of climate change in the built environment. Kate Sheldon, chief executive of the charity, said: With 80% of the population living in towns or cities, our impact is not only through planting urban trees, but also the social value of inspiring curiosity in nature, engaging people to care for trees, and empowering them to take climate action. Meanwhile, Kate Charrington, a Surrey-based property surveyor and consultant, warned that the issues are complex with no one-size-fits-all approach as different buildings will need different solutions. (PA Graphics) Ms Charrington said: A property is specific, the changes for one may not be the changes or adaptations that we would make for another. She added that surveyors need to play a role as they are not doing enough to include the concept of retrofitting properties in their reports and they can help to establish what measures could work for different buildings. They are focused on defects and repairs but there is an opportunity to talk to consumers about what they might be able to do to retrofit their homes, she added. If you do not have that expert then how can you actually know what the best process is going to be for that property going forward? It comes after the National Grid turned on standby coal-powered plants last month to cater for the rise in energy demand due to air conditioning and fans as heatwaves hit the UK. Scientists predict that the amount of energy needed just for cooling by 2050 will be equivalent to the combined 2016 electricity use of Japan, the United States and the European Union. Ukrainian troops have been on exercises in Scotland learning how to disarm and defuse Russian bombs, booby traps and mines. Royal Navy divers, bomb disposal specialists and mine warfare experts have been training their Ukrainian counterparts on finding and neutralising explosive devices in the north-west Highlands. Specialist personnel from the Royal Navys Diving and Threat Exploitation Group (DTXG) used the waters of Loch Ewe to pass on their knowledge and expertise to Ukrainian Navy divers, explosive ordnance disposal operators and personnel who work with uncrewed underwater vehicles. Sailors from Delta Diving Unit 1 and DTXGs operational support squadron delivered the training alongside Nato allies, building on the existing knowledge and skills of the Ukrainian expeditionary mine countermeasures team and helping them prepare for future operations. The training ranged from clearing deep water shipping lanes to rendering shallow water and beaches safe for amphibious raids. It also covered clearing ports, jetties and any other infrastructure from potential threats. Royal Navy and Ukrainian navy personnel go through bomb disposal techniques on the beaches of Loch Ewe (Royal Navy/PA) Lieutenant Ali Aindow, the officer in charge of Delta Diving Unit 1, said: Its been great to be working with our close allies and partners again. We have been able to reinforce relationships and cohere into a single, multi-national force able to find and destroy underwater or maritime threats for the task group commander. She added: The Ukrainian Navy divers have been great, its been a brilliant opportunity to share experience and learn techniques from each other. The Ukrainians are really focused and their enthusiasm for the training has been amazing. Teams trained with crewless underwater vehicles: submarine robots packed with cutting-edge technology such as sensors which generate images of objects so operators can identify any threats. Once a threat was identified, the divers moved in to neutralise the device and make the area safe. Training was delivered on neutralising underwater threats (Royal Navy/PA) The training dealt with all types of exercise targets: free-floating buoyant mines; ground mines; and improvised explosive devices in, on and around the water. This training has delivered real value, said Lieutenant Commander David Starkey, commanding officer of DTXG Delta and Echo Squadrons. The operational capability of all the nations has improved and this continued effort, working together again, has led to a really integrated team developing to counter explosive threats in the maritime environment. The relationships between the units and personnel continues to grow, bound by a common purpose and shared values. It demonstrates how we are stronger as a coherent team and how together we can defeat aggression to our nations sovereignty. Lieutenant Frank Macleod, part of the Royal Navy training team, added: The Ukrainians have been fantastic, motivated and very professional sailors. We have learnt together over the last few weeks and delivered a very credible search capability. Veterans who learned comedy techniques to improve their wellbeing will perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe next month at a charity poppy factory. Poppyscotland, which runs Scotlands annual poppy appeal to raise vital funds for veterans, will host the Recovery Through Comedy show at the internationally renowned arts festival. It will be the first time Poppyscotland has hosted a Fringe event and follows the refurbishment of the historic Lady Haig Poppy Factory building. A group of armed forces veterans and a current serving member will bring their unique comedy to the factory in Edinburgh on August 11 and 12. Performers are all graduates of an innovative veterans programme developed by the Royal British Legion with techniques to promote resilience, support mental health and wellbeing. The participants have been supported to create their own original stand-up comedy routine. Poppyscotlands director, Austin Hardie, said: Were very proud to be able to bring the Recovery through Comedy Show to this years Fringe. Not only is it very funny, the show also gives a voice to veterans in a new and inspiring way that challenges preconceptions. At Poppyscotland, we provide support for current and former members of the Armed Forces and their families in whatever way works best for them. Initiatives like Recovery through Comedy show that there are many ways to help them overcome whatever challenges they face. The free, ticketed show will be at Lady Haigs Poppy Factory in Warriston on Friday and Saturday August 11-12, with performances at 2pm and 6pm each day. Capacity is limited so guests are encouraged to secure their tickets as early as possible. A wealthy Russian businessman has lost a High Court fight with the Government over the detention of his superyacht. Sergei Naumenko wanted a judge to make an order setting aside a Government decision to detain the Phi as part of a sanctions regime following Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But Sir Ross Cranston has ruled against him after considering evidence at a High Court hearing in London. Grant Shapps by superyacht the Phi in March 2022 (James Manning/PA) Mr Naumenko argued that then transport secretary Grant Shapps was wrong to decide to detain the yacht in spring 2022. He argued that the detention was a disproportionate interference with his property rights. The judge heard how following Russias invasion of Ukraine, the National Crime Agency and Border Force Maritime Intelligence Bureau investigated vessels with connections to Russia and the Phi had been identified as a vessel of interest. Mr Shapps had exercised detention powers, on the grounds that the yacht was owned, controlled or operated by a person connected with Russia, and decided that detaining the yacht was in the public interest. Sir Ross concluded that the detention of the yacht interfered with Mr Naumenkos property rights. But he indicated that the public interest in the UKs attempt to have as deep an impact as possible on Russia through a sanctions regime was greater. He said Mr Naumenko had great wealth and did not claim to be suffering financial hardship because of the detention of a luxury superyacht. Sir Ross heard that the Phi, which measures 58.5 metres nearly 200 feet, had been moored at South Dock in the West India & Millwall Docks, in London, in December 2021 and remained there. London was her first port of arrival following her delivery as a newly-built vessel by the Royal Huisman Shipyard in the Netherlands, said the judge in a written ruling published on Friday. She came to London partly for tax reasons (she was to be onward exported into the EU), and partly at the invitation of a British magazine to participate in the World Superyacht Awards. Following that winter stopover, she was due to leave London for Malta on 28 March 2022, followed by post-delivery warranty works in Mallorca, and a chartering season in the Mediterranean. The judge said there was no evidence that Mr Naumenko held any political or administrative position in Russia, nor evidence that he had any connection with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said Mr Naumenko had not been designated under sanctions regulations. Sand tiger sharks swim around in their gallery at the Georgia Aquarium. Shark fans get ready to jump for joy because Shark Week is set to kick off this weekend on the Discovery channel. The shark-themed programming will begin on Sunday, July 23 at 8 p.m. ET and end on Saturday, July 29 at 9 p.m. ET, according to Discoverys Shark Week schedule. This years Shark Week will showcase cutting edge technology used to study the wild apex predator including the work of the worlds most respected marine biologists, shark experts and science institutions. Here's how and where to watch. When is Shark Week? A Black Nose Shark swims past the glass viewing area at OdySea Aquarium on July 6, 2023, in Scottsdale. Discoverys 35th annual Shark Week programming will start on July 23 and end on July 29, according to Discoverys Shark Week schedule. Shark aficionados are in for a special treat this year since Jason Momoa is set to host. Momoa will accompany viewers through 20 hours of shark related content like "Belly of the Beast: Feeding Frenzy which will give viewers a closer look at the great white shark and Cocaine Sharks that shows what happens to sharks after they feed on cocaine or other illegal drugs dumped in South Florida waters. More: Do sharks have bones? Understanding the body composition of the ocean's apex predator What channel is Shark Week on? All Shark Week programming will premiere on Discovery, but can be streamed on Max. Here's the full lineup: Belly of the Beast: Feeding Frenzy (July 23 at 8 p.m. ET) Ocean researchers give us an inside look at what a great white shark feeding frenzy looks like from the inside of a fake life-size whale. This is their chance to potentially finding the biggest great white sharks in South African history. Jaws vs the Meg (July 23 at 9 p.m. ET) MEG used to be a pretty notorious predator. The 50 foot and 60-ton shark could devour a killer whale easily. However, new research suggests that its cousin, the great white shark may have caused its extinction. Serial Killer: Red Sea Feeding Frenzy (July 23 at 10 p.m. ET) In an attempt to figure out the cause behind three deadly shark attacks near some of the Red Seas most famous resorts, Shark attack investigator Brandon McMillan and cinematographer Fo Zayed travel to Egypt. Shark Week: Off the Hook (July 23 at 11 p.m. ET) Discovery gives viewers the chance to go behind the scenes and watch never before seen footage of some of the biggest thrills and most terrifying Shark Week moments. Great White Fight Club (July 24 at 8 p.m. ET) In order to prove that female white sharks unequivocally rule the ocean, a team of experts set out to explore the treacherous New Zealand waters. Monsters of the Bermuda Triangle (July 24 at 9 p.m. ET) Scientists find that the porbeagle shark, which was tagged off the coast of New England, has vanished in the Bermuda Triangle. They decide to dive to the depths of the ocean to uncover what become of it. Alien Sharks: Strange New Worlds (July 24 at 10 p.m. ET) Unusual sharks with alien appearances and behavior to match are known to frequent the waters surrounding the tip of South Africa. Wildlife Forrest Galante guides us through stunning kelp forests and legendary ocean depths to get a closer look at these extraordinary creatures. Mako Mania: Battle for California (July 25 at 8 p.m. ET) The mako shark population is ready to challenge the great white sharks for hunting territories. Dr. Craig O'Connell, Fo Zayed, and Kendyl Bernet use state of the art technology to reveal their dominance off the coast of Los Angeles. Raiders of the Lost Shark (July 25 at 9 p.m. ET) Shark expert Matt Dicken and Shark Week legend Dickie Chivell are on a mission to find mysterious colossal shark dutchess that vanished from Gansbaai, South Africa without a trace. Monster Hammerheads: Killer Instinct (July 25 at 10 p.m. ET) The only way to prove Dr. Tristan Guttridges theory about hammerhead sharks reaching monster sizes by hunting other sharks, is to collect tissue samples from some of the largest sharks on the planet. Air Jaws: Final Frontier (July 26 at 8 p.m. ET) Shark filmmakers Andy Casagrande and Jeff Kurr look for the "Air Jaws" in New Zealand. Florida Shark: Blood in the Water (July 26 at 9 p.m. ET) In an attempt to decrease the risk of shark attacks and get the truth about the shark attack capital of the world, Paul de Gelder is running experiments underwater. Cocaine Sharks (July 26 at 10 p.m. ET) Fishing communities have heard rumors about cocaine-fueled sharks for decades, but shark expert Tom Hird travels to the Florida Keys to find out what really happens to sharks on cocaine. Jaws in the Shallows (July 27 at 8 p.m. ET) As great white sharks have gone on to terrorize New Zealand beaches, Dr. Riley Elliott and his wife Amber Jones set out to find some answers on how to keep their loved ones safe before it's too late. Monster Mako: Fresh Blood (July 27 at 9 p.m. ET) As the 12 foot mako shark continues to compete with the great white for food off the coast of California, a team of scientists head into a shark dome to observe both sharks and to track makos breaking through eight feet of ocean water. Shark vs Snake: Battle of the Bites (July 27 at 10 p.m. ET) A number of tiger sharks have washed up dead on the shores of Western Australia without rhyme or reason. Forrest Galante has a theory that deadly sea snakes might have something to do with it. Tropic Jaws (July 28 at 8 p.m. ET) Bali Indonesias unusually warm waters have attracted the presence of a 16-foot great white shark. Locals are a little worried that they could adapt to looking for prey on tropical beaches, so Dr. Craig O'Connell and Madison Stewart are called in to figure out how true this may be. Deadly Sharks of Paradise (July 28 at 9 p.m. ET) South American scientists are studying a shark species thought to be responsible for an increase in attacks over the past 33 years. Marine biologist Danni Washington and shark conservationist Paul de Gelder accompany a team tracking tiger sharks off a pristine tropical archipelago in Brazil. The Haunting of Shark Tower (July 28 at 10 p.m. ET) Underwater cinematographer Andy Casagrande and shark expert Koi Burkhardt head to North Carolina after a harrowing shark encounter at Frying Pan Tower. Dawn of the Monster Mako (July 29 at 8 p.m. ET) Underwater cinematographer Joe Romeiro and marine biologist Lauren Romeiro head to Portugal's Azores region to film a 14-foot giant mako shark that was spotted in the area. Megasharks of Dangerous Reef (July 29 at 9 p.m. ET) Some of the biggest white sharks on the planet are said to live in remote islands off the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, but theyre rarely seen. Where else to stream Shark Week-inspired content If you've moved away from watching live television, you can still catch Shark Week programming on fuboTV or Philo. Both streaming services offer a free trial. TBS, TNT, truTV, TLC, Food Network, HGTV, CNN, Travel Channel, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Animal Planet, Science Channel, ID, and TCM will also air Shark Week shows, or shark inspired content, News-Press reported. ICYMI: What is the biggest shark? Meet the ocean's largest fish and the top 10 biggest sharks How did Shark Week come to be? A sandbar shark swims past air bubbles emanating from two divers cleaning the H-E-B Caribbean Sea exhibit at the Texas State Aquarium, on Oct. 24, 2021. While no one at Discovery knows exactly how Shark Week came to be, but rumor has it there was a cocktail napkin involved, Digiday first reported in 2014. Three executives had gathered together to discuss the ratings from all of Discoverys natural history programs, at least that's what former VP of Development and Production Michael Sorensen said at the time. Discovery execs noticed that the previous summer, shark shows had double the ratings of any other show. As I heard it, a napkin was passed across a conference table, and there it was, 'Shark Week, Sorensen said. Shark Week has gone on to become a household name 35 years after its debut. It may have been a long road involving collaborations with several companies and a number of hosts, but shark fans have looked forward to Discoverys programming every year since then. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2023 Shark Week: How and where to watch President Bidens first student loan forgiveness plan lasted 10 months from its proposal to death by Supreme Court. His next one could take much longer to even implement, let alone challenge. The new plan will be subject to a lengthy rulemaking process under the Higher Education Act (HEA), potentially leaving the fate of relief up in the air well into election season. Those involved in the recent high court fight are already raising red flags about the legality of Bidens second swing at the issue. Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers (R), whose office argued the first case at the Supreme Court earlier this year, said in an interview that suing over Bidens new plan was on the table but that it was too early to preview any legal action. Our office, and I think a lot of other state AGs, our sister states, are very vigilant with this administrations executive actions, whether theyre proposed rules or regulation or executive orders. And that would include this potential proposal to see whether or not theyre within the constitutional boundaries, Hilgers said. Hours after the Supreme Court struck down his earlier proposal last month, Biden announced his new plan to use the HEA to deliver debt relief to students. At minimum, it is likely months before it could be finalized under the negotiated rulemaking process. Currently, little is known about how much debt relief will become available under the plan and who would qualify for it. Lets see what the details are and have that sort of space and time to be able to analyze those details, Hilgers said. Abby Shafroth, director of the National Consumer Law Centers Student Loan Borrower Assistance Project, pointed out that any eventual policy would need to be finalized for it to be challenged in court, an even longer timeline that could stretch well into next year. I do think that any plan that comes out of this process will be on really solid legal ground. That said, the issue has clearly become highly politicized, and we saw a number of ideological-driven challenges last plan, and so we could see those again, said Shafroth, whose organization filed an amicus brief in support of Bidens first forgiveness attempt. If all goes well, the plan could be finalized in the spring or summer of next year, she said. Bidens now-defunct plan moved quickly under the HEROES Act, which was tied to emergency authority during the pandemic. Lawsuits began within weeks of its announcement last August, and the Supreme Court scheduled the case so it could be decided this term. There are concerns among debt relief advocates that the timeline of the new plan and its opponents could run through the next election, meaning its fate could ultimately be up to who wins the presidency. If a rule has been finalized but hasnt yet been implemented, then an administration can initiate a rulemaking process to repeal it, essentially. So thats one risk, Shafroth said. Mark Chenoweth, president and general counsel at New Civil Liberties Alliance, which opposed Bidens first plan, said the administration has lost significant time. They would rather take the illegal shortcut than the path thats gonna take more time. If they had just done this in the first place, they might be close to the finish line on whatever they were going to do on the Higher Education Act, Chenoweth said, adding the White House was at least following the correct procedures in attempting to leverage the HEA. The plan is expected to be rooted in the HEAs provision that allows the Education Department to compromise, waive or release loans. At the center of the recent Supreme Court challenges was the HEROES Acts waive or modify language, which the court ruled did not authorize debt cancellation. You cant just take authority that was given to the department to compromise debt in a different kind of way and use that as authority to forgive debt for policy reasons, Chenoweth said of the new plan. So I think as long as theyre on that path, theyre likely to run into a Supreme Court backstop at some point. Others, however, arent so sure new challenges would manage to reach the 6-3 conservative majority high court. Remembering that there were originally over a dozen cases were challenging the August plan and most of them failed, said Persis Yu, deputy executive director and managing counsel for Student Borrower Protection Center, which had joined a brief backing the Biden administration in the prior case. I think if we look historically, like yes, we see that there are lots of right-wing opponents willing to bring this litigation, but we also see that most of them fail, Yu added. Another risk if a new administration comes into power, Shafroth noted, is that Congress could repeal the plan through the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which allows lawmakers to rescind rules enacted by the executive level. Earlier this year, Republicans in both the House and the Senate, with help from a few Democrats, were able to pass a resolution under the CRA that would have stopped Bidens initial loan forgiveness. Biden vetoed the move, but a new administration might let it pass. The scale of Bidens second effort, which could also impact court challenges, remains to be seen. The previous attempt became the fourth recent case in which the Supreme Courts conservative majority brought in the so-called major questions doctrine, which requires agencies enacting programs of vast economic and political significance to meet the high bar of showing clear authorization from Congress. Chief Justice John Robertss majority opinion called the Biden plans scale staggering, noting the roughly $500 billion price tag. Chenoweth said recent comments from the Education Department signal the administration is aiming for another massive cancellation program. I fear that theyre trying to get to the same place in terms of blanket forgiveness of student loans in the hundreds of billions of dollars, he said. And I just think Congress needs to be involved in that decision. So Im not optimistic that theyre going to wind up in a place that is allowed. But they could, I mean, the procedure that theyre following could conceivably put them there. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. When Dr. Mandy Cohen walked into the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta less than two weeks ago, she knew trust in America's top health agency was broken. Attacks on the agency's scientific data and sometimes confusing public policy guidance were coming from Washington lawmakers, social media and people across the country. In her first media interview as the new CDC director, Cohen said she is refocusing the agency on rebuilding faith with more transparency and improved communication and by "bringing the best evidence that we possibly can" to the public. "It's an everyday, tactical plan," she said. "Trust" was the focus of the first meeting she had with CDC staff members. She said trust was the foundation of the hard work the agency faces as it moves forward from missteps made during the pandemic. "If we want folks to trust us and we do we have to work together differently, and we have to trust each other as we're doing that work," she said. Dr. Mandy Cohen, the 20th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the CDC's main campus in Atlanta on July 20, 2023. (Alyssa Pointer for NBC News) "We have to first make sure that we are building trust with the American people, and I know some of that trust was lost in the last few years," she said. "But I'm here to refocus the organization on building that trust, and I think trust can have an intentional plan. And if you use transparency and really good execution, deliver what you say you're going to do and you do it transparently and you communicate well, I think you can build trust." The CDC faces millions of dollars in proposed budget cuts because of last month's negotiations about the limit on federal debt. Cohen has already taken the first step in building or repairing the CDC's embattled relationship with Washington. On Wednesday, she spent time with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill. She is listening to concerns, with the goal of convincing critics that "things will be tangibly different." "It's a bipartisan issue to make sure that our country is safe and protected," she said. "They're the ones that are investing behind the CDC, and I want them to understand what an important national security asset is here at the CDC." But she also learned that the work CDC does is sometimes either misunderstood or unknown. The exterior of the Center of Disease and Control Prevention main campus in Atlanta on Thursday, July 20, 2023. (Alyssa Pointer for NBC News) "What I heard from folks was: 'We understand that the CDC is important, but we need to see more about what they do. We need to understand it better,'" she said. Cohen, a Democrat, taps into her previous role as North Carolina's secretary of health and human services when she works with politicians. One of her goals when she started in that position in 2017 was to work with conservatives to expand Medicaid in the state. (The expansion was signed into law in the spring.) She was also the face of daily Covid briefings. Her down-to-earth guidance was met with little political pushback. Fighting vaccine misinformation That ability to communicate clearly and effectively will be key as she faces ongoing health threats of vaccine misinformation and conspiracy theories about the Covid vaccines and other vaccines, as well as scathing criticisms from presidential hopefuls. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has publicly questioned whether CDC scientists should be trusted, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a Democrat, has accused the CDC, without evidence, of lying about Covid vaccines. The best way to ease doubts is with clear and stable communication. "You're going to hear us with some key messages, making sure that folks hear them over and over," she said. The strategy: "Be accurate, be simple, and be repetitive." Dr. Mandy Cohen, the 20th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tours a laboratory training facility at the CDC main campus in Atlanta, on July 20, 2023. (Alyssa Pointer for NBC News) Dr. Mandy Cohen, the 20th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tours a laboratory training facility at the CDC main campus in Atlanta on July 20, 2023. (Alyssa Pointer for NBC News) One lesson she learned as North Carolinas health secretary is that she is not always the best conduit for public health guidance. Her team sometimes turned to faith leaders, NASCAR drivers, even TikTok influencers to get scientific information to the public. "Certainly, the science and the data is going to come from the CDC. But there are many messengers who are trusted," she said. "This is a team effort." In her first few weeks, Cohen is not getting a summer break. Much of the U.S. is caught in an unrelenting killer heat wave. The country has faced its first outbreak of malaria in 20 years, and opioid-related deaths are still rising. There are also concerns about another winter surge of respiratory viruses, including Covid, flu and RSV. Whether it is about a virus, a fire or a flood of mosquito-borne illnesses, a big priority of Cohen's is investment in data. Already underway is a re-evaluation of the CDC's webpages to make sure the information available to people is clear and understandable, Dr. Dan Jernigan, the director of the CDCs National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, said in a media briefing this week. "There are other efforts, as well, to get our data out more quickly," Jernigan said. Dr. Mandy Cohen, the 20th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stands for a portrait at the CDC main campus in Atlanta on Thursday, July 20, 2023. (Alyssa Pointer for NBC News) Data is "hugely important," Cohen said. "You can't solve problems you don't see, and having data helps you see where your problems are and then deploy resources." In turn, it will be critical for CDC scientists to be able to translate those issues. "We have to be crisp, clear communicators so that folks have commonsense solutions to protect their health. It sounds simple, but it's really hard." So far, though, Cohen makes it look simple. She greets everyone she sees at the CDC warmly from those in leadership roles to security guards. She asks them about their families and their concerns, and she speaks openly about her own. Cohen's husband and two young daughters plan to join her in Atlanta but have not yet made the move from North Carolina. "I miss them so much," she said. But she works hard to focus instead on re-infusing a spark back into the work done at the CDC. On her first day, she played Alicia Keys and other music in the lobby to greet her new co-workers. "I like my music," she said, shrugging and smiling. "One of my values that I bring here to work is joy," she said. "That's not just about parties and celebrations; it's about connection with the mission. But you need to have a little fun at work in order to bring your A game. I really think the American people deserve everyone's A game." Dr. Mandy Cohen, the 20th Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tours a laboratory training facility at the CDC main campus in Atlanta, on July 20, 2023. (Alyssa Pointer for NBC News) Follow NBC HEALTH on Twitter & Facebook. CORRECTION (July 21, 8:51 a.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s middle initial. It is F, not K. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) Jurors in a South Florida courtroom began deliberating Thursday afternoon in the double murder trial of rapper YNW Melly, and the 24-year-old artist could face a possible death sentence if convicted of the fatal shooting of two childhood friends. The jury recessed after a few hours and was set to resume deliberations Friday morning. Broward County prosecutors delivered their closing argument Thursday morning in the October 2018 shooting deaths. They reminded jurors that the fatal shots came from inside a Jeep where the victims had been shot, and by every account, from the seat where YNW Melly was sitting, the Sun Sentinel reported. Melly, whose legal name is Jamell Demons, had his breakout in 2017 and went on to work with Kanye West on Mixed Personalities, which was released in January 2019, a month before Demons was arrested on murder charges. Killed were Anthony Williams and Christopher Thomas Jr. Williams and Thomas were both part of the YNW collective, known respectively as YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy. According to prosecutors, Demons, Williams and Thomas were riding in a Jeep driven by Cortland Henry, known as YNW Bortlen, after a recording session in Fort Lauderdale when Demons fatally shot Williams and Thomas. Henry is charged as an accomplice in the case and will be tried separately. After killing Williams and Thomas prosecutors said Demons and Henry drove the bodies to an area near the Everglades, where they shot at the back and passenger sides of Henrys Jeep from the outside to make it look like Williams and Thomas had been the victims of a drive-by shooting. Defense lawyers, in presenting their closing argument Thursday afternoon, focused on the fact that the gun used in the shooting was never recovered. They also told jurors that YNW Melly had no apparent motive. Prosecutors said the shooting was part of a gang action, while defense attorneys said that lacks credibility because Demons and the victims were close friends. Legacy Elementary School Marion County Public Schools has decided not to renew the contract of a teacher who, according to a school district investigation, "chronically inflicted psychological distress on multiple students by verbally insulting, humiliating and embarrassing students, which created a hostile educational environment." The actions of Dawn White, a fifth grade teacher at Legacy Elementary School, violated the Marion County School Board's Anti-Harassment Policy and two counts of the Principals of Professional Conduct for the Educational Profession, the investigative report states. The report also was critical of other Legacy Elementary employees. Once the district's investigation was completed, White was suspended for five days. District officials decided not to renew her contract for the upcoming school year. Reached by phone, White declined comment and referred questions to her lawyer, Shannon Davis of Orlando. Davis also declined comment. White has one disciplinary infraction on her record: a verbal reprimand for an action not related to students, according to school officials. This latest investigation began after one of White's students committed suicide in April. The boy's parents later stood outside the school handing out flyers that blamed the teacher for their son's death. Neither the district nor law enforcement has blamed White for the suicide. White's employment history with the district began in 2009 at Legacy, where she was an extended day leader, according to the district. From 2012 through 2014 she was a paraprofessional at College Park and Maplewood Elementary schools. Three years later, White was a fourth grade teacher at Legacy. In 2021 she was a fifth grade teacher at Belleview Elementary. Last school year, she returned to Legacy. Student's death sparks investigation Tyson Collins, a special investigator assigned to the district, wrote in his report that the Marion County School District "was notified that a teacher was alleged to have bullied/harassed a student during the 2022-2023 school year, resulting in the student's suicide on April 27, 2023." White was identified as the teacher in question, and an internal administrative investigation began on May 2. The deceased student is Louis Johnson III, who was a fifth grader at Legacy Elementary. HIs parents were contacted by a Star-Banner reporter and asked to comment for this story. They told the reporter that they would think about it. They never contacted the reporter. A Marion County Sheriff's Office report states the boy's father, Louis Edmond Johnson, called 911 on April 27 to report that his 11-year-old son had shot himself and was bleeding. Deputy C. Rafferty went to the Silver Springs Shores residence and saw the boy on his back in the living room. Johnson had a towel on his son's head to control the bleeding, deputies said. Rafferty took over from the boy's father until medical personnel arrived. The boy was taken to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. Once stabilized, Louis was transported to UF Health Shands Hospital, where he died two days later, according to the sheriff's office report. Louis' parents interviewed Detective Nick Sutliff went to Shands to interview Louis' parents. Sutliff first spoke with the boy's mother, Tyka, who said she was at work when her husband called and said their son had been shot. She said she went home, saw her husband, and they went to the hospital. The woman said they own firearms, which are stored in a combination gun safe. She said the safe is locked in the master bedroom and her son doesn't know the combination. When she and her husband are not home, they lock the closet that holds the safe, the woman said. Johnson was interviewed by the detective. He said he took his son with him to work on his food truck and gave him a writing assignment as a form of punishment. After work, the man said, they drove home. He said he went inside and placed several items, including cash and a 9mm Ruger handgun, on the counter. Johnson said he typically would put the gun in the gun safe. But on that day he went outside to make sure that his truck had power. While outside, he said, he heard a gunshot. When he went into the residence, he saw his son bleeding and called 911. The couple told the detective they recently had moved from Virginia. In Virginia, they said, Louis did well in school, never had any behavioral problems, and was happy. Since moving to Florida, they said, his grades had slipped and he was having behavior problems. The Johnsons said they tried talking to and encouraging their son. They said their son didn't have any problems with depression and had not talked about suicide. The boy's father said he showed his son how to clear a weapon and the boy knew basic gun safety. The parents gave sheriff's deputies permission to search their home. Detectives closed the case. The report never mentions anything about Louis being bullied or him complaining about his teacher. Parents interviewed by Collins On May 2, school district investigator Collins interviewed Louis' parents. Collins was told Louis apparently did not do well on a progress report. His teacher, White, was asked about the grade. She said Louis "needed to participate," and requested a parent meeting, Collins' report states. In that parent-teacher meeting, it was suggested that Louis move his seat closer to the front of the class. However, the report states, "White continued to say Student Victim needed to participate during class to pass." The report notes that when Louis went home on Oct. 28, 2022, he said he didn't want to be in White's class any longer. There was an alleged incident where Louis was talking to a friend in line when White reportedly said, "I don't know why you're talking because you don't even know anything. You don't know nothing in this class. Isn't that right, kids?" Several students reportedly agreed with the teacher. One of Louis' parents called the school but was unable to reach anyone. On Oct. 31, one of Louis' parents called the school to set up an appointment, the report says. The parent did not get a response for a week, according to Collins' report. Another call was made to the school and the parent was told a message would be sent to the principal. The parent was never contacted, according to the report. White and Louis' parents met On Jan. 9, 2023, one of Louis' parents arranged a parent-teacher conference with White. The conference was held on Jan. 12. Two of Louis' other teachers, James Oliver and Tracy Willis, also attended. At the meeting, White was asked about the alleged comment she made to Louis while he was in line. White was "defensive, started to cry, and suggested they go to her classroom," according to the report. There, White showed them the classroom, but "never addressed the comment she made to the Student Victim," the report states. White told the parent that Louis was not doing his work, and allegedly talked about going to the beach and getting crab legs with the family, according to the report. The next month, Louis' parents were told that Louis was sleeping in class. The parents talked with Louis and he told them he wasn't sleeping in class. In April, White told Louis' parents that he was playing with someone's hair. The reply from one of Louis' parents was that he had "lost momentum." One of Louis' parents asked White if there was something different that could be done to inspire him. White never responded, Collins said in his report. On the day of the shooting, the boy said he never had these kinds of problems when he was in Virginia. Louis said he heard White tell the class about his bad grades. He also described how White had treated another student. A text message viewed by Collins showed Louis wanted to tell a school resource deputy about how White was treating him. Students interviewed by school investigator Collins interviewed more than three dozen students, asking them about White. The students gave numerous examples of White's behavior, and a majority of them were not favorable to the former teacher. Some examples mentioned in the report: White got angry when students received bad grades; White would get mad or yell at students for not turning in homework; White laughed at a student for not getting good grades and not turning in work; White once made fun of a student, which made the student cry; and White appeared "stressed out all the time." A file picture of Legacy Elementary School One student said White was mean or rude to students even when they did nothing wrong. One parent tried to talk with White several times about her attitude toward their child, who would often come home crying and not wanting to go back to school. One student described White's class as "fun." The student said White yelled at students who were "goofing off" because "she was trying to get their attention." One student said White frequently yelled at the "bad students" because "they do bad things." One said that when White was "happy" she would jump around. However, when she was mad, "she shows her passion." The student said White "wants them to succeed." One student said White had "less patience for Student Victim" because she knew he could do better. Other students said either that White embarrassed them or they had witnessed the teacher shame others. Some students said they had reported White to their parents. Parents, school administrators and teachers interviewed Collins spoke with school administrators, teachers and parents about White. Most of them described White as a good teacher who's passionate and cares for students. One teacher said a student told her about White's behavior. The example given was White allegedly told the class about that student's bad grade. That made the student "really sad," according to the report. One parent said she removed her child from White's classroom because of concerns. The child left Legacy and the assistant principal was informed, according to the report. The investigator met with Ann Hembrook, an area superintendent. Hembrook told Collins her staff went to Legacy to support students and staff after Louis' death. She said she was told about a conversation the school's principal had with Louis' family on May 1 relating to the bullying accusation against White. Hembrook was asked if the principal was aware of the alleged bullying by White. Hembrook said the principal was not aware. Hembrook said Louis' family was at the school on May 1 distributing flyers about suicide prevention. White's name was on the flyers. Family members were asked to "move off campus when distributing the flyers," according to Collins' report. White heard about the flyers and went to the school. White was taken to a room and she was "very distraught and very loud," the report states. In the room, White said she "thought there was something wrong with Student Victim." According to Hembrook, White said "she had three parent-teacher conferences about Student Victim," and "White described how she met Student Victim every day at the reception desk" to see how he was doing. Hembrook was asked if it was normal for a teacher to check in with a student. She said though that was normal, "typically, it would be documented with the student services manager." Hembrook said she asked the student services manager, Marie Cox, if she had any documentation and was told "nothing had ever been reported to her all year about Student Victim." White told Hembrook that, on the night before the shooting, she gave the boy homework to help him prepare for an upcoming test. Hembrook said White told her Louis didn't finish the assignment because he got into trouble and had to do extra chores at home. Principal's interview The investigator interviewed Principal Shameka Murphy, who said she wasn't aware of anything involving Louis until after the shooting. Asked about the conference she had with Louis' parents, Murphy said they told her White had "bullied their child" and he's dead. She said they told her White made Louis "sit out during recess and was controlling over parental conference meetings." The principal said the parents "never went into the details about either issue." She said the only thing White said about the parent conferences with Louis' parents "was her concern about Student Victim's academics." Murphy said the only interactions she had with White was during "walk-throughs." The principal said she didn't see anything inappropriate during the "walk-through." She said White is "very structured" and "made sure her students do their work." As for any issues she knows of with White, Murphy said two parents were "adamant" about taking their children from White's class. One child was allowed to go to another school. The other was able to get their schedule changed. Assistant Principal Marie Elena Curty said she wasn't aware of the bullying allegations until May 1, "when the parents came in." She said she did not see White mistreating the children and called White "a phenomenal teacher." Several teachers interviewed by Collins said White was good at her job, had high expectations of her students, and did not disrespect the students. White's interview White was interviewed by Collins. She said she felt like something was wrong with Louis. She said she had more than one parent conference to talk about Louis. At one conference they discussed moving Louis to another class. At another they talked about his behavior in her class. She said at the end of one parent conference, "everyone was smiling and of one accord." White said Louis' parents did not ask her about her alleged comment she made to Louis while he was in line about him not knowing anything. In her interview with Collins, White denied saying anything inappropriate to Louis. To the contrary, she said she "always" provided Louis with support, and in fact he "has had extra support the entire school year." White said she never wrote Louis a referral. Also, she never told the school administration about her concerns because "they were not severe enough for me to report." She denied yelling at students, though she did tell Collins she raises her voice "collectively, but not at a specific child." White said she didn't think the interview process was fair and she's a "great teacher and the data reflected that." The report's conclusions Collins concluded that Louis wasn't the only student whom White had ridiculed. He said other students also had bad experiences. One teacher, Robin Morin, who had spent time in White's classroom, said she witnessed White "embarrassing students in class weekly," according to the report. Morin said she saw White yell at students. Collins said although Morin "witnessed unprofessional conduct by Ms. Dawn White, she failed to report the conduct to administration." Collins said the staff and administration "received several complaints from students about Ms. Dawn White yelling and being mean prior to the incident with the Student Victim. Those student reports resulted in no action taken other than a conversation with the students who made the report." The complaints from several parents about White to the administration "resulted in students being removed from her class, students transferring to another school, or remaining in her class. The conduct students endured in Ms. Dawn White's classes was unprofessional, and egregious, and should never occur in the classroom," Collins wrote. The report doesn't implicate White in any wrongdoing or specifically name her as the cause of Louis' death. Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Death of student led to investigation into former teacher's practices A pedestrian cools off in water sprinklers along the sidewalk during a heat wave in Las Vegas, Nevada last week (AFP via Getty Images) Despite the fact that extreme heat has been the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the United States over the last three decades, the federal government has repeatedly declined to declare extreme heat a federal disaster. The US government has never issued a federal disaster declaration for an extreme heat event, even as heat domes and long, uninterrupted stretches of 100-plus degree days have claimed lives in cities and states across the country in recent years. Given the state of the climate change, the federal governments unwillingness to issue disaster declarations for extreme heat events feels like a potentially dangerous anachronism a throwback to a time before heat began to routinely upend American summers. The federal governments ability to issue disaster declarations is constrained by the terms of The Stafford Act, the law governing FEMA disaster aid. The act, passed in 1988 and based on a previous Disaster Relief Act, omits extreme heat, droughts, and wildfires from its list of incidents that can qualify for disaster declarations. As Kate Aronoff writes in The New Republic, extreme heat can theoretically be treated as a limited emergency or major disaster, but states applying for relief must prove to the federal government that the disaster has exhausted their own capacity to respond. The situation speaks to broader concerns observers have about the federal governments infrastructure for dealing with extreme heat, particularly as tens of millions of Americans are expected to experience temperatures and heat indexes this week above 100 degrees. Extreme heat, once a rarity in most parts of the country, is rapdily becoming a summer norm. The Southwest region has been particularly hard hit so far this summer, but other states and regions have also experienced stretches of extreme weather not to mention dangerously poor air quality due to the effects of wildfire smoke. Its not just the federal government that seems ill-equipped to deal with the realities of heat emergencies in a rapidly warming climate. A report written by Jordan Clark and Ashley Ward at Duke University found that only half of all US states had a dedicated section in their FEMA-mandated state hazard mitigation plans (SHMP) for dealing with extreme heat, and an even smaller number had heat-specific mitigation strategies. According to the Duke report, only seven states had robustly included heat as a hazard in their SHMPs: Oregon, California, Utah, Arizona, Wisconsin, Vermont, and Massachusetts. A number of the states most exposed to the dangers of extreme heat, including New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana, barely deal with heat at all in their SHMPs. Given the heat the country has already experienced this summer, its a serious cause for concern. The monetary risks of extreme heat are harder to calculate than the risks of other natural disasters like hurricanes, but it is clear that heat poses risks to human productivity and safety and clear that the effects of extreme heat are being exacerbated by other societal issues as the largely country lacks uniform standards for how cool facilities like schools and prisons must be kept. Society is older than its ever been, New York University sociologist Eric Klinenberg told Aronoff. There are more people who are old and more alone than ever, and weve grown complacent about poverty and homelessness so that we just have enormous numbers of people in harms way. A 13-year-old girl who was kidnapped in Texas was rescued more than a thousand miles away in California after a good Samaritan saw her "Help Me!" sign and contacted authorities. The suspect, Steven Robert Sabalan, 61, of Cleburne, Texas, was arrested July 9 and booked into the Long Beach City Jail on charges of kidnapping, lewd and lascivious acts with a child, and fugitive from justice, the Long Beach Police Department said in a news release. On Thursday, a federal grand jury indicted him with one count of kidnapping and one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. It's not clear if he has obtained an attorney. The girl, who was not identified, was kidnapped at gunpoint near a bus stop in San Antonio on July 6, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California said. Sabalan allegedly approached the girl in his vehicle and demanded she get in, saying "If you dont get in the car with me, I am going to hurt you," the office said in a news release. Fearing for her safety, the girl got into the car. Over the next two days, Sabalan allegedly drove the girl more than 19 hours from Texas to California. Authorities said he sexually assaulted her on numerous occasions. On July 9, Sabalan went to a laundromat in Long Beach to wash their clothes, according to federal prosecutors. While he was inside the girl wrote "Help me!" on a piece of paper and held it up. A witness saw the sign and called police, leading to the girl's rescue. Long Beach Police Chief Wally Hebeish thanked the community for helping the girl. This incident highlights the critical role community members play in keeping people safe, he said in a statement. I would also like to acknowledge our officers for their swift response and actions which led to getting this victim to safety. The girl was placed in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services and has since been reunited with her family, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Andrea Comi/Getty Images "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." As a newbie traveler (I just got my passport this February), I've learned there are endless choices for vacays. You could pick a beachfront resort in Bimini, Bahamas, or an outdoor staycation in Lake Norman, North Carolina. But might I suggest a little corner of the world called Reykjavik, Iceland? Iceland might seem like a non-traditional destinationespecially for a first-time globe trotter like myself. But after visiting the capital city this past March, I can say with confidence that between the rugged landscape, fresh af seafood, and geothermal spas (fancy words for natural hot springs), traveling to Iceland should be a no-brainer. Sure, the freezing temperatures were a doozie (pack your layers, ladies!), but seeing the aurora borealis irl made up for the 20-degree weather, if ya ask me. The Icelandic sea-salt facial and body rejuvenation sauna certainly helped, too. But I'll get into that soon. Melanie Curry Look, cold wintery vacations arent for everyonetrust me, Im a Southern belle who believes anything under 60 degrees is winter. But cold weather couldnt keep me from exploring Reykjavik's sweeping hills or downing some of their famous fresh-from-the-sea lobster rolls. Because if you think an all-inclusive in the Caribbean can measure up to the Nordic island and all its wonders, prepare to be amazed by my vacation guide, below. Trust me: its foolproof for the gals whove never had to buy a scarf and coat combo before. Because yes, that was me pre-Iceland, lol. STAY The Reykjavik EDITION: The idiom "like a fish out of water" perfectly explains how I felt when I walked into this hotel. I'm used to staying at Airbnbs and the cheapest hotels I can find on Googleya know, regular middle-class thingsso vacationing at a five-star hotel was a luxe experience. I mean, the exterior just screams "fancy," with its brownish timber paneling, and glass windows that reflect the gorgeous views of the nearby harbor. The interior also looks next to perfect, with a fireplace surrounded by loveseats, armchairs, and custom totem sculptures. Then there's the volcanic rock flooring and warm, soft light from the lighting, all of which gives a homey, winter cabin-y feel. But, you know, make it *Icelandic.* I can go on and on about the decor, but what makes The Reykjavik EDITION extra special is the amenities. I'm talkin' 24-hr room service that I most definitely took advantage of; a spa that includes a Hamman, steam room, and sauna (more on this later); and of course, the hotel's signature restaurant, bar, and rooftop. Tides, the restaurant, is headlined by Michelin-star chef Gunnar Karl Gislason and features classic Icelandic dishes, like northern Atlantic salmon and arctic char. More on that later. While I loved exploring all of the hotel's dining areas, my favorite spot had to be the roof. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows, you can see Reykjavik's skylineit's different from NYC's, of course, but the cozy town certainly exceeded my expectations. Especially because you can get a glimpse of the Northern Lights if you're lucky. Lady Luck blessed me during the trip with multiple sightings (brag). Melanie Curry Then, there was my room. I got a guest king, and it was *literally* heaven on earth, with courtyard views, a mosaic-tiled bathroom complete with a rainfall showerhead, and a bed complete with custom linens and super fluffy pillows. As an added touch, the room also came with Le Labo amenities, a fully-stocked mini-bar, and a robe and slipper combo. Now, I've worn lots of robesit's my family's go-to holiday giftbut when I say this hotel's robe felt like baby lotion on my skin...I am not exaggerating. The slippers were like walking on clouds, fr. You bet I took some time to lounge in my robe fully nude, drinking champs, and enjoying all the luxuries The EDITION had to offer. PLAY Take a dip in the Sky Lagoon: A lot of people visit the Insta-famous Blue Lagoon when they're in Iceland, but my advice is to skip it and head to its sister location, the Sky Lagoon. It's less crowded, for one, and it has an unbelievable view of the Atlantic Ocean. It's a volcanic hot spring overlooking the horizon, so you can bathe in the warm water while watching the sunset (or sunrise, depending on how early you get there). There's also a swim-up bar where you can order specialty cocktails, or be like moi and drink Icelandic wine. While I was there, I also tried the seven-step ritual Sky Lagoon is famous for. Basically, Iceland is all about natural healing and wellness, and this traditional circuit is meant to put your body to the test. I'm not gonna give you a play-by-play, but essentially, it's supposed to cleanse your body from the inside out using warm water, cold water, dry air, cold air, and warm steam. Fair warning: the ritual is tough af. But if you're one of the few brave souls who can endure it, your body will feel effing amazing afterward. I can testify. Relax and unwind at the spa: Idk if it's because this was my first time visiting a spa ever, but my experience at the hotel's in-house spa was unworldly. They had everything from a steam room to a relaxation bar and even Nordic wet areas to check out pre- and- post-treatment, which I def took advantage of. Then, when it came time to get pampered, I went for a facial treatment. My skin? The pictures speak for themselves. Un. Real. Melanie Curry I also checked out some of the other facilities, like the Hamman, steam room, and sauna. I will say, the sauna and steam room, like the ritual at Sky Lagoon, are pretty intense. If you can, take out all your jewelry beforehandmy nose ring and septum piercing were BURNING after sitting for just thirty seconds in the steam. Felt great after though, so 10/10. Take a stroll in downtown Reykjavik: You're going to want to save some time to explore, because this town is cute, warm, and friendly. You'll find several chic boutiques, local coffee roasters, and mini pop-ups of your favorite American designersso prepare your wallet accordingly. Sprawled in between the gift shops and fast food joints like Subway (because even in Iceland you can find good ol' American fast food) are a handful of local liquor stores and shopping centers where you can buy Icelandic spices and herbs like volcanic salt or sea salt. Outside of shopping, the beauty of downtown Reykjavik is Rainbow Street, which, yes, is a long road painted like a rainbow. It's beautiful in the daytime when the sun hits the pavement just right, but even at night, when the shops close and bars and clubs open, the colors still accentuate the light of the city. EAT Grab a bite (or more) at Tides: The hotel's in-house restaurant, which I mentioned a little earlier, is to effing die for. I've had good food, and I've had great food. And, I can most certainly say the Nordic cuisine at Tides is in the latter group. I ate an eight-course mealor at least I think it was eight, irdk I was too busy stuffing my facethat included pretty much every variety of seafood I can think of. I wasn't fortunate enough to try their breakfast food (boo), but I have no doubt their breakie is just as tasty as the dinner menu. You can eat here even if you're not staying at the hotel, and I highly recommend you do. Visit Stormur Bistro & Bar for lunch: I'm not a sandwich gal. I like a Panera grilled cheese every now and then, but my palate leans more toward pasta or sushi for a midday meal. That said, if I had to eat one sandwich for the rest of my life, it would probably be from Stormur Bistro and Bar. The bistro is located at Hvammsvik Nature Resort, a small, intimate getaway tucked away in the countryside. Most of the menu features traditional lunch food, but their sandwiches? Whew. There ain't nothing like their sourdough roast beef. My first bite had my tastebuds feelin' like Jimmy Neutron when he has a brain blast. It was JUST. THAT. DELICIOUS. My only regret is that I didn't order more. *Sigh*. Melanie Curry Have a cup of (Icelandic) joe at Reykjavik Roasters: While exploring downtown Reykjavik, I stumbled upon a few coffee roasters, and as a hard-core coffee fiend, how could I visit another country and not try their beans? I'm glad I did, because Iceland has some pretty damn good lattes. Sweet enough to satisfy my sugar cravings but still deep and rich, so you can actually taste the coffee. Dare I say the lattes alone are worth the trip across the pond? Hi-Cut Plungey Shop Now Hi-Cut Plungey $158.00 ta3swim.com Ultra Mini Classic Boot Shop Now Ultra Mini Classic Boot $91.00 nordstrom.com UGG Fleece Lined Leggings Shop Now Fleece Lined Leggings $32.99 amazon.com Women's Baxter State Parka Shop Now Women's Baxter State Parka $299.00 llbean.com L.L. Bean The Lip Bar Shimmer Balm Rose Goals Shop Now The Lip Bar Shimmer Balm Rose Goals $8.41 walmart.com Boardmans Ribbed Knit Beanie Shop Now Boardmans Ribbed Knit Beanie $15.00 us.asos.com Etip Gloves Shop Now Etip Gloves $45.00 nordstrom.com Womens Super Thick Wool Socks Shop Now Womens Super Thick Wool Socks $15.98 amazon.com Advanced Repair Hand Cream Shop Now Advanced Repair Hand Cream $14.07 amazon.com You Might Also Like Dimitrios Kambouris - Getty Images Over the years, there has been a lot of speculation about the cosmetic procedures the Kardashians may or may not have gotten done. Case in point? Khloe's alleged rhinoplasty, which was a rumor for a number of years until the reality TV star famously confirmed it in 2021 during a Keeping Up With the Kardashians reunion special. Now, Kylie Jenner is weighing in on the allegations people have made about her own face over the years in the latest episode of The Kardashians. During a confessional segment, the celeb said it's often mistakenly assumed that she's had tons of plastic surgery done because she suffers from low self-esteem, which couldn't be further from the truth in her eyes. I always remember being the most confident kid in the room, Kylie began. I always loved myselfI still love myselfand one of the biggest misconceptions about me is that I was this insecure child and I got so much surgery to change my whole face, which is false, she added before saying, Ive only gotten fillers. I dont want that to be part of my story. Marc Piasecki - Getty Images Later on in the episode during a glam session with sisters Kourtney and Khloe, the beauty mogul also admitted that she, like many others (read: me lol), had an over-editing period in which she would drastically fine-tune her photos. But she's trying to move past it: I went through that stage too and I feel like I'm in a better place, but other people can still instill insecurities in you. Kylie even recalled a time during which several of its members pointed out her earssomething she'd never previously been insecure aboutand referred to her as Dopey from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Though Khloe insisted she talked about Kylie's ears because she loved them, the beauty entrepreneur insisted she didn't receive it that way at the time. I received it as everyone's making fun of my ears. That fucked me up. I never thought about my ears, and then for like five years, I never wore an updo, she confessed. But after giving birth to her daughter Stormi in 2018, Kylie gained a new perspective: I had Stormi and she has my ears, and it made me realize how much I love them. Now, I wear an updo every carpet. Christopher Polk - Getty Images Theo Wargo - Getty Images ^ Bless u Stormi for being responsible for looks like this. During a separate confessional, Kylie dished on how she's managed to stay strong despite the constant stream of critiques and opinions. My friend actually hit me today, he's going through something, and theyre like, 'How do you stay so strong?' And I think Ive just heard every negative possible thing and rumor anyone could say about me. The more it happens, I think you just become more stronger and more numb to it. Kylie then added, And yeah, I mean, it can be a really dark, dark place sometimes and you also have to realize, no matter what drama Im going through on social media, I have such a beautiful personal life. Like, I have the best kids. I have really amazing friends and family who know who I am, so you have all these people that are so close to you who understand exactly what youre going through. I think that thats a beautiful thing. This is growth, people! You Might Also Like FARGO, N.D. (AP) The heavily armed man who ambushed Fargo police officers investigating a fender bender last week likely had a bigger and bloodier attack in mind, with at least two fairs taking place at the time in and around North Dakota's largest city, authorities said Friday. Mohamad Barakat killed one officer and wounded two others and a bystander before a fourth officer shot and killed him, ending the July 14 attack. Over the past five years, Barakat, 37, searched the internet for terms including kill fast, explosive ammo, incendiary rounds, and mass shooting events, state Attorney General Drew Wrigley said Friday during a news conference in Fargo, a city of about 125,000 people. But perhaps the most chilling search was for area events where there are crowds, which on July 13 brought up a news article with the headline, Thousands enjoy first day of Downtown Fargo Street Fair." Had Officer Zach Robinson not killed Barakat, authorities said they shudder to think how much worse the attack might have been. All evidence suggests that Barakat came upon the traffic crash by happenstance and that his ensuing ambush was a diversion from his much bigger intended target, Wrigley said. The horrible winds of fate sometimes, he said. Those events fell into place and fell into his path. On the day of the attack, the downtown fair was in its second day and was less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the crash scene. It's unclear if it was the intended target, though, as Barakat also searched for information on the Red River Valley Fair, which was just a 6-mile (10-kilometer) drive from the scene, the attorney general said. After driving by the fender bender, Barakat pulled into an adjacent parking lot to watch from his parked car, Wrigley said. He said Barakat's car was loaded with guns, a homemade grenade, more than 1,800 rounds of ammunition, three largish containers full of gasoline, plus two propane tanks, one completely filled and the other half-filled not with propane, but with explosive materials concocted at home, purchased lawfully. With police and firefighters busy helping, Barakat watched for several minutes until the officers walked by him, when he lifted a .223-caliber rifle out of his car window and began firing, Wrigley said. The rifle had a binary trigger that allowed it to fire so rapidly that it sounded like an automatic weapon, he said. A binary trigger is a modification that allows a weapon to fire one round when the trigger is pulled and another when it is released in essence doubling a gun's firing capacity. The three officers who were shot had no time to react and fell in rapid succession. He also shot and wounded a fleeing woman, Karlee Koswick, who had been involved in the fender bender, he said. Robinson, who was badly outgunned but was the only officer at the scene who hadn't been shot, engaged Barakat in a two-minute shootout. It ended with Robinson shooting and killing Barakat as bystanders crouched nearby. Wrigley described Robinson as "the last man standing in that blue line at that moment." "What he was standing between was not just the horrible events that were unfolding there, but between the horrible events that Mohamad Barakat had envisioned, planned and intended and armed himself for beyond fully that day, he said. Barakat killed Officer Jake Wallin, 23, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Minnesota Army National Guard, and wounded Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes. Wallin and Hawes were so new that they were still undergoing field training. Barakat was a Syrian national who came to the U.S. on an asylum request in 2012 and became a U.S. citizen in 2019, Wrigley said, adding that he didnt appear to have any ties to the Muslim community in Fargo. He said Barakat had some family in the U.S., but not in the Fargo area, and that investigators are still looking into his history before he arrived in the country. In recent years, Barakat amassed his arsenal. And his internet searches about causing mayhem date back to 2018, with periods in which they abated before picking back up, the attorney general said. Nothing from online, Barakat's phones, the community or his family suggested he had a hatred of the police, he said. At this stage in the investigation, it seems all of his weapons were purchased legally, and he had many of them in his car on the day of the shooting, Wrigley said. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is looking into whether he got any of the gun components illegally. Wrigley said Barakat was wearing a vest that was absolutely stuffed with magazines and that he was putting the finishing touches on his shooting skills in the last hours before this assault. As for the propane tanks, Wrigley said it was quite dramatic when the bomb squad detonated them. He suggested the tanks contained something similar to Tannerite, a commercial explosive that can be easily detonated with a shot from a high-powered rifle. Obvious motive to kill, Wrigley said. I mean, driven by hate. Driven by wanting to kill. Not particularized to some group that we can discern at this moment, not particularized to one individual that we can see. Barakat had worked odd jobs, and briefly trained as an emergency responder at a nearby community college. He had no criminal record or social media presence and had so little contact with other people that the only photo law enforcement could provide was a blurry image of him lifted from a video. He had, however, been reported to something called the Guardian Threat Tracking System. The FBI routinely opens what it refers to internally as assessments -- the lowest level, least intrusive and most elementary stage of a terrorism-related inquiry -- when it receives unconfirmed information about potentially suspicious behavior. That information is catalogued in the Guardian system. During the assessment stage of an investigation, FBI agents are permitted to take certain basic investigative steps such as conducting online research or visual surveillance, but more sophisticated tools such as wiretaps cannot be undertaken without additional evidence of wrongdoing. Mac Schneider, the U.S. attorney for North Dakota, said the Guardian system is a way for members of the public to engage with local law enforcement about things of concern. But he provided no additional details. Whether Barakat had intended to survive the attack was unclear. He wore no body armor but did have a way to monitor what was happening at his apartment from afar, perhaps suggesting he had a plan, Wrigley said. He added that there was no immediate indication that anyone had helped Barakat. There are lone wolves," Wrigley said. "Thats a real concept. Wrigley said Koswick was badly injured and will have a difficult recovery. Zibolski said the wounded officers were briefly able to stand up out of their hospital beds on Thursday. Meanwhile, a funeral service is planned for Saturday for Wallin, whose body was cremated in his police uniform. ___ Associated Press reporters Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis and Eric Tucker in Washington in contributed to this report. After paying $155 million in March for the Palm Beach oceanfront estate of the late conservative firebrand Rush Limbaugh, cosmetics billionaire William P. Lauder is tearing it down. Crews have been at work this week demolishing the estate at 1495 N. Ocean Blvd., which Lauder bought through an ownership company from Limbaughs widow, Kathryn Adams Limbaugh, in an off-market deal. This isnt the first uber-pricey teardown Lauder has acquired in Palm Beach. Last year, he demolished a six-year-old beachfront mansion down the street after buying it in late 2021 for more than $110 million a price cited by several people familiar with the private sale. Lauder combined that cleared land with an empty oceanside lot he owned next door and listed the resulting 2.34 acres for a combined $200 million, the most expensive vacant property ever listed for sale in Palm Beach. The two lots are about a mile south of the old Limbaugh estate. The price Lauders company paid for the former Limbaugh estate briefly set a new sales record in Palm Beach. Lauder is said to be planning a custom home on the old Limbaugh property, according to people familiar with it. But no plans have been submitted to Town Hall yet for officials to review. The Palm Beach Daily News was the first media outlet to report the demolition of the former Limbaugh estate. Billionaire William Lauder has hired crews to demolish the former Palm Beach estate of the late conservative firebrand Rush Limbaugh at 1495 N. Ocean Blvd. Lauder used an ownership company to buy the oceanfront mansion and two adjacent houses for a recorded $155 million in March. FROM THE ARCHIVES: Late Rush Limbaughs Palm Beach mansion asking between $150 million and $175 million, sources confirm The 2.65-acre estate was home for more than two decades to Rush Limbaugh, who died there at age 70 in 2021. Facing about 250 feet of beachfront, the property is near the inlet at the north tip of the island. On the east side, it fronts an expansive parcel of federally protected dune vegetation leading to the beach. The beach parcel is not part of the estate but makes the property appear larger than the acreage listed in property records. Limbaughs two-story house fronting the ocean was built in 1992 with five bedrooms and 21,487 square feet of living space, inside and out. Of that total square footage, 16,629 square feet was air-conditioned space, according to property records. Limbaugh also had two smaller houses on the estate, immediately west of his main residence. One of those houses was built in 1951 with 2,590 square feet at 1501 N. Ocean Blvd., while the other at 108 Mediterranean Road was built in 1934 with four bedrooms and 3,870 square feet. The late Rush Limbaugh owned this Palm Beach estate for years at 1495 N. Ocean Blvd., seen here in a file photo. The oceanfront estate is being demolished by cosmetics billionaire William P. Lauder, who bought it through an ownership company for a recorded $155 million in March from Limbaugh's widow, Kathryn Adams Limbaugh. FROM THE ARCHIVES: Crews begin razing billionaire William Lauders $110-million-plus tear-down mansion in Palm Beach John O. Pickett III, president of the Palm Beach Board of Realtors, said he was not familiar with Lauders plans for the property. But Pickett said oceanfront land in Palm Beach has always fetched high-dollar prices and even higher ones over the past three years because of the real estate boom sparked by the coronavirus pandemic and fueled by Floridas favorable tax picture and other factors. Premium land commands premium prices, and theyre not making any more of it in Palm Beach, said Pickett, a real estate agent at Brown Harris Stevens. Pickett added: The cost to renovate can be just as much as much as the cost to build new. People will build what they want to build. Its just a matter of personal preference. Limbaughs widow had the house homesteaded as her primary residence in the latest tax rolls before she sold it to Lauders limited liability company, 1495 N Ocean Blvd LLC. Lauders family has deep roots in Palm Beach. He is executive chairman of The Estee Lauder Cos., the cosmetics empire named for his grandmother. His net worth is estimated at $3.7 billion by Forbes.com. His father, Leonard Lauder, has a home in Palm Beach and headed the cosmetics company for 17 years. William Lauder reportedly has other homes in New York and Aspen, Colorado. He and a spokeswoman for The Estee Lauder Cos. could not be immediately reached for comment Friday. William P. Lauder, executive chairman of The Estee Lauder Cos. The old Limbaugh estate was never listed for sale in the multiple listing service but had been shopped quietly since for months before it sold last spring, according to those familiar with the property. The asking price was said to be between $150 million and $175 million. It was unclear whether any real estate agents were involved in the sale. Premier Estate Properties real estate agent Jim McCann, who holds the $200-million listing for Lauder's vacant land at 1071 and 1063 N. Ocean Blvd., has declined to discuss the matter. But McCann has represented Lauder in other transactions, according to sales records and people familiar with those deals. With architecture influenced by buildings in the West Indies, the former Limbaugh mansion included a beachfront swimming pool along with multiple covered loggias, balconies, windows and glass doors facing the ocean. Rush Limbaugh for more than three decades hosted the ultra-conservative talk radio program The Rush Limbaugh Show and also was a television pundit. At one point, he broadcast his radio program from his Palm Beach estate but later established a studio across town on Royal Palm Way. The late Rush Limbaugh Limbaugh died in February 2021, a little more than a year after revealing he had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. The Palm Beach Daily News last fall was the first media outlet to report that Lauder had quietly bought the mansion on the lot at 1071 S. Ocean Blvd and planned to demolish it. Demolition there began in late October. * This story was updated from a previous version. Darrell Hofheinz is a USA TODAY Network of Florida journalist who writes about Palm Beach real estate in his weekly Beyond the Hedges column. He welcomes tips about real estate news on the island. Email dhofheinz@pbdailynews.com, call 561-820-3831 or tweet @PBDN_Hofheinz. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: $155M teardown: Billionaire razes old Rush Limbaugh home in Palm Beach TUNIS (Reuters) - Algeria has applied to join the BRICS group and submitted a request to become a shareholder member of BRICS Bank with an amount of $1.5 billion, Ennahar TV quoted Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as saying. It added that Tebboune said at the end of his visit to China that Algeria had sought to join the BRICS to open new economic opportunities. The North Africa country is rich in oil and gas resources and seeking to diversify its economy and strengthen its partnership with countries such as China. The BRICS group of nations comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It account for more than 40% of the world's population and about 26% of the global economy. "We officially applied to join the BRICS group, we sent a letter asking to be shareholder members in the bank ... Algeria's first contribution in the bank will be $1.5 billion," Ennahar quoted Tebboune as saying. More than 40 countries have expressed interested in joining the BRICS group of nations, South Africa's top diplomat in charge of relations with the bloc said this week. Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Gabon, and Kazakhstan are among countries that expressed interest. China will invest $36 billion in Algeria across sectors including manufacturing, new technology, the knowledge economy, transport, and agriculture, local media quoted Tebboune as saying this week. (Reporting by Tarek Amara, Editing by Louise Heavens and Alison Williams) PHOENIX (AP) An Arizona woman who suffered fractured vertebrae and collapsed lungs after being gored by a bison in Yellowstone National Park has said yes to her boyfriend's hospital proposal. Chris Whitehill said he planned to propose to Amber Harris during their vacation in the park this week, but after spending just one night there, an encounter with a bison upended those plans. The couple from the Phoenix area had walked to a lodge for some coffee Monday and decided to walk through a field to Yellowstone Lake in Wyoming, Harris posted on Facebook the next day. They waited for some people and about 20 elk to leave the area before continuing. They also noticed two bison. They watched one drop and roll in the dirt, like a dog would, she wrote. He got up on his feet and started walking, then running toward us. The bison struck her head-on and she was airborne, Whitehill told KPNX-TV in Phoenix. "I think she did one or two backflips in the air, and I was screaming and yelling trying to distract him. She landed pretty hard on her back. Harris, 47, was airlifted to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho, where she recovering from seven fractured vertebrae, collapsed lungs and bruising. Whitehill got down on one knee beside my hospital bed," Monday night, Harris wrote in a Facebook post that included a photo of the ring on her finger. Without any hesitation I said yes!" Whitehill started a GoFundMe campaign for Harris' medical bills. In an update posted Thursday, he said Harris does not need surgery but does have to wear a back brace to keep her spine immobilized. The bison attack was the first in Yellowstone in just over a year, park officials said. MANZANILLO, Mexico (AP) He quit his corporate job and moved to Mexico to pursue his dream of sailing solo across the ocean. Australian Timothy Shaddock, 54, bought his 30-foot catamaran two years ago in the Mexican Pacific resort of Puerto Vallarta. He needed a place to live and he liked the isolation. Of course, living on a boat and sailing on a boat is two different things and that was more of a challenge, Shaddock told The Associated Press Wednesday after stepping onto land for the first time in months. As his training ground Shaddock chose the Sea of Cortez, a narrow finger of water between the Baja California Peninsula and the Mexican mainland. I was aware and the only preparation that you can really do is take the boat out to sea and test the boat at sea, Shaddock said. He would take short journeys, noting what was working on the boat and what wasnt, but was conscious that, in late April, hurricane season was coming. It was either now or I could not really wait one more year, he said. Theres one moment where youre going and its most likely that you will not stop, Shaddock said. And I remember that day very well, because once you hit the Pacific, the wind and the current is behind you, its one way, you cannot come back. He sailed out of the Sea of Cortez and into the Pacific under a full moon. He thinks it was early May, though the dates are vague in his memory. It was very good sailing on that full moon, he recalled. The boat was moving fast. It was a clear night. The winds were strong. I was amazed how the boat moved and it felt so good to sail under that moon and perfect direction. It was so easy to make the decision. I wanted to keep sailing. When he arrived in Mexico at the beginning of the pandemic in June 2020, he initially lived in San Miguel de Allende, a charming colonial town in central Mexico popular with foreign tourists. There, he met Bella, a black and brown stray dog, who became his constant companion for the next three years, despite occasional efforts to find her a suitable home on land. Shaddock and Bella were a few weeks into their journey when a storm changed everything in an instant. The current changes direction. So if youre drifting youre suddenly drifting in a circle. And the wind, its changing all the time, Shaddock described. The waves are moving in many directions and its hypnotizing, you sort of suddenly feel like youre in a whirlpool. He lost his sail, some electronics, and his ability to cook food. Shaddock did say in other interviews that he still had the capacity to issue a mayday call, but he hadn't done so. Its not clear why. Days became a battle against fatigue: fixing things on the boat, fishing, capturing rainwater. He was overwhelmed by the fear that the next day he might be too exhausted, too weak. Shaddock found comfort in meditation, swimming in the ocean and writing in a journal. Keeping Bella fed and content gave him added purpose. The two subsisted on raw fish and rainwater. Shaddock thought he probably would die at sea until he heard a helicopter on July 12. Its pilot, Andres Zamorano, was the first person Shaddock had seen in months and has since become a friend. Zamorano had taken off from the tuna boat Maria Delia in search of schools of the fish. They were 1,200 miles from the nearest land. Zamorano believes a moral obligation Shaddock felt to keep Bella alive helped them both survive. Aboard the Maria Delia, Shaddock and Bella were showered with attention and first aid. Crew members spoiled Bella and treated the blisters on her paws. He would come up to the bridge every day whenever he wanted and we would drink coffee, talk, the boats captain, Oscar Meza, said. Two days after the rescue, the boat found a huge school of tuna, allowing it to fill its hold and turn for its home port of Manzanillo. The best moment was being with the dolphins when they catch all the tuna, Shaddock said. You hear their sounds, you see them move and you feel their magic. That is the magic of freedom and it is the truth of why we are alive. Stepping onto land Tuesday for the first time in months was both incredibly welcome and a bit uncomfortable for someone who had grown quite accustomed to being alone. Everyone asked about Bella and then felt deflated when told Shaddock had decided to give her to an animal lover on the crew of the Maria Delia. The Australian embassy really made that decision for me, Shaddock said later, noting that his country has very strict animal quarantine laws. For now, Shaddock plans to return soon to Australia to see his parents, sister and his daughter. He still loves the sea, but said he was not sure how soon he would again go out of sight of land. There was still an air of uncertainty in his voice. My daughter she might come here, get me and bring me home, he said. Maybe. She wants to come. Local authorities in Germany said Friday that they are ending a search operation for what was previously believed to be a lioness on the loose in the suburbs of Berlin. After examining several hints, there was not a single indication concerning a lioness or a wild animal in the area, Michael Grubert, the mayor of Kleinmachnow, an area on the citys southwest outskirts, told reporters. Michael Grubert, mayor of Kleinmachnow, holds a picture of the suspected animal. - Annegret Hilse/Reuters Authorities ordered a large-scale search mission around midnight local time Thursday (6 p.m. ET Wednesday), after several eyewitnesses reported seeing a large predatory cat chasing a wild boar. The search team, involving two helicopters, a convoy of 30 police vehicles and 100 police armed with drones and infrared cameras, also included a veterinarian and hunters. A major search involving 100 police officers was conducted. - Christian Mang/Getty Images Police had earlier warned residents in parts of Berlin to stay indoors. Grubert had said Thursday that the animal spotted was believed to be a lioness. On Friday, he said that except wild boar, nothing else has been encountered. You can say pretty confidently, today, July 21, there is no wild animal there in the area, he added, saying: I can say with a clear conscience that there is no danger in Berlin or Kleinmachnow. Police spokeswoman Kerstin Schroeder earlier confirmed that authorities investigated the origin of the animal during the night. That is to say, we checked zoos, animal parks and other animal-keeping facilities and made inquiries. No animal of this kind has disappeared from any of these facilities. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BEIJING (Reuters) -China's commerce ministry on Friday briefed representatives of major trade partners on the country's new anti-espionage law, it said in a statement. The law, which took effect this month, bans the transfer of any information related to national security and interests, without defining those terms, while broadening the definition of spying to include cyberattacks against state organs or critical infrastructure. Ministry officials headed by assistant commerce minister Chen Chunjiang met with the U.S., European, Japanese and South Korean chambers of commerce, as well as 30 foreign firms, it said. Chen said China is committed to creating a fair, transparent and predictable business environment. President Xi Jinping's increasing focus on national security - in particular a recent crackdown on consultancies and due diligence firms - has left many foreign companies uncertain where they might step over the line of the law, foreign chambers of commerce have said. The new legislation grants authorities carrying out anti-espionage investigations access to data, electronic equipment, information on personal property, and grants them the authority to apply exit bans. In addition, the commerce ministry said they discussed cross-border data flows while the European Chamber of Commerce in China said the topic of export controls also came up. "It is a positive that MOFCOM is taking steps to clarify rules and regulations in these areas, especially given the Chambers recent Business Confidence Survey found that ambiguous rules and regulations ranks as the top regulatory challenge faced by European companies operating in China," the chamber said. (Reporting by Joe Cash; Additional reporting by Laurie Chen; Editing by Andrew Heavens, John Stonestreet and Jonathan Oatis) Chinese engineers on Thursday broke ground on a new super deep borehole that will burrow far into the Earths crust as the country steps up its search for natural resources hidden tens of thousands of feet underground. The hole will eventually reach 10,520 meters (34,514 feet) into the ground at the Sichuan Basin in southwest China, according to state-run news agency Xinhua. The region is a major area for gas production and engineers expected to find a natural gas reserve there, the report said. The announcement came just weeks after China began drilling another super deep borehole which is slated to extend even further into the Earth with a planned depth of 11,100-meter (36,417 feet). That project is located at the Tarim Basin in Chinas northwest autonomous region of Xinjiang. If completed, they would be among two of the deepest human-made boreholes in the world. However they would not be deepest. That record currently lies with the now defunct Kola Superdeep Borehole in north-west Russia, a Soviet-era scientific drilling project that took 20 years to complete and went to 12,262 meters (40,229 feet). These ultradeep holes stretch greater than Mount Everest measuring from top to bottom, which is about 8,800 meters (28,871 feet) tall. Humans have reached the moon but when it comes to exploring the land deep beneath our feet, we have only scratched the surface of our planet. Drilling deep allows scientists to learn more about how the Earth was formed with the crust acting like a geological timeline of or worlds formation. But there are also strong commercial incentives tapping into potentially lucrative energy reserves buried deep below. Both the companies involved in the Chinese boreholes are major state-owned oil conglomerates. The most recent project at Sichuan Basin is operated by PetroChina Southwest Oil and Gasfield Co, a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation, one of the biggest state-owned energy companies in China, according to Xinhua. Painting it as a move of great significance, the state news outlet said the effort is aimed at exploring deeply buried resources while promoting the progress of the core technology and equipment capability of Chinas oil and gas engineering. The drilling will further reveal the secrets of evolution under the Sinian formation, it said, referring to the way in which rocks are arranged in the Sichuan Basin. Chen Lili, deputy chief engineer of PetroChina Southwest Oil, told the state news outlet that they expected a raft of world-class challenges to overcome during the drilling process. Unveiling the Xinjiang project previously, Xinhua dubbed it a telescope into the deepest end of the earth, with its 2,000-ton design tasked to penetrate more than 10 continental strata. It said the drilling setup can withstand 200 degree celsius and forces 1,700 times greater than that of atmospheric pressure. In May, Sinopec Corp said it had struck sizeable oil and gas flows in an exploration well in the Tarim basin at a depth of 8,591 meters (5.34 miles) below the surface, Reuters reported. China, the worlds second largest economy and the worlds biggest carbon emitter, has huge energy needs. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has declared future energy security as a national security priority. China has become a global leader in renewable energy it is on track to double its wind and solar energy capacity and hit its 2030 clean energy targets five years early, according to a recent report. But it is also the worlds biggest producer of planet-heating pollution and is ramping up coal production. The US is the worlds second biggest carbon emitter. US climate envoy John Kerry met with Chinese officials in Beijing this week and called for faster action to confront the climate crisis. Xi did not meet with Kerry this week. But while the US climate envoy was visiting, Xi told a national conference on environmental protection that Chinas commitment to its duel carbon goals reaching a carbon peak by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060 is unwavering, according to state news agency Xinhua. But the path, method, pace and intensity to achieve this goal should and must be determined by ourselves, and will never be influenced by others, he said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Republican voters with a college degree and a built-in skepticism of Donald Trump were supposed to form the backbone of Ron DeSantis strategy to win the 2024 GOP presidential primary. Instead, theyre leaving his campaign in droves. A trio of Republican primary polls, including previously unpublished data obtained by McClatchyDC, show that Floridas governor has suffered steep declines in support among GOP voters with at least a bachelors degree, an erosion that threatens to undermine his candidacy. Their defections which started in the spring and have continued this summer are disproportionately responsible for DeSantis overall decline in the race, where polls show he now sits a distant second place to Trump. In all three surveys, the governor now has barely half the support with college-educated white voters that he did when the year began, larger drop-offs than he suffered with other demographic groups. The numbers reflect a pressing problem for the Florida Republican as he seeks to reset his campaign amid fundraising concerns and flagging poll numbers, challenging him to recover the lost support among voters who once made him Trumps top rival for the nomination. The national surveys paint a troubling picture for his campaign, even as his allies insist that recent state-level polling already shows his candidacy regaining momentum. A poll from decision intelligence company Morning Consult, for instance, found that DeSantis support had dropped 18 points among white college-educated Republicans, from 41% when the year began to 23% in mid-July, according to internal data shared with McClatchyDC. A poll from market research firm Ipsos, meanwhile, found the governors support had been halved since mid-March, when it reported he had 39% among college-educated Republicans, according to data shared with McClatchy. The same survey, released this week, found he had dropped to 20% among those voters, a 19-point decline. (Ipsos survey did not distinguish between college-educated white Republicans and college-educated Republicans, although the difference between the makeup of the two groups is small.) A publicly available survey from Quinnipiac University found the largest drop in support for DeSantis, with the governor going from 51% support in a February poll of college-educated white Republicans to 29% with them now a 22-point decline. These voters abandoned DeSantis campaign at roughly twice the rate as Republicans without a college degree, a review of polling data found. None of the three surveys asked why DeSantis has lost the support of college-educated Republicans. But in interviews with non-partisan pollsters and Republican political operatives, some of them speculated that the governors decision this year to double down on a sharp-edged conservative agenda could have alienated voters who once viewed him as a more pragmatic, mainstream politician. DeSantis earlier this year signed a law in Florida banning abortions six weeks after pregnancy, and during the campaign, he has sought to outflank Trump on LGBTQ issues while positioning himself as an anti-woke warrior eager to combat the political left in all sectors of society. College-educated Republicans were looking for an alternative to Donald Trump, and they initially thought Governor DeSantis, after his 19-point win in Florida, made for a good one, said Whit Ayres, a veteran GOP pollster. But the way he has run his campaign, constantly tacking to the right, has turned off many of those people who were initially attracted to him. Ayres emphasized that he thought DeSantis still had time to recover from his underwhelming start, arguing people who once supported him can be brought back into the fold with a smart strategy that included more moderate positioning. And some Republican operatives disagree that DeSantis more conservative tack is at the root of his drop in support, arguing that Trumps own popularity, combined with an indictment in March that conservatives saw as wildly unjust, is more responsible for the shift than anything the Florida governor did. DeSantis allies say they already see signs that his popularity has rebounded, dismissing the importance of national surveys instead of state-based polling in places with an early nominating contest. A survey released in New Hampshire this week, from University of New Hampshire Survey Center, found DeSantis receiving 23% support, up from 22% in April, while Trump dropped from 42% to 37%. The survey showed DeSantis earning the support of 12% of Republicans with only a bachelors degree, and 20% support of GOP voters with a graduate degree. Youre going to start to see this narrative continue to develop as more state level polling increases, particularly in those states where you see the impact of our ground game, said an official with Never Back Down, the super PAC supporting DeSantis. But the official conceded that Trump had gained ground earlier this year after he was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury over allegations he illegally paid hush money to an adult film actress, a prosecution conservatives think is politically motivated. And indeed, while DeSantis support with college-educated sank, Trumps standing with those voters improved markedly since the year began. Morning Consult, for instance, found Trumps support nationally with these Republicans improving from 33% to start the year to 46% by mid-July. Among all college-educated GOP voters, Ipsos found him improving from 31% in mid-March to 36% this week. And Quinnipiac showed him growing from 22% support in February to 34% in a survey released Wednesday. In all three surveys, Trump now has more support among college-educated voters than DeSantis. Trump has always fared better among Republicans without a college degree than those with a degree, dating back to his 2016 candidacy when he shocked the GOP establishment and won the partys nomination. His presidency, in fact, helped shift the party toward a more blue-collar constituency, facilitating an influx of those voters into the GOPs fold while simultaneously pushing many college-educated men and women, including former Republicans, to start backing Democratic candidates. Compared to GOP voters without a college degree, GOP pollsters say, college-educated Republicans are socially moderate and fiscally conservative, with some of them both repelled by Trumps rhetoric and uninterested in his stated aim of making the partys economic agenda more populist They might have expected a different approach from DeSantis, political experts say, and soured on him when he didnt meet that expectation. College-educated voters tend to be more liberal, said Tim Malloy, a polling analyst with Quinnipiac. And DeSantis has gone right a good deal more than many expected him to do so. DeSantis support has suffered among Republicans without a college degree, too, though at lower rates than he has among those with degrees. Among non-college white Republicans, Morning Consult and Quinnipiac found DeSantis support dropping 10 and 11 points since the start of the year. Ipsos found his support among non-college Republicans dropping six points since March. DeSantis overall standing in the GOP primary has declined markedly since the start of the year, according to an average of polls compiled by FiveThirtyEight.com. The site has found his support dropping from about 37% to start the year to about 21% now. Some Republican strategists argue that amid such an overall drop, DeSantis standing with college-educated voters was bound to suffer, especially given that he had more of them to lose when the year began. And they question whether DeSantis loss of support among college-educated voters is really driving his overall decline. GOP pollster Patrick Ruffini, for instance, found that DeSantis and Trump were running roughly even with very conservative Republicans at the end of last year. The former president, however, had a 65-point edge with those same voters in June, according to a survey his firm conducted. In an interview, Ruffini said he thinks Trumps numbers were temporarily low after a disappointing midterm election last year, a time when he had done little campaigning and voters were upset the party hadnt won control of the U.S. Senate majority. Those frustrations have gradually subsided since, he said. You add on top of that something most Republicans see as a tainted and partisan prosecution, and its not hard to process whats been happening here, he said. A courtroom sketch showing the accused Venezuela's former spy chief has pleaded not guilty in a New York court to US charges of drug trafficking. Hugo Carvajal, 63, was extradited from Spain on Wednesday after an over-ten year effort by prosecutors to bring him to the US to face the charges. Mr Carvajal, who was a confidante to late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, has denied that he was ever involved in the illicit drug trade. US prosecutors say he shipped tonnes of cocaine to Mexico to be sent to the US. Prosecutors allege he used his position in government to ship approximately 5,600kg (12,300lbs) from Venezuela to Mexico to be sent on to the US. At a federal hearing in Manhattan on Thursday, Mr Carvajal entered a not guilty plea. He was ordered held in detention pending his next court hearing on 25 July. Outside of the courthouse, his lawyer Zachary Margulis-Ohnuma told reporters that his client is "categorically innocent". Hugo Carvajal spent two years in hiding in Spain after a court ruled he should be extradited to the US "General Carvajal looks forward to fighting these outrageous charges in court before an unbiased American jury," he said after the hearing, according to Reuters. Mr Carvajal - whose nickname is El Pollo (the chicken) - was a close ally of the late Venezuelan president and is thought to hold key information about his government and that of Chavez's successor, Nicolas Maduro. Prosecutors accuse the former top spy 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 that 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. As head of military counter-intelligence from 2004 to 2011, he was once one of the most powerful men in Venezuela. 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. He was first arrested in 2014 Aruba, but released because he held a diplomatic passport. After turning against Mr Maduro by backing opposition leader Juan Guaido when the latter declared himself interim president, he fled Venezuela to the Dominican Republic before settling in Spain. He was arrested by Spanish authorities in 2019 but went into hiding after his extradition to the US was approved. He was arrested again in 2021 and last week lost his legal battle against extradition to the US. By Yimou Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan is investigating a possible leak of official documents including diplomatic cables and classified reports on the island's sensitive bid to join a global trade pact, according to two officials familiar with the probe. One official said initial findings showed some parts of the documents, posted on online message board 8kun and reviewed by Reuters, are real while bits were forged, without giving details. A second official said parts of the documents appeared to be "authentic" and they could not immediately determine the origin of the documents shared on the internet. The officials asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. In response to Reuters' questions, Taiwan's National Security Bureau (NSB) said it was aware of "suspected government documents" posted online and that relevant government authorities were "investigating and dealing with the source of such information". The NSB said it was also investigating whether China, which claims Taiwan as its own, was involved in the incident. China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. News of the incident comes amid a flurry of reports about Beijing-linked hackers accessing the email accounts of several top U.S. officials, including the U.S. ambassador to China. In a statement, Taiwan's foreign ministry largely echoed the NSB comments adding that it "was difficult to distinguish between true and false information online" and urged vigilance about sharing information from unknown sources. The incident comes at a delicate time for the island, which is due to hold elections early next year and is seeking to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade pact despite objections from China which is also seeking to join. The documents posted online include what purports to be a classified "security assessment" in October by Taiwan's top intelligence agency, the National Security Bureau, on the island's CPTPP bid. They include alleged diplomatic cables from Taiwan's de facto embassies in Japan and Vietnam about the CPTPP applications by China and Taiwan, and another classified report this year by Taiwan's de facto embassy in Washington on its trade negotiations with the United States. Reuters has seen the documents but could not independently verify their authenticity. Taiwan and China both applied in 2021 to join the CPTPP, a trade pact between 11 countries - Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Britain is also set to join. Beijing has said it strongly opposes Taiwan's membership because Taiwan is part of China and therefore ineligible to join international bodies on its own. Taiwan is, however, a member of the World Trade Organization, designated as a separate customs territory called Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu. Taiwan strongly rejects Chinese sovereignty claims and says only Taiwanese people can decide their future. The island of 23 million people is growing increasingly concerned about hacks and cyber attacks as it gears up for the presidential election, due in January. President Tsai Ing-wen, whose ruling party is seeking to head off a challenge from opposition parties pledging friendlier ties with Beijing, has repeatedly warned of China's attempts to influence public opinion ahead of the vote. (Reporting By Yimou LeeEditing by John Geddie, Lincoln Feast, William Maclean and Frances Kerry) By Gabriella Borter and Sharon Bernstein (Reuters) - State legislatures are wrestling with how much to restrict or expand abortion access after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year. Here is a snapshot of pending and passed legislation seeking to restrict or protect access in 2023. RESTRICTIONS FLORIDA: Governor Ron DeSantis in April signed a six-week abortion ban, which includes exceptions for rape, incest, human trafficking, and the life and health of the mother. It cannot take effect until the state Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the 15-week ban that is currently in place. IDAHO: Governor Brad Little signed into law a bill in April that makes it illegal to help a minor cross state lines to get an abortion without the permission of a parent or guardian. Offenders would face two to five years in prison. The Republican-led state is currently enforcing a near-total abortion ban, with exceptions for rape, incest or the life of the mother. IOWA: Republican Governor Kim Reynolds in July signed into law a six-week abortion ban days after lawmakers passed it in a day-long special session. The bill bans abortion as soon as fetal cardiac activity can be detected, before many women know they are pregnant. It makes exceptions for rape, incest and fatal fetal abnormalities and medical emergencies, but not for the age of the pregnant person. MONTANA: Governor Greg Gianforte in May signed into law several bills limiting abortion access, including one that aims to overturn a 1999 state Supreme Court ruling that found the state constitution protected a right to abortion. Another new law bans most second trimester abortions by prohibiting a common surgical procedure. A state judge has temporarily blocked the measure while it is challenged in court. NEBRASKA: Governor Jim Pillen in May signed into law a bill restricting gender-affirming care for minors that was amended to also prohibit abortions for pregnancies beyond 12 weeks. Abortion was formerly legal in the state up to 22 weeks. NORTH CAROLINA: Republican lawmakers in May overrode Democratic Governor Roy Cooper's veto to enact a law limiting most abortions to the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest, life-limiting fetal anomalies and the life of the mother. Abortion was formerly legal up to 20 weeks in the state. The measure also requires doctors to be present when abortion medication is given and requires those seeking medical abortions to have an in-person consultation with a doctor 72 hours before the procedure. NORTH DAKOTA: North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum in April signed a bill that bans abortion with exceptions for cases where the mother's life or health are at serious risk. The law, which took immediate effect, also makes exceptions for rape and incest victims, but only during the first six weeks of pregnancy. SOUTH CAROLINA: A South Carolina judge in May temporarily blocked a new "fetal heartbeat" law that would ban abortions about six weeks into pregnancy, before most people know they are pregnant. The judge granted reproductive rights groups' motion to block the legislation one day after Republican Governor Henry McMaster signed it, ruling that it should be considered by the state Supreme Court before taking effect. A similar six-week ban passed last year was ruled unconstitutional in a 3-2 decision by the South Carolina Supreme Court in January. One of the justices in the majority has since retired, leaving it unclear how the court will rule on the new measure. TEXAS: While abortion is completely banned with very limited exceptions in Texas, Republican state representatives have introduced legislation that would compel internet providers to block websites that supply abortion pills or provide information on how to obtain an abortion. UTAH: Republican Governor Spencer Cox in March signed legislation to prohibit the licensing of abortion clinics, which abortion rights advocates say would effectively eliminate access in the state. Abortion is currently banned after 18 weeks in Utah. WYOMING: A state judge in June temporarily blocked a bill that the Republican-led state legislature passed in March banning the use or prescription of medication abortion pills. The bill, which Republican Governor Mark Gordon signed into law, had been due to take effect July 1 but will remain suspended pending the outcome of a lawsuit by healthcare providers in the state. Abortion is currently legal until viability, about 24 weeks, while a state court is reviewing a challenge to a near-total "trigger" ban, which took effect when Roe v. Wade was overturned. PROTECTIONS MISSOURI: Voters in the 2024 election may have the chance to affirm or reject a measure that would insert a right to abortion in the state constitution. The state's supreme court in July ruled that Missouri's Republican attorney general had improperly blocked the initiative by disputing its cost estimate from the state auditor. Abortion rights advocates will still need to gather 100,000 signatures to put it on the ballot. CALIFORNIA: The Democratic state Senate has approved a bill to protect doctors who prescribe medication abortion pills to patients in other states. MICHIGAN: Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation in April repealing a 1931 bill that criminalized abortion. ILLINOIS: Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker in January signed a law protecting abortion providers and out-of-state patients from legal attacks waged by other states. MINNESOTA: Democratic Governor Tim Walz in January signed legislation passed by the Minnesota legislature's new Democratic majority that codifies abortion rights in state law, as well as a right to contraception and fertility treatment. In April, he also signed into law a bill to shield abortion providers and patients from other states' legal attacks. OHIO: Abortion rights supporters are trying to collect enough signatures to put a constitutional amendment on the November 2023 ballot that would assert a right to abortion. Abortion is currently legal up to 22 weeks. (Reporting by Gabriella Borter in Washington and Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento, California; Additional reporting by Julia Harte in New York; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Alistair Bell and Jamie Freed) WASHINGTON (AP) FBI employees wrongly searched foreign surveillance data for the last names of a U.S. senator and a state senator, according to a court opinion released Friday. The disclosure could further complicate Biden administration efforts to renew a major spy program that already faces bipartisan opposition in Congress. Another FBI employee improperly queried the Social Security number of a state judge who alleged civil rights violations by a municipal chief of police, according to the opinion by the chief judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. News of the latest violations comes as the Biden administration faces a difficult battle in persuading Congress to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows spy agencies to collect swaths of emails and other communications. Already this year, U.S. spy officials have disclosed that the FBI improperly searched Section 702 databases for information related to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and the 2020 protests following the police killing of George Floyd. U.S. officials say Section 702 enables their highest priority work on China, Russia and threats like terrorism and cybersecurity. But many Democratic and Republican lawmakers say they won't vote to renew Section 702 when it expires at this year's end without major changes targeting how the FBI uses foreign surveillance data to investigate Americans. Democrats who have long demanded new limits on the FBI's access to surveillance have increasingly been joined by Republicans angry about the bureau's investigations of former President Donald Trump as well as errors and omissions made during the probe of Russian ties to his 2016 campaign. FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement that reforms at the bureau had led to significant improvement and fewer incidents of not following intelligence rules. He later sent a letter to congressional leaders arguing for the importance of the Section 702 program. "We take seriously our role in protecting national security and we take just as seriously our responsibility to be good stewards of our Section 702 authorities," Wray said in his statement. "We will continue to focus on using our Section 702 authorities to protect American lives and keeping our Homeland safe, while safeguarding civil rights and liberties. Patrick Toomey, deputy director of the ACLUs National Security Project, said in a statement that the latest errors show it is long past time for Congress to step in. "As Congress debates reauthorizing Section 702, these opinions show why that cant happen without fundamental reforms, he said. The surveillance court opinion released Friday didn't disclose the names, states or party affiliations of the people whose names were searched. It said the searches of the state senator and U.S. senator occurred in June 2022. According to the court opinion, the analyst who did the searches had information that a foreign spy service was targeting the lawmakers. But the Justice Department's national security division reviewed the searches and found that they didn't meet FBI standards to limit how much information was retrieved, the opinion stated. The state judge's Social Security number was searched that October. It was later determined that the analyst did not have sufficient evidence to conduct the search and did not clear the search with higher-ups as required of politically sensitive searches, according to a senior FBI official who briefed reporters Friday on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the agency. The unnamed U.S. senator has been notified of the search, but the state senator and state judge have not, the FBI official said. The FBI gets a section of foreign surveillance data collected primarily by the National Security Agency, U.S. officials have said. Unlike the NSA and CIA, which go after intelligence targets abroad, the FBI is responsible for investigating threats affecting the U.S. such as cyberattacks or attempts to influence or interfere in American elections. There are strict rules governing when analysts can search for U.S. citizens or businesses in surveillance data. Facing pressure from the surveillance court and Congress, the FBI in recent years has changed its search tools, ramped up training for analysts working with foreign data, and required new approvals from higher-ups for larger searches or sensitive searches like the names of public officials. The FBI last month also announced new disciplinary measures. Any employees accused of negligence would immediately lose access to surveillance data until they undergo training and meet with a bureau attorney. The actions revealed Friday predate the new disciplinary policy. Judge Rudolph Contreras' opinion, which was completed in April 2023 and released Friday with redactions, says there is reason to believe that the FBI has been doing a better job in applying the querying standard. Of nearly 80,000 searches audited over a 16-month period ending in December 2022, 1.8% were found to have not met internal standards, the court said. The total number of searches for Americans appears to have dropped as well. Over a year-long period ending in March, the FBI ran about 180,000 searches of U.S. citizens and other American entities, the court said. That's well below the roughly 2 million searches reported just between December 2020 and February 2021, something Contreras wrote should indicate less intrusion into the private communications of U.S. persons. By Karen Freifeld and Jonathan Stempel WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Michael Cohen, the onetime personal lawyer and fixer for Donald Trump, has settled his lawsuit accusing the Trump Organization of failing to cover millions of dollars of legal bills he incurred over his work for the former U.S. president. Lawyers for both sides disclosed the settlement at a hearing in a New York state court in Manhattan on Friday, three days before a trial was scheduled to begin. Terms of the settlement were not made public. Cohen and a lawyer for the Trump Organization issued statements that the matter "has been resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties." Once a strong supporter of Trump, Cohen is now a vocal critic, whose 2020 memoir "Disloyal" was a New York Times bestseller. He claimed that the Trump Organization reneged on its agreement to paying his bills after he began cooperating with several probes into his work for the former president. These included inquiries into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election, and Trump's efforts to silence women who claimed they had affairs with him. Cohen originally sued in March 2019 to recoup $1.9 million in fees, plus $1.9 million he was ordered to forfeit in a criminal case. The fees kept growing, and the Trump Organization has paid some of them, court papers show. Despite Friday's settlement, Cohen is expected to be a star prosecution witness against Trump in a criminal trial next March. That case concerns payments Cohen made, and which Trump reimbursed, to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet prior to the 2016 presidential election about her alleged affair with Trump, which he denies. Cohen is also seeking the dismissal of a $500 million lawsuit by Trump in a federal court in Florida. In that case, Trump accused Cohen of breaching ethics rules governing lawyers' conduct by revealing "confidences" and "spreading falsehoods" in books and media, and damaging his reputation by calling him "racist." Trump, a Republican who is again seeking the presidency, faces many other legal problems. These include a criminal trial next May in Florida on charges he illegally took classified documents from the White House and lied to officials who sought to recover them. Trump also faces possible charges over his efforts to remain president after his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden. Cohen served a three-year sentence, partially in prison and partially in home confinement because of the COVID-19 pandemic, after pleading guilty in 2018 to campaign finance violations and tax evasion. (Reporting by Karen Freifeld, Katharine Jackson and Ismail Shakil in Washington, D.C., and Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Kanishka Singh, Doina Chiacu, Daniel Wallis and Sharon Singleton) SANAA, Yemen (AP) Gunmen shot and killed the head of one of the World Food Program's offices in southwestern Yemen on Friday, the humanitarian organization said. No militant group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, WFP said that Moayad Hameidi, a Jordanian, was shot by gunmen in the city of Taiz not long after he arrived in the country to assume the role as head of its office in that city. It added he died shortly after reaching a hospital. Hameidi was shot by two armed assailants on a motorbike, according to a statement issued by a local security committee on Friday. No further information was given. Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, also known by its acronym AQAP and believed to be one of the more dangerous branches of the al-Qaida terror network, is active in several regions in Yemen. Years of the country's civil war have allowed the militants to maintain a presence in several areas around Yemen. The war began in 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of northern Yemen and forced the government into exile. A Saudi-led coalition entered the war in early 2015 to try restore the internationally recognized government to power. Both the Houthis and the government condemned the attack in statements late Friday. Neither side accused anyone of being behind the killing. Taiz, the countrys third-largest city, has been under a siege by the Houthis since 2016, as part of the brutal civil war. The blockade has severely restricted freedom of movement and impeded the flow of essential goods, medicine and humanitarian aid to the citys residents. A senior Yemeni security official from the government side said an investigation was underway. He declined to give his name as he was not authorized to talk to the media. Yemen's conflict has created one of the worlds worst humanitarian crises and over the years turned it into a regional proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. More than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, have been killed. A prominent Russian pro-war blogger who has criticized President Vladimir Putin and his militarys mishaps in Ukraine was arrested on Friday, in a move that suggested the Kremlins patience with dissent has grown thinner in the wake of the Wagner mercenary rebellion last month. Igor Girkin, a former KGB officer who helped Russia seize Crimea and was convicted of mass murder for his role in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in eastern Ukraine, was taken from his home in Moscow by security agents on Friday and charged with extremist activity, according to state media and a post on his Telegram account attributed to his wife. Girkin, who also goes by the nom de guerre Igor Strelkov, is among the best-known of Russias milbloggers, a group of war correspondents who support the invasion but have grown increasingly critical of the militarys faltering operations in Ukraine. Girkin had in recent months taken his criticisms to another level, lambasting the Russian state and even Putin himself. He co-founded an ultra-nationalist political group called the Angry Patriots Club this spring, and told Reuters that Russia was on the cusp of very grave internal political changes of a catastrophic character. The day after Wagners brief insurrection ended, on June 25, he said that if Putin is not ready to take the leadership over the creation of war-ready conditions in Russia, then he really needs to transfer the powers, but legally, to someone who is capable of such hard work. But the final straw for Putin may have come on Tuesday, when Girkin called the president a lowlife and a cowardly bum in a blistering post on his Telegram channel. For 23 years, the country was led by a lowlife who managed to blow dust in the eyes of a significant part of the population. Now he is the last island of legitimacy and stability of the state, the post read. But the country will not be able to withstand another six years of this cowardly bum in power. Miroslava Reginskaya, Girkins wife, said in the Telegram statement attributed to her that agents of Russias Investigative Committee arrived at their apartment at 11:30 a.m. local time on Friday (4:30 a.m. ET) and took him away to an unknown direction. State news agency Ria Novosti later reported that Girkin had been charged with inciting extremist activity, citing the Meshchansky Court of Moscow. Strelkov is charged with Part 2 of Article 280 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (public calls for extremist activity), the court said, according to Ria. If found guilty, Girkin could be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison. Another post on Girkins Telegram account, attributed to his associates, said that his arrest Friday coincided with an attempt to split the Angry Patriots Club over differing opinions about Wagner and its attempted uprising in Russia in June, which posed the most significant challenge to Putin since he took power more than two decades ago. Girkin openly and reasonably criticized the actions of government officials, including the president, the statement from his associates read. They said that confidence in Russias freedom of speech was being compromised, and that processes are taking place in our country that indicate the departure of government representatives from basic values. Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said that Girkin had overstepped all conceivable boundaries a long time ago, and that his arrest was the result of the Ministry of Defense reasserting control in the wake of the Wagner rebellion. This is a direct outcome of [Yevgeny] Prigozhins mutiny, she said on Twitter, referring to the Wagner boss. The armys command now wields greater political leverage to quash its opponents in the public sphere. Its unlikely that there will be massive repressions against angry patriots, but the most vehement dissenters may face prosecution, serving as a cautionary tale for others. Internal confrontation Girkin is a former colonel in Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) and served as defense minister in the separatist so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) in eastern Ukraine, territory captured by pro-Russian forces in 2014. It was during his time in the DPR that he contributed to the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014, a court in the Netherlands found. All 298 people onboard were killed. The court last year found Girkin guilty of mass murder for his role in the incident and he was sentenced in absentia to life in prison. According to the court, Girkin participated in the conflicts in Chechnya, Transnistria and Bosnia. Girkin was remanded in custody until September 18 following his arrest on Friday, after the judge rejected his request to be placed under house arrest due to an apparent heart condition. The prosecution said Girkin was a flight risk citing his connections to law enforcement agencies, Russian media also reported. In his statement to court, the prominent blogger argued he could not flee abroad, calling the claims frankly ridiculous. His detention comes just three days after Russian state media TASS reported that retired Russian colonel Vladimir Kvachkov, an associate of Girkins, was facing criminal prosecution for discrediting the Russian Armed Forces. While TASS did not specify which of Kvachkovs comments sparked the charges, Kvachkov has also been openly critical of Putin, describing his government is virtually non-existent in on-camera remarks at an Angry Patriots event following the Wagner rebellion last month. Ukraines Defense Intelligence later claimed Girkins arrest signals there could be growing disputes within the Kremlin. The issue is not with Girkin himself, who has never acted as an independent figure before. Neither have many other military correspondents or military bloggers, or members of Girkins group. These are not independent figures, a representative for Ukraines defense intelligence, Andri Yusov, told Ukrainian broadcasters on Friday. Yusov went on to say it was paradoxical that Girkin had been arrested but not Wagner founder Prigozhin. Prigozhin was marching on Moscow and shooting down airplanes and helicopters, but Girkin is the one who got detained, he said. This is a specific feature of the Putin regime. This all suggests that the members of the Kremlin towers are already coming to an active phase of internal confrontation, he added, without providing evidence. CNNs Yulia Kesaieva, Vasco Cotovio and Katharina Krebs contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia and the U.S. began two weeks of war games involving more than 30,000 troops and participants from 11 other countries on Friday, in a show of force and unity at a time when China has emerged as an increasingly assertive power in the Indo-Pacific. Held every two years, the first Talisman Sabre joint military exercises were conducted in 2005, and this year's drills will be the largest yet. "The most important message that China can take from this exercise and anything that our allies and partners do together, is that we are extremely tied by the core values that exist amongst our many nations," U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro said during an opening ceremony on a naval vessel in Sydney. The exercises, taking place in various locations across Australia, will include mock land and air combat, as well as amphibious landings. The exercises demonstrated Australia's "commitment to working with our international partners to maintain the security and stability of our region," Defence Minister Richard Marles said at the same ceremony. This year will see Germany participate for the first time, with 210 paratroopers and marines taking part as the European nation bolsters its presence in the Indo-Pacific. Personnel from India, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand will also attend as observers. Australia is deepening security cooperation with the U.S. and regional partners like Japan and India at the same time as the centre-left Labor government works to repair trade ties with China that have been strained by disputes over trade, investment and security. A Chinese ship is currently off the east coast of Australia and is expected to shadow the exercises, according to an Australian defence official. (Reporting by Lewis Jackson; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) President Mnangagwa will next week attend the second Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum to be held in the Russian city of St Petersburg. The spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Mr Livit Mugejo confirmed President Mnangagwas attendance in a statement on Friday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade wishes to advise that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is earmarked to attend the Second Russia Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum to be held in St Petersburg, in the Russian Federation, between July 27-28. President Mnangagwa will be accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr Frederick Shava and senior government officials. The Forum presents an opportunity to exchange notes on bilateral and international issues of mutual interest and concern and also serves as a significant event in bolstering our relations further, Mr Mugejo said. He added that leveraging on the foundations of the inaugural Russia-Africa Summit, which was held in Sochi, in the Russian Federation, in October 2019, the imminent Economic and Humanitarian Forum will present an opportunity to further enhance cooperation with Zimbabwe and Russia expected to to sign a number of Memoranda of Understanding or/Agreements during the Forum. Herald By Lisandra Paraguassu and Gabriel Stargardter BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday signed an executive order tightening civilian access to firearms in a bid to slow a surge in gun ownership during the presidency of his far-right predecessor Jair Bolsonaro. The decree fulfills a campaign promise by Lula, who criticized looser gun controls under Bolsonaro, arguing they were responsible for a wave of political violence during last year's election. Bolsonaro, who often urged his supporters to arm themselves or risk being "enslaved," has said guns make Brazil safer, pointing to a lower murder rate during his time in office. The country has nearly 800,000 registered gun owners, up from 117,467 in 2018 when Bolsonaro was elected, according to the 2023 Brazilian Yearbook of Public Security. Bolsonaro turbocharged gun culture by loosening restrictions on "hunters, marksmen or collectors," (CACs) making it easy for people to register for such permits and stockpile weapons. Lula's decree rolled back firearms access for that group. A registered hunter now can own six weapons, instead of the previous 30 including up to 15 restricted firearms. Hunters will also have access to fewer bullets and need clearance from environmental protection agency Ibama. "It is one thing for a citizen to have a gun at home for protection and assurance ... but we cannot allow there to be arsenals of weapons in people's hands," Lula said in a speech at an event to present the measures. "We will continue to fight for a disarmed country. Who has to be well-armed is the Brazilian police. It is the Brazilian Armed Forces," the president added. Lula also passed responsibility for civilian weapons control from the army to the federal police. The army was criticized for weak oversight, incomplete databases, little transparency and poor information-sharing with law enforcement agencies. The 9mm handgun, a favorite of those with CAC permits, will no longer be accessible to civilians. Lula's decree also closes a loophole that allowed many gun owners to go out in public with loaded weapons if they claimed to be going to a gun club. Gun owners who bought their weapons during the previous administration will not be forced to give them up, but the decree envisages a buyback program starting this year. (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia and Gabriel Stargardter in Rio de Janeiro; Editing by Brad Haynes, David Holmes and Richard Chang) A man suspected of traveling all the way from Denmark to Fresno to have sex with a child has now been indicted. A federal grand jury in Fresno returned a two-count indictment Thursday against Claus Svelmo Marcuslund, a 58-year-old man from Denmark. Hes been charged with distribution of child pornography and attempted coercion or enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity. Marcuslands indictment was part of a U.S. Department of Justice initiative known as Project Safe Childhood, which seeks to prevent the sexual exploitation of children and achieve justice for the victims of such crimes. In addition to Marcusland, Bradley Earl Reger, a 67-year-old man from Susanville in Northern California, was charged with multiple crimes involving sexual abuse of other minors. Denmark man allegedly flew to Fresno for child sex Marcuslund was arrested on July 11 at the Fresno airport after he spent months conversing online with a U.S. Homeland Security Investigations undercover agent posing as the mother of a 7-year-old girl, court documents say. According to court documents, Marcuslund told the undercover agent that Im Scandinavian, professional music producer/songwriter and lyricist and yeah, Im also a pedophile. Marcuslund also said Im divorced and now searching [for] a nice woman/mom to get to know better, hopefully with the potential of getting together in real life one day. Obviously, she must be 100% supportive of pedophilia and incest. He discussed in detail the sexual abuse in which he hoped to engage and which sexual activities he wanted the seven-year-old to perform on him, a Homeland Security affidavit says. From April 12, 2023, through April 24, 2023, Marcuslund then sent approximately 12 videos and photos that each depicted at least one minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Marcuslund also discussed having another child with the mother and molesting the newborn, according to court documents. Marcuslund flew from his home in Copenhagen, Denmark, to Fresno, with a flight connection in Los Angeles while traveling roughly 5,500 miles. According to court documents, he also discussed deleting child pornography videos before arriving in California. Since his arrest, Marcusland is considered a flight-risk suspect and a danger to the community, according to the DOJ. NorCal man might have hundreds of victims A federal grand jury in Sacramento returned a five-count indictment Thursday against Reger, charging him with: engaging in illicit sexual activity abroad, transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and coercion and enticement. According to court documents, Reger sexually abused more than a dozen patients between the ages of 12 and 22 during medical examinations at his medical clinic in Susanville, as well as in hotel rooms and camp sites all over the world. Reger has been a licensed Nurse Practitioner with the California Board of Registered Nursing for at least 20 years. Hes also been heavily involved in various Christian schools, summer camps, youth groups, and church missions since 1986, while holding positions such as a teacher, camp counselor, church deacon, youth group leader, and owner of affiliated nonprofit organizations. The indictment alleges that Reger sexually abused three different minor victims, in locations such as: Susanville, Nevada, Virginia, and Poland. These offenses allegedly took place between 2006 and 2014. But authorities believe there are more victims who have yet to come forward. We do believe that there are victims spread out across the nation and globally, Sacramento FBI Special Agent In Charge Sean Ragan told The Sacramento Bee. The special agent added that since Regers arrest by the FBI on July 6, another 40 to 50 potential victims surfaced. The FBI set up a website for victims immediately after Reger was arrested fbi.gov/RegerVictims and asked for potential victims to use it to report their abuse or call 800-CALL-FBI (225-5324). There could potentially be hundreds of victims, Ragan said. BEIRUT (AP) Thousands of people took to the streets in a handful of Muslim-majority countries Friday to express their outrage at the desecration of a copy of the Quran in Sweden, a day after protesters stormed the country's embassy in Iraq. The protests in Iraq, Lebanon and Iran that followed weekly prayers were controlled and peaceful, in contrast to scenes in Baghdad on Thursday, when demonstrators occupied the Swedish Embassy compound for several hours and set a small fire. The embassy staff had been evacuated before the storming, and Swedish news agency TT reported that they were relocated to Stockholm for security reasons. For Muslims, any desecration of the Quran, their holy text, is abhorrent. Under scorching heat Friday, thousands gathered in Baghdads Sadr City, a stronghold of influential Iraqi Shiite cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr, some of whose followers took part in the attack on the Swedish Embassy. They brandished Qurans, burned the Swedish flag and the LGBTQ rainbow flag and chanted, Yes, yes to the Quran, no, no to Israel. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had called on protesters and security forces to ensure that the demonstrations remained peaceful. In the southern suburbs of Beirut, thousands more gathered at a protest called by the Iran-backed militia and political party Hezbollah, also brandishing copies of the holy book and chanting with our blood, we protect the Quran. Some burned Swedish flags. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a video address Thursday night called on Muslims to demand their governments expel Swedens ambassadors. Iraq cut diplomatic ties with Sweden earlier that day. I invite brothers and sisters in all neighborhoods and villages to attend all mosques, carrying their Qurans and sit in them, calling on the state to take a stance toward Sweden, Nasrallah said in the address, according to Lebanons state-run National News Agency. In Iran, thousands marched in Tehran and other cities across the country, demonstrations that were aired on state television. In the capital, protesters gathered in the city center, shouting: Death to the Americanized Sweden! Death to Israel! Death to enemies of the supreme leader! The Quran talks to humans all the time, and its voice will never be stopped, protester Fatemeh Jafari said. Until the end of the world, the Quran will stay there and will be usable. They can never destroy Quran! Even if they burn it, we will stand by it! The demonstrations come after Swedish police permitted a protest Thursday in which an Iraqi of Christian origin living in Stockholm now a self-described atheist threatened to burn a copy of the Quran. In the end, the man kicked and stood on the holy book outside of the Iraqi Embassy. He gave similar treatment to an Iraqi flag and to photos of Sadr and of Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The right to hold public demonstrations is protected by the constitution in Sweden, and blasphemy laws were abandoned in the 1970s. Police generally give permission based on whether they believe a public gathering can be held without major disruptions or safety risks. The reaction in Iraq was particularly virulent, although no embassy staff were injured since none were present. After protesters left the embassy, diplomats closed it to visitors without specifying when it would reopen. The state-run Iraqi News Agency reported that some 20 people were arrested in connection with the storming of the embassy. Among those arrested were an Associated Press photographer and two Reuters staff who were covering the protests. The detained journalists were released hours later without charges, following an order from the prime ministers office. Sudani, the Iraqi prime minister, ordered the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador and the withdrawal of the Iraqi charge daffaires from Sweden. Leaders in several Muslim-majority countries condemned the desecration of the Quran and summoned diplomats from Sweden to express their outrage. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian wrote a letter to the United Nations secretary-general, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation to play a historic role in expressing the sentiments of Muslims and stopping this demonization. Meanwhile, the Swedish Foreign Ministry conveyed to the Iraqi charge daffaires that the storming of the embassy was completely unacceptable, according to the TT agency. Thursday's Quran desecration was the second to involve the Iraqi man in Sweden, identified as Salwan Momika. Last month, a man identified by local media and on his social media as Momika burned a Quran outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, triggering widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. Quran burnings in the past have sparked protests across the Muslim world, some turning violent. In Afghanistan, the Taliban suspended all the activities of Swedish organizations in the country in response to the recent Quran burning. A similar protest by a far-right activist was held outside Turkeys Embassy in Stockholm earlier this year, complicating Swedens efforts to persuade Turkey to let it join NATO. In June, protesters who support al-Sadr stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad over that Quran burning. Worshippers gathering for Friday prayers at the Stockholm mosque outside which last month's Quran-burning took place held expressed frustration that Swedish authorities allowed such actions. Imam Mahmoud Khalfi told The Associated Press the situation made him feel powerless. You expect politicians and decisionmakers and police to show understanding and try to find a solution. But it hasnt happened, unfortunately, he said. He noted that other countries, such as neighboring Finland, had found a way to combine freedom of speech with respect for religion. Unlike Sweden, Finland still has blasphemy laws. To let these extremists and criminals abuse the law and jeopardize peace in society and national security and Swedens reputation in the world, that is unsustainable, he said. We cannot understand why these lunatics are allowed to run wild. At the same time he added, We are against all violent reactions and we have called on our members, to Muslims in Sweden, to react and act ... in a peaceful way." ___ Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Ali Jabar in Baghdad; Karl Ritter and David Keyton in Stockholm; Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran; and Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report. MADISON, Wis. (AP) A new lawsuit filed in Wisconsin by a national Democratic law firm seeks to once again allow voters to return absentee ballots in drop boxes, a practice that was barred by the state Supreme Court last year following criticism by former President Donald Trump. The lawsuit filed Thursday by the Elias Law Group comes less than two weeks before the Wisconsin Supreme Court flips from a conservative to liberal majority. Election law challenges like this one are among many issues the new liberal-controlled court is expected to rule on in the coming months. The rules for voting in Wisconsin are of heightened interest given its place as one of a handful of battleground presidential states. Four of the past six presidential elections in Wisconsin have been decided by less than a percentage point, including the past two. The 4-3 conservative majority of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in July 2022, just months before the midterm election, banned the use of absentee ballot drop boxes, which exploded in popularity in 2020 at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Trump, who won Wisconsin in 2016 but lost it in 2020, has falsely alleged that absentee voting in the state is rife with fraud. His defeat in Wisconsin has withstood two partial recounts, a nonpartisan audit, numerous lawsuits and a review by a conservative group. The state Supreme Court, in its ruling last year, said that the Wisconsin Elections Commission, which oversees elections in the state, did not have the authority to tell election clerks that drop boxes could be placed throughout their communities. The court limited drop boxes only to election clerks' offices. By restricting Wisconsin voters options for returning their absentee ballots and having those ballots properly counted, the Drop Box Prohibition severely burdens the right to vote, the lawsuit said in arguing that last year's ruling should be overturned. Without the opportunity to drop off their absentee ballots at drop boxes, voters must instead rely on the U.S. Postal Service and its unsecured mailboxes to deliver their absentee ballot and simply hope that the ballot arrives by election day. Supporters of the drop boxes have argued that they are a better option than mailing ballots because they go directly to the clerks and cant be lost or delayed in transit. The lawsuit also seeks to undo a requirement that a witness sign absentee ballots and that any problems with absentee ballots be corrected by the voter no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. It argues that absentee voting is a right and not a privilege and that state law not recognizing that violates the Wisconsin Constitution. The lawsuit was filed against the Wisconsin Elections Commission by two liberal-leaning organizations, Priorities USA and the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans, as well as a Dane County resident. It will start in Dane County circuit court, but could make its way to the state Supreme Court which will have a 4-3 liberal majority starting Aug. 1. Spokespersons for the elections commission and the state Department of Justice, which typically represents the commission, both declined to comment on the lawsuit. Editors Note: A version of this story appears in CNNs Meanwhile in the Middle East newsletter, a three-times-a-week look inside the regions biggest stories. Sign up here. On Thursday evening, the Israeli Prime Ministers Office announced a last-minute televised statement by Benjamin Netanyahu. Rumors and reports had been swirling that Netanyahu was going to step back or soften one bill of the judicial overhaul legislation that was set to come up for its final votes early next week: the reasonableness standard. But instead, despite the tens of thousands of protesters, the increase in refusals to serve by military reservists and even a very public and harsh criticism of the judicial overhaul plan by US President Joe Biden, Netanyahu refused to back down. Netanyahu spent the speech extolling how this piece of legislation, which would strip the Israeli Supreme Court of its ability to declare government actions unreasonable, would strengthen democracy, not destroy it even though the Supreme Court is the only check on government actions in Israel, since the executive and legislative branches of government are always controlled by the same governing coalition. He said he was still open to discussions with the opposition, but blamed them for the breakdown in negotiations towards a compromise over the past few months. He saved his harshest criticisms for two groups: the demonstrators on the streets and the military reservists who are refusing to serve in protest. Netanyahu said extremists in the protest movement do not want any compromise but are striving for only one thing to sow chaos in the country, and chastised the tens of thousands of demonstrators who have been taking to the streets, blaming them for blocking traffic, trains, even ambulances (a charge the protest organizations have vehemently denied). Even worse, he said, the growing number of military reservists who are refusing to serve as a form of protest endangers the security of us all, of every citizen of Israel. When elements in the military try with threats to dictate policy to the government, this is unacceptable in any democracy, and if they succeed in dictating their threats, this is the end of genuine democracy, he said, warning that refusal to serve by one side will certainly lead to refusal to serve by the other. The speech comes after a whirlwind trip to the United States by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who has been acting as mediator on the talks between the government and opposition. Herzog got the type of welcome in the US that Netanyahu has yet to receive an Oval Office sit-down with President Biden, a speech to Congress, and meetings with every top American political figure. Herzog used his speech to send a message Israel and the United States are and will forever remain good friends, no matter what internal turmoil may be boiling. He leaned on history and the Bible to tie the two countries together, declaring that Israeli democracy is strong and resilient as he received more than a dozen standing ovations from US senators and representatives including when he extolled the very institution Netanyahu is trying to weaken: a strong Supreme Court and independent judiciary. We are so very proud of the true friendship we have forged. A mutually beneficial partnership that has withstood challenges and weathered great disagreements, because it is based not on uniformity of approach, but on the ultimate currency of trust, Herzog said. It is not dependent upon operating in harmony, but on the history we share, on the truths we cherish, on the values we embody. But the day before, Biden had been sounding a warning siren to Netanyahu via the New York Times Thomas Friedman: Pass this overhaul without broad consensus and youre risking our relationship. 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 in their one-hour and 15-minute meeting. Finding consensus on controversial areas of policy means taking the time you need. 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. Friedmans own interpretation of Bidens feelings went even farther: He is basically pleading with Netanyahu and the prime ministers supporters to understand: If we are not seen to share that democratic value, it will be difficult to sustain the special relationship that Israel and America have enjoyed for the last 75 years for another 75 years. But in his speech on Thursday Netanyahu seemingly dismissed such concerns. Citizens of Israel, all of the remarks about the destruction of democracy are simply absurd, Netanyahu said. This is an attempt to mislead you over something that has no basis in reality. Netanyahu claimed efforts are being made to reach agreement on the issue of reasonableness, but made no indication about any plans to pull the final votes for the legislation, scheduled for Sunday and Monday. Friedmans column made major waves in Israel, dominating media coverage. So too did a discrepancy between the White House and Netanyahus office over whether, during a Monday phone call between the two leaders, a proper and formal White House invitation had been extended to Netanyahu. The Israeli readout used the word invitation, while White House would only say the two leaders had agreed to meet in the US before the end of the year. Meanwhile, the protest movement is still incredibly active, with more taking to the streets on Thursday evening in impromptu demonstrations, amid reports of more and more reservists vowing they will not serve. That potentially puts Israels military preparedness at risk, just as the reasonableness legislation is set to go through its final votes early next week. Should it pass, it will be the first aspect of the judicial overhaul to do so. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) The price tag for cleaning up waste from the once top-secret Manhattan Project and subsequent Cold War-era nuclear research at Los Alamos National Laboratory has more than doubled in the last seven years, and independent federal investigators say federal officials will have to do better to track costs and progress. The Government Accountability Office in a report issued Wednesday said while some improvements have been made, the U.S. Energy Department hasnt taken a comprehensive approach to prioritizing cleanup activities at the New Mexico lab. The report came as federal officials hosted a forum Thursday in Los Alamos to talk about cleaning up contaminated soil and groundwater and handling hazardous waste generated by decades of research that started with development of the atomic bomb during the 1940s. Ike White, who heads DOE's Office of Environmental Management, said the release this week of the Oppenheimer film makes it a good time to talk about the legacy that came from the dawning of the atomic age. Part of the environmental cleanup mission requires an examination of history, White told those gathered at the historic Fuller Lodge in the heart of Los Alamos. He characterized the nation's multibillion-dollar cleanup program as the third largest liability on the books for the federal government behind only Social Security and Medicaid. It is a large, it is a complicated, it a technologically challenging program, White said. It is extremely important to a lot of people who live across the country from coast to coast, and all of us who are part of that program feel an extraordinary responsibility to make that program successful. Still, the GAO pointed to weaknesses in oversight by the Office of Environmental Management at Los Alamos. They said failure to finalize a performance baseline for the cleanup contractor prevented the office from tracking ongoing costs, the scope of work and progress. New Mexico environmental regulators said the report validates their longstanding concerns that cleanup is mired in unnecessary delays that threaten public health and the environment. New Mexico Environment Department spokesman Matthew Maez pointed specifically to the federal government's responsibility to protect drinking water. The frequent delays and lack of transparency in cleanup must be remedied, he said. We hope this report galvanizes DOE-EM to enact change in Los Alamos. Environmental management officials at Los Alamos said they expect to complete remaining cleanup activities at the lab by 2043 at an estimated cost of about $7 billion. Michael Mikolanis, who heads DOE's environmental management office at Los Alamos, said Thursday that his team is developing a long-term strategic vision for the remaining cleanup that will be based on priorities identified through numerous meetings with state regulators, the leaders of neighboring Native American communities and others. While White agrees with the GAO that prioritizing the scope of work is important, he said optimum efficiency is not always the most important factor. One of the things that we've arranged with our strategic vision effort and our stakeholder engagement is to try to make sure we're doing that prioritization of the work in a way that is transparent to the community and that doesn't just reflect a sort of bureaucratic set of values," he said. Don Hancock with the Albuquerque-based nuclear watchdog group Southwest Research and Information Center said the DOE in 2010 had issued a roadmap that included a goal of disposing of most of the transuranic waste that which contains manmade elements heavier than uranium by the end of 2015. He asked the DOE officials at the forum about the timeline and how much waste remained. Mikolanis said his office plans to unveil an interactive map this fall that will include estimates of the waste at Los Alamos that is stored above ground and that which has yet to be unearthed. White said estimates for the cleanup project nationwide are hard to calculate because the ultimate volume of waste can change depending on the scope of a project. The GAO report includes several recommendations for the DOE that include implementing a plan to account for cost and schedule increases, building trust with state regulators and including consideration of potential risks when making decisions. North Korea has escalated its fiery rhetoric over its threatened use of nuclear weapons, days after a U.S. soldier was taken into custody for crossing the border from South Korea. The country's defense minister, Kang Sun Nam, has said it would approve the use of nuclear weapons "in case nuclear attack is launched against it or it is judged that the use of nuclear weapons against it is imminent," the state-run KCNA news agency reported Thursday. The warning came after 23-year-old Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King fled across the border during a tour of the joint security area, a U.N.-administered area between the North and the South, on Tuesday. Pvt. 2nd Class Travis King. (via Carl Gates) North Korea has so far remained silent on King's status. The isolated communist nation has long threatened to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles in self-defense at what it calls active plans by the West to launch an attack on it. U.S. and South Korean military leaders met Tuesday to discuss their shared response in the case of a North Korean attack, their talks coinciding with the arrival of an American nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine in the South for the first time since the 1980s. Pyongyang said the meeting was a clear provocation and a precursor to a Western attack, plans for which have entered "the most critical stage," making war on the Korean Peninsula "a dangerous reality." "In particular, the hostile forces posed the most undisguised and direct nuclear threat to the DPRK by bringing an Ohio-class strategic nuclear submarine to the Pusan Port operation base, which means strategic nuclear weapons have been deployed on the Korean peninsula for the first time after 40-odd years," Kang's statement said, using acronyms to refer to the North by its formal name, Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. North Korea regularly launches ballistic missile tests, the most recent coming last week when the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, promised to enhance its nuclear deterrent capabilities. The fate of King, meanwhile, remains unclear. Defense Department spokesperson Sabrina Singh said Wednesday that the U.S. had been in contact with Sweden, through which Washington maintains embassy-level relations with North Korea, but had not received a response. Previous defectors such Charles Jenkins, a then 24-year-old army sergeant who crossed the border in 1965, were treated as propaganda assets and stayed in North Korea for years before being traded back to the U.S. Jenkins was avoiding being sent to fight in Vietnam, whereas there is no sign of similar objections from King, who had been in legal trouble in South Korea. It emerged Thursday that he spent 48 days in a prison in Cheonan, a city about 50 miles south of the South Korean capital, Seoul, after he failed to pay a $4,000 fine on charges that included damaging public property. According to legal documents, King did not cooperate when officers apprehended him in October after he caused hundreds of dollars in damage to a police patrol car as he shouted profanities about Koreans and the Korean army. The last American to stray into North Korea, Bruce Byron Lowrance, was released a month after he entered the country illegally via China in 2018. That came after then-President Donald Trump had held a joint summit with Kim and promised to end the country's nuclear escalation. Christopher Nolans long-awaited new blockbuster Oppenheimer is out in cinemas this week. The film starring Irish actor Cillian Murphy in the titular role promises to tell the story of American scientist J Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb. It is partially based on the Pulitzer-Prize-winning 2005 biography American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J Robert Oppenheimer written by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin over a period of 25 years. Celebrated in 1945 as the father of the atomic bomb, nine years later he would become the chief celebrity victim of the McCarthyite maelstrom, Bird wrote in a recent opinion piece for The New York Times. Oppenheimer is the first film to properly tackle the scientist and his legacy, which was marred by a controversial 1954 hearing that resulted in his security clearance being revoked. Who was J Robert Oppenheimer? Oppenheimer was born into an affluent German-Jewish family in New York City. His familys art collection included original works by Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh. Dr J Robert Oppenheimer (AP) It became apparent at an early age that Oppenheimers academic ability outstripped those of his peers and he entered Harvard University aged 18 where he graduated after just three years summa cum laude (with highest praise). However, he struggled with his mental health. During his time at college, he expressed suicidal thoughts and, while pursuing a graduate degree at Cambridge University, deliberately left an apple, poisoned with laboratory chemicals, on his tutors desk. By the outbreak of World War II, though, Oppenheimer had transformed himself into a respected professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and had already made numerous, significant contributions to science. During his time at Berkeley, he fell in love with Jean Tatlock (played by Florence Pugh in Oppenheimer), the daughter of a Berkeley literature professor and a student at Stanford University School of Medicine. She was a member of the Communist Party, which later became an issue in his security clearance hearings. Its been confirmed Murphy and Pugh have scenes of prolonged nudity together a first in Nolans filmography. They broke up in 1939 and, a year later, he married Katherine (Kitty) Puening with whom he had two children. During their marriage, Oppenheimer rekindled his relationship with Tatlock and the two had an affair. She later committed suicide in 1944. Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock, left, and Cillian Murphy as J Robert Oppenheimer ( Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.) The Manhattan Project In 1941, two months before the United States entered World War II, President Franklin D Roosevelt approved a programme to develop an atomic bomb. A year later, Oppenheimer was recruited by the National Defense Research Committee to research the building of an atomic bomb. That September, General Leslie Groves (played by Matt Damon in the film) took over as head of the Manhattan Project (named after its inaugural offices in lower Manhattan) and selected Oppenheimer to head the projects secret weapons laboratory. For three years, Oppenheimer and a huge team of scientists worked towards the creation of an atomic bomb out of a military laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Their work culminated in the first nuclear detonation in history, known as the Trinity test, on 16 July 1945. In an interview conducted years later, Oppenheimer claimed that a line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, had come into his mind during the detonation: Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds. A month later two of the bombs developed by the Manhattan Project were dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, killing approximately 200,000 people, the majority of whom were civilians. On August 15, Emperor Hirohito announced Japans surrender. A scene from Oppenheimer ( Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.) The security hearing After the projects success, Oppenheimer continued to act as a nuclear weapons consultant for the US government; however, he warned against their devastating capabilities. In a 1953, speech he likened the nuclear capabilities of the United States and the Soviet Union to two scorpions in a bottle, each capable of killing the other, but only at the risk of his own life. In December of that year, during the Second Red Scare in the US, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Lewis Strauss (played by Robert Downey Jr in Nolans film) told Oppenheimer that his top-secret security clearance had been revoked and insisted on his resignation. However, the scientist refused and insisted on defending himself at a highly-publicised security hearing, which he lost amid public humiliation. Numerous sources have suggested that Oppenheimer never recovered from the incident. The New York Times wrote in his obituary: This bafflingly complex man nonetheless never fully succeeded in dispelling doubts about his conduct. Attempts were later made to repair Oppenheimers image in 1963, President Lyndon B Johnson presented Oppenheimer with the Enrico Fermi Award, the AECs highest honour. A chainsmoker, Oppenheimer died of throat cancer in his home in Princeton in February 1967. In his piece for The NYT, Bird wrote: It is my hope that Christopher Nolans stunning new film on Oppenheimers complicated legacy will initiate a national conversation not only about our existential relationship to weapons of mass destruction, but also the need in our society for scientists as public intellectuals. Criminals, volunteer fighters and arms traffickers in Ukraine stole some Western-provided weapons and equipment intended for Ukrainian troops last year before it was recovered, according to a Defense Department inspector general report obtained by CNN. The plots to steal the weaponry and equipment were disrupted by Ukraines intelligence services and it was ultimately recovered, according to the report, titled DoDs Accountability of Equipment Provided to Ukraine. CNN obtained the report via a Freedom of Information Act request. Military.com first reported the news. But the inspector general report noted that after Russias invasion of Ukraine last year, the Defense Departments ability to track and monitor all of the US equipment pouring into Ukraine, as required by law under the Arms Export Control Act, faced challenges because of the limited US presence in the country. According to the report, which examined the period of February-September 2022, the Office of Defense Cooperation-Kyiv was unable to conduct required [end-use monitoring] of military equipment that the United States provided to Ukraine in FY 2022. The inability of DoD personnel to visit areas where equipment provided to Ukraine was being used or stored significantly hampered ODC-Kyivs ability to execute the monitoring, the report added. The report is dated October 6, 2022. In late October, the US resumed on-site inspections of Ukrainian weapons depots as a way to better track where the equipment was going. The department has also provided the Ukrainians with tracking systems, including scanners and software, the Pentagons former under secretary of defense for policy, Colin Kahl, told lawmakers in February. But the report underscores how difficult it was in the early days of the war for the US to track the billions of dollars worth of weapons and equipment it was sending to Ukraine. A State Department spokesperson responded to the report on Friday. The US government remains keenly aware of the risk of possible illicit diversion and is proactively taking steps to mitigate this risk in close cooperation with the government of Ukraine. We are realistic that we are sending weapons to help Ukraine defend itself in an active conflict, and there is a risk these weapons could be captured if territory changes hands which happens in any war, the spokesperson said. Republicans have criticized the Biden administration over what they view as a lack of accountability over the billions of dollars of aid going to Ukraine. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said earlier this year that he supports Ukraine but doesnt support a blank check. The same sentiment has been shared by Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. CNN reported in April 2022 that the Biden administration was willing to take the risk of losing track of weapons supplied to Ukraine despite a lack of visibility, as they saw it as critical to Ukraines defeat of Russian forces. We have fidelity for a short time, but when it enters the fog of war, we have almost zero, a source briefed on US intelligence told CNN at the time. It drops into a big black hole, and you have almost no sense of it at all after a short period of time. US European Command tried to alleviate the issue last year by requesting and maintaining hand receipts from the Ukrainians, which the Ukrainians made a good faith effort to provide, the report says, citing EUCOM personnel. The personnel did not provide the IG with corroborating paperwork by the time the investigation concluded, however, the report notes. The Office of Defense Cooperation-Kyiv also asked the Ukrainian government for expenditure, loss, and damage reports for US-provided equipment, the report says, and they made efforts to prevent illicit proliferation of defense material provided by the United States. Still, criminal organizations managed to steal some weaponry and equipment provided by the US and its allies, the report says. In late June 2022, an organized crime group overseen by an unnamed Russian official joined a volunteer battalion using forged documents and stole weapons, including a grenade launcher and machine gun, and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition, the report says. Ukraines intelligence service disrupted the plot, according to the report. That same month, Ukraines intelligence services also disrupted a plot by arms traffickers working to sell weapons and ammunition they stole from the frontlines in southern Ukraine, as well as a separate plot by Ukrainian criminals posing as aid workers who stole $17,000 worth of bulletproof vests, the report says. And in August 2022, Ukraines intelligence services discovered a group of volunteer battalion members who stole 60 rifles and almost 1,000 rounds of ammunition and stored them in a warehouse, presumably for sale on the black market. The report does not specify whether the weapons and equipment were American, but the anecdotes are outlined in a highly redacted section that deals with Ukrainian tracking of US-provided weaponry. The Pentagon inspector general wrote that some larger items like missiles and helicopters were easier to track through intelligence mechanisms. Smaller items, like night-vision devices, however, were harder to monitor. The report ultimately does not make any recommendations, noting that the Defense Department has made some efforts to mitigate the inability to conduct in-person monitoring. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Trump supporters at a campaign event in Pickens, S.C., July 1. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images) As public support for reparations for African Americans remains stubbornly low, a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll reveals one major roadblock: Donald Trump voters believe that racism against white Americans has become a bigger problem than racism against Black Americans. The survey of 1,638 U.S. adults, which was conducted from July 13-17, shows that among 2020 Trump voters, 62% say that racism against Black Americans is a problem today while 73% say that racism against white Americans is a problem. Asked how much of a problem racism currently is, just 19% of Trump voters describe racism against Black Americans as a big problem. Twice as many (37%) say racism against white Americans is a big problem. Trump voters and self-identified Republicans overlapping but not identical cohorts are the only demographic groups identified by Yahoo News and YouGov who are more likely to say racism against white Americans is a problem than to say the same about racism against Black Americans. A majority (51%) of white Americans, for instance, think racism against people who look like them is a problem but overall, far more white Americans (72%) say racism against Black Americans is a problem. A protest from earlier this year in Oakland, Calif., against the killing of Tyre Nichols by police in Memphis, Tenn. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) Politics, in other words, is the dividing line here and political dynamics go a long way toward explaining why reparations for Black Americans continue to be so unpopular in the U.S. The new Yahoo News/YouGov poll follows the dismissal earlier this month of a lawsuit put forth by the three remaining survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre seeking reparations for ongoing harm caused by the racist rampage that destroyed their once-thriving majority-Black community a century ago. The trio of survivors had sued under Oklahomas public nuisance law, claiming that the ripple effects of the massacre continue to affect the Greenwood community today. Many supporters saw the Oklahoma suit as a potential blueprint for reparation efforts around the country. But the latest ruling, which dismissed the case with prejudice meaning it cannot be filed again is seen as a stinging setback. The survivors and their attorneys have promised to appeal. Yet the reality is that even with qualifications, most U.S. adults oppose reparations for Black Americans. According to the Yahoo News/YouGov poll, just a quarter of them (24%) say Black Americans should receive restitution or reparations from the government not necessarily direct cash payments as a result of inequities caused by racism and slavery, while 56% say they should not. Support is only marginally higher (29%) when respondents are asked specifically about reparations for descendants of enslaved Black Americans rather than all "Black Americans." And even when questioned about reparations for the three remaining survivors of the Tulsa race massacre that is, living people who were directly harmed by racial violence less than half of Americans are in favor (45%). Most are either opposed (33%) or unsure (22%). What happened in Tulsa? The massacre at the center of the court case took place on May 31, 1921, when an angry white mob beat and killed hundreds of Black residents in Greenwood, which had earned the nickname Black Wall Street because of the success of its Black residents. Earlier that day, the Tulsa Tribune reported that a Black man had raped a white woman, although there were varying accounts of the incident. Confrontations between Black and white people broke out near the courthouse as the case was being heard. Over the next two days, 35 city blocks went up in flames. There were widespread reports of looting and more than 1,250 homes burned; 300 people were killed and 800 others were injured as the white mobs outnumbered Black residents who were forced to retreat into the Greenwood district. Generations of Black progress were wiped out in less than 48 hours. The aftermath of the Tulsa Race Massacre, during which mobs of white residents attacked Black residents and businesses of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Okla., June 1921. (Bettmann Archive/Getty Images) Property claims documenting $1.8 million worth of damage, the equivalent of about $27 million today, were deemed obsolete, according to a 2001 state commission report. With most insurance paperwork and bank documents lost in the riot, almost all Greenwood residents had no restitution for their homes or businesses, and couldnt retrieve their funds from the banks. The chief motive for the attack, experts say, was white resentment over Black advancement. But its translated into little restitution for what was lost. The big political hurdle To be clear, reparations for Black Americans are not particularly popular across the political spectrum. Republicans are opposed 84% to 8%; Independents are opposed 62% to 8%. Democrats favor reparations by a 21-point margin (49% to 28%) but even thats not majority support, and much of it is attributable to overwhelmingly pro-reparations sentiment (69% to 11%) among Black Americans themselves, who tend to identify as Democrats. Among white Americans, meanwhile, just 17% say yes to reparations; 66% say no. Still, the major outliers when it comes to race are on the right-wing. When asked how big a problem racism against Black Americans was in the past, Biden and Trump voters basically agree, with 93% of the former and 85% of the latter agreeing that it was a problem. Trump at a rally in Carson City, Nev., on Oct. 18, 2020. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) The disagreement is over whether its still a problem today or rather, as Trump voters seem to believe, whether its less of a problem than racism against white Americans, which reparations, in their view, would only exacerbate. When Trump voters are asked why Black Americans shouldnt receive reparations, the top answer isnt that racism never held Black Americans back (13%); its that racism is no longer holding Black Americans back (62%). Reparations, they say, would only increase racial divisions (57%) because other Americans have [also] faced inequities because of racism (60%). Similarly, Trump voters are the only group (other than Republicans at large) who are more likely than not to say there isnt any problem with systemic racism in America (61%) and to disagree with the idea that racism is not merely the product of individual bias or prejudice, but also something embedded in legal systems and policies (55%) issues that reparations are intended to ameliorate. A pathway for reparations Tatishe Nteta, a professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and director of the UMass Poll, whos been surveying how Americans feel about reparations for two years, acknowledges the low popularity of reparations, but notes its bigger than public opinion. Reparations policy is not necessarily about public opinion, Nteta told Yahoo News. Its about the recognition by a private institution, individuals or governments. Its about atoning for the mistreatment directed at a particular group. Pastor Robert Turner after leading a protest on reparations in Tulsa, Nov. 18, 2020. (Joshua Lott/Washington Post via Getty Images) Pointing to success at the local level in passing reparations initiatives and programs in progressive cities and towns like Evanston, Ill., Amherst, Mass. and Detroit, Nteta says that any racial and economic redress in those cities could create a domino effect, which could convince other more moderate cities and states to consider. If reparations achieves the goal of creating some level of racial equality, and the recipients of reparations are also happy with the atonement by whatever the institution is, then you could use this as a model going forward. You could find more moderate cities or moderate states passing reparations programs once youve seen the success in these smaller localities. ____________ The Yahoo News survey was conducted by YouGov using a nationally representative sample of 1,638 U.S. adults interviewed online from July 13-17, 2023. The sample was weighted according to gender, age, race, education, 2020 election turnout and presidential vote, baseline party identification and current voter registration status. Demographic weighting targets come from the 2019 American Community Survey. Baseline party identification is the respondents most recent answer given prior to March 15, 2022, and is weighted to the estimated distribution at that time (32% Democratic, 27% Republican). Respondents were selected from YouGovs opt-in panel to be representative of all U.S. adults. The margin of error is approximately 2.7%. THE Department of Veterinary Services last week destroyed seven cattle that had been illegally moved from a quarantined area and earmarked for slaughter at an abattoir outside the province. The cattle were reportedly bought from the Tanda area of Makoni North, where four dip tanks have been placed under quarantine for January Disease (JD) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). When an area has been quarantined, it is illegal to move livestock in and out of it. The development could just be a tip of the iceberg militating against efforts by Government to control the rapid spread of serious diseases, given the high cost involved in eliminating them in the country. An alert veterinary officer intercepted a lorry laden with seven cattle early last Saturday morning along the Mayo-Chiendambuya Road. The suspects whose identities could not be established, were handed over to the police at Mayo. Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nobert Muzondo was not readily available for a comment. However, last week, Inspector Muzondo said dragnet teams had been deployed to help curb stock-theft and uncontrolled animal movements. The suspects were allegedly driving the cattle without the requisite police clearance and a veterinary permit. It is suspected the syndicate is enticing farmers with the greenback in exchange of sick cattle without following the requisite processes. The Provincial Veterinary Officer for Manicaland, Dr Charles Guri was issued with the destruction and disposal order by the Director in the Department of Veterinary Services, Dr Josphat Nyika, on July 10. The Director of Veterinary Services of Zimbabwe is empowered to issue such an order in terms of the Animal Health Act Chapter 19: 01, Section 8, subsection (1) and (2), as read with Section 7, subsection (3), paragraph (a), pertaining to the disposal of animals and infectious things unlawfully imported into Zimbabwe; as well as disposal of animals and things contaminated or infested with disease or pests. Dr Guri and his team destroyed the herd on Tuesday this week. He accused unscrupulous abattoirs of circumventing health protocols, slaughtering cattle infected with suspected theileriosis and FMD and selling the meat at the expense of public health. Hundreds of cattle are succumbing to the deadly diseases, resulting in some farmers selling their infected cattle to butchers. We destroyed all the seven cattle that had been moved illegally from Tanda in Makoni North. The area has been quarantined for January Disease and FMD. No livestock movement is allowed in and out of the area. We are having abattoir owners moving in the area to buy sick animals for slaughter at their facilities. The cattle are not allowed to recover. The abattoir in question has been warned before, but continues to kill diseased animals and feed the beef into the food chain, said Dr Guri. He said they have established roadblocks at Nyagadze Bridge, Dawara Bridge, Kanyimo and Nyamaropa Roads, but the unscrupulous elements are now using alternative routes to avert arrests. They are now moving at night with the livestock without veterinary permits and police clearances. On Saturday around 3am, a lorry carrying seven cattle was intercepted between Chiendambuya and Mayo by a veterinary official. The cattle had been moved from a quarantined area and police were alerted. The DVS applied for a destruction order which was granted, and we destroyed all the cattle by fire on Tuesday. Be warned, we will destroy all livestock illegally moved from quarantined areas, said Dr Guri. Authorities have since ordered all butcheries to stop selling diseased meat as this is illegal and unethical. Cattle whose meat is meant for commercial purposes must also be slaughtered at a registered abattoir where compulsory meat inspection is done. Manica Post By pulling out of a landmark deal that allowed Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea, Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking a gamble that could badly damage Moscows relations with many of its partners that have stayed neutral or even been supportive of the Kremlin's invasion of its neighbor. Russia also has played the role of spoiler at the United Nations, vetoing a resolution on extending humanitarian aid deliveries through a key border crossing in northwestern Syria and backing a push by Mali's military junta to expel U.N. peacekeepers abrupt moves that reflect Moscows readiness to raise the stakes elsewhere. Putins declared goal in halting the Black Sea Grain Initiative was to win relief from Western sanctions on Russias agricultural exports. His longer-term goal could be to erode Western resolve over Ukraine and get more concessions from the U.S. and its allies as the war grinds toward the 17-month mark. The Kremlin doubled down on terminating the grain deal by attacking Ukrainian ports and declaring wide areas of the Black Sea unsafe for shipping. But with the West showing little willingness to yield any ground, Putins actions not only threaten global food security but also could backfire against Russias own interests, potentially causing concern in China, straining Moscows relations with key partner Turkey and hurting its ties with African countries. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who helped broker the grain deal with the U.N. a year ago, has pushed for its extension and said he would negotiate with Putin. Turkeys role as a top trading partner and a logistical hub for Russias foreign trade amid Western sanctions strengthens Erdogans hand and could allow him to squeeze concessions from Putin, whom he calls my dear friend. Turkeys trade with Russia nearly doubled last year to $68.2 billion, feeding U.S. suspicions that Moscow is using Ankara to bypass Western sanctions. Turkey says the increase is largely due to higher energy costs. Their relationship is often characterized as transactional. Despite being on opposing sides in fighting in Syria, Libya and the decades-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, they have cooperated in areas like energy, defense, diplomacy, tourism and trade. Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, director of the German Marshall Fund in Ankara, said the relationships dual nature dates back to the sultans and czars. Sometimes they compete, sometimes they cooperate. At other times they both compete and cooperate at the same time, he said. While the pendulum seems to have swung in Ankara's favor for now, Unluhisarcikli noted the Kremlin has a few levers to pull, such as canceling a deferment of gas payments or removing financial capital for the Akkuyu nuclear plant being built by Russia. Moscow also could hurt Turkey by restricting Russian tourists, who visit in greater numbers than any other nationality. offering a steady flow of cash. How much weaker the relationship gets depends on how Russia responds to Turkey getting closer to the West, he said. Some observers in Moscow speculate that Russia agreed to extend the grain deal for two months in May to help Erdogan win reelection but was appalled to see his pro-Western shift afterward. Erdogan backed Swedens membership in NATO earlier this month. In another snub to Moscow, Turkey allowed several Ukrainian commanders who led the defense of Mariupol last year to return home. They surrendered after a two-month Russian siege and then moved to Turkey under a deal that they stay there until the end of the war. Kerim Has, a Moscow-based expert on Turkey-Russia ties, said Erdogan had been emboldened by his reelection to pursue rapprochement with the West, appointing a pro-Western Cabinet and adopting a stance that was causing discomfort in the Kremlin. Its a dilemma for Putin, Has said. He supported Erdogans candidacy but he will face a more active, pro-Western Turkey under Erdogan in the coming period. Moscow could try to pressure Erdogan by challenging Turkeys interests in northwestern Syria, where Ankara has backed armed opposition groups since the start of the conflict. Even though Russia has joined with Iran to shore up Syrian President Bashar Assads government while Turkey has backed its foes, Moscow and Ankara have negotiated cease-fire deals. But Russia abruptly toughened its stand this month when it vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution backed by virtually all members to continue humanitarian aid deliveries to opposition-held areas through the Bab el-Hawa border crossing with Turkey, a key lifeline for about 4.1 million people in the impoverished enclave. Moscow warned that if its rival draft was not accepted, the crossing would be shut. The presence of 3.4 million Syrians in Turkey is a sensitive issue for Ankara. Erdogan has advocated their voluntary repatriation to parts of northern Syria under Turkish control. Dareen Khalifa, senior analyst on Syria at the International Crisis Group, says Russias hard-line approach to the issue was an attempt to pressure Ankara. Turkey will be directly impacted by that if the mechanism ends, he said. Others were skeptical Russia could use the border crossing issue to strong-arm Ankara. I do not think Russia is in a position to increase its pressure on Turkey in Syria, Has said. Joseph Daher, a Swiss-Syrian researcher and professor at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy, observed that Russia could be trying to pressure the West by raising the prospect of a new wave of refugees in Europe. Richard Gowan, U.N. director of the International Crisis Group, noted that along with the tougher stand on Syria, Russias disruptive actions included support for Malis push to expel U.N. peacekeepers. It looks like Russia is looking for ways to annoy the West through the U.N, he told The Associated Press. Reflecting Moscows increasingly muscular stand, Russian military pilots recently have harassed U.S. aircraft over Syria in incidents that added to tensions between Moscow and Washington. The Pentagon described Russia's maneuvers as unprofessional and unsafe, while Moscow sought to turn the tables by accusing the U.S. of violating deconfliction rules intended to prevent collisions over Syria. Amid the hardball at the U.N. and in Syria, Russia has been courting African nations with promises of support. The Kremlin has emphasized it stands ready to provide poor countries in Africa with free grain after the termination of the Black Sea deal, and Putin is set to woo African leaders at a summit in St. Petersburg later this month. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscows offer of free grain shipments would be on the agenda. The Black Sea deal allowed Ukraine to ship 32.9 million metric tons of grain and other food to global markets. According to official data, 57% of the grain from Ukraine went to developing nations, while China received the most nearly a quarter. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that 60,000 metric tons of grain destroyed by Russia's strike on the port of Odesa on Wednesday were bound for China. Putin, in turn, accused the West of using the grain deal to shamelessly enrich itself instead of its declared goal of easing hunger. Despite such rhetoric, the Russian move won't play well in African countries. Even as the Kremlin tried to contain the damage to those ties, it unleashed more attacks on Odesa and other ports to thwart Ukrainian attempts to continue grain shipments. Moscow described them as " strikes of retribution " for Monday's attack that damaged the Kerch Bridge linking Moscow-annexed Crimea with Russia. Hard-liners in Moscow praised Putin for halting the deal, which they have criticized as a reflection of what they described as the Kremlin's futile hope to compromise with the West. Pro-Kremlin commentator Sergei Markov lauded the retaliatory strikes and argued that the withdrawal from the deal was long overdue. The grain deal's extension led to a drop in the governments ratings and was fueling talk about betrayal on top, he said. ___ Andrew Wilks in Istanbul, Turkey, Kareem Chehayeb in Beirut, Lebanon and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed. ___ Follow AP's coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas.) in a Thursday interview called Russian President Vladimir Putins effort to stop grain exports from flowing out of Ukraine disturbing, warning of possible implications for North Africa, Europe and the United States. During an appearance on NewsNations The Hill, McCaul told NewsNation chief White House correspondent Blake Burman that hes worried about a possible scenario where war escalation could happen between Russia and NATO-member countries that border the Black Sea. The White House on Wednesday warned that Russia is preparing for possible attacks on civilian shipping vessels in the Black Sea, noting that Russian military forces have laid additional sea mines that border Ukrainian ports. Oh, sure. Weve been worried about that scenario since the inception of the Russian invasion into Ukraine, McCaul said. This is very, I think, disturbing on Putins part to shut off grain from the Black Sea into the White Sea, because this could cause a famine in northern Africa, and it could also raise prices not only in Europe, but the United States. I think its highly irresponsible what hes doing, but hes desperate now, he added. McCaul also said Turkey has tried to negotiate with Putin on a solution, noting that Russias withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative will affect the global food market. It affects the entire global food market. And again, I think the region that will get hit the hardest will be Northern Africa. It could set them off into a famine. Ive met with the World Food Program, McCaul added. You know David Beasley was the head of that; he negotiated the deal with Putin. I hope we can make some progress, but the fact is, we will feel this here in the United States. Earlier this week, Russia paused its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying in a statement that it would suspend its part in the deal unless its demands are met to get its own food and fertilizer out to the world. 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. The deal was brokered last year by the United Nations and Turkey after Russia invaded and blockaded Ukraines ports. NewsNation and The Hill are both owned by Nexstar Media Group. The Associated Press contributed to this report. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Josh Smith SEOUL (Reuters) - When a U.S. ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) surfaced for a rare visit to South Korea this week it was a blunt reminder that Washington always has nuclear-tipped missiles deployed within close striking distance of North Korea, analysts said. Having nuclear weapons out of sight in the seas off the Korean Peninsula was a potentially stronger deterrent to the North, according to some analysts, than installing them in South Korea, as Washington had done from 1958 to 1991. Placing nuclear weapons offshore and on submarines is actually a stronger deterrent in many ways, said Duyeon Kim of the 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. The USS Kentucky Ohio-class SSBN arrived in South Korea's southern port of Busan on Tuesday and wrapped up its visit on Friday, said a source with direct knowledge of its movements. It got North Korea's attention. On Thursday, North Korea's defence minister said the mere presence of such weapons in South Korea could meet the criteria for the North to use its nuclear weapons, and warned the U.S. against sending any more nuclear-capable assets. The Kentucky's visit was the first by an SSBN to South Korea since the 1980s, and it follows an increasing debate in recent years over whether the United States should return tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea, or whether it should develop its own. Giving reassurance of its commitment to defend the South, Washington has responded by stepping up displays of nuclear force and create a new group for war planning. China, the North's most important ally, has not commented on the submarine's visit, but it has accused the United States of increasing tension in the region with its military deployments. ALWAYS IN RANGE Because U.S. SSBNs rely on secrecy and stealth to ensure their survival and preserve their ability to launch nuclear missiles during a war, they rarely make public stops in foreign ports. SSBNs are the most survivable delivery platform of all U.S. nuclear weapons, essentially guaranteeing overwhelming nuclear retaliation in the event of an enemy first strike, said Vann Van Diepen, a former U.S. government weapons expert who works with the 38 North project that monitors North Korea. The U.S. Navy fields 14 SSBNs, often referred to as boomers. An Ohio-class submarine carries 20 Trident II D5 missiles, each of which can deliver up to eight nuclear warheads to targets as far as 12,000 km (7,500 miles) away. U.S. SSBNs anywhere from the U.S. West coast westward can strike targets in North Korea, Van Diepen said. Therefore, some U.S. SSBNs are within range of North Korea at all times. North Korea has a large but aging submarine force with a primary mission to defend its coastline, but is looking to develop its own arsenal of missile submarines. It has conducted launches from a test submarine, and has been seeking to build an operational conventionally powered missile submarine since at least 2016, Van Diepen said. But the North is many years away from developing the technical capability to build a nuclear-powered submarine that would give it unlimited range, he said. For now, a missile submarine would only marginally supplement the North's burgeoning land-based nuclear force, Van Diepen said. "De-facto nuclear sharing between the United States and South Korea is happening," said Choi Il, a retired South Korean submarine captain. "Kentucky's port call in Busan is telling us that the submarine has already been operating in waters around the Korean peninsula and even after it leaves Busan, the U.S. nuclear asset is always deployed in waters nearby." (Reporting by Josh Smith; additional reporting by Ju-min Park; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore) Round Rock pitcher Travis Sykora agreed to a $2.6 million contract with the Washington Nationals, ensuring that the UT pledge won't play college baseball. "It was good to have Texas in my back pocket, but once I heard what they were offering, I couldnt turn that down," he said. As long expected, Travis Sykora will not pitch for Texas. Sykora, a star right-handed pitcher for Round Rock High School the past two seasons who was committed to the Longhorns, confirmed Thursday that he has signed with the Washington Nationals. Washington selected Sykora with the 71st overall pick in the MLB draft this month, a spot that has a slot value of slightly more than $1 million. But Sykora said he signed for $2.6 million, which would be equivalent to the slot value of pick No. 32. Going into the draft we had a financial number we were shooting for. We ended up getting it from them, Sykora said. It was good to have Texas in my back pocket, but once I heard what they were offering, I couldnt turn that down. When you see all your hard work on a piece of paper to sign, thats pretty neat. Along with the Nationals other top picks, Sykora flew to Washington on Monday for a signing ceremony, where he got a jersey and toured the team's stadium, Nationals Park. As you can expect, its superpristine, Sykora said. The facilities were really impressive. I actually saw (2016 Round Rock graduate and current Nationals pitcher) Mason Thompsons locker and took a picture in front of it as kind of a joke. But it was cool to see that, for sure. Though it's a blow for Texas not to have Sykora on campus, it's probably something the program foresaw. The Longhorns' pitching staff is in good shape heading into next season, as Lebarron Johnson Jr. and Tanner Witt both have announced they will return to school. Witt was selected in the 18th round by Baltimore, and Johnson was not picked. Losing ace Lucas Gordon, the Big 12 pitcher of the year, who was taken by the Chicago White Sox in the sixth round, obviously hurts, but Texas is getting two left-handed pitchers from the transfer portal, Duke's Oliver Santos and Notre Dame's Will Mercer, to bolster the staff. The 6-foot-6 Sykora was 7-0 with 108 strikeouts and a 0.84 ERA while giving up only 22 hits in 58 innings this spring. He was a big reason the Dragons went 31-7-1 and swept their way to the District 25-6A title. His fastball has hit 100 mph, and he has been on the radar of MLB scouts for at least two years. Sykora, who was a first-team All-Central Texas selection, is at the Nationals spring training facility in West Palm Beach, Fla. And though hes off to a good financial start in life, his goal is to return to Washington. Seeing that facility was great motivation, he said. Being down here in Florida, now its 'I need to get back to D.C.' Thats the plan. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Travis Sykora to start pro career after signing with Nationals By Olena Harmash KYIV (Reuters) -Russia pounded Ukrainian food export facilities for a fourth day in a row on Friday and practised seizing ships in the Black Sea in an escalation of what Western leaders say is an attempt to wriggle out of sanctions by threatening a global food crisis. The attacks on Ukraine's grain, a major part of the global food chain, followed a vow by Kyiv to defy Russia's naval blockade on its grain export ports following Moscow's withdrawal this week from a UN-brokered safe sea corridor agreement. "Unfortunately, the grain terminals of an agricultural enterprise in Odesa region were hit. The enemy destroyed 100 tons of peas and 20 tons of barley," regional governor Oleh Kiper said on the Telegram messaging app. Photographs released by the emergencies ministry showed a fire burning among crumpled metal buildings that appeared to be storehouses. Two people were injured, Kiper said, while officials reported seven dead in Russian air strikes elsewhere in Ukraine. Moscow has described the attacks as revenge for a Ukrainian strike on a Russian-built bridge to Crimea - the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula seized by Moscow in 2014. It accuses Ukraine of using the sea corridor to launch "terrorist attacks." Russia said its Black Sea fleet had practised firing rockets at "floating targets" and it would deem all ships heading for Ukrainian waters to be potentially carrying arms. Kyiv responded with a similar warning about ships headed to Russia. "Terrorist attacks are when Russian anti-ship missiles hit shopping malls, hospitals, and grain terminals," tweeted Mykhailo Podolyak, a Ukrainian presidential adviser. The attacks on grain export infrastructure and anxiety over shipping drove prices of benchmark Chicago wheat futures towards their biggest weekly gain since the February 2022 invasion. The U.N. Security Council was due to meet later over Russia's exit from the grain deal, which aid groups say is vital to fend off hunger in poor countries. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, a sponsor of the deal, said he hoped talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin could revive it, warning its collapse would drive up prices, create hunger and potentially cause new waves of migration. Moscow says it will not participate in the year-old grain deal without better terms for its own food and fertiliser sales. Western leaders accuse Moscow of seeking to loosen sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine, which already exempt exports of Russian food. Russian grain has moved freely through the Black Sea to market throughout the conflict. WAGNER NEAR POLAND BORDER A Polish broadcaster reported on Friday that a military reconnaissance drone of unspecified origin had crashed near a base in southwestern Poland this week. NATO military alliance member Poland has been reinforcing its border with Belarus, where Russia's Wagner mercenary force has taken up residency after a failed mutiny last month. Belarus has said Wagner fighters are training its troops near the Polish border. Residents in Poland close to the frontier report having heard shooting and helicopters. In Russia, investigators detained prominent nationalist Igor Girkin, a former commander of Russia's proxy forces in Ukraine, who had publicly accused Putin and army chiefs of not prosecuting the war in Ukraine harshly or effectively enough. "This is a direct outcome of Prigozhin's mutiny: the army's command now wields greater political leverage to quash its opponents in the public sphere," said Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of the R.Politik analysis firm. Inside Ukraine, four people were killed in 80 Russian attacks on settlements in the southern Zaporizhzhia region over the past 24 hours, regional governor Yuriy Malashko said. A married couple in their fifties were killed in Russian shelling of the city of Kostiantynivka in the eastern region of Donetsk, the general prosecutor's office said. And in the northern region of Chernihiv, a woman's body was pulled from rubble after a missile strike, regional governor Viacheslav Chaus said. Russia had already used almost 70 missiles and almost 90 Iranian-made drones to attack so far this week, mostly targeting Odesa and other southern regions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine last year and claims to have annexed nearly a fifth of its territory. Moscow says it is responding to threats posed by its neighbour; Kyiv and the West call it an unprovoked war of conquest. (Additional reporting by Anna Pruchnicka in Kyiv and Reuters bureauxWriting by Philippa FletcherEditing by Peter Graff) (Reuters) - A Russian military aircraft was exposed to "the guidance systems" of F-16 fighter jets of the U.S.-led coalition during a routine patrol over Syria's southern border, Rear Admiral Oleg Gurinov was quoted as telling TASS news agency on Thursday. According to Gurinov, who serves as the deputy head of the Russian Reconciliation Centre for Syria, the F16s "affected" the Russian aircraft with their guidance systems. He provided no further details. Russia intervened in the Syrian civil war in 2015, tipping the balance in President Bashar Al-Assad's favour. Moscow has since expanded its military facilities in the country with a permanent air base and also has a naval base. The U.S. is leading a coalition against the Islamic State militant group and has carried out air strikes in Syria this year. Gurinov also made fresh accusations that the pilots of the coalition had violated Syrian airspace several times over the past day. (Reporting by Maxim Rodionov, Editing by Ron Popeski and Josie Kao) MOSCOW (AP) A prominent hard-line nationalist who accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of weakness and indecision in Ukraine was arrested Friday on charges of extremism, a signal the Kremlin has toughened its approach with hawkish critics after last month's abortive rebellion by the Wagner mercenary company. Igor Strelkov, a retired security officer who led Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and was convicted of murder in the Netherlands for his role in the downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet that year, has argued that a total mobilization is needed for Russia to achieve victory. He recently criticized Putin as a nonentity and a cowardly mediocrity. Moscows Meshchansky District Court ordered the 52-year-old Strelkov, whose real name is Igor Girkin, to be held in custody for two months pending a probe on charges of making calls for extremist activities. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted. Strelkov rejected the charges, but asked the judge to place him under house arrest, citing health issues. Strelkov's arrest comes nearly a month after a short-lived mutiny launched by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin that saw his Wagner troops capture military headquarters in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and then drive as close as 200 kilometers (125 miles) to Moscow to demand the ouster of Russia's top military leaders. Prigozhin agreed to end the June 23-24 rebellion under a deal that offered amnesty to him and his mercenaries and allowed them to move to Belarus. The revolt posed the most serious threat to Putins 23-year rule, eroding his authority and exposing government weakness. Like Prigozhin, Strelkov harshly criticized Russia's military leaders for incompetence, but he also denounced the Wagner's chief and described his action as treason and a major threat to the Russian state. The two repeatedly had traded insults, and Strelkov's supporters said a criminal inquiry into his statements has been initiated by one of Wagner's mercenaries. Strelkov has over 875,000 subscribers on his messaging app channel. The Club of Angry Patriots, a recently created hard-line group he belonged to, issued a statement protesting his detention as a provocation that undermines the population's trust in law enforcement organs and carries extremely negative consequences for the country's stability. Strelkov served in the Russian military during the Chechen separatist wars and later joined the country's top domestic security agency, the Federal Security Service, where he reached the rank of colonel. After he retired from service, he took part in the Kremlin's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and then led fighters in eastern Ukraine during the first months of a Moscow-backed separatist rebellion there in 2014. Last year, a Dutch court convicted him and two other men of murder in absentia for their role in downing Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 with a Russian surface-to-air missile, killing all 298 people aboard the Boeing 777 as it flew over separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014. They were accused of bringing the Buk air defense missile system from a Russian military base into Ukraine and putting it into position for launch. The Dutch Public Prosecution Service said it was watching the developments with interest, although we cannot verify what is going on." We would, of course, like nothing more than for this man, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the Netherlands, to serve his prison sentence here. The victims of MH17 and their relatives deserve that, the statement said. "But the fact is that Russia does not extradite its citizens, and this event unfortunately does not bring that any closer. Strelkov, whose adopted name is rooted in the word shooter, had a penchant for war history and was among the Russians who take part in military reenactments, appearing in the uniform of an imperial Russian officer from World War I and toting historic weapons. Amid the fighting in Ukraine, he has mocked Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu as a plywood marshal, an apparent reference to Shoigu's hobby of woodcutting. Strelkov long has spoken with contempt about Putin, accusing him of incompetence and kowtowing to Western interests, and he toughened his criticism after the start of Moscows action in Ukraine. He predicted Russia would face imminent defeat because of Putins reluctance to declare a massive mobilization and put the country on full military footing. A lot of empty talk, the minimum of action and the utter lack of responsibility for failures that is Putins style of late, Strelkov said recently. A nonentity that has managed to cheat a large part of the population has been at the countrys helm for 23 years. He warned that the country will not survive another six years under the rule of that cowardly mediocrity, a reference to Putin's expected bid to run for another six-year term in a presidential vote in March 2024. Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said Wagners rebellion has given the military brass an opportunity to go after its critics. Strelkov had overstepped all conceivable boundaries a long time ago, sparking the desire among security forces from the FSB to military chiefs to apprehend him, she said on Twitter. This is a direct outcome of Prigozhins mutiny: the armys command now wields greater political leverage to quash its opponents in the public sphere." She predicted that while its unlikely that there will be massive repressions against angry patriots, ... the most vehement dissenters may face prosecution, serving as a cautionary tale for others. MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin on Friday accused Ukraine of using a grain export corridor in the Black Sea to launch "terrorist attacks" against Russian interests, including one this week on the Crimean Bridge. Vershinin was addressing a briefing about Russia's decision on Monday to quit the year-old Black Sea grain deal, in which Russia had guaranteed safe passage to ships exporting grain from Ukraine's seaports despite what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Russia said a parallel memorandum pledging to facilitate its own food and fertiliser exports had been ignored. Since then, it has said any vessels travelling to Ukraine will be assumed to be carrying weapons, and their flag countries will be considered parties to the war. Ukraine has denied using the corridor for military purposes, but Vershinin alleged, without providing evidence, that there had been several instances of this. "It was used - as we know, and we have also talked about it - to organise terrorist attacks," he said. "It was the Crimean Bridge, twice already; it was Sevastopol, remember last October." Attacks apparently carried out with naval drones have twice severely damaged the 19-km (12-mile) Crimean Bridge, a Russian flagship project that provides the only direct link between southern Russia and the Crimean peninsula, which Russia seized from Ukraine and annexed in 2014. It has also been used to supply Russian troops fighting in southern Ukraine. Kyiv implicitly acknowledged carrying out the first attack, in October, and Ukrainian media reported this week that Ukrainian security services had carried out the second. Also last October, Moscow accused Ukraine of attacking the home base of the Russian navy's Black Sea Fleet at Sevastopol, in Crimea, with naval drones that had travelled from the Ukrainian port of Odesa via the waters of the safe corridor. It also said the ships targeted had been involved in ensuring the security of the grain corridor. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Osborn) Crews attach cables to a solid rocket booster aft skirt Thursday at the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center at Exposition Park in Los Angeles. The space ship will be displayed as if pointing to the stars. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) The space shuttle Endeavour began the first part of its journey to its final resting place Thursday, an effort more than a decade in the making after arriving at the California Science Center museum in 2012. The famed spacecraft that has been on horizontal display at the science center is in the process of moving to a permanent location in what will be the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, where the vehicle will be mounted in a vertical position, along with the solid rocket boosters and an orange external tank, making it look like it's ready to launch. All four elements combined are called a shuttle's full stack. The new location will give guests views from multiple platforms, including from beneath the orbiter's three main engines as well as from above, looking through a glass floor directly at its nose. Endeavour flew 25 missions, with its first mission in 1992 and its last in 2011. In 2012, the Endeavour captivated people across California as it flew past the Golden Gate Bridge and Hollywood sign atop a Boeing 747, before it underwent a three-day trek on land over the 405 Freeway and across the streets of Los Angeles and Inglewood to its home at the California Science Center. The move to the new space center is taking place in phases. Workers lifted the base of the shuttle's full stack, over the partially built walls of the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, before placing it down onto a concrete slab that is supported with six seismic isolators. The entire weight of the space shuttle's full stack will rest on what's known as the aft skirts, the lowest part of the twin solid rocket boosters, which will support the weight of the entire space shuttle stack. It took roughly two hours to move both skirts to the 1,800-ton concrete slab. Jeff Rudolph, president and CEO of the California Science Center, said arranging the shuttle in a vertical position, as if ready to be launched into space, is a technically challenging process. The margin of error for attaching the skirt is one-tenth of an inch, the width of a nickel. Anything beyond that will make the rest of the space shuttle stacking process impossible, he said. A solid rocket booster aft skirt is lifted before being placed onto seismic isolator pads at the site of the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center at Exposition Park in Los Angeles on Thursday. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Once the position of the skirts are verified, they will be bolted down to the slab with four hold-down studs each. Over the next six months or so, different parts of the shuttles full stack will be delicately placed and secured. On top of the aft skirts which weigh about 13,000 pounds will be two solid rocket motors, which are being donated by Northrop Grumman and are being transported from Mojave to the science center sometime in October. The forward assemblies will then be placed on top of the solid rocket motors to complete the solid rocket boosters. After the solid rocket boosters are stacked, the 66,000-pound and 154-foot ET-94, an external tank currently at the California Science Center, will be lifted and attached to the boosters as early as January. That same month, the rest of the Endeavour shuttle will make its trip from its temporary display at the center to be lifted and bolted to the external tank. The full stack will be more than 200 feet tall. Tuesday marked the first step in a six-month-long process of stacking the solid rocket motors, the external tank and finally the space shuttle Endeavour. The vertical exhibit will be more than 200 feet tall when completed. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) Museum guests will have until the end of the year to see Endeavour on display before its moved. This will be the last chance for guests to see the space shuttle up close for years before Endeavour will be on view again at the space center. It could take at least three years before the new center will open to the public, said Ken Phillips, curator for aerospace science at the California Science Center. He said the building construction will take about two more years to complete and it could take at least an additional year to move other artifacts into the building. As a way to protect the stack while construction of the new center continues, scaffolding will be built around it, which will be covered with plywood and Kevlar fabric. Phillips said he hopes the space shuttle will inspire people, especially kids, to get involved with space exploration, aeronautics and exploring the universe. I want to see them walk through there, and for them to know what an epiphany it is where you have this amazing insight and you think, Oh wait a minute, I could actually do that. I could actually do that. Phillips said. That's what I'm looking for. I think it will truly be a transformational experience. Rudolph said there have been plans for more than 30 years to exhibit a full space shuttle in launch configuration, and now they are about to make that vision a reality. It's pretty exciting to see this first step in fulfilling a decadeslong journey, he said. Times staff writer Rong-Gong Lin II contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California, your daily guide to news, views and life in the Golden State. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. By Sam Nussey and Miho Uranaka TOKYO (Reuters) - Taiwan chipmaker Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp aims to list a joint venture being set up to build a factory in Japan in five to seven years, an executive from the chipmaker said on Friday. Powerchip and Japanese financial firm SBI Holdings earlier this month said they aim to attract government subsidies to build the plant amid a wave of investment in Japan aimed at boosting its chip manufacturing capabilities. "I think about five to seven years... it depends on the business," Joe Wu, President of PSMC Japan, told Reuters when asked about the timing for a potential listing. The factory is intended to manufacture micro-controllers and power chips, which are needed for power management in electric vehicles, for Japanese companies. Its location is yet to be decided. Powerchip said it sees scope for additional foundry capacity in Japan, which has seen a lack of investment. "We want to come here and build up the capacity," Wu said. Companies with chip businesses include Renesas Electronics and Mitsubishi Electric. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) has secured subsidies for a plant in Kyushu that will supply chips to Sony Group and auto parts maker Denso Corp. Kyushu, a major chipmaking hub, could be a good option but Powerchip is also speaking to other local governments, Wu said. Chip factories require stable electricity supply and abundant water. The Taiwanese firm previously set up a joint venture in China to build a chip factory which listed in Shanghai this year. Powerchip and SBI hope to attract additional funds for the Japan business and are targeting chip industry customers and financial investors as potential backers, Wu said. (Reporting by Sam Nussey and Miho Uranaka;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle) Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. A teenager was left in excruciating pain after her family says a police officer used excessive force during a traffic stop in California, according to a lawsuit. The 17-year-old was driving with friends on March 8 when officers with the Chico Police Department pulled her over, says the lawsuit, which was filed on June 5. The officer told the teen, who is only identified by her initials in the lawsuit, that he pulled her over for not using her blinker and for yelling racial slurs out of her car, the lawsuit says. The teen told the officer she would never use racial slurs, according to the lawsuit. Police had been looking for a woman in a dark blue Ford who was accused of shouting racial slurs out of her car, but the teen was driving a gray Toyota Tacoma, the lawsuit says. The teen called her mother, who came to the scene and parked about 5 feet away, the lawsuit says. When the teen tried to go over to talk to her mom, an officer shouted that she wasnt allowed to leave and grabbed her arms with a lot of force, the lawsuit says. He then twisted her arms behind her back, causing excruciating pain, the lawsuit says. The teen was recovering from a broken hand and was still healing after surgery and told the officer he was hurting her, the lawsuit said. The officer then kicked her leg out from under her and pushed her to the floor with significant force, the lawsuit says. The Chico Police Department told McClatchy News it could not comment on pending litigation. The teen told officers that the handcuffs were hurting her injured arm and hand, but officers said they didnt care, refused to loosen her handcuffs and told her shed be checked later at a hospital, the lawsuit says. The teen said in a statement provided to McClatchy News by her mother that she is scared every time she sees a police car drive by. I never know if they will like me or not and what they will do to me even when I am doing no wrong, the teen said. I hope to get the officers that did this off the streets so cops are held accountable for their actions and not hide behind a badge. In the statement, she said that the plates in her arm are still aching and that her arm now makes a popping sound. The experience for me was extremely scary to see that these people have this much power and will still try to hide everything even when they are wrong, she said. Her mother said in a statement that it was traumatizing to watch her daughter be treated this way by police. Her father is a cop with the same department, and I didnt expect this kind of behavior from his colleagues, she said. I felt helpless. To watch my daughter suffer this unprovoked brutality, begging for help, and just be told to just sit and watch, was absolutely horrifying. The familys lawyer, Stanley Goff, told McClatchy News that the teen was charged after the incident but declined to name the charge. He said they are fighting the charge in juvenile court and anticipate that it will be dismissed. The lawsuit accuses officers of using excessive force and seeks damages of an unspecified amount. The teens mother said in a statement that she hopes the lawsuit will help bring more accountability to the police force and allow people to rebuild their confidence in law enforcement. It breaks my heart when the people we rely on to protect us are the ones harming us, she wrote. This has got to change. Black man called 911 to report intruder. Cops tased him instead, California suit says Cop recruit goes into coma during Beat-Down Friday hazing practice, Hawaii suit says Im going to drown! Cops watch as man drowns in Arizona lake, family says in lawsuit A restaurant in Texas is raising some eyebrows for its tipping policy for employees. Valentinas Tex Mex BBQ, located in the town of Buda, near Austin, drew backlash when a now-viral tweet sharing the eaterys policy for how workers would lose tips began circulating. The tweet featured a screenshot of a document that included the restaurants explanation for the circumstances under which a worker would forfeit tips, headlined by a reminder that says, TIPS ARE A PRIVILEGE! THEY MUST BE EARNED. Hey Austin! Do not, I repeat do not, go to Valentinas Tex-Mex BBQ. Shared by someone I know and trust personally. pic.twitter.com/rh9nOueqRN Dumpling Queen (@LadyDumplings) July 17, 2023 Some of the reasons for losing out on tips include being late, being written up during a shift, skipping work without alerting anyone, getting fired and quitting without two weeks written notice. The document also specified that all tips are pooled equally between the employees. That was a screenshot of our handbook that we wrote in 2013 with the policy going in place in 2015 or 2016, restaurant owner Miguel Vidal told NBC affiliate KXAN. Vidal added the eatery did not regularly impose the rule, noting it was often a final drastic step for employees. They got three verbal warnings and a write-up before anything was even discussed, Vidal said. A message from owners Modesty & Miguel Vidal regarding our tip pool policy. All employees are paid a minimum of $8+... Posted by Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 On July 19, owners Modesty and Miguel Vidal shared on Facebook their modified tip pool policy, which no longer lists anything that prevents an employee from getting tips. All employees are paid a minimum of $8+ tips when hired and training is complete, they captioned their post. This post includes our *UPDATED* tip policy. We can only continue to learn, adapt, and try do better as we grow. An image of the new guidelines, with an area for an employee and manager to sign, highlighted some key parts. All employees are hired at a starting rate that is above the legal minimum wage. We use tip pooling at Valentinas, they wrote. This means that even though everyone is paid minimum wage and above, that all tips will be pooled each day and split evenly among the scheduled staff members. **Since all employees are paid more than minimum wage, we have the option to decide to not accept any tips from customers. We strongly believe in an incentive and teamwork based environment. By accepting tips and starting all employees at above minimum wage, this helps every employee to achieve a consistent livable income. As a quick service restaurant, our hourly pay rate meets and exceeds minimum wage, therefore tips are appreciated but never expected from our guests. The Vidals went on to say that they instated this policy in the first place with the goal of bridging this gap between back of house and front of house. We strongly believe that when all (departments) of a restaurant are actively working together, that all the staff will make more money, they wrote. In the comments section of the post, people blasted the eatery for its rules. You're not winning any fans, one person wrote. IF TIPS ARE VOLUNTARY AND NOT TO BE EXPECTED THEN YOU SHOULD PAY A LIVING WAGE, someone else wrote. Just because you pay ABOVE minimum wage doesnt mean its a livable income, commented yet another. Vidal said a new policy was long overdue. Its something that should have been paid attention to more, he told KXAN. This article was originally published on TODAY.com JERUSALEM (AP) Thousands of Israelis joined a march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Friday in the latest protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vow to push through a controversial overhaul of the judiciary system. Hundreds of protesters became thousands as Israelis joined the 70-kilometer (roughly 45-mile) march throughout the day in a demonstration against one of Israel's most far-right governments in history. The demonstrators planned to camp overnight at Shoresh, about 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Jerusalem, before making their way to Israels parliament on Saturday, the Jewish day of rest. The march comes a day after Netanyahu vowed to press ahead with the plan, defying demonstrators, growing defections by military reservists and appeals from U.S. President Joe Biden to put the plan on hold. Ronen Rosenblatt, 58, a high-tech worker who'd joined the march following months of frustration with Netanyahu's government, described the event as jovial, with people united behind a common objective of stopping this stupidity, this dictatorship. Protesters carried Israelis flags and political signs in a line four kilometers (2.5 miles) long that wound through olive orchards and farmland. They'd left seaside Tel Aviv on Thursday, camping overnight roughly halfway to Jerusalem near the Latrun Monastery. Rising on Friday to shared meals and coffee, the protesters dismantled their tents as others prayed with their arms wrapped in tefillin before they all began marching again towards Jerusalem and the Knesset, Israel's parliament. Lawmakers are expected to vote Monday on a bill that would curtail the Supreme Courts oversight powers by limiting its ability to strike down decisions it deems unreasonable. The standard is meant as a safeguard to protect against corruption and improper appointments of unqualified people. The bill is one of several keystone pieces of the Netanyahu governments judicial overhaul plan. Netanyahu and his allies a collection of ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties say the plan is needed to curb what they consider excessive powers of unelected judges. Critics say the legislation will concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his far-right allies and undermine the countrys system of checks and balance. They also say Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, has a conflict of interest. The proposal has bitterly divided the Israeli public and drawn appeals from Biden for Netanyahu to forge a broad national consensus before passing any legislation. The judicial overhaul plan was announced shortly after Netanyahu took office as prime minister following Novembers parliamentary elections. It was Israels fifth election in under four years, with all of the votes serving as a referendum on his leadership. Presidents of major Israeli universities said they would hold a strike Sunday to protest the bill, local media reported. Doctors held a two-hour warning strike Wednesday to protest the overhaul, which they said would wreak havoc on the healthcare system by granting politicians greater control over public health. They vowed more severe measures if the bill is voted through. US worried about well-being of American soldier who ran across border as North Korea remains silent WASHINGTON (AP) The White House on Thursday expressed deep concern about the well-being of a U.S. soldier who bolted across the heavily armed North Korea border earlier this week as North Korean officials have yet to respond to U.S. requests for basic information about the AWOL soldier. The history of rough treatment of Americans detained by North Koreans including the 2017 death of a 22-year-old student after he was flown home in a vegetative state after 17 months in captivity is top of mind as U.S. officials seek answers about Pvt. Travis King. This is not a country that is known for humane treatment of Americans or actually anybody else for that matter, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. By Josh Smith SEOUL (Reuters) - When U.S. soldier Travis King sprinted across the border into North Korea from the South this week, he disappeared into a North Korea where lingering COVID-19 concerns and restrictions have made the already secretive country more isolated than ever. During the pandemic North Korea stopped all international travel and most trade, built a lengthy border wall, and even shot some would-be unauthorised border crossers early in the outbreak. Its trade has slowly resumed and mask mandates appear to have been dropped, but analysts say Pyongyang is still keenly nervous about border crossings, authorised or not. King ran over the border on Tuesday while on a civilian tour of the Demilitarized Zone between the two Koreas, and U.S. officials say they have yet to ascertain his fate. "North Koreans dont want to interact with the outside world," said Andrei Lankov, director of the Seoul-based Korea Risk Group, noting the only known case of foreigners being allowed into the country in the last three years was a new Chinese ambassador and other diplomats in March, after lengthy negotiations. King's motives remain unclear, though U.S. officials said he was facing military disciplinary action and appeared to have intentionally crossed the border. Now, even if he wants to return to the United States, it could take years, Lankov said. "I would expect this soldier could stay in North Korea at least until the end of the COVID restriction period which might be another two or three or four years," he said. Colonel Isaac Taylor, a spokesman for the U.S.-led United Nations Command that overseas the DMZ on the South Korean side, said the command had been in contact with the North via established hotlines. "We have been communicating with them and we know that they have received our messages," he said, but declined to elaborate on any response. Officials in Washington said North Korea had yet to give any response through a number of channels, including at the United Nations. COVID restrictions aren't stopping the North from picking up the phone, but it has created new uncertainty over how they may view his crossing, or how they may decide to communicate. North Korean border guards fatally shot and burned the body of a South Korean fisheries official near their disputed maritime border in 2020. Later that year, leader Kim Jong Un ordered an entire city into lockdown when a North Korean crossed back into the country from the South. Sweden, which helps in detainee cases because the United States does not have diplomatic relations with North Korea, withdrew all its diplomats from Pyongyang in 2020, and they have yet to return. The Joint Security Area, a typical venue for working-level negotiations where King made his border dash, gathered dust and weeds for most of the pandemic. North Korean guards at the site still shelter inside buildings, apparently to avoid the risk of catching COVID. Over the years, the JSA has seen diminished importance in negotiations over detainees, in favour of venues such as the United Nations, where North Korea has a delegation, said Steve Tharp, a retired U.S. Army officer who spent years working at along DMZ. But North Korea often seeks meetings with high-level American officials before any releases, and that could be complicated by their worries over COVID, he added. Tharp said when he worked on the case of U.S. military pilot Bobby Hall who was captured by the North Koreans after they shot down his helicopter when it inadvertently strayed over the border in 1994, Pyongyang demanded to speak only to general-level military officers. Other past cases saw North Korea seek former U.S. presidents, state governors, or other top-level envoys to visit the country to seek detainees release, but such trips seem unlikely for the foreseeable future as the country maintains near total lockdown on outside arrivals, Lankov said. (Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Lincoln Feast) By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump on Thursday urged the United Auto Workers union to back his campaign, a day after the union's president met with President Joe Biden after raising concerns about electric- vehicle policies. Trump, the former Republican president seeking a return to office in 2024, said Democrat Biden was "waging war on the U.S. auto industry" through "crippling" electric vehicle mandates and urged the UAW to endorse him. Trump made the comments in a video posted on his social media platform, Truth Social. Biden's campaign responded that Trump was "the most anti-union president in modern history, stacking his cabinet with anti-union officials." It added that under Biden, "more than 120,000 auto manufacturing jobs have come back to the United States, and new auto factories are popping up across the country." Trump said he advocated trade policies to help U.S. autoworkers during his presidency, including renegotiating trade deals. Biden's campaign said that he supported incentives that helped dramatically add more U.S. electric vehicle and battery production. UAW President Shawn Fain, who represents 150,000 U.S. hourly workers at General Motors, Ford Motor, and Chrysler parent Stellantis, has held off so far on endorsing Biden for re-election and has criticized some administration EV policies. Most other major unions have already endorsed Biden. The UAW said in May that "another Donald Trump presidency would be a disaster. But our members need to see an alternative that delivers real results." In his Truth Social post on Thursday, Trump vowed to "terminate" green vehicle mandates, warning that if they continued under Biden, "American auto production will be totally dead." Many congressional Republicans have also criticized Biden's electcric-vehicle rules, arguing they would force automakers to end gasoline-powered production. The trade group representing nearly all major automakers last month urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to ease its proposal to cut vehicle emissions through 2032, saying this approach was "neither reasonable nor achievable." The EPA said in April the proposed 2027-2032 standards would cut emissions by 56% and require 67% of new vehicles to be electric by 2032. Earlier this month the UAW called on the Biden administration to soften its proposed vehicle emissions rules. 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," he said. "We expect people to be there for us if they want our endorsement." (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis) After watching Sound of Freedom, the movie associated with QAnon, former president Donald Trump said that he would require the death penalty for anyone caught trafficking children across our border. In a new campaign video, Mr Trump claimed that during his presidency, child trafficking was down to the lowest number in many years just four years ago but now its gone through the roof. Under my leadership we did more than any administration in history to combat human trafficking and to end modern day slavery, he said, before listing the legislation he signed during his term. He promised, When I am back in the White House, I will immediately end the Biden border nightmare that the traffickers are using to exploit vulnerable women and children. He said that he will use Title 42 to put an end to the child trafficking crisis by returning all trafficked children to their families in their home countries. He also added, I will urge Congress to ensure that anyone caught trafficking children across our border receives the death penalty immediately. A number of conservative politicians have defended the movie Sound of Freedom in recent weeks. Kari Lake, a failed Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate, tweeted a thank you the films star Jim Caviezel: Thanking this man on behalf of all the Mama Bears of the world for his willingness to be ostracized for talking on important roles in Sound of Freedom and Passion of the Christ. Georgia Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene also defended the movie, encouraging people to watch the film and let us all get active in every capacity to end child sex trafficking, despite not voting in favour of the most recent human trafficking bill. GENEVA (AP) A U.N.-backed human rights advocate says hundreds of boys some as young as 11 held in detention camps run by U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led forces in northeastern Syria have been wrongly separated from their mothers on the unproven" belief that they pose a security risk. Fionnuala Ni Aolain, an independent U.N. rapporteur on the protection of rights while countering terrorism, aired concerns Friday about lingering mass arbitrary detention in the infamous al-Hol camp and others like it that she saw during her trip to the region this week billed as the first visit of its kind by an independent human rights expert. For years, human rights advocates have been calling on foreign countries in Europe, north Africa and beyond to repatriate their nationals from the camps housing family members of Islamic State group militants, especially children who were not involved in the atrocities carried out by the extremist group. The group rose to power amid an uprising-turned-civil war that erupted 12 years ago and has left hundreds of thousands dead. At one point the militants controlled large swaths of Syria and Iraq, but Kurdish forces backed by an international anti-IS coalition, as well as Iraqi and Syrian government troops, recaptured that territory by 2019. Ni Aolain said her teams experts have calculated that since 2019, some 7,000 people have been repatriated by some 36 countries more than three-quarters of them women and children. But tens of thousands of others remain left behind in the detention centers and no immediate sign of getting out, let alone traveling to the countries that they or their families came from. Fearing that a new generation of militants will emerge from al-Hol Camp, the Kurdish officials who govern eastern and northern Syria have been experimenting with a rehabilitation program aimed at pulling children out of extremist thought by removing them from their families and whisking them away for training in tolerance and other education. The Kurdish officials fear that kids who grow up in the camp could give rise to a new generation of violent extremists. Ni Aolain lashed out at the use of dehumanization language against so-called Cubs of the Caliphate a reference to children from areas formerly under Islamic State control to describe 2-year-olds, 3-year-olds, 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds born on this territory by no choice of their own. Ni Aolain said conditions were dire in al-Hol, which she said was currently home to more than 49,000 people. She expressed concerns about security, access to health care, and scarcity of water in camps where temperatures rose to 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) and tents were providing shelter. The second issue I want to highlight is the separation of hundreds of adolescent boys from their mothers without any legal procedure, in what I describe as summary separation based on an unproven security risk that male children pose upon reaching the age of adolescence," Ni Aolain said. Every single woman I spoke to made clear that it was the snatching of the children that provided the most anxiety, the most suffering, the most psychological harm, she said, alluding to the distress" felt by many of the boys. The taking of these boys may in itself constitute a disappearance practice under international law, which is in direct contravention of multiple human rights obligations, said Ni Aolain, who is faculty director of the Human Rights Center at the University of Minnesota Law School. The US military killed five al-Shabaab militants in a collective self-defense airstrike in Somalia, US Africa Command announced Thursday. The strike was taken at the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, the US Africa Command statement says, in a remote area near Hareeri Kalle, approximately 15 kilometers south of Galcad, Somalia. The initial assessment of the airstrike is that five militants were killed, and no civilians were injured or killed. The airstrike was in support of Somali National Army forces who were engaged by the terrorist organization, the release says. Thursdays airstrike comes a little more than a week after the US killed 10 militants in a strike in an area near Afmadow. The US regularly engages al-Shabaab forces in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia. In May 2022, President Joe Biden approved a Pentagon request to deploy fewer than 500 US troops to Somalia in an effort to combat the terror organization, following a withdrawal of nearly all American troops in the country under former President Donald Trump. We have seen, regrettably, clear evidence that al-Shabaab has the intent and capability to target Americans, a senior administration official said at the time of Bidens approval. There have been several airstrikes against al-Shabaab since the beginning of the year. Al-Shabaab is the largest and most kinetically active al-Qaeda network in the world and has proved both its will and capability to attack partner and U.S. forces and threaten U.S. security interests, Thursdays AFRICOM release says. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ukrainian armed forces are using the cluster bombs provided by the US in their counteroffensive against Russia, the White House has confirmed. The US provided the war-torn nation with cluster munitions after much debate as part of an $800m security package in its war against Russia, despite opposition from human rights groups. Cluster munitions are prohibited by more than 100 countries. They typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. The bomblets, if they fail to explode on impact, can pose a long-term risk similar to landmines. Ukraine's forces started using the munitions "in the last week or so", White House national security council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Thursday. "They are using them appropriately, they are using them effectively and they are actually having an impact on Russia's defensive formations and Russia's defensive maneuvering," he said. Ukraine has said it will use cluster bombs only to "de-occupy" its territory and that it will not use them on Russian territories. Russia, Ukraine and the US have not signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans production, stockpiling, use and transfer of the weapons. The decision to send the munitions to Ukraine has been opposed by Spain and Canada, while Britain said it was part of a convention that discourages use of the weapons. Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Friday that the West was stoking the flames of war by supporting Ukraine and that Western weapons supplied to Ukraine burn well on the battlefield. He last week said Moscow had a "sufficient stockpile" of cluster bombs and reserved the right to use them if such munitions were deployed against his forces. "I want to note that in the Russian Federation there is a sufficient stockpile of different kinds of cluster bombs," Mr Putin said. "We have not used them yet. But of course, if they are used against us, we reserve the right to take reciprocal action." The Russian president said he regarded the use of cluster bombs as a crime and that Russia had so far not needed to use them, despite having suffered its own ammunition issues in the past. Meanwhile, Russia stepped up its assault on Ukraines ports with a third night of air strikes as it claimed to treat all ships heading for those ports as potential military targets. Saying that Moscow was deliberately turning the Black Sea into a danger zone, Kyiv responded in kind by announcing that from Friday, ships heading for Russian ports or Russian-occupied ports in Ukraine would be treated in the same way, as if they are carrying weapons or other military cargo. It follows Moscows decision to withdraw earlier this week from a UN-brokered deal to let Ukraine export grain. Herdsman in Inner Mongolia completes 100 km livestock transfer in 3 days People's Daily Online) 10:50, July 21, 2023 Gangsulede, a young herdsman born after 1990 in Abaga Banner, Xilingol League of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, recently completed a transfer of his livestock to a summer pasture over 100 kilometers away, all in just three days. Each year in midsummer, herders across the autonomous region embark on the migration, taking their livestock to summer pastures in an ancient tradition that echoes the region's nomadic culture. The practice of rotational grazing serves to conserve pastures and support the rehabilitation of natural ones. Gangsulede, a young herdsman born after 1990, and others assist a cow in calving in Abaga Banner, Xilingol League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Chinanews.com/Cui Boqun) Raised in a pastoral area, Gangsulede ventured into city life to become an illustrator. However, after several years, he and his wife found their hearts yearning for the grassland, prompted them to return to their hometown with their family three years ago. "It was only after I returned to the grassland that I realized my love for this land was even stronger than I had imagined. That's why I think it's the best decision I ever made," Gangsulede said. Horses race across the grassland in Xilingol League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Chinanews.com/Cui Boqun) A few years ago, Gangsulede illustrated a children's picture book about the traditional nomadic herding lifestyle, aiming to share nomadic culture with young people. During Gangsulede's journey to the summer pasture, one of his cows welcomed a new calf. "Every day, the grassland welcomes new life, including calves, lambs, birds, and rabbits. It's such a romantic scene," he said. "What we pass on is a nomadic spirit, which means reverence for nature, following nature's laws, and a love for the grassland and life," said Gangsulede, adding that it's the younger generation's duty to embrace and propagate this spirit. A photo of Gangsulede, a herdsman born after 1990, amid the transfer of his livestock to a summer pasture in Xilingol League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Chinanews.com/Cui Boqun) A photo captures a scene during the livestock transfer to a summer pasture in Xilingol League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Chinanews.com/Cui Boqun) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -An American couple accused of laundering billions of dollars worth of cryptocurrency stolen from the 2016 hacking of virtual currency exchange Bitfinex have entered into a plea agreement, court records showed on Friday. Heather Morgan, who used the hip-hop alias "Razzlekhan" to push her music online, and her husband Ilya Lichtenstein were initially arrested in February 2022. They are set to appear for a plea hearing on Aug. 3 before Senior Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington, court records showed. Kollar-Kotelly ordered prosecutors and defense lawyers to file a copy of the plea agreement, which is not publicly available, by July 27. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's office in Washington declined to comment. Lawyers for Lichtenstein and Morgan did not respond to requests for comment. The couple had active public profiles. Morgan said on her website her rap pseudonym "Razzlekhan" referred to Genghis Khan "but with more pizzazz." In her lyrics, she proclaimed herself a "bad ass money maker" and the "Crocodile of Wall Street." The pair stands accused of conspiring to launder more than 100,000 bitcoin stolen after a hacker attacked Bitfinex. They each face one count of money laundering conspiracy, with Morgan facing an initial count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, an updated charging document filed on Thursday showed. The bitcoin was worth $71 million at the time of the hack, but had appreciated to more than $4.5 billion at the time of their arrest. Prosecutors are now seeking to have the pair forfeit assets worth around $3 billion, according to the charging document and current spot prices of various cryptocurrencies. In addition to cash from bank accounts and tokens from crypto wallets, prosecutors want Morgan and Lichtenstein to fork over gold coins "excavated and recovered by law enforcement" from an unspecified location in California. (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis, Marguerita Choy and Richard Chang) CANBERRA, Australia (AP) U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said Friday that the major multination military training exercise launched in Australia sends a message to China that Americas allies are cooperating to defend their security and democratic values. Talisman Sabre began in 2005 as a biennial joint exercise between the United States and Australia but has expanded this year to 13 nations and more than 30,000 military personnel. Del Toro and his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, welcomed ever-closer closer bilateral military ties as they launched the exercise at a Sydney naval base. Del Toro said land, sea and air military platforms are becoming increasingly complicated and allies need to exercise together to be able to operate as a single task force. The most important message that China can take from this exercise and anything that our allies and partners do together is that we are extremely tied by the core values that exist among our many nations together, Del Toro told reporters. We are prepared to actually operate together in defense of our national security interests and in defense of the core values that we all share, he added. Marles said more than 800 military vehicles will cross a single mobile wharf to be deployed at the Queensland state coastal town of Bowen during the two-week exercise. Its going to be the most significant logistics exercise that we will see between Australia and the United States in Australia since the Second World War, Marles said. All of this is actually building muscle memory between our two countries defense forces, is building comfort and familiarity and obviously not just between Australia and the United States but the other 11 countries that will be participating, Marles added. Del Toro and Marles were upbeat about progress on the so-called AUKUS deal under which the United States and Britain will provide Australia with a fleet of submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology. The closer military relationship will be underscored on Saturday when USS Canberra is commissioned in Sydney. The Independence-variant littoral combat ship, built by Australian manufacturer Austal, will become the first U.S. warship to be commissioned in a foreign port. The original USS Canberra was a cruiser launched in 1943 named after the Australian cruiser HMAS Canberra that was torpedoed by the Japanese in 1942 with a loss of 193 lives while supporting U.S. Marines landings on the Solomon Islands. The Australian warship was named for the Australian capital. The Solomons are again a security concern for the United States and its allies over recent security agreements the South Pacific nation has signed with Beijing. Chinese spy ships have been shadowing Talisman Sabre exercises since 2017. Australian Army Lt. Gen. Greg Bilton said a Chinese spy ship had been contacted in the Coral Sea off Australias northeast coast on Thursday and was expected to move into the exercise area. Theyve done this for a number of years. Were well prepared for it, Bilton said. Fiji, France, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Britain, Canada and Germany are taking part in this year's exercise that ends on Aug. 4. The Philippines, Singapore and Thailand are attending the exercise as observers. By Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Thursday against an effort to tie military aid to Ukraine to NATO members' defense spending, despite 13 Republicans backing the bid from Republican Senator Mike Lee to restrict U.S. aid to Ukraine. The 100-member Senate opposed the amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, by 71 to 13. The amendment would have required that only 2% of the funds made available for Ukraine by the Department of Defense during fiscal 2024 be obligated or expended until every member of the NATO alliance spends at least 2% of their gross domestic product on defense. The United States has sent more than $40 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022, including $1.3 billion President Joe Biden's administration announced on Wednesday. The assistance to Ukraine receives broad bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress, which has control of government spending. But a small group of Republicans - many with close ties to former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump - has questioned that aid. Republicans in the House of Representatives offered amendments to cut Ukraine aid when the Republican-led chamber considered its version of the NDAA last week. Those amendments were also defeated. As he campaigned to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2024, Trump said he would ask Europe to reimburse the United States for the cost of restoring stockpiles of weapons that have been sent to Ukraine. He had said previously he would withdraw the United States from NATO if all 31 members do not spend 2% of their GDP on defense. (Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Sandra Maler) By Andrea Shalal (Reuters) - The United States sees Vietnam as a key partner in expanding green energy sources and building more resilient supply chains, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a speech to be delivered in the country's capital of Hanoi on Friday. Yellen, continuing her travels in Asia, told the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council that trade between the two countries had been growing at nearly 25% a year for the past two decades, and reached a record high last year. "There is no sign that this momentum is slowing," Yellen said in a text of her prepared remarks released late on Thursday in Washington, noting that investment in Vietnam's semiconductor sector was also accelerating. Yellen's visit is part of a push by the United States to upgrade its formal ties with Vietnam as it works to reduce dependence on Chinese supply chains by expanding manufacturing at home and boosting trade with trusted partners. But its efforts have met some resistance in Hanoi, over what experts see as concerns that China could view the move as hostile. The United States and Vietnam normalized relations in 1995, two decades after the end of the Vietnam War, and signed a bilateral trade agreement five years later. Yellen noted that Vietnam had become a critical node in the global semiconductor supply chain, and cited big investments made by U.S. companies in Vietnam, including Arizona-based Amkor and Intel, which has its largest assembly and testing facility in the world in Saigon. Yellen's speech did not mention China, which she visited earlier this month. She underscored that Washington's "friendshoring" drive was not meant for "an exclusive club of countries. It is open and inclusive of advanced economies, emerging markets and developing countries alike." She said Washington was looking to strengthen ties with emerging markets and developing countries, including through the Group of Seven's pledge to mobilize $600 billion in infrastructure investments, which experts see as a deliberate counterweight to China's Belt and Road Initiative. The United States is also working to help countries address the worsening climate crisis, Yellen said, citing U.S. support for Vietnam's Just Energy Transition Partnership that is working to mobilize $15 billion in public and private funds to help Vietnam transition to a net-zero emissions economy by 2050 "Now, it is vital to intensify our cooperation to build momentum for these efforts in Vietnam, evaluate project opportunities with the multilateral development banks, and deliver a Resource Mobilization Plan that provides a roadmap for implementation," she said. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Jamie Freed) By Deisy Buitrago and Mayela Armas CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela is not willing to halt productive operations during contract audits that have led to the arrest of businessmen and officials, and to disputes with customers and partners of state company PDVSA, the country's oil minister said on Friday. In June, a contract between PDVSA and Maroil Trading, a Geneva-based company owned by Venezuelan tycoon Wilmer Ruperti, became entangled in a dispute over payments, triggering the suspension of most exports of petroleum coke from the South American country. Earlier this year, contracts with some crude oil buyers were also temporarily suspended while PDVSA reviewed billions of dollars of late payments and pending invoices. Shipments have resumed with new contract terms and customers. "Our goal is to explore, produce, refine and export every product we can," Oil Minister Pedro Tellechea told journalists on the sidelines of a conference in Caracas. "We are not willing to paralyze a productive process, which would slow down Venezuela's growth. On the contrary, we are here to encourage that growth," he added. PDVSA this month also authorized two term contracts to export this year up to 1.6 million tons of petcoke, an oil byproduct mostly used to fuel cement kilns in countries from France to China. Investigations related to the review of unpaid bills have been transferred to the office of Venezuela's General Attorney, Tellechea said. Venezuela maintains "a good relationship" with Ruperti, and is open to registering new buyers for the petcoke PDVSA produces as long as they fulfill requirements, complete an administrative process and offer competitive prices, the minister added. A lawyer representing Maroil told Reuters earlier this month the company had not faced legal action from its customers amid delays to ship intended cargoes, and that it was in talks with PDVSA over the contract dispute. Tellechea also said the country does not currently have suspended contracts, but did not elaborate on the status of exports. (Reporting by Deisy Buitrago, Mayela Armas and Vivian Sequera, writing by Marianna Parraga; Editing by Sharon Singleton) GENEVA (Reuters) - The World Health Organization warned on Friday that cases of dengue fever could reach close to record highs this year, partly due to global warming benefiting mosquitoes that spread it. Dengue rates are rising globally, with reported cases since 2000 up eight-fold to 4.2 million in 2022, WHO said. The disease was found in Sudan's capital Khartoum for the first time on record, according to a health ministry report in March, while Europe has reported a surge in cases and Peru declared a state of emergency in most regions. In Januray, WHO warned that dengue is the world's fastest-spreading tropical disease and represents a "pandemic threat". About half of the world's population is now at risk, Dr. Raman Velayudhan, a specialist at the WHO's control of neglected tropical diseases department, told journalists in Geneva on Friday. Reported cases to WHO hit an all-time high in 2019 with 5.2 million cases in 129 countries, said Velayudhan via a video link. This year the world is on track for "4 million plus" cases, depending mostly on the Asian monsoon season. Already, close to 3 million cases have been reported in the Americas, he said, adding there was concern about the southern spread to Bolivia, Paraguay and Peru. Argentina, which has faced one of its worst outbreaks of dengue in recent years, is sterilizing mosquitoes using radiation that alters their DNA before releasing them into the wild. "The American region certainly shows it is bad and we hope the Asian region may be able to control it," Velayudhan said. WHO says reported cases of the disease, which causes fever and muscle pain, represent just a fraction of the total number of global infections since most cases are asymptomatic. It is fatal in less than 1% of people. A warmer climate is thought to help the mosquitoes multiply faster and enable the virus to multiply within their bodies. Velayudhan cited the increased movement of goods and people and urbanisation and associated problems with sanitation as other factors behind the increase. Asked how the heatwave affecting the northern hemisphere would affect the spread of the disease, he said it was too soon to tell. Temperatures over 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit) "should kill the mosquito more than breeding it, but the mosquito is a very clever insect and it can breed in water storage containers where the temperature doesn't rise that high." (Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Mike Harrison) NEW YORK (AP) Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson was transferred to the 60-day injured list, a decision that means he can't play until Sept. 14 at the earliest. Donaldson hurt his right calf while running to first base Saturday at Colorado, and the 37-year-old was put on the 10-day IL the next day. New York said he was diagnosed with a grade 3 strain. A three-time All-Star, Donaldson was on the IL from April 5 to June 2 because of a strained right hamstring. The 2015 AL MVP with Toronto, Donaldson is hitting .142 with 15 RBIs. Ten of his 15 hits have been home runs. New York acquired Donaldson from Minnesota in March 2022 along with shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and backup catcher Ben Rortvedt for catcher Gary Sanchez and third baseman Gio Urshela, Donaldson hit .222 last year with 15 homers and 62 RBIs. He has a $21 million salary in the final season of a $92 million, four-year contract he signed with Minnesota. The deal includes a $24 million mutual option for 2024 with an $6 million buyout if declined by the team. New York selected the contract of 32-year-old right-hander Matt Bowman and optioned him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Bowman, who last pitched in the major leagues with Cincinnati in 2019, is 4-0 with a 3.29 ERA in 30 relief appearances this year with the RailRiders. Infielder/outfielder Jake Bowers started a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment Thursday with Scranton and outfielder Willie Calhoun began one with Double-A Somerset. Bauers bruised his left rotator cuff while trying for a diving catch on July 5. Calhoun strained his left quadriceps on June 21. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports The Georgia prosecutor investigating Donald Trumps attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in that state is reportedly weighing a racketeering indictment against the former president and others. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis could rely on evidence tied to Mr Trumps infamous call to the states top elections official to find votes for him, as well as the breach of voting machines by a group of Trump-connected operatives, according to The Guardian, citing two people briefed on the matter. Prosecutors are reportedly reviewing a racketeering indictment including statutes related to influencing witnesses and computer trespass. The office also could weigh charges related to solicitation to commit election fraud and conspiracy to commit election fraud, among other crimes, The Guardian reported. It is unclear whether Ms Willis will pursue those charges individually against likely defendants or fold them into a broader racketeering case as she has done in other high-profile cases in her office. An indictment is expected within the first two weeks of August. The office has been investigating efforts to overturn election results in the state and the baseless allegations of widespread election fraud that fuelled them, adding to a long list of investigations and other legal consequences facing the leading candidate for the 2024 Republican nomination for president and his allies who rejected 2020 results. Ms Williss investigation is separate from the federal probe under US Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith, who is investigating a broader effort from Mr Trump and his allies to reverse election results in states Mr Trump lost to Joe Biden, culminating in a pressure campaign around Vice President Mike Pence to refuse to certify electoral college results during a joint session of Congress on 6 January, 2021. On 1 August, Mr Trump was indicted on four counts in Mr Smiths January 6 probe. A grand jury in the Fulton County case was seated on 11 July. Ms Willis has made a career out of high-profile cases involving charges of racketeering typically used to break up organised crime including indictments against more than two dozen people connected to a sprawling Atlanta hip-hop empire, 38 alleged gang members, and 25 educators accused of cheating Atlantas public school system. Georgias racketeering statute requires prosecutors to show the existence of an enterprise with a pattern predicated on at least two other qualifying crimes. Evidence in the case is unlikely to be revealed until an indictment is unsealed, but a charge involving influences witnesses could look to Mr Trumps phone call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, in which Mr Trump suggested that he find him 11,780 votes enough to swing the election in the state. For the computer trespass charge, in which prosecutors would need to show that defendants used a computer or network without permission to interfere with a program or data, prosecutors could turn to the breach of voting machines in Coffee County. That breach involved a group of people working under former Trump-connected attorney Sidney Powell to copy voting machine data at the countys election office. That data from Dominion Voting Systems machines was uploaded to a password-protected website in a spurious, failed effort to prove that the 2020 election was rigged against Mr Trump. The Independent has requested comment from the Fulton County District Attorneys office. Roughly one year into her investigation, Ms Willis took the unusual step of asking for a special grand jury to rely on its subpoena power to compel testimony from witnesses who otherwise would not be willing to talk with prosecutors. That special grand jury was seated in May 2022 and concluded its work in January 2022 after hearing from roughly 75 witnesses before dissolving in January. A partially released report from the special grand jury shows that jurors unanimously agreed that no widespread fraud took place in Georgias election following interviews with election officials, analysis and poll workers. Mr Trump also faces criminal charges in Manhattan stemming from hush money payments allegedly made to silence stories about his alleged affairs in the lead up to the 2016 election. Mr Trump and his adult children also face a likely trial from a multi-million dollar lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney Generals office alleging a years-long fraud operation. A federal judge in Florida has also set a trial date of 20 May, 2024 on charges surrounding the alleged mishandling and illegal retention of dozens of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago property. 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 23 July, Mr Trump published several posts on his social network Truth Social, once again calling the special prosecutor deranged. Mr Trump also called President Joe Biden a criminal and the most corrupt and incompetent President in United States history. Get smart, Republicans, they are trying to steal the Election from you! he wrote before referring to Democrats and federal and state prosecutors as monsters who are destroying our country. This story was first published on 21 July and has been updated with developments MOSCOW (Reuters) -President Vladimir Putin on Friday accused NATO member Poland of having territorial ambitions in the former Soviet Union, and said any aggression against Russia's neighbour and close ally Belarus would be considered an attack on Russia. Moscow would react to any aggression against Belarus, which forms a loose "Union State" with Russia, "with all the means at our disposal", Putin told a meeting of his Security Council in televised remarks. Warsaw's Security Committee decided on Wednesday to move military units to eastern Poland after members of the Russian Wagner mercenary force arrived in Belarus, the state-run news agency PAP quoted its secretary as saying on Friday. On Wednesday, Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was shown in a video welcoming his fighters to Belarus, telling them they would take no further part for now in the war in Ukraine but ordering them to gather strength for Wagner's operations in Africa while they trained the Belarusian army. Prigozhin says Wagner, which led the conquest of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, is Russia's most effective fighting force. But his frequent clashes with the Moscow defence establishment led him to stage an armed mutiny four weeks ago. The insurrection ended with an agreement that Wagner fighters - many recruited from prison - could move to Belarus if they wished. On Thursday, Minsk said Wagner mercenaries had started to train Belarusian special forces at a military range just a few miles from the Polish border. Russia has in recent weeks begun stationing tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus for the first time. The Kremlin said Putin would meet Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, with whom he speaks regularly, in Russia on Sunday. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Friday that Germany and NATO were prepared to support Poland in defending the alliance's eastern flank. Putin said there were press reports of plans for a Polish-Lithuanian unit to be used for operations in western Ukraine - parts of which in the past belonged to Poland - and ultimately to occupy territory there. "It is well known that they also dream of the Belarusian lands," he said, also without providing any evidence. "But as far as Belarus is concerned, it is part of the Union State (with Russia); unleashing aggression against Belarus will mean aggression against the Russian Federation," Putin said. "We will respond to this with all the means at our disposal." Poland denies any territorial ambitions in Belarus. "The pathetic bore from the Kremlin is once again repeating lies about Poland and also trying to falsify the truth about the war against Ukraine," Poland's deputy minister coordinator of special services Stanislaw Zaryn told state-owned PAP news agency. "Vladimir Putin is also using historical revisionism again to spread false accusations against Poland." Higher ranking Polish officials have so far not responded to Putin's comments. (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Kevin Liffey;Editing by Andrew Osborn Angus MacSwan, William Maclean) Photos shared on social at the time allegedly showed dozens of the hate group's members being arrested near the pride event Five members of a white supremacist hate group convicted of plotting to riot at a gay pride event will spend three days in jail, a court has ruled. The men and dozens other members of the Patriot Front group were arrested last June after a resident spotted them with masks and shields getting into a lorry. Police were called and found riot gear and a smoke grenade in the vehicle. The lorry was stopped near where the North Idaho Pride Alliance was holding an event in the city of Coeur d'Alene. Forrest Rankin, Devin Center, Derek Smith, James Michael Johnson and Robert Whitted were convicted on Thursday of misdemeanour charges of conspiracy to riot. On Friday, a judge ordered all five men to spend three days in jail, on top of the two they have already served. They were also given one year of unsupervised probation, in which they are allowed to leave the state, and were banned from coming within two miles (3.2km) of city parks. The judge ordered their judgement to be withheld, meaning that they can ask the court to retroactively dismiss the case after they complete their punishment. The men had intended to riot and to approach people attending the pride event in a "tumultuous manner", said Ryan Hunter, deputy city attorney, in his closing arguments on Thursday. Police arrested 31 members of Patriot Front near the annual Pride in the Park event in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, on 11 June last year. The police said they were alerted by a local resident, who called them to say that it "looked like a little army" was loading up into the lorry. Photos and videos emerged on social media at the time, showing the accused in masks kneeling on the grass with their hands tied behind their backs. The prosecution argued that the group's conduct rather than its message was the focus of the case. Patriot Front was formed in 2017 after the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. The group's manifesto calls for the formation of a white ethnostate in the US, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups. "Patriot Front focuses on theatrical rhetoric and activism that can be easily distributed as propaganda for its chapters across the country," the SPLC said of the group. The anti-racism organisation ADL says Patriot Front belongs to the alt-right segment of white supremacists, but claims to be "patriotic". It has called for "American Fascism", describing it as a "return to the traditions and virtues of our forefathers", ADL says. The group's manifesto claims that non-whites are not "Americans" and its symbols include the fasces - a Roman bundle of sticks representing authority and used last century by Mussolini's Italian Fascists, ADL says. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has congratulated Belgiums Prime Minister Alexander De Croo on the Belgian National Day. I cordially congratulate you and the friendly people of Belgium on the National Day of the Kingdom of Belgium, Pashinyan said in a letter addressed to De Croo, which was published by the Prime Minister's Office. I highly value the achievements of Armenia and Belgium in various areas of cooperation. I am sure that the relations between Armenia and Belgium will develop and expand in bilateral and multilateral formats through joint efforts, including within the framework of the Armenia-EU Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. Taking this occasion, I commend the Belgian governments decision on opening a resident embassy in Yerevan. I am sure that it will intensify the Armenian-Belgian interstate relations based on traditional friendship. I wish robust health and all the best to you and prosperity and progress to your country, the Armenian Prime Minister added. YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gave an interview to Agence France-Presse, which is presented below. Agence France-Presse Irakli Metreveli Mr. Prime Minister, do you believe in lasting peace with Azerbaijan? Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan If I didnt believe, there would be no point in taking part in the negotiations at all, but believing does not mean that the result is guaranteed, because, understandably, it depends not only on me, naturally, it depends also on the positions of the President of Azerbaijan, let alone that we are not generally negotiating in a vacuum. There is an international situation, there is a geopolitical situation, there is a humanitarian situation, there are various human factors, which may emerge at any point and time. Everything influences the process, but of course, the greatest impact on the process have the direct negotiators, I mean, the President of Azerbaijan and myself. Agence France-Presse Irakli Metreveli - What can you personally do in negotiations with President Aliyev in order to guarantee the dignity of the Armenians living in Karabakh, what keys do you have to determine the outcome of negotiations? Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan You know, generally the conditions are very important. If we just step aside from the substance of the negotiations, because for an impartial observer of whats happening in the negotiations room, one might think that in principle, everything is fine, that there is really nothing extraordinary happening, but then, after that, we need to come back and observe the actions and statements that are being made. The most important thing, which in my opinion impedes the progress of the talks, is Azerbaijans continued aggressive rhetoric, hate speech towards Armenians and anything that is Armenian, hate actions, and of course, the policy of revenge in relation to Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh and obviously, the policy of ethnic cleansing. Look at the situation that we now have in Nagorno Karabakh. We have a humanitarian crisis there. When we say humanitarian crisis, for many people it may seem like a political term or a headline for news, but lets delve into its substance. It means, for instance, absence of essential goods, there is no vegetable oil in Nagorno Karabakh, no sugar, there are no hygiene supplies, there is no butter, there arent several types of foodstuff. The people of Nagorno Karabakh are hard working people of course, and in this agricultural season some products are produced, but because of the absence of fuel, the delivery of the goods to the potential consumers is almost impossible. In Karabakh, there is a certain stock of grain, but because of the absence of fuel, it cannot be delivered to the flour mills, if in any way it is possible to deliver it to the flour mills, then it cannot be delivered to the bread bakeries because of absence of fuel, and if somehow it reaches the bakeries, it is impossible to bake the bread at industrial volumes because of the absence of electricity and fuel, but if it is somehow possible to bake it, then it is impossible to deliver it to the shops, and if somehow it is possible to deliver to the shops, people have transport limitations for reaching the shop to buy the bread, and if somehow they reach the shop to buy the bread, they do not have the required financial means to purchase the bread because they are deprived of employment. If all these layers, all these difficulties are placed upon one individual, all that burden becomes obvious and understandable. Under these circumstances, it is clear that in the Republic of Armenia and also of course in Nagorno Karabakh, pessimism is growing day by day, which, however, does not change our policy in any way, because we are convinced that the method of resolving issues through negotiations has no alternative. And on the other hand, if issues are not resolved through negotiations, in the public these negotiations may be perceived as just waste of time, or creating the impression in the media that something is being done. These are all risks that can directly or indirectly affect the process. Agence France-Presse Irakli Metreveli What are your red lines in this process? Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan We have said this a number of times: Armenias territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh. By the way, there is an important point to be made: rights and security on this level are terms, for people they are just terms. Its very important that the terms be reflected in a way that people will be able to use, apply them, to have the rights and the security that would enable them to live, to self-realize in their environment, in their family, to develop within that environment. It's also very important to record that our position is that the issue of rights and security of the people of Nagorno Karabakh should be addressed in a dialogue, talks and discussions with the participation of the people of Nagorno Karabakh. We call that Baku-Stepanakert dialogue, but given the disproportion of strength between Nagorno Karabakh and Azerbaijan, we think that if we leave Stepanakert and Baku face to face, Baku will have the opportunity of either turning that agenda into oblivion, or have a monologue and not a dialogue. And thats why our perception is that that dialogue should take place in the context of an international mechanism, where the international community will be the witness. Armenias role here is difficult because Armenias interest in this process is perceived and interpreted by Azerbaijan as so-called encroachment or aspiration upon Azerbaijans territorial integrity. Because of that perception talks in this format have not turned out to be constructive, and this has been demonstrated by the whole history of negotiations. Agence France-Presse Irakli Metreveli - Armenia is seeking certain international mechanisms that will guarantee the security and rights of the Armenian population of Karabakh. What kind of international mechanisms do you imagine? Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan You know, these are working-level issues that depend not only on our perceptions. Thats why I wouldnt like to limit the future conversations by outlining any particular vision, or that would make limitations for us in those conversations. Our main issue is that for that conversation, that dialogue to take place and to be genuine, to have an actual conversation, because it is through conversation that its is possible to overcome the lack of confidence, hate, and even tensions, or even to better understand one another. Agence France-Presse Irakli Metreveli - Do you think that Azerbaijan is threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, particularly considering the situation in Syunik, also the fact that the city of Jermuk came under fire last year? Do you consider this a threat from Azerbaijan to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, and what do you think, can there be war again? Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan In general, so long as a peace treaty has not been signed, and such a treaty has not been ratified by the parliaments of the two countries, of course, war is very likely. And generally, anywhere on the planet, where there is conflict situation that has not been resolved by a treaty, has not been addressed anywhere anytime, war may erupt. We need to know this. There are different scales of probability, but we should take this as a rule. Azerbaijans obvious aggressive rhetoric, hate speech is added to this, the current geopolitical situation is added to this, where essentially the world order that some time ago was presumed to somehow exist, we now see it doesnt exist by and large. This is also contributed by the breaching of the military balance between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and so on and so forth. And of course new escalations, new wars are always likely, which does not mean that it is going to happen, but it also does not mean that it is not going to happen. By the way, every day, literally, violations of the ceasefire regime occur on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. During my term as Prime Minister, in more than five years, there might have been a maximum of three days during which the ceasefire wasnt violated. Can you imagine this? During the five years with the most inflated assessments we may have not more than three days without ceasefire regime violation. One of these days was November 11, 2020, so if we exclude this, two days remain, and one questionable. Agence France-Presse Irakli Metreveli - After signing the cease-fire agreement, which no one likes in Armenia, I'm sure neither you like it, how do you justify staying in power? Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Through elections. Based on the decision of the people, because what I have said and I have done is that I bore and I bear the responsibility for it. You know that after November 9, 2020, I resigned for the purpose of having snap parliamentary elections to answer exactly the question you ask. Not only others, but I and our political team also ask that question. After November 9, 2020, if my memory serves me correctly, in December, so basically, a month and a few days later, we publicly proposed to our opponents and our critics to have snap parliamentary elections. We could have done that snap election in November or even in December, but everyone understands that chaotic situation, when nobody was ready for elections, nobody had planned elections, the Government would be best prepared for an elections. In December I publicly proposed, but we had a situation when the opposition said that the power should be transferred to the opposition, meaning to them. Our position was that the power or the mandate to govern is not our property, we cannot just give it to somebody. We received that mandate from the people and we agreed to give that mandate, but to give it only to the people. And we are obliged to put in place conditions for the people to decide to whom that mandate should be transferred. Our most important obligation in that situation would be to ensure the free expression of the peoples will, to have a free, fair, competitive and transparent election. After that the election took place in a very tense but democratic atmosphere. By the way, very importantly, before the election, the civil society demanded and we changed the electoral code, switching to a fully proportional representation electoral system, and the context was such that there was an election of the Prime Minister. Under the old context and the new context that was the case. Snap parliamentary elections took place in a very difficult environment, often charged with hate speech. So there was a vote and I was elected the Prime Minister, which was essentially a direct election, because with those numbers in the election, under our Constitution the candidacy of the Prime Minister is not discussed in the parliament. The power that gets the majority, and our party received constitutional majority, immediately appoints the Prime Minister. Importantly, the whole international community unanimously said that the election was free, fair, democratic and transparent. Now, whether the people made the best choice they could is a question that only people can answer in the upcoming election. Agence France-Presse Irakli Metreveli Obviously, Russia did not meet Armenia's expectations during and after the war. How do you justify close ties or trust towards Russia? Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan That same question could be asked about any country, how do you justify your good relationship with any country when in Nagorno Karabakh human rights are violated, there is a humanitarian crisis, ethnic cleansing is being prepared and those countries are not reacting properly?, even the countries that consider human rights and the UN Charter, democracy and ethnic tolerance to be priorities for them. So now you want to say that all those countries with which we have good relationship are doing their maximum to overcome the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno Karabakh? My direct answer to you will be no for a variety of reasons: some of them are buying gas, some are buying oil, some are thinking about their banking systems, and others have other concerns. But it would not be correct to say that they doing nothing. We are not speaking about political or inter-ethnic conflict, we are talking about ongoing process of genocide, and not just its preparation. Any genocide you know wasnt like that they woke up one day and started killing people, slaughtering people. Lets go back to the Holocaust, the one that the world knows the best. Did Hitler come to power and the next morning pulled out the sword and started chasing the Jews in the streets? It lasted years, it was a process, which could have been well predicted. It was expressed in rhetoric, it was expressed in policy. Now in Nagorno Karabakh they have created a Ghetto, in the most literal meaning of the word. I say again, sometimes we do not deliver the terms understandably, we just give people headlines, humanitarian crisis. Some percentage of our audience well understands all the details of whats going on, but the majority does not understand, thats not their business, thats not their activity. But Azerbaijan is creating a Ghetto in Nagorno Karabakh today. Whats the international communitys reaction? Russia asks us how we justify our good relationships with the West, is that what you expect of them to make a semi-statement that the Lachin Corridor should be opened? Yes, the Lachin Corridor has to be opened. The International Court of Justice rendered a decision back on February 22. That is a decision of the highest international court. By the way, Russia really doesnt well recognize the jurisdiction of that court, but the international community, with the exception of Russia, recognizes it as the highest court. And now Russia asks us Is this what you expected of the West, when establishing such close relations with the EU and other partners, your expectation was that they would say, for example once a week that the Lachin Corridor should be opened? In the same way as we justify our relations with the West, in the same way we justify our relations with Russia. Like according to the logic of some western circles our relationship with Russia is not justified, because Russia is not fulfilling all its obligations, and is not meeting all of our expectations, similarly, Russia tells us the same about the West. Agence France-Presse Irakli Metreveli - The long paradigm of Armenia's foreign policy was complementarity between the West and Russia, but after the Ukrainian war, the situation has changed greatly. Now the countries are unlikely to be able to maintain good relations with both the West and Russia. How does this affect Armenia's foreign policy? Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan I think that complementarity is a catastrophic mistake for Armenia. And that is not a new mistake, its not even thirty years old, it isnt even a 100-year old mistake. That mistake is much older. I am not criticizing the past governments and I am not criticizing anyone, because look, your question is about how Armenia is going to live between Russia and the West. But in reality we are not between Russia and the West, we are actually between Georgia, Turkey, Iran and Azerbaijan. And in reality, the countries of the region are among one another. In our 2020 election program, the program of our government there is a clause which is called regionalization. I say again, experience and our history shows that this is not about 10, 20, 30 or even 40 years, this is about centuries. We are living here, we are not living between Russia and the US, its Europe that lives between Russia and the US. We live between Georgia, Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan. And the question is the following should we manage our relations with our neighbors, I am sorry to use that word, through Moscow, Washington and Brussels. In terms of the paradigm - no, but in practical terms we lack that political tradition. Deep down, thats the cause of our whole problem, because what we should me also concerns me, because there are many historical, social-psychological layers here, and this issue cannot be resolved on the level of an individual having power and mandate. Its not so that I have ridded me of this problem. Any person sitting here in this position in the last few hundred years, possible even longer, would have this problem, I am speaking about Armenian statehood. If we have a problem or an issue with our environment, our first reaction is to check what Moscow, Brussels or Washington can do. Of course, during this period the capitals, their names might have changed over this long historical run. And we comprehend this. But nothing has changed in our life, because we also lack that culture, they also lacked it. And we lack that because of a certain historical tradition, and they lacked it because of a certain historical tradition. When the time comes , and there is a chance, an opportunity, or maybe a realization that another paradigm should be applied for solving the issues, a different logic emerges in our environment well, you have come to resolve issues with us, wasnt that you that brough Washington, Moscow or Brussels on us for a long time? Ok, come over here now. You asked me about the paradigm, our paradigm is not between Moscow and Washington. But on the other hand, in the 21st century, or even in the 19th century, it was not possible to pursue a policy bypassing the geopolitical centers, and thats no needed and not even reasonable. The challenge here is that we are trying to change the name, saying a balanced and balancing policy is what we need. We do not want this new paradigm, which is so far still a theory, I tell this directly, we realize this, but we are still unable to implement it. And thats because of us, because its one thing when you know what you need to do, and its another thing that the tradition is not that. But on the other hand, this policy should not be perceived as a policy of bypassing or ignoring the geopolitical centers, but we are also trying to take steps. When I went to participate in the inauguration of the Turkish president, there were both positive and negative reactions in Armenia. These reactions reflect this whole tangle. And the challenge is when we speak about paradigm, to what extent are we going to be in the mode of cooperation, rather than in the mode of monologue, because this is not easy for anyone to perceive and realize that in this region for example, this political map should continue to exists for centuries to come. Some people put a question mark after this sentence. Some people frankly want to find justifications so that this political map can stem from the interest of all the regional countries without contradicting the interests of geopolitical centers. I, for example, bear this second belief, but thats not enough. Agence France-Presse Irakli Metreveli - You quite directly criticized the CSTO. Do you see a theoretical prospect of leaving this organization one day? Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan No organization in the world is eternal, and every country makes decisions in accordance with its interests. The issue here is that we had and we still have an issue in terms of the effectiveness of the CSTO and the implementation of its commitments. We have discussed this issue transparently with our partners. But in terms of paradigm, I have publicly referred to this on a number of occasions. The question is not whether Armenia leaves or will leave the CSTO or not. The question is whether the CSTO is leaving or exiting Armenia. I will say directly, there are many experts in Armenia, independent experts, who regularly send me reports stating that these processes demonstrate that the CSTO is exiting Armenia. Moreover, there are many experts whose assessment is that Russia is exiting the region. This may seem like a science fiction, but unfortunately, our people have seen this in history. After all, a consequence of what was the 1915 genocide of the Armenians, when Russia essentially had to exit the conflicting region under its domestic burden? And the Armenians, that had made a clear geopolitical choice, were left to face Turkey. And naturally, this analysis has intensified because of an event that recently happened in Russia, an even that we all know very well. True, it lasted one and a half days, but dozens of analytical statements were sent to me during the one and a half days, saying that this is the 1915 scenario. 1915, 1917, 1918 years of instability in Russia, Russia having to withdraw from the region and the genocide carried against the Armenian people. But now the problem is that in 1915 the Armenian people did not have a state, a statehood that would have the obligation of safeguarding its own people. Now the Armenians have a state, and the policy of the state must be built in accordance with this logic, because the likelihood that one day we will see Iran or Turkey leaving this region is zero, there is no such likelihood, but the likelihood that any geopolitical center which is currently present here, we may wake up one morning and find they have left, that likelihood is greater than zero, not necessarily with the intention of doing harm, not necessarily with the reluctance to carry out their obligations towards anyone, including Armenia. I repeat, this is not a current day problem, not a problem of the last 10 or 30 years. This is the problem of the last 100, 150 years. And today our situation is very challenging, very difficult, but unlike 100 and more years ago, we currently have a state, which is considered a democratic state, which is considered a developing state, which is considered developing, which is considered capable of negotiating. We have a chance to understand the risks and manage them. However, we need to understand them, which is not going to be easy. Agence France-Presse Irakli Metreveli - The United States and Europe have suspended or limited the sale of cars to Russia. Armenia has become the main re-exporter of cars to Russia. What is your government doing to ensure that the territory of Armenia is not used by Russia to circumvent sanctions? Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan In the issue of sanctions we are closely in touch and cooperate with the EU special envoy and the representative of the US, to make sure that we act as a responsible member of the international community. It may seem stange to you, but we are transparent on this point as well. We are a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, Russia is our main trading partner, and naturally, from the very first days we understood that the sanctions that are being imposed by the West and other countries upon Russia would create certain problems. We also understood that Russia will have expectations from us to help to the best of our ability in this difficult economic environment, because, imagine the volume of Armenia and the volume of Russia. And we also understood that the West will be expecting that we help them, in complying with the sanctions. When talking with our Russian partners we said the following we understand your expectation and we stand ready to address, to meet your expectation, but up to the point at which Armenia would face the threat of sanctions, because if an endless country like Russia can perhaps afford to face the sanctions, but Armenia, especially in this military-political environment, cannot afford anything like that. And this is also the same text that we communicated to the West, as proven by the fact that I am saying this in front of cameras. This is the rule that we follow. Of course, there are known forces that always want to and they are lobbying the American and European press to make it look like that Armenia is a black hole in that sense, but currently, on the official level we do not have any objections or complaints by the European or American partners, or by Russia, because we do not want to play tricky games with our partners, we are saying this clearly and our position is legitimate. This is not to say that everything is perfect. There is another thing that the sanctions regime often changes, and in reality, even if something had to be done, it wouldnt necessarily be done by the government. It is the private sector that is moving goods around. We are doing our best to make sure that everything is done in accordance with the rule that I just mentioned. Its my opinion and also the opinion of our international partners that we are able to do this and we will continue to d this. Agence France-Presse Irakli Metreveli Thank you Mr. Prime Minister. In his words: "I am just a professional writer, which means I don't do blogs and try and get money for whatever I write." The children who have been trafficked into Britain, perhaps with the connivance of their parents, arrive here without them. And the punters said to Bachchoo Speak to us of Passion! And Bachchoo replied It is that which is in and then out. It is that which passes and leaves little-used detritus behind It is that which pays the Bangladeshi workers their living And the punters cried out: Bangladeshi workers? What have They to do with powerphool emotions? Emotions? Oh, you mean Passion? I thought you meant fashion And were using your Bangladeshi accent. From The Profit of Conlil Gibberish, by Bachchoo I am no fan of Mickey Mouse but confess a lifelong passion for the discourse of Baloo the bear from The Jungle Books, despite the fact that Kipling spelt bhaloo without the h. I have always admired the original illustrations of the Jungle Books by Rudyards father, the artist and principal of several art colleges in the Indian subcontinent, John Lockwood Kipling. However, for the cartoon version of the Jungle Books by Disney, a cuddlier Baloo was designed for the screen and was probably a comforting, entertaining image for children. A few hundred of these -- I mean children -- have in the last year attempted to cross the English Channel from France and seek asylum in the UK. The Tory government under Hedgie Soongone and his home secretary Cruella Cowardperson (both of immigrant stock and Indian descent -- alas!) doesnt want them here. The children who have been trafficked into Britain, perhaps with the connivance of their parents, arrive here without them. They are technically separated from their families and some of them are possibly orphans. There has been a much-touted insistence from this self-same Tory government that all these asylum seekers, who are brought to the shore, by the British Coast Guard or Navy, from their very unsafe rubber dinghies, and claim to be children are not. They say, with some truth, that some eighteen or nineteen-year-olds might appear and claim to be fifteen or sixteen and therefore under age. Gentle reader, I have to admit that this may, in a few cases, be true. Desperation certainly leads to petty deceit. I recall all this because a fellow called Robert Jenrick, a minister in Cruellas home office, has recently demanded that the facility that houses these asylum-orphans -- facilities that have murals of Mickey Mouse and the Disney Baloo on the walls -- should be cleansed of these murals as they appear to be signs of welcome to these children. Jenprick (Sorry yaar, this damn predictive text! --fd) doesnt want them to mistake the mood of this government -- you are not welcome here and weve just passed a bill through Parliament, despite objections from the House of Lords and MPs from our own party -- probably all Communist infiltrators -- to pack as many as we can off to Rwanda. (This is a plausible mind-read, not a quote!) This Illegal Migrants Bill is a part of Hedgie and Cruellas strategy to win votes and influence nasty people. Their slogan is Stop the Boats. Their bill empowers the British government to send those boat-arrivals, whom it deems to have no claims to shelter, from whichever cruel part of the world (are there any others?) they have fled to seek asylum here, to Rwanda. Hedgies government has spent millions of pounds already on this daft Rwandan plan and not one person has yet been deported in this way as the procedure has met with obstruction from the European and the British courts. But Hedgie and Cruella obviously think that Stop the Boats is catchy and will bring swathes of the electorate to their side. At the same time, this government admitted last week that Brexit has caused a severe shortage of workers in the building industry and they now propose to hand visas to people qualified to work in it. A little leak in the Brexit exclusion? It is vital that they do as, concurrently, this government has promised to build houses to overcome the acute affordable housing shortage in the country. Of course, there is no shortage of housing for mafia Russians, rich Arabs and black-money-wallas of the Indian subcontinent. They dont live in Hedgies buildings -- or wouldnt if there were any! What Cruella obviously knows is that these asylum seekers pay an average of 16,000 to the trafficking criminal networks who stuff them with floating gear into rubber dinghies which have powered engines. It wouldnt take the government Einsteinian intelligence or Sisyphian determination to find the manufacturers of these dinghies, this floating gear and the motors attached to the dinghies. And from the manufacturers of these to the traffickers. And there are other ways. The asylum seekers themselves could identify the people who took their money or put them on the boats? And yes, if the British police can initiate whole departments to infiltrate and report on left-wing organisations, why cant it infiltrate the trafficking mafia? Who can then be apprehended, tried and sent to Rwanda? No, better for vote-garnering to make these wretched people and children unwelcome. It wouldnt surprise me if Jenprick now went further and instructed the asylum-orphan refugees to paint murals of devils poking welcome sinners into black pots of boiling oil or other cliched terror images. Oh wait! I have another literature-inspired suggestion for him. Why not limit the daily menu of these child-refugees to that which Oliver Twist -- in the original Dickens -- had to put up with? As I recall, not very welcoming. The assumption that INDIA would waste its time, effort and energy on achieving the impossible, is probably wrong. There is an elephant in the room. Its name is INDIA, that is, Jeetega Bharat, which is the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. And it is a new, freshly minted entity, that even before its appearance has shaken the ruling BJP, compelling it to shake off its complacency and resuscitate the comatose National Democratic Alliance, after almost eight years. The absurdity of the two alliances competing to stage their respective events, as part of the inauguration of the 2024 political season, when the Lok Sabha elections are due, is a measure of how rattled the ruling establishment under Narendra Modi feels about the speeded-up changes in Opposition political dynamics. It reveals a perception that there is trouble brewing that could disturb the carefully constructed mystique of one nation-one party-one leader narrative, as the only choice for Indias voters. The BJPs scramble to add more parties to the original NDA is fairly significant, more so because it has cobbled together 39 constituents, some of who have been fabricated through splits like the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party, the Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena and others like the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party that have returned to the fold. This is an obvious exercise in expansion, the purpose of which is to be more representative of the diversity and tiny vote banks embedded within larger caste formations. It leads to speculation that the BJPs revival of the NDA is to prove its pan-India credentials as it prepares to face off the threat from an entity that calls itself INDIA. The new composition, albeit a pastiche, has many things going for it, just as it has many things going against it. The acronym, which is INDIA, is intriguing. It is, as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, the host of the Bengaluru event, said, an invitation to unravel its meaning. The likelihood of voters puzzling out, individually and collectively, what INDIA stands for is high. It is then an invitation to dig deeper into the differences between INDIA, which represents the inclusivity of the countrys diversity, and the exclusion that is the hallmark of the Hindu Rashtra majoritarian agenda. What is INDIA, as of now? It is a collation of 26 parties, most which are already constituents of ruling coalitions in nine states that see the BJP as a threat. INDIA has an estimated 143 Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha. And the alliance probably notches up some 50 per cent of votes in parliamentary elections. There is nothing new about the relative strength or relative weakness of the parties in the Opposition which have come together to challenge the ruling BJP and the bits and pieces it has acquired since 2019. It is a fact that several of the parties in the INDIA coalition usually compete against each other and have long histories of bitter feuding, making it unlikely that there will be a magical transformation, turning foes, in an instant, into cooperative buddies. Oddly enough, the favourite example of political pundits is the confrontational politics in West Bengal, where the CPI(M) and its Left allies as well as the Congress are permanently locked as enemies of the ruling Trinamul Congress. The conclusion drawn is that INDIA will most likely fall apart because of the deadweight of the contradictions under which it must labour. Some differences, such as the ferocious rivalry in West Bengal, are irreconcilable. The assumption that INDIA would waste its time, effort and energy on achieving the impossible, is probably wrong. The best that INDIA can hope to do is figure out, realistically, the seats where it can manoeuvre the BJP into fighting just one official Opposition candidate in the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Given that there are 543 Lok Sabha seats to which elections will be held, INDIA will have its work cut out if it can focus on perhaps 350 to 400 seats where one-on-one fights can be organised between the BJP and a constituent of the new coalition. The generally accepted calculation is that the BJP and the Congress were in direct competition in about 186 seats in the 2019 general election. That is a good place for INDIA to start work on putting together a list of constituencies where it can take on the BJP in a one-on-one fight. The consolidation of Opposition votes in 350-400 Lok Sabha constituencies will make it a seriously tough contest for the BJP, even though it won an estimated 224 seats in 2019 with over 50 per cent of the votes polled. In seats where the BJP polled less than 50 per cent of the votes, the new formation INDIA will have a better chance of being the challenger. Scepticism about the sustainability of the INDIA coalition is entirely natural; once the euphoria of producing the elephant is over, there could be a reaction among the constituents about the role of the Congress or the role of a long-term rival party. The BJP would certainly welcome it. The probability of a less than perfect alliance is high. But there is also the history that has brought INDIA together. It is a short history, beginning soon after 2019, with Parliament as the arena where cooperation and coordination were forged out of the compulsion of holding off the BJP with its 300-plus majority that it used to barrel through controversial legislation, including alterations to the fundamentals embedded in the Constitution, as policy, as institutions and as intentions. INDIA is, therefore, a bit like an army of veterans. The constituents have faced fierce attacks from the Narendra Modi-led BJP as a conspiracy of the corrupt to serve the interests of select families. The intensity of these attacks is slated to increase going by Mr Modis opening salvos on July 18, when it became clear that corruption would be the principal element in the 2024 campaign narrative, perhaps because Ram Mandir and promoting Hindutva had reached a point of diminishing returns. There is however a problem with corruption as a campaign issue for Mr Modi. In Haryana, what will he say to people who demanded the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India boss Brij Bhushan? In Maharashtra, he will have to share the dais during campaigning with Ajit Pawar and other NCP defectors. Having accused Ajit Pawar of stealing Rs 70,000 crores, can the BJP and Mr Modi bamboozle voters into believing that the party and its Prime Minister are selfless servants of the people dedicated to accelerating development and fulfilling youthful Indias aspirations? Corruption, like INDIA, is a loaded and dangerous weapon that must be handled with care. The main suspect, a Diabolo instructor, was on the police wanted list since March. According to the investigation, he enticed at least 10 military personnel in need of money to get them to steal classified Taiwanese government documents. Taipei (AsiaNews/Agencies) Five people, including four retired military personnel, were arrested this week on suspicion of belonging to a Chinese spy network. The charges against the suspects include contacting, enticing and recruiting" Taiwanese military personnel starting in April of last year to obtain military intelligence in violation of the National Security Act, Taipei Deputy Chief Prosecutor Tsai Wei-yi said. On Wednesday, Taipei District Prosecutors Office, along with the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) and New Taipei City police conducted a series of raids, questioning scores of suspects and witnesses. Investigators found that Chinese intelligence recruited Lu Chi-hsien, a retired army officer, offering him money to use with his connections and friends still in active service to obtain classified Taiwanese government documents. With the help of old friends and other officers, to whom Lu allegedly offered money to pay off debts, he managed to entice at least 10 people. For Deputy Prosecutor Tsai, this shows a new facet of Chinas strategy to infiltrate Taiwan. Beijing considers Taiwan a rebel province. To achieve his goals, Lu targeted pawnshops, money lenders and loan-shark operators near army bases to lure servicemen who needed money. After a bail hearing, Lu and four other military personnel, including two women, were denied bail, while another suspect was released. Taiwans Ministry of National Defence released a statement yesterday saying that military personnel have helped the investigation with their tip-offs, and we are currently cooperating with national security agencies without further details. Before his arrest, Lu Chi-hsien's activities had already attracted the attention of the authorities. A diabolo instructor, he had served on the board of the China Diablo Federation. Using his position within the organisation, he carried off several fraud schemes, pocketing more than US$ 400,000 from Taiwanese investors and companies. Sentenced to five years and four months in prison in March of this year, he failed to show up on the day he was supposed to start serving his prison sentence and was on the run until Wednesday, when he was arrested. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. SUV Since the year started, we have been rolling and basking in the freshness of absolute novelties. Stuff like the 2023 Prius Prime plug-in 'Hybrid Reborn,' 2023 Corolla Cross Hybrid plus the entire 2024 Corolla Nightshade family, 2024 Grand Highlander, 2024 Tacoma or the trio of 2024 GR Corolla Circuit, GR86 Trueno, and GR Supra 45th Anniversary Editions certainly didn't go by unmissed, right?Well, there is even more to be had after Lexus also had a double roll of the dice with the 2024 TX and GX 550 crossover and (tough)brotherhood. Naturally, both social media and the rumor mill have gone berserk trying to find out everything they can about the impending arrival of a new Land Cruiser model. Even better, the nameplate will also return to the United States, not just hit new regions like Europe.But while everyone tries to find out if the rumors are true about the J300 Land Cruiser remaining a distant affair and the next fifth-generation Land Cruiser Prado (250 series) reaching America as soon as this summer or autumn, some folks are already wondering about what's next after that. And because it all revolves around tough off-roaders, it's not that hard to guess or play with some wishful thinking Regarding the flight of imagination, there's nothing better than the dreamy realm of digital car content creators when it comes to putting all automotive fantasies into the proper CGI perspective. For example, the Halo oto channel on YouTube provides fresh automotive info that is corroborated with their virtual designs; and now there is a new CGI take on the next-gen Toyota 4Runner SUV after the host probably got tired of digging up rumors and info on its upcoming bigger brother.Most likely, as not to confuse anyone, the Japanese carmaker will only start the teaser and spied prototype procedures after they get done with the new Land Cruiser's official introduction just like it happened with the 2024 Tacoma before it. Naturally, while the Prado (250) will probably be twinned with the mighty Lexus GX 550 on the TNGA-F platform, the aging but beloved 4Runner (it's been around in N280 form since 2009!) will probably share more than a few underpinnings with the N400 fourth generation Tacoma mid-size pickup truck.And, naturally, those will probably include not just the engines and chassis but also a few design traits. Well, that remains to be seen, as in the renderings presented by the channel, the hypothetical sixth-gen 4Runner TRD Pro Hybrid has more in common with the unofficial looks of the next Land Cruiser Prado rather than anything else. So, do take them with a healthy dose of salt, please! Germans and Brits are famously known in the automotive world for their jaw-dropping collabs. From the modern-day Rolls-Royce and Bentley cars that were developed with German know-how (ahem, BMW and VW, respectively) to using AMG engines in Aston Martins, name it, and it's probably been done. PHEV DCT kW kWh McLaren, however, has taken a different approach, as their German ventures led them to a young artist: Cevin Parker. A Berlin resident, he's described as "a contemporary self-taught abstract artist," and since the Artura is all about the near future of the British auto marque, they allowed him to give it a splash of color via wrapping. The result is a lively-looking hybrid supercar, or "a work of art," according to the exotic car maker.Speaking about the project, the brand's Market Director for Central Europe, Bastian Luehmann, said that Parker's use of "purple and yellow" make the Artura look "vibrant," symbolizing "creativity, individuality, energy, and optimism." As it happens, "all of them resonate with the Artura's dynamic personality." In turn, the young artist said he's "thrilled on having the opportunity to work with McLaren," as it mixes two of his biggest passions: "art and supercars" - and we definitely resonate with the latter.The lively-wrapped McLaren Artura won't remain on the World Wide Web in the images that the company just released, which were taken in Berlin, Germany, as they will showcase it at various events all over the world. The Nit D'Arte in Palma de Mallorca and ART Basel in Miami will be two locations where the hybrid supercar will be displayed.Unveiled two and a half years ago, the Artura is McLaren's first series production hybrid supercar (the P1's production was limited). It usespower, mixing a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 assisted by electricity and mated to an eight-speed. The result is a combined 671 hp (680 ps/500) and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm) of torque. The 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) acceleration takes 3.0 seconds, the spec sheet reveals, and from rest to 124 and 186 mph (200-300 kph), it needs 8.3 and 21.5 seconds, respectively. Keep the loud pedal pinned to the floor, and the speedometer will indicate 205 mph or 330 kph.It's not all about performance, as the McLaren Artura can also travel on zero emissions. With the 7.4lithium-ion battery fully charged, it has an all-quiet driving range of 19 miles (31 km). The combined fuel consumption is rated at 51.1 mpg US (4.6 l/100 km), and it emits 104 g/km of CO2. The Artura is on sale in different markets all over the world, including the United States. Over here, it has a starting price of $237,500, and in the United Kingdom, it can be ordered from 189,200 (equaling $243,545). Imagine being one of the world's richest and most well-connected men, with a fortune estimated at nearly $7 billion. Would you buy an old boat and then toil on it for the next four years, or would you go for something brand new? Photo: YachtHarbour Photo: Neil Rabinowitz Photo: Neil Rabinowitz Photo: Neil Rabinowitz Dennis Washington, an American industrialist billionaire, is the kind of man who prefers to do his projects himself, including his superyachts . For him, that meanscommissioning the build with some luxury yard but scouting for vessels with what he calls "good bones" and then undertaking the retrofitting himself. Boat building doesn't get any more custom than this, if you think about it.Today's unwritten rule for the one-percenters is that they always buy new, preferably custom. But Washington is a very traditional, old-school-type of billionaire, the kind that Forbes once described as a classic tale of rags-to-riches. Now 88, he started out with a loan from Caterpillar and the desire to get into construction and has since branched out into railways, mining, construction, boat-building, and related heavy industries.Washington also retains his boyish passion for taking things apart and putting them back together in ways he considers best, whether that means toying with planes, cars, or, as is the case with Attessa IV, giant vessels . Attessa IV, his most famous superyacht (a megayacht based on size alone) and a celebrity in its own right, is a very good example of this. Attessa IV is the 77th entry on the list of the largest superyachts in the world, an engineering masterpiece and a well-guarded secret all at once. It's the perfect family boat, massive in size and impressive in amenities, where every room conveys a different vibe and where every wish is catered for before you even get to think it. At a reported cost of $250 million, you wouldn't expect any less.The only time Washington allowed anyone who is not a friend or family onboard was in 2011 when construction was completed. "Construction" is the right word, even though the boat was delivered new in 1999, because Washington had gutted it to the bare bones and then built his dream family boat on top, redoing the layout and adding both in length and width.Attessa IV started as Evergreen, the private 91-meter yacht of Chang Yung-fa, chairman of the Taiwanese Evergreen Group. Diana Yachting had built it at the Evergreen Shipyard in Japan and delivered it to the chairman in 1999. It caught Washington's eye on a visit there, so when his broker informed him in 2007 that it was for sale, he bought it.As Washington would admit later, he thought Evergreen was "ugly," so looks wasn't what had appealed to him. Feadship had been involved in the project, and "good bones" and Dutch shipbuilding were irresistible to Washington. One month later, the vessel made entered Vancouver under its new name, Attessa IV (because it was the fourth Attessa for Washington), ready for its glow-up.And what a glow-up it turned out to be! Over the next four years and at the cost of $200 million, Washington personally oversaw the retrofitting. Felix Buytendijk did the exterior and interior design, with a focus on turning a traditional cruiser into a luxury family boat inspired by retro glamour but still capable of delivering modern performance.At the end of the rebuild, total length was 101 meters (331 feet), and the layout was completely different. Washington reduced the number of suites to make room for more amenities like a spa and treatment rooms, redid the cramped crew areas, added a large foredeck garage and a helipad, a pool, enclosed the sun deck so he'd have a place to hang his favorite Chihuly chandelier his son had bought at an auction, and integrated all the trappings of modern life of luxury, of course.He called the retrofitting "a dirty, filthy business" because they had to remove even the last bolt, but the result was much to his liking. As expected: in 2011, Attessa IV boasted remote-controlled lights, drapes, and climate, and a giant 3D cinema with state-of-the-art tech. It also had and still does rare artworks like Botero sculptures and the Chihuly chandelier, Gucci stainless steel lounge chairs, 19th-century statuary marble for statement pieces like fireplace mantelpieces, and expansive glazing that offers uninterrupted panoramic views.Accommodation onboard is for 26 guests in 14 staterooms and separate quarters for 21 crew. The interior volume of 2,621 GT spreads across five decks connected by an elaborate spiral staircase.As Washington dreamed it, Attessa IV offers a different experience with every room , so moving through the vessel feels like a journey through time. There are modern spaces and Victorian-inspired rooms, and the occasional glitzy ode to 1930s Hollywood glamour. The combination might seem random in writing, but that one reporter from that one time Washington let the media have a look at it in person swears it works brilliantly. Attessa IV is more than a luxury megayacht: it's a family house with everything you could ever dream of inside.Attessa IV is also a very fast fancy family home . Powered by twin diesel Wartsila (12V 32 E) 6,595 hp engines, it can reach top speeds of 25 knots (28.7 mph/46.3 kph) quite an impressive feat for a boat this size. At a cruising speed of 18 knots (20.7 mph/33.3 kph), it has a range of more than 7,600 nautical miles (8,745 miles/14,000 km). One of the greatest privileges that come with commissioning a private superyacht is the ability to recreate the idea of a dream home that matches the owner's taste and preferences to perfection. In some cases, like the fabulous Alexander Again, that dream home happens to be a French castle where opulence reigns supreme. Photo: IYC Photo: IYC Photo: IYC Due to their generous size and volume, luxury yachts are the perfect setting for a grandiose interior style. Genuine floating mansions, such pleasure craft are much more than simple vessels for enjoying exotic vacations; they are art galleries, style masterpieces, and ultra-comfortable homes away from home, all at once.Unlike most contemporary superyachts that follow the minimalistic trend religiously, this Italian beauty launched more than a decade ago, in 2011, dazzles with its unapologetic grandeur and opulence.Stepping onboard Alexander Again (a mysterious name, just like its owner) feels like time-traveling to an era of lavish ballrooms, French chateaux, and classic art. There's nothing simple, minimalist, or sustainable about this yacht's majestic interiors. It was designed for over-the-top glamour, and it's not afraid to flaunt it.The 161-foot (just under 50 meters) floating palace made its first public appearance in 2011, marking a special milestone for the Italian shipyard Mondomarine. It was the builder's 60th yacht, and the second one built for the same owner.Perhaps the most intriguing thing about Alexander Again is the unusual contrast between its exterior and interior. The sleek, delicate silhouette in a light color palette seems to almost intentionally hide the rich, glossy interior in dark and sparkling shades. They seemed to belong to two different yachts. The magician who made this work, despite the apparent contrast, was Luca Dini. The acclaimed Florence-based designer was the one who created the otherworldly interiors and styled the exterior, highlighting this visually-striking contrast with the graceful profile outlined by the Greek architect Giorgio Vafiadis.This Greek-Italian mix that brought Alexander Again to life was eerily similar to the concept behind the yacht's interior style - a modern interpretation of the ancient Greco-Roman style with Egyptian influences. Luca Dini worked with two of his team members, Silvia Margutti and Gabriele Tartarelli, to turn the Mondomarine yacht into a real classic-style masterpiece, also revealing all the luxurious amenities and features you'd expect from a modern pleasure craft. The yacht's main salon creates the illusion of a French castle. The rich mix of black, white, and gold, with an abundance of high-gloss elements, adds a touch of historic glam to both the seating area and the formal dining area.The master suite, also located on the main deck, is accessed via a small library (another classic-style addition). All the furniture pieces were inspired by the original collection created by Andre-Charles Boulle, known as "the furniture jeweler," for Versailles. The same glossy black lacquer accents as the ones in the salon create a powerful contrast with the plush, cream-colored tapestry and the heavy drapes made from golden silk that adorn the large windows.The other cabins (two VIPs, one double, and one twin) are all located on the lower deck, boasting equally-sophisticated furniture, decor items, and lavish marble bathrooms. This floating chateau can host up to 12 guests while carrying a nine-person crew.The main guest staircase connecting all the guests is a work of art in its own right. Each deck reveals a marble-floored lobby decorated with art pieces. The entire yacht feels like a wonderful art gallery.Reproductions of Gustav Klimt paintings, exquisite bas-reliefs and cornices, and custom-made pieces of furniture are just some of the gems waiting to be discovered onboard Alexander Again.The outdoor areas are no less impressive. In addition to the two indoor salons, this 2011 Mondomarine offers two separate areas for dining in the open air (on the main deck and upper deck), plus a gorgeous al-fresco lounge on the bow, with a large table and comfortable sunbeds.The yacht's sundeck is another great spot for sun lounging, also big enough to offer several lounging areas, a fully-equipped modern outdoor bar, and an oversized jacuzzi. The glass floor insertion in the center doubles as a fabulous skylight for the central lobby on the upper deck. All of these outdoor areas are as "clean" and graceful as the yacht's silhouette. They look nothing like the opulent interiors, once again creating the illusion of two different yachts.Performance-wise, Alexander Again can cover 3,500 nautical miles (6,482 km) at an economical speed. For a more thrilling experience at sea, its twin MTU engines can propel it more than 20 knots (23 mph/37 kph).After more than a decade since its famous debut, this classic-style superyacht with a royal spirit is looking for a new owner. Of course, this kind of opulence doesn't come cheap. Following a well-deserved refit in 2022, the yacht is now asking for 17,5 million ($19.6 million) a small price to pay for a private palace on the water. AMG kW The announcement was made by Achim Anscheidt, the brand's former chief designer, right after he announced stepping down from his role after 19 years. Anscheidt oversaw the development of the Chiron's successor , and he told Autocar that it "was something that was more of a thinking exercise."Bugatti's former design exec added that it will have "constraints because of performance and performance needs." However, "we know every centimeter of our cars so well by now that we know where [the change] would help us and where it would create a problem." The yet-unnamed hypercar is said to "bring forward" Bugatti into the new era, retaining some of the iconic styling traits like the horseshoe grille.As anyone who has a thing for modern-day Bugattis can tell you, the iconic quad-turbocharged W16 powerplant was retired. The final model to get this fire-breathing mill was the Mistral, and further down the line, the marque will use smaller units that will be greener and less thirsty. The company continues keeping almost everything close to its chest when it comes to the Chiron's successor , though they have announced that it will feature an electrified V8.Hybrid hypercars are already a thing. Mercedes-has the One, and Aston Martin has the Valkyrie. However, Bugatti's upcoming product will likely dwarf them in terms of power and straight-line acceleration. After all, this is where the Veyron, Chiron, and their derivatives truly shine. Don't ask about the output and torque, and the 0-60 mph (97 kph) and top speed, because these are yet unknown. Nonetheless, it has been rumored to be way punchier than the Chiron, with the combined horsepower likely sitting north of the 1,600 metric horsepower (1,577 hp/1,177) marque. Some believe that number could be close to 2,000 ps (1,972 hp/1,471 kW), but it has yet to be confirmed.Despite being unveiled next year, it will be a while until the brand's all-new hypercar hits the assembly line. In fact, it will reportedly launch in 2026, and we reckon by then, a good chunk of the build slots will have been allocated. The quoted outlet believes it will cost more than the W16 Mistral Roadster, which is a 5 million (~$5.5 million) affair in Europe, and it should be an absolute intercontinental surface-to-surface missile. Are you excited about the upcoming Bugatti? The Lamborghini broke cover back in April, and it is already sold out. Deliveries havent even started yet. Its only July, and the car has tuners queueing outside, waiting to come in. So here is DMCs take on the $600,000 supercar. Photo: DMC ICE kWh Lamborghini came up with the Revuelto as a replacement for the Aventador. It got a fresh design and the companys latest hybrid tech. But there are tuning houses that feel like interfering with the looks of it. So here is DMCs take on the latest Lambo out there, previewed by renderings back in May.The German tuner has simply anticipated the anticipation that surrounds the Italians first plug-in hybrid and actually came up with two carbon-fiber body kits, with either gloss or matte coating, depending on the customer's preferences. One of them is Molto Veloce, which is Italian for "very fast." The other one is a tribute to seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher and is called just like that, "Schumacher."What you must know is the fact that the DMC tuning experts havent actually installed the aero kits on the Revuelto, since no one got their hands on the car just yet. The images we have in front of our eyes are renderings. But they give a clear look at how the model would look with the upgraded looks.The rear is where the most significant differences would be. The Schumacher as inappropriate the name of a former Ferrari driver would be for a Lamborghini body kit proposes a larger motorsport-inspired rear wing with a twin-post swan-neck setup and a CNC-machined bull emblem embedded into the carbon-fiber element. The company will only produce 88 of those, labeled as "1 of 88."Meanwhile, the Molto Veloce package brings a smaller wing, similar to what the discontinued SVJ comes with.Both aero packages bring along a new front splitter, inspired by that of the SVJ. There are restyled front fenders with functional carbon-fiber air vents. Extra carbon fiber details show up on the doors as well. And then there is the aggressively designed rear diffuser.The Lamborghini Revuelto will arrive in the US towards the end of the year. By the time it sets wheels on American soil, customers will already have customization options.The Revuelto is set in motion by a hybrid powertrain that integrates the all-new naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine and three electric motors for a total of 1,001 horsepower (1,015 PS). Thealone comes with 813 horsepower, but DMCs upgrade, performed in collaboration with American tuner Gintani, gives it 88 (89 PS) more. A ZESAD titanium exhaust system with tailpipes displaying a gold finish is also part of the plan, but it comes for extra money. And so do the AL13 forged wheels.But they forgot to mention what exactly that means in terms of performance. When stock, the hybrid Lambo can do the 0-62 mph (0-100 kph) run in 2.5 seconds, takes less than seconds to hit 124 mph (200 kph), and hits a top speed of 217 mph.A 3.8-battery pack helps it drive with zero emissions for up to 6.2 miles (10 kilometers).Those who want to take both aero kits home have to pay $88,888. Just one of them goes for $49,990. Nice discount, but do you really need both? AMG Sporting similar proportions to its predecessor , which could've been expanded by a hair to make it roomier at the back and slightly increase the trunk capacity, the new Mercedes CLA retains the arched roofline behind the central pillars.It has a new face with a similarly-sized grille that appears to have been moved further down and a sizeable intake in the front bumper. The headlamps are also new, and they're taller and narrower this time. We can also see a pair of small vents on each side of the central one, which are smaller than before.Flush-mounted door handles will probably be a thing, as one of the previously-snapped testers of the car did have them. This prototype doesn't, however. At the back, the license plate holder was mounted further up and will still be flanked by the reflectors. The taillights are likely not the final production units. And don't mind the apparently smaller rear windscreen, as that's just the camouflage doing its thing.Zooming in on certain images will allow you to take a partial look at the new cockpit. However, the angle and low resolution combined with the wraps covering the dashboard make it impossible to tell what's new. Will it retain the dual-screen setup , albeit in a more modern interpretation, or will it get a portrait-oriented infotainment display and a tablet-like digital instrument cluster? Only time will tell, and we hope we get a glimpse of the cabin soon.This prototype featured internal combustion power, as per the single small tailpipe pointing down, visible from underneath the car. The third-gen CLA is expected with the usual gasoline powertrains, joined by plug-in hybrids and at least one battery-electric assembly. It is likely that the family will still be topped by the sporty Mercedes-CLA 45 S, and it will be interesting to learn whether the Affalterbach brand will settle for a slightly punchier 2.0L or if they will give it hybrid assistance.It appears the normal four-door CLA will be joined by the CLA Shooting Brake, aka the sporty wagon, one last time, as it will reportedly be the final iteration of the car to get a five-door body style. The Shooting Brake is on the chopping block, part of Mercedes' bloodbath that will also see the demise of wagons, coupes, and other body styles. We expect the all-new Mercedes CLA to launch sometime next year, likely arriving stateside as a 2025 model. Is there anything more time-honored in military aviation circles than poking fun at post-Soviet Russian jet fighters? It's like as soon as the hammer and sickle flag descended from the Kremlin, never to be seen again, Russia lost the ability to build a decent fighter in any significant numbers. But what if the Iron Curtain never fell? Well, in that case, Russia might be fielding two 2000s-baby jet fighters instead of just one. This is the story of the Mikoyan Project 1.44, the Russian gen-4.5-5-ish jet fighter that never was. Photo: Unknown Russian State Media Photo: Unknown Russian State Media Photo: Flickr Allow us to paint the picture for you. It's the early-to-mid 1980s in Moscow during the period commonly dubbed the Era of Soviet Stagnation. The communist super-state's stoic, slightly scary-looking leader Leonid Brezhnev has just kicked the bucket. In his place, a succession of back-to-back crusty old CCCP bureaucrats named Andropov and Chernenko are shoehorned into leadership positions in their twilight years. That was until a certain port-wine birthmarked man with a penchant for that decadent capitalist delicacy known as Pizza Hut, Mikhail Gorbachev , swooped in to close out the Soviet era with Glasnost and Perestroika.All the while, Soviet Air Force was struggling to keep up in a military arms race the which the 40th U.S. President, Ronald Reagan, intended to win by essentially performing an infinite money cheat code with the national defense budget. With that kind of financial backing under their wing, it made sense that the American fighter jets produced during this period were some of the finest ever built. From the swing-wing movie star F-14 Tomcat to the legit most successful jet fighter ever built in the F-15 Eagle, and the globally beloved-jack-of-all-trades F-16 Fighting Falcon, the Soviets had their hands full designing jet fighters that even reached parity with these all-time American greats.But worse yet for state-run Soviet aerospace bureaus, things were about to get even more difficult. Between 1982 and 1983, Soviet espionage revealed the U.S. Air Force was already developing a fighter designed to even kick the snot out of F-14s and F-15s with its abilities. Though they didn't know the specifics yet, what Soviet intel was looking at was the U.S. Air Force's Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program. The demonstration program intended to test the two contenders for America's first-ever stealthy jet fighter title, the Northrop YF-23, and the Lockheed YF-22 . Against that kind of advanced hardware, the Soviet high command knew they needed to produce a countermeasure.Safe to say, Kremlin orders are not merely friendly suggestions. The Soviet high command demanded that at least one aircraft be selected to contend against the tentative winner of the ATF program before the 1980s were finished. Dubbed Project I-90, with the Soviets probably not knowing they'd named the program after the longest U.S. Interstate , one of the contractors obligated to submit proposals to replace the front-line Soviet fighters was Mikoyan, known for their MiG line of fighters. Unlike the Americans, who'd already agreed that radar stealth was the lynchpin trait of all future jet fighters, the Soviets were running around like headless chickens, unsure of what an Eastern Bloc gen-V jet fighter would look like.Key areas where both jets aimed to improve from past Soviet fighters included longer supersonic range endurance. Tales of Soviet pilots practically soiling themselves in fear after only flying supersonic for short intervals in MiG-21s still permeate av-geek circles to this day. To compete with American jets, Mikoyan's new twin fighters needed to be considerably more sturdy. It also needed to be affordable enough to not bankrupt everything east of the Iron Curtain to manufacture. So important was this aspect of Project I-90 that it was integrated into the 11th out of 12 of the USSR's five-year economic plans and the last before Perestroika.With Mikoyan's decades of experience building MiG fighters, their response to the Kremlin's orders was to essentially throw cupcakes at the wall and see what stuck by designing two bespoke aircraft. One aimed at the heavy twin-engine, multi-role strike jet market a la the F-15E Strike Eagle, dubbed the MFI, and one geared towards countering smaller, more agile jets like the Eurofighter and the F-16 Fighting Falcon, christened the LFI. In doing so, Mikoyan aimed for a large degree of component parity between the two designs, making for a cheaper production process in an increasingly stagnating Soviet economy.As it turns out, spending money on designing two separate airframes isn't as effective at cutting costs as dedicating to one design. In the end, Mikoyan chose to focus solely on the MFI and modify it into what was named Project 1.42. In this stage of the fighter's development, innovative design cues like an internal weapons bay instead of underwing pylons were considered. This cue would go on to become a trademark feature of all future stealth jets. But without the benefit of hindsight, Mikoyan opted against an internal bomb bay in the ultimate agreed-upon design. Focusing instead on raw maneuverability, not radar stealth, being the common denominator for future Russian fighters.In its ultimately-approved pre-production form, the Mikoyan Project 1.44 was a bizarre-looking aircraft. At just over 71 feet long with a wingspan of 55 feet and nine inches (17 m), what we'll refer to as the MiG 1.44 from now on bares a striking resemblance to another famous jet fighter under development around the same time, the pan-European Eurofighter Typhoon. Indeed, the chin-mounted, variable-geometry air intakes and prominent canards jutting from underneath the fuselage in the MiG 1.44 was also key selling points for the British Aerospace EAP tech demonstrator, the direct ancestor of all modern Eurofighters. It's even said that China's first stealth jet, the Chengdu J-20, borrows heavily from the duck-like silhouette of the MiG 1.44.Under the proverbial hood of the MiG 1.44 sat a pair of turbofans just as novel as the plane itself was. Two NPO Saturn AL-41 variable-cycle afterburning turbofan engines jetting 40,000 lbf (176 kN) of thrust each at takeoff. Interestingly, these engines theoretically outperformed the General Electric YF-120 and Pratt & Whitney YF-119 turbofans trialed on the YF-22 and YF-23. Doing so by between five and then thousand lbs of thrust, depending on which prototype is in question. This works out to a theoretical top speed of 1,540 mph (2,480 kph, Mach 2.35) in this 37,000 kg (81,571 lb) fully loaded jet. Slightly faster than both U.S. ATF prototypes.The single MiG 1.44 prototype produced was designed to fly up to 1.5 times the speed of sound without the use of the afterburner, an ability referred to in the west as supercruise, with a service ceiling of 56,000 ft (17,000 m). For armament, the MiG 1.44 boasted a theoretically-impressive arsenal of R.77 semi-active, air-to-air missiles, R-73 short-range heat-seeking missiles, and R-37 long-range hypersonic air-to-air missiles, all from the Vympel NPO design bureau. If all else failed, a single Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1 autocannon could take care of targets up close.In theory, this level of ordnance paralleled the AIM-7 Sparrows, AIM-9 Sidewinders, AIM-120 AMRAAMs, and M60 20mm rotary cannon employed by the Advanced Tactical Fighter program. Even the MiG's N014 Pulse-Doppler passive electronically scanned array (PESA ) radar was impressive by early-90s standards, albeit not as powerful as the active electronic scanning array (AESA) radars found on production-spec F-22 Raptors. At least on paper, it looked as if Mikoyan had a potent jet fighter on their hands, even if its stealth capability was very much in question. Had everything gone to plan, the Soviets hoped to have their new fighter flying before the end of the 2000s at the very latest, if not far sooner.Of course, it's pretty hard to flight-test a fifth-gen fighter when your entire government is collapsing like a stack of Matryoshka dolls around you. The complete collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact as a whole by 1991 had all but imploded the funding stream meant to get the MiG 1.44 in the air. For six long years, Mikoyan carried on with a shoestring budget, slowly assembling the sole test article the company could manufacture. Ultimately, the administration of the Russian Federation's first President, Boris Yeltsin, ordered the MiG 1.44 program canceled, sighting unforeseen costs and time overruns as the main contributing factors.Even so, Mikoyan was permitted to complete the single prototype, doing so in January 1999. After as strenuous a development as there ever was in the 90s, the world's only MiG 1.44 took to the skies for the first time on February 29th, 2000, and then again two months later on April 27th. After a combined flight time of around 40 just minutes, the MiG 1.44s flight characteristics and the responsiveness of the fly-by-wire controls were reported to work well. But the MiG 1.44 never flew again, Likely because, by this stage, Mikoyan's rival design team at Sukhoi had already built the forward-swept-wing Su-47 Berkut, the technological inspiration for the PAK-FA, what ultimately became Russia's first operational stealth jet, the Su-57 (NATO codename: Felon), in 2010.The sole MiG 1.44 was only seen a handful of times again after the year 2000, the last being at the International Aviation and Space Show (MAKS) at Zukhosvsly International Airport in 2015 before supposedly being put in storage at the Gromov Flight Research Institute in Zhukovsky, Russia. Putting an anti-climactic end to a tale that could have only begun in Soviet Russia. If not for the Invasion of Ukraine, which the MiG 1.44 would've undoubtedly been deployed in had it entered production, we'd almost call it tragic. This year could end on a high note regarding the promise of zero-emission commercial flights. A powerful consortium led by Virgin Atlantic is ready to conduct the world's first flight across the Atlantic powered only by SAF (sustainable aviation fuel). Last summer, Malaysia Airlines was linked to a historic aviation milestone. It successfully carried out the world's first SAF-powered flight with passengers onboard. In June 2022, the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800 traveled from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore using a 38% SAF blend.Current regulations still only allow a 50% SAF blend for commercial aviation. Still, pioneers like Virgin Atlantic and Rolls-Royce want to surpass these limitations by clearly demonstrating the efficiency of 100% SAF for long-haul flights. The two are part of a consortium led by the air operator and co-funded by the UK's Department for Transport. The other prestigious members are Boeing, the University of Sheffield, Imperial College London, and Rocky Mountain Institute.At the end of last year, Virgin Atlantic announced that the consortium aims to carry out the world's first flight across the Atlantic using only green jet fuel. After nearly a year of hard work, the project is ready for take-off. More tests and regulatory approvals are still underway, but the trailblazing flight is set to take place on November 28 this year.Once again, a Boeing aircraft will be involved in a SAF-related global milestone. This time, Virgin Atlantic's flagship, the 787 Dreamliner, will fly from London Heathrow to New York JFK.The official date confirmation comes after the project successfully completed ground tests on the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine using SAF. The particular type of alternative fuel that will power this historic flight is a blend of 88% HEFA (SAF produced through the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids/HEFA method) and 12% aromatics (synthetic aromatic kerosene/SAK).Air bp and Virent are the project's official suppliers. The total quantity of 60 tonnes (66 tons) of SAF will be used for all the research and testing prior to the flight, as well as the flight itself.If things go according to plan, this trailblazing journey coming up in November will show that SAF can successfully be used as a drop-in replacement for fossil fuel. This means it can perform just like conventional jet fuel without the need for any engine modification.By itself, this alternative fuel can't ensure 100% zero emissions but offers a high percentage (70 to 80%) of CO2 emissions savings throughout its lifecycle.There are ways to deal with the small remaining emission levels, and the Virgin Atlantic consortium is working on that too. It plans to use various methods, from optimized operational efficiency to biochar-based carbon removal, to reduce CO2 levels even more. A new, darker camouflage wrap appeared on a Tesla Cybertruck in California, sparking a heated debate about its purpose. This comes after Tesla officially confirmed the start of release-candidate production at Giga Texas. The first Tesla Cybertruck wearing a camouflage wrap appeared in public last month when the truck's development concluded. According to Elon Musk, this is usually celebrated with a visit to the In-N-Out Burger drive-through, and that's precisely where the camoed truck was first seen. Since then, the black-and-white camouflage has become a familiar sighting on California roads. Still, as the Cybertruck has often been seen without camo, people wondered what the purpose was.Usually, carmakers wrap their prototypes to hide the design from prying eyes before the official launch. At least, this is the official explanation. However, seeing how carparazzis stalk these prototypes in search of a story, the wrap could also be used to attract attention. For Tesla, this has become a joke. Musk replied with a "Good thing we used camo lol" to the pictures of the Cybertruck shared on Twitter. Since then, "It's practically invisible" has become a meme.We'd thought camouflage was pointless with the start of release-candidate production at Giga Texas. After all, the production Cybertruck looks no different from the prototypes we've seen before. Yet, a new Cybertruck caused uproar after being spotted with a different wrap driving on I-280 in San Francisco Bay Area. The truck featured a darker wrap and tinted windows for the first time. It looks quite good, actually, despite critics claiming otherwise.Although it started as a joke, the Cybertruck wrappings can also be a form of advertising. They certainly are a conversation starter, but there could be other reasons why Tesla uses them. Since the electric pickup features stainless steel body panels, painting is not an option. The only alternatives to personalize its looks are laser engraving and car wrapping. Tesla will probably offer factory wraps for the Cybertruck, and it could also test these wraps to see how durable they are.The shape of the side mirrors is even more intriguing than the wrap. Unlike the pyramid-shaped mirrors on previous Cybertrucks, the ones in the pictures appear to be slimmer. Is Tesla considering rear-view cameras instead of mirrors? That would not be permitted under US regulations, although they are road-legal in Europe. The pictures are not clear enough to offer a clue, but it's a fact that cameras offer much better aerodynamics compared to classic mirrors.Based on the info we got at the second-quarter earnings call, Tesla will deliver the first Cybertrucks later this year, with volume production planned for 2024. The electric pickup truck is under 19 feet long to fit in a residential garage and will have a 6-foot bed. Another interesting detail is that Tesla developed improved 4680 battery cells specifically for the Cybertruck, and they're called, predictably, Cybercells. Considering the name, these would not be used in the Model Y built at Giga Texas, possibly because the low production yields would not allow it. Yury Vorobyov, a deputy speaker of Russias upper house of parliament, brought up the issue during a meeting of Armenian and Russian lawmakers held in the Siberian city of Irkutsk. He referred to the Armenian Constitutional Courts decision in March to give the green light for parliamentary ratification of the treaty, also known as the Rome Statute. While we proceed from the assumption that this step by our Armenian partners does not have an anti-Russian subtext, in practice it is causing significant damage to Russian-Armenian relations, Russian news agencies quoted Vorobyov as saying. We call on our allies to once again carefully consider the implications of joining the Rome Statute and assess potential risks to allied relations with Russia, he told deputy speaker Hakob Arshakian and other pro-government members of the Armenian parliament attending the meeting. According the Armenian parliaments press office, Arshakian assured the Russian side that Yerevans plans to submit to the ICCs jurisdiction are in no way directed against Russia and are aimed instead at preventing Azerbaijani attacks on the sovereign territory of Armenia. Other Armenian officials made similar statements following the Constitutional Court ruling which came one week after the ICC issued the arrest warrant for Putin over war crimes allegedly committed by Russia in Ukraine. Moscow was not convinced by those assurances. It warned Yerevan later in March that the ratification of the Rome Statute is absolutely unacceptable and would have extremely negative consequences for bilateral ties. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians government appears to have ignored the warning, sending the treaty to the National Assembly for ratification late last month. Arshakian revealed on Friday that active discussions on the matter are now underway between Armenian and Russian diplomats. He expressed confidence that a legal solution acceptable to Armenia and Russia will be found. Independent legal experts believe that recognition of the ICCs jurisdiction would require the Armenian authorities to arrest Putin and extradite him to The Hague tribunal if he visits the South Caucasus country. Armenian opposition lawmakers have expressed serious concern over such a dramatic possibility, saying that it would ruin the countrys relationship with its key ally. One of them claimed in March that Pashinian engineered the Constitutional Court ruling to please the West. Most of the courts current judges have been installed by Pashinians political team. Russian-Armenian relations had already soured in the months leading up to the March ruling due to what Pashinians administration sees as a lack of Russian support for Armenia in the conflict with Azerbaijan. Earlier this week, South Africa announced that Putin will not attend a summit of the BRICS nations in Johannesburg scheduled for August. South Africa is a signatory to the ICC treaty. The Investigative Committee said that the 30-year-old Russian citizen was brought in for questioning at one of its divisions one day after police arrested him for receiving parcels containing narcotics. It said that the handcuffed suspect was escorted out of an interrogation room located on the fifth floor and reached a door leading to the elevator. As soon as the door opened, he unexpectedly quickly approached an open window next to the elevator and jumped out of it, dying as a result, the committee added in a late-night statement. It did not identify the suspect. The statement stressed that the interrogation was filmed and attended by his lawyer. As of Friday afternoon, the still unknown lawyer did not publicly comment on what the investigators described as an accident. Artur Sakunts, a human rights activist, decried the mans death. He said the law-enforcement agency is directly responsible for it even if the official version of events is true. It is not clear whether a criminal case was opened in connection with the deadly incident. Human rights groups say that ill-treatment of criminal suspects remains widespread in Armenia despite sweeping law-enforcement reforms promised by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians government. Law-enforcement officers are still rarely prosecuted or fired for such offenses. As recently as on June 22, a man in Yerevan claimed that the Investigative Committee chief, Argishti Kyaramian, personally tortured and threatened to kill him following his arrest on June 17. A spokesman for Kyaramian denied the allegations. 21 July 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan intend to increase trade turnover by 5.5 times and reach $1bn in the near future. On this, Azerbaijani and Uzbek delegations agreed the 12th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Joint Intergovernmental Commission which kicked off in the city of Shusha. Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade noted that in 2022 alone, the volume of trade between the two countries will increase by 1.5 times, and since the beginning of this year, this indicator has increased by 16%. The Uzbek ministry emphasized that the volume of delivery of textile products to Azerbaijan increased by 2.6 times, the delivery of mechanical equipment by 19.7 percent, and the delivery of glass and glass products by 76 percent. It should be mentioned that Azerbaijan was keen to develop business relations with the West after it got independence and with a determined foreign economic policy Azerbaijan formed a good business cooperation with the Western countries. Today, over 80 percent of Azerbaijans export is diverted to the West. However, after 2020 Azerbaijan started to develop its relations with Central Asian countries. Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries has increased by several times over three years. It is worth noting that the relations with Uzbekistan stand forward among these countries. There are several sectors, that Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan agreed to cooperate. Processing of Uzbek dried fruits in Alat Free Economic Zone, and jointly assembling vehicles are some of them. It is clear from the information provided by the Ministry of Uzbekistan that the two countries intend to further develop these economic relations. But how far can the economic relations between the two countries develop? Speaking to Azernews, the economist Eyyub Karimli underlined that generally, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have political, cultural, and economic relations, and the history of these relations goes back to ancient times. "Obviously, Uzbekistan is located on the Silk Road. Even before the USSR, Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan relations always developed and the relations were a way better during the USSR and it is now. These relations stemmed from the fact that both of these countries come from the same lineage, and also belong to the same religion," the expert said. He emphasized that last year the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $183m, of which Azerbaijan exported products and services costing $46.5m to Uzbekistan and imported $137m. However, Karimli thinks that this amount is not sufficient. "Of course, there are enough opportunities to increase this amount. Today, within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States, Azerbaijan is further developing relations with Uzbekistan on the basis of bilateral economic relations between the two countries. Currently, there are great opportunities for this. As is known, Azerbaijan is strengthening its economic and political influence among Central Asian states. The industrial potential in Uzbekistan is already developing. Today, household appliances, cars, and agricultural products are imported to Azerbaijan from Uzbekistan," Eyyub Karimli said. He also touched on the Middle Corridor and its benefits to the two countries. The Economist believes that in the near future, the logistics opportunities developing along the East-West direction of the Middle Corridor will create great opportunities for Uzbek entrepreneurs to access the European markets, and other countries on this route. Eyyub Karimli ensured that both the economy of Azerbaijan and the economy of Uzbekistan will gain from this process, and the possibilities of activity of Uzbek entrepreneurs will expand. As for further development between these countries, of course, I think that in the near future, we will observe the rise of Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan relations to a high level. As I mentioned earlier, there is an economic basis for this. Today, Uzbekistan is a leading cotton-growing country, and in the future, wide opportunities for cooperation in this field can be obtained. In addition, Uzbekistan has gas opportunities, and it is possible that we will mediate in the transfer of this gas to Europe in the future. Today, Uzbekistan has wide opportunities in both industry and agriculture, and we can exchange mutual experiences. From this point of view, Azerbaijani entrepreneurs have the opportunity to acquire and apply certain knowledge in the field of agriculture in Uzbekistan. Also, Uzbekistan receives oil products from Azerbaijan, and this may increase in the future," he noted. Azerbaijani economist added that all these mentioned can affect the trade turnover between the two countries, and I believe that we can reach the set figure within the next five years. --- Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2023 16:00 (UTC+04:00) Germany plans to increase exports to Azerbaijan to more than $500 million, by the end of 2023. Access to paid information is limited Find the plan that suits you best. 21 July 2023 10:00 (UTC+04:00) The 9th meeting of the Council of Heads of Customs of ECO (CHCA) has started today in Baku at the Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB) of the European Region of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), Azernews reports, citing the State Customs Committee (SCC). According to the Committee's report, the meeting, which is being held in a mixed format, is attended by representatives of customs services of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Iran. The agenda of the meeting, led by Committee Chairman Sahin Bagirov, was approved and a discussion was held. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2023 13:35 (UTC+04:00) By order of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudswoman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, members of the National Preventive Group (NPG) of the Ombudswoman, without prior notice, visited a shelter intended for victims of human trafficking, which is under the control of the Main Department for Combating Human Trafficking of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Azernews reports. During the visit, the sleeping, medical, dining, and kitchen premises of the institution were examined. The guests of the shelter were received, they were discussed confidentially, and their appeals were heard. Applicants were given detailed information on application forms to the Commissioner for Human Rights and 916, a 24-hour emergency service. It was noted that the institution provides normal conditions for the detention of victims of human trafficking, their safety, and persons who have found shelter there, are provided with food and medicine, and appropriate conditions have been created for providing them with medical, psychological, social, and legal assistance. At the end of the visit, a meeting was held with the management and employees of the enterprise, and legal educational talks were held. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2023 13:12 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Philippe, King of the Belgians. Your Majesty, On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my most sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and through you all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Kingdom of Belgium. Sincerely, Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, 18 July 2023 --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2023 13:58 (UTC+04:00) A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era will be held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, on July 22-23 in the city of Shusha as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press, Azernews reports. The event will welcome 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum will be attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It will be the first time that the city of Shusha will bring together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2023 15:15 (UTC+04:00) An opening ceremony of the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution has been held, Azernews reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony of the Forum and answered the questions. Addressing the event, President Ilham Aliyev said: - Dear guests, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Karabakh, welcome to Shusha. I am very glad to see you here, and thank you for accepting our invitation and participating in the Shusha Global Media Forum, which is a remarkable event for our country and, of course, for the Karabakh region. Shusha is officially a cultural capital of Azerbaijan already. But at the same time, Shusha is a symbol of our victory and also a symbol of peace. Because after Shusha was liberated, the Second Karabakh War stopped. You came here through the liberated territories. From Fuzuli Airport to Shusha, you came by the road, which later was called by us the Victory Road. This road did not exist neither during soviet times, nor during the period of occupation. This road was opened by the courage and spirit of our heroes. That is a way how we moved, liberating cities and villages, moved here to this city, which is also a symbol of our courage. Shusha already hosted several international events, including the Khari Bulbul International Music Festival, Vagifs Poetry Days, several international sporting events and now Global Media Forum. So, the city kept its identity despite the fact that it was very deliberately destroyed during the time of occupation. I prefer not to have a long speech but maybe to have more of our discussions and to address issues, which are of interest to you. So, probably I will now conclude and give floor to the moderator. Moderator: Your Excellency. First of all, wed like to express our gratitude to You for taking your time to be with us. Ladies and gentlemen, as our President mentioned his kind participation here is for the purpose of exchanging ideas in an interactive form. And now, with your permission, Mr. President, we are going to the questions from the participants. I would like to inform you that some of the questions have been collected in advance to save our time and I will read them out one by one. But dear participants, feel free to jump in with your questions at any time. Mr. President, shall we start? TRT World, Bora Bayraktar. Bora Bayraktar: Thank you very much for your invitation. I'd like to ask a question about, of course, the Karabakh victory. We know that foreign relations between two countries, the personal relations of leaders are also important and they play an important role. And we know that Your Excellency has very good relations with the Turkish President, Mr. Erdogan. This special relationship played a very important role in liberation of Karabakh. Mr. President, the President of Turkiye has won a five-year term. It means that now you have five more years together. It seems like a golden opportunity. What will be your priority in these five years in this process? I mean, what would you say we have to do together immediately? What is the first thing that you want to do with Turkiye? President Ilham Aliyev: You are absolutely right. Our personal friendship with President Erdogan, I think, is known now not only to the regional community, but also to the world. This is a really important factor of regional development and regional stability. But also I'd like to say that relations between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Turkiye are based on long-lasting friendship and brotherly ties. So, this is a great foundation for our countries to develop and support each other. From the first days, even I would say, from the first hours of the Second Karabakh War, Turkiye, its people and its leader were side by side with us. The statement of President Erdogan in the first hours of the Second Karabakh War that Azerbaijan is not alone was a great moral support to us. Throughout all the 44 days of the Second Karabakh War, we felt the support from our brothers. President Erdogan several times publicly announced the position of Turkiye. At the same time, other governmental officials also elaborated on that. So, that was a great moral and political support to Azerbaijan. After the victory in the Second Karabakh War, Azerbaijan and Turkiye formalized their relationship, which, actually, de facto were relations between allies. This relationship was formalized by signing the famous Shusha Declaration, which was signed a couple of 100 meters from this hotel and elevated our relations at the level of allies. This is really a big asset for our nations, for our peoples. This declaration actually opens new horizons in front of us. Though, even before that Azerbaijan and Turkiye in many areas demonstrated unity, solidarity, and mutual support. If we take the broad agenda of our cooperation, we'll see starting from political relations, energy, trade, transportation, defense, defense industry, and many other. So, it's easier to name the areas, where we are not very advanced rather than in the areas where we are closely working. I have no doubts that my brother President Erdogan will be reelected. Because what he did for Turkiye during 20 years in office is a demonstration of commitment to his people and to his country. Today, Turkiye is one of the global leaders. International influence of Turkiye is growing year after year. Of course, in Azerbaijan, it is difficult to find someone who was not happy with the results of the elections. In the coming five years, we will definitely continue our close partnership. The world is changing, the situation in the region is changing. We need to stabilize situation in the South Caucasus. We need to have sustainable peace and security for the future. The role of Turkiye in global affairs and in particular, in our region, of course, is a role of very important stabilizer. Policy of Turkiye aimed at regional security and regional development is highly appreciated in Azerbaijan and not only in Azerbaijan. As you know, President Erdogan already paid a state visit to Azerbaijan after elections. This is a tradition between us, you know. I do the same after my reelections. And also, before that participating in the inauguration ceremony, we had an opportunity to address the issues of our future cooperation. Probably, I will not disclose all what we agreed on. But I think, it will not be difficult to guess that in the coming years, Turkiye and Azerbaijan will play more important role in our region. Of course, we'll use our potential in order to bring our countries closer. Moderator: James Flue, the United States of America. James Flue: Thank you, Mr. President. My question is about threats to Azerbaijan. And what you sort of view as the most important threats to the country? President Ilham Aliyev: Well, actually, after the liberation of our territories, we don't see any potential threats to our country. Because, first of all, there are no internally generated threats. The country is stable. The level of solidarity among Azerbaijanis is high as never before. The country's economic development is very impressive. I don't want to go into details into figures, but those who are interested in that can see that Azerbaijan's economy is self-sufficient and based on our own resources and good management. So, in that respect, the oldest threats we had before was a threat coming from Armenia from its occupational policy. And that threat was here around, including in this particular place for almost 30 years. Now this threat, in general, have been managed. But of course, we must be on alert. We should not forget our past. We should not forget that we were stabbed in the back by our neighbors, when we did not expect that, and they took advantage of chaos in Azerbaijan and occupied our territories. Also, we should not forget that even now, despite the results of the Second Karabakh War, there are people in Armenia in different segments including government and in other parts of society, which live with revanchist ideas, and they do not hide it. Therefore, we must be ready for any kind of scenario. And for that purpose, right after the Second Karabakh War, despite the glorious victory, courage and spirit we demonstrated on the battlefield, we started immediately deepening reforms in the defense area. I already publicly spoke about that. Today, our army is much stronger than three years ago. This is a need, I think, which is based on our history, and also based on that, we see that international law norms are being violated brutally. Now, we see that international law is working selectively. We have faced that for many years, when we were raising our voice saying that, look, the United Nations Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding withdrawal of Armenian troops from our lands - immediate and unconditional withdrawal. But these resolutions were not implemented. So, now this tendency is spreading around. When international law doesn't work, when signature does not mean a lot, the only guarantee for peace is strength. So, having said that we cannot exclude potential threats, which may emerge in the future because situation in the world and in our region is quite unpredictable. For the time being, the level of external threats is not very high. But, probably also because of the fact that we are ready to manage those threats and to defend ourselves. Mikhail Gusman: If you will allow me, I will ask my question now. My name is Mikhail Gusman. I represent the TASS agency. Dear Mr. President! A little over a year ago, on February 23, we had the honor of welcoming you together with colleagues, some of them are here today, at the TASS agency, together with leaders of the Russian media. This was the day after you signed the Moscow Declaration with the President of Russia. More than a year has passed. The world is in a very turbulent state. After the victorious 44-day war, Azerbaijan is consistently working, but so far it has not been possible to conclude peace with Armenia. Russia is conducting a special military operation. And yet, how would you assess the development of this memorandum you signed? How is it being implemented? What are its prospects? Are there any problems in the implementation of this Memorandum, which was signed in Moscow on February 22? I will also have a second question. Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: In my opinion, the declaration signed in February last year was a milestone in Russia-Azerbaijan relations. The declaration covers the history of development of relations, which developed differently in various periods of independence and reached the level of strategic partnership just as both countries declared for long years. This was really so because if we look at the scope of work done by both countries, the two sides set a goal of strengthening relations and results-based cooperation. We know very well how deep these relations are and the scope of international is quite broad. Russia played a key role as a mediator for many years and played its part in ceasing military operations and settling the Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as one of such areas. We all remember those days very well. It was the Russian side that acted as a link between Armenia and Azerbaijan, I mean between the leadership of the countries, on November 9, 2020 when the trilateral statement was being coordinated. Therefore, the signing of the Declaration on Allied Interaction had a solid foundation. As for the period we are going through after the signing, this period is completely new for the peace, for our region, including Russia and ourselves. But despite this, despite such a serious change in the geopolitical situation, the development of relations between Russia and Azerbaijan since the signing of the Declaration has been quite successful. There have been many contacts at the highest level, there have been contacts at the level of heads of government, ministers of foreign affairs and other representatives of governments and state bodies. Therefore, I can say with full confidence that provisions of the Declaration are being fulfilled. The most important thing is that there is political resolve at the level of the leadership. Taking the opportunity of the presence of media representatives here and the fact that you will discuss these issues tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, both cooperation and problematic issues, I would like to say that those small rough edges that we see in the Russian media in relation to Azerbaijan and in the Azerbaijani media in relation to Russia have no influence on the policy of Azerbaijan and Russia. We know this quite clearly. But this is also, as they say, a tribute to the time when media representatives are completely free in their assessments. Since the situation is changing dramatically, including our region after the Second Karabakh War, the situation in the world after the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, then, naturally, different assessments, different analyses and different opinions are inevitable. But again, taking this opportunity, I want to say that in any case, such moments do not affect the political will of the Azerbaijani leadership. Therefore, I think that the future of our relations will be as positive and successful as in previous years. Considering that you started your remarks in Azerbaijani, I think that you can ask the second question right now. Otherwise, you may never get another opportunity. Mikhail Gusman: Thank you, Mr. President. Before asking my question, I would like to express my gratitude to you personally and to the organizers of this Forum. Because I visited the liberated Shusha two years ago. I was lucky enough. Shusha is also changing in a spectacular way and the Forum is also organized at an exceptional level. My second question is that Azerbaijan has been successfully leading the Non-Aligned Movement for the last few years, and a month ago, I contacted your successor, Ugandan President Museveni. He talked about Azerbaijan's successful leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement over the years and emphasized that Azerbaijan had breathed a new life into it. I have two questions about this. In which direction do you see the further development of this movement? Secondly, a women's forum and a youth forum were created here during the period when Azerbaijan chaired the Movement. We are also considering the media. How would you see the evaluation the prospects for organizing a media forum of the Non-Aligned Movement in Azerbaijan? Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you, this is a very good idea. I think that it will be fully accepted by us. We don't have much time left as our chairmanship ends early next year. Therefore, in order to have time to do this, we probably need to work together. As you know, initiative is punishable, so I invite you to take an active part in the preparation of such an event. This will be very useful, especially considering that, as you noted, the Non-Aligned Movement I can say without false modesty received a second breath during Azerbaijan's chairmanship. It is no secret that the influence of the Movement had been gradually in decline and it had become a platform for discussing certain issues that did not have much of a continuation. As is the case with any work we do, we treated this work with great responsibility and began to work step by step in the direction of institutional development. And I think the fact that Azerbaijan's chairmanship was extended by a unanimous decision for another year, and in fact for a year and a half, shows that our activity was appreciated and is in demand. In addition to the formats you mentioned, I would also add a parliamentary platform, this is also a very important element in terms of institutional development. We believe that this is the path the Movement should follow. Of course, after we transfer our powers to Uganda in a few months, we will be in the trio for some time, while Uganda presides. Of course, we will actively participate in consolidating efforts, filling the activities of the Movement with concrete results. I must say that during COVID we showed leadership in drawing the attention of the world community to this problem. Azerbaijan as chair was one of the countries that actively opposed vaccine nationalism. We didn't hesitate to call countries by their names the ones that bought five times more vaccines than they needed, while many poor countries found themselves unprotected. Among other things, it was simply shameless. On our initiative, a database was created in the countries of the Movement, which was also used by the World Health Organization, not to mention the fact that we allocated 10 million US dollars for humanitarian and financial assistance and provided assistance to many countries with vaccines. So, the countries of the Movement saw that this structure, although it is not an organization, can achieve its goals. At the summit in Baku, when we took over chairmanship, I said that we would protect international law, justice and the legitimate interests of member countries. I think that we have successfully coped with this task. And I would like to believe that after we transfer the powers of chair, the positive dynamics will be continued. In any case, we will do everything to ensure that this is the case. Moderator: Mirshahin Agayev, Real Analytical and Information Center. Mirshahin Agayev: Mr. President, I would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to ask questions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Shusha after 29 years. Let's keep in mind that tomorrow is the National Press Day, it is a holiday for all of us, and let me ask you to accept my gratitude on behalf of all our media as the head of state, as the Victorious Commander-in-Chief, for making this holiday even more magnificent. My question is about your hand sign. It can be like this, when you extend your hand, and like this, when it becomes an Iron Fist. We have heard this statement a lot in Shusha, and every time we have seen the real echo and impact of this statement. My question today is a little below Shusha, about Khankendi. You know that the remnants of the separatist forces are carrying out certain events there and are engaged in disinformation. Azerbaijan is said to be allegedly blocking someone and something although I recently prepared a special edition of the Mirshahin's Time program on Lachin road, and we saw everything there. We saw Red Cross vehicles coming and going through there, how warm and gentle the attitude towards people is. This is one thing. Among the tasks facing the New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, what do you require from us in order to combat this type of disinformation? Because you brought us Victory. You were in front of us in our media struggle, and you were the key person in breaking the information blockade of Azerbaijan. We followed you. Therefore, I want your advice in this matter. Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. I think that the Azerbaijani media are doing great things in this direction. Of course, the general direction is already clear. All of us, regardless of the position we held during the occupation period, every patriotic Azerbaijani tirelessly went towards this goal. In my speeches, I said many times during the occupation that this day would come, the day of freedom would come, each one of us must bring this day closer, and we brought it closer and closer. This is our national Victory. In other words, the people of Azerbaijan deserved this Victory. Of course, the restoration of international law, the restoration of our territorial integrity all these are fundamental rights, and we won this right on the battlefield by shedding blood and giving martyrs. However, at the same time, the activity of the Azerbaijani media in this field is valuable, because the media was our first tool to convey the problem we are facing to the world community not only from the perspective of international law, but also from the general human perspective. This is why I always mentioned this during meetings with media representatives in the previous years, i.e. during the occupation period. I mentioned that we should reach bigger international audiences. You will probably agree that what we were saying in the past was falling on deaf ears. It was as if we were trying to prove something to ourselves. It was important. It was important to keep the issue on the agenda and to educate the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism. Most of our sons who liberated Shusha and all the other occupied lands had never seen Shusha, Aghdam or any other occupied land. In other words, education at home, education in schools and keeping this issue on the daily agenda by the media strengthened the internal unity to a huge extent. Of course, state policy was always at the forefront. However, at a later stage, we started speaking to a more international audience. That is, we have these opportunities, and there are publications of many of our media resources, websites and other electronic means in various languages. Today, we are destined again to prove our truth. Because the campaign against us continues to this day. We must and we do respond with solid and real arguments to those who cannot digest our Victory, who are jealous of our success and who have started an open information war against us. It is the result of this that today, despite all these slanders, libel and lies, the voice of Azerbaijan, the rightful voice of the Azerbaijani people and state is being heard, and our media are the main tool for this. Therefore, the solidarity and unity in society provides us with this advantage. As for recommendations, to be honest, I am a bit far from this. Because the independence of the Azerbaijani media is one of the main conditions for the development of our society. Secondly, you know everything perfectly well yourself, and I am very glad that the healing process in our media is progressing successfully and articles that are against the interests of the people and may harm the interests of the state are now very rare. That is, this is again a factor that indicates the responsibility of the media. So, my advice to the media is to keep it up. Moderator: Mr. President. It's quite active here and we are getting some questions from our participants. I do believe that we will have enough time for all questions. Next question from Jordan Morgan, the United Kingdom. Jordan Morgan: Mr. President, thank you very much for the hospitality. My name is Jordan and I'm from the UK. My question for you. What opportunities do you see for Azerbaijan and the West Asia region since China brokered Iran-Saudi rapprochement? And what opportunities are present for Azerbaijan? Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: In respect with our relations with Asian countries, you mean? Jordan Morgan: This whole region. President Ilham Aliyev: Well, regional development here in the Southern Caucasus largely depends on the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We have now international actors, which should try to help us to find a mutually acceptable solution. And fortunately, what we've seen so far is clear that all international actors understand that this solution must be based on international law. And now, after almost three years have passed since the end of Second Karabakh War, we hear more and more very straightforward statements that Karabakh is Azerbaijan. If that was the case during the times of occupation, probably the Second Karabakh War wouldn't have started. But unfortunately, during those years - 28 years, negotiations under the umbrella of the Minsk Group not only produce zero result, but also actually did not elaborate the formula, which must be taken as a basis for settlement. They're ambiguous and sometimes contradictory statements, not to mention actions, actually lead to the freezing of the conflict. At some point, we realize here in Azerbaijan that their goal is to freeze the conflict and make occupation endless through different so-called public diplomacy initiatives to impose an understanding that we should start cooperation, we should start doing business with Armenia, and the conflicts will be resolved by the future generations. Many times, during the times of occupation, I publicly raised the issue of imposing sanctions on Armenia. I was explaining this position by international organizations` decisions and declarations. The United Nations Security Council resolutions, the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe decisions, even the European Parliament - though, it now takes a very pro-Armenian stand but even the European Parliament once adopted a resolution, which reflected the reality. But it did not happen because their geopolitical agenda was different. So, we had to do it ourselves. We had to implement the Security Council resolutions of United Nations on the battlefield. Now, situation is different. By the way, at that time, none of those international players who today say Karabakh is Azerbaijan never said that. They said that with respect to some other protracted conflicts in the post-soviet area, but not about Azerbaijan. When it came to Azerbaijan, their narrative was you have to agree. You have to integrate self-determination and territorial integrity understanding, which is not possible. It is not possible. Fundamental principles of international law like territorial integrity and self-determination of any nation should not undermine territorial integrity of countries, especially, when this nation has already self-determined itself once having independent Armenian state. So, now situation is different. And now, international brokers are, how to say, expressing their position from a more realistic point of view. Because I always said that I heard many times during the times of occupation that Azerbaijan has to take into account the reality. And now I say yes, I agree. Now everybody should take into account the new reality. One cannot think about any peace agreement with Armenia, which is not absorbing the reality of the 30-year occupation and destruction, and the reality of the results of the Second Karabakh War. But so far, the efforts of international actors are not enough. At the moment, we have three international actors who are providing the assistance - the United States, Russia and the European Union. And on three tracks, Azerbaijan works in good faith and with result-oriented approach. But so far, it did not end in any result. Because Armenia needs to make, I think, one of the final steps. They already made several steps after the war, I would say that these were not the steps, which they made voluntarily. There have been several cases during the last two-and-a-half years, several episodes. I would name it like it clearly demonstrated to Armenia that if they do not recognize our territorial integrity, we will not recognize their territorial integrity. And what will mean for them is more or less clear. They already accepted that Karabakh is Azerbaijan publicly. Now they need to put their signature under the document. This is one of the final steps and there must be some more. But if that step is made - negotiation teams on the level of foreign ministers are going to hold the next round of negotiations to take place in the coming days in Moscow - if Armenia will agree on that paragraph, where they totally refrain from any territorial claims to Azerbaijan, I think, the signing of a peace agreement can be realistic by the end of the this year. If not, well, I said many times, if they don't want to have a peace agreement with us, we cannot force them. We could not force them to comply with international law for 28 years. We managed only to force them by force. But in this case, there'll be no peace. Well, it's not the best scenario for the region. It will not add stability, security. And also taking into account the very fragile geopolitical situations that may create complications in the future. So, we have three brokers. All of them have enough international mechanisms to work independently. We hope that on one of these three tracks, we will see progress. Moderator: The next question from Maurizio Geri, Italy. Maurizio Geri: Mr. President, it is my second time in Shusha. Thank you very much for having us here. My question is related with the last two weeks I spent in Baku for the Energy Summer School in ADA. So I would like to ask you the role of Azerbaijan as a bridge between Europe and Central Asia. In particular, gas and other energy from countries like China and Russia. So, I know that there are projects with Turkmenistan. I know you said you would be happy with it if the Turkmenistan decides to do it. What could be the help that Italy or Europe could give you to support you in this process? President Ilham Aliyev: With respect to the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline project, several times I already expressed our position. I want to repeat that this is not the project, which Azerbaijan will initiate. Because usually the projects, which are initiated by the countries, other projects based on these country's resources as we did for instance with the Southern Gas Corridor. We initiated, we were their major shareholder, and we were actually their coordinator of all intergovernmental relations and agreements. As you know, this project was successfully implemented, and already for more than two years Azerbaijan became an important gas supplier to Europe. The President of the European Commission names Azerbaijan a reliable partner, and the Energy Commissioner of EU calls Azerbaijan a pan-European gas supplier. And this is true, because geography of our gas supplies to Europe is becoming broader and broader, and hopefully by the end of this year, two more European countries will be recipients of Azerbaijani gas. With respect to the Trans-Caspian. This project as an idea is based on the gas resources of Turkmenistan. Therefore, it's not up to us to initiate it or to invest in it. What can we do? We can provide our existing infrastructure or can provide infrastructure some land in their possession in order to build a new infrastructure. But I think, it's also important to know that today, Azerbaijan is working on expansion of the pipeline, which was built less than three years ago. Why? Because demand in Europe is growing. The pipeline, which was designed for 10 bcm like TAP, now, needs to be expanded up to 20 bcm. TANAP from 16 to 32. That was not expected by us. Because situation has changed. So, why we talk about expansion is that Azerbaijan will produce more gas and is producing every year more gas than year before. For instance, if 2021 we exported 19 bcm, last year, it was more than 22 bcm, and this year, probably it will be 24 bcm or even more. And these months - that's in the time when we didn't see each other - we already announced the discovery from the Absheron gas field, which possesses at least 300 billion cubic meters. And the first well is already producing gas more than any well on Shahdeniz. So, in other words, expansion of our pipeline system is based on our growing resources. For additional gas from Eastern shores of the Caspian first, the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline must be built under the sea, and second from Baku to the European destination, another something like the Southern Gas Corridor must be built. And the main question is who will finance these important projects? And we don't have an answer. Therefore, before we find an answer who will finance it, I think, implementation or even some ideas about that will be unrealistic. And also you know very well that now European banks stopped financing the projects of fossil fuel. Therefore, it will be difficult to raise substantial money for that. Because, when we were building the Southern Gas Corridor, apart from corporate financing, we had financing from EBRD, EIB, ADB and also from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. But now two of these European institutions - they are out, I hope temporarily, from the fossil fuel financing, therefore, who will finance it? The green transition makes implementation of this project even more complicated. And the fluctuation of the gas prices in Europe, which we see also creates a lot of questions. By the way, also the price cap, which, I think, was absolutely unacceptable for the consumers to put a limit for the price. This is totally in contradiction with any market economy principles, which these countries were advocating for many years. So, in other words, from realistic point of view, this is very problematic. But again, if someone decides to build the Trans-Caspian Pipeline, we will be only happy. We will have more transit fees and more cooperation. Vusala Mahirgizi, head of APA group: Mr. President, I want to ask you about the Return. The relocations to Lachin are currently underway as part of the Great Return. Residents of which district will be welcomed in their districts at the next stage? My second question may seem a little personal to you. When Karabakh was liberated, you were the first to go there, followed by our army. You have been visiting Karabakh very often, and every time you come, new projects and new places are opened. How does that make you feel? A completely ravaged place being rebuilt from scratch. How does that feel? How does it feel to be a winning President in general? President Ilham Aliyev: You know, the emotions I experience are no different to those felt by the people of Azerbaijan. The only difference is that I see these places so often. Most people see it on television, but at the same time, as you know, there are now tours to liberated areas and, as you mentioned, citizens are quickly returning to the liberated lands. Of course, first of all, I feel proud. Every time I come to Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, the first thing I feel is a sense of pride. Because it is impossible not to be proud of my people, our Army, our heroes, and every time you also come to Shusha along Victory Road, just look at how our heroic soldiers and officers with only light weapons covered this road, how they died in hand-to-hand battles in the face of the enemy armed with cannons, tanks, and artillery. This is how high the spirit of the Azerbaijani people is. In other words, all this showed the qualities of our people to all of us again. It once again showed to each of us, first of all, and to the whole world how high the moral qualities of the Azerbaijani people are. It is very hard for each of us to see the destroyed cities and villages. We cannot come to terms with this pain. Although I have already been to the liberated lands perhaps a hundred times in the last three years or so, every time I see the ruins, my heart hurts. I ask myself every time. Why did the people we consider neighbors resort to this barbarism? What did we do to them? We were the defeated side in the First Karabakh War. We did not destroy their cities, we did not destroy their graves, we did not remove the bones of their dead. Why did they do this? How much hatred did these people have in their hearts for us to commit such inhuman acts? I mean I still can't understand that and probably no normal person can ever understand it. At the same time, every time I see a new development project or participate in a groundbreaking ceremony, it feels as if blood is being pumped into my veins, in other words, that is, it gives me so much positive energy that this positive spiritual energy also strengthens a person physically. It is not just about the weather of this region. I am sure you feel the same way. We say a lot about how we feel good in Shusha or Zangilan or Lachin. Not only because of the weather. What is happiness? Happiness that comes from within. Many have asked themselves, but every time I see this development, I say to myself that this is probably what happiness is. As for the Great Return program, we have now approved the Master Plan of more than 30 cities and villages, the foundations of many villages have been laid and the figures have already been announced. We will return more than 150,000 people to both Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur within the next three years. Now we are at the preliminary stage of the work, as they say, because the design takes a long time, the tender procedures take a long time. We want everything to be in order, according to the law, to be completely transparent, and this takes time, it does take time. I am sure that the former IDPs understand this. To the Karabakh region alone, 140,000 people are expected to return by 2026. I already hope that next year the first residents will arrive and settle down in the city of Shusha. Now, you probably haven't had the time today, but you will probably walk around in the evening or tomorrow, and you will see that in several places construction projects, namely the construction of residential buildings, are already underway. Of course, the demining process was the biggest obstacle. Because the work we have done during these two and a half years not only shows that we have financial opportunities. It also shows that we have very serious experience and professional personnel. I don't think anyone would have thought of implementing projects on this scale in a matter of two and a half years. No-one could have imagined that in just two and a half years, such large-scale work would be carried out on a large area covering 10,000 square kilometers. This is why the Azerbaijani public is periodically updated about the plans and the work done. When master plans of the cities were approved, the opinions of the people who lived in the cities were taken into account, and I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of cities together with the former IDPs. In other words, we really want people who have suffered morally and physically for 30 years to be provided with the best conditions, and we are moving towards that and will continue to do so. Moderator: And the next question from Majeed Shawkey, Egypt. Majeed Shawkey: My name is Majeed. The Middle East News Agency, Egypt. Mr. President, you have talked about threats to your country and your efforts for the development after the war. How far landmines are affecting the daily lives of ordinary people and how far these landmines are affecting the efforts for development? And if there are any plans for removing these mines, given the high cost of the process? Thank you very much. President Ilham Aliyev: Yes, you touched upon probably the most important issue. Because landmines already claimed almost 300 lives and serious injuries of our civilians and military personnel. So, 300 mine explosions on the liberated territories, because of these war crimes. Planting landmines is a war crime. But not giving us the maps of landmines is a continuation of the Armenian terror. Because we know that they have it. This is how the mines are being planted. Those, who plant the mines, they have to have a map. Otherwise, they themselves can be victims of those mines. They first denied on the very high level, on the level of the Armenian Prime Minister that they have mine maps. Then, finally they admitted that they have it. That means they were lying to us at first. And why were they lying to us? They wanted Azerbaijanis to be killed, to continue to be killed, losing their legs, being severely injured. When they announced that they gave us the maps, and we started to check the accuracy of those maps, which was not as high as 25%. You can imagine that it means nothing. It means that these maps are absolutely useless. We are undertaking very serious efforts in demining. We purchased equipment, special machines, the mining machines. One of our local companies started to produce demining machines in Azerbaijan. We invited private companies to join the efforts, and several private companies already were established, which already started the demining process. Our State Agency ANAMA, along with the battalions of the Ministry of Emergency Ministry, specialists are working day and night to clean the area. But according to our estimation more than 1 million mines have been planted. The maps, which Armenians gave us, cover about 400,000. That means that they admitted that 400,000 have been planted. But we know that it is more than 1 million. So, it's very credible information. We received several proposals from international companies to work in this area. But unfortunately, the price was very high. I don't want to go into much details, but on average it was 8 to 10 times higher than the cost of demining of one mine. So, in other words, Azerbaijani local companies and ANAMA are demining the area 8-10 times cheaper than foreign companies, which applied for this job. We started to use drones thanks to good brains of some people. There are drones now, which detect the most contaminated places by mines and it is helpful. But at the same time, we can understand that it's a long process. Unfortunately, we should understand that there will be more victims and more casualties. So, the mine terror of Armenia continues. The most important is the fact that the areas, which have not yet been cleaned, are isolated now. Restricted access to the liberated territories helps us to minimize the casualties. But after the former IDPs will return, they must be very careful. I want just to use this opportunity once again to apply to them, I made it many times, to be very careful and not to go to the places, which are not authorized. This is really very dangerous and this is one of the biggest threats, which we will face for many years in the future unfortunately. Moderator: Gela Vasadze, Georgia. Gela Vasadze: Mr. President, first of all, thank you very much for organizing such a large-scale and wonderful event. I am really impressed. I agree with you that there are just a few steps, perhaps even step to peace. But peace depends on how far the process of integration of the Armenian population of Karabakh goes. When they tell me about people, when talking with friends, I ask them: Give me the phone number of these people. Do you have the phone number of Karabakh Armenians? Do you know this phone? Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: We have repeatedly expressed our position on this issue and have shown maximum constructivism. But, unfortunately, the junta that seized power in Karabakh and which calls itself presidents, ministers or deputies is only causing everyone to laugh. They have taken hostage those who now live in the territory where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed. We took the initiative, I appointed a special representative who was supposed to deal with representatives of the Armenians of Karabakh, and in order to establish these contacts, he was sent to Karabakh. The first meeting took place there, in the village of Khojaly, at the base of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. After that, we invited representatives of the Armenians of Karabakh to come to Baku to continue the dialogue. But they refused, and quite defiantly. After some time, we invited them again perhaps there was some kind of a mistake, it happens, a misfire in order to find out whether they want it or not. But there was a refusal again. And then I said that there would be no third invitation. If they are not interested, so be it. Well, what happened next you probably know the establishment of a border checkpoint on the state border of Azerbaijan and Armenia. If you trace the chronology of all our actions, even if you go back before the beginning of the Second Karabakh War, you will see logic and a very strong argument on our side. We did not do anything for which we would be ashamed or we could say, yes, we are wrong there. We did everything right. We gave them a chance, including the Armenian leadership before the start of the Second Karabakh War for two years, but they did not take advantage of it. We gave them a chance at a time when the Lachin-Khankendi road was just a thoroughfare through which Armenia transported mines that were produced in Armenia in 2021. And we discovered these mines. We found them. We invited representatives of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, as well as representatives of the Russian-Turkish monitoring center, which is located in Aghdam, demonstrated that to them and asked: How did these mines get into Karabakh? Who brought them? And who was supposed to watch? It is unacceptable for us to die after the Victory on our own territory because Armenia continues its policy of terror. Therefore, all our steps were logical, justified, legitimate, competent and sufficiently courageous. So, the establishment of a checkpoint on the border is an important stage in the post-conflict situation, which has significantly changed the landscape and the fact that these actions were fully accepted, although not immediately and not entirely willingly by all actors, but they were eventually perceived as legitimate. It was also a message. But how many times are we supposed to send messages? How many times can we hint? Was it not enough? The Farrukh operation, the situation on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan in May 2021, the situation on the border in September 2022, and the border checkpoint. Well, how many messages should we give to them? Are they really so slow-witted? Therefore, the issue of reintegration depends on when the Armenian residents of Karabakh will be able to get rid of these shackles, of this junta that took them hostage and exploited them as slaves. It is still exploiting them now, because when eco-activists came to the Lachin-Khankendi road, the Armenian leadership, the so-called leadership in Khankendi did not allow ordinary citizens to use this road. They set up a roadblock, accusing us of the blockade. Today they put up concrete blocks on the Aghdam-Asgaran road again. When you said, why do products have to be shipped from another country? After all, Karabakh is Azerbaijan. Right? It is, isnt it? Doesnt everyone recognize it as such? Everyone recognizes it. Does anyone say it is not? No! And why should goods be delivered from another country? This is illogical. But instead of accepting this gesture, concrete blocks were placed there. So, who is blocking whom? This is the whole point. And todays comedy show they are staging when they sit in a tent and protest against someone. It is just a joke, you know. People who call themselves president protest, do a sit-in strike we have some journalists joking that the next stage will probably be a lying down strike. Whatever it is, it wont help the case. We are ready to follow the path of reintegration, respecting the rights and security of the Armenian minority in Karabakh within the framework of our Constitution and within the framework of the good practice of how these issues are resolved in Azerbaijan as a whole. Azerbaijan is a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state, and this is our strength. All representatives of ethnic groups living in Azerbaijan have the same rights and obligations and the same level of security. So, why should some ethnic group stand out against this background is also not entirely clear to me. This is our approach. We still have not lost hope that the sensible part of society that lives in Khankendi and its environs will understand the futility of ignoring of Azerbaijan and common sense will prevail. Otherwise, I think that only naive people can count on the fact that someone will come and fight for them. They had several stages when they had to understand and come to terms with the realities. They appealed to different authorities, to different countries starting with neighboring ones and ending with some countries that are located further away. But no-one in the right mind will fight against us on the territory of Azerbaijan for them. Therefore, they must eventually understand and accept these realities. I have already said this. I was told many times by mediators during the occupation, that the First Karabakh War ended like this, so you must accept the realities. But I wasnt accepting them and did not. I am saying again: accept these realities, and these realities will only change if they do not for the benefit of either Armenia or the Armenian minority in Karabakh. Therefore, I hope that they will hear these words and draw the right conclusion. President of the Global Policy Institute, Paolo von Schirach: Mr. President. Thank you for your hospitality. You won the war, you need to win the peace. What message could you give to the American private sector, corporate economy, which are interested in business with Azerbaijan. Of course, everybody knows about oil and gas. What about other sectors of the economy? What would be your message to American business leaders who are interested in partnering with Azerbaijani companies, where the benefit should be transparent and mutual with particular value for your country and the people who suffered so much because of this horrible war? Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: One of our priorities now is to stimulate the development of the sector, which is not related to natural resources. And that program is being successfully implemented. Year after year, we increase not only the share of the non-energy economy in our GDP, which is now more than 50%, but also increase our non-energy related export. My message would be that now capital goes to the places where there's a predictability and stability, which is a case in Azerbaijan. That was here for many years, even during the times of occupation. But definitely the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict being unresolved created certain probably frustration and was elevating certain risks. After the Second Karabakh war is over, this risk is very minimum in general. So, our government has a very predictable policy with respect to development and also with respect to improvement of business climate. I think that foreigners who live and work in Azerbaijan can also prove that in recent years, there have been very serious, positive changes in management, including our fiscal system, including corporate management in our companies. This process is already in the final stage of full compliance with international standards. The countrys economy is sustainable, foreign debt is below 10% of GDP. And currency reserves exceed the foreign debt 10 times. So, in principle, if we decide, we can zero the foreign debt within one week. Trade turnover has a high surplus. During these six months, we had 10 billion US dollar surplus in our export over our import. Political situation is stable. Azerbaijan proved itself as a reliable partner in oil and gas, and at the same time, is now working actively on issues related to connectivity, taking into account the geographical location and already very modern transportation infrastructure. So, these are general messages to companies, which probably think it's a good idea to come and try to work in Azerbaijan. With respect to the areas, which are now priorities for us, of course, number one is reconstruction of the liberated territories. We have a growing number of foreign companies, who are working here as contractors. Another important sector, which we are actively working on, is digitalization. And already substantial financial resources have been channeled to that sector. I know that some American companies are already showing interest to the renewable energy area. We have discovered a lot of potential. Those who know Baku are aware that Baku is a very windy city. When the wind was very strong, it always created certain problems. But at the same time, now we found out that wind will generate a lot of money in the Caspian. So, the IFC already made the assessment and testifies that there is 157 gigawatt of wind power only in the Caspian Sea. Foreign companies have already started several investment projects in renewables. Last December, an agreement was signed between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary and Romania and witnessed by the European Commission to build an integrated green energy line from Azerbaijan to Europe going under the Black Sea. So, feasibility study already started. We expect the feasibility study to be presented probably in September-October. The first steering committee of the projects was held in Baku this February. The first 240-megawatt solar power station is to be inaugurated by the end of this year. But this is only the first. We already signed MoUs and contracts at the level of 10 gigawatts. So, if half of these MoUs is materialized, that will be more than enough to supply big geography in Europe. At the same time, it will save us a lot of natural gas, which we use now to generate electricity and that natural gas will go also to the international market. So, it's a win-win situation. And also I would like to see more foreign companies in agriculture. We don't have many of them so far. We use some of the advanced technologies, including in the irrigation area. But, I would personally would like to see investors, because there is a big potential of agriculture, especially, in the liberated territory, whose soil is very fertile. And 25% of our water resources is generated in Karabakh, can you imagine? We've been deprived from that for 30 years and we could not use it, because Armenians were closing the dams as water reserves. 100,000 hectares of land were not irrigated. We had to drill the wells, artesian wells. So, now this water is a source of life not only for Karabakh. We have a plan to build pipelines to bring this water to the central part of Azerbaijan, which needs water most of all. So, I would like to see in agriculture and also in transportation, but here it is more, how to say, already internationalized this sector, because one country cannot be transportation hub. If it wants to be a hub, it should work with the neighbors. So, here we have quite a good international cooperation with the neighboring countries and big potential in expansion of transportation infrastructure. Moderator: Your Excellency, the next question, Mohamad Al Kadi, Al Jazeera TV. Mohamad Al Kadi, Al Jazeera TV: Thank you very much, dear Mr. President. Thank you for your hospitality in this beautiful city of Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan. My question will be in Arabic so that everyone should know that there are Arabs in this Forum too. Because the Arabs also watched and observed the war in Karabakh with great interest, and you talked with them about the damage to museums, centers and mosques. You also talked about historical places, monuments and thousands of lost manuscripts and books. In your opinion, why did the Armenians cause this devastation and deliberate and programmed destruction of Azerbaijani heritage and culture? My other question is when the reconstruction of Karabakh will be completed and how long will it take? Thank you very much. President Ilham Aliyev: The process of reconstruction of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur has been divided into stages. The Great Return program has been adopted. Financial resources have been mobilized for the implementation of the program. In dollar equivalent to date, projected spending on infrastructure and urban development purposes by the end of the year will be somewhere around $7 billion. So, this is just the beginning. How long will the implementation of this program, which is divided into stages, take? It is difficult to say. Because at the first stage, our main task is to rebuild eight cities and about 100 villages. People have already been settled in several places. The Aghali village of the Zangilan district, the Talish village of the Tartar district, and the city of Lachin. But this is a gradual process. One million people who suffered from the occupation must return to their ancestral lands. I should also mention that before we started the restoration work, we conducted an informal survey among the former IDPs to find out whether they intend to return to their ancestral lands or not. The good news is that the absolute majority of IDPs gave an affirmative answer. This, of course, increases the amount of work to be done, and I think that the rehabilitation of cities will be possible in the next five years. On the example of the city of Lachin, I can say that in a matter of eight months, the town of Lachin was completely rebuilt. There are facilities for more than 700 families today both individual houses and multi-apartment houses. Now the school will be ready for September 15. A kindergarten will also be ready. A hospital will be ready and other social facilities are being built. Therefore, I am sure that people will live in all liberated cities in the next five years. But the development plan of the cities is certainly more extensive. Because if we take the city of Aghdam as an example, in the period before the occupation, somewhere around 40,000, perhaps even 50,000 people lived in the city of Aghdam. According to our master plan, about 100,000 people will live in the city of Aghdam. Of course, all this will be done in stages. Because funds should be spent when people are ready to go there. As for your first question, I mentioned in my comments that I still can't understand where this cruelty and hatred comes from. Because the Armenians have lived in the territory of Azerbaijan for a long time. Their migration to Karabakh en masse began in the first half of the 19th century. In 1805, as a result of the Kurakchay agreement, the Karabakh Khanate was included in the Russian Empire. The agreements of Gulustan and Turkmenchay signed after that included other khanates of Azerbaijan into the Russian Empire. After that, the process of settlement of Armenians from Iran and Eastern Anatolia began. There are many documents to confirm this. Therefore, the writings, letters and statements of prominent statesmen are all confirmed historically. So they came to these lands as guests of the Karabakh land, including Shusha. They claimed that Shusha is an Armenian city. First, the history of the city of Shusha doesnt date too far back. In 1752, Panahali Khan built a city in Shusha, and last year was declared the year of Shusha in Azerbaijan because we were celebrating the 270th anniversary of Shusha. From then and until the occupation, the absolute majority of people living in Shusha were Azerbaijanis. If Shusha was an Armenian city, why was it in such a deplorable state? Why were 17 springs of Shusha dried up by Armenians during the occupation? I specifically enquired about that when I came to Shusha on November 14, 2021. Because Shusha was a city of 17 mosques, and 17 springs. If this was your city, why did you dry up the springs? Why didn't you leave a single stone in Shusha? There are two or three villas in Shusha that were built during the occupation, and they were on the Lachin-Khankendi road. One of them belongs to the head of the junta located in Khankendi, Karabakh. One is said to have been donated by the head of the junta to one of the leaders of Armenia, and the owner of the other is unknown. Besides, the Khankendi junta did not leave a single stone in Shusha. As for other cities, their hatred towards Azerbaijan and our people does not fit into normal human psyche. Psychologists, probably psychiatrists should analyze this and tell us what the reason for this cruelty and barbarism is. That is, they stole gravestones, erased the names of Azerbaijanis who died there and used them as gravestones for their own relatives. What kind of culture is this? Or to dig up Azerbaijani graves, extract gold teeth from the skulls of the dead, melt them and sell them in the market. I am not talking about the damage done to the environment. A total of 60,000 hectares of forests were destroyed by Armenians, chopped and sold for parquet floors. When the Second Karabakh War ended, Russia appealed to us to give them time to leave those lands Aghdam, Kalbajar, Lachin. We probably haven't forgotten those shameful scenes yet. They cut down trees and burned houses. They burned the trees and in the houses once inhabited by the Azerbaijanis which they settled illegally in, they even dismantled their cheap belongings and carried them on their backs right in front of the whole world. What name can we give to that? Therefore, what can we expect from people who committed these deeds? Everything I say is 100 percent true. I am not exaggerating anything. In fact, I am not even saying all of it. There may be a reason that they did this in order to completely Armenianize this region, to erase the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan and to make these lands unfit for habitation in the future. Because the ruins you see are the cities of Fuzuli and Aghdam, which suffered the greatest destruction. There is not a single sound building left there. Those ruins are not wartime ruins. Those ruins are the ruins resulting from the demolition of these houses after the First Karabakh War. They removed the stones one by one and sold them here and there. So, what can you call that? We do not touch the historical heritage of the Armenian people. There is even an Armenian church here in Shusha. Anyone can go and have a look, not a single stone has been touched there. On the contrary, it is protected. That is our attitude, and we are not going to take revenge on them for their actions. I said even during the war and afterwards that we must take revenge on the battlefield, and when we did that. We also avenged the blood of our martyrs on the battlefield. We have never fought against civilians. But during the war, they fired at our peaceful cities with Iskander, Tochka, and Scud missiles. About a hundred innocent people, including 12 children, were killed as a result of this cowardly fire. So by saying all this, I want to state that our memory is not erased. It will not and should not be erased, the people of Azerbaijan should never forget this. Again, not for revenge, they must remember it so that it never happens again. Because we made a mistake once, we trusted the neighbors too much and then we were made to suffer for it. In any case, everything is obvious. The importance of these gatherings is also important, among other things, because representatives of the international media gathered here will see everything with their own eyes. They will convey the truth of Azerbaijan to their countries, their people, and the public. We want that. During the occupation, it was a kind of forbidden zone. They did let some foreigners come to the city of Shusha but no-one was allowed to go to Aghdam and Fuzuli districts. Because whoever goes there will see everything. But now everything is obvious and it shows once again what historical result we have achieved. We did not just defeat Armenia. We broke the back of Armenian fascism. We almost saved the Armenian people from these evil deeds. Maybe this bitter defeat, the bitter defeat in the Second Karabakh War will be a lesson for them, and they will sit down and think about how to live in this region from now on, acknowledge their sins, confess their crimes, and bring criminals to justice. This process has already started. In Armenia, the executioners whose hands are soaked in the blood of the Azerbaijani people are being punished by the Armenian government now. It is only fair, and there should be a continuation. Only in this case can there be real reconciliation between peoples. A peace treaty can be signed, but the main issue is to take steps towards reconciliation at public level, and the first of them is the confession of their sins by the Armenians. Igor Korotchenko, Russian military expert: Thank you. Mr. President, in your speech you noted that the world is turbulent, everything is changing very quickly, and against this background, Azerbaijan is successful. It stands like a rock. For many countries today, Azerbaijan is an example in addressing a variety of problems. The strategic vision of the future of Azerbaijan, which is in your hands, Mr. President, how do you see the future of Azerbaijan? Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: First of all, thank you for such an assessment of what we are doing and how the country is positioning itself. In principle, we have strategic directions for development, and they were determined many years ago. The only thing is that life makes adjustments, and we have to integrate the changing realities into our plans. But I will not say that it is of any dramatic nature. In the foreground after the liberation of the occupied territories, of course, are issues of socioeconomic development. Because the political processes in Azerbaijan are going in the right direction. There is a consensus in society on the main issues of our future. Whether it is political development, whether it is economic development or issues related to social policy. Therefore, improvement of the well-being of the Azerbaijani people is now the main task. Before that, this was always one of the priorities, but the main priority, of course, was the issue of liberating the territories and, accordingly, strengthening the potential of the Armed Forces. Now with regard to defense capability. This issue is also in the spotlight, taking into account the experience of the Second Karabakh War, taking into account what we needed more, what we needed less, what was used more and what was used less. But as someone who deeply knows the issues of military construction you probably understand what I am talking about. But, of course, the issues of sustainable development and reducing dependence on the oil and gas sector come to the fore. This task, I think, is facing all oil-producing economies in which this sector plays an important role, including ours. This is not easy to do. But without this there will be no sustainable development. Because natural resources are resources that are depleted, and we must be prepared for the economy to show its resilience in any case. Of course, we are making reserves, we are accumulating foreign exchange reserves, we are improving the system of governance. All this gives us additional opportunities. Even if we look at the statistics of the fulfillment of the forecast by our tax and customs authorities, the picture is very impressive. This is not the first year that we have been introducing upward additions to the budget in May and June based on the fact that the tax and customs authorities have collected much more revenue only thanks to transparency and a new approach to governance. As for the broader context, not everything here depends on us, including the issue of normalizing relations with Armenia. If we come to the signing of a peace treaty, this will improve the situation in the South Caucasus as a whole and exclude the South Caucasus, by and large, from the high-risk zone. Because the high-risk zone is not just an assessment of experts, it is also about ratings, which involves opportunities to take loans. These issues are directly related to foreign investment, especially now, when investors primarily proceed from potential and existing risks. The settlement of relations with Armenia will remove this risk, it will be good both for our economy and for the economy of Armenia. In general, it will create opportunities for the normalization of relations and a more complete implementation of our plans. This will allow us the opportunity to finance issues related to our defense potential to a lesser extent, i.e. it will free up fairly large resources. And of course, I still see Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur as a driver of the non-energy sector of the economy. Because in terms of natural and climatic conditions, in terms of tourism potential, in terms of the potential of agriculture, as well as renewable energy, this region will be able to seriously contribute to the treasury of our GDP. For example, I will say that by the end of next year we will complete the construction of about 30 hydroelectric power plants with a capacity of 200 MW. More than 50 MW have already been put into operation, and for comparison, perhaps I am going into too much detail, but it might be of interest to someone. The efficiency of using hydroelectric stations in Karabakh is much higher than in any other point in Azerbaijan, i.e. the flow is so powerful and the rivers are so full-flowing. Each power plant has its own efficiency factor, whether it is a combined cycle power plant or a hydro power plant, and there is exceptional efficiency here. That is, the huge potential of wind power in the Kalbajar-Lachin zone, in the Jabrayil district in just a couple of months, the construction of a solar station with a capacity of 240 MW will begin. In other words, it will be such a huge energy potential plus a logistical center. No-one has canceled the Zangezur corridor and this project remains on the agenda and will remain until it is implemented. And this opens up huge potential. It is now called connectivity, as it were, of transport links. And in order to fully answer this question, this requires a separate interview. Thank you. Moderator: The next question, Khalil Mohamed Ibrahim, Chad. Khalil Mohamed Ibrahim: Dear Mr. President, when you liberated these lands, many countries gave you moral, logistical and diplomatic support. The positions of many countries were unclear. What will Azerbaijans diplomatic relations be in the future? The second question is how Azerbaijan's relations with African countries will be in this regard. Thank you very much. President Ilham Aliyev: Our relations with African countries are developing rapidly. Some time ago, our embassy in the African Union was also opened. At the same time, we are in close contact with African countries within the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement, and I have already mentioned that part of our humanitarian aid during the COVID period was also directed to the African continent. I must also state that until today our relations in the economic and commercial sphere have not been on a very high level. Just like on the political level. There are probably natural reasons for this, and I think that opportunities in this direction will be evaluated as contacts become more intense. Anyway, we are interested in that. As for the position of countries during the Second Karabakh War, this is now history. We know who was with us, who was with Armenia, and who was in a neutral position. I think it would be wrong to bring this issue up again now. Our main task was to liberate our lands and we did that. Every country has its own agenda, its own foreign policy, its own internal, as they say, reasons. We understand that too. From some countries, we expected a little more support, from some countries we expected nothing at all. So, these are the laws of international relations, and I can say that in our experience, such issues do not have a great impact on bilateral relations. Even during the occupation, I can say that we saw a neutral position from many countries. We were not satisfied with that, because we rightly demanded that the position of justice prevail. At the same time, we saw the position of countries that were in solidarity with Armenia during the occupation. But let me say again that this did not lead to the freezing of our relations with those countries, that's one thing. Secondly, I think we have achieved this to some extent. We have to try to play on the opponent's court, and we did that. Our relations with countries considered to be close allies of Armenia during the occupation, I mean that period also developed successfully, and we managed to show those countries that their real political, economic and other interests should lie in Azerbaijan, not in Armenia. This factor made it possible to somewhat amend the pro-Armenian position of these countries. It is true that during the Second Karabakh War and afterwards, the countries distinguished for being close to Armenia could no longer hide their pro-Armenian position or did not want to. To a certain extent, this led to the straining of our relations with such countries. But that doesn't mean it will be like this forever. At this stage, it will end, a new stage will open, and the main thing is that you have an agenda. In the post-war period, we did everything in sequence, one step was a logical continuation of the previous step, and we were moving towards the goal. We reached many goals. There are some goals we haven't reached yet, but we will reach them. Of course, political competence is not in the last place in order to achieve those goals. Therefore, our communication channels are open with all countries. In parallel with this, we express our displeasure, protest and countermeasures at the appropriate level when necessary. Nurjan Kasmaliyeva, Kyrgyzstan: After the completion of the Karabakh war, some Central Asian countries announced their willingness to help Azerbaijan in reconstruction of liberated territories. What kind of support or help Azerbaijan received from the Central Asian countries? And in general, how can you characterize relations with the Central Asian countries, in particular, with Kyrgyzstan? President Ilham Aliyev: We are very grateful to our friends and brothers in Central Asia for support. When you drove from Fuzuli Airport, probably, you've noticed the housing project, which is being implemented. There is a school behind it, which was generously donated to us by Uzbekistan and also the Art Center, which was donated by Kazakhstan. Both are under construction and the school must be ready by the end of August, and Art Center for young generation - Youth Art Center - by the end of the year. So, these are two signs of support. And actually all this is foreign aid, which we received since the war ended. This was a very important gesture demonstrating their solidarity. They clearly understand that we can build schools and we build schools. But this was a genuine desire to demonstrate their solidarity and to help us, and understanding that what a great scope of work is in front of us. With respect to cooperation with Central Asian countries in general, they are very dynamic. I visited many Central Asian countries last year and this year. Also presidents of the Central Asian countries visited Azerbaijan, and we expect also more visits of presidents of friendly countries by the end of the year. We are now actively working on bilateral level on the issues related to investments and trade. We established a Joint Investment Fund with Uzbekistan and there is such initiative to establish one with Kyrgyzstan. The amount of assets is not very big, but it depends on the availability of the projects. With Uzbekistan, the Fund is on the level of half a billion US dollars, with Kyrgyzstan I think it is 25 million. Because we do not have yet projects to be implemented, so, these funds, of course, can be enlarged and they will be enlarged. You also asked particularly about our relations with Kyrgyzstan. They are very good, very friendly. I paid a state visit to your country and the president paid a visit to Azerbaijan. We also meet regularly at the meetings of the Organization of Turkic States summit and also CIS summits. With the Central Asian countries, we are now actively working on the issues related to connectivity and transportation infrastructure. Just several days ago, I received the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, a while ago Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. Main topics of conversation were transportation routes across the Caspian through Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye to Europe. This route is going to be one of the most important transportation routes for the Central Asian countries. Because Azerbaijan's transportation infrastructure is modern and is capable to handle cargoes much more than we have now. So, I think that there is a great future in our relations. Moderator: The next question, Mohammad Reza Pour, IRNA News Agency. Mohammad Reza Pour: Mr. President, thank you for the invitation. I greet you on behalf of IRNA News Agency, on behalf of Iran. Mr. President, the governments of Iran and Azerbaijan are making great efforts to develop and strengthen relations between the two countries. How will the launch of the project, which will take place in the near future, affect the strengthening of relations? President Ilham Aliyev: I am sorry. Your question wasnt clear. Please repeat your second question. Mohammad Reza Pour: What effect will the launch of IRNA Azeri have on the strengthening of relations? President Ilham Aliyev: Maybe you are a little far from us, so we can't hear your question well. Please voice your question to the moderator and he will pass it on to us. Moderator: Opening of IRNA office in Azerbaijan? In the coming days, IRNA agency will open its office in Azerbaijan and what role can IRNA Azeri play between the two countries? President Ilham Aliyev: I hope IRNA Azerbaijan will definitely contribute to strengthening of relations between our countries. Because I think the responsible media outlets need always to contribute to strengthening of relations between neighboring countries. Therefore, I think the best way is to inform your audience in Iran about Azerbaijans reality, about the process of reconstruction of Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur. Of course, I think that it will be very good if more people in Iran know the reality of the Second Karabakh War and post-war situation, especially with respect to Azerbaijan's agenda of broad regional cooperation here in the region. So, I wish you success in your activity. I'm sure that you will play an important role in strengthening our relations. Moderator: Next question, Tarek Cherkaoui, Manager of TRT World Research Centre? Tarek Cherkaoui: Your Excellency. I would like to congratulate you, after winning the battle for liberation. You are winning also the battle for reconstruction. My question is about Shusha, actually. What is your vision for Shusha down the line in 10 years time? Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: Well, reconstruction of Shusha has started. The master plan has been approved a while ago, and now the construction of the first housing projects has started. Maybe you can see them. They are in different parts of the city. These projects will accommodate the Shusha residents back to their homes. At the same time, as I already said, Shusha was officially declared by the presidential decree a cultural capital of Azerbaijan. And we expect big traffic from all over the world to come to this unique place. Because history, culture, architecture and climate of Shusha is really a big asset for our country. Of course, the city, which is situated on the rock, surrounded by the ancient city wall is really a pearl of the Caucasus - as we call it the crown of Karabakh. We are actively now restoring the historical monuments of Shusha. Three mosques have already been rebuilt with one of them restored and others built, which were destroyed. The first historical monument, which we restored was a Mausoleum of our great poet and the minister vizier, a kind of minister of Karabakh Khanate Vagif, which was destroyed by Armenians during the times of occupation. As I said, we already restored the springs, traditional springs - five of them already are full with water. Shushas infrastructure also is taken care of. When Armenians were running away from here, they damaged the water distribution system. So, we had to build it from scratch. And, in general, all the infrastructure of Shusha, including new roads, has been taken into account while master plan was elaborated. This September, we will inaugurate the opening of the school, which is designed for almost 1000 pupils and the hospital for 90 patients will be ready, I think, in several months, may be probably by the end of the year. Everything in Shusha is being done based on the master plan. And that will allow the city to look even better than it looked ever before. So, it will be very convenient and modern, at the same time keeping the authentic look. Because almost all the historical buildings are now in the process of renovation. And those who travel to Shusha often can see every time the changes and how city becomes looking better and better. There will be still some demolition works to be carried out, because of the buildings, which were built during the soviet times. Their sustainability do not allow us to use them as apartment buildings. But the master plan for Shusha is really amazing. I think this will be one of the best places in three-four years in the world, not only in the Caucasus. By the way, this hotel is also a good illustration of what we're doing. Two hotels have been restored - Karabakh and Khari Bulbul and they were built from scratch. Interesting thing about this hotel is that here on this particular place, the separatists wanted to build a parliament for so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. And when I came here first time in January, I came to see it, they did not finish it. There was only construction. They wanted to move their so-called parliament here, and to continue Armenisation of Shusha. And standing in front of that, I called it the House of the Devil. And the House of the Devil was knocked down, and we built this beautiful hotel, which is a five-star hotel. I hope guests also feel themselves comfortable. This also demonstrates how quickly Shusha is being developed. Moderator: Mr. President, actually, more than two hours have already passed since the start of our interactive part. It's clear that everyone wants to be a part of this process. But we do not want to overuse your discretion. Maybe we can let Mr. Markov ask his question. He was raising his hand from the first minute. Russian political scientist Sergey Markov: Thank you, Mr. President. If you don't mind I will speak English. If you remember we conducted very small international conference. There was even an explosion on the way to the conference. We very much hope that there will be no explosion at all here and Armenians will accept the reality peacefully. And my question to you, not only as to a politician and to a winner. You are a very experienced person. You told about three brokers, now. They are competing each other. And all of them want to be successful, first. But at the same time, all these three brokers worked together as Minsk Group and fully collapsed and were absolutely not able to prevent the beginning of the Second Karabakh War. They spent 28 years with no sense of negotiation. It has come to the war. We can see now that the number of brokers is increasing but the sense of brokering is a little bit decreasing. And what you think, first of all, who amongst the brokers will be successful in competition? What the brokers must do to be successful? And second is connected in a broader sense. How should international institutes develop not to move to the crisis because it's clear that the United Nations is not successful and the OSCE Minsk Group proved to be unsuccessful. With you great experience, and with your great education on international relations, what could be a positive direction for these international institutions to become most stable and sustainable? President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you very much. I want to specify a little bit with respect to these tracks of negotiations. We have two processes. One is negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and we have two brokers, which is Russia and United States. And we have the so-called Brussels format, which is not a formal negotiation, because negotiations are being held by ministers of foreign affairs and their teams and experts. The Brussel format, we consider as a kind of supplementary or a kind of a supportive mechanism of direct interaction on the level of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. So far, it has worked, I think, more or less successfully. There is some difference between this format and the Minsk Group, because we do not have exactly the same actors. One of the members of the Minsk Group was France, which is now not in the picture. But the European Union again, I said, is not a real broker for negotiations but a kind of a factor, which maybe decreases the tension and allows Armenian, Azerbaijani leaders to talk and to understand each other better. With respect to the Minsk Group, I want to say that it was not me, it was themselves who actually made it dysfunctional. When the Second Karabakh War ended, frankly speaking, they also were asking themselves what they should do next. And when communicating with us, our position was that the conflict is over taking that into account. Absolute majority of provisions of the so-called Madrid principles have already been achieved, including the peacekeeping operations. Therefore, to our mind, the Minsk Group, if continued, should have dealt with trust-building measures only, and also helping countries to implement fully provisions of the 10 November 2020 declaration. Because as you know, two important paragraphs are not implemented - first, withdrawal of the Armenian troops from Karabakh and second, having access to Nakhchivan. These two provisions Armenia does not fulfill. But then after this geopolitical clash, the Minsk Group formally, how to say, resigned. And now the reincarnation of the Minsk Group in any form is absolutely unrealistic and is unacceptable to us. We hear some rumors, sometimes, some information that there are some ideas how again to assemble this broken vase. But it is not possible from practical point of view and point of view of disagreement of Azerbaijan. Because, as you can imagine, we don't have good memories of the activity of the Minsk Group. With respect to the rivalry, yes, we see this rivalry. This is part of the global rivalry. It's not only here. It's easier to say where this rivalry is not happening. So, the Southern Caucasus and Azerbaijan is not an exclusion. After the end of the Second Karabakh War, naturally, Russia took the lead, because, as I said before, Russia was the principal negotiator with respect to the 10 November declaration, and the Russian peacekeepers were deployed in the region. Russia is a neighbor to Azerbaijan, and though, it's not neighbor but very close to Armenia. So, it was natural. But then, we all know that Russia became more preoccupied with other issues and the rivals just started to fill the gap. So, what will be the end of this rivalry here in the Caucasus, I cannot say. For me, as a President it was always important, even during the times of occupation, that Azerbaijan does not transform into the area of rivalry. This is the worst scenario one can imagine for any country. We see that Armenia now is slowly becoming such an area of rivalry, which can lead to serious problems. Not only Russian-American, but also other countries are actively stepping in, and I think that the Armenian government does not have a clear foreign policy strategy. They had it before the Second Karabakh War. But now we see that they don't have it and this could lead to serious problems for them. But with respect to Azerbaijan, our area is free from rivalry. We are the area of cooperation. As you know, many times Russian and American military commanders gathered in Baku for meetings. They were high-level commanders of Chief of Staff of Russian Army and US military commander or NATO military commander - they selected Baku for their meeting. That was a sign of respect to us. Selection of Baku by them - I think four or five meetings of that kind took place - demonstrated that Azerbaijan is a country, which can unite interests even between countries, which always compete. That was a time, when this competition was more or less peaceful. Now, under current circumstances, again Azerbaijan is a place, where potentially this kind of context can restart. What will be the final result? Difficult to say. The thing is that both sides actually provide the space for negotiations, and whether it's Moscow or Washington. That is not a trilateral negotiation, it is a bilateral negotiation. Shortly, the meeting was held in Washington, in several days it will be in Moscow. It depends on who invites. So, when we got invitation from the Russian Foreign Ministry several days ago, I immediately gave instructions to our foreign minister to agree, and they agreed the date. Then, Armenians asked to change the date. We agreed to change the date, because probably they had some reason. So, Americans were inviting more. So, more meetings took place there. But again, it is definitely the bilateral format. Negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to our approach, must be bilateral only. Of course, the factor of where these negotiations take place is also important. It has played its role, and we are open to any kind of mediation efforts in order to make positions closer. But one of the most important issues now on the negotiation table, which needs its resolution, is the formal agreement by Armenia to refrain from territorial claims against Azerbaijan. They did it already verbally. We consider it as a position. When the Prime Minister said that Karabakh is Azerbaijan, I wish he said that in 2019. But he said an absolutely different thing in Khankendi. Now, he says the right thing, but now he needs to put his signature under that. He needs to initial that open paragraph, which we did not agree on peace treaty draft, and clearly demonstrates that they don't have territorial claims. Their position is a little bit ambiguous. They say we recognize territorial integrity, and even they say the parameters. But at the same time, they say that this Armenian minority in Karabakh should be incorporated, which is not possible at all. There are a kind of bridging language proposals, which are reciprocal, and which refer to national minorities, their rights and security in both countries. Because if Armenians want to talk about rights and securities of Armenians in Karabakh, then we want to talk about rights and securities of Azerbaijanis in Zangazur, in Goycha, and in Yerevan. So, I think, this is logical absolutely. But hopefully, we will come to a final stage, though its difficult to predict. I can predict only what solely depends on us. But with respect to negotiations, we are hopeful, but must be less optimistic, more realistic. Moderator: Mr. President. It will be the last question. Shafag Mehraliyeva, ADA University. Shafag Mehraliyeva: I teach communication and media at ADA University. In the next two days, we will continue these conversations with our distinguished colleagues talking about modern media trends. And one of the issues that usually come up in this conversation is relationship between social media and professional media or traditional media. Sometimes difficult relationship, most of the time competitive relationship. You have a very strong, open, active social media presence. I would like to thank you for that. Population of all age ranges follow you. My son religiously follows you on Instagram. And I hope that the First Lady knows that we very closely follow her. Her messages, videos are very open and warm. It gives us an opportunity to connect with you, directly without any filters without any framing. So my question to you. When it comes to social media usage, what value do you see in social media yourself? Do you use it? Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: Well, I can tell you that I find out many important things from social media and what is happening in our country. On several occasions in my communications with media representatives, I was telling them that you help me in my day to day job. Because you know every President has his own, how to say, very similar to each other format of activity. Because especially in the countries like Azerbaijan, where you have to work 24 hours a day and be ready for any kind of news, good or bad. At the same time, the scope of activity is really so huge that sometimes you miss some important points, so you can miss the feeling of the pulse of society. This is very important for me to feel this pulse. I feel it when I travel, when I meet people, when I also use social media and many things, which happened in Azerbaijan and were not reported to me, either due to some bureaucratic procedure or now less deliberately, now less but still. Maybe because of my being too busy with some other issues. I find out also through my grandchildren sometimes, and children from social media and sometimes myself. It helps a lot. Because there are a lot of things, which irritate me, as well as anyone in Azerbaijan. I feel the same. I live the same life like any other person. I love my country like any other person, and I am irritated like any other person, when I see injustice, bureaucracy, mismanagement or something even worse. So, channels of communications to me are different. But taking into account the current situation and, of course, post-war situation, issues related to security, peace process, energy diplomacy - I mean issues of global security and development of Azerbaijan - they prevail in my day to day working activities. So, in these circumstances, definitely, I can miss something. So, social media and not only social media, traditional media help, when I follow of course, to know what is happening in order to react immediately. In many cases, I can tell you that governmental officials react even to the cutting of one tree because I saw it on the media in many cases. It creates additional discipline. You know, I travel around the country regularly and travel most of the time by car. The reason is that when I go by car, I can see many more things than I go by a plane or by a helicopter. Officials on the ground know that I will come next time and check what is happening, what is going not as it should be. So, I think that in my future activity, definitely I will use social media. I'm not as active as I would like to, but with respect to issues, which create concern in the Azerbaijani society, I am also very reachable by people of my office and my close relatives. And also I think that meetings like this are very important. I was not planned to be around, when the first Forum was held last year here in Shusha by the Azerbaijani media community. I then told our Presidential Administration, employees that it will be good if we make it international next time. It happened. It is well-organized with big presentation, and I decided to join the group. When I was scheduled to be a keynote speaker, I decided not to use this formal once again, speeches or long speeches, something like that. I saw these kinds of discussions much better for me and I think for you also. So, I'm grateful for your patience. So, almost three hours already. I'm sure you will come with very good results after two-day discussions. That will be a kind of good guidelines also for our government how to move in this direction. My last suggestion is to have this forum regularly and name it the first Shusha Global Media Forum. Moderator: The first Media Global Forum is over. Once again, thank you so much, Mr. President, for your time. See you next year. x x x The Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2023 15:30 (UTC+04:00) A new print edition of the AZERNEWS online newspaper was released on July 21. The new edition includes several interesting articles, such as "Great Return: Aghali after one year of settlement"; "Vagif Poetry Days captures essence of poet's legacy"; "MP accuses European Parliament of biased policy towards Azerbaijan"; "Iraqi Kurdistan can link country with Arabian Gulf" etc. AZERNEWS is an associate member of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA). The online newspaper is available at www.azernews.az. 21 July 2023 09:00 (UTC+04:00) The Swedish embassy in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad has suspended operations after being set on fire, according to a statement on the official website of Swedens diplomatic missions, Azernews reports, citing TASS. The statement says that due to the demonstrations that took place at the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on June 29-30 and July 20, the embassy would be closed to visitors until further notice. The issuance of passports and emergency documents has been suspended. Iraqi Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Al-Sahhaf said in an interview with the Rudaw TV channel that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani would hold an emergency meeting with the foreign minister and senior law enforcement officials. The Iraqi authorities are in talks with Sweden on steps to prevent such incidents in the future. The Al Arabiya TV channel reported earlier that, last night, hundreds of protesters had stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad and set it on fire. The protests had been sparked by the Stockholm polices July 19 decision to authorize another Quran-burning activity in front of the Iraqi embassy. Baghdads security forces used water cannons to disperse the demonstrators. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry condemned the protests. 21 July 2023 23:50 (UTC+04:00) The construction of the green hydrogen production complex in Uzbekistan is planned to begin in August, Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz News Agency. A separate new trend is green hydrogen. It is a project agreed with ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia to produce hydrogen from alternative energy sources. The President laid the foundation stone of this project in August, emphasizing the acceleration of work, the minister said. At the beginning of the year, ACWA Power signed two contracts with the Ministry of Energy and the Uzkimyosanoat company, the Spot publication wrote referring to the Zawya agency. A Saudi company will invest in the creation of a green hydrogen production complex on one of them. The facility will be built on the basis of the ammonia plant in Chirchik. It is said that the project capacity of the complex is 3 thousand tons of hydrogen per year. Its launch is said to reduce the carbon footprint of the chemical industry and help decarbonize the economy. In addition, ACWA Power will start production of environmentally friendly ammonia. According to estimates, this will save 600 million cubic meters of gas annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.5 million tons. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 21 July 2023 18:32 (UTC+04:00) Turkish security forces "neutralized" three PKK terrorists in northern Iraq near the Turkish border, the National Defense Ministry said on Friday, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency. Terrorists were targeted in the cross border Operation Claw-Lock zone, the ministry said in a statement. Turkish authorities use the term "neutralize" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured. PKK terrorists often hide out across the border in northern Iraq to plot terror attacks in Turkiye. In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkiye, the PKK listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the US, and EU has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Lois Henry is the CEO and editor of SJV Water, a nonprofit, independent online news publication dedicated to covering water issues in the San Joaquin Valley. She can be reached at lois.henry@sjvwater.org. The website is sjvwater.org. You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter. Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. This post appears here courtesy of the Carolina Journal . The author of this post is CJ Staff The N.C. Supreme Court issued orders Monday allowing attorneys from both the ACLU and Institute for Justice to file briefs supporting Ace Speedway in its legal fight against the state's top health official.State Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley is urging the high court to reverse the state Court of Appeals. A unanimous appellate panel ruled in August 2022 that speedway owners could pursue a lawsuit against Kinsley over a forced shutdown in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.The lawsuit accused Kinsley's predecessor, Mandy Cohen, of shuttering Ace for three months because of critical comments one speedway owner made about Gov. Roy Cooper's COVID response.wrote attorneys with the ACLU of North Carolina's Legal Foundation.the brief continued.ACLU lawyers argued.The ACLU brief urges the state's high court to build on existing precedent.the lawyers wrote.the ACLU brief argued.according to the brief.IJ's brief focuses on similarities between the Ace Speedway case and a lawsuit challenging North Carolina's certificate-of-need law. A New Bern eye surgeon, Dr. Jay Singleton, objects to the CON law preventing him from performing most eye surgeries at his Singleton Vision Center.wrote IJ attorneys representing the surgeon.the IJ brief continued. A rational-basis test would require a court to uphold the CON law if the government had afor putting the law in place.IJ attorneys argued.Speedway owners filed their own brief in the case Friday.Cohen was secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services in June 2020, when she ordered Ace Speedway closed indefinitely. Cohen went to court to secure a preliminary injunction enforcing herCohen later dropped her legal complaint in September 2020. Racetrack owners continued to pursue their own counterclaims challenging Cohen's shutdown.The N.C. Court of Appeals ruled unanimously in August 2022 that racetrack owners could pursue their lawsuit. By that time, Cohen had left DHHS. The suit continued against her successor, Kinsley. The state Supreme Court agreed in March to hear Kinsley's appeal of appellate judges' ruling.Though legal documents refer to the secretary asracetrack owners' allegations actually target Cohen's actions in 2020. Kinsley is theat the state Supreme Court. The track owners areThe brief filed Friday recounts key details of the Ace Speedway shutdown. The track has a seating capacity of 5,000 spectators. Owners said they needed 1,000 paying customers at each race to break even. On May 23, 2020, the speedway conducted a race with 2,550 spectators. Two other races took place over the next two weeks - with attendance of 1,600 and 1,200 - before Cohen blocked further track operations.Ace had consulted with the Alamance County health director, the local sheriff, and others before developing a plan to operate races while addressing concerns about COVID-19.Yet an executive order from Gov. Roy Cooper had banned gatherings of more than 25 people in outdoor arenas. Cohen cited Cooper's order in calling for Ace Speedway to close.according to the new court filing.the latest court filing argued.wrote attorney Chuck Kitchen, representing track owners.The brief named several other N.C. racetracks that conducted races during the same time period. None faced orders to close.Kitchen argued.Track owners challenge Cohen's authority to shutter Ace Speedway.Kitchen wrote.Even if Cohen had the power to close the speedway, that action wasKitchen argued.Cohen did not have legal authority to enforce the governor's executive order through a shutdown, he wrote.Kitchen explained.Kitchen argued.The state Supreme Court has not yet scheduled Kinsley v. Ace Speedway Racing for oral arguments. Here are four anesthesiologists or anesthesia-related stories since June 28: 1. Anesthesia practice management provider Premier Anesthesia promoted Miguel Cervantes, MD, and Anthony Dominic, DO, to regional medical director positions. 2. The average annual wage for an anesthesiologist is $302,970, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Here are the top-paying metropolitan areas for anesthesiologists. 3. Matthew Meyer, MD, associate professor of anesthesiology at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, spoke with Becker's to answer, "What do current anesthesia employment trends mean for independent ASCs?" 4. Surgery center owners and administrators are keeping a close eye on the anesthesia landscape. ASCs rely on great anesthesiologists and anesthesia group partnerships to perform their procedures, but in some markets independent anesthesiologists are hard to find. Here's what you need to know. A federal court jury has acquitted Paintsville, Ky.-based physician Loey Kousa, MD, on nine charges he faced accusing him of healthcare fraud and illegal prescription, the Lexington Herald Leader reported July 20. Dr. Kousa, who owns and operates East KY Clinic, was indicted last year on five charges of prescribing opioids without a legitimate medical purpose, two charges of healthcare fraud and two charges of making false statements in medical records. Dr. Kousa had previously been barred from writing prescriptions, but the judge lifted the restriction after the verdict. A man from the Philadelphia area pleaded guilty to distributing medical devices without FDA clearance. Peter Stoll III was a regulatory affairs specialist at a medical device manufacturer in Pennsylvania, according to a July 20 news release from the Justice Department. There, he was responsible for making the required submissions to the FDA before the company could sell its medical devices. Mr. Stoll admitted that in 2017 he created two false letters purporting the FDA granted clearance to sell two separate medical devices, which resulted in the company illegally selling thousands of dollars' worth of medical devices. The two devices were a high-speed surgical drill used for bone cutting, sawing, and drilling and a reusable sterilization container for medical instruments. Mr. Stoll faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a one-year period of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and a $100 special assessment. Milwaukee-based Children's Wisconsin raised $1.7 million to support an expansion of its dental center. The hospital raised $700,000 to meet a $1 million challenge grant from the Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation, according to a July 19 news release. Part of the money will be used to expand the organization's residency program and fund training to support care for patients with special needs. The majority of the funds will go toward a new dental office on the hospital's Milwaukee campus. The new center will feature 19 exam chairs, up from 13 at the hospital's current center. It will also include a low sensory waiting area and exam rooms. Construction for the clinic is expected to begin at the end of this year with an opening in 2025. A Louisiana orthodontist weighed in on the possible negative effects of DIY braces, NBC affiliate KPLC reported July 20. A growing trend called basement braces or DIY braces" involves people getting or providing unlicensed dental services at home or another facility. The news organization was alerted to local residents taking part in this trend and contacted Craig Crawford, DDS, of Crawford Orthodontics in Lake Charles, La., for his thoughts on the trend. Dr. Crawford told the news organization he has assisted patients with removing previous work performed by people without a license. He added that DIY braces can lead to other issues, including tooth loss. Southlake, Texas-based Allied OMS recently appointed Jonathon Jundt, DDS, MD, its chief medical officer. Founded in 2020, Allied OMS supports 65 doctors and 45 locations in California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. Dr. Jundt is a founding doctor and director on the organization's board, according to a news release shared with Becker's. He is also chief of oral and maxillofacial surgery at Evergreen (Colo.) Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Dr. Jundt recently spoke with Becker's about his new role, Allied OMS' growth and the trends he's following in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Note: This response has been lightly edited for length and clarity. Q: What has your experience been like so far in your new role and what interested you in the position? Dr. Jonathon Jundt: It's been good. Prior to this formal role, I was the first chair of the Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement committee and so this was a natural progression in the patient safety and outcomes realm. As an organization reaches a certain size and scale, there needs to be a a figurehead on the clinical side to direct clinical care to help provider safety and wellbeing, as well as patient safety and outcomes. Formalizing that role allows us to dial into some of those goals in a little bit more detail. Q: What goals do you have for your new role? JJ: There are five main goals I'm tasking myself with in this role. First and foremost is patient safety and outcomes. That's paramount. That's why we exist. Second, would be the actual provider safety and wellbeing. We know surgeon burnout is an issue, [so] facilitating surgeons in their daily work and as they go through their careers. The third is research and data acquisition and also utilization of that data. The data generated in our practices every day is valuable and pertinent to the patients and providers. So maximizing that data and research is going to be my third goal. The fourth one's going to be more fun, and that is evaluating new technologies and implementing those technologies across our group, whether it's augmented reality and surgeon training and maintenance of skills [or] different robotic technologies that are on the horizon. There are a lot of genomic advances in the head and neck cancer realm that we can incorporate. Finally, the more granular day-to-day affairs. There are probably going to be some disciplinary mechanisms as well as an internal morbidity and mortality review through a peer-privileged process, which is in place throughout healthcare to help improve outcomes. Q: What have been the biggest changes you've noticed in the oral surgery and DSO fields since founding Allied OMS? JJ: It's interesting because I'm a third-generation doctor and my mind has been on this concept of consolidation in the dental field for as long as medicine's been consolidating, so that's been several decades. To see it start to occur, and it is really full steam right now in the dental industry, it's interesting to see that unfold. We've noticed a shift in the mentality of new graduate surgeon practitioners. We've seen a sort of paradigm shift in how DSOs operate. What we've done at Allied OMS is we've really focused on doctor alignment and maximizing that doctor alignment to achieve better patient outcomes. Q: How has the mindset about consolidation and DSO affiliations evolved? JJ: The mindset has shifted in a few ways. One is the overall daily complication of running a practice has increased. It's everything from insurance to patient communication mechanisms, to contracts with suppliers. All those features have changed and it's becoming more obvious to the individual solo practitioners that given the right model [and] alignment this can be a very viable and fruitful way forward. Q: What are the biggest priorities among oral surgeons and oral surgery practices today? JJ: Oral and maxillofacial surgeons were the first group to generate an outpatient anesthesia model, even before anesthesia was an actual specialty. We have to cumulatively aggregate the data from our anesthetic outcomes and our surgical outcomes, marry the two of those and then present them back to the public to instill confidence and to demonstrate our skill and expertise in those fields. That really hasn't changed. I do think the robotic and augmented reality portions are going to be a very exciting new frontier for us moving forward. Q: Some people in the industry say dentistry has been slow to accept new technology. Do you see practitioners becoming more accepting and interested? JJ: I might disagree on that. I trained under Dr. Jaime Gateno in Houston. He was one of the first people in the world to develop virtual surgical planning. In the space of oral and maxillofacial surgery, we can take a CT scan, virtually segment the bones of the facial skeleton and reposition them in the position that we want, whether it's a traumatic case or a dentofacial deformity. We can put those bones in the correct place and then we can 3D print or mill solid titanium plates to reconstruct the facial skeleton. We've been doing that for 15 years or more now. Many of the oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and even dentistry in general, have preceded the associated medical field [and] definitely preceded 3D-printed vascular grafts and vascular surgery. You're absolutely right, though, that trend is going to continue to accelerate in that direction and it's really exciting. Q: What do you attribute to the rising demand for oral surgery and increased interest in the field among DSOs? JJ: Oral surgery is an excellent specialty. You have a high acuity. It is recession-resilient. Patients with acute symptomatic teeth typically require a more urgent intervention than other more elective situations. So I think that's probably one of the biggest factors. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons in particular have to go through quite a bit of training in their career. They're a driven group of individuals. This is an interesting concept, but there was a study that looked at when the surgeon was going to retire, and oral surgery was one of the few specialties where it was later than their stated date. It wasn't because they had to, it was because they wanted to. So oral and maxillofacial surgeons are passionate providers and they like to continue doing what they're doing even when they don't have to. That's a really important point because if I were an executive at a company, I would want to partner with people who know they're passionate about what they do and that they're there for the long haul. They want to continue to treat patients and they enjoy what they do. Q: What other trends are you following in the OMS field? JJ: I'm always engaged in research. From the technology side, I would say surgical simulation and haptic feedback mechanisms are fertile ground for testing, verifying maintenance of skills for surgeons and then implementing virtual surgical techniques in the actual operating theater. I'm [also] certainly following the DSO space. If you look at the dental implant utilization rate globally, we have an adoption rate in the United States that is well below other countries like South Korea, for example. We really haven't even begun to see the full market potential of dental implants in the United States. As our population ages and as the adoption rate through all age ranges increases, we're going to see a continued trend towards increased adoption of replacement of teeth with dental implants. Q: What does Allied OMS look for in a partner? JJ: We've been very intentional with the practices that have joined Allied thus far. We have a corpus of key opinion leaders and it's almost as if it's a hub and spoke with the key opinion leaders who are also active participants in residency programs who are able to attract the best talent and continue to push the envelope from a surgical perspective. Hartford (Conn.) Hospital withdrew a proposal to demolish a historic, but deteriorating apartment building on the outskirts of its campus, the Hartford Courant reported July 20. The hospital now plans to save the facade of the four-story apartment building built in the 1920s and incorporate it into a new complex that would provide as of yet unspecified, community-based healthcare, according to the report. The change comes after the hospital received pushback from neighbors and preservationists, according to the report. Leaders of a neighborhood revitalization group said they oppose demolition of the building because they consider the neighborhood's historic architecture to be among its greatest assets and want any future use of the property to benefit the surrounding community in addition to patients. Dave Casale, senior director of facility planning and construction at the hospital's parent system, Hartford HealthCare, said it is too early to discuss a timeline, but the hospital is committed to the project, according to the report. Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare officials are continuing to lobby for a new $233 million hospital in Hanover County, Va., after Virginia Department of Health officials recommended rejection of HCA's application in the spring, Richmond BizSense reported July 20. The proposed 60-bed acute care hospital would be a campus of Henrico (Va.) Doctors' Hospital. The Virginia Department of Health contends that HCA's application focused on the distance between its own facilities but ignored the proximity of non-HCA healthcare facilities. HCA Virginia operates six facilities in the greater Richmond area. State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton is expected to make a final ruling on the project in early October. A PatientRightsAdvocate.org report published July 20 found that only 721 (36 percent) of the 2,000 hospitals examined were fully complying with the price transparency rule, up slightly from 24.5 percent compliance in February. Six things to know: 1. Sixty-nine hospitals did not post any usable standard charges file and were in total noncompliance. 2. Although 1,228 (61.4 percent) of hospitals posted negotiated prices clearly associated with payers and plans, 507 of the 1,228 (41.3 percent) were noncompliant due to missing or incomplete pricing data. 3. Compliance varied widely among the largest health systems reviewed. 4. Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare, the largest system in the U.S., did not have a single fully compliant hospital, with a significant amount of its hospitals posting illegible, nonconforming files, according to the report. 5. No hospitals owned by HCA, Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, Renton, Wash.-based Providence Health, Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Avera Health,, Pittsburgh-based UPMC, Dallas-based Baylor Scott & White Health or St. Louis-based Mercy were compliant, according to PatientRightsAdvocate.org. 6. Eighty-eight percent of hospitals owned by Chicago-based CommonSpirit, 97 percent of hospitals owned by Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems and 98 percent of hospitals owned by Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente compliant, the report found. "Unfortunately, our findings show that the majority of hospitals across the country are still failing to comply with the hospital price transparency Rule," Cynthia Fisher, founder and chair of PatientsRightsAdvocate.org, said. "When hospitals hide behind estimates or don't post all real prices, they are leaving consumers in the dark. Making all actual prices available upfront will empower patients, employers and unions to choose the best care at prices they know they can afford, and protect all Americans from overcharges, errors and fraud." Click here to access the compliance report. Jesse Fasolo, information security officer of Paterson, N.J.-based St. Joseph's Health had to overhaul its data center on a budget after the health system was using multiple storage areas from multiple providers, with some in support, and some out of support, VentureBeat reported July 20. When Mr. Fasolo first came to St. Joseph's Health, the organization had daily issues with system performance, which slowed down clinicians and IT staff. He also told the publication that it "was almost impossible to leverage real-time data for patient care." "We battled fires every day just to keep systems running," Mr. Fasolo said. "Something as simple as a mass email with a PDF could cut into performance, keeping patients waiting to be admitted or doctors waiting for lab results." Mr. Fasolo decided to invest in tools that could increase uptime and provide flexibility while also staying cost-conscious, so he upgraded the health system's storage and compute environments. The move helped eliminate all storage with spinning discs, improving the health system's performance and reliability for clinical applications. St. Joseph's Health also was able to minimize interruptions to hospital operations and patient care and gave clinicians the opportunity to access medical data in seconds. Looking toward the future, Mr. Fasolo said the health system plans to move some workloads to the cloud, "notably to archive data for compliance purposes." Walla Walla, Wash.-based Providence St. Mary Medical Center has tapped Joel Wassermann, MD, to become its new chief medical officer, the Union Bulletin reported July 21. Dr. Wassermann will join the St. Mary Medical Center after departing another Providence-run facility in Edmonds, Wash., where he also served as the chief medical officer. He began working with Providence Health in 1995, according to the outlet. Dr. Wassermann's appointment to the role is effective immediately. One person was killed and five others injured after a car crashed into pedestrians in the parking garage of Washington, D.C.-based MedStar Georgetown University Hospital July 20, The Washington Post reported. Police said around 12:40 p.m., a woman was trying to make a three-point turn when she accelerated toward a wall. Trying to avoid the wall, she swerved toward a valet station where six people waited. The driver struck the pedestrians and the wall. All the pedestrians five women and one man were taken to the hospital's emergency room for treatment. One person died of her injuries, two were released and three are still being evaluated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to hospital spokesperson Marianne Worley. The driver was evaluated on sight but not taken into treatment, ABC affiliate WUSA reported July 20. No charges have been filed yet. Boston Medical Center resident physicians held a demonstration July 20 to call for more competitive pay. Officials at the 514-bed academic medical center and 750 resident physicians represented by the Committee of Interns and Residents have been in contract negotiations for three months. The physicians are calling for living wages competitive to other institutions in the area, a living stipend to help cover the cost of living in Boston, a parking fund, fair compensation for extra shifts, improvements to the diversity, equity and inclusion fund and more. "It really is becoming more and more difficult to prioritize our own well-being as we care for our patientsthe majority of whom are working class people of color facing complex health issues," Denisse Rojas, MD, said in the CIR news release. "Particularly for physicians who are first generation college grads and who lack familial safety nets ourselves, BMC residents are really just scraping by. The hospital must ensure that this crucial patient population gets seen by rested doctors, and that we can continue to attract physicians who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, which we know is essential for great care." The 45-minute "unity break" was scheduled in the afternoon with speakers. The CIR expected at least 200 people to attend. A spokesperson for BMC shared the following statement with Becker's: "Boston Medical Center greatly values the contribution our residents and fellows make to our hospital. We are actively in conversation with the Committee of Interns and Residents and look forward to, once again, negotiating a mutually agreeable contract." Approximately 55 percent of BMC's patients are covered by Medicaid or Massachusetts' Health Safety Net; 25 percent are covered by Medicare, according to the American Hospital Association. Almost 30 percent of BMC's patients speak a primary language other than English. A Fort Worth, Texas-based physician's assistant has been charged with 11 counts of healthcare fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud, according to a July 19 news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Texas. Ray Anthony Shoulders is accused of injecting amniotic fluid into patients' joints to treat their pain. "This defendant allegedly claimed that amniotic fluid a product that has never been approved to treat pain would alleviate his patients' suffering. He allegedly told patients that the treatment was covered by Medicare, kindling false hopes. To add insult to injury, he allegedly scammed Medicare out of more than half a million dollars," said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. Mr. Shoulders also asked patients to pay $800 out of pocket per injection, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Some patients had also reportedly been told their insurance would cover these costs and consented because of that, but this was not the case. And while amniotic fluid has been FDA-approved for certain wound care, it is not approved for treating pain, the release points out. In total, Mr. Shoulders possibly along with others submitted $788,000 in fraudulent claims, receiving more than $614,000 in Medicare reimbursements after the fact for these injections, according to the U.S. attorney's office. "In November 2020, in an attempt to avoid detection, Mr. Shoulders suddenly halted the alleged scheme after he became concerned that a sudden increase in the volume of billings might attract the attention of investigators," the release states. "With no repercussions over the ensuing 10 months, Mr. Shoulders allegedly re-engaged in the scheme in October 2021 and continued through December 2021." He could face up to 120 years in prison if found guilty on all counts. The Tennessee Supreme Court on July 20 made two rulings saying vicarious liability claims against hospitals can proceed when statute of limitations barred claims against agents. The court ruled that the Health Care Liability Act abrogates the operation-of-law exception, according to a news release. Its reasoning was that applying an exception would nullify the Health Care Liability Act's "automatic extension of the statute of limitations for defendants to whom pre-suit notice is provided," according to a news release from the Tennessee office of the courts. The first case arose from the death of a patient after she was discharged from TriStar Skyline Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. The woman's family asserted liability against the hospital but didn't sue its agents. The other case stemmed from a patient who was injured during surgery. She also asserted liability against the hospital but not its agents. A nursing background can lead to a myriad of job paths. That comes as no surprise to those already working in the profession, but there's an immense opportunity for healthcare organizations to do a better job at showcasing just how diverse the range of career options are with a nursing degree especially when it comes to attracting more men to the field. BLS data shows roughly roughly 12 percent of the nation's nurses were men in 2022 progress that has been slow moving over the past few years. Those in healthcare are well aware that there's no shortage of opportunities in the industry, but society still holds outdated perceptions about the profession that could hinder progress toward recruiting more male nurses. "The limitless possibilities of a career in nursing are often shrouded by decades-old gender norms and the historical representation of nurses as bedside caregivers working in the hospital setting," said Megan Gillespie, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer and vice president of Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill. Becker's recently spoke to four nursing leaders about key opportunities to attract more men to the profession and to recruit and retain a more diverse workforce overall. Start downhill In today's labor market, it's commonplace to hear about hospitals and health systems collaborating with community colleges and even high schools as they look for ways to get more creative with recruitment and retention. To really make a dent in attracting more men to nursing, however, there's room for these efforts to start even earlier, leaders from the American Nurses Association told Becker's. "We need nurses who are male to go to high schools and middle schools to be that representative that shows kids that it's not just a female thing," said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, RN, president of the ANA. "I was talking to a student a few weeks ago and he said, 'Nursing was never an option until I saw my friend's dad was a nurse.' Having men who are nurses go into career fairs and other things to talk about their roles is really powerful because we really need to start downhill elementary, middle school and high school to help kids see a whole wide range of possibilities." Many of the certified registered nurse anesthetists at St. Louis-based BJC Healthcare are men, Tommye Austin, PhD, RN, senior vice president and chief nursing executive at the health system, told Becker's. This reflects a national trend, as men's representation is highest among nurse anesthetists compared to other nursing occupations. Beyond this, Dr. Austin has worked with plenty of male nurses throughout her career, including former managers. "I know that men can flourish in the profession," she said. To get this message into the community, Dr. Austin participates with the Boys and Girls Club in St. Louis and is considering joining the Boy Scouts board to talk about nursing and offer the opportunity for young people to come in and shadow men in different roles. A marketing revamp A significant marketing opportunity exists to highlight where a career in nursing can actually lead. Take the example of Sean DeGarmo, PhD, RN, director of advanced practice initiatives and certification outreach at the ANA Enterprise. He's worked as a flight nurse and a consultant for a major firm, has taught trauma for the military and teaches nursing at the graduate level. "There's just a constant opportunity to either rebrand yourself, or if you are interested in a career where there really isn't a limit to what you do, I think this is an excellent opportunity," Dr. DeGarmo said. The healthcare industry can likely attract more individuals to the profession by better educating them on where a career in nursing can take them outside of traditional bedside roles, Dr. Gillespie said. "There's a huge gap in knowledge and understanding about what roles nurses can fulfill. There are a multitude of different avenues and specialties that you can pursue in the profession of nursing, in addition to a clinical bedside professional RN, including informatics, advanced practice, and population health focus," she told Becker's. Given how ingrained the traditional view of nurses and caregivers being female is in society, it's that much more important for hospitals and healthcare organizations to ensure representation in marketing materials and other visuals. And while nursing isn't widely considered a STEM profession, it should be, according to Dr. Mensik Kennedy of the ANA. "I think that is a lost opportunity from a branding perspective because of the enormous amount of science that does go into nursing and care," she said. Accessibility The average student debt for an associate degree in nursing is nearly $20,000. That bumps up to nearly $24,000 for a BSN and $47,000 for an MSN, according to an analysis of 2019 data from Nerdwallet. Many hospitals and health systems offer tuition coverage in exchange for a work commitment from nurses. Initiatives like these are ever more important, since many nurse graduates don't qualify for income-driven loan forgiveness programs. "[Many nurses] don't qualify for loan repayment because the limits are very low in regards to how much money they can make, and so I see that as an obstacle," said Dr. Austin of BJC Healthcare. "The limit should be pushed up closer to what physicians make so that nurses can be reimbursed for those loans," especially when demand is so high. And the financial barrier of going to school is just half the battle, she said. Healthcare organizations also have an opportunity to provide other resources and assistance around child care and social management. Over the past year, hospitals' efforts to support and incentivize workers have expanded, with some offering a child care subsidy to support employees' daycare expenses. The bottom line It starts with education. Rather than a complete rebrand of the profession, nursing leaders and other stakeholders must invest in efforts to educate their communities about nursing's diverse career paths. "We really need to shine a light in a compelling and comprehensive way on what this profession really has to offer," Dr. Gillespie said. "It's a unique career, and it is rapidly changing and evolving." Health officials in Washington are investigating what is believed to be the state's first Candida auris infection in a Pierce County man. The individual tested positive at Kindred Hospital Seattle-First Hill during an admission screening, according to a July 18 health alert shared on the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department's website. The facility is an 80-bed long-term acute care hospital. Prior to that, he spent about six weeks at Tacoma, Wash.-based St. Joseph Medical Center and has "multiple comorbidities." Health officials are working with the hospitals to investigate. "We will provide testing for other patients who may have been exposed," the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said. "This patient will remain isolated while he continues to receive care." A spokesperson for St. Joseph Medical Center, which is part of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, told CBS affiliate KIRO-TV the facility found out the individual tested positive for the fungus July 14, after he had already been discharged. "Out of an abundance of caution, we immediately relocated the patient currently in the room that was previously occupied by the infected patient. The care and safety of our patients and staff remains the top priority for us," said Kelly Campbell, division vice president of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Read more about the drug-resistant fungus here. The tornado that ripped through a Pfizer plant in Rocky Mount, N.C., mainly damaged its warehouse and missed the manufacturing side, the drugmaker said July 21. The warehouse stored "raw materials, packaging supplies and finished medicines awaiting release by quality assurance," Pfizer said. The company is moving the supply to other facilities and is reviewing ruined items that require replacements. Pfizer estimates the facility one of the largest sterile injectable plants in the world makes about 25 percent of the company's injectable medications used by hospitals. On July 21, Pfizer said its market share of hospital-used injectables is 8 percent. The drugmaker is working to restore operations at the now-closed facility and is exploring alternative manufacturing locations. The FDA said it is aware of the storm damage and is working to assess "any potential impact to the drug supply," the agency's commissioner, Robert Califf, MD, said in a tweet. Much of the building was splintered and as many as 50,000 pallets of medicine were destroyed. All 3,200 employees at the site are safe and accounted for, Pfizer said. "There are already 300 drugs that were in shortage before today. And many of those were sterile injectable drugs and like the ones manufactured at this facility," Tom Kraus, vice president of government relations at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, told The Hill in a July 20 report. "So we are already in a state of crisis with drug shortages and this, obviously, has the potential to contribute to that." Pfizer has not released information on which products were made, stored and damaged at the site. Only two or three manufacturers produce sterile injectable drugs, adding to concerns of a worsening shortage. "We do not have enough manufacturing capacity for these products, particularly sterile injectable drugs, and we don't have a diversified manufacturing capacity for them," Mr. Kraus told the Hill. "The fact that so much of these drugs are coming from one facility is a problem in and of itself." Before the storm, about 230 of Pfizer's products marketed to hospitals were already listed as "depleted" or in "limited supply," sources told The New York Times. Spine surgeon Frank Cammisa Jr., MD, has had a long career at New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery as its chief emeritus of spine. In June, he was recognized for his work and earned HSS' Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Cammisa spoke with Becker's about his career and why he's excited for the next chapter at HSS. Note: This conversation was edited for clarity. Question: When you look back at your career, what are the defining moments that shaped you? Dr. Frank Cammisa: I went to Tufts University in Boston for an undergraduate degree and thought my life would be in the Boston area. One defining moment that shaped my career was going to Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons for medical school, which fortunately brought me to New York City. After medical school, I was accepted for my orthopedic residency at Hospital for Special Surgery. During residency, I found my interests were focused towards spine surgery. The second defining moment in my career was the opportunity to train for my spine fellowship at the University of Miami and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis with Drs. Frank Eismont and Barth Green. The training I received in my fellowship provided me an excellent foundation in spine surgery, enabling me to return to HSS well trained and prepared to build a practice both academically and clinically. After only a few years in practice at HSS, I was offered the position to be chief of the spine service, which was not only a defining moment in my career but afforded me the opportunity to lead a team over the next 20 years to build a world class spine service. During that period, the growth of the spine service was rapid, growing from two to 20 surgeons focused entirely in spine surgery. As an academic institution, this growing service needed the infrastructure of a dedicated translational research program to build that collaborative bridge between physicians and scientists. In 2009, I began the integrated spine research program and recruited Celeste Abjornson, PhD, to be the director of the program so we could begin to answer significant clinical questions by developing research platforms from concept to clinical implementation. Our main areas of focus have been motion preservation, biologic agents utilized in spine surgery, manufacturing techniques like additive manufacturing (three-dimensional printing) towards truly biomimetic implants, and navigation/robotics for better surgical planning and guidance. I am truly fortunate to have great colleagues both in the clinical and research arenas, and working with them has allowed me to have a very rewarding career. Q: Looking at the first half of the year, what are some of your top accomplishments? FC: Personally, being awarded the HSS Lifetime Achievement Award is obviously number one. More broadly at this point in my career, I view professional accomplishments as milestones of improving patient care. Some of my research collaborations with industry are maturing to fruition and I think will greatly benefit patients in the near future. Over the last several years, I've been proud to be a member of the board of directors for Woven Orthopedics. Earlier this year, we received clearance from the FDA for a simple but elegant solution for fixation of implants to bone. This will be a great clinical benefit to many patients. In addition, I am part of two other company's boards of directors that are currently being reviewed by the FDA. After so many years of work, it is such an accomplishment to have such positive and exciting interactions at the FDA. First, OrthoBond, founded by Greg Lutz, MD, of HSS, has developed an antimicrobial surface treatment to prevent biofilm formation on implants. I accepted the position as chief medical officer because I believe the clinical impact to patients across orthopedics and other surgical areas of medicine is a true game changer. In the first half of this year, we recruited a new chair of the board, Eric Majors, who has lead successful start-ups such as AOM and K2M and benefited from clinical care with novel additions to spine surgery. The most groundbreaking and disruptive technology that I am currently working on is a seven amino acid peptide for regeneration of cartilage within the disc that may change the entire care continuum of degenerative disc disease, eliminating the need for surgery for a vast amount of patients. We were able to begin the FDA Phase III IND trial earlier this year and I am most proud of the clinical trial design and real world parameters that we are measuring to assess true value. Q: In the second half of the year, HSS is going to have some big changes as Bryan Kelly, MD, steps into his CEO role. What do you expect from this transition, and how do you feel about it? FC: Lou Shapiro has done a tremendous job as CEO of HSS for nearly two decades and has strategically and operationally positioned the hospital. With this transition, I'm extremely excited about Dr. Kelly transitioning from surgeon-in-chief to CEO. There simply isn't a better person for the job. His perspective as a surgeon, a businessman, and leader will bring great vision to the future of HSS. To have a CEO that has a true 360-degree perspective of both the medical issues and the business issues is phenomenal and extremely rare. In addition, he will have an experienced team with the transition of Doug Padgett, MD, who was associate surgeon-in-chief to the surgeon-in-chief, providing continuity to the mission. Dr. Padgett is not only a great surgeon and well respected but is a strong leader and mentor. I'm very optimistic about the future of HSS with them leading us. Q: Is there anything new in spine surgery that you hope new generations of surgeons will embrace? FC: Currently, it's robotics, it's navigation and it's trying to do things more minimally invasive. It's focusing on return to function, not just pain relief, thereby getting patients back to the lives they had prior to the onset of their clinical issues. The next generation of surgeons will be facing patients that live longer and are looking to maintain high activity levels. Personally, I think it's important for them to develop the academic side of their career even if their career path isn't at an academic center. Staying connected and keeping up on the latest advancements in research and development not only makes you a better surgeon but provides you the knowledge to offer cutting-edge solutions. If some day, we can fully understand the pathologic spinal disease progression, we can intervene earlier and more precisely, thereby improving clinical outcomes. However, the key to a successful career is always continuing to learn and advance your knowledge and skills. Q: Are there any healthcare trends you're following closely? FC: At least in the field of spine care, the focus is on evidence-based research, especially real-world outcomes utilizing big data platforms so that we truly understand if our surgical treatments are providing clinically important differences across a complex, highly variable patient population. Secondly, the trend towards more comprehensive multidisciplinary specialty interaction. Tearing down the barriers of compartmentalized medicine approaches, it is extremely important that spine surgeons work together closely with physiatry, neurology, anesthesia and pain management to really take global care of the patient. Finally, the world has changed post-COVID, and being able to interact with patients by new platform mediums like virtual appointments and interactive patient portals allows greater connectivity to your patients, which can only result in better care management. Q: Is there anything else you want to discuss that we haven't touched on yet? FC: Patient expectations. As information has become so readily available, both accurate and sometimes inaccurate, it is vital that clear expectations of the goals of the surgery and the clinical outcomes are well defined in terms that a patient can understand. Each patient is unique, as are their goals. At HSS, we have focused, especially in spine surgery, in terms of what patients' expectations are of surgery and seeing how the surgeon's and the patient's expectations of a procedure correlate. The research efforts in this area at HSS have been led by Carol Mancuso, MD. In collaboration with myself and many of my colleagues, Dr. Mancuso's team has worked to validate patient expectation outcome measures to elucidate the disparities and alignments of expectations, not only physically but psychologically. Patients well-informed about all expectations of surgery leads to better results. Three-year-old Thomas Darragh pictured with Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy at The UK Space Agencys 'Space for Everyone tour at Writers Square in Belfast. Pic: Stephen Hamilton Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy and Sean Greer from W5 at The UK Space Agencys 'Space for Everyone tour in Belfast. Thorsten and Cassia Kahlert take a selfie at the 72ft replica rocket at Writers Square which is part of The UK Space Agencys 'Space for Everyone tour in Belfast Space Agency UK landed their giant rocket replica in Belfasts city centre to mark its Space for Everyone tour and there were plenty of youngsters dreaming of blasting off into the galaxy after their visit. The 72ft replica of the LauncherOne rocket arrived in Writers Square on Thursday morning and has already welcomed quite a few curious young minds.. Visitors have the chance to see the rocket model up close and learn about the important role of space in our everyday lives. Space Agency UK hope the tour will encourage more people to take an interest in a career within the space industry. Little Thomas Darragh (3) thought the exhibition was out of this world. Thomas absolutely loves everything about space so when we heard there was a rocket coming to Belfast we had to come down and see it, mum Julie said. Its amazing. Obviously we are off for the summer holidays at the minute so we are just trying to find things to do everyday and this was quite close to us so its brilliant we were able to just pop down the road and see it, Julie said. Julie and Thomas Darragh Molly (8) and Conor (10) McCullen visited the exhibit on Thursday with their dad, Ciaran. We were just passing and the kids saw the rocket and the kids sort of screamed Whats that? so we had to get out and see what was happening, Ciaran said. Both of the children enjoyed building and launching model rockets, while Conor said he particularly enjoyed the VR games. Read more How to develop the 10 key life skills a child requires to thrive Ciaran was glad to see his children had the opportunity to enjoy the exhibits during their summer holidays. Its great to have activities like this here, he said. All the staff here are brilliant. The engagement officers are really good at getting the kids involved in everything, they have made it creative and fun for them, so its excellent. Molly and Conor McCullen with their dad, Ciaran Belfast Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy, also dropped by to see the rocket yesterday. He said there is a wide range of careers in the space industry available in Northern Ireland. I think we are appropriately located in Writers Square, which is right on the fringe of our innovation district, he said. We know that innovation in tech is one of those areas that the city of Belfast is vastly growing in so there are plenty of options within the innovation sector. This is just another opportunity where we can get people to show there are many different pathways that they can go into. Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy and Sean Greer from W5 at The UK Space Agencys 'Space for Everyone tour in Belfast. Mr Murphy welcomed the exhibit to Belfast and said he hopes young people in Northern Ireland will come down to Writers Square to see it. Id encourage people, particularly young people, to come to Writers Square and see what Space Agency UK are offering over the weekend, he added. Mr Murphy hopes young people will learn about the opportunities within the space industry through the exhibit. What this is about is trying to encourage younger people to think about a pathway and a job opportunity within the space industry, he said. It is one of the fastest growing industries we have across these islands, employing over 49,000 people. Three-year-old Thomas Darragh pictured with Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy at The UK Space Agencys 'Space for Everyone tour at Writers Square in Belfast. Pic: Stephen Hamilton The Lord Mayor added that young people should keep an open mind when it comes to careers in the space industry. What we are trying to do is show people that the space industry covers many different skill sets, he said. It isnt just rocket scientist and astrophysicists, its everything from lawyers. project planners and communicators. Its just giving people an opportunity to see if any of those pathways are of interest to them. Sinead Ferguson (20), from Northampton, works with Space Agency UK and hopes she can educate young people on the wide variety of careers available within the space industry during the Belfast visit. When people think of space they think of astronauts or engineering, which is extremely important, but what a lot of people dont realise is you dont have to be mathematically inclined to work for space, she said. For example, we have space journalists, psychologists and so many things that you wouldnt think about and I didnt know before this job. Sinead Ferguson The Space Agency UK exhibit will be in Writers Square until Monday. It is free to enter and there is no need to pre-book Accused (60) remanded in custody after phones seized Robert Beck had been on bail accused of making a threat to kill Jamie Bryson (inset) A man who allegedly threatened Jamie Bryson and other loyalists that they would be whacked has been remanded in custody for breaching bail conditions. Robert Beck initially appeared at Newtownards Magistrates Court by videolink from Musgrave Street PSNI station. After he was moved from the camera during a short break, District Judge Mark Hamill ordered the 60-year-old be driven to court to appear in person. Beck, from east Belfast, had been on bail accused of making a threat to kill Mr Bryson on June 1 this year and breaching a restraining order on the same date. A bench warrant had been issued, but Beck had been mocking police on social media in breach of his bail conditions. He was also reported to have driven past the house of a second north Down loyalist, a man he previously threatened. This individual was not at home at the time, but his family was and reported seeing Beck doing loops of their housing development on a motorbike and driving slowly past their house. A previous court heard Mr Bryson received a call from an unknown number just after 8.30am on June 1 this year. When he answered it, a male voice that Mr Bryson recognised as the defendant, said it was Bobby Beck. Naming the loyalist activist and others, the caller said they had until midnight or they would be whacked, a detective told the court. Around half an hour later, a post on social media said the named individuals should be looking over their shoulders legitimate targets will be attacked on sight the gloves are off up the SEA UDA. An officer said the mens names were also daubed on a wall with crosshairs and the words Real UFF. Beck was arrested and questioned but claimed he had nothing to do with the incidents, saying he had lost his phone a few days beforehand. The court heard Mr Bryson managed to make a partial recording of the call, but Beck denied he was the caller, suggesting it just sounded like him. Following a court appearance on June 16, he was freed on High Court bail and with conditions including a residence order, a curfew, a ban on having mobile phones and an order not to contact the alleged victims. In court yesterday, a detective claimed Beck had failed to answer his front door on June 28, that police retrieved two mobile phones from his home when he was arrested on Wednesday, and there is material in police hands that shows he had made contact with Mr Bryson. Read more CCTV footage captures gunman firing at Ards home as children escape injury Noting Beck had convictions for similar offences and multiple breaches of bail and court orders, the officer said police were objecting to his release over fears he would commit further offences or break bail conditions. Becks solicitor told the court his client was asleep in bed when police called at his door to check he was complying with his bail conditions. He said that because Beck was onstrong medication for anxiety and depression, he simply did not hear the knocking. The solicitor added: They [officers] said they had tried to contact him by phone, and other than that there was nothing else. So, they tried to contact him by mobile phone, knowing full well he should not have a phone. I struggle to see how that is an effective means of communication, given the bail conditions. According to the defence case, one of the phones retrieved from Becks home by the police was left there by a third party who had been staying with him. The other phone had no internet capability and Beck disputes making any contact with it. Mr Hamill told the lawyer while she had done her best, on the face of it the defendant had breached at least two out of five conditions, so he has no chance of me interfering with his High Court bail. Remanding Beck into custody and adjourning the case to August 16, the judge said there was no way in the world I will give this man bail with these plethora of breaches. The Public Prosecution Service is to appeal a decision to grant bail to a man charged with multiple offences including allegedly raping a woman in the presence of their toddler child. The accused, who is in his twenties but cannot be named to protect the identity of the complainant, is charged with raping, assaulting, attempting to strangle and unlawfully imprisoning the complainant against her will. A PSNI detective constable told Dungannon Magistrates Court all charges could be connected. He explained how the complainant contacted police to report a domestic abuse incident allegedly beginning around 5am on July 17, when she was woken by her partner kicking and verbally abusing her. She fled to a nearby address, but got no response, while the defendant was shouting at her to return home. When she did, the defendant locked the door and told the complainant she would not be leaving until she had sex with him, shouting: Get up there now and get your clothes off. The commotion woke their sleeping child, who was lifted by the complainant and held in her arms. However, the defendant got her into a headlock and again told her to take her clothes off. The complainant alleges the defendant raped her, ignoring her distress, in the presence of the child, who saw everything and was crying. Afterwards, the defendant left the property and the complainant contacted police. She had bruising to her thigh and marks to her jaw, caused from being put in a headlock. Screenshots were provided showing more than 150 missed calls from the defendant after the incident and before his arrest. The defendant also sent an image of a rope hanging from a tree and asked to speak to the child. During interview, he denied the offences, stating how, in the days beforehand, he saw a photograph of the complainant at a party showing her talking to a male. This annoyed him and he went to bed, later texting the complainant asking her to join him but got no reply; she spent the night in the spare room. The following day, the defendant left for work and received a text from the complainant ending their relationship. While claiming sex did occur following this, he insisted it was consensual and instigated by the complainant, contending the marks on her face were smeared make-up. Objecting to bail, the detective said: The defendant made excessive attempts to contact the complainant post-incident. She has tried to leave him, as he is very controlling, and she is in fear of what he may do next, as the abuse is getting worse. This is a significant domestic allegation in the presence of a very young child. The court heard the defendant was previously investigated for allegations of raping a different woman in 2017, in similar circumstances, but these did not proceed. Police believe, whilst not convicted, it shows a propensity to commit serious offences and escalation of his behaviour, said the detective. A defence barrister, however, pointed out that his client has no previous record and argued bail could be granted with strict conditions. District Judge Michael Ranaghan said: These are the most serious of alleged offences in front of a very young child, although seriousness alone is not a reason to deny bail. Given the answers in interview, it may boil down to one word against another. The court cannot turn its eyes from protecting the complainant, but where I have doubt I have to grant bail. However, a prosecuting lawyer advised that this be appealed. The defendant will remain in custody until bail has been ruled upon at High Court. Tui said the aircraft, which is operated by Sunwing, was delayed due to a technical issue (Alamy/PA) Airline Tui has apologised after hundreds of passengers were left unable to return to Belfast for a lengthy period due to delays. Footage on social media showed passengers, including children, laying on airport floors. Northern Irish holidaymakers trying to travel from Rhodes to Belfast on Wednesday night had their flight rescheduled multiple times due to technical difficulties. Those affected by the delays were offered somewhere to stay but many chose to remain in the airport citing poor conditions at the accommodation offered by Tui. In a statement, Tui said the aircraft, which is operated by Sunwing, was delayed due to a technical issue which meant the flight crew were over the legal working hour limit. After this customers were given a new departure time on Thursday. Following a further delay to the Thursday flight, the airline said passengers were provided with accommodation and food vouchers. The statement read: Unfortunately, the technical issue needed further work so with the safety of our customers and crew in mind the difficult decision was made to extend the delay. All passengers were provided with overnight accommodation; however some chose to stay at the airport. Those who stayed at the airport were provided with vouchers for meals and refreshments. A gesture of goodwill has also been offered to all customers. The new estimated time of departure was 1935 local time on Friday. Tui added: We know that this is not how anyone wants to end their holiday and would once again like to apologise for the inconvenience caused. All customers will be entitled to claim EU261 flight delay compensation. One passenger on the flight, Niamh McDonald, told the BBC they were treated like dogs. The treatment weve got is just atrocious and weve been treated like dogs, to be honest. And its just put us off ever travelling again. The communication has been terrible, to be honest. Weve been sleeping on the floors of the airport for the past few nights, elderly people on the floors, children on the floors. Yeah, its just been terrible. Passengers attempting to travel from Ibiza to Northern Ireland also experienced issues with the airline. After a delay spanning more than 24 hours, some passengers said they found it difficult to communicate with airline representatives. In relation to the Ibiza flight, a statement from Tui said a new part was needed due to technical issues with the aircraft, also operated by Sunwing. We completely understand the frustration of customers who were due to depart Ibiza on flight TOM1331 yesterday, and we would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused, the statement read. The safety of our customers and crew is our utmost priority. The aircraft customers were meant to travel on developed a technical issue that required a new part to be transported from overseas. This also meant the flight crew were over the legal working hour limit. Customers were communicated with throughout the delay, and we provided them with accommodation until their new expected flight time of 9am the following day. Unfortunately, the new part for the aircraft was delayed in customs which caused the unexpected further delay. The aircraft has now departed and customers are on their way home. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, called on the Prime Minister to give the Civil Aviation Authority the power to fine airlines directly if they do not fulfil their obligation to customers experiencing delays or cancellations. People work hard and save for their summer holidays, so its incredibly frustrating when flight disruption throws their plans into disarray, Mr Boland said. Tui has a legal obligation to ensure all passengers affected by these delays and cancellations swiftly get the compensation they are entitled to or potentially reroute passengers to their destination at the earliest opportunity, with a rival carrier if necessary. Passengers are also entitled to free refreshments or accommodation if appropriate to the length of the delay. The Civil Aviation Authority must be given the powers it needs to hold airlines to account when they fall short of their legal obligations in the event of disruption including the ability to fine companies directly. The Prime Minister must now prioritise the legislation to deliver the Governments commitment for stronger enforcement powers in the Kings Speech later this year. The shooting was caught on CCTV in the early hours of Thursday morning Family left traumatised and homeless after shots fired at house in West Winds estate, Newtownards, amid loyalist feud. Family left traumatised and homeless after shots fired at house in West Winds estate, Newtownards, amid loyalist feud. A family has been left traumatised and homeless after shots fired at house in West Winds estate, Newtownards, amid loyalist feud A woman and her four children have been left homeless after their house was targeted by a gunman in Newtownards amid an ongoing loyalist feud. The family has been terrified following the shocking incident which was caught on CCTV in the early hours of Thursday morning. The Belfast Telegraph has spoken to the male occupant who vacated the property in the Stirling Avenue area of the West Winds estate four months ago after being ordered out of the area. He said that he was given assurances that his family would be safe as he blamed the "sick and disgusting" attack on the East Belfast UVF. "My four children were inside my eldest daughter is 23, but has severe learning difficulties with the mental age of a teenager, he said. "She was sitting downstairs playing a computer game when a bullet came through the front door. "My 15-year-old son has ADHD and bi-polar, he doesn't sleep that well and had just turned off the TV when a bullet came through the living room window. "He had cuts on his feet from the smashed glass. "If he had have been seconds later he would be dead today and I would be burying my son this weekend." CCTV captures masked person firing shots at home in Newtownards estate in Down The distraught father, whose teenage daughter and 21-year-old son were also inside the house when it was attacked, rushed to the scene to comfort them in the immediate aftermath. "My wife left for work two minutes before the shooter turned up outside the house," he said. "My kids phoned me in a panic and I went straight there. It's the first time I've been anywhere near the house. "I was shocked to the core if someone has a problem with me they should not be taking it out on my wife and kids. "There's an old school rule which is an unwritten law that family members are off limits in a feud. "What do innocent kids have to do with any of that?" The mechanic said that a deal with East Belfast UVF was struck which meant that so long as he stayed away from the estate his family would have nothing to fear. "These are the same people who were backing a protest for peace the other week warning that if a child is harmed they will take action now they are shooting at children," he said. "This part of the town is run by East Belfast UVF the idea that the UDA or any other group would go into their turf and open fire without permission is ridiculous. "It simply does not work like that, it's a big no, no so its obvious the East Belfast UVF either permitted the attack, or sanctioned it themselves. "But I have been reliably informed the man in the CCTV is one of theirs." Family left traumatised and homeless after shots fired at house in West Winds estate, Newtownards, amid loyalist feud. The exile described the traumatic impact of the attack on his wife and children who have been left with nowhere to live. "They have left the house, they aren't in it and they aren't going back, he said. "They are staying with friends until they can get sorted, so right now we are all homeless. "My eldest daughter is shaking constantly and one of the other kids was with me in work shortly after it happened when there was an innocent bang. "They immediately lifted their hands to cover their head as if it was a gunshot. "My son who escaped being killed by a couple of seconds says hes ok, but he really needs routine in his life so I think hes going to struggle. "Those who did this aren't loyalists at all, they are pure scum. "Targeting women and children is sick and disgusting. CCTV footage shows a hooded figure dressed in dark clothing approaching the property and firing shots from what appears to be a shotgun or rifle at 12.53am. Read more CCTV footage captures gunman firing at Ards home as children escape injury Police said the incident may be linked to a long-running feud among drug gangs in north Down. Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong said criminal factions are torturing the community and warned it has to stop. I utterly condemn this blatant disregard for life, the Strangford representative added. This sinister act is all the more sickening given there were children at home who could have been injured or killed." Family left traumatised and homeless after shots fired at house in West Winds estate, Newtownards, amid loyalist feud. DUP councillor Naomi Armstrong-Cotter has also condemned the reckless attack which irresponsibly endangered life. Its made so much worse by the fact that children were in that home, she said. I am asking those who know anything to get in touch with the PSNI. "It is clear that this behaviour will only stop when we as a community pull together with the police to ensure those involved in acts like these are held accountable and subjected to the law. The PSNI confirmed extensive damage was caused to the door and front window of the property during what it described as a completely irresponsible and reckless attack which could have had extremely serious consequences. Everyone has the right to live free from the threat of violence, and our enquiries are at an early stage to determine who was involved and a motive, a spokesperson added. At present, however, we are potentially linking this report to an ongoing investigation into criminal activity linked to a loyalist feud between drugs gangs in north Down. Paramilitaries are not defenders of their communities, instead they are criminals who prey on vulnerable people and exploit any circumstances they can for their own gain." A number of properties have been targeted in and around Newtownards since March. A total of 18 men are facing criminal charges as a result of the bitter fallout between North Down UDA and a faction of South East Antrim UDA based in Weavers Grange in the town. A District Judge has previously warned that someone is going to get killed if the people involved are not disabused of the notion that they are in charge of Newtownards. Shayne Quigg's two sons, aged 11 and four, sleeping on the airport floor. Delayed TUI flights for Northern Irish holidaymakers in Ibiza this week have had a knock-on effect for other NI-bound travellers hoping to make their way both to and from Rhodes. On Thursday, passengers in Ibiza were told by the airline that their flight back to Belfast had been delayed due to a technical issue on Wednesday that also resulted in crew exceeding the number of hours they are legally allowed to work. The group of over 200 people ended up having their journey home postponed by 28 hours. Co Londonderry man Shayne Quigg said their flight had been due to take off at around 11am local time on Wednesday, but that TUI only first got in contact with customers nearly four hours after it was supposed to leave. In the last two days we were at the other side of security in the airport from about 8am until 5pm on Wednesday, and on Thursday we were again stuck in the airport from around 6am until we finally took off at 3pm, said the Kilrea father-of-two. He added that the situation was worsened by the heatwave currently sweeping Europe and the fact that once through security, passengers had no access to their bags and belongings that had been checked in. Read more TUI holidaymakers stranded in Ibiza for over 24 hours after flight to Belfast delayed Shayne continued: Im not trying to make it seem worse than what it was, but there were wee pensioners there, people with toddlers, a woman who had fallen and broke her ankle on holidays, who was waiting to get home to Belfast to get treatment, and people with disabilities. It genuinely felt like you were put into a pig pen and just left there until they [TUI] wanted to deal with you. Shayne Quigg's two sons, aged 11 and four, sleeping on the airport floor. TUI arranged accommodation for delayed passengers on Wednesday night, and travel to the airport again on Thursday morning, where their rescheduled flight was again delayed from 9am until approximately 3pm. The airline has confirmed that the hindrance was caused as the plane due for Belfast needed a new part, but that it had been further held up in Spanish customs on Thursday morning. The incident has had a domino effect, with a TUI flight from Belfast to Rhodes cancelled on Wednesday evening, alongside another flight being rescheduled from the Greek island back to NI. Lee-Ann Weldon is currently stuck in Rhodes with her husband Colin and their two children, Zara (8) and Lucas (6). Matthew Jenkins, Lee-Anns father, told this newspaper it is a totally unsatisfactory situation. It was after midnight before they were told the flight was cancelled and were eventually found hotels for the night, he said. Those who booked directly with TUI were able eventually to get some information from an app that they downloaded. However, those who booked with a travel agent were left in the dark and had to rely on information from others. The re-planned flight was due to leave Lee-Anns family and other passengers back to Belfast at 4am at the earliest on Friday morning, but it has again been cancelled. Matthew continued: The Rhodes flight was cancelled again at 1.55am local time, apparently due to severe technical difficulties and all the passengers are still stuck there. "My daughter and family did not get to a hotel until 6.00am local time this morning. The children are that exhausted that she is not going to waken them for breakfast. No doubt the hotel will want them to vacate the room this morning in preparation for other guests that are booked in. Then where do they go? Are they expected to sit in the lobby until picked up for another protracted sit at the airport? They should have been home at 12.35am on Thursday morning. It will now be Saturday before they get home. In a statement sent to this newspaper, a spokesperson for TUI said they completely understand the frustration of customers who are now on their way home. "We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused, they added. The safety of our customers and crew is our utmost priority. The aircraft customers were meant to travel on developed a technical issue that required a new part to be transported from overseas. This also meant the flight crew were over the legal working hour limit. "Customers were communicated with throughout the delay, and we provided them with accommodation until their new expected flight time of 9am the following day. Unfortunately, the new part for the aircraft was delayed in customs which caused the unexpected further delay. "The aircraft has now departed and customers are on their way home. We understand how frustrating this is for customers, and would once again like to apologise for the inconvenience caused. All customers will be entitled to claim EU261 flight delay compensation. The airline added the flight is due to depart Rhodes at 8pm local time on Friday, although customers will not be able to purchase hot food onboard. "We understand how frustrating this is for customers, and would once again like to apologise for the inconvenience caused." Man put out of property four months ago blaming attack on east Belfast UVF Damage to one of the windows CCTV footage showing shots being fired at the house in Stirling Avenue There are fears that a drug feud in Newtownards could escalate after a late-night gun attack on a family home in the West Winds estate. The loyalist at the centre of the attack said his family are now homeless following the incident which was caught on CCTV in the early hours of Thursday. Read more CCTV footage captures gunman firing at Ards home as children escape injury The Belfast Telegraph has spoken to the male occupant who vacated the property at Stirling Avenue four months ago after being ordered out. He said he was given assurances that his family would be safe and blamed the sick and disgusting attack on the east Belfast UVF. My four children were inside, my eldest daughter is 23 but has severe learning difficulties with the mental age of a teenager, the man said. She was sitting downstairs playing a computer game when a bullet came through the front door. My 15-year-old son has ADHD and is bipolar. He doesnt sleep that well and had just turned off the TV when a bullet came through the living room window. He had cuts on his feet from the smashed glass. Damage to one of the windows The Ards and North Down Women Against Drugs group have blamed the attack on the Real UFF. It said: We want to completely condemn the latest acts of violence in our local community, particularly a shooting incident in the West Winds. We want to see an end to all violence and we have almost begged the PSNI to do their job and deal with the Real UFF crime gang. The group claims that the recent attacks are being organised by Real UFF members in order to get rehoused in another area. It was previously claimed that the South East Antrim UDA had manipulated the housing points system to get allocated homes in the Weavers Grange development, which has been at the centre of the infighting. The Real UFF remains a small but defiant group based mainly in the Weavers Grange estate, holding a show of strength earlier this month following the death of one of its members. The mans death was unrelated to the feud. The loyalist whose house was the target of the gun attack added: Theres an old-school rule, which is an unwritten law, that family members are off limits in a feud. What do innocent kids have to do with any of that? CCTV captures masked person firing shots at home in Newtownards estate in Down He said that a deal with the east Belfast UVF was struck which meant that, so long as he stayed away from the estate, his family would have nothing to fear. These are the same people who were backing a protest for peace the other week, warning that if a child is harmed they will take action. Now they are shooting at children, he said. This part of the town is run by the east Belfast UVF. The idea that the UDA or any other group would go into their turf and open fire without permission is ridiculous. But I have been reliably informed the man in the CCTV is one of theirs. They [the family] are staying with friends until they can get sorted, so right now we are all homeless. My eldest daughter is shaking constantly and one of the other kids was with me in work shortly after it happened when there was an innocent bang. They immediately lifted their hands to cover their head as if it was a gunshot. My son, who escaped being killed by a couple of seconds says hes ok, but he really needs routine in his life, so I think hes going to struggle. Those who did this arent loyalists at all, they are pure scum. Targeting women and children is sick and disgusting. CCTV footage shows a hooded figure dressed in dark clothing approaching the property and firing shots from what appears to be a shotgun or rifle at 12.53am. Police said the incident may be linked to a long-running feud among drug gangs in north Down. Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong said criminal factions are torturing the community and warned that it has to stop. I utterly condemn this blatant disregard for life, the Strangford representative added. This sinister act is all the more sickening given there were children at home who could have been injured or killed. DUP councillor Naomi Armstrong-Cotter said it irresponsibly endangered life. Its made so much worse by the fact that children were in that home, she said. I am asking those who know anything to get in touch with the PSNI. It is clear that this behaviour will only stop when we as a community pull together with the police to ensure those involved in acts like these are held accountable and subjected to the law. The PSNI confirmed extensive damage was caused to the door and front window of the property during what it described as a completely irresponsible and reckless attack that could have had extremely serious consequences. Everyone has the right to live free from the threat of violence, and our enquiries are at an early stage to determine who was involved and a motive, a spokesperson added. At present, however, we are potentially linking this report to an ongoing investigation into criminal activity linked to a loyalist feud between drugs gangs in north Down. Paramilitaries are not defenders of their communities, instead they are criminals who prey on vulnerable people and exploit any circumstances they can for their own gain. Eighteen men are facing criminal charges as a result of the fallout between North Down UDA and a faction of South East Antrim UDA based in the Weavers Grange in the town. Retired miner David Hunter is on trial for killing his wife of 52 years (Joe Giddens/PA) Judges in a Cypriot court are to rule on whether a British expat murdered his terminally-ill wife. Former miner David Hunter is on trial for killing his wife of 52 years, Janice Hunter, who died of asphyxiation in December 2021 at the couples retirement home near the coastal resort town of Paphos. Hunter, 76, denies murder and told a court his wife, who was 74, had blood cancer and begged him to end her life. David Hunter is accused of killing his wife Janice (Family handout/PA) 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, has 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 added. Giving evidence in May, Hunter told the District Court in Paphos he would never in a million years have taken his wifes 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 her 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. 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. The next election is not lost for the Conservatives, the chairman of the party in Scotland has said, despite losing two seats in England on Thursday. Craig Hoy told the BBC on Friday that the general election expected some time in 2024 is not a foregone conclusion. The Tories have been plunging in the polls in recent months but managed to retain the Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat previously held by ex-prime minister Boris Johnson in Thursdays votes, with the majority cut from more than 7,000 votes to less than 500. One of the by-elections was prompted by the resignation of Boris Johnson (Andrew Boyers/PA) Labour and the Lib Dems took the seats of Selby and Ainsty and Somerton and Frome respectively in the by-elections, both overturning 20,000-vote majorities. Speaking to BBC Radio Scotlands Good Morning Scotland programme on Friday, Mr Hoy said: I dont think the next election is lost. The Prime Minister set out key pledges and hes delivering on them. The election will also be fought against a different background in Scotland, he said, where polls suggest the SNPs previously firm grip may be slipping following the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon along with her arrest and that of her husband Peter Murrell the former party chief executive and the then treasurer Colin Beattie. All three were released without charge, pending further investigation. In one of the most recent by-elections in East Kilbride, for example, our vote was up, the SNP vote was down significantly, he said. Scottish minister Neil Gray said the by-elections were disappointing for the Tories and Labour (Andrew Milligan/PA) The East Kilbride West council by-election, fought earlier this month, was won by Labour candidate Kirsty Williams, with the partys vote increasing by 13.7%, while the Tories moved into second with a 6.3% jump in their share and the SNP lost the seat, along with 8.3% of its vote compared to last year. In the seats that we hold, or the seats that were targeting, itll be a straight choice between the Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate and the SNP, therell be a very different dynamic at the next general election in Scotland, Mr Hoy added. If the party is able to get our message out there and fight a positive general election campaign on local issues, Mr Hoy said I dont think we will see those kinds of results here in Scotland. Speaking to the same programme, Scottish Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray said the by-elections were a disappointing night for both the Tories and Labour. The Conservatives have lost two seats in their heartlands area, the Labour Party were widely expected, widely tipped and accepted the fact they would probably take Boris Johnsons seat but have missed out, he said. The next GE is going to be about delivering change. We want to see the back of the Conservative government, but Keir Starmer over the last short while, has been making U-turn after U-turn, most noticeably recently on social security where he accepted to Tory policy of the brutal two child policy and rape clause, so we know now the only way of delivering real change at the next election is through the SNP and thereafter independence. While Labours shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray said the results showed the Tories were certainly not performing at all. He added: Of course, weve got lots more work to do. We recognise that the election might be still 18 months away, weve launched our five missions to try and transform the country, all of our policies will cascade from that and its a really exciting time. What weve got to do is put forward a policy proposal that people are excited about, and I think were making the bones of that now and more meat will be added as we go through the next few months. The search near the village of Kleinmachnow has been called off (TNN/dpa via AP) German authorities have determined that there is no acute danger to people in an area on the edge of Berlin where a potentially dangerous animal was spotted, saying they no longer believe a lioness is at large. A search turned up no sign of any such predator, and experts who analysed a video have concluded that it may have been a wild boar. Police were first alerted to the animal in Kleinmachnow, just outside Berlins city limits, at around midnight on Wednesday when people reported what appeared to be a big cat chasing a wild boar. The informants also provided a video. Based on that and a subsequent sighting of their own, police initially concluded that the animal was apparently a lioness. But the big cat proved elusive in searches on Thursday and Friday in the flat, wooded area on the boundary between Berlin and the surrounding state of Brandenburg. Initial reports had come in about a big cat on the loose (dpa via AP) Several reported sightings went unconfirmed; in one case on Friday, police only found a family of wild boars. On Friday, police thoroughly searched woodland on both sides of the state boundary and found no indication at all of a lioness, any wild animal other than wild boars which are common in the area or an animal that had been killed, Kleinmachnow mayor Michael Grubert told reporters. Officials also had experts analyse the video and compare the animal that was depicted with the body structure of a lioness, Mr Grubert added. Two experts concluded independently of each other that this isnt a lioness or a wild animal and that the creature tends toward a wild boar, he said. We think there is no acute danger for Kleinmachnow or for the south of Berlin, the mayor said, adding that police would be able to step up straight away if the situation changes. Mr Grubert defended the large, 36-hour deployment, in which helicopters, drones and infrared cameras were used and vets and hunters participated, as appropriate. The danger of a wild animal in Kleinmachnow justifies the deployment, he said, adding that he would act the same way if I were in the situation today. The help me! sign used by a 13-year-old girl kidnapped in Texas (US Department of Justice via AP/PA) A teenage girl kidnapped in Texas was rescued in Southern California when passersby saw her hold up a handwritten help me sign in a parked car, police said. The rescue of the girl, 13, occurred on July 9 in Long Beach, south of Los Angeles, when officers responded to a call and found the visibly emotional and distressed girl, police said. Through their investigation, officers learned the Good Samaritans were in a parking lot when they saw the victim in a parked vehicle holding up a piece of paper with help me written on it. They acknowledged the note and immediately called 911, police said. Steven Robert Sablan, 61, of Cleburne, Texas, was arrested and on Thursday was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of kidnapping and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, according to the US attorneys office in Los Angeles. Sablan was being held at the federal Metropolitan Detention Centre in Los Angeles. Police said the victim had been near a bus stop in San Antonio, Texas, on July 6 when the suspect approached in a vehicle, pointed a gun at her and demanded that she get in. Detectives determined that the girl was sexually assaulted while being brought to California, and they found a replica firearm in the vehicle, the press release said. The girl was placed in the custody of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. The FBI subsequently took charge of the investigation. A former friend of Stockton Rush has raised new stunning allegations against the late OceanGate CEO, describing his Titan submersible as a mouse trap for billionaires. The Titans catastrophic implosion on June 18 remains under investigation by multiple maritime authorities. The US Coast Guard convened a Marine Board of Investigation last month and said it will hold a public hearing once it is determined what caused the submersible to malfunction while on a 12,000-foot-deep dive to the wreck of the Titanic. In the aftermath of the tragedy, OceanGate and its CEO have come under fire for reportedly brushing off a litany of safety warnings from industry experts and passengers who went on dives in the Titan. Rushs former friend Karl Stanley, who owns a diving expedition company in Honduras, has made fresh allegations on an episode of 60 Minutes Australia that aired over the weekend. I think that Stockton was designing a mouse trap for billionaires, Mr Stanley said. He 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. Who was the last person to kill two billionaires, at once, and have them pay for the privilege? Rush, British billionaire Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman were aboard the Titan when it imploded. Before having a fallout with Rush, Mr Stanley went on a tour aboard the Titan off the coast of the Bahamas in 2019. In emails first unearthed by The New York Times of an exchange between the two deep-sea enthusiasts, Mr Stanley told Mr Rush that he had heard a large cracking sound during the dive. Every three to four minutes, there were loud gunshot-like noises, Mr Stanley recalled in the 60 Minutes interview. Thats a heck of a sound to hear when youre that far under in the ocean in a craft that has only once been down that deep before. Read more OceanGate CEO of tragic Titan sub visited Belfast earlier this year and stood where Titanic was built Mr Stanley said he believes the sound was the Titans carbon-fibre hull breaking but when he raised those concerns to Rush, the OceanGate CEO reportedly dismissed them. I literally painted a picture of his wrecked sub at the bottom, and even that wasnt enough, Mr Stanley said. There is no doubt in my mind that it was the carbon fibre tube that was the mechanical part that failed. Maritime authorities probing the implosion have not released what caused the tragedy. Carbon fibre is an unusual material for a deep-sea submersible because it is weaker than the solid steel or titanium of which such vessels are usually made. While widely used in aircraft, it is commonly understood within the maritime industry that carbon fibre is not used in deep-sea diving. They were so proud of flaunting accepted norms ... You really need to know what youre doing and I wasnt convinced that that level of expertise was there, Rob McCallum, who consulted for OceanGate in 2009 before leaving over concerns that Rush was rushing development of the vessel, also told 60 Minutes. Mr McCallum, the founder of the deep-sea research and tour company EYOS Expeditions, told Rush in a 2018 email that he was potentially placing yourself and your clients in a dangerous dynamic. I implore you to take every care in your testing and sea trials and to be very, very conservative, he wrote in the emails, obtained by the BBC. As much as I appreciate entrepreneurship and innovation, you are potentially putting an entire industry at risk. In an eerie warning, Mr McCallum added: In your race to [the] Titanic you are mirroring that famous catch cry: She is unsinkable. Mr McCallum said during his interview with 60 Minutes that he tried to do everything in his power to dissuade Rush, to no avail. They were diving in something that really was a ticking time bomb. I cant say from a technical standpoint that I was surprised, he said. OceanGate, which was based in Everett, Washington, announced earlier this month that it suspended all operations. The companys co-founder and Rushs friend Guillermo Sohnlein denied Mr Stanleys allegations, noting that he believes the media has portrayed a wrong image of Rush. I felt like what we were doing was right and was heading in the right direction, Mr Sohnlein told 60 Minutes. The Independent Donald Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen claimed in his lawsuit that the Trump Organisation had promised to pay his legal expenses (Mary Altaffer/AP/PA) Donald Trumps company and his former longtime lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen have settled a lawsuit over Mr Cohens claims that he was unfairly stuck with big legal bills after becoming entangled in investigations into the former president. Lawyers for the two sides told the judge they had reached a settlement during a video conference on Friday in Manhattan, just as Mr Cohens 2019 lawsuit was due to go to trial on Monday in a state court. Details of the agreement were not made public. Mr Cohen said on Friday the matter has been resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties. Mr Cohen claimed in his lawsuit that the Trump Organisation had promised to pay his legal expenses and did so for a time, footing more than 1.7 million dollars (1.32 million) in legal fees. Former president Donald Trumps company the Trump Organisation had disputed that it made certain promises over finances to his former lawyer Michael Cohen (Charlie Neibergall/AP/PA) But, Mr Cohen said, the company reneged after he began co-operating with federal prosecutors in their investigations related to Mr Trumps business dealings in Russia and attempts to silence women with embarrassing stories about his personal life. Mr Cohens lawyers stopped representing him after the company stopped paying. His lawsuit said that harmed his ability to respond to the federal investigations. In court papers, the Trump Organisation has disputed that it made certain promises and has said it satisfied any obligations it did have. The company also has argued that Mr Cohens involvement in the federal investigations was not an outgrowth of his former job but rather a personal decision to try to reduce his own criminal legal exposure as an indictment loomed. Jury selection in the case began on Monday, with a trial due to start next week. Among the prospective jurors, more than half said they had strong opinions about Mr Trump, the front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Several said their feelings toward him were intense enough that they would not be able to fairly evaluate evidence. Donald Trump Jr was expected to have given evidence in the lawsuit (Alex Brandon/AP/PA) While the former president would not have been a witness in the trial, his son Donald Trump Jr was expected to give evidence. Mr Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to multiple charges, admitting that he lied to Congress, violated campaign finance laws through excessive political contributions, lied to multiple banks to obtain financing and evaded income taxes by failing to report more than four million dollars (3.1 million) in income. He was sentenced to three years in prison, although he served nearly two-thirds of it at home, released after the Covid-19 outbreak overwhelmed the nations prisons. He then became a key witness in the New York grand jury proceeding that led to Mr Trumps April indictment on charges of falsifying Trump Organisation records to protect Mr Trumps 2016 candidacy by suppressing claims that he had had extramarital sexual encounters. Mr Trump denied those encounters, and he pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges. He cast the case as a Democratic district attorneys attempt to blunt his ongoing campaign to return to the White House in 2025. Mr Trump has now sued Mr Cohen, accusing him of violating a company confidentiality agreement, breaching ethical standards for lawyers and maliciously spreading falsehoods about Mr Trump. A Cohen spokesman, attorney Lanny Davis, responded that Mr Trump was abusing the legal system to harass Mr Cohen. Chinese air force transports new cadets with Y-20 military transport aircraft People's Daily Online) 15:30, July 21, 2023 The Chinese air force flew newly recruited cadets from five cities across the country to the PLA Air Force Aviation University in Changchun city, northeast China's Jilin Province, using the Y-20 (codenamed Kunpeng), a new generation of large-scale transport aircraft, on July 19 and 20. According to a credible source, the number of Chinese air force cadets recruited this year hit a record high, and nearly one-third of them ranked among the top 10 percent of examinees in China's annual college entrance exam, better known as the gaokao, in their respective regions. Approximately 400 graduates from aviation schools of the air force across the country have been admitted to the PLA Air Force Aviation University this year. The admission letter of the PLA Air Force Aviation University. (Photo/js7tv.cn) The admission letter and boarding pass for this year's cadets are considered innovative and full of sci-tech elements. After opening the admission letter, three-dimensional models of the main buildings of the PLA Air Force Aviation University and the J-20 aircraft catch the eye. The Y-20 transport aircraft. (Photo/PLA-Airforce Online) By scanning the QR code on the boarding pass with their mobile phones, cadets can see moving pictures displaying buildings on the campus and hear the rumble of warplanes and audio messages from their predecessors. (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Shutterstock.com God puts significant importance on remembrance. Maybe its because He knows His dumb sheep will likely forget Him. Thus the residents of the Old and New Testaments were often called to remember what Jesus and God had done. With stories of compassion, mercies, and deliverance, Gods people were told to praise, remember and pass it on. They were sometimes called to set up memorial stones, as Jacob did after his vision in Genesis. From Genesis to the prophets near the end of the Old Testament, we hear God reminding His people that He brought them out of Egypt. In essence, remember who you are and who I am. In Luke 22:19-20, Jesus says, Do this in remembrance of me. The setting is the last meal Jesus and His disciples would commemorate together before His crucifixion. It was the time of Passover when the Jews memorialized the night that all the remembrances talk about, the night He brought His people out of slavery. Why was the focus removed from remembering Gods actions to release the enslaved Israelites to remembering Jesus? When did Jesus say, Do this in remembrance of me? There was an order to the Passover meal celebrated annually, but the celebration during the Last Supper would be classic. The usual meal was unleavened bread, lamb, and bitter herbs. At the dinner with Jesus, we knew these items were there, but so was wine. Some believe the wine was added to Passover celebrations after the Jews returned from exile, a change the Pharisees may have instituted. As theyre retelling the story of the Exodus from Egypt, the tales of old suddenly become new stories. The inanimate objects of bread, wine, and lamb nourishing the disciples would become animated in Jesus. He would now be the Passover lamb, the unblemished one slain from the sins of the people. His body would become the bread broken for them with the words, This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. He says about the wine, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. At this point, did any of the disciples put two and two together? Is the lambs blood painted on the Egpytian doorposts foreshadowing Jesus blood that would protect believers from eternal death and cover sins? Did any disciple understand that a new covenant was being started that evening or that a new covenant was necessary? It wasnt that the old covenant didnt work and God failed, but that Jesus fulfilled the law of sacrifice for sin. Soon they would understand that Jesus was the new covenant. He would be the sacrificial lamb as the once and for all sacrifice. How could that be? How could the one they knew as the Messiah, who was supposed to save them from the Romans and bring peace as their King, be the one who discussed dying for the world, giving up His blood and body? At the time, they didnt know, but Jesus inspired them to follow a pattern at the Last Supper. He wanted them to commemorate His sacrifice for them whenever they celebrated their salvation through the blood and body. In many churches today, this occurs every Sunday as people reenact the Last Supper. How can we remember Jesus while taking communion? In their communion services, different churches have different ways to include the do this in remembrance of me passage. Congregants hear this passage weekly in a liturgical service while preparing for the Eucharist or Thanksgiving. In the Book of Common Prayer, used by Episcopalians and Anglicans, the rector is to hold the bread and say, On the night He was handed over to suffering and death, Jesus took bread; and when He had given thanks to you, He broke it, and gave it to His disciples, and said, Take, eat: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. Non-denominational churches typically do something similar, maybe not quoting the entire service, but some of it before communion. They might also paraphrase the passage during communion, saying, the blood and body broken for you as congregants take the wine and bread. Congregants may be encouraged to confess their sins and pray for each other before taking the wine and bread. Again, the Book of Common Prayer gives excellent examples, but its not enough to hear these words. We should feed on these words as God calls us. In doing so, we remember that Jesus died for our sins and climbed to new life, proving that He rules over death. He is genuinely the bread of life, as He said in John 6:35. Now, anyone could come to Him and never be thirsty or hungry. How can we commemorate Jesus with fellow believers? Do this in remembrance of me goes past communion to commemorating Jesus in how we act in our relationships with fellow believers. First, we should understand that Jesus words dont affect our lives if we dont know Him as Savior. Once we believe in Him, we receive the Holy Spirit as promised. Then, if we live in His word, the Holy Spirit will bring these things to mind that help us in our interactions with others. The Holy Spirit is good at reminding us to take the plank out of our eye before trying to remove the speck from our brothers eye. He also reminds us that Jesus said He came to serve, not to be served, so we should look for ways to serve each other. The Last Supper is an excellent place to find a level playing field with fellow believers. Its a reminder that were all sinners saved by Gods grace, who sent His Son to be our sacrificial lamb. If we remember that, we can be more gracious in our interactions with others. Remembering Jesus in the Last Supper should lead us to remember Him in all things. Theres no kind of life more delightful and sweet than a continuous conversation with God. Those only can understand it who experience and practice it. A team member with the Humane Society International rescue group carries an emaciated dog saved from a slaughterhouse in Tomohon, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, July 21, 2023. Updated at 8:11 a.m. ET on 2023-07-23 In a victory for animal lovers worldwide, officials on Friday banned the trade in dog and cat meat at an infamous Indonesian market where butchers openly bludgeoned and burned the animals alive with a blow-torch. The ban in the Tomohon market in North Sulawesi province is among the first in a country where 1 million dogs and cats are slaughtered every year, although most Indonesians, who are Muslim, dont eat dog meat. Eating dog and cat meat is a tradition of the ancestors of the Minahasa people, the largest ethnic group in North Sulawesi, but Tomohon officials said they hoped to educate residents about animal cruelty and the health risks associated with eating such meat, including rabies. We hope that Tomohon can be completely free from the trade of dogs and cats, said Edwin Roring, the secretary of Tomohon city. Because the way to reduce the interest in consuming dogs and cats in Tomohon is to start by stopping their sales in the market. Roring said anyone who violated the ban would face legal sanctions, and that the local authorities would provide alternative livelihoods for former traders of dog and cat meat. A 2021 opinion poll revealed that 93% of Indonesians support a national ban on dog meat, and that only 4.5% had ever eaten such meat. And yet more than 20,000 dogs and cats are slaughtered every week. In North Sulawesi, activists say dogs and cats are snatched from the streets and from families, stuffed into crates with their mouths bound shut, transported in appalling conditions and then kept caged in filthy markets. They are then killed in the most brutal ways, often in front of children who accompany their parents to the market. For instance, butchers take blowtorches to the dogs and cats, while they are alive, to remove hair from their skin, according to Humane Society International, which on Friday rescued 25 dogs and three cats from the Tomohon slaughterhouses. A rescue team from Humane Society International moves dogs it saved from a slaughterhouse onto a truck to be taken to a dog shelter in Tomohon, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, July 21, 2023.[Taufan Bustan/BenarNews] Humane Society International (HSI) and Animal Friends Manado Indonesia (AFMI), organizations that have campaigned for years to end the dog and cat meat trade in Indonesia, said it also posed a serious risk to human health. Dogs and cats carry rabies and other infectious diseases, they said. North Sulawesi is an epicenter of Indonesias cruel and dangerous dog and cat meat trade; the cruelty is obscene and the public health risks from open slaughter and contaminated meat are unparalleled, said Lola Webber, Humane Society's director of campaigns, in a statement. The group, a founding member of the coalition Dog Meat Free Indonesia (DMFI), said it hoped this ban would increase pressure on the government to take more seriously the enormous public health risk posed by the dog and cat meat trades nationally. We hope that one day there will be no more people in Tomohon eating dogs and cats, said Frank Delano Manus, an AFMI activist. There is resistance, because people believe eating dogs and cats is an important tradition of the Minahasa people that is hard to get rid of, he said. Another global animal welfare organization, Four Paws, called for a national ban on the dog and cat meat trade. Karanvir Kukreja, Southeast Asia campaigner for Four Paws, said the Tomohon ban could not have come soon enough. The work of DMFI over the past five years has relentlessly exposed that Tomohon Extreme Market was one of the worst animal welfare cases we have seen when it comes to the dog and cat meat trade, Kukreja said in a statement. Four Paws said it has collected two million signatures calling for an end to the trade in dog and cat meat across Southeast Asia. Indonesia is one of several countries in Asia where some people still consume dog and cat meat. It is estimated that 30 million dogs and cats, including stolen pets, are killed for the meat trade every year in Asia, including an estimated 10 million dogs in Southeast Asia alone, Four Paws said. Dog meat a bestseller Animal traders in Tomohon were unhappy with the ban. What can we do? Its already a rule from the government, so we have to follow it, Melki Pongo, one of the traders, told BenarNews. He said he had been supplying dogs and cats to markets in North Sulawesi for almost 30 years without any problems. But since videos of dogs and cats being killed in horrific ways at the Tomohon market went viral online, there had been many calls to stop selling dogs and cats, he said. Pongo was referring to videos released in 2018 by campaigners against animal cruelty, which exposed Tomohon markets cruel practices and led to worldwide outrage, including from global personalities. He said that 90% of the dogs and cats he sold came from neighboring provinces in Sulawesi provinces and Borneo (Kalimantan), which are predominantly Muslim, except North Sulawesi, which is mainly Christian. Muslims are forbidden from consuming dog and cat meat. A team member with the Humane Society International Rescue group comforts a dog saved from a slaughterhouse in Tomohon, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, July 21, 2023. [Taufan Bustan/BenarNews] Pongo said he bought an animal for 50,000 to 100,000 rupiah (about U.S. $3.50 to $7), and sold it for about 700,000 rupiah (about $49) in North Sulawesi. Now, he said he would concentrate on selling pigs. I will quit selling dogs completely. I pray that God will bless me with more luck, he said. Another trader, Junly Hesda Kapo, said dog meat was a bestseller in Tomohon market. Usually, suppliers brought 150 animals to the market, and they were sold out in hours, he said. Kapo, who also eats dog meat, said he and his family had no problems from it. The meat is delicious, like free-range chicken, especially if it is cooked as rica-rica, he said, referring to a spicy dish with chili, shallots, garlic and other spices. Kapo added that all traders would follow the governments rule. Consumption may also drop naturally if there are no more sales of dogs and cats, he said. This report has been updated to include comments from the Human Society International group. Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., the new Philippine military chief, receives the ceremonial saber from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (right) as outgoing commanding general Andres Centino stands in the background during a change-of-command ceremony at the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Manila, July 21, 2023. The Philippines new military chief assumed his post Friday with a call to protect the countrys territory at all costs, as he pledged to modernize the armed forces amid challenges by China in the South China Sea. Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. took the helm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) against the backdrop of growing tensions with Beijing in the contested sea region, including Chinese ships encroaching on territories in waters within the Philippines exclusive economic zone. Our mission is to ensure that this administration is successful in governing our nation, in securing our peace and in protecting our territory at all costs, Brawner, a 55-year-old army officer, said during his induction ceremony in Manila. He takes command of the countrys 150,000-strong armed forces, complemented by 70,000 members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) and more than 1 million reservists. In line with the presidents pronouncement of not giving an inch of our territory, the AFP will endeavor to modernize its personnel, equipment, facilities, processes and systems so as to enable it to [become] a lethal and competent fighting force capable of defending our territory from external aggression, Brawner said. Part of that would be actively pursuing international defense and security engagements to strengthen our relations with our allies and partners, he said without elaborating. Under his command, the AFP would also actively participate in U.N. peacekeeping missions, he said. The Philippines has received active support from allies that include the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Japan. All these countries have called on China to respect a 2016 international arbitration ruling in favor of the Philippines that rejected Beijings claims to most of the South China Sea. China has never accepted the verdict, but legal experts have said it set international jurisprudence on how to deal with contending claims in the strategic waterway. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including waters within the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. While Indonesia does not regard itself as a party to the South China Sea dispute, Beijing claims historic rights to parts of that sea overlapping Indonesias EEZ as well. In a move that angered China early this year, Manila granted the United States expanded access to its military bases, an agreement seen by analysts here as central to Washingtons aim of deterring any plan by Beijing to attack Taiwan. The Philippines also allowed large-scale joint exercises with U.S. troops in areas that face Taiwan. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who spoke at Fridays induction, urged Brawner to recalibrate the countrys internal security operation to deliver public services in remote and disadvantaged communities. I have faith that under the supervision of General Brawner, the Armed Forces will continue to ensure the security of the Filipinos and the sovereignty of our country amid the challenges ahead, Marcos said. Defense Department spokesman Arsenio Andolong said Brawner was an excellent choice to lead the Philippine military at a critical juncture when the country faces challenges from China. Brawners predecessor, Gen. Andres Centino, has been appointed by Marcos as his adviser on issues to do with the South China Sea. We are confident that Lt. Gen. Brawner will continue to exemplify excellence, innovation, and professionalism as he leads the AFP, Andolong said. Newly installed Philippine military chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. addresses the Armed Forces of the Philippines during a change-of-command ceremony in Manila, July 21, 2023. [Handout photo/Armed Forces of the Philippines] Meanwhile, maritime law analyst Jay Batongbacal urged the government to act swiftly on the Maritime Zones Bill and certify it as priority legislation, noting that the legislation would guide the countrys military and law enforcement agencies that operate in the sea. The measure, which has been adopted in the lower house of Congress, provides for a general declaration of the maritime zones under the jurisdiction of the Philippines. These include internal waterways, archipelagic waters, territorial seas, contiguous zones, the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf. The proposed law allows the delineation of continental shelves extending beyond 200 nautical miles, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It also clearly provides for sovereign rights over these maritime zones, thereby clearly establishing the Philippines exclusive rights to explore and exploit living and nonliving resources found in these zones. If you enable the government to delineate and define the zones in appropriate maps and the corresponding accuracy, we can have a very good, very clear idea of what it is that we are trying to preserve, what it is we are trying to manage and what it is that we will not be giving up, Batongbacal told a forum on the South China Sea on Wednesday. This will naturally enable the more effective monitoring, control, surveillance, management of all of our marine waters and marine resources that will be found therein, said Batongbacal, director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea at the University of the Philippines. By doing so, we would actually be taking a step to implement and enforce the SCS [South China Sea] Arbitration Award, which we won in 2016, Batongbacal stressed. Jeoffrey Maitem and Jojo Rinoza in Manila contributed to this report. Move Forward Party Secretary-General Chaitawat Tulathon speaks during a press conference about the future of the eight-party coalitions attempt to form a government, in Bangkok, July 21, 2023. UPDATED at 1:37 p.m. EDT on 2023-07-21 A pro-democracy alliance seeking to form Thailands new government will nominate a prime ministerial candidate from the Pheu Thai party next week, an alliance leader said Friday. Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew said the alliance would name its candidate on Monday or Tuesday, while the parliamentary vote for the prime ministers post is set for Thursday, July 27. The top vote-getter in the May 2023 general election, the Move Forward Party (MFP), earlier on Friday said it would back a Pheu Thai nominee for prime minister after MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat was dealt a fatal blow in his bid to win Parliaments support for the top post. The alliance is trying to become the first pro-democracy one to come to power in Thailand since a military coup in May 2014 toppled the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra, who was also with Pheu Thai. After a meeting of the eight-party alliance on Friday, Cholnan Srikaew outlined to reporters the partys strategy two options to begin with to get enough key votes from the Senate, whose non-elected members were appointed by Thailands then-military rulers in 2019. To gain 63 votes from senators who have an issue with reforming Article 112, Pheu Thai would talk to them and learn from them how they want [MFP] to relax its conditions on the issue, and convey that to Move Forward, Cholnan told reporters during a joint press conference at his partys headquarters alongside Move Forwards secretary-general. Pro-royalist members of the upper house Senate, whose votes are crucial for deciding who will lead Thailands next government, killed off Pitas chances at becoming PM by blocking him from being nominated for a second round of voting on July 19. That morning, the Constitutional Court ordered that he be suspended as an MP for having violated election laws by owning shares in a media company. In the May 14 election, Move Forward and Pheu Thai trounced pro-royalist parties that have ruled the country in some form or another since the 2014 coup. But with only 312 seats in the bicameral legislature, the alliance is short of the combined 375 it needs to govern. In last weeks parliamentary vote for the PMs post, a majority of the Senators were either absent or voted against Pita, who wanted to, among other reforms, amend a draconian royal defamation law, Article 112. If the first option doesnt work out, and we dont get sufficient senators support, Pheu Thai will talk to other parties at its discretion to acquire sufficient support in the House of Representatives, Cholnan said, referring to the lower house and to parties not in the eight-party coalition. Pheu Thai Party leader Cholnan Srikaew (second from left) and Move Forward Party Secretary General Chaitawat Tulathon (second from right) arrive at a press conference alongside members of an eight-party coalition after a meeting to discuss plans ahead of next weeks parliamentary vote for a new Thai prime minister, at Pheu Thai Partys headquarters in Bangkok, July 21, 2023. [Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP] Reporters at the press conference asked MFP Secretary-General Chaitawat Tulathon about Pheu Thais strategy. Let Pheu Thai Party discuss with the senators how they want the Lese Majeste [Article 112] terms and conditions resolved, he said. It [Article 112] is just an excuse, Chaitawat said. His claim was that senators were touting the royal defamation reform issue as their sticking point, when in reality they were against MFPs entire progressive agenda. That includes plans to rewrite the constitution, end business monopolies, and modernize the justice system and security forces. BenarNews asked political analyst Titipol Phakdeewanich for his views on Pheu Thais strategy. Titipol said Pheu Thai seemed to be caught in a bind, with both the options it outlined to gain votes looking untenable to one side or the other. It is highly likely that the Pheu Thais endeavor to form a government will be compromised if it has to ask Move Forward to back off from amending the royal defamation law, Titipol, dean of the political science faculty at Ubon Ratchathani University, told BenarNews. Inviting other parties to support it is also a fraught prospect, Titipol said. The conservative Bhumjaithai party, for one, is strongly opposed to amending the royal defamation law, although Pheu Thai leaders are scheduled to meet with its party leaders on Saturday. If Pheu Thai were to invite the Bhumjaithai Party, then the Move Forward Party would be dissatisfied, he said. And if it were to invite the Palang Pracharath Party, which took part in [the May 2014] coup, then Pheu Thai will lose its popularity in the next election, he added. In sum, Titipol believes, the safest option for Pheu Thai would be to stay away from other parties, but bend a little on the royal defamation law. I think the Move Forward Party would not lose popularity if it backed off from Article 112, he said. Titipol believes Srettha Thavisin, a Thai property tycoon, will be Pheu Thais pick for prime minister. Move Forward, for its part, said earlier Friday that our ultimate goal is to successfully challenge the old regimes grip on power. The partys leader, Pita, reiterated that sentiment on social media. The most important thing is not that I become prime minister, but that we form a peoples government and end the militarys grip on power, the 42-year-old, Harvard-educated leader said on Facebook. Supporters of election winner Pita Limjaroenrat protest after conservative and royalist rivals stopped the Move Forward Party from forming a government and pursuing its anti-establishment policy agenda, at Kasetsart University in Bangkok, July 21, 2023. [Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters] The levers used by Thailands conservative establishment in pulling out all the stops to halt Pitas ascent to the premiership has enraged young Thais who voted for this party, which embodied their hope of bringing sweeping change to the country. On Friday, Human Rights Watch described the action taken by the Constitutional Court politically motivated and a serious blow to democracy. Thailands military-backed conservative elites are manipulating the constitutional and legal frameworks put in place after the 2014 coup to block a popularly elected political leader from forming the government, said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at the New York-based rights watchdog group. Both the junta-appointed election commission and the politically dominated constitutional court are taking Thailand down a path that could seriously damage democratic rule. The Biden administration meanwhile is closely watching the post-election developments in Thailand, including the ongoing legal cases, the U.S. State Department told BenarNews on Friday. We support a post-election process that reflects the will of the Thai people and supports a democratic and prosperous future for Thailand. This moment is an opportunity for Thailand to demonstrate its commitment to democracy, a spokesperson for the department said in a statement. The United States does not have a preferred outcome in the Thai election, nor do we support any particular party or politician, it said. What we do wholeheartedly champion is multiparty democracy and a post-election process that reflects the will of the Thai people and supports a democratic and prosperous future for Thailand. Bennington, VT (05201) Today Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 62F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then off and on rain showers overnight. Low 62F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close LENOX Prime Italian Steakhouse & Bar, the longest continuously operated, family-owned restaurant in the downtown business district, is closing after 35 years. Its 15 Franklin St. building is on the real estate market for $2,450,000. The Gallo family, which established the business as Antonios Ristorante before it was renovated and rebranded in 2004, announced the official closing in a recent Facebook post. Prime had been closed for its annual winter break since last January. The family had aimed to lease the business to a restaurant operator while retaining the building just off Main Street, across from Haven Cafe. But with no leaseholder emerging, the doors remained closed for the spring and summer tourism season. We changed gears and decided to close permanently, according to the Gallo familys statement signed by Caterina, Anthony, Tina, Gennaro, Maria, Luca and Marcello. The restaurant was opened in 1988 by Antonio and Caterina Gallo and turned over to their son, Gennaro, in 2005. This past January, Carol Gallo told The Eagle that everyones looking to retire but that the family intended to keep the real estate while seeking a leaseholder. The restaurant seated 70 in the main dining room and bar, as well as 60 more diners in the outdoor patio. Antonio and Caterina have shifted into a well-deserved retirement, while Gennaro is happily planning his next chapter, the Facebook post stated. Over the past few months, circumstances led to the natural decision to retire rather than to reopen. Gennaro Jerry Gallo was not available for comment this week. Now, the property is being offered as a restaurant or other commercial venture on the ground floor and two residential units above. Each unit includes two bedrooms, a full bath and fully equipped kitchen, according to the listing by Jeffrey Loholdt of the William Pitt Sothebys International Realty office in Great Barrington. Rentals would be the obvious choice in an already difficult rental market, he stated, with a turnkey restaurant below for an owner-operator. This is not a single-family home, but rather a mixed-use commercial with residential aspect offering more flexibility to new owners, Loholdt told The Eagle. A new owner could work and live at the property while renting one of the residential spaces. Or the buyer of the property could lease the commercial space to a new restaurant chef/operator. Loholdt also suggested that the site could be a good investment opportunity. Asked whether the ground floor space could be used for a different commercial venture, Loholdt said that while the existing use and recent remodel is best served for a restaurant, other uses would be possible by working through the towns zoning board and bylaws. The offering is all-inclusive for the business, real estate and residential units, he said. The listing has attracted interest by potential chef-owners from eastern Massachusetts, Miami and Dallas, Loholdt added. The offering does not include the adjacent structure at 17 Franklin St., also owned by the Gallo family, which was used previously as outdoor dining space and briefly as a frozen yogurt venture and a panini eatery. You are the owner of this article. A shift in the jet stream promises some relief from near-daily rainfall in the Berkshires, although highs will spike well up in the 80s by later in the week. Today Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Tomorrow Partly cloudy. High 88F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Talking Points Memo: The failure of the Biden administration is only getting more and more obvious by the day. Heres three major agencies that are falling apart. President Biden snaps at reporter for asking about Hunters text messages. SCOTUS rules on states control over elections and agrees to hear case on wealth tax. Bill renews calls for investigation into Zuckerbergs efforts into the 2020 presidential election. Former Prosecutor Cully Stimson on his new book Rogue Prosecutors: How Radical Soros Lawyers are Destroying Americas Communities. Reuters releases report that says all living US Presidents descended from slaveholders all expect Donald Trump. Smart Life: pickleball injuries This Day in History: International Body Piercing Day Final Thought: Leaving money to kids, charities & friends In Case You Missed It: Read Bill's latest column, "They're Not Victims" It's the 'Summer Reading Special!' 'Killing the Killers,' Killing the Legends,' and 'Killing Crazy Horse' all for $32.95. We'll also give you a FREE 'Team Normal' hat. 'Team Normal!' gear is 15% for a limited time. Go to BillOReilly.com now and order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Covering a wide range of applications in the field of molecular and cell biology Germany headquartered life science company Eppendorf, that develops and sells instruments and consumables, has introduced Centrifuge 5427 R, the first Eppendorf microcentrifuge with hydrocarbon cooling to contribute to an even more sustainable laboratory environment. With this offering, customers can now perform various molecular and cell biology applications while using a refrigerated device that contains a natural cooling agent with a GWP of almost zero. To protect your samples and the planet. Natural cooling agents, like R290 (propane), have a similarly low global warming potential (GWP) as CO2 (<3), while conventional refrigerants such as R134a have a GWP of 1430 and thus have a disproportionately greater impact on global warming when released into the environment. The ACT label certification of Centrifuge 5427 R makes it even easier for customers to choose a more sustainable product, since this label gives a clear, third-party verified information about its environmental impact (e.g. manufacturing, energy and water usage as well as packaging and product end-of-life). However, the new Centrifuge 5427 R scores not only with its reliable propane cooling. Due to its compact footprint and the dual-row rotor FA-45-48-11 for up to 48 x 1.5/2 mL tubes, it is the optimal solution for laboratories with a high sample throughput. Due to its large rotor selection, it is also a good choice for areas where many users share the instrument- the nine rotor options, consisting of fixed-angle and swing-bucket rotors, cover a wide range of applications in the field of molecular and cell biology. Anatomy education being apt for the application of VR The International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT-H) has set up a virtual reality (VR) facility at Osmania Medical College (OMC) to introduce advanced technology-assisted teaching. Currently this is aimed at teaching anatomy, a basic subject for 1st year MBBS students. The facility was inaugurated by Prof. P J Narayanan, Director of IIIT-H in the presence of Dr Shashikala Reddy, Principal of OMC. The VR tool for teaching neuroanatomy was developed as part of a project by Prof. Jayanthi Sivaswamy and her team, she being principal investigator of the project. This joint project with Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram, is funded by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. This project also sponsored the setting up of the VR facility at OMC. According to Prof Jayanthi Sivaswamy, "The VR solution that has been developed in this project allows teaching gross as well as radiological anatomy in an integrated manner to UG1 students. This integration is essential since radiological anatomy which is based on images is a key part of clinical practice. However, the integration has not been done so far at UG1 level." "Virtual Reality is the key technology behind the much-awaited Metaverse. This project makes a small beginning with Neuroanatomy wherein the parts and structures inside the brain is explained with the help of 3D imagery, interactive manipulations, etc." said Prof P J Narayanan. New Delhi based Abdos Labtech is a manufacturer of high quality life sciences laboratory products. Established in 2009, the company has been prototyping, designing, developing and manufacturing high quality laboratory products for use in life sciences laboratories around the world. Guided by its vision, mission, values, brand premise and brand promise, Abdos is moving swiftly on a stable, aggressive, reliable, innovative and relationship driven path of growth and success. In conversation with BioSpectrum, Shrey Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer & Director, Abdos Labtech, talks about the companys future plans. What were the major highlights of FY22-23 at Abdos Labtech? How much growth is expected from the India business? Over the last three years life sciences consumables have seen lots of volatility and the brand has emerged as a long-term stable partner having supplied products to over 90 countries with 3 international subsidiaries. In 2022-23, we have gone through massive expansion with a new 5,00,000 sq. ft. of new manufacturing space. This new expansion makes us one of the largest manufacturing plants for life sciences consumables in Asia. We launched 40 new products and consolidated some key product lines. In liquid handling, we launched Elegant pipettes, which are one of the lightest pipettes in the world, Screw Cap Tubes, maxiRCFTM (Trace Metal Free) Centrifuge Tubes, some unique offering in microbiology. We launched our manufacturing plant for the entire product line of PCR Tubes, Strips and Plates. For the biopharma industry, we launched Media Bottle and relaunched Biofill Filtration Systems. On the marketing front, we onboarded a large media house for enhancing our marketing and communication strategy. The consumers and public at large will see a more focused and meaningful communication. We consolidated our brand promise, marketing premise and go-to-market strategy. The idea is to not just communicate about Abdos but to bring life science as an industry into the spotlight. On the IT front, we launched our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) portal to make a customer focus company. This launch is in line with our focused on the customer approach. On the certification front, we were the first in the industry to receive our IVDR and UKCA certifications. In short, a very exciting year with lots of new development and lots of activity. After the huge COVID growth, for two years we have had a softening in the demand but still we saw robust growth last year. In the India business, we grew by 30% in 2022-23 over 2021-22 and in our international market, we grew by 60% in 2022-23 over 2021-22. This growth was due to the right product mix, extremely strong marketing initiatives, competitive pricing and distribution reach. I do believe we will continue in the same growth path over the next three years. What plans are in store for FY23-24 for the Indian market, and globally? Any new launches, partnerships, investments in the pipeline? 2023-24 will be in line with the high expectations our stakeholders have on us. We will invest in a new modern state-of-the-art warehousing system. We will further expand our PCR range of products, microbiology range of products with the addition of RODAC and Square Plates. We will continue to invest in higher capacity on our centrifuge products and become the largest manufacturer of Centrifuge Tubes and Micro Centrifuge Tubes in India. In the Indian market, we are recognised as a key player in life sciences consumables. New partnerships and contracts are explored with key customers in biopharma, pharma, applied and industrial. Key marketing initiatives are being undertaken in renowned research labs like Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). On the global front, we will consolidate our US operations with addition of new team members for US and consolidation of our US operations. We will add at least 20 new channel partners in the US. Our Europe subsidiary is growing phenomenally with growth of 70% and we expect the same this year. We will invest $10 million in new launches, investment in new products and infrastructure improvements. What new trends do you foresee within the biosupplier market in 2023 and beyond, particularly for the Indian market? The new trends within the biosupplier market that we definitely need to lookout for include the following- Artificial Intelligence (AI) is commonly being used in many industries like pharma, biotech and healthcare. Pharma companies use this technology to streamline drug discovery process, accelerate R&D, and create affordable medicines and therapies. Biotech companies use this technology to identify biomarkers while diagnostic companies use it for image classification to help diagnose diseases like cancer. Sustainability is another trend that the industry is fast catching on. Businesses today are focusing on waste reduction, green packaging and green production to stay ahead along with the need for sustainable and eco-friendly products like Centrifuge Tubes and manufacturing practices for the life sciences industry. Another important trend that the life sciences industry cannot ignore is the integration of digital technologies to enhance efficiency, accuracy and productivity. The industry at large is looking to increase its use of automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence in laboratory workflows, supply chain management and quality control processes. Leverage the benefits of Government initiatives. Take advantage of the Governments funding, policy reforms and infrastructure development which can help promote research & development, entrepreneurship and collaboration between industry and academia. Contract Research Organisations (CROs) and Contract Manufacturing Organisations (CMOs) play an important role in the science market. This will broaden the scope of opportunities for Indian labware manufacturers to provide cost-effective and high-quality services. Another trend to lookout for quality assurance and regulatory compliance. This is extremely crucial for labware manufacturers as they need to have stricter regulations for product safety, traceability and data integrity. Abdos Life Sciences addresses these compliance requirements well and invests in robust quality control measures to gain competitive edge. Can India emerge as a leader in vaccine R&D and drug discovery in the coming years? What factors could drive this growth? How can Abdos help in this regard? India has a very strong pharmaceutical industry and a vast scientific talent pool, which contributes for advancements in healthcare, medicines, R&D and vaccines. India is already known for producing generic drugs and is popularly known as the pharmacy of the world. India has a robust pharmaceutical infrastructure and a well-established regulatory framework, to manufacture wide variety and affordable drugs. All these expertise and capability I do feel India can emerge to be the leader in vaccine R&D and drug discovery. India has the capability of a vast patient pool for clinical trial and epidemiological study that makes our scientists get enough insights into various diseases and their treatment techniques through oral, injectable or vaccine. Companies like Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, Biocon and many more are doing the right and channelised investment in R&D to build on this advantage and contribute to the growth of our pharma and biopharma industries. The Indian Government has taken several initiatives to promote the Indian industries like Make in India campaign. The Department of Pharmaceuticals is trying its level best to initiate domestic manufacturing of vaccine and biopharma raw materials so that India does not have to depend on other countries. The Indian Government is clearly gearing up to be well-prepared for future pandemics. All these efforts can help attract investments, promote new entrepreneurs, and create an environment conducive for vaccine and drug R&D. Abdos is a key manufacturer for supplying critical lab consumables, which India was importing a few years back. We have given the pharmaceutical industry the option of getting high quality products at affordable prices and Made in India for the world. We have developed products for the research, pharmaceutical, biopharma and healthcare industry so that they can perform these clinical, R&D, production and quality control through our products and services. Moreover now with Abdos Made in India products, the pharma, bio-pharma and research industry dont have to spend foreign currency and take the pain of imports and logistics. Abdos manufactures 450 products in 12 product categories and supplies these products to every corner of India and exports to 90 countries. All this makes me believe in a win-win solution for both Abdos and the industry at large. What are your major expectations from the Government in support of the Indian life sciences industry? The Government has set aside a budget of around $2.10 billion for 2023 which is 15% higher than the previous year. The allocation is for Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology and Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The Government through the 2023 budget is focusing on scientific research through modern techniques and AI. Healthcare and education, which has connections with life sciences, has also got a boost with increased spending of almost 1% as a percentage of GDP over 2020. But, there is still a long way to go for the Indian life sciences industry compared to countries like US, Germany, UK and China. The annual scientific budget of US is $210 billion for 2023. Government expenditure on science and technology in China is $47 billion for 2023 and government expenditure on science and development in Germany is over Euro 100 billion. All these numbers make me feel that India still has a long way to progress and we need focused approach by the Government to support research and development as the 21st century era will be won by countries that are strong in innovation and sustainability. Dr Manbeena Chawla (manbeena.chawla@mmactiv.com) Professor Kole Omotoso, widely recognised as the face of Vodacom's long-running YeboGogo advertising campaign died this week aged 80. The professor died on Wednesday at 80. The news was confirmed by Vodacom on Thursday. Omotoso is well known as the Yebo Gogo man who starred in Vodacom's adverts which dominated screens in the early 1990s and early 2000s in South Africa. Respected Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub says: We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Prof Omotoso, who is one of the country's respected academic and playwrights. At Vodacom, we remember him as an iconic figure who helped put brand Vodacom on the map through the inventive YeboGogo advertising campaign that went on to win several advertising accolades. "Prof Omotoso leaves behind a rich legacy, having played a significant role in inserting brand Vodacom, a brand with deep African roots, in the national conscience. I would also like to offer my personal heartfelt condolences to Prof Omotoso's family. In the new democratic era, Omotoso became one of the most visible personalities in the country, reflecting the changing face of a new South Africa. Full life According to Vodacom he was born on 21 April 1943 in Akure, Ondo state, Nigeria. He was married to architect and urban planner Marguerita Omotoso and obtained South African citizenship in 1999. They went on to have three children including actor, director and filmmaker Akin Omotoso and author and architect Yewande Omotoso. Omotoso studied at King's College, Lagos, the University of Ibadan, and the University of Edinburgh. On behalf of the Vodacom Family, Prof Omotoso will always be remembered for a brand campaign that evoked emotions, created nostalgia and fostered deep connections with customers. Those memories will always be cherished, said Vodacom in a statement. Reinforcing its commitment to empower South Africa's youth with the necessary skills and mindset to succeed in the digital era, SAS sponsored the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Africa (BGCSA) to participate in the #Coding4Mandela Day Tournament that took place on Mandela Day, Tuesday, 18 July 2023. The annual tournament is run in conjunction with Tangible Africa a partnership between Nelson Mandela University and Leva Foundation that sees more than 6,000 learners from across the continent participate. The tournament uses the Rangers coding app that have been widely adopted in South Africa to reach learners with coding without the need to use computers. Nelson Mandela University honours student Byron Batteson developed the app for his Computing Sciences project in 2017. "The #Coding4Mandela tournament is more than an event it's a spark that ignites a passion for learning and draws in new participants each year. The excitement we see in learners, teachers, and parents reaffirms the impact of the Tangible Africa project. We are not just teaching coding; we are cultivating the coding ecosystem of the future. And in doing so, we are empowering learners from all backgrounds, making digital education accessible, and bringing their career dreams within reach because every child deserves the opportunity to shape the future, says Prof Jean Greyling, HOD Computing Sciences at Nelson Mandela University. This is a sentiment echoed by Mike McTernan, CEO of BGCSA: "The BGCSA believes in the power of partnerships, and the partnership we have with Tangible Africa is one we are all very proud of. Thanks to this collaboration our members have access to the Tanks and Rangers programmes. Alongside these skills we also grow their confidence when using technology, enabling them to explore the digital world. Together BGCSA and Tangible Africa are equipping young people with the skills needed to secure jobs being created today by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), says McTernan. The BGCSA runs holistic development programmes to make sure that young people in communities are enabled and empowered to reach their full potential. From its sites across the country, approximately 240 school going children will be participating in the #Coding4Mandela Day Tournament, an average of 40 per club. As part of its national sponsorship, SAS staff will be attending the coding tournament hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Africa. This reflects the commitment of SAS in unlocking the potential within every individual and providing students with access to the skills and solutions that will be essential in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. Companies who are looking to future-proof themselves while adopting 4IR technologies must adapt training, recruitment, and remuneration policies to recognise and leverage the importance of new skills that can infuse their organisations with greater resiliency, adaptability, and competitive advantage. The sponsorship of this coding tournament reflects the importance that shaping the next generation of tech leaders. "This is a priority for SAS, as we continue to look for diverse opportunities to inspire students curiosity and support their exposure to critical thinking and problem solving, as these skills are foundational to developing technical skills and advancing careers in scientific or technological fields, says Essie Mokgonyana, country manager and Sales Director for SAS in South Africa. Overall, the #Coding4Mandela Day Tournament is targeting to reach 10,000 learners across the continent to bring to life Nelson Mandela's vision of empowering youth through education. This initiative signals our potential to reshape Africa's narrative, to be the architects of our own advancement. It's not just a project, but a powerful statement of a promising future for Africa a future that we are ready, willing, and eager to embrace, says Jackson Tshabalala, engagement manager at the Leva Foundation. Of course, the impact of the Tangible Africa project goes beyond students. We work with thousands of teachers, many of whom are unfamiliar with computers and find the idea of teaching IT or coding intimidating. We found a massive impact on their confidence once they start using our Tangible Africa games and tools. They find it easy to use, fun, and all of a sudden they are wanting to start coding clubs, says Ryan le Roux, CEO of the Leva Foundation. Standard Bank has appointed Diana Springer as the new group head of brand and marketing. Diana Springer has been appointed as head of brand and marketing. Source: Supplied. Springer will be responsible for the strategic positioning of the Standard Bank brand and the execution of the brand and marketing operating model. Experience She has a wealth of experience, having previously worked on numerous blue chip local and international brands. Springer worked in London on major brands including Microsoft and Diageo. She was head of CRM Strategy at Ogilvy SA. In 2018 she was a founding partner of Black & White, a marketing strategy consultancy within the M&C Saatchi Group, and in 2022 was appointed to the M&C Saatchi group exco as the chief data and intelligence officer. Margaret Nienaber, Standard Bank COO says: We are immensely proud that we have been able to attract a talent like Diana to join Standard Bank. Brands globally are being faced with new challenges as their operating and competitive environments evolve and become more complex. Its important that as the largest financial services group, by assets, we continue to deliver to our shareholders and contribute meaningfully to Africas growth. We believe that Diana has a wealth of expertise that will support the Group as it navigates and evolves in a complex operating environment. Brand value Standard Bank has recently been named as most admired financial services brand by Brand Africa. Standard Bank was crowned the Top 25 financial services brand on the continent jumping from its sixth ranking position in 2022. Standard Bank was also ranked as South Africas most valuable banking brand by Brand Finance, with the brands value in 2023 increasing by 27% to R29.7bn. Its truly a great honour to be appointed as the head of brand and marketing for Standard Bank Group, says Springer. This brand is now 160 years old and has positioned itself as the leader on the continent. Its immensely exciting to be part of a Group that is gearing itself for the future, and to be part of the talented team that will face these challenges and opportunities head on. The appointment will be effective from 1 August 2023. Motorists can expect the full implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) Act - which seeks to reduce the high rate of fatalities on the roads and improve driver behaviour - on 1 July 2024 nationwide. Addressing a media briefing on Thursday, 20 July, in Johannesburg, Minister of Transport Sindisiwe Chikunga said 43 service outlets across various provinces have already been established. As we proceed with the national rollout of Aarto, we will proclaim implementation in 69 municipalities by the end of this calendar year, while Aarto will kick in in the remaining municipalities by 1 July 2024. We are working closely with the Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in ensuring that all municipalities have the requisite capacity to implement the law, the Minister said. Chikunga welcomed the recent ruling by the Constitutional Court on the constitutionality of the Aarto Act as it confirmed that indeed the law was constitutional and no aspect of it encroached on the executive powers of other spheres of government. The ruling affirms our long-held view that this a necessary law to advance our efforts in arresting the carnage on our roads. We welcome this judgement as it provides clarity on the mandate of the national government to determine and enforce norms and standards that apply uniformly across the country. A fragmented system of adjudicating road traffic offences based on the whims of individual provinces would undoubtedly result in chaos and render road traffic law enforcement interventions ineffective, the Minister said. She said the Aarto Act will reinforce other interventions such as classifying traffic policing as a 24-hour, 7-day job, alongside the regulation of driving schools and introduction of an National Qualifications Framework (NQF) level 6 training for traffic law enforcement officers. The implementation of this law across the country has been pending for 25 years, with pilots in place in the Cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane. With this judgement having cleared the path for the implementation of Aarto, we will move with speed to roll out its implementation across the country without delay. We have had the occasion to engage with the Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) in order to assess our state of readiness for accelerated rollout of Aarto across all municipalities in the country. We have completed requisite processes to implement the Aarto adjudication process as well as the electronic service of infringements. The latter will come into effect as soon as the President proclaims the Aarto Amendment Act, the Minister said. The Department of Transport is ready to finalise its recommendations to the President for the appointment of a tribunal and the proclamation of implementation of the Aarto Act nationwide, as well as the promulgation of the Aarto Amendment Act. We have also completed the process of drafting regulations and have consulted with the Minister of Justice and all MECs. We are finalising the matter of concurrence by MECs and have received concurrence from the vast majority of provinces. This is a matter we intend to put to bed at the upcoming meeting of the Shareholders Committee, made up of MECs responsible for Transport and traffic matters. We will equally move with speed with the implementation of the points demerit system, an important cornerstone of the Aarto Act, intended to act as a deterrent for wayward motorist behaviour on our roads, the Minister said. Chikunga said the Aarto Act will make a difference by introducing severe penalties, which include attaching movable properties of infringers, putting an end to a culture of impunity. The 2024 Avbob Poetry Competition opens for entries in all 11 official languages on 1 August 2023 and generous cash prizes will be awarded to the winning entries. Image supplied South Africans from all walks of life are invited to express their finest words of love and hope, courage, and consolation. The best entries in each language category will be published in the Avbob Poetry Library, earning the writer a R300 publication fee. First-place winners in each language category will take home a grand prize to the value of R12,500. This includes R10,000 in cash, a R2,500 book voucher, and the glittering Avbob Poetry trophy. Avbob CEO Carl Van der Riet notes, We are deeply moved, each year, by the depth and sincerity of each entry that is sent to us. When we experience extreme joy or sorrow, it is often to poetry that we turn for relief, companionship, and consolation. It is at such times that we are most likely to find the best words for our own deepest emotions. The goal of the Avbob Poetry Competition is to provide a unifying platform on which all South Africans can share these deep emotions. Poets may submit up to 10 poems via the online dashboard. The top three poems in each language category will feature in the annual print anthology. All shortlisted poems will be translated into English in the spirit of promoting understanding and fellow feeling among South Africans. A range of free resources are also available on the Avbob Poetry website to support and encourage aspirant poets. This includes expert advice, articles featuring successful poets, and editorial guidelines. The Avbob Poetry series of free online workshops, hosted both before and during the submission period, has continued with great success this year. Through these workshops, participants are exposed to the insights and ideas of experienced poets and publishers. (Workshop details will be shared via Avbob Poetrys social media channels.) To participate in the 2024 Avbob Poetry Competition, register on www.avbobpoetry.co.za. Enter up to 10 poems in your mother tongue between 1 August and 30 November 2023. It's easy to be laid low by all that ails our planet; did you know there is a word for this? Eco-paralysis. Supplied image: Rio Button Eco-paralysis is defined as the feeling that one cannot do anything meaningful to positively affect climate change. Similar feelings include powerlessness, apathy, complacency, or disengagement (Albercht, 2019). According to three young African leaders, the cure lies in taking incremental steps, celebrating small wins and building on them. Should you want to take it a step further, here are five actionable steps for overcoming eco-paralysis: Make space for new voices Problems that we face can seem big and overwhelming, it seems so unattainable to make any kind of meaningful change sometimes. But we must keep up the energy and make the small changes that cumulatively can bring about big changes, says Rio Button. Working with young people, it is important to celebrate the small stuff that maintains the enthusiasm of the movement or project. Button, a 27-year-old marine biologist and environmental writer was speaking at a recent Tipping Points webinar organised by Oppenheimer Generations Research & Conservation to mark Youth Month in South Africa. Also on the panel were Reinhold Mangundu, the co-chairman of the Namibia Environment and Wildlife Society, and Karabo Mokoena, a community and environmental activist with a special interest in water. The youth must not be disheartened because the climate crisis is huge and overwhelming. We must not be paralysed into not doing anything at all, said Button. Take one small step for mankind According to Button, the antidote to paralysis lies in inspiring and nurturing a love of learning and a passion for conservation among young people. Its important to create space for the youth, while listening, supporting, and mentoring them. Supplied image: Reinhold Mangundu Reinhold Mangundu takes a similar line to Button on how we might face up to an uncertain future: If we all take small incremental steps, then we will be able to transform our communities, because in the end our future depends on our collective efforts, and we are called to come together and weave together that fabric of humanity. However, our African politicians suffer from a syndrome of economic growth without considering sustainability. This affects them in the way that they dont take young people seriously, he said, adding that the regeneration of the continent requires a change in thinking. Innovative solutions Mokoena, a 29-year-old natural scientist is a strong advocate for involving young scientists in driving an energy revolution for a greener future, lessening the dependency on coal-powered energy plants. As a member of the South Africa Youth Parliament for Water, Mokoena has been instrumental in developing a Water Action Plan on how the government could tackle the current water and sanitation crisis in South Africa. These recommendations were tabled at the United Nations Water Conference in New York in March. Supplied image: Karabo Mokoena Mokoena reminded the webinar that unemployment was a big problem in South Africa, especially among the young. She stressed that people in marginalised communities are very capable of innovation and wants to see a shift from dependency on the formal workplace to job creation through entrepreneurship. This, she said, required that young professionals be recognised for their skills, and not just as youth. We should be allowed to take seats at the big tables and take part in policy- and decision-making, added Mokoena. Having a seat at the table means that at every stage of the decision-making process, you have one or two youth representatives who are specialists in that field. Having us there brings a different narrative, a different perspective. Consider the ecosystems Button believes a similar approach had been used by the Responsible Fisheries Alliance in creating safe platforms to discuss an ecosystem's approach to fisheries. They put us in a room. Scientists, fishermen, and fisheries monitors. They gave us some prompts and activities and we learned so much from each other. Information flowed in all directions. "Fishermen could share what was happening at sea and open up about how regulations can be cheated. Scientists could answer questions, like: Why do we need sharks? Why are they important for our ecosystem? And monitors had the opportunity to show the unique challenges they face." As an ambassador for the WESSAs Young Reporters for Environment and having written and co-authored more than a dozen biodiversity-related stories for the Daily Maverick, Button asserts the great value in fostering the writing talents of young scientists to promote greater awareness of environmental concerns. For the full conversation, watch the webinar on the Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation (OGRC) YouTube channel below: From advocacy to action, join Shared Value Africa Initiative (SVAI), KPMG South Africa and University of Johannesburg (UJ) as they convene industry leaders on 18 August 2023, to address key drivers to gender equality and how business can accelerate it. Gender equality in the workplace is not just a matter of fairness; it is a strategic imperative for businesses. Embracing gender equality fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment, leading to enhanced creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. By tapping into a wider talent pool and providing equal opportunities for all, businesses can attract and retain top talent, thereby improving productivity and performance. Furthermore, addressing gender equality creates an empowered workforce - particularly those who have been victimised - that is more self-sustaining and has access to resources when faced with challenges. In addition, gender equality in the workplace can promote a culture of respect, inclusivity, and zero tolerance for harassment. Businesses can create safe environments that empower individuals and prevent abusive behaviours. As a follow up to 2022s launch of the report Costly Impact of GBV: Perceptions and Realities from the Private Sector in South Africa, this thought leadership event will highlight solutions and interventions offered by various sectors - as well as research that builds on the previous report. It will also be an opportunity for discourse beyond SA borders as representatives from the Kenyan private sector (Steve Kiptinness, chief corporate affairs officer of Safaricom who will be speaking) as well as government (The Honourable Harriette Chiggai, Special Advisor on Gender Equality to the President of Kenya who will be in discussion with Prof Olive Shisana, who is SA President Ramaphosas Special Advisor on Gender Equality) will contribute. Organisations across diverse industries, regardless of their size and structure, hold a shared responsibility to accelerate gender equality in the workplace. By working together, we can propel not only our individual businesses forward, but also stimulate our wider economies, and ultimately contribute positively to the overall progress of our society. For more information and to attend virtually, please click here. The Original Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce has found its way to South Africa and is the first country to have its own social media channels for the brand. Source: FB Lousiana rand Hot Sauce The sauce, which can be found at over 350 independent retailers and at almost 200 Spar stores,local has launched on social media platforms in the country. The sauce, which is described as the hot sauce for many who enjoy heat without compromising on flavour, was brought to South Africa in 2021 by local company Cracking Cravings. As part of its digital strategy, the Louisiana Hot Sauce SA Instagram account has combined brand content, influencer and user-generated content to showcase how South Africans are enjoying their hot sauce. The brand also recently underwent a refresh that saw its branding in South Africa mirroring its global CI. Louisiana Hot Sauce got its start in 1928 in New Iberia, Louisiana. More than 95 years later, Louisiana Hot Sauce is still made the same way in the same place. Louisiana is famous for its Mardi Gras celebrations, being the birthplace of American blues and its Cajun and Creole cuisine. Following the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon, which saw a record 152 South African Sauvignon Blanc wines compete, producers can now enter their best wines in the annual FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 competition. Source: Supplied The competition is dedicated to South Africa's top-selling and most-exported varietal, which sold an impressive 14.3 million litres domestically and exported 67.7 million litres in 2022. The competition is organised by the cultivar group Sauvignon Blanc SA and is supported by title partner FNB and platinum partner Ever SA. A distinguished panel of wine specialists, led by Cape Wine Master Dr Winifred Bowman, will assess the contenders from Tuesday 29 August to Thursday 31 August 2023 at Uitkyk Estate in Stellenbosch. Joining Dr Bowman on the panel are wine judge and author Fiona McDonald, Johann Fourie, head winemaker of Benguela Cove, winemaker Morgan Steyn of De Grendel, Greg Mutambe, chief sommelier at The Twelve Apostles Hotel, as well as two protege judges. In September, the twenty finalists will be announced, while the prestigious FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 Awards ceremony will reveal the winners in October. SA's Concur performance sets new standards Sauvignon Blanc SA chairperson, RJ Botha, holds high expectations for the 2023 competition. "Our winemakers performed exceptionally well in the recent Concours Mondial du Sauvignon," says Botha. "Out of the 152 wines entered by South African producers, a third were awarded medals, including 26 gold and 30 silver medals. The Villiera Bush Vine 2022 was honoured with the Tonnellerie Sylvain trophy for the best-wooded wine, and Darling Cellars' Gustus Sauvignon Blanc 2020 secured the Revelation South Africa trophy." Botha emphasises that the world has its eyes on South African Sauvignon Blanc and its remarkable diversity. "Every year, the FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 showcases a wide range of origins and styles, offering diverse flavour profiles," Botha explains. "Both wooded and unwooded wines perform remarkably well. Additionally, it's worth noting that the vintage on the label is not an expiration date, and Sauvignon Blanc enthusiasts should explore older vintages as well." Producers can submit their entries at here. The deadline for entries is Tuesday,15 August 2023, with late entries accepted until Wednesday, 23 August 2023. South Africa's rising youth unemployment is widening the skills and inequality gap and institutional investors like the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation are ready to fill that void. These funds are investing in high impact solutions and changing the face of entrepreneurship with this more inclusive approach to funding. Institutional investors are changing the face of entrepreneurship. Source: Johsua Kettle/Unsplash Nontando Mthethwa, the foundations head of public affairs, points out that there has never been a greater need for inclusive entrepreneurship: Youth unemployment figures are alarmingly high. Its clear that we need new solutions to this challenge, as the channels and vehicles currently used to address the problem are not having the desired impact. Many people think of entrepreneurship as a route to self-enrichment; a glamorous job option that can lead to fame. But, while its certainly true that there are a number of entrepreneurs who have gained global renown through their ventures, we are more interested in the potential impact of the kind of entrepreneurship that has a ripple effect throughout society, she says. Allan Gray promotes this idea through the Entrepreneurship Challenge (which seeks to democratize entrepreneurship education by making it available to all South African leaders), scholarship, fellowship and association. These programmes have been carefully designed to include academic learning, entrepreneurial training, mentorship and social support, to nurture a pool of entrepreneurs who have the potential to create businesses that speak directly to todays social challenges. Mthethwa explains that this curriculum equips beneficiaries with skills that will serve them in any context, but which are especially geared to helping them become a generation of disruptors. The foundation describes itself as "more interested in the problems (the youth) want to solve when they become adults, because this is the type of entrepreneurship we need. Audacious goals If South Africa is to meet the UNs Sustainable Development Goals, or the demands of Agenda 2063 (which provides a framework for Africas socio-economic transformation), the country needs to look beyond the current, tech driven idea of entrepreneurship. The foundation has set an audacious goal. It aims to have supported entrepreneurs in the creation of 500 new ventures, 10 of which will be worth R1bn, and generate one million new jobs by 2030. For this to happen, entrepreneurship needs to move away from the margins to become accepted as a mainstream job option, as viable as any profession. We need to make it clear that entrepreneurship is for everyone; not just the mavericks whose connections can help them get a business off the ground or those whose desperation at long-term unemployment led them to starting a venture," says Mthethwa. For South African entrepreneurship to thrive, we need to create a pool of potential entrepreneurs who are representative of our demographics. Inducing change This pool would give rise to change agents, innovators, and disruptors whose ability to meet the changing demands of society lead to the development of new industries, creating more opportunities for economic participation. For this form of entrepreneurship to become a reality, it will be necessary for all members of the entrepreneurship ecosystem to pool their resources, amplifying their strengths and leading to a more coordinated effort to develop entrepreneurship. It is equally necessary for the private sector to lend its clout to the implementation of the legislation and policies already enacted by government. Entrepreneurship isnt a magic panacea that will solve all of societys ills, but it is one of the best tools at our disposal for creating jobs meaningful jobs that tap into the needs of our time, Mthethwa concludes. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. A number of Irish retail stores in the Iceland chain will not reopen, which will affect a large number of employees, the High Court has heard. An examiner appointed by the court to Metron Stores Limited, which operates the Irish stores, reported that about 160 employees have been temporarily laid off, while 12 of the 26 Irish stores have temporarily closed. Advertisement All efforts will be made to retain staff members, the examiners barrister, Stephen Brady, told the court on Friday. The company is following statutory steps and it is likely a collective redundancy process will begin in the coming days involving engagement with employees and unions, the court heard. Joe Walsh, of JW Accountants, was appointed interim examiner to Metron in June, when the court was told the company was insolvent and unable to pay debts of about 36 million as they fall due. Advertisement Among the companys difficulties was a Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) order requiring it to withdraw from its Irish stores all frozen food of animal origin imported since March 3rd of this year. Metron has also suffered significant losses in the past two years due to a high-cost base. Advertisement On Friday, the examiners barrister, Stephen Brady, said a preferred investor has been selected and, if finalised, the investment will bring significant working capital, protect employment and ensure sustainability. Cash flow has been carefully managed while the company remains under the protection of the courts. Outlining Mr Walshs report, Mr Brady said four stores were temporarily closed around the time of the examiners appointment, while it was necessary to temporarily close a further eight loss-making outlets since then. Employees at these 12 stores, located in counties Dublin, Cork, Wexford, Donegal, Roscommon, Tipperary and Longford, have been placed on temporary lay-off. Advertisement It is now clear that certain stores will be closed permanently, he added. Mr Brady said the company has made good progress in dealing with various issues arising from the FSAIs intervention and ongoing investigation. EU regulations Previously the court was told the alleged breaches concerned the importation of the products from the UK into Ireland. The products veterinary certificates came from the UK but needed certificates from within the EU to comply with EU regulations. The firm was the subject of an FSAI withdrawal notice and has been required to destroy food valued at 360,000 and will need to destroy another food consignment worth 252,000, the court heard. Efforts were made to return the relevant food items to Britain to avoid good food from being destroyed, but this was not possible, the examiner reported. Advertisement Mr Brady also told the court the examiners office has received about 100 claims from employees regarding potential amounts owed to them. At the examiners request, Mr Justice Michael Quinn extended by one month the period under which the company is protected from its creditors. Noting significant changes were afoot, he said the proposed investment was of critical importance. There was no objection from the companys creditors. Iceland UKs counsel Shelley Horan said her client has significant assets, including freezers, at many of the Irish stores. She stressed that her client has complied with all of its regulatory controls, while the Irish entity is responsible for its own compliance. The case was adjourned to a date next month. Airline TUI has apologised after hundreds of passengers were left unable to return to Belfast for a lengthy period due to delays. Footage on social media showed passengers, including children, laying on airport floors. Advertisement Holidaymakers trying to travel from Rhodes to Belfast on Wednesday night had their flight rescheduled multiple times due to technical difficulties. Those affected by the delays were offered somewhere to stay but many chose to remain in the airport citing poor conditions at the accommodation offered by TUI. Advertisement In a statement, TUI said the aircraft, which is operated by Sunwing, was delayed due to a technical issue which meant the flight crew were over the legal working hour limit. After this customers were given a new departure time on Thursday. Following a further delay to the Thursday flight, the airline said passengers were provided with accommodation and food vouchers. Advertisement Advertisement The statement read: Unfortunately, the technical issue needed further work so with the safety of our customers and crew in mind the difficult decision was made to extend the delay. All passengers were provided with overnight accommodation; however some chose to stay at the airport. Those who stayed at the airport were provided with vouchers for meals and refreshments. A gesture of goodwill has also been offered to all customers. The new estimated time of departure was 1935 local time on Friday. Advertisement TUI added: We know that this is not how anyone wants to end their holiday and would once again like to apologise for the inconvenience caused. Advertisement All customers will be entitled to claim EU261 flight delay compensation. One passenger on the flight, Niamh McDonald, told the BBC they were treated like dogs. The treatment weve got is just atrocious and weve been treated like dogs, to be honest. And its just put us off ever travelling again. The communication has been terrible, to be honest. Weve been sleeping on the floors of the airport for the past few nights, elderly people on the floors, children on the floors. Yeah, its just been terrible. Passengers attempting to travel from Ibiza to Northern Ireland also experienced issues with the airline. Advertisement After a delay spanning more than 24 hours, some passengers said they found it difficult to communicate with airline representatives. In relation to the Ibiza flight, a statement from TUI said a new part was needed due to technical issues with the aircraft, also operated by Sunwing. We completely understand the frustration of customers who were due to depart Ibiza on flight TOM1331 yesterday, and we would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused, the statement read. The safety of our customers and crew is our utmost priority. The aircraft customers were meant to travel on developed a technical issue that required a new part to be transported from overseas. This also meant the flight crew were over the legal working hour limit. Customers were communicated with throughout the delay, and we provided them with accommodation until their new expected flight time of 9am the following day. Unfortunately, the new part for the aircraft was delayed in customs which caused the unexpected further delay. The aircraft has now departed and customers are on their way home. A judge has refused to prevent the media from naming a youth charged with the murder of a man in Ongar, west Dublin last month. John Mulrooney (18), of Manorfield Green, Clonee, Dublin, is accused of murdering Aaron Keating on June 13th at Main Street in Ongar. Advertisement Mr Keating, who was in his 40s and from Blanchardstown, suffered severe wounds and was removed from the scene to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown, where he was pronounced dead. The accused was 17, a minor, and could not be identified in media coverage of the case when it first came before the Dublin Children's Court on June 16th. At that time, the usual Children's Act reporting restrictions applied, and he was remanded to the Oberstown Children Detention Campus. The teen appeared again at the Dublin Children's Court on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Judge Brendan Toale noted that gardai sought further directions from the Director of Public Prosecution, and the teen consented to a four-week adjournment. Defence counsel Doireann McDonagh said that the client had turned 18, and it was expected he would now, as an adult, be remanded to Cloverhill Prison. However, the teenager wanted to remain at the Oberstown detention campus. The judge said he could only send a child there if he were the subject of a sentence, and he had no choice but to remand him to Cloverhill Prison. Advertisement Reporting restrictions The defence also asked the judge to consider imposing reporting restrictions because the alleged offence occurred when he was a child. The barrister said the youth was "an extremely vulnerable young man with a raft of diagnoses", and it would be extremely damaging to him if he were identified. However, refusing the application, Judge Toale referred to legal authorities in the forms of two High Court and Court of Appeal judgements, which addressed this issue and accepted that the loss of anonymity occurs at 18 and "standard law applies". Mr Keating was known to the State services and lived in local private supported accommodation for several years. A Garda family liaison officer has been appointed to his family. Detective Sergeant Garda Mark Murphy had said that when the teen was charged, "there was no reply to the charge after caution". A private lab firm facing multiple legal proceedings arising from the CervicalCheck programme scandal last year paid out 10 million in settlements and legal costs connected to legal cases from the scandal. That is according to new accounts filed by the Dublin based Medlab Pathology Ltd which has been sued in the High Court by a number of women concerning alleged failings in the firms participation in the HSEs CervicalCheck programme from 2011 to 2019. Advertisement In the third set of annual accounts to be filed by the firm in recent weeks, they disclose that the company paid out 10 million in gross payments in the 12 months to the end of June 2022 arising from a number of High Court actions. The accounts disclose that the firm received medical malpractice insurance of 4.84 million towards the pay-outs resulting in Medlab Pathology making a net payout of 5.16 million last year. Advertisement Arising from Medlab Pathologys 10m gross payout in 2022 and 2.56 million in 2021, the firm has a remaining gross 36.7 million provision at the end of June 2022 to deal with outstanding CervicalCheck cases before the court. At the outset of the cases coming before the High Court, the company set aside a gross provision in its recently filed 2020 accounts of 49.6 million to deal with the cost of damages and legal costs from the CervicalCheck cases. Advertisement The 2020 accounts showed that the firm had insurance receivable of 31.48 million leaving the company facing a net-payout of 18.15 million. The new 2022 accounts state the outstanding gross provision of 36.7 million at the end of June 2022 includes an estimate for future claims, based on data access requests received. The note states that in relation to the small number of claims for which the insurers have not yet confirmed indemnity, we used our best judgement of the liability, based on the most reliable information available. The directors state that the company no longer trades and the main business of the company is to manage the liabilities arising from litigation, in respect of claims related to the cervical cancer screening programme in Ireland. Advertisement The 10 million payout has been provided for in prior year accounts with the gross 49.6 million provision in place for the CervicalCheck cases and the firm recorded a loss of 303,370 last year. Advertisement At the end of June last, the firm had accumulated losses of 26.2 million. Addressing the companys going concern status where it has an equity deficit of 9.95 million, a note attached to the accounts states that the companys sole liabilities relate to legal claims arising in respect of the cervical cancer screening programme in Ireland. They state that insurance is in place in respect of these liabilities and the net liability for the company is largely the insurance deductible. Advertisement The note adds that these cases are inherently complex, and the determination of the ultimate outcome requires significant judgment, with the final resolution likely to be beyond the going concern outlook. The note states that a number of cases have been settled after the balance sheet date, with others discontinued and the remainder active. In recent Dail replies to Social Democrat TD Catherine Murphy, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said the State Claims Agency (SCA) has received 385 claims concerning CervicalCheck including 79 psychological injury claims from members of the families of the women concerned. He said: "In relation to the 385 claims received 183 are active and not yet concluded and 202 have concluded. Minister Donnelly said that at the end of June 2023 damages amounting to 710,000 had been paid by the SCA in respect of CervicalCheck claims. He said It should be noted that most of the claims have been settled by the laboratories involved in the individual claims. A 32-year-old man who was suffering from schizophrenia when he killed his father with a second World War bayonet on Father's Day has been found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. The Central Criminal Court jury in the trial of Gareth Sheeran, of Carriglea View, Firhouse, Dublin, deliberated for just 42 minutes before returning their unanimous verdict on Friday to Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Advertisement Mr Sheeran had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his father, Harry Sheeran (65) at the same address on Father's Day, June 20th, 2021. The jury heard evidence from two psychiatrists who agreed that Mr Sheeran was suffering from a mental illness, namely schizophrenia, and did not know that what he was doing was wrong when he killed his father. Mr Justice Hunt thanked the panel for their service in the case and exempted them from jury service for a period of seven years. Advertisement He said the case was a tragedy for all concerned and said his thoughts went out to the Sheeran family and particularly the accuseds mother who had lost her husband. This cant be an easy process for them, he said. Advertisement The trial had heard that when the gardai arrived at the house on the night of the killing, they found Harry Sheeran lying on the ground in a large pool of blood that was around his waist and feet. They also saw blood on the defendants legs and t-shirt. Detective Garda Austin Larkin gave evidence that when the gardai asked what had happened, the defendant said: I was upset. I attacked him. The detective said that the defendant told gardai he stabbed his father with a WWII bayonet-type of thing. Commotion Det Gda Larkin told the court that a man renting a room in the house from the deceased said that some time before the stabbing, he was in his room wearing headphones, but he thought he heard someone beating Gareth Sheeran up in the next room. Advertisement He said he heard the defendant say, Get off, get off, leave me alone, but there was no one else in the room with Mr Sheeran. Advertisement Det Gda Larkin also said that a next-door neighbour said she heard things being thrown, like furniture rumbling, but she did not hear anyone saying anything. She said it sounded like someone fell out of the attic, and she said she then heard a wail of anguish. The court also heard evidence that a post-mortem examination conducted by Dr Heidi Okkers, found stab wounds to Harry Sheeran's chest, two wounds on his back, two on his left arm, and one to the right leg. Dr Okkers said Harry Sheeran experienced multiple sharp force injuries, and one stab wound caused injuries to his heart. The pathologist said there was significant blood loss from the leg wound, and the victim's death occurred through stab wounds to the chest and leg. Advertisement In his charge to the jury on Friday, Mr Justice Hunt said the evidence points all in one direction in this case. He said expert evidence had been heard from two very experienced psychiatrists who both agreed Mr Sheeran was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the killing and that he fulfilled the criteria that entitled him to the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Mr Justice Hunt pointed out that the defence had contended there was abundant evidence that Mr Sheeran was suffering from a mental illness for many years before this event occurred. Advertisement He said there seemed to be absolutely no reason to doubt that Mr Sheeran suffered from a mental disorder as defined by the Act. Advertisement Special verdict If you are agreed the appropriate result at the end of the day is that Mr Sheeran was suffering from a mental disorder and that he fulfilled one of the three criteria [that he did not know the nature of the act, did not know it was wrong or could not refrain from doing it] then he is entitled to the special verdict, Mr Justice Hunt told the jury. On Friday morning, Dr Ronan Mullaney, a consultant Forensic Psychiatrist at the Central Mental Hospital called by the defence, gave evidence to Eilis Brennan SC, for Mr Sheeran, that the defendant suffers from schizophrenia and was most likely suffering from acute psychosis at the time of the killing. He said this psychosis would have led to a significant impairment of Mr Sheerans mental functioning and his control at the time would have been circumscribed by his belief that he was at imminent risk of death. He said it was his opinion that, following the evolution of a complicated psychosis, Mr Sheeran believed the victim was planning to have him killed on the night of the offence. Advertisement The doctor said if the accused believed that was the case, then it was probable he did not know what he was doing was wrong. Dr Mullaney said in his expert opinion, Mr Sheeran satisfied all three of the possible criteria for a defence of not guilty by reason of insanity. Dr Patrick McLaughlin, a consultant forensic psychiatrist based in the Central Mental Hospital, previously told the court that Mr Sheeran suffers from a major mental illness, namely schizophrenia. He said that at the time of the killing, Mr Sheerans mental illness had been untreated for three years, that he was more than likely suffering a relapse of schizophrenia and the symptoms were present at the time of the killing. He said that Mr Sheeran had a long history of believing he was being targeted and he had the unusual belief that killing his father would help him in some way. Clear evidence Dr McLaughlin gave evidence that the defendant told him about an event in 2018 in the Phoenix Park, when he said he was approached by two men. Dr McLaughlin said it was very difficult to follow the narrative being put forward by Mr Sheeran, but it appeared that on this occasion the defendant believed he received information about his father, with someone saying to him: Kill your father, well help you. Advertisement Dr McLaughlin said the defendant was quite incoherent in this account, but he was not being wilfully incoherent. In his closing remarks to the jury, prosecuting counsel James B Dwyer SC said the evidence speaks for itself. It's very clear evidence and it is evidence that is in no way in contention between the prosecution and the defence, he said. Counsel said the jury could be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Gareth Sheeran killed Harry Sheeran. He said in that context the burden of proof shifted to the defence to prove that Gareth Sheeran was suffering from a mental disorder, namely a relapse of his schizophrenia, as a result of which he did not know the nature and quality of his act or that what he was doing was wrong. He said the jury had heard from two very eminent psychiatrists who were in agreement that Mr Sheeran was suffering from a relapse of his mental disorder at the time of the killing. In her closing address, Ms Brennan said Gareth Sheeran had admitted carrying out the offence. She asked the jury to focus on the "true issue" in the case, which was that Gareth Sheeran was suffering from a mental illness at the time he committed the offence. You've heard from two psychiatrists who are of the view that Mr Sheeran was very unwell at the time he committed the offence and had been unwell from 2014," she said. Counsel said in order to fulfil the criteria for a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict, the defence had to prove Gareth Sheeran was suffering from a mental disorder at the time. She said the two psychiatrists in the case have each agreed that Gareth Sheeran fulfilled any one of the three criteria for a special verdict. Any one would be sufficient, but both psychiatrists are of the view that he fulfils the criteria for all three, she said. I would ask you to bring in a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Mr Justice Hunt adjourned the matter to Friday, August 25th. Fianna Fails Justice spokesperson Jim OCallaghan has called for a change in the terms and conditions of garda recruitment in a bid to encourage people to join the force. There was a recruitment crisis, there were 14,000 members of An Garda Siochana, the same level as 20 years ago while the population had increased significantly since then, he told RTE radios Morning Ireland. Advertisement There had been a problem for a number of years with lawlessness in the inner city which was evident through the open drug dealing and the gratuitous acts of violence such as the attack on the American tourist this week. We're never going to be able to reduce or stomp all types of criminality. But if you look at Dublin in comparison to other European cities, one thing that stands out is that we don't have enough physical policing on the streets. In fairness to the gardai, that's not predominantly their fault. We have a recruitment crisis in the force. Advertisement We're down below 14,000 members. That's the same as we were 20 years ago. And we have a situation where the population has increased significantly since then. So we need as policy makers to introduce measures to get numbers in An Garda Siochana up, so we can get more gardai on the streets. However, Mr OCallaghan cautioned that the issue was not as simple as a lack of policing. There were devastating levels of addiction that are destroying people's lives. And as a result of that, I think there are drug dealers who are feeding off those people whose lives have been destroyed from drugs, and that generates crime". Advertisement But also there are younger youths hanging around who believe that they're immune to any level of apprehension or correction. We need a strategy to deal with them as well. So it's very damaging not just for tourists, not just for the people coming in, but also for the people who live in the inner city. They shouldn't have to live with this level of lawlessness. Recruitment problems There remained a problem with garda recruitment, he added. The Government had provided funding for 1,000 new gardai this year, funding had been provided for 800 last year, but only 300 had been recruited. Advertisement We need to start looking for new methods to keep numbers up or to grow numbers within the force. We should be looking at increasing the retirement age. We should be looking at getting rid of the discriminatory rule that says you can't join the gardai if you're over 35 years of age. "So we need to start looking at the terms and conditions for the gardai. Why is it that people aren't seeking to join the force as they did before and trying to attract in membership? Because without doing this we're not going to get more gardai? Advertisement I'm urging the Government to increase the retirement age to 60, also the Labour court determined that it's discriminatory for the State to insist that you can't join the force if you're over 35 years of age, that there are very many people who are doing boring, sedentary jobs in offices who are in their late thirties, early forties. Ireland Dublin businesses call for 'aggressive' behaviour... Read More "They'd love to join the force, but they're precluded because they're over 35 years of age. So that's a change we could introduce to a statutory instrument very quickly after consultation with the Garda Commissioner. And I would urge the Government to do that. The current drugs policy was also failing, he said. We need to focus, in my opinion, on the aspect of drugs policy that puts people who have devastating levels of addiction from taking serious drugs at the centre, that's where our focus should be, as opposed to just concentrating on people who are interested in using drugs for recreational purposes. We need to warn young people about the dangers of taking drugs and ending up on serious drugs because it just leads to a road to destruction and devastation. And we don't do enough to warn people about that. Advertisement The only way that lawlessness in the city centre would be reduced was by increased garda presence, he said. Quiz: How much do you know about our favourite holiday destinations? Test your knowledge of some of the most popular places for Irish holidaymakers across Europe Sun-soaked Split is in which Balkan country? Capri, famed for its popularity with celebs, is an island off the coast of which European country? Barcelona is of course home to FC Barcelona. What's the name of the team's stadium? Spain's Balearic islands are a summer go-to for many Irish holidaymakers. The three main islands are Ibiza, Menorca and? The Algarve is a popular sun holiday destination in which European country? You're on your summer getaway and you see this famous ruin. What city are you in? On the banks of the Danube, which city is known for its ruin bars, thermal baths, and boasts one of the oldest metro systems in the world? Not all holiday destinations are overjoyed with the types of crowds they attract. Which European city launched a 'Stay Away' campaign to warn off rowdy visitors? Hard Luck! Some of those were tricky. Keep up to date with the latest news from around the world on Breakingnews.ie Well Done! You've been keeping up to date with your international news. Good job! Whisky experts are to test green-grown barley to ensure it is fit to be used in the drink. Researchers at University College Dublin (UCD) and Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh are running tests on barley grown with green fertilisers in hope that it will still meet the requirements to distil whiskies. Advertisement Barley makes up 63 per cent of Scotlands cereal crop and is used for a wide range of purposes, including malting, distilling and as animal feed. If the tests, named the BioCrop project, find the green option is suitable, it will mean production will rely far less on using non-renewable fertilisers. The research, funded by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, is taking place over two years. Advertisement Researchers are testing green-grown barley (Rainer Melzer/University College Dublin/PA) The team at Heriot-Watt are working with scientists from UCD, who are testing three types of sustainable fertilisers. Advertisement A field trial site will be established at Lyons Farm, University College London. Dr Angela Feechan, a plant pathologist at Heriot-Watt, said: The Irish BioCrop project funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is carrying out field trials at the moment, and well be using their grain. Advertisement They are investigating how biostimulants made from algae, bacteria and yeast perform for barley growth, health and yield compared with traditional fossil fuels. Its not enough to know if we can grow barley without fossil fuels. We need to know what changes using biostimulants could have on them, whether its their quality, resistance to disease, how they respond to high heat or whether their flavour changes. Reaching net zero means making our food production more sustainable. Biostimulants can hopefully do just that, but we need to be sure whisky wont suffer as a result. The BioCrop project will supply three barley varieties to Heriot-Watt, named Cassia, Valeria and RGT Planet. Advertisement Scientists are testing grains to ensure Scotlands national drink would not suffer if green-grown barley is used (Peter Dibdin/PA) Researchers Dr Ross Alexander and Dr Calum Holmes are to carry out experiments in the universitys world-renowned International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD). Dr Ross Alexander said: Well be testing the barley in our micro maltings, which gives us a very controlled way to test grains at all stages of whisky production. Advertisement Advertisement Although its laboratory-based, it is possible to produce malt comparable to that produced in commercial maltings. Well examine the barley on the nanoscale throughout the process to ensure it meets industry standards. Thats everything from how its seeds grow, grain size, enzyme values and soluble protein content. Nitrogen content is key to barley meeting market specifications. Malt distilling requires a nitrogen level of below 1.65 per cent. Any change to that could mean its not useable for whisky production; the micro malting analysis will give us certainty on the effect of biostimulants on barley. A flag carried by a Japanese soldier killed in action during the Second World War was handed over on Thursday by the USS Lexington Museum in Texas to a nonprofit organisation for return to the mans family. Known as a Good Luck Flag, it is covered with the signatures of Shigeyoshi Mutsuda, his family and friends. Advertisement The Corpus Christi museum where it was displayed for 29 years gave the flag to the Obon Society, a nonprofit organisation that has returned about 500 similar flags, known as non-biological human remains, to descendants of Japanese service members killed during the war. Japanese soldier Shigeyoshi Mutsudas good luck flag had been aboard the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay in Corpus Christi, Texas, since 1994 (John Oliva/Corpus Christi Caller-Times via AP/PA) This is all thats left of this man to return to his family, said Obon Society co-founder Rex Ziak. Advertisement Advertisement They feel exactly the same as Americans when they receive the bones or teeth of relatives who were identified and returned decades after being killed in war, he said. Hirofumi Murabayashi, consul general of Japan in Houston, expressed appreciation to the museum for willingly handing over the flag and said the transfer symbolises the friendship between the US and Japan. He (Mutsuda) was killed in action and his body was not found theres no remains, Mr Murabayashi said. The funeral of Mr Mutsudas wife, who died in May at age 102, has been delayed until the flag is returned, Mr Murabayashi said. Advertisement The flag, known as Yosegaki Hinomaru, has been displayed at the museum aboard a Second World War aircraft carrier since it was donated in 1994, according to museum director Steve Banta. He called the donation routine and said the museum has been unable to locate who gave the flag to the museum because of what he called record-keeping issues at the time. A programme from the Japanese flag repatriation ceremony at the USS Lexington Museum in Corpus Christi, Texas (John Oliva/Corpus Christi Caller-Times via AP/PA) Advertisement Mr Mutsudas signature on the flag was recognised by one of his sons, now 82, who saw an image of the flag and also recognised the signatures of other family, friends and neighbours, confirming the flag was carried by his father, according to Mr Ziak. Advertisement The signatures match those in a family photo of Mr Mutsuda holding the flag and surrounded by family members before he left for war, Mr Ziak said. Who found the the flag and under what circumstances is not known, Mr Ziak said. Often soldiers will search battlefields for sensitive information, like maps, and find flags and other things and collect them as souvenirs, Mr Ziak said. Advertisement The flags could be rolled and carried easily and service members brought them home by the thousands as souvenirs, according to Mr Ziak. The tale of how, or even where, such items were found is then often lost to the passage of time, according Mr Ziak, as the veterans return home and store them away until they are found after the service members death. The flag will be returned to the two sons and daughter of Shigeyoshi Mutsuda in Tokyo later this month during a ceremony at a shrine to Japanese war dead in Tokyo. The father of Nottingham attack victim Grace OMalley-Kumar described his daughter as an angelic girl as he delivered a poignant eulogy at her funeral. Medical student Ms OMalley-Kumar and history student Barnaby Webber, both 19, were found stabbed to death in Ilkeston Road on June 13th with school caretaker Ian Coates (65) found stabbed to death on Magdala Road, Nottingham, the same day. Advertisement Ms OMalley Kumars funeral was held at the largest Catholic church in England and Wales, Westminster Cathedral, in London. A spokesperson for the church said it was filled with at least 1,000 guests. Mourners gather beside the hearse outside Westminster Cathedral (Jonathan Brady/PA) During the funeral, her father Dr Sanjoy Kumar said: No father should be called upon to give a eulogy for their child. Advertisement Its not the natural order of things. It generally means something really unnatural has taken place and unfortunately for me, my beloved daughter Grace has been taken away from us. Advertisement Dr Kumar spoke about his daughters dedication to medicine and mentioned that she had volunteered to vaccinate people when he became the operations lead for a Covid vaccination centre in Waltham Forest. Grace OMalley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber were killed in the Nottingham attacks in June (Family handout/Lucy Sheffield/Southgate Hockey Club/PA) Advertisement The congregation heard that Ms OMalley-Kumar had wanted to apply to the Royal Army Medical Corps to further her medical training, inspired by her father and uncle, an orthopaedic surgeon. Dr Kumar said: I look back now and I am astonished by her resolve. Here we have a child who wanted to outdo her father and her uncle in public service. I have to ask, what kind of angelic child tries to outdo others in serving her country and her community, but that is exactly the sort of girl Grace was, she was truly amazing. Advertisement Grace OMalley-Kumars coffin is carried from her funeral at Westminster Cathedral (Jonathan Brady/PA) Her mother, Dublin-born doctor Sinead OMalley, told the service that her daughter had been cruelly and inexplicably taken. She said: She came into our lives here in Westminster at St Marys Hospital in Paddington. Advertisement Her birth registered here, and it is now from Westminster that she will leave. Grace was such a perfect gift to us. A funeral for Mr Webber was held at Taunton Minster in Taunton, Somerset, earlier in the month. Advertisement Mr Webbers parents, Emma and David Webber, attended the funeral of Ms OMalley Kumar and so did Sir Kenneth Olisa, the Kings representative in Greater London. Former University of Nottingham student Valdo Calocane, 31, was charged with the murder of Ms OMalley-Kumar, Mr Webber and Mr Coates in June. Spanish police have arrested two male Irish holidaymakers on suspicion of raping a British woman in a hotel in Magaluf. The pair were held at Palma Airport as they were preparing to board a flight to Dublin. Advertisement They have already gone before a judge and were remanded in prison pending an ongoing investigation. Police went public with the arrests following the court hearing in the Majorcan capital Palma which took place behind closed doors on Thursday. The two men being probed over the sex attack, said to have occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, have not been named. Their ages have not been released. The hotel where the incident allegedly occurred has not been named either. Advertisement A Civil Guard spokesman said: Officers specialising in investigating sex crimes have arrested two Irish men on suspicion of sexually assaulting a British tourist in a hotel in Magaluf. Advertisement In the early hours of Wednesday a young woman raised the alarm, saying she had been sexually assaulted by two men. She was taken to Son Espases Hospital in Palma by a police patrol. With the information the woman provided, officers from the specialist sex crimes group began an investigation and found out the suspected authors were no longer in the hotel which they had left to return to their home country. Advertisement Officers went to the island airport to find them and proceeded to arrest them after tracking them down to the boarding area where they were awaiting a flight to Dublin. They were remanded in prison yesterday following a court hearing. Police said the British woman has now returned to the UK. A source close to the investigation said it was being treated as a rape. Advertisement Local police on Punta Ballena street in Magaluf, where most of the nightclubs and bars are located. The Mallorcan town is one of the main destinations for Irish and British tourists during summer. Photo: AFP via Getty On July 9th a British holidaymaker was arrested at Palma Airport after allegedly raping his girlfriend at their hotel on the island. The 38-year-old was held as he tried to fly home after his 24-year-old partner went to police to say he had forced himself on her in the bathroom of their hotel room. The couple are said to have been staying at a three-star hotel near the resort of Magaluf. In May a British tourist was arrested and thrown in jail on suspicion of raping a female friend of his sons at a hotel in Magaluf. The holidaymaker was also held at Palma Airport after allegedly packing his bags and trying to leave the island in a hurry hours later. The woman, also believed to be British, told detectives she was forced to have sex after falling asleep in her friends room which had an internal door leading into his dads room. Rishi Sunak has suffered a double by-election defeat in safe Tory seats, with Labour and the Liberal Democrats both overturning majorities of about 20,000. Labour won Selby and Ainsty and the Lib Dems took Somerton and Frome on sizable swings which will leave many Tory MPs looking nervously at their own majorities. Advertisement But the Tory leader was spared the prospect of being the first UK prime minister since 1968 to lose three by-elections on the same day as Labour failed to secure victory in Boris Johnsons former seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip. Tory Steve Tuckwell held on with a majority of just 495, down from the 7,210 Mr Johnson secured in 2019. (PA Graphics) Advertisement In Selby and Ainsty, 25-year-old Keir Mather will become the youngest MP in the Commons the Baby of the House after overturning a 20,137 majority. Advertisement He secured a 4,161 majority in the North Yorkshire seat with and Labour said it was the highest majority the party had ever overturned in a by-election. The swing from Conservative to Labour of 23.7 percentage points is the second-largest swing managed by Labour at a by-election since 1945. A similar swing across the country would result in it winning more seats than in Tony Blairs 1997 landslide, Labour claimed. Advertisement Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: This is a historic result that shows that people are looking at Labour and seeing a changed party that is focused entirely on the priorities of working people with an ambitious, practical plan to deliver. (PA Graphics) Keir Mather will be a fantastic MP who will deliver the fresh start Selby and Ainsty deserves. Advertisement It is clear just how powerful the demand for change is. Voters put their trust in us many for the first time. After 13 years of Tory chaos, only Labour can give the country its hope, its optimism and its future back. For the Lib Dems, a 29.0 percentage point swing in Somerton and Frome saw a 19,213 Tory majority turned into a 11,008-vote cushion for new MP Sarah Dyke. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said the Somerton and Frome result showed his party was once again winning votes in its former West Country heartland. Advertisement The people of Somerton and Frome have spoken for the rest of the country who are fed up with Rishi Sunaks out-of-touch Conservative government, he said. Advertisement The victory means Mr Davey has become the first party leader since Paddy Ashdown in the 1990s to win four by-elections. (PA Graphics) Despite Labours success in North Yorkshire, the failure to secure victory in Uxbridge and South Ruislip in west London has led to a blame game among senior figures over the capitals mayor Sadiq Khans plan to expand the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) to cover outer boroughs. Labour candidate Danny Beales had distanced himself from the policy, saying it was not the right time to expand the 12.50 daily charge for cars which fail to meet emissions standards. The defeat in the seat was dubbed Uloss by a party insider in a sign of the unease at Mr Khans plan. In his victory speech, new MP Mr Tuckwell said Mr Khan had cost Labour the seat. It was his damaging and costly Ulez policy that lost them this election, he said. This wasnt the campaign Labour expected and Keir Starmer and his mayor Sadiq Khan need to sit up and listen to the Uxbridge and South Ruislip residents. Advertisement (PA Graphics) Labour shadow cabinet minister Steve Reed acknowledged it had been a factor in the campaign and called for Mr Khan to change course. The shadow justice secretary told the PA news agency: I think those responsible for that policy will need to reflect on what the voters have said and whether theres an opportunity to change. For Mr Sunak, the defeats happened as MPs drifted away from Westminster to begin their summer break, so he may be spared a clamour against his leadership. The UK prime minister could attempt to reset his administration with a Cabinet reshuffle in the wake of the contests defence secretary Ben Wallace has already signalled he will exit the British government, so there is a vacancy to be filled although No 10 has publicly said there are no plans for a shake-up. Mr Sunak may have decided the benefits of freshening up his team at this stage would be outweighed by the risk of it being perceived as a panicked response to an electoral setback. Donald Trumps company and his former longtime lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen have settled a lawsuit over Mr Cohens claims that he was unfairly stuck with big legal bills after becoming entangled in investigations into the former president. Lawyers for the two sides told the judge they had reached a settlement during a video conference on Friday in Manhattan, just as Mr Cohens 2019 lawsuit was due to go to trial on Monday in a state court. Details of the agreement were not made public. Advertisement Mr Cohen said on Friday the matter has been resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties. Mr Cohen claimed in his lawsuit that the Trump Organisation had promised to pay his legal expenses and did so for a time, footing more than 1.7 million dollars (1.32 million) in legal fees. Advertisement Former president Donald Trumps company the Trump Organisation had disputed that it made certain promises over finances to his former lawyer Michael Cohen (Charlie Neibergall/AP/PA) Advertisement But, Mr Cohen said, the company reneged after he began co-operating with federal prosecutors in their investigations related to Mr Trumps business dealings in Russia and attempts to silence women with embarrassing stories about his personal life. Mr Cohens lawyers stopped representing him after the company stopped paying. His lawsuit said that harmed his ability to respond to the federal investigations. In court papers, the Trump Organisation has disputed that it made certain promises and has said it satisfied any obligations it did have. The company also has argued that Mr Cohens involvement in the federal investigations was not an outgrowth of his former job but rather a personal decision to try to reduce his own criminal legal exposure as an indictment loomed. Jury selection in the case began on Monday, with a trial due to start next week. Among the prospective jurors, more than half said they had strong opinions about Mr Trump, the front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Advertisement Several said their feelings toward him were intense enough that they would not be able to fairly evaluate evidence. Advertisement Donald Trump Jr was expected to have given evidence in the lawsuit (Alex Brandon/AP/PA) While the former president would not have been a witness in the trial, his son Donald Trump Jr was expected to give evidence. Advertisement Mr Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to multiple charges, admitting that he lied to Congress, violated campaign finance laws through excessive political contributions, lied to multiple banks to obtain financing and evaded income taxes by failing to report more than four million dollars (3.1 million) in income. He was sentenced to three years in prison, although he served nearly two-thirds of it at home, released after the Covid-19 outbreak overwhelmed the nations prisons. He then became a key witness in the New York grand jury proceeding that led to Mr Trumps April indictment on charges of falsifying Trump Organisation records to protect Mr Trumps 2016 candidacy by suppressing claims that he had had extramarital sexual encounters. Mr Trump denied those encounters, and he pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges. He cast the case as a Democratic district attorneys attempt to blunt his ongoing campaign to return to the White House in 2025. Advertisement Mr Trump has now sued Mr Cohen, accusing him of violating a company confidentiality agreement, breaching ethical standards for lawyers and maliciously spreading falsehoods about Mr Trump. A Cohen spokesman, attorney Lanny Davis, responded that Mr Trump was abusing the legal system to harass Mr Cohen. Tech giants Salesforce and NTT along with AGL, American Express and NBN are joining the banking sector in handing back unwanted office space as they grapple with staff demanding to work from home. The rise of flexible working practices and staff cuts have kick-started a wave of activity in the market as companies reassess their space requirements. Office space that is not needed can be sublet to other businesses. Credit: Dominic K Lorrimer One of the biggest downsizing is from tech giant Salesforce, which initially leased about 35,000 square metres in the building in Sydneys Circular Quay that bears its name, but now only needs 20,000 square metres. We are rebalancing our global real estate footprint and will have the right amount of space for our team in Sydney, a Salesforce spokesperson said. Deloitte boss Adam Powick was among those arguing this was highly confidential and commercially sensitive information. The same argument was used when the committee demanded a copy of the firms partnership deed. Loading His cause was not helped on Friday when KPMG took the unprecedented step of releasing to the inquiry its entire partnership deed, which has now been made public. They talk ethics, they talk openness. The reality is we are still waiting for critical answers and its time we had them, Greens Senator Barbara Pocock said. Liberal senator Richard Colbeck was not in the mood to indulge the firms, either. I think the variance in what information thats been provided to me depends on how much pressure each individual business thinks that its under. And I say to all businesses, you are all under extreme pressure here, he said. The grilling was brutal for Powick after he did reveal his annual pay was in the $3.5 million ballpark. Senator Deborah ONeill says its too soon to talk about a royal commission into the consulting sector. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Labor Senator Deborah ONeill asked if he was really worth seven times the salary of the prime minister? No, Powick replied. The Deloitte boss was less forthcoming when it came to the allegedly fraudulent investment scheme run by former partner Amberjit Endow while he was still with the firm, other than to confirm he remains an investor and is owed money. Worried investors, who estimate the suspected fraud could involve tens of millions of dollars, have been unable to contact Endow since December. Loading Pocock repeatedly asked Powick during the hearing when he became aware of the scheme. He said he was not prepared to talk about it. Thats information that I consider to be personal and private, Powick said. Well, I dont, replied Pocock. Well, I do, said Powick. Deloitte Australia chairman Tom Imbesi said that an internal investigation which followed this mastheads reports in February this year found 12 partners had personally invested in the scheme, but that no internal policies had been breached. Former PwC director Tracey Murray. Credit: Martin Ollman Our view is that the scheme was not sanctioned or endorsed by the firm, or any individuals that chose to invest in that arrangement, Imbesi said. More worrying for the inquiry was how little regulatory oversight of the sector there remains. This became apparent when the firms were probed about the laundry list of wrongdoing and disciplinary action taken over bullying, sexual harassment and other issues. EY said it has fired eight partners in the past two years for misconduct that includes sexual harassment, bullying and dishonesty. KPMG told the inquiry that 22 people had been fired from the firm over the past two years over code of conduct breaches including one for sexual harassment. Loading Deloitte reported 121 substantiated misconduct matters last year resulting in 28 staff being fired, including four partners. Only one of the 121 Deloitte matters was referred to an external regulatory body. Even Imbesi agreed that the regulatory issue needs to be addressed. Hes not the only one. Whats been demonstrated here is a complex and failing regulatory system, and a complete lack of responsibility in the sector for identifying people who breach the sectors [conduct codes], ONeill told the inquiry. She seized on the lack of disclosure which meant a partner fired from one firm could easily continue working elsewhere. Where is the transparency? And these people youre talking about who exited could well be a consultant that can get a job with the government and they say, I used to work for Deloitte, ONeill said. The issues within the consulting firms are long-standing. Former director of PwCs transfer pricing practice in Brisbane, Tracey Murray, who left the firm in 2004, told the inquiry that the partnership model in large firms drove a mentality of profit before anything else. I think the ethics get wobbly when you try and win clients, she said. Professor Brendan Lyon, a former KPMG partner turned whistleblower, said a royal commission may be the best way to get to the bottom of the industry and work out what changes are needed. I think there are four big rotten barrels with some good apples sitting within them, and thats one of the reasons that I think a royal commission is probably warranted, he told the hearing. Certainly, if the experience I had in my work for New South Wales is repeated across the Commonwealth, I think the taxpayer has a lot to worry about. Loading But the senators believe it is too early to make that call. ONeill said the inquiry was just one of several serious investigations, including two other parliamentary committee investigations and a federal police case. PwC has also been referred to the National Anti Corruption Commission. Theres a job of work for us to do yet, ONeill said during a break in the hearing. Post-pandemic, art museums are finding international blockbusters prohibitively expensive and loans hard to secure. For some, the only solution has been to fall back on the permanent collection, but in Brisbane, the Gallery of Modern Art has been more proactive. Dual mid-career surveys of Michael Zavros and eX de Medici are distinguished by the extraordinary commitment shown in the presentation of each artists work, including two handsome catalogues, and mural-sized installations in GOMAs central corridor. The message is: If were relying on the local product, were going to give it the blockbuster treatment. Both artists have exceptional technical ability, a quality much admired by the public. Beyond that, their preoccupations could hardly be more different. Stylistically, Zavros is an exacting photorealist, but he knows that a successful contemporary artist needs more than technique. The works in his show, The Favourite, curated by Peter McKay, range across painting, sculpture, photography, video and installation the latter being a Mercedes convertible parked in the middle of the gallery and filled with water. Michael Zavros Dad Likes Winter. Like so much of Zavros work, the Drowned Mercedes will polarise his audience. Some will find it too banal to simply fill a car with water and call it art, others will see it as a conspicuously wasteful gesture. Where some will detect an implicit critique of consumerism and our taste for luxury items, others will see a sign of the artists decadent prosperity. I dont know whod actually buy this work, if not a museum. This taste for ambiguity runs through the entire exhibition. Is Zavros celebrating fashion and luxury, or satirising our obsession with these things? Are his mythological references anything more than comedy, with a nod to his own Greek heritage? Is he portraying himself and his kids (although never his wife!) as if they were a model of a wholesome nuclear family, or is he playing with visual double entendres that are meant to disturb and unsettle? POLITICS Trump in Australia Bruce Wolpe Allen & Unwin, $34.99 Like me perhaps you are still coming to terms with the Trump presidency. After four years of ubiquitous coverage and surging cortisol, I began thinking he was Australias president. Im not ready for four more years of fairy floss hair, barking recriminations and the impossible slipperiness of fact. Yet it might be time to start preparing for that eventuality. First, one conjoined question needs posing: What did it all mean and what would another round mean for Australia? Answering is the eminently qualified Bruce Wolpe, US Studies Centre policy expert and advisor to Australian and US centre-left politicians, with his book Trumps Australia: How Trumpism Changed Australia and the Shocking Consequences for Us of a Second Term. Scott Morrison and Donald Trump, as prime minister and president, in 2020. How would a second term of Trump in the White House affect Australia? Credit: AP Part one addresses foreign policy. In Trumps first term, then PM Scott Morrison went all in with the US, a tight coupling that helped draw us into a trade war with China. The author sagely suggests that while Chinese power is best countered by staying the course with our strongest ally, theres great benefit in diversifying and deepening our ranks of friends, especially in the Pacific and South-east Asia, especially should a volatile Trump win another term. Advertisement Eating outFine dining Pocket rockets: Melbournes smallest restaurants, from sushi bars to bush cabins Emma Breheny July 22, 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 Chae, a high-end Korean restaurant with just six seats, held the title of Melbournes smallest restaurant for four years. Then, a four-seat fine-diner in Footscray opened earlier this year, setting a new record for tiny dining rooms. It builds on a years-long trend of shrinking restaurants, favoured by owners for their ability to balance economics and lifestyle and by diners for the rarefied and intimate experience they offer. When the four seats at Matsu open online each month, they sell out in ten minutes to diners hungry for this intimate Japanese dining experience. Across town, pint-sized Pretty Little in Balaclava is a hybrid of dinner party and fine-dining, where the hosts are highly trained professionals. That was exactly the idea owner Mike Byard pursued for his 16-seat venue. He spent a year looking for a site that could fit a large communal table that extends into the open kitchen. The table is virtually the only choice when booking, apart from two seats in the window. Chefs prepare food at one end of the table, then walk it down to guests at the other end. Advertisement Its very much like you are at our house. Everyones involved, from pouring a bit of wine to clearing plates to running food, he says. Greasy Zoes has a log cabin feel, which enhances the cosiness of the eight-seat dining room. Justin McManus But, just like at a dinner party, guests are a key ingredient to the atmosphere at these tiny venues, as Greasy Zoes co-owner Zoe Birch discovered when COVID-related dining caps were in place. Despite her Hurstbridge restaurant only dropping from eight seats to six, There was no atmosphere, says Birch. You can turn the music up, you can do everything, but if no ones talking, there isnt that electricity in the air. Advertisement Other quirks of running a petite restaurant include storage (Birch uses a pull-out cupboard and ladders), reservations (run through ballots at some venues) and etiquette (should you talk to your dining neighbours?) But the positives far outweigh all that. Birch and husband Lachlan Gardner decided six years ago that thinking small would allow them to run a restaurant and also start a family, take a long holiday each year and get every Sunday off. Its a lifestyle business for us, she says. The trade-off is less money but its a formula thats so far worked for them. Byard wanted a restaurant that he could work in solo if he had to, given his experience with hospitalitys often transient workforce. With staffing an even greater challenge today compared with when Pretty Little opened pre-pandemic, more venues are scaling down. Birch thinks the tiny restaurant will become a more common model as profit margins continue to be squeezed. Advertisement Highly focused Japanese fine-diners are also sprouting across Melbourne, modelled on the sushi counters common in Japan that only serve a handful of diners at a time. Securing a booking for Matsu, in Footscray, or the 10-seat Sushi On, in Kew, is a logistical feat. But it does not seem to deter diners. Small footprint dining could be the start of something big. Melbournes tiniest restaurants Matsu 4 seats Advertisement Bookings, released monthly, sell out in 10 minutes for the high-end Japanese set menus served in a serene space tucked away above Footscrays main drag. 157A Barkly Street, Footscray, https://www.matsuxbar.com/ Matsu owner-chef Hansol Lee behind the counter of his four-seat restaurant. Eddie Jim Chae 6 seats Advertisement Welcome to the world of Korean slow food: nourishing, wholesome, painstakingly prepared. The experience is even more special when it happens inside your hosts home and youre taught how certain ingredients are made. Bookings are so sought after, a ballot system has been introduced. 33 Mountain Road, Cockatoo, chae.com.au Traditional Korean cooking methods are the focus at Chae. Supplied Greasy Zoes 8 seats Advertisement A pitched roof, bunches of herbs hung up to dry and timber shelves holding bright jars of ferments cement the charm of this single-room restaurant, staffed entirely by couple Zoe Birch and Lachlan Gardner, who do everything from picking the produce to washing the dishes. Shop 3, 850 Heidelberg-Kinglake Road, Hurstbridge, greasyzoes.com.au Sushi On 10 seats A minimalist room matches the stripped-back approach by chef Yong Hyun that encourages diners to train their focus on sushi and nothing but. The omakase (chefs choice menu) varies in size but you can be guaranteed the most carefully seasoned rice, the most pristine fish and a celebration of local seafood. Advertisement 1135 Burke Road, Kew, sushion.com.au Sushi On in Kew consists of a single 10-seat counter. Bonnie Savage Aoi Tsuki 12 seats Sushi without the serious might be the motto of this newcomer. Quality is the highest priority, but owner-chefs Tei Gim and Jun Pak enjoy performing behind the sushi counter, joking with guests and flashing prime cuts of fish in front of you. And at this scale, the whole room is in on the fun. Advertisement 384 Punt Rd, South Yarra, aoitsuki.com.au Chefs Tei Gim and Jun Pak behind their omakase counter at Aoi Tsuki in South Yarra. Bonnie Savage Pretty Little 16 seats You might walk in with one friend but youll leave with more, thanks to the convivial set-up of this slender space where the communal table is the heart and soul. Its easier than ever to get your taste, with a move away from a set menu to two, three or four courses. Advertisement 296 Carlisle Street, Balaclava, prettylittle.com.au Diners at Pretty Little share one end of the same bench where chefs prepare their meal. Justin McManus Gaea 16 seats Each night, a cafe is transformed into a softly lit fine-diner where intricate dishes melding Chinese traditions, native Australian ingredients and fine-dining skills are sent out in a parade of small courses. A subtle facelift has added a marble chefs table, a timber dividing wall between cafe and restaurant, and better lighting that puts the food front and centre. Shop 1, 166 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, restaurantgaea.com.au Minutes before Andrew Christopher Walsh was killed, he begged a woman for help. He had been scared, the woman told the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday. Months later, in March 2022, police would find Walshs body encased in concrete. The body of Andrew Walsh was found at the commercial premises during a three-week excavation. Credit: Reece DAlessandro, Nine News Twitter Three men faced a committal hearing over the 35-year-olds death at a Coopers Plains property in Brisbanes south. All three are yet to enter a plea. It was a porcelain-white human hand in a mountain of rubbish that first caught excavator Steve Andersons eyes. Tip staff and police had spent four gruelling days in mud, stench and rain desperately searching for missing mother Ju Kelly Zhang, 33, who it was feared had been murdered and dumped in a sprawling landfill site at Wollert. Ju Zhang was murdered by Joon Seong Tan (top right) at her home in Epping in February 2021. Bottom right: The search for Zhang s body. Credit: Nine News; Supplied It was, on face value, an almost unsolvable case; a woman missing for more than four months, with growing fears shed been bundled into a suburban wheelie bin and collected by a rubbish truck. Sitting in the front row of the Supreme Court on Friday to hear Zhangs killer brought to justice, was Detective Senior Constable Samantha Russell, who, against all odds, found Zhangs remains by co-ordinating one of the most challenging searches Victoria Police had ever undertaken. US aluminium specialist Alcoa lost $650 million of value in a day after it told Wall Street analysts there was no fixed timetable for resolving delays to environmental approvals to clear WAs jarrah forest. Alcoa chief executive Roy Harvey said having to mine lower-grade ore cost the company $US45 million ($66 million) over the past three months and this would worsen as stockpiles of better ore were now exhausted. Alcoas rate of clearing WA jarrah forest has halved in two years as restrictions to protect Perths water supply are imposed. Credit: Alcoa The miner has moved to cut costs in WA and is not planning to shed any of its 4000 staff, but unions want an end to the uncertainty hanging over their members. WAs northern jarrah forest is the source of more than 70 per cent of Alcoas production of bauxite and the alumina it refines to ship to aluminium smelters. Western Australia is leading the race to be the first state to eliminate keeping hens in battery cages, after animal welfare campaigners challenged the states and territories to see who could be first to outlaw cage eggs. Ministers from each of the remaining states all declined to commit to an earlier phase-out. Polling conducted in 2021 shows that 77 per cent of Australians want the practice phased out because they believe it traps hens in inhumane conditions in tiny cages. Battery hens. Credit: Simon Alekna But last week Australias agriculture ministers agreed to wait another 13 years before mandating that battery hen farming be prohibited. A 37-year-old man who allegedly took a young girl from outside her Perth primary school on Friday morning has appeared in court after being charged by police. Friends of the young girl say she did not know the man, Ryan Ashley Darken, whose car she was allegedly enticed into. Ryan Ashley Darken was taken into police custody on Friday. Credit: Night News Darken appeared in Perth Magistrates Court on Saturday morning, charged with detaining another with intent to harm, deprivation of liberty, assault and making threats. He was wearing forensic scrubs and did not apply for bail. He was remanded to Rockingham Magistrates Court on September 4. Albanese has resisted calls to alter the referendum question and refused to name the date, saying only that it would be in the final quarter of the year. But while the prime minister insists many voters will pay attention only in the final weeks, the official Yes and No referendum pamphlets that will be sent to Australian households were launched this week, and both campaigns are furiously fundraising and holding town hall meetings. No campaign outfit Advance on Friday asked supporters to chip in $825,000 for an advertising blitz. Resolve director Jim Reed said the latest survey showed the overall result was still quite close, but the referendum requires that the Yes vote wins in a majority of states too, and that goal is looking like a more distant prospect. NSW is now the fourth state to be voting No, and Victoria and Tasmania are trending in the same direction. The current position, combined with the unwavering trend, certainly makes a No result the most likely outcome at this stage, he said. Bragg said on Friday the referendum should be delayed to ensure it was not defeated and the question being put to voters should be altered. Loading A simple, clean amendment would have been much easier to attract more support and an exposure draft bill would have meant the detail questions [from the No camp] were not there, he said. Its clear the centre ground is falling away and NSW was always going to be the barometer state. Its the product, not the marketing, that needs close examination at this juncture. A spokeswoman for the prime minister pointed to his refrain of if not now, when regarding the timing of the referendum. Braggs fellow NSW Liberal MP and Yes supporter, Julian Leeser, said he did not support delaying the vote and argued that while people had doubts, the rise in the number of undecided voters showed there was still a chance to win people over. I think there is a lot on the minds of Australians at the moment and they just havent focused. Once the cases [for Yes and No] arrive in letterboxes, once the date has been set, thats when people start to focus, he said. Its a good change, a safe change and it will make a difference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. But one of the No campaign leaders, Nyunggai Warren Mundine, said the Yes campaign had treated Australians like mugs and insulted them by suggesting a vote for No was racist. I always thought this would be like the republic referendum. It will lose every state and the national vote. It will be a complete loss for the Yes campaign, he said. Support for the Voice held steady at 63 per cent among Labor voters the same figure as June but down from 75 per cent in April and at 26 per cent among Coalition voters. It increased by 2 percentage points among Greens voters to 83 per cent, while 72 per cent of other voters opposed it. The Resolve survey found just 31 per cent of voters now believed the referendum would succeed, down from 38 per cent last month. Forty-seven per cent of voters expected the No campaign to win, up from 30 per cent, while 22 per cent were unsure, down from 32 per cent a month ago. Voters did not welcome big business support for the Voice campaign something Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has criticised with just 29 per cent agreeing that corporate involvement was appropriate and 44 per cent saying it was not. And following a recent call from Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney for the Voice to focus on health, education, jobs and housing, the poll found 33 per cent of voters believed improved healthcare should be its priority, 32 per cent of people nominated improved services in remote communities, 30 per cent chose tackling crime, and 26 per cent said education services. People were able to choose up to four priorities. About a third of voters, at 32 per cent, said the Voice should be able to provide advice on issues that affected only Indigenous Australians, 29 per cent backed the body providing advice on issues that mainly affected Indigenous Australians, and 18 per cent favoured it giving advice on any issues, with the rest undecided. While the national figures reported here come from a survey of 1610 voters conducted from July 12 to 15, the state-by-state results are drawn from two surveys in June and July to gain a higher sample size. The questions were identical in the two surveys and the national results have a margin of error 2.4 per cent. The state figures are based on questions to 3216 voters, including 1012 in NSW and 1003 in Victoria, along with smaller groups in smaller states. (William) Martin Gibson, a member of the Universitys then Physics Department from 1949-53 as a Research Associate and 1960-85 as Senior Lecturer and Reader, died in February aged 96 at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge. His colleague, Vincent Smith, offers a remembrance. Martin was born in Repton, Derbyshire and educated at Liverpool Collegiate School from 1939 to 1943. The school was evacuated to Bangor, North Wales, where Martin began a love of walking in the mountains. He won scholarships to Caius College, Cambridge, where he graduated in Natural Sciences (Physics) in 1946. He continued to a PhD in Nuclear Physics at the Cavendish Laboratory, using photographic emulsions as detectors of the products of nuclear reactions initiated by the Cockcroft-Walton accelerator. While at Cambridge, Martin met Joan Parris (both had become Quakers), and they were married in 1949. Children followed: Stephen, born 1953; and Penny, born 1955. Martin came to Bristol as G A Wills Research Associate in 1949, shortly after Cecil Powell had received the Nobel Prize for the discovery of the pi meson using the emulsion technique. A fortunate extension of Martins work took him to Norway one summer to start a small research programme at the University of Bergen. This gave him new friends and the start of an appreciation of the wider world. In 1953, Martin applied unsuccessfully for a lectureship at Bristol, but was offered one at Queens University, Belfast (QUB), instead. They had used the Bristol shortlist as the easy way of finding someone to bring new life into a static department, as Martin put it. While at QUB, Martin taught physics to engineering students and took part in research collaborations using accelerators at Birmingham and Liverpool. In those days, collaborators communicated by exchanging letters in the post, and carbon copies (cc:) were just that! In 1957, Martin successfully applied for a job at Glasgow University, but this was trumped, in his words, by an invitation from the newly established CERN Laboratory in Geneva, to set up and head a group to use photographic emulsion detectors for experiments on the accelerators under construction and proposed elementary particle physics rather than nuclear! Martin, Joan and their two young children flourished in the new environment. He reported: Mountains within sight and easy driving distance. Martin particularly enjoyed the international flavour, improving his schoolboy French, although he remarked that thankfully most of the physics discussions were in English. In 1959, Martin suffered two bleeds into the brain from an aneurysm. The first produced a severe headache, the second, a few days later, involved an immediate trip to the hospital. There he was operated on by Aloys Werner of the Cantonal Hospital, whose humanity and courage were appreciated by Martin and Joan as much as his skill. "Courage" because at that time in Geneva both arteriography and operative intervention were disapproved of in such cases. There was an operation to close off the aneurysm, a second to remove as much more of the affected artery as was safe, and a third one to prevent a possibly fatal recurrence, but with considerable risk of paralysis on one side. This was explained in detail beforehand to Martin and Joan, but both decided independently to take that risk. Fortunately, there proved to be another artery to supply the affected part of the brain, and to the great relief of all, especially the surgeon, all went well. Martin returned to work at CERN as the Proton Synchrotron began operation: Martins group worked with visiting teams using the emulsion technique. But Martin felt his calling was to combine research with teaching, so he served his three years at CERN, then was appointed to Bristol in 1960 as Senior Lecturer. He continued to participate in emulsion experiments at CERN, in collaboration with other European institutions, notably in the measurement of the magnetic moment of the Lambda hyperon. But the emphasis had already shifted to bubble chambers and electronic counters. In 1965, Martin formed a Bristol research team jointly with a newly appointed Australian colleague, John Malos, and they performed a series of counter experiments at the Rutherford High-Energy Laboratory at Chilton, near Oxford, using the Nimrod proton synchrotron. By 1971, as UK particle physics research concentrated on CERN instead of national laboratories, Martin worked on an experiment at the new Intersecting Storage Rings, spending a year living in Geneva with his family. This was followed by a series of experiments as a visitor from Bristol, using the Hyperon beam in the West Area fed by protons from the SPS, in increasingly large international collaborations. Martin had a full teaching load at Bristol, including supervising PhD students, among whom was the author of this obituary. As a spin-off from his teaching, Martin found time to write textbooks: Basic Electricity (Penguin Books, 1969; 2nd edition Longman, 1976.); Nuclear Reactions (Penguin, 1971; 2nd edition as The Physics of Nuclear Reactions, Pergamon, 1976); and, jointly with Brian Pollard, Symmetry Principles in Elementary Particle Physics (Cambridge Monographs on Physics, 1976.) All these were well received and popular. He was promoted to Reader in 1967. Martin was appointed External Examiner in Physics to Makerere University, Uganda, from 1985 to 1987. This involved three annual visits to Kampala (accompanied by Joan at their own expense.) They found Uganda was devasted by civil war and struggling to recover at the end of it. Following their retirements in 1985, Martin and Joan had applied to VSO for voluntary work overseas: Joan to use her experience as a physiotherapist, Martin his practical or teaching skills. But joint placement of elderly volunteers was difficult to find. However, at the end of their first visit to Uganda, they crossed the border into Kenya. This was a country with need for voluntary work but developed enough to reduce uncertainty and insecurity. Through Quaker connections, Joan was offered the opportunity to run a disabled childrens clinic in Malava, a few miles north of Kisumu, Kenyas third largest city, while Martin taught at Malavas Girls Secondary School. This proved to be a very rewarding year in Malava; Joan already had experience in rehabilitation of partial paralyses from before the 1950s start of polio vaccinations in the UK. It is estimated that Joans work resulted in over 60 disabled children being able to have a near normal life after being virtually abandoned by their families. On their return to England, they downsized and moved from Bristol to Saffron Walden, to be closer to their first grandchildren, since Stephen and his wife were GPs in Ware. Later Penny settled as a consultant paediatrician in Guildford. Martin kept his teaching skills alive for a while by tutoring in physics at his old college in Cambridge. They were welcomed into the local Quaker community, and Martin served as Treasurer of the local Meeting from 1994 to 2010. Joan died in May 2017, aged 98. Martin is survived by his children Stephen and Penny, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren. ASIC disqualified five SMSF auditors and imposed additional conditions on three SMSF auditors between April 1 to June 30 for breaches of their obligations. This included breaches of auditing and assurance standards, independence requirements, registration conditions, or because the regulator was satisfied the individual was not a fit and proper person to remain registered. The latest ASIC action was in addition to the cancellation of 413 SMSF auditors as part of its recent compliance program. In the last year, ASIC has acted against 26 SMSF auditors who failed to meet the independence and auditing standards, or whose conduct called into question the integrity of SMSF audits, said ASIC Commissioner Danielle Press (pictured above). The SMSF sector holds more than $865 billion in assets in over 600,000 funds and it is crucial that SMSF auditors comply with their regulatory obligations. ASIC will continue to take action where the conduct of SMSF auditors is inadequate. Paul Barry, Stephen Funder, Bruce Jones, Gregory Leggett and Malcolm Orman have been disqualified from being SMSF auditors, with their names listed on ASICs public banned and disqualified register. They are no longer eligible to reapply for registration. Funder has asked the Administrative Appeals Tribunal to review the disqualification decision. Toby Dodd, Mark Gregson and Clayton Lawrence had additional conditions imposed on their SMSF auditor registration. Conditions are specific to the auditor (see the SMSF Auditor register), and can require undertaking additional professional development, having independent reviews of SMSF audit files and audit tools, templates and methodology, and notifying their professional accounting association of the additional conditions, ASIC said in a statement. Seven SMSF auditors had been referred to ASIC by the Australian Taxation Office, while the official information about one SMSF auditor was disclosed to ASIC by another Australian government body. To check whether their auditor is registered, suspended, or has conditions imposed on their registration, SMSF trustees and members can search ASIC's SMSF Auditor register. Further information can be found on ASIC's website and in Regulatory Guide 243. Use the comment section below to tell us how you felt about this. Latest News Fifo Capital appoints new BDM Move aimed at boosting cash flow finance capabilities The perils of "trusting armchair economists" Exposing the fallacies that make experts get it wrong Recently released figures have revealed that Mortgage Choice has above-average female broker representation compared to the rest of the mortgage broking industry. However, while the Australian broker networks Aspire program and female-focused recruitment campaign has made inroads towards increasing the number of women brokers, Mortgage Choice concedes that there is still a long way to go. Women make up 35% of Mortgage Choices network of more than 1,000 brokers around the country, up from 32% at the start of last year, according to Sally Chadwick, executive manager, corporate communications at Mortgage Choice (pictured above). This tracked significantly higher than industry average, which dropped to 25.4%, according to the MFAA Industry Intelligence Service 15th Edition report the lowest level since the measure was introduced in 2017. It was also incredibly positive that in 2022, 56% of our new broker recruits were female, Chadwick said. Bridging the gap With only 3,358 female mortgage brokers in Australia out of more than 19,000, its little wonder that many in the industry perceive it as male-dominated. However, data from the MFAAs latest Opportunities for Women Report, which Mortgage Choice sponsors, showed that awareness of this issue is improving. In 2018, 22% of male MFAA members believed that women were underrepresented, which increased to almost 35% in 2022 and was a lift of 10% from the 2021 research. Female yes responses to this question have also increased to 75% up from 56% in 2021. Another space where the perception gaps have narrowed between male and female respondents is when asked whether there is enough promotion of successful diverse role models in the industry. Again in 2018, 54% of male members answered yes to this question whilst in 2022 45% answered yes, with an additional 41% who were unsure. This compared to just 27% of women who answered, yes and a further 46% who were unsure. This indicated that both male and female industry members are actively questioning their beliefs and perceptions about representation with increased reflection, awareness, and shifting perspectives. What is Mortgage Choice doing to help increase female representation in its network? With the industrys perception changing, the need to bridge the gap has become even more apparent. However, as the data suggested, there is more that needs to be done to achieve that goal. Founded in 2020, Mortgage Choices Aspire program seeks to increase female participation in the mortgage broking industry and create a more diverse and inclusive culture. "Among several practical measures we're taking, we indentified a need to increase the representation of female brokers in the media, so we ran a pilot project to provide media training to some of our female franchisees," Chadwick said. "This was a really successful program, which resulted in a four-fold increase in female spokespeople in our network, Chadwick said. This year, we also offered a series of virtual masterclasses delivered by brand strategist Nicole Hatherly, catering to the development of goals of women in emerging and established businesses." Mortgage Choices most recent initiative was the launch in May of a female-focused franchise recruitment campaign to attract more women to Mortgage Choice. Chadwick said that with more than half its latest franchisee recruits being female, the campaign had been a success. We know how vital representation is to increasing diversity and inclusion, Chadwick said. Additionally, the Aspire program has regularly created many opportunities for women in the Mortgage Choice community to connect through national roadshows with keynote speakers and at local events. And it seems to be working, with Mortgage Choice female broker numbers growing and 45% of Mortgage Choice franchisees having stayed in the network for over a decade. I think its a really great industry for women to be getting into and particularly after attending the recent conference and speaking to a lot of the women there, said Abby Leonard from Mortgage Choice in Bayside in a recent Australian Broker article. Its great to see more females coming in and in a very male-dominated industry. It's really great to see and it's something I'm really enjoying. What do you think of the level of female representation in the mortgage broking industry? Comment below. Latest News Fifo Capital appoints new BDM Move aimed at boosting cash flow finance capabilities The perils of "trusting armchair economists" Exposing the fallacies that make experts get it wrong 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. Ancient soil once stored at UB shows Greenland melted recently and could melt again View of Greenland ice sheet beside a large body of water. A new study that analyzes ancient soil once stored at the University at Buffalo is causing a worrisome rethinking of the history of Greenlands ice sheet and reveals its fragile nature today. It's really the first bulletproof evidence that much of the Greenland ice sheet vanished when it got warm. Paul Bierman, geoscientist University of Vermont BUFFALO, N.Y. Until recently, geologists believed that Greenland was a fortress of ice, mostly unmelted for millions of years. But, two years ago, using soil once buried a mile beneath the islands ice sheet and later stored at the University at Buffalo, a team of scientists showed that it likely melted less than one million years ago. Now, further analysis of the sediment has created a starker picture: Greenland was a green land only 416,000 years ago. The teams new study published July 21 in the journal Science and co-authored by Elizabeth Thomas, associate professor of geology in the UB College of Arts and Sciences presents direct evidence that the sediment was deposited by flowing water in an ice-free environment during a moderate warming period from 424,000 to 374,000 years ago. It's really the first bulletproof evidence that much of the Greenland ice sheet vanished when it got warm, says University of Vermont geoscientist Paul Bierman, who co-led the study with lead author Drew Christ, a postdoctoral geoscientist who worked in Biermans lab. Elizabeth Thomas, assistant professor in the department of Geology, in Cooke Hall Photographer: Douglas Levere. Elizabeth Thomas, Univeristy at Buffalo associate professor of geology, conducted chemical analysis that enabled the team to understand the types of plants that were on site. Credit: Douglas Levere/University at Buffalo Understanding Greenlands past is critical for predicting how its giant ice sheet will respond to climate warming in the future. The new study provides strong and precise evidence that Greenland is more sensitive to climate change than previously understood and at grave risk of irreversibly melting off. Since about 23 feet of sea level rise is tied up in Greenlands ice, every coastal region in the world is at risk. Under ice Camp Century was a U.S. Army base on Greenland in the 1960s. It was the site of a secret operation, called Project Iceworm, to hide nuclear missiles under the ice near the Soviet Union. The missile mission was a bust, but the science team did complete first-of-its-kind research, including drilling a nearly mile-deep ice core. The Camp Century scientists were focused on the ice itself, so they took little interest in the 12 feet of sediment gathered from beneath their ice core. In a black-and-white photo, engineers wearing hats, coats and gloves work on a large drill inside a tent. Engineers with the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory capture part of an ice core at Camp Century, Greenland, circa 1966. Credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Then, in a bizarre story, the ice core was moved in the 1970s from a military freezer to UB by then-UB geology professor, Chester Chet Langway, who was one of the leads of the Camp Century drilling expedition. He kept the ice core at a building on Ridge Lea Road in Amherst that housed UBs Department of Geology while the North Campus was being built. When retiring from UB in the 1990s, Langway gave the ice core to colleagues in Denmark. There it was lost for decades until it was found again when the cores were being moved to a new freezer in 2017. In 2019, Christ looked at the sediment through his microscope and found leaves and moss. That suggested that the area had been free of ice in the recent geologic past and that a vegetated landscape stood where today stands an ice sheet two miles thick and three times the size of Texas. The team, including Christ and UBs Thomas, published their findings in 2021 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Other scientists, working in central Greenland, have gathered data showing the ice there melted at least once in the last 1.1 million years but no one knew exactly when. Into the light For this latest study, the team examined the Camp Century sediment for what is called a luminescence signal. When bits of rock and sand are exposed to sunlight, any previous luminescence signal is zeroed out. When reburied in the darkness under rock or ice over time, minerals of quartz and feldspar in the sediment accumulate freed electrons in their crystals. At the Utah State University lab of study co-author Tammy Rittenour, pieces of the ice core sediment were exposed to blue-green or infrared light, releasing the trapped electrons. The number of released electrons forms a kind of clock, revealing with precision the last time these sediments were exposed to the sun. A sample of soil sits in a clear plastic bag on a white table. A sediment sample from the Camp Century core site. Credit: Drew Christ/University of Vermont This powerful new data was combined with insight from Biermans University of Vermont lab, which studied the quartz from the Camp Century core. Ratios of beryllium and other isotopes inside the quartz which build up when exposed to the sky and hit by cosmic rays demonstrate how long rocks at the surface were exposed vs. buried under layers of ice. This data helped the scientists show that, 400,000 years ago, the Camp Century sediment was exposed to the sky less than 14,000 years before it was deposited under the ice, narrowing down the time window when that portion of Greenland must have been ice-free. Thomas conducted chemical analysis that enabled the team to understand the types of plants that were on site. The team is doing similar analyses to understand what the temperature and water cycle were like when those chemicals were produced. Sea level The teams new study, combined with their earlier work, is causing a worrisome rethinking of the history of Greenlands ice sheet and reveals its fragile nature today. The last time the ice sheet melted, the teams models show, it caused at least five feet of sea level rise. Temperatures during that time, an interglacial called Marine Isotope Stage 11, were similar to or slightly warmer than today, and atmospheric carbon dioxide was at least a third less than it is today. Forward modeling the rates of melt, and the response to high carbon dioxide, we are looking at meters of sea level rise, probably tens of meters, Rittenour says. And then look at the elevation of New York City, Boston, Miami, Amsterdam. Look at Bangladesh, India and Africamost global population centers are near sea level. Four-hundred-thousand years ago there were no cities on the coast, Bierman adds, and now there are cities on the coast. The research was supported by the National Science Foundation. Media Contact Information NBC News, July 20, 2023 Dozens of Afghan women protested a beauty salon ban Wednesday after the Taliban ordered their closure nationwide. Security forces used fire hoses and stun guns and shot their weapons into the air to break up the protest. The Taliban said 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 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, Kabul, to protest the ban. We are here for justice, said a 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. A protester told The Associated Press the demonstration started 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 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 stun guns 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 U.N. mission in Afghanistan, known as UNAMA, criticized the Talibans 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 on Twitter. 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 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 it 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, or Islamic law, the ministry tweeted. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 11:51PM The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has dropped its administrative challenge that aimed to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The FTC tried to stop the USD 68.7 billion deal in two ways: by filing this case last December before its own administrative judge, who was supposed to hear it on August 2, and by seeking a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction from a US federal court. However, a US federal judge denied the injunction request earlier this month, while an appeals court also refused its request to put an emergency hold on the acquisition. The FTC is still appealing the preliminary injunction denial. Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have not finalized the deal yet. They have extended their deadline until October 18. The FTC could still re-file its administrative case, while Microsoft continues to face scrutiny from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority. However, Xbox head Phil Spencer supposedly told employees he is optimistic that the deal will go through soon. Source Weak Q1 results by Infosys and Hindustan Unilever are weighing on Indian indices as the BSE Sensex extended its fall on Friday to 800 points. HUL's revenue growth of 6 per cent YoY was below our expectations, HDFC Securities said in a report. HUL is down 3 per cent in trade on Friday. Domestic volume growth, at 3 per cent, was below our estimate. We note volume growth was impacted as trade reduced stock levels (1-3 days) in lieu of price cuts. In home care, fabric wash grew in double digits, led by the premium portfolio while household care too grew in double digits (volume-led), driven by outperformance in dishwash, the report said. Further price reduction taken in soaps. Hair care registered mid-single digit volume-led growth, while skincare/oral care grew in double digits. On Infosys, Motilal Oswal Financial Services said the FY24 guidance reset will impact near-term stock view. Infosys reported 1QFY24 revenue at USD4.62b, up 1.0 per cent QoQ in CC terms with 20 bps QoQ decline in operating margin. While on a negative surprise, the company has sharply lowered its FY24 revenue growth guidance to 1.0-3.5 per cent YoY CC from 4.0-7.0 per cent YoY CC earlier. The substantial cut in the guidance is majorly attributed to lower-than-expected volume and discretionary spends, delays in decision-making and push-outs in anticipated mega deals, the report said. "We lower our below-guidance FY24 estimates (earlier at 3.8 per cent YoY CC) by 120bp despite the 325bp cut in guidance at the mid-point, to take into account the weaker demand commentary and project delays," the report said. Infosys is down more than 7 per cent in trade with the BSE Sensex extending losses to more than 800 points. V. K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services said even though Nifty is at kissing distance of the psychological 20,000 mark, Infosys can turn out to be the slip between the cup and the lip. Infosys' poor guidance of 1 to 3.5 per cent revenue growth guidance for FY 24 will drag the stock down and, perhaps, Nifty with it since Infosys has a 5.9 per cent weightage in the index. The lacklustre performance of HUL with a meagre 3 per cent volume growth in Q1 can be another drag on the market. However, the relentless FPI flows, which are overwhelming everything else now, have the potential to take the Nifty to 20,000 level soon. Nifty Bank can provide support to the rally, he said. Barring the US, India is the most expensive market in the world now, Vijayakumar added. At high valuations, some negative triggers can lead to sharp correction. But in the near-term the party may continue. As per the Supreme Court of India, if you go to a hotel and hand over your car keys to the valet to park it and something bad happens to your car, the hotel can no longer deny you compensation by brin Rajasthan Pre D.EI.Ed Exam 2023 Date Announced on panjiyakpredeled.in The Rajasthan Government has announced the examination date for Pre D. El.Ed on its official website; panjiyakpredeled.in. Candidates who have submitted applications for the exam can check the exam date. According to the released official notification, the Exam is scheduled to be conducted in a single shift on August 28, 2023 (Monday) from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Entrance to the DEL Ed (general) and DEL Ed Sanskrit (formerly known as BSTC) programs requires passing an entrance exam. Mental aptitude, general knowledge of Rajasthan, teaching potential, and linguistic proficiency in Hindi, English, and Sanskrit will all be tested. The application window started on July 10 and will last until July 30, 2023. A candidate may apply for the exam if, as of July 1, 2023, their age is not greater than 28. Women who have been widowed, divorced, or abandoned are not limited in age. According to Rajasthan government regulations, age restrictions will be relaxed for candidates from other restricted categories. Exam fees are 450 for applicants who only take one paper and 500 for candidates who take both papers. Payment must be made using UPI, net banking, credit card, debit card, or all of these. Candidates can visit the Office of the Coordinator, Rajasthan's official website for additional information on connected matters. UPPSC Main Exam 2023 Rescheduled, Check Details Here The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) has released an important notification regarding the UPPSC Main Exam for the Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services Exam 2023. Instead of the originally scheduled date of September 23, the Main Exam will now take place from September 26 to September 29, 2023. "In relation to the Combined State / Upper Subordinate Services (Main) Examination-2023, the candidates are hereby informed that the main examination in question was proposed from September 23 but from September 15 to September 24 2023," the official changed exam date notification states. The Civil Service (Main) Examination-2023 by the Union Public Service Commission will now take place from September 26 to September 29, 2023. In order to ensure that candidates have ample time to prepare for both tests without running into one other, the decision to reschedule was made to avoid any overlap with the UPSC Mains Exam 2023. When Will the UPPSC Main Exam Admit Card 2023 be Published? Regarding the issuance of the UPPSC Main Exam Admit Card 2023, no official announcement has yet been made. How to Download UPPSC Main Exam Admit Card 2023? By following the given below steps, enrolled candidates can download their Admit Cards: Step 1: Visit the official website of Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC); uppsc.up.nic.in. Step 2: On the homepage, find and select the link "Download Admit Card" or "UPPSC Main Exam 2023 Admit Card". Step 3: Enter your login information, including your registration number and date of birth, to access your account. Step 4: Following logging in, the UPPSC Main Exam 2023 admit card option will be shown. Step 5: Click on the download icon to store the admit card on your device. Step 6: Take a printout of the admit card for future reference and bring it with you to the exam center on the day of the exam. Detailed Information on the UPPSC Main Exam Admit Card 2023: Free Online Courses at IIM Ahmedabad The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) is a renowned, international management institute that is leading the charge to encourage excellence in the study of management. 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The learner will be able to master the fundamentals of breaking down enormous data into smaller datasets and then separating, filtering, merging, and encoding the datasets in the form of tables from the finest IIT online certificate courses. Given that you will be studying and analysing numerous case studies linked to numerous different business-related problems and understanding the implementation of data science to produce concrete business results, it offers a somewhat extensive curriculum. After its preview at the Manila International Auto Show and the subsequent arrival of its first batch of units , its now official: Chery A... Rahul Gandhi The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine the plea filed by former Congress President Rahul Gandhi against the Gujarat High Court's verdict denying to put a stay on his conviction in the 'Modi surname' defamation case. A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Prashant Kumar Mishra issued a notice on the question as to whether the conviction should be suspended or not. The bench was not inclined to pass any interim relief on Gandhi's prayer for suspension of his sentence. The High Court's refusal to stay his conviction and two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case, has cost the Congress leader his Lok Sabha membership. "Issue Notice. The complainant, who appears on caveat, waives notice. Liberty to serve the state of Gujarat through the standing counsel. Learned Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani seeks 10 days time to file written submissions," recorded the top court in its order. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul Gandhi, requested the court for an early hearing as Gandhi could not attend the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament and the Election Commission could anytime announce bypoll to the Wayanad constituency. Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for the complainant BJP MLA in the defamation case, sought a period of at least 10 days to assist the court on questions of law and facts involved in the case. The court sought responses of the Gujarat government and others on Rahul Gandhi's plea. It posted the matter for hearing on August 4. At the outset, Justice B.R. Gavai offered to recuse from hearing the matter on the ground of political affiliation of his family members. "My father was associated with Congress. He was not a member but he was closely associated. My brother is still in politics and he is in Congress. Please take a call if you want me to hear this," he said. However, neither side raised any objection on hearing of the plea by Justice Gavai. Earlier, the Supreme Court on Tuesday had agreed to hear on July 21 after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul Gandhi, sought urgent listing of the matter. On July 15, the Congress leader had approached the Supreme Court challenging the Gujarat high court's order where a bench of Justice Hemant Prachchhak had observed that granting a stay on his conviction would be an exception, and not a rule. Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of Parliament in March, after a Surat court convicted him and sentenced him to two years in prison for his "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname" remark made during an election rally in Karnataka in April 2019. Rahul Gandhi's 2019 remark was interpreted as an attempt to draw an implicit connection between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi. In March, the sessions court in Surat had dismissed Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking suspension of his conviction by the magistrate court, stating that his disqualification will not result in an irreversible loss to him. The Congress leader was disqualified under a rule that bars convicted MPs from holding Lok Sabha membership. As labor reasserts itself in the Hollywood hierarchy and fights to be treated with respect, production workers at Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) and Cartoon Network (CN) have become the latest group looking to unionize with The Animation Guild (TAG). A group of nearly 90 workers has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board requesting a union election and requested voluntary recognition from Warner Bros. Discovery management. The bargaining unit includes 66 WBA employees and another 22 at CN, including production managers, production assistants, IT techs, design production coordinators, and more. The group features workers who have contributed to recent and upcoming productions such as Batman: The Caped Crusader, Harley Quinn, Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake, and Craig of the Creek. Among the reasons for the groups request was WBDs recent decision to merge the development and production of Cartoon Network Studios and Warner Bros. Animation. Workers from both studios want to present a unified front to ensure that their jobs and standards are protected throughout the process. Other reasons that the workers have decided to unionize include a desire for competitive wages, benefits, and overtime pay. The group was also influenced by the recent wave of production workers at other studios voting to join their artist colleagues in TAG, like those working on Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites, The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad!, and at studios like Nickelodeon and Bento Box. There is also an ongoing attempt by Walt Disney Animation Studios production workers to join TAG. In a statement, WBA production manager Hannah Ferenc said: Amid uproarious scenes, the central government on Friday said that it is ready to discuss the Manipur situation in the Lok Sabha, however it blamed the opposition for being callous towards the sensitive situation prevailing there. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself expressing anguish over the situation prevailing in the state and over the video of three women being paraded naked, and the government having assured that it will discuss the situation in the Lok Sabha, the opposition seems to be bent upon disrupting the proceedings of the House. He repeated parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi's assurance given in the Lower House on Thursday that the government will discuss the Manipur situation in the Lok Sabha and Home Minister Amit Shah will speak on the matter. Singh was addressing the House as the Congress-led opposition marched into the well as soon as the Lower House convened for the day at 11 a.m. Showing placards seeking the prime minister's response on the Manipur situation in the Lok Sabha, several opposition members shouted slogans, which forced Speaker Om Birla to adjourn the proceedings till 12 pm. People should raise voices against corruption, says Priyanka in Gwalior Congress General Secretary on Friday appealed to people of Madhya Pradesh to raise their voices strongly against corruption under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state. Priyanka said she would hold people of the state responsible for their condition in Madhya Pradesh, because they have handed over power to corrupt people. Priyanka also appealed to people to ask Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan about his Rs. 22,000 announcements. The Congress leader made these remarks while addressing Jan Aakrosh rally at Mela Maidan in Gwalior district on Friday. You have to be aware of the things happening in your states otherwise the BJP government will keep on misleading you for their own benefits. BJP leaders have made luxury bungalows and people are facing hard time even to buy vegetables. She also launched a scathing attack on the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh led BJP government pointed on atrocities against tribals and law and order situation in Madhya Pradesh. Every day rape incidents are happening and the accused are connected with the BJP. It shows that the BJP leaders are not paying heed to these issues, she said. The Congress leader said if the people want to change their lives, they have to change government in Madhya Pradesh. Give your support to a right person, who has a vision for you, and you will see the changes in five years. Now the time has come when you have to think about it, otherwise things will more deteriorate, Priyanka said. She again reiterated the five poll promises of the Congress saying the same schemes have been introduced in Congress ruled states -- Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka. She also asked Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath to increase financial assistance for physically challenged people. The Tennessee Supreme Court issued opinions on Thursday in two cases asserting claims under the Health Care Liability Act. In both opinions, the Court held that the plaintiffs could proceed with their vicarious liability claims against the defendant hospitals, which were timely filed, even though the statute of limitations would have barred any claims against the hospitals agents. The Court concluded that, in the circumstances of these cases, the Health Care Liability Act abrogates a common-law rule known as the operation-of-law exception. Under that common-law rule, even though a plaintiff ordinarily may choose whether to sue the principal, the agent, or both, a plaintiff may not bring a vicarious liability claim against the principal if the underlying claims against the agents are procedurally barred by operation of law. The first case, Ultsch v. HTI Memorial Hospital Corp., No. M2020-00341-SC-R11-CV, arose from the death of Sheila Carol Warren upon her discharge from TriStar Skyline Medical Center. Warrens next of kin asserted health care liability claims against Skyline but did not sue Skylines agents. The second case, Gardner v. Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital, No. M2019-02237-SC-R11-CV, arose from injuries sustained by Beverly Gardner while undergoing surgery at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital. Gardner asserted health care liability claims against Saint Thomas but did not sue Saint Thomass agents. In both cases, the plaintiffs provided pre-suit notice to the defendants. Under the Health Care Liability Act, providing pre-suit notice automatically extended the statute of limitations as to claims against those defendants. The plaintiffs then filed complaints against the defendants within the extended statute of limitations, alleging vicarious liability claims against the defendants. In response to these claims, Skyline filed a motion to dismiss, and Saint Thomas filed a motion for summary judgment. Both motions argued that the plaintiffs vicarious liability claims were barred under the operation-of-law exception because the statute of limitations for any claims against the defendants agents had already expired by the time the plaintiffs filed suit. The trial courts in both cases granted the defendants motions. The Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the provisions of the Act prevail over the common-law exception. The Tennessee Supreme Court granted review in both cases to consider whether the plaintiffs claims could proceed. The Court first considered whether the operation-of-law exception would otherwise apply in these cases. In opinions authored by Justice Bivins, a majority of the Court concluded that it would. In opinions authored by Justice Campbell, a different majority of the Court then held that the Act abrogates the operation-of-law exception in the circumstances of these cases. The Court reasoned that applying the exception in these circumstances would essentially nullify the Acts automatic extension of the statute of limitations for defendants to whom pre-suit notice is provided. The Court thus affirmed the judgments of the Court of Appeals and remanded the actions for further proceedings. Justice Campbell, joined only by Justice Kirby, assumed that the operation-of-law exception would otherwise apply in these cases but found it unnecessary to decide that question to resolve these appeals. Justice Sharon G. Lee wrote separately. In her view, the operation-of-law exception applied, and Justice Campbells failure to resolve this threshold issue made her opinion an academic exercise, providing limited guidance to the parties. Justice Lee agreed that the Act prevails over the common-law rule in these cases. Justice Jeff Bivins also wrote separately. Joined by Chief Justice Page and Justice Lee, he concluded for the Court that the operation-of-law exception would otherwise apply in these cases. Joined only by Chief Justice Page, he also dissented in part. He disagreed with the majoritys holding that the Act abrogated the operation-of-law exception. In his view, a statute must be strictly construed in determining whether it abrogates common law, such as the operation-of-law exception. Here, the Act and the operation-of-law exception could coexist because the plaintiff could either sue the principal within the statute of limitations applicable to claims against the agents or provide pre-suit notice to both the principal and the agents. As a result, there is not a legal conflict that requires abrogation of the operation-of-law exception. The opinions in these cases are available here: Ultsch opinion authored by Justice Campbell; Ultsch opinion authored by Justice Lee; Ultsch opinion authored by Justice Bivins; Gardner opinion authored by Justice Campbell; Gardner opinion authored by Justice Lee; Gardner opinion authored by Justice Bivins. SoundCorps will be holding the fifth annual Rail & Hops Brewers Festival on Saturday, Aug. 26. A temporary beer permit was approved at the Thursday morning meeting of the Chattanooga Beer Board. This year it will be held inside the First Horizon Pavilion. In the past there have been around 1,000 people attending the event, but the executive director of SoundCorps, Stratton Tingle, said the number may be greater this year since it will be in a shaded location. Another change is that this year it will be an afternoon event from 1-5 p.m., while previously it was in the evening. That change is expected to attract a more mature crowd, said Mr. Tingle. Handcrafted beers from local and regional breweries will available for tastings. Anyone with a tasting cup will be IDd and wrist-banded. A different wristband will be available for designated drivers. Security will be provided by Global Security, a private company, and with four officers from the Chattanooga Police Department. Michael Monen of the Monen Family Restaurant Group is opening a second location of Community Pie at 2006 Hamilton Place Blvd. The original Community Pie is on Market Street. This group also has opened and owns Taco Mamacito, Urban Stack, Hi-Fi Clydes and Milk & Honey in Chattanooga, Nashville and other states. Community Pie specializes in Neapolitan and New York Style Pizzas along with salads and pasta. These restaurants have a daily meeting of servers regarding how to sell and serve alcohol to be sure they are aware of the importance of the rules. New employees are trained in alcohol sales by an in-house team led by store managers on a one-to-one basis. Convenience stores that received carry-out beer permits from the Beer Board are a new 7-Eleven at 4396 Amnicola Highway and Eagles Food & Fuel at 5902 Shallowford Road. Both businesses scan IDs for age before making a beer or tobacco sale. After the night club Studio 58 located at 4817 Highway 58 received a three-day suspension of its beer license for failure to report a disorder and allowing people to leave the bar with an open container, owner Terrance Jones has taken steps suggested by the Chattanooga Police to gain control of the crowds. That suggestion was to change his targeted clientele and to obtain a brown bag license. He has done both since the incident that took place on June 1, soon after the opening of the business. The dress code and age limit has been changed and on Thursday the Chattanooga Beer Board gave Mr. Jones a license for Brown Bagging. It is the first of this type of license that Chattanooga has issued. All employees that serve beer have to be go through beer sales training specific to Chattanooga. And because brown-bagging has to do with spirits, all employees will also have to have a servers permit from the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). The bar will sell beer but customers can bring their own spirits in a brown bag with the new permit. Studio 58 will sell ice and set-ups. Beer Board member Vince Butler told Mr. Jones that he will have the same responsibilities overseeing people bringing their own alcohol and that his liability will continue, so he must monitor those customers. Since the consumption is out of his control the bar owner said he will call for UBER for anyone that is inebriated. The convenience stores that received carry-out beer permits are a new 7-Eleven at 4396 Amnicola Highway and Eagles Food & Fuel at 5902 Shallowford Road. Both businesses scan IDs for age before making a beer or tobacco sale. An automotive business, Mr. Ts Tire at 7309 Edgefield Drive has sold tires, and wheels and done brake work since it started 30 years ago. The owner, Randy Johnston wants to expand his business by adding towing. There is a fenced area at the building where the business is located and Mr. Johnston has recently purchased two tow trucks that have been inspected and approved by Wrecker Inspector Phillip Moser. The beer board members acting as the wrecker board unanimously approved the request to add the towing business. The annual election of officer for the Chattanooga Beer Board took place. The result is that Monica Kinsey will continue in the role of chairman. Tiffany Bell will be vice chairman and Dan Mayfield will serve as secretary in the upcoming year. The recent controversies surrounding several areas in the field of education in 2023 would have necessitated that the late Lewis Grizzard (L.G., 1947-1994) address them in his columns in the 450 syndicated newspapers or during his stand up comedy routines. The 36% education efficiency ratings by students in Tennessee and the recent United States Supreme Court decision on affirmative action that showed discrimination against Asians at Harvard and North Carolina universities would probably be addressed by him in 2023. In reality he did touch on controversies in the field of education in Chili Dogs Always Bark at Night (Villand Books 1989) involving the question of the fairness of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) the standard which has traditionally been used to determine how smart children have become in today's society. L.G.s simple solution to the current problems was spelled out as follows: What we need to do about all this is quite clear to me. Why somebody doesnt do well on a test is because he or she doesnt know the answers to certain questions. The way to get around that is to ask each individual only those questions he or she knows the answers to. That way, everybody-- regardless of age, race, sex, religious affiliation, or hat sizewould make a perfect score every time, thus virtually wiping out racism and sexism as we know it today. The new test system would work like this: 1.) Each individual test taker would meet first with a test-monitor. To assure any further bias, the monitor would be of the same sex, race, etc., of that individual. 2.) Together they would go over the test. The questions the individual didnt know the answers to would be thrown out in the spirit of fairness, equality, and keeping hope alive. 3.) After the individual finished his or her (or its) test, the monitor would grade it and then smile and say, Congratulations, Arlene (Jesse, Juan, Running Buffalo, Chang, Chonchita), you have taken the test and you have aced that sucker! 4.) These individuals could then go on to the college or university of their choice and become rocket scientists. We should have no protest interview. We should not have the questions we dont know the answers to thrown out. We should still have to struggle and sweat over questions about cosines and logarithms. We should still be made queasy and unsure about answering such questions as What is the capital of Denmark? Is it Copenhagen or Seattle? And we should have a difficult time getting into colleges and universities of our choice because everybody else will have perfect grades on their SATs and there well be back in the 1200s. And since all the rocket-scientist jobs will be taken, I guess the only thing left for us to do is join the National Guard. (Whether his proposed solutions would help the Tennessee and Hamilton County Boards of Education is pure speculation!) * * * You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com Tension ran high at the close of Thursdays school board meeting as some members said they were blindsided by a July 10 Letter to the Editor sent to Chattanoogan.com by fellow board member Larry Grohn. Mr. Grohns letter outlined concerns about a pandemic-era grading guidance memo that is still in effect. Mr. Grohn wrote that the grade repair strategies should have been approved by the school board first. The October 2020 memo asks principals to choose one of six strategies to save a students failing grades. The Baseline 59 strategy reads: All gradebooks set the lowest grade possible to a 59 for all assignments. Give students the opportunity to submit an assignment to earn the baseline grade, rather than a zero. Students should not be allowed to opt out and/or accumulate zeros on assignments that measure mastery towards the standard. Mr. Grohn stated at the board meeting that county grading policies should be uniform, system-wide, and that the school board, families and students should be notified of grading changes before they are implemented. He said that the Tennessee Department of Education requires a credit recovery process to be formally adopted by the school board, posted on the local districts website and provided to families and the public in writing. This was not done, he said. Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson passed out a memo to the school board members in response. He argued that the guidance memo was an administrative procedure, not a grading policy, therefore not required to be approved by the school board. Were talking about system here, he said. He said students should be given multiple options to express understanding, and pointed out verbiage in the grading guidance memo that gives students the opportunity to earn the baseline grade. Dr. Robertson suggested a board work session dedicated to a deep dive of the grade repair policies. We just never came together to talk about this, board member Karitsa Mosley Jones said to Mr. Grohn. There were ample ways that you could have had this discussion with your peers, she said. And now the story is what it is... I think it was in bad taste. Mr. Grohn said that he had learned of the grading guidance memo after the last day of school in May and had emailed his concerns to Chair Tiffanie Robinson and to Dr. Robertson in May. Mr. Grohn said he had talked privately with some members of the board over the summer. He said he emailed the information he had collected to the whole board this past Tuesday, July 18. You put this board in jeopardy by doing what you did, said Ms. Robinson, and accused Mr. Grohn of an ethics violation. School board member Rhonda Thurman said Mr. Grohn should not be accused of an ethics violation for disagreeing with the superintendent. I just dont think its a productive forum, Ms. Robinson said as she steered the meeting toward adjournment. As chair I have the right to shut it down. CELL PHONE POLICY The school board voted to approve the district-wide cell phone policy prohibiting cell phones in school except for class instruction, as approved by a principal or teacher. The policy allows each school to designate certain areas for students to use phones during lunch break. We talk about inequity all the time, said school board member Rhonda Thurman. To me, this is inequity. A motion to strike the line allowing each school to designate use at lunch failed, and the original policy passed 6-5. GATEWAY BUILDING The school board voted to approve that its own name be listed on the deed of the BlueCross BlueShield Golden Gateway property, which the county agreed to purchase in June for $10 million. The 11-acre property on M.L. King Boulevard will probably become a technical school, but Superintendent Justin Robertson said the school board will vote to approve use of the property separately. EAST LAKE ACADEMY A/C The school board voted to approve the purchase of chillers as temporary air conditioners at East Lake Academy. The school is on a 52-week waiting list for proper unit upgrades and would not have air conditioning at the start of school in August. Supt. Robertson said the chillers could be used at East Lake for several years, or moved to other schools that have air conditioning emergencies. SODDY-DAISY REC PROPERTY The school board approved the sale of a 2.8-acre strip of land along the former Soddy Daisy High School site to the city of Soddy Daisy. The city and the school system share use of the whole propertys fields and gym, and Dr. Robertson said the sale is mutually beneficial. Dr. Robertson said he did not see any future use of that field for the school system, and Soddy Daisy will most likely build a community center. TEACHERS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING The school board voted to postpone acceptance of a three-year memorandum of understanding between the school district and the Hamilton County Educators Association. Board members stated that they had received the contract the day of the board meeting and needed more time to read it and get feedback from teachers. The MOU is required under the Professional Educators Collaborative Conferencing Act. School board member Gary Kuehn said there was a lack of clarity in the contract over length of the workday, protections for employees against legal action, seeming disappearance of certain committees, and automatic payroll deductions for dues to professional organizations. The Hamilton County Health Department encourages all parents/guardians of school-age children to ensure their child is up-to-date on all school-required immunizations before starting school in August 2023.Officials said, "Children entering kindergarten and seventh grade at a Tennessee school are due for a new vaccine series. Immunization requirements for college entry vary by institution. College students, who received all recommended vaccines, including their meningitis booster, will meet all state-run college requirements."For a complete list of vaccinations required by age group, visit the TN Department of Healths website The start of the new school year is quickly approaching, and it is time to start planning for your back-to-school immunizations.Vaccines are the easiest way to ensure your child has a safe and healthy school year. Staying current on all necessary vaccines helps protect them and others from potentially life-threatening diseases, says Hamilton County Health Departments Health Officer Dr. Stephen Miller.Before classes begin, kindergarteners and new students enrolling in a Hamilton County School must provide schools with a Tennessee Immunization Certificate. All students entering seventh grade must provide the school with an updated state immunization certificate showing they have had the Tdap booster shot (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis)."Please visit our websites Shot records request form for children who are up-to-date on their school immunizations and need an immunization record," officials said.Parents/guardians planning to vaccinate their child will need to bring a current valid ID, custody papers (if applicable), health insurance card (if applicable) and proof of child wellness physical (if applicable or required by the school).All childhood Immunizations are available at the Health Department at 3rd Street and the Health Department at Birchwood. These services are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., with no appointment required. Usual Health Department charges apply, including a sliding fee schedule based on income. To learn more, call 423-209-8383 or visit Health.HamiltonTN.org. The Scenic City Women's Network announce Dr. Rita Carr as the speaker for their July Marketplace Lunch to be held July 27 at noon at Mountain City Club, 729 Chestnut St. in Chattanooga.Dr. Carr says the Lord prepared her life for full-time ministry. Prior to ministry, she served as Tennessee coordinator for Families in Action in Memphis. Dr. Carr served in various counseling roles to aid adolescents and adults struggling with drug and alcohol abuse.She has a bachelors degree in organizational behavior, a masters in education and a cdoctorate in Christian counseling.She is a licensed counselor through the Tennessee Board of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, along with clinical and national certifications.In 1997, the Lord birthed Hope Unlimited Ministry into Dr. Carr's life, calling her into full-time ministry. Serving hurting women, single mothers and children, the organization offers Christ-centered services to single parent families, ministries and agencies. Services are provided at no cost.Dr. Carr is an author, and has published various books through the My Journey Home series, such as "Lord, I Surrender," "There is Hope for Single Parents and Hurting Women," "My Journey Home: Jesus Christ, the Rescuer of Wounded Emotions" and many others. An adolescent series titled Hope Beyond the Pain, a book and study guide, will be released later this year.Starting this month, lunch will be a buffet. Register here by July 25. With the end of the Supreme Courts latest term, several of its opinions have generated considerable attention and discussion. And as is often the case, the more high-profile cases featured spirited dissents from the majority opinions by the Justices who were in the minority. WHAT ARE DISSENTING OPINIONS What are dissents and why are they written? Appellate courts, including the United States Supreme Court and the highest court of each state, are multi-judge courts. At the Supreme Court, all nine Justices consider the cases and decide them collectively. The same is true for the highest court in each state. For intermediate appellate courts, judges generally sit in panels of three to consider and decide cases. Only a majority of the panel, rather than the entire panel, is required to agree on the proper outcome of a case. The majority decision then becomes the official opinion of the court and binds all lower courts. The majority decision also serves as precedent to guide the deciding court in the future when it hears cases containing similar facts and law. Many decisions are unanimous, and judges would prefer that all their decisions be such. But sometimes other judges on the court have opinions on the proper outcome that differ from the majority. When they do disagree, these judges dissent and may write an opinion setting out their disagreement. WHY ARE DISSENTING OPINIONS WRITTEN Dissents may be written for a number of reasons. Perhaps the judges in the minority disagree about the cases procedural posture. For example, they may disagree that the court even has jurisdiction over the case or may believe that the parties before the court are not the proper parties, that the parties do not have standing to bring their claims, or that the case is not yet ripe for decision. There are many other procedural reasons why one group of judges may disagree with another group of judges. Or the judges in the minority may simply disagree with the majority on the facts and the law and come to a different decision based on the cases merits. Reasonable people can look at the same set of facts yet reach different conclusions. In writing a dissent, the minority points out what it perceives as deficiencies in the majoritys logic, analysis, or conclusion. Often there is a back-and-forth between the majority and minority before the final decision is issued; this dialogue can strengthen both sets of opinions. Sometimes the minoritys draft dissent is so strong and persuasive that it convinces some judges in the majority to change their votes and move over to the dissents side. This can result in the draft dissent becoming the majority opinion. Regardless of the impact on the majority, however, dissents put the dissenters reasoning on the record and provide the public with a better picture of the issues and analysis. Generally, dissenting opinions are written with the understanding that the dissenters are members of the same court and owe civility and collegiality to their majority colleagues. For this reason, the dissenters often end their opinions with respectfully, I dissent. DISSENTS CAN BECOME LAW Sometimes the opinions expressed in a dissent will, over time, win over future judges and society at large to the point that they become the majority sentiment. A prime example is Justice John Marshall Harlans famous dissent in the separate-but-equal case of Plessy v. Ferguson. Justice Harlans dissent formed the basis of the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, decided over half a century after Plessy, which held that racial segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. Dissents have a long and honored history in our countrys judiciary. Their facilitation of respectful disagreement serves a noble and valuable purpose. Curtis L. Collier United States District Judge Chair, Eastern District of Tennessee Civics and Outreach Committee Carrie Brown Stefaniak Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier Past President, Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association Karen L. Sheng Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier This 25-year-old girl has been dating a 28-year-old guy for a year and 2 months exactly, and so far, their relationship has been entirely long-distance. They initially met on a dating app while they were working in the mining industry in the same town. Back then, they both had just gotten out of serious relationships, and they both felt that they werent interested in jumping right into another one. But as time went by, the after-work, few days a week fun, turned a little more serious with me flying down to stay with him for most of the weeks off (he would pay for half [my plane] tickets), she explained. Ive met his entire family and his best friends multiple times, but we dont have a title. I had known he had a trip to Europe planned before we met, and in his words, he didnt want a girlfriend while he was in Europe. Im fairly reasonable and said that was fine, I dont necessarily want a boyfriend thats in Europe for 5 weeks without me anyway. We had the being exclusive chat and agreed that while we are both in Australia that we would be. Fast forward, hes been back from his trip for a week now. I know he had fun and while he was gone so did I. This week, shes visiting him, and things between them are wonderful. He showed her photos from his trip, and he also let it slip that he spent some time with 2 girls in Europe. Those 2 girls just so happen to live an hour away from where he lives, and she saw on social media hes still talking to them. She did tell him she feels insecure about him talking to these other girls, and he said she had not a single thing to worry about. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. The US Supreme Court ruled against race-based college admissions last month, raising questions about the future of diversity efforts in higher education. But leaders at many evangelical colleges dont expect the decision to hinder their efforts to promote diversity. For most Christian institutions, I dont think theres going to be a significant change in our recruiting practices or our admissions policies, said James Steen, Houston Christian Universitys vice president of enrollment management. Steen, who has worked in Christian higher education admissions for 30 years, said the Supreme Courts decision impacts institutions that are selecting students from a very large pool of applications. For the rest of us who arent the elite privates or flagship publics, were not turning anybody away, for the most part, whos admissible, he said. Still, leaders of Christian colleges told CT they are taking this moment to clearly communicate the biblical heart behind the diversity efforts at their institutions. Pursuing a diverse student body, they say, is part of a larger mission and a critical way they seek to serve their communities. At Houston Christian, for example, Steen said its important the college reflect the demographics of Houston, Texasan extremely diverse city. The colleges student demographics track pretty closely with the demographics of Houston itself. About 42 percent of undergraduate students are Hispanic, 24 percent are Black, 19 percent are white, and 9 percent are Asian. When you walk around our campus, your tour guide probably isnt going to be a white student, right? Youre going to see students of all ethnicities and backgrounds, Steen said. Our commitment is not only to students, but definitely serving students from diverse backgrounds. Affirmative action became common at many American schools in the late 1960s in an effort to correct historic discrimination and provide a college experience enriched with different life experiences and different points of view. Some, however, have long critiqued the practice as discriminatory, since it places a value on race. Yet it is unclear how many institutions of higher education actually consider race in their admissions process. Harvard University claimed in documents filed with the Supreme Court more than 40 percent of universitiesand 60 percent of selective schoolsuse affirmative action. None of the Christian higher education leaders who spoke with CT have used race-based admissions. The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) statement released after the Supreme Court ruling did not specify whether the decision would affect any evangelical schools. The CCCU noted a variety of views on affirmative action, saying that the decision would be seen as a tragedy to some and [as] the reversal of a wrong to others. According to the CCCU, while the ruling narrowed the specified tools permissible to attain diverse student bodies, evangelical higher education will nonetheless continue to value all students, but in particular, as it relates to this case, students of color from the United States and around the world. Lena Crouso, CCCUs senior advisor and fellow for diversity, said the organizations mission for Christ-centered higher education requires the essential work around diversity, whatever the specific admissions process looks like. Certainly our schools are in conversations with each other and within their own admissions teams, senior leaders, and presidents to work within the law and assure that their admissions practices align, she said, and at the same time making sure that all students who desire a Christian liberal arts education can find their belonging at our schools. CCCU strives to support responsive, not reactive, diversity efforts, Crouso said. Such efforts include its Commission on Diversity and Inclusion, the Multi-Ethnic Leadership Development Institute, and the CCCU Diversity Conference, held this October at John Brown University. This years event will include research and best practices on strategic campus transformation that will meet the needs of all students, under the theme Diversity Still Matters. Diversity is important, according to Crouso, because it helps achieve Gods plan for humanity to live in reconciliation with God and each other. The continued hope is to resist stereotypical ideas around diverse populations and know that we want the most diversely represented and success-oriented student bodies who seek an education rooted in biblical truth, she said. With that comes the work to create persistence and completion strategies for thriving and belonging for all of our students. George Fox University, a private Christian university in Newberg, Oregon, has never considered race in its admissions process. But President Robin Baker said the college has a long-standing commitment to diversity, which simply will continue. Were a Christian community. So we argue that were trying to reflect the kingdom of God as it is, Baker said. Our institutions, when theyre primarily Anglo or white, simply dont do that. Such a vision is largely driven by the vision of the kingdom of God shown in the Book of Revelation, Baker said, when the Bible depicts many nations, peoples, and tongues gathered together worshiping God (7:9). The followers of Christ are gathered not in sameness, he said, but in difference. Our diversity argument is an argument that the kingdom of God is indeed diverse and powerful, he said. And in order for our students to live in a world that is going to be increasingly non-Western, they need to understand and engage and learn to live in difference. In addition to serving and connecting already admitted students, George Fox is working to recruit diverse students and faculty. The college aims to improve its recruitment process by partnering with external organizations and removing unconscious barriers in the application process, said Lindsay Knox, George Foxs vice president for enrollment and marketing. Other programs seek to recruit specific groups of students, like the colleges Liberation Scholars Program. The program includes a free two-week seminar for Latino students from a local high school, along with help from George Fox faculty during the college admissions process. Were always trying to increase our pool diversity, Knox said. Because who our pool is ends up being who our admitted students are which ends up being who isnt here. Warner Pacific University president Brian Johnson understands this need for increased access to opportunity well. As a Black boy growing up in public housing in Durham, North Carolina, he never imagined himself as a university president. And yet I somehow didnt follow the script, said Johnson, who holds a PhD in American literature and has written seven academic books. He credits such successes first and foremost to God but also to the many people who opened doors for himincluding his mother, teachers and professors, and the institutions that welcomed and challenged him as a student. Today, Johnson similarly strives to prioritize opening doors for all students, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or background. This work is a deep personal calling to me. In fact, its a ministry. I rejoice that God has given me the exact life experiences needed to seek out and expect great things from every single student who walks through our door, he told CT. What a privilege it is to gather students of many backgrounds at WPU and give them the opportunity to follow their God-given purpose, based on their God-given gifts of experience and background, and walk with the Lord. Warner Pacific University is located in Portland, Oregon, where nearly 75 percent of the city is white. At the college, nearly 7 out of 10 students are nonwhite. The college does not use race-based evaluations in admissions and doesnt think it needs to. The Supreme Court ruling against that kind of affirmative action wont change anything. We have never reduced our view of students according to what box they help us check, Johnson said. Our studentsand every student[are] uniquely and fervently made in the image of God, with all the wondrous facets of his creation. The Presidents Emergency Plan for Aids Relief, or PEPFAR, has been a uniquely successful bipartisan effort, saving 25 million lives globally from HIV/AIDS since it was put into place 20 years ago. Congress and the White House have reauthorized it every five years, under different parties. It has been credited with sparing entire countries from demise. Now it is in danger of succumbing to a political brawl. The program must be renewed this fall. But domestic pro-life organizations, including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and The Heritage Foundations action arm, Heritage Action, have said a vote in favor of PEPFARs five-year reauthorization would be a mark against a lawmaker in their scorecards for elected leaders. The Family Research Council told CT it will also score the vote. The groups argue that the Biden administration is trying to use the program to fund the promotion and provision of abortions. Family Research Councils vice president for policy and government affairs Travis Weber told CT that PEPFAR was being used as a massive slush fund for abortion and LGBT advocacy. Pro-lifers working to combat HIV/AIDS overseas say that is not the case and have been surprised by the domestic pro-life opposition. Funding or promoting abortion through PEPFAR would be against US law. Abortion is also illegal or highly restricted in most countries with PEPFAR-funded programs, almost all of which are in Africa. Pro-life organizations regularly score lawmakers votes on particular pieces of legislation as a way of assessing commitment to pro-life causes. Deeming a vote for a given measure as negative tends to scotch Republican votes for it. A five-year reauthorization to us is beyond the pale, Ryan Walker, the head of Heritage Action, told CT. PEPFAR grantees are promoting and helping to support abortions abroad, Walker said. Without adequate Republican votes, congressional sources said that an amendment that would have extended PEPFARs authorization another five years is now dead in the water. Negotiations are ongoing, but PEPFAR advocates used words in interviews like pessimistic and not optimistic. Pro-life critics of PEPFAR say that funding should instead be extended by only one year. But those who have long worked on PEPFAR argue that such a move would result in the programs death by a thousand cuts, subjecting it to the whims of the annual appropriations process and making it an easy target to trade away for other priorities. Every aspect of PEPFAR would be up for negotiation, they say, year after year. For decades, PEPFARs predictable reauthorization cycle has helped keep certain boundaries in place: controls on where US funds are directed, conscience provisions, and auditing requirementsall of which prevent the program from underwriting abortions. Appropriators could include the existing parameters, but the program would be more exposed to a political process. PEPFAR advocates also say health systems cant function with a one-year window but need more lead time for building and operating programs. Launched by President George W. Bush in 2003, PEPFAR aims at delivering antiretroviral (ARV) drugs to people with HIV/AIDS and preventing further transmission. It has resulted in a dramatic increase in life expectancy in Africa. Absent a cure for the disease, people on ARVs generally must remain on the drugs the rest of their lives. The United States currently provides treatment for 20 million people, mostly in Africa, through the program. PEPFAR has long had pro-life support from Catholics and Protestants, including from African faith-based health providers. But debates about terms like family planning and reproductive health in language around PEPFAR have always been sticking points. They appear to be especially sticky now. Some pro-life groups reacted strongly to a recent PEPFAR document that said the program would integrate sexual reproductive health into efforts to build up local health systems for HIV/AIDS treatment. This week, the Biden administration added a footnote in the document to clarify that reproductive health under PEPFAR meant only HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services, education, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, cancer screening and treatment, and gender-based violence prevention and care. The document states that PEPFAR does not under any circumstances provide support for abortion services. That has not satisfied groups like Heritage or Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. The abortion criticisms are coming from people who dont have field experience, said Doug Fountain, the executive director of Christian Connections for International Health, a group that has supported local organizations fighting HIV/AIDS throughout Africa for decades and does not directly receive PEPFAR funding. Fountain said he has never seen promotion or provision of abortion in PEPFAR-funded projects. If there was a concern, the faith communities in the implementing countries would have complained. The way we look at it is, which is the more pro-life position: supporting a proven program that saves lives, or impeding it out of unsubstantiated fear? he told CT. We actually can see a situation where HIV/AIDS will come under global control in the next decade or so. But we need to keep our eye on the ball and not stop progress based on rumors. Republican Rep. Chris Smith has led the charge against PEFPARs five-year reauthorization on pro-life grounds, despite being an early PEPFAR supporter and advocate. About pro-lifers who support the five-year reauthorization, Smith told CT, There are and always have been some faith-based groups that are very accommodating with abortion. He said hes not trying to kill the program: We are very, very committed to keeping the program going through the appropriations process. To earn his support, Smith said the program must have whats known as the Mexico City Policy, which prohibits US-funded groups from using money from any source to perform or advocate for abortions overseas. The Mexico City Policy was not in place for PEPFAR for 16 of the programs 20 years of existence, but Smith supported PEPFAR during those years. He said the issue was an emergency at the time and he agreed to a tourniquet on this horrific problem despite his qualms. President Donald Trump put Mexico City in place at his request, Smith said. When president Joe Biden took office, he rescinded the policy. Even without it, other longstanding measures in US lawsuch as the Helms and Siljander Amendmentsalready prohibit any funding or advocacy of abortion overseas with US dollars. The concerns stem from the fact that PEPFAR works through contractors, some of whom perform and advocate for abortions with non-PEPFAR money. PEPFAR has given large grants to Population Services International (PSI), a group that particularly irks pro-life critics. Those grants also happened under Trump; in 2020, PSI received $43 million in PEPFAR funding. The biggest slice of PEPFARs roughly $6 billion annual budget goes to buying antiretroviral drugs and other medical supplies. The contractors primary role is to deliver those drugs, often through local health clinics. PEPFAR also funds prevention programs, including funding for both condoms and abstinence education. Smith said a turning point in his position was when he recently had a two-hour lunch with the head of PEPFAR, John Nkengasong, and asked him what PEPFAR fund recipients were doing with the money in regard to abortion. According to Smith, Nkengasong told him he works at 10,000 feet and didnt know what local organizations were doing. If you tell me face to face over lunch that you have no idea what theyre doing at the local level, I have a problem with that, Smith said. The State Department did not respond to a request for an interview, but Nkengasong recently said that PEPFAR has never, will not ever, use that platform in supporting abortion. Smith says PEPFAR gives a pot of money that empowers the abortion lobby in each and every one of these countries. But congressional aides who have worked on the issue for decades say they have access to information about grantees and sub-grantees of PEPFAR. When questionable actions at PEPFAR-funded clinics have been reported, congressional staffers have gone to investigate. The Bush administration designed the program with more oversight and reporting requirements than other global health programs. There are ways to ensure that PEPFAR funding isnt used for abortions in program implementation without jeopardizing re-authorization, said Perry Jansen, a physician who, with Malawian medical leaders, started a Christian health center in Malawi called Partners in Hope. It now oversees 20 percent of the countrys patients receiving antiretroviral drugs and is one of many faith-based organizations with PEPFAR contracts. Before PEPFAR, 30 percent of pregnant women in Blantyre, Malawi, were testing positive for HIV. Catholic Relief Services, another major PEPFAR partner working throughout Africa, has objected to PEPFAR funding for condoms, but it has been able to take PEPFAR contracts thanks to the conscience clause written into the law. CRS has also supported PEPFAR reauthorization, though it has not weighed in on the specifics of the current debate. Walker, of Heritage Action, said his group would support a short-term reauthorization, which would allow for a potential Republican administration. Post-Dobbs, we are in a different political environment, Walker said. Autumn Christensen, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life Americas vice president of public policy, said her organization has supported PEFPAR for many years, but that pro-life concerns about the program were continually batted to the side. At every reauthorization, we have been told to just trust us, don't worry, PEPFAR is not going to do anything bad, Christensen said. And you see the integration with reproductive health increase over the years. Asked about her group holding up the five-year reauthorization, she said, I cannot be responsible for the actions at the Biden administration in their decision to integrate reproductive and sexual health into the PEPFAR program My job is to ensure that PEPFAR doesnt become a funnel by which we fund the organizations that overturn pro-life laws in Africa. Shepherd Smith, one of the early evangelical advocates for PEPFAR who has worked on HIV/AIDS projects both in the US and abroad since the 1980s, disagrees with this assessment of the program. This is a huge, in my opinion, gamble, based on a rumor, he told CT, referring to the move to a one-year appropriations process. My level of optimism is very, very low of what the ultimate outcome would be. Its gone totally Washington. The truth doesnt seem to be important now. [PEPFAR] saved a generation, said Lester Munson, who worked on foreign aid policy in the early 2000s with Republican Sen. Jesse Helms and went on to work at USAID, one agency involved in implementing PEPFAR. It saved entire nation states from collapsing. Its difficult to overstate the success of this program. During part of his time on Capitol Hill, Munson worked for Rep. Henry Hyde, responsible for the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding of domestic abortions. Munson is pro-life, and he thinks the protections against abortion in PEPFAR are sufficient. Theres still a chance for the pro-life community to work through the issue, Munson said. PEPFARs authorization expires on September 30. What you have to do in the legislative processthe two sides talk to each other, work it out, be patient, be forgiving, hold hands sometimes, and not hold hands some other times, he said. It always takes longer than you think it will. This worked for 20 yearsuntil now. We have to come together. Its the only way forward. Maine expands late-term abortion until to birth if deemed necessary by a doctor Maine Gov. Janet Mills signed into law a measure that will expand the legality of late-term abortions in her state, allowing the procedure at any point during pregnancy if a doctor deems it necessary. Mills, a Democrat, signed LD 1619, billed as "an act to improve Maine's reproductive privacy laws," into law Wednesday. Mills' approval of the bill follows its passage in a 73-69 vote in the Democrat-controlled Maine House of Representatives and a 20-11 vote in the Democrat-controlled Maine Senate. The vote came down along party lines in the Senate, with all votes against the legislation coming from Republicans and all votes in favor coming from Democrats. In the House, five Democrats broke with their party to oppose it. "Maine law should, must recognize that every pregnancy, like every woman, is different, and that politicians cannot effectively legislate this very personal and very difficult decision and the difficult nuances of abortion care," Mills said in a statement. "Instead, we must recognize the complexity of pregnancy and, like every other health care procedure, we've got to take government out of the decision-making process and put the doctor and patient in charge." Mills contends that the bill modernizes the state's laws "to get politicians out of reproductive healthcare and make clear that the difficult decision of whether to have an abortion later in pregnancy will be made by a woman and her doctor and no one else." LD 1619 enables more abortions to take place later in pregnancy, beyond a pregnancy's point of viability, where a fetus can survive outside the womb. Specifically, LD 1619 removes language from state law declaring, "After viability an abortion may be performed only when it is necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother." Revised state law proclaims, "After viability, an abortion may be performed only when it is necessary in the professional judgment of a physician." While Maine law previously stated that "any person not so licensed who knowingly performs an abortion on another person or any person who knowingly assists a nonlicensed person to perform an abortion on another person is guilty of a Class C crime," LD 1619 makes it so that the performance of or assistance in a nonlicensed abortion no longer constitutes a crime. Carol Tobias, president of the pro-life group National Right to Life, condemned the passage of LD 1619 in a statement shared with The Christian Post. "It is open season on the unborn child in Maine," she lamented. "Abortionists practicing without a license can expect the state of Maine to turn a blind eye," Tobias added. "Governor Mills has been a strident supporter of abortion, and the signing of this law comes as no surprise." Republican Rep. Laurel Libby called the legislation "the most extreme abortion law in the country." "I'm heartbroken ... for the women who will be deceived to believe that late term abortion is the 'kind' option," Libby wrote in a statement shared by the Christian Civic League of Maine. "For our beloved state, that is embracing a culture of death. This is not the future I want for Maine." Passage of LD 1619 comes more than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision determining that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion. The ruling has led to widely divergent abortion laws in individual U.S. states. The pro-life advocacy organization Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America identified 25 states that have "put pro-life protections in place for both mom and child," ranging from near-total prohibitions to 15-week abortion bans. On the other hand, Maine is among the remaining 25 states with "few or no protections" for unborn babies. The pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute lists Maine as one of 13 states that protect a right to abortion before viability based on laws in effect as of April 24. The Guttmacher Institute data, not updated to reflect the new Maine law, notes that four states and the District of Columbia currently allow abortions "throughout pregnancy," meaning they are available up to the moment of birth: Colorado, New Jersey, Oregon and Vermont. In addition to LD 1619, Mills' office announced that she had previously signed additional bills "intended to protect access to abortion" following the Dobbs decision. The package of legislation approved by Mills includes the prohibition of healthcare plans in Maine from imposing deductibles, copayment or any "other cost-sharing requirement" for abortions and a ban on municipalities from enacting local ordinances that outlaw the procedure. Ministry that led over 66K people to Christ will hold first US crusade An evangelism group that recently held events in West Africa and South America that resulted in over a reported 66,000 decisions for Christ is planning to hold its first-ever crusade in the United States. World Harvest Global, an outreach organization headquartered in Grand Prairie, Texas, which earlier this year held events in Guinea-Bissau, Zambia and Peru, is planning to hold its first U.S.-based gathering in South Carolina next year. Jacob Ebersole, founder and president of World Harvest, told The Christian Post in an interview that his organization has been planning to hold the upstate South Carolina event for over two years. "The team already formed for this is pretty significant," said Ebersole. "In Jesus' name, we're going to see a move of God start there that will spread through the whole state of South Carolina. What happens beyond that, I'll leave up to the Lord." Ebersole hopes the event next year will "reach the whole nation" through their social media strategy. He says his ministry is "trying to walk through the lens of 1 Corinthians 13" in their evangelism events. "You can move mountains, speak with the tongues of angels, but if you have not love, you have nothing," he said, paraphrasing the biblical passage. "We really care about this at every level." "We try to make sure we do everything with excellence, and I think what's happening is people are starting to notice, and they want to be a part of it. And so, our team is growing, and now it's like, people from all around the world that are coming on board to be a part of what God is doing through World Harvest." Guinea-Bissau A Muslim-majority nation located in West Africa, World Harvest held a series of crusade events in Guinea-Bissau's capital city Bissau and the city of Gabu in late March and early April. According to Ebersole, the country has seen a recent rise in its Islamic population. When pastors living in the nation reached out to World Harvest, it was considered "an emergency call." "They were like, 'if we don't move now, it's going to be a Muslim state, and they are taking over quickly,'" Ebersole told CP. "And so, we met with the right people, formed our board of advisors there, in the capital city." "The bishops and the pastors that I was dealing with literally saw this as their last shot to take Guinea-Bissau back for Jesus." According to the Joshua Project, Muslims comprise just over half of Guinea-Bissau's population, while Christian adherents comprise over 11%. Ebersole, who has been organizing overseas evangelism events for the past couple of years, described the Guinea-Bissau event as "the most difficult campaign that I've ever had to go through." "The spiritual warfare in that almost ripped the team apart, almost ripped me apart," he said. "But thank the Lord; He was faithful every step of the way. After about a year of plowing and getting doors shut left and right, we finally locked in the location." One thing helping their efforts was young people, he said, as there had been a revival before the first in-person World Harvest events. Thousands of youth showed up for worship at the field reserved for the crusade event. According to Ebersole, the "worship and prayer on the crusade field" mutated into large crowds of mostly young people "taking the streets" in worship and even marching to the local airport. "They could have pulled our permits, but what happened was we made so much noise in the city that it got all the way up to the president of Guinea-Bissau, and he wanted to meet us," Ebersole said. World Harvest leaders eventually met with Muslim President Umaro Sissoco Embalo for an hour, Ebersole recalled, with the national leader helping them get some of their equipment into the country after it was stuck at the border. We had just enough time to set up for the crusade that took place the next day. It was time to begin, and they were raising up the speakers and raising up the screens. So, just in the nick of time. And then, he showed up to the first day of the campaign, said Ebersole. "There was joy in the city. And I don't think they had seen that before. It wasn't like it was this aggressive, 'we're punching you in the face with Jesus' thing. It was joy in the streets, and it was young people, and I was in tears just watching them do this week after week." After holding events in the capital city, World Harvest went to Gabu, a town described by Ebersole as "a Muslim stronghold" and the "most dangerous, dark territory in the nation." According to the World Harvest leader, hundreds of Guinea-Bissau youth volunteered to travel there, with impromptu worship and evangelism taking place in the city. A local Youth With a Mission chapter supported the Gabu mission, with around 100 youth staying at their facility during the crusade. Ebersole told CP that the Gabu crusade was "a God thing" that "had nothing to do with us" but rather was a matter of "just faith and guts." Ebersole says that a little under 18,500 people came to Christ during their two crusades, not including the thousands saved through other initiatives within the West African nation. David Hoffman, the director of Kingdom Enterprises, an outreach and evangelism ministry in Tucson, Arizona, who has recently come to know Ebersole, told CP that he was impressed by the outpouring of faith in Guinea-Bissau. Hoffman saw videos of the youth marching posted online, telling CP that he "heard them all singing and praising God" and felt that "this is something unique because where do you see this happening?" Hoffman was also impressed with how World Harvest "did back-to-back Gospel campaigns," which he found "pretty incredible" because it is "hard to just go boom, boom, boom, from thing to thing" with evangelism events. "I thought, wow, this is really legitimate. This is something where God is really moving," said Hoffman to CP. "I was just blown away seeing some of the things that God was doing." Zambia Later in April, World Harvest held a crusade event in Zambia, a nation in Southern Africa located approximately 3,400 miles southeast of Guinea-Bissau. The evangelism group held gatherings at the capital Lusaka, a city that, according to Ebersole, is known for "gang activity [and] prostitution." "But the Church is on fire in Zambia," Ebersole told CP, adding that "it was a lot easier" to organize the event and that it "was the biggest crowd I'd ever preached in front of." Ebersole described how, on each night that they held worship, large numbers of youth came forward to not only accept Jesus as their Lord but also to get rid of past vices. "I saw maybe thousands of young people coming forward and laying down their idols, addictions, condoms, booze, witchcraft, magic arts," Ebersole recounted. "So, we pulled stuff out of the barrels; I started to put it on the stage. And oftentimes, I had to turn around and ask the pastor what this was because they were bringing some weird stuff." Ebersole noted that while he "had seen stuff like this before on the crusade stage," he had not seen such activity happen "to that extent," stressing that "it was just a constant." "Everybody on the platform was freaking out. Going live on Facebook and Instagram and celebrating as these kids come in tears, and they got a needle in this hand and booze in this hand, and they're shaking over the barrel, and they let it go," he said. "Zambia changed my life." According to Ebersole, there were approximately 45,000 people who made decisions for Christ during the April crusade event in Zambia. Peru In May, World Harvest held a crusade in Peru, marking the first time that the evangelism organization had overseen a campaign in South America, according to Ebersole. The event was in San Juan de Lurigancho, a heavily populated district of Lima that is generally considered a dangerous part of the metropolitan area. Ebersole told CP that his group "chose to have a crusade there for that reason" because it was known for having "a lot of prostitution, a lot of crime." Ebersole recalled that he "started weeping" when he looked "out at the hotel window" and saw "that crusade field fill up," admitting that there are times when he does not understand how it is that his events can draw such large crowds. "I still, to this day, don't know why people come," he said to CP. "It's like, you don't really know us; I don't know why you come and listen; I don't know why you sit for four hours." "It still boggles my mind today why people listen to the Gospel, and night after night, I'd say the crowd size almost doubled night after night in Peru." Hoffman commended the work of Ebersole and his team, telling CP that World Harvest does "more of a sobering Gospel call" meant to "only attract people that are seriously wanting to come to Christ, as opposed to just getting caught up in the emotion of it all." "They're not just looking to have a ton of people come forward and say 'all those people came,'" Hoffman explained. "They document how many people actually come up, and then they distribute those decision cards to churches to get churches involved in the follow-up." "Churches in Peru are starting to have new families coming, not people that have been going to church that just got a little more excited about it, but brand-new people popping into church and starting to come after the crusades." Ebersole told CP that in Peru, as with other crusade locations, they held a "Celebration Day" right after the evangelism event ended, which involved connecting local pastors with the people who made decisions for Christ. "Before their hand comes down, they have a follow-up card in their hand, and there's a counselor there that's been trained for months to handle that responsibility. Those cards then get taken to a designated location, and they're treated like gold," Ebersole explained. On the "Celebration Day," they distribute the cards of people who made decisions for Christ to the pastors based on which part of the city they live in, with Ebersole saying that "We're handing the fish over to the local church." "The key to it, though, is the work that we do with the Church leading up to the crusade," Ebersole added. "So it's six months of time with the pastors preparing them for this harvest and that's really the follow-up system. We come in with the infrastructure, but it's the heart cry that the pastors have to follow up with these people that we care about." According to Ebersole, there were a little under 3,500 decisions made in their Peru event, with one local pastor reporting that six new families had started attending his church because of the crusade. Victory and pain When thinking about the successes of his ministry outreach, Ebersole told CP that "all of this is blowing my mind," adding that "being faithful in a little has turned into something that I have never anticipated." Ebersole said he came from a broken home and did not become a Christian until he was a teenager in 2006 when a pastor preached the Gospel to him outside a restaurant parking lot. "Little by little, I started to realize that God was calling me to preach the Gospel to lost people the same way that that pastor did," he said, saying that looking at his life trajectory "is still sort of freaking me out, a little bit." "So, in a strange way, I know as ministers, we preach from a place of victory, but I also simultaneously preach from a place of pain, remembering who I was then." Stovall Weems sues ARC, Chris Hodges, Dino Rizzo for 'engineering takeover' of Celebration Church ARC calls accusations 'unfounded and inaccurate' Celebration Church founders Stovall and Kerri Weems have filed a lawsuit accusing the Association of Related Churches, one of North America's largest church-planting organizations, and several high-profile members of its executive team, including Church of the Highlands founder and leader, Chris Hodges, of "engineering" a takeover of the church and damaging their reputations. "This case arises out of a continuing unlawful conspiracy masterminded by the Defendants to protect and expand their church growth business interests and endeavors and the substantial income they generate by destroying plaintiffs and eliminating them as perceived threats and competitors, which included engineering a takeover at Celebration Church of Jacksonville, Inc," the complaint alleges. The complaint claims that the alleged takeover of the church, now led by Pastor Tim Timberlake and his wife, Jen, allowed "defendants to effectively gain control over its operations and substantial assets, coverup numerous criminal and tortious acts committed in the process, and frame the Weemses for financial crimes they never committed." In addition to ARC and Hodges, the federal lawsuit filed in Jacksonville, Florida, on July 12 also names the associate pastor at Church of the Highlands, Dino Rizzo, and John Seibeling of The Life Church as defendants. While the Church of the Highlands in Alabama did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit from The Christian Post, the Texas-based ARC said the lawsuit "included unfounded and inaccurate accusations." "We are saddened that Stovall Weems, former pastor of Celebration Church in Jacksonville, Florida, filed a lawsuit against ARC that included unfounded and inaccurate accusations," the church-planting organization said in a statement to CP Wednesday. "We are confident, however, that the truth will ultimately prevail. We respect the judicial process and look forward to addressing these matters in the courtroom." The lawsuit comes more than a year after Weems was forced to formally resign from the church amid a legal battle with Celebration Church's board of trustees and officers over control of the congregation's assets. The Weemses, and several non-profit groups they founded, accuse ARC and the specific leaders of destroying their reputations because they wanted to abandon a "corporate" focus of church leadership for more missionary work. According to the Weemses, the corporate model "was having significant negative psychological and health impacts on pastors, who needed counseling, guidance, and treatment to recover from the adverse effects of the growth model that defendants are at the forefront of promoting." "Defendants were consumed by greed and the desire to advance their own financial and business interests when they deliberately targeted Pastor Weems and those closest to him because he rejected their unbridled church growth model and was focused on missionary work and developing supporting businesses that defendants perceived as a significant threat to their economic interests," the complaint alleges. The Weemses allege that the defendants used ARC's "significant influence and power as a vehicle to facilitate and conceal their nefarious scheme," resulting in more than $100 million in damages. "Defendants intentionally caused substantial financial and other irreparable harm to the Plaintiffs through a pattern of unlawful and often criminal acts that included extortion, bribery, psychological abuse, wire fraud, and computer crimes," the complaint, which is seeking a jury trial, says. Before the dispute leading to Stovall Weems' resignation in April 2022, the complaint alleges that Celebration Church was freely donating approximately $150,000 to $200,000 annually to benefit ARC's church planting operations. Churches planted by ARC, which has been in operation since 2000, sign loan contracts that require them to, among other things, pay 10% of their tithes and offerings to ARC until the loan is repaid. After the loan is repaid, the churches still have to pay an "ongoing amount of 2% of its monthly tithes/offerings," the lawsuit says. Even though ARC did not plant Celebration Church, the lawsuit contends that ARC kept "pressuring Pastor Weems to commit to donating 2% of Celebration Church's income to ARC for church planting purposes." The legal filing claims that when Stovall Weems decided in 2018 that he would not make donations to ARC unless they were going towards missionary work, the defendants began conspiring to replace him with Timberlake, who they could control. The Weemses also allege that Hodges, leader of one of the largest churches in the country, co-founder of ARC, benefits significantly from the corporate structure. "Hodges fully embraces the modern church growth model and has vocally expressed his goal to help 1,000 churches break the 1,000-attendance barrier," the lawsuit says. "Hodges founded and operates several entities closely affiliated with ARC and Highlands that are heavily promoted as ARC 'partners,' including GrowLeader, LLC." The lawsuit mentions the Church of the Highlands' controversial $4.5 million retreat center called The Lodge at Grants Mill at its Grants Mill campus, which the Weemses suggest is a copycat of their Honey Lake Farms' Lodge. "In September 2021, Hodge's Highlands church announced that it was spending $4.5 million to build its own 'Lodge Retreat Center' a center for pastoral counseling reported as being 'the vision of' Hodges and Rizzo that was virtually identical to the Honey Lake Farms' Lodge that had been up and running since December 2020," the plaintiffs allege. "Around the same time, Rizzo and Seibeling stepped down as Celebration Church Overseers. Honey Lake Farms' Lodge and The Lodge Retreat Center (once completed) would have been competitors. However, Defendants knew Honey Lake Farms' Lodge had a significant advantage because it was already operational and had numerous retreats, counseling and restorative programs led by professional therapists." The Weemses allege that the Honey Lake Farms was seen as a threat to The Lodge at Grants Mill because it provided "counseling services that included programs designed to improve pastoral mental health by moving away from the church growth model." Last April, an internal report released by the 12,000-member Celebration Church presented Weems and his wife as abusive and mentally troubled divas who constantly exploited church staff and finances until they were forced to resign from all their positions in the church earlier that month. The lawsuit presents a narrative showing how the internal report was part of the conspiracy to remove the Weemses from the ministry. It was alleged that in January 2022, as the dispute over the church dragged on, the defendants took action described as "extortionate." "On January 17, 2022, defendants sent an extortionate email to Pastor Weems through their agent, Larry Stockstill, an Overseer and Apostolic Elder of Highlands and Hodges' personal pastor," explains the lawsuit. "In this January 17, 2022 email, Stockstill acting at defendants' direction also openly challenged Pastor Weemses's 'new direction in ministry' before summarizing that Pastor Weems was 'under investigation financially banned from the church and it's property and no longer [has] a 'founder's seat' and that will probably not happen,' before laying out in detail the actions Pastor Weems had to take to 'CLEAR [his] NAME,' which included repenting to ARC, Rizzo, and Seibeling." Earlier this year, Weems launched a website dedicated to clearing his name, but it is no longer functional. "In 2022, we were accused with salacious lies that cost us everything our life's work, the ministry we built for God's Kingdom, our jobs, our finances, our reputations, and even many of our dearest friends," Weems wrote on the website called ClearingOurName.com. "The problem is the accusations that were made, and the actions taken against us were lies not to mention illegal." House passes resolution saying Israel is not a 'racist, apartheid' state after Democrat's comment The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan resolution this week reaffirming support for the Jewish state of Israel following controversy over a Democrat's remarks that the country is a "racist state." The resolution, introduced by Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, passed with bipartisan support on Tuesday, with over 400 lawmakers voting in favor and one House Republican voting present. The Nine Democrats who voted no included Reps. Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Jamaal Bowman, Summer Lee, Cori Bush, Ayanna Pressley, Andre Carson and Delia Ramirez. According to the resolution, "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." House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Calif., commended the resolution, saying that he believes there has been growing anti-Semitism over the years. He criticized Democratic colleagues who he claims continue to "promote" anti-Semitism. He didn't mention any lawmakers by name. While the document did not mention Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., by name, the resolution comes after the lawmaker referred to Israel as a "racist state" during a panel at a Netroots Nation event. "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," Jayapal said. The Democratic representative later apologized for the comment in a Sunday statement and voted for the resolution. She claims that she had been trying to "defuse" a tense situation, explaining the protestors were demonstrating against members of Congress on the panel. She added that she doesn't believe Israel is racist, but is opposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies, which she thinks are "discriminatory." Jayapal stated that she has always advocated for a "two-state solution" in the Israeli and Palestinian conflict and that she believes the Israeli government's current policies make it "difficult" for Palestinians to see this solution as feasible. "As an immigrant woman of color who has fought my whole life against racism, hate, and discrimination of all kinds and viscerally feels when anyone's very existence is called into question, I am deeply aware of the many challenges we face in our own country to live up to the ideals of our nation here," the Democratic lawmaker said. "The only way through these difficult moments is to have real conversations where we develop our own understanding of each other and the traumas we all hold," she continued. "These are not easy conversations, but they are important ones if we are ever to move forward. It is in that spirit that I offer my apologies to those who I have hurt with my words and offer this clarification." Shortly after Jayapal's initial remarks, top Democrats issued a statement Sunday to counter, stressing that "Israel is not a racist state." The statement highlighted America and Israel's "shared values and strategic interests." "As House Democratic leaders, we strongly support Israel's right to exist as a homeland for the Jewish people," the statement reads. "We are also firmly committed to a robust two-state solution where Israel and the Palestinian people can live side by side in peace and prosperity." While most Democrats supported the resolution, some, such as Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., questioned the reason why Republicans put the resolution on the floor. As The Associated Press reported Tuesday, more than 100 Democrats have signed a letter calling for the removal of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. despite his recent remarks that the COVID-19 virus was specifically designed to spare Jews and Chinese people. "That type of vile messaging and statements should never be given those world's largest platforms to fan the flames of conspiracy theories and racial and ethnic and religious hate," Schultz said. As The Christian Post previously reported, a survey released earlier this year by the American Jewish Committee found that 82% of American Jews agreed that anti-Semitism in the United States has increased in the last five years. Forty-three percent of American Jews said it had increased significantly, and another 39% said that anti-Semitism had increased somewhat. The only way to change belief system about abortion Abortion has been legal in the U.S. for over 60 years now. The U.S. Supreme Court may have overturned Roe v. Wade, the case that federally legalized abortion, in June 2022, but not one state has yet to completely outlaw it. While pro-life activists are pushing to see justice for preborn babies, legislators have largely developed an affinity for state-instituted murder. Not only are they voting in favor of the legalized murder of preborn babies, but they are also beginning to support the legalized murder of the post-born via assisted suicide and euthanasia. Its really not hyperbole to say that ours has become a society that loves death. There has been a lot written about the impact of Canadas Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) program, which has turned euthanasia into the sixth-leading cause of death for our neighbor to the north. But theres also a quiet genocide underway right here on American soil. Ten states, including California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, and Vermont, as well as Washington, D.C., have legalized medical-assisted suicide, and you probably didnt even know that because the mainstream media doesnt generally report on it. The practice was first made legal in Oregon in 1994; most recently, Maine and New Mexico have also made it legal for medical professionals to help people kill themselves. But New Mexico legislators took it one step further when it passed its End of Life Options Act by also requiring doctors to inform patients of their options for assisted suicide and refer them to a medical provider who would prescribe suicide drugs if they were not willing to do it themselves. Pro-life doctors objected, and a lawsuit filed on their behalf by Alliance Defending Freedom forced New Mexico to backtrack. The governor has since signed a law that allows doctors to refuse to participate for religious reasons or conscience. Still, the slippery start is well on its way. At this rate, it wont be long before we follow in the footsteps of the Netherlands, which doesnt just allow medical professionals to move up the death date of terminal and elderly patients but is actively euthanizing autistic and mentally handicapped people and terminally ill children under the age of 12. Its important to recognize that the belief system which accepts and pushes abortion is the same belief system that supports euthanasia, which is why secular arguments to combat these systems dont work. For example, pro-lifers often make use of secular arguments to persuade pro-abortionists that abortion is wrong by arguing: Science says life begins at conception. Science says a heartbeat is detectable at 6 weeks gestation. Science says the baby has a unique set of DNA that is separate from the mother. While all of these things are true, they dont change a persons belief system. In fact, while pro-abortionists once denied all of these statements, they now openly acknowledge that what they once insisted is just a clump of cells is a baby after all and they will kill that child anyway. Proponents of such atrocities are unmoved by secular arguments, and the same applies to medical suicide assistance. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops boasts an entire webpage called Top Reasons to Oppose Assisted Suicide. Arguments listed include the risk of elder abuse, broad definitions of terminal illness, and that it undermines efforts to maintain and improve care for end-of-life patients. One section conveys the argument that because pain is not the primary reason people seek suicide drugs, we should object to their use (as though pain would be a justifiable reason for suicide). It goes on to cite studies that show that 90% of patients seeking lethal drugs do so because they are less able to engage in activities making life enjoyable and 49% because they feel like a burden to family and friends. Americans United for Life, a pro-life organization that opposes assisted suicide, cites similar reasons: it ends a human life, it tells the elderly and disabled that their lives are not worth living, and it degrades the medical profession. Why would these arguments change the mind of a person who believes human life is disposable and individuals have complete autonomy over their bodies, even in death? Why would these statistics and numbers make a difference to someone who believes that death is an end-all solution to a person struggling with pain or mental health issues? For those of us who have the answer and genuinely desire to see both abortion and assisted suicide outlawed and criminalized, we dont need statistics or scientific dogma, although, these facts and numbers are effectively proven by the foundation of our belief system. Its not scientific persuasion that changes a belief system, but eternal truths. For the same reasons we oppose abortion, we oppose medically assisted suicide. All people, including preborn babies and those with terminal illness, are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Both abortion and medically assisted suicide are murder (Exodus 21:14). Murder is an act of rebellion against a holy God and demands justice (Genesis 9:5). The only way to change the belief system of those contemplating abortion or medically assisted suicide is through a Gospel presentation because it is the only thing that reveals their depravity before a righteous, wrathful, and just God. Secular solutions to eternal problems never work and they never will. For the unbeliever, lies fuel their worldview: Most people dont choose assisted suicide because theyre in pain, but any other reason is valid. Most women dont have an abortion unless its a medical emergency, but any reason is valid. Appealing to science cant change that ideology. We must rest in the truth that the Gospel is sufficient for salvation and the heart change that comes with it a turn from darkness to light, from loving evil to hating it, from reveling in death to despising it. Originally published at Standing for Freedom Center. Biden DOJ faces criticism for removing sex trafficking info from webpage The U.S. Department of Justice is facing criticism from congressional Republicans and nonprofit leaders for removing information from its anti-child sex trafficking webpage, which critics contend is an attempt to distance itself from policies they believe have exacerbated the issue. According to archived posts in the WayBackMachine, the DOJ removed multiple sections from its webpage on the sex trafficking of minors sometime between April 21 and May 28. The erased sections included the International Sex Trafficking of Minors, Domestic Sex Trafficking of Minors, and Child Victims of Prostitution pages. The current page, accessed Thursday, says it was last updated on May 12. In a statement to The Christian Post, the DOJ said it altered the webpage in accordance with its 2023 National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction, which is intended to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation. In the course of the Department publishing the most recent National Strategy, related content on various Department webpages was updated, the DOJ told the outlet. Just as it has during previous administrations, the Department continues to place a very high priority on and devote substantial resources to fighting child exploitation and child sex trafficking, both domestically and internationally. To suggest otherwise is simply false. Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida criticized the changes in a press release last week, arguing that the administration is attempting to evade responsibility for border policies that have worsened child sex trafficking. The DOJ specifically deleted a section that implicated the Biden Administrations open-border policies in correlation to the sex trafficking of children, Lunas statement reads. The deleted portion read, One form of sex trafficking involves the cross border transportation of children. In these situations, traffickers recruit and transfer children across international borders in order to sexually exploit them in another country. Another deleted section discussed how pimps and traffickers exploit children through street prostitution and nightclubs, as well as a variety of locations throughout the United States. DOJs blatant move to distance Joe Bidens harmful policies from the global crime of sex trafficking should be no surprise to any of us who have seen the blatant sexualization and abuse of children this Administration is comfortable with promoting, Luna continued. Luna claimed the timing of the erasure was close to the release of The Sound of Freedom, a film that depicts the true story of a mission to rescue children from human traffickers in Colombia. Victor Marx, a survivor of child sexual abuse and head of All Things Possible Ministries, also noted the erasure appeared to take place around the time of the films release. Marx contends that the removal of sections on child sex trafficking sends a message to women and children that the administration doesnt care about the issue. I think theyre trying to lower their culpability and responsibility, he told the NY Post last week. Theyre having to lower and lessen their footprint and their position on this because believe me, its horrible and stories are going to start to come out. Marx emphasized the importance of resources such as the DOJs website, adding that the information is key to raising awareness and ensuring cooperation in combating human trafficking. The Biden administrations border policies faced scrutiny during an April Oversight of the Office of Refugee Resettlements Unaccompanied Alien Children Program hearing. During the hearing, Robin Dunn Marcos, director of the Office of Refugee Resettlement under the Department of Health and Human Services, informed lawmakers that the administration does not monitor the whereabouts of children released from its care. Unaccompanied children at the border are placed in the ORRs custody until the minor is placed with a parent or sponsor. While the agency does not track their whereabouts once theyve been placed with a sponsor, Marcos said that the agency conducts safety and well-being calls between 30 and 37 days after release. Subcommittee Chairman Glenn Grothman, R-Wis., questioned Marcos about the accuracy of a February New York Times report showing that the agency has been unable to reach over 85,000 children over the last two years. Marcos responded that the agency works within the statutes and authorities and resources provided, which Grothman took as confirmation of the report. In May, the chairman and members of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs announced an investigation after the Biden administration indicated it planned to end familial DNA testing at the border. The testing is used to confirm family units and prevent human trafficking. According to the Latin American branch of the Coalition Against Trafficking In Women, 60% of children who cross the border unaccompanied or with smugglers have been caught by cartels and are used in child pornography or drug trafficking. 'Orwellian': Street preacher appeals conviction for 'misgendering' man who identifies as a woman Woman shouts: Man wearing a dress is 'just as much a woman as me!' A British Christian street preacher who was prosecuted and reported to counter-terrorism for alleged misgendering by refusing to say a man is a woman is appealing his conviction. He has been sharing the Bibles message that we have all sinned by disobeying Gods laws for 15 years. The appeal of Dave McConnell, 42, from Wakefield, who was convicted in August 2022, is scheduled to take place Thursday and Friday at Leeds Crown Court, the group Christian Concern, whose arm Christian Legal Centre is supporting his case, said. McConnell was arrested under section 4A Public Order Act 1986 and convicted for offending a member of the public in Leeds City Centre on June 8, 2021, according to the group, which said he was reported to the governments counter-terrorism watchdog, Prevent, by the Probation Service, and ordered to pay a fine of $734 (620) and do 80 hours of community service. While preaching in Briggate, Leeds, a pedestrianized area of the city, McConnell was asked by a man who self-identified as a trans woman whether God accepted the LGBT community. The preacher said, No, God hates sin. So, this gentleman asked a question ... Members of the crowd interrupted him, shouting, Shes a woman! McConnell replied, No, this is a man, prompting a female member of the crowd to shout back, Shes just as much a woman as me! Despite the interruption, McConnell continued to calmly preach about what the Bible says regarding sexual sin and homosexuality, referring to the individual as this gentleman and a man in womens clothes. He was reported to Prevent despite there being no legal obligation to use anyones preferred pronouns in the U.K., Christian Concern added, expressing concern over a growing trend of professionals and members of the public losing their jobs or being prosecuted by the police for alleged misgendering. McConnell preaches that the Gospel is good news and that by believing in Jesus Christ, we receive forgiveness of all our sins, and can have an assurance of eternity in Heaven, the group said, adding that he believes the foundational Christian belief from Genesis 1:27 that we are born male and female. Ahead of the hearing, McConnell said: What has happened to me has been Orwellian and really alarming. When I was told I had been reported to counter-terrorism I just thought: What has happened to this country? How I have been treated has been totally unreasonable and should concern anyone who cares about Christian freedoms and free speech in this country. He added, I believe what the Bible says about how we are born male and female. I am not aware of any law that says I must use someones preferred identity that is clearly contrary to their biological reality. I would also challenge anyone who is preaching to a large and mostly hostile crowd while being assaulted and abused, to get everything politically correct while confronted by someone who is gender distressed. McConnells appeal is backed by expert evidence from Sex Matters campaigner Maya Forstater, and Toby Young, General Secretary for the Free Speech Union. Lawyers will seek to overturn his conviction by arguing that the police response was unlawful, disproportionate and interfered with his Article 9 and 10 rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. In June 2021, a Liverpool County Court awarded $4,500 plus legal costs to McConnell, who was earlier arrested by West Yorkshire Police in December 2019 for a hate-related public order offense and for preaching on gay rights and abortion. He was preaching the Gospel when some passersby began to heckle him, asking him questions about sexuality and abortion while he had not mentioned either subject. Christians in Pakistan flee homes for safety after blasphemy accusation LAHORE, Pakistan A third accusation of blasphemy in less than a month compelled Christians fearful of Islamic retribution to flee their homes in an eastern city in Pakistan this week, sources said. Muslim crowds, including members of Islamic extremist groups, blocked the main Sargodha-Faisalabad highway for hours on Sunday after mosque announcements urged people in Sargodha to protest posters allegedly bearing derogatory caricatures and comments about Muhammad, the prophet of Islam and his wife Aisha that were pasted on mosque walls. The situation was already tense in Sargodha after two Christians were arrested and charged with blasphemy, but this incident has put the security of the entire community at risk, former provincial lawmaker Tahir Naveed Chaudhry told Morning Star News. The Christian politician told Morning Star News that the 3,500 to 4,000 Christian families of Maryam Town, a suburb of Sargodha, panicked when they heard the announcements. The posters were pasted on a mosques wall in Green Town which is adjacent to the Christian settlement, Chaudhry said. As word of the alleged blasphemy spread, hundreds of angry Muslims started congregating on the highway raising fears of violence in Maryam Town. Thankfully, the police responded in time, and a large contingent was deployed on all entry and exit points of the colony. The handwritten posters also reportedly lauded the desecration of the Koran in Sweden last month and were critical of the Abrahamic tradition of animal sacrifice, he added. The mosque announcements accused Christians of being involved in the incident because the posters were purportedly written by an unknown soldier of Maryam Town, Chaudhry said. Hundreds of Muslims blocked traffic and burned tires on the Faisalabad road intersection near Maryam Town at about 10 a.m., threatening to take matters into their own hands if police failed to arrest the unknown offender within 48 hours, he said. The mobs dispersed after police registered a case under Sections 295-A, 295-B, 295-C, and 298-A against an unknown offender and also formed a committee of religious leaders to investigate the incident in coordination with the administration, Chaudhry said. Another source told Morning Star News that nearly half of the Christian population in the area fled their homes fearing attacks by Muslims. Christian settlements across Sargodha district were alarmed when they heard about the protests near Maryam Town, said Sanawar Balam, a member of the districts human rights committee. Though police were deployed in Christian neighborhoods, many Christian families left their homes due to fears of retribution. He said that at least 15 Christian men were taken into custody on Sunday based only on their identity cards stating Maryam Town as their address. Most of these men were picked up from the streets when they were shopping for groceries or going for some work, Balam told Morning Star News. They were released after interrogation but then more people were taken into custody on Monday and Tuesday. I believe there are four or five men still in police custody. Both Chaudhry and Balam expressed suspicions of a conspiracy against Sargodhas Christians. This third incident points to a deliberate attempt to spark religious unrest and target Christians, Chaudhry said. He added that Christians had not opposed arrests and interrogation of their members, because we want the real culprit or culprits to be arrested. We told police and Islamic leaders that Christians already live in fear due to the abuse of blasphemy accusations, Chaudhry told Morning Star News. Its highly unlikely that anyone would commit such a heinous crime and put the entire community at risk, so we have no objection to a fair investigation. Chaudhry said he and others had urged police to consider all angles in the investigation. The first call for protests was made from a mosque in Chak 49 Shumaali village, which is about four kilometers away from Maryam Town and is the same from which mobs were summoned in the Haroon Shahzad case, he said. There are two other mosques near the mosque where the blasphemous posters were found, but they did not initiate the call for protests. The police must investigate this aspect. Blasphemy allegations have led to mob attacks on Christian settlements, especially in Punjab Province. On July 8, police arrested Zaki Masih after a Sargodha area Muslim accused him of insulting Islam in a Facebook post. On June 30, tension gripped Chak 49 Shumaali village of Sargodha after a Biblical verse posted on Facebook by Haroon Shahzad was deemed to liken Muslims to pagans and disrespect animal sacrifice. Church of Pakistan President Azad Marshall condemned the incident and called for the protection of Christians living in Sargodha. No Christian can think of committing such an act, Marshall told Morning Star News. In fact, we have always condemned incidents of Koran desecration and supported efforts for religious harmony and mutual respect for each others faiths. He recalled previous death and destruction in mob attacks on Christian settlements of Shanti Nagar, Gojra, Koriyan and Joseph Colony due to blasphemy allegations, saying the provincial government and security agencies must ensure the security of Christian lives and property. The Lahore-based Center for Social Justice noted that 171 blasphemy cases were reported in 2022, 84 in 2021, 208 in 2020, 36 in 2019 and 61 in 2018. At least 2,120 people were accused of committing blasphemy between 1987 and 2022, and Punjab Province topped the list with more than 75 percent of the cases. Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2023 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, up from eighth the previous year. Detransitioners share regrets, speak out against body mutilation in 'Transgressive' documentary A new documentary produced by Fox News host Tucker Carlson examines the consequences of body-disfiguring transgender surgeries and highlights the stories of people who underwent experimental medicalization and how it impacted their physical and mental health. The two-part "Transgressive: The Cult of Confusion," which premiered last week on Fox Nation, features the first-hand accounts of people who once believed they were the opposite sex and underwent experimental hormones and surgeries but have since detransitioned and reintegrated into their natal sex following immense regret and bodily harm. The filmmakers take viewers on a journey, explaining in eight distinct stages how transgenderism functions and operates like an actual "cult." The project shows how struggling children are indoctrinated and sent down a pathway of irreversible harm. One such featured detransitioner is Helena Kerschner, a biological woman who started identifying as a boy at 15 and struggled with an eating disorder and depression. She explains in the film how the social media website Tumblr contains considerable content encouraging people to undergo a gender transition. Filled with regret over the decision several years later, Kerschner eventually stopped identifying as the opposite sex. "I had like a big realization moment where I just realized how much I just regretted this whole thing, and I was wrong, and that I'm not trans," she said. "And it was like the cloud just lifted, and I immediately became a normal person again. I immediately became myself again." Another detransitioner who testifies in the documentary is Walt Heyer, a biological man who previously presented as a woman named Laura Jensen. He is now using his experiences to help others through a website called "Sex Change Regret." He seeks to educate others about what he says are the harmful effects of attempting to change one's sex. He claims that around 60% of the people he works with were sexually abused as children. A 2018 American Academy of Pediatrics study and a 2016 study published in the Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology suggest that many children with a history of gender dysphoria have mental health or neurodevelopmental condition. However, more research is necessary before a definite conclusion can be made. In part two of the documentary, filmmakers highlighted Heyer's path toward recovery, noting how he struggled with substance abuse and nearly took his own life before his condition improved. "Eventually, I found my way to the Lord, Jesus Christ," he said. Offering a psychological perspective, Dr. Michael J. Bailey of Northwestern University delineated the three types of gender dysphoria: child onset gender dysphoria, autogynephilia and rapid onset gender dysphoria. Child onset gender dysphoria is when children express a desire to identify as the opposite sex at a young age. According to Bailey, these children typically outgrow this confusion. However, proponents of allowing youth to socially transition at young ages have argued that the desistance trends in gender dysphoric children are often overblown. The second form of gender dysphoria, autogynephilia, is seen in biological males with a strong urge to dress as women and possess female body parts. Individuals experiencing this form of gender dysphoria may start by dressing as a woman with the desire to have female body parts potentially motivating them to undergo surgery. Rapid onset gender dysphoria involves individuals typically female suddenly identifying as transgender without any prior signs. Interspersed with Carlson's narration, the Fox News host observes in the documentary that the "key to the success of any cult is to drive a wedge into the family." "If parents and family members do not capitulate to the new identity of the child, those relationships are labeled toxic and must be destroyed," Carlson said. On that same theme, Christian Post Senior Investigative Reporter Brandon Showalter highlights the conversations he has had with parents desperately looking for ways to help their children identifying as the opposite sex. "I've had some of these moms and dads in my house for dinner just to try and console them as they're grieving. They have nowhere to turn. They call me in absolute excruciating agony," he explains. "I've never heard such anguish and terror, utter horror and pain as they are sometimes forced to watch the slow-motion dissociation and chemical disintegration of their own children." Showalter has extensively documented numerous reports of operations done on trans-identified minors, including the removal of breasts and genitals. "By what standard of medical evidence are you legitimizing the removal of healthy body parts?" he asks in the film, referring to the practice as the "worst form of child abuse." Showalter has previously reported that a study claiming that puberty-blocking drugs yield positive mental health outcomes for trans-identifying youth contains several flaws. The study is titled "Mental Health Outcomes in Transgender and Nonbinary Youths Receiving Gender-Affirming Care," published in February on JAMA Network Open in partnership with Seattle Children's Hospital. The university ceased promoting the study after a series of profound edits. The data they initially gathered claimed that gender-affirming care which involves sterilizing hormones and body-altering surgeries "dramatically reduces" depression and is "lifesaving." A press release further claimed that interventions "caused rates of depression to plummet" in adolescents who identify as nonbinary or transgender. The research team also criticized efforts in Texas and Idaho to restrict or scrutinize "gender-affirming care." But journalist Jesse Singal noted several flaws with the study in an April 6 essay on Substack, claiming it revealed no statistically significant mental health improvement among those who underwent such procedures and therapy. Showalter has also reported on how consent documents obtained in 2020 by the California Family Council from Children's Hospital in Los Angeles indicate that giving experimental cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers to youth can cause infertility. The hospital has even warned patients and parental guardians that infertility is a side effect of prescribing such drugs. Showalter previously reported that in the United Kingdom, where they have centralized medical care and can compile the data more efficiently, reports of a 4,000% spike in the referrals of young people to the national gender service for gender transitions led to a formal investigation. The U.K. National Health Service announced this summer that it will close down the London-based gender identity clinic at the Tavistock and Portman Trust and move to a "new provider model through specialist children's hospitals." The announcement came in light of recommendations from an independent review and report that was critical of using experimental puberty-blocking drugs to treat gender dysphoria. "We do not fully understand the role of adolescent sex hormones in driving the development of both sexuality and gender identity through the early teen years, so by extension, we cannot be sure about the impact of stopping these hormone surges on psychosexual and gender maturation," Dr. Hillary Cass wrote in the report. "We therefore have no way of knowing whether, rather than buying time to make a decision, puberty blockers may disrupt that decision-making process." Abigail Shrier, author of Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters, notes in Part 1 of the documentary that gender dysphoria previously affected .01%, or roughly one in 10,000, males. For females, gender dysphoria affected one in 30,000. But today, the author claims that the number of females with gender dysphoria has increased to one in 20 college-aged women. Female military recruit forced to shower with biological men afraid to speak out, senator warns A female military recruit felt strong discomfort about showering and sleeping beside biological men but feared that raising her concerns with the Department of Defense's policy would negatively impact her military career, according to a report shared by a U.S. senator. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-S.D., shared the report during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last week about the unnamed woman after the South Dakota National Guard adjutant general informed him of the situation. The senator explained that the young woman encountered a situation during basic training where she had to sleep in open bays and shower with biological men undergoing the process of identifying as females. While the pair had not yet altered their sex through surgery, they were still documented as women because they had started chemical interventions to change their sex. According to Rounds, the 18-year-old felt "uncomfortable," but she didn't know how to handle the situation, fearing that she'd face "retaliation" for speaking out. The senator noted that the woman faced "limited options." "If she raised her hand, she feared she'd be targeted for retaliation," Rounds said. "She could have recycled, which would have delayed her freshman college start and would not have provided a guarantee of a different situation. She could request to leave the Guard for religious purposes and not be able to pursue her dream of serving our country." The committee's purpose last week was to hold a confirmation hearing for Gen. Charles Brown Jr., the current chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, who President Joe Biden selected to serve as Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman. Rounds asked Brown how he would handle a situation like this one. "Senator, one of the things I've thought about throughout my career, as you're being inclusive, you also don't want to make other individuals uncomfortable," he said. "And so, there's areas as we look at our policies and approaches and get feedback like this we have to look and see if we can improve on how we approach situations like this." Brown indicated that this is something that he has done throughout his career, and he will continue to do so. In a statement given to The Christian Post, a Department of Defense official said that it is the policy of the department that all service members "must be treated with dignity and respect." "We would encourage any National Guard member who's feeling uncomfortable or has concerns to work it through their chain of command," the official stated. As Rounds noted during the hearing, Brown's nomination comes amid an ongoing "recruitment crisis," which the senator noted is the largest one in the 50-year history of the U.S. Department of Defense's all-volunteer force. Regarding the reason for the crisis, some have speculated that the DoD has lost conservatives' trust due to a perceived liberal bias at the top and the embrace of certain policies. The Biden administration's policies, such as reversing the previous administration's order prohibiting trans-identifying individuals from military service, prompted backlash from some sources. In July 2017, former President Donald Trump announced that he had reversed the Obama administration's policies on trans-identified people serving in the military, citing the cost of paying for elective cosmetic surgeries and cross-sex hormones, estimated to be around $2.4 million and $8.4 million each year. "Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail," Trump tweeted at the time. Biden reversed the Trump-era policy in 2021, signing an executive order "that sets the policy that all Americans who are qualified to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States should be able to serve." Lt. Gen. Tom Spoehr, director of The Heritage Foundation think-tank's Center for National Defense, condemned the decision in a statement to CP. The policy expert accused the Biden administration of prioritizing "political correctness" over military readiness. "By overturning the current policy regarding individuals suffering from gender dysphoria, the commander in chief is signaling that he is more interested in social engineering than safeguarding the health and well-being of American service members," Spoehr said. "After considerable study, the previous administration found gender dysphoric people attempt suicide at about nine times the rate of the general population. Service members diagnosed with gender dysphoria are also nine times more likely to have mental health encounters with a professional." The military veteran highlighted the stressful nature of the job, noting that the suicide rates among military personnel are already higher than that of the general population. "It would be immoral to place individuals at higher risk from mental injury such as those suffering from gender dysphoria in a situation where they are likely to experience extraordinary stress," he said. Most Americans say allowing kids to use 'preferred pronouns' confuses them about sex, survey finds A majority of Americans believe allowing children to choose a preferred pronoun that does not correspond with their biological sex would only confuse them, according to a new poll. Researchers with Harvard's Center for American Political Studies and Harris Poll conducted a survey in May that asked over 1,900 registered voters whether children should be able to choose between using he, she or they, or whether they should be addressed by their sex. Nearly six out of 10 respondents (59%) said children should be "called by their sex." Forty-one percent of respondents believe "Kids should be able to pick their pronouns." Sixty-one percent of Democrats, 56% of respondents between ages 18 to 34 and 53% of respondents who lived in an urban region said the same. Republicans (77%) and independents (64%) overwhelmingly believe children should be referred to by their biological sex. The majorities of both male (60%) and female (59%) respondents agree. The survey also asked whether allowing kids to pick their pronouns is a move that "prevents discrimination against transgender students" or an "excessive measure that does more to confuse kids about their sex." A solid majority 60% said they believe preferred pronouns are an excessive measure that does more to confuse kids about their sex." The other 40% believe using pronouns preferred by children prevents discrimination. Parents (59%) and non-parents (58%) agreed that children should be called by their biological sex. Most respondents said they think teachers should be able to use whichever pronouns they prefer for their students, with 63% of respondents saying they should have discretion when it comes to pronouns in the classroom. A majority of Democrats (56%) and respondents aged 18-34 (54%) said teachers should be compelled to use pronouns that kids say they want to be used under penalty of losing their job, according to the survey. About 27% of respondents think it should be classified as "illegal discrimination" for failing to use someone's selected pronouns, while 73% said it should not be considered "illegal." The poll was conducted online in the United States from May 18 to May 19, 2022, among 1,963 registered voters. Results were weighted for age within gender, region, race/ethnicity, marital status, household size, income, employment, education, political party and political ideology where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in the population. Far from being hypothetical, the issue of using biological sex pronouns for trans-identified people which the LGBT community refers to as deadnaming has resulted in legal battles for many Christians, particularly those with careers in academia. A federal judge granted a temporary order last month in the case of a Kansas teacher suing her school district over policies requiring teachers to use the preferred names and pronouns of trans-identified students and hide those preferences from parents. U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter partially granted a preliminary injunction on behalf of Fort Riley Middle School teacher Pamela Ricard preventing Geary County Schools Unified School District 475 from disciplining her for not referring to a students preferred name and pronouns in her communications with a trans-identified students parents "within the regular course of her duties." In April, a Christian professor in Ohio who claims he was threatened with punishment by university officials in Ohio for refusing to use the preferred pronouns of a trans-identified student was awarded a $400,000 settlement and secured the right to avoid using pronouns that conflict with his beliefs. Last fall, a Pennsylvania university threatened disciplinary action against students who misuse pronouns, including misgendering, pronoun misuse, and deadnaming. In 2018, a school board in Virginia fired teacher Peter Vlaming because he wouldn't agree to use the preferred pronoun of a trans-identified student. Following his firing, a large group of students at West Point High School staged a walkout to protest the teacher's termination. Vlaming filed a lawsuit against the West Point School Board in October 2019. In 2021, another teacher was placed on leave in Loudoun County, Virginia, after he voiced concern at a school board meeting about a proposed policy that has since been enacted requiring teachers to use the preferred pronouns of their trans-identified students. A judge ordered the teacher's suspension to be lifted, and the Virginia Supreme Court rejected the school district's appeal. UK army vet may not be prosecuted for praying outside abortion clinic A British army veteran is claiming victory after a court reportedly cleared him of wrongdoing when he was punished for praying outside of an abortion clinic in the United Kingdom. The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, which is tasked with enforcing a buffer zone ordinance for a local abortion clinic, has decided to not pursue action against Adam Smith-Connor, according to a press release from the legal group ADF International, a branch of the Alliance Defending Freedom. According to ADF International, the council will not be pursuing prosecution of Smith-Connor within the statutory time limit after authorities concluded that silently praying outside of an abortion clinic is not an offense. Im glad that, in my case, common-sense policing won the day. However, its 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, stated Smith-Connor. It isnt 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. The Bournemouth Daily Echo published a story on Wednesday warning that Smith-Connors celebration may be premature, pointing out that proceedings can still be activated against the veteran. Summons must be filled with the court for approval within the six month period, but this does not mean the matter must be heard by the court within that time, explained The Daily Echo. A council spokesperson told the outlet that BCP Council reserves the right to take appropriate legal action and are currently following the court processes, however, we cannot comment further on any individual case. Last October, the council began enforcing a Public Spaces Protection Order around the British Pregnancy Advisory Service clinic of Bournemouth, which barred pro-life protests at the facility. In November 2022, Smith-Connor silently prayed outside of the clinic in memory of his son, who he paid his then-girlfriend to abort 20 years ago. Smith-Connor was approached by authorities and eventually fined for violating the ordinance, with the veteran refusing to pay the fine because he felt it violated his rights. Smith-Connor is one of multiple people who has been punished for peacefully demonstrating outside of abortion clinics in the U.K., leading members of the U.S. Congress to express concern about the climate of religious freedom in the British nation. In a letter sent in March to Rashad Hussain, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, members of the U.S. House of Representatives argued that the U.K. was on an unsettling path that could potentially result in existential threats to freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and even freedom of thought. As the United States and the United Kingdom share a special and uniquely close relationship, it is imperative that the U.S. speak boldly and clearly to its friend when the U.K. has failed to protect unalienable rights, read the letter, in part. A free people do not face legal persecution for exercising a natural right. We strongly condemn the actions of the municipalities and the potential legislation before Parliament to persecute Christians and other pro-life citizens for thought crimes. Ask Chuck: Is a college degree necessary anymore? Dear Chuck, Im 26 and single and would like to complete my business degree. I actually have a great job but keep thinking the degree would help me in the long run. Do you think it is worth it? (I would need a student loan for the entire amount of the degree if I decide to go full-time.) Degree or No Degree? Dear Degree or No Degree? Ill break this down into Maybe and No regarding your two questions: 1) Should you get a college degree in business? and 2) Should you get a student loan to attend school full-time? Do you need a degree in business? Well, it depends. I dont know what kind of field or role that you are currently in. If you are a specialist and need more education in business law or accounting expertise, I might respond differently than if you are in sales, marketing, or management or are a skilled tradesman. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are common among the worlds top CEOs. Many earn an MBA to strengthen management and leadership skills. However, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are college dropouts. In fact, many CEOs dont have any college degrees. While David Kang was a professor at Dartmouth Colleges Tuck School of Business, he began collecting data on where CEOs attended college. He told Fortune: The results were stunning. Like everyone else, I thought Ivy Leagues would dominate. But the largest place they had gone to was no college at all. Of the 500 CEOs on his list, those without an undergraduate degree exceeded any one institution. The Ivy League schools did not rank highest. In fact, he found that an elite degree is not as important as resilience, perseverance, and ability. Although 75% of the Fortune 500s top 20 CEOs had a graduate degree, some did not attain it until after achieving some professional success. The CEOs of five top-20 companies have no graduate degree, including Craig Jelinek at Costco and Mike Wirth of Chevron. Others go back to school after getting a start in business. In the right situation, some companies will pay for the education in exchange for a promise of loyalty to the company for a season after graduation. On-the-job education An article in Harvards Business Review explains that CEOs without college degrees proved themselves by excelling in three ways: Becoming a proven insider: Grow up in and gain specific knowledge of the industry because employers often prefer hiring insiders. Their understanding of the industry and relationships held within make up for a lack of formal education. They also stayed 25% longer in roles. If a strong track record is not held in a single company, try working in a small business or starting your own. CEOs without college degrees are twice as likely to be company founders than those with degrees. Overindex on results: Reliability and exceeding company expectations will draw attention. Your results are worth more than a degree. 56% of CEOs surveyed, who did not have college degrees, came up through sales and marketing departments. They also had almost twice the rate of military experience, where important skills and leadership tools were learned. Attracting talent: They built strong teams and trusted them to contribute their expertise. These CEOs were humble and open to ideas, regardless of someones status or rank. The CEOs who valued independence comparatively underperformed. Consider alternative forms of education Applying yourself in business is a great form of education and training. The Bible instructs us: Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:2324) Your unique talents, abilities, and willingness to work very hard will help you excel in careers where those are important. When a superior notices your accomplishments or praises your efforts, express your gratitude and the desire to take on more responsibility. Ask if they have any suggestions for you. Accept and pray through them with a humble, teachable heart. It is important to keep a resume current. When there is no degree to reference, highlight certifications, skills, accomplishments, and volunteer positions held. Organize it according to strengths, with the most current/relevant data first. Instead of going into debt to get a college degree, either go part-time and pay as you go or seek affordable alternatives. Here are at least 40 jobs that don't require a college degree. Also, check out optional routes to training you may need: Additionally, Crown has many online courses available to help you find freedom in your finances and career. Each of our courses is Biblically based, practical, and empowering. Did momentous event occur in predestination vs. free will debate? Even a casual observer of the Evangelical American landscape over the past half-century would be aware of the consistent, comprehensive, recurring and often combative discussions, debates and conversations about predestination vs. free will concerning Gods plan and purpose for the eternal salvation of human beings. It would be way too simplistic and misleading to outline the debate as being between polar opposites of Synod of Dort 5-point Reformed Calvinism and its polar opposite, Wesleyan Methodism. However, in its simplest form, the Synod of Dort formulation of T.U.L.I.P. (Total Depravity, Unconditional Election, Limited Atonement, Irresistible Grace, Perseverance of the Saints) represents the theological formulation most frequently associated with the 16th century Protestant Reformer John Calvin. The opposite of these 5 points would describe the Wesleyan-Arminian position. As one reads or listens to the discussions and debates, it is clear that American Evangelicals understand the importance of the questions at issue, and significant numbers of Evangelical Christians embrace and advocate for both positions as well as for numerous variations between the two opposite poles. Consequently, you have moderate Calvinists and semi-Armenians. In my own Southern Baptist faith tradition, you have had, and do have, numerous variations of these two theological formulations, with the exception that confessionally, Southern Baptists have always insisted on the eternal Security of the Believer or once saved, always saved, their terminology for Perseverance of the Saints. Personally, I have always been quite fond of the great English Victorian Baptist pulpiteer Charles Haddon Spurgeons terminology, the Perseverance of the Savior. Such variations of understanding help explain mediating statements like the following in the Baptist Faith & Message, the Southern Baptists confessional statement: Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of Gods sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. Theology is words (logos) about God (Theos). These particular words deal with issues of critical importance such as the extent of the atonement of Jesus on the cross. Who can be saved and how much choice does an individual have concerning his eternal destiny? In a larger context, it can be seen as a form of theological determinism vs. free will. Can anything happen that God has not freely predestined? Once in a while, as brilliant and devoted people apply themselves with determination and dedication to the issue, a truly exciting, provocative, extremely helpful, and instructive study surfaces which makes a major contribution to everyones greater and deeper understanding of the issues under contention and discussion. I am delighted to announce that just such an event has occurred within the last year. Dr. Robert Picirilli, long-time Professor of New Testament of Welch College (in the Free Will Baptist tradition) has produced a volume that I believe will be his magnum opus. Entitled God in Eternity and Time. A New Case for Human Freedom, this volume has been very well received by most of the participants in the discussion of these issues for its originality and insight. Dr. Picirilli has applied a lifetime of biblical scholarship to the issues involved and produced a book that makes compelling reading for anyone interested in a truly biblical theology. Picirilli argues that to construct a truly biblical theology, one should start with the Bible itself as the best evidence of Gods plan, believing that it is better to infer what God has decreed in eternity, from the Bibles account of how God acted in the history of man and the cosmos rather than starting with the classical decrees and imposing them on biblical revelation. This Scripture-first approach has produced powerful and important insights into such thorny issues as Gods will, human freedom and divine foreknowledge. God in Eternity and Time has been well received by all segments of the Evangelical community, and its irenic spirit has been much appreciated, drawing accolades from across the Evangelical theological spectrum. Dr. Tom Nettles, longtime esteemed Southern Baptist scholar, professor and strenuous advocate for the T.U.L.I.P., described God in Eternity and Time this way: Robert Picirilli has written about the most important subject human beings can discuss God and his relation to time and eternity. ... The authors style invites conversation with the text. It is fun to read and will help one reason with humility, always deferring to Scripture over philosophy and biblically unwarranted assertions. Picirilli takes issue with confessional Calvinism (determinism), middle knowledge, and open theism as outside the demands of the biblical text. ... I heartily recommend this book to all who want to engage a mind-clearing, spirit-elevating, theologically challenging, Bible-endearing exercise that will bear eternal fruit and give great clarity to what is at stake on the several sides of this important discussion. And remember, Dr. Nettles is in significant disagreement with Picirillis conclusions. I cannot recommend this book more highly than I do now. It is quite simply the best book on the subject I have ever read, which takes in some territory. Why are so many people so angry? If there is one emotion that has risen to the surface in recent years in America, it is anger. There is anger on the streets. There is anger online. There is anger wherever we turn. What is the source of it? Back in the 1960s, many young people were angry about the Vietnam War. Their siblings and friends were being shipped overseas to die, and some of them would be next. And for what? (I grew up in this era, born in 1955. This was hardly a theoretical concern.) You can hear the anger in the satirical song called Feel Like Im Fixin to Die Rag, made famous by Country Joe and the Fish. Yes, moms and dads, be the first ones on your block to have your boy come home in a box! There was also anger and frustration because many of us felt that the leaders of the world were taking us on a path to inevitable destruction. Why cant these adults get it right? To recapture the feelings of the day, just go back and listen to Barry McGuires Eve of Destruction. It was an anthem for many. There was also anger because of the incipient Marxist ideologies that caused us to question and even despise the American Dream. We had been sold a bill of goods by our parents. It was time to revolt. We have found a better way! Today, there is anger because of perceived (and real) social injustices today along with a twisted caricature of Americas past. We are, and have always been, an evil, white supremacist, racist state, built on the back of slaves. It is payback time today! There is anger towards the Church for its alleged hateful, homophobic, transphobic ideologies, and there is anger towards the Church for taking away a womans alleged right to abortion. It is time to revolt! There is anger because the expected job market after college has not been there. There is anger because, once again, the adults in the room are leading the world towards destruction, this time by global warming. There is anger because of the handling of COVID. There is anger towards Donald Trump. There is anger on behalf of Donald Trump. There is anger because the left is going further left and the right is going further right. The list goes on and on. What we know for sure is that human anger does not end well. It does not bring about justice or righteousness. It does not make for a better world. And for sure, it does not produce inner peace or bring lasting joy. Quite the opposite. It brings inner turmoil and depression and hopelessness. As Jacob (James) wisely wrote, Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires (James 1:19-20, NLT). Antifa can burn things down. It cannot raise people up. Raging feminists can pound on the doors of the Supreme Court and shout their abortions. But they cannot heal the wounds they themselves carry, nor can they bring back the lives they have chosen to end. Rightwing protesters can express their anger with the policies of the left, vilifying and mocking their ideological opponents. But in their carnal fury, they cannot elevate the spiritual or moral climate of the nation. Righteous indignation is good. It causes us to burn. It calls us to action. It drives us to our knees. It stirs us to say, Enough is enough! But it is made manifest, not with hatred and uncontrolled rage but with unconditional love, with self-sacrifice, with hearts of compassion, with backbones of steel, with faith, with courage, and with action. And just as it drives us to God, it helps us point others to Him as well. Only He can soothe the ache in our souls. Only He can fulfill our deepest longings. Only He can meet our highest expectations. Only He can set the captives free. Only He can transform a human heart. And so, we do not fight anger with anger or insult with insult. We refuse to get provoked in the flesh or wage war with the weapons of the world. We take the higher ground instead, even if it means getting low and serving. We do things the Jesus way, and by His grace, we have peace in the midst of the storm. That peace, which the world cannot attain at any cost, will be our calling card. You can be assured that many in this angry generation will take note. Some will even say, Please, tell me about this Jesus that you love. Perhaps He can help me too. We will tell them joyfully, He absolutely can! China seeking to export Communist-style Christianity around the globe, warns religious freedom charity China's reported plan to export a Communist-Christian hybrid around the world has been met with concerns and warnings from Release International, a UK-based organisation that supports persecuted Christians globally. In a recent broadcast training meeting for key pastors in China's Jilin province, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is reported to have urged church leaders to resist foreign church influences and so-called illegal religion. They also reportedly advocated for "Christianity with a Communist core to be exported around the world" and to "change the face of world Christianity", according to Release. According to Release, the Chinese government's policy of 'Sinicization' aims to compel churches to adopt the atheist ideology of the CCP, but the religious freedom charity warns that "atheism and Christianity can never mix". Release CEO Paul Robinson said, "This push to give Christianity a Communist core is yet another attempt to control and dominate the Church and force it to conform. "The policy is simply a smokescreen to mask the persistent persecution of the true Christian faith in China." The CCP is suspicious of any Western missionary support and the underground church movement, deeming them to be 'anti-Chinese'. Inside China, the policy of Sinicization has resulted in a ban on online religious content and the removal of over a thousand crosses from official churches. Release says the Christian community is currently facing its most "severe persecution" since the Cultural Revolution, with pastors who challenge the government, and the lawyers who defend them, being sent to prison. There are also reports of some churches being forced to display pictures of Mao and President Xi Jinping. Yet China has witnessed a significant growth in Christianity, says Release, leading to reports that there are now more Christians in the country than members of the CCP and that large numbers are leaving the government-controlled Three Self Church each year in favour of joining unofficial house churches, despite the risks. Some estimates suggest that the number of Christians in China has surpassed 100 million, possibly even reaching 130 million, accounting for almost 10 per cent of the country's population. Mr Robinson said, "Release International continues to call on China to permit full religious freedom and release its Christian prisoners of faith including lawyers who have raised legal challenges to the tearing down of crosses from churches." What were loving this summer: art books and exhibitions hand-picked by our specialists From mnemonic architecture in Venice to the clay masks of Ruth Asawa in California, Christies specialists advise where to go and what to read on the way 1 Alfredo Boulton: Looking at Venezuela Book selected by Charles Foley, Specialist, Wine and Spirits Exhibited at New Yorks Museum of Modern Art in 1946, Alfredo Boulton was an auteur photographer of equal class to Henri Cartier-Bresson or Richard Avedon. His pictorial and kinetic photographs of life in early 20th-century Venezuela are sensational. There is a Mapplethorpe style homoerotic charge to the images, a charming feel of a world that has silently slipped by and a balletic sense of movement and energy. Edited by Idurre Alonso, this major volume on the shockingly little known South American photographer dovetails with an upcoming exhibition at the Getty Center. Published by Getty Publishing, 2023 Open a larger version of this image Alfredo Boulton: Looking at Venezuela, 1928-1978, edited by Idurre Alonso, published by the Getty Research Institute 2 Gruppenausstellung Exhibition selected by Mei Y Giam, Director of Private Sales, Jewellery The Somerset outpost of Hauser & Wirth, located in a former farmstead in charming Bruton, is a favourite of mine. The clean, idyllic setting is perfect to stage art and the current exhibition is pure fun, bringing continental Europe to the English countryside. It is a bright and colourful multidisciplinary presentation from 20 different artists, including Nicole Eisenman, Lorna Simpson, Cindy Sherman and Rashid Johnson. The group presentation shows off their avant-garde, innovative ideas and concepts titillating and amusing. On view at Hauser & Wirth Somerset UK, through 1 Jan 2024 Open a larger version of this image Installation view of GRUPPENAUSSTELLUNG, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2023. Photograph by Ken Adlard. Courtesy the artists and Hauser & Wirth 3 The Faces of Ruth Asawa Exhibition selected by Andrew Lueck, Specialist, Chinese Works of Art Most people know the artist Ruth Asawa for her intricate woven wire hanging sculptures, but she also worked in many other mediums. Asawa produced many pieces in clay, including 400 clay life masks of friends and family that she displayed at the entrance to her San Francisco home. Now 233 of the masks are on view at the Cantor, expertly curated by Aleesa Pitchamarn Alexander, PhD. Open a larger version of this image The Faces of Ruth Asawa at the Cantor Arts Center at Stanford University. Photograph by Glen Cheriton Accompanying the exhibition are three pots thrown by Asawas son, the ceramicist Paul Lanier. The pots were a last wish of Asawas that her earthly remains be united in the clay with those of her late husband, Albert, and son Adam. This exhibition is an intimate and unique experience that is well worth the trip. On view at Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University, ongoing 4 Sayed Haider Raza Book selected by Nishad Avari, Head of South Asian Modern & Contemporary Art Published in conjunction with the recent retrospective S.H. Raza (1922-2016) at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, this major monograph edited by Ashok Vajpayee includes contributions from Homi Bhabha, Yashodhara Dalmia, Roobina Karode, Ashvin Rajagopalan and Gayatri Sinha that shine new light on the life and career of one of Indias foremost modern artists. Open a larger version of this image Sayed Haider Raza, edited by Ashok Vajpeyi, published by Mapin Publishing, Ahmedabad, in association with The Raza Foundation, New Delhi Razas own writings, extracts from his notebooks, correspondence with other artists and critical reviews of his work dating back to the 1940s add to the books comprehensive presentation. With illustrations of over 100 works, including previously undocumented ones from French and Swiss museum collections, this book is not only a joy to read, but a critical reference resource as well. Published by Mapin Publishing, 2023 5 Global Ikat: Roots and Routes of a Textile Technique Book selected by Louise Broadhurst, International Head of Rugs & Carpets The recent publication Global Ikat: Roots and Routes of a Textile Technique, by Polly Barton, Sumru Belger Krody, Shelley Burian, Duncan Clarke, Rosemary Crill, Martina DAmato, Linda S. McIntosh and Lee Talbot, is a joyous collaboration between some of the leading experts and offers a comprehensive guide to ikat, one of the most immediately recognisable and colourful forms of textile art. Open a larger version of this image Global Ikat: Roots and Routes of a Textile Technique, published by Hall Publications Limited, in association with The Raza Foundation, New Delhi This volume covers the history of these blurred, jagged patterns across a number of continents and discusses their social functions as both garments and furnishings, which were even more important than their beauty or utilitarian purposes. A fascinating read with tremendous variety, the book carries you on a journey along the silk route and beyond and is a testimony to the designers ambitious artistic goals. Published by The Historic Textile Research Foundation in collaboration with Hali Publications, 2023 6 Crown to Couture Exhibition selected by Charles Foley, Specialist, Wine and Spirits Fresh. Fun. Flashy. Kensington Palace, famed for housing Royal aunties and uncles and at one time, Princess Diana, has plunged headlong into haute couture. Beyonces golden high priestess of pregnancy dress is flanked by Beefeaters. Lady Gagas horned mask rests next to Royal masquerade wear. Chandelier gowns, campery and crinoline abound. This fabulous exhibition is Met Gala meets majesty. On view at Kensington Palace, London, through 29 October 2023 Open a larger version of this image Couture dress and coat by Thom Browne worn by Lizzo to Met Gala 2022. Photograph by Claire Collins. Historic Royal Palaces / Courtesy of Thom Browne 7 Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rule Breaker Exhibition selected by Jonquil OReilly, Specialist, Old Masters I had very high expectations for this exhibition but it still knocked my socks off. It explores the life and career of Lavinia Fontana, a 16th-century Bolognese painter who was the first woman artist to run her own workshop. Alongside her paintings are textiles and objects complimenting those seen in painted form, placing her works in context. They even have her marriage contract, which stipulates all the requirements of her husband to allow her to continue working; its fantastic. In her portraits of the Bolognese elite, she depicts the sitters finery in exquisite detail: crisp ruffs, glittering brocades and minutely described jewels. Even the lapdogs have earrings. What more could you want? On view at the National Gallery of Ireland, through 27 August 2023 Open a larger version of this image Lavinia Fontana (1552-1614), Judith and Holofernes, c. 1595. Oil on canvas. Unframed: 120 cm x 93 cm; framed: 137 cm x 110 cm x 6 cm. Photograph by Equipe Fotostudio Bologna (c) Fondazione Ritiro San Pellegrino 8 Partition Partage Exhibition selected by Nishad Avari, Head of South Asian Modern & Contemporary Art This extraordinary exhibition showcases works by Tyeb Mehta and Zarina and Nasreen Mohamedi from the collection of the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA) in New Delhi alongside Touch AIR, a specially commissioned film by Amit Dutta, and the architectural model of the museums new building designed by Sir David Adjaye, scheduled to be inaugurated in 2026. Open a larger version of this image Installation view of Partition Partage at the Venice Architecture Biennale, Adjaye Associates with Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, 2023. Photograph by Andrea Avezzu Courtesy of La Biennale di Venezia Responding to Mnemonic, the theme for the Curators Special Projects section in the Arsenale, the exhibition underlines the relationships between museums and memory, and the significant roles that institutions play in bridging past, present and future. On view at the Venice Architecture Biennale, through 26 November 2023 9 People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks Book selected by Andrew Lueck, Specialist, Chinese Works of Art The Pulitzer Prize winning author Geraldine Brooks has been in the news for her most recent book, Horse; however, I would recommend one of her earlier works, People of the Book. As a Specialist of Chinese Art at Christies, Id say that my job is a mix of Antiques Roadshow meets CSI. There is a lot of investigation and research that goes into authentication. Im often in awe of the places and people that the objects I work with have encountered. Brookss novel follows a Jewish Haggadah from its creation centuries ago by unnamed craftspeople, through wars and hardships, to modern Kosovo. The book gives a face and a life to the unnamed craftswoman who made this beautiful illuminated book and tells the story of the tumultuous events that led many of these works to their current homes in museums and private collections. Published by The Viking Press, 2008 Open a larger version of this image People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks, published by Penguin Books 10 Cartier: Beautes du Monde: High Jewelry and Precious Objects Book selected by Mei Y Giam, Director of Private Sales, Jewellery An irresistible coffee table book for any jewellery lover. This publication by Francois Chaille and Alberto Cavalli is a tribute to the maisons latest high jewellery collection, celebrating nature and cultures from around the world. The tome takes you on a global journey with Russian, Islamic and Asian aesthetics and traditions expressed in gems and jewels. Its a visual delight showcasing the best of the Cartier universe. Published by Flammarion, 2023 Open a larger version of this image Cartier: Beautes du Monde: High Jewelry and Precious Objects, by Francois Chaille and Alberto Cavalli, published by Flammarion Open a larger version of this image From Cartier: Beautes du Monde: High Jewelry and Precious Objects, 2023. Photograph by Bruno Ehrs Cartier. Courtesy of Rizzoli 11 Talking Threads Exhibition selected by Louise Broadhurst, International Head of Rugs & Carpets If you find yourself wandering around the streets of Rotterdam this summer, be sure to drop in to the Wereldmuseum, an ethnographic museum situated at Willemskade where the recently opened Talking Threads is on view. The exhibition displays a wide variety of embroideries from around the world and explores their significance as decoration, as a cultural expression, as a language through which stories are told and as an expression of group and individual identity. Open a larger version of this image Decorative Cloth, Otomi San Pablito, Mexico, before 1975. Factory cotton, lustre cotton. Courtesy of Wereldmuseum Rotterdam Featuring over 200 embroideries, many of which are drawn from the museums own collection, Talking Threads shines the spotlight on the often unknown makers. On view at Wereldmuseum Rotterdam, through 22 October 2023 12 Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians by Anna Reynolds Book selected by Jonquil OReilly, Specialist, Old Masters This book accompanies the Royal Collections fabulous exhibition on 18th-century fashion, which shows paintings alongside surviving garments of the period. Stockings, mens dress coats, wig powdering paraphernalia, court gowns with matching shoes, they even have a princesss wedding dress. Open a larger version of this image Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians by Anna Reynolds, published by Royal Collection Trust The book is incredibly well researched, and Reynolds writes in such an easy and accessible way. She covers everything from towering powdered updos to underwear and military garb to the 18th-century London rag trade. My dream coffee table book. Published by the Royal Collection Trust, 2023 EQS-Ad-hoc: IKB Funding Trust I / Key word(s): Miscellaneous IKB Funding Trust I: Notification of the acquisition of a larger number of TPS by a bank close to the issuer 21-Jul-2023 / 14:00 CET/CEST Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 MAR of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. IKB Funding Trust I WKN: 859275 ISIN: DE0008592759 Country: United States of America IKB Funding Trust I: Ad-hoc notification pursuant to Art. 17 MAR IKB Funding Trust I / Notification of the acquisition of a larger number of TPS by a bank close to the issuer 21 July 2023 Notification of the acquisition of a larger number of TPS by a bank close to the issuer On June 30, 2023, IKB Deutsche Industriebank Aktiengesellschaft informed IKB Funding Trust I that it had acquired Trust Preferred Securities from a third party in IKB Funding Trust I on June 2, 2023 with a nominal value of EUR 37,593,300. Report Type: Ad hoc notification Language: English Company: IKB Funding Trust I 1100 N. Market Street Wilmington, Delaware 19890 United States of America Internet: http://ikb-funding-1.com/ The U.S. Army recently created a novel new type of artillery that is based on U.S. Navy Mk 41 VLS (Vertical Launch System) and a fire control system using tech adapted from the Aegis air defense system. The army calls its version of all this navy tech the TWS (Typhon Weapons System). A TWS battery consists of five or more tractor-trailer vehicles hauling containers containing the equivalent of four VLS cells that are stored in a horizontal position and raised to a vertical position to launch its missiles. The army is currently only using two (Tomahawk and SM-6) of the many missile types that are launched from VLS. There is a fifth tractor-trailer carrying the command post and fire control center. This one battery has sixteen Tomahawk or SM-6 missiles. Additional tractor-trailers are built to transport reload containers with missiles. These trucks have equipment needed to carry out the transfer, which involves removal of the empty missile cell while replacing it with a loaded cell. Development of the TWS system began in 2021 when the army reactivated its 56th Artillery Command, which had been deactivated in 1991 because the Soviet Union had dissolved and the successor state, Russia, had a much smaller military, only 20 percent the size of the Soviet force. Russia agreed to a new IRNF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) treaty which banned the use of missiles with ranges from 500 to 5,500 kilometers, which is what the 56th Artillery Command was originally created to operate. In 2019 the U.S. left the IRNF because of Russian violations of the range restrictions. In 2021 the army was developing three new long-range missiles for use by artillery units. These missiles were to be ready by 2023. The new missiles include the Precision Strike Missile, with a range of 500 kilometers, a Mid-Range Strike Missile with a range of 1,600 kilometers and a Long Range Hypersonic missile with a range of 2,700 kilometers. All these missiles use existing tech and the army plans to use the surface-to-surface version of the navys SM-6 anti-aircraft missile and Tomahawk cruise missiles to provide long range missiles more quickly. The Long Range Hypersonic missile is a 7.4 ton, two-stage, missile that first reaches a high altitude and then turns towards the surface target like a ballistic missile warhead which travels at high speed because of that plunge from high altitude. The max speed of the Hypersonic Missile is about 2,100 kilometers an hour. This is 5,800 meters a second, which is four times faster than a high-powered rifle bullet. The Hypersonic Missile is not ready yet but the Tomahawk and SM-6 were. The return of the 56th Artillery Command and its new mission are part of a decades old trend in artillery. For example, in 2004, when the counter-terrorism campaign began in Iraq, it was quickly realized that artillery units were not needed. Smart bombs were far more accurate and effective. GPS guided Excalibur artillery shells did not show up until 2007. In the meantime, most artillery units were temporarily converted to light infantry, and performed security and counter-terrorism tasks. Eventually, many Cold War era artillery units were disbanded as obsolete with the arrival of GPS guided shells and GMLRS rockets. The GMLRS was a GPS guided version of the unguided MLRS rocket. Current GMLRS have a max range of 70 kilometers and the new GMLRS ER has a 140-kilometer range. There was also ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System, the large rocket fired from MLRS launchers). The original ATACMS had a range of 300 kilometers and a 230 kg (500 pound) warhead. A planned replacement for ATACMS called Deepstrike was renamed Precision Strike Missile. This is a thinner rocket so that two can be fitted into a MLRS container that currently holds one ATACMS. Deepstrike was designed to be capable of hitting targets 500 kilometers away and has more capable guidance system features. Deepstrike is not ready yet but ATACMS is still available. ATACMS is a 610mm ballistic missile that fits in the same size container that normally holds six 227mm MLRS rockets. The latest upgrades have been to the guidance system. In 2017 ATACMS was given the ability to hit moving targets, specifically ships at sea. ATACMS has sufficient range for that and the U.S. pioneered the development of terminal guidance systems for ballistic missiles in the 1970s (the Pershing mobile missile). Since then, the U.S. has developed similar guidance systems so that high-speed missiles can hit moving targets. It was not difficult to then develop a terminal guidance system for ATACMS that searches for a certain size ship and heads for it while moving at more than a thousand meters a second, which is faster than most bullets. The ATACMS guidance system has also received a proximity detonation capability so that it can be programmed to explode in the air above a target. All the current ATACMS needs is the GPS coordinates of the moving target (which can be on land or sea). Since max flight time (at max range) is only a few minutes it is easy to predict where the moving target will be based on aerial, satellite, or sonar detection. It takes less than a minute to update the guidance system and launch. If nothing else this will give potential naval foes something more to worry about and be a popular export item as well. Most current ATACMS are armed with a 227 kg (500 pound) high explosive warhead. The U.S. used over 700 ATACMS, most of them in Iraq and Afghanistan combat operations and their performance was excellent, especially the guided ones. Nearly 4,000 ATACMS have been built since the mid-1980s and about 70 percent are still available for another upgrade. In addition to those used in combat about three percent were fired for training or testing. ATACMS currently use GPS guidance to hit targets up to 300 kilometers away. In 2011 Version 1A-2 of the U.S. Excalibur 155mm GPS guided shell was cleared for use in combat. This is the extended range version, which can hit targets with precision up to 40 kilometers away with the M777 howitzer, or up to 60 kilometers with longer barreled howitzers. This was particularly useful in Afghanistan, where the then current (23 kilometer) shell was restricted by its short range. Even so, some veteran American artillerymen were firing their 155mm guns for the first time in four or five years, now that they were operating in Afghanistan instead of Iraq. While the Excalibur proved useful in Iraq, it didn't increase the workload of the few 155mm howitzers that were being used there. But Afghanistan was a different story, with the troops spread over a much larger area. This was the kind of situation that the new M777 towed 155mm howitzer was made for. The artillery battalions attached to combat brigades once more had something to do in Afghanistan. GMLRS was also very useful in Afghanistan, especially the HIMARS version which used a heavy truck to carry and launch six rockets, or two of the new Precision Strike Missiles. PSM is not yet available but HIMARS and its six guided rockets have proved to be very effective in Ukraine since the Russians invaded in early 2022. HIMARS and its 227mm GMLRS rockets were cheaper and had a longer range than 155mm Excalibur guided shells. Both were used in Ukraine, but the Excalibur shells were from the remaining stockpiles of these guided weapons. GMLRS is still in production because of greater demand, range and ease of use. TWS uses existing missiles with little modification. Tomahawk is already available in a land attack version for use from ships and has a range of 2,500 kilometers while carrying 450 kg warhead. The SM-6 is launched from SAM (Surface to Air Missile) launchers. SM-6 has been modified to go after land targets, including moving ones as well as the usual aerial targets, including hypersonic missiles. SM-6 is more expensive than Tomahawk because it is more accurate against small targets, even if they are moving. SM-6 is faster but has a range of only about 450 kilometers. Tomahawk cruises at about 490 kilometers an hour to obtain its long range. SM-6 speed is nearly ten times that of the Tomahawk. The longer ranges of the Europe-based 56th Artillery Command cruise missiles enable it to, if needed, hit targets in the Middle East or Africa. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form A year before Russia invaded Ukraine, senior American military commanders admitted that the U.S. was woefully vulnerable to enemy (Chinese and Russian) electronic warfare weapons during wartime. Recent wargames, accurately representing these enemy capabilities, finally got enough attention from senior commanders to make a serious effort to deal with the problem. These wargame exercises showed that China could shut down most American satellite and ground-based electronic communications and make American forces much more vulnerable than expected. This was not a new problem. For over two decades similar realistic wargames demonstrated this growing vulnerability but the senior military leadership did not respond effectively, or even admit there was a problem. There was, and its been around for over half a century. The United States had long suffered from ignoring the capabilities of enemy electronic weapons and getting away with it. This was common during the Cold War, when NATO and Soviet Union forces confronted each other along the Iron Curtain. This border divided Western Europe from Russian occupied East Europe from the late 1940s until the late 1980s. NATO air forces and navies took Russian electronic weapons seriously and often tested their aircraft to determine their ability to handle Russian electronic jamming and other electronic weapons. The land forces rarely tested, much less used these electronic weapons during training. NATO commanders may have ignored the problem but occasionally lower-ranking troops would accidently turn on their electronic jammers during a training exercise, causing chaos among American forces. Jammers were not supposed to be used during training because they would disrupt NATO communications and this problem was dismissed because a fix was always in the works. This seemed absurd to many NATO troops and commanders because it was known, from unclassified sources, that Russian troops trained to fight in a heavily jammed environment. That meant that Russian troops followed war plans that were not dependent on reliable electronic communications at all times, while their opponents tended to be unprepared. By the 1980s NATO forces finally took steps to deal with this problem and this bothered Russian commanders a great deal. In the 21st century satellite surveillance and communications are crucial. China has taken the lead in developing methods for disrupting enemy access to these satellite resources and minimizing the damage done to Chinese satellite capabilities. The Chinese are also emulating the Cold War Russian forces and training to continue operating under conditions where communications and aerial/satellite surveillance is diminished or absent. The latest American wargames accurately displayed these problems. Learning from the previous instances where these problems were dismissed, the wargame developers provided lots of documentation, most of it classified, to back up the wargame portrayal of the threat and its impact. Attention has been paid, but it remains to be seen if remedies will be found and applied in time. Another lesson learned during the Cold War was that you go to war with the forces you have, not the ones you are developing for use sometime in the future. An example of this occurred in 2023 when Russia deployed and used a new barrage jammer, which broadcast electronic interference on all frequencies and did so at greater distances than before. This was meant to disrupt the Ukrainian use of GPS guided weapons like GMLRS rockets and JDAM GPS guided bombs. American GPS guided weapons come with an unjammable INS (Inertial Navigation System) backup that continues to provide accurate guidance if the GPS signal is disrupted or jammed. The new Russian barrage jammer appeared capable of reducing the effectiveness of the INS backup by jamming the GPS signal quickly and farther away from the target. This meant INS received incorrect location updates and failed to perform as an effective backup for GPS. This was already recognized as a potential problem and, a year before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Israeli military announced that it was the prime backer of the new Advanced Navigation Technology Center. This new division of state-owned IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) will develop and manufacture a new generation of INS technology to complement or replace satellite (GPS) guidance. IAI did not provide any more details of the new INS technology, not even the name of the new system. IAI already develops and makes INS systems as unjammable backups for GPS systems but the future is seen as better INS. Larger U.S. firms often cooperate with new Israeli firms in developing new tech and receive access to the new tech at the same time Israeli forces do. The 21st century saw research in the U.S. and other industrialized countries developing new concepts and technologies that greatly improved INS accuracy and cost. By 2013 prototypes of new INS tech proved INS could be nearly as accurate as GPS and almost as small. Cost was still a factor, with the new INS still costing more than 10 times more than the current GPS. But this is all a big improvement over what has been available before. The new INS tech can now be used to more effectively monitor GPS and alert the operator that their GPS has either developed a problem or is being jammed. The new INS systems are also useful for some fast missiles that often lose their GPS signal as they maneuver. Another urgent chore for INS is to more effectively deal with the growing use of GPS spoofing (misdirecting). This involves EW (electronic Warfare) equipment that can mislead) rather than jam without alerting the victim that their navigation system might not be reliable. Thus, even with the ability of GPS anti-jamming tech to keep up with jammer technology, there is still a demand for a new INS. That has led to smaller, cheaper and more accurate INS systems. Aside from airlines and commercial shipping, there is not much of a mass market for these new INS systems because for most users, GPS is reliable enough to keep the INS gear out of the more cost-sensitive markets. But the demand from the airlines, shipping companies and the military is huge. INS tech is becoming a popular feature for high-end smartphones and other consumer items, because some smartphone and smartwatch manufacturers seek to use INS to automatically fill in if the user temporarily loses the GPS signal. Many Department of Defense navigation and electronics experts believe current anti-jamming efforts are sufficient to keep military GPS use viable for a while, but the improvements in GPS jamming and spoofing technology have been arriving faster than expected. Despite the secrecy about GPS disruption, since 2017 there has been growing evidence that Russia has been frequently jamming or spoofing GPS signals, mainly to hide the exact location equipment that allows GPS tracking. Developing equipment like this is easily within Russian capabilities. In early 2019 a report made the news revealing that there had recently been nearly 10,000 instances where someone, apparently Russia, had been jamming or spoofing satellite navigation signals. Not just the American GPS, but also signals from non-American satellite navigation systems but also the Chinese Beidou, EUs Galileo, Japans QZAA and even the Russian GLONASS. Much of this activity was not outright jamming but harder to detect spoofing. This was apparently done to conceal the true location of key Russian officials, like president Putin, and Russian military units. The spoofing was particularly common for Russian military forces in Ukraine and Syria. Spoofing replaced the actual satellite signal with a false one that rendered smart bombs or planned attacks on targets inaccurate. Spoofing can introduce the false signal gradually and sometimes delay a navigation system's realization that it is being deceived. Thats one function of INS, to act as a monitor for GPS as well as a backup. Current INS tech relies on receiving an accurate GPS location initially and periodically thereafter to keep both GPS and INS location data in sync. GPS depends on continuous satellite signals to operate and the INS is used to step in and replace GPS when the satellite signal becomes temporarily too weak, or absent. When an accurate GPS signal is achieved, INS goes back into standby mode. Spoofing can now mimic these momentary disruptions and evade detection as a false signal by the INS, which is completely self-contained. Israeli INS researchers are not the only ones seeking an INS that is accurate and persistent enough to replace GPS for extended periods. INS has long suffered from the inability to provide as accurate a location as satellite navigation systems while also suffering from drift as the gyroscope and acceleration capabilities now performed by microelectronics of the chip-based INS cannot maintain as continuously precise location as the space satellite-based system can. This is no longer seen as an insurmountable problem, nor is the large cost-difference between GPS and INS tech. Israel apparently feels it is closer to a solution than anyone else. Meanwhile, spoofing satellite navigation systems has become more popular and practical because it does not require expensive or high-tech equipment. While American weapons and military navigation systems have a backup in the form of unjammable INS systems, these are useless if the spoofing is not detected. American systems are supposed to detect spoofing and revert to INS but the Americans do not disclose details of how these systems work in order to make it difficult for spoofing systems to be modified to be less detectable. That is one reason why the U.S. has not released detailed information on spoofing incidents because some of them may have evaded the INS spoofing detection tech. To further complicate the issue, there have also been instances where mandatory AIS (Automatic Identification System) transponders, that all large ships must carry, are more frequently reporting instances of getting no GPS signal at all. Large ships usually carry two AIS units, in case one malfunctions so AIS failure can be ruled out as a cause. Something outside the ship is messing with the GPS signal. This demonstrates how it is possible to deceive the unjammable INS and new INS systems are sought that will eliminate that risk by replacing GPS most of the time. The new INS technology has attracted a lot of attention in the military as backups are always appreciated because when equipment fails in combat, or for commercial users like aircraft or ships, its literally a matter of life or death. Meanwhile, the U.S. is building and testing more compact GPS anti-jamming systems for smaller (as small as 200 kg/440 pounds) UAVs. This is part of a program to equip all American UAVs, even the smallest ones, with more secure GPS. While all UAVs can be flown by the operator, the GPS makes it a lot easier for the operator to keep track of exactly where his UAV is at all times, and sometimes the UAV is programmed to simply patrol between a series of GPS coordinates. If the GPS jams or fails, the operator can usually use the video feed to find landmarks on the ground and bring the UAV back to where it can be seen and landed. Other UAVs have a failsafe system for the GPS. When it is no longer available the UAV turns around and heads back in the general direction of the operator. This is better than just allowing the GPS-less UAV keep flying until it runs out of fuel and crashes somewhere, GPS reliability threats are coming from a few suppliers like Russia, China and North Korea. These nations have developed all manner of GPS jamming technology, and in 2019 it became public that the Russians were using GPS new spoofing technology to conceal the true location of senior leaders and some military units. In 2023 Russia revealed their high intensity barrage jammer that was so comprehensive and powerful that it also disrupted Russian communications and guidance systems. The new barrage jammer was still vulnerable to aircraft carrying one or more HARM (High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles) weapons. When released, HARM homed in on the source of the jamming and destroyed it. HARM was normally used to destroy enemy air defense radars, but they worked against the new Russian barrage jammers as well. These new barrage jammers are expensive and, while they are also mobile, Russia doesnt have a lot of them. Developers and users of GPS jamming gear tend to keep quiet about what they do because this sort of thing is illegal in peacetime, especially when civilians experience GPS disruptions themselves. When the United States tests military GPS jamming, it does so at sea or in remote areas and warns nearby civilians who might encounter GPS problems to be aware of the tests and act accordingly. This warning policy has been in use for decades because of the growing number of new electronic equipment designs that could cause problems for civilians if the disruptive effect extended farther than expected. Other nations are not as secretive in complaining and often the culprit is Russia. In late 2018 Finland and Norway went public with their accusations that Russia deliberately jammed GPS signals in northern Finland and Norway from a location near the Russian military bases in the Kola Peninsula on the Barents Sea. The jamming took place as NATO held its largest training exercise since the Cold War ended in 1991. Russia denied any responsibility even though they are known to possess long-range jammers for GPS and other signals. Norway said they had tracked the jammer to a specific location but when Russia refused to admit any involvement Norway refused to explain how they tracked the signal because that would provide Russia with information on Norwegian EW (Electronic Warfare) equipment that might be useful to them. In late 2020 Iran was caught testing spoofing tech at a military facility in the capital Tehran and trying to keep it secret. It is not known if the Iranians developed the spoofing tech themselves or received it from Russia or China. Until the appearance of the new spoofing tech, GPS jamming had little or no impact on the NATO military exercises and even commercial airliners operating in the area had INS backup in case GPS signals were not working properly. The potential victims were civilians with smaller aircraft or on the ground who depend on commercial navigation gear using GPS. Then again, that may have been the point because Russian firms have long been producing a wide variety of GPS jammers that are generally ineffective against military GPS users but would be useful for criminals, terrorists or anyone involved in irregular warfare, as Russia has been in Ukraine since 2014. As for the damage to diplomatic relations with Norway and Finland, these two nations need no reminders of what a bad neighbor Russia is and historically has been. GPS spoofing equipment has also found a market among criminal gangs. This was first encountered during 2018 in Shanghai, China where local gangsters were found to be using technology for spoofing GPS signals. Shanghai was just the beginning because this spoofing tech was subsequently encountered in twenty other Chinese coastal cities where gangsters ran profitable smuggling operations. The Chinese GPS spoofing was implemented differently from the Russian method. The Russian spoofing would make all GPS devices in an area appear in the same position instead of the many different positions they actually were. In contrast, the Chinese spoofing, when active, would show individual ships each in a different location but always around the same central point that was apparently where the spoofing signals were broadcast. This produced what was called a crop circle pattern. This was first noted by crews of ships slowly entering the port of Shanghai. While doing so they would watch the location of other ships via their AIS transponders. By international law, all large seagoing ships were required to carry and use AIS equipment, which constantly broadcast the GPS position of the ship. But there were cases where ships suddenly saw the AIS positions of ships near them change. The bridge crew could see, often with/or without, the use of binoculars, where the other ships actually were while, at the same time, the AIS display was showing them somewhere else within a circular area. After a few minutes, AIS signals would accurately report location again. In situations like this, it was noted that no GPS receivers onboard were receiving a signal, nor were GPS devices ashore that were within the circle. The Chinese government denied responsibility for this GPS spoofing and blamed it on smugglers who apparently use the spoofing device to avoid being caught by the police while a smuggler ship was carrying illegal cargo. In one case the smuggler was caught anyway, because of an accident caused by the spoofing, and the smuggler ship was found to be carrying sand illegally obtained nearby and being taken out of the port for sale elsewhere. Sand mining had been banned in this region because this valuable commodity was in great demand elsewhere and exporting more of it was damaging the environment. GPS spoofing declined during 2020 but China revealed no details about what happened. In the past China has given local hackers a choice between going to prison or quietly working for the Chinese government. Russia uses similar tactics as do many other governments. One thing that was noted about the Shanghai Spoofer was that the spoofing often took place around oil terminals where ships smuggling oil for Iran or to North Korea often operated. The governments of Iran and North Korea also noticed this and could have received useful information on how the Shanghai spoofing gear worked. Thats one of the conspiracy theories popular with many Iranians and South Koreans. MBABANE Prime Minister (PM) Cleopas Dlamini says Eswatini and the Republic of South Africa (SA) are more or less the same. He said this during a courtesy visit by former SA President Thabo Mbeki. Mbeki had paid a courtesy visit to His Majesty King Mswati III, who was represented by the PM. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Pholile Shakantu was also part of Cabinet ministers who welcomed the former SA head of State, who was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Max Boqwana. Mbekis visit to the country is to deliver a key note address at Waterford Kamhlaba United World Colleges Africa Week commemoration event, which will be held today. The Africa Week is a Waterford Kamhlaba student-led initiative that ran from Wednesday and will end on July 29, 2023. The PM, during the courtesy visit which was at Cabinet, conveyed apologies from the King. He stated that the King returned late from his trip to Lesotho where he had attended the 60th birthday celebration of the Basotho King. Remarked The PM, who was full of smiles, welcomed Mbeki to the kingdom and remarked that Eswatini was a second home for many SA nationals. The ANC and Eswatini have a very long standing relationship that dates back to King Sobhuza II, he said. Adding, Dlamini stated that Eswatini and SA were not just neighbouring countries but they were more or less the same. He highlighted that some of the languages spoken in South Africa were also official languages in the country and even the people looked more similar. He noted that Mbeki was in the country for the event that would be taking place at Waterford. Dlamini said most great world leaders were from Waterford Kamhlaba, including South Africans. He added that he also attended tertiary education with some South Africans, who were the schools alumnas, including Lindiwe Sisulu, among others. He highlighted that the school had maintained its name for years and he was hopeful that more leaders would visit the country. Mbeki said he was pleased to be in the country and be welcomed by the head of government. He mentioned that the prestigious school invited him a month back. Invite To tell you the truth, after receiving the letter of invite, we forgot to respond because we are too busy but at the back of our minds, we thought we had responded, until they spoke to us recently, he said while laughing. Overall, Mbeki said it was an honour to be invited by such a school, with a rich history. He mentioned that he made it a priority to pay a courtesy call to His Majesty, because the last time he was in the country he failed to do that. Mbeki said when he was in the country years ago, he attended a birthday celebration of his cousin Poppy Khoza, and he learnt after he left the country that he was supposed to pay a courtesy call, given the fact that his safety was looked after by state security. He said for that reason, he felt it was imperative to pay a courtesy visit to the King. Primeste notificari pe email Nota bene: Adresele email cu extensia .ru nu sunt acceptate. Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele By Chalabala, Adobe A childrens mental health charity in Scotland has raised concerns that the police had not told it that one of its employees had been charged with sexual offences. The BBC reports that Morgan Prior was hired by Place2Be in April 2021, a month after he had been charged with rape and sexual assault. Place2Be said it was only informed of the offences more than two years later when he was convicted of two serious sexual offences in the High Court on 5 June this year. The charity said it immediately put its critical incident procedures into place, and terminated his employment. Charity not notified about charges The charity carried out a review of its processes in the recruitment of Prior. We are confident that at each stage, process was followed in line with our approved safeguarding procedures, it states. The charity confirmed that his employment references and security checks, including the protecting vulnerable groups check (PVG) conducted by Disclosure Scotland with Police Scotland, came back completely clear. Moreover, no alerts were raised by Disclosure Scotland ahead of making him a job offer, and none were received subsequently. In line with all organisations, our employees are required to give truthful answers to the questions put to them at application and through the interview process; and to inform their employer if they are charged with any offence. This individual did not disclose this information to us at any point, it added. Place2B contacted Disclosure Scotland and Police Scotland to understand why Place2Be was not notified about the charges against Prior. Disclosure Scotland said they could only reveal information that was shared by Police Scotland, who has decided not to disclose this information. The charity added: We accept that the right to a fair trial includes the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, we are concerned by the implications of Police Scotland choosing not to disclose the information in this case. All organisations working with children and vulnerable people will want assurance from Disclosure Scotland and Police Scotland that the PVG system is robust and fit for purpose. Police Scotland to conduct a wider review The charity contacted Police Scotland, and on 20 June 2023 received a written response. In their letter, the charity said, Police Scotland acknowledged the legitimate public concern around the Prior case, along with the importance of maintaining public confidence in the application of the PVG scheme. A statement from the charity reads: Police Scotland confirm that they considered the disclosure of Priors non-conviction information on various occasions and reached their decision not to disclose the information after applying their tests to the facts and having conducted a peer review. They confirm that there have been a number of discussions around this case and that they will conduct a wider review of the current thresholds for disclosure of non-conviction information, which will be carried out in conjunction with Disclosure Scotland. This review will also consider any learnings from the case. We are encouraged by this commitment and have responded to say we welcome the opportunity to offer our input into this review process. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: Police Scotland has confidence in the PVG scheme, and our application of the necessary tests regarding relevancy, accuracy, necessity, currency, proportionality, and the impact on the human rights of applicants, PVG scheme members and others. We have engaged with relevant organisations to address concerns with regards to this case. As a result, we are undertaking a wider review of the current thresholds for disclosure of non-conviction information, working alongside Disclosure Scotland. This review will consider any learning from this case, and to ensure our collective and whole system approach to disclosure of such information maintains public confidence and also reflects the most up to date case law in relation to such matters. Place2B has also notified the Charity Commission, OSCR and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy of this incident. On Tuesday, as prosecutors sparred with Donald Trumps lawyers over a trial date for mishandling secret official documents, David Harbacha top deputy to Jack Smith, the special counsel in the casebatted away a claim that Trump would receive a fair trial only after the 2024 election, when media interest in him might be expected to die down. The publicity surrounding Mr. Trump, Harbach said, is chronic and in some sense permanent. For Ron DeSantisthe governor of Florida and Trumps rival for the Republican nominationthat has come as a hard truth in the course of a campaign struggling with underwhelming polls, financial strains, and Rupert Murdochs waning enthusiasm. That may have been one reason why, on Tuesday afternoon, DeSantis appeared with CNNs Jake Tapper, granting his first major interview as a presidential candidate outside the echo chamber of right-wing media. Moments before DeSantis sat down with Tapper, however, Trump-mania kicked in again, as Trump made an announcement via his Truth Social platform: Smiths office had notified him that he is a target in the federal investigation of the January 6 insurrection. Trump is likely to face more charges in the near future. The Trump team denied that the announcement was timed to derail DeSantis, but it inevitably had that effect; Tapper asked DeSantis to respond to the news and aired that exchange at the top of his show, then cut away from the interview for further discussion of Trump. Only later did Tapper air the rest of the conversation with DeSantis, which touched on abortion, Ukraine, and supposed wokeness in the military, as well as his flailing campaign. (Not on the menu: any real discussion of DeSantiss authoritarian record in Florida.) Up to now, DeSantis has both spurned mainstream news outlets and relentlessly bashed them. Bob Norman, a longtime journalist in Florida, wrote recently for CJR about the strange, aggressive press strategy of DeSantis, who summed up his approach on a conservative podcast last year: Dont work with them, he said of the media. You gotta beat them. As Norman observed, The governor employed that exclusionary and combative strategy when he made his technologically disastrous announcement to run for president on Twitter, a place he and his state-funded press office have routinely used to troll and browbeat reporters. Moreover, DeSantis backed House Bill 991, legislation aimed at gutting First Amendment press protections and making it easier to sue newspapers for defamation. I had wondered, going into the Tapper interview, whether DeSantis might try to browbeat him, using Tapper as a prop in a piece of anti-media political theater. In the event, he was solicitous, almost oleaginously so. He did bring up a CNN poll that underestimated his strength when he ran for governor in 2018, but he was careful to exonerate Tapper of any involvement there; at the end, he told his host, I appreciate ya. DeSantiss talking pointsand, particularly on abortion, non-answerswere the same as ever. But he sounded almost, well, normal. DeSantiss difference in tone, of course, should matter far less to the press than what he says. But his CNN performance does seem indicative of his campaigns aimlessness. A few weeks ago, following his disastrous, insular Twitter launch, I wrote that as much as his antipathy toward journalists might be genuine, DeSantis is also clearly an opportunist, and that it wouldnt be a surprise to later see him soften his edges and broaden his outreach, including through more conventional media sit-downs. Id foreseen that happening if DeSantis were to win the Republican primary and need to reach a broader electorate; the fact that he is already taking the leap shows that dwelling only in right-wing fever swamps isnt working for him even at this stage. I also wrote that pivoting would involve self-imposed limitations: DeSantis has made contempt for the mainstream press so central to his persona that hell likely find it hard to back off, even if he wants to. The Tapper interview, to my mind, underscored those limitations. Its hard to imagine Trump supporterswhom DeSantis is clearly trying to peel off by outflanking Trump on the rightbeing impressed that he appeared on CNN; its equally hard to imagine anyone who appreciated seeing DeSantis on CNN also being impressed by him trying to outflank Trump on the right. Mainstream-media exposure is one thing; using it to your political advantage is another. A Jake Tapper interview will not turn around a campaign thats in the doldrums. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Shortly before DeSantis appeared on CNN, the authors of Politicos Playbook newsletter argued that he failed at running the campaign of a frontrunner, and is now restyling himself as an insurgent. At least on the media front, the insurgent candidates that have so far succeeded in getting their messages across in the primary (Chris Christie perhaps foremost among them, as I also wrote recently) have done so via old-school schmoozing with the mainstream mediaand by scratching our chronic Trump itch by attacking the former president head on. Neither of these options realistically seems open to DeSantis, who cant simply force us to memory-hole his extensive record of Trumpism and Trumpian media-bashing. Barring a major plot twist, when we come to remember how DeSantis treated the press, Normans depiction is more likely to be front of mind than the awkward schmoozing with Tapper. You can read my recent newsletter on DeSantiss media strategy here, and Normans piece here. Other notable stories: ICYMI: One reason DeSantis is struggling? His strange, aggressive press strategy Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop. A day after the Louisiana Supreme Court announced that it is lifting a stay on hurricane-damage lawsuits filed by McClenny Moseley & Associates, state Insurance Commissioner James Donelon on Thursday issued a directive warning insurers not to use a letter of representation from the law firm as an excuse not to communicate with claimants. It has been suggested to me that some insurers are refusing to communicate with policyholders solely because they have received a letter of representation from MMA, Donelon said in Directive 221. The letter of representation from MMA is no longer valid given that this firm is absolutely prohibited from practicing law in the state of Louisiana. Therefore, the LDI will not now consider this a valid reason to excuse an insurers obligation to communicate with their policyholder, as La. R.S. 22:1896 prohibits an insurer from this type of business practice. Owners of property damaged by Hurricane Ida have only a few weeks to file damage claims. The storm passed through Louisiana on Aug. 29, 2021 and the state has a two-year statute of limitations. MMA admitted during court hearings that it mailed 856 letters of representation to insurers when it did not, in fact, represent the property owners. The law firm actually filed hurricane damage claims for those properties because it represented Apex Roofing and Restoration and other contractors. That admission led to a series of court hearings that resulted, first, in district court judges barring the law firm from pursuing lawsuits in Louisiana federal courts and then an order on May 10 by the Louisiana Supreme Court barring MMA from prosecuting any storm-related lawsuits in the state system. The Louisiana Supreme Court also suspended the law license of R. William Huye III, managing partner of MMAs New Orleans office, while the state Bars Office of Disciplinary Counsel investigates his actions. The Louisiana Insurance Department fined MMA $2 million for fraudulent behavior, which also included presenting demands for payment and negotiating settlements with insurers without the authority of or even the knowledge of the policyholders. The insurance commissioners directive tells insurers to contact Magistrate Judge Michael North with the Eastern District of Louisiana if they are trying to determine if their policyholder has obtained new counsel. The judge is compiling a list of former MMA clients whose lawsuits were stayed. David Caldwell, executive counsel for the Insurance Department, said Friday that MMA was involved in numerous claims that were never litigated. In many of those cases, the insurer issued settlement checks made out to MMA. Normally in that situation, the law firm would cash the checks, take out a fee for its services and send the remainder to the policyholder. But MMA cannot cash any settlement checks because it is has been suspended from the practice of law, Caldwell said. In some instances, MMA is not entitled to any fee because it never actually represented the policyholder. Caldwell said the each case has to be resolved independently. He said the department is working with insurers and policyholders in an attempt to resolve issues without the insurer or property owner filing a declaratory action which can cost $5,000 in legal fees. Its a mess, Caldwell said. Its unprecedented. Weve never seen this scale of fraud before. The state Supreme Court issued an order on Wednesday that will lift its stay on MMA lawsuits on Aug. 16. The court explained Edward J. Walters, a trustee the court appointed to manage the transfer of the law firms case files to other attorneys, reported that he has completed his work. The courts order authorizes judges to stay proceedings for up to 30 days if new attorneys taking over MMA files need more time to prepare their cases. New Orleans insurance defense attorney Matthew Monson, whose complaints about MMA led to the law firms downfall, said the law firm is involved in an estimated 6,000 to 7,000 claims, but not all of them resulted in lawsuits. He said he doesnt expect any increase in litigation because the stay is being lifted. The two-year statute of limitations on Hurricane Ida creates a deadline of Aug. 29, 2023 to file lawsuits, so we expect an increased volume as the deadline approaches, he said. Top photo: Mud and debris surround damaged homes after Hurricane Ida in Ironton, La. (David Grunfeld/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP) NEW ORLEANS (AP) New Orleans is being sued by the family of a teenager crushed by a massive tree limb in a historic French Quarter park. The 17-year-old is still in the intensive care unit, the family`s attorney said at a Wednesday news conference. The teen suffered catastrophic brain, facial and spinal injuries on July 7, according to the lawsuit. The limb fell directly on his head and pinned him to the ground for many minutes before he could be released from the limb, the attorney, Morris Bart, said. The family was visiting New Orleans` Jackson Square, a popular tourist destination, from New Braunfels, Texas, when the teen was injured. The lawsuit says the branch snapped as he, his mother and brother sat on a nearby bench. His family was not harmed. An urban forestry consulting firm, a tree-trimming company and a construction company are also defendants in the lawsuit, filed on behalf of the teen`s parents in a state district court. The lawsuit does not specify a dollar figure for damages. The lawsuit says the tree had been in critically poor condition for some time and that a construction company working nearby didnt protect the trees roots. Damage to roots can harm a tree and lead to the failure of a limb, the lawsuit said. It also said the city failed to take action to keep people out of harms way, even though another limb had fallen days earlier. A city spokesperson declined comment, citing a policy against commenting on litigation. MANZINI Nozipho Gamedze is the new Mayor of the hub of the country - Manzini. Gamedze, who represents Ward 11 (Extension 7 (Wilmer Park), Manzini, light industrial area and Mkhosi Township, was the only nominee for the position of mayor. She was elected mayor after accepting the nomination from the councillors yesterday afternoon. In order to ascertain if there would be any other nominee for the position, the Chairperson of the meeting, who is also the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Municipal Council of Manzini, Lungile Dlamini, informed the councillors that they would wait two minutes as per their constitution. Position Subsequent to the two minutes, Gamedze ascended to her new position. It was the same case with her deputy, who is Ward Six (Woodmasters, the area below the Central Distributor road and around Leites Motors) Councillor, Wesley Dlamini. He was also the only nominee for the position of deputy and the same applied as there was a two-minute wait to establish if any other nominee would come to the fore. However, during the two-minute wait, the Councillor for Ward 7 (Sterkstroom, Mangwaneni and the area around Manzini Central High School) Khanyisile Mamba raised her hand, seeking to address the meeting in the Municipal Council of Manzini Chamber. As the other councillors suspected that she had an objection to the nomination, Mamba requested that the airconditioner be switched off as it was affecting her. This drew laughter from the other councillors and the people in the gallery, who were mostly from the various media houses. Leading to this, Mamba had prayed for unity among them even if she lost the election of being mayor of the city. This had also drawn murmurs and laughter as some of the councillors claimed that the prayer was personal. On the other hand, Wesley, after the lapse of the two minutes, also assumed the position of deputy mayor and set next to Gamedze at the head of the table, wherein the mayor had been seated aside the CEO. Subsequently, the councillors voted for the chairperson of the finance commitee and his deputy. Just like the position of the mayor and deputy mayor, these two positions of the committee had one nominee apiece. Ward 4 Councillor (Ngwane Park Township, Ngwane Park Extension, Sihlahleni, Ndumbu, Ticancweni) Xolani Masuku was elected the chairperson of the committee while Ward 9 (Moneni, Masekweni, Inyoni Park) Mzwandile Nkambule was elected his deputy. On the other hand, the mayor, in his speech, appreciated the trust the councillors had in her to lead them. She emphasised the need for unity and working as a collective given that the tasks at hand needed the expertise of the management of the Municipal Council of Manzini, the councillors and the residents of the city. CLEVELAND, Ohio Police on Friday arrested the boyfriend of a Bedford woman reported missing earlier this week. Formal charges have not been filed against the man. Police officials said they are still searching for the mans girlfriend, Breneisha Lightfoot, who was reported missing on Tuesday. We currently have a lot of new information and evidence to process, Bedford deputy police chief Rick Suts said. Police declined to answer further questions or provide a statement, citing the on-going investigation. Lightfoots family reported her missing on Tuesday, one day after her birthday. Family members told police they were unable to contact her and became concerned because that was unusual for Lightfoot. Officers went to her apartment on Turney Road, east of Lee Road, and found evidence indicating someone may have been seriously injured, police said. Earlier this week, Lightfoots cell phone was found about10 miles away in the yard of a home near East 59th Street and Chester Avenue in Cleveland. CLEVELAND, Ohio A store in Westlake is accused of selling nicotine and illegal THC vapes to teenagers, officials said. Westlakes law department on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against Magic Flash on Center Ridge Road. City officials are seeking a judges order to shutter the business as a public nuisance. The case is assigned to Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer ODonnell. Westlake Law Director asked for a preliminary injunction to temporarily close the business. A hearing date has not yet been set. The Westlake Police and my office have received ongoing complaints about this business selling tobacco and marijuana to underage patrons, Westlake Law Director Michael Maloney said in a statement. These complaints date back many months and were continuing even as we filed this complaint. It was time to address the problem. Magic Flash owner Khaled Askar, who is named in the complaint, has twice been charged with selling prohibited items to underage persons. Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reached out to Askar, 18, for comment. No attorney is listed in court records for Askar. The lawsuit comes after a police investigation that began in September, when citizen complaints began pouring in, according to the lawsuit. Parents accused the store of selling vape pens as well as marijuana and psychedelic drugs to juveniles, court records show. Askar used Snapchat to communicate with minors and advertise the store, according to court records. Westlake officers stopped several juveniles who bought vapes and THC paraphernalia at the store, police captain Gerald Vogel said. The juveniles were either charged in Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court or referred to Westlakes diversion program. Police used the traffic stops, tips from the community and, in one instance, a report of theft, to trace the sales back to Magic Flash, according to Westlakes court filing. In February, a man called police reporting his wallet was stolen from the Westlake Recreation Center. Police later found that a juvenile used the stolen credit card to buy $169 worth of items at Magic Flash, according to court records. The juveniles had reported that they had not even been carded, Vogel said. They were too young to buy even legal vape products let alone the THC vapes that are not legal to sell to anyone. Police also searched the store and spoke with employees. Officers reported finding one employee possessed eight sealed bags of marijuana. We see this as a direct threat to the good order of the city of Westlake and especially the children who live, work or come to Westlake, Vogel said. Selling prohibited merchandise to kids will not be tolerated. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Whistles have been blown on Whistleblowers who have been shown to be blowing nothing more than dog whistles against President Joe Biden and his son Hunter. The whistleblowers have been discredited by being charged as an agent for China, and by by the lead prosecutor in the Hunter Biden case, who happens to be a Trump appointee. Gary Luft, who had long been hyped by Republicans as a critic and whistleblower against President Biden has been indicted by the Department of Justice for being an unregistered foreign agent for China and for violating U.S. sanctions against Iran. Luft is a dual U.S./Israeli citizen who is the co-director of a Maryland think thank. Luft is currently a fugitive, so he was not at this weeks House Oversight Committee hearing where two IRS Agents/Whistleblowers testified, and Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene trashed the Committees credibility even more by showing X-rated photos of Hunter Biden having sex with alleged sex-workers. Kirtland, Ohio native, Joseph Ziegler, who was the lead IRS Agent on the Hunter Biden case, and his IRS supervisor, Gary Shapley, claimed that Hunter Biden had been given preferential treatment by the D.O.J. Ziegler is also a graduate of Ohio University and John Carroll University. Contrary to what Ziegler and Shapley claim, the facts are the lead prosecutor in the Hunter Biden case was Trump appointee David Weiss of the DOJs Delaware office, who had full authority over the charges brought against Hunter Biden, according to both Weiss and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland. Republican members of the Committee repeatedly and blatantly lied asserting Weiss had changed his story about his authority and requests for a Special Counsel in letters. Garland, to his credit, chose to retain Weiss, after President Biden took office, when it would have been customary to dismiss him. Likewise, it would be better if the Whistleblowers also retained the facts. CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio The weather did what country music star Jason Aldean says his critics are trying to do ... canceled him. Really, its just a postponement. But the severe weather that brought heavy rain and strong winds to Northeast Ohio prevented Aldean from performing Thursday night at Blossom Music Center as part of his Highway Desperado tour. Blossom announced the postponement just before 9 p.m. The concert has been rescheduled for Sept. 17 and Blossom says all tickets for Thursdays show will be honored for the new date. RELATED CONTENT: Jason Aldeans controversial new Small Town video pulled by CMT as country stars tour rolls into Blossom Aldean arrived in Northeast Ohio in the middle of controversy regarding his song Try That in a Small Town, which is the latest touchstone in the nations culture wars. Critics of the song say it contains racist dog whistles and advocates lynching. Country Music Television has pulled the video to the song because parts of it were filmed in front of the Maury County Courthouse in Columbia, Tennessee, which was the site of a lynching in 1927 and also the site of a race riot in 1946, USA Today reports. Others have criticized the songs gun references, particularly since Aldean was performing at a music festival in Las Vegas in 2017 when a gunman killed more than 50 people and wounded more than 500, NPR reports. Aldean released a statement on Twitter defending the song, saying the accusations are not only meritless, but dangerous. 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, he writes on Twitter. 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 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. LOS ANGELES, California A 13-year-old girl who was kidnapped by a man in Texas was rescued in California after she managed to get peoples attention by waving a piece of paper on which she had written Help me, authorities say. The girl also mouthed the word help as she sat in the car of Steven Robert Sablan, 61, of Cleburne, Texas, who now is charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Central District of California. A news release from the U.S. attorneys office says the girl was walking down a street in San Antonio on July 6 when Sablan approached her. Sablan is accused of brandishing what looked like a black handgun and threatening to hurt the girl if she did not get into his Nissan Sentra. Once the girl was in the car, Sablan asked the girls age. The girl later told him she had a friend in Australia, so Sablan said he could take her to a cruise ship so she could visit her friend, but then said she had to do something for him first, prosecutors say. Sablan is accused of sexually assaulting the girl repeatedly during the trip to California. He also assaulted her at least twice after arriving in California, prosecutors say. Authorities say that on July 9 while in Long Beach, Calif., Sablan went to a laundromat to wash clothes. The girl stayed in the car while Sablan was in the laundromat and thats when she was able to use a sign to get help, prosecutors say. A person who saw the girl mouth the word help called police. Officers searched Sablans vehicle and found a black BB gun, the Help me sign, and a pair of handcuffs, prosecutors say. If convicted of both charges, Sablan could be sentenced to a maximum of life in federal prison. CLEVELAND, Ohio U.S. marshals on Thursday arrested a Cleveland man in Iowa who was wanted in connection with a 2021 fatal shooting. Wylee Darzay Orr Jr., 27, was arrested in Des Moines, Iowa, ending a two-year search. Orr will remain in custody at the Polk County Jail in Iowa until he is extradited back to Ohio, authorities said. CLEVELAND, Ohio When Cleveland EMS worker Lachelle Jordan went missing for five days in May, Cleveland police repeatedly asked the public for help finding her. In the two months since a barefoot Lachelle Jordan walked into a convenience store, city officials have repeatedly refused to provide an update on the case, leaving the community in the dark. Clevelands silence stands in stark contrast to Alabama authorities investigating the high-profile missing persons case of Carlethia Russell. Officials in Hoover, Alabama have given regular, detailed updates on the case since Russell returned home. Were still working this case until we uncover every piece of evidence that helps us account for those 49 hours, Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis told reporters. We owe it to our citizens to tell them the facts that we have uncovered. Derzis provided a number of updates in recent days, laying out a timeline of events that started with Russell calling 911 on July 13 from a highway near a Birmingham suburb. Russell told police that she saw a toddler walking along the interstate. Police said they had no record of any missing children in the area around the time of Russells call. Police tracked Russells Life 360 app that showed she travelled at least 600 yards while she was on the phone with dispatch. Officers showed up five minutes later. After the 911 call, Russell called her brothers girlfriend. According to police, the woman heard Russell supposedly speaking to the child before the phone hung up. In a press conference on Wednesday, Derzis explained some holes police found in Russells story. Investigators found that in the days and hours leading up to her 911 call, Russell searched Do you have to pay for an Amber Alert? and made several searches about missing persons. She also searched how to take money from a register without being caught, the Birmingham bus station and for the movie Taken, a movie featuring an abduction. Derzis said they found the searches on Russells phone and work computer. When Russell left work on the day of her disappearance, she was spotted leaving with a bathrobe and toilet tissue, police said. She went and got food, then stopped at Target to purchase snacks, officials said. When police searched her car after the 911 call, they did not find any of those items. Police did find Russells phone, Apple watch, Air Pods, a hat and her wig. After a two-day search, Russell walked into her home. She told police that when she got out of the vehicle to check on the child, a man came out from behind trees and grabbed her. She said she woke up in a semi-truck trailer. Russell told police the man who grabbed her was with a woman. She said she never saw the woman, but could hear a baby crying, Derzis said. Russell told investigators the two took her into a house and that she believes they took pictures of her. She said she didnt think she was sexually or physically assaulted. Detectives said Russell complained that she had a head injury and they found $107 in her sock, Derzis added. There are many questions left to be answered, that only Carlee can provide those answers, Derzis said. We have been unable to verify some of the statements Carlee made to investigators and we have no reason to believe that there is a threat to public safety related to this particular case. In Cleveland, officials have remained silent since May 11, when Lachelle Jordan walked into a store on Euclid Avenue near East 166th Street and said shed escaped captors who tried to set her on fire. That ended a massive search that began on May 6 and attracted national news attention. Lachelle Jordan went missing shortly after she told her sister she needed to grab something from her car. Her family reported her missing the next day. Police two days later arrested Michael Stennett, 65, on stalking charges that accused him of harassing Lachelle Jordan. He was never charged in her abduction and Cuyahoga County prosecutors later dropped stalking charges against Stennett, saying there was inconsistent evidence. While she was missing, Lachelle Jordans family and friends posted flyers and canvassed the city in search of her. Police sent out several press releases and repeatedly posted her photo to social media. Five days later, she showed up disheveled at a convenience store. No criminal charges have been filed in the case, no arrests have been made. No information has been released including if police have verified Jordans account or if investigators know where shed been held. Lachelle Jordan is the younger sister of Cleveland City Prosecutor Aqueelah Jordan. When asked for an update on Thursday, Cleveland police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia sent this statement: We continue to actively investigate every lead developed, but have no newsworthy updates at this time. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The man charged with shooting nine people in Clevelands Warehouse District earlier this month is also accused of stealing a handgun from the woman who this week accused former Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey of flashing a gun while he attacked her, according to police reports. The woman, whose name is redacted from both police reports, contacted Cleveland police two days after the shooting because she worried that the man police arrested, Jaylon Jennings, may have used her gun, police reports say. Its unclear where the gun used in the shooting came from. COLUMBUS, Ohio - A Republican Ohio state senator introduced legislation Thursday that would ban the use of ranked choice voting in Ohio, and withhold distribution of Local Government Funds to any municipality or county in the state that decided to use the alternative voting form thats catching on across the country. Ranked choice voting flies in the face of what the founders of the country and those in Ohio had in mind when they established the one vote, one voice model centuries ago, said a statement from the bills sponsor, state Sen. Theresa Gavarone of Bowling Green. Ranked choice voting causes uncertainty by delaying election results, decreases voter turnout, creates confusion because of complex election procedures, and silences the voices of voters, she continued. Its a bad method of voting and Im going to work hard to make sure it is never implemented in Ohio. Advocates of ranked choice voting say the system helps fight political polarization and improves civil discourse by helping to elect centrist candidates who have broad support, instead of extremist candidates who win party primaries by animating a small base of adamant partisans. Ranked-choice voting already is being used for local elections in big cities like New York, Minneapolis and San Francisco. Alaska and Maine use it statewide. The system isnt used used anywhere in Ohio, although a charter review commission in University Heights last month recommended its adoption. Several Ohio cities including Cleveland used a form of ranked choice voting for a brief period around a century ago. The system requires voters to rank multiple candidates on a ballot in order of preference. If no candidate gets an initial majority of the electorates first choice votes, the candidate with the fewest first choice ballots drops out and ballots for the eliminated candidate are reallocated to each voters second-choice candidate. The process of eliminating the candidate with the fewest ballots and reallocating votes to other contenders continues until a winner gets a majority. Proponents of the system are trying to spread it across the country. Theyve pursued ballot issues to adopt it in other states, and theyre trying to gather support for a similar drive in Ohio. Kyle Herman of Stow, who serves as executive director of Rank the Vote Ohio said Gavarones legislation would take away Ohioans right to decide how they elect their representatives, limit voter choice and shield corrupt politicians from accountability. If ranked choice voting was implemented in Ohio, Herman predicts it would increase the variety of candidates on the ballot and incentivize finding common ground in order to win a majority, instead of only trying to appeal to extremists in order to win a plurality. Adopting ranked choice voting could also help remedy the harms of Ohios gerrymandered congressional and state legislative districts, which are designed to be winnable only by members of a single party, Herman says. Ranked choice voting proponents argue that office holders who represent districts drawn to favor either Democrats or Republicans are less likely to seek bipartisan solutions for fear of alienating party activists who vote in primaries. Ohio interest in ranked-choice voting surged after last years elections, when people saw how well it worked in Alaska, where Democrat Mary Peltola was selected over Republicans Sarah Palin and Nick Begich III to succeed deceased Republican U.S. congress member Don Young, Herman said. That election also intensified opponents focus on trying to ban it, said Herman. Several Republican-controlled states have passed bills to outlaw ranked choice voting. They include Florida, Tennessee, Idaho, Montana, and South Dakota. A Republican congress member from New York, Mike Lawler, introduced legislation that would prohibit states from using ranked choice voting for federal elections and a separate bill to ban it for use in local District of Columbia elections. Herman questioned whether Gavarones bill could become law because Republicans in the statehouse who support ranked choice voting would be unlikely to support a bill that violates the Ohio Constitution by infringing on home rule. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose has not taken a position on Gavarones bill, but believes ranked choice voting would be an expensive, administrative nightmare for our county boards of elections, and it opens the door for flaky, fringe candidates to become viable, only adding to the discord that plagues politics, spokesman Rob Nichols said. Nichols says Ohios General Assembly has zero appetite to implement ranked choice voting, as it would completely upend Ohios trusted election administration in which voters regardless of party affiliation have great confidence in. Former Ohio Rep. Gene Krebs, a Republican from Preble County who supports ranked choice voting, said he was surprised by introduction of Gavarones bill. He says some of Ohios biggest ranked choice voting advocates are urban Republicans who are a minority in the areas where they live and believe that system would improve their chances to win local elections. Krebs says hes part of a group that hopes to eventually introduce a referendum to implement ranked choice voting in Ohio. He says the effort is in its early phases and organizers havent yet decided which form of ranked choice voting to pursue. He called the introduction of Gavarones bill baffling and said its passage would not be in the Republican partys best interest. The more you distrust government, the more you are in favor of programs like ranked choice that sends more power to the people, that trusts the citizens voices over that of the government, says Krebs. University Heights Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, expressed disappointment that another Republican senator is ready to throw away home rule and substitute her judgment for the judgment of the residents of University Heights. Like plastic bag bans, traffic cameras, green zoning, and gun safety, ranked choice voting is a local issue that should be handled locally and not preempted by activist big government out of Columbus, said a statement from Brennan. Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. CLEVELAND, Ohio Flooding at the entrance to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Thursday evening delayed some travelers from getting to their flights, said John Goersmeyer, spokesman for the airport. There was flooding on State Route 237 at the entrance to the airport as a result of the torrential rains. Goersmeyer said at around 8:20 p.m. that people could expect delays getting into the airport because there was not much that could be done until the water receded. COLUMBUS, OhioOhio voters are continuing to turn out in better-than-expected numbers to cast early ballots for the Aug. 8 special election on State Issue 1, according to state data released Friday. Just over 155,000 Ohioans submitted early ballots by mail or in person during the first seven days of early voting, which started July 11, according to a release from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRoses office. Thats about five times as many votes that were cast during the same period ahead of last years August statewide primary election for legislative candidates and local issues, the release stated. Overall, Ohio had about 8 million registered voters as of last years November general election. Early voting also has trended ahead of last years May primary, which included statewide races. Its not yet clear whether the surge in early voting, which has been particularly pronounced in urban and suburban areas, is good news for supporters or opponents of Issue 1, which would raise the bar for Ohio voters to pass future state constitutional amendments. Read more: Coverage of State Issue 1 Democrats and urban/suburban residents tend to vote early in greater numbers than Republicans and rural voters, so comparatively high early voting turnout may be a sign that liberal opponents of Issue 1 may be turning out against it. However, the Ohio Republican Party and the campaign working to pass Issue 1 have urged voters who support the measure to cast ballots early. Going into early voting, people on both sides of Issue 1 predicted low turnout, as Issue 1 is the only thing on the Aug. 8 ballot, and turnout for August elections has traditionally been so low that the Republican-controlled state legislature passed a law several months ago to stop them (lawmakers reversed themselves to schedule an August election for Issue 1). There could be a number of factors behind the number of people who have cast ballots early, including that some voters wanted to weigh in before going on summer vacation. 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. Need to know: Your questions answered on how to vote in the Aug. 8 election State Issue 1 would make it harder to amend the Ohio Constitution by raising the threshold to pass future amendments from the simple majority standard that has stood for more than a century to 60%. It also would impose harder signature requirements for amendments to qualify for the ballot in the first place. Voting yes on State Issue 1 would approve the changes. A no vote would reject them. Ohio Republicans put the question on the ballot in August in an attempt to jump in front of a proposed abortion-rights amendment that backers are trying to qualify for the November ballot. It would enshrine abortion rights into the Ohio Constitution. Ohio lawmakers appropriated $16 million in the new state budget to cover the cost of the Aug. 8 special election. On Wednesday, LaRoses office notified all 88 county boards of election that it sent checks by certified mail to pay for each boards election expenses, according to LaRose spokesman Rob Nichols and a release from the County Commissioners Association of Ohio. Of that money, Cuyahoga County was allocated about $2.1 million the most of any county, according to data from the CCAO. Franklin County received about $1.8 million, while Hamilton County got about $1.1 million. Jeremy Pelzer covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- State constitutions are instruments of governance, but Issue 1 throws a monkey wrench into the works as the General Assembly seeks to undercut the ability of state voters to approve state constitutional amendments even those that the General Assembly has proposed. On August 8th, Ohioans will vote on Issue 1 to decide whether to increase the passing threshold for all state constitutional amendments from the current simple majority vote to 60%. Despite being advanced to protect the Ohio Constitution from out-of-state special interests, Issue 1s primary target is the reproductive rights amendment likely to be on the Nov. 7 ballot. Its other target is an expected 2024 amendment to create an independent redistricting commission to end the partisan gerrymandering that has polluted our state. Steven H. Steinglass, an expert on Ohio's Constitution, is Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus at the Cleveland State University College of Law. Most public debate on Issue 1 has focused on its rejection of the policy of majority rule for citizen-initiated amendments. Less attention has been paid to amendments proposed by the General Assembly and the consequences of abandoning majority rule for these amendments. Put simply, Issue 1 would kneecap the General Assembly by compromising its ability to secure approval of amendments that it has proposed to improve the operation of state government and the quality of life in Ohio. One cannot understand this issue without reviewing the role of state and federal constitutions in our system of federalism. State and federal constitutions are similar in many important ways. Both are written constitutions one of the great American innovations of the 18th century and both establish frameworks of governments characterized by principles of separation of powers and checks and balances. Both contain Bills of Rights to provide protection from governmental abuse, and both provide for amendments. The U.S. Constitution adopted in 1787 created a framework for a fractious nation and expanded the power of the federal government; but it finessed some of our most intractable issues such as slavery and the power of the less populated states. This constitution was difficult to amend but capable of growth. Sadly, it took a Civil War to eliminate the curse of slavery, to revise the relationship between the state and federal governments, and to require states to guarantee equal protection and due process of law. The U.S. Constitution gave the federal government broad power but left the details of exercising that power to Congress. It also expressly recognized that unenumerated powers are reserved to the states. State constitutions, on the other hand, address myriad issues not mentioned in the federal constitution, including education, corporations, taxes, debt, redistricting, and county and municipal home rule. With this broad range of responsibilities, it is no surprise that state constitutions also operate as instruments of lawmaking. Our fourth president, James Madison, remembered as the Father of the Constitution, explained in Federalist No. 45 the broader range of duties assigned to the states, noting that [t]he powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the Federal Government, are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. Despite the similarities, the Ohio Constitution has evolved differently from the U.S Constitution and differently from the constitutions of other states. Indeed, the National Municipal League noted in the 1963 Introduction to its final attempt to draft a Model State Constitution, there can be no such thing as a Model State Constitution because there is no model state. The different roles played by state and federal constitutions largely explain why the former are always longer and easier to amend than the federal constitution. Under the 1802 Ohio Constitution, which was never ratified by the people, amendments could only be proposed by constitutional conventions. Our current constitution, the 1851 Ohio Constitution, gave the General Assembly the power to propose constitutional amendments, but this reform had a serious flaw. Approval of amendments required a majority vote of all those voting at the election rather than a majority of those voting on the specific proposed amendment. The implications of this seemingly technical requirement were huge. From 1852 to 1911, the General Assembly proposed 37 amendments, but the voters approved only 11. Of the 26 amendments that the voters rejected, 19 received more positive than negative votes. But they failed because many voters did not vote, for whatever reason, on proposed amendments. To illustrate: in 1857 the General Assembly proposed an amendment to give the General Assembly greater control over corporations. Of the votes on this amendment, 123,229 were positive and 35,973 were negative, but the total voter turnout at the election was 332,126. Thus, although more than 77% of those voting on the proposed amendment supported it, this was not a majority of those who voted at the election; and despite this strong public support, the proposed amendment did not become part of our constitution. At the 1912 Ohio Constitutional Convention, the delegates, who proposed the adoption of the citizen-initiative, also recognized that the supermajority requirement posed a serious problem for governance. To remedy this, they recommended that all amendments (whether proposed by constitutional conventions, citizen-petitions or the General Assembly) would be approved if there were more yes than no votes on the specific amendment. Ohio voters approved this amendment by a 52.4% majority; and since 1912 they approved 108 of 156 amendments proposed by the General Assembly a remarkable track record. The proposal to increase the passing percentage has some superficial appeal but is deeply flawed. To evaluate it, one should remember the words of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., who observed that the life of the law has not been logic; it has been experience. Because Issue 1 applies its 60% threshold to amendments proposed by the General Assembly, this change, if it had applied in the past, would have hindered the development of the state and the efficiency of state government. Significantly, 42 of the 108 amendments recommended by the General Assembly and approved by the voters since 1912 received less than 60% of the vote. During the last five decades, 16 amendments proposed by the General Assembly were approved with less than a 60% vote. These amendments fall into three categories. Governmental Reform (8): In the 1970s, the General Assembly proposed 20 amendments that had their origins in the work of the Ohio Constitutional Revision Commission. Most sought to improve the operation of state government, and voters approved 16; but if the 60% threshold had been in place, 8 of them would have failed. Those that passed with less than a 60% vote included these amendments: 1973 -- To revise policies and procedures of the General Assembly (54.3%). 1974 -- To repeal the requirement that the governor appoint the Public Works Superintendent (59.5%). 1976 -- To revise qualifications for electors (56.8%). 1976 -- To return 50% of the estate tax to political subdivisions (57.6%). 1976 -- To consolidate provisions for imposing taxes (56.2%). 1976 -- To revise provisions on terms of office and vacancies (58.8%). 1978 -- To modify procedures concerning county charters (55.6%). 1978 -- To modernize provisions regulating prison labor (58.2%). State Bonds (4): The 60% threshold would interfere with the states ability to borrow funds. The 1851 Constitution limited state debt to $750,000 (except to repel invasions or for similar emergencies). To overcome this limitation, the General Assembly proposes amendments authorizing the issuance of bonds, and voters have approved bonds for bonuses for war veterans and for housing, conservation, economic development, and technology. Amendments for veterans bonuses have been overwhelmingly popular, but in the last five decades voters approved four bond measures with less than a 60% vote, including: 1982 -- Housing assistance for persons 62 and older for owner-occupied single-family homes (57.4%). 1990 -- Permanent and temporary housing by the state and political subdivisions (52.9%). 2000 -- Conservation and preservation of natural areas, farmlands, parks and recreation facilities, and for the revitalization of contaminated lands (57.4%). 2005 -- Job creation and economic growth through grants and loans to private industry and educational institutions (Third Frontier Program) (54.1%). Other Provisions (4): A 60% threshold would have also negated amendments: 1973 -- To authorize the exclusion of some income from the state income tax (59.5%). 1975 -- To legalize charitable bingo (53.8%). 1980 -- To authorize the classification of real property for tax purposes (53.0%). 2015 -- To prohibit the constitutional initiative from being used to create monopolies and to determine tax rates (51.3%). This review of all amendments approved since 1973 with less than 60% of the vote illustrates that Issue 1, if approved, would undercut the ability of the General Assembly to address important needs of our state. Sadly, in their zeal to undercut the reproductive rights amendment and to thwart the adoption of an independent redistricting commission, the proponents of Issue 1 have demonstrated a short-sighted willingness to weaken the role of the General Assembly and to limit its ability to use one of the most important tools in the state government toolbox. Steven H. Steinglass is Dean Emeritus and Professor Emeritus at the Cleveland State University College of Law. 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 After a down day for his "Magnificent Seven" stocks, CNBC's Jim Cramer picked winners outside the tech sphere. Cramer said he sees the market starting to broaden, and he hopes it lasts. Cramer said he thinks the tech "bloodletting" was triggered by several factors, including tepid earnings from Tesla and Netflix as well as less-than-stellar results from the biggest maker of semiconductors, Taiwan Semiconductor as investors question the artificial intelligence "frenzy" that has been driving this year's tech rally. "Now, you know many of these stocks trade together, and they get hammered together," Cramer said. "But if you owned a diversified portfolio, including beaten-down stocks for 2023, stocks that represent great value now, you crushed it." Cramer still believes in sticking with the Magnificent Seven Microsoft , Nvidia , Alphabet , Apple , Amazon , Meta and Tesla but he said he's a little "nauseated" to see the same stocks continue to rise, leading to an overbought market. He told investors to look out for stocks in different sectors and to find companies with strong intrinsic value. Cramer saw winners on Thursday in the health-care sector, specifically Johnson & Johnson and Abbott Labs . The former has been plagued by ongoing litigation alleging the talc in its baby powder causes cancer, but Cramer said the company just reported "spectacular" fundamentals. According to Cramer, Abbott Labs has been experiencing a Covid hangover, but it has a strong medical device business and a robust baby formula franchise. He said he thinks both stocks can go higher. Cramer also had his eye on the banking sector, naming JP Morgan , Wells Fargo and Bank of America as top contenders, as well as retail players like Walmart , Costco and Ralph Lauren . He also advised that investors look into the utilities sector, including Sempra , PG&E and American Electric Power , along with transports, especially railroad company Canadian Pacific Kansas City . Cramer conceded he's not sure this broadening market move has staying power, wondering if tech will return to its top slot next week. But to him, there's more to the story. "Tech won't be forsaken, but it's not going to come back immediately. I'd say maybe give it a week," he said. "But the admission of other stocks to the brethren of the bull is excellent news for the market. Let's hope it lasts." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Illumina's year-to-date stock portfolio. Illumina : "That's too much, that's too much. Illumina is not even as good as Danaher. Be careful, that's too much Illumina." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Compass Pathways' year-to-date stock performance. Compass Pathways : "Treatment resistant depression is incredibly difficult, no one's really had a handle on it. J&J does have a good drug for it right now, but it's just very, very difficult." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon KeyCorp's year-to-date stock performance. KeyCorp : "Today they reported a disappointing number. Ok, so the stock got hammered immediately , and then bingo! It reverses and goes up. It is time to buy the stock of KeyCorp, which is an excellent company." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Eaton's year-to-date stock performance. Eaton : "Then you've done well, and that new change in management has done incredibly well. It is really the linchpin of the entire change going towards electric vehicles. You are smart, you've got a horse sense." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Verve Therapeutics' year-to-date stock performance. Verve Therapeutics : "Verve is trying to do that, and it would be remarkable if it does it, because many people are taking some very difficult drugs to reduce cholesterol. Some of us are allergic to them, and it's really been unbelievable if we could find something like this. So it would be fabulous, but it's very speculative." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Informatica's year-to-date stock performance. Informatica : "Informatica, I like them before it went private, I liked it after. But the problem is now there are too many companies who do exactly what Informatica does, although they do it really well, and that's what's causing the problem, that's what keeps me from saying buy, buy, buy." Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon ASML Holding's year-to-date stock performance. ASML Holding : "The quarter was good, but it didn't matter because Taiwan Semi said that they don't need as much capital equipment, and they're the largest capital equipment buyer in the country. I think you got to wait three days before ASML is going to bottom, probably get it around six hundred." watch now Sam Bankman-Fried, co-founder of failed crypto exchange FTX, was sued in Delaware bankruptcy court on Thursday by his ex-company's lawyers, who accuse him and members of his leadership team of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars. The lawyers are seeking to recover funds from Bankman-Fried and former executives of FTX and sister hedge fund Alameda Research. One way the attorneys for the bankrupt exchange say Bankman-Fried pilfered money was through a $10 million gift to his father, distinguished legal scholar Joe Bankman. Much of that $10 million gift from was routed from FTX to Bankman-Fried's Morgan Stanley and TD Ameritrade accounts around January 2022, the lawsuit alleges. The complaint claims those proceeds are now paying for Bankman-Fried's criminal defense bills. A representative for Bankman-Fried declined to comment. Bankman-Fried was indicted on fraud and bribery charges as well as campaign finance violations after FTX filed for bankruptcy late last year. His exchange, once valued at $32 billion, collapsed almost overnight after liquidity dried up and customers demanded withdrawals that the company couldn't meet. Bankman-Fried pleaded not guilty. His trial is expected to begin later this year. Lawyers for FTX have been in search of the company's remaining assets in an effort to recover as much money as possible for creditors. FTX and Alameda executives Caroline Ellison, Gary Wang, and Nishad Singh are co-defendants in the case, alongside Bankman-Fried. WATCH: Taylor Swift agreed to FTX partnership, but the crypto exchange bailed Amazon will invest $120 million to build a satellite processing facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, as the company prepares to launch the first satellites for its Project Kuiper internet network, the tech giant announced Friday. The facility will be built at the Launch and Landing Facility that was once where NASA landed Space Shuttle missions. The LLF is now leased and operated by Space Florida, which serves as the state's space economy development arm. "I am thrilled that Amazon is the first major tenant to locate [at the LLF]," Frank DiBello, CEO of Space Florida, told CNBC. "It's a testament to the fact, though, that we view the whole state as an ecosystem supporting space." Project Kuiper is Amazon's plan to build a network of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit, to provide high-speed internet access anywhere in the world. The 100,000-square-foot processing facility will serve as one of the final steps before the satellites reach orbit, preparing them for launches on the rockets of the United Launch Alliance and Jeff Bezos' separately owned Blue Origin. "We're going to finish construction at the end of 2024. We'll be processing our first production satellites through this facility in early 2025," Steve Metayer, Amazon's vice president of Kuiper production operations, told CNBC. Last year, Amazon announced the biggest corporate rocket deal in the industry's history to launch its satellites. It has booked 77 launches deals that included options for more when needed from a variety of companies to deploy the satellites fast enough to meet regulatory requirements. Julie Su, acting labor secretary, arrives to testify during the House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing titled "Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Labor," in Rayburn Building on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. The White House plans to use a little-known law to keep Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su in the job even if she fails to win Senate approval, a White House official told NBC News. "Upon Secretary Walsh's departure, Acting Secretary Su automatically became Acting Secretary under its organic statute, not under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act," the White House official said in an email. "As a result, Su is not subject to the time limits of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act and she can serve as Acting Secretary indefinitely." Last week, NBC News reported that a law dating back to 1946 allows the deputy labor secretary, to which Su was confirmed by the Senate in 2021, to "perform the duties of the Secretary until a successor is appointed." Su was elevated to that role earlier this year after Marty Walsh stepped down. She was also nominated to replace him on a permanent basis. But Su's nomination for labor secretary has since stalled in the Senate, where Democrats control 51 votes and expect unified Republican opposition. After Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., came out against her, the White House called on him and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., who hasn't publicly taken a stance, to "reconsider" their positions, implying that she also opposes the Su nomination. The White House's decision reflects an attempt to navigate a politically thorny situation as President Joe Biden ramps up his 2024 re-election campaign. Labor leaders and unions strongly support Su, and Biden has promised to be "the most pro-union president" in American history. Replacing her with a more corporate-friendly nominee in pursuit of winning Senate approval risks turning off a key constituency without much obvious political upside. "The President's support for Acting Secretary Su is unwavering," the White House official said. In April, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted 11-10 along party lines to advance Su's nomination, but there hasn't been any Senate action since then. GOP senators have already denounced attempts for the White House to keep Su in her post, dialing up criticism of the nominee in a confirmation battle that has lasted several months. The top Republican on the Senate HELP Committee called on Biden to formally withdraw her nomination on Thursday, citing a record-breaking delay in confirming Su and legal questions about keeping her in the position without formal Senate approval. "It is my view that this use of the Succession Act violates the constitutional provision of advice and consent and would potentially open any DOL action under Julie Su's leadership to legal challenges," Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., wrote in a letter to Biden. "If your administration believes Ms. Su cannot receive the necessary votes for confirmation, then you should rescind her nomination," he added. "Any attempts to bypass the will of Congress, especially its constitutionally mandated advice and consent role, is unacceptable." Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., echoed Cassidy's calls, writing in a tweet: "It's clear the only way forward is for President Biden to withdraw her nomination." Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., also pointed out on the chamber floor Thursday that Su's nomination has spent nearly five months "in limbo while Senate Democrats decide whether they can even muster a party-line confirmation vote." He added, "American taxpayers have seen enough of Julie Su. When will Senate Democrats finally decide that they have, too?" A Senate Democratic aide involved in the debate pushed back on the GOP criticisms, saying it is "very clear in the language of the Vacancies Reform Act that Deputy Secretary Su may serve as Acting Secretary as long as her nomination is pending." "More importantly, when the Senate confirmed Su to be Deputy Secretary of Labor just two years ago, they literally gave her a legal duty to serve as Acting Secretary of Labor when the Secretary resigns until a new Secretary is confirmed," the aide said. Keeping federal agency officials on the job in an acting capacity has precedent. Former President Donald Trump kept many department and agency heads in charge despite a lack of Senate approval, without much pushback from Republicans at the time. At his weekly press conference on Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., did not say whether he'd support Su staying on in an acting role if she lacks the votes. "Look, we believe she is a strong nominee," he said. "We're trying to do everything we can to get her passed, plain and simple." Elyse Perlmutter-Gumbiner contributed. Cathie Wood, CEO, Ark Invest, speaks during an interview on CNBC on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Feb. 27, 2023. Ark Invest's Cathie Wood said her flagship innovation fund has reduced its China exposure to zero as the developing market faces an economic slowdown. The tech investor revealed that her Ark Innovation ETF , with nearly $9 billion assets under management, according to Morningstar, has exited the stocks that generate revenue from China as she consolidated her portfolio toward her favorite bets like Tesla , Coinbase , Roku and Zoom in the market downturn. "As we always do during bear markets, we concentrated our strategies towards our highest conviction names and the Chinese names, in particular, came out one by one as we were concentrating so that now, at least in the flagship strategy, we do have no exposure to China," Wood said in a prerecorded investor webinar Thursday. ARKK used to own shares in Chinese tech giant Tencent and property site KE Holdings . Wood said her exposure to China and other emerging markets reached about 25% in 2020 as she was impressed by China's initial response to the Covid pandemic. "We were looking at the fiscal and monetary policy responses around the world and were impressed with China's restraint. They were not throwing money at the problem. They were very disciplined in terms of their monetary and fiscal policy responses," Wood said. The innovation investor said she changed her stance on China after Beijing started to tighten its grip on the economy by cracking down on the ultrawealthy and the tech sector. The widely followed investor said she's particularly concerned about China's real estate market as the country incurred massive amounts of debt after over a decade of swift expansion. "It was responsible for roughly 15 years of double-digit real GDP growth ... and growth like that can cover a lot of sins," Wood said. "And those sins usually involve debt, and importantly in the property space, we do believe that China is facing its day of reckoning in this regard." Ark Fintech Innovation ETF (ARKF) still owns a small stake in Chinese e-commerce company JD.com , but it has dumped other Chinese names like Pinduoduo and Tencent. Still, Wood said she might add back shares tied to China as the country overcomes the challenging period and the market enters a new bull cycle. "More diversification during bull markets, especially as we get more IPOs and as we reconsider some of the names that we let go in our concentration strategy," Wood said. Her flagship fund has had a banner year so far as her top holdings rebounded from sharp losses triggered by rising rates. ARKK is up more than 50% in 2023. Employees work on the assembly line of new energy vehicles (NEVs) at a workshop of China FAW Group's Hongqi Fanrong Plant on July 5, 2023 in Changchun, Jilin Province of China. Chinese authorities announced measures on Friday intended to help boost sales of automobiles and electronics with the goal of shoring up a sluggish economy, but the steps failed to impress investors who have been clamoring for stronger stimulus. Regions will be encouraged to increase annual car purchase quotas and efforts will be made to support sales of second-hand vehicles, said a statement on automobile consumption published by 13 government agencies including state planner National Development and Reform Commission. As China's post-pandemic economic recovery slows, policymakers have identified the country's automobile sector as a key lever which they want to use to shore up growth. In June, they unexpectedly extended a purchase tax break on new energy vehicles until 2027. But domestic consumer demand has remained weak and the world's largest auto market has been grappling with a price war triggered by Tesla in January that has since spread to more than 40 brands offering discounts on their vehicles. In March, a top industry association urged the auto industry and authorities to cool the "price-cut hype" to ensure the healthy and stable development of the industry. The Friday statement aimed at encouraging automobile consumption echoed this. "Localities must not roll out protectionist policies and avoid vicious competition," it said. A separate statement on supporting sales of electronics products said authorities would encourage scientific research institutes and market entities to actively apply domestic artificial intelligence technology to improve intelligence levels of electronic products. The measures echoed similar ones announced by authorities in recent months and failed to boost the market, with shares in China's automobiles index down 0.3% and the electronics index falling 0.6%, against a 0.1% rise in the benchmark index. Investors have said they are disappointed by China's weak second quarter growth and want to see stronger stimulus, with some pinning their hopes on the Politburo meeting later this month. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (L) shakes hands with China's Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on June 19, 2023. (Photo by Leah MILLIS / POOL / AFP) (Photo by LEAH MILLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Leah Millis | Afp | Getty Images China-linked hackers breached the email account of U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, as part of a recent targeted intelligence-gathering campaign, NBC News has confirmed. The hackers also accessed the email account of Daniel Kritenbrink, assistant Secretary of State for East Asia, who recently traveled with Secretary of State Antony Blinken to China, said NBC, citing two U.S. officials familiar with the matter. CNBC reached out to China's Foreign Ministry for comment but has yet to hear back. The breach was limited to the diplomats' unclassified email accounts, NBC said adding that Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo's email account was also accessed in the breach, as previously reported. The news, first reported by The Wall Street Journal, further fuels the fallout for the U.S. of the alleged Chinese hack first revealed last week. watch now Last week, Microsoft announced it had discovered that China-based hackers breached email accounts of about 25 organizations, including some U.S. government agencies, in a significant breach. The compromise was "mitigated" by Microsoft cybersecurity teams after it was first reported to the company in mid-June 2023, Microsoft said in two blog posts about the incidents. The hackers had been inside government systems since at least May, the company said. U.S. warns China Blinken said he raised the issue of the Chinese hacking when he met China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, in Jakarta, Indonesia, last week, on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional meeting. The U.S. secretary noted he made clear to Wang that Washington will ensure the hackers are held responsible for alleged breaches of U.S. government agencies. "First of all, this is something that the State Department actually detected last month, and we took immediate steps to protect our systems, to report the incident in this case, notifying a company, Microsoft, of the event," Blinken said at a press briefing. "I can't discuss details of our response beyond that, and most critically this incident remains under investigation," he added. Still, Blinken said that as a general matter, "we have consistently made clear to China as well as to other countries that any action that targets the U.S. Government or U.S. companies, American citizens, is of deep concern to us, and we will take appropriate action in response." The nature of the charge or charges in the information was not made public. It is common for informations to have fewer charges than those originally lodged against defendants, or to have different ones. Another docket entry shows that Lichtenstein and the aspiring rapper Morgan have been ordered to appear in court on Aug. 3 for separate arraignments and plea hearings on the information. An information is a type of charging document that federal prosecutors typically use when defendants have agreed to plead guilty. The couple, Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather Rhiannon Morgan, have been newly charged in the case with a document known as an information, according to a new Washington, D.C., federal court docket entry Friday. The New York couple charged with trying to launder $4.5 billion in bitcoin stolen in a 2016 hack of Bitfinex appear set to plead guilty in the case. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly on Friday ordered prosecutors and defense lawyers to provide plea paperwork to her by Thursday, the docket shows. That paperwork is to include "charged offense(s) and statutory provision; charge(s) in plea and statutory provision; elements of the offense; copy of the plea agreement; penalties; and [federal sentencing] guideline calculations." The couple was originally charged in a criminal complaint when they were arrested in February 2022, and had pleaded not guilty to the charges listed in that document money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Morgan, known as "Razzlekhan," is free on a $3 million bond. Lichtenstein, whose nickname is "Dutch," has been held in jail since February 2022 without bond after a judge ruled that the Russian emigre was a flight risk. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, which is prosecuting the couple, declined to comment. Their defense lawyers didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from CNBC. Prosecutors had said weeks after the couple's arrests that they were in plea negotiations with them. The couple's case has been repeatedly continued since their arrests. Until Friday's new docket entries, they had been scheduled to appear at a status hearing on Monday. That hearing was vacated as a result of the new charging document being filed. Lichtenstein, 34, and the 32-year-old Morgan are accused of trying to launder the proceeds of 119,754 bitcoin that were stolen from Bitfinex's platform in August 2016. The couple was not charged in the hack of the Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange. At the time of their arrests, the Department of Justice said officials had been able to seize more than 94,000 bitcoin involved in the hack, which at that time of the seizure was worth about $3.6 billion. That was the largest financial seizure in DOJ history. The bitcoin stolen in the hack was worth just $70 million at the time of the theft, but soared in value in the following years. "Over the last five years, approximately 25,000 of those stolen bitcoin were transferred out of Lichtenstein's wallet via a complicated money laundering process that ended with some of the stolen funds being deposited into financial accounts controlled by Lichtenstein and Morgan," the DOJ said at the time of their arrests. Netflix in early 2022 announced it had commissioned a series on the couple. Republican presidential candidate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, delivers remarks at the annual Christians United for Israel Summit (CUFI), at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia, July 17, 2023. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has told his government to investigate whether Bud Light's parent company breached its duties to shareholders as a conservative backlash continues to rage over the beer brand's deal with transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney. DeSantis, who is running for the Republican presidential nomination, instructed Lamar Taylor, the interim executive director of the State Board of Administration, to immediately launch a review into "how AB InBev's conduct has impacted and continues to impact the value of SBA's AB InBev holdings." "It appears to me that AB InBev may have breached legal duties owed to its shareholders, and that a shareholder action may be both appropriate and necessary," DeSantis wrote in a letter tweeted Friday. "All options are on the table," he added. Shares of AB InBev are down more than 2% this year, while the broader market is up. Sales of Bud Light have plummeted in the wake of conservative uproar and a boycott over the Mulvaney partnership. Last month, the beer lost its top spot in the U.S. beer market to Constellation Brands ' Modelo Especial, which holds 8.7% of overall beer sales, while Bud Light holds 7%, according to data shared by consulting firm Bump Willams. The firm also found Bud Light sales are down by about 25% from last year. Amid the boycott, shares for the company fell from $66 a share to $58. DeSantis said Florida had $53 million worth of stock in AB InBev. "Anheuser-Busch InBev takes our responsibility to our shareholders, employees, distributors and customers seriously," a spokesperson for the company told CNBC in a statement Friday afternoon. "We are focused on driving long-term, sustainable growth for them by optimizing our business and providing consumers products to enjoy for any occasion," the spokesperson said. DeSantis suggested that the probe could prompt a lawsuit on behalf of the shareholders of Florida's pension funds. "At the end of the day, there's got to be penalties when you put business aside to focus on your social agenda at the expense of hardworking people," he said in a Fox News interview Thursday night. The governor accused the company of neglecting its stakeholders and pensioners by associating with "radical social ideologies." DeSantis oversees the state board as a trustee along with the state's Republican attorney general and chief financial officer. The move against Bud Light marks the latest instance of DeSantis jumping into a controversy over a hot-button social issue and flexing his political powers. The governor has been locked in a bitter feud with Disney , one of his state's top employers, for more than a year after the company criticized Florida's controversial bill limiting classroom discussion of gender identity. Disney filed a federal lawsuit accusing DeSantis and his allies of political retaliation stemming from the clash over the classroom bill. DeSantis, seen as former President Donald Trump's top Republican primary rival, has kept up his attacks on the campaign trail against Disney and other entities he deems are pushing "woke" progressive political ideology. "We must prudently manage the funds of Florida's hardworking law enforcement officers, teachers, firefighters, and first responders in a manner that focuses on growing returns, not subsidizing an ideological agenda through woke virtue signaling," he wrote in the letter to Taylor. DeSantis is trailing Trump by double digits in most national polls of the GOP primary race. Less than two months after entering the race, the governor's campaign is planning a reboot, NBC News reported Thursday. Mulvaney has criticized Bud Light for not standing by her during the boycott. She said she was been harassed and intimidated as she became the face of the controversy. "For months now I've been scared to leave my house, I've been ridiculed in public, I've been followed, and I have felt a loneliness that I wouldn't wish on anyone," Mulvaney said last month. Atop the Acropolis ancient hill, tourists visit the Parthenon temple during a heat wave on July 20, 2023 in Athens, Greece. The Acropolis of Athens and other archaeological sites in Greece announced reduced opening hours due to the heatwave conditions. Europe is set for another heatwave in the coming days, pushing temperatures back toward record levels as an oppressive "heat dome" expands over the southern half of the continent. It comes shortly after the planet registered its hottest day since records began for the third time in just four days earlier this month. The U.S. and China also saw temperatures climb above 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in recent days. The scorching heat hitting hundreds of millions of people across the globe is fueled by the climate emergency. Scientists say the recent spate of heat records reaffirms the increasing urgency to slash greenhouse gas emissions as quickly and as deeply as possible. An intense and prolonged series of heatwaves has brought temperatures in parts of Greece, eastern Spain and Sardinia and Sicily in southern Italy to over 45 degrees Celsius in recent days. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) said on its website that Europe is experiencing some of the hottest temperatures of the summer so far, as a growing "heat dome" allows a warm air mass to build up. A heat dome occurs when a high-pressure circulation in the atmosphere acts likes a lid or a cap, trapping hot air in place and creating vast areas of sweltering heat. Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former lawyer, leaves his Manhattan apartment to report to prison, May 6, 2019. Michael Cohen, the former personal lawyer for ex-President Donald Trump, has settled his lawsuit against the Trump Organization seeking $1.3 million in legal fees, NBC News reported Friday. The amount of the settlement was not disclosed. "This matter has been resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties," Cohen told NBC News. The Trump Organization had no comment. But a source at the company confirmed the settlement to NBC. A trial in the case was expected to begin Monday in New York state court in Manhattan. Cohen sued Trump's company in 2019 for failing to pay agreed-upon legal bills related to his testimony to various congressional committees in 2017 and 2018, when Trump was president. In one appearance before the Senate Intelligence Committee in 2017, Cohen lied about a proposed Trump building in Moscow, Russia. Sam Bankman-Fried's younger brother, who was a top lobbyist for failed crypto exchange FTX, considered purchasing the island nation of Nauru in the Pacific to create a fortified apocalypse bunker state, a lawsuit filed in Delaware bankruptcy court shows. Gabe Bankman-Fried was looking at buying Nauru in the "event where 50%-99.99% of people die" to protect his philanthropic allies and create a genetically enhanced human species, according to the suit filed Thursday by attorneys from Sullivan & Cromwell, which is seeking to recover billions of dollars following the collapse of FTX. Bunker life is a well-documented fixation among tech billionaires, particularly those who identify as doomsday preppers. There's also a fascination with buying large estates in the Pacific and even owning small islands there. In his years running FTX, the elder Bankman-Fried brother touted a philanthropic lifestyle called effective altruism and established the philanthropic arm with that in mind. Devotees of effective altruism work to maximize their income so they can give away their money in a fashion they see as most beneficial to humankind. Gabe Bankman-Fried was FTX's most visible presence in Washington, D.C., and was connected to bipartisan charitable donations that ran into the hundreds of millions. Along with an unnamed philanthropic officer of FTX, he considered buying Nauru, in part to foster "sensible regulation around human genetic enhancement, and build a lab there." A representative for Nauru confirmed the island nation was not and has never been for sale. Nauru, with a population of about 12,000, is a little over 2,100 miles away from Brisbane, Australia. It was there that FTX lawyers allege the Bankman-Fried team sought to establish an emergency base for itself and a select group of "EAs," or effective altruists. In addition to serving as a haven in case of apocalypse, "probably there are other things it's useful to do with a sovereign country, too," according to a memo between the younger Bankman-Fried and the philanthropic advisor, which was noted in the suit. WATCH: FTX seeks to claw back $700 million from ex-Clinton aide's investment firm A closely watched talc trial in California goes against Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), adding uncertainty around whether tens of thousands of other plaintiffs suing the company will sign on to J & J's proposed $8.9 billion settlement offer or seek to get their own days in court. Jim Cramer believes the biopharmaceutical company was "too hopeful" about winning. "The plaintiff system is stacked against them," Jim said. Still, he added, "I believe J & J is a great American company, I believe they'll see through this. ... They need to be a bit more realistic about what they say." Jim's conversations with J & J's legal team led him to believe there could be a path to victory in what we think is a pivotal case . But on Tuesday, J & J was ordered to pay $18.8 million after jurors found in favor of 24-year-old Emory Hernandez Valadez who claimed in his lawsuit that he developed mesothelioma, a deadly cancer linked to asbestos, from exposure to J & J talc products. Ultimately, we're not sure how this decision will impact J & J's separate case in federal court seeking bankruptcy for a new subsidiary, LTL Management, where the company has siloed its talc litigation exposure. Often times in bankruptcy proceedings, there's a pause on new cases going to trial. But the Valadez claim was allowed to proceed due to his failing health. JNJ YTD mountain Johnson & Johnson YTD performance The verdict is "very significant," according to Moshe Maimon, partner at Levy Konigsberg LLP, who has won significant judgments in talc suits against J & J brought on behalf of his clients. "Verdicts like the Valadez case advance the cause of resolving the talc liability much more than bankruptcy filings," Maimon said. J & J has said that over 60,000 claimants support its latest $8.9 billion settlement to be paid out over 25 years. However, there are some 40,000 others who object. Support from a 75% supermajority of claimants would set a clear path to victory in the LTL case. Johnson & Johnson issued an official statement following the verdict in favor of Valdez, intending to appeal. "We thank the jurors for their efforts but intend to pursue an appeal based on erroneous rulings by the trial judge," J & J said Wednesday. J & J has staunchly denied its now-discontinued talc products ever contained asbestos or ever caused cancer. The next step in this years-long legal saga is likely to come by in early August from the court of U.S. Chief Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan in the LTL bankruptcy proceedings. If Kaplan dismisses the bankruptcy proposal, J & J will go back into the tort system. In that case, the company intends to "fight the claims aggressively," according to Erik Haas, worldwide vice president of litigation at J & J, who spoke during Thursday's second-quarter post-earnings call. "We feel very confident in our ability to prevail in the vast majority of claims as we have done in the past in the tort system," he added. J & J reported strong second-quarter profit and revenue Thursday. While the stock popped on positive financial results and added to those gains Friday the talc issue is still an overhang. Even so, J & J got a few of price target increases on Wall Street on Friday. One was from Stifel, which raised its PT to $175 per share from $165 and kept its hold rating. Another one was from Credit Suisse, which went to $175 from $170 and maintained its neutral rating. SVB Leerink increased its PT to $190 from $186 and reiterated its outperform buy-equivilant rating. Just hours after Thursday's Q2 release, we reaffirmed our 1 rating and $195 price target on the stock. While encouraged by the company's strong operating results and management's update on its Kenvue (KVUE) separation, we remain cautious due to the talc situation. "We don't anticipate additional individual actions" outside the bankruptcy beyond the Valadez case, Haas added during the call. However, Maimon expects there to be more litigation ahead: "There will be claimants and plaintiffs who want their day in court and who will push their cases to trial." In this scenario, J & J will likely go down the road of settling the talc legal disputes, which is historically how a majority of such cases end, he explained. The J & J subsidiary LTL Management filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to protect against talc litigation while resolving the thousands of lawsuits filed against the company. The entity, which was created to hold the talc liabilities, proposed the $8.9 billion settlement to be paid out in segments over 25 years to claimants as a means to end continued talc litigation. Looking ahead, there's concern that Tuesday's verdict in California could sway other plaintiffs to opt out of the settlement. We believe there will only be pressure off the company and a better path forward for what investors should do next when there's more clarity around the proposed talc compensation plan. Bottom line The uncertainty around the fate of the bankruptcy is making us hold off on adding to our J & J position. However, Jim said this is a problem "for the stock, not for the company." Outside of the talc saga, J & J's business fundamentals are very strong. Jim likes fast-growing J & J for its AAA balance sheet and its great product pipeline, which he believes are long-term catalysts for the stock. The split-off of J & J's consumer health division into Kenvue, which went public in May, should also create more value for shareholders over time. The higher growth pharmaceuticals and medical technology businesses are remaining as the new J & J. The Kenvue separation is expected to be completed before the end of the year. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long JNJ. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. In this photo illustration, a container of Johnson and Johnson baby powder is displayed on April 05, 2023 in San Anselmo, California. Justin Sullivan | Getty Images LONDON The amount of money given to the British royal family by the U.K. government is projected to "increase significantly" in the coming years, according to the latest review of the annual Sovereign Grant. Treasury officials said Thursday that the proportion of the Crown Estate's profits paid to the royals will be reduced to 12% from next year, down from the current rate of 25%. Despite the percentage cut, an unexpected surge in profits means the royal family is poised to receive more money than in previous years. The amount awarded as a sovereign grant is tied to the profits generated by the crown estate, which covers all of the hereditary assets belonging to the monarch, including large portions of land and vast swathes of British coastline and seabed. The portfolio is worth a total of 16 billion ($20.5 billion), according to the crown estate, and generated "substantial additional income" from the offshore wind facilities owned by the royal family. The sovereign grant, which is based on profits generated two years before the financial year in question, was worth 86.3 million this year unchanged from the year before and is set to remain at this level next year. The royal family is forecast to generate profits of around 1.04 billion from the crown estate in 2023-2024 and 1.05 billion in 2024-2025, according to the latest report of the royal trustees on the sovereign grant. At the new 12% formula, this means the monarchy could receive 124.8 million in 2025-2026 and 126 million the following year. Zelenskyy said nearly 70 missiles were fired at Odesa, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr and Kharkiv this week. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday announced the dismissal of ambassador to the U.K. Vadym Prystaiko after he called comments Zelenskyy made about the U.K. defense minister unhealthy. Zelenskyy issued a presidential order in which he did not specify a reason. In other news, Russian missile and drone strikes on southern Ukraine and port areas continued for a fourth night Thursday, according to Ukrainian authorities, as the White House confirmed Ukraine has begun using U.S.-supplied cluster bombs in its defensive operations in Russia-occupied areas. National security spokesperson John Kirby told reporters the U.S. had received feedback that the munitions, which arrived from the U.S. last week, were being used "effectively." In his daily address, Zelenskyy said nearly 70 missiles were fired at Odesa, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr and Kharkiv this week. Since Monday, concerns have been growing over global food supplies following Russia's suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which has provided a key export route since July 2022. Wheat prices have moved sharply higher as the European Union's foreign policy chief warned the move could imperil global food security. Tensions are also mounting in the Black Sea after Russia said it would consider all vessels sailing toward Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea as military cargo carriers. Ukraine's Defense Ministry said it "may" do the same from midnight Friday. Mark Cuban believes he became a billionaire because he's been hustling and selling since childhood. Now it seems that his teen son might have inherited a similar outlook. Cuban recently bragged about his 13-year-old son Jake's side hustle selling candy at school on an episode of comedian Kevin Hart's Peacock talk show "Hart to Heart." In the interview, which started streaming Thursday, the Dallas Mavericks owner and star of ABC's "Shark Tank" called his son "a little mini-me," on account of the teen's interest in figuring out the best way to turn a profit. "He's hustling and selling stuff all of the time," Cuban said in the interview, adding that Jake is tracking and organizing his efforts, too. "He shows me his spreadsheet because he's buying candy and selling it at school," Cuban told Hart, chuckling. "But he couldn't go pick up the candy where he wanted to pick it up because his sister wouldn't take him." Looking to use DoorDash to have the candy delivered, Cuban's son then turned to him with a shrewd question, the billionaire said: "[He] was like, 'Does the $16 for DoorDash count as my cost of goods sold?'" Hart noted that Cuban must have been "mind-blown" to see his son taking a candy side hustle so seriously. "My smile got so big!" Cuban agreed. As earnings season continues in high swing next week, certain stocks may outperform after they announce their results. Technology earnings will be closely watched next week, as Wall Street continues to debate for how long the megacap tech rally can last. Google-parent Alphabet, Microsoft and Intel are among the names scheduled to release their earnings. Social media giant Meta is also set to report, along with chip maker NXP Semiconductor. Investors will also keep an eye on how consumer names such as Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble issue their forward outlook for insights on the state of the consumer. Companies whose quarterly results top analysts' estimates may see their shares rise in the resulting enthusiasm. Meanwhile, any names that miss expectations for the quarter could be at risk of a selloff. CNBC Pro screened for companies scheduled to report earnings next week and found the ones that have a history of outperforming analyst expectations. The following stocks have beat analyst expectations for earnings at least 70% of the time, and on average rise at least 1% following their earnings report, according to data from Bespoke Investment Group. Take a look at the names that made the list: Evercore Investment banking firm Evercore is set to announce earnings Wednesday before the bell. The company has topped estimates 78% and 80% of the time for earnings and revenue, respectively. The stock has risen an average of 1.3% within a day following its earnings announcements. This would further propel the stock from its 25.6% year-to-date jump. Shares have rallied more than 45% over the past 12 months. Visa Global payments company Visa , which is set to report Tuesday, has beaten earnings and revenue forecasts 95% and 89% of the time, respectively. The company's shares rise an average of 1% following its earnings. Oppenheimer recently reiterated its top pick designation on Visa despite some expected downsides from the resumption of student loan repayments later this year. Shares are up more than 15% in 2023. F5 Cloud services and security company F5 is one of the most consistent earnings outperformers on the list, with a record of beating expectations 85% of the time . Shares have added approximately 2% in the day following an earnings announcement. Shares are up almost 5% year to date but are down 4% over the past 12 months. The company will report results Monday after the main trading session. Logitech Computer peripherals manufacturer Logitech also made the list. The company has a 75% record of beating Wall Street's expectations during its quarterly earnings reports. Despite the tech share boom, the company has underperformed the broad market index in 2023, with shares gaining just 1.6% year to date. The company releases its quarterly results Monday after the bell. CNBC's Michael Bloom and Fred Imbert contributed to this report. The social media app will be developed by Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG). Shares of Digital World Acquisition Corp. the shell company seeking to take former President Donald Trump's social media platform public soared more than 50% on Friday following the company's announcement that it had settled fraud charges with the Securities and Exchange Commission for $18 million. This surge brought DWAC's stock to $20.08, still a far cry from its highs above $95 in March of last year. DWAC is a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC, that announced plans to merge with Truth Social parent company Trump Media & Technology Group in October 2021. The merger has since faced numerous delays. DWAC's SEC settlement dictates that the company must pay an $18 million civil penalty fee if it merges with TMTG and takes the company public. But if the merger does not occur before the Jan. 1, 2025, deadline, and if DWAC returns investors' money, the SEC has agreed to waive the penalty. The SEC alleged improper merger discussions had taken place. It is illegal for SPACS to solicit specific merger targets ahead of an actual initial public offering filing. The settlement also comes on the heels of U.S. government charging three Florida men for DWAC-related insider trading. The company's stock has previously seen surges in line with news about the former president, with shares rising, for instance, after Trump's 2024 presidential bid announcement and indictment. But the DWAC settlement is the latest in a growing list of legal problems that have ensnared Trump and his businesses since he left the White House in 2021. He is currently facing state charges in New York that his company falsified business records. He was also indicted in federal court last month for allegedly mishandling classified documents. Trump has pleaded not guilty in both cases. Authorities in Georgia are also investigating Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican nomination, over his attempts to overturn his loss in the 2020 presidential election. DWAC and Trump's team did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Soldiers operate a drone from their foxhole position with the 110th Brigade, a Territorial Defense unit, in Novodarivka settlement in Luhansk, Ukraine on July 05, 2023. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Ukraine's counteroffensive has been more sluggish than many expected and military analysts warn that the window of opportunity for breaking through Russian defenses and making territorial gains could close soon. Kyiv's counteroffensive was launched in June after months of preparation, but its progress has disappointed some onlookers who hoped for a faster regaining of Russian-occupied territory in the south and east of the country. While Ukraine planned its counteroffensive over the winter and waited for more military hardware from its international allies Russian forces were heavily fortifying their positions along a 900-kilometer (559-mile) front line stretching from the Kharkiv-Luhansk border in the northeast of Ukraine, toward Kherson in the southwest. Military analysts note that Ukraine now faces successive lines of Russian defenses that are, in some cases, 30 kilometers deep and consisting of minefields, anti-tank obstacles, and extensive networks of trenches and bunkers that are covered by Russian drones, artillery and helicopters. Small window of opportunity One of the biggest problems for Ukraine is that the time frame for breaking through Russia's defenses is limited, with only a few summer months left in which to make serious gains. A gun crew of the M777 howitzer aims artillery fire onto Russian positions near the occupied Ukrainian city of Bakhmut on July 13, 2023 in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Global Images Ukraine | Getty Images News | Getty Images For Michael Clarke, a defense analyst and former director-general of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank, there's a risk that the first phase of the counteroffensive, designed to probe Russia's defenses, takes too long. "It was always intended to be a two-stage offensive, with a sort of probing first stage to try to identify weaknesses in the Russian frontline, followed by a second stage where they put their big forces into it. And we're still on the first stage which has lasted longer than they expected," Clarke told CNBC Wednesday. "If this first phase lasts too long, they leave themselves insufficient time before the weather changes, before the second phase starts," he said. Although he believed it to be an unlikely scenario, Clarke noted that time pressures could prompt Ukraine to deploy military units destined for use in the second phase of the counteroffensive sooner than planned something he said Russia is hoping for. "The danger then is that they will not be able to use the bulk of their forces in sufficient mass to make a difference ... to create a real punch when they decide to really start," he added. "I'm not pessimistic about this offensive but the risks that it may not work are increasing as the days tick on." One of the most pressing time constraints is the inevitable change of weather, with Ukraine's infamous muddy season in the fall set to make the offensive far more challenging and at times with unpassable roads and fields practically impossible. Ukrainian military members attach a wire rope to a pickup truck bogged down in the mud to tow it away on Feb. 26, 2023, in Donetsk, Ukraine. Global Images Ukraine | Getty Images News | Getty Images Konrad Muzyka, a military intelligence specialist and president of Rochan Consulting, said "the weather has always been the factor" for Kyiv. "I think that the Ukrainians expected the counteroffensive to gather sufficient momentum to allow them to continue to push south at a much faster rate. Unfortunately, it didn't happen," he told CNBC on Wednesday. "I think it's fair to say that Ukrainians have up to three months now before they will run out of artillery munitions and they will run out of barrels for their guns, and three months until the terrain will again become very muddy." Lost momentum The scale of the challenge facing Ukraine became apparent when early momentum in the counteroffensive, which saw Ukraine reclaim a handful of occupied villages in the south, seemingly petered out. But Kyiv says its forces are conducting counteroffensive actions in at least three areas and are operating against a backdrop of increased Russian offensive operations. Ukraine's Defense Ministry claims its forces have liberated around 210 square kilometers (81 square miles) of occupied territory since June. Meanwhile, the attritional nature of the counteroffensive is becoming increasingly apparent. "Ukrainians tend to say that 'we captured a trench' or 'we moved 500 meters forward' and so on and so forth but essentially what we are seeing is a very hard-fought battle on the Ukrainian side," Muzyka said. "This reminds me of the battles we have seen since mid-last year, when one side is trying to push the front line, and the other side is very well dug in and is trying to prevent any breakthroughs," he added. Ukrainian soldiers fire targets on the front line in the direction of the city of Vuhledar in Donetsk, Ukraine. Anadolu Agency | Anadolu Agency | Getty Images Muzyka said Ukraine's attacks on Russian positions are ongoing and have been reasonably successful so far, but any advances are likely to be slow. In addition, expectations of any major breakthrough in the counteroffensive were low among Ukrainian soldiers he had spoken to on the ground. "This will have to be a grinding attritional fight after the next two or three months," he noted. "The objective is to continue to push forward and liberate trench by trench in a slow manner. The use of armored vehicles is very limited because the density of Russian ATGMs [anti-tank guided missile systems] and artillery is so, so high, that it's still risky to use combined armored formations." "The Ukrainians will just have to inch forward and continue to strike the Russian rear hoping that the Russian ability to sustain the forces in the north will be sufficiently degraded to allow for the increased tempo of ground attacks on the Ukrainian side," Muzyka noted. "To what extent this will be successful, I don't know." Ukraine and allies defend progress Ukraine is the first to admit that its troops are operating in what one defense official described this week as "extremely difficult conditions." They have conceded that the counteroffensive is going more slowly than expected and is not having the swift results of similar actions last year, which saw Kyiv's forces retake a swathe of Kharkiv in northeast Ukraine and Kherson in the south. Yuriy Sak, an advisor to Ukraine's Defense Ministry, defended the military's progress and repeated calls for fighter jets from its allies the supply of which continues to elude Kyiv. "If you consider that we are conducting these offensive operations along the 900-kilometer long front then you are possibly going to conclude that this is going pretty well," Sak told CNBC on Wednesday. "If you take into account the millions of mines that have been laid, the length of the trenches and fortified defense lines and that we're doing this without the air power, and Russians continue to have air supremacy, then the progress is steady and positive." Ukrainian servicemen from the K-2 battalion fly a drone at a frontline position near the town of Siversk, Donetsk region, on July 12, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Anatolii Stepanov | Afp | Getty Images Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 20) State auditors are questioning deficiencies in a number of student assistance and scholarship programs of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). In its report posted on July 17, the Commission on Audit (COA) found deficiencies in implementing the Bayanihan 2 for Higher Education Tulong Program (B2HELP), a subsidy under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. COA flagged over 54 million in unliquidated fund transfers, as well as incomplete documentation and inconsistencies in supporting documents worth more than 5.3 million. It also advised refunding for 103 ineligible B2HELP student-grantees who received payments equivalent to at least 505,000. The audit body also found lapses and deficiencies in the implementation of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program, including unliquidated grants amounting to 16.8 billion, and delayed release of funds of over 3.4 billion. COA noted that double scholarship grants were given to 51 TES beneficiaries in the amount of 546,000, while an excess amount of over 8 million was also transferred to higher education institutions (HEIs). Incomplete and deficient supporting documents on disbursements also amounted to more than 116 million. State auditors advised CHED to refund the double scholarship grants, require the HEIs to return the excess fund transfers, and refrain from releasing funds to HEIs with deficient supporting documents. COA also found lapses in the implementation of the Free Higher Education program, which resulted in overpayment of 39.9 million in tuition and other school fees reimbursed by CHED to two public HEIs. COA advised CHED to direct the HEIs to return the overpayments. The agency further found that CHED has unreleased financial assistance to two grantees under its scholarship program although they have already submitted the required documents, while nine students who failed to maintain the scholarship requirements were also found to have still received payments. Fourteen scholars received excessive payments, which COA also advised refunding. Furthermore, COA discovered that eight CHED-funded collaborative research and development projects with a combined cost of more than 349 million did not correspond to and even went past the validity period of their appropriations, which means their completion is not assured. According to the annual report, audit suspensions and disallowances amounting to 256 million remain unsettled as of Dec. 31, 2022. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 20) No one has been tagged yet to take on the role of commanding general of the Philippine Army, a post to be vacated by Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner, who is set to be sworn in as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said Thursday. "Wala pa, wala pa [No one, there's no one yet], that has to be deliberated upon by the board of generals and the president is still considering his replacement," Teodoro said in a press conference. The Palace announced Brawner's new role on Wednesday, succeeding Gen. Andres Centino who was appointed by president Ferdinand Marcos earlier this year. Centino said he leaves behind a "a disciplined, determined and dedicated armed forces capable to address all threats." He added he leaves the service fulfilled and content. In a separate statement, the AFP said it welcomes the news of Brawner's appointment. "The 145,000-strong AFP shall support the incoming CSAFP who has proven his sterling leadership and excellent performance of assigned tasks in the field of AFP operations, modernization and transformation.," said AFP spokesperson Col Medel Aguilar. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) An advocacy group on Friday urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to first take note of conditions in each locality before institutionalizing the blended learning setup in all schools. The Philippine Business for Education (PBEd) pointed out that not all public schools are experiencing a shortage of classrooms the reason behind DepEd's proposal. "We must decentralize delivery...Even this issue of classrooms is not equal across the country. So parang gagawa tayo ng [So it's like we will create a] national solution for a problem that might not be a problem in your locality," PBEd president Chito Salazar told a press briefing. Early this month, DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said the agency has presented to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. its plan to make blended learning a permanent mode of instruction to address the shortage of classrooms. According to PBEd's findings, the Philippines has a shortage of 167,901 classrooms. The organization said around 420 billion is needed to address the problem. The Department of Budget and Management in May released 15.1 billion to DepEd for the construction of 4,912 classrooms across 1,194 sites nationwide. "So alangang i-impose natin yung blended (learning) sa hindi naman problema ang classroom [We shouldn't impose blended learning in areas that do not have problems with classrooms]. We believe that many education solutions must be based on local conditions. So local governments must be involved in many decisions," Salazar added. In November last year, DepEd mandated all public and private schools to hold daily in-person classes. But the agency gave school heads the authority to implement alternative learning setups amid the scorching heat last summer. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) The Malaysian government is optimistic that the state visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. later this month would further strengthen bilateral ties and pave the way for more areas of cooperation. Marcos is scheduled to visit Malaysia on July 25-27, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced in a briefing at the presidential palace. In an interview with reporters, Malaysian Ambassador Dato' Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino bin Anthony said the exchange of visits between Marcos and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim showed the dynamic relations between the two countries. We hope to touch on a new area of cooperation and intensify areas that we think there is potential between the two countries because the Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is looking forward to the visit and of course this shows very close dynamic relationship, the Malaysian envoy said. We hope this visit will further bring the importance of relationship between Malaysia and Philippines to greater heights, he added. The Malaysian ambassador said that they are now preparing for possible agreements to be signed during the visit. Its a work in progress, but we hope to, of course, touch some key decisions on certain important aspects of relationships including areas like training development, Halal industry, and of course people to people relationship, he said. The Malaysian ambassador added that Malaysia and the Philippines share many important strategic relationships." I think it has been further enhanced by the meeting between the two leaders of the country, the envoy said. The ambassador added that maritime cooperation could also be discussed during Marcos state visit. "All issues are important because we are neighbors, besides areas of trade and cooperation, investments, education, culture," he said. "Of course the areas of maritime security, areas of defense cooperation of course will be discussed as part and parcel of the relations between countries in ASEAN, so they've also been touching on it." Anwar visited Manila in March where both countries stressed the need to maintain peace and stability in the region. The Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and China also have claims in the South China Sea. The Philippines also has a long-standing dispute with Malaysia over Sabah. Last month, Malaysia won a case before a Dutch court over a $14.9 billion payout to heirs of a Philippine sultan involved in a 19th-century deal on Sabah. Descendants of the Sultan of Sulu, who once ruled parts of southern Philippines and Sabah, had asked The Hague Court of Appeals to enforce a decision by a French court last year ordering Malaysia to pay them $14.9 billion. The court rejected their appeal. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will fly to Malaysia next week for a state visit, where talks on economic cooperation and the newly enacted Maharlika law may be discussed, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday. DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said Marcos and First Lady Ma. Louise Araneta-Marcos were invited by the King of Malaysia to undertake a state visit from July 25 to 27. Marcos will meet with King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian business leaders, and the Filipino community. READ: Malaysian PM Anwar looks forward to Marcos' state visit this month, eyes stronger ties envoy Daza said Philippine and Malaysian officials are expected to pursue bilateral cooperation on priority areas in support of economic agenda of the country, which includes trade and investments, agriculture, tourism, digital economy, and people-to-people exchanges. There will be new areas that will be explored, including Halal industry and Islamic banking, she added. Since Marcos and some members of his economic team would meet with Malaysian companies, the DFA official said the government expects to generate investment pledges. Asked on efforts to touch on the Maharlika Investment Fund, Daza said: It's pretty safe to assume that it will may be raised and promoted during this visit. Earlier this week, the controversial measure was signed into law. READ: Marcos signs Maharlika fund bill into law Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 21) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is tracking down unregistered and fake or counterfeit products posted on online selling platforms, as well as advertisers posting ads with fake celebrity endorsers. In a briefing on Friday, the FDA said it is coordinating with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and local enforcement units to notify the platforms and take them down. FDA Director-General Samuel Zacate said although investigations are ongoing on online ads with fake endorsers, arrests have yet to happen. "Pag nag-post sila sa [online] marketplace, isang click lang nila, mawawala sila, hindi namin sila matutunton. Kumbaga sa isda, madulas. So it entails intel operations and counter-intel operations," he said. [Translation: If they post on the online marketplace, in just one click, they could disappear and we cannot track them. Just like fish, they're hard to catch. It entails intel operations and counter-intel operations.] "If I divulge it, magsisitaguan na naman 'yan sa mga lungga nila," Zacate added. [Translation: If I divulge it, they will start hiding.] The FDA chief asked the public to be more cautious about the products they are consuming by verifying their registration through their portal. Consumers may input the product's name and brand on the portal for verification. "If they see a product that is being regulated by the FDA sa online platforms, i-verify naman nila sa verification portal kung ito po ay rehistrado kasi ito 'yong kasiguraduhan nila para masabi na itong produkto na ito ay nagdaan sa proseso at garantiya ang kanilang safety and efficacy," he explained. [Translate: If they see a product that is being regulated by the FDA on online platforms, they could verify these on the verification portal if they are registered. That is their assurance that the product underwent the process and ensures their safety and efficacy.] Oplan Katharos Zacate said he is eyeing to launch an initiative against these illegal activities, especially on products with "very questionable safety profiles," to further protect public health. He said it will be called "Oplan Katharos," which will seek the development and implementation of guidelines governing the FDA's handling, storage, and disposal of seized health products. "Although, I'm trying to streamline [it], mahirap kasing gawin siya nang hindi pa matapos 'yong sistema [because it's difficult to create it if the system is not yet finished] Siguro [Maybe] a few months from now I will launch the Oplan Katharos together with the NBI and CIDG," he told reporters. "It is a guaranteed innovation with the FDA, a more proactive FDA, and a more helping FDA for this new administration," the director-general added. On June 26, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada filed a resolution to investigate fake online advertisements using celebrities to endorse food and health products. READ: Senate urged to probe fake online ads using celebrities to endorse food, health products Estrada cited recent incidents where health reform advocate Dr. Tony Leachon, cardiologist Dr. Willie Ong, as well as celebrities Sharon Cuneta and Kris Aquino, were victims of fake ads. (CNN) Spain and Italy may still be among the most popular destinations for Europeans to take their vacations, but there are signs scorching weather in southern Europe has started to change travelers calculations on where to go in the future. According to the European Travel Commission, a Brussels-based association of European tourism organizations, the number of European tourists planning to travel to Mediterranean destinations in the summer and fall has dropped 10% compared with the same period last year. Spain, Italy, France, Croatia and Greece were still the most popular destinations, but places like the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ireland, and Denmark had seen a surge in popularity, the ETC said in a statement this month after conducting a survey of around 6,000 people. This can be attributed to travelers seeking out less crowded destinations, and milder temperatures, the association said. This summers extreme temperatures follow blistering heat last year. A growing preference for cooler vacation spots in the coming years would be bad news for countries on the Mediterranean Sea, especially those whose economies rely heavily on tourism. Last year, the travel and tourism sector made up 18.5% of the Greek economy and more than 10% of Italys economy, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. Pleasant weather remains the top consideration for Europeans when choosing where to vacation, according to the ETC survey, and 7.6% of respondents said the possibility of extreme weather during their European trip was their biggest concern. A spokesperson at ForwardKeys, a travel data company, told CNN that there has been a shift in preference towards cooler and more northern destinations among UK travelers as a result of the heat waves in continental Europe this month. It appears that the increasing awareness of heat waves has prompted British travelers to seek out last-minute destinations with milder temperatures this summer, the spokesperson said. Olivier Ponti, a senior researcher at ForwardKeys, said online searches in the United Kingdom for flights to southern Europe in the peak holiday months of July and August accounted for 58% of all flight searches at the start of July, down from 62% a month earlier. Meanwhile, online searches for northern European destinations increased by 3 percentage points to hit 10%. Heat wave only just begun Italy, Spain and Greece have faced unrelenting heat for days, but the European Space Agency warned in a statement last week that the heat wave had only just begun. On Tuesday, the land surface temperature thats how hot the ground feels to touch reached 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit) in Rome, and 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit) in Nicosia, Cyprus, and the city of Catania in Sicily, Italy, according to the ESA. As climate change takes grip, heat waves such as this are likely to be more frequent and more severe, with far-reaching consequences, the ESA said in its statement. Johan Lundgren, CEO of British airline easyJet (ESYJY), told reporters Thursday that the heat wave had not deterred tourists from taking their vacations in the usual places, but added that the airline had the flexibility to adjust its routes in the future if vacationers preferences started to change. Tourist hot spots are already having to make adjustments because of the sweltering heat. Greek authorities said Thursday that the Acropolis and other archaeological sites would remain closed to visitors between midday and 5:30 p.m. local time till at least Sunday. Greeces meteorological service has warned that temperatures will rise further this week and are expected to reach 44 degrees Celsius (111 Fahrenheit) over the weekend in some parts of the country. In Rome, several tourists have collapsed due to heat stroke this week, including a British tourist who fainted in front of the Colosseum Tuesday, according to Romes civil protection chief Giuseppe Napolitano. The city has set up a command center to ensure crowds waiting to enter tourist sites have access to water, misting stations and shade when possible. Southern Europe still popular with Brits Despite rocketing temperatures, countries in southern Europe are still the go-to spots for many vacationers. A spokesperson for UK travel agency Thomas Cook told CNN that the company hadnt seen any difference whatsoever in the numbers of its customers traveling to Mediterranean countries. Customers are happily heading out on their holidays right across the Med, and bookings recently have been as strong as they were at the start of the year, the spokesperson said. Sean Tipton, a spokesperson for ABTA, an association of UK travel agents covering about 90% of the industry, told CNN that his members had seen zero evidence of cancellations, and that people were keen to take their holidays, which they had booked far in advance. Spain, Greece and Turkey are still by far the most popular [destinations], he said, which hasnt changed at all. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Europeans are still flocking to the scorching Mediterranean. But extreme heat could dent bookings in future" Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today! Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published. Error! There was an error processing your request. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Gorge Social Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?) 07/21/2023 When two blockbuster movies are scheduled to premiere the same weekend, it can generate a lot of excitement among movie fans and grab the attention of the media. Scammers are also quick to jump on the bandwagon. This weeks ConsumerAffairs-Trend Micro Threat Alert found there are plenty of schemes around the movies Barbie and Oppenheimer. Jon Clay, vice president of Threat Intelligence at Trend Micro, says people should stay alert. Big movies like Barbie getting a lot of attention in the press and all the buzz about the double feature of Barbie and Oppenheimer are a good reminder that scammers will utilize anything that gets the attention of the public, Clay told ConsumerAffairs. Scammers take advantage of big events like these, and weve seen the name Barbie appear in several Walmart scams ahead of the release of the movie and as the retailer launches a new Barbie collection. Barbie-related Scams Between July 1-July 19, the Trend Micro research team identified 1,490 Barbie-related scams in the US. The top five states being targeted are California, Texas, Florida, Illinois and Pennsylvania, with over one-third of the victims are from California. Walmart Survey Scam Trend Micro's research team identified scammers impersonating Walmart to inform victims that they won the lucky draw and must declare for the prize. Scammers then ask victims for their personal and credit card information. The top five states being targeted are California, Florida, Texas, New York and North Carolina. The thing to remember here is that you cant win a contest that you didnt enter. Laws are very clear about that. Being asked to pay a fee in order to collect a prize is yet another dead giveaway. If someone asks you to pay a fee or taxes on your prize upfront, there is no prize. Its a scam. Amazon Prime Day Scam As the research team has identified over the last few weeks, in order to get victims personal information, scammers pretend to celebrate Amazon Prime Day and then invite users to sign-up and to get free shipping benefits. The top five states being targeted are Washington, Virginia, Texas, Massachusetts and California. Yes, Prime Day is in the rearview mirror but scammers are still using it to try to swindle unsuspecting consumers. We expect that scam will fade out in the coming days, only to make a return appearance around Black Friday. Shipping Scam The Trend Micro research team found scammers pretending to be the Australia Post, telling victims their parcel delivery failed, and asking victims to update their addresses and credit card info. The top five states being targeted are New Jersey, California, Florida, Connecticut and Virginia. Okay, unless you are expecting a package from Australia, why in the world would you bite on this scam? Apparently, scammers believe there are enough people in the U.S. who will. Travel Scam From April 1-July 16, Trend Micro found 2,244 travel-related scam URLs, which increased by 4.17% compared to the past weeks. Trend Micro identified 3 fake Booking.com login pages and payment information pages, with over one-third of the victims are from Oregon (32.73%). The top five states being targeted are Oregon, Virginia, Washington, Pennsylvania and Illinois There is no indication that travel scams will let up anytime this summer. Consumers are traveling in record numbers, especially by air. When flights get canceled passengers must scramble to make new travel arrangements. If they click on a sponsored Google link to find help, it could mean trouble. Here are some more scams targeting consumers this week: Adobe Sign Phishing Trend Micro's research team identified scammers impersonating Adobe Sign to send customers a phishing email that asks them to review and sign up for revised contract documents. Trend Micro detected 126 logs on July 17. American Express Phishing Trend Micro's research team identified a phishing American Express email which requires victims to validate their American Express Account. Trend Micro detected 253 logs on July 14. OneDrive Phishing Youre looking to embark on your latest criminal endeavor. You dont have a gang, someone on the inside or a budget. What you do have is a nine-volt battery, a coat hanger, a lighter and a rubber band. Can you pull this scheme off? We bet you can. All it takes is know-how and creativity to turn those bits of junk into a superweapon. And then you, too, can pull off a legendary heist, just like... Advertisement 5 The Magnetic Thief In 1981, Salim Kara got a job repairing fare boxes for Canadian rail. He spent the next 13 years robbing those boxes, netting himself $2 million. Karas job didnt grant him access to the coin compartments in those boxes. Jobs with that access are monitored closely enough that workers cant easily spirit away the sacks of coins theyre routinely tasked with lugging around. No, Karas job simply put him in close proximity with the boxes, so he could show up at night and remove a boxs front plate. Then, hed suck out coins, not by turning a key and opening a door but by attracting them with a magnet, one attached to a car antenna for extra reach. Obviously, this wasnt a very efficient method of robbery compared to, say, grabbing a briefcase of hundred-dollar bills. Still, he obtained thousands of dollars a week this way, all in coins. He deposited the coins at the bank, claiming they were from a vending machine business he pretended to own. The bank believed him because that was the most reasonable explanation for how anyone could ever come up with that much loose change. Canadian transit did notice they werent collecting as many coins as predicted from those boxes, but the shortfall was so consistent, they dismissed it as a permanent problem in their counting system. Finally, they wised up and put an eye on Kara, who ended up caught and sentenced to prison for four years. Hed made out well for that decade during which hed kept the scheme going. He even got enough to afford to build his own mini-mansion, complete with gothic columns. It was a testament to the power of steady honest work, and proof that a loonie grabbed is loonie earned. 4 The Robo Gun Briefcase Donald Dean Stenger ran a major meth ring, which he managed to keep largely secret. He owned four gold mines, too. That might not sound prudent for a man trying to maintain a low profile, but gold mines are a good way to disguise income. He might have kept his operation under wraps for even longer than he did, but in September 1985, his brother was caught with a whole lot of meth on him. Stenger immediately bailed him out with $200,000 cash, which he apparently just had lying around the house, so police finally turned an eye his way. The DEA went to arrest him in Douglas, Arizona, where he was storing two aircraft he owned. Stenger also happened to be there in person, and he fled. When the DEA gave chase, he actually managed to get away. At some point, he ditched his vehicle and went by foot over the Mexican border. In the absence of the man himself, the DEA set about tracking down and raiding his $20 million drug lab. Two months after that, they found him right in his home, in Colorado. They arrested him, of course. But they should have realized that this was all too easy. When they now searched the home, they came upon a closed briefcase, with an automatic rifle inside rigged to fire at them. AMC Heres a dramatic reenactment. It was a booby trap worthy of any meth kingpin. It wasnt enough to save him, though. They took him into custody, and while he was awaiting trial, he suddenly died of a meth overdose. Hed swallowed a condom of the stuff, which ruptured in his stomach and released enough drugs to kill him. Either hed made a fatal mistake or this was exactly what hed planned. 3 The Electric Train Robbers Weve all tried robbing trains before, and normally, the toughest part is boarding them. You dont want to rob it at a station, which is filled with guards; you want to waylay the train somewhere else. This means either riding alongside the train while on your horse and then making the jump across or obstructing the tracks to force the train to stop. However, thieves in India in 2017 found another way. Heres how train signals work along the railway they targeted: Metal bars form a circuit, but a gap keeps the circuit open. When a trains wheel fills that gap, the circuit closes, and the train signal automatically turns red, warning other trains from barreling forward along that same track. The thieves realized any piece of conducting metal could bridge that gap the same way. So, they hacked the circuit and turned the signal red by inserting a single one-rupee coin. This is a coin that, awesomely, features someone giving a thumbs up (not to be confused with a Thums Up, which is an Indian version of Coke). Reserve Bank of India The coins increasingly rare. Normally, everyone just rounds to the nearest 10 rupees. When the train stopped, the gang easily came aboard and relieved passengers of their phones and jewelry. The plan worked so well that they then repeated the trick half a dozen times on different trains. You see, some people are out there robbing railways of coins, but other people are robbing railways with coins. 2 The A.I. Voice Hackers If you want to siphon tens of millions of dollars out of an account, you cant just use some remote hack like in the movies. Some actual human being has to manually approve the transaction. The challenge before you is to fool that person, not just to fool a computer. Fortunately, hacking can help with both those missions. Emiliano Vittoriosi/Unsplash Were not talking about chatbots here. Chatbots arent up for the task. In 2020, a team of as-yet-unidentified thieves mocked up some emails to make it look like a company just informed its manager in Hong Kong about a big deal. Then they called the manager and told him to approve a transfer of $35 million from their bank. Normally, even a bunch of convincing documents wouldnt have been enough to persuade this manager to move ahead, but he knew the voice of the man talking to him. It was the director of the company that owned his company, so this Hong Kong manager went ahead and pressed the big green button. The voice on the other end was not in fact the company director (who, now that we think about it, probably doesnt make such calls personally anyway). It was a cybercriminal whod cloned the directors voice, using deepfake tech, or A.I., or whatever other term makes the technology sounds the most scary. Truly, advances in technology have created new roads that were never before open. Never before open, that is, other than to accomplished comedians who imitate voices for fun. Advertisement Advertisement With his work on pause due to the AMPTPs refusal to pay writers their rightful worth, Dan Amira is using his newfound free time and practical skills as head writer of The Daily Show to do some hard-hitting investigative research and answer a question no else has ever had the courage to ask: Whats the restaurant with the largest number of brothers in its name? Inspired by the ubiquitous NYC staple 2 Bros. Pizza, Amira fell down a rabbit hole of other numbered brother restaurants. The first few were other pizza joints, but as the numbers increased, the offerings began to vary. His digital hunt has taken him across state lines to Six Brothers Diner in Little Falls, New Jersey, to our friends to the north at Twelve Brothers Bar Pizza in Toronto, all the way across the Atlantic to Los 15 Hermanos, a tapas bar in Spain. It should be noted that Amira is taking his search for the largest assortment of brothers in the culinary industry very seriously and verifying that the establishments are in fact restaurants as opposed to stores or markets. As such, he had to inform one follower who suggested 18 Hermanos, a Mexican free-range egg farm, that it doesnt look like they SERVE food, and I think thats the bare minimum were looking for here. So unfortunately I dont think this counts. Adios. Along these lines, he has a pending DM to Eighteen Brothers Hookah Bar asking about their culinary options. In the meantime, if you or a loved one know of a Nineteen Brothers eatery, please reach out to Amira, hes in too deep to stop now. Survey of 30 U.S. Cities Shows Nearly 10% Drop in Homicides in 2023 If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit Towards the end of the decade, outgoing British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace predicts, the world is going to be much more unsafe. Hes not wrong. But, as good a Defence Secretary as he has been, he is nevertheless not leaving our military in anything like the state it should be to cope with the very challenges hes warning us about. The world is already a dangerous place and is set to become even more dangerous. A revanchist Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has resulted in Europes biggest land war since the end of World War II. An aggressive China has snuffed out freedom in Hong Kong, raised tensions in the crucial shipping lanes of the South China Sea and now threatens independent and democratic Taiwan with destruction. Islamic State and its offshoots are now resurgent across the Sahel, that part of North Africa that stretches from the Atlantic coast of Senegal in the west to Sudans Red Sea coast in the east, a massive region of poverty, instability and unrest in which there are currently seven serious conflicts. Meanwhile, North Koreas deranged dictator, Kim Jong Un, regularly rattles his nuclear weapons, while continually adding to his stockpile of short and long-range missiles. And the medieval mullahs of Iran persevere, largely untrammelled, with their plans to develop a nuclear arsenal of their own. Only this month, America deployed some of its most sophisticated warships and jet fighters to the Gulf to deter Iranian adventurism. Perhaps most significant in terms of the threat to peace, Russia and China have gone from being autocracies in which power was dispersed across the ruling politburo to one-man totalitarian dictatorships under presidents Putin (pictured) and Xi respectively None of these flashpoints is likely to get any less parlous as the 2020s unfold. Some could get a lot more scary. And thats before we have to deal with whatever unpredictable military aggression, which by definition we cannot foresee, suddenly flares up without warning, as happened in living memory with General Galtieris invasion of the Falklands in 1982 and Saddam Husseins seizing of Kuwait in 1990. The world is becoming more unsafe because democracy is in retreat. Democracies rarely, if ever, fight each other. Indeed I dont think theres a single case of a major conflict between two well-established democracies in the history of the world. So the more democracies become the norm the more likely we are to have a peaceful planet. Sadly that is not, so far, the story of the 21st century. After the fall of communism and the collapse of various Third World fascist regimes in the final decades of the last century, these were supposed to be the decades in which democracy triumphed. Instead, its been the Age of the Autocrats. Dictators have flourished, liberal democracy, as defined by free elections in which all adults can vote, a free Press and independent courts, has declined. In some countries only recently regarded as functioning democracies, such as Turkey, Hungary and Bangladesh, elections now barely matter, such is the grip on the electoral process of the resident strongman (or woman). Even India under prime minister Narendra Modi is not quite the democracy it was and his Hindu nationalist government is no fan of free media or Muslims. Pictured: President Xi. Chinas defence secretary recently shunned his American opposite number by saying: When friends visit us, we welcome them with fine wine. When jackals or wolves come, we will face them with shotguns. READ MORE: Vladimir Putin vows to take revenge for 'terrorist' jet-ski drone strike on Crimea bridge which left two Russians dead This picture reportedly shows damaged parts of an automobile link of the Crimean Bridge connecting Russian mainland and Crimean peninsula over the Kerch Strait Advertisement Seven new African democracies, from Burkina Faso to Benin, have slipped back into dictatorship. Well-established autocrats in Belarus, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Sudan and Algeria hold on to power untroubled by democratic stirrings. The Arab Spring, which promised so much, delivered almost nothing. Perhaps most significant in terms of the threat to peace, Russia and China have gone from being autocracies in which power was dispersed across the ruling politburo to one-man totalitarian dictatorships under presidents Putin and Xi respectively. Their regimes are openly hostile to democracies. Weve seen what Putin has done to Ukraine. And Chinas defence secretary recently shunned his American opposite number by saying: When friends visit us, we welcome them with fine wine. When jackals or wolves come, we will face them with shotguns. The upshot, according to a democracy index compiled by Freedom House, an independent think-tank, is that global freedom declined in 2022 for the 17th consecutive year. Only half the worlds 178 countries can be regarded as democratic, some of them imperfect democracies. The number of pure dictatorships has risen from 23 to 39 in the past five years, while those classified as decently democratic has declined. This explains why some American academics now talk about a democratic recession. It is a recipe for the sort of war-torn future Wallace is warning about. Given this dire prognosis, you might think Western democracies would be rushing to spend more on defence to realise that in a world of growing military dangers and autocratic aggressors, defence must be treated as the first social service without which all other social services are at risk (just ask any Ukrainian). But the democracies are not replenishing their military capabilities on anything like the scale needed to keep us free. Wallace managed to get some extra cash out of the Treasury for defence but nothing like enough. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt approach the military as bureaucratic bean counters whose primary purpose is to scrimp and save rather than champions of freedom who view defence as a priority. We spend barely 2 per cent of our GDP on defence and talk of getting to 2.5 per cent is just that talk. Pictured: President Ebrahim Raisi. The medieval mullahs of Iran persevere, largely untrammelled, with their plans to develop a nuclear arsenal of their own. Only this month, America deployed some of its most sophisticated warships and jet fighters to the Gulf to deter Iranian adventurism It will happen when economic and fiscal conditions allow which, based on the Governments current inability to run the economy properly, might be never leaving us vulnerable to any number of military escalations which would threaten our national security. Any plans for getting to 3 per cent of GDP the minimum for proper defences and military capability have been shelved. As a result, we are incapable of deploying even one fully-equipped war-fighting division. Our army is being cut to a pathetic 72,000 (the smallest since Napoleon thought of invading our islands), we have hardly enough tanks to punch our way out of a wet paper bag, and there are times when the number of warships we can put to sea is barely in double figures. We dont even have enough fighter jets to fly off our new aircraft carriers. Yet the waste is astronomical. Not just in the procurement of equipment, which is always delivered late and hundreds of millions if not billions over budget, but in the employment of countless paper-pushers at the Ministry of Defence and an unnecessary plethora of top brass there are more admirals than warships in the Royal Navy, for example. Dangerous times demand drastic measures. Britains combined Army, Navy and Air Force is roughly the size of the United States Marine Corps, probably the greatest fighting machine in the world, which also has formidable capabilities on land, sea and air under one command structure. We should merge our Armed Forces into one single command too, with a combined British Defence Force subsuming all three arms of our existing military, sweeping away layers of bureaucracy and an underemployed officer class in the process. At a time when weve never needed it more, it would give our military a far bigger bang for the buck. North Koreas deranged dictator, Kim Jong Un, regularly rattles his nuclear weapons, while continually adding to his stockpile of short and long-range missiles Of course, its unlikely to happen. The politicians dont have the guts to take on the vested interests of the separate services and those entrenched power bases would fight a fierce rearguard action to preserve their privileges. But if we took Wallaces prediction seriously its exactly what wed be doing to get our armed forces into to shape for the growing threats to come. Not that our allies are doing much better. France, other than ourselves the only serious European military power (though Poland is up and coming), is boosting its defence spending but its commitment to Natos common interests is always suspect. President Macron has a penchant for unilateral grandstanding and is surrounded by advisers who are lukewarm about an unflinching Nato commitment to Ukraine. Germany is close to a lost cause. Chancellor Scholz spoke grandly of a sea-change in German rearmament after Putins invasion of Ukraine but has proceeded at a snails pace. On current plans it will take years, if not decades, to transform Berlins military, which has been egregiously run down over the years, into a credible fighting force. No one bears more responsibility for its decline than the current EU president Ursula von der Leyen, who was Germanys defence secretary when the rot set in. And so it does not bode well for the future defence of democracy that she is now being touted as the next Nato secretary general a job that should have gone to Wallace only for him to be thwarted by First Lady Jill Biden, who takes the view that it is time for a woman to have the job. It does not bode well for the future defence of democracy that she is now being touted as the next Nato secretary general a job that should have gone to Wallace only for him to be thwarted by First Lady Jill Biden, who takes the view that it is time for a woman to have the job READ MORE: A$AP Rocky is accused of 'supporting Putin's Ukraine invasion and promoting terrorism' by outraged fans after wearing swastika-inspired 'Z' necklace in now-deleted post Promotion: Rapper A$AP Rocky has been accused of promoting terrorism after sharing an image showing himself wearing a pendant shaped like a Z and made from tanks Advertisement I suspect Moscow and Beijing were amazed and delighted to discover that identity politics now play such a crucial role in Western defence decisions. Of course, the defence of democracy in these turbulent times in the end rests, as it has since 1945, on America. Ukraine is still in with a fighting chance of seeing off its Russian oppressors only because of the scale of the military, economic and humanitarian aid America is sending more than all other donor nations combined and seven times more than Britain, the second biggest supplier. But even Americas pockets are not bottomless. It is projected to run budget deficits of 5 per cent of GDP a year for the rest of the decade and these are set to exceed 7 per cent in the early 2030s. As a result, the U.S. national debt, which was only 62 per cent of GDP 15 years ago and is now double that at 122 per cent, is scheduled to hit an incredible 138 per cent of GDP more than profligate Italy before the decade is out. America will soon be spending more on interest on its debt than on defence. So even America will struggle to find the defence spending required to defend democracy in the European and Asian-Pacific theatres. Yet the stakes could not be higher. We do not yet know the outcome of the war in Ukraine but we need to realise it is, in its rawest form, a brutal contest between democracy and self-determination on the one hand and imposed Russian autocracy on the other. Ukraines allies cannot lose patience or press Kyiv into a premature peace which leaves huge chunks of the country in Moscows hands. If Russia is not largely dislodged from Ukrainian territory, it will be emboldened to threaten other democracies farther down the line. China is watching closely for signs of allied impatience or weakness. If Ukraine is abandoned or pressed to make an unjust settlement, China will ramp up its plans to put the screws on Taiwan. Any sign of weakness in Ukraine by the democracies could have catastrophic consequences on the other side of the world and, quickly, for the rest of the globe. Because Taiwan has a near-monopoly on the worlds most sophisticated microchips, now an essential ingredient of everything from a dishwasher to a jet engine, a Chinese invasion or quarantine of Taiwan would rapidly plunge the global economy into the mother of all great depressions. Already brittle democratic societies would be torn asunder, with Russian and Chinese social media doing all they could to heighten our divisions and sow dissension among us. It would be the greatest threat to democracy since Nazi Germany and Imperialist Japan in the 1930s. We need to muster the will to resist it. So lets start by realising all is far from lost. The democracies are re-arming, even if not by enough. Nato has been given a new lease of life by Putins Ukrainian folly. Poland, the Baltic States, Sweden and Finland are rising to the autocratic challenge. Like-minded democracies are combining in mutual self-interest such as the Quad of America, Australia, India and Japan, which has the makings of an Indo-Pacific Nato to meet the Chinese challenge. The Aukus defence pact involving Britain, America and Australia and covering submarines and high-tech is another crucial building block in the defence of democracy. We need more of this. The best way to preserve democracy is to make it clear to its enemies that it will be defended, whatever it takes. Failure to do so in the 1930s ended in the global catastrophe of World War II. Dictators and autocrats once again threaten the democracies, hence Wallaces warning. This time we must leave them in no doubt that we will not be cowed or intimidated, that we will arm ourselves to the hilt if thats what it takes to make them realise we will be no pushover. It is a strategy high in cost and fraught with danger. But it is also the surest way of avoiding World War III. Remember those doom-laden prophesies that Brexit would render the UK an isolated irrelevance on the world stage? Or that it would trigger a flight of multi-national companies from these shores? Two announcements this week have given the lie to both those shibboleths, while hammering home the tangible benefits of leaving the EU. Tata Group, the Indian conglomerate which owns Jaguar Land Rover, will construct its 4 billion electric car battery plant in Somerset, creating thousands of skilled jobs. The firm considered locating the cutting-edge factory in Spain. But thanks to Brexit, Britain won the battle. Unshackled from the bloc, we were able to provide subsidies quickly, rather than getting bogged down for years by the deadening bureaucracy in Brussels. Tata Group, the Indian conglomerate which owns Jaguar Land Rover, will construct its 4 billion electric car battery plant in Somerset The second Brexit bonus was joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trading alliance which generates 13 per cent of global income. Stuck in the economically-calcifying EU, striking such an exciting deal would have been forbidden. Predictably, the anti-Brexit brigade led inevitably by Labour and the BBC belittles these achievements. Obsessive hatred of Britain's newly restored sovereignty blinds them to any advantages it brings. But couldn't the Government at least trumpet the benefits? There have, after all, been notable successes: The vaccine rollout and our early, strong support for Ukraine to name but two. We know Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is a Remainer. But it is inexplicable that Brexiteer Rishi Sunak seems so reluctant to champion and exploit it. Brexit is not just about constructing new commercial and diplomatic relationships around the world. It is about imagining and building the country Britain can be in this new, exciting era. Despite at times being disappointed by our politicians' lack of ambition, the Mail remains convinced of its almost limitless potential. The PM should embrace it. For if the project flops, it will be seen as a catastrophic Tory failure. Can't BBC say sorry? Whenever a media organisation finds itself in hot water after making a mistake, what a commotion the BBC causes. Clambering aboard its moral high horse, it howls with outrage and demands apologies. But if the corporation gets something badly wrong, it is not so quick to wear sackcloth. Take the Coutts scandal. Nigel Farage suggested last month that the private bank had closed his account due to his political views. But the Remainer-packed BBC gleefully claimed it was because the ex-Ukip leader was no longer wealthy enough. Nigel Farage (pictured) suggested last month that the private bank had closed his account due to his political views. But the Remainer-packed BBC gleefully claimed it was because the ex-Ukip leader was no longer wealthy enough This turned out to be a pack of lies, briefed by the bank itself. It is outrageous that the BBC behaved less like the state broadcaster, and more like Coutts' spin doctor. Of course, no one should be surprised. The 'woke' values the bank flaunts are shared entirely by the corporation. The financial bullying of Mr Farage was an assault on free speech. Last night, he received a mealy-mouthed apology from the boss of NatWest, which owns Coutts. Is it too much to hope for the BBC to also say sorry? Eco-egos out-clowned Just Stop Oil activists plainly get a perverse thrill from disrupting our lives. So how satisfying that these eco-clowns got a taste of their own medicine when a planned 'slow walk' road demo in London was thwarted by a counter-protest. True, the heroes were YouTube pranksters. But a serious point remains. If politicians and police continue to twiddle their thumbs as environmental doom cults bring chaos, there is a risk the public will take the law into their own hands. Brexit regret is rampant in this country, and opinion polls suggest that a large majority of people believe that leaving the European Union was a mistake. This is partly a tribute to tireless Remainers such as Michael Heseltine, who seize every opportunity to repeat their conviction that Brexit has been an unmitigated disaster. It also reflects the timidity of this Government, which often seems embarrassed by Brexit, and seldom celebrates our freedom from the bureaucratic oversight of Brussels. This week Britain concluded a deal with the Indian conglomerate Tata Group that will lead to a 4 billion electric car battery factory being built in Somerset. The Spanish government, which has also been trying to tempt Tata to invest, lost out. Rishi Sunak rightly hailed the deal as a fantastic vote of confidence in the UK. But why didnt he go further? Why didnt he say that the huge investment by Tata (which owns Jaguar Land Rover) is a vote of confidence in Brexit Britain? Tata Group is investing in a 4 billion electric car battery factory in Somerset The Indian owner of Jaguar Land Rover chose Brexit Britain over Spain in the EU Anti-Brexit commentators have claimed leaving the EU would wreck our car industry since foreign investors would be drawn to the bloc rather than the UK. The last time I looked, Spain was firmly inside the European Union. And yet Tata has chosen to come here. Its perfectly true the Government has offered a huge subsidy, thought to be around 500 million, though the actual figure isnt yet known. But Spain also dangled a financial inducement that was probably of a similar magnitude. One could reasonably argue that HMG shouldnt be handing out state aid on this scale, and given the uncertain future of electric cars, any investment in an enormous new battery factory might be considered risky. The fact remains that most major economies are offering large subsidies and, rightly or wrongly, governments everywhere believe that the future is electric. Britain lags behind other European countries. Somerset will be our second gigafactory; Germany has 14 planned or in operation. Put it this way: the Spanish government will be upset not to have secured Tatas investment, and Eurocrats in Brussels will be scratching their heads in irritation and disbelief. Incidentally, on the subject of Brussels, the EU has displayed incredible pettiness in referring to the Falkland Islands as the Islas Malvinas in a declaration jointly signed with Argentina and other Latin American countries. Argentina, which still covets the Falklands despite its defeat in the 1982 war, is delighted by the EUs choice of language, regarding it as an endorsement of its claim. This is appalling small-mindedness on the part of EU governments, most of which are our Nato allies. However, last night No 10 claimed the EUs position on the Falklands had not changed. Back to Britains coup in securing Tatas investment. Its indisputable that being outside the European Union hasnt turned out to be a disadvantage in this instance. In fact, it has given us several advantages. Government sources point out that new rules introduced in January simplify state subsidies, and dispense with restrictive EU rules. Under the previous system, most state aid was subject to drawn-out bureaucratic processes, and had to be approved by Brussels in advance. I dont doubt that Tata decided to invest in Britain because of various factors. The planned new Somerset gigafactory wont be much more than a 100-mile drive from the companys main plants in the West Midlands. The English language, which many Indians speak, and our robust legal system were almost certainly also instrumental. These are two enduring attractions that will continue to draw other investors to Britain. Tata's new Somerset gigafactory will be barely 100 miles from its main plant in the West Midlands (pictured) Whatever the exact nature of Tatas motivation, its surely undeniable that the decision to build a factory is an endorsement of Brexit Britain. So I repeat my question. Why havent Rishi Sunak and the Government attempted to beat the drum? When Boris Johnsons administration approved Covid vaccines in December 2020, and then rolled them out more rapidly than other European countries, ministers rightly attributed this success to not being hamstrung by regulations enforced by Brussels. Admittedly Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch isnt shy of emphasising the benefits of our new freedoms. Last weekend she signed a trade deal with a major Indo-Pacific trade bloc (the so-called CPTPP) that accounts for 13 per cent of global GDP. These 11 countries, ranging from Japan to Singapore, Australia and Vietnam, include some of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Ms Badenoch was appropriately upbeat: We are using our status as an independent trading nation to join an exciting, growing, forward-looking trade bloc. But from Rishi, nominally a Brexiteer, we get precious little positive talk about the potential unleashed by Brexit, while from the Chancellor, former Remainer Jeremy Hunt, we get even less. This is both odd and dangerous. Brexit is rightly regarded by the electorate as chiefly a Tory enterprise. It is greatly in the Governments interests for it to work, and be seen to work. If it fails, the Tories will be blamed. I suppose the PM and Chancellor look at the polls, see that a majority of the population believe Brexit hasnt been a success, and have therefore decided to steer clear of the subject. This could be fatal. For the truth is that despite the prevalent anti-Brexit narrative, there is much to celebrate and, of course, a lot more that needs to be done. There are upbeat stories in addition to the Tata deal and the CPTPP agreement signed by Kemi Badenoch. For example, although we hear about declining UK exports, were never told about the boom in the export of UK services. These grew by 17.8 per cent in real terms between 2016 and 2022, the sharpest increase among the G7 economies. Remainers such as former Chancellor George Osborne prophesied catastrophe for the City of London. Yet the other day, a very senior Wall Street banker declared that Brexit hasnt damaged the City. UK exports grew the sharpest among G7 countries between 2016 and 2022 According to David Livingstone, Citigroups chief executive for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the City has not been diminished by our leaving the EU, and efforts by Brussels to create a rival centre to London havent materialised. Unsurprisingly, his comments werent carried by the BBC. Contrast Aunties reticence on this occasion with her eagerness to broadcast the comments of former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers last month. His view that Brexit will be remembered as a historic economic error was reported exultantly. Thats the problem, of course. Weve learnt this week how Nigel Farages Coutts account was closed not, as the BBC and Financial Times had suggested, because he didnt have enough money, but because his views didnt align with [the banks] values, which include a distaste for Brexit. Now its reported that BBC economics editor Simon Jack sat next to the ultimate boss of Coutts, Dame Alison Rose, at a charity dinner on July 3, a day before he tweeted wrongly that Mr Farage had lost his bank accounts because of a lack of funds. Anti-Brexit sentiment runs through the British Establishment from the banks, to the BBC, to the Labour and Liberal Democrat parties, and to Whitehall. Theyll never acknowledge successes such as the Tata deal. What hope is there if our emollient Prime Minister refuses to champion the achievements of Brexit? The man who once believed Britain should leave the EU must now take up the fight The temptation to get overexcited about by-election results can be difficult to resist. There is invariably an impulse to see striking victories and defeats and conclude the countrys political landscape is on course for dramatic change. Experience tells us this is rarely the case. Indeed, if one lesson can be taken from the three polls, when each main party won a seat, it is that the electorate has scarcely been so febrile. Everything is to play for. It is of course impossible to deny that the Tory losses to Labour in Selby and the Liberal Democrats in Somerton were crushing. Seemingly unassailable majorities were destroyed on the back of colossal swings. People are understandably anxious about the cost of living, mortgage costs, strikes and record NHS waiting lists. After a chaotic year, they fear the Government has few if any answers to the nations problems. Yet the party defied rock-bottom expectations to retain Uxbridge and South Ruislip by a whisker a huge morale boost. Yet the party defied rock-bottom expectations to retain Uxbridge and South Ruislip by a whisker a huge morale boost Labour had crowed about dealing the Tories a humiliating blow by winning in Boris Johnsons old stomping ground. As it dawned that theyd failed, their cheers stuck in their throats an hubristic echo of Neil Kinnock declaring election victory at a Sheffield rally in 1992, only to then lose. True, the Conservatives benefited from a revolt against Labour mayor Sadiq Khans plan to extend the hated Ulez, a charge which will hammer the poor and business. But there is a way the Tories can win in 2024 if they can rediscover a sense of purpose and adopt three True Blue strategies. First, the PM must cut taxes. For 40 years, the principle of letting people keep more of their own money has underpinned the Conservatives reputation for sound economic and financial management. Ministers should look especially seriously at abolishing inheritance tax. It is manifestly unfair that the Government should snaffle a chunk of anyones hard-earned, and already taxed, money when they die. True, the Conservatives benefited from a revolt against Labour mayor Sadiq Khans (pictured) plan to extend the hated Ulez, a charge which will hammer the poor and business Indeed, when George Osborne as shadow chancellor proposed raising the threshold to 1million in 2007, he sparked a dramatic turnaround of the Tories ailing fortunes. Secondly, ministers must work harder to exploit the massive potential of Brexit. A key factor in the vote to escape the control-freakery of Brussels was the confidence we could and would make a success of it. This week alone, multi-national Tata Group announced it would build its 4billion electric car battery plant in Somerset and the UK signed a deal to join a major Indo-Pacific trade bloc. Within the EU, neither exciting opportunity would have been possible. Yet despite these triumphs, we hear barely a peep from Rishi Sunak, nominally a Brexiteer. His reticence is risky. Rightly seen as the architects of Brexit, the Tories should be straining every sinew to make it work. If it flops, they will be blamed. Thirdly, the Tories must be much more vocal and courageous in the culture wars. Millions would surely be willing to rally around a party that genuinely nails its colours to the mast of common sense. One that has pragmatic climate change policies, rather than a headlong rush to net zero. One that is on their side against a virtue-signalling elite who demand they kowtow to every pernicious orthodoxy, from trans extremism to critical race theory. This week alone, multi-national Tata Group announced it would build its 4billion electric car battery plant in Somerset One that champions free speech this weeks outrage by Coutts bank only the latest in a long line of threats and is not ashamed of this countrys rich history. Sir Keir Starmer, a man so hopelessly befuddled on woke ideology that he believes tens of thousands of women have penises, simply cannot be trusted on any of these issues. Yet he is miles ahead in the polls. If Mr Sunak is to win in 2024, it will not be enough for him to merely look grown up and sensible. Voters want to see a PM who is bold on taxes, bold on Brexit, bold on the culture wars and firmly on their side. SHOPPING Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Mail Best article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, DailyMail.com will earn an affiliate commission. Click herert for more information. Its one of the most wonderful times of the year for style enthusiasts on the hunt for a great deal. The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale sees incredible reductions on fashion, beauty, and home essentials from some of our favorite brands. While its tough to narrow it down to just a few picks, here are a few must-haves at amazing prices that add a little pop of excitement to life for less! Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Ultra Lite Open Front Cardigan Enjoy the cozy comfort that only a Barefoot Dreams sweater could bring to your life thanks to their ultra-soft fabrics and beautiful designs. This luxe yet light cardigan is a dream, perfect to wear around the house with your favorite loungewear yet pulled together enough to pair with jeans or leggings when you step out. Shop Beyond Yoga At Your Leisure High Waist Leggings Buttery leggings are the hallmark of Beyond Yogas line of ultra-soft activewear. With their high and wide waistband and stretchy fabric, these leggings are cozy, flattering, and offer just enough compression without being constrictive or uncomfortable while you hang out or head to yoga class. Shop La Mer Reset Regimen Skin Care Set Its rare to find anything less than $100 from La Mer, but to score four of the iconic beauty brands best-selling products in deluxe sizes is a real steal. Not only will you experience the luxe Creme De La Mer moisturizer, but also the Cleansing Foam, Treatment Lotion, and Renewal Oil. A little of each goes a long way. Shop UGG Discoquette Slide Slippers Offering the classic UGG slipper style coupled with a chunky sole, these slippers are the ultimate in all-day comfort. Theyre lined with natural shearling for a cushioned finish that youll feel with every step, and theyre available in an array of colors from neutral to bright. Shop Sam Edelman Tie-Back Sleeveless Maxi Dress Simultaneously fun and sexy, this lovely maxi dress brims with color! Its vivacious floral print is sure to lift your spirits, while the cutaway shoulders reveal just enough skin to keep you cool during a summer soiree. The columnar silhouette culminates in a subtly flippy skirt for a pretty twist. Shop BLANKNYC Faux Leather Crop Moto Jacket Achieve instant chic with this edgy moto jacket thats perfect for elevating any look. Available in three colors and made with faux leather, its perfect for pairing with jeans and boots or toughening up something unexpected, like a ditsy-print dress. The styling options are endless! Shop Longchamp Le Pliage Expandable Tote The Le Pliage tote is an enduring classic, revered as a timeless work bag and just as suitable for plane travel and everyday wear. Its smart and spacious, yet exudes a certain casual vibe that makes it ideal for so many situations. Plus, its water-resistant so you can count on it to stay in great shape. Shop Vince Camuto Bow Neck Flutter Sleeve Top A beautiful top you can wear to work year-round is priceless. Make it one by Vince Camuto and you can count on wearing it for years. With its subtly fluttery sleeves and bow accent at the neck, this short-sleeve top will help you keep your cool without sacrificing your style. Shop Eberjey Gisele Jersey Knit Pajamas The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale offers a great excuse to invest in some premium pajamas. Why not make it Eberjey, the label known for its buttery-soft nightwear? From the supple jersey fabric to the gentle drape of both the top and matching bottoms to that lovely color, these are perfect. Shop They're more than just pets; they're our loyal companions and cherished family members. But when it comes to sharing our beds with dogs, do they truly make the best sleep partners? A recent study conducted by sleep tech firm Simba, in collaboration with renowned animal behaviorist Professor Peter Neville, delves into the age-old debate of co-sleeping with canines to unravel the pros and cons. Simba's study examined the co-sleeping habits of over 1,000 UK dog owners, focusing on the top 20 most popular breeds. The research sheds light on which breeds are the best (and worst) companions for a good night's rest, while also delving into their peculiar sleep quirks such as snoring, wriggling, and, yes, passing windfactors that might impact our precious slumber. The best (and worst) breeds of dog to share your bed with have been revealed in a study by sleep tech firm Simba (stock image) Meanwhile Simba have also shared a quiz on their website to help owners determine if their furry friends are one of the best breeds to sleep with - or whether they'd be better in the dog house. THE BEST DOGS TO SLEEP WITH... 1. Labrador Claiming the top spot on the 'pup-pop charts' are Labrador retrievers, beloved for their family-friendly nature. Despite their imposing presence and propensity for shedding, these delightful canines emerge as the unrivaled champions of bedtime bliss. According to the study, Labrador owners are less likely to experience insomnia, sleep apnoea, or snoring. And it's no wonder considering that these four-legged sleep experts snooze soundly, never budging an inch - allowing their owners to average more sleep than any other breed surveyed - at six hours a night. Lisa Artis, deputy CEO at The Sleep Charity, sleep tech firm Simba's charity partner, said: 'The NHS recommends we get seven to nine hours of sleep each night, which we may struggle to achieve when co-sleeping with our dogs, however, the benefits they provide may outweigh any nocturnal interruptions. 'While their noises and movements can disrupt our slumber, the sense of safety, companionship, and happiness they bring can be worth it. 'So although we wouldn't actively endorse dogs sleeping on our beds, it's clear how much they can contribute to our overall wellbeing and mental health.' Professor Peter Neville explains: 'Labrador retrievers have an uncanny ability to understand what pleases their human companions. 'They quickly learn the art of stillness, only breaking it when guarding the home. With their easy trainability and adaptability to our activity and rest cycles, Labradors yearn to spend as much time as possible with us, including snoozing by our side all night long.' 2. Dachshund Renowned for their playfulness and natural inclination to stay close, these pint-sized darlings are enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight, captivating TikTok audiences with over 9.5 billion views under the #Dachshund hashtag. Professor Neville reveals: 'Dachshunds, like Terriers, have an affinity for burrowing into dark spacesa trait embedded in their genes from their vermin-hunting lineage. 'But they have adapted to become expert pocket-sized hot water bottles, perfect for chilly UK nights. Just be careful, as their fearlessness in the dark might lead them to claim the entire bed, especially if the heating is switched off.' Top 20 Best Dog Breeds to Share a Bed With Labrador Retriever Dachshund Border Terrier Pomeranian Cocker Spaniel French Bulldog Golden Retriever Pug Staffordshire Bull Terrier Bulldog Cavalier King Charles Spaniel English Springer Spaniel Rottweiler German Shepherd Miniature Schnauzer Boxer Whippet Bull Terrier German Pointer Hungarian Vizsla Advertisement ...AND THE WORST 1. Hungarian Vizsla On the flip side, we encounter a known 'velcro dog' of the canine world - Hungarian Vizslas - found at the bottom of the ranking. The report found that these affectionate companions, often needy during the day and restless in the evenings, bring their owners the highest levels of sleep apnoea, teeth grinding, and twitchy legs at night. What's more, owners of the breed tend to have an average of five hours sleep per night. Professor Neville explains: 'Hungarian Vizslas were bred as hunting companions, designed to work and run tirelessly throughout the day. 'Many owners, drawn to their vibrant personalities and stunning golden-rust looks, struggle to meet their behavioural needs and help them expend their energy during daylight hours. 'Consequently, Vizslas often remain eager and restless come bedtime, anticipating the adventures of tomorrow or dreaming about the excitement of the day gone by.' 2. German Pointer Not far from the bottom of the list, we find the affectionate and playful German Pointer. Looking to work up a sweat and avoid lounging around, Simba's study revealed that bed sharing with this energetic breed will most likely leave you feeling more hot and bothered than satisfied. Researchers found that these canine companions are more prone to wriggling around at night, leading to their humans waking feeling grumpy and irritable in the morning - more so than any other breed. With only nose and foot sweat glands to rely on, these muscular pups might struggle to cool down, leading to restless nights and grumpy mornings. So, if you're looking for a good night's sleep, you might want to reconsider sharing your bed with a German Pointer - or invest in some serious air conditioning! Influencer Christine Tran Ferguson has revealed that her one-year-old son, Asher, died two weeks after she shared he was 'fighting for his life' in the hospital. The travel blogger, 37, made the heartbreaking announcement on Instagram on Thursday while paying tribute to her little boy, her only child with her husband, Ryan Ferguson. Tran Ferguson did not share any details about her son's death, but she spoke candidly about her unwavering grief following the loss. 'Youre 15 months today my little angel. Mama and dada love you so much, you brought us so much joy, and made our family complete. I have never known how much love and happiness I could have until you came into our life. You are the smartest & happiest little boy Ive ever known,' she began her post. Influencer Christine Tran Ferguson, 37, revealed her one-year-old son, Asher, died in a heartbreaking Instagram post on Thursday Tran Ferguson did not share any details about her son's death, but she spoke candidly about her unwavering grief after losing her only child The bereaved mother recalled how Asher clapped his hands, danced, and stuck out his tongue when he giggled, saying he 'always knew how to make everyone smile.' 'My heart is utterly broken and shattered into a million pieces. I will never understand why, nothing makes sense, Im still in shock, I just want to wake up from this unimaginable nightmare and have you back in my arms. Why is this happening to us, why Asher??' she wrote. 'You did not deserve any of this. Losing you is the hardest experience mommy and daddy has ever had to endure. Everyday has been torture without you, this pain is unbearable. I still feel like youre going to reappear but our home is so quiet and empty without you. Part of me has died with you. Im so heartbroken, with no idea how to live a life without you.' Tran Ferguson explained how loved Asher was by their family and friends, saying she is haunted by his absence in their home. 'I cant stop seeing your big smile everywhere I go, I hear your laugh and babbles all day and it just breaks my heart youre physically not here,' she said. 'Your room is empty, your stuff untouched. Theres no pain that can ever compare to losing a child & I cant believe it happened to us.' The mom shared that she would give anything to go back in time and take her son's place if she could. 'I miss running my hands through all your hair, biting your chubby little feet, but most of all I ache for your hugs and kisses so much!! I pray I get to see you in my dreams every night. I just want you back so badly, but youre never coming home and its killing me,' she continued. 'We feel so lost without you and miss you so damn much. I prayed for the miracle, for YOU to be the miracle, for you to come back to us. My heart aches for you every second,' she said. 'You will never be forgotten. We will take you everywhere we go. We love you so much my sweet boy, I pray I get to see you soon.' The grieving mother's announcement comes two weeks after she revealed Asher was 'fighting for his live in the ICU' 'My heart is utterly broken and shattered into a million pieces. I will never understand why, nothing makes sense,' Tran Ferguson wrote She went on to thank her friends and fans for their messages and 'overwhelming love and support.' 'I just ask for privacy during this difficult time as were still in shock and still have no answers to this unbearable nightmare,' she concluded. Tran Ferguson's post comes two weeks after she revealed that Asher was in the intensive care unit battling a health issue. 'Please God, give us a miracle and save my sweet Asher,' she wrote on July 3. 'We need you, we miss your laugh, your smile, we need you here with mama & dada. Please help us pray for our precious Asher who is fighting for his life in the ICU.' She included a black and white photo of Asher cuddling a stuffed animal in the hospital while she and her husband held his hand. Tran Ferguson and her husband, Ryan Ferguson, welcomed Asher on April 20, 2022 - nine years to the day that they first met in New York Tran Ferguson is the founder of the blog 'Tour de Lust,' where she shares travel tips and guides. She has more than 516,000 followers on Instagram The influencer asked for privacy during this difficult time, saying they are 'still in shock and still have no answers to this unbearable nightmare' Tran Ferguson is the founder of the blog 'Tour de Lust,' where she shares travel tips and guides. She has more than 516,000 followers on Instagram and over 274,000 followers on TikTok. The Fergusons welcomed Asher on April 20, 2022 nine years to the day that they first met in New York. She opened up about his traumatic birth on Instagram, saying she had to have an emergency C-section. 'The doctor told us he had the cord around his neck so when the contractions happened it would tighten around his neck which led to his heart rate dropping. Im just so glad our amazing doctors delivered him safely,' she wrote. 'It was awhile before I got to finally hold him once I was in the recovery room. I couldnt believe it, hes FINALLY HERE in my arms! I feel so blessed and lucky to be your mother and understand what everyone has told me. There is no love like this.' Erin Thompson at the LRB: I met Gordon in Phnom Penh a year ago. He had agreed to take me and Ashish Dhakal, a journalist and repatriation activist from Nepal, to Koh Ker and Angkor. First, though, I spent nearly a week at the National Museum of Cambodia. It opened in 1920, designed by George Groslier, to hold the artefacts that archaeologists in French Indochina werent shipping back to Paris. He enlarged the architectural forms of Cambodian Buddhist temples to create a building that hadnt previously been needed in a region where sacred artworks generally remained in place. One morning I saw a member of staff bow towards a sculpture of a reclining Buddha before dusting it in long, gentle strokes. Another climbed a stepladder and ran a feather duster with rainbow-coloured bristles over the shoulders of a Krishna, long after all the dust had to have gone. One afternoon I watched an ant lay a clutch of eggs in a shallow cavity in a sculptures broken arm. The eggs fell to the floor and a woman swept them up, singing so quietly I could hear her voice only between strokes of her broom. more here. Australians are praising a cult 'body sculpting cup' that transforms the stomach, thighs and arms in as little as 21 days. The Biotyspa Body Sculpt Cup costs $59 and mimics the 'palpate and roll' French massage technique that encourages the elimination of fluid, toxins and water retention much like lymphatic drainage treatments. Made with medical grade silicone, the cup is designed to be used in the shower with body wash - the brand sells its own hydrating formula - and rolled around each area of the body for three to five minutes. The movement is said to break up fatty deposits beneath the skin and move stagnant toxins through and out of the body. The cup has been specifically designed to be held firmly in the hand in order to move easily on the body, while the edge moves softly around the body to prevent skin rashes without impacting the suction. The Biotyspa Body Sculpt Cup costs $59 and mimics the 'palpate and roll' French massage technique that encourages the elimination of fluid, toxins and water retention much like lymphatic drainage treatments Made with medical grade silicone, the cup is designed to be used in the shower with body wash - the brand sells its own hydrating formula - and rolled around each area of the body for three to five minutes Users can also control the suction pressure to their desired amount. The cup is also sold alongside the shower gel and a specially-designed firming body oil in a $135 sculpting kit for best results. The body oil is made with organic oils combined with coffee extract - the combo is known to encourage the drainage of cellulite and slow down the development of fat cells. Reviews have flooded in from thrilled customers, with many reporting significant improvement in their bodies in 21 days. 'The body cup tool is a game-changer. It's easy to use and I can see and feel the difference,' one said. Biotyspa was founded by French couple, Deborah and Charles Levy, who worked for Shiseido and L'Oreal in Paris before heading to Australia 'I'm 52, have good skin but not on thighs after losing weight etc plus a bit of a tummy pouch from three babies and used this for only a week,' another added. 'My skin is smoother and softer to the touch already. Better appearance and shape. I'm using a few times a week in the shower. Used on my tummy and will move to arms too. Enjoying better skin quality and appearance. Buying one for my sister too. It works. Recommended.' Biotyspa was founded by French couple, Deborah and Charles Levy, who worked for Shiseido and L'Oreal in Paris before heading to Australia. Deborah, who had always been passionate about natural beauty and suffered from psoriasis her whole life, decided to pursue her dream and learn French holistic beauty techniques. She designed a sculpting lymphatic drainage for body and face, then developed a range of skincare and tools to put these specific techniques into practice. Biotyspa was opened in Bondi in 2016 to offer treatments in-house before the range was launched. It's been flying off shelves ever since. Queen Mathilde of Belgium was a vision in yellow last night as she attended the annual National Ball in Brussels with King Philippe. The mother-of three, 50, opted for an elegant floaty gown with a short cape for the summer event at Flagey concert hall. The European monarch paired her glamorous frock with a pair of towering heeled sandals and matching statement gold dangly earrings. The royal kept her makeup largely minimal - simply adding a sweep of bright pink lipstick. Meanwhile, the King, 63, looked equally as smart in a black suit and blue paisley-printed tie. Pictured: Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of Belgium pictured arriving at a concert in Brussels last night After the more formal part of the evening was over, Queen Mathilde then changed into a more casual ensemble for the outdoor concert in Brussels' Fox Square. As they arrived in the royal box for the concert, the mother was pictured wearing a button-down yellow shirt and matching straight-leg trousers. The summer ball is always held the night before Belgium's National Day celebrations on 21 July. This year, the concert featured some child-friendly acts - and the King and Queen were joined by a young girl in the royal box. Mathilde was pictured beaming at the child as she happily danced along to the performances - which included sets by From Romeo's and Stella. At one point, the royal couple were seen waving their hands up in the air and clapping along to the music. Every year, the country marks National Day to celebrate the anniversary of Leopold of Saxe-Cobourg swearing allegiance to the Belgian Constitution - making him the first King of Belgium. This year's celebrations will be particularly special for the couple - as it marks King Philippe's 10th National Day as monarch. The royal mother-of-three changed into a more casual ensemble for the outdoor concert in Fox Square The royal couple happily got involved in the more child-friendly performances - and were pictured swaying their arms Queen Mathilde and King Philippe clapped along to the music for the more child-friendly aspects of the show The royal couple were greeted with a bunch of flowers and a book to celebrate National Day tomorrow The royals pictured smiling and waving at guests attending the outdoor concert in Fox Square from the royal box Today, King Philippe is expected to mark the country's national holiday with a televised speech while parades take place across Brussels. Earlier this month, King Philippe's father King Albert was discharged from hospital in Brussels following an eight-day stay. The former monarch, 89, was admitted to Saint-Luc hospital on 27 June as a 'precautionary measure'. King Albert and his wife of 64 years Queen Paola, 85, were staying at their official residence Castle Belvedere in Laeken when the former monarch began showing signs of dehydration at the end of June. At first, a royal spokesperson said the ex-King would only be monitored in hospital for a couple of days. However, the royal - who abdicated in 2013 - ended up being in the hospital's care for a total of eight days. A woman has revealed how she gets a radiant glow without relying on sunbathing or fake tan. Isabelle, 32, from the US, went viral on TikTok earlier this week when she shared the secret for her bronzed complexion. In a TikTok that has amassed over 900,000 views, the influencer began by responding to a woman who was moaning about having to sunbathing. The fellow content creator filmed herself lying beside a pool and asking: 'Can they like make a pill that just makes you naturally tan?' In response to her question, Isabelle chimed in with a tip that she claims has made her look more bronzed. TikToker Isabelle went viral on TikTok earlier this week when she revealed that carrots were the secret to her bronzed complexion She said: 'Bestie, just eat three large carrots a day. 'I've been doing this for years. I don't fake tan anymore. I don't go out during the day in the sunlight.' Isabelle then shared three childhood photos which showed off her pale complexion to highlight how much more bronzed she is now. She joked: 'I was pale and pink like Peppa Pig. Trust me.' Vegetables such as carrots and pumpkins are high in the pigment beta-carotene - which can affect skin tones if eaten in excess. Dermatologist Melissa Piliang previously told Cleveland Clinic: 'Eating too many beta-carotene filled foods can turn your skin an orangey color. 'You would need to be eating about 20 to 50 milligrams of beta-carotenes per day for a few weeks to raise your levels enough to see skin discoloration.' As a medium carrot contains roughly four milligrams of beta-carotene, the expert said a person who need to be eating 10 carrots a day for weeks to notice a change. In the video, Isabelle joked she used to be 'Peppa Pig' pale as a child as she shared three childhood pictures The video has amassed over 900,000 views and followers pledged to give it a try for themselves Isabelle's video has amassed over 64,700 'likes' since it was uploaded on Wednesday - and viewers pledged to try it out themselves. One replied: 'I started drinking carrot juice and it seriously has changed my life.' 'I bought so many carrots because of you,' another added. 'I hope it works.' 'No wonder I'm so pale,' a third said. 'I'm allergic to carrots so not getting extra help from them,' 'My son would only eat carrots as a toddler and was always tan,' a fourth said. 'Had a doctor confirm it!' Vegetables such as carrots, squash, pumpkin and sweet potatoes contain particularly high levels of beta carotene, and other carotenoids, which give them their orange colour. 'Beta carotene converts to vitamin A in our body, which is one of the most important nutrients for skin integrity - meaning the skin that is firm, resists damage and can heal quickly,' nutritionist Shona Wilkinson previously told MailOnline. 'Beta carotene itself may also help to prevent free radical damage to our cells that can result in ageing, as it works as an antioxidant.' A woman has opened up about wanting to find her father after he walked out on her and her mother when she was just 18-months old. Rachel Burch, 50, who was born in Wolverhampton to an English mother and Jamaican father, now lives in West Sussex with her husband of nineteen years, Clive, her three stepchildren. In emotional scenes, filmed for ITV's Long Lost Family, she explained it was hard growing up in a small village of West Sussex as she was the only person of mixed race. Rachel, who works in the NHS as an operating theatre practitioner, was born in the early 1970s and her father was only around for 18 months of her life. She said: 'My dad left my life when I was 18-months old. I've never known anything about him. I feel like half of me is missing.' Rachel Burch, 50, from West Sussex, has opened up about wanting to find her father after he walked out on her mother and her when she was just 18-months old Rachel has no memory of him and didn't know his name only that he had the nickname of Limpy. When Rachel was four, her mum met a man called John and they all moved to West Sussex. Although Rachel asked, her mother would not divulge her father's name until, 10 years ago, when Rachel and her husband were exploring the possibility of adopting or fostering, her mother gave Rachel the name to put on a form. Her father's name was Errol Dawson. The Long Lost Family researchers looked for a man of Jamaican descent in the UK called Errol Dawson on the show which gives Rachel some answers about her past. Rachel said: 'We moved to a small village in West Sussex, when I came here I was the only person of mixed race. 'My hair was very curly, my skin was darker, it was a totally different way of life down here, it's a very middle class white area. 'I did get picked on at school, when your a five-year-old it's hard you just want to fit in. 'I think I did try to run away from school once, somebody had said something quite cruel that upset me. Lots of bullying, lots of name calling.' In emotional scenes, filmed for ITV's Long Lost Family, she explained it was hard growing up in a small village of West Sussex as she was the only person of mixed race It comes after a grandmother opened up on last weeks show about how she gave her son up for adoption because she couldn't afford to look after him. Caroline Kinsey, 63, of Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, gave birth to Simon when she was just 18. Upon being told the news, her boyfriend and the father of the baby walked out on her. And with no means to give the baby the sort of upbringing she wanted for him she made the painful decision to give him up. In emotional scenes, filmed for Long Lost Family, Caroline told how she never held her baby as she knew if she did she wouldn't have been able to let him go. She said: 'The decision to put him up for adoption was entirely my own decision. 'I do believe that a family unit should be a mother and father because you work as a team to raise a family. 'I didn't have any money. And I wouldn't have been able to give a baby the upbringing and childhood I wanted to give him.' Recovering in hospital after the birth, Caroline only saw Simon - who weighed eight pounds three ounces - twice. Rachel, who works in the NHS as an operating theatre practitioner, was born in the early 1970s and her father was only around for 18 months of her life She added: 'I never held him because if I had've held him I wouldn't have been able to have given him up. 'I can just remember this little bundle with lots of black hair. And that was the last time I saw him.' Caroline later went on to marry her husband David and have twin children, Tom and Amy, now both 23. Yet the decision she made decades earlier had always haunted her. Even 40 years on, she admits she still thinks of him every day. She said: 'It hasn't stopped me from thinking about him every day for the last 43 years.' When filmed for Long Lost Family, she held up her diary from the year she lost Simon. She said: 'This is my 1980 diary that opens automatically to the page when I had Simon. 'It also tells me the day I came home alone.' She added: 'I would love to find Simon and make sure that he's had a happy life. It will put me at peace.' Viewers can find out if Rachel Burch found her father on Monday night's Long Lost Family, which airs at 9pm on ITV Prince Harry has isolated himself by ditching his British friends and trusted advisers after moving to the US and is 'living in a bubble'. Speaking on this week's Palace Confidential, the Daily Mail's diary editor Richard Eden and Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine and Daily Mail Royal Editor Rebecca English discussed the Duke of Sussex's fall-out with Johnny Hornby who stepped down as trustee from Harry's charity Sentebale. Host Sarah said that the royal is constantly pulling away from his British roots, as he settles into life in the US. 'I hear he doesn't talk to any of his old friends, he doesn't listen to any of his old advisers, people like Tiggy [Legge-Bourke] who use to be quite key to helping him, they're just not there anymore,' she explained. Ms Legge-Bourke was Prince William and Prince Harry's nanny before becoming a personal assistant to then Prince Charles. Speaking on this week's Palace Confidential, the Daily Mail's diary editor Richard Eden and Daily Mail columnist Sarah Vine (pictured) and Daily Mail Royal Editor Rebecca English discussed the Duke of Sussex's fall-out with Johnny Hornby who stepped down as trustee from Harry's charity Sentebale She is believed to stayed close to the royals well into their adulthood, and is the godmother to Archie, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's eldest child. Rebecca added that his old friends from childhood have always been considered 'safe pairs of hands'. 'They're people who have Harry's best interest genuinely at heart. 'There was a time he would listen to them, and you lose those friends at your peril. 'Your best friends are the ones who genuinely tell you the truth if you've made the wrong decision'. After Richard added that he can feel 'isolated' after moving abroad, Sarah added: 'It feels like he's very isolated to me'. 'After you get married, when things get tough it's good to have people that outdated your marriage. Rebecca (centre) added that his old friends from childhood have always been considered 'safe pairs of hands 'He's in a new environment and he doesn't have any of his own friends, it's all American, and all Meghan. Rebecca added that he was 'in a bit of a bubble' which 'wasn't particularly healthy'. She added that he was 'incredible passionate' about work in Africa and it was 'sad' he hasn't returned. Daily Mail revealed last week that Johnny Hornby, 56, half-brother of About A Boy author Nick Hornby and brother-in-law of bestselling thriller-writer Robert Harris has stood down after 11 years as a trustee, during the last five of which he was chairman of Sentebale's board. His departure has prompted Harry to pay tribute to his 'leadership and vision' and 'dedication, partnership and friendship'. Describing Hornby's commitment to the children and young people of southern Africa as 'incredible', Harry and the charity's co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, thank him for enabling Sentebale to 'deliver holistic support to thousands in Lesotho and Botswana'. Yet his intimacy with the Sussexes didn't preclude him from replicating a similarly warm friendship and professional relationship with someone very far removed from the couple's circle Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? presenter Jeremy Clarkson. Ms Legge-Bourke was Prince William and Prince Harry's nanny before becoming a personal assistant to then Prince Charles. Pictured with the family in the 1990s Sharing the high-octane broadcaster's ambition and optimism, Hornby joined him in a brewing venture, Hawkstone, to produce a potent lager, as well as a pale ale and a cider. Their partnership might have gone unremarked upon, had it not been for Clarkson's decision to write an article, late last year, in which he pointed out that he hated Meghan on 'a cellular level' and added seemingly inspired by a scene from Game of Thrones that he wanted to see her paraded through the streets, naked, while people threw excrement at her. When this provoked howls of criticism, Clarkson wrote a private, confidential letter to Harry on Christmas Day. It was then, it is said, that Hornby stepped in. 'Johnny is friends with both Jeremy and Harry, so he was kind of in the middle of it all,' one of Hornby's allies said. 'He suggested that it would be a good idea for Jeremy to apologise.' Clarkson evidently took the hint and wrote a full and abject public apology. It failed to placate Harry and Meghan, who issued a statement, stating that it was 'clear that this is not an isolated incident shared in haste, but rather a series of articles shared in hate'. Senior members of Belgium's royal family donned their country's colours to celebrate National Day on Friday, as they arrived for a traditional mass in Brussels. Queen Mathilde was a vision in pillar-box red for the patriotic celebration. The 50-year-old monarch posed up a storm as she arrived at the 'Te Deum' mass at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels. The mother-of three looked chic in a red long-sleeve dress with pleat detail at the waist, matching the look with a wide-brimmed hat, heels, leather gloves and a clutch bag - all in the same shade of vivid red. Alongside her was he eldest daughter Crown Princess Elisabeth, 21, who also took inspiration from the Belgium flag in a bright yellow fit-and-flare dress. The princess, also known as the Duchess of Brabant, wore a over-sized straw hat with matching clutch for the ceremonial occasion. A celebration! Crown Princess Elisabeth, Princess Eleonore and Queen Mathilde of Belgium pose ahead of the Te Deum mass, on the occasion of Belgian National Day, at The Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral on Friday The senior royals posed for a photo on the steps of The Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral ahead of mass. Pictured from left: Prince Emmanuel, Crown Princess Elisabeth, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, King Philippe - Filip of Belgium, King Albert II of Belgium, Queen Paola of Belgium, Prince Gabriel and Princess Eleonore Meanwhile, Princess Eleonore, 15, Mathilde and husband King Philippe's youngest daughter, opted for low-key glamour in a shimmering gold tiered dress - the Belgian flag's yellow is also often portrayed as gold - wearing her blonde hair tied back loosely. Independence Day celebrates the separation of Belgium from the Netherlands in 1831, as well as the formal establishment of the Kingdom. Today sees a varied programme of festivities, from the Place du Jeu de Balle to Brussels Park, taking in the various districts of Brussels for National Day. Ahead of the service, senior royals including elderly members King Albert and Queen Paola, who needed a little assistance getting into the church, posed for a photo on the steps of The Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral. Last night, Queen Mathilde sported yellow again as she attended the annual National Ball in Brussels with King Philippe. Princess Elisabeth, 21, left, looked stylish in a bright yellow dress paired with strappy nude heels and a wide-brimmed straw hat. Right, Princess Eleonore, 15, opted to choose a gold dress to reflect the Belgian flag on National Day Elisabeth accessorised with a straw-effect clutch bag and hat, and wore a pair of drop pearl earrings for the church service Prince Emmanuel, 17, the son of Queen Mathilde and King Philippe and his younger sister Princess Eleonore looked deep in thought at the religious service The Belgian royals pictured in the cathedral for Independence Day, which celebrates the separation of Belgium from the Netherlands in 1831, as well as the formal establishment of the Kingdom. The royal opted for an elegant floaty gown with a short cape for the summer event at Flagey concert hall. The European monarch paired her glamorous frock with a pair of towering heeled sandals and matching statement gold dangly earrings. The royal kept her makeup largely minimal - simply adding a sweep of bright pink lipstick. Meanwhile, the King, 63, looked equally as smart in a black suit and blue paisley-printed tie. King Philippe wore military finery for the occasion as he stood next to Queen Mathilde in the Brussels cathedral A helping hand: King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium make their way to the Te Deum mass Pictured: Queen Mathilde and King Philippe of Belgium pictured arriving at a concert in Brussels last night After the more formal part of the evening was over, Queen Mathilde then changed into a more casual ensemble for the outdoor concert in Brussels' Fox Square. As they arrived in the royal box for the concert, the mother was pictured wearing a button-down yellow shirt and matching straight-leg trousers. The summer ball is always held the night before Belgium's National Day celebrations on 21 July. This year, the concert featured some child-friendly acts - and the King and Queen were joined by a young girl in the royal box. Mathilde was pictured beaming at the child as she happily danced along to the performances - which included sets by From Romeo's and Stella. At one point, the royal couple were seen waving their hands up in the air and clapping along to the music. Every year, the country marks National Day to celebrate the anniversary of Leopold of Saxe-Cobourg swearing allegiance to the Belgian Constitution - making him the first King of Belgium. This year's celebrations will be particularly special for the couple - as it marks King Philippe's 10th National Day as monarch. The royal mother-of-three changed into a more casual ensemble for the outdoor concert in Fox Square The royal couple happily got involved in the more child-friendly performances - and were pictured swaying their arms Queen Mathilde and King Philippe clapped along to the music for the more child-friendly aspects of the show The royal couple were greeted with a bunch of flowers and a book to celebrate National Day tomorrow The royals pictured smiling and waving at guests attending the outdoor concert in Fox Square from the royal box Today, King Philippe is expected to mark the country's national holiday with a televised speech while parades take place across Brussels. Earlier this month, King Philippe's father King Albert was discharged from hospital in Brussels following an eight-day stay. The former monarch, 89, was admitted to Saint-Luc hospital on 27 June as a 'precautionary measure'. King Albert and his wife of 64 years Queen Paola, 85, were staying at their official residence Castle Belvedere in Laeken when the former monarch began showing signs of dehydration at the end of June. At first, a royal spokesperson said the ex-King would only be monitored in hospital for a couple of days. However, the royal - who abdicated in 2013 - ended up being in the hospital's care for a total of eight days. Tourists who parked their 4x4 on a remote Outer Hebridean beach and then pitched up a safari tent and picnic table next to it have sparked fury amongst locals - after refusing to heed warnings about the dangers of the incoming tide. On Thursday, a post on the Isle of Harris Facebook group revealed the family had driven the vehicle on to the remote sands, believed to be Northton beach on the island's west coast, and erected a large safari-style tent. A photograph showed the campers pitched next to the shore, apparently enjoying their close proximity to nature and ocean views. Resident Peter Harris, who shared the photos to the group which has 42,000 members, revealed the campers apparently had no intention of moving when warned about the dangers of camping close to the lapping waves. The image, taken by Peter Hooper, and posted on the Isle of Harris Facebook group shows the family enjoying their secluded spot on what is thought to be Northton Beach on the Isle of Harris. However, locals have been left furious that the family have ignore warnings about tides - and also parked their 4x4 on the unspoilt sands He wrote: 'When asked why they said we are not doing anything wrong and there is no sign saying no camping.' However, those with local knowledge of the tides on that section of the coastline said they were foolish to not heed the advice to move. As the post went viral, and moved to Twitter, one user updated that the campers had refused to take down their tent in spite of warnings about the potential for the tide to come in and wash it away - although they did move their 4 x 4 to a safer spot. One person updated: 'They have been advised by various locals both politely and not so, that the tide will come in. The family of wild campers were seen enjoying the ocean views in the remote West Coast spot on the Isle of Harris earlier this week - but have irked locals with their 'entitled' attitude 'They have moved their vehicle, which is not supposed to be on the beach as it's an SSSI area. But they are resolutely camping. Hope the bund holds' There was debate about whether the family had broken any laws by camping on the beach. The untouched area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) suggests that driving a car on to the beach means the stay wouldn't be classed as wild camping. On the SOAC website, the code reads as: 'Access rights extend to wild camping. This type of camping is lightweight, done in small numbers and only for two or three nights in any one place.' The Isle of Harris lies in the north west of the Outer Hebrides, or Western Isles. The responses from those seeing the photos have come thick and fast ever since, with some 137,000 people viewing the images on Twitter. One joked: 'Is it Michael Stipe - he's a big fan of nightswimming.' Another added: 'We eagerly await an update after high water.' One person penned: I don't know when this pic was but... have they never been to the beach and watched what the tide does to sandcastles? Clearly gripped, another said: 'Looks like high tide is 9pm tonight. Hope you're still there with your camera handy!' Others were concerned for the younger members of the family, one wrote: 'I looked at all the comments on Facebook, some funny etc but it seems they have kids sleeping in the tent as well! I am disgusted by them and hope they go home soon.' A scalp scrub described as a 'miracle worker' has been flying off shelves - and it's just $28. The natural Miracle Worker Exfoliating Scalp Scrub from Australian brand STRAAND is designed to be gently massaged into the scalp (with wet hair) once or twice a week. The concentrated formula revitalises roots, exfoliates dead skin cells and removes product build-up while the massaging will stimulate the hair follicles and promote cell renewal and hair growth. Described as an 'at-home scalp detox', the scrub promises to leave you feeling refreshed, cleansed and 'like you've just been to the salon' thanks to four key ingredients: salicylic acid, salt, coconut oil and argan oil. The salicylic acid works by exfoliating dead skin cells removing the product buildup, and promoting healthy cell turn over, the salt loosens and removes flakes and the coconut oil provides deep moisture and keeps hair extra glossy. A scalp scrub described as a 'miracle worker' has been flying off shelves - and it's just $28 Before and after: The natural Miracle Worker Exfoliating Scalp Scrub from Australian brand STRAAND is designed to be gently massaged into the scalp (with wet hair) once or twice a week The argan oil provides a 'fatty layer' that helps with dryness and boosts shine; it's also known to hydrate the hair and create softness. The secret to the product's success is its ability to restabilise your scalp's microbiome - the live bacteria living on the scalp's surface. By treating the skin on your head as well as you treat the skin on your face, hair has a better chance at thriving. Crown care will in turn lead to your scalp microbiome becoming a 'fertile ground' for hair to thrive and grow, 'while renewing root hydration to give hair serious gloss'. The scrub is sold alongside the brand's equally as popular Crown Cleanse Shampoo and Crown Boost Conditioner which enhance hair and scalp health and hydration. 'The name says it all,' one reviewer wrote. The secret to the product's success is its ability to restabilise your scalp's microbiome - the live bacteria living on the scalp's surface 'I feel like I've tried everything (from natural to heavy duty) on my scalp and after four uses, its this product that has reduced the scale on my scalp faster than anything else. You can feel it working, and it smells great!' Another wrote: 'I am 75 years old and have had an itchy scaly scalp since I was a child. I have been looking for something to help all of my life and finally I have found the solution. 'I started using your products six months ago and now my scalp is clean and healthy with no signs of any scale. I also love the Serum which is soothing and leaves my hair glossy. Thank you for these wonderful products.' The prebiotic skincare range was founded in 2022 by five co-founders hoping to fill a gap in the haircare industry that focused on scalp care. Crown care will lead to your scalp microbiome becoming a 'fertile ground' for hair to thrive and grow, 'while renewing root hydration to give hair serious gloss' The brand describes themselves as 'skincare for your scalp', with a goal of 'turning the world of scalp care on its head with a brand that is optimistic, inclusive and free of shame' The brand describes themselves as 'skincare for your scalp', with a goal of 'turning the world of scalp care on its head with a brand that is optimistic, inclusive and free of shame'. 'It's time to stop neglecting the skin on your head and embrace a new beauty routine that makes you feel good from root to tip,' they urge customers. 'We believe high-performing, natural products shouldnt cost the world and are working on becoming a carbon-neutral company; we take sustainability seriously.' Try the scalp scrub here or from Adore Beauty. Daily Mail Australia may earn commission from some of the links on this page. Barbie is back, this time on the big screens - and her influence on fashion is stronger than ever. The pint-sized doll with her huge eyes and cheery smile has been the muse of many a designer over the years from Karl Lagerfeld to the king of all-American preppy style Ralph Lauren. But perhaps Barbies greatest achievement is capturing the hearts and imaginations of millions of women all over the globe. Hardcore Barbie fans of all ages are buzzing about the much-anticipated film, starring Australian actress Margot Robbie as the character, and whether they are older women who have been on the plastic fantastic ride from the beginning, or youngsters today who are just discovering the limitless pink Barbie universe, the doll is arguably one of the biggest women's fashion icons ever to exist. Quite simply, she is phenomenal - and so are most of her outfits. So if, like me, you are one of the early Barbiecore adopters (I think I received my first doll in 1981) heres how you can still get in on all the fabulous Barbie fashion action, without looking like youre dressing up as Krystal Carrington for a Dynasty reunion party. Dont worry Barbie fashionistas, whatever your age, which after all is just a number - Ive got your back! THE DOS EMBRACE COLOUR Miranda going all-out in a fabulous pink ensemble. Pictured, Earrings Broke But Cute. Ring Soru Jewellery. Jumpsuit Nadine Merabi. Bracelet Broke But Cute. Bag I Know The Queen. Roller Skates Skate Hut Think pink! Think bright! Think loud and proud! Middle-age fashion should not be confined to muted/blend-into-the-background tones. The Barbiecore aesthetic is unapologetically vibrant, and quite frankly - in your face! If youve always hankered over a bit more pink in your wardrobe but felt too self-conscious, now is the time to embrace it, the brighter the better! Clash it if you want to, (personally I love pink with orange) or if youre on the shy side, team it with a neutral to ground the colour, such as grey, white or navy. It might surprise you to learn there is a shade of pink to suit every single skin tone. For example, if you are cool-toned the truer, more blue-based pinks and lilacs will be most flattering, whereas warmer skinned fashionistas should opt for pink with a touch of yellow in the base, such as salmon, heather or coral - there really is no excuse to get your pink on! If making a style-statement is your thing (just like Barble would) then opting for a monochrome look is just the ticket. Wearing head to toe single colour is not only striking and impactful (theres a reason its the go-to look for the Royal Family) but its also elongating for your frame and therefore very flattering. Plus, it always looks chic. Its win win! BUY FOREVER PIECES The stylist showcases an elegant light pink gown. Pictured, Earrings Soru Jewellery. Dress Needle & Thread London. Bracelet Soru Jewellery. Rings Soru Jewellery. Pearled Ring R.A.I Jewellery Remember to think before you purchase, and consider how often youll realistically wear the item before you part with your hard-earned cash. Barbie-fever is sweeping the globe and taking no prisoners! If you havent got caught up in the frivolous fun of it all yet, chances are you will soon (or your kids will and youll be paying for the cinema tickets), so cool your jazzy jets a little and ensure that whichever garment you bring home will be hardworking enough to earn its own personal real estate within your wardrobe. The rule of thumb is to aim for a minimum of three different ways to wear each piece, ideally 5. An ideal closet should consist of 80 per cent more classic pieces that will stand the test of time whilst the remaining 20 per cent can be made up of bolder, trend-led items. Aim for forever pieces as much as you can, and if its occasion-wear you are after, why not try renting or swapping with friends. DRESS YOURSELF HAPPY You're never too old to embrace Barbiecore, insisted Miranda. Pictured, Earrings Soru Jewellery. Pyjamas Nadine Merabi She suggested going bold with prints. Pictured, Headband River Island. Earrings Soru Jewellery. Necklace R.A.I Jewellery. Cardigan Brodie Cashmere. Dress Paper London. Large Ring Soru Jewellery. Small Ring R.A.I Jewellery. Mother of Pearl Bracelet Soru Jewellery. Gold Chain Bracelet R.A.I Jewellery. Socks Adidas. Trainers Aspiga. Bag Fable England. Glasses Broke But Cute. Hat Somerville Scarves If ever there was a license to feel fantastic through what you wear, then the time is now my fashionista friends; Barbiecore is dopamine dressing 2.0! Nothing quite beats the power of a fantastic outfit to put a spring in your step and a smile on your face. It improves your posture, aids your confidence and just gives your aura that special zing! So take that extra five minutes today to add a slick of bright lippy, treat yourself to a bouncy blow dry, or just wear all your favourite pieces just, well, just because! The energy we project out into the world comes back to us tenfold - a fresh manicure isnt selfish, it's maintenance. Start looking after yourself just like Barbie would and watch the world open up for you. Manifesting is SO 2022! CONSIDER TAILORING 'If your work attire falls into the smart-casual category, I would highly recommend incorporating a little Barbie magic into your weekday wardrobe,' said Miranda. Pictured, Earrings R.A.I Jewellery. Necklace R.A.I Jewellery. Rings Soru Jewellery. Knitted Top Brodie Cashmere. Bracelet R.A.I Jewellery. Trousers Me & Em. Sandals Gucci Its not all tulle and tutus you know - although, lets face it, both are rather fabulous - the Barbie trend has infiltrated the high street in a major way, and if you havent already, youll soon be seeing moments of plastic-fantastic in more formal settings, i.e - the workplace. Now depending on your job, obviously - if you are a corporate lawyer it might not be the best idea - but if your work attire falls into the smart-casual category, I would highly recommend incorporating a little Barbie magic into your weekday wardrobe. Tailoring is an excellent vehicle for the Barbie-beginner to dip their perfectly pedicured toe into. The structure of the trusty suit provides a little formality and shape, preventing things from getting too sickly sweet. Whether you are going all out in a baby pink three-piece, or just going for a subtle sartorial nod with a subdued pattern, chances are you will look like a more sophisticated Barbie devotee than your gaudier counterparts. THE DON'TS SAVE IT FOR BEST The celeb stylist urged people to avoid saving their favourite garments 'for best'. Pictured, Earrings Broke But Cute. Dress Nadine Merabi. Pink Ring Yaa Yaa London. Bag Apatchy London. Heels Terry de Havilland Whether she was busy in her job as an Astronaut, or getting ready for her career as a Paratrooper, Barbie always understood the requirements for putting your best fashion foot forwards, and never has she sartorially underwhelmed. As a character who lived her life in the spotlight, she was always looking her best for lights, camera, action - and we can definitely take a leaf or two out of Barbies style book here. How many times have you bought the garment of your dreams - whether it was the ultimate bum-lifting pair of jeans, a slinky summer dress or a blazer that makes you feel a million dollars, only to leave it hanging in the wardrobe the majority of the time, because the current occasion wasnt special enough to warrant dusting it off and putting it through its outfit-making paces? Remember how the world opens up for us when we dress ourselves happy? So wear your designer denim on the school run, and pop your best blazer on when you next pop to the supermarket and just see what happens. If you ever find yourself slipping back to your old ways just look in the mirror and solemnly whisper: What would Barbie do?' BE AFRAID TO GO FOR IT 'Dont be afraid to just go for it. When it comes to Barbiecore, a key component here is maximalism', said Miranda (pictured). Pictured, Headband R.A.I Jewellery. Earrings Soru Jewellery. Necklace Soru Jewellery. Dress Millia London. Bracelets Soru Jewellery. Rings Soru Jewellery. Heels Terry de Havilland Dont be afraid to just go for it. When it comes to Barbiecore, a key component here is maximalism. Nothing is understated, bigger is better, roll it in glitter if you can, throw in a fluffy kitten and you might just be getting lukewarm. Pile it on, layer it up, and for goodness sakes, dont hold back when it comes to statement style - think Barbiecore is just for the Love Island generation? Think again! If Barbie taught us one thing, it was that fear of the unknown was a complete waste of time, and she reigns as the ultimate Queen of reinvention, having enjoyed over 200 careers (and counting) in her time, ranging from Dolphin Trainer to Game Show host and everything in between. Barbie taught us not to settle, that if we had a yearning for a particular dream we shouldnt hesitate, but reach for the dizzy heights of success each time - always accompanied by an immaculate outfit. Barbie literally dressed her way to success, no matter what she turned her shiny plastic hand to - she taught us to have courage, be brave, and fully commit, sartorially and otherwise. FORGET TO ACCESSORISE 'Like all good fashionistas worth their sparkly stilettos, Barbie understood the power of accessories and used them to put the glittering icing on her own very glamorous fashion cake,' explained the stylist (pictured). Pictured, sunglasses River Island. Lobster Earrings River Island. Sweatshirt St Berts. Sweatbands Nike Like all good fashionistas worth their sparkly stilettos, Barbie understood the power of accessories and used them to put the glittering icing on her own very glamorous fashion cake, thus turning a great outfit into an unforgettable one, and I recommend you do the same. Accessories are (within reason) the one department of the wardrobe for which I recommend a more is more approach, as when purchased wisely, they can provide your curated collection of trusty basics with innumerable options to mix and match and switch things up. Barbie was savvy to this, knowing that all you need is a killer pair of heels and some statement jewellery to turn an everyday casual outfit into something really special, so next time you look in the mirror and think your look feels a bit boring, try piling on the bling and see if it puts a smile on your face. If you are attracted to the pink-tastic Barbie trend but felt too timid to fully commit to a whole look, accessories can be the perfect entry level - getting you in the fun and frivolous mood without losing too much sleep over it. A pink heel here, a sparkly headband there some bows gracing your ponytail trying them out for size should come with a safety warning that Barbiecore is infectious. A little word of warning though against going too matchy matchy - yes the Barbie of old may have loved the coordinating look - but today's Barbie prefers a more contemporary not tried too hard mixed up look. You have been warned. FORGET TO HAVE FUN Miranda (pictured) insisted: 'The very bottom line here is, the very essence of the Barbiecore movement is to have fun, which is what great fashion is all about really.' Pictured, Earrings Soru Jewellery. Necklace Soru Jewellery. Bodysuit River Island. Bracelet Broke But Cute. Shorts Donna Ida. Bag Apatchy London. Heels Terry de Havilland The very bottom line here is, the very essence of the Barbiecore movement is to have fun, which is what great fashion is all about really. The movie, like the doll, promotes not taking yourself too seriously, expressing yourself through your choice of clothing and having an absolute blast while youre doing it - whatever your age! There are no hard and fast rules, pink is obviously a highlight, but Barbiecore is a vibe, not a colour palette and its playful, empowering and bold. It loves the drama of a show-stopping silhouette, a high pony tail and a side order of sassitude with its only aim being to raise a smile this summer whilst looking stylish of course. Woolworths is releasing brand new Disney collector cards from 26 July Woolworths has announced the launch of a brand new Disney collectables range, and the highly coveted item is sure to send shoppers into a frenzy. The Australian supermarket chain confirmed that the 'Disney 100 Wonders Collector Cards' was introduced to commemorate Disney's 100th anniversary. From Wednesday 26 July, Woolworths customers will be able to get their hands on a free collector pack with every $30 spent in-stores and online. The collector cards feature characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, and include fan-favourites characters like Mickey Mouse, Woody, Captain Marvel, and Grogu. Each pack has three cards, and Woolies has also placed 100 individual prints of a limited holographic 'ultra rare' Walt Disney card at random. Woolworths has announced the launch of a brand new Disney collectables range, and the highly coveted item is sure to send shoppers into a frenzy Woolies has also placed 100 individual prints of a limited holographic Walt Disney card There are 100 different prints customers can collect overall. Shoppers can also access bonus packs when they buy participating products, with a limit of three bonus packs per participating brand per shop. Woolworths Senior Manager Collectibles & Continuity, Paul Stibbard, told FEMAIL the new cards follow the success of items like Disney Ooshies and Fix-ems. 'Our new Disney 100 Wonders Collector Cards give our customers the chance to bring home a special treat as part of their regular grocery shop. 'Our customers of all ages love Disney, and for those who are also passionate about card-collecting, this is an extra reward when they shop with us.' The Disney 100 Wonders Collector Cards are kerbside recyclable, and are made from FSC certified paper and use water soluble inks and a water soluble coating. Joel Whitney in the Boston Review: In 1973 rookie reporter Kevin McKiernan smuggled himself onto the Pine Ridge Sioux Reservation in the trunk of a car, hoping to cover the takeover of Wounded Knee, South Dakota. Embedded with activists of the American Indian Movement (AIM)who clamored for control of their communities and an end to slum conditions, McKiernan filmed their conflicts with Tribal Chair Richard (Dickie) Wilson, his armed supporters who called themselves Guardians of Oglala Nation (GOONs), and the government agents backing them. Despite a media blackout, McKiernan sat in on AIM negotiations with the Nixon administration, earning on-camera glares from negotiator Kent Frizzell. As a settlement was hammered out between the groups, McKiernan buried his film in a hole and smuggled himself out of the encampment. Arrests followed, his included. Six weeks later, he returned to Wounded Knee to recover his footage. In his 2019 documentary, which combines the footage of the seventy-one-day occupation with interviews conducted decades later, McKiernan crisply narrates these events, during which government agents shot and killed two Indigenous activists and wounded many more. More here. A woman has urged kind-hearted strangers not to pull over if they see a baby - or evidence of one - 'abandoned on the side of the road'. In the warning the concerned mum posted a picture of a stroller, parked just off a road, next to some bushes. 'If you see a stroller, car seat, or any type of baby situation alone in the middle of nowhere please, I repeat don't get out. Be safe,' the mum wrote. And people were quick to agree. 'Yes, people lie in wait - at best they rob you, at worst they bash you too,' said one. 'Families are struggling, some of them will use kids as bait.' A woman has warned people not to stop if they see abandoned strollers by the roadside The 'abandoned baby' is a tactic used by thieves who wait to ambush kind strangers who might stop to check a stroller. This isn't the first time warnings like this have been issued. But the latest post has gone viral with people from all over the world commenting on the cruel 'bait'. And people were pleased to have seen it. 'OMG - I would be out of the car so fast to check, thanks for the warning,' one mum said. 'This is so cruel because they are targeting the best of us,' said another. 'I would just call the police to have a look at it. It sounds harsh but it isn't worth the trouble.' Others laughed at the post. 'This stroller was probably dumped by my husband who after two years still can't workout how to fold it for the boot,' one mum said. 'A mum had to dump it cos her toddler wanted to walk but didn't want her to push the groceries in the empty pram. She will back to get it later.' Similar scams include the 'dead man' and the screaming woman. 'I pulled over to help a man passed out on the side of the road once, the police officer yelled at me and said it is often a scam and as a single woman I should be more careful,' one Australian woman said. She says it is best to call police - as it could be a trap 'I have heard of that! people pretend to be hurt and then steal your car,' said another. Others said women do it too. 'I have heard of women screaming for help only to do the same ting. Just call the cops and move on,' one woman from the US added. The warning post has been shared 23,000 times and attracted thousands of comments. A teenager discovered she had a deadly brain tumour following a routine eye test. Macie Hallitt, from Farnham, Surrey, did not notice any unusual problems with her eyesight until a Specsavers appointment. The 13-year-old was unable to read letters on a board and failed to even recognise different colours. Macie's concerned mother Maxine Stevens, 36, was told Macie's optic nerves were damaged and she was referred to hospital for tests. Just six days later she was diagnosed with a glioma which account for one in four childhood cancers. Macie Hallitt (pictured) from Farnham in Surrey did not notice she was experiencing any unusual problems with her eyesight. But during the exam, the 13-year-old was unable to read letters on a board and failed to even recognise different colours At her local Specsavers in Farnham, Macie's concerned mother Maxine Stevens, 36, was told Macie's optic nerves were compressed. Pictured, Macie with her mother Maxine Ms Stevens told MailOnline: 'What was particularly shocking was she herself hadn't noticed that she was unable to see these things.' Attending her appointment on June 20, the optician asked Macie to read the lowest row of letters on a board. But, recalling the initial consultation, Ms Stevens told how Macie said: 'There aren't any letters, just a big A.' Photographs of Macie's eye also showed damage to the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain. After the optician lodged an urgent referral with Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, Ms Stevens received a 9am call on June 22 from its ophthalmology department urging Macie to attend hospital that morning. WHAT IS A GLIOMA? Gliomas are brain tumours that start in the glial cells. Glial cells surround neurones, helping to support and protect the nerve cells. Around 2,200 cases of glioma are diagnosed every year in the UK, statistics show. And the tumours affect two-to-three in every 100,000 adults annually in the US. The most common type of glioma is an astrocytoma, which develops from cells called astrocytes. Unspecified gliomas occur when a doctor cannot tell the exact tumour grade or where it started. Low-grade tumours, which are slow growing, may not need immediate treatment and are monitored via 'watchful waiting'. Around half of low-grade tumours need operating on within two-to-three years of monitoring. Surgery may be carried out to remove as much of a low-grade tumour as possible, which is known as debulking. Radiotherapy may then be carried out if a lot of the tumour remains. Chemo may be recommended instead of radiotherapy if a patient has a specific genetic mutation. High-grade gliomas require surgery, which may be followed by radiotherapy. This does not cure the tumour but aims to control it. Chemo may also be recommended. Source: Cancer Research UK Advertisement Scans and eye tests taken throughout the day revealed that Macie had no peripheral vision and was colour-blind. Ms Stevens told MailOnline: 'The consultant suggested that there was "something" compressing the optic nerve and mentioned a tumour.' After referring her for an urgent MRI, the consultant warned Ms Stevens that Macie had suffered significant thinning of the optic nerve. By June 26, results of the MRI showed she was suffering from a glioma pressing on her optic nerve and she was immediately told to remain in hospital. Gliomas are tumours of the glial tissue, which hold and support nerve cells and fibres. They tend to grow and infiltrate into brain tissue, which makes surgical removal very difficult or sometimes impossible and complicates treatment. Around 420 children are diagnosed with tumours affecting the brain and central nervous system each year in the UK. Medics confirmed Macie would start a course of chemotherapy in six to eight weeks. Ms Stevens has since launched a GoFundMe campaign, raising over 4,000 to date, to help support Macie's care. 'After receiving the diagnosis I realised I was going to have to close my business,' she told MailOnline. 'I was a self-employed event planner and had several parties booked in over the next few weeks. 'With the uncertainty around hospital appointments and ongoing treatment, I had to cancel all future party bookings and refund all the customers. 'I also realised that it wouldn't be practical for Macie to sleep on the top bunk bed in a room shared with her younger sister while receiving chemotherapy. 'I spoke to friends and family and they all suggested a GoFundMe page.' She added: 'To be honest, I cringed at first because I didn't like the idea of asking for handouts. 'But everyone said they wanted to help, whether it be towards sorting out a bedroom for Macie or hospital transport or helping with the financial loss of my business. 'In less than a week our entire world was turned upside down.' Scans and eye tests taken throughout June 22 at Frimley Park Hospital, just two days after her routine eye appointment, revealed Macie had no peripheral vision and she was colour blind After referring her for an urgent MRI, the consultant at Frimley Park Hospital warned Ms Stevens that Macie had suffered significant thinning of the optic nerves. By June 26, results of the MRI showed she was suffering from a glioma pressing on her optic nerve and she was immediately told to remain in hospital. Pictured, Macie (far right) with her parents and sisters Ms Stevens said: 'As a mum I do my best to support my children and I can carry all that I can, but this news was more than any parent should carry alone. 'Macie and I have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity that we have received by so many people, even complete strangers. 'Macie has taken a bouquet of flowers to the opticians to thank her. As much as it is incredibly sad news for her, she wanted to say thank you that it was found and can now be treated and hopefully preserve her remaining sight.' She added: 'As a family we have a long road ahead. 'Macie is facing a brain tumour, loss of her eyesight, chemotherapy [and] the loss of her beautiful long hair.' Ms Stevens warned there was the potential Macie may need chemo 'throughout her life'. 'We don't really know what the future looks like right now but we are taking it one day at a time,' she added. 'We will battle each hurdle as a family and we are forever grateful for each and every donation, every shared post and every kind message of support and love.' Just one in 10 patients registered to England's worst-rated GP practices are happy with their care, damning analysis reveals today. MailOnline crunched the data from the 2023 edition of the NHS GP Patient Survey, which assessed the performance of the nation's 6,400-plus surgeries. Hundreds of thousands of patients were asked to rank how their practice fared. Nationally, satisfaction plummeted to an all-time low, fuelled by the appointments crisis that frustrated Brits into giving up trying to see their doctor altogether. Just seven in 10 patients ranked their practice as 'fairly good' or 'very good'. However, our audit revealed the figure stood at just 11 per cent at the lowest-ranked surgery, Medicus Select Care CCG for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. The survey shows that Medicus Select Care CCG for Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes was the lowest rank. The practice offers healthcare services to those who have been kicked off the list of their surgery. This can occur after several written warnings due to their behaviour or immediately if they have been violent The practice offers healthcare services to those who have been kicked off the list of their surgery. This can occur after several written warnings due to their behaviour or immediately if they have been violent. Just 17 per cent of patients with Green Porch Medical Centre in Sittingbourne, Kent, ranked their care as 'good'. Practices in Birmingham, Blackpool and Essex also featured in the top 10. Only a handful of patients completed the survey at some practices, so the figures may not reflect an accurate picture of each surgery's performance. Overall, 71 per cent of survey respondents rated their GP practice as 'good'. READ MORE: The GP will see you... next month! Number of 4-week waits rises 42% in just one year - so how does YOUR area fare? This map shows the 10 areas with the highest proportion of GP appointments held 4 weeks after they were first booked. Gloucestershire recorded the highest proportion at 9.7 per cent Advertisement However, this is the lowest figure since the survey began in 2017 when 85 per cent were happy with their surgery's performance. Survey results show that Brits struggled to access care. While nearly nine in 10 survey respondents tried to make an appointment in the last year, half said they avoided doing so. Three in 10 said this was because they found it too difficult, while 15 per cent said it was because they didn't want to burden the NHS. Just a third of those calling their GP practice were offered a choice on when their appointment was, while fewer than one in 10 (seven per cent) were asked about which healthcare professional they would prefer to see. Dennis Reed, from Silver Voices, which campaigns for the elderly, told MailOnline: 'Silver Voices has been warning about this postcode lottery for some time. 'Some practices , particularly in deprived or isolated areas, have so few working GPs that it is impossible to provide a comprehensive primary care service. 'The NHS must take action to ensure quality access to GPs whether in inner London or deepest Cornwall.' Dr Kristian Niemietz, head of political economy at think tank Institute of Economic Affairs, told MailOnline that the low ranking practices is part of a trend of people increasingly use these surveys 'to express their frustrations with the NHS'. Overall, 71 per cent of survey respondents rated their GP practice as 'good'. However, this is the lowest figure since the survey began in 2017 when 85 per cent were happy with their surgery's performance In 2021, 7.6 per cent of those who could not get a GP appointment said they went to A&E, which is equivalent to around 282,000 people. But by 2023 that figure had grown to 12.2 per cent, or 696,000 people, a rise of 146 per cent He added: 'For example, according to the latest British Social Attitude Survey, net satisfaction with the NHS has fallen to its lowest level ever recorded. 'The reverence for the NHS is clashing with the reality of poor performance and heavy rationing.' Survey results also show that more patients are turning to overcrowded A&Es for basic care after finding it increasingly difficult to secure a GP appointment. In 2021, 7.6 per cent of those who could not get a GP appointment said they went to A&E, which is equivalent to around 282,000 people. But by 2023 that figure had grown to 12.2 per cent, or 696,000 people, a rise of 146 per cent. Worryingly, almost one in three people (32.8 per cent) did not end up speaking to any medical professional about their issues after failing to secure a GP appointment. Only one in six patients (16.4 per cent) is 'always or almost always' able to see their preferred family doctor, with 19.3 per cent saying their GP can 'never or almost never' see them. It comes despite studies showing continuity of care improves health outcomes, increases the odds that patients take their prescribed medication and reduces the risk of death. Ministers have silently binned a promise to hire 6,000 more GPs, which was a major part of Boris Johnson's election-winning manifesto. Latest GP workforce data for May 2023 shows there are 27,200 fully-qualified GPs in England. This is down from 27,627 one year earlier. GP numbers peaked at 29,537 in March 2016 The proportion of GP appointments in England that were held face-to-face in May was 69.8 per cent. This is down from 70 per cent in April, which was the highest figure logged since the pandemic Latest GP appointment data shows that fewer than half of patients who booked a consultation actually saw a doctor (47.7 per cent). Instead, half of patients (49.9 per cent) saw another healthcare professional, such as a nurse Just 2,000 more family doctors have been recruited since 2019. But the number of fully qualified GPs, working the full-time equivalent of 37.5 hours on average a week, has shrunk to around 27,300, data shows. Analysts believe another 7,400 are still needed to plug gaps. Many are retiring in their 50s, moving abroad or leaving to work in the private sector because of soaring demand, paperwork and aggressive media coverage in the NHS. Around one in four GPs, who earn up to 100,000 per year, according to the BMA, now work part-time. At the same time, the population has also grown exacerbating the problem. It means millions of patients are rushed through, in scenes compared as 'goods on a factory conveyor belt'. Some have described it as being impossible to see a GP, with the '8am scramble' described as being like the rush to get Glastonbury tickets. Dr Michael Mulholland, honorary secretary of the Royal College of GPs, said the latest survey results reflect 'an over-stretched and over-burdened service'. He said: 'The vast majority of patients had confidence and trust in the highly qualified professionals they encountered at their last appointment and it is reassuring to see that in over 90 per cent of cases patients felt that their needs were met. This is testament to the fact that, regardless of pressures, GPs and their teams are doing an excellent job for their patients. 'It is always difficult to hear when patients report unsatisfactory experiences or have difficulties accessing our services. Yet we do share their frustrations GPs and our teams want to be able to deliver safe, timely and appropriate care for their patients. But were delivering millions more appointments every month, but with 930 fewer GPs compared to 2019.' What the GP practices said, in response to the findings A spokesperson for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board told MailOnline: 'Compass Medical Practice is a Special Allocation Scheme provider, which provides a service for patients who have been removed from their current GP list due to incidents at their practices that have necessitated police involvement. 'This may mean that they have been abusive towards practice staff, and in some more extreme cases committed acts of violence or been in possession of weapons. 'This a group of around 250 vulnerable patients often with complex medical and social needs, of which only 22 patients completed the survey.' A spokesperson for NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board told MailOnline: 'The ICB notes the findings of the recent GP Patient Survey. 'Lakeside Healthcare Stamford have made good progress to address a number of challenges over recent months, and alongside the ICB are committed to ensuring patient care and experience continues to improve. 'Significant resource and expertise from within the ICB has been mobilised to ensure the practice is able to build on recent improvements and provide high quality care for all patients.' MailOnline approached the others for comment. Disgraced medic and anti-vax figure Andrew Wakefield has been given a platform to spread dangerous vaccine misinformation by a currently registered a UK medic The disgraced ex-doctor and godfather of the anti-vax movement sparked fresh outrage today by claiming kids shouldn't be given any jabs. Andrew Wakefield made the hugely controversial comments in a new podcast. Medics and charities immediately questioned why he was being 'given air time to peddle his dangerous and ill-founded opinions'. Wakefield was struck off the UK's medical register after publishing a now-debunked study in the 90s which linked the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine with autism. Tens of thousands of parents refused to let medics vaccinate their children due to the ex-gastroenterologist's bogus paper, with the knock-on effects still felt to this day. His paper in The Lancet considered the most damaging medical hoax of the last century was found to be fabricated. Wakefield himself had a financial interest in uncovering a damaging link to the jab. Wakefield, now in his 60s, was questioned about his current stance on vaccines in a new podcast hosted by Ahmad Malik, a surgeon who has discredited Covid jabs. The episode, aired on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, was titled: 'Andrew Wakefield The Original Anti-vaxxer Quack Or An Ethical Doctor Way Ahead Of His Time?' He was not challenged on his disproven claims that the MMR jab, given to kids when they turn one, causes autism. 'The parents we had seen at the Royal Free (where the original study took place) were absolutely right, just as many parents had been right since, that the Lancet paper was right,' he said. Official data for October to December 2022 shows the areas most vulnerable to a potential measles outbreak with over a quarter of children in London missing out on the MMR jab Wakefield, now in his 60s, was questioned about his current stance on vaccines in a new podcast hosted by Ahmad Malik, a surgeon who has discredited Covid jabs in the past He added: 'It (autism) was vanishingly rare and now its dramatically common. Trying to normalise autism is a real perversion of the truth.' Mr Malik, a private orthopaedic surgeon who practices in both London and Buckinghamshire, pushed him further, asking what his 'current' opinion on vaccines was. Wakefield, who now makes anti-vax documentaries and films for a living, responded by saying if he was a new parent: What vaccines would I allow that child to have? The answer is none, none at all. 'I could not recommend for a child of mine or a baby of mine to receive any of these vaccines.' WHAT JABS SHOULD I HAVE HAD BY AGE 18? Vaccinations for various unpleasant and deadly diseases are given free on the NHS to children and teenagers. Here is a list of all the jabs someone should have by the age of 18 to make sure they and others across the country are protected: Eight weeks old 6-in-1 vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and hepatitis B. Pneumococcal (PCV) Rotavirus Meningitis B 12 weeks old Second doses of 6-in-1 and Rotavirus 16 weeks old Third dose of 6-in-1 Second doses of PCV and men. B One year old Hib/meningitis C Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) Third dose of PCV and meningitis B Two to eight years old Annual children's flu vaccine Three years, four months old Second dose of MMR 4-in-1 pre-school booster for diptheria, tetanus, polio and whooping cough 12-13 years old (girls) HPV (two doses within a year) 14 years old 3-in-1 teenage booster for diptheria, tetanus and polio MenACWY Source: NHS Choices Advertisement Mr Malik's fellow medics reacted angrily to Wakefield being given a platform to share his disproven views. Fellow orthopaedic surgeon Dr Roshana Mehdian noted that Dr Malik was registered with the General Medical Council, the body that regulates medics in the UK. She noted that it comes 'amidst a measles outbreak in London'. Dr Bharat Pankhania, an expert in disease management and clinical lecturer at Exeter Medical School, added: 'This man is responsible for a lot of harm, which continues to this day.' Dr Alasdair Munro, an expert in paediatric infectious diseases at University Hospital Southampton, told MailOnline: 'Andrew Wakefield was struck off the medical register by the GMC for committing unethical and fraudulent research on children. 'He has continued to actively spread harmful misinformation about vaccines, even as nearly 800 children in Zimbabwe died from an outbreak of measles in 2022 alone; each one of these deaths preventable by vaccination. 'Giving a platform to such harmful misinformation is irresponsible, and particularly reckless at a time when the risk of children in the UK suffering from preventable disability and death from measles is increasing due to falling rates of vaccination.' Tim Nicholls, head of influencing and research at the charity the National Autistic Society, told MailOnline: 'It is utterly baffling that someone whose shoddy research has been completely debunked, and who has been banned from medical practice, is still being given air time to peddle his dangerous and ill-founded opinions. 'Lets be completely clear there is no link between autism and the MMR vaccine. 'To suggest otherwise is particularly irresponsible amid warnings earlier this week that London risks a measles outbreak because of low levels of vaccination. 'Anyone who wants to know more about vaccines should visit the NHS website for safe, reliable and up to date information.' In a sign of the potential damage such interviews can do, some parents on Twitter commented how Wakefield had inspired them to not have their child get the MMR jab. Wakefield who has since filmed documentaries who has since filmed documentaries on vaccines falsely suggested the MMR jab was linked to autism in 1998. He conducted a study of just 12 children to support the link. Much larger studies have found no difference in risk of developing autism from the jab. His study was eventually retracted by the medical journal which published it but has since been used by the anti-vax movement to spread misinformation. Wakefield was struck off by the GMC in 2010, which ruled that he was 'dishonest, irresponsible and showed callous disregard for the distress and pain' of children. His work and his comments about vaccines have been credited with sparking a drop in MMR uptake around the world. NHS England data released earlier this year shows that MMR vaccine uptake plunged to just 88.6 per cent for one dose in two year olds, and to 85.5 per cent for both jabs among five year olds The map shows the number of measles cases per region of England. London has been the worst hit (85), followed by the South East (12) and Yorkshire and the Humber (8) Experts have previously expressed their fears that scepticism and fake news about the Covid vaccine is having a knock-on effect: triggering doubts about other arguably far more vital childhood jabs How do the MMR vaccines work? The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective combined vaccine. It protects against three illnesses: measles, mumps and rubella. The highly infectious conditions can easily spread between unvaccinated people. The conditions can lead to serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles, mumps and rubella. The NHS advises anyone who has not had two doses of the MMR vaccine to ask their GP for a vaccination appointment. Two doses of the jab protects around 99 per cent of people against measles and rubella, while around 88 per cent of people are protected against mumps. Source: NHS Advertisement The jab, which offers life-long protection, consists of two doses. In Britain, it's given when a child turns one and then again at three years and four months. NHS data shows MMR vaccine uptake is 88.6 per cent for one dose in two-year-olds, and to 85.5 per cent for both jabs among five-year-olds. But vaccination rates are particularly low in London at just 74 per cent. Both are far below the target needed for herd immunity of 95 per cent. MMR uptake in England was about 91 per cent prior to Wakefield's study being published and then plummeted to 80 per cent in the aftermath. While they have recovered slightly, they are still way below the levels seen in the early 90s. Medics have been increasingly concerned that measles, a disease long kept at bay because of vaccines, could make a return due to declining uptake. UKHSA warned just last week that low uptake of the MMR jab in the capital specifically could lead to a measles outbreak of up to 160,000 cases. Measles usually starts with cold-like symptoms, followed by a rash a few days later. It is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can lead to serious problems if it spreads to other parts of the body such as the lungs or brain. While Wakefield has been credited with driving an initial decline in MMR jabs anti-vax disinformation and sentiment was revitalized during the Covid pandemic. Experts believe unfounded claims about the Covid jabs has fuelled vaccine-hesitancy around other jabs, even established ones which have been routinely offered to children for decades. BBLs, tummy tucks and hair transplants are the top three most searched for ops Virginia was next with 289 monthly Google searches for every 100,000 people The states most interested in getting plastic surgery have been revealed. Delaware, Rhode Island and Maryland are the three states with the most Google searches for cosmetic procedures, according to experts at med.ro an online directory to help people find medical professionals like dermatologists and plastic surgeons. They analyzed the number of average monthly Google searches in each state using terms like BBL near me, buccal fat removal price and eyelid lift surgeon'. They also found that the Brazilian butt lift (BBL) is America's most popular cosmetic surgery, with an average of more than 261,000 monthly Google searches. Delaware took the crown for the state most interested in plastic surgery, with 308 cosmetic surgery-related searches for every 100,000 people monthly. Rhode Island was next on the list, with the state making an average of 301 cosmetic surgery searches monthly for every 100,000 people. In third place was Maryland with 299 Google searches per every 100,000 made for cosmetic surgery monthly. The fourth most-interested state was Virginia racking up 289 Google searches a month for every 100,000 residents, followed by Georgia in fifth place with 287 monthly searches per 100,000 residents. Delaware has the ninth higher GDP per capita of the 50 states, according to data from April 2023 from the World Population Review, making it one of the top ten richest. Delaware, Rhode Island and Maryland are the top three states with the most Google searches for cosmetic procedures Maryland has the second-highest income of any state, according to data from January 2023, with a median household income of more than $87,000. Virginia also has a high median household income of more than $76,000. The inhabitants of these states will enjoy more disposable income to spend on cosmetic procedures, which can cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars in the US for one operation. The BBL is the most Googled procedure in all 50 states. It gives an enhanced figure as surgeons create curves by removing fat from other areas of the body, like the stomach, and moving it to the butt. Celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian are rumored to have had the operation. Tummy tucks and hair transplants were just behind BBLs in terms of popularity. Tummy tucks, also known as abdominoplasty, has 175,757 average monthly Google searches. The operation involves removing excess skin and fat from the abdomen to enhance the look of the stomach and make it appear firmer and smoother. Hair transplants had more than 120,000 monthly Google searches. Roughly two-thirds of men in the US experience hair loss by age 35, though the procedure is growing in popularity among women too. Experts at med.ro combined a list of cosmetic surgeries with multiple terms to discover their total monthly search volume on Google: X price, X near me, X surgery, X surgeon, X cost, How much is X. The search volume of these terms in each state was discovered and then calculated by the population to ensure the ranking was fair. The search volume for each term was combined for each procedure to determine which are the most popular and which states are the most interested. The data was collected between June 2022 and June 2023. Heatstroke has been a cause for concern as temperatures hit record highs Doctors warn different types of antidepressants could lead to heatstroke As temperatures hit record highs across the US, doctors warn millions of Americans on antidepressants could be at risk of deadly heatstroke. This is because certain antidepressants affect the body's ability to regulate temperature. Tricyclic antidepressants are an older class of drug that are prescribed less often due to more intense side effects, including insomnia, bed-wetting, and chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia. They prevent the body from cooling down normally, such as by sweating and making you drink more water to compensate. And this heat intolerance affects multiple classes of these drugs. However, the more common selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can actually make you sweat more. This still leads to heatstroke because when you swear too much, it can leave you dehydrated. Sertraline is a common antidepressant is of a group of drugs known as SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors Some examples of tricyclics approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and protriptyline (Vivactil). 'Tricyclic antidepressants can cause you to sweat less,' Dr Nial Wheate of the University of Sydney, Australia, told Insider, 'because they act as anticholinergics, which means they basically stop your sweat glands from producing sweat.' 'We sweat to cool down, so if you're not sweating then you can't regulate your body temperature properly and you're likely to overheat.' Some of the most common FDA-approved SSRIs are citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft). More than one in 10 Americans use antidepressants, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They're more common in women, 18 percent of whom have taken them in the past 30 days compared to eight percent of men. In addition to heat intolerance, common side effects of antidepressants include nausea, increased appetite, fatigue, insomnia, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, restlessness, and erectile dysfunction, according to the Mayo Clinic. Heatstroke is where the body is no longer able to cool itself and a person's body temperature becomes dangerously high due to a long amount of time exposed to direct sunlight. Common symptoms include confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech, not sweating, loss of consciousness, incoherence, profuse sweating, dry skin, seizures, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, headache, and fast pulse. When heatstroke occurs, the body's temperature can rise to 106F (41C) or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heatstroke can cause permanent disability or death if the person does not receive emergency treatment. For those on tricyclic antidepressants, Dr Wheate suggested keeping a fan blowing on you so the limited sweat you are producing can easily wick away. Those on antidepressants should focusing on drinking lots of water and electrolyte drinks to replace fluid lost through excess sweating. It's not advised, however, to stop taking antidepressants if you're worried about overheating. 'Managing your depression is more important,' Dr Wheate said. He was so small when he was born that he fit in the palm of his mom's hand A mom who was told her baby 'wouldnt make it' after he was born so tiny he fit in her bra is now home and thriving after 181 days in the hospital. Zaylan Reed, from Altoona, Pennsylvania, weighed just 1lb 6oz when he was born after Krysten Risbon, 22, went into labor at 23 weeks and six days 16 weeks early. He had a hole in his heart and spent the next few months on and off ventilators because his lungs were too immature to help him breathe on their own. But 'miracle' baby Zaylan is finally home and thriving, and Krysten, inspired by her time in the hospital, is now studying to become a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse. Zaylan Reed weighed just 1lb 6oz when he was born, and used to hold mom Krysten's finger with his whole hand Ms Ribson and Janerio Reed, 20, (pictured left) were over the moon when they found out they were expecting their first baby in August 2022. When he was born, Zaylan had a hole in his heart and spent the next 181 days on and off oxygen Ms Ribson said: 'When I first held him, he sat in my bra. Now only his foot fits in. 'They had told us he probably wasnt going to make it. Hes a little fighter. Hes a miracle.' Ms Ribson and Janerio Reed, 20, a detailer, were over the moon when they found out they were expecting their first baby in August 2022. Ms Ribson started bleeding at 23 weeks and six days and went to the hospital, but doctors assumed it was a yeast infection and sent her home with medication. But her pain only got worse. 'I was up all night screaming,' she said. The couple returned to the hospital when the pain didnt ease and doctors discovered she was 4cm dilated. Ms Ribson said: 'They said "Youre going to have this baby today. Hes probably not going to make it". I started crying.' The mom-to-be was taken by helicopter to UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, which has specialist tiny baby equipment. Doctors gave her steroids to help the babys lungs and were able to halt the birth for another two days, until December 23, 2022. Mr Reed cut the cord before his son was whisked to the neonatal unit. Each year in the US, about 5,000 babies are born in the uncertain window between 22 and 23 weeks. Babies born earlier than 22 weeks are generally too physically underdeveloped to be successfully treated with intensive care and have just a 30 percent chance of survival. Ms Ribson said: 'When they took him down, I was pretty scared. He was so tiny he fit in the palm of my hand.' Zaylan was born with a hole in his heart and spent the next 181 days on and off oxygen. He had surgery after being born with ROP an eye disease that can occur when babies are born prematurely to improve his eyesight. Finally, after being fitted with a feeding tube, Zaylan was able to come home June 21 2023. Ms Ribson said: 'It was unreal having him home. Its pretty insane. I cant believe how small he was. 'He used to hold my finger with his whole hand. He used to be the size of a thumbprint on his foot.' She said: 'Hes pretty funny. Hes a grump he gives me the side eye.' But she added that he also 'smiles and laughs all the time.' Ms Ribson is due to attend Mount Aloysius College in the fall to be a nurse. A foundation set up by a reformed bank robber to help support victims of institutionalised abuse has gone under. Russell Manser served 23-years behind bars in Northern Territory, Queensland and NSW prisons and made a name as one of Australia's most notorious criminals before leaving a life of crime behind and starting a charity, The Voice of A Survivor. The foundation offers support to victims of physical, emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of institutions, as they seek justice. The company was placed into voluntary liquidation on Monday. Manser said victims had been hesitant to seek justice because of recent applications made by institutions in the NSW Supreme Court for permanent stays on cases where the alleged perpetrator had died. If a stay is granted, it means the matter can not go to court and the victim is unable to receive justice. 'It's been really tough going of late,' Manser told Daily Mail Australia. Russell Manser served 23-years behind bars in Northern Territory, Queensland and NSW prisons before starting his program The Voice of A Survivor 'The directors have decided to put it in voluntary liquidation because we're not having the same volume of clients because of the response to these claims. 'It's just not viable for us to continue on.' Manser said The Voice of a Survivor clients would still be given the same support through another foundation, Warriors Advocacy. However, the foundation will only be able to support victims whose alleged attackers have since died. Ex-con Russell Manser (pictured right) has attracted large online following for his straight-talking videos about his time within the Australian prison system Manser also took aim at the government's National Redress Scheme, which was introduced following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The scheme which was started on July, 2018, was created to support people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse 'gain access to counselling, a direct personal response (from the institution, such as an apology), and a Redress payment'. Payments will be decided on an individual basis and range from less than $10,000 through to $150,000. Manser, who has turned his life around after decades behind bars, took aim at the government's National Redress Scheme, which he says doesn't do enough to support victims of institutional abuse The scheme only applies to people who were abused as a child, if the abuse happened before July 1, 2018, and an institution was responsible for bringing the victim into contact with the abuser. The scheme also only applies to those born before June 30, 2010. It also warns an application may be treated differently if the victim has served more than five years in jail. But Manser, a victim of sexual abuse himself at the hands of an institution, said victims were better off pursuing their cases in a civil matter and labelled the scheme a 'scam'. He said the redress process was 'subjective' and whilst trying to eliminate the judicial process which can be traumatising for some victims, it often took just as long as a civil matter to get an outcome. He also claimed victims simply had to fill out an application with deeply personal information which often took months to hear back on. Manser added many victims had spent longer than five years in jail over their lives, with many turning to drugs and crime as a result of the abuse they suffered. 'These people have suffered enough, they deserve justice,' he said. Manser (pictured with his partner) runs a support and advocacy group that helps connect survivors of abuse, prisoners, and former prisoners with legal advice and rehabilitation He claimed he'd also heard from people with similar experiences of abuse who had been awarded a much larger payment by taking the matter to the civil court, instead of going through the redress scheme. 'The redress scheme was to minimise trauma on survivors and it's not,' he said. 'These people are coming out and telling their deepest darkest secrets, there's an art to how you talk to them, not just fill in an application and talk to them in 18 months time. 'I'm a survivor, that's the difference between me and them, it's like speaking another language to them.' Those applying for the scheme are encouraged to seek their own legal advice about their options. The threshold for evidence in civil claims is higher than it is through the scheme, where a 'reasonable likelihood' is used to determine whether a person was sexually abused at the hands of an institution. Proving evidence of abuse through a civil matter is harder to prove, however monetary payment may be higher. The scheme, while in some cases offers a lower payment, was set up as an easier alternative to civil litigation. A Department of Social Services spokesperson said the National Redress Scheme had been set up 'as an alternative to costly and traumatic civil litigation'. 'Survivors of institutional child sexual abuse can seek justice for harm and injury caused in different ways, including through redress and civil litigation,' they said. 'The Scheme aims to progress and assess applications in the shortest time possible. However, processing times may vary depending on the applicant's circumstances and the complexity of the application. 'The Government recognises that this wait time may be difficult for applicants, and for many survivors, their redress application is the first time they've told anyone about what happened to them.' Manser was sexually abused himself when he was thrown in an adult prison despite being 17 Manser, who has publicly weighed in on how he thinks high-profile prisoners such as Ivan Milat and Chopper Read would've been treated behind bars, began his criminal career boosting cars and abusing recreational drugs. When Manser was 17, the Attorney-General made an example of him, after he and his mates car-jacked a luxury Porsche from Sydney's affluent northern beaches. He was jailed in an adults' prison despite being a minor. It was there he was subjected to horrific sexual abuse and offered far heavier drugs that he had used before. By the time he was released, Manser was addicted to heroin. He started robbing banks and had stolen from five banks in the early 1990s, including the Commonwealth Bank in Lane Cove where he snatched $90,000. By the age of 23, the career criminal had been sentenced to 15 years behind bars, with a non-parole period of seven-and-a-half years. When he got out, he started a business, got married and had two boys. However the short-lived period of peace was disrupted by memories of his abuse, which were becoming harder to ignore. His marriage eventually broke down and Manser numbed the pain with drugs and alcohol. He returned to robbing banks and was thrown in jail again. While behind bars again, he risked his neck to contribute to a Royal Commission into sexual abuse, with many other inmates beginning to think he was tattling to the police whenever he used the prison phones. After 23 years in prison, Manser decided he wouldn't rob another bank or steal a car again. He has also since started a podcast 'The Stick Up' discussing true crime, prison, abuse, and survivorship. A former OceanGate consultant has said the doomed Titan sub would have 'collapsed in two milliseconds' and killed all five passengers before they could even comprehend their immediate death. Submersible expert Rob McCallum, who worked with Stockton Rush's company early on in its development, said the sheer impact of the implosion at 12,500ft would have meant the passengers 'ceased to exist' before their brain could detect they were in danger. The experimental submersible imploded last month on its way to the Titanic wreck, killing all five men onboard including the CEO. The former OceanGate contractor also said he grew increasingly worried about the experimental nature of the vessel and left the company when Rush announced he was going to commence commercial trips to the Titanic wreck. McCallum labelled the venture a 'ticking time bomb' and said he was 'not surprised' at the tragedy. Rob McCallum, who worked with Stockton Rush's company early on in its development, said the doomed Titan sub would have 'collapsed in two milliseconds' The OceanGate Titan submersible imploded last month on its way to the Titanic wreck, killing all five men onboard including the CEO Explaining what he believes would have happened to the vessel to 60 Minutes Australia, McCallum said: 'The whole volume of a submersible collapses in about two milliseconds. 'And it takes 25 milliseconds for the human brain to detect a threat. 'It's not so much that you die,' he concluded, 'it's that you cease to exist. It's almost the perfect end.' Tourists Hamish Harding, 58, Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman Dawood, 19, French Navy pilot Paul-Henry Nargeolet and 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. 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 based on the misguided thought that the men could be rescued. Ships from across the globe started to make the journey to help search for the missing sub while the hours and estimated oxygen ticked down. But days later, it was announced the five people aboard the sub were believed to have been killed in a likely implosion. Tourists Hamish Harding (top left), 58, Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his son Suleman Dawood (bottom right), 19, French Navy pilot Paul-Henry Nargeolet (bottom left) and Rush (top right) all died on the submersible after it imploded in the middle of the Atlantic on June 18 Pictured: File photo of inside the OceanGate Expeditions sub which imploded last month McCallum added to the mountain of scrutiny piled upon Rush and his approach following the horrific disaster. The sub expert claimed that the passengers 'were diving in something which really was a ticking time bomb.' 'I can't say that from a technical standpoint I was surprised. That's why we tried so hard to prevent it.' He said he left the company after becoming alarmed at the experimental approach and was not content with the experimental measures being taken. He said the willingness to 'break rules' was 'completely reckless'. 'They were so proud of flaunting the accepted norms, and if you're going to flaunt an accepted norm you really need to know what you're doing and I wasn't convinced that that level of expertise was there.' McCallum poured further scorn on the experimental sub. He said he considered it 'great fun breaking world records' but 'they don't count if everybody doesn't make it home'. McCallum wasn't the only one to raise serious concerns. David Lockridge, the company's then-chief pilot and director of marine operations, was fired and sued after raising a number of grave concerns over the vessel. Karl Stanley suggested Stockton Rush (pictured) was willing to risk his and his clients' lives in order to 'go down in history' Lockridge had written an engineering report in 2018 that said the vessel needed more testing and passengers may be endangered when it reached 'extreme depths,' according to a lawsuit filed that year in U.S. District Court in Seattle. The company insisted that Lockridge was 'not an engineer and was not hired or asked to perform engineering services on the Titan'. The firm also says the vessel under development was a prototype, not the now-missing Titan. The Marine Technology Society, which describes itself as 'a professional group of ocean engineers, technologists, policy-makers, and educators', also expressed concern that year in a letter to Rush. The society said it was critical that the company submit its prototype to tests overseen by an expert third party before launching in order to safeguard passengers. Addressing the number of concerns, McCallum said: 'If someone raised a safety concern, as the chief pilot did, they were not only not listened to they were silenced. 'That is such a toxic culture when it comes to safety and it's the reverse of everything I know in the maritime industry,' he concluded. Reflecting on the entire event, McCallum considered that the Titanic was 'a turning point in Maritime history' but the recent tragedy showed that despite technological advancements, 'nature is very much in control'. 'Here was a machine one of the largest ever built, the fastest ever built - the sort of pride and joy of human engineering,' he said of the Titanic. 'And mother nature changed our attitude and in a single blow told us that we're not the Masters of the Universe.' David Lockridge (pictured), formerly OceanGate's director of marine operations for the Titan project, wrote an engineering report in 2018 that said the craft under development needed more testing Rush's friend claimed he warned the CEO about an area of the vessel that was cracking But following McCallum's comments, OceanGate's co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein said he had to 'stand up' and say 'what we were doing was right and heading in the right direction'. Sohnlein said OceanGate's ventures were about advancing human understanding of the ocean and 'giving humanity access to these assets that could take everybody down into the ocean'. The co-founder - who left the company ten years ago but remains a shareholder - dismissed labelling Rush as 'reckless' and the portrayal of him as a 'risk taker' and 'maverick'. He said in the period they worked together that he never saw his former partner take unnecessary risk. Asked if taking paying passengers on an unclassed sub down to the Titanic was a risk, Sohnlein said: 'I know two of the other four crew members that were lost and they would cringe if they were being labelled as tourists or passengers. 'They considered themselves explorers, they considered themselves part of the crew. They considered that their financial investment was going toward a scientific research and exploration of the oceans.' It came as a friend of Rush claimed the OceanGate CEO designed a 'mouse trap for billionaires' and accused him of murdering his clients. In the same recent documentary, submarine operator Karl Stanley, who was a close friend of Rush and one of the first passengers to go on the Titan, said the OceanGate CEO '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?' Stanley also suggested Rush was willing to risk his and his clients' lives in order to 'go down in history'. Submarine operator Karl Stanley said OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush designed a 'mouse trap for billionaires' Stanley shared the frantic emails he sent Rush warning him about the hull 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. Following his release from prison, Mitnick became an ethical 'white hat' hacker Kevin Mitnick, a famed hacker who was once the FBI's 'most wanted' cybercriminal before he became a reformed security expert, has died following a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Mitnick was one of the most renowned hackers in the 1980s and 90s, known for tricking employees into helping him steal software and services from big phone and tech companies. He died at the age of 59 on Sunday in Las Vegas following a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer, said Stu Sjouwerman, the CEO of security training firm KnowBe4, where Mitnick was chief hacking officer. Following a two-year-long federal manhunt for Mitnick in the early 1990s, the hacker spent five years in prison for computer and wire fraud before his release in 2000, at which point he used his skills to become an ethical 'white hat' hacker, author, and cybersecurity consultant. Mitnick was deemed to have a colorful career having started as a student tinkerer and FBI-hunted fugitive, before an imprisoned felon and finally respected cybersecurity professional, public speaker and author tapped for advice by U.S. lawmakers and global corporations. Kevin Mitnick, who was once on the FBI's 'most wanted' list speaks to a group in Houston City in October 2017. He died on Sunday following a battle with cancer Kevin Mitnick is seen after being released from the Federal Correctional Institution in Lompoc, California, January 21, 2000 'He never hacked for money,' said Sjouwerman, who became Mitnick's business partner in 2011. He was mostly after trophies, chiefly cellphone code, he said. Much fanfare accompanied Mitnick's high-profile arrest in 1995, three years after he'd skipped probation on a previous computer break-in charge, where he was dubbed the 'most wanted' computer hacker in the world by investigators. The government accused him of causing millions of dollars in damages to companies including Motorola, Novell, Nokia and Sun Microsystems by stealing software and altering computer code. But federal prosecutors had difficulty gathering evidence of major crimes, and after being jailed for nearly four years, Mitnick reached a plea agreement in 1999 that credited him for time served. Upon his January 2000 release from prison, Mitnick told reporters his 'were simple crimes of trespass.' He said 'I wanted to know as much as I could find out about how phone networks worked.' He was initially barred for three years from using computers, modems, cell phones or anything else that could give him internet access, and from public speaking. Those requirements were gradually eased but he wasn't allowed back online until December 2002. Mitnick forte was considered social engineering as he would impersonate company employees to obtain passwords and data. This was a technique known as pretexting that remains among the most effective in hacking and which typically requires considerable research to pull off successfully. Kevin Mitnick, described as the world's most wanted computer hacker arrives for his arraignment in February 1995 outside the federal court in Raleigh, North Carolina Kevin Mitnick speaks at an IT Security Conference. Mitnick was one of the most renowned hackers in the 1980s and 90s 'His ingenuity challenged systems, incited dialogues, and pushed boundaries in cybersecurity. He will remain a testament to the uncharted power of curiousity,' tweeted Chris Wysopal, who as a member of the white-hat hacking group L0pht testified before the U.S. Senate a few years before Mitnick did the same. 'My hacking activity actually was a quest for knowledge, the intellectual challenge, the thrill and the escape from reality,' Mitnick said during a March 2000 congressional hearing in response to a question by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn) about what motivated him. In his prepared testimony, Mitnick boasted that he had 'successfully penetrated some of the most resilient computer systems ever developed.' Mitnick had first been arrested for computer crimes at age 17 for brazenly walking into a Pacific Bell office and taking a handful of computer manuals and codes to digital door locks. For that, he served a year in a rehabilitation center, deemed by a federal judge as being addicted to computer tampering. Mitnick had been raised in the bleak Los Angeles suburb of Panorama City by his mother, who divorced his father when he was 3. An overweight, lonely teenager, he dropped out of high school and found friends only when he stumbled into the world of phone phreaks - teens who used stolen phone codes to make free long-distance calls. Phones led to computers, and Mitnick showed himself to be a persistent, if not stellar, hacker. Enthralled by the possibility of using computers to gain access and power, Mitnick began breaking into voice mail and computer systems, rifling through private files and taunting those who crossed him. Master hacker Kevin Mitnick, who spent four years in federal prison for stealing computer secrets, talks to the media in Los Angeles Monday, June 26, 2000 Mitnick was one of the most renowned hackers in the 1980s and 90s, known for tricking employees into helping him steal software and services from big phone and tech companies But another side of Mitnick became clear in his conversations with investigative journalist Jonathan Littman printed in the mid-1990s in 'The Fugitive Game: Online with Kevin Mitnick.' The hacker was portrayed as less a threat than a fearful, disturbed young man, more annoying than vindictive. Although a computer file containing 20,000 credit card numbers copied from the internet service provider Netcom was found on Mitnicks computer after a 1994 arrest, there is no evidence he ever used any of the accounts. Mitnick became a cause celebre for hackers who considered his 5-year prison term excessive. Some defaced websites to post messages demanding his release. Among the targets was The New York Times - which some sympathizers accused of exaggerating the societal danger Mitnick posed. Exaggerated stories of Mitnick's exploits and abilities also made the rounds, sometimes fueling hysteria. One led prison officials to put him in solitary confinement for nine months, said Sjouwerman, because they feared he could start a nuclear war by whistling into a pay phone, emulating a modem 'to hack NORAD and trigger a ballistic missile.' Mitnick is the author of 'The Ghost in the Wires,' which recounts his adventures as a wanted hacker and three other books co-written with others including 'The Art of Deception.' In addition to his work at KnowBe4, where Mitnick was not involved in day-to-day operations, he ran a separate penetration-testing business with his wife, the former Kimberley Barry. She is a native of Australia, where the two met. Neighbors of the Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect have said he was 'intimidating' and was once caught rambling about 'the girls.' Jimmy Mack, who lives a couple of blocks away from Rex Heuermann's 'dungeon-like' home, revealed to DailyMail.com his run ins with the suspected murderer. He claimed he once caught him babbling at the end of his driveway about 'the girls' while he was drunk and thought no one was listening. Mack said when he asked Heuermann what he was doing he blasted him over the way his car was parked and threatened to slash his tires. Meanwhile another neighbor said they found 6ft 4in Heuermann 'intimidating' and once walked past him working in his garage and he never even looked up. Heuermann has been arrested and charged with the murder of three of the 'Gilgo Four'. Jimmy Mack, (left) who lives a couple of blocks away from Rex Heuermann's (right) 'dungeon-like' home, revealed to DailyMail.com his run ins with the suspected murderer Police were seen searching the property for 'trophies' that may be linked to the victims for a seventh day on Thursday The architect lived in a 'dungeon-like' Massapequa Park home just 18 miles away from Gilgo Beach with his wife Asa Ellerup Mack, 51, who owns a trucking company and lives with his wife and three step kids, recalled a terrifying encounter with Heuermann outside his Long Island home. Heuermann was walking home from the LIRR station past Mack's house on March 2, a regular route for the architect, when a confrontation between the men broke out. Mack was smoking a cigarette on his porch at close to 10pm and overheard a man Heuermann talking, he told DailyMail.com. 'I'm sitting on my porch and he doesn't see me but I hear him saying 'oh here we are again I told them ...I told those girls once already ... now you guys are going to understand.' Mack said Heuermann didn't realize he was there and seemed startled. He said he appeared intoxicated and continued to babble to himself before standing at the end of his driveway. Mack said to Heurmann, 'bro are you talking to my house?' He responded: 'Are you the a**hole that owns this car?... I warned them last time and now they are going to see,' he then said aggressively that he would return in 15 minutes to slash his tires. Mack said he chased Heurmann away from his driveway and told his wife to lock the doors before he followed him down the street on foot asking him, 'what did you say about the girls ... are you talking about my wife and daughter?' The confrontation escalated and Mack said to Heurmann 'we either handle our business now or I never f***ing see you again,' before Heurmann walked off. Mack then followed his neighbor in his car, recalling that he felt 'something ain't right. I need to know where this guy lives.' He saw Heuermann jump over his neighbor's fence and shield his face as he escaped, he recalled, 'he didn't want me to see his face.' Mack said the confrontation and the air of unease he felt, meant he 'knew something was up for me to get back in my car and follow this guy to his house.' Law enforcement load a pair of skates into a truck from Rex Heuermann's home on Thursday 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 In addition to his cluttered home, Heuermann kept two storage units in Amityville. They were searched yesterday and today He remembers telling his friends and family 'if something happens to this house or anything, it's this guy.' He added, 'that's how much I knew that there was something wrong with this.' 'Who knows if he would have came back with a gun,' Mack asked. 'He (Heuermann) said fifteen minutes and that's about how long it would have taken him to get back to my house' 'I lost five nights of sleep. I was waiting for this guy to come back. I was on my porch every night. Even my wife lost sleep. Everybody was nervous.' Mack added, 'I am not trying to sound like a tough guy but when someone threatens my family.' He also told his neighbors about the confrontation and warned them about where the man lived. 'I told everyone on the block they need to watch out... my gut was just telling me something was wrong ...it was more than a normal confrontation.' Another neighbor, who lives just round the corner from Heuermann and who wanted to remain anonymous, said 'he was always tinkering in the garage or outside and he seemed very intimidating.' On one occasion he walked past and saw Heuermann was building a chair while wearing a leather apron and barely looked up. The dog was also left out in the backyard barking incessantly at times and disrupting the neighbors, another resident told DailyMail.com. Police believe at least one of the Gilgo Beach victims was killed at the Long Island home of the serial killer suspect. Detectives in South Carolina are now reviewing a near-decade-old missing person case to see whether Heuermann may have been involved, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed on Wednesday. Cops in Rock Hill, just 20 miles from where Heuermann bought a wild 18-acre plot of land confirmed they are looking anew at the case of Aaliyah Bell Hall who went missing in 2014. Rex Heuermann bought 18 acres of undeveloped land 20 miles from where Aaliyah went missing. Now the family hopes police will search it to see if any bodies are buried there Land registry documents revealed that Rex Heuermann purchased $154,000 worth of land in Chester in 2021, with neighbors saying he had planned to create a 'compound' with his brother who lives on the property A spokesman for Rock Hill Police Department told DailyMail.com: 'We have not been contacted by any other agencies. But we are reviewing the case and investigating any potential links or matching timeframes regarding Aaliyah Bell's disappearance with Rex Heuermann.' Law enforcement sources also told CBS NEWS detectives are now looking into unsolved murders across the country to see if they are linked to Heuermann, 59. Cops say He was behind the deaths of three sex workers in 2010 who were buried at Giglo Beach. He is the prime suspect in a fourth killing. Police were seen searching the property for 'trophies' that may be linked to the victims for a seventh day on Thursday. Investigators are also looking at his time share in Las Vegas and a property he owned in South Carolina. DailyMail.com previously spotted one investigator carrying a note listing some of the evidence found inside, including a rope kept in a vault, and handcuff keys in a shelf underneath a work bench. Investigators have also been searching two storage units connected to Heuermann and on Wednesday several boxes were spotted outside one. Blue tarp and white tents have been erected outside the unit to close off the scene. Police have also revealed Heuermann may have ties to Atlantic City in New Jersey, and they have expanded their investigation into a fourth state. Cops are probing whether he operated in the area, and have been interviewing jailed sex workers who interacted with him. 'He had reached out to them for sex,' Sheriff Errol Toulon from the Suffolk County police department told Good Morning America about the prostitutes officials have talked to. 'They took the calls but did not meet with him.' The update from law enforcement comes after it was revealed the Gilgo Beach killings have similarities to murders in the area by the 'Eastbound Strangler,' who killed four sex workers by strangling them near Atlantic City. School chiefs have warned Rishi Sunak teachers will be left in limbo after a fresh delay to the introduction of guidance on dealing with trans pupils. The Prime Minister had pledged that the long-awaited guidance would finally be published before the end of the school summer term. But Education Secretary Gillian Keegan told MPs yesterday it had been put back again for further consultation. Whitehall sources said the delay followed advice from the Attorney General Victoria Prentis that a planned ban on so-called social transitioning in schools would fall foul of Labours Equality Act. Mrs Keegan gave no new timeframe for publishing the advice. In the meantime, she said schools should proceed with extreme caution when dealing with children presenting as trans. They should always involve parents in decisions relating to their child, and should not agree to any changes that they are not absolutely confident are in the best interests of that child and their peers, she added. Rishi Sunak was warned by teaching union chiefs that schools are 'in limbo' over trans issues Teaching unions warned the delay would leave staff in limbo. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders union NAHT, said the delay was deeply disappointing, suggesting it was seemingly due to internal government disputes. He added: Schools need clarity on this situation to help them navigate sometimes difficult issues and ensure all pupils are treated with respect, consideration and in accordance with the law. Tory MPs also voiced dismay at the delay. Don Valley MP Nick Fletcher said: If we need to change the law to get this sorted out then we should get on and do it. Mr Sunak pledged in March the guidance would be issued before the end of the summer term. But he and equalities minister Kemi Badenoch were not satisfied with proposals brought forward by the Department for Education which would have allowed children to socially transition provided they had parental consent. Whitehall sources said attempts to toughen up the guidance led to legal problems. Mrs Keegan said it was right to delay, adding: It is a difficult and sensitive area and more information is needed. Downing Street declined to apologise for the delay and said the guidance would be issued as soon as possible. Prince Andrew is facing fresh questions over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein after emails emerged saying he met the paedophile under house arrest despite his promises on BBC Newsnight. Court documents have allegedly revealed that the Duke met the late billionaire paedophile while he was under house arrest for a sex offence at his Florida home. Speaking to the BBC's Emily Maitlis in 2019, Andrew, 63, said he cut contact with Epstein after visiting him only once after his jail release in New York in December 2010. Asked: 'Did you see him or speak to him again?' The Duke said: 'No.' But in an email sent on June 14 that year, Epstein told the then JP Morgan CEO Jes Staley that he had lunch with the royal and they had kept in touch, adding: 'Andrew just sat next to me at dinner.' Andrew said he cut contact with Jeffrey Epstein after visiting him in New York in December 2010. But an email suggests they met in the June that year Speaking to the BBC's Emily Maitlis in 2019, Andrew, 63, said he cut contact with Epstein after visiting him in 2010 The court papers state: 'On April 15, 2010, Epstein wrote to Prince Andrew the Duke of York [redacted word] "jes staley will be in London on Thurs the 22. I think you should meet if you are in town". 'Prince Andrew replies that he is unavailable but will look to visit New York in the near future,' according to The Mirror. It comes as last month a message written by the billionaire paedophile and released as part of a court case in the US showed he was presenting Andrew as a potential investor in 2011, despite the royal claiming to have ended all contact in 2010. Epstein's victims then called on the prince to speak to the FBI, which he has so far refused to do. It is not known if Andrew knew Epstein had mentioned him in the email exchange. The victims' representative, US attorney Spencer Kuvin, told the Mirror: 'It appears that either Epstein was highly overselling his relationship with Prince Andrew or that the duke may not have been entirely truthful about when his friendship ended.' One victim, who was awarded compensation under the Epstein victims' compensation program, said: 'The emails raise serious questions. Why would Jeffrey be lauding him as an investor if he was no longer in contact?' An email written by Epstein to JP Morgan on August 31, 2011, suggested Andrew as a possible investment partner because 'he is now allowed to make money'. It was revealed as part of a lawsuit against the bank by the US Virgin Islands which claims it was 'complicit in the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein'. In a counterclaim, JP Morgan accuses the territory's officials of taking money and favours from Epstein in return for turning a blind eye as he abused women on the island. Andrew pictured waving goodbye to a friend at Jeffrey Epstein's New York home in 2010 Epstein served almost 13 months in jail in 2008 after he was convicted of procuring a child for prostitution and sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl Epstein served almost 13 months in jail in 2008 after he was convicted of procuring a child for prostitution and sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl. But Prince Andrew continued his friendship with the offender after he was released. In 2019 he told the BBC that his relationship with Epstein and the opportunities he had been given were 'very useful' and said he didn't recall the photo where he is seen with his arm around Virginia Roberts - now known as Virginia Giuffre - 'ever having been taken'. Jeffrey Epstein took his own life while in jail in 2019. Epstein's former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell - who was also a friend of Andrew's and appears in the background of the photo of him and Ms Giuffre - is serving 20 years in prison for sex trafficking. Prince Andrew has been approached for comment by MailOnline. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has unloaded on The Voice to Parliament in her most savage attack so far - likening the Aboriginal stolen generation to convicts shipped to Australia from Britain. Ms Hanson gave a speech at the Adelaide Convention Centre on June 23, parts of which were shared to the Vote No Campaign TikTok page this week where it has garnered hundreds of thousands of views. A referendum held between October and December this year - the date is yet to be announced - will ask Australians to vote 'yes' or 'no' on whether to enshrine an Indigenous advisory body to Parliament in the Constitution. 'What about the stolen generation of the convicts that were forced out here or the children that were taken away during the Second World War from England,' Senator Hanson told the crowd. ''People have faced atrocities over the years but this guilt trip has to stop if we are going to be strong and united'. Senator Hanson gave a speech during a vote no campaign event in Adelaide recently Senator Hanson then took aim at Senate colleague Lidia Thorpe before arguing a no vote was not merely a vote for the status quo but a vote for unity. 'Beside me in the Parliament is Senator Thorpe, what a nasty piece of work she is, all I see (from her) is this hatred and divisiveness instead of trying to pull people together.' 'This is not what Australia should be about.' 'And they (Indigenous Australians) say they haven't been recognised, we have now the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags flying in the Parliament.' 'We never had that, we haven't been asked as a country do we accept that.' 'There is welcome to country message every morning, it used to be the prayers first and they've reversed that.' 'When I'm in the Parliament and that happens I turn my back,' Senator Hanson said. Many viewers commented on the video said that they agreed with Senator Hanson. 'Good on you Pauline, well said because it shouldn't be one sided, we are all inconvenienced and have hurts but we need to be united as one Australia,' one said. 'Can't remember last time I heard advance Australia Fair. I represented our country in sport and am very proud of it yet if I sang it, it's frowned upon,' another said. 'Why can't she be running the country...Pauline would do a great job,' a third said. The Yes and No camps in the Voice referendum have unveiled their pitches to the people of Australia ahead of the divisive vote later this year, but key details still remain unclear. Both sides have revealed their campaign pamphlets published by the Australian Electoral Commission on Tuesday which will be posted to homes across the country. Senator Thorpe is the face of the Blak Sovereign Movement which argues the concept of the voice to parliament is tokenistic and instead wants a Treaty with Indigenous people. Senator Lidia Thorpe has slammed both the yes and no campaigns, she is part of the Blak Sovereign Movement which wants a Treaty Senator Thorpe this week said the vote no pamphlet was misleading and 'emboldened racists'. But she also slammed the yes campaign saying it was a 'smokescreen to cover up the continued violent process of colonisation' 'They provide no historical evidence that an advisory body would have an impact, fail to recognise that there have been many ineffective advisory bodies in the past, and present a model of the advisory body that has not been debated or agreed to by First Nations people,' she said in a statement. Reasons to vote Yes 1. This idea came directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 2. Constitutional recognition for concrete results. 3. Ensure people have a better life. 4. Bring our country together. 5. Save money. 6. The time is now. 7. Practical advice that works. 8. Making government work better. Read the full Yes pamphlet here. Advertisement The Auckland gunman's violent past has been laid bare as it's revealed he was sacked by his construction company employer just a day before his terrifying rampage. Matu Tangi Matua Reid, 24, was found dead in the lift shaft of a building in Commercial Bay, in downtown Auckland, after exchanging fire with police early on Thursday morning. Reid was being monitored by correction services via an ankle monitor when he stormed the high-rise building armed with a pump-action shotgun. The builder had been fired the day before the shooting, with his two victims - aged in their 40s - having worked alongside the 24-year-old at the construction site. New Zealand's Police Commissioner Andrew Coster told TVNZ's Breakfast said the horror rampage may have been influenced by 'workplace tension'. The revelations come as horrifying footage emerges of the moment a team of specialist police prepare to confront the shooter inside the lift shaft - including one officer who leads the pack wearing grey sweatpants and a baseball cap. Up to 10 officers wearing bullet-proof vests and black helmets are seen scoping out what appears to be a empty bar underneath the Commercial Bay tower after receiving reports of a gunman on the loose. Reid had been given special permission to attend the worksite as part of a home detention sentence he had been handed for committing a serious assault in 2021. He was ordered to serve a five-month detention sentence after he slapped, kicked and strangled a woman he was in an intimate relationship with at the time. The revelations come as horrifying footage emerges of the moment a team of specialist police prepare to confront the shooter - including one officer who leads the pack wearing grey sweatpants and a baseball cap (pictured) Matu Tangi Matua Reid, aged 24, was killed after shots were exchanged with police inside the lift shaft of a building in downtown Auckland early on Thursday morning In March, Reid admitted charges of impeding breathing, injuring with intent to injure, wilful damage and male assaults female, the NZ Herald reports. The assault on September 16, 2021 left his partner with a fractured bone in her neck. Sentencing notes from Judge Stephen Bonnar KC reveal that shortly before midnight Reid became angered by something his partner said, leading to a verbal altercation. He then pushed the woman off a chair and threw at object at her head that struck and injured her right eye, before threatening to 'take out' her and her entire family. Reid then kicked the woman, causing her to fall backwards onto the bed where he seized her throat and cut off her breathing for up to 10 seconds. He continued to threaten his partner, telling her: 'You don't know what I'm capable of' as he grabbed a pair of scissors and pushed the handles into her side. The violent assault culminated in a final terrifying threat from Reid, who had been staying with his partner and her family in Auckland's North Shore at the time. 'I've had enough, it's time, I'm going to take you all,' he told the woman. The builder had been fired the day before the shooting, with his two victims - aged in their 40s - having worked alongside the 24-year-old at the construction site Investigators are working to determine the motive and cause of the shooting and how the alleged shooter had acquired a gun without a licence (pictured, police at the scene) When the woman returned to her home with police later that night, she discovered Reid had set fire to a small wicker basket inside her bedroom. Judge Bonnar notes the woman had sustained a fracture in one of the bones in her neck, a swollen and black eye as well as bruising and scratches. Reid denied any wrongdoing when he was questioned by police, telling officers the woman's injuries had been sustained during 'rough sex'. His criminal record shows a previous assault from 2020, which he was serving a community-based sentence for at the time of the incident. Reid had previously been ordered to attend anger-management sessions. A cultural report handed to the court revealed Reid had witnessed domestic violence and physical abuse from an early age, causing him to run away from home. Judge Bonnar noted that sending Reid to jail could 'set you down the wrong path'. Instead, the 24-year-old was sentenced to five months home sentence to be served at a Flat Bush property, in Auckland's southeast. The conditions of the home detention sentence to attend a non-violence program, not use alcohol or drugs and not associate with the victim . A probation officer had recommended home detention as a satisfactory sentence after deciding Reid had a low risk of reoffending. Acting National Commissioner of Corrections Sean Mason said an internal review would be undertaken by the Chief Probation Officer. New Zealand's Police Commissioner Andrew Coster told TVNZ's Breakfast said the horror rampage may have been influenced by 'workplace tension' (pictured, police at the scene) An injured police officer is seen being escorted to a waiting ambulance. Seven people, including a cop remain in hospital on Friday for injuries sustained during the shooting 'While our full review is yet to be undertaken, initial information suggests that Community Corrections staff managed his compliance with these conditions closely,' Commissioner Mason said. 'He was in frequent contact with staff, and was required to report in to his Probation Officer twice every 10 days. He had last reported in yesterday.' Reid was an active participant in the court-ordered non-violence program and had completed the drugs and alcohol program, testing negative in two drug tests. Commissioner Coster confirmed authorities had identified the two victims and were preparing to make contact with their families. Investigators are working to determine the motive and cause of the shooting as well as how the alleged shooter had acquired a gun without a licence. Seven people remain in hospital on Friday, including one male police officer. An Aussie man has revealed how he made more than $600 in a single week by filling in his spare time working as an Uber Eats delivery driver from just 16 hours of work. Ben Hutchinson- better known as Ben Blue on social media- explained that he felt like he needed to find something to do outside as he works as a full-time content creator indoors. In a video posted to social media, the comedian said he decided to take up driving for Uber Eats for a week in June to see how much he could rake in. From just over 16 hours of work, the man revealed he earned $633.69 before tax, much to his shock. 'It's perfect for me because I live alone and I work from home, so I have no reason to leave the house,' Mr Hutchinson said. 'I'm gonna be honest, when I got into Uber Eats driving, it was actually more so to get me out of the house. 'But I'm kind of surprised at how much money I'm actually making from it.' The Aussie shared a graph showing the amount he made over six days. 'So if we break down $633 into 16 hours, it's roughly around $40 an hour,' Mr Hutchinson said. 'From Monday to Friday, I usually do about an hour to an hour-and-a-half around lunchtime and then dinner time... and I did a little bit of an extra delivery on Sunday.' A breakdown of his earning showed Mr Hutchinson made $462.50 for the deliveries, $14.97 in tips and under 'promotions', he earned an additional $156.22. The Aussie explained Uber has promotions throughout the week that add to the money earned, such as 'do three deliveries between this time and this time and get an extra $18'. From just over 16 hours of work, the social media influencer revealed he earned $633.69 before tax, much to his shock A breakdown of his earning showed Mr Hutchinson made $462.50 for the deliveries, $14.97 in tips and under 'promotions', he earned an additional $156.22 Mr Hutchinson said he doesn't usually do deliveries over the weekend but there was an incentive to work on the Sunday. 'The reason I delivered on Sunday was because there was a promotion from Friday to Sunday, and it was if you made 15 deliveries, then you would get an extra $60 or something like that,' he said. 'So on Friday, I had done 10 deliveries and on Sunday, I literally just went out to five deliveries and made $60, it was amazing.' He said the promotions are a perfect way for drivers to increase their earnings and said it can add hundreds of dollars a week. The Aussie added that he can claim most expenses such as fuel and car services back on tax and wanted to be transparent to encourage others to take it up as a side hustle. 'Obviously, Uber Eats delivery driving is different for everyone. But this is how it worked for me,' he said. 'I know that there are a lot of people looking for different ways to make money at the moment, and Uber Eats driving is one of them. 'This video isn't sponsored, it's purely for information purposes.' The mother of a US soldier who dramatically defected to North Korea has appeared on her doorstep tearfully begging for him to return home. Speaking on the front porch of her home in Racine, Wisconsin, Claudine Gates, the mother of Travis King, voiced her concerns for the welfare of her son. 'I just want my son back. I just want my son back. Get my son home. Get my son home. And pray. Pray that he comes back,' Gates said to local television station WISN. When asked what was the latest was on the condition of her son, she had no additional information. 'I have nothing else to say right now,' she said. Speaking from her home in Racine, Wisconsin, she expressed her desire to have her son back and urged people to pray for his well-being Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said she was 'worried' about Private 2nd Class Travis King, 23, and how North Korea's brutal regime will treat him A group of tourists stand near a border station at Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone in Paju, South Korea, on Tuesday. Not long after this photo was taken, Travis King, a U.S. soldier, bolted across the border becoming the first known American detained in the North in nearly 5 years King had just been released from a South Korean detention facility on Monday, having been accused of assault in two separate incidents together with damaging a cop car. 'From my knowledge, I just heard that he, I guess, got into a fight with some Koreans,' said King's uncle, Myron Gates said. 'And it was kind of hard, you know, to believe in that too. Like, somebody had to push him to do that because he's not a violent-type person.' Myron and Carl Gates, King's grandfather said that they were both confused and concerned for King's well-being. 'I was really surprised. I heard about it from my little niece, she had sent me a link and I read his name, Travis King. I'm like, huh? It just tripped me out,' Myron Gates said. 'I think something's wrong with him. He ain't thinking clear. I don't think he would just run like that. I can't see that,' said Carl Gates. 'Somebody had to push him to do that because he's not a violent-type person,' said Myron Gates, uncle of American soldier Travis King 'I think something's wrong with him. He ain't thinking clear. I don't think he would just run like that. I can't see that,' said King's grandfather, Carl Gates Fears were growing for King on Wednesday as North Korea was still yet to produce the soldier or acknowledge the incident King had been expected to board a flight back to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he may have faced a possible discharge from the army. He was on a civilian tour of the Panmunjom truce village on Tuesday when he dashed across the Military Demarcation Line that has separated the two Koreas since the Korean War ended with an armistice in 1953. King had been fined for assault while stationed in South Korea and had been detained for more than a month before being escorted to Incheon International Airport by the U.S. military for a commercial flight to Dallas, Texas, according to U.S. officials. Once past security checks, he told airline staff at the departure gate he had lost his passport and returned to the terminal, an airport official said on condition of anonymity. U.S. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said King 'may not have been thinking clearly, frankly.' 'He 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 and face the consequences in the Army,' she said. 'I'm sure that he was grappling with that.' Wormuth, in her first public comments on the case, said Washington was fully mobilized in trying to contact Pyongyang, including through United Nations communications channels. But North Korea had yet to offer any response, officials said. 'I worry about him, frankly,' Wormuth told the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. She cited the case of Otto Warmbier, a U.S. college student who was imprisoned in North Korea for 17 months before dying shortly after he was returned to the United States in a coma in 2017. King's mother, Claudine Gates, just wants her son to return to their Wisconsin home (pictured) 'I worry about how they may treat him. So, (we) want to get him back.' At the White House, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby also expressed concern: 'This is not a country that is known for humane treatment of Americans - or frankly anybody else for that matter.' American officials remained stumped about why King ran across the border into North Korea. But Wormuth acknowledged he was likely worried about facing further disciplinary action from the Army upon his return home to the United States. She said she was not aware of any information demonstrating the 23-year-old was a North Korea sympathizer, and the Pentagon played down suggestions he might present an intelligence liability. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said the U.S. Army's counter-intelligence office and U.S. forces in South Korea were carrying out an investigation into what drove King to make such a puzzling decision. Singh declined to directly respond to a question about whether the Pentagon believed King was still alive. She said the U.S. military could not offer any information at all about King's status. 'We don't know his condition. We don't know where he's being held. We don't know the status of his health,' Singh said, describing his formal status in the military as 'AWOL,' or absent without leave. North Korea has remained silent about King and U.S. officials say Pyongyang has not responded to communication from the American military about the soldier. North Korea's state media, which has in the past reported on the detention of U.S. nationals, has not commented on the incident so far. Speaking in Japan, U.S. special envoy for North Korea Sung Kim said the United States was 'working very hard' to determine King's status and well-being and is actively engaged in ensuring his safety and return. Kim did not provide any details. North Korea and the United States have no formal diplomatic ties following years of international sanctions imposed on the reclusive state for its nuclear arms and missile programs that have drawn frequent U.N. condemnation. Asked whether King might have sympathized with North Korea, Wormuth said: 'I don't think we have any information that points to that clearly.' King crossed the border at Panmunjom, during a tour of the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone The border between North Korea and South Korea is heavily guarded 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 Pentagon said it was not aware of any changes to freedom of movement to roughly 28,500 U.S. forces in South Korea. Tensions are heightened on the Korean peninsula. The North has been conducting ballistic missile tests, the latest coinciding with the arrival in South Korea of a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine for the first time since the 1980s. Last week, North Korea launched its newest solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) which it said had the longest flight time ever. On Monday, North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, sister of leader Kim Jong Un and a powerful ruling party official, said the United States should stop its 'foolish act' of provoking North Korea and said it was putting its security at risk. She made her comments after White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said Washington remained concerned that North Korea would carry out another ICBM test. A Liberal senator who supports a Yes vote for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to delay his referendum. Andrew Bragg told 2GB's Ben Fordham he has 'always been a supporter of the project' but that he 'fears the process has not yielded enough consensus to garner a Yes vote'. 'There is a problem with the product, and I don't think marketing can probably fix it.' Mr Bragg told Fordham he is concerned about the implications of a defeated attempt at reconciliation, and is urging Mr Albanese to postpone. 'I think it would be worth considering recalibrating at this stage to save the concept and deliver a successful referendum,' he said. 'I don't think there is enough centre ground to sustain it.' Mr Bragg told Fordham he is concerned about the implications of a defeated attempt at reconciliation, and is urging Mr Albanese to postpone Instead, Mr Bragg would like to see the referendum held in the middle of 2024, after a four or five month committee period in which politicians could make bipartisan recommendations and adjustments. He said it would be 'intellectually dishonest to argue that it can't be improved'. 'You can't treat this like a routine political issue.' Mr Bragg publicly broke Liberal party ranks earlier this year after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton confirmed his party would oppose the Voice. The senator said: 'I note the Liberal Partys position to oppose the Constitutional Amendment on the Indigenous Voice. This position is not binding for all Members and Senators in the Liberal Party. Mr Bragg publicly broke Liberal party ranks earlier this year after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton confirmed his party would oppose the Voice 'I maintain an open mind on the Voice as a long term supporter of the concept. 'The process to date has been poor, but that is not a good enough reason to oppose the referendum in my opinion.' Fordham told Mr Bragg he'd suggested the PM split his proposal into two parts - a referendum for constitutional recognition and a legislated Voice. The suggestion came during a fiery interview between the broadcaster and Mr Albanese earlier this week. '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. Andrew Bragg told 2GB's Ben Fordham he has 'always been a supporter of the project' but that he 'fears the process has not yielded enough consensus to garner a Yes vot 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 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. '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 and instead focus on a simpler constitutional recognition of Aboriginal people as the original occupants of Australia. 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 Australian Electoral Commission has now 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. A radio presenter's decade-long career with the ABC has quietly ended after the regional broadcaster resigned, not long after dropping a bullying complaint. Nicole Chvastek, host of ABC Victoria's Statewide Drive, spent the last few months on leave after filing a bullying claim against the ABC at the Fair Work Commission. The complaint was discontinued by the time Ms Chvastek left the station, however it is unclear exactly why she left and if a settlement was reached Nine's CBD column. Ms Chvastek's exit from the ABC after 11 years flew under the radar for many as all parties involved remain tight-lipped about the matter. A decade long career has ended with a whimper after veteran regional broadcaster Nicole Chvastek quietly left her 11-year position as host of ABC's Victorian statewide drive The ABC acknowledged Ms Chvastek's contributions on their platform in a short statement provided to Daily Mail Australia. 'We can confirm that Nicole Chvastek has resigned from the ABC and acknowledge the contribution she has made as the presenter of ABC Victoria's Statewide Drive program over the past 10 years. 'We wish her all the best.' The popular host suddenly vanished from airwaves earlier this year, but was scheduled to return by the middle of the May, which did not happen. Ms Chvastek's three hour show, which had been broadcast from ABC's Ballarat studio since 2012, was so popular among listeners they launched a Change.org petition demanding she is returned to air. The petition quickly reached its target of 1,000 signatures to no avail. 'Nicole had been on our air waves for many years bringing relevant issues and topics to the forefront of public discussion,' organiser Chantel Leaver wrote. 'She tackles these issues with a passionate and balanced approach and has become a trusted spokesperson for us all. She is irreplaceable. 'This axing is another example of Regional Victoria not being adequately represented in the state arena.' The head of the equalities watchdog is facing a renewed investigation, sparking concerns of an 'ideologically motivated' attempt to oust her over her stance on trans rights. A probe into Kishwer Falkner began earlier this year but was 'paused' in May after details were revealed of the allegations against her. She had been accused of bullying and discrimination by some staff at the Equality and Human Rights Commission. But her allies said it was a witch-hunt driven by her standing up for women's rights. It emerged this week that two months on, the inquiry by an external barrister has now restarted into the allegedly toxic culture at the quango. A probe into Kishwer Falkner (pictured) began earlier this year but was 'paused' in May after details were revealed of the allegations against her A spokesman for the EHRC said: 'Following legal advice, the pause on the investigation has been lifted. We are unable to comment further to protect the integrity of the investigation and to ensure fairness to all parties.' However, equalities minister Kemi Badenoch is believed to have concerns about the process. She is understood to be considering asking the EHRC to put the probe on hold once again after Channel 4 News revealed it had been relaunched. Sources inside the quango doubt whether or not Baroness Falkner can receive a fair hearing and are dismayed at the public money being spent on the investigation and related leak inquiry. A source at the EHRC said: 'It is a Kafkaesque type situation. There is real concern that this is being driven by a small group of ideologically motivated people who are intent on ousting the chair and at huge cost to the taxpayer. 'The bill must be well into six figures. Real priorities such as disability are being set aside while public money is being frittered away on this. The investigation is running alongside the leak inquiry and it will be difficult if not impossible for the chair to have a fair hearing.' However, equalities minister Kemi Badenoch (pictured) is believed to have concerns about the process The source added: 'There is no consensus about what is going on. 'Several staff have complained and want this to go away and the majority of the board is deeply troubled. There is real concern about the lack of communication and collaboration in the decision-making process.' Those close to the baroness said she remained 'strong and determined to clear her name' in the face of the relaunched inquiry. She told MPs earlier this month she could not comment. At a hearing of the Commons women and equalities committee, she said: 'This is a strictly confidential matter under our internal rules and in line with relevant ACAS guidance. Discussing it in any way would risk breaching the fairness of the process and the privacy and data protection rights of the individuals involved.' Allies of the chairman believe the complaints against her were triggered by the EHRC falling foul of trans rights activists. Last year the commission raised concerns about Scotland's plan to make it easier for people as young as 16 to change sex, and earlier this year it advised the Government to rewrite equality law on the basis of biological sex rather than gender identity. The proposed change would mean that transgender women, even those who have legally changed sex in recent years, would be banned from female-only hospital wards and toilets. Baroness Falkner told Channel 4 in May: 'I, of course, take these allegations very seriously and with humility. I will be cooperating fully with the investigation by presenting a detailed rebuttal and have every confidence in being exonerated. 'I am not aware of any formal employment complaints having been brought against me.' In April the commission said changing the definition of sex under the Equality Act could result in 'greater legal clarity' around women-only spaces and access to sport. It said a biological definition would mean that organisers could exclude trans women from women's sport without having to show it was necessary for fairness or safety. French hotels and Airbnb's are suffering from an alarming surge in bed bugs with one in ten of the country's households now infected. A survey found that 11 per cent of French households have been struggling to deal with outbreaks of blood-sucking insects between 2017 and 2022. The research, conducted by the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), suggested that the tourism industry is largely to blame for the surge in infestations. 'It's a phenomenon totally independent of the social environment,' Karine Fiore, deputy director of social, economic and societal sciences at ANSES said. A survey found that 11 per cent of French households have been struggling to deal with outbreaks of blood-sucking insects between 2017 and 2022. File image Bed bugs are small brown insects that hide in soft furnishings such as mattresses 'While all homes can be affected by bedbugs, we have, nevertheless, been able to identify a few factors that favour infestations: travelling or living in shared accommodation, for example,' she said according to The Telegraph. Bed bugs are small brown insects that hide in soft furnishings such as mattresses. They come out at night and bite humans to feed on their blood. Beds used by a frequent turnover of visitors in places such as hotels are prone to infestations. In France, the surge is also down to an increase in international travel and the bugs' resistance to insecticides, the report claimed. Having bedbugs is almost entirely down to luck because 'it has nothing to do with hygiene', according to Scott Hyslop, Director of PEST UK. The pest expert said: 'As a prevention the main thing we suggest is that when people get home they wash their clothes.' Another common way that bedbugs are brought in to people's homes is through second-hand furniture. Not only are the bugs a nuisance but it can also cost on average 866 per household to remove them, according to the report. Cat owners have been urged by the government not to feed their pets raw chicken following an outbreak of bird flu in Poland. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) told the i newspaper that while the risk of household felines catching the disease is very low, people should still take 'reasonable precautions' to limit their exposure to wild birds. It added that owners should also prevent their cats from preying on water birds, particularly waterfowl, to reduce the risk of becoming infected. Earlier this week, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) urged pet owners to keep their cats indoors and dogs leashed while walking to avoid catching bird flu, advice which has not been echoed by the UK. The warning was sparked by a wave of cats in Poland testing positive for bird flu in June, with nine dying as a result. Cat owners have been urged by the government not to feed their pets raw chicken following an outbreak of bird flu in Poland The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs said that while the risk of household felines catching the disease is very low, people should still take 'reasonable precautions' to limit their exposure to wild birds This map shows all of the known incidences of non-human mammals being infected with bird flu since 2016. Stars indicate events that resulted in deaths from the virus While the source of the outbreak has yet to be confirmed, European health chiefs noted about half of the cats had been given raw poultry to eat by their owners, which could have passed the virus to the felines. No cat-to-cat or cat-to-human bird flu transmission has yet been confirmed in the cases, EFSA officials added. READ MORE: Keep your dogs on a leash and cats indoors, pet owners told amid unprecedented bird flu outbreak Advertisement A DEFRA spokesperson told the i: 'The latest evidence suggests that the avian influenza viruses circulating in birds do not spread to people and there is no evidence that pet cats or dogs are infected in the UK.' However, two British poultry workers, who work at different premises in England, tested positive with the disease earlier this week. No details of their identity including age, sex and location have been shared by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). This brought the overall number of Brits being infected with bird flu to three after Alan Gosling, a retired engineer in Devon, caught the virus after his ducks, some of which lived inside his home, became infected in 2022. Globally, fewer than 900 human cases of H5N1, which kills close to 50 per cent of those it strikes, have ever been recorded. The global bird flu outbreak has devastated both domestic and wild bird populations causing millions of deaths in 67 countries. County Durham, Northumberland and Argyll and Bute are among the worst-hit areas, MailOnline analysis of Government data has revealed The new cases came after Alan Gosling (pictured), a retired engineer in Devon, caught the virus after his ducks, some of which lived inside his home, became infected in 2022 Holidaymakers in Wales have been warned not to touch dead birds on beaches during the summer as concern over the bird flu outbreak grows. Reports of bird carcasses washing up on shores in west and north Wales have increased in recent weeks as the disease continues to affect wild bird colonies around the UK. READ MORE: Another 2 Brits test positive with bird flu amid unprecedented outbreak sweeping the world Advertisement Wales's climate change minister Julie James said the situation is 'heart-wrenching' and asked people to heed advice not to pick up dead or visibly sick birds, keep dogs from coming into contact with them, and to report sightings. She visited islands off the Pembrokeshire coast alongside wildlife charity the RSPB to assess what could be done. Ramsey and Grassholm, where the minister sailed to on Thursday, are home to some of the world's most important gannet colonies, with guillemots, Manx shearwater, razorbills and peregrine falcons also nesting on their shores. RSPB Cymru said birds suspected of having the illness are being spotted there daily. Last week the charity said that common and Arctic terns, gulls and the Atlantic puffin had been found dead floating in waters around the Skerries and Rhosneigr islands, off Anglesey in North Wales. The Welsh Government has set up a Seabird Emergency Response Group which meets weekly. Bird flu usually occurs in people who spend a lot of time with infected creatures, such as bird handlers. Pictured: A swan on the River Thames in Windsor, Berkshire UK scientists tasked with developing 'scenarios of early human transmission' of bird flu have warned that 5 per cent of infected people could die if the virus took off in humans (shown under scenario three). Under another scenario, the scientists assumed 1 per cent of those infected would be hospitalised and 0.25 per cent would die similar to how deadly Covid was in autumn 2021 (scenario one). The other saw a death rate of 2.5 per cent (scenario two) Avian influenza is described as highly pathogenic and can spread through sneezes, faeces, standing in still water, and birds of prey or opportunistic scavengers hunting contaminated carcasses. Seabirds tend to live in dense colonies and rear just one chick a year. This allows the disease to rip through populations and move between colonies while making it harder for the species to bounce back. Ms James said it was important people do not help spread the disease further. 'It is heart-wrenching to see our mesmerising wild birds fall victim to such a terrible illness,' she said. 'I'm asking everyone in Wales to consider their impact on the environment and to please also heed advice - do not pick up any sick or dead birds and keep dogs on leads to prevent contact. 'Instead report them immediately to Defra on the gov.uk website or by calling 03459 335577.' The minister added: 'We're very concerned because nobody yet has any way of combating it, so we have to have a campaign globally to fight this. 'But one of the real points of hope is that there are clearly birds that have recovered. A National Trust ranger clears dead birds from Staple Island, Northumberland, during a bird flu outbreak in July last year 'So the RSPB and scientists all over the world will be working to see whether they can isolate an immunity from the recovered birds.' Arfon Williams, from RSPB Cymru, said: 'The impact of avian flu on seabird populations has been devastating. It piles the pressure on fragile populations and is adding to the ever-increasing urgency of seabird conservation. 'Sadly, avian flu is not the only challenge facing seabirds in Wales. 'The impact of climate change and human activities at sea also necessitate urgent efforts to increase seabird resilience, be that through marine planning, biosecurity and fisheries management.' In October, the Welsh Government implemented an avian influenza prevention zone which required poultry-keepers across Wales to comply with stringent biosecurity measures to prevent interaction and possible transmission of infection from wild birds. The measures were lifted on July 4 but poultry-keepers are still encouraged to maintain strict biosecurity measures all year round. Seventy-two per cent of voters disagree with immigration minister Robert Jenrick's decision to remove a Mickey Mouse mural from an asylum centre wall. Murals depicting cartoon characters were painted over earlier this month at a Kent facility used to hold those who arrive in Britain after crossing the Channel in small boats. Mr Jenrick was reported to have felt the murals gave the impression the UK was too 'welcoming' to migrants arriving from France after undertaking sea journeys. Refugee charities lashed out at the action by 'heartless' ministers, while Labour branded it 'utterly absurd'. The poll by More In Common revealed that only 13 per cent of voters thought he was correct in removing the artwork, with 15 per cent stating they were unsure, the i reported. Murals depicting cartoon characters like the above of Mickey and Minnie Mouse were painted over earlier this month at a Kent facility used to hold those who arrive in Britain after crossing the Channel in small boats Seventy-two per cent of voters disagree with immigration minister Robert Jenrick's (pictured this week) decision to remove the mural The immigration minister last week suggested the murals were not 'age appropriate' as he told the House of Commons the majority of people who pass through the centre were teenagers. Mr Jenrick defended the Home Office's action as MPs debated a series of House of Lords amendments to the Government's Illegal Migration Bill. The proposed legislation was sent back to the Commons after suffering a mauling by peers, who introduced a raft of revisions. The immigration minister accused Labour of 'performative' compassion towards asylum seekers, as he claimed they had not offered a 'credible alternative' to Government plans for easing the Channel migrant crisis. The Kent Intake Unit is among the facilities used by the Home Office to hold migrants who have arrived from France after crossing the Channel. It is mainly for unaccompanied children who arrive at the coast to be supervised, identified, interviewed and issued with immigration papers. Paintings of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, as well as Tom and Jerry, previously adorned the walls of a smaller detention room at the centre. But the Home Office confirmed these were removed this month. The Kent Intake Unit is among the facilities used by the Home Office to hold migrants who have arrived from France after crossing the Channel. File image Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper quizzed Mr Jenrick over the painting over of the murals in the Commons last week. 'Is it true that he gave orders to the asylum reception centre to paint over children's cartoons? And, if so, why?,' she asked the immigration minister. 'Because nobody believes Mickey Mouse cartoons either encourage or deter boats to arrive and they simply think this is the minister actually not showing some common decency towards vulnerable children.' In response, Mr Jenrick insisted the Government provided 'very high quality care at all of the centres in which we support unaccompanied children'. 'We didn't think the set-up in that particular unit was age appropriate because the majority of those individuals who were unaccompanied passing through it last year were teenagers,' he added. 'That does not change the fundamentals that we support anyone who comes to this country with decency and compassion.' Mr Jenrick also accused Ms Cooper of 'missing the point' as he stressed the Illegal Migration Bill 'seeks to reduce the number of unaccompanied minors coming to the UK precisely because we want to protect them and ensure they're not victims of people smugglers and human traffickers'. 'If she wanted to reduce this trade she would support this bill or come with a credible alternative,' he continued. 'She hasn't come forward with a credible alternative and so her compassion is, to a degree, performative because she doesn't come forward with alternatives that would genuinely support individuals.' Russia imposed sanctions on UK diplomats yesterday in retaliation for what it said were Britain's 'hostile actions' in the Ukraine war. Tom Dodd, a senior envoy, was summoned to the foreign ministry in Moscow and was given a dressing down for British support of what the Kremlin deems Ukraine's 'terrorist actions' and for allegedly obstructing Russian diplomacy in the UK. Diplomats, apart from the ambassador and three other top officials, will now have to give at least five days' notice of travel outside a 75-mile free-movement zone. The move comes after MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore urged Russians angry at president Vladimir Putin's war to spy for Britain, telling them 'our door is always open' and 'we will work to bring the bloodshed to an end'. Meanwhile, a third night of Russian air attacks targeted southern cities in Ukraine yesterday, including the port city of Odesa, where at least two people were killed. Russia imposed sanctions on UK diplomats yesterday in retaliation for what it said were Britain's 'hostile actions' in the Ukraine war. Pictured: Foreign and Commonwealth Office Attacks in this region have intensified after Putin pulled Russia out of a wartime deal that allowed Ukraine to send grain to countries facing the threat of hunger. Intense Russian bombardment using drones and missiles damaged critical port infrastructure in Odesa, including oil terminals, and destroyed at least 54,400 tonnes of grain. Moscow had vowed 'retribution' earlier this week for an attack that damaged a crucial bridge between Russia and the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula. Odesa governor Oleh Kiper said Ukrainian air defences destroyed all of the 12 Iranian-made Shahed drones and two Kalibr missiles that targeted Odesa. But he said air defence systems were unable to shoot down some missiles. In Mykolaiv, another southern city close to the Black Sea, at least 19 people were injured overnight. German foreign affairs minister Annalena Baerbock said in a meeting in Brussels yesterday that the EU is involved in efforts to get Ukrainian grain on to the world market. 'The fact that the Russian president has cancelled the grain agreement and is bombing Odesa is an attack on the people, on the poorest people in the world,' she said. 'Hundreds of thousands of people, not to say millions, urgently need grain from Ukraine.' Ukrainian women are setting 'honeytraps' for Russian soldiers using dating apps to get them to reveal intelligence about the war. For over a year, two Ukrainian women in their 20s have been using fake dating app profiles to meet and engage in relationships with Russian soldiers, tricking them into giving away information. One of the women told the Times: 'We're looking for information about number of troops, information on the amount of military equipment, the success or lack of success of some attacks, their problems with food and equipment.' The pair who work for a Ukrainian risk assessment firm, Molfar use AI images and set the catchment area for Russian-occupied zones, messaging back and forth with targets. One of the women said: 'Some of them are really desperate and become so in love with us that they ask us to marry them in a few days or in a few weeks.' For over a year, two Ukrainian women in their 20s have been using fake dating app profiles to meet and engage in relationships with Russian soldiers. Stock image of dating app It comes as Russia imposed sanctions on UK diplomats yesterday in retaliation for what it said were Britain's 'hostile actions' in the Ukraine war. Tom Dodd, a senior envoy, was summoned to the foreign ministry in Moscow and was given a dressing down for British support of what the Kremlin deems Ukraine's 'terrorist actions' and for allegedly obstructing Russian diplomacy in the UK. Diplomats, apart from the ambassador and three other top officials, will now have to give at least five days' notice of travel outside a 75-mile free-movement zone. Meanwhile, a third night of Russian air attacks targeted southern cities in Ukraine yesterday, including the port city of Odesa, where at least two people were killed. A rapist was given a job working with children after police refused to warn his employer he was facing trial for multiple sex crimes. Morgan Prior, 33, successfully applied for a post as a counsellor for youngsters with Place2Be, a mental health charity patronised by the Princess of Wales. The charity was not told Prior who was jailed this week for more than three years for rape and sexual assault had appeared in court accused of child sexual assault, rape and sexual assault charges. He worked in a school in Arbroath, Angus, until the start of his trial at the High Court in Dundee. He did not disclose the charges to his bosses or to Disclosure Scotland, which provides criminal records disclosure services for employers and voluntary groups. Last night, Tory MSP Maurice Golden said the case raises serious questions about the justice system and the protection of children. Morgan Prior (pictured), 33, successfully applied for a post as a counsellor for youngsters with Place2Be, a mental health charity patronised by the Princess of Wales Place2Be said police told it an active decision was taken not to inform it about the allegations against Prior He added: Severe failings have been exposed and its time ministers took responsibility for those and set out in detail how they intend to fix them. A case like this cannot be allowed to happen again. Place2Be said police told it an active decision was taken not to inform it about the allegations against Prior. A Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check was done as standard when Prior applied to Place2Be but the charity said no concerns were flagged in the PVG check and Disclosure Scotland did not raise concerns later. It added: We contacted Disclosure Scotland and Police Scotland to understand why Place2Be was not notified about the charges against Prior. Disclosure Scotland said it could only reveal information shared by Police Scotland. The charitys statement also said: We accept the right to a fair trial includes the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, we are concerned by the implications of Police Scotland choosing not to disclose information in this case. In 2018, Prior, of Carnoustie, Angus, featured in a BBC Scotland documentary, Love Unlimited. He told how he was in a relationship with two women and had a polyamorous lifestyle. At the High Court in Dundee, he was found guilty of raping a woman and carrying out a serious sex attack on another in 2010. He was cleared of other charges including an attempted rape in 2011 and an indecent assault on a girl, 16, during 2008. Minister for Children Natalie Don said the decision not to disclose the information was ultimately for Police Scotland. She said: It is important to say there are European Convention on Human Rights and proportionality issues rightly accompanying any decision by the police to disclose non-conviction information. Place2Be, a mental health charity patronised by the Princess of Wales (pictured) On Place2Bes concerns, a police spokesman said: Police Scotland has confidence in the PVG scheme and our application of the necessary tests regarding relevancy, accuracy, necessity, currency, proportionality and the impact on the human rights of applicants, PVG scheme members and others. We have engaged with relevant organisations to address concerns with regards to this case. As a result, we are undertaking a wider review of the current thresholds for disclosure of non-conviction information. Disclosure Scotland said: The decision about whether to provide Disclosure Scotland with relevant non-conviction information is for Police Scotland and that decision determines what Disclosure Scotland can include on a certificate. We are working with Police Scotland to consider how this process can be strengthened. Prisoners are to get landlines in their cells to replace mobile phones which have been used to commit crimes from behind bars. Jail bosses will scrap prison-issue mobiles amid an outcry over widespread abuse of the scheme, introduced supposedly as a temporary measure during the Covid pandemic. Now 8.5million is to be spent on equipping cells with landlines, with prisoners receiving 200 free minutes per month. The aim is to improve inmates mental health by keeping them in touch with friends and family. Although they will only be able to call numbers on a pre-approved list, last night there were concerns that the same problems which dogged the mobile scheme would affect landlines with prisoners potentially using them for criminal purposes. Scottish Tory deputy justice spokesman Sharon Dowey said: The SNP are making all the same mistakes again. Jail bosses will scrap prison-issue mobiles amid an outcry over widespread abuse of the scheme, introduced supposedly as a temporary measure during the Covid pandemic The claim that these new devices for prisoners will have the same security as the previous phones, which were routinely hacked, will not fill anyone with confidence. Criminals exploited those free mobiles to carry out fire-bombings and drug deals, so the SNP must explain what robust measures are in place to stop prisoner phones from being misused again. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) said the move will support family contact, mental health and wellbeing, as well as reducing the risk of re-offending. It said the landlines have the potential to deliver tangible and enduring benefits for those in our care and their families, staff, the wider justice sector, and Scotland as a whole. The SPS insists the hard-wired, in-cell telephones will be subject to robust security. Last year, the Mail revealed the mobiles scheme was costing taxpayers 60,000 a month. When they were introduced in 2020, the then Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf spent 2.7million on the phones. Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accepted that robust monitoring had found some handsets were tampered with. More than 10,300 supposedly tamper-proof handsets were handed to prisoners in Scotland yet in 2021 there were 2,255 cases of inmates being disciplined for their unauthorised use. Prisoners are to get landlines in their cells to replace mobile phones which have been used to commit crimes from behind bars At HMP Grampian alone, between January 2022 and June 20 this year, 373 mobile phones were confiscated from prisoners. North-East Scotland Tory MSP Tess White said the supposedly secure handsets had been hacked within hours of the prisoners receiving them. Ms White said they continued to be abused on an industrial scale to commission serious crimes. Justice Secretary Angela Constance said the introduction of landline telephones in cells was a welcome development. Russian soldiers have been accused of torturing Ukrainian staff at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and kidnapping their children in an attempt to force them to cooperate. More than 1,000 technicians have reportedly been taken hostage at the plant, the head of Ukraine's nuclear inspectorate has claimed. The victims are being subjected to torture, beatings and detention, Oleg Korikov told the i paper. The Russians are even using their children to coerce them. He added: 'They take kids and move them to Russia to manipulate the staff, so in any cases of their non-compliance or a disagreement, they can do something wrong with their kids.' 'There are a lot of cases of beating staff, a lot of cases of imprisoning them,' he said. Russian soldiers have been accused of torturing Ukrainian staff at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (pictured) Ukraine's nuclear inspectorate Oleg Korikov (pictured) warned that victims are being subjected to torture, beatings and detention Earlier this month there were growing concerns that Moscow is planning a 'detonation' of Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant to falsely accuse the Ukrainian military of shelling the site. The claim was prompted by intelligence that Russian troops had placed 'objects resembling explosives' on top of several of the power units, President Zelensky alleged. Vladimir Putin's spokesman responded saying there was 'a great threat of sabotage by the Kyiv regime, which can be catastrophic in its consequences'. While the power plant is still being staffed by Ukrainians, Kyiv has likened their condition to that of hostages, since they are working under the control of the Russian military who occupied the site last March. Taking Zelensky's claims very seriously, on July 5 the UN demanded that the International Atomic Energy Agency was allowed to inspect parts of the plant. The agency said it had 'requested additional access to confirm the absence of mines or explosives at the site', including on 'the rooftops of reactor units 3 and 4', turbine halls and 'some parts of the cooling system'. On July 5 the UN demanded that the International Atomic Energy Agency was allowed to inspect parts of the plant An aerial view of the nuclear power plant, pictured on June 30 2023 Despite evidently having no access to these key areas, the IAEA also said that 'the military presence at the site appeared unchanged'. Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi added: 'With military tension and activities increasing in the region where this major nuclear power plant is located, our experts must be able to verify the facts on the ground. 'Their independent and objective reporting would help clarify the current situation at the site, which is crucial at a time like this with unconfirmed allegations and counter allegations.' The FBI corroborated parts of a trusted informant's story that a Ukrainian oligarch bribed Joe Biden and his son Hunter with $10 million, a source close to the investigation has revealed to DailyMail.com. On Thursday Congress published an FBI agent's write-up of a 2020 interview with a secret long-time informant, who claimed Mykola Zlochevsky, owner of the allegedly corrupt Ukrainian gas firm Burisma, told them of his scheme to bribe the President and First Son. The bombshell information was first unearthed by the Pittsburgh FBI office, which was tasked in 2020 with investigating potential Biden family corruption. An insider to the probe spoke to DailyMail.com, revealing how agents stood up some details of the informant's story, and shared new details of how the allegations of the shocking bribery scheme were first uncovered. Congress published an FBI agent's write-up of a 2020 interview with a secret long-time informant who claimed Joe and Hunter Biden were bribed by a corrupt Ukrainian oligarch The informant claimed Mykola Zlochevsky, owner of allegedly corrupt Ukrainian gas firm Burisma, told them of his scheme to bribe Hunter and Joe with $10m According to a conversation between a confidential source and Burisma CFO Vadim Pojarski in 2015, Hunter Biden was hired onto the company's board to 'protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems.' Burisma CEO Mykola Zlochevsky told the source: 'It costs 5 (million) to pay one Biden, and 5 (million) to another Biden.' The criminal investigation into Hunter Biden began with the IRS and FBI in 2018. In January 2020 then-Attorney General Bill Barr divided duties among his prosecutors, giving Delaware US Attorney David Weiss the lead role with a tax and money laundering probe. Barr gave Pittsburgh-based US Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Scott Brady, the job of vetting and investigating allegations of the Bidens' international corruption and illegal foreign lobbying, among other potential crimes. The source said that their colleagues were digging through FBI records at the request of Brady's office, and found a 2017 interview by a West Coast-based agent of a confidential source that mentioned Hunter and the allegedly corrupt Ukrainian gas firm he worked for, Burisma. 'This was a CHS [confidential human source] that had a long relationship with the FBI, had given information that was used in multiple other investigations unrelated to Burisma or the Bidens,' the insider said. They said there was a 'fight for a month' to get the handler to re-interview the informant but when they did, the results were shocking. 'We got that report back and we were like, holy smokes, this is something,' the source said. The June 30, 2020 FBI FD-1023 report details claims from the trusted FBI informant that Burisma owner Mykola Zlochevsky told them about payments of $5 million each to Hunter and Joe Biden to help kill a Ukrainian criminal investigation into him and get favorable treatment for his company. FBI Director Christopher Wray reluctantly showed a copy to members of the House Oversight Committee last month after they threatened to hold him in contempt of Congress. On Thursday, Senator Chuck Grassley, who separately obtained a copy, released it publicly. The highly-anticipated internal FBI document was released Thursday and includes bombshell claims that Joe Biden and his son forced a Ukrainian oil executive to pay them $10 million in exchange for the then-Vice President's influence in getting a senior prosecutor fired Pittsburgh investigators were allegedly able to corroborate some of the informant's claims back in 2020 though they couldn't subpoena documents to dig further because of the limited nature of their probe. The FBI informant claimed that Zlochevsky told them about payments of $5 million each to Hunter and Joe Biden to help kill a Ukrainian criminal investigation into him and get favorable treatment for his company 'There were multiple meetings alleged overseas. Some of the CHS's claims were corroborated against the CHS travel records, and contemporary knowledge from the handler about him attending meetings with Zlochevsky and other people present,' the law enforcement source said. The informant told the FBI that they had met with Zlochevsky at Burisma's office in Kyiv, Ukraine, in late 2015 or early 2016; in Vienna, Austria, in early 2016; and had a telephone call with the gas magnate after the 2016 presidential election. Public records also match some of the informant's claims including that Zlochevsky was aiming to buy a US subsidiary to improve his American business prospects. In February 2016 Burisma entered a joint venture with US gas firm Cub Energy Inc. by buying 70% of a jointly-owned energy firm for $30million. 'A lot of guys from Ukraine and Russia love to brag and name drop. This felt different,' the source said. Barr has since publicly confirmed that the Pennsylvania prosecutor's office gave all the information to Weiss's team in Delaware. But IRS Criminal Investigation whistleblower Gary Shapley, who supervised the agency's Hunter tax probe, told the House Ways and Means Committee in sworn testimony that Weiss never shared the information with his team. Shapley's subordinate who conducted the five-year IRS probe, Joseph Ziegler, corroborated his boss's account. 'He has never seen this FBI Form 1023 and that he does not recall ever hearing about this information being turned over in any meetings with the prosecution team in Delaware,' his lawyer, Dean Zerbe, wrote to the House Committee on June 19. The law enforcement source told DailyMail.com they believe Weiss's prosecution team was reluctant to pursue the leads investigators generated because of the political sensitivity of potentially embroiling then-presidential candidate Joe Biden in a criminal probe. 'They were scared of their own shadows. They were so worried about what they were doing and the sensitivity of it,' the source said. 'This was an election year and there were a lot of eyes on it.' IRS Criminal Investigation whistleblower Gary Shapley, who supervised the agency's Hunter tax probe, told the House Ways and Means Committee in sworn testimony that David Weiss never shared important information with his team The criminal investigation into Hunter Biden began with the IRS and FBI in 2018. In January 2020 then-Attorney General Bill Barr (left) divided duties among his prosecutors, giving Delaware US Attorney David Weiss the lead role with a tax and money laundering probe Both the Pennsylvania insider and the IRS whistleblowers say that Weiss had enough evidence to charge Hunter for tax crimes in 2019 before restrictive Justice Department policies kicked in during an election year and found his failure to do so inexplicable. 'In the summer of 2019, before the Vice President announced his candidacy and all the DOJ policies kicked in, Weiss had the charges available to him,' the source said. 'They knew about Hunter's failure to file [his tax returns], they knew about the misrepresentation of income. 'There was frustration that Weiss was not pulling the trigger on filing those charges at that time.' There are growing numbers of law enforcement officials turning whistleblowers over the allegedly botched and suppressed criminal investigation into the Biden family. The House Oversight Committee announced they received testimony from an unnamed former supervisory special agent from the FBI office in Wilmington, Delaware, who corroborated some of IRS whistleblowers Shapley and Ziegler's claims. Senator Chuck Grassley, who ran a four-year congressional investigation into the Biden family, has also revealed that he has received information from FBI whistleblowers. Police are appealing for help A 17-year-old girl has vanished and police are appealing to the public in an attempt to find her. Jessica was last seen in Wallan, 51kms north of Melbourne, about 4:30pm on Tuesday, 18 July. Victoria Police have asked members of the public to keep an eye out for her to ensure her safe return home. Jessica was last seen in Wallan, 51kms north of Melbourne, around 4:30pm on Tuesday, 18 July Jessica is around 170cm tall with a slim build and long straight pink hair with two nose rings. Anyone with information on her location or who may have seen her is urged to contact Seymour Police Station on (03) 5735 0200. HEFEI, July 20 (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. A Milwaukee mother charged with child neglect and imprisonment locked her children in their bedroom so they wouldn't wander off due to 'their autism', a criminal complaint has revealed. Her boyfriend also boarded up the kid's windows so that they wouldn't bother their 'nosey neighbor', the document states. Katie Koch, 34, and lover Joel Manke, 38, were both arrested after her children escaped from their 'horror movie' home on July 13. The boys, aged seven and nine, smashed a window and escaped naked and bloody where neighbors found them in the street. In a tragic sight the children's boarded up windows could still be seen draped with feces-clad curtains featuring the popular children's animation Paw Patrol. Koch claimed she boarded up her children's windows so they wouldn't bother their 'nosey neighbor' The boarded up window's of the children's bedroom had paw patrol curtains covered in mold and feces Shocking footage of Koch being arrested shows he disheveled appearance The mother of the boys who escaped from a 'house of horrors' last week - Katie Koch, 34 - is facing four felony counts and two misdemeanors connected to child neglect and false imprisonment, while her boyfriend, Joel Manke, 38, is charged with four felony counts Pictured: 'House of horrors' where the boys, aged seven and nine, escaped naked and covered in blood, with hair matted by feces, after breaking free via a shattered window last week A criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee Circuit Court reveals the dire domestic situation and extent of abuse the children allegedly endured. The document describes how an officer spoke to the couple about the boards on the bedroom windows, to which Manke said they were to 'keep the children from bothering the nosey neighbor.' Koch also told the officer there were bolts on the kids' bedroom so that she could lock them in at night to stop them wandering due to 'their autism.' The police's visit to the home also revealed a 'terrible hoarding situation' and that the responding officer, Jonathan Cruz, had trouble seeing the floor. 'Cruz observed the kitchen piled with trash and garbage as well as the living room' the complaint reads. 'The smell of feces and urine filed the residence' it continues. 'There was a mound of trash and garbage outside of the children's room. The door was halfway opened and a greater amount of urine and feces smell became present as Cruz approached the room.' Continuing: 'The children' room has feces smeared all over the walls of the room.' The officer observed how the 9-year-old had red markings on his back, behind his shoulders, and on his lower back. The children, who were naked, were taken from the residence by the officers. The document states that Koch's appearance was 'disheveled' and she appeared to be 'flustered and anxious.' On Monday, Koch appeared at Milwaukee County intake court, where the assistant district attorney described the living conditions as 'like something out of a horror movie' Katie Koch, 34, and her boyfriend, Joel Manke, 38, are seen in a photo posted to Instagram. Koch frequently shared images depicting a happy family life, while in reality her sons were imprisoned and lived in squalor The family in 2020 is shown playing in the snow Neighbor Christine Eder said the children looked like 'they had never been outside'. 'They were just walking different. Their hair looked like it had never been brushed,' she said Shocking footage of Koch's arrest shows her disheveled appearance with matted hair and baggy clothes. A witness on July 13 said the little boys acted like 'cavemen who had never seen the sun' as they roamed the street with their hair matted with feces. A resident on the street, Christine Eder, said the children looked like 'they had never been outside.' 'They were just walking different,' Eder said. 'Their hair looked like it had never been brushed, never been cut. They didn't know the outside existed.' Eder said the detached house is normally quiet, and she had not seen anyone go in and out before, let alone heard children. She was taken aback by the scene unfolding outside the normally unremarkable home and she kept watch over the boys while her husband called 911. In stark contrast to the dire reality Koch used her Instagram account to paint a very different picture, showing a happy family where the boys spent time with their grandmother, played in the snow, enjoyed baking and decorating for Christmas, and went on fun road trips. Manke told investigators he had lived in the house since 2007, while Koch said she moved in with her children around four years ago. He first appeared on her social media in October 2019, at approximately the same time Koch and her children moved in with him. For Halloween that year, the family dressed up - Manke and Koch in onesies, and one of the children in a Paw Patrol outfit, with a relative dressed as a ladybug. In November 2019, Koch showed off her son Chase's baking skills, posting images of a seemingly-delighted child with a tray of brightly colored cupcakes. Over the holidays in 2019, one son was depicted decorating the house with Christmas garlands, and another in a 'Happy New Year' outfit. The wholesome family images continued throughout 2020: the boys were shown playing in the snow, and Koch praised Manke as a wonderful stepfather. In June 2020, the boys were pictured rushing to hug their grandmother, throwing themselves into her arms. Four months later, the family celebrated Dominic's fifth birthday, with balloons and fun costumes. Her last photos with the children were posted in January 2021, celebrating Manke's 36th birthday. 'Hippo Birdie Two Ewe, My Love, I am so blessed to know you. All of you. For who you really, truly are,' she wrote, accompanied by photos of Manke with the boys and her. 'You're an AMAZING Man, Best Friend, Daddy to Our Boys & All of Our FurBabies, and Every Single other Role that You Fulfill. 'May 36 be the best year, yet. Here is to Many, Many, Many, Many More Years, Odin!!!!' The last photo she posted of herself was a month later. Her final post was in January this year, and featured a series of goth memes. Investigators said the boys appeared to have been living in squalor for years as they were not toilet trained and had not had a haircut or seen a doctor since 2019. On Monday the court commissioner set a $30,000 bail for Koch, but her public defender said she has no money to post bail. Both Koch and Manke's preliminary hearings are set for July 26. If convicted on all felony counts, the couple each face fines totaling $120,000 and 43.5 years in prison. Koch faces an additional $20,000 in fines and 18 months in prison for the two misdemeanor counts. Franchise failed to find an investor sending them under Popular dessert chain Cowch has closed after its owners were unable to find an investor. The first store opened in Brisbane's South Bank in 2014 before becoming a franchise in 2019, with stores in Chermside, Mt Gravatt and Broadbeach. Arif Memis co-founded the chain with his wife, Havva Memis, after moving to Brisbane from Sydney to start a new life. He took to Linkedin to share the news. 'It is with a heavy heart and a mix of emotions that we write this letter to inform you of the closure and liquidation of our beloved business, Cowch,' Mr Memis wrote. 'As founders, owners, and husband and wife team, we have poured our hearts and souls into building Cowch from the ground up, and it pains us deeply to reach this difficult decision.' Queensland dessert chain Cowch has gone into liquidation and closed its doors after nine years following the company being unable to find an investor Arif Memis co-founded the chain with his wife Havva Memis after moving to Brisbane from Sydney to start a new life in 2014 but nine years later the company has gone into voluntary administration The company went into voluntary administration four months ago and in that time failed to find an investor. 'We explored every avenue, leaving no stone unturned, in the hopes of finding a lifeline that would allow Cowch to continue serving our delightful dessert cocktails and mouthwatering desserts,' Mr Memis said. 'Regrettably, despite our unwavering dedication and tireless efforts, we have been unable to secure the necessary investment.' Mr Memis thanked everyone who had been part of the journey and supported the business, from its staff to its customers. 'Cowch has been a labour of love, a dream that we nurtured and watched flourish over the years,' he said. 'We are immensely proud of what we have achieved and the mark we have made on the dessert and cocktail scene.' The company went into voluntary administration four months ago and in that time failed to find an investor, announcing they will work with liquidators to 'ensure that all matters are handled with the utmost care and transparency' The Memis family says they will work with liquidators to 'ensure that all matters are handled with the utmost care and transparency'. 'Our aim is to minimise the impact on our dedicated staff members, loyal suppliers, and cherished customers as we navigate these uncharted waters,' he wrote. 'While this chapter of our lives may be coming to an end, we believe that new doors will open, bringing fresh opportunities and exciting adventures. 'We will always cherish the memories we have created together, and Cowch will forever hold a special place in our hearts.' Radio host Ray Hadley has unleashed on wanted property developer Jean Nassif, calling him a 'jerk', a 'fantasist' and 'stark raving mad'. NSW Police issued a warrant for the arrest of Nassif, 55, last month over an alleged 'large scale fraud' at his family business. Nassif is the founder of collapsed building firm Toplace, which plunged into administration earlier this month, with up to 20,000 home owners affected. Nassif has disappeared overseas - detectives believe he has travelled between Lebanon, Singapore and the Philippines - and broke his silence with a scathing tirade at Hadley, police and the NSW building commissioner David Chandler on Friday. Nassif told the Sydney Morning Herald that Hadley is 'a dog' who 'screams' on behalf of the police and the building regulator. Hadley hit back at Nassif on his show this morning, blasting him for leaving victims of his company's defunct buildings in limbo. 2BG radio host Ray Hadley was fired up this morning as he hit back at comments by property developer Jean Nassif 'Put a cape on you jerk... this bloke is a fantasist, he's stark raving mad,' Hadley fumed. 'Never let him near a cement mixer, a hammer... or any building project anywhere on god's earth'. Several purchasers of apartments in buildings built by Toplace have hit out at alleged defects in the properties - and worry they won't get compensation now that the firm has gone under. Nassif, who told the Herald he is in a 'rehab centre somewhere' vowed to 'fix very single defect on the face of this planet' in his buildings. Apartments like the Vicinity Complex built by Toplace in Sydney's west are riddled with defects including cracked walls, damaged cladding, and leaking rooftops One such worried home-owner, Patrick Quintal - who owns and lives in a unit in Toplcae's Vicinity Apartments in Canterbury - told Daily Mail Australia earlier this month about the troubles he has experienced. Vicinity is allegedly riddled with defects with the NSW Building Commissioner issuing a Building Work Rectification Order (BWRO) on July 7, and in August last year. Mr Quintal bought the apartment in May, 2021 for $600,000 and moved in at the end of July. 'When I bought I had no idea about any potential issues, most buildings have a couple of rendering problems, but it's nothing that can't be fixed,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'But in about August of 2021 we got an engineering report that basically referred to the building as a death trap. 'The best way to explain it is everything that could've gone wrong in terms of construction, went wrong.' Defects include issues with the slab and beams in the basement, the report of the BWRO said. NSW Police and the state's building regulator are on the hunt for Nassif who is believed to be 'in a rehab centre' after he fled Australia to Lebanon Nassif fled to Lebanon earlier this year with NSW Police putting out a warrant for his arrest. He was also stripped of his building license for ten years by NSW Fair Trading in December 2022. Multiple apartment buildings were left with cracks in the ceiling, while residents in one building said water was spilling into the basement leaving puddles everywhere. According to their website, Toplace has built over 30,000 apartments and buildings including shopping centres across NSW. The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal has previously banned Toplace multiple times from constructing new dwellings. A San Francisco sandwich shop owner has revealed he was punched in the face by a homeless man urinating on his trash - as he begs officials to stop crime in the city. Peterson Harter, 39, posted a furious rant on Instagram sporting cuts to his head and a black eye, having been assaulted by the suspect who he posted a picture of. He claimed the suspect sucker-punched him in the face on Wednesday when he confronted him outside Sandy's Muffulettas in the Upper Haight area of the city. Harter appeared to be in shock and lost for words as he explained what had just happened to him. 'I just got punched in the f***ing face right now by some guy that was p***ing on the street - and I'm really f***ing p****d off right now,' he began. Peterson Harter, 39, the owner of a sandwich shop in San Francisco was punched in the face by a homeless man who was urinating on trash outside his store Harter later posted a photo of whom he believed to be the the suspect who assaulted him 'I can't believe I live in a city where people just p*** on the street, come punch you in the face and get away with it,' he went on. 'The guy ran off. They're probably not going to find him. I'm f***ing fed up with this goddam city. I can't just be outside running a business without getting punched in the face. 'I need to vent. I gotta figure out what to do. This is f****d up. It shouldn't be this way at all. This isn't how our city should be. I hope they find the f***ing guy,' Harter, who only opened his sandwich shop three months ago, said. In a video, Harter appeared shocked and angry, showing cuts to his head and sporting a black eye from the unprovoked attack Harter only opened his sandwich shop three months ago in the Upper Haight area of the city Harter's business is one of countless others in the city suffering from the effects of petty crime, vandalism, shoplifting, and antisocial behavior 'At what point is it too much where you can't be on the street to tell some guy to stop p***ing and get hit in the face?' 'This sh*t needs to end. What's the plan?' he wrote in a caption accompanying his video online tagging San Francisco Mayor London Breed. Harter later posted a photo of the alleged suspect who was carrying a can of beer with him. Harter's business is one of countless others in the city suffering from the effects of petty crime, vandalism, shoplifting, and antisocial behavior. Shoplifting has become so bad in San Francisco that some stores are now padlocking shut their freezers and tying metal chains to ensure the doors remain closed overnight Virtually every item is behind locked Perspex shelves One local branch of Walgreens is completely boarded up, although it is still open Earlier this week DailyMail.com reported how theft has become so bad in San Francisco that some stores are now padlocking shut their freezers and tying metal chains to ensure the doors remain closed overnight. Video shot by one potential shopper at a local Walgreens in the city sees aisle after aisle of products locked away behind Perspex and glass, out of the reach of thieves. Even lower value items such as toothpaste and tissues are kept under lock and key, such is the rampant theft that has been occurring in many of the city's pharmacies and supermarkets. At one particular location, on 16th Street and Geary Blvd, the freezer doors are entirely chained up, with staff concerned thieves will come into the store overnight to empty the contents. Shop workers have already reported a problem with thieves coming in to the store as many as 20 times a day to fill their bags full of products including items that need to be kept at cool temperatures such as frozen pizza and ice cream. Robbery is up 12.5 percent in San Francisco, while overall crime compared with 2022 figures is down 5.9 percent With rents rising as fast as crime rates, San Francisco known for its liberal views and relaxed lifestyle, has become a haven for drug dealers and addicts Many cities in California have dealt with high-crime rates and homelessness as liberal policies have done little to stem the problems. That has caused people to move out of the state and hurt economic activities in some downtowns, including San Francisco. San Francisco has greatly been impacted by major businesses packing their bags after the streets have been overtaken by the homeless and drug-addicts, which has fueled crime. Tourism is down by 16 percent from pre-pandemic levels and workers have abandoned their offices to work from home and stores are emptying out. In its place, some 7,000 homeless have descended on downtown areas and tourist traps. San Francisco's once bustling Union Square and downtown area is a shadow of its former self: rows of empty stores, sparse crowds even on peak weekend shopping days and nearby hotels including a huge Hilton - unable to cover their mortgage payments. A Commonwealth Bank customer has vented his frustration at having to navigate customer service for two hours when his account balances disappeared. Chris Burdon, who helps run family business Nonesuch Distillery at Dodges Ferry east of Hobart in Tasmania, shared a video to social media on Thursday detailing his issue. 'So today I've logged into the CommBank app to pay a couple of bills, nothing out of the ordinary there, except once I get on it's a bit weird, two of my accounts have vanished into thin air,' Mr Burdon said. Tasmanian Chris Burdon recently complained his account balances on his CommBank app vanished and he spent two hours trying to get it fixed CommBank like all financial institutions has to collect data under government Know Your Customer requirements 'I've spent the next half an hour trying to figure out what I've done to make it so I can't see these accounts and where the thousands of dollars that's in them has disappeared to.' Mr Burdon said he was unable to work out what happened so he then called CommBank customer service but had to wait 45 minutes in the queue before he was able to speak to someone 'I finally got through to the first person I spoke to this morning, who sent me to the second, who sent me to the third, who sent me to the fourth, then the fifth and it wasn't until the sixth department that I could actually get some help,' he said. 'And do you want to know what that problem was ladies and gentlemen? I had been flagged by CommBank for a KYC assessment.' Under Australian anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing law financial institutions must apply Know Your Customer procedures to all their clients. The purpose of collecting the information is to satisfy financial institutions that an account holder is who they say they are. 'CommBank will send out a notification telling you that you need to get in touch and update your details but I got no such notification,' Mr Burdon said. 'Because I got no notification, I didn't respond and that means they put a stop on my account and deleted my access to it - including spending, receiving or even seeing my money.' 'So not only have I spent two hours trying to fix this problem, I also sit here wondering: Can I have any confidence when the bank wants to do one of these assessments again, they won't take away access to my money?' A CommBank spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia they will occasionally 'ask customers to verify their details so that we can continue to meet our regulatory obligations and importantly, help protect our customers and communities from financial and fraud related crimes.' 'CBA will only ask for this information via secure means, either in branch or via authentication through its app.' A pod of pilot whales that died after becoming stranded on a Scots beach may have been trying to help a female struggling to give birth, scientists believe. Only 15 of the 55 whales were alive after they were found at North Tolsta on the Isle of Lewis on Sunday. One was refloated and was able to swim away on the outgoing tide. The rest were euthanised on welfare grounds. It was the highest number of stranding deaths in the UK for at least 70 years. Experts have been carrying out investigations on the dead animals since Monday. No definitive reason for the stranding has yet been given, but the scientists have discovered a high number of females in the pod were pregnant, with several in the process of giving birth. Veterinary pathologist Dr Andrew Brownlow, director of the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme team doing the investigations, has suggested the tragedy may have been sparked by a difficult birth. He told BBC Scotland's Drivetime show: 'There was an initial thought that one of the reasons these animals may have come into this shallow bay and stranded was that one of the females was in difficulty in the process of giving birth. 'That was borne out by our examination of one of the whales.' Pilot whales have strong social bonds which experts believe can lead to mass strandings as they may follow a pod member which ends up beached because it is weak, injured or pregnant. It comes as sealife experts are in a 'race against time' to discover why 55 whales washed ashore on the beach. Attempts were made to re-float two of the most active whales, but by 3.30pm, it was decided that the remaining pod members should be euthanised on welfare grounds, despite a multi-agency rescue attempt. Dozens of the mammals were discovered at Traigh Mhor in North Tolsta, on the Isle of Lewis, at around 7am on Sunday, however it soon emerged that only 15 were still alive READ MORE: Whale hunt cruise horror: Ambassador Cruise Line apologises after passengers witness 78 dolphins getting slaughtered Spectators turn out to watch the traditional whaling practice on the shore, in the Faroe Islands Advertisement Dr Brownlow is leading the taskforce today in a bid to determine the cause of the pod's death, which remains unclear, however he said he had a 'fairly clear idea' how the whales could have come onto a 'very shallow' beach in quite bad weather. He explained: 'Because they're pilot whales, they form very strong social bonds. 'So if one animal goes on to the beach for whatever reason then it can be that the entire pod will follow and that is basically what happened in this case.' Dr Brownlow said there was still a backlog of post-mortem examinations to take place on animals from previous mass strandings and that determining the cause of death will be a 'monumental task'. He said: 'What we will try and do is triage these animals. 'We will select the animals we think best represent the rest of the pod and make sure we take samples and as much data from those as we can. Then it's simply a race against time, energy and weather. 'We will do the most we possibly can to find out what's going on here.' The whales will be taken to a landfill site in Stornoway to be worked on and Dr Brownlow said they would be buried after the post-mortem examinations were complete. Pilot whales are susceptible to ocean noise - particularly military sonar. 'We contacted the Navy and they said it did not have active military manourves in the area,' said a spokeswoman for the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR). 'Unfortunately pilot whales do suffer when they strand on soft sand. We kept hope to the end until it was decided on welfare grounds that those that were still alive needed to be euthanised.' Company Mackay Coll started at 9am today to take the bodies away to the landfill. A digger is today seen carrying one of the dozens of pilot whales which tragically died after washing up on the Isle of Lewis on Sunday Diggers get to work on removing a pod of pilot whales from a beach in Scotland on Monday After being removed from the beach, the bodies of the whales will be taken away to a landfill 'We came yesterday to take them further into the beach so the high tide wouldn't drag them back to the sea', one of the workers told MailOnline. 'It's better to take them away now than for them to wash up on another beach at a later date', he added. Samples of the whales' flesh were taken. Forklifts and diggers traveled from the road access on the left side of the Traigh Mhor beach all the way to the right side where the whales were washed ashore. The vehicles could carry at least two at a time, and there was a trailer that could carry multiple bodies. Few other spectators were observed close the scene, even though the main road remains closed. Western Isles Council - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar - has asked people to avoid the area as a clean-up operation continues. Attempts were made to re-float two of the most active whales, but by 3.30pm, it was decided that the remaining pod members should be euthanised on welfare grounds, despite a multi-agency rescue attempt Tragically, just one of the highly social animals was successfully returned to sea and it has not been seen since, according to reports A mass stranding of whales on Traigh Mhor in North Tolsta, on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland The latest stranding comes after what is believed to have been Scotland's largest ever such event in July, 2011, at the Kyle of Durness in Sutherland The BDMLR released an update on Sunday evening which said that one of the dead whales appeared to have had a vaginal prolapse. This led them to suspect that the whole pod stranded due to one female giving birth. Pilot whales are known for their strong social bonds, so often when one whale gets into difficulty and strands, the rest follow. Attempts continued throughout the day to give the surviving whales first aid. But after the attempt to refloat one of the whales, it was found further down the beach. A further three whales then died, leaving 12 still alive - eight adults and four calves. A statement said: 'At about 15:30, the local vet along with the Coastguard, Fire and Rescue, and a forensics vet came to the conclusion that the shallow beach and rough wave conditions made it too unsafe to refloat the remaining animals. The whales will be taken to a landfill site in Stornoway to be worked on and Dr Brownlow said they would be buried after the post-mortem examinations were complete The BDMLR released an update on Sunday evening which said that one of the dead whales appeared to have had a vaginal prolapse. This led them to suspect that the whole pod stranded due to one female giving birth Pilot whales are small whales characterised as part of the dolphin family 'Considering how long the pilot whales had been out of the water in addition to the poor conditions, it was decided that they should be euthanised on welfare grounds.' Members of the Lewis community, Stornoway Coastguard, Stornoway and Shawbost Fire and Rescue, the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS), the Scottish SPCA, and Civil Air Support were all involved in the rescue effort, with vets and marine experts being flown in to help. Pilot whales are small whales characterised as part of the dolphin family. A council spokesperson said: 'Comhairle nan Eilean Siar asks that the public follow police advice and avoid Traigh Mhor. 'The Comhairle has engaged with professionals and is now working with partner organisations to clear the beach.' The pod was spotted close to shore around 7pm on Saturday, but it is not known exactly when they beached. Originally the pod was thought to be a group of dolphins but it soon emerged they were pilot whales. Long-finned pilot whales are highly social animals that have been recorded in groups of just a few to aggregations of over 1000 individuals. A large pod of more than 50 pilot whales have become stranded in the Outer Hebrides Pilot whales are well known for their mass stranding behaviour They are well known for their mass stranding behaviour, and in 1992 eleven animals stranded on the Isle of Lewis. A pod of pilot whales also stranded in July, 2011, at the Kyle of Durness in Sutherland in what is believed to have been then Scotland's largest ever such event. Some 19 of the 70 whales died. Four large bombs exploded underwater by the Royal Navy were later blamed by government scientists for the mass stranding. A long-delayed report by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs said that the noise from the explosions could have damaged the hearing and navigational abilities of the whales, causing them to beach and die. Generally, 400-600 strandings are reported in the UK every year. That may seem like a lot but sometimes mass strandings occur where more than one animal strands at once, often alive. Around a dozen rescuers have been pictured taking part in the rescue effort on the Isle of Lewis A total of 16 whales died after being stranded on the east coast of Scotland in September 2012. Ten others were refloated after being kept alive by vets from British Divers and Marine Life Rescue. The incident between Anstruther and Pittenweem in Fife involved pilot whales, each of them approximately 20ft (6m) long. In June 2015, 21 live pilot whales became stranded on the Isle of Skye. Although 18 survived and returned to sea, three died, including a female who'd recently given birth. The post-mortem results showed the animals were in a good nutritional state. In September 2022, nearly 200 pilot whales died after becoming stranded on Ocean Beach, part of Tasmania's west coast. Authorities said only about 35 survived of the 230 that were stranded. Support is being offered to family and colleagues A female police officer has suddenly died while on the job after a gun shot in a police station. The officer was on the job at Loganholme's Police Station, south-east of Brisbane, when the incident occurred in the middle of the day on Thursday. Queensland Police Service said a firearm was discharged 'in non-suspicious circumstances'. 'It is with deep sadness, the Queensland Police Service confirm the passing of a police officer while on duty at Loganholme Police Station today,' QPS wrote. Community members have reacted to the death by placing flowers outside the police station as a tribute. A female police officer suddenly died while on the job at Loganholme's Police Station, south-east of Brisbane , when the incident occurred in the middle of the day on Thursday Community members have reacted to the death by placing flowers outside the police station as a tribute Friends, family and colleagues of the officer are being offered immediate support by the QPS in the wake of what has happened. An investigation into what happened has been opened by the Ethical Standards Command, with oversight by the Crime and Corruption Commissioner. For confidential crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.com.au or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or at www.beyondblue.org.au. Yumi Stynes' Welcome to Sex book has been slammed A sex book for children that goes into detail about graphic sex acts - and consent -has hit number one on the Amazon bestseller list, even as it attracts mostly one star reviews. Broadcaster Yumi Stynes' book Welcome to Sex skyrocketed to number one on Amazon Australia amid controversy over its graphic cartoons - including a portrayal of 'scissoring'. It comes after Dymocks and Big W copped criticism for selling it in its children's section both online and in stores. The book, which has been touted on Amazon as an 'age-appropriate introductory guide to sex and sexuality', was written by Stynes and teen magazine advice columnist Dr Melissa Kang. Amazon reviewers have lambasted the book despite it reaching the number one spot for showing too much information for young minds Yumi Stynes (pictured outside her Balmain apartment on Thursday) has said she is 'really proud' of her book The publication details consent, LGBTQI issues, masturbation and gender curiosity, and some adult concepts. Amazon recommended the book for teenagers from 14 years old and up and retails it for $19.25. But Ms Stynes has said a 'mature eight-year-old could flick through' it. Several reviewers criticised the book. 'Since when did sexuality and sexual content get pushed so hard against kids until now. Let the kids be kids,' one critic wrote giving it a 1-star rating. 'I would give a 0 if I could,' said another. 'I found this book to be disgusting and totally unacceptable for children under the age of consent, which in Australia is 16,' Another critic said: 'It very quickly moves onto topics most would consider wildly inappropriate for a child just learning about periods, crushes, feelings and sex. 'The great parts of this book are overshadowed by the explicit and unsuitable parts and the poorly chosen age recommendation'. Some have kicked back against the critics saying the book can keep kids safe from sexual predators (pictured, a page from the book) But another reader said the 'factual and easy to read' book armed children with knowledge about sex and bodies. Stynes has said she is 'really proud' of the book. 'It's a book, people. If you don't want to read it, by all means, don't read it,' the radio host and ABC presenter said on Thursday. 'If you don't want your kids to read it, you REALLY don't have to buy it for them,' she wrote on social media. But when asked on Thursday to talk about the publication, Ms Stynes scoffed at the approach and issued a warning: 'Don't ever come around here again.' Four people including three children are dead in what is believed to be a triple-murder suicide following an hours-long standoff with cops in Oklahoma. The incident took place Friday in Verdigris, a town of just over 5,000 people about 20 miles east of Tulsa. At around 4 p.m. local time, police received an alert to a woman being held hostage in a garage near Cypress Street and Dogwood Court, according to the Rogers County Sheriff's Department. They were able to make contact with the woman, who said that she was being kept by another woman who had a handgun, alongside the hostage-taker's three children. The police officer was able to rescue the woman before calling in for reinforcements, Verdigris Police Chief Jack Shackleford said. Four people are dead in what has been reported as a triple-murder suicide following an hours-long standoff with the police in a small town in Oklahoma The incident took place Friday in the town of Verdigris, a town of just over 5,000 people about 20 miles east of Tulsa Shackleford noted they had been to the woman's house several times in the past for both domestic incidents and mental health calls. At around 7:30 p.m., authorities finally entered the woman's home, where they found her and her three children dead. The state police and the local Cherokee Nation SWAT team backed up local police in their efforts. Four people were found dead on Thursday evening, according to the Rogers County Sheriff's Department The woman and her children have yet to be identified, but the kids are between the ages of nine months and 11 years old. The Oklahoma State Bureau Investigation has taken over the investigation, which 2 News Oklahoma reports is a triple-murder suicide following a standoff of over two hours. The names of the victims weren't immediately released. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Rogers County Sheriff's Department and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for comment. A man found dead in Sydney Harbour after a suspected boating accident has been identified as a leading dealer of Indigenous art. The body of Tim Klingender, 59, was pulled from the water by police just south of The Gap near Watson's Bay, one of the city's most famous lookout points just after 10am on Thursday. Emergency crews had been responding to reports of boat debris in the water around 200m from land. It comes as police are still searching for another man, aged 51, believed to have also been on board. The body of Tim Klingender (pictured), 59, was pulled from the water by police just south of The Gap near Watson's Bay, one of the city's most famous lookout points just after 10am on Thursday morning Police were seen pulling wreckage from the water with lifejackets among the debris pulled onto their boat Police are still searching for another man, aged 51, believed to have also been on board Mr Klingender, who was reportedly pulled form the water wearing only his socks, had gone out on a fishing expedition early on Thursday morning. The death of the married father-of-two has left the art world reeling. Gallery owner and art dealer Michael Reid said Mr Kilngender's death was an 'unimaginable and devastating loss to his family and indeed the Australian art-world'. 'Tim was quick to laugh,' Mr Reid wrote in a tribute posted on Facebook. Rescue crews looking for the other man have extended their search from The Gap south down the coast to Wedding Cake Island off Coogee 'First in on adventure and always up for a chat. Tim had an elegant rakishness that leant towards the deliciously louche. 'Deeply understanding of the fine and decorative arts, Tim was an interior stylist as much as an important art dealer. Tim had ability, warmth, and presence, in spades. 'His funeral will be massive, as friends from just so many walks and corners of his life gather.' Mr Klingender (pictured) was described by art experts as the 'architect of the Indigenous art market we have today' Mr Klingender was considered one of the worlds leading dealers of Australian Indigenous art and counted wealthy private collectors and Hollywood celebrities, including comedian Steve Martin, among his clients. He trained at the University of Melbourne where he studied fine art before going on to work for Sotheby's for 20 years, where he served as an international director between 1998 and 2009. Melbourne gallerist DLan Davidson, one of the worlds leading dealers in Indigenous art, told the Sydney Morning Herald Mr Klingender was the 'architect of the (Indigenous art) market we have today'. Rescue crews looking for the other man have extended their search from The Gap south down the coast to Wedding Cake Island off Coogee. 'Sea conditions around the search area are fair; there is a bit of a swell but visibility is fairly good for the Marine Rescue NSW search crews,' said Marine Rescue NSW Inspector Steve Raymond. Police urge anyone with information to contact the Marine Area Command or Crime Stoppers. Nairobi Senegal has now granted Kenya free visa entry following a meeting between President William Ruto and President Macky Sall. During the meeting, it was observed that this was in reciprocation of Kenya's earlier decision to lift visa restrictions to holders of Senegalese passports. "Senegal has now reciprocated by providing free visa entry to Kenyan passport holders," a statement from the Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua stated. "This is a great step towards enhancing regional integration and free movement of Africans within Africa," the statement went on further to state. It is expected that this will grow trade between two countries and open up tourism and education opportunities for citizens of both Nations. Cops have rushed to a second incident in downtown Auckland one day after the city was rocked by a mass shooting where three people were killed, including the gunman. Police cordoned off the city's Ferry Building, on Quay Street, after two men climbed the landmark tower at about 12.15pm on Friday, local time. A New Zealand Police spokesperson said there is no immediate threat to the public but the area has been cordoned off as a precaution. Two men have climbed to the top of Auckland's Ferry Building with police cordoning off the area 'Police negotiators are on scene and are engaging with the people involved,' police said. A worker at the tower said the two men had broken in on Thursday when the shooting took place and remained there overnight, Stuff reported. Several police cars along with a firetruck are at the scene. Chilling photos show two men in black hoodies standing at the top of the tower. One man had brought up a fire extinguisher which he used. Quay Street has been closed between Lower Albert and Commerce Streets. Firefighters are seen at the bottom of the building as the two men remain on the tower The man had reportedly broken into the building on Thursday during a shooting that left three people dead Ferry and bus services have been affected. The incident comes one day after the city was rocked by a shooting. The gunman, Matu Tangi Matua Reid, 24, had stormed a building in Commercial Bay, in downtown Auckland, with a pump-action shotgun. The builder had been fired by his construction company the day before the shooting. His two victims - aged in their 40s - had worked alongside the 24-year-old at the construction site. Matu Tangi Matua Reid, aged 24, was killed after shots were exchanged with police inside the lift shaft of a building in downtown Auckland early on Thursday morning Reid was found dead in the lift shaft of the building after exchanging fire with police. He was being monitored by correction services via an ankle monitor when he stormed the high-rise building. Reid had been given special permission to attend the worksite as part of a home detention sentence he had been handed for committing a serious assault in 2021. He was ordered to serve a five-month detention sentence after he slapped, kicked and strangled a woman he was in an intimate relationship with at the time. Investigators are now working to determine the motive and cause of the shooting as well as how the shooter had acquired a gun without a licence. Seven people remain in hospital on Friday, including one male police officer. The official 'no' campaign has been accused of being racist by one Indigenous group that opposes the referendum, and described as retrograde by an organisation dedicated to advancing the Uluru Statement of the Heart. The Blak Sovereign Movement, supported by independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, released its critique of the 'Yes' and 'No' campaigns on Thursday. 'We understand that many well-meaning folk are hurting as a result of being coerced by the 'yes' campaign, or are afraid to vote 'no' due to the racism of the conservative 'no' campaign,' it said in a statement. The Blak Sovereign Movement, supported by independent Senator Lidia Thorpe (left) , released its critique of the 'yes' and 'no' campaigns on Thursday. While Uluru Dialogues strategic advisor Kirstie Parker said clearly opinions among First Nations people differ, some of the information published by the Blak Sovereign Movement was as inaccurate as the official 'no' campaign. Ms Parker also said some of the 'no' campaign's rhetoric had been 'quite disgraceful' and was designed to stoke fear and ignorance. 'We've seen at least one senator extol the virtues of the Stolen Generations, a long-discredited government policy from which our people have yet to fully recover and may never fully recover,' she said. 'And we've also seen people attacking the identity of anyone who's dared to stand up and speak truth to power. 'It's really retrograde and I would say to them, the 1950s called and they want their attitudes back.' Australians will be asked this year whether they support an Indigenous advisory body being enshrined in the constitution. The Blak Sovereign Movement says it is against a First Nations voice because it will be powerless and a 'destructive distraction'. 'Recognition of sovereignty and truth-telling are the key to real change,' the group said. 'There are options that will have meaningful impacts today. 'It starts with truth.' The movement took aim at the official 'no' campaign, saying the 10 reasons for voting 'no' published in an Australian Electoral Commission pamphlet were racist and fear-mongering. Ms Parker, a Yuwallarai woman from north-western NSW, is a former co-chair of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples - a national advisory body set up by the Labor government in 2009. The federal coalition government in 2013 withdrew funding to the congress, which was forced out of operation in 2019 after its reserves were exhausted. 'That was devastating because it said that the efforts of our people to have a say on the things that matter to us had come to nought,' Ms Parker, a former journalist and editor, said. 'Subsequently, we've had years without a national voice for our people and we have seen our people suffer. 'The voice is a body that wouldn't need to worry that it would say something that governments disagreed with and be defunded.' Supporters of a voice have pointed out a 'no' vote is a vote for the status quo. 'The Closing the Gap framework that was put in place in 2008 now has 19 targets and four of them have gone backwards,' Ms Parker said. 'For some others we don't even know if there's been movement or not because we don't have adequate data - that says that we have to do more.' Polling by the Uluru Dialogues has found 83 per cent of Indigenous people support the voice. 'And while people may say, 'don't have a voice, do this instead,' I would say to them, what can we do now to help reduce the numbers of our young people who are suiciding?' Ms Parker said. 'What can we do now to help get our kids ready and on track for them to thrive in education and all of the statistics that we know are abhorrent to any decent Australian?' The 'yes' case requires support from a majority of the population and majorities in four of the six states for the referendum to succeed. 13YARN 13 92 76 Aboriginal Counselling Services 0410 539 905 Hunter Biden was spotted Thursday trying to keep a low profile as he headed into Malibu hotspot Nobu - as it emerged the FBI knew the stories of his laptop were not Russian disinformation. The First Son, 53, was seen near the famous restaurant co-owned by Robert De Niro and at a post office trying to blend in. But despite his camo hat - which had the California state flag on it - and two pairs of sunglasses, he was spotted heading into the trendy eatery. It comes as the House Oversight Committee probes if the officers looking into Biden's tax affairs and drug use on a gun permit gave him special treatment. A twist in the tail came Thursday from an FBI agent who confirmed stories about Biden's lurid laptop were known not to be Russian disinformation. Troubled First Son Hunter Biden was spotted Thursday afternoon, attempting to keep a low profile near Malibu hotspot Nobu as it was revealed the FBI knew the stories of his laptop were not Russian disinformation Representative Jim Jordan revealed that the committee spoke to Laura Dehmlow, the Section Chief of the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force on Monday. In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Jordan detailed how Dehmlow told the committee that personnel who warned big tech about the Biden laptop knew that it wasn't a Russian operative. 'After the FBI conditioned social media companies to believe that the laptop was the product of a hack-and-dump operation, the Bureau stopped its information sharing, allowing social media companies to conclude that the story was Russian disinformation,' Jordan wrote. Dehmlow said that on October 14, the day the story came out, when an FBI analyst began to respond that the laptop was real, when an FBI lawyer interrupted to say that the FBI had 'no further comment,' regarding the laptop's provenance. Later that day, when Dehmlow's Foreign Influence Task Force met with Facebook, she answered a question about the laptop with a 'no comment.' 'The FBI's failure to alert social-media companies that the Hunter Biden laptop was real, and not mere Russian disinformation, is particularly troubling,' Jordan continued. 'The FBI had the laptop in their possession since December 2019 and had warned social-media companies to look for a 'hack and dump' operation by the Russians prior to the 2020 election.' His letter concludes with a request for Wray to provide more information regarding what the FBI knew about the story by August 3. Biden, 53, was seen both near the famous restaurant co-owned by Robert De Niro and at a post office trying to blend in The House Oversight 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 A twist in the tail came Thursday from the House Judiciary Committee and Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, who interviewed an FBI agent who confirmed stories about Biden's lurid laptop were not Russian disinformation Hunter Biden departs Nobu after enjoying a satisfying lunch, adding a touch of sophistication to his outing Hunter Biden heading to post office looking serious, but appearing in good spirit helping the traffic flow at the mall Biden was clearly trying to keep a low profile in Malibu on Thursday Representative Jim Jordan revealed that the committee spoke to Laura Dehmlow, the Section Chief of the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force on Monday In a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Jordan detailed how Dehmlow (pictured) told the committee that personnel who warned big tech about the Biden laptop knew that it wasn't a Russian operative The FBI first learned of Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop, full of incriminating data, in October 2019, an IRS memo shows. The memo, written by senior IRS Criminal Investigation official Gary Shapley in 2020, reveals how senior law enforcement officers sat on the treasure trove of evidence from the First Son's computer and waited months before handing over mere excerpts to investigators working the case. It also directly contradicts an open letter from 51 top former intelligence officials published weeks ahead of the 2020 presidential election which dismissed the laptop as having 'all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation'. Shapley and his subordinate, who both recently became whistleblowers to Congress, believe that almost three years later they still haven't received all the data on the hard drive which could incriminate not only Hunter but his father too. Shapley told lawmakers that his document, dated October 22, 2020, memorialized a meeting that day with his IRS Criminal Investigation team, FBI cyber forensics experts, and a team of prosecutors leading the criminal probe into Hunter Biden. Joe Biden's chances of being elected to the White House could have been impacted if information on his son Hunter's laptop had been publicly authenticated before the 2020 election Biden was giving a deposition in Delaware Thursday as part of a lawsuit filed against him by laptop repair shop owner John Mac Isaac Whistleblower Gary Shapley claims that he still hasn't received all the data on the hard drive which could incriminate not only Hunter but his father too Over three pages it lays out a timeline of when the FBI first got hold of Hunter's laptop he abandoned at a Delaware computer repair shop, how investigators proved it belonged to the First Son and had not been doctored, and how IRS special agents were left waiting for months to get their hands on emails that could aid their investigation. 'I prepared this document. It was to memorialize a meeting that we had with the prosecution team, plus the FBI CART team, which were the computer analysis team,' Shapley told staffers for the House Ways and Means Committee in sworn testimony published alongside the memo last week. 'They determined, because it was abandoned property, that it could be turned over via a document request.' Hunter brought three damaged Mac computers to John Paul Mac Isaac's store in Wilmington, Delaware, in April 2019, signed documents for their repair, and never returned. Mac Isaac became worried when he found disturbing content on the devices, and got his father Steve to approach the FBI field office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, six months later on October 9, according to his book, American Injustice: My Battle to Expose the Truth. With a slightly differing date, Shapley wrote in his memo that on October 16, a 'Richard Steven McKissack' reported to the Albuquerque office that 'his son is in possession of a sportsman [Hunter Biden's codename used by investigators] computer that had not been retrieved and was not paid forsaid it contains evidence of white collar crime'. On November 6, 2019 FBI Special Agent Joshua Wilson got the device number of the MacBook Pro and determined it was Hunter's by matching it to his Apple ID and iCloud account. John Mac Isaac passed the contents of Hunter's laptop on to Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani who passed it on to the New York Post Both John Brennan and Jim Clapper signed a letter by 51 former intelligence officials who claimed Hunter's laptop had 'all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation' Shapley's memo suggests the FBI knew of the contents of the laptop well before the November 3, 2020 election in which Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump Shapley also wrote that financial records place Hunter at a cigar shop near Mac Isaac's store the same day he was alleged to have dropped off the computer, and phone records show the shop 'called Sportsman [Hunter] and Sportsman called the shop around this time.' The IRS CI Supervisory Special Agent also cited 'other intelligence' which 'shows Sportsman was in the area' at the time. Shapley confirmed Mac Isaac's claim that FBI agents took the laptop and an external hard drive from him on December 9 2019. Four days later the IRS got a warrant to delve into the computer to look for evidence in their tax crimes probe. A month later on January 6, 2020, 'forensic computer people at FBI started analysis' on the devices, the memo says. The memo said that the forensics team were able to unlock some encrypted messages on the laptop when they found a password Hunter saved on a business card. On January 27 IRS investigators were handed their first pieces of evidence from the laptop from forensics experts, 'provided on a USB drive'. But by the end of March that year the special agent running the case said he still had not seen the hard drive itself. Shapley suspected Assistant US Attorney Lesley Wolf was withholding information The delay began to raise suspicions among Shapley and his team that prosecutors including Delaware Assistant United States Attorney Lesley Wolf were withholding information. Shapley told House committee staff that his subordinate, a fellow whistleblower and IRS Criminal Investigation special agent running the investigation, 'was not given a Cellebrite report, which is just what they call the output of the FBI CART team analysis, and was questioning whether or not the investigators were provided everything.' 'We don't even think we got a full, even a redacted version. We only got piecemeal items,' Shapley said. 'It was an example of pertinent, relevant evidence that a prosecutor kept from an agent. 'We don't really know what the full contents of that laptop ever had on it.' In authenticating the information from the laptop, the FBI forensics experts told investigators they were able to determine when each file was created, to make sure Mac Isaac had not added any items after receiving his MacBook. Prosecutor Wolf also told investigators 'We have no reason to believe there is anything fabricated nefariously on the computer and or hard drive' and that 'There are emails and other items that corroborate the items on the laptop and hard drive.' Staffers on the House Ways and Means Committee heard that information from Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop was known by the FBI more than a year before the 2020 presidential election The MacBook Pro that Hunter Biden left at Mac Isaac's repair shop and then failed to pick up once it was repaired Anthony Blinken has denied that he was behind the letter warning that the laptop story was Russian disinformation. 'Didn't ask for it, didn't solicit it', he said Former New York Mayor and Donald Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani also obtained a copy of the hard drive from Mac Isaac, and in September 2020, gave the device or material from it to the New York Post, which started publishing stories based on the explosive photos, texts and emails. On October 19, 2020, just two weeks before the presidential election, 51 top former intelligence officials published a letter in Politico warning the story 'has all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation'. The letter emphasized the officials' 'understanding of the wide range of Russian overt and covert activities that undermine US national security' and cited a USA Today story about an alleged FBI investigation into whether Hunter's laptop was 'part of a smoke bomb of disinformation pushed by Russia'. Signers included former CIA directors Leon Panetta and John Brennan, ex-Director of National Intelligence Jim Clapper, ex-Defense Intelligence Agency deputy director Doug Wise, former National Security Agency deputy director Rick Ledgett, and many other spy agency leaders. Mac Isaac wrote a book on his part in the laptop scandal The letter was cited by major media organizations dismissing the story. Despite Shapley's memo showing the IRS, FBI and Justice Department had known the laptop was authentic for almost a year, law enforcement agencies stayed silent as voters went to the polls in November 2020. Hunter himself denied knowledge of the laptop, saying it 'certainly' could belong to him, but that 'I really don't know' in an April 2021 CBS interview. 'It could be that I was hacked, it could be that it was Russian intelligence. It could be that it was stolen from me,' he said. In March 2021 DailyMail.com hired the founder of the FBI's cyber forensic unit, Brad Maryman, to analyze a copy of the hard drive. He and his colleague concluded it was authentic and had no evidence of tampering. Last year the Washington Post, New York Times and CBS news conducted similar analyses and finally admitted that at least some of the material from the laptop was authentic even as Hunter's lawyer Kevin Morris reportedly circulated slides to journalists promoting a conspiracy that fake material had been mixed in with Hunter's data. In April this year, the House Judiciary Committee received testimony from former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morrell, one of the 2020 letter signers, claiming that it was orchestrated in part by Joe Biden's campaign advisor and now-Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken. In an interview in May Blinken said the letter 'wasn't my idea, didn't ask for it, didn't solicit it'. Judiciary Committee Republicans said it was a 'concerted effort to minimize and suppress public dissemination of the serious allegations about the Biden family' and 'was a grave disservice to all American citizens' informed participation in our democracy.' A nine-year-old girl has been found by police after she was snatched off the streets by a stranger. The child was walking to Koorana Primary School with friends in Warnbro, in the south of Perth, when the man picked her up at 8.45am. Officers rushed to the scene when they were alerted to the incident - and found the girl outside a supermarket in Port Kennedy a short time later, not far from the area. A nine-year-old girl was abducted on the streets of Warnbo south of Perth by a stranger on Friday morning A man in his 30s is in police custody and is assisting police with inquiries. Police said the girl was 'enticed' into the car and did not know the man who had been arrested. Sex crimes division acting Detective Inspector Scott Johnson said police were first alerted to what had happened when a parent saw the girl getting into a car. 'The school did their due diligence in checking to see if the child was at school and contacted the parents and she wasn't so police responded. 'A short time later, she was found at the IGA behind me where members from the shop have identified the child was in distress and contacted police.' The man was found in his car not far from the IGA not long afterwards. The girl's mum had earlier made a desperate plea for help on social media. 'Someone has taken (my daughter) from school,' she posted. 'She was seen being picked up by a man in a grey/silver ute at 8.25am outside of (the primary school) in Warnbro.' A friend appealing for help said the girl;s mum was 'an absolute mess and just wants her daughter home safe and sound'. Marcus Venable, a professor at LSU has been banned from teaching at the university after leaving an offensive voicemail on a Louisiana State Senator's cellphone A lecturer at LSU has been barred from teaching at the university after he left a profanity-laced voicemail to a Louisiana State Senator who voted in favor of a ban on gender-affirming healthcare for children. Professor Marcus Venable is alleged to have left the angry message on the cellphone of Republican State Senator Mike Fesi after he voted yes on House Bill 648. The bill 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. Fesi justified his position based on the anecdotes of people who had undergone such treatment but had now regretted doing so. He made his points in a floor speech on Tuesday during the Louisiana's Legislature's one-day veto override session. State Senator Mike Fesi voted in favor of ban on gender-affirming healthcare for transgender children which stops hormone treatments, puberty-blocking drugs Fesi is pictured making his speech on the floor of the Louisiana House on earlier this week 'You know who the real experts are, it's the ones that had this procedure done and are now in their mid-twenties, and late twenties, and trying to say that they hate their parents for letting this happen to them,' said Senator Fesi on Tuesday at the Louisiana Capitol in Baton Rouge. The bill passed will now prohibit certain procedures to alter the sex of a child, from January 1. The legislature becomes the latest Republican-led state to ban trans-focused healthcare. Venable's voicemail made no attempt to hide how angry he was with Fesi's position. 'I just wanted to say 'Congratulations, to our State Senator, Big Mike Fesi. And that f***ing moron voted to make things worse for people who are already suffering. You fat f***ing piece of sh**,' Venable began. 'You did not produce any g**d*** evidence to support the claims you made about people being harmed by transgender care, yet we've had tons of empirical evidence telling us there's an increased suicide risk for people who don't get this care. Twenty other states have passed similar measures to ban gender-affirming care, most of them this year 'So you, you big fat headed mother f***er, I can't wait to read your name in the f***ing obituary. I will make a goddamn martini made from the tears of your butthurt conservatives when we put your f***ing a** in the ground, you fat f***ing useless piece of sh*t,' Venable ranted in the 50 second voicemail. 'F*** you. I hope you have a terrible day. Go f*** yourself,' he finished. 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 25 to 11 to override. Upon receiving the threatening message, Senator Fesi contacted the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office, who in turn passed the case over to Louisiana State Police. 'I just want them to do their investigation, and them do what they thinks right. I don't want to see no harm come to anybody,' Fesi said to WAFB. The House voted 75 to 23 in favor of overriding the Democratic governor's veto, while the Senate voted 25 to 11 to override Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards had earlier vetoed the bill Democratic Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said he expects the court will throw out this 'unconstitutional bill as well' 'You know, it goes too far. We just got to understand that everybody's got their opinion, we still live in a great country for freedom of speech. But we just got to hold it to a condition that everybody understands each other, and we don't always have to agree,' said Senator Fesi. Police were quickly able to track the phonecall back to Venable's phone. No charges have been filed but the case is under investigation. LSU were quick to ban Venable from returning to the lecture halls to teach classes. Venable is a graduate student at the university and will still be allowed on campus to continue his studies. Venable had been teaching classes in the sociology department. His special research interests are listed as criminology, sexual assault, sex offender recidivism and sex offender registries. 'As a university, we foster open and respectful dialogue. Like everyone, graduate students with teaching assignments have the right to express their opinions, but this profanity-filled, threatening call crossed the line,' a statement from LSU read. 'This does not exhibit the character we expect of someone given the privilege of teaching as part of their graduate assistantship. The student will be allowed to continue their studies but will not be extended the opportunity to teach in the future.' Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards' had earlier vetoed the bill. '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. Labour's newest and youngest MP is set to become the 'baby' of the House of Commons after winning a majority in the Selby and Ainsty by-election last night. Keir Mather graduated from Oxford University only four years ago before landing his first job as a party researcher for Wes Streeting, who is now shadow health secretary. But the 25-year-old, the first MP to have been born after Tony Blair became Prime Minister, was mocked by Tory minister Johnny Mercer last night as 'a repeat of The Inbetweeners'. Mr Mercer said the history and politics graduate had 'been at Oxford University more than he's been in a job' and warned he should not expect a warm welcome from the Conservative benches at Westminster. He also suggested the Hull-born politician, who had most recently worked as a public affairs adviser at the Confederation of British Industry, was 'inauthentic'. Mr Mercer claimed he 'just relays Labour lines' and has 'a Labour chip' in him. Twenty-five-year-old Keir Mather is set to become the 'baby' of the House of Commons after winning the Selby and Ainsty by-election for Labour. Johnny Mercer, the veterans minister, swiped that Mr Mather 'just relays Labour lines' and has 'a Labour chip' in him Mr Mercer said the new MP (pictured) had 'been at Oxford University more than he's been in a job' Mr Mather is named after Keir Hardie, just like Labour's leader Keir Starmer As he made reference to the cult TV series, Mr Mercer added: 'We mustn't become a repeat of The Inbetweeners.' Mr Mather, who shares the same name as current Labour leader Keir Starmer - named after the first Labour Party leader Keir Hardie - studied at Oxford between 2016 and 2019 before spending a year as a researcher for Mr Streeting. Asked on Sky News whether he was looking forward to a fresh injection of youth into the Commons, Mr Mercer said: 'It's always good to get new people in politics.' But, as he made reference to the cult TV series, he added: 'We mustn't become a repeat of The Inbetweeners. You've got to have people who have actually done stuff. 'This guy has been at Oxford University more than he's been in a job. You put a chip in him and he just relays Labour lines. The problem is people have had enough of that. 'They want people who are authentic, people who have worked in that constituency, who know what life is like, who understand what life is like to live, work and raise a family in communities like theirs. 'So, no, I'm afraid I don't agree with this style of politics. It's exactly why people like me didn't vote before the 2015 election. 'Because you've got people with nothing to do with the constituency just dropped in and, put a chip in them, and they'll start parroting Labour Party politics.' Shortly after being declared the winner in Selby and Ainsty, in North Yorkshire, Mr Mather said he hoped to be 'a representative for the power that young people have to make a difference'. Asked about whether he could fully understand voters' concerns at the age of 25, he said: 'Well, I'm a taxpayer too, I feel the pressures like anyone else.' The Tories lost another huge majority in Selby and Ainsty as Labour gained the North Yorkshire seat by more than 4,000 votes But the Tory majority in Somerton and Frome crumbled as the Lib Dems won the by-election by 11,000 votes The Conservatives clung onto Uxbridge and South Ruislip, in west London, by less than 500 votes to avert a complete by-election wipeout Sir Keir said Mr Mather's victory demonstrates the 'demand for change'. He tweeted: 'Congratulations Keir Mather, Labour's new MP for Selby and Ainsty! 'Last night, Selby and Ainsty made history. This incredible result shows how powerful the demand for change is. Only Labour can deliver that change, and build a better Britain.' New Labour MP Keir Mather joked he had 'heard far worse' when asked how he felt about becoming 'the Baby of the House'. He will become the youngest MP in the Commons after overturning the Tories' 20,137 majority in the Yorkshire seat. In a speech after he was declared by-election winner, Mr Mather said he 'understood the enormity of what has just happened'. 'We have rewritten the rules on where Labour can win. People have opened their doors to us and embraced our positive vision for the future,' he said. 'The people of Selby & Ainsty have sent a clear message. For too long, Conservatives up here and in Westminster have failed us, and today that changes. 'Over the past few months, speaking to hundreds of people on the doorstep, I've encountered so much hardship. Hardship made worse by 13 years of negligence and complacency from the Conservatives.' At the count at Selby Leisure Centre, Mr Mather told reporters: 'As a young person in politics, I really hope to be a representative for the power that young people have to make a difference.' Labour candidate Keir Mather says his age does not mean he can't understand the lives of voters Mr Mather said his first priority would be setting up financial support centres in the constituency, for people to get expert help with issues including mortgage payments and energy bills. He told journalists he supported Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's policy of keeping the two-child benefit cap, saying: 'I think we're going to inherit an absolute economic mess from the Conservatives when we take power and we're going to have to make extremely difficult decisions once we do, and I support the Labour government in doing so.' Mr Mather said the cost-of-living crisis was the number one issue on the doorstep throughout the campaign. Asked if people were voting for Labour or against the Tories, he said: 'Well, I make no bones about it, I think local residents were extremely frustrated at the way the Conservative MP (Nigel Adams) stepped down, but they only voted Labour to the extent that they did because they knew we had a plan that would actually deliver on their concerns.' After Mr Mather's speech, defeated Conservative candidate Claire Holmes left the venue without talking to reporters. Labour have said Mr Mather was born in Hull and grew up near Selby, before going to Oxford. The party said he has most recently worked as a senior public affairs adviser for the CBI and was formerly a parliamentary researcher for Wes Streeting from 2019 to 2020. His candidacy was supported by the GMB and Unison unions. A 12-year-old school girl has gone missing on Sydney's northern beaches. Frankie Allison,12, was last seen in Cromer in her school uniform about 9.45am on Thursday. When she failed to return home on Thursday night police were called by her worried family around 1am on Friday. Frankie Allison (pictured), 12, was last seen in Cromer in her school uniform about 9.45am on Thursday Frankie is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 167cm tall, long brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a school uniform and is known to frequent the Northern Beaches area. Anyone with information of her whereabouts is urged to contact Dee Why Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Lib Dems boasted they can pick up at least 15 more seats in the general election today after routing the Tories in Somerton & Frome. Ed Davey's party overturned a majority of more than 19,000 to win by a staggering 11,000 votes in the by-election overnight. The 29-point swing will fuel alarm in Conservative circles at the threat posed by the Lib Dems in the so-called 'Blue Wall'. In worrying signs of an electoral pact, Labour helped by effectively sitting out the contest - with their candidate losing their deposit. The Lib Dems reciprocated by clearing the path for Keir Starmer's outfit to oust the Tories in Selby & Ainsty. Until the 2015 electoral disaster following the Coalition years, the South West had been a heartland for the Lib Dems and Sir Ed said the stunning result showed they were back in business. Ed Davey's party overturned a majority of more than 19,000 to win by a staggering 11,000 votes in the Somerton & Frome by-election overnight Ed Davey said the 'stunning victory' showed the Liberal Democrats 'are firmly back in the West Country' Sarah Dyke won it back with a majority of 11,008 in the contest triggered by David Warburton's resignation after he admitted cocaine use By-election results in full Uxbridge and South Ruislip - Conservative HOLD Steve Tuckwell, Tories: 13,965 votes (45.16%) Danny Beales, Labour: 13,470 votes (43.56%) Sarah Green, Green: 893 votes (2.89%) Somerton and Frome - Lib Dem GAIN from Tories Sarah Dyke, Lib Dem: 21,187 votes (54.62%) Faye Purbrick, Tories: 10,179 votes (26.24%) Martin Dimery, Green: 3,944 votes (10.17%) Selby and Ainsty - Labour GAIN from Tories Keir Mather, Labour: 16,456 votes (45.96%) Claire Holmes, Tories: 12,295 votes (34.34%) Arnold Warneken, Green: 1,838 votes (5.13%) Advertisement The Lib Dems lost the Somerset seat eight years ago, but Sarah Dyke won it back with a majority of 11,008 in the contest triggered by David Warburton's resignation after he admitted cocaine use. Sir Ed said: 'This stunning victory shows the Liberal Democrats are firmly back in the West Country. 'Sarah Dyke will be an incredible local champion for the people of Somerset who have been neglected for far too long. 'She will fight for stronger local health services, better access to GPs and a fair deal for rural communities during this cost-of-living crisis. 'The people of Somerton and Frome have spoken for the rest of the country who are fed up with Rishi Sunak's out-of-touch Conservative government.' Sir Ed is the first Lib Dem leader since Paddy Ashdown in the 1990s to win four by-elections. The victory in the Somerset seat follows the Tiverton and Honiton win in Devon last year and gains across the two counties in local elections. Ms Dyke said she was 'excited, exhilarated and most of all humbled' at the result. She told reporters afterwards: 'It's unbelievable and most of all I am delighted that Somerton and Frome have finally got a voice in the constituency, but also in Parliament, and I can't wait to get started. 'I think the result here shows a very clear message now that the Liberal Democrats are back in the West Country. 'Not only do we have the largest group of Liberal Democrat councillors on Somerset Council, we now have an MP in Somerset. 'We have a great legacy of Liberal Democrats MPs in Somerset. David Heath represented this constituency from 1997 to 2015 and the great, late Paddy Ashdown who was a hero to so many.' As soon as the result was declared, defeated Conservative candidate Faye Purbrick left via a side entrance and got into a waiting car. Reporters fired questions at her as she left the Bath and West of England Society showground. Asked about the huge change in vote, she replied: 'That would be something you would have to ask the voters.' Asked if she had anything else to say, she added: 'Thank you to everybody who voted for me I really appreciate their support and I will be back.' The Conservatives clung onto Uxbridge and South Ruislip, in west London, by less than 500 votes to avert a complete by-election wipeout The Tories also lost another huge majority in Selby and Ainsty as Labour gained the North Yorkshire seat by more than 4,000 votes The British expat accused of murdering his terminally ill wife has today arrived at a court in Cyprus where he will learn whether he will languish in prison for the rest of his life. David Hunter, 75, has spent 19 months caged in a Cypriot jail and a judge will today rule whether the pensioner will be convicted of ending the suffering of his childhood sweetheart Janice, 74. But Mr Hunter has been left so 'destitute' he won't be able to appeal a guilty verdict if he is convicted, it has emerged. The spiralling costs of his agonising 19-month trial have cost him his entire savings and means he has no means to fight if the judge rules against him. It has also left him unable to afford to make phone calls to friends in prison and having to survive off the meagre rations offered up free of charge. 'It just breaks my heart,' said his daughter, Lesley Cawthorne, 50. 'When my mum was still alive he had a home, a car and money in the bank. Now he's got a carrier bag with his clothes that's all he's got.' David Hunter, 75, (pictured arriving at court today) has spent 19 months caged in a Cypriot jail and a judge will today rule whether the pensioner will be convicted of ending the suffering of his childhood sweetheart Janice, 74 David Hunter, 75, originally from Northumberland, was accused of murdering his wife of 46 years, Janice, at their home in Paphos, in December 2021 A prison van carrying David Hunter arrives at Paphos District Court in Cyprus where he is appearing accused of the pre-meditated murder of his terminally ill wife Janice Hunter Mr Hunter faces a mandatory life sentence if he is found guilty of pre-meditated murder and will have 10 days to launch an appeal. But a crowdfunder for his defence is empty and he has run up thousands of pounds of debt fighting the case to date. Mrs Cawthorne said: 'I don't know what we are going to do. He said he wants to appeal, he said, 'We have to, I can't spend the rest of my life here.' 'I honestly don't know what we are going to do. I don't know where we are going to get the money from. It's going to be thousands.' Mr Hunter had struck up a friendship with British cellmate Owen Williams, 27. But after Mr Williams was released three months ago he has been left locked up with 11 other hardened criminals who don't speak a word of English. His only chance to speak is by his phone, but he can now only afford to make occasional calls to his daughter. She said: 'He's got nobody to speak to. He's not been able to phone people. 'He's not allowed to take calls, he has to pay to make them himself. He hasn't been able to speak to his brother for a while, or his friends Barry and Kevin. He just speaks to me. 'It's absolutely devastating.' David Hunt arrived at a court in Cyprus today where he will learn whether he has been convicted of murdering his terminally ill wife Janice David Hunter is escorted into the court in Paphos by police officers on Friday Mr Hunter's daughter, Lesley Cawthorne, 50, says it 'breaks her heart' that her father has been left 'destitute' from trial David Hunter and his wife Janice on their wedding day Mr Hunter wants to pay his last respects to his wife if he is freed today. The retired Northumberland miner was forced to treat her for terminal blood cancer at home with injections due to Covid restrictions as she deteriorated in front of his eyes. In her last days she was crying out in agony 24 hours a day, unable to move from their sofa or take painkillers as she pleaded with him to kill her. He finally relented and took her life on December 18, 2021. He tried to take a drugs overdose, but authorities arrived, pumped his stomach and put him on trial for premeditated murder. Mrs Cawthorne said: 'He wants to see my mum. He wants sit and talk to her. He needs that for his mental health. 'I think if he was offered to be released but he could not visit her and had to go straight back he would refuse. He just wants to visit my mum.' Berlin residents have reported hearing lion roars in the middle of the night as the desperate search for a lioness that has been prowling through the city outskirts continues. Armed police are scouring the German capital today after two locals saw the escaped lioness chasing a wild boar in the southern suburb of Kleinmachnow in the early hours of Thursday morning. Last night, locals reported seeing the lioness and hearing lion roars in the nearby Zehlendorf area near the city limits, Berlin police said. Officers with guns, night-vision goggles and drones scoured the area throughout the night, but couldn't find the lioness. Residents living in the southern districts of Kleinmachnow, Teltow and Stahnsdorf have been advised to stay inside and keep all doors and windows closed. But some Berliners decided to defy the orders today and walk their dogs in a forest in the Zehlendorf area. It comes as experts on animal tracks joined the hunt today - but some began to doubt whether a lion is actually on the loose and suggested it could have been another wild boar instead. Police officers begin another day of searching for a lioness that is on the loose in Berlin in Kleinmachnow on Friday Armed police search through a wood in Kleinmachnow, southern Berlin, for the lioness on Friday Video on Twitter appeared to show a lioness wandering through foliage in Kleinmachnow The danger area where police believe a lioness is roaming the streets of Berlin A professional animal track searcher looks for signs of the lioness in Kleinmachnow on Friday Kleinmachnow mayor Michael Grubert said while on the hunt that he believed the animal could just be a wild boar. He said: 'You see, when you see the wild boar now, you can already imagine that if it's a bit brighter in the evening light, that you think that's a lion. 'Deep fake videos is a bit exaggerated. But it can of course be that because of the incidence of light, that maybe the car headlights, the darkness of the night simulates it a bit, as if it were a lion. 'And it may just have been a wild boar again. The video we do assume though that it is real.' A neighbour added: 'I'm not sure by now if it's really a lion when no remains whatsoever of a wild boar that has been killed have been found. I wonder if there was some wrong identification there.' Mr Grubert told local public broadcaster RBB late Thursday that authorities would comb the forest near Kleinmachnow and Zehlendorf on Friday with 'professional animal track searchers'. 'We have to say that this can't carry on for days,' he said, adding that he expected the search to 'intensify' on Friday. There have been a series of sightings of the lioness - by locals, police officers and firefighters - but each time, the predator escapes from their view and they are unable to trace it again. Hunter Peter Hemmerden, who has been involved in the search, said: 'If there was a lion that would pose an immediate danger to the wild boars and its offspring, they wouldn't be this calm. 'We just got the message that along with the group of boars also a lion supposedly ran into the forest. 'This message turned out to be wrong. Because the group is still very calm right there in the forest and if there was a predator around looking for food the group would act very differently and definitely wouldn't be here. 'So this message, like a lot of others, once again doesn't support the existence of any lion. 'At this point I don't believe it's a lion anymore, there's a small remaining chance but it's much more likely according to my analysis and when looking at all the pictures and videos that it was a boar in the video.' Police officers walk through a forest in Kleinmachnow during their search for a lioness in Berlin on Friday Police officers and a hunter gather to search for a lioness roaming the streets in Kleinmachnow, Berlin, on Friday Police officers and a hunter begin their search of woods in Kleinmachnow, Berlin, on Friday Panzers! German police use a Survivor 'panzerwagen', an armoured vehicle, amid a search for a rogue lioness in the south of Berlin, on July 20, 2023 German police spokesman Daniel Keip said: 'In the summer, you often hear reports of crocodiles in swimming lakes and then it turns out all it was, was a big duck. In this case, it's obviously totally real. 'We're dealing with a lioness that's roaming freely through Teltow, Stahnsdorf and Kleinmachnow.' At around 7pm last night, another sighting of the reported lioness in a forest by Kleinmachnow district prompted a flurry of activity by police officers. 'We're in a hot phase right now, she was just seen,' a police officer told a local resident, reports German newspaper Bild. Joggers were barred from entering the woodland by officers, as the search appeared to be 'heating up' in the evening with one officer screaming 'get out of the wood, quickly' to runners. Police have been joined by professional hunters and vets, armed with tranquilising guns and pistols, in an attempt to safely capture the lioness - believed to be a private pet - but to no avail. They said on Friday morning that the search was unsuccessful during the night and was continuing. They urged people to call an emergency number if they see the animal. Officers have insisted that the operational measures in place will 'continue until a risk to the population can be ruled out'. No zoos have reported a missing lioness, leading to questions about where the animal could have came from. There are 32 registered lions in Brandenburg state surrounding Berlin and they were accounted for, reported RBB, leaving police to ask whether the beast had been kept illegally. No owner has come forward since the search began early Thursday. Police were first alerted early on Thursday after two people saw what appeared to be a lioness chasing a wild boar down a street less than (three miles) from the German capital. Residents living in the southern districts of the city - Kleinmachnow, Teltow and Stahnsdorf - have been advised to stay in their homes and to keep all doors windows closed. But some defiant Berliners decided to defy the orders today and walk their dogs in a forest in the Zehlendorf area (pictured) Hunters and vets were reportedly helping track down the animal in Germany A woman carries a tranquilizer gun as members from the veterinary office search for the lioness Police cars drive out of the forest where the predatory cat is supposed to be on Thursday The two passersby spotted the feline around midnight in the Kleinmachnow suburb, southwest of Berlin. They shared mobile phone footage of the animal with police, who believe the images are genuine, Kleinmachnow mayor Michael Grubert told a press conference. 'Even experienced officers had to conclude that it was probably a lioness,' a police spokesperson told local broadcaster RBB. The animal was later also spotted by police officers themselves, said Kerstin Schroeder, police spokeswoman in the Brandenburg region around Berlin. Local authorities were seen driving armoured vehicles - 'panzerwagens' - through residential areas as a helicopter with thermal imaging circles overhead. Thorsten Thaddey was out for a morning jog in Kleinmachnow yesterday when he was stopped by police, who told him a wild animal might be roaming the nearby forest. 'I have to be honest, I panicked a bit. Because it's a different calibre compared to a normal dog or another pet that has run away,' he said. 'So I'm going to run home now.' Kleinmachnow mayor Michael Grubert said it was not the time 'to go jogging in the woods'. A police spokesperson was forced to admit: 'We don't know where it came from.' Since no zoos or circuses have reported a missing lioness, police believe she must be an escaped pet. Once the animal is found, it will likely be sedated with a tranquiliser and taken to an animal shelter, the mayor said. But Grubert added that if there was an immediate danger to human life, the lioness would be shot. Anyone crossing paths with the feline should 'seek safety immediately and call the police,' Brandenburg police said. Port Sudan The Acting Federal Minister of Health, Dr. Haitham Mohamed Ibrahim lauded the initiatives and participation of national and international organizations in completing deficiencies and joint coordination with the federal and state ministries of health in integrating efforts in masterful mechanisms as well as their rapid response, referring to the coordination in health work for the states of Darfur and the displaced in Chad, stressing the role of the Federal Ministry of Health in leading the health system and health services in the country. The minister praised the response of the international and national organizations working in Sudan, as they seek with the ministry to complete the deficiencies and bridge the gaps. This came during a meeting on coordination of the health work in the states of Darfur and the displaced in Chad Thurdday in the Cabinet Hall at the Red Sea State, in the presence of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare in the Darfur region, Babiker Hamadain, United Nations, international and national organization. He pointed out to the size of the problem and the great challenges facing health work in the five states of Darfur, especially the security challenges, and the significant deterioration of the health system in a number of the states and in the states of Central and West Darfur, in particular, drawing attention to the large numbers of displaced people in Chad, and the difficulty of delivering medical supplies to these states. The minister explained that despite the difficulties, there is a drug supply that has reached the region, in addition to the retoration of medical services to the states of Darfur. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Health By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The minister revealed that the most important recommendations that came out of the meeting was the need for joint coordination between the government, international and national organizations in joint work to provide information from the field and ways to deliver supplies through joint mechanisms, in addition to supporting the internal health system in the region, especially since health personnel work in very difficult conditions, reminding the importance of speeding up in providing supplies before the fall season and the necessity to establish follow-up mechanisms. For his part, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare in the Darfur Region Dr. Babikir Hamadain explained that the health conditions were very complicated, pointing to the decline in the level of health services provision due to the deterioration of security conditions that prevented the incoming of the drug supply and the medical staff working to provide the service, stressing that the intervention of the Federal Ministry of Health and some organizations contributed to the re-operation of health institutions in the Darfur region, explaining that it has been agreed on the necessity of cooperation in order to provide medical services to citizens in the states of Darfur. The representative of the organizations, Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Office in Sudan, Dr. Nima Saeed Abed, explained that the organizations were working hand in hand with the Federal Ministry of Health, and direct coordination with it to deliver supplies, announcing that the need is very great, pointing out that the focus now is on rapid intervention, adding that the damage that occurred in the health sector needs another plan, pointing to the need for security to deliver assistances, stressing that there is great coordination between the organizations to provide services to citizens. Britain's school summer holidays are set to get off to a damp start this weekend with up to a month's worth of rain expected to fall over the next few days. Most schools in England and Wales break up this afternoon, but families heading for a getaway are being warned of persistent rain and possible thunderstorms. While Europe's heatwave continues, the Met Office warned some travel disruption could be seen tomorrow as the downpours begin before thunder is set to follow on Sunday. Forecasters say up to 80mm (3.1in) of rain could fall from tomorrow over the hills of northern England and Northern Ireland, and southern areas of Scotland and Wales. This is nearly the total typical month's rainfall in July in the UK of 88mm (3.5in). It comes as millions of families are expected to take to the roads over the weekend either for a day trip or holiday between today and Monday, according to the RAC. Next week will also start off unsettled with showers and potentially thunderstorms, and temperatures will reach the low 20Cs (low 70Fs) across the South and East. READ MORE Britain braced for getaway hell: More than two million holidaymakers prepare to head overseas for the weekend amid warnings of traffic chaos and port delays Advertisement Meanwhile much of Europe will continue to see temperatures in the high 30Cs (low 100Fs) and low 40Cs (high 100Fs) next week. Ellie Wilson, meteorologist for the Met Office, said: 'Friday will see a dry and bright start for much of the UK, with cloud and showers bubbling up into the afternoon - these heaviest across northern parts of England. 'It will be turning increasingly showery across Northern Ireland with outbreaks of rain through the afternoon. 'Saturday will be very wet and we could see some travel disruption, there's going to be quite a lot of rain around, it's something we're keeping an eye on. 'Sunday will be turning more showery and a risk of thunderstorms in places but more brightness compared to Saturday and feeling a bit warmer. 'The start of next week will see the same continuation of showers and a risk of thunderstorms, reaching the low 20s in the south and east.' The hot weather across Europe is expected to dip slightly over the weekend before it is due to reach the same highs next week, in the late 30Cs and early 40Cs, the forecaster added. The highest temperatures will be seen in southern Europe before shifting further east. This weekend, more than two million holidaymakers will head overseas as the great summer getaway begins, amid warnings of traffic jams and delays at ports. Dog walkers go for an early stroll through Blackhouse Woods in Berkshire this morning Hay bales in the farmers' fields in the morning sun at Dunsden in Oxfordshire today Pygmy goats eat their breakfast in sunshine this morning at Dunsden in Oxfordshire Tomorrow is expected to be the busiest day of the weekend, according to travel association Abta. Airports will see hundreds of thousands of passengers, the Port of Dover is warning it could take up to two and a half hours to pass through border checks, traffic is likely to be disrupted by downpours, and train strikes are due to take place tomorrow. Heathrow and Gatwick airports will have hundreds of thousands of passengers pass through this weekend, with Stansted expecting 199,000 and Luton 116,000. About 200,000 people will depart from Manchester Airport, 71,000 from Bristol, and although the Scottish schools are well into their summer holidays, many will still be leaving from Scottish airports this weekend, with more than 100,000 from Glasgow. National Highways closed part of the Dartford Crossing because of a crash today, causing three miles of congestion. This is where the M25 - the UK's busiest motorway - crosses the River Thames east of London between Dartford and Thurrock. The smash forced one of the crossing's two tunnels, for northbound traffic, to be shut. The RAC estimated that 12.6million car journeys will be made for a day trip or holiday between today and Monday, causing 'bumper-to-bumper traffic'. Australia's top cop slammed a decision to clean the federal parliamentary suite where Brittany Higgins claimed to have been raped by fellow political staffer Bruce Lehrmann. Former AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin wrote to the Department of Parliamentary Services complaining that it was 'unacceptable' to not inform police that the suite was to be cleaned. 'AFP inclusion in any initial response to the incident could have resulted in early notification of an alleged criminal offence, more appropriate handling of the alleged victims welfare and better scene management,' Mr Colvin wrote. 'It remains unclear why the AFP wasn't notified at the time of the incident. And I contend this is unacceptable.' Australia's top cop slammed a decision to clean the federal parliamentary suite where Brittany Higgins claimed to have been raped by fellow political staffer Bruce Lehrmann. Ms Higgins is pictured on CCTV walking into Parliament House Former AFP commissioner Andrew Colvin (above) wrote to the Department of Parliamentary Services complaining that not informing police Senator Linda Reynolds' office was to be cleaned was 'unacceptable' The letter, obtained by news.com.au, was provided to an inquiry conducted by former Inspector-General of Intelligence Vivienne Thom, according to the news website. It has also been revealed the former directory security at Parliament House, Peter Butler, told police he disagreed with the decision to clean the suite and believed that an incident report he wrote had been altered. The emergence of Mr Colvin's letter follows the resurfacing of a cleaner's court testimony which contradicted persistent rumours Senator Linda Reynolds' office was steam-cleaned as part of a cover-up. Mr Lehrmann has always denied raping Ms Higgins and one charge of sexual intercourse without consent was dropped after juror misconduct caused his trial to be aborted. Carlos Ramos was asked to clean Senator Reynolds office on March 23, 2019, after Parliamentary Security Staff officers alerted a Department of Finance official that two workers had found Ms Higgins sleeping on the couch. The former directory security at Parliament House, Peter Butler, told police he disagreed with the decision to clean the suite (above) and believed an incident report he wrote had been altered Ms Higgins didn't make public allegations of an assault until much later and investigations by Ms Thom and the AFP found there was no reason to suspect one at that point. Late night drinks in parliamentary offices, however, are not uncommon in Canberra and special cleans are sometimes ordered to ensure MPs do not arrive to the remains of a party. When Mr Ramos arrived to complete the clean, expecting a two-hour or longer job, he found the room so tidy that he called his boss who then reached out to security staff to make sure they had the right room. 'This look in my opinion normal cleaning,' Ramos, whose first language is Spanish, told the ACT Supreme Court he had said to his supervisor. Ramos testified on October 11 last year that he spent 30 minutes doing a routine clean of the already clean room, a fact which columnist Janet Albrechtsen noted in The Australian had been overlooked by the media. His testimony was lost among the multitude of documents that finally became available when a suppression order was lifted. Brittany Higgins (pictured) alleged she was raped in the then Defence Minister Linda Reynolds' office in Parliament House in 2019 The order had been put in place until Ms Higgins completed her cross-examination, which was fragmented by mental health breaks. Asked by prosecutor Shane Drumgold if he had cleaned the couch where Higgins alleges she was raped, Ramos said he wiped it with a leather cleaning product. 'You put a chemical on a cloth and you wiped it (the couch) over?' Drumgold asked. Ramos: 'Yes, yes.' In cross-examination, Ramos told defence barrister Katrina Musgrove that: 'It was totally just routine clean.' His testimony refutes the claim the couch in Ms Reynolds' office had been thoroughly steam cleaned in the hours following the alleged sexual assault. The steam clean claim suggesting the scene might have been 'interfered with' appeared in articles that broke the story and has been repeated countless times. A court heard it was not uncommon for Minister's offices to be cleaned if staffers had drinks the night before so they would not arrive to a mess (pictured, Senator Linda Reynolds) Albrechtsen noted the claim appeared to stem from a diary note by Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner of national security Leanne Close, about a conversation she had with AFP assistant commissioner Lesa Gale. The note said Gale told her that 'staff in the office have had the lounge steam cleaned'. The claim was repeated months later in an anonymous letter addressed to the late Senator Kimberling Kitching. In his cross-examination, Mr Ramos was also asked whether he needed to clean the bathroom where Ms Higgins said she had vomited. 'Not really like the bathroom wasn't used recently.' He said there didn't seem to be any towels used, the toilet was not dirty and and there were no odours. 'The toilet seat underneath didn't need to be cleaned?' Musgrove asked. 'No,' he replied. Ms Higgins is seen on CCTV footage walking past Parliament House security on the night she alleges she was raped in Ms Reynolds' parliamentary office. Mr Lehrmann has always denied her allegation The ACT's director of public prosecutions Shane Drumgold, who handled the Higgins case, is on leave until August 30. Anthony Williamson SC is acting in the role. ACT chief minister Andrew Barr is awaiting a report due to be delivered this month following an independent inquiry into how the justice system handled Mr Lehrmann's criminal trial. The independent inquiry has been headed by former Queensland Supreme Court judge Walter Sofronoff. Prosecutors dropped the charge against Mr Lehrmann over concerns about the impact of a second trial on Ms Higgins' mental health after the first trial was aborted. Vladimir Putin is the 'ultimate apostle of payback' and is likely plotting his revenge on Yevgeny Prigozhin after the Wagner group's failed mutiny, the director of the CIA has warned. 'If I were Prigozhin, I wouldn't fire my food taster,' said William Burns. The intelligence head said the private military group's uprising exposed 'significant weaknesses' in the Kremlin's power structure. It also saw Russia's justification of the war in Ukraine brought into question, with Wagner boss Prigozhin claiming it was built on lies. The brief mutiny was the most direct challenge to Putin in his 23 years in power, one which Burns said the tyrant would not take lightly. 'Putin is someone who generally thinks that revenge is a dish best served cold,' Burns told the Aspen Security Forum last night, adding that he 'would be surprised if Prigozhin escapes further retribution'. 'If I were Prigozhin, I wouldn't fire my food taster,' William Burns, director of the CIA, said Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin speaks inside the headquarters of the Russian southern army military command centre in the city of Rostov-on-Don on June 2 Putin seemingly cut a deal, brokered by his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, to allow Prigozhin and his men free passage to Belarus after they stood down in their coup attempt. But it is by no means a case of forgive and forget, with Burns claiming Putin is simply buying time while he works out how to best deal with his treasonous former chef. In June, the Russian leader described the Wagner Group's march on Moscow as 'a stab in the back of the troops and the people of Russia'. 'What we are seeing is a very complicated dance,' Burns said on Thursday, according to the BBC. Burns also claimed Russian elites are increasingly questioning Putin's judgment, particularly following the Wagner group's mutinous 24 hours in June, during which they looked like they could reach Moscow. 'What it resurrected was some deeper questions about Putin's judgment, about his relative detachment from events and even about his indecisiveness,' Burns said. Vladimir Putin described the Wagner Group's march on Moscow as 'a stab in the back of the troops and the people of Russia' His comments come after the head of MI6 delivered a stark message to Putin yesterday. Sir Richard Moore said the only way the Kremlin leader could ensure his 'career stability' and save his own skin from the 'chaos replaying itself into the Russian body politic' was to withdraw his troops. In a rare public address, he issued an extraordinary appeal to Russians to spy for the Secret Intelligence Service. He compared the fate of their country to Shakespeare's 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, I'm 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.' A Star Wars impersonator known as 'Fluke Skywalker', who appeared as the character at children's charity events, has been arrested for possession of child pornography. John Stevens, 59, who makes regular appearances as Jedi Master Luke Skywalker was on Wednesday arrested and charged in Cincinnati, Ohio, on eight counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, court records show. Multiple 'fantasy fueled' pictures and videos were found on Stevens' phone showing porn 'involving adult men and very young female children', prosecutors said. The Skywalker impersonator had been attending local children's charity events for years as Mark Hamill's character. Prosecutors said the content found on Stevens' phone was 'too profane to say out loud in front of the media'. John Stevens, 59, was on Wednesday arrested and charged in Cincinnati, Ohio, on eight counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, court records show Stevens is said to have three videos and five images on his cell phone of allegedly sexually oriented material involving a minor, prosecutors said. Earlier this month Hamilton County Sheriff's Office received a tip from a watchdog organization alleging explicit material being uploaded to the cloud, Cincinnati's WLWT reported. The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force took over the case which traced the IP address back to Stevens. He was later arrested and detained. Stevens on Thursday appeared before a judge at Hamilton County Courthouse where Assistant Prosecuting Attorney David R. Wood requested that the court set a high bond amount due to the nature of the alleged content. 'The psychologists state that the fantasy fuels the behavior in this case, the defendant has pornographic images involving adult men and very young female children on his phone,' Wood told the court, as reported by WKRC-TV. The prosecutor said he was unable to go into detail about the material as it was 'too profane to state out loud in front of the media' due to its 'graphic and fantasy fueled' nature. He was detained on Thursday on a $200,000 bond and will be required to wear an electronic tag and be prohibited from internet access should he post the required amount. The Fluke Skywalker website pictures Stevens with multiple children and babies as the beloved Star Wars character. 'When you have me attend your child's or adult's birthday party, fundraiser, company party or any special event, I will donate 100% of your donation to local charities that help sick children,' his website says. John Stevens, 59, who makes regular appearances as Jedi Master Luke Skywalker at local charity events, was arrested for possession of pornographic material involving a minor Stevens says he makes regular donations to The Ronald McDonald House, a charity providing accommodation for hospitalized children, as well as other local initiatives in the Cincinnati area. The cosplayer has thousands of followers on social media where he shares images and footage of himself as the character. He initially gained notoriety for attending a Comic-Con in California in 2016, where other attendees assumed he was the real Mark Hamill who only a year before had returned to the big screen as the Star Wars character. At the time, fans reportedly flocked around him wanting to grab a picture with what they thought was the real deal Skywalker. Mark Hamill himself has even interreacted numerous times with the impersonator on Twitter. In October last year, Mark Hamill replied to a video of Stevens, writing: 'To the guy who looks more like me than me: I truly admire your work for charity & for being in parades in Cincinnati on my behalf! Wishing you continued success. Stevens will return to court later this month. Russia failed to renew grain deal allowing Ukraine to export to poor countries Russia has held missile war games in the Black Sea after Vladimir Putin threatened to sink ships delivering cargo to Ukraine. The live firing drills involving anti-ship cruise missiles were conducted from the Ivanovets warship. A target ship was destroyed in the north-west of the Black Sea, the Kremlin said. The exercises were held after Russia again blitzed Ukrainian grain and agricultural warehouses linked to exports. The strikes come after Moscow had failed to renew a grain deal permitting Ukraine to export produce to the poorest countries of the world amid the ongoing war. Russia held missile war games in the Black Sea as Vladimir Putin threatens to sink ships delivering cargo to Ukraine The live firing drills involving anti-ship cruise missiles were conducted from the Ivanovets warship Putin has been accused of using food as a weapon of war. Russia this week announced it will now consider all ships heading to Ukrainian ports as possible carriers of military cargo. As such, they will be seen as war targets, in a sinister escalation of the war. Naval spokesman Alexander Sakharov said: 'Today in the Black Sea, as part of an attack missile group of two boats, exercises were conducted to deliver a missile strike against a mock enemy. 'During the drills, an exercise was performed using cruise missiles. The shooting was successful. The enemy was destroyed.' The drills also involved use of fleet aviation 'to isolate the area temporarily closed to navigation' and carry out 'measures to stop' vessels failing to obey Russian orders in the open sea. Moscow has declared several maritime areas in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea 'temporarily dangerous for navigation'. Russian missile strikes overnight targeted grain warehouses at an agricultural company in Odessa region, injuring two people, said Serhii Bratchuk, spokesperson for the Odessa military administration. Putin (pictured yesterday) has been accused of using food as a weapon of war after scrapping the grain deal Russia said the target ship was 'destroyed' in the northwestern section of the Black Sea Russia warned that ships containing cargo for Ukraine are 'legitimate targets' It is another sinister escalation of the war against Ukraine - seeing all ships containing cargo as war targets A still image from a video, released by Russia's Defence Ministry, shows what it said to be the guided missile ship Ivanovets during drills in the Black Sea 'At dawn, the Russians fired Kalibr-type missiles from the missile carrier, which was put on duty in the Black Sea at night,' he said. 'Unfortunately, grain terminals of one of the agricultural enterprises of the Odessa region were hit. 'The enemy destroyed 100 tons of peas and 20 tons of barley.' Ukraine responded that it will consider ships delivering cargo to Russia as being military-linked. Two of the three tragic victims killed in the horrific car crash in Queensland overnight have been identified as a doting mother of two and an alpaca breeder. Gypsy Satterley, 25, died in a suspected domestic violence murder when the ute she was in was rammed into the path of another vehicle on the Bruce Highway at Federal near Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. Rafferty Rolfe, 25, from Yandina, who was allegedly in a stolen car which rammed her vehicle, is the sole survivor of the three-car collision, which occurred at about 4am on Friday. According to police, the stolen Isuzu MU-X was allegedly pursuing a northbound Nissan Navara, which was carrying Ms Satterly - Rolfe's girlfriend - as a passenger. It is believed the stolen Isuzu then rammed the Navara into the path of the third vehicle travelling southbound, a blue Chinese-made Great Wall ute. Ms Satterley, who is believed to have two daughters aged around six and eight, and the 65-year-old man driving the Navara both died in the crash, along with alpaca breeder Jessica Townley, 38, from nearby Imbil, who was driving the Great Wall ute. The police said that Ms Satterley and the Navara driver were not acquainted before last night. Investigations are underway to determine if he was a Good Samaritan who was helping her after she had earlier got out of the Isuzu. Gypsy Satterley, 25, (pictured) died in a suspected domestic violence murder when the ute she was in was rammed into the path of another vehicle on the Bruce Highway at Federal near Noosa on the Sunshine Coast Rafferty Rolfe, 25, who was allegedly in a stolen car which rammed her vehicle, is the sole survivor of the three-car collision, which occurred about 4am on Friday Alpaca breeder Jessica Townley, 38, was killed when her blue Great Wall ute was hit in the tragic collision Three vehicles were involved in the horror crash at Federal, on the Bruce Highway. Homicide investigators are probing the crash Ms Satterley's death is now being treated as a domestic-violence murder. Rolfe was allegedly known to Queensland Police and was taken to hospital with serious head injuries where he remains under police guard. On Friday night, he was charged with one count of robbery with violence whilst armed in relation to the alleged theft of the Isuzu. He is scheduled to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday, July 24. Detective Superintendent Ben Fadian told reporters: 'The white Isuzu was trying to ram the Nissan Navara motor vehicle. 'As a result that vehicle [Nissan] crossed onto the southbound lanes of the Bruce Highway.' Police also confirmed on Friday night that Ms Satterley and Rolfe had allegedly been in a relationship before the tragedy. In a haunting final post to Facebook just four days ago, Ms Satterley, also from Yandina, posted a poem 'Keep Going' about pushing on the face of cruel adversity. It includes the lines: 'No matter how bad things are right now, no matter how many days you've spent crying, no matter how hopeless and depressed you feel... 'I promise you me you won't feel this way forever. Keep going.' In an earlier post at the end of June she reposted another message, with the caption: 'Rahhh raahhh you are a dead man.' The post added: 'Sometime we don't really let go. We don't really move on. We just learn to live with the loss. We learn how to smile when sad.... 'We carry on and hope for the best.' Gypsy Townley (pictured) is believed to be the mother of two young girls aged around 8 and 6 In a haunting final post to Facebook just four days ago (pictured), Ms Satterley posted a poem 'Keep Going' about pushing on the face of cruel adversity The crash occurred at Federal west of Noosa on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, as this map shows Shocked friends paid tribute to the young mum after news of the tragedy spread. 'She was meant to be at my house last night but I missed her call and she never showed,' one told the Courier-Mail. 'This time there was no tomorrow. 'Her brothers and sisters aren devastated along with her mother and father, we are all so shocked. 'Shes a beautiful person who deserved more than life gave her. She never deserved this at all.' The white Isuzu MU-X vehicle had been stolen 12 hours before the highway crash in a violent daylight carjacking in Gympie's main street on Thursday, police said. An alert for the vehicle was issued after a man armed with a knife threatened a mother and her three children as the family were getting into their car. The terrified mother, Bec Alexander, got her kids out of the vehicle before handing over the car to the robber. She and her children were unharmed. 'I was car jacked with three kids in the car,' Ms Alexander said in a Facebook post. 'A knife was pulled so the kids and I got out but my car was stolen!' Police later spotted the stolen car, but the driver refused to stop and escaped. The car was not being pursued at the time of the incident. The owner of the stolen white Isuzu, Bec Alexander (pictured) posted on Facebook at 6.35pm on Thursday that she had been held up at knifepoint: 'I was car jacked with three kids in the car' Police have confirmed one of the vehicles (pictured) involved in the crash was allegedly stolen from Gympie around 4.30pm Thursday 'The tragedy is that there are three people now deceased and the ripple effect that has on their families,' Detective Superintendent Fadian said. Queensland Ambulance Service's Sunshine Coast acting director Nigel Jones said it was a challenging event for all emergency services. 'The scene was obviously quite confronting given the mechanism of the forces involved - it was clearly a very high-speed incident involving those vehicles,' Mr Jones said. 'So much so that our paramedics report that the two patients were killed on impact with a third patient, unfortunately, passing away shortly afterwards.' Southbound lanes of the Bruce Highway are expected to be closed for an extended period, and diversions are in place. Detective Supt Fadian described it as a complex investigation and appealed for anyone who saw the stolen Isuzu to contact police. 'We also appeal for anyone who was driving on the Bruce Highway between Federal and Noosa turn-off this morning between 3am and 4am and may have seen that vehicle to please contact Crimestoppers,' Det Supt Fadian said. The wreckage of a Nissan Navara ute involved in the crash crumbled against a barrier A suspected quartermaster of eco-mob Just Stop Oil has been arrested in London with a haul of items that could be used for protests. Police swooped on an address in Southwark just after 7pm last night. They found a massive haul of items including 12 fire extinguishers and metal lock-on pipes as well as superglue and climbing equipment. Just Stop Oil previously protesting on Tower Bridge in London. None of these people were involved in the police raid. Large bolt cutters, glass hammers, chains and rope ladders were also seized from the property. Officers also confiscated spray paint, orange confetti and similarly coloured dust and chalk. A number of 'burner' phones were also taken in as potential evidence. Police said a man, 42, had been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause criminal damage. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: 'Yesterday we dealt a blow to JSOs efforts to cause serious disruption. 'Numerous items were seized that could be used to cause damage across London. 'The man remains in custody.' This morning mothers united to give Just Stop Oil a dressing down, clashing with the eco-zealots over their tone-deaf disruption. On Westway in Acton, west London, one parent castigated one activist as he stared mutely at her. Eco-zealots had previously used climbing equipment to scale bridges and cause huge disruptions She told him: 'I have got a baby in my car and we have to get to hospital.' But the important medical appointment had no effect on the eco group who did absolutely nothing and carried on blocking the road. A second mother with a pram also joined the criticism later, telling the clowns: 'Who are you to decide who gets to go? You're not f***ing God. People pay to be on these roads. Don't tell me you've never got in a f***ing car.' Oliver Rock, 42, has been charged with having articles with intent to cause criminal damage and being equipped to lock on and will appear at Westminster Magistrates Court. A mother accused of murdering her three children sent a series of disturbing text messages about them, including that she sent one to school 'so I didn't strangle her', a court has heard. Lauren Anne Dickason, 42, is on trial in the High Court in Christchurch 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, and her defence will claim she is not guilty by reason of insanity. On Friday, the court heard a series of text messages that detailed how Dickason felt frustrated about her children, saying she had 'rough' days and was overwhelmed, according to the New Zealand Herald. Lauren Dickason (top) is accused of murdering her children, twin sisters Maya and Karla Dickason and their older sibling Liane (pictured with husband, Graham Dickason) Text messages, which span from 2016 to several hours before the children were killed, were also read out at Monday's hearing of the case. Dickason said her children were 'making me crazy', she wished for a 'day alone' and that the children had 'killed all the passion and a lot of the happiness'. In one message, Dickason said: 'Liane kept me awake until 3am but I sent her to school otherwise I would strangle her. She moans all the f***ing time'. In another, Dickason detailed how her husband, Graham, and her decided 'that our children will not abuse and scream at us and hit us any further'. 'From one on they will get hidings and all their nice things will be held back until they start showing some respect. Tonight they threw corn at me and said the meat is disgusting. Then they hit me when I told them off. Maybe the twins are just in terrible twos but f***, they are going to kill me. I was so angry tonight, I was shaking,' she said. Dickason sent a series of disturbing messages about her children Dickason said her children were 'making me crazy' '(The children) sniff me out wherever I go and if they can't find me they start screaming hysterically,' another text read. In other messages, Dickason spoke of having 'depression' and that her children 'really tire me out physically and emotionally'. 'Other people make it all look so easy that I feel abnormal because I perceive it as intense and I struggle to enjoy it (being a mum to twins)' she said. In a message to another woman, she said she needed 'help with learning to cope with motherhood'. A text message from Dickason detailing her frustrations at her children The Crown says some of the messages support its case that Dickason was an angry and frustrated woman who was 'resentful of how the children stood in the way of her relationship with her husband', and killed them 'methodically and purposefully, perhaps even clinically'. While the Crown recognises Dickason suffered from depression, it maintains she knew what she was doing when she killed the children. The defence refutes that and says Dickason was 'very unwell' and while those close to her were worried, no one recognised how unwell she was 'until it was too late'. 'This tragic event happened because Lauren was in such a dark place so removed from reality, so suicidal, so disordered in her thinking that when she decided to kill herself that night, she thought she had to take the girls with her,' Dickason's lawyer Kerryn Beaton KC told the jury. Dickason's defence said she was 'very unwell' The Dickason family had moved to New Zealand from South Africa after Mr Dickason accepted a job at Timaru Hospital. They migrated to the country about a month before the couple's three children were killed. Mr Dickason found the children dead and his wife in a serious condition when he arrived home after having dinner with colleagues, according to media reports at the time. She was remanded in custody to a hospital's psychiatric unit and has remained there since. The trial is scheduled to run for two weeks and will hear from Mr Dickason and other family members. Experts will also share whether they believe Dickason was insane. He was rushed to hospital with a broken neck and critical compression of nerves The bodybuilder was strength training at The Paradise Bali gym on July 15 A fitness influencer has been killed by a barbell while trying to squat-press 210kg in a horror accident. Justyn Vicky, 33, was strength training at The Paradise Bali gym in Sanur and died shortly after the freak accident on July 15. The bodybuilder, nutritional advisor, and personal trainer boasts 30,000 Instagram followers. After the accident, Justyn was rushed to a local hospital with a broken neck and critical compression of vital nerves connecting to his heart and lungs. He died shortly after an emergency operation, despite the surgeons' best efforts to save his life. Fitness influencer Justyn Vicky, 33, was killed by a barbell while trying to squat-press 210kg in a horror accident Vicky was strength training at The Paradise Bali gym and died shortly after the freak accident in Sanur on July 15 Justyn, from East Java, Indonesia, was trying to extend his legs as the heavy bar weighed down upon his shoulders - but struggled to stand upright. The lone spotter behind him was completely helpless as Justyn fell to the floor and the stacked barbell came crashing down onto the back of his neck. Those close to Justyn and fellow fitness gurus have paid tribute to their 'dear friend' on social media following the accident. Gede Sutarya wrote: 'Vicky was a good person, polite, and sociable. He always shared knowledge about the gym. He also advised friends at the gym to be cautious and not exceed their capabilities during training. 'Only we ourselves can measure our own abilities. May Mas Vicky rest peacefully in the embrace of God and find a worthy place.' The Paradise Bali gym later said in a tribute on social media: 'To our dear Justyn, your impact on our lives is immeasurable. 'Your legacy will live on through the countless lives you've touched, the transformations you've inspired, and the love and passion you infused into every moment we spent together. 'Rest peacefully, dear friend. You will forever remain in our hearts.' Another friend commented: 'He was always full of positive vibes and make me to stay motivated. 'I'll never forget his impact on my fitness journey. It's a tough loss, but we'll keep his spirit alive.' The bodybuilder, nutritional advisor, and personal trainer boasts 30,000 Instagram followers The Paradise gym in Bali, where Justyn was working out before the horror accident took place, paid tribute to him on social media After the accident, Justyn was rushed to a local hospital with a broken neck and critical compression of vital nerves but could not be saved An abandoned baby who is believed to have been left by her mother to be eaten by wild animals was discovered by a stray dog and miraculously carried to safety, according to reports. The animal is said to have found the baby girl in a garbage bag at the town hall in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli on Wednesday. The dog then began dragging the bag with the newborn inside and a passer-by heard a crying sound coming from it, The National reports. The baby was taken to the Islamic Hospital, before being transferred to the Tripoli Government Hospital. Her condition was described as having been serious but stable, with people describing her survival as a 'miracle'. The baby was rushed to the Islamic Hospital by a bystander, before later being transferred to the Tripoli Government Hospital Pictures of the baby have been shared online showing she sustained bruising and cuts during the horrific ordeal, but she is said to have recovered quickly. There has been widespread outrage in the country and condemnation of the heinous act, with many pointing out that the dog 'has more humanity' than the 'criminal' parents. 'Some say that the dog is an unclean animal and, of course, this is not true,' one commentator, Farid, said on Twitter. 'The dog has much more humanity, kindness, cunning and intelligence.' Another tweeted: 'Animals have more compassion than humans.' Many have also expressed their interest in adopting the deserted child. Police are currently investigating who was behind the cruel abandonment. Anecdotal instances of child dumping and abuse have been on the rise as the impoverished country faces worsening living standards. Tripoli, which is Lebanon's second-largest city, has the highest poverty rate in the country. analysis But they have forced those involved in crime networks to lower their profiles and adapt their activities. Twelve years on from Libya's revolution, the country remains fragile. The government has limited reach, with de facto power exercised by competing armed groups. Libya's instability and lack of state control have helped drive a massive rise in the country's illicit economies. Fuel smuggling is endemic, with networks moving large volumes within Libya and to neighbouring countries. Drug syndicates have converged on the country, using it as a depot for the storage, sale and regional trafficking of cocaine, hashish and other narcotics. Libya is also a key departure zone for irregular migrants crossing the Mediterranean to Europe. These illicit markets have exacerbated Libya's fragility. Armed groups protect and tax smugglers as they transit areas under their influence. This increases the groups' power and fuels violent competition over territory. Severe human rights violations are also linked to illicit markets, particularly human smuggling. International actors - mainly the United Nations (UN), European Union and United States - have turned to targeted financial and visa sanctions against those involved in or profiting from the illicit economy. Penalties are generally aimed at those linked to human smuggling, though some have targeted contraband fuel or drug traffickers. The focus is generally on high-profile individuals within networks, often middlemen or mid-level leaders. Only one group, Zawiya's Awlad Buhmeira network, has had multiple members sanctioned. Critics say most sanctioned Libyans live openly, are involved in crime, and hold influence Since sanctions were first levied on criminals in 2018, questions have arisen about their effectiveness. Critics point out that most sanctioned Libyan actors live openly, remain involved in crime, and hold influence. One Libyan told the ENACT project that those penalised were 'still making money and still travelling to Tunisia and Turkey.' Libya's illicit markets also continue to thrive. Migrant departures from the country to Europe are reportedly at their highest point since 2017. The durability of crime in Libya seems to point to a failure of sanctions and other Western interventions. While these are valid criticisms, they overlook how sanctions have forced changes in the nature of Libya's illicit markets. First, they have led to a shift in ways that sanctioned and non-sanctioned individuals engage in illegal economic activity. Libyan interviewees and foreign experts note cases in which criminals worry about the risks that sanctions bring. As a result, many have lowered their profiles and adapted their activities, such as building diffuse networks or operating through partners. Interviewees say some have sought to secure offshore assets under relatives' names. Others have curtailed their involvement in illicit activities targeted by sanctions. Interviewees say in one case, a high-profile individual linked to fuel smuggling reportedly lobbied his network to exit the trade to limit sanctioning risks. Second, sanctions have shaped armed groups' involvement in illicit economies. The most dramatic example is human smuggling. Along with diplomatic pressure, sanctions have resulted in many armed groups winding down their operations or lowering their profiles to limit their risk of being penalised. Sanctions should be broadened beyond individuals, to the ecosystem supporting the crime network Other groups have become involved in countering migration - by arresting migrants or intercepting their vessels - to improve their public image and enhance their legitimacy. But such approaches don't generally stop human smuggling - instead, they lead to a more nuanced and deliberate approach. Finally, sanctions have had a noticeable effect on shaping the ecosystem in which illicit economic actors operate. Many interviewees told ENACT about the negative reputational impact in Libya of being sanctioned, particularly around human smuggling and trafficking. This has influenced how other actors interact with sanctioned persons. An example is Abdelrahman Milad 'al-Bidja', a naval officer sanctioned for his links to human smuggling. Military commanders reportedly asked him not to publicise his presence at the frontlines during the 2019-20 War for Tripoli, largely because of his reputation as a sanctioned individual. Such impacts have arguably influenced how criminals make decisions, altering their methods of operation, use of abuse and violence, and perceptions of impunity. Nonetheless, approaches to sanctions need to be improved, especially since the international community is likely to continue using sanctions in Libya. Sanctions need to be continuously fine-tuned around different individuals and networks The first area for improvement is broadening sanctions beyond individuals in a crime network, to multiple actors or the ecosystem supporting the network. As one former UN official told ENACT, 'If one person suffers some consequences while everyone else keeps making millions, it isn't enough of a deterrent.' Second, sanctions should be strategically designed to build on existing trends and limit fallout. This involves closely assessing trends around Libya's illicit economies, with designations designed to dovetail with the changing dynamics. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Libya Business Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Sanctioning decisions should also be influenced by a conflict sensitivity assessment. Unintended consequences may occur if groups involved in both governance and factional politics are targeted. Penalising some actors while ignoring their rivals, for example, can be seen as the international community picking sides. That perception could destabilise delicate local situations and undermine the overall credibility of international efforts. Third, there should be a follow-up to designations. Sanctions should not be a fire-and-forget tool, but one that continues to be fine-tuned around different individuals and networks. Regular assessments of enforcement weaknesses and points of influence should be conducted. Finally, sanctions should be used only as part of a broader, defined strategy to address illicit economies. In combination with other tools, it is possible to build up Libya's capacity to address the challenge even as sanctions press down, achieving more durable, lasting effects. Alternate tools include prosecutorial approaches, local law enforcement capacity building, and development aid to communities at risk of criminal infiltration. Dr Matt Herbert, Senior Expert, Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, ENACT project This article was first published by ENACT. Elderly Britons face living in 'banking deserts', a charity warned today as branches continue to close across the UK with Virgin Money revealing 39 of its sites will shut. The high street bank said it will close almost a third of its branches due to changing demand, which has seen fewer people go into banks in favour of online services. The sites affected - which include eight branches in London - have seen the number of customer transactions fall by an average of 43 per cent since the pandemic hit. But campaign group Age UK issued a warning to banks today to ensure that those who 'desperately need physical banking services can continue to access them'. And the Unite union said the Newcastle-based firm's move to shut so many branches 'will hurt some of the most vulnerable, disabled and digitally excluded customers'. The union added that more than 6,000 bank branches have now shut since 2015. Virgin Money said it decided to close branches based on factors including footfall, transaction volumes and the number of potentially vulnerable customers nearby. Virgin Money has revealed plans to shut 39 of its UK branches, which are shown in this map Virgin Money's first high street bank on Northumberland Street in Newcastle is seen in 2012 The bank, which will have 91 stores left in the UK once the closures are completed, said each branch is closing less than half a mile from the nearest Post Office. List of 39 Virgin Money branches closing Virgin Money has said it plans to shut 39 of its UK branches. Here is the list: LONDON (8) Bromley Croydon Enfield Golders Green Harrow Haymarket Kensington Kingston REST OF UK (31) Belfast Bournemouth Brighton Bristol Cambridge Cardiff Chelmsford Cheltenham Chester Derby Durham Ellon Exeter Fort William Gosforth Centre Guildford Hexham Irvine Kendal Liverpool Lochgilphead Milton Keynes Newton Stewart Norwich Oxford Reading Southampton St Albans Swindon Turriff Wolverhampton Advertisement But Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams told MailOnline today: 'The scale of the bank branch cull over recent years only seems to be getting worse. 'The torrent of closures are a serious blow for the millions of older people who rely on branches, particularly those who are not online or confident with mobile banking. 'This blow is exacerbated when closures coincide with poor public transport locally, a lack of ATMs, substandard internet service and mobile black spots, making it extremely difficult for customers to access their money.' She praised new shared Banking Hubs, which are high street spaces that can be used by customers of multiple banks, as 'a significant step in the right direction'. There are now seven of the sites open - located in Acton, West London; Brixham, Devon; Cambuslang, Lanarkshire; Carnoustie, Angus; Cottingham, East Yorkshire; Rochford, Essex; and Troon, South Ayrshire - plus 61 more planned across the UK over the coming year. But Ms Abrahams said: 'With so many branches disappearing the banks need to seriously pick up the pace of the rollout and ensure that older people are not left living in banking deserts, and those who desperately need physical banking services can continue to access them. 'The banks have a clear responsibility to do everything they can to ensure the continued provision of essential banking services for years to come. Bank branches are a lifeline for many older people but their interests are losing out, it seems, to the allure of higher profits.' It comes as union bosses said staff at Virgin Money have been left 'devastated' by the closure announcement, with 255 workers facing potential redundancy. Unite revealed that the 'awful news' had 'sent shock waves across the Virgin Money UK workforce' who were 'understandably devastated'. Age UK charity director Caroline Abrahams told MailOnline that the 'scale of the bank branch cull over recent years only seems to be getting worse' Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'This announcement of the closure of 39 vital bank branches has sent shock waves across the Virgin Money UK workforce. 'Today 260 skilled and experienced staff have learnt that they risk losing their livelihoods at a time of deep economic uncertainty for all workers. 'While the financial services sector is acquiring eye watering profits, they must start taking their responsibilities to customers and communities more seriously.' Virgin Money said it will write to customers affected and display posters about the move at least 12 weeks before branches are shut. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the news 'has sent shock waves' across the staff But Ms Graham added: 'Access to a bank and cash is a fundamental need for all our local high streets. Simply walking away from the consumers who bring the banks astronomical profits is a complete disgrace.' 'Unite is working hard across all locations to support its members as they digest the implications of this awful news.' Virgin Money branches to close include those in Belfast, Bournemouth, Brighton, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Derby, Exeter, Liverpool. Also on the list for closure are branches in Milton Keynes, Norwich, Oxford, Reading, Southampton, Swindon, Wolverhampton. The closures in London are those in Bromley, Croydon, Enfield, Golders Green, Harrow, Haymarket, Kingston and Kensington. There are also sites in smaller towns closing such as Kendal in Cumbria, Newton Stewart in Dumfries and Galloway, Hexham in Northumberland and Turriff in Aberdeenshire. And Unite national officer Caren Evans said: 'The staff at Virgin Money UK are understandably devastated. The bank will close 39 sites leaving only 91 Virgin Money branches left. 'Unite has urged the bank to rethink these catastrophic plans to withdraw banking services from communities who very much depend on the skilled and experienced banking staff. 'This decision to pull out of these locations will hurt some of the most vulnerable, disabled and digitally excluded customers.' Sarah Wilkinson, chief operating officer at Virgin Money, said: 'The decision to close a store is never taken lightly. 'But as our customers continue to change the way they want to bank with us, by conducting fewer transactions in-store and adopting the convenience of digital banking, we must respond to that evolving demand. 'For our colleagues, we will pursue all options to retain as many as possible within alternative roles, and have had great success previously with store colleagues moving to other customer operations roles, as their skills are highly transferable.' The four-decade-old murder of a young New Hampshire beauty school student has finally been solved using DNA analysis and forensic genealogy technology, state officials announced Thursday. Laura Kempton, 23, was sexually assaulted, tied up, and beaten to death in September 1981 in her Portsmouth apartment by former prisoner Ronney James Lee, officials said. Investigators said evidence now 'establishes beyond a reasonable doubt' that Lee broke into the home and committed a 'sexually motivated crime that resulted in more violence than the perpetrator originally anticipated.' Despite officials solving the case, the findings are unable to bring satisfactory justice as Lee died from a drug overdose in 2005, Attorney General John Formella said. Formella told reporters at a news conference in Portsmouth, where the killing took place, that the investigators' conclusion was 'bittersweet' but underscored their resolve. Laura Kempton (pictured), 23, was killed in September 1981 in her apartment in Portsmouth by former prisoner Ronney James Lee, officials have now determined the findings are unable to bring satisfactory justice as Ronney James Lee died from a drug overdose in 2005 But New Hampshire's Attorney General said the conclusion of the investigation after so many years would 'send a message to anyone who has been affected by a case that has gone cold in this state that we will never stop working these cases. 'We will never forget about these victims,' he added. On the morning of September 28, 1981, Kempton was found dead in her apartment by a police officer who was attempting to serve her with a court summons for parking meter violations. An electrical cord was found tied around Kempton's ankles, and a phone cord was around her neck and shoulder area. Blood was on a rug underneath her head, and an autopsy concluded that she died from head trauma. Kempton, a Portsmouth Beauty School student who worked at a gift shop and ice cream parlor, was last seen earlier that morning, returning alone to her apartment after a night out with a friend, police said. Evidence collected at the scene, including a cigarette butt, a pillow and a glass bottle, revealed a male DNA profile years later. Laura Kempton was a Portsmouth Beauty School student who worked at a gift shop and ice cream parlor 'She was consistently described by those who knew her as an outgoing free spirit with a big personality and a love for new wave fashion,' the attorney general's report said. For the next four decades, investigators pursued many leads and potential suspects, but without success. Last year, the Portsmouth Police Department and cold case unit worked with New Hampshire and Maine's forensic laboratories and a forensic genetic genealogy firm to identify the person believed to be responsible for Kempton's death. A DNA profile was a confirmed match to another in a public genealogy database. The man believed to be responsible was Ronney James Lee, who was working as a security officer in 1981, Formella said. Members of Lee's family were briefed on the investigation's conclusion. Investigators declined to release their names to reporters. The Associated Press said it attempted to reach several people believed to have been associated with Lee, but messages were not immediately returned. There was no known relationship between Kempton and Lee, who was 21 at the time. Formella said Lee, who died at 45 in February 2005 from a cocaine overdose, would have been charged with murder if he were still alive. Lee had served in the US military until 1981 and six years later was convicted of charges stemming from a burglary and sexual assault. From 1987 to 1990 he was incarcerated in a state prison. Police are seen outside Laura Kempton's apartment building in September 1981 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire The Kempton family expressed gratitude to the Portsmouth Police Department. 'Their diligence and determination, along with extraordinary personal commitment over the past decades, have led to this moment for Laura,' the family said in a statement. Formella added: 'It is my hope that this conclusion and announcement will be the long-awaited first step in providing what closure the criminal justice system can provide for Laura Kempton's family and community. 'The Portsmouth Police Department should be commended for its commitment and perseverance in seeking justice for Ms. Kempton and her family.' Labour's newest and youngest MP was mocked on live TV by a fellow candidate and his dummy after beating the Tories in Selby. Monster Raving Loony Sir Archibald Stanton, whose key policy was a ban on Greyhound racing 'to stop the country going to the dogs', mimicked Keir Mather during his victory speech. Mr Mather will become the so-called 'baby' of the House of Commons - a term for the UK's youngest MP - after winning a huge majority in the Selby and Ainsty by-election last night. In his victory speech, at Selby Leisure Centre, Mr Mather said the party had 'rewritten the rules on where Labour can win', adding: 'People have opened their doors to us and embraced our positive vision for the future.' But behind him Sir Archibald Stanton was using his ventriloquist's dummy to mimic him during his speech, with the funny moment enjoyed by Sky News viewers. Twenty-five-year-old Keir Mather is set to become the 'baby' of the House of Commons after winning the Selby and Ainsty by-election for Labour. Johnny Mercer, the veterans minister, swiped that Mr Mather 'just relays Labour lines' and has 'a Labour chip' in him by Keir Starmer By election winner and Labour Party candidate Keir Mather speaks at Selby Leisure Centre, North Yorkshire after the results were given One said: 'Keir Mathermade history. He will now be the youngest member of UK's parliament. But what's really killing me is that one of his third-party opponents campaigned with a hand puppet and there was regular mouth movement during Mather's speech'. The youngster who was the first MP to have been born after Tony Blair became Prime Minister was also mocked by Tory Minister Johnny Mercer last night as 'a repeat of The Inbetweeners'. Mr Mercer pointed out that the History and Politics grad had 'been at Oxford university more than he's been in a job' and warned he should not expect a warm welcome from the Conservative benches when he arrives at Westminster. He also suggested the Hull-born politician, who had most recently been working as a public affairs adviser at the Confederation of British Industry, was 'inauthentic', claiming he 'just relays Labour lines' and has 'a Labour chip' in him by Keir Starmer, who like the 25-year-old was named after Keir Hardie - the first leader of the Labour party. Mr Mather studied at Oxford university between 2016 and 2019 before spending a year as a researcher for Mr Streeting. Asked on Sky News whether he was looking forward to a fresh injection of youth into the Commons, Mr Mercer said: 'It's always good to get new people in politics.' But, as he made reference to the cult TV series, he added: 'We mustn't become a repeat of The Inbetweeners. You've got to have people who have actually done stuff. 'This guy has been at Oxford University more than he's been in a job. You put a chip in him and he just relays Labour lines. Mr Mercer said the new MP (pictured) had 'been at Oxford university more than he's been in a job' Mr Mather is named after Keir Hardie, just like Labour's leader Keir Starmer As he made reference to the cult TV series, Mr Mercer added: 'We mustn't become a repeat of The Inbetweeners.' 'The problem is people have had enough of that. 'They want people who are authentic, people who have worked in that constituency, who know what life is like, who understand what life is like to live, work and raise a family in communities like theirs. 'So, no, I'm afraid I don't agree with this style of politics - it's exactly why people like me didn't vote before the 2015 election. 'Because you've got people with nothing to do with the constituency just dropped in and, put a chip in them, and they'll start parroting Labour Party politics.' Shortly after being declared the winner in Selby and Ainsty, in North Yorkshire, Mr Mather said he hoped to be 'a representative for the power that young people have to make a difference'. Asked about whether he could fully understand voters' concerns at the age of 25, he said: 'Well, I'm a taxpayer too, I feel the pressures like anyone else.' The Tories also lost another huge majority in Selby and Ainsty as Labour gained the North Yorkshire seat by more than 4,000 votes But the Tory majority in Somerton and Frome crumbled as the Lib Dems won the by-election by 11,000 votes The Conservatives clung onto Uxbridge and South Ruislip, in west London, by less than 500 votes to avert a complete by-election wipeout Sir Keir Starmer said 25-year-old Keir Mather's victory in Selby and Ainsty demonstrates the 'demand for change'. The Labour leader tweeted: 'Congratulations @Mather-Keir, Labour's new MP for Selby and Ainsty! 'Last night, Selby and Ainsty made history. This incredible result shows how powerful the demand for change is. 'Only Labour can deliver that change, and build a better Britain.' New Labour MP Keir Mather joked that he had 'heard far worse' when asked how he felt about becoming 'the Baby of the House'. The 25-year-old will become the youngest MP in the Commons after overturning a 20,137 majority in the North Yorkshire constituency of Selby & Ainsty. In a speech after he was declared the winner of the by-election, Mr Mather said he 'understood the enormity of what has just happened'. 'We have rewritten the rules on where Labour can win. People have opened their doors to us and embraced our positive vision for the future,' he said. 'The people of Selby & Ainsty have sent a clear message. For too long, Conservatives up here and in Westminster have failed us, and today that changes. 'Over the past few months, speaking to hundreds of people on the doorstep, I've encountered so much hardship. Hardship made worse by 13 years of negligence and complacency from the Conservatives.' Speaking after the results were announced from the count at Selby Leisure Centre, Mr Mather told reporters: 'As a young person in politics, I really hope to be a representative for the power that young people have to make a difference.' Asked about whether he could fully understand voters' concerns at the age of 25, he said: 'Well, I'm a taxpayer too, I feel the pressures like anyone else.' Labour candidate Keir Mather says his age does not mean he can't understand the lives of voters Mr Mather said his first priority would be setting up financial support centres in the constituency, for people to get expert help with issues including mortgage payments and energy bills. He told journalists that he supported Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's policy of keeping the two-child benefit cap, saying: 'I think we're going to inherit an absolute economic mess from the Conservatives when we take power and we're going to have to make extremely difficult decisions once we do, and I support the Labour government in doing so.' Mr Mather said the cost-of-living crisis was the number one issue on the doorstep throughout the campaign. Asked if people were voting for Labour or against the Tories, Mr Mather said: 'Well, I make no bones about it, I think local residents were extremely frustrated at the way the Conservative MP (Nigel Adams) stepped down, but they only voted Labour to the extent that they did because they knew we had a plan that would actually deliver on their concerns.' After Mr Mather's speech, defeated Conservative candidate Claire Holmes left the venue without talking to reporters. Labour have said Mr Mather was born in Hull and grew up near Selby, before going to Oxford University. The party said he has most recently worked as a senior public affairs adviser for the Confederation of British Industry and was formerly a parliamentary researcher for Wes Streeting from 2019 to 2020. His candidacy was supported by the GMB and Unison unions. A self-styled Lord who said he was handed his late mother's 300,000 fortune so he could care for her Amazonian parrot has beaten his three step-siblings in a court battle over the will. Entrepreneur Brett McLean, 48, went to war with his step-sister, Lorraine Pomeroy, and step-brothers Ian and Sean McLean after his mother Maureen cut the trio out of her will. Maureen and the four siblings' father Reginald McLean had planned to split their estates equally between the children, but Maureen went back on the promise when Reginald died in March 2019. Her new will left everything to her biological son Brett, with her step-children left without a penny, sparking a bitter court row over who inherited the fortune. Brett insisted that his mother wanted him to have her estate, including her house in St Leonards, Sussex, claiming she wanted him to be comfortable and look after her pet parrot. Entrepreneur Brett McLean, 48, (pictured) went to war with his step-sister, Lorraine Pomeroy, and step-brothers Ian and Sean McLean after his mother Maureen cut the trio out of her will. Reginald McLean (left) and Maureen McLean (centre) both with a glass in their hand pictured with son Brett Last year, a county court judge ruled in his favour, but the case went to the High Court in May, as his three step-siblings fought to reverse the ruling and reinstate their inheritance on appeal. Yesterday, giving judgment on the appeal in London, Sir Anthony Mann rejected the step-siblings' case, leaving Brett free to inherit all of his mother's fortune. During the original trial at Central London County Court, Recorder Graeme Robertson heard that the four siblings' dad Reginald split from his first wife in the 1960s and later got together with Maureen, with their son Brett born around a decade later. Ian is a train driver and Sean an ex-squaddie, while Brett goes by the title Lord Brett of Hastings, describing himself online as 'chairman, consultant, patron, trustee and president of national, regional and local business, charitable and voluntary organisations'. In 2017, Reginald and Maureen drew up wills and sent letters to all the stepsiblings, stating that the house and the rest of their joint estate would be shared equally between all four children. During that process and before Reginald made his will, Maureen had told him that, if he died first, she would not change her will to cut his kids out of their inheritance. Reginald's wealth passed to his wife on his death, but only 11 days before she herself died in August 2019, Maureen changed her will and left everything to Brett. Challenging the will at the county court, the three step-siblings argued that Maureen could not go back on the promise she made to their dad that they would not be disinherited. Step-brothers of Brett, Ian McLean (left) and Sean McLean (right) pictured outside Central London County Court Brett leaving Central London County Court in July 2022. He previously told the court his mother had good reason to leave everything to him But Brett insisted that she had left him her entire estate 'so that he can continue to provide care for her green Amazonian orange-winged parrot and yellow and orange jenday (parakeet) and to continue providing housing for her son.' He said he did not have a property of his own as he had spent his life caring for his parents. His mother knew that the others all owned their own homes and would inherit from their own mother eventually anyway, he said. Following the trial, Recorder Robertson found that, despite Maureen's promise, there had not been 'a contractual arrangement' that she would not later change her will. Whilst she 'may have been morally bound' not to cut out her stepchildren after her husband's death, she was not legally bound not to do so, said the judge. Appealing against the ruling in May, the stepsiblings' barrister Michael Horton KC argued that the judge had not given enough weight to the 'trust' that each of Reginald and Maureen had in each other when making their wills that they would not ultimately change their minds. Brett McLean, 47, the self-styled Lord of Hastings, (right) pictured with former Prime Minister David Cameron (left) Maureen left Brett the family home in Sussex - he claims so he could look after her pet parrots In stating she would not cut out her stepchildren if her husband died first, Maureen had been 'expressly stating that she will indeed not revoke her will if he predeceases her,' he said. It meant there had effectively been 'mutual wills,' because they had promised not to change the destination of their assets after the other died, it was argued. But Sir Anthony rejected the appeal, saying that Reginald had 'trusted' his wife not to change her will, but they had been 'words of expectation, not agreement.' 'What is required to establish mutual wills is a clear agreement, whether strictly contractual or not,' he said. 'Expectation, or trust, is not enough. The evidence in this case established only trust.' He continued: 'There was no agreement because it was not established that the parties intended to bind themselves beyond the realms of trust. 'If that is right, then anything said by Maureen was neither said nor received on the footing that it was intended to be binding.' He added: 'The decision of the Recorder was one which he was entitled to reach on the basis of the evidence he had and...it should be allowed to stand. 'The Recorder's conclusion was one that was open to him on the facts as found. In addition, if it mattered, it was also, in my view, the correct decision.' The decision means Brett inherits his mother's estate. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the country's ambassador to the United Kingdom after he criticised the president's response to a row over British military aid. Vadym Prystaiko had criticised Zelensky's sarcastic response to suggestions from Defence Secretary Ben Wallace that Ukraine should show more gratitude for arms supplies from its allies. Zelensky signed a decree dismissing Prystaiko, published on the presidential website. It did not provide a reason. The row began when Wallace told journalists at a NATO summit in Vilnius this month that Britain was not an Amazon delivery service for weapons to Ukraine and suggested Kyiv could express more 'gratitude'. The UK is the second largest donor of weapons to Ukraine, with the nation committing 4.6billion in military assistance to the country so far. British troops have also been training thousands of Ukrainian soldiers. Vadym Prystaiko (pictured) had criticised Zelensky's sarcastic response to suggestions from Defence Secretary Ben Wallace that Ukraine should show more gratitude for arms supplies from its allies Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed the country's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Vadym Prystaiko, after he criticised the president's response to a row over British military aid The row began when Wallace (pictured on July 18) told journalists at a NATO summit in Vilnius this month that Britain was not an Amazon delivery service for weapons to Ukraine and suggested Kyiv could express more 'gratitude' Zelensky responded at a press conference at the summit, saying he did not know how else to make clear Ukraine's gratitude, adding: 'We could wake up in the morning and express our words of gratitude to the minister personally.' The Ukrainian diplomat agreed with a suggestion from a Sky News interviewer that Zelensky responded with 'a little bit of sarcasm' to Wallace. 'I don't believe that this sarcasm is healthy. We don't have to show the Russians that we have something between us, they have to know that we are working together,' Prystaiko added, stressing the need to smooth over relations with the UK. 'If anything happens, Ben can call me and tell me everything he wants,' the diplomat said. Prystaiko is a career diplomat who has served as ambassador to the United Kingdom since July 2020. He became a prominent figure in London amid the UK's response to the war, often appearing on TV and radio to outline the latest view in Kyiv while also attending various official events in Downing Street and elsewhere linked to Ukraine's war effort. Only last Thursday, he was in the royal box at the Wimbledon tennis championships. Before taking up the diplomatic role in London, he was Ukraine's vice-prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration and is also a former foreign minister. The row began last week when Wallace said he had bluntly told told Kyiv officials 'I'm not Amazon' when he was presented with a 'shopping list' after an 11-hour drive to visit the war-torn capital. Zelensky on Friday dismissed the country's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Vadym Prystaiko (pictured), after he criticised the president's response to a row over UK military aid He went on to suggest that Kyiv had not shown enough 'gratitude' for the materiel support it had received since the February 2022 invasion. In surprisingly strong remarks at the event in Vilnius, Lithuania, Mr Wallace had told reporters: 'There is a slight word of caution here which is that, whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude. 'My counsel to the Ukrainians... you're persuading countries to give up their own stocks. And yes the war is a noble war and yes we see it as you doing a war for not just yourself but our freedoms. 'But sometimes you've got to persuade lawmakers on the Hill in America. You've got to persuade doubting politicians in other countries that it's worth it and it's worthwhile and they're getting something for it.' Prime Minister Rishi Sunak publicly distanced himself from his senior minister's complaint, saying Mr Zelensky had 'expressed his gratitude for what we have done on a number of occasions'. It came after the Ukrainian war leader had expressed his frustration at the reluctance of the 31 member states to agree a firm timetable for membership to NATO. Wallace has since tried to clarify his warning to Ukraine against treating Nato as 'Amazon' for weapons and griped that his controversial remarks had been 'misinterpreted'. Instead, he insisted he was merely offering advice to Zelensky that to keep popular support in the West, the relationship had to be a 'partnership' rather than 'transactional'. This is a breaking news story, more to follow... Yumi Stynes has awkwardly called out Channel 10 for not giving her any work in recent years, blaming her absence from TV screens on an off-hand comment she made about war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith Stynes appeared on Channel 10's The Project on Friday to discuss the backlash she has received from her new children's book: 'Welcome to Sex: Your no-silly-questions guide to sexuality, pleasure and figuring it out.' The book was promoted as a tool to help parents educate children aged between 12 and 15 years old about sex. Ms Stynes previously said a 'mature eight-year-old could flick through' it. However it came under fire for featuring colourful, explicit drawings of sex acts that critics said targeted younger children. Stynes revealed the fierce criticism from the controversy has left her scared and concerned for her safety. But she said it was not the first time she had faced consequences over her work and her opinions. Yumi Stynes (above) claimed she was removed from television after calling disgraced war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith 'brainless' in 2012 In 2012 Stynes faced backlash for calling war veteran Roberts-Smith 'brainless'. At the time, Roberts-Smith was regarded as a war hero and was known for being Australia's most decorated living soldier. However, his recent defamation lawsuit against The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times found he 'committed several war crimes'. 'Some of those real world consequences include the fact I'm not on television any more,' she claimed on The Project on Friday. 'Since that controversy around a comment I made around Ben Roberts-Smith, Channel 10 hasn't given me one paid job aside some appearance on some show one time. 'So real world consequences? Yes. People threatening my life? Yes. 'There was a guy in the supermarket today. I was buying strawberries for my kids and I kept checking over my shoulder wondering if he was going to smack me over the back of the head - which is entirely possible.' Stynes faced backlashed in 2012 after commenting on a shirtless photo of Roberts-Smith (above) who was then considered a war hero Stynes was hosting Channel 10's now cancelled show The Circle in 2012 when she commented on a photo of Roberts-Smith shirtless by a pool. 'Hello! Look at that physique! He's going to dive down to the bottom of the pool and see if his brain is there,' she'd said. Stynes' guest added: 'I'm sure he's a really good guy, nothing about poor old Ben. But that sort of bloke, and what if they're not up to it in the sack?' Another host joked Roberts-Smith could be 'a dud root'. Stynes' comments were met with horror with viewers saying the segment made them 'feel sick'. She responded with an apology: 'I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to offend anybody and I have total respect for people that work in the defence forces. 'I've never met Ben, but I'm sure he's lovely, and he does seem like a big family man.' Stynes did later appear on Studio 10 as a guest panelist but was removed from the show after calling one of the hosts 'racist' in 2019 over an Australia Day debate. On Friday Stynes said she supported Big W's decision to remove her new book from shelves in-store following reports staff were being abused by angry parents. Stynes has faced more criticism for her new book (above) which is designed to be a tool to help parents teach their children about sex 'No retail worker deserves to be in danger just for showing up and doing their minimum wage job, to be honest,' she said. 'If that's what it took to keep retail workers safe then I supported it.' The book sells for $16, and contains detailed explanations behind sexual activities including oral sex, fingering, anal sex, hand jobs, porn, sexuality and gender identity. It is still available online at Big W. Despite all the controversy the book is selling extremely well and was Amazon's best seller on Friday. Ms Stymes said the book was factual and was meant to be used by parents as a way to communicate with their children when having the 'chat' about sex. 'The whole thing about the chat is it's not a chat, it's an ongoing conversation,' she said. 'Nobody knows your kids better than you and your partner.' She said the content in the book was factual and answers the questions teens were asking. Stynes (above) told The Project on Friday she supports Big W's decision to remove her book from its stores after staff faced abuse from angry parents who claimed the book was pornographic 'It doesn't matter the question, we will answer with scientific backing inside the book,' Ms Styme said. 'You can be the filter for this information. You don't have to give your children unbridled access to the book, you can be with them flicking through, choose the chapter you want to talk about. 'Kids love this information. If they're not getting it from a book ... they'll go to the internet and that is infinite and incredibly unbridled and there's a lot of terrible misinformation.' The YouTubers behind the kettling stunt on Just Stop Oil have targeted some of the world's most famous faces. On Thursday JSO got a taste of their own medicine after a group of counter protesters, calling themselves 'Just Stop P***ing Everyone Off' struck. JSPEO forced the eco group off the road and to sit cross-legged on the ground in amusing scenes. And as MailOnline revealed yesterday afternoon, they were led by arch pranksters Archie Manners and Josh Pieters. The pair - who have 1.44million viewers on YouTube - have gained notoriety for their online pranks, having previously duped a royal expert into commentating on Harry and Meghan's Oprah interview before it aired. Archie Manners and Josh Pieters are known in YouTube community as big time pranksters In 2000 Pieters announced 'we bring you Carole Baskin's first worldwide interview' from prank Josh Pieters, seen here, is one half of the hugely popular YouTube pranksters duo Pieters (right) pictured with recording artist Robbie Williams Pieters, known for his high society contacts, is pictured with another pop megastar, Ed Sheeran Archie Manners (right) pictured with then-Home Secretary Theresa May Archie Manners with his distant cousins, Lady Violet Manners (left) and Lady Alice Manners (right) daughters of the Duke of Rutland In July 2021 they published a video suggesting anti-vaxxer Piers Corbyn was willing to accept 10,000 in exchange for an end to criticising AstraZeneca in his speeches. Josh and Archie posed as stakeholders in AstraZeneca, who said they were concerned about the negative impact of Corbyn's anti-vaccine speeches. The comedy duo filmed the encounter which saw them trying to convince the former Labour leader's brother to take 10,000 he thought came from AstraZeneca to stop criticising their vaccine. What he actually accepted was an envelope full of monopoly money in exchange for promising to focus on Pfizer and Moderna instead of the AZ jab. In the clip, which has gone viral on social media, Pieters can be seen purchasing shares worth 100 in AstraZeneca to ensure he could legally pose a stakeholder in the company. Corbyn claimed afterwards: 'The video has been very heavily edited with dishonest commentary and leaves out my repeated statements that anything we accept has to be unconditional. Josh and Archie posed as stakeholders in AstraZeneca, who said they were concerned about the negative impact of Corbyn's anti-vaccine speeches. Corbyn claimed afterwards: 'The video has been very heavily edited with dishonest commentary' 'It is false that I agreed any change in policy whatsoever and I stated to these imposters that all Covid vaccines are dangerous and we weren't changing any of our views against vaccines and vaccine passporting.' In 2000 Pieters announced 'we bring you Carole Baskin's first worldwide interview' - obtained by tricking the Tiger Queen into thinking she was a guest on' The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. They set her up by claiming they represented a production company called Invisible Object that is facilitating guest appearances on talk shows. In the chat, Baskin, who runs the Florida animal sanctuary Big Cat Rescue, said that she had to lay off 50 percent of her workers and is at the location every day to care for the animals. The pair played the same trick as they did on Carole with Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury that same year They utilised clips of Corden speaking to fool the pair into believing they were talking to him 'My daughter and I still come into the sanctuary every day because we have to take care of all the big cats here,' she said. 'Unfortunately due to the loss of tourism revenue we've had to let go of about half of our staff and thankfully all of our animal care is done by volunteers.' The pair played the same trick on Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury that year. They duped them into believing James Corden was interviewing them for America's The Late Late Show. Archie's online profiles that he is a great-grandson of Francis Henry Manners, but is unverified Josh, who is from South Africa, has delightedly posted a picture of the newspaper coverage of their JSPEO stunt. The delighted pair sat on their sofa at home, with the influencer dressed to impress while her boxer boyfriend scrubbed up for their 'appearance' via video chat, amid the COVID-19 lockdown. In preparation for the prank, audio clips of Corden asking random questions to 'real celebrities' had been taken from previous shows hosted by the comedian and cobbled together for the 'fake' interview. The Love Islanders were tricked by a fake producer (Archie) who explained that 'transatlantic tech issues' meant they couldn't actually see James asking his questions, but were assured that he could see them. Archie's online profiles say he is a great-grandson of Francis Henry Manners, 4th Baron Manners and is fifteenth in the line of succession to the Manners Barony. Josh, who is from South Africa, delightedly posted a picture of the newspaper coverage of their JSPEO stunt. He ominously declared 'working on something'. A victim has described her harrowing ordeal after she and another Christian woman were allegedly paraded naked and sexually assaulted by a mob of apparently Hindu men in Manipur, northeast India, where ethnic violence has flared in recent months. Horrific video showing two naked women being dragged down a road as they are groped by the men, before they were allegedly raped in a field, has sparked fury across the country. The victims are reported to be two women from the Christian Kuki tribe aged in their 20s and 60s, and are now safe in a refugee camp following the vile assaults, which took place in early May. One woman told Associated Press: 'They forced us to remove our clothes and said we will be killed if we don't do as told. Then they made us walk naked. They abused us. They touched us everywhere on our breasts, our genitals.' The father and brother of the younger woman were bludgeoned to death as they tried to protect her from the violent mob, The Times reports officials in the northeastern state as having said. It comes as women in the state set fire to the house of a prime suspect in the attack amid angry protests gripping the nation. Women holding torches shout slogans as they take part in a demonstration demanding the restoration of peace in India's north-eastern Manipur state Harrowing video shows the two naked women being dragged down a road in Manipur state, northeast India, while young men grope their genitals as the victims try to pull away from their clawing hands. Pictured: A video grab from the footage showing the mob of men The remote state of Manipur has been in the grips of a near-civil war since May, which has left 130 dead and seen mobs rampage through villages killing people and torching houses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke two months of silence after the video went viral to condemn the brutal assault, saying it has 'shamed India' and that the 'guilty will not be spared'. 'What has happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven,' Modi said in his first comments on ethnic clashes in the remote state that is ruled by his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. 'My heart is filled with pain and anger. The incident from Manipur that has come to the fore is shameful for any civilised nation,' he said, as he urged chief ministers to strengthen law enforcement. Hours after Modi promised tough action, the main suspect, a resident of Manipur state, was arrested on Thursday. Three others were also arrested and a police official said they were tracing at least 30 others involved in the crime. Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke two months of silence after the video went viral to condemn the brutal assault One of the alleged perpetrators has been named by NDTV as Huirem Heradas Singh, 32, who is alleged to have been seen dragging one of the women. If convicted, the men could face the death penalty, said Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh. The Chief Minister added: 'After seeing the video, we took a decision to condemn the heinous crime and we term it a crime against humanity...' This morning, women in the state attacked the house of a suspect who allegedly dragged the two tribal women onto the streets in May and later incited a mob to rape and parade them naked, police said on Friday. The sexual assault took place over two months ago but it captured national attention after a short video went viral on social media earlier this week. 'Local women pelted stones and burnt some parts of the house belonging to the prime accused in a village,' said Hemant Pandey, a senior police official in capital city Imphal. People hold placards during a protest over sexual violence against women and for peace in the ongoing ethnic violence in India's north-eastern state of Manipur Women's rights activists hold a candlelight vigil to protest against the ongoing violence against women and girls in Manipur state 'We request women to protest peacefully as there is intense unease. We understand their rage,' he said. Protests were planned in several parts of India by women's rights groups demanding justice and swift investigations into the latest incident to raise questions about the safety of women in the country. 'We want to know why police failed to take swift action when they knew that women were raped and paraded naked in Manipur,' said Radhika Burman, a student in the eastern city of Kolkata. The Indian Youth Congress staged a protest against the Manipur incident, with activists holding a candle vigil calling for peace in the state. The group's state president, Manoj Lubana criticised the BJP and Modi saying the Prime Minister 'has time to visit foreign countries, but he hasn't yet visited the strife-hit state.' The sexual assault was reported by the victims in May after ethnic clashes began in Manipur. The shell of a burnt house following ethnic clashes and rioting in Sugnu, in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, on Wednesday The fighting was triggered by a court order that the government should consider extending special benefits enjoyed by the tribal Kuki people to the majority Meitei population as well. At least 140 people have been killed and more than 60,000 have fled their homes since the violence erupted. Houses have been torched as mobs rampaged through villages, with some 4,400 homes reportedly destroyed and 357 churches burnt down. The unrest is believed to have stemmed from a demand by the mostly Hindu Meitei people for special status that would allow them to buy land in the hills, which are largely populated by Christian Kukis and other tribal groups. The daughter of a British expat cleared for murdering his terminally ill wife in Cyprus today has revealed her relief after a 'suicide pact' note helped her father's murder acquittal. 'My dad's not a murderer. My dad's never been a murderer. Now everybody knows that,' Lesley Cawthorne told MailOnline after her father David Hunter was found not guilty of the pre-meditated murder for ending the suffering of his childhood sweetheart Janice, 74. Mr Hunter, 75, who has spent 19 months in a Cypriot jail, was convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter by a judge in Cyprus which could see him walk away with a suspended sentence. He will learn his fate at Paphos District Court next Friday. An apparent suicide note written by Hunter proved crucial in the British pensioner being dramatically cleared of murder. A blue notebook and pen were found in his house with a message in it seemingly left for those who would find Mr Hunter and his wife Lesley's bodies. After the verdict was read out Mr Hunter welled up in tears and told friends 'I'm happy elated'. He was pictured visibly emotional and he raised his hands in the air as he was led out of the court. David Hunter, 75, waves his arms to waiting media as he leaves court after being cleared of murdering his wife Janice, 74 David Hunter, originally from Northumberland, was accused of murdering his wife of 46 years, Janice, at their home in Paphos, in December 2021. He was today found not guilty of her murder, but guilty of manslaughter The apparent suicide note read: 'My wife is in so much pain. She has asked me to help her, so we did this together.' Judges said it proved Mr Hunter was not out to kill Janice, but wanted to end her suffering. What is 'mercy killing' or euthanasia? A mercy killing, or euthanasia, is the intentional ending of the life of someone considered to be suffering severe and incurable pain following the person's request. Under UK law, the intentional killing of an individual, even if they are in considerable and incurable pain, is considered murder or manslaughter. A mandatory life sentence of imprisonment could be issued in conviction of murder or manslaughter. However, juries are generally considered reluctant to convict in cases involving assisted suicide given the nature of the circumstances where family members believe what they are doing to be the best thing for their loved ones. With regard to Mr Hunter's case, Cyprus does not have laws permitting assisted dying. However, the island's parliament is due to discuss euthanasia under medical supervision when they return following the summer recess. The trial was considered unprecedented in Cyprus for the concept of mercy killing. Advertisement The contents of the notebook had not previously been revealed but proved vital as Mrs Hunter left no note and only told her husband she was suicidal. Explaining how important the murder acquittal is, Ms Cawthorne said: 'What makes me so emotional is I know how much this will mean to him. 'Just knowing that he was believed, that the judges understood what they were going through, and they believed him - that will mean the world to my dad. 'He's a proud, honest man who has always had a lot of integrity. Even if he didn't walk free, it would mean so much to know he was believed.' Asked what it would mean if her father was released next week, the daughter said: 'It would just be like having our lives back.' Ms Cawthrone also revealed that she felt her mother's presence on the morning of the verdict for the first time since she died. 'All morning, I've really felt like my mum's with me. I've really felt my mum's presence in a way I haven't since she died. 'It might just be my imagination but it's been really strange. I just felt like the kind of calmness she always had when I was panicking about A Levels or panicking about whether I've eaten too many Jammie Dodgers and couldn't fit into my wedding dress. 'That kind of calm: ''it's going to be all right, mam's here, and your mam's gonna sort it.'' It was weird. 'I just it was almost like I could feel her calm in the room, and I'm not a very superstitious person.' Mr Hunter cannot remember the turn of events from the night due to his agitated state and the drugs overdose he took so it is unclear when he wrote the message. The judges found there was not enough evidence to prove premeditated murder, also citing he tried to kill himself with a concoction of drugs after suffocating Janice. Judge Michalis Droussiotis said: 'He loved his wife of 52 years and looked after her during difficult times. 'He did something he never before thought he would be capable of doing. 'The immediate arrival of the police and the fact he was taken to hospital saved him.' David Hunter, 75, raises his arms in the air after being cleared of murdering his wife Janice at Cyprus' central court. He was found guilty of manslaughter by the court Hunter appears visibly emotional as he is transported from Paphos District Court in Cyprus after he was found not guilty by Cypriot judges of the murder of his wife Judge Droussiotis said premeditation must be proven as a motive for death, and it must be proved the act was studied. It must be the result of an act 'that was thought of and executed in cold.' Describing the entire ordeal after the ruling and how it will affect him if he is released next week, Ms Cawthorne said: 'For 19 months he hasn't been able to have anything the way he wanted it. 'Before that he didn't have the life he wanted because he was dealing with my mum's serious illness during lockdown. 'He had almost two years of being a prisoner during lockdown, and then he went straight from that into prison. 'He's had over three years of his life that have been lived at somebody else's kind of whim. 'So I think it's time to respect what he wants and let him make choices, and I think it's really important we let him make choices. 'I know what he will choose - to spend some time with my mum. He doesn't just want one quick trip to the grave - I know what he's going to be like. 'He's going to want a period where he's at the grave every day, and if that's what he needs, that's what he needs. 'It's not my place to pull him away from that - I'm here, I'll be waiting, and when he's ready then he's going to come [to the UK]. Earlier, it emerged that Mr Hunter had been left so 'destitute' he wouldn't have been able to appeal a guilty verdict if he was convicted of murder. The spiralling costs of his agonising 19-month trial have cost him his entire savings. It has also left him unable to afford to make phone calls to friends in prison and having to survive off the meagre rations offered up free of charge. A prison van carrying David Hunter arrives at Paphos District Court in Cyprus on Friday 'It just breaks my heart,' said his Ms Cawthorne. 'When my mum was still alive he had a home, a car and money in the bank. Now he's got a carrier bag with his clothes that's all he's got.' Mr Hunter had faced a mandatory life sentence if found guilty of pre-meditated murder. A crowdfunder for his defence is empty and he has run up thousands of pounds of debt fighting the case to date. Mrs Cawthorne had said: 'I don't know what we are going to do. He said he wants to appeal, he said, 'We have to, I can't spend the rest of my life here.' 'I honestly don't know what we are going to do. I don't know where we are going to get the money from. It's going to be thousands.' Mr Hunter had struck up a friendship with British cellmate Owen Williams, 27. But after Mr Williams was released three months ago he has been left locked up with 11 other hardened criminals who don't speak a word of English. His only chance to speak is by his phone, but he can now only afford to make occasional calls to his daughter. She said: 'He's got nobody to speak to. He's not been able to phone people. 'He's not allowed to take calls, he has to pay to make them himself. He hasn't been able to speak to his brother for a while, or his friends Barry and Kevin. He just speaks to me. 'It's absolutely devastating.' David Hunter is escorted into the court in Paphos by police officers on Friday Mr Hunter wants to pay his last respects to his wife if he is freed. The retired Northumberland miner was forced to treat Janice for terminal blood cancer at home with injections due to Covid restrictions as she deteriorated in front of his eyes. In her last days she was crying out in agony 24 hours a day, unable to move from their sofa or take painkillers as she pleaded with him to kill her. He finally relented and took her life on December 18, 2021. Mr Hunter went on to attempt suicide, taking drugs and alcohol with the aim of overdosing. But medics managed to revive him before he was arrested on suspicion of pre-meditated murder and he has since languished in a high-security jail in Nicosia. He has now been acquitted of murder but found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter, meaning he could walk free as soon as next week. Mrs Cawthorne said: 'He wants to see my mum. He wants to sit and talk to her. He needs that for his mental health. 'I think if he was offered to be released but he could not visit her and had to go straight back he would refuse. He just wants to visit my mum.' During his trial in Cyprus, the court heard how Mr Hunter had ended Janice's life 'out of love and mercy'. 'The facts of this case concern a crime of love and mercy,' said Ritsa Pekri, one of Hunter's lawyers. 'There are no other cases similar to this in Cyprus' legal history,' she added, stressing that no one throughout the trial was able to give a testimony that indicated any history of violence or ill-will between the Hunters. 'No witness statements indicated he was fed up of taking care of his wife. Everyone said they loved each other,' she told the court, according to the Cyrpus Mail. Mr Hunter's daughter, Lesley Cawthorne, 50, says it 'breaks her heart' that her father has been left 'destitute' from trial In May, Hunter told the court how his teenage sweetheart was reduced to wearing nappies, was covered in skin lesions and could no longer stand from her devastating blood cancer. The final two witnesses in the trial then took the stand, telling the court how Janice's condition deteriorated in the last years of her life and how she became increasingly depressed. Through it all, they said, Mr Hunter remained a loving husband. 'Janice often told us that her great wish was not to be taken to the hospital. And I think David made this possible,' Helmut Kesting, a neighbour of the British couple, told the court. According to the Cyprus Mail, Kesting has lived with his wife in the island country since 2020. He described Mr Hunter as a 'quiet, reliable and reasonable man'. 'He and Janice always were very helpful and friendly to us,' he said. Kesting described to the court how David and Janice were very loving with one-another, saying they were very proud of the relationship they shared. 'They invited us to their home and showed us a lot of pictures, photo albums of their past trips. I never heard shouting or fights. I believe they were in full harmony together,' Kesting reportedly told the court. However, he said it was noticeable by 2021 - in the midst of the global Covid-19 pandemic - that Janice had become 'more and more depressed' having been 'optimistic' about her condition a year earlier. He said that he and his wife had no contact with Janice in her final three or four months, as she did not wish to speak with anyone. David Hunter and his wife Janice on their wedding day Mr Hunter - a retired miner - said he was forced to treat his wife himself at home due to Covid restrictions as her health deteriorated. He told the court in May his wife was left crying out in agony 24 hours a day. He broke down in tears as he told the court how he killed his wife after she 'begged' him for six weeks. He said: 'I don't remember a lot of the last day. I went to make a cup of coffee and she started crying.' He described how he went to the kettle and gripped the bench for support as his wife sat sobbing next door. 'The next thing I knew I put my hands on her,' he said, wiping tears from his eyes. 'When it was finished, she was a grey colour. She didn't look like my wife, and it was the first time I cried in many years.' He described how he stood by her side and put his left hand on her nose and right hand over her mouth to smother her. When prosecutor Andreas Hadjikyrou suggested that Mrs Hunter struggled and scratched him as he smothered her, Mr Hunter told him: 'She never struggled, she never moved. You are talking nonsense.' Mr Hadjikyrou then suggested Mr Hunter had planned to kill his wife and did not tell her, to which he replied: 'I would never in a million years take my wife's life if she had not asked me. 'She wasn't just my wife, she was my best friend.' He added: 'She wasn't crazy, you haven't seen the strain of the last six years, what she's gone through. 'The situation, the pressure. I wouldn't like anyone to go through the last six months we both went through.' The prosecutor responded: 'Mr Hunter, there are people that go through much worse pain.' Mr Hunter said he didn't tell the doctors of his wife's suicidal wishes because she asked him not to, fearing they would take her into hospital. He didn't tell their daughter because he didn't want to 'worry' her. After the cross examination finished, Mr Hunter asked to address the judge. He told him: 'My wife was suffering and she actually said, 'I don't want to live anymore', and I still said no. 'Then she started to become hysterical. I was hoping she would change her mind. I loved her so much. I did not plan it, I swear to God.' Mr Hunter continued: 'For six weeks she asked if I could help her. For six weeks I refused.' Describing her agony, he told Paphos District Court: 'She was lying down, she was in pain, suffering. I would do anything to help her. The last thing on my mind was to take her life. The last thing.' Asked how the last few days were, Mr Hunter said: 'She was crying, crying, crying, begging, begging, begging. 'She wasn't taking any care of herself. The last two or three weeks she could not move her arms and had trouble with her legs, she couldn't balance. 'She was only eating soup, she couldn't hold anything down. She lost a lot of weight. She lost so much weight that there was no flesh to put her injections in.' He said in those final days he was 'thinking about what to do 24/7' before finally taking the decision to go through with it when she once more started crying out in pain. Mr Hunter said: 'I remember that I had my hand on her mouth and nose. I don't even know how I thought about it. I don't know how long I kept my hands there for. 'She did not attempt to stop me I don't even think she opened her eyes.' After she died, he kissed her forehead and told her he loved her, before confessing to his brother who alerted the police. He said he cannot remember being arrested or giving interviews to police. Earlier he told how he met his wife when she asked him for a dance at a miners' hall party in Northumberland. 'She came up to me and said, 'You're sitting in my seat.' I hadn't ever seen such a beautiful woman,' he said. From there, they were always together, he said, and they married in St John's Church in Ashington in 1969. Asked how their marriage was, he said: 'Perfect.' He told how he worked seven days a week in the mine to pay for their only child, Leslie, to become the first member of the family to go to university. He and his wife would visit Cyprus on holidays and bought a property there in 1999 before moving across two years later to retire there. Mr Hunter said: 'The first 16 years before she got sick, apart from a few operations, it was absolutely fantastic.' But Mr Hunter suffered a stroke in 2015 and it was on regular trips to the hospital for his treatment that a doctor noticed his wife was looking very pale. She was diagnosed with blood cancer and had to go to the capital Nicosia every week for procedures and injections. As her condition deteriorated she asked to go to Paphos General Hospital because she couldn't face the journeys, but when Covid hit it was closed and so they kept her injections in their fridge and self-medicated. Mr Hunter told how he called the hospital five times a day but there was no answer, and he was forced to travel to centres further away for help and supplies. She had two 125 euro injections per week but started suffering side effects including diarrhoea, headaches, dizziness and nose bleeds. Mrs Hunter's haemoglobin levels were such that she was unable to take painkillers and was left in agony at home, unable to move. In her last months she underwent a series of operations for skin lesions on her face and hands, as well as a knee operation and another for her collarbone. Speaking after his hearing in May, Mr Hunter told the press he was happy to finally give his account after waiting for 18 months. 'I got my say, this is what I wanted,' he said. 'To tell them things that they never even thought about. 'For six weeks when she was asking me, it was 24 hours. She was my wife, my best friend. 'The last six months, I wouldn't like anyone to go through that. Prison is nothing compared to what we went though.' Russian police are probing the sudden death of a woman, 22, during buttock enlargement surgery by an 'unqualified' beautician who was her 'friend'. Mika Shabasova died 'ten minutes after she was administered local anaesthetic' for the procedure, according to reports. She was dead before an ambulance arrived at the 'home surgery' of cosmetologist Uma M, who is now under house arrest. The beautician offered the 154 procedure after she studied on a 'two week course', say reports. She told state investigators in Makhachkala that she had repeatedly anaesthetised the skin of the victim with lidocaine, a local anaesthetic. Russian police are probing the sudden death of Mika Shabasova (pictured), 22, who died during buttock enlargement surgery by an 'unqualified' beautician who was her 'friend' She was dead before an ambulance arrived at the 'home surgery' of cosmetologist Uma M (pictured), who is now under house arrest She had asked Shabasova if she had any allergies, she said. The beautician is described as a former waitress who had no license for cosmetic surgery yet was carrying out 'lip, cheek and butt enlargements'. 'The cause of death will be established by a forensic medical examination,' reported 112 media outlet. The Russian Investigative Committee said: 'A 22-year-old resident of Makhachkala, while visiting her friend, who performs cosmetic procedures at home, died on the spot after the administration of an anaesthetic. 'Currently, all the circumstances of the incident are being established.' A friend of the dead woman said he had urged Shabasova not to undergo the buttocks procedure, which the Uma M had advertised. 'The beautician who was supposed to perform the operation, only recently received a certificate,' he said. 'She completed a two-week course and became a cosmetologist. Prior to that, she was doing lash extensions.' Uma M shared a photo taken during the buttocks augmentation procedure Mika reportedly went for the surgery with Uma out of 'trust' because they were friends The beautician offered the 154 procedure after she studied on a 'two week course', say reports Yet reports said she had no license for such cosmetic surgery. The friend said: 'Mika went to her, because Uma is her friend, purely because of trust.' Three days before the surgery she had a fever and she was off work. 'She lived with three girls in an apartment - they all tried to persuade her not to go to this beautician.' He said that the woman 'secretly, when everyone was at home, simply left the house, rang a taxi and went for this surgery'. She had previously had lips, nose, and chin procedures. 'These were with different anaesthetics. But within 15 minutes she was gone.' Police questioned her friends, he said. opinion In Angola, five people were gunned down by police during a protest over the reduction of fuel subsidies in June. The police respond by saying the response was warranted. In Botswana, civil society organisations worry about rights such as freedom of expression being curtailed. In Lesotho, the government imposed a nationwide curfew after radio presenter Ralikonelo "Leqhashasha" Joki was shot at least 13 times in May by unknown assailants. Joki was known for broadcasting content that was critical of the government and his death immediately sparked accusations that this was the reason that he was killed. As the economic devastation triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic compounds the economic challenges that Africans confront daily, our leaders should be striving to be more attentive to their constituencies, but it seems the exact opposite has been happening. But have political parties been given a fair shot at meeting the expectations of their constituencies? To address that question, the Democracy Works Foundation this month is assembling senior political leaders from across Southern Africa in Johannesburg to share lessons on how to respond to the needs of citizens. For all their shortcomings, there is no question that the fate of political parties and citizens are inextricably linked. In fact, political parties have become almost synonymous with contemporary democracies. Overall, except for Eswatini, all countries in Southern Africa have adopted democratic constitutions that legalise the formation and functioning of political parties, usually enshrined in bills of rights that give constitutional guarantees for individuals to form and/or join political parties of their choice. But these parties are diverse. While some parties trace their origins to the nationalist or liberation movements that fought for independence from colonial rule, many others have more recent origins, coming into existence only after the democratic transitions of the 1990s. Some political parties are well organised, with strong grassroots structures that have stood the test of time, while others have very weak societal rootedness. In many instances, political parties in the sub-region tend to lack clearly defined long-term shared strategic visions that would inspire them to evolve into well-institutionalised institutions. Political parties in the region also exhibit a general lack of administrative and management capacities, especially in research areas. As a result, most political parties in the region operate with minimal input from research. This situation sometimes results in political parties pursuing agendas contrary to the expectations and needs of their members and the wider public. From a structural perspective, most regional political parties are characterised by poor governance, with a palpable failure to adhere to internal party rules and democratic principles. Most parties lack clear ideological or programmatic distinction, opting instead to mobilise support along ethnic and regional lines. There is frequent fragmentation of political parties, largely motivated by the failure of these political parties to resolve their internal conflicts amicably and/or accommodate dissent. In recent years, we have also witnessed a growing trend with respect to alliances and coalitions among political parties. In South Africa, for instance, it has become almost a norm for coalitions to be formed for the purpose of forming local governments. Similarly, the electoral victories by opposition parties in the recent elections in Malawi (in 2020) and Zambia (in 2021) were secured through electoral alliances. Furthermore, governing in a coalition set-up has become an established tradition in Lesotho partly because of its electoral system. However, while coalitions and electoral alliances are increasing, it is also becoming apparent that regional parties lack the requisite skills and know-how to govern or effectively run party politics in these arrangements. Political parties in the region also tend not fully exploit digital platforms. Admittedly, some regional political parties maintain websites and have opened social media accounts, but these are mostly outdated. This is despite the increased access to the internet through smartphones in the region. The general failure to utilise digital platforms keeps political parties back, making it difficult for them to engage a new technologically savvy public, especially the youth. With regard to political party financing, there are two main funding mechanisms for political parties in the region: in the majority of the countries, political parties that secure a minimum threshold of the vote in elections are granted public funding to support their activities. However, a few countries, notably Botswana and Zambia, do not make any provision for public funding of political parties. The second financing option is private, although this is often less or less transparent, creating room for political party capture, corruption and reduced accountability. While other stakeholders such as national parliaments, electoral management bodies, and civil society organisations, among others, have clearly defined regional platforms or networks that facilitate cross-country networking and sharing of experiences, (SADC Parliamentary Forum, Electoral Commissions Forum, Media Institute for Southern Africa, SADC Lawyers Association, SADC Council of NGOs, etc) the same is not the case with political parties. Political parties in southern Africa tend to operate in silos, with minimal regional collaboration. Citizen participation in political party affairs remains minimal, outside of election campaign periods. Many of the political parties do not have up to date lists of their (paid-up) members. Across the region, public confidence in political parties is on the decline, as recent Afrobarometer surveys show, with the educated and the youth in particular, expressing low confidence in political parties. While the inclusivity of women is somewhat higher in countries that employ the proportional party-list system for electing legislators (as it is the case in Angola and South Africa), most countries, especially those that employ the First-Past-the-Post electoral systems, continue to fall well below the gender quota requirements agreed to by members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The political environment in southern African is generally competitive, although the operating environment for opposition political parties is mixed. In some countries, strong and vibrant competition exists between ruling and opposition political parties. This competition has resulted in the occasional alternation of power from one party to another, for example, the cases of Malawi and Zambia. However, in majority of the countries, there is a dominance of the political space by one ruling party as it is the case in Angola, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. While the centrality of political parties to democracy and development is almost taken for granted, political parties tend to be the least targeted with regard to democratisation support. As a matter of fact, aiding political parties as part of the efforts to consolidate democracy has remained what Thomas Carothers poignantly described as "confronting the weakest link" . It is, therefore, not surprising that there tends to be little to no reflection on the state of affairs of these political parties with a view to identifying areas for improvement. The enthusiastic response from delegates at the Democracy Works Foundation, their generous sharing and frank exchanges - these are all hopeful signs that political parties are as eager for improvement as their constituents. This project is certainly a work-in-progress and it will require a concerted collaborative effort - but we all stand to benefit in the end, politicians and voters alike. You can watch the live stream on 20 July from 14:15-15:00 https://www.facebook.com/DemocracyWF/live_videos/ Apple has sensationally threatened to pull its FaceTime and iMessage services from the UK amid an ongoing data privacy row. The US tech firm has hit out at the Home Office, which is seeking to update the Investigatory Powers Act 2016 in a bid to 'protect the public from criminals, child sex abusers and terrorists'. The act gives the Home Office the power to access encrypted content via a technology capability notice. At the moment, if the Home Office demanded a TCN, there would be an independent review and an appeal before the change was made. However, the new proposals would mean any relaxation of security measures could be immediate. Under the planned changes, Apple and other messenger services like WhatsApp would also be forced to clear all new features - including iOS software updates - with the UK government before releasing them to the public. Apple has threatened to pull popular services like Facetime and iMessage from the UK Under the planned changes, Apple and other messenger services like WhatsApp would also be forced to clear all new features - including iOS software updates - with the UK government The Home Office would also be able to immediately block the updates with a TCN, without informing the public. Measures like end-to-end encryption could also be banned, in a bid to scan potential harmful material. End-to-end encryption is a security measure that protects data and communications by scrambling them, meaning only the sender and recipient are able to read the data. It is widely used to safeguard sensitive information. Apple has told the government that the proposals would effectively grant the Home Secretary control over security and encryption updates globally, something that would affect the privacy of users abroad. 'Together, these provisions could be used to force a company like Apple, that would never build a backdoor, to publicly withdraw critical security features from the UK market, depriving UK users of these protections,' Apple said. The Home Office told the BBC that the Investigatory Powers Act was designed to 'protect the public from criminals, child sex abusers and terrorists'. It added, 'we keep all legislation under review to ensure it is as strong as it can be and this consultation is part of that process - no decisions have yet been made'. Alan Woodward, a professor of cybersecurity at Surrey University, told the Guardian that Apple's submission represented a 'stake in the ground'. He said: 'If the government push on regardless then Apple will simply join the growing band of vendors that would leave the UK. British users could end up as one of the most isolated and insecure groups in the world. In that scenario, nobody wins.' Alan Woodward, a professor of cybersecurity at Surrey University, said Apple's submission represented a 'stake in the ground' Apple has told the government that the proposals would effectively grant the Home Secretary control over security and encryption updates globally A government spokesperson said: 'The Investigatory Powers Act 2016 is designed to protect the public from criminals, child sex abusers and terrorists. With strong independent oversight, the act regulates how intrusive investigatory powers by public authorities are used. 'We keep all legislation under review to ensure it is as strong as it can be and this consultation is part of that process no decisions have yet been made.' The government has opened an eight-week consultation on the proposed amendments to the IPA. The act already enables the storage of internet browsing records for 12 months and authorises the bulk collection of personal data. Hitting out at the proposed changes, Apple said the updated IPA would 'constitute a serious and direct threat to data security and information privacy' It comes as messenger services like WhatsApp fight against the Online Safety Bill. That bill forces companies to install technology that scans for child-abuse material in encrypted messaging apps. Both WhatsApp and Signal say they will not comply against the bill, something that Apple also agrees with. A bizarre turf war has broken out in Shakespeare's hometown between two rival ghost tours. Married couple Janet and John Ford, who own Tudor World, are at loggerheads with Joe Rukin, 49, who runs Sinister Stratford ghost tours, after the couple accused Mr Ruskin of touting for business outside their museum in the famous Warwickshire town. Both offer holidaymakers tours of Stratford-upon-Avon's spookiest landmarks with the summer season meaning potentially bumper sales. The couple have run the Tudor World experience, which includes ghost tours, from the historic Shrieve's House in Sheep Street, for almost two decades. Customers pay between 3.50 and 18 for either a walking tour or a ghost tour which starts from their museum close to Shakespeare's birthplace. Married couple Janet (left) and John Ford (right), who own Tudor World, are at loggerheads with Joe Rukin, who runs Sinister Stratford ghost tours A bitter war of words has erupted after the Fords accused Mr Rukin, 49, (pictured) of touting for business outside their museum in the famous Warwickshire town A picture of Tudor World which is on Sheep Street in Stratford-Upon-Avon The Fords say they 'feel like mugs' and accuse Mr Rukin of skulduggery Meanwhile Sinister Stratford run three daily tours which cost 6.66 for children and 9.99 for adults. Each tour starts just 100 yards from Tudor World. Relations descended further after a mix-up on TripAdvisor meant Tudor World customers were directed to their bitter rivals website. In a further twist, an online glitch also wrongly identified The Ford's 12th century Shrieve's House as Sinister Stratford's headquarters. The Fords say they 'feel like mugs' and accuse Mr Rukin of skulduggery. Mr Ford stormed: 'We have to pay for expensive essential repairs to our historic building while having to cope with yet another blow to our business. 'We feel like mugs paying for this ancient building, whilst anyone can come and take our trade without any overheads of consequence.' Mrs Ford added: 'He [Joe Rukin] is playing the victim. We are not the aggressors, nothing could be further from the truth.' Mr Rukin, who started the tours in January to supplement his earnings from walking tours in Coventry, hit back and accused the Fords of running a 'vicious victimisation campaign'. Relations descended further after a mix-up on TripAdvisor meant Tudor World customers were directed to their bitter rivals website An image of Mr Ruskin, who runs the rival Sinister Straford, talking with residents In a further twist, an online glitch also wrongly identified The Ford's 12th century Shrieve's House as Sinister Stratford's headquarters Mr Rukin, who started the tours in January to supplement his earnings from walking tours in Coventry, hit back and accused the Fords of running a 'vicious victimisation campaign' Ms Ford pictured alongside Winifred the 16th Century Ghost at Tudor World Residents have seen the funny side of the row, with one saying: 'After hearing the arguments from both sides, all I can say to them is 'a plague on both your houses' He said: 'Tudor World are trying to drum me out of town for something that isn't my fault at all. 'The reality is that TripAdvisor cocked up. I've been verbally abused while doing my tours. It's become rather farcical. All I'm doing is trying to earn a living. 'Mr and Mrs Ford don't have a monopoly on conducting tours. I don't have a permanent office and I have to meet my customers somewhere.' The divorced father-of-one, from Kenilworth, Warwickshire, says the mix-up occurred when the review website accidentally allocated his business in Shrieve's House. He said: 'Tudor World have accused me of false advertising, which simply isn't true. 'Now my Google profile has been suspended because of a complaint made. It's a vicious victimisation campaign. 'They are barracking me on the street, they threatened to run me out of town and told me to ''go back to Coventry''. TripAdvisor have now corrected the error. However, residents have seen the funny side of the row, with one saying: 'After hearing the arguments from both sides, all I can say to them is 'a plague on both your houses.' Beachgoers have been warned to stay away from a popular seafront after a dead 30ft whale washed up on the shore. The creature, believed to be a common Minke Whale, which can weigh as much as 5,600kg, was discovered last night in St Mary's Bay, Romney Marsh, Kent. Witness Paul Crawford told KentOnline: I felt humbled to see it. But I also felt a bit of sadness. They're such beautiful and amazing animals.' A spokesman for HM Coastguard added: 'The Romney Marsh Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked to an object floating on the water edge at St Mary's Bay. 'Once the object had been located it was confirmed to be a deceased whale. Beachgoers have been warned to stay away from a popular seafront after a 30ft long dead whale washed up on the shore The huge creature, believed to be a common Minke Whale, which can weigh as much as 5,600kg, was discovered last night in St Mary's Bay, Romney Marsh, Kent Witness Paul Crawford told KentOnline : I felt humbled to see it. But I also felt a bit of sadness. They're such beautiful and amazing animals' 'Further investigations were carried out to record statistics of the animal for future analysis. The whale was also determined to be a Minke Whale. READ MORE: Pod of 55 beached pilot whales caught in UK's worst ever mass stranding Advertisement 'Possible further investigations will take place to determine how best to remove the animal from the beach. 'In the meantime, it is strongly advised NOT to venture out to the animal due to the deep mud (otherwise known as quicksand) between the animal and the shoreline.' It comes just days after a pod of 55 pilot whales became stranded on a Scottish beach. Only 15 of the creatures were alive after they were found at North Tolsta on the Isle of Lewis on Sunday. One was refloated and was able to swim away on the outgoing tide. The rest were euthanised on welfare grounds. It was the highest number of stranding deaths in the UK for at least 70 years. Experts have been carrying out investigations on the dead animals since Monday. No definitive reason for the stranding has yet been given, but the scientists have discovered a high number of females in the pod were pregnant, with several in the process of giving birth. The whales that became stranded at North Tolsta have now been moved to a landfill site near Stornoway. Onlookers watch on after the mammal beached on the shore on Thursday evening Dozens of the mammals were discovered at Traigh Mhor in North Tolsta, on the Isle of Lewis, at around 7am on Sunday, however it soon emerged that only 15 were still alive Diggers get to work on removing a pod of pilot whales from a beach in Scotland on Monday The Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) is investigating the incident. Leading veterinary pathologist Dr Andrew Brownlow said the investigation into the stranding would be a 'monumental task'. The director of SMASS said: 'Pilot whale strandings have happened for centuries - it's not necessarily the case that it's because of human impact. 'But that's one of the things we want to try and investigate and rule out - to see whether or not some of the things that can affect these animals such as underwater noise, interaction with fishing gear, accumulation of toxins or disease may have played a part.' Meanwhile, it emerged today that another whale has died on the same beach. Rescue teams were sent to Traigh Mhor at North Tolsta on Lewis for a second time this week after a 10ft juvenile whale was discovered washed up. Medics from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) were called to the scene yesterday. However, their efforts were short-lived as the mammal was already dead. A coastguard spokesman confirmed the alarm was raised at around 2pm by one of their own team members, who lives in the area, after being told about it by a friendly neighbour. The BDMLR were notified alongside environmental services and members of the local council. Upon arrival, medics from the conservation charity examined the animal before confirming it had died. Members of the Western Isles Council stepped in to take charge and dispose of the animal. A mass stranding of whales on Traigh Mhor in North Tolsta, on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland Pilot whales have strong social bonds which experts believe can lead to mass strandings as they may follow a pod member which ends up beached because it is weak, injured or pregnant. Generally, 400 to 600 strandings are reported in the UK every year. That may seem like a lot but sometimes mass strandings occur where more than one animal strands at once, often alive. A total of 16 whales died after being stranded on the east coast of Scotland in September 2012. Ten others were refloated after being kept alive by vets from British Divers and Marine Life Rescue. The incident between Anstruther and Pittenweem in Fife involved pilot whales, each of them approximately 20ft (6m) long. In June 2015, 21 live pilot whales became stranded on the Isle of Skye. Although 18 survived and returned to sea, three died, including a female who'd recently given birth. The post-mortem results showed the animals were in a good nutritional state. In September 2022, nearly 200 pilot whales died after becoming stranded on Ocean Beach, part of Tasmania's west coast. Authorities said only about 35 survived of the 230 that were stranded. Strike action across the London Underground network next week was called off by unions today. Transport for London (TfL) confirmed the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) and Aslef unions have both suspended their plans for industrial action. The RMT claimed TfL had made 'significant concessions' over job cuts and pension changes, and there were now 'longer guarantees on protection of earnings'. Disruption had been expected across Tube services from this Sunday through to next Saturday, with little to no trains between Tuesday and Friday. But Aslef said its action, scheduled for Wednesday and Friday next week, had been called off after 'intense' negotiations at the conciliation service Acas. Closed shutters outside Euston London Underground station during a strike last November People getting on a bus outside London Liverpool Street station in August 2022 during a strike Rail, Maritime and Transport union general secretary Mick Lynch (right), pictured with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (left) on the picket line outside London Euston station yesterday Finn Brennan, Aslef's organiser on the Underground, said: 'After a week of intense negotiations, we have made real progress in making sure our members' working conditions and pensions are protected from the impact of the Tory government cuts to TfL funding. When are rail strikes planned in Britain for the next few weeks? There is currently a week-long overtime ban from Aslef running until today , which began on Monday, impacting many National Rail lines. Separately, there is a national strike by members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union tomorrow (July 22) and then next Saturday, July 29. Aslef will then again refuse to work overtime from July 31 to August 5, again affecting many national lines. Advertisement 'There will be no changes to pension benefits before the next general election. And any future changes to working conditions and agreements will only be made by negotiation. This is a major step forward.' The RMT had been due to take strike action this Sunday and next week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. But RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: 'There has been significant progress made by our negotiating team in Acas talks with TfL. 'However this is not the end of the dispute nor is it a victory for the union as yet. 'Our members were prepared to engage in significant disruptive industrial action and I commend their resolve. RMT's strike mandate remains live until October and we are prepared to use it if necessary. 'We will continue to negotiate in good faith as we always have done with TfL and it was only the steadfast commitment of our members in being prepared to take sustained strike action that has forced the employer to make significant concessions.' Mr Lynch added the union's 'campaign to defend jobs, conditions and our members pensions will continue in the coming weeks and months'. An unusually empty London Waterloo station yesterday during the national RMT strike A quiet London King's Cross station yesterday morning during strike action by the RMT union London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: 'It is really welcome news for Londoners that the trade unions have suspended their planned strikes next week and that commuters won't face disruption. READ MORE Britain braced for getaway hell: More than two million holidaymakers prepare to head overseas for the weekend amid warnings of traffic chaos and port delays Advertisement 'Despite the onerous funding deal conditions imposed by the Government we have managed to avoid industrial action. Negotiation is always the best way forward and this shows what we can achieve by working with trade unions. 'I've been in close contact with the TfL commissioner throughout this week, and I'll keep working with our TfL unions and staff to deliver the best transport system in the world for Londoners.' He added: 'I want to thank the RMT, Aslef and Unite who worked really closely with TfL to pull these strikes off for next week. 'Negotiations are what it is all about. Our transport workers were heroes during the pandemic keeping transport going to allow key workers to get to work.' Glynn Barton, chief operating officer at TfL, said today: 'We are pleased that the RMT and Aslef have suspended their planned industrial action next week. 'This is good news for London and we will continue to work closely with our trade unions to discuss the issues and seek a resolution.' The row over jobs, pensions and conditions in London is separate to the national dispute - with a UK-wide RMT strike still going ahead tomorrow and on July 29. Services on some National Rail lines are also still being disrupted because of a ban on overtime by train drivers in Aslef, which has run throughout this week. Thameslink trains in the sidings at Peterborough yesterday due to the RMT strike action Passengers at Waterloo train station in London during a previous rail strike on June 2 Members of Aslef will also again refuse to work overtime from Monday, July 31 to Saturday, August 5 - again affecting many National Rail lines. The Rail Delivery Group said this week that industrial action over the past year had cost the sector around 620million, since the first RMT strike in June 2022. Yesterday's national strike at 14 train companies saw wide variations of services across the UK, with trains starting later and finishing much earlier than usual. In some areas, around half of train services ran while others had no services at all. It comes as a future of work expert said the impact of rail strike action is 'weakening' because so many Britons simply work from home in what has become a 'flexible working nation'. Julia Hobsbawm OBE, founder of The Nowhere Office book and podcast, said: 'In the week in which the Flexible Working Bill has passed through Parliament, there is no doubt that the UK has become a flexible working nation. Speaking to MailOnline, she added: 'This weakens the political impact of strikes because they no longer bring the traditional working day to a standstill - but this doesn't make them any less inconvenient for travellers. 'It definitely makes life much harder for employers struggling to create a new pattern of hybrid work. People need set days when they are all in the office and strikes make that impossible.' Ms Hobsbawm also said that the 'regular commute has ceased to exist'. A young Aussie woman has revealed she owes a whopping $86,000 to the tax office, but admits she had not contributed to her tax for months. OnlyFans creator Tasha Paige - who is one of many people this year facing a tax debt instead of a return - said she was 'going to cry' upon learning her fate. 'So I finally did my tax and I finally spoke to my accountant about everything and my tax bill is just shy of $90,000,' she said in a TikTok video. I have to pay the ATO $90,000 specifically $86,000 but I feel like it may as well be $90,000. 'So that's great. I am just going to go cry. Moment of silence please for my bank account.' Ms Paige reassured her followers that she had the money to pay for the debt, explaining in a follow up video that she usually pays towards her tax throughout the year but hadn't contributed in several months. Taxpayers who are self-employed and make more than $18,200 a year are subject to income tax. If people do not want to pay throughout the year, which can be done through Pay As You Go (PAYG) instalments, the ATO suggests they put money aside to cover their tax bill when it arrives as a lump sum at the end of the financial year. Ms Paige's followers took to the comments section to express their shock at the massive debt, with one claiming she would have 'cried myself to sleep' if she received a bill that large. OnlyFans creator Tasha Paige revealed she has a whopping $86,000 tax debt Ms Paige admitted she hadn't contributed to her tax in months and so was hit with a large debt at the end of the financial year Others were less forgiving, with one exclaiming: 'But do you take tax out of income weekly orrr? Cause if not then what else do you expect'. 'What a surprise you have to pay tax like the rest of us,' another mocked. It comes after Adelaide OnlyFans star Kaila Smith, 21, last week discovered she had racked up a $15,000 bill from the ATO. 'It is tax time and tax time has done me so f***ing dirty,' Ms Smith said in a social media post. 'When you are broke, you almost have to get a tax return every single time and that used to be me. Last year I got like $500 return. 'This year I have to pay pretty much $15,000 in tax and I've never paid that much money for anything in my whole life, apart from my car.' Adelaide OnlyFans star Kaila Smith (pictured) was shocked to learn she owed the Australian Tax Office $15,000 Ms Smith said she'll do Pay As You Go tax instalments next financial year to avoid the lump-sum payment Ms Smith said she wished she 'knew more about tax time and finances'. However, commenters lectured Ms Smith for complaining when 'that's how much everyone pays'. 'If you pay tax, it means you're making money. Grow up, get educated and pay your fair share,' one said. 'Tell me you have never worked a full time job without telling me you have never worked a full time job in your life,' another wrote. Ms Smith responded by telling the commenters to 'chill' and explained the bill crept up on her because she didn't apply for PAYG tax instalments. What are symptoms of meningococcal? Symptoms of the disease Fever Lack of appetite Leg pain Unusual skin colour Extreme tiredness Vomiting and diarrhoea Drowsiness Convulsions, fits or twitching Red-purple rash Source: Department of Health Advertisement A 36-year-old man has died after contracting meningococcal. Health officials in South Australia said 'multiple' people who had been in contact with the man, from Adelaide, had been identified. People who had spent time with a 13-year-old girl who also fell ill with the deadly disease have been contacted. It is not known if the two cases are connected. Ten people have been ordered to take antibiotics. The 13-year-old girl and another 15-year-old girl who contracted meningococcal are in a stable condition in hospital. So far 16 cases of meningococcal have been reported in South Australia this year, which is more than double the number by this time in 2022. Symptoms of the disease include a fever, lack of appetite, drowsiness, pain in the legs, a lack of energy and fits or convulsions. Younger people who contract meningococcal can get a rash that does not go away when pressed with a clear glass. Anyone who thinks they or a loved one may have meningococcal is urged to seek medical treatment immediately. He issued plea for details on whereabouts of big cat before 'idiot shoots her' A German crime boss's son has issued a plea for information on the whereabouts of the lioness that is prowling through the streets of Berlin, saying he wants to lead the predator back to her enclosure before 'some idiot shoots her down'. Firas Remmo, the son of notorious Berlin clan boss Issa Remmo and a lover of big cats, revealed he has joined the search for the missing lioness that has been spotted in the city's outskirts. Remmo, whose family is regarded as one of the most dangerous players in the so-called 'Arab mafia' in Berlin, urged anyone with information on the lioness's whereabouts to contact him before the police so they can't shoot the predator. Remmo, who has shared pictures of himself sitting on a sofa next to a young tiger cub, wrote on Instagram: 'If anyone knows anything please let me know first then we can drive the lioness back to her enclosure before some idiot shoots her down.' German police officers armed with guns are today scouring the southern districts of Berlin for the lioness, which will likely be sedated with a tranquiliser if found. But the local mayor has admitted that if there is an immediate danger to human life, the lioness would be shot. Firas Remmo (pictured with a tiger in December), the son of notorious Berlin clan boss Issa Remmo and a lover of big cats, revealed he had joined the search for the missing lioness that has been spotted in the city's outskirts Remmo, who has shared pictures of himself sitting on a sofa next to a young tiger cub (pictured), wrote on Instagram: 'If anyone knows anything please let me know first then we drove the lioness back to her enclosure before some idiot shoots her down. Police officers begin another day of searching for a lioness that is on the loose in Berlin in Kleinmachnow on Friday Police officers armed with guns search through a wood in Kleinmachnow, southern Berlin, for the lioness on Friday Remmo, who referred to the lioness as 'Nala', has responded by urging Berlin residents to contact him, while those who know him have also spread the message. He shared a post on Instagram from a user who said: 'I think there are still people who love animals. Please let Nala live and please don't shoot her. If you see the lioness, please report to Firas Remmo. Thanks.' Remmo's family have been linked to a series of eye-catching raids across Berlin, including the theft of a giant gold coin from a Berlin museum and an 8billion bank robbery which ended in the branch blowing up. His plea for help in finding the lioness is also not the first time he has been linked to big cats. In December, he posted a video on Instagram of himself and a caption 'my new favourite pet' - all of which prompted a police investigation. It comes as Berlin residents reported seeing the lioness and hearing lion roars last night in the Zehlendorf area near the city limits, Berlin police said. Officers equipped with guns, night-vision goggles and drones scoured the area throughout the night, but couldn't find the lioness. Residents living in the southern districts of the city - Kleinmachnow, Teltow and Stahnsdorf - have been advised to stay in their homes and to keep all doors and windows closed. But some Berliners decided to defy the orders today and walk their dogs in a forest in the Zehlendorf area. It comes as experts on animal tracks joined the hunt today - but some began to doubt whether a lion is actually on the loose and suggested it could have been another wild boar instead. Video on Twitter appeared to show a lioness wandering through foliage in Kleinmachnow The danger area where police believe a lioness is roaming the streets of Berlin A professional animal track searcher looks for signs of the lioness in Kleinmachnow on Friday Kleinmachnow mayor Michael Grubert said while on the hunt that he believed the animal could just be a wild boar. He said: 'You see, when you see the wild boar now, you can already imagine that if it's a bit brighter in the evening light, that you think that's a lion. 'Deep fake videos is a bit exaggerated. But it can of course be that because of the incidence of light, that maybe the car headlights, the darkness of the night simulates it a bit, as if it were a lion. 'And it may just have been a wild boar again. The video we do assume though that it is real.' A neighbour added: 'I'm not sure by now if it's really a lion when no remains whatsoever of a wild boar that has been killed have been found. I wonder if there was some wrong identification there.' Grubert told local public broadcaster RBB late Thursday that authorities would comb the forest near Kleinmachnow and Zehlendorf on Friday with 'professional animal track searchers.' 'We have to say that this can't carry on for days,' he said, adding that he expected the search to 'intensify' on Friday. The search began after two locals saw the the escaped lioness chasing a wild boar down in the Kleinmachnow suburb in the early hours of Thursday morning. There have been a series of sightings of the lioness since then - by locals, police officers and firefighters - but each time, the predator escapes from their view and they are unable to trace it again. Hunter Peter Hemmerden, who has been involved in the search, said: 'If there was a lion that would pose an immediate danger to the wild boars and its offspring, they wouldn't be this calm. 'We just got the message that along with the group of boars also a lion supposedly ran into the forest. 'This message turned out to be wrong. Because the group is still very calm right there in the forest and if there was a predator around looking for food the group would act very differently and definitely wouldn't be here. 'So this message, like a lot of others, once again doesn't support the existence of any lion.' 'At this point I don't believe it's a lion anymore, there's a small remaining chance but it's much more likely according to my analysis and when looking at all the pictures and videos that it was a boar in the video.' Police officers walk through a forest in Kleinmachnow during their search for a lioness in Berlin on Friday Police officers and a hunter gather to search for a lioness roaming the streets in Kleinmachnow, Berlin, on Friday Police officers and a hunter begin their search of woods in Kleinmachnow, Berlin, on Friday Panzers! German police use a Survivor 'panzerwagen', an armoured vehicle, amid a search for a rogue lioness in the south of Berlin, on July 20, 2023 German police spokesman Daniel Keip said: 'In the summer, you often hear reports of crocodiles in swimming lakes and then it turns out all it was, was a big duck. In this case, it's obviously totally real. 'We're dealing with a lioness that's roaming freely through Teltow, Stahnsdorf and Kleinmachnow.' At around 7pm last night, another sighting of the reported lioness in a forest by Kleinmachnow district prompted a flurry of activity by police officers. 'We're in a hot phase right now, she was just seen,' a police officer told a local resident, reports German newspaper Bild. Joggers were barred from entering the woodland by officers, as the search appeared to be 'heating up' in the evening with one officer screaming 'get out of the wood, quickly' to runners. Police have been joined by professional hunters and vets, armed with tranquilising guns and pistols, in an attempt to safely capture the lioness - believed to be a private pet - but to no avail. They said on Friday morning that the search was unsuccessful during the night and was continuing. They urged people to call an emergency number if they see the animal. Officers have insisted that the operational measures in place will 'continue until a risk to the population can be ruled out'. No zoos have reported a missing lioness, leading to questions about where the animal could have came from. There are 32 registered lions in Brandenburg state surrounding Berlin and they were accounted for, reported RBB, leaving police to ask whether the beast had been kept illegally. No owner has come forward since the search began early Thursday. Police were first alerted early on Thursday after two people saw what appeared to be a lioness chasing a wild boar down a street less than (three miles) from the German capital. Residents living in the southern districts of the city - Kleinmachnow, Teltow and Stahnsdorf - have been advised to stay in their homes and to keep all doors windows closed. But some defiant Berliners decided to defy the orders today and walk their dogs in a forest in the Zehlendorf area (pictured) Hunters and vets were reportedly helping track down the animal in Germany A woman carries a tranquilizer gun as members from the veterinary office search for the lioness Police cars drive out of the forest where the predatory cat is supposed to be on Thursday The two passersby spotted the feline around midnight in the Kleinmachnow suburb, southwest of Berlin. They shared mobile phone footage of the animal with police, who believe the images are genuine, Kleinmachnow mayor Michael Grubert told a press conference. 'Even experienced officers had to conclude that it was probably a lioness,' a police spokesperson told local broadcaster RBB. The animal was later also spotted by police officers themselves, said Kerstin Schroeder, police spokeswoman in the Brandenburg region around Berlin. Local authorities were seen driving armoured vehicles - 'panzerwagens' - through residential areas as a helicopter with thermal imaging circles overhead. Thorsten Thaddey was out for a morning jog in Kleinmachnow yesterday when he was stopped by police, who told him a wild animal might be roaming the nearby forest. 'I have to be honest, I panicked a bit. Because it's a different calibre compared to a normal dog or another pet that has run away,' he said. 'So I'm going to run home now.' Kleinmachnow mayor Michael Grubert said it was not the time 'to go jogging in the woods'. A police spokesperson was forced to admit: 'We don't know where it came from.' Since no zoos or circuses have reported a missing lioness, police believe she must be an escaped pet. Once the animal is found, it will likely be sedated with a tranquiliser and taken to an animal shelter, the mayor said. But Grubert added that if there was an immediate danger to human life, the lioness would be shot. Anyone crossing paths with the feline should 'seek safety immediately and call the police,' Brandenburg police said. A 25-year-old Dallas man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering three women, including two sex workers, in a case with eerie similarities to the Gilgo Beach murders investigation. Oscar Sanchez Garcia, 25, was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of the murders of Cherish Gibson, also 25, and 60-year-old Kimberly Robinson. Their bodies were found in grassy patches next to the Trinity River earlier this year. A third, unidentified body, was also found nearby. Police say DNA links Sanchez Garcia to the crimes. There are now fears he may be responsible for other killings in the area. Oscar Sanchez Garcia, 25, was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of the murders of Cherish Gibson, also 25, 60-year-old Kimberly Robinson and a third, unidentified woman Kimberly Robinson, left, was found in April while Cherish Gibson, 25, was found in June. Both women had been stabbed multiple times. They were both sex workers It's unclear whether he has a family or lived alone. In March, he was arrested on a domestic battery charge. Now, he is being held in custody on a $2million bond. There is also an immigration hold against him, according to NBC Dallas Fort Worth. Robinson's body was found in April underneath a light rail bridge. She had been stabbed several times. Gibson's partially naked and mutilated body was found by a fisherman on June 24. She too had been stabbed multiple times. The third, unidentified victim was found on June 15 with similar injuries. Much like in the Gilgo Beach serial killer case, police say DNA and cell phone records link the suspect to the crime. On the days both women died, Sanchez Garcia's cell phone records show he was in the area at the same time. It's unclear exactly what kind of DNA evidence police have against him. In the Gilgo Beach case, detectives found hairs belonging to both suspect Rex Heuermann and his wife, Asa, on the victims' corpses. The bodies were found in grassy patches near the Trinity River in Dallas. The women are believed to have worked on the nearby Harry Hines Boulevard, an area where many sex workers pick up customers Before his arrest, another sex worker who says she escaped him described a man of his exact appearance. In an interview with Dallas Weekly, the woman, choosing to remain anonymous, said: 'Hes Mexican, he has a low haircut, and his hair is black. His skin color, like if youve ever seen El Chapo, its like that.' She'd seen him on June 23 - the night before Cherish's body was found. She claims to have seen Cherish that night with the man, and that he came back for her after driving away with Cherish. He begged her for a 'quick fifteen minutes' for $120, which she agreed to, and they set off in his vehicle, she said. 'We get started. I had kept my window kind of rolled down just in case. I was holding my vape and my pepper spray in my hand. 'He kind of knocked it down. but played it off,' she said. After around 30 minutes, she said she told him they had to return to her pimp. 'He climbs on top of me and puts a knife to my neck. He says, "Give me the money." I gave him the money back. 'I try to grab his wrist to keep him from stabbing me, Im holding my arm up while Im trying to feel for my phone with my other hand. He threw my phone [out the window] and it gave me a second to open the door. 'He went to slash at me, but I hit him in the face [] and I started yelling for help.' She said was then able to run out of the car and beg for help. 'If he got to do what he wouldve wanted to me, he wouldve raped me, he wouldve robbed me, and he wouldve killed.' Hunter Biden is the 'ultimate white privilege guy' and could potentially face up to 10 criminal referrals, vows the top Republican investigating President Biden and his son's business dealings he says far exceeds $25 million in foreign payments. 'You know, at the end of the day, when we wrap this report up, Hunter Biden's gonna have between six and 10 criminal referrals,' House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., said on Fox Business - referring to his ongoing investigation. Comer discussed the hearing he led on Wednesday featuring testimony from two IRS whistleblowers claiming Hunter received 'special treatment' during the Justice Department's criminal investigation. The chairman praised Greene for presenting hard 'evidence,' during the six-hour panel, despite Democrats' claims the Republicans have no concrete proof Hunter violated any laws. 'She showed them evidence of the president's son committing a crime, violating the Mann Act. She showed the plane tickets, she showed the pictures, she showed the evidence,' said Comer. 'He violated the Foreign Agent Registration Act, he was money laundering, he was racketeering, he committed wire fraud, he violated the Mann Act. The list goes on and on and on, but yet he gets a slap on the wrist, and the Democrats want to talk about '[how] the two-tiered system of justice is racist in America.' Hunter Biden is the ultimate white privilege guy here,' he added. The FD-1023 form details a $10 million total 'arrangement' for an exchange of money for policy decisions between then-Vice President Joe Biden, Hunter Biden and a Ukrainian oil executive Comer also said that the Biden family's overseas deals likely 'exceed $25 million Comer also said that the Biden family's overseas deals easily 'exceed $25 million' according to bank records he's reviewed and expects to make public soon. 'They can't say one thing they did to receive this $25 million. And none of these are legitimate businesses that they got money from. They're all from our adversaries around the world, foreign nationals.' His remarks came after the release of an internal FBI document - obtained by DailyMail.com - that included bombshell claims that Joe Biden and Hunter forced a Ukrainian oil executive to pay them $10 million in exchange for the then-Vice President's influence in getting a senior prosecutor fired. According to the conversation between a confidential source and Burisma CFO Vadim Pojarski in 2015, Hunter Biden was hired onto the company's board to 'protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems.' Burisma CEO Mykola Zlochevsky told the source: 'It costs 5 (million) to pay one Biden, and 5 (million) to another Biden.' Zlochevsky added that, although Hunter 'was stupid,' and his (Zlochevsky's) dog was smarter, he was needed on the board 'so everything will be okay.' According to the blockbuster FD-1023 form - some of which is redacted - the Confidential Human Source (CHS) met with the high-ranking Burisma executives between 2015 and 2016. Burisma was looking to spend up to $30 million on a U.S.-based oil and gas company. However, at the time, it was also the subject of a criminal investigation by Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin, which the company knew 'would have a substantial negative impact on Burisma's prospective IPO in the United States.' When asked about the investigation, the form states that Zlochevsky replied: 'Don't worry Hunter will take care of all of those issues through his dad.' Later, then-Vice President Joe Biden made a public statement that Shokin was 'corrupt, and that he should be fired/removed from office.' The damning form also reveals: ZIochevsky 'didn't want to pay the Bidens and says he was 'pushed to pay' them.' Asked whether Hunter or Joe told him to retain Hunter on the board, Zlochevsky replied: 'They both did.' The source asked why Burisma didn't just 'pay some attorney $50,000' to fight Shokin's investigation in Ukraine, to which Zlochevsky replied that 'he/Burisma would likely lose the trial because he could not show that Burisma was innocent.' When asked how he would 'explain suspicious wire transfers', he responded that he 'did not send any funds directly to the 'Big Guy' (which CHS understood was a reference to Joe Biden).' He added that it would take '10 years to find the records (ie illicit payments to Joe Biden).' In a follow-up call, Zlochevsky boasted that Shokin had been fired, there was no longer an investigation into Burisma, and 'nobody would find out about his financial dealings with the Bidens.' He added that, as back-up to his claims, 'he has many text messages and a total of 17 'recordings' that show he was coerced to make the payments.' DailyMail.com previously reported that the 17 audio recordings of phone calls - two of Joe Biden and 15 of Hunter Biden - were kept as an 'insurance policy.' The FBI FD-1023 form was created on June 30, 2020 based on information from a highly-paid informant and brought to the attention of Republicans by a whistleblower. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, obtained and published the document after a months-long back-and-forth between the top Republican and the FBI through 'legally protected disclosures' by Department of Justice (DOJ) whistleblowers. The document contains a limited number of redactions to protect the confidential human source, the handling agents, DOJ whistleblower names and references to connect ongoing investigations, according to a Senate aide. 'For the better part of a year, I've been pushing the Justice Department and FBI to provide details on its handling of very significant allegations from a trusted FBI informant implicating then-Vice President Biden in a criminal bribery scheme,' Grassley said in a statement. 'While the FBI sought to obfuscate and redact, the American people can now read this document for themselves, without the filter of politicians or bureaucrats, thanks to brave and heroic whistleblowers.' House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., added that the FBI's memo 'tracks closely with the evidence uncovered by the Oversight Committee's Biden family influence peddling investigation.' 'In the FBI's record, the Burisma executive claims that he didn't pay the 'big guy' directly but that he used several bank accounts to conceal the money. That sounds an awful lot like how the Bidens conduct business: using multiple bank accounts to hide the source and total amount of the money.' The Republicans expressed their continued commitment to uncovering the truth regarding the Biden family business scheme. White House spokesperson for oversight and investigations Ian Sams fired back after the FD-1023's publish, accusing Republicans of going after 'debunked' claims. 'It's clear that congressional Republicans are dead-set on playing shameless, dishonest politics and refuse to let truth get in the way,' he said in a statement. The FBI said in a statement to DailyMail.com that through the agency's 'engagement' with Congress, they have worked to protect the safety of their confidential sources, which the Republicans violated by making the document public. 'Today's release of the 1023 - at a minimum - unnecessarily risks the safety of a confidential source,' said an FBI spokesperson. A murder investigation has been launched after a man was found stabbed to death in inner Sydney. Police said emergency services were on Friday called to Forbes Street, Newtown, in Sydney's inner-west, following reports of a stabbing at around 7pm. On arrival, officers from Inner West Police Area Command found a man with a stab wound to his torso. A man has reportedly died after being stabbed in Newtown, in Sydney's inner-west on Friday The man, believed to be in his 60s, was found with stab wounds on Forbes Street in Newtown (stock image pictured) He was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics but unfortunately he died at the scene. The man has not been formally identified but is believed to be aged in his 60s. A crime scene has been established and investigations are underway into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The natural occurring gum discharged by Acacia trees is used in several key industries. The ongoing conflict in Sudan is hurting exports and threatening livelihoods. Gum arabic, also known as E414, has several uses in diverse industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to shoe polish, and sweets and cosmetics. The ancient Egyptians used the the natural emulsifier for mummification purposes. For the process of making fizzy drinks, the stabilizer plays a key role in preventing the sugar present in the drink from falling to the bottom and crystallizing. Sudan is the leading producer of gum arabic globally and accounts for approximately 70% of global total exports; many Sudanese people depend on the gum directly and indirectly as their source of income. The ongoing fighting there means those exports have essentially ground to a halt. According to data from The Observatory of Economic Complexity, a data visualization site for trade data, Sudan exported $111 million (99 million) worth of gum arabic in 2021, making it the second-largest exporter globally. The main recipients of the gum exports include France, the United States and Germany. Hussein Ali, a journalist based in Sudan, told DW that "the continuation of the war means stopping gum arabic exports which will cause a crisis for major companies. It is expected that if the war drags on for long, companies' strategic reserves will run out." Many locals depend on selling the gum to make ends meet, but since clashes broke out in April between General Abdel Fattah Burhan's Sudanese Armed Forces and General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo's Rapid Support Forces that has become increasingly difficult. As a result, the ongoing conflict is starting to affect trade and businesses in the country. "The product is an important crop of Sudan which ranks second or third in importance according to the list of exports," Professor Abulgasim Seifeldin, former head of the Agricultural Research Cooperation in Sudan, told DW. What is gum arabic? Gum arabic is a fluid of naturally growing plants called acacias which grow in arid and semi-arid areas, notably in the Sahel region, in the so-called gum belt stretching across several countries. When the acacia trees get damaged either by fires, insects or other causes, the trees react by producing the gum to close off the exposed pores to avoid water evaporating from the tree due to the heat in these areas. The gum essentially helps the tree maintain it's water content for survival. There are two types of gum arabic, namely acacia Senegal and acacia Seyal. The first is considered superior due to its ability to easily dissolve in water, and mainly grows in Sudan. How is gum arabic produced? Farmers typically make an incision to the acacia tree in a process called tapping. The gum oozes through the area and dries off when it comes into contact with air and sunlight. After a few weeks, the farmers collect the dried gum in a process that is repeated during the harvesting season. Abulgasim Seifeldin notes that many farmers still use hand tools to get a small yield which he estimates to be around 250 grams (8.9 ounces) per tree. After collection the gum is sorted and cleaned then sold to merchants who in turn sell it to processing and export companies who then process it through heat treatment to form spray-dried acacia gum. What are the uses of gum arabic? The two types of gum are used in diverse industries ranging from textile, adhesives, paint, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and the food industry. The food industry heavily relies on the gum as an organic food additive and as a source of prebiotic fiber. The gum does not alter the original properties of foods and can be found in confectionery, sauces and dressings, bakery products, dairy products, and beverage products. For fizzy drinks giants like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, who have said that they cannot produce their global favorite brands without the key ingredient, the importance of steady and reliable supply of the gum is unprecedented. Coca-Cola did not respond to DW's requests for comments. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Conflict Food and Agriculture By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. How important is the gum? Such is the gum's importance that it was the only commodity to be excluded from the US sanctions list imposed on Sudan in the 1990s and 2000s. The Hamburg-based Association for the International Promotion of Gums (AIPG) told DW in a written statement that, "AIPG members are closely monitoring developments with their local partners, and hope that a peaceful solution can soon be found, so that the acacia gum market, which is an essential source of income for the rural population, can return to normal in this country." The situation is becoming increasingly untenable for many farmers, says Abulgasim Seifeldin. "Production will be affected because the farmers will be unable to go to the field, unable to export, unable to sell, unable even to clean. The merchants may not be able to have their gum cleaned and packed and then taken to Port Sudan." Edited by: Rob Mudge President John F. Kennedy's grandson Jack Schlossberg hammered his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential run in a Friday morning Instagam post - and then endorsed President Joe Biden. Robert F. Kennedy - one of the nation's most prominent anti-vaxxers - announced in April that he would be running against Biden in the 2024 Democratic primary. Since then, the longshot candidate has amassed about 14 percent of the Democratic primary vote, while making waves with bizarre claims such as that COVID-19 was designed to spare Ashkenazi Jews and the Chinese. Schlossberg, 30, said Biden was on the way to becoming the country's 'greatest progressive president we've ever had,' and said if his cousin cared about his family's legacy he'd support the current occupant of the Oval Office. 'Instead, he's trading in on Camelot, celebrity, conspiracy theories and conflict for personal gain and fame,' the lawyer and son of Caroline Kennedy said. 'I've listened to him. I know him. I have no idea why anyone thinks he should be president. What I do know is his candidacy is an embarrassment.' President John F. Kennedy's grandson Jack Schlossberg posted a video to Instagram Friday morning hammering his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential bid and endorsing President Joe Biden Democratic presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was invited by House Republicans to testify at a Congressional hearing on censorship on Thursday. Kennedy is one of the country's most prominent anti-vaxxers 'Let's not be distracted again, by somebody's vanity project,' Schlossberg added. In the video, Schlossberg highlighted Biden's record, noting the administration's push for infrastructure and green energy development. 'He's appointed more federal judges than any president since my grandfather. He ended our longest war. He ended the COVID pandemic. And he ended Donald Trump,' Schlossberg touted. The young lawyer's endorsement of Biden follows a number of Kennedy clan members who have publicly voiced their support for the president's 2024 reelection bid. RFK's sister Rory, a documentary filmmaker, has endorsed Biden. Schlossberg's mother Caroline, the only surviving child of JFK, is supporting Biden. She's currently serving as the U.S. ambassador to Australia. Jack Schlossberg joins a number of family members who are openly supporting President Joe Biden's reelection bid, despite the fact that family member Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is challenging the president in the 2024 Democratic primary Former Reps. Joe Kennedy III and Patrick Kennedy have also backed Biden, as has Victoria Kennedy, the widow of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy. She's another diplomat with the Biden administration, serving as the U.S. ambassador to Austria. Meanwhile, Republicans gave RFK Jr. an outlet this week, inviting him to testify before the House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government on Thursday. Democrats were incensed by the invite, hammering Republicans for allowing a political rival of the president to appear front-and-center at a Congressional hearing. They were angered further after Kennedy's controversial remarks about COVID targeting certain ethnicities were brought to light. Still, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy let the show go on. 'I disagree with everything he said,' the Republican leader told reporters. 'The hearing that we have this week is about censorship. I don't think censoring somebody is actually the answer here.' She's since been arrested , and is charged with second-degree manslaughter Cops say the 27-year-old bus monitor on staff failed to notice the girl suffocate A six-year-old wheelchair user died during her bus-ride to school after a harness securing her wheelchair fatally choked her - while a woman tasked with looking after her played with her phone, it's claimed. Fajr Williams died Monday morning in Somerset County, New Jersey, with 27 year-old bus monitor Amanda Davila now charged with second-degree manslaughter. Fajr was seated towards the front of the bus, in the wheelchair she uses. A harness was used to secure her wheelchair while in transit. But it tightened around the little girl after the vehicle hit bumps in the road, with Fajr's breathing further restricted when she slumped forward. The horror ordeal ultimately suffocated Fajr. Cops say Davila - who's also charged with second-degree injury to a child - ignored the tragedy unfolding close to her, instead playing on her phone while using headphones. The probe also revealed Davila had been seated towards the front of the bus, while the six-year-old, who was born with a rare chromosome disorder that left her without the agility to speak or walk, strangled during a series of bumps in the road that caused her to slump in her seat. Scroll down for video: New Jersey six-year-old Fajr Williams died during her bus-ride to school Monday - after a harness securing her wheelchair fatally choked her, cops said Following a preliminary investigation, cops arrested Amanda Davila, the 27-year-old bus monitor who had been on staff at the time, and failed to notice the girl suffocate. She is now facing second-degree manslaughter and child endangerment charges The girl's parents - Namjah Nash Williams, 38, and 44-year-old Wali Williams - are now speaking out after the loss, chiding officials for letting it happen 'She didn't have oxygen in her brain for almost 40 minutes,' her father, Wali Williams, 44, told NBC-4 Thursday, in an emotional interview where he and his wife recalled taking one last look at their late daughter before she was brought to a coroner. 'Do you understand the image that we got in our head of our daughter the last time that we seen her? What we had to go through?' Her mother, Namjah Nash Williams, 38, also mourned the loss, while also chiding officials for let it happen. Cops' investigation found that Davila's use of her cellular phone and earbud was in violation of policies and procedures for school bus monitors at Franklin Township Board of Education. 'She was the sweetest kid you'll ever meet,' recalled Nash Williams, tearing up during the filmed sitdown. 'She had the sweetest little laugh, little dimples and she just endured so much in her six years. 'To be taken away from us in such a way,' the Somerset mom lamented , 'that had nothing to do with her condition.' She added that she was 'devastated' to learn that the bus monitor had been on her phone and had her earbuds in during her daughter's death Fajr was born with a rare chromosome disorder that left her without the agility to speak or walk. Cops say strangled during a series of bumps in the road that caused her to slump in her seat 'It was very hurtful,' Nash Williams - a quality assurance expert at a company that brokers nonemergency medical transportation herself - told The New York Times in another interview Thursday. 'It was very distasteful.' Fajr was born with Emanuel syndrome, which as previously mentioned, robbed her of her ability to speak or walk. She had been on her way to an summer school program at Claremont Elementary in nearby Franklin Township, cops said, when the incident occurred. In a statement Thursday - a day after arresting Davila - cops laid out how they believe the tragedy unfolded. They said Davila had been sitting toward the front of her bus, focused on her cellphone and wearing her earbuds in both ears, Several rows back was 6-year-old Fajr, in a wheelchair and unable to speak. At a point, the driver hit a bumpy patch of road, causing the girl to slide down in her chair. Unbeknownst to Davila, the strap that had been securing her seat ended up tight against her throat, authorities said. The girl would then ultimately suffocate, all without anyone noticing. Two days later, Davila - a staffer at Montauk Transit, which has a contract with the Franklin Township Board of Education - was in cuffs, and is facing second-degree manslaughter and child endangerment charges according to Somerset County's prosecutor. They confirmed on Thursday that Davila had been 'utilizing a cellular telephone while wearing earbud headphone devices in both ears' when the incident occurred. Later that day, John Ravally, the superintendent of the Franklin Township Public Schools District, notified residents in a letter that the death had taken place, while also announcing the charges against Davila. 'Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with this students family and friends,' Ravally wrote. Vanessa Miranda, a spokeswoman for the Franklin Township Board of Education, added to the Times in an email that 'obviously the community is saddened by this recent tragedy.' Cops' investigation has revealed that Davila's actions during the Monday morning ride were in violation of policies and procedures, prosecutors said Thursday. Attorney information for the school staffer - who cops said was brought to the Somerset County Prosecutors Office without incident - was was not immediately clear. Speaking to reporters Thursday, Nash Williams demanded the town's board more thoroughly vet the transportation companies which they contract, 'to ensure that theyre going to take care of our children.' 'Theres only so much that parents can do,' she told The Times. Speaking to NBC-4, she added: 'This will never ever happen again if I have any say so.' Conservative podcast host Steven Crowder has been accused of sending staff explicit photos of and flashing them in a 'toxic' workplace environment. Mediaite cites five staffers from his show - Louder with Crowder - and a source close to the host who described the 'toxic' workplace and his alleged misconduct. One former staffer said Crowder sent him inappropriate texts and photos, including images of his genitalia. The employee said he dismissed it as 'frat culture' at the time but now considers it 'groomer-ish'. Mediaite cites five staffers from his show - Louder with Crowder - and a source close to the host who described the 'toxic' workplace and his alleged misconduct 'It always felt like childish behavior in the moment that then felt predatory in hindsight. 'Like he was always testing peoples comfort levels with that kind of behavior. ' Because he was the boss though and he had no accountability, it just continued to happen. There was no one trusted to complain to.' Crowder, who fell out of favor earlier this year after videos of his treatment towards his wife emerged, has not yet addressed the claims. Inquiries to staff at his show from DailyMail.com went unanswered on Friday. Louder with Chowder CEO Gerald Morgan Jr. told Mediaite that the claims by former staff were 'out of context'. 'While Louder with Crowder does not provide details on personal, private medical matters or personnel issues, it is important to note that many of these claims are missing context, clear misrepresentations or outright falsehoods,' he said. In April, Ring camera footage emerged showing Crowder berating his pregnant wife in their home. The pair are now embroiled in a contentious divorce Reports of Crowder flashing staff and exposing his genitals first emerged in May in reports from The New Yorker and The New York Post. He has never addressed them in great depth or sincerity, instead mocking them on his show. All of the anecdotes are less descriptive of a sexual predator than they are of childish, boyish toilet humor stunts. 'My personal theory is that he is a man-child and just thinks its funny, like boys in middle school playing pranks on each other in the locker room. That to me seems to be his mentality. Could it be a power move? Possibly. 'He does virtually nothing that a grown man should do for himself. Wash his own laundry, prepare his own food, buy his own groceries. Most of the time someone else does all that for him. 'So, hes like a child that needs to be taken care of and his humor reflects that type of childish behavior,' a person close to Chowder told Mediaite. The former staff also described him giving out and swapping prescription drugs. 'Steven was known for passing out prescription drugs fairly freely. Crowder was offered $50million by the Daily Wire for a four-year deal, but he turned it down calling it a 'slave' contract 'Its surprising to the employees when your boss is offering and/or asking for things like that. 'However, because the work environment is so crazy, employees end up getting desensitized to the point where when things like that occur, it almost just seems normal. Its not until you actually step away for a bit that you realize how wrong these types of things are,' one of the former staffers said. Crowder is embroiled in a bitter divorce from his wife, Hilary. He was seen berating her on bombshell Ring camera footage, saying: 'I will f*** you up' while she sat on the porch of their Plano, Texas, home. A White House spokesman has dismissed concerns over President Biden mumbling his way through a conversation with the Israeli president. President Isaac Herzog had been in Washington D.C. for a meeting on Tuesday, where 80 year-old Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to Israel. Video footage of their exchange shows Biden mumbling indecipherable comments towards Herzog while avoiding eye contact, and looking down at himself, as if he's about to nod-off. Fox News host Martha MacCallum questioned White House spokesman John Kirby over the mumbling, saying: 'Why is it so hard to understand what the President is trying to say there?' In response, Kirby told the news host that Biden had been 'very, very clear' while making his comments. John Kirby was grilled about the mumbling remarks made by President Biden on Fox News The two had been participating in a bilateral meeting inside the Oval Office on Tuesday Biden is seen here with his eyes closed talking to the fellow president inside the Oval Office Avoiding the subject of the president's demeanor, Kirby continued: 'Our commitment to Israel's security is iron clad, not going to change. 'That doesn't mean we don't have concerns that about the significant changes that are afoot in the democratic institution inside Israel. 'The President spoke about that honestly, with the prime minister and the president of Israel. 'Israel is a deep and secure partner and friend in the region and we are going to do everything we can to defend themselves.' In response, MacCallum questioned Kirby further asking him: 'So you didn't think there was any problem to communicate there, you didn't think there was any difficulty understanding what he was trying to say?' Kirby again stood by his comments, adding: 'The President was very clear in that clip and he's been very clear with Israeli leaders.' The footage shows Biden with his eyes closed talking to Herzog, saying: 'We brought Israelis and Palestinians together, at a political level'. The rest of the clip is almost unintelligible as Herzog scans around the Oval Office in the White House. US President Joe Biden poses for a picture with Israeli President Isaac Herzog (R) at the Presidential residence in Jerusalem on July 14, 2022 Last month, Biden was ridiculed after he made a speech at the National Safety Communities Summit in West Hartford, Connecticut. The president ended the speech with a bizarre reference to Queen Elizabeth II, nine months after he attended her funeral. He then motioned to aides asking which way he was to leave the stage to take photographs. After expressing his outrage about the U.S.'s gun violence problem during his speech he informed the crowd that he had to leave due to an impending storm. The audience - comprised of a number of young activists - shouted back, 'Nooooo!' 'That's the truth, now don't make a lie,' he continued. 'As that scene in the John Wayne movie, don't make me a dog-faced lying pony soldier.' He had previously deployed a similar line at a 2020 campaign event in New Hampshire - a bizarre moment that went viral. He then told the group 'God save the queen,' before heading offstage to take pictures with participants. The pool reporter chronicling the trip at the time sent out a note to the press saying that he and the other reporters had 'no idea' why the president mentioned the queen, who has been dead since September. Biden is also now using the the shorter stairs to board Air Force One, after he previously stumbled up the larger stairs to the aircraft at least three times. Politico reported Wednesday that two Biden advisers privately acknowledged that the president's now-frequent use of the shorter staircase was intentional to ensure easier travel and minimize the chances of him taking another spill. President Joe Biden is now almost exclusively boarding Air Force One using the shorter, retractable stairs (left, on Thursday), after falling up the stairs three times. He stumbled up the stairs in March 2021 (right) Presidents have the option of using a staircase on wheels - with 26 steps to climb - or a shorter, 14-step staircase that folds into the plane. While Biden continues to use the taller staircase, thus making a grander entrance, when he arrives at various destinations, he's been opting to take the shorter staircase to board the plane on almost every occasion since falling over a sandbag last month. A wealthy Russian businessman has lost a High Court fight with the Government over the detention of his superyacht. Sergei Naumenko wanted a judge to make an order setting aside a Government decision to detain the Phi as part of a sanctions regime following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But Sir Ross Cranston has ruled against him after considering evidence at a High Court hearing in London. Mr Naumenko argued that then transport secretary Grant Shapps was wrong to decide to detain the yacht in spring 2022. He argued that the detention was a 'disproportionate interference' with his property rights. A wealthy Russian businessman has lost a High Court fight with the Government over the detention of his superyacht (pictured near Canary Wharf in London) Mr Naumenko argued that then transport secretary Grant Shapps was wrong to decide to detain the yacht in spring 2022 Grant Shapps by superyacht the Phi in March last year. It was docked in West India and Millwall Docks in London The Phi in numbers Price: 38million Delivered: December 2021 Length: 192ft Weight: 499 tonnes Decks: 3 Top speed: 25mph Range: 4,600 miles Guests: 12 Crew: 11 Features: 23ft 16-tonne capacity fresh-water pool 300-bottle 'infinite wine cellar', external lighting powered by lasers and a mile of optical fibre cables Two speedboat tenders and a Smart car carried on separate 118ft 'shadow' vessel, Phi Phantom Advertisement The judge heard how following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the National Crime Agency and Border Force Maritime Intelligence Bureau investigated vessels with connections to Russia and the Phi had been identified as a 'vessel of interest'. Mr Shapps had exercised detention powers, on the grounds that the yacht was 'owned, controlled or operated by a person connected with Russia', and decided that detaining the yacht was in the 'public interest'. Sir Ross concluded that the detention of the yacht interfered with Mr Naumenko's 'property rights'. But he indicated that the public interest in the UK's attempt to have as 'deep an impact as possible' on Russia through a sanctions regime was greater. He said Mr Naumenko had 'great wealth' and did not claim to be 'suffering financial hardship' because of the detention of a 'luxury superyacht'. Sir Ross heard that the Phi, which measures 58.5 metres nearly 200 feet, had been moored at South Dock in the West India & Millwall Docks, in London, in December 2021 and remained there. Before its seizure, guests could hire out the superyacht for of 500,000 (421,000) a week. They could also use its freshwater pool, an outdoor cinema and a spectacular wine cellar. 'London was her first port of arrival following her delivery as a newly-built vessel by the Royal Huisman Shipyard in the Netherlands,' said the judge in a written ruling published on Friday. Before its seizure, guests could hire out the superyacht for of 500,000 (421,000) a week 'She came to London partly for tax reasons (she was to be onward exported into the EU), and partly at the invitation of a British magazine to participate in the World Superyacht Awards. 'Following that winter stopover, she was due to leave London for Malta on 28 March 2022, followed by post-delivery warranty works in Mallorca, and a chartering season in the Mediterranean.' The judge said there was no evidence that Mr Naumenko held any political or administrative position in Russia, nor evidence that he had any connection with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said Mr Naumenko had not been 'designated' under sanctions regulations. A Department for Transport spokesman said: 'We welcome today's ruling, which backs our decision to detain the Phi superyacht. 'We'll continue to act where necessary to crack down on those benefiting from Putin's regime and their illegal war in Ukraine.' A California sheriff's deputy slammed an 'anti-cop' jury for acquitting a man charged with her attempted murder - calling the decision a 'stab in the back' and a 'damaging' precedent for police officers and victims. Shocking video of the 2019 incident shows former San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy Meagan McCarthy brutally attacked by an out-of-control man, who beat her before gaining control of her gun and firing shots at the mother. Jurors found Ari Young not guilty of attempted murder and assault with a firearm on a police officer on May 31. Young was instead convicted of a lesser charge of firing a gun with gross negligence, and was released from jail. McCarthy who reportedly spent four years recovering from the attack, told 'Fox & Friends First' Thursday, that she was 'heartbroken' by the jury's verdict. 'You know, I've spent nearly four years healing from this incident and to be told - You're not a victim. You don't get to speak. You don't get to have that closure,' she said. 'That was kind of the knife in the back that I was hoping I wouldn't have.' Meagan McCarthy told 'Fox & Friends First' Thursday, that she was 'heartbroken' by the jury's verdict and said it was damaging precedent Former San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy Meagan McCarthy was brutally attacked by an out-of-control man, who beat her before gaining control of her gun and firing shots at the mother in 2019 The suspect, Ari Young (pictured) was found not guilty of attempted murder and assault with a firearm on a police officer on May 31. Young was instead convicted of a lesser charge of firing a gun with gross negligence, and was released from jail Due to a recent reform to California's jury selection process, McCarthy said, jurors with an 'expressed bias' against law enforcement are now allowed to sit on her case. McCarthy says that rule unfairly stacks the odds against cops who find themselves the victims of violent crime. 'If you express an implicit bias towards law enforcement, you are allowed to sit on a jury. And that has never been the case before,' McCarthy said. 'So in my situation, we had many jurors who expressed this bias towards law enforcement, and they were still allowed to decide guilty or not guilty on my suspect,' she told Fox. California Assembly Bill 3070, which prohibits the 'unfair exclusion' of potential jurors, went into effect in 2022. One of the peremptory challenges no longer valid to remove a prospective juror on the bench include: 'expressing a distrust of or having a negative experience with law enforcement or the criminal legal system' and 'expressing a belief that law enforcement officers engage in racial profiling or that criminal laws have been enforced in a discriminatory manner.' McCarthy said the justice system did not only let her down but it also set a 'damaging' precedent for police officers and victims everywhere. 'You go to work, especially being a cop, to serve and protect the community that you swore to do. That's exactly what I did that day,' she said to Fox. 'To say that somehow I'm not a victim and I'm not righteous of the closure of the justice system, is just very damaging to not just cops but people,' she added. Young's defense accused the video of being an 'illusion' - claiming McCarthy had no right to pat down the schizophrenic suspect who was simply acting in self-defense. Deputy Meagan Forsberg arrived on the scene in the 13000 block of Cabazon Court and attempted to arrest the man but he evaded her and a fight broke out The defense argued that the deputy didn't have a lawful authority to detain Young - and therefore, he's free to defend himself and do 'whatever he wants to get away from her, including beating her up and shooting at her.' 'That's not correct. That's not the law. And I don't think the judge should have allowed that argument to be presented in that manner,' she said to Fox. Young was 21-year-old at the time of the crime and reportedly suffering from mental illness. His mother was the one who called the police on him, claiming he was suffering from a mental break. 'I was hoping for closure. I was hoping for justice. I was hoping for peace, McCarthy said. 'I never saw that.' 'I don't know how you can see a video of a crime and allow this person to enter a community. It's heartbreaking, and it's devastating for the people,' she added. The county sheriff was also disappointed with the verdict in this case. 'The video speaks for itself, and more importantly it demonstrates the increasing violence the public and our deputies experience,' San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Shannon Dicus told Fox News Digital. 'I share in the frustration at the lack of accountability for these brazen and violent crimes, crimes perpetrated by a criminal who created a situation where law enforcement help was requested, a criminal who repeatedly and brutally attacked, disarmed, and tried to murder a deputy sheriff.' Young (pictured) suffers from schizophrenia. He was found guilty of negligent discharge of a firearm while the jury was hung on three other charges against him 'Disbelief, I didn't believe it,' McCarthy told ABC 7 in an interview after the verdict was revealed. 'I think it took a couple hours to actually hit me' 'I remember hearing the trigger click and I had so much pain to my face from him hitting me that I didn't know if I had been shot,' she said to NBC. 'But I knew I had a little girl at home and I had to fight for her.' McCarthy said she was given a medical retirement from the sheriff's department in March 2022, in part due to the post traumatic stress she suffered from the attack. The video of the September 4, 2019, attack was taken by a neighbor through an upstairs window near the address the deputy had been called to. McCarthy was responding to a home on Cabazon Ct. in Victorville for a domestic disturbance at the time of the incident. The San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy had responded to calls from a distressed mother in Victorville who pleaded with police to remove her son from her home. In distressing scenes, deputy and Young were seen struggling before the man can be seen punching the deputy multiple times in the face and head. As McCarthy fell to the ground, Young grabbed the woman's firearm and attempted to start shooting at the law enforcement official. Young proceeded to fire it at the officer multiple times as she attempts to run away. McCarthy who spent four years recovering from the attack, told 'Fox & Friends First' Thursday, that she was 'heartbroken' by the jury's verdict According to local media reports, Officer Meagan Forsberg (pictured) did not sustain any bullet wounds, and was taken to hospital without serious injury (Picture from Meagan Forsberg's Instagram) 'I turn and I run, and I run for the nearest cover I can find which is a bush. And I hear a gunshot go off, and I knew he was shooting at me,' McCarthy told ABC 7. 'A portion of me accepted that I was about to get murdered,' she added. 'He got the gun, standing like this and pointing at her. Because she was on the ground just waiting, just waiting to get killed,' a neighbour told ABC 7. Moments later, three police cars with their sirens blazing arrive on the scene and the man appears to surrender before another shot can be heard. A police officer then opens fire on the man. The bullets fired at the McCarthy missed and she luckily escaped the incident without life-threatening injury. She was taken to hospital without serious injury. Former San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputy Meagan McCarthy said she was shocked after the jury acquitted Ari Young on attempted murder and assault with a firearm on a peace officer charges. 'Disbelief, I didn't believe it,' McCarthy told ABC 7 in an interview after the verdict was revealed on May 31. 'I think it took a couple hours to actually hit me.' While talking with local outlets on Tuesday, Young's lawyer Raj Maline (pictured) said his client fired the weapon but not at McCarthy While talking with local outlets in June, Young's lawyer Raj Maline said his client fired the weapon but not at McCarthy. 'It does look bad when you look at it at first glance,' Maline told ABC 7. 'If you don't ever look at it again or don't study it, certainly it looks like my client is shooting at the deputy,' the lawyer continued. He said the direction his client fired in did not match where McCarthy had hidden. 'We know exactly where she went, which was due south,' Maline told the outlet. And we know where he fired because there's a bullet hole in the garage which shows he fired, which was northeast, which was in the direction he was walking, which was completely opposite of where she was,' he continued. The attorney also claimed McCarthy was not acting lawfully at the time of the shocking and violent altercation. 'You can't detain somebody because you want to do an investigation,' said Maline. 'The jury instruction that the court read to the jury said if you want to detain somebody, you have to have a reasonable suspicion that they're engaged in criminal activity,' he said of the jury's hung decision on three charges. Young was released following his conviction of the single negligent discharge of a firearm charge on a time-served sentence. McCarthy was given medical retirement from the sheriffs department in March 2022, partially due to the post-traumatic stress from the attack. Entrepreneur and 2024 Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy told DailyMail.com on Thursday that it was time to start defunding international institutions that are hostile to the U.S. and to consider completely withdrawing from the United Nations. He has ridden his anti-establishment campaign into second place in the G.O.P. primary according to a national poll published this week. And on Thursday he took his message back to New Hampshire where he laid out how he planned to dismantle what he calls the country's 'administrative state.' In an interview with DailyMail.com he then laid his most radical plan yet for what he sees as returning sovereignty to the American people. 'I think that the U.N. has outlived its institutional purpose,' he said. 'I think when the Human Rights Council of the U.N. is is adorned with the likes of North Korean and Venezuelan representatives pontificating about human rights, I think it's one of many examples of an institution that's fundamentally lost its way and really has no reason for continued existence.' Vivek Ramaswamy told DailyMail.com that it was time to start defunding international institutions that are hostile to the U.S. and consider withdrawing from the United Nations The United States remains by far the largest donor to the U.N. contributing more than $12 billion in 2021 a little less than a fifth of its total funding The Trump administration withdrew from both the U.N.'s Human Rights Council (which it accused of anti-Israel bias and of failing to hold abusers accountable) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (also because of perceived bias against Israel). The Biden administration reversed both moves. In the meantime, allies of Trump have kept up their attacks on U.N. agencies and programs. They have singled out the World Health Organization for particular attention, blaming it for cozying up to China and mishandling the COVID pandemic. Ramaswamy said continued membership of the U.N., which is headquartered in New York City, should be based on whether it was in the best interests of the U.S. 'I would start with the defunding of certain programs,' he said in his S.U.V as he traveled to Manchester airport at the end of the day. 'For me, it is not an ironclad principle that the United States stay in the U.N. That's not written in stone. I think we have to evaluate what's in the American interest.' Withdrawal would have a catastrophic effect on the U.N. and its efforts to promote peace, health and human rights around the world. The United States remains by far the largest donor to the U.N. contributing more than $12 billion in 2021 a little less than a fifth of its total funding. Donald Trump led the U.S. out of the U.N. Council on Human Right and out of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization because of perceived anti-Israel bias. Ramaswamy wants to follow that lead and maybe even go further The U.N. officially came into being on 24 October 1945, after its charter had was ratified by China, France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and other nations But Ramaswamy's message indicates the way much of the Republican field has shifted to Trump's America first position. And the 37-year-old entrepreneur is confident that healthy fundraising and improving poll numbers mean he will be able to deliver his message at the first Republican debate next month. A poll published Thursday by Kaplan Strategies showed him tied for second place with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis at 12 points. Trump leads the field at 48 percent. His campaign against 'woke' policies have seen him attract former Trump supporters who like the idea of backing a younger, more articulate figure. Aides were delighted on Thursday evening when his appearance at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at St Anselm College hit 27,000 viewers. They heard him outline plans to dismantle the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Education and reorganize the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. It is part of a message that with his nerdish approach to regulations, law and the Constitution, he can succeed where Trump failed in draining the 'Swamp.' In his public remarks, he also hinted at his plans for the U.N. 'In the same way that we will defund three letter agencies domestically, we will defund the three letter agencies and two letter agencies abroad that impede on the sovereignty of the United States,' he said. 'We are a sovereign nation. 'And we will protect our sovereignty without funding institutions are hostile to ourselves.' The protective mum of Labour's newest and youngest MP defended him today - and insisted he has 'seen something of life' - after he was branded an inexperienced 'Inbetweener' who robotically parrots party lines fed to him by Sir Keir Starmer and his cronies. Jill Tambaros, from Hull, has said she started yelling in the middle of the night when her son Keir Mather won a huge majority in the Selby and Ainsty by-election and admitted he could be prime minister one day. Johnny Mercer wrote him off today, declaring: 'You've got to have people who have actually done stuff. This guy has been at Oxford University more than he's been in a job. You put a chip in him and he just relays Labour lines'. But Keir's mum insists part-time jobs in a cafe, a butcher's van and selling street food as well as living off a student loan, will have prepared him well for life in Parliament. Describing what happened when the 25-year-old she named after Labour's first leader beat the Tories, Mrs Tambaros said: 'I did scream my head off. My Apple watch went off the decibel scale'. And hitting back at criticism that he has spent more time at Oxford University than in the world of work, she told Sky News: 'He has seen something of life. He does not appear to be like a 25-year-old - he's confident, he's mature, he's got a good head on his shoulders.' His proud mum added: 'He's got experience in parliament and he's been working with the CBI as well so he's done a lot. Plus he's done other things, like working in a cafe, working on the street selling paella, chopping up meat in a butcher's van, so he has seen something of life'. By election winner and Labour Party candidate Keir Mather speaks at Selby Leisure Centre. His mum Jill has spoken to defend his age and experience today Newly elected Labour MP Keir Mather (centre), with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and deputy Labour Party leader Angela Rayner at Selby football club today Keir Mather is hugged by Angela Rayner after she arrived with Sir Keir Starmer Mr Mercer said the new MP (pictured) had 'been at Oxford University more than he's been in a job' As he made reference to the cult TV series, Mr Mercer added: 'We mustn't become a repeat of The Inbetweeners.' Keir Mather graduated from Oxford University only four years ago before landing his first job as a party researcher for Wes Streeting, who is now shadow health secretary. He has most recently worked as a senior public affairs adviser for the CBI. 'And living on a student grant is quite hard as well so you really do have to budget, so it's not as if he hasn't ever done anything, so I think he's got a lot to offer. ' Asked if he could become prime minister one day, she said: 'Why not? Never say never. He's 25, he's really excelled so far, so what's to stop him excelling further? He's got a lot of time to do it.' His step-father George Tambaros, nicknamed 'Gorgeous George' by friends, appeared on Come Dine With Me in 2015. The 25-year-old new Labour MP was named after his party's first leader by his Left-wing parents. Mr Mather, the son of two teachers from Hull, is an Oxford graduate who was parachuted into Selby in June. His candidacy in Selby was supported by the GMB and Unison unions. The party said he has most recently worked as a senior public affairs adviser for the CBI and was formerly a parliamentary researcher for Wes Streeting from 2019 to 2020. His candidacy was supported by the GMB and Unison unions. The connections with the Labour leader don't end there, Mr Mather was named after Keir Hardie, the Scottish trade unionist and founder of the Labour Party - just like Mr Starmer. MailOnline can reveal that his step-father George Tambaros, nicknamed 'Gorgeous George' by friends, appeared on Come Dine With Me in 2015. He served a leg of lamb with Cypriot potatoes with his starter of egg drop soup - quail eggs cracked into a hot broth. Mr Tambaros also ran a restaurant in Hull called The Omelette until around 2014. In 2008 he pleaded pleaded guilty to five breaches of health and safety laws, and paid a 6,250 fine, after a teenage worker had to have skin grafts on her legs when she slipped and knocked over a 350C pan of hot cooking oil left negligently on the floor of the kitchen. Now Mr Tambaros works in property. Mr Mather is gay and says artist and East Yorkshire local hero David Hockney is his 'gay icon'. He supports rugby league club Hull Kingston Rovers and is a regular at sports matches. Labour's newest and youngest MP is set to become the 'baby' of the House of Commons after winning a majority in the Selby and Ainsty by-election last night. But the 25-year-old, the first MP to have been born after Tony Blair became Prime Minister, was mocked by Tory minister Johnny Mercer as 'a repeat of The Inbetweeners'. Mr Mercer said the history and politics graduate had 'been at Oxford University more than he's been in a job' and warned he should not expect a warm welcome from the Conservative benches at Westminster. He also suggested the Hull-born politician, who had most recently worked as a public affairs adviser at the Confederation of British Industry, was 'inauthentic'. Mr Mercer claimed he 'just relays Labour lines' and has 'a Labour chip' in him. Mr Mather is a sports fanatic Twenty-five-year-old Keir Mather is set to become the 'baby' of the House of Commons after winning the Selby and Ainsty by-election for Labour. Johnny Mercer, the veterans minister, swiped that Mr Mather 'just relays Labour lines' and has 'a Labour chip' in him Mr Mather is named after Keir Hardie, just like Labour's leader Keir Starmer Mr Mather, who shares the same name as current Labour leader Keir Starmer - named after the first Labour Party leader Keir Hardie - studied at Oxford between 2016 and 2019 before spending a year as a researcher for Mr Streeting. Asked on Sky News whether he was looking forward to a fresh injection of youth into the Commons, Mr Mercer said: 'It's always good to get new people in politics.' But, as he made reference to the cult TV series, he added: 'We mustn't become a repeat of The Inbetweeners. You've got to have people who have actually done stuff. 'This guy has been at Oxford University more than he's been in a job. You put a chip in him and he just relays Labour lines. The problem is people have had enough of that. 'They want people who are authentic, people who have worked in that constituency, who know what life is like, who understand what life is like to live, work and raise a family in communities like theirs. 'So, no, I'm afraid I don't agree with this style of politics. It's exactly why people like me didn't vote before the 2015 election. 'Because you've got people with nothing to do with the constituency just dropped in and, put a chip in them, and they'll start parroting Labour Party politics.' Shortly after being declared the winner in Selby and Ainsty, in North Yorkshire, Mr Mather said he hoped to be 'a representative for the power that young people have to make a difference'. Asked about whether he could fully understand voters' concerns at the age of 25, he said: 'Well, I'm a taxpayer too, I feel the pressures like anyone else.' The Tories lost another huge majority in Selby and Ainsty as Labour gained the North Yorkshire seat by more than 4,000 votes But the Tory majority in Somerton and Frome crumbled as the Lib Dems won the by-election by 11,000 votes The Conservatives clung onto Uxbridge and South Ruislip, in west London, by less than 500 votes to avert a complete by-election wipeout Sir Keir said Mr Mather's victory demonstrates the 'demand for change'. He tweeted: 'Congratulations Keir Mather, Labour's new MP for Selby and Ainsty! 'Last night, Selby and Ainsty made history. This incredible result shows how powerful the demand for change is. Only Labour can deliver that change, and build a better Britain.' New Labour MP Keir Mather joked he had 'heard far worse' when asked how he felt about becoming 'the Baby of the House'. He will become the youngest MP in the Commons after overturning the Tories' 20,137 majority in the Yorkshire seat. In a speech after he was declared by-election winner, Mr Mather said he 'understood the enormity of what has just happened'. 'We have rewritten the rules on where Labour can win. People have opened their doors to us and embraced our positive vision for the future,' he said. 'The people of Selby & Ainsty have sent a clear message. For too long, Conservatives up here and in Westminster have failed us, and today that changes. 'Over the past few months, speaking to hundreds of people on the doorstep, I've encountered so much hardship. Hardship made worse by 13 years of negligence and complacency from the Conservatives.' At the count at Selby Leisure Centre, Mr Mather told reporters: 'As a young person in politics, I really hope to be a representative for the power that young people have to make a difference.' Labour candidate Keir Mather says his age does not mean he can't understand the lives of voters Mr Mather said his first priority would be setting up financial support centres in the constituency, for people to get expert help with issues including mortgage payments and energy bills. He told journalists he supported Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's policy of keeping the two-child benefit cap, saying: 'I think we're going to inherit an absolute economic mess from the Conservatives when we take power and we're going to have to make extremely difficult decisions once we do, and I support the Labour government in doing so.' Mr Mather said the cost-of-living crisis was the number one issue on the doorstep throughout the campaign. Asked if people were voting for Labour or against the Tories, he said: 'Well, I make no bones about it, I think local residents were extremely frustrated at the way the Conservative MP (Nigel Adams) stepped down, but they only voted Labour to the extent that they did because they knew we had a plan that would actually deliver on their concerns.' After Mr Mather's speech, defeated Conservative candidate Claire Holmes left the venue without talking to reporters. Labour have said Mr Mather was born in Hull and grew up near Selby, before going to Oxford. The party said he has most recently worked as a senior public affairs adviser for the CBI. The college student who mowed the Gilgo Beach suspect's lawn has revealed that he called the alleged serial killer's Long Island home 'the shrunken heads house' after he saw a creepy display inside. Troy Weeks, 23, mowed Rex Huermanns lawn weekly or bi-weekly for the last three summers and always suspected something was off about the 59-year-old architect, who he claimed once tried stiffing him out of $5. At the alleged killer's request, Troy never went inside the Massapequa Park home, but one time he took a peek through a window - and regretted what he saw. 'I was really surprised by the conditions of his house... it looked atrocious in there,' he told DailyMail.com outside Huermann's home, where the suspect may have killed at least one of his victims, according to police. Troy, who lives a few blocks away, said he saw what he described as four heads made out of coconuts with face carvings on them. Rex Heuermann lived in a Massapequa Park, Long Island, home with his wife Asa Ellerup, adult daughter and stepson Troy Weeks, 23, mowed Rex Huermanns lawn weekly or bi-weekly for the last three summers 'I saw these tiny head things - they were like these shrunken heads. And me and my friends always called it the shrunken head house because they were the weirdest coconut head things,' Troy explained. 'It was really creepy.' He and Huermann would occasionally have small talk, and when asked how things were, the alleged killer would always reply 'same sh**, different day,' according to Troy. He seemed like he didnt have any emotions or have a personality. He always had same expression a blank stare. He was very monotone when I spoke to him,' Troy shared. And Huermann emphasized Troy, who was earning minimum wage for the gig, was not to enter the home under any circumstances. 'He always told me if you are thirsty or need something to drink knock on the back door never come into the house that is the one rule,' Troy said. '[Huermann] said, "if you ever try and open my doors then you cannot work for me." The pair had an altercation after Troy claimed the suspect stiffed him out of $5. I said can I get that $5 back otherwise I am never going to do this again. I am coming here with my own equipment cutting your grass and if you are going to short me on $5 thats messed up I am just a kid in college trying to get by,' Troy recalled. He added that he is still trying to process Huermann's arrest 'I am not surprised.... It is scary, I am going to have nightmares. Heuermann was arrested and charged last week in the killings of three of the 'Gilgo Four,' a group of women whose bodies were discovered near Gilgo Beach on Long Island in 2010. He pleaded not guilty to the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. The architect lived in a 'dungeon-like' home just 18 miles away from the beach with his wife Asa Ellerup, adult daughter and stepson - who police say were away when the murders took place. 'He always told me if you are thirsty or need something to drink knock on the back door never come into the house that is the one rule,' Troy said Police were seen searching the property for 'trophies' that may be linked to the victims Heuermann is also the lead suspect in the 2007 disappearance and subsequent murder of the fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, though he has not yet been charged in the case. He is also being investigated for the murders of six other women whose bodies were found near Gilgo Beach in 2011. Detectives are now looking into unsolved murders across the country to see if they are linked to Heuermann. Police were seen searching his property for 'trophies' that may be linked to the victims for a seventh day on Thursday. Investigators are also looking at his time share in Las Vegas and a property he owned in South Carolina. Meanwhile another neighbor revealed exclusively to DailyMail.com how he once caught the now-murder suspect rambling about 'the girls.' Jimmy Mack, who lives a couple of blocks away from Heuermann's home, revealed to DailyMail.com his run ins with the suspected murderer. He claimed he once caught him babbling at the end of his driveway about 'the girls' while he was drunk and when he thought no one was listening. Mack said that when he asked Heuermann what he was doing he blasted him over his car and threatened to slash his tires. And another neighbor said they found 6ft 4in Heuermann 'intimidating' and once walked past him working in his garage and he never even looked up. Mack, 51, who owns a trucking company and lives with his wife and three step kids, recalled a terrifying encounter with Heuermann outside his Long Island home. Heuermann was walking home from the LIRR station past Mack's house on March 2, a regular route for the architect, when a confrontation between the men broke out. Mack was smoking a cigarette on his porch at close to 10pm and overheard a man Heuermann talking, he told DailyMail.com. 'I'm sitting on my porch and he doesn't see me but I hear him saying 'oh here we are again I told them ...I told those girls once already ... now you guys are going to understand.' Melissa Barthelemy, top left, Amber Costello, top right, Megan Waterman, bottom left, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Authorities on Long Island are vowing to continue investigating the Gilgo Beach murders after charging an architect in the deaths of three of the 11 victims In addition to his cluttered home, Heuermann kept two storage units in Amityville. They were searched yesterday and today Mack said Heuermann didn't realize he was there and seemed startled. He said he appeared intoxicated and continued to babble to himself before standing at the end of his driveway. Mack said to Heuermann, 'bro are you talking to my house?' He responded: 'Are you the a**hole that owns this car?... I warned them last time and now they are going to see,' he then said aggressively that he would return in 15 minutes to slash his tires. Mack said he chased Heuermann away from his driveway and told his wife to lock the doors before he followed him down the street on foot asking him, 'what did you say about the girls ... are you talking about my wife and daughter?' The confrontation escalated and Mack said to Heuermann 'we either handle our business now or I never f***ing see you again,' before Heuermann walked off. Mack then followed his neighbor in his car, recalling that he felt 'something ain't right. I need to know where this guy lives.' He saw Heuermann jump over his neighbor's fence and shield his face as he escaped, he recalled, 'he didn't want me to see his face.' Mack said the confrontation and the air of unease he felt, meant he 'knew something was up for me to get back in my car and follow this guy to his house.' He remembers telling his friends and family 'if something happens to this house or anything, it's this guy.' He added, 'that's how much I knew that there was something wrong with this.' 'Who knows if he would have came back with a gun,' Mack asked. 'He (Heuermann) said fifteen minutes and that's about how long it would have taken him to get back to my house' 'I lost five nights of sleep. I was waiting for this guy to come back. I was on my porch every night. Even my wife lost sleep. Everybody was nervous.' Mack added, 'I am not trying to sound like a tough guy but when someone threatens my family.' He also told his neighbors about the confrontation and warned them about where the man lived. 'I told everyone on the block they need to watch out... my gut was just telling me something was wrong ...it was more than a normal confrontation.' Sheepish authorities in Germany have called off the hunt for a loose lioness - after admitting the missing animal is actually a boar. Authorities determined on Friday that there is 'no acute danger' to people in Kleinmachnow on the edge of Berlin where a potentially dangerous animal was spotted, saying they no longer believe that a lioness is at large and calling off the hunt. A search turned up no sign of such a predator and experts who analysed a video have concluded that it was likely a wild boar, they said. Police were alerted to the animal at around midnight on Wednesday when people reported what appeared to be a big cat chasing a wild boar. The informants also provided the video. Based on that, and a subsequent sighting of their own, police initially concluded the animal was apparently a lioness. Michael Grubert, Mayor of Kleinmachnow, holds a picture which shows that the suspected animal on the loose is not a lion Video on Twitter appeared to show a lioness wandering through foliage in Kleinmachnow But it proved elusive in searches on Thursday and Friday in the flat, wooded area on the boundary between Berlin and the surrounding state of Brandenburg. Several reported sightings went unconfirmed; in one case on Friday, police only found a family of wild boars. Today, police thoroughly combed woodland on both sides of the state boundary and found no indication of a lioness, or any wild animal other than boars - which are common in the area - or an animal that had been killed, Kleinmachnow Mayor Michael Grubert told reporters. Officials also had experts analyse the video and compare the animal that was depicted with the body structure of a lioness, Grubert added. He said: 'You see, when you see the wild boar now, you can already imagine that if it's a bit brighter in the evening light, that you think that's a lion. 'Deep fake videos is a bit exaggerated. But it can of course be that because of the incidence of light, that maybe the car headlights, the darkness of the night simulates it a bit, as if it were a lion. 'And it may just have been a wild boar again. The video we do assume though that it is real.' A neighbour added: 'I'm not sure by now if it's really a lion when no remains whatsoever of a wild boar that has been killed have been found. I wonder if there was some wrong identification there.' Police officers arrive for a patrol during the continued search for an escaped lion at the Zehlendorf district of Berlin on Friday Two experts concluded independently of each other that 'this isn't a lioness or a wild animal' and the creature 'tends toward a wild boar,' he said, adding that the rounded back and thick legs of the animal shown in the poorly lit video did not fit with it being a lioness. 'We will return to the usual vigilant programme and we think there is no acute danger for Kleinmachnow or for the south of Berlin,' the mayor said, adding that police would be able to step back up straight away if the situation changes. Grubert defended the 36-hour deployment, in which helicopters, drones and infrared cameras were used and vets and hunters participated, as 'appropriate'. 'The danger of a wild animal in Kleinmachnow justifies the deployment,' he said, adding that he would act the same way 'if I were in the situation today'. There was no immediate word on the cost of the operation. It comes after a German crime boss's son issued a plea for information on the whereabouts of the 'lioness', saying he wants to lead the predator back to her enclosure before 'some idiot shoots her down'. Firas Remmo, the son of Berlin clan boss Issa Remmo and a lover of big cats, revealed he joined the search for the supposed missing lioness. Remmo, whose family is regarded as one of the most dangerous players in the so-called 'Arab mafia' in Berlin, urged anyone with information on the lioness's whereabouts to contact him before the police so they can't shoot the predator. Remmo, who has shared pictures of himself sitting on a sofa next to a young tiger cub, wrote on Instagram: 'If anyone knows anything please let me know first then we can drive the lioness back to her enclosure before some idiot shoots her down.' Armed police officers had today been scouring the southern districts of Berlin for the lioness. The mayor admitted that if there is an immediate danger to human life, the lioness would be shot. Police officers begin another day of searching for a lioness that is on the loose in Berlin in Kleinmachnow on Friday Police officers armed with guns search through a wood in Kleinmachnow, southern Berlin, for the lioness on Friday Firas Remmo (pictured with a tiger in December), the son of notorious Berlin clan boss Issa Remmo and a lover of big cats, revealed he had joined the search for the missing lioness that has been spotted in the city's outskirts Remmo, who has shared pictures of himself sitting on a sofa next to a young tiger cub (pictured), wrote on Instagram: 'If anyone knows anything please let me know first then we drove the lioness back to her enclosure before some idiot shoots her down. Remmo, who referred to the lioness as 'Nala', has responded by urging Berlin residents to contact him, while those who know him have also spread the message. He shared a post on Instagram from a user who said: 'I think there are still people who love animals. Please let Nala live and please don't shoot her. If you see the lioness, please report to Firas Remmo. Thanks.' Remmo's family have been linked to a series of eye-catching raids across Berlin, including the theft of a giant gold coin from a Berlin museum and an 8billion bank robbery which ended in the branch blowing up. His plea for help in finding the lioness is also not the first time he has been linked to big cats. In December, he posted a video on Instagram of himself and a caption 'my new favourite pet' - all of which prompted a police investigation. Berlin residents reported seeing the lioness and hearing lion roars last night in the Zehlendorf area near the city limits, Berlin police said. Officers equipped with guns, night-vision goggles and drones scoured the area throughout the night, but couldn't find the lioness. Residents in the southern districts of the city - Kleinmachnow, Teltow and Stahnsdorf - have been advised to stay in their homes and to keep all doors and windows closed. But some Berliners decided to defy the orders today and walk their dogs in a forest in the Zehlendorf area. It comes as experts on animal tracks joined the hunt today - but some began to doubt whether a lion is actually on the loose and suggested it could have been another wild boar instead. The danger area where policed believe a lioness was roaming the streets of Berlin A professional animal track searcher looks for signs of the lioness in Kleinmachnow on Friday Grubert told local public broadcaster RBB late on Thursday that authorities would comb the forest near Kleinmachnow and Zehlendorf on Friday with 'professional animal track searchers.' The search began after two locals saw an animal chasing a wild boar down in the Kleinmachnow suburb in the early hours of Thursday morning. There have been a series of sightings of it since then - by locals, police officers and firefighters - but each time, the creature escapes from their view and they are unable to trace it again. Hunter Peter Hemmerden, who has been involved in the search, said: 'If there was a lion that would pose an immediate danger to the wild boars and its offspring, they wouldn't be this calm. 'We just got the message that along with the group of boars also a lion supposedly ran into the forest. 'This message turned out to be wrong. Because the group is still very calm right there in the forest and if there was a predator around looking for food the group would act very differently and definitely wouldn't be here. 'So this message, like a lot of others, once again doesn't support the existence of any lion.' 'At this point I don't believe it's a lion anymore, there's a small remaining chance but it's much more likely according to my analysis and when looking at all the pictures and videos that it was a boar in the video.' Police walk through a forest in Kleinmachnow during their search for a lioness in Berlin on Friday Police officers and a hunter gather to search for a lioness roaming the streets in Kleinmachnow, Berlin, on Friday Police officers and a hunter begin their search of woods in Kleinmachnow, Berlin, on Friday German police use a Survivor 'panzerwagen', an armoured vehicle, amid a search for a rogue lioness in the south of Berlin, on July 20, 2023 German police spokesman Daniel Keip said: 'In the summer, you often hear reports of crocodiles in swimming lakes and then it turns out all it was, was a big duck. In this case, it's obviously totally real. 'We're dealing with a lioness that's roaming freely through Teltow, Stahnsdorf and Kleinmachnow.' At around 7pm last night, another sighting of the reported lioness in a forest by Kleinmachnow district prompted a flurry of activity by police officers. 'We're in a hot phase right now, she was just seen,' a police officer told a local resident, reports German newspaper Bild. Joggers were barred from entering the woodland by officers, as the search appeared to be 'heating up' in the evening with one officer screaming 'get out of the wood, quickly' to runners. Police have been joined by professional hunters and vets, armed with tranquilising guns and pistols, in an attempt to safely capture the lioness - believed to be a private pet - but to no avail. They said on Friday morning that the search was unsuccessful during the night and was continuing. They urged people to call an emergency number if they see the animal. Officers have insisted that the operational measures in place will 'continue until a risk to the population can be ruled out'. No zoos have reported a missing lioness, leading to questions about where the animal could have came from. There are 32 registered lions in Brandenburg state surrounding Berlin and they were accounted for, reported RBB, leaving police to ask whether the beast had been kept illegally. No owner has come forward since the search began early Thursday. Residents living in the southern districts of the city - Kleinmachnow, Teltow and Stahnsdorf - have been advised to stay in their homes and to keep all doors windows closed. But some defiant Berliners decided to defy the orders today and walk their dogs in a forest in the Zehlendorf area (pictured) Hunters and vets were reportedly helping track down the animal in Germany A woman carries a tranquilizer gun as members from the veterinary office search for the lioness Police cars drive out of the forest where the predatory cat is supposed to be on Thursday They shared mobile phone footage of the animal with police, who believe the images are genuine, Kleinmachnow mayor Michael Grubert told a press conference. 'Even experienced officers had to conclude that it was probably a lioness,' a police spokesperson told local broadcaster RBB. The animal was later also spotted by police officers themselves, said Kerstin Schroeder, police spokeswoman in the Brandenburg region around Berlin. Local authorities were seen driving armoured vehicles - 'panzerwagens' - through residential areas as a helicopter with thermal imaging circles overhead. Thorsten Thaddey was out for a morning jog in Kleinmachnow yesterday when he was stopped by police, who told him a wild animal might be roaming the nearby forest. 'I have to be honest, I panicked a bit. Because it's a different calibre compared to a normal dog or another pet that has run away,' he said. 'So I'm going to run home now.' Kleinmachnow mayor Michael Grubert said it was not the time 'to go jogging in the woods'. A police spokesperson was forced to admit: 'We don't know where it came from.' Since no zoos or circuses have reported a missing lioness, police believe she must be an escaped pet. Once the animal is found, it will likely be sedated with a tranquiliser and taken to an animal shelter, the mayor said. But Grubert added that if there was an immediate danger to human life, the lioness would be shot. Anyone crossing paths with the feline should 'seek safety immediately and call the police,' Brandenburg police said. Fact-checkers in Nigeria have long warned that disinformation could damage the nation's democracy. Media organizations recently trained 32 Nigerian reporters in information verification and digital cybersecurity. So-called 'fake news' and disinformation are rampant in the West African nation of Nigeria. Unsubstantiated reports were particularly noticeable in the lead up to Nigeria's February 2023 election when the country's election body, the INEC, expressed concerns that the spread of misinformation, disinformation and hate speech was a threat to the vote. Chioma Iruke of Centre for Democracy and Development, an NGO promoting the values of democracy, peace and human rights in Africa, told DW that the phenomenon affects all Nigerians. "The average Nigerian gets close to fake news at least once a day," she said. Experts say that while the internet and social media allow Nigerians to share information in real time, political strategists and propagandists are weaponizing this at the expense of societal cohesion. Threat to democracy? Gwamkat Gwamzhi from African Prime News, a news website, told DW that political actors and unscrupulous individuals are using artificial intelligence tools to engineer misinformation and disinformation, at a high cost to an already polarized society. "Our society Nigeria that is highly polarized by ethnicity, religious bigotry and people who are vulnerable and gullible that have been manipulated by artificial intelligence tools," she explained. False rumors circulating at the end of 2018, for example, suggested Nigeria's then-president, Muhammadu Buhari, had died while receiving medical treatment in Britain and had been replaced in Abuja by a Sudanese body double. "The issue of disinformation is not just an African thing: It cuts across countries, regions, and it is a threat to democracy. And as journalists, it is our social responsibility to continue to equip ourselves," Hadiza Abdulrahman, who is from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, told DW. Way out Journalists and fact-checking organizations are striving to uncover and challenge false information to lessen the harm caused by the flood of fake news. Earlier this month, reporters, fact-checkers and other experts organized trainings for 32 journalists. Silas Jonathan from Dubawa -- a West African verification and fact-checking platform that hosted the training in conjunction with Casa Africa, the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and other organizations -- said "self-interest" is at the heart of the issue at the political, economic, and social levels. "The purpose of the training is to expose journalists to the practice of verification in fact-checking and to also expose them to some of the strategies and some of the methodologies that we use in verifying images, and videos in the social media entirely to debunk false information," Jonathan explained. Similarly, Juan Social Tusell Prats from Casa Africa in Spain highlighted the importance of such training in modern trends and technology for African journalists. "We think is very important not only in Africa... we thought it will be helpful because also in Spain, there are some media which have new technologies and methods to fact-checking," he told DW. The journalists who participated in the training were optimistic that the skills they had acquired will greatly enhance their work. "I have done facts checking, but at the elementary level. This is an added knowledge and skill from this one. From this training I intend to embark on more ambitious projects," said Gwamzhi. Kabir Yusuf Ado of the Premium Times online newspaper told DW that the training has increased his motivation to do more in his work: "I just have to go the extra mile, look for who are the sources of the information, look for what the story is all about, who is signing the statement. People also have to be aware of these things," he said. Role of the government Experts say that, while this training is a great initiative, it's not enough to fully combat the phenomenon: The Nigerian government also needs to do more to fight disinformation and misinformation. "The Nigerian government itself I cannot say they have been actively fighting fake news ... People won't take the Nigerian government's words just like that because whatever they say, they say it in order to cover up their tracts," Iruke told DW. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Media By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. She remains optimistic. "But some civil societies, NGOs and the media, yes, I believe that they have been actively involved in fighting fake news for the Nigerian government," Iruke added. These sentiments echoed those of Spain's ambassador to Nigeria, Juan Sell, who said he hoped this would be the start of a process to improve Nigeria's democratic institutions. "We look forward to working with you in promoting democracy," the Spanish diplomat said. "Spain is holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union this semester -- and among our priority, there is certainly the support of free, independent, trustworthy, and competent media in Africa and elsewhere, as it is a prerequisite for a thriving and inclusive democracy." Ben Shemang in Abuja contributed to this article Edited by: Keith Walker While you're here: Every weekday, we host AfricaLink, a podcast packed with news, politics, culture and more. You can listen and follow AfricaLink wherever you get your podcasts. A nine-year-old girl was found barefoot and crying with her hands bound by zip-ties after she was allegedly abducted by a stranger on her way to school, a witness said. The little girl was allegedly snatched by a mystery man while heading into school in Warnbro, south Perth, at about 8.45am on Friday. A concerned parent spotted the girl getting inside a silver ute and reported it to the school who in turn reported the suspicious encounter to police. 'They thought that was suspicious and immediately reported it to the school,' Acting Det-Insp. Scott Johnson from the sex crimes division said. 'The school did their due diligence in checking to see if the child was at school and contacted the parents and she wasn't so police responded.' The nine-year-old was quickly declared missing and police launched a large-scale search - before she was found a short time later outside a supermarket. A family friend said the nine-year-old girl was 'shaken' but 'so, so glad' to have been returned to her mother. A nine-year-old girl was found with her hands bound by zip-ties outside an IGA in Port Kennedy (above) on Friday after she got into a stranger's car A worried parent spotted the young girl getting a silver car at about 8.45am on Friday while she was heading into school (pictured, the IGA where the girl was found) The girl's mother shared a desperate plea online following news of her alleged abduction, writing 'someone has taken [my daughter] from school'. 'She was seen being picked up by a man in a grey/silver ute at 8.25am outside of [the primary school] in Warnbro.' The little girl was found a short time later alone outside an IGA in nearby Port Kennedy. Det-Insp Johnson said staff spotted her 'in distress and contacted police'. 'Shortly afterwards, police from a number of different units swarmed the Rockingham area and located a male in his 30s and what we believe is the vehicle used to take the child,' he said. Witnesses told The West Australian the girl's hands had been bound with zip-ties. Worker Alicia Janse Van Vuuren said the girl was taken from the small shopping centre in an ambulance. 'We saw her coming out of IGA and saw her being taken into the ambulance,' she said. 'We were shocked by it, she looked tiny. She was crying and distressed. 'I thought at first she had lost her mum but she didn't have any shoes on which I thought was concerning.' Another witness said they saw police collecting bags of evidence from the scene before leaving at about 5.40pm. Forensic officers were also seen at a bushland location understood to be connected to the alleged abduction. WA Police released footage of the dramatic moment officers arrested a man in his 30s driving what is believed to be the car the child was taken in. The man, wearing a high-visibility work uniform, leaned against a silver ute while officers announced over the radio they had a 'suspect in custody'. As of 11pm Friday night no charges were laid in relation to the matter. The nine-year-old girl was taken to Perth Children's Hospital to undergo a medical assessment with her family there for support. She will later be interviewed by specialist child workers to help police better understand what happened. Det-Insp Johnson said: 'This is probably one of the utmost serious things that can happen, a young child to go missing, one of the most vulnerable people in our society.' 'It was a proper response for most of metro [police] to get down here, there was a large contingent of police who were en-route - rapid apprehension squad, child abuse squad, Rockingham detectives.' WA Police have arrested (above) a man understood in his 30s who was driving the ute they believe the girl was taken in As of 11pm Friday night no charges were laid in relation to the matter (pictured, the man's arrest) He also praised the worried parent who reported the strange sighting. 'That's probably one of the primary reasons that this resolved a parent noticing that something wasn't right, seeing a child get into a car when they were almost at school and reporting it straight away - it's of utmost importance,' he said. 'It's one of those things that parents need to have that hard conversation with children about stranger danger and talking to anybody or going with anybody or doing anything online.' It's understood the school did not notify parents of the incident until pickup time. Students were sent home with a note promising 'support staff' will be available on Monday. Boris Johnson stuck the boot into ULEZ today as he hailed the Tories clinging on to his old Uxbridge & South Ruislip seat. The ex-PM said his successor Steve Tuckwell's by-election victory overnight showed Conservatives can 'win in London and across the whole country'. Teeing up his latest Daily Mail column - going live at 5pm on MailOnline and our subscription sister site Mail+ - Boris also offered staunch backing to his old 'frenemy' Nigel Farage. He used a video ahead of the piece being released to rage at the 'outrageous' decision by Coutts to cancel the former Ukip leader's bank account. Boris Johnson is writing weekly for the Daily Mail and MailOnline. Picture: MARK HARRISON 'I dont agree with Nigel Farage about everything. I think hes wrong about Russia, I think hes wrong about the environment,' Boris said. 'But I defend to the death his right to say what he wants to say providing it is within the law. It is outrageous that a bank has decided to shut him down, to debank him, it is a threat to the freedom, I believe, of millions of people in this country. Boris's full-page column will also appear in the Daily Mail every Saturday along with fellow star names Amanda Platell and Andrew Neil. Love him or hate him, one thing is for sure - he is required reading. McDonald's has appointed a new unit to crack down on sexual harassment and bullying after admitting the business has 'fallen short'. CEO Alistair Macrow said the investigation handling unit will able to refer cases to specialist investigators. It comes after more than 100 past and present workers at the fast food chain said they were sexually harassed or assaulted or subjected to racism or bullying. MailOnline told yesterday how the phrase 'boobs sell burgers' would be flung around to justify only hiring 'pretty young girls' while men were kept working in the back. Girls were labelled 'the McBike' if they appeared to have dated or had sexual relationships with members of staff. Ilana Cole, 18, alleged that she was 'groped' by a manager and saw other young women also sexually harassed. Ilana Cole, 18, alleged that she was 'groped' by a manager and saw other young women also sexually harassed Shelby, 16, 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 'The allegations I have heard this week are personally and professionally shocking,' said Mr Macrow, UK and Ireland chief executive for McDonald's. 'I would like to reiterate my unreserved apology to, and empathy with, all those affected in any way, and I commend their bravery in coming forward. 'We have clearly fallen short in some critical areas, and I am determined to root out any behaviour or conduct that falls below the high standards of respect, safety and inclusion we demand of everyone at McDonald's as detailed in our global brand standards.' Mr Macrow said the unit, run by HR and legal professionals, will be in place until at least the end of the year. He said: 'Any substantiated breaches of our code of conduct will be met with the most severe measures up to, and including, dismissal.' 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 He also promised to appoint external experts who can evaluate what happens when a member of staff complains about a colleague. The BBC report contained allegations of complaints falling on deaf ears and not being escalated. The outside experts will assess whether the way McDonald's escalates issues is effective and accessible and how much employees understand it. 'I will make sure that everyone is in no doubt of my own unequivocal insistence on zero tolerance of harassment of any kind and to ensure our non-negotiable message of respect and inclusivity is heard clearly throughout our business,' Mr Macrow said. Earlier this week, the BBC reported that a McDonalds worker in his late 30s asked to show a 17-year-old colleague his penis after calling her a racial slur. Another 17-year-old girl said a senior McDonald's manager grabbed her bottom and choked her. In February, McDonald's signed an agreement with the equality watchdog to improve how it handles sexual harassment allegations. In 2019, the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union said it had spoken to 1,000 women who reported being subjected to sexual harassment and abuse while working at the chain. President Joe Biden joked he was artificial intelligence and that it was to blame for any of his mistakes during an announcement with the seven leading AI companies on new safeguards his administration brokered with them. Executives from Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instgram), Microsoft, and OpenAI (the maker of ChatGPT) joined at the president at the White House on Friday to show their support for voluntary guidelines designed to minimize abuse and bias in AI as concern about the misuse of artificial intelligence grows. After a reporter jokingly asked leaders of seven tech companies whether they were real or AI, the president entered the Roosevelt Room and quipped: 'I'm the AI,' prompting much laughter. He then added: 'If any of you think Im Abe Lincoln, blame it on the AI.' 'I am AI,' President Joe Biden joked at his remarks on new guidelines about the technology Biden said the guidelines were about making 'sure that the products that they're producing are safe and and making public what they are and what they are.' And, he added, they 'underscore three fundamental principles: safety, security and trust.' The companies, per the agreement released by the White House, will put new artificial intelligence systems through internal and external testing before their release and ask outside teams to probe their systems for security flaws, discriminatory tendencies or risks to Americans' rights, health information or safety. The companies also have committed to methods for reporting vulnerabilities to their systems. And will also use digital watermarking to help distinguish between real photos and video and the AI-generated images known as deepfakes. The move comes amid concern about fake content being taken for reality and worries of bias against conservatives. New AI tools allow the developing technology to write convincingly human-like text and churn out new images that could allow for disinformation campaigns. The companies have agreed to publicly report flaws and risks in their technology, including effects on fairness and bias, the White House said. 'We've got to make sure that the companies are pressure testing their products as they develop them and certainly before they release them, to make sure that they don't have unintended consequences, like being vulnerable to cyberattacks or being used to discriminate against certain people,' White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients told Bloomberg News in an interview. 'And the important thing and you'll see this throughout all the work is they can't grade their own homework here.' CEO of Amazon Web Services Adam Selipsky, President of OpenAI Greg Brockman, President of Meta Nick Clegg, CEO of Inflection AI Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Anthropic Dario Amodei, President of Google Kent Walker and Microsoft vice chair and president Brad Smith joined Biden in the Roosevelt Room at the White House Biden's action is seen as an immediate way of addressing risks ahead of a longer-term push to get Congress to pass laws regulating the technology. The White House has been getting more involved in the growing debate over artificial intelligence. In May, Vice President Kamala Harris hosted tech leaders at the White House to tell them to seriously consider concerns about the technology. Consumer advocates welcomed the White House action, but warned that tech companies have a spotty history when it comes to keeping their safety and security pledges. 'History would indicate that many tech companies do not actually walk the walk on a voluntary pledge to act responsibly and support strong regulations,' said Jim Steyer, the founder and CEO of the advocacy group Common Sense Media, in a statement. Per the new guidelines, companies are only required to report rather than eliminate risks like possible inappropriate use or bias. The watermarking system still needs to be developed and there are worries that even after it is, malignant actors seeking to sow disinformation on the internet could easily remove it. Executives Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI joined President Joe Biden at the White House on Friday for the announcement Use of AI is growing - within two months after its launch, ChatGPT had more than 100 million monthly active users The use of artificial intelligence is growing. For example, within two months after its launch, ChatGPT had more than 100 million monthly active users - reaching that growth milestone much more quickly than TikTok and Instagram. But research has shown the platform has a 'pro-environmental, left-libertarian orientation,' the Brookings Institute noted in a report on AI. The Biden administration is trying to regulate discrimination in AI. In April, the Commerce Department's National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee convened top tech executives and academics to discuss ways the government could regulate AI. The film is expected to make at least $100 million at U.S. movie theaters this weekend Lindinaldo sought a new way to celebrate his 56th birthday with his granddaughter Laila by wearing matching dresses A Brazilian family showed its admiration for the Barbie movie premiere by wearing pink dresses Thursday This is the hilarious moment a grandfather celebrated his 56th birthday with his granddaughter at the Barbie premiere in Brazil. Much to the delight of movie fans, the pair were spotted wearing matching pink princess dresses and crowns as they entered the cinema in the northeastern city of Caruaru to watch the widely anticipated Greta Gerwig film on Thursday. According to local outlets, Lindinaldo had wanted to mark the occasion with his granddaughter, Laila, in a 'different' way. Upon arrival, the family instantly became the focal point of the premiere, with crowds flocking to record videos and pose with them for pictures. Laila (left) poses with her grandfather, Lindinaldo (right), at the movie premier of Barbie in Brazil on Thursday. Lindinaldo chose to celebrate his 56th birthday by accompanying his granddaughter to the event Laila and her grandfather, Lindinaldo, donned pink dresses to the premiere of Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie in Caruaru, Brazil, on Thursday On her Instagram Stories, the young girl shared a hilarious video clip of Lindinaldo laughing as the final touches were applied to his gown. A selfie on her account showed her and her grandfather standing side-by-side with the caption, 'Today is his birthday.' Another snap showed the smiling family wearing crowns and making a heart gesture with their hands. The family outing drew rave reviews from Laila's followers on the social media app. 'It's these silly but simple things that many call ridiculous that bring this lightness, make you laugh, have fun,' one user wrote. 'Happy people and not afraid to be happy is something else, beautiful,' another follower chimed in. Margot Robbie in a scene from Barbie, the movie, which debuted Thursday in theaters Lindinaldo and his granddaughter drew eyes by wearing dresses to the premier of Barbie in northeastern Brazil on Thursday Laila (left) and her grandpa Lindinaldo (right) pose with Barbie moviegoers at a theater in Brazil The film starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gossling comes 64 years after Mattel introduced the 11.5-inch tall, 8 ounce doll to the masses. The movie is expected to rake in at least $100 million in United States theaters this weekend as it goes up against Christopher Nolan's thriller, Oppenheimer. 'I really like the Barbieheimer hype. Rather than pitting the two against each other, they are all coming together and embracing it - both casts as well,' said 18-year-old Emily, a resident in London. 'Hopefully I'll catch Oppenheimer on Sunday.' Karol Olszewski, 23, wore pink trousers and a pink and white Mean Girls top as he went to the first showing in London. 'I'm very excited, the Barbie film has been my whole personality for the past few months,' he told MailOnline. 'It's a cultural experience, the theaters are filled out. I think Barbie is playing up to the narrative of the male gaze so I wanted to wear a lot of pink.' Ginger Gaetz, with her husband Rep. Matt Gaetz, attended a Barbie party and screening at the British embassy on Monday night. She was not impressed with the movie, however However, not all viewers were thrilled with the film. Recent reviews have also slated the much anticipated movie, with one DailyMail.com writer calling it a laughably cynical $145 million ad for Mattel. The wife of Florida Republican Congressman Matt Gaezt also slammed the film on Twitter for what she considers a lack of 'feminine empowerment' after attending a screening at the British embassy in Washington, D.C. 'The Barbie I grew up with was a representation of limitless possibilities, embracing diverse careers and feminine empowerment,' Ginger Gaetz wrote. 'The 2023 Barbie movie, unfortunately, neglects to address any notion of faith or family, and tries to normalize the idea that men and women can't collaborate positively (yuck).' The film's debut was delayed in Pakistan's Punjab province Friday over what officials deemed 'objectionable content.' Films in Pakistan need to be cleared by provincial boards that censor anything deemed a violation of the country's social and cultural values. 'There will be a full review of the film, and it will be censored where deemed necessary,' Farrukh Mahmood, secretary of the Punjab Film Censor Board, said. The board did not clarify which content was 'objectionable', nor why. The luxury interior of a 1.5 million apartment owned by the family of a leading Russian military drone creator has been revealed. Alexander Zakharov's lethal Lancet drones are a mainstay weapon in Vladimir Putin's illegal war against Ukraine causing death and destruction. Russia's propaganda TV has even branded him 'the second Kalashnikov'. His son Lavrentii and wife Svetlana are the registered owners of a three bedroom flat in a prestigious London street in a block which boasts a view of Big Ben from the roof, according to Russian independent media outlet Important Stories. The UK has imposed sanctions on the drone manufacturer, LLC CST, but not on the Zakharov family. Lavrentii Zakharov, 24, the son of a Russian engineer who helped develop Russia's Lancet drones, owns a 1.5million flat in London and works for the UN disarmament wing Alexander Zakharov's son Lavrentii and wife Svetlana are the registered owners of a three bedroom flat in a prestigious London street in a block The plush pad boasts a view of Big Ben from the roof, according to Russian independent media outlet Important Stories Lavrentii's father Alexander Zakharov (pictured) has spent 15 years working for the Russian Ministry of Defence to develop and manufacture the deadly Lancet drones Alexander is the creator and developer of the 27,000 loitering Lancet drone, an angular grey tube with two sets of four wings, which has posed a rising threat to Ukrainian forces. It has knocked out the famous Leopard 2 tanks supplied by Germany, say the Russians. 'The wife and son of the Russian combat drone Lancet creator, Alexander Zakharov - Svetlana Zakharov and Lavrentii Zakharov - have owned an apartment worth 1.5 million in an elite area of London since 2018,' said the report. It cited Ukrainian expert Oleksandr Kovalenko as branding the Lancets 'the scourge of the war zone'. Zakharov has boasted how in a war zone 'special forces with the help of LanCets eliminate militant commanders very effectively with surgical precision'. He said the drone is not susceptible to electronic jamming in the way many such weapons are. The Kalashnikov gun-maker is involved in Zakharov's company but he has the controlling stake, said Important Stories. Lavrentii - in his early 20s - is Zakharov's youngest son who studied at University College, London with a master's degree in Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics He has worked at United Nations agencies in New York and Rome, and since May at the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) in Geneva He is known to take a close interest in production and development of the drones, and recently boasted at securing foreign sales for the Lancet. 'Putin's elite has a tradition of making money in Russia on patriotism and war with the West, while investing and spending their earnings in the same 'hostile' West,' said the report. 'This elite does not want to recognise the contradictions here, and the Zakharov family is no exception.' Lavrentii - in his early 20s - is Zakharov's youngest son who studied at University College, London with a master's degree in Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics. The machines, which have been dubbed the 'second Kalashnikov' by Russian propagandists, have reportedly been deployed in Ukraine He has worked at United Nations agencies in New York and Rome, and since May at the UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) in Geneva. His interests are described as 'strengthening weapons and ammunition management, and de-mining and humanitarian access'. The report said: 'He is a good student and has successfully embarked on his career, but neither of these gives a possibility to suggest that he could have earned an apartment in London.' His secretive mother is believed to have a business career. Important Stories said neither had responded to requests to comment. A further 291 migrants were intercepted on Thursday according to government figures taking the number to cross the Channel to more than 1,100 in just three days. On Tuesday 574 people were picked up by Border Force vessels and brought into the Port of Dover. The following day 297 migrants in six dinghies were rescued in the Channel. It takes the number in three days to 1,162 people. A total of 14,412 people have now made the perilous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits in 313 boats so far this year. July alone has seen 2,929 migrants arrive on the Kent coast in 56 inflatable dinghies or other small craft - an average of 52 people crammed into each vessel. A further 291 migrants have been rescued from the Channel by UK Border Force and brought safely to Dover for processing So far this year, more than 14,000 people have successfully crossed the Channel More than 14,000 people have successfully made it to the UK on small boats this year Last year saw a record total of 45,755 people reach the UK by small boat - 60 per cent higher than 2021's total of 28,526. But officials have predicted that as many as 80,000 asylum seekers could cross the Channel this year. In response to the latest arrivals, the government today said around 3,000 asylum seekers could be living on a barge and in former military sites by the autumn to save money on hotels. Around 500 migrants will be housed on the Bibby Stockholm barge which was met with protests when it arrived in Portland earlier this week while the rest are set to be given accommodation at Wethersfield in Essex and Scampton in Lincolnshire, the Home Office said. But when the first group of asylum seekers will take up residence on the barge has been thrown into doubt, with officials unclear on an exact timescale. UK Border Force disembarked the migrants in Dover where they will be processed The government wants to house asylum seekers on barges before sending them to Rwanda Earlier this week, the Home Office said around 50 people would arrive 'from next week', with numbers gradually rising over the coming months. Facing questions from reporters, officials refused to specify a date or confirm if there had been any further delays to the plans, instead insisting the arrivals would be in the coming weeks. The Bibby barge arrived in the Dorset port a month behind schedule after maintenance work which included mechanical repairs and adding more beds to boost capacity was carried out in Falmouth, Cornwall. With an initial 18-month contract for the barge being kept under review, asylum seekers will spend up to nine months on board. But officials admitted they could end up back in hotels if no other suitable alternative accommodation was identified by the end of that time period. During a press tour of the vessel, officials also remained tight-lipped on the daily running cost of the barge but stressed it was 'significantly' cheaper than the 6 million-a-day taxpayer bill of using hotels. Asked about the cost, Home Office deputy director for asylum accommodation Leanne Palk said figures would not be revealed until they are published in end-of-financial year accounts, adding: 'This is significantly cheaper than a hotel. READ MORE: More than 14,000 migrants cross the Channel this year Advertisement 'We have very rigorous tests on value for money and they do provide value for money against the cost of hotels.' Single men will live on the barge where there is 24-hour security in bunk beds with between two and six people per en-suite room. A canteen, gym, classroom, exercise yards, television room and space for worship are among the 'basic' facilities on board. A nurse will also be stationed on the barge five days a week, with asylum seekers having access to a doctor if needed. The inhabitants do not have a curfew but are expected to sleep aboard overnight. They will be able to use an hourly bus service with stops in the surrounding area between 7am and 11pm, with migrants also free to leave on foot if they choose once outside the port compound. But inside the perimeter, they must board a shuttle bus to be taken from the barge to the gate because of safety rules inside the working port. Dorset Council is receiving 3,500 per occupied bedspace on the Bibby Stockholm, with additional funding provided to local NHS services and police, the Home Office said. It is understood the council has also received almost 380,000 in a one-off grant to help support local charity and voluntary organisations provide services on board. Last week, the Home Office announced the first asylum seekers had moved to a disused airfield at Wethersfield. But Braintree District Council and a nearby resident are bringing legal action to challenge the decision to house up to 1,700 men there. Home Secretary Suella Braverman's plans to house up to 2,000 men at former airbase RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, with initially 200 people arriving at the site, are also facing a similar challenge from West Lindsey District Council. The Home Office said it is still working on developing the site and is yet to confirm when it will open. It comes as the number of migrants who have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel so far this year topped 14,000. Some 291 people were detected making the journey in five boats on Thursday, taking the provisional total for 2023 to 14,362. Meanwhile, the Government's sweeping asylum reforms became law as the Illegal Migration Bill became an Act of Parliament after being given royal assent. The much-criticised flagship legislation, central to the Prime Minister's pledge to 'stop the boats' crossing the Channel, will prevent people from claiming asylum in the UK if they arrive through unauthorised means. Crossings continued on Friday, with children among the arrivals pictured being brought to shore in Dover, Kent. Officials are still working on when the Act will come into force and it is anticipated elements of the new laws may be implemented in stages over the coming months. Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said: 'This Government has been clear that those who arrive in the UK illegally should not be housed in expensive hotels. 'Our use of alternative accommodation sites and vessels provide basic and appropriate standards for small boats arrivals while their claims are determined.' Two Irishmen have been arrested on suspicion of raping a British tourist in a hotel in Magaluf. The Briton, who has not been named, told police she had been sexually assaulted by the two men in a hotel room in Calvia by Magaluf in the early hours of Wednesday. The Irishmen had reportedly fled the hotel before they were arrested by police officers at the airport as they tried to return to Dublin. Police had arrived at the hotel on Wednesday morning where the woman claimed she had been raped by the two tourists. The alleged victim was taken by officers to Son Espases Hospital by the policeman where she underwent an examination of her injuries. The Guardia Civil confirmed that the woman had been raped. Two Irishmen have been arrested on suspicion of raping a British tourist in a hotel in Magaluf. Pictured: Patrol car with officers of the Spanish Civil Guard after the arrest of two Irish Officers specialised in dealing with sex crimes identified the two Irishmen and discovered that they were no longer in the hotel where the alleged rape had taken place. They had left the hotel and tried to board a flight to Dublin at the Palma Mallorca airport before officers found them and arrested them. The Guardia Civil said in a statement: 'The officers then went to the Palma airport to locate the two individuals, and after finding them in the boarding area waiting for the flight they were arrested as they were about to head back to Dublin.' The pair have now been brought before a court which confirmed they are to be held in investigative custody. The woman involved has not been named and is currently being looked after by a specialist team from the Spanish Civil Guard who collected her from the hospital. Police said that they are working with her to make sure the complaint is filed and would then be taking her to Palma airport so that she could head back to her family in the UK. The Briton, who has not been named, told police she had been sexually assaulted by the two men in a hotel room in Calvia by Magaluf in the early hours of Wednesday. Pictured: File image of Magaluf strip It comes just days after a British tourist was arrested at the Palma Mallorca airport after allegedly raping his girlfriend at their hotel on the Spanish island. The 38-year-old was held as he tried to fly home after his 24-year-old partner went to police to say he had forced himself on her in the bathroom of their hotel room. The couple are said to have been staying at a three-star hotel near the resort of Magaluf when the incident allegedly occured. Meanwhile in May, a British tourist was arrested on suspicion of raping a female friend of his son's at a hotel in Magaluf. The holidaymaker was also held at Palma Airport after allegedly packing his bags and trying to leave the island in a hurry hours later. The woman, also believed to be British, told detectives she was raped after falling asleep in her friend's room which had an internal door leading into his dad's room. The older man is said to have surprised her in the middle of the night after entering the room while his son was out partying. The alleged rape victim, who is understood to be aged around 20, fled the unnamed hotel and raised the alarm at a Civil Guard office near to the Punta Ballena party strip in Magaluf according to local reports. Former President Donald Trump's classified documents trial will take place in May, with his spokesperson calling it a 'major setback' after his legal team requested it be delayed until after the 2024 presidential election. The Trump-appointed judge Aileen Cannon set jury selection to begin on May 14, with a two-week trial to kick off on May 20. Prosecutors had wanted the trial to take place in December, but Cannon signaled Tuesday that she thought the timeline was too 'compressed' for a trial that involved classified materials. By May, Trump - who is running far ahead of the other 2024 GOP contenders in early primary polls - could be the Republican Party's presumptive presidential nominee. 'Crooked Joe Biden is losing and attempting to use his weaponized DOJ against his top political rival - a disgraceful and un-American abuse of power,' Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told DailyMail.com. 'Crooked Joe will fail and President Trump will win back the White House for the American people.' Former President Donald Trump's classified documents trial will take place in May, in a blow to the ex-president who wanted it delayed until after the 2024 presidential election It will be unprecedented to have a former president and presidential candidate standing trial. Trump also said this week that he expects to be indicted again by Special Counsel Jack Smith on charges related to the 2020 election and January 6. Last month, Trump appeared in federal court in Miami and pleaded not guilty to 37 counts related to his mishandling of classified materials including the willful retention of national defense information and making false statements. The Trump-appointed U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon set the dates Friday for the ex-president's classified documents case. The trial will begin in May The case, which is being handled by Smith, started after Trump refused to hand back classified documents he took from the White House to his Florida home and private club, Mar-a-Lago. In an interview last month with Fox's Bret Baier, Trump said he had been 'very busy,' which was why he didn't give the documents back. 'Before I send boxes over I have to take all of my things out. These boxes were interspersed with all sorts of things - golf shirts, clothing, pants, shoes - there were many things,' the ex-president explained. Trump also claimed that 'everything was declassified' that he had in his possession. The case potentially hinges on Trump's admission, captured on tape, that he knows the information he had was classified and that he never declassified it. In late June, CNN obtained an audio clip, referenced in the indictment, in which the former president can be heard showing people a document that he says was 'highly confidential' and contained 'secret information' about Iran. In the audio recording, Trump can be heard saying that the Pentagon and military officials 'presented me this - this is off the record - but they presented me this.' A photo of boxes of documents from the White House being stored in a bathroom at Mar-a-Lago that was part of Trump's federal indictment The former president was trying to push back on a New Yorker story that said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley and other military officials feared that Trump would start a war with Iran to hold onto power after he lost the 2020 election. The story was published a week before the conversation the audio recording captured reportedly happened on July 21, 2021 at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. 'This totally wins my case, you know? Except it is highly confidential. Secret. This is secret information,' Trump is heard saying in the leaked clip. A woman on the recording then commented, 'Hillary would print that out all the time,' a reference to classified documents. 'She'd send it to Anthony Weiner, the pervert,' Trump replied. The indictment listed meeting attendees as Trump, two of his aides, a writer and a publisher who were working on former White House of Chief of Staff Mark Meadows' memoir. The rustling of papers is heard multiple times during the two-minute clip. 'By the way, isn't that incredible?' Trump also said. 'These are the papers. This was done by the military and given to me.' 'See, as president I could have declassified it. Now I can't, you know,' he added, noting how it was 'interesting' and 'cool.' An alert has been issued after two people who returned from overseas with measles visited several locations in Sydney while infectious. NSW Health has declared multiple premises exposure sites after the two confirmed cases, from the same family, visited them between July 14 and Thursday. Dr Anthea Katelaris, from South Eastern Sydney Public Health Unit, said anyone who was in the same locations as the cases should check their vaccination status and be alert for signs and symptoms of measles until August 7. The confirmed cases visited locations including Sydney International Airport on July 14, a Rose Bay chemist on July 15, the Prince of Wales Hospital on Wednesday, and a bank and various shops in Randwick on Thursday. NSW Health issued an alert after two people returned from overseas with measles (stock image pictured) The confirmed cases visited locations including Sydney International Airport and the Prince of Wales Hospital Measles is highly contagious and is spread in the air through coughing or sneezing by someone who is unwell with the disease. Symptoms include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash which typically spreads from the head and neck to the rest of the body. It can take up to 18 days for symptoms to appear after exposure. Anyone born in or after 1966 who has not received two doses of measles vaccine is advised to get a measles vaccine to prevent the infection. 'The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is safe and effective protection against measles,' Dr Katelaris said. The vaccine is free for anyone born during or after 1966 who hasn't already had two doses. Anyone who develops symptoms is advised to call a GP or medical centre ahead to ensure they can be isolated from other people. Measles remains common in many parts of the world, with large outbreaks currently occurring in a number of locations. Measles has also been reported in other states in recent weeks. Migrants disembark from a vessel in Lampedusa, Italy, after being rescued by a fishing boat in the Mediterranean Sea (file photo). analysis On 15 June, the overcrowded fishing trawler Adriana sank on its illicit journey from Libya to Italy, drowning hundreds of men, women and children. In response, states have expressed shock and sadness, and have moved to prosecute smugglers associated with the journey. Greece, under whose watch the tragedy occurred, declared three days of mourning and arrested nine of the survivors, charging them with human trafficking. In Pakistan, where hundreds of the victims originated, 10 suspected traffickers were arrested. Some survivor accounts have turned the spotlight on the actions of the Greek coast guard. At one point, its officers attached a rope to the Adriana, possibly with the intention of towing it, and possibly contributing to capsizing it. I am a scholar with a focus on the development of international law and legal institutions in the practice of transitional justice. My view is that the focus on smugglers, or even the action and inaction of the Greek coast guard, distracts from the real cause of migrant deaths in the Mediterranean: the deliberate policies set in place by European states and supported by the European Union. Diminishing legal protections for migrants In the wake of the massive population flows accompanying the second world war, European states enacted the 1951 Refugee Convention. This document obliges state signatories to recognise and protect "refugees" and to grant them social welfare rights on par with citizens. As enacted, this law is quite protective, serving as a legal shield for vulnerable people. The shield always had holes. For example, not all migrants qualify as refugees, who must face a "well-founded fear of persecution". This category focuses on political, rather than social, harms; starvation and economic tragedy generally do not qualify. New holes are appearing. A foundation of the 1951 convention is the state obligations against "refoulement" or pushing refugees back into harm's way. Long considered as fundamental, this obligation is no longer unassailable. Over the past several years, a pattern of pushbacks has emerged. The Greek coast guard and the EU border agency Frontex have been caught putting migrants out to sea. In May 2022, the director of Frontex resigned after a report showed Frontex was involved in hundreds of illegal pushbacks. These actions should be understood as symptomatic of state illegality. States have deliberately adopted policies that make refugee movement deadly. For example, states have closed legal land and air routes via visa schemes and stiff penalties for airlines carrying incorrectly documented passengers. This drives migrants towards dangerous crossings. Individual court cases often recognise state illegality, years after the fact. In December 2022, a court in Rome found the Italian coast guard and navy guilty of manslaughter and negligence in the 2013 death of 268 people in a shipwreck off Lampedusa. The two individual defendants were acquitted, however, because the claims against them were time-barred. Likewise, a 2012 judgment by the European Court of Human Rights found Italy responsible for human rights violations against migrants committed by the Libyan coast guard. A 2018 filing before that same court alleges ongoing deadly treatment by Italy and Libya. The judgment is still awaited. Activists have asked the International Criminal Court and the Court of Justice of the European Union to review European treatment of migrants. Yet even if these powerful courts take on these cases, they can only do so much. As long as each case is treated as a potentially prosecutable individual incident rather than as part of an illegal aggregate horror, preventable loss of life will continue. The Mediterranean is now regarded as the world's deadliest place for migrants. Since 2014, states have ceased rescue operations in the Mediterranean. States now perform border protection instead. States have also shut down private rescue operations, by impounding boats on trumped up charges and criminally prosecuting NGO workers as human traffickers. As the NGO Medecins Sans Frontieres states, Not only has Europe failed to provide search-and-rescue capacity, it has also actively sabotaged others' attempts to save lives. Weakening rule of law Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Europe and Africa Migration By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The 1951 Refugee Convention was only one of a series of European rule of law projects designed to recognise and protect human rights following the devastation of the second world war. As I describe in my recent book on international law in Africa, these legal projects took seriously the threat that states pose to individuals, both within and outside their borders, and sought to address this danger by binding states to supranational laws. This structure - rule of law above the state via an international rule of law system - is the model advocated for African states emerging from colonialism, and for any and all developing states engaging in global politics and commerce. But European states are renouncing key elements of this rule of law structure via the illegality of their policies towards migrants. European states' repudiation of legal responsibilities challenges rule of law norms in the international system. This in turn weakens that system as a model for states seeking to normalise rule of law internally. Kerstin Bree Carlson, Associate Professor International Law, Roskilde University A Texas influencer is trapped in Dubai after having her passport confiscated because she screamed at a rental car agency employee - and now she is facing two years in prison. Tierra Young Allen, 29, was arrested in Dubai in May after the altercation at the agency. She had been involved in a fender bender which involved the rental vehicle being impounded along with her phone and credit cards, she said. Once back at the rental agency, she claims she was told she could only have them back if she paid an undisclosed sum. She fought back, arguing with the employee who made the apparent demand, and the police were called. Tierra Young Allen, 29, was arrested in Dubai in May after the altercation at the agency. She had been involved in a fender bender which involved the rental vehicle being impounded along with her phone and credit cards. She is shown in June after the incident Tierra is from California but lives in Texas. She remains in Dubai with a friend who has vowed to stay with her until she is able to leave Tierra, who calls herself Sassy Trucker online, had her passport confiscated by police and now, despite being freed from custody, cannot get it back. The Emirati authorities are deciding whether or not to press charges against her. In the meantime, her family says she is stuck there, staring at the prospect of two years in prison if prosecuted and convicted. Tierra bills herself as one of the only female trucking influencers in the world. She has visited Dubai multiple times in the past and always documents her trip on social media. It's unclear how long Tierra spent in custody, and where she now is. Tierra bills herself as one of the only female trucking influencers in the world. She has visited Dubai multiple times in the past and always documents her trip on social media. She is shown during a previous trip The influencer during her trip to Dubai last year. She is now stranded there after having her passport confiscated Tierra's mother Tina Baxter is pleading for help to bring her home Her mother Tina Baxter said she was in Dubai with a friend when she was arrested. That friend is still believed to be there with her, and plans to stay until she can return home. She is now being assisted by Detained in Dubai - a non-profit that assists US citizens who find themselves incarcerated there. Its CEO said in a press release: 'Tierra and her family have been going through hell, and they have no idea what the outcome will be and when they might be reunited. 'Just recently, two Americans agreed to pay an extortion fee to a rental car agency, just to recover their passports and go home. 'If they didnt pay, they would still be there, possibly in prison.' The family has also enlisted Sen. Ted Cruz's office to help. In a statement, his staff said: 'We have spoken to the family of Tierra Young Allen and have contacted the Department of State about the case. 'Sen. Cruz will continue to gather details and engage on this case until Ms. Allen is returned home to her family.' A tourist has told of his ordeal at the hands of Turkish police who he says arrested him because he 'looked gay' before allegedly detaining him for 20 days. Miguel Alvaro, who is from Portugal, was on holiday alone in Istanbul on June 25 when he went out to meet a friend for lunch, and, unfamiliar with the city, asked officers for directions. To his horror, the holidaymaker said he was surrounded by up to eight officers and was immediately arrested, PinkNews reports. 'They grabbed my arms and I tried to free myself. One of them hit me in the ribs, they pushed me against a van, they hit me on the shoulder, which started to bleed,' he recalled. Mr Alvaro, who is gay, was unaware that an unsanctioned Pride parade was going on nearby, and was being met with a heavy police presence. Miguel Alvaro was on holiday alone in Istanbul on June 25 when he went out to meet a friend for lunch Mr Alvaro, who is gay, was unaware that an unsanctioned Pride parade was going on nearby, and was being met with a heavy police presence 'After five hours in the police van, in which I was only told to shut up and be quiet, one of them explained to me that he had been detained because of my appearance,' he told Portuguese outlet P3. 'They thought I would participate in an unauthorised LGBTI+ march that was going to take place nearby because I looked gay. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.' He says he was kept in a police van for 13 hours before being taken to a police station for processing, where he described maggots in the bedsheets and other grim conditions. His hopes that he might be released soon after were quickly dashed. The ordeal did not end after his heavy-handed arrest, but continued for weeks after he was transferred to an immigration detention centre. He was driven 17 hours to the eastern border, he said, and was subjected to threats from homophobic inmates during weeks there. He claimed he was hardly given any water and barely slept as he was so fearful of being attacked. Police officers block protesters during the LGBTQ Pride March in Istanbul, Turkey, June 25 Members of the LGBTQ community turn out on June 25 during the unauthorized Pride March in Istanbul Demonstrators sit in front of police officers as Turkey's LGBT+ community members gather for a pride parade, banned by local authorities At least 149 people were detained in Turkey after police violently interfered with Pride celebrations, according to NGO Human Rights Watch It was not until 12 July, 20 days after he was arrested, that Mr Alvaro says he was finally freed. He told PinkNews he felt 'disappointed, shattered and mentally drained, but relieved to be going somewhere safe'. He said he is now warning others about the realities of holidaying in Turkey, particularly for members of the LGBTQ+ community. While it isn't illegal to be gay in Turkey, the country has become an increasingly hostile place for LGBTQ people in recent years and has had a ban on Pride events since 2015. Police were out in force across the capital and the wider country as demonstrators took to the streets to celebrate in June, despite the ban. At least 149 people were detained in Turkey after police violently interfered with Pride celebrations, according to NGO Human Rights Watch. A mother severely beaten by a thug who was supported in court by a soap actress has spoken of her distress following his release from jail. Lee Brimble, 37, left Kelly Brawley, 40, needing 12 metal plates in her face in a savage street assault. Former Emmerdale and Shameless star Kelli Hollis, 47, had asked a judge for mercy on part-time actor Brimble before he was sentenced. She wrote a glowing reference for violent criminal Brimble after he admitted carrying out a savage street attack on mother-of-four Kelly. The terrified children of victims Kelly Brawley and Mark Hughes watched in horror as Brimble punched their parents into the ground, outside his home in Halton Moor, Leeds, West Yorkshire, on June 27, 2019. Lee Brimble, 37, left Kelly Brawley, 40, needing 12 metal plates in her face in a savage street assault Pictured: Kelly Brawley said she had been left permanently scarred by the attack CCTV footage captured the moment Ms Brawley was attacked by Lee Brimble, pictured Former Emmerdale and Shameless star Kelli Hollis, 47, had asked a judge for mercy on part-time actor Brimble before he was sentenced The court heard that the couple had been at a family function earlier in the evening and that Kelly went home in a taxi with her three children while her partner Mark stayed at the event. Kelly is scarred for life after suffering a shattered eye socket, needing three operations and requiring 12 plates. The former hotel housekeeper told the court: 'It genuinely breaks my heart to look at myself in the mirror.' The assaults were caught on CCTV and the footage, which Brimble himself said made him feel 'sick' was seen by the judge. Before sentencing at Leeds Crown Court, Judge Christopher Batty said he had read a number of references on Brimble's behalf, including from Hollis, 47, who had acted alongside him on the TV movie ' Tina Goes *' trilogy. The movies were set on the tough Halton Moor estate and Brimble played a character called Muffy. But Judge Batty told Brimble: 'There's a lot to like in your personality, but when you lose your temper it is very difficult for you to get it back. 'What you did on that night is just too serious to overlook.' Both Kelly Brawley and Mark Hughes are pictured on the floor after being attacked by Brimble Pictured: Brimble was caught on CCTV attacking Mark Hughes before he turned on Kelly Brimble was jailed for 32 months and given a lifetime restraining order to not contact his former friend Kelly Brawley after pleading guilty to unlawful wounding and grievous bodily harm Brimble was jailed for 32 months and given a lifetime restraining order to not contact his former friend Kelly Brawley after pleading guilty to unlawful wounding and grievous bodily harm. READ MORE: Former Emmerdale and Shameless actress asks judge to show mercy to her violent fellow actor Advertisement He was released from prison last month, and has stated that he is determined to turn his life around and is part way through writing his autobiography. But for Kelly his release has reopened old wounds. She said: 'I will never recover from what he did to me. I can never move forward from it.' 'The outside doesn't show how I feel on the inside. I try to keep my smile on for my kids. I just hate having a bad day and my kids seeing me like that but I just can't help it. 'All my family and friends always loved me smiling and would do anything to keep that smile on my face but I can't help having good days and bad days. 'It's just so hard because the scarring is on my face and is very noticeable every day and will never go away. I have to live with this for the rest of my life. It's not just me who suffers but my kids too. 'Lee and I were best friends, we grew up together, shared takeaway meals together as well as watching films. Lee was my best friend, he was one of my closest friends, we did everything together and I would never say a bad word about him. It was such a shock what happened, I never expected it because he was such a good friend. 'I felt safe while he was behind bars although I still suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. I don't think he realises the full extent of the damage he has done to me. I've not been able to go back to my old job as a housekeeper at a hotel. 'I have been struggling to look at myself in the mirror ever since it happened. I have had to have so many operations you wouldn't believe it. Lee Brimble has been jailed for two years and eight months after admitting the assault despite a written statement from former co-star Kelly Hollis (left) that asked for mercy from the judge Pictured: Kelly Brawley and Mark Hughes who were both assaulted by Lee Brimble in Leeds Kelly Brawley, pictured, said: 'Lee was my best friend, he was one of my closest friends, we did everything together and I would never say a bad word about him. It was such a shock what happened, I never expected it because he was such a good friend' 'I have 12 metal plates in my face! And in the summer they turn and in winter they're a problem as they freeze so I have to take additional medication so they can work properly as well as my antidepressants And this for someone who never used to take a single tablet. 'The damage he has caused me can never be undone. I just feel absolutely disgusted by it. I have metal plates in my face that no one else has. 'I'm hurt, annoyed and infuriated, disgusted and am feeling a lot of emotions. And I am haunted by what he is doing.' Infamous serial killer Dennis Rader, also known as BTK, has claimed that Gilgo Beach murders suspect Rex Heuermann is his 'clone.' Rader, 78, is known for 'binding, torturing, and killing' at least 10 people, including two children, in Wichita, Kansas, from 1974 to 1991. Like Heuermann, he appeared to be a regular family man until police showed up at his suburban home in 2005, years after the killings. In a letter to Fox News Digital written from prison, Rader reacted to the arrest of Heuermann, who has been charged with the killings of three of the 'Gilgo Four,' a group of women whose bodies were discovered on the Long Island shore in 2010. 'I was arrested age 59. Married, two kids,' Rader wrote. 'Husband, dad longtime a serial killer, stalker, used electronic devices, lives in a neighborhood undetected.' Rader is known for 'binding, torturing, and killing' at least 10 people, including two children, in Wichita, Kansas, from 1974 to 1991. He said murder suspect Rex Heuermann is his 'clone' Heuermann has been charged with the killings of three of the 'Gilgo Four,' a group of women whose bodies were discovered near Gilgo Beach on Long Island in 2010 Heuermann was arrested and charged last week in the killings that had terrified Long Island for years. His home is pictured above Rader pointed out that both he and Heuermann appear to have been caught through DNA and electronic tracking. Police said they were able to track him partly because of burner phones he used to contact the victims. Rader was similarly caught over mocking calls he would make to law enforcement. Rader also claimed he predicted the Gilgo Beach serial killer would have a similar profile to his own years ago. The former church leader was arrested in 2005 after he evaded police for 30 years and is currently serving 10 consecutive life sentences at a Kansas prison. Heuermann was arrested and charged last week in the killings that had terrified Long Island for years. He is also the lead suspect in the 2007 disappearance and subsequent murder of the fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, though he has not yet been charged in the case. The architect lived in a 'dungeon-like' Massapequa Park home just 18 miles away from the beach with his wife Asa Ellerup, adult daughter and stepson - who police say were away when the murders took place. Ellerup, 59, was at home Thursday when police burst into the property at the same time they arrested Heuermann outside his architectural firm in Manhattan. Like Rader's wife, Ellerup filed for divorce just days after the allegations against her husband came to light. Her attorney, Robert Macedonio, said the family had been blindsided by the shocking murder charges. 'Obviously this has been a shocking time for them and a pretty difficult time to comprehend,' he told the US Sun. 'As with any family, it's extremely upsetting and they're totally shocked and caught off guard. The family doesn't want to make any further comment than that.' Melissa Barthelemy, top left, Amber Costello, top right, Megan Waterman, bottom left, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Authorities on Long Island are vowing to continue investigating the Gilgo Beach murders after charging an architect in the deaths of three of the 11 victims Authorities previously echoed the attorney's comments, stating the family was 'in the dark about his double life.' Ellerup was away when the women were murdered, and neighbors said the couple were rarely seen together. Police now believe Heuermann may have killed one of his victims inside the home he shared with his family. Police were seen searching Heuermann's property for 'trophies' that may be linked to the victims for a seventh day on Thursday. Investigators are also looking at his time share in Las Vegas and a property he owned in South Carolina. Troy Weeks, who mowed Huermanns lawn weekly or bi-weekly for the last three summers, told DailyMail.com he always suspected something was off about the 59-year-old architect, who he claimed once tried stiffing him out of $5. At the alleged killer's request, Troy, 23, never went inside the home, but one time he took a peek through a window - and regretted what he saw. 'I was really surprised by the conditions of his house... it looked atrocious in there,' he told DailyMail.com outside Huermann's home, where the suspect may have killed at least one of his victims, according to police. Heuermann's wife broke cover on Wednesday as she filed for divorce. She is pictured with daughter Victoria, 22 (left) A fleet of forensic investigators are combing through the 59-year-old architect's 'dungeon-like' Massapequa Park home for a sixth day Troy, who lives a few blocks away, said he saw what he described as four heads made out of coconuts with face carvings on them. 'I saw these tiny head things - they were like these shrunken heads. And me and my friends always called it the shrunken head house because they were the weirdest coconut head things,' Troy explained. 'It was really creepy.' Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello. He is also the lead suspect in the 2007 disappearance and subsequent murder of the fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, though he has not yet been charged in the case. Moreover, he's being investigated for the murders of six other women whose bodies were found near Gilgo Beach in 2011. Ron DeSantis attacked Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for their focus on his policies in Florida, accusing them of lying and taking a personal hit at the president, saying if Biden's seventh granddaughter lived in his state, maybe he'd visit her. The Florida governor was responding to the vice president accusing him of 'gaslighting' people with the state's new school curriculum that includes a new set of standards for how black history should be taught in Florida's public schools. It allows students to be taught that slavery gave black people 'skills' which could be 'used for their personal benefit,' a policy that has sparked heavy criticism from civil rights advocates. The change came as part of DeSantis' 'war on woke,' which he's used to boost his national profile and made a major platform of his presidential campaign. Harris will be in Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday, where she is expected to double down on her attacks against DeSantis. Ron DeSantis attacked Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for their focus on his policies in Florida He hit back via Twitter, writing: 'Democrats like Kamala Harris have to lie about Florida's educational standards to cover for their agenda of indoctrinating students and pushing sexual topics onto children. Florida stands in their way and we will continue to expose their agenda and their lies.' DeSantis then criticized President Biden for not acknowledging son Hunter Biden's four-year-daughter in Arkansas, whom he had with his former personal assistant Lunden Roberts. The president has repeatedly said he has six grandchildren instead of seven. 'The Harris-Biden administration is obsessed with Florida...yet they ignore the chaos at the border, crime-infested cities, economic malaise, and the military recruitment crisis. Maybe if Biden's granddaughter moved to Florida he'd actually visit her,' he wrote. Harris, meanwhile, didn't mention DeSantis by name but she cited his state when she slammed the new education policy during her keynote address on Thursday at Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.'s national convention in Indianapolis. 'Speaking of our children, extremists pass book bans to prevent them from learning our true history book bans in this year of our Lord 2023. And while they do this, check it out, they push forward revisionist history,' Harris said. 'Just yesterday in the state of Florida, they decided middle school students will be taught that enslaved people benefited from slavery. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, and we will not stand for it.' Vice President Kamala Harris attacked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for 'gaslighting' people with the state's new school curriculum The White House has been careful not to publicly engage with any of the GOP presidential contenders nor to respond to their attacks, citing the Hatch Act, which is the federal law prohibiting federal officials from engaging in political activity while working in their official capacity. But Harris, who is the nation's first black vice president, appears to be ready to hit back. While in Florida, Harris will 'deliver remarks on the fight to protect fundamental freedoms, specifically, the freedom to learn and teach America's full and true history,' the White House announced on Thursday evening. She has already taken the lead in attacking Republican-led states that have essentially made it impossible for women to get an abortion. She's also been a spokesperson for the administration on gun violence and voting-rights issues. Changes to Florida school curriculum were required by a 2022 law known as the 'Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act,' or 'Stop WOKE Act.' It was DeSantis who unveiled the Stop WOKE Act, which would allow parents to file lawsuits against school districts accused of teaching critical race theory. 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.' The governor also approved legislation that bars instruction in schools that suggest anyone is privileged or oppressed based on their race or skin color. Florida's Board of Education approved new rules for teaching black history on Wednesday during a public meeting in Orlando. A 216-page document posted on the Florida Department of Education website includes new instructions for middle school teachers, which include outlining how students should be taught 'how slaves developed skills, which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit'. Alex Lanfranconi, who works as a spokesperson for Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, late Thursday afternoon, tweeted out a statement from those who worked on the new standards. 'Any attempt to reduce slaves to just victims of oppression fails to recognize their strength, courage and resiliency during a difficult time in American history,' the statement said. 'Florida students deserve to learn how slaves took advantage of whatever circumstances they were in to benefit themselves and the community of African descendants.' Ron DeSantis criticized President Joe Biden for not acknowledging his seventh grandchild Hunter's daughter Navy Joan pictured with her mother Lunden Roberts The above pictures taken from the extensive publication show changes that are said to be made in the curriculum Numerous teachers objected to the new rules and asked the proposals to be put on hold. Science teacher Carol Cleaver told attendees at the meeting: '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 themselves.' Florida Education Association, a statewide teachers' union representing about 150,000 teachers, described the new rules as a 'step backward.' In a statement issued by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), they called the curriculum 'sanitized and dishonest'. Their President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, said: 'Today's actions by the Florida state government are an attempt to bring our country back to a 19th century America where Black life was not valued, nor our rights protected. 'It is imperative that we understand that the horrors of slavery and Jim Crow were a violation of human rights and represent the darkest period in American history. We refuse to go back. 'The NAACP has been fighting against malicious actors such as those within the DeSantis Administration for over a century, and we're prepared to continue that fight by any means necessary. 'Our children deserve nothing less than truth, justice, and the equity our ancestors shed blood, sweat, and tears for. A teenager who strangled his care worker girlfriend to death after trapping her in their high-rise flat as she screamed for help has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years. Liam Cain, 19, was found guilty of the murder of Courtney Boorne after the 20-year-old was found unresponsive at the flat they shared on Quarry Green Heights in Kirkby, Merseyside. Neighbours told how they heard Ms Boorne's desperate screams for help from the window of her 14th floor flat before police forced their way into the property just two days before Christmas last year. She was rushed to Aintree Hospital, but was pronounced dead shortly after. A post-mortem revealed she had suffered a cardiac arrest 'because of the asphyxia, the strangulation, the smothering of her by this defendant'. On Wednesday, a jury found Cain unanimously guilty of his partner's murder after just one hour and nine minutes of deliberations on Wednesday. Today a judge told the teen killer how his life will be 'forever blighted' by the murder but 'your victim has none'. Courtney Boorne (pictured) had been heard desperately screaming for help from the window of their 14th floor flat shortly before her death Liam Cain, 19, (pictured) has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years for the murder of Courtney Boorne A photo of the 14th floor flat in which Ms Boorne could be heard screaming to death as she was strangled to death by her boyfriend As he was jailed today for life with a minimum term of 17 years, Judge Brian Cummings KC, said: 'Your life will be forever blighted by what you have done. At least you have your life. 'Your victim has none and the years she had stretching ahead of her and all they might have brought are forever gone.' He said that Cain had strangled her at least twice during her ordeal before the final fatal attack. Her injuries indicated he had his 'arm around her neck at some stage' and had been 'blocking her mouth with something, such as your hand'. She also had bite marks on her fingers where he had bitten her as she desperately tried to fend him off. Liverpool Crown Court heard that the couple, who had been in a relationship for about five years, had returned to their flat in Quarry Green Heights on the afternoon of December 23 last year after she finished her morning shift. She rang her mum at 3.40 pm and about an hour later a neighbour dialled 999 to report a young girl kneeling on the kitchen windowsill of her flat and calling for help. She was screaming and she heard her shout 'he's got all the doors locked, he won't let me out'.' Another witness heard Ms Boorne screaming 'ah, get off me' before the window slammed shut. Cain showed no reaction as he was told he must serve at least 17 years behind bars before becoming eligible for release on life licence. While Ms Boorne's family - some of whom were wearing t-shirts emblazoned with a picture of Courtney and the message 'justice for Courtney Boorne, forever 20' - sat tearfully in the public gallery. Judge Cummings told Cain: 'I am sure it was you who slammed the window shut and your attack on Courtney continued, causing her to scream out. Police, alerted by worried neighbours, rushed to the block in Kirkby, Liverpool, and forced their way in after he refused to let them in but tragically it was already too late for the young care worker 'It ended in the bedroom where you strangled her to death. I am sure the final fatal act of strangulation was at least the second time when you had strangled Courtney, probably at least the third. 'Whatever precisely happened, it reached a pitch at which Courtney was so terrified she climbed onto the kitchen windowsill and began calling for help. 'I suspect when Courtney was calling from the window saying she'd been strangled, this was because it had happened again since the call to her mother. You then strangled her to death.' Cain had denied murder and said he was acting in self defence claiming that he had disarmed Ms Boorne of a knife and dropped the weapon in their bedroom. But no such blade would be found in said room. The judge told Cain: 'I cannot accept you have shown any meaningful remorse. It is perfectly true you were in a highly distressed state when the police eventually gained entry. 'But remorse is a different thing. It means being sorry for what you have done and you can't be sorry for what you've done if you're denying you've done anything wrong, especially when that involves blaming the victim and making derogatory accusations about her character. 'I reject the suggestion that Courtney Boorne attacked you. You were the attacker and she was the victim, pure and simple so any injuries were caused by her in the act of attempting to defend herself, tragically without success.' 'You put all the blame on the victim and claimed you were acting in self-defence. I am sure on the whole of the evidence that, certainly by the end, you acted with intent to kill. 'This was a domestic violence murder against a background of previous possessive or controlling behaviour on your part Against that background, you murdered her in her own home.' He said that Cain had locked the internal vestibule door. 'You had trapped her in the flat.You had blocked her only way out.' 'I am entirely satisfied that for a period of an hour or more, she was in a state of fear for her life as you on at least two occasions and probably more strangled and or smothered her, ultimately to death, trapped by you in the flat, terrified and calling for help before you slammed the window shut and strangled or choked her to death on the bed. 'Her final moments don't bear thinking about.' The court heard that it took police 24 minutes to force their way into the property but her injuries had been unsurvivable. She was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead two hours later due to a cardiac arrest. Andrew Radcliffe, KC, defending, said police had found the defendant howling or wailing. He said: 'His actions resulted from a very young man who had begun to realise exactly what he'd done and the desperate finality of what had occurred at his hands.' His defence lawyer pointed out the immaturity of the defendant who was poorly 'almost non-educated.' Mr Radcliffe said that the victim's mum had described his behaviour as 'out of character'. Shocking new video footage shows the moment New Mexico police officers shot two bystanders while taking down a 25-year-old man who stabbed a Good Samaritan in the neck after being offered a free meal last month. Officers Brenda Johnson, Eric Wilensky, Violet Baca and Christian Cordova fatally shot Jeramiah Salyards, 25, while also shooting two unnamed bystanders - striking one victim at least four times, causing serious injuries. The police shooting occurred on June 29, at about 9:30 pm, after Albuquerque officers responded to a 911 call of stabbing at a McDonald's. Bodycam footage of the incident has just been released. Salyards was shot and killed by the officers, while the two bystanders were taken to the hospital to be treated for their injuries. The Albuquerque Police Department Review Board is investigating the shooting. Jeramiah Salyards, 25, allegedly stabbed a man who picked him up and offered to buy him dinner Bodycam footage shows Salyards waving his arms rapidly and walking toward three men at a bus stop, as the officers yelled different things, like 'stop,' 'drop the knife' and 'you're going to get shot' Officers discovered a man who had stab wounds to his neck and face. The injured man told police that he had picked up the suspect, offering him a hot meal, something he said he's 'done before.' According to police, the suspect then reached over to the driver and said, 'Sorry' before stabbing him in the neck. Security footage of the incident then shows Salyards fleeing the scene on foot. Salyards was recently released from prison for stabbing a city bus driver in 2020. He spent three years in prison after being convicted of the crime and was released in May, prior to the attack. The officers, who reportedly responded within minutes, first rendered aid to the victim, who was transported to a local hospital to be treated for his wounds, before heading off to search for the suspect. Nearly two and a half hours later, officers found a man matching the description of the suspect and holding a knife, down the road. Bodycam footage shows Salyards waving his arms and walking toward three men at a bus stop, as the officers yelled different things, like 'stop,' 'drop the knife' and 'you're going to get shot.' He was apparently holding a knife in one hand, before the officers opened fire. After Salyards fell to the ground, the video showed the officers still pointing their guns with the bystander laying behind him. The Albuquerque Police Department Review Board is investigating the shooting Salyards died of his injuries. One of the bystanders hit by officers' gunfire was struck in the knee and was treated and released that night from the hospital At one point, Salyards appeared to try to stand up while police fired another two gunshots at him, leading him to collapse on the sidewalk Following the shooting, one officer mistakenly tries to arrest one of the victims while another intervenes At one point, Salyards appeared to try to stand up while police fired another two gunshots at him, leading him to collapse on the sidewalk. Following the shooting, one officer mistakenly tries to arrest one of the victims while another intervenes. Salyards died of his injuries. One of the bystanders hit by officers' gunfire was struck in the knee and was treated and released that night from the hospital. The bystander in the blue jacket was shot several times and suffered critical injuries. He was hospitalized for several weeks following the shooting and it currently still at the hospital going through rehabilitation. The Albuquerque Police Department Review Board is investigating the shooting. The department held a briefing Wednesday to discuss the fatal shooting and the actions the officers took. 'If I could use one word to describe both scenes: chaos,' Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said. 'I mean, you could clearly tell that these incidents escalated extremely quickly.' Pictured - Officer Eric Wilensky who was involved in the shooting. Albuquerque Police Chief said the department would be investigating the officers' tactics in the shooting and addressing the protocol when pursuing suspects in crowded areas Pictured - Officer Violeta Baca who was involved in the shooting. The department held a briefing Wednesday to discuss the fatal shooting and the actions the officers took Pictured - Officer Brenda Johnson who was involved in the shooting. The police emphasized the most critical rule police have ingrained when it comes to deadly force, which is 'be sure of your target and what is beyond it.' Pictured - Officer Christian Cordova who was involved in the shooting. 'You stabbed a city bus driver and you go to jail for three years. I just want that to sink in with the community,' Medina said. Medina said the department would be investigating the officers' tactics in the shooting and addressing the protocol when pursuing suspects in crowded areas. 'I think we do have to look to see if there's changes we need to make to ensure there is one clear order that is being given to individuals,' said Medina. While Salyards can be seen approaching and and at one instance, he appeared to be reaching toward one of the men, police say there is speculation regarding Salyards' intentions. Medina said it is 'unclear' if he was trying to stab anyone. Medina emphasized the most critical rule police have ingrained when it comes to deadly force, which is 'be sure of your target and what is beyond it.' 'Those are questions that we're going to have to answer during the administrative investigation, like what was in line? What was the officers perceptions? What was going through their mind at that time? So we do have to answer some of those questions,' he said. 'And when the investigation comes out, we should have some answers as to what the officers are observing, why shots were fired, what they saw and why it was necessary at the moment with these individuals in line.' He added, 'We've had the luxury of sitting here viewing four different videos, but our officers are out there in real time.' 'They're making a decision that they didn't have the luxury to sit back and look at this, sit, think about it and make a decision based off of that.' An online obituary for Salyards said that he died due 'to Mental Illness unforeseen through the eyes of others' His family wrote that he was 'so loved by everyone he met and so misunderstood by many.' He was known to love music, long walks, riding his bike and most of all he loved his family, his obituary read The four officers joined the police department between 2014 and 2019. Just one officer, Cordova, had previously been involved in a shooting. It is unclear whether the officers have returned to duty. An online obituary for Salyards said that he died due 'to Mental Illness unforeseen through the eyes of others.' His family wrote that he was 'so loved by everyone he met and so misunderstood by many.' He was known to love music, long walks, riding his bike and most of all he loved his family, his obituary read. 'He was know to gave what ever he had to others. He had a very unique sense of style and always looked his best. Jeramiah had an unforgettable smile that would light up any room,' his family wrote. Salyards grew up and was baptized into the Church of Christ with his Grandma and Grandpa. He is survived by his mother, father, grandparents, as well as his seven siblings. After turning on his decision, Kobe is now taking testosterone and regrets his decision to have his testicles removed A young man who formerly identified as a transwoman after being castrated by doctors has warned others not to follow in his footsteps. The young man, known only as Kobe, has revealed how he bitterly regrets his decision to transition and was told to 'play the suicide card' by older trans people in order to receive treatment. He began puberty blockers at 13, had his testicles removed at 19 - and now suffers from severe spinal pain he fears could be osteoporosis, with puberty blockers linked to bone injuries. Speaking to Fox News, he has detailed how despite his thoughts of being trans he now realizes he was an 'effeminate' gay boy who enjoyed playing with Barbies, but who felt uncomfortable with his sexuality. Kobe also told the outlet that had he not been 'indoctrinated' to gender ideology, he probably would have stayed as such. He said: 'I was always an effeminate boy, I was very feminine growing up. I liked Barbie's, I liked pink.' At age eleven, Kobe, pictured here on the right on the Benjamin Boyce podcast, said he told his parents that he was transgender, which was quickly rebuffed The young man, known only as Kobe, is pictured here on the left after he decided to stop transitioning and on the right after he made the decision, which he now regrets Due to the hormones he had to take, Kobe now suffers from severe back pain and developed an eating disorder Kobe continued: 'If I was never indoctrinated I think I would have just stayed an effeminate boy. I saw it as a way out of my homosexuality. At age eleven, he said he told his parents that he was transgender, which was quickly rebuffed. It wasn't until a few years later at the age of 13 that Kobe again came out as transgender and said that he used 'suicide tactics' to transition. He said: 'I started using the suicide tactics, transition or death. It's such an unhealthy mindset. 'The older trans people teach us to say that stuff to get the health care and everything.' From there, he was placed on puberty blockers and then estrogen at the age of 16 before he later had castration surgery at 19. Despite all of this, Kobe said that it did nothing to help with his mental health and wasted time. Kobe continued: 'I was like, 'Oh, wow, this is so great. I'm locked in my transition, but then everything started to crack and I couldn't ignore the complications. 'I couldn't ignore that I mutilated myself pretty much with the permission of a psychiatrist. It's insane now, looking back. It's just self-harm, you know.' He now suffers from permanently stunted growth because of the puberty blockers and also suffers from chronic pain in his spine and is to be checked for osteoporosis. As well as Fox News, Kobe had also appeared on the podcast of Benjamin Boyce to talk of his decision. Kobe told Fox that transitioning did not make him any happier or help his mental health Kobe, pictured here, said that he was an effeminate young boy and was later 'indoctrinated' by gender ideology Kobe also developed an eating disorder from taking the hormonal drugs which caused issues with his metabolism. Despite being off the hormone drugs for months, Fox reported that even during their interview Kobe had to stop numerous times after they impaired his cognition. In an approval letter giving him the go ahead for hormone replacement therapy, it labelled Kobe as being happy and mentally stable. Despite this, he told the outlet: 'None of it was true. I wasn't mentally stable. I hated myself. I wanted to die, and I just was constantly trying to become something that wasn't.' His surgery was then cancelled and he instead opted to have his testes removed as a 'middle ground' believing that testosterone was 'poison'. Kobe had family acceptance and 'passed' as a girl but, after all the interventions, he was still unhappy. Despite taking hormones to transition and being accepted by his family, he was still left unhappy Without gonads, Kobe will have to take testosterone artificially for the rest of his life, which he started taking recently. On taking testosterone, he said: 'I feel alive again. I feel confident. I just, I feel great. And it just goes to show that cross-sex hormones are bad.' As for his future plans, he said: 'It's just reconnecting with stuff that I used to enjoy before getting sucked into all of this. 'Because the time I lived as trans, I had no hobbies or interests, I had nothing really. It was just becoming this caricature of a woman and everything that's based around that. 'I'm trying to reclaim my manhood now and everything. It's hard. I have breasts, I have the hip development of a woman because I started the estrogen young. 'I have no gonads. You know, it's hard. My skull never really masculinized.' When asked about what he wants people to know about him, Kobe said: 'I see myself as very strong for what I went through. I'm a pretty compassionate person. 'I do care about kids that are suffering with gender dysphoria and everything. And I think that they deserve help. But I don't think that that helps.' A man who knifed his girlfriend, her mother, grandmother and her grandmother's partner to death has appeared in court late after he missed the start of the hearing because of afternoon worship. Joshua Jacques, 29, took the lives of his girlfriend Samantha Drummonds, 27, her mother Tanysha Ofori-Akuffo, 45, her grandmother Dolet Hill, 64, and Ms Hills husband, chef Denton Burke, 58. The killings occurred at at the family's three bedroom terraced home in Delaford Road, Bermondsey at 1:40pm on April 25 2022. Prosecutor Oliver Glasgow, KC, said: The police were alerted to the possible sound of a disturbance at a residential property...in the early hours of the morning on 25 April. Joshua Jerome Derriviere Jacques, 29, the boyfriend of one of the victims, Samantha Drummonds, was inside the property when police arrived Samantha Drummonds, 29, was the girlfriend killed by Jacques and described as 'an upbeat, fun-loving, bubbly young lady' Dolet Hill and Denton Burke were both killed inside their three-bedroom home close to Millwall's stadium Dolet Hill (in the multi-coloured dress), her daughter Tanysha Drummonds (with her arm around her) and her other daughter Tracey Henry (pictured in a white dress) When police arrived and forced entry to the property they discovered the lifeless bodies of the four victims in the address. The bodies were all found in the kitchen apart from Mr Burke who was found at the foot of the stairs. The four victims had sustained numerous wounds sustained by a knife or knives, Mr Glasgow said. This defendant was found in the address hiding in the bathroom upstairs having made contact with his mother. Tanysha was a qualified nurse while Ms Hill had worked as a housekeeping assistant at Guys and St Thomass hospital in Westminster for 21 years before retiring in 2018. A friend who had known Dolet for 23-years told how she was a dedicated churchgoer who helped poor children in Africa. She said in April last year: 'It's awful, I'm still in shock. Dolet and her family were such nice people. Dolet used to go on charity missions to Ghana and give children who'd lost their parents clothing, food and toys. 'She was a keen churchgoer and would help anyone who needed it.' Tanysha's husband, Danny Ofori-Akuffo said Samantha, who was staying with Dolet while her flat was redecorated, brought Jacques to Dolet's home on Saturday. One of her friends had called her on the phone and heard a man shouting 'I want to go home' in the background. When asked who it was, she replied 'it's just my boyfriend. Mr Ofori-Akuffo added: 'I've never met him. And most of the family know nothing about him. All we know is that he was Samantha's boyfriend, but how long they'd been together, I don't know. Not long I think but I'm sure he lived near to her.' He said that two police officers knocked on his door at around 8am the following morning asking him if he had seen Samantha. He said: 'I gave the officers my wife's number and told them to call her because she would know before ringing Tanysha myself to warn her that the police were getting in touch but I couldn't get through. 'I then rang her number several times, called Dolet and then Denton but nothing. Eventually I phoned Tanysha's sister, Tracey, and she did the same but couldn't get through. 'Someone had told her that they'd seen on the news that three woman and a man had been stabbed to death in Bermondsey so she went to the house to check if everything was ok. 'Of course when she arrived she found the street taped off and police everywhere. She spoke to officers at the scene, who took her to Lewisham Police Station. 'She called me about 10am and asked me to meet her there. When I got there, I was called in to speak to some officers and they told me the awful truth of what happened. 'I still cannot believe it. It hasn't sunk in. We are such a close family, we are always together. We all look out for one another. 'I've lost something very special. Their deaths have left a hole that will not be filled until I see them all in heaven.' Tanysha's husband, Danny Ofori-Akuffo (pictured) said Samantha, who was staying with Dolet while her flat was redecorated, brought Jacques to Dolet's home on Saturday. He told MailOnline last April: 'I've lost something very special. Their deaths have left a hole that will not be filled until I see them all in heaven' The killing took place at Dolet's 600,000 home just yards away from Millwall FC's stadium Police officers and floral tributes were seen outside the property in Bermondsey where three generations of the same family died Parts of the London skyline are seen in the background as police and forensic officers investigate in Bermondsey last April The killer was due to appear at the Old Bailey today via video link from HMP Belmarsh, however he was attending afternoon worship when the hearing started at 2pm. Jacques admitted four charges of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility at the Old Bailey on September 9 2022, denying four charges of murder. He claims he was suffering from a mental disorder which impaired his thinking when he carried out the killings. Jacques, of Minard Road, Catford, eventually appear in court once his prayer session came to an end. He will next appear for a pre-trial review on 30 October. The self-proclaimed 'Crocodile of Wall Street' and her husband who were accused of laundering $4.5billion in cryptocurrency have reached a plea deal. Heather Morgan and her husband Ilya Lichtenstein were charged in 2022 with siphoning funds worth $71million during the 2016 hack. By the time they were arrested, the cryptocurrency had appreciated to be worth $4.5billion. It's unclear what the terms of the plea deal are and whether the pair will spend any time in custody. They are due to go before a judge for a plea hearing on August 3, where the terms of the deal will be laid out. They had been facing up to 30 years in prison on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and defrauding the United States government. The couple is accused of conspiring to launder 119,754 bitcoin that was stolen, after a hacker attacked Bitfinex and initiated more than 2,000 unauthorized transactions In this courtroom sketch, attorney Sam Enzer, center, sits between Heather Morgan, left, and her husband, Ilya 'Dutch' Lichtenstein, in federal court on Tuesday Papers to close the federal case against them were filed in a Washington DC court on Friday. At the time of their arrest, Lichtenstein and Morgan lived on Wall Street in lower Manhattan. He is a citizen of both Russia and the United States and the co-founder of an online marketing firm. Morgan, a rapper and former Forbes contributor, describes herself as 'an expert in persuasion, social engineering, and game theory' and in one of her songs, declared herself the 'Crocodile of Wall Street.' Attorneys for the pair did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's inquiries on Friday. A spokesman for the United States Attorney's Office declined to comment. Morgan (seen in front of Federal Hall on Wall Street in a music video) declared herself the 'Crocodile of Wall Street' in one of her rap songs The pair were arrested in February last year. They will go before a judge for a plea hearing in August The August 2016 Bitfinex hack was one of the largest crypto heists ever recorded - so massive that news of the theft knocked 20 percent off Bitcoin's value at the time. The pair were accused of conspiring to launder 119,754 bitcoin that was stolen, after a hacker attacked Bitfinex and initiated more than 2,000 unauthorized transactions. Morgan, a rapper and former Forbes contributor, described herself as 'an expert in persuasion, social engineering, and game theory' and in one of her songs, declared herself the 'Crocodile of Wall Street.' 'I'm many things, a rapper, an economist, a journalist, a writer, a CEO, and a dirty, dirty, dirty dirty h*,' she raps in her 2019 single, Versace Bedouin. 'When she's not reverse-engineering black markets to think of better ways to combat fraud and cybercrime, she enjoys rapping and designing streetwear fashion,' her Forbes bio read. Justice Department officials said the transactions at the time were valued at $71 million in Bitcoin, but with the rise in the currency's value, it is now valued at over $4.5 billion. 'As the complaint alleges, the FBI and federal prosecutors were able to trace the movement of Bitcoin from this hack,' said Matthew Graves, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. He added that the money moved through a major darknet exchange tied to a host of crimes, as well as cryptocurrency addresses tied to child sexual abuse materials. column Mauritius' heavy dependence on food imports makes it vulnerable to global commodity and supply disruptions, but collaborative sustainable interventions are making a difference This is a particularly interesting time to be the Resident Co-ordinator for a small island state like Mauritius. Since my arrival in the country in 2022, I have experienced the impact of extreme weather conditions such as flooding and cyclones, as well as water shortages. These visible effects of climate change, combined with our geographical remoteness, limited economies of scale and high cost of import have grave consequences for our island's food security. The escalating high import cost is amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war. Consequently, ensuring food security is a growing concern in our sustainable economic transformation agenda. Robust food systems have emerged as more than just an agricultural challenge; they could potentially be a catalyst for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The upcoming UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment taking place in Rome, Italy, from July 24-26, 2023, provides an opportunity for Mauritius and other participating countries to focus on accelerating the transformative power of food systems. Food production is interconnected with other sectors. While water and energy are direct inputs at all stages of the food value chain, natural resources, ecosystems, and their services underpin the security of these inputs. Agriculture accounts for 30 per cent of water use in Mauritius. Globally, one-third of the world's available energy is consumed by the food production value chain. Addressing water scarcity and investing in renewable energy is critical to food security. Mauritius imports three-quarters of its energy (oil), with renewable energy accounting for 24 percent of its current energy mix. It imports over 77 percent of its food requirements, with rising prices of staple foods such as bread, black lentils, powdered milk and cooking oil straining households. This heavy reliance on imports, including seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, technology, and equipment, makes Mauritius vulnerable to disruptions in global commodity and supply chains. Transforming food systems can play a key role in countries' mitigation and adaptation strategies. For instance, in line with its Nationally Determined Contributions, Mauritius has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing Green House Gas emissions from the agricultural sector. It has also identified agriculture as a priority sector for climate change adaptation, with a focus on efficient irrigation techniques and climate-smart agriculture practices. UN in Mauritius For the UN team in Mauritius, supporting a holistic approach to addressing the interconnected challenges of food, climate, water, energy, and gender is critical. We focus on two key areas: The first is the upstream policy and institutional engagement to inform the strategies, policies, and budgets necessary to transform food systems. is the upstream policy and institutional engagement to inform the strategies, policies, and budgets necessary to transform food systems. The second is the downstream community resilience, leveraging the power of partnership, digital platforms, private-public modalities, and data, with women and youth at the center of our efforts to ensure inclusivity. For countries like Mauritius, where tourism is a significant source of GDP earnings, the impact of climate change poses a sustainability risk given its rare but fragile natural ecosystems. Lives and livelihoods of communities, particularly in coastal areas, are directly impacted. Coral bleaching and human pollution are putting pressure on the lagoon ecosystems, affecting artisanal fishers like Nazma and her family. Nazma has been engaged in artisanal fishing for over 30 years, alongside her husband and many of her children. Artisanal fishing is considered a sustainable way of fishing as it relies on the use of lines, unlike commercial fishing where trawling is preferred. Furthermore, most of the fish caught by Nazma's family are for consumption in Mauritius, rather than for export. Nazma explains her love for fishing this way: "It is my passion that has become my livelihood," adding, "But life is expensive, fuel is expensive, and there are fewer fishes in the lagoon these days." In collaboration with the European Union through its Ecofish project, the UN is using technological innovations to empower artisanal fishers to move out of over-exploited lagoons. By improving the economic resilience of these traditional fishing communities, food security will be strengthened through better-managed marine resources. In Rodrigues, an island east of Mauritius, we are working with a group of eight women who have established the Rodrigues Turmeric Producers Association to grow and process turmeric into powder for commercial purposes. In addressing the energy requirements of their agricultural practices, Marie-Anne, a member of the association, says that with a grant from the Global Environment Facility of the Small Grant Programme (GEF-SGP), they were able to acquire a solar dryer. Prior to this, she says, "We had an electric dryer that consumed a lot of energy and cost us a lot of money." Perrine, a colleague and friend of Marie-Anne, explains that the business "allows women to emancipate themselves, and our grandchildren will in turn be able to continue this work because turmeric will always be there." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mauritius Food and Agriculture By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Besides the UNDP-implemented SGP projects, other innovative sustainable food systems solutions being piloted by the UN family--UNDP, FAO and UN Women--under the joint SDG Fund include the use of seaweed to produce, locally, low-cost biofertilisers. Furthermore, there are initiatives to nurture smart agriculture, supported by FAO, UNDP, UNCTAD and UNFPA. To address financing challenges, the UNDP-supported SDG Investor Map identifies investment opportunities for the private sector in priority areas for development, with around 70 percent of these areas directly or indirectly linked to food systems. With only seven years left to achieve Agenda 2030, the UN Country Team in Mauritius will continue its support for the diversification of the economy, strengthening the circular economy, and investing in human capital to combat supply shocks. Collaborative efforts will be key to furthering climate action and fostering resilient pathways that will protect the future of Mauritius. This collective endeavour will ensure the well-being of its people and planet and promote prosperity. Lisa Singh is the UN Resident Coordinator in Mauritius A 'vile predator' who tried to rape a woman while she was sleeping at King's Cross station told police officers he thought it was 'okay as she wasn't dead'. Amer Mohammed, 31, has been convicted after being found guilty of attempted rape at Inner London Crown Court yesterday. In the early morning of July 23, at around 5am, Mohammed, of no fixed address, approached the victim, who he'd never met before, while she slept in the station. She awoke to find Mohammed exposing himself and forcibly trying to rape her. Amer Mohammed, 31, claimed that if someone was asleep it was okay to have sex with them because 'they aren't dead' The victim attempted to fight off the attacker however he overpowered her and continued assaulting her for half an hour until her friend woke up and intervened. The British Transport Police were alerted to the incident by the victim later that morning at the station. She was able to identify him and he was arrested at the scene and taken to police custody. When asked about consent in his police interview, Mohammed claimed that if someone was asleep it was okay to have sex with them because 'they aren't dead.' He was shown CCTV of the incident, which was captured in its entirety, and claimed he was just 'trying to help [the victim] sleep properly.' Detective Constable Rachel Parfitt said: 'Amer Mohammed is a vile predator who deliberately targeted an unconscious woman and subjected her to a truly abhorrent attack in the belief she would be powerless to stop him. The incident occurred at at around 5am on the morning of July 23 2022 'It is beyond contemptible that he has not only shown a complete lack of remorse for his actions but actively tried to defend himself, claiming on record that it's fine have sex with someone if they are asleep. 'I will be absolutely clear that it is not and we will work relentlessly to ensure sexual offenders like him are brought before the courts to face the full force of the law. 'I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the victim for her courage in coming forward and supporting our investigation despite being forced by Mohammed to relive her traumatic ordeal in court. It is her bravery which has ensured he has faced justice today.' Ex-police chief James Burke, in charge of the investigation, was convicted of corruption in an unrelated case before Rex Heuermann was charged The Gilgo Beach serial killings went unsolved for over a decade because corrupt police officers botched the case, a Long Island crime writer has claimed. Robert Banfelder, who has written two books on the case, slammed Suffolk County authorities for failing to make an arrest until last week, when Rex Heuermann was charged in the killings of three of the 'Gilgo Four,' a group of women whose bodies were discovered near the Long Island beach in 2010. 'They failed, they failed miserably,' he told The New York Post. 'They thwarted everyone who was trying to help the investigation, especially the FBI. These are bad dudes who botched the case. The author, 80, lives about 45 miles from Gilgo Beach and has previously described what he calls a 'culture of corruption' surrounding the people in charge of the murders investigation. He particularly took aim at former police chief James Burke, former district attorney Thomas Spota and former Anti-Corruption Bureau chief Christopher McPartland. Rex Heuermann is charged in the killings of three of the 'Gilgo Four,' a group of women whose bodies were discovered near the Long Island beach in 2010 Robert Banfelder, who has written two books on the case, slammed Suffolk County authorities for failing to make an arrest until last week James Burke, the disgraced former head of Suffolk County Police Department, has been accused of hampering the Gilgo Beach serial killer probe by booting the FBI off the case in its early stages Burke was convicted in 2016 of conspiring to obstruct justice and violating a victim's civil rights for attacking a thief after he broke into his squad car and stole a duffel bag containing porn and sex toys. His longtime mentor Spota and veteran anti-corruption prosecutor McPartland were convicted in December 2019 on counts of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and civil rights violations for helping to cover Burke's actions. Banfelder accused Spota of 'dropping the ball' in the Long Island serial killings because he hired 'bad cop' Burke, who removed the FBI from the investigation when he allegedly knew they were also looking into his assault of the thief. 'They all go way back,' Banfelder said. 'Burke could do what he damn well pleased... He was involved in prostitution and he was partying. Theres no question about that.' DailyMail.com previously revealed that Burke led a double life that allegedly included smoking crack, cross-dressing and relationships with prostitutes. Before Burke became Suffolk County's top cop, he had been involved in a series of scandals involving prostitutes and drugs, including a tryst in his police car with one of them. Heuermann was dramatically arrested last Thursday night in Midtown Manhattan outside his Fifth Avenue firm, 13 years after the discovery of four bodies along Gilgo beach, all wrapped in camouflage burlap sacks. In total, the bodies of 11 people, including a toddler, have been found along that same stretch. He is also the lead suspect in the 2007 disappearance and subsequent murder of the fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, though he has not yet been charged in the case. Burke was convicted in 2016 of violating a victim's civil rights for attacking a thief after he broke into his squad car and stole a duffel bag containing porn and sex toys Disgraced Suffolk County DA Thomas Spota, 79 (left) and Christopher McPartland, former chief of an anti-corruption bureau, were convicted of helping to cover Burke's behavior Determining who killed the victims, and why, vexed a slew of seasoned homicide detectives through several changes in leadership in the police department. The police investigation has been put into question after it was revealed police overlooked key clues including a witness' statement about seeing Heuermann's Chevrolet Avalanche in a victim's house. A new task force set up by Suffolk County DA last year came across his name within months of investigation, prompting questions about why previous investigative units failed to nail him. Law enforcement sources tell DailyMail.com he has been on their radar since last year. Investigators matched him to the crimes by tracking the phone calls made from burner phones to the victims' cell phones over 10 years ago. The source added that 'good, old fashioned police work' cracked the case, rather than any DNA developments. The architect lived in a 'dungeon-like' Massapequa Park home just 18 miles away from the beach with his wife Asa Ellerup, adult daughter and stepson - who police say were away when the murders took place. Police now believe Heuermann may have killed one of his victims inside the home he shared with his family. Police were seen searching Heuermann's property for 'trophies' that may be linked to the victims for a seventh day on Thursday. Investigators are also looking at his time share in Las Vegas and a property he owned in South Carolina. DailyMail.com spotted one investigator carrying a note listing some of the evidence found inside. Among the items on the list were a rope kept in a vault, a torn man's shirt with a stain in a bag and handcuff keys in a shelf underneath a work bench. Police on Sunday removed a massive haul of more than 200 weapons from the home. And over the past few days, a range of items including a child-sized blonde doll kept in a wooden case, a cat and Playboy magazines have been taken out. Investigators have also been searching two storage units connected to Heuermann and on Wednesday several boxes were spotted outside one. Blue tarp and white tents have been erected outside the unit to close off the scene. Donald Trump's company and his former fixer Michael Cohen have settled a lawsuit over the lawyer's claims that he was unfairly stuck with big legal bills after getting entangled in investigations into the former president. Lawyers for the two sides told the judge they had reached a settlement during a video conference Friday in Manhattan, just as Cohen's 2019 lawsuit was slated to go to trial Monday in a state court. While Trump would not have been a witness in the trial, his son Donald Trump Jr. was expected to testify. Details of the agreement were not made public. Cohen said Friday the matter 'has been resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties.' Donald Trump's company and his former fixer Michael Cohen (pictured right) have settled a lawsuit over the lawyer's claims that he was unfairly stuck with big legal bills. He's depicted outside Manhattan Supreme Court Former President Donald Trump would not have been a witness in the case if it had gone to trial, as it was supposed to, on Monday, but Donald Trump Jr. would have been called to testify Messages seeking comment were left with lawyers for Trump's company, the Trump Organization. Cohen claimed in his lawsuit that the Trump Organization had promised to pay his legal expenses and did so for a time, footing more than $1.7 million in legal fees. But, Cohen said, the company reneged after he began cooperating with federal prosecutors in their investigations related to Trump's business dealings in Russia and attempts to silence women with embarrassing stories about his personal life. Cohen's lawyers stopped representing him after the company stopped paying. His lawsuit said that harmed his ability to respond to the federal investigations. In court papers, the Trump Organization has disputed that it made certain promises and has said it satisfied any obligations it did have. The company also has argued that Cohen's involvement in the federal investigations wasn't an outgrowth of his former job but rather a personal decision to try to reduce his own criminal legal exposure as an indictment loomed. Jury selection in the case began Monday, with a trial slated to start next week. Among the prospective jurors, more than half said they had strong opinions about Trump, the front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Several said their feelings toward him were intense enough that they would not be able to fairly evaluate evidence. Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to multiple charges, admitting that he lied to Congress, violated campaign finance laws through excessive political contributions, lied to multiple banks to obtain financing and evaded income taxes by failing to report more than $4 million in income. He was sentenced to three years in prison, although he served nearly two-thirds of it at home, released after the COVID-19 outbreak overwhelmed the nation's prisons. He then became a key witness in the New York grand jury proceeding that led to Trump's April indictment on charges of falsifying Trump Organization records to protect Trump's 2016 candidacy by suppressing claims that he had had extramarital sexual encounters. Trump denied those encounters, and he pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges. He cast the case as a Democratic district attorney's attempt to blunt his ongoing campaign to return to the White House in 2025. Trump has now sued Cohen, accusing him of violating a company confidentiality agreement, breaching ethical standards for lawyers and maliciously 'spreading falsehoods' about Trump. A Cohen spokesman, attorney Lanny Davis, responded that Trump was abusing the legal system to harass Cohen. Lovebirds Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes appear to be taking their relationship to a new level and were seen visiting a realty office in New York City. DailyMail.com saw Amy, 50, getting out of an Uber at Manhattan's CHH Realty office just a few minutes before T.J., 45, arrived. The pair spent an hour inside before walking a few blocks to have lunch at a Mexican restaurant. DailyMail.com revealed in May that the couple were planning to move in together once T.J's lease is up in late summer. The practically inseparable co-stars-turned-lovers have been eager to start fresh and further cement their relationship by shacking up as a couple. DailyMail.com spotted Amy Robach, 50, and T.J. Holmes, 45, stopping at a realty office in Manhattan this week For their trip to the realty office this week Amy wore a navy blue tank top with matching pants. She's seen leaving the realty office in Manhattan DailyMail.com revealed that the couple were planning to move in together once T.J's lease is up in late summer 'They're together all the time anyway, mostly at her place,' a friend of the couple told DailyMail.com exclusively back in May And now it seems they are making their first moves. For their trip to the realty office Amy wore a navy blue tank top with matching drawstring pants. Around her neck she wore the necklace that T.J. gifted her for her birthday - a gold ring he put on a chain and paired it with gold hoop earrings and a crocheted purse. T.J. kept it casual in sweatpants, sneakers and a Nike t-shirt with 'ARKANSAS' in bold letters on the front. He is an alumnus of the University of Arkansas, where he earned a degree in broadcast journalism. 'They're together all the time anyway, mostly at her place,' a friend of the couple told DailyMail.com exclusively back in May, when we broke the news that they were planning on moving in together. 'I know at first we may have thought this was just a fling that would burn out, but nuh-uh. They are committed.' The source added: 'They run together and hit up their favorite gym practically every day. They're out for romantic dinners.... a little PDA at their local grocery store.' Just a year ago Holmes and Robach were skulking about, keeping their relationship top secret from their spouses, peers, and public. Or so they thought. But DailyMail.com outed the GMA3 co-hosts in November when they were spotted at a romantic cottage in New York's Shawangunk Mountains. They were also seen drinking after work in a New York City bar. Now their secret is out, they are focused, determined and very much in love and about to make more of a commitment to each other and save money at the same time, sources say. Two can live more cheaply than one, especially in Manhattan. Of course there are hurdles Amy's younger daughter, Annalise, 16, still lives with her. The couple spent an hour inside before heading to lunch at a Mexican restaurant The couple are practically inseparable. They run together, grocery shop together and are often seen out for romantic dinners Around her neck Amy donned the necklace that T.J. gifted her for her birthday, and paired it with gold hoop earrings and a crocheted purse Since her split with Shue, Amy has moved into a co-op in the Village, however, she is frequently seen spending a lot of time at Holmes's apartment in the Financial District T.J. kept it casual in sweatpants and a Nike t-shirt with 'ARKANSAS' in bold letters on the front In March DailyMail.com revealed Amy and her husband Andrew Shue had finalized their divorce after privately working out their agreement through mediation and reaching a custody deal over their beloved dog. Robach and Shue, who each have children from previous relationships, had been married since 2010. The official split came about six months after the Melrose Place actor learned of her affair and subsequently moved out of their West Village apartment last August. Months later, in December, days after her affair became public, Robach herself was seen moving out of the home, with her parents arriving to help with move. Robach and Shue had bought the three-bedroom, two-bath Barrow Street property in 2018 for $4million, according to ET. GMA3 co-hosts T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach spent a weekend shacked up in a cozy cottage in the Shawangunk Mountain region of New York in November last year. Holmes was seen giving his lover a playful squeeze from behind as she packed up the car T.J. and his wife Marilee Fiebig separate around the same time that Amy and husband Andrew Shue's marriage collapsed The apartment was reportedly put on the market back in September after Shue is said to have learned of his wife's romance with Holmes and sold for $5.2million in mid-November, right before the clandestine relationship came to light. Since then, Robach has moved into a co-op in the Village, however, she is frequently seen spending time at Holmes's apartment in the Financial District to which he relocated full time after separating from wife Marilee Fiebig. Holmes and Fiebig are said to have separated late last summer, around the same time as Shue and Robach's marriage collapsed, but the former GMA star only officially filed for divorce in late December. Texas A&M's president has resigned after her botched hiring of a former New York Times editor to lead the journalism department which ended in her turning down a watered-down deal and complaining she was the victim of 'anti-woke hysteria'. Katherine Banks became the school's president in 2021 and immediately set about restructuring its many departments. She was widely criticized for doing-away with tenured library staff, but was most criticized for her handling of the hiring of Dr. Kathleen McElroy, a veteran journalist and former editor at The New York Times. Banks originally offered McElroy, who has 20 years of experience in newsrooms and a PhD, a tenured contract to lead A&M's journalism school. Katherine Banks became the school's president in 2021 and immediately set about restructuring its many departments. She resigned today over the botched hiring of Kathleen McElroy Dr. Kathleen McElroy was hired to lead the A&M journalism department. She spent 20 years working at The New York Times and then pursued a PhD. There were complaints that her experience at the Times and work on diversity would mean an inevitable left-wing biased in the school, and her deal was watered down. She believes she is being judged by her race Her appointment was announced with huge fanfare in June. She spoke proudly of accepting the role at her alma matter. But blowback soon came from some conservative groups who voiced concerns that her past at the Times would inevitably insert a left-wing biased into classes. McElroy was offered a five-year contract, then a one-year contract, which she declined. 'He said, "Youre a Black woman who was at The New York Times and, to these folks, thats like working for Pravda,"' McElroy said of the conversation she had with Dean Jose Luis Bermudez. Pravda is the newspaper of the Communist Party in Russia that began in the early 1900s. 'I feel damaged by this entire process. Im being judged by race, maybe gender. The school today announced Banks' resignation, saying in a press-release that there was a suggestion McElroy was a victim of 'anti-woke hysteria' 'And I dont think other folks would face the same bars or challenges,' she said in an interview with The Texas Tribune about the botched hiring process. The school today announced Banks' resignation, saying in a press-release that there was a suggestion McElroy was a victim of 'anti-woke hysteria'. 'In June, the university announced the hiring of McElroy to revive the schools journalism program, but that fell apart as the details of the job offer changed from a position with the possibility of tenure to a one-year professor of practice appointment, with the option to renew. 'At the Faculty Senate meeting Wednesday, President Banks denied knowing about the changes in the job offer but took responsibility for a flawed hiring process after a wave of national publicity suggesting McElroy, who has done research on diversity and inclusion, was a victim of anti-woke hysteria and outside interference in the faculty hiring process,' the release said. Banks took the blame for the 'embarrassing' debacle in a call with the school faculty senate this week. 'I will say it has been a difficult week for Texas A&M. Im saddened by the negative attention that weve received. 'Its been detrimental to our shared goals and vision,' she said. The policy comes amid a series of 'detransition' lawsuits where formerly-transgender children feel they were pushed into invasive surgeries Tony Thurmond was told he was 'proposing things that pervert children' as he argued against a policy to inform parents if their child wants to change gender Parents reacted with cheers of 'leave our kids alone' as a California superintendent was thrown out of a school board hearing for aggressively opposing a policy forcing teachers to notify parents if their child is transgender. Tony Thurmond, the California State Superintendent of Schools, was booted from the Chino Valley Unified school board meeting on Thursday after going over his allotted time to vigorously attack the policy. Over 300 people filled the main hall at Don Lugo High School in Chino, California to weigh in at the hearing, which was marked with hostility as Thurmond clashed with the school board's president, Sonja Shaw. After Thurmond condemned the new guidelines for putting transgender students 'at risk', Shaw fired back that the official was 'proposing things that pervert children.' The board eventually voted 4-1 to introduce the parental notification policy, a move which was met with cheers from the audience. Parents at the hostile hearing cheered as the policy was approved in a 4-1 vote Before Thurmond was led away by security to shouts of 'kick him out', the administrator slammed the proposal for targeting vulnerable students. The policy, which was introduced in June, requires schools to notify parents within three days after their child identifies as transgender. Teachers must also inform parents if their child is involved in any form of violence of talks about suicide. Students identifying as transgender are defined under the policy as seeking to change their name or pronouns, or asks to access gender-based sports, bathrooms or changing rooms which are different from their biological gender. 'The policy you consider tonight may not only fall outside of privacy laws, but may put our students at risk,' Thurmond said at the meeting. After reaching the end of his time, Thurmond was heard in footage from the hearing interrupting Shaw as she ordered him to return to his seat. Loud cheers rang out as Thurmond sat back down, leading Shaw to ask the audience to 'be respectful.' She then slated the superintendent for his role in escalating issues over transgender students, saying: 'Tony Thurmond, I appreciate you being here tremendously, but here's the problem - we are here because of people like you.' 'In Sacramento, you're proposing things that hurt children,' she continued. The California state legislature, which has approved several controversial laws over transgender youths, is located in the city. Chino Valley Unified School District President Sonja Shaw slammed the superintendent for 'proposing things that pervert children' Tony Thurmond, the California State Superintendent of Schools, was booted from the Chino Valley Unified school board meeting on Thursday after going over his allotted time to vigorously attack the policy Thurmond then returned to the soapbox as Shaw continued to tear into him, leading her to slam him for supporting her opponent during her last election to the school board. 'Why was it so important for you to walk with my opponent?' she asked. 'You are the very reason why we're in this.' Thurmond attempted to call a 'point of order' to halt her attacks, to which Shaw again shot him down and said: 'No! This is not your meeting, you may have a seat. 'If I did that to you in Sacramento you would not accept it,' she added. 'You are not going to blackmail us, you already sent us a blackmailing letter previously... you will not bully us here in Chino.' The chasm between many Americans over the issue of transgender minors was on full display in the California school hall, as a large section of the audience behind the dueling officials yelled 'leave our kids alone' while others held signs calling for Shaw to be recalled. Due to the large number of people in attendance, speaking time at the hearing was cut down from the usual three minutes to one minute. Furious parents on both sides of the aisle chimed in at the event, with Chino Valley school parent Nick Wilson telling the board: 'It is morally repugnant that they think parents shouldnt be involved with their children,' according to Mercury News. 'We are here today because our kids are in danger,' another parent, Oscar Avila, added. 'Our kids are in danger from groomers.' After the debate, the board voted 4-1 to introduce the parental notification policy. Speaking time at the hearing was reduced to a minute due to the high number of people who wished to chime in. Pictured: A young person in a wheelchair put his head in his hands as a man speaks at the school board meeting Residents on both sides of the aisle turned up at the hearing, which devolved into hostility It has not been verified what 'blackmailing' letter Shaw was referring to in the footage, however she may have been referring to a letter sent to the school board Thursday evening by California's Attorney General Rob Bonta. 'By allowing for the disclosure of a students gender identity without their consent, Chino Valley Unified School Districts suggested Parental Notification policy would strip them of their freedom, violate their autonomy, and potentially put them in a harmful situation,' Bonta said. '(My) office has a substantial interest in protecting the legal rights of children in California schools and protecting such children from trauma and exposure to violence,' the letter continued. 'I will not hesitate to take action as appropriate to vigorously protect students civil rights.' The hearing comes as questions are raised over the most appropriate way to help minors suffering from gender dysphoria. In recent years, a series of lawsuits have been filed against healthcare providers from formerly-transgender individuals who feel they were pushed into invasive surgeries. A young Texas woman is suing the doctors who put her on testosterone at age 17 and botched her double breast removal the next year, saying they should have treated her for depression and anxiety instead. Soren Aldaco, 21, says she was confused, autistic, depressed and anxious when doctors in Fort Worth and Austin encouraged her to become a boy, take cross-sex hormones and later have both breasts removed. In her 29-page complaint, she says doctors acted more like 'ideologues', pushing her to transition, not discussing alternatives, and 'irreversibly disfiguring and disabling' her with a shoddy mastectomy. That operation left her 'nipples literally peeling off of her chest,' and she will not be able to breastfeed and may be infertile, it is claimed. The hormone shots left her with a damaged vagina and other problems. Soren Aldaco, 21, says her doctors pushed her into transgender medecine She says surgeons at the Crane Clinic botched her double breast removal with a 'risky' version of the procedure Aldaco filed her suit in Tarrant County, Texas, on Friday. She seeks a jury trial and more than $1million in damages. 'This lawsuit details a chronology of wrongful acts committed by a collective of medical providers who... administered a series of ruinous procedures and treatments,' the papers say. Aldaco was a 'vulnerable teenager struggling with a slew of mental health issues' while also 'grappling with the universal challenges of adolescence and body image,' the papers say. Poll Should 'gender-affirming care' be banned for children in your state? Yes No Not sure Should 'gender-affirming care' be banned for children in your state? Yes 23702 votes No 1096 votes Not sure 639 votes Now share your opinion 'Despite these telltale signs demanding caution and therapeutic resolution, however, the defendants deliberately and recklessly propelled Soren down a path of permanent physical disfigurement,' they add. The suit names her nurse practitioner Del Scott Perry, psychiatrist Dr Sreenath Nekkalapu, counselor Barbara Rose Wood, and the surgeons Dr Richard Santucci and Dr Ashley Deleon. It also names their clinics the Crane Clinic, Texas Health Physicians Group, Three Oaks Counseling Group, also known as Thriveworks, and Mesa Springs mental health facility in Fort Worth which are all in Austin or the Fort Worth area. None of the defendants immediately answered DailyMail.com's requests for comment. Aldaco, a self-described tomboy, experienced hardship and bereavement in her childhood, and struggled in her early teens with classmates poking fun at her large breasts, court papers claim. Aldaco says she had a tough childhood and was sensitive to classmates making fun of her physique Aldaco says she never felt wholly comfortable in the male body and identity that doctors pushed her into Nurse practitioner Del Scott Perry (left) and surgeon Dr Richard Santucci have been accused of failing Aldaco She started identifying as a boy or as non-binary, but that didn't stop the 'crippling depression and anxiety' that saw the straight-A student start to fall behind at school. After a manic episode, she was treated by Dr Nekkalapu at Mesa Springs Psychiatric Hospital, where the psychiatrist allegedly 'coerced' and pressured the 15-year-old into coming out as trans. Soon after, she attended a support group for trans youth in Fort Worth called Trans-Cendence International in 2019, where she met Perry. Perry had a reputation as 'the guy who prescribes testosterone upon request,' it is claimed. After a 30-minute appointment at Perry's office in January 2020, the nurse practitioner prescribed her an 'outrageously large, off-label dosage' of testosterone and another drug to 'block' her estrogen. She started seeing therapist Wood in July that year. Wood allegedly used 'false or otherwise misleading' statements in a letter recommending Aldaco, then 17, for a double breast removal at Crane Clinic. The Austin-based clinic was a 'notorious surgical center recently relocated from California.' They 'conducted no independent medical assessment of their own, ignored the red flags, and put Soren under the knife,' it is claimed. Surgeons opted for a 'risky' procedure that did not allow for Aldaco's blood to drain, it is claimed. She was in pain after the procedure and took photos of 'pools of blood forming subcutaneously within her torso, her nipples literally peeling off of her chest.' She had her surgical wounds repaired elsewhere. Crane Clinic offered to reimburse her $421.31 for her out-of-pocket costs, but asked her to sign legal papers against making any further claims or complaints, which she declined. After these horrors, Aldaco slowly came to realize that 'neither the testosterone nor the double mastectomy had helped her feel entirely comfortable in her body.' Dr Ashley Deleon (left) and counselor Barbara Rose Wood are also been sued by the detransitioner She 'found answers in meditation and mindfulness,' which she says is helping her come to terms with her gender identity and the irreversible effects of hormones and top surgery. Her lawyer, Ron Miller, a founding partner of Campbell Miller Payne, told DailyMail.com that the case highlights a bigger problem the rush to transition minors who need care, not cutting. 'With this lawsuit, Soren hopes to not only seek redress for the wrongs done to her, but also to send a loud message to reckless practitioners who are rushing vulnerable kids into life altering gender medicalization and surgery,' he said. Speaking with the Independent Women's Forum, Aldaco said many doctors and therapists were too fast to affirm every teenager's gender confusion. 'Sometimes the compassionate response is one which sets firm boundaries,' she said. 'You need to be able to discern between enabling and helping that you are giving me access to certain drugs that you just give me referrals to whomever I asked for, didn't actually help me heal. It affirmed me in my delusion.' She joins a growing list of young people who undergo irreversible trans medical procedures, but who regret them and sue the doctors and therapists who they say fast-tracked them onto drugs and surgery. They include such prominent detransitioners, as they are known, as Chloe Cole and Layla Jane in California, Prisha Mosley in North Carolina, and Camille Kiefel in Oregon. Several major US medical groups and advocates of gender-affirming care, as it is known, say puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and, and surgery can save lives among a suicide-prone group. But opponents say sex is determined at birth and cannot be changed, that medical advisory groups have been hijacked by ideologues and that politicians must intervene to stop parents, doctors, or therapists from permanently harming children. Many are alarmed by the sharp uptick in teenage girls with autism and other mental health woes asking for sex-reassignment in recent years, and of new studies linking puberty blockers to weaker bones and osteoporosis. Whether to allow drugs and surgery for trans-identifying children has become a frontline in America's culture wars, with Republicans pushing to outlaw gender-affirming care in some 20 states this year, including Texas. A recent YouGov survey of 1,000 adults across red and blue states found that Americans were largely against gender-affirming procedures for children. Some 61 percent rejected giving puberty blockers to 12-year-olds, while 21 percent said it was acceptable. They also deemed cross-sex hormones and breast surgeries unacceptable by similar margins. Terrifying footage shows a monstrous tornado wreaking havoc on a North Carolina farm on Wednesday - ripping it apart after it swept through a $150 million Pfizer plant and triggered critical shortages of anesthesia. In the video, a tornado can be seen lifting debris into the air, while also mercilessly peeling off the roof of a structure in Dortches, about 50 miles northeast of Raleigh. The video, which was initially shared by Claudius Brewer and has since garnered 23 million views on Facebook, shows severe storms, accompanied by powerful gusty winds and large hail as it descended upon the farm. The area experienced the wrath of EF-3 tornado, a classification attributed to the most severe tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service, which conducted a preliminary damage survey assessing the aftermath of the tornado. Accompanying his video, Brewer said: 'They made everyone leave the area because of propane leaked, down power lines and trees.' Terrifying footage shows a monstrous tornado wreaking havoc on a North Carolina farm on Wednesday - ripping it apart after it swept through a $150 million Pfizer plant and triggered critical shortages of anesthesia In the video, a tornado can be seen lifting debris into the air, while also mercilessly peeling off the roof of a structure in Dortches, about 50 miles northeast of Raleigh The tornado's path spanned approximately 16.5 miles and boasted peak winds reaching a staggering 150 mph, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Brewer, who seemed to have walked away unharmed, shared photos of the aftermath of the tornado, showing demolished structures and piles of rubble. Residents in Dortches were warned of the incoming storm by the National Weather Service, which had issued a severe thunderstorm warning until 1 pm that Wednesday. The warning forecasted wind gusts reaching up to 60 mph, along with the potential of pea-sized hail. A tornado warning was specifically declared for Dortches, signaling an imminent threat. In response to a viewer calling out his bravery in the comments, Brewer, who was outside in the midst of the twister to capture the worst of the storm on camera, responded: 'Nope I was just stupid' The tornado which tore across 40 miles of North Carolina at 150mph also devastated a Pfizer plant - which will lead to long-term medicine shortages, experts warn. The video, which was initially shared by Claudius Brewer and has since garnered 23 million views on Facebook, shows severe storms, accompanied by powerful gutsy winds and large hail as it descended upon the farm The massive EF-3 tornado also devastated a Pfizer plant in North Carolina on Wednesday which will reportedly lead to long term medicine shortages The tornado's path spanned approximately 16.5 miles and boasted peak winds reaching a staggering 150 mph, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake A ruined house is pictured in Dortches, North Carolina, on July 21 The major Pfizer facility in Rocky Mount was destroyed on Wednesday, with its roof partially collapsing after the powerful weather system battered the region. Some 50,000 pallets of medicine were damaged, according to officials. The destruction threatens the production of anesthetics and other sterile injectables. The plant is one of the largest of its kind in the world and supplies nearly 25 percent of all sterile injectables used in US hospitals. It 'will likely lead to long-term shortages while Pfizer works to either move production to other sites or rebuilds,' Erin Fox, senior pharmacy director at University of Utah Health, told CBS News The tornado started near Nashville, North Carolina, around 12:35pm, and swept northeast through Rocky Mount, 60 miles east of Raleigh, where it decimated the Pfizer facility. Officials in two counties say 16 people were injured - including two with life-threatening wounds - and 89 buildings were damaged. The wrecked Pfizer factory is pictured Utility workers repair infrastructure in front of a home damaged by a tornado that struck two days earlier on July 21, 2023 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina Homes lost their roofs and power lines were downed in Nash County, North Carolina Officials in two counties say 16 people were injured and 89 buildings were damaged The plant, seen before the devastation, also produces vials, syringes, IV bags and bottles of anesthesia, analgesia, therapeutics, anti-infectives and neuromuscular blockers It ran out of steam in Scotland Neck, 40 miles from where it began. The pharmaceutical giant said in a statement all employees were safely evacuated and there were no reports of serious injuries in the plant. Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone said large quantities of medicine stored at the plant were tossed about during the tornado. '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 official said, according to CBS News. 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'. The tornado started near Nashville, North Carolina, around 12:35pm, and swept northeast through Rocky Mount, 60 miles east of Raleigh The damage has threated the production of lines of large amounts of medicine including anesthesia and other sterile injectables that supply the nation's hospital. The tornado started near Nashville, North Carolina, around 12:35pm, and swept northeast through Rocky Mount, 60 miles east of Raleigh, where it decimated the Pfizer facility Around 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.' Pfizer tweeted on Wednesday: '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.' Officials in two counties say 16 people were injured - including two with life-threatening wounds - and 89 buildings were damaged. The 3,200 Pfizer employees and contractors work, were reportedly able to evacuate safely and find shelter before the storm touched down Wednesday. Authorities and emergency responders are working tirelessly to assess the full extent of the damage and provide relief and support to those affected. The stepfather of the Earl of Pembroke shot himself in the head at one of Britain's most famous country homes due to 'severe financial pressures' and left notes saying he was 'taking the coward's way out', an inquest has heard. Stuart Wyndham Murray Threipland left notes at Wilton House, a 14,000-acre Palladian estate near Salisbury, Wiltshire, saying he 'couldn't forgive himself' for the 'mess' he had created. The inquest at Salisbury Coroner's Court heard that he felt he was 'losing control' and that he had been experiencing 'significant anxiety'. His death at Wilton House came the same day his estate and 13-bedroom castle at Dunbeath, in Scotland, was put on the market for 25million. Mr Threipland and his wife, Claire Rose, had owned the 15th century Dunbeath since 1997. In a statement, Mrs Threipland said that the businessman, who had resigned as director of 15 firms on the same day, would have taken his life earlier had she not found him on their Scottish estate with a gun on his lap using her 'Find-My-Friends' app. Mr Threipland's death at Wilton House came the same day his estate and 13-bedroom castle at Dunbeath, in Scotland, was put on the market for 25million. 'On Saturday, June 10, he told me he was going to the office so I checked the Find-My-Friend app and saw he was located on a part of the Scottish estate in an area he was very fond of, half a mile from the office', she said. The inquest heard that she knew her husband was 'stressed' at the time so went to find him. When she arrived, she saw signs of his gun which was 'out of character' as he would never hunt out of season. She found him on a bench with their dog, with a double-barrelled shotgun in his hand 'laid across his lap', the inquest heard. 'He said if I had been two minutes longer he would have shot himself,' she added. In a chat that lasted two and a half hours, Mr Threipland told his wife he felt he was 'losing control' by having to sell their Scottish estate. Thinking she had 'convinced him ending his life would be a bad idea', the couple returned to Wilton, the historic seat of the Earls of Pembroke for over 400 years. Mr Threipland died the next day. The hearing heard that Mrs Threipland had gone riding the morning of June 12, and Mr Threipland had said he'd gone to his office. Stuart Wyndham Murray Threipland left notes at Wilton House, a 14,000-acre Palladian estate near Salisbury, Wiltshire, saying he 'couldn't forgive himself' for the 'mess' he had created Mr Threipland and his wife, Claire Rose, had owned the 15th century Dunbeath since 1997 When he wasn't back by 1pm as expected, she rang the office, only to find out from staff he'd been 'working from home' that day. Having called him with no answer, she used the Find-My-Friends app again, and started to think it was 'a repeat of the previous Saturday'. She tracked him to a different part of the estate and when she arrived at his car, she found him lying on his back, with a gun beside him. Senior coroner David Ridley revealed there were a 'series of letters' located in Mr Threipland's electric BMW. In a note for his three children, he wrote: 'I cannot forgive myself for the mess I have created, I'm taking the coward's way out.' The remaining notes were focussed on his 'financial concerns'. The court heard the couple had been in the process of selling their estate to 'alleviate' pressures. 'The financial difficulties Mr Threipland was experiencing were clearly causing him significant anxiety', Mr Ridley said. 'He didn't want to let his employees or his family down.' In a statement about his step-father, William Herbert, the 18th Earl of Pembroke said his 'second father' was a 'kind, charismatic, energetic and very determined man'. The hearing was told he had last seen Mr Threipland three weeks before his death, where there was 'talk' of him stepping down as trustee of the Wilton Estate because he was 'getting on'. On the day of the incident, he received a call from his mother, and attended the scene. He said he had been 'unaware' of any financial stress Mr Threipland had been under, until he was told by his mother. Delivering a verdict of suicide, Mr Ridley concluded: 'There were unquestionably severe financial pressures on Mr Threipland and he felt it should be an individual's decision to take their own life. 'Sadly, that is what he did'. Former ABC News journalist and father-of-two James Gordan Meek has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography. During a court hearing in Alexandria on Friday, the 53-year-old formerly decorated reporter from Arlington, Virginia, admitted possessing dozens of inappropriate images and videos of children spanning at least the last nine years. Divorcee Meek - who covered national security issues for ABC until he resigned last year - confessed to sharing child pornography videos, including one showing the sexual abuse of an infant in a chat with two other people. His confession came as part of a plea agreement which could allow him to receive a shorter jail sentence than the minimum five-year term he would have faced if convicted following a trial. Earlier this year, he was charged with possessing and transporting child photography following an FBI raid on his Arlington penthouse in April 2022. Disgraced former ABC investigative journalist James Gordon Meek pleaded guilty to child pornography offenses during his federal court hearing on Friday Meek has been indicted on three child phonography counts, and he faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted at trial Meek's apartment building, where he lived until April in Arlington, Virginia He went into hiding following the dawn raid, taking refuge at his elderly mom's townhouse in McLean, Virginia, 15 minutes outside Washington, D.C. Agents founds dozens of child pornography images and videos on a laptop, external hard drive, and multiple iPhones when they searched Meek's Virginia home last year, spanning back at least to 2014. Court papers indicate the investigation began when the FBI received a tip from Dropbox about videos showing the sexual abuse of children in an account associated with Meek. An FBI affidavit says evidence was also seized showing Meek used Snapchat and other apps to pressure minors into sending him sexually explicit images. In some of those communications, Meek portrayed himself as a girl - though these allegations are not explicitly referenced in his plea deal. Meek is pictured in a photo from his Twitter account which has been inactive since April Meek's lawyer had unsuccessfully argued that the evidence was obtained illegally and should have been tossed out. The plea deal preserves Meek's right to pursue an appeal to have the evidence dismissed. Failing a successful appeal on the search-and-seizure issue, Meek will be sentenced in September and faces up to 40 years in prison, though a maximum sentence is unlikely. He remains in federal custody awaiting his sentence after a judge revoked his bail and declared he posed a risk to the community. Meek joined ABC News Washington bureau as an investigative producer in 2013. He previously worked for the New York Daily News and also served as senior counter-terrorism adviser and investigator for the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security. Meek's abrupt resignation and the FBI search of his home sparked fears last year that he had been targeted for his work as a journalist. DailyMail.com finally spotted ABC journalist James Gordon Meek in October at his elderly mother's townhouse in McLean, Virginia, where he refused to answer questions He was last seen in late October, when DailyMail.com finally spotted him at his elderly mom's townhouse in McLean, Virginia, 15 minutes outside Washington, D.C. The divorced dad-of-two appeared to be keeping a low profile, parking his Chevy SUV several blocks from the property and ignoring questions as he slipped inside via a back door. He was still wearing his typical military-style getup, including an army field jacket with an Afghan flag patch, backpack, aviator shades, and a keffiyeh scarf a nod to Meek's celebrated dispatches from the frontline in Afghanistan. Nairobi In response to the recent burglary of the privately owned news outlet Ethiopia Insider, including the stealing of video production equipment, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement: "The burglary of Ethiopia Insider, an outlet with a reputation for critical and independent journalism, could have a devastating impact on its operations," said CPJ's sub-Saharan Africa representative, Muthoki Mumo. "Police should investigate this incident, transparently determine its motive, and hold those responsible to account. A credible investigation will go far to reassure other media outlets that they are safe in Addis Ababa." Around 7 a.m. on July 17, an Ethiopia Insider employee reporting for work found that the outlet's office in Addis Ababa, the capital, had been robbed overnight. A locker, cabinet, and drawer were broken into, and three cameras, a smartphone, four laptops, and six camera lenses were taken, according to a statement issued by Haq Media and Communication, which manages Ethiopia Insider, and Tesfalem Waldyes, the outlet's cofounder and editor-in-chief. The office's door was not broken or its lock tampered with, Tesfalem told CPJ, saying the outlet had reported the incident to police, who were investigating. Tesfalem said he did not know who was behind the burglary, but believed that the incident was "not a random robbery." He noted that Ethiopia Insider shares a building with a photo studio, which owns similar equipment but was not robbed. Tesfalem said it was possible that that equipment was "selectively" taken to do the most harm to the company's video reporting capabilities, noting that other valuables, such as lighting equipment, microphones, camera batteries, and an audio recorder were left behind. Over the last three years, CPJ has documented a difficult environment for journalists in Ethiopia, characterized by frequent arrests and physical attacks on journalists, the expulsion of at least two foreign correspondents, and internet disruptions. Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday traveled to Ron DeSantis home state to blast him as an extremist pushing propaganda to children with Florida's new education policy in order to boost his national profile. Harris, in a fiery speech in Jacksonville, Fla., railed against the state's new school curriculum that allows students to be taught that slavery gave black people 'skills' which could be 'used for their personal benefit.' 'Are you kidding me?' Harris, the nation's first black vice president, said of the policy. 'People who walk around and want to be praised as leaders, they want to be talked about as American leaders, pushing propaganda on our children,' she said. 'People who walk around and want to be praised as leaders, they want to be talked about as American leaders, pushing propaganda on our children,' Vice President Kamala Harris said While she didn't mention DeSantis by name, Harris repeatedly attacked 'extremists, so called leaders,' in the state for the new education policy, for banning books and the so-called Don't Say Gay law - all of which were DeSantis policies. For his part, DeSantis, who is running for the Republican nomination for president, pre-empted her speech with an attack of his own, accusing Harris and President Joe Biden of lying about his policies and taking a personal hit at the president, saying if Biden's seventh granddaughter lived in his state, maybe he'd visit her. Florida's new education policy has sparked heavy criticism from civil rights advocates. The change came as part of DeSantis' 'war on woke,' which he's used to boost his national profile and made a major platform of his presidential campaign. Harris used that to attack the governor. 'When I think about what is happening then here in Florida, I am deeply concerned because, let's be clear, I do believe this is not only about state of Florida, there's a national agenda,' she said. She also said that 'as parents, we teach our children to tell the truth.' 'Well, I think we should model what we say,' she added. 'These extreme so called leaders should model what we know to be the correct and right approach, if we really are invested in the well being of our children. Instead they dare to push propaganda to our children. This is the United States of America, we're not supposed to do that,' she said. DeSantis and his wife Casey have three young children. They talk about them often and bring them on the campaign trail. Harris also slammed the state for rewriting the history of slavery. 'Adults know what slavery really involves. It involves rape. It involves torture,' she said. 'It involves taking a baby from their mother. It involved some of the worst examples of depriving people of humanity, in our world. So in the context of that, how is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities that there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization,' she added. 'Let's reject the notion that we would deny all of this in terms of our history. We will be better if we remember. We will be stronger if we remember. We fought a war to end the sin of slavery, a civil war, to end slavery.' And she expressed sympathy for teachers, many of whom objected to the new policy. 'Our teachers who fear that if they teach the truth they may lose their job. As it is we don't pay them enough,' she said to great applause. Ron DeSantis attacked Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for their focus on his policies in Florida Harris also accused DeSantis of using the issue to try and divide the country. 'Let us not be distracted by what they're trying to do, which is to create unnecessary debates to divide our country. Let's not fall in that trap,' she said. DeSantis, for his part, accused Harris of lying. He took to Twitter before her speech, writing: 'Democrats like Kamala Harris have to lie about Florida's educational standards to cover for their agenda of indoctrinating students and pushing sexual topics onto children. Florida stands in their way and we will continue to expose their agenda and their lies.' DeSantis then criticized President Biden for not acknowledging son Hunter Biden's four-year-daughter in Arkansas, whom he had with his former personal assistance Lunden Roberts. The president has repeatedly said he has six grandchilden instead of seven. 'The Harris-Biden administration is obsessed with Florida...yet they ignore the chaos at the border, crime-infested cities, economic malaise, and the military recruitment crisis. Maybe if Biden's granddaughter moved to Florida he'd actually visit her,' he wrote. It was the second day in a row that the vice president attacked DeSantis and Florida's new policy. She also did on Thursday at Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.'s national convention in Indianapolis, where she accused DeSantis of trying to 'gaslight' the nation. 'Speaking of our children, extremists pass book bans to prevent them from learning our true history book bans in this year of our Lord 2023. And while they do this, check it out, they push forward revisionist history,' Harris said. 'Just yesterday in the state of Florida, they decided middle school students will be taught that enslaved people benefited from slavery. They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, and we will not stand for it.' The White House has been careful not to publicly engage with any of the GOP presidential contenders nor to respond to their attacks, citing the Hatch Act, which is the federal law prohibiting federal officials from engaging in political activity while working in their official capacity. But Harris has started to hit back. She has already taken the lead in attacking Republican-led states that have essentially made it impossible for women to get an abortion. She's also been a spokesperson for the administration on gun violence and voting-rights issues. Changes to Florida school curriculum were required by a 2022 law known as the 'Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act,' or 'Stop WOKE Act.' It was DeSantis who unveiled the Stop WOKE Act, which would allow parents to file lawsuits against school districts accused of teaching critical race theory. 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.' The governor also approved legislation that bars instruction in schools that suggest anyone is privileged or oppressed based on their race or skin color. Florida's Board of Education approved new rules for teaching black history on Wednesday during a public meeting in Orlando. A 216-page document posted on the Florida Department of Education website includes new instructions for middle school teachers, which include outlining how students should be taught 'how slaves developed skills, which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit'. Alex Lanfranconi, who works as a spokesperson for Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, late Thursday afternoon, tweeted out a statement from those who worked on the new standards. 'Any attempt to reduce slaves to just victims of oppression fails to recognize their strength, courage and resiliency during a difficult time in American history,' the statement said. 'Florida students deserve to learn how slaves took advantage of whatever circumstances they were in to benefit themselves and the community of African descendants.' Vice President Kamala Harris attacked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday for 'gaslighting' people with the state's new school curriculum Ron DeSantis criticized President Joe Biden for not acknowledging his seventh grandchild Hunter's daughter Navy Joan pictured with her mother Lunden Roberts The above pictures taken from the extensive publication show changes that are said to be made in the curriculum Numerous teachers objected to the new rules and asked the proposals to be put on hold. Science teacher Carol Cleaver told attendees at the meeting: '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 themselves.' Florida Education Association, a statewide teachers' union representing about 150,000 teachers, described the new rules as a 'step backward.' In a statement issued by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), they called the curriculum 'sanitized and dishonest'. Their President and CEO, Derrick Johnson, said: 'Today's actions by the Florida state government are an attempt to bring our country back to a 19th century America where Black life was not valued, nor our rights protected. 'It is imperative that we understand that the horrors of slavery and Jim Crow were a violation of human rights and represent the darkest period in American history. We refuse to go back. 'The NAACP has been fighting against malicious actors such as those within the DeSantis Administration for over a century, and we're prepared to continue that fight by any means necessary. 'Our children deserve nothing less than truth, justice, and the equity our ancestors shed blood, sweat, and tears for. This is the distressing moment a Yellow Corp trucker is told the pension he has built up over 30 years won't be topped up by the company - as it nears bankruptcy. Footage shared on TikTok shows the worker angrily shouting after learning his health care benefits and pension payments had ceased. The worker, who is believed to be operating in Florida, says: 'It's the motherf******s up there, I worked my a** for this company. This is my money y'all are playing with. F*** this s***.' The Central States Board of Trustees at Yellow said they would be suspending health benefits and pension accruals for workers as the company struggles to refinance $1.2 billion debts. The Teamsters union, representing 22,000 truck drivers, are preparing to strike as early as Monday. An upset worker was filmed screaming at a Yellow warehouse after learning his pension was in jeopardy over the company's financial dire straits The video, believed to be from earlier this week, shows furious workers in a depot after hearing that the company has failed to make a $50 million payment for employee benefits. Pension accruals and employee healthcare is also set to be suspended on July 23. In the footage the employee shouts and paces back and forth, yelling: 'Nobody tell me about why am I getting emotional.' He continues: 'I've been here thirty years. Nobody tell me to calm down. Analyze that s****.' Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien said in a statement: 'Yellow has failed its workers once again and continues to neglect its responsibilities. Yellow's CEO Darren Hawkins is pictured. His company faces potential bankruptcy 'This corporation's gross mismanagement is another affront to the livelihoods and well-being of 22,000 Teamsters nationwide. 'Following years of worker givebacks, federal loans, and other bailouts, this deadbeat company has only itself to blame for being in this embarrassing position.' Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman said: 'Yellow has a responsibility and obligation to workers. 'Our members should not suffer because of management's incompetence and financial irresponsibility.' He continued: 'This is a new low, even for a company as dysfunctional as Yellow. The Teamsters are working with our local unions, and we will continue to regularly update members as this situation unfolds.' Yellow, the third largest carrier in the country, has seen its stock plunge more than 90 percent since the beginning of 2022, has hit out at the union for impeding a scheme to combine its trucking divisions. The company, currently $1.6billion in the red, filed a $137 million lawsuit against the union last month for 'unjustifiably blocking' the plan. The corporation has also applied for a temporary restraining order to prevent workers from striking. The video, believed to be from earlier this week, shows furious workers in a depot after hearing that the company has failed to make a $50 million payment for employee benefits Pension accruals and employee healthcare is also set to be suspended on July 23 In the footage the employee shouts and paces back and forth, yelling: 'Nobody tell me about why am I getting emotional' $1.2billion of the company's debts are due for repayment this summer, including $700million owed to the federal government. A spokesman told DailyMail.com: 'The company intends to repay the funds with interest immediately upon securing additional financing and has asked the funds to discuss acceptable terms.' Yellow has flirted with bankruptcy on four other occasions, before being bailed out by lenders, the Teamsters union, the federal government or a collection of all three. The ongoing saga has meant that some employees don't believe the company's plans are credible. 'It's like crying wolf at this point,' Brian Atchely, a mechanic for the company, told FreightWaves. Yellow have told workers that a strike now may tip the company into a Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy proceeding. Yellow has flirted with bankruptcy on four other occasions, before being bailed out by lenders, the Teamsters union, the federal government or a collection of all three (file photo) Other workers, such as Paul Duquette, are more resigned to things ending badly. 'I don't see things happening in a good light right now,' Duquette said. 'It's sad.' 'I won't even complain about the pay, but the health insurance I can't work here without that,' Duquette added. The driver, who previously worked for a company that closed warned that 'if there is a strike, the company is likely done. If people pull their freight, we're going to be in big trouble.' Indeed shipping customers are rushing to rival operators to avoid any disruption in their own businesses, the Wall Street Journal reported. Among the freight brokers diverting their business is Uber's freight division. 'We are really hoping they can resolve this and if they do we will bring [freight] back,' said Lior Ron, CEO of Uber's freight unit. 'Until that point we need to do what's in the best interest we think of our shippers and protect against any future disruptions' he explained. The woman who appeared on TV claiming to be Los Angeles' latest Powerball winner is a fraud who 'just wanted to get on the news', DailyMail.com can reveal. Footage of the 'hysterical' woman walking into Las Palmitas Mini Mart a small bodega in east LA that sold the lucky $1.08billion ticket went viral after it appeared on local news channel KTLA last night. But DailyMail.com can reveal the real winner is still yet to come forward with Sarai Palacios, the granddaughter of bodega owner Nabor Herrera, 52, telling DailyMail.com the woman hasn't won a thing. Shown footage of the fake winner's celebrations, she said: 'She didn't win I'm not sure why she did that. I guess she just wanted to be on TV. The alleged Powerball winner filmed sobbing while claiming to be the Powerball winner at Las Palmitas Mini Mart in East LA on Thursday is a fraud 'who wanted to be on TV', DailyMail.com has learned The apparent newly-made billionaire reacted hysterically and struggled to speak through tears as she told stunned spectators she had scooped the life-changing sum Speaking to DailyMail.com on Friday, Sarai Palacios (far right), the granddaughter of store manager Navor Herrera, (left with wife and store owner Maria Menjivar, and family) confirmed the woman is not the real winner, whose identity remains a mystery and is yet to come forward 'We don't know who the winner is yet. They still haven't come forward.' The giant $1.08billion win means Palacios's family are now in line for a $1million windfall of their own which her grandfather has already said he plans to spend on a luxury vacation and a college fund. Herrera was not at the store when DailyMail.com visited but yesterday told KTLA he had had no idea he had sold the winning ticket until arriving at the shop on Thursday morning to find reporters waiting outside. The Salvadoran dad-of-four said: 'I tell you, it's a surprise for me, I didn't know what it is filming or what.' He also told the channel he had sold multiple tickets in the days leading up to the draw on Wednesday mostly to locals living in the neighborhood which butts onto LA's infamous Skid Row. One person he did not sell a ticket to was the woman who appeared at the mart on Thursday afternoon claiming to be the winner. Bizarre footage show the ecstatic woman even collapsing on her knees at the doorway to the store at one point The giant $1.08billion win means Nabor and his family are now in line for a $1million windfall of their own Bizarre footage shows the woman, who was wearing a black cap emblazoned with a slogan that read 'psychedelic water', stumbling around the store and crying. Asked by a reporter if she is the winner, the woman screamed with joy and claimed to have won the life-changing sum. She continued: I'm scared right now, I'm so scared' before adding 'God bless you' while hugging several people in the store. Pressed on whether she is the Powerball winner, the woman tearfully replied 'yes' before running down the street while being pursued by cameras. She can then be heard saying 'I need to find him' as she made a break for it and climbed into a dark BMW. Although the woman captured on camera is not the lucky ticket holder, the huge win makes it the second time an Angeleno has scooped the jackpot in the past year. The Las Palmitas Mini Market in downtown Los Angeles, where the winning Powerball lottery ticket, worth an estimated $1.08 billion, was sold California Lottery officials previously confirmed Las Palmitas Mini Market as the store where the winning ticket was sold, close to the homeless encampments on Skid Row and only 13 miles from the outlet where Edwin Castro won $2.08 billion in November Last November, Edwin Castro, 31, won an even bigger $2.04billion jackpot and purchased his ticket at a store 13 miles from Herera's bodega in Pasadena. Castro, who opted to take a lump sum payment totaling $997.6million, has since swapped his modest suburban home for a Hollywood mansion but is also facing a lawsuit from a man named Jose Rivera who claims he is the real winner of the cash. Rivera claims his landlord, Urachi Romero, stole it from him and attempted to blackmail him in exchange for returning it. When he refused to bow to the blackmail, he says that Castro took the winnings but did not explain how Castro came to possess the golden ticket. Wednesday's winner now has the option of taking the full $1.08billion paid out in yearly increments for 29 years, or a $558.1million, one-time lump sum before taxes. The GOP-led movement to kick off the impeachment process against President Biden shows no signs of slowing down after an FBI document revealing alleged corruption was released and two IRS whistleblowers testified before Congress this week. 'Most corrupt family to ever live in the White House! Impeach!' Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., wrote on Twitter. 'Read and understand just how deep the corruption goes. Biden should be thrown out of office. Impeach!,' wrote Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., along with shots of the FBI document. 'Is this why Biden has America involved in the war in Ukraine??? Joe Biden is a criminal and is compromised! And he is leading us into WW3 [because Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proof of more Biden crimes,' Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., tweeted. 'Republicans can no longer delay, but we need 218 Republican votes to do it. I've been there since day one and so are the American people. IMPEACH BIDEN!!!' Greene is closely aligned with Speaker Kevin McCarthy, though McCarthy has not gotten behind the movement to impeach the president. Both Greene and Boebert have filed their own articles of impeachment through privileged resolution - meaning they could force them to the floor at any time without needing to get approval from leadership. The GOP-led movement to kick off the impeachment process against President Biden shows no signs of slowing down 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 Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said that based on evidence she's seen, Biden 'NEEDS to be impeached. He is compromised and his son is selling access to him.' Luna noted it is up to Boebert and Greene to bring t heir impeachment articles to the House floor. 'Two GOP members have filed privileged motions to impeach Biden. One of the two has to call up the vote. Meaning they have to bring it to the floor thus forcing the vote.' The highly-anticipated internal FBI document includes claims that Joe Biden and his son Hunter forced a Ukrainian oil executive to pay them $10 million in exchange for the then-Vice President's influence in getting a senior prosecutor fired. The veracity of the claims has not been verified - and Democrats say they originate with Rudy Giuliani. According to the conversation between a confidential source and Burisma CFO Vadim Pojarski in 2015, Hunter Biden was hired onto the company's board to 'protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems.' Burisma CEO Mykola Zlochevsky told the source: 'It costs 5 (million) to pay one Biden, and 5 (million) to another Biden.' Zlochevsky added that, although Hunter 'was stupid,' and his (Zlochevsky's) dog was smarter, he was needed on the board 'so everything will be okay.' According to the blockbuster FD-1023 form - some of which is redacted - the Confidential Human Source (CHS) met with the high-ranking Burisma executives between 2015 and 2016. Burisma was looking to spend up to $30 million on a U.S.-based oil and gas company. However, at the time, it was also the subject of a criminal investigation by Ukrainian Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin, which the company knew 'would have a substantial negative impact on Burisma's prospective IPO in the United States.' When asked about the investigation, the form states that Zlochevsky replied: 'Don't worry Hunter will take care of all of those issues through his dad.' Later, then-Vice President Joe Biden made a public statement that Shokin was 'corrupt, and that he should be fired/removed from office.' Last month Boebert filed two articles of impeachment against the president - prompting Greene to accuse the Colorado Republican of 'copying' her. The GOP-led House sidestepped any immediate advancement of the move, instead voting to refer the articles - one for abuse of power and one for dereliction of duty to the Judiciary and Homeland Security committees. Referring the articles back to committee bought Speaker Kevin McCarthy some time before beginning the process of removing Biden from office. 'Most corrupt family to ever live in the White House! Impeach!' Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., wrote on Twitter 'Read and understand just how deep the corruption goes. Biden should be thrown out of office. Impeach!,' wrote Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., on Twitter, along with shots of the FBI document But those articles did not focus on the Hunter Biden investigation - instead accusing Biden of prompting an 'invasion' on the southern border with lax border policies. Republicans of late have been less cautious with throwing out impeachment threats after Democrats twice impeached former President Trump. House Republicans are moving forward with an impeachment inquiry into Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas - even as border figures dropped to their lowest level in two years in June. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has also floated the idea of moving to impeach Attorney General Merrick Garland. 'If it comes true what the IRS whistleblower is saying, we're going to start impeachment inquiries on the attorney general,' McCarthy said on Fox News late last month. But they have been hesitant to push forward with a movement to expunge Trump's impeachments. Shrinkflation has raided the bathroom again with Britains biggest loo paper brand reducing the size of each sheet. Andrex had already cut the number of sheets on a toilet roll without changing the price, as other manufacturers have done. But the company has now also trimmed the width and length of each sheet in the Andrex Quilts range, adding up to a loss of 1.55m (5ft), according to one customer. Retired teacher Roger Welshman said this would result in ten fewer visits to the loo per roll. Andrex has also shaved a few millimetres off the width of the sheets in its Classic Clean and Gentle Clean ranges. Andrex had already cut the number of sheets on a toilet roll without changing the price, as other manufacturers have done, before reducing the size and width of each sheet READ MORE: HOW SHRINKFLATION CUTS INTO EVERY CORNER OF THE WEEKLY SHOP Among the many big brands in the dock are Fairy Liquid, Pringles, Lurpak, Cadbury, Whiskas, Andrex, Hellmanns, McVities, Warburtons, Walkers, Head & Shoulders and Magnum Advertisement Mr Welshman, 72, a former Lib Dem councillor on Gloucester City Council, said he discovered the change by chance. He said: I keep my Andrex Quilt rolls three of them on top of each other - in a cylindrical container. In the past they would reach the top of the container, but I noticed this was no longer the case and there was now a gap of about 12mm. I suspect most people would not notice the difference on a single toilet roll, but the change was clear to me when they were stacked up. He added: They have been sneaky about this because they used to print the dimensions of a single sheet on their packaging, but they no longer do so on the new packs with the smaller versions. Lets hope they dont get any smaller or well have to revert to cutting up old newspapers as we saw in the old sitcoms like Steptoe and Son. The Andrex Quilts rolls used to have 160 sheets but now have 155, while the width of each sheet has now been cut by 4mm to 99mm and the length by 4mm to 120mm. The curse of shrinkflation, where products and pack sizes are cut without a corresponding reduction in price, has affected virtually every supermarket aisle. The manufacturers of everything from biscuits and crisps, to teabags, chocolate bars, nappies, washing up liquid and laundry detergent have used the tactic. Most companies argue it is designed to combat increases in costs. A recent consumer survey by Barclays found 81 per cent of us are concerned about shrinkflation. The proportion of people who had noticed changes in products rose from 65 per cent in May to 70 per cent in June, the poll found. Andrex is made by US firm Kimberley-Clark, which confirmed the changes to its loo roll brands. A spokesman said: The sheet count and size on Andrex Quilts have been reduced. Although we always try to offset any changes in cost, in this instance it has been necessary to make a small change to our product as part of an ongoing investment into softness and quality. The company said the sheet count in Andrex Classic Clean remains at 190 while the figure in Andrex Gentle Clean is unchanged at 170. However, it confirmed that the width has been reduced to 99mm. The firm would not give the previous width, but said: We have also harmonised the roll width across our Andrex range at 99mm for efficiency reasons and to incur less paper wastage in the manufacturing process, without impacting consumer experience. Bleary-eyed viewers tuning in to breakfast TV yesterday morning to catch the previous nights by-election results might have wondered: Who on earth is that apple cheeked young whippersnapper beaming from ear to ear? With his crinkle-cut hair and crisp dark suit, the fresh-faced stripling was gabbling excitedly to reporters. His earnest cheer was straight out of an Enid Blyton novel: goodness me, the little lad was barely out of short trousers. So imagine the nations collective tea spluttering when viewers discovered that this was in fact the new Honourable Member for Selby the youngest MP in the Commons. Meet Keir Mather, who at 25 years of age has just overturned a 20,000- strong Tory majority in the North Yorkshire constituency. He now becomes the Baby of the House, an honorific generally held with some embarrassment, since it suggests a lack of experience. Meet Keir Mather (right), who at 25 years of age has just overturned a 20,000- strong Tory majority in the North Yorkshire constituency Labour's youngest MP is pictured meeting with supporters after winning the election And that certainly seems to be the case with young Mather: even a cursory glance at his CV shows how little time he has had on this planet to actually do anything. True, Pitt the Younger became prime minister aged 24 in 1783. But Pitt had matriculated at Cambridge when he was 13 while Master Mather graduated from Oxford only in 2019. His only known job has been a year long stint working for shadow health secretary Wes Streeting as a researcher, along with a brief spell as a public affairs adviser at the CBI, that scandal-plagued business-lobby group battling accusations of sexual misconduct (none relating to young Keir, of course). Little, in fact, is known about the precocious youth that the good people of Selby have chosen to fight their corner other than that his has been a life steeped in Labour politics. He was born in Hull and his mother Jill, a teacher, named him (as Sir Keir Starmer himself was) after the partys first leader, Keir Hardie. (Hardie was working down coal mines from the age of ten now theres another man who had to grow up fast.) His stepfather George Tambaros nicknamed Gorgeous George by friends appeared on the long-running cookery show Come Dine With Me in 2015, serving a leg of lamb with Cypriot potatoes. Mr Tambaros ran a restaurant in Hull called The Omelette until around 2014. These days he works in property. In 2016, Mather won a place at Wadham College, Oxford, to study politics. Yesterday, fellow students told the Mail Mather was always determined to become an MP and everything he did was scheming and planning towards that goal. Naturally, Mather spent his time at Oxford immersed in student activism. He was a boisterous member of the Oxford University Labour Club (OULC). During an OULC meeting, he supported a motion demanding a peoples vote on Brexit, including an option to remain just as Sir Keir Starmer was pushing for the same in Westminster. Mather is also an unflinching supporter of gay rights. When the Russian ambassador visited the Oxford Union debating chamber in 2018, Mather garnered a round of applause for denouncing Russias treatment of gay people in Chechnya. He later bemoaned the timing of the visit during Oxford Pride week as hugely insensitive. The firebrand undergraduate added: To make matters worse, they [the Union] are hosting Germaine Greer the week after Pride, an individual who has made dehumanising and downright dangerous comments about transgender women and their rights as human beings. He castigated Greer, a key voice of feminism since the 1970s, as an abhorrent transphobe. (She maintains that trans-identifying males are not women.) Whether Mather agrees with his new boss Starmer that some women have penises remains to be clarified. Yesterday morning, Tory minister Johnny Mercer wasted no time in teasing Mather. Mercer worried Mathers selection would see the Commons turn into a repeat of the Inbetweeners, a reference to the Channel 4 comedy about four hapless teenagers. This guy has been at Oxford University more than hes been in a job, Mercer huffed. You put a chip in him there and he just repeats Labour lines. His earnest cheer was straight out of an Enid Blyton novel: goodness me, the little lad was barely out of short trousers Keir Mather speaks at Selby Leisure Centre, North Yorkshire Thankfully, Mathers mum Jill Tambaros stuck up for him, telling Sky News: He does not appear to be like a 25-yearold hes confident, hes mature, hes got a good head on his shoulders. She added that he had, among other early jobs, worked on the street selling paella... so he has seen something of life. Certainly, Mather has shown he understands one key rule for succeeding in politics: absolute loyalty to the boss. He has infuriated the Labour Left by supporting Starmers controversial decision to retain the Governments child-welfare cap should Labour win power. Hes clearly got his eye on a frontbench role. Before long, surely, the newbie MP will be rewarded with an invite to the chief whips office for a late-night chinwag and glass of whisky. Lets just hope they dont mix him up with the work-experience boy Labour is at war over its green policies after Sadiq Khans tax on drivers helped cost the party Boris Johnsons coveted seat. There was fury among senior opposition figures at the damage the arrogant London mayor caused to the winnable Uxbridge by-election by extending the Ultra Low Emission Zone levy on polluting vehicles. And there were also questions over the future of Ed Milibands 28billion-a-year green growth plan, which has already been scaled back. In another blow to Sir Keir Starmer, the chairman of the Uxbridge constituency group quit his post and gave up his Labour Party membership. David Williams wrote online: Jeremy Corbyn gave a huge boost to the Labour Party. Labour is at war over its green policies after Sadiq Khans (pictured) tax on drivers helped cost the party Boris Johnsons coveted seat As a blame game erupted after the Tories unexpectedly clung on to Uxbridge by just 495 votes, one Labour MP bluntly told the Mail: Ulez, u lose. Labour leader Sir Keir, who had refused to say whether he supported the policy, put Mr Khan on notice, saying: Ulez was the reason we didnt win there yesterday. We know that. We heard that on the doors. And weve all got to reflect on that, including the mayor. Deputy leader Angela Rayner admitted: One of the things we have to reflect on today is not only the mood against the Tories, but also [the fact that] the decision in Uxbridge was related to Ulez. The Uxbridge result shows that when you dont listen to the voters, you dont win elections. In a separate interview with Times Radio she acknowledged: Its pretty obvious that Ulez was a problem on the doors. And justice spokesman Steve Reed warned: Those responsible for that policy will need to reflect on what the voters have said and whether theres an opportunity to change. One Labour aide told the Politico website that the arrogant mayor, who went on a publicity blitz in May for his book about the climate emergency, Breathe, cared more about his book launch than the party. Labours candidate in Uxbridge, Danny Beales, had been forced to go back on his previous support for Ulez because of local anger but still failed to win the by-election. Mr Khan yesterday doubled down on Ulez, which from the end of August is being extended to cover outer London. From then all drivers in the city will have to pay 12.50 a day if their vehicles do not meet the emissions standards. Transport for London figures show 10 per cent of vehicles in outer London are non-compliant. The mayor, who has vowed to bring down the capitals air pollution levels, said: Obviously I welcome the 7 per cent swing to Labour in this outer London seat and we are determined to clear the air in London. In his victory speech in the early hours, Conservative candidate for Uxbridge Steve Tuckwell told the by-election count: It was his damaging and costly Ulez policy that lost them this election. As a blame game erupted after the Tories unexpectedly clung on to Uxbridge by just 495 votes, one Labour MP bluntly told the Mail: Ulez, u lose' He predicted that the scheme could also cost Labour dearly at the next general election, saying: I think there will be Labour MPs in outer London boroughs who will be looking at this result tonight with sweaty palms. Tory pollster Lord Hayward said the effect could spread even more widely, since Ulez also affects businesses, tradesmen and families who live in the Home Counties but have to drive into the capital. He told Sky News: Ulez has implications for a string of marginals on the eastern side of London: Stevenage, Thurrock, Harlow, Dartford, Gravesend. So the Labour Party will be looking very carefully at the implications. Frontbencher Emily Thornberry said Ulez was the right policy but added: I suspect its the way its being done, and I hope that Sadiq will look at it again. I know that were asking him to. One in six people in England could soon be on NHS waiting lists if doctors do not 'immediately' end their strikes, a leading medic has warned. Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the 'window of opportunity' to prevent lists reaching 9 million is 'rapidly closing'. Consultants are due to end their 48 hour walkout at 7am on Saturday but have another stoppage planned for next month as they pursue a 35 per cent pay rise. Junior doctors are also locked in a pay row with government and have promised further industrial action at a time when waiting lists stand at a record 7.47 million. Last year, prior to strikes, leaked NHS England modelling revealed officials believed an 'optimistic scenario' was the waiting list for routine NHS care peaking at 9.2 million in March 2024. Dr Tim Cooksley, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said the 'window of opportunity' to prevent lists reaching 9 million is 'rapidly closing' The figure was repeated by then-health secretary Sajid Javid in Parliament. Dr Cooksley told the i newspaper: 'Consultant strikes today are the latest illustration of the low morale that permeates throughout NHS staff currently and increasingly felt by patients. 'These strikes will have a greater impact on waiting lists, resulting in larger numbers needing care and is likely to reach the 9 million figure predicted by Sajid Javid. 'An increasing number of patients on the waiting lists will inevitably become emergency patients. 'This is going to add to the huge strain on urgent and emergency care services with increased degrading corridor care for patients and winter scenes in 2023 worse than those of 2022. 'We are highly likely to be back in a situation where we face calls for national major incident-type plans; we cannot wait to hit that situation again. 'This needs government action to resolve immediately: the narrow window of opportunity to reverse this is rapidly closing.' Hospital consultants on average incomes of 134,000 have been awarded a 6 per cent rise, which the British Medical Association described as 'insulting' and 'derisory'. The senior medics also receive generous pensions, which means they are able to retire at 65 on incomes of 60,000 a year. Junior doctors have been awarded a pay rise of 6 per cent plus a consolidated payment of 1,250, which is equivalent to an average increase of 8.1 per cent - or more than 10 per cent for those in their first year of training. Their combined action is likely to prevent Rishi Sunak from delivering on his pledge to cut NHS waits, with consultants admitting they are using patients as 'leverage' in their pay negotiations. Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive of NHS Providers, which represents trusts, said: 'The impact of this industrial action varies from trust to trust and region to region with some trusts being much harder hit than others. 'But what is undeniable is the scale of the challenge these walkouts are having on the delivery of patient care as trusts try and bring down record care backlogs. 'With more than 750,000 patient appointments delayed so far since strike action began in the NHS, tackling these backlogs is increasingly becoming an uphill struggle the longer these strikes go on. 'One trust leader reported having to cancel all planned care, while many more have told us they have had to significantly scale back appointments, operations and procedures ahead of these strikes. 'Leaders across the NHS are doing everything they can to keep services running, including cancer services and urgent and emergency care. 'But as the most senior doctors in the NHS, delivering the most complex care and supervising other colleagues, the work consultants do cannot be covered by other staff. 'Their absence has a huge knock-on effect across the health service. More strikes can and must be avoided for the sake of patients and staff. 'We urge the government and unions to end the stand-off by entering serious talks about pay.' The BMA says doctors' incomes have fallen by more than a third in real-terms since 2008. Striking consultants provided a 'Christmas Day' level of service, which means they delivered urgent care only and refused all other treatment. Junior doctors staged a full walkout, including from A&E and cancer wards. The Department of Health and Social Care said: 'Cutting waiting lists is one of the government's top five priorities and we are making progress on our plan. 'We have virtually eliminated 18-month waits and are taking action to bring down waits of over a year - including reducing the number of people requiring follow-up appointments.' 'Rocket-like' infernos caused by electric vehicle batteries are forcing fire brigades to double the crews sent to blazes involving the technology. A single fire engine is usually sent to car fires with petrol or diesel engines. But fire chiefs are now sending two units for electric vehicles or hybrids that have lithium-ion batteries. Energy stored in the batteries is released as heat in a process known as 'thermal runaway', which is extremely difficult to extinguish and can produce 'rocket-like' flames. They also belch out highly toxic fumes such as hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide, posing a secondary risk to those nearby. The batteries are also used in electric scooters and e-bikes - which are often charged inside homes as people sleep - as well as commercial vehicles such as forklift trucks and to store energy generated by wind and solar farms. A single fire engine is usually sent to car fires with petrol or diesel engines. But fire chiefs are now sending two units for electric vehicles or hybrids that have lithium-ion batteries Experts warn the 'dash for electrification' will put brigades under increasing pressure as crews will not be available to handle other incidents. The Daily Mail is calling on ministers to rethink a proposed ban on petrol and diesel cars from 2030. Fire services in Norfolk, Essex, Kent and London are among those that have introduced a two-unit policy for electric vehicle fires. London Fire Brigade's deputy commissioner, Dom Ellis, told the Mail: 'Over the past year, the number of fires involving lithium batteries has risen frighteningly fast. 'E-bikes and e-scooters are becoming increasingly popular and the risk of significant fires is rising too.' LFB have dealt with 143 blazes involving electrically-powered vehicles and hybrids so far this year, compared to just 31 in the whole of 2020 - equivalent to an eight-fold increase. Norfolk's Chief Fire Officer Ceri Sumner recently admitted the growing problem with lithium-ion batteries was 'keeping me awake at night' as she warned the blazes were 'quite problematic'. Essex Fire area manager Jim Palmer said: 'The dangers posed by electric vehicle fires do not end with putting out the flames. 'There have been many cases of electric vehicle fires reigniting sometimes even days after being extinguished.' In August last year, a man suffered life-changing injuries after the electric car he was travelling in caught fire near Broughton in North Wales. There have also been at least eight deaths and 190 injuries caused by e-bike and e-scooter fires in people's homes. Normal car fires take between 220 and 400 gallons of water to extinguish. But up to 6,600 gallons is needed for electric vehicles. Precautions also have to be taken to limit the amount of contaminated water entering water courses. Brigades are experimenting with different methods to put out blazes, including submerging cars in water, covering them with foam or covering them with a large fire-proof blanket but there is no consensus. They are also having to send highly qualified officers trained in handling hazardous materials to battery fires, putting further pressure on resources. Professor Paul Christensen of Newcastle University, who sits on the Cross-Government Technical Steering Group for EV Fire Safety, said the technology was 'essential for the decarbonisation of energy production' and less likely to ignite than petrol or diesel cars. But he added they could produce shrapnel and 'rocket-like flames' tens of metres long, could only be contained rather than extinguished if the battery pack was not exposed, and sometimes reignited weeks after the initial incident. 'Without adequate training and equipment, it is almost certain that our fire and rescue services will be extremely challenged by our dash for electrification,' he said. The National Fire Chiefs Council confirmed the challenges posed by lithium-ion batteries was 'an area of focus in the UK fire sector'. It said: 'We are seeing fires involving these types of devices more and more frequently.' A research paper about risk management of lithium-ion batteries published by Birmingham University in 2021 stated: 'LIBs have penetrated everyday life faster than our understanding of the risks and challenges associated with them robust educational and legal processes are needed to understand and manage the risks for first responders and the public at large.' Pubs wishing to name themselves after Queen Elizabeth II must have an 'appropriate' reason to do so - as Government is understood to be 'working hard' on official national memorial for monarch. The Cabinet Office has said that the late monarch's name will be 'closely protected' and that royal titles are going to be 'sparingly granted' under new guidance. Buildings, parks and businesses will also not be allowed to be renamed after Queen Elizabeth II without specific permission. Several places and businesses have royal titles in their name including the Royal Albert Hall and The Queen Victoria pub in BBC soap opera EastEnders. Official guidance now states that modern royal names and titles should be limited - especially to ensure that the Queen's name is only used in 'dignified and appropriate ways'. Pubs wishing to name themselves after Queen Elizabeth II (pictured) must have an 'appropriate' reason Several places and businesses have royal titles in their name including The Queen Victoria pub (pictured) in BBC soap opera EastEnders 'Permission to use the title 'royal', or the names and titles of members of the royal family, including the name of the late queen, and other protected royal titles is a mark of favour granted by the sovereign, acting on the advice of his ministers,' the guidance said. But with the anniversary of the Queen's death approaching in September, the Cabinet Office added that an 'official national memorial' to the late Queen is expected 'in due course'. Meanwhile the Times reports that the government and the riyal household were 'working hard' on an appropriate permanent tribute to the late Queen. The department acknowledged that many organisations and community groups may want to pay their own tribute in the form of memorials - but the use of Queen Elizabeth II will 'only be granted for applications with strong royal connections' and 'strict standards' will be applied. 'Requests that incorporate 'memorial' or 'remembrance' in a proposed name are likely to be looked upon favourably, where possible,' the advice said. The Cabinet Office suggested that requests should include why the name is being sought, a history of the organisation and details of any royal connections. The guidance also stated that anyone can create, erect or display an unofficial statue or portrait of the late monarch subject to the usual planning regulations and approvals. There are already some projects named after Queen Elizabeth II, including the recent Elizabeth Line on the London Underground which the late monarch - to the surprise of many - opened herself at Paddington Station in May 2022. There are already some projects named after Queen Elizabeth II, including the recent Elizabeth Line on the London Underground which the late monarch - to the surprise of many - opened herself at Paddington Station in May 2022 The Queen was using a walking cane as she and Prince Edward attended the launch of the new Tube line- and she was even shown how to top up an Oyster card. The Elizabeth line was named in honour of the Queen in her Jubilee year. East London's Olympic park for the 2012 Games was later renamed the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the late monarch. And the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at Dartford was named after Her Majesty too. In 1991, it was the first bridge to be built at a new location along the Thames for more than 50 years. China is now a world leader in the field of rural tourism, and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is looking forward to the full recovery of China's inbound and outbound tourism market, said a UNWTO official. Sandra Calvao, chief of market intelligence and competitiveness at the UNWTO, said in a recent interview with Xinhua that in recent years, more people are choosing to go to the countryside to embrace nature, taste natural food and enjoy a peaceful holiday with their families, while COVID-19 has accelerated this trend. "Tourism has a long history of contributing to rural development, and the COVID-19 pandemic has opened up new opportunities for the development of rural tourism," she said. In Calvao's view, people are more willing to head to outdoor spaces for their holidays as they had been stuck at home for so long due to the pandemic. The pandemic has also boosted domestic tourism markets, which has led many to turn their attention to the countryside in their own countries. "We think this trend will continue," she said. To promote rural tourism, the UNWTO launched the Best Tourism Villages project in 2021 to recognize villages around the world that are committed to developing sustainable tourism. In the past two years, Yucun in Zhejiang, Xidi in Anhui, Dazhai in Guangxi and Jingzhu in Chongqing have been selected from China. Calvao emphasized that the development of villages cannot be achieved without the support of national policies, and that China is one of the countries that has placed the greatest emphasis on the role of tourism as a catalyst for rural development and has developed specific policies for this purpose. "The development of villages is an example of how China is using tourism to serve those who do not have access to other development opportunities to improve their lives," she said. "We have seen how China is giving support to the countryside in areas such as infrastructure development, which is crucial." Calvao also noted that one of China's major strengths in developing rural tourism is that it has a large domestic tourism market, "which means that there will be enough demand in the tourism market all year round to give the country the ability to build infrastructure and services. This will be complemented by the arrival of international tourists." In the first quarter of this year, global international tourist arrivals have recovered to 80 percent of their pre-pandemic levels. However, Asia's recovery has been relatively slow, reaching only 54 percent. According to Calvao, the reopening of such an important outbound market as China is of great significance to the recovery of tourism in Asia and globally, and its impact will be felt before the end of this year. "China is not only a strong economy, but also a world leader in tourism and the largest consumer of international travels," she said. "China's development is fundamental to the world's tourism industry. I think right now everyone is eagerly awaiting an increase in inbound and outbound tourism from China, and many destinations are eager for the early return of Chinese travelers." press release An Eskom employee and a female truck driver have appeared before the Kriel Magistrate's court on a charge of theft and fraud. It's alleged the pair worked together to defraud Eskom. 36-year-old Sphiwe Sindane an Eskom employee and 41- year-old Loveless Mabaso, a truck driver attached to a company subcontracted to supply heavy fuel oil to Eskom were arrested on Wednesday, 19 July 2023, for failing to deliver heavy fuel oil that was meant to be delivered to the Matla Power Station in Mpumalanga. It's alleged that the pair sold and delivered the fuel oil to someone known to them and later submitted a fraudulent invoice to Eskom claiming to have delivered the fuel. Eskom suffered a loss of one-million-rand. According to Eskom, heavy fuel oil is instrumental in electricity production. An investigation by the Priority Committee on security energy led to the pair's arrest. Since its establishment by the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Fannie Masemola on 01 April 2022 to date, the priority committee is currently investigating 1586 Eskom related cases. 126 arrests have been made thus far. R1 billion of items have been recovered thus far which include 42 firearms, 83 x loads of coal by 33 ton trucks and mining machinery. A jealous killer who brutally stabbed his girlfriend to death in her own home was on his way to the airport when police chanced upon him. Joon Seong Tan, 38, was on Friday sentenced in the Supreme Court of Victoria to 28-years in jail over the 2021 murder of Melbourne mum Ju 'Kelly' Zhang, 33. Setting a 23-year non-parole period, Justice Amanda Fox told Tan he would likely spend every single day of his head sentence behind bars before being deported back to Malaysia where he was born. Ju 'Kelly' Zhang, 33, was murdered by her boyfriend of one month - after she started seeing another man Above, Joon Seong Tan during his interview with Victoria Police. He was found guilty of murder in May after a jury took less than a day to deliberate In sentencing Tan, Justice Fox revealed just how close the vile killer was to escaping justice. The court heard homicide detectives had been on their way to arrest Tan when they just happened to see him strolling down the street. Detectives had been eager to speak with Tan after he failed to meet them as arranged after the mysterious disappearance of Ms Zhang - a woman he had been dating for just on a month. 'On the 7th of February police were on their way to your Doncaster address when they located you by chance walking along a nearby street,' Justice Fox said. 'You had with you your passport and $3500 in cash.' Tan was arrested and had his passport confiscated while detectives worked to build its case against him. It would take four-and-a-half long months before his victim's body was eventually located in a tip in Melbourne's north following a painstaking search. Tan would continue to deny murdering Ms Zhang all the way up until the lunch break after a jury convicted him of murder in May. Joon Seong Tan (pictured) will spend 28 years behind bar after he was found guilty of murder Ms Zhang's body was found at a tip in Wollert in Melbourne's north four months later On Friday, the court heard harrowing details of how Ms Zhang was stabbed at least six times in the chest by Tan inside her Epping home while her eight-year old son watched television in another room. When her mangled body was eventually pulled from the garbage, forensic experts were able to determine she had fought ferociously for her life, with stab wounds found on her forearms and hands. When Tan was done, he lied to her little boy, telling him his mother had abandoned him. After driving the boy around 'searching the streets' for his mother, Tan dumped Ms Zhang in a wheelie bin and and drove it to Heidelberg West - 15km away - where the bin was placed on the street alongside others for collection. He then waited to watch the garbage truck empty Ms Zhang's body from the wheelie bin. Justice Fox condemned Tan for his cold and ruthless behaviour. 'The manner in which you mistreated Ms Zhang's body and disposed of her in a domestic wheelie bin was callous and disgraceful,' she told Tan. 'You literally treated her as though she was garbage.' Single mum Ju 'Kelly' Zhang (pictured) was killed inside her Melbourne home in February 2021 Justice Fox said Tan's relationship with Ms Zhang had 'barely commenced' when he murdered her. 'But none-the-less she trusted you, introduced you to her (son) and invited you into her life.' The court heard Tan murdered Ms Zhang after she began a new relationship with another man. 'You learned she was seeing another man through behaviour that would constitute stalking,' Justice Fox said. 'I am satisfied you took her life because you felt rejected and enraged. Kelly was entitled to feel safe and protected in her home but you killed her in her own bedroom with her young son in a nearby room.' The court heard Ms Zhang's son now lived with his elderly grandparents where he continued to ask when his mother was coming home. 'The first person you lied to was (her son). You led an eight year old child to believe that his mother had just left without him and vanished, which was simply cruel,' Justice Fox said. 'You were an adult and his mother's friend so (he) trustedly drove around with you on a fictitious search for his mother. You also involved (him) in a sham search of his house where you pretended to look for his mother in different bedrooms. 'The next morning you drove him to school and continued to lie, telling him that his mother had still not returned. By this point you had placed Ms Zhang's body in a bin.' The court was told Tan had told a friend he believed his new girlfriend Ju Kelly Zhang (pictured) was cheating on him Police later found Tan had Googled 'how many years for killing a person in Australia' soon after dumping his girlfriend's body. In the days that followed, Tan made several chilling Google searches on his phone, including 'how is stinky garbage disposed of in Australia' and how years for killing in Australia. Tan's month-long murder trial heard from dozens of witnesses, including Ms Zhang's friends and ex-husband. The jury was told how Tan met Ms Zhang online in early 2021 and quickly became infatuated with her and and referred to her as his wife. Prosecutors told jurors Tan had murdered Ms Zhang sometime between 5pm and 6pm after sharing dinner with her and her eight-year-old son. Ms Zhang had reportedly soured on the relationship with Tan and had started seeing another man. Tan had seen his car parked in her driveway. Jurors were told Tan had told a friend he believed Ms Zhang was cheating on him and if he found out that was the case he would 'kill her, hug her and die together'. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 A female teacher spared jail despite admitting to having sex with her 16-year-old student in the backseat of her car quickly got pregnant after walking free, a court has heard. Monique Ooms, 31, of Maffra, was sentenced on March 24 by County Court of Victoria Judge John Smallwood to a four year community corrections order, with 300 hours of community work for the crime. That sentence is now being appealed by Victoria's Office of Public Prosecutions amid claims the judge got it wrong. On Friday, Supreme Court of Victoria Court of Appeal heard Ooms hoped her recent pregnancy might convince judges not to send her to jail should that appeal be successful. Monique Ooms leaves the Supreme Court of Appeal on Friday in Melbourne Monique Ooms, 31, of Maffra repeatedly had sex with her young student. She got pregnant soon after her sentence Ooms had pleaded guilty in Victoria's Latrobe Valley County Court to four counts of sexual penetration of a child under her supervision and care. Her barrister Jason Gullaci, SC told the Court of Appeal Ooms' pregnancy was the most 'significant factor' of her latest defence. During Ooms' pre-sentencing plea hearing, Judge Smallwood was told by her then barrister Katherine Rolfe that Ooms was infertile. But Mr Gullaci told Justices Richard Niall, Maree Kennedy and Cameron Macaulay Ooms had got pregnant almost immediately after her sentence. 'Sometimes it can be argued that things happen at rather convenient timing. The date of conception - as we work it out - was the last week of March 2023,' he told the court. 'It's about a month before the notice of appeal was served. So at that point she has just been sentenced and there's no understanding that she's going to be subjected to an appeal.' Mr Gullaci revealed Ooms was now 17 weeks pregnant. 'It is a high risk pregnancy not only because of her fertility issues, but because of her mental health issues,' he said. Mr Gullaci said Ooms' state of mind was so fragile she considered aborting her 'miracle' baby. 'She was very distressed when she found out she was going to be subject to an appeal and having worked out sometime after that she was only about four weeks pregnant at the time ... she did as a consequence of the fertility issues and the appeal on foot have and did give consideration to whether she would terminate the pregnancy,' he said. Monique Ooms made it known to her sentencing judge that she couldn't get pregnant. Then she did Ooms was duped by police into getting into a text exchange with a friend where she made admissions Monique Ooms, 31, pleaded guilty in Latrobe Valley County Court to four counts of sexual penetration of a child under her supervision and care The former teacher (right) had reached out to the student after noticing he was more withdrawn and offered her Instagram handle, and later her phone number During her initial sentence, the court heard Ooms' young victim - who was just a few weeks short of turning 17 - had snuck out in the dead of night to have sex with his then school teacher. The 16-year-old had been grieving the loss of a close friend who died in a fatal car crash the week before and was in a 'vulnerable situation emotionally'. The court heard Ooms had preyed upon her student in the weeks after his friend was killed. While the pair initially chatted over social media and phone, before long Ooms was texting her student photos of herself in her underwear. In July last year the pair shared their first kiss and discussed all the things that were wrong with what had occurred. The next time they met the pair had sex in the back of Ooms' car while parked in a forest at night. The court heard Ooms had sex with her student at least four times over the next few weeks in the backseat of her car before arranging hook-ups at her home. Ooms' grubby relationship was discovered when someone wrote two letters to the school principal, who promptly alerted police. While Ooms initially attempted to deny her antics, she eventually confessed to police after she was duped into making admissions to a friend via text message. The court heard when asked You did actually do it, didnt ya? she responded Yeah. The 31-year-old appears to have embraced her new tradie life and has posted photos of herself wearing an Akubra in front of a 4WD on her social media pages Ooms formally taught a range of subjects to high school students and had only been at Sale Secondary College for a year before the inappropriate relationship started In bringing on the appeal, Crown prosecutor Elizabeth Ruddle, KC argued Ooms should have been jailed due to the fact she used her good character to get a job as a teacher in the first place. She further claimed Judge Smallwood might have acted differently had the accused teacher been male. 'One thing that strikes me when you read (Judge Smallwood's) reasons, if you swap the genders of the complainant and the offender some of the statements would be pretty concerning around lack of the presumption of harm for instance,' she told the Court of Appeal. 'This is serious offending, multiple occasions, it's planned, there's unprotected sex on a number of occasions, and that seems to be swept away sometimes when the complainant is a male victim, but in my respectful submission it ought not be.' Ooms had faced a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail. But Judge Smallwood made it clear he did not believe Ooms was a sexual predator. 'I might say from the outset I do not find this offending was in any way, shape or form predatory,' he said in March. 'It was an utterly inappropriate relationship that escalated. You were both aware of the legal wrongness of it all.' While Judge Smallwood accepted the crime carried a jail sentence, he had difficulties in doing so because of the age of the student, he said. 'This is a situation where the victim was within a month of his 17th birthday. Questions of the consent, the presumption of harm - all sorts of questions are going to be answered in time,' he said. Judge Smallwood said he accepted Ooms had shown remorse for her offending and learnt the error of her ways. 'I accept that you now have insight into the potential dangers to your victim, if I can put it that way,' he said. The Court of Appeal will make its decision at a time to be fixed. Dramatic footage shows the crater of Earth's newest 'baby' volcano 'spectacularly' collapsing and throwing 'spatter bombs' of lava into the air. It was formed less than two weeks ago when an underground eruption opened up a 1.7-mile fissure in Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula, south-west of the capital Reykjavik. This was preceded by a 'seismic swarm' of 7,000 earthquakes in the region. The tectonic activity slowed for about a week after the eruption but three days ago it ramped up with 'a major shift in the vent activity overnight', according to a University of Iceland research group. In a Facebook post, the university's Laboratory of Volcanology and Natural Hazards said the crater first 'filled up to the brim with lava and the fountaining began to throw spatter bombs well beyond the crater rims'. Look out! Dramatic footage shows the crater of Earth's newest 'baby' volcano 'spectacularly' collapsing and throwing 'spatter bombs' of lava into the air The volcano, which is located on Mount Fagradalsfjall, began erupting on Monday following heightened seismic activity in the area. It is located 20 miles from the Keflavik airport TIMELINE OF THE 'BABY' VOLCANO'S FORMATION July 4: Increased seismic activity in Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula July 10: An underground eruption opens a 1.7-mile-long fissure in the ground July 18: 'A major shift in the vent activity' of the volcano causes lava to 'fill up to the brim' July 19: Lava spills over the crater and the crater collapses Advertisement Within a few hours, a small rupture had formed, allowing lava to spill over the crater and ultimately leading to the collapse of a section of the crater's rim. This in turn unleashed a river of lava to the north and west of the volcano. Ingibjorg Jonsdottir, an associate professor of geography at the University of Iceland, said there had been some 'concern' because two people had been in the area just over an hour before the crater collapsed. 'There is no way they would have had time to escape and survive it they had been there an hour later, since the collapse happened so quickly,' she told MailOnline. 'They should of course not have been there since the area so close to the crater is closed and extremely dangerous.' There is no wider risk to the public because the immediate vicinity is uninhabited, according to the Icelandic Met Office. However, some residents living on the nearby Reykjanes peninsula were confined to their homes and encouraged to sleep with their windows closed because of the risk of toxic gas. The latest eruption is classified as a fissure eruption, which does not usually result in large explosions or a significant amount of ash in the stratosphere, the Icelandic government said. Scientists said the temperature of the lava seeping from the crater was about 2,192F (1,200C). The volcano was formed less than two weeks ago when an underground eruption opened up a 1.7-mile-long fissure in Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula, southwest of the capital Reykjavik The latest eruption is classified as a fissure eruption, which does not usually result in large explosions or a significant amount of ash in the stratosphere, the Icelandic government said Watchful: Scientists now plan to keep an eye on the volcano's behaviour amid fears that any further lava flows could ignite wildfires and reduce air quality in the region 'The crater became unstable and collapsed,' Jonsdottir said. 'It was slowly filling up with lava causing pressure on the newly-formed and unstable crater walls. 'This is not unusual in an eruption and was expected though neither exact location nor timing was known before. 'It was nice that it was all caught on camera, obviously, not least because it was quite a big collapse, changing the flow of the lava stream towards the west.' Experts from the Laboratory of Volcanology and Natural Hazards said that on the opposite side of the volcano the lava heading south crusted over after stalling shortly after it spewed from the crater. Scientists now plan to keep an eye on the volcano's behaviour amid fears that any further lava flows could ignite wildfires and lower air quality in the region. Earlier this week, officials warned of toxic gas and urged hikers to avoid the area. 'The police, after counsel from scientists, have decided to restrict access to the eruption site due to enormous and life-threatening toxic gas pollution,' the department of civil protection and emergency management said. Concern: Earlier this week, officials warned of toxic gas and urged hikers to avoid the area Scientists said the temperature of the lava seeping from the crater was about 2,192F (1,200C) The area, known broadly as Fagradalsfjall volcano, has erupted twice in the last two years without causing damage or disruptions to flights, despite being near Keflavik Airport, Iceland's international air traffic hub The area, known broadly as Fagradalsfjall volcano, has erupted twice in the last two years without causing damage or disruptions to flights, despite being near Keflavik Airport, Iceland's international air traffic hub. A 2021 eruption in the same area produced lava flows for several months. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to see the spectacular sight. Iceland, which sits above a volcanic hotspot in the North Atlantic, averages an eruption every four to five years. The most disruptive in recent times was the 2010 eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which spewed huge clouds of ash into the atmosphere and led to widespread airspace closures over Europe. More than 100,000 flights were grounded, stranding millions of international travellers and halting air travel for days because of concerns the ash could damage jet engines. A livestream of the volcano can be viewed on the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service's website here. Bisexual men are more masculine-sounding than both straight and gay men, a new study has claimed. Researchers from the University of Sydney asked 70 Australians to guess the sexuality and rank the 'femininity' of 60 men reciting lines of the national anthem. While participants could distinguish between gay and straight men's voices with 62 per cent accuracy, they often struggled to identify bisexual men. 'Naive listeners can distinguish the voices of gay and straight men at rates greater than chance rates, although this was not the case for bisexual men,' the authors wrote. 'Along with the finding that bisexual men were judged to be the most exclusively female attracted, they were also judged to be the most masculine. Bisexual men are more masculine-sounding than both straight and gay men, a new survey has found (stock image) READ MORE: Scientist who denied the existence of bisexual men admits it is biologically possible Dr Gerulf Rieger's scepticism stemmed from a previous small study he had done in 2005 Advertisement 'These findings provide further support that perceptions of male vocal masculinity and heterosexuality go hand-in-hand regardless of the speakers sexual orientation.' Differences between the way in which straight and gay men speak have previously been identified in other studies. In Italy, Germany and the US, analysis claims that gay men typically speak in a higher pitch and often pronounce words more precisely than straight men. This was often viewed as more 'feminine' because it deviates from the rigidly enforced 'masculine' norms of a deep, low pitch voice. It's unclear what exactly causes this but many suggest that biological processes in the brain and even internalised stereotypes could be at play. In the latest research, experts initially thought that bisexual men would fit somewhere in between these perceptions - being seen as 'more feminine' than straight men but 'less masculine' than gay men. Although bisexual men created a 'unique impression' in the study, researchers say this was an impression that listeners did not associate with bisexuality. Bisexual men were perceived to have more 'dominant' voices than gay and straight men Scientists believe this phenomenon may actually cause bisexual men to be more commonly misidentified as straight, contributing to 'bisexual erasure'. First coined in 2000, this refers to a lack of acknowledgment that bisexuals exist despite clear scientific evidence they do. Many believe this comes from a pervasive tendency to view sexual orientation on a very black and white basis in which people can be either gay or straight. This norm renders any other sexuality, including bisexuality and pansexuality, as just a phase or illegitimate feelings. 'Erasure represents a pressing dilemma for bisexuals day-to-day, with bisexuals reporting less connection to other sexual minority people than their gay and lesbian peers, and also greater concealment of their sexual identity,' the researchers said. 'Future studies should strive to understand the complex relationship between sexual identity and speech patterns.' Advertisement The tourist beaches around the world that are going to shrink the most by 2100 have been revealed and its Nigeria's Landmark Beach thats number one. Its predicted to decrease in size by a staggering 918m (3,011ft). The ranking is based on research that used data published by the European Commission to identify the tourist beaches likely to be worst hit by rising sea levels and erosion by the year 2100. In the British Isles, the beaches that are set to reduce in size the most by 2100 are St Brelade's Bay in Jersey (15th worldwide, 214m/702ft), followed by Scarborough Beach in Yorkshire (146m/479ft). Meanwhile, in the U.S, it's Clearwater Beach in Florida (18th worldwide, 193m/633ft) that will shrink the most. And in the Pacific region, its Australias Manly Beach thats predicted to decrease in size the most (161m/528ft). The tourist beaches around the world that are going to shrink the most by 2100 have been revealed and its Landmark Beach in Nigeria (above) thats number one In the British Isles, the beaches that are set to reduce in size the most by 2100 are St Brelade's Bay in Jersey, followed by Scarborough Beach in Yorkshire (pictured) The ranking is based on research that used data published by the European Commission to identify the tourist beaches likely to be worst hit by rising sea levels and erosion by the year 2100 Following Landmark Beach in the global top five, its Mackenzie Beach in Cyprus that ranks second, shrinking 661m (2,169ft), while Spiaggia La Cinta in Sardinia is third, diminishing by 514m (1,686ft). The rest of the top five is comprised of fourth-place Praia da Costa do Sol in Mozambique (453m/1,486ft) and fifth-place Kuakata Sea Beach in Bangladesh (361m/1,184ft). On top of the global ranking, the study - carried out by HawaiianIslands.com, a site that plans Hawaiian holidays - also produced regional rankings for beaches in different parts of the globe. Other popular beaches within Europe that are expected to shrink considerably include Poetto beach in Cagliari, Italy (fifth in Europe, 153m/502ft); Plage d'Hendaye in France (sixth in Europe, 153m/502ft) and Praia da Rocha Baixinha in Albufeira, Portugal (13th in Europe, 100m/328ft). Moving across the Atlantic to North America, other beloved beaches that are set to decrease in size include Playa Akumal in Cancun, Mexico (11th worldwide, top in North America, 266m/873ft) and Spanish Banks Beach in Vancouver, Canada (ninth in North America, 113m/371ft). Clearwater Beach in Florida is the U.S beach that will shrink the most by 2100, diminishing in size by 193m (633ft) On top of the global ranking, the study - carried out by HawaiianIslands.com, a site that plans Hawaiian holidays - also produced regional rankings for beaches in different parts of the globe South American beaches, meanwhile, that are also predicted to shrink include the Beach of Morro Branco in Brazil (14th worldwide, first in South America, 225m/738ft) and Playa Varadero in Huanchaco, Peru (seventh in South America, 108m/354ft). Travelling around the globe to Africa, other tourist beaches that are forecast to reduce in size include Plage Taghazout in Agadir, Morocco (fourth in Africa, 172m/564ft); Bloubergstrand Beach in Cape Town, South Africa (ninth in Africa, 112m/367ft) and Sharm El Luli in Egypt (12th in Africa, 91m/299ft). What about Asia and the Middle East? Qatars Simaisma North Beach (ninth worldwide, fourth in Asia, 299m/981ft), Vietnam's Cua Dai Beach (10th in Asia, 168m/551ft), and Thailands Patong Beach (12th in Asia, 163m/535ft) are among further beaches that are predicted to shrink. Finally, looking to Oceania, other beaches to dwindle in size include New Zealands Caroline Bay Beach (second in Oceania, 136m/446ft) and Australias Four Mile Beach (third in Oceania, 128m/420ft). Following Landmark Beach in the global top five, its Mackenzie Beach in Cyprus (above) that ranks second, shrinking 661m (2,169ft) Playa Akumal in Mexico (above) is predicted to be the North American tourist beach that will have dwindled in size the most by 2100. It's also 11th in the global ranking 'Shrinking beaches make for a stark visual reminder of what we are to lose without dramatic efforts from global powers,' says HawaiianIslands.com In compiling the rankings, HawaiianIslands.com analysed a European Commission dataset that estimates how the shorelines around the world will change globally by 2050 and 2100 under different scenarios. They then gathered the top 10 beaches in each country based on the number of reviews they'd received on Tripadvisor, and then calculated the average decrease or increase of their shorelines in metres. Commenting on the study, HawaiianIslands.com says: Every country with a beach has its own beach culture, and historical images of beaches are among the most nostalgic that we find in our collective archives. But the fact that beaches are also at the front line of rising sea levels tends to be something many of us know without thinking about it too much in the grand scale of the climate crisis. 'In fact, shrinking beaches make for a stark visual reminder of what we are to lose without dramatic efforts from global powers. It's the world's biggest cruise ship and tickets are selling by the boatload. Royal Caribbean has revealed that Icon of the Seas has been the fastest-selling ship in a maiden season in the cruise line's history, with only limited spaces available for its debut Caribbean voyage in January 2024, which will depart from Miami. And with CEO Michael Bayley telling investors this year that Icon of the Seas which has a capacity for 7,600 guests - is the 'best-selling product in the history of the business', the mood at Royal Caribbean is undoubtedly buoyant. Royal Caribbean's floating city has been filmed out on the open water for the first time as she underwent sea trials ahead of her public launch. Icon of the Seas sailed hundreds of miles on the open sea before returning to the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, where she's currently under construction. Royal Caribbean has revealed that Icon of the Seas has been the fastest-selling ship in a maiden season in the cruise line's history Incredible video footage shows the colossal vessel, which is 1,198ft (365m) long and weighs 250,800 gross tonnes, gliding through the water, dwarfing the tug boats deployed to help steer her. The camera also spins around the multi-coloured slides on the upper deck of the vessel. They are among some of the standout features on board, which will also include the first suspended infinity pool at sea and a three-storey family suite. A third scene offers a close-up of the ship's livery, while other clips show workers testing the ship's key technical areas. Carrying out the sea trials involved more than 2,000 specialists, four 37 to 67-tonne tugboats and more than 350 hours of work, Royal Caribbean reveals. It notes that during the trials, preliminary tests were carried out on everything from the main engines and the hull to the ship's brake system, steering and noise levels. However, it says that Icon of the Seas passed its first sea trials' with flying colours', with its second sea trial due to take place later this year. Icon of the Seas is the worlds biggest cruise ship, taking the title from another Royal Caribbean vessel - Wonder of the Seas Icon of the Seas has been filmed out on the open water for the first time as she underwent sea trials ahead of her January 2024 launch The latest construction update for the ship is that the 'crew neighbourhood' is being built. A space spread over four decks, it's designed to be a 'home away from home' for the 2,350 crew members on board. Icon of the Seas is taking the title of the world's biggest cruise ship from another Royal Caribbean vessel, Wonder of the Seas, which is slightly smaller at 1,187ft (362m) long and a weight of 236,857 gross tonnes. The ship's three-storey family suite comes complete with its own white picket fence and mailbox. Other room options for guests include the 'Surfside Family Suite', with alcoves for kids 'tucked away from the adults', 'Sunset Corner Suites' and 'Panoramic Ocean View' quarters. Once they're out of bed, guests will find so many water features they may have trouble distinguishing the boat from the ocean. Incredible video footage spins around the multi-coloured slides on the upper deck of the vessel, which are among some of the standout features on board For starters, Icon of the Seas will feature the largest waterpark at sea called 'Category 6' - containing six 'record-breaking' slides: 'Pressure Drop' and its 66-degree incline 'the industry's first open free-fall slide'; the 46ft- (14m) tall 'Frightening Bolt', the tallest drop slide at sea; 'Storm Surge' and 'Hurricane Hunter', the first family raft slides at sea and 'Storm Chasers', which Royal Caribbean claims is 'cruising's first mat-racing duo'. The waterpark will be on Thrill Island, which Royal Caribbean trumpets as a 'lost island adventure where vacationers can test their limits and scale new heights'. Icon of the Seas will also debut the line's first swim-up bar at sea - called 'Swim & Tonic' and 'Royal Bay Pool', the 'largest pool at sea'. Both of these features will be on 'Chill Island'. The vessel will sail seven-night Caribbean voyages throughout 2024 Icon of the Seas passed its first sea trials 'with flying colours'. Above is a rendering of the 'Overlook Lounge' Icon of the Seas will feature a multi-level room with its own slide, illustrated in this rendering The suspended infinity pool, meanwhile, will be in an area called The Hideaway and surrounded by a multi-level sun terrace with whirlpools. Once guests have dried off they're sure to be lured to 'AquaDome', a 'transformational place unlike any other' that's perched at the top of the ship. Royal Caribbean describes it as a 'tranquil oasis by day', where guests can enjoy a bite or drink while soaking up wraparound ocean views and gazing at an 'awe-inspiring waterfall'. By night, we're told, the venue becomes 'a vibrant place that's great for a night out, complete with restaurants, bars and aqua shows'. The vessel will sail seven-night Caribbean voyages throughout 2024. And in 2025? Another Icon-class ship will be launching. Watch this space. Royal Caribbean said: 'Since we revealed Icon of the Seas in October 2022, we have seen an incredible reaction. This interest contributed to the single largest bookings day and highest volume booking week in Royal Caribbeans 54-year history when we opened Icon for sale. The ship has continued to be one of the strongest preforming in our fleet with sailings across its maiden season sold out. In fact, we have seen the one-of-a-kind Ultimate Family Townhouse sold across all of 2023. 'With a more than 50-year history in building incredible ships and delivering memorable vacations to millions of guests, we are excited to officially welcome it to the fleet in January 2024.' Visit royalcaribbean.com for more information. EARTH MONDAYS, BBC2 Rating: Next time the heavens open and you curse yourself for leaving your brolly at home, be grateful you're not living in the Triassic period, when it rained non-stop for two million years. This is just one of the fascinating insights into our planet's history explored by Chris Packham in this flagship BBC series. In the first episode, Inferno, we travel back 253 million years, to the late Permian period, one million years before the biggest mass extinction the globe has ever seen, 'the Great Dying', which marks the end of the Permian period and the beginning of the Triassic. Chris Packham explores the the Triassic period in this flagship BBC series, where it rained for two million years Describing a paradise rich with marine life and strange reptilian land creatures, including an adorable little thing called a Dvinia and a less adorable, less little thing called an Inostrancevia, Packham goes on to explain how, 252 million years ago, the Earth's crust then arranged into a single continent known as Pangea erupted into 'great curtains of fire', as lava pushed its way to the surface. Over the next two million years (Mother Nature likes to take her time), four million cubic kilometres of lava, ash and gas devastated the planet. Toxic halogen gas eroded the ozone layer, seas turned to acid, and 96 per cent of marine life and 70 per cent of land vertebrates vanished forever. It's lavishly brought to life with computer wizardry, a soaring soundtrack and dramatic camera work. And striding across beaches, gesturing at majestic landscapes and standing moodily by waterfalls, is Packham. The message is clear: Packham has been awarded the crown. He is officially the heir to David Attenborough. Big shoes to fill. Does he? Almost. It's not that he lacks enthusiasm, knowledge or gravitas. It's that his ego is just a bit too rampant. The thing about Attenborough is that the star is never him, but Earth in all its glory. His self-effacing modesty is partly what makes him an icon. Packham is not like that. He wants to push his own agenda. A supporter of Just Stop Oil, he sees his role as an extension of theirs. 'Just Stop Oil are looking to motivate others to change. And that's what makes me want to make my new programme, Earth,' he has said. Hence the parallels he draws between 252 million years ago and what is happening now. 'For over 100 years we've been pumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere,' he says. Sarah believes Chris is officially the heir to David Attenborough but his ego is just a bit too important, as with Attenborough the star is never him, but the earth in all its glory 'The extinction event was part of a planetary process. Do we want these sorts of extinctions on our conscience? I don't think so.' Its not that he lacks knowledge, its that his ego is too rampant Is this his job? I mean, any viewer could probably draw the parallels if they wanted to, we don't need it to be spelled out for us. And isn't there a question of impartiality here? Isn't the BBC supposed to refrain from using its influence to promote any one particular ideology? I was under the impression that was still the case. If this is anything to go by, I am sorely mistaken. A slice of nostalgia... with bite WORLD ON FIRE SUNDAYS, BBC1 Rating: World on Fire, the second series of the BBCs 2019 drama focusing on the lives of everyday folk in the Second World War, has been released on BBC There's a great ensemble cast in the show, including Lesley Manville as last seasons hero Harry Chases waspish mother, Robina This might sound like the title of Chris Packhams book on climate change, but it is in fact the second series of the BBCs 2019 drama focusing on the lives of everyday folk in the Second World War. The show has a definite Call The Midwife vibe, a taste of nostalgia that is at times a touch saccharine. But (also like Call The Midwife) that doesnt mean it lacks bite, and this is what makes it so watchable. Every character has just enough darkness in them to break the cliche. It has a nice pace to it too, switching between the stories. The soldiers defusing mines in North Africa, the German schoolgirl earmarked to help repopulate the world with a pure Aryan race, the brave but reckless Jewish pilot fighting German bombers theres a lot to keep the viewer engaged. There is also a great ensemble cast, including Lesley Manville as last seasons hero Harry Chases waspish mother, Robina. Harry (Jonah Hauer-King) has a child with local girl Lois (Julia Brown) but is married to Polish Resistance fighter Kasia (Zofia Wichacz), now rescued from war-torn Warsaw and living chez Chase with her brother. No wonder Harry has opted to head to North Africa. As his friend Stan (Blake Harrison) says when he hears Kasia is living with Robina, I thought you said she was safe Very droll. Top-quality Tudor trash! Historical drama Becoming Elizabeth (Saturdays, Ch4) comes to terrestrial TV after airing on Starz last year, and its not bad Historical drama Becoming Elizabeth (Saturdays, Ch4) comes to terrestrial TV after airing on Starz last year, and its not bad. On the death of Henry VIII, his children, Elizabeth (Alicia von Rittberg), Mary and Edward, are plunged into the cesspit of politics. Meanwhile, Catherine Parr is a-romping with her soon-to-be fourth husband Thomas Seymour, and a selection of wicked uncles are circling. Top-quality trash. If you love gritty spy dramas such as Homeland, then Special Ops: Lioness is a must-watch. Inspired by a real CIA operation, this nail-biting series on Paramount+ follows the lives of a special division of the spy agency made up of female operatives who try to bring down terrorist organisations from within by befriending the wives and daughters of targets. The eight-part espionage thriller has been written by Taylor Sheridan, the creator of gripping modern Western Yellowstone (and its two spin-off series) and mobster show Tulsa King, starring Sylvester Stallone. For Special Ops: Lioness, he's secured a stellar cast including Nicole Kidman, Zoe Saldana (Avatar and Guardians Of The Galaxy) and Morgan Freeman. Originally, Nicole was just approached to be a series producer, but she asked for an acting role because she wanted to 'speak Sheridan's dialogue'. Inspired by a real CIA operation, this nail-biting series on Paramount+ follows the lives of a special division of the spy agency made up of female operatives The Oscar-winning actor plays CIA senior supervisor Kaitlyn Meade, who, according to Nicole, 'is able to compartmentalise, to lead and to make decisions under enormous stress, with very little sleep'. Kaitlyn is caught in the middle between Freeman's chastising US Secretary of State Edwin Mullins and the director of the Lioness division Joe, played by Saldana. They recruit Marine Cruz Manuelos (Canadian actor Laysla De Oliveira) to go undercover and make friends with the daughter of a billionaire in the Middle East who they believe is funding terrorism. 'There's power in having a female identity,' Nicole said. 'They have access in a different way than a lot of men who work undercover.' Laysla starts out brandishing guns in battle scenes, but swaps military gear for tiny bikinis and designer handbags as her character tries to infiltrate a group of wealthy young women who spend their time shopping and clubbing. 'I felt like I was on two different shows,' Laysla said of her role. 'But that's what the undercover world is like.' Nicole Kidman runs a crack team of female undercover assassins in a new spy thriller. Pictured at the premiere on 11 July Alongside the high-adrenaline action scenes, the series highlights how the Lioness leaders motivate their agents on risky missions and how their work impacts on their personal lives. Zoe Saldana notes that these military women must be selfless at work and at home: 'They carry it with so much grace and love and sacrifice.' Zoe is adamant there's no preachy feminist agenda though. 'There's no talk of women versus men and how women do it better,' she said. 'I wanted to shed light on a world that women do inhabit. They don't necessarily get their stories told, and this is their reality.' Reality estate-agents series Selling Sunset meets fly-on-the-wall luxury boat hit Below Deck in Hot Yachts: Miami, a deliciously OTT new show set in the high-stakes world of Floridas superyacht market. Its uber-glamorous, the wealth is phenomenal, everyone looks like a supermodel... and tensions run so high that one yacht broker is moved to call a rival a prostitute. Against a backdrop of swanky parties, sumptuous dinners and beachside penthouses, the brokers will stop at nothing as they compete to sell superyachts to the super-rich. But they always want more more money, more sex, more power and their showdowns are often spectacular. The stakes are incredibly high. One sale could make the brokers millionaires themselves thanks to commissions of up to ten per cent, and one deal organising a yachts charter for $1 million (775,000) a week could make them more than most people make in a year. If youre after a dose of filthy-rich, beautiful people doing battle beneath the Florida sun, get on board Hot Yachts: Miami The eight-part series on Paramount+ introduces us to some memorable characters whose job it is to sell the super-rich their dream of sailing off into the sunset. At the centre of it are rivals Nick Cardoza and Katya Hall. Charming and handsome, Nick calls himself Mr Yachts. Forbes magazine called him The guy celebrities go to for yachts, and he likes to play as hard as he works his hobbies seem to be partying and womanising. By comparison, Siberian-born Katya is the ice queen; shes a top broker at international yacht agency IYC, her clients include Prince Albert of Monaco, and the boats she sells can go for 200 million. But having worked her way up the ladder, Katya is desperate to stay there. The one chink in her armour is her protegee Viktoriya Avramchuk, known as Vika. An impossibly leggy former model, like Katya shes an immigrant. Born in Kyiv, she moved to Prague when she was 14 and then on to the US at 16. Katya gave her the job as a favour to Vikas mother Zhanna, whos very good at getting her own way. Vikas been with Katya for 18 months and is yet to make a sale though shes very good at flirting with clients. When she turns her attention to Nick, however, Katya is furious and warns Vika that he may not be all he seems. Meanwhile, a third broker, Kaile, also has reason to be furious with both Vika and her mother. While shes showing two clients around some yachts, Vika swoops in and tries to steal one of them away. Kaile isnt impressed to find a flirtatious Vika and Zhanna drinking champagne with her client, who seems to be revelling in having two brokers fighting over him. Charming and handsome, Nick calls himself Mr Yachts. Forbes magazine called him The guy celebrities go to for yachts Hot Yachts: Miami, is a deliciously OTT new show set in the high-stakes world of Florida's superyacht market Enjoying all this drama is Vikas camp colleague Fotis, who believes trying to steal a client from under a rivals nose is bad behaviour and is determined to bring Vika and Kaile together so he can watch the fur fly. If youre after a dose of filthy-rich, beautiful people doing battle beneath the Florida sun, get on board Hot Yachts: Miami. There are few things Dan Aykroyd would love more than to encounter a real ghoul. The Ghostbusters legend has been touring the UK looking for one. Surely Northumberlands Alnwick Castle and Haworth in Yorkshire, where his relation Tabitha Aykroyd was housekeeper to the Bronte sisters, are teeming with ghosts? But none have materialised so far. For now Dan has to make do with apparitions in his dreams. John Belushi, his best friend and co-star in 1980 film The Blues Brothers, who died in 1982 aged just 33, is a regular visitor, and Dans brother Peter started appearing after his death two years ago aged 65. Theyre smiling, as they were in life, says Dan. Theyre reminding me of the good times. But he does argue with his brother. I say, Will you just get into the ambulance? He had an impacted bowel, but he was very anti-medicine and refused help and it ended up killing him. The Blues Brothers was a road movie caper that saw Dan and John getting their old band back together to save an orphanage while being pursued by the police and a murderous mystery woman, and featured musical numbers from legends such as James Brown and Aretha Franklin. Dan Aykroyd in Ghostbusters 1984. The Ghostbusters legend has been touring the UK looking for a real ghoul Dan still regularly performs as a Blues Brother with Johns brother, actor Jim Belushi, and says he feels his friends presence then. We dedicate the show to John and I feel his spirit. I feel it when I go into House of Blues [the chain of music clubs in the US that Dan helped found]. Every time I go in I think about him and how much fun hes missed. Next year marks 40 years since the first Ghostbusters film, which followed the madcap adventures of three parapsychologists on a quest to stamp out the spectres haunting New York City. Dan came up with the movie based on his own fascination with ghosts, and originally wanted John to co-star with him. It has always been in my family, says the sprightly 71-year-old Canadian. My great-grandfather was an Edwardian spiritualist. My dad wrote a book about the history of ghosts. I grew up with it. My great-grandfather was a spiritualist and my dad wrote a book about ghosts. I grew up with it Ghostbusters became one of the most iconic films of the 80s, so its no wonder its been brought back again and again. The original cast Dan, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver, Rick Moranis and Ernie Hudson returned for a 1989 sequel which didnt quite match up to the original, but as the generation who watched Ghostbusters as kids grew up, there were fresh efforts to bring it back. A 2016 female-led reboot with Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig was divisive and didnt turn a profit, but Ghostbusters: Afterlife, the 2021 sequel to the first two films, directed by Jason Reitman (whose father Ivan directed films one and two), was the perfect blend of nostalgia and fresh adventure, with all the original ghostbusters returning (in one form or another). The writers of Afterlife loved the first two movies and wanted to pass the torch to a new generation, says Dan. I was 100 per cent on board. I added my whatever talents to make it happen last time and I hope to continue to do so as there are many, many horror stories to be told. Ghostbusters became one of the most iconic films of the 80s, so its no wonder its been brought back again and again Dan has been filming Afterlifes sequel in the UK, with Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire filling in for New York, where the film is set, and many of the original cast, including his friend Bill Murray, are involved. I love working with the British crew, theyre superb, he says. The studios are state of the art and vie with anything we have in Hollywood. And I have an idea for a sequel I would set here in the UK. There are lots of ghosts and mythical creatures in Scotland. I put a thousand miles on the car driving up there and it was wonderful. I went to Skye, to the Glencoe valley, Edinburgh, Glasgow I loved it. I went to Yorkshire too. Thats where my people come from, with Tabitha Aykroyd, the Brontes housekeeper, being a forebear of mine. I love it here. Particularly the pubs. Whenever I can I go to a country pub and have steak and kidney pie or a shepherds pie with a nice half pint. Drink is on his mind today because hes also promoting his vodka brand Crystal Head, an additive-free brand that comes in a striking crystal skull bottle. Its one of a long line of businesses that work quite separately from his showbusiness career. His wealth is estimated at 200 million, and as well as launching House of Blues in 1992 and Crystal Head in 2007, he also part-owns a company that imports tequila to Canada. The Blues Brothers, created for SNL, was born out of Dans love of blues music, and he still enjoys performing. Pictured: Dan and John Belushi as The Blues Brothers Hes had some raucous nights out in his time, but has also seen friends like John Belushi fall prey to addiction. He cautions that while he likes a drink, it should be done in moderation. Im lucky, I can consume alcohol moderately and I dont abuse it; the simile I use is, just because you have a Ducati motorcycle that goes 250mph it doesnt mean you take it on the highway and do that, he says. One of my favourite nights is with Bill Murray. On a Friday, just before everyone heads home from a set, he invites people to his trailer where he has a full bar and he makes everyone a cocktail or serves wine. Those sessions can go on for two or three hours and then everyone just goes home. Dans a man of many talents, which he attributes partly to his self-diagnosed Aspergers. He gets obsessed with things ghosts, or blues music but those things have led to his finest achievements. I know a lot of talented people on the spectrum. Im not medically diagnosed but I know I have a touch of it. It helps with the focus, and theres something in the mind that pops creatively with people on the spectrum. Its a good community and people shouldnt look at it as a handicap, but as an advantage. Asperger's helps with my focus. People shouldn't look at it as a handicap and as an advantage Dan was born in Ottawa; his father was a civil engineer and his mother a secretary. He dropped out of university to pursue comedy and made his way to Hollywood, where a group of writers were working on a new late-night comedy show called Saturday Night Live (SNL). He was deemed so talented that he became the youngest original cast member, aged just 23. Some sketches might get me cancelled today, he admits. But I think in general, what was accepted then is still accepted now; when humour is skilfully done, its still funny. There are more rules today, but I dont think thats necessarily a bad thing. There was a lot of racial and homophobic stuff in the 80s and 90s, and there should be no place for that. The Blues Brothers, created for SNL, was born out of Dans love of blues music, and he still enjoys performing. We did a concert last year at Joliet Prison where we shot part of the movie, and 8,000 people showed up, dressed as the brothers, driving their version of the Bluesmobile. It was spectacular. Its like a mission of cultural preservation, preserving the African-American songbook. He may be 71, but theres no stopping him. A year ago he split from Donna Dixon, his actress wife of 39 years and the mother of his three daughters, and hes in a new relationship. I live with a lady partner and were very happy, he says, declining to reveal her name. Donna and I are not cohabiting, but were great friends. Were collaborating on a screenplay. We agreed on an amicable separation and were both much happier for it. He says being busy and dancing keep him young. I know Im getting older. I drive slower now. I dont push the late nights. I watch the consumption of things I love, sweets and alcohol. Mostly Im grateful. For the people Ive worked with, the people who have supported me. 'Im in a good, happy place. I could drop more weight, but I keep dancing because its such a big part of extending life. Hes already thinking about what will happen when he moves on, though. His friend Harold Ramis, who died in 2014, was brought back as a ghost using computer technology for Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Im sure that when I pass beyond the veil theyll come up with a story to incorporate me, he says. And as long as my family gets a healthy fee and its a good story, Im fine with that. Adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights remain a pressing and critical topic in today's world. As young individuals navigate the complexities of adolescence, it is crucial to understand and address their distinct sexual and reproductive health requirements. During a side event of the Women Deliver conference held at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel on July 19, a groundbreaking research project was launched. Named the Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Exemplars project (ASHER), the research will be conducted in six countries: Rwanda, Cameroon, Ghana, Malawi, India, and Nepal. Jen Kidwell Drake, Women's Health Lead at Exemplars in Global Health, explained that the goal of ASHER is to identify and highlight the success stories that have not been fully documented, explored, and understood in the selected countries. Drake emphasized their collaboration with local experts to comprehend how progress was achieved, with the intent of sharing these insights across other countries to collectively make strides in adolescent sexual and reproductive health. The initial step involved identifying countries that had achieved a significant reduction in adolescent fertility beyond the expected average. They then conducted in-depth studies on these specific countries, including Rwanda, to capture valuable insights and share them. Explaining the selection of Rwanda, Drake pointed out that the country already boasted a relatively low adolescent fertility rate compared to many other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The researchers also examined Rwanda's primary healthcare and under-5 mortality rates, which stood out positively. Regarding the impact on Rwanda, she highlighted the persisting challenges related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. She added that the study's findings would guide Rwanda in taking necessary steps and sustaining the current progress, propelling the nation in the right direction. Looking ahead, the researchers plan to present their findings on a global stage, tentatively scheduled for June 2024. Speaking during the event, Claude Mambo Muvunyi, Director General of Rwanda Biomedical Centre, expressed excitement about the research showcasing Rwanda's success. He emphasized the significance of sharing experiences, lessons learned, and challenges with other countries to support decision-making and policymaking. Muvunyi acknowledged that Rwanda has made progress regarding sexual and reproductive health but recognized that challenges still exist, particularly concerning gender-based violence and teenage pregnancies. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Health Human Rights By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. He said that the research findings would help provide young people with the necessary health services to help them reach their full potential, leading to happier, healthier, and more prosperous families, communities, and societies. Eugene Rutayisire, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Rwanda and ASHER lead in Rwanda, outlined that the research aims to understand the perceptions and experiences of young people regarding the services available to them. Rutayisire emphasized that it will assist Rwanda by documenting and analyzing the services offered to adolescents, including family planning, awareness, utilization, as well as their impact. The research project specifically targets adolescents aged 10 to 24, and according to Rutayisire, this age group has been relatively under-researched in terms of their sexual and reproductive health issues. He further noted that the research will involve interviews with adolescents from ten selected districts across the country to gather data and insights. Advertisement Shamed Vanderpump Rules star Tom Sandoval appears to back in his co-stars' good books and is letting the world know he is doing 'fine', as he is seen in exclusive DailyMail.com photos reuniting with the crew on their trip to Lake Tahoe for the first time. The philandering reality star, 40, was believed to still be on the outs as a result of last season's explosive drama, but new pictures suggest he has reconciled with his cast mates, including former BFF and co-star Tom Schwartz with whom he was seen tubing on Wednesday. The TV personality appeared to be in good spirits and seemed intent on sending a message that all is well, sporting a t-shirt emblazoned with the words 'I feel fine'. Exclusive DailyMail.com photos confirm Tom Sandoval joined his Vanderpump Rules co-stars on their trip to Lake Tahoe where he appeared to be sending a message by sporting a t-shirt emblazoned with the words, 'I FEEL FINE' The reality star, 40, and former BFF and co-star Tom Schwartz were seen looking chummy on Heavenly Mountain Resort in Nevada on Wednesday while shooting the show's 11th season Sandoval was also seen back in the mix and rubbing elbows with co-stars Lala Kent and Scheana Shay one day earlier on July 18 as the group visited the site of boss Lisa Vanderpump's latest business venture in Lake Tahoek The images emerged on the same day Sandoval's ex-lover Rachel Leviss was photographed for the first time since checking into rehab in Wickenburg, Arizona, amid the fallout from their affair, DailyMail.com can reveal. Fans have been speculating whether or not Sandoval had joined co-stars Scheana Shay, 38, Tom Schwartz, 40, Lala Kent, 32, and James Kennedy, 31, after he had not been seen in any of the snaps shared on social media of the gang's first trip since the cheating scandal that left him on the outs. On Tuesday a video clip shared on Scheana's Instagram story drew further attention to the issue after fans claimed to have recognized Sandoval's voice in the background. And today, exclusive DailyMail.com photos can confirm the TomTom cofounder is indeed on the trip, showing the quintet sliding down a tubing hill on Heavenly Mountain Resort, alongside Kennedy's girlfriend Ally Lewber, 27, and Shay's husband Brock Davies, 33. Although Scheana, the best friend of Sandoval's ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix, 38, claimed on social media that she is having little to do with the 41-year-old restaurant manager, DailyMail.com photos show otherwise. Fans speculated whether or not Sandoval had joined the cast on the trip after he was nowhere to be seen in pictures shared by his co-stars in social media The photos suggest the two Toms have rekindled their friendship after the two best friends were believed to have fallen out in the wake of the scandal It's clear Schwartz and Sandoval were happy to reunite and reconcile as they slid down a tubing hill at the resort. James Kennedy and girlfriend Ally were also seen tubing together during the outing The pair have been repeatedly pictured together at the $1,609-a-night lakeside home the cast are renting for the trip, at Reno-Tahoe airport, outside boss Lisa Vanderpump's new restaurant Wolf, at Harveys Lake Tahoe. Shay, who was pictured screaming at a tearful Sandoval during a scene filmed in West Hollywood last week, appeared happy to socialize with her cheating co-star and was even seen spending time with him solo, with the duo pictured carrying yoga mats at the cast's rental home. Vanderpump Rules is currently filming its 11th season, which has reunited most cast members for the first time since Sandoval and Leviss's months-long affair was exposed in March. The ensuing furor dubbed 'Scandoval' saw the pair excoriated by their castmates, with Leviss even filing for a restraining order against Shay that was ultimately dropped. Shortly after the reunion shows were filmed, Leviss who has now swapped the name 'Raquel' for her birth name Rachel checked herself into rehab to deal with 'emotional issues' brought on by the affair. Raquel, Ariana, and Katie skipped the trip, but Sandoval ultimately made the journey and was photographed getting off an economy class United flight at Reno-Tahoe Airport on Tuesday Sandoval appeared to be in good spirits despite all the drama and scandal that has unfolded in the wake of his affair Last season's drama raised questions as to whether Sandoval would return to the show full time or be downgraded to a guest star The fallout over Sandoval and Raquel's romantic affair behind girlfriend Ariana Madix's back was so explosive, Leviss was revealed to have checked into a rehab facility in Wickenburg, Arizona, as a result Wednesday's appearance outside her parents' modest Tucson home is the first time she has been seen in over two months. Sandoval, meanwhile, has also been keeping a low profile after being dumped by his girlfriend of eight years Madix in the wake of the affair and kicked out of their $2million Valley Village home. Although Leviss had been due to film in Lake Tahoe with the rest of the cast, she skipped the trip but Sandoval did make the journey and was photographed getting off an economy class United flight at Reno-Tahoe Airport on Tuesday. He was then seen piling into a black Ford Explorer SUV kitted out with camera gear with his castmates for the one-hour drive to the resort. The group are staying at a luxury lakeside home in Zephyr Cove, Nevada a 15-minute drive from downtown South Lake Tahoe. The property which is named 'Lakeside Tahoe Home of the Stars' in its listing on vacation rental website Vrbo comes complete with its own jetty, six bedrooms and five bathrooms. The cast have been subject to a frenetic filming schedule, with the group launching straight into shooting scenes for Vanderpump Rules on arrival on Tuesday Vanderpump Rules is currently filming its 11th season, which has reunited most cast members for the first time since Sandoval and Leviss's months-long affair was exposed in March Although Scheana, the best friend of Sandoval's ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix, 38, claimed on social media that she is having little to do with the 41-year-old restaurant manager, DailyMail.com photos show otherwise The furor dubbed 'Scandoval' saw the pair excoriated by their castmates, with Leviss even filing for a restraining order against Shay that was ultimately dropped Lisa Vanderpump, 62, herself was seen arriving Tuesday at the site of her new restaurant where the cast filmed a scene for the show's 11th season It got its name due to its popularity with stars performing at the nearby Horizon Casino, now the Hard Rock Casino, in the 1970s and 80s among them Elvis Presley. The Vanderpump Rules cast have been subject to a frenetic filming schedule, with the group launching straight into shooting scenes on arrival. First came discussions on the patio of the home, before Shay, Lewber and Kent donned bikinis and wandered down the jetty all captured by Bravo cameras. Also working hard were Sandoval, Schwartz, Kennedy and Davies: the New Zealand businessman standing out due to his unusual vacation attire which consisted of a pink patterned kimono and matching budgie smugglers. Next came a visit from 62-year-old Vanderpump herself who was seen speaking to the group on the patio of the home and was dressed in a neat white skirt and top. Sandoval and Shay were spotted together the following morning on Wednesday carrying yoga mats as the crew filmed more scenes on the patio of their luxe lakeside home before starting a lengthy sequence on Heavenly Mountain The group are staying at a luxury lakeside home in Zephyr Cove, Nevada a 15-minute drive from downtown South Lake Tahoe The property which is named 'Lakeside Tahoe Home of the Stars' in its listing on vacation rental website Vrbo comes complete with its own jetty, six bedrooms and five bathrooms 'Who said all is forgiven?? We are all here for Lisa,' the mother-of-one wrote on Twitter Wednesday Two hours later, the now glammed-up cast joined Vanderpump and her husband Ken Todd, 77, at the site of her new restaurant Wolf which is due to open at Harvey's Lake Tahoe hotel in Stateline, Nevada, this winter. The 742-room property, which costs an average of $69-a-night, is also home to a branch of Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen and a shabby casino. A source told DailyMail.com work on the new restaurant only began a week ago but had to be paused for Vanderpump's visit so the site could be cleaned up for filming. Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show the ramshackle interior piled high with rubble and other debris, although that didn't prevent cast members from showing up in an array of eye-catching outfits and sky-high heels The group then spent the evening across the street at Harrah's another casino before tottering home shortly before midnight. Sandoval and Shay were spotted together the following morning carrying yoga mats as the crew filmed more scenes on the patio of their luxe lakeside home before starting a lengthy sequence on Heavenly Mountain. The site of her new restaurant Wolf is due to open at Harvey's Lake Tahoe hotel in Stateline, Nevada, this winter Photos show the interior of the new restaurant which is currently under construction Exclusive DailyMail.com photos show the ramshackle interior piled high with rubble and other debris, although that didn't prevent cast members from showing up in an array of eye-catching outfits and sky-high heels Crew hauling gear headed up the mountain in gondolas shortly after midday followed by Shay, Sandoval, Kennedy and the rest of the cast. The group filmed scenes at a scenic overlook two miles above Lake Tahoe before continuing to the top of the mountain where they were seen engaged in an intense discussion outside food hall Tamerack Lodge near the gondola station. Despite the rocky terrain, the cast opted for impractical outfits: Kent choosing a pink top and knicker set that left little to the imagination, while Shay wore a green bodysuit topped with a crochet top. Afterwards, the group were seen enjoying the mountaintop tubing slide an activity that costs $101 per person along with gondola tickets before returning to downtown Lake Tahoe just before the gondola shut at 5pm. Filming around Lake Tahoe is due to wrap up by the end of the week. It's been almost three months since MasterChef star Jock Zonfrillo's tragic death. And the late chef's co-star Andy Allen has admitted he's still coming to terms with the shock passing of his friend and 'mentor'. Taking to Instagram on Friday, the MasterChef judge paid a heartbreaking tribute to Zonfrillo after the series finale. Sharing a carousel of photos of himself and Jock, Andy wrote: 'I feel like there will continue to be these moments along the way where it feels so real and gets even harder to comprehend your loss. 'This week has been one of them. He seemed so kind towards the contestants & I found this incredibly refreshing in a world that seems to thrive on negativity & pulling people down.' It's been almost three months since the nation was shocked that Master Chef judge Jock Zonfrillo (left) tragically passed away. While the pre-recorded Channel 10 series premiered just a week later after his death with Jock in his judging chair, cast members found it hard to watch 'Like many things, you were a master at the mentor game and knowing that we wont be standing side by side, doing our dance together anymore is really sinking in. Love you.' Friends and fans of Andy jumped to the comments to console him. One person wrote: 'He seemed so kind towards the contestants & I found this incredibly refreshing in a world that seems to thrive on negativity & pulling people down.' Taking to Instagram on Friday, MasterChef judge Andy Allen paid a heartbreaking tribute to his late friend and colleague after the final of the series While another said: 'This is so bloody sad. Itll never stop being sad. Whether the show continues on without him or not, his absence will always be felt.' And a third commented: 'I watched MasterChef Australia yesterday and felt so low just knowing he is no more. I'm praying for his loved ones. May his soul rest in peace. Amen.' Jock was found dead aged 46 on April 30 at a Melbourne hotel at 2am. Sharing a carousel of photos of himself and Jock, Andy wrote: 'Knowing that we wont be standing side by side, doing our dance together anymore is really sinking in' The chef is survived by his third wife, Lauren Fried, and his four children: teenage daughters Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and six-year-old Alfie and two-year-old Isla, with Fried. The Scottish-Australian chef and restaurateur became a host of the popular Channel 10 cooking show MasterChef Australia in 2019 alongside Andy Allen and Melissa Leong. Zonfrillo, who started his career working under Michelin-starred chef Marco Pierre White in the UK, famously overcame an addiction to heroin during his teenage years in Glasgow before becoming one of Australia's most celebrated chefs. Snooki took to social media on Wednesday urging people to cease commenting on people's bodies. 'Who are you to call people pigs and fat and disgusting and [say], "Your body looks terrible?"' the 35-year-old reality star said. The MTV personality, whose real name is Nicole Polizzi, said in a TikTok clip that she empathized with people with body issues, and has dealt with them herself. 'I know it's an issue for a lot of people,' the Jersey Shore star said. 'Men, women, everybody - it's an issue - and it's called weight. I have struggled with my weight my entire life.' Snooki said she had been 'underweight' during her teenage years, and at the age of 21, when she began appearing on the TV series, chose to 'enjoy life' without constantly focusing on what she was consuming. The latest: Snooki, 35, took to social media on Wednesday urging people to cease commenting on people's bodies 'High school? Not great,' she said, adding that she 'wasn't eating, underweight, had no energy. It was getting scary. 'So high school was not a good place for me with weight. I wanted to be size zero and so skinny. And I fit in the jeans but, oh my God, I was so sad and not eating and no energy.' Snooki, who's mom to son Lorenzo, 10, daughter Giovanna, eight, and son Angelo, four, with husband Jionni LaValle, said that she's always been 'confident' with her body. 'I know that I'm beautiful,' she said. 'I'm amazing, no matter what size I am.' Snooki said she had been on the receiving end of nasty comments from trolls, and urged people who might have something sour to say to keep it to themselves. 'If you think those things, which I'm sure a lot of people have opinions - everyone has an opinion about everybody - if you want to judge people's looks and people's bodies then do it from the comfort of your a**hole mind,' Snooki said. She offered an alternative - for people to call their 'a***hole' friends 'to gossip about someone's weight' - 'but don't comment it on the Internet.' The MTV personality, whose real name is Nicole Polizzi, said in a TikTok clip that she empathized with people with body issues, and has dealt with them herself Snooki said she had been on the receiving end of nasty comments from trolls, and urged people who might have something sour to say to keep it to themselves Snooki said she had been 'underweight' during her teenage years, and at the age of 21 - when she began appearing on the TV series - chose to 'enjoy life' without constantly focusing on what she was consuming The MTV star advised, ''f you want to judge people's looks and people's bodies then do it from the comfort of your a**hole mind' The reality star flashed a peace sign as she was seen heading to NBC's NYC headquarters earlier this year Snooki said that 'people are sensitive,' particularly those who 'have had eating disorders and trouble with their body and image and ... finally are starting to love themselves.' She added, 'This video is for everyone out there - stop commenting on people's weight. Who the f*** cares? As long as you're a good person and you feel good in your own body so stop commenting on people's bodies. It's not nice.' She wrapped up the clip, saying, 'Please, I love you - be kind to each other ... s**t!' Elizabeth Olsen looked effortlessly stylish on Thursday while visiting a book store in Los Angeles. The 34-year-old actress wore a short-sleeved tan blouse along with loose black trousers and black sandals while out and about in the Studio City area. The Los Angeles native had her blonde hair pulled back behind her shoulders. Elizabeth accessorized with stylish sunglasses and bracelet and also carried a purse with a cross-body strap. The younger sister of Full House stars Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, 37, was snubbed earlier this month when the Primetime Emmy Award 2023 nominations were announced. Stylish star: Elizabeth Olsen looked effortlessly stylish on Thursday while visiting a book store in Los Angeles Elizabeth starred in the HBO Max miniseries Love & Death but was passed over for a nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama category. The nominees in the category included: Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters), Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets), Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid's Tale), Bella Ramsey (The Last Of Us), Keri Russell (The Diplomat), and Sarah Snook (Succession). Love & Death is a true crime series adapted from the gruesome 1980 murder of small-town Texas housewife Betty Gore, played by Lily Rabe, whose husband was having an affair with her killer friend and neighbor, Candy Montgomery, portrayed by Elizabeth. Written by David E. Kelley, the miniseries was another chilling adaptation of Candy Montgomery's disturbing tale. Jessica Biel, 41, last year took on the same role in the titular Hulu series Candy. Barbara Hershey, 75, portrayed Candy Morrison in a 1990 television film directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, 73, based on a 1984 book about the killing. The 1990 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress - Miniseries or Movie went to Barbara for her work in the CBS film. The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards are scheduled to take place on Monday, September 18 and air on Fox. Book store: The 34-year-old actress wore a short-sleeved tan blouse along with loose black trousers and black sandals while out and about in the Studio City area Got snubbed: The Los Angeles native, shown in April in Los Angeles, was snubbed earlier this month when the Primetime Emmy Award 2023 nominations were announced. Marvel star: Elizabeth portrays Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is shown in a still from the 2018 film Avengers: Infinity War Elizabeth previously was nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her work in the critically acclaimed 2021 Disney+ series WandaVision. She debuted as Scarlet Witch in 2015's Avengers: Age of Ultron, and returned to the role in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, 2018's Avengers: Infinity War, 2019's Avengers: Endgame, the 2021 TV series WandaVision and 2022's Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. Leading up to Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness, Elizabeth revealed in interviews that she was surprised they took her character in a villainous direction. 'At first I think I was nervous and conflicted, because I hadnt finished WandaVision yet, but we were almost finished,' Elizabeth said. 'And I was like, "Oh my god, how do I make this all work together?" We got there; I got there,' she added. 'And it became an amazing opportunity to have people be won over by this woman in WandaVision and feel for her, and then, you know, manipulate them into this film, where they get to be on her side and then feel conflicted themselves,' Elizabeth said. Jess Glynne thinks it's 'really sad' no women were nominated for Best Artist at the BRIT Awards earlier this year, following a gender neutral overhaul. The pop star, 33, has been nominated for nine gongs at the ceremony, including twice in the Best Female category before it was axed. Speaking about the lack of women in the line-up she told The Sun: 'It's really sad and it shouldn't be that way. Something's got to change.' However Jess admitted that she did understand the reason for the decision and declared that everyone 'deserves to have a voice' and 'to be seen how they want to be seen'. Before concluding: 'For me, all I'll say is that I'm very proud to be the woman I am'. Candid: Jess Glynne, 33, thinks it's 'really sad' no women were nominated for Best Artist at the BRIT Awards earlier this year, following a gender neutral overhaul Songstress: The pop star has been nominated for nine gongs at the ceremony, including twice in the Best Female category before it was axed In 2021, the BRIT Awards announced it would be abolishing its male and female categories, in bid to celebrate artists 'solely for their music'. Jess then went on to reveal how she had been 'suppressed from being a woman' and showcasing her body by 'controlling' music industry bosses. Stripping down to promote her new single What Do You Do? she said: 'I wasn't allowed to feel [sexy] or do those things because I was controlled, in a way'. Before reassuring fans that her new team help her embrace who she is. Jess is now managed by Jay-Z's label Roc Nation who she said had total faith in her and 'believed anything was possible'. What Do You Do is the star's second single of the year, the first Silly Me, dropped in April 2023, after she took a three year hiatus. And the star appears to have dug deep for emotional inspiration, as her new tune sings: 'I keep falling in and out of the same mistakes. What do you do when love is not enough? 'You hold on when you know you should give up.' BRITs babe: Speaking about the lack of women in the line-up she said 'It's really sad and it shouldn't be that way. Something's got to change' (Pictured at the 2019 BRITs) But in spite of the mellow lyrics, Jess has turned the song into an upbeat banger which is sure to play at Ibiza beach clubs all summer long. Speaking on her new single, Jess said: 'This type of record is one of my favourites to make - wearing my heart on my sleeve matched with a beat that makes you want to move. Sometimes we all need to escape our sadness and thoughts and be free to dance in the music.' She continued: 'Feeling hope through whatever it is you're going through is a must for me, so if this is what you need right now, I hope this does it for you.' The track will appear on Jess' third studio album, it was written by Jess Glynne, Simon Wilcox, Jeremy Melvin and Stuart Price and produced by Chrome Sparks and Stuart Price. In an exclusive interview with MailOnline, the star revealed her new music is much more 'vulnerable' than her previous hits. Honesty: Jess also went on to reveal how she had been 'suppressed from being a woman' and showcasing her body by 'controlling' music industry bosses (pictured in 2014) Speaking out: Stripping down to promote her new single What Do You Do? she said: 'I wasn't allowed to feel [sexy] or do those things because I was controlled, in a way' (pictured in 2015) Ahead of taking the stage at the British Grand Prix Launch Party in Silverstone earlier this month, Jess revealed her new material makes her 'feel a certain way' while performing. She said: 'The new stuff is vulnerable. I have been through a lot in my career and personal life and that has definitely taught me a lot and I have grown from it. I think the songs show that and what I have been through a little bit. 'I am excited, I love this new song which is coming out next Friday. I get nervous about everything though, going on stage nervous about releasing.' The pop star added: 'I think that's normal though shows I care. I guess it's been 5 years which is a long time.' Banger: What Do You Do is the star's second single of the year, the first Silly Me, dropped in April 2023, after she took a three year hiatus The Grammy award winner went on to discuss how it feels holding the title for the most number one records in the UK for a female artist. She gushed: 'It is mad to me. Anyone you get it is like, are you joking I never put anything out with expectation. 'You have to put it in peoples hands and see what happens, you don't have the choice for what happens to it, you have to hope people love it. 'I hope people love this new song, because I really love it, it makes me feel a certain way.' Jess revealed that she has three top career highlights including performing at the iconic Pyramid stage at Glastonbury and the BRIT Awards. She added that seeing so many people watch her performance at the Worthy Farm festival was 'surreal'. Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have enlisted the help of their children to pick out a name for their baby boy. Kourtney, 44, is currently pregnant with her and the 47-year-old Blink-182 drummer's first child together a year after their May 2022 nuptials in Italy. They revealed last month during a lavish gender reveal party that they are expecting a boy. A source told Us Weekly on Thursday that the married couple are 'having their kids contribute to the list' of potential baby names. They are 'including [their kids] in the baby journey whenever possible' because their son's impending birth is 'a celebration for the whole family.' Kourtney shares three children Mason, 13, Penelope, 11, and Reign, eight with ex-boyfriend Scott Disick, while Travis shares son Landon, 19, and daughter Alabama, 17, with ex-wife Shanna Moakler. Helping hands: Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have enlisted the help of their children to pick out a name for their baby boy; (L-R) Travis' son Landon, Travis, Kourtney, Kourtney's daughter Penelope and her son Reign Expecting: The couple who married in May 2022 announced in June that the 44-year-old KUWTK star is currently pregnant with their first child together Travis is also a father figure to Shanna's daughter Atiana De La Hoya, 24, who she shares with her ex-husband Oscar De La Hoya. Earlier this week, the rocker teased one of the potential baby names during During a sit-down with daughter Alabama for Complex, the 47-year-old Blink-182 rocker was asked to share what he thinks is the 'greatest baby name.' 'I like Rocky 13,' Travis revealed to Alabama, who instantly disapproved of the bizarre moniker. 'That is so bad,' the 17-year-old social media influencer exclaimed. Travis said that the name 'just keeps going through my head.' Alabama looked into the camera and assured to viewers that her father 'knows it's bad.' Travis admitted that the name is 'bad,' but he went on to share why it appeals to him. 'Rocky George played guitar for [the band] Suicidal Tendencies and 13 is just the greatest number of all time,' he explained. A source told Us Weekly on Thursday that the married couple are 'having their kids contribute to the list' of potential baby names; (L-R) Travis, Travis' daughter Alabama, Reign, Kourtney, Landon and Travis' stepdaughter Atiana De La Hoya Family affair: They are 'including [their kids] in the baby journey whenever possible' because their son's impending birth is 'a celebration for the whole family; (L-R) Alabama, Landon, Kourtney, Travis, Penelope and Atiana 'So, you're gonna name your kid Rocky 13?' asked Alabama, to which the drummer replied: 'Possibly' Weeks prior, Travis got fans excited after he stated that he 'already know[s]' his and Kourtney's son's name. He left a comment under an Instagram slideshow Kourtney posted in June from their gender reveal party. 'I already know his name,' wrote the rocker, followed by a winking-face emoji. Kourtney may not be opposed to naming their son 'Rocky 13' as she gave the three children she shares with ex-boyfriend Scott Disick unusual names. She and the Talentless founder named their youngest son Reign Aston Disick. Mason and Penelope have unique middle names, with Mason's being Dash and Penelope's Scotland. As for Barker, he and his ex-wife Shanna Moakler named their daughter Alabama after the lead character Alabama Whitman from the 1993 film True Romance. Meanwhile, their 19-year-old son has the more traditional name of Landon. 'Greatest': during a sit-down with his teen daughter Alabama for Complex, the Blink-182 rocker was asked to share what he thinks is the 'greatest baby name' 'I like Rocky 13,' Travis revealed to Alabama, who instantly disapproved of the unusual moniker 'That is so bad,' the 17-year-old social media influencer exclaimed Teasing: Weeks prior, Travis got fans excited after he stated that he 'already know[s]' his and Kourtney's son's name They revealed their baby's gender at an elaborate bash last month at their shared Calabasas home Married: The couple wed in May 2022; seen in March 2022 During Travis' Q&A with Alabama, the teen revealed what she thinks their 'greatest family tradition' is and it has to do with her new stepmom Kourtney. 'He goes around the table and goes, "What's your peak and pit?" from his wife,' she revealed, adding: 'That's his thing right now.' Meanwhile, Travis gushed that their weekly dinners are what he loves most. 'As of recent, making sure we're all together once a week and having dinner is awesome,' he said. Travis also revealed that it's a tradition for him to 'kiss' his kids' foreheads before he goes on stage for a concert. As for the 'greatest gift' he's ever received, the music producer answered: 'The greatest gift I ever received was my children.' He also jokingly answered on behalf of his two children : 'By far the greatest gift they ever received was myself, their father.' Travis' wife Kourtney was recently soaking up the sun in Hawaii to celebrate Penelope's 11th birthday while he seemingly hung back in LA. The POOSH founder looked very far along in her fourth pregnancy while modeling various bikinis in recent days that showed off her baby bump. Kourtney revealed her surprise pregnancy in June during Travis' concert with Blink-182 in Los Angeles. She did so by holding up a sign that read: 'Travis I'm Pregnant' Bumping along: Since the joyous announcement, Kourtney has been showing off her growing tummy on social media and even asked her fans for pregnancy advice despite it being her fourth go around Girls' trip! Travis' wife Kourtney was recently soaking up the sun in Hawaii to celebrate Penelope's 11th birthday while he seemingly hung back in LA Out and about: Travis was spotted paying a visit to his vegan restaurant, Crossroads Kitchen, near his home in Calabasas The rocker drove to the eatery in his vintage Chevy truck The sign was an homage to a sign held up in the music video for Blink-182's song All The Small Things (1999). A source recently told PEOPLE that Kourtney 'had happy tears' when she told her family she's expecting a child with Travis. 'They have all known for a while. Everyone is so happy for her,' the insider dished. 'Kourtney can't wait to be a mom again. Her older kids are excited about the baby too. Since the joyous announcement, Kourtney has been showing off her growing tummy on social media and even asked her fans for pregnancy advice despite it being her fourth go around. Lily Allen showed off her chic sense of style as she left the Duke of York Theatre in London on Thursday after performing in her new play The Pillowman. The actress, 38, turned heads in a stylish pink co-ord as she was greeted by a crowd of waiting fans at the stage door. The pop star wore a ruffled Princess skirt which she teamed with a matching cardigan embellished with silver sequins. She strutted her stuff in colour co-ordinating heels and slicked her blonde locks into a side parting following her performance. Lily stopped for a number of selfies before hopping into her waiting car and heading off home. Pretty in pink: Lily Allen, 38, showed off her chic sense of style in a pastel pink look as she left the Duke of York Theatre in London on Thursday after performing in The Pillowman Stunning: The actress turned heads in a stylish pink co-ord as she was greeted by a crowd of waiting fans at the stage door After receiving critical acclaim for her West End debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story, Lily has proven she is keen to stick around in the world of theatre as she takes on a role in the first major rival of Martin McDonagh's Olivier award-winning play. In a role that sees Lily cover the side of her face in blood, The Pillowman will run for a limited time only, finishing in early September. The website states: 'In a totalitarian state a Writer is questioned by the authorities about a spate of murders that bear similarities to her short stories. Is this life imitating art or something more sinister? 'This black comedy widely regarded as one of the greatest plays of the past 25 years, examines the role of the artist in society and asks what price do we pay for freedom of expression.' Lily is the first woman to take on the leading role of Katurian in the revival of the 2003 play, which follows the fiction writer as she is imprisoned by a totalitarian state. Starring opposite Steve Pemberton, who plays Tupolski and Matthew Tennyson, who stars as Michael, Lily plays the role that had been previously played by David Tennant 20 years ago. Speaking about the decision to cast a woman in the role, Lily told The Telegraph: 'I think it will add an extra layer of horror, because we're not used to seeing women being beaten up. 'It will be shocking, in that sense. I also feel that men don't necessarily get the same c**p for their artistic output that women do.' Pink Princess: The pop star wore a ruffled Princess skirt which she teamed with a matching cardigan embellished with silver sequins Pose: She strutted her stuff in colour co-ordinating heels and slicked her blonde locks into a side parting following her performance Radiant: The stunner sported a flawless make-up palette as she exited the theatre Beaming: She appeared in high spirits following her time on stage Say cheese: Lily stopped for a number of selfies before hopping into her waiting car and heading off home The Pillowman follows Katurian as she is brutally questioned by authorities after a spate of murders bear similarities to her short stories. It comes after Lily revealed she has written musical versions of Black Mirror and Bridget Jones's Diary. Speaking on BBC Radio, Lily said: 'I wrote the musical for Bridget Jones's Diary and that hasn't happened yet maybe one day it still will. 'I also did an adaptation of an episode of Black Mirror for the stage which has also been sold to someone. 'It's just not happened yet, but the music's finished.' Ariana Richards has shunned Hollywood for good after shooting to fame in Jurassic Park at just 12 years old. The actor, 42, who currently makes a living as a talented painter, is now unrecognisable despite her iconic role as Lex Murphy in the 1993 blockbuster. As an artist, Richards paints portraits, landscapes, and in a nod to her past has even depicted dinosaurs in her work. She once told Radio Times her audition for the Steven Spielberg film that made her a household name was the 'weirdest' she'd ever done in her career. The casting director asked her to 'let loose' and pretend she was being chased and attacked by a dinosaur, she revealed. Ariana Richards, 42, (pictured) has shunned Hollywood for good and looks completely different after shooting to fame following her stint on Jurassic Park After landing the huge role as granddaughter of the park founder John Hammond in the franchise, the mum-of-one went on to land several minor roles. Then, in 2013 she starred in her last project, the TV movie Battledogs with Dennis Haysbert. Throughout her acting career, the blonde beauty educated herself in the arts. The actor who now makes a living as a talented painter, would be unrecognisable walking down the street despite her iconic role as Lex Murphy In 2001 she graduated from Skidmore College where she picked up a degree in Fine Art and Drama. She then took classes at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, before quitting Hollywood for good and becoming a painter. On her Instagram page she said she is a 'painter, actress, mother... and I happen to be a vegetarian.' She wed Mark Aaron Bolton in Oregon in January 2013 and the couple went on to have a daughter who was born in 2015. One of the world's biggest porn stars has spilled her sex tips, including her favourite position. While over 75 per cent of women can't climax through penetration alone, adult entertainer Angela White, 38, says there is a foolproof way to combat this issue. Her advice to women is to try the CAT (Clitoral Alignment Technique) position. White, who has almost 10 million followers on Instagram, recently explained the technique on Whitney Cummins podcast. While Whitney asked her about her illustrious porn career, she also wanted tips for her own sex-life. Angela White, one of the world's biggest porn stars, has spilled her sex tips, including her favourite position The comedian and podcast host, 40, revealed she can only orgasm when using either a vibrator or her hands and wanted White's advice. White said she believe that 'Clitoral orgasms are always more intense' before talking her through a solution. 'Okay so CAT position, that's my favourite position,' she said. Her advice to women is to try the CAT (Clitoral Alignment Technique) position 'CAT means clitoral alignment technique. So you are going to angle your pelvis up so you could put like a cushion underneath your lower back,' she explained. The Sydney-born porn star said this is so much better than missionary. White, who has appeared in more than 900 hardcore scenes, recently left fans devastated as it was revealed she could soon turn her back on the porn industry. White, who has almost 10 million followers on Instagram, recently explained the technique on Whitney Cummins podcast After several high-profile TV and podcast appearances, the adult film star seems to be angling for a career in mainstream media or academia. She hinted at her future career path last month when she spoke at a conference at the University of California, Santa Barbara. White posed for a photo on Instagram next to social sciences and media studies professor Constance Penley. 'Academic pursuit remains an interest of mine and something I wish to return to in the future,' she wrote in the caption. During the college lecture, White spoke to film studies students about her career. Not only does White have an extensive body of work in adult cinema, but she also holds a degree in gender studies from the prestigious University of Melbourne. The Sydney-born porn star said the CAT position is so much better than missionary The performer took part in a question and answer session with students after her speech. This is my third time as a guest speaker at this film studies class that approaches pornography as worthy of serious inquiry as a genre and as popular culture,' she said after the lecture. White thanked the students for their 'well-informed, thought-provoking questions' about her 'career as a performer and director' as well as her academic research. 'While it has been a number of years since my research dissertation was published in The Routledge Companion to Media, Sex, and Sexuality, academic pursuit remains an interest of mine and something I wish to return to in the future.' It dropped to a freezing nine degrees in Melbourne last night. But that didn't stop Melbourne stars and socialites from stepping out in some very skimpy outfits to attend Rozalia Russian x Billini's shoe collection launch on Thursday. Shane Warne's daughter Brooke and The Block's Sharon Johal flashed the flesh as they attended the event at Rozalia's popular Italian restaurant, Bar Bambi. Reality star Sharon showed off her cleavage and a hint of her abs in a revealing cropped strapless top and a pair of matching black trousers. She kept her shoulders warm underneath a beige leather jacket teamed with nude shoes from Rozalia's new collection. It dropped to a freezing nine degrees in Melbourne last night, but that didn't stop Melbourne stars and socialites from stepping out in some very skimpy outfits to attend Rozalia Russian x Billini shoe collection launch on Thursday. Pictured: The Block's Sharon Johal Woman of the hour Rozalia made sure to stand out in a stunning scarlet satin floor-length gloved gown with matching cherry red strappy sandals Meanwhile, Brooke put on a leggy display in a tiny black mini dress with sheer stockings and heels. Several other guest wore even less, with one attendee dressing in a tiny Tom Ford crop top and leather trousers, and another in a completely see-through red lace dress. Woman of the hour Rozalia made sure to stand out in a stunning scarlet satin floor-length gloved gown with matching cherry red strappy sandals. Brooke Warne put on a leggy display in a tiny black mini dress with sheer stockings and heels Several other guest wore even less, with one attendee dressing in a tiny Tom Ford crop top and leather trousers, and another in a completely see-through red lace dress The Block's Sharon Johal showed off her cleavage and a hint of her abs in a revealing cropped strapless top and a pair of matching black trousers. She scraped her long brown hair in a tight ponytail to reveal her flawless complexion. Rozalia recently revealed all the secrets to her complexion and toned figure ahead of her exciting new collaboration with footwear brand Billini. The Melbourne fashion mogul and influencer, 35, said consistency is the key to her glowing skin, as well as regular facials, LED masks and four litres of water. Guests were spotted arriving at Rozalia's popular Italian restaurant, Bar Bambi Rozalia scraped her long brown hair in a tight ponytail to reveal her flawless complexion Speaking with Daily Mail Australia ahead of her shoe collection launch on Thursday, the socialite said she also never misses her nightly skincare routine. 'You need to be consistent, and you need to be committed to the long process. I try to have a facial once a month, which I know is a real luxury,' she said. 'However, just having a facial once a month isn't enough. I make sure that every night I'll do an at home routine where I'll either put a mask on or put an LED mask on.' Rozalia recently revealed all the secrets to her complexion and toned figure ahead of her exciting new collaboration with footwear brand Billini Rozalia went on to say she also put in the work when it came to finding the perfect mix of active ingredients for her flawless skin. 'I use heaps of active ingredients. I've researched what ingredients I need for my own skin type. I really make sure I double cleanse,' she said. 'I use great active ingredient skincare and an LED mask as well. And also water. Sounds so cliche but I try and drink at least three to four litres of water a day.' It comes after the brunette beauty recently revealed to Daily Mail the secret behind her fit and toned figure. She said from Pilates to running, she always does her best to keep her body moving so she can have a healthier mindset. 'I try to move my body at least every day, whether it is Pilates, running or going for a walk,' she said. The Melbourne fashion mogul and influencer, 35, said consistency is the key to her glowing skin, as well as regular facials, LED masks and four litres of water Rozalia went on to say she also put in the work when it came to finding the perfect mix of active ingredients for her flawless skin 'It sounds cliche but when I train, my mind is better and I feel better and that's when I eat healthier,' she added. 'It's when I get myself into an unhealthy routine and I am run down that I don't look after myself.' The Rozalia Russian x Billini collection will be her second collaboration with the fashion brand. With the line featuring only limited stock this season, the fashion guru said she has no plans to develop more fashion collaborations this year. Nairobi Fridah Ongili wife to Embakasi East MP Babu Owino is pleading for the release of her husband who was arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and whisked to various destinations that are unknown to their family members. She made the statement after she was denied access to see her husband who had been moved to Wang'uru Police Station in Mwea. 'My husband has done nothing else but fight for the rights of Kenyans and there is absolutely nothing that he did to warrant the arrest," she stated. "We are just asking to Azimio, Raila Odinga to do what you van to assist my husband. To the government, you are the one who is holding him illegally, there is absolutely nothing he has done." Owino and eight others on Wednesday filed a case in court seeking to compel the police to be ordered to release them immediately and unconditionally. The nine, through lawyer Danston Omari, argued that their rights, which include the right to peacefully demonstrate, freedom of movement, and to associate freely with others exercising their political rights, will continue to be violated if the police continue detaining them. Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale turned heads on Thursday afternoon as she stepped out in Studio City. The actress, 34, strolled the sidewalk in a stylish brown tank top that highlighted her impressively toned arms. She tucked the sleeveless shirt into a pair of high-waisted baggy jeans and slipped her feet into tan Birkenstock sandals. Lucy's light brown hair flew around in the breeze, exposing her shiny silver hoop earrings. She further accessorized with a medallion necklace and a pair of brown-tinted aviator shades. Head turner: Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale turned heads on Thursday afternoon as she stepped out in Studio City Effortless style: The actress, 34 , strolled the sidewalk in a stylish brown tank top that highlighted her impressively toned arms The Fantasy Island star juggled her brown leather purse and a reusable water bottle in one hand. Lucy is back in the Los Angeles area after having a travel-heavy few weeks. She spent Fourth Of July weekend in Kelowna, a city in British Columbia, Canada, where she stayed at a house on a lake with her dogs. As per her Instagram posts, she enjoyed lots of time out on the water as well as relaxing sunsets on the deck of her cozy abode. Next, Lucy hopped on a plane and headed to New York City. In a photo slideshow shared on July 10, the screen star looked sensational in a bright orange minidress that had gold buttons and a chic collar. 'nyc nanosecond,' captioned Lucy, who modeled her elegant ensemble in front of a large window. Before returning home to LA, the Tennessee native made a pitstop in Nashville possibly to visit family and childhood friends. In a carousel of snaps uploaded on Monday, Lucy was seen striking a pose in a backless blue floral minidress outdoors with a barn in the distance. She noted that the post included photos from all of her recent adventures from Canada, New York City, Tennessee as well as at her Los Angeles home. On the go: Lucy is back in the Los Angeles area after having a travel-heavy few weeks Fireworks: She spent Fourth Of July weekend in Kelowna, a city in British Columbia, Canada Relaxation:Sshe stayed at a house on a lake with her dogs (pictured) Lucy has kept a relatively low-profile in recent months, with her last star-studded event being in April. She was joined on the red carpet by the likes of Wednesday star Jenna Ortega and True Detective actress Alexandra Daddario at Dior VIP Party in Los Angeles. For the starry evening, Lucy wowed in a vivid red blazer and matching miniskirt. The Truth Or Dare star wore black Dior heels for the occasion and added extra glamour to her outfit with a Christian Dior pearl and diamond necklace. Though she's steered away from public events, she has continued to promote her upcoming projects. Lucy has not one but two films that are set for release in just a few weeks. First up, the Teen Choice Award winner co-stars with actor Emilie Hirsch in the film Inside Man. It is based on the true story of a detective who goes undercover in a crime syndicate to redeem his reputation. Lucy recently shared a trailer for the thriller on social media writing, 'Inside Man in select theaters and On Demand August 11 - starring the incredible @emilehirsch and directed by @dannya27.' Her co-star Emile complimented her acting skills as he took to the comment section to write: 'Love this - you're so good in this ' NYC bound: Next, Lucy hopped on a plane and headed to New York City Hometown glory: Before returning home to LA, the Tennessee native made a pitstop in Nashville possibly to visit family and childhood friends Lucy has kept a relatively low-profile in recent months, with her last star-studded event being in April (pictured) The film's director Danny A Abeckaser agreed, penning: 'You kill it in this lucy' followed by applause emojis. Starting August 18 on Amazaon Freevee, fans can catch Lucy in the new romantic comedy Puppy Love. The love story begins with a swipe right and a resulting bad date between Lucy's Nicole and Grant Gustin's Max. But the two face a doggone dilemma when their pooches fall in love. The mis-matched pair decide to tolerate each other for their dogs' sake and that of their soon-to-be born grandpups, and hijinks ensue. Sigourney Weaver has revealed the gift she received in Australia that was better than diamonds, gold or money. The American actress, 73, who plays June in new Australian series The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, spoke to Marie Claire Australia about her time shooting Down Under. On set, Sigourney made friends with actress Leah Purcell, who played June's partner Twig in the show. The two became very close, and when filming wrapped Leah gifted Sigourney a donation to a refuge for orphaned joeys, as the actress is 'obsessed with kangaroos'. While Sigourney was delighted with the donation, she received 'the best gift ever' when the owner of the refuge rocked up to set with a five-month-old joey and a baby wombat. Sigourney Weaver (pictured) has revealed the gift she received in Australia that was better than diamonds, gold or money She told the publication: 'Ive been given gold, Ive been given diamonds, Ive made some big money over the years... but this is the best gift in the world.' The last time Sigourney was in Australia shooting a project was in 1982, when she filmed The Year of Living Dangerously in 1982 with Mel Gibson. This time, she got to take her husband Jim Simpson, who 'lit up' when she told him about her new project in Australia. The American actress, 73, plays June in a new series The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart that was filmed in New South Wales, and she spoke to Marie Claire Australia about her time shooting Down Under The last time Sigourney was in Australia shooting a project was in 1982, when she filmed The Year of Living Dangerously in 1982 with Mel Gibson (both pictured on set) Jim was delighted to accompany her so he could surf, but unfortunately, the majority of her scenes were in Hunter Valley. 'One of the great draws was that wed go [to Australia] together and hed be able to go surfing,' she said. 'I had no idea that we were going to be in the upper Hunter Valley, which is about as far away as you can get from the surf if youre in New South Wales! But he made it work. And we had a glorious time.' This time, Sigourney got to take her husband Jim Simpson, who 'lit up' when she told him about her new project in Australia The actress loved her time in Australia so much that she's already planning on coming back. 'I loved the experience of working in Australia, working with Australian crews. And Ive always wanted to go back,' she said. The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart will stream in Australia on Prime Video on August 4. H.E.R. and Tia Carrere led the star-studded red carpet for Wednesday night's Broadway opening of the musical Here Lies Love. An immersive theatrical experience set to a score by Fatboy Slim and David Byrne, Here Lies Love recounts the rollercoaster life story of Imelda Marcos. The show started life as a concept album in 2010, before being developed into a stage piece that reached its off-Broadway debut in 2013. Now Here Lies Love has made it to the Great White Way, where a cavalcade of boldface names turned out this week to celebrate its arrival. Tia, 56, was an unmistakable presence among them in a summery floral dress done in monochrome tones to provide a touch of formality. What a night: H.E.R. (left) and Tia Carrere (right) led the star-studded red carpet for Wednesday night's Broadway opening of the musical Here Lies Love Aglow: Tia, 56, was an unmistakable presence among them in a summery floral dress done in monochrome tones to provide a touch of formality H.E.R. meanwhile was a sight to see in a scarlet coat-dress, towering on a pair of platform stilettos with zebra print accents. As she made her way around the fete, the songstress, whose stage name stands for Having Everything Revealed, indulged in a bit of a hobnob with Spike Lee. Spike, 66, used the Broadway opening as a chance for a bit of family time, bringing along his son Jackson, 36, and daughter Satchel, 28. Trans screenwriter Our Lady J turned up the glitz factor in a black sequined number, while Daniel Dae Kim wore a pin demonstrating his support for the SAG-AFTRA strike. Dylan Mulvaney, the trans influencer who became a global name this year for a disastrous Bud Light campaign, put on a happy face at the Broadway opening. Nikki M. James, Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad, who headed the original Broadway cast of The Book Of Mormon, enjoyed a warm reunion at Wednesday's festivities. Yassi Presman bared her chiseled midriff in a crimson blouse with frilled sleeves, while Bob Melvin's daughter Alexi rocked a sleek metallic blazer. David Byrne himself celebrated his musical's Broadway opening by hitting the red carpet in a cream jumpsuit with a hot pink label that had his last name on. Lady in red: H.E.R. meanwhile was sight to see in a scarlet coat-dress, towering on a pair of platform stilettos with zebra print accents Mingling: As she made her way around the fete, the songstress, whose stage name stands for Having Everything Revealed, indulged in a bit of a hobnob with Spike Lee Proud papa: Spike, 66, used the Broadway opening as a chance for a bit of family time, bringing along his son Jackson, 36, and daughter Satchel, 28 Stars galore: Trans screenwriter Our Lady J (left) turned up the glitz factor in a black sequined number, while Daniel Dae Kim (right) wore a pin demonstrating his support for SAG-AFTRA Cheer: Dylan Mulvaney, the trans influencer who became a global name this year for a disastrous Bud Light campaign, put on a happy face at the Broadway opening Troika: Nikki M. James, Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad, who headed the original Broadway cast of The Book Of Mormon, enjoyed a warm reunion at Wednesday's festivities Place to be: Yassi Presman (left) bared her chiseled midriff in a crimson blouse with frilled sleeves, while Bob Melvin's daughter Alexi (right) rocked a sleek metallic blazer. Impresario: David Byrne himself celebrated his musical's Broadway opening by hitting the red carpet in a cream jumpsuit with a hot pink label that had his last name on Quartet: The show's stars Conrad Ricamora, Arielle Jacobs, Lea Salonga and Jose Lana all gathered together for a glittering group shot to remember So sweet: Here Lies Love set designer David Korins modeled a stylish white suit to the opening, where he snatched a bit of time to meet up with his gal pal Drew Barrymore Meanwhile: Comedian Jo Koy, who recently conducted a high-profile romance with Chelsea Handler, cut a trendy figure in Prada Lean in green: Danielle Rose Russell, star of The Originals and Legacies, made her presence felt in a highlighter green gown with a frou-frou single strap The show's stars Conrad Ricamora, Arielle Jacobs, Lea Salonga and Jose Lana all gathered together for a glittering group shot to remember. Here Lies Love set designer David Korins modeled a stylish white suit to the opening, where he snatched a bit of time to meet up with his gal pal Drew Barrymore. Meanwhile comedian Jo Koy, who recently conducted a high-profile romance with Chelsea Handler, cut a trendy figure in Prada. Danielle Rose Russell, star of The Originals and Legacies, made her presence felt in a highlighter green gown with a frou-frou single strap. Here Lies Love, which depicts Imelda's early life and scandalous first ladyship of the Philippines, began previews at the Broadway Theatre on June 17. Lisa Rinna took to her Instagram on Thursday to pay tribute to Days Of Our Lives star Nick Benedict, who died at the age of 77. Benedict made his debut as Billie Reed's (played by Rinna) treacherous father in the long-running soap opera in 1993. Rinna, 60, who also shared a sizzling video of herself in a latex suit on Thursday, posted a screenshot of an article announcing the actor's death, writing 'Rest in peace. He played Billie Reeds dad.' Benedict's death was confirmed in an online obituary and in a statement put out by a California restaurant, Jake's Steakhouse where his wife of 22 years Ginger worked as a bartender. Lisa originated the role of Billie in 1992 but left the show in 1995. She reprised her role again from 2002 until 2003, from 2012 until 2013, and for a few episodes in February of 2018. RIP: Lisa Rinna took to her Instagram on Thursday to pay tribute to Days Of Our Lives star, and her onscreen father, Nick Benedict, who died at the age of 77 Onscreen dad: Rinna, 60, shared a screenshot of an article announcing the actor's death, writing 'Rest in peace. He played Billie Reeds dad' The star last returned to play her feisty alter-ego in 2021. On Thursday Rinna also shared a new glamorous video of herself in a busty black and red latex bodysuit and elbow length red gloves. She showed off her incredible physique in the skintight getup, and wore picture-perfect makeup for the occasion. 'Im not Sorry. @rinnabeauty' she playfully captioned the sultry clip, adding a red kiss emoji. The statement announcing Benedict's death confirmed that he passed away on his 77th birthday on July 14 in Arizona after complications from emergency spinal surgery which he underwent two weeks before his death. Benedict's friend Barbara Ferrante wrote on her restaurant's Facebook page of his passing: 'Nick Benedict's birthday was July 14. He went to be with the Lord this day. Please pray for Ginger.' A fundraiser was put in place before his death and explained how Nick was undergoing spinal cord surgery and was being admitted to a hospice, forcing his wife to take a leave of absence from the restaurant. 'Many of you know Jake's Steakhouse bartender Ginger. She has been with us for many years. She has taken a leave of absence from us to handle an extreme medical issue with her husband Nick,' the fundraising page read. New content: The reality TV star also shared a sizzling new video of herself in a black latex suit Picture perfect: She showed off her incredible physique in the skintight getup, and wore picture-perfect makeup for the occasion Iconic: Lisa originated the role of Billie in 1992. Rinna last returned to play her feisty alter-ego in 2021; Pictured as Billie Reed in season 28 'Nick Benedict, was in the Navy, an actor, musician and painter. Ginger and Nick have been married for 22 years. Both have been part of the Tehachapi community for many years. 'On July 2nd, Sunday Nick had emergency spinal cord surgery. On July 4th he was admitted to hospice. He is paralyzed from the neck down. He will need constant care and support.' The statement continued: 'They live in Arizona and Ginger travels back and forth. To say this is a stressful situation is not saying enough.' 'We are looking to raise money to help with bills, food and any medical expenses that may arise. Please pray for Ginger and Nick as they go through this very difficult time.' So far, just over $4,000 have been raised for the former actor. A former cameraman on All My Children revealed that he had worked with Nick on the show in a comment on the fundraising page. He wrote: 'I was a cameraman on All My Children. Same age as nick...what a cool guy. Mingled with the crew just a regular guy. RIP Nick, you helped make coming to work fun.' Nick was known for playing Phil Brent, a husband of Susan Lucci's Erica Kane, in All My Children. Tributes: The US actor was also known for his role in All My Children; Pictured circa 1980 Soap star: Nick was known for playing Phil Brent, a husband of Susan Lucci's Erica Kane, in All My Children (pictured back left with Lucci on the show) Marriage: His death was confirmed in an online obituary and in a statement put out by a California restaurant, Jake's Steakhouse where his wife Ginger worked as a bartender Screen star: Nick retired from acting in 2001 after getting his break out role in All My Children in 1973, pictured with his co-star Susan Lucci at the Daytime Emmy Awards in 1980 He first appeared on the soap in 1973, taking over the role previously held by Richard Hatch. After five years he left All My Children, earning a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series in 1979 for his performance in his final season. He went onto play Michael Scott in The Young and the Restless in 1981 before taking on the role of Curtis Reed in Days of Our Lives, whom he played in 93 episodes from 1993 to 2001. Beyond his soap opera roles, Benedict appeared on the original Mission Impossible and Hawaii Five-O series. The woman who inspired the Barbie doll appears in the upcoming film opposite Margot Robbie. Barbara Handler, 82 - the daughter of Mattel co-founder and Barbie inventor Ruth Handler - is who the doll was named for when it first hit shelves in 1959. In the film, Handler is seen in a scene in which she has a discussion with Robbie's titular character while relaxing on a park bench in Santa Monica, California. Handler in April spoke with TMZ about the highly-anticipated motion picture - which arrives in theaters Friday - saying she felt Robbie, 33, succeeded in playing the iconic character. She also praised the extended cast of the Greta Gerwig-directed film, which includes Ryan Gosling, Issa Rae, Alexandra Shipp, Dua Lipa and John Cena. The latest: Barbara Handler, 82, who inspired the Barbie doll, appears in the upcoming film opposite Margot Robbie, 33, which hits theaters Friday Handler told the outlet that her mother Ruth, who died April 27, 2002 after surgery amid a battle with colon cancer, would be happily shocked to see the doll become the focal point of a big budget Hollywood film. Ruth Handler was the first president of Mattel, which she founded in 1945 with her husband Elliot Handler. In inventing the Barbie doll, Ruth sought to bring to life the paper dolls Barbara played with. She opened up about coming up with the concept in her 1994 memoir Dream Doll: The Ruth Handler Story. 'I discovered something very important: They were using these dolls to project their dreams of their own futures as adult women. Wouldn't it be great if we could take that play pattern and three-dimensionalize it?' Ruth said of the paper dolls. Ruth said in her book that her spouse Elliot and their former business partner Harold 'Matt' Matson were skeptical that the product would be a success. '"Ruth, it won't work," I was told flatly,' she said in the book. She added that there was also pushback to capturing the character's femininity via her shape. 'I really think that the squeamishness of those designers - every last one of them male - stemmed mostly from the fact that the doll would have breasts,' Ruth said. 'Even Elliot, who has an uncanny knack for correctly predicting what others will buy, feared that no mother would buy her daughter a doll with a chest.' Barbara Handler was pictured in Hollywood in 2002 when the doll was awarded a spot on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Robbie leads the cast of the anticipated summer blockbuster based off the famed toy brand In 1956, Handler noticed a novelty doll during a Switzerland vacation that bore a resemblance to her earlier idea. She said, 'Here were the breasts, the small waist, the long, tapered legs I had enthusiastically described for the designers all those years ago.' She took one home and had Mattel VP Jack Ryan work on adapting the doll for a young American audience. The famous toy debuted on store shelves three years later, with 300,000 dolls sold in its first year, according to the company. Mattel SVP of Barbie design Kim Culmone described to People how the idea wasn't an easy sell at the end of the 1950s. 'Ruth was able to sell Barbie in a toy industry that was hesitant to think of a doll that a girl could use to project her hopes and inspirations,' Culmone said. Jackie 'O' Henderson has finally addressed rumours she had a fling with former Gladiators star Vulcan. Speaking on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Friday morning, the 48-year-old radio queen set the record straight that the pair had 'hooked up'. 'I had to Google what Vulcan looked like and boy, I think I would remember if I had a tryst with Vulcan,' she said. 'Definitely did not have - I didn't even know Vulcan I've never met him.' Jackie's radio co-host Kyle Sandilands corrected her by clarifying: 'We've had him on the show twice.' Jackie 'O' Henderson, left, has finally addressed rumours she had a fling with former Gladiators star Vulcan, right 'No, we haven't.' 'Yes, we have.' 'Have we? Are you sure?' Jackie asked, before remembering. 'No, no, I've never had anything, anything with Vulcan. I don't know him,' she added. The rumour stemmed from Melbourne's KIIS FM show with Jase and Lauren, so Kyle and Jackie O thought it would be a good idea to get host Jason Hawkins on the show to find out where he'd heard it from. Jason told the Sydney hosts he was 'pretty sure' Kyle had spread the rumour, and they got Vulcan, whose real name is John Seru, on the phone. 'Yeah, this Melbourne people they've got no idea really?' Vulcan joked. The Fijian-born fitness enthusiast was drafted in for seasons seven and eight of the British version of the show. The former bodybuilder and wrestler didn't disappoint, showcasing his skills on the Duel platform and in the Gauntlet. Vulcan, whose real name is John Seru, now owns a wrestling school, fitness shop and fitness centre in Sydney The rumours come fresh off the announcement that Gladiators is returning to Australian TV screens. Pictured: Vulcan with Jet (Diane Youdale) John now owns a wrestling school, fitness shop and fitness centre that he has been running for 18 years in Sydney with his family having previously enjoyed success as an actor. The rumours come fresh off the announcement that Gladiators is returning to Australian TV screens. The high-octane show, made popular in 1995 and 1996, will get a reboot as filming starts in September and October. According to a report by TV Blackbox on Wednesday, the series will not air on Seven, as has been the case previously. The report went on to say Gladiators could possibly find a home on Ten, but that has not been confirmed by the network. Reality TV classic Gladiators is set to return to Australian Screens after the hit show's failed 2008 revival, according to a report in TV Tonight. Pictured: Tiffiny Hall as 'Angel' on the show Talent and cast members of the revived series are yet to be announced. In addition to the Australian show, the BBC is also planning a reboot for UK fans of the competitive series. The show did get a reboot in 2008 but failed to find a steady audience. The show was hosted by Tom Williams and Zoe Naylor. The show was filmed at The Dome at Sydney Showground with challengers competing to $50,000 and a Subaru Forester. Some of the challenges on the reboot included Atlasphere, Duel, Gauntlet, Hang Tough, and the Hit and Run. The show featured a number of household names including Zac Kozyrski as 'Hunter' and Jackson Mullane as 'Outlaw'. Female Gladiators included Tiffiny Hall as 'Angel' and Olympian Tatiana Grigorieva as 'Olympia' on the show. Rosie Jones: Am I A R*tard? Rating: Couples Therapy Rating: Long before social media existed, the mild-mannered PM John Major had the answer to online trolls: Society needs to condemn a little more and understand a little less. He meant that the more we try to rationalise and forgive the hateful behaviour of a few nasty-minded individuals, the easier we make it for them to carry on victimising the rest of us. Comedian Rosie Jones, who has cerebral palsy and is frequently vilified by strangers on the internet, made the mistake of treating them as reasonable human beings in her investigation into trolling, Am I A R*tard? (Ch4). She built an eloquent argument that, though Twitter and other companies need to do more to halt the abuse, its up to all of us to condemn it wherever we see and hear it. Highlighting one of the most upsetting words thrown about to mock those with a disability, she invited a few of her anonymous bullies to discuss their behaviour on camera. CHRISTOPHER STEVENS: Comedian Rosie Jones, who has cerebral palsy and is frequently vilified by strangers on the internet, made the mistake of treating them as reasonable human beings in her investigation into trolling, Am I A R*tard? None of them came forward. Of course they didnt every anonymous bully on social media is, by definition, a snivelling coward. But she did track down one man whod served time in prison for sending death threats and sexually violent messages. He was willing to appear, provided he could wear a mask and have his voice disguised. This was another mistake, because it made a pathetic nonentity look more ominous and powerful than he really was an effect compounded when Rosie projected his image onto the wall of a dank warehouse. She was turning him into a troll from fairy tales. Though he claimed to be repentant, the man had all his excuses ready: Were not necessarily evil people, were just a little bit broken inside and we need help. I was incredibly drunk, he added. I was a completely different person to who I am now. I was having a lot of things going on in my personal life. I was suffering from mental health issues. The New Yorkers laying out their troubled relationships for analysis on Couples Therapy (BBC2) were able to recite all the jargon too. We need to get to a place of a relationship dynamic that works for both of us, said a woman called Christine, whose girlfriend Nadines constant infidelity was so blatant, it was giving her stomach ache. CHRISTOPHER STEVENS: Highlighting one of the most upsetting words thrown about to mock those with a disability, she invited a few of her anonymous bullies to discuss their behaviour on camera (pictured Rosie Jones) Sex was at the root of the trouble for all four of the couples we met, as this series returned. One man couldnt see why his wife objected to his visits to prostitutes, and another woman slept with her husbands close friend. For new parents Josh and Natasha, the problem was the opposite. They werent doing it at all. Natasha just didnt have the energy, and her husband was being a bigger baby than their newborn. Whats never clear in this show is how real the case studies are. The subjects are so articulate, as dramatic new twists emerge in their stories, that its easy to suspect they are actors improvising around a script though the producers insist these are genuine couples. They do admit that psychoanalyst Dr Orna Guralnik isnt using her real office. Instead, the sessions are filmed in a studio with a camera crew of six behind a one-way mirror that encloses the set. After the encounters, Dr Orna visits her own therapist or clinical adviser. Thats when we see how judgmental she really is about her clients. Far from being neutral, she has strong opinions about their sex lives. It turns out she does just as much condemning as understanding. Anna Faris has been selective in taking on new roles since stepping away from her hit CBS series Mom in 2020. Since the initial COVID-19 lockdown the actress has mostly appeared in animated work, along with the black comedy film The Estate (2022) and her Unqualified podcast. Enjoying more downtime these past three years, the Scary Movie star headed out on Thursday for a coffee date with friends in the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles. The Baltimore, Maryland native, 46, opted for a casual-cool ensemble in the fashion department in a blue denim jumpsuit and a pair of military green boots. Rounding out her afternoon look, Faris carried a black jacket just in case the temperature takes a tumble later in the early evening, and had her platinum tresses styled long, straight past her shoulders, with a part in the middle. Downtime: Anna Faris, 46, stepped out for a coffee date with friends in the upscale neighborhood of Pacific Palisades in los Angeles on Thursday The Hot Chick star also donned dark sunglasses top help with the glaring sun on another hot summer Southern California day. Eventually, she was spotted leaving the establishment and making her way back to her parked vehicle. In an interview with People earlier in the year, Faris revealed she never made a 'conscious' decision to step back from her work as an actress in order to have more personal time. She maintained it kind of happened naturally, in the wake of the pandemic, but in the end felt was the right move after using the time to reassess her priorities. 'I kind of took my foot off the gas and I spent a lot of time with my son. It felt really good,' she told the publication, while promoting her Avocados From Mexico Super Bowl 2023 advert. 'It wasn't conscious, but sort of a sabbatical, I guess,' she added. Faris is the proud mother of a 10-year-old son, Jack, whom she shares with ex-husband and Hollywood leading man Chris Pratt, 44. Since their divorce was finalized in 2018, Pratt got married to Katherine Schwarzenegger and then welcomed two daughters, while Faris tied-the-knot with cinematographer Michael Barrett in 2021. Fast forward three years the actress feels the time away also helped her develop a number of ideas and projects that she feels are now getting off the ground. Stylin': The Hot Chick star looked stylish is a blue denim jumpsuit and military green boots Resetting priorities: The Scary Movie actress confessed to enjoying taking time off from her career since the initial COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, which ended up being mostly spent with her son Jack Podcast host: Faris has focused some of her extra time on her Unqualified podcast Faris is the proud mom to 10-year-old Jack whom she shares with ex-husband Chris Pratt; the former couple are with their son in April 2017 'It felt great. And now, what also feels great is that all of the projects and the characters that I've been sort of subconsciously kicking around, feel like they're slowly kind of starting to sprout,' she explained. "And I feel really proactive, which feels great.' One of her new projects is the upcoming spy comedy film My Spy: The Eternal City., a sequel to My Spy that began shooting in February. Directed Peter Segal from a screenplay by Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber, like the original, Dave Bautista, Chloe Coleman, Kristen Schaal and Ken Jeong reprise their roles. Faris joins Craig Robinson and Flula Borg as newcomers to the cast. My Spy: The Eternal City was shot in both South Africa and Rome, Italy. So far there's no official word on when the film will be premiering in theaters around the U.S. Reese Witherspoon filed for divorce from her husband Jim Toth back in April after nearly 12 years of marriage and one child together. And now, four months later, Toth, 52, has reportedly moved on from the Academy Award-winner, 47. A source told PEOPLE Wednesday that the former CAA agent was spotted in Costa Rica enjoying a 'romantic' getaway with a mystery woman. 'Jim was staying with a new girlfriend at the Sendero Nosara in Costa Rica,' the insider dished. 'They seemed to be staying in a suite, and they looked really happy, just chilling and soaking up that pura vida vibe. It was definitely romantic.' Moving on: Reese Witherspoon's ex-husband Jim Toth has reportedly moved on from the actress four months after their divorce; seen in 2020 Jim and Reese who wed on March 26, 2011 with a prenup in place announced their divorce just days before their 12th wedding anniversary. In a joint statement, the former couple explained that they'd come to the 'difficult' decision to part ways after a 'great deal of care and consideration.' They acknowledged the 'many wonderful years' they'd spent together and vowed to move forward 'with deep love, kindness and mutual respect.' One week later, the Walk The Line actress officially filed for divorce. In court documents obtained by TMZ, Reese filed in Nashville, Tennessee and cited 'irreconcilable differences' as the reason for the split. She and Jim lived with their 10-year-old son in both Tennessee and at their home in Brentwood, California. In regards to their prenup, Reese indicated that the contract was valid, 'providing 'adequate and sufficient provisions' for their assets and debts. She said she would turn over their prenuptial agreement and a permanent parenting plan for approval from the judge. She and Jim agreed to joint custody. As the divorce was filed in Davidson County, the couple had to take mandatory parenting classes and had just 60 days to present a certificate of completion to the court. Reese is no stranger to failed marriages as she previously tied the knot with her Cruel Intentions co-star Ryan Phillippe, 48. Split: She filed for divorce from her husband Jim back in April after nearly 12 years of marriage and one child together; seen in 2011 Co-parents: They share 10-year-old son Tennessee (pictured) 'Difficult': In a joint statement, the former couple explained that they'd come to the 'difficult' decision to part ways after a 'great deal of care and consideration'; seen in 2020 The heartthrob fell for Reese after meeting her at her 21st birthday party and married her two years later in 1999. They welcomed two children: daughter Ava, 23, and son Deacon, 19. After seven years of marriage, Ryan and Reese divorced in 2006. It was finalized in 2008. Speaking to Harper's Bazaar this month, Reese said she felt very 'out of control' when her first divorce went public. 'When I was divorced before, the tabloid media got to tell people how I was feeling or how I was processing, and it felt very out of control,' Reese told the publication. But this go around, the Hollywood star feels that she's able to be more 'authentic' as she navigates this 'vulnerable time' in her life. 'To be able to talk to people directly about what's going on in my life and just share it in the way that I share great professional experiences or personal experiences, it feels much more authentic to be able to say things in my own voice and not let somebody else control what's happening,' Reese explained. At the time the news of her split from Jim broke, a source told PEOPLE that it was 'difficult' for Reese to accept that they were 'two very different people.' Being that she has such a hectic work schedule as both an actress and producer, Reese and Jim ended up 'spending less and less time together while she was working.' They also 'found themselves with fewer interests in common' as Jim is more 'laid-back' than Reese. The Pleasantville actress spent more time in Nashville In 2022 as she worked on producing the Apple TV music competition show My Kind of Country. She also flipped a local house for close to twice the cost of what she paid for the home. Exes: Reese is no stranger to failed marriages as she previously tied the knot with her Cruel Intentions co-star Ryan Phillippe, 48; seen in 2006 They welcomed two children: daughter Ava, 23, and son Deacon, 19 (pictured with mom Reese) Authenticity: Unlike her first divorce, Reese recently told Harper's Bazaar that she's been able to be 'authentic' as she navigates this 'vulnerable time' in her life The mother-of-three's company Hello Sunshine also produced the Amazon series Daisy Jones & the Six. Reese also has kept busy filming season three of The Morning Show, in which she stars opposite Jennifer Aniston. Meanwhile, Toth has maintained a seat on the board of directors at Flowcode, a tech company. Before that he left talent agency CAA to briefly work at the failed streaming platform Quibi. Despite their differences, a source also told PEOPLE that there is 'no drama' between the former couple and that they are focused on amicably co-parenting their son. Reese is said to be doing 'much better' post-split and 'has no regrets' about the decision. Modern Family star Sarah Hyland made a splash in a sizzling new Instagram album she posted this Wednesday. The 32-year-old bared her sculpted midriff and showed off her statuesque legs to full advantage in a string of sizzling snaps, captioned: 'Its giving Bombshell.' She popped on a hot pink crop top that plunged to bare her cleavage and matched her tantalizingly revealing wrap skirt. Sarah sharpened her screen siren features with heavy makeup, wearing hear luxurious dark hair down in sumptuous curls, Lending a touch of glitz to the ensemble with a gleaming set of earrings, she rounded off the look with a towering pair of platform stilettos. 'Show Me Your Rizz': Modern Family star Sarah Hyland made a splash in a sizzling new Instagram album she posted this Wednesday She posed up a storm in front of a backdrop with neon lights that read: 'Show Me Your Rizz' - the last word being short for 'charisma.' Sarah has been married since last August to reality TV personality Wells Adams, who shot to fame as a contestant on The Bachelorette back in 2016. Wells and Sarah started dating in 2017 and were finally able to get married last year after having to delay their wedding because of COVID-19. Their ceremony was a star-studded affair with a guest list that included her old Modern Family co-stars Sofia Vergara and Jesse Tyler Ferguson. In a recent interview with Buzzfeed, Sarah revealed that she nearly failed to land her star-making part of Haley Dunphy on Modern Family. 'Originally, they didn't want to see me for Modern Family because I was 18 and Haley's character was 15. They were like: "She's too old,"' said Sarah. 'And at the time, my agent's assistant fought for me to get in the room. She was like: "She doesn't look 18 years old, I promise you! She looks very, very young!"' Sarah duly 'went in and they pre-read me for the cast - like, they didn't put my audition on the tape - and then he brought in the casting director.' 'It's giving Bombshell': The 32-year-old bared her sculpted midriff and showed off her statuesque legs to full advantage in a string of sizzling snaps Looking fab: She popped on a hot pink crop top that plunged to bare her cleavage and matched her tantalizingly revealing wrap skirt She recalled: 'The casting director, Jeff [Greenberg], had me read and then he was like: "Okay, now do it again, and now I'll put it on tape."' To hear her tell it, the brass 'just were very much like: "She's too old. She's 18." And then after that, I went to see the director and creators.' Sarah ultimately did snag the part, catapulting to international fame on Modern Family and remaining on the show throughout its 11-season run. At the moment, her professional life includes the Peacock series Pitch Perfect: Bumper In Berlin, in which she stars alongside Jameela Jamil and Adam Devine. Former members of armed groups discharged from the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) camp in Mutobo, Musanze District, on Thursday, July 20, were urged to use their new skills and civic education to build a safer society. The 92 ex-combatants who belonged to militia groups such as FDLR and FLN spent between three and nine months at the centre. They were given lessons on Rwanda's history and the essence of national unity. They also learnt vocational trades such as masonry, plumbing, crop production, hairdressing, tailoring and automobile mechanics. "We implore you to never go against the value of unity and the resilience of Rwandans. We want you to show that the education and training you got from Mutobo were useful and that you will always strive to maintain the security our country enjoys," the Minister of Local Government, Jean Claude Musabyimana, told the former combatants. "Every Rwandan who lives in jungles in foreign countries should come back and help build the country even if they are members of armed groups that threaten the security of Rwanda and the region," he said. Former members of the DR Congo-based militias such as FDLR include 30 who voluntarily returned to Rwanda and 43 civilians. There were also 19 war crimes convicts who, along with Paul Rusesabagina, were pardoned by President Paul Kagame in March. It was noted that one former FLN member escaped from the camp in Mutobo. It's like we are born again The discharged former members of armed groups said they were ready to join their relatives and integrate into society. The government covered their health insurance for a year and they later also get requisite tool kits to practice their trades. Among them was Straton Musoni, one of the founders and former vice president of the FDLR. "Over the nine months I spent at Mutobo, I have been able to learn a lot about my country. I thought that Rwanda had no peace and that anyone could be killed. But today I can testify that Rwanda is a peaceful country," said the 62-year-old. "I am lucky that I will join my 84-year-old mother who lives in Gicumbi. My only message to those who are still in DR Congo is that they should come back home and help build their country." 'Corporal' Dative Musabyimana, 40, who was recruited by armed groups while aged 15 regrets the time she lost in the DR Congo jungles. "They taught us how to use guns and to hate our country. But I decided to return after I heard my relatives encourage me to come back home, on radio," said Musabyimana. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Peacekeeping By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Most of her extended family, including her eight children, are in Nyamasheke District. "When I finally came back, I found a beautiful country. All I have to tell Rwandans who are still in Congo is, please come back home. And, bring the children home so that they can go to school." For 'Col' Marc Nizeyimana, a former FLN member who arrived at Mutobo on March 26, the time spent at the camp in Mutobo allowed him to reflect on the country's development journey and what his contribution can be. "It's like we are born again," said Nizeyimana. He had been sentenced to 20 years in prison for crimes committed as an FLN commander. He said: "Before I was captured and repatriated, I had lost the sense of Rwandanness. I want to thank the President for pardoning me and giving me another chance. "I am going to join my wife and children in Karongi. I promise to be a better citizen when I go back to the community." Since 2001, more than 12,000 former members of militia groups were discharged from Mutobo and reintegrated into Rwandan society. Marvel Studios has released a new trailer for their highly-anticipated superhero sequel The Marvels, offering a first look at the new villain, Dar-Benn, played by Zawe Ashton, who is the real-life partner of another MCU stalwart, Tom Hiddleston. The film is not only a follow-up to 2019's Captain Marvel starring Brie Larson (which became the first female-lead superhero film to earn $1 billion worldwide), but it also ties in two newer heroes. Larson's Carol Danvers must join forces with Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) - the daughter of Maria Rambeau (Lashanna Lynch) from the 1990s-set Captain Marvel - and Kamala Khan a.k.a. Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), who was featured in the 2022 series Ms. Marvel. They all learn that all of their powers have somehow been inter-connected and they must team up to stop Dar-Benn, who is hell-bent on restoring her homeland. The highly-anticipated sequel hits theaters November 10, with the trailer coming just after both Larson and Parris opened up about a stunt gone wrong on the set. Villain: Marvel Studios has released a new trailer for their highly-anticipated superhero sequel The Marvels, offering a first look at the new villain, Dar-Benn, played by Zawe Ashton, who is the real-life partner of another MCU stalwart, Tom Hiddleston Follow-up: The film is not only a follow-up to 2019's Captain Marvel starring Brie Larson (which became the first female-lead superhero film to earn $1 billion worldwide), but it also ties in two newer heroes Monica: Larson's Carol Danvers must join forces with Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) - the daughter of Maria Rambeau (Lashanna Lynch) from the 1990s-set Captain Marvel Kamala: She must also join forces with Kamala Khan a.k.a. Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), who was featured in the 2022 series Ms. Marvel The trailer opens with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) making contact with Danvers, joking, 'Carol Danvers, prodigal child of the Milky Way.' 'Nick Fury, my favorite one-eyed man of intrigue,' Danvers says, as Fury asks, 'How goes it out there?' 'Oh, you know. Cold, no air, space,' Danvers says, while we see her 'cat' named Goose (which is really an alien creature known as a Flerken) nearby. The trailer offers the first look at Dar-Benn, who says, 'Captain Marvel, the annihilator, you took everything from me, and now I'm returning the favor.' Dar-Benn puts on an ancient bracelet and slams it into her staff, causing a purple ray to emit from the staff... which starts a chain reaction within Carol, Monica and Kamala, all of whom are thousands of miles apart. They're all zapped seemingly simultaneously while Carol asks herself, 'What is happening to me?' as the Beastie Boys hit Intergalactic plays over the trailer. Monica explains to Carol and Nick, 'She's entangled our light-based powers. So we switch places whenever we use them.' Monica tells Carol, 'You can absorb light, I can see it, and and Kamala...' though Carol interrupts and asks, 'Who's Kamala?' Nick: The trailer opens with Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) making contact with Danvers, joking, 'Carol Danvers, prodigal child of the Milky Way' Carol: 'Nick Fury, my favorite one-eyed man of intrigue,' Danvers says, as Fury asks, 'How goes it out there?' Cat: 'Oh, you know. Cold, no air, space,' Danvers says, while we see her 'cat' named Goose (which is really an alien creature known as a Flerken) nearby Captain: The trailer offers the first look at Dar-Benn, who says, 'Captain Marvel, the annihilator, you took everything from me, and now I'm returning the favor' What's happening: They're all zapped seemingly simultaneously while Carol asks herself, 'What is happening to me?' as the Beastie Boys hit Intergalactic plays over the trailer Switch places: Monica explains to Carol and Nick, 'She's entangled our light-based powers. So we switch places whenever we use them' Totally: Kamala says, 'I can totally show you,' but when she does - over the protests of Monica and Nick - she changes places with Carol Monica is seen telling Monica's family, 'She can turn light into physical matter! Which I have never heard of.' Kamala says, 'I can totally show you,' but when she does - over the protests of Monica and Nick - she changes places with Carol. The trailer continues with action sequences with Carol and Dar-Benn, as Carol adds, 'She's targeting every planet we call home.' Carol tells Monica, 'I would never choose to bring anyone into this,' as Monica retorts, 'You are not the only thing standing between this and the universe.' Kamala tells Carol and Monica, 'Oh my God we're a team!' as Carol, Monica and Kamala repeat Carol and Maria's former catchphrase - 'Higher, further, faster,' as they all swing into battle as the trailer comes to an end... with a final shot showing what a Flerkin can really do... Nick Cannon, who 's the proud father of 12 children with six different women, is showing he knows a thing or two about how to woo the ladies. During a new episode of his radio show The Daily Cannon, which premiered this past April, the show host decided to surprise one of his baby mamas, Abby De La Rosa, with some red roses. De La Rosa, who has three children with the actor, rapper and television personality, was absolutely stunned when she walked in for the work day as DJ for the radio program. She was greeted by the view of 3000 red roses in the studio, which was all documented in a video that was posted on The Daily Cannon's official Instagram page. The romantic gesture evoked a flow of happy tears from the social media influencer, 33, all while Cannon and co-host Mason Moussette could be seen soaking in the moment from behind their microphones. Surprise! Nick Cannon suprised Abby De La Rosa, who's one of his six baby mamas, with 3000 red roses in the studeio of their radio show The Daily Cannon Just another day at The Daily Cannon,' it read at the beginning of the clip. But in the end it wasn't just another day, considering Cannon was eagerly awaiting for his lady to arrive to see the surprise look on her face. Eventually, De La Rosa can be seen walking into the studio and stopping at the doorway with her jaw dropped when she took notice of all the red roses set up in the room. 'What the heck. You're joking right now,' the mother of three announced as the cameras rolled inside the radio studio. 'There are red roses literally everywhere in this studio,' co-host Mason Moussette can be heard announcing to their listeners from behind the camera. 'A Happy De La Rosa,' Cannon, 42, said from behind his microphone, while his baby mama came walking around to him to give a thank you kiss. 'I'm really emotional right now to roses is insane,' she said, when she sat down to share her thoughts on the amazing gesture. With happy tears flowing down her face, De La Rosa, stared at all the roses and admitted she's 'so grateful.' Drama: The tension was building in the studio before De La Roses showed up for work as the DJ Stunned: Eventually, De La Rosa can be seen walking into the studio and stopping at the doorway when she noticed all of the red roses set up in the room Romantic: The show's DJ had her jaw drop drop when she realized the roses were for her Sweet: Cannon's baby mama wasted little time in coming over to give him a thank you kiss Emotional: The happy tears started to flow when De La Rosa soaked in the view Glowing: The mother of three was absolute glowing after =getting the surprise Open and honest: Cannon, who's the proud father of 12 children with six different woman, has been open about not wanting to be settled down with one woman to all his kids' mothers New show: The San Diego native kicked off the Daily Cannon on April 24, with the show airing weekday mornings from 9am - 12pm ET Cannon and De La Rose share three kids together, twins Zion and Zillion, two, and daughter Beautiful, seven months. In addition to De La Rosa, Cannon has welcomed nine children with five other women. His other baby mamas includes having twins with pop superstar Mariah Carey, whom he was married to from 2008 to 2016. The other mothers of Cannon's children include Brittany Bell, LaNisha Cole, and Alyssa Scott. The San Diego native kicked off the Daily Cannon on April 24, with the show airing weekday mornings from 9am - 12pm ET. Along with his personally curated list of new R&B, hip-hop and pop tracks, Cannon and company are also bring the inside scoop on celebrity and culture news, and interviews with todays hottest artists, newsmakers and Amp creators. BBC's WWII drama World on Fire may soon come under fire for depicting war torn Britain as racist in the broadcaster's latest 'woke' offering. The series, starring award winning actress Leslie Manville, follows the lives of those torn apart during Germany's invasion of Europe and returned recently for a second series. However viewers are shown RAF officers who loathe their Jewish colleagues as well as being openly racist about 'cannon fodder' Indian soldiers - who also bemoan the British Empire. Polish character Kasia (played by Zofia Wichlacz) also faced discrimination when taking in a traditional British afternoon tea with her family. As another diner exclaimed: 'I'm not moving anything for a bunch of refugees. You swan in here, speaking foreign. Who did you rob to afford this?'. Slammed: BBC's WII drama World on Fire may soon come under fire for depicting war torn Britain as racist in the broadcaster's latest 'woke' offering (actor Jonah Hauer-King pictured) Drama: The series, starring award winning actress Leslie Manville (pictured) follows the lives of those torn apart during Germany's invasion of Europe It comes after fears for EastEnders' future have reportedly been ignited as fans have switched off in their droves over 'desperate' plots and woke storylines in recent times. In the BBC soap's heyday, the programme would draw in audiences of up to 30million, with storylines such as Den and Angie Watts' divorce dominating - however, this week the soap has barely drawn in over a million viewers, according to overnight figures. It is said that viewers have been put off by ludicrous recent plots such as soap legend Cindy Beale returning from the dead - which has been branded a 'desperate move' - while there are also claims that the stories have gone 'woke'. The decision to build an eye-watering 87million new set is also said to have come under scrutiny on the show, despite the programme recently winning big at the recent British Soap Awards, with four gongs in publicly voted categories. And now, according to The Sun, it's said to be a 'worrying time' for EastEnders, with bleak predictions that viewers may be watching the 'final days' of the BBC soap. A source told the publication: 'It's a worrying time for EastEnders. It used to be the show which everybody was talking about but it's now in a precarious position where older viewers are switching off, and younger viewers have no interest. 'Bringing back presumed dead characters is a desperate move which rarely works, but EastEnders is really running out of options. We could be watching its final years.' Despite the concerns, an insider said: 'EastEnders still remains an institution as far as the BBC is concerned and the feedback is that young people are loving it... Controversy: However viewers are shown RAF officers who loathe their Jewish colleagues as well as being openly racist about 'cannon fodder' Indian soldiers Racism: Polish character Kasia (played by Zofia Wichlacz, pictured) also faces discrimination from London residents 'They were particularly glued to the recent pregnancy storyline where 11 year old Lily Slater announced she was having a baby. The figures are nowhere near what they were but as far as the bosses are concerned there is a huge appetite.' A spokesperson for EastEnders told MailOnline: 'EastEnders episodes are made live to the audience at 6am every morning on BBC iPlayer giving the audience the choice to watch when and where they choose... 'So when episodes are moved to a different day, or channel, due to a live sporting event it is no surprise that this is reflected in the regular overnight audience... 'Over the last two weeks EastEnders has been streamed almost 18 million times on BBC iPlayer and remains one of iPlayer's most popular programmes.' EastEnders shocked last month as Cindy Beale came back from the dead, as Michelle Collins reprised her role after 25 years. Switching off? Fears for EastEnders' future have been ignited as fans have switched off in their droves over 'desperate' plots and woke storylines in recent times, it's been reported Concern: The show has seen an alarming dip in viewing figures over recent years It emerged that she'd been in witness protection after her former cell mate wanted her dead - with Cindy also revealed to be George Knight's long-lost wife 'Rose', who's been hiding out in France with her ex Ian Beale. However, despite the shocking twist, The Sun claims that Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw's 'desperate move' of being her back failed to spark 'the desired upturn'. With actress Michelle herself saying she thought it was a 'ridiculous idea' upon first hearing the plot. Figures show that the BBC drama is struggling to compete with ITV rivals Emmerdale and Coronation Street, who regularly draw in four million overnight viewers. EastEnders' overnight figures do not include viewers who have streamed the episode on BBC iPlayer, where it is made available at 6am on the day its due to be broadcast. Slide me Before and after: The old EastEnders set has finally been demolished more than a year after the BBC soap opera moved to its brand new 87million set Uh oh: It is said that viewers have been put off by ludicrous recent plots such as soap legend Cindy Beale returning from the dead - which has been branded a 'desperate move' The soap has also reportedly had big name former stars sharing criticism over storylines, with Mick Carter actor Danny Dyer previously stating of his character: 'I didn't quite know who I was playing any more.' While he also referred to the falling ratings as he noted that he'd had several people ask him over the years if he was still in the soap as they no longer watched it. Elsewhere, Heather Trott actress Cheryl Ferguson was said to have claimed that the show was no longer 'relatable' as it was too violent. It comes as it's been revealed that the soap's writers have got some viciously dynamite fights planned between the Cindy and her former mother-in-law, Kathy Beale - played by Gillian Taylforth. They infamously despised one another after Cindy cheated on Kathy's son Ian with David Wickes - and now EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw has described the moment they come face to face once again 26 years after Cindy left as 'absolute dynamite'. Chris said: 'Cindy's a little softer through everything that has gone on, after 25 years of living a different identity and living a lie to her other family... 'What comes quite apparent later in the year when she returns to Walford is it doesn't take long before we see flashes of the old Cindy Beale and she still has it, there's some absolute dynamite between Cindy and Kathy... 'It doesn't take long and it's still the same Cindy at the core, she's just been on one hell of a journey since we last saw her.' Hamish Blake and his wife Zoe Foster are back in Australia after a lavish family holiday. The family jetted into Sydney Airport on Friday with their two young children and a load of luggage after a few weeks in Europe. They appeared in good spirits, wheeling along their bags as they made their way out of the terminal. Hamish was dressed casually after his long haul flight, donning a grey sweatshirt and blue shorts. He added a dark cap and had a black hoodie resting on his shoulders as he used a trolley to move the heavy load. Hamish Blake and his wife Zoe are back in Australia after a family holiday. The family jetted into Sydney Airport on Friday with their two young children and a load of luggage after a few weeks in Europe. All pictured Zoe, 42, was also dressed down, opting for a pale grey hoodie, black track pants and sneakers. She went makeup free for the journey, and wore her brunette locks pulled off her face. They left the airport, keeping their little ones close as they headed for the nearby taxi rank. Hamish was recently crowned Channel Nine's highest paid presenter and the incredible achievement seems to have put him in good spirits. The comedian, 41, recently took a well-deserved holiday to Queenstown, New Zealand, with his wife Zoe and their kids. Hamish was dressed casually after his long haul flight, donning a grey sweatshirt and blue shorts Zoe also dressed down, opting for a pale grey hoodie, black track pants and sneakers Hamish and Zoe married in 2012 and share two children, son Sonny, eight, and daughter Rudy, five. The couple, who previously lived in Melbourne, moved last year to Sydney, where they snapped up a $8.925million family home in the eastern suburbs. Hamish has a lot to celebrate, as earlier this month it was revealed he is Channel Nine's highest-earning presenter, taking home $2million a year for hosting Lego Masters. Meanwhile, Zoe is one of Australia's most successful entrepreneurs and in 2021 she enjoyed an $89million payday after selling her controlling stake in skincare company Go-To. Emily Blunt has hit out at inequality between the sexes. In a new interview, the actress, 40, insisted there is pressure on women to be 'warm and likeable', while men are not 'held to the same standard.' Emily also explained how women are 'considered too ambitious or emotional' when vigorously voicing their opinion. The Oppenheimer star has an impressive CV of starring roles, including playing a bitchy assistant in The Devil Wears Prada; an FBI agent in Sicario, a survival trainer in Edge of Tomorrow; and a vindictive mother in The English. Of female actors, Emily told The Guardian: 'I think there is still a pressure to be likeable, and sort of warm and understood, and men are not held to that same standard. No one cared if Leonardo DiCaprio was likeable in The Wolf of Wall Street.' How it is: Emily Blunt, 40, has hit out at inequality between the sexes as she insisted there is pressure on women to be 'warm and likeable', but men are not 'held to the same standard' Real talk: The actress also explained how women are 'considered too ambitious or emotional' when vigorously voicing their opinion Talented: Emily has an impressive CV of roles, including playing a bitchy assistant in The Devil Wears Prada (pictured); an FBI agent in Sicario, and a vindictive mother in The English Asked if women are more forthright, the actress explained: 'Yes, but I could equally generalise and say a lot of women tend to try to dance around things because we're not often given a platform to speak honestly. 'Or you're considered too ambitious or emotional if someone appears to be speaking their mind with spirited opinion.' Elsewhere in the interview, Emily - who is mother to daughters, Hazel, nine, and Violet, six, with her actor husband John Krasinski - cleared up some recent comments. After revealing she would be taking a year off from acting to spend time with her family, Emily reassured fans: 'I'm not quitting Hollywood. It's OK, guys. Just taking a little bit of downtime.' Emily - who was spotted recently at the Paris premiere of her new film Oppenheimer - didn't specify when the break started when she initially told the Table for Two podcast of the hiatus. She said: 'This year, I'm not working. I worked quite a bit last year and my oldest baby is nine, so we're in the last year of single digits. 'And I just feel [like] there are cornerstones to their day that are so important when they're little. And it's, ''Will you wake me up? Will you take me to school? Will you pick me up? Will you put me to bed?'' 'And I just need to be there for all of them for a good stretch. And I just felt that in my bones. Oh! 'No one cared if Leonardo DiCaprio was likeable in The Wolf of Wall Street,' said Emily In her new movie Oppenheimer, Emily plays Kitty Puening, a botanist and one-time US Communist party campaigner whose last of four husbands was Robert Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy. The actress will next be seen in Pain Hustlers, starring alongside Chris Evans and Andy Garcia and Catherine O'Hara. She also stars in The Fall Guy - currently in post-production - a film adaptation of the 1980s hit TV series, starring alongside Ryan Gosling. As Barbie fever sweeps across the nation ahead of the film's release on Friday, an array of celebrities made sure to mark the occasion. Jessica Alves, Demi Jones, Gemma Collins and Charlotte Dawson lead the stars wearing pink in honour of the hotly-anticipated Greta Gerwig production. Sharing a photo to Instagram on Friday, model Jessica, 39, put on a very busty display in a hot pink corseted mini dress. Complete with sequin piping, she teamed her look with a feathered jacket and styled her platinum blonde hair poker straight. Elsewhere, Charlotte looked sensational in a a bold one-shouldered dress with a dramatic fluffy trim. It's Barbie day! Jessica Alves (pictured), Demi Jones and Charlotte Dawson lead the stars wearing pink in honour of the hotly-anticipated film on Friday Charlotte, 30, looked sensational in a a bold one-shouldered dress with a dramatic fluffy trim while posing for a fun video All dolled up: Meanwhile Gemma Collins, 42, celebrated Barbie day in style as she shared a slew of snaps from a special screening of the much anticipated movie The TV personality, 30, uploaded a fun video to Instagram as she slipped out of her pyjamas and into the glamorous look while miming to the film's trailer. She topped off her ensemble with a matching pair of heels and styled her hair into bouncy Hollywood style curls. Not missing out on the fun, Demi, 25, took to her Story to pose in a hot pink fitted two-piece, consisting of a crop top and midi skirt. The Love Island star could be seen strutting her stuff on the pink carpet at a Barbie screening before enjoying the film. Meanwhile Gemma Collins celebrated Barbie day in style as she shared a slew of snaps from a special screening of the much anticipated Mattel movie. The former TOWIE star, 42, looked nothing short of sensational in the figure-hugging pink jumpsuit as she gushed about the 'empowering' film. Gemma nailed the Barbicore trend in the dazzling outfit that boasted gloved sleeves and a huge bow. The reality star teased a hint of her ample cleavage and risked a wardrobe malfunction thanks to the plunging neckline. Stunning: Sharing a photo to Instagram on Friday, model Jessica, 39, put on a very busty display in a hot pink corseted mini dress Let's go! Charlotte topped off her ensemble with a matching pair of heels and styled her hair into bouncy Hollywood style curls Think pink! The former TOWIE star, looked nothing short of sensational in the figure-hugging pink jumpsuit as she gushed about the 'empowering' film She posed with huge props at the London Picture House event before taking her seat and enjoying the movie. Vanessa Feltz slipped into a neon gown with a tiered, tulle skirt and a pair of circular sunglasses. With Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling starring as the human forms of Barbie and Ken, they have swept up international interest in the run-up to the film. The two are among a host of A-listers to have embraced their inner Barbie, who have stepped out in a series of pink looks as the film approaches. Margot, who tackled the leading role of Barbie, has recently been kept busy on a global press tour with other cast members, and has made stops in countries such as Australia, South Korea, and Mexico. Stylish: Not missing out on the fun, Demi, 25, took to her Story to pose in a hot pink fitted two-piece, consisting of a crop top and midi skirt All ini pink: Vanessa Feltz, 61, slipped into a neon gown with a tiered, tulle skirt and a pair of circular sunglasses But Margot will star as just one version of Barbie as the iconic doll will be brought to life by an array of stars, who will each take on an aspect of the versatile character. Greta Gerwig, who is known for directing past films such as Little Women (2019) and Lady Bird (2017), not only took on the role as director of the upcoming fantasy comedy, but also co-wrote the screenplay with Noah Baumbach. The Barbie movie also Dua Lipa, but also Will Ferrell, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, and Simu Liu. Various versions of both the Barbie and Ken dolls will be portrayed, with actress Helen Mirren narrating the film. he premise of the movie, which has a budget of $100 million, follows Barbie and Ken as they travel to the real world in order to find the true meaning of happiness. Filming began last year in 2022 at Warner Bros. Studios in the UK, while some exterior shots were notably filmed outdoors in Los Angeles, such as Venice. During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Greta revealed that Margot had felt 'self-conscious' while filming the Venice Beach scene. 'People would go by Ryan, high-five him, and say, 'Awesome, Ryan, you look great!' And they wouldn't actually say anything to Margot. They'd just look at her. It was just surreal. In that moment, she did feel self-conscious.' The new season of Gogglebox Australia is set to return to screens in a matter of weeks. The beloved reality show will return at 7.30pm, August 16th on Foxtel and Binge. The new season features a brand new group of mates - four Indigenous friends named Kevin, Bob, Jared, and Mia, who joined the cast last year. 'I am way too excited about this. It feels very surreal that it is all actually happening. Bob and I used to watch the show and really enjoyed it,' Kevin told The Daily Telegraph. Mia said she hopes her appearance on the show will help other Australians learn about her Indigenous culture. The new season of Gogglebox Australia is set to return to screens in a matter of weeks 'We are using blackfella terms and Aboriginal English slang as well,' she said. The announcement came after Gogglebox fans were left heartbroken following the news the show's beloved star Di Kershaw had died aged 76 following a short illness. Di, a former model-turned-Indigenous art dealer, had appeared on the Channel 10-Foxtel show alongside her husband Mick since its first season in 2015, and quickly became a fan favourite thanks to her dry humour and savage one-liners. Her cutting commentary often landed her in the headlines over the years, and even saw her clash with fellow cast-member Angie Kent following the Bachelorette star's departure from the show. The beloved reality show will return at 7.30pm, August 16th on Foxtel and Binge Four Indigenous friends joined the popular show following the death of Di Kershaw after cancer diagnosis. All pictured In March last year, Di showed her disdain for D-list reality stars while watching Netflix series Byron Baes. Di ridiculed a scene where cast members participated in a spiritual meditation involving Tibetan sound bowls. She made a howling sound to imitate the noise of the bowls, before mockingly exclaiming: 'I'm going into a traaaaance!' In September 2019, Di also took a stab at Rove McManus following the release of his now-axed variety show Saturday Night Rove. The cast of TOWIE filmed scenes at Epsom Downs Racecourse, on Thursday. Courtney Green displayed her midriff in a tiny crop top and matching silver skirt set for a day of filming. Chloe Meadows and Dani Imbert wore glamorous gowns, boasting eye-catching side-splits. Blonde beauty Chloe opted for a stunning yellow number featuring a single shoulder strap, which she teamed with sparkling stilettos Dani channeled the current Barbiecore trend in a hot pink dress with pretty ruched waist detailing. Glam: Courtney Green displayed her midriff in a tiny crop top and matching silver skirt set as she filmed scenes with the cast of TOWIE at Epsom Downs Racecourse, on Thursday Colourful: Chloe Meadows and Dani Imbert wore glamorous gowns, boasting eye-catching side-splits Divine: Courtney boosted her height with a platform pair of heels While the ladies looked absolutely stunning in their outfits, the TOWIE gents were suited and booted for their day out at the horse race track. 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. The cast recently filmed scenes for the new series in Cyrus, where Amber Turner reportedly had a huge showdown with Dan Edgar after he accused her of cheating on her 'multiple times'. The former couple announced their split in May this year after six years together, after split rumours swirled when Dan unfollowed her on social media. And it seems the break-up was far from amicable as reports suggest the pair were involved in a heated showdown about her infidelity while filming with their TOWIE co-stars. The Sun reported Dan confronted his ex-girlfriend on camera after allegedly learning of 'fresh accusations' - with fans no doubt set to see the dramatic scenes in the next series. Gorgeous: Blonde beauty Chloe opted for a stunning yellow number featuring a single shoulder strap, which she teamed with sparkling stilettos Fabulous: Dani channeled the current Barbiecore trend in a hot pink dress with pretty ruched waist detailing Race ready: Chloe Brockett stepped out in an Asymmetric jumpsuit Beauty: Elma Pazar commanded attention in a baby blue ruffled gown Fashionista: Ella Wise wore an oversized lime coloured jumpsuit Fabulous: Best friends Chloe and Courtney amped up the glamour for their outing Pretty: Saffron Lempriere stepped out in a lilac patterned mini dress Fun with friends: Castmates gathered together for group shots A source told the publication: 'These two were never going to settle their differences over a nice cup of tea but what actually transpired was pretty shocking. This will rank as one of the great showdowns - and TOWIE has seen a few.' MailOnline have contacted representatives of Amber and Dan for comment. Amber confirmed their break-up in May this year, writing in an Instagram statement: 'I wasn't going to post anything but due to speculation and questions I feel like I need to. 'Yes me and Dan have split. I honestly wish him the best for the future. Please respect our privacy at this time. Thank you.' However, it since emerged that Dan split from Amber after suspecting she lied to him about attending afterparties in Dubai and 'went off radar' during a two-week girls' holiday. The TOWIE hunk was left 'hurt' and 'confused' after Amber alleged on multiple occasions that she was 'home' and 'in bed' following nights on the town in Dubai, despite him being told that she was still out partying. Amber, who previously cheated on ex-boyfriend Jamie Reed with Dan in scenes filmed for the ITVBe series, extended her trip several times, leaving her partner of six years in the lurch. MailOnline learned that Amber began to limit communication with Dan, leading him to suspect that she had met someone else. Dapper: Jordan Brook was suited and booted alongside Harry Derbidge Style statement: Junaid Ahmed teamed a hot pink blazer with skin-tight black jeans Beauty: Chloe looked effortlessly glamorous in her silky yellow frock Here come the boys: The TOWIE gents smartened up for the day Intense: The group had heated chats as they sat together at the races Drama: The cast were heavily involved with the day's racing Matching: Junaid and Dani both opted for hot pink ensembles Hydrating: Courtney and Chloe sipped on drinks through straws Dan, who stayed at home looking after their dog Oliver, unfollowed Amber and removed all trace of her from his Instagram after he gave up trying to understand her movements overseas. A source close to the ex-couple revealed: 'Dan has been so hurt and confused over Amber's actions the past month. 'Amber went to Dubai to celebrate her mum's 60th but she didn't come home for over two weeks. 'She was out partying with girlfriends and would tell him she was in bed, but he received messages from other people saying she was still out. 'A huge assumption has been made that their split was because of Dan's lack of commitment but this time he was left questioning whether Amber can be trusted.' MailOnline contacted Amber and Dan's representation for comment at the time. Good times: Chloe laughed while Diags puffed on a cigar Mixed reactions: The ladies all enjoyed the action of the day differently Getting involved: Dan Edgar pointed out some of the proceedings Good times: Chloe laughed as she chatted with her gal pals Dramatic: Different groups gathered together for chats Eh? Dani looked confused as Junaid laughed Cheers: The TOWIE gents picked up pints from the bar Interesting: Ella and Diags chatted together after their on-off relationship Hugs: The duo embraced at the end of their conversation Woop! Harry and Ella enthusiastically cheered while sat together Loving life: The boys were in great spirits at the races Watching on: The cast members sipped on drinks while taking in the action Chats: Elsa and Diags appeared to be getting on well What? Ella, Harry and Chloe had mixed reactions to the horse race Cute: Elma and Diags shared a hug at the edge of the race course Whey! The castmates cheered with delight Laughs: Diags seemed to draw positive attention from his pals What's happened? Saffron showed off her tickets Loving life: She raised her arm up with Chloe in happiness Lads! The boys laughed together during the outing Yes! Saffron smiled while at the edge of the race course Mwah! Ella pouted as she chatted to the boys Pretty: Elma's gorgeous frock boasted ruffles throughout Action! Cameras rolled while the cast mates chatted Yay! The ladies lifted their hands to cheer Oh no! Dan looked unable to handle the intense action 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. 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. Peace: Ella posed for the cameras in her oversized ensemble Happy: The cast mates smiled and giggled together Smiley: They couldn't hide their happiness while watching the races Good times: Dan and Diags shared a happy hug Tense: The apprehension was clear to see as the race reached a climax Waiting: The ladies looked on as the horses ran along Got a text! Diags read out a message her received She has been modelling an array of sexy swim looks during her St Tropez holiday. And Sienna Miller was again putting on a stunning display in a chic cornflower blue top with a high-waisted slip skirt as she hit the beach just hours after she looked to be loving life with her boyfriend Oli Green on Friday. The Layer Cake star, 41, looked incredible in the Hunza G bikini top while she gave a nod to her classic boho vibes with her pretty floral skirt. Earlier in the day, she looked sensational in a watercolour blue and white bikini with triangle cups and low-slung bottoms while wearing chic black sunglasses. Her boyfriend, 26, was looking hunky in a pair of navy shorts as he launched himself into the water before getting hot and heavy with the stunner. Stunner: Sienna Miller was again putting on a stunning display in a chic cornflower blue top with a high-waisted slip skirt as she hit the beach just hours after she looked to be loving life with her boyfriend Oli Green on Friday Hot stuff: The Layer Cake star, 41, looked incredible in the Hunza G bikini top while she gave a nod to her classic boho vibes with her pretty floral skirt Stunner: She paired her look with comfy Birkenstocks Stunner: Earlier in the day, she looked sensational in a watercolour blue and white bikini with triangle cups and low-slung bottoms while wearing chic black sunglasses Come here you! Her boyfriend, 26, was looking hunky in a pair of navy shorts as he launched himself into the water before getting hot and heavy with the stunner Chilled out: Later wrapping up after her dip, the blonde beauty wrapped herself in a patterned shawl to walk around on the shores Steamy: Sienna and Oli confirmed their romance at a Vanity Fair party in February 2022 Later wrapping up after her dip, the blonde beauty wrapped herself in a patterned shawl to walk around on the shores. Sienna looked stunning as she enjoyed her time on the shores. The actress and Oli confirmed their romance at a Vanity Fair party in February 2022. Earlier this year, the actress shared she had spend years investing in a relationship with someone who was 'a bucket with a hole in it of a person'. The actress revealed she thought she would be married with children by her 30s but the relationships she was in during those years didn't work out. Speaking to British Vogue, Sienna explained: 'I'd invested what felt like the important years in something that was just a bucket with a hole in it of a person. I wasted time. And I felt like time was really my currency.' She was quick to point out she was not referring to Tom Sturridge, who she dated from 2011 to 2015 and shares daughter Marlowe, ten, with. The exes have remained on friendly terms. Earlier this week, Sienna and Oli enjoyed Wimbledon and sat close to Tom and his girlfriend Alexa Chung. Alexa and Tom's outing comes after speculation they are engaged after a year of dating after the model was spotted with a ring on her wedding finger last month. Paddling away: Sienna looked stunning as she hit a paddleboard for some aquatic fun Stunner: She looked sensational during her beach jaunt Taking the plunge! As Oli headed towards the end of the diving board Sienna watched on Watching on! She watched as her love launched himself Amazing: She looked incredible while strutting down the shores Stunner: Ever the designer diva, she wore a pair of on-trend Prada sunglasses Stunner: She looked stunning for her trip to the beach Pensive: She stole a moment to look out at the idyllic ocean The son of award-winning film director Charles Sturridge, Tom seems open to marriage, while Alexa for her part, previously mused: 'I just don't get why marriage is different from non-marriage I just don't get it.' Her spokesperson declined to comment when asked about the rumours. Last month, Sienna's elder sister Savannah Miller revealed their father is battling Alzheimer's Disease. Sienna's sister shared the heartbreaking news as she paid tribute to their father amid his ailing health. Alongside a picture of their father, former art dealer Edwin Miller, Savannah shared a heartfelt Instagram post, stating that she 'missed him beyond description.' She penned: 'here he is.. my papa, the man with the deepest heart, wisest words and the most incredible hug giver to ever live. I miss him beyond description. 'As his Alzheimer's progresses and he slowly withdraws from the world, my heart aches for this man. His hugs are still as deep, thank God, but the life and spark, that was all pervading, has gone out.' She concluded: 'It is such a cruel and complicated thing to navigate. Sending love to everyone for whom today is hard. #fathersday #alzheimers.' The Miller children have been rallying around their father as he battles dementia. Having a laugh: Sienna looked stunning as she walked alongside a lifeguard My guy: She planted a kiss on her boyfriend's lips A vision: The blonde beauty looked stunning while sharing a giggle with her fellow beachgoers In and out: Sienna wowed in her stunning bikini In March, Sienna joined bridal wear designer Savannah, 44, in New York, where they huddled round their father with his sons, Stephen and Charles, from a previous relationship. 'For the first time in six years, we're all together with our dad,' Savannah penned. 'A lot has changed in that time, with his declining health, but at the same time nothing at all. 'Love feels the same, as deep and true as it ever did. We may be oceans apart but our love for each other and our papa transcends it all. 'In these very real moments, I am reminded, gracefully, what it is all about. Love and human connection is all we ever truly have and I am deeply grateful for the love and connection I have with these four remarkable human beings, my family. ' The sisters' mother is ex-model Jo Miller, who was married to Edwin until 1987. He went on to marry the interior designer Kelly Hoppen. Keep me warm: She wore a pretty wrap in blue and pink shades Ashley Roberts set pulses racing as she shared a video of herself modelling a range of sexy lingerie on Instagram on Thursday. The Pussycat Doll, 41, showed off he tanned and toned figure in three sets of underwear from Ann Summers. Ashley danced to Britney Spears' Gimme More as she worked the camera in the Astral, Camille and the Honoured lingerie sets. For one look, the Heart Radio presenter left little to the imagination in a blue lace thong and plunging bra. She then slipped into a racy hot pink lingerie look before strutting her stuff in black underwear. Racy display: Ashley Roberts set pulses racing as she shared a video of herself modelling a range of sexy lingerie on Instagram on Thursday Hot stuff: The Pussycat Doll, 41, showed off he tanned and toned figure in three sets of underwear from Ann Summers She wrote: 'Gimme gimme MORE hunnis @annsummers lingerie... Underwear fits of the week'. And on Friday, Ashley channelled her inner Barbie as she was dressed in head-to-toe pink for her show at Heart Radio. The former Strictly star celebrated the released of the film in UK cinemas by wearing a pink linen shirt, matching trousers, open toe sparkly heels and a pink handbag. Greta Gerwig's Barbie sees Margot Robbie, 33, leading the cast as the eponymous Barbie doll alongside her boyfriend Ken, played by Ryan Gosling, 42. The cast is a who's who of Hollywood powerhouses, with Will Ferrell playing the CEO of Mattel, and Helen Mirren the narrator. It follows Barbie who leaves her 'perfect' life as a doll and sets out to explore the complexities of being a woman in the real world. Ashley also boasted a very girly look for her attendance at the Barbie premiere on Thursday last week. Posing by a bright pink 'Barbiephone' telephone box, she donned a barely there bra, a micro mini skirt and a cropped jacket, all in matching shades of patent neon pink. Strutting her stuff: Ashley danced to Britney Spears' Gimme More as she worked the camera in the Astral, Camille and the Honoured lingerie sets Working it: She wrote: 'Gimme gimme MORE hunnis @annsummers lingerie... Underwear fits of the week' Confident display: For one look, the Heart Radio presenter left little to the imagination in a blue lace thong and plunging bra 'Come on Barbie lets go party!' she enthused to her followers on Instagram, before adding: 'Just living out my Barbie fantasy over her at the lil premiere!' Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara had glowing praise for her pal, declaring: 'Barbie wished she looked that good!' Meanwhile, a fan called @emtull10 went a step further, insisting that glamorous Ashley 'is Barbie'. Hey Barbie! And on Friday, Ashley channelled her inner Barbie as she was dressed in head-to-toe pink for her show at Heart Radio Eye-catching: The former Strictly star celebrated the released of the film in UK cinemas by wearing a pink linen shirt, matching trousers, open toe sparkly heels and a pink handbag Cheerful: Ashley appeared in a great mood as she left the studios in Leicester Square In September 2015, former FDLR leader, Ignace Murwanashyaka, and his deputy, Straton Musoni, were sentenced to 21 years in jail, collectively, by a court in Germany after a four-year trial on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in eastern DR Congo by the genocidal militia they led. Musoni was, almost immediately, released early, having been in pre-trial detention for almost six years but restricted to his home in Germany, while fighting deportation to Rwanda. After completing his eight-year jail term, authorities in Germany deported Musoni to Rwanda, in October 2022. A few days later, he headed to the Rwanda Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission (RDRC) camp in Mutobo, Musanze District. Its mission is to support the successful demobilization, and social and economic reintegration of ex-combatants in their respective communities so as to realize national security, reconciliation, and development. In an interview with The New Times at the RDRC camp, in April, Musoni shed some light on his early days; traveling to Germany after obtaining a scholarship in 1986, joining one of the first Rwandan subversive groups founded on genocide ideology, RDR, and partaking in a meeting that established the eastern DR Congo-based militia, FDLR, in May 2000. When the Rwanda Patriotic Army took over power and stopped the Genocide against the Tutsi, in July 1994, the ousted genocidal regime's army (ex-FAR), politicians, and Interahamwe militia that had committed Genocide - runaway, en masse, with their weapons, to eastern DR Congo, then known as Zaire. They later banded together into what they called the Army for the Liberation of Rwanda (ALIR). In 2000, soon after the US government listed it as a terrorist organization following its murder of American tourists in Uganda's Bwindi forest, they formed FDLR so as to evade or distance themselves from their horrendous crimes. All they changed was a name. But the plan to complete the extermination of the Tutsi was never lost sight of by the genocidaires who stayed in DR Congo and mingled with the population. To date, the militia is at the heart of the insecurity affecting eastern DR Congo and the region. Musoni, a father of two, met his ex-wife in Germany while he was still a student there. They got married in 1997. He became FDLR vice president in 2004. Before then, he was the militia group's spokesperson in Europe. Due to his arrest over association with the genocidal militia, he admitted, their marriage hit a rough patch and the couple split up. But he was happy that his children, and relatives in Rwanda, were never barred from regularly telephoning or visiting him in Mutobo. Enter Akagera-Rhein Musoni said: "I met Murwanashyaka during the phase of Akagera-Rhein. Nearly all Rwandans were members of Akagera-Rhein. We thought of the Akagera and Rhein Rivers as rivers that should be joined and then we called it association de l'amitie Allemagne-Rwandaise." Musoni claimed that Akagera-Rhein was all about advocacy and raising public awareness about the difficulties people in Rwanda faced at the time. But, just like RDR and other groups formed by members of the ousted genocidal regime, Akagera-Rhein also had a weird hidden agenda. "What we watched on TV was Interahamwe killing the Tutsi. We also observed that the Hutu were fleeing in large numbers. The fleeing and the killings are what we wanted to make known. We also wanted [to raise awareness about] the problem of the war and its origins and how people could help Rwanda to end the conflict between the Hutu and the Tutsi. "We explained that the war was caused by the Tutsi who had fled to Uganda and acquired arms since they were in the Ugandan army, and attacked Rwanda and were about to capture power [in Rwanda]." Asked how, or when, he left the association to join FDLR, Musoni said he never actually left Akagera-Rhein. "We did not quit. One is an association and the other is a [political] party. We did not even join FDLR at the time because it was born [later] in 2000. At the time, or in between, there came what was called RDR, in 1995. "A man called Francois Nzabahimana is the one who founded RDR while in the [refugee] camps. He came to Europe and informed us that there was a newly formed party called RDR which we then joined as a political party. Its objective was the return of refugees and democracy in Rwanda. That is [the party] we left and joined FDLR because it was a competitor." Officially founded in April 1995, with headquarters in France and later in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Canada, the Rassemblement Republicain pour la Democratie au Rwanda (RDR) hierarchy comprised genocide ideologues drawn from among the genocidaires in exile. Many were very much active in the refugee camps in Zaire, now DR Congo. The idea of forming RDR was born in a meeting they held in the Congolese town of Bukavu in October 1994. It was in due course formed in Bukavu, South Kivu Province, and the camps in Mugunga in North Kivu Province. Musoni said: "I used to represent RDR in Germany but eventually, I stopped activities because I no longer wanted to be RDR's representative in Germany. I had done that for about five years and then I said 'I have a lot of work, I have responsibilities; I have young children and my regular job, and couldn't continue being active'." Before he quit, Musoni coordinated RDR activities - handling meetings, communiques, and translations, lobbying for support such as medicines for Rwandan refugees in refugee camps in DR Congo, in Tanzania, and elsewhere in faraway countries such as Cameroon. "We reached everywhere where there was a Rwandan refugee at the time." Ingabire Victoire took over Nzabahimana founded RDR, he said, but later, Ingabire Victoire took over its leadership. Reports indicate that Ingabire was elected as president of RDR during its third congress in Bonn, Germany, on August 17-19, 2000. "When Victoire headed it, I was the representative in Germany. We got acquainted even though after some time we left RDR and moved to form FDLR." So, why quit, I asked. Musoni explained that he left RDR because it had failed in its main mission. Within the refugee community, he said, there were disagreements over how things should be done or managed. "The military, or the ex-FAR, as we called them, did not agree with RDR. They did not agree with each other because RDR wanted to do politics without the [direct] involvement of the military. But the soldiers also said that they wanted to have a role in politics. That's how they conflicted." "It was, therefore, the soldiers who took the initiative to form FDLR. They wanted to form their own [political] party within which they had a say. These included [Aloys] Ntiwiragaba, [Col. Tharcisse] Renzaho, and many others whose names I cannot recall now. There was also [Sylvestre] Mudacumura, although he was not involved in the direct organization since he was in the military." According to Musoni, the militia fighters were vehemently opposed to the idea of RDR civilian politicians commanding them. "The reason they fronted was realistic, to whoever listened but anyone who cared less would disregard it. They [the fighters] were saying that it was the politicians who made the soldiers in Rwanda lose the war. It means they never, at all, wanted decisions, especially military decisions, to be made by politicians." Ntiwiragabo, a former head of the ousted regime's military intelligence, is one of the founders of FDLR. Mudacumura, the former supreme commander of FDLR's military wing - Forces Combattantes Abacunguzi (FOCA), was killed in September 2019. When they were planning and coordinating activities to launch FDLR, Musoni said, Ntiwiragabo was in Kinshasa. "I left Germany and headed to Lubumbashi. I think I boarded a flight from either Stuttgart or Frankfurt. It [plane] headed to Zambia. I don't recall where we connected [flights]. It could have been Belgium or France, and then to Zambia. I was with Murwanashyaka Ignace." At the end of April 2000, they landed in Lusaka, Zambia, where they were welcomed and facilitated by people in their network. They stayed there for about two days, he recalls, then moved on, in a public minibus, to Lubumbashi, - the second-largest city in DR Congo, located in the country's southeasternmost part, along the border with Zambia. On May 1, 2000, they gathered in a large hall in Lubumbashi and formed the FDLR. Their meeting in Lubumbashi lasted about three days, he recalls. There were "about 200 people," mostly from the city and others from Kinshasa, the capital city of DR Congo. "There was Ntiwiragabo, Renzaho Tharcisse, and many others whose names I could not know because people had [secret] names. There was, for example, someone called Romeo." "The leader was Ntiwiragabo. The deputy was Tharcisse Renzaho." The Congolese government appreciated our effort During FDLR's founding meeting, the Congolese government was represented by a high-level delegation, Musoni said. "A senior government official spoke on behalf of the Congolese government and appreciated our effort in establishing a political party to represent the interests of Rwandan refugees in Congo. FDLR was founded at a time when the Congolese government wanted to find a way to solve the problem of Rwandans in Congo, especially the issue of soldiers who were in their army and who were then called the ex-FAR." At the time, in the Congolese army, the ex-FAR were referred to as forces speciales [special forces]. This was under the leadership of President Laurent-Desire Kabila. "Kabila was behind the establishment of FDLR. The government of Congo supported it. The [Congolese] military supported it because the soldiers in the forces speciales were paid by Kabila's army." "Kabila was in a hurry to find a way of getting rid of friends who assisted him. His way out, therefore, was to tell them [ex-FAR and Interahamwe] to go and set up their own political party so that they can also go and negotiate with Rwanda so that they get integrated into the Rwandan national army and their politicians get positions in government as was being done in Congo." Musoni explained how, initially, ALIR members did not want the name FDLR but preferred to be called ALIR2. He said: "Kabila and others including Ntiwiragabo and us all said we didn't want to be ALIR2 since ALIR had been put on a terrorist group because they killed American tourists in Bwindi. "Even though they all originated from ex-FAR, their personalities were different. They didn't have one hierarchy. They didn't have one command. In brief, none of them commanded the other. One operated from the west and the other operated from the east. I am not sure whether that [west-east] conflict ever ended but even when they left the west and came to the east, the conflict persisted to the extent that Rwarakabije never saw eye to eye with Mudacumura who brought those from the west to the east. Eventually, [Paul] Rwarakabije returned home [to Rwanda]." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Conflict By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The group in the west, he said, contained those in Kinshasa and regions like Lubumbashi. They fought as a unit within the Congolese army; the so-called forces speciales. The group in the east - eastern DR Congo - was mainly under ALIR. It was led by the likes of Maj. Gen. (retired) Paul Rwarakabije, a former RDRC commissioner, and 'Gen' Gaston Iyamuremye, alias Victor Byiringiro, who is presently leading the militia in eastern DR Congo. Ntiwiragaba left DR Congo and headed to Sudan in 2002. Murwanashyaka also left Kinshasa and returned to Germany. At the time, Renzaho had already been arrested and transferred to a UN detention facility in Arusha, Tanzania. "The head of the military at the time was Mudacumura. He is the one who led the soldiers from Kamina to eastern DR Congo. He linked up with Rwarakabije. That was in 2002. It took them about six months to get there." Musoni agrees that the FDLR's genocide ideology is still a threat. "The genocide ideology is the biggest threat. I know it existed and it still exists in some people." As we concluded the interview, Musoni said he could not easily contact FDLR commanders in DR Congo because "I am no longer part of the organisation." But he had a message for them. "We did whatever we could and did not succeed. If it is the battle of bullets that they are still waiting for, they will never win it because we know Rwanda and we know the strength it has. They must do whatever it takes such that there must be no war in Rwanda caused by them. "Next is for them to return back home and build their motherland. There is no peace or luck that they will ever get in Congo. They will only have peace when they return to their peaceful country. They are the only ones who can cause us chaos and instability. When they return home we shall all be happy. Where they are, they also have no peace. Their return home is good for them and good for Rwandans because it gives us all peace." Musoni was in the group of 92 former members of armed groups discharged from the camp in Mutobo on Thursday, July 20, after completing months of civic education. Clementine Ford has announced her next book - and warned people that they may be 'triggered' by it. The firebrand feminist writer shared a photo of the cover of 'I Don't: The Case Against Marriage', in an Instagram post this week. 'It's a new story about an old lie,' the 42-year-old wrote in her caption alongside the image. 'As I do the final edits on the very last chapter and commit, for better or worse, to sending this book out into the world, I could not be happier to share this exceptional cover with you all, designed by the brilliant Christa Moffatt,' she added. Clementine also shared a review from her friend, progressive influencer and social commentator Lauren Beckman. Clementine Ford (pictured) has announced her new book - and warned people that they may be 'triggered' by it The writer shared a photo of the cover of I Don't: The Case Against Marriage and called it 'a new story about an old lie' 'I couldn't wait until morning, I had to keep reading. F**king hell Clem, this book is amazing. Can't wait to see the impact it has!' Lauren wrote. 'It will trigger the f**k out of some people. But the number of people you'll liberate... I'm so excited for this book being out in the world.' It comes after the Fight Like a Girl author decided to showcase a different side of herself. Ford recently got dolled up to appear in an ad campaign for inclusive vegan makeup brand Holme Beauty. With her glossy, glowing complexion, peach cheeks and perfectly tousled hair, the media personality looked completely unrecognisable compared to her usual relaxed style. Clementine also shared a review from her friend, progressive influencer and social commentator Lauren Beckman The flawless photoshoot sent her followers into a frenzy, with one gushing. 'Major Marilyn Monroe vibes!' Another exclaimed, 'I audibly said 'wow' when I saw this picture! You look amazing!' One fan even compared the mum-of-one to 21-year-old pop star Billie Eilish. Clementine has been open about experimenting with skincare and anti-ageing treatments over the last few years, which led one of her followers to accuse the feminist firebrand of 'falling victim to misogyny'. In a lengthy response, the star explained that part of the reason behind her glow up was to protect herself from being abused online by men, who would often use her appearance as a way to attack her. The Fight Like a Girl author decided to showcase a different side of herself. Ford recently got dolled up to appear in an ad campaign for inclusive vegan makeup brand Holme Beauty The flawless photoshoot sent her followers into a frenzy, with one gushing. 'Major Marilyn Monroe vibes!' 'For almost all of my public career, I was abused for being ugly, for being fat, for having freckles even for having a diastema,' she told news.com.au in December. 'As I've gotten older and begun to play more with my appearance, I've found the comments have shifted,' she continued. 'Now the men who abuse me are more often to say I've had too much plastic surgery (I've had none), which is a welcome respite from the time someone said I was 'uglier than a dead dog on the side of the road'.' Ford, along with writer Germaine Greer and reality star Abbie Chatfield, is one of Australia's most prominent feminist voices. She currently hosts the advice podcast Dear Clementine on Nova. Gemma Collins celebrated Barbie day in style as she shared a slew of snaps from a special screening of the much anticipated Mattel movie which was released on Friday. The former TOWIE star, 42, looked nothing short of sensational in the figure-hugging pink jumpsuit as she gushed about the 'empowering' film. Gemma nailed the Barbicore trend in the dazzling outfit that boasted gloved sleeves and a huge bow. The reality star teased a hint of her ample cleavage and risked a wardrobe malfunction thanks to the plunging neckline. She posed with huge props at the London Picture House event before taking her seat and enjoying the movie. All dolled up: Gemma Collins, 42, celebrated Barbie day in style as she shared a slew of snaps from a special screening of the much anticipated Mattel movie Think pink! The former TOWIE star, looked nothing short of sensational in the figure-hugging pink jumpsuit as she gushed about the 'empowering' film Gemma captioned the snaps: 'Barbie is all these women. And all these women are Barbie. The Film was SO EMPOWERING. HEART WARMING. and a MUST SEE'. It comes after Gemma said how she is in 'no rush' to marry her fiance Rami Hawash and is 'postponing' it until later in life as she spoke about her worries of divorce. The reality star got engaged to business owner Rami, 48, in December 2021 after they reunited during lockdown, seven years after ending their first engagement. Gushing over their relationship, Gemma told how they are very happy and are in 'no rush' to tie the knot, saying they have 'postponed' their wedding day for now. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Gemma explained that seeing other couples get divorced has made her realise that she doesn't want go to through it herself. She admitted she is planning to postpone her wedding for 'as long as possible', potentially until she is in her 50s, and has not yet made any plans for the big day. When asked about her wedding plans, she said: 'For me, there's just no rush! I love JLo, her and Ben tied the knot at 50, they were ready to settle down and put their comfy slippers on, so I'm not probably going to do anything like that until I'm a bit older really. 'There's no rush! You're a long time married, you're a b****y long time married, and I kind of feel like marriage is sadly - and it is sad - it's a bit old hack now. Pals: She also caught up with fellow CBB housemate Jonathan Cheban Cheers! Gemma enjoyed champagne with her stylist Lucas Armitage Pose: Gemma was joined by nephew Haydn who grabbed a snap with fellow guest Jessie J Colour scheme: Guests were treated to pink popcorn as they enjoyed the flick 'When you see people going through divorces and all that comes with it, you're like hell no! I do not want that, I can't bear admin anyway, I couldn't be bothered to do the paperwork. So I'm just postponing it as long as possible.' Gemma - who was speaking about her new agony aunt campaign with Plusnet, Gemma's Dilemmas - went on to say that marriage is not a 'priority' for her right now. Admitting she has not yet picked a wedding venue, she continued: 'It could be Claridge's, it could be Italy, who knows! Engaged: It comes after Gemma said how she is in 'no rush' to marry her fiance Rami Hawash and is 'postponing' it until later in life as she spoke about her worries of divorce 'It could be in the middle of the forest, who knows! I'm just cool and happy as we are at the minute... It's just not a priority for me at the minute.' The reality TV star - who is a stepmother to Rami's son Tristan - also detailed her struggles to have a child with her fiance, telling how she is hoping to find a clinic in London who can help her to have a baby. 'I just have real difficulty, I can't for some reason have children. It's very frustrating, it's very upsetting, it's very challenging,' she explained. 'I just don't and can't have kids. It's very stressful, but I need to find somewhere, a good place or clinic in London, that can make that happen for me.' 'Come on, the world is waiting for The GC's baby, I just need a bit of help to make it happen,' she added. New claims have been made as to why Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello's marriage fell apart after seven years. The latest one is that he badly wanted children. PageSix has alleged that the 46-year-old actor was yearning to have kids and it was only getting worse as he approached 50. The site added that is 'unclear' where Vergara, 51 'stood on the subject when they wed in 2015.' In an interview from 2016 the siren from Colombia said that Joe wanted kids and she was open to more children but it was not going to happen 'naturally.' The beauty is already mom to 31-year-old Manolo with her first husband, Joe Gonzalez. Sad end: New claims have been made as to why Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello's marriage fell apart after seven years. The latest one is that he badly wanted children, according to PageSix. Seen in 2015 Her choice? The insider alleges that the 46-year-old actor was yearning to have kids and it was only getting worse as he approached 50. But for some reason it was not happening with his 51-year-old Modern Family actress spouse. The site added that is was 'unclear' where Vergara 'stood on the subject when they wed in 2015. In interview the siren from Colombia said that she was open to more children It seems as if she did want a second child at some point in her life. In 2016 she told The Edit Magazine that kids were a possibility with Joe. 'I wouldn't mind another child,' she said. 'He wants kids.' She also noted that she and Joe were trying to sort what to do. 'The idea of doing it all again doesn't scare me. But, hey, it's not like it's going to happen naturally, is it?' And she talked her age as well. 'Back in my mom's era, 40 was considered old, but now I don't think it is,' she said at the time when she was 43. And she may have wanted kids before she met Joe, when she was with her former fiance Nick Loeb. That is why she frozen embryos from her 2013 IVF treatments. The two have had a massive court battle over ownership over the embryos. A judge ruled in her favor in March 2021. Her boy: She already has 31-year-old Manolo with her first husband, Joe Gonzalez Manganiello officially filed for divorce from Vergara this week citing 'irreconcilable differences'. The former couple are said to have a prenuptial agreement in place that will see them keep the assets they have accumulated during their union. According to TMZ, Joe's lawyer Laura Wasser filed the divorce documents on Wednesday, with the date of separation listed as July 2, 2023. Sources told the website that Sofia will not contest it, and the 'Magic Mike' star and 'America's Got Talent' judge are set to fork out for their own legal fees. What's more, the former couple are said to have had differing opinions about having children. Sofia and Joe - who married in a lavish, star-studded Palm Beach ceremony in November 2015 in front of 400 guests - confirmed this week they have made the 'difficult' decision to split. Her body is still fabulous: This month she has been modeling swimwear as she celebrates turning 51 in Italy She works a lot: The beauty seen as a judge on America's Got Talent They said in a statement: '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.' Sofia is currently celebrating her 51st birthday in Italy with friends. The pair met through the actress' former co-star Jesse Tyler Ferguson at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in 2014, when she was engaged to businessman Nick Loeb. Manganiello asked for the actress' number a few weeks later when she split with Loeb. He PEOPLE in 2020: 'I knew pretty quickly that I could trust her, and she knew pretty quickly that she could trust me. 'And we're both the kind of people who are capable of putting the other person ahead of ourselves. 'I was capable of putting her wishes ahead of mine, whatever they were, and she was capable of doing the same. 'Once you have that, you don't let go of it.' Olivia Frazer have revealed she will never return to Australia. The Married At First Sight bride, who has moved to Scotland, says that her time on the reality show is partly to blame for her exit. 'There's a lot more work opportunities and the people are more forgiving,' she told Yahoo of her decision to relocate this week. 'It's easier to move on whereas in Australia people hold you to your edit forever.' Olivia has moved to Scotland 'indefinitely' and says she will only return Down Under to collect her dog. Olivia Frazer (pictured) has revealed she will never return to Australia The 29-year-old, who was relentlessly trolled after her stint on the Channel Nine series last year, told her Instagram followers that she's planning to continue working as an OnlyFans model in the country. Olivia, who is currently holidaying with girlfriends in Scotland, wrote, 'I will head back to Australia to gather my belongings and organise Stella to come over here.' She added, 'But Australia is just not home.' In another post, Olivia responded to a fan who remarked how happy the troubled MAFS bride looked during her holiday. 'Scotland's been my soul home for a long time now. It makes my heart so happy that people notice this,' she gushed. The Married At First Sight bride, who has moved to Scotland, says that her time on the reality show is partly to blame for her exit The 29-year-old, who was relentlessly trolled after her stint on the Channel Nine series last year, told her Instagram followers that she's planning to continue working as an OnlyFans model in the country Olivia previously spent four years living in the UK, but returned back to Australia to care for her late father who had terminal cancer at the time. 'I don't think there was ever really a discussion, it was just as a family unit it was what needed to be done,' she previously explained. Olivia shot to fame on Married At First Sight last year, where she was 'married' to Jackson Lonie, and has since as made plenty of trips back to the UK and Scotland. These days, the former teaching student is making big bucks on OnlyFans. In April, she told the Back To Reality podcast that she earned $30,000 in a single day on the adult platform. The View's Alyssa Farah Griffin and her co-host Sunny Hostin got into a bitter war of words during Friday's broadcast - when they butted heads over their political opinions while discussing the next presidential election. During the segment, Alyssa, 34, who served as the White House Director of Strategic Communication during Donald Trump's presidency, candidly admitted that she doesn't plan to vote for her former boss in the upcoming election - before stating that she also has no plans to support Joe Biden. Her confession prompted Sunny, 54, to accuse her co-host of 'throwing away' her vote - an allegation that left Alyssa looking visibly annoyed, and saw fellow View panelist Sara Haines leaping to her defense. The bitter debate between the women was prompted by a comment made by 80-year-old Joy Behar, who questioned why any American would support Trump, raging: 'What is wrong with Americans? I don't understand it! 'Why are Americans supporting this guy? Tell me the reason!' Farah's frustration: The View host Alyssa Farah Griffin did not look happy on Friday's show Savage: Sunny Hostin accused Alyssa of 'throwing away' her Presidential vote Dynamic duo: Sunny and Alyssa spoke over one another as they discussed voting Griffin chimed in to agree with her co-host, branding the country's 'primary system' as 'flawed', before calling a prospective election between Trump and Biden 'the rematch from hell'. 'Our primary system is very flawed,' she stated. 'Seven in ten don't want Joe Biden to get in. Why are we doing the rematch from hell that nobody wants? 'Will Hurd said this very well... the only way to defeat Donald Trump is in a primary. Like DeSantis, when does he think he's going to step in and have his moment?' Hostin piped up and referred back to Behar's comment and said: 'But I think back to her question, outside of the primary system, why are so many people still endorsing him or supporting [Trump]?' Ana Navarro then decided to join the discussion and claimed: 'Because he will come into a primary and he will destroy your political career. He can make or break a Republican primary and so a lot of Republicans come out and endorse him.' In an attempt to explain herself, Behar fired back: 'But I'm not talking about them, I'm talking about the American voter.' 'That poll, it's not as meaningful as that because, remember, that's not how you win an election. You don't win an election with a popular vote. You win with electoral votes so we have to look at it state by state,' Navarro, 51, explained. Griffin, who is a Republican, then admitted: 'I could never support Donald Trump again. That's not even a question to me but I probably won't support Joe Biden.' Fiery debate: Republican Ana Navarro admitted she would vote for Joe Biden again Defense mode: Alyssa told the panel she won't be 'boxed into a failing two-party system' Panel talk: Things got rather heated as Joy led Friday's instalment of the ABC program Behar was keen to hear why she wouldn't endorse Biden, and Griffin was more than happy to elaborate on her comment. 'He doesn't reflect my beliefs. I feel differently on national security, on life issues, on the economy,' she said. Navarro, who is also a Republican, then asked: 'Do you think a Republican would have done something different?' Not hesitating at all, Griffin replied: 'Absolutely. I don't know that Donald Trump would have. Any other Republican would have handled it slower, steadier.' As Behar and Hostin continued to fire back comments at Griffin, she was clearly feeling frustrated and reminded them: 'I don't want either. That's what most Americans are saying.' Confirming that she won't be voting for Trump either, Navarro said: 'I voted for Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden and I'll vote for Joe Biden again because if the choice is a man who in my view is a threat to national security, a threat to democracy, a threat to world order, evil, crazy and unstable, and I have a binary choice, I either vote for the whack job or I vote for Joe Biden.' Not letting it go, Behar directed the debate back at Griffin again and shouted out: 'She said she would not vote for Joe Biden.' Head-to-head: Alyssa admitted she will not vote for Joe Biden (left) or Donald Trump in the future Joy's jibe: Joy Behar told Alyssa that her vote would be 'invalid' as she fumed over Trump Taking sides: Sara Haines was quick to jump in and defend Alyssa's point of view Back then: Alyssa was the White House Director of Strategic Communications and Assistant to President Trump in 2020 Explaining her decision, the political commentator responded: 'I said it before. The answer might be different if I lived in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in a swing district where my vote could be a difference. That would be a different scenario. 'I'm voting in Manhattan. I'll write in someone, I'll likely write in Will Hurd. I could vote for Tim Scott or Nikki Haley.' But Behar declared it an 'invalid vote' and questioned why Griffin would even bother voting. 'I'm not going to be boxed into, what I think is, a failing two-party system where we're not putting up our best candidates,' Griffin hit back. Hostin then accused: 'I think I agree with Ana, I would never throw away...' but Griffin quickly butted in and argued: 'It's not throwing away!' The outspoken lawyer continued: '...my Presidential vote when my people fought so hard for the right to it,' but Haines, 45, was quick to join in and defend Griffin. 'Not voting is throwing your vote away. She would write in a candidate,' she said as her co-star added: 'It's not throwing away, I'm casting my vote! I would never not vote!' Advertisement Tom Hanks' son Chet Hanks was seen having some frisky fun by the shore in Venice Beach, California on Thursday afternoon with his shapely lady love. The 32-year-old Los Angeles native was getting very tactile with his girlfriend, MMA fighter Melissa Maysing, who looked sensational in her skimpy swimwear. She was showing off her curves while in a very strappy black bikini with gold accents. The top barely contained her chest as there was hardly any fabric because there were cut outs on the sides. And her briefs had a thong back. The beauty seems thrilled to be flashing the flesh as she put her array of large tattoos on show. They also spent some time working out as they did pull ups with rings and hit a punching bag. Chet - full name Chester Marlon Hanks - is the son of 67-year-old Tom and his wife Rita Wilson. The couple also has a son named Truman Hanks, 27, who works in the movie business. And Tom has two other kids - Colin, 45, and Elizabeth, 41 - from his first marriage to Samantha Lewes. In love: Tom Hanks' son Chet Hanks was seen having some frisky fun by the shore in Venice Beach, California on Thursday afternoon with his shapely lady love, MMA fighter Melissa Maysing Hands on: The 32-year-old Los Angeles native was getting very tactile with his girlfriend who looked sensational in her skimpy swimwear Chet is a dad too: he has seven-year-old daughter Micaiah with his former partner Tiffany Miles. Chet and Melissa seemed to have quite the fun day in the sun. His gal pal had quite the impressive array of tattoos with an arm covered in green and red markings. Her tummy had a large V shaped tattoo. And there were letters written down her leg. She also had several feathers inked down her back and leg. There was also a belly piercing. Her long curly red hair was worn down over her shoulders as she walked barefoot in the shore with her love. Chet went shirt free which showed off his collection of tattoos, which included an Aladdin lamp, the face of a woman, an all-seeing eye in a pyramid, and a sun. The Shameless actor added long black shorts with pockets that covered most of his legs. And his hair was shaved off though he had some facial stubble. At one point he slipped on a pair of black designer sunglasses. The two were putting on a very intimate display as they held hands, kissed, and hugged on the beach. At one point he lifted her up as she tried to do pull ups as she put on black shorts. And he was also seen placing both his hands on her generous behind. They also punch a small red bag for a while as they got in their best Rocky Balboa poses. Their display was watched by a group of homeless men who lined the beach. Venice Beach is home to thousands of homeless people who often camp on the sandy beach. Posing for her fans: She was showing off her curves while in a very strappy black bikini with gold accents Another look: The suit barely contained her chest as there was hardly any fabric because there were cut outs on the sides. The beauty seems thrilled to be flashing the flesh as she put her array of large tattoos on show Chet has had a rocky past. In November he said he was woken up by two bouncer-style men to be taken to a wilderness program for troubled teens. The star said the incident happened when he was in high school in 2008 and said his parents' earliest solution to his addiction problems was to send him to Utah. He said on the Ivan Paychecks podcast about the men who came to take him away from home: 'Bald heads, like military guys looking like bouncers, you know? And I'm like, "What the f***? What the f*** is going on?" They're like, "You're coming with us." We could do this the easy way or the hard way.' Chet added he was driven nine hours in the back of a car to southern Utah, where he lived 'without a roof' over his head and did manual labor. Thrilled with his new woman: Chet smiled as he put his hands on her chest for the candid photo Kissy time: In this image Chet snuggles up to his gal pal as she closes her eyes That look of love: The two were putting on a very intimate display as they held hands, kissed, and hugged on the beach A moment to dance: Here Chet flashed a massive cross on his back as he let his girlfriend twirl Family tree: Tom and Rita with - from left - Colin, 45, and his wife, Elizabeth, 41, Chet, and Truman, 27, in 2020 He said: 'They just hiked us in circles with an 80-pound pack. There's a lot going through your mind. 'You're under observation they're psychoanalyzing you and picking you apart. 'I was there longer than anybody else that I had seen come or go in the whole program, except for one kid who was there for six months. 'When you have absolutely nothing to occupy your mind but dead silence, a week feels like a month.' He also said he felt his Oscar-winning dad Tom and his wife Rita were being 'manipulated' while he was at the camp about its worth as it was earning money daily from his stay. Burning some calories: They also spent some time working out as they did pull ups This looks more like flirting than working out: Here she wrapped her legs around the nepo baby as he smiled Watch her man work out: He pulled up his body as she rested her hands on her hips while watching him Chet accused the facility of using his multi-millionaire parents as 'whales' as they knew they had the money to keep him there for a 'long f****** time.' Chet, now a fitness influencer, marked one year sober on September 13, 2022 by sharing a screenshot of his 12-steps progress. He said online: 'All In. The decision was final. Never going back to that s***. Ever. This is just the beginning.' Meanwhile in May Rita and Tom celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. Hanks' wife Rita said she believes 'love is everything'. The Sleepless in Seattle actress, 66, who famously co-starred in the rom-com with Big actor Tom, made the declaration as they celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. She marked the date on 30 April by posting a photo on her Instagram of Tom staring into her eyes as she laughed while giving her a cake with the message 'Happy Anniversary' written on its white icing. Rita added in a caption: '35 years of marriage. April 30 1988. Love is everything.' Her post prompted a flood of well-wishes from the Hollywood power couple's famous friends, including actress Jennifer Garner, 51, who wrote in the comments section of the post: 'Happy anniversary, Rita! Congratulations! (Three heart emojis.)' A fighter: They also hit a punching bag. Chet - full name Chester Marlon Hanks - is the son of Tom and his wife Rita Wilson Going for the win: He pounded the poor little red bag over and over with his fists Time to say bye: Hanks had a black bag worn crossbody style as he added sneakers when leaving the beach When Tom and Rita marked their wedding anniversary in 2021, she posted: '33 years of marriage to my BFF, my lover, my man. Love wins.' The couple married after meeting in 1981 on the set of Tom's sitcom 'Bosom Buddies', when he was still married to his first wife and college sweetheart Samantha Lewes. They had two children together but by 1987, Tom had split from Samantha and a year later he wed Rita. Their life hasn't been all glamour as Chet has openly battled addiction, admitting last year his parents had sent him to a 'troubled teens' program in 2008. Rita also had a double mastectomy in 2015 followed by reconstructive surgery after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. When the first official royal portrait of the Princess of Wales was unveiled to the public a decade ago, Catherine was typically polite, describing Paul Emsleys efforts as brilliant, absolutely amazing. The critics were less kind, however, condemning it as ghastly...rotten... an out-and-out disaster in one case. Another remarked, acidly: Its only saving grace is that its not by Rolf Harris. Now, I can disclose that the work has been consigned to a store room at the National Portrait Gallery, even though its the London institutions only solo painting of our future queen. It can be viewed by prior appointment in our archive. Catherine is Royal Patron of the gallery in Trafalgar Square and rumours swirl that she may be secretly pleased the work is no longer on public view. Its unthinkable that the painting of Her Royal Highness would be removed from public view without consulting her, a source tells me. That would be very discourteous. She is our greatly valued patron. The first official painted portrait of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, by Scottish-born artist Paul Emsley, 2012 Prince William meets artist Paul Emsley as Catherine, then Duchess of Cambridge, looked on after a private viewing of his portrait in 2013 Catherine is Royal Patron of the National Portrait Gallery (pictured) Trafalgar Square and rumours swirl that she may be secretly pleased the work is no longer on public view The oil painting was given a prominent spot from its unveiling in 2013 until 2018. It was then lent for a touring exhibition around the world until the gallery closed for 35million of refurbishment work in 2020. When the gallery was reopened last month by the Princess amid great fanfare, only two works featuring her image were left on display: a painting, by Jamie Coreth, of her side by side with her husband, Prince William, and a photograph by Paolo Roversi, an Italian fashion snapper, taken to mark her 40th birthday in 2022. Emsleys dead-eyed painting, which sparked global controversy for making the Princess look older than her years, was not the only prominent royal portrait to disappear when the gallery reopened. Nicky Philippss 2010 painting of Princes William and Harry in their Household Cavalry mess uniform was removed from public display. The decision sparked speculation that the gallery was keen to avoid Catherine being photographed next to an image of Harry, who publicly accused her of making his wife, Meghan, cry. Among other lurid claims in his memoirs, Spare, he alleged that William physically attacked him and knocked him to the floor. The gallery insists that the Princess has no influence over its selection of works. Decisions relating to the portraits on display are made by the curatorial team, the spokesman says. With over 250,000 portraits held in our collection, we are only able to display a small percentage within our building. We regularly rotate the portraits on display and loan portraits from the collection to other galleries and organisations. Pail Emsley stands in front of his painting at the National Portrait Gallery in 2013. where it had a prominent spot until 2018 Baywatch star Donna D'Errico showed off her enviable toned frame in a cheeky snap to mark the one year anniversary of her OnlyFans account this week. The actress, 55, showcased her pert posterior and toned legs as she posed in pastel pink thong lingerie while striking a sultry pose. The beauty wore a suspender belt and lacy bra in the sizzling snap. Her raven locks were styled sleek and straight and she sported a radiant palette of make-up. She wrote: 'Wow, it's almost been a year since I became a member of that site and I have to admit, I'm loving every minute! No haters, no trolls, no drama - just pure freedom to be myself. No regrets, baby!' Cheeky; Baywatch star Donna D'Errico showed off her enviable toned frame in a cheeky snap to mark the one year anniversary of her OnlyFans account this week Last month the star slipped back into a red one piece swimsuit which is very similar to what she wore on her hit TV series Baywatch that also starred David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson. The siren turned up the heat as she showed off her knockout figure in the sunlight. The TV star had toned arms, a tiny waistline, and long, lean legs. She added a fresh deep brown suntan. The looker was posing against a bright yellow Jeep as she looked out at the ocean on the picturesque shoreline. The former Playboy model even help onto one of the bright red flotation devices that was used heavily on her nighttime soaper. A French manicure rounded out her polished look. In her caption she referenced Baywatch, which still does well in reruns. 'Recreating Baywatch in Miami #baywatch #beachlife #90s,' she noted. Fans went wild for the image saying that she looked 'incredible' and was still 'very hot.' One follower said: 'My favourite lifeguard, donna Marco she could rescue me anytime I was so in love with her my friends use to slag me but I didn't care.' red-y to shine: Last month the star slipped back into a red one piece swimsuit which is very similar to what she wore on her hit TV series Baywatch that also starred David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson Her big hit series: Seen here on the show, which was a massive hit and ran from 1989 until 2001 In March she also made a nod to the show. She shared a sexy snap where she pulled down her red suit and pulled up her white tank top to show off her flat belly. 'Posting some cake on my birthday because I said I would, because I feel like it, and because why not,' wrote the sassy star. The Alabama native added, 'Have fun today everyone. I certainly will! I love you all!' It comes after just days ago she showed up online to fire back at critics who called her regularly sexed up posts 'raunchy.' Sizzling: D'Errico called back to her days on the hit lifeguard series as she posed in a red swimsuit to ring in her 55th birthday in March She likes the color red! .The siren - who recently turned 55 - turned up the heat as she showed off her knockout figure in the sunlight. The TV star had toned arms, a tiny waistline, and long, lean legs. She added a fresh deep brown suntan Donna has been celebrating her birthday throughout the month - on March 3 she shared a topless photo and wrote, 'Its my birthday month so heres me in half my birthday suit.' And on March 9 she uploaded another scantily clad image and said, 'Its National Barbie Day. 'Its also still National Donna DErrico Birthday Month. Heres me honoring both today sitting in Barbie pink letting you know Ill be posting some cake on my birthday.' Fellow actress Tracey Bregman paid tribute to her friend Donna on Thursday as she shared a throwback image of the two in tight dresses. They were captured on a night out, dressed to the nines, and Bregman wrote along the bottom of the image: 'Whether we are just casually walking down the street lol or talking through life's ups and downs, you always have me by your side. 'Happy birthday beautiful @donnaderrico.' D'Errico later reposted the gushing tribute to her Instagram Stories. Last week the star shared her frustration over haters who called her sexy posts 'raunchy.' She loves to show off all her hard work: She has said she exercises a ton to look this good; seen in scarlet red lingerie The team: D'Errico as Donna, Michael Bergin as Jack JD Dariusand Marliece Andrada as Skylar Bergman And on Sunday the Playboy model again expressed her fury over the trolls who depict her as trashy. Donna took to Instagram to share a sexy photo of herself in a light pink lacy lingerie set while at her Los Angeles home. She was in profile as she flashed a coy look. She clapped back in the caption as she wrote, 'If this is raunchy then so is @victoriassecret. I think this is pretty. 'My very first post on tiktok and everyone goes nuts are you serious. With all the smut thats out there? People kill me. Im laughing. Link in bio!' In another recent post she wore a sheer white swimsuit and said in the caption, 'Heres me squatting again in a bathing suit. Its so fun doing this thing called whatever I want.' She then praised her fans: 'I love you guys so much. Thank you all for being so kind. Have a gorgeous day.' Before that the blonde beauty took to her Insta Stories to slam critics at the publication that called her pinup shots 'raunchy.' Donna shared a screenshot of the publication's headline, which read: 'Baywatch Donna D'Errico launches raunchy TikTok account with saucy bikini videos.' Donna didn't appreciate how she was portrayed in the article and gave the outlet a mouthful. The entertainer defended herself as she said, 'Um... it's literally one single video of me standing in a bikini. 'Nice clickbait but I don't appreciate it since I'm not raunchy and don't post or do raunchy stuff.' The mother-of-two regularly directs followers to click her 'link in bio' where there's Linktree access to her Only Fans account that reads, 'Wears bikinis, Makes millions.' Amy Dowden says doctors have discovered she has 'another type of cancer' after her initial breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year. The Strictly Come Dancing star, 32, was diagnosed with aggressive stage three breast cancer in May. She found a lump while preparing for her honeymoon with husband Ben Jones in April and shared her diagnosis weeks later. The professional dancer has since had an operation, a mastectomy and has had fertility treatment. However, during an Instagram Live chat with breast cancer survivor and Paralympic gold medalist Erin Kennedy for the charity CoppaFeel! on Friday, Amy revealed the devastating news cancer had been found elsewhere in her body. Devastating: Amy Dowden, 32, says doctors have discovered she has 'another type of cancer' after her initial breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year Revealing doctors had found more tumours when she went for an MRI scan and had her mastectomy, Amy said: 'For me, my journey, everything changed. I was originally going to have a lumpectomy, radiotherapy and hormone treatment. 'But then, after my MRI, they found another tumour so then it changed into a mastectomy and then, after my mastectomy, unfortunately, they found even more tumours. 'And my pathology wasn't what they were expecting, and they found another type of cancer and then they told me I needed chemo for me that was a massive blow. 'It wasn't in the plan, originally and I know the plan you can't get fixated on. 'So, all of a sudden, then I realised, and you get scared, but the oncologist did say that with chemo I've got a really good chance of a cure. 'I was really scared and I didn't want to do chemo but then seeing someone like yourself (Erin) who's carried on and for me straightaway it was my dancing, like, you can take away my boob but you can't take my dancing away from me and that's what I get really upset about.' While Amy was hoping to return to Strictly Come Dancing this year, she said this will. now be on hold: 'This year it means I'm not going to be able to dance with a celebrity on Strictly but I'm in such regular contact with the team. The BBC have just been utterly incredible. 'We are just one big family and they're going to be guided by me and there's so many ways to be involved in the show. Illness: The Strictly Come Dancing star has tried to remain positive after she was diagnosed with aggressive stage three breast cancer in May 'I'm just staying really positive and hopeful that I'm still going to be part of the show in some way and my aim is to continue dancing the oncologist said to me movement is really, really good for people on chemo, it's important. So that was encouraging.' Amy added of Erin: 'And then obviously seeing someone like yourself and the way you've bounced back, it just gives me hope really. 'So I have struggled in accepting that I've gotta have chemo and what comes with it the hair loss and everything else but I'm determined to continue in a healthy way as much as I can.' Amy later took to her Instagram Stories to thank her followers for their support after she revealed her news. She wrote: 'Just want to thank everyone for their love and support. 'I'll tackle this next step the best I can and very blessed to have the love and support of my family and friends along with you guys, thank you! 'The rest of the year looked very different to what was planned but hopefully I'll enter 2024 cancer free and I'll never take anything for granted and promise to live life to the full!' It comes after Amy revealed she is determined to return to Strictly Come Dancing this year, despite her recent diagnosis. The television personality, who recently underwent a single mastectomy, is waiting for results to learn whether she will require radiotherapy or radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy. Grateful: Amy took to her Instagram Stories on Friday to thank her followers for their support after she revealed her news She told The Mirror: 'If I only have radiotherapy I'll be back on Strictly this season. Once radiotherapy is done there'll be nothing to stop me, there's no pressure but Strictly is leaving the door open. It's having something to work towards'. 'I'm visualising myself on that Strictly dance floor. Just being back in the ballroom with the live audience, the adrenalin and the atmosphere. And the support from the whole Strictly family'. She then went on to explain how routines could be altered to accommodate her, much like her 2020 parter JJ Chalmers. The TV presenter and former royal marine injured in a bomb blast in Afghanistan, and Amy revealed: 'I used to choreograph with one arm in my pocket for him. He's been a great support, he says, 'Cancer has messed with the wrong person'. Amy has become a fan favourite since her first appearance on the show in 2017 and has teamed up with stars including Brian Conely, Tom Fletcher and Karim Zeroual. Elsewhere in the interview Amy opened up about how she was left in tears and worrying the disease was 'spreading inside' ahead of her mastectomy. Surgeons removed two tumours from her right breast as well as cancer 'specs' and lymph nodes, which have since been sent for analysis. Amy went on to tell the publication she hadn't yet looked at her reconstructed breast out of fear of 'upsetting' herself. Dancing queen: It comes after Amy revealed she is determined to return to Strictly Come Dancing this year, despite her recent diagnosis Treatment: The professional dancer has since had an operation, a mastectomy and has had fertility treatment since her initial diagnosis According to the NHS a mastectomy is an operation to remove a breast. It's used to treat breast cancer in women and breast cancer in men. The operation usually involves removing most of the breast tissue and skin, and the nipple. It comes after Amy credited her Strictly Come Dancing colleagues for their incredible support after informing them of her breast cancer diagnosis during a group meeting. Husband Ben, who exchanged vows with the dancer in South Wales last July, also credited family members for helping them maintain a positive outlook. He told HELLO : 'Amy has had a lot to deal with in her life and, as I expected, has shown great resilience in the past couple of weeks. 'We are both surrounded by lots of family and friends who are going to be an important support to us in the coming months. We are both staying very positive and remain optimistic moving forward.' The Strictly Come Dancing professional shared her diagnosis on Instagram in May and discussed the possibility of returning to the BBC show for its new series later this year. She wrote: 'Hey all, I've got some news which isn't easy to share. I've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but I'm determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it. Welsh love Amy.' The dancer has battled gut condition Crohn's disease since she was a child and said she has already been through 'quite a lot' in her life with health struggles. Unexpected: She discovered a lump while preparing for her honeymoon with husband Ben Jones in April She told HELLO at the time: 'You just don't ever think it's going to happen to you. I hadn't thought it was possible to get breast cancer at my age. My mum has had breast cancer, but she had it at a later age, in her 50s.' Amy said it was taking part in the CoppaTrek! walk last June in support of breast health awareness charity CoppaFeel! that led her to discover her own cancer. She realised that she doesn't 'check her breasts' and then made a conscious effort to check herself, saying CoppaFeel! has 'potentially saved her life'. 'I don't know how long this lump could have been there before I would have noticed and done something about it,' she added. Amy said she found a lump in her right breast in April, a day before she and her husband flew to the Maldives for a belated honeymoon after their wedding last July. The dancer said she was 'in shock' and decided to keep an eye on the lump, before going to the doctor when the lump grew on her return home. She was immediately sent for an emergency referral, where she was told the lump looked 'suspicious' and to 'prepare for the worst'. After a biopsy, Amy was told she had grade three breast cancer, saying her first question was when she could get back on the dance floor. Grade three cancer is when the cells look very different to normal breast cells and tend to spread more quickly. The grade describes how a cancer cell looks under a microscope. It is different to a cancer stage, which describes the size of the cancer and how far it has spread. Amy is yet to find out what stage of cancer she has. Amy said her cancer has been caught 'early' and she is now waiting for more information before she is given a full treatment plan, which will include surgery. Danielle Armstrong has finally revealed the name of her newborn daughter in an emotional Instagram post on Friday. The former TOWIE star, 34, gave an insight into her special day as she shared a sweet clip from the day she gave birth to her second daughter, and captioned the post to reveal her baby's name. In the caption, Danielle revealed she'd named her daughter Una Rae Edney after her arrival on Thursday. The actress shared with her 1.3 million followers glimpses of her moments in the hospital, as she couldn't contain the joy of welcoming her second daughter with husband Tommy Edney. In the black and white clip Danielle is captured in a hospital gown, and followed by a jolly Tommy getting ready to get into the birthing room. Revelation: Danielle Armstrong has finally revealed the name of her newborn daughter as she shared an emotional clip on Friday Documenting: The former TOWIE star shared a sweet clip from the day she gave birth to her second daughter, and captioned the post to reveal her baby's name In the video Danielle documented all the steps until the long-waited moment where she welcome her little Una Rae, as she is captured in the bed holding Tommy's hands. Another close up clip captured the exact moment the star gave birth, as Danielle cried of joy while her husband held her hand. In the video Danielle also proudly captured her little one resting in the incubator, and as the parents couldn't be happier, they were both photographed holding the newborn in their arms. Later the TOWIE sensation - who is also mother to Orla, 3 - is captured relaxing next to the incubator, as she enjoyed a glass of wine, and touched the baby daughter's tiny hand. The star shared the news on Instagram on Thursday, revealing she'd given birth to a baby girl but without announcing the name yet. Sharing a sweet snap of themselves and the newborn, Danielle excitedly wrote: 'Orla Got Her Wish.... IT'S A GIRL!' While Danielle and Tommy - who tied the knot in August 2022 - chose not to learn the gender of their second child during pregnancy, she previously admitted she was convinced she was having boy. The ITVBe star has kept her followers up-to-date throughout her pregnancy sharing a number of stunning bump snaps. Joyful news: The actress shared with her 1.3M followers glimpses of her moments in the hospital, as she couldn't contain the joy of welcoming her second daughter with husband Tommy Edney Doting dad: In the black and white clip Danielle is captured in a hospital gown, and followed by a jolly Tommy getting ready to get into the birthing room Emotional: In the video Danielle documented all the steps until the long-waited moment where she welcome her little Una Rae, as she is captured in the bed holding Tommy's hands Tiny: In the video Danielle also proudly captured her little one resting in the incubator Happy: As the parents couldn't be happier, they were both photographed holding the newborn in their arms Danielle revealed she was expecting her second child back in January on Instagram as she shared a sweet black and white video as she held up three pregnancy tests admitting: 'I wasn't sure!'. She wrote: 'Baby Edney No2....Oh we can't wait to meet you. 'We are absolutely over the moon, that we will be adding another bubba to our family summer 2023'. I know Orla is going to be the most amazing Big Sister'. Danielle later revealed that she found it 'really emotional' and 'hard' to get pregnant with baby number two. At the start of the year, she shared her relief about not having to keep her pregnancy secret anymore and admit that she was 'anxious' this time around. She said: 'I just felt so much more anxious in this pregnancy and you just want the all clear with all the doctors and different scans and all the different tests they run. 'I don't know what it is, but I just really found it hard this time round.' She continued: 'The news is finally out. I'm so relieved to be able to just be myself, not wearing a baggy top. I've had quite a lot of message over the last few weeks of people saying 'Are you pregnant?' I think women get a feeling. 'But it's been so hard keeping it in, and keeping it from you friends and family. Even my mum! 'Me and my mum are so close and just to keep that from her for a certain amount of time. It's just hard.' The big reveal: Danielle revealed she was expecting her second child back in January on Instagram as she shared a sweet black and white video as she held up three pregnancy tests Danielle advised her followers not to ask if someone was pregnant, saying: 'But you know what I will say, for anyone who is watching this, if you think or suspect someone's pregnant. Just a little bit of advice, don't ask them. Don't even try to do the hints, just keep it to yourself. 'Because I experience that quite a lot over the last few weeks and it's really not a nice feeling. And to be put in that position was just, it was horrible because you feel like you're lying, but obviously you're not. 'But I just think the whole pregnancy thing, trying, pregnant, its a real personal thing and you should always respect someone's decision about whether they're going to tell you or not.' She concluded: 'But the news is finally out. I don't feel like I have to worry about covering myself and I don't want it to feel like a secret. 'I'm actually not a secretive person, but we're really happy, I can't wait, roll on the summer. I feel like we're gonna have our hands full.' In March, Danielle admitted she was desperate to get pregnant for a second time that the sex got 'mechanical' with her husband because she was like a 'dog on heat'. They first started trying for their second child while on their honeymoon in The Maldives last September. She told OK! Magazine: 'As soon as the wedding was over, I was like, 'Get me pregnant now!' And jumped on him.' Turning to Tommy, she said: 'You probably really enjoyed it for those few months I was like a dog on heat! Because we knew we wanted a baby and I'm a bit of a control freak, I just wanted to get pregnant as quickly as possible.' She revealed that towards the end it got 'a bit mechanical' when it came to 'ovulation dates and when to have sex.' 'It worked, but I can imagine it being quite stressful for couples who are trying for longer than a year because it does take the romance out of it.' Last year Danielle revealed she was devastated when she was told she might struggle to conceive after being diagnosed with endometriosis. Family: The couple, who married in August 2022, are already parents to daughter Orla, three The reality star favourite was diagnosed with the condition in December 2018 and recalled her devastation when she learned it could make having children difficult. Speaking to Fabulous magazine at the time, Danielle said: 'I remember walking out of that appointment and I was sitting in the car park just crying on my own.' However, Danielle said she found coming off the pill helped her, telling how she met Tommy six months after her diagnosis. The couple moved in together after just two weeks and then six weeks later, Danielle found out she was pregnant with her daughter Orla who was born in May 2020. The progress Rwanda has made in promoting and implementing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) policies, programmes, and commitments has gained widespread recognition. However, amidst the gains, there are still numerous untapped opportunities that hold the potential for further advancement. These possibilities encompass a wide range of areas, such as extending support to all adolescents (mainly in rural areas), diminishing the prevalence of unsafe abortion, and ensuring that no individual is left behind. This was unpacked at a side event of the Women Deliver Conference 2023, on July 19, themed, "Progress, Promise, Possibilities: Past and Future of SRHR in Rwanda." According to Sandrine Umutoni, Director General of the Imbuto Foundation, Rwanda's commitment to promoting gender equality can be seen in policies that ensure women's representation at various levels of decision-making across different institutions, ranging from business to leadership and judiciary. The same dedication extends to health initiatives, particularly those focused on women, she said. Hassan Sibomana, Ag. Maternal, Child, and Community Health Division at Rwanda Biomedical Centre, said evidence is through the decrease in infant and maternal mortality rates among other things. Specifically, the data shows a significant decline from 1,071 per 100,000 live births in 2000 to 203 per 100,000 live births in 2020. And, Rwanda's infant mortality rate was 33 deaths per 1,000 live births (DHS 2019/2020 estimates), down from 107 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Health Women By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. He explained that this was particularly due to strong political commitment, improvement in the quality of antenatal care services, decentralisation of health facilities where each sector has at least one health centre, and the removal of financial barriers by introducing community-based health insurance (Mutuelle de Sante). In addition, increasing the number of health care providers in health facilities (nurses, midwives, and medical doctors), continuous capacity-building of health care providers through training, on-site training through mentorships, and increasing equipment and commodities in health facilities. He said great progress has been made in tackling financial and geographical barriers to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and that young girls are being supplied with educational resources on the subject at various stages of schooling, among other things. However, as suggested by Ruth Levine, Vice President of Just Societies and Chief Learning Officer, there's still much to be done especially at the community level. "As in many African and conservative societies, there's still a bit of stigma and shame around the topic. Beyond the policies, there's a need for more safe spaces for SRHR," she noted. The main focus of the discussion during the side event was the importance of offering sexual reproductive health services to adolescents and young people. This approach is viewed as a way to empower them and prevent various risks that can arise from a lack of awareness, such as unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, sexual coercion and abuse, as well as negative consequences on education and opportunities for teenage parents. This Account has been suspended. Aenza S.A.A. (NYSE:AENZ Get Free Report) saw a large decrease in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 7,800 shares, a decrease 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. Price Performance Shares of AENZ stock traded up $0.05 on Thursday, reaching $1.90. The company had a trading volume of 110 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,700. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 1.01. The company has a 50-day moving average of $1.98 and a 200-day moving average of $2.42. Aenza S.A.A. has a 12 month low of $1.69 and a 12 month high of $5.90. Get Aenza S.A.A. alerts: Aenza S.A.A. (NYSE:AENZ Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company 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. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Aenza S.A.A. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aenza S.A.A. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Albemarle Co. (NYSE:ALB Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 7,520,000 shares, a growth of 14.6% from the June 15th total of 6,560,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,240,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.4 days. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on ALB shares. Scotiabank cut shares of Albemarle from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report on Wednesday, May 10th. Robert W. Baird upgraded shares of Albemarle from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and raised their target price for the stock from $222.00 to $288.00 in a report on Monday, May 15th. HSBC dropped their target price on shares of Albemarle from $360.00 to $300.00 in a report on Friday, June 23rd. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Albemarle in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Berenberg Bank dropped their target price on shares of Albemarle from $290.00 to $225.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 17th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $282.55. Get Albemarle alerts: Albemarle Price Performance Shares of ALB stock traded down $9.43 on Thursday, hitting $223.09. 2,255,111 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,954,781. The firm has a market cap of $26.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.15, a PEG ratio of 0.63 and a beta of 1.55. Albemarle has a 52 week low of $171.82 and a 52 week high of $334.55. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $220.33 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $226.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 1.90 and a quick ratio of 0.99. Albemarle Dividend Announcement Albemarle ( NYSE:ALB Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The specialty chemicals company reported $10.32 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.93 by $3.39. The firm had revenue of $2.58 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.74 billion. Albemarle had a net margin of 41.89% and a return on equity of 45.57%. The companys revenue was up 128.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.38 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Albemarle will post 23.42 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.72%. Albemarles dividend payout ratio is currently 5.13%. Insider Buying and Selling at Albemarle In other Albemarle news, CEO J Kent Masters bought 5,470 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $181.64 per share, with a total value of $993,570.80. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer now owns 51,466 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,348,284.24. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, CEO J Kent Masters purchased 5,470 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $181.64 per share, for a total transaction of $993,570.80. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 51,466 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,348,284.24. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Kristin M. Coleman purchased 1,373 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $182.00 per share, for a total transaction of $249,886.00. Following the acquisition, the executive vice president now owns 1,373 shares of the companys stock, valued at $249,886. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders acquired 8,103 shares of company stock valued at $1,489,774. Corporate insiders own 0.38% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Albemarle Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Activest Wealth Management bought a new stake in Albemarle in the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. AdvisorNet Financial Inc increased its holdings in Albemarle by 188.1% in the 1st quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 121 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 79 shares during the last quarter. Core Alternative Capital increased its holdings in Albemarle by 342.9% in the 1st quarter. Core Alternative Capital now owns 124 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 96 shares during the last quarter. Covestor Ltd increased its holdings in Albemarle by 51.2% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 130 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Artemis Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Albemarle in the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. 87.03% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Albemarle Company Profile (Get Free Report) Albemarle Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets engineered specialty chemicals worldwide. It operates through three segments: Lithium, Bromine, and Catalysts. The Lithium segment offers lithium compounds, including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, and lithium specialties and reagents, such as butyllithium and lithium aluminum hydride for use in lithium batteries for consumer electronics and electric vehicles, high performance greases, thermoplastic elastomers for car tires, rubber soles, plastic bottles, catalysts for chemical reactions, organic synthesis processes in the areas of steroid chemistry and vitamins, life sciences, pharmaceutical industry, and other markets. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Albemarle Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Albemarle and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Hawaii Co. (NYSE:BOH Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 8,850,000 shares, an increase of 15.4% from the June 15th total of 7,670,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,240,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 7.1 days. Approximately 22.8% of the shares of the company are short sold. Bank of Hawaii Price Performance BOH stock traded down $0.10 during trading on Thursday, hitting $53.89. The company had a trading volume of 1,431,309 shares, compared to its average volume of 856,709. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $43.08 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $56.34. The company has a current ratio of 0.66, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43. The company has a market cap of $2.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.17, a P/E/G ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.97. Bank of Hawaii has a fifty-two week low of $30.83 and a fifty-two week high of $85.45. Get Bank of Hawaii alerts: Bank of Hawaii (NYSE:BOH Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 24th. The bank reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.23 by ($0.09). The company had revenue of $229.07 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $177.67 million. Bank of Hawaii had a net margin of 26.90% and a return on equity of 19.01%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.32 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Bank of Hawaii will post 4.13 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Bank of Hawaii Dividend Announcement Insiders Place Their Bets The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st were paid a $0.70 dividend. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.20%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 30th. Bank of Hawaiis dividend payout ratio is 52.83%. In other Bank of Hawaii news, Director Alicia E. Moy purchased 4,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $47.90 per share, with a total value of $201,180.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,482 shares in the company, valued at approximately $502,087.80. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other Bank of Hawaii news, Director Alicia E. Moy purchased 4,200 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were bought at an average cost of $47.90 per share, with a total value of $201,180.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 10,482 shares in the company, valued at approximately $502,087.80. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Kent Thomas Lucien purchased 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, May 12th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $32.29 per share, for a total transaction of $32,290.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,500 shares in the company, valued at $177,595. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired a total of 11,700 shares of company stock valued at $492,495 in the last three months. Company insiders own 2.11% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Bank of Hawaii A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of BOH. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its stake in Bank of Hawaii by 5.8% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 70,245 shares of the banks stock worth $5,895,000 after purchasing an additional 3,843 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Bank of Hawaii by 15.3% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 15,739 shares of the banks stock worth $1,322,000 after purchasing an additional 2,093 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Bank of Hawaii by 43.8% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 14,531 shares of the banks stock worth $1,219,000 after purchasing an additional 4,423 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its stake in Bank of Hawaii by 6.1% in the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 8,757 shares of the banks stock worth $735,000 after purchasing an additional 501 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in Bank of Hawaii by 32.7% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 26,023 shares of the banks stock worth $2,184,000 after purchasing an additional 6,407 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.72% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have recently weighed in on BOH shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on Bank of Hawaii from $83.00 to $60.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 6th. StockNews.com raised Bank of Hawaii to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. Odeon Capital Group started coverage on Bank of Hawaii in a report on Wednesday, June 7th. They set a sell rating and a $31.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, TheStreet lowered Bank of Hawaii from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $54.25. About Bank of Hawaii (Get Free Report) Bank of Hawaii Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Hawaii that provides various financial products and services in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. It operates in three segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases, personal lines of credit, installment loans, small business loans and leases, and credit cards; private and international client banking, investment, credit, and trust services to individuals and families, and high-net-worth individuals; investment management; institutional investment advisory services to corporations, government entities, and foundations; and brokerage offerings, including equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Hawaii Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Hawaii and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Women Deliver Conference wrapped up on July 20 leaving behind a trail of hope and inspiration in the pursuit of gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls worldwide. The conference which attracted over 6,300 participants including over 100 journalists and content creators, 600 scholars, and 87 sponsors representing 170 countries, became a platform for concrete commitments to empower women and drive progress. The five-day conference saw passionate discussions on supporting women and girls with funding and resources to challenge harmful norms and advocate for institutional and legislative reforms. At the closing press briefing, the President and CEO of Women Deliver, Maliha Khan, highlighted the need for securing bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls. Key outcomes and commitments 1. Campaign to close the gender nutrition gap: Over 40 organisations launched a campaign to address nutrition inequalities affecting women and girls globally. The Action Agenda co-created with governments outlines transformative actions to improve their nutrition and well-being. 2. Kigali Call to Action: United for Women and Girls' Bodily Autonomy: UNFPA announced this initiative to accelerate investments and actions, placing women-led organisations and the feminist movement at its core. The call aims to achieve bodily autonomy, reproductive rights, and gender equality by 2030. 3. RESPECT Women website launch: WHO, UN Women, UNFPA, and UNDP came together to launch the RESPECT Women online platform, aiming to combat violence against women and girls effectively. The platform seeks to drive tangible actions and invest in evidence-based resources for violence prevention and response while promoting gender equality. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Women By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. 4. Women Deliver Emerging Leaders Programme: To empower young advocates, Women Deliver launched this programme, channelling trust-based funding to youth. It seeks to provide knowledge, resources, and leadership opportunities to further gender equality and sexual health advocacy goals. 5. New funding facility with Open Society Foundations: To counter the anti-rights movement and address neglected sexual health and reproductive areas, a strategic partnership was forged with Open Society Foundations. The focus is on strengthening feminist movements and empowering communities at all levels to uphold fundamental freedoms for women. However, Khan stressed that despite the progress made, there is still a lot of work ahead to address existing barriers and enable women and girls to fulfil their potential. The conference aimed to strengthen solidarity and unity for ongoing efforts towards a brighter, equal future. Gear Energy Ltd. (TSE:GXE Free Report) Analysts at Atb Cap Markets cut their Q2 2023 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Gear Energy in a note issued to investors on Monday, July 17th. Atb Cap Markets analyst A. Arif now expects that the company will earn $0.02 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.03. The consensus estimate for Gear Energys current full-year earnings is $0.09 per share. Get Gear Energy alerts: Separately, Stifel Nicolaus lowered their price target on shares of Gear Energy from C$1.10 to C$1.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Gear Energy Price Performance Shares of GXE stock opened at C$0.98 on Wednesday. The firms 50 day moving average price is C$0.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$1.03. The stock has a market cap of C$256.37 million, a PE ratio of 3.50 and a beta of 3.97. Gear Energy has a 52-week low of C$0.90 and a 52-week high of C$1.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.42, a quick ratio of 0.56 and a current ratio of 1.03. Gear Energy (TSE:GXE Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported C$0.01 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$0.02 by C($0.01). Gear Energy had a return on equity of 31.33% and a net margin of 46.77%. The business had revenue of C$33.68 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$33.00 million. Gear Energy Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Investors of record on Friday, July 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.01 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $0.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 12.24%. Gear Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 42.86%. About Gear Energy (Get Free Report) Gear Energy Ltd., an exploration and production company, acquires, develops, and holds interests in petroleum and natural gas properties and assets in Canada. Its properties include the Celtic/Paradise Hill property located approximately 40 kilometers northeast of Lloydminster Alberta; the Wildmere field situated approximately 200 kilometers southeast of Edmonton, Alberta; the Wilson Creek property located in Central Alberta; and the Tableland property situated southwest of Estevan in Southeast Saskatchewan. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Gear Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gear Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of CIRCOR International (NYSE:CIR Free Report) in a report published on Monday. The brokerage issued a buy rating on the industrial products companys stock. Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. TheStreet raised shares of CIRCOR International from a d+ rating to a c rating in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus downgraded shares of CIRCOR International from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, June 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, CIRCOR International presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $32.33. Get CIRCOR International alerts: CIRCOR International Price Performance Shares of CIR opened at $55.92 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $1.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 28.24 and a beta of 2.40. The company has a quick ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 2.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.10. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $44.85 and a 200 day moving average of $33.59. CIRCOR International has a twelve month low of $13.32 and a twelve month high of $56.48. Institutional Inflows and Outflows CIRCOR International ( NYSE:CIR Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 11th. The industrial products company reported $0.53 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.12 by $0.41. CIRCOR International had a net margin of 5.03% and a return on equity of 34.61%. The business had revenue of $203.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $188.80 million. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that CIRCOR International will post 2.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of CIR. Dorsey Wright & Associates purchased a new position in shares of CIRCOR International during the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky purchased a new position in shares of CIRCOR International during the 3rd quarter worth $99,000. Quantbot Technologies LP purchased a new position in shares of CIRCOR International during the 1st quarter worth $147,000. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC boosted its stake in shares of CIRCOR International by 52.4% during the 3rd quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 8,910 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $147,000 after acquiring an additional 3,062 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Credit Suisse AG boosted its stake in shares of CIRCOR International by 10.0% during the 2nd quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 14,690 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $241,000 after acquiring an additional 1,335 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.64% of the companys stock. About CIRCOR International (Get Free Report) CIRCOR International, Inc designs, manufactures, and distributes flow and motion control products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and internationally. The company has a product portfolio of brands serving its customers' demanding applications. It operates through two segments, Aerospace & Defense and Industrial. See Also Receive News & Ratings for CIRCOR International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CIRCOR International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Currys plc (LON:CURY Get Free Report) passed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 52.92 ($0.69) and traded as high as GBX 54.40 ($0.71). Currys shares last traded at GBX 53.35 ($0.70), with a volume of 3,554,326 shares trading hands. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Numis Securities reissued a reduce rating and issued a GBX 53 ($0.69) price objective on shares of Currys in a report on Friday, June 16th. Get Currys alerts: Currys Stock Up 0.6 % The company has a quick ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 75.42. The businesss fifty day moving average price is GBX 52.88 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 60.69. The firm has a market capitalization of 626.02 million, a PE ratio of -117.87 and a beta of 1.35. Insider Buying and Selling at Currys About Currys In related news, insider Adam Walker purchased 102,635 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 10th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 49 ($0.64) per share, with a total value of 50,291.15 ($65,757.26). In other Currys news, insider Bruce Marsh bought 65,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 6th. The shares were bought at an average price of GBX 47 ($0.61) per share, for a total transaction of 30,550 ($39,945.08). Also, insider Adam Walker purchased 102,635 shares of Currys stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 10th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 49 ($0.64) per share, with a total value of 50,291.15 ($65,757.26). 11.22% of the stock is owned by company insiders. (Get Free Report) Currys Plc operates as a retailer of technology products and services. The company operates through UK & Ireland, Nordics, and Greece segments. It offers consumer electronics and mobile technology products and services; and mobile virtual network operator and consumer electrical repair services. The company also sells its products through online; and offers insurance services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Currys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Currys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sienna Senior Living Inc. (TSE:SIA Free Report) Equities research analysts at National Bank Financial issued their Q2 2023 earnings estimates for shares of Sienna Senior Living in a research note issued to investors on Monday, July 17th. National Bank Financial analyst T. Woolley forecasts that the company will earn $0.27 per share for the quarter. The consensus estimate for Sienna Senior Livings current full-year earnings is $0.18 per share. Get Sienna Senior Living alerts: A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the stock. National Bankshares cut their price target on shares of Sienna Senior Living from C$13.00 to C$12.50 in a report on Tuesday. TD Securities decreased their target price on shares of Sienna Senior Living from C$15.00 to C$14.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 5th. Sienna Senior Living Price Performance Sienna Senior Living Announces Dividend Shares of TSE:SIA opened at C$11.65 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 239.46, a current ratio of 0.21 and a quick ratio of 0.23. Sienna Senior Living has a one year low of C$10.32 and a one year high of C$14.20. The companys fifty day moving average price is C$11.44 and its 200-day moving average price is C$11.38. The firm has a market capitalization of C$849.75 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -46.60 and a beta of 1.10. The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 31st will be paid a $0.078 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 28th. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.03%. Sienna Senior Livings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -376.00%. About Sienna Senior Living (Get Free Report) Sienna Senior Living Inc provides senior living and long-term care (LTC) services in Canada. It operates through Retirement and LTC segments. The company offers a range of seniors' living options, including independent supportive and assisted living, memory care, and long-term care services. The company was formerly known as Leisureworld Senior Care Corporation and changed its name to Sienna Senior Living Inc in May 2015. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sienna Senior Living Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sienna Senior Living and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Analysts at StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Everest Re Group (NYSE:RE Get Free Report) in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday. The firm set a buy rating on the insurance providers stock. RE has been the subject of several other research reports. Citigroup started coverage on Everest Re Group in a research report on Wednesday, June 21st. They issued a buy rating and a $406.00 price target for the company. Raymond James upgraded Everest Re Group from an outperform rating to a strong-buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from $420.00 to $450.00 in a research report on Friday, July 7th. Morgan Stanley started coverage on shares of Everest Re Group in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. They issued an overweight rating and a $429.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Everest Re Group from $435.00 to $445.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price objective on shares of Everest Re Group from $455.00 to $468.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $429.67. Get Everest Re Group alerts: Everest Re Group Stock Performance The stock has a market cap of $13.80 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 0.60. Everest Re Group has a 52 week low of $244.57 and a 52 week high of $394.99. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $355.43 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $358.43. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Everest Re Group Everest Re Group ( NYSE:RE Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The insurance provider reported $11.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $12.48 by ($1.17). Everest Re Group had a return on equity of 12.98% and a net margin of 5.34%. The firm had revenue of $3.33 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.10 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $10.31 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 18.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that Everest Re Group will post 43.25 EPS for the current year. Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. boosted its position in Everest Re Group by 57.6% in the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 104 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 38 shares during the period. Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Everest Re Group during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Clear Street Markets LLC raised its stake in Everest Re Group by 94.9% during the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 76 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 37 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Everest Re Group during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Finally, Financial Management Professionals Inc. raised its stake in Everest Re Group by 1,171.4% during the 1st quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 89 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 82 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.39% of the companys stock. About Everest Re Group (Get Free Report) Everest Re Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States, Bermuda, and internationally. The company operates through Reinsurance Operations and Insurance Operations segments. The Reinsurance Operations segment writes property and casualty reinsurance; and specialty lines of business through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies in the United States, Bermuda, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Everest Re Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Everest Re Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Franco-Nevada (TSE:FNV Free Report) (NYSE:FNV) had its price objective lowered by Raymond James from C$175.00 to C$174.00 in a research report report published on Monday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The brokerage currently has an outperform rating on the stock. A number of other equities analysts also recently issued reports on the company. National Bankshares increased their target price on Franco-Nevada from C$210.00 to C$215.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Franco-Nevada from C$204.00 to C$222.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. CIBC raised their price objective on Franco-Nevada from C$245.00 to C$258.00 in a research note on Friday, July 14th. Bank of America raised their price objective on Franco-Nevada from C$222.00 to C$226.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, National Bank Financial raised their price objective on Franco-Nevada from C$200.00 to C$210.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Get Franco-Nevada alerts: Franco-Nevada Stock Performance Shares of FNV stock opened at C$193.32 on Monday. The company has a market cap of C$37.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 41.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.00 and a beta of 0.61. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$193.90 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$194.41. Franco-Nevada has a 12-month low of C$151.08 and a 12-month high of C$217.70. The company has a current ratio of 28.75, a quick ratio of 23.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63. Franco-Nevada Cuts Dividend Franco-Nevada ( TSE:FNV Get Free Report ) (NYSE:FNV) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported C$1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$1.05 by C$0.02. The business had revenue of C$373.64 million during the quarter. Franco-Nevada had a return on equity of 10.60% and a net margin of 53.96%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Franco-Nevada will post 4.8639113 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a $0.461 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $1.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.95%. Franco-Nevadas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 38.71%. About Franco-Nevada (Get Free Report) Franco-Nevada Corporation operates as a gold-focused royalty and streaming company in Latin America, the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Mining and Energy segments. The company manages its portfolio with a focus on precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals; and engages in the sale of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Franco-Nevada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Franco-Nevada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hyundai Motor (OTCMKTS:HYMTF Get Free Report)s stock price passed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $41.44 and traded as high as $42.64. Hyundai Motor shares last traded at $42.21, with a volume of 1,581 shares trading hands. Hyundai Motor Trading Down 2.0 % The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $41.46 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $37.41. About Hyundai Motor (Get Free Report) Hyundai Motor Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes motor vehicles and parts worldwide. It operates through Vehicle, Finance, and Others segments. The company offers cars under the Azera, Sonata, Veloster, The new i30, Elantra, Accent, i20, and i10 names; and SUVs under The new Palisade, Santa Fe, Tucson, Creta, Kona, and Venue names. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Hyundai Motor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hyundai Motor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Innovid Corp. (NYSE:CTV Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,680,000 shares, a decrease of 14.9% from the June 15th total of 3,150,000 shares. Currently, 2.6% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 799,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.4 days. Insider Activity at Innovid In other news, CEO Zvika Netter purchased 100,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 19th. The shares were bought at an average price of $0.97 per share, with a total value of $97,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 3,960,733 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,841,911.01. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other Innovid news, Director Gilad Shany bought 28,328 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 25th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $1.19 per share, for a total transaction of $33,710.32. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 191,624 shares of the companys stock, valued at $228,032.56. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Zvika Netter purchased 100,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 19th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $0.97 per share, for a total transaction of $97,000.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 3,960,733 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,841,911.01. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders bought a total of 260,988 shares of company stock valued at $289,657 in the last three months. 9.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Get Innovid alerts: Institutional Trading of Innovid Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank of America Corp DE acquired a new stake in Innovid in the first quarter valued at about $30,000. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new position in shares of Innovid during the 1st quarter worth approximately $38,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Innovid during the 1st quarter worth approximately $41,000. Bank of Montreal Can purchased a new position in shares of Innovid during the 1st quarter worth approximately $72,000. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD purchased a new position in shares of Innovid during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $33,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 63.92% of the companys stock. Innovid Stock Performance Innovid stock traded down $0.03 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $1.09. 212,398 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 507,855. The firm has a market cap of $149.55 million, a PE ratio of -7.27 and a beta of 2.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 3.80 and a current ratio of 3.80. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $1.11 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $1.41. Innovid has a twelve month low of $0.75 and a twelve month high of $4.40. Innovid (NYSE:CTV Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported ($0.06) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.04) by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $30.49 million for the quarter. Innovid had a negative return on equity of 9.46% and a negative net margin of 14.82%. Equities analysts predict that Innovid will post -0.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Innovid Company Profile (Get Free Report) Innovid Corp. operates an independent software platform that provides ad serving, measurement, and creative services. The company offers advertising services for the creation, delivery, and measurement of TV ads across connected TV, mobile TV, and desktop TV environments to advertisers, publishers, and media agencies. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Innovid Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Innovid and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Limited (LON:SMIF Get Free Report) insider Ashley Paxton bought 26,250 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 18th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 71 ($0.93) per share, with a total value of 18,637.50 ($24,369.12). TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Stock Up 3.1 % Shares of SMIF stock opened at GBX 73.80 ($0.96) on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of 180.26 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -434.12. TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Limited has a 12-month low of GBX 64.15 ($0.84) and a 12-month high of GBX 81 ($1.06). The firm has a fifty day moving average of GBX 72.07 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 74.06. Get TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund alerts: TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 4th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 20th will be given a dividend of GBX 0.50 ($0.01) per share. This represents a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 20th. TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Funds dividend payout ratio is currently -3,529.41%. About TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Limited is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Numis Securities Ltd. The fund is managed by TwentyFour Asset Management LLP. It invests in fixed income markets of the United Kingdom. The fund primarily invests in less liquid instruments across the debt spectrum, including asset backed securities, bank capital, corporate loans, high yield bonds, and leveraged loans issued by a wide variety of issuers. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP (NYSE:KRP Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 591,300 shares, a drop of 20.9% from the June 15th total of 747,400 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 317,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.9 days. Insider Activity at Kimbell Royalty Partners In related news, insider Blayne Rhynsburger sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.06, for a total value of $45,180.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 53,191 shares in the company, valued at $801,056.46. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Blayne Rhynsburger sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.06, for a total value of $45,180.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 53,191 shares in the company, valued at $801,056.46. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Mitch S. Wynne sold 20,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.88, for a total transaction of $297,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 208,881 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,108,149.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 5.60% of the stock is owned by insiders. Get Kimbell Royalty Partners alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. purchased a new stake in Kimbell Royalty Partners in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Trust Co. of Vermont grew its stake in Kimbell Royalty Partners by 159.0% in the 4th quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 1,629 shares of the energy companys stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 1,000 shares during the period. Tucker Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Kimbell Royalty Partners in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Dorsey Wright & Associates purchased a new stake in Kimbell Royalty Partners in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC purchased a new stake in Kimbell Royalty Partners in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. 40.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Kimbell Royalty Partners Price Performance Shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners stock traded down $0.03 during trading on Thursday, hitting $15.10. 201,524 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 340,667. The company has a quick ratio of 7.13, a current ratio of 7.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40. Kimbell Royalty Partners has a fifty-two week low of $13.85 and a fifty-two week high of $19.80. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.63 and a beta of 1.31. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $15.03 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.50. Kimbell Royalty Partners (NYSE:KRP Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The energy company reported $0.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.15 by $0.21. Kimbell Royalty Partners had a return on equity of 29.56% and a net margin of 47.42%. The firm had revenue of $66.92 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $53.13 million. On average, equities analysts expect that Kimbell Royalty Partners will post 0.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Kimbell Royalty Partners Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 22nd. Investors of record on Monday, May 15th were given a dividend of $0.35 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 12th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.27%. Kimbell Royalty Partnerss dividend payout ratio is currently 70.71%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on KRP shares. Raymond James lifted their price target on shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 14th. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating and set a $20.00 price target on shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners in a research report on Friday, June 30th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus reduced their price target on shares of Kimbell Royalty Partners from $22.00 to $18.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, two have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $19.67. About Kimbell Royalty Partners (Get Free Report) Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP, together with its subsidiaries, engages in acquiring and owning mineral and royalty interests in oil and natural gas properties in the United States. The company serves as the general partner of the company. Kimbell Royalty Partners, LP was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Fort Worth, Texas. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Kimbell Royalty Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kimbell Royalty Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Popular Afrobeats, Afro-swing, and British Hip-hop group NSG will soon perform in Rwanda. The famous crew from East London, composed of six members, will be performing in Kigali as part of their Africa tour that will reach seven countries including Rwanda. The tour was announced by Mxjib, one of the members of the crew, in a tweet that attracted attention from many Rwanda-based fans of the singing group. "NIGERIA GHANA KENYA ZAMBIA RWANDA UGANDA MALAWI," Mxjib tweeted, announcing NSG's second Africa tour. It will be NSG's first performance in Rwanda ever since they established themselves as the best Afro-Swing musicians in the UK. About NSG The Afro-bashment band put out their debut track, "Whine and Kotch," in December,2013. In 2015, they worked with English rapper J Hus. The group released their first mixtape, "Grown Up," in 2017. They published their second mixtape, titled "Roots," in June 2020. In 2018, they released the track "Options" with UK rapper Tion Wayne, which peaked at number 7 on the UK singles chart. The group originates from Hackney, East London. Five out of six members of the group attended secondary school together, with Mojo being the exception, but all members grew up in the same area. NSG is made up of three artistes of Nigerian descent and three artists of Ghanaian descent who are from East London. The group which consists of Kruddz, OGD, Papii Abz, Dope, Mxjib, and Mojo is one of the best in the UK, having produced smash bangers such as Petite, NYASH, MCM, Trust Issues and many others. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (NYSE:TLK Get Free Report) was upgraded by StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report issued on Thursday. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Stock Performance Shares of TLK stock traded down $0.07 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $25.63. The companys stock had a trading volume of 192,803 shares, compared to its average volume of 206,024. The company has a 50 day moving average of $26.85 and a 200 day moving average of $26.66. The stock has a market cap of $23.31 billion, a PE ratio of 17.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a current ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Perusahaan Perseroan has a 12-month low of $23.02 and a 12-month high of $31.95. Get Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk alerts: Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk (NYSE:TLK Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The utilities provider reported $0.45 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $2.53 billion for the quarter. Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk had a net margin of 14.21% and a return on equity of 14.51%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Perusahaan Perseroan will post 1.83 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk About Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in TLK. Harding Loevner LP grew its holdings in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Harding Loevner LP now owns 4,807,323 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $131,116,000 after buying an additional 95,089 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC increased its stake in shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 4.2% in the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 4,145,542 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $110,562,000 after acquiring an additional 167,209 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP acquired a new position in shares of Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk in the first quarter worth $42,586,000. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 1.4% during the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,239,145 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $35,749,000 after buying an additional 17,079 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Martin Currie Ltd. increased its position in Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk by 10.9% during the first quarter. Martin Currie Ltd. now owns 814,494 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $22,211,000 after buying an additional 80,124 shares during the last quarter. 3.92% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. (Get Free Report) Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk provides information and communications technology, and telecommunications network services worldwide. The company operates through mobile, consumer, enterprise, Wholesale and International Business, and Other segments. The Mobile segment offers mobile voice, SMS, value added services, and mobile broadband services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Perusahaan Perseroan (Persero) PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cazoo Group Ltd (NYSE:CZOO Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 864,400 shares, an increase of 14.4% from the June 15th total of 755,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 165,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 5.2 days. Currently, 3.9% of the companys stock are short sold. Cazoo Group Price Performance NYSE CZOO traded down $0.02 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $1.56. The companys stock had a trading volume of 145,921 shares, compared to its average volume of 215,804. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $1.34 and its 200 day simple moving average is $2.37. Cazoo Group has a twelve month low of $1.11 and a twelve month high of $35.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.85, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.75. Get Cazoo Group alerts: Institutional Trading of Cazoo Group Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its stake in shares of Cazoo Group by 270.4% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 12,689 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 9,263 shares in the last quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP bought a new stake in shares of Cazoo Group in the 1st quarter worth $42,000. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank bought a new stake in shares of Cazoo Group in the 2nd quarter worth $47,000. Royal Bank of Canada grew its stake in shares of Cazoo Group by 2,930.8% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 18,094 shares of the companys stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 17,497 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its stake in shares of Cazoo Group by 102.8% in the 4th quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 648,076 shares of the companys stock worth $102,000 after acquiring an additional 328,500 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 49.81% of the companys stock. About Cazoo Group Cazoo Group Ltd operates as an online car retailer in the United Kingdom and rest of Europe. It allows consumers to purchase, finance, and subscribe to a car through online for delivery or collection. Cazoo Group Ltd was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Cazoo Group Ltd is a subsidiary of Cazoo Holdings Limited. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Cazoo Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cazoo Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY Free Report) in a report issued on Monday. The firm issued a sell rating on the technology companys stock. WidePoint Price Performance Shares of WYY stock opened at $1.99 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $17.38 million, a P/E ratio of -1.14 and a beta of 1.04. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $1.85 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $1.93. WidePoint has a one year low of $1.70 and a one year high of $3.06. Get WidePoint alerts: WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The technology company reported ($0.11) earnings per share for the quarter. WidePoint had a positive return on equity of 2.98% and a negative net margin of 16.03%. The business had revenue of $25.27 million during the quarter. Institutional Trading of WidePoint WidePoint Company Profile Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in WYY. UBS Group AG purchased a new position in WidePoint during the first quarter valued at $29,000. Citadel Advisors LLC raised its stake in WidePoint by 121.1% during the third quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 13,577 shares of the technology companys stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 7,437 shares during the period. Susquehanna International Group LLP purchased a new position in WidePoint during the first quarter worth about $25,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new position in WidePoint during the second quarter worth about $37,000. Finally, Channel Wealth LLC purchased a new position in WidePoint during the first quarter worth about $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 11.85% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) WidePoint Corporation provides technology management as a service (TMaaS) to the government and business enterprises in North America and Europe. The company offers TMaaS solutions through a secure federal government certified proprietary portal and secure enterprise portal that provides ability to manage, analyze, and protect communications assets, as well as deploy identity management solutions that provide secured virtual and physical access to restricted environments. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for WidePoint Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WidePoint and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Waldron Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP Free Report) (TSE:CP) in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor acquired 10,556 shares of the transportation companys stock, valued at approximately $812,000. A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in CP. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 3.4% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 16,828 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $1,389,000 after purchasing an additional 559 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 69.1% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 5,539 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $457,000 after acquiring an additional 2,263 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 30,249,662 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $2,496,807,000 after acquiring an additional 695,215 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 5.1% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 49,524 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $4,087,000 after acquiring an additional 2,417 shares during the period. Finally, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. increased its position in Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 116.4% in the 1st quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 14,274 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,178,000 after acquiring an additional 7,678 shares during the period. 65.84% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Canadian Pacific Kansas City alerts: Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stock Down 0.2 % Shares of NYSE CP opened at $80.54 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $75.01 billion, a PE ratio of 26.67, a P/E/G ratio of 2.72 and a beta of 1.02. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited has a 12-month low of $65.17 and a 12-month high of $83.44. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $79.24 and its 200 day simple moving average is $78.22. The company has a quick ratio of 0.56, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Canadian Pacific Kansas City Cuts Dividend Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( NYSE:CP Get Free Report ) (TSE:CP) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The transportation company reported $0.63 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.70 by ($0.07). Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a net margin of 40.22% and a return on equity of 9.53%. The business had revenue of $1.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.78 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited will post 2.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a $0.141 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $0.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.70%. Canadian Pacific Kansas Citys dividend payout ratio is currently 18.87%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $78.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Credit Suisse Group upped their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $81.00 to $87.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 5th. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $90.00 to $89.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Tuesday, June 6th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Argus raised shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $92.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $90.86. About Canadian Pacific Kansas City (Free Report) Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada and the United States. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; and merchandise freight, such as energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals and consumer, automotive, and forest products. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (NYSE:CP Free Report) (TSE:CP). Receive News & Ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian Pacific Kansas City and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PDS Planning Inc acquired a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 3,297 shares of the consumer goods makers stock, valued at approximately $220,000. A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BUD. Neuberger Berman Group LLC grew its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 3.1% in the 4th quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 5,833 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $350,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares during the period. Moors & Cabot Inc. grew its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 5,034 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $305,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the period. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp grew its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 6.1% in the 3rd quarter. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp now owns 3,527 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $159,000 after purchasing an additional 202 shares during the period. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. grew its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 70.3% in the 1st quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 499 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 206 shares during the period. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC grew its position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 5.9% in the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 3,719 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $248,000 after purchasing an additional 208 shares during the period. 5.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have commented on BUD. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $64.00 to $68.50 in a research report on Thursday. HSBC downgraded shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 10th. StockNews.com raised shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. Evercore ISI cut their price objective on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $80.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, June 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $67.06. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Trading Up 0.5 % Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV stock opened at $58.73 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $102.03 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.79, a P/E/G ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.67. The company has a fifty day moving average of $56.96 and a 200 day moving average of $60.13. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV has a fifty-two week low of $44.51 and a fifty-two week high of $67.09. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $14.21 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.05 billion. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a net margin of 12.78% and a return on equity of 15.38%. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NVs quarterly revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.67 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. About Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (Free Report) Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV produces, distributes, markets, and sells beer and beverages. It offers a portfolio of approximately 500 beer brands, which primarily include Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois; Beck's, Hoegaarden, Leffe, and Michelob Ultra; and Aguila, Antarctica, Bud Light, Brahma, Cass, Castle, Castle Lite, Cristal, Harbin, Jupiler, Modelo Especial, Quilmes, Victoria, Sedrin, and Skol brands. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BUD? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Abundance Wealth Counselors lowered its stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM Free Report) by 2.1% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 27,455 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 601 shares during the period. iShares Russell 2000 ETF makes up 1.2% of Abundance Wealth Counselors investment portfolio, making the stock its 12th biggest holding. Abundance Wealth Counselors holdings in iShares Russell 2000 ETF were worth $4,898,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Richard W. Paul & Associates LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Annapolis Financial Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 94.7% in the 1st quarter. Annapolis Financial Services LLC now owns 148 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP raised its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 450.0% in the 1st quarter. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP now owns 154 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 126 shares during the last quarter. Tandem Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Ten Capital Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 78.6% in the 4th quarter. Ten Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 184 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.87% of the companys stock. Get iShares Russell 2000 ETF alerts: iShares Russell 2000 ETF Price Performance Shares of IWM remained flat at $195.08 on Friday. 14,504,155 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 29,632,395. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a 12 month low of $162.50 and a 12 month high of $201.99. The company has a fifty day moving average of $183.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $182.12. About iShares Russell 2000 ETF iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IWM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Russell 2000 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Russell 2000 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lavras Gold Corp. (CVE:LGC Get Free Report) Director Alexander David Birkett acquired 57,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 20th. The stock was bought at an average cost of C$0.21 per share, for a total transaction of C$11,685.00. Lavras Gold Stock Performance Shares of CVE LGC traded up C$0.01 during trading on Friday, hitting C$0.22. The company had a trading volume of 239,399 shares, compared to its average volume of 26,176. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of C$0.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of C$0.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.94, a quick ratio of 11.12 and a current ratio of 7.63. Lavras Gold Corp. has a 12 month low of C$0.19 and a 12 month high of C$0.47. The firm has a market capitalization of C$8.84 million and a P/E ratio of -3.42. Get Lavras Gold alerts: Lavras Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Articles Lavras Gold Corp. operates as a junior exploration company in southern Brazil. It engages in the exploration and development of the Lavras do Sul gold project covering an area of approximately 22,000 hectares located in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The company was incorporated in 2021 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Lavras Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lavras Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Amalgamated Bank boosted its holdings in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) by 4.0% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 44,917 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,737 shares during the period. Amalgamated Banks holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $12,852,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd boosted its position in Motorola Solutions by 7.8% in the first quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 17,142 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $4,905,000 after purchasing an additional 1,247 shares during the last quarter. Lincoln National Corp boosted its position in Motorola Solutions by 2.0% in the first quarter. Lincoln National Corp now owns 2,178 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $623,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. purchased a new position in Motorola Solutions in the first quarter worth $200,000. Ieq Capital LLC boosted its position in Motorola Solutions by 20.9% in the first quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 5,947 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $1,701,000 after purchasing an additional 1,028 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. boosted its position in Motorola Solutions by 856.6% in the first quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. now owns 4,276 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $1,206,000 after purchasing an additional 3,829 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.93% of the companys stock. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth MSI has been the topic of several research reports. StockNews.com lowered Motorola Solutions from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 6th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Motorola Solutions from $310.00 to $335.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Finally, Barclays boosted their price objective on Motorola Solutions from $303.00 to $329.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Motorola Solutions currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $301.67. Motorola Solutions Price Performance Motorola Solutions stock opened at $295.51 on Friday. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 52 week low of $212.76 and a 52 week high of $299.43. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $286.96 and a 200 day simple moving average of $276.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.15. The stock has a market cap of $49.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.94, a PEG ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 0.93. Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The communications equipment provider reported $2.22 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.05 by $0.17. Motorola Solutions had a negative return on equity of 1,549.95% and a net margin of 14.63%. The firm had revenue of $2.17 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.12 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.53 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts forecast that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 10.07 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Motorola Solutions Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a $0.88 dividend. This represents a $3.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is currently 44.00%. Insider Transactions at Motorola Solutions In related news, CEO Gregory Q. Brown sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.54, for a total transaction of $14,527,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 91,843 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,684,065.22. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Gregory Q. Brown sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $290.54, for a total transaction of $14,527,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 91,843 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,684,065.22. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CAO Katherine A. Maher sold 1,933 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.01, for a total value of $558,656.33. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 1,611 shares of the companys stock, valued at $465,595.11. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 101,933 shares of company stock worth $29,642,156. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Motorola Solutions Profile (Free Report) Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AmerisourceBergen (NYSE:ABC Free Report) had its target price hoisted by Bank of America from $200.00 to $212.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on ABC. Citigroup started coverage on AmerisourceBergen in a report on Friday, March 31st. They set a buy rating and a $185.00 price target for the company. Mizuho lifted their price target on AmerisourceBergen from $174.00 to $192.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. 888 reissued a maintains rating on shares of AmerisourceBergen in a report on Friday, May 26th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on AmerisourceBergen in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. Finally, Barclays boosted their target price on AmerisourceBergen from $182.00 to $189.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $186.31. Get AmerisourceBergen alerts: AmerisourceBergen Trading Up 0.8 % NYSE:ABC opened at $193.39 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $39.15 billion, a PE ratio of 24.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 0.56. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $181.81 and a 200 day moving average price of $168.46. AmerisourceBergen has a 12-month low of $135.14 and a 12-month high of $193.83. The company has a current ratio of 0.89, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.13. AmerisourceBergen Dividend Announcement AmerisourceBergen ( NYSE:ABC Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $3.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.29 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $63.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $60.40 billion. AmerisourceBergen had a return on equity of 809.53% and a net margin of 0.65%. AmerisourceBergens revenue was up 9.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $3.22 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that AmerisourceBergen will post 11.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Investors of record on Friday, May 12th were given a $0.485 dividend. This represents a $1.94 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.00%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. AmerisourceBergens dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.94%. Insider Activity at AmerisourceBergen In other AmerisourceBergen news, CEO Steven H. Collis sold 10,499 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.52, for a total transaction of $1,779,790.48. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 257,967 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,730,565.84. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other AmerisourceBergen news, CEO Steven H. Collis sold 10,499 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $169.52, for a total transaction of $1,779,790.48. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 257,967 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,730,565.84. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. sold 292,792 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.77, for a total value of $50,000,089.84. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 33,366,388 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,697,978,078.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 627,815 shares of company stock worth $110,824,233 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 20.10% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On AmerisourceBergen A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ABC. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its holdings in shares of AmerisourceBergen by 145.9% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 10,257,332 shares of the companys stock worth $1,642,302,000 after acquiring an additional 6,086,040 shares during the period. Edmp Inc. lifted its stake in AmerisourceBergen by 16,285.3% in the 4th quarter. Edmp Inc. now owns 2,295,746 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,854,000 after buying an additional 2,281,735 shares in the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in AmerisourceBergen by 7,989.0% in the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,856,026 shares of the companys stock valued at $297,168,000 after buying an additional 1,833,081 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in AmerisourceBergen in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $261,294,000. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in AmerisourceBergen by 156.2% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,509,370 shares of the companys stock valued at $83,116,000 after buying an additional 1,530,083 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 92.64% of the companys stock. AmerisourceBergen Company Profile (Get Free Report) AmerisourceBergen Corporation sources and distributes pharmaceutical products. Its U.S. Healthcare Solutions segment distributes brand-name and generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter healthcare products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, and related services to acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, medical clinics, long-term care and alternate site pharmacies, and other customers. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for AmerisourceBergen Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AmerisourceBergen and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) has been given a consensus rating of Moderate Buy by the sixteen ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have issued a hold recommendation and ten have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $120.24. Several research analysts have commented on ABT shares. Raymond James raised their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $123.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $118.00 to $122.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $132.00 to $133.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, SVB Leerink lifted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $90.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Friday, March 31st. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Insider Activity at Abbott Laboratories In other news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total value of $5,551,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,825,316 shares in the company, valued at approximately $757,746,582.32. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other Abbott Laboratories news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total transaction of $5,551,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,825,316 shares in the company, valued at $757,746,582.32. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total transaction of $909,466.56. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 70,427 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,786,409.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Abbott Laboratories Abbott Laboratories Stock Up 4.2 % A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ABT. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth about $131,000. United Bank increased its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 7.2% in the 1st quarter. United Bank now owns 27,280 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $3,229,000 after acquiring an additional 1,826 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp increased its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 813,253 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $96,257,000 after acquiring an additional 15,521 shares during the period. Kinneret Advisory LLC increased its position in Abbott Laboratories by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC now owns 19,467 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $2,304,000 after acquiring an additional 436 shares during the period. Finally, Lumature Wealth Partners LLC boosted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 636.2% during the 1st quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,216 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $262,000 after acquiring an additional 1,915 shares during the period. 73.08% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Shares of ABT stock opened at $111.81 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $194.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.98, a PEG ratio of 4.83 and a beta of 0.68. Abbott Laboratories has a 52 week low of $93.25 and a 52 week high of $115.69. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $106.05 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $106.28. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.08 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.05 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $9.98 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.71 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.98% and a return on equity of 22.36%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.43 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 EPS for the current fiscal year. Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be given a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.82%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is presently 62.01%. Abbott Laboratories Company Profile (Get Free Report Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. It's neither a gas leakage nor the zama zamas that caused the massive gas explosion in the Johannesburg CBD on Wednesday evening. The initial report suggested that the explosion was caused by a gas leakage, a theory which was denied by Egoli Gas. Egoli Gas released a statement denying speculation that the blast was caused by the gas leakage. While some shifted the suspicions and suggested that the explosion could be caused by the deterioration of infrastructure, others suggested zama zamas could have a hand in this. But the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has poured cold water on those rumours. In a statement released on Thursday, the department said the blast was not caused by illegal mining. DMRE's Ernest Mulibana said the department has noted the devastation caused by an explosion in the Johannesburg City Centre and can confirm that there are no old mines in the area at which the explosion occurred. "The DMRE is confident that investigations led by the relevant authorities which include the Gauteng provincial government and the City of Johannesburg will be able to ascertain the actual cause of the tragedy," he said. "The DMRE regulates and promotes legitimate mining operations in South Africa and has a record of all legally operating and non-operating mines. The department is steadfast in ensuring that all licensed mining operations comply with the provisions of the law." He said the department stands ready to cooperate with the relevant authorities in finding the actual cause of the explosion. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. So it is still unclear what caused the Johannesburg CBD explosion. With the authorities from different departments on the ground trying to establish the cause of the explosion, fear grips some people residing in the inner city. Speaking to residents in the area, some say they wish to move out of the city but they have nowhere to go. Patrick Skosana, who stays in one of the flats where the explosion happened just outside, said after the blast on Wednesday, he struggled to sleep at night. He said he thinks he could be swallowed by Mother Earth. "What happened here is scary. I am scared of staying here but I have nowhere else to go." In a separate incident in the city of Johannesburg, a man died in a suspected illegal mining explosion in Braamfischerville, Soweto. The City of Johannesburg, Emergency Management Services spokesperson Xolile Khumalo said the explosion resulted from dynamite that was connected to a vehicle battery. Khumalo confirmed that one person died and two sustained injuries. "One person has died from injuries sustained from the explosive and another one was rushed to hospital," she said. Anhui Conch Cement Company Limited (OTCMKTS:AHCHY Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 28,400 shares, a growth of 10.5% from the June 15th total of 25,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 77,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.4 days. Anhui Conch Cement Stock Up 1.7 % AHCHY opened at $12.77 on Friday. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $13.45 and its 200-day moving average price is $16.33. Anhui Conch Cement has a one year low of $12.35 and a one year high of $21.36. Get Anhui Conch Cement alerts: Anhui Conch Cement Cuts Dividend The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 17th. Investors of record on Friday, June 2nd were issued a $0.918 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 1st. This represents a dividend yield of 6.89%. Analysts Set New Price Targets About Anhui Conch Cement Separately, The Goldman Sachs Group raised Anhui Conch Cement from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. (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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Anhui Conch Cement Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Anhui Conch Cement and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors cut its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 2.5% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 21,576 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 545 shares during the quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $1,495,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Dover Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 6.2% in the first quarter. Dover Advisors LLC now owns 3,005 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $208,000 after acquiring an additional 175 shares during the last quarter. Stack Financial Management Inc bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the first quarter valued at approximately $11,847,000. Waldron Private Wealth LLC boosted its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 17.4% in the first quarter. Waldron Private Wealth LLC now owns 22,921 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,588,000 after acquiring an additional 3,405 shares during the last quarter. Amalgamated Bank boosted its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 6.7% in the first quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 595,513 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $41,275,000 after acquiring an additional 37,264 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JNBA Financial Advisors boosted its stake in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 14.6% in the first quarter. JNBA Financial Advisors now owns 6,970 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $483,000 after acquiring an additional 890 shares during the last quarter. 74.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Insider Activity In other news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction dated 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,202,182.06. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Down 0.1 % BMY has been the topic of several analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating and issued a $59.00 target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Wednesday. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $92.00 to $87.00 in a report on Tuesday. 51job reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Friday, April 28th. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $65.00 to $64.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. Finally, SVB Securities initiated coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a report on Monday, July 10th. They issued a market perform rating and a $66.00 target price on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $74.19. Shares of BMY stock opened at $63.70 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 1 year low of $61.40 and a 1 year high of $81.43. The firms fifty day moving average price is $64.63 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $68.25. The firm has a market capitalization of $133.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.59, a PEG ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.43. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.07. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 15.95% and a return on equity of 51.75%. The firm had revenue of $11.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.50 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.96 EPS. The companys revenue was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.05 EPS for the current fiscal year. Bristol-Myers Squibb Dividend Announcement The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be paid a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.58%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs payout ratio is currently 66.47%. Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Associated Banc-Corp (NYSE:ASB Get Free Report) gapped up before the market opened on Friday after Stephens raised their price target on the stock from $19.00 to $21.00. The stock had previously closed at $18.41, but opened at $18.92. Stephens currently has an equal weight rating on the stock. Associated Banc shares last traded at $18.28, with a volume of 166,934 shares changing hands. Several other research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on shares of Associated Banc from $26.00 to $21.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on Associated Banc from $17.50 to $18.50 in a report on Friday. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Associated Banc in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Raymond James upgraded Associated Banc from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $20.00 price target on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and set a $21.00 price objective on shares of Associated Banc in a report on Friday, April 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Associated Banc currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $21.56. Get Associated Banc alerts: Insider Activity at Associated Banc In other Associated Banc news, Director Michael J. Haddad purchased 5,750 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 26th. The stock was bought at an average cost of $17.35 per share, for a total transaction of $99,762.50. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 5,750 shares of the companys stock, valued at $99,762.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Michael J. Haddad bought 5,750 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 26th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $17.35 per share, with a total value of $99,762.50. Following the transaction, the director now owns 5,750 shares in the company, valued at $99,762.50. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director R Jay Gerken purchased 3,000 shares of Associated Banc stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $16.07 per share, with a total value of $48,210.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 42,036 shares in the company, valued at $675,518.52. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 1.49% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Associated Banc Associated Banc Trading Down 0.8 % Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Associated Banc in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its stake in shares of Associated Banc by 370.7% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,845 shares of the banks stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 1,453 shares during the period. CI Investments Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Associated Banc during the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Allworth Financial LP raised its stake in Associated Banc by 26,450.0% in the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,593 shares of the banks stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 1,587 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP raised its stake in Associated Banc by 319.6% in the 1st quarter. Quarry LP now owns 2,140 shares of the banks stock valued at $38,000 after acquiring an additional 1,630 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 81.58% of the companys stock. The business has a 50 day moving average of $16.36 and a two-hundred day moving average of $19.04. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.41. The firm has a market cap of $2.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.19, a PEG ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.00. Associated Banc (NYSE:ASB Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 20th. The bank reported $0.66 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.63 by $0.03. Associated Banc had a return on equity of 10.35% and a net margin of 23.87%. The firm had revenue of $504.89 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $349.71 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.47 EPS. Analysts predict that Associated Banc-Corp will post 2.33 earnings per share for the current year. Associated Banc Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were issued a $0.21 dividend. This represents a $0.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 31st. Associated Bancs dividend payout ratio is 33.07%. Associated Banc Company Profile (Get Free Report) Associated Banc-Corp, a bank holding company, provides various banking and nonbanking products to individuals and businesses in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. The company operates through three segments: Corporate and Commercial Specialty; Community, Consumer, and Business; and Risk Management and Shared Services. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Associated Banc Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Associated Banc and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Autoliv (NYSE:ALV Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings results on Friday. The auto parts company reported $1.93 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.41 by $0.52, MarketWatch Earnings reports. The business had revenue of $2.64 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.55 billion. Autoliv had a net margin of 4.51% and a return on equity of 16.30%. The firms revenue was up 26.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.90 earnings per share. Autoliv Price Performance Shares of NYSE:ALV traded up $10.12 on Friday, hitting $103.39. The stock had a trading volume of 2,076,382 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,067,300. Autoliv has a twelve month low of $65.74 and a twelve month high of $103.85. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 1.15. The firms 50 day moving average price is $86.68 and its 200-day moving average price is $87.56. The company has a market capitalization of $8.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.68. Get Autoliv alerts: Autoliv Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 13th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 25th were paid a $0.66 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 24th. This represents a $2.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.55%. Autolivs dividend payout ratio is presently 55.23%. Insider Activity Institutional Inflows and Outflows In other news, Director Jan Carlson sold 2,614 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $88.98, for a total value of $232,593.72. Following the sale, the director now owns 77,493 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,895,327.14. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . 0.22% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. lifted its position in Autoliv by 7.5% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 3,092 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $236,000 after buying an additional 217 shares in the last quarter. Pearl River Capital LLC acquired a new position in Autoliv during the 1st quarter worth about $232,000. CIBC Asset Management Inc acquired a new position in Autoliv during the 1st quarter worth about $232,000. Mariner LLC acquired a new position in Autoliv during the 4th quarter worth about $213,000. Finally, Creative Planning acquired a new position in Autoliv during the 2nd quarter worth about $210,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 57.29% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Autoliv from $97.00 to $93.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price target on shares of Autoliv from $113.00 to $110.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. StockNews.com raised shares of Autoliv from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday. Kepler Capital Markets raised shares of Autoliv from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $105.00 price target for the company in a research report on Thursday, May 11th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on shares of Autoliv from $98.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $100.92. Autoliv Company Profile (Get Free Report) Autoliv, Inc, through its subsidiaries, develops, manufactures, and supplies passive safety systems to the automotive industry in Europe, the Americas, China, Japan, and rest of Asia. It offers passive safety systems, including modules and components for frontal-impact airbag protection systems, side-impact airbag protection systems, seatbelts, steering wheels, and inflator technologies. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Autoliv Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Autoliv and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackDiamond Wealth Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI Free Report) (TSE:CNR) by 2.4% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,998 shares of the transportation companys stock after buying an additional 93 shares during the period. BlackDiamond Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Canadian National Railway were worth $474,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of CNI. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Canadian National Railway in the 4th quarter valued at about $727,713,000. National Bank of Canada FI increased its holdings in shares of Canadian National Railway by 180.5% in the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 5,977,754 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $709,550,000 after purchasing an additional 3,846,281 shares during the period. Royal London Asset Management Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Canadian National Railway in the 4th quarter valued at about $164,830,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Canadian National Railway by 166.7% in the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,772,695 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $199,375,000 after purchasing an additional 1,108,104 shares during the period. Finally, Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec grew its stake in shares of Canadian National Railway by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 12,333,700 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,655,948,000 after buying an additional 625,000 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.89% of the companys stock. Get Canadian National Railway alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities research analysts recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley raised Canadian National Railway from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Argus lowered their price target on Canadian National Railway from $155.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. CIBC lowered their price target on Canadian National Railway from C$185.00 to C$183.00 in a research note on Friday, June 16th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on Canadian National Railway from $115.00 to $125.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 25th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price target on Canadian National Railway from $130.00 to $122.00 in a research note on Tuesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Canadian National Railway currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $145.00. Canadian National Railway Stock Performance Shares of Canadian National Railway stock traded up $0.94 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $118.60. The company had a trading volume of 397,844 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,104,266. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $117.42 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $118.36. The stock has a market cap of $78.14 billion, a PE ratio of 19.66, a P/E/G ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 0.74 and a quick ratio of 0.57. Canadian National Railway has a 1-year low of $103.79 and a 1-year high of $129.89. Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI Get Free Report) (TSE:CNR) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 24th. The transportation company reported $1.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.26 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $3.19 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.15 billion. Canadian National Railway had a net margin of 30.61% and a return on equity of 25.00%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Canadian National Railway will post 5.75 EPS for the current fiscal year. Canadian National Railway Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 9th were paid a $0.5835 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 8th. This represents a $2.33 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.97%. Canadian National Railways payout ratio is 39.14%. Canadian National Railway Profile (Free Report) Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in rail and related transportation business. The company offers rail services, which include equipment, custom brokage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services including temperature controlled cargo, port partnership, transloading and distribution, logistic parks, customs brokerage, trucking, and moving grains in containers. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CNI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI Free Report) (TSE:CNR). Receive News & Ratings for Canadian National Railway Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian National Railway and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Celestica Inc. (NYSE:CLS Get Free Report) (TSE:CLS) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,400,000 shares, a decline of 11.4% from the June 15th total of 1,580,000 shares. Approximately 1.4% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 730,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.9 days. Celestica Stock Performance NYSE CLS traded up $0.07 on Friday, hitting $16.12. 231,640 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 604,192. The businesss fifty day moving average is $13.71 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.88. Celestica has a 12 month low of $8.21 and a 12 month high of $16.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.24 and a beta of 2.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.61 and a current ratio of 1.43. Get Celestica alerts: Celestica (NYSE:CLS Get Free Report) (TSE:CLS) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The technology company reported $0.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.46 by $0.01. Celestica had a return on equity of 15.14% and a net margin of 1.97%. The business had revenue of $1.84 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.81 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.39 earnings per share. Celesticas revenue was up 17.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Celestica will post 1.88 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Celestica Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. raised its position in Celestica by 1.3% during the first quarter. Donald Smith & CO. Inc. now owns 5,038,906 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $65,002,000 after purchasing an additional 64,561 shares in the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Celestica by 26.4% in the first quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC now owns 3,799,849 shares of the technology companys stock worth $48,900,000 after purchasing an additional 792,465 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in Celestica by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,535,515 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $29,734,000 after acquiring an additional 77,778 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley boosted its position in Celestica by 10.1% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 2,315,291 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $26,093,000 after acquiring an additional 211,930 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in Celestica by 64.7% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 2,256,206 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $25,428,000 after acquiring an additional 885,919 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.93% of the companys stock. CLS has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. TD Securities upped their price target on Celestica from $13.50 to $14.50 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, June 19th. StockNews.com lowered Celestica from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday, July 9th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and set a $15.00 target price on shares of Celestica in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $14.67. About Celestica (Get Free Report) Celestica Inc provides supply chain solutions in North America, Europe, and Asia. It operates through Advanced Technology Solutions, and Connectivity & Cloud Solutions segments. The company offers a range of product manufacturing and related supply chain services, including design and development, new product introduction, engineering services, component sourcing, electronics manufacturing and assembly, testing, complex mechanical assembly, systems integration, precision machining, order fulfillment, logistics, asset management, product licensing, and after-market repair and return services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Celestica Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Celestica and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The bank reported $0.92 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.00 by ($0.08), MarketWatch Earnings reports. Citizens Financial Group had a return on equity of 11.12% and a net margin of 21.12%. The firm had revenue of $3.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.09 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.14 EPS. Citizens Financial Group Stock Up 0.9 % Shares of Citizens Financial Group stock opened at $31.24 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $27.14 and a two-hundred day moving average of $32.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 0.94. The company has a market cap of $15.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.53 and a beta of 1.31. Citizens Financial Group has a one year low of $23.37 and a one year high of $44.82. Get Citizens Financial Group alerts: Citizens Financial Group Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 16th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 2nd will be given a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 1st. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.38%. Citizens Financial Groups payout ratio is currently 40.48%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Insider Activity Several research firms have commented on CFG. Credit Suisse Group reiterated a neutral rating and set a $35.00 price target on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a report on Thursday. Citigroup lowered their target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $34.00 to $31.00 in a report on Sunday, June 11th. DA Davidson lowered their target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $40.00 to $37.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Robert W. Baird lowered their target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $48.00 to $44.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut shares of Citizens Financial Group from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the company from $29.00 to $27.00 in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $39.18. In related news, Director Terrance Lillis purchased 1,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $26.39 per share, for a total transaction of $26,390.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 3,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $79,170. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Citizens Financial Group A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 4.6% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 57,592,192 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,749,075,000 after purchasing an additional 2,540,392 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 25,577,041 shares of the banks stock valued at $776,775,000 after purchasing an additional 241,869 shares in the last quarter. Capital World Investors increased its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 76.0% in the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 19,002,482 shares of the banks stock valued at $861,383,000 after purchasing an additional 8,203,831 shares in the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 18.0% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 18,297,989 shares of the banks stock valued at $720,392,000 after purchasing an additional 2,785,751 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in Citizens Financial Group by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 11,191,346 shares of the banks stock valued at $507,304,000 after acquiring an additional 50,382 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.85% of the companys stock. About Citizens Financial Group (Get Free Report) Citizens Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Citizens Bank, National Association that provides retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, corporations, and institutions in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Citizens Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citizens Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CM Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Workiva Inc. (NYSE:WK Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund bought 5,356 shares of the software makers stock, valued at approximately $503,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. grew its stake in Workiva by 65.2% in the first quarter. Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd. now owns 408 shares of the software makers stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 161 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC grew its stake in Workiva by 13.8% in the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 9,032 shares of the software makers stock valued at $925,000 after acquiring an additional 1,098 shares during the period. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its stake in Workiva by 3.2% in the first quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 19,263 shares of the software makers stock valued at $1,973,000 after acquiring an additional 594 shares during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc. grew its stake in Workiva by 14.4% in the first quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 1,094 shares of the software makers stock valued at $112,000 after acquiring an additional 138 shares during the period. Finally, Arizona State Retirement System boosted its position in shares of Workiva by 3.1% during the first quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 13,393 shares of the software makers stock worth $1,372,000 after buying an additional 404 shares during the period. 83.11% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Workiva alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Truist Financial upped their price objective on Workiva from $100.00 to $110.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Workiva from $77.00 to $83.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Workiva in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Robert W. Baird upped their target price on Workiva from $100.00 to $106.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Workiva presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $100.67. Insider Buying and Selling at Workiva Workiva Price Performance In other news, EVP Michael D. Hawkins sold 3,511 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.70, for a total transaction of $332,491.70. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 63,061 shares in the company, valued at $5,971,876.70. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . In related news, Director Michael M. Crow sold 3,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.46, for a total transaction of $351,610.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 11,443 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,149,563.78. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . Also, EVP Michael D. Hawkins sold 3,511 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.70, for a total value of $332,491.70. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 63,061 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,971,876.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Corporate insiders own 5.71% of the companys stock. NYSE:WK opened at $103.75 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.48, a current ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 381.76. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $98.28 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $94.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -46.52 and a beta of 1.14. Workiva Inc. has a 12-month low of $59.66 and a 12-month high of $108.00. Workiva (NYSE:WK Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The software maker reported ($0.83) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.78) by ($0.05). The business had revenue of $150.19 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $149.42 million. Workiva had a negative net margin of 21.24% and a negative return on equity of 4,861.53%. On average, analysts anticipate that Workiva Inc. will post -2 earnings per share for the current year. Workiva Company Profile (Free Report) Workiva Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides cloud-based compliance and regulatory reporting solutions worldwide. The company offers Workiva platform that offers controlled collaboration, data linking, data integrations, granular permissions, process management, and full audit trail services; and provides tools that enables customers to connect data from enterprise resource planning, human capital management, and customer relationship management systems, as well as from other third-party cloud and on-premise applications. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Workiva Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Workiva and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Genpact (NYSE:G Get Free Report) and Excel (OTCMKTS:EXCC Get Free Report) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, earnings, dividends, risk, profitability, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership. Institutional & Insider Ownership 96.5% of Genpact shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.3% of Excel shares are held by institutional investors. 2.6% of Genpact shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Get Genpact alerts: Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Genpact and Excel, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Genpact 0 3 1 0 2.25 Excel 0 0 0 0 N/A Valuation and Earnings Genpact currently has a consensus target price of $48.33, indicating a potential upside of 28.17%. This table compares Genpact and Excels revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Genpact $4.37 billion 1.59 $353.40 million $1.94 19.44 Excel N/A N/A N/A $0.00 N/A Genpact has higher revenue and earnings than Excel. Excel is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Genpact, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability This table compares Genpact and Excels net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Genpact 8.27% 25.74% 10.24% Excel N/A N/A N/A Summary Genpact beats Excel on 9 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Genpact (Get Free Report) Genpact Limited provides business process outsourcing and information technology (IT) services in India, rest of Asia, North and Latin America, and Europe. It operates through three segments: Financial services; Consumer and Healthcare; and High Tech and Manufacturing. The company offers CFO advisory services; and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) services, such as data management, carbon accounting, human rights assessment, sustainability diligence, and ESG reporting. It also provides finance and accounting services, which include accounts payable, such as document management, invoice processing, approval and resolution management, and travel and expense processing; invoice-to-cash services, including customer master data management, credit and contract management, fulfillment, billing, collections, and dispute management services; record to report services comprising accounting, treasury, tax, product cost accounting, and closing and reporting services; financial planning and analysis consisting of budgeting, forecasting, and business performance reporting; and enterprise risk and compliance services, including operational risks and controls. In addition, the company provides supply chain advisory services, and after-sales services; sourcing and procurement services comprising direct and indirect strategic sourcing, category management, spend analytics, procurement operation, and master data management; and sales and commercial services, including campaign, order, and dispute management, lead generation, pricing, and promotion optimization. Further, it offers IT services, which comprise end-user computing support, infrastructure management; and transformation services that include digital solutions, consulting services, and analytics services and solutions. The company was founded in 1997 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda. About Excel (Get Free Report) Excel Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides integrated financial and transaction processing services to businesses in the United States. It offers an integrated suite of third-party merchant payment processing services and related proprietary software enabling products that deliver credit and debit card-based Internet payments processing solutions to small and mid-sized merchants operating in physical business environments, on the Internet, and in retail settings requiring wired and wireless mobile payment solutions. The company also acts as an independent sales organization (ISO), which provides alternative financing and working capital solutions using various third party funding sources. It markets its products and services through independent agents and other smaller ISOs. Excel Corporation was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas. Excel Corporation operates as a subsidiary of The OLB Group, Inc. Receive News & Ratings for Genpact Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Genpact and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Greggs (OTCMKTS:GGGSF Get Free Report) is one of 62 publicly-traded companies in the Grocery Stores industry, but how does it contrast to its rivals? We will compare Greggs to related businesses based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, risk, dividends, profitability and earnings. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Greggs and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get Greggs alerts: Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Greggs N/A N/A 153.72 Greggs Competitors $28.58 billion $611.50 million 203.56 Greggs rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Greggs. Greggs is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Insider and Institutional Ownership Profitability 42.1% of Greggs shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 45.3% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are held by institutional investors. 22.8% of shares of all Grocery Stores companies are held by 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. This table compares Greggs and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Greggs N/A N/A N/A Greggs Competitors 1.92% 15.02% 4.91% Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings for Greggs and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Greggs 0 1 1 0 2.50 Greggs Competitors 1121 2756 3008 115 2.30 Greggs currently has a consensus price target of $3,140.00, suggesting a potential upside of 9,429.59%. As a group, Grocery Stores companies have a potential upside of 23.85%. Given Greggs stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Greggs is more favorable than its rivals. Dividends Greggs pays an annual dividend of $0.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.6%. Greggs pays out 91.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, Grocery Stores companies pay a dividend yield of 4.0% and pay out 62.4% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Greggs lags its rivals as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio. Summary Greggs rivals beat Greggs on 10 of the 13 factors compared. About Greggs (Get Free Report) Greggs plc operates as a food-on-the-go retailer in the United Kingdom. It offers a range of fresh and frozen bakery products, sandwiches, and drinks. The company sells products to franchise and wholesale partners for sale in their own outlets. It is also involved in the property holding, non-trading, and trustee businesses. The company also operates through its own shops. Greggs plc was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne, the United Kingdom. Receive News & Ratings for Greggs Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Greggs and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Up to 92 former members of armed groups will be discharged from Mutobo Demobilisation Centre in Musanze District on Thursday, July 20, after completing months of civic education. The former members of DR Congo-based militias such as the FDLR, include some who voluntarily returned to Rwanda, war crimes convicts who were pardoned by President Paul Kagame in March, and civilians associated with the armed groups and their dependents. The 69th discharge ceremony will be attended by government officials, diplomats and representatives of international organizations, among others. Since 2001, more than 12,000 former members have been discharged from Mutobo Centre and reintegrated in the Rwandan society. First Interstate Bank increased its position in Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE Free Report) by 2.2% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 25,752 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 565 shares during the period. First Interstate Banks holdings in Intercontinental Exchange were worth $2,686,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ICE. Vestcor Inc boosted its holdings in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Vestcor Inc now owns 17,924 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,839,000 after purchasing an additional 94 shares during the period. Peterson Wealth Services boosted its holdings in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Peterson Wealth Services now owns 2,957 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $303,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the period. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 4.4% in the 4th quarter. Strengthening Families & Communities LLC now owns 2,269 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $232,000 after purchasing an additional 95 shares during the period. Capital Impact Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 7.0% in the 4th quarter. Capital Impact Advisors LLC now owns 1,509 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $155,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares during the period. Finally, Piscataqua Savings Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Intercontinental Exchange by 35.1% in the 1st quarter. Piscataqua Savings Bank now owns 385 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $40,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. 87.28% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Intercontinental Exchange alerts: Insider Transactions at Intercontinental Exchange In other news, President Benjamin Jackson sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.54, for a total value of $346,620.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the president now directly owns 125,647 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,517,254.38. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Douglas Foley sold 1,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $108.48, for a total transaction of $173,568.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 19,881 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,156,690.88. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, President Benjamin Jackson sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.54, for a total value of $346,620.00. Following the transaction, the president now directly owns 125,647 shares in the company, valued at $14,517,254.38. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 97,978 shares of company stock valued at $10,606,289. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes Intercontinental Exchange Stock Up 0.5 % ICE has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on Intercontinental Exchange from $122.00 to $120.00 in a report on Friday, May 5th. UBS Group boosted their price objective on Intercontinental Exchange from $130.00 to $135.00 in a report on Friday, May 5th. Raymond James boosted their price objective on Intercontinental Exchange from $127.00 to $130.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Intercontinental Exchange from $120.00 to $123.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, Rosenblatt Securities restated a buy rating and set a $168.00 price objective on shares of Intercontinental Exchange in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $130.00. Shares of ICE stock traded up $0.59 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $116.22. The stock had a trading volume of 378,515 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,470,384. Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. has a 12-month low of $88.60 and a 12-month high of $117.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $65.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 45.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.93. The firms 50-day moving average is $110.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $107.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 1.08. Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The financial services provider reported $1.41 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.40 by $0.01. Intercontinental Exchange had a return on equity of 12.98% and a net margin of 14.97%. The business had revenue of $1.90 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.90 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.43 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down .2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. will post 5.56 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Intercontinental Exchange Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were given a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.45%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. Intercontinental Exchanges payout ratio is 65.12%. Intercontinental Exchange Company Profile (Free Report) Intercontinental Exchange, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of market infrastructure, data services, and technology solutions for financial institutions, corporations, and government entities in the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Singapore, India, Abu Dhabi, Israel, and Canada. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ICE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Intercontinental Exchange Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Intercontinental Exchange and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Globant (NYSE:GLOB Get Free Report) had its price objective lifted by investment analysts at KeyCorp from $201.00 to $230.00 in a report released on Friday, FlyOnTheWall reports. KeyCorps price objective would suggest a potential upside of 24.46% from the companys previous close. Several other analysts also recently issued reports on GLOB. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on Globant from $198.00 to $227.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. Needham & Company LLC assumed coverage on Globant in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. They issued a buy rating and a $205.00 target price on the stock. Piper Sandler raised their target price on Globant from $204.00 to $207.00 in a research report on Friday, May 19th. HSBC raised their target price on Globant from $235.00 to $240.00 in a research report on Monday. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Globant in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $220.40. Get Globant alerts: Globant Price Performance Shares of NYSE GLOB opened at $184.80 on Friday. Globant has a 1-year low of $135.40 and a 1-year high of $240.00. The business has a 50-day moving average of $177.62 and a 200-day moving average of $166.14. The company has a market capitalization of $7.81 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.41 and a beta of 1.36. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Globant Globant ( NYSE:GLOB Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 18th. The information technology services provider reported $1.00 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.02 by ($0.02). Globant had a return on equity of 11.65% and a net margin of 8.03%. The company had revenue of $472.42 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $472.14 million. Research analysts expect that Globant will post 4.69 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Ridgewood Investments LLC bought a new stake in shares of Globant during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Globant by 233.3% during the 1st quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 200 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 140 shares in the last quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Globant during the 4th quarter worth $40,000. Clearstead Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Globant by 1,566.7% during the 1st quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 250 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 235 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Machina Capital S.A.S. bought a new stake in shares of Globant during the 1st quarter worth $49,000. 91.91% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Globant Company Profile (Get Free Report) Globant SA operates as a technology services company worldwide. The company offers e-commerce, new distribution capabilities, augmented revenue management, hyper connected operation, and conversational user experience services through reinvention studios; digital lending, commercial effectiveness, finance, sustainability, regulation analytic, transformation and post-merger integration, and payment and open banking services; and game and graphic engineering, UI and UX design, game as a service, DevOps, and online services, as well as high tech tools. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Globant Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Globant and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Gold Resource (NYSEAMERICAN:GORO Free Report) had its target price boosted by HC Wainwright from $3.00 to $3.25 in a research report released on Monday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports. HC Wainwright also issued estimates for Gold Resources FY2023 earnings at $0.00 EPS. Separately, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Gold Resource in a research note on Sunday, July 16th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Get Gold Resource alerts: Gold Resource Stock Performance Shares of NYSEAMERICAN:GORO opened at $0.67 on Monday. Gold Resource has a one year low of $0.49 and a one year high of $1.91. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $1.18. The firm has a market cap of $59.45 million, a PE ratio of -5.17 and a beta of 1.47. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Gold Resource Gold Resource ( NYSEAMERICAN:GORO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The basic materials company reported ($0.01) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $31.23 million for the quarter. Gold Resource had a negative net margin of 9.17% and a negative return on equity of 9.84%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Gold Resource will post 0.01 EPS for the current year. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Jane Street Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Gold Resource by 1,039.2% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 636,688 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $669,000 after acquiring an additional 580,797 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Gold Resource by 5.2% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 307,716 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $323,000 after acquiring an additional 15,300 shares during the last quarter. Squarepoint Ops LLC bought a new position in Gold Resource in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $52,000. First Trust Advisors LP raised its holdings in Gold Resource by 8.3% in the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 235,345 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $247,000 after buying an additional 17,945 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC bought a new position in Gold Resource in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $83,000. 25.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Gold Resource (Get Free Report) Gold Resource Corporation engages in the exploration, development, and production of gold and silver projects in Mexico and the United States. The company explores for copper, lead, and zinc deposits. Its principal asset is the 100% owned Back Forty project covering approximately 1,304 hectares located in Menominee county, Michigan. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Gold Resource Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gold Resource and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hitachi, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:HTHIY Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $129.97 and last traded at $129.71, with a volume of 97029 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $127.94. Hitachi Stock Down 2.0 % The firm has a 50-day moving average of $122.86 and a 200 day moving average of $112.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 1.15 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $59.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.31, a PEG ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 0.83. Get Hitachi alerts: Hitachi (OTCMKTS:HTHIY Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The conglomerate reported $5.71 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.46 by $0.25. The firm had revenue of $20.96 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.98 billion. Hitachi had a return on equity of 12.42% and a net margin of 5.98%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Hitachi, Ltd. will post 7.87 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Hitachi Company Profile Hitachi, Ltd. provides digital system and services, green energy and mobility, and connective industry solutions in Japan and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Digital Systems & Services, Green Energy & Mobility, Connective Industries, Automotive System, Hitachi Construction Machinery, Hitachi Metals, and Others. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Hitachi Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hitachi and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AllSquare Wealth Management LLC reduced its position in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:NYF Free Report) by 4.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 6,414 shares of the companys stock after selling 310 shares during the quarter. AllSquare Wealth Management LLC owned approximately 0.06% of iShares New York Muni Bond ETF worth $343,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of NYF. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC acquired a new position in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $10,662,000. Adviser Investments LLC acquired a new position in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at about $9,201,000. NBT Bank N A NY grew its position in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 855.6% in the 4th quarter. NBT Bank N A NY now owns 169,770 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,896,000 after acquiring an additional 152,005 shares in the last quarter. Jane Street Group LLC grew its position in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 152.0% in the 2nd quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 236,151 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,422,000 after acquiring an additional 142,441 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley grew its position in iShares New York Muni Bond ETF by 19.5% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 392,622 shares of the companys stock valued at $20,573,000 after acquiring an additional 64,149 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares New York Muni Bond ETF alerts: iShares New York Muni Bond ETF Stock Performance NYSEARCA NYF traded up $0.01 during trading on Friday, hitting $53.47. The stock had a trading volume of 8,005 shares, compared to its average volume of 51,309. iShares New York Muni Bond ETF has a twelve month low of $49.91 and a twelve month high of $54.14. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $53.11 and a 200 day moving average price of $53.16. About iShares New York Muni Bond ETF iShares New York AMT-Free Muni Bond ETF, formerly iShares S&P New York AMT-Free Municipal Bond Fund (the Fund), is an exchange traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P AMT-Free Municipal Series 2016 IndexTM (the Index). Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NYF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares New York Muni Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:NYF Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares New York Muni Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares New York Muni Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ashtead Group (LON:AHT Free Report) had its price target cut by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 6,700 ($87.60) to GBX 6,200 ($81.07) in a research note published on Monday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have an overweight rating on the stock. Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated a hold rating and issued a GBX 4,460 ($58.32) target price on shares of Ashtead Group in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Ashtead Group from GBX 5,450 ($71.26) to GBX 5,500 ($71.91) and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Thursday, June 15th. Jefferies Financial Group restated a buy rating and issued a GBX 7,000 ($91.53) target price on shares of Ashtead Group in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Finally, Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and set a GBX 6,300 ($82.37) price objective on shares of Ashtead Group in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of GBX 5,951.43 ($77.82). Get Ashtead Group alerts: Ashtead Group Price Performance Shares of AHT stock opened at GBX 5,582 ($72.99) on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of 24.46 billion, a PE ratio of 1,971.33, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 1.45. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 5,190.22 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 5,119.59. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 149.62. Ashtead Group has a twelve month low of GBX 3,739 ($48.89) and a twelve month high of GBX 6,012 ($78.61). Ashtead Group Increases Dividend About Ashtead Group The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 12th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 10th will be issued a dividend of $0.85 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 1.26%. This is a boost from Ashtead Groups previous dividend of $0.15. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 10th. Ashtead Groups dividend payout ratio is 2,867.38%. (Get Free Report) Ashtead Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the construction, industrial, and general equipment rental business in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It provides pumps, power generation, heating, cooling, scaffolding, traffic management, temporary flooring, trench shoring, and lifting services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Ashtead Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ashtead Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Key Financial Inc grew its stake in Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT Free Report) by 75.0% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 1,626 shares of the aerospace companys stock after buying an additional 697 shares during the quarter. Key Financial Incs holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $769,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Mcdonald Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Mcdonald Partners LLC now owns 1,865 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $882,000 after buying an additional 20 shares during the period. Amplius Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Amplius Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 815 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $385,000 after buying an additional 21 shares during the period. Alhambra Investment Partners LLC boosted its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 4.8% in the 1st quarter. Alhambra Investment Partners LLC now owns 476 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $225,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the period. M Holdings Securities Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 0.3% in the 4th quarter. M Holdings Securities Inc. now owns 8,113 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $3,948,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the period. Finally, Connecticut Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Lockheed Martin by 4.8% in the 1st quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 498 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $235,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.28% of the companys stock. Get Lockheed Martin alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other Lockheed Martin news, Director John Donovan acquired 548 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 19th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $457.07 per share, with a total value of $250,474.36. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 3,378 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,543,982.46. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Lockheed Martin Stock Performance Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Citigroup decreased their target price on Lockheed Martin from $579.00 to $555.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Susquehanna decreased their target price on Lockheed Martin from $575.00 to $550.00 and set a positive rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Lockheed Martin from $433.00 to $440.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Robert W. Baird cut Lockheed Martin from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $513.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, StockNews.com cut Lockheed Martin from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Lockheed Martin presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $499.43. Shares of NYSE:LMT traded down $1.39 during trading on Friday, reaching $454.62. The company had a trading volume of 287,469 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,245,054. The firm has a market capitalization of $115.13 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.61, a current ratio of 1.30 and a quick ratio of 1.10. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $456.74 and its 200 day moving average price is $466.14. Lockheed Martin Co. has a fifty-two week low of $381.55 and a fifty-two week high of $508.10. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 18th. The aerospace company reported $6.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.45 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $16.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $15.92 billion. Lockheed Martin had a return on equity of 67.75% and a net margin of 8.60%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $6.32 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 26.79 EPS for the current year. Lockheed Martin Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 1st will be issued a $3.00 dividend. This represents a $12.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.64%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, August 31st. Lockheed Martins payout ratio is currently 54.84%. Lockheed Martin Company Profile (Free Report) Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LMT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Lockheed Martin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lockheed Martin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Loudon Investment Management LLC reduced its position in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Free Report) by 4.4% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 19,681 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 900 shares during the period. Loudon Investment Management LLCs holdings in Aflac were worth $1,270,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AFL. Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in Aflac by 36.2% during the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 23,941 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,542,000 after buying an additional 6,369 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL raised its stake in Aflac by 6.8% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 17,268 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,112,000 after buying an additional 1,102 shares during the last quarter. Aviva PLC raised its stake in Aflac by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 210,634 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $13,563,000 after buying an additional 1,503 shares during the last quarter. Dakota Wealth Management purchased a new stake in Aflac during the 1st quarter valued at $428,000. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Aflac by 7.3% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 6,142 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $396,000 after acquiring an additional 417 shares during the period. 66.56% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Aflac alerts: Aflac Price Performance Shares of Aflac stock traded up $0.40 during trading on Friday, reaching $72.79. 270,539 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,466,541. The company has a market capitalization of $43.98 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.45, a P/E/G ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 0.94. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $68.06 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $68.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 0.05 and a quick ratio of 0.05. Aflac Incorporated has a 52-week low of $54.75 and a 52-week high of $74.01. Aflac Dividend Announcement Aflac ( NYSE:AFL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.55 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.40 by $0.15. Aflac had a net margin of 22.90% and a return on equity of 15.25%. The firm had revenue of $4.80 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.61 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.42 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 7.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Aflac Incorporated will post 5.79 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 17th were issued a $0.42 dividend. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.31%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 16th. Aflacs payout ratio is 24.24%. Insider Activity at Aflac In other Aflac news, COO Frederick John Crawford sold 59,053 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.43, for a total value of $4,040,996.79. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 321,367 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,991,143.81. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Aflac news, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.60, for a total value of $34,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 27,085 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,885,116. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, COO Frederick John Crawford sold 59,053 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.43, for a total transaction of $4,040,996.79. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 321,367 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,991,143.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 112,582 shares of company stock valued at $7,649,767. Insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have recently commented on AFL. Bank of America began coverage on Aflac in a research note on Monday, June 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. StockNews.com began coverage on Aflac in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. 888 restated a reiterates rating on shares of Aflac in a research note on Friday, June 9th. 58.com reiterated a reiterates rating on shares of Aflac in a research note on Friday, June 9th. Finally, Citigroup cut their price target on Aflac from $73.00 to $69.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Aflac presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $71.22. Aflac Profile (Free Report) Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. It operates in two segments, Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AFL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Aflac Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Aflac and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mesa Royalty Trust (NYSE:MTR Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Thursday, July 20th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 31st will be paid a dividend of 0.058 per share by the energy company on Tuesday, October 31st. This represents a $0.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.82%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 28th. Mesa Royalty Trust has raised its dividend by an average of 29.3% annually over the last three years. Get Mesa Royalty Trust alerts: Mesa Royalty Trust Price Performance MTR traded down $5.61 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $18.23. 101,860 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 26,892. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $23.74 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $19.96. Mesa Royalty Trust has a 1 year low of $10.83 and a 1 year high of $29.50. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Mesa Royalty Trust ( NYSE:MTR Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The energy company reported $0.39 EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $0.85 million for the quarter. Mesa Royalty Trust had a return on equity of 142.69% and a net margin of 89.88%. A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC grew its holdings in shares of Mesa Royalty Trust by 50.0% during the first quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 2,032 shares of the energy companys stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 677 shares in the last quarter. UBS Group AG grew its holdings in shares of Mesa Royalty Trust by 56.3% during the third quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,908 shares of the energy companys stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 1,408 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA purchased a new stake in Mesa Royalty Trust in the first quarter worth approximately $58,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 10.10% of the companys stock. About Mesa Royalty Trust (Get Free Report) Mesa Royalty Trust owns net overriding royalty interests in various oil and gas producing properties in the United States. The company has interests in properties located in the Hugoton field of Kansas; and the San Juan Basin of Northwestern New Mexico and Southwestern Colorado. Mesa Royalty Trust was founded in 1979 and is based in Houston, Texas. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Mesa Royalty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mesa Royalty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS Get Free Report) CEO James P. Gorman sold 125,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $92.35, for a total value of $11,543,750.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,136,345 shares in the company, valued at approximately $104,941,460.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Morgan Stanley Price Performance Shares of NYSE:MS traded up $0.21 during trading on Friday, reaching $94.01. 6,294,739 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,626,292. The companys 50 day moving average is $85.29 and its two-hundred day moving average is $89.15. The firm has a market capitalization of $157.01 billion, a PE ratio of 16.58, a PEG ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a quick ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. Morgan Stanley has a 52 week low of $74.67 and a 52 week high of $100.99. Get Morgan Stanley alerts: Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $1.24 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $13.46 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.02 billion. Morgan Stanley had a return on equity of 11.35% and a net margin of 14.12%. The companys revenue was up 2.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.44 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Morgan Stanley will post 5.85 earnings per share for the current year. Morgan Stanley Increases Dividend Analysts Set New Price Targets The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.85 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 28th. This represents a $3.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.62%. This is a boost from Morgan Stanleys previous quarterly dividend of $0.78. Morgan Stanleys payout ratio is 54.67%. A number of research analysts recently weighed in on MS shares. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Morgan Stanley from $90.00 to $80.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, March 24th. Evercore ISI decreased their target price on Morgan Stanley from $106.00 to $104.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. StockNews.com started coverage on Morgan Stanley in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on Morgan Stanley from $100.00 to $103.00 in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price on Morgan Stanley from $125.00 to $112.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, nine have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $95.65. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Morgan Stanley A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of Morgan Stanley by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 46,907,341 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,118,465,000 after buying an additional 913,447 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC boosted its position in shares of Morgan Stanley by 6.3% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 27,013,824 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,371,814,000 after purchasing an additional 1,604,768 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Morgan Stanley by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 23,258,148 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,973,640,000 after purchasing an additional 97,672 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its holdings in Morgan Stanley by 114.8% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 23,059,090 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,024,589,000 after acquiring an additional 12,321,786 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in Morgan Stanley by 1.7% in the first quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 19,315,836 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,695,930,000 after acquiring an additional 314,567 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.48% of the companys stock. About Morgan Stanley (Get Free Report) Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Morgan Stanley Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Morgan Stanley and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. China's consumer market is thriving this summer. Family trips and cross-province tours are recovering. A prosperous night economy represented by night markets, midnight snacks and night boating activities is enriching urban business forms. The booming consumption exactly mirrors the strong vitality of the Chinese economy. The country's macro economy is showing signs of recovery and growth. On July 17, the National Bureau of Statistics said that China's GDP grew 5.5 percent in the first half of 2023, surpassing the 3-percent growth in 2022 and the annual average growth of 4.5 percent from 2020 to 2022. This proves that the Chinese economy is gradually walking out of the shadow of COVID-19 and getting back to its normal track. The obvious rebound trend indicates the high value of the Chinese economy. The high value comes from China's tremendous development resilience, which can be well explained by the country's optimized trade structure. This year, the global economy has shown a weak recovery. The sluggish global trade inevitably hindered China's imports and exports. Against such a backdrop, the total export value of China's three major tech-intensive green products - lithium-ion batteries, solar batteries, and electric vehicles - soared 61.6 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2023. The value of general trade accounted for 65.5 percent of the country's total imports and exports. New forms of foreign trade such as cross-border e-commerce were in rapid development, which not only offset the contraction of the overseas market demand, but also made the trade sector more diverse. In fact, the willpower to conquer all types of risks and challenges, as well as the capabilities to flexibly maneuver and complete self-upgrade, is exactly what makes the strong resilience of the Chinese economy. From a global perspective, China's economic growth in the first half of 2023 was high among major economies around the world, and it provided important support for the development of the global economy. The high value also comes from the vitality of China's development. Recently, the second domestically-developed large passenger aircraft C919 was delivered to China Eastern Airlines. Also this year, China's first domestically-built large cruise ship left the dock, and its Long March-2D carrier rocket set a national record for the most satellites transported on a single mission. The demonstration project of Hualong One, China's homegrown third-generation nuclear power reactor design, passed the final acceptance tests. Innovation-driven development is releasing new momentum for China's high-quality development. Structural optimization and transformation of development models can be observed in China's economic recovery. In the January-June period, investment in high-tech industries grew by 12.5 percent year-on-year, the production of new energy vehicles jumped 35 percent, and final consumption contributed over 70 percent to the country's economic growth. This explains that the Chinese economy is growing with better quality and higher efficiency. As the country builds stronger growth drivers and steadily improves its development quality, the Chinese economy will enter stages toward a higher-level form, a more sophisticated division of labor, and a more optimized structure. China, currently at a key stage of economic recovery and industrial upgrading, is seeing cyclical contradictions and structural problems. In the future, China needs to continue comprehensively deepening reform and opening up, accelerate the modernization of the industrial system, ensure smooth economic circulation and make more efforts to transform growth models, make structural adjustments and strengthen growth drivers. The country should also issue and implement, in a timely manner, a batch of targeted, coordinated and synergetic policies and measures on stabilizing growth, ensuring employment, and guarding against risks. Challenges build barriers for the time being, but they are a ladder to better development in the long run. China, witnessing recovery and growth in the first half of this year, has profoundly learned new situations and problems of its economy, and improved its policies and measures, to bring the full potential of its advantages and dynamism. It is believed that China has the conditions and capability to achieve its full-year growth targets. For the 450 million women engaged in smallholder livestock farming, access to livestock vaccines has become a pressing concern as it directly affects their livelihoods. The lack of proper vaccination measures has led to high livestock mortality rates, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and disempowerment. At the Women Deliver Conference, a Canadian-based research firm, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), tabled an initiative funded by the Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund (LVIF) that seeks to pave the way for gender-transformative solutions to empower women in the livestock sector and improve food security worldwide. "We need solutions that are sustainable and this is why we have embarked on using technology, like drones, to reach women in remote areas and increase their access to livestock vaccines. With this transformative approach, we have managed to move the gender inequality in vaccine accessibility and increased uptake," said Immaculate Omondi from the Women Rear Project. She went on to say that there is a need for vaccine laws that are not gender-blind, laws that are inclusive, and laws that do not hinder women in terms of livestock vaccine accessibility. Livestock diseases pose a significant threat to food security and the income of millions of smallholder livestock farmers, with women often bearing the brunt of the impact. Despite representing two-thirds of all livestock smallholders and playing a vital role in food systems, women have been overlooked in previous efforts to combat livestock diseases. This oversight has hindered their access to vaccines and limited their participation in livestock vaccine value chains. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Women Rwanda Food and Agriculture By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. According to Gordon Obin from the University of Florida, "Even in the process of vaccination, women aren't the same as men." Obin who is also the country coordinator of 'Advancing Women's Participation in the Livestock Vaccine Value Chain' in Uganda also called for an inclusive approach in livestock vaccine distribution. In a bid to address this gender disparity, four pioneering projects supported by Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund (LVIF) have embarked on research in Ghana, Kenya, Nepal, Rwanda, Senegal, and Uganda. The projects aim to break down barriers and create an inclusive environment for women smallholder livestock farmers to actively participate in and benefit from livestock vaccine systems. Judith Chemuliti from Kenya said women have power when they are grouped in small settings. "If we tap into these groups which are in themselves a social capital, we can propel women in breaking barriers around accessing vaccines," she said. Her idea was supported by Agnes Loriba from CARE Ghana who said that if 10 per cent of the 450 million women who own livestock were given full access to vaccines, an impact would be felt. Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW Get Free Report)s stock had its equal weight rating reiterated by analysts at Morgan Stanley in a report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. They presently have a $78.00 target price on the utilities providers stock, up from their previous target price of $73.00. Morgan Stanleys price objective would indicate a potential downside of 8.96% from the companys current price. PNW has been the topic of several other reports. KeyCorp raised their target price on Pinnacle West Capital from $55.00 to $61.00 in a report on Wednesday. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Pinnacle West Capital from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, May 20th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $85.00 to $89.00 in a report on Friday, June 16th. Bank of America lowered their price target on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $80.00 to $78.00 in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Finally, Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Pinnacle West Capital from $80.00 to $84.00 in a report on Friday, June 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Pinnacle West Capital has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $78.11. Get Pinnacle West Capital alerts: Pinnacle West Capital Stock Performance Shares of Pinnacle West Capital stock traded up $1.18 on Friday, reaching $85.68. 128,405 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 831,772. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $80.58 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $78.09. Pinnacle West Capital has a twelve month low of $59.03 and a twelve month high of $85.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.95, a PEG ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 0.47. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Pinnacle West Capital ( NYSE:PNW Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported ($0.03) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.06). Pinnacle West Capital had a return on equity of 7.50% and a net margin of 10.33%. The business had revenue of $944.60 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $808.33 million. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.15 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 20.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Pinnacle West Capital will post 4.08 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in PNW. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Pinnacle West Capital in the 4th quarter valued at $104,067,000. State Street Corp boosted its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 18.4% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 6,911,753 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $539,808,000 after purchasing an additional 1,072,235 shares during the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC acquired a new position in Pinnacle West Capital in the 1st quarter valued at about $74,297,000. Empower Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital in the 1st quarter valued at $67,970,000. Finally, Invesco Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 29.6% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,537,942 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $276,313,000 after purchasing an additional 808,207 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 85.46% of the companys stock. About Pinnacle West Capital (Get Free Report) Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, through its subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company, provides retail and wholesale electric services primarily in the state of Arizona. The company engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity using coal, nuclear, gas, oil, and solar generating facilities. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Pinnacle West Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pinnacle West Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dominion Energy (NYSE:D Get Free Report) had its price objective reduced by research analysts at Morgan Stanley from $58.00 to $55.00 in a report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an equal weight rating on the utilities providers stock. Morgan Stanleys price objective suggests a potential upside of 2.33% from the companys current price. A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on D. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Dominion Energy from $54.00 to $52.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 16th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of Dominion Energy from $59.00 to $58.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. StockNews.com raised shares of Dominion Energy from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday, May 20th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Dominion Energy from $61.00 to $55.00 in a report on Monday, July 3rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Dominion Energy from $63.00 to $55.00 in a report on Friday, June 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Dominion Energy has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $57.70. Get Dominion Energy alerts: Dominion Energy Stock Performance Shares of D stock traded up $0.64 on Friday, hitting $53.75. The companys stock had a trading volume of 523,323 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,316,339. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a current ratio of 0.75. The stocks 50 day moving average is $52.17 and its 200-day moving average is $56.08. Dominion Energy has a fifty-two week low of $48.47 and a fifty-two week high of $86.28. The company has a market capitalization of $44.93 billion, a PE ratio of 37.57, a PEG ratio of 0.70 and a beta of 0.45. Insiders Place Their Bets Dominion Energy ( NYSE:D Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The utilities provider reported $0.99 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $5.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.46 billion. Dominion Energy had a net margin of 7.05% and a return on equity of 12.67%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 22.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.18 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Dominion Energy will post 3.68 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In other Dominion Energy news, COO Diane Leopold sold 6,250 shares of Dominion Energy stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.16, for a total transaction of $307,250.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 100,115 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,921,653.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.15% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Dominion Energy A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in D. Sei Investments Co. raised its stake in Dominion Energy by 7.7% in the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 168,723 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $14,325,000 after acquiring an additional 12,002 shares during the period. Prudential PLC bought a new stake in Dominion Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $1,528,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in Dominion Energy by 30.0% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,195 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $611,000 after acquiring an additional 1,661 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in Dominion Energy by 49.8% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 394 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 131 shares during the period. Finally, Merit Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in Dominion Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $419,000. 69.58% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Dominion Energy Company Profile (Get Free Report) Dominion Energy, Inc produces and distributes energy in the United States. It operates through four segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Gas Distribution, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Contracted Assets. The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to approximately 2.7 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Dominion Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dominion Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cerro Grande Mining (OTCMKTS:CEGMF Get Free Report) and Mountain Province Diamonds (OTCMKTS:MPVDF Get Free Report) are both small-cap basic materials companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, valuation, risk, dividends, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership. Insider and Institutional Ownership 0.4% of Mountain Province Diamonds shares are held by institutional investors. 4.8% of Mountain Province Diamonds shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Get Cerro Grande Mining alerts: Profitability This table compares Cerro Grande Mining and Mountain Province Diamonds net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Cerro Grande Mining N/A N/A -35.76% Mountain Province Diamonds 11.86% 14.71% 6.34% Risk and Volatility Analyst Recommendations Cerro Grande Mining has a beta of -1.06, indicating that its stock price is 206% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Mountain Province Diamonds has a beta of 1.65, indicating that its stock price is 65% more volatile than the S&P 500. This is a summary of recent recommendations for Cerro Grande Mining and Mountain Province Diamonds, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Cerro Grande Mining 0 0 0 0 N/A Mountain Province Diamonds 0 0 0 0 N/A Valuation & Earnings This table compares Cerro Grande Mining and Mountain Province Diamonds top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Cerro Grande Mining N/A N/A -$120,000.00 N/A N/A Mountain Province Diamonds $527.95 million 0.15 $37.84 million $0.22 1.68 Mountain Province Diamonds has higher revenue and earnings than Cerro Grande Mining. Summary Mountain Province Diamonds beats Cerro Grande Mining on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Cerro Grande Mining (Get Free Report) Cerro Grande Mining Corporation engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Chile. The company explores for gold, copper, and industrial mineral deposits. It holds interests in Tordillo project, which covers an area of 6,632 hectares located to the southwest of Pimenton; and limestone deposits, including Catedral and Cal Norte. The company was formerly known as South American Gold and Copper Company Limited and changed its name to Cerro Grande Mining Corporation in March 2011. Cerro Grande Mining Corporation was founded in 1990 and is based in Providencia, Chile. About Mountain Province Diamonds (Get Free Report) Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. focuses on the mining and marketing of rough diamonds worldwide. Its primary asset is its 49% interest in the Gahcho Kue diamond mine comprising mining leases covering an area of 5,216 hectares; and holds a 100% interest in the Kennady North project consisting of 22 federal leases and 97 claims covering an area of 113,000 hectares located in the Northwest Territories, Canada. The company was formerly known as Mountain Province Mining Inc. and changed its name to Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. in October 2000. Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. was incorporated in 1986 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Cerro Grande Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cerro Grande Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB Free Report) had its target price raised by Wedbush from $149.00 to $156.00 in a report released on Thursday, Marketbeat reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the financial services providers stock. Wedbush also issued estimates for M&T Banks Q3 2023 earnings at $4.22 EPS, Q4 2023 earnings at $3.94 EPS, FY2023 earnings at $16.42 EPS, Q1 2024 earnings at $3.51 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $4.07 EPS, Q3 2024 earnings at $4.36 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $4.52 EPS and FY2024 earnings at $16.45 EPS. Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. Argus raised M&T Bank from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $150.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Citigroup decreased their price objective on M&T Bank from $150.00 to $145.00 in a report on Monday, June 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on M&T Bank from $133.00 to $147.00 in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Bank of America increased their price objective on M&T Bank from $141.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on M&T Bank from $190.00 to $183.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, M&T Bank has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $159.20. Get M&T Bank alerts: M&T Bank Stock Up 0.3 % NYSE:MTB opened at $138.54 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.98 billion, a PE ratio of 10.73, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.82 and a beta of 0.79. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $124.66 and a 200-day moving average of $133.01. M&T Bank has a 52 week low of $109.36 and a 52 week high of $193.42. The company has a current ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. M&T Bank Dividend Announcement M&T Bank ( NYSE:MTB Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The financial services provider reported $5.05 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $4.16 by $0.89. The company had revenue of $3.32 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.39 billion. M&T Bank had a return on equity of 11.97% and a net margin of 23.20%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.10 earnings per share. Analysts predict that M&T Bank will post 16.09 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were given a dividend of $1.30 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.75%. M&T Banks dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 40.28%. Insider Activity In other news, Director Rudina Seseri sold 700 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.40, for a total transaction of $82,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 1,736 shares in the company, valued at approximately $205,542.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Rudina Seseri sold 700 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $118.40, for a total transaction of $82,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 1,736 shares in the company, valued at approximately $205,542.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Daryl N. Bible acquired 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The shares were bought at an average price of $120.61 per share, with a total value of $1,206,100.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 10,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,206,100. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders own 0.97% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of M&T Bank A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its holdings in shares of M&T Bank by 35.2% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 15,153,301 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,811,880,000 after purchasing an additional 3,945,773 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of M&T Bank by 2.2% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 14,607,431 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,475,959,000 after purchasing an additional 316,266 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of M&T Bank by 0.8% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 13,106,150 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,567,102,000 after purchasing an additional 108,068 shares in the last quarter. FMR LLC lifted its holdings in shares of M&T Bank by 1.1% in the first quarter. FMR LLC now owns 7,994,434 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $955,894,000 after purchasing an additional 87,768 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp raised its holdings in shares of M&T Bank by 0.7% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,985,096 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $954,778,000 after acquiring an additional 55,623 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.62% of the companys stock. M&T Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) M&T Bank Corporation operates as a bank holding company for Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company and Wilmington Trust, National Association that offer retail and commercial banking products and services in the United States. The company's Business Banking segment offers deposit, lending, cash management, and other financial services to small businesses and professionals. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for M&T Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for M&T Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust (OTCMKTS:FCXXF Free Report) had its price objective cut by National Bank Financial from C$18.50 to C$17.50 in a report released on Tuesday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports. A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on FCXXF. Desjardins started coverage on shares of First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. TD Securities reduced their target price on shares of First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust from C$22.00 to C$21.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. CIBC upped their target price on shares of First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust from C$20.00 to C$21.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on shares of First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust from C$21.00 to C$20.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Get First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust alerts: First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust Price Performance OTCMKTS:FCXXF opened at $10.98 on Tuesday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $11.04 and its 200-day moving average price is $11.86. First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust has a 1-year low of $10.47 and a 1-year high of $13.34. About First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust First Capital owns, operates and develops grocery-anchored, open-air centres in neighbourhoods with the strongest demographics in Canada. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Capital Real Estate Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Novartis (NYSE:NVS Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The company reported $1.83 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.68 by $0.15, MarketWatch Earnings reports. Novartis had a net margin of 13.78% and a return on equity of 23.29%. The business had revenue of $13.62 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.32 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.56 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Novartis Stock Performance NYSE:NVS traded up $0.21 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $105.34. 293,723 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,115,526. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.79. Novartis has a 52-week low of $74.09 and a 52-week high of $105.56. The companys 50 day moving average price is $99.74 and its 200-day moving average price is $94.23. The stock has a market capitalization of $223.28 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.35, a PEG ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 0.55. Get Novartis alerts: Institutional Trading of Novartis Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Laidlaw Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Novartis during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $209,000. Wimmer Associates 1 LLC acquired a new stake in Novartis during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $206,000. Goepper Burkhardt LLC acquired a new stake in Novartis during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $204,000. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC lifted its stake in Novartis by 93.4% during the 1st quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 1,445 shares of the companys stock valued at $133,000 after acquiring an additional 698 shares during the period. Finally, SRS Capital Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Novartis by 36.2% during the 1st quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 1,136 shares of the companys stock valued at $105,000 after acquiring an additional 302 shares during the period. 8.07% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Analyst Ratings Changes Novartis Company Profile A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on NVS shares. HSBC started coverage on shares of Novartis in a research report on Friday, July 14th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. BTIG Research lifted their price objective on shares of Novartis from $75.00 to $85.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Novartis from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Novartis in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $82.25. (Get Free Report) Novartis AG researches, develops, manufactures, and markets healthcare products in Switzerland and internationally. The company operates through two segments: Innovative Medicines and Sandoz. The Innovative Medicines segment offers prescription medicines for patients and physicians. It also provides cardiovascular, ophthalmology, neuroscience, immunology, hematology, and solid tumor products. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Novartis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Novartis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oakworth Capital Inc. lessened its stake in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C Free Report) by 13.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,991 shares of the companys stock after selling 300 shares during the period. Oakworth Capital Inc.s holdings in Citigroup were worth $93,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Arlington Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Citigroup during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc lifted its stake in shares of Citigroup by 72.1% in the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 604 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 253 shares during the period. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Citigroup in the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Heritage Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Citigroup by 140.1% in the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC now owns 862 shares of the companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 503 shares during the period. Finally, New Hampshire Trust acquired a new position in shares of Citigroup in the 4th quarter valued at $45,000. 69.39% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Citigroup alerts: Citigroup Stock Down 0.9 % NYSE:C traded down $0.45 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $46.96. The stock had a trading volume of 6,528,726 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,712,297. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $46.51 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $47.81. The company has a market capitalization of $91.42 billion, a PE ratio of 7.51, a PEG ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 1.56. Citigroup Inc. has a twelve month low of $40.01 and a twelve month high of $54.56. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.45. Citigroup Increases Dividend Citigroup ( NYSE:C Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, July 14th. The company reported $1.33 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.31 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $19.44 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.34 billion. Citigroup had a net margin of 10.24% and a return on equity of 6.80%. The firms revenue was down 1.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.30 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Citigroup Inc. will post 5.71 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 25th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 7th will be paid a $0.53 dividend. This is a positive change from Citigroups previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.51%. Citigroups dividend payout ratio is currently 32.33%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have recently issued reports on C. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Citigroup in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of Citigroup from $65.00 to $60.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of Citigroup from $64.00 to $62.00 in a report on Monday. Evercore ISI dropped their target price on shares of Citigroup from $53.00 to $50.00 in a report on Friday, May 12th. Finally, Odeon Capital Group raised shares of Citigroup from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $50.51 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Citigroup has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $53.73. About Citigroup (Free Report) Citigroup Inc, a diversified financial services holding company, provides various financial products and services to consumers, corporations, governments, and institutions in North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It operates through three segments: Institutional Clients Group (ICG), Personal Banking and Wealth Management (PBWM), and Legacy Franchises. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding C? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Citigroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citigroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Plains GP (NYSE:PAGP Get Free Report) had its target price boosted by equities researchers at Raymond James from $17.00 to $18.00 in a report released on Friday, Benzinga reports. The firm presently has a strong-buy rating on the pipeline companys stock. Raymond James price objective suggests a potential upside of 15.98% from the companys previous close. A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on PAGP. StockNews.com started coverage on Plains GP in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Plains GP from $17.00 to $19.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Plains GP from $13.00 to $15.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Plains GP from $17.00 to $18.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $16.50. Get Plains GP alerts: Plains GP Stock Up 0.4 % PAGP stock opened at $15.52 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $3.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.11 and a beta of 1.63. The company has a current ratio of 0.95, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.49. Plains GP has a twelve month low of $10.45 and a twelve month high of $15.60. The companys 50 day moving average is $14.40 and its two-hundred day moving average is $13.63. Insiders Place Their Bets Plains GP ( NYSE:PAGP Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The pipeline company reported $0.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.13 by $0.22. Plains GP had a net margin of 0.38% and a return on equity of 1.49%. The company had revenue of $12.34 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.78 billion. Research analysts expect that Plains GP will post 1.06 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In other news, CEO Willie Cw Chiang purchased 75,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $13.25 per share, with a total value of $993,750.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 256,704 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,401,328. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders own 9.62% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Plains GP Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Plains GP by 41.4% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 11,333,168 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $130,898,000 after purchasing an additional 3,318,007 shares in the last quarter. Energy Income Partners LLC lifted its stake in Plains GP by 21.4% in the 4th quarter. Energy Income Partners LLC now owns 10,874,422 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $135,278,000 after buying an additional 1,916,462 shares in the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Plains GP by 2.1% in the first quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 8,379,915 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $109,944,000 after acquiring an additional 168,521 shares during the last quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP lifted its holdings in Plains GP by 17.7% in the 4th quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 3,459,041 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $43,030,000 after purchasing an additional 519,051 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in Plains GP by 68.5% in the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 3,254,876 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $40,491,000 after purchasing an additional 1,322,722 shares in the last quarter. 84.64% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Plains GP Company Profile (Get Free Report) Plains GP Holdings, L.P., through its subsidiary, Plains All American Pipeline, L.P., owns and operates midstream energy infrastructure in the United States and Canada. The company operates in two segments, Crude Oil and Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs). The company engages in the transportation of crude oil and NGLs on pipelines, gathering systems, and trucks. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Plains GP Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Plains GP and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (NYSE:RGA Get Free Report) has been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the ten analysts that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $161.55. A number of research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Raymond James assumed coverage on shares of Reinsurance Group of America in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. They set a strong-buy rating and a $199.00 target price on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Reinsurance Group of America in a research report on Tuesday, April 25th. They set an overweight rating and a $163.00 target price on the stock. 58.com restated a maintains rating on shares of Reinsurance Group of America in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Credit Suisse Group upped their target price on shares of Reinsurance Group of America from $144.00 to $152.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Reinsurance Group of America from a buy rating to a hold rating and cut their price target for the company from $170.00 to $160.00 in a research report on Friday, June 23rd. Get Reinsurance Group of America alerts: Insider Buying and Selling In other news, EVP William L. Hutton sold 1,952 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.03, for a total transaction of $292,858.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 13,970 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,095,919.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, CFO Todd C. Larson sold 1,018 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.96, for a total transaction of $151,641.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 44,260 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,592,969.60. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP William L. Hutton sold 1,952 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.03, for a total transaction of $292,858.56. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 13,970 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,095,919.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.55% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Reinsurance Group of America Reinsurance Group of America Stock Up 1.8 % Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Reinsurance Group of America in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $499,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its holdings in shares of Reinsurance Group of America by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 33,171 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $4,600,000 after buying an additional 317 shares during the last quarter. Integrated Investment Consultants LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Reinsurance Group of America in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $521,000. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System boosted its holdings in shares of Reinsurance Group of America by 9.6% in the 2nd quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 19,400 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $2,691,000 after buying an additional 1,700 shares during the last quarter. Finally, New Mexico Educational Retirement Board boosted its holdings in shares of Reinsurance Group of America by 12.4% in the 2nd quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 13,600 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,886,000 after buying an additional 1,500 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.60% of the companys stock. Shares of NYSE RGA opened at $145.00 on Friday. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $143.26 and its 200 day simple moving average is $141.94. The company has a market cap of $9.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.47 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 0.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. Reinsurance Group of America has a 12-month low of $113.06 and a 12-month high of $153.35. Reinsurance Group of America (NYSE:RGA Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The insurance provider reported $5.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $1.79. Reinsurance Group of America had a net margin of 5.66% and a return on equity of 23.94%. The business had revenue of $4.25 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.23 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.47 EPS. On average, research analysts expect that Reinsurance Group of America will post 17.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Reinsurance Group of America Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 16th were paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 15th. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.21%. Reinsurance Group of Americas payout ratio is 23.10%. Reinsurance Group of America Company Profile (Get Free Report Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated engages in reinsurance business. The company offers individual and group life and health insurance products, such as term life, credit life, universal life, whole life, group life and health, joint and last survivor insurance, critical illness, disability, and longevity products; asset-intensive and financial reinsurance products; and other capital motivated solutions. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Reinsurance Group of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Reinsurance Group of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Renold plc (LON:RNO Get Free Report) shares passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 26.72 ($0.35) and traded as high as GBX 30 ($0.39). Renold shares last traded at GBX 29.20 ($0.38), with a volume of 1,044,294 shares traded. Renold Stock Performance The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 28.56 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 26.74. The firm has a market cap of 67.63 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 600.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.10 and a beta of 1.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 177.24, a current ratio of 1.09 and a quick ratio of 0.80. Renold Company Profile (Get Free Report) Renold plc manufactures and sells high precision engineered power transmission products in the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, the United States, Australasia, China, India, and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Chain and Torque Transmission. It offers standard, welded steel, and draw bench conveyor chains, as well as conveyor and trident chains for theme parks; and bucket elevator, escalator, heavy duty drag, and waste water treatment chains, as well as standard attachments and screen chains. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Renold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Renold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. In a session dubbed "Girls' Empowerment and Ending Violence against Children", hosted by World Vision International on the sidelines of the Women Deliver Conference on July 19, young girls from Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, DR Congo, and Niger shared their experiences and called for collective action to end violence and harmful practices on. During the session, alarming statistics were revealed, indicating that child marriage affects 31 per cent of women aged 20-24 in East and Southern Africa and 37 per cent in West and Central Africa. Furthermore, at least 200 million girls and women worldwide have experienced Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), with 29 African countries practicing this harmful tradition. The girls who participated in the panel were representatives of World Vision's Campaign, "It Takes a World to End Violence against Children", which aims to influence laws, policies, and social behaviours to prevent and respond to violence. They shared their stories of empowerment and efforts to promote gender equality within their communities. Dr Jacqueline Ogega, Senior Director of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion at World Vision US, spoke on behalf of Lilian Dodzo, Regional Director of World Vision International, East Africa Region. Ogega emphasised the importance of addressing child marriage, FGM, and gender-based violence as grave violations of international and national child rights and human rights treaties. "We call on all governments, donors, the private sector, faith-based organisations, and stakeholders to increase investments in social protection, education, and health services to end violence against children. Strengthening partnerships among these entities is essential for implementing laws and policies effectively," stated Ogega. Accountability was also stressed as a crucial aspect, urging governments to uphold their commitments by enforcing legislation, policies, standards, and protective plans for children. Additionally, she underscored the importance of including children and women in decision-making processes concerning national, regional, and international policies, declarations, and decisions. Addressing the critical issues of conflict and climate change, Ogega pointed out their intertwined nature, which leads to new and worsening hunger hotspots, and reverses the hard-earned gains made by vulnerable families escaping poverty. Combining efforts to tackle these challenges is vital to safeguarding the well-being of the most vulnerable children and communities worldwide. The girls themselves also shared their firsthand experiences and initiatives taken to tackle violence in their communities. Joan Kisakye from Uganda shared her Covid-19 experience, where job losses and poverty led to teenage pregnancies and child marriages in her community. Some girls compromised standards for money, risking STIs and pregnancies. Her community formed a group making products to support their basic needs. She urged governments to hold child abusers accountable and allocate emergency budgets during crises to prevent such situations. Cynthia Uwimbabazi read the "African Girls' Manifesto", aiming to enhance girls' empowerment and end violence against children. Her message emphasised unity among girls to bring about positive change. Cynthia and her peers aspire to share their stories and experiences, mobilise collective action, and hold leaders accountable in the fight against violence targeting girls. The manifesto advocates for an end to violence against girls, denouncing harmful practices such as child marriage, FGM, exploitative child labour, sexual violence, and the association of children with armed groups. Together, they believe that lasting change can be achieved, uplifting the lives of girls across Africa and creating a brighter and safer future for all. In her closing remarks, Pauline Okumu, National Director of World Vision Rwanda, emphasised the significance of the event in shedding light on the deeply rooted social norms, harmful practices, and gender inequality prevailing in many African countries. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Legal Affairs Uganda By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We have recognised the alarming statistics of child marriage, female genital mutilation, and sexual violence, which continue to plague societies today. Most importantly, we've recognised the pivotal role of empowered girls as catalysts for change," said Okumu. Throughout the session, participants highlighted the urgency of addressing deeply rooted social norms and harmful practices that persist in many African countries. Empowered girls were identified as the catalyst for change, and World Vision expressed its commitment to collaborate with stakeholders to create a global movement against violence targeting children. As a symbolic gesture of hope and resilience, Jacqueline Ogega gifted her book, "Home is Us: A Story About Hope and Resilience", to all the girls on the panel, further reinforcing the importance of empowerment and unity in combating violence against children. TELUS (NYSE:TU Free Report) (TSE:T) had its price objective reduced by Royal Bank of Canada from C$32.00 to C$31.00 in a report released on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Other analysts have also issued research reports about the company. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on TELUS from C$32.00 to C$33.00 in a report on Friday, May 5th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on TELUS in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating for the company. TD Securities lifted their price objective on TELUS from C$31.00 to C$32.00 in a report on Friday, May 5th. Desjardins cut their price objective on TELUS from C$29.00 to C$27.50 in a report on Friday, July 14th. Finally, Barclays cut their price objective on TELUS from $23.00 to $21.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Get TELUS alerts: TELUS Stock Up 0.2 % TU stock opened at $18.49 on Monday. TELUS has a 1-year low of $17.60 and a 1-year high of $23.68. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $19.35 and a 200-day moving average price of $20.11. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.35, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.68. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.40, a P/E/G ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 0.75. TELUS Increases Dividend TELUS ( NYSE:TU Get Free Report ) (TSE:T) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.20 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.21 by ($0.01). TELUS had a return on equity of 9.14% and a net margin of 7.65%. The business had revenue of $3.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.58 billion. Equities analysts forecast that TELUS will post 0.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 4th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 9th were issued a dividend of $0.268 per share. This represents a $1.07 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 8th. This is a positive change from TELUSs previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. TELUSs payout ratio is currently 135.44%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On TELUS A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in TU. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. boosted its stake in shares of TELUS by 60.9% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 14,694 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $260,000 after acquiring an additional 5,560 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of TELUS by 36.2% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 29,093 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $761,000 after acquiring an additional 7,737 shares during the period. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of TELUS by 59.3% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 5,666 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $148,000 after acquiring an additional 2,109 shares during the period. Aviva PLC lifted its position in shares of TELUS by 156.0% in the first quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 479,131 shares of the Wireless communications providers stock worth $12,536,000 after buying an additional 291,979 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers purchased a new stake in shares of TELUS in the first quarter worth about $206,000. Institutional investors own 45.03% of the companys stock. About TELUS (Get Free Report) TELUS Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of telecommunications and information technology products and services in Canada. It operates through Technology Solutions and Digitally-Led Customer Experiences segments. The Technology Solutions segment offers a range of telecommunications products and services; network services; mobile technologies equipment; data services, such as internet protocol; television; hosting, managed information technology, and cloud-based services; software, data management, and data analytics-driven smart food-chain and consumer goods technologies; home and business security; healthcare software and technology solutions; and voice and other telecommunications services. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for TELUS Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TELUS and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd. lessened its holdings in Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB Free Report) by 62.5% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,000 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after selling 25,000 shares during the quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management UK Ltd.s holdings in Schlumberger were worth $737,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Delta Asset Management LLC TN acquired a new position in Schlumberger in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Heritage Wealth Management LLC increased its holdings in Schlumberger by 172.3% in the 4th quarter. Heritage Wealth Management LLC now owns 482 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 305 shares during the period. Concord Wealth Partners acquired a new position in Schlumberger in the 4th quarter worth approximately $33,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Schlumberger in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Finally, Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Schlumberger in the 4th quarter worth approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.46% of the companys stock. Get Schlumberger alerts: Schlumberger Trading Down 2.8 % Shares of SLB traded down $1.63 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $55.63. The company had a trading volume of 7,791,004 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,968,928. Schlumberger Limited has a 1-year low of $33.43 and a 1-year high of $62.78. The stock has a market cap of $79.01 billion, a PE ratio of 21.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.78. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $48.59 and a 200-day simple moving average of $50.80. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Schlumberger ( NYSE:SLB Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Friday, July 21st. The oil and gas company reported $0.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.01. Schlumberger had a return on equity of 20.16% and a net margin of 12.94%. The business had revenue of $8.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.20 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.50 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 19.6% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Schlumberger Limited will post 3 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several equities research analysts have commented on SLB shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Schlumberger in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Schlumberger from $55.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Capital One Financial started coverage on Schlumberger in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. They issued an overweight rating and a $63.00 price objective on the stock. Susquehanna lowered their price objective on Schlumberger from $68.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, Raymond James upped their price objective on Schlumberger from $64.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $64.19. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CFO Stephane Biguet sold 6,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.70, for a total transaction of $273,125.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 207,265 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,057,480.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 18,750 shares of company stock valued at $874,563. 0.23% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About Schlumberger (Free Report) Schlumberger Limited engages in the provision of technology for the energy industry worldwide. The company operates through four divisions: Digital & Integration, Reservoir Performance, Well Construction, and Production Systems. The company provides field development and hydrocarbon production, carbon management, integration of adjacent energy systems; reservoir interpretation and data processing services for exploration data; and well construction and production improvement services and products. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SLB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Schlumberger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Schlumberger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Shell plc (LON:SHEL Get Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Buy by the nine brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation and two have given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 3,002.30 ($39.26). Several research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada set a GBX 2,900 ($37.92) target price on shares of Shell in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Shell from GBX 2,750 ($35.96) to GBX 2,800 ($36.61) in a research report on Monday, June 19th. Barclays restated an overweight rating and set a GBX 3,500 ($45.76) price objective on shares of Shell in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Berenberg Bank decreased their price target on shares of Shell from GBX 2,850 ($37.26) to GBX 2,800 ($36.61) in a report on Monday, June 26th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Shell from GBX 2,907 ($38.01) to GBX 3,268 ($42.73) and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Get Shell alerts: Shell Stock Performance Shares of SHEL stock opened at GBX 2,403.50 ($31.43) on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 43.54. The stocks 50-day moving average price is GBX 2,333.97 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 2,386.89. Shell has a 52-week low of GBX 2,002.50 ($26.18) and a 52-week high of GBX 2,613.50 ($34.17). The stock has a market capitalization of 161.27 billion, a PE ratio of 506.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.28 and a beta of 0.67. Shell Announces Dividend Shell Company Profile The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 26th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 18th were given a $0.29 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 0.99%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 18th. Shells dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 1,945.03%. (Get Free Report Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, the United States, and Rest of the Americas. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals and Products, and Renewables and Energy Solutions segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Shell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Borregaard ASA (OTCMKTS:BRRDF Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 31,400 shares, a growth of 11.7% from the June 15th total of 28,100 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently days. Borregaard ASA Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS BRRDF opened at $15.45 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $15.50 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.66. Borregaard ASA has a 52 week low of $12.65 and a 52 week high of $15.75. Get Borregaard ASA alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Handelsbanken initiated coverage on Borregaard ASA in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. They set a market perform rating for the company. Borregaard ASA Company Profile Borregaard ASA develops, produces, and markets specialized biomaterials and biochemicals in Norway, rest of Europe, the United States, Asia, and internationally. It operates through three segments: BioSolutions, BioMaterials, and Fine Chemicals. The BioSolutions segment provides biopolymers for a range of applications, such as agrochemicals, batteries, industrial binders, and construction; and biovanillin for flavor and fragrance companies, as well as for food and beverage industry. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Borregaard ASA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Borregaard ASA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SimCorp A/S (OTCMKTS:SICRF Get Free Report) is one of 313 public companies in the SoftwareApplication industry, but how does it contrast to its peers? We will compare SimCorp A/S to related businesses based on the strength of its profitability, analyst recommendations, risk, earnings, institutional ownership, dividends and valuation. Institutional and Insider Ownership 41.9% of SimCorp A/S shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 33.7% of shares of all SoftwareApplication companies are held by institutional investors. 30.1% of shares of all SoftwareApplication companies are held 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. Get SimCorp A/S alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for SimCorp A/S and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score SimCorp A/S 0 1 0 0 2.00 SimCorp A/S Competitors 407 1720 4102 52 2.60 Dividends As a group, SoftwareApplication companies have a potential upside of 24.80%. Given SimCorp A/Ss peers stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe SimCorp A/S has less favorable growth aspects than its peers. SimCorp A/S pays an annual dividend of $0.54 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.5%. SimCorp A/S pays out 59.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, SoftwareApplication companies pay a dividend yield of 1.8% and pay out 72.6% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Valuation and Earnings This table compares SimCorp A/S and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio SimCorp A/S N/A N/A 116.15 SimCorp A/S Competitors $439.15 million -$18.44 million 504.61 SimCorp A/Ss peers have higher revenue, but lower earnings than SimCorp A/S. SimCorp A/S is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry. Profitability This table compares SimCorp A/S and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets SimCorp A/S N/A N/A N/A SimCorp A/S Competitors -32.57% -276.70% -8.07% Summary SimCorp A/S peers beat SimCorp A/S on 8 of the 13 factors compared. SimCorp A/S Company Profile (Get Free Report) SimCorp A/S, together with its subsidiaries, provides investment management solutions for asset management, fund management, insurance, life/pension, central banks, asset servicing, treasury, sovereign wealth, and wealth management companies. It provides investment management services, including portfolio management and trading, compliance management, performance and risk management, investment operations, investment accounting, fund administration, multi asset investments, alternative investments, investment book of record, and data warehouse and business intelligence, as well as environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investments. The company also offers data management, corporate actions, ESG data management, market data management, and security master services; and client communications, such as client reporting and sales enablement, and digital engagement platform. It has operations in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. The company was founded in 1971 and is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. Receive News & Ratings for SimCorp A/S Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SimCorp A/S and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KBR (NYSE:KBR Free Report) had its price target boosted by Stifel Nicolaus from $72.00 to $75.00 in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have a buy rating on the construction companys stock. Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of KBR from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $67.57. Get KBR alerts: KBR Stock Up 0.8 % NYSE:KBR opened at $64.34 on Tuesday. The companys 50 day moving average is $62.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $56.84. The company has a market cap of $8.73 billion, a PE ratio of 28.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a current ratio of 0.99, a quick ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. KBR has a twelve month low of $41.96 and a twelve month high of $65.87. KBR Announces Dividend KBR ( NYSE:KBR Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 1st. The construction company reported $0.67 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $1.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.61 billion. KBR had a net margin of 5.30% and a return on equity of 26.13%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down .6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.62 EPS. Analysts anticipate that KBR will post 2.88 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were given a $0.135 dividend. This represents a $0.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.84%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. KBRs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.68%. Insider Activity In other news, CEO Stuart Bradie sold 2,387 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.51, for a total value of $142,050.37. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 669,639 shares in the company, valued at $39,850,216.89. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In related news, EVP Jennifer Myles sold 480 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.32, for a total value of $31,353.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,520 shares of the companys stock, valued at $948,446.40. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Stuart Bradie sold 2,387 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $59.51, for a total transaction of $142,050.37. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 669,639 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $39,850,216.89. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 123,656 shares of company stock worth $7,565,090 over the last three months. Insiders own 1.03% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On KBR A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of KBR. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in KBR by 16.3% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 11,008 shares of the construction companys stock worth $602,000 after buying an additional 1,540 shares during the period. Natixis Advisors L.P. boosted its stake in KBR by 71.7% during the first quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. now owns 34,270 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,876,000 after buying an additional 14,308 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its stake in KBR by 10.0% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 79,664 shares of the construction companys stock worth $4,488,000 after buying an additional 7,244 shares during the period. Synovus Financial Corp boosted its stake in KBR by 11.3% during the first quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 25,239 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,384,000 after buying an additional 2,563 shares during the period. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board boosted its stake in KBR by 103.0% during the first quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 1,920 shares of the construction companys stock worth $105,000 after buying an additional 974 shares during the period. KBR Company Profile (Get Free Report) KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. The company operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tenet Healthcare Co. (NYSE:THC Get Free Report) shares traded down 3.2% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $77.78 and last traded at $77.87. 297,364 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 80% from the average session volume of 1,463,817 shares. The stock had previously closed at $80.45. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have commented on THC. Stephens upped their price target on Tenet Healthcare from $64.00 to $77.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of Tenet Healthcare from $73.00 to $84.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Tenet Healthcare in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Mizuho boosted their target price on shares of Tenet Healthcare from $81.00 to $94.00 in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. Finally, TheStreet upgraded Tenet Healthcare from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Thursday, March 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $77.00. Get Tenet Healthcare alerts: Tenet Healthcare Price Performance The company has a quick ratio of 1.29, a current ratio of 1.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.79. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.27 and a beta of 2.14. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $76.51 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $65.06. Insider Transactions at Tenet Healthcare Tenet Healthcare ( NYSE:THC Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $1.42 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.16 by $0.26. Tenet Healthcare had a return on equity of 28.65% and a net margin of 2.13%. The firm had revenue of $5.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.85 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.93 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Tenet Healthcare Co. will post 5.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In related news, EVP Paola M. Arbour sold 38,556 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.22, for a total transaction of $2,900,182.32. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 33,006 shares in the company, valued at $2,482,711.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Tenet Healthcare news, EVP Paola M. Arbour sold 38,556 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.22, for a total value of $2,900,182.32. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 33,006 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,482,711.32. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Thomas W. Arnst sold 21,178 shares of Tenet Healthcare stock in a transaction on Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $73.12, for a total value of $1,548,535.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Tenet Healthcare Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of THC. Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its stake in Tenet Healthcare by 434.4% in the 2nd quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 326 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 265 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich purchased a new stake in Tenet Healthcare during the 2nd quarter worth about $124,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas grew its holdings in Tenet Healthcare by 4.2% during the 2nd quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 30,614 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,491,000 after buying an additional 1,223 shares in the last quarter. Range Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Tenet Healthcare in the second quarter worth about $218,000. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System grew its stake in Tenet Healthcare by 3.8% during the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 29,800 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,425,000 after acquiring an additional 1,100 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.07% of the companys stock. About Tenet Healthcare (Get Free Report) Tenet Healthcare Corporation operates as a diversified healthcare services company. The company operates through three segments: Hospital Operations, Ambulatory Care, and Conifer. Its general hospitals offer acute care services, operating and recovery rooms, radiology and respiratory therapy services, clinical laboratories, and pharmacies. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Tenet Healthcare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tenet Healthcare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hippo (NYSE:HIPO Get Free Report) and Trisura Group (OTCMKTS:TRRSF Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, earnings, profitability, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation and dividends. Profitability This table compares Hippo and Trisura Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Hippo alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Hippo -248.59% -44.09% -17.32% Trisura Group N/A N/A N/A Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings and price targets for Hippo and Trisura Group, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Hippo 0 1 3 0 2.75 Trisura Group 0 0 0 0 N/A Insider and Institutional Ownership Hippo currently has a consensus price target of $33.88, indicating a potential upside of 93.13%. Trisura Group has a consensus price target of $55.75, indicating a potential upside of 98.55%. Given Trisura Groups higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Trisura Group is more favorable than Hippo. 33.2% of Hippo shares are held by institutional investors. 11.3% of Hippo shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Hippo and Trisura Groups gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Hippo $135.00 million 3.03 -$333.40 million ($14.66) -1.20 Trisura Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Trisura Group has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Hippo. About Hippo (Get Free Report) Hippo Holdings Inc. provides home protection insurance in the United States and the District of Columbia. Its insurance products include homeowners' insurance against risks of fire, wind, and theft; and personal and commercial insurance products. The company distributes insurance products and services through its technology platform; and offers its policies online, over the phone, or through licensed insurance agents. It provides care and protection for homeowners, as well as operates an integrated home protection platform. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California. About Trisura Group (Get Free Report) Trisura Group Ltd., a specialty insurance company, operates in the surety, risk solutions, corporate insurance, and reinsurance businesses in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company offers contract surety bonds, such as performance, and labor and material payment bonds primarily for the construction industry; commercial surety bonds, including license and permit, tax and excise, and fiduciary bonds to governments, regulatory bodies, or courts to guarantee compliance with legal or fiduciary obligations; and developer surety bonds comprising bonds to secure real estate developers' legislated deposit and warranty obligations on residential projects. It provides risk solutions, managing general agents, captive insurance companies, affinity groups, and reinsurers. In addition, the company is involved in corporate insurance products that comprise directors' and officers' insurance for public, private, and non-profit enterprises activities; and non-profit enterprises; and liability insurance for enterprises and professionals. Further, it offers package insurance for enterprise, professionals, and fidelity insurance for commercial and financial institutions. Trisura Group Ltd. was incorporated in 2017 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Hippo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hippo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TransDigm Group (NYSE:TDG Get Free Report) had its price target raised by equities research analysts at Truist Financial from $870.00 to $1,044.00 in a report released on Friday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Truist Financials price target points to a potential upside of 17.26% from the companys current price. A number of other equities analysts have also commented on TDG. Susquehanna raised their price target on shares of TransDigm Group from $750.00 to $820.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 10th. Barclays raised their price objective on TransDigm Group from $840.00 to $930.00 in a research note on Sunday, May 14th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of TransDigm Group from $767.00 to $960.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 10th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of TransDigm Group from $800.00 to $900.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 10th. Finally, Bank of America raised their target price on shares of TransDigm Group from $890.00 to $980.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 16th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, TransDigm Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $860.13. Get TransDigm Group alerts: TransDigm Group Stock Performance Shares of TDG stock opened at $890.34 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $836.45 and its 200-day moving average is $765.05. The stock has a market cap of $48.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.22, a PEG ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.39. TransDigm Group has a 52-week low of $499.63 and a 52-week high of $899.97. Insider Buying and Selling at TransDigm Group TransDigm Group ( NYSE:TDG Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The aerospace company reported $5.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.98 by $1.00. TransDigm Group had a net margin of 17.57% and a negative return on equity of 34.11%. The company had revenue of $1.59 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.53 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.29 EPS. TransDigm Groups quarterly revenue was up 20.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that TransDigm Group will post 21.49 EPS for the current fiscal year. In related news, Director W Nicholas Howley sold 3,250 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $800.76, for a total transaction of $2,602,470.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 21,548 shares in the company, valued at approximately $17,254,776.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, COO Joel Reiss sold 3,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $889.75, for a total transaction of $2,669,250.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 3,600 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,203,100. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director W Nicholas Howley sold 3,250 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $800.76, for a total value of $2,602,470.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 21,548 shares in the company, valued at $17,254,776.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 49,060 shares of company stock worth $40,628,436. Insiders own 7.18% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On TransDigm Group A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Mill Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of TransDigm Group by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Mill Capital Management LLC now owns 27,982 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $25,021,000 after purchasing an additional 322 shares in the last quarter. Chicago Capital LLC lifted its position in TransDigm Group by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter. Chicago Capital LLC now owns 46,852 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $41,894,000 after acquiring an additional 1,901 shares in the last quarter. Daymark Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in TransDigm Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $202,000. Allworth Financial LP lifted its stake in TransDigm Group by 480.5% during the 2nd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 1,161 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $1,038,000 after acquiring an additional 961 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TFB Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of TransDigm Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $243,000. 95.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. TransDigm Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) TransDigm Group, Inc engages in the production of engineered aerospace components, systems and subsystems. It operates through the following segments: Power and Control, Airframe, and Non-Aviation. The Power and Control segment includes operations that primarily develop, produce and market systems and components that provide power to or control power of the aircraft utilizing electronic, fluid, power and mechanical motion control technologies. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for TransDigm Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TransDigm Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vivic (OTCMKTS:VIVC Get Free Report) and Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HOG Get Free Report) are both consumer cyclical companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, dividends, earnings and analyst recommendations. Institutional & Insider Ownership 83.6% of Harley-Davidson shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.7% of Harley-Davidson shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Get Vivic alerts: Earnings & Valuation This table compares Vivic and Harley-Davidsons revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Vivic N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Harley-Davidson $5.76 billion 0.93 $741.41 million $5.56 6.71 Analyst Recommendations Harley-Davidson has higher revenue and earnings than Vivic. This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Vivic and Harley-Davidson, as provided by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Vivic 0 0 0 0 N/A Harley-Davidson 0 4 4 0 2.50 Harley-Davidson has a consensus price target of $45.29, indicating a potential upside of 20.86%. Given Harley-Davidsons higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Harley-Davidson is more favorable than Vivic. Profitability This table compares Vivic and Harley-Davidsons net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Vivic N/A N/A N/A Harley-Davidson 14.08% 28.68% 6.92% Summary Harley-Davidson beats Vivic on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Vivic (Get Free Report) Vivic Corp. engages in the construction of marinas and yachts under Monte Fino brand in the mainland China. It operates Joy Wave, an online platform that offers yacht rental and leisure services; development of energy-saving yacht engines; and provision of tourism consultancy services, as well as yacht services. The company was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Vivic Corp. is a subsidiary of Honetech Inc. About Harley-Davidson (Get Free Report) Harley-Davidson, Inc. manufactures and sells motorcycles in the United States and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Harley-Davidson Motor Company, LiveWire, and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. The Harley-Davidson Motor Company segment designs, manufactures, and sells motorcycles, including cruiser, trike, touring, standard, sportbike, and dual models, as well as motorcycle parts, accessories, and apparel, as well as licenses its trademarks and related services. This segment sells its products to retail customers through a network of independent dealers, as well as e-commerce channels. The LiveWire segment sells electric motorcycles, balance bikes for kids, parts and accessories, apparel, and related parts and services. The Harley-Davidson Financial Services segment provides wholesale financing services, such as floorplan and open account financing of motorcycles, and parts and accessories; and retail financing services, such as installment lending for the purchase of new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles, as well as point-of-sale protection products comprising motorcycle insurance, extended service contracts, and motorcycle maintenance protection. This segment also licenses third-party financial institutions that issue credit cards bearing the Harley-Davidson brand. Harley-Davidson, Inc. was founded in 1903 and is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Receive News & Ratings for Vivic Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vivic and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. After shopping with Haute Baso, a Made in Rwanda fashion house, American comedian and movie actor Kevin Hart also visited Kigali Genocide Memorial and paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Kigali Genocide Memorial, an important place of remembrance and learning, is the final resting place for more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi. The New Times learnt that the famous stand-up comedian visited the Memorial on Thursday morning alongside his family and friends. Kevin Hart and his family have been in Kigali since July 19. They were first spotted at Haute Baso, a Rwandan fashion brand. Reports also indicate that Hart will tour northwestern Rwanda, especially Volcanoes National Park - home of the endangered mountain gorilla, as well as engage in different cultural and social activities in the country. Hart came to prominence from his guest appearance in the TV series 'Undeclared'. He made his film debut in 'Paper Soldiers', then gained further recognition from other films such as 'Soul Plane', 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin', 'Death at a Funeral' and 'Little Fockers'. Weave Communications, Inc. (NYSE:WEAV Get Free Report) major shareholder Bessemer Venture Partners Ix L sold 66,580 shares of the 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 transaction, the insider now directly owns 7,433,499 shares in the company, valued at approximately $83,552,528.76. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Large shareholders that own more than 10% of a companys shares are required to disclose their transactions with the SEC. Bessemer Venture Partners Ix L also recently made the following trade(s): Get Weave Communications alerts: On Wednesday, July 19th, Bessemer Venture Partners Ix L sold 8,541 shares of Weave Communications stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.13, for a total transaction of $95,061.33. Weave Communications Trading Up 0.4 % NYSE:WEAV opened at $10.85 on Friday. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $8.98 and a 200-day moving average price of $6.37. Weave Communications, Inc. has a 12 month low of $3.74 and a 12 month high of $11.68. The company has a current ratio of 2.05, a quick ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The stock has a market cap of $723.92 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -16.19 and a beta of 2.03. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Weave Communications Weave Communications ( NYSE:WEAV Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported ($0.12) EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 firm had revenue of $39.57 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $37.71 million. Equities analysts predict that Weave Communications, Inc. will post -0.54 EPS for the current year. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of WEAV. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company purchased a new position in Weave Communications during the 4th quarter valued at about $62,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in Weave Communications by 709.1% during the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 92,832 shares of the companys stock valued at $469,000 after acquiring an additional 81,359 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in Weave Communications by 557.8% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,601,556 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,088,000 after acquiring an additional 1,358,074 shares during the period. Nuveen Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Weave Communications during the 3rd quarter valued at about $220,000. Finally, Prelude Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Weave Communications during the 2nd quarter valued at about $46,000. 53.73% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities research analysts have weighed in on WEAV shares. Loop Capital raised shares of Weave Communications from a hold rating to a buy rating and increased their price target for the company from $5.00 to $13.00 in a research report on Monday, June 26th. Bank of America increased their price target on shares of Weave Communications from $7.50 to $14.00 in a research report on Friday, June 30th. Finally, Raymond James increased their price target on shares of Weave Communications from $6.00 to $13.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Friday, June 30th. 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Weave Communications Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Weave Communications and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MONTECITO - USA - Joe Biden refused a request by Harry and Meghan to fly on Air Force One after the Queen's funeral. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were snubbed by Joe Biden after the Queens death when they demanded they take a trip on Air Force One back to the USA from the UK. Things have not been going well for the entitled, spoiled couple who demand to be treated like royalty despite not doing anything royal. The egotistical Sussexes have been ostracized by the Emmys and have lost their Spotify contract in recent months. Additionally, they have encountered significant setbacks at Netflix, and were reportedly blackballed by Joe Biden. After the Queens funeral, Harry and Meghan demanded a ride with Joe Biden back to the US in Air Force One but had their request refused. Instead of Air Force One, the couple were offered a decrepit old aeroplane with parts literally falling off the wings and fuselage. We offered the two grifters, Air Force 552 instead of Air Force One. There was only one parachute and it had large moth balls in it. There is no toilet on the plane, and it stinks of bird shit because the birds have been nesting in it for over 50 years, a U.S. Air Force spokesman revealed. Naturally, the duo refused to go on Air Force 552, instead opting for a UK taxpayer funded private jet trip costing $3.5 million back to their 16 room mansion in Montecito. THE EU - Coutts bank dumps customer because they owned a British flag once and are proud of their country and its history. Being proud of your own country and displaying any sign of patriotism is a crime that must be punished by EU centric bank Coutts. There is no N in Coutts (yet) One of the EU Stasi agents who has infiltrated the bank is a staunch Remainer and is in charge of private clients. Ihre Papiere bitte If you do not hold Soviet EU values zen ve vill cancel your account. YOUR PAPERS ARE NOT IN ORDER!!! Ein Britisher Schweinhund ve haff found out he iz a British patriot and is proud of his own country. He vos shown to have owned a Britisher flag! Zis iss ein fuckin crime because at Coutts ve are only for the EU unelected EU Commission Commissars and European Central Bank which is modelled on the Soviet Russian Gosbank. Ve haff taken over your Britisher Scheisse bank. Himmel! Senior EU Coutts Stasi Ordnungspolizei Agent, Camilla Stowell told Euronews. Coutts bank used to be a British bank, but has now been infiltrated by EU Stasi agents who are dumping anyone who is a British patriot; have ever owned a Union Jack flag, attended the Proms at any time or have ever stood up during the national anthem. If you had the gall to actually support Britain breaking away from the Soviet EU bloc and its totalitarian unelected EU Commission Politburo, then your Coutts bank is definitely up for termination. Ve are votching you allen ze timen zie. If your papers are not in order unt you love your own country instead of ze EU, ve vill find you and rooten you outen!!! Schwein! Look vot ze EU supporting banks did to Liz Truss unt Nigel Farage! Zis is ein vorning! Stowell added, before taking out a pair of pliers to pull out a customers teeth because the poor sod dared to vote for Brexit in 2016 and supports democracy. COUTTS EU DIREKTIVE 34.ZA41956/00251-H4 The Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Jean-Damascene Bizimana, has expressed concerns over poorly conducted research on the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. He emphasized that these inadequate efforts were failing to serve the intended purpose of preserving the Genocide memory. Speaking during a session with the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Security on July 19, Bizimana discussed the progress made in merging Genocide memorials. He pointed out that research commissioned by districts lacked the necessary depth to comprehensively cover the Genocide history in their respective territories. The Minister highlighted that many of the researchers involved were university lecturers. However, some of them faced issues as they resorted to subpar methods, such as sending students to collect information from the internet or copying existing presentations during commemoration periods. Bizimana took decisive action by placing such researchers on a 'red list' and notifying districts about their inadequacy. One example he cited was a research book on the genocide history in Rulindo District, which fell short of the required standards. Despite having about 300 pages, a significant portion merely listed families wiped out during the Genocide, information that was already available through a previous research conducted by Former Students Survivors of the Genocide (GAERG). Bizimana stressed the importance of identifying families wiped out during the Genocide who were previously unknown, which would make a more valuable contribution to the research. The roots of this issue trace back to the 13th national dialogue council in 2016, which urged all entities, including public institutions, districts, banks, and faith-based organizations, to document their unique histories for preservation and education, especially for the youth who were not yet born during the Genocide. The Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE) established guidelines to be followed during research, but unfortunately, some researchers failed to comply. Bizimana highlighted the need to seek out writings deployed by the former regime, such as meeting minutes that were instrumental in preparing the Genocide, instead of resorting to easy and unoriginal approaches. India and Sri Lanka agree to conduct feasibility studies on a possible petrol pipeline from southern India to Sri Lanka as well as a land bridge connecting the two nations to provide land access to Trincomalee and Colombo ports. (Photo: Google Earth/File) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held "productive and outcome-oriented talks" at Hyderabad House here, after which the two nations signed four agreements, including one "to make the Sri Lankan port of Trincomalee a regional hub for industry and energy". The two sides also said they will boost economic ties and connectivity, including proposed connection of power grids and conducting feasibility studies on a possible petrol pipeline from southern India to Sri Lanka as well as a land bridge connecting the two nations to provide land access to Trincomalee and Colombo ports. The idea of a land bridge was proposed by Sri Lanka, New Delhi said. Both countries also released an economic vision document and will engage in talks on a proposed Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) that is expected to be an upgraded version of an existing free trade pact between the two nations. It was also decided to start passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and KankeSanthurai in Sri Lanka. It was also agreed to launch the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) digital payment platform of India in Sri Lanka. Modi mentioned how India had stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Sri Lanka even at the peak of the island nations economic crisis, adding that a "stable, secure and prosperous Sri Lanka is not only in India's interest, but in the interest of the entire Indian Ocean region". President Wickremesinghe thanked India for its humanitarian and development assistance to his country and expressed his "profound appreciation" for the help in such a challenging period. Foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said at a special MEA media briefing later that an "overwhelming chunk" of the $4 billion (over Rs 32,000 crores) of Indian assistance to Sri Lanka has "already been disbursed". The island nation suffered a dramatic economic collapse last year, after which President Wickremesinghe had taken over as President to take his country towards economic recovery. With the increasing Chinese naval footprints in the region, Modi also raised Indias security concerns and said it was "essential we (two nations) work together keeping in mind each others safety and sensitivities". The foreign secretary said the two leaders had a "comprehensive stock-taking assessment of challenges in the maritime domain" and on "shared challenges that both sides will monitor". In a major development, Modi pressed for devolution of powers to Sri Lankan Tamils in the form of implementation of the 13th Amendment so that Sri Lankan Tamils can also live with respect and dignity as equals in the island nation. The Sri Lankan President pledged that his economic reform policies and devolution of powers with "justice and equity" would benefit all Sri Lankans across his country, and mentioned the northern development plan in this context, adding that Modi had expressed solidarity with him. The four agreements signed were: a 'Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) in the field of Animal Husbandry and Dairying,' an MoU on cooperation in renewable energy, a Memorandum of Cooperation for economic development projects in the Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka, and a Network to Network Agreement between NIPL and Lanka Pay for UPI application acceptance in Sri Lanka. Additionally, an 'Energy Permit for the Sampur Solar Power Project' in Sri Lanka was also part of the agreements." Modi said: "Today we have adopted a vision document for our economic partnership.This vision is to strengthen the maritime, air, energy and people-to-people connectivity between the people of both countries. The vision is to accelerate mutual cooperation in tourism, power, trade, higher education and skill development. This is the vision --of India's long-term commitment towards Sri Lanka. We have decided that talks on the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement will be started soon. This will open new possibilities of trade and economic cooperation for both the countries We agreed to enhance air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka." Welcoming the Sri Lankan President, Modi said: "I warmly welcome President Wickremesinghe and his delegation to India.Today, President Wickremesinghe is completing one year in office I convey my heartiest greetings to him. The past one year has been full of challenges for the people of Sri Lanka.As a close friend, like always, we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka in this hour of crisis. And I heartily congratulate the people of Sri Lanka for the courage with which they faced these challenging circumstances. He added: "Our ties are as ancient and extensive as our civilisations. Sri Lanka has an important place in both Indias Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision. Today we shared our views on bilateral, regional and international issues. We believe that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are inter-twined. And therefore, it is essential that we work together keeping in mind each others safety and sensitivities." Pushing for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils, Modi said: "We hope that the Government of Sri Lanka will fulfill the aspirations of Tamils, will drive the process of rebuilding for equality, justice and peace, will fulfill its commitment to implement the Thirteenth Amendment and conduct the provincial council elections, and will ensure a life of respect and dignity for the Tamil community of Sri Lanka We also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Wickremesinghe told me about his inclusive approach." On the issue of fishermen, including Indian Tamil fishermen who are often arrested by the Sri Lankan authorities for trespassing into Sri Lankan waters, the PM said: "Today we also discussed issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we should proceed with a humane approach in this matter." A bilateral economic vision joint document titled "Promoting Connectivity, Catalysing Prosperity: India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision" stated: "The leaders acknowledged that the India-Sri Lanka partnership has been a source of strength in overcoming economic difficulties faced by Sri Lanka and the President of Sri Lanka specially appreciated Indias timely, unprecedented, and crucial support to the government and the people of Sri Lanka. Both leaders reiterated their firm commitment to, and confidence in democracy, stability and economic recovery in Sri Lanka, and stressed the significance of Indias continued support and investment for sustainable, equitable and stable growth which will benefit all segments of Sri Lankan society in all parts of the country, and also promote reconciliation." On trade, it said: "That decision to designate INR as currency for trade settlements between the two countries has forged stronger and mutually-beneficial commercial linkages, and agreed to operationalise UPI-based digital payments for further enhancing trade and transactions between businesses and common people." Members of Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) take part in a protest rally as a mark of protest against the harrowing incident that occurred on May 4, in Churachandpur district, Manipur, Thursday, July 20, 2023. (PTI Photo) New Delhi: More than a month before the horrific video of two women being assaulted publicly in Manipur went viral, activists had informed the NCW about not only this case but other brutal instances of rape as well, besides incidents of kidnapping, lynching, immolation and even murder in the strife-torn state. In a letter written to NCW chief Rekha Sharma on June 12 by two activists who had visited the state and the North American Manipur Tribal Association, it was claimed that there was "numbing silence" and under-reporting of sexual and gender-based violence dimensions of the conflict and how Kuki-Zomi women unequivocally and disproportionately experienced rapes, sexual assaults, and murders by "Meitei vigilante mob". On May 4, two women of Manipur were disrobed, paraded naked, beaten, and then encircled by a marauding mob and raped in public. "The state police commandos remained mere spectators while the mobs remained silent spectators to the lynchings and torching of homes...," the letter claimed. After the video of the May 4 incident went viral on July 19, Sharma took suo-motu cognisance and claimed the NCW had reached out to Manipur authorities but did not hear back from them. Speaking to PTI, Sharma accepted receiving the complaint from the activists. "We had to verify the authenticity. And also the complaints were not from Manipur, some were not even from India. We reached out to authorities but no response was received from them but then we took suo motu cognisance when the video (of women being paraded naked) went viral," she said. In their letter, the activists had appealed to Sharma to take action in the six incidents of violence against women from the Kuki tribe listed by them. The incidents were listed based upon testimonies of victims and survivors of physical and sexual assaults and rapes shared with the activists. A copy of the letter is available with PTI. The other incidents listed in the appeal are alleged harassment and abuse of students and staff from Kuki-Zomi communities at a university on May 3, harassment of two young women at an institute on May 4, the alleged rape and murder of two young women on May 5, the murder of a 45-year old woman and sexual assault of an 18-year-old on May 15. In the appeal, the civil rights group said the witness accounts revealed the most harrowing and distressing details, including the incrimination of Meitei women vigilantes as enablers and perpetrators of gender-based violence. "Victims and survivors allege that Meitei women vigilantes have actively participated in the attacks and assaults on Kuki-Zomi women and children," the letter claimed. Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after the May 4 video surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a group of men from the other side. Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident, official sources in Imphal said on Thursday night. The horrific footage surfaced only on Wednesday and became viral after the internet ban was lifted. More than 160 people have lost their lives, and several have been 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. "Our commitment to setting industry benchmarks with innovative offerings at competitive prices has fuelled the growth of segments in the past, and the new Seltos will undoubtedly continue this trend," Kia India Managing Director and CEO Tae-Jin Park said in a statement. Zelenskyy responded by saying Ukraine was always grateful to Britain, a staunch ally. He was also quoted by British media as saying Wallace could let him know how to express his gratitude or how "we could get up in the morning and express our words of gratitude to the minister." A Gap Barbie hoodie for women was available only in size XXS online, while a pair of Barbie Crocs, priced at $59.99 - $10 more than normal Crocs - was sold out on the Crocs website. Luggage brand Beis had a waiting list for all three sizes of suitcases in a Barbie pink, priced at a premium to its usual colour range. This time the October 8 parade will be held at the Air Force Station Bamrauli in Prayagraj, and the air display will be conducted over the Sangam area in the vicinity of the Ordnance Depot Fort, the IAF said in a statement. The Lower House has requested the Ministry of Education to address the issue of expired laboratory chemicals and products available in some schools in the country, within three months, to avert possible harmful effects on school communities. It made the resolution on July 19, as it adopted the report of its Committee on Education, Technology, Culture, and Youth. The report covered issues identified in general education during lawmakers' visits to schools in different districts of the country, from November to December 2022. Expired laboratory chemicals and products are one of the issues that lawmakers observed in science teaching schools that have laboratories. They indicated that though they help students in acquiring hands-on knowledge in sciences, they pose health risks if not properly handled - especially expired ones. The Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Technology, Culture, and Youth, Veneranda Uwamariya, said, "The programme to solve the issue of expired chemicals and products should be expedited based on the findings of a study being conducted in order to prevent consequences they might cause." Initially, the committee had proposed that the implicated substances be disposed of within six months. However, some MPs argued that the period was long, given the hazards they pose to school communities who are exposed to them. They, therefore, recommended a shorter period, which is half of the initial one. MP Uwamariya said the initial period for the resolution implementation was based on an ongoing study being carried out by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), and, "destroying these products requires a budget." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Education Science By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. MP Diogene Bitunguramye said such chemicals could cause damage to the environment and human lives. He suggested the issue should be addressed urgently - during this period when students are on holiday, "such that we will start the next academic year (which will begin in September) when these chemicals and products are no longer in schools because they can cause other serious troubles." MP Gloriose Uwanyirigira expressed that the chemicals and products in question "are of no importance since they are poison," adding, "They should be eliminated within a month." On March 28, the Minister of Education, Valentine Uwamariya told lawmakers that in partnership with REMA, a study and inventory were underway to consider the appropriate method to dispose of the 'hazardous waste' in schools and at the same time, know the amount of the waste in question. "In partnership with REMA, we are working on a way they can be collected and handled in schools in an environmentally friendly manner," she said. "Of those chemicals, some might be incinerated, some might be dumped (buried in the ground) because they might cause another problem once burnt," she observed. However, there was a demand for further increase of Assembly seats in Dima Hasao, West Karbi Anglong and Karbi Anglong districts, and people from BTR also demanded the creation of one more ST Parliamentary seat for Udalguri and Baksa districts. If not, they demanded that at least the name of Darang Lok Sabha seat be changed to Udalguri. People of Manipur consider women their mother, but some miscreants have done this and tarnished our reputation. We have launched protests to condemn the incident across the state, both in valley areas and the hills, he said. It is not yet known how the fire started. At least 12 fire engines reached the spot, the police officer said. The Centre, because of vendetta politics, has stopped funds for Bengal. As I had said earlier, we will launch a massive protest in Delhi against the BJP-led central government against blocking funds of Bengal under MGNREGA. On October 2, we will organise a protest outside Krishi Bhavan, he said while addressing the Martyr's Day rally here. In a tweet, Delhi's outer district police said, "Seven arrested for flying kites causing danger, probability of injury or alarm to persons or animals. Selling Chinese Manjha is a crime, using it is equally a crime. Two-hundred kites and 33 rolls/pulleys of Chinese manjha also recovered from them." It was followed by two earthquakes of magnitude 3.1, which hit the Rajasthan capital at 4.22 am, and a 3.4-magnitude temblor that shook the city at 4.25 am, according to the NCS data. Officials said 2,850 pilgrims, headed for Pahalgam, left in a convoy of 106 vehicles while another convoy of 63 vehicles carrying 1,825 pilgrims left for the Baltal base camp at 3:30 am and 3:45 am, respectively. "Moreover, as many as 10 criminal cases are pending against the applicant. It is now the need of the hour to have purity in politics...After the complaint in the present case, another complaint was filed at Pune by the grandson of Veer Savarkar against the applicant," the bench had said. Teenage girl harassed at LNJP Hospital in Delhi On Thursday around 2 am, when she was on her way to the ward from ground floor, a man stopped her and tried to get close to her, police said. As per India Meteorological Department's weather warning issued at 1 pm, "moderate to intense spells of rain are very likely to occur at isolated places" in Mumbai in the next three to four hours, a civic official said. On July 19, Frontline Ending FGM, a movement consisting of over 1,000 passionate men and women dedicated to abolishing female genital mutilation (FGM), hosted a film screening of 'A Girl from Mogadishu.' The screening, which took place at the Kigali Marriott Hotel, shed light on the stories and experiences of activists who have fully immersed themselves in communities that practice female genital mutilation. Their mission is to educate, empower, and put an end to this harmful practice. FGM, a cultural practice involving the partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, remains prevalent in many regions around the world, despite being internationally recognised as a violation of human rights. The 10-minute visual documentary produced by Global Media Campaign, features voices of FGM victims who courageously share the experience of being forced to undergo this harmful practice. One notable aspect that stands out between the scenes is the depiction of the physical and emotional agony young girls endure, including the pain and trauma resulting from FGM, as the consequences they must face. Moreover, it highlights the tireless efforts of activists who work to eradicate FGM mainly in rural areas of the Tana River County located in the coastal region of Kenya, where the practice is more prevalent. Activists are there to create awareness, provide education and offer support to the affected communities. Among the frontline activists is Domtila Chesang, the founder and Executive Director of Irep Foundation, a community based organisation which advocates for the eradication of harmful cultural practices, and promotes education for the marginalised in Kenya said, "The occasion aimed to show the world that it is not the time where people have to tell us what to do. We know what is working in our communities and we are aiming for more." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Entertainment Women By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "However, we are the least underfunded group yet we are doing a dank job. Less than two percent of funding goes to the grassroots hence least resources. This limits our day to day activities," she said. Jeremiah Kipainoi, the Director of Communication at Global Media Campaign, shared the same concern, "These local frontline campaigners should be empowered, funded and trusted enough because FGM coming to an end is not just theory but practice." "These people understand how to do it, where and who to work with at the grassroots, that is why giving them power and resources can help them achieve even bigger, hence, see the end of FMG," he said. The screening of the documentary at the event served as a side event to the Women Deliver 2023 Conference, which commenced on July 17 in Kigali. Sextortion: Bengal man held in Mumbai for morphing woman's photograph, sending it to her husband to extort money Abdul Rahman Hasnoor Mandal, a resident of North 24 Parganas, was nabbed by a team of LT Marg police station from Bangaon on the India-Bangladesh border. Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its position in shares of Invitation Homes Inc. (NYSE:INVH Free Report) by 18.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 104,183 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 16,339 shares during the quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder ABs holdings in Invitation Homes were worth $3,254,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in Invitation Homes by 16.1% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 29,600 shares of the companys stock worth $1,189,000 after purchasing an additional 4,111 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invitation Homes in the first quarter worth approximately $373,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Invitation Homes during the first quarter valued at approximately $480,000. Yousif Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Invitation Homes by 5.2% during the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 36,134 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,452,000 after buying an additional 1,783 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Raymond James Trust N.A. bought a new position in Invitation Homes in the first quarter worth approximately $225,000. 97.83% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Invitation Homes alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. 51job restated a maintains rating on shares of Invitation Homes in a research note on Monday, June 26th. Barclays upped their price target on Invitation Homes from $38.00 to $41.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 31st. Mizuho lifted their price objective on Invitation Homes from $32.00 to $35.00 in a research report on Friday, May 19th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Invitation Homes in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. They issued an overweight rating and a $33.50 target price for the company. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $35.09. Invitation Homes Price Performance Invitation Homes stock opened at $35.67 on Friday. Invitation Homes Inc. has a 12-month low of $28.52 and a 12-month high of $40.20. The company has a current ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $34.22 and a 200-day moving average price of $32.63. The firm has a market capitalization of $21.83 billion, a PE ratio of 53.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.85 and a beta of 0.90. Invitation Homes (NYSE:INVH Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 1st. The company reported $0.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.43 by ($0.23). The firm had revenue of $589.89 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $575.07 million. Invitation Homes had a return on equity of 3.98% and a net margin of 17.88%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Invitation Homes Inc. will post 1.73 EPS for the current year. Invitation Homes Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 10th were given a $0.26 dividend. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 9th. Invitation Homess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 155.22%. About Invitation Homes (Free Report) Invitation Homes, an S&P 500 company, is the nation's premier single-family home leasing company, meeting changing lifestyle demands by providing access to high-quality, updated homes with valued features such as close proximity to jobs and access to good schools. The company's mission, "Together with you, we make a house a home," reflects its commitment to providing homes where individuals and families can thrive and high-touch service that continuously enhances residents' living experiences. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Invitation Homes Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invitation Homes and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB lessened its holdings in shares of Raymond James (NYSE:RJF Free Report) by 7.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 54,285 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 4,494 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder ABs holdings in Raymond James were worth $5,063,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. NorthRock Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Raymond James during the 4th quarter worth approximately $225,000. HM Payson & Co. grew its holdings in shares of Raymond James by 1,879.3% during the 1st quarter. HM Payson & Co. now owns 1,623 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $151,000 after purchasing an additional 1,541 shares in the last quarter. CoreCap Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Raymond James during the 4th quarter worth $133,000. Bleakley Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Raymond James during the 4th quarter worth $333,000. Finally, DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale grew its holdings in shares of Raymond James by 14.5% during the 4th quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 43,908 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,733,000 after purchasing an additional 5,570 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.14% of the companys stock. Get Raymond James alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several analysts have recently issued reports on RJF shares. Jefferies Financial Group increased their target price on Raymond James from $112.00 to $120.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Raymond James in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on Raymond James from $121.00 to $114.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Citigroup dropped their price objective on Raymond James from $130.00 to $100.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $118.00. Insider Buying and Selling Raymond James Trading Up 1.2 % In related news, COO Jeffrey A. Dowdle sold 5,281 shares of Raymond James stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $96.36, for a total transaction of $508,877.16. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 48,314 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,655,537.04. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . 9.46% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. NYSE RJF opened at $110.92 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.97, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44. Raymond James has a twelve month low of $82.00 and a twelve month high of $126.00. The company has a market cap of $23.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.61 and a beta of 1.04. The businesss fifty day moving average is $97.85 and its 200 day moving average is $100.15. Raymond James (NYSE:RJF Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The financial services provider reported $2.03 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.17 by ($0.14). Raymond James had a net margin of 14.01% and a return on equity of 18.43%. The firm had revenue of $2.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.89 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.55 EPS. The companys revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Raymond James will post 8.64 EPS for the current fiscal year. Raymond James Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 17th. Investors of record on Monday, July 3rd were given a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 30th. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.51%. Raymond Jamess dividend payout ratio is presently 22.13%. About Raymond James (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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Raymond James Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Raymond James and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS Get Free Report) had its price target hoisted by BMO Capital Markets from $100.00 to $103.00 in a research note issued on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. BMO Capital Markets target price would suggest a potential upside of 9.80% from the companys previous close. Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price objective on Morgan Stanley from $97.00 to $91.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on Morgan Stanley from $90.00 to $80.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Oppenheimer boosted their price target on Morgan Stanley from $95.00 to $103.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Barclays dropped their price target on Morgan Stanley from $125.00 to $112.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, Cfra reissued a strong-buy rating and issued a $105.00 price target on shares of Morgan Stanley in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Morgan Stanley presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $95.65. Get Morgan Stanley alerts: Morgan Stanley Stock Performance NYSE:MS opened at $93.81 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $156.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 1.33. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.68. The stocks 50-day moving average is $85.29 and its 200-day moving average is $89.15. Morgan Stanley has a 1-year low of $74.67 and a 1-year high of $100.99. Insider Buying and Selling Morgan Stanley ( NYSE:MS Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $1.24 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $13.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.02 billion. Morgan Stanley had a return on equity of 11.35% and a net margin of 14.12%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.44 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that Morgan Stanley will post 5.85 earnings per share for the current year. In related news, major shareholder Stanley Morgan sold 1,049,889 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.45, for a total transaction of $9,921,451.05. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 8,456,881 shares in the company, valued at $79,917,525.45. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other Morgan Stanley news, major shareholder Stanley Morgan sold 1,049,889 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $9.45, for a total value of $9,921,451.05. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 8,456,881 shares in the company, valued at approximately $79,917,525.45. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Thomas H. Glocer sold 4,535 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $87.11, for a total value of $395,043.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 98,110 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,546,362.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of MS. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in Morgan Stanley during the 2nd quarter worth about $25,000. Chelsea Counsel Co. purchased a new stake in Morgan Stanley during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Arlington Partners LLC lifted its holdings in Morgan Stanley by 1,611.8% during the 1st quarter. Arlington Partners LLC now owns 291 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $26,000 after purchasing an additional 274 shares in the last quarter. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN purchased a new stake in Morgan Stanley during the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Accurate Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Morgan Stanley during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Institutional investors own 84.48% of the companys stock. Morgan Stanley Company Profile (Get Free Report) Morgan Stanley, a financial holding company, provides various financial products and services to corporations, governments, financial institutions, and individuals in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. It operates through Institutional Securities, Wealth Management, and Investment Management segments. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Morgan Stanley Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Morgan Stanley and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB grew its stake in shares of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV Free Report) by 1.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 112,033 shares of the airlines stock after purchasing an additional 1,478 shares during the quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder ABs holdings in Southwest Airlines were worth $3,646,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of LUV. Roundview Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines by 21.2% during the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 13,336 shares of the airlines stock worth $611,000 after purchasing an additional 2,335 shares during the last quarter. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Southwest Airlines during the 1st quarter worth approximately $403,000. APG Asset Management N.V. increased its position in Southwest Airlines by 16.6% during the first quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. now owns 6,335 shares of the airlines stock worth $261,000 after buying an additional 900 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its stake in Southwest Airlines by 5.3% in the first quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 12,187 shares of the airlines stock valued at $559,000 after buying an additional 615 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Southwest Airlines by 3.2% in the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 40,189 shares of the airlines stock valued at $1,841,000 after acquiring an additional 1,246 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.81% of the companys stock. Get Southwest Airlines alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities analysts have recently commented on LUV shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Southwest Airlines in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. 22nd Century Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Southwest Airlines in a report on Monday, June 26th. Barclays raised their price target on Southwest Airlines from $38.00 to $40.00 in a report on Thursday, July 13th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Southwest Airlines from $32.00 to $40.00 in a research report on Tuesday, July 11th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their target price on Southwest Airlines from $39.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Monday, June 26th. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $44.53. Southwest Airlines Stock Down 0.7 % LUV stock opened at $37.08 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.26, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The companys 50-day moving average price is $33.20 and its 200 day moving average price is $33.18. Southwest Airlines Co. has a 52 week low of $28.40 and a 52 week high of $41.26. The company has a market cap of $22.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.08, a P/E/G ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 1.19. Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The airline reported ($0.27) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.21) by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $5.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.73 billion. Southwest Airlines had a net margin of 2.65% and a return on equity of 6.99%. Southwest Airliness revenue was up 21.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted ($0.32) earnings per share. On average, research analysts expect that Southwest Airlines Co. will post 2.64 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Southwest Airlines Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 21st were issued a $0.18 dividend. This represents a $0.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 20th. Southwest Airliness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 72.00%. Insider Activity In related news, EVP Ryan C. Green sold 4,936 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $29.94, for a total value of $147,783.84. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 26,361 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $789,248.34. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 0.30% of the companys stock. About Southwest Airlines (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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Southwest Airlines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southwest Airlines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. lifted its position in Crown Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CCK Free Report) by 3.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 331,735 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 10,190 shares during the quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. owned approximately 0.28% of Crown worth $27,438,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CCK. Montag A & Associates Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Crown in the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Harvest Fund Management Co. Ltd bought a new stake in shares of Crown in the 4th quarter worth $40,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. grew its stake in shares of Crown by 53.3% in the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 650 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $53,000 after acquiring an additional 226 shares in the last quarter. Signaturefd LLC grew its stake in shares of Crown by 210.2% in the 4th quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 974 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $80,000 after acquiring an additional 660 shares in the last quarter. Finally, CWM LLC grew its stake in shares of Crown by 28.4% in the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,351 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $111,000 after acquiring an additional 299 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 90.17% of the companys stock. Get Crown alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages recently weighed in on CCK. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Crown from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Sunday, June 25th. Bank of America cut their price target on shares of Crown from $106.00 to $101.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Citigroup cut their price target on shares of Crown from $104.00 to $102.00 in a report on Monday, July 10th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Crown from $108.00 to $124.00 in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Mizuho boosted their price target on shares of Crown from $103.00 to $108.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $98.88. Insider Activity at Crown Crown Trading Up 0.7 % In related news, Director James H. Miller sold 9,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $84.86, for a total value of $789,198.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 19,801 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,680,312.86. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Shares of Crown stock opened at $91.54 on Friday. Crown Holdings, Inc. has a 12-month low of $66.00 and a 12-month high of $102.68. The company has a market cap of $10.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.02, a PEG ratio of 2.82 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.84. The companys 50-day moving average price is $84.62 and its 200-day moving average price is $83.93. Crown (NYSE:CCK Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Monday, April 24th. The industrial products company reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $2.97 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.10 billion. Crown had a net margin of 4.81% and a return on equity of 31.41%. Crowns quarterly revenue was down 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.01 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts expect that Crown Holdings, Inc. will post 6.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Crown Announces Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 25th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 11th were paid a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.05%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 10th. Crowns dividend payout ratio is currently 18.90%. Crown Profile (Free Report) Crown Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, supplies rigid packaging products in Pennsylvania and internationally. It operates through Americas Beverage, European Beverage, Asia Pacific, and Transit Packaging segments. The Americas Beverage segment manufactures recyclable aluminum beverage cans and ends, glass bottles, steel crowns, and aluminum caps. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Crown Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Crown and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. boosted its position in shares of First Horizon Co. (NYSE:FHN Free Report) by 5.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,658,523 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 91,611 shares during the quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. owned about 0.31% of First Horizon worth $29,489,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of FHN. Soros Fund Management LLC purchased a new position in First Horizon during the 4th quarter worth $209,132,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in First Horizon during the 4th quarter worth $133,345,000. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec purchased a new position in First Horizon during the 4th quarter worth $44,982,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in First Horizon by 62.6% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,302,681 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $101,070,000 after purchasing an additional 1,657,018 shares during the period. Finally, Davide Leone & Partners Investment Co Ltd. purchased a new position in First Horizon during the 4th quarter worth $34,744,000. 78.79% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get First Horizon alerts: Insider Activity In related news, Director William H. Fenstermaker acquired 2,950 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $9.56 per share, with a total value of $28,202.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 246,312 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,354,742.72. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other First Horizon news, Director William H. Fenstermaker purchased 2,950 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $9.56 per share, for a total transaction of $28,202.00. Following the purchase, the director now directly owns 246,312 shares in the company, valued at $2,354,742.72. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Colin V. Reed purchased 25,138 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 4th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $9.96 per share, with a total value of $250,374.48. Following the purchase, the director now owns 187,027 shares in the company, valued at $1,862,788.92. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders purchased a total of 42,036 shares of company stock valued at $436,725 in the last quarter. 1.55% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. First Horizon Stock Performance Shares of FHN opened at $12.81 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $11.45 and a two-hundred day moving average of $17.32. First Horizon Co. has a one year low of $8.99 and a one year high of $24.92. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 0.94. The stock has a market cap of $6.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.91, a P/E/G ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 0.91. First Horizon (NYSE:FHN Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 19th. The financial services provider reported $0.39 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.38 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $1.42 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $820.19 million. First Horizon had a return on equity of 13.53% and a net margin of 24.76%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.34 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that First Horizon Co. will post 1.52 EPS for the current year. First Horizon Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 16th were issued a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 15th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.68%. First Horizons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 37.04%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on First Horizon from $13.00 to $13.50 in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded First Horizon from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. StockNews.com downgraded First Horizon from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, May 13th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded First Horizon from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $25.00 price target on the stock in a report on Friday, March 24th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on First Horizon from $13.00 to $14.00 in a research report on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, First Horizon has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $15.42. First Horizon Profile (Free Report) First Horizon Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Horizon Bank that provides various financial services. The company operates through three segments: Regional Banking, Specialty Banking, and Corporate. It offers general banking services for consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FHN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for First Horizon Co. (NYSE:FHN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for First Horizon Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Horizon and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. reduced its holdings in shares of Robert Half International Inc. (NYSE:RHI Free Report) by 26.5% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 349,816 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 126,101 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. owned about 0.32% of Robert Half International worth $28,185,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Madison Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Robert Half International by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Madison Asset Management LLC now owns 41,153 shares of the business services providers stock worth $3,316,000 after acquiring an additional 1,075 shares during the last quarter. IFG Advisory LLC raised its position in Robert Half International by 67.6% during the 1st quarter. IFG Advisory LLC now owns 31,433 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,533,000 after purchasing an additional 12,677 shares in the last quarter. Tributary Capital Management LLC raised its position in Robert Half International by 18.5% during the 1st quarter. Tributary Capital Management LLC now owns 7,748 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $624,000 after purchasing an additional 1,210 shares in the last quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. raised its position in Robert Half International by 18.4% during the 1st quarter. Valley National Advisers Inc. now owns 3,321 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $242,000 after purchasing an additional 515 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. raised its position in Robert Half International by 2.1% during the 1st quarter. Pinnacle Financial Partners Inc. now owns 48,355 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $3,896,000 after purchasing an additional 978 shares in the last quarter. 89.34% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Robert Half International alerts: Robert Half International Price Performance Shares of RHI stock opened at $81.51 on Friday. Robert Half International Inc. has a 1-year low of $64.65 and a 1-year high of $89.78. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $73.04 and its 200 day moving average price is $75.81. The company has a market cap of $8.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.02 and a beta of 1.35. Robert Half International Announces Dividend Robert Half International ( NYSE:RHI Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The business services provider reported $1.14 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.13 by $0.01. Robert Half International had a return on equity of 39.94% and a net margin of 8.57%. The firm had revenue of $1.72 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.71 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.52 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 5.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Robert Half International Inc. will post 4.29 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 25th were paid a dividend of $0.48 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 24th. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.36%. Robert Half Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 34.04%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In RHI has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Redburn Partners initiated coverage on Robert Half International in a research report on Tuesday, June 20th. They set a neutral rating and a $76.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com started coverage on Robert Half International in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, UBS Group started coverage on Robert Half International in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. They issued a buy rating and a $82.00 price target on the stock. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $80.22. Robert Half International Company Profile (Free Report) Robert Half International Inc provides talent solutions and business consulting service in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates through three segments: Contract Talent Solutions, Permanent Placement Talent Solutions, and Protiviti. The Contract Talent Solutions segment provides contract engagement professionals in the fields of finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal and administrative, and customer support. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Robert Half International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Robert Half International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. lowered its position in A. O. Smith Co. (NYSE:AOS Free Report) by 1.4% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 390,234 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 5,708 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. owned 0.26% of A. O. Smith worth $26,985,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of AOS. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D increased its holdings in shares of A. O. Smith by 7.7% in the first quarter. State of New Jersey Common Pension Fund D now owns 70,236 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $4,857,000 after purchasing an additional 5,029 shares in the last quarter. Groesbeck Investment Management Corp NJ acquired a new stake in shares of A. O. Smith in the first quarter valued at approximately $205,000. American National Bank increased its holdings in shares of A. O. Smith by 1.2% in the first quarter. American National Bank now owns 21,974 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,520,000 after purchasing an additional 262 shares in the last quarter. United Asset Strategies Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of A. O. Smith in the first quarter valued at approximately $575,000. Finally, Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in shares of A. O. Smith by 24.0% in the first quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC now owns 9,215 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $637,000 after purchasing an additional 1,786 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.62% of the companys stock. Get A. O. Smith alerts: A. O. Smith Price Performance Shares of AOS stock opened at $76.40 on Friday. A. O. Smith Co. has a 12-month low of $46.58 and a 12-month high of $76.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 48.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a quick ratio of 1.27, a current ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $70.13 and a 200-day moving average of $67.30. A. O. Smith Dividend Announcement A. O. Smith ( NYSE:AOS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The industrial products company reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $966.40 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $922.05 million. A. O. Smith had a net margin of 6.49% and a return on equity of 28.78%. The firms revenue was down 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.77 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that A. O. Smith Co. will post 3.5 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Investors of record on Monday, July 31st will be given a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 28th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.57%. A. O. Smiths dividend payout ratio is currently 75.95%. Insider Activity at A. O. Smith In related news, VP Benjamin A. Otchere sold 4,285 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.00, for a total value of $299,950.00. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 547 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $38,290. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 0.70% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently weighed in on AOS shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of A. O. Smith in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. DA Davidson lifted their target price on shares of A. O. Smith from $80.00 to $82.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of A. O. Smith from $71.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday. TheStreet raised shares of A. O. Smith from a c+ rating to a b+ rating in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of A. O. Smith from $70.00 to $78.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, A. O. Smith presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $69.57. A. O. Smith Profile (Free Report) A. O. Smith Corporation manufactures and markets residential and commercial gas, heat pump and electric water heaters, boilers, tanks, and water treatment products in North America, China, Europe, and India. It operates through two segments, North America and Rest of World. The company offers water heaters for residences, restaurants, hotels, office buildings, laundries, car washes, and small businesses; commercial boilers for hospitals, schools, hotels, and other large commercial buildings, as well as residential boilers for homes, apartments, and condominiums; and water treatment products comprising point-of-entry water softeners, well water solutions, and whole-home water filtration products, on-the-go filtration bottles, point-of-use carbon, and reverse osmosis products for residences, restaurants, hotels, and offices. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for A. O. Smith Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for A. O. Smith and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Macky Sall, the President of Senegal, has pledged 150 scholarships to Afghan girls studying in Rwanda. He made the pledge while attending Women Deliver Conference that concluded on July 20 in Kigali. He was reacting to the concerns raised by Shabana Basij-Rasikh, Co-Founder and President of the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) that is lacking capacity to receive more Afghan girls who are being deprived of rights to education in their country. The year was 1996, and Afghanistan had fallen to the Taliban for the first time. Shabana Basij-Rasikh was only six years old, with no hope of obtaining a formal education because all girls' schools had been slammed shut. Despite the dangers of opposing the Taliban's rule, Basij-Rasikh's parents, a former general and an educator, refused to keep their daughters locked up at home. They decide to enroll their daughters in a secret school run out of a former principal's living room, giving them a rare privilege of Education at the time. After receiving a scholarship to attend Middlebury College in Vermont, she founded SOLA, back home in Kabul. SOLA, the Afghan word for peace and a short form for School of Leadership Afghanistan, would then become the only opportunity for a number of Afghan girls to obtain formal Education. At the start of 2021, SOLA was fully thriving. Basij-Rasikh had secured land in Kabul and construction was underway on a new campus. Until April 2021, when the US announced an unconditional withdrawal from Afghanistan, giving the newly emboldened Taliban a foothold. Two years later--the SOLA girls have found a home in Rwanda. Making them the only Afghan middle and high school girls -- out of a country of 40 million -- who are getting a formal education. Speaking on a panel during Women Deliver Conference in Kigali, Basij-Rasikh reiterated that in Afghanistan, girls' access to secondary school education is illegal and that the school in Rwanda capacity to receive more girls. "It is embarrassing and shameful. It should be alarming not just for people of Afghanistan but for all of us, for people of the world," she stated. President of the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) said that it is their second year in Rwanda with girls having access to education. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Education Asia, Australia, and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. For the incoming class, she said, the school received 2,000 applications across 20 countries where some Afghans are living. However, she said that the school has no capacity to receive as many girls as possible. For instance, in 2022, it received 180 applications from Afghans living in 10 countries but only 27 girls were admitted. "That should tell you alone that families in Afghanistan are ready to support the girls," she noted. She said that there is priority to ensure Afghan girls are able to come to SOLA in Rwanda from anywhere in the world. "They have difficulty in securing access to education because they have left Afghanistan, they are refugees. But there are thousands of girls who want to come to Rwanda," she noted, adding that they are looking at taking SOLA branches to where they are. "We will share more information in the coming months. We are working hard to make that happen," she said. While reacting to Basij-Rasikh's concerns, Macky Sall, said that Senegal is ready to give scholarships to 150 Afghan girls to pursue university education. "I am ready to take 150," he said. SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood MP has said there can be no summer recess on efforts to restore devolution in the North. His remarks came following a meeting with British Secretary of State Chris Heaton Harris at Westminster on Wednesday. Mr Eastwood said that people feeling the impact of hospital waiting lists, the public sector pay crisis, soaring childcare costs and household bills wont get a break and neither should those with a responsibility to form an Executive. He added: "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. "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. The British Labour party leader's refusal to commit to scrap the 'two child policy' has been slammed by anti-poverty campaigners. Derry City and Strabane District councillor, Shaun Harkin (PBP) said the two-child policy barred parents from claiming child tax credit or universal credit for any third or subsequent child born after April 2017. Cllr Harkin added: "The policy also affects income support, jobseekers allowance and housing benefit claimants whose applicable amount includes an amount for a child or qualifying young person. "Despite pledging to scrap the Tory legislation during the Labour leadership contest, Starmer told the BBC that a Labour Government would keep the controversial Tory policy. "This is horrendous backsliding by Labour's Keir Starmer amid a bruising cost of living crisis. "Families are being forced into extreme poverty by this cruel and vindictive Tory legislation that was waved into the North by the DUP, Sinn Fein and Alliance. "Derry and the North is disproportionately impacted by the two-child policy because there tend to be more households with children here and more children in those households," said Cllr Harkin. Cllr Harkin said the Labour party was supposed to be "on the side of the poor and disadvantaged". He added: "Under the current leadership this is clearly not the case. "We want the Tories out of power as soon as possible. There's a huge appetite for a clean break with government policies benefiting billionaires - not more of the same." "According to a report by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), the two-child policy has made UK families poorer. The CPAG produced estimates that showed that the two-child limit is a brutal policy that punishes children simply for having brothers and sisters. "It forces families to survive on less than they need, and with soaring living costs the hardship and hunger these families face will only intensify." The Northern Ireland Restaurant Awards, an event that will recognise the best restaurants in the country, has announced the 2023 finalists. The first ever Northern Ireland Restaurant Awards 2023 will celebrate the best restaurants and culinary talent in the country. The awards aim to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of restaurants, chefs, and their teams in delivering exceptional dining experiences to customers. Following the voting process where the public considered everything from ambience to service and variety in the menu, the finest restaurants and dining establishments in Northern Ireland have been shortlisted in various categories. The County Derry fooderies nominated at NI Restaurant Awards 2023 include Ocho Bistro and Meatbox in Coleraine for Spanish Restaurant of the Year and Burger Restaurant of the Year respectively. Also, Ponderosa in Dungiven has been nominated for Restaurant of the Year and Silky's Bistro, also in Dungiven, has been shortlisted for Restaurant Team. Church Street Brasserie and Imperial Palace in Magherafelt have made the shortlist for European Restaurant and Chinese Restaurant respectively while Ardtara Country House was nominated for Country Restaurant of the Year. The winners of each category will be announced at the elegant ceremony which will take place in Belfast next month. The awards provide an opportunity to showcase the diversity and quality of the countrys cuisine, which is known for its use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. By recognising outstanding restaurants and dining establishments, the awards help to raise the profile of the Northern Irish food and restaurant industry and contribute to its ongoing growth and success. A Spokesperson for The Northern Ireland Restaurant Awards 2023 said: The Northern Ireland Restaurant Awards are an amazing opportunity to celebrate and showcase the very best and diverse range in the countrys dining scene. With Mediterranean, Japanese, Nepalese, Seafood and Mexican restaurants amongst others, Northern Ireland is a real paradise for foodies. The Awards are expected to be one of the biggest gatherings for restaurant owners in the country. We are thrilled to announce our finalists for 2023 and look forward to revealing the winners at the awards ceremony. Congratulations to all the finalists and we wish them the best of luck." Foyle Street Bus Station and the North West Multi-Modal Transport Hub have entered the 2023 SPIRIT of Translink Facility Awards, in partnership with Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful (KNIB). Both will be hoping to maintain last years top Platinum standard performance. The initiative supports Translink staff in developing a culture of continuous improvement, giving public recognition to the extra mile taken by staff in creating a more attractive environment for passengers and colleagues. Assessed by KNIB, each facility is judged across a set of key criteria examining key areas including resource efficiency, energy and carbon, biodiversity, health and wellbeing activities, stakeholder, employee, and community engagement as well as employee culture, behaviour, and leadership. Launching this years awards, Chris Allen, Environment, Social and Governance Manager, Translink, said: By showing leadership and commitment to being a good corporate citizen we aim to inspire our colleagues to make things even better for everyone that uses our services and works at our stations. Embracing 4 key themes around Safety, Environment, Health and Community, staff create a strong positive culture to make life better connected for all which further drives more people to use public transport as their first choice for travel, today for tomorrow. These positive steps not only help to improve lives locally but also feed into wider global sustainability development goals helping to create a better world around us. Following the high standard of entries last year, were looking forward to more strong performances across the public transport network as colleagues display a real sense of pride in their workplace and Id like to wish everyone good luck in their efforts this year. Attractive facilities play an important role in the overall visitor experience. During the summer months were looking forward to welcoming passengers to our stations and would encourage them to take advantage of bus and rail services plus good value tickets to enjoy all thats on offer across Northern Ireland find out more at www.translink.co.uk/daysout . said Chris. Ian Humphreys, Chief Executive, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful said: We look forward to getting this years SPIRIT of Translink Facility Awards underway. This important programme recognises and celebrates best practice across Translink in terms of safety, positive environmental action and engagement with local communities. Awards results will be announced in October 2023. A man has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today for sexually assaulting a female police officer. Eamonn Graham (31) of Duncreggan Road in Derry admitted a series of charges including the sexual assault on the police officer on May 21 this year. The court heard that police were called to a report of a man 'making a nuisance of himself' in Clooney Terrace and Graham was pointed out to them. He was clearly intoxicated and was arrested for breaching his bail. While in the police vehicle he started complimenting a female officer before placing his hand on her knee then moved it towards her groin. The court heard that the officer was left 'anxious and tense' after the incident. Graham was said to have told the officer 'it was only your leg.' The court also heard about an incident on October 29 last year when Graham stole items from Poundland and when arrested urinated in a police vehicle. On April 28 the court heard that police were called to a report of disorderly man in Waterloo Place. Graham was seen on CCTV trying to strike another man and members of the public could be seen moving away from the defendant. A further offence on May 12 was outlined to the court when Graham stole a pack of cider from Tescos. Defence counsel Michael Donaghey said the court had no option but to impose a custodial sentence. He said his client 'knows what is coming' and these were serious matters. Graham was sentenced to a total of 9 months in custody and was ordered to sign the Sex Offender's Register for 7 years. New revenue-raising measures would help to improve public services and balance the books in Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris has said. The Secretary of State said if people wanted to see a thriving Northern Ireland, then there were things, such as the water system, which required significant investment. Mr Heaton-Harris has received the first batch of replies from senior civil servants at Stormont after he instructed them last month to provide him with information on revenue-raising measures such as the introduction of domestic water charges, drug prescription charges or raising tuition fees. He said this was part of work to explore ways to improve the sustainability of public finances in Northern Ireland where Stormont departments are currently facing significant budget pressures. Asked if it was possible to balance the books in Northern Ireland without new revenue-raising measures, Mr Heaton-Harris said: Yes, but quite frankly I think youd want to have new revenue-raising measures so youd have more money with which to balance the books. People want good quality public services. I have been told by a number of people how the development and expansion of Belfast is being curtailed economically and in construction terms because the water system cant take the pressure its under now. If you want to have a thriving city at the heart of a thriving Northern Ireland, these are things you need to invest in. Mr Heaton-Harris said he was expecting further information from civil servants, but stressed that he wanted Stormont ministers to be taking decisions on matters relating to public finances in Northern Ireland. He said: I have only asked about how we can consult on some of these matters so we are a long way from going down that particular road of knowing how much things would raise. There are a whole range of answers you want to have before you go down the road on any of those angles. Mr Heaton-Harris also said he wanted public sector workers in Northern Ireland to be rewarded properly for their work. Last week, more than one million public sector workers in England and Wales, including teachers, police and doctors, were told they would be offered pay rises of up to 7%. Decisions surrounding public sector pay in Northern Ireland are usually made by the Stormont executive, but it has not been functioning for more than a year due to the DUPs boycott in protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements. Unions in the region have warned that public sector workers in the region are likely to escalate industrial action later this year, if workers do not get the same pay offers made elsewhere in the UK. Mr Heaton-Harris said: All public sector workers everywhere, I say thank you for the work that you do. When it comes to the pay awards, we are still finding out if all the unions are going to accept the awards that have been put on the table and how much of that, if any, is going to be from new money, or is it all going to have to be found in existing budgets. That is quite important for the money which might flow through the Barnett formula to Northern Ireland. I am fully aware of the pressures on the public sector and the public sector workforce and I would like them to be rewarded properly. Regarding the threat of public sector strikes, Mr Heaton-Harris said: I would like to think discussions between the permanent secretaries and the unions will continue and well get to a better place. Airline Tui has apologised after hundreds of passengers were left unable to return to Belfast for a lengthy period due to delays. Footage on social media showed passengers, including children, laying on airport floors. Northern Irish holidaymakers trying to travel from Rhodes to Belfast on Wednesday night had their flight rescheduled multiple times due to technical difficulties. Those affected by the delays were offered somewhere to stay but many chose to remain in the airport citing poor conditions at the accommodation offered by Tui. In a statement, Tui said the aircraft, which is operated by Sunwing, was delayed due to a technical issue which meant the flight crew were over the legal working hour limit. After this customers were given a new departure time on Thursday. Following a further delay to the Thursday flight, the airline said passengers were provided with accommodation and food vouchers. The statement read: Unfortunately, the technical issue needed further work so with the safety of our customers and crew in mind the difficult decision was made to extend the delay. All passengers were provided with overnight accommodation; however some chose to stay at the airport. Those who stayed at the airport were provided with vouchers for meals and refreshments. A gesture of goodwill has also been offered to all customers. The new estimated time of departure was 1935 local time on Friday. Tui added: We know that this is not how anyone wants to end their holiday and would once again like to apologise for the inconvenience caused. All customers will be entitled to claim EU261 flight delay compensation. One passenger on the flight, Niamh McDonald, told the BBC they were treated like dogs. The treatment weve got is just atrocious and weve been treated like dogs, to be honest. And its just put us off ever travelling again. The communication has been terrible, to be honest. Weve been sleeping on the floors of the airport for the past few nights, elderly people on the floors, children on the floors. Yeah, its just been terrible. Passengers attempting to travel from Ibiza to Northern Ireland also experienced issues with the airline. After a delay spanning more than 24 hours, some passengers said they found it difficult to communicate with airline representatives. In relation to the Ibiza flight, a statement from Tui said a new part was needed due to technical issues with the aircraft, also operated by Sunwing. We completely understand the frustration of customers who were due to depart Ibiza on flight TOM1331 yesterday, and we would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused, the statement read. The safety of our customers and crew is our utmost priority. The aircraft customers were meant to travel on developed a technical issue that required a new part to be transported from overseas. This also meant the flight crew were over the legal working hour limit. Customers were communicated with throughout the delay, and we provided them with accommodation until their new expected flight time of 9am the following day. Unfortunately, the new part for the aircraft was delayed in customs which caused the unexpected further delay. The aircraft has now departed and customers are on their way home. Rory Boland, editor of Which? Travel, called on the Prime Minister to give the Civil Aviation Authority the power to fine airlines directly if they do not fulfil their obligation to customers experiencing delays or cancellations. People work hard and save for their summer holidays, so its incredibly frustrating when flight disruption throws their plans into disarray, Mr Boland said. Tui has a legal obligation to ensure all passengers affected by these delays and cancellations swiftly get the compensation they are entitled to or potentially reroute passengers to their destination at the earliest opportunity, with a rival carrier if necessary. Passengers are also entitled to free refreshments or accommodation if appropriate to the length of the delay. The Civil Aviation Authority must be given the powers it needs to hold airlines to account when they fall short of their legal obligations in the event of disruption including the ability to fine companies directly. The Prime Minister must now prioritise the legislation to deliver the Governments commitment for stronger enforcement powers in the Kings Speech later this year. Optum are partnering with Technology Ireland DIGITAL Skillnet to deliver Women ReBOOT, a national tech sector programme developed to create opportunities to help women develop the skills to rejoin the tech workforce. Navigating a career in the technology sector can be overwhelming, especially for those who have taken breaks from their professional journeys and now face additional barriers to returning to work. Women ReBOOT is an award-winning initiative that includes a comprehensive training programme developed to equip returners with the skills to rejoin the tech workforce. This is followed by a paid 12-week work placement with Optum, where individuals will have the opportunity to collaborate on real-world projects. Optum is a Fortune 5 healthcare technology company with offices located in Letterkenny and Dublin, Ireland. They create healthcare solutions that span the full spectrum of health innovation, encompassing areas such as software development, machine learning, artificial intelligence, data analytics, pharmacy, financial services and more. With the unwavering support of the programme organisers, this transformative initiative opens the door for women who are looking to reclaim their professional path in tech. After a period out of work, I started to lose my confidence. But when I came across this programme it felt like a perfect fit for me. It was a steppingstone to re-enter into tech, said former participant Vaishali Kanse. Other participants echoed Kanses thoughts on the value of the programme. An incredibly supportive internship programme designed specifically for women by women who have the desire to return to work and privileged to work in a culture where leaders and peers invested in us every single day, Annmarie Shaw said. Thank you Optum and all the people who I have had the pleasure of meeting along this journey so far. This is a great programme for many reasons, but in particular it breaks down the barriers that women face when returning to the workforce, Heather Slevin said. If you are a woman who is looking to reignite your career in tech or know someone else who is, you can sign up for the next session, which begins September 2023, by clicking here. Early applications are encouraged, with interviews starting from mid-July. *Sponsored Content The driver of the trailer that caused the death of 53 people has been charged with reckless driving, standard media Kenya reports. A Rwandan citizen, Gilbert Ntuyemungu, was denied bail after the tragic incident occurred at Londiani junction in Kericho County, leaving 25 others injured. Molo Chief Magistrate Hellena Nderitu ruled that Ntuyemungu posed a flight risk and remanded him at Nakuru GK Prison until his case is heard and determined. The magistrate pointed out that there was no evidence suggesting that Ntuyemungu had a fixed abode in Kenya, which could lead him to abscond court proceedings. Considering the absence of a repatriation treaty between Kenya and Rwanda, the court deemed it risky to grant the driver bail. Moreover, the seriousness of the charges, involving the death of 53 people and injuries to 25, further supported the decision to deny bail. While in remand at Nakuru GK Prison, Ntuyemungu will be provided with witness statements, exhibits, the charge sheet, and other documentary evidence to aid in his defense. Ntuyemungu has denied over 90 charges, including causing death by dangerous driving, causing injuries, and causing damage to 10 motor vehicles on July 3, along Nakuru-Kericho Highway. The 52-year-old Rwandese maintained that the incident was not caused by reckless driving but rather an accident resulting from the truck's brake failure. He claimed that he had no motive or intent to harm the victims, whom he considered strangers to him. However, the investigating officer, Florence Auma, stated in her affidavit that the accused was facing charges of mass killing due to careless driving and other serious offenses. She emphasized the severity of the potential punishment if Ntuyemungu were found guilty and expressed concerns that he might attempt to flee the country. SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has expressed serious concerns around the situation unfolding in Emergency Departments across the North. He has been liaising with the Western Trust in recent months regarding serious concerns around patients safety at Altnagelvin ED as well as campaigning for the restoration of relative rooms for Intensive Care Unit patients. The Foyle MLA said: The scenes were witnessing in our hospital Emergency Departments resemble what wed expect in war torn countries. People waiting for days in pain along hospital corridors and patients sleeping on floors of waiting rooms. Frontline health services are on the brink of collapse and the staff struggling to keep services afloat are at absolute breaking point. Ive received countless accounts from constituents about their experience of Altnagelvin Emergency Department and its harrowing. Were talking seriously ill people sitting for days in the chaos of waiting rooms until a bed becomes available. Families whose loved ones are being treated in ICU forced into corridors, not afforded privacy as they await news on their condition. Ive heard of multiple instances whereby patients in Derry are opting to seek emergency care at hospitals in Omagh and Belfast to negate lengthy delays at Altnagelvin. This is by no means a reflection of the efforts of health staff who continue to go above and beyond. It is shameful that they have been forced to operate under such pressures. The dearth of nursing staff was impacting patient safety four years ago, that situation has now escalated from crisis to chaos. We need an executive in place to address these immediate challenges and ensure people can access adequate healthcare. People arent just suffering in the absence of an Executive but lives are being lost. This cannot continue. Ola Electric reportedly expects to quadruple sales despite subsidy cuts As Ola Electric is accelerating its IPO plan, Reuters reported that the India-based electric two-wheeler (E2W) unicorn expects its revenue to quadruple in the current fiscal year despite the Indian government's decision to slash subsidies offered to E2Ws. Reuters quoted a document saying that Ola Electric expects its revenue to rise from US$335 million for fiscal 2023 (April 2022 to March 2023) to US$1.5 billion for fiscal 2024 and targets US$220 million in operating profit for the same period. Reuters reported that the figures were estimated in April, but there had been no change since then despite the Indian government slashing subsidies for E2Ws in mid-May. Since launching the first electric at the end of 2021, Ola Electric has been the leader in India's E2W market, with a 28.55% share for the first six months of 2023. According to Bloomberg, Ola Electric founder and CEO Bhavish Aggarwal revealed that the company's IPO would be much earlier than he had expected as it grew and matured faster than he had initially planned. It remains to be seen whether the modifications by the Indian government about the incentives offered to E2W buyers would have a material negative impact on E2W sales. In May, India announced a reduction in the FAME-II subsidy for E2Ws registered on or after June 1, including a reduction of incentive of 10,000/kWH from previously 15,000/kWh. Additionally, the incentive cap has been scaled down from 40% of the E2W's ex-factory price to 15%. As a result of these changes, manufacturers have increased the prices of E2W products by INR10,00030,000. Times of India reported that, according to data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA), E2W sales declined from 104,829 units in May to 45,806 in June, and the growth rate went down from 147% to 3% for the same period. Times of India quoted Sohinder Gill, director-general of the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV), saying that NITI Aayog had set progressive targets to achieve 2.3 million units adoption in the current financial year, aiming to reach 5.2 million units by fiscal 2025. However, he noted that progress has fallen far short of these targets. One contributing factor to this shortfall is the sudden reduction in subsidies. Source: Vahan Dashboard, July 2023 Lisa Su: AI makes the next 10 years much, much more exciting AMD chair and CEO Lisa Su came to Taiwan this week for business meetings, as well as to receive an honorary doctorate degree from the National Yangming Chiaotung University in Hsinchu. NYCU is the first university in Taiwan to teach the engineering of semiconductors and is the alma mater of many important tech entrepreneurs and executives in Taiwan, including Acer's Stan Shih, UMC founder Robert Tsao, Asus founder Johnny Shih, Wistron chairman Simon Lin, TSMC CEO C. C. Wei, and Phison founder K. S. Pua, etc. Su shared her views on the prospects of the semiconductors industry, the key role of the ecosystem in Taiwan, and the tremendous opportunities that come along with artificial intelligence (AI) in the next 10 years. She also gave advice to students on the importance of interdisciplinary collaborations in innovations as well as the cooperation between academia and the industry. To serve readers worldwide who would like to get the holistic content of her insights, DIGITIMES Asia has compiled the transcription of her speech at the conferral ceremony and the Q&A session as follows: Transcription of Lisa Su's speech: Thank you all very much for this great honor. I'm extremely proud and humbled to receive this honorary doctorate from such an incredible university in Taiwan, and also throughout the world. This week that I've been in Taiwan has been truly fantastic. As someone who was born in Taiwan and grew up in the United States, every time I come to Taiwan, it's like coming home. This time, coming home actually feels more special. Because it's been too long since we could be here. After a great week, meeting with our partners and our customers and our employees, this honorary doctorate is truly the best way to finish the week for me. Thank you so much. I'm truly honored to accept this recognition. And I'm deeply grateful. The principles of National Yangming Chiaotung University (NYCU) are truly close to my heart. Because you are founded on the idea that a great university is a place where people come together across multiple disciplines to solve real-world problems. And I truly believe that whether you're in research or you're in business, the way to really bring about the most groundbreaking innovation actually requires this holistic approach across multiple disciplines and multiple perspectives. NYCU is a pioneer in bringing together multiple disciplines and to learn those disciplines in school is really the best preparation for the future. I really have tremendous respect and admiration for President Lin and Dean Wang, and all of the faculty and staff of NYCU, who are shaping the next generation of leaders. I would not be where I am today without the support of my professors who guided me when I was a young student at MIT. Now, it's also really wonderful to see all the students that are here with us today, and you all who are watching us online. Maybe I can take a few minutes to tell you a little bit about my story. When I was a young electrical engineering student, I was thinking, how could I make a difference in the world. Actually, there were so many smart people at MIT, I felt that it was really hard to decide what to do. However, my inspiration came from the first time I went into a semiconductor lab. What I realized then is my true passion was to build things. And semiconductor chips were things that I could build in a lab and touch and feel. And I then decided I wanted to get a Ph.D. in semiconductors. And at the time, nobody thought semiconductors were interesting. Actually, most people did not even know what is a semiconductor. However, I really believed that semiconductors could change the world. And now you fast forward to today. And what the last few years has taught us is that semiconductors are truly essential to every part of our life. And being in Taiwan this week reminds me that Taiwan is truly the center of the global semiconductor ecosystem. The talent, the resources, the innovation, the culture, and the spirit in Taiwan are really what makes the semiconductor ecosystem here truly amazing. I've been in this industry now for almost 30 years. And I must say, I'm incredibly proud to be in this industry. And together, we really do change the world. Now, as exciting as the last few years have been, I actually believe the next 10 years will be much, much more exciting. The innovation opportunities ahead of us are truly enormous. And the computing industry is changing very fast. And perhaps the most important aspect is AI. AI is really the defining megatrend for the next 10 years and more. And generative AI has really reshaped how we think about this, where we see that every product, every service, and every business in the world will be impacted by AI. And the technology is actually evolving faster than anything that I've ever seen before. Now, AI also requires that all disciplines come together, including hardware, software, systems, applications, and even business models. And this is the perfect example of the multidisciplinary approach and different perspectives that NYCU is all about. So it's an incredibly exciting time for all of us in the technology industry. And it's also an opportunity for all of us to come together to drive the industry faster. So let me finish by saying thank you. I really want to acknowledge my AMD team, our partners, and all of our friends and colleagues in Taiwan. This recognition is really for all of the work that we have done together. And of course, I also want to thank my parents and my family for all of their support. And some of my relatives are here today. Thank you for being here. I'm very, very happy today to become part of the NICU family. And I'm very, very optimistic about the future and the role that we now as alumni of NYCU will play in using technology to solve the world's toughest challenges. It's truly an honor to be here today. Thank you again, President Lin and Dean Wang, and to all of the faculty, staff, and students at NYCU. Credit: DIGITIMES Q&A session with a panel of NYCU students: Q: How did you go from a technical engineer to the CEO of AMD? And how did you develop the business mindset? First of all, it's great to meet all of you. I think you make us all feel younger, to talk to you. And I should also say that I'm very, very happy to see my friend Jack Sun again. Jack was my first boss at IBM. So he was a very, very important mentor for me when I was a very young engineer at IBM. So to answer your question, Charlie, I would say that, I actually believe that engineering is the hardest profession. If you think about, all of the rigors from the classes, and then the research, and then your oral exams, and all that you have to do. Once you graduate with your degree, you're actually already extremely, extremely capable. And then when you go into industry, you will also learn a lot by every project that you do. Relative to engineering, I actually think business is a bit easier. When you think about how to go from engineering to business, it's really what your preference is. In my case, I love to build products and I love to work in teams. But I also realized that to make the most impact, you also have to have some view of strategy and customers and where's the market going. And so, it really is learning on the job. After many years of learning and many mistakes, you actually become much smarter after each one. But definitely, engineering is the hardest part of it. Q: The field of artificial intelligence is experiencing unprecedented growth. What is your advice for students on how to leverage the resources they have, and how to prepare for their careers in this rapidly evolving field? It is really incredible, as we can all see that the field of AI is moving so quickly, even from six months ago to three months ago to one month ago, there are a lot of changes. I think, as students, you have so much freedom. And for AI, there are so many aspects of AI. There's hardware and architecture, there's software, libraries, and models, and applications and systems. My recommendation for students is to really try to have a broad view of the technology field because what we always learn is that it's not today's problem that you're trying to solve. Actually, you're trying to solve tomorrow's problem. And so the more the different disciplines and different perspectives that you have, will prepare you very well for the future. But as I said, I think you guys have the most exciting time because you can do all of these different aspects. And there will be so much innovation over the next 10 years. Q: My question is about interdisciplinary collaborations. During the recent World Artificial Intelligent Conference 2023, I heard you highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, as we discussed the importance of AI. We know AI can involve in the design process, which requires the collaboration of professionals or talents from diverse fields. So in your perspective, should we focus more on cross-field learning to broaden our knowledge base? Or should we focus on a specific major, to deepen our expertise? I think it really depends on the individual because you can decide what you enjoy more. Some people like to be really very, very deep in one field. And, for me, I like to see a lot of different fields, because I think the most creativity comes when you can connect different pieces. So again, as we talked about, as it relates to AI, you know, when you think about how can we advance the field of AI, it's not just a hardware solution or a software solution, you actually need to optimize the two together. And so the more that you can understand that, the more you can move faster. So I think interdisciplinary learning is very helpful. And you have so many resources here when you're in school. Credit: DIGITIMES Q: What are the valuable contributions and strengths that female engineers bring to the industry? Ah, you mean the female engineers are smarter right? One of the reasons I love engineering is because actually, engineering is very black and white. When you work on a product, either the product works or doesn't work. There's no kind of maybe, and I think that actually makes engineering an excellent profession for women as well as men. And in particular, what I have experienced is that the best teams have people with all different perspectives because that's how you get the best ideas. If you only have people with the same background, then they all think the same way. So we've made a lot of progress with women in engineering. I'm actually very, very happy to see two out of three students are women, today. Well, we can do more. And I think we can encourage more women in engineering and more people to realize that this is really a very exciting and fun profession. And you can really make a big difference. And so we should encourage more people to join. Q: How do you see the future of the semiconductor industry in Taiwan, given the continuous advancement of artificial intelligence and other high-performance computing platforms? Yeah, so you know, the semiconductor industry in Taiwan is really amazing. I mean, if you think about just even in this area, in Hsinchu (Science) Park, and all throughout Taiwan, you have so much talent and so many resources. And, you know, just a wonderful culture for innovation. You know, Jack will remember when we were working together, people always said, semiconductor scaling is ending. They actually said it was going to end 20 years ago. And then they said, it was going to end 10 years ago. And then definitely, it should end now. The truth is that semiconductor innovation is not ending, because people are very smart, they always come up with new ideas. So even if traditional scaling is reaching some of its limits, we do 2.5D or 3D packaging to scale a different way. Or we add different types of materials or different integration processes. So I think the future of semiconductors is, this is the most essential field that is impacting every aspect of our life. And so, in Taiwan, the progress in semiconductors is so incredibly fast, and also extremely efficient. I think this is what makes the Taiwan ecosystem so important. And I think AI is just on top of that and adds not just hardware, but all the software and systems capabilities as well. Q: Could you provide a more specific insight regarding the differences between AI in academia and AI in the industry? As a Ph.D. candidate nearing graduation, I noticed that there is a discrepancy between the job description (in a company) and academic research. So I'm curious to know, how do you see this difference? What caused the difference? And should we be concerned about it? Or how can we better prepare for ourselves? Maybe I can ask you which one you like better? I think both academic research, as well as industry, have positives and also some differences. I think, on the positive side, no matter what you do, you're going to be doing something that's very, very exciting. So whether in academia or in industry, I think in academia, maybe you have a bit more freedom to pursue longer-range topics, and look at some more fundamental and foundational topics, if that's your interest. And in industry, sometimes we're always thinking, how quickly can we bring something to product and ensuring that you know, we understand the business model and application so it just depends on your personal preference. But actually, I think AI is one of those fields where you'll see a lot of collaboration between industry and academia. Actually, you know, for AMD, we have a lot of collaboration in the industry, but we also like to really seek the input of academia to help shape our long-term thinking so both are excellent choices. Sun: I agree with Lisa's wisdom and advice. Both semiconductors and AI are really synonymous with innovation. And it's, as Lisa kept emphasizing, cross-disciplinary connection, co-innovation, and co-creation are very important. Q: How could engineers develop their business mindset? And specifically, what did you do for developing a business mindset? I had many different opportunities when I spent much of my career at IBM. So I was, as I mentioned, with Jack and with others, and you know, the thing about once you leave school, you don't stop learning. Actually, you keep learning every year in every job assignment. So from my standpoint, I really like to develop products, this is my passion. But I also like to see the products end up in the customers' hands to find a good home. And so I had the opportunity to learn from some of the best teachers in the industry. And I would say again, that the best learning for business is on-the-job training. And you have to heed one of the advice that I got when I was a student. One of my bosses told me that "Lisa, it's very, very important, for you to run towards problems". And what that means is that to develop either your business capability or even your overall technical capability, you want to choose some very hard problems, and try to solve them. And every time you learn, you will become better the next time. So that's how I would suggest you can learn either engineering or business, it's the same: Try to pick some very interesting and hard problems and learn through each one. A Saldanha Bay businesswoman has appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrates' Court on fraud charges relating to a R26 million Saldanha Bay Local Municipality security tender. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalla, businesswoman Wanda McCarthy allegedly misrepresented her company when bidding for the tender some five years ago. "The winning company was required to provide 77 security guards to the towns, inclusive of day and night shifts. The security guards were required to be qualified to level-C and possess legitimate PSIRA certificates. The company was also required to provide labour and transportation, with 10 vehicles registered in the service provider's name at the time of bidding. "Scrutiny of the company found that the accused had made misrepresentations, stating that her company had a workforce of between 400 to 600 employees and a registered fleet of over 10 vehicles. "Between February and March 2018, the company's bank statements reflected payments to 27 employees for February 2018, 90 employees for March 2018 and 90 employees for April 2018, with a total of R357 273.00. This meant that the company had an average of 69 employees between March and April 2018," Ntabazalla said. He added that further investigations found that she had also allegedly misrepresented the number of vehicles that the company owned. The tender was subsequently cancelled two years after it was awarded having already paid some R13.8 million to McCarthy. "The State alleges that the accused's actions were both unlawful and intentional to the extent that the unsuccessful service providers were prejudiced, and incurred a substantial amount of money to pursue the appeal which was fraudulently awarded to the company. As a result, other prospective tenderers and the municipality suffered actual loss and prejudiced in the amount of R13.8," Ntabazalla said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. She was released on R20 000 bail and is expected back in court on 21 August. Meanwhile, two suspects have appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrates' Court also on charges related to fraud in a tender for high mast lights awarded by the Rustenburg Local Municipality. NPA regional spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the two, Obakeng Mokgale and Orebotse Tlale, are former employees of the municipality and were arrested and face four counts of fraud. The two have since been dismissed from the municipality. "All procurement processes were duly followed for the tender to be awarded. Investigations reveal that the tender was awarded to a company that was not compliant, owing to the fraudulent documents that were submitted in order to be awarded the tender. The two were notified of the noncompliance but continued to recommend for the tender to be awarded to the said company. "The company is said to have also submitted fraudulent invoices amounting to more than R1.7 million for a service that was not rendered. The accused continued to sign the procurement documents, pretending to have seen the service that was rendered, for payment to be processed," he said. The two were granted R30 000 bail and are expected back in court on 15 August. Hoax security alerts caused disruption at various government buildings in Dublin on Friday. Gardai said all alerts had been deemed hoaxes and the areas declared safe. The building where the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is based, on Kildare Street, was among several departmental premises evacuated on Friday. Officials from the Department of Culture and Tourism, based in the Enterprise Departments building, were also asked to leave. Staff were advised to work from home the remainder of the day and not to access the buildings. Lansdowne House, which hosts the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court, was evacuated at about 2pm and staff were asked to work from home. A department spokesman said no hearings have been lost at the Labour Court. A Garda spokesman said: Gardai are aware of a number of security alerts at government buildings this afternoon. Following further inquiries, An Garda Siochana is satisfied that all of the alerts have been deemed as hoax and the areas have been declared safe. Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said: This is obviously a really serious issue to happen. It disrupts an entire business or building but its also very scary for those involved. The people who are responsible, gardai will spare no expense in making sure theyre held accountable. The Louth International Film Festival recently announced its 4th edition which is set to take place at the IMC Cinema Dundalk and DkIT on September 29 and at the An Tain Arts Centre on September 30 and October 1. Filmmakers from all corners of the globe are invited to submit their work and compete for prestigious awards. The festival will screen over 40 hours of short films, features and documentaries across the three days. A major highlight of this year's festival is the continued support of esteemed patrons, including John Moore, a talented filmmaker with roots in Dundalk, who has made a name for himself in Hollywood. Speaking about the fourth edition of this festival, John stated: Everyone is from somewhere: but we like to reach out to everywhere - local film festivals do this, they bring the wide world to us all and add their own special local magic. Louth is a small county with a huge sense of magic, of history, of story; I wish them continued success with their world-class festival and continue to support them and cheer them to the rafters. Another distinguished patron, the renowned cinematographer Seamus McGarvey, ASC, BSC, ISC, will once again select the Best Cinematography Award. Seamus, known for his exceptional work in movies like "Atonement" and "Anna Karenina," has earned two Academy Award nominations for his cinematography. Additionally, he has won the British Society of Cinematographers (B.S.C.) award for "Anna Karenina" and "Nocturnal Animals," and received nominations for "Atonement." Lorcan Dunne, Festival Co-Director and DkIT Lecturer, expressed his excitement about the upcoming event, saying: "Through the Louth International Film Festival, we embrace diversity and welcome filmmakers from around the world to share their stories and creativity. Our goal is to nurture talent and provide a platform where the magic of cinema can unite us all. "We are honoured to have the continued support of our esteemed patrons, director John Moore, and cinematographer Seamus McGarvey." The Louth International Film Festival is not only a showcase of outstanding films but also recognizes the importance of providing opportunities for learning and professional development within the film industry. Attendees can look forward to insightful panel discussions, workshops, and masterclasses with industry experts, such as Diarmuid Goggins, Elaine Gallagher, Luke McManus, Mick Mahon, and Frankie Fenton, who have participated in previous editions. Colm Mullen, the Artistic Director of the festival, emphasized the significance of these educational initiatives, stating: "We believe in the power of sharing knowledge and lived experiences. By bringing together established filmmakers, aspiring talents, and students from DkIT, we create an environment where learning and growth thrive. Our industry panels serve as a platform for collaboration and dialogue, enabling filmmakers to expand their skills and vision." The Louth International Film Festival presents a range of awards, including Best Short Fiction, Best Short Documentary, Seamus McGarvey Award for Best Cinematography, Best Student Film, Audience Choice, Best in Louth, Best Feature Documentary, Best Feature Fiction, Best Actor (gender-neutral), Best Director, Best International Short, and Best International Feature. For filmmakers interested in submitting their work and for more information about the Louth International Film Festival, please visit: filmfreeway.com/LouthInternationalFilmFestival Louth County Council has said that one of Dundalks best known landmarks, Ice House Hill, has bloomed just in time for the annual An Taisce Green Flag awards. Ice House Hill is one of four public parks in Louth which currently hold Green Flag status, the mark of a quality park or green space recognised throughout the world. It is hoped the park will retain the Green Flag in the 2023 An Taisce awards for a seventh consecutive year. Set amid a stunning 17 acre green space in the centre of Dundalk, Ice House Hill has been "proudly maintained" by Louth County Council, it says, since restoration works in the 1990s transformed it into an idyllic urban retreat. The park is populated with specimen trees which have matured to create a parkland vista, best viewed from the parks hilltop vantage point. The pond area remains a key attraction for visitors, featuring flocks of ducks and breeding pairs of moor hens. It also supports much aquatic life with emerging vegetation and water edge shrubbery. At the heart of Ice House Hill are the historic ruins of the original ice house, which are well preserved and open to easy viewing from the public. Historically ice from the ponds was stored here during winter months, providing cool refreshment to the nearby residents in the summer months. There are many benches on which to soak up the parkland scenery and enjoy the green and lush surroundings. The re-painted cast iron fence provides a picturesque boundary to the extensive lawns, which are continually mowed and manicured. In line with the all Ireland pollinator plan which Louth County Council signed up to in 2020 there are some areas left to grow wild and seeded with wild flow seeds to produce the floral displays now evident in the park amongst the species rich grasslands. Shrubs and plants growing throughout the park have continued to thrive, with many flowers in bloom at this time of year. Despite the inclement weather in recent weeks Ice House Hill remains a popular attraction for picnics, and features a dedicated hexagon hardwood space which was newly cleaned and painted ahead of the summer months. Louth County Council says it also continually monitors all public parks, including Ice House Hill, for litter, and has installed a number of new bins in recent months. A number of inspections were recently carried out, it says, showing no evidence of litter in the park. Chief Executive of Louth County Council, Joan Martin said Ice House Hill was A testament to the endless hard work of parks crews in the busy summer season, assisted by volunteer groups in the town. Its always wonderful to visit Ice House Hill, which has developed over the last few decades into a natural and mature looking parkscape , with a beautiful pond and well kept pathways to explore all parts of the park. The Chief Executive concluded: Ongoing maintenance by parks staff continues to enrich the inherent qualities of the park and the surrounding areas. The challenges faced by older people were highlighted in the EU_SHAFE Project Report on Ageism, which was launched by Louth County Council at an event in the Ardee Civic Offices , Ardee, County Louth on 19th July. The Ageism Report, launched at the July meeting of Louth Older Peoples Council, is the result of a survey on ageing and ageism published by Louth EU_SHAFE (Smart Healthy Age Friendly Environments) in December 2022. The survey was sampled by the Living Lab, Netwell Casala Advanced Research Centre, Dundalk Institute of Technology. There were over 700 responses to the survey, which focused on self-perceptions of ageing, societys attitude to ageing and structural attitudes to ageing. The report found that while the majority of people do not see themselves as old when asked directly, they also appear to have internalised the negative narrative that older people lack capacity and that ageing is unattractive. The findings also highlighted that very high percentage of people are subject to jokes, media imagery and assumptions about their capacity on an almost daily basis. Other results highlighted the stereotype that older people are unable to use technology with almost one third of under 34s agreeing. But more than two thirds of over 55s disagreed. The descriptions used to depict older people were also included in the survey, with 47% choosing Older Person. The least favourite choices were Pensioner, Elderly and OAP. The report looked at ageing and ageism across services and concludes that there is still a lot of work to be done in this area. The survey reflected that as people age they experience more discrimination in relation to their age and their access to services, with the banking sector highlighted for difficulties in accessing face to face services. Data collated as part of the project has been submitted to the research team at the Technological University (TU) Dublin for further analysis. PHOTO: Joan Martin, Chief Executive Louth County Council, Sinead McVerry, Age Friendly Programme Manager, Grainne Fogarty, EU SHAFE Project Co-Ordinator, Damon Berry, TU Dublin, Rodd Bond, Chair, Age Friendly Allowance and members of the Louth Older People's Council. Those who were injured during or after the explosion that occurred at the Johannesburg CBD on Wednesday evening remain hospitalised in healthcare centres across the city. This is according to Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, during a visit to the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital where most of the patients are receiving care. The explosion ripped through Bree Street in the CBD and left one person dead and more than 40 others injured. Nkomo-Ralehoko said at least 11 patients remain hospitalised. "We have received these patients and they are receiving medical treatment. We want to appreciate that there was a good response from our teams in all the hospitals. We want to thank them...for the good work they have done in making sure that even the critical ones who were referred here are stable now," she said. The hospital's head of trauma Professor Maeyane Moeng gave an update on the wellbeing of the patients. "From where we are as a hospital...all of [the patients] are stable and are well. We will be preparing to get them the wards moving forward. They might require some intervention later related to the lower limbs. It is good to know that most of our patients are stable and are doing well. "It is a team approach...if we are not ready for such mass casualty events then we will not be able to help. These things will happen one way or the other for various reasons and the team that was behind us has worked very hard," he said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Health By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Moeng said healthcare workers have pleaded with citizens to refrain from entering areas where dangerous events such as explosions have occurred. "When we have such mass events like these and people are requested to vacate from these incidents, can we listen please? When we have an incident like this and we are asking the community to move away and they hold onto the events, if something else happens after that, we are going to have much more casualties than what we've seen. "This is not the only incident that we've seen that the communities are not listening to the safety guidelines. Please, as healthcare workers, we are pleading with you, that please when you are asked by those looking after safety and security at these scenes, that's not a time for pictures, that's not a time for cameras, that's a time for safety so that we can evacuate and deal with those that are injured at the scene," he said. The hospital's CEO Gladys Bogoshi, in her capacity as Cluster Head of Facilities in the area assured that hospitals are ready and on high alert should any more incidents related to the explosion were to occur. "In Johannesburg we've got two academic hospitals...Charlotte Maxeke and Chris Hani Baragwanath. They have highly specialised trauma trained doctors. They are not only trauma trained but they are also disaster management trained," he said. Tipperary Crystal said they are delighted to announce the latest development in their expansion plan for the brand Nationwide. The company officially opened their newest retail store Gifts Beyond Expectations at No.1 Earl Street Dundalk yesterday. This marks the latest retail development, for Ireland's premier Giftware brand. The new flagship store for Tipperary will feature extensive ranges of jewellery, giftware, homeware, Christmas and accessories, widely loved by the brand`s customer base. Heading up the new enterprise is Jim Judge - the Retail Development Manager, a highly qualified retailer, with over three decades of experience. The retail team will also include local representatives including Pauline McConville, Darah Cooke and Ellen McCourt. The company said Tipperary is a grassroots brand and believes in supporting communities. Managing Director, Robbie Scanlan said: "Tipperary is delighted to announce the opening of our Flagship Store, No. 1 Earl Street Dundalk. We look forward to providing a quality service and indeed a supply of the best giftware solutions to all our customers." The shop on Earl Street will be open seven days per week. In attendance at the launch were Judy Gilroy Ireland Am Presenter / Stylist and Creative Director, Sarah Jane Tobin DMG media Group, Ruairi O Murchu TD, BIDS Manager Martin McElligott, Robbie Scanlan Managing Director Jim Judge Retail Development Manager, Model Maria Taylor from the Andrea Roche Model Agency Parts of Dublins inner city have elements of lawlessness and require more gardai on the streets, a TD has said. Local politicians have warned that parts of the capital are unsafe in the wake of an attack on a US tourist that left him with serious injuries that required hospital treatment. And it comes weeks after a young Ukrainian actor needed stitches after being attacked near the Abbey Theatre, where he was performing in a Kyiv production of Brian Friels Translations. Public representatives have warned that a lack of a police presence has resulted in open drug taking and dealing on some side streets of Dublin, as well as an increased threat of random assaults. Dublin TD Jim OCallaghan said that the retirement age for gardai should be increased from 60 to 62, and people aged over 35 should be allowed to join the force. The Fianna Fail justice spokesman said that Irelands drugs policy was failing and needed to put people with devastating levels of addiction at the centre of the next strategy. The citizens assembly on drugs use has met three times this year so far, with a further three meetings due to be held in the autumn. He also warned that changes needed to be made to the eligibility criteria as Ireland struggled to recruit new gardai. We have a problem with recruitment, he said. In fairness to government, it has provided funding for 1,000 new gardai this year. Last year we provided funding for 800; we were only able to recruit 300. This year, Im afraid to say we wont be able to recruit 1,000 new gardai. We need to start looking at innovative new methods to keep numbers up or to grow numbers within the force. We should be looking at increasing the retirement age, we should be looking at getting rid of the discriminatory rule that says you cant join the gardai if youre over 35, he told RTEs Morning Ireland. He said there were less than 14,000 gardai in Ireland, which was the same level of gardai as there had been 20 years ago, but that the population had increased and new laws had been enacted since then. He added: I think we need to be clear: were always going to have some level of criminality in the inner city of all capital cities and major cities. The problem here is that there is a perception, and it is a reality, that there is a lawlessness in certain parts of the inner city. The only way that is going to be reduced is to have a serious Garda presence there. We need to attract more people into the force, weve not even 14,000 (gardai) and a population of five-and-a-quarter million. Its not enough. Justice Minister Helen McEntee condemned on Thursday the brutal attack on the US tourist and warned of a tough and firm response to what she said was unacceptable thuggery. People must have confidence they can safely walk the streets of our capital. I am in regular contact with Commissioner Harris on the issue of Garda visibility, she said. Ms McEntee said she would be in Templemore next week for the passing out of new gardai. I will be in the Garda College every three months thereafter to see new recruits graduate as recruitment picks up pace after a Covid-enforced pause, she said. Hong Kong: Concern over radioactive water raised Chief Executive John Lee today met Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong Kenichi Okada to express the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Governments concern over Japans plan to discharge radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station. There are currently around 1.3 million cubic metres of radioactive wastewater, which involves at least 30 radionuclides, stored in some 1,000 tanks at the Japanese power plant. According to the Japanese governments plan, the wastewater will be released into the Pacific Ocean for a period of 30 years, with an annual discharge volume of up to 15 million cubic metres after treatment and dilution. At the meeting, the Chief Executive made it clear that the Hong Kong SAR Governments principal consideration is to protect food safety and safeguard public health in the city. He pointed out that the discharge, which will dump large volumes of wastewater into the ocean continuously for three decades, is unprecedented and will pose unavoidable risks to food safety and the environment. Mr Lee explained that if the Japanese side insists on its plan, the Hong Kong SAR Government must put in place measures with a view to defending food safety and citizens health. He added that while the Hong Kong SAR Government will closely monitor the development, it is also willing to communicate with the Japanese side. Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan, who announced Hong Kongs measures for dealing with the radioactive water issue last week, also attended the meeting today. Once the Japanese side starts dumping the wastewater, Hong Kong will immediately prohibit the import of aquatic products, including all live, frozen, chilled, dried, or otherwise preserved aquatic products, sea salt and unprocessed or processed seaweed, originating from 10 Japanese metropolis/prefectures, namely Tokyo, Fukushima, Chiba, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Gunma, Miyagi, Niigata, Nagano and Saitama. At the same time, the Centre for Food Safety will continue to enhance the testing on imported Japanese food, and timely adjust its monitoring work having regard to risk assessment. Additionally, since mid-June, apart from expanding the scope of its testing to cover all Japanese aquatic products, the centre has stepped up tests on related processed food imported from Japan. This story has been published on: 2023-07-21. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. South Korea's Everland Resort on Thursday threw a party for giant panda Fu Bao to celebrate her third birthday. Three years ago, South Korea welcomed its first natural-born panda and named her Fu Bao, meaning a treasure that brings happiness in Chinese. Fu Bao's mother Hua Ni (Ai Bao) and father Tian Tian (Le Bao) arrived in South Korea from China in 2016 on a 15-year lease for a research program. They have both been very well looked after during their stay at the Everland Resort. One of the breeders Kang Cherwon, nicknamed Grandpa Kang by Chinese netizens, became popular on Chinese social media platforms through his apparent devotion to the animals. This is expected to be Fu Bao's last birthday in South Korea as she is scheduled to return to China before July 2024 under the terms of the giant panda research cooperation program. Stephanus Nel is one of an increasing number of people living on the streets in the Cape Town suburb An increasing number of people are living on the streets in Vasco, Cape Town. Other residents of the area want the City of Cape Town to move them into accommodation. The City says it is doing a survey of homeless people and intends to increase the number of Safe Spaces. Law enforcement officers keep moving him away, but he keeps coming back, says Stephanus Nel, who lives on the street in Vasco. Nel, 56, is one of an increasing number of people living on the streets in the Cape Town suburb. The rise in the number of homeless people on the streets of Vasco has prompted concerns from people living in houses, who want the City of Cape Town to find accommodation for homeless people. Photos taken by residents a year ago and by GroundUp on 14 July this year show far more people are now living in tents, cardboard and plastic shelters along Riebeek Street. Other people have moved onto the street next to Vasco train station. Nel showed GroundUp an application he had made to rent one of the new flats under construction at Goodwood station. "I've applied for a single room for R900," he said. Nel said he is attached to the area because he was born nearby, in Goodwood. He and his sister inherited their parent's house but fell behind with their rates and water payments. They owed the City more than R500,000. "The council was going to sell the house to get back their money. So we sold the house and split the money between me, and my sister and paid the council. I could have bought a smaller house, but I abused the money and lived recklessly." "I know a lot of people in this area. People in the complex are like my friends, they bring warm food and hot water in the morning to make coffee." "Law enforcement comes all the time, but I still return," said Nel. But some residents of houses are concerned about the increasing number of people on the streets. Salon owner Miriam Jola, who has been in the area since 2008, said: "Residents around here complain that these people need to be removed and not sleep on their pavements." When GroundUp visited the area, many of the homeless people said they had been living there for more than two years. Some said the nearest shelter, the Elim shelter in Elsies River, is always full; others said they preferred to live on the streets. Irene Jacobs, 60, lives in a tent on Voortrekker Road with her 19-year-old son who has a lung problem. Her 21-year-old daughter lives in the tent next to hers. Jacobs has no ID, she said. She has been staying on the streets for 13 years. "My mother died and my stepfather's children threw me out of the house with my children. At that time, I was working at a school in Atlantis as an assistant teacher. I lost my home and income at the same time. From Atlantis I stayed on the streets of Elsies River and at the Elim shelter, then I moved here. "In Vasco I've spent four years on the streets." Jacobs said she hasn't been getting a social grant since January because her ID was stolen from her backpack, with her medication. She has asthma and a hip problem. She had an operation after she was hit by a bicycle. She said she'd have liked to stay on at the shelter, where she paid R1,000 a month, but she had problems with other residents who stole her belongings and "always wanted to fight". But Shafeek Ortell, manager at Elim Night Shelter, said in his ten years of service there he had only ever seen one fight. "I can almost guarantee our clients' safety. The main reason for the non-violent atmosphere is because we ask our clients to refrain from using foul language. And to respect each other. On the initial intake of any client, our rules and regulations are read to them." Ortell said Elim Night Shelter had 70 beds, 19 for women and 51 for men, and Elim House had 14 private bedrooms which can accommodate 18 people, including four couples. The shelter offered rehabilitation and entrepreneurship courses, and the only requirement for entry was an ID, passport or refugee papers. "If these are lost or stolen, an affidavit reporting the loss/theft is accepted." "Unemployed clients pay R20 per day or R600 per month, employed clients pay R40 per day or R1,200 per month and SASSA grantees pay R1,100 per month. The service fees include a bed, hot shower, locker, three nutritional meals daily and access to social services." Ortell said people were expected to leave the shelter during the day and were encouraged to look for work. Those in the area could come back for lunch. "Only pensioners and clients on rehabilitation programmes are allowed on the property during the day. All clients can stay in on weekends." "Our clients can stay for six months and will receive extensions if they show progress in personal development. They can then apply for accommodation at our second phase facility where they can live independently, whilst being taught the necessary life skills to assist them to become proud members of society." Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health Patricia Van der Ross said the City funded and worked with NGOs working with homeless people. "The City's Social Development officials are busy with a metro-wide survey of the social circumstances of those on the streets. We are offering social assistance to leave the streets for good, including space at NGO-run shelters and City Safe Spaces, which offer dignified transitional shelter coupled with social programmes to reintegrate people into society." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Urban Issues By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Asked about numbers of people on the streets in Vasco, she said, the City is awaiting an enumeration from the latest census, due this year. "With the City's last enumeration in 2018-19, there were 4,000 people living on the street and 2,000 in shelters. This number has grown given the pandemic and related impact." The City would spend R230-million over three years to expand Safe Space facilities beyond the city centre and Bellville, she said. "We want to see our city becoming an even better place to live in over time, with reliable municipal services, public facilities we can take pride in, and support for the most vulnerable, including help for the homeless to get off the streets." "Where offers of social support and shelter are refused, the City has no option but to approach the courts for an eviction order," said Van der Ross. "No person has the right to reserve a public space as exclusively theirs, while indefinitely refusing all offers of shelter and social assistance." A spokesperson for the City said law enforcement officers conducted two weekly "clean-up and by-law enforcement operations at sites of unlawful occupation of public spaces" in the Goodwood-Vasco area. "The City is also preparing to approach the courts for eviction orders where our offers of social support are being persistently refused." More than 150 people gathered at the Clayton Silver Springs Conference Centre for Cork Kerry Community Healthcares (CKCH) Singing for the Brain first and long-awaited summer jamboree on Wednesday. People from eight in-person and online groups, which were formed eight years ago to share their love of music and singing, gathered together on Wednesday for the first time since their inception. Marie and Eddie Sheehan from the Ballyphehane group at the Sing For The Brain Summer Jamboree. The key attraction on the day was the opportunity to sing together in a large group, with musical director Fiona Flavin and Singing for the Brain musical facilitators leading the jamboree as participants joined together to enjoy a wide repertoire of songs. The Singing for the Brain initiative began in Mallow in 2015, as the HSE-supported North Cork Dementia Alliance looked to develop a group singing session that was sociable and enjoyable, particularly for those living with dementia, but was not dementia specific. Members of the Youghal group at the Sing For The Brain Summer Jamboree in the Clayton Silversprings Hotel, Cork. Since forming in Mallow in 2015, the initiative has grown from strength to strength with 11 Singing for the Brain groups now running across Cork city and county, in locations such as Fermoy, Farranree, Youghal, Ballyphehane, Charleville, Blackpool, and Castletownbere. Members of Singing For The Brain steering gtoup at the Sing For The Brain Summer Jamboree in the Clayton Silversprings Hotel, Cork. Musical director of Singing for the Brain, Fiona Flavin, said: The musical and singing aspect of the programme is instrumental in improving brain health. Hidden in the musical fun are activities to help stimulate our bodies and improve our memory. The social side of the project is equally as important - I love to meet and chat with the participants. Our doors are always open, we welcome anyone who is interested in joining our group to please do give it a try, no singing experience is necessary. Teresa Hanna from Youghal enjoying the Sing For The Brain Summer Jamboree in the Clayton Silversprings Hotel, Cork. Principal community worker in the Community Work Department at Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Sorcha Ni Chrualaoich described the Singing for the Brain groups as so resilient. Singing for the Brain is one of the most uplifting initiatives I have ever seen and I am so thrilled we could bring everybody together for the first time on 19 July for a fun-filled musical jamboree. CORK TD Thomas Gould has raised concerns about the increasing number of people waiting for hospital treatment in Cork. Speaking following the publishing of the latest National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) waiting list figures which showed that 84,522 people are on waiting lists across Cork hospitals, the Sinn Fein TD said the crisis is growing significantly month-on-month. A total of 74,958 adults and 9,564 children were on waiting lists at Cork hospitals at the end of June, according to the latest NTPF figures. The figures represent an increase in the number of people waiting at Cork hospitals since May 25 when a total of 84,504 were on waiting lists, including 74,981 adults and 9,523 children. Nationally, as of June 29, there were 598,228 people on adult outpatient waiting lists, 67,927 of whom were waiting for treatment in Cork hospitals, an increase of 157 people since May 25 when 67,770 people were waiting for treatment in Cork. The highest figure in Cork was at the CUH where there were 31,134 adults awaiting treatment, a decrease in the number of people awaiting outpatient care at the hospital since May when 31,731 adults were awaiting treatment. This was followed by the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH) where there were a total of 23,879 people awaiting treatment and the Mercy University Hospital (MUH) where there were 6,068. On the child outpatient waiting list, there were a total of 9,053 children waiting for treatment at Cork hospitals at the end of June. The highest number of children on waiting lists in Cork was at CUH where 5,491 children were awaiting treatment as of June 29, followed by SIVUH which had 2,818 children waiting for treatment. Meanwhile, as of June 29 there were 74,196 adults on inpatient/day case waiting lists nationally, a decrease in the number of adults on inpatient waiting lists in May when 84,449 adults were awaiting treatment. In Cork, there were 7,031 people on inpatient waiting lists. Of these, the highest number awaiting treatment in Cork was at the SIVUH where 3,546 people were waiting for treatment. Nationally, there were 9,805 children on the child inpatient/day case waiting list, of whom 511 were waiting for treatment at Cork hospitals. Deputy Gould said the most recent waiting list figures in Cork represent the governments complete failure to reform the health service and reduce waiting lists. Every single month we are seeing these figures creep up and up. They represent the governments complete failure to reform the health service and reduce waiting lists. This month has seen numerous scandals regarding the National Childrens Hospital which would play an important role in reducing these waiting times. We are still waiting to hear further details on the elective hospital in Glanmire, a vital cog in the plan to improve patients access to healthcare. Heir Island was the location for a major medical evacuation today that saw a local woman airlifted to hospital. Baltimore RNLI and the Irish Coast Guard Rescue 115 search and rescue helicopter both tended to the woman after she fell ill on the island off Baltimore. Baltimore RNLI initially responded after a call was received at 4.46pm today. Rescue 115 was subsequently tasked to the scene at 5.40pm. The patient was transferred into the helicopter via a stretcher. She was subsequently airlifted to Cork Airport where rescue 115 landed at 7.06pm. She is believed to be in a stable condition at Cork University Hospital. The RNLI charity was established to save lives at sea and provides 24-hour search and rescue services across Ireland and the UK. It operates 238 lifeboat stations scattered across the UK and Ireland. WE feel a bit let down by the Government and Minister OBrien, said Jonathan Madden, the station officer at Mallow Fire Station, after retained firefighters voted to reject a Labour Court recommendation aimed at resolving a dispute over pay and conditions. Members of the retained service are part-time firefighters who are paid an annual retainer for being on-call. The Labour Court had recommended that the retainer be increased by between 24% and 32.7%. However, members voted by an overwhelming majority of 82% to 18% to reject the Labour Court recommendation. Mr Madden said he was expecting that the Labour Court recommendation would be rejected. Im not surprised with the result, as it didnt really deal with a lot of the issues, he said. There was a recommendation of an increase, but it didnt go far enough on the retainer to deal with the recruitment to fill the 350 vacancies we have and also to entice new people into the job. We want the Government to realise the fire service is on its knees and its time they listened. They know what the solution to the problem is. He said Mallow currently only has nine staff members when it should have 12. We are under-resourced and understaffed, he said. It is a big concern. The fire service is probably on its knees now. Recruitment has never been so bad. There is no attraction in the job. We dont have benefits. We are embedded in the community. We are normal people until the beeper goes off. We then go into fire brigade mode, and we do our business. The retained firefighters are set to resume strike action nationwide from Wednesday, July 26. Labour local area rep Peter Horgan backed further industrial action: These firefighters display untold commitment and availability far beyond the monetary value provided. This matter must be resolved by Government. They know whats required. CLARITY on the role the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays in the environmental monitoring of Cork Harbour was called for at last Mondays Carrigaline MD meeting. Fine Gael councillor Jack White initially brought forward a motion which sought a detailed summary of Cork County Councils environmental monitoring activity of port operations in Cork Harbour. The motion gained the support of his fellow councillors. Cllr White said he raised the issue because of the significant port activities in Cork Harbour. There is a role for Cork County Council in monitoring the ongoing environmental impact on what is now significant port activities in Cork Harbour. The EPA have a part to play as well. They play a significant role in terms of the macro monitoring of water quality and air quality. The Port of Cork has expanded hugely in recent years and when the M28 is complete there will be a huge volume of activity in the port. That doesnt come without an environmental cost, he said. Cllr White expressed his concerns that there isnt enough monitoring carried out in terms of pre-event monitoring. I have a concern that there isnt enough monitoring of stuff before it happens, particularly with the view to the increased activity that is now present in the harbour. If something happens Cork County Council are asked to look at it in terms of an environmental issue and do a good job. Independent councillor Marcia DAlton suggested the EPA would be asked to provide more clarity in terms of their role with regard to monitoring environmental occurrences within the harbour. This suggestion was seconded by Cllr White who added: I hope there is a role for us going forward. It is important that if the environment section sees fit to have a discussion about an opening and expanding of their resources we would be kept abreast of that. Fianna Fail councillor Seamus McGrath said the port is a huge player in the area. The Port is now having regular meetings with residents in Ringaskiddy which is a significant improvement. There is now a good process in place for engagement on issues around noise, pollution and dust monitoring, he added. Carrigaline Municipal District officer, Carol Conway said she will come back to the councillors with more information. With regards to the EPA Act 1992, I will converse with the director of the environment to see how we go about that. I will come back to you. Unpaid rates and taxes are affecting its ability to deliver services, says the municipality Matatiele Local Municipality says it's owed about R95-million by six government departments with Eastern Cape Public Works being the worst offender. Municipality spokesperson Luncedo Walaza said the debt is for unpaid rates and taxes and it has affected the municipality's ability to deliver services. The government departments we spoke to mostly disputed the amounts and several blamed shoddy billing and slack invoicing by the municipality. However the undisputed amounts however still add up to many millions. The Matatiele Local Municipality in Eastern Cape has turned to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to help recover rates and taxes owed on buildings belonging to government departments. Matatiele Local Municipality spokesperson Luncedo Walaza said the municipality is owed about R95-million by various departments. This is a municipality with total property rates revenue of R49-million and service charges of R68-million in the 2021/22 year. Walaza said the debt is for unpaid rates and taxes and it is affecting the municipality's ability to deliver services to residents. A council meeting on 28 March heard that the provincial department of public works owed over R83-million and the national department R3.8-million. Other departments reported in arrears are the provincial departments of health, owing R7-million; rural development and land reform, owing R1-million; education, owing R75,000; and social development, owing R27,000, according to a report read in council by Mayor Sonwabile Mngenela. Walaza said COGTA is assisting the municipality in collecting the outstanding amounts. According to opposition parties, the problem of uncollected rates and taxes from government departments has dragged on for years. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Alfred Nzo regional secretary Siseko Sikhafungana said, "We are not surprised ... as we all know the municipality and these departments are run by same government." "When hawkers fail to pay their permits, you will see Law Enforcement taking their things, but when it's a government department, which has the budget to pay the rates, the municipality negotiates," he said. He said excuses had been made but "we feel that the municipality is very soft with these departments". Democratic Alliance ward councillor Wonga Potwana said the problem was "very old". "At each and every financial report meeting we question this. As opposition parties, unfortunately, we are few, and the majority is keeping quiet about the matter," he said. However, asked for comment, departments disputed the amounts owed and several blamed shoddy billing and slack invoicing by the municipality for the debt. Provincial Department of Public Works and Infrastructure spokesperson Siphokazi Msiwa presented a schedule of amounts the Matatiele Local Municipality said the department owed, adding up to just over R80-million. This included R25.7-million in interest the department wants written off; R10-million it says is not payable or not owed; and millions more marked "awaiting documentation" or "payable upon confirmation". Msiwa said quarterly arrear debt meetings are held by COGTA to address the debt owed to municipalities by government departments. Msiwa said on 9 March a resolution was taken that the municipality needs to correct its rates register and bill the correct departments. Provincial health department spokesperson Yonela Dekeda said the department owed R4.7-million as of 30 June, not R7-million. Dekeda said the outstanding balance is due to historic debt associated with lump sum settlements of medico-legal claims that had impacted the current year's budget. "The department is having ongoing engagements with the municipality and further payments will be made in due course, in line with the available cash flows," she said. Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development spokesperson Reggie Ngcobo said the R1.3-million it is said to owe could not be confirmed because "invoices to prove such are not forthcoming" from the municipality. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. He said department representatives would meet in person with officials on 24 July "to assist with reconciliation" of the account and amount owed. He said they also need to verify if properties they are being invoiced even belong to the department. The National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure spokesperson Thami Mchunu denied the department owed the municipality and said its account is up to date. Mchunu blamed the municipality for "irregularly accumulating interest" which it now wants cleared. He said at a COGTA meeting in June the municipality said it would put a resolution to council to clear the interest which stood at R3.88-million on 30 June 2023. Provincial education department spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said its offices are the responsibility of Public Works. Eastern Cape Department of Social Development had not answered our questions at the time of publication. THE Chief Executive Officer of Cork County Council Mr Tim Lucey has announced that he will be stepping down from his role at the end of September. Mr Lucey announced his departure in a letter this morning to each Oireachtas member of Cork County. In the letter, he also revealed that he will be taking up a CEO role with Greyhound Racing Ireland/Rasaiocht Con Eireann later this year. In the letter, Mr Lucey states he will conclude his role with Cork County Council on Friday, September 29. I wish to advise that after over nine years of my ten-year contract as Chief Executive with Cork County Council, I will conclude my work with the organisation on Friday, September 29, 2023. "I am doing so, having been offered the position of Chief Executive Officer of Rasaiocht Con Eireann/Greyhound Racing Ireland and will take up that role later this year, he said. Mr Lucey thanked each Oireachtas member of Cork County for their support and reaffirmed his full commitment to the organisation in the coming weeks. I will over the next number of weeks be making the necessary arrangements for this transition." "In the meantime, and up until my departure, I look forward to continuing with my full commitment to this organisation that I am incredibly proud of. I thank you for your ongoing support for the work of Cork County Council. A SOCIAL housing development that will provide new homes at unused, derelict, and vacant sites on Barrack St including the former Nancy Spains bar is on track to be completed in October. The site was the subject of extensive local and national interest in 2021, when skeletal remains of six bodies were uncovered. During the monitoring of ground reductions to the rear of the Barrack St facade of the former Nancy Spains pub, human skeletal remains were found just below the construction formation level in that area of the development. Four of the six individuals were uncovered within a mass burial pit. Small fragments of bone taken from two of the skeletons to facilitate radiocarbon dating returned dates from the period between 1447 and 1636. Speaking in relation to the expected completion of the new housing units, Independent councillor Mick Finn said it is welcome that the project is almost concluded. "This proposed development goes back about five years and has had some major hurdles in the way of progress; it's good to see that the development is almost complete," he said. Elsewhere on the street, adjoining properties 118 and 119 are also primed for development after city councillors voted last November to sell the long-derelict buildings acquired by the local authority using compulsory purchase order powers in 2021. The new development is on the site of the old Nancy Spain's Bar on Barrack Street, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan Speaking at a council meeting last year, the city councils director of corporate affairs and international relations, Paul Moynihan, said the properties were deemed unsuitable to be developed as social housing by the councils housing directorate. He said the purchaser, a business owner on Barrack St, had a track record of deliverability and had proposed a commercial use at lower level with residential above. Mr Finn said it will be good to see this [site] brought back to life also. The former Lord Mayor also said other social housing units at the nearby Pouladuff Rd are in the process of being allocated. I wasn't in favour of the design of these units - they stick out like a sore thumb - but they got through the planning process but have also been empty for over a year since completion. Nine of the 11 have been allocated and two more are in the process, he said. A father-of-five who beat his mother's partner to death during a "vicious and sustained" assault during which he repeatedly dropped a couch on his defenceless victim's head has been jailed for 13 years by a judge at the Central Criminal Court. Andrew Nash pleaded guilty to manslaughter four days into his trial earlier this year where he had been accused of murdering John Ustic (51). The State accepted his plea and today Mr Justice Michael MacGrath passed sentence on Nash, who had told others before the assault that Mr Ustic had been "at his mother". Ahead of sentencing, Nash took the stand to apologise for the killing. He said he is "deeply ashamed and disgusted with myself" and apologised to Mr Ustic's family, to the court, gardai and ambulance crew "for their experiences in the case". Sentencing Mr Justice MacGrath said the offence fell into the highest category for manslaughter and attracted a headline sentence of between 15 and 20 years. He described it as a "vicious and sustained" assault against a man who may have been, according to the evidence of a pathologist, "in a comatose state on the floor" when some of the injuries were inflicted. But the judge also noted what he said were genuine expressions of remorse by Nash and his decision to take responsibility for the killing by pleading guilty to manslaughter. The judge also noted the impact a prison sentence will have on Nash's youngest children who now "face the latter part of their childhood years without the presence of a father figure". The judge further noted a letter from Nash's former partner who described Nash as a "decent, caring man with a good heart". Alcohol played a role in the offence and Mr Justice MacGrath said Nash has taken steps to address his alcoholism, is doing well in prison and has said he wants to "get work and be a better family person" when released and "take an active part in the upbringing of his children and grandchildren". Mr Justice MacGrath imposed a sentence of 14 years with the final 12 months suspended for two years on the condition that Nash work with the probation services. Case background Andrew Nash (43), with an address in Thurles, Co Tipperary, killed Mr Ustic on September 24 or 25 at High Street, Skibbereen, Co Cork. Mr Justice MacGrath said that the deceased was born in Oxford in the UK and moved to Ireland in 2006 and was living in Skibbereen at the time of his death. In September, 2017, Nash travelled to Skibbereen after receiving a call from his mother, Suzanne Fenton. Nash told others that Mr Ustic had been "at his mother". Mr Nash initially went to Mr Ustic, who was in bed, and struck him a number of times causing a cut to Mr Ustic's upper left cheek. Matters continued in a "calm and normal way", the judge said, but that night Mr Nash, Mr Ustic, Ms Fenton and another man bought and drank "considerable amounts" of alcohol. Shortly after 8pm they drove to High Street in Skibbereen, where Mr Ustic and Ms Fenton lived, but Mr Ustic was incapable of getting out of the car. He fell and banged his head off the ground and was left in the car park while the others went inside. Locals became concerned and considered seeking medical help but Mr Nash re-emerged, carried Mr Ustic inside and told people that no medical intervention was required, the judge said. Once inside, Nash dropped the victim on the floor and left him lying at the bottom of the stairs. Nash poured liquid over Mr Ustic's face and put him in the recovery position. At about 9.43pm one of the others in the house witnessed Mr Nash "inflict violence on Mr Ustic" including by holding a couch above his head and repeatedly dropping it on Mr Ustic's head and chest with "extreme force". Nash punched the victim and former State pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy noted a laceration above the eye that could have been caused by a bottle. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, chest and neck with alcohol consumption a contributing factor. Professor Cassidy said the level of alcohol in Mr Ustic's system would have impacted his ability to defend himself. Following the assault, Nash attempted to buy plane tickets at Cork Airport then got a bus to the ferry port in Dublin where he left for Holyhead in the UK. Earlier, he was overheard in a shop responding to media reports about the assault on Mr Ustic by saying, "the world won't miss" or "the world is better off without him". Culpability Mr Justice MacGrath said "culpability in this case is very high" and he noted the "considerable degree of violence used against Mr Ustic", Mr Ustic's inability to defend himself due to alcohol consumption and the "vicious and sustained" nature of the attack. He said the fact that the initial contact between Nash and Mr Ustic may have been in response to a plea for help from Nash's mother "in no way justifies or provides mitigating circumstances" for the accused. He set a headline sentence of 17 years and six months but reduced that having considered the mitigating factors. A TENANT at a Ballinhassig property allegedly threw stones at the driver of a digger doing works for the owner and then waved a machete in a threatening manner. These were the allegations made by Sergeant Pat Lyons in the case against Kenneth Garnes, aged 48, of Sunvilla, Halfway, Ballinhassig, Co Cork, when he appeared at Cork District Court. The man is accused of assault causing harm to the driver of the digger and to production of a machete contrary to the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. Sgt Lyons outlined the background to the case so Judge Olann Kelleher could decide if he was accepting jurisdiction to deal with the case at district court level. The judge did accept jurisdiction and the Director of Public Prosecutions already indicated it would be a suitable case for the district court. Sgt Lyons said that at lunchtime on April 13, gardai were alerted to the incident. A man alleged that while he had been driving a digger doing works on the property owned by a woman who was present, that the tenant in the property, Kenneth Garnes, emerged and shouted at him over a log being moved. It was further alleged that the defendant began throwing stones at the driver in the cab of the machine. He then went back to the house and re-emerged in possession of a machete which he produced in a threatening manner, the sergeant said. It was stated that the complainant sustained a laceration to the arm from a stone being thrown, not from the machete. The case was adjourned until October 18 at which point the defendant can indicate if he is pleading guilty or not guilty to the assault and machete charges. AUTOPSY results are awaited by the Garda team investigating an incident in which a man aged 32 died last month, two days after sustaining injuries in an alleged bottle attack in Cork city centre. The awaited autopsy results were referred to by Sergeant John Kelleher at Cork District Court as he applied to have the accused man remanded in continuing custody on a charge of assault causing harm. Investigating members are waiting for postmortem results. I would apply to have the case adjourned for two weeks to August 2, Sgt Kelleher said. While the courts will be closed for the month of August for holidays, there will be remand courts for such matters on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and Judge Olann Kelleher adjourned this case to a remand court on August 2. Aaron Babbington, aged 29, of 25 Churchfield Ave, Churchfield, Cork, is charged with assault causing harm to Jason Butler on Grand Parade. It was alleged that the late Mr Butler was slashed in the throat during the daylight incident on Grand Parade at around 7.30pm on Wednesday June 14. Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said that the accused would be applying to the High Court in Dublin for bail on the charge of assault causing harm, bail having been refused in the district court. Mr Babbington was told when he appeared by video link from prison that if he was granted bail at the High Court then he would be obliged to appear in court in person on the next occasion. In relation to bail for the accused, Detective Garda Patrick Russell objected on various grounds, including the seriousness of the alleged offence. A juror's illness has led to the adjournment of the cold case trial of a Cork man charged with murdering a mother-of-three, whose body was found dumped in a wooded area 42 years ago. UK forensic scientist Dr Jonathan Paul Whitaker, who developed a DNA profile from material recovered from the body of victim Mrs Nora Sheehan, had begun to give his direct evidence in the trial of Noel Long today (FRIDAY) when a juror took ill. Adjourning the trial this afternoon, Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the remaining ten jurors that as one of their colleagues was unwell. He would adjourn the case until Monday to give that ill juror an opportunity to recover. Last Tuesday, the jury of 12 was reduced to 11 when a juror handed the judge up a note which led to him being discharged. The trial judge told the remaining jurors that as a result of information having been conveyed to him it was appropriate that their fellow juror would no longer serve and that they would continue to hear the evidence in the case as a jury of 11. Background Noel Long (74) with an address at Maulbawn, Passage West, Co Cork has pleaded not (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. The jury has heard that the pathologist who carried out the post mortem on Mrs Sheehan found bruising in the anterior wall of her vagina and it showed the presence of spermatozoa. Dr Robert Dermot Coakley conducted the post mortem on Mrs Sheehan on June 13, 1981 but died weeks after carrying out the examination in August 1981. Evidence has also been given that material recovered from Mrs Sheehan had to be sent to the UK in 2008 to generate a DNA profile, as Ireland lacked the techniques to interpret low amounts of DNA at the time. Dr Jonathan Paul Whitaker from Forensic Science Services (FSS) in the UK today told Mr Brendan Grehan SC, prosecuting, that he has specialised in DNA profiling for over 30 years. The witness said he had prepared a report in the case on May 9, 2022 which contained information from an evaluation of work done in 2008 and also comparison work carried out in May 2022 on foot of an email from Dr Kristen O'Connor, which had included a profile of a black beanie hat. Witness Dr John Whitaker pictured leaving the trial of Noel Long Co. Cork at the The Criminal Courts of Justice today. Dr Kristen O'Connor from Forensic Science Ireland has already testified that she received five items belonging to Mr Long for DNA on December 1, 2021 and one of these was a black beanie hat. Explaining DNA to the jury, Dr Whitaker said it is a chemical found in all cells of the body including skin, semen, blood, sweat and muscle, which determines how a person looks and acts. He said DNA profiling was first introduced into casework in 1988 or 1989 and that the first DNA tests introduced were quite basic and that a blood-stain the size of a 2 coin would have been required to generate a DNA profile. Asked by Mr Grehan at what point in time it was possible to tell whether a DNA profile was male or female, Dr Whitaker said the sex of the contributor has been told through DNA markers since 1996. Low copy number (LCN) is a DNA profiling technique, the witness said, which was developed by FSS in the UK around 1999 and has been applied to forensic cases since 2002 involving a minute blood speck. Omagh Bombing Case Dr Whitaker said the biggest challenge mounted to LCN DNA came in 2007 at the trial of Sean Hoey in relation to the Omagh bombing. "The judge had some issues with the validation of the technique and as a result there was a temporary suspension of the test in the UK and Wales and a review of the methodology," he explained. In December 2007, then 38-year-old Sean Hoey, from Jonesborough, south Armagh, was found not guilty of the murder of 29 people in the 1998 Omagh bombing by Mr Justice Weir at Belfast Crown Court. Mr Hoey had maintained his innocence throughout the trial. The witness told the jury that before the Hoey verdict was announced Professor Brian Caddy undertook a review of LCN to oversee the validity and reliability of the test. The Caddy review concluded in a report in April 2008 that there was no reason to believe there was any unreliability in LCN DNA testing, he said. Since 2008 the expert witness said developments in DNA profiling have changed hugely and FSS adopted a recommendation from the Caddy review with a quantification step introduced into LCN methodology. Dr Whitaker said the vaginal swab slide recovered from the body of Mrs Sheehan was tested in a laboratory in Birmingham in 2008 and his opinion was peer reviewed by another scientist and no disagreements were noted. Dr Brid Martina McBride, from Forensic Science Ireland (FSI), told the jury on Thursday that she sent a vaginal swab slide recovered from the body of Mrs Sheehan to Dr Whitaker in November 2008 for DNA profiling as he was an expert in this area. Trial Adjourned The trial broke for lunch at 1.20pm today but when the jurors returned to the court after 2pm they were told by the judge that one of their colleagues was not well and that the trial would be adjourned until Monday. The trial continues on Monday before the judge and a jury of seven men and four women, when Dr Whitaker will continue giving his direct evidence. In his opening address, Mr Grehan told the jury that Dr Whitaker had developed a DNA profile from semen recovered from the body of Mrs Sheehan. In November 2021 he said material from Mr Long was obtained by gardai, which was analysed in the forensic science lab. "Results from their analysis were sent to Dr Whitaker and he will say it matched the semen recovered from Mrs Sheehan's vagina. Using the calculation tools, the possibility that it originated from someone other than Mr Long is one in 20,000 provided they are unrelated to him," said the barrister. Eoin Reynolds A father of five who beat his mother's partner to death during a "vicious and sustained" assault, during which he repeatedly dropped a couch on his defenceless victim's head, has been jailed for 13 years by a judge at the Central Criminal Court. Andrew Nash pleaded guilty to manslaughter four days into his trial earlier this year, at which he had been accused of murdering John Ustic (51). The State accepted his plea and Mr Justice Michael MacGrath passed sentence on Nash on Friday. Prior to the assault, Nash told others that Mr Ustic had been "at his mother". Ahead of sentencing, Nash took the stand to apologise for the killing. He said he is "deeply ashamed and disgusted with myself" and apologised to Mr Ustic's family, to the court, gardai and ambulance crew "for their experiences in the case". Mr Justice MacGrath said the offence fell into the highest category for manslaughter and attracted a headline sentence of between 15 and 20 years. He described it as a "vicious and sustained" assault against a man who may have been, according to the evidence of a pathologist, "in a comatose state on the floor" when some of the injuries were inflicted. But the judge also noted what he said were genuine expressions of remorse by Nash and his decision to take responsibility for the killing by pleading guilty to manslaughter. The judge also noted the impact a prison sentence will have on Nash's youngest children, who now "face the latter part of their childhood years without the presence of a father figure". The judge further noted a letter from Nash's former partner, who described Nash as a "decent, caring man with a good heart". Alcoholism Alcohol played a role in the offence and Mr Justice MacGrath said Nash has taken steps to address his alcoholism, is doing well in prison and has said he wants to "get work and be a better family person" when released and "take an active part in the upbringing of his children and grandchildren". Mr Justice MacGrath imposed a sentence of 14 years with the final 12 months suspended for two years on the condition that Nash work with the probation services. Nash (43), with an address in Thurles, Co Tipperary, killed Mr Ustic on September 24th or 25th, 2017, at High Street, Skibbereen, Co Cork. Mr Justice MacGrath said the deceased was born in Oxford in the UK and moved to Ireland in 2006 and was living in Skibbereen at the time of his death. In September 2017, Nash travelled to Skibbereen after receiving a call from his mother, Suzanne Fenton. Nash told others that Mr Ustic had been "at his mother", the court heard. Nash initially went to Mr Ustic, who was in bed, and struck him a number of times, causing a cut to Mr Ustic's upper left cheek. Matters continued in a "calm and normal way", the judge said, but that night Nash, Mr Ustic, Ms Fenton and another man bought and drank "considerable amounts" of alcohol. Shortly after 8pm, they drove to High Street in Skibbereen, where Mr Ustic and Ms Fenton lived, but Mr Ustic was incapable of getting out of the car. He fell and banged his head off the ground and was left in the car park while the others went inside. Locals became concerned and considered seeking medical help, but Nash reemerged, carried Mr Ustic inside and told people that no medical intervention was required, the judge said. Attack Once inside, Nash dropped the victim on the floor and left him lying at the bottom of the stairs. Nash poured liquid over Mr Ustic's face and put him in the recovery position. At about 9.43pm, one of the others in the house witnessed Nash "inflict violence on Mr Ustic", including hold a couch above his head and repeatedly dropping it on Mr Ustic's head and chest with "extreme force". Nash punched the victim and former State pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy noted a laceration above the eye that could have been caused by a bottle. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, chest and neck with alcohol consumption a contributing factor, the court heard. Professor Cassidy said the level of alcohol in Mr Ustic's system would have impacted his ability to defend himself. Following the assault, Nash attempted to buy plane tickets at Cork Airport, then got a bus to the ferry port in Dublin where he left for Holyhead in the UK. Earlier, he was overheard in a shop responding to media reports about the assault on Mr Ustic by saying, "the world won't miss him" or "the world is better off without him". Mr Justice MacGrath said "culpability in this case is very high" and he noted the "considerable degree of violence used against Mr Ustic", the victim's inability to defend himself due to alcohol consumption and the "vicious and sustained" nature of the attack. He said the fact that the initial contact between Nash and Mr Ustic may have been in response to a plea for help from Nash's mother "in no way justifies or provides mitigating circumstances" for the accused. He set a headline sentence of 17 years and six months but reduced that having considered the mitigating factors. This was the key takeaway from a recent event held by Accenture at its Innovation Hub in Dublins docklands. A diverse audience of Accentures clients from all sectors was in attendance to hear how emerging technologies such as generative AI and augmented reality are poised to completely transform how businesses engage with their customers. Importantly, when paired with human insight and oversight, this next generation tech will also achieve wider societal benefits, for example in the areas of diversity, disability and inclusion. Demos of the tech being discussed were eagerly watched by attendees. To see is to believe, and the startling promise of these innovations was evident even to the casual observer. For example, Prompt is a tool that uses generative AI technology to subvert all our ideas about digital content creation. Proof of how sophisticated AI has become, to the point where it can seamlessly assume a brands tone and guidelines for quality content creation at scale. It also allows for content verification and moderation crucial for medical information, for example. A panel of experts discuss the innovations that will completely transform business and leisure. Touchcast is another innovation that has the potential to completely transform the customer shopping experience, providing a digital sales experience that brings together the best parts of shopping the personalised in-store experience and the convenience of online. We are at a unique moment in time where innovation cycles are converging and moving faster than ever, said David Treat, senior managing director and co-lead of Accentures metaverse business. A computer used to be something you drove to, back when they were the size of a house, he noted. Today, we carry unimaginable computing power in our pockets. Now, as computing moves to the face via headsets and even closer to the brain in the future, he warned technology will no longer be restricted to a 2-D experience on panes of glass. It is breaking away from the flat planes of glass and moving into the context of our lives. Hilary OMeara, country managing director, Accenture in Ireland. The result will be a fundamental business model change, where businesses will be able to present their products and services in the context of their customers lives, Treat explained. For example, blockchain is widely misunderstood, but essentially it enables people to bring their entire identity, money and objects with them from digital experience to digital experience. We already have tokenised versions of our debit and credit cards stored on our phone, he pointed out, but this is a total pivot, allowing for real-time, up to date information to travel with us rather than the stale data that has been stored historically. The winning digital business is not going to be the one that positions itself to harvest data off a network and buy it from someone else and then use AI to make sense of it, warned Treat. Businesses must earn direct trusted access to this tokenised data. Organisations may be wary or even overwhelmed by the potential impact of these technologies, but Treat urged businesses to carve out some of their team to at least play around with the tech in an unencumbered way, so they can assess the value they could have for their business. Give them freedom to experiment and play because you have to have a view on this. Embracing disruptive tech will take investment, added James Temple, co-lead of Accentures metaverse business. But more importantly, its about giving that ringfenced part of your workforce space to play. Innovation has never moved as fast as it is right now and will never move as slowly again. Keegan Moore, commercial strategy lead, The Dock. When it comes to AI, most of us think of chatbots, those little text boxes that pop up to help us when on a website, yet the new generation of AI will bring these to the next level. With chatbots, the tone is flat, Temple admitted. With better AI, this will mean more rich engagement and empathetic expression. These advances are coming much sooner than we think the launch of ChatGPT took everyone by surprise to become the most downloaded app ever, Treat noted. Indeed, the new interface of tech will be far from the scrolling, pinching and clicking we have become accustomed to, the speakers agreed. Rather, it will be a much more human and organic experience. And technology can be truly transformational when used in the right way, stressed Oonagh OShea, managing director for Accentures data and AI business. A parent of a child with special needs, she is certain of its benefits in this space. Its not only from a business perspective, she said. I am really optimistic about a bright future, where assistive technologies can be used in the right way to further disability and inclusion. Patrick Feeney, creative designer at The Dock With great power comes great responsibility, and the responsible use of AI was highlighted throughout the event. Companies need to be managing their data responsibly and ensuring it is of good quality. OShea stressed the need for fairness and transparency. Just because we can do something doesnt mean we should we have to ask what the benefit is and how, where and when AI should be developed. Technology will not be a panacea, she said; the allure of tech is real but the human benefit should always be sought out. The emphasis must be on humanising it and realising the wider societal benefits. Austin Boyle, head of technology at Accenture in Ireland. Accentures recent Technology Vision report showed that Irish organisations are already cognisant of the impact next gen tech will have on how they operate. OShea explained that 97 out of 100 executives surveyed agreed that every aspect of their business is going to transform in the next decade with these technologies and most likely quicker than that. It is inspiring their strategies and development of their operating models there is a lot of positivity and expectation. Ireland has a relatively young workforce, she added. They dont just want to work with this tech, they expect to. The bottom line is that businesses need to show agility when it comes to responding to the blistering pace of emerging technologies, and target their investment for the best returns. While it does not require a different talent pool, a different skillset is needed to optimise the use of this tech, as we move from coders to prompters. While hugely exciting, these new technologies emphasise the need more than ever for businesses to be adaptive and responsive to this rapidly changing environment, said Austin Boyle, head of technology at Accenture in Ireland. Chris Desmond, technical production lead Next-level tech can be intimidating and even overwhelming, Hilary OMeara Accenture Irelands country managing director says. But the most important thing is to just get started because otherwise you could get left behind, said OMeara. When I look at these disruptive technologies that are now becoming mainstream, its a moment in time and a moment of opportunity I would love to see Irish businesses lead from the front and take that opportunity. Businesses seeking to embed more technology into their business for competitive advantage should be clear with what they want to achieve with these technologies, OMeara added. Invest in your talent and get your teams ready for change, because the only thing thats certain is that change is going to be continuous. 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. Passengers wait for the high speed train to Milan, Italy from the Modane station in the French Alps on Sept. 24, 2022. DANIEL SLIM / AFP via Getty Images Theres something about taking the train. The slow pace, the observation car where you are treated to a panoramic view of trees, hilly fields and rivers while reading and munching on a snack. Taking the train allows you to see the countryside connecting where you left to where youre going, not just getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible. Its a journey, and it saves on carbon emissions, big time. Walking, biking and taking the train are the most environmentally-friendly ways to travel. Going by rail instead of flying can reduce your emissions by approximately 84 percent for domestic trips, according to Our World in Data. A new Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe study has found that people looking for travel options in Europe are being encouraged to fly instead of taking the train because of an unfair competitive advantage for the airlines, a press release from Greenpeace said. The Greenpeace report looked at the costs of tickets for trains and airlines on 112 European routes at nine different times. It found that, on average, train tickets were twice as expensive as those for flights, with some routes astronomically higher. For example, the cost of a train ticket from London to Barcelona was 30 times higher than a plane ticket. One of the reasons people choose to fly rather than travel by train is price: why would anyone take the train from London to Barcelona and pay up to 384 when air tickets are available for the ridiculously low price of 12.99? Citizens deserve to have access to a clean, efficient and affordable transport system that does not harm the climate, people and our planet, the report said. Even though flying is so much worse for the planet than traveling by train, airlines dont have to pay tax on kerosene, the main component of jet fuel, the press release said. There is no equivalent exemption for railways. Airlines benefit from outrageous fiscal advantages. Planes pollute far more than trains, so why are people being encouraged to fly? Low-cost airlines, in particular, have exploited every loophole and trick in the book. 10 airline tickets are only possible because others, like workers and taxpayers, pay the true cost, said Lorelei Limousin, Greenpeace EU senior climate campaigner, in the press release. Of the routes looked at for the study, 18 were domestic and 94 crossed country borders. On 71 percent of the routes, flights were cheaper than train tickets. Just 23 routes were almost always less expensive to make by train rather than flying. Of the routes studied, 79 percent were operated by low-cost airlines, which are in most cases cheaper than rail thanks to their unfair and aggressive pricing strategies, the press release said. In short: if you fly, you are subsidised; if you take the train, you are punished by higher prices as well as the fact that the journey is often longer, said Stefan Gossling, a professor at Linnaeus University in Sweden who has studied flight emissions, as The Guardian reported. In Europe, aviation as a producer of greenhouse gas emissions grew 29 percent from 2009 to 2019, the fastest-growing source in Europe in recent decades, according to the press release. Greenpeace encourages European governments to introduce affordable, long-term climate tickets to be used for all public transportation means in a country or designated region, adding that they should be compatible with a climate ticket for international use. Revenues for climate tickets could be funded by the phasing out of airline subsidies, a fair taxation system based on CO2 emissions and taxes on windfall profits. For the planet and peoples sake, politicians must act to turn this situation around and make taking the train the more affordable option, or else were only going to see more and more heatwaves like the one currently wreaking total havoc in Spain, Italy, Greece and elsewhere, Limousin said in the press release. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. Californias Mendocino Complex Fire, which started in July of 2018, was composed of two separate wildfires: the Ranch Fire and the River Fire. The Ranch Fire affected more than 410,000 acres, while the River Fire impacted around 48,900 acres, according to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The massive wildfire spread quickly and burned for more than five months, destroying, among other areas, University of Californias Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC), a multidisciplinary education and research facility just south of Ukiah on the Russian River, according to a press release from Berkeley News. 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 (UC Berkeley), in the press release. The good news is that, just months following the fire, animals who called the ravaged Northern California habitat on either side of Clear Lake home including gray foxes, coyotes and black-tailed jackrabbits were spotted by motion-triggered camera traps. We were surprised that many species seem to be resistant [to the impacts of the fire], said Kendall Calhoun, a UC Berkeley graduate student and member of Brashares lab, in the press release. In order to get a feel for the impact the enormous fire had on the small- and medium-sized animals living on the HRECs 5,300 acres, Calhoun and a team of researchers looked at more than half a million photographed grid images that had been taken there before and following the Mendocino Complex Fire. Kendall Calhoun checks a motion-sensor camera trap located in the middle of a grassy field at Hopland Research and Extension Center. Jackie Mara Beck The study, Mammalian resistance to megafire in western U.S. woodland savannas, was published in the journal Ecosphere. The study was one of the first to analyze observations of wildlife preceding and after a megafire. It was also one of few studies to look specifically at how megafires affect the states oak woodlands. These types of ecosystems cover a large area of the state, but have not been adequately represented in research related to wildfires in comparison with Sierra Nevadas conifer forests. 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 in the press release. Its the primary ecosystem type for livestock grazing, and its also the primary habitat type thats used to grow grapes for wine. Its a critical ecosystem type, and its worth managing well. The researchers studied eight animal species, and found that six were resistant to the fires impacts. These animals racoon, gray fox, black-tailed jackrabbit, coyote, bobcat and striped skunk used the area affected by the fire as often and in the same manner as they had before. Two species, black-tailed deer and western gray squirrel, seemed to be more susceptible to the fires aftermath. Camera trap photos showed many of the animals taking refuge in small patches of remaining tree cover in some cases more frequently than before the fire and the researchers thought the remaining canopy gave these species the food and resources they needed to remain. Megafire had a negative effect on the detection of certain mammal species, but overall, most species showed high resistance to the disturbance and returned to detection and site use levels comparable to unburned sites by the end of the study period. Following megafire, species richness was higher in burned areas that retained higher canopy cover relative to unburned and burned sites with low canopy cover. Fire management that prevents large-scale canopy loss is critical to providing refugia for vulnerable species immediately following fire in oak woodlands, and likely other mixed-forest landscapes, the researchers wrote in the study. The camera traps also took photos of apex predators like mountain lions and black bears who have home ranges often much larger than the land comprising the HREC, so an accurate idea of their distribution wasnt possible from the study area. However, Calhoun said the larger animals werent seen nearly as often following the fire, which indicates they were not as quick to revisit the habitat affected by the megafire. According to the press release, the findings of the study emphasize the importance of prescribed burning and grazing in order to reduce wildfire intensity, since it is more likely that tree cover will be intact following less severe fires. Even this incredibly hot and devastating fire still managed to leave behind these little patches of unburnt areas, and we 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 in the press release. 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. guest column A new revelation from Queens University Belfast unveils a harrowing truth: close to half of the more than 70,000 species examined are teetering on the brink of extinction. This is an alarming wake-up call. As we know our continent is blessed with a natural environment like no other: it is home to nearly one-fifth of the worlds forests, the largest wildlife migration on Earth, and the most diverse megafauna of any continent. But it is in immediate danger. Despite the fact that the area of land under protection has doubled in the last 50 years,research suggests that Africas Protected Conservation Areas (PCAs) are now failing to protect species in over 80% of areas. In the last two decades alone, Africas lion and elephant populations have shrunk by half, exacerbating a longstanding trend: between 1970 and 2016, Africas natural capital stock fell by 65%, driven largely by land-use change. Now, almost three million hectares of rainforest are being lost every year. While these are terrible losses in themselves, the situation has further serious consequences for Africa and the African economy. Africas Natural Economy Interestingly, while much of the damage is being wrought by economic activity, a more sophisticated analysis reveals that the overall health of the continents economy actually depends on conservation. In fact, almost 60% of Africans depend upon this precious natural inheritance for their livelihoods. Part of that attaches to wildlife tourism, which is a central part of Africas thriving tourist sector accounting for 80% of visits to sub-Saharan Africa and estimated to generate $29 billion annually. But there is much more in the African economy that depends on the natural world. The fisheries and aquaculture sectors directly contribute $24 billion to the African economy, while two-thirds of Africans use non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for food, medicine, energy and income. Economically important NTFPs include honey (which contributes hundreds of millions of dollars to African economies) and shea (which employs 16 million women across Africa and accounts for up to 25% of household income in the Sahel region). Leveraging Africas wildlife economy to drive growth It is clear that maintaining the status quo and solely relying on the safeguarding of designated conservation areas is no longer a credible long-term strategy. We need to advance beyond this conventional thinking and actively foster the expansion of Africas wildlife economy. By doing so, we can create novel employment opportunities and empower local communities to preserve the natural wealth in their vicinity. This proactive approach ensures not only the protection of wildlife, but also engenders a symbiotic relationship between people and nature, where both thrive. This strategy has already achieved results: for example, in Namibia, the Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) approach is helping local communities earn income through wildlife tourism, thereby ensuring that they're invested in protecting and maintaining local ecosystems. At the same time, in Kenya, wildlife conservancies are also playing a key role in securing livelihoods and reversing wildlife decline: in the Maasai Mara national game reserve in Narok, 450,000+ acres of habitat are protected through 15 conservancies, helping to safeguard the great Serengeti-Mara wildebeest migration. 3,000 households are now earning a total of more than $4 million annually from the associated tourism and over the last decade, the lion population has doubled. In addition, we should also recognise that the proper stewardship of Africas natural inheritance can itself be a catalyst for wider economic growth. According to the development agency FSD Africa, every dollar invested in agricultural land remediation in Uganda returns $230 in economic value, while every dollar invested in Senegals and Tanzanias marine protected areas generates more than $5000. Why its important to teach conservation at universities To maximise such benefits, however, we need to generate more interest in the wider wildlife economy at a policymaking level. For example, research suggests that NTFPs are generally not prioritised in policymaking, and as a result their economic contribution is not widely assessed. Making leaders aware of the risks and opportunities is important but we also need to train a new generation who will take the continent forward to a sustainable future. Amongst other measures, we must, where relevant, introduce conservation learning into university degree courses, encourage joined-up thinking, and explore how new technologies can help create a healthier and better-managed conservation sector. Boosting investment and efficiency in conservation will also mean improving the reporting in the sector to help triage resources and compare schemes in different countries. Governments and other large organisations need more and better data on conservation and its contributions in order to encourage investment in biodiversity as an asset. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Wildlife Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. To help Africa achieve its potential, we also need to discuss best practice and pursue partnerships on a more continental, even global scale. Thats why, we need to build partnership, bringing together conservationists, investors, entrepreneurs and technologists to help unlock the potential of Africa's wildlife economy. A ss step towards this, five hundred stakeholders from Africa and around the world will convene in Kigali this month to explore new ways to catalyse economic development through the sustainable utilisation of wildlife resources. As we look to the future, we desperately need to prioritise conservation issues that threaten life for current and future generations, and explore new opportunities that will support ecological development across the continent. For the benefit of Africa's people, its wildlife, and the wider economy, we need to act now before it is too late to change course. Indeed, given Africa's vibrant youth population, teeming with potential and ready to make significant contributions, the sustainability and economic health of the continent should be priorities for the world at large. Richard Vigne is Executive Director of the African Leadership Universitys School of Wildlife Conservation. Morocco launches first marine hatchery to boost aquaculture sector Morocco has launching its first marine hatchery aimed at bolstering the country's aquaculture sector, which aims to produce up to 30 million high-quality fry of sea bream, sea bass, meager, and other species of interest to the national aquaculture farms, Morocco World News reported. The inauguration ceremony, led by Mohamed Sadiki, Morocco's Minister of Agriculture and Maritime Fisheries, took place in the commune of Gueznaya in northern Morocco. Spanning an area of 2.28 hectares, this hatchery will play a crucial role in Morocco's aquaculture industry, with a dedicated investment of MAD 120 million (~US$12.3 million; MAD 1 = US$0.10) to ensure a reliable supply of fry for the value chain. Minister Sadiki emphasised the significance of this hatchery, as it is the first in Morocco to receive financial support from the government, with a MAD 20 million (~US$2 million) investment bonus granted for the acquisition of hatchery equipment. The hatchery's establishment aligns with the "Halieutis" plan, initiated by King Mohammed VI in 2009, which aims to increase production and foster the balanced, qualitative, and sustainable development of Morocco's marine fisheries sector. Minister Sadiki stressed the importance of fry production in supporting the viability of fish farming projects while alleviating pressure on marine resources. The project sets a precedent for similar endeavours in various regions of Morocco, resonating with the strategies of the National Agency for the Development of Aquaculture. The agency is committed to supporting such initiatives as part of Morocco's long-term policy in the aquaculture sector, encouraging investment and capitalizing on the sector's significant evolution. Shavit Dahan, the head of project development at Aquago Company, lauded Morocco's inclination towards qualitative economic endeavours, particularly those with high added value for the marine fishing sector. He commended the country's efforts to encourage investments that not only support the national economy but also contribute to environmental protection and the preservation of natural resources. With the launch of the first marine fish hatchery, Morocco takes a momentous stride towards developing a thriving aquaculture sector. This project not only reflects the country's dedication to economic progress but also emphasizes its commitment to preserving natural resources and reinforcing its position as a global leader in the marine fishing industry. - Morocco World News Discover One of the Top MBA Programs in Michigan Eastern Michigan University offers one of the top Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs in Michigan. Our program prepares leaders with strategic thinking and ethical decision-making skills in a globally integrated business environment. Our business school is accredited by AACSB International and specializes in educating working professionals who want to jump start their careers, as evidenced by our many evening and online course offerings. In fact, EMU's MBA program may be completed 100% online. The MBA program also accommodates full-time study for international students. The Morning After: What to expect at Samsungs Unpacked 2023 event next week A whole new ecosystem of Galaxy products? As competition finally starts to figure out foldables, Samsungs ready to prove it can still deliver them best. Its next Unpacked event is teasing a new generation of foldable phones, flanked by smartwatches and tablets. Here's what we're expecting. While it hasnt named the new hardware, the company is expected to reveal the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5. This year, though, the priorities are inverted. Where the book-style Fold is usually the main attraction, this year the Flip clamshell might get the most attention, with a substantially expanded front screen to go up against competition like Motorolas Razr+ . Both the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 5 may adopt a waterdrop hinge, which narrows the gap while closed. Why should we care? Itll be a slimmer foldable and have a smaller gap when the device is closed. OnLeaks Wearable-wise, the company has not-so-subtly hinted the Galaxy Watch 6 will appear at Unpacked, and reports even hint at a Classic or Pro version to bring back the physical rotating bezel. (Some people are obsessed with smartwatches with a rotating bezel.) Rounding out predictions, expect to see Samsungs latest premium Android, the Galaxy Tab S9. Were expecting to see base, plus and ultra versions of the laptop with upgraded screens and maybe even IP67 dust and water protection. Samsung is streaming the event on its YouTube channel , starting at 7 AM ET on the 26th. Dont worry if youd rather sleep in well be liveblogging along and will hopefully get some hands-ons with the new devices. Stay tuned. Mat Smith The biggest stories you might have missed Amazon is bringing its palm-based payments to all Whole Foods Market stores WhatsApp makes it easier to send messages to unsaved numbers Star Trek: Strange New Worlds finds empathy in memory Apple's MacBook Air M1 is back on sale for $750 Adult Swim lands new show from Cowboy Bebop and John Wick creators The best multi-device wireless chargers for 2023 The best wireless workout headphones for 2023 Mitnick became a White Hat hacker and cybersecurity consultant after prison. Once the world's most wanted computer hacker, Kevin Mitnick, passed away at 59 on July 16th. The first time Mitnick infiltrated a computer system was way back in 1979, but he wasn't convicted until 1988 when he was sentenced to 12 months in prison for copying a company's software. He broke into Pacific Bell's voicemail computers when he was under supervised release and continued to hack into cell networks, as well as company and government websites, as a fugitive in the 90s. Mitnick was also involved in the theft of thousands of files and credit card numbers, but his obituary says he "never took one dime from any of his 'victims.' Mitnick eventually ended up spending five years in prison, which he described as a "vacation" by the time he was freed. From there, he changed the course of his career and became a White Hat hacker and cybersecurity consultant. Continue reading. That's a significant $2 increase with no official announcement. I hinted at this yesterday, but here are the finer details. YouTube Premium has jumped by a significant $2 from $12 to $14, while the annual price went from $120 to $140 per month, a savings of about $28 over paying month by month. Last year, Google hiked the family Premium plan to $23 per month and charged existing month-by-month subscribers the new fee. Continue reading. The tech giant has pitched it to 'The New York Times' and other publications. 400tmax via Getty Images According to The New York Times, Google is testing a new AI technology, codenamed Genesis, which can generate news articles. The tech giant has reportedly demonstrated the tool to The Times and executives at The Washington Post and News Corp, which owns The Wall Street Journal. Based on reports from people who witnessed the pitch, Genesis can whip up copy from the data fed to it, whether it's current events or other types of information. Google believes journalists could use it as an assistant to automate tasks and free them up for other things. Some journalists fear it could well free them up from their jobs. But the bots arent quite there yet: CNET had to issue corrections after being made aware of substantial errors in most of the 77 machine-written articles it published under the CNET Money byline. And just earlier this month, Gizmodo's io9 published a Star Wars piece full of errors attributed to the Gizmodo Bot. Continue reading. analysis Permit holders may have been afforded a 12-month reprieve in June, but many say their relief was short-lived, with the Minister of Home Affairs now challenging the court ruling. While figuring out their (limited) options, many have to contend with locals' ill feeling towards them and the threat of losing their livelihoods. Kelvin Kambasha travelled to South Africa from Zimbabwe to "look for something better" in the wake of Zimbabwe's sociopolitical and economic instability of the mid-2000s. He had no one to rely on and needed to quickly become industrious. He found employment first as a van assistant before being promoted to heavy-duty driver once he obtained a Code 14 licence. "If they terminate the permits completely, I will suffer a lot because my licence and my experience will be of value only in SA," explains Kambasha (Not his real name. The names of all Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders quoted in this report have been changed as sources requested anonymity because of fear of retribution.) "I am earning a living through driving trucks and so if I don't renew my licence, my family will suffer a lot," Kambasha says. His situation is similar to that of more than 150,000 ZEP holders in South Africa following a directive by the Department of Home Affairs in November 2021 for the cancellation of the permits. They have a limited number of alternatives: returning to an unfamiliar country; remaining as undocumented migrants; relocating to developed countries overseas; or transitioning to mainstream permits. While relocating... The City of Johannesburg employs more than 40,000 people, but its engineering teams have been depleted through years of cadre deployment, which has continued under the coalition governments that now run the city. Wednesday night's explosion in the CBD has exposed its lack of capacity. A panicked WhatsApp message from the Johannesburg development planning directorate reveals the city did not have requisite engineering or gas-detection skills. "WE DEFINITELY NEED ANY STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS, CIVIL ENGINEERS, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS OR WATER ENGINEERS/GAS DETECTION EXPERTS. The City COO has undertaken that they will be paid and will conclude contracts within the hour," said the message circulated by WhatsApp on Thursday. On Wednesday at dusk, a massive explosion ripped through Lilian Ngoyi Street (previously Bree Street) in Johannesburg, sending taxis and cars flying. One person died, and at least 40 were injured as the street collapsed. By the end of Thursday, the city could not say what had caused the blast, and speculation veered from a gas explosion to informal miners who may have hit a pipeline. No experts spoke in the first briefings to the public, and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi took over the role of Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda, who was out of his depth. The message circulated by a senior bureaucrat reveals that Johannesburg lacks requisite engineering skills and does not have the required gas detection experts. The city employs more than 40,000 people, but its engineering teams have been depleted through years of cadre deployment, which... WASHINGTON DC- Senator Jon Tester is calling for transparency in the way our lawmakers do business with a brand new bill. His new legislation is demanding, all lawmakers post their schedules and make them public to you via the web. There are currently no requirements for members of Congress to disclose when they meet with their constituents, lobbyists, or other groups in their official tax-payer-funded positions. This would make it so there is a requirement, Senator Tester said, in an exclusive interview with Bradley Warren, [this] so they will disclose who they meet with in an official capacity. This legislation would change that. The senator says this is one way of keeping special interests out of Washington. Its something Ive done since I got here, Senator Tester said, it helps people hold their elected representatives accountable. The senator has publicly shared his calendar since taking office, on the topic of this bill, its not loved in Washington. This isnt a particularly popular bill with my fellow senators, Senator Tester said, because quite honestly its a little more work. He has previously introduced similar legislation on this but it didnt make it across the finish line. This iteration of the bill would: Each hearing, meeting, or event the Member attended in their official capacity, either in person or by teleconference or other electronic means; The Members floor activity; and A general description of the individuals, entities, or organization participating in the meeting or event, or a general description of the meeting or event. Via email, Tiffany Muller the President of End Citizens United said: Montanans and Americans deserve a Congress that works for them, not special interest donors and big corporations. Thats why its critical constituents know who their elected officials are meeting with, Senator Tester is leading by example he was the first member of Congress to regularly post his schedule online, and remains one of the few to do so today. We appreciate his tireless commitment to increased transparency and accountability in government and hope that other elected officials will join in supporting this commonsense legislation. Because we do fact check at Nonstop Local, we didand Senator Tester does in fact post his daily schedule. Youll see that there was a 12:45 p.m. interview on the 19th, that was the interview he did with Bradley Warren on this bill. The Senator tells Nonstop Local, he plans on introducing this legislation on Tuesday. After 27 years working in education including 17 years as a teacher and administrator in public schools Tom Smith thought that hed seen it all. Smith, the principal and chief administrative officer of Bishop McCort Catholic High School in Johnstown, was excited when the State Senate included Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) Scholarships in the budget it passed after negotiating with Gov. Josh Shapiro. Since Shapiro had publicly expressed support for the scholarships, Smith figured it was a done deal. When Shapiro announced instead that he would line-item-veto the program, Smith was shocked. We have more than 120 current Bishop McCort students who came from a local school district that ranks in the bottom 15 percent of schools in Pennsylvania and need financial aid. More families have toured our school and would love to enroll their children, but we dont have enough aid available. The PASS Scholarship would have been a game changer, said Smith. I never expected the governor to pull the rug out from under these families. PASS Scholarships, also known as Lifeline Scholarships, are targeted to students whose household income is less than 2.5 times the federal poverty level and who are assigned to the worst-performing 15 percent of schools in the state. The scholarships would pay for private school tuition and fees and would be worth $5,000 for elementary school, $10,000 for high school, and $15,000 for students with special needs all sums well below the average $21,000 per student spent in Pennsylvania public schools. The budget that passed the Senate included $100 million for the PASS Scholarships. This was a separate line item from the $16.2 billion in state funding for public schools (more than a $1 billion increase from last year). In other words, the scholarships would take no money from public school budgets. For each student who left a public school using the scholarships, there would be more funding per student for those who remained in that district. Senate Republicans say that they worked closely with Shapiro on the budget agreement and included several of his priorities in exchange for his support of PASS. On Face the State, Republican state Sen. Scott Martin said that Shapiro told us he would handle working it through the rest of the process to get it through the House. Then came Shapiros unexpected announcement. After supporting the idea of scholarships in his campaign last year and reiterating it on Fox News on June 23, the governor faced intense backlash from teachers unions. Despite his public statements and his assurances to Senate Republicans, Shapiro caved when Democratic House Majority Leader Matt Bradford said that the House wouldnt vote for the budget if it included the scholarships. After acknowledging that House Democrats opposition to the PASS Scholarships was the only thing standing in the way of the budget, Shapiro announced that he would use his line-item veto against the program. The governors flip-flop was a huge disappointment to the thousands of children trapped in these low-achieving schools. Adding insult to injury, Shapiro was dismissive of them. I am unwilling to engage in the small ball which for so long has stymied progress, the governor said. McCorts Smith is unimpressed. I hear all the time from parents who are desperate to get their children out of the local school district which ranks in the bottom 15%. I know what our students who have been able to transfer to Bishop McCort went through in their old schools. Theres nothing small ball about trying to give your child the best possible opportunities in life. He added: Were operating on a shoestring budget compared to our local public schools, and Im scrambling to find as much financial aid as I possibly can to help students attend McCort while still paying our teachers and keeping the lights on. Smith urges the governor and any lawmakers who oppose PASS or Lifeline Scholarships to visit Johnstown and talk to some of the families who attend Bishop McCort. Maybe if they hear directly from families, theyll be able to put politics aside and do whats best for students. analysis More than a year after 21 children died at the Enyobeni Tavern, parents are still seeking complete autopsy reports from the authorities. In court for selling alcohol to minors, the tavern owners say they did nothing wrong. The parents of those who died at the Enyobeni Tavern in June 2022 will head to the SAPS forensic pathology services facility in Woodbrook, East London, on Monday to demand the release of the full autopsy reports into the deaths of their children. Twenty-one young people, aged between 13 and 17, died at the tavern in Scenery Park, East London, in the early hours of 26 June 2022. They were attending a "pens down" party to celebrate the end of the June exams. A postmortem report shared with parents said the victims had injuries associated with being crushed and suffocated, but the results of a final toxicology report have not been made public. A preliminary report found that the victims had methanol, a type of alcohol potentially deadly to humans, in their blood. Follow-up tests were reportedly performed to determine whether the methanol concentrations were fatal, but the results have not been released. The police have said they cannot divulge details of the follow-up tests, or even whether they've received the results, while investigations continue. Methanol is sometimes found in counterfeit alcohol and home-brewed alcohol that has not been adequately monitored. "When a person has died, the family gets the... Farm leaders in Wales have highlighted their shock after the Welsh government announced that mainstream Glastir contracts will not be extended. Glastir Advanced, Glastir Commons and Glastir Organic contracts will not be extended beyond December this year, the Welsh government said today. Wales currently has some 3,000 farms in Glastir agreements that will now come to an end in a few months time. Instead, farmers will be offered the option to sign up to a 12-month agri-environment scheme focussing on habitat land. The new scheme will be introduced from 1 January 2024 until the beginning of the Sustainable Farming Scheme in 2025. The Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW) said the move would cause "major concerns" across the Welsh farming industry. The union said the decision would have "implications" for farms, adding there would also be concerns over the practicalities of introducing a new replacement scheme over a period of just a few months. FUW President Ian Rickman noted that some farms had been in such agreements for 30 years, with them changing their farming practices and stock numbers to cope with the scheme rules. He warned: "This announcement will raise grave concerns for thousands of families, not only in terms of their financial viability but also with regard to how the Welsh government will implement such a scheme over such a short period of time." There are currently some 2,100 Glastir Advanced contract holders and more than 450 Glastir Organic contract holders, as well as 180 Glastir common land agreements involving vast numbers of commoners. It's understood that more than 17,000 Welsh farmers may be eligible to apply for the new interim scheme this autumn. The FUW also expressed disappointment that the farming industry had been excluded from discussions on the cancellation of Glastir contracts and the design and introduction of a new interim scheme. Mr Rickman said: "Despite us having repeatedly raised questions regarding the future of Glastir since December, there has been no such codesign." The application window for the Welsh government's new scheme will open later this year, with contracts commencing in January 2024. The Welsh government said further details of the new scheme would made available following discussions with stakeholders. Wales' Minister for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said: Through Glastir, we have supported farmers to maintain and enhance habitat protection; we want to maintain this investment as we transition to the new Sustainable Farming Scheme. Im pleased today to announce an interim agri-environment scheme to continue supporting farmers to protect valuable habitats ahead of the introduction of the SFS. Its important we have a scheme to ensure the valuable gains made under Glastir are not lost, and were also able to encourage more farmers to take part." Meditation does not make people happier. Meditation has no impact on a person's happiness Experts at the University of British Columbia in Canada have examined more than 500 studies on meditation and mindfulness and found that 95 per cent of trials lacked the evidence to detect any notable benefits from the practice. In one study offering a two-year mindfulness programme to elderly citizens in Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and Myanmar, the researchers argued that the increased happiness of the participants could have been a result of taking part in the trial - which decreased feelings of loneliness. Professor Dame Til Wykes, of King's College London, said: "The fact that meditation and mindfulness had poor evidence does need further research because the general public have accepted its power to increase wellbeing as fact. "This strategy costs money and time and so science should provide robust evidence of benefits so that failure doesn't hit their bank balance and their self-esteem and self-efficacy." Tori Spellings friends are reportedly worried sick about the actress. Tori Spellings friends are reportedly worried sick about the actress The 50-year-old Beverly Hills, 90210 actress who has children Liam, 16, Stella, 15, Hattie, 11, Finn, 10, and Beau, six, with Due South star Dean McDermott is said to have sparked concerns by apparently going silent on her pals since her rumoured split from the 56-year-old actor. A source told the Daily Mail: Tori has not been returning calls and has kind of gone AWOL, which has her close friends worried sick. The outlet added Toris family are also concerned as shes believed to be staying at a $100-a-night motel in the Los Angeles area with her five kids. Their insider added: Dean is also taking up some issue with the kids being with Tori at these motels. He thinks that the kids should be at home and not motel hopping with Tori. He just believes that this is not what is best for them at this time. Its been reported Toris decision to move into a $100-a-night motel with her five children reportedly has nothing to do with her rumoured split from Dean. She was photographed leaving the humble accommodation in the Los Angeles area on 8 July in the wake of claims she has broken up with the star. But a source told Us Weekly the actress booked rooms at the motel due to the ongoing mould issue in their marital home. The insider said: Tori and Dean are doing really good and her staying at a hotel with their kids has nothing to do with a separation. They decided to stay there because of the ongoing mould problem at their house. Tori is taking this issue very seriously and isnt going to subject herself or her kids to that. Page Six had reported said Tori looked distraught as she left the motel with her kids. She was forced to move her family out of a rental home earlier this year after discovering an extreme mould infestation was causing them to suffer serious health issues. Tori said in May the toxic fungus had been slowly killing her family for three years as she asked her fans to recommend a lawyer. The actress grew up living in a $165 million mansion owned by her late TV producer dad Aaron Spelling, who died aged 83 in 2006 from stroke complications. She had a bitter fall out with her family after she only got $800,000 of Aarons $500 million fortune. She faced another setback in June when Dean posted then deleted a statement announcing that they had separated after 17 years of marriage. He said online: Its with great sadness and a very very heavy heart that after 18 years together and 5 amazing children, that @torispelling and I have decided to go our separate ways, and start a new journey of our own. Dean was then seen moving his belongings into storage, while Tori was photographed wearing a Boys Lie T-shirt. The pair have been dogged for years by split rumours and they were both spotted without their wedding rings throughout 2021 the same year Tori admitted they had been sleeping in separate rooms. Your grandmothers red sari, your blue shirt, or that luxe pink pashmina that has been passed down generations colour has become the ultimate attribute that we use to not only recognise but also to remember our clothes with pleasure. It was discovered very early on, perhaps by accident, that yarn or fabric could be coloured by turning to natural sources such as tree roots and barks, flowers, fruits, vegetables, the dried bodies of insects, certain microorganisms and minerals. Depending on their solubility in water, pigments are extracted differently from different sources most pigments derived from plants can simply be extracted by juicing, crushing and grinding and stored as powders. Some heritage handicraft techniques such as ajrakh, dabu and kalamkari, perpetuated by artisan clusters that have adhered to traditional processes, still use natural dyes for colouring, too. But colouring fabrics naturally or printing them with naturally-derived dyes is a lengthy and time-consuming process. To keep up with the fast pace of fashion, many brands use synthetic colours that give the same result in a very short time but this has a negative effect on the environment. Still, even in these times of mass production, a handful of people within the fashion industry is focused on not only working with natural dyes and handicraft techniques that use them but also reviving them. We speak with individuals from four such labels from across the country Indigo is more mysterious than anything else youve ever worked with; the more you work with it, the more questions youll have its a complex subject, says Ashok Siju, founder of Jeevan Indigo, a small label from Gujarat that makes handwoven and hand-stitched clothes the way people in the Kutch region have traditionally always done. Most of the 80 to 90 garments that Ashok and his team of one karigar and a couple of weavers make to order annually are blue, and that is just an extension of his growing love affair with indigo, a dye that, according to him, has a special place in nature. Yellow as a colour can be extracted from at least three sources turmeric root, flame of the forest or marigold flowers, and dried pomegranate peels, he explains. But blue can only be extracted from indigo plants, most of which are cultivated in southern India.Ashok SijuAshok is a third-generation weaver from Bhujodi, a small village outside Bhuj. His family has been dyeing with indigo only for the last 30 years, and he has worked with it for the last eight. Before that, we would outsource the job of dyeing our yarn to the Khatris (an ajrakh-practising community), he reveals. They mainly work with fabric and were inexperienced when it came to working with yarn, which would often result in damage. Things changed when one of his uncles, Dinesh Vishramji Vankar, travelled to Auroville to learn the art of indigo dyeing from a Spanish expat, Jesus, founder of The Colours of Nature. He came back and started with just two vats, which have since become 11.Indigo plantFor Ashok, understanding indigo has meant unravelling its chemistry. Indigo extract is not soluble in water unless the pH of the water changes, he explains. We add lime to make the water alkaline. Jaggery is added to kickstart the fermentation process, and then you get a yellow-ish green liquid that is ready to dye. This itself is a lengthy process. As someone who works with indigo so closely, Ashok worries about the farmers who grow the plants. Today, indigo is sold at `6,000 a kilo, which is dirt cheap considering that the indigo extracted is only 1% weight of what is grown. For him, sustainability means a concern for the welfare of everyone involved.Also Read: The Search for Colour: Tapping Into The Luxury Of Archana Jaju's Kalamkari Women Deliver 2023 was held in Africa for the first time - Kigali, Rwanda - and was as interactive as it was informative. Kigali, Rwanda As the saying goes, all good things come to an end. But the end of Women Deliver 2023 is not a time for sadness, but celebration. We were filled with empowerment, inspiration, and hope as we came together to discuss the most pressing issues facing girls and women around the world. We heard from some of the most amazing leaders and change-makers, who shared their stories and insights on how we can make progress on gender equality. We learned about the latest innovations and best practices, and we came away with a renewed sense of urgency to take action. The conference brought together more than 6,300 people from around the world to share ideas, build partnerships, and take action on a range of critical issues, including maternal health, sexual and reproductive rights, gender-based violence, economic empowerment, and leadership opportunities for women. Dr. Maliha Khan, President and CEO of Women Deliver said that "When women and girls are supported with funding and the right resources, they have the potential to challenge harmful norms, push for institutional and legislative reforms, and transform their communities." "Over the last five days, we have had a meaningful discourse on what we need to do for women and girls globally. We must now act to secure their bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights," she added. "WD2023 has reminded us not only of the barriers but also the achievements that have been made. I hope everyone walks away from the conference carrying this sense of achievement and hope based on the commitments that have been made." The Women Deliver 2023 conference resulted in key outcomes and commitments, including: A new funding facility with Open Society Foundations to counter the anti-rights movement and provide financial investment into the most neglected sexual health and reproductive areas. A campaign launched by over 40 organizations to close the gender nutrition gap, alongside a co-created Action Agenda that calls for transformative actions from governments to improve women's and girls' nutrition. The RESPECT Women website, an online platform that aims to drive concrete actions to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls, launched by The World Health Organization (WHO), together with UN Women, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the United Nations Development Programme. The Kigali Call to Action: United for Women and Girls' Bodily Autonomy announced by the UNFPA to accelerate investments and actions, with women-led organizations and the feminist movement at the center. A new Women Deliver Emerging Leaders Program that will put more trust-based funding into the hands of young people and ensure that they have the knowledge, resources, supportive ecosystem, and leadership opportunities to achieve their gender equality and sexual health, and reproductive advocacy goals. In closing, Dr. Khan emphasized: "There is still so much work to do, there are so many issues to address, and there are so many barriers still in the way of women and girls achieving their full potential. The only way to achieve our objectives is through collective efforts. We hope that Women Deliver has planted the seed to strengthen our solidarity and unity now, and long into the future." The theme of the conference was "Spaces, Solidarity, and Solutions," and it focused on the need to create safe and inclusive spaces for women to thrive. The conference also highlighted the importance of solidarity among women and girls, and it provided a platform for them to share their stories and experiences. allAfrica's Melody Chironda had the opportunity to interview Samson Tesfaye, the co-Head of Women Deliver 2023. As a highly experienced and committed advocate for gender equality, Tesfaye shared his insights on how they organized and achieved success with the event. Tesfaye described the overall outcome of the conference, saying that it was a hard two years of work, but it was "worth it". He says he was emotional to see his vision come to life and to see people from all over the world enjoying the conference. "I think one of our key successes was bringing in over 6,000 delegates from 170 countries. Seeing all the sessions happening simultaneously and hearing the positive feedback from our delegates made us very happy. We believe that the happiness of our delegates is a measure of our success." Tesfaye added that they received some great feedback, but also some areas where we can improve. "We take this feedback very seriously because we want everyone to have the best possible experience at our conferences. For example, some people said that the diversity of conversations was difficult to keep up with and that some sessions were too early in the morning. We're taking this feedback into account and will make changes to improve the conference in the future," he said. "We also received positive feedback about our accessibility efforts. We have worked hard to make our conferences accessible to everyone, and we've received very positive feedback from participants about how we've integrated the needs of all attendees. This includes things like providing signs in multiple languages, choosing accessible venues, and waiving registration fees for attendees who need companions." "We're committed to continuing to make our conferences inclusive and accessible to all, and we're happy to share our experiences with other organizations. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in conferences and learn from each other, regardless of their abilities," he added. He also talked about some challenges they faced. "Yes, there are challenges in any conference, especially one of this magnitude. However, the challenges we faced were solvable. For example, someone might not have the right type of identity document (ID) or a procession might be delayed. These are logistical problems, but they were not major issues. We made sure to inform delegates of any problems and to work to resolve them." Highlights "For me, the standout moments of the conference were the social media promotion and the diverse speakers," he said. "The evening sessions with former heads of state were a highlight, especially for young women. It was inspiring to see these women who we have seen on TV sharing their experiences. We always try to have youth represented in our panels because 70% of the African continent's population is under the age of 30. We need to hear from the youth, or we are losing the majority of our population." Tesfaye also explained why the conference is held every three years. He says that it takes more than two years to prepare for the conference and that Women Deliver is a small NGO that doesn't have the capacity to do it every year. He also says that it's good to have something to look forward to and that people are more likely to attend a conference if it's only held every three years. He explains that Women Deliver puts out a request for proposals from countries that want to host the conference. The proposals are assessed based on the country's infrastructure, its commitment to gender equality, and its visa policies. Rwanda was chosen to host the 2023 conference because it has a strong infrastructure, a commitment to gender equality, and a visa policy that makes it easy for delegates to attend. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Governance Human Rights By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Tesfaye says that there have been no problems with visas for delegates attending the 2023 conference. "This is a major accomplishment, as it makes it easier for people from all over the world to attend the conference," he said. Looking ahead, Tesfaye says that Women Deliver has been doing these conferences since 2007, and they want to continue to do them every three years. They want to learn from this conference and improve it, as well as share their experiences with other organizations. They will submit a final report of the conference to all stakeholders, and they will also engage with the media and other stakeholders to get feedback. They will also have a conference survey after the event to get feedback from delegates. This feedback will help them shape what they can improve for future conferences. Tesfaye shared the experience of organizing the conference. "For me, yes it was a success," he said. He said that it is a tough job, but also satisfying. The key is having the right team and the right mindset. When everyone understands the goal and is focused on achieving it, the conference can be a success. Tesfaye said that he had a fantastic team to work with and that the Women Deliver team is resilient. They were able to make the conference happen, even though they are a small team. Cambodias exports to other Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries were worth $4.07 billion in the first half (H1) this yearup by 24 per cent from $3.28 billion over the same period last year, according to the ministry of commerce. The countrys top three export destinations under the RCEP during H1 2023 were Vietnam, China and Japan, the ministry said in a report. Cambodia's exports to other Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership nations were worth $4.07 billion in 2023 first halfup by 24 per cent year on year. Its top three export destinations under RCEP during the period were Vietnam, China and Japan. It shipped products worth nearly $1.43 billion to Vietnam, $713 million to China and $545 million to Japan. It shipped products worth nearly $1.43 billion to Vietnamup by 22 per cent; $713 million to Chinaup by 17 per cent; and $545 million to Japanup by 1 per cent, the report said. RCEP comprises 15 Asia-Pacific countriesten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their five trading partners: China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The growth clearly shows that the RCEP countries are a potential market for made-in-Cambodia products, ministry spokesman Penn Sovicheat told a news agency. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Japan today restored South Koreas preferential trading partner status after four years. Most exports to South Korea now will not require permission. The move follows a similar step by the latter regarding the formers trade status after a change of leadership in South Korea improved bilateral ties. Japan had removed South Korea from its so-called white list of countries entitled to minimum trade restrictions in August 2019 after the apex South Korean court ordered two Japanese firms in 2018 to compensate Korean plaintiffs over forced labour accusations connected to Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Japan today restored South Korea's preferential trading partner status after four years. Most exports to South Korea now will not need permission. The move follows a similar step by the latter regarding the former's trade status. The two sides signed a memorandum of cooperation in July this year to hold a regular policy dialogue on export procedures. The South Korean government later removed Japan from its white list as well. Japan had claimed then that it was concerned over South Korea's export system and needed assurance about exported goods not landing up in North Korea and other countries of concern, a news agency reported. With a change of leadership in South Korea, ties improved between the two countries, leading to a summit between Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Yoon Suk Yeol in March this year. Japan eased export controls on three key semiconductor manufacturing materials bound for South Korea in the same month, in response to Seoul retracting its complaint at the World Trade Organisation over the export controls. South Korea put Japan back on its list of countries entitled to preferential treatment in April, allowing strategic items to head to Japan with a shorter review period. The two sides signed a memorandum of cooperation in July this year to hold a regular policy dialogue on export procedures. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) Sri Lanka has notified the Indian rupee ( or INR) as a designated currency, Indian external affairs ministry (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi announced yesterday. The announcement came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modis meeting with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe today for talks. Wickremesinghe is on a two-day visit to India. He is the first Sri Lankan leader to visit India since the island nation was hit by an unprecedented economic crisis last year. Sri Lanka has notified the Indian rupee (INR) as a designated currency, India's external affairs ministry announced yesterday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe today in New Delhi for talks. The decision enables bilateral trade settlement in INR and allows Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka to use INR. Making INR a designated foreign currency enables bilateral trade settlement in INR and allows Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka can use INR for transactions. The utilisation will depend on India's private sector and trade sector stakeholders, Bagchi said. "Sri Lanka is an important partner in India's Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR. The visit will reinforce the longstanding friendship between the two countries and explore avenues for enhanced connectivity and mutually beneficial cooperation across sectors," an MEA press release said India offered aid worth almost $4 billion to Sri Lanka last year. Sri Lanka will focus on grid connectivity between the two countries, port development and renewable energy projects, largely in the northern part, when President Wickremesinghe visits India, its foreign minister Mohamed Uvais Mohamed Ali Sabry had said early this month. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) To continue reading this news, become a member today. PRIME Unlimited Access to F2F Prime Content All Corporate Members and TexPro Subscribers are eligible to access F2F PRIME CONTENT using the same login credentials. At the San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, the first look at Prabhas' Project K was revealed. The Project K team revealed the film's title, teaser, and release date at the event. The film's title has now been revealed to be Kalki 2898 AD. The film's first trailer depicts Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Prabhas in a futuristic world. It portrays Deepika, Amitabh, and Prabhas as warriors in a battle-like setting. Kalki 2898 AD will be out in 2024. Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, and Rana Daggubati attended the event. According to reports, Deepika Padukone will not attend the event due to the ongoing strike by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) in the United States. The actor is a SAG-AFTRA member. Project K was the first Indian film to make its debut at the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) in 2023. Ahead of the event, a billboard in Times Square in New York City read, "First glimpse on July 20." Several photos of Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, and Rana in the US had previously surfaced online as they arrived in the country ahead of the event. Prabhas was spotted at a party in the United States a day before Project K's first trailer was released, where he met fans. The filmmakers reportedly gave fans a sneak peek at the film during an opening night party on July 19. Nag Ashwin is in charge of Project K. In a previous statement about the event, he stated, "India is the home of some of the greatest lore and superheroes ever written. We feel that our film is an attempt to bring out and share this with the world. And Comic-Con gives us the perfect stage to introduce our story to a global audience. Vyjayanthi Movies produced the multi-lingual sci-fi film. Amyra Dastur has been acing her craft not just in Bollywood, but also in South cinema. And now, after making a name in these industries, the actress has branched out into the Punjab film industry. Yes, Amyra has three back-to-back films releasing there, thereby becoming the new favourite in the industry as well as the Punjabi Kudi to watch out for. This Punjab di pari charm of hers has a lot to do with her amazing performance in Netflix's 'Jogi' as she nailed her role opposite Diljit Dosanjh. Now these three films she stars in are allowing her to explore different ranges as an actor. Her first Punjabi film is releasing on the 18th of August and marks the debut of Shivjot as well. The concept is different not just for Pollywood but Indian cinema itself. It's a story of four girls who come together to kidnap a high-ranking politician and bring him to justice for brutally harassing college girls. Directed by Prem Singh Sidhu and produced by Kharour Films, this story is surely set to grab the audiences attention and give Amyra a memorable debut in the Punjabi Industry. Her next film is opposite Jassie Gill and is directed by Amar Hundal. It's called Furteela and is a slice-of-life college story that is bound to leave the audience laughing out loud. Parsi beauty's third project is helmed by Janjot Singh. The team just wrapped their first schedule in the UK and is a romantic comedy titled "Anyhow Mitti Pao". As Amyra is dabbling into this new industry, she has been quite smitten by it. In a way, she is becoming a favourite amongst producers and directors. Apart from her work she loves Punjabi food and is working very hard to grasp the language and dialect in order to play characters from rural backgrounds. Amyra is quite content and happy juggling her work between industries. And while she gets to prove her mettle across the country, her next release in Hindi is one of Amazon Prime's biggest shows, "Bambai Meri Jaan" which is inspired by the best selling novel 'Dongri to Dubai' written by Hussain Zaidi. Clearly, the Parsi beauty is on a role and there's no stopping her becoming a pan Indian star. An empty village in Ituri, January 8, 2021, the day after the clashes. The Government has called out a July 19 statement by DR Congo's armed forces (FARDC), which said the Rwanda Defence Force was preparing to attack. The communique issued on Wednesday, July 19 by FARDC spokesperson, Maj Gen Sylvain Ekenge, claims to be reacting to a 18 July statement by the Government of Rwanda which was neither issued nor exists. "This claim by the FARDC is merely a pretext aimed at escalating hostilities and justifying an attack on Rwandan soil, while they continue to support, arm and fight alongside the genocidal militia FDLR," the Office of the Government Spokesperson, said in a Thursday statement. "As reiterated earlier, Rwanda will maintain mechanisms in place to guard against violation of our airspace and borders, and will counter any spill-over from the conflict in Eastern DR Congo." Congolese warplanes have violated Rwanda's airspace at least three times since November 2022, in addition to rocket shelling incidents which injured civilians in northern Rwanda. The DR Congo-based FDLR, a terrorist group formed by remnants from groups blamed for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, has launched attacks on Rwandan territory. In the ongoing fight against the M23 rebel group, the FARDC has formed an alliance with multiple militias, including the FDLR. The Congolese government accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, allegations Kigali dismissed. Rwanda has called out the Congolese army for collaborating with the FDLR, which threatens Rwanda's security. Hostel Huduguru Bekaggidare Film Crew Vs Ramya: Today (July 21) Friday, the much awaited Kannada movie Hostel Huduguru Bekaggidare has been released. The first screening of the film has started today at 7 am at Viresh Cinemas in Bangalore. Hostel Huduguru Bekaggidare has created good hype since the announcement. But actress Ramya sent a legal notice against the film team when there was only two days are left for the release of the film. Ramya Demands One Crore Alleging that the film crew used her videos and photos without her permission, Ramya demanded a compensation of one crore. Ramya's move caused a setback for the film team. There was a suspicion if this case would create a big problem for the film's release. But yesterday the court orderd that there is no delay in the release of the film Hostel Boys Wanted and there is no need to cut Ramya's scenes. Thus, after winning against Ramya and getting the permission for the release, the entire team including the director and producer of the film Hostel Huduguru Bekaggidare, held a press conference. Speaking at this press conference, the director of the film, Nithin Krishnamurthy, shared his happiness that the film will be released as per the schedule. Appu Is Watching Everything Nithin said, "Whatever I do, I remember Appu sir first, I believe that he is watching all this. After getting the permission to release the film, we are going to screen the film that was censored by the censor board, no scene will be cut. I respect Ramya as a lady superstar, but I feel sad for this incident. This film has been done by thousands of artists for two and a half years. While others have considered this controversy as a gimmick to get publicity for the film, it is not a gimmick, Ramya also clarified that she had actually given the complaint. Also, Nitin said that the notice was sent by mail two days ago and later it was sent to the house by post." Urfi Javed Harassed: Internet sensation and Bigg Boss OTT Fame, Urfi Javed, recently revealed that she faced a distressing incident during her flight to Goa. The shocking incident took place on July 20 when Urfi was papped at the airport in a completely different avatar. Urfi Javed donned a fresh look as she followed the 'Barbiecore' fashion trend and died her hair pink. She was captured at the airport as she was on her way for a short vacay in Goa. She held a placard in support of the Manipur women who recently faced brutality. Urfi traveled economy for the first time, and unfortunately, her journey turned distressing as she encountered unruly behavior from some fellow passengers. Despite this, Urfi bravely faced the situation and continued with her travel plans. URFI JAVED SHARES SHE WAS HARASSED ON HER FLIGHT TO GOA Uorfi took to Instagram to share her ordeal. She revealed that she was eve-teased and harassed by a group of men. Along with a picture she wrote, "While travelling from Mumbai to Goa in one of the flights yesterday I had to go through harassment, the men in this video were saying nasty things, Eve teasing and calling names. When I confronted them one of them said that their friends were drunk. Being drunk is no excuse to misbehave with women. Public figure YES, Public property NO." Well, this is not the first time that Urfi had to endure such indecent behaviour, she has unfortunately encountered unworthy behavior directed towards her on multiple occasions in the past too, mostly due to her bold fashion choices. But this time, the situation seems to have escalated and crossed the limit of what she has faced before. Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 20, 2023) - BluMetric Environmental Inc. (TSXV: BLM) ("BluMetric" or "the Company"), a full-service environmental consulting and engineering cleantech firm, announced today that Lieutenant General (Ret) Jeffrey W. Talley has stepped down from the Board of Directors of the Company, effective immediately, to focus on his health and family. Dr. Talley has been a valued member of the Board since March 27, 2019, and served as the Company's Board Chair and a member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Ian Mor Macdonald, currently the Audit Committee Chair, will also assume the role of Board Chair. Mr. Macdonald is an experienced Chair having held the role at several publicly listed companies as well as various private companies. "We were very fortunate to have had Jeffrey's contributions over the last four years," stated Scott MacFabe, CEO of BluMetric. "His distinguished track record in the U.S. military, along with his complementary knowledge in environmental engineering and science, has assisted with restructuring the Board and executing our vision to be a leading full-service solutions provider in the watertech and environmental space. We wish him all the best as he prioritizes his health and family." BluMetric is pleased to extend a warm welcome to Dr. David L. Rudolph, Ph.D., P. Eng., as a member of its Board and Audit Committee, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval. "Dr. Rudolph is a recognized leader in applied water and environmental research and has been an educator of many top consultants in the Company," added Scott MacFabe. "I am thrilled to join BluMetric," said Dr. Rudolph. "The Company's success has been predicated on its ability to deliver world class water management solutions while striving to scale its agile and mission-ready water treatment products. I look forward to providing my unique insight in the complicated but vital space of water." Dr. Rudolph, a professor and former Chairman of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Waterloo, brings a wide breadth of expertise in hydrogeology, as well as groundwater protection and management. Dr. Rudolph has received prestigious accolades including the 2010 NGWA's M. King Hubbert Award, the 2013 NGWA Darcy Lecturer in Ground Water Science, and the 2020 IAH Robert N. Farvolden Award in Groundwater Science. He holds a Ph.D. in Science, specializing in hydrogeology, from the University of Waterloo, as well as a Master of Science in Earth Sciences from the same institution and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Manitoba. Pursuant to the Company's Board compensation policy, BluMetric has granted options of 90,000 common shares to its newly appointed board member Dr. Rudolph. These options are granted effective July 20, 2023, and will vest over three years and are exercisable into common shares of BluMetric at a price of $0.43 per share for a period of five years. About BluMetric Environmental Inc. BluMetric Environmental Inc. is a publicly traded environmental consulting and engineering company with expertise across professional and trade disciplines and technologies that allow for the design, fabrication and delivery of sustainable solutions to environmental and water challenges. BluMetric has more than 160 employees operating in ten offices and over 40 years of expertise. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, BluMetric's team of industry experts serves Commercial and Industrial, Military, Mining and Government clients in Canada and the United States. For more information, visit www.blumetric.ca or please contact: Scott MacFabe, CEO BluMetric Environmental Inc. Tel: 1-877-487-8436 Email: smacfabe@blumetric.ca Vivian Karaiskos, CFO BluMetric Environmental Inc. Tel: 1-877-487-8436 Email: vkaraiskos@blumetric.ca Brandon Chow, Principal & Founder Otis Investor Relations Inc. Tel: 1-647-598-8815 Email: brandon@otisir.com Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements in this press release, including those relating to the Company's quarterly and annual results, future products, opportunities and cost initiatives, strategies, and other statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company. These statements are not historical facts but instead represent only the Company's expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events. By their nature, forward-looking statements require us to make assumptions and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. We caution readers of this news release not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as a number of factors could cause actual results or conditions to differ materially from current expectations. Please refer to the risks set forth in the Company's most recent annual MD&A and the Company's continuous disclosure documents that can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company does not intend, and disclaims any obligation, except as required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 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/174321 Sydney, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2023) - Generative design platform Archistar is pleased to announce it has won the Most Innovative Proptech of the Year award (in the Design, Build & Develop category) from Proptech Association Australia for the second year running. The award, which was judged by a panel of 50 experts, is the only nationally recognised award for Australia's booming property technology sector, with the association representing over 600 businesses. Archistar is a wholistic tool that aids the entire property planning and development process. The platform gives users extensive information about a potential site, using AI to ensure adherence to local regulations and standards. The platform has CAD and 3D modelling functionality, allowing designers to generate hundreds of designs to immediately analyse options across floorplates, dwelling mix, sunlight, shadowing and other design elements. It also has budgeting tools to assess whether a development is commercially viable, eliminating weeks from the traditional due diligence process undertaken by property professionals. The accolade continues Archistar's impressive streak of awards, including the National Proptech of the Year 2022 in the PEXA PropTech Hub WA Awards, and the 3-D Modelling Solution of the Year 2022 in the Proptech Breakthrough Awards. The company also ranked 80th in the Financial Times' Top 500 High-Growth Companies Asia Pacific in 2023, with the founder and Chief Executive Officer Dr Benjamin Coorey ranking 29th in the 2023 Business News Australia's Top 100 Young Entrepreneurs. Archistar Chief Executive Dr Benjamin Coorey said: "We are honoured to have received the Most Innovative Proptech award for the second year in a row, and this reflects the dedication and commitment of our entire team. The award is a testament to the value that the platform delivers, both in Australia and globally, and we look forward to continuing to drive change in the sector." The award follows the recent announcement of Archistar's partnership with the City of Vancouver, which will see the delivery of an app for Vancouver citizens as a compliance and education tool. Locally, Archistar is working with a range of councils in NSW and Victoria to deliver efficiencies to the design application process. Archistar Chairman and Former Managing Director Murdoch Media Prabhat Sethi said: "We are proud to be recognised for our work, where we are innovating across the largest asset class in Australia. We remain committed to transforming the sector and making housing approvals faster, easier and more affordable locally, as well as globally through our U.S. expansion and partnership with the City of Vancouver." ENDS About Archistar: Founded by Dr. Benjamin Coorey, a global expert in 3D generative design, Archistar is the world's leading digital platform for the Property Industry. The platform combines architectural design with artificial intelligence to inform decision-making in property and is used by agents, developers, architects, government planners and homeowners nationwide. Since launching in 2018, Archistar has grown rapidly, listed by the AFR as the 20th fastest growing company in Australia. Ends Media Contact: Max Hewett, mhewett@gracosway.com, +61 432 332 215 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174344 Achieved 20% carbon neutrality within one year after the declaration and increased shareholder-friendly policies such as the 10% dividend payout ratio Increased investment in R&D by 33% from the previous year to strengthen the competitiveness of future business SEOUL, South Korea, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Innotek (CEO Jeong Cheol-dong) announced on the 21st that it had published the '2022-2023 Sustainability Report' that covers the performance of ESG (EnvironmentalSocialGovernance) management. LG Innotek achieved meaningful results previous year by performing substantial ESG management activities to enhance corporate value. In the environmental field, LG Innotek joined 'RE100' and decided to use renewable electricity in all workplaces by 2030. At the same time, LG Innotek declared that it would achieve 100% Carbon Neutrality by 2040. LG Innotek also joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to systematically carry out carbon neutrality activities. LG Innotek has already achieved the goal quickly by recording the renewable electricity conversion rate of 22% (RE22) and carbon neutrality rate of 20%. In 2022, LG Innotek received the 'Minister Prize from the Ministry of Environment' as the leading company in resource circulation in recognition of its efforts for resource circulation, such as the development of a waste management system, reusing process subsidiary materials, and reducing the use of plastic packaging materials. Besides, Gumi, Pyeongtaek, and Gwangju plant of LG Innotek have obtained the 'ZWTL (Zero Waste to Landfill)' certification from UL(Underwriters Laboratories) Solutions, a global safety certification body. In particular, the Pyeongtaek plant acquired the highest grade 'Platinum' last year by achieving 100% resource circulation following the Gumi plant. In the social field, there is noteworthy in this Sustainability Report that employees participated a lot of social contribution activities. Since the company's online social contribution portal had launched in 2022, more than 3,000 employees have actively participated in various forms of social contribution activities, such as online donation funding and non-face-to-face volunteering. LG Innotek was selected as the most excellent company for 6 consecutive years in the Win-Win Growth Index operated by Korea Commission for Corporate partnership. Furthermore, LG Innotek received Grand Prize from the Great Place to Work in Korea Award in recognition of its excellent corporate culture. In the field of governance , LG Innotek has focused on creating a transparent and sound business environment. As a result, LG Innotek received ISO 37301 (Compliance Management System) certification, Excellent Anti-corruption Company at the Business Integrity Society Summit (BIS) hosted by United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Korea, and ISO 22301 (Business Continuity Management System) certification last year. LG Innotek has also strengthened shareholder-friendly policies. In 2022, LG Innotek paid a total of KRW 98.2 billion as a dividend per share, which is a significant increase from the previous year (KRW 71 billion). As a result, LG Innotek successfully implemented its dividend policy of maintaining a dividend payout ratio of 10% or more until 2024. In addition to ESG management, the Sustainability Report highlights LG Innotek's various efforts to secure the competitiveness of future business. LG Innotek invested KRW 752.8 billion in R&D last year to advance original technology and identify new value-added businesses in future growth areas. The amount had a 33% increase from 2021 (KRW 564.2 billion). During the same period, LG Innotek also expanded industry-university collaboration significantly by doubling the number of industry-university projects. "LG Innotek will continue ESG management faithfully as 'Global No.1 Material and Component Company' that provides differentiated customer value." said CEO Jeong Cheol-dong. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2159076/1_LG____2022_2023.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1681506/4174606/Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lg-innotek-published-the-2022-2023-sustainability-report-301882829.html BEIJING, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from China.org.cn: As the capital of five ruling dynasties, Beijing features an extensive collection of imperial temples. But there is a place that differs from the rest, as it is not a temple to revere ancestors or gods, but to commemorate a great thinker and teacher. Today, we will embark on a journey to explore the Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum, where the ancient ruins vividly narrate the stories of this city. Wu Ming: Confucius Temple was established during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) with a history of more than 700 years. During the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), repeated restoration and expansion works were carried out to reach the area it has today. The Confucius Temple has different types. For example, the Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong province, is the ancestral temple of Confucius. As for the Confucius Temple in Beijing, it is the site of veneration for the central government and emperors in particular for Confucianism. This makes the Confucius Temple in Beijing the most prominent among all the temples dedicated to Confucius in the country. Nonetheless, all of these temples share a common purpose, which is to pay homage to the revered figure of Confucius. In ancient China, the ceremonies honoring Confucian philosophers were categorized into different levels. Similarly, the ranks of reverence within the Confucius Temple varied across different dynasties. The highest and most solemn form of reverence was known as the "grand reverence." Hossam Al-Maghrabi: Do you think that the Chinese still hold great respect for Confucius today? Wu Ming: Absolutely. What we see now is a statue of Confucius. We generally call Confucius the great thinker, teacher and philosopher for us. His teachings revolve around important concepts such as virtue ("de"), benevolence ("ren"), harmony ("he"), and others, which form the core principles of Confucianism. The idea of "loving others as yourself" emphasizes the importance of peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationships among people. The value of harmony is deeply cherished, and these Confucian ideals have not only influenced Chinese society but also the broader East Asian region and even global culture. Confucius can be considered a philosopher of global significance. From the Heart of China http://arabic.china.org.cn/node_8011982.html Beijing's cultural treasures - Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum http://arabic.china.org.cn/txt/2023-07/17/content_92702250.htm Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4efcomt7eG8 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/beijings-cultural-treasures---confucius-temple-and-imperial-college-museum-301882762.html The online pharmacy Redcare Pharmacy (formerly Shop Apotheke Europe) reports strong growth in the first half of the year. In the coming quarters, the breakthrough in e-prescribing in Germany could provide even more momentum. The share clears an important hurdle. Redcare Pharmacy: Growth accelerates Online pharmacy Redcare Pharmacy (103.50 | NL0012044747) has gained decent momentum in 2023. The company, once known as Shop Apotheke Europe, announced on the basis of preliminary figures that sales in the second quarter rose 46.5 percent to 421 million. Sales of non-prescription (non-Rx) products increased 27.2 percent to 324 million. This represents an acceleration in growth compared to Q1 2023. Redcare will present its final H1 figures on August 1. In addition, the Cologne-based company was able to celebrate a special record. For the first time, the number of customers rose above this round mark with 10.1 million. Share price over 100 again! With ... Den vollstandigen Artikel lesen ... Community Media Company to Use New Byline Platform for Expert-Written Article Exchanges CHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / Wick Communications, a community media company with newspapers, websites, magazines, and specialty publications in 13 states, has tapped Contributed Content Connection (CCC) to link its editorial staff with expert sources. Contributed Content Connection is the public exchange for full-length written byline articles. Contributed Content Connection Contributed Content Connection Logo After a successful first link for Wick Communication's Green Valley News in Arizona, the media company expanded its relationship with Contributed Content Connection to assist all its publications. Before CCC's launch in February 2023, expert sources and media outlets had no shared network or exchange of contributed content opportunities. The only interactions were one-off instances or application-based memberships at single publications. Contributed Content Connection enables expert sources and media outlets to submit and review mutual opportunities between each other. "I saw firsthand Contributed Content Connection is a simple, easy-to-use platform. My initial submission request was targeted specifically to healthy eating in Tucson, which resulted in multiple pitches from experts wanting to write the piece," said Dan Shearer, Wick Communications' Editorial Director. "This is a good way to supplement and support local newspapers and magazines, like ours, or those nationally." For expert sources, published contributed content provides increased public attention, thought leadership, media exposure and SEO. For media outlets, contributed content supplements story breadth and depth, and it helps publications better prepare for deadlines by improving predictability of article quantities. "It's exciting to team up with Wick Communications across the board, helping further expand the media outlet side of our equation. We've built a large base of expert sources who seek the chance to illustrate their expertise," said Matt Siegler, Contributed Content Connection's Chief Innovation Officer. "This partnership helps fulfill needs for insightful articles, benefiting both the publications and experts alike." To learn more about Contributed Content Connection, visit https://contributedcontentconnection.com. To learn more about Wick Communications, visit https://wickcommunications.com/. About Contributed Content Connection: Contributed Content Connection (CCC) is a central hub for byline news article opportunities. CCC offers media outlets the ability to publicize requests for specific article submissions to qualified expert sources. Willing experts search and submit pitches to write the content in response. Contributed Content Connection was invented by PR and media relations professionals who were seeing a shifting trend toward more contributed content. To learn more, visit https://contributedcontentconnection.com. About Wick Communications: Wick Communications is a family-owned community media company with newspapers, websites, magazines, and specialty publications in 13 states. The home office is in Sierra Vista, Arizona, and Wick publishes newspapers in Arizona, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington. To learn more, visit https://wickcommunications.com/. Contact Information Matthew Siegler President matt@highrespublicrelations.com 847.242.1087 SOURCE: Contributed Content Connection View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769513/Contributed-Content-Connection-to-Service-Wick-Communications-Across-Its-Publications Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2023) - Kuya Silver Corporation (CSE: KUYA) (OTCQB: KUYAF) (FSE: 6MR1) (the "Company" or "Kuya Silver") announces it has completed a non-brokered flow-through private placement announced June 29, 2023, for gross proceeds of CAD$1,284,896 (the "Offering"). Under the Offering, the Company issued flow-through units (each, a "FT Unit") at a price of CAD$0.44 per FT Unit. Each FT Unit comprised of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company that qualifies as a "flow-through share" for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (each, a "FT Common Share") and one-half of one (1/2) non-transferable common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one (1) non-flow-through common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share") at price of CAD$0.60 per Common Share until January 20, 2025. The proceeds from the Offering will be used for expenditures that qualify as Canadian Exploration Expenses, within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada), to carry out exploration programs on the Company's Canadian properties. In connection with the Offering, the Company paid CAD$69,173.78 in finder's fees, equal to 6% of the gross proceeds from the Offering and issued 157,213 finder warrants, equal to 6% of the total number of FT Units sold by eligible finders under the Offering (each a "Finder Warrant"), each Finder Warrant entitling the holder to purchase one (1) Common Share at a price of CAD$0.44 until January 20, 2025. All securities issued under the Offering, including securities issuable on exercise thereof, are subject to a hold period expiring November 21, 2023, in accordance with the rules and policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange and applicable Canadian securities laws. About Kuya Silver Corporation Kuya Silver is a Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company with a focus on acquiring, exploring, and advancing precious metals assets in Peru and Canada. For more information, please contact: David Stein, President and Chief Executive Officer Telephone: (604) 398-4493 info@kuyasilver.com www.kuyasilver.com Reader Advisory This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information," including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may," "would," "could," "will," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "must," "next," "propose," and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking information. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing statements, the proposed use of the proceeds of the Offering is forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that statements including forward-looking information are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including but not limited to fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market, and business conditions. There can be no assurances that such forward-looking information will prove accurate, and therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of the risks and uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174340 Provides Update on Palos Verdes Assays Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2023) - Prismo Metals Inc. (CSE: PRIZ) (OTCQB: PMOMF) ("Prismo" or the "Company") is pleased to report that the trenching program at Los Pavitos has been completed. A total of 347 samples from trenches have been submitted to the lab for assay, with results received for 303 samples to date. The trenching was generally focussed on areas with little outcrop along strike from areas with quartz veining and high-grade surface assays. In general, the best trench results are located in the Santa Cruz and Las Auras areas, as expected based on surface sampling results. The 5,289 hectare (20 square miles) Los Pavitos project is located in the well mineralized Alamos region of southern Sonora State, Mexico Results show wide zones of mineralization, with the best being 4 meters with 10.3 g/t Au and 104 g/t Ag within a 19-meter-long mineralized interval at Las Auras and 7.8 meters with 2.31 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag at Santa Cruz, along with several intervals of lower grade mineralization (Table 1). Dr. Craig Gibson, President and CEO, commented: "Trench sampling at Los Pavitos has shown that in some areas the narrow high grade quartz veins defined in surface sampling are hosted by wider mineralized structures. Wider zones of gold mineralization near the surface could be important for future development of the property. We are looking forward to exploring these mineralized zones by drilling, planned to commence shortly." Table 1. Highlight assays from Los Pavitos trenches Trench Location Length (m) Au_g/t Ag g/t ZA1 Auras 6.4 0.1 - ZA2 Auras 19.0 2.2 22.9 includes 4.0 10.3 104.3 ZSC4 Santa Cruz 18.5 0.2 - ZSC3-1 Santa Cruz 2.1 1.7 - ZSC9 Santa Cruz 8.0 0.5 - ZSC10 Santa Cruz 7.8 2.3 13.0 ZSC12 Santa Cruz 2.5 0.9 69.6 New Data ZSC1 Santa Cruz 2.00 0.95 - 2.30 0.50 - ZSC7 Santa Cruz 17.70 0.13 - includes 8.80 0.16 - and 2.90 0.25 35.2 ZSC13 Santa Cruz 2.00 0.22 - ZE3 Espanola 1.40 0.74 - The trenching program across the main mineralized trends on the Los Pavitos property is now complete. The cumulative length of trench samples is 698 meters in 25 trenches (Table 2). The best assays for individual samples are 20.4 g/t Au and 207 g/t Ag over 2 meters at Las Auras and 16.7 g/t Au and 48,2 g/t Ag over 1 meter at Santa Cruz. The main objective of the trenching program is to define the orientation and full width of the mineralized structures prior to starting the drill campaign, expected shortly. Table 2. Sampled trenches at Los Pavitos Coord start WGS84 Coord end WGS84 Trench Location Length Azim Easting Northing Easting Northing ZA1 Las Auras 31.50 348 674,686 3,003,774 674,681 3,003,803 ZA2 Las Auras 44.50 335 674,770 3,003,795 674,752 3,003,833 ZSC1 Santa Cruz 67.85 320 676,997 3,001,638 676,954 3,001,688 ZSC2 Santa Cruz 40.30 153 676,766 3,001,823 676,802 3,001,805 ZSC3-1 Santa Cruz 28.70 322 676,754 3,001,728 676,739 3,001,749 ZSC3-2 Santa Cruz 13.00 313 676,731 3,001,754 676,723 3,001,762 ZSC4 Santa Cruz 35.20 325 676,721 3,001,708 676,703 3,001,734 ZSC5 Santa Cruz 43.30 322 676,487 3,001,431 676,515 3,001,400 ZSC6 Santa Cruz 40.00 308 676,092 3,001,434 676,122 3,001,410 ZSC7 Santa Cruz 28.50 320 676,950 3,001,695 676,932 3,001,714 ZSC8 Santa Cruz 18.20 155 677,323 3,002,231 677,331 3,002,216 ZSC9 Santa Cruz 38.20 231 676,790 3,001,997 676,828 3,001,994 ZSC10 Santa Cruz 21.20 273 676,813 3,001,939 674,794 3,001,942 ZSC11 Santa Cruz 24.20 335 676,844 3,001,869 676,835 3,001,888 ZSC12 Santa Cruz 14.30 328 676,914 3,001,680 676,908 3,001,690 ZSC13 Santa Cruz 16.90 320 676,589 3,001,359 676,579 3,001,369 ZSC14 Santa Cruz 10.20 295 676,873 3,001,652 676,866 3,001,656 ZE1-1 Espanola 22.15 306 675,334 3,002,793 675,318 3,002,806 ZE1-2 Espanola 7.40 298 675,314 3,002,806 675,309 3,002,809 ZE2 Espanola 31.20 335 675,375 3,002,842 675,388 3,002,815 ZE3 Espanola 28.70 242 675,387 3,002,811 675,363 3,002,798 Figure 1. Trench locations at Los Pavitos. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7434/174346_82bdda45e4847b8d_0004full.jpg Palos Verdes Assays Update The Company is in the process of completing a 2,500-meter drill program on the Palos Verdes project. The drill program is designed to test the areas of the Palos Verdes vein system in areas where there previously was no drill access, mainly along the northeastern extension of the vein system and certain areas in the southwestern portion where previous drilling occurred. Eight holes have been completed for a total of about 1,500 meters of HQ core drilled for the current program. Assay data from the first seven holes have been received from the lab and evaluation is in progress. The Company now expects to announce those results next week. Photo of core from hole PV-23-25 showing multistage vein mineralization with locally abundant sulfide minerals from about 150,3m to 154.2 meters. This hole was drilled in the center of the vein system under the previous drilling and near hole PV-11 that was drilled at a steeper angle from closer to the vein outcrop. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7434/174346_82bdda45e4847b8d_0005full.jpg QA/QC Rock samples taken by Prismo were analyzed by multielement ICP-AES and MS methods by ALS Group, an internationally recognized analytical service provider. Gold is analyzed as part of the ICP package using a 25-gram aqua regia digestion. Ag, Pb and Zn over 1% and Au values over 1 g/t are re-analyzed by the by an overrange ICP method. Certified Reference Materials including standard pulps and coarse blank material were inserted in the sample stream at regular intervals. Dr. Craig Gibson, PhD., CPG., a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-01 regulations and President, CEO and a director of the Company, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release. About Prismo Prismo (CSE: PRIZ) is mining exploration company focused on two precious metal projects in Mexico (Palos Verdes and Los Pavitos) and a copper project in Arizona (Hot Breccia). Please follow @PrismoMetals on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Prismo Metals Inc. 1100 - 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6 Contact: Craig Gibson, President & Chief Executive Officer craig.gibson@prismometals.com Jason Frame, Manager of Communications jason.frame@prismometals.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, required permitting, exploration programs and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including CSE acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174346 Kericho National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah has urged Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria to speak to the former President Uhuru Kenyatta who is his friend in order for peace to reign in the country. Speaking in Kericho where he had accompanied President William Ruto to launch a Sh1.2 billion dam project on Wednesday, Ichung'wah claimed that former President Uhuru Kenyatta is the one funding the Azimio protests. "I respect our church leaders including my friend Archbishop Anthony Muheria," Ichung'wah said "I want to ask you Muheria, because Uhuru is your friend, If you want peace to prevail in our country speak to your brother, your friend and parishioner Uhuru Kenyatta." Ichung'wah alleged that the protests were being used as a tool by the opposition to get a share of the government. In a meeting on Wednesday, Catholic Bishops urged President William Ruto to revoke the Finance Act of 2023 to reduce the escalating unrest in the nation brought on by the Azimio-backed demonstrations. Additionally, they pleaded both Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga to engage in conversation and abstain from taking any further action that might intensify the tense situation. "The social economic distress is real, we do realise that part of the disappointment and disillusionment of Kenyans that is leading to the agitation and anger is the severe economic distress," Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria said. "The high cost of living has caused a burden on individuals and families, making it difficult for them to meet their basic needs and maintain a decent living." Merger anticipated to close on or about August 1, 2023 HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / Camber Energy, Inc. (NYSE American:CEI) (" Camber ") and Viking Energy Group, Inc. (OTCQB:VKIN) (" Viking ") today announced that the shareholders of each of Camber and Viking approved by the requisite voting thresholds at special meetings held separately by each company on July 20, 2023, the various proposals relating to the adoption and approval of the Agreement and Plan of Merger between Camber and Viking dated February 15, 2021, as amended on April 18, 2023 (collectively, the " Merger Agreement ") and the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including a wholly owned subsidiary of Camber merging with and into Viking (the " Merger "), with Viking surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Camber and Camber remaining the sole publicly-traded entity. Closing Date Camber and Viking anticipate that the Merger will be completed on or about August 1, 2023, subject to the satisfaction of required closing conditions. Benefits of Merger If remaining closing conditions are satisfied, upon closing of the Merger, Camber will acquire full legal and accounting control of Viking, permitting Camber to, among other things, report underlying subsidiary revenues at the Camber level, and Camber would benefit directly and fully from Viking's business activities, including as it relates to Viking's interests in the following: Custom Energy & Power Solutions Business; Exclusive License to a Patented Clean Energy & Carbon-Capture system; Intellectual property rights to a fully developed, patented ready-for-market proprietary Medical & Bio-Hazard Waste Treatment system using Ozone Technology; and Patent-pending ready-for-market proprietary Open Conductor Detection systems. Voting Results The formal results of the vote at Camber's special meeting will be included in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by Camber with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the formal results of the vote at Viking's special meeting will be included in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by Viking with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About Camber: Camber Energy, Inc. is a growth-oriented diversified energy company. Through its majority-owned subsidiary, Camber provides custom energy & power solutions to commercial and industrial clients in North America and owns interests in oil and natural gas assets in the United States. The company's majority-owned subsidiary also holds an exclusive license in Canada to a patented carbon-capture system, and has a majority interest in: (i) an entity with intellectual property rights to a fully developed, patented, ready-for-market proprietary Medical & Bio-Hazard Waste Treatment system using Ozone Technology; and (ii) entities with the intellectual property rights to fully developed, patent pending, ready-for-market proprietary Electric Transmission and Distribution Open Conductor Detection Systems. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.camber.energy. About Viking: Based in Houston, Texas, Viking Energy Group, Inc. is a growth-oriented diversified energy company. Through various majority-owned subsidiaries, Viking provides custom energy & power solutions to commercial and industrial clients in North America. The company also holds an exclusive license in Canada to a patented carbon-capture system, and has a majority interest in: (i) an entity with intellectual property rights to a fully developed, patented, ready-for-market proprietary Medical & Bio-Hazard Waste Treatment system using Ozone Technology; and (ii) entities with the intellectual property rights to fully developed, patent pending, ready-for-market proprietary Electric Transmission and Distribution Open Conductor Detection Systems. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.vikingenergygroup.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this communication are forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Any statements that are not historical facts contained herein are "forward-looking statements", which involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "strategy," "expects," "continues," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "would," "will,""may," "should," "estimates," "intends," "projects," "goals," "targets" and other words of similar meaning are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements. Important factors that may cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the parties failing to complete the Merger on the terms disclosed, if at all, the right of one or both of Viking or Camber to terminate the Merger Agreement and the result of such termination; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Viking, Camber or their respective directors; the ability to obtain regulatory approvals and other consents, and meet other closing conditions to the Merger on a timely basis or at all, including the risk that regulatory approvals or other consents required for the Merger are not obtained on a timely basis or at all, or which are obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated or that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the transaction; required closing conditions which may not be able to be met and/or consents which may not be able to be obtained; difficulties and delays in integrating Viking's and Camber's businesses; prevailing economic, market, regulatory or business conditions, or changes in such conditions, negatively affecting the parties, including, but not limited to, as a result of the recent volatility in oil and gas prices and the status of the economy (both US and global) due to the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken to slow the spread of COVID-19; risks that the transaction disrupts Viking's or Camber's current plans and operations; failing to fully realize anticipated cost savings and other anticipated benefits of the Merger when expected or at all; potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the Merger; debt of Viking and Camber and the dates such debts come due; the ability of Viking or Camber to retain and hire key personnel; the diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations; uncertainty as to the long-term value of the common stock of the combined company following the Merger; the continued availability of capital and financing, prior to, and following, the Merger; the business, economic and political conditions in the markets in which Viking and Camber operate; and the fact that Viking's and Camber's reported earnings and financial position may be adversely affected by tax and other factors. Other important factors that may cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements included in this communication are described in Viking's and Camber's publicly filed reports, including Viking's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and Viking's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2023; and Camber's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and Camber's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the period ended March 31, 2023. Viking and Camber caution that the foregoing list of important factors is not complete, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and they do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that either party may make, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Viking, Camber or any person acting on behalf of either party are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements referenced above. Additional Information and Where to Find It This document relates to the previously announced Merger Agreement but does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the Merger and is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the Merger. In connection with the proposed transaction, Camber has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, as amended (the " Registration Statement "), to register the shares of Camber's common stock to be issued in connection with the Merger. The Registration Statement, which was declared effective by the SEC on June 13, 2023, includes a definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus that was sent to the respective stockholders of Viking and Camber seeking their approval of their respective transaction-related proposals. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 AND THE RELATED JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED MERGER BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT VIKING, CAMBER AND THE PROPOSED MERGER. Investors and security holders may obtain copies of these documents free of charge through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or from Viking at its website, www.vikingenergygroup.com, or from Camber at its website, www.camber.energy. Documents filed with the SEC by Viking are available free of charge by accessing Viking's website at www.vikingenergygroup.com under the heading "Investors," or, alternatively, by directing a request by telephone or mail to Viking Energy Group, Inc. at 15915 Katy Freeway, Suite 450, Houston, Texas, 77094, (281) 404-4387, and documents filed with the SEC by Camber are available free of charge by accessing Camber's website at www.camber.energy under the heading "Investors," or, alternatively, by directing a request by telephone or mail to Camber Energy, Inc. at 15915 Katy Freeway, Suite 450, Houston, Texas, 77094, (281) 404-4387. Participants in the Solicitation Viking, Camber and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the respective stockholders of Viking and Camber in respect of the proposed Merger and the approvals of Viking's and Camber's respective stockholders under the rules of the SEC. Information about Viking's directors and executive officers is available in Viking's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Information about Camber's directors and executive officers is available in Camber's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, are contained in the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC regarding the Merger. Investors should read the joint proxy statement/prospectus carefully before making any investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from Viking or Camber using the sources indicated above. No Offer or Solicitation This communication is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction in connection with the proposed merger, the approvals of Viking's and Camber's respective stockholders or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. In particular, this communication is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements. Contact Information Investors and Media: Tel. 281.404.4387 SOURCE: Camber Energy, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769451/Camber-Energy-and-Viking-Energy-Announce-Shareholder-Approval-of-Merger VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / Klondike Gold Corp. (TSX.V:KG)(FRA:LBDP)(OTCQB:KDKGF) ("Klondike Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce field results from ongoing 2023 work as well as gold assay results from twenty-four (24) diamond drill holes from the Company's 2022 exploration program at the Stander Deposit located on the Company's Klondike District Property (the "Property") in the Dawson mining district, Yukon, Canada. Peter Tallman, Klondike Gold's President & CEO, states "The Company's team has made three recent discoveries of gold in outcrop following implementation of several new science-based upgrades to our exploration models. It is very exciting and energizing to screen drill targets with prospecting and mapping and find visible gold in outcrop in each of them, distributed over the 50km strike length of the Property. We are all looking forward to getting the drill program underway." HIGHLIGHTS OF 2023 FIELD WORK INCLUDE: Discovery of abundant visible gold (>20 individual grains) in outcropping 10-cm quartz vein within carbonate alteration halo within the Gold Run target area.* Discovery of numerous potentially gold-mineralized outcropping quartz veins with coarse pyrite, locally with galena, (silver?) telluride, and native sulphur within the Dominion target area.* Discovery of visible gold (5 grains) in subcrop 50-cm quartz vein 150 meters beyond the drilled mineral resource estimate area at Stander Zone Deposit.* Discovery of 'bonanza gold' vein portion within a new exposure where gold occurs as 1-3mm wide plates, dendritic crystals into voids, and small 2mm 'nuggets' within fracture seams in outcropping Gay Gulch quartz vein, near where previous reported sample assayed 4,064 g/t Au (143 oz/t Au) (News Release dated February 21, 2023).* Detection for the first time of sub-visible alteration halos adjacent gold bearing veins using 'Short Wave Infrared' (SWIR) (at Lone Star and Stander Zones) with applicability for positive exploration throughout the Klondike District Property. Detection of laterally extensive carbonate-pyrite alteration halos linked directly to gold bearing veins within mafic rocks (at Gold Run target) also with applicability throughout the Klondike District Property. Mapping of low-angle (~30 degree) flexures along major faults through the Klondike District Property coincident with gold mineralized target areas (Stander, Lone Star, Dominion, and Gold Run), and other untested target areas with extensive Au-soil and/or Au-rock anomalies. The Company hosted orogenic gold experts Dr. Richard Goldfarb (China University of Geosciences) and Dr. Ben Frieman (Colorado School of Mines) for four days reviewing the geology, mineralization, and tectonic setting of the Property. The Company's work within the Klondike District has demonstrated features consistent with other globally recognized orogenic gold districts with high prospectivity. Drilling is anticipated to begin August 1, 2023 testing the Gold Run target initially. Note: (*All rock sample assays are pending. Visible gold is common in the Klondike District and no correlation to gold grade should be made without quantitative assay). STANDER ZONE DRILLING RESULTS In 2022 the Company completed twenty-four (24) diamond drill holes (EC22-447 to EC22-464; EC22-480 to EC22-485) at the Stander Zone. The Initial Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") at the Stander Deposits does not include holes reported here. (See News Release November 10, 2022). The "NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Klondike District Gold Project, Yukon Territory, Canada", with an effective date of Nov 10, 2022 is dated and filed on SEDAR on December 16, 2023). Assay highlight results from twenty-four (24) Stander Zone drill holes: 24.85 meters ("m") of 0.42 g/t Au from 17.8 m in EC22-453 6.00 meters ("m") of 2.20 g/t Au from 7.0 m in EC22-455 20.0 meters ("m") of 1.02 g/t Au from 48.0 m in EC22-459 49.06 meters ("m") of 1.21 g/t Au from 7.97 m in EC22-481 15.15 meters ("m") of 1.27 g/t Au from 7.60 m in EC22-482 Visible gold noted in EC22-448 (1 grain), EC22-459 (1 grain), EC22-460 (1 grain), EC22-481 (3 grains), and EC22-482 (2 grains). (See Photos 1a and 1b below). Photo: 1a) Stander Zone: EC22-459; 61.84m to 62.34m interval assays 12.5 g/t Au over 0.5m Photo: 1b) Stander Zone: EC22-460; 50.35m to 50.85m interval assays 0.2 g/t Au over 0.5m In 2023 the Company interpreted a fault system that transects both Stander Deposit Pit Constrained MRE areas. Fault splay intersections coincide with structural flexures and these areas are spatially associated with higher gold grades within the MRE. Field work results in 2023 on the basis of this interpretation so far have yielded positive initial results in several areas of the Property. The Stander Zone gold deposits are contained within schists and felsic rocks considered to be an island arc related assemblage of the Klondike Schist. Orogenic gold mineralization is associated with low angle sheeted gold bearing quartz veins. Drill holes EC22-447 to EC22-464 are drilled in the usual 220 azimuth orthogonal to the (primary) orientation of sheeted gold-bearing veins within the Stander Deposit southeast model Pit Shell. Drill holes EC22-480 to EC22-485 are drilled at 290 azimuth orthogonal to a potential secondary orientation of sheeted gold-bearing veins and fractures within the Stander Deposit northwest model Pit Shell. Significant gold assay intersections from these holes are shown in Table 1 below: Table 1: 2022 Exploration Program - Stander Zone- Significant Results HoleID From (m) To (m) Grade (g/t Au) Length (m) EC22-447 34.30 40.30 0.79 6.00 EC22-448 15.50 18.00 1.12 2.50 EC22-449 177.10 223.00 0.27 45.90 EC22-450 23.90 28.90 0.48 5.00 EC22-451 17.80 19.80 1.07 2.00 EC22-452 58.50 63.50 0.51 5.00 EC22-453 17.80 42.65 0.42 24.85 EC22-454 19.00 23.00 0.60 4.00 EC22-455 7.00 13.00 2.20 6.00 EC22-456 59.00 72.00 0.41 13.00 EC22-457 104.65 116.70 0.22 12.05 And 138.50 148.70 0.38 10.20 EC22-458 87.50 92.50 0.80 5.00 EC22-459 48.00 68.00 1.02 20.00 And 97.90 109.10 0.75 11.20 EC22-460 108.90 113.40 0.53 4.50 And 117.50 120.90 0.61 3.40 EC22-461 56.00 62.50 0.46 6.50 And 76.70 78.20 1.16 1.50 EC22-462 67.70 71.75 0.44 4.05 EC22-463 NSV EC22-464 72.40 84.17 0.47 11.77 EC22-480 28.40 33.30 0.47 3.90 EC22-481 7.97 27.43 0.95 19.46 And 47.85 57.03 4.52 9.18 EC22-482 7.60 22.75 1.27 15.15 EC22-483 41.90 45.70 0.27 3.80 EC22-484 NSV EC22-485 NSV [NSV: no significant values] Stander Zone drill hole locations indicating Klondike Gold completed drill holes with 2022 holes in this release labelled with hole identification. Extent of Stander mineralization is shown, with red denoting Pit Constrained mineral resources included in the Mineral Resource Estimate. Figure 1: Stander Zone 2022 Drill Hole Location Plan Map Figure 2: Stander Zone Plan Map with Interpreted Fault/Splays Table 2: Drill Collar Summary for 2022 exploration program at Stander Zone Hole ID UTM East UTM North Azimuth Dip Length (m) EC22-446 584278 7085665 210 55 62.48 EC22-447 585025 7085560 210 55 75.29 EC22-448 585510 7085200 210 55 150.88 EC22-449 585710 7085210 210 55 251.46 EC22-450 585380 7085280 210 55 150.88 EC22-451 585685 7085055 210 55 150.88 EC22-452 585724 7085026 210 55 210.31 EC22-453 585712 7084912 210 55 124.97 EC22-454 585671 7084850 210 55 60.96 EC22-455 585631 7084876 210 55 88.39 EC22-456 585830 7084795 210 55 100.58 EC22-457 585895 7084925 210 55 150.88 EC22-458 585930 7084890 210 55 101.5 EC22-459 585855 7084840 210 55 150.88 EC22-460 585553 7085175 210 55 150.88 EC22-461 585360 7085235 210 55 100.58 EC22-462 585275 7085395 210 55 100.58 EC22-463 585286 7085326 210 55 150.88 EC22-464 585225 7085315 210 55 124.97 EC22-465 584835 7085175 210 55 72.85 EC22-466 584873 7085142 210 55 65.58 EC22-478 583624 7086470 210 55 82.3 EC22-479 583624 7086470 270 55 50.29 EC22-480 585138 7085647 290 55 128.02 EC22-481 585068 7085673 290 55 149.35 EC22-482 585012 7085687 290 55 141.73 EC22-483 584966 7085712 290 55 99.06 EC22-484 584870 7085735 290 55 79.25 EC22-485 584923 7085760 290 55 100.58 2022 QUALITY ASSURANCE /QUALITY CONTROL PROTOCOLS All 2022 drill holes referenced in this release produced NTW (5.71 cm dia.) drill core. Assay samples from drill core are cut using a diamond saw. Half the core sample interval is bagged, tagged, and sealed; the other half is returned to the core box with a corresponding tag retained for reference. Two gold reference standards, two blank samples (a coarse and a fine), and a coarse sample duplicate per 100 samples, are routinely inserted as part of Klondike Gold's quality assurance / quality control ("QA/QC") program, independent of and additional to the laboratory QA/QC program. Sample bags are aggregated into rice bags, sealed, and submitted by Klondike Gold personnel to Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratories ("BV Labs") preparation facility in Whitehorse, Yukon, with chemical analysis of sample pulps completed in Vancouver, British Columbia. BV Labs is an accredited ISO 9001:2008 full-service commercial laboratory. At BV Labs each drill core sample is crushed to 80% passing 2 mm size. A 500 g subsample is pulverized to >85% passing -75 microns size (200 mesh; code PRP70-500). All samples of 500 g are sieved to 106 microns (140 mesh) for "metallic screen" assaying. The +140 mesh fraction is weighed and assayed for gold by fire assay ("FA") fusion with a gravimetric finish (code FS631). A 30 g subsample of the -140 mesh fraction is assayed for gold by fire assay ("FA") fusion with an atomic absorption ("AA") finish (code FA430). All over-limit results in excess of 10 ppm (10 g/t) for both silver and gold are re-assayed using a 30 g subsample and assayed by FA with a gravimetric finish (code FA530-Au/Ag). Total gold grade is then calculated using a weighted average of the plus and minus fraction assay results. BV Labs independently inserts QA/QC standards, blanks, and sample duplicates through each analytical process. UPCOMING EVENTS Klondike Gold will be participating in the following recent or upcoming events: Capital Event Management Ltd. (CEM) Conference - TSX Venture Growth Capital Event (Kelowna, BC) - July 21 to 23, 2023 QUALIFIED PERSON The technical and scientific information contained within this news release has been reviewed and approved by Peter Tallman, P.Geo., President and CEO of Klondike Gold and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 policy. Detailed technical information, specifications, analytical information and procedures can be found on the Company's website. ABOUT KLONDIKE GOLD CORP. Klondike Gold is a Vancouver based gold exploration company advancing its 100%-owned Klondike District Gold Project located at Dawson City, Yukon, one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world. The Klondike District Gold Project targets gold associated with district scale orogenic faults along the 55-kilometer length of the famous Klondike Goldfields placer district. Multi-kilometer gold mineralization has been identified at both the Lone Star Zone and Stander Zone, among other targets. The Company has identified a Mineral Resource Estimate of 469,000 Indicated and 112,000 Inferred gold ounces1, a milestone first for the Klondike District. The Company is focused on exploration and development of its 727 square kilometer property accessible by scheduled airline and government-maintained roads located on the outskirts of Dawson City, Yukon, within the Tr'ondek Hwech'in First Nation traditional territory. 1 The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Klondike District 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 Mineral Resource Estimate entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Klondike District Gold Project, Yukon Territory, Canada" has been filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com effective November 10, 2022. Refer to news release of December 16, 2022. ON BEHALF OF KLONDIKE GOLD CORP. "Peter Tallman" Peter Tallman, President and CEO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Telephone: (604) 609-6138 E-mail: info@klondikegoldcorp.com Website: www.klondikegoldcorp.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements". When used in this document, the words "anticipated", "expect", "estimated", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management, however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. Klondike Gold does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws. SOURCE: Klondike Gold Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769538/Klondike-Gold-Reports-2023-Field-Discoveries-2022-Stander-Zone-Drill-Results-Including-127-gt-Au-Over-1515-Meters-from-Surface Drill Testing Shallow Oxide Expansion and High-Grade Sulphide Feeder Structure Targets Announces Grant of Options and Shares for Debt Transaction Engages Mezzo Consulting Services S.A. as Market Maker Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2023) - KORE Mining Ltd. (TSXV: KORE) (OTCQB: KOREF) ("KORE" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the 2023 exploration plan for the Long Valley gold and silver project ("Project"). The plan includes drill testing the highest priority shallow oxide resource growth targets as well as the underlying high-grade sulphide feeder structure targets. HIGHLIGHTS: All permitting completed and reclamation cost has been pre-paid to the USFS to return site to natural state Approved plan of operation with USFS to drill up to 36 core holes from 12 drill pads Drill test highest priority shallow oxide resource expansion and untested underlying sulphide "feeder structures" targets - minimum 3,000 meter program for Phase 1 drilling Feeder structure drilling designed to drill below high grade historic drill holes that ended in mineralization (examples: LV96-260 2.65 g/t gold over 250 feet ending in 4.32 g/t gold and LV96- 248 2.63 g/t gold over 225 feet ending in 2.41 g/t gold) Potential to expand drilling to 15,000 meters, if warranted Further mapping and geochemical sampling on new structural targets KORE's Chairman and CEO James Hynes stated: "We are excited to execute on the 2023 exploration plans. We have been working closely with the USFS and have designed a targeted, low impact drill program. The untested feeder zone drill targets are our highest priority in addition to oxide resource expansion. The core drilling is expected to improve the geologic model and will also be assayed for silver for the first time at the project." The company is currently exploring strategic financing options to fund the planned activities at Long Valley. KORE's team has worked closely with the USFS to avoid cultural impacts and mitigate other potential Program impacts. The Program utilizes modern technology and existing road infrastructure to minimize disturbances. KORE will complete pre-disturbance cultural surveys, remove 100% of all drill cuttings, have zero water or waste discharge and intensively remediate all sites post-work. There will be no long-term impact from the Program and no permanent installations will be left behind. The USFS thus granted KORE a categorical exclusion from the National Environmental Protection Act for the Program's plan of operations. The Company has identified opportunities to expand the shallow oxide mineralization in all directions, further growth by making new discoveries along separate parallel structures and further yet on additional yet unrecognized mineralized structures on the district-scale claims. Additional mineralization could extend mine life, reduce capital intensity and generate higher project economic returns than the 1.2 million ounces of Indicated gold and 0.5 million ounces of Inferred gold from 64 million tonnes of 0.58 grams per tonne and 22 million tonnes of 0.65 grams per tonne, respectively, modelled in the preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") announced October 27, 2020 . Additionally, as a fully intact epithermal deposit with a large at surface footprint, Long Valley has the potential for high-grade sulphides and discrete vein zones in the underlying feeder structures. The discovery of high-grade, sulphide dominant gold ("Au")-silver ("Ag") mineralization in addition to near- surface oxide Au-Ag mineralization would open up additional development pathways for the Project, such as underground mining and milling of mineralization. Figure 1 shows a plan of controlling fault structures, drill target areas, drill hole location in permitting and locates cross sections. Figures 2 and 3 layout the highest priority drill targets in section. Drill holes are designed to test both near surface oxide expansion and deeper structures extending below the known resource with multiple holes planned from each pad. Additional details of the Long Valley exploration targets are in KORE news releases dated January 30, 2020 and March 24, 2020 . Grant of Options As part of the Company's long-term incentive plan, KORE has granted an aggregate of 400,000 stock options ("Stock Options") to Mezzo Consulting Services S.A. ("Mezzo"), a consultant of the Company (as set out below) pursuant to the Company's Stock Option Plan and 7,000,000 deferred share units ("DSUs") to directors in accordance with the Company's Omnibus Plan. The Stock Options are exercisable at $0.05 per share for a five year term, and vest immediately on the date of grant. The DSUs are redeemable into common shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.05 per share and vesting in equal one-third parts (i) on the date of grant, (ii) on the first anniversary of the date of grant, and (iii) on the second anniversary of the date of grant. All Stock Option and DSU grants remain subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Shares for Debt Transaction The Company intends to settle certain outstanding accounts payable in the aggregate amount of $140,000 (the "Debt") owing to an officer and director of the Company (the "Consultant") through the issuance of up to 2,800,000 common shares of the Company (the "Settlement Shares") at a deemed price of $0.05 per common share (the "Shares for Debt Transaction"). The Debt was accrued pursuant to a Consulting Agreement (the "Consulting Agreement") entered into on July 1, 2016 between Kore and a company controlled by the Consultant of the Company. The Consulting Agreement provides for a monthly fee payable to the Consultant (the "Service Fees") of $17,500, inclusive of GST. The Shares for Debt Transaction is a non-arm's length transaction that will not result in a new control person of the Company being created. The issuance of the Settlement Shares to the Consultant constitutes a "related party transaction" as such term is defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The issuance of Settlement Shares, as it relates to the Consultant, is exempt from the minority approval and formal valuation requirements of MI 61-101 pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involves the Consultant, exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). According to the policies of the Exchange, the issuance of shares for debt by an issuer to a non-arm's length party in settlement of debt owed and arising from services provided by such non-arm's length party in excess of $5,000 per month, requires disinterested shareholder approval. Kore shareholders, excluding the Consultant, will be asked to approve the issuance of Settlement Shares to the Consultant at the next meeting of shareholders. The receipt of such approval will constitute disinterested shareholder approval. The issuance of Settlement Shares to the Consultant pursuant to the Shares for Debt Transaction requires acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. All Settlement Shares will be subject to a four-month and one- day hold period. The Company is proposing to issue the Settlement Shares to preserve cash to fund future operations. Engagement of Mezzo as Market Maker The Company announces that, subject to regulatory approval, it has engaged the services of Mezzo Consulting Services S.A. ("Mezzo") pursuant to which Mezzo will act as a marketing consultant to the Company and provide the Company with various market-making services. Under the agreement, Mezzo will receive compensation of $60,000 for a term of six months. The Company has also granted to Mezzo 400,000 Stock Options. There are no performance factors contained in the agreement and Mezzo will not receive any other shares or options as compensation other than as set out above. The Company and Mezzo are unrelated and unaffiliated entities and at the time of the agreement, neither Mezzo nor its principals had an interest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of the Company. About Mezzo Mezzo Consulting is a South American based investor engaged in capital markets and investment advisory with a focus on mining stocks. About Long Valley Gold Deposit The Long Valley deposit is an intact low sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag deposit with a large 2.5 km by 2 km oxide footprint, hosted within a melange of fine to coarse volcanogenic sedimentary lithologies. Mineralization at Long Valley has developed due to a combination of deep-rooted fault structures and a resurgence of rhyolite within an active caldera. The Hilton Creek Fault structure transects and served as a fluid conduit for interaction with the underlying hydrothermal system, while the rhyolite resurgence caused brittle fracturing of sediments and created voids or traps for mineralization and gold deposition. The combination of these factors yields strongly altered kaolin and quartz-hematite zones that are the primary host for gold mineralization. The Hilton Creek Fault remains underexplored on-strike north and south and several parallel structures have been defined using geophysics, the eastern one hosting some of the current mineral resource and the western one being unexplored. Long Valley is therefore open to potential new oxide discoveries in all directions. More details on the deposit geology and exploration potential can be found in KORE's January 30, 2020 and March 24, 2020 news releases. About Long Valley Gold Project Long Valley is 100% owned epithermal gold and silver project located in Mono County, California. Figure 1 shows the claims and mineralized area. The large land package is district in scale and covers all deep- rooted fault structures of similar genesis to the Hilton Creek fault, the primary 'conduit' for the current Long Valley deposit. A total of 896 holes have been drilled on the Project, the majority being completed by reverse circulation with lesser core, rotary and air track. The current mineral resource estimate is 1,217,000 ounces of Indicated gold and 456,000 ounces of Inferred gold from 63.7 million tonnes of 0.58 grams per tonne and 22.0 million tonnes of 0.65 grams per tonne, respectively. The mineral resource consists of oxide, transition and sulphides. The estimate was prepared Neil Prenn, P.E. of Mine Development Associates with an effective date of September 15, 2020. A Preliminary Economic Assessment for a shallow, low-strip heap leach Au-Ag project was filed October 27, 2020 with the following highlights: US $273 million NPV5% post-tax with IRR of 48% at US$ 1,600 per ounce gold ; Significant leverage to gold: US$ 395 million NPV5% at spot US$ 1,900 per ounce gold; 102,000 ounces gold per year over 7 years mine life; Technically simple: shallow open pit, heap leach with nearby infrastructure; Unmodelled silver potential from metallurgical test-work; and Shallow oxide and sulphide feeder exploration potential to further enhance project. More information is available in the technical report filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on KORE's website at www.koremining.com. About KORE Mining KORE Mining is focused on responsibly creating value from its portfolio of gold assets in California, USA. The Company is advancing the Imperial project towards development while continuing to explore across both Imperial and Long Valley district-scale gold assets. Further information on Long Valley and KORE can be found on the Company's website at www.koremining.com or by contacting us as info@koremining.com or by telephone at (888) 407-5450. On behalf of KORE Mining Ltd "James Hynes" Chairman and CEO (888) 407-5450 Technical information with respect to the Long Valley Gold Project contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Terre Lane, MMSA, registered member SME, and is the qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 responsible for the technical matters of this news release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects", "intends", "indicates" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company are forward- looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: the actual timing and implementation of the 2023 exploration plan and strategy for the Long Valley Project, the actual timing of completion of the 2023 exploration plan for the Long Valley Project, the opportunities of expansion at the Long Valley Project, the results of the PEA, including future Project opportunities, the projected NPV, permit timelines, litigation risk, financing of the 2023 exploration plan, the current mineral resource estimate, and the ability to obtain the requisite permits, the market and future price of and demand for gold, and the ongoing ability to work cooperatively with stakeholders, including the all levels of government, the Shares for Debt Transaction including the receipt of disinterested shareholder approval, TSX Venture Exchange acceptance and the issuance of Settlement Shares. Such 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. Management believes that these assumptions are reasonable. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others: risks related to exploration and development activities at the Company's projects, and factors relating to whether or not mineralization extraction will be commercially viable; risks related to mining operations and the hazards and risks normally encountered in the exploration, development and production of minerals, such as unusual and unexpected geological formations, rock falls, seismic activity, flooding and other conditions involved in the extraction and removal of materials; uncertainties regarding regulatory matters, including obtaining permits and complying with laws and regulations governing exploration, development, production, taxes, labour standards, occupational health, waste disposal, toxic substances, land use, environmental protection, site safety and other matters, and the potential for existing laws and regulations to be amended or more stringently implemented by the relevant authorities; uncertainties regarding estimating mineral resources, which estimates may require revision (either up or down) based on actual production experience; risks relating to fluctuating metals prices and the ability to operate the Company's projects at a profit in the event of declining metals prices and the need to reassess feasibility of a particular project that estimated resources will be recovered or that they will be recovered at the rates estimated; risks related to title to the Company's properties, including the risk that the Company's title may be challenged or impugned by third parties; the ability of the Company to access necessary resources, including mining equipment and crews, on a timely basis and at reasonable cost; competition within the mining industry for the discovery and acquisition of properties from other mining companies, many of which have greater financial, technical and other resources than the Company, for, among other things, the acquisition of mineral claims, leases and other mineral interests as well as for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees and other personnel; access to suitable infrastructure, such as roads, energy and water supplies in the vicinity of the Company's properties; and risks related to the stage of the Company's development, including risks relating to limited financial resources, limited availability of additional financing and potential dilution to existing shareholders; reliance on its management and key personnel; inability to obtain adequate or any insurance; exposure to litigation or similar claims; currently unprofitable operations; risks regarding the ability of the Company and its management to manage growth; and potential conflicts of interest. In addition to the above summary, additional risks and uncertainties are described in the "Risks" section of the Company's management discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2022 prepared as of April 19, 2023 available under the Company's issuer profile on www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking 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. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resource will be converted into mineral reserve. It is uncertain if further exploration will allow improving the classification of the Indicated or Inferred mineral resource. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. FIGURE 1: RESOURCE AREA OXIDE EXPANSION TARGETS IN PLAN To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5130/174364_210323%20figure1_v5%20.jpg FIGURE 2: SECTION 250 OXIDE AND SULPHIDE TARGETS WITH IP GEOPHYSICS To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5130/174364_fig%202%20section_250_v5.jpg FIGURE 3: SECTION 900 OXIDE AND SULPHIDE TARGETS WITH IP GEOPHYSICS To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5130/174364_fig%203%20section_900_v5.jpg To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174364 Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2023) - Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc. (TSXV: LEXI) (the "Company" or "LEXI") announces the resignation of Arena Investors' LP nominee to the Company's board, Daniel Blanks as a director of the Company, and the appointment of Eamonn McInerney as the new Arena Investors LP nominee to the Company's board, effective immediately. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Blanks for his valuable contribution to the Company. Mr. McInerney bring a wealth of experience when it comes to supporting the growth of businesses across a wide spectrum of industries. He spent the last three and a half years at Arena Investors LP as the Head of European Asset Management and has helped finance the growth and development of numerous portfolio companies. Eamonn has extensive experience in hedge funds, private equity funds and commercial banking. About Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc. Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc. is an exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of lithium brine assets in Argentina. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with offices in Catamarca, Argentina, the Company's shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: LEXI), the Frankfurt Exchange (FSE: L09) and the U.S. OTC markets (OTC Pink: LXENF). LEXI's portfolio of prospective lithium brine concessions in the Argentina Province of Catamarca (heart of the lithium triangle) includes approximately 57,000 hectares and a 20% interest in Triangle Lithium Argentina, S.A., which owns an additional 15,000 hectares - all located in and around the Antofalla Salar, one of the largest basins in the region, which is over 130 km long and up to 20 km across and the Hombre Muerto Salar, Argentina's long-producing lithium basin. LEXI is committed to innovation, sustainability, and quality, striving to differentiate itself from other players in the industry to maximize its potential for success. For more information, please visit our website at lithiumenergi.com. For more information about Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc., please view the Company's filings at www.SEDAR.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Ali Rahman" ________________________ Ali Rahman, Chief Executive Officer and Director FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Ian Murphy Tel: (310) 689-6397 Email: press@lithiumenergi.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. /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES./ To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174369 On 21 July 2023, AB Kauno Grudai, owned by AB Linas Agro Group, completed the acquisition of the cooperative company Grybai LT by acquiring 100 percent of the company's stock and paying the sellers a total amount of EUR 12,948,612.14. In addition, AB Kauno Grudai refinanced loans granted to the cooperative company Grybai LT in the past by the bank and one of the sellers, UAB Baltic Champs, by granting new loans to the cooperative company Grybai LT in the total amount of EUR 4,121,813.15. Following the revision of the final financial statements used to calculate the price, the price for shares may be adjusted per the procedures set out in the share purchase agreement. The shares in Grybai LT were sold to Kauno Grudai by the cooperative companies AgroMilk, Juodmargelis, Sventosios Pievos, also UAB Baltic Champs and UAB AUGA Luganta, all of which together owned 100% stake of Grybai LT. Two of the latter sellers are owned by the public company AUGA group, while the others are also related to this company through shareholders. Grybai LT, a cooperative company based in Sirvintos with over 40 employees, is active in producing and selling ready meals. The company operates a modern robotic factory covering an area of around 3,600 sq meters. The main products produced are ready-to-eat organic soups, curries, cereal meals, and organic vegetables in packets - around 70 product names. The annual production is 8-9 million packets of various products which are exported to more than 30 countries. Grybai LT's revenue in 2022 was EUR 7.1 million, consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) was EUR 1.3 million, and assets were EUR 7.9 million. Linas Agro Group has plans to expand Grybai LT's production activities by 3.7 times in 5-6 years, investing approximately EUR 4.4 million in production expansion during that period. Grybai LT's annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) are expected to increase by 4.6 times, and the Group's EBITDA by 5-10%. Earlier, AB Linas Agro Group had announced that the transaction would require clearance from the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania. "In 2022, Grybai LT's gross revenue in the Republic of Lithuania did not reach the threshold of EUR 2 million set out in Article 8 of the Law on Competition of the Republic of Lithuania, from which it is obliged to notify the concentration to the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania, and, therefore, the transaction did not require the clearance of the Competition Council. This fact allowed the transaction to be completed more quickly," explained Mazvydas Sileika, CFO of AB Linas Agro Group, explaining why the transaction did not require the approval of the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania. "The AUGA's range of instant porridge in cups and the business will remain part of the AUGA group as we have our porridge line Activus. We have agreed that we will be able to use the AUGA brand for 18 months for soups, curries, cereal meals, ready-to-eat vegetables and pulses, and then we will replace it with our own "Activus" brand, as it is a brand for active and busy, but self-concerned people, especially for the younger generation," says Andrius Pranckevicius, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of AB Linas Agro Group and CEO of AB Kauno Grudai. AB Linas Agro Group was represented in the transaction by the Law Firm Norkus & Partners COBALT, and the companies selling the shares by the Law Firm WALLESS. About AB Linas Agro Group The 68 agribusiness and food companies AB Linas Agro Group owns employ almost 5 thousand people. The Group's financial year starts on 1 July. The Group's consolidated revenue for the nine months of the 2022/2023 financial year exceeded EUR 1.5 billion, with a net profit of EUR 25 million. Additional information will be provided by: CFO of Linas Agro Group AB Mazvydas Sileika Mob. +370 619 19 403 E-mail m.sileika@linasagro.lt Andrius Pranckevicius, Deputy Chairman of the Board of AB Linas Agro Group Mob. +370 687 71 419 E-mail a.pranckevicius@linasagro.lt This location builds onto the company's nationwide footprint. TROTWOOD, OH / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / EquipmentShare (https://www.equipmentshare.com/), one of the nation's fastest-growing equipment rental and technology solutions companies, has selected the City of Trotwood for its most recent expansion in Ohio. EquipmentShare has purchased an 11.6-acre site in Trotwood's Industrial and Commerce Park on Prosperity Drive, where it will be developing its Dayton-region facility, making the location its third in the state of Ohio. Branch Rendering This is a conceptual rendering of what the facade of the new company building could look like. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, EquipmentShare is dedicated to transforming the construction industry through innovative tools, platforms, and data-driven insights. By empowering contractors, builders, and equipment owners with its proprietary technology, T3, EquipmentShare aims to drive productivity, efficiency, and collaboration across the construction sector. With a comprehensive suite of solutions that includes a fleet management platform, telematics devices, and an equipment rental marketplace, EquipmentShare continues to lead the industry in building the future of construction. The Trotwood location will include a variety of equipment, such as general rental equipment, aerial lifts and booms, heavy dirt equipment, power solutions and much more. "Our T3 technology is what sets us apart and allows us to offer contractors a best-in-class rental experience," said Willy Schlacks, President and co-founder. "Our equipment trackers can provide us with a ton of data so we can take corrective action to help customers save money and prevent downtime, which means they experience less interruptions on the job and can get more work done." This new development in Trotwood's industrial park, which is directly across Olive Road from the newly finished 200,000-square-foot industrial facility, is another critical development in welcoming more businesses into the Trotwood community and creating more job opportunities for residents. Through this expansion, EquipmentShare will create an estimated 25 living wage jobs and build a new service and sales facility. Those interested in employment opportunities with the company are encouraged to visit the careers page and submit a form for these future positions. EquipmentShare is proud of the innovative People First culture it continues to build - earning recognition from the business community for its career advancement opportunities as well as perks like the tool reimbursement program and the monthly family dinner night stipend. It has been recognized as one of America's Best Startup Employers by Forbes and Statista for the past four years as well as was recognized by Glassdoor for recruitment growth during the pandemic when other companies were slowing hiring or reducing their workforce. EquipmentShare has also been highlighted on Montel Williams' Military Makeover: Operation Career for its veterans programs. This project is a result of the collaboration efforts among EquipmentShare, GATED Properties Global (GPG), the City of Trotwood, and the TCIC. The TCIC and development partner GPG worked together to market the availability of the property and to work with EquipmentShare to subdivide the land into the space needed for their development. An official groundbreaking will be scheduled for a later date, closer to when construction is prepared to commence. "We are proud to welcome EquipmentShare to the Trotwood family," says Mayor Mary McDonald. "The city of Trotwood is happy to have EquipmentShare as the newest development in our industrial park, bringing their state-of-the-art facility and services to this region." Contact Information Amy Susan Director of PR & Communications amy.susan@equipmentshare.com (573) 890-0609 SOURCE: EquipmentShare View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769567/EquipmentShare-Selects-the-City-of-Trotwood-for-Dayton-Region-Expansion-Purchasing-116-Acre-Site-in-Trotwoods-Industrial-Park The growth of the global fume extractor market is majorly driven by an increase in occupational health and safety regulations and the growing emphasis on workplace safety PORTLAND, Ore., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Fume Extractor Market By Type (Portable Fume Extractors, Benchtop Fume Extractors, Welding Fume Extractors, Soldering Fume Extractors, Laser Fume Extractors and Others), By End-use Industry (General Manufacturing, Electricals and Electronics, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive and Aerospace, Construction, and Others), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA): Global Opportunity Analysis And Industry Forecast, 2023-2032". According to the report, the fume extractor market was valued for $1.3 billion in 2022 and is estimated to reach $1.9 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.4% from 2023 to 2032. Download Sample Pages of Research Overview: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/109489 Prime determinants of growth The growth of the global fume extractor market is majorly driven by an increase in occupational health and safety regulations. Governments and regulatory bodies are implementing stricter regulations to protect the health and safety of workers. These regulations often require the use of fume extractors or similar ventilation systems in industries where hazardous substances are present. The growing emphasis on workplace safety is driving the demand for fume extractors. However, high production cost of fume extractors is expected to hamper the market growth. Report Coverage & Details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $1.3 billion Market Size in 2032 $1.9 billion CAGR 4.4 % No. of Pages in Report 250 Segments covered Type, End-use Industry, and Region. Drivers Increase in demand for fume extractors in several industries Strict regulations on occupational exposure to hazardous substances Opportunities Surge in demand for fume extractors from the manufacturing sector Restraints High production cost of fume extractors The welding fume extractors segment maintained its lead position during the forecast period Based on type, the welding fume extractors segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to around two-fifths of the global fume extractor market revenue, due to increasing emphasis on workplace safety and health regulations across industries. Welding produces hazardous fumes and particles that can pose serious health risks to workers if inhaled. Welding fume extractors help remove these pollutants from the air, ensuring a safer working environment and reducing the potential for respiratory issues and long-term health problems. However, the laser fume extractors segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period. Procure Complete Report (250 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) @ https://bit.ly/3O5poCu The general manufacturing segment maintained its lead position during the forecast period On the basis of the end-use industry, the general manufacturing segment dominated the largest market share in 2022 contributing to more than two-fifths of the global fume extractor market revenue, due to growing recognition of the importance of providing a safe working environment for employees. Manufacturers are becoming more aware of the potential health hazards associated with various manufacturing processes, including welding, soldering, grinding, and cutting. Fume extractors play a crucial role in removing harmful fumes, gases, and particulate matter from the air, thereby protecting workers' health. However, the automotive and aerospace segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period. Europe to maintain its dominance by 2032 Based on region, Europe held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the global fume extractor market. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to register the highest CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period, due to the highly developed electronic sector in China and the continuous investments are done in the region through the years to advance the electronic sector. Leading Market Players: - American Air Filter Company, Inc APZEM Inc Cleantek Sentry Air Systems, Inc. Quatro Air Technologies Inc. HAKKO Corporation Apollo Seiko Span Filtration Systems Pvt. Ltd. Powertech Pollution Controls Donaldson Company, Inc. The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global fume extractor 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/fume-extractor-market/purchase-options Similar Reports: Welding Consumables Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023 Aluminum Welding Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2030 Neem Extract Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2015 - 2022 Methane Hydrate Extraction Market: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2025 Metal & Metal Manufactured Products Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030 Aluminum Foil Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 About Us Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain. Pawan Kumar, the CEO of Allied Market Research, is leading the organization toward providing high-quality data and insights. We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry. Contact: David Correa 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 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com Blog: https://www.newsguards.com/ Follow Us on | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube | Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/3950895/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/fume-extractor-market-to-reach-1-9-billion-globally-by-2032-at-4-4-cagr-allied-market-research-301882909.html NEW YORK, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per Zion Market Research study, the global automated sample digestion systems market size was worth around USD 2100 million in 2022 and is predicted to grow to around USD 7300 million by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 4.1% during the forecast period (2023- 2030). Report Link with All Related Graphs & Charts: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/automated-sample-digestion-systems-market Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market: Overview An automated sample digestion system makes independent liquid transfer under computer control. These systems are utilised for metal-free automated digestion, making them ideal workstations. Complete automation of the sample digestion system necessitates the integration of a large number of stages, including the addition of various digestion reagents, such as acids, to samples and subsequent heating for a predetermined time period at a predetermined temperature. In addition, the system's digestion temperature is altered, and samples are permitted to cool. Additionally, the system reduces the use of solvents and the production of hazardous debris. Supposedly, automated sample digestion systems are designed with worker safety in mind when dealing with acids and corrosive reagents. Get a Free Sample Report with All Related Graphs & Charts (with COVID 19 Impact Analysis): https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/automated-sample-digestion-systems-market Our Free Sample Report Consists of the Following: 2023 Updated Report Introduction, Overview, and In-depth industry analysis 215+ 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 Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market Reports: As per the analysis, the Automated Sample Digestion Systems market share is likely to grow above a CAGR of around 4.1% between 2023 and 2030. between 2023 and 2030. The Automated Sample Digestion Systems market size was worth around USD 2100 million in 2022 and is estimated to hit approximately USD 7300 million by 2030 . Due to a variety of driving factors, the market is predicted to rise at a significant rate. and is estimated to hit approximately . Due to a variety of driving factors, the market is predicted to rise at a significant rate. The global automated sample digestion systems market is anticipated to record massive growth over the forecast period owing to the growing need for improving lab safety and reducing sample analyzing costs. In terms of type, the microwave digestion systems segment is slated to register the highest CAGR over the forecast period. On the basis of application, the metal & mining segment is slated to dominate the segmental surge over the forecast period. Region-wise, the Asia-Pacific automated sample digestion systems market is projected to register the highest CAGR during the assessment period. Zion Market Research published the latest report titled "Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market By Type (Hotblock Digestion Systems, Microwave Digestion Systems, And Others), By Application (Metal & Mining, Food & Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, And Petrochemical), And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023 - 2030" into their research database. Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market: Growth Factors The significant requirement to reduce product sample analysis costs can increase global market trends The expansion of the global market will be driven by the rising need to enhance laboratory safety and reduce the price of sample analysis. In addition, the rising demand for eliminating repetitive movements and boosting sample throughput is anticipated to boost the global market trends for automated sample digestion systems. In addition, there is an urgent need to reduce unattended functions, and this is likely to increase the popularity of automated sample digestion systems. According to reports, automated sample digestion systems generate homogeneous solutions that accurately represent the original material, thereby stimulating the expansion of the global market. In addition, the enormous demand for increasing operational efficiency and reducing costs for high-value operations, such as metal analysis, will expand the global market in the coming years. New product introductions have had a significant impact on the expansion of the global market and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market: Restraints Incapability to dissolve samples effectively may reduce product demand in the future years. Inadequate dissolving efficacy has led to an incomplete understanding of relevant dissolution chemistries, and this is one of the disadvantages that can impede the global growth of the automated sample digestion systems market. In addition, microwave digestion system digestion pipelines are susceptible to explosion and cracking due to high pressure and extreme temperatures, which can hinder the adoption of automated sample digestion systems in various end-use industries. Directly Purchase a Copy of The Report with TOC | Quick Delivery Available @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/buynow/su/automated-sample-digestion-systems-market Global Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market: Segmentation The global automated sample digestion systems market is sectored into type, application, and region. In type terms, the global automated sample digestion systems market is segregated into hotblock digestion systems, microwave digestion systems, and others segments. In addition to this, the microwave digestion systems segment, which accrued more than 60% of the global market share in 2022, is predicted to record the highest CAGR in the forecast timeframe. On the basis of the application, the automated sample digestion systems industry across the globe is sectored into metal & mining, food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemical segments. Furthermore, the metal & mining segment, which accrued a huge chunk of the global industry share in 2022, is projected to lead the segmental expansion in the forthcoming years. The segmental expansion in the forecast timeline can be subject to a surge in the use of microwave digestion in the preparation of samples from metals and mining. Recent Developments: In March 2023, Analytix Ltd, a key supplier of sample preparation systems & analytic instruments for chemical & life sciences sectors in the UK and Ireland, introduced Milestone ultraWAVE 3, a microwave digestion system, having higher capacity and running at lower costs along with requiring less handling for speeding up sample preparation. Such moves will contribute sizably to the growing demand for automated sample digestion systems in Europe and across the globe. Get More Insight before Buying @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/automated-sample-digestion-systems-market List of Key Players in Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market: The report contains qualitative and quantitative research on the global Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market, as well as detailed insights and development strategies employed by the leading competitors. Some of the main players in the global automated sample digestion systems market include; CEM Corporation Anton Paar HORIBA Milestone Srl Analytik Jena PerkinElmer SCP SCIENCE Aurora SEAL Analytical Berghof Products + Instruments Sineo Microwave Shanghai PreeKem Beijing Xianghu Shanghai Xtrust Key questions answered in this report: What is the growth rate forecast and market size for Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market? What are the key driving factors propelling the Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market forward? What are the most important companies in the Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market Industry? What segments does the Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market cover? How can I receive a free copy of the Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market sample report and company profiles? Report Scope: Report Attribute Report Details Market Size in 2022 USD 2100 Million Market Forecast in 2030 USD 7300 Million Growth Rate CAGR of 4.1% Base Year 2022 Forecast Years 2023- 2030 Key Companies Covered CEM Corporation, Anton Paar, HORIBA, Milestone Srl, Analytik Jena, PerkinElmer, SCP SCIENCE, Aurora, SEAL Analytical, Berghof Products + Instruments, Sineo Microwave, Shanghai PreeKem, Beijing Xianghu, and Shanghai Xtrust. Segments Covered By Type, By Application, 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. Request Free Brochure of the Global Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/requestbrochure/automated-sample-digestion-systems-market Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market: Regional Analysis North America is expected to take over the world market over the next few years In 2022, more than two-fifths of the income from the global automated sample digestion systems market came from North America. During the assessment period, North America is expected to see a big rise. The existence of big players like Anton Paar, HORIBA, Milestone Srl, and CEM Corporation in countries like the U.S. could be a reason for the growth of the market in the region from 2023 to 2030. Other things that will help the regional market grow include the release of new products and the start of industrial revolution 4.0. Also, the automated sample digestion systems industry in the Asia-Pacific region is projected to have the highest CAGR during the assessment period. The growing demand for automated sample digestion systems in China, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Singapore's metal and mining, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, and petrochemical industries is expected to be a good thing for the growth of the regional industry. Global Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market is segmented as follows: Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market: By Type Outlook (2023-2030) Hotblock Digestion Systems Microwave Digestion Systems Others Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market: By Application Outlook (2023-2030) Metal & Mining Food & Beverages Pharmaceuticals Petrochemical Others Automated Sample Digestion Systems Market: By Region Outlook (2023-2030) North America The U.S. Canada Europe France The UK Spain Germany Italy Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India 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 Browse Other Related Research Reports from Zion Market Research Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Market By Application (Small Appliances, Industrial, Automotive, Medical, Consumer Goods, And Others), By Product (LCD Graphic Drivers, LCD Character Drivers, And LCD Segment Drivers), And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023 - 2030: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/liquid-crystal-display-lcd-market Dashboard Camera Market By Vehicle Type (Commercial Vehicles, Passenger Vehicles, And Others), By Channel Type (Dual-Channel, Single-Channel, And Others), By Technology Type (Smart, Advanced, Basic, And Others), And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Industry Trends, Outlook, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023 - 2030: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/dashboard-camera-market Holograms Market By Type (Electro-Holographic, Laser, And Touchable), By Dimension (2D And 3D), By Holographic Images (Dot Matrix, 3D Models, 2D Models, And Stereograms), By Technology (Semi-Transparent, Laser, And Touchable), By End-User (Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies, Research Organizations, Academic Medical Centers, Hospitals & Clinics, Consumer Electronics, Automotive, Security, 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/holograms-market Machine-To-Machine (M2M) Connections Market By Technology (Wired And Wireless), By End-Use Industry (Automotive & Transportation, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Consumer Electronics, Utilities, Retail, Security & Surveillance, 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/machine-to-machine-m2m-connections-market Fluorescent Lighting Market By Type (Compact Fluorescent Lamp, Linear Fluorescent Lamp, And Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp), By Installation (Retrofit And New Installation), By Application (General Lighting, Commercial Lighting, Residential Lighting, Industrial Lighting, Outdoor Lighting, Medical Lighting, Surgical & Treatment Lighting, General/Mounted Lighting, 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/fluorescent-lighting-market Browse through Zion Market Research's coverage of the Global Semiconductor & Electronics Industry Follow Us on - LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube About Us: Zion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristic, cutting-edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, and company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from cardinal industries. Our database is been updated constantly to fulfil our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the client's needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to us-after all-if you do well, a little of the light shines on us. Contact Us: Zion Market Research 244 Fifth Avenue, Suite N202 New York, 10001, United States Tel: +1 (844) 845-5245 USA/Canada Toll-Free No. +1 (855) 465-4651 Email: sales@zionmarketresearch.com Website: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1605489/Zion_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/automated-sample-digestion-systems-market-size-worth-usd-7300-million-globally-by-2030-at-4-1-cagr---exclusive-report-by-zion-market-research-301882933.html JERSEY CITY, N.J., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. announces the release of the market assessment report on "Global Biomanufacturing Viral Detection and Quantification Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Offering Type (Consumables, Instruments, Services), By Technology (PCR, ELISA, Flow Cytometry, Plaque Assay, and Others), By Application (Blood and Blood Products Manufacturing, Vaccines and Therapeutics Manufacturing, Cellular and Gene Therapy Products Manufacturing, Stem Cell Products Manufacturing, Tissue and Tissue Products Manufacturing), By End User (Life Science Companies, Testing Laboratories, CROs and CDMOs) Market Outlook And Industry Analysis 2031" According to the latest research by InsightAce Analytic, the global Biomanufacturing Viral Detection and Quantification Market size is valued at US$ 466.52 Million in 2022, and it is expected to reach US$ 981.41 Million in 2031, recording a promising CAGR of 8.8% during the forecast period of 2023-2031. Viral detection and quantification play an essential role in biomanufacturing, particularly when viruses are active ingredients. Biomanufacturing viral detection and quantification is a process of analyzing and determining the amount or concentration of viruses in the context of large-scale production of biological materials such as vaccines, therapeutic proteins or viral vectors. It ensures the consistency, quality and safety of the final product. Methods used to detect and quantify viral contamination will vary depending on the specific requirements of the biomanufacturing process. Various biological therapies carry a risk of bacterial, fungal and viral infection. Early detection of these contaminants is important to avoid production delays that can directly affect the healthcare industry. Hence, manufacturers use viral detection and quantification during biomanufacturing to evaluate & improve biomanufacturing, reduce contamination risk, and increase process efficiency. The need for precise viral testing in the biomanufacturing of therapies is increasing, which is expected to boost the growth of the biomanufacturing viral detection and quantification market in the next few years. Request for Sample Pages:https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/request-sample/1918 Some of the prominent players in the Biomanufacturing Viral Detection and Quantification Market are: Danaher Corporation Merck KGaA New England Biolabs TAKARA HOLDINGS INC. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Agilent Technologies, Inc. Sartorius AG Charles River Laboratories Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. PerkinElmer, Inc. Promega Corporation QIAGEN N.V. Genscript Biotech Corporation Norgen Biotek Corp. Other Prominent Players Biomanufacturing Viral Detection and Quantification Market Report Scope Report Attribute Specifications Market Size Value In 2022 USD 466.52 Million Revenue Forecast In 2031 USD 981.41 Million Growth Rate CAGR CAGR of 8.8 % from 2023 to 2031 Quantitative Units Representation of revenue in US$ Million 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 By Offering Type, Technology, Application, 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; South East Asia; South Korea; South East Asia Competitive Landscape Danaher Corporation, Merck KGaA, New England Biolabs, TAKARA HOLDINGS INC., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Agilent Technologies, Inc., Sartorius AG, Charles River Laboratories, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., PerkinElmer, Inc., Promega Corporation, QIAGEN N.V., Genscript Biotech Corporation, Norgen Biotek Corp., and others. Customization Scope Free customization report with the procurement of the report, Modifications to the regional and segment scope. Particular Geographic competitive landscape. Pricing and Available Payment Methods Explore pricing alternatives that are customized to your particular study requirements. Curious about this latest version of the report? Enquiry Before Buying:https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/enquiry-before-buying/1918 Market Dynamics: Drivers: The factors responsible for driving the biomanufacturing viral detection and quantification market include the rapidly emerging technologies to enhance the detection & quantification of viral contaminants, increasing utilization of biopharmaceuticals, the need for stringent QC measures, and the advancements in viral testing technologies. Increasing usage of biopharmaceuticals: The quality of biopharmaceutical products is ensured through viral detection and quantification, which is essential to biopharmaceutical industries. QC (Quality Control) measures are necessary to maintain the safety, efficacy and consistency of biopharmaceuticals. Thus, the demand for viral testing technologies is increasing, surging the growth opportunities for the biomanufacturing viral detection and quantification market. Advancements in viral testing technologies: The development of assays such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR (qPCR) allows rapid and accurate virus detection by measuring the nucleic acid of the virus with certain accuracy and sensitivity. Challenges: However, expensive advanced viral detection and quantification instruments and the lack of skilled workers for implementation and analysis are predicted to hamper the market expansion during the forecast period. Regional Trends: The biomanufacturing viral detection and quantification market is growing rapidly, and North America is expected to capture the maximum share of the biomanufacturing viral detection and quantification market over the forecast period. The market's growth is mainly driven by increased demand for biological therapies, advancements in contaminant testing technologies, and rising government investments to improve the biomanufacturing process of the companies. Additionally, the Asia Pacific market will grow fastest over the projected period. Factors contributing to this growth are rising biopharma companies, well-established industrial infrastructure, government efforts for improving product quality, increasing innovations in cell & gene therapies, and the improved developmental capabilities of the contract manufacturing companies in this region. Key Developments In The Market: In September 2019, Merck KGaA partnered with Pfizer Inc. and launched a new drug BAVENCIO for t[the removal of viruses. Merck KGaA partnered with Pfizer Inc. and launched a new drug BAVENCIO for t[the removal of viruses. In July 2018, Diversigen Inc. and Norgen Biotek Corp. entered into a strategic partnership through which industry and academic researchers will benefit from comprehensive end-to-end logistical, sequencing, and analytical solutions to meet the growing needs for microbiome analyses. Diversigen Inc. and Norgen Biotek Corp. entered into a strategic partnership through which industry and academic researchers will benefit from comprehensive end-to-end logistical, sequencing, and analytical solutions to meet the growing needs for microbiome analyses. In July 2016, Sartorius acquired ViroCyt for $16 million to expand the buyer's lab products and services offerings by adding the developer of rapid virus quantification tools. The deal is Sartorius' second tools acquisition in less than 3 weeks. On June 28, Sartorius signaled its expansion into bioanalytics by purchasing cell screening platforms developer IntelliCyt for $90 million. Market Segments Market Size (Value US$ Mn) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2023 to 2031 based on Offering Type Consumables Instruments Services Market Size (Value US$ Mn) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2023 to 2031 based on Technology PCR ELISA Flow Cytometry Plaque Assay Others Market Size (Value US$ Mn) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2023 to 2031 based on Application Blood and Blood Products Manufacturing Vaccines and Therapeutics Manufacturing Cellular and Gene Therapy Products Manufacturing Stem Cell Products Manufacturing Tissue and Tissue Products Manufacturing Market Size (Value US$ Mn) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2023 to 2031 based on End User Life Science Companies Testing Laboratories CROs and CDMOs Market Size (Value US$ Mn) & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2023 to 2031 based on Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa North America Biomanufacturing Viral Detection and Quantification Market Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2023 to 2031 U.S. Canada Europe Biomanufacturing Viral Detection and Quantification Market Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2023 to 2031 Germany France Italy Spain Russia Rest of Europe Asia Pacific Biomanufacturing Viral Detection and Quantification Market Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2023 to 2031 India China Japan South Korea Australia & New Zealand Latin America Biomanufacturing Viral Detection and Quantification Market Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2023 to 2031 Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Middle East & Africa Biomanufacturing Viral Detection and Quantification Market Revenue (US$ Million) by Country, 2023 to 2031 GCC Countries South Africa Rest of Middle East & Africa Obtain Report Customization Details @ https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/customisation/1918 Why should buy this report: To receive a comprehensive analysis of the prospects for the global Biomanufacturing Viral Detection and Quantification Market To receive an industry overview and future trends in the global Biomanufacturing Viral Detection and Quantification Market To analyze the Biomanufacturing Viral Detection and Quantification Market drivers and challenges To get information on the Biomanufacturing Viral Detection and Quantification Market size value (US$ Mn) forecast till 2031 Major Investments, Mergers & Acquisitions in the global Biomanufacturing Viral Detection and Quantification Market industry Other Related Reports Published by InsightAce Analytic: https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/report/cell-and-gene-therapy-bio-manufacturing-market/1692 https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/report/global-next-generation-biomanufacturing-market-/1261 https://www.insightaceanalytic.com/report/global-viral-and-non-viral-vector-manufacturing-market/1263 About Us: InsightAce Analytic is a market research and consulting firm that enables clients to make strategic decisions. Our qualitative and quantitative market intelligence solutions inform the need for market and competitive intelligence to expand businesses. We help clients gain a competitive advantage by identifying untapped markets, exploring new and competing technologies, segmenting potential markets, and repositioning products. Our expertise is in providing syndicated and custom market intelligence reports with an in-depth analysis of key market insights in a timely and cost-effective manner. Contact Us: InsightAce Analytic Pvt. Ltd. Tel.: +1 551 226 6109 Email: info@insightaceanalytic.com Site Visit: www.insightaceanalytic.com Follow Us on LinkedIn @ bit.ly/2tBXsgS Follow Us On Facebook @ bit.ly/2H9jnDZ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1729637/InsightAce_Analytic_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/biomanufacturing-viral-detection-and-quantification-market-worth-981-41-million-by-2031---exclusive-report-by-insightace-analytic-301883038.html An increase in demand for smart city initiatives drives the growth of the global low power wide area network market. PORTLAND, Ore., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Low Power Wide Area Network Market by Technology (LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, SIGFOX, and Others), Application (Smart Building, Smart Gas and Water Monitoring, Smart Waste Management, Smart Agriculture, Smart Parking, and Others), End User (Oil and Gas, Industrial Manufacturing, Agriculture, Consumer Electronics, Transportation and Logistics, Healthcare, and Others), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032" According to the report, the global generated $8.2 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $582 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 53.4% from 2023 to 2032. The report offers a detailed analysis of changing market trends, top segments, key investment pockets, value chains, regional landscapes, and competitive scenarios. Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities Factors such as the increase in demand for smart city initiatives and real-time monitoring primarily drive the growth of the low power wide area network market. However, security concerns with limited bandwidth hamper the market growth. Moreover, isurge in demand for smart agriculture is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the market growth during the forecast period. Download Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/48142 Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $8.2 Billion Market Size in 2032 $582 Billion CAGR 53.4 % No. of Pages in Report 277 Segments covered Technology, Application, End User, and Region. Drivers Increase in demand for smart city initiatives Real-time monitoring and control of assets Opportunities Surge in demand for smart agriculture Restraints Security Concerns Limited Bandwidth Covid-19 scenario Major impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the LPWAN market included slowdown in the deployment of LPWAN networks and adoption of LPWAN technology. The pandemic disrupted supply chains, delayed deployments, and led to budget cuts, which had slowed the growth of the LPWAN market. However, the pandemic had also highlighted the need for LPWAN technology in certain industries such as healthcare, logistics, and smart cities. While the pandemic created challenges for the LPWAN market, it also created new opportunities as businesses and governments look for ways to adapt to the new normal. For instance, LPWAN technology was being used to monitor the health of patients remotely, enabling healthcare providers to provide care while minimizing the risk of exposure to the virus. Buy Complete Report (277 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/low-power-wide-area-network-market/purchase-options The LoRaWAN segment to rule the market By technology, the LoRaWAN segment held the major share in 2022, garnering more than two-fifths of the global low power wide area network market revenue, owing to the growing need for low-cost, low-power connectivity solutions, which LoRaWAN technology offers, as IoT devices and applications are used more widely. However, the NB-IoT segment is expected to showcase the fastest CAGR of 56.5% during the forecast period, owing to the advent of smart cities, smart homes, and smart transportation. NB-IoT technology fills this demand by allowing objects to connect to the internet using current cellular networks. The smart building segment to maintain its dominance during the forecast period By application, the smart building segment contributed to the highest share in 2022, accounting for around one-third of the global low power wide area network market revenue, owing to the rise in the demand for control systems and sensor-based devices in smart buildings. On the other hand, the smart waste management segment would also showcase the fastest CAGR of 57.7% throughout the forecast period, owing to the increase in need for new solutions for better waste management. The industrial manufacturing segment to dominate by 2032 By end user, the industrial manufacturing segment accounted for nearly one-fourth of the global low power wide area network market share in 2022, and is expected to rule the roost by 2032, owing to the demand for low power WAN solutions in industrial manufacturing for various advantages. The healthcare segment, however, would display the fastest CAGR of 58.6% throughout the forecast period, owing to technological advancements on the internet of things (IoT), cloud computing, and wireless body area networks (WBAN). ? Asia-Pacific garnered the major share in 2022 By region, North America garnered the highest share in 2022, holding more than one-third of the global low power wide area network market revenue in 2022, and is projected to retain its dominance by 2032, due to the rise in demand for mobile and wearable devices. Also, people in North American nations such as the U.S. and Canada are investing a bigger percentage of their earnings on smartphones and network infrastructure. The Asia-Pacific region would also portray the fastest CAGR of 57.4% during the forecast period, owing to factors such as urbanization, industrialization, the rise in need for automation, and digitalization. Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/48142 Leading Market Players Semtech Corporation Loriot AG Nwave Sigfox Waviot Actility Ingenu Inc. Link Labs Senet Atandt Intellectual Property The report analyzes these key players in the global low power wide area network market. These players have adopted various strategies such as expansion, new product launches, partnerships, and others to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry. The report is helpful in determining the business performance, operating segments, developments, and product portfolios of every market player. Trending Reports in ICT & Media Industry: Mobile Application Security Market Size is Expected to Reach $37.1 Billion by 2032 Managed Services Market Share is Expected to Reach $594.8 Billion by 2031 Recommendation Engine Market Size is Expected to Reach $43.8 Billion by 2031 Generative AI Market Size is Expected to Reach $126.5 Billion by 2031 Augmented Reality Market Share is Expected to Reach $411.4 Billion by 2031 AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model): AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports. Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access 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: David Correa 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 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web:https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/reports-store/information-and-communication-technology-and-media Follow Us on Blog: https://www.technologyplz.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/3950895/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/low-power-wide-area-network-market-to-reach-582-billion-globally-by-2032-at-53-4-cagr-allied-market-research-301883029.html Kisumu Police in Kisumu are battling pockets of protestors who were grouping to march along the streets. Kisumu acting County Commissioner Alhasan Hussein says security has been beefed up across the county to deal with those breaking the law. Hussein says police are removing roadblocks to allow flow traffic in the lakeside city. "We want to make everywhere in the county accessible, that is why our officers are removing the stones from the road,' he said. He however said the situation is returning to normalcy ad appealed to the people of Kisumu to return to their businesses. Speaking to the press in Kisumu on Thursday at Jua Kali area, Hussein said he has made extensive visit to every art of the county and reported calm. "I want to tell the people that demonstrations will have a toll on economic aspect of their lives, they should stop it," he said. He announced that a number of arrests were made yesterday at the start of the demonstrations that left a trail of destruction in the city. Hussein promised that what occurred yesterday will not repeat owing to the heavy presence of police deployed across the county. "They broke into supermarkets and other stores and carted away goods, we won't allow that to happen again," he said. CHICAGO, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Encoder Market is projected to grow from USD 2.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 4.5 billion by 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.0% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The increasing adoption of encoders in energy harvesting applications and the growing expansion of automotive markets worldwide are among the key factors driving the encoder market. Furthermore, innovative technologies in the automotive and UAV industries are expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=14566162 Browse in-depth TOC on "Encoder Market" 120 - Tables 60 - Figures 230 - Pages Encoder Market Report Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $2.7 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $4.5 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 11.0% Market Size Available for 2019-2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Encoder Type, Signal Type, Technology, Application and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Mechanical failure in harsh environments Key Market Opportunities Rising government initiatives to boost industrial automation Key Market Drivers The rising need for high-end automation across industries Industrial application to hold the largest share of the encoders market during the forecast period. The industrial application held the largest share of the encoder market in 2022. The industrial sector applications are for web tensioning, backstop gauging, linear measurement, registration of mark timing conveying, and filling. The most common application is providing feedback on the motion control of electric motors. The encoders are designed for numerous applications in the industrial sector, such as robotics using encoders to determine motion position, control joint position, measure linear extension, and provide gripper & finger feedback and force feedback. In the industrial sector, nearly half the electricity consumed is used for electric power motors; most motors are equipped with encoders. Market for rotary encoders is expected to have largest market share during the forecast period. In 2022, Rotary encoders held the largest share of the encoders market, and a similar trend is likely to be observed in the coming years. This segment's dominant position can be attributed to the increasing demand for automated industrial machines and robotics, which are driving the growth of the rotary encoders market. Also, the market has witnessed increased innovation in this sector. Optical sensor technology, multi-turn encoders, programmable encoders, wireless encoders, and integrated encoders are some of the most recent innovations in rotary encoders. Market for the inductive encoders is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. The market for inductive encoders is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The necessity for accurate and trustworthy position sensing in a variety of applications has fueled the development and expansion of inductive encoders. Technology advancements have resulted in the creation of inductive encoders that are more compact, accurate, and durable and can function under challenging conditions. Additionally, the rise of inductive encoders has been aided by the trend toward automation as well as the expanding use of robots and other automated systems. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=14566162 Asia Pacific to have the largest share of encoders market in during the forecast period. Asia Pacific region is expected to have the largest market size of the encoders market during the forecast period. China, Japan, South Korea, and India are among the key countries in the Asia Pacific encoder industry. The growth of the encoder market in this region is mainly attributed to the increasing number of manufacturing and engineering hubs related to various industries. The emergence of electric, autonomous, and connected cars is fueling the growth of the automotive industry in the Asia Pacific, especially in China. China has been a potential market for all emerging technologies, such as robotics and factory automation. The large-scale manufacturing industries in Japan and South Korea have also contributed to the market growth in the region. The encoder market is likely to grow significantly in Taiwan and India, as these systems are perceived as key enablers of industry modernization. Leading players in the encoders companies include Sensata Technologies (US), HEIDENHAIN (Germany), Fortive (Dynapar) (US), Renishaw plc (UK), Mitutoyo Corporation (Japan), FRABA B.V. (Netherlands), ifm electronic (Germany), Pepperl+Fuchs (Germany), and Maxon (Switzerland). Pilz GmbH (Germany), Tamagawa Seiki Co., Ltd (Japan), Faulhaber Group (Germany), Baumer (Switzerland), Koyo Electronics Industries Co., Ltd (Japan), Schneider Electric (France), Omron Corporation (Japan), Rockwell Automation (Wisconsin) are few other key companies operating in the encoder market. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=14566162 Browse Adjacent Market: Semiconductor and Electronics Market Research Reports &Consulting Related Reports: Motion Control Market by Offering (Actuators & Mechanical Systems, Motors, Motion Controllers, Drives, Sensor & Feedback Devices, Software & Services), System (Open-loop, Closed-loop), Industry and Region (2022-2027) Position Sensor Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis by Type (Linear and Rotary), Application (Machine Tools, Robotics, Motion Systems, Material Handling, TEST Equipment), Contact Type, Output, End-User Industry, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2025 Video Encoders Market by Number of Channel (1-Channel, 2-Channel, 4-Channel, 8-Channel, 16-Channel, more than 16-Channel), Type (Standalone, Rack-mounted), Application (Broadcasting, Surveillance) and Geography - Global Forecast to 2027 Optical Sensing Market by Industry (Aerospace & Defense, Utilities, Oil & Gas, Medical, Construction, and Consumer Electronics), Application, Method, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2023 Industrial Sensors Market by Sensor Type (Level Sensor, Temperature Sensor, Gas Sensor, Pressure Sensor, Position Sensor, Flow Sensor, and Humidity & Moisture Sensor), Type, End-user Industry and Region (2021-2026) About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. 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Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: sales@marketsandmarkets.com Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/encoder-market.asp Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/encoder.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/encoder-market-worth-4-5-billion-by-2028---exclusive-report-by-marketsandmarkets-301882841.html The growth of the global robotic floor scrubber market is driven by the rise in awareness regarding hygiene, especially in pharmaceuticals and other industries, and growth of foods & beverages industry. PORTLAND, Ore., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Robotic floor scrubber market by Variant (Only Scrubber, Scrubber and dryer), by Sales Type (New Sales, After Market), by Battery Run time (Less than 4 Hours, More than 4 hours), by Cleaning Efficiency (Up to 1500 m2/ hour, More than 1500 m2/ hour): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032". According to the report, the global robotic floor scrubber market size was valued at $178.9 million in 2022, and is projected to reach $575.6 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.8% from 2023 to 2032. Download Free Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/107637 Prime determinants of growth The growth of the global robotic floor scrubber market is driven by the rise in awareness regarding hygiene, especially in pharmaceuticals and other industries, and growth of foods & beverages industry. However, the market for robotic floor scrubbers is severely constrained by the high price of autonomous devices. Numerous initiatives and programs are in place in nations including India, China, Vietnam, Cyprus, Indonesia, and Brazil to assist the growth of small-scale companies. These programs are expected to offer remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the robotic floor scrubber market during the forecast period. Report coverage & details: Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $178.9 million Market Size in 2033 $575.6 million CAGR 12.8 % No. of Pages in Report 220 Segments covered Variant, Sales Type, Battery Runtime, Cleaning Efficiency and Region. Drivers Rise in awareness regarding hygiene, especially in pharmaceuticals and other industries. Growth of foods & beverages industry Opportunities Rise in number of small-scale industries in emerging economies Restraints High cost of automatic robotic floor scrubber machines Toxic chemicals used in cleaning product formulation. Covid-19 Scenario Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent global lockdowns, the robotic floor scrubber market faced a downturn. However, as the global situation started to improve, the demand for robotic floor scrubber equipment was restored back. This, in turn, presented various growth opportunities for companies operating in the robotic floor scrubber market. The only scrubber segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Based on variant, the only scrubber segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for around three-fifths of the global robotic floor scrubber market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, owing to a rise in the use of robotic floor scrubber at industrial sectors. However, the scrubber and dryer segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 13.5% from 2022 to 2032, owing to increasing demand for drying function with scrubber function in large industrial spaces such as warehouses, industrial, and manufacturing locations. Buy This Research Report (220 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures): https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/checkout-final/cc6a9545696dc270bf01280af5d01d9c The new sales segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Based on sales type, the new sales segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the global robotic floor scrubber market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period owing to increasing demand for robotic scrubber for autonomous cleaning at healthcare, retail shop, and other sectors. In addition, aftermarket is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 13.3% from 2022 to 2032, owing to increase product life and cleaning efficiency after certain time intervals. The more than 1500 m2/ hour segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. Based on cleaning efficiency, the more than 1500 m2/ hour segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to nearly four-fifths of the global robotic floor scrubber market revenue, and is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 13.0% from 2022 to 2032. This is owing to the requirement of high cleaning efficiency to cover larger spaces at the warehouse and other similar large area locations. Europe to maintain its dominance by 2032. Based on region, Europe held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global robotic floor scrubber market revenue, owing to automation and industrialization in the region. However, Asia-Pacific is also expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 13.6% from 2022 to 2031, owing to rising construction and infrastructure sectors in developing countries such as Latin America, the Middle East, and others. Enquire Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/107637 Leading Market Players: - Alfred Karcher SE & Co. KG Avidbots Corp. BHARATI ROBOTIC SYSTEMS (INDIA) PVT LTD. Cleanfix Reinigungssysteme AG Crescent Industrial Ltd Gaussian Robotics Hako GmbH LionsBot International Pte Ltd. Nilfisk Group Tennant Company The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global robotic floor scrubber market. These players have adopted different strategies such as new product launches, acquisition 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. Trending Reports in Construction Equipment Industry (Book Now with 10% Discount): Construction Machinery Attachment Market is projected to reach $9.5 billion by 2031 Construction Equipment Market is projected to reach $313.9 billion by 2031 Electric Power Tools Market is projected to reach $124.4 billion by 2031 Deep Hole Drilling Machines Market is projected to reach $784.1 million by 2027 North America Heavy Construction Equipment Rental Market: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2030 Vinyl Flooring in Construction Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Concrete Polishing and Grinding Machines Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 Water Contamination Checking Instrument Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2023-2032 About Allied Market Research: 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 Us: David Correa 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 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1(855)550-5975 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/3950895/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/robotic-floor-scrubber-market-to-reach-575-6-million-globally-by-2032-at-12-8-cagr-allied-market-research-301883024.html TORONTO, July 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. (TSX-V: MON) ("Montero" or the "Company") provides the following update on the move in Montero's share price. Montero has a fully funded arbitration case underway for the expropriation of its Wigu Hill rare earth element project against the United Republic of Tanzania ("Tanzania"). The hearing on the merits in Montero's arbitration proceedings will be held in December of 2023 in Washington DC. On July 14, 2023, ASX-listed Indiana Resources Ltd (ASX:IDA) ("Indiana") announced it has been awarded US$ 109.5 million in its International Centre for Settlement of Investments Disputes ("ICSID") arbitration case against Tanzania in addition to an order for Tanzania to repay US$ 3,859,161 in legal costs and expenses. Indiana's arbitration proceedings were concluded in early February of 2023. Indiana previously held the Ntaka Hill Nickel Project under Retention License, which was unlawfully expropriated by Tanzania, in breach of the Bilateral Investment Treaty ("BIT") between United Kingdom and Tanzania. Details of the judgement can be found in Indiana's news release: https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02687624-6A1158735?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4 Montero's dispute with Tanzania is also subject to ICSID arbitration. Montero seeks compensation in excess of CAD$ 90 million for the loss of its investment in Tanzania (including interest which continues to accrue). Montero is also seeking reimbursement of its arbitration costs and fees by Tanzania. The damages claimed are for the unlawful expropriation of Montero's investment in Tanzania which is in breach of the BIT between Canada and Tanzania. Montero is represented by Timothy Foden of Boies Schiller Flexner LLP and Mr. Thierry Lauriol of Jeantet AARP. Timothy Foden is leading the ICSID arbitration for Montero and represented Indiana in their successful case. Montero has retained Dr. Neal Rigby of SRK Consulting (USA) Inc. as quantum expert with full dispute funding secured from Omni Bridgeway, a leading global dispute funder. Dr Tony Harwood, President and CEO of Montero, commented: "I am pleased that the ICSID tribunal in the case of Indiana versus Tanzania has recognised the damage done to Indiana's shareholders, investors, and companies after Tanzania unlawfully expropriated Retention Licenses. Value is created by exploration and development using investor funds and professional expertise that companies (Montero) legitimately brought to Tanzania. Montero is seeking to recover its investment and damages due to the loss of its Wigu Hill Retention Licenses. The arbitration hearings will be held in December of 2023 after which an award will be rendered." For further information, please see Montero's recent press releases (PR140 dated 25 April 2023, PR137 dated 28 July 28 2022, PR134 dated 12 April 2022, PR132 dated 29 November 2021, and PR119 dated 8 January 2021) and the ICSID website (https://icsid.worldbank.org/services/arbitration/convention/process/overview). The ICSID Convention has been ratified by 158 States, including Tanzania. An award issued by an ICSID tribunal is enforceable in any one of those 158 member States as if it were a judgment of one of their own courts. Partly because of this, States often comply voluntarily with the payment terms of such awards. Background to Claims Montero commenced exploration activities on the Wigu Hill Rare Earth Element project in March 2008 under a Prospecting License and spent over CAD$ 17 million on exploration works in the discovery and development of the project. In 2015 a five-year Retention License was awarded by the Tanzanian Government on the property. This Retention License was expropriated by the Tanzanian Government in 2019 when all previously issued Retention Licenses, which had been cancelled by the Mining (Local Content) Regulations 2018, were put to tender. Montero has made repeated attempts to reach an amicable solution with the Government of Tanzania with no success since that date. Montero filed a request for arbitration with the ICSID on January 8, 2021. On February 9, 2021, ICSID registered Montero's request for the institution of arbitration proceedings to resolve the illegal expropriation matter. The arbitral tribunal was constituted on November 18, 2021, with the appointment of the President, and appointees from Montero and Tanzania. Qualified Person's Statement This press release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Mike Evans, M.Sc. Pr.Sci.Nat., a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. It has also been reviewed by Mr. Thierry Lauriol, avocat a la cour (Paris, France) and Mr. Timothy Foden of Boies Schiller Flexner (UK) LLP. Disclaimer While the facts and the grounds of the Indiana case are similar to those of Montero's, the cases are heard by different tribunals, which does not guarantee the same outcome for Montero's case. About Montero Montero is a junior exploration company focused on finding, exploring, and advancing globally significant gold, silver, and base metal deposits in Chile. Montero's board of directors and management have an impressive track record of successfully discovering and advancing precious metal and copper projects. Montero trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MON and has 38,647,485 shares outstanding. For more information, contact: Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. Dr. Tony Harwood, President and Chief Executive Officer E-mail: ir@monteromining.com Tel: +1 416 840 9197 | Fax: +1 866 688 4671 www.monteromining.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements, projections and estimates with respect to the Share Consolidation. 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 state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Such information is based on information currently available to Montero and Montero provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking information by its very nature involves inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Montero to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Actual results relating to, among other things, completion of the agreement, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of Montero's mineral properties, and financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements for many reasons such as: an inability to complete the agreement on the terms as announced or at all; changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets; changes in demand and prices for minerals; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological and operational difficulties encountered in connection with Montero's activities; and other matters discussed in this news release and in filings made with securities regulators. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of Montero's forward-looking statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Montero does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / Innovation has long been a cultural centerpiece of Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE:HRL), and today, the company was recognized on Fast Company's fifth annual list of the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators. "It is an incredible honor to be recognized as one of the top innovative companies in the nation. It's a credit to the inspired team of innovators we have here that are making it all happen," said Scott Aakre, senior vice president, Brand Fuel at Hormel Foods. "The food industry is constantly evolving, and it is our commitment as a global branded food company to keep pace with that evolution by making insights-led innovation central to everything we do. Innovation has always been an important part of our culture. We're constantly striving to improve the lives of our customers and consumers by meeting their needs with innovative processes and product solutions while also creating a more sustainable future for both our company and the planet." Developed in collaboration with Accenture, the 2023 Best Workplaces for Innovators ranks 100 winners worldwide from a variety of industries, including biotech, consumer-packaged goods, education, healthcare and many more. Fast Company editors and Accenture researchers collaborated together to score nearly 1,000 submissions, and a panel of eight distinguished judges reviewed and endorsed the top 100 companies, which now includes Hormel Foods for the first time. Hormel Foods recently unveiled a new center of excellence focused on consumer insights and innovation called Brand Fuel. The Brand Fuel team serves as the company's hub for consumer insights and brand diagnostics while supporting technology to enable connections with consumers on where and how they shop and eat. Additionally the company launched its Originate Initiative, an email series that shares many of the industry-leading efforts the company is pioneering today, while sparking conversations about tomorrow and beyond. "Innovation is part of our DNA, and it will continue to play an important part in our future," Aakre said. "It's one of the reasons we have had so much success for so many years." To see the complete list of Fast Company's 2023 Best Workplaces for Innovators, visit fastcompany.com/best-workplaces-for-innovators/list. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Hormel Foods Corporation on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Hormel Foods Corporation Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/hormel-foods-corporation Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Hormel Foods Corporation View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769591/Hormel-Foods-Named-One-of-Fast-Companys-Best-Workplaces-for-Innovators NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / Enbridge Just in time for summer festivities, Michigan facility upgrades improve accessibility in Mackinaw City Since 1944, American Legion Post 159 has offered veterans and their families in northern Michigan a comfortable space to connect, relax and access a variety of resources. "This is a place for men and women as they come home from war," says Tom Chastain, Post Commander. "There's a lot of history here, and our membership can gather to exchange stories with pride of their time in service while reconnecting with old friends." Post 159 is a facility built by veterans, for veterans. Its membership of approximately 450 is made up of three groups who offer various services and put on events year-round: Sons of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and American Legion Veterans. Services range from pension claim support to funeral detail, but members can simply stop in and enjoy socializing in the canteen, too. "It's a get-together and, for many, it's also a tradition," says Chastain. "Having been around for so long, we see people and families coming together and passing that routine down to their kids and their grandkids-kids who are also going to be members one day." Men and women returning from their posts this year will get a pleasant surprise at Post 159, as the facility underwent significant upgrades and repairs over the winter. From hidden improvements such as a furnace replacement to more obvious remodeling like a new deck, outdoor seating areas and ramps for wheelchair accessibility, members will have a lot more to enjoy this summer. "Our summer schedule is out, we're opening our facility to the public again and we'll have live music starting up on Saturday nights," says Chastain. "It's great-all of a sudden people are back." Last year, Enbridge made a $45,000 Fueling Futures donation to American Legion Post 159 as part of our commitment to building vibrant and sustainable communities near our operations. The funding has been used for key upgrades to the facility and outdoor beautification of the area such as shrubbery and flowers. "The grant improves the overall accessibility of the Post," says Chastain. "It's something we could have never raised the money for ourselves, so we're overwhelmingly grateful." A ribbon-cutting event in mid-June is expected to mark the grand re-opening of Post 159 following the final installation of new sidewalks. Enbridge's own Mike Davanzo, a former U.S. Coast Guard Captain and now helming the Enbridge Straits Maritime Operations Center (ESMOC), will be in attendance, in a nod to his former post as Captain of the Mackinaw. Chastain is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran himself, and has had long-term involvement with the Legion for over 20 years. Post 159 is located in Mackinaw City, MI; however, the Legion network is vast. Anyone who has served even one day in the military since 1941-and has been honorably discharged or still serving-is eligible for membership. Veterans can travel across the United States knowing a Legion location is not too far away and ready to welcome them through their doors-and some partner locations are even located internationally. "We're a family," says Chastain. 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/769616/American-Legion-Post-159-A-Space-To-Gather-Connect-and-Honor-Veteran-Families Series of dialogues will be held in partnership with IRENA and will be supported by the UNFCCC. Dialogues aim to bring government and energy industry together to define how to accelerate action towards 1.5 degrees at COP28. Session held on the sidelines of the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial, alongside the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting in Goa, India. Events are being co-chaired by COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber and Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA. Initiative is intended to build consensus on 1.5C degree-compatible energy transition pathways and the enabling conditions needed to achieve them, as well as momentum around the target energy outcomes for COP28. Dialogues will engage public and private sector energy decision makers, reflecting a holistic view of the global energy system. Dialogues will seek to prepare the ground for specific commitments and calls to action at the World Climate Action Summit being held at COP28. GOA, India, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The COP28 UAE Presidency and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have convened the first in a landmark series of high-level dialogues through to COP28 around building a 1.5C degree-aligned energy transition. The initiative is being conducted in conjunction with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and will be supported by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The dialogues are intended to build consensus on 1.5C degree-compatible energy transition pathways and the enabling conditions needed to achieve them, as well as momentum around the target energy outcomes for COP28. The meetings are being co chaired by COP28 President Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber and Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA. The aim is to engage public and private sector decisio makers in the energy industry to produce a holistic, global view of the energy system. The dialogues will prepare the ground for specific commitments and calls to action at the World Climate Action Summit being held at COP28. The session was held on Friday, 21 July on the sidelines of the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial, alongside the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting in Goa, India. Delegates at the meeting included various country delegates and private sector representatives. COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said of the initiative: "COP28 represents a milestone opportunity for the world to come together, unite around decisive action, and drive progress towards keeping the goals of then Paris Agreement alive and 1.5C within reach. This will require a collective effort and so we need everyone at the table - and that includes the energy industry." "Building a new energy system can only happen at speed and scale with united action on the supply and the demand side together. These high level dialogues are bringing public and private sector energy decision makers together under the framework of a COP for the first time. They will help redesign the relationship between policymakers, the biggest energy producers, and the biggest industrial consumers. This is one of my Presidency's key priorities and will be a crucial step in building consensus on how best to deliver the energy system of the future." IEA Executive Director Dr. Fatih Birol said: "The IEA has put forward a comprehensive energy package that can help make COP28 a success. This includes tripling global renewables capacity, doubling energy efficiency progress, slashing emissions from the oil and gas industry, boosting clean energy finance for developing economies, redirecting fossil fuel investment into clean energy, and putting fossil fuel demand into sharp decline. "The IEA's Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario is widely recognized as the global benchmark for efforts to keep the 1.5C goal within reach, so we are pleased to be working with the COP28 Presidency to lead these important international dialogues to drive stronger ambition and implementation, which is what is urgently needed. Every stakeholder must play their part - including oil and gas producers, which need to set out and deliver on aggressive targets to cut their emissions by 2030." Francesco La Camera, Director General of IRENA, said: "Our collective promise was to secure a climate-safe existence for current and future generations. We simply cannot continue with incremental changes. There is no time for a new energy system to evolve gradually over centuries, as was the case for the fossil fuel-based system. IRENA centres the renewables-based energy transition as the most realistic climate solution and calls for a tripling of annual renewable energy additions to keep global warming within 1.5C." "Achieving this requires overcoming systemic barriers across infrastructure, policy, and institutional settings in the coming years. The high-level dialogues will play an important role in galvanizing momentum towards the energy objectives of COP28, driving actionable policies and investment decisions through a shared understanding." The IEA and IRENA will provide data and technical analysis to set the stage for informed discussions, inviting others as appropriate. This will include the current state of the global energy landscape, and potential pathways, solutions and actions required to accelerate the transition in a just and equitable manner. Simon Steill, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, "These high-level dialogues convened by the COP28 Presidency and the IEA, with the collaborative efforts of IRENA and support of the UNFCCC, should act as a catalyst to drive momentum towards a just and inclusive 1.5 degree-aligned energy transition. It is my hope that these dialogues will pave the way for specific commitments and actions by Parties at COP 28, bringing us all closer to the sustainable and climate-resilient future that is called for in the Paris Agreement. It's time for decisive action from all stakeholders." For all media enquiries and requests for interviews, please contact media@cop28.com. For up to date COP28 news, follow us on Twitter @COP28_UAE. Notes to Editors COP28 UAE: COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30-December 12, 2023. The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives. academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors. As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake - a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals. The UAE will lead a process for all parties to agree upon a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a "leave no one behind" approach to inclusive climate action. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2159555/COP28_President_Designate.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cop28-and-iea-convene-global-energy-decision-makers-to-accelerate-a-just-orderly-energy-transition-301883248.html San Francisco, CA - LeadGenius, a leading provider of B2B lead generation and data enrichment services, is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of the software assets of WhoKnows, a technology company known for its expertise in predictive analytics and AI-driven data insights. This transaction brings together two long standing industry veterans and creates a comprehensive solution that will amplify the sales and marketing efforts of LeadGenius' global, enterprise clients. LeadGenius's robust B2B lead generation platform, coupled with WhoKnows's AI-driven insights, will offer unprecedented sales intelligence to businesses, helping them to identify, engage, and convert prospects more efficiently and effectively. "The combination of LeadGenius and WhoKnows will allow custom and contextual outreach for our clients on a global scale," said Mark Godley, CEO of LeadGenius. "By integrating WhoKnows' AI and predictive analytics capabilities into our platform, Leadgenius will extend the delivery of highly valuable and client-specific data to our clients not possible when working with pre-built data vendors." "The decision to join forces with LeadGenius was an easy one," said Chris Macomber, CEO of WhoKnows who will join LeadGenius as VP of Data Science. "LeadGenius is uniquely positioned to productize our Knowledge Graph, Tagger and AI-Marketer technologies to provide data and workflows unmatched in the marketplace today. The next chapter of WhoKnows' technology and innovation will thrive in our new home at LeadGenius." About LeadGenius LeadGenius is a leading provider of B2B lead generation and data enrichment services. Using a unique combination of data science, human researchers, and machine learning, LeadGenius delivers highly accurate and customized lead lists that fuel high-impact marketing campaigns and sales outreach. Press Contact: Derek Rahn drahn@leadgenius.com 520-490-2425 View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769723/LeadGenius-Acquires-Software-Assets-of-WhoKnows-Deepens-Sales-Intelligence-Capabilities WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - In a joint effort to tackle the growing concern over AI-generated deepfakes and misleading content, seven major companies, including OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, Meta, Amazon, Anthropic, and Inflection, have pledged to create technology for clear watermarking of such content. The Biden administration hopes that this move will enhance the safety of sharing AI-generated text, video, audio, and images by enabling users to trace the origins of the content back to the AI tools used to create it. The specifics of how the watermark will function remain unclear, but it is expected to be embedded within the content itself, allowing for easy identification of its source. Deepfakes, which use AI to manipulate and create realistic-looking fake content, have raised concerns among internet users and policymakers alike. Instances like the viral spread of fake images depicting Donald Trump's arrest, generated using the Midjourney image generator earlier this year, have underscored the need for measures to combat the misuse of AI tools. The watermarking initiative aims to prevent misleading and harmful uses of AI-generated content, such as scams and sextortion schemes. By adding watermarks, users will be able to differentiate between authentic and AI-generated content, thus reducing the dangers of fraud and deception. OpenAI, in a blog post, expressed its commitment to developing robust mechanisms for watermarking audio and visual content, while also providing tools to determine if a particular piece of content was generated using their system. The commitment will apply to most AI-generated content, with a few exceptions like not watermarking the default voices of AI assistants. Google, in addition to watermarking, plans to integrate metadata and other innovative techniques to promote trustworthy information. The White House commends these voluntary commitments and has announced that tech companies will conduct internal and external testing on AI systems before release and invest more in cybersecurity. The companies will also share information across the industry to reduce AI-related risks, such as bias and discrimination in AI systems and potential advancements in weaponry development. President Joe Biden is set to meet with tech companies to gather key insights ahead of developing executive orders and bipartisan legislation to regulate AI technologies more effectively. The companies' willingness to collaborate and establish responsible guardrails for AI has been praised as a significant step in advancing meaningful AI governance worldwide. By setting higher standards for AI, the industry aims to enhance the safety, security, and trustworthiness of AI technologies. The administration considers this endeavor a high priority, as it strives to ensure responsible AI use for the benefit of all. (1:18:12 AM) annaxavier@im.rttnews.com/169471725100070784114894: pls check this one too (1:27:53 AM) prashamshasagar@im.rttnews.com: no changes (1:32:00 AM) annaxavier@im.rttnews.com/169471725100070784114894: ok (1:32:40 AM) annaxavier@im.rttnews.com/169471725100070784114894: FTX Bankruptcy Estate Lawsuit Reveals Unconventional Island Dream of Gabe Bankman-Fried Startling revelations have emerged from a series of lawsuits filed by the FTX bankruptcy estate aimed at recovering hundreds of millions of FTX dollars allegedly fraudulently allocated from customer cash during the collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried's crypto empire. Among the eye-catching disclosures is Gabe Bankman-Fried's island dream, as cited in a memo between Gabe and an officer of the FTX Foundation. The memo outlines a plan to purchase Nauru, a tiny island nation in Micronesia, with the ambitious goal of building a bunker to ensure the survival of effective altruists and establish a laboratory for human genetic enhancement research. The FTX estate is seeking the return of all property involved in the alleged fraudulent transfers, along with monetary damages, although the specific amount was not specified. Gabe's island dream, though unconventional, has captured some attention, with the idea of owning an island appealing to many. The allure of buying an island often emerges when playing hypothetical games of 'if you could buy anything in the world.' However, the feasibility and practicality of such an endeavor warrant examination. Nauru, historically known for its phosphate-rich deposits, once enjoyed great wealth thanks to phosphate mining. In the 1960s, the country gained independence, becoming a sovereign nation. However, over time, phosphate reserves depleted, leading to economic challenges. The country now focuses on sustainable development and protecting its natural environment. While some of the actions taken by Gabe and his brother Ben have faced criticism for their impact on others, the desire to own a country, though grandiose, reflects a human fascination with power and ownership. The island purchase idea may have been fueled by Crypto bros' penchant for opulence and influence. Although Gabe's island dream may seem far-fetched, it highlights the fantasies and aspirations of individuals with significant wealth and resources. The prospect of owning a sovereign nation, while captivating, remains out of reach for most. As the lawsuits continue to unfold, the public remains intrigued by the eccentricities of those involved in the crypto world. The desire to possess an island, while not without its appeal, serves as a reminder of the complexities and extravagances inherent in the world of crypto and finance. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Top 3 Energie-Dividendenaktien Im neuen Energieboom von kontinuierlichen Ertragen profitieren. Wir zeigen hier, von welche drei Aktien Sie profitieren konnen. Hier klicken SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - Amazon (AMZN) has announced the widespread implementation of its Amazon One palm payment technology, which is already in use at more than 200 Whole Foods Market locations in the United States. By the end of this year, the technology will be available at all 500+ Whole Foods stores nationwide, including locations in Pennsylvania such as Lancaster, Philadelphia, and Allentown. The innovative palm payment system enables Whole Foods customers to make purchases without the need for wallets or phones. Instead, they can simply hover their palm over an Amazon One device to complete transactions. For added convenience, Prime members who link their Amazon One profile with their Amazon account will automatically receive savings and other benefits. Amazon One is not limited to Whole Foods alone. The technology is also being adopted by third-party businesses like Panera Bread, where customers can enjoy personalized experiences by linking their MyPanera loyalty account to the Amazon One device. Moreover, Coors Field, home to the Colorado Rockies MLB team, utilizes Amazon One's 'age verification' feature, allowing adult customers over the age of 21 to purchase alcoholic beverages by scanning their palm at the Amazon One device without needing their IDs. To use Amazon One, first-time users can pre-enroll online with their credit or debit card, Amazon account, and mobile phone number. They can then complete the enrollment process by scanning their palm over an Amazon One device during their next visit to a participating Whole Foods Market or any location where Amazon One is available. Leandro Balbinot, Chief Technology Officer at Whole Foods Market, expressed enthusiasm for the technology, emphasizing how it enhances the shopping experience for customers. Since the introduction of Amazon One at select Whole Foods Market stores over the past two years, customers have shown great appreciation for the convenience it offers. Amazon's expansion of Amazon One to all Whole Foods Market locations aims to further delight customers and streamline payment processes, making it easier and more efficient to shop without the hassle of traditional payment methods. As the technology continues to gain popularity, it is poised to transform the way people pay for goods and services, offering a secure and seamless payment solution at their fingertips, or rather, at the palm of their hand. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Top 3 Energie-Dividendenaktien Im neuen Energieboom von kontinuierlichen Ertragen profitieren. Wir zeigen hier, von welche drei Aktien Sie profitieren konnen. Hier klicken Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2023) - Resouro Gold Inc. (TSXV: RAU) (FSE: BU9) ("Resouro" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company has bolstered its Board of Directors (the "Board") by appointing Ms. Anne Landry and Mr. Justin Clyne. Both Ms Landry and Mr Clyne are highly experienced Company directors with a history of relevant public company and industry experience who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise, aligning with the Company's strategic goals and vision. Ms. Anne Landry Ms Landry is an international finance professional with experience in financial structuring, investments and strategy. She has been responsible for the oversight and bankable structuring of projects in various sectors, including mining, and with financial institutions and multilateral organizations worldwide. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University, a Masters of Business Administration from Institut Superieur de Gestion in Paris and is a CFA charterholder. Mr. Justin Clyne Mr Clyne is an Australian based company director and company secretary for public-listed and unlisted companies. He has significant experience and knowledge in international law and corporate regulatory requirements. Justin was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and High Court of Australia in 1996 before gaining admission as a barrister in 1998. Over the past 16 years, Justin has dedicated himself full time to the provision of corporate advisory and related services for listed entities primarily in the Australian and North American markets from incorporation through to takeovers and other large corporate transactions. He holds a Master of Laws in International Law from the University of New South Wales. He is also a qualified Chartered Company Secretary and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Additionally, Resouro announces that effective immediately, Mr. Ricardo Rossin has resigned from the Board. "The addition of Justin Clyne and Anne Landry further strengthens the expertise and knowledge base of the Board of Directors at Resouro. Their strategic guidance will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the company and ensuring its long-term success. The Board looks forward to working with these two new directors," commented President and CEO Christopher Eager. "The Board would also like to thank Ricardo for his vital role with the company through its nacent stages and wish him well in his future endeavours." About Resouro Gold Inc. Resouro is a Canadian-based mineral exploration and development company focused on the discovery and advancement of economic mineral projects in Brazil, including the Tiros Titanium-REE Project in Minas Gerais and the Novo Mundo Gold Project in Mato Grosso. Learn more about the Company on its website: https://resouro.com . On behalf of the Board of Directors, Chris Eager, President & CEO RESOURO GOLD INC. For further information, please contact the Company at: Chris Eager, CEO chris.eager@resouro.com For Investor inquiries nick@grovecorp.ca 416-642-1807 Disclaimer 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. In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the completion of the titanium- REE project acquisition and the intended use of the proceeds from the Offering. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada and globally; industry conditions, including governmental regulation and environmental regulation; failure to obtain industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required, including obtaining final acceptance from of the TSXV; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; liabilities inherent in the mining industry; competition for, among other things, skilled personnel and supplies; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; geological, technical, processing and transportation problems; changes in tax laws and incentive programs; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; and the other factors. Readers are cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our expectations except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. 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/174379 Nairobi The Court of Appeal (CoA) will determine an application to lift orders staying the implementation of the Finance Act 2023 on Friday, July 28. Justice Mohamed Warsame, Kathurima M'Inoti and Hellen Omondi gave the directive on Thursday after submissions by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof Njuguna Ndungu. He told the court that the suspension by the High Court risked plunging the country into a budget crisis. CoA's direction on the matter came days after Chief Justice Martha Koome appointed a three-judge bench to hear Finance Act 2023 petition refereed to her by Justice Mugure Thande. The impaneled High Court bench will include Justices David Majanja (Presiding), Lawrence Mugambi and Christine Meoli. While referring the matter to the CJ, Justice Mugure Thande cited weighty constitutional matters raised by petitioners led by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah. Prof Githu Muigai, former Attorney General appearing for the State, had challenged the petition saying it risked plunging the country into a financial crisis. He argued that granting orders sought by Senator Omtatah and six other activists would in fact trigger a constitutional crisis. "What the petitioners have done is that they have precipitated a constitutional crisis without precedent," Muigai told the court on July 5. He told the judge that the seven petitioners had mislead the court. "By misleading the court to suspend the Finance Act 2023, they have compromised all other budget statutes including the Appropriation Act 2023." Omtatah who was joined by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo dismissed Muigai's position as baseless. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / GRI in North America GRI North America organized an exclusive virtual networking session this week for GRI Community members in the region. The session provided an excellent opportunity for sustainability professionals from corporations and service providers, to engage in casual conversations, exchange insights and experiences from the current reporting season, as well as receive updates directly from GRI. During the group discussion, several key points were highlighted: Assorted stakeholders - including investors - are driving increased corporate disclosure, with a majority of our members experiencing different stakeholder groups demanding information. Elevated reporting expectations are leading sustainability reporting to be moved under more traditional corporate functions, such as finance, and more internal controls and auditability is being prioritized. The assurance of data in reports is becoming more commonplace, with over 60% of attendees indicating that they, or the majority of their clients, had data assured in their latest reports. The increase in assurance aligns with the findings of the latest IFAC study, The State of Play in Sustainability Assurance. The study reviewed a total of 1,350 companies across twenty-one jurisdictions in 2021. Notably, 95% of large companies reported on ESG, and 64% of companies now obtain assurance/verification over some of the information provided (increasing from 91% and 51%, respectively, in 2019). Additionally, information disclosed following GRI Standards received higher assurance rates than any other reporting framework or standard, reaching 39% in 2021. One of GRI's previous installments of the GRI Perspective Series was Auditing to Save the Planet . The two-pager highlighted that inaccurate and incomplete data undermines the credibility of sustainability information. Effective reporting and controls go hand in hand, and at GRI, we believe that both are essential. Comparable data is crucial for companies and their stakeholders to assess whether their risks are mitigated and what impact the organization has on the environment, the economy and society, and how those impacts are managed. In line with this, we are pleased to note that the IAASB is developing a sustainability reporting assurance standard, which is a positive step towards increased transparency and accountability. If business, investors, and other stakeholders cannot trust published sustainability information, from both the financial and impact perspectives, it will be hard to demonstrate how they are contributing to a better world for everyone. GRI North America's Head of Engagements and Public Affairs, Matthew Rusk is pleased to be leading the panel discussion The Evolving Double Materiality, Two-Pillar Corporate Reporting System, and Roles for Accountants at the American Accounting Association's annual meeting in Denver next month. The conversation will highlight the significance of internal auditing and controls in advancing the professionalization of ESG and Sustainability Reporting practices, while emphasizing the need for external assurance in ESG and Sustainability Reporting. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GRI in North America on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: GRI in North America Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/gri-north-america Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: GRI in North America View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769740/Advancing-Sustainability-Reporting-Insights-From-GRIs-Networking-Session-in-North-America TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / Forward Water Technologies Corp. (TSXV:FWTC) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has issued a total of 410,909 common shares in the capital of the Company in settlement of compensation to AGORA Internet Relations Corp. ("AGORA") for certain advertising services provided by AGORA to the Company over the last six months. The Company has received significant exposure through millions of content brand insertions on the AGORACOM network and extensive search engine marketing over the last six months. In addition, exclusive sponsorships of invaluable digital properties such as AGORACOM TV, the AGORACOM home page and the AGORACOM Twitter account have served to significantly raise the brand awareness of the Company among small cap investors. President and CEO, Mr. Honeyman comments, "AGORA has demonstrated its value as a partner throughout the past six months. We are thrilled to have their services to further our expansion in the clean technology sector.'" As disclosed in the Company's February 8, 2023 press release the Company entered into an agreement with AGORA for the provision of marketing services for a period of one year. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement with AGORA, the Company agreed to pay a total fee of $100,000 + HST. The fee is payable, through the issuance of common shares of the Company and the 410,909 common shares being issued are being issued at the deemed price equal to the closing price of the shares at July 4, 2023: $20,000 + HST Shares for Services at end of Sixth Month July 1st, 2023 ($22,600.00 / $0.055 Closing Price JUL 4/23) The shares are subject to a hold period that will expire on October 5, 2023. About AGORACOM AGORACOM is the pioneer of online marketing, broadcasting, conferences and investor relations services to North American small and mid-cap public companies, with more than 300 companies served. AGORACOM is the home of more than 7.7 million investors that visited 55.2 million times and read over 600 million pages of information over the last 10 years. The average visit of 8min 43sec is more than double that of global financial sites, which can be attributed to the implementation and enforcement of the strongest moderation rules in the industry. About Forward Water Technologies Corp. Forward Water Technologies Corp. is a publicly traded Canadian company dedicated to saving the earth's water supply using its patented Forward Osmosis technology. The Company was founded by GreenCentre Canada, a leading technology innovation centre supported by the government of Canada. The Company's technology allows for the reduction of challenging waste streams simultaneously returning fresh water for re-use or surface release. The Company's mandate is to focus on the large-scale implementation of its technology in multiple sectors, including industrial wastewater, oil and gas, mining, agriculture and ultimately municipal water supply and re-use market sectors. In addition, the Company has initiated early stage R&D for the treatment of food and beverage process streams. For more information, please visit www.forwardwater.com. Contact Information For more information or interview requests, please contact: C. Howie Honeyman - Chief Executive Officer howie.honeyman@forwardwater.com 416-451-8155 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws including statements regarding expansion and uptake of the Company's technology and the ability for the Company to achieve its growth strategy and business plan. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, the ability to scale the technology and the adoption of the technology by potential customers. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally; unanticipated operating events; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. SOURCE: Forward Water Technologies Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/769734/Forward-Water-Technologies-Corp-Issues-Shares-for-Payment-of-Services-by-AGORA-Internet-Relations-Corp Dave Reed, Chief Financial Officer, YL Ventures YL Ventures, an Israeli-American cybersecurity seed stage venture capital firm, announced that Dave Reed, former CFO and CCO of PowerPlant Partners, is joining its team as Chief Financial Officer. Reed will serve dual roles as both CFO of the firms $800m AUM and as strategic advisor to its portfolio companies. He has previously worked as auditor for notable investment funds, including Accel, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Babcock & Brown, among others. Reed has gained comprehensive knowledge in M&A transactions and various fund strategies in addition to accounting, reporting, financial and tax planning. He will help Israeli founders navigate U.S. financial regulations, tax obligations, reporting requirements and other compliance tasks. Led by Managing Partner Yoav Leitersdorf, YL Ventures funds Israeli cybersecurity entrepreneurs from seed to lead. The firm accelerates the evolution of portfolio companies via a network of Chief Information Security Officers, global industry leaders and a dedicated team of experts. The firms track record includes investments in Israeli cybersecurity unicorns such as Axonius and Orca Security, as well as high-profile portfolio company acquisitions by major corporations including Palo Alto Networks, Microsoft, CA and Proofpoint. FinSMEs 21/07/2023 OpenEx, a Singapore-based trading company which specializes in a hybrid exchange model, raised an undisclosed amount in Pre-Series A funding, at a valuation of USD 50M. Backers included C Ventures, Agallochum Capital, TKX Capital, Future Moneys, String Capital, and many others. The company intends to use the funds to improve the trading experience on its products. Led by CEO Jake Stolarski, and led by Chief Business Officer Bob Chien, OpenEx is building a hybrid exchange model that integrates centralization and decentralization, attracting diverse market entities through diverse trading modules to maximize liquidity creation and the most efficient pricing. Online for nearly 3 months, OpenEx already has an active community of over 100,000 monthly active users, with 60,000+ registered users and members respectively. The daily trading volume is approximately around 100 million USD. FinSMEs 21/07/2023 Settly, an Amsterdam, The Netherlands-based provider of a platform for employee relocation, raised 6m in funding. The round was co-led by 2050 and Mediahuis Ventures, the venture capital fund of international publisher Mediahuis. The company intends to use the funds to continue to develop its product and service offering, grow in key markets and expand into new geographies. Led by Marieke van Iperen, CEO, Settly provides a platform for companies to relocate employees, connect them with the local community by offering a broad range of events, recommendations, and tailored information and support based on their personal situation. Since its start in 2019, the company has grown to over 50 employees in 7 countries. FinSMEs 21/07/2023 Stylib, a London, UK-based AI powered product discovery platform for architects, raised 1.5M in Pre-Seed funding. The round was led by Foundamental, with participation from AEC/O software provider Nemetschek Group and Redstone Built World Strategy. The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its product development and UK operation. Founded by Noam Naveh (CEO) and Fabio Galicia (CTO), Stylib provides a platform for design professionals to search, review and specify architectural materials. Working with product suppliers and their designer customers, the startup is developing tools and technologies that leverage AI & architecture domain-knowledge to promote efficient specification journeys. The companys proprietary machine vision tools allow designers to use their own inspiration images to search for relevant products from trade suppliers. It is then coupled with its product database, which helps specifiers to further narrow down their search using technical filters that include information like sustainability criteria, fire rating, slip resistance and more. To complement its search technology, Stylib is developing tools such as digital moodboards and personalised material libraries, that help designers to manage their architectural materials knowledge base. For instance, customers can integrate Stylibs product discovery technology into their own websites using its API and widget solutions. Suppliers can manage their catalog database using the platforms vertical Product Information System (PIM), which enriches their data using machine learning and has been designed to suit the needs of architectural product suppliers and manufacturers. They also benefit from search insights which inform them what the latest trends are based on analysis of user searches. FinSMEs 21/07/2023 Amsterdams city council has voted to ban cruise ships in its latest attempt to curb mass tourism and pollution. The main cruise terminal on the River IJ, which is adjacent to the citys main train station, will close as a result of the ban. The move is partly because attempts are being made to reduce the number of visitors to the Dutch capital. Notably, the Dutch capital is one of the many picturesque European cities from Rome to Venice to Paris grappling with how to manage visitor numbers that are again soaring in the aftermath of shutdowns during the coronavirus pandemic, according to The Associated Press. Lets take a closer look. Also read: Why Amsterdam is banning marijuana use in its red light district Amsterdams ban on cruise ships Amsterdam is one of the biggest cruise ports in Europe, which annually welcomes 700,000 cruise passengers and hundreds of mega-ships. Other cruise ports in the nation include Rotterdam and IJmuiden. However, the latest move comes in order to cut back on the inflow of tourists and reduce marine ollution from the giant vessels. A statement from the centre-right party D66, which governs the city alongside the social democrats PvdA and environmentalists GroenLinks, claims that polluting cruise ships are not in line with the sustainable ambitions of our city. The liberal party also asserted that the proposed new bridge between the Noord district, the subject of current development initiatives, and the citys historic southern section could not be constructed with cruise ships passing over it, reported The Guardian. A clear decision has been made by the council that the cruise (terminal) should leave the city, Ilana Rooderkerk, leader of the centrist D66 party in Amsterdam, told AP in an email on Friday. The municipal executive of Amsterdam is now going to work on how to implement it. In any case, as far as we are concerned, large ships no longer moor in the city centre of Amsterdam. Dick de Graaff, director of Cruise Port Amsterdam which operates the terminal in the city centre, told the news agency that the company had taken note of the vote and is awaiting the municipalitys next move. There is no immediate closing of the terminal. The councils call is to relocate the terminal and we await a follow-up from the alderman on investigations, he wrote in an email response. De Graaff said that the Amsterdam terminal expects 114 ships to stop there this year and 130 next year. The reduction of air pollution in Amsterdam is a major justification for eliminating cruise ships. One large cruise ship was discovered to have emitted the same amount of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in one day as 30,000 trucks, according to BBC which cited a 2021 study. Other mooring locations outside of the city centre have been considered for a long time, but nothing has been decided. Also read: What is Amsterdams plan for an erotic centre? Why has it upset the European drug regulator? Similar measures in Europe Amsterdam is the most recent city in Europe to forbid cruise ships. Venice banned allowing large ships to anchor in its historical district in 2021 after the damage to its lagoon prompted UNESCO to threaten to list the city on its endangered list. The mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, recently declared that if she were elected again in May, she would restrict the number of cruise visitors to the city, according to The National News. The Spanish city, which ranked as the worst cruise port for air pollution in Europe in research conducted by Transport and Environment last year, is also concerned about pollution. The mayor of Marseille, Frances largest cruise port, has recently denounced cruise lines, saying their air pollution is suffocating the city. Also read: Stags Not Allowed: Why is Amsterdam asking young British men to stay away? Becoming a victim of own popularity With 20 million tourists each year, some of whom are attracted by the citys reputation as a party destination, Amsterdam has over time become a victim of its own popularity, reported BBC. The capital of the Netherlands, which is renowned for its lax drug and sex regulations, has long been the subject of complaints from its citizens about becoming unlivable. According to city hall, overtourism in Amsterdams historic district had gotten worse than the already severe annoyance of inebriated visitors nightly puking on 17th-century doorsteps and profuse urination in waterways, according to a report by The Guardian published in January 2020. It became unsafe when 850,000 residents were squeezed into a maze of winding streets and passageways by more than 19 million tourists in 2018. Vera Al, of the finance and economic affairs department, told The Guardian, At times there was a real safety concern. Rembrandtplein, Leidseplein, and other busy districts of the city also became too crowded to live in, and stores selling wooden tulips, vacuum-packed cheese, and cannabis seeds had taken the place of pharmacies, greengrocers, and hair salons in the historic neighbourhood. New curbs to address over-tourism The vote is the latest step in the Dutch capitals long-running campaign to reduce the impact of tourism. Other measures include banning people from smoking weed in the narrow streets of its red light district and a proposal to move out of the city center many of the windows where scantily-clad prostitutes stand. Earlier this year, Amsterdam even launched a campaign titled, Stay Away, against what it described as nuisance tourism. Visitors will remain welcome, but not if they misbehave and cause a nuisance. In that case we as a city will say: rather not, stay away, Deputy Mayor Sofyan Mbarki said in a statement at the time. The city has also made initiatives to improve nightlife for young people. In order to cultivate the skills of creative young people who want to organise something at night, it has stated its intention to locate nightclub settings such as abandoned tunnels and garages. With inputs from agencies Why are the acts of burning the Quran allowed in Sweden? This is the question doing rounds following a series of events involving public desecration of the Quran in Sweden in recent days. Quran burning by a handful of anti-Islam activists in Sweden has triggered strong resentment in Muslim nations. On Thursday, an Iraqi living in Sweden stomped on and kicked Islams holy book in a two-man rally outside the Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm. The protest was authorised by Swedish police, who kept a handful of agitated counterdemonstrators at a safe distance. The same Iraqi man burned a Quran outside a Stockholm Mosque last month in a similar protest that was approved by police. And at the start of the year, a far-right activist from Denmark carried out a similar stunt outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm. Lets take a closer look at how Swedish authorities have been dealing with these acts. Is desecrating the Quran allowed in Sweden? There is no law in Sweden specifically prohibiting the burning or desecration of the Quran or other religious texts. Like many Western countries, Sweden doesnt have any blasphemy laws. It wasnt always that way. As late as the 19th Century, blasphemy was considered a serious crime in Sweden, punishable by death. But blasphemy laws were gradually relaxed as Sweden became increasingly secularised. The last such law was taken off the books in 1970. Can Swedish authorities stop such acts? Many Muslim countries have called on the Swedish government to stop protesters from burning the Quran. But in Sweden it is up to police, not the government, to decide whether to authorise demonstrations or public gatherings. The freedom of speech is protected under the Swedish constitution. Police need to cite specific grounds to deny a permit for a demonstration or public gathering, such as risks to public safety. Also Read: Why are Quran-burning incidents so common in Sweden? Stockholm police did just that in February when they denied two applications for Quran-burning protests, citing assessments from the Swedish Security Service that such acts could increase the risk of terror attacks against Sweden. But a court later overturned those decisions, saying police need to cite more concrete threats to ban a public gathering. Can Quran burning be considered hate speech? Swedens hate speech law prohibits incitement against groups of people based on race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. Some say burning the Quran constitutes incitement against Muslims and should therefore be considered as hate speech. Others say such acts are targeting the religion of Islam rather than practitioners of the faith, and that criticism of religion must be covered by freedom of speech, even when some consider it offensive. Seeking guidance from the justice system, Swedish police have filed preliminary hate crime charges against the man who burned the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm in June and desecrated Islams holy book again on Thursday. Its now up to prosecutors to decide whether to formally indict him. Are Swedish authorities singling out Muslims and the Quran? Some Muslims in Sweden who were deeply hurt by recent Quran burnings questioned whether Swedish police would allow the desecration of holy books from other religions. One Muslim man apparently decided to put that to the test and applied for permission to stage a protest last Saturday outside the Israeli Embassy in which he said he intended to burn the Torah and the Bible. Though Israeli government officials and Jewish groups condemned the planned act and called on Swedish authorities to stop it, police approved the mans request. However, once at the scene the man backed away from his plans, saying that as a Muslim he was against the burning of all religious books. How is blasphemy viewed in other parts of the world? Blasphemy is criminalised in many countries. A Pew Research Centre analysis found that 79 countries and territories out of the 198 studied had laws or policies on the books in 2019 that banned blasphemy, defined as speech or actions considered to be contemptuous of God or of people or objects considered sacred. In at least seven countries Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia it carried a potential death sentence. In the Middle East and North Africa, 18 of the 20 countries studied had laws criminalising blasphemy, although not in most cases punishable by death. Also Read: How Muslim countries reacted to Quran burning in Sweden In Iraq, publicly insulting a symbol or a person that is held sacred, revered, or respected by a religious sect is a crime punishable by up to three years in prison. Likewise in religiously diverse Lebanon, where sectarian divisions helped fuel a brutal 15-year civil war from 1975 to 1990, any act intended to or resulting in provoking sectarian strife is a crime punishable by up to three years in prison. In the United States, under the freedom of speech protections in the First Amendment of the Constitution, its not illegal to burn copies of the Quran or other holy books. For example, authorities were appalled by Florida pastor Terry Jones threat in 2010 to burn a copy of the Quran on the anniversary of the 11 September, 2001 attacks, but were unable to take legal action. Jones didnt go through with that plan, but he led a Quran-burning in Florida the next year. With inputs from AP After France, India is taking its homegrown digital payments system, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), to Sri Lanka. The two neighbours have signed an agreement on the acceptance of UPI in the island nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday (21 July) in a joint briefing with Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe. Wickremesinghe, who took over as Sri Lankas president last July, is on his first official visit to India. The agreement signed to launch UPI in Sri Lanka will boost fintech connectivity, the Indian prime minister said. The island nations president also thanked Modi for Indias support during Sri Lankas worst economic crisis. New Delhi provided $4 billion worth of financial aid through multiple credit lines and currency support. Last week, addressing the diaspora in Paris, Modi said India and France have decided to launch UPI in the European country, paving the way for Indian tourists to transact via the online payments facility. Lets take a look at how UPI works and how India is expanding its digital payments system globally. How to use UPI? UPI lets users make fast, real-time cashless payments. This can be done via a quick response (QR) code or a four or six-digit PIN, with money being directly transferred between the bank accounts of the sender and receiver. India has widely adopted UPI for making payments since its launch a few years back. Daily UPI transactions are likely to reach one billion by 2026-27, accounting for nearly 90 per cent of the total transaction volume in retail digital payments in the country. It is estimated that UPI will record one billion transactions per day by FY2026-2027, going from 83.71 billion transactions in 2022-23 to 379 billion transactions by 2026-27, as per PwC Indias 2022 report. In May, the number of UPI transactions touched a record 9.41 billion, worth a whopping Rs 14.3 trillion in terms of value. The digital payments system is also attracting more and more users to use the facility for quick cashless transactions. Last year, UPI accounted for 73 per cent of all non-cash transactions in India, Economic Times (ET) reported citing Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data. UPIs global expansion continues India plans to expand its domestic UPI success to other countries. National Payments Corporation Of India (NPCI), which created the UPI technology, last year signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Frances online payment system, Lyra, for allowing UPI and Rupay Card in the European nation. NIPL, NPCIs international arm, has been working to help foreign countries develop payment ecosystems, including Person-to-Person (P2P), Person-to-Merchant (P2M), and cross-border payments, noted Business Today. Why should one reinvent the wheel? We have done it successfully in India and we want to share it with the world, Ritesh Shukla, CEO of NIPL, told the business magazine last year. In July 2021, Bhutan was the first nation to launch BHIM UPI, the Indian governments digital payment app. Malaysias Merchantrade Asia collaborated with NPCI International to allow real-time remittances to India through UPI the same year. Nepal adopted UPI for digital transactions last March, becoming the first foreign country to do so. Earlier this year, India linked UPI with Singapores payment system, PayNow, for faster remittances between the two countries. This will facilitate people in both countries to send money to each other on a real-time basis. India, the largest recipient of remittances globally, can benefit from UPIs foreign expansion. The biggest selling point for UPI internationally is that it could both accelerate and reduce the cost of cross-border transactions to and from India, the worlds top remittances market, Zennon Kapron, founder and director of Kapronasia, one of Asias leading providers of consulting services, wrote for Forbes in April. India signed a deal with the UAEs Mashreq Bank to help the Indian diaspora pay online through UPI. Notably, the UAE is the second-largest source of remittances to India after the United States. Wherever we see a huge concentration of Indians, we are working with the payment players in the remittance space, Shukla told Business Today last year. Last week, India and UAE agreed to link their Fast Payment Systems (FPSs) UPI and Instant Payment Platform (IPP), respectively to enable users in each country to make fast, convenient, safe, and cost-effective cross-border fund transfers. #FPVideo: Indian Prime Minister #NarendraModi visited the United Arab Emirates. The two nations signed multiple agreements including settling trade in #rupees and linking the #UPI to #UAEs digital payments. pic.twitter.com/M3z9wGo3f4 Firstpost (@firstpost) July 16, 2023 NRIs in countries such as Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, the US, Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar who have bank accounts types such as Non-Resident External (NRE) or Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) accounts can also avail UPI services using their international phone numbers. NIPLs Shukla said last month that UPI is processing 40 per cent of the global real-time payments. In April, NPCI International Payments, a subsidiary of NPCI, forged a partnership with PPRO, digital payments infrastructure provider, for UPI acceptance in global e-commerce payments. NIPL has also partnered with European payment services facilitator Worldline, to expand UPI services across Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland. As per reports, India is in talks to take UPI to Indonesia as well as Gulf countries, including Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. With inputs from agencies A Varanasi court has allowed the Archaeological Survey of India to conduct a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque. The wazukhana, where a structure claimed by Hindu litigants to be a shivling exists, will not be part of the survey, following an earlier Supreme Court order related to the spot where Muslims perform ritual ablutions. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will conduct the survey and submit the final report by 4 August on which day the next hearing is slated. Lets take a closer look at the history of the dispute and examine carbon dating: History of dispute This is just the latest lawsuit. The Gyanvapi Mosque itself has been at the centre of a dispute for decades. In recent times, petitioners, who were local priests, in 1991 filed a petition at a Varanasi court asking for permission to worship within the complex. The petitioners maintained that the mosque was built upon the orders of Aurangzeb by demolishing a part of the Kashi Vishwanath temple during his reign. That petition was dismissed in 1998, as per Outlook. The matter came into the limelight again in 2019 after the Supreme Courts Ayodhya verdict. A Varanasi-based lawyer, Vijay Shankar Rastogi, filed a petition in the lower court claiming illegality in the construction of Gyanvapi mosque. Rastogi sought an archaeological survey of the site. The Varanasi court thus directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to carry out a survey and produce a report. However, the body that runs Gyanvapi mosque, Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, along with the Sunni Central Waqf Board opposed the petition and the courts order to survey the mosque. When the matter reached the Allahabad High Court, it ordered an interim stay on the direction of ASI for conducting the survey. The high court highlighted that as per the Places of Worship Act, 1991, any change in the religious character of a place of worship from as it existed on August 15, 1947, is prohibited. However, in March 2021, a Supreme Court bench headed by then Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde, agreed to examine the validity of The Places of Worship Act. Then, on August 18, 2021, five Hindu women filed a petition in the Varanasi court seeking permission to worship the deities (Shringar Gauri, Ganesha, Hanuman, and Nandi) regularly, in addition to restricting opponents from harming the statues inside Gyanvapi structure. It is this case that was heard in court today. In April, 2022, hearing the case of the five women, the court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) of Varanasi, Ravi Kumar Diwakar, ordered videography of the Shringar Gauri temple in the Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanvapi complex and adjoining places. In May 2022, the survey began but stopped midway after a team of lawyers are denied entry inside the mosque. The Varanasi court said that the survey would continue and asked that it be completed and a report be submitted by 17 May. According to petitioners side, a Shivling had been found after water was drained out of a pond in the complex. The Varanasi district court subsequently ordered the district magistrate to seal the area where the Shivling had allegedly been found and prohibited the entry of any person to the area. In July, Justice DY Chandrachud of the Supreme Court stated that the court shall await the impending decision of the Varanasi District Judge on an application filed by Anjuman Intejamia Masjid, challenging the suit filed by five female petitioners seeking darshan at Gyanvapi Mosque complex. Justice Chandrachud said that if the court ruled in the favour of Anjuman Intejamia Masjid, the suit undertaken by the women would organically fall and if they ruled in favour of the plaintiff, then the caretakers could pursue other judicial redressal. In August, Vishvesh reserved his order until 12 September in the matter after both sides concluded their arguments. Advocate Shamim Ahmad, who represented the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee in the case, said the Gyanvapi mosque is a Waqf property and the court does not have the right to hear the matter. It was argued that only the Waqf Board has the right to hear any matter pertaining to the mosque. In September, Vishvesh dismissed the challenge by the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee against the civil suits that challenged the title of the Gyanvapi mosque and the land surrounding it. As per Outlook, the court stated that that there is no question of Places of Worship Act barring this petition as merely prayer rights were being sought and the petition did not seek to change the religious character of the mosque. Four of the five Hindu petitioners then sought carbon dating of the Shivling. Meanwhile, the fifth petitioner did not join in out of fear the object would be harmed. The court had on 14 July reserved its order after hearing from both parties. The petition filed by the Hindu group had sought a direction to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to survey the entire Gyanvapi mosque complex. The Muslims side had opposed the plea, saying an ASI survey could damage the complex. The court has directed that the scientific survey by ASI should take place between 8 and 12 am and, clarified that there will be no restrictions on namaz and no damage should be caused to the mosque. I have been informed that my application has been approved and the court has directed to conduct an ASI survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, excluding the Wazu tank which has been sealed, lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi mosque case said. Its a turning point in the case, said advocate Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi, who is also representing Hindu side in the Gyanvapi case. What is carbon dating? Carbon dating, also known as radiocarbon dating, is a scientific technique. It allows researchers and scientists to measure the age of any object as old as 60,000 years. The scientific method was created in the 1940s by chemistry professor Willard Libby. Libby, who worked at the University of Chicago, would go on to receive the Nobel Prize for his work. But how does it work? The University of Chicago website explains: It starts with cosmic rayssubatomic particles of matter that continuously rain upon Earth from all directions. When cosmic rays reach Earths upper atmosphere, physical and chemical interactions form the radioactive isotope carbon-14.. Living organisms absorb this carbon-14 into their tissue. Once they die, the absorption stops, and the carbon-14 begins very slowly to change into other atoms at a predictable rate. By measuring how much carbon-14 remains, scientists can estimate how long a particular organic object has been dead. However, as per Outlook, its application in measuring the age of non-living objects such as rocks is imperfect. With inputs from agencies Isiolo President William Ruto now says that he is pleased with the police work in protecting property during the anti-government protests. Speaking in Isiolo Thursday, the head of state told them that they did a good job in protecting government properties as well as businesses. "I want to thank the police for staying steadfast and ensuring that there is peace by taking actions against all criminals and ensuring that all government properties as well as businesses are protected, "said the head of state. The president at the same time reiterated that there will be no handshake between him and Azimio leader Raila Odinga. The Kenya Kwanza administration has come under sharp criticism from various sectors including the clergy, the opposition and the diplomatic core for using excessive force on demonstrators. "We all have an obligation to pursue peace. we have no other country to run to," said Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria who was in the company of other bishops on Wednesday. The United Nations Human Rights Office on their part had cautioned the police against using excess force on protestors. "The policing of protest must seek to facilitate peaceful assemblies and any use of force must be guided by the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and nondiscrimination," cautioned Jeremy Laurence UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Yesterday alone at least three people were shot dead as police battled protesters in anti-government demonstrations called by Opposition leader Raila Odinga over the high cost of living. According to government reports through interior cabinet secretary Kithure Kindiki, more than 300 people were arrested during the demonstrations in various towns and are set to face charges. Kindiki did not however reveal casualties in the anti government demonstrations. Several Azimio affiliated politicians including Embakasi East law maker Babu Owino are among those arrested and still being held in police custody pending their arraignment in court to face charges. Azimio maintains that they will not be swayed in their quest for lowering the cost of living even as the government moves in to crack down on them. Merely months after launching its 10,000-metre-deep drilling project into the Earths crust, China on Thursday began its second ultra-deep drilling venture in the southwestern province of Sichuan. The first operation to dig the countrys deepest-ever borehole was launched in the Tarim Basin, located in the oil-rich Xinjiang region in May this year. Leading the latest endeavour is China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), which started drilling the Shendi Chuanke 1 Well in Sichuan province with an intended depth of 10,520 metres (about 6.5 miles). But whats the reason behind this second expedition? Lets take a look. Also read: Chinas full-time children: What does it say about the economy? China is digging another hole This time, the Chinese initiative aims to investigate natural gas reserves at very deep depths, according to news agency Xinhua. The exploration of Chuanke-1, according to state news outlet China Electric Power News, is a part of the Deep Earth Drilling Project, which is a component of a larger infrastructure to provide an important foundation and support for Chinas future scientific research and oil and gas resource development. The drilling of ultra-deep wells, which can reach depths of over 9,000 metres, is said to present the greatest technical difficulties for the oil and gas engineering sector. The current project in Sichuan is mainly intended to find ultra-deep natural gas reserves, whereas the previous well in Xinjiang had an experimental purpose, primarily testing drilling methods and gathering data on the Earths interior structure. The expedition comes after the Chinese government recently ordered energy businesses to strengthen fuel security by increasing domestic production in response to power shortages, geopolitical unrest, and fluctuating worldwide prices. According to China Electric Power News, the teams goal is to develop an international and world-class technical team in China as well as collect geological data from 10,000 metres below the surface to update theories regarding oil and gas accumulation. According to the deputy manager of the project Ding Wei, the 10,000-meter-deep exploration project is a major national project comparable to the lunar exploration project. Also read: Why is China drilling its deepest-ever hole into Earths crust? Sichuan is home to the countrys largest shale gas reserves Some of Chinas largest shale gas resources are found in Sichuan, a province known for its hot food, stunning mountain scenery, and pandas. However, because of the rough terrain and complicated geological conditions, obtaining these resources has been difficult. Sinopec, an oil and gas firm with headquarters in Beijing, has been looking for conventional gas in the Sichuan Basins deep marine carbonate rocks and shale gas hydrocarbons. The Puguang, Yuanba, and Chuanxi gas fields were found, reported South China Morning Post. The Chuanke-1 project will be carried out by PetroChina Southwest Oil and Gasfield Company. A new ultra-deep natural gas storage location is anticipated to be found if the drilling is successful. Challenges The complex geological structure and the extremely hot temperature at 10,000 metres below the surface are among the difficulties, the report said. The Chinese outlet quoted chief engineer Yang Yu as saying, the Mariana Trench, which is the deepest ocean in the world, has a seawater pressure of 138 MegaPascal, which is far greater than the temperature of 224 degrees Celsius (435 degrees Fahrenheit) at which metal drilling tools can become as soft as noodles below 10,000 metres. Also read: Is a love affair responsible for Chinese foreign minister going missing? The first drilling operation China first started drilling over a 10,000-meter (32,808 feet) hole in the Earths crust in the month of May 2023. Xinhua had stated that the project represents a landmark in Chinas deep Earth exploration, providing an unprecedented opportunity to study areas of the planet deep beneath the surface. According to Bloomberg, Chinese president Xi Jinping advocated for advances in deep Earth exploration while speaking to the nations top scientists earlier in 2021. The paper said that the expedition could can help scientists unearth rich minerals and energy resources and also be helpful for assessing the risks of environmental catastrophes like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Oil and mineral reserves are said to be plentiful in the Xinjiang area. Meanwhile, the worlds deepest man-made hole, the Kola Superdeep Borehole, is located in northwest Russia and reaches an astounding depth of 12,262 metres. Natural gas supply a major concern China has risen to the fourth-largest natural gas producer in the world since 2021, and its natural gas supply has already surpassed its oil supply. In light of recent geopolitical unrest, electricity shortages, and fluctuating global prices, the neighbouring country has grown increasingly concerned about its energy security, according to SCMP. Thus, Xi Jinping-led country aims to meet a greater portion of its own energy needs by 2025 while promoting increased domestic oil and gas production and international collaboration on clean energy. With inputs from agencies As the nation continues to outrage over the viral video from Manipur where two women from Kuki tribe were paraded naked and allegedly gang-raped, a similar incident has been reported from neighbouring West Bengal, where a female BJP gram sabha candidate of a political party claimed that she was stripped naked and paraded by Trinamool Congress workers on 8 July when Panchayat polls were held. As per the complaint, the woman alleged that she was beaten up by about 40 Trinamool miscreants in Panchla area of Howrah district when the Panchayat polls in West Bengal were underway. I was hit on the chest and head with a stick and I was thrown out of the polling station, the BJP worker said. Names of several people including Trinamool candidate Himanta Roy, Noor Alam, Alfi SK, Ranbir Panja Sanju, Sukmal Panja were also mentioned in the FIR. While some of these men were hitting me Himanta Roy instigated Ali Sheikh and Sukamal Panja to tear my saree and inner dress. They further assaulted me and force undress me to naked and molested me in front of other people, the FIR added. The woman also alleged that TMC workers tore off her clothes, stripped her naked and paraded her in the entire village. They molested me in front of everyone and even touched me inappropriately, she claimed. BJP hits out at Mamata Banerjee Bengal BJPs co-incharge Amit Malviya attacked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the incident and asked her to take moral responsibility for this depravity and step down immediately. Since Mamata Banerjees dead conscience has finally surfaced and she is, for a change, feeling ashamed, here is the complaint of Panchla victim, who was stripped naked inside a polling booth (on 8th Jul 2023), by TMC candidate and his henchmen copy of the FIR, which names the https://t.co/i0ZheSV42l pic.twitter.com/ivc8IgB3i9 Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 21, 2023 "Since Mamata Banerjees dead conscience has finally surfaced and she is, for a change, feeling ashamed, here is the complaint of Panchla victim, who was stripped naked inside a polling booth (on 8th Jul 2023), by TMC candidate and his henchmen copy of the FIR, which names the perpetrators. She should take moral responsibility for this depravity and step down. Immediately. Before your conscience goes back to grave, again," Malviya said. 'Not less sad than Manipur incident' "We condemn the Manipur incident, it is a sad incident but a woman BJP worker was paraded naked in South Panchla, is it less sad than the Manipur incident? The difference is that there is no video of this incident because Mamata Banerjee's police will now allow it to be recorded," West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar said. #WATCH | West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar says, "We condemn the Manipur incident, it is a sad incident but a woman BJP worker was paraded naked in South Panchla, is it less sad than the Manipur incident? The difference is that there is no video of this incident because pic.twitter.com/Dgeots0UrM ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 BJP MP Locket Chatterjee broke down on Friday during a press conference as she recounted an alleged incident of sexual assault by TMC workers of a BJP candidate. #WATCH | BJP MP Locket Chatterjee breaks down as she recounts an alleged incident of sexual assault by TMC workers of a BJP candidate during Panchayat polls on 8th July in Howrah district of West Bengal pic.twitter.com/45VdDGqDXi ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 With inputs from agencies The FIR registered in connection with the parading of two women naked in Manipur, charged that before abducting them, a group of armed men came to the village in Kangpokpi district and torched and looted houses, attacked people killing some besides sexually assaulting women. The FIR, a copy of which is available with PTI, claimed that one person was killed by the mob as he tried to protect his sister from being raped on May 4 before the two were paraded naked and molested in front of others. Around 900-1000 persons carrying sophisticated weapons like AK rifles, SLR, INSAS and .303 rifles forcefully entered our village in Island subdivision, Kangpokpi district, about 68 km south from Saikul police station The violent mob vandalised all the houses and burnt them to the ground after looting all the moveable properties, the FIR lodged at Saikul police station claimed. They took away cash, furniture, electronic items, foodgrains, furniture and cattle heads, it said. The mob also snatched away five people who were rescued by police personnel from a nearby forest, the FIR claimed. The police arrested four people in connection with parading the women naked and molesting them a day after a video showing their humiliation surfaced on July 19. The arrests were made a day after the video surfaced, the complaint in this connection was lodged around a month ago June 21 at Saikul police station in Kangpokpi district. Meanwhile, the husband of one of two women paraded naked and molested by a group of men is a Kargil war veteran who rued that though he protected the country but could not save his wife from being humiliated. The husband had served the Indian Army as a Subedar of the Assam Regiment. I fought for the nation in the Kargil war and was also in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force. I protected the nation but am dejected that I could not protect my wife and fellow villagers, he told a local news channel. He said that on the fateful May 4 morning, a mob burnt down several houses in the locality, disrobed the two women and made them walk on the village paths in front of people. Police were present but took no action. I want that all those people who burnt the houses and humiliated the women get exemplary punishment, he said. 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 communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipurs 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. Pakistani national Seema Haider, who fell in love with a man named Sachin Meena while playing PUBG, has filed a mercy plea to the President. Seema claims to have met Sachin Meena in Nepal in March 2023 wherein they got married and after two months she escaped from Pakistan with her four children via Dubai and Nepal to arrive in Greater Noida. As the Indian authorities including Uttar Pradeshs anti-terrorism squad (UP-ATS) have intensified their probe of the possibility of whether Seema is an agent of Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), she has now filed a mercy petition with the President through a lawyer. Seema Haider demands Indian citizenship According to reports, in her mercy plea to the President Droupadi Murmu, Seema has appealed the she should be granted Indian citizenship Seemas lawyer AP Singh said she married Sachin, a resident of Greater Noida in Nepal, so now she is Indias daughter-in-law. On this basis she wants Indian citizenship. Seema along with her four children came to India via Nepal to stay with Sachin. She entered the country without a visa and was arrested on July 4. Sachin was also put behind bars for sheltering illegal immigrants. They soon got bail and have been living together in Greater Noida. Seema, who has been claiming that she was not a spy, has also requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to not send her back. According to a report by India Today, Seema allegedly posed as Preeti when she boarded a bus from Pokhara in Nepal to enter India illegally. The report quoted Prasanna Gautam, manager of Shrishti Bus Service, saying Seema confidently claimed she was an Indian national and had an Aadhaar card when she was asked to show an ID card. Seema fell short of Nepalese currency to pay for the bus tickets for herself and her four children after which she called a friend in India to transfer the balance amount through UPI, claimed Gautam. Her friend allegedly paid the remaining 6,000 Nepalese Rupees through UPI, he added. Seema and Sachin first got in touch in 2019 while playing the online battlefield game PUBG. With inputs from agencies Even as the Opposition continued to attack the BJP-led central government and Biren Singh government over Manipur video horror, the BJP on Friday launched a scathing attack against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for not filing an FIR on a complaint filed by BJP female candidate who was sexually assaulted by TMC goons in Howrahs Domjur during counting of votes for panchayat polls Taking to Twitter, BJP leader Amit Malviya said, Another complaint filed by a woman candidate of BJP, in Howrahs Domjur She was groped and assaulted, by TMC candidate and his agents, inside the counting center on 11th Jul 2023. Mamata Banerjees police is still to file an FIR. Another complaint filed by a woman candidate of BJP, in Howrahs Domjur She was groped and assaulted, by TMC candidate and his agents, inside the counting center on 11th Jul 2023. Mamata Banerjees police is still to file an FIR. These are not isolated instances of crimes pic.twitter.com/EL27FlYY6j Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 21, 2023 Claiming that these are not isolated instances of crimes against women in Bengal, Malviya said women are being assaulted and stripped naked with impunity, in polling booths and counting centres, which are suppose to be manned by West Bengal police. The aggressors arent terrorists but TMC candidates in each of these cases, he tweeted along with posting a copy of the complaint. He said of all the people, Mamata Banerjee is the most obnoxious when it comes to standing up for women, especially when rapists and criminals happen to be part of her craftily cultivated syndicate. She hasnt even spared minor girls, who were raped and murdered Blamed them for being in a consensual relationship, despite the brutality and illegality of forceful sex with a minor, tweeted the BJP leader. But now that her conscience has emerged from the grave, she should step down, so that Bengal can be a safer place for women and young girls, he added. In another case, a female BJP gram sabha candidate claimed that she was stripped naked and paraded by Trinamool Congress workers on 8 July during panchayat polls. As per the complaint, the woman alleged that she was beaten up by about 40 Trinamool miscreants in Panchla area of Howrah district. I was hit on the chest and head with a stick and I was thrown out of the polling station, the BJP worker said. Names of several people including Trinamool candidate Himanta Roy, Noor Alam, Alfi SK, Ranbir Panja Sanju, Sukmal Panja were also mentioned in the FIR. While some of these men were hitting me, Himanta Roy instigated Ali Sheikh and Sukamal Panja to tear my saree and inner dress. They further assaulted me and force undressed me to naked and molested me in front of other people, the FIR added. The woman also alleged that TMC workers stripped her naked and paraded her in the entire village. With inputs from agencies Senior Congress leader Kamal Nath attacked MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, saying that he is desperate as he launched the CM Ladli Behna Yojana to give cash doles to women just before the elections. In an interview with News18, Kamal Nath said that he had made five promises to voters, including a Rs 1,500 per month grant to women, as he believed that women need to be supported more. The MP government last month transferred Rs 1,000 each to the accounts of 1.25 crore women in the state as it rolled out the Ladli Behna Yojana, a scheme billed as a game-changer by the BJP in the poll-bound state. Assembly elections are due by the year-end in the BJP-governed MP. Kamal Nath took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for terming such doles as revadis (freebies) and said that when the BJP does it, they do not call it the same. He also scoffed at the talk of PM Modi being invincible even if there was an opposition alliance formed like INDIA. They used to say this about Indira Gandhi and she lost her own election. That is the reality, Kamal Nath told News 18. Last month, MP Chief Minister Chauhan termed Ladli Behna Yojana a social revolution but not freebie. The Congress has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement in both houses of Parliament followed by a discussion on the situation in Manipur. Narendramodi ji, You did not make a statement inside Parliament, yesterday. If you were angry then instead of making false equivalence with Congress governed states, you could have first dismissed your Chief Minister Manipur, party president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Twitter. INDIA expects you to make an elaborate statement in Parliament today, not just on one incident, but on the 80-day violence that your government in the state and the Centre has presided upon, looking absolutely helpless and remorseless, the Congress chief also said. Opposition parties have stepped up their attack on the government over the Manipur violence, especially after the video of two women being paraded naked and assaulted by a crowd in a Manipur village, went viral on social media. Modi on Thursday said the incident of women being paraded naked in Manipur has shamed 140 crore Indians, asserting that the law will act with its full might and no guilty will be spared. Both houses of Parliament did not transact any business on Thursday as the opposition was unrelenting in its demand for a statement from the prime minister on the Manipur violence. The current conflict in Manipur is a legacy of the Congress party, said BJP as it unleashed a scathing attack on the grand old party. Pitting one ethnic group against the other was the only way Congress knew how to remain in power, said BJPs Amit Malviya, who also asked Congress lecturing on violence in Manipur to check their track record. The BJP leader shared a comparative graph of casualties in the north-east under the Modi government and the previous regime. The graph shows a downward curve in the killing of civilians and security forces in the state ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government came to power at the Centre. Malviya shared another graph which showed that insurgency in Manipur has dropped drastically, almost three times, in the last decade under the Modi government. BJP also said there has been a significant drop in both civilian as well as military casualties during the last decade in Manipur. So, Rahul Gandhi, who cant tell the difference between Manipur and Mizoram, should sit down. It would be better if he could muster courage to speak on West Bengal and Rajasthan, Malviya said. BJPs response comes amid Congress-led Opposition disrupting the Parliaments Monsoon Session, urging for urgent discussions on the ethnic violence in Manipur. On Thursday, the first day of the Monsoon Session, both the Houses Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha were adjourned amid uproar by the Opposition parties seeking a discussion on the deteriorating state of affairs in Manipur. The Parliament has been witnessing noisy scenes after a two-month-old video of two women from the Kuki community being paraded naked went viral on social media on July 19. The women in question were also groped and allegedly gang-raped on May 4, a day after ethnic clashes broke out between Kuki and Meitei communities in Manipur. Violence erupted in Manipur on May 3 during a Tribal Solidarity March, that was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipurs population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 per cent and reside mostly in the hill districts. In a startling event in Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur, an eight-year-old student attempted a daring stunt inspired by the popular Bollywood movie Krrish. The incident took place when the young student from the Viren Swaroop School, who resides in Anil Colony, Babu Purva neighbourhood, decided to replicate Hrithik Roshans characters stunt from the movie. Watch: During regular school hours, the student left his classroom under the pretence of getting water. His intention was to emulate Krrishs ability to safely land on his feet after jumping from heights, a stunt depicted in the film. Tragically, the student suffered severe injuries to his nose, legs, and hands upon landing. . The entire incident was captured on the schools CCTV cameras, which revealed the students decision to take such a risk. He had told his mother that he looked up to Krrish as a superhero and aspired to perform heroic stunts like him. The principal of Viren Swaroop School, Nandita Mali, said that none of the other students encouraged him to take such a step. The injured student was promptly rushed to a private hospital. With inputs from agencies India and the United States on Thursday agreed to work towards a broader and deeper bilateral Drug Policy Framework for the 21st Century, the Biden administration said after talks between officials from the two countries. What weve really worked on over the last couple of days is the three pillars. One is the counter-narcotics and the work to do to disrupt the networks of traffickers and producers of illicit drugs, Dr Rahul Gupta, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, told PTI in an interview after the conclusion of the fourth annual meeting of the US-India Counternarcotics Working Group (CNWG) here. The second one is to work on drug demand reduction and harm-reduction. That includes looking at not only how we help people who are suffering from addiction but prevent addiction in the first place, and at the same time work on things like workforce shortages, said Dr Gupta who is the first physician to serve in the role. The India delegation was led by Director-General of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Satya Narayan Pradhan. According to Dr Gupta, the third pillar really is ensuring that there is a pharmaceutical supply chain and then thriving pharmaceutical industry. When we do all of these pillars, it creates the framework for the 21st century between the two countries that poses and postures the two nations as global leaders in this area. It is really important because at a time when both in the United States, where 100,000 Americans are perishing a year, but also this disease and this issue is not something that has not affected India either, it important that the two countries work not only for the betterment of both nations, but also for the global benefit, Dr Gupta said. During the two-day meeting, according to a White House statement, the delegations discussed President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modis joint commitment to work toward a broader and deeper bilateral Drug Policy Framework for the 21st Century. Under this framework, both countries plan to expand cooperation and collaboration to disrupt the illicit production and international trafficking of illicit drugs, including synthetic drugs, such as fentanyl and amphetamine-type stimulants and illicit use of their precursors, the media statement said. The two-day meeting on Wednesday was opened by Dr Gupta, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, and Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya. The US co-leads for the meeting were ONDCP Senior Advisor Kemp Chester, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Lisa Johnson, and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Hodge. The Indian delegation was led by NCB DG Pradhan and included Deputy Chief of Mission for the Embassy of India Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan, and Joint Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Shri Prakash. The leaders committed to strengthening our bilateral drug policy relationship, one that goes beyond just counternarcotics to one with a more forward-looking and affirmative vision and we are working to deliver on that commitment. Together, we will prevent and treat addiction, disrupt the global trafficking of illicit drugs, and create safe, healthy, and prosperous communities for both nations, Gupta said in the White House statement. India, he said, has joined the Global Coalition Against Synthetic Drugs that includes more than 80 nations and 11 international organizations. We really appreciate Indias leadership as well in becoming that global leader, not only for becoming the pharmacy of the world, but also in terms of disrupting illicit trafficking of drugs and production and making sure that were all working together when it comes to diseases like addiction to address it and preventive, Dr Gupta told PTI. Responding to a question, Dr Gupta said with increase in demand for the pharmaceutical products out of China, they have also seen a growth of the illicit chemical industry in China. And because today its the major producer of these precursor chemicals that contribute to the production of fentanyl, production of other illicit synthetic drugs, we want to, all of us, its in our interest to not repeat that mistake. India has an interest in making sure that diversion control happens and it has a thriving pharmaceutical industry that it obviously is competing with and the Americans are able to take benefit out of that as India is obviously having a pharmaceutical supply for so many other countries. But part of that is working with agencies like the FDA, like DEA and others to ensure that that integrity is there, he said. Describing the visit of Prime Minister Modi to the US last month as historic, Dr Gupta said whether its defence, technology, people-to-people exchanges, health, various sectors that were discussed and agreed upon, we are making significant progress in moving that forward. I think this visit was not only significant, but it will be remembered as one that was historic in nature and really turned the page in terms of having both countries work at a level unprecedented in history, he added. Dr Gupta said Indian Americans have not remained untouched with drug menace in the US. Just this week, Vice President Kamala Harris convened a round table with eight state attorneys generals. I moderated that conversation. Right before she did that, she met with parents of those youth who had passed away from overdose, one of whom was an Indian American, and this is something that is close to her, he said. This is something that she talked about in the public health crisis and why its important for Indian Americans in this country and all of the population in this country to understand that this crisis doesnt care if you are living in rural or urban population, if you are rich or poor, brown, black or white, it doesnt care. It will affect everybody. So, its very important, especially that we have conversations around the dinner table with our children. We understand the early signs that there may be something wrong, for example, if the social behaviour has changed for our kids or if academic performance has changed for others, he said. So, the bottom line I think is important to understand that adolescents and teens, its important to recognize when theyre having challenges in life like most of us have and be supportive, be available, and make sure they can ask for help in that spirit, the Surgeon General (Dr Vivek Murthy) and I have put out an op-ed just last week in USA Today that talks about the importance of mental health and addiction and social isolation amongst youth and what can families do to help, he said. Nairobi The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leaders and supporters are expected to converge at Central Park in Nairobi for the culmination of day two of the anti-government protests. National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi called on Kenyans to turn up in large numbers for the convergence while asking the police officers to accord them ample security. "From here Kenyans will converge at Central Park to continue with the protest and we call upon the police to provide security to both demonstrators and the general public," he stated." We commit to continue remaining peaceful whether provoked or not." It remains unclear whether Azimio Leader Raila Odinga will show for today's rally accompanied with other coalition luminaries. Odinga has been keeping a low profile since the three day protest commenced on Wednesday with his absence from the protests raising eyebrows in the political arena. "You must understand that this is now a people's movement and doesn't require the presence of any leader to succeed. All of us are contributing to this cause hence there's no cause for alarm whether you see the leaders physically or not," said Wandayi. On his twitter account, Odinga rallied Kenyans to turn up in large numbers for day two of the protests. The Raila Odinga led coalition has vowed to stage three straight days of protests against President William Ruto's government. Despite 300 people being arrested including nine leaders, police firing tear gas at protesters who took to the streets and more than a dozen people killed. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Business Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The Opposition has maintained that the protest must continue even as civil bodies and international community urged the two opposing sides to bridge the impasse. "The voice of the People must be heard. Our peaceful protest continues," Odinga tweeted. At least three people were shot dead Wednesday as police battled protesters in anti-government demonstrations. An official at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital in Kisumu confirmed that two bodies were in the hospital's mortuary while locals said the third was taken to a private hospital. "Two bodies have been recorded at the morgue with gunshot wounds," the CEO of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital, Dr George Rae said. 14 other people-all men-were admitted to the hospital with gunshot wounds. India has been expanding the scope of digital payments between the countries, bringing the use of UPI and similar tools to the forefront. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe signed an agreement for network-to-network agreements for the UPI acceptance in the island nation. Several Agreements exchanged between India and Sri Lanka in the presence of PM Modi and Wickremesinghe in Delhi on Friday. PM Modi said the agreement signed to launch UPI in Sri Lanka, will increase Fintech connectivity. #WATCH | The Agreement signed to launch UPI in Sri Lanka, will increase Fintech connectivity, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi. pic.twitter.com/IkzPGGeoMG ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 More flights between India and Sri Lanka Leaders of both the countries agreed on the enhancement of air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. "To increase trade and travel by people, we have taken the decision to start passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanturai in Sri Lanka," PM Modi said. #WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "We agree on the enhancement of air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. To increase trade and travel by people, we have taken the decision to start passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanturai in Sri Lanka..." pic.twitter.com/Qhq8iATh9Z ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 Fishermen issue discussed "Today, we also discussed the issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we should go ahead on the matter with a humane approach. We also spoke about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka," PM Modi said. "President Wickremesinghe told me about his inclusive approach. We hope that the Sri Lankan Govt will fulfill the aspirations of Tamils and take forward the process for equality, justice and peace. We hope it will fulfill its commitment to the implementation of the 13th Amendment and Provincial Council Elections," PM Modi said." #WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Today, we also discussed the issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we should go ahead on the matter with a humane approach. We also spoke about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President pic.twitter.com/as2bz9L6Bb ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 PM Modi and the Sri Lankan President also shared their views on bilateral, regional and international issues. "Sri Lanka also has an important place in both India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision. We believe that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined," PM Modi said. Sri Lanka also has an important place in both India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision. Today we shared our views on bilateral, regional and international issues. We believe that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/DNiOcS8utB ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 PM Modi met Wickremesinghe on Friday for talks in Hyderabad House in New Delhi. The Sri Lankan President is on a two-day visit to India. With inputs from agencies In a letter to the Chief Justices of all the high courts, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud has said that judges should not utilise protocol facilities in a way that annoys others or attracts negative attention to the judiciary. Expressing his displeasure over a recent incident in which a Allahabad High Court judge sought explanation from railway authorities for not meeting his requirements during a train journey, he said a Judge of the High Court does not possess disciplinary jurisdiction over railway personnel. Hence, there was no occasion for an officer of the High Court to call for an explanation from the railway personnel to be placed before His Lordship for kind perusal. Evidently, the officer of the High Court in the above communication was carrying out a direction of the Judge of the High Court in this instance (the Honble Judge has desired), the CJI said in the letter dated 19 July. Chandrachud said communication which has been addressed by an officer of the High Court to the General Manager of the Railway establishment has given rise to justifiable disquiet both within and outside the judiciary. Protocol facilities which are made available to Judges should not be utilised to assert a claim to privilege which sets them apart from society or as a manifestation of power or authority. A wise exercise of judicial authority, both on and off the Bench, is what sustains the credibility and legitimacy of the judiciary and the confidence which society has in its judges, the CJI wrote. Chandrachud said he was writing this to all chief justices of the high courts with a request to share his concerns with all their court colleagues. Self reflection and counselling within the judiciary is necessary. Protocol facilities which are made available to Judges should not be used in a manner that is liable to result in inconvenience to others or to bring public criticism of the judiciary, the CJI said. In a recent incident, a judge of the Allahabad High Court called for an explanation from railway officials for allegedly not meeting his requirements during a train journey from Delhi to Prayagraj. Subsequently, a letter was sent by the Registrar (Protocol) of the Allahabad High Court to the General Manager of the North Central Railway, Prayagraj, seeking explanation on the issue. Jaipur: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will address a public meeting in Rajasthans Banswara district on August 9, its state in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said on Friday. August 9 is celebrated as Adivasi Day and preparations are underway for the public meeting, he said. Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, will come to Banswara to address people from the tribal communities, Randhawa told reporters. Randhawa was here to take part in a membership drive for the partys IT cell. He said a strong IT cell plays an important role in mitigating the rumours spread by opposition parties. Replying to a question on the distribution of party tickets, he said, No candidate will be parachuted in. The names will be decided on the basis of consensus of party leaders. Candidates having winnability and whose names come in the party survey will be considered. Assembly polls in Rajasthan are due later this year. Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje on Friday said that most of the crimes against women have taken place in Rajasthan which alone accounted for more than 10 lakh incidents in 54 months. #WATCH | On crimes against women in the state, former Rajasthan CM & senior BJP leader Vasundhara Raje says, The manner in which incidents are happening with women, girls, Dalits and businessmen is shredding the law and order (in the state). The highest number of cases of crimes pic.twitter.com/LyDWhE9nDb ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 The manner in which incidents are happening with women, girls, Dalits and businessmen is shredding the law and order (in the state). The highest number of cases of crimes against women have taken place in Rajasthan. In 54 months, more than 10 lakh cases have been registered in the state, said Raje. She added, More than 7,500 innocent people have been murdered. As many as 2 lakh cases of atrocities against women and rape have been registered. Around 33,000 incidents of rape have happened. These account for 22 per cent of the cases in the country. The former Chief Minister said that Rajasthan has become the top state in rape cases. Incidents of crime against women are taking place in Chief Minister Ashok Gehlots home region but they are all silent, she added. Rajes comments came amid the row over Manipur sexual assault video which showed two women being paraded naked by a mob in the state. Meanwhile, the Manipur violence rocked proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on the Day 2 of the Monsoon session on Friday, with the opposition demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a discussion on the situation in the northeastern state. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha failed to transact any business as opposition members created uproar over the situation in Manipur despite the governments assurance that it was ready to discuss the issue in both Houses. With inputs from agencies Rekha Sharma, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Friday said that she had attempted to contact authorities in Manipur three times in the past three months regarding incidents of violence against women but no response was received from them. Sharmas response came in light of media reports claiming that the commission had received a complaint on June 12 regarding an incident in which two women were paraded naked on May 4 during the ethnic violence in the northeastern state. The reports suggested that the commission had not taken any action on the matter. The video of the May 4 incident came to light on July 19. Sharma denied receiving any report of the incident and said she took suo motu cognisance of it on Friday after the video surfaced and sought explanation from authorities on the matter. However, the NCW chief said that she had received other complaints regarding women issues and for that she had reached out thrice to authorities in Manipur but no response was received from them. She also shared the letters sent to authorities in the state. Sharma had written to them over complaints of incidents of violence against women. We had to verify the authenticity, and also the complaints were not from Manipur, some were not even from India. We reached out to authorities but no response was received from them but then we took suo motu cognisance when the video (of women being paraded naked) went viral yesterday, Sharma said. The letters were written on May 18, May 29 and June 19. Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after the May 4 video surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a group of men from the other side. Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident, official sources in Imphal said on Thursday night, as the 26-second video capturing the ordeal of the two tribal women a day after ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern state on May 3 stoked a nationwide outrage. The horrific footage surfaced only on Wednesday and became viral after the internet ban was lifted. More than 160 people have lost their lives, and several have been 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 communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipurs 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. With inputs from PTI. Amid ruckus over Manipur issue in the Lok Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday said the government is ready to discuss whatever the Speaker directs but for the Opposition to bring in new demands and interrupt the discussion is wrong. Addressing the reporters outside Parliament, Joshi said, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has officially told the Speaker and the Chairman that we are ready for a discussion. For the opposition to bring in new demands and interrupt the discussion is wrong. #WATCH | Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on the ruckus in parliament over the Manipur issue says, We are ready to discuss whenever the Speaker directs. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has officially told the Speaker and the Chairman that we are ready for a discussion. pic.twitter.com/BwmSAHRR2L ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 He said there are important bills and BJP under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi wants to hold extensive discussions in Parliament. The Opposition just tries to build a wrong narrative and disrupt the Parliament proceedings, Joshi added. Echoing his views, Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, said, I would like to make an appeal to the Opposition to not change their stand repeatedly and not indulge in politics as it is a very sensitive matter related to womens dignity, north-east and border stateI think the Parliament session should run as were ready to address and discuss the issue. Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday demanded that the Prime Minister make an elaborate statement in Parliament on the Manipur situation, saying he could have dismissed the state chief minister instead of making false equivalence with Congress governed states if he was angry over the matter. The Congress has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must make a statement in both houses of Parliament followed by a discussion on the situation in Manipur. The Opposition said the matter should be discussed in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha under Adjournment Motions and Suspension of Business Notices. For the last 77-78 days, there is an atmosphere of anarchy in Manipur. It wont be wrong to say that there is nothing like the Government and Administration there. In this context, when the Monsoon Session of Parliament began was it not the duty of the PM to give a statement on the Floor of the Parliament?So, the Opposition has demanded that the matter be discussed in Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha under Adjournment Motions and Suspension of Business Notices, said Congress MP Manish Tewari. AAP MP Raghav Chadha said that the central government must wake up from their deep slumber and discuss the Manipur issue as the entire country wants to know what is happening in the state. AAP MP Raghav Chadha on the ruckus in parliament over the Manipur issue says, The violence in Manipur has shaken our collective conscience. I request the central govt to wake up from their slumber & discuss the Manipur issueThe entire country wants to know what is happening pic.twitter.com/O6vkfW9anD ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 The violence in Manipur has shaken our collective conscience. I request the central government to wake up from their slumber and discuss the Manipur issueThe entire country wants to know what is happening in Manipur, what has the government done? We want that the discredited govt in Manipur to be sacked and President rule be imposed in the state. Opposition parties have stepped up their attack on the government over the Manipur violence, especially after the video of two women being paraded naked and assaulted by a crowd in a Manipur village, went viral on social media. With inputs from agencies A man with arms, impersonating as a policeman tried to enter West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees Kolkatas residence on Friday. The Kolkata Police has arrested the man, identified as Sheikh Noor Alam, while he was trying to enter the lane where the Chief Ministers house is situated. Kolkata Police has intercepted one person, identified as Sheikh Noor Alam, near CM Mamata Banerjees residence while he was trying to enter the lane, Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal said. One firearm, one knife and contraband substances found on him besides several ID cards of different agencies. The police said that Alam was travelling in a car with a Police sticker on it. Police, STF and Special Branch are examining and questioning him at Local Police Station, Goyal said. The incident comes on the day when Mamata Banerjees party Trinamool Congress is holding a massive Martyrs Day rally in central Kolkata where large numbers of party workers from villages and towns all over the state of West Bengal have converged. The July 21 Martyrs Day Rally holds a special place in our hearts. We have been dedicating this day to our martyrs and party workers, Mamata Banerjee had said is a video message ahead of the event. With inputs from agencies The death toll in the Raigad landslide touched 16 and the NDRF teams reached the accident spot to resume the search and rescue operation on Friday. The NDRF team had on Thursday suspended the rescue operation owing to heavy rainfall and the threat of more landslide in the dark. #WATCH | Raigad, Maharashtra: 16 killed & several people injured in the landslide. The NDRF team is present at the spot. Search & rescue operation underway pic.twitter.com/6bQmxjWNAk ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 NDRF official said that they will also conduct canine searches at the spot. We conduct three types of searchesWe will conduct canine and physical searches here. It is a long and challenging trek, but we are trained for itYesterday, when we received the information our four teams reached the spot and started with the search & rescue operation, said Rahul Kumar Raghuwansh, Inspector, 5BN, NDRF. #WATCH | Raigad, Maharashtra: We conduct three types of searchesWe will conduct canine and physical searches here. It is a long & challenging trek, but we are trained for itYesterday, when we received the information our four teams reached the spot and started with the https://t.co/CRIdBSHhxJ pic.twitter.com/Njs7x3Tksy ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 The landslide occurred around 11 pm on Wednesday at Irshalwadi village in Khalapur tehsil, around 80 km from Mumbai, an official said. Of the total 228 residents of the village, the bodies of 16 have been recovered, while 93 residents have been traced, he said. However, a total of 119 villagers are yet to be traced. They include those who had gone out of the village to attend a marriage or for rice plantation work, he said. Of the nearly 50 houses in the village, 17 were flattened by the landslide, officials said. With inputs from agencies Trinamool Congress in West Bengal will observe its annual Shahid Diwas on Friday to remember the 13 people who were shot dead in Kolkata in 1993 during a protest movement by the West Bengal Youth Congress. Earlier today, a large crowd gathered near Tipu Sultan Masjid in Kolkata where a rally of the TMC will be held to mark Martyrs Day. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to address the rally in Kolkata today. The July 21 Martyrs Day Rally holds a special place in our hearts. We have been dedicating this day to our martyrs and party workers, West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has said in a video message. #WATCH | West Bengal | A large crowd begins gathering near Tipu Sultan Masjid in Kolkata where a rally of the TMC will be held today. CM Mamata Banerjee is expected to speak at the rally. Trinamool Congress is observing its annual Shahid Diwas today in remembrance of 13 people pic.twitter.com/NvE1kryLCo ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 The rally for Shahid Divas will be held at Kolkatas Esplanade. Over 5,500 police have been deployed between Exide crossing and Shyambazar and other important points of the city. Daily commuters should avoid visiting central Kolkata between 10.30 am and 3.30 pm, particularly stretches between Exide and MG Road-CR Avenue crossing and between Moulali and Babughat (excluding Strand Road). Traffic at Dorina crossing, Rani Rashmoni Avenue, SN Banerjee Road, Chowringhee Road, JL Nehru Road, Park Street, Central Avenue, Hastings, Queensway, Babughat and Lenin Sarani will be regulated, said a joint commissioner. The rally, considered to be a demonstration of TMCs mass support and strength, is being held when several leaders of the party are behind bars in corruption cases. The cases are being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation With inputs from PTI The latest photographs of the construction work of the Ram temple in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya have been shared by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, a trust constituted to look after the construction and management of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir. The pictures show the construction of the Ram Mandir going on at full pace. More than 80 per cent of construction work on the temples ground floor has been completed, Champat Rai, the general secretary of the trust, told media earlier this week. The consecration ceremony of Lord Ramas idol at Ram Janmabhoomi is expected to be held between January 15 and 24, the exact date of the function is yet to be announced. Ayodhya Ram temple will not require any repairs Rai said Ayodhyas Ram temple will not require any repairs for another one thousand years. Even an earthquake of 6.5 on the Richter scale would not be able to shake the foundation of the temple, he claimed. No steel, iron used anywhere in temple The foundation of the temple was 50 feet deep and was completely made of stones, cement and other materials. No steel or iron was being used anywhere in the temple building, Rai said. As many as 17,000 granite stones, each weighing 2 tons, are being used in the temple. Apart from this, 4 lakh cubic feet of pink stones from Mirzapur were being used for constructing the plinth and 1 lakh cubic feet of carved marble from Rajasthans Bansi Paharpur were used for sculpting the spire. A total of 162 pillars are ready and more than 4,500 idols are being carved on these pillars by artisans from Kerala and Rajasthan. The idols will offer the devotees a glimpse of the Treta Yug, Rai said. Sharing more details, Rai said the frame of the temple is made of marble and the doors are of teakwood from Maharashtra. The idol of Lord Ram would be installed on the first floor of the temple. By the month of October, the work on the ground floor of the temple will be completed, said the Trust general secretary. Last month, the chairman of the temple construction committee Nripendra Mishra said that the Ram temple is likely to open for devotees on January 24, 2024, after the consecration of the Ram Lalla idol which will be a 10-day ritual. Between January 14 and January 24, a 10-day ritual of Ram Lallas pran pratishtha (consecration) will be observed, Mishra said. Ayodhya hotels witness rise in advance bookings Hotels in Ayodhya have been witnessing a rush as travel agents and devotees continue to book rooms in advance. As per a report by PTI, hoteliers and resort owners in Ayodhya are expecting a massive influx of devotees to witness the historic event with several of them claiming that visitors are trying to book rooms for 10 to 12 days to ensure that they do not miss out on the historic event at the last moment. Divisional Commissioner (DC) Gaurav Dayal convened a meeting of hotel owners of Ayodhya on Wednesday and instructed them to decorate their properties to give a warm welcome to their guests during the consecration ceremony. In Faizabad and Ayodhya, there are around 150 hotels, including 10 luxurious hotels, 25 budget hotels, 115 economy hotels, 35 unrecognised guest houses, 50 dharamshalas, 50 homestay/paying guest houses, accounting for a total of 10,000 rooms in the districts. Nairobi National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi has defended Raila Odinga's silence since Wednesday's protests, saying he is safe and that there is no cause for alarm. The Opposition coalition vowed to stage three straight days of protests against President William Ruto's government but Odinga has been missing in the nationwide protests. "You must understand that this is now a people's movement and doesn't require the presence of any leader to succeed. All of us are contributing to this cause hence there's no cause for alarm whether you see the leaders physically or not," said Wandayi. "Baba is very safe and is alive and kicking. When you see us here you see Baba. The protests are not his own," he added. His presence has only been felt on the social media platform through several posts charging his supporters to support the defiance against the Kenya Kwanza Alliance regime. In videos shared on his official Twitter account on Thursday morning, Odinga documented alleged incidents of police brutality that occurred during Wednesday's countrywide protests. It remains unclear whether Azimio Leader Raila Odinga will show up for today's rally at Central Park slated for 3pm accompanied by other coalition luminaries. The Former Prime Minister has been keeping a low profile with his absence from the protests raising eyebrows in the political arena. On his Twitter account, Odinga rallied Kenyans to turn up in large numbers for the day two anti-government protests set to culminate tomorrow. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Despite 300 people being arrested including nine leaders, police fired tear gas at protesters who took to the streets and three people killed. The Opposition has maintained that the protest must continue even as civil bodies and the international community urged the two opposing sides to bridge the impasse. "The voice of the People must be heard. Our peaceful protest continues," Odinga tweeted. At least three people were shot dead Wednesday as police battled protesters in anti-government demonstrations. An official at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital in Kisumu confirmed that two bodies were in the hospital's mortuary while locals said the third was taken to a private hospital. "Two bodies have been recorded at the morgue with gunshot wounds," the CEO of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Hospital, Dr George Rae said. 14 other people-all men-were admitted to the hospital with gunshot wounds. In Madhya Pradeshs Shahdol district, a village sarpanch has issued an order stating that residents allowing their cattle to roam freely will face consequences. According to the new rule, such individuals will get five slaps with a slipper and will have to pay a fine of Rs 500. Officials from the sarpanchs office went door-to-door in Nagnadui village to inform the community about this regulation. They captured villagers attention by announcing the decree while playing drums. After this unique and bizarre announcement, the video has now gone viral on social media. Watch the viral video: The announcement video has caused discontent among the villagers, who are now protesting against the rule and demanding its withdrawal. They have sought the intervention of the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) to address the matter. The controversial decree has sparked a debate on appropriate measures to deal with cattle roaming issues in the village. With inputs from agencies In Andhra Pradeshs Ongole, a distressing incident took place where a Dalit man, identified as Mota Naveen, was subjected to a brutal assault by a group of nine men due to his relationship with a girl. Shockingly, two suspects urinated on him, and one of the suspects recorded the entire incident on video. According to the police, the main suspect has been identified as Manne Ramanjaneyulu. The group also included two minors. The tragic incident occurred following a dispute between Naveen and one of Ramanjaneyulus friends over a girl. On 19 June, around 9 pm, Ramanjaneyulu called Naveen to an isolated place. They consumed alcohol, and later assaulted Naveen. Two of them urinated on him. Ongole SP Malika Garg said, according to India Today, The act was recorded by one of the members of the group. Mota Naveen was taken to the hospital, but he did not mention anything about the act. He got discharged and left the hospital before the police could talk to him. The video of the act was secured five days ago. The police said that Naveen and Ramanjaneyulu were childhood friends and were involved in numerous robberies. A case has been filed against the perpetrators under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (attempt to commit murder) and relevant sections of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. As per the latest update, six of the suspects have been arrested. The prime suspect, Ramanjaneyulu, is still on the run. With inputs from agencies Much has been spoken about the India-China boundary issue since the incidents of Doklam and Galwan took place. Indeed, the scrutiny of the press has largely been on these two sectors. The eastern sector, which according to this author is the most contentious, hardly ever hits the headline. One of the reasons for the neglect is because of the relative quietitude that reigns in the sector, the credit for which must go to the military leadership of the Eastern Army Command. Laffaire Yangtse was one occasion when the Chinese sought to occupy the high ground. But as this author has written in an earlier column, the bravehearts of the Indian Army made the Chinese beat a hasty retreat. There is a sub-sector to the far east in Rest-of-Arunachal Pradesh (RALP). It is the Walong sector which is located around 30 km south of the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh near a village called Kibithu. Kahao the easternmost village of India is located to the east of Kibithu. Lohit river, later known as the Kamlang River and finally, the Brahmaputra, enters Arunachal Pradesh near Kibithu and flows in a southerly direction. The border with China runs from west to east slightly ahead of Kibithu along the Dichu River. The high ridges on either side of the river are held by the Indian Army virtually making it impossible for any ingress by the Chinese PLA. The alignment of the boundary around this area is however disputed in the sense that there is a difference of interpretation about the exact alignment of the boundary. McMahons thick nib pen and his haste to draw a boundary without proper survey is the reason for much of the border ails between the two Asian giants. Just ahead of the Dichu river is a place called the Madan Ridge dominating both the Dichu river and an area north of the ridge. In the perception of India, the alignment of the boundary runs along the crest of the Madan ridge. But the Chinese consider Madan ridge as part of their territory for the obvious reason that any movement up to the Madan ridge by the PLA from the north will not be noticed except from Indian posts located on top of the ridges on either side of the Lohit river. Therefore, should the Chinese interpretation of the alignment be accepted, it would mean that the PLA would have an unhindered run right up to the Madan Ridge. Even though this might not assure the PLA a permitted free run further south, holding on to a higher ridge will be of tremendous military advantage to the PLA. On the other hand, the holding of the Madan ridge by the Indian Army along with the ridges on either side of the Lohit River will tilt the balance of defensive posture towards India. However, for some reason or the other perhaps simply not to up the ante the Indian Armys movement up to the south of the Dichu River is restricted, leaving the Madan Ridge to the PLA. The PLA routinely visits Madan ridge to assert their claim, leaving in the process tell-tale signs. This author (a decade ago) climbed all the way to the Dichu Observation Post. The trek was an imaginably arduous one, especially as he has metallic implants on his right leg, a result of an almost fatal fall in an Indian army battalion while undertaking adventure sport. This column wants to concentrate on a controversial terminology which is termed as limits of patrolling in Indian Army parlance. Indeed, it has been the proverbial gripe for the Indian Army. The limits of patrolling is determined by the China Study Group, of which the Indian Foreign Secretary used to be the chairman. But after the Galwan event, it has been understood that the National Security Adviser has taken over as the head of this important group. But most people who have some knowledge about India-China boundary relations query as to why the Group disallows Indian Army patrolling to be undertaken in the general area of Madan Ridge, and perhaps even elsewhere along the 3,488 km long Line of Actual Control (LAC). The most convenient answer is that it might up the ante were the Indian army patrols to cross into what the Chinese perceive as their territory. China has, of course, been continually accusing India of deploying troops in areas which are perceived as sensitive ground of both vital and tactical importance. The Doklam crisis brought the apprehension out into the open. The attempt by the Chinese to construct a road all the way to the Jampheri ridge would have threatened the Siliguri Corridor. The people of India constantly fed by the probing media are aware of the peril. But the Madan Ridge, which is as special, has never found adequate mention in mainstream media. The 1962 war was a debacle. India was not prepared and a war was lost as a result. The Battle of Walong is one such story. The Indians actually fought very well in the area and there was a great loss to the PLA in what is known as the Tigers Mouth. Four hundred Chinese soldiers died in the Namti Defences in what is euphemistically called the Tigers Mouth. The Madan ridge is one of the areas China claims. In fact, the ridge is important to both armies. While Indian Army has stopped patrolling in the general area of Madan ridge, it is well entrenched in guarding that approach and it is ensured that 1962 will not be repeated. What however will happen in the event of an outbreak of a full-fledged conflict is a matter of military exigency and one does not have an insight into such a plan. But the fact of the matter is that the villagers who reside in the remotest of hamlets right on the border (disputed or not) are very friendly and are emotionally attached to the Indian Army in the sector. Kahao, a quaint little village, is one such village which is one of the first places in India to witness the sunrise. The inhabitants of the village are called Meyors and they are a very friendly lot. This author stopped in the village for a mug of village brew on his way up to the Dichu Observation Post. This author still recalls slashing up his left palm while crossing a Foot Suspension Bridge over the Lohit River. It was perhaps natures way of paying tribute to the Red River for which Lohit is known as. The bridge allows only one man at a time to cross over and the manner in which it swings along with the wind that blows across the Lohit River is both breathtaking and terrifying. After reaching the top (Observation Post Dichu), which took this author a good four hours trek, he was amazed at the view from the Chinese side. It was both overwhelming and forbidding: a small bridle path on the Indian side which took him close to four hours to climb up and the Chinese complete with radars and a smooth metalled Class-9 road that linked Tatu with their tactical garrison in Rima and further afield. The PLA cadres fall in exactly at 9:50 am (Indian Standard Time) which coincides, one was told, with lunch hour by Beijing Time. In any event, the question which crossed ones mind (at the time when the author visited the area) is why the powers that be in India had not constructed a proper, concrete bridge in place of the Foot Suspension Bridge over the Lohit. After all, it was rather strange that only one person could go across the swirling overpass at a time. What would happen in an emergency or were the PLA to catch the Indian side by surprise? The strange rationale, it was informed, was that it is better to keep the Indian border areas inaccessible in order not to give a free run to an invading enemy. Further, better connectivity also entails creating additional logistical infrastructures. All of which come at a cost. So was the case in the Walong sector. In Kibithu, the suspension bridge over the Lohit River is the only connectivity from west to east. Lack or lack of reliance on connectivity between two localities separated by a water obstacle creates a sense of unfounded fear among the troops and it will be the general tendency to pull back the troops under a secure wing at the earliest opportunity. It was probably the reason why the Indian Army pulled back prematurely in 1962. However, good sense has prevailed and a new bridge has come up further south of the suspension bridge near a village called Messaih. This bridge is motorable and is hidden from enemy observation and out of direct firing range. The Indian Army is presently better poised to face a situation if the enemy were to destroy the old bridge called FSB 17 and isolate the troops in the Eastern bank of the river from those on the Western bank. The long and short of it is that much development has happened in the Eastern Sector during the last couple of years. It has been fortified with new axes (although robust laterals are yet to see the light of day) and even advanced landing grounds have come up near the LAC as a result of Exercise Gagan Shakti. However, one aspect that needs to be looked into with utmost urgency is the widening and double-laning of the roads, especially in the Walong and the Subansiri sub-sectors. Inclement weather plays havoc every rainy season and traversing a road to say an area such as Tuting is a harrowing experience.< The 1962 debacle happened because the realities were given a go-by. This cannot and should not be allowed to happen again. This is unacceptable. The writer is a conflict theorist and bestselling author. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. During Prime Minister Narendra Modis recent visit to France, France and India spelt out their commitments to the Indo-Pacific region. In a first, the two democracies published a roadmap for their bilateral and regional cooperation. The roadmap outlines the alignment between the two countries vision for the region, with cooperation extending across the domains of defence, security, economics, connectivity, infrastructure, sustainability, and human-centric development. As Sino-US competition intensifies, countries around the world are susceptible to major power contestation and influence. At the same time, key middle powers seek to pursue their interests by working together. With the centrality of the Indo-Pacific in world affairs, the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is emerging increasingly important. As both India and France outline their bilateral cooperation agenda for the next 25 years, what can they collectively do more in the IOR? And with whom can they collectively do more? Clearly, this would encompass regional challenges and interests of both India and France. Its territorial possessions and significant security and economic interests in the region have made France a vital player. Indias role as a net security provider to its oceanic neighborhood with a focus on its sustainable growth and prosperity, as encapsulated in the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) presents it with enormous stakes in the region. There are three broad ways in which India and France can cooperate in the IOR. First, the IOR lacks a regional security architecture. An institution or a set of institutions having the ability to create consensus on what regional security amounts to underpins a successful security architecture. Important actors such as the US, China, and the European Union, each have differing ideas about what an ideal security arrangement in the IOR is. A strong set of institutionalised norms (diplomatic, economic, technological) underpins consensus-building exercises toward any kind of regionalism. Ultimately, a lack of a regional architecture also means a lack of regional economic integration, including a network of trade, infrastructure and investment to emerge. An important institution in the IOR is the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), the only forum connecting the littoral states of the IOR. The IORA suffers from institutional weakness as researchers Frederic Grare and Jean-Loup Samaan mention in their book, Indian Ocean as a New Political and Security Region. Its capacity to drive change is limited. And as the authors mention, the IORs members diversity in geography, culture, and economic levels of development has led to an ineffectual political will. That affects its access to global institutions, where it can participate in conversations concerning the larger Indo-Pacific region. It also disables IORAs ability to make demands for regional security. In an effort to build regionalism, India and France along with South Africa, an IORA co-founder can collectively strengthen institutions like the IORA. They can help bolster its institutional presence by increasing its funding for organisational activities (excluding funding for specific projects aimed towards issues it works towards). The other leg of support can come from strengthening its diplomatic access to key Indo-Pacific partners, stakeholders, and other actors. Second, according to The Sixth Assessment Report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Indian Ocean is warming faster than the global average oceanic warming. One key security concern emerging from this is that island nations or ocean states face sea-level rise. In the coming years, traditional security in the IOR will be tied to ocean security the capacity to be secure from oceanic disturbances. As resident oceanic powers, India and France should begin by incorporating this intersection between traditional and non-traditional security and climate-centric ocean health into their Indo-Pacific security cooperation agendas. In addition, there is a need for building economic, intellectual, and diplomatic capital that recognizes the islands centrality as we think about regional development and cooperation. In this context, while the 2022 roadmap already centers on ocean governance and the blue economy, working at the intersection of security, climate-induced oceanic change, and island development is key for the IOR. For example, the two countries can lead joint studies of IOR warming and its impact on island development and governance. As researcher Darshana Baruah notes in a 2018 article, India and France could lead the building of smarter islands by first beginning to understand the sustainable island development of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and La Reunion, respectively. This capital will serve as a cooperative public good in the Pacific, an area that both countries would like to extend their cooperation in the next 25 years. Third, the roadmap outlines Indias and Frances intention to collaborate in the South West maritime region. Here it finds greater potential for interoperability with Australia, another resident Indian Ocean state, that is vying for increased influence in the western region. India has logistics-sharing agreements with both France and Australia. Given the Indian Oceans vast expanseand only emerging maritime surveillance infrastructurethe trilateral could work towards democratizing these capabilities by endowing Small Island Developing States (SIDS) with necessary technological capabilities. Islands and ports of middle powers in the IOR are dominantly considered sites of military basing, but more important, they provide excellent logistical access for developing maritime surveillance networks. Greater access to each others strategic posts Australias Cooks Island, Frances La Reunion, and Indias Andaman and Nicobar Islands along with cross-cutting logistical partnerships with, among others, Oman (Duqm), Djibouti, Maldives, Seychelles (Assumption Island), and Iran (Chahabar), can provide a structure for greater logistical access that underpins regional maritime surveillance efforts. These efforts can be bolstered by enhancing current structures for information-sharing across the IOR, by expanding and financially supporting Indian Ocean Commission-led Regional Coordination Operations Centres (RCOS), Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centres (RMIFC), and national centers (which can be increased in number, by greater access to the Bay of Bengal states). Fourth, India-France bilateral cooperation already intends to build Indias industrial capabilities to co-produce advanced defense technologies, also for the benefit of third [world] countries. Heres what could come out of an India-French industrial partnership: for the sake of self-reliance, providing defense-related maritime reconnaissance resources to SIDS. This could enable thinking about the security of developingand oceanicstates differently in the midst of major power competition. A collective partnership between India and France in the IOR is aligned with their interests in the Indo-Pacific region. In the next 25 years, the two countries can enable a new era of development in the IOR through a sustainable and holistic development agenda centred on respecting middle powers as agents in their own right in our polarised times. The author is a research analyst in the Indo-Pacific Studies Programme at the Takshashila Institution. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. As part of a nationwide drive for destruction of seized drugs under the Nasha Mukta Abhiyan, about 6727 kg of seized contraband was destroyed in Jammu on 17 July 2023. This comes within a month of major seizures in the region, and recent years of perpetually increasing addiction cases in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. Notably, surpassing Punjab, J&K has now become the drug hub in North India. The toughened handling of terror activities and crackdown on terror financing routes, especially post abrogation of J&Ks special status in 2019, has added impetus to this trend. Security agencies have raised concerns and undertaken retaliatory initiatives but the issue is far from controlled. While funds generated from this smuggling fuel the drying finances of terrorists in the Valley, the growing number of addicts among J&Ks youth is damaging the youth population still emerging from years of conflict and its after-effects. This double-edged sword staring at J&Ks present and future poses serious challenges at all three levels: national security, economic development and reconstruction, and societal wellbeing. It must be recalled that consumption of drugs is not new to the region. However, it has historically been limited to the use of cannabis. Of late, heroin and medicinal opioids, whose origins have been traced back to Pakistan by Indian officials, have seen an abrupt rise thus raising concerns. Pakistan has been one of the largest suppliers of pure heroin globally for a long time. Proximity to the infamous golden crescent has always rendered this region vulnerable. Since 1995, trafficking of drugs spiked across the Line of Control, through J&K, and onwards to the rest of India which was also the time when violence in J&K was at its peak. `The route through LoC in Jammu sectors Ranbirsingh Pura, Samba, and Akhnoor was used to transit into Punjab. Over the years, the inlet through Jammus Rajouri and Sunderbani (reaching up to the Jammu district through the Jammu-Poonch highway) has become the most active route. Currently, approximately 8 per cent of the regions population is addicted to a drug of some kind. This totals to an estimated 10 lakh people out of its 2.5 crore population. With every addict estimated spending approximately 88,000 rupees a month and there being some 54,000 addicts as recorded in 2022 the threat is real, and damaging. Two facts need consideration here. One, according to Annual Reports of the Narcotics Control Bureau, of this spike was prominently noted since 2017, and increasingly since 2019. Two, most seizures occurring since 2017 were originally counter-terrorism operations, and not aimed at drug seizure. This can be explained by a series of events that have strained terror financing conduits in succession. The demonetization of higher bank currency notes was abruptly announced by the Government of India in November 2016. All INR 500 and INR 1000 currency notes seized to be legal tender. This directly hit terror financing through Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) which were a known source. In 2017, the maximum number of fake currency notes in the country were seized from J&K. Further, in 2018, Pakistan entered the FATF grey-list that forced the country to take active steps to cut some logistical and operational support to anti-India terrorism. Over 1000 properties of India-centric terror outfits were confiscated, for instance. Further, in 2019, the historic internal reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir was carried out, making J&K a Union Territory and thus offering support to the Union Government and Security Agencies to monitor security situations.. Each of these hardened security crackdown on every source of terror financing thus raising desperations among terror outfits such as were visible in delivery of weapons across the border through drones and emergence of frontal organisations like The Resistance Front. Smuggling of narcotics to generate funds picked up against this background. The Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in 2021 only accelerated the issue. Links with Pakistan have been established through identification of marking indicating Pakistani origin in most of these seizures. In fact, most seized heroin tested has been found to be of Afghan origin, which is suspected to have been processed in Pakistan and smuggled to India. Statements by former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif himself accepting the use of narcotics smuggling as a means of destabilising India, as early as in the 1990s, only adds context to the contemporary scenario. While heightened monitoring and rehabilitation efforts have been furthered by the government agencies, a more society-led effort is required to resolve this issue. As certain scholars mention, the role of the village elders would be crucial in dealing with the drug menace that is threatening the national security, economic development and reconstruction, as well as the overall societal wellbeing in the Union Territory. The writer is an independent security analyst. She has previously served as Research Assistant at the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS) a Think Tank of the Indian Army. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. External affairs minister S Jaishankar recently returned from a week-long trip to Indonesia and Thailand. In Jakarta, Jaishankar took part in a clutch of meetings with his East Asian counterparts under ASEAN-India, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) frameworks. He also took time out to meet Chinese state councillor and foreign minister Wang Yi, US secretary of state Antony Blinken, Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and European Unions foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. While these meetings and pull-asides expectedly dominated the headlines, it is the second leg of Jaishankars trip that went under-noticed but demands greater attention. In Bangkok, advancing Indias Neighbourhood First and Act East policies, Jaishankar co-chaired the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) meeting and attended the BIMSTEC foreign ministers retreat. Founded in 2000, the MCG framework brings together India, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar a pariah nation in high-level ASEAN summits owing to the juntas lack of progress on the five-point peace plan. Myanmar militarys 2021 coup detat has completely upended regional diplomacy, turned the Southeast Asian nation into a restive state beset with violent crackdown on anti-junta protestors, ethnic rivalry and civil war, and has brought a simmering crisis bang on Indias doorstep, affecting the sensitive northeastern states. As we shall presently see, the catastrophic incidents in Myanmar, coupled with America-led Wests grave and repeated policy failures, have not only complicated Indias dynamics with Naypyitaw, but have also led to a complex chain of events leading to an explosion of ethnic violence in Manipur that New Delhi is struggling to control. If the Kuki and Meitei communities are pitted against each other in an orgy of retributive violence since May, then the administration must share the lions share of the blame. It is equally true that confirmation bias has become normalised in media commentaries. Contrary to popular discourse, the Manipur crisis isnt one-dimensional, nor are the painful developments occurring in medias res. To get a better perspective on the factors destabilizing the key northeastern state eschewing the blind-men-and-elephant syndrome we need to turn our attention to the multifaceted crises unfolding in dysfunctional Myanmar, the military-ruled, conflict-torn nation that shares a 1,700km-long frontier with four Indian states, including a 400km unfenced, permeable border with Manipur. ASEAN may deny Myanmar a seat at the table. India doesnt have that luxury. It wasnt a surprise to note Jaishankar take time out in Bangkok to meet the foreign minister from Myanmars military-led government, U Than Swe, on the sidelines of the MCG summit on Sunday. During the scarce bilateral, Jaishankar raised several critical issues with his counterpart, including the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, the stalled project that India is finding very difficult to execute, the humanitarian situation in Myanmar, on which the minister proposed people-centric initiatives aimed to address the pressing challenges. As Jaishankar noted on Twitter, India supports the democratic transition process in Myanmar and highlights the need for return of peace and stability. We will closely coordinate our policy with ASEAN in this regard. During his meeting with Than Swe, Jaishankar also underlined the importance of ensuring peace and stability in our border areas. In language that is unusually strong for a former career diplomat known to be frugal and judicious with words, the minister said Indias border areas have been seriously disturbed recently and any actions that aggravate the situation should be avoided. The ministers words reflect Indias anxiety over the turn of events in Myanmar that have added to the instability in Manipur. Underlining the complexity of the issues involved, Jaishankar said he also flagged concerns about human and drug trafficking and urged stronger cooperation among relevant parties for the early return of trafficked victims. To put this in perspective, Jaishankars meeting with Than Swe followed Indias defence secretarys recent two-day official visit to Myanmar, during which Giridhar Aramane called on key figures in the ruling juntas State Administrative Council (SAC). His engagements included meetings with the military regime chief, Gen Min Aung Hlaing, defence minister Gen (Retd.) Mya Tun Oo, commander-in-chief, Myanmar Navy, Admiral Moe Aung and chief of defence industries Lt Gen Khan Myint Than. In a press statement released on 1 July, Indias defence ministry said: the two sides discussed issues related to maintenance of tranquillity in the border areas, illegal trans-border movements and transnational crimes such as drug trafficking and smuggling. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ensure that their respective territories would not be allowed to be used for any activities inimical to the other. Two questions arise. One, why is trans-border movement in focus? Two, with Manipur burning, why are Indian ministers and high-ranking officials engaging with Myanmar? We get an inkling of the answers and a sense of Indias urgency when we note that Aramane was accompanied by a delegation of officials from the ministries of defence, external affairs and armed forces, and as Indian Express reports, support to the valley based insurgent groups, the inflow of arms to rioters and tacit external support compounding the lawlessness in the state were also on the agenda for discussions. The newspaper further reports, quoting sources, that the timing of the visit is significant with increasing narcotics smuggling and drug trafficking from Myanmar since ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur in May. The destabilizing factor of armed insurgents from Myanmar many of whom have kinship ties with transnational ethnic communities straddling India and its immediate neighbours slipping into the northeastern states through the porous border and adding to the complexity of Kuki-Meitei clashes and exacerbating the ongoing conflict in Manipur, has been under-reported. To escape the crackdown by Myanmars military regime, ethnic Kuki-Chin people have entered India by thousands since the coup in 2021. According to figures from UNHCR, the refugee agency of the United Nations, the ongoing civil war in Myanmar has displaced 1,827,000 people since February 2021, among which over 53000, mostly from the conflict-ridden Chin state and Sagaing region of Myanmar the hotbed of armed resistance against the junta have entered Indias northeastern states of Mizoram and Manipur till the month of May 2023. The volatile situation in Myanmar has created a breeding ground for a spate of armed insurgent groups operating in the grey zone between the porous India-Myanmar frontier. While groups such as PDF (Peoples Defense Forces), the armed wing of Myanmars shadow National Unity Government, primarily carry out hit-and-run attacks against the military junta, some also act against Indias interests. What has complicated the situation further for India is that the Myanmar military, desperate to tackle the anti-junta forces and ethnic armed organizations, has reportedly reached an understanding with some anti-India insurgency groups to assist junta forces in their operations against PDFs in the so-called liberated zones such as Chin State and Sagaing Region. As Washington DC-based think tank USIP observes in a report, far from denying territory to Indian rebels, the junta is offering them sanctuary in Myanmar in return for fighting the pro-democracy Peoples Defense Forces and ethnic revolutionary organizations (EROs) in Sagaing Region and rebel groups such as The Peoples Liberation Army of Manipur, in turn, are using Myanmar territory as a staging ground for attacks in India. If the conflict has spilled over onto Indias borders, a part of the blame must also go to the US-led West whose policy failures have a direct bearing on Indias national security. The Wests economic sanctions on the Southeast Asian nation may have done little to force the ruling military junta into restoring democracy, but it has made life miserable for citizens, opened the door wide for China to increase its influence and created the perfect atmosphere for intensification of political dislocation and civil war in Myanmar. Americas policy failures have worsened the Myanmar crisis in two ways. One, wave after wave of debilitating sanctions (the US has imposed 20 rounds targeting key figures of the military junta, defence ministry, business entities, state-owned enterprises and brokers while the European Union and the UK have imposed six separate rounds) have triggered a meltdown in Myanmars economy. Investors have been spooked away, unemployment rates have shot up while the currency has suffered a collapse. As the Diplomat notes in a report, nearly 40 percent of the total working-age population (in Myanmar) are out of work, while almost half of households reported a decrease in incomes over the past year, compared to just 15 percent reporting the reverse. The World Bank also cited a survey from May that found 48 percent of farming households worry about not having enough food to eat, up from about 26 percent the year before. The military junta, that has been targeted by American sanctions regime for decades until Barack Obama reversed the course, has shaken off the restrictions with ease, but the punitive measures have left the US with no leverage over the Tatmadaw. In the absence of any concurrent engagement mechanisms, as geostrategist Brahma Chellaney writes in The Strategist, American interventions are likely to plunge Myanmar into greater disorder and poverty without advancing US interests. Even in the unlikely event that the disparate groups behind the armed insurrection manage to overthrow the junta, Myanmar would not re-emerge as a democracy. Rather, it would become a Libya-style failed state and a bane to regional security. It would also remain a proxy battleground between Western powers and China and Russia. The second policy failure of the American state is its stated decision to back the armed insurgents operating within Myanmar that are seeking to overthrow the regime. The BURMA Act authorizes the appropriation of funds for FY 2023 to 2027 for various forms of assistance, including programs to strengthen federalism in and among ethnic states in Burma, including for non-lethal assistance for Ethnic Armed Organizations in Burma. In retaliation, the regime has stepped up its brutalities in Myanmars Chin state and the northwestern Sagaing regions, both bordering India and offering the stiffest armed resistance to the military regime. The junta, in a massive airstrike on the resistance movement outside Pazigyi village in Sagaing region on 11 April, killed more than 100 people, including children, using deadly enhanced blast munitions, also known as vacuum bomb. The brutal attack forced many of the ethnic Kuki-Chin people to flee to India. Reuters reported last month, quoting Indian security officials and civil society groups that three Indian states of Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland are currently sheltering around 16,000 people from Myanmar, with the number expected to rise in coming months, and leaving officials worried that the region could become a staging post for pro-democracy activists and stoke instability. The influx of refugees, including armed militants, has added to the volatility in Manipur where anger has started rising over illegal infiltration and its possible effect over employment and land rights in a state where ethnic tribal groups are shaped along political and geographical divides. According to a report in Economic Times, the violence in Manipur that has resulted in widespread arson, death, displacement and atrocities on women, is linked to militant outfits operating in Manipur that are based in Myanmar. The report quotes a senior government official, as saying, Just see the scale of violence and mobilisations. Gun-toting people were seen killing people. If militants were not involved, the situation cannot have aggravated to such an extent. According to a report in the Diplomat, In the last week of April, a random identification drive by the Manipur government as part of the population commissions work (the commission was set up last year to track illegal immigration) identified 1,147 undocumented Myanmar nationals in 13 locations in Tengnoupal district, 881 persons in three locations in Chandel district, and 154 persons in Churachandpur district. The report further quotes a government official, as saying, Chandel, Tengnoupal, and Churachandpur are Kuki-dominated districts along the Myanmar border. During a press conference on 1 June from Imphal, post his visit to the strife-torn state, Union home minister Amit Shah said biometrics of people coming from across the border are being recorded and for a permanent solution to the instability in Manipur, we have set up wired fencing across 10 kilometers of the Manipur-Myanmar border on a trial basis, work tender has been invited for fencing on another 80 kilometers, and a survey for fencing the rest of the Manipur-Myanmar border is being initiated. This complex web of issues behind the ethnic clashes in Manipur will remain incomplete without exploring the drug angle, a reference that has repeatedly cropped up during high-level interactions between India and Myanmar. In his piece for The Diplomat mentioned earlier, Snigdhendu Bhattacharya quotes JNU professor Bhagat Oinam, a Meitei by ethnicity, as saying, that while Kuki-Chin ingress has happened in Manipur over decades, what has happened over the past few years is an explosion in poppy cultivation in Manipurs Kuki-dominated districts backed by drug cartels and insurgent groups with a cross-border network, resulting in huge loss of forest cover, a problem that aggravated since the 2021 coup when the influx intensified due to persecution of the Kuki-Chin community by the military regime. A section of these illegal immigrants is being used by the drug and weapon cartels in Manipur, said the professor, according to the report. While the Kuki groups have dismissed these allegations as insidious narratives, studies have pointed out how Myanmar has become the largest producer of illegal drugs within the infamous Golden Trianglea tri-junction at the Myanmar, Laos and Thailand borders that makes its way to India through the porous border. Supply of drugs from the Golden Triangle remains a problem. In recent times, however, poppy cultivation has proliferated in the hilly areas of Manipur. According to a report in Economic Times, narcotics trade is playing a significant role in Manipur violence and the drug cartels are utilizing large chunks of the hilly districts for quality poppy cultivation. As Manipur shifts its status from a transit route for drugs to major producer fuelled by armed refugees from Myanmar, a report by the Netherlands-based Transnational Institute, released in December 2021, observes how opium cultivation in Manipur seems to be more integrated within the regional drug economy and connected to other actors, notably from Myanmar. It is evident that while a knotty vortex of issues has contributed to the instability in Manipur, ritual incantation of Meitei majoritarianism to explain the unrest amounts to little more than a projection of the left-liberal ideological bias. Unless a holistic approach is adopted by the Indian state that looks at the Manipur issue in all its multifaceted complexities, a permanent solution will elude us. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Tech jobs have earned a reputation for their highly attractive salaries, and certain companies spare no expense in compensating their engineers. Internal data from Google, which was recently leaked and reviewed by Business Insider, provides insights into the impressive compensation packages received by their employees in 2022. The median total compensation for Google employees that year amounted to $279,802 (Rs 2.30 crore). Not surprisingly, software engineers emerged as the highest-paid professionals at Google, with a maximum base salary of $718,000 in 2022. This information came from an internal spreadsheet shared among Google employees, which included data from over 12,000 US workers, spanning various roles such as software engineers, business analysts, and salespeople. While software engineers topped the list for base salary, its worth noting that the top 10 highest-paying positions across engineering, business, and sales at Google all enjoyed base salaries well into six figures. Googles compensation structure extends beyond base salaries, encompassing options and bonuses as well. Notably, software engineers had the potential to receive a maximum equity of $1.5 million in 2022. Comparing Googles salary offerings to other tech giants in 2022, the companys median base pay was slightly lower than Metas ($296,320). However, it significantly surpassed the median base salaries at Salesforce ($199,130) and Adobe ($170,679), as reported by data collected by MyLogIQ and analyzed by The Wall Street Journal. Here are the top 10 highest base salaries at Google across all industries for 2022, according to Insiders report. The data is limited to full-time employees in the US and does not include salaries from Alphabets other ventures, such as Waymo and Verily. Additionally, not all employees disclosed their equity and bonus data: Software Engineer: $718,000 (Rs 5.90 crore) Engineering Manager (Software Engineering): $400,000 (Rs 3.28 crore) Enterprise Direct Sales: $377,000 (Rs 3.09 crore) Legal Corporate Counsel: $320,000 (Rs 2.62 crore) Sales Strategy: $320,000 (Rs 2.62 crore) UX Design: $315,000 (Rs 2.58 crore) Government Affairs & Public Policy: $312,000 (Rs 2.56 crore) Research Scientist: $309,000 (Rs 2.53 crore) Cloud Sales: $302,000 (Rs 2.47 crore) Program Manager: $300,000 (Rs 2.46 crore) Do note, that these are the base salaries. Engineering Managers get several other perks that engineers dont. Engineering Managers also get better stock options. However, Software Engineers get fatter and better bonuses. Google has secretly unveiled an AI tool known as Genesis, capable of producing news stories for major newspapers like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. According to reports from The New York Times, this signals a potential influx of AI-generated or AI-assisted content on the internet. Although Google denies intending to replace journalists, they assert that Genesis will act as a personal assistant for journalists, automating certain tasks to allow more time for others. Google downplaying its AIs capability to get Journalists on board Media executives who have seen a demo of the AI chatbot revealed that the tool can not only write and edit stories but give them headlines, straplines and summaries, all without the input of a trained media professional. Media executives expressed concerns about Googles pitch, feeling it downplayed the effort and skill required to create accurate and well-crafted news stories. Publications, such as CNET, Gizmodo, and BuzzFeed, have already embraced AI-generated news stories, but they often suffered from errors and plagiarism issues. The entrance of an influential company like Google into this space could accelerate the adoption of AI technology by media outlets, increasing pressure on traditional journalists. Goodness gracious, tweeted The Information founder Jessica Lessin. Let it be said, journalists dont need Google to write their articles as a personal assistant. And anything that Google (or any AI) could write has no real original reporting value. Google is killing the news Google maintains that its tools are not meant to replace journalists entirely, but rather offer assistance with tasks like generating headlines or different writing styles. Quite simply, these tools are not intended to, and cannot, replace the essential role journalists have in reporting, creating and fact-checking their articles, Google spokesperson Jenn Crider told the NYT. For instance, AI-enabled tools could assist journalists with options for headlines or different writing styles, she added. Recently, Google unveiled a new AI-powered search interface called Search Generative Experience (SGE) that can summarize webpages through AI snapshots, potentially undermining human-based journalism further. Hallucinations mean reputations are on the line However, there are reasons to be sceptical about Googles AI technology, as past instances like the AI chatbot Bard have shown its unreliability in distinguishing truth from fiction and generating misinformation at scale. The media industry is exploring ways to incorporate generative AI into newsrooms, but concerns remain about potential job cuts and the ability of AI to produce coherent and more importantly fact-based truthful information. Ultimately, the reputation of news publications is at stake, prompting media executives to carefully consider the implications before fully embracing Googles AI offer. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. has announced a delay in the production start date of its planned facility in Arizona. Instead of late 2024, production will now commence in 2025. This delay is seen as concerning given the efforts by the US government to strengthen its chip industry amid its ongoing tech war with China. Not enough skilled workers in the US Chairman Mark Liu cited various challenges faced by TSMC at the US facility, including a shortage of skilled workers and higher expenses compared to Taiwan. To address this, the company is relocating some skilled technical workers from Taiwan to the US facility to aid in its development. We are working on improving this by sending skilled technical workers from Taiwan to the US, Liu said on a conference call after revealing TSMCs earnings from last quarter. The US administration under President Joe Biden has prioritized the development of domestic chip production, with substantial subsidies offered under the Chips Act, potentially reaching $50 billion. Geopolitical tensions between the US and China have also brought attention to the vulnerability of Taiwan, a region that China claims as its territory. TSMC made these statements while reporting its financial results for the second quarter, where it also adjusted its revenue outlook for 2023, projecting a 10 per cent decline in US dollar terms. A sinking venture? ASML Holding NV, a major chipmaking equipment producer, cautioned that politicians may be underestimating the complexities involved in establishing new fabs (fabrication plants). While various governments aspire to have their own chip production capabilities, the process is intricate and demands specialized expertise. ASMLs CEO, Peter Wennink, emphasized that the skills required for such production have been honed over decades, primarily in Taiwan, Korea, and to some extent in China. Acquiring access to these skilled workers and maintaining construction schedules pose significant challenges. People dont seem to realize that when we start building those fabs across the globe now and everywhere, that skill has been refined over the last couple of decades in only a few places on the planet predominantly in Taiwan and in Korea and a bit in China, he said. Getting access to the requisite skills and skilled workers to keep the construction plan on time is a challenge, he added. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was quoted by Ennahar TV as saying that Algeria has submitted an application to join the BRICS group and a request to become a shareholder member of the BRICS Bank with a contribution of $1.5 billion. It was also mentioned that Tebboune stated Algerias desire to join the BRICS in order to create new economic prospects at the conclusion of his visit to China. The oil and gas-rich nation in North Africa is attempting to diversify its economy and improve relations with nations like China. Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa make up the BRICS group of countries. It makes up around 26% of the worlds GDP and more than 40% of the worlds population. We officially applied to join the BRICS group, we sent a letter asking to be shareholder members in the bank Algerias first contribution in the bank will be $1.5 billion, Ennahar quoted Tebboune as saying. According to South Africas top diplomat overseeing relations with the bloc, more than 40 states have indicated interest in joining the BRICS group of nations. Among the nations that indicated interest were Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Comoros, Gabon, and Kazakhstan. Tebboune was quoted this week in local media as saying that China will spend $36 billion in Algeria across a variety of industries, including manufacturing, new technology, the knowledge economy, transport, and agriculture. (With agency inputs) Nairobi A two-kilo packet of maize flour is set to drop beginning next week, coming at a time when the price of the commodity has breached the Sh230 price point. Currently, a 2-kilogran packet of maize flour on the majority of shelves costs between Sh220 and Sh269. "Today held meeting with members of United Grain Millers Association. Noted that by next week prices of MAIZE and UNGA will REDUCE significantly," State Department for Crop Development Principal Secretary kello Harsama said during a meeting with members of the United Grain Millers Association (UNGA) yesterday. A former police officer was charged on Friday with foreign interference, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), who claim he assisted China in identifying and intimidating someone outside the scope of Canadian law. China has been charged with attempting to meddle in Canadian politics through a number of schemes, including the establishment of unauthorised police stations and the targeting of MPs. Beijing has categorically refuted every one of these claims. The RCMP claimed that 60-year-old William Majcher allegedly used his knowledge and his extensive network of contacts in Canada to obtain intelligence or services to benefit the Peoples Republic of China. It gave no specifics. Majcher, a Hong Kong native, was accused by the RCMP of conspiring and performing acts that benefited a foreign organisation. The two charges result from an investigation that started in late 2021, it added. An inquiry for comment was not immediately answered by the Chinese embassy in Ottawa. China and Canada have had tense relations for a while. For reportedly attempting to assassinate opposition politician Michael Chongs family in Hong Kong in 2021, Ottawa expelled a Chinese diplomat in May. One of more than a hundred investigations into foreign interference, police said last month they were looking into claims China sought to intimidate a federal legislator. (With agency inputs) In a chilling turn of events, a young mother from Florida has been arrested for allegedly hiring a hitman to kill her three-year-old son. The woman, who has been identified as Jazmin Paez and is 18 years old, has been charged with solicitation of murder and using a communications device for unlawful use. How did the crime unfold? Paez allegedly used a parody website named rentahitman.com in search of an assassin. She logged into the website following which she uploaded pictures of her son and published information on his whereabouts. According to court documents retrieved by NBC Miami, the 18-year-old woman demanded the job to be done by the end of this week. The crime came to the fore after the person who runs the website, a man named Robert Innes alerted the police about Paezs intention. He said that although he receives hundreds of such requests on a daily basis as a joke, Paezs solicitation seemed too real. The ability to research names and addresses and verify the intended target lived in a particular address, that to me is a red flag, Innes said. He added, If that information is corroborated, to me that is something that needs to be looked at and thats why I referred to it. Innes found the website to facilitate the police in catching people who seek to book hitmen. A surprise find for Paez To her surprise, Paez connected to an investigator who posed as an assassin via the website and she offered him $3,000 to get the job done. From here, the police were able to track her down through the IP address of the computer that was used to make the request. The grandmother of the child later confirmed the photos posted by Paez to be of her grandson. A man who worked as a politically appointed State Department official in former President Donald Trumps administration was convicted Thursday of charges that he attacked police officers during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden heard testimony without a jury before he convicted the former official, Federico Guillermo Klein, and a co-defendant, Steven Cappuccio, of assault charges and other felony offences stemming from the riot at the U.S. Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters. Klein and Cappuccio were among nine co-defendants charged with crimes related to one of the most violent and pivotal episodes of the Jan. 6 siege: brutal waves of hand-to-hand combat between rioters and police officers in a tunnel leading to a Capitol entrance on the Lower West Terrace. Klein and Cappuccio converged on the tunnel as outnumbered police officers struggled for hours to hold back the mob of rioters, prosecutors said in a court filing. McFadden convicted Klein of 12 counts, including six charging him with assaulting, resisting or impeding police officers. Klein is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 3. The judge is scheduled to sentence Cappuccio on Oct. 19. McFadden convicted him of assault charges but acquitted him of two counts, including a felony charge that he obstructed the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying Bidens 2020 electoral victory. But, McFadden convicted Klein of the same obstruction charge. The judge said the tunnel was the scene of shocking violence and hostility against police. No police officer should have had to endure those attacks without provocation, McFadden said. McFadden allowed Klein to remain free under house arrest until his sentencing but ordered Cappuccio to be jailed immediately after the verdict. Klein shook Cappuccios hand in the courtroom before a deputy marshal handcuffed him. Klein, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq, had a Top Secret security clearance and had been working since 2017 in the State Departments office of Brazilian and Southern Cone Affairs. He resigned from that position on Jan. 19, 2021, a day before President Joe Bidens inauguration. Klein, wearing a red Make America Great Again hat, was in the first wave of rioters to enter the tunnel, according to prosecutors. They said Klein pushed hard against officers, telling them, You cant stop this! and repeatedly drove his shoulder into an officer who tried to push him back with his baton. Klein also wedged a stolen police riot shield between two doors, preventing officers from closing them, prosecutors said. With the shield as a wedge, Klein and other rioters pried the doors open again and continued their attacks on the police in the tunnel, which lasted for more than two more hours, prosecutors wrote. Video captured Klein exhorting other rioters to attack police, repeatedly yelling, We need fresh people! Cappuccio yelled, Storming the castle, boys! and chanted, Fight for Trump! and Our house! as he reached the Lower West Terrace. In the tunnel, he joined other rioters in pushing against the police line, prosecutors said. All the while, Cappuccio continued to hold his phone in the air, recording the violence between the rioters and the police line, they wrote. When another rioter pinned Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges against a door, Cappuccio ripped a gas mask off the officers face and dislodged his helmet, prosecutors said. Cappuccio then took Officer Hodges riot baton out of his hands and used the baton to strike Officer Hodges in the face, they wrote. Throughout this vicious assault, Officer Hodges screamed and pleaded for help. Cappuccio, also a military veteran, drove from Texas to Washington, D.C. to attend Trumps Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6. He was arrested at his home in Universal City, Texas, in August 2021. Klein, a native of the Washington region who also worked for Trumps 2016 campaign, was arrested in March 2021. Kleins lawyer had sought a separate trial for him, arguing that his co-defendants were accused of engaging in far more threatening and intentional conduct than Klein. Mr Klein is not alleged to have injured anyone, and the government concedes his assault of a law enforcement officer amounts to his having had a riot shield that also came into contact with a law enforcement officer, defence attorney Stanley Woodward wrote in a March 2022 court filing. Another co-defendant, Christopher Quaglin, was scheduled to be tried with Klein and Cappuccio. Earlier this month, however, McFadden convicted Quaglin, 37, of North Brunswick, New Jersey, of 14 riot-related crimes. Quaglin had a stipulated bench trial, which means the judge decided the case without a jury based on facts agreed upon by both sides. McFadden is scheduled to sentence Quaglin on Sept. 26. More than 100 police officers were injured during the riot. More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the Jan. 6 attack. Approximately 100 of them have been convicted by juries or judges. Only two have been acquitted of all charges after trials. Over 600 others have pleaded guilty. In a surprising turn of events, Lucies Animal Rescue a Thirsk-based rescue centre in North Yorkshire disclosed details of how a UK-based woman decided to end her 2-year-old dogs life, solely because it barked too much. Lucie Holmes, the centre caretaker, was approached by the woman and asked if she could take Markus, a mix of Patterdale Terrier and Labrador away. However, Lucie denied the request due to lack of space at the centre. In a matter of hours, a local veterinary surgeon informed Holmes about the conversation with the woman about Markus euthanisation. Additionally, the vet clarified his rejection of the unusual prospect. In an interview with the BBC, Holmes called the demand disgusting. She further added: I have not slept much because I am still angry. Dogs bark. Its what they do. Instead, she suggested to the owners that Marcus needed time and training. Lucies Animal Rescue However, the unusual request over the dogs life didnt sit well with the rescue centres caretakers. Finally, Holmes and her husband Sean took Markus under care, despite already sharing their home with nine other dogs and 34 kittens, all of whom needed homes too. Sharing the details of the incident with her followers, Holmes posted a heartfelt note on her Facebook account. She mentioned how a woman approached her to re-home Marcus because he barks at other dogs and people. In addition, the rescue centers caretaker wrote how he had been there with the owners for just 5 weeks. The overwhelmed 2-year-old needed time and effort to settle into a completely new environment. The woman also shared heartwarming posts about Marcus training at the shelter house with others. She added: Barking is how dogs communicate, and express their fears, and excitement. Check out the Facebook post: In another post, she urged people to think carefully before adopting a dog: Take some responsibility and invest time in them. You chose them to be part of your family. Stop destroying them just because you cannot help them. Its not their fault. Marcus, you are safe, and you are loved. You will never be treated so badly again, I can promise. A proud dog-owner, Holmes said: A tail wag and happy sniffs. Believe it or not, no barking. The caretaker thanked people on the dogs behalf for being moved by his story and for generous contributions in his name. Check out the post: With over 26,000 Facebook followers, the non-profit organization (NGO) rescues and rehabilitates dogs, cats, rabbits among other small animals. Muslim-majority nations voiced their strong disagreement on Friday over the desecration of a copy of the Quran in Sweden. Outraged over the issue, some countries made preparations for street demonstrations to express their anger following midday prayers. Protesters in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon were planning demonstrations after Swedish police allowed a protest in Stockholm, where an Iraqi Christian defiled the Quran by kicking and standing on it outside the Iraqi Embassy. Prior to this incident, demonstrators in Baghdad had broken into the Swedish Embassy and set fire to it in protest against the individuals threats to burn the holy book. Qatar has summoned Swedens ambassador to hand him a protest note over the desecration of the Quran in Stockholm, the Gulf countrys Foreign Ministry said. In a statement early on Friday, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said it would demand Swedish authorities take all the necessary measures to stop these shameful acts. Saudi Arabia also summoned the Swedish charge daffaires in Riyadh and handed a note of protest over the desecration of the Quran, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani has ordered the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador from Iraq and the withdrawal of the Iraqi charge daffaires from Sweden. But that may not be enough to calm those angered, and another protest in Baghdad is planned for Friday afternoon. In neighbouring Iran, demonstrators also planned to take to the streets. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has written a letter to the United Nations secretary-general over the Quran desecration and has summoned the Swedish ambassador. We consider the Swedish government responsible for the outcome of provocation reactions from the worlds Muslims, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said. The man in Stockholm also wiped his feet with a picture of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during his demonstration and did similar to a photo of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, a powerful leader there. Lebanons Shiite militant group Hezbollah also called for a demonstration Friday afternoon. Khamenei and Irans theocracy serve as Hezbollahs main sponsor. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a video address Thursday night called on Muslims to demand their governments expel Swedens ambassadors. I invite brothers and sisters in all neighborhoods and villages to attend all mosques, carrying their Qurans and sit in them, calling on the state to take a stance toward Sweden, Nasrallah said in the address, according to Lebanons state-run National News Agency. On Friday the whole world must see how we embrace our Quran, and the whole world must see how we protect our Quran with our blood. Saudi Arabia and Qatar, two Sunni-ruled Gulf Arab nations, summoned Swedish diplomats to condemn the desecration. Turkeys Foreign Ministry also criticized it. In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the events in Sweden. He called on the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation to play a historic role in expressing the sentiments of Muslims and stopping this demonization. Meanwhile, Islamists in his country have been pushing Sharif, who faces an upcoming election, to cut diplomatic ties with Sweden. On Thursday morning, protesters in Baghdad occupied the Swedish Embassy for several hours and set a small fire. The embassy staff had been evacuated a day earlier. After protesters left the embassy, diplomats closed it to visitors without specifying when it would reopen. Prime Minister Sudani said in a statement that Iraqi authorities would prosecute those responsible for starting the fire and referred to an investigation of negligent security officials. Some demonstrators stayed at the site, ignored by police, after the attack. An Associated Press photographer and two Reuters staff members were arrested while covering the protest and released several hours later without charges. This is the second Quran desecration to involve the Iraqi Christian in Sweden, identified as Salwan Momika. Last month, a man identified by local media and on his social media as Momika burned a Quran outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, triggering widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. The right to hold public demonstrations is protected by the constitution in Sweden. Blasphemy laws were abandoned in the 1970s. Police generally give permission based on whether they believe a public gathering can be held without major disruptions or safety risks. For Muslims, the burning of the Quran represents a desecration of their religions holy text. Quran burnings in the past have sparked protests across the Muslim world, some turning violent. In Afghanistan, the Taliban suspended all the activities of Swedish organizations in the country in response to the recent Quran burning. A similar protest by a far-right activist was held outside Turkeys Embassy earlier this year, complicating Swedens efforts to persuade Turkey to let it join NATO. In June, protesters who support al-Sadr stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad over the Quran burning. With inputs from agencies. On Friday, Russia increased its attacks on Ukrainian food export facilities for the fourth day in a row and practised seizing ships in the Black Sea, which Western leaders claim is an effort by Russia to evade sanctions by posing as a worldwide food crisis. Following Moscows this week pullout from a UN-brokered safe sea corridor agreement, Kyiv vowed to defy Russias naval embargo on its grain export ports. This led to the direct attacks on Ukraines grain, a crucial component of the world food chain. Unfortunately, the grain terminals of an agricultural enterprise in Odesa region were hit. The enemy destroyed 100 tons of peas and 20 tons of barley, regional governor Oleh Kiper said on the Telegram messaging app. Images from the emergency ministry showed a fire raging amid collapsed metal structures that seemed to be warehouses and a severely damaged fire engine. He claimed two people were hurt, but authorities said seven people were killed in other Ukrainian cities by Russian airstrikes. Moscow has claimed that the bombings are retaliation for a Ukrainian attack on a bridge to Crimea, the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula that Moscow seized in 2014. In what Washington described as a hint that it may target civilian vessels, Russia said that it would consider all ships sailing towards Ukrainian waters to be potentially carrying weapons. In response, Kiev sent out a similar alert on ships en route to Russia. The Black Sea fleet has practised shooting rockets at floating targets and seizing ships, according to a statement from Russias military ministry on Friday. The Russian ambassador to the United States denied any attempt to assault ships. The benchmark Chicago wheat futures prices increased on Friday as traders concerned about supply as a result of the attacks on the grain export infrastructure and the apparent threat to shipping. Later, the U.N. Security Council was scheduled to discuss the humanitarian consequences of Russias departure from the safe corridor agreement, which aid organisations contend is essential to preventing starvation in underdeveloped nations. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan expressed his optimism that next negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin will result in the reinstatement of the deal, which Turkey and the U.N. sponsored. Erdogan told reporters on a flight home from a trip to the Gulf countries and northern Cyprus that the termination of the agreement might result in an increase in food prices globally, scarcity in some areas, and potentially new waves of migration. He suggested that the West pay attention to some of Russias requests. We are aware that President Putin has expectations of Western nations as well, thus it is imperative that these nations respond in this regard. Moscow claims that without better terms for its own sales of food and fertiliser, it will not take part in the year-old grain agreement. Russian food exports are already free from sanctions imposed in response to its invasion of Ukraine, but Western politicians accuse Russia of attempting to relax them. Throughout the crisis, Russian grain has been able to travel freely over the Black Sea to markets, and traders claim that Russia is flooding the market with wheat. A military reconnaissance drone of unknown origin had crashed earlier this week close to a base in southwest Poland, according to a Polish broadcasters report on Friday. Poland, a member of NATO, has been fortifying its border with Belarus, where the Russian Wagner mercenary army has settled down following a botched uprising last month. According to Germany, the alliance was ready to assist Poland in defending its eastern border. Belarus has said Wagner fighters are now training its troops near the Polish border. Residents in Poland near the border said on Thursday they could hear shooting and helicopters. In Russia, investigators detained prominent nationalist Igor Girkin, a former commander of Russias proxy forces in Ukraine, who had publicly accused Putin and army chiefs of not prosecuting the war in Ukraine harshly or effectively enough. This is a direct outcome of Prigozhins mutiny: the armys command now wields greater political leverage to quash its opponents in the public sphere, Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of the R.Politik analysis firm, said. Inside Ukraine, four people were killed in 80 Russian attacks on settlements in the southern Zaporizhzhia region over the past 24 hours, regional governor Yuriy Malashko said. A married couple in their fifties were killed early on Friday in Russian shelling of the city of Kostiantynivka in the eastern region of Donetsk, the general prosecutors office said. In the northern region of Chernihiv, near the border with Russia, a womans body was pulled from the rubble of a cultural building after a missile strike, regional governor Viacheslav Chaus said. Russia had already used almost 70 missiles and almost 90 Iranian-made drones to attack so far this week, mostly targeting Odesa and other southern regions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. Many of those strikes are far from the heavy fighting along the front line across southern and eastern Ukraine, which Kyiv is trying to breach to push out occupying Russian forces. Putin said the West was stoking the flames of war by supporting Ukraine, and that Western weapons supplied to Ukraine burn well on the battlefield. Ukraine says its counteroffensive is making slow but steady progress. Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine last year and claims to have annexed nearly a fifth of its territory. Moscow says it is responding to threats posed by its neighbour; Kyiv and the West call it an unprovoked war of conquest. (With agency inputs) Russia on Thursday put Soviet-style restrictions on British diplomats, requiring them to give at least five working days notice of any plans to travel outside of a 120 km (75 mph) radius. The West has given Kyiv military aid worth tens of billions of dollars and levied severe economic penalties since President Vladimir Putin ordered soldiers into Ukraine in February 2022. One of the most vocal international opponents of what Moscow refers to as its special military operation in Ukraine is Britain, which is also one of the main Western exporters of arms to Ukraine. At a meeting at the foreign ministry in Moscow on Thursday, Russias charge daffaires for Britain was chastised for what it claimed was his support for the terrorist actions of Ukraine and for blocking Russian diplomacy in Britain. The British side was also informed of the decision to introduce a notification procedure for the movement of employees of British diplomatic missions on the territory of our country as a response to Londons hostile actions, the ministry said. The British Foreign Offices representative stated: This was a planned meeting, held at our request, as part of standard diplomatic practise. Regarding the new laws, the Foreign Office made no comments. Moscows British Embassy declined to comment. The limitations will place British diplomats in Moscow under the strictest controls they have ever known since the Soviet era, when KGB security service tightly controlled and severely restricted international travel. Russia portrays the United States and Britain as treacherous nations that are aiding Ukraine in an effort to split up Russia and seize its enormous natural riches, claims that both Washington and London refute. Moscow has claimed that two persons were killed on Monday in a drone strike on the Crimean Bridge that implicated the United States and the United Kingdom. Moscow has also asserted that both nations may have assisted in last Septembers explosion of the Nord Stream gas pipelines linking Germany and Russia. For any journey beyond a 120-km free movement zone, British diplomats will need to notify their superiors in writing at least five working days in advance, with the exception of the ambassador and three other senior diplomats. Such a document should contain information about the timing, purpose, type of trip, planned business contacts, accompanying persons, type of transport, places of visit and accommodation, as well as the route of the trip, the ministry said. Moscow diplomatic assignments are currently ranked among the most challenging in the world by Western nations. In terms of hardship, the US State Department places Moscow on par with Freetown, Mogadishu, Damascus, and Kabul. A manual known as Moscow Rules that was created by Western spies in the Soviet era to prevent complacency has been modified for modern Russia, according to Western diplomats in Moscow, and they claim that intrusive surveillance and harassment are common. Russia has long complained that Western capitals often harass its diplomats. Anatoly Antonov, Russias ambassador to the United States, claimed in May that embassy staff had received violent threats and that they were routinely contacted in the neighbourhood by people claiming to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Central Intelligence Agency. (With agency inputs) With a focus on advancing comprehensive economic and strategic cooperation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe had extensive discussions on Friday. #WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds a meeting with Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka pic.twitter.com/g1qubFJGnO ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 Ahead of the high-level talks between the two top leaders, Wickremesinghe also met NSA Ajit Doval and is understood to have discussed security cooperation between the two countries. NSA Ajit Doval meets Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Delhi. The Sri Lankan President arrived in Delhi yesterday on a two-day Official Visit to India. pic.twitter.com/A0d5fApHjo ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 Wickremesinghe arrived in Delhi on Thursday on a two-day visit which is the first tour of India by a senior Sri Lankan leader since the island nation was hit by an unprecedented economic crisis last year. India extended financial assistance worth around USD 4 billion to Sri Lanka, including lines of credit for purchases of food and fuel last year when it was hit by the economic crisis. New Delhi also provided guarantees to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help the country secure a USD 2.9 billion bailout package. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing India-Sri Lanka ties as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Twitter as the two leaders began talks. On Thursday evening, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on the visiting leader and discussed various bilateral issues. With inputs from agencies Two Chinese spy ships are expected to arrive off the Australian coast next week to monitor the activities of the Talisman Sabre military exercises that will open in Sydney on Friday. The Peoples Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN) is planning to deploy two vessels in Australia over the course of the next few days, defence and security sources told ABC. The Australian Navy, however, is taking all the necessary steps to safeguard the interest of the country. The director of Talisman Sabre, Brigadier Damien Hill, said his team would take appropriate precautions to protect sensitive military information. We monitor our borders very carefully and that includes nations such as the PLA operating and as long as they do so in accordance with international law there will be no issues from us, he said. Trained and ready Ahead of #TalismanSabre2023 @AustralianArmy soldiers conducted integration training with the @USArmy as they prepare for the 10th iteration of the largest AUS-US bilateral exercise CPL Nicole Dorrett pic.twitter.com/pNNTSCrMWb Talisman Sabre (@TalismanSabre) July 20, 2023 Unnamed sources said that one of the two Chinese vessels might station off the Northern Territory coast while the other one will drop its anchor around Queenslands Shoalwater Bay Training Area. The exercise is quite expanded as far as geography is concerned thats part of the exercise construct itself therell be activity from Western Australia to Norfolk Island, Brigadier Hill said. This is not the first time Australia has witnessed a case of Chinese snooping. In 2021, the government said that it was keeping an eye on the Chinese military auxiliary general intelligence vessel. Meanwhile, as 30,000 personnel from 13 countries will take part in the Talisman Sabre military exercises, China has not made any official request to be an observer or a participant. Theyve never asked, so I dont say never is never, but at this stage they havent asked to participate, Hill said. But if they do, Im sure that the powers-that-be will make a very careful decision, he added. About Talisman Sabre The Talisman Sabre exercise is a biennial combined Australian and United States (US) training activity that is participated by allied forces. #FriendsAlliesPartners working together ahead of #TalismanSabre2023 Soldiers from the @AustralianArmy, @FANC_Officiel and @NZArmy conducted weapon familiarisation training at Townsville Training Area, QLD. CPL Nicole Dorrett pic.twitter.com/zxTdY1oMAq Talisman Sabre (@TalismanSabre) July 20, 2023 It is designed to train respective military force elements in planning and conducting Combined Task Force operations to improve combat readiness and interoperability between the ADF and its allies. It is a major combined (ie international) and joint (ie Army, Navy and Air Force and Marines) exercise involving thousands of troops on land, sea and in the air and major assets such as Australian and allied warships, fighters, bombers, helicopters and armour and artillery. Beijing-linked hackers hacked the email account of U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns as part of an espionage operation, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported. This breach is believed to have compromised a significant number of individual U.S. government emails, possibly reaching hundreds of thousands. In addition to Ambassador Nicholas Burns, Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia, was also hacked by the wider spying operation, which was previously disclosed by Microsoft. The report cited individuals familiar with the matter as the source of this information. The State Department was questioned about the reported breach of the two diplomats accounts, but it declined to provide any specific details, stating that the investigation into the spying operation was still ongoing. Before the WSJ report appeared, Kritenbrink was asked at a congressional hearing on U.S. China policy whether he could rule out that his or his staffs emails were targeted in the Microsoft hack. I cant comment on an investigation thats underway being conducted by the FBI, but no, I will not rule it out, Kritenbrink said. Burns and Kritenbrink join U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo as the only publicly named victims of the espionage campaign, which prompted a warning by Washingtons top diplomat to his Chinese counterpart. China firmly opposes and combats cyber attacks and cyber theft in all forms. This position is consistent and clear, Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for Chinas embassy in Washington, said in an emailed response to Reuters. Identifying the source of cyber attacks is a complex technical issue. We hope that relevant sides will adopt a professional and responsible attitude rather than make groundless speculations and allegations. Microsoft said last week that Chinese hackers misappropriated one of its digital keys and used a flaw in its code to steal emails from U.S. government agencies and other clients. The company did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the WSJ report. The breach has thrown Microsofts security practices under scrutiny, with officials and lawmakers calling on the Redmond, Washington-based company to make its top level of digital auditing, also called logging, available to all its customers free of charge. Microsoft said in a statement late on Thursday that it was taking the criticism on board. Last week, White House National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said an intrusion in Microsofts cloud security affected unclassified systems, without elaborating. Officials immediately contacted Microsoft to find the source and vulnerability in their cloud service, Hodge added. The State Department detected anomalous activity and took immediate steps to secure our systems, a department spokesperson said in a statement at the time. Reporting by Shubhendu Deshmukh in Bengaluru and Raphael Satter, Simon Lewis, David Brunnstrom and Chris Sanders, in Washington; Additional reporting by Laurie Chen in Beijing. With inputs from Reuters. Nairobi Azimio leader Raila Odinga's Spokesman Dennis Onyango has been released a day after he was taken from his house on Mbagathi Way by people his family said were police officers. Onyango was arrested on Wednesday after tweeting that the protests called by Odinga had succeeded even before they could start, citing the government order on schools closure. Details that have emerged however reveal that Odinga's chief bodyguard Maurice Ogeta is yet to be released. "Ogeta has not been released, they have also picked up my personal bodyguard. Dennis Onyango has been released," said National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi. According to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Communications Director Philip Etale, Ogeta was abducted while driving to work on Wednesday. "His wherebouts remain unknown," Etale tweeted, saying he was taken by police officers believed to be from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). The Opposition Coalition has condemned the arrest of nine leaders over the civil disobedience protests saying it amounts to violation of freedoms and human rights. "Since our colleagues who were arrested are being held beyond the limit provided for in the constitution. Now we consider their continued incarceration as detention without trial and Kenyans and the international community must now take note," said Wandayi. Alego Usonga MP Samuel Atandi stated that security agencies have been acting desperately by arresting leaders without preferring charges against them days after their arrest. "If the police have no reason to arrest anybody,I think they should just keep off.We are not going to stop and they should know leaders are not going to fear because they arrested a few people here and there,"said Atandi. More than 300 people were arrested Wednesday as Kenyans took to the streets to protest the high cost of living. The protests were called by Azimio leader Raila Odinga who has vowed to mobilise more protests Thursday. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said they were arrested in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and other towns where police clashed with protesters. "More than 300 people have been arrested across the country and will be charged with various crimes, including looting, malicious damage of property, arson, robbery with violence, assaulting law enforcers among other crimes," he said in a statement. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. There were also reports of two people shot dead in Kisumu but the CS and police did not immediately confirm. Odinga has vowed protests will continue Thursday, declaring "Kenyans should not give up." "We will continue with our peaceful demonstrations as planned. But we will stop at 5pm today and resume tomorrow (Thursday) morning," he told the Daily Nation in a phone interview. Earlier today, the Opposition coalition filed a petition with the high court seeking for the release of their nine leaders following their unconstitutional kidnapping and detention by police at an undisclosed location. In the application filed on Wednesday under a certificate of urgency, Lawyer Danstan Omari, stated that all nine missing people were last seen with police officers, some of whom were not only dressed in their official clothes but also drove GK cars. He continued by saying that the applicants had been mishandled and taken to unidentified or secret locations. "Unless this honorable court certifies this matter as urgent and orders the production of the Applicants before this court, the rights of the Applicants which include the right to peacefully demonstrate, to freedom of movement and to associate freely with others to exercise their political rights will continue to be violated," read the court file. Aimed at blocking Moscows access to electronics and other goods that aid its war against Ukraine, the United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on roughly 120 firms and people from Russia to the United Arab Emirates to Kyrgyzstan, the Treasury and State departments announced. The new measures also are designed to reduce Russias revenue from the metals and mining sector, undermine its future energy capabilities and degrade Russias access to the international financial system, Treasury said in a statement. A UAE-based engineering company that sent dozens of shipments of electronics to Russia was also sanctioned. The latest sanctions build on those imposed on Russia when the U.S. and other Group of Seven nations rolled out a wave of global actions during a Japan summit in May. The White House said the latest sanctions fall in line with an ongoing effort to tighten coordination of sanctions with allies, particularly the European Union and the UK. The effort to improve alignment was one of the major commitments made during the G-7 meetings. As long as the war continues, well continue to take these kinds of actions, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday. This wont be the end of it. And well continue to explore additional sections as appropriate going forward. Since Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States, working with our allies and partners, has taken unprecedented steps to impose costs on Russia and promote accountability for the individuals and entities who support its illegal war, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, he said. After the invasions one-year anniversary in February, U.S. officials said Russias metals and mining sector would be a focus of future sanctions actions, as well as reducing Russias energy revenues through the imposition of a price cap on Russian oil. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said Thursdays actions represent another step in our efforts to constrain Russias military capabilities, its access to battlefield supplies, and its economic bottom line. During a Lebanese political talk show on a local television station, a heated argument erupted between political analyst Simon Abi Fadel and former minister Wiam Wahhab, which later turned into a fight. The discussion was centred around the issue of imposing sanctions on Lebanese politicians accused of obstructing the presidential election process. As emotions flared, Wahhab launched the first blow by throwing a glass of water at Abi Fadel, igniting a full-blown fistfight within the studio. The chaos prompted the audience to intervene, leading the shows host to halt the live broadcast for safety reasons. Watch the viral video: Supporters of Wiam Wahhab rallied behind the former minister, and joined the fight. The situation grew so concerning that the Lebanese army had intervene to restore order and ensure security. In the aftermath of the incident, journalists who aligned with Simon Abi Fadel strongly condemned the attack, denouncing it as a blatant assault, symbolising the troubling state of affairs in Lebanon. After a temporary suspension, the talk show eventually resumed, but Abi Fadel displayed visible signs of being punched on his forehead during the broadcast. With inputs from agencies A misplaced i led to thousands of emails that were intended for the US military being accidentally sent to Mali. Pentagon is currently looking into the matter. The suffix used in the email address of US military includes .mil and leaving the i out resulted in the mail getting redirected to .ml, the domain used by the West African nation Mali. Since 2015, the Department of Defense has been aware that typographical errors could result in the misdirection of unclassified emails intended for a .mil recipient to the .ml domain, a US Department of Defense spokesperson Lt Commander Tim Gorman told ABC News. According to reports, some of these emails that were accidentally sent to Mali contained sensitive information including diplomatic documents, passwords and the travel itinerary of top defense officers. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that US officials are aware of these unauthorized disclosures of controlled national security information. Johannes Zuurbier, a Dutch internet entrepreneur who has a contract to manage Malis domain told Financial Times that he had identified the issue almost a decade ago. Zuurbier said that he has collected over 117,000 misdirected messages just to flag the problem to US officials. He received over 1,000 misdirected emails in a day as a result of the typo. The emails, however, were not marked classified, he said. The Department takes all disclosures of Controlled National Security Information or Controlled Unclassified Information seriously and the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) began blocking .ml lookalike domains immediately, Gorman said. By 2023, the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) was blocking outbound emails to 135 .ml domains and subdomains. In July 2023, DISA began blocking outbound email to the entire .ml domain with the ability to allow legitimate emails, he added. Days after the ambassador openly insulted the president, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy fired Vadym Prystaiko as Ukraines ambassador to the United Kingdom on Friday. There was no explanation provided for the dismissal in the presidential order that stated Prystaiko had also lost his position as Ukraines envoy to the International Maritime Organisation. In a recent interview with Sky News, Prystaiko was questioned about comments made by Ben Wallace, the departing British Defence Secretary, who suggested that Kyiv should be more appreciative of the weapons supply from its friends to combat Russias occupying forces. Zelenskiy responded by saying Ukraine was always grateful to Britain, a staunch ally. He was also quoted by British media as saying Wallace could let him know how to express his gratitude or how we could get up in the morning and express our words of gratitude to the minister. Asked whether Zelenskiy was being sarcastic, Prystaiko told Sky there was a little bit of sarcasm when the president said that each and every morning he will wake up and call Ben Wallace to thank him. I dont believe that this sarcasm is healthy, he said, adding that the Russians have to know that were working together. The replacement for Prystaiko, a 53-year-old veteran diplomat and former vice prime minister who served as ambassador to Britain for three years, was not specified in Zelenskiys directive. (With agency inputs) Nairobi Controversial Embakasi East lawmaker Babu Owino was presented in court on Thursday and charged with subversion alongside six others following his arrest on Tuesday. Owino was arraigned in court together with Calvin Okoth Otieno alias 'Gaucho' who stirred an online backlash after slaughtering a goat in full glare of camera and licked its raw blood while daring government officials he accused of threatening Azimio leader Raila Odinga. Gaucho made the statement on Tuesday, a day before the planned resumption of anti-government protests called by Odinga. Appearing in court on Thursday, the State challenged a bid by lawyers representing the accused persons to have them released on bail citing national security concerns. Lawyers representing the seven accused persons contested the State's objection decrying the arbitrary detention of accused persons outside the 24-hour period provided for in law. The lawyers cited Article 49 of the Constitution (2010) which requires the State to produce arrested persons in court "as soon as reasonably possible, but not later than- (i) twenty-four hours after being arrested". Apple is encountering challenges in manufacturing displays for its upcoming iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, according to a report by The Information. This issue may result in a limited supply at the expected September launch. Leaked renders suggest that the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will feature a curved design with thinner bezels compared to the previous iPhone 14 Pro models. The reported decrease in bezel size is the cause of the manufacturing issues. LG Display Faces Reliability Problems Apples suppliers are using a new display manufacturing process to reduce bezel size, leading to difficulties with displays from LG Display. The LG displays are failing reliability tests during the fusion process with the metal shell. Apple is working on tweaking the LG display design to pass the tests while still having displays from Samsung as an alternative. Potential Impact on Launch and Availability The report indicates that Apple is not likely to delay the launch of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but may have fewer units available at launch due to the manufacturing issues. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to be the most affected, potentially causing shortages upon release. Earlier, a report by Bank of Americas analyst suggested a potential delay of a few weeks for the iPhone 15 devices, but the reason was not specified. However, The Information believes Apple will still stick to its original plan and launch the new iPhones in September as intended. Source | Via Samsung is working on the development of its latest wearable device, the Galaxy Ring, a smart ring equipped with advanced health monitoring capabilities, according to a report from The Elec from South Korea. The firm has already trademarked Galaxy Ring earlier this March. The company is collaborating with Japans Meiko for the development of key components. The Galaxy Ring is expected to offer improved body information measurement accuracy compared to the popular Galaxy Watch. However, it is yet to be confirmed when and if the Galaxy Ring will enter mass production. The smart ring, designed to be worn like a ring, will feature various sensors to collect body and health information. Users can access this data through a smartphone app for monitoring purposes. While the Galaxy Rings development is ongoing, the timing for mass production remains uncertain. Samsung may proceed with preliminary development in collaboration with Meiko, leading to a prototype of the Galaxy Ring. Based on its scalability and user response, the company will then decide whether to mass-produce the smart ring. The Galaxy Ring is expected to outperform smartwatches in terms of data accuracy, especially for sleep and health-related information. Its snug fit on the finger is likely to reduce measurement errors compared to loosely worn smartwatches. Additionally, Samsung Electronics is also reportedly applying for a smart ring patent that works with extended reality (XR) devices, indicating the companys commitment to exploring innovative technologies. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics reportedly postponed initial production of XR headsets from year-end to around June next year due to Apple Vision Pros superior OLED on Silicon display specifications. Source Nairobi A police officer based in Makueni was arrested on Thursday, a day after joining rioters who stoned a police station during an opposition protest. Police said Constable Evans Otieno, who was arrested in Emali along the Nairobi Mombasa highway, was also found in possession of forty rolls of bhang, a banned substance. Otieno is said to have commanded a troop of rowdy youth who barricaded the highway while throwing stones at motorists on the busy corridor connecting the country's capital in the coastal city of Mombasa. A police report estimated the value of cannabis sativa Otieno was in possession of at Sh2,000. "Please be informed that No.117670 Pc Evans Otieno of this command whose recommendation letter ref. kps/Dig/Est/Hrm/30/vol.v/4 dated June 19, 2023, was arrested today the 20 day of July 2023 along Msa/Nbi highway at Emali," the report read. "The said officer was also seen by his colleagues yesterday the 19th of July 2023 being among the rioters who were pelting stones at Emali police station and police officers." Business is slowly resuming back in Kenya's capital Nairobi after chaos rocked Narobi, Kisumu and Mombasa on the first and second days of the protest organised by opposition leader Raila Odinga. Nairobi Senators allied to the Kenya Kwanza Alliance have dismissed accusations by the Opposition Coalition-Azimio-that police were too brutal on their supporters during the anti-government protests. Led by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, the leaders defended police, saying they acted professionally despite cases of live bullets used on protesters, leading to deaths and serious injuries in towns where protests took place. "Police use force where necessary especially when one's life is in danger. We ask the police to continue arresting those disrupting the peace of this country," said Cherargei. Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was among more than 300 people arrested Wednesday as Kenyans took to the streets to protest the high cost of living. Babu was later charged with conspiracy to commit subversion activities. The Nandi Senator scoffed at the plea by Azimio leaders for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to intervene in the ongoing situation in the country urging The Hague-based court to instead investigate former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga. "We appeal to ICC and we are documenting these incidences which are being sponsored by opposition leaders disrupting the lives of Kenyans. These are acts of criminality and terror against Kenyans who are going around their business," Cherargei said. Nominated Senator Veronica Maina accused Azimio La Umoja leaders of violating Kenyans' rights by disrupting peace in various cities and towns by causing mayhem. "A peaceful demonstration cannot be peaceful when protestors are carrying stones in their hands. Peaceful demonstration means that you are unarmed and when you meet people you don't steal, rape or mete violence," said the former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General. Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang'wa opined that the government should lockdown places with violent demonstrations to avert the ongoing disruption in the country that has caused loss of lives with scores injured. Reports indicate that at least 20 people have been killed since the beginning of the month in the protests called by Odinga. "This country survived two years of lockdown and therefore, we are urging the government if it needs lockdown for two or four days to deal with these people let's do it. We are going to survive," Thangwa said. Tana River Senator Danston Mungatana said the protests had "totally failed." "The protests have totally failed because they didn't carry the grievances of Kenyans. We are telling Kenyans not to fear and they should turn out tomorrow (Friday) to continue with their businesses," he said. They spoke hours after National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi decried the increase of police brutality during the Opposition protests. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Business Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We have noticed an unprecedented level of police brutality on innocent Kenyans. We want the international community to take serious note of these happenings with a view to holding into account the perpetrators of these crimes," he said. The Ugunja MP further implored the Director of Criminal Investigations to conduct an investigation into the incidents of police brutality witnessed during the demonstrations. "We are formally asking the DPP to carry out impartial, independent and speedy investigations into this matter with the view of apprehending the perpetrators and charging them," Wandayi said. The Opposition Coalition condemned the arrest of nine leaders over the civil disobedience protests Wednesday saying it amounted to violation of freedoms and human rights. "Since our colleagues who were arrested are being held beyond the limit provided for in the constitution. Now we consider their continued incarceration as detention without trial and Kenyans and the international community must now take note," said Wandayi. Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi stated that security agencies have been acting desperately by arresting leaders without preferring charges against them days after their arrest. "If the police have no reason to arrest anybody, I think they should just keep off. We are not going to stop and they should know leaders are not going to fear because they arrested a few people here and there," said Atandi. Nairobi Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga has broken his silence to explain his conspicuous absence from the three-day anti-government protests he mobilized. In a telephone interview with NTV, Odinga said he is nursing a terrible flu but he has assured his supporters that he is firmly with them. "I nursing a terrible flu but I am getting better," he said in the interview, "I am urging my supporters to go on with the protests because tomorrow (Friday) is the grand finale." At least 6 people have been killed and more than 300 arrested since Wednesday when the protests started. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said the suspects-many of them in Nairobi- have been charged with various offences, including unlawful assembly and destruction of property. Kindiki says the government has managed to suppress the protests and urged the public to go on with their businesses. "The public is hereby informed that the wave of hooliganism, disruption of order and lawlessness that began on Wednesday has been fully contained and the country has returned to normalcy," he said in a statement. But Odinga has vowed the protests will proceed Friday and urged his supporters to turn up, saying he must not be there for protests to proceed. "The protests are for all Kenyans, it is not about me or Azimio leaders so even if we are not present they proceed," he said. Nairobi A bail hearing in a subversion case against controversial Embakasi lawmaker Babu Owino was adjourned Thursday night with a ruling on the application set for Friday. Milimani Chief Magistrate Lukas Onyina however allowed a plea to allow the legislator seek medical attention asking the police to escort him to hospital. Owino was presented in court on Thursday and charged with subversion alongside six others following his arrest on Tuesday. He was arraigned in court together with Calvin Okoth Otieno alias 'Gaucho' who stirred an online backlash after slaughtering a goat in full glare of camera and licked its raw blood while daring government officials he accused of threatening Azimio leader Raila Odinga. Gaucho made the statement on Tuesday, a day before the planned resumption of anti-government protests called by Odinga. Appearing in court on Thursday, the State challenged a bid by lawyers representing the accused persons to have them released on bail citing national security concerns. Lawyers representing the seven accused persons contested the State's objection decrying the arbitrary detention of accused persons outside the 24-hour period provided for in law. The lawyers cited Article 49 of the Constitution (2010) which requires the State to produce arrested persons in court "as soon as reasonably possible, but not later than- (i) twenty-four hours after being arrested". Gaborone Non-susceptible Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) species originating from Botswana such as donkeys and horses that cross into Zimbabwe may be returned subject to import conditions prescribed by the director of Veterinary Services as informed by the prevailing disease situation in Zimbabwe, says Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao. Answering a parliamentary question this week, Mr Molao said the current protocol for livestock that crossed into Zimbabwe from Botswana and vice-versa was that FMD susceptible species from Botswana such as cattle, sheep, and goats that crossed into Zimbabwe could not be brought back. Further, he said FMD susceptible animals that crossed into countries that were not free from the disease were considered high risk for transmission of the disease. He also said returning animals that had been to such countries would be in contravention of the World Organisation for Animal Health standard on FMD, and consequently jeopardise the official free status of the country. He said there were also risks of introduction of new strains of viruses that would bring complexities and extra costs to control the disease. He said the ministry preferred to return livestock that strayed into Botswana from Zimbabwe as killing such animals would not be in the interest of the country's current disease control strategy. He noted that the current strategy placed emphasis on fostering alliances and cooperation with neighbouring countries, Zimbabwe included. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Botswana Governance Agribusiness By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Minister Molao said the final decision on what was to be done with Zimbabwe cattle lay with the government of Zimbabwe. The compensation rate for cattle and small stock (sheep and goats), he said, killed after straying across the border was P700 for cattle and P200 for small stock. He explained that the compensation was not meant to create a market incentive as the ministry feared it would encourage illegal cross border rustling of livestock, pointingout that it was placed at that level so that it would be a deterrent and also to encourage farmers to look after their animals. Member of Parliament for Bobonong, Mr Taolo Lucas had wanted to know protocols for handling livestock that crossed into Zimbabwe from Botswana and vice versa as well as the rationale behind destroying Batswana livestock that had crossed into Zimbabwe and sparing those that entered Botswana from Zimbabwe. BOPA Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021. A military airplane with two pilots on board has crashed into Lake Victoria, a few meters away from Bukoba Airport in Kagera Region. Speaking in Bukoba town on Thursday, Kagera Regional Police Commander Blasia Chatanda said that the accident occurred early Thursday when the duo was conducting pilot training. According to the regional police boss, there was no death from the accident, but the two pilots sustained injuries. He mentioned the injured pilots as Leonard Nkundwa (45) and Alex Venance (30). The RPC said the accident caused a panic to the residents surrounding the area as it evoked a bad memory of a Precision Air passenger flight which crashed into Lake Victoria in November 2022, claiming the lives of 23 people. Indian AI Tech Support Startup Laying-Off Employees In Batches Citing Investor Pressure To Become Profitable Tech Biz oi -Alap Naik Desai Indian AI tech support startup Saarthi.ai has allegedly laid off several employees in batches. The company has claimed it needed a leaner operation primarily because of "investor pressure". As Indian startups, primarily in the tech space, increasingly face an uncertain future due to investor expectations about profitability, multiple fledgling companies are resorting to questionable tactics. Let's look at the latest developments, which could be an indicator of the future of AI-based tech startups in India. Investor Pressure To Turn Profitable Forcing Lay-Offs In India? Bengaluru-based AI tech support startup, Saarthi.ai, is under the microscope on the internet for its alleged controversial attitude towards employee welfare. Incidentally, the startup has acknowledged it is under "investor pressure" to achieve profitability. Although the exact details are difficult to verify, some employees resorted to posting about their difficulties pertaining to salaries and abrupt terminations on social media. The exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed and unverified, but Saarthi.ai's Founder and CEO, Vishwa Nath Jha, acknowledged restructuring the company's staff. "Our team has been restructured in light of technological advancement and many team members were let go in batches as a result. We had to automate low-level professional cognitive skills of our staff due to investor pressure to become profitable." The news about employees in distress was circulated on the Internet after an employee posted on Grapevine, a startup social media platform, that Saarthi.ai has not paid salaries to its employees since March 2023. The post alleged that about 140+ employees have been given false hopes of receiving their salaries soon. The employee claimed the senior management continues to receive payment but junior and middle-management employees are being ignored. Are Indian Companies Facing Uncertain Times? Saarthi's CEO has indicated that the full and final settlement for early batches of the employees who were let go has been cleared. "The rest will be cleared within 90 days as per the company policy. We're working with investors to resolve this...event," he added. Simply put, the AI tech startup could be hounded by investors, who have become quite wary and skeptical about Indian startups after the pandemic. Many investor firms and seed funding organizations are demanding startups pull up their socks and start showing some profits or other metrics denoting positive growth. It goes without saying that many Indian startups are running on investor money as they are yet to generate any self-sustainable revenue. Hence, to cut costs and ensure better liquidity, several startups are laying off employees, delaying salaries and benefits, and canceling multiple perks which were showered previously. 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Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe 5 suspects detained over alleged espionage for China ROC Central News Agency 07/20/2023 08:17 PM Taipei, July 20 (CNA) A total of five people, including a diabolo instructor Lu Chi-hsien (ece), were detained and held incommunicado Thursday on suspicion of recruiting military officers to collect military intelligence for China. Lu, the leader of the group, was allegedly recruited by a Chinese intelligence agency in April last year, and upon returning to Taiwan began attempting to recruit active and retired military personnel with the objective of developing a spy network to obtain military related intelligence, Taipei District Prosecutors Office said. Working with the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau and New Taipei police, prosecutors said searches were conducted Wednesday across 25 locations, six of which were at military facilities, during which several suspects were questioned and other witnesses interviewed. The suspects, including Lu, are being investigated on suspicion of violating the National Security Act, the office said. In order to prevent Lu and the four suspects, who are all retired military personnel, from fleeing the country, destroying evidence or colluding with others to tamper with evidence, prosecutors filed a motion to have them detained incommunicado amid the ongoing investigation, a request which was approved by the Taipei District Court Thursday afternoon. According to prosecutors, Lu was previously indicted for fraud in 2020 after posing as an executive of the Republic of China Diabolo Federation to defraud sponsors out of NT$6 million (US$193,223) under the guise of "attending international diabolo competitions." In March this year, the Supreme Court found him guilty of the charges but he never showed up to serve his sentence and went into hiding. On Thursday, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said the probe was launched after it received reports about espionage operation involving Lu from members of the armed forces. However, the MND did not provide further details except to say the investigation is ongoing. (By Lin Chang-hsun, Matt Yu and Ko Lin) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bosnia and Herzegovina: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell after the Stabilisation and Association Council European External Action Service (EEAS) 19.07.2023 Brussels, 19/07/2023 EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Good evening to everybody, I am very glad to host here Chairwoman [of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Borjana] Kristo and her delegation for the EU - Bosnia and Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Council. From the side of the European Union, we were together with Commissioner [for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Oliver] Varhelyi, Member States, including Ministers of [Foreign Affairs of] Greece, Croatia and Slovenia. As you know, this Council represents the highest level of institutional engagement between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a regular opportunity to review the work that has been done in preparation for the membership in the European Union, and what still needs to be done in order to advance on the European path. It has been an intense meeting. We have met in this format after two years. Last year, it was not possible due to political blockage in the country. But today, we have been able to do it because the country managed to move from political deadlock to political opportunity, and I think it is a good sentence that summarises what has happened during the last year: Bosnia and Herzegovina went from political deadlock to political opportunity, and since December, it has got the status of candidate country. You can imagine the important window of opportunity that this represents. This window of opportunity should be used for a swift implementation of pending reforms and to adapt to the European standards. Of course, it comes with the expectation that our partners will seize this momentum without delay and [that] they will make decisive progress on the reforms and commitments to European Union values. This is what we discussed today - how Bosnia and Herzegovina is doing, and where more efforts are needed. We got a lot of detailed information from the Chairwoman and other Ministers of what the government is doing. We discussed how it happens and which efforts are still needed. I will ask my fellow Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi to go into more details. I will try not to repeat what can be explained by him, but allow me to focus on some issues. First, I have to start by commending the efforts of the Council of Ministers under your leadership, Chairwoman Borjana Kristo, in keeping the dialogue constructive, on accelerating European reforms, and the steps taken at the national level so far. Secondly, we appreciate the increase in the alignment in foreign and security policy. Now you are at 94%, which is almost a complete alignment. But alignment is not just a declaration, alignment is not just expressing wishes - good wishes. Alignment is effective implementation. And we have to wait for that implementation. In the meantime, I have also to thank Bosnia and Herzegovina for the contribution to our Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations abroad. [We] show our commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina's defence capacities - or capabilities - including through our support through the European Peace Facility (EPF), which has been worth 20 million so far. Thirdly, we also commend the state level authorities for keeping the positive momentum alive. We know - and explained during the meeting - that there are serious challenges. Here, I want to refer especially to the initiatives, laws and announcements from Republika Srpska, that, from my understanding, runs against the European Union perspective of the country and further isolates this entity from Europe. Undermining the constitutional order of Bosnia and Herzegovina must be brought to an immediate end. These actions, if continued, could have serious consequences. Provocative divisive rhetoric and actions, including questioning the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the country, and the glorification of convicted war criminals must stop, because there is no place in Europe for those engaged in such activities. Recently, we have shown in the region that unconstructive behaviour will lead to firm action from the European side. We have seen that. At the same time, I believe that the people in Bosnia and Herzegovina deserve a steady progress towards the European Union - not crisis, no isolation, no deadlock and backsliding caused by political leaders. On the contrary, during the meeting, we have been urging all political actors - I mean all - to engage in constructive dialogue to address internal political issues. This is what we have done during the meeting and that is what I am doing now: to call on all political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to focus their energies not on divisions but on the common denominator of European Union accession and swiftly implement all commitments. Because the one who will benefit most is not the European Union, it is the people in Bosnia and Herzegovina peoplo, and the country as a whole. Aside from addressing the 14 Key Priorities, as required for the opening of accession negotiations, this would notably also include addressing the commitments set out in the 12 June Agreement on the principles for ensuring a functional Bosnia and Herzegovina that advances on the European path. I strongly believe that the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina need political leaders that take concrete steps to promote an environment conducive to reconciliation to overcome the legacies of the past and take actions to improve the quality of life, bringing it in line with European standards. Yes, years of standstill and unwarranted blockades have already cost the country and its people too much. They have prevented much-needed investment and development and make scores of citizens to leave the country. The European Union has consistently demonstrated that it is a loyal and generous partner to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This includes, for example, our energy support package of 70 million, which is going to the most vulnerable households, helping them to face the consequences of the Ukrainian war in terms of high energy prices. I also want to stress the importance of EUFOR Althea. I am responsible for the missions and operations of the European Union. I am very proud of the work done by the men and women serving in [EUFOR] Althea. And we remain committed to contribute to a safe and secure environment in Bosnia and Herzegovina. [Mission] Althea is doing the most important contribution to this purpose. To summarise, we are committed to the country's European perspective, as a single, united and sovereign Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we will remain firmly by its side as it moves towards the European Union path. But the work needs to be done by the political actors in the country. There is little we can do from Brussels. It has to be done on the ground by you. It is you who bear the responsibilities of not failing your people and their hopes of becoming soon [part] of the European Union family. Thank you. Q&A Q. You mentioned serious consequences for Republika Srspka if it continues the current way. What does it mean? What consequences? We heard similar warnings like this before. Milorad Dodik said he sent a letter to you, suggesting his way of solving the political crisis in Bosnia. Have you seen it? How relevant is it? Is it realistic to implement it - if you have seen it - for example the idea of Constitutional Court in Bosnia without foreign judges? Well, I have not mentioned specifically [anyone]. I said "all". I have not said [Mr] A or [Mr] B. I addressed everybody. And when I said [that] I condemned irresponsible secessionist statements, everybody will understand to whom I am referring. When I am saying that I asked to refrain from divisive rhetoric and actions, I have not said Republika Srpska. I said "all". Certainly, we have the capacity to react if the situation deteriorates. We have tools. But we will not use them unless it is strictly necessary. In any case, it is on the table of the Member States that have to decide on any measure. My role is to encourage leaders to resolve the situation through dialogue, and I welcome the dialogue and welcome any proposal that can come from anybody who has the good will to try to contribute that the country turns to a constructive agenda in line with the European perspective. Certainly, if you want me to be more precise, we have condemned the recent decision by the Republika Sprska National Assembly because we consider that it is a clear departure from the expectations that accompanied the granting of the European Union candidate status. But, once again, our role is to push for dialogue, to try to avoid unilateral actions, and asking everybody to focus on bringing the country closer to the European Union. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 19 July 2023 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** Memorial Service Good afternoon, the Secretary-General this morning spoke at the annual memorial service in honour of UN personnel who have fallen in the line of duty. He said that the 77 women and men who lost their lives last year were our colleagues and our friends. He said 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. In a divided and dangerous world, the Secretary-General said, the vision and values that our blue flag represents are more important now than ever. He added that we resolve to continue our essential mission. ** Syria Turning to Syria. Earlier today, the UN led two monitoring and assessment missions from Turkiye into north-west Syria. Staff from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs arrived on a monitoring mission via the al-Ra'ee crossing. The World Health Organization, for its part, entered via Bab al-Salam to conduct a routine assessment. Additional staff missions and truck movements are planned through Bab al-Salam and al-Ra'ee crossings in the coming days, and we'll keep you updated. ** Democratic Republic of the Congo We have an update from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where the head of our peacekeeping mission there, Bintou Keita, is visiting the country's east for consultations about the transition process. The visit comes as options are being prepared for the reconfiguration of the peacekeeping mission presence in the country, as requested by the Security Council. Ms. Keita held discussions with provincial authorities, civil society, the UN country team and other partners. In her discussions, she highlighted the importance of balancing the need to accelerate the Mission's transition process, as requested by the host country, while ensuring that minimum conditions for security and protection of civilians are met before the peacekeepers' withdrawal. She underlined the need to strengthen cooperation to ensure a common understanding of the realities faced by all partners and the collective work we need, especially at the provincial level, to overcome those challenges and ensure a gradual and responsible exit and transfer of tasks to national authorities. ** Rohingya Refugees Our colleagues at the UN refugee agency today said that Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar are facing hunger after the latest ration cuts. This is the second cut to their food rations in three months. Faced with funding shortfalls that we talk about almost every day here, the World Food Programme has had to make difficult choices to sustain food assistance until the end of the year. In March, the value of the food vouchers for camp residents was reduced from $12 per person per month to $10, and in June, to just $8 that's 27 cents per day. The cuts came just weeks after thousands of refugees lost their temporary homes to Cyclone Mocha and a major fire at Cox's Bazar, as you may recall, earlier this year. UNHCR said that more and more humanitarian agencies are being forced to continue only with the most critical interventions, and that means basic needs are going unmet. That's it. ** Questions and Answers Question : Hi Steph. I have a question. So I have a question on the grain deal. The Ukraine's Ambassador to Turkey said in an interview that Ukraine is considering the possibility of a grain corridor through the territorial waters of Romania and Bulgaria. Naturally, with Russia withdrawing from the original grain agreement, there are still risks that Russia will fire on ships, according to the Ukrainian Ambassador. My question is, is this something the Secretary-General of the UN is in discussions with the Ukrainians, or anyone who I mentioned earlier? Spokesman : There are a number of ideas being floated about. What I can tell you is that this is operating in a war zone. No one can ask the Secretary-General to provide security guarantees. But that being said, we are all seeing the same the same press reports. Dezhi. Question : I believe you have already seen the statement from Foreign Ministry of the Russian Federation on the statement of the Secretary-General on Monday. The Foreign Ministry of Russia said that the Secretary-General is, I quote, "twisting the facts about the implementation of these [inaudible] agreements and violation of all the laws of diplomatic correspondence by making public his personal letters to President of Russia, Vladimir Putin", and in the end, the Russian Foreign Ministry also said the UN Secretary-General and his staff has remained blind to [inaudible] attacks and subversive activities. Any response from the UN on this? Spokesman : Look, I'm not going to comment on the tone. First of all, on the memorandum of understanding which was addressed in the statement that the Secretary-General of the UN has scrupulously fulfilled its obligations under the memorandum of understanding. Through communications the Russian Federation has told us they will no longer do that. But I think what's important to say is that with or without these 90 days or memorandum of understanding, the Secretary-General will continue whatever he can do to ensure that the global markets have access to Ukrainian and Russian food as well as fertilizer. This is just too important for a fight against global hunger, and the Secretary-General, Martin Griffiths, Rebeca Grynspan, and all of their teams and all of our teams are focused on doing just that. I think that the food issue is just too important for the Secretary-General not to continue. Question : Steph, given this statement, how would you describe the working relation now between the UN and Russian Federation? Obviously, you have to work with the with the Russian Federation. Spokesman : The Secretary-General continues to have and has always had a very constructive and positive working relationship with Ambassador [Vassily A.] Nebenzya and the whole team here in New York. Question : One last question, still on the grain deal. What's the current situation of GCC now? Spokesman : They're continuing. The colleagues are there, available for consultations... Question : You mean the four parties? Spokesman : They continue to be there. They're available for consultations for many of the parties that are signatories to the agreement. But as you know, there are no more ships going through the corridor. Vladimir. Question : Hi Stephane, about that Russian Foreign Ministry statement. It also said that Secretary-General broke some diplomatic rules by speaking openly about the content of that letter, of the letters that he sent to President Putin. Do you agree with that? Spokesman : I think the Secretary-General was quoting from parts of the letter that were very factual in order to make sure that his point was clear. These were just facts that he was quoting that had many of them had been publicly available before that. Question : [inaudible] the word also from Foreign Ministry of Russia, is that UN has 90 days to fulfil its part of the grain deal in order for Russia to [inaudible] out to it. Do you think it's possible in 90 days? Spokesman : Look, as I said, with or without the 90 days, our commitment to the goals of the Black Sea initiative, of the memorandum of understanding, are continuing unabated, right. We're continuing to do whatever we can, and we had, before Monday, scrupulously fulfilled our obligations under the MOU. Alan and, sorry, go ahead. Question : [inaudible] the Russian Ministry of Defence said that Russia will consider all the ships moving to and from Ukrainian ports, as well, basically, of course until targets. What's the Secretary-General reaction to that? Spokesman : Well, I think it underscores that we're trying to work and continue to work in what is an effective, what is effectively a warzone. Alan and Frank Question : I'm sorry, Stephane, I have a short follow-up on Vladimir's question regarding this statement on the 90 days announced by Russian Foreign Ministry. if I'm not mistaken, yesterday, you hinted that there is no longer the memorandum of understanding between UN and Russia, if I got it in the right way. But, as far as I understand, one of the sides should notify the other side in writing that the memorandum is ending, so it's still unclear for me which side notified whom about the end of the memorandum? Spokesman : I mean, I think you've seen the, you've seen the verbal comments come out, and the statements come out of the Foreign Ministry. You've seen what I've said. I have no doubt if I were in your shoes, I would seek more clarity. What I can tell you is that, and I can only speak for the UN part, is that we will continue to do whatever we can to fulfill our obligations under the memorandum of understanding, and under everything that was agreed as part of Istanbul, which is basically trying to get more food out to market. I think you need to ask other parties what their position is on this, but I can only speak to ours. And I would also encourage you to read the memorandum of understanding, and I think that may help bring some clarity. Question : I read the memorandum and paragraph 6 says that the Russian Federation and the Secretariat will inform each other in writing three months in advance of the date on which they intend to stop applying the present memorandum. Spokesman : I would also look at paragraph 1. Question : Okay, a short follow-up. Speaking about only the UN part. Did you get or did you send the notification? Spokesman : We have not. We have not initiated anything on our end. And what I can only tell you is that we will continue to do whatever we can to fulfil our obligations. Mr. Ucciardo. Question : Two questions. Just to follow up on that. Spokesman : Put your microphone a little closer, please. Question : If you're continuing to, quote unquote, fulfil your obligations under that memorandum of understanding, at this point, on this day, at this hour, are there any communications between UN officials and any members, any parties to this agreement that has just expired? Spokesman : We continue to have contacts with relevant parties. But the point, I mean, especially on the MOU, it is clear, and I've said this over and over again, the Secretary-General does not control banking regulations. He does not control SWIFT. He does not control the insurance market, does not control the private transportation market, does not control national banking regulations. So, everything that needs to... So much that needs to be done in terms of implementation of the MOU is actually in the hands of others, and we rely on the goodwill of others. Our job is to continue to push, to knock on doors and to make our case, and that's exactly what Rebeca Grynspan had been doing, and that's exactly what she will continue to do. Question : Second question, the Secretary-General's response to the latest missile launches by North Korea? Spokesman : I mean, I would reiterate our strong condemnation of these kinds of launches that only heighten tension on the Korean Peninsula and move us further away from the goal we'd like to see, which is the resumption of diplomatic talks and a complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Sir, you had a question but I don't know your name, I'm sorry. [inaudible] You got the answer? Excellent. As long as somebody else is doing the work. I don't see, I don't know if there are any questions in the chat. I see none. I bid you all a good day, and thank you for your patience. And I think I beat my old-time record of late starts to the noon briefing, so you are part of history today. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address July 20, 2023 By Jim Garamone , DOD News U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy Showing Results, Ratner Tells Congress The Defense Department is clear-eyed about the challenge to the international rules-based order from the People's Republic of China, Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs told the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party today. Ratner testified before the committee alongside his counterparts from the State and Commerce departments. The Defense Department has called China the "pacing challenge" to the United States for years and that challenge is now getting the attention and resources it deserves, Ratner said. "China is the only country in the world with the will ... and increasingly the capability to refashion the international order in ways they would deeply undermine vital U.S. interests," he told the committee. DOD has put in place strategies, doctrines, policies and resources to counter China and, "these efforts are starting to deliver in meaningful ways," Ratner said. Chinese leaders have stated often that they seek to match and surpass the United States in the coming years. "No doubt this challenge is serious, but so too has been our response," Ratner said. "In fact, over the past two years, the administration and Congress have worked together to ensure that we have a U.S. military that is more capable, more distributed across the region and more deeply integrated with our allies and partners." Chinese Communist Party officials plan for the long run, and U.S. strategic thinking is is working to stay a step ahead. "The department is investing in critical capabilities to maintain deterrence and prevail as necessary in this decade and beyond," Ratner said. "The U.S. military is the most capable and credible fighting force in the world, and for decades that basic fact has formed the heart of deterrence throughout the Indo-Pacific." Maintaining deterrence requires investment today and consistent investment for the future. "These investments strengthen our warfighting advantages, exploit adversary vulnerabilities and address critical operational challenges in the Indo-Pacific," he said. "They provide capabilities that will serve to strengthen our combat credible deterrent by ensuring we can prevail." DOD is also investing in research and development to develop and deploy breakthrough technologies to deter conflict in the decades ahead. These include hypersonics, artificial intelligence, stealth technology, new ways of moving, shooting and communicating and more. DOD is also moving toward a regional force posture that is more mobile, distributed, resilient and lethal. "In the past year alone, we have announced new force posture initiatives with some of our closest allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific," the assistant secretary said. In Australia, the United States is increasing rotations of bombers and fighters through Australian bases. "With Japan, we have agreed to station the Marine Corps most advanced formation forward for the first time ever in 2025," he said. "With the Philippines, U.S. forces will have access to four new strategic locations across the country as part of our Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement." The United States is reaching out to new partners, and Ratner cited the defense cooperation agreement with Papua-New Guinea, where Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will visit next week. Austin will discuss the agreement that will increase regional stability by deepening bilateral security cooperation, Ratner said. The trip to Papua-New Guinea highlights another leg of the U.S. strategy in the region: the outreach to allies, partners and friends. "We are leveraging one of our greatest strategic advantages, by deepening our alliances and partnerships ... that in almost every instance are stronger than they have ever been," Ratner said. "The department is supporting our Indo-Pacific allies and partners as they invest in themselves, in their own strength, in their relationships with each other and in their relationships with the United States." This outreach manifests itself in different ways with different countries. The United States supports Japan's efforts to acquire new counter strike capabilities. DOD has launched a major new technology initiative with India. The department is also working with countries across Southeast Asia to acquire asymmetric capabilities to counter Beijing's coercive activities. "Consistent with long-standing U.S. policy, we are also supporting Taiwan self-defense in the face of the [Chinese] threats of aggression and ongoing pressure campaign," he said. All this symbolizes progress, but much more must be done. "It is critical that we continue moving forward with urgency, and with resolve," Ratner said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address July 20, 2023 By Jim Garamone , DOD News DOD Official Highlights Importance of Pacific Island Nations The islands nations of the Pacific play a critical role in the U.S. strategic vision for the Indo-Pacific region, said Siddharth Mohandas, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia. Mohandas testified before the Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee on the national security implications of the Compacts of Free Association with the Republic of Palau, the Federal States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Speaking alongside witnesses from the State and Interior departments, he told the committee that the compacts are proof to the nations that the U.S. commitment to them is "ironclad." Congress is working to renew the compacts the United States has with these Pacific nations. The compacts are up for renewal this year. "The compact renewal comes at a time of unprecedented U.S. commitment to the Pacific Islands," Mohandas said. He noted that last year the Biden administration released the first Pacific Partnership Strategy, which prioritized broader and deeper engagement with the Pacific Islands. It also stated that the successful conclusion of the compact negotiations is a key objective. The compacts define the relationship between the United States and the island nations. On defense, the compact allows the U.S. to operate in, and be responsible for protecting, the nations of the vast Pacific region. Of note, citizens of the compact nations, or Freely Associated States, serve in the U.S. armed forces. In fact, the Federated States of Micronesia has a higher enlistment rate per capita than any U.S. state. China is seeking to supplant the United States in the region and is eyeing the compact states. China's leaders seek to overturn the rules-based international order that has maintained peace in the region since World War II. "The most comprehensive challenge we face ... is [China's] coercive and increasingly aggressive effort to change the status quo of the Indo-Pacific region and the international system to align with its interests," Mohandas said. "[China] seeks to challenge U.S. alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and leverage its growing capabilities including its economic influence to coerce its neighbors and threaten their interests." The United States is pushing forward with the Pacific Partnership Strategy in conjunction with regional allies. "We have made great progress toward renewing the compact agreements, and we've appreciated recent opportunities to engage with both Congressional members and staff on the importance of the renewal," Mohandas said. "The defense rights guaranteed by the compact agreements provide security not only for the compact states, but for the broader Pacific Islands region and for the U.S. homeland, as well." Having the compacts in place is vital to DOD's ability to deter aggression and, if necessary, prevail in conflict, ensuring peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, he said. The compacts demonstrate the United States' long-term commitment to Pacific Island partners. They also provide value across priority areas like assured access for bilateral and multilateral training, exercises and force posture. "The assured access guaranteed by the compact agreements protects the strategic approaches of the United States and allows us to operate freely in critical terrain in the Pacific," he said. There are important bases in the region thanks to the compacts, including the U.S. Army's missile defense testing site at Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. "We have also engaged in construction of the tactical multimission, over-the-horizon radar in Palau and the Department of Defense is working towards designating further key defense posture sites in Palau as well as in the Federated States of Micronesia to facilitate agile combat employment for the U.S. Air Force," Mohandas said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address July 20, 2023 By Connie Braesch , Defense Logistics Agency Leveling Up Fuel Operations During QLLEX Army Reservists took their training to the next level establishing real-world petroleum distribution support sites during the 2023 Quartermaster Liquid Logistics Exercise, June 12-24. Fuel handlers and laboratory specialists from seven reserve battalions worked with Defense Logistics Agency Energy Americas teams to improve end-to-end readiness and efficiently deliver more than 1.6 million gallons of fuel to 21 Department of Defense installations across the nation. "The exercise is not only an opportunity to test command and control, accountability, storage, and fuel distribution, but it's also a way to showcase how reserve units can deploy to support real-world operations," said DLA Energy Americas Director of Operations Support Ben Beadles. During the exercise, DLA Energy's Joint Reserve Force worked with DLA Energy quality assurance representatives to provide oversight of operations at six defense fuel support points: five along the East Coast and one at Point Loma, California. DLA Energy Americas Operations Officer Adam Minnich said embedding JRF personnel at the DFSPs during the exercise enabled critical real-time communication flow and was pivotal to the success of the operations. DLA Energy supply planners worked with the DFSP terminal managers and downstream customers to substitute commercial supply chain transportation nodes with Reserve transportation capabilities. "This exercise demonstrated the Army Reserve's ability to sustain liquid logistics operations and be a viable bulk petroleum transportation capability for DLA Energy Americas in the event of a disruption in commercial transportation nodes," said DLA Energy Americas Operations Officer Ray Jure. DLA Energy Americas Commander Army Col. Josielyn Carrasquillo said exercises like QLLEX enable multifaceted teams from across the fuel supply chain to work together, train and prepare to ensure uninterrupted fuel sustainment to the warfighter despite possible real-time challenges or disruptions. "Integrating joint, multi-service, combined and commercial partners into a single exercise enhances interoperability, builds strong relationships and fosters a comprehensive understanding of fuel contingency operations," she said. "We capitalized on the full scope, scale and skills in fuel acquisition, storage, distribution and surge capabilities." Curtis Morgan with DLA Energy Americas East was the quality control lead for this year's exercise. His team of QARs inspected 187 Army Reserve fuel tank trucks prior to the exercise, observed loading operations at DFSPs to ensure proper terminal procedures were followed, validated mobile fuel testing labs were suitable to test DLA Energy capitalized fuel and tested combat-ready battlefield quality control capabilities on over 318,000 gallons of aviation fuel. "Tanker inspection was a great improvement from last year where the pass rate was 84%, to a 96% pass rate this year," Morgan said. "The USAR established tiger teams this year that went out in advance of the exercise to do pre-inspection of the tanker fleet being utilized, which clearly contributed to improved operations." This year's exercise, hosted by the 77th Quartermaster Group, also showcased the U.S. Army's joint relationship with the United Kingdom's Field Army Headquarters from Andover, England. "Over the past 12-month planning cycle, the UK's 9th Royal Logistics Corps participated in three planning workshops to develop joint operational capability with the USAR," Beadles said. The 9th RLC provided 32 petroleum troops and two support personnel embedded with the quartermaster battalions to observe Army petroleum doctrine in practice. This relationship is expected to grow for QLLEX 2024, where the RLC will field equipment and directly participate as part of the exercise, Beadles added. For nearly four decades, the annual QLLEX exercise bridges the gap between training and realistic operations. While DLA Energy focused on fuel, the exercise also involved water distribution and handling offering Army Reserve soldiers the opportunity to hone their comprehensive liquid logistics skills in a demanding environment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Human rights violations: EU lists 18 individuals and five entities responsible for gender-based violence and linked to the Navalny and Kara-Murza cases European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 20 July 2023 Today, the Council imposed restrictive measures against 18 individuals and 5 entities under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, because of their responsibility for serious human rights violations and abuses in Afghanistan, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Ukraine and Russia. Six individuals were listed over various forms of sexual and gender-based violence. These include the acting Taliban Ministers of Education and Justice and the acting Taliban Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Afghanistan because of their role in depriving Afghan girls and women of their right to education, access to justice and equal treatment between men and women. The measures also target a senior officer of the South Sudanese armed forces, a leading figure of the Popular Front for the Rebirth of Central African Republic, and a commander of the 30th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian armed forces because they committed widespread attacks against the civilian population in the countries where they operated, which systematically included sexual and gender-based violence, including as a means to terrorise the population. The EU also imposed restrictive measures against twelve other individuals and five entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Russia. The measures target those who have misused facial recognition technology for massive arbitrary arrests in Russia as well as the politically motivated rulings against the opposition politicians, democracy activists and outspoken Kremlin critics Alexei Navalny and Vladimir Kara-Murza. These listings include various bodies linked to the City of Moscow, a minister in the government of the city and a deputy mayor, three companies producing or organising tenders for the supply of facial recognition systems. The listings also target individuals responsible for running the penal colony where Alexei Navalny has been held since his politically motivated sentencing in March 2022 and an officer of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) personally involved in an attempt to assassinate Vladimir Kara-Murza through the use of a neurotoxin. Altogether, EU restrictive measures under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime now apply to a total of 61 individuals and 20 entities. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories. In its conclusions of 14 November 2022, the Council expressed concern about the disproportionate effect that armed conflicts continue to have on women and girls worldwide, as well as the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence including conflict-related sexual violence, offline and online. The Council committed to enhanced efforts to counter such violence in order to ensure full accountability and to combat impunity. The EU condemns the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Russia. Russia's unjustified and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine has amplified internal repression in Russia, drastically limiting the freedom of opinion and expression and media freedom and introducing war censorship. The EU continues to strongly condemn the severe expansion of restrictive legislation and systematic repression against civil society and human rights defenders, as well as unabated crackdown on independent media, individual journalists, political opposition members and other critical voices. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background On 7 December 2020, the Council established a Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime which applies to acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations or abuses (e.g. torture, slavery, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests or detentions). The EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime underscores the EU's determination to enhance its role in addressing serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide. Realising the effective enjoyment of human rights by everyone is a strategic goal of the Union. Respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights are fundamental values of the Union and its Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Council extends the mandates of the EU Special Representatives for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo* and South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia for one year European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 20 July 2023 The Council has today adopted a series of decisions extending the existing mandates of following three EU Special Representatives (EUSRs) for one year, until 31 August 2024: Johann Sattler is the EUSR in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) since 1 September 2019. His mandate is to ensure continued progress in the Stabilisation and Association Process, with the aim of a stable, viable, peaceful and multiethnic and united BiH, cooperating peacefully with its neighbours and irreversibly on track towards membership of the Union. He also supports the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH. is the EUSR in (BiH) since 1 September 2019. His mandate is to ensure continued progress in the Stabilisation and Association Process, with the aim of a stable, viable, peaceful and multiethnic and united BiH, cooperating peacefully with its neighbours and irreversibly on track towards membership of the Union. He also supports the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH. Tomas Szuyog was appointed EUSR for Kosovo* on 1 September 2020. His mandate includes the task of offering the EU's advice and support in the political process and promote overall Union political coordination in Kosovo. was appointed EUSR for on 1 September 2020. His mandate includes the task of offering the EU's advice and support in the political process and promote overall Union political coordination in Kosovo. Toivo Klaar was appointed EUSR for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia on 13 November 2017. His task is to contribute to a peaceful settlement of conflicts in the region, namely the crisis in Georgia and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as to encourage regional cooperation between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and, as appropriate, their neighbouring countries. Background The EU Special Representatives are proposed by the High Representative to promote the EU's policies and interests in specific regions and countries, and provide the EU with an active political presence in those areas. Currently, ten EUSRs support the work of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. These include the three special representatives mentioned above, as well as the EUSRs for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkans regional issues, as well as for the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, the Gulf region, Central Asia, the Middle East Peace Process, as well as for Human Rights. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address European Peace Facility: Council adopts an assistance measure in support of the 31st Rapid Reaction Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 20 July 2023 The Council today adopted an assistance measure, worth 20 million, under the European Peace Facility to support the 31st Rapid Reaction Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC). The support will be implemented by the Belgian Ministry of Defence. Through its own armed forces, Belgium is already training the brigade which will benefit from this support. This 31st Rapid Reaction Brigade is active in Eastern DRC and the EU support will strengthen the capabilities and resilience of the FARDC in a region marked by the presence of more than one hundred armed groups. Through this assistance measure, the EU will provide basic, non-lethal individual equipment, such as commando kits, first aid kits and clothing, and collective equipment, such as counter-IED kits, vehicles and radios, for the 31st Rapid Reaction Brigade of the FARDC. The assistance measure will also support the rehabilitation of the brigade's headquarters. As for any support under the European Peace Facility, the assistance measure entails a set of controls, safeguards and monitoring measures notably designed to ensure the brigade's adequate use of the equipment and respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. Background and next steps The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 to finance all Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) actions in military and defence areas, with the aim of preventing conflict, preserving peace and strengthening international security and stability. In particular, the European Peace Facility allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of third states and regional and international organisations as regards military and defence matters. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Moldova: Council adopts renewal of temporary trade liberalisation measures European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 20 July 2023 The Council adopted today a regulation which renews and expands the temporary suspension of all outstanding tariffs and the entry-price system that are still applicable to seven agricultural products for another year, until 24 July 2024. The renewal and expansion of the measures aim to ensure that the existing trade flows from Moldova to the EU can continue, which will support Moldova's economy. This is particularly important, given Russia's continued military aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing impact on Moldova, and considering that Moldova was granted EU candidate status in June 2022. - Hector Gomez Hernandez, Industry, Trade and Tourism Minister of Spain The measures continue to cover all seven agricultural products for which exports from Moldova into the EU are not yet fully liberalised under the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), as they are subject to duty-free quotas: plums, table grapes, apples, tomatoes, garlic, cherries and grape juice. The difference in coverage, compared to last year, consists in fully liberalising the import to the EU as the current legislation suspends all tariff rate quotas (TRQ) that are still in place. The regulation also includes more stringent reporting obligations for the Commission and foresees that the Committee on Safeguards (instead of the Customs Code Committee) is to be involved in implementing the safeguard mechanism. A more expedited safeguard mechanism is proposed, and it should be more effective if the imports cause adverse effects on the EU market. As last year, the EU is expected to see a loss of customs revenue about 0.3 million annually so the impact on EU own resources will be very limited. Background and next steps On 2 May 2023, the Commission submitted a legislative proposal to renew by one year and expand the scope of the temporary trade liberalisation measures for Moldovan products, supplementing trade concessions under the EU-Moldova Association Agreement that established a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA). Under the DFCTA, all but seven agricultural products can enter the EU tariff-free, whereas to the seven products tariff rate quotas ('TRQs') apply. The current trade liberalisation measures, in force until 24 July 2023, more than doubled the amount of products that can be imported tariff-free from Moldova into the EU (i.e. the TRQs). They have had a positive effect on Moldova's trade to the EU by assisting Moldova with re-orienting exports via the EU. Overall, exports from Moldova to the EU increased from 1.8 billion in 2021 to 2.6 billion in 2022. On 14 June, Member States' EU ambassadors confirmed that, should the European Parliament approve the Commission's proposal without amendments, the Council would approve the European Parliament's position. On 11 July , the European Parliament adopted its first-reading position by taking over the Commission's proposal without any amendments. Now that the regulation has been adopted, it will be signed by the representatives of the Council and the European Parliament and published in the Official Journal, before entering into force on 25 July. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press statement following the 5th meeting of the EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Council European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 20 July 2023 The Stabilisation and Association Council (SA Council) between the European Union (EU) and Bosnia and Herzegovina held its fifth meeting on 19 July 2023 in Brussels. The meeting was chaired by Josep Borrell, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Oliver Varhelyi, Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, represented the European Commission. The Delegation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was led by Borjana Kristo, Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, accompanied by the Deputy Chairpersons: the Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zukan Helez and the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina Stasa Kosarac. The EU welcomed the new milestone in EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina relations reached with the decision of the European Council in December 2022 to grant the status of candidate country to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This decision opens a window of opportunity for Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path to the EU through swift implementation of the pending reforms and adaptation to EU standards. The EU welcomed the prompt entry into office of executive and legislative bodies at state and entity level, following the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 2 October 2022 and the reform steps taken so far, while calling for intensified efforts to deliver on reforms, ensuring that they consistently meet European standards. The EU also expressed serious concern over the legislative initiatives and announcements in the Republika Srpska entity that run counter to the EU path of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including secessionist rhetoric and putting into question the constitutional order of the country. The EU deplored the adoption of legislation in the Republika Srpska entity on the inapplicability of the decisions of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the entity. This legislation has no legal basis. The EU urged the entity Parliaments to swiftly appoint the vacant judges to the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in order to ensure its unimpeded functioning. The EU furthermore stressed that all political leaders need to engage in constructive dialogue to address internal political issues as a matter of priority. The EU reiterated the unequivocal commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina's EU perspective as a single, united and sovereign country. The EU urged all political actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina to refrain from and renounce provocative divisive rhetoric and actions, including questioning the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the country, and to end the glorification of convicted war criminals, as well as to actively promote reconciliation. The EU also underlined the urgency for Bosnia and Herzegovina to move forward on its EU path, in particular via fulfilling all 14 key priorities for the opening of EU accession negotiations identified in the Commission Opinion as endorsed by the Council in 2019. The EU strongly called on Bosnia and Herzegovina to develop and adopt a national programme for the alignment with EU acquis (NPAA). On public administration reform, the EU welcomed the implementation of the comprehensive strategy on public finance management by all levels of government. The EU underlined the need to reinforce the rule of law and take decisive steps to strengthen the judiciary and the prevention of and fight against corruption and organised crime. The EU welcomed that Bosnia and Herzegovina's Council of Ministers adopted several strategies (on terrorism, organised crime, money laundering, migration) and draft laws (notably on integrity in the judiciary, on conflict of interest, on torture prevention). The EU stressed that parliamentary adoption of these legislative initiatives, fully in line with European standards, will contribute to addressing the Opinion key priorities and related steps. The EU welcomed the final entry into operation of the contact point for cooperation with Europol, after several years of delays, and expressed expectations for Bosnia and Herzegovina to achieve concrete results in the fight against organised crime. The EU called for the urgent adoption of legislation on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, in line with the EU acquis, in order to avoid Bosnia and Herzegovina from being again grey-listed. The EU welcomed improvements in migration management and stressed the need for Bosnia and Herzegovina to ensure more efficient access to asylum, and to swiftly conclude the Frontex status agreement. The EU called on the need for Bosnia and Herzegovina to improve alignment with EU visa policy. Concerning human rights and minorities, the EU welcomed the adoption of action plans for the social inclusion of the Roma and on the rights of LGBTI persons. The EU recalled that, as an Opinion key priority, Bosnia and Herzegovina should ensure a safe and enabling environment for civil society, notably by upholding European standards on freedom of association and freedom of assembly. In this regard, the EU expressed serious concerns about the legislative initiatives to criminalise defamation and target civil society in the Republika Srpska entity, which if adopted would mark a clear step backwards, and called for them to be withdrawn. The EU stressed the importance of guaranteeing freedom of expression, assembly and association, gender equality, the protection and inclusion of vulnerable groups, and of ensuring inclusive and quality education for all. Following the commemoration of the Srebrenica genocide, the EU urged all political actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina to take concrete steps to promote an environment conducive to reconciliation in order to overcome the legacies of the war. The EU welcomed Bosnia and Herzegovina's active participation in regional cooperation, including the common regional market, and encouraged Bosnia and Herzegovina to swiftly ratify last pending regional mobility agreement. The EU welcomed Bosnia and Herzegovina's significant improvement of its alignment with EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, signalling its commitment to the EU path, and stressed that restrictive measures need to be fully implemented. Through its military Operation EUFOR Althea, the EU supports the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in maintaining a safe and secure environment. The EU welcomed Bosnia and Herzegovina's strong support to the executive mandate of EUFOR Althea and its continued presence for stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The EU underlined the opportunities offered by the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans and the European Green Deal. Within the Energy Support Package for the Western Balkans (IPA 2023), Bosnia and Herzegovina received 70 million in budget support with the aim to protect vulnerable families and small businesses affected by the rising energy prices, while advancing energy transition and diversification. The first instalment of 63 million was disbursed in May 2023. The Stabilisation and Association Council also held an exchange of views on developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the regional situation in the Western Balkans. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell after the meeting European External Action Service (EEAS) 20.07.2023 Brussels, 20/07/2023 EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! It was the last [Foreign Affairs] Council before the summer break and the agenda was very packed. We started with Russia's aggression against Ukraine [and we] listened to the assessment of the situation by Foreign Minister [of Ukraine, Dmytro] Kuleba. We reconfirmed our [resolve] to continue supporting the legitimate defence of Ukraine against the aggressor, who keeps committing atrocities against the Ukrainian people, targeting these last three nights Ukrainian ports and grain storages, which affects also the most vulnerable people around the world. You know that Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Deal, and the world faces again a man-made problem of food security. Putin is using hunger as a weapon - even against people in countries that still hesitate to condemn his illegal bloodshed in Ukraine. Let's recall the basics: Russia - without any justification - is blocking and bombing Ukrainian seaports and preventing freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, [now also] threatening all ships navigating in the Black Sea to be considered as 'warships'. Russia illegally blocks exports of Ukrainian grain. It destroys Ukrainian fields and loots Ukrainian agricultural production. Contrary to what Russia is claiming, it is making good profits from exports of its grain and fertilisers, and will make even more profits now when the prices will rise again after Russia killed the [Black Sea Grain] Deal, and destroys the stockpiles in the Ukrainian harbours. We believe that the international community should respond decisively to this deliberate attempt by Putin to starve the world populations, in order to gain extra money or to fight this illegal war. The [Foreign Affairs] Council focused on the security commitments that the European Union can offer to Ukraine, to transform existing support into a long-term commitment to Ukraine's security and resilience - in particular, our military assistance and training under the training mission for the Ukrainian Army [EUMAM Ukraine] will continue. I have outlined to Ministers our initiative to secure more sustainable and predictable financing for defence support to Ukraine. We propose the creation of a dedicated section under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to provide up to 5 billion a year over the next four years for the defence needs of Ukraine. It is still the same tool - the European Peace Facility - which has been working very well and we will continue using it, but with a dedicated chapter inside it, with a specific funding which can be estimated on the figure I mentioned: 5 billion a year for the next four years. This is the evaluation of the needs and the cost of our long-term security commitment to Ukraine. The Ministers exchanged views on this, [and] the issue will be debated in detail at the end of August in the Informal ministerial meeting in Toledo, in Spain. We also reaffirmed our support to Ukraine's Peace Formula. We consider it as the only comprehensive basis to achieve a just and sustainable peace. And on that, Ukraine should be in the driver's seat. In the end, it is the Ukrainians who are suffering the direct consequences of this war. It is Ukraine which is being invaded. We also adopted a number of sanctions decisions. More sanctions related to Russia and its aggression against Ukraine, and in this context, we agreed new sanctions regime against Iran for its military support to Syria and Russia. We also adopted sanctions related to the situation in Myanmar and more listings for human rights violations in various countries , including Russia. We then discussed about how to re-engage with Turkey. This discussion will feed in the report that I am preparing together with the [European] Commission for the European Leaders - they tasked us in the last European Council . We are convinced that there is a reciprocal interest to develop a stronger relationship between Turkey and the European Union. And a sustainable de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean would [mean that people can] benefit [from] the stability and security of the whole region. Solving the Cyprus issue, in line with the relevant United Nations Resolutions, will be key in this reengagement with Turkey. Also, upholding fundamental freedoms and values as defined by the European Convention on Human Rights - to which Ankara is part of - would be essential. We agreed that the European Union needs to engage with Turkey, and build on common interests, trying to bridge the existing differences. So, the Council tasked me to try to implement this objective: to engage with Turkey, building on common interests and trying to bridge the existing differences. In the afternoon, we had US Secretary [of State, Antony] Blinken joining [us] over videoconference. It is the fourth time that Secretary Blinken joins the Foreign Affairs Council. We discussed our level of cooperation in response to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Also, we discussed about China, and different issues, in which our unity is the greatest asset. Together with the United States, we are fully committed to standing with Ukraine for as long as it takes. We also discussed a coordinated outreach and engagement with other partners globally. And finally - because it has been a long [day] - we did not discuss [it] because, in fact, we postponed to the next [Foreign Affairs] Council meeting, the discussion on economic security. I just presented the Joint Communication [to enhance economic security] that we did together with the [European] Commission - the High Representative and the Commission. I presented the most important elements of this Communication, but the discussion was postponed to the next [Foreign Affairs] Council. We went to the Post-Cotonou Agreement. The Council finally adopted a decision on the signature and provisional application of the Post-Cotonou Partnership Agreement with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). This is the good news of the day. This Agreement will create a new legal framework for our relations with 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific countries, for the next 20 years. It will succeed the Cotonou Agreement. As I said, this is the good news of the day. It has been blocked for several months for different reasons, but finally, we deblocked it and we could announce that the Post-Cotonou Agreement has been approved by the Council to be signed and ready to be implemented. Q&A Q. You talked about Turkey. What are the steps that Turkey needs to take from now on since there is the momentum for a positive agenda. And what are the steps, especially regarding the liberalisation of visas and the modernisation of the Customs Union? What does the European Union expect from Turkey from now on? No es lo que la Union Europea espere de Turquia solo. Es el do ut des, it is two ways. No es solamente lo que la Union Europea espera de Turquia. Tambien es lo que Turquia espera de la Union Europea. Ciertamente, hay temas sobre la mesa que Turquia ya ha manifestado su interes en retomar, como la revision del acuerdo sobre la Union Aduanera o la liberalizacion de visados. Son seguramente las dos cosas mas importantes que Turquia puede plantear en un futuro inmediato. Pero nosotros esperamos que haya una desescalada de la tension en el mediterraneo este y que se retomen las negociaciones seriamente para resolver el problema de Chipre, de acuerdo con los planteamientos adoptados y aceptados por las Naciones Unidas. Esta claro que, en la relacion con Chipre y la relacion con Grecia, la situacion en el Mediterraneo oriental va a ser un aspecto fundamental de este intento de establecer de nuevo con Turquia unas relaciones constructivas. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Affairs Council: Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival European External Action Service (EEAS) 20.07.2023 EEAS Press Team Check against delivery! Good morning, Today we are going to discuss - as always - about [Russia's aggression] against Ukraine. We will have Minister [for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro] Kuleba. But at this moment, and for the third night, Russia bombs and destroys all of the port infrastructure in Odesa [and other coastal cities] and the storages of grain - more than 60,000 tons of grain has been burned. So not only do they withdraw from the grain agreement, in order to [halt the] export the grain from Ukraine, but they are burning the grain. It is the third night [of] massive air attacks against Odesa port and infrastructure that is causing not only civilian casualties, but a big destruction of the grain storage there. This is a barbarian attitude which will be taken into consideration by the Council today. [During] the talks with [Minister] Kuleba, we will have more information, but what we already know is that this is going to create a huge food crisis in the world. If this grain is not only stopped but [also] destroyed, it means that there will be a shortage of food, of grain in the world. So, we will listen to [Minister] Kuleba, we will discuss how to continue supporting Ukraine in the long run - a long term security commitment and guarantees to Ukraine on our side, which means increasing the resources of the European Peace Facility. I presented a plan to ensure the financial support for Ukraine in the next years, which will amount to quite an important amount of money. I hope the Ministers will support it. I do not want to give the figures now because I prefer to have first the political agreement of the Ministers. But it is clear that we will have to engage more with Ukraine having a stable instrument, because Ukraine will need support not month by month, but on the long term, [with] a structured and continued support. But what is happening in Odesa these three nights is very grave. I will give more details after the Council. We will have also a teleconference with Secretary [of State of the United States, Antony] Blinken. We will go back to the China issue after the guidelines provided by the European Council, the Ministers will re-take the paper presented at the Gymnich [meeting] to continue re-shaping our relationship with China. I hope that my visit to China - that has been cancelled twice for health reasons - will take place soon after the summer. Turkey is again on the agenda. We will also discuss how we retake our relations with Turkey. It was a long time without talking about Turkey, but today Turkey is again on the agenda. So, mainly, Ukraine, Russia, [Secretary of State] Blinken, [Minister] Kuleba, Turkey, China and - that is important - the foreign policy implications of economic security. Economic security is not just a technological issue, discussing which technologies are a risk, which dependencies have to be controlled or cancelled, but it will affect fully our foreign policy. And that is why the Ministers [for Foreign Affairs] have required [us] to study deeply how do we implement this process, and which are the foreign policy implications of it. So, I think it is very important that the foreign policy of the European Union integrates the economic security dimension. Q&A Q. What do you think of the Russian threat to consider all ships in the ports of the Black Sea as military vessels. How can the European Union and the international community react to it? As I said, what is happening in Ukraine, in the port of Odesa, it is a very grave situation. [It is] something new, because even until now, at least the grain was exported but not destroyed. So, this consideration that any ship [is considered as] a war ship and so a target for the military activities of Russia, is a step further in order to continue preventing Ukraine from exporting their grains. It has two consequences: first, for Ukraine itself - depriving them of the resources - and secondly, for the rest of the world, who is being deprived of a critical - this is a critical raw material. Talking about critical materials, grain is a critical material. The Ministers will have to discuss how to proceed, but there is only one solution: to increase the military support to Ukraine. If they are being bombed, we have to provide anti-aerial capacities. If the Russians are using drones, we have to provide Ukrainians with anti-aerial capacities to destroy these drones. But the massive attacks of these last three nights require an answer from our side, the answer can only be one, apart from rhetoric - providing more military resources. That is why I am going to present a proposal to increase - I do not want to say the figure right now, [I will do so] after the meeting - in quite an important way, the capacity of the European Peace Facility. This is becoming very serious. Q. Poland said they will not open their borders for the grain. Well, apart from the sea, we have the Solidarity Lanes that allow us to export a lot of grain from the ports of the Black Sea going through the [land] borders of the Member States who are neighbours to Ukraine. This will have to be increased. If the sea route is closed, we will have to increase the capacity of exporting Ukrainian grain through our ports, which means a bigger effort for the Ukrainian neighbours. They will have to contribute more, opening the borders and facilitating transport in order to take the grain of Ukraine from the Black Sea ports. This will require from Member States more engagement. We have done a lot, we have to do more. Q. Turkey wants accession negotiations with the European Union. What do you expect internally? This is the first time that we will discuss about Turkey since many, many months. Turkey finally accepted to lift the veto to the entrance of Sweden in NATO. The last news from Turkey: I met the new Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkey [Hakan Fidan] at the ASEAN meeting in Jakarta. They want to relaunch the negotiations for their adhesion [EU accession]. They want to put the European agenda high in their political approach to us. That is good news. The Ministers will have discuss how to answer to the request of Turkey. You know, the Ukrainian candidacy to the European Union has created a new dynamic in our neighbourhood. If Ukraine is a candidate, it will accelerate the process in the whole Balkans and then, certainly, Turkey wants also to be a part of this game. We have to look first at the modernisation of our Customs Union and also to the issue of visas. Q. How possible is that? For both of them, how possible [is it] to have a relaunch of the discussions on these issues? Look, I cannot tell you what the Ministers will say. You will have to wait for my press conference after the meeting. Q. With all the military support you gave for [the Ukrainian] counterattack, it seems very difficult to make advances. Are you worried that it will continue like this? Certainly, I am worried. How could I not be worried? You know what is happening: three nights of continuous bombing[of port infrastructure]. Everybody should be worried, not [only] me, the whole world should be worried. Q. Can we expect a decision today regarding Turkey moving forward to negotiations? I do not know. [I] will tell you later. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Canada will double the number of troops deployed in Latvia Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Defence 07/20/2023 Information prepared by Media Relations Section On Monday, 10 July, Defence Minister of Latvia Inara Murniece and Canada's Minister of National Defence Anita Anand signed a road map taking stock of previous achievements and detailing further steps in upgrading Canadian-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia from battalion to brigade level. Signing took place at Camp Adazi. 'Road map signed by Latvia and Canada provides a scrupulous account of previous achievements on political, military planning and bilateral cooperation level. It also details further steps towards eFP brigade. Canada is committed to more than double the number of its troops deployed in Latvia by 2026. It clearly and firmly shows that Canada is fully committed to strengthening of Latvia's and also the whole NATO's eastern flank security and defence capabilities,' Defence Minister Murniece underlined. According to road map, NATO eFP Battle Group will continuously and gradually grow bigger in terms of number of troops and equipment units deployed to Latvia. Latvia has also announced its commitment to invest in further development of national defence capabilities and other kinds of host country support to allies, including development of the new Selonia Training Area. According to plans, NATO brigade will reach full combat readiness by 2026. 'Forming and deploying a brigade in Latvia is not an easy task. It requires significant resources from all participating countries. Latvia is grateful to Canada for its leadership in this process. I believe that close cooperation with our NATO allies will allow us to reach our target and make Latvia's and whole Alliance's security more robust,' Minister Murniece stressed. Canada previously announced its ambition to significantly increase presence in Latvia by, inter alia, bringing 15 Leopard 2 tanks and support personnel to Latvia by the end of this year. On 10 July, a day before NATO Summit in Vilnius, Latvia was visited by Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau and country's Minister of National Defence Anita Anand. During their working visit to Latvia, they met with Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins and Defence Minister Inara Murniece. Latvian and Canadian officials also visited Camp Adazi where Canadian-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia is serving currently. As reported earlier, during last year's NATO Summit in Madrid, Latvian and Canadian defence ministers signed a joint declaration on upgrading of Canadian-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia from battalion to brigade size. Canadian-led NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group Latvia was deployed to Latvia in 2017. It is currently comprised of more than 1,700 troops from Albania, Czech Republic, Italy, Poland, Canada, Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Iceland and North Macedonia, deployed to Latvia on rotational basis. Latvian eFP Battle Group has become the most multinational of all NATO units. Canada is a close ally of Latvia and has developed strong ties with Latvia over the years. Canada was among the first NATO countries to ratify Latvia's membership in the Alliance in 2004. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Headquarters Multinational Division North has reached full combat readiness Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Defence 07/20/2023 Information prepared by Media Relations Section On Friday, 7 July, Defence Minister Inara Murniece, acting Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen and General Major Flemming Mathiasen, Commander of the Headquarters Multinational Division North, located at Camp Adazi, hosted a ceremony to celebrate Headquarters Multinational Division North reaching its full combat readiness. In her address, Defence Minister Murniece told everyone gathered for the ceremony that Latvia and Denmark have traditionally been close allies bound by shared values, such as democracy, common security concerns and similar perception of key threats. 'Denmark has demonstrated particular concern and interest in stronger security for the Baltic States. Establishment and development of Headquarters Multinational Division North, with Latvia and Denmark as framework countries, is a prime example of such cooperation. Today we declare Headquarters Multinational Division North fully combat ready. It means that Headquarters North is now able to plan and execute military manoeuvres in Latvia on its own. This will bring Headquarters Multinational Division North to a new level, bringing it closer to the future goal of reaching the size of a combat-capable division in Latvia. It is a practical contribution to implementation of NATO Madrid Summit decisions, complementing the plans to create NATO brigade, which is supported by all allies in scope of the sustained effort to build stronger collective defence,' Minister Murniece said. 'One of the preconditions for further development of the division was full operational capability, which has now been reached. Hard work and professional skills of soldiers serving in this division has led us to the remarkable achievement we mark today. Our operational capabilities complement and strengthen the Alliance and our achievements are a proof of that,' General Major Flemming Mathiasen, Commander of the Headquarters Multinational Division North, said during the ceremony. Prior to the ceremony, Latvian and Danish defence ministers signed a joint declaration regarding further development of Headquarters Multinational Division North and steps towards stronger bilateral cooperation between Latvia and Denmark, which details future priorities of Latvian-Danish defence cooperation. 'Latvia and Denmark have common vision about practical dimensions of future cooperation, which should strengthen Latvia's security and defence. Denmark will continue to provide presence of its troops in Latvia and investments into our military infrastructure, whereas Latvia will ensure all necessary host country support, including the new Selonia Training Area, which is currently under development and will serve as the training grounds and location for military exercise between allied forces deployed to Latvia to enhance their combat readiness. Denmark and Latvia will also continue to upgrade Headquarters North as combat-capable unit, integrating other allied units and capabilities,' Defence Minister Inara Murniece said after the signing of the Declaration. As reported earlier, acting Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen arrived in Latvia with a working visit on Friday, 7 July. Visit took place shortly before the NATO Summit in Vilnius. During the bilateral meeting, defence ministers of Latvia and Denmark discussed support for Ukraine, Alliance's deterrence and defence posture and its realignment with current regional security environment to ensure stronger security on NATO's eastern flank. Background information: By reaching full combat readiness, Headquarters Multinational Division North has met all relevant requirements to be able to provide full situational awareness about regional security, plan and execute military operations, command units, organise and deliver military exercise and other activities, as well as contributing to attainment of other national and collective defence goals that contribute to enhanced interoperability of participating countries and ability to engage in joint defence tasks defined in the North Atlantic Treaty. Headquarters Multinational Division North was inaugurated in 2019. Located in Camp Adazi, its aim is to boost the defence of Baltic States and strengthen NATO's common defence and deterrence posture. It is an efficient, military capable unit - headquarters of joint command and control for the Baltic region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Next shipment of cargo trucks and multipurpose cars delivered to the Lithuanian Armed Forces Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2023-07-20 Acquisitions and infrastructure development A batch of 53 multirole Peugeot Rifter vehicles have been transferred to the use of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The total procurement includes 235 of such vehicles and is worth almost EUR 6.5 million. 90 Peugeot Rifter vehicles have already been passed into possession of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the remaining part will arrive at Lithuanian Armed Forces units in full by the end of the year. Peugeot Rifter are intended for routine daily tasks: transportation of logistical personnel of Lithuanian Armed Forces units, such as suppliers, cargo and personnel, not during military training exercises. The vehicle is built to match the multipurpose requirements. The make and the brand have been selected on the basis of the lowest price criterion during the public acquisition procedure. The procurement is processed by the Defence Materiel Agency under the MoD. In addition, 34 Mercedes-Benz Unimog U5000 5-tonne capacity vehicles have been delivered to the Lithuanian Armed Forces as well. The Daimler Trucks AG-manufactured military vehicles were bought as part of the ongoing Lithuanian Armed Forces modernization and as an effort to update the Lithuanian Armed Forces truck fleet. The Unimog U5000 trucks are used by troops to complete tasks, ensure logistical supply and transport personnel. 34 units of the planned 124 trucks have already been delivered to Lithuania on the basis of the contract signed by the Defence Materiel Agency under the MoD and German manufacturer Daimler Trucks AG with mediation of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency in 2021. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Heavy fighting between warring factions shakes Sudan's capital Iran Press TV Thursday, 20 July 2023 3:12 PM Heavy fighting between the warring factions of the Sudanese defense forces has shaken the country's capital. Air strikes, street battles and artillery fire were witnessed in Sudan's capital Khartoum on Thursday and the major southern city of El-Obeid, residents told AFP. "Artillery fire targeted paramilitary bases of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)," said a resident of El-Obeid, 350 kilometers (220 miles) southwest of Khartoum. Army jets were striking paramilitaries, who were responding with anti-aircraft fire, said another El-Obeid resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. In Khartoum's south, witnesses reported three air raids in the early hours of Thursday. "The blasts were terrifying," one of the residents told AFP. On Wednesday, the army accused the RSF of targeting a residential area in Khartoum in a drone strike leaving "14 people dead and 15 others injured." Residents told AFP at least 13 civilians were killed in the strike. The power struggle between the army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against his former deputy, RSF commander, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo has killed more than 3000 people and led to the displacement of millions since April. Burhan on Tuesday appeared in rare video footage soon after an audio recording of Daglo was released. In the short video clip, the army chief can be seen carrying a pistol and an automatic rifle, while at the army headquarters as he greets the top brass of the army. Daglo was last seen in a short video clip during the early days of the conflict. The RSF commander, however, has released several audio recordings since April, the latest on Monday in which he told the Sudanese people that he was willing to "choose peace" but remained "ready for war." The combatants loyal to him would fight until "victory or martyrdom," Daglo said. The RSF chief also mentioned the vast western region of Darfur, which in the early 2000s saw a bloody war and has been hit by the worst violence since the start of the new conflict. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened a new probe into alleged war crimes in Darfur, its chief prosecutor Karim Khan said last week. He warned against "allowing history to repeat itself" in Darfur, where 300,000 people were killed in a conflict since 2003. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hun Sen returns to Facebook on page managed by aide 'He cannot be disconnected because the opposition party officials still use Facebook,' opposition member says. By RFA Khmer 2023.07.20 -- Prime Minister Hun Sen has reappeared on Facebook, just three weeks after declaring that he was permanently leaving the popular social media site following a disciplinary finding from the company's oversight board. With the apparent help of an aide, Cambodia's leader began posting on a different page on Wednesday. The page has many of the same photos and old posts from his official page and also includes newer messages about campaigning ahead of Sunday's parliamentary elections, which the ruling Cambodian People's Party is expected to easily win. "The Cambodian People's Party is the trusted hope of Khmer citizens in all walks of life and political trends," one post from Thursday read. "The Cambodian People's Party win is a Cambodia win." There were several dozen photos of campaign workers distributing fliers and voters marking their ballot. Many of the posts included a note that stated they were "Managed and Published by Doung Tara," his aide. There were also multiple posts urging people to watch a television program that tells the story of his younger years. A June 29 announcement from the Meta Oversight Board ruled that a video in which Hun Sen threatened violence against his political opponents had violated Facebook's guidelines against prohibiting incitement. Meta is Facebook's new corporate name. 'Addicted to Facebook' Hun Sen, in power since 1985, has regularly taken to social media to deliver lengthy tirades against his opponents and threaten them if they defy him. The board of independent experts ordered the removal of the video and recommended that his account be suspended. The prime minister reacted by deleting all content from his official page and declaring the 22 people on Meta's oversight board "persona non grata," which barred them from entering the country. He later told his social media followers that he was switching to Telegram and TikTok, and urged them to follow his posts there. But the switch back to Facebook shows that Hun Sen's usage of Telegram wasn't reaching enough Cambodians, said Phil Robertson, Human Rights Watch's deputy Asia director. Meng Sotheara, an opposition activist who lives in Thailand, told Radio Free Asia that Hun Sen is also likely worried that pro-democracy groups and opposition party supporters will post messages on Facebook that are critical about Sunday's election, which will not include candidates from the main opposition Candlelight Party. "I know that he is addicted to Facebook," Meng Sotheara said. "So he cannot be disconnected because the opposition party officials still use Facebook." Controlling access points The renewed presence on Facebook comes a week after Hun Sen's government ordered internet service providers to block the websites of Radio Free Asia and other news outlets. The outlets were accused of misrepresenting the government's reputation and prestige and of failing to meet the Ministry of Information's conditions for doing business, according to a July 12 letter from the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia. "What he wants to do is to control all access points," Robertson said. "He realizes that people don't just read the newspaper and listen to TV, but they are also getting a lot of information via the internet." The blocked sites include RFA's Khmer and English websites and RFA's Khmer language Twitter page. The regulator also ordered the blocking of the Kamnotra website, produced by the Cambodian Center for Independent Media, or CCIM. The website posts information, data or documents that people can use. "There has been an ongoing effort by the Cambodian government to censor the internet to try to control what Cambodians are seeing on the internet and this is part of that," Robertson said. "It is showing that Hun Sen has a thin skin for any kind of criticism that he is refusing to have someone saying something against him." 'Disturbed' State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on Wednesday that he was "disturbed" by reports that the Cambodian government was stepping up efforts to control access to information ahead of the election. The move to block RFA and other media outlets was also condemned by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, who said that only dictatorial leaders are afraid of a free media. CPP spokesman Sok Ey San insisted that the government's decision has popular support. "Overall, we have freedom of expression, but when the freedom of expression affects the tradition, culture and the rights of people in a country, or affects the national security, we have the right to cancel," he said. In February, the government closed independent news outlet Voice of Democracy. Several other independent media outlets were forced to shut down prior to the last general election in 2018. Most remaining media outlets in Cambodia only write about the government in a positive light, said Nop Vy, executive director of the Coalition of Cambodian Journalists. They don't report on government shortcomings, he said. Translated by Sok Ry Sum. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani Before Their Meeting US Department of State Remarks Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, D.C. July 20, 2023 SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, good morning, everyone. It's a great pleasure to have my friend and colleague from Bahrain, the foreign minister here. Abdullatif, welcome back to the State Department. FOREIGN MINISTER AL-ZAYANI: Thank you, sir. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Bahrain, of course, is a longstanding ally and partner of the United States. I'm particularly pleased today that we will be working on our third strategic dialogue. And this is only further evidence of the importance that we attach to the relationship between the United States and Bahrain, and a deepening and expanding cooperation in a whole host of areas that the strategic dialogue will be covering. We also stand strongly together for security in the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and we are working in close coordination on a series of regional challenges. I also have to mention that we were together as part of the Negev Forum FOREIGN MINISTER AL-ZAYANI: Yes. SECRETARY BLINKEN: last year. And we look forward to continuing that process, which we believe can, in a very practical way, deepen and strengthen integration throughout the region. Which will be, I think, a powerful source of security, stability, and prosperity for people throughout the region as we continue to progress in that direction. But Abdullatif, welcome. It's great to have you here. FOREIGN MINISTER AL-ZAYANI: Thank you. Thank you, my friend, Antony. Thank you for the warm welcome. And I'm really delighted to be back in Washington. I am honored to meet your excellency, to review the relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain, a relationship that extends for more than 130 years. It started with health diplomacy, by having the first ever hospital in the region SECRETARY BLINKEN: That's right. FOREIGN MINISTER AL-ZAYANI: the American missionary hospital. And then it was followed by a defense diplomacy, while having the first two U.S. naval vessels stationed in Bahrain to ensure the security of the oil supply. And then followed by the State Department SECRETARY BLINKEN: That's right. FOREIGN MINISTER AL-ZAYANI: diplomacy and relationship 52 years ago. We are really honored with this relationship. The relationship tackles and address all regional and global issues, from security to economic prosperity as well as embracing coexistence and countering extremism. We're really proud of this relationship. I'm looking forward for today's meeting to see if there is any other potential to increase and strengthen our already strong relationship to explore areas for more bonding and to work together to face new challenges. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you. Thank you very much. FOREIGN MINISTER AL-ZAYANI: Thank you. SECRETARY BLINKEN: Thank you, everyone. FOREIGN MINISTER AL-ZAYANI: Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The United States Announces More Than $380 Million in Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Africa US Department of State Press Statement Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State July 20, 2023 The United States will provide an additional $380 million in humanitarian assistance for Africa. With this funding, the United States has provided more than $4 billion in humanitarian assistance this fiscal year to respond to the needs of refugees, internally displaced persons, and people affected by conflict and crisis on the African continent. The United States continues to lead as the largest single country provider of humanitarian assistance worldwide. Our assistance provides urgent, life-saving support, including shelter, safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene, healthcare and mental health and psycho-social services, education, and protection for vulnerable individuals such as children, survivors of gender-based violence, and persons with disabilities. We will continue to play a leading role in responding to humanitarian needs both in the African continent and around the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address "Turkiye and the Turkish Cypriots have never shied away from negotiation" Presidency Of The Republic Of Turkey 20.07.2023 Speaking at a ceremony held for the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day in the TRNC, President Erdogan said: "Turkiye and the Turkish Cypriots have never shied away from negotiation or reconciliation. Despite knowing the oppression, we have neither pursued revenge nor held grudges. We have sincerely sought ways for the two elements of the Island to live together in peace." President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made a speech at a ceremony held for the July 20 Peace and Freedom Day in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Commencing his speech by voicing his pleasure over being in the TRNC on the 49th anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation, President Erdogan noted that the period between 1963 and 1974 was unfortunately a period of bloodshed, tears and massacres for the Turkish Cypriots, and that pro-enosis circles, who vowed to leave not a single Turk in the Island, subverted peace and tranquility. "They oppressed the Turkish Cypriots by trampling on human dignity and conscience," the President said. "THE TURKISH ARMY HAS BROUGHT PEACE AND STABILITY TO THE ISLAND" Underscoring that the Turkish Cypriots were forced to leave their homes, homeland, families and their very lives, President Erdogan stated: "We witnessed horrible massacres here on these beautiful lands. We saw in a very painful manner on these lands what a sick mentality blinded by grudge and hatred could do. Everything was made, every oppression was carried out, but the Turkish nation never bowed down to oppressors. They could not break the Turkish Cypriots' determination to resist and will to live free. They could not take into account that Turkiye, by taking all the risks, would stand with the Turkish Cypriot people." Pointing out that the Turkish army, with the history they made by fighting shoulder to shoulder with their brothers and sisters, had brought peace, stability, democracy and tranquility to the Cyprus island, President Erdogan added: "The Turkish Cypriots, whom they sought to wipe out, today live in safety under the roof of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and under the shadow of their own flag. With Turkiye's unshakable support, the Turkish Cypriots look to the future in a more hopeful manner." Stressing that July 20 is the symbol of the preservation of the Turkish Cypriot people's sovereign rights and equal status, President Erdogan said that the unrealistic mindset that sees itself as the only owner of Cyprus still maintains its presence in the south of the Island, and continued as follows: "The new leader of the Greek Cypriots poses under the flags of the Enosis-EOKA. They even object to the identity testing of the innocent people, regardless of unarmed, children, elderly, or women, whom the EOKA terrorist organization massacred and buried in mass graves. In this way, they try to conceal the reality, namely the atrocities and massacres they have carried out, from the entire world." "WE WANT A JUST AND VIABLE RESOLUTION" "They will not succeed no matter what they do", stated President Erdogan, and went on to say: "We will neither forget, nor let anyone forget, the massacres committed on these lands. We will never allow the world to forget them, either. History has clearly shown that the Greek Cypriots have no tolerance for the Turkish Cypriots. That is why the negotiations, where the Turkish side has for over half a century made every effort for a resolution, have yielded no results. Turkiye and the Turkish Cypriots have never shied away from negotiation or reconciliation. Despite knowing the oppression, we have neither pursued revenge nor held grudges." Stressing that they have sincerely sought ways for the two elements of the Island to live together in peace, President Erdogan noted that Turkiye's sole purpose is to make permanent the peace that it brought to the Island in 1974. "We want a just and viable resolution," stated the President, and added: "While all the realities in the Island are plain as day, everyone should already understand that a federal resolution is not possible." "TURKIYE WILL ALWAYS BE THE ASSURANCE OF THE TURKISH CYPRIOTS' PRESENCE AND SECURITY" Further stating that the vision displayed by TRNC President Ersin Tatar in Geneva in 2021 should be immediately responded to, President Erdogan said: "It is out of the question to launch a new negotiation process unless the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriots are acknowledged. All the Greek side, which usurps the name of Cyprus Republic, does is to conceal their fault and complain about us to the third parties, the European Union in particular. Just as they do not acknowledge that the Turkish Cypriots are a separate equal and sovereign people, they are upset by the fact that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and homeland Turkiye are in a unity of affection and cause. They saw how strong these ties were on July 20, 1974." Noting that Turkiye will always be the assurance of the Turkish Cypriots' presence, security, well-being and prosperity, President Erdogan went on to say: "No matter what the circumstances will be, we will never abstain from our efforts for the reaffirmation of the Turkish Cypriots' equal sovereignty and equal international status. Our works will continue with the aim of lifting the illegal and inhumane isolation and embargo you have been exposed to." Drawing attention to the impossibility of ignoring or excluding the Turkish Cypriots, the ancient and fundamental element of the island, from the world for eternity, President Erdogan said: "That is why I hereby reiterate the historic call which I made to the entire world at the United Nations General Assembly: Stop turning your back on the realities of the island and recognize at once the Turkish Republic of the Northern Cyprus." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Address by the Foreign Minister of Armenia: UK response, July 2023 Ambassador Neil Holland says the UK remains deeply concerned about ongoing disruptions to the Lachin corridor and hopes momentum will be maintained towards an historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. 20 July 2023 Thank you, Chair. Foreign Minister Mirzoyan, welcome back to the Permanent Council. We remain deeply concerned about the ongoing disruptions to the Lachin corridor and the associated humanitarian consequences for the local population. We support the International Court of Justice order of February 2023 for Azerbaijan to ensure unimpeded movement along the Lachin corridor in both directions. The UK calls again on all parties to refrain from the politicisation of humanitarian aid. In order for the civilian population to be protected, it is crucially important for organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross to be able to continue to carry out their work in this region, where their operations provide access to essential goods and services, including life-saving medication and health care. The UK has been clear that there is no military solution to this conflict and urges both sides to continue to engage in substantive negotiations towards a settlement. We recognise that any settlement should include provisions on protecting the rights of the local population in Nagorno-Karabakh. UK Ministers discussed this with Foreign Minister Bayramov during the recent UK-Azerbaijan strategic dialogue. We are therefore encouraged by President Michel's trilateral meeting on 15th July with President Aliyev and Prime Minister Pashinyan, and hope momentum will be maintained towards an historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 20 July 2023 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's noon briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General. ** Ukraine Good afternoon. Sorry for the delay, but compared to yesterday, I am early. I will start off with a statement on Ukraine: The Secretary-General strongly condemns the Russian attacks against port facilities in Odesa and other Ukrainian Black Sea ports. The attacks contradict the Russian Federation's commitments under the Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations, which states that "the Russian Federation will facilitate the unimpeded export of food, sunflower oil and fertilizers from Ukrainian controlled Black Sea ports." The Secretary-General also recalls that the destruction of civilian infrastructure may constitute a violation of international humanitarian law. These attacks are having an impact well beyond Ukraine. We are already seeing the negative impact on global wheat and corn prices, which hurts everyone, but especially vulnerable people in the global south. For his part, the Secretary-General will not relent in his efforts to ensure that Ukrainian and Russian food and fertilizer are available on international markets as part of his ongoing efforts to fight global hunger and ensure stable food prices for consumers everywhere. And that statement is being shared with you right now. Staying on Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says it is extremely worried about the apparent escalation of attacks directly impacting civilians and civilian infrastructure in the south of the country. The attack on Odesa, which I just mentioned, was not the only incident reported in the last few hours. In Mykolaiv, not far from Odesa, an airstrike damaged homes and a nursery in the city centre. Our humanitarian partners immediately mobilized emergency assistance in Mykolaiv, including cash for families whose homes were damaged. OCHA is working with the local authorities to determine additional needs. Elsewhere in Ukraine, our humanitarian colleagues continue to support civilians impacted by the war, particularly people near the front line. In the past week alone, we dispatched two inter-agency convoys to front-line communities in the Donetsk region. We also continue to help people impacted by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, particularly in the Dnipro region, where more than 200,000 people in more than 60 towns and villages are having challenges accessing fresh drinking water. ** New Agenda for Peace At 3 p.m. this afternoon, the Secretary-General will present to Member States his Policy Brief on a New Agenda for Peace, which outlines his vision for multilateral efforts for peace and security, based on international law, for a world in transition. The Secretary-General will say that the new era is already marked by the highest level of geopolitical tensions and major Power competition in decades, with many Member States growing sceptical of whether the multilateral system is working for them. The Secretary-General's Policy Brief on the New Agenda for Peace outlines an extensive and ambitious set of recommendations that recognize the interlinked nature of many of the challenges we face. It is framed around the core principles of trust, solidarity, and universality that are foundations of the Charter and of a stable world. ** Nelson Mandela Day Earlier this morning, the Secretary-General spoke at the General Assembly event to mark Nelson Mandela Day. He reiterated that the best way to honour the late Nelson Mandela is through action to expel the poison of racism, discrimination and hate and action to promote equality, human rights and justice. The Secretary-General said that almost thirty years ago, here at the UN, Mr. Mandela argued against what he called the "maldistribution of resources... [and] decision-making power..." The world is still waiting for that change, Mr. [Antonio] Guterres said, and we must also support developing countries with concrete steps we can take today like overhauling the business models of Multilateral Development Banks, providing an SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) stimulus, establishing debt relief mechanisms, and providing the finance that has been promised to help countries reduce emissions, adapt to climate change, and address loss and damage. His full remarks were shared with you. ** Deputy Secretary-General's Travels The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, is now back in New York. As you know, she was in Chad yesterday, where she met with Prime Minister Saleh Kebzabo. She also spoke to the press in a joint press conference with him. In meetings with the Prime Minister and other senior Government officials, Ms. Mohammed reiterated her solidarity as the country faces a growing humanitarian crisis in the East. They discussed efforts to mobilize more international support for Chad to step up the humanitarian response and to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. They also discussed the transition process in the country and the Deputy Secretary-General's reiteration of the UN's commitment to support an inclusive process. Ms. Mohammed also went to Bol, in the Lake Chad region, where she underscored the UN's commitment to work with local and provincial authorities to increase investment in sustainable peace and development. ** Syria Quick note on Syria, from our humanitarian colleagues at OCHA, who said that earlier today, 17 trucks carrying humanitarian assistance from UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) and the World Health Organization (WHO) crossed into north-west Syria from Turkiye through the Bab al-Salam crossing. The trucks were carrying essential medicines and other health and nutrition supplies. In the coming days, additional truck movements and UN staff missions are planned through the Bab al-Salam and al-Ra'ee crossings. ** Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Today, our colleagues at the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance, otherwise known as DMSPC, released the annual report of the Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, covering the activities of 2022. You can find it on the UN website on preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. The report provides details about six projects implemented in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Liberia and South Sudan, and positively impacting the lives of victims of sexual misconduct. Since its establishment in 2016, the Trust Fund has received $4.8 million in contributions from 24 Member States and from payments withheld from personnel against whom sexual exploitation and abuse cases have been substantiated. This has helped fund assistance and support services to victims and children born of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN and related personnel. So far, over 43,000 affected victims and community members have participated in income-generating activities or received various forms of support. Additional funding will help victims and their children rebuild their lives, break stigma, and facilitate reintegration within their communities. ** Malawi $6.3 million. That's what the World Food Programme (WFP) needs to reinstate rations to 75 per cent for the coming year until June 2024 in Malawi. We often talk about funding shortfalls, and this time in Malawi. WFP is facing a critical funding shortage there that is forcing them to implement deeper cuts in food rations for 51,000 refugees living in the Dzaleka refugee camp. The cuts come amid a dire and worrying food security situation in the camp. Some 87 per cent of the refugees surveyed or 45,000 people are food insecure and need urgent assistance. The cuts will reduce the cash allowance for refugees, starting in July. The new cash allowance will be $5.90 per person per month, down from $8.50. Similarly, a family of five will now receive $29.63 in local currency, down from $42.50. These reduced allowances are barely enough to meet the monthly food requirements for refugees. Again, the shortfall is $6.3 million. ** International Days Two international days today. Today is International Moon Day, which marks the anniversary of the first moon landing by humans, as part of the Apollo. What number was the Apollo? Eleven, exactly. And today is also World Chess Day. And for our Fun Fact today, did you know that mathematically there are more possible games of chess than there are atoms in the observable universe? ** Questions and Answers Spokesman : Speaking of the observable universe, I will start with Edie today. Question : Thank you, Steph. A couple of follow-ups on the Secretary-General's statement on the Black Sea Grain Initiative and also on the attacks on Odesa and Mykolaiv. First, has he or Martin Griffiths or Rebeca Grynspan been in contact with any high-level Russian officials? Spokesman : I know Rebeca Grynspan, I think, has received some communications from the Russian Federation. I will check on Martin Griffiths. Question : The Secretary-General appears determined to try and keep some version of the grain deal going. Is he considering possibly a revised version of the Black Sea Grain Initiative or any other? Spokesman : Well, listen, let's look at the situation as it is today. We saw the Russian statement yesterday about threatening ships in the Black Sea. We saw the Ukrainian response today. All of this is taking us further away from our efforts to re-open these lanes and to get everything that we need out to market, which is Ukrainian and Russian food and fertilizer. The Secretary-General will continue his efforts, but we also need to ensure that we don't see an escalation both in actions and rhetoric. Mr. Bays? Question : So, following up on the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the Security Council is now holding a meeting. Does the Secretary-General welcome the Security Council's meeting and who will be briefing? Spokesman : My understanding, there'll be a briefer from our political and peacebuilding department as well as our humanitarian department. I think the Secretary-General always welcomes an opportunity for the Secretariat to state the facts in an open forum. Question : Couple of other questions on different subjects. You have now apparently a possible another Quran burning to take place in Stockholm. In response, a man set fire to the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad and the Iraqi Prime Minister has cut diplomatic ties with Sweden. What is the Secretary-General's reaction to all of those related developments? Spokesman : I think on Iraq, we're obviously following these developments with concern, including what we saw at the demonstrations basically taking over, I don't know what term to use, but entering and setting fire to the Swedish Embassy. What we need is mutual respect. I think we've been very clear that the desecration of holy books, the desecration of places of worship is unacceptable. Sadly, I think, as Mr. [Volker] Turk said in his remarks last week in the Human Rights Council, it is something that has been used as a provocation throughout the centuries. It's important that people do not get provoked. But it is also important that people respect each other, respect each other's religions, and also do not take matters into their own hands and do not commit any acts of violence. Question : The Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister, Qin Gang when did the Secretary-General or anyone from the United Nations have contact with him? And is the Secretary-General concerned about his disappearance? Spokesman : I don't know. I can check when the last meeting was. Question : And is the Secretary-General concerned that he seems to have completely disappeared? Spokesman : I don't know. I have no particular information on that. Mr. Ucciardo? Question : Do you have any update on the oil transfer operation...? [cross-talk] Spokesman : No, I think things are moving apace. As soon as there's something, maybe next few days, our colleagues in Yemen at UNDP (United Nations Development Programme) will send out the necessary information. Yeah. Question : Thank you. So the SG is meeting probably now with the Israeli President. And do you know if he's going to repeat what we heard from him in his last statement during the escalation in Jenin? Spokesman : I think let's wait for things to have happened and concluded, and then we will share a readout with you. Question : Thank you. Spokesman : Dezhi? Question : Yeah. A couple of questions. First, a follow-up on Edie's question on the Black Sea Initiative. You just stated the status now for everything, the situation; both Russian and Ukrainian military announced in statements that they would target possible ships towards those Ukrainian imports. And we saw the attack in Odesa. How much does the Secretary-General worry that this beacon of hope has been through, after the termination of this beacon of hope, that might lead to an escalation in Ukraine? Spokesman : To kind of use the same words I've used in the last five minutes, in different order maybe: We're obviously concerned at the situation. All of this is not taking us in the right direction. What is happening there also is having a negative impact on the prices of wheat, the price of corn. We've seen a fluctuation of the prices. They go up, they go down. That's not good for the market. And what's not good for the market is bad for people who are in a vulnerable position, who can't afford food, who can't afford food hikes. Most of those people are in the Global South. And that's why I just said we want to see a de-escalation and not an increase in acts and rhetoric that take us in the wrong direction. Question : Then what do you think the UN could do to help first de-escalate? Spokesman : Well, I think we've done quite a bit to help de-escalate. And, in fact, in a way the Black Sea Initiative, the MOU (memorandum of understanding) were ways of de-escalating. But as in any conflict, as I've said before, we're not the ones who control the weaponry. Question : Now another different subject. The cross-border, Bab al-Hawa. Has the UN talked with the Syrian mission on this issue? Spokesman : Yeah. We've been in contact with the Syrian mission. Question : Of the terms and conditions? Spokesman : Yes, sir. Question : So any development? Spokesman : Well, if there was a positive development, you would know it. Question : Oh, okay. Spokesman : Or at least the truck drivers would know it as they drive through. But at this point, we have nothing. Question : So far there were no... [cross-talk] Spokesman : No. Trust me. I try not to sit on good news. [laughter] Question : Okay. Spokesman : Okay. Let's go to the screen, then we'll come back for round 2. Benno? Question : Thank you, Steph. I just have a follow-up to the grain deal, as well. As you just said, Russia stated that it would see any cargo ship entering the Black Sea as hostile. Against that backdrop, if a carrier now would request inspection of the JCC (Joint Coordination Centre) in order to go to a Ukrainian port, would you inspect and green light them? I think that happened last... [cross-talk] Spokesman : A, I'm not going to get into hypotheticals, and I think you can get into hypotheticals and think about whether or not the owner of a commercial ship would send his property or her property into that kind of area without the necessary safety guarantees. Question : Okay. Then let me just rephrase. You don't have any plans as of right now to inspect any ships. Is that correct? Spokesman : There are no ships having been cleared to go. And as you know, the clearance for ships to go in needed the green light from all parties, and the Russian Federation informed us officially that they were withdrawing from the JCC operations. Question : Thank you. Spokesman : James? Question : So just before I ask my question to follow-up on that, the JCC does not operate now. It does not exist. Because it can only exist with all of the parties. [cross-talk] Spokesman : It exists. The UN staff is there, but currently, they have no operation. Question : But the UN component exists. Spokesman : Yeah. Question : But as the JCC, it can't function because... [cross-talk] Spokesman : Well, let's say it is not operational because it needs all parties to operate. Question : Okay. Spokesman : Yeah. Spokesman : If I can now ask something. One of the major stories of the week was the US soldier running into North Korea at the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). And, as you know, the information that came from the so-called UN Command. I look back on this, and Secretary-General, [Boutros] Boutros-Ghali, raised concerns about this name a very long time ago. Does the Secretary-General think it's time for the US to rename this because it's deeply confusing? The UN Command is not under the command of the UN. Spokesman : I know it's deeply confusing because I took quite a large number of calls and emails from people who wanted to confirm what the UN Command was saying from the UN side. I think you're correct. The UN Command has historical roots in the UN, in terms of the work of the Security Council at the time of the Korean conflict. There is no currently operational, administrative, financial link between the UN Command and the UN Secretariat. I think at this time of rather heightened tension, I will refrain from commenting on the rest. Pam Falk, please. Question : Thanks so much, Steph. Back to Black Sea grain, is the UN and the JCC supporting any kind of alternatives to getting grain out at this point? I know you've been asked different ways, but there are land routes, there are other transit points that don't go through the corridors. Is there anything the UN is actively supporting? Spokesman : Let's be precise. The JCC was created out of an agreement which was about maritime traffic. There is no alternative to the Black Sea for maritime traffic. We're not moving the Black Sea. Right? So other ways that Ukraine can export its agricultural goods, I think those are being... There are other pathways or land pathways that we all know of, solidarity lanes, et cetera. Those do not involve the JCC, or within the framework of the Black Sea Initiative, which was designed for exactly that, the Black Sea. Question : Thank you. Spokesman : Edie? Question : Thank you, Steph. As I recall, the memorandum of understanding between the United Nations and Russia did not have any expiration date in it. Spokesman : The text is pretty precise. I don't want to paraphrase it, but I would encourage you to read it. Question : Okay. Spokesman : Okay. Question : I'm asking because the Secretary-General's statement certainly made it seem like the MOU is still in operation and... Spokesman : As far as we are concerned, the Russian Federation has made statements regarding the JCC, the facilitation of trade, which has an impact on the MOU. We've seen other statements. For our part, we will continue to do whatever we can to get Russian grain and Russian fertilizer out to market, to get Ukrainian grain and Ukrainian food products out to market. That's for the global good. Yes, sir? Question : [inaudible] consultations in the Security Council today, and I was waiting outside, and there was no stakeout so we couldn't get any update. Do you know what the Special Representative...? Spokesman : What she did is she presented the 1701 report, which if not public, it will be public very soon. The format of a meeting is decided by the Security Council members. So why it was closed and not open that's a question to ask the presidency. Question : Did she deliver any message from the SG on the latest escalation...? [cross-talk] Spokesman : She delivered messages that are reflected in the report. Okay. Michelle Nichols, and then I need to go. Question : Thanks, Steph. Just a bit of a follow-up to what Edie was asking about the MOU. As you've said before, the UN doesn't have the power on this front. It's kind of, like, herding other countries to do things to help facilitate Russian exports of food and fertilizer. And Martin Griffiths said the other week that if Russia withdrew from the Black Sea deal that he expected that cooperation that you're receiving to dry up. So have any of those countries, the US, the UK, the EU, have any of them informally or formally communicated to the UN that they'll no longer cooperate on some of the things they were cooperating on? Spokesman : I think that's a question you should be asking the people on the exhaustive list you've just listed. Thank you very much. Question : So you haven't received anything? Spokesman : That would be my answer. That would be a better answer to your question that I know of. Thank you. Bye. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary-General's remarks at the launch of the Policy Brief on a New Agenda for Peace United Nations Secretary-General 20 July 2023 [Bilingual, as delivered, follows; scroll down for all-English and all-French versions] Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished guests, I am pleased to join you today to present our Policy Brief: The New Agenda for Peace. This is the latest in our series of Policy Briefs expanding on the recommendations in Our Common Agenda. We are on the verge of a new era. The post-Cold War period is over, and we are moving towards a new global order and a multipolar world. The Policy Brief on a New Agenda for Peace outlines my vision of multilateral efforts for peace and security, based on international law, for a world in transition. This new era is already marked by the highest level of geopolitical tensions and major power competition in decades. Many Member States are growing skeptical of whether the multilateral system is working for them. Violations of international law are becoming more common. Deep and, in some cases, justified grievances about double standards and unmet commitments are undermining cooperation. At the same time, the world faces new and developing threats that require urgent, united action. Conflicts have become more complex, deadly, and harder to resolve. Last year saw the highest number of conflict-related deaths in almost three decades. Concerns about the possibility of nuclear war have re-emerged. New potential domains of conflict and weapons of war are creating new ways in which humanity can annihilate itself. Inequalities within and between states are growing, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Human rights are under attack across the world, including a pernicious pushback against women's rights. Distrust in public institutions is mounting, fueled by exclusion and marginalization. Terrorism remains a global scourge. The climate emergency is intensifying competition for resources and exacerbating tensions. And Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made it even more difficult to address these challenges. If every country fulfilled its obligations under the Charter, the right to peace would be guaranteed. But when countries break those pledges, they create a world of insecurity for everyone. The very tenets of multilateralism and the collective security system have been questioned: the UN Charter and international law; regional security architectures; nuclear disarmament and de-escalation. Frameworks for global cooperation have not kept pace with this new global landscape. The UN75 Declaration asked me to consider global threats -- and to make concrete recommendations on how to address them. The Policy Brief on the New Agenda for Peace outlines an extensive and ambitious set of recommendations that recognize the inter-linked nature of many of these challenges. It is framed around the core principles of trust, solidarity, and universality that are foundational to the Charter and to a stable world. This Policy Brief is also part of my commitment to link actions for peace with the Sustainable Development Goals. If we achieve the vision set out in the 2030 Agenda, our world will be more peaceful and secure as well as more sustainable. Excellencies, The New Agenda for Peace presents twelve concrete sets of proposals for action, in five priority areas. I will go through these priorities briefly. First, we need strong measures to bolster prevention at the global level, by addressing strategic risks and geopolitical divisions. The nuclear disarmament and arms control regime is eroding; non-proliferation is being challenged; and a qualitative race in nuclear armaments is underway. Reducing the existential risk posed by nuclear weapons is an urgent priority - but it is not enough. We must do everything possible to eliminate this risk - by eliminating nuclear weapons. This Policy Brief therefore calls on Member States to urgently recommit to pursuing a world free of nuclear weapons, and to reinforce the global norms against their use and proliferation. Pending their total elimination, States possessing nuclear weapons must commit to never use them. We also need to step up preventive diplomacy at the global level in the face of growing fragmentation, and the potential emergence of geopolitical blocs with different trade rules, supply chains, currencies and internets. The Policy Brief calls on all countries to prioritize diplomacy - particularly when states disagree; and to make full use of my good offices to bridge divides, so that humanity does not become collateral damage in an all-out geopolitical competition between major powers. The United Nations, as the only truly universal platform, must be at the centre of these efforts. The Policy Brief also calls for investment in regional security architectures that can rebuild trust between Member States and support diplomacy at the global level. Excellences, Deuxiemement, cette note d'orientation propose une vision de la prevention des conflits et de la violence et du maintien de la paix qui s'applique a tous, dans chaque pays, a chaque instant. Elle appelle a un nouveau paradigme de la prevention qui combatte la violence sous toutes ses formes, privilegie la mediation, promeut la cohesion sociale et qui donne la priorite aux liens entre le developpement durable, l'action climatique et la paix ; Et qui est ancre dans le plein respect de tous les droits humains - civils, politiques, economiques, sociaux et culturels. Pour cela, il faut envisager le continuum de la paix dans son ensemble et adopter une approche globale, qui identifie les causes profondes des conflits et empeche les graines de la guerre de germer. La stagnation et l'inversion des progres accomplis sur plus de la moitie des cibles associees aux Objectifs de developpement durable ont de graves repercussions pour la paix et la securite internationales. Ce n'est pas une coincidence si les pays touches par un conflit sont aussi les plus en retard dans la realisation des ODD. Nous devons accelerer la mise en uvre du Programme 2030, en ayant conscience que la prevention et le developpement durable sont interdependants et se renforcent mutuellement. L'acces a l'education et aux soins de sante sont des moyens de developpement dont on sait qu'ils permettent de renforcer le contrat social et la securite humaine. La note d'orientation appelle egalement a une transformation des dynamiques de pouvoir genrees dans tous les domaines, notamment en matiere de paix et de securite. L'incrementalisme - le changement a tout petit pas - n'a pas permis de realiser le programme pour les femmes et la paix et la securite. Les gouvernements doivent prendre des mesures ciblees, y compris l'introduction de quotas : Pour garantir une participation significative et un leadership des femmes dans la prise de decision ; Pour eliminer toutes les formes de violence a l'egard des femmes ; Et faire pleinement respecter tous leurs droits. Le Nouvel Agenda pour la paix appelle egalement les Etats Membres a reduire leurs depenses militaires et a interdire les armes inhumaines et d'emploi aveugle. Excellencies, The third priority area is to update our approach to peace operations, recognizing the realities of today's conflicts. United Nations peacekeeping represents multilateralism in action, giving all those who contribute a direct stake in our collective security. It has contributed to saving millions of lives, by helping to preserve ceasefires, protect civilians from violence, and supporting parties to conflict to return to the peace table. But longstanding unresolved conflicts, driven by complex domestic, geopolitical and transnational factors, and a persistent mismatch between mandates and resources, have exposed its limitations. Peacekeeping operations cannot succeed where there is no peace to keep. Nor can they achieve their goals without clear, prioritized and realistic mandates from the Security Council, centred on political solutions. Missions must have adequate resources and the full political support of the Security Council, with active, continuous engagement with all parties. The Policy Brief calls for a serious, broad-based reflection on the future of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, with a view to moving towards nimble, adaptable models with appropriate exit strategies in place. The fragmentation of conflicts, which often involve non-state armed groups, criminal gangs, terrorists and opportunists, has increased the need for multinational peace enforcement, counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. The Policy Brief calls on Member States to recognize this need, and urges the Security Council to authorize peace enforcement action by regional and sub-regional organizations. This action should be fully in line with the UN Charter and international humanitarian and human rights law, backed by inclusive political efforts to advance peace. There is no continent in greater need of this new generation of peace enforcement missions than Africa. The proliferation of non-state armed groups, including terrorist groups, operating across borders presents a major and growing threat in several parts of the continent. The New Agenda for Peace therefore reiterates my call for peace enforcement missions and counter-terrorism operations, led by African partners with a UN Security Council mandate under Chapters VII and VIII of the UN Charter and with guaranteed funding including through assessed contributions. Decisions on this are long overdue. The New Agenda for Peace is a critical opportunity for Member States to begin the process of updating multilateral peace operations for today's world. Excellencies, The fourth priority area is to prevent the weaponization of emerging domains and technologies, and promote responsible innovation. From artificial intelligence to emerging biological risks, new technologies - and the complex interaction between them - present a host of new threats that go far beyond our current governing frameworks. While there is broad agreement that international law applies in cyberspace, there is still a lack of clarity on how it applies - including in relation to the cyber dimensions of conflict. The Policy Brief on a New Agenda for Peace puts forward detailed proposals for Member States to tackle the extension of hostilities to cyberspace and outer space. Infrastructure essential for public services and to the functioning of society must be declared off-limits to malicious cyber activity. It also calls on Member States to adopt, by 2026, a legally binding instrument to prohibit lethal autonomous weapons systems that function without human control. It highlights the need for new national strategies to mitigate the peace and security implications of artificial intelligence. And it calls for a multilateral process to develop norms, rules and principles around military applications of AI, while ensuring engagement with stakeholders from industry, civil society and other sectors. I welcome calls from some Member States, and from industry experts and the scientific community, to consider the creation of a new global body to mitigate the peace and security risks of AI while harnessing its benefits to accelerate sustainable development. To inform discussions, I am convening a High Level Advisory Body to outline options on global AI governance, which will report back by the end of the year. Excellencies, The fifth priority area is updating our collective security machinery to restore its legitimacy and effectiveness. The world needs collective security structures that represent the geopolitical realities of today, and the contributions made by different regions to global peace. The New Agenda for Peace provides a generational opportunity to address this critical issue. The Policy Brief recommends urgent reforms to the Security Council to make it more just and representative, and the democratization of its procedures. It proposes revitalizing the work of the General Assembly and reforming the disarmament machinery. It also proposes enhancing the role of the Peacebuilding Commission. The Security Council in particular should more systematically seek the advice of the Commission on the peacebuilding dimensions of the mandates of peace operations. Prevention at the global level also requires efforts to right the injustices and inequities built into our global financial architecture, which are addressed in our dedicated Policy Brief. Excellencies, Before I close, allow me to say a few words about the final two policy briefs expanding on the recommendations in Our Common Agenda. The Policy Brief on Transforming Education will propose an overhaul of education systems to better equip individuals and societies with new skills, capacities and mindsets for our rapidly changing world. At its core it will be a call for the creation of true learning societies in every country, built on comprehensive systems of lifelong learning; on a rethink of what and how we learn; and on scaled-up international cooperation to ensure access for all to education as a global public good. The Policy Brief on UN 2.0 will set out my vision for a modernized United Nations that harnesses state-of-the-art skills and approaches to empower Member States in accelerating the 2030 Agenda. We intend to shift expertise to areas that are vital in the 21st century: data, digital innovation, strategic foresight, and behavioural science. We will also foster a more forward-thinking and inclusive culture across the UN, increasing support for creativity, agility, geographic diversity, gender equality, and youth empowerment. The purpose of all the Policy Briefs in the series is to support your deliberations in preparation for the Summit of the Future next year. The Summit will be an occasion to address the serious risks and significant opportunities we face; To deliver on unmet commitments while rising to new challenges; And to restore trust in each other and in multilateral action, through a Pact for the Future that updates global systems and frameworks to make them fit for the challenges of today and tomorrow. I urge you to agree a scope for the Summit that is clear, streamlined and comprehensive, focused on new challenges and filling gaps in the multilateral system. Excellencies, Peace is the driving force behind the work of the United Nations. Today's new threats to peace create new demands on us. This Policy Brief on the new Agenda for Peace is our attempt to meet those demands. I urge Member States to debate it and to engage with our proposals. Time and again the United Nations has demonstrated its convening power as a platform for broad-based coalitions and effective diplomacy. Deep disagreements have been transcended to take collective action against critical threats. Our Organization is, and must remain, central to multilateralism. In our fractured, troubled world, it is incumbent upon States to preserve our universal institution, in which they all have a stake. The time to act is not when the divisions and fractures have engulfed us. The time to act is now. Thank you. **************************************************************************** [All-English] Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, distinguished guests, I am pleased to join you today to present our Policy Brief: The New Agenda for Peace. This is the latest in our series of Policy Briefs expanding on the recommendations in Our Common Agenda. We are on the verge of a new era. The post-Cold War period is over, and we are moving towards a new global order and a multipolar world. The Policy Brief on a New Agenda for Peace outlines my vision of multilateral efforts for peace and security, based on international law, for a world in transition. This new era is already marked by the highest level of geopolitical tensions and major power competition in decades. Many Member States are growing skeptical of whether the multilateral system is working for them. Violations of international law are becoming more common. Deep and, in some cases, justified grievances about double standards and unmet commitments are undermining cooperation. At the same time, the world faces new and developing threats that require urgent, united action. Conflicts have become more complex, deadly, and harder to resolve. Last year saw the highest number of conflict-related deaths in almost three decades. Concerns about the possibility of nuclear war have re-emerged. New potential domains of conflict and weapons of war are creating new ways in which humanity can annihilate itself. Inequalities within and between states are growing, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Human rights are under attack across the world, including a pernicious pushback against women's rights. Distrust in public institutions is mounting, fueled by exclusion and marginalization. Terrorism remains a global scourge. The climate emergency is intensifying competition for resources and exacerbating tensions. And Russia's invasion of Ukraine has made it even more difficult to address these challenges. If every country fulfilled its obligations under the Charter, the right to peace would be guaranteed. But when countries break those pledges, they create a world of insecurity for everyone. The very tenets of multilateralism and the collective security system have been questioned: the UN Charter and international law; regional security architectures; nuclear disarmament and de-escalation. Frameworks for global cooperation have not kept pace with this new global landscape. The UN75 Declaration asked me to consider global threats -- and to make concrete recommendations on how to address them. The Policy Brief on the New Agenda for Peace outlines an extensive and ambitious set of recommendations that recognize the inter-linked nature of many of these challenges. It is framed around the core principles of trust, solidarity, and universality that are foundational to the Charter and to a stable world. This Policy Brief is also part of my commitment to link actions for peace with the Sustainable Development Goals. If we achieve the vision set out in the 2030 Agenda, our world will be more peaceful and secure as well as more sustainable. Excellencies, The New Agenda for Peace presents twelve concrete sets of proposals for action, in five priority areas. I will go through these priorities briefly. First, we need strong measures to bolster prevention at the global level, by addressing strategic risks and geopolitical divisions. The nuclear disarmament and arms control regime is eroding; non-proliferation is being challenged; and a qualitative race in nuclear armaments is underway. Reducing the existential risk posed by nuclear weapons is an urgent priority - but it is not enough. We must do everything possible to eliminate this risk - by eliminating nuclear weapons. This Policy Brief therefore calls on Member States to urgently recommit to pursuing a world free of nuclear weapons, and to reinforce the global norms against their use and proliferation. Pending their total elimination, States possessing nuclear weapons must commit to never use them. We also need to step up preventive diplomacy at the global level in the face of growing fragmentation, and the potential emergence of geopolitical blocs with different trade rules, supply chains, currencies and internets. The Policy Brief calls on all countries to prioritize diplomacy - particularly when states disagree; and to make full use of my good offices to bridge divides, so that humanity does not become collateral damage in an all-out geopolitical competition between major powers. The United Nations, as the only truly universal platform, must be at the centre of these efforts. The Policy Brief also calls for investment in regional security architectures that can rebuild trust between Member States and support diplomacy at the global level. Excellencies, Second, this Policy Brief sets out a vision for preventing conflict and violence, and sustaining peace, that applies to everyone, in all countries, at all times. It calls for a paradigm for prevention that addresses all forms of violence; focuses on mediation; promotes social cohesion; prioritizes the links between sustainable development, climate action, and peace; and is anchored in full respect for all human rights - civil, political, economic, social and cultural. That requires a comprehensive view of the peace continuum and a holistic approach that identifies root causes and prevents the seeds of war from sprouting. The stagnation and reversal of progress on more than half the SDG targets has serious implications for global peace and security. It is no coincidence that countries affected by conflict are farthest behind on the SDGs. We must accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, recognizing that prevention and sustainable development are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. Access to education and healthcare are proven development pathways that strengthen the social contract and human security. The Policy Brief also calls for the transformation of gendered power dynamics across the board, including in peace and security. Incrementalism has not delivered the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Governments must take targeted steps, including the introduction of quotas, to ensure women's meaningful participation and leadership in decision-making, eradicate all forms of violence against women, and uphold women's rights. The New Agenda for Peace also calls on Member States to reduce military spending and ban inhumane and indiscriminate weapons. Excellencies, The third priority area is to update our approach to peace operations, recognizing the realities of today's conflicts. United Nations peacekeeping represents multilateralism in action, giving all those who contribute a direct stake in our collective security. It has contributed to saving millions of lives, by helping to preserve ceasefires, protect civilians from violence, and supporting parties to conflict to return to the peace table. But longstanding unresolved conflicts, driven by complex domestic, geopolitical and transnational factors, and a persistent mismatch between mandates and resources, have exposed its limitations. Peacekeeping operations cannot succeed where there is no peace to keep. Nor can they achieve their goals without clear, prioritized and realistic mandates from the Security Council, centred on political solutions. Missions must have adequate resources and the full political support of the Security Council, with active, continuous engagement with all parties. The Policy Brief calls for a serious, broad-based reflection on the future of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, with a view to moving towards nimble, adaptable models with appropriate exit strategies in place. The fragmentation of conflicts, which often involve non-state armed groups, criminal gangs, terrorists and opportunists, has increased the need for multinational peace enforcement, counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. The Policy Brief calls on Member States to recognize this need, and urges the Security Council to authorize peace enforcement action by regional and sub-regional organizations. This action should be fully in line with the UN Charter and international humanitarian and human rights law, backed by inclusive political efforts to advance peace. There is no continent in greater need of this new generation of peace enforcement missions than Africa. The proliferation of non-state armed groups, including terrorist groups, operating across borders presents a major and growing threat in several parts of the continent. The New Agenda for Peace therefore reiterates my call for peace enforcement missions and counter-terrorism operations, led by African partners with a UN Security Council mandate under Chapters VII and VIII of the UN Charter and with guaranteed funding including through assessed contributions. Decisions on this are long overdue. The New Agenda for Peace is a critical opportunity for Member States to begin the process of updating multilateral peace operations for today's world. Excellencies, The fourth priority area is to prevent the weaponization of emerging domains and technologies, and promote responsible innovation. From artificial intelligence to emerging biological risks, new technologies - and the complex interaction between them - present a host of new threats that go far beyond our current governing frameworks. While there is broad agreement that international law applies in cyberspace, there is still a lack of clarity on how it applies - including in relation to the cyber dimensions of conflict. The Policy Brief on a New Agenda for Peace puts forward detailed proposals for Member States to tackle the extension of hostilities to cyberspace and outer space. Infrastructure essential for public services and to the functioning of society must be declared off-limits to malicious cyber activity. It also calls on Member States to adopt, by 2026, a legally binding instrument to prohibit lethal autonomous weapons systems that function without human control. It highlights the need for new national strategies to mitigate the peace and security implications of artificial intelligence. And it calls for a multilateral process to develop norms, rules and principles around military applications of AI, while ensuring engagement with stakeholders from industry, civil society and other sectors. I welcome calls from some Member States, and from industry experts and the scientific community, to consider the creation of a new global body to mitigate the peace and security risks of AI while harnessing its benefits to accelerate sustainable development. To inform discussions, I am convening a High Level Advisory Body to outline options on global AI governance, which will report back by the end of the year. Excellencies, The fifth priority area is updating our collective security machinery to restore its legitimacy and effectiveness. The world needs collective security structures that represent the geopolitical realities of today, and the contributions made by different regions to global peace. The New Agenda for Peace provides a generational opportunity to address this critical issue. The Policy Brief recommends urgent reforms to the Security Council to make it more just and representative, and the democratization of its procedures. It proposes revitalizing the work of the General Assembly and reforming the disarmament machinery. It also proposes enhancing the role of the Peacebuilding Commission. The Security Council in particular should more systematically seek the advice of the Commission on the peacebuilding dimensions of the mandates of peace operations. Prevention at the global level also requires efforts to right the injustices and inequities built into our global financial architecture, which are addressed in our dedicated Policy Brief. Excellencies, Before I close, allow me to say a few words about the final two policy briefs expanding on the recommendations in Our Common Agenda. The Policy Brief on Transforming Education will propose an overhaul of education systems to better equip individuals and societies with new skills, capacities and mindsets for our rapidly changing world. At its core it will be a call for the creation of true learning societies in every country, built on comprehensive systems of lifelong learning; on a rethink of what and how we learn; and on scaled-up international cooperation to ensure access for all to education as a global public good. The Policy Brief on UN 2.0 will set out my vision for a modernized United Nations that harnesses state-of-the-art skills and approaches to empower Member States in accelerating the 2030 Agenda. We intend to shift expertise to areas that are vital in the 21st century: data, digital innovation, strategic foresight, and behavioural science. We will also foster a more forward-thinking and inclusive culture across the UN, increasing support for creativity, agility, geographic diversity, gender equality, and youth empowerment. The purpose of all the Policy Briefs in the series is to support your deliberations in preparation for the Summit of the Future next year. The Summit will be an occasion to address the serious risks and significant opportunities we face; To deliver on unmet commitments while rising to new challenges; And to restore trust in each other and in multilateral action, through a Pact for the Future that updates global systems and frameworks to make them fit for the challenges of today and tomorrow. I urge you to agree a scope for the Summit that is clear, streamlined and comprehensive, focused on new challenges and filling gaps in the multilateral system. Excellencies, Peace is the driving force behind the work of the United Nations. Today's new threats to peace create new demands on us. This Policy Brief on the new Agenda for Peace is our attempt to meet those demands. I urge Member States to debate it and to engage with our proposals. Time and again the United Nations has demonstrated its convening power as a platform for broad-based coalitions and effective diplomacy. Deep disagreements have been transcended to take collective action against critical threats. Our Organization is, and must remain, central to multilateralism. In our fractured, troubled world, it is incumbent upon States to preserve our universal institution, in which they all have a stake. The time to act is not when the divisions and fractures have engulfed us. The time to act is now. Thank you. *********************************************************************** [All-French] Excellences, Chers invites, Mesdames et Messieurs, J'ai le plaisir d'etre ici aujourd'hui pour presenter notre note d'orientation sur le Nouvel Agenda pour la paix. Il s'agit-la de la derniere d'une serie de notes d'orientation destinees a preciser les recommandations formulees dans Notre Programme commun. Nous sommes a l'aube d'une ere nouvelle. La periode de l'apres-guerre froide est terminee et nous nous dirigeons vers un nouvel ordre mondial et un monde multipolaire. Cette note d'orientation consacree au Nouvel Agenda pour la paix presente ma vision des efforts multilateraux en faveur de la paix et de la securite, fondes sur le droit international, dans un monde en transition. Cette nouvelle ere est deja marquee par un niveau de tensions geopolitiques et de concurrence entre grandes puissances jamais atteint depuis des decennies. De nombreux Etats Membres sont de plus en plus sceptiques quant a l'efficacite du systeme multilateral. Les violations du droit international sont de plus en plus frequentes. Des griefs profonds et, dans certains cas, justifies, quant a la pratique de deux poids, deux mesures et aux engagements non respectes viennent nuire a la cooperation. Dans le meme temps, le monde est confronte a des menaces nouvelles et emergentes qui exigent une action urgente et concertee. Les conflits sont devenus plus complexes, plus meurtriers et plus difficiles a resoudre. L'annee derniere, le nombre de deces lies aux conflits a atteint son plus haut niveau depuis pres de trente ans. Les inquietudes quant a la possibilite d'une guerre nucleaire refont surface. De nouveaux domaines potentiels de conflit en puissance et de nouvelles armes de guerre sont en train de donner a l'humanite de nouveaux moyens de s'aneantir elle-meme. Les inegalites qui existent entre les Etats et a l'interieur de ceux-ci se creusent, exacerbees par la pandemie de COVID-19. Les droits humains sont attaques partout dans le monde, et un mouvement pernicieux fait reculer les droits des femmes. La defiance a l'egard des institutions publiques s'accroit, alimentee par l'exclusion et la marginalisation. Le terrorisme reste un fleau mondial. L'urgence climatique intensifie la concurrence pour les ressources et exacerbe les tensions. Et l'invasion de l'Ukraine par la Russie a fait qu'il est encore plus difficile de relever ces defis. Si chaque pays remplissait ses obligations en vertu de la Charte, le droit a la paix serait garanti. Lorsque les pays ne respectent pas ces engagements, ils creent un monde d'insecurite pour tous. Les principes memes du multilateralisme et du systeme de securite sont remis en question : la Charte des Nations Unies et le droit international ; les architectures de securite regionales ; le desarmement nucleaire et la desescalade. Les cadres de cooperation mondiale ne se sont pas adaptes a ce nouveau paysage mondial. Il m'a ete demande dans la declaration des 75 ans de l'ONU d'etudier les menaces mondiales et de formuler des recommandations concretes sur la maniere d'y repondre. Ma note d'orientation sur le Nouvel Agenda pour la paix presente un ensemble complet et ambitieux de recommandations qui tiennent compte de la nature interdependante de bon nombre de ces defis. Elle s'articule autour des principes fondamentaux de confiance, de solidarite et d'universalite sur lesquels reposent la Charte et la stabilite du monde. Cette note d'orientation s'inscrit egalement dans le cadre de mon engagement a mettre en rapport les actions en faveur de la paix et les objectifs de developpement durable. Si nous concretisons la vision exposee dans le Programme 2030, notre monde sera plus pacifique, plus sur et plus durable. Mesdames et Messieurs, Le Nouvel Agenda pour la paix presente douze series de propositions d'action concretes, qui s'inscrivent dans cinq domaines prioritaires. Je vais passer brievement en revue ces priorites. Notre premiere priorite est de prendre des mesures energiques pour renforcer la prevention au niveau mondial, en remediant aux risques strategiques et aux divisions geopolitiques. Le regime de desarmement nucleaire et de maitrise des armements est en voie d'erosion, la non-proliferation est remise en question et une course qualitative aux armements nucleaires est engagee. Reduire la menace existentielle que representent les armes nucleaires est une priorite urgente, mais cela ne suffit pas. Nous devons faire tout ce qui est en notre pouvoir pour faire taire cette menace, en eliminant les armes nucleaires. Cette note d'orientation appelle donc les Etats Membres a s'engager a nouveau de toute urgence en faveur d'un monde exempt d'armes nucleaires et a renforcer les normes mondiales visant a prevenir l'utilisation et la proliferation de ces armes. Tant que ces armes ne seront pas totalement eliminees, les Etats qui en sont dotes doivent s'engager a ne jamais les utiliser. Nous devons egalement intensifier la diplomatie preventive au niveau mondial face a la fragmentation qui va en s'aggravant et a l'emergence potentielle de blocs geopolitiques qui auraient chacun leurs regles commerciales, leurs chaines d'approvisionnement, leur monnaie et leur Internet. Ma note d'orientation appelle tous les pays a donner la priorite a la diplomatie, en particulier lorsque les Etats sont en desaccord, et a tirer pleinement parti de mes bons offices pour surmonter les clivages, afin que l'humanite ne devienne pas un dommage collateral d'une competition geopolitique a outrance entre grandes puissances. L'Organisation des Nations Unies, seule plateforme veritablement universelle, doit etre au centre des efforts deployes. La note d'orientation appelle egalement a investir dans des architectures de securite regionales qui peuvent retablir la confiance entre les Etats Membres et promouvoir la diplomatie au niveau mondial. Excellences, Deuxiemement, cette note d'orientation propose une vision de la prevention des conflits et de la violence et du maintien de la paix qui s'applique a tous, dans chaque pays, a chaque instant. Elle appelle a un nouveau paradigme de la prevention qui combatte la violence sous toutes ses formes, privilegie la mediation, promeut la cohesion sociale ; Qui donne la priorite aux liens entre le developpement durable, l'action climatique et la paix ; Et qui est ancre dans le plein respect de tous les droits humains - civils, politiques, economiques, sociaux et culturels. Pour cela, il faut envisager le continuum de la paix dans son ensemble et adopter une approche globale, qui identifie les causes profondes des conflits et empeche les graines de la guerre de germer. La stagnation et l'inversion des progres accomplis sur plus de la moitie des cibles associees aux Objectifs de developpement durable ont de graves repercussions pour la paix et la securite internationales. Ce n'est pas une coincidence si les pays touches par un conflit sont aussi les plus en retard dans la realisation des ODD. Nous devons accelerer la mise en uvre du Programme 2030, en ayant conscience que la prevention et le developpement durable sont interdependants et se renforcent mutuellement. L'acces a l'education et aux soins de sante sont des moyens de developpement dont on sait qu'ils permettent de renforcer le contrat social et la securite humaine. La note d'orientation appelle egalement a une transformation des dynamiques de pouvoir genrees dans tous les domaines, notamment en matiere de paix et de securite. L'incrementalisme - le changement a tout petit pas - n'a pas permis de realiser le programme pour les femmes et la paix et la securite. Les gouvernements doivent prendre des mesures ciblees, y compris l'introduction de quotas : Pour garantir une participation significative et un leadership des femmes dans la prise de decision ; Pour eliminer toutes les formes de violence a l'egard des femmes ; Et faire pleinement respecter tous leurs droits. Le Nouvel Agenda pour la paix appelle egalement les Etats Membres a reduire leurs depenses militaires et a interdire les armes inhumaines et d'emploi aveugle. Mesdames et Messieurs, La troisieme priorite est de revoir notre approche des operations de paix, en tenant compte des realites des conflits actuels. Le maintien de la paix assure par l'ONU represente le multilateralisme en action, et tous ses acteurs participent directement a notre securite collective. Il a contribue a sauver des millions de vies, en aidant a surveiller des cessez-le-feu, a proteger des civils de la violence et a faire en sorte que les parties a un conflit reviennent a la table des negociations. Mais les conflits de longue date toujours non resolus, qu'alimentent des facteurs internes, geopolitiques et transnationaux complexes, ainsi que l'inadequation persistante entre les mandats et les ressources, font clairement apparaitre ses limites. Les operations de maintien de la paix ne peuvent pas reussir s'il n'y a pas de paix a maintenir. Elles ne peuvent pas non plus atteindre leurs objectifs si le Conseil de securite ne leur confie pas des mandats clairs, assortis de priorites et realisables, qui soient axes sur des solutions politiques. Les missions doivent etre dotees de ressources suffisantes et le Conseil de securite doit leur apporter son soutien politique total, en entretenant un dialogue actif et constant avec toutes les parties. Ma note d'orientation invite a une reflexion approfondie et rigoureuse sur l'avenir des operations de maintien de la paix des Nations Unies, en vue d'elaborer des modeles de missions souples, modulables et dotees de strategies de transition et de sortie appropriees. En raison de la fragmentation des conflits, dans lesquels interviennent souvent des groupes armes non etatiques, des bandes criminelles, des terroristes et des opportunistes, il apparait de plus en plus souvent necessaire de recourir a des operations multinationales d'imposition de la paix et de lutte antiterroriste et anti-insurrectionnelle. Dans la note d'orientation, les Etats Membres sont pries de prendre acte de cette necessite et le Conseil de securite est invite instamment a autoriser les organisations regionales et sous-regionales a mener des missions d'imposition de la paix. Ces missions devraient etre pleinement conformes a la Charte des Nations Unies, au droit international humanitaire et au droit international des droits de humains, et accompagnees d'initiatives politiques inclusives visant a promouvoir la paix. Aucun continent n'a autant besoin de cette nouvelle generation de missions d'imposition de la paix que l'Afrique. La proliferation des groupes armes non etatiques, y compris des groupes terroristes, qui operent de part et d'autre des frontieres constitue une menace grave et croissante dans plusieurs regions du continent. Ainsi, le Nouvel Agenda pour la paix reaffirme ma volonte de mettre en place des missions d'imposition de la paix et des operations antiterroristes qui seraient dirigees par des pays africains, qui seraient dotees d'un mandat du Conseil de securite etabli en vertu du Chapitre VII et du Chapitre VIII de la Charte des Nations Unies et dont le financement serait assure par des contributions statutaires. Il est grand temps de se prononcer sur cette question. Le Nouvel Agenda pour la paix offre aux Etats Membres une occasion unique de commencer a adapter les operations de paix multilaterales au monde d'aujourd'hui. Excellences, Mesdames et Messieurs, La quatrieme priorite est d'empecher la militarisation des nouveaux domaines et des nouvelles technologies et de promouvoir l'innovation responsable. De l'intelligence artificielle aux nouveaux risques biologiques, les nouvelles technologies, et les interactions complexes qui existent entre elles, font apparaitre une multitude de menaces nouvelles qui depassent de loin nos cadres de gouvernance actuels. S'il est largement admis que le droit international s'applique au cyberespace, les modalites de cette application demeurent en revanche peu claires, notamment pour ce qui est des aspects numeriques des conflits. Ma note d'orientation sur un Nouvel Agenda pour la paix presente des propositions detaillees a l'intention des Etats Membres visant a empecher les affrontements de se propager dans l'espace et le cyberespace. Les infrastructures indispensables a la fourniture des services publics et au fonctionnement de la societe ne doivent pas etre la cible d'activites numeriques malveillantes. Dans la note d'orientation, j'invite les Etats Membres a adopter, d'ici a 2026, un instrument juridiquement contraignant en vue d'interdire les systemes d'armes letaux autonomes qui fonctionnent sans controle humain. La necessite d'elaborer de nouvelles strategies nationales pour limiter les implications de l'intelligence artificielle sur la paix et la securite y est mise en lumiere. Il s'agirait en outre d'elaborer, dans un cadre multilateral, des normes, regles et principes venant encadrer les applications militaires de l'intelligence artificielle, tout en veillant a entretenir un dialogue avec les parties prenantes issues de l'entreprise, de l'universite, de la societe civile et d'autres secteurs. Je me felicite que certains Etats Membres, ainsi que des experts issus du monde de l'entreprise et de la communaute scientifique, se mobilisent pour que soit envisagee la creation d'un organe mondial charge d'attenuer les risques que fait peser l'intelligence artificielle sur la paix et la securite tout en exploitant les avantages qu'elle procure pour accelerer le developpement durable. Pour eclairer les debats, je suis en train de mettre en place un organe consultatif de haut niveau charge de presenter des options concernant la gouvernance mondiale de l'intelligence artificielle, lequel rendra son rapport d'ici a la fin de l'annee. Mesdames et Messieurs, La cinquieme priorite est de revoir notre mecanisme de securite collective afin d'en restaurer la legitimite et l'efficacite. Le monde a besoin de structures de securite collective qui soient representatives des realites geopolitiques d'aujourd'hui et du concours que les differentes regions apportent a la paix mondiale. Le Nouvel Agenda pour la paix offre une chance historique de s'atteler a cette tache cruciale. Dans la note d'orientation, je recommande de reformer de toute urgence le Conseil de securite pour le rendre plus juste et plus representatif, et de democratiser ses procedures. J'y propose de revitaliser les travaux de l'Assemblee generale et de reformer les mecanismes de desarmement. J'y propose egalement de renforcer le role de la Commission de consolidation de la paix. Le Conseil de securite devrait solliciter plus systematiquement l'avis de la Commission, en particulier sur les aspects de consolidation de la paix des mandats des operations de paix. Il propose egalement de renforcer le role de la Commission de consolidation de la paix. Le Conseil de securite, en particulier, devrait demander plus systematiquement l'avis de la Commission sur les dimensions de consolidation de la paix des mandats des operations de paix. La prevention a l'echelle mondiale necessite egalement d'uvrer a corriger les injustices et les inegalites de notre architecture financiere mondiale, travail qui fait l'objet d'une note d'orientation distincte. Mesdames et Messieurs, Avant de conclure, permettez-moi de dire quelques mots sur les deux dernieres notes d'orientation dans lesquelles sont examinees de plus pres les recommandations de Notre Programme commun. Dans la note d'orientation sur la transformation de l'education, je propose une refonte des systemes educatifs de maniere a mieux doter les personnes et les societes de nouvelles competences, capacites et mentalites face a notre monde en mutation rapide. Il s'agit essentiellement d'un appel en faveur de la creation de veritables societes de l'apprentissage dans chaque pays, fondees sur des systemes complets d'apprentissage tout au long de la vie, sur une reflexion en profondeur concernant nos objectifs et nos methodes d'apprentissage, et sur le renforcement de la cooperation internationale pour que toutes et tous aient acces a l'education en tant que bien public mondial. Ma note d'orientation sur l'ONU 2.0 expose ma vision d'une ONU modernisee qui tire parti des meilleures competences et solutions du moment pour donner aux Etats Membres les moyens d'accelerer la mise en uvre du Programme 2030. Nous entendons reorienter les competences vers des domaines qui sont cruciaux au XXIe siecle : les donnees, le numerique, l'innovation, la prospective strategique et les sciences comportementales. Nous favoriserons egalement dans l'Organisation une culture davantage tournee vers l'avenir et plus inclusive, en soutenant davantage la creativite, l'agilite, la diversite geographique, l'egalite des genres et l'autonomisation des jeunes. L'objectif de toutes les notes d'orientation de la serie est d'accompagner vos debats en prevision du Sommet de l'avenir de l'annee prochaine. Le Sommet sera l'occasion d'examiner les risques graves auxquels nous faisons face et les principales perspectives qui s'ouvrent a nous, d'honorer les engagements pris tout en relevant les nouveaux defis, et de restaurer la confiance mutuelle et dans l'action multilaterale, grace a un Pacte pour l'avenir visant a moderniser les systemes et les structures a l'echelle mondiale pour qu'ils soient a la hauteur des defis d'aujourd'hui et de demain. Je vous demande de definir un ensemble clair, structure et complet d'ambitions pour le Sommet, l'accent devant etre mis sur les nouveaux enjeux et les deficiences du systeme multilateral. Mesdames et Messieurs, La paix est la force motrice de l'action de l'ONU. Les nouvelles menaces qui pesent aujourd'hui sur la paix nous imposent de nouvelles exigences. Cette note d'orientation traduit notre volonte de repondre a ces exigences. J'invite instamment les Etats Membres a examiner ensemble le Nouvel Agenda pour la paix et a debattre de nos propositions. A maintes reprises, l'ONU a fait la preuve son pouvoir federateur et de sa capacite de former de vastes coalitions et de faciliter les efforts diplomatiques. Des desaccords profonds ont ete surmontes pour que des mesures collectives contre des menaces critiques puissent etre prises. Notre Organisation est et doit rester la colonne vertebrale du multilateralisme. Dans notre monde fracture et trouble, il incombe aux Etats de preserver notre institution universelle ; il y va de leur interet a tous. N'attendons pas d'etre enlises dans les dissensions et les fractures : C'est maintenant qu'il nous faut agir. Je vous remercie. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Multinational Staff Operating as One US Navy 20 July 2023 From U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA -- U.S. Navy Sailors operate alongside partner nation sailors as a multinational staff during the underway portion of UNITAS LXIV, successfully conducting drills, maneuvers, and exercises from the Peruvian Navy flagship, BAP Pisco (AMP 156). The exercise is currently taking place off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia, as part of UNITAS, spanning from June 15 to June 21, 2023. U.S. Navy ships and submarines work closely with partner nation vessels to carry out various maritime operations. This year, Colombia hosted UNITAS, which is the world's longest-running annual multinational maritime exercise. The exercise consists of multinational forces from 20 partner nations, including 26 warships/vessels, three submarines, 25 aircraft (fixed wing/helicopter), and approximately 7,000 people. The exercise trains forces in joint maritime operations that enhance tactical proficiency and increase interoperability with the presence of unmanned air, surface, and submarine systems. "Working together as a multinational staff allows us to continue to learn and improve from each other every year," stated Colombian Navy Rear Adm. Carlos Oramas, Commander of the multinational staff. "Our teamwork during the exercise showcases the remarkable achievements we accomplish when united in pursuing a shared mission." The multinational staff consists of sailors from various nations participating in UNITAS LXIV. The staff exemplifies a remarkable display of coordination and teamwork throughout a five-day underway phase. Each member is assigned specific responsibilities critical to the mission's success. During the underway, the staff coordinates and executes a wide range of operations and drills amongst all of the ships that participate. "UNITAS plays a vital role in promoting collaboration and cooperation between the United States Navy and our South American partners." said United States Navy Capt. Bryan Gallo, the Deputy Commander of the multinational staff. "This exercise offers a great opportunity to strengthen bonds with our South American partners, enhancing interoperability, and fostering enduring friendships that reinforce regional and maritime stability." UNITAS, Latin for Unity, is the longest-running multinational maritime exercise in the world. UNITAS was conceived in 1959, with the first UNITAS (UNITAS I) taking place in 1960. UNITAS has occurred every year since then. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) Arrives in Klaipeda US Navy 20 July 2023 From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Elexia Morelos KLAIPEDA, Lithuania -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) arrived in Klaipeda, Lithuania, for a scheduled port visit, July 20, 2023. Prior to arriving in Klaipeda, Roosevelt patrolled the Baltic Sea, sailing alongside NATO's Standing NATO Maritime Group (SNMG) 1 flagship FGS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (F218) and HNLMS De Zeven Provincien (F 802), underscoring the strength and interoperability of the NATO Alliance. Roosevelt joined the enhanced vigilance activity Neptune Strike 2023-2 in mid-July, supporting the integration of U.S. and NATO Allied and partner forces to provide assurance, deterrence, and collective defense operating under control of NATO and Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO). In addition, Roosevelt also participated in a Naval Surface Fire Support exercise in partnership with the Latvian military and conducted a scheduled port visit in Helsinki, Finland, July 15-18. While in Helsinki, the ship onloaded fuel, mail, and stores, and Sailors were able to experience the rich culture of Finland while on liberty in the local area. Roosevelt's visit to Helsinki came on the heels of President Biden's visit to Finland to welcome the country as the newest member to the NATO Alliance. The current port visit to Klaipeda also comes shortly after NATO's Vilnius Summit, hosted by Lithuania. Roosevelt's presence in the Baltic Sea and port visits to Baltic Sea Allies demonstrates demonstrate the U.S. Navy's commitment to working with Allies and regional partners to ensure security and stability in the region. "Over the past nine months, Roosevelt has operated in the Baltic Sea on three separate occasions- we love it up here. The ability to operate, train, and communicate with our NATO allies in the Baltic has been extremely rewarding. We recently conducted a gunnery exercise where we shot our 5" gun onto the Skede range in Latvia using NATO spotters on the beach," said Cmdr. J Chewning, Roosevelt's Commanding Officer. "In addition, we just completed a port visit in Helsinki where USS Roosevelt was honored to be the first U.S. warship to visit Finland since joining NATO." While in Klaipeda, Roosevelt will participate in the 63rd Annual Sea Festival, a festival promoting Lithuania as a maritime state and Klaipeda as a friendly and safe port city. Roosevelt will welcome locals and members of the Lithuanian military onboard for tours and a luncheon and participate in a local parade and other community events. "We're especially excited to be back in Lithuania for Navy Day celebrations," said Chewning. "We pulled into Klaipeda in January, and it's a real treat for the crew to visit the port twice in one year." Roosevelt and her crew are operating in the Baltic Sea on a scheduled deployment in the Baltic region, employed by the U.S, Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. Roosevelt, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, began its fifth Forward Deployed Naval Forces-Europe (FDNF-E) patrol June 27 in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests. Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces in the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of responsibility. U.S. Sixth Fleet is permanently assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces through the full spectrum of joint and naval operations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address France Assumes Command of Multinational Naval Task Force Patrolling Middle East US Navy 20 July 2023 From Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs MANAMA, Bahrain -- France assumed command of a multinational naval task force that patrols the Gulf of Oman and Indian Ocean, during an indoor ceremony at the U.S. Navy base in Bahrain, July 20. United Kingdom Royal Navy Capt. James Byron turned over command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 to French Navy Capt. Yannick Bossu. CTF 150 is one of five operational task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the world's largest international naval partnership that consists of 38 nations. CTF 150 conducts maritime security operations in the Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden to help ensure freedom of navigation by deterring and disrupting destabilizing maritime activity. Under Byron's leadership, forces supporting CTF 150 intercepted $320 million in illegal drugs that included heroin, hashish and methamphetamine. Multinational forces have seized a total estimated value of $1.3 billion in illicit narcotics since 2021. "When we arrived in Bahrain at the start of January, my team and I promised to do everything we could to intercept illegal narcotics transiting the maritime routes across the Indian Ocean," said Byron. "The men and women of [CTF 150] deserve huge credit." Byron's headquarters staff included personnel from Italy, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. CTF 150's new commander, Bossu, arrives in Bahrain having served in the French Navy for 30 years. He was previously the deputy for current operations at the French Joint Strategic Operations Center. "It is an honor to assume command of CTF 150 today on behalf of France and pick up the baton from a successful UK team," said Basso. "My staff - consisting of people from the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Bahrain and France - and I are looking forward to working toward enhancing regional partnerships and countering illegal trafficking in the Indian Ocean." Combined Maritime Forces is headquartered in Bahrain with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and U.S. 5th Fleet. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Navy to Commission Littoral Combat Ship Canberra in Australia US Navy - Press Release 20 July 2023 The U.S. Navy will commission its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), the future USS Canberra (LCS 30), during an international commissioning ceremony, at 10:00 a.m. AEST on Saturday, July 22 (8:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, July 21) at the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Base East in Sydney, Australia. The Honorable Carlos del Toro U.S. Secretary of the Navy, will deliver the commissioning ceremony's principal address. Remarks will also be provided by His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley, AD, DSC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia; the Honourable Richard Marles, MP, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia; the Honorable Caroline Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador to Australia; Adm. Michael Gilday, U.S. Chief of Naval Operations; Vice Adm. Mark Hammond, Royal Australian Chief of Navy; and Mr. Larry Ryder, Vice President of Business Development and External Affairs, Austal USA. The ship's sponsor is Australian Senator, the Honourable Marise Payne, the former Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs who attended the ship's keel laying ceremony at Austal USA's shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, in 2020. Independence-variant LCS are fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored, surface combatants that operate both close to shore and in open-ocean environments. LCS integrate with joint, combined, crewed, and unmanned systems to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence missions around the globe. The USS Canberra's sister ships, USS Jackson (LCS 6), USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), USS Manchester (LCS 14), and USS Mobile (LCS 26) are all currently on deployment in the Indo-Pacific. LCS 30 will be the 16th commissioned Independence-variant LCS. It is the second ship named in honor of the city of Canberra, and commemorates the more than 100 years of mateship between the U.S. and Australian allies. The first USS Canberra (CA 70) was named in remembrance of the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra that sank during the Battle of Savo Island while fighting side-by-side with U.S. naval forces. CA 70 was the first U.S. Navy ship named for a foreign capital. The first USS Canberra (CA 70) received seven battle stars for her service in World War II. In May 1958, Canberra served as the ceremonial flagship for the selection of the Unknown Serviceman of World War II and Korea. Canberra was decommissioned in a ceremony on Feb. 2, 1970, at the San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard. One of her propellers is preserved at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, while the ship's bell is on display at the Australian National Maritime Museum. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Interview: Kirby Discusses US Soldier in North Korea, Grain Deal, Infighting in Congress By Anita Powell July 20, 2023 The Biden administration says it will do "everything we can" to bring home Pvt. Travis King, the junior soldier crossed into North Korea earlier this week "willfully and without authorization." John Kirby, director of strategic communications for the National Security Council, told VOA on Thursday that American officials have not had a chance to communicate with the 23-year-old soldier, who crossed the demilitarized zone earlier this week. Kirby also expressed concerns about political infighting in Congress that has delayed passage of the National Defense Authorization Act, about concerns over Moscow's pullout from the deal that allowed grain shipments to leave ports in the Black Sea, and about the continued lack of direct communication between the militaries of the U.S. and China. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. VOA: Thank you for joining us this morning. Let's start with the saga of Pvt. Travis King. Do we have any updates on his condition, his motivations, his whereabouts, and have we heard any communication from Pyongyang? And is the administration committed to bringing him home even if that's against his wishes? Kirby: We don't have any updates on Pvt. King. We continue to conduct appropriate outreach to the North Korean side to try to gain some information and insight as to his whereabouts and his well being, but we just don't know. And we are absolutely committed to working to getting him returned to his family. We don't know the motivation here. We haven't had a chance to talk to him. So we don't know exactly what he's thinking right now. But he's an American soldier. And we're going to do everything we can to try to find out where he is, how he is, and work to get him back home. VOA: Let's move on to Russia and the grain deal. Is the administration looking at any workarounds to get these essential supplies out of port? Things like NATO escorts, or reflagging vessels? How seriously does the administration take the threat from Russia's defense ministry that it's going to treat all vessels in that port as carrying military equipment? Kirby: We have to take that ridiculous threat seriously. We are working and we will work with Ukraine and our allies and partners to try to find other ways to get the grain out of Ukraine. It'll most likely have to go through ground routes. We've done this before [when] the grain deal was in effect. It's not as efficient; you can't get as much grain out that way. We understand that. But we're going to keep trying. Look, what has to happen here is aside from Russia ending its blockade and, make no mistake, what they're threatening to do is a military blockade that is a military act, so aside from just not doing that they need to get back into the deal. The deal was good for everybody including Russian farmers. But it was really good for developing nations who have food scarcity issues that are only going to be exacerbated by this throughout the Global South, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. VOA: Let's move on to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. First of all, the Kremlin has said Putin is not going to South Africa, which allows him to avoid getting arrested. Does the U.S. still encourage International Criminal Court signatories to arrest him if they have the opportunity? And does this change or improve the relationship between Washington and Pretoria now that there's no longer this awkward situation between them? Kirby: I'll let the South African leaders speak for themselves. We believe it's important that everyone responsible for the atrocities and war crimes in Ukraine to be held accountable and that includes Russian leaders who are responsible for the efforts of their troops on the ground in Ukraine. VOA: We've seen Prigozhin resurface and say allegedly that Wagner troops are not willing to fight in Ukraine. What do you make of this? What are the implications? Kirby: It's too hard to know right now exactly how seriously we should take this or what the impacts on the battlefield will be. I will tell you that Wagner forces we haven't seen them fighting in Ukraine since Mr. Prigozhin attempted overthrow of the Ministry of Defense. It's unclear exactly how many are in Ukraine, but we haven't seen them contribute much to the fighting in Ukraine. So it's just too soon to know. VOA: Moving on to the Aspen Security Forum: China keeps coming up as the big concern. U.S. Admiral John C. Aquilino said that they're still trying to reopen military-to-military communication with China. Can you update us on that effort and why it's so important? Kirby: Military-to-military communications remain closed. That's unfortunate, especially when tensions are so high. You want to be able to pick up the phone and talk to your opposite. And try to take the tensions down and to avoid miscalculation when you have that kind of military hardware sailing so close together, flying so close together. The potential for miscalculation and risk only shoot up if you can't talk to one another. VOA: On Iran: in April the U.S. confiscated some Iranian oil from a tanker. Iran's navy chief is very unhappy about this and says they'll retaliate. Is the U.S. ready to engage militarily with Iran on this? And what are the rules of engagement? Kirby: Nobody wants to see armed conflict in the Gulf region. That said, Iran's attacks on maritime shipping have continued nearly unabated, some of them successful, some not, because we intervene. You saw that the Pentagon just recently announced some new force deployments to the Gulf region to make us more capable of deterring these kinds of attacks. And we urge the Iranian regime to stop these destabilizing behaviors. In the meantime, we're going to make sure we've got the capabilities that we need and our allies and partners have had the assurance that the United States has the capability that it needs to continue to defend ourselves and in our interests. VOA: Last week, you told us about a mass grave in Sudan. Does this return of ethnically tinged violence at the hands of the Rapid Support Forces change the U.S. position on who to support in this conflict? Kirby: We're supporting the people of Sudan. Make no mistake about it. And you saw us issue sanctions against both sides. You saw us condemn this report of mass graves in West Darfur. We are on the side of the people of Sudan. That's not going to change and we will continue to hold those accountable who are making it harder for the people of Sudan to live, to work and to achieve the kinds of civilian governance that they so desperately want. VOA: My final question is about the National Defense Authorization Act. Earlier this week, you gave an impassioned argument for why the administration believes that reproductive care needs to be offered to service members and their families. Some right-wing media in the United States have taken your argument as justification for why women should be barred from the military. I understand that this is not a proposal that the White House or the Pentagon would take seriously. But can you remind us why diversity, equity and inclusion add to national security? Kirby: Diversity adds to national security because it helps us make better decisions. Yes, there is a representational aspect of this. We are an all-volunteer force. And we need to recruit people from all walks of life in the United States and this is a diverse nation. Why wouldn't you want your military to represent the very people they're defending? But I have seen, myself, in almost 30 years of naval service, that when you have diverse people in the room, decisions are smarter, they're more contextual, and the way we operate is better and more efficient and more effective to national defense. And that's not something that President [Joe] Biden will ever walk away from. VOA: Do you want to say anything else about the delay in the passage of the NDAA and the effect that it's having on morale or national security? Kirby: The president looks forward to getting the NDAA legislation on his desk. He knows it's going to look different when it gets to his desk than what it does right now. But it's important that we do get an NDAA to the president's desk as soon as possible so that the troops can have the resources that they need to continue to defend the nation. It is a national security issue. VOA: Thank you so much for your commitment to our audience, John. Kirby: It's a pleasure. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Body Reports 'Horrific Information' About UN Operations in Afghanistan By Akmal Dawi July 20, 2023 A U.S. watchdog says it has disclosed to Congress information about diversion and control of international humanitarian assistance by de facto Taliban authorities in Afghanistan. "We have just uncovered, as part of our response to the House Foreign Relations Committee, some really horrific information about the problems with the U.N. operations in Afghanistan," John Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), told an event at King's College London on Thursday. Sopko did not offer more details about his findings saying the foreign relations committee had tasked SIGAR to investigate and report to it whether U.S. aid to Afghanistan benefited the Taliban. "A lot of congressmen are torn in this conundrum between giving humanitarian assistance to Afghans who are suffering versus how much of that [aid] is going to a regime which we hate," said Sopko. United Nations officials have not yet responded to VOA questions sent Thursday about what they know about diverted aid. The Taliban are under U.S. sanctions that date back decades when the group was first in power over much of Afghanistan in the 1990s. After spending over $146 billion on reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan between 2002 and 2022, the United States government suspended all development aid to the country following Taliban's return to power in August 2021. The Taliban deny they are interfering in humanitarian programs and accuse the U.S. and other Western donors of politicizing aid to Afghanistan. However, the Islamist regime has imposed gender-based restrictions on aid activities denying Afghan women's work for the U.N. and other non-government organizations - a move globally condemned as misogynistic. Meanwhile, the U.N. says there continue to be many incidents of interference involving U.N. aid workers. "118 gender-related incidents were recorded, with some 97 percent attributed to the de facto authorities and involving, inter alia, interference with programming, incidents at checkpoints, threats against humanitarian workers, assets and facilities, and mahrams [male escorts] required for movement of female staff," the U.N. Special Representative for Afghanistan reported to the Security Council last month. The U.N. has reported progress in reducing risks of fraud and diversion of funds in Afghanistan but has not given more details. Robust funding The United States, even while enforcing sanctions on the Taliban, has maintained humanitarian funding to Afghanistan amounting to about $2 billion since August 2021. Despite a reported drop in donors' response to the U.N. humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan, the United States remains at the top of the donors' list with over $336 million contribution so far this year. Last year, the United States contributed over $1.26 billion to the U.N. appeal. As of July 20, only 23% of this year's Afghanistan appeal has been funded, according to the U.N. Aid agencies have warned that a lack of funding to the appeal will force millions of vulnerable Afghan households into extreme poverty. Citing North Korea and Syria, among other countries, John Sopko said in the past "we in the United States held our nose and delivered assistance to people around the world who live under governments we hate." Last month, the U.S. Department of States announced an additional $920 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Syria taking the total U.S. assistance to the country since 2011 to $16.8 billion. SIGAR said a new proposed draft law, which was passed by the House and under consideration by the Senate, will prohibit any U.S. assistance going "directly or indirectly" to the Taliban. Sopko predicted the bill, if passed, would have "serious implications" for aid to Afghanistan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Airstrike in Somalia Kills Five Militants By Harun Maruf July 20, 2023 The U.S. military command in Africa has said it conducted an airstrike in central Somalia that killed five al-Shabab militants. In a press statement Thursday, AFRCOM said the "collective self-defense" airstrike occurred July 19 in a remote area near Hareeri Kalle, approximately 15 kilometers south of Galcad. AFRICOM said the strike was in support of Somali National Army forces fighting al-Shabab. The strike came at the request of the federal government of Somalia, the statement added. AFRICOM said it will continue to assess the results of Wednesday's operation and will provide additional information "as appropriate." The Somali government has been fighting al-Shabab militants since 2006. The group was removed from major cities but continues to control vast areas in the countryside. In August 2022, the Somali army, supported by self-mobilized local fighters, launched a military offensive that seized parts of central Somalia from the militant group. The militants have struck back, raiding military bases and inflicting heavy losses on government forces in the south and central regions. Meanwhile, Hussein Sheikh-Ali, the national security adviser for Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, told VOA this week the Somali government hopes to get a financial boost in December when a fundraising conference will be held in New York for the Somali army. Ali said six countries the United States, United Kingdom, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar as well as the European Union will co-sponsor with Somalia an international donor conference for the Somali security sector. "We are expecting something that would take Somalia up to 2027 when Somalia believes we can take over to fund our security forces completely," Ali said. The Somali government is aided by an African Union force and independently operating Ethiopian forces that are also fighting al-Shabab. The United States, Turkey, Eritrea and the United Arab Emirates are among the nations training the Somali National Army. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Cameroon English-Speaking Civilians Say Economic Activity at Standstill Following Separatist Roadblocks By Moki Edwin Kindzeka July 20, 2023 In Cameroon, authorities say separatists have set up roadblocks to at least 20 western districts to protest what they call excessive brutality by government troops. The rebels accuse Cameroon's military in the past week of killing at least 27 people and burning scores of homes. Cameroon's military denies the allegations and blames separatists for the killings. The Northwest, one of two regions where separatists are active, produces maize, potatoes, beans, rice and other produce for Cameroon's major cities. Cattle from the region is sold throughout the country and markets in neighboring Nigeria. But government officials say thousands of people, especially merchants, are blocked from traveling into or out of the region. Nembo Ngam, coordinator of the Network of Maize Farmers in the Boyo district, says fighters set up roadblocks to at least 20 districts this week and are threatening to kill merchants who defy a separatist ban on the movement of goods and people. "There is no means by which products can leave the villages to towns with the blocking of the roads," he said. "The effect is that we the masses are in trouble because prices of basic commodities have risen. We are begging and pleading for the government to see what they can do because the blocking of the roads is a hard pill to swallow." Speaking via a messaging app, Nembo said the affected districts are running short of basic commodities imported either from or through Nigeria, or Cameroon's economic capital, Douala. He said there has been a 60% increase in basic commodity prices. Fighters say they mounted roadblocks to stop the central African state's military from torching homes and killing civilians. Separatists say government troops indiscriminately killed 27 people in the past week, and either arrested or tortured scores of civilians accused of failing to inform the military of separatist fighters' whereabouts. Capo Daniel, leader of the Ambazonia Peoples Rights Advocacy Platform, one of Cameroon's separatist groups, says the roadblocks will be removed when Cameroon government troops stop abusing civilians. "Our fighters had to set up major roadblocks that have cut off a huge part of our rural areas from the Bamenda city center and the rest of the world, basically to be able to carry out operations targeting the Cameroon military, so that our people can be able to go back to their day-to-day life which our fighters are fighting for," he said. The military denies it indiscriminately arrests, tortures and kills civilians and blames fighters for the past week's killings. The military says in one of the attacks, separatists disguised themselves as government troops to try to frame them for the killing of 10 civilians at Nacho Junction in Bamenda. Deben Tchoffo, the governor of Cameroon's Northwest region, says government troops are attempting to track down and kill all fighters who refuse to drop their weapons and surrender. "The armed forces works with professionalism, respecting human rights, but there are still pockets of resistance. We have to mobilize the population to denounce those that are bringing havoc and disorder in our various communities." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. Delivers Remarks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Thursday, July 20, 2023 Location Washington, DC United States Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Thank you for that kind introduction, Jim. It's a pleasure to be here at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, alongside my Principal Deputy and soon-to-be-Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole Argentieri, to highlight the Criminal Division's exceptional work on cyber initiatives and investigations. And indeed, to lift up the tremendous work of our sections, and the people who do it, all in an effort to combat cyber-related criminality here in the United States and across the globe. Over the last few decades, our nation has faced a new, alarming threat. When our businesses, schools, armed forces, and citizens embraced the internet and welcomed its many benefits, they also embraced its vulnerabilities. Few, at the time, understood how the internet could mean that a foreign spy gets access to your health insurance records and credit history, that it gives sex offenders access to teenagers' webcams, or that it gives Eastern European criminals the power to attack hospitals, school districts, and essential industries. Last March, the Biden administration announced a comprehensive National Cybersecurity Strategy, and published the implementation plan for that Strategy last week. The strategy requires a whole-of-nation effort that involves input from the private sector, public sector, state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, as well as international partners and Congress. It is a huge, but necessary, undertaking. Importantly, both the strategy and the implementation plan give the Department of Justice, including the Criminal Division, a crucial role. Notably, Department of Justice components are slated to lead nine of the 66 or so initiatives in the strategy's recently-released implementation plan. We are a "contributing entity" on an additional 17 initiatives. The fact that the Department is playing a role in approximately 40% of the strategy's implementation is a testament to our crucial role in this country's cybersecurity equation. But well before this strategy and implementation plan, the Criminal Division has been engaged, consistent with that strategy's goal of protecting the American people from cyber-attacks. And the Department of Justice's Criminal Division is at the center of DOJ's cyber work. We have been fighting cyber threats for decades. We let our work speak for itself, and our work has a lot to say. For example, last January, we announced that FBI agents, with the support of prosecutors in the Criminal Division's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, infiltrated the Hive ransomware network's computers. This allowed them to disrupt the Hive group's attempts to ransom the computers of a Louisiana hospital, a Texas school district, and over 300 other victims around the world. We provided victims with a way to decrypt their computers and get back in business without having to pay the ransomware actors a single cent. That was just one in a long list of disruption actions taken by attorneys in the Criminal Division's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, which we call CCIPS. CCIPS attorneys were lead or co-counsel on, as of this week, 23 major online disruption operations. By "online disruption operation," I mean that CCIPS attorneys obtained court orders, search warrants, seizure warrants, or other legal process that permitted the FBI to do something online that took over criminal infrastructure and disrupted ongoing crime. CCIPS attorneys have used a combination of legal and technical tools to enable the FBI to take down multiple botnets or malware families, including RSOCKS, Netwalker, CryptoLocker, and Avalanche. CCIPS attorneys have also taken down dark marketplaces and other forums that sell hacker tools, including Hydra Market, BreachForums, Genesis Market, AlphaBay, and Silk Road. CCIPS, FBI, U.S. Secret Service, and other important federal law enforcement partners are where the country comes when it needs criminal cyber activity stopped in its tracks. A misconception about our work is that we're interested only in finding criminals, arresting them, and putting them in prison. It's true that arrests and prosecutions are a critical component of our work. There's no better way to stop a perpetrator's cybercrime than placing him or her behind bars for 20 years. Indeed, as I just noted, we've successfully prosecuted hackers responsible for the some of the most notorious botnets and illegal marketplaces. But as our record of 23 major disruption operations shows, we're also heavily invested in preventing and disrupting crime, not only through arrests, but through online operations that limit the danger from criminals' online infrastructure. We understand that we are serving the American people, both helping victims and protecting would-be victims, often without their knowledge. And it's not only CCIPS. The Criminal Division as a whole acts as the center of the Department's cyber work. Our Office of International Affairs (OIA), our country's central authority for mutual legal assistance, has a dedicated cyber unit, which obtains essential evidence for criminal investigations and prosecutions worldwide by working with domestic partners and foreign counterparts. To cite just one of OIA's many successes, in March 2022, a Ukrainian man charged with conducting ransomware attacks against multiple victims was successfully extradited and was arraigned in a U.S. federal district court. Our Office of Enforcement Operations oversees law enforcement's use of sophisticated and sensitive criminal investigative tools. And our Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section protects the welfare of America's children and communities by combatting cyber-facilitated child exploitation and obscenity crimes. You might ask, why is disruption of threats from cyber criminals the job of the Department of Justice? Or, if it is DOJ's job, why the Criminal Division? The answer is simple: computer intrusions are crimes. Running a botnet is a crime. Ransomware is a crime. And, disrupting crimes is what the Criminal Division does. We investigate hackers; we prosecute hackers; we disrupt hackers. There's another reason why disrupting cybercrime is a job for prosecutors and law enforcement. To take down botnets, or to do any of the online operations I described above, you need information, or what you all in the cybersecurity community call "threat intelligence." You need to know things like where the criminals' servers are, how they communicate, and how their software works. Some of that information can be deduced by private-sector security researchers. But much of it requires the type of investigative tools that are only available to law enforcement. When we investigate hacking crimes, we use search warrants to look at data that criminals store online. We use pen-trap orders to monitor what computers they are in contact with, and subpoenas to identify how they paid for online hosting. We use mutual legal assistance treaties to request that foreign law enforcement gather evidence in their countries, and we use extradition treaties to bring Russian and other foreign actors into U.S. courts to stand trial. We arrest and flip co-conspirators, who then give us further threat intelligence in the hopes of receiving a lighter sentence. We are in the intelligence business. Over the Criminal Division's 30 years of fighting cybercrime, one resounding lesson has been that international law enforcement partnerships are crucial to our work, including through increasing our partners' capacities to defend against cyber threats. The Criminal Division leads the Department's work in this area. As I mentioned before, the Criminal Division's Office of International Affairs is our country's central authority for mutual legal assistance. OIA is vital to our international cyber cooperations. When U.S. investigators need copies of a web server in Europe, or Internet service provider records from Japan, it's the Criminal Division's OIA that provides the assistance to make that happen. Likewise, when our foreign law enforcement partners need evidence or assistance from our country, OIA is there to help. In addition, we recently created a CCIPS position called the Cyber Operations International Liaison, or COIL, whose job it is to work with foreign law enforcement to build international disruption operations. We further recognize the importance of strengthening international partner capacities, and expanding our country's ability to assist allies and partners. The Criminal Division has been leading this mission through our ongoing efforts to build our international partners' capacities to enforce their own laws against cybercrime. Three Criminal Division sections - CCIPS, our Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT), and our International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) - have been implementing a worldwide law enforcement capacity-building network. This network consists of International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Attorney Advisors, called ICHIPs for short, located all over the world. Together with our OPDAT Resident Legal Advisors and ICITAP AttachAs stationed overseas in nearly 70 countries around the world, the Criminal Division's network works to strengthen our international partners' capacities to combat cybercrime and counter threats to our digital ecosystem. We cannot do this work exclusively from Washington, D.C., or just within DOJ. No, it requires strong cooperation and coordination with foreign law enforcement. Whether it is Bitzlato, Genesis, Chipmixer, Hive, the list goes on and on, these significant disruption operations only work because of the shared commitment and diligence of international partners. All of that sets the stage for the Criminal Division's main announcement today, which specifically involves CCIPS. CCIPS is the Department's criminal cyber section. It is the largest office in the Department prosecuting cybercrime, with about 45 permanent attorneys and a few more detailees handling more than 200 prosecutions or other criminal matters each year. The Criminal Division created CCIPS in 1996, from an earlier computer crime unit that had been formed in 1991. Over 30 years, CCIPS has gradually built up a technologically sophisticated, highly trained workforce of experienced criminal lawyers, building that team through recruitment, internal training, and careful management. CCIPS attorneys often have technological backgrounds; some previously worked as computer engineers, wrote software professionally, defended computer networks, and were granted patents. CCIPS attorneys have worked on some of the most significant hacking cases in the Department's history. CCIPS serves as the Department's incubator for innovative ideas, hatched from the frontiers of law and the outer boundary of technology. CCIPS developed and mainstreamed much of the modern cybercrime investigative playbook. CCIPS attorneys today are responsible for training the entire Department on obtaining evidence from online providers, on computer forensics, on drafting search warrants to seize computers, and all the other new techniques that are crucial to almost every criminal investigation in the Department. CCIPS attorneys have also innovated newer techniques, like botnet takedowns, geofence search warrants, search warrants authorizing the remote access of computers, cryptocurrency asset forfeiture, and domain name seizures. Within the Department, CCIPS maintains primary responsibility for developing the Department's overall computer and intellectual property offense enforcement strategies, and for coordinating computer crime and intellectual property investigations and cases that may significantly impact more than one district or other countries. CCIPS also oversees and provides programmatic support to the Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Network, a network of over 200 experienced and technically qualified Assistant United States Attorneys who prosecute cybercrimes in their own districts. So to all of our Criminal Division personnel involved in the fight against cyber-crime, I say thank you. And in particular, I know that while CCIPS has an accomplished past, it will achieve even more in the future. And beginning in August, it will do so under the leadership of my Principal Deputy, Nicole Argentieri, who will serve as the acting Assistant Attorney General. A former prosecutor and supervisor in the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of New York, Nicole has been a trusted colleague, advisor, and friend. Her diligence is endless, her commitment is unwavering. She is the right person, at the right time, to lead our Criminal Division. Nicole... Speaker: Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. Topic: Cybercrime Components: Criminal Division Criminal - Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section Criminal - Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section Criminal - International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program Criminal - Office of Enforcement Operations Criminal - Office of International Affairs Criminal - Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance & Training NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri Delivers Remarks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Thursday, July 20, 2023 Location Washington, DC United States Remarks as Prepared for Delivery Thank you, Kenneth. Today, I'm pleased to announce that we are super-charging the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) by adding to it another hugely successful Criminal Division team. Beginning this week, we are merging the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team, or NCET, into CCIPS, creating a single office that consolidates the Criminal Division's expertise in all aspects of fighting cybercrime. Within CCIPS, NCET will continue its mission. NCET will investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute criminal offenses involving the abuse of cryptocurrency. That includes, in partnership with the Criminal Division's Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS), investigating and prosecuting cryptocurrency exchanges that facilitate money laundering. As has always been the case, NCET will leverage MLARS expertise in money laundering, Bank Secrecy Act, and financial institution cases, and digital asset seizure and forfeiture by continuing to collaborate with MLARS in these areas. NCET will also continue to fulfill its other core responsibilities: building and enhancing its relationships with cryptocurrency-focused AUSAs and prosecutors from other Department litigating components; and playing the crucial role it has in capacity building by training these prosecutors and our law enforcement partners on best practices in investigative and prosecutorial strategies in these complex cases. At the direction of Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, the Criminal Division launched NCET in 2021. NCET was created to tackle complex investigations and prosecutions of criminal misuses of cryptocurrency, particularly crimes committed by virtual currency exchanges, mixing and tumbling services, and money laundering infrastructure actors. To build NCET, we tapped experts from CCIPS and MLARS. CCIPS and MLARS had already been working on cutting edge investigations involving cryptocurrency exchanges that were violating the law. And MLARS had already taken steps to create a cryptocurrency enforcement initiative, and the experts in this group added their expertise to the NCET team. We then brought on AUSAs with cryptocurrency experience from around the country. The result was an all-star team of cryptocurrency attorneys. NCET is the government's most impressive collection of cryptocurrency-knowledgeable criminal lawyers, equipped with a deep understanding of the technology, business, and legal sides of cryptocurrency. NCET quickly generated results. In January, the Deputy Attorney General and Assistant Attorney General Polite announced a major NCET case: the arrest of a senior executive of a cryptocurrency exchange named Bitzlato on charges of operating a money-transmitting business that transported and transmitted illicit funds and that failed to meet U.S. regulatory safeguards. One month later, we announced another NCET case: the arrest of a man on charges of commodities fraud, commodities market manipulation, and wire fraud in connection with the manipulation of the Mango Markets decentralized cryptocurrency exchange. NCET also led the Department's work on writing reports on behalf of the Attorney General to the President on the role of law enforcement in detecting, investigating, and prosecuting criminal activity related to digital assets. NCET further launched a new network of AUSAs, the Digital Asset Coordinator (DAC) network, serving as the Department's primary forum for prosecutors to obtain and disseminate specialized training, technical expertise, and guidance about the investigation and prosecution of digital asset crimes. It's now time to bring NCET to the next level. NCET has been an enormously successful startup. Merging it into CCIPS will give it the resources and runway to accomplish even more. Let me explain how. First, this merger means that the number of Criminal Division attorneys available to work on criminal cryptocurrency matters will more than double. Any CCIPS attorney can potentially be assigned to work an NCET case. The potential for cross-over and collaboration is enormous. It's become obvious to everyone in the cybercrime field that cryptocurrency work and cyber prosecutions are intertwined, and will become even more so in the future. Second, this merger elevates cryptocurrency work within the Criminal Division by giving it equal status to computer crime and intellectual property work. The Director of NCET will personally have the authority to approve charging decisions and other steps in investigations and litigation. Third, merged into CCIPS, NCET will multiply the entire Department's ability to trace cryptocurrency, to charge cases involving the criminal use of cryptocurrency, and to seize legally forfeitable cryptocurrency as a way to get those funds back to victims - just as CCIPS has, historically, helped prosecutors throughout the Department confront electronic evidence, intellectual property, and computer crime issues. Every modern prosecutor needs to be able to trace and seize cryptocurrency. This merger recognizes that. I want to thank Eun Young Choi, the inaugural Director of NCET, for her leadership in building a tremendous team across the Department to work collaboratively on these issues. She is a tremendous prosecutor, and an innovator, and we look forward to continuing to work with her in her new role. As Eun Young steps away, I'm pleased to announce that Claudia Quiroz will serve as Acting Director of NCET. Claudia, a long-time Assistant United States Attorney from the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Northern District of California, has been one of the original deputy directors of NCET since its inception. With her extensive prosecutorial experience and digital currency expertise, I am confident that Claudia will steward NCET to the next level as it merges into CCIPS. Merging NCET into CCIPS better positions the Criminal Division to meet the challenges set out by the National Cybersecurity Strategy. An urgent priority for the merged CCIPS and NCET is the fight against ransomware. The National Cybersecurity Strategy highlights ransomware as not only an important concern, but as a threat to national security. CCIPS has, since its 2014 takedown of the CryptoLocker ransomware family, led the Department's work in fighting ransomware. In June 2021, the Deputy Attorney General formally made CCIPS responsible for coordinating ransomware cases across the Department, and CCIPS attorneys are co-counsel on almost every major ransomware case being conducted by the Department. The new super-charged CCIPS, merged with NCET, will use its combined expertise to answer this urgent call: the CCIPS cybercrime experts will investigate ransomware crimes, and NCET cryptocurrency specialists will pursue all available opportunities to track criminals through their ransomware payments, vigorously pursuing cryptocurrency payments and freezing or seizing them before they go to Russia and other ransomware hotspots. The subject of ransomware brings me to another important point: ransomware is a threat to all - national security, public safety, and economic prosperity. I'm proud that Criminal Division prosecutors have taken on so much responsibility in responding to this threat to public safety and our national and economic security. Deputy Attorney General Monaco described what we are up against perfectly when she referred to it as a "blended threat." Some national security threats come from nations. Some come from "nation-states and criminal gangs forming alliances of convenience and working together." And some come from criminal groups working alone and the disastrous consequences of their hacks. For example, in May 2021, criminals in a ransomware group targeted Colonial Pipeline, resulting in critical infrastructure being taken out of operation. That was a blended threat. The Department, weeks later, announced that it had seized bitcoins, valued at approximately $2.3 million, that allegedly represent the proceeds of the Colonial Pipeline ransom payment. That response to the blended threat was the result of the hard work of attorneys in CCIPS, in MLARS, in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California, and in the Justice Department's National Security Division. As Criminal Division prosecutors work on cyber cases, identifying opportunities for arrests and other disruptions, they must work together with other government agencies addressing the ransomware problem. But I also want to salute our colleagues in the National Security Division, or NSD, for the excellent partnership. CCIPS and NSD have enjoyed close collaboration ever since NSD was founded. NSD has, in the last decade, brought the disruption-first strategy the AAG described earlier to the cyber threats posed by foreign nation-states and their proxies. The Criminal Division has eagerly supported this work, sending detailees to NSD and helping it build some important cases. CCIPS also assisted in some of their recent online disruption operations, including the May 2023 disruption of FSB malware known as Snake and the April 2022 disruption of the Cyclops Blink malware. We were excited that NSD recently consolidated its cyber disruption work into a single office, named NatSec Cyber, and we look forward to that office's growth and success, and our continued partnership. Let me end with two things. First, I want to thank Kenneth for his kindness, his friendship, and his outstanding leadership of the Criminal Division. Kenneth, you are an amazing leader and colleague and a dear friend, and we will miss you. And all of us at the Criminal Division wish you and your family all the best. Second, I would like to note how much work remains for us to do. We in the Department of Justice are acutely aware of how serious the cybercrime problem is. We also understand how much responsibility has been placed in the Department to disrupt cyberattacks and, when possible, to bring cybercriminals to justice. I hope that our work, and our announcement today, shows how we plan to execute that responsibility. Thank you so much for hosting us today. Topic: Cybercrime Components: Criminal Division Criminal - Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section Criminal - Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section National Security Division (NSD) USAO - California, Northern NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, Russia kick off joint military exercise in Sea of Japan Global Times Sea-air integrated drills to safeguard regional peace, stability, strengthen cooperation By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: Jul 20, 2023 09:29 PM With a Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy destroyer designated as the command ship, the China-Russia Northern/Interaction-2023 joint military exercise kicked off in the Sea of Japan on Thursday. The four-day drills will strengthen the two countries' military cooperation and contribute to the safeguarding of peace and stability in Asia-Pacific amid tensions and potential threats in the region, experts said. An opening ceremony for the exercise was held in the central waters of the Sea of Japan on Thursday, immediately followed by live actions including sea and air escort drills, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Thursday. In the coming days, the exercise will also include deterrence and repulsion, roadstead defense and mock confrontational battles, CCTV reported. Scheduled to be held from Thursday to Sunday and featuring the use of live ammunition, the Northern/Interaction-2023 joint exercise will feature anti-submarine missions, naval combat, sea and air escort of ships, guarding and defending of detachments of ships when moored in an unprotected roadstead, and ensuring the security of communications in and over the Sea of Japan, the Defense Ministry of Russia said in a press release on Thursday. Under the theme of safeguarding strategic maritime routes, the exercise will practice basic combat procedures against aerial, surface and underwater targets, Li Yaqiang, a Chinese naval expert, told the Global Times. With main naval and aviation forces from both sides participating, the exercise should be considered a large-scale one, Li said. At sea, the Chinese side is represented by the Type 052D guided missile destroyers Qiqihar and Guiyang, the Type 054A guided missile frigates Zaozhuang and Rizhao, and the Type 903 comprehensive replenishment ship Taihu, which rendezvoused with the Russian participating vessels, the large anti-submarine ships Admiral Tribunts and Admiral Panteleev as well as the corvettes Gremyashy and Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov in the designated waters in the Sea of Japan on Tuesday after setting out from Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province on Saturday. In the air, the two countries are sending more than 30 aircraft, including fighter jets, anti-submarine aircraft and helicopters, according to the Russian press release. China Central Television reported that the Chinese side has deployed the Y-20 large transport aircraft, the KJ-500 early warning aircraft, the J-16 fighter jet and the Z-20 helicopter to Vladivostok in Russia's Far East as part of the exercise. It means that Chinese aircraft are operating from Russian airfields during the exercise, marking a high level of military cooperation and mutual trust between the two countries, Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times. With the Sea of Japan right on Russia's doorstep, Chinese aircraft operating from a Russian airfield can significantly decrease the reaction time against potential threats in the region, Fu said. China sent several different types of aircraft for different purposes to the exercise, with the Z-20 participating for the first time in a joint exercise overseas, observers noted. They said that the diversity of vessels and aircraft shows that an integrated combat system is featured in the exercise, and that the exercise is highly combat-oriented. To lead the exercise, a joint headquarters was established aboard the PLA Navy destroyer Qiqihar, both sides' official releases confirmed. The joint headquarters means that Chinese and Russian officers are commanding the exercise together from the Chinese ship, another Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Thursday. Equipped with advanced command and control systems, the Qiqihar and the joint headquarters aboard it can receive information from the entire flotilla, analyze it and send orders in real time, the expert said. To achieve this, Chinese and Russian command and control systems must also be interconnected, which also reflects a high level of cooperation and mutual trust, analysts said. The China-Russia joint drills are taking place at a time when tensions are rising in the Asia-Pacific region. Japan has been interfering in China's Taiwan question, claiming "a Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency," while the US reportedly deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea on Tuesday for the first time in four decades in an attempt to deter North Korea. The Northern/Interaction-2023 exercise is part of an annually scheduled China-Russia military cooperation and not targeting any third party, but it serves to safeguard regional peace and stability from any security threats that might occur, analysts said. Organized by the PLA Northern Theater Command, the exercise is aimed at further elevating the strategic cooperation level of the two militaries and strengthening their capabilities in jointly safeguarding regional peace and stability, as well as dealing with various security challenges, according to a press release from China's Ministry of National Defense published on Saturday. After the exercise, the Chinese and Russian naval and aviation forces will hold joint patrols in Pacific waters, the PLA Navy said on Saturday. Such joint patrols could see the joint forces circumnavigate Japan from the Sea of Japan, the West Pacific and the East China Sea, observers said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address First man tried in Hong Kong for insulting national anthem sentenced to 3 months in jail Global Times By GT staff reporters Published: Jul 20, 2023 10:54 PM A man has been sentenced to three months in prison in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday for replacing the national anthem with a song associated with the 2019 Hong Kong riots in a video showing a Hong Kong athlete celebrating his victory at the Tokyo Olympics. As the first person tried under the National Anthem Ordinance that was passed in 2020, the 27-year-old photographer Cheng Wing-chun was earlier this month found guilty of openly and deliberately insulting the anthem at the Eastern Magistrates' Court. Magistrate Minnie Wat said Cheng lacked remorse, noting that although Cheng claimed he didn't know the meaning behind the song, he had worked for a political party and participated in protests and rallies in 2019, which made his claim unconvincing. This case has built up a precedent of case law and may constitute a solid reference for elements of conduct and intention for verdicts and sentences in subsequent offenses, Chu Kar-kin, a veteran current affairs commentator based in HKSAR and member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday. In 2021, Cheng replaced China's national anthem "March of the Volunteers" with "Glory to Hong Kong," a song linked to the 2019 anti-government riots and has been used to instigate seditious activities, in a video clip of the Hong Kong foil fencer Cheung Ka-long receiving a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Cheng posted the footage to YouTube which has gained more than 90,000 views and several comments. Wat said the comments reflected the far-reaching impact of the video, which was not only disrespectful to the athletes, but also triggered conflicts among people with different opinions and might lead to more similar insulting behaviors. Wat said a deterrent sentence was needed as the national anthem and the national flag symbolize the country and national sovereignty, representing national dignity, unity and territorial integrity. In June, Hong Kong's Department of Justice applied to the Court for a court injunction to ban unlawful acts relating to "Glory to Hong Kong," such as broadcasting the song with a seditious intention, after the song has been repeatedly mistakenly presented as the "National Anthem of Hong Kong" (instead of the correct one "March of the Volunteers"). In June 2020, the National Anthem Ordinance came into effect in Hong Kong to promote respect for the national anthem. The law prohibits and imposes penalties on the misuse of the national anthem and public acts with an intent to insult the national anthem, with up to three years imprisonment or fines of up to HK$50,000 (roughly $ 6,400). "The national anthem symbolizes the image and sign of our nation and the National Anthem Ordinance serves the purpose to preserve the dignity of it. Any person who insults the national anthem commits an offense and once convicted will be punished by the law," said Chu, adding that the HKSAR Government should promote the national anthem education. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China mulls supportive package to spur private economy following top-design 31-point guideline Global Times By Li Xuanmin and Qi Xijia Published: Jul 20, 2023 11:34 PM China will mull providing more supportive measures for the private economy in recent days, including policy documents on facilitating the development of the private economy and driving private investment, as well as a new version of a negative list for private investors, the country's top economic planner said on Thursday, as part of a concrete, multi-pronged package built upon a top-design policy guideline issued on Wednesday night. The 31-point guideline touched on a variety of issues that are of key concerns to private businesses, ranging from market entry, fair competition, legal protection, financing support and fundraising to intellectual property right protection and innovation input. Overnight, the effects of the guideline have already been reverberating across multiple areas. Some of the over 44 million Chinese entrepreneurs hailed it as "a much-needed shot in the arm and a boost to their confidence," inspiring them to take more responsibility in the country's march toward common prosperity. Private businesses have played an increasingly pivotal role in spurring economic growth, creating employment and revving up technological innovation. While a stabilized private economy is set to inject certainty into the Chinese economic growth amid growing downward pressures, observers stressed that the move is an affirmation of the country's "two unswervinglys" stance on equal support for public and non-public sectors, rather than what some Western media tout as boosting a long-subdued sector with temporary pills for an "ailing economy." It also slaps what some Chinese doomsayers peddle as a "multi-year crackdown" against the private sector, a claim that observers said could be aimed at instigating confrontation between China's public and private enterprises. A properly designed and timely guideline with clear red lines is conducive for the sound development of private sector, they noted. More package measures Li Chunlin, vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country's top economic planner, said at a press briefing of the State Council Information Office on Thursday that the NDRC will soon release two documents on a number of measures on boosting the growth of the private economy and motivating private investment. "They're the accompanying measures to the guideline [issued on Wednesday]. It is expected that the slew of policies released later will lead to its better implementation, and spur the high-quality development of the private economy," Li said. He also vowed that the NDRC will work with relevant departments to strengthen efforts to create a better environment for private businesses, such as launching a new version of the negative list of market access for private investors, and reports on typical cases that violate the negative list. With the top design well articulated, observers said implementation will be the key focus in the next stage. "We expect a combo of policy support from various government departments including financial and tax authorities as well as localities soon, addressing the headaches and concerns of private businesses," Li Chang'an, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies of the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Thursday. The Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council issued the 31-measure guideline on Wednesday night. It is by far one of the most comprehensive pieces of support for the private economy, which is of landmark significance and further embodies the clause "private economy as an important component of the basic socialist economic system" being written into the Constitution, and a clear support for the expansion of the private economy delivered by the Report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, analysts said. In interpreting the guideline, Chinese officials said on Thursday that improving the basic system and launching practical measures to "shore up the confidence" of the private sector is urgently needed, as the confidence of entrepreneurs has been impacted to a certain extent amid challenges posed by the pandemic and certain changes in the global geopolitical environment. "You name it, the guideline has it. For private businesses lacking capital support, the guideline provides solutions on financing, fundraising and direct financial assistance. It also urges research institutes to provide research and development support to speed up private enterprises' innovation efforts," Pan Helin, a research fellow with the International Business School, Zhejiang University, told the Global Times on Thursday. Refuting foreign hype of crackdown The guideline was widely welcomed among Chinese private firms, which make up over 90 percent of all enterprises and contribute to 80 percent of urban employment. Private entrepreneurs reached by the Global Times said that support from the government is concrete, pushing back against the foreign rhetoric that China only realizes the importance of the private economy when the overall economy "loses steam." An executive of a Shenzhen-based private tech start-up, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Global Times that downplaying the role of private business in China could be aimed at triggering conflicts between the private and public sectors. "[The support] comes at a time of external turbulence, and is necessary because at this juncture, stabilizing the expectations of entrepreneurs is critical to ensuring job opportunities. Chinese tech companies have also become pioneers in technological breakthroughs in a number of white-hot tech fields such as artificial intelligence and semiconductors. They're more flexible to market changes," he added. Cong Yi, a professor at the Tianjin University of Finance and Economics, told the Global Times that private enterprises deserve encouraging policies because they have vast potential in China's high-quality economic development, particularly in achieving the second centenary goal of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects. "One of the key steps to achieving that goal is unleashing market vitality through the massive number of private enterprises," Cong said. In East China's Zhejiang Province, a pilot zone for common prosperity, the private sector now accounts for over 70 percent of its economic activity, the Zhejiang Daily reported. According to the guideline, China will also regulate and guide the sound development of private capital in accordance with the law. It will set up "green and red lights" for private capital and improve systems and rules on capital movements. The statement is also a clear rebuttal to concerns of a "crackdown on the platform economy" as hyped by some foreign media, Cao Heping, an economist at Pecking University, told the Global Times on Thursday. Pony Ma Huateng, CEO of Chinese internet giant Tencent, said in a statement sent to the Global Times that the guideline has clearly pointed out the development direction of the platform economy, bolstering its determination and motivation to continue expanding. Cao said that in the past few years, the development of the private economy has gained widespread attention, which has included some false, one-sided opinions focusing on the faults and problems of certain private enterprises. It is normal for issues to emerge during the development process, such as monopoly and abuse of power, but timely correction and supervision is necessary for the platforms' long-term development, observers said. Pan said that introducing "red and green light" investment cases would give platform companies a better reference when they invest, and would also clearly show where the redline lies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on July 20, 2023 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China CCTV: On a briefing held on July 19, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry said he had had cordial and productive meetings with the Chinese side. The US and China will work together intensively in the next weeks in preparation for important negotiations during COP28. What's your comment on that? Mao Ning: Climate change is a global challenge that requires a global response. China is a doer on ecological conservation and climate governance. China accounts for a quarter of the world's newly added green areas since 2000. We are the first country to have achieved zero net land degradation, reduced both the areas of desertified and sandified land, and expanded our forest coverage ratio and forest stock volume. China has the biggest clean power generation system in the world. Our installed hydro, wind, and solar capacities all top the world. With an average three-percent year-on-year energy consumption growth, China has propelled an economy growing at an average annual rate of 6.2 percent. We are one of the fastest countries in terms of lowering energy intensity.aa China is also a trailblazer on environmental governance. We have actively facilitated the full, balanced, and effective implementation of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, while providing as much support and help we can to other developing countriesaa contribution we have made to a fair and equitable system of global climate governance that benefits all. At this week's National Conference on Ecological and Environmental Protection, President Xi Jinping gave an important speech, one that will guide our efforts to further step up environmental protection and ecological progress. China will stay committed to ecological conservation and work with all other countries for a clean and beautiful world. NHK: A question on Japan's discharge of the treated, diluted water from Fukushima nuclear plant. Due to this issue, China has tightened restrictions on food imports from Japan. The Japanese government said that the safety of Japanese food has been scientifically proven, and that it would ask China to lift import restrictions as soon as possible. What's the foreign ministry's response? Mao Ning: The Chinese government puts people first. Our job is to be responsible for the health of our people and the marine environment. Our opposition to Japan's ocean discharge plan is based on facts and reason, so are the measures that we have decided to take. We urge Japan to heed the call of the international community, stop pushing through the discharge plan, engage in full, sincere consultations with its neighbors, dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a responsible way and accept rigorous international oversight.aa Beijing Daily: Lately, the Japanese government has sought to justify its discharge plan at the NATO Summit, the ASEAN-plus ministerials, the Eastern Caribbean Ministerial Meeting on Fisheries and Sustainable Use of Living Marine Resources and so on, while signaling that the discharge scheduled to begin this summer will not be postponed. However, the National Fisheries Cooperative Federation of Japan and fisheries cooperatives of Fukushima and Miyagi have all reiterated their opposition to the plan. What's your comment? Mao Ning: The Japanese government has done several things recently on the issue of ocean dischargeait has launched a global PR campaign, set up a special fund to silence the public in opposition to the plan and used the IAEA's review report as a "greenlight" for its planato act as if the ocean discharge plan is a done deal. If the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water is truly safe, Japan wouldn't have to dump it into the seaaand certainly shouldn't if it's not. The world has widely questioned the legitimacy, legality and safety of Japan's discharge plan. No matter how Japan tries, there is no way to whitewash its discharge plan. The protests from neighboring countries and the questions raised by people within Japan are all clear evidence. A Japanese media outlet reported on July 16 that over 80 percent of Japanese respondents to a recent poll consider the government's explanation over the Fukushima wastewater to be insufficient. Japan's scholars and environmentalists have also spoken up, saying that the discharge should not be tolerated, given the radioactive pollution it will add to the radioactive leak caused by the 2011 Fukushima accident. The Japanese government's decision does not take into account at all the public concerns, particularly those of the fishing and farming communities. Most likely, the government will not keep its promise of not starting the ocean discharge before gaining the understanding of relevant parties. I need to stress that there is no precedent nor commonly accepted standard for dumping nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean. It is a matter of science and a question about attitude as well. We urge Japan to take seriously the legitimate concerns of the international community and the people in Japan, stop pushing through the ocean discharge plan, have full, sincere communication with neighboring countries, dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a truly responsible way, and accept strict international oversight. RIA Novosti: Russia, following its decision not to extend its participation in the Black Sea grain deal, announced yesterday that from July 20, all ships heading to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea will be considered as potential carriers of military cargo. What's China's comment on this?a Mao Ning: We hope that parties concerned will properly resolve international food security issues through dialogue and consultation. China's position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear-cut. We will continue to play a constructive role in facilitating the political settlement of the crisis. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hong Kong police question more family members of exiled pro-democracy activists Goal of early morning raids is to instill fear, commentators say. By Gigi Lee for RFA Cantonese 2023.07.20 -- Hong Kong police on Thursday took away for questioning several family members of exiled pro-democracy activists wanted for "collusion with foreign forces" for campaigning against an ongoing crackdown on dissent in the city. Police raided the home of trade unionist Mung Siu-tat's brother, taking him, his wife and their son for questioning on suspicion of "assisting fugitives to continue to engage in acts that endanger national security," a police spokesperson told Radio Free Asia. Police also took away the parents, brother and sister-in-law of exiled former pro-democracy lawmaker Dennis Kwok and questioned them on suspicion of the same offense, the South China Morning Post and Standard newspapers reported. No arrests were made, and all of the activists' family members were released after questioning, the reports said. Eight bounties The raids came after similar action against the family members of exiled former pro-democracy lawmaker Nathan Law, who is also on a wanted list of eight prominent overseas activists. On July 3, national security police issued arrest warrants and offered bounties for U.K.-based Mung, Kwok, Law and five other exiled campaigners, saying they are wanted in connection with "serious crimes" under Hong Kong's national security law. U.K.-based Finn Lau, Australia-based Ted Hui and Kevin Yam and U.S.-based Anna Kwok and Elmer Yuen are also on the wanted list, with bounties of HK$1 million (US$127,700) offered for information that might lead to an arrest. A police spokesperson confirmed to Radio Free Asia that Mung's three relatives were questioned for "assisting fugitives," but declined to say why Kwok's relatives were questioned. "This operation is still ongoing, and further law enforcement action, including arrests, cannot be ruled out," the spokesman said. Instilling fear Current affairs commentator Sang Pu said the raids, which have targeted 10 family members of the eight wanted activists to date, seemed calculated to create an atmosphere of fear. "If there is evidence, then make an arrest," Sang said. "But what do they mean by taking people away for hours of interrogation without any evidence, then letting them go?" "Is this a bid to ... create panic by banging on doors first thing in the morning?" Elmer Yuen's son Derek and daughter-in-law Eunice Yung - a pro-China lawmaker - haven't been interrogated yet. Yong made a high-profile announcement last August that she was cutting off ties with Yuen, calling him to return to Hong Kong and turn himself in. Derek Yuen said in a recent media interview that they had spoken briefly with Elmer Yuen during a recent trip overseas, but had avoided any financial transactions with him. Sang said it was telling that the couple - whose pro-China credentials are fairly solid - haven't been questioned yet. The London-based rights group Hong Kong Watch said the raids are the "latest escalation" in the crackdown on opposition figures. "This is a drastic escalation since the arrest warrants and bounties against the eight activists and the threats against Nathan's family, which were already outrageous and completely unacceptable," the group's chief executive Benedict Rogers said. "The Hong Kong government is openly and increasingly threatening activists abroad, in an attempt to silence them and spread fear among the community," Rogers said in a statement on the group's website. "This situation is increasingly similar to that in mainland China, and we are seeing Hong Kong plummet to this level in terms of human rights, particularly civil and political rights," he said, calling on governments to protect the rights and freedoms of activists in exile. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Analysts See China-Russia Exercise as Sign of Deepening Cooperation By William Yang July 20, 2023 As the war in Ukraine rages on, China and Russia are hosting joint military exercises in the Sea of Japan that analysts say are the latest sign of deepening cooperation between the two military powerhouses. The drills are also part of an effort to counter growing partnership of the U.S. and its allies in the region, they add. "Russia and China are trying to convey to Japan and the U.S. that they are very unhappy with their cooperation in NATO and the [Indo-Pacific] region, and they want to prove that they can achieve the same level of cooperation in the region as [Washington and its allies,]" Stephen Nagy, a regional security expert at the International Christian University, told VOA. For Russia, Nagy added, the drills are a way of showing "that they still have the capacity to manage conflicts on the eastern front but also provide capabilities to the Indo-Pacific region to work with China and pressure the U.S." "They want to prove that they can still work with China to cause major disruption, especially in Japan's backyard," he said. On Thursday, Russia's Defense Ministry announced that the "Northern/Interaction-2023" drills had begun in the Sea of Japan and would last until Sunday July 23. The ministry said that in addition to live artillery fire, the exercises will also include "anti-submarine and naval combat" drills. The drills main aim, Russia's ministry said, is to "strengthen naval cooperation" between the two countries and "maintain peace and stability in the Asia Pacific." Russia and China say they have deployed more than 10 naval vessels and more than 30 military aircraft to take part in the exercise. According to China's state-run Global Times, the exercise marks the first time that both Russia's navy and air force will participate in a joint exercise led by China. Northern/Interaction-2023 is the first joint military exercise conducted near Japan this year, but according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Russia and China conducted at least five military exercises in the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea last year. Forceful response? The announcement of the exercise comes as ties are strengthening between the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, and follows a trilateral missile defense drill involving the three in the Sea of Japan this week aimed at countering North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. Some Chinese military commentators say China and Russia's joint exercise is a forceful response to the trilateral drill conducted by the U.S. and its allies. "The Chinese and Russian drills will focus on air defense exercise, anti-missile exercise, anti-submarine exercise, and anti-ship exercise," Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping said in a video he released last Saturday. He added that he thinks Russia and China will conduct joint sea and air patrols following the exercise. Since the waterways around the Sea of Japan are all crucial passages for the Chinese and Russian navies to get to the Western Pacific, Song added that China and Russia should challenge the trilateral military alliance because their presence threatens the security of that strategic waterway. Beijing's remarks about the drills have not been as explicit. A statement released on China's defense ministry's official social media account on WeChat Sunday, when Chinese vessels set out for the exercise, said the drill is aimed at "safeguarding the security of strategic waterways" in the Sea of Japan. Multiple strategic goals The military exercise is not just about countering the U.S. and its allies. Some experts think China and Russia also hope to fulfill some strategic goals through the drills. Lin Ying-yu, a China military expert at Tamkang University in Taiwan told VOA that Beijing wants to learn from Moscow's experience of countering attacks on their navy from land in the Ukraine war. "During the war in Ukraine, Ukrainian forces have used missile or fighter jets to attack Russian ships at sea, so Russian forces have experience coping with this kind of attack," he said. Lin adds that the People's Liberation Army could face similar situations if it attacked Taiwan and the island's military could use anti-ship missiles or drones to target Chinese naval vessels in a cross-Strait conflict. "Scenarios from the Ukraine war may be simulated in the China-Russia joint military exercise," he said. Nagy said the drill is also about demonstrating cohesiveness with the Russians, especially in the wake of the Wagner rebellion. "These kinds of military activities demonstrate that the Chinese are firmly wedded to their relationship with Russia," he said. "While they are not supportive of the conflict with Ukraine, they want to ensure that Putin remains in power." More drills for the Indo-Pacific As Beijing and Moscow look to double down on their "no limits" partnership, Lin said he thinks this drill is just the beginning and it is likely that the two countries will increase the number of joint military exercises. He argued that maintaining close interaction with China has become critical for Russia as it becomes more and more isolated diplomatically. Just before the drill in the Sea of Japan, the two Russian frigates that will participate docked in Shanghai, hosting visitors for a week according to the Global Times. At the same time, Shen Ming-shih, Director of the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taiwan, said he expects the U.S. and its allies to hold more joint military exercises to counter the growing Russian and Chinese presence in the region. "The U.S., Japan, and South Korea will strengthen their military capabilities in maritime warfare, as well as increase the number of relevant exercises," he told VOA. However, one thing that remains to be seen, Lin said, is whether Japan will amend or adjust its security treaties, as it faces security threats from multiple fronts, including Russia to the north, China to the Southwest, and North Korea's constant missile firing. He thinks it's worth observing whether the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan pursue more security and military cooperation against this backdrop. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, US have candid, constructive dialogue on global climate governance: Ministry of Ecology and Environment Global Times By Global Times Published: Jul 21, 2023 12:44 AM China and the US have had candid, in-depth and constructive dialogue on promoting global climate governance, communication and cooperation during the talks between China's special envoy for climate change Xie Zhenhua and visiting US climate envoy John Kerry, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said on Thursday. Both sides agreed that climate change is a common challenge facing humanity, and it is of great significance for the two countries to join hands and cooperate in addressing this challenge, according to the ministry. The two sides also introduced to each other their measures and actions in tackling climate change, and had in-depth discussions on energy transition, global green industry supply chains, as well as low-carbon, zero-carbon and carbon-negative technologies. As agreed between China and the US, Kerry visited China from Sunday to Wednesday. Besides having a reported four-hour dialogue with Xie on Monday, Kerry also separately met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Wang Yi. During the relevant meetings, both China and the US demonstrated commitment to implementing the consensus reached by their leaders, properly managing differences, jointly addressing climate change, and willingness to bring China-US relations back onto the right track. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address July 20, 2023 By C. Todd Lopez , DOD News DOD: Biggest Concern is to Bring Private King Home On Tuesday, Army Pvt. Travis T. King, while wearing civilian clothing, joined a tour group of the Joint Security Area at the demilitarized zone in Panmunjom, Korea. While on that tour, King crossed into North Korea and has not been heard from since. That same day, King had been escorted to the security area of an airport in South Korea and was scheduled to fly home. King had previously faced disciplinary action while stationed in South Korea and had served time in a correctional facility. It was expected that upon his return to the United States, he would face additional administrative action with the Army. "He wasn't in custody when he was going through the airport," Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters during a briefing today. "He was flying home." Now, DOD officials, the United Nations Command, the State Department, the National Security Council and others are working to find out where he is, what his condition is, and plans to bring him back to the United States. "Our biggest concern about Pvt. King is that we want to bring him home and we are doing whatever we can through the interagency, from DOD and other partners, to find a way that we could bring him home," said Singh. The Army has launched an investigation into what happened with King, Singh said, and that investigation will be led by Army counterintelligence personnel and done in conjunction with U.S. Forces Korea. "We don't know his motivations for why he did not board the plane, we don't know what he did in the hours between when he left the airport and when he crossed over into the [Democratic People's Republic of Korea]," Singh said. "We have snippets of time and understand from ... we've seen some of the publicly reported imagery of him taking the tour, of what time that was. But beyond that window of sort ... what he did during the time ... between when he left the airport and the tour, that's something that the investigation is going to have to look into." So far, Singh said, despite U.S. efforts to communicate with the North Koreans about the status of King, the North Koreans have not responded. "We haven't received any communication back from them," Singh said. "All we can do is continue to communicate both publicly and in private channels. It is of course concerning when you don't hear back but we've never also had engagement with the North Koreans, and they certainly have shut down military-to-military engagement with us at the senior level." On Tuesday, during a press conference that followed the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said the department is monitoring and investigating the situation. "In terms of my concerns, I'm absolutely foremost concerned about the welfare of our troop," Austin said. "We will remain focused on this, and again, this will develop in the next several days and hours and we'll keep you posted." King is a cavalry scout and enlisted in the Army in January 2021. He has never been deployed. During his rotation in Korea, he was originally assigned to 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. He is currently administratively attached to 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Korean People's Traits of Assisting Army Displayed in War Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Pyongyang, July 20 (KCNA) -- The Korean people's traits of assisting the army, created in the flames of the great anti-Japanese war, were fully displayed in the grim Fatherland Liberation War (1950-1953), too. The people in a village adjoining Jiktong Pass in Kumgang County of Kangwon Province waged a vigorous wartime food production campaign even under hail of the enemy's shells and sent foods to soldiers of the Korean People's Army (KPA) defending a height. The story about three sisters-in-law of Kumgang who assisted the soldiers with all their sincerity during the war is still told by men and officers of the KPA. A 60-year-old woman in Orang County donated a large amount of polished rice to the war front and devoted all her sincerity to the treatment of wounded soldiers. So, the soldiers used to call a stretcher-party led by her "mother's stretcher-party". In November Juche 41 (1952), peasants in Phyongwon County donated 50 bags of rice to the war front. Their patriotic deed became a torch activating the campaign for donating relief grains to the front among all peasants across the country. Following their example, broad strata of people took part in the movement for donating funds for weaponry and even Children's Union members joined this movement. Those planes, tanks and warships provided by the people on the home front were called "Rodongja" (worker), "Taehaksaeng" (student), "Sonyon" (child) and so on, and they made a tangible contribution to the victory in the war. The people of South Phyongan Province sent more than 85 400 comfort articles and over 6 400 encouraging letters to the war front in one month alone. And the peasants of North Hamgyong Province sent huge amounts of daily necessities and fiber goods to the soldiers on the war front in the first half of 1951. Women in Kangwon and Jagang provinces, too, sent a large amount of clothing. The DPRK people made a ceaseless journey of assisting the army even under the shower of fire in the whole period of the war as they keenly realized the truth that only when the army is strong, can they win the war and only when the country is defended, can the well-being and happiness of their families and posterity be guaranteed. Seventy years have passed since the ceasefire, but the Korean people's assistance to the army still continues without letup. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea threatens US with nuclear retaliation amid rising tensions Iran Press TV Thursday, 20 July 2023 4:04 PM North Korea has warned that the deployment of strategic nuclear weapons by the United States on the Korean Peninsula "effectively meets" the conditions for Pyongyang to use nuclear deterrents. North Korean Defense Minister Kang Sun Nam said in a statement on Thursday that the port visit of a US nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea "may fall under the conditions" for Pyongyang to use nukes against enemies to stop their aggression. "I remind the US military of the fact that the ever-increasing visibility of the deployment of the strategic nuclear submarine and other strategic assets may fall under the conditions of the use of nuclear weapons specified in the DPRK law on the nuclear force policy," Kang said in a statement carried out by the official Korean Central News Agency. "The hostile forces posed the most undisguised and direct nuclear threat to the DPRK by bringing an Ohio-class strategic nuclear submarine to the Busan Port operation base, which means strategic nuclear weapons have been deployed on the Korean peninsula for the first time after 40 odd years," Kang said, referring to the North by its official name. The remarks are aimed at the Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), which arrived at a South Korean port earlier this week. "The US military side should realize that its nuclear assets have entered extremely dangerous waters," the statement read. "To the US and the 'ROK', any use of their military muscle against the DPRK will be their most miserable choice by which they will have no room to think of their existence again," Kang said. The statement also accused the United States and South Korea of escalating tensions in the region. On Wednesday, North Korea launched two ballistic missiles into the East Sea off the coast of Japan. The launch came after the United States deployed the nuclear-armed submarine at the South Korean port in the southern city of Busan, the first in decades. North Korea has strongly condemned a recent agreement between the United States and the South, which makes way for the deployment of American nuclear assets to the Korean Peninsula. On Wednesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol boarded the visiting American nuclear-capable submarine, with his wife at the Busan Naval Base in the south of the country. "This means North Korea can't even dream of a nuclear provocation, and it serves as a clear warning to North Korea that such a provocation would spell the end of the regime," Yoon said, speaking before the submarine tour. The United States and South Korea also keep holding joint war games in the region. In Pyongyang, North Korean authorities have vowed to respond proportionally to the recent agreement between Washington and Seoul. Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said in a statement the submarine visit would further bring the region "to the brink of an unprecedented nuclear war." The North Korean leader's sister Kim Yo-jong also recently warned that Pyongyang would strive towards "further perfection" of its nuclear deterrence. The deployment of SSBN to the Korean Peninsula "may incite the worst crisis of nuclear conflict in practice," a North Korean defense ministry spokesperson earlier this month warned, denouncing the US nuclear missile submarine's planned visit. North Korea also tested its latest Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile recently. Pyongyang said it was a warning to the US and other adversaries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK Urges North Korea to Return to Dialogue on Denuclearization of Korean Peninsula Sputnik News 20230720 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The UK Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that recent North Korea's ballistic missile launches violated UN Security Council resolutions and called on Pyongyang to return to dialogue on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. "North Korea's ballistic missile launches on 18 July are a breach of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions. Illegal ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula. The UK will continue to call out these flagrant violations of UNSCRs. We strongly urge North Korea to return to dialogue, and to take credible steps towards denuclearisation," a Foreign Ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying by the ministry. On Tuesday, Japanese broadcaster reported that North Korea allegedly launched two ballistic missiles that covered 550-600 kilometers (340-370 miles), reaching an altitude of 50 kilometers, and fell into the Sea of Japan outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US: No North Korea Response on US Soldier Who Dashed Across Border By VOA News July 20, 2023 U.S. officials say that North Korea has yet to respond to their efforts to discuss the fate of the American 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. For unknown reasons, Private Travis King ran into North Korea while on a civilian tour of the Demilitarized Zone on Tuesday, a day after he was supposed to leave for a military base in the U.S. King, 23, had been released from a South Korean prison last week after serving nearly two months for assault. The army has launched an investigation into the incident, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said at a Thursday press conference. Army counterintelligence personnel will lead the inquiry, she added. As of Thursday, Singh said the U.S. still had not had any communication from North Korea about the incident and emphasized that Washington wanted to bring King back to the U.S. "We want to bring him home. We don't know his condition. We don't know where he's being held. We don't know the status of his health," she said. The Pentagon, National Security Council and State Department are "really pulling all levers of government here to try and find out more. "This is a very difficult situation. I can't imagine what his family's going through. All I can say is that our priority is to bring him home," Singh said. The U.S. State Department said Wednesday that Pentagon officials attempted without success to reach counterparts in the North Korean People's Army. Swedish diplomatic officials have in the past provided consular services for Americans in dealing with North Korea, but reportedly have not returned to the country since Pyongyang ordered foreigners out of the country at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. also can reach North Korea via a hotline at its border with South Korea at the U.S.-led U.N. Command in Panmunjom a known as the "pink phone." But currently there are no known, active dialogues between North Korea and the U.S. or South Korea. The U.S. and North Korea fought during the 1950-53 Korean War and are still technically at war since that conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. They have no diplomatic ties. One woman on the tour with King said she initially thought his sprint across the border was some kind of stunt until she heard an American soldier on patrol shouting for others to try to stop him. King's family members in the U.S. say he may have felt overwhelmed by his legal troubles while stationed in South Korea, offenses that could lead to his discharge from the U.S. military. His immediate fate in North Korea was unknown, but the Pyongyang government has held Americans in the past and not quickly released them. Tensions between the two governments 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 flight back to the U.S. It was not clear where he spent time before joining the Panmunjom tour at the border between North and South Korea Tuesday afternoon. King's 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." "I'm 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 the Korean War ended. Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Germany - AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov Transmittal No: 23-51 WASHINGTON, July 19, 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Germany of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.90 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Germany has requested to buy up to nine hundred sixty-nine (969) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); and up to twelve (12) AMRAAM C8 Guidance Sections. Also included are AIM-120 Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); telemetry kit and control section spares and containers; KGV-135A Communications Security (COMSEC) devices; Common Munitions Built-in-Test Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); ADU 891 Computer Test Set Adapter Groups; munitions support and support equipment; classified software delivery and support; spare parts, consumables, accessories, and repair and return support; transportation support; classified publications and technical documentation; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $2.90 billion. This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally that is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe. The proposed sale will improve Germany's capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring they have modern, capable air-to-air munitions. This sale will further advance the already high level of German Air Force interoperability with U.S. joint forces and other regional and NATO forces. Germany already has AMRAAMs in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the Federal Republic of Germany. There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law. The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded. All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov. -30- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Modi Promises Tough Action Over Video Showing Mob Parading Naked Women in Violence-Wracked State By Anjana Pasricha July 20, 2023 In India, a video showing two women being paraded naked by a mob in the northeastern Manipur state, which has been wracked by ethnic violence, has sparked widespread outrage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the alleged assault "shameful" and promised tough action. They were his first comments since the conflict led to the death of about 125 people and displaced thousands in the remote state since it erupted more than two months ago. "My heart is filled with pain, it is filled with anger. It is shameful for any civilized society," Modi said on Thursday before a parliament session began in New Delhi. "I assure the nation, the law will take its course with all its might. What happened to the daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven," the prime minister said. The incident took place on May 4, according to police, but it hit national headlines only after more than two months when the video went viral on Wednesday. It shows two naked women being dragged and groped by a mob of men, and the women crying as they were led to a nearby field. According to a complaint filed with the police, the men gang raped one of the women. The state's chief minister, Biren Singh, said on Thursday that police have made their "first arrest" in connection with the assault. "A thorough investigation is currently underway, and we will ensure strict action is taken against all the perpetrators, including considering the possibility of capital punishment," Singh tweeted. Opposition parties have criticized the prime minister for not speaking about the conflict that has wracked Manipur, which is ruled by his Bharatiya Janata Party. On Thursday, Modi condemned the assault, although he did not make a reference to the violence in Manipur. "Manipur is burning, women are raped, naked, paraded, and horrific violence is taking place. But the PM (prime minister) kept quiet for so long until today," the opposition Congress Party president, Mallikarjun Kharge, said in the upper house of parliament. The video also prompted the Supreme Court to express concern over the assault. "In a constitutional democracy it is unacceptable. If the government does not act, we will," Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud said. He asked the government to inform the court of the steps taken to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure such incidents are not repeated. Manipur lies along the border with Myanmar, and most of its 3.6 million people comprise the Meitei community, who are mainly Hindu, and Kuki people, who are predominantly Christian. Since May, the two communities have been pitted against each other. The violence was triggered by fears that an affirmative action program seeking tribal status for the Meiteis would give them an advantage in government jobs and allow them to buy land in the hills where the Kukis live. Clashes between the two communities have led to scores of homes, churches and temples being destroyed or damaged. Internet services have been shut down since the violence erupted. The army is now patrolling the state, but sporadic violence continues, and tensions remain high between the two communities. The international spotlight also has focused on the ethnic conflict. A resolution adopted by the European Parliament earlier this month referred to the violence in Manipur and said there were concerns about "politically motivated, divisive policies promoting Hindu majoritarianism." India called it an unacceptable interference in its internal affairs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Can India's Opposition Alliance Pose a Challenge to Modi in 2024? By Anjana Pasricha July 20, 2023 Nine years after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata party to a spectacular victory, he continues to be India's most popular leader and is expected to win a third term in elections due next year. Now, aiming to mount a collective challenge to the strong, charismatic leader in 2024, 26 opposition parties forged an alliance this week. The disparate group includes the main opposition Congress Party and a raft of regional parties that command significant support in several Indian states. They have called the alliance INDIA, an acronym for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. Opposition Congress Party leader, Rahul Gandhi, billed next year's election as "a fight between Narendra Modi and INDIA." "They feel that if they contest alone, they will not be able to put up a credible challenge to the BJP but coming together will help them in putting up a decent fight," according to Rahul Verma, a fellow at the Center for Policy Research in New Delhi. "A coalition like this will enable them to pool their resources." Contests for parliamentary constituencies in India often involve multiple candidates, splitting votes three or even four ways. As a result, parties win elections even if they secure less than 50% of the votes cast. "The figures of 2019 showed that BJP had about 37% of the total vote and non-BJP parties accounted for 63%. So, if they could consolidate a chunk of this through one-on-one contests, then the opposition vote will not get divided," pointed out independent political analyst Neerja Chowdhury. "That is the heart of their strategy to take on Modi." 'Safeguard the idea of India' The INDIA alliance, whose name has been chosen to strike a chord of nationalism, has said its goal is to protect democracy. Pledging to "safeguard the idea of India as enshrined in the Constitution," it said in a statement that the "character of our republic is being severely assaulted in a systematic manner by the BJP." Critics have accused Modi's government of undermining democracy and press freedom, polarizing the country along communal lines and using federal investigative agencies to target opposition leaders - charges it strongly denies. "We resolve to fight the systemic conspiracy by BJP to target, persecute and suppress our fellow Indians," the INDIA alliance said. While the coming together of key regional parties like the Trinamool Congress and the Samajwadi Party with the Congress Party marks a significant political turnaround, the path ahead for the opposition group is formidable. Making room for one another in electoral contests will not be easy for parties who have been fierce rivals for decades. Some have been weakened by defections of their members to the BJP. Questions remain whether the disparate group can remain together in the months ahead. But several observers say that united by a strong anti-BJP sentiment, opposition parties in the INDIA alliance appear willing to sink their differences. "What we see this time is a certain determination that they are going to make this work," said political analyst Arati Jerath. "The last five years have seen such an attack on the opposition by the ruling party in terms of filing corruption cases against several opposition leaders or getting them arrested that the BJP has kind of driven them into each other's arms. I think their compulsion now to stay united is huge." Modi slams INDIA alliance The disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from parliament in March following his conviction in a criminal defamation case filed by a BJP leader had been slammed by several opposition parties and critics as a politically motivated case and an attempt to silence the opposition. The BJP denies targeting the opposition and has denounced the INDIA alliance. On Tuesday, even as opposition members held their meeting, the BJP also celebrated nine years in power at a gathering in New Delhi along with 38 allies, most of them small groups and exuded confidence about clinching a convincing victory next year. At the meeting, Modi slammed the INDIA alliance calling it a "hardcore corruption convention" and said "people have already decided to bring our government back in 2024." But political analysts say there are signs of anxiety in the BJP, which was recently routed in the southern Karnataka state by the Congress Party and has also suffered setbacks in some other states. "The BJP appears rattled. There is definitely some nervousness in the party," said Jerath. "The BJP is trying to drive a wedge to stop the opposition unity and we have to see if the INDIA alliance can stay the course." Still, political analysts point out that Modi's approval ratings are high and he remains a charismatic leader. And while Modi, who is the face of the BJP, is seen as a crowd puller, the INDIA alliance lacks a clear leader. "All polls continue to indicate that Modi remains very popular. Anecdotally you hear people saying that he is losing his charisma but there is no hard evidence to back that. And losses in state elections cannot be a barometer of what happens in national elections," according to Verma. While it will be a huge challenge for the INDIA alliance to take on the BJP, analysts say it may be able to make a dent in the huge majority the Hindu nationalists command in parliament a in 2019, the BJP won 303 seats in the 545-member parliament. "What they could do realistically, is bring down their tally by 70-80 seats and stop them for getting a clear majority, which will create the checks and balances in the system," said Chowdhury. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign ministers of Iran, Russia hold talks on phone ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Wed / 19 July 2023 / 12:47 Tehran (ISNA) - In a phone call, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held talks with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on bilateral and regional ties as well as the need to respect the territorial integrity of countries. The two sides described bilateral ties between the two states as growing, and emphasized the determination of the two countries' presidents for further enhancement of relations. They also referred to the developments in the Caucasus region, and highlighted the recent talks between the Iranian foreign minister and the president of the Azerbaijan Republic. In this context, the two ministers laid emphasis on the framework of regional negotiations, including a format known as the 3+3 comprising Iran, Russia, Turkey, the Azerbaijan Republic, Armenia and Georgia. In addition, Amir-Abdollahian and Lavrov discussed the convening of a second meeting of the foreign ministers of Iran, Russia, Turkey and Syria. During the talks, Amir-Abdollahian expressed surprise over the articles related to the three Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf included in a joint statement issued by Russia and the countries on the southern coast of the Persian Gulf, emphasizing that the islands belong to Iran historically and permanently. "The Islamic Republic of Iran's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity has never been and is never up for negotiations," he added. The top Iranian diplomat said, however, that Iran-Russia ties enjoy strong foundations, stressing that no action should be taken to harm the deep-rooted relations between the two countries. In turn, the Russian foreign minister pointed to his country's commitment to all principles of the United Nations Charter, including the ones related to countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity. He said the Russian Federation never develops any doubts about the Islamic Republic's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that it respects and will respect them completely. In this call, the parties emphasized the need to respect, maintain and strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries. They also exchanged views on the final stages of drafting the text of the strategic agreement between Iran and Russia. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran: EU adopts new restrictive measures for military support to Syria and Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 20 July 2023 The Council today established a new framework for restrictive measures in view of Iran's military support of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. This new regime prohibits the export from the European Union to Iran of components used in the construction and production of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). It also provides for travel restrictions and asset freeze measures that could be imposed against persons responsible for, supporting or involved in Iran's UAV's programme. This new regime complements the three previously adopted packages of drone-related sanctions targeting individuals and entities, the latest of which in February 2023. The Council today also decided to list six Iranian individuals under two already existing sanctions regimes for Iran's military support to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine (drones) and to the Syrian regime (air defence systems). Designated individuals are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. They are also subject to travel restrictions, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories. Today's decisions show the EU's resolve to continue responding swiftly and decisively to Iran's actions. The European Union condemns the delivery of Iranian drones to Russia and their deadly deployment in the war of aggression against Ukraine. The relevant legal acts, including the names of the listed individuals and entities, have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background In December 2022, the Council expressed great concern on the reports related to Iranian drones being manufactured with components of international origin including from Europe. It stated that the EU would continue to respond to all actions supporting Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The European Union stands firmly with Ukraine and will continue to provide economic, military, social and financial support to Ukraine for as long as necessary. Sanctions on Syria were first introduced in 2011 in response to the violent repression of the civilian population by the Assad regime. EU sanctions in place regarding Syria target the Assad regime and its supporters, as well as sectors of the economy from which the regime is making a profit. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US responsible if Iranian oil unloaded from seized tanker: Cmdr. IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 20, 2023 Bandar Abbas, IRNA -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri has warned against unloading Iranian oil from Suez Rajan Tanker, saying the Islamic Republic will hold the United States responsible if that happens. "We declare that if a company wants to unload Iranian oil from (Suez Rajan) tanker, we will hold that company responsible. We will hold the US responsible as well," the senior commander said on Thursday, according to a report by the IRGC Navy's public office. The US seized the tanker and confiscated Iranian oil aboard it in April, according to Reuters citing three sources. The US has reportedly claimed that the confiscation took place in a sanctions enforcement operation and based on a court order. 4194**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address IRGC Navy commander warns against unloading Iranian oil from seized tanker Iran Press TV Thursday, 20 July 2023 2:35 PM The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has warned that any oil company unloading hundreds of thousands of barrels of seized Iranian oil sitting in a Greek tanker off the coast of Texas would be held accountable. "We hereby declare that we would hold any oil company that sought to unload our crude from the vessel responsible and we also hold America responsible," Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said Thursday. "The era of hit and run is over, and if they hit, they should expect to be struck back," he added. Adm. Tangsiri's remarks came on the anniversary of Iran's confiscation of a British-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz in 2019 after Britain had seized an Iranian oil tanker off Gibraltar. The confiscation came "in response to the maliciousness of the British, and when our ships went towards that tanker, the escort helicopter came above the tanker, which we warned that if it does not land, we will shoot it, which it complied, and after that an escorting warship also approached our waters, which we also warned, if it does not move away from the area, it will be targeted, and it also followed the order," he recalled. "England has a lot of maliciousness and is more malicious than America," Tangsiri said. Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) revealed that at least 800,000 barrels of seized Iranian oil remains untouched in US waters. According to the paper, American firms are reluctant to buy the Iranian cargo, which is worth $56 million as they fear potential reprisals from Iran. "Companies with any exposure whatsoever in the Persian Gulf are literally afraid to do it," an executive involved in the matter told the outlet. More people concerned with the issue have also told the daily that they don't think the oil will ever be sold off. All of the fuel is boarded on an oil tanker called Suez Rajan, which was seized by the US in April. The vessel was seized near southern Africa and anchored off the coast of Texas in May, while the Greek owner was charged with sanctions evasion. A few days later, Iran's Navy seized a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Sea of Oman, which was carrying Kuwaiti oil for the second largest energy company in the US The oil tanker, named Advantage Sweet, had been involved in a maritime accident with an Iranian fishing craft, which resulted in the injury and missing of a number of its crew. After the collision, the oil tanker attempted to flee the scene in serious breach of international laws and regulations, which require provision of medical treatment and supply of proper and sufficient medicine to seamen in case of sickness or injury. The Iranian fishermen managed to issue a distress call long after recovering from the shock. Washington has claimed to have hijacked oil tankers carrying Iranian oil several times, claiming that the ships had been flouting US sanctions. The US usually auctions off Iran's stolen assets, claiming it would use the money to pay "damages" to alleged victims of the Islamic Republic's actions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's Police Chief Calls Mission to Enforce Veiling Laws 'Irreversible' By VOA Persian Service July 20, 2023 Five days after Iran's morality police returned to the streets to enforce the country's mandatory veiling laws, Iran's police chief described it as a "well-intentioned" and "irreversible" mission. At a news conference in Kerman province Thursday, police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan referred to "dealing with unveiled women" as a "religious duty and legal obligation." Meanwhile, Iran's chief justice called on the judiciary to assign "special judges" for cases related to hijab enforcement. The presence of the morality police had largely ceased following the nationwide anti-government protests sparked by last year's death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody. Amini had been detained by Iran's morality police for allegedly wearing her headscarf too loosely. Even while street protests have subsided, many women in Iran have publicly opposed the mandatory hijab since Amini's death. As the anniversary of Amini's death draws near, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller conveyed his concern during a press briefing in response to a question from VOA. He said renewed "compulsory hijab" enforcement indicates "The Islamic Republic has not taken heed of the recent protests." In May, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights called on Iran to decriminalize mandatory veiling laws, warning that the harassment of women, including what they do or do not wear, appears to have intensified as street protests have died down. "Women and girls face increasingly stringent legal, social, and economic measures in the authorities' enforcement of discriminatory compulsory veiling laws," Volker TArk told reporters in Geneva. "I urge the government to heed Iranians' calls for reform, and to begin by repealing regulations that criminalize non-compliance with mandatory dress codes." In April, Iran launched a new domestic surveillance program for enforcing its mandatory hijab law. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias BillstrAm on the storming of the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad Government Offices of Sweden 20 July 2023 At 2 am this morning local time, violent protesters stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad. The Embassy office was occupied, vandalised and set on fire. A similar incident occurred less than a month ago. What has happened is unacceptable and the Government condemns these attacks in the strongest possible terms. Iraqi authorities have an unequivocal obligation to protect diplomatic missions and diplomatic staff in accordance with the Vienna Convention. It is clear that the Iraqi authorities have failed to fulfil this obligation. The Government is in communication with high-level Iraqi representatives to express its dismay. The Iraqi ChargA d'Affaires in Stockholm has been summoned to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Fortunately, the staff at the Swedish Embassy were able to move to safety. The Government is now reviewing what further measures need to be taken. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sweden shuts down embassy in Baghdad IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Jul 20, 2023 Tehran, IRNA -- Sweden's embassy in Iraq declared on Thursday that it will suspend all its activities in Baghdad until further notice following an attack by Iraqi people on the diplomatic mission. Earlier, Sweden's Minister of Foreign Affairs Tobias BillstrAm reacted to the attack on his country's embassy in Baghdad, saying that it is obvious the Iraqi officials are unable of fulfilling their responsibility to protect diplomatic missions. Moreover, one of the officials of the Iraqi prime minister's bureau told Al Jazeera TV network if the desecration of holy Quran is repeated, Iraq will cut off ties with Sweden. Hundreds of protesters stormed Sweden's embassy in central Baghdad early Thursday morning in protest of the possible burning of the holy Quran in the European country. The angry protesters climbed the walls of the embassy and set it on fire. Iraqi security forces were stationed inside the embassy this morning, when smoke was rising from the embassy. Following the raid, most of the protesters were forced to withdraw from the embassy by security forces, but tens of the Iraqis remained around the building until early Thursday. 4208**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq expels Swedish ambassador, threatens to cut ties over desecration of Qur'an Iran Press TV Thursday, 20 July 2023 6:14 AM Iraq has ordered the Swedish ambassador to leave and decided to withdraw its envoy from Stockholm for permitting desecration of the Holy Qur'an, a government spokesman says. Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani "instructed the Swedish ambassador in Baghdad to leave Iraqi territory", his office said in a statement Thursday. It said the decision was "prompted by the Swedish government's repeated permission for the burning of the Qur'an, insulting Islamic sanctities and the burning of the Iraqi flag". According to the statement, Baghdad also "informed the Swedish government ... that any recurrence of the incident involving the burning of the Holy Qur'an on Swedish soil would necessitate severing diplomatic relations". Earlier, hundreds of Iraqi protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in the capital Baghdad and set part of it on fire in protest against the second planned desecration of the Holy Qur'an. The angry protesters, who were reportedly the supporters of prominent Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, stormed the main gates of the embassy building on Thursday, holding up copies of the Qur'an and chanting pro-Sadr slogans. "We are mobilized today to denounce the burning of the Qur'an, which is all about love and faith," a protester told AFP. "We demand that the Swedish government and the Iraqi government stop this type of initiative." Iraq's Foreign Ministry condemned the torching of the Swedish embassy building In a statement, saying the Iraqi government had instructed security forces to carry out a swift investigation, identify the perpetrators and hold them to account. Following the incident, Sweden's Foreign Ministry announced that its embassy staff in Baghdad are "safe". The ministry further said Iraqi authorities have the responsibility to protect diplomatic missions and staff, adding that attacks on embassies and diplomats "constitute a serious violation of the Vienna Convention." The development comes as Swedish authorities have approved an assembly to be held later in the day outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm, where organizers plan to burn a copy of Muslims' holy book as well as the Iraqi flag. Two people are set to participate in the demonstration, Swedish media reported on Wednesday, adding that one of them is the same person who set a Qur'an on fire outside a Stockholm mosque in June. On June 28, Salwan Momika, a 37-year-old Iraqi immigrant stomped on the Qur'an before setting several pages alight in front of Stockholm's largest mosque. The insult to the Muslim holy book was made under the authorization and protection of the Swedish police. The incident, coinciding with the start of the Muslim Eid al-Adha and the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, drew the anger of Muslims from across the world. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Myanmar/Burma: EU imposes seventh round of sanctions against six individuals and one entity European Council / Council of the European Union Council of the EU Press release 20 July 2023 Today, the Council imposed a seventh round of restrictive measures in view of the situation in Myanmar/Burma against six individuals and one entity in response to the continuing escalation of violence, grave human rights violations and threats to the peace, security and stability in Myanmar/Burma. The listings include three Union Ministers for immigration and population, labour and health and sports, two members of the State Administration Council (SAC), the Quartermaster General, as well as No. 2 Mining Enterprise (ME 2), a state-owned enterprise that is controlled by and generates revenue for the Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw). Restrictive measures currently apply to a total of 99 individuals and 19 entities. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territory. In addition, EU persons and entities are prohibited to make funds available to those listed. Other EU restrictive measure remain in place: the embargo on arms and equipment and export restrictions on equipment for monitoring communications which might be used for internal repression, the export ban on dual-use goods for use by the military and border guard police, and the prohibition of military training and cooperation with the Tatmadaw. The restrictive measures come in addition to the withholding of EU financial assistance directly going to the government and the freezing of all EU assistance that may be seen as legitimising the junta. The EU remains deeply concerned by the continuing escalation of violence and the evolution towards a protracted conflict with regional implications. The Union condemns the continuing grave human rights violations including torture, sexual and gender-based violence, the persecution of civil society, human rights defenders and journalists, indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population, including a deadly airstrike killing at least 171 persons on 10 April 2023, by the Myanmar armed forces. The dissolution of 40 political parties on 28 March 2023 was another demonstration of the blatant disrespect by the military regime for democracy and the rights and wishes of the Myanmar population. All hostilities must stop immediately. The military authorities must fully respect international humanitarian law and put an end to the indiscriminate use of force. The relevant legal acts have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union. Background In February 2021, the Council adopted conclusions condemning in the strongest terms the military coup carried out in Myanmar/Burma. On 31 January 2023, the High Representative issued a declaration on behalf of the EU on the 2nd anniversary of the military take-over stating that, in the absence of any swift progress on the situation in Myanmar, the EU stood ready to adopt further restrictive measures against those directly responsible for and those abetting the undermining of democracy and the serious human rights violations in the country. The Council has imposed restrictive measures against those responsible for the military coup staged in Myanmar/Burma on 1 February 2021, and the subsequent military and police repression against peaceful demonstrators on 22 March, 19 April and 21 June 2021, 21 February and 8 November 2022, and 20 February 2023. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Destructive blasts in towns across Myanmar, but no one claims responsibility Villagers blame junta troops, but the military says rebels are behind the blasts. By RFA Burmese 2023.07.20 -- Myanmar is experiencing a rising number of explosions in cities and towns across the country, but no group is claiming responsibility. This month, the blasts, which appear to be mostly homemade bombs, have injured more than 20 civilians and killed one, data compiled by Radio Free Asia shows. They have gone off in Yangon, Mandalay, in the northern Sagaing region as well as in Shan state. They come amid intensifying fighting between the junta, which took over the country in a 2021 coup, and armed rebel groups. On July 15, a homemade bomb exploded in front of the Zwe Htet jewelry store in Lashio, Shan state killing a man in his twenties and injuring at least 10 others. The survivors were treated as emergency patients at Lashio General Hospital, residents told RFA's Burmese Service. "No one can say whether it was done by the junta, the PDF, or an armed organization," said a Lashio resident on condition of anonymity. PDFs, or public defense forces, are small citizen militias that emerged after the military took over the country in a coup in February 2021. "What I want to say as a citizen is that we don't want this to happen again. Bombs exploded in front of a hotel and a jewelry store in Lashio where people were passing. We don't want things like that," the resident said. The city of Lashio is a hotbed of covert activities for both local armed groups and junta troops, and bomb explosions have become more frequent after the military coup, he said. One day after the Lashio blast, eight people, including a monk, were injured when a bomb exploded in Shwebo Myoma market in the Sagaing region. It is reported that a seriously injured woman in her twenties has been sent to Mandalay General Hospital. Residents blamed this particular blast ons junta troops stationed at U Aung Zeya Palace, west of Shwebo market. But the military council's propaganda channels have accused the PDFs of attacking the area with drones. 'Scared to go out' A Shwebo resident told RFA that there were no such incidents before the military took over and people now are no longer safe. "It's not easy to make a living here," the Shwebo resident said. "Although livelihood is difficult, we dare not go to work safely. I am too scared to go out as there is no sense of security for us." A Shwebo PDF official said that the organization does not harm the public. "The main reason why we are rebelling is because we cannot accept dictatorial rule," he said. "We want to gain independence and a true federal democracy for the people. We are fighting because we love the people, and we only focus on the interests of the people." RFA called the junta's spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment on the explosions but his phone rang unanswered. Armed organizations should avoid injuring civilians who are not military targets, said Ye Tun, a political analyst. "Civilians who are not military targets cannot avoid this kind of accidental injury," he said. "Such things often happen. However, deliberate targeting of these innocent civilians is a war crime. I think both sides of the revolution should abstain from doing so." Harming innocent civilians is a war crime, no matter which side is responsible, said Kyaw Win, director of Burma Human Rights Network. "If the tension has reached the level of an armed revolution, it can be said that this is the worst situation in a country, " he said. Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Four Pakistan Police Killed In Two Separate Attacks By Taliban By RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal July 20, 2023 Two police officers were killed and at least 10 others were wounded in northwestern Pakistan on July 20 when two suicide bombers attacked a security and administrative compound in the Bara Tehsil neighborhood of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province that borders Afghanistan. Zaheer Apredi, a district police spokesman, told RFE/RL that an explosion triggered by one of the suicide bombers when police opened fire tore down part of central building of the compound. One police officer was buried under the rubble, and his body was later retrieved by rescuers. Another police officer and the second bomber were killed in the gunfight that ensued, authorities said. The outlawed Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan group (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement. Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif issued a statement condemning the attack. Sharif praised the police officers, who "thwarted the evil intentions of the terrorists by stopping the suspects and risking their lives." Overnight, two police officers were shot dead and two others were wounded in a separate gun attack at a roadside checkpoint in Peshawar that was also claimed by the TTP. The attack took place in the Regi Model Town neighborhood, local police official Arshad Khan said. Security forces launched a search operation to trace and arrest the attackers who fled the scene, Khan said. The TTP claimed responsibility in a statement. The Pakistani Taliban, an umbrella group of several Sunni militant groups, is separate from Afghanistan's Taliban group. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province has long been a hotbed of militants operating on both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The TTP militants have staged a gradual comeback in the tribal districts of Pakistan following a deadlock with the Islamabad authorities in peace talks launched last year. The Pakistani military has increased operations in the region, but many local residents have protested against the lack of security following a rash of attacks, including one that killed more than 80 people at a mosque inside the Peshawar police headquarters in January. With reporting by AP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistani-taliban- gun-attack-peshawar-/32511374.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia restricts movements of British diplomats in response to 'hostile actions' Iran Press TV Thursday, 20 July 2023 7:08 PM Moscow has announced that British diplomats working in Russia will need to notify authorities in advance about their movements around the country. In a statement released on Thursday, Russia's Foreign Ministry said the measures were in response to the "hostile actions" of London, a key ally of Ukraine, and British measures "hindering the normal operation of Russian foreign mission in the UK." The diplomats will need to give authorities notice of at least five working days of travel outside the "120-kilometer (75-mile) free movement zone," the ministry said. This should include "information about the timings, purpose, type of trip, planned business contacts, accompanying persons, mode of transport, places of visit and accommodation as well as the route of the trip." The procedure will be required for "accredited personnel" of the British embassy in Moscow and the consulate general in Yekaterinburg, in the Urals. It will not apply to the British ambassador and a few other senior diplomats. The ministry also summoned Britain's charge d'affaires Tom Dodd to inform him of a "notification procedure for the movement of employees of British diplomatic missions on the territory of our country". Russia casts Britain and the United States as perfidious countries which are supporting Ukraine in an attempt to cleave Russia apart and grab its vast natural resources. Moscow has also suggested that Britain and the United States were involved in a drone attack on the Crimean Bridge which killed two people on Monday. The bridge connects the southern Russian region of Krasnodar to the peninsula's port of Kerch. Moscow has also suggested both states may have helped blow up the Nord Stream gas pipelines connecting Russia and Germany. Western nations have ousted hundreds of Russians since Moscow launched the military operation in February 2022. Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine in late February last year, following Kiev's failure to implement the terms of the Minsk agreements and Moscow's recognition of the breakaway regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. At the time, Russian President Vladimir Putin said one of the goals of what he called a "special military operation" was to "de-Nazify" Ukraine. Western countries have also imposed a slew of economic sanctions against Moscow. The Kremlin has said that the sanctions and the Western military assistance will only prolong the war. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia, China kick off joint military drills in Sea of Japan Iran Press TV Thursday, 20 July 2023 9:52 AM China and Russia have begun joint naval and air drills in the Sea of Japan aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries' navies and maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement on Thursday that the four-day joint exercises, dubbed "Northern/Interaction-2023", will be held from July 20-23 as scheduled, "in accordance with the international military cooperation plan." The statement said the two countries' naval forces will practice conducting joint anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and naval combat maneuvers. They will carry out sea and air convoys of ships, protect and defend groups of ships when moored in an unprotected estuary, and ensure the security of communications in the waters and airspace of the Sea of Japan, it added. According to the ministry, joint artillery firing is also planned during the Russian-Chinese drill. The Russian Navy, it went on, will be represented during the drills by several vessels from the Pacific Fleet, including the ASW destroyers Admiral Tributs and Admiral Panteleyev, and the corvettes Aldar Tsydenzhapov and Gremychy, as well as auxiliary ships. More than 30 aircraft, including bombers, are reportedly taking part from the two sides. Observers say the joint naval drills in the Sea of Japan are apparently aimed at keeping the United States and Japan in check. The latest drills come as the two countries have pledged to deepen military cooperation. China and Russia have agreed to expand trade, energy and political relations amid the West's increasingly adversarial approach over the war in Ukraine. Washington has become more vigilant about the relations between Beijing and Moscow ever since Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin struck a "no limits" partnership in February 2022. China has blamed the United States and NATO for "provoking" Moscow over the Ukraine war and has condemned Western sanctions against Russia. Russia has also strongly backed China amid the recent tensions between Beijing and Washington over the US political and military interference in Taiwan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Prosecutors Seek 20 More Years For Jailed Oppositionist Navalny By RFE/RL's Russian Service July 20, 2023 State prosecutors have requested that a Russian court sentence jailed opposition politician Aleksei Navalny to another 20 years in a penal colony on charges that include extremism. The state news agency TASS said that prosecutors also asked at a hearing on July 20 that Navalny's co-defendant, Daniel Kholodny, be given a 10-year sentence. TASS cited a lawyer as saying a final verdict in the case will be announced on August 4. The Kremlin critic and anti-corruption crusader is accused under six articles of the Russian Criminal Code, including creating and financing an extremist community, calling for extremism, rehabilitating Nazism, and involving minors in dangerous acts. The case deals with Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK), which, at the request of the prosecutor's office, was declared extremist in 2021 -- banning all its activities in Russia. Navalny has said on social media that he expects a sentence of 15 years to 20 years, despite what he claims to be "nonsensical" evidence presented during his closed-door trial, including lyrics from the rapper Morgenshtern and a cryptopayment that attempts to tie Navalny to American billionaire Warren Buffet. The 47-year-old lawyer, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, has sarcastically referred to the "amazing trial" and said that the rap lyrics were "quite strong evidence that I, as the prosecution says, planned the overthrow of Vladimir Putin by force." In his most recent Telegram post, Navalny released a statement that fiercely criticized the Russian government, saying the country "is floundering in a pool of either mud or blood, with broken bones, with a poor, population that has been robbed, and [with] tens of thousands of those who died in the most stupid and senseless war of the 21st century." He continues to call the Russian state "intelligence without a conscience" but ended his statement, which he called "The last word of Aleksei Navalny," with optimism. "But sooner or later, of course, it will rise again. And it depends on us what it will rely on [intelligence or a conscience] in the future." The trial began June 6 after Navalny's legal team and Kholodny, who is the technical director of the Navalny LIVE YouTube channel, requested the recusal of the judge, Andrei Suvorov, saying the trial should be held in Moscow as they both are officially registered there, and the trial is about allegations related to Moscow. Suvorov rejected the motion and decided on June 19 that the trial would be held behind closed doors in a makeshift courtroom at the penal colony where Navalny is being held 260 kilometers east of Moscow. Navalny is currently serving a combined 11-and-1/2-year prison sentence for prior charges. He was arrested in January 2021 upon his return to Russia from Germany, where he had been undergoing treatment for a near-fatal poisoning with a Novichok-type nerve agent that he says was ordered by Putin. The European Union added the chief of the Russian prison camp where Navalny is incarcerated to its sanctions list on July 20. With reporting by Shelby Rayer in Washington, D.C. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-navalny-20-years- prosecutors/32512022.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Treasury Sanctions Impede Russian Access to Battlefield Supplies and Target Revenue Generators U.S. Department of the Treasury July 20, 2023 WASHINGTON -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is taking action to further implement the commitments that G7 Leaders made on February 24, 2023 and May 19, 2023. The designations announced today by OFAC and the Department of State take measures to inhibit Russia's access to products that support its military and war efforts; reduce Russia's revenue from the metals and mining sector; undermine its future energy capabilities; degrade Russia's access to the international financial system; and starve Russia of G7-produced technology needed for its technology, aerospace, and defense sectors. "Today's actions represent another step in our efforts to constrain Russia's military capabilities, its access to battlefield supplies, and its economic bottom line," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo. "As long as Russia continues to wage its unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine, we will impose sanctions to deprive Russia of the technology it needs and disrupt the Russian arms industry's ability to resupply." DISRUPTING RUSSIA'S TECHNOLOGY SUPPLIERS, IMPORTERS, AND DEVELOPERS Sanctions are just one part of the U.S. government's efforts to stop Russia's procurement of critical goods and technology. The United States is working with partner governments and the private sector to identify and disrupt evasion networks and the actions taken today complement these shared efforts. While cooperating with partners, Treasury will use all tools available, including sanctions, to prevent Russia from acquiring the sensitive technology it needs to continue its full-scale war against Ukraine. In a May 19, 2023 Supplemental Alert, Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) identified certain high priority items, primarily based on the Harmonized System (HS) code classification of components from Russian weapons systems recovered on the battlefield in Ukraine, to assist financial institutions in identifying suspicious transactions relating to possible export control evasion. Items described by these HS codes have been found in multiple Russian weapons systems used against Ukraine, including the Kalibr cruise missile, the Kh-101 cruise missile, and the Orlan-10 UAV. Many of the entities designated today have transferred certain of these high priority items to Russia-based end-users. Russia's Use of Kyrgyz Republic-based Entities to Acquire Dual-Use Technology One of the most common tactics Russian entities have used to continue their importation of foreign-made electronics and technology is the use of third-party intermediaries and transshipment points outside of Russia. Entities based in the Kyrgyz Republic have been frequent exporters of controlled electronics components and other technology to Russia since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Some of these shipments have subsequently supplied sensitive dual-use goods to entities in Russia's defense sector. LLC RM Design and Development (RMDD), established in March 2022, is a Kyrgyz Republic-based seller of electronic and telecommunication equipment and parts. Since its founding last year, RMDD has been a prolific shipper of dual-use goods to Russia, including to firms that have supplied electronics to Russia-based defense companies. RMDD has sent hundreds of shipments of goods, including semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits, and capacitors to the following Russia-based companies, among others: Basis Trade Prosoft LLC ( BTP ),a supplier of industrial computers, components for automated process control systems, and radio-electronic components. ( ),a supplier of industrial computers, components for automated process control systems, and radio-electronic components. OOO Radiotekhsnab ( RTS ), an importer of electronic components and wholesaler of electronic and telecommunications equipment and parts. ( ), an importer of electronic components and wholesaler of electronic and telecommunications equipment and parts. Region-Prof LLC (Region-Prof), a supplier of automation equipment, electronic components, and hardware and software for building electronic equipment. RMDD, RTS, and Region-Prof were designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14024 for operating or having operated in the electronics sector of the Russian Federation economy. BTP was designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the technology sector of the Russian Federation economy. Limited Liability Company Siaisi (CIC) is a Russia-based company that primarily deals with electronic and optical equipment as well as computers and related equipment. CIC is owned by Russian Federation national Tatyana Grigoryevna Ivanova (Ivanova), who also serves as the general director of CIC. Ivanova is also the general director and owner of Kyrgyz Republic-based wholesaler OSOO Progress Lider (Progress Lider), which was established in March 2022 and has made numerous shipments to CIC. CIC and Ivanova were designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the electronics sector of the Russian Federation economy. Progress Lider was designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, CIC. ZAO GTME Tekhnologii (GTME Tekhnologii) is a Kyrgyz Republic-based entity established in June 2022. GTME Tekhnologii has made dozens of shipments of goods to Russia, including high priority items included in the FinCEN-BIS Supplemental Alert, such as tantalum capacitors and electronic integrated circuits. GTME Tekhnologii's primary customer has been Russia-based Technologies Systems and Complexes Limited (TSC), a vendor of electronic and digital equipment. GTME Tekhnologii and TSC were designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the technology sector of the Russian Federation economy. OSOO Kargolayn (Cargoline), founded in March 2022, is a Kyrgyz Republic-based entity that has shipped millions of dollars of foreign-made aviation equipment to Russia, including directly to airlines that are subject to U.S. export controls. Cargoline was designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the aerospace sector of the Russian Federation economy. Targeting Additional Sanctions Evasion Facilitators Amegino FZE (Amegino) is a UAE-based engineering and services company that provides electronic components and related industry services. Amegino has sent dozens of shipments of electronics, including integrated circuits, to Russia since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Amegino was designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the technology and electronics sectors of the Russian Federation economy. Limited Liability Company AK Microtech (AKM)is a Russia-based firm that specializes in transferring foreign semiconductor technology to Russian microelectronics production companies, including entities that provide microelectronics to the Russian defense industry. A number of those end-users are on Treasury's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List as well as the Department of Commerce's Entity List. AKM uses non-Russian intermediaries to obfuscate Russian recipients. One such intermediary is Serbia-based firm MCI Trading DOO Beograd Palilula (MCI), which has helped AKM acquire high-tech items from producers in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. MCI has also made dozens of shipments to AKM since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. Serbia national Ivan Cvetic (Cvetic) is the director of MCI. AKM was designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the electronics sector of the Russian Federation economy. MCI and Cvetic were designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, AKM. Designations Targeting Russia-Based Importers of Dual-Use Items OFAC continues to target Russia-based entities that import dual-use technology from abroad. The following Russia-based entities were designated today pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the electronics sector of the Russian Federation economy: AK Systems , a developer, manufacturer, and distributor of high-tech electronic devices; , a developer, manufacturer, and distributor of high-tech electronic devices; LLC Altrabeta , a developer and producer of electronic equipment; , a developer and producer of electronic equipment; Joint Stock Company Compel , a supplier of components for electronics manufacturing; , a supplier of components for electronics manufacturing; Limited Liability Company Forepost Trading , an electronic components supplier and producer of electronic equipment; , an electronic components supplier and producer of electronic equipment; LLC IQ Components , an electronic components supplier; , an electronic components supplier; Komponenta AO , an electronic components supplier and electronics manufacturing service provider; , an electronic components supplier and electronics manufacturing service provider; LLC Onelek , an electronic components supplier; , an electronic components supplier; NPF-Radiotekhkomplekt AO , an electronic components supplier to research institutes and design bureaus; , an electronic components supplier to research institutes and design bureaus; Saturn EK OOO , an electronic components supplier and producer of electronic equipment; , an electronic components supplier and producer of electronic equipment; LLC Spetselservis , an electronic components supplier,; and , an electronic components supplier,; and Staut Company Limited, a developer of electronic engineering devices, including for robotic systems. TARGETING RUSSIA'S MUNITIONS FACTORIES AND HIGH-TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES THAT SUPPORT RUSSIA'S DEFENSE SECTOR OFAC continues to target entities that directly support Russia's war against Ukraine. The following Russia-based entities were designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation economy: Aleksinskii Khimicheskii Kombinat ( Aleksinsky Chemical ) produces ammunition and weapons. Aleksinsky Chemical also produces polymers, paints, and composite materials for Russia's military-industrial complex. Aleksinsky Chemical was also designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the manufacturing sector of the Russian Federation economy. ( ) produces ammunition and weapons. Aleksinsky Chemical also produces polymers, paints, and composite materials for Russia's military-industrial complex. Aleksinsky Chemical was also designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the manufacturing sector of the Russian Federation economy. Kazanskii Gosudarstvennyi Kazennyi Porokhovoi Zavod produces explosives, weapons, ammunition, small arms, and other defense items for the Government of the Russian Federation. produces explosives, weapons, ammunition, small arms, and other defense items for the Government of the Russian Federation. Tambovskii Porokhovoi Zavod ( Tambov Gunpowder ) is one of Russia's main producers of ammunition for artillery and small arms. Tambov Gunpowder also produces and sells explosives, including armor-piercing projectiles, to the Russian military. ( ) is one of Russia's main producers of ammunition for artillery and small arms. Tambov Gunpowder also produces and sells explosives, including armor-piercing projectiles, to the Russian military. Joint Stock Company Tula Cartridge Works manufactures small arms ammunition for Russia's military. In March 2022, OFAC designated Joint Stock Company Kronshtadt (Kronshtadt) pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation economy. Kronshtadt is a Russian defense contractor that develops and manufactures equipment, software, and integrated solutions for Russia's unmanned aviation and defense industries and supports Russia's Ministry of Defense. Today, OFAC is targeting two Russia-based entities that are working with Kronshtadt. AO NPO Kurganpribor (Kurganpribor) produces components for rocket systems, missiles, and bombs. Kurganpribor is likely working with Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturers to develop engines for UAV weapons programs. Joint Stock Company Astrophysika National Centre of Laser Systems and Complexes (Astrofizika) is a research and development center focused on laser and optical technologies, including for defense purposes. Astrofizika is working with Kronshtadt to develop a line of engines for UAVs. Kurganpribor was designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation economy. Astrofizika was designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the technology sector of the Russian Federation economy. OFAC is also targeting entities in key industries such as aerospace, quantum technologies, and advanced computing that Russia exploits to support its defense industries. To deprive Russia of technology for its aerospace sector, the following Russia-based companies were designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the aerospace sector of the Russian Federation economy: Arsenal Machine Building Plant Open Joint Stock Company ( MZ Arsenal ) manufactures military equipment and technology, as well as space technology. Specifically, MZ Arsenal develops and produces materiel for Russia's navy, solid-fuel rocket engines, and ballistic missiles. ( ) manufactures military equipment and technology, as well as space technology. Specifically, MZ Arsenal develops and produces materiel for Russia's navy, solid-fuel rocket engines, and ballistic missiles. Joint Stock Company Experimental Design Bureau Fakel produces products for aerospace purposes. produces products for aerospace purposes. M.V. Frunze Arsenal Design Bureau Joint Stock Company is a military contractor that specializes in the development of space remote sensing systems. is a military contractor that specializes in the development of space remote sensing systems. Joint Stock Company Research and Production Corporation Precision Systems and Instruments ( NPK SPP ) manufactures electronics for space complexes. NPK SPP won a contract from Russia's Ministry of Defense to support a space surveillance system. ( ) manufactures electronics for space complexes. NPK SPP won a contract from Russia's Ministry of Defense to support a space surveillance system. Open Joint Stock Company Russian Institute of Radionavigation and Time develops aerospace systems, including for defense purposes. develops aerospace systems, including for defense purposes. Joint Stock Company Science Research Institute for Precise Instruments ( RIPI ) designs and manufactures radio engineering equipment and software-hardware complexes for the Russian aerospace industry. Additionally, RIPI has showcased space-related products and radar at a Russian military forum. ( ) designs and manufactures radio engineering equipment and software-hardware complexes for the Russian aerospace industry. Additionally, RIPI has showcased space-related products and radar at a Russian military forum. Space Research Institute Russian Academy of Sciences designs and tests equipment and systems for space research under the control of Russia's Ministry of Defense. designs and tests equipment and systems for space research under the control of Russia's Ministry of Defense. Joint Stock Company Special Research Bureau of Moscow Power Engineering Institute produces aerospace industry products for missiles and aircraft. Scientific Production Company Optolink (Optolink) is a Russia-based producer of technological and electronic products, including optical fibers, high precision fiber optic gyroscopes, diodes, and transistors, used in aerospace systems. On December 8, 2022, Optolink was added to the Department of Commerce's Entity List based on information that Optolink contributes to Russia's military and/or defense industrial base. Optolink was designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the technology and electronics sectors of the Russian Federation economy. OFAC is also targeting research institutes and other entities that support Russia's research and development of high-technology goods. The following entities were designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the technology sector of the Russian Federation economy: The Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics of Siberian Branch Russian Academy of Sciences is one of Russia's leading physics research centers and focuses on the development of new technologies. is one of Russia's leading physics research centers and focuses on the development of new technologies. P.L. Kapitza Institute for Physical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences is a Russia-based research institution primarily researching quantum fluids and superconductivity. is a Russia-based research institution primarily researching quantum fluids and superconductivity. The Federal State Budgetary Institution of Science Federal Research Center Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences ( FRC KAZSC RAS ) is a Russian Federal Research Center responsible for achieving results in the implementation of technological priorities in Russia, particularly in areas of strategic importance. FRC KAZSC RAS conducts research related to nanotechnologies and quantum informatics and is a leading center in the field of radio spectroscopy. ( ) is a Russian Federal Research Center responsible for achieving results in the implementation of technological priorities in Russia, particularly in areas of strategic importance. FRC KAZSC RAS conducts research related to nanotechnologies and quantum informatics and is a leading center in the field of radio spectroscopy. The Osipyan Institute of Solid State Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences ( ISSP ) is a Russia-based quantum research institute and it is involved in solving problems with high-tech applications. On September 30, 2022, the Department of Commerce added ISSP to the Entity List for acquiring and attempting to acquire U.S.-origin items in support of the Russian military. ( ) is a Russia-based quantum research institute and it is involved in solving problems with high-tech applications. On September 30, 2022, the Department of Commerce added ISSP to the Entity List for acquiring and attempting to acquire U.S.-origin items in support of the Russian military. A.M. Prokhorov General Physics Institute Russian Academy of Sciences is a Russia-based institute that focuses research on laser physics and optics, quantum electronics, microelectronics, and nanoelectronics. is a Russia-based institute that focuses research on laser physics and optics, quantum electronics, microelectronics, and nanoelectronics. Closed Joint Stock Company Superconducting Nanotechnology is a Russia-based company that specializes in the development, fabrication, and implementation of superconducting devices and which produces products which have applications for quantum computing. The Institute of Laser Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Institute of Laser Physics) is a federally financed institution owned by the Government of the Russian Federation. The Institute of Laser Physics is involved in the application of high-power lasers for scientific research and technology. The Institute of Laser Physicswas designatedpursuant to E.O. 14024 for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation. DEGRADING RUSSIA'S ACCESS TO THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL SYSTEM Imposing sanctions against additional Russia-based financial institutions further degrades the Russian Federation's ability to maintain access to the global financial system. The following five Russian banks were designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy: Joint Stock Company Locko Bank , a commercial bank located in Moscow, Russia. , a commercial bank located in Moscow, Russia. Joint Stock Company Petersburg Social Commercial Bank , a commercial bank located in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, Russia. , a commercial bank located in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, Russia. Joint Stock Company Commercial Bank Solidarnost , a commercial bank located in Moscow, Russia and among the leading credit institutions in Russia's Volga region. , a commercial bank located in Moscow, Russia and among the leading credit institutions in Russia's Volga region. JSC Tinkoff Bank ( Tinkoff Bank ), a commercial bank in Moscow, Russia. Tinkoff Bank is partially owned by U.S.-designated Vladimir Olegovich Potanin. Tinkoff Bank was sanctioned by the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) in February and May of 2023, respectively. ( ), a commercial bank in Moscow, Russia. Tinkoff Bank is partially owned by U.S.-designated Vladimir Olegovich Potanin. Tinkoff Bank was sanctioned by the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) in February and May of 2023, respectively. Unistream Commercial Bank JSC, a money-transfer institution located in Moscow, Russia. FURTHER LIMITING RUSSIA'S REVENUE FROM EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES AND FUTURE CAPABILITIES Today, OFAC is taking further action to limit Russia's revenue from its metals industries and to limit Russia's future energy capabilities in support of the G7 commitments. Reducing Russia's Revenue from the Metals and Mining Sector Joint Stock Company Ural Mining and Metallurgical Company (UMMC) is one of Russia's top producers of metals such as copper, zinc, gold, and silver. UMMC Nonferrous Metals Processing Limited Liability Company (UMMC NFMP) is a Russia-based UMMC subsidiary involved in the non-ferrous metals processing industry that operates plants that manufacture copper, brass, bronze, copper-nickel, and nickel rolled products. Joint Stock Company Uralelektromed (Uralelektromed) is a Russia-based UMMC subsidiary involved in the refining of precious metals, cathodes, and bullion products. UMMC, UMMC NFMP, and Uralelektromed were designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the metals and mining sector of the Russian Federation economy. Targeting Russia's Manufacturers of Equipment and Chemicals for the Energy Industry The following Russia-based manufacturers of energy industry equipment were designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the manufacturing sector of the Russian Federation economy: Joint Stock Company Scientific Production Enterprise Research and Design Institute of Well Logging designs special methods and technologies for geophysical surveys involving oil, gas, ore, and coal wells and is involved in manufacturing equipment for well logging. designs special methods and technologies for geophysical surveys involving oil, gas, ore, and coal wells and is involved in manufacturing equipment for well logging. Limited Liability Company Proizvostvennaya Kommercheskaya Firma Gazneftemash manufactures equipment for the drilling of new oil and gas wells. manufactures equipment for the drilling of new oil and gas wells. Joint Stock Company Gazprom Avtomatizatsiya manufactures gas distribution stations for Public Joint Stock Company Gazprom, an entity that is subject to Directive 4 Under E.O. 13662 and Directive 3 Under E.O. 14024. manufactures gas distribution stations for Public Joint Stock Company Gazprom, an entity that is subject to Directive 4 Under E.O. 13662 and Directive 3 Under E.O. 14024. Joint Stock Company Neftegazavtomatika manufactures automation equipment for the oil and gas industries. manufactures automation equipment for the oil and gas industries. Limited Liability Company Oktanta manufactures drill piping inspection equipment. manufactures drill piping inspection equipment. Limited Liability Company Perm Oil Machine Company manufactures oilfield and drilling equipment. manufactures oilfield and drilling equipment. Limited Liability Company Rustmash manufactures oil drilling equipment. The following Russia-based manufacturers of energy-related refining agents were designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the manufacturing sector of the Russian Federation economy: Limited Liability Company Ishimbay Specialized Chemical Plant of Catalyst manufactures chemicals. manufactures chemicals. Limited Liability Company KNT KAT manufactures catalysts for the oil and gas industries. manufactures catalysts for the oil and gas industries. Limited Liability Company RN KAT ( RN KAT ) is a subsidiary of Open Joint-Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company (Rosneft), an entity that is subject to Directive and Directive 4 of E.O. 13662. RN KAT manufactures refining agents for Rosneft's refineries. ( ) is a subsidiary of Open Joint-Stock Company Rosneft Oil Company (Rosneft), an entity that is subject to Directive and Directive 4 of E.O. 13662. RN KAT manufactures refining agents for Rosneft's refineries. Limited Liability Company Sterlitamak Catalyst Plant manufactures chemicals. Limited Liability Company Tyumen Petroleum Research Center (TPRC) is Rosneft's corporate research and design institute. TPRC, which is involved in technology development, performs field engineering and support for geological survey processes and is involved in the development of oil and gas fields in Russia and elsewhere for Rosneft subsidiaries. TPRC was designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the technology sector of the Russian Federation economy. Targeting a Facilitator of Investment in Russia's Extractive Industries The Fund for Development of Energy Complex Energy (Fund Energy) is a Russia-based investment house that invests in energy, oil and gas, and mining enterprises and infrastructure facilities. Fund Energy was designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian Federation economy. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the persons above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or blocked persons are prohibited unless exempt or authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC. These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. For identifying information on the individuals and entities sanctioned or property identified today, click here. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK sanctions Wagner Group leaders and front companies responsible for violence and instability across Africa Thirteen new UK sanctions announced targeting individuals and businesses linked to the actions of Wagner Group in Africa. 20 July 2023 new UK sanctions target 13 individuals and businesses linked to the actions of the Russian Wagner Group, including executions and torture in Mali and the Central African Republic and threats to peace and security in Sudan this includes 3 designations for the mercenary group's top officials in Mali and Central African Republic (CAR), including the 'right hand man' of Yevgeny Prigozhin, who have deliberately targeted civilians in their operations a further 5 businesses and individuals involved in threatening peace and stability in Sudan, including through disinformation campaigns and providing military equipment, have been targeted The UK government has today (Thursday 20 July) announced a wave of sanctions against individuals and businesses involved with the Wagner Group in Mali, Central African Republic (CAR) and Sudan. These measures will limit their financial freedom by preventing UK citizens, companies and banks from dealing with them, alongside freezing any assets held in the UK and travel bans. The Russian mercenary Wagner Group has operated in Mali, CAR and Sudan for several years, aggressively pursuing Russian foreign policy interests in the region and providing military support to counter-terrorism operations which have seen hundreds of civilians killed. The UK has already sanctioned the Wagner Group, its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, and several of his key commanders who have participated in Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. The head of the Wagner Group in Mali, Ivan Aleksandrovitch Maslov, is one of those targeted today. Wagner mercenaries, alongside Malian forces, massacred at least 500 people in Moura in March 2022, including summary executions as well as rape and torture. The head of the Wagner Group in CAR, Vitalii Viktorovitch Perfilev, and the Wagner Group's head of operations in the country, Konstantin Aleksandrovitch Pikalov, are sanctioned for deliberately targeting civilians. Pikalov, known as the Wagner Group founder and CEO Yevgeny Prigozhin's 'right hand man', is the operational head of Wagner in CAR. Pikalov is responsible for the Wagner Group's torture and targeted killings of civilians. Wagner Group has also provided weapons and military equipment to Sudan. Three businesses, which act as fronts for the Wagner Group and operate in the country, have been included in the new measures, due to the continued risk they pose to peace and stability. These include M-Invest, and its subsidiary Meroe Gold. These build on recent sanctions against companies funding the conflict. Andrew Mitchell, Minister for Development and Africa, said: The Wagner Group is committing atrocities in Ukraine, as well as acting with impunity in countries like Mali, Central African Republic and Sudan. Wherever Wagner operates, it has a catastrophic effect on communities, worsens existing conflicts and damages the reputations of countries that host them. These sanctions expose despicable individuals who have commissioned violations of international humanitarian law, holding them to account for the severe harm they are inflicting on innocent civilians for financial gain. The UK announced a package of sanctions linked to Sudan last week, targeting 6 companies providing funding and military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Through diplomatic engagement and aid programmes, the UK continues to support local, national and international efforts to promote long-term prosperity and stability in Mali, CAR and Sudan. The UK remains deeply concerned by the destabilising role Wagner plays in this region. Wagner mercenaries operating in Africa have long been reported as being responsible for multiple breaches of international humanitarian law and abuses of human rights, including numerous reports of indiscriminate killings of unarmed civilians. The group's presence in Africa is self-serving as demonstrated by their grip on the security and economic environments as well as their continued exploitation of natural resources. The individuals and businesses sanctioned today are: Mali Ivan Aleksandrovitch Maslov, the head of the Wagner Group's operations in Mali, who oversaw the group's involvement in the Moura Massacre and has been involved in the commission of violations of international humanitarian law, in particular, the deliberate targeting of civilians Central African Republic Alexander Alexandrovich Ivanov, the Wagner Group's unofficial spokesperson in CAR, for his association with the Group which has committed violations of international humanitarian law, deliberately targeting civilians Aleksandr Grigorievitch Maloletko, a military instructor for the Wagner Group and a close associate of Yevgeny Prigozhin, for his association with the Group which has committed violations of international humanitarian law Dimitri Sytii, an individual associated with the Wagner Group in CAR which has violated international humanitarian law, deliberately targeting civilians Konstantin Aleksandrovitch Pikalov, a close advisor of Yevgeny Prigozhin, for his involvement in the commission of violations of international humanitarian law in CAR, in particular the deliberate targeting of civilians mining company Lobaye Invest Sarlu for involvement in activities which threaten the peace, stability and security of the CAR, including through acts that undermine efforts to resolve armed conflicts, such as funding the training of CAR army recruits by Russian mercenaries Sewa Security Services, a CAR-based security company (and subsidiary of Lobaye Invest Sarlu) for its involvement in activities which undermine or threaten the peace, stability and security of the CAR, including by providing support for and/or promoting the actions of the Wagner Group in CAR Vitalii Viktorovitch Perfilev, the head of Wagner Group operations in CAR, for violating international humanitarian law by deliberately targeting civilians Sudan Andrei Sergeevich Mandel, Director General of M-Invest which in itself is responsible for action which threatens the peace, stability and security of Sudan M-Invest, a company serving as a front for the Wagner Group, for threatening the peace and security of Sudan. M-invest has previously advised the Sudanese government on disinformation campaigns to discredit pro-civilian government protestors Meroe Gold, a mining subsidiary of M-Invest, for threatening the peace, stability and security of Sudan. Meroe Gold has imported equipment to Sudan including weapons, helicopters and military trucks Mikhail Potepkin, Regional Director of M-Invest and Director of Meroe Gold, for threatening the peace and stability in Sudan. Potepkin is associated with the Wagner Group. He worked to ensure planes hired by Meroe Gold could continue operate domestically and internationally whilst being undetected by commercial aviation radars Al-Solag Mining, for threatening the peace, stability and security of Sudan by its association with Meroe Gold (and for its attempts to avoid existing Western sanctions and Sudanese regulations) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Faces Additional 20-Year Prison Term By VOA News July 20, 2023 Russian prosecutors asked a court to sentence jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny to 20 years in prison on a slew of extremism charges, his ally Ivan Zhdanov said Thursday. The trial, which took place behind closed doors in the prison where the Kremlin foe is serving another long sentence, is set to end with a verdict on August 4, Zhdanov said. The new charges against Navalny pertain to the operations of his anti-corruption organization and comments by his top associates. One of Russian President Vladimir Putin's most outspoken critics, Navalny revealed official corruption and organized significant anti-Kremlin protests. He rejects all of the charges against him as politically motivated. Navalny is currently serving a lengthy sentence in a maximum-security prison east of Moscow. He was arrested in 2021 after returning to Moscow from Germany, where he was recovering from a nerve agent poisoning that he blamed on the Russian government. Navalny was then sentenced to 2A years in prison for parole violations and another nine years for fraud and contempt of court. In his final statement in a prison court before his sentencing, Navalny reportedly condemned the invasion of Ukraine, according to the Moscow Times newspaper. "My Russia made several big jumps, pushing everyone around, but then slipped and with a roar, destroying everything around, collapsed," he said, according to a July statement published by his team. "And now it is floundering in a pool of either mud or blood, with broken bones, with a poor and robbed population, and around it lie tens of thousands of people killed in the most stupid and senseless war of the 21st century," Navalny said. Some information in this report came from The Associated Press. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Africa says more than 40 nations expressed interest to join BRICS Iran Press TV Thursday, 20 July 2023 4:33 PM More than 40 countries have already expressed their desire to join the BRICS group of nations, South Africa says, as the bloc prepares to hold a summit next month. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, South Africa's Ambassador to BRICS Anil Sooklal said that 22 countries have so far formally asked to join the bloc. Furthermore, there is "an equal number of countries that have informally expressed interest in becoming BRICS members ... (including) all the major global south countries," he added. Sooklal's remarks come as a BRICS summit is due to take place in Johannesburg between August 22 and 24. Iran, Venezuela, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Argentina are among the list of the nations that have either formally applied to join or expressed interest. BRICS is an acronym for the current members of the group, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Since the establishment of the bloc in 2006, member countries have achieved beneficial results in areas such as economy, trade, politics, security, technological innovations, as well as social and cultural exchanges. The group's members host around half of the world's population besides representing one-fifth of the global economy. Russian President Vladimir Putin was formally invited to attend the upcoming summit, but his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa, whose country is the current chair of the BRICS group, announced on Wednesday that the Russian leader would not attend the event. "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," said Vincent Magwenya, a spokesman for Ramaphosa. The Kremlin, for its part, noted that Putin would instead participate remotely in the high-level talks. "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." Russia is accused of unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children. Although Moscow strongly rejects the allegation, Putin is sought by the International Criminal Court (ICC). South Africa, which has historic ties with Russia, faces a dilemma in hosting the upcoming summit. On the one hand, it has adopted a neutral stance toward the current war in Ukraine, but on the other hand it is a member of the ICC which issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March. The dilemma has led to intense debate in the African country and the West about whether the warrant against Putin would be executed. Back in 2015, South Africa refused to arrest then-Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, who was also sought by the ICC. Iran is among more than a dozen countries that seek membership in the bloc and has submitted a formal application to join the body. The Islamic Republic has described its objectives as in alignment with those of the BRICS countries. The BRICS is a rising competitor to the G7 group of Western industrial countries. The member states' economies have more than 40 percent of the world's people and almost a quarter of the world's gross domestic product. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement by Canada and the Kingdom of the Netherlands on the postponement of provisional measures hearings at the International Court of Justice to halt Syria's torture practices Global Affairs Canada Statement July 20, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada Global Affairs Canada and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands today issued the following joint statement: "Canada and the Netherlands regret that the 19 and 20 July 2023 hearings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding their request for provisional measures to halt Syria's ongoing acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment has been postponed by three months at Syria's request. This hearing is now scheduled to take place on 10 and 11 October 2023. "Canada and the Netherlands started legal proceedings before the ICJ on 8 June 2023 to hold Syria accountable for its violations of the United Nations Convention against Torture, and to obtain provisional measures to cease the continuing acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment committed by Syria against its own people. "Victims and witnesses of Syria's acts of torture and other human rights violations must now wait an additional three months as a result of Syria's last-minute plea to the Court to delay the provisional measures hearing. "There is overwhelming evidence that Syria has committed and is committing serious human rights violations against the Syrian population on a massive scale. Since 2011, tens of thousands of Syrians have been tortured, murdered, sexually assaulted, forcibly disappeared and subjected to chemical weapons attacks. "Twelve years on, human rights violations at the hands of the Syrian regime persist. This must stop. Canada and the Netherlands therefore remain hopeful that the requested provisional measures will be granted upon the resumption of proceedings before the Court. "Canada and the Netherlands reiterate their unwavering commitment to justice for the people of Syria and accountability for the Syrian regime that continues to violate their rights." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran stands ready to help Syria with post-war reconstruction: UN envoy Iran Press TV Thursday, 20 July 2023 9:43 AM Iran's permanent ambassador to the United Nations has voiced Tehran's readiness to help Syria with its reconstruction process in the aftermath of a destructive Western-sponsored campaign of militancy. Speaking during a UN General Assembly meeting in New York on Wednesday, Amir Saeid Iravani reiterated the Islamic Republic's continued support for Syria in the face of threats endangering its territorial integrity such as terrorism and occupation. "We stand ready to assist in rebuilding their country, ensuring its unity, and preserving its territorial integrity," he said. Iran has maintained an advisory mission in Syria at the request of Damascus with the aim of helping the war-torn country vanquish the foreign-backed militants, who have been fighting against the Syrian government since 2011. Iran's advisory assistance helped Syria defeat Daesh and win back control of almost all regions from terrorists. Wednesday's meeting came days after Russia vetoed a West-backed draft resolution at a UN Security Council session that called for a nine-month extension of aid deliveries to Syria through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing with Turkey without the consent of Damascus. Also, another resolution by Russia for a six-month extension did not meet the quorum required to pass. Two days later, Syria submitted a letter to the UN and the Security Council, saying it allows the world body access to the crossing for six months "in full cooperation and coordination" with the Syrian government, warning against any cooperation with terrorists in the country's north. Iran's UN envoy expressed regret about the failure of the Security Council to reach an agreement on the resolution for a cross-border mechanism, welcoming, however, Damascus' decision to authorize aid deliveries. "We warmly welcome this decision and sincerely hope that in providing humanitarian aid, the United Nations and its relevant agencies will address Syria's legitimate concerns. These concerns include the diversion of aid to terrorist organizations in the northwest region and the need for transparent and non-discriminatory distribution of aid," he added. Iravani further urged the Western countries to respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and avoid legitimizing terrorist groups in northwestern Idlib Province through humanitarian assistance. "The Syrian Arab Republic has consistently emphasized that the cross-border mechanism undermines its sovereignty and territorial integrity, providing an opportunity for terrorist groups to exploit humanitarian aid for their own interests," he added. "The situation raises legitimate concerns about Western intentions that they may seek to divide Syria and establish a self-governing region led by terrorists in the northwest. The continued support for this border crossing through humanitarian aid further exacerbates these worries." The ambassador also said that Iran supports the provision of humanitarian assistance without politicization or conditions and in line with the principles of humanity, neutrality, and impartiality. "The ever-increasing humanitarian crisis in Syria, further compounded by the devastating earthquake on 6 February 2023, highlights the urgent necessity for humanitarian aid. Ensuring the delivery of impartial and non-politicized assistance to all regions of Syria is paramount for saving lives ... It is crucial, however, to uphold Syria's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity throughout this process," he noted. Iravani called for the lifting of unilateral Western sanctions on Syria which worsen the humanitarian and economic situation there. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Beijing's 'priority is to stop Taiwan's VP and presidential frontrunner's trip to US next month: China's ambassador to Washington Iran Press TV Thursday, 20 July 2023 6:06 AM China warns about a planned visit to the United States by the vice president and presidential frontrunner of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), saying Beijing's priority is to stop such a provocative move. China's ambassador to Washington, Xie Feng, said Wednesday that "the priority for us is to stop Lai Ching-te from visiting the United States, which is like a grey rhino charging at us," Xie said, using William Lai's Chinese language name. A "grey rhino" event refers to a highly obvious yet ignored threat. "Taiwan is China's Taiwan," the Chinese envoy said, adding that the country wanted a peaceful "reunification," but Taiwanese "separatists" were advancing their agenda, seeking US support. "They even do not admit they are Chinese. So this is a very dangerous path they are taking," Xie said, reassuring that provocative moves by Taiwan "separatists" should be contained. Lai, Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, is scheduled to make a stopover in the United States on his way to and from the inauguration of Paraguay's president on August 15. China has sovereignty over Chinese Taipei, and under the "One China" policy, and almost all world countries recognize that sovereignty. According to the principle, Taiwan is subject to Chinese sovereignty and Beijing is the sole representative of all China. China strongly opposes other countries pursuing official and diplomatic ties with Taipei and has consistently warned the US and other states against engaging with the self-proclaimed government in island. Washington has no formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan by law, but remains the island's largest weapons supplier and a staunch supporter of Taiwan's secessionist President Tsai Ing-wen. Vice president Lai is now running to succeed Tsai at Taiwan's presidential election in January. He is currently leading in most opinion polls. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said Monday that the government had already lodged a diplomatic complaint with Washington about his stopovers. "China will pay close attention to the development of the situation and take resolute and forceful measures to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," she said. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, however, explained Lai's transit as "routine" and consistent with past practice. He said there is no reason for China "to use this transit as a pretext for provocative actions." Ten Taiwanese vice presidents, including Lai himself, have traveled via the United States. According to Taiwan's presidential office, Lai would arrive in Paraguay on August 14. The government has provided no details on Lai's US transit though. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Philippines: Manila closely monitoring Chinese threat to invade Taiwan Plans to evacuate thousands of Filipinos there are constantly updated, defense chief Gilbert Teodoro says. By Jeoffrey Maitem and Jojo RiAoza for BenarNews 2023.07.20 -- Manila monitors and plans every day for the possibility of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, the new Philippine defense secretary said Thursday. Taiwan is a key economic partner of the Philippines and hosts around 150,000 Filipinos, whose safety would be in jeopardy should China invade the island, which it considers a renegade province. "That is something we continue to monitor daily, and hopefully, the engagements bilaterally between the United States and China leads to the diffusion of tensions in that theater," Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro told reporters. "First and foremost, we really have to make an assessment whether such [an attack] is likely or not. Nonetheless, we continue to plan on all contingencies, not merely any flashpoint between China and Taiwan, but any contingency within the theater." Earlier this year, China renewed its warnings about invading Taiwan, news agencies reported. And in January, an American general predicted that war would likely break out in 2025, although regional analysts pooh-poohed his forecast. Among the United States' security allies in the Asia-Pacific region, the Philippines is geographically the nearest to Taiwan. In February, in a move that angered China, Manila granted the United States expanded access to its military bases, an agreement seen by analysts here as central to Washington's aim of deterring any plan by Beijing to attack Taiwan. The Philippines also allowed large-scale joint exercises with U.S. troops in areas that face Taiwan. In his comments on Thursday, Teodoro said these moves were part of the government's long-term strategy to develop a "credible deterrent posture." Manila is locked in a territorial dispute with Beijing over the South China Sea. China claims nearly the entire sea, including waters within the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. "[I] must stress that this strengthening of our bilateral [Philippine-U.S.] ties in terms of credible deterrent posture upgrade is purely focused on Philippine interests," said Teodoro, who was appointed defense chief by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in June. "For me, we should do everything within our power to assert our rights in the West Philippine Sea responsibly and in a calculated and sustainable manner and not in a knee-jerk manner," he said. The West Philippine Sea is Manila's name for South China Sea waters within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. Manila and Washington are signatories to a decades-old Mutual Defense Treaty, which is the basis for their military cooperation. Under that accord, the two allies will come to each other's aid if either is attacked by an outside power. The treaty allows for U.S. troops to take part in large-scale joint exercises on Philippine soil - something the local defense establishment believes is necessary for protecting the country's shores from threats from China, especially in the South China Sea. A survey released by pollster Pulse Asia earlier this week showed that 75% of Filipinos were in favor of working with the U.S. to confront territorial disputes with China over the West Philippine Sea. Incidents at sea 'could have been avoided' Meanwhile, a change in military leadership this week resulted from a decision by the Marcos administration to home in on issues in the West Philippine Sea, outgoing military chief Gen. Andres Centino said. He was named presidential advisor on the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday. Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner takes over from Centino as head of the armed forces. "There was a need to bring focus on matters in that part of the country," Centino said, referring to the West Philippine Sea. "Our leadership has deemed it important to give focus and importance, the way we address the issues there, on a bigger scale. That's why they thought of creating an office of the presidential adviser." Centino was asked which were the specific issues the government wanted to address in the West Philippine Sea. He replied, "reports of incursion." "In the past months, we had incidents there. Perhaps, if addressed properly, these could have been avoided," he said. Centino was referring to a close call between Chinese and Philippine ships in Manila's EEZ in the South China Sea earlier this month. Additionally, the Chinese coast guard ship in February pointed a laser at a Philippine vessel, causing temporary blindness to the Filipino crew. There are "geopolitical issues that have to be addressed more appropriately," and that is why the office of the presidential adviser on the West Philippine Sea was created, Centino said. "What is clear is that there should be more focus on how we handle or address the problems there," he said. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization. Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content July not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan Drills Draw on Lessons From Ukraine, China Threats By William Yang July 20, 2023 Next week, Taiwan will host military exercises and drills that include defending the island's main international airport from an attack, stopping amphibious landings, and ensuring sea lanes stay open in response to a mock blockade by China. The annual Han Kuang and Wan An exercises, which last from July 24 to July 29, also will include shelter-in-place and evacuation drills in districts across the island for the first time ever. This year's drills, the most diverse and comprehensive to date, come as China's military threats around the island have become increasingly frequent and specific. Analysts tell VOA that the drills are aimed at strengthening Taiwan's ability to respond to a growing range of military threats from China and applying lessons from Russia's war in Ukraine. "Some drills featured in this year's military exercise correspond to recent activities by the Chinese military around Taiwan," said Lin Ying-yu, a military expert at Taiwan's Tamkang University. He adds that one key aim of this year's exercises is for the drills to be conducted wherever a war may be fought. Protecting the east, airports and bases China claims democratically ruled Taiwan is part of its own territory and over the past year has stepped up its military threats. In addition to testing Taiwan's limits by frequently entering its Air Defense Identification Zone and crossing the median line in the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial barrier, China also has been deploying military aircraft and naval vessels to the eastern side of the island in recent months. The mountainous eastern side of Taiwan has long been seen as a key place to protect the island's forces and is home to two major air bases. Military analysts tell VOA that increasing the island's defense capabilities on the east coast is a must. During this year's drills, Taiwan will expand the deployment of anti-ship missiles and anti-aircraft missiles and add landing and takeoff exercises at the civilian airport in the eastern county of Taitung. "Exercises at the civilian airport (in Taitung) will help increase the flexibility of Taiwan's air force, especially in the event of an attack on its airbases," said Su Tzu-yun, an analyst at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) in Taiwan. He adds that if runways at air bases are destroyed, civilian airports could be used as a backup. While exercises in eastern Taiwan will mainly be focused on maintaining Taiwan's air combat power, the anti-airborne combat operations at the Taoyuan International Airport will focus on simulating the defense of Taiwan's busiest airport in the event of an attack by the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The drill at Taoyuan, the island's main connection with the outside world, will test the military's ability to repel an airborne assault and simulate troops from China parachuting in, in an attempt to take over the transportation hub. Lin from Tamkang University told VOA that the anti-airborne combat operations will help Taiwan's military learn how to conduct counterattacks if that were to ever happen. He added that the Battle for Antonov Airport in Ukraine offered valuable lessons for this particular drill. When Russia launched its war on Ukraine, Kyiv's resistance to that attack helped stop an assault on the capital and prevented Moscow from creating an air bridge to fly in troops. Countering a Chinese blockade Taiwan's military will also conduct training at sea and in coastal areas during the five-day military exercise. Taiwan's defense ministry said the military will carry out a two-day anti-amphibious landing drill at three locations in northern Taiwan and the navy will conduct a joint warfare drill to simulate breaking blockades imposed by hostile forces and keep sea lanes open. Lin from Tamkang University said these drills are part of Taiwan's responses to the two blockade-style military exercises carried out by the PLA near Taiwan over the last year. The two multi-day military exercises were part of China's response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's meeting with former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and current U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. "It offers an opportunity to see how Taiwan defends itself in the event of a Chinese attack," he told VOA, adding that this year's exercise is more about simulating scenarios on actual battlefields rather than being a show of firepower. Expanded air raid, evacuation drills In addition to the Han Kuang military exercise, Taiwan will also host a four-day Wan An air defense exercise that will require civilians to shelter in place and drivers and passengers in cars to stop their vehicles and take shelter with others. Unlike previous air defense exercises, which only required civilians to stay indoors and to stop driving their cars, this year's drill will involve the evacuation of people to air defense shelters led by police and civil defense officials. Since the Ukraine war broke out, INDSR's Su points out that Taiwan has expanded the scale of its annual air defense exercise, and this year's drill includes mobilizing the military, police, and civil defense forces to deal with airstrikes and coordinate disaster relief efforts. "Previous exercises focused mostly on disaster response, but the updated training also includes war prevention," he told VOA. Despite the expanded scope of the air defense drills, some analysts remain skeptical of the effectiveness of the pre-planned exercises. "The only way to validate such a system is to conduct unplanned, no-warning-on-the-spot exercises of random portions of the system," Kitsch Liao, an assistant director of the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub, told VOA. Others note that while the focus of this year's drills has expanded on the island's east coast, Taiwan should consider strengthening coordination with neighboring countries when it faces a naval blockade or when considering the potential that China cuts off its internet. For that, some analysts argue, Taiwan should be looking for more interaction and interoperability with like-minded countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Inaugural U.S.-UK Strategic Sanctions Dialogue US Department of State Media Note Office of the Spokesperson July 20, 2023 Building on the unique economic and security partnership between our two nations, the U.S. Department of State hosted a senior UK government delegation for the inaugural U.S.-UK Strategic Sanctions Dialogue in Washington, D.C., on July 19. The Dialogue delivered on the 2023 Atlantic Declaration commitment to strengthen our cooperation on sanctions strategy, design, targeting, implementation, mitigations, and enforcement, by bringing together departments and agencies from both countries to discuss priorities across geographic and thematic sanctions regimes. The United States and the United Kingdom reaffirmed that sanctions are a key tool of foreign policy. The delegations discussed the use of targeted sanctions to deter and disrupt malign activity and to demonstrate our readiness to take action to defend international norms. In response to Russia's brutal war against Ukraine, together with our allies and partners we have imposed unprecedented costs on the Kremlin. Since the start of the war, we have designated over 2,500 individuals and entities, blocking billions of dollars in assets. Sanctions and export controls are starving Russia's military of key components and technology and restricting Putin's ability to fight a 21st century war. The United States and the United Kingdom continue to intensify our coordination on United Nations and autonomous sanctions regimes. This includes action to promote accountability for human rights violations and abuses, counter terrorism, target cyber-criminal networks, and address concerning situations in countries such as Sudan, Burma, and Iran. The talks also looked beyond bilateral coordination to broader efforts with partners to show collective leadership on the targeted, legitimate, and effective use of sanctions to tackle threats to international peace and security. The delegations also focused on collaboration to protect humanitarian activity from unintended impacts of sanctions, building on our significant cooperation on the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 2664 and on follow-up across autonomous sanctions regimes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement on the inaugural UK-US strategic sanctions dialogue Written statement by British Ambassador to the USA Karen Pierce on the inaugural UK-US strategic sanctions dialogue, which took place on 19 July. 20 July 2023 The United Kingdom and United States have reaffirmed that sanctions are a key tool of foreign policy, following the inaugural UK-U.S. Strategic Sanctions Dialogue hosted by the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C. on 19 July. Building on the unique economic and security partnership between our two nations, the Dialogue delivered on the 2023 Atlantic Declaration commitment to strengthen our cooperation on sanctions strategy, design, targeting, implementation, mitigations, and enforcement, bringing together UK and U.S. departments and agencies to discuss priorities across geographic and thematic sanctions regimes. It also built on the OFSI-OFAC Enhanced Partnership, with renewed focus from both sides to explore opportunities to align the way we implement sanctions. The delegations discussed the use of targeted sanctions to deter and disrupt malign activity and to demonstrate our readiness to take action to defend international norms. In response to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, together with our allies and partners we have imposed unprecedented costs on the Kremlin. The UK has sanctioned over 1,600 individuals and entities since the start of the invasion, including banks with global assets worth A1 trillion ($1.3 trillion) and over A20 billion ($25.9 billion) worth of UK-Russia trade. Sanctions and export controls are starving Russia's military of key Western components and technology, restricting Putin's ability to fight a 21st century war. Beyond efforts against Russia, the UK and U.S. continue to build on our significant cooperation both in the United Nations and bilaterally to coordinate our autonomous regimes. This includes action to tackle human rights violations and abuses, counter terrorism, target cyber-criminal networks, and to address concerning situations in countries such as Sudan, Myanmar and Iran. UK and U.S. teams also focused on collaboration to protect humanitarian activity from unintended impacts of sanctions, building on our significant cooperation on the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 2664 and on follow up across autonomous sanctions regimes. The talks also looked beyond bilateral dimensions and focused on efforts with partners to show collective leadership on the targeted, legitimate, and effective use of sanctions to tackle threats to international peace and security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Update 174 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine International Atomic Energy Agency 73/2023 Vienna, Austria 20 Jul 2023 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts have carried out additional inspections and walkdowns at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) over the past week - so far without observing any heavy military equipment, explosives or mines - but they are still awaiting access to the rooftops of the reactor buildings, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today. Following their visits to units 1 and 3 earlier in July, the IAEA experts went to the reactor building of unit 2 on 17 July and unit 4 the following day. In each case, the team checked the main control room, reactor hall, spent fuel pool, emergency control room, rooms where electrical cabinets of the safety systems are located, and the turbine hall. While the IAEA experts saw transport trucks in the turbine halls of units 1, 2, and 4, there was no visible indication of explosives or mines. The team has not yet been granted requested access to the roofs of the reactors and their turbine halls, including units 3 and 4 which are of particular interest. The Agency continues to request such access. The five basic principles that Director General Grossi established on 30 May at the United Nations Security Council state that there should be no attack from or against the plant and that it should not be used as storage or a base for heavy weapons - multiple rocket launchers, artillery systems and munitions, and tanks. The IAEA team did not report hearing any explosions over the past week, in contrast to the preceding week when it was almost a daily occurrence, underlining the volatile security situation in the region located on the frontline of the conflict. The IAEA experts are continuing to closely monitor the situation regarding the availability of water for cooling the ZNPP's six reactors and other essential nuclear safety and security functions, following the destruction of the downstream Kakhovka dam in early June and the subsequent depletion of the huge reservoir near the plant. The IAEA team reported that the available water supply remains relatively stable, with the water level decreasing by around 1 centimetre per day due to usage and evaporation. The site continues to have sufficient water for some months. On 13 July, the experts went to the site's large cooling pond - one of the main bodies of water still available for the plant's cooling needs - and confirmed the integrity of its isolation gate and the absence of leaks. They also observed the plant's work to further strengthen the isolation gate by placing additional reinforcement barriers on the outer side. Over the past week, the team has also been at the site's other main body of available water - the discharge channel of the Zaporizhzhya Thermal Power Plant (ZTPP) - and also there confirmed the integrity of its isolation gate and witnessed ongoing activities to strengthen the walls of the smaller channel transferring water from the discharge channel to the cooling pond. Since the destruction of the dam some six weeks ago, the ZNPP has been relying on water from the site's cooling pond, the ZTPP discharge channel and underground water from the drainage system for its needs. The plant is still making efforts, using submersible pumps, to obtain additional water for the ZNPP from the ZTPP inlet channel, which used to be fed by the Kakhovka reservoir. However, the remaining water in this channel appears to be limited to the ingress of groundwater. In addition, water from existing wells can be used to replenish the site's smaller sprinkler ponds. The IAEA team was informed that drilling of a test hole had been conducted at a location outside the site perimeter as part of work to find a suitable spot to build another well as an alternative source of water. The plant is now testing the quantity and quality of the water to determine the location is suitable. "Since the Kakhovka dam was destroyed - leading to the disappearance of the huge reservoir as a reliable source of water - the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant has been conducting a range of activities to both secure the remaining bodies of water and find new ones," said Director General Grossi. The plant is separately continuing its preparations to move reactor unit 4 from cold shutdown to hot shutdown, informing the IAEA experts that all scheduled tests on this unit were successfully completed prior to commencing the transition. Once that is done, reactor unit 5 - now in hot shutdown - will be placed in cold shutdown in order to carry out preventive maintenance activities that are only possible in cold shutdown. The other units remain in cold shutdown. The site uses the steam generated from one reactor unit in hot shutdown for various nuclear safety purposes including the processing of liquid radioactive waste collected in storage tanks. However, the IAEA experts have been encouraging the ZNPP to investigate options to install an external boiler to generate the steam required, which would enable the site to bring all units into a cold shutdown state. The Ukraine national regulator - SNRIU - has issued regulatory orders to limit the operation of all six units to a cold shutdown state. With respect to external electricity supplies - needed to pump the cooling water and for other essential nuclear safety and security functions - the ZNPP continues to have access to one main 750 kilovolt (kV) off-site power line as well as one 330 kV line used for back-up supplies. That, however, is not sufficient for sustainable safe operations, Director General Grossi said, noting that the site had access to four 750 kV power lines before the conflict. Since January this year, the IAEA also has a permanent presence at Ukraine's other nuclear power plants - the Khmelnitsky (KhNPP), Rivne (RNPP), South Ukraine (SUNPP) and the Chornobyl (ChNPP) sites. The IAEA teams report that the sites are continuing to maintain their operating and refuelling schedules despite the challenges. They also confirm that there are no nuclear safety or security related issues at the four sites. The IAEA carried out a rotation of staff at Chornobyl this week, and rotations at the other sites will take place soon. Next week, the IAEA will send a fact-finding mission to Kyiv and Kharkiv as part of activities to assist Ukraine in ensuring the safety and security of radioactive sources, which are commonly used in a wide range of peaceful activities, for example in hospitals and industry. "The IAEA Support and Assistance Mission on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources in Ukraine - ISAMRAD - will assess the radiation safety and nuclear security situation regarding radioactive sources in the country and also identify equipment and other requirements. This is another important area of assistance provided by the IAEA at the request of Ukraine," Director General Grossi said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address At the EU Foreign Affairs Council, the State Secretary underlines the importance of long-term comprehensive support to Ukraine Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 20.07.2023 On 20 July 2023, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Andris PelAs, took part in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union in Brussels. The Council addressed Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the relations between the EU and Turkey, and the external dimension of the EU's economic security. The meeting also included an exchange via videoconference with the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on cooperation between the EU and the United States on security and defence policy. Further on, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba, via videoconference, briefed the ministers on latest developments. The meeting placed a special focus on the EU's all-embracing contribution to the security and resilience of Ukraine in the long term. The EU must ensure military assistance to the Ukrainian armed forces as long as it takes, the State Secretary noted, while pointing out that therefore the EU should agree on a sustainable financial solution, including support to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility. Andris PelAs underlined the importance of regular dialogue with the United States, calling for close coordination on foreign and security policy issues, in particular a continued support to Ukraine. During the Foreign Affairs Council, Andris PelAs also took part in an informal exchange of views with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker TArk, which featured a discussion on the global state of human rights. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia says all ships traveling to Ukraine considered potential carriers of arms, part of war Iran Press TV Thursday, 20 July 2023 8:14 AM Russia has warned that all ships traveling to Ukraine are considered to be potentially carrying weapons and military equipment, and thus be part of the current war in the ex-Soviet republic. In a statement on Wednesday, Russia's defense ministry said from Thursday on, it would deem all Ukraine-bound vessels to be potentially carrying arms on behalf of Kiev, and consequently "the flag countries of such ships will be considered parties to the Ukrainian conflict." "In connection with the termination of the Black Sea Initiative and the end of the maritime humanitarian corridor, from 00.00 Moscow time on July 20, 2023 (2100 GMT on Wednesday) all ships proceeding to Ukrainian ports in Black Sea waters will be considered as potential carriers of military cargo," the ministry added, without saying what actions it might take toward such ships. Russia did not extend the grain deal that allowed Ukrainian grain to be exported. The agreement last came up for extension on May 18 and Russia agreed at that point to extend it for 60 more days. On Monday, however, Moscow announced its withdrawal from the deal, which came with a separate agreement to facilitate shipments of Russian food and fertilizer. Moscow says no facilitation under that agreement has yet taken place. The Kremlin had initially threatened to abandon the deal if its concerns were not addressed. The deal is officially known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative. It was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations on July 22, 2022 and has since, according to the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul, allowed three Ukrainian ports to export some 32.9 million metric tons of grain and other food to the world, over half of that to developing countries. The ministry also said that southeastern and northwestern parts of the Black Sea's international waters would be temporarily unsafe for navigation, without specifying the affected parts of the sea. "Accordingly, the countries of such vessels will be considered to be involved in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kiev regime. 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," the statement further read. The development comes as Ukrainian officials claimed that an overnight attack on Wednesday by Russian drones and missiles against Odessa purportedly targeted grain terminals and other critical infrastructure Ukraine needs to ship food to the world. Odessa, Ukraine's third most populous city, is one of the main ports for exporting grain in the ex-Soviet republic. Russia's foreign ministry has already said that despite UN efforts to extend the deal, obstacles to Russian food and fertilizer exports remained. "Only upon receipt of concrete results, and not promises and assurances, will Russia be ready to consider restoring the deal." This is while Kiev has told the UN that it is establishing an alternative route for its grain export via Romania, one of the neighboring Black Sea countries. "Its goal is to facilitate the unblocking of international shipping in the northwestern part of the Black Sea," Vasyl Shkurakov, Ukraine's acting minister for communities, territories and infrastructure development, said in a letter to the world body's shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Ukraine, which is a major exporter of corn, barley, sunflower oil, and rapeseed oil, used to export most of its crop yields through its main ports on the Black and Azov Seas, but since the start of war, it has been forced to export by train or via its small Danube River ports. More than 30 million tons of grain and agricultural products have been exported under the initiative to date. Any disruption or halt to the flow of Ukrainian grain could worsen a food crisis in the poorest countries and increase global prices. The termination of the unprecedented wartime agreement prevents hunger-stricken parts of the world from receiving the vital crop. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Targets Port Installations, Civilian Facilities In Southern Ukraine, Causing Deaths, Damage By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 20, 2023 Russia on July 20 launched a third consecutive round of air strikes on southern Ukraine, targeting port installations and grain storage facilities as well as civilian infrastructure and killing at least two people, regional officials said. The attacks came after Russia refused to extend a UN-sponsored deal that had allowed shipments of Ukrainian grain abroad, and warned that it would consider cargo ships on the Black Sea destined for Ukraine as potential military targets. In Mykolayiv, one person was killed and at least 18 civilians, including children, were wounded in an attack on a three-story residential building in the city center, regional Governor Vitaliy Kim said. "The Russians hit the city center. A garage and a three-story residential building caught fire.... A total of 18 people were injured. Nine of them were hospitalized, including five children, while two people were rescued from under the rubble. It's a miracle that we managed to save them," Kim said. In Odesa, at least two civilians, one of them a 21-year-old man, were killed in the strikes that targeted grain and oil terminals, and also caused destruction in the city center, Odesa region Governor Oleh Kiper reported. "Unfortunately, as a result of the overnight Russian attack, we have one person killed in Odesa. The deceased is a security guard of a civil building, born in 2002," he said, adding that the body of a second victim was pulled from under the rubble. The Ukrainian Energy Ministry said grain terminals and port infrastructure in the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk were targeted. In Chornomorsk, 60,000 tons of grain were destroyed, the ministry said. Ukraine's air defense said in an update on July 20 that during the attack, Russia fired 19 cruise missiles and 19 kamikaze drones. It said it shot down 13 Iranian-made drones, two Kalibr cruise missiles, and three Iskander-K missiles. Russia's Defense Ministry has said strikes on Odesa and Mykolayiv were retaliation against facilities where it claimed Ukraine was building seaborne drones of the type that Moscow says damaged a bridge in the annexed region of Crimea. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on his Telegram channel late on July 19 the Russian strikes had "deliberately" targeted sites in the Odesa region that are used to export grain after Russia refused to extend the grain deal. "About 1 million tons of food is stored in the ports that were attacked today. Exactly the volume that should have been delivered to consumer countries in Africa and Asia a long time ago," Zelenskiy said in a video message. "Everyone in the world should be interested in holding Russia accountable for terror," he added. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres slammed the attacks near the Black Sea port cities. "These attacks are...having an impact well beyond Ukraine. We are already seeing the negative effect on global wheat and corn prices which hurts everyone, but especially vulnerable people in the global south," Guterres said in a statement from his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric. After Ukraine said it would continue to export grain despite Moscow's pullout from the deal, Russia announced that starting from July 20, it would consider international waters in northwestern and southeastern parts of the Black Sea "temporarily dangerous" for shipping and warned that it will consider any incoming vessel as a legitimate target. The Russian statement prompted the White House to issue a warning that Moscow is preparing for possible attacks on civilian cargo ships 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." The Russian ambassador to the U.S. was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying that Moscow was not preparing to attack civilian ships on the Black Sea. With reporting by AP and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-targets-port- southern-ukraine/32511356.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN Atomic Watchdog's Inspectors Still Don't Have Access To Rooftops At Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Plant By RFE/RL July 20, 2023 Russia has still not provided UN nuclear experts at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant in Ukraine access to the rooftops of the occupied facilitie's reactors, the agency said on July 20. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement that its team has carried out inspections at the power plant over the past week and has not observed any heavy military equipment or "visible indication of explosives or mines." But the statement added that the experts "are still awaiting access to the rooftops of the reactor buildings." The statement also said that the nuclear power plant is in a "volatile security situation in the region located on the frontline of the conflict." Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of planning an incident at the plant, which has been occupied by Russian forces since soon after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February last year. Kyiv has accused Russia of placing explosives on the rooftops of the third and fourth power units at the plant, and IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi noted earlier this month that he hoped his inspectors would gain access to these areas. The IAEA said then that access to the rooftops of reactor units 3 and 4 was "essential" as was access to parts of the turbine halls. Grossi's request to inspect the areas has now been pending for nearly two weeks. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has urged the international community to intervene and reiterated his warnings that Russia is planning provocations at the facility. The Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest, has been targeted by gunfire multiple times, severing it from the electrical grid and raising fears of a major nuclear accident. Though the plant is not generating electricity, it requires electrical power to maintain the cooling of its reactors. The statement added that the IAEA team did not report hearing any explosions over the past week, which was a contrast to the preceding week when it was almost a daily occurrence. The IAEA experts are also continuing to closely monitor the situation regarding the availability of water for cooling the plant's six reactors and other essential nuclear safety and security functions following the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in early June and the subsequent depletion of a reservoir near the plant. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-zaporizhzhya- nuclear-rooftops-access-un-iaea/32512251.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Begins Using US-Supplied Cluster Munitions - Reports Sputnik News 20230720 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Ukraine has begun using US-provided cluster munitions against Russian forces in the southeast of the country, an American newspaper reported on Thursday, citing Ukrainian officials familiar with the matter. A Ukrainian official told the newspaper that the munitions were fired at Russian positions to destroy the fortifications which slow down Ukraine's counteroffensive effort. Cluster munitions are also expected to be used near the Russian-controlled city of Artemovsk (Bakhmut), according to the report. On July 7, the US unveiled a new military assistance package for Ukraine, which included cluster munitions. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has since warned that the Russian military will be forced to use similar weapons, which it has plenty of in stocks, against the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Cluster munitions are banned by the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which has been ratified by 123 countries. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rheinmetall Plant to Become Legitimate Target for Russian Army in Ukraine - Moscow Sputnik News 20230720 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Ukrainian branch of the German armored vehicle manufacturer Rheinmetall will be considered a legitimate military target by Russia, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. "Such a facility, if built, will be considered a legitimate military target for the Russian armed forces, along with any other Ukrainian defense industry facilities," she said at a briefing. As reported in an interview with the American television channel on July 10, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger announced that the company plans to open a plant in Ukraine within the next three months. Earlier, Sputnik news agency also reported on the construction of a plant for the production of the Turkish Bayraktar unmanned aerial vehicles in Ukraine. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukrainian Drone Taken Down in Central Crimea, Results in No Casualties Sputnik News 20230720 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The air defense systems took down a drone in the central part of Crimea, there were no casualties and no damage, Crimean head Sergey Aksenov said on Thursday. "An enemy drone was shot down by the air defense forces in the central part of Crimea. There are no casualties or damage. I ask everyone to remain calm and trust only official sources of information," Aksenov said on Telegram. Kiev regime recently ramped up terror attacks on Crimea. On Thursday a teenage girl was killed, and four buildings have were damaged in a Ukrainian drone strike against Crimea's northwest. Earlier Kiev regime used surface maritime drones in a terror attack against the Crimean Bridge, killing two adults and injuring a child. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tankers Suspected in Crimean Bridge Drone Attack Linked to Mediterranean Ports Sputnik News 20230720 The Beks Loyal and Khudayar Yusifzade, two tankers that the hacker group, RaHDit, claims could have been used to launch unmanned boats at the Crimean Bridge, fly the flags of the Marshall Islands and Liberia, respectively, and are registered in Malta and Greece. According to the Marine Traffic website, the Khudayar Yusifzade left the port of Izmail (Ukraine) on July 5 and arrived in Elefsis (Greece) on July 18. The tanker was built in 2011 and sails under the flag of Liberia. As for the Beks Loyal, according to the same website, it left the port of Tuzla (a district of Istanbul, Turkiye) on May 13 and arrived in Constanta (Romania) on July 18. The ship was built in 2004 and sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands. Based on open sources, the port of registration for Khudayar Yusifzade is Valletta (Malta), and the owner is Palmali Gemicilik ve Acentelik AS (Palmali Shipping & Agency). Beks Loyal's port of registry is Piraeus (Greece), and the owner is Beks Shipmanagement & Trading A.S. The second ship is significantly larger, measuring 228 meters in length compared to 140 meters. However, in an interview with Sputnik, a representative of the Beks Shipmanagement & Trading A.S. shipping company claimed that the allegation of the Beks Loyal tanker being involved in the launch of the maritime drones during the Crimean Bridge terror attack was not true. "At the time of the incident, our vessel was far from that location, and we have data from the international tracking system MarineTraffic. This news is not accurate," said Efe Tunali, director of operations at Beks Shipmanagement & Trading A.S. He clarified that the tanker was at least 100 miles away from the site of the incident and emphasized that the ship was in no way associated with military activities. Tunali expressed his concern over the news and emphasized the good cooperation his company has with Russia. He mentioned that the previous and current charterers of the ship are from Russia, and that 90% of their company's activities are in Russia, transporting Russian cargoes. Therefore, he finds it illogical to associate them with the incident. On the other hand, the fact that the tanker was 100-150 miles away from the bridge does not rule out the possibility of unmanned boats being launched. The screenshot presented by Russia's RaHDit hacker group matches the map they published. According to open sources, the range of Ukrainian unmanned boats is up to 630 km or 340 nautical miles. Earlier, the hacker group, RaHDit, published the routes of civilian ships that could have potentially launched the drone boats at the Crimean Bridge. The hackers' investigation suggests that the operation to unleash the unmanned boats to attack the bridge may have involved two tankers, the Beks Loyal and the Khudayar Yusifzade. Both tankers had been drifting near the Russian coast in the Black Sea, about 100 km from Novorossiysk, for several days before the incident. The hackers believe that drones were transferred from one of the tankers to the other at that moment. RaHDIt suggests that another ship drifting in direct view of the Crimean Bridge may have been used to control the unmanned boats. On the night of July 17, Ukraine attacked the Crimean Bridge with two surface drones, killing a couple from the Belgorod region and injuring their 14-year-old daughter. The vehicular section of the bridge was damaged, and two-way traffic on that section will resume in the fall. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Loses Over 210 Military in Donetsk Direction Over Past Day Sputnik News 20230720 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine has lost more than 210 military in the Donetsk direction over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday. Over the past day, Ukraine continued offensive attempts in the Donetsk, Krasny Liman and South Donetsk directions. The Russian armed forces have repelled 16 attacks by Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk direction over the given period, the ministry said in a statement, adding that two attacks were repulsed in the Krasny Liman direction. "During the fighting, over 210 Ukrainian military, an armored combat vehicle, three vehicles, a US-made M777 artillery system, Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery mounts, as well as two D-30, D-20 and Msta- B howitzers were destroyed," the ministry said. In total, Ukraine lost over 400 military in the Donetsk, Krasny Liman and South Donetsk directions over the past day, the statement read, adding that Kiev also lost up to 110 military in the Kupyansk direction. "Enemy losses in these directions [the South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions] amounted to 170 Ukrainian military, six tanks, three armored combat vehicles, two vehicles, as well as Msta-B and D-20 howitzers," the ministry added. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Senate Rejects Bill to Avoid Pentagon Valuation Errors After Ukraine Aid Mishap Sputnik News 20230720 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Senate rejected an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to rework the Pentagon's accounting methods for aid sent to Ukraine to avoid future valuation errors. Senators rejected the measure on Wednesday in a vote of 39 in favor and 60 opposed. Earlier this year, the Pentagon revealed a $6.2 billion valuation error in military equipment provided to Ukraine. The error was a result of using replacement costs instead of the book value of the equipment, according to the Pentagon. "The so-called 'valuation errors' around US aid to Ukraine is a transparent attempt to bypass Congress for additional funds, while continuing to prioritize Ukraine over more vital US interests, including deterring China in the Pacific," US Senator Josh Hawley, who introduced the measure, said in a statement. The amendment would require the Pentagon to use the "aggregate value" of defense equipment and services. The amendment defines aggregate value as the original cost of an article plus the cost of improvements or modifications by the government, or the replacement cost, whichever is greater. For defense services, the amendment defines aggregate cost as the full cost to the US government of providing the services. The measure ensures that US military aid and the cost to US taxpayers is "properly and consistently calculated," legislation co-lead US Senator JD Vance also said in the statement. The Senate is currently considering a number of amendments to the $886 billion FY24 NDAA, which the chamber hopes to pass before lawmakers leave for their August recess. A Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Imposing Additional Sanctions on Those Supporting Russia's War Against Ukraine US Department of State Press Statement Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State July 20, 2023 The Departments of State and Treasury are imposing sanctions on nearly 120 individuals and entities today to further hold Russia accountable for its illegal invasion of Ukraine and degrade its capability to support its war efforts. These sanctions will restrict Russia from accessing critical materials, inhibit its future energy production and export capabilities, curtail its use of the international financial system, and crack down on those complicit in sanctions evasion and circumvention. Since Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States, working with our allies and partners, has taken unprecedented steps to impose costs on Russia and promote accountability for the individuals and entities who support its illegal war. We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Today's actions were taken pursuant to Executive Order 14024 , which authorizes sanctions with respect to specified harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation. For more information on these actions, please see the Department of State Fact Sheet and the Department of the Treasury press release. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Imposing Additional Sanctions on Those Supporting Russia's War Against Ukraine US Department of State Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesperson July 20, 2023 Today, the United States is imposing sanctions on individuals and entities in order to degrade Russia's current and future military capabilities, reduce Russia's revenue by targeting its future energy projects, and curb sanctions evasion by targeting those who help Russia procure sensitive material, and curtail Russia's use of the international financial system to further its war. All targets below are being designated pursuant to Executive Order 14024 , which authorizes sanctions with respect to specified harmful foreign activities of the Government of the Russian Federation. CONTINUED DEGRADATION OF RUSSIA'S FUTURE ENERGY PRODUCTION AND EXPORT CAPABILITIES The Department of State (The Department) is designating multiple entities involved in expanding Russia's ability to finish construction of key future energy projects, as well as entities engaged in exploratory drilling throughout Russia. AO Nipigazpererabotka (Nipigaz) is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the engineering sector of the Russian Federation economy. Nipigaz is a leading Russian engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) entity that is directing construction activities and purchasing material for the development of future Russian energy export projects. The following entities are subsidiaries of Nipigaz and are being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Nipigaz, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked: Obshestvo S Ogranichennoj Otvetstvennostyu Nipigaz IT is a subsidiary of Nipigaz that performs computer software development and designs, advises, and examines computer systems and technology. is a subsidiary of Nipigaz that performs computer software development and designs, advises, and examines computer systems and technology. Obshestvo S Ogranichennoj Otvetstvennostyu Nipigaz Aktiv is a subsidiary of Nipigaz that rents and manages real estate. The following entities are being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the metals and mining sector of the Russian Federation economy: Burovaya Kompaniya Eurasia Limited Liability Company (BKE) is a Russian oilfield services company involved in the provision of drilling equipment and services related to exploring and drilling new oil and gas well sites. BKE also performs well intervention services. is a Russian oilfield services company involved in the provision of drilling equipment and services related to exploring and drilling new oil and gas well sites. BKE also performs well intervention services. Joint Stock Company Siberian Service Company (Siberian Service Company) is a Russian oilfield services company involved in the provision of drilling services related to exploring and drilling new oil and gas well sites. TARGETING SHIPPING AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT TO FUTURE ENERGY PROJECTS The Department is also designating Sakhalin Shipping Company (SASCO), a Russian shipping company that has provided key logistical support to multiple Russian future energy projects. SASCO has provided support for future energy projects by delivering construction material and equipment via sea to the Taimyr Peninsula. SASCO is also involved in expanding Russia's trade routes to new jurisdictions as the Russian Federation looks to backfill economic connections it has lost due to the invasion of Ukraine. SASCO is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the marine sector of the Russian Federation economy. The following entities are subsidiaries of SASCO and are being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, SASCO: OOO MPL Vanino Sakhalin is responsible for facilitating the renting and leasing of maritime transport equipment for SASCO. is responsible for facilitating the renting and leasing of maritime transport equipment for SASCO. AO Vostok Treid Invest is responsible for buying and selling real estate for SASCO. The following vessels are being identified as blocked property in which SASCO has an interest: SASCO ALDAN SASCO AVACHA SASCO ANGARA SASCO ANIVA PATRIA ZEYA KUNASHIR PARAMUSHIR SELENGA SHANTAR SIMUSHIR SAKHALIN 8 SAKHALIN 9 SAKHALIN 10 CONTINUING PRESSURE ON ROSATOM This is the fourth Russia sanctions action in a row that includes designations of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (Rosatom) subsidiaries. The following subsidiaries of Rosatom are being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation: AEM Propulsion is involved in the production and supply of elements of propulsion systems for ships of various purposes and classes. is involved in the production and supply of elements of propulsion systems for ships of various purposes and classes. NPO KIS was established in October 2022, and is involved in the production and procurement of various microelectronics. DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE AND TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT The Department is designating multiple defense entities and procurement companies working to acquire goods in support of Russia's war effort. These designations underscore our commitment to combatting sanctions evasion and key procurement networks that Russia is trying to establish in order to maintain its defense industrial base and support its illegal war against Ukraine. The Department is designating the following entities pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the technology sector of the Russian Federation economy: Limited Liability Company Fivel is a Russian tech company that carries out wholesale deliveries of electronic components to Russian clients. is a Russian tech company that carries out wholesale deliveries of electronic components to Russian clients. Limited Liability Company Fifth Element Trading is a Russian supplier of electronic components and devices. is a Russian supplier of electronic components and devices. Radiant EK AO is a Moscow-based distributor of computer chips and other electronic parts. is a Moscow-based distributor of computer chips and other electronic parts. Limited Liability Company AB Optiks is a Russian optics manufacturer and supplier, providing infrared cameras and diagnostic systems. is a Russian optics manufacturer and supplier, providing infrared cameras and diagnostic systems. Limited Liability Company Fortap is a Russian tech company that has imported millions of dollars of electronics, including U.S.-made computer parts, into Russia. The following entity is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the transportation sector of the Russian Federation economy: Limited Liability Company IMEX Expert (IMEX Expert) is a Russian logistics company working to procure non-Russian goods and circumvent sanctions. The following entities are being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation economy: Vityaz Machine Building Company Joint Stock Company (Vityaz) is a Russian defense company that is engaged in the development, production, operation, and repair of armored vehicles that are designed for operation in difficult road and climate conditions. is a Russian defense company that is engaged in the development, production, operation, and repair of armored vehicles that are designed for operation in difficult road and climate conditions. Closed Joint Stock Company Kilmovskiy Specialized Ammunition Plant (KSPZ AO) is a Russian defense company that manufactures naval, aircraft, tank, coast, and field artillery and is responsible for manufacturing and selling firearms and ammunition. is a Russian defense company that manufactures naval, aircraft, tank, coast, and field artillery and is responsible for manufacturing and selling firearms and ammunition. Federal State Enterprise YA M Sverdlov Plant (Sverdlov Plant) is a large Federal State-owned enterprise in Russia that produces explosives, industrial chemicals, detonators and ammunition. is a large Federal State-owned enterprise in Russia that produces explosives, industrial chemicals, detonators and ammunition. Joint Stock Company Concern Kalashnikov (Kalashnikov Concern) is Russia's leading manufacturer of automatic and sniper combat firearms, guided artillery munitions, and a wide range of weapons. It is the flagship company of Russia's weapons industry. Kalashnikov Concern was previously designated in 2015 pursuant to E.O. 13661. Vladimir Nikolaevich Lepin (Lepin) is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(iii)(C) for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of JSC Kalashnikov Concern, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked. Lepin is the General Director of Kalashnikov Concern. is Russia's leading manufacturer of automatic and sniper combat firearms, guided artillery munitions, and a wide range of weapons. It is the flagship company of Russia's weapons industry. Kalashnikov Concern was previously designated in 2015 pursuant to E.O. 13661. The following entity is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the aerospace sector of the Russian Federation economy: Limited Liability Company Kosmosavia (Kosmosavia) operates or has operated in the aerospace sector of the Russian Federation economy. Kosmosavia is a Russian supplier of aviation equipment and spare parts for Russian civil helicopters and cargo aircraft. RUSSIAN PRIVATE MILITARY COMPANIES (PMCs) The Department is also taking action to further target PMCs supporting Russia's war against Ukraine and other harmful activities of the Russian government outside of Russia. Limited Liability Company Private Security Organization Gazpromneft Okhrana (Okhrana) is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation. Okhrana is a security company established by PJSC Gazprom, which is subject to Directive 4 under E.O. 13662 and Directive 3 under E.O. 14024. is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation. Okhrana is a security company established by PJSC Gazprom, which is subject to Directive 4 under E.O. 13662 and Directive 3 under E.O. 14024. Limited Liability Company Vega Strategic Services (PMC Vega) is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation economy. PMC Vega is a Russian private military company that has operated in Syria and Venezuela. Anatoliy Anatolievich Smolin is the publicly identified leader of PMC Vega and is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(iii)(C) for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of PMC Vega, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked. is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation economy. PMC Vega is a Russian private military company that has operated in Syria and Venezuela. IRBIS SKY TECH is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation economy. IRBIS SKY TECH is a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production and development company. IRBIS SKY TECH UAVs are utilized in combat by Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine. is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation economy. IRBIS SKY TECH is a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production and development company. IRBIS SKY TECH UAVs are utilized in combat by Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine. Igor Mikhailovich Stramilov (Stramilov) is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation economy. Stramilov is the founder and ultimate owner of PMC Vega. Stramilov is involved in the supply of combat UAVs and other military equipment for the Russian Armed Forces, as well as their performance on the battlefield in Ukraine. The following entities are designated pursuant to section 1(a)(vii) for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Stramilov, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked. Limited Liability Company Legion is a private security company owned by Stramilov. is a private security company owned by Stramilov. Limited Liability Company Legat is a private security company owned by Stramilov. CONSTRAINING MOSCOW'S MILITARY SPACE ENDEAVORS Together with the Department of the Treasury, the Department of State is designating a number of targets that are part of Russia's military space program. These designations further our efforts to degrade Russia's ability to develop aerospace technologies, which could be deployed in support of its ground forces fighting in Ukraine. The Central Research Institute of the Russian Air and Space Forces (TsNII VVKO) is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation economy. TsNII VVKO conducts research and development of aerospace defense systems for the Russian Federation. is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the defense and related materiel sector of the Russian Federation economy. TsNII VVKO conducts research and development of aerospace defense systems for the Russian Federation. Center for Operation of Space Ground-Based Infrastructure (AO Tsenki) is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the aerospace sector of the Russian Federation economy. AO Tsenki is responsible for the maintenance of Russia's ground-based space infrastructure. is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the aerospace sector of the Russian Federation economy. AO Tsenki is responsible for the maintenance of Russia's ground-based space infrastructure. JSC Aviation Electronics and Communication Systems (AVEKS) is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the aerospace sector of the Russian Federation economy. AVEKS is engaged in the design and manufacture of power supply systems for spacecraft and control systems of electronic propulsion systems. IMPOSING COSTS ON THE WAGNER GROUP's LEADER YEVGENIY PRIGOZIN The Department is designating two individuals linked to Wagner Group leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin, both of whom have been involved in the shipment of munitions to the Russian Federation. Valeriy Yevgenyevich Chekalov (Chekalov) is designated pursuant to section 1(a)(vii) for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Yevgeniy Viktorovich Prigozhin, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked. Chekalov has acted for or on behalf of Prigozhin and has facilitated shipments of munitions to the Russian Federation. is designated pursuant to section 1(a)(vii) for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Yevgeniy Viktorovich Prigozhin, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked. Chekalov has acted for or on behalf of Prigozhin and has facilitated shipments of munitions to the Russian Federation. Yong Hyok Rim (Rim) is designated pursuant to section 1(a)(vi)(B) for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Yevgeniy Viktorovich Prigozhin, a person whose property and interests in property are blocked. Rim, a North Korea national, has assisted or provided support for Prigozhin and has facilitated shipments of munitions to the Russian Federation. RUSSIAN FEDERATION ELITES, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND MALIGN ACTORS The Department is also designating multiple senior Russian government officials and malign actors as part of continued efforts to impose costs on and promote accountability for the bureaucratic enablers of Russia's illegal war. The Department is additionally designating certain targets acting for the benefit of Russia in areas that it has temporarily occupied in Ukraine, involved in infrastructure projects that attempt to help cement Russia's occupation of parts of Ukraine's territory. Russian Federation Elites and Government Officials Aleksey Leonidovich Kudrin (Kudrin) is a Russian technology firm corporate development advisor with close ties to Vladimir Putin. Kudrin is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the technology sector of the Russian Federation economy. is a Russian technology firm corporate development advisor with close ties to Vladimir Putin. Kudrin is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the technology sector of the Russian Federation economy. Pavel Alekseevich Marinychev (Marinychev) is the CEO of PJSC Alrosa (Alrosa), a diamond mining company that is majority-owned by the Government of the Russian Federation. Alrosa and its former CEO were designated by the United States in April 2022. Marinychev is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(i) for operating or having operated in the metals and mining sector of the Russian Federation economy. The following individuals are being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(iii)(A) for being or having been leaders, officials, senior executive officers, or members of the board of directors of the Government of the Russian Federation: Ilya Eduardovich Torosov is a Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. is a Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. Aleksey Igorevich Khersontsev is a Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. is a Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation. Vasiliy Sergeevich Osmakov is a Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. is a Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. Pavel Nikolaevich Snikkars is a Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation. is a Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation. Leonid Vladimirovich Gornin is a Deputy Finance Minister of the Russian Federation. is a Deputy Finance Minister of the Russian Federation. Pavel Yurevich Sorokin is a Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation. is a Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation. Sergey Borisovich Korolev is the First Deputy Director of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). is the First Deputy Director of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB). Vasiliy Nikolaevich Anokhin is the Governor of Russia's Smolensk region. Malign Actors State Unitary Enterprise of the Donetsk People's Republic Republican Center Trading House Vtormet (Vtormet) is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(F) for being responsible for or complicit in, or having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, activities that undermine the peace, security, political stability, or territorial integrity of the United States, its allies, or its partners, for or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation. Vtormet is a so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic "state enterprise," which buys and sells ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal and is involved in infrastructure projects that attempt to help cement Russia's occupation of parts of Ukraine's territory. Maksim Valeriovych Soldatov (Soldatov) is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(iii)(C) for being or having been a leader, official, senior executive officer, or member of the board of directors of, Vtormet, an entity whose property and interests in property are blocked. Soldatov is the CEO and General Director of Vtormet. is being designated pursuant to section 1(a)(ii)(F) for being responsible for or complicit in, or having directly or indirectly engaged or attempted to engage in, activities that undermine the peace, security, political stability, or territorial integrity of the United States, its allies, or its partners, for or on behalf of, or for the benefit of, directly or indirectly, the Government of the Russian Federation. Vtormet is a so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic "state enterprise," which buys and sells ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal and is involved in infrastructure projects that attempt to help cement Russia's occupation of parts of Ukraine's territory. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's actions, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Additionally, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. All transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt. These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia is playing havoc with the world's food supply: UK Statement to the OSCE Ambassador Neil Holland condemns Russia's decision to collapse the Black Sea Grain Initiative. 20 July 2023 Thank you, Mr Chair. Last week, we urged Russia to renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) and stop holding the world's food supply hostage. However, on 17 July, Russia took the unilateral decision to withdraw from the deal. By leaving the Initiative, Russia is harming global food security, restricting supplies, and making food less affordable. Because of Russia's decision, up to 24 million tonnes of food will not now reach global markets over the next year. This will particularly impact the world's poorest. The UN Secretary General issued a statement on Monday which makes clear that it was a Russian decision alone to cause the collapse of the BSGI. Despite Russian claims to the contrary, the UN and the international community have made significant progress to support the export of Russian food and fertiliser. Since the summer of 2022 Russian exports of food have been above pre-war levels. The United Kingdom regrets Russia's withdrawal from the BSGI and urges Russia to return to implementation, to enable it to operate as intended. The omens are not good. It was depressingly predictable that Russia's withdrawal from the BSGI should be followed immediately by three destructive nights of intensified missile strikes on the Ukrainian ports which are so central to the passage of grain through the Black Sea. Reports indicate that these attacks caused civilian casualties, and that they struck grain infrastructure, including a wholesale market, storage capacity, loading facilities, and an oil terminal at the port. Not content with withdrawing from their own participation in the BSGI, Russia seems intent on denying any passage of grain at all through the Black Sea for delivery to those who need it most. This destruction of grain infrastructure exacerbates food security issues and puts civilians at risk. Estimates suggest that two thirds of Ukrainian grain goes to feed people in Africa and Asia. It is the food supply to these people that is being attacked, as well as Ukrainian national infrastructure and freedom to trade. We urge Russia to stop these attacks. Mr Chair, today I would also like to speak about the temporarily controlled territories of Ukraine. These are of course Ukraine's sovereign territories, despite Moscow's claims to annex Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in September 2022 following falsified and illegal so-called referendums. The international community has not recognised these referendums. Ukraine maintains its control over two regional capitals within these territories: Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. The so-called "elections" which Russian authorities plan to hold in these territories on the 10 September will therefore be a sham. They will not be recognised by the international community. They are part of Russia's ongoing attempt to legitimise their control over these regions. According to Human Rights Watch, this attempted Russification also includes forced passportisation and imposition of Russian media, education, and currency. The elections and these other measures are all gross violations of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and a violation of the UN Charter. These actions convince no-one. These regions are not Russian. They are Ukrainian. People living in the temporarily controlled territories are enduring horrors at the hands of the Russian authorities. Civilians in Odesa and other Black Sea ports are being terrorised by missile strikes. The world's poor and hungry are paying the price as Russia holds global food supplies hostage. All of this suffering could end if Russia simply withdrew from Ukraine's internationally recognised territory, let grain shipments resume, and allowed the Ukrainian people to live in peace. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address People should feel that budget resources are used fairly and properly - address by the President of Ukraine President of Ukraine 20 July 2023 - 22:38 I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians! First, I would like to thank everyone who helps our people and our cities overcome the consequences of Russian strikes. Odesa and the region, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr region, Kharkiv... border regions, Donetsk region... I thank all the rescuers, doctors, nurses, volunteers, police, local authorities... I thank everyone who works for the sake of people and Ukraine. The victims of Russian strikes are being provided with the necessary assistance. Again and again, I thank the employees of our ports and transport infrastructure in general who are doing everything to preserve Ukraine's export potential and our access to the global economy. In just four days of this week, since Monday, Russian terrorists have already used almost 70 missiles of various types, almost 90 "Shaheds" against our state, and to a significant extent - against Odesa and Odesa region, Mykolaiv, our other southern cities and communities. Of course, our warriors managed to shoot down some of the enemy missiles and drones, and I thank each of our defenders of the sky for this... But unfortunately, the capacity of Ukrainian air defense is not yet enough to protect the entire Ukrainian sky... We are working with our partners as actively as possible to obtain additional air defense systems that can provide peace and security to our Odesa and all other cities and communities of our country. Today I would like to thank several states that have tightened sanctions against Russian entities, various entities that in one way or another help Russia wage this inhuman aggression. I thank the United States, Canada, and the European Union. Hundreds of new sanctions objectives have been successfully implemented. Russia and everyone in this world who dares to help terrorists must feel the ever-increasing sanctions pressure - whether they are individuals, companies or countries. Today, the National Bank of Ukraine has made an important decision regarding the financial institution operating in our country and owned by Russian oligarchs - they are under sanctions in various jurisdictions... The NSDC sanctions were applied. And now it will be right for the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to immediately consider the relevant proposals of the National Bank of Ukraine and support them in relation to this financial institution. In the interests of depositors, for the sake of financial stability and basic justice. Today, I also spoke with Prime Minister Shmyhal about another issue that should be considered, in particular, through the prism of justice. Budget expenditures. In times of war like this, the maximum state attention, and therefore state resources, should be spent on defense. This is an obvious thing. And every project that can be implemented at the expense of extra-budgetary resources should be implemented at the expense of extra-budgetary resources. This applies to various areas, including culture. Museums, cultural centers, symbols, TV series - all of this is important, but now there are other priorities. Find extra-budgetary funds. Not state funds. So, I suggested two steps to the Prime Minister. The first is to find extra-budgetary funds for projects that are really needed now. There are people in the world who can help. Second, I asked the Prime Minister to consider replacing the Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine. I would also like to appeal to all local authorities in our country: people should feel that budget resources are used fairly and properly. Everyone understands what we are talking about. Paving stones, city decorations, and fountains can wait till after the victory. And one more thing. We continue our work to mobilize the world to protect food security and normal life. Today, for the first time in the history of relations between our countries, I spoke with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, in particular, about Russia's attempt to destroy our grain exports. Today, about 20 million people in Ethiopia are on the verge of famine. This is one of the most critical situations in the world. Last year, Ukrainian exports saved the lives of at least one million Ethiopians - that's how much food we managed to send to this country, almost 300 thousand tons. And if it wasn't for the Russian aggression, we could have saved many more lives and provided much more security. I am confident that this year we can do it - all together, the whole world. No one in the world is interested in allowing Russia to destroy the global food market. And by the way, we have already started preparing for the UN Security Council meeting scheduled for tomorrow, which is dedicated to this very issue, food security. I am grateful to everyone in the world who helps! Glory to our warriors! Glory to everyone who fights for freedom and human lives! Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Oleg Tatarov discussed with EU representatives a comprehensive strategic plan for reforming law enforcement agencies in Ukraine President of Ukraine 20 July 2023 - 21:35 Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Oleg Tatarov met with Managing Director and Civilian Operations Commander at the European External Action Service Stefano Tomat, representative of the Civilian Operations Commander's Secretariat Eva-Maria Velickovic, Head of the EU Advisory Mission Ukraine Rolf Holmboe, Deputy Head of the Advisory Mission Maura O'Sullivan and Political Adviser to the Advisory Mission Andreas Sampson. The parties discussed the main issues of implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Plan for Reforming Law Enforcement Agencies as Part of the Security and Defense Sector of Ukraine for 2023-2027. Oleg Tatarov thanked the interlocutors for supporting Ukraine in reforming the law enforcement system in accordance with the EU standards. "Thank you very much for being here, for helping Ukraine. It is a very positive sign for all of us, for our people, and it is a belief in our victory," he said. The Deputy Head of the Office of the President noted that a detailed action plan aimed at implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Plan for Reforming Law Enforcement Agencies as Part of the Security and Defense Sector of Ukraine for 2023-2027 is currently being actively prepared. Although the Comprehensive Strategic Plan is designed to reform law enforcement agencies in the post-war period, it is impossible to draw up a detailed action plan for its implementation without taking into account the problems that law enforcement officers face on a daily basis in a time of war. These include documenting the facts of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation and collecting evidence of war crimes under constant missile and drone attacks, the need to obtain testimony from witnesses and victims in the occupied territories, especially in the combat zone, conducting filtration measures, and improving the skills of investigators and prosecutors in the specifics of war crimes investigations. "It is very important that the society is informed about the circumstances of the crimes and the perpetrators. Our law enforcement officers are making every effort to restore justice and bring the perpetrators to justice," said the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office. During the discussion of further measures to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Plan for Reforming Law Enforcement Agencies in Ukraine, the participants were informed about the work of law enforcement agencies in Kherson and Kharkiv regions, as well as the difficulties of their activities in the context of the liquidation of the consequences of the Kakhovka HPP dam explosion. The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office emphasized that the detailed action plan aimed at implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Plan for Reforming Law Enforcement Agencies should also address the problematic issues that arise between business and law enforcement agencies in order to guarantee Ukraine's economic security and restore confidence in the work of law enforcers. The parties agreed to hold regular meetings to discuss topical issues related to the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Plan for Reforming Law Enforcement Agencies as Part of the Security and Defense Sector of Ukraine for 2023-2027. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ihor Zhovkva met with President of Eurochambres VladimAr DlouhA President of Ukraine 20 July 2023 - 21:03 Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva met with President of Eurochambres VladimAr DlouhA, who is on a visit to Ukraine. VladimAr DlouhA emphasized the willingness of the Association he heads to provide support for the restoration and further development of our country, in particular, to promote the development of small and medium-sized businesses. The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office briefed the interlocutor on the conceptual vision of the President of Ukraine of the process of rebuilding Ukraine and emphasized the need to attract the best international experience for this purpose. The parties also exchanged views on promising areas of cooperation between the Association and its partners in Ukraine in such areas as energy, transport, infrastructure, water supply, housing, etc. In addition, Ihor Zhovkva informed VladimAr DlouhA about Ukraine's progress in implementing the necessary reforms on the way to the start of negotiations on membership in the European Union. He also expressed hope for the Association's support in facilitating the successful operation of Ukrainian businesses in the EU. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address If Ukraine is unable to use its seaports and food corridors, it will be a disaster for the whole world - Oleg Ustenko President of Ukraine 20 July 2023 - 20:12 Russia's renewed blockade of shipping routes in the Black Sea imperils the supply of Ukrainian agricultural products to foreign markets, the stocks of which in ports are currently enough to provide food for about 6 million people. Oleg Ustenko, the President's economic advisor, said this in an interview with the American magazine Newsweek. According to Oleg Ustenko, while Ukraine is appealing to the international community to take measures to prevent losses to the Ukrainian and global economy due to the blockade, the Russians are trying to destroy Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea and are destroying port infrastructure that stores grain intended for export. "In our ports now, we have grain ready to go to the world," Ustenko said. "We are talking about huge amounts of grain, enough to feed at least 6 million people around the world... if we are not able to move this grain from our ports, it means that a country of the size of Denmark, Finland, Norway will not have food for their people." According to Oleg Ustenko, when the Russians destroyed 60,000 tons of grain in the port of Odesa with missiles the day before, they actually left 300,000 people without food. "If Ukraine is unable to use seaports and corridors, it will be a disaster for the whole world," the President's economic advisor stressed. According to him, if the grain cannot be exported, there will be no place to store the next harvest, and the economy of our country will suffer even greater losses. While Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoAYan and UN Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres hope to push Russian President Vladimir Putin to renew the grain deal, the world's most vulnerable are on the verge of disaster, says Oleg Ustenko. "With our grain, we are feeding somewhere between 400 million and 600 million people worldwide," he said. "It's crucially important to unblock our ports and start to deliver our grain to the world." He believes that Russia intends to exacerbate the precarious food situation in the Global South in order to provoke a new migration crisis in Europe and North America. The Russian leadership and its allies in Belarus have previously used migration flows to Europe as a weapon. "They would love to see the hunger," Ustenko said. "They definitely understand that immigration is growing, the level of immigration, the rate of immigration is going to accelerate. This is the card they want to play." According to him, the Russians are now realizing that they will not win anything in the war with Ukraine, so they are beginning to act more aggressively and barbarically. According to the presidential advisor, withdrawal from the grain deal could worsen Russia's relations with countries in Africa, the Middle East and South America, some of which have been hesitant to join the condemnation of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the sanctions pressure on Russia. "They are starting to realize, eventually, that who is really to be blamed is Russia. Nobody else is responsible for that. The Russians started this war, Russians are destroying our harvest, Russians are doing everything possible to make sure that our grain and our food are not supplied to the world," the President's advisor summarized. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President of Ukraine had the first phone call in the history of bilateral relations with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia President of Ukraine 20 July 2023 - 19:02 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had the first phone call in the history of bilateral relations with Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed Ali. The Head of State informed the interlocutor about Russia's unilateral withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, illegal blocking of navigation, shelling of Ukraine's port and energy infrastructure. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine had delivered almost 300 thousand tons of food to Ethiopia under the Black Sea Grain Initiative and another 90 thousand tons of grain under the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian initiative. The President emphasized that Ukraine is ready to continue to be a guarantor of global food security and is interested in developing bilateral relations with Ethiopia in the areas of security, digitization, etc. The Head of State also emphasized the need to create a platform for dialogue with African countries. "The voice of Ethiopia, the African Union, the whole of Africa is very important to us," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The parties discussed preparations for the Global Peace Summit. The President invited Abiy Ahmed Ali to visit Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine needs security guarantees already today - Ihor Zhovkva in a conversation with the Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Finland President of Ukraine 20 July 2023 - 16:23 Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva held an online conversation with Tuomas Tikkanen, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Finland in EU Affairs. Ihor Zhovkva congratulated the interlocutor on his appointment and thanked the new Finnish government for reflecting in its program the intention to continue providing comprehensive assistance to our country. The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office noted Finland's significant political and practical support for Ukraine throughout the entire period of Russia's full-scale war against our country, including 17 defense aid packages and the provision of temporary shelter to more than 60 thousand Ukrainians. The parties paid special attention to the security situation in Ukraine and the region. In this context, they discussed the concept of providing security guarantees to our country. "We appreciate Finland's accession to the Joint Declaration of the G7 leaders on support for Ukraine and the provision of security guarantees to our country. Ukraine needs them already today. It is important that the security guarantees are in effect until Ukraine becomes a full member of NATO," emphasized Ihor Zhovkva. Support for Ukraine's integration into the European and Euro-Atlantic community is an integral element of security guarantees for our country and a guarantee of security in the region. "We are grateful to the Government of Finland for its strong practical and political support for Ukraine's accession to the EU and NATO, which is also reflected in the new government's program. Our country is successfully moving towards fulfilling its part of the homework on integration into both organizations. We expect a final positive assessment of Ukraine's implementation of the seven recommendations of the European Commission. We count on Finland's support for the European Council's decision to launch membership negotiations with Ukraine at the end of this year," the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office said. The parties also exchanged views on the results of the recent NATO Summit in Vilnius. Ihor Zhovkva congratulated Finland on its inaugural participation in the NATO Summit as a full-fledged 31st member and expressed hope that Ukraine's fruitful work with its allies would be reflected in the invitation to Ukraine to become the 33rd member of the Organization in the near future. The interlocutors focused on the implementation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Peace Formula and exchanged views on the modalities of Finland's participation in its practical implementation, as well as in the Global Peace Summit. In addition, the schedule of high-level contacts for the near future was coordinated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine: Guterres 'strongly condemns' Russian attacks on Odesa and other ports 20 July 2023 - Secretary-General AntAnio Guterres on Thursday strongly condemned Russian attacks on Odesa and other Ukrainian ports in recent days, following Moscow's decision to withdraw from the UN-brokered Black Sea Initiative earlier this week. In making its decision, Russia also withdrew safe passage guarantees for ships carrying grain and other foodstuffs navigating in the northwestern part of the Black Sea. Over the past year, the Initiative has facilitated the export of more than 30 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain to global markets via three Black Sea ports, including Odesa. Grain deal stalled The Black Sea Initiative was agreed by Russia, Ukraine, TArkiye and the UN in Istanbul last July, along with a parallel accord between the UN and Russia on grain and fertilizer exports, known as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). According to news reports, at least three people were killed during what was a third successive night of airstrikes on Wednesday into Thursday, targeting facilities in Ukrainian port cities. At least 19 people were injured in Mykolaiv, a city close to the Black Sea, including a child, according to Ukrainian officials. Head of communications for UN aid coordination office OCHA in Ukraine, Saviano Abreu, tweeted that the "horrific" attack on the city occurred right in the centre. Humanitarians are supporting families whose houses have been hit, and have provided emergency support including cash assistance. Russian contradiction In a statement released by UN Spokesperson StAphane Dujarric, UN chief AntAnio Guterres said the attacks "contradict" Russia's commitments under the still active MoU, which states Russia "will facilitate the unimpeded export of food, sunflower oil and fertilizers from Ukrainian controlled Black Sea ports". "The Secretary-General also recalls that the destruction of civilian infrastructure may constitute a violation of international humanitarian law. These attacks are also having an impact well beyond Ukraine", the statement continued. Negative impact on prices "We are already seeing the negative effect on global wheat and corn prices which hurts everyone, but especially vulnerable people in the Global South." Mr. Guterres said he would "not relent" in his bid to ensure Ukrainian and Russian food and fertilizer are available on international markets, linking this to ongoing efforts to combat global hunger and rising food prices worldwide. Lifeline for world's poorest UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine, Denise Brown, also condemned the attacks, saying she was horrified by the images coming from Odesa of damage and destruction. "It is the second day in a row that this civilian port, a crucial lifeline for Ukraine and for the poorest people in the world who depend on Ukrainian grain, has been severely damaged in massive strikes." she said in a statement. "This is inhumane and against international humanitarian law," she added, before calling for an end to the assaults. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine War Looms Large Over Russia-Africa Summit By Ayaz Gul July 20, 2023 African leaders are to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg at the end of this month for a summit, billed as strengthening cooperation in peace, security, and development. But the second Russia-Africa Summit comes as Moscow continues to wage war against Ukraine. Russia's invasion has led to higher food and oil prices for many African nations - and prices could rise further after Russia this week pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a U.N.-brokered deal that allowed Ukrainian food exports to reach international markets. International summits involve an element of political theater, analysts say, and African attendance will be a measure of success for the St. Peterburg gathering, according to Steven Gruzd, who leads the Africa-Russia project at the South African Institute of International Affairs in Johannesburg. "I think there will be a lot of focus on who attends ... and last time in 2019, when the world looked very different before the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, there were 43 African heads of state that went to Sochi [Russia] for the 2019 summit," Gruzd told VOA. Mvemba Dizolele, who directs the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said this will be a high-stakes discussion. "They [Russia] are under a lot of pressure with what's happening in Ukraine and the ramifications of the conflict there in terms of commodity prices, particularly for Africans a and also what's happening with Wagner and so on a so this an opportunity for Russia to try to assert its place on the global stage as well," Dizolele told VOA. Trade likely will be discussed. "I think there would be talk about trade ... Russia's trade with Africa is really negligible. China and the EU are by far much bigger trading partners with Africa," Gruzd noted. Russia is also looking to get around sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies. "No African countries have imposed sanctions on Russia, so it's a lucrative market," said Gruzd. "We saw a similar pattern after the invasion of Georgia in 2008, and the first invasion of Ukraine in 2014, as Western markets closed to Russia business, they sought markets elsewhere and of course Africa, Latin America, Asia were areas where they did seek to expand." The U.N. General Assembly in February passed a resolution demanding that Russia end the war and leave Ukrainian territory. While 141 countries voted in favor, two African countries voted against it and 15 abstained. "Russia benefited from that in the sense that it showed them they have some friends," Dizolele said. "It's simply an awakening on the African part. They are particularly sending a message to the rest of the world, 'we also have our own foreign policies, and those reflect our national interest.'" He said the reality is that every country has done what it needed to do. "The French president went to Russia and tried to negotiate something that was very different than what the Americans were trying to negotiate. We see various leaders of Europe ... go to Russia. Italy did not have the same position and France didn't have the same position as Germany. It's totally normal that people have different positions. All that is based on their interest. I think we need to accept that of Africans," Dizolele said. The United States, Turkey, China, France, and other countries have convened similar summits of African leaders. Dizolele said the optics of one country summoning the leaders of an entire continent undermines Africa's efforts to assert itself on the global stage. "Africa is a big place. Africa is a critical component and critical member of the global community. It has a lot to offer from ... natural resources, mineral resources but most importantly the youth. It's the youngest continent with the median age of 19," he said. "So, if that's the case, it's important that Africans start demanding that people come to them. You can't be important and going to everyone all the time, it reduces your value," he notes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SAN FRANCISCO, July 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hagens Berman urges NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. Class Period: Dec. 2, 2021 Feb. 1, 2023 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 25, 2023 Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/NEE Contact An Attorney Now: NEE@hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895 NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) Securities Fraud Class Action: The complaint alleges that Defendants misrepresented and concealed that NextEras primary subsidiary (Florida Power & Light Company, or FPL) flouted federal and state campaign laws thereby exposing NextEra to substantial legal and reputational risk. In Dec. 2021, media outlets began reporting that FPL and its political consulting firm Matrix steered political funding to spoiler ghost candidates to derail reelection efforts by unfriendly Florida state legislators during the 2020 election cycle, spied on journalists who published unsupportive reporting, and improperly courted public officials with job offers while bidding to privatize certain public utilities, all with FPL executives approval. NextEra responded to this reporting with: (1) blanket denials; (2) declaring that we conducted a very extensive and thorough investigation[] and the bottom line is we found no evidence of any issues at all, any illegality or any wrongdoing on the part of FPL or any of its employees; and (3) assurances that the allegations did not expose the company to meaningful legal or reputational risk. But in Nov. 2022, NextEra revealed that a complaint was filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act and identifying FPL as a source of funds to certain Super Pacs identified in the complaint. Then, on Jan. 25, 2023, NextEra announced that FPLs CEO (Eric Silagy) would cease to serve in that role. The company also acknowledged the serious business and reputational risks posed by the FECs complaint. These events caused the price of NextEra shares to sharply decline. Were focused on investors losses and proving NextEra lied to investors about its political misconduct, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation. If you invested in NextEra and have significant 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 NextEra 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 NEE@hbsslaw.com. About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation law firm focusing on corporate accountability through class-action law. The firm is home to a robust securities litigation practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and fraud. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. Contact: Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895 Singapore, July 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Whisky lovers need to know about Still Spirit an online and brick-and-mortar spirits store boasting the best selections of single malt scotch whisky. Still Spirit is the sister company to Whisky Hammer the highly coveted whisky auction house known for offering some of the rarest whiskies on the planet. Still Spirit delivers to numerous countries worldwide, making it easier than ever to get great whisky for a great price. For more information visit https://www.stillspirit.co.uk/browse/single-malt/whisky/ The single malt whisky selections offered by Still Spirit can appeal to whisky lovers of all types. Some bottles range from as low as $35, while others are priced as high as $8,129. The biggest names available are Glenfiddich, Macallan, Glenmorangie, Ardbeg and Dalmore. Each of these brands are unique for their flavour, region, history, and overall craftsmanship. The store has a vast array of whiskies to choose from, and buyers can easily search for their perfect bottle by region, brand, or budget. Still Spirit also offers an online dram bar where enthusiasts can choose to purchase tasting drams from over 100 whiskies in the store. These drams are sized at 25 ML, and prices start as low as $3.91 per dram. This makes tasting some truly amazing whiskies very affordable. Drams are also great for people seeking to curate their own whisky tastings in the comfort of their homes. They make fun and affordable gifts too. While buyers can shop online at Still Spirit, the company recently unveiled its in-person tasting room at its Udny, Ellon location in Scotland. Here, customers will find a beautifully lavish bar area overlooking miles and miles of verdant Udny hills. A rich atmosphere thats inviting and lush, the Still Spirit tasting room is impressive to everyone who visits. The attentive staff ensures everyone receives the highest level of service and gets a high quality experience theyll remember for years to come. At the tasting room, Still Spirit hosts a number of tasting events throughout the year, where distilleries have the opportunity to debut new spirits and share more about their products. These events offer whisky fans the opportunity to get a taste of the whisky, while also meeting the incredible people behind the brand. The tasting room can be booked for private or corporate events and special occasions like anniversaries, birthdays or weddings. Whisky lovers who want to experience the best of the best can also book exclusive access to their whisky bar. This allows enthusiasts to book their own private party and try the rarest whiskies that are available for purchase. The team at Still Spirit couldnt be more proud of its whisky selection. Founders Craig and Daniel Milne share a lifelong passion for whisky, and have spent the last decade building the greatest whisky auction house in the world. This auction house, Whisky Hammer, is a sister concern of Still Spirit. Whisky is a way of life, says Daniel. When youve grown up like Craig and I in the heart of Scotland surrounded by the worlds most famous distilleries, whisky is woven into the fabric of your life. Although Still Spirit is known for its amazing whisky selections, other spirits are available for purchase, too. These include distinguished spirits brands specialising in rum, vodka, champagne, tequila, and gin. While whisky is their first love, the owners of Still Spirit have come to appreciate a range of spirits, and serve clients who also want to dabble in the worlds best liquor. Still Spirit is open Monday-Saturday from 10am-5pm. Visitors can browse and shop with a knowledgeable associate for guidance on whisky and other spirits. Whisky fans outside the UK can still get bottles shipped directly to their door by ordering online. Still Spirit currently ships to over 70 countries worldwide, including the United States. However, American buyers should visit the Sill Spirit website to ensure the company can ship to their particular state. To learn more, visit the website at https://www.stillspirit.co.uk/ ### For more information about Still Spirit, contact the company here: Still Spirit Sales 01358 747475 sales@stillspirit.co.uk Whisky Hammer - Malt Whisky Auctions, Udny, Ellon AB41 7PR, United Kingdom Dublin, July 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Next-generation Sequencing Services Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Service Type (Human Genome Sequencing, Gene Regulation Services), By Workflow, By End-use, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global next-generation sequencing services market is poised to achieve remarkable growth, with an estimated market value of USD 24.5 billion by 2030, expanding at an impressive CAGR of 22.56% from 2023 to 2030. The market's surge is attributed to the significant developments in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, revolutionizing gene sequencing in terms of reproducibility and cost savings. As a result, the introduction of several advancements in NGS technology has promoted its usage in clinical labs and hospitals, propelling the uptake of NGS services across various end-users. Over the last five years, next-generation sequencing has rapidly progressed from research to clinical applications. Around 14 nations have launched large-scale genome sequencing programs, with nearly 60 million people expected to have their genomes analyzed by 2025. Moreover, conventional disease testing service providers have expanded their portfolios to include seq-based genetic tests, capitalizing on the growing trend. For instance, in March 2022, ARUP Laboratories announced the release of new coronavirus tests, while IDbyDNA, Inc. partnered with another firm to introduce an NGS test for respiratory illnesses, aiding physicians in evaluating patients with pneumonia and respiratory problems. The pharmaceutical and biotech industry has witnessed a rising trend of high throughput sequencing, prompting the need for more developments to enhance the speed and convenience of high throughput seq-platforms and simplify workflows. Consequently, companies are focusing on the development of solutions to streamline the amplification and purification of samples and starting input. Notably, in March 2022, Illumina, Inc. launched TruSigh Oncology (TSO) Comprehensive (EU), a comprehensive diagnostic that evaluates several tumor genes and indicators to identify a patient's cancer's individual molecular profile, which would significantly impact genomic decisions for cancer patients across Europe. The report also highlights some key dynamics within the market. Human genome sequencing accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022, mainly driven by the greater penetration of whole genome and whole exome sequencing. Gene regulation services, particularly small RNA sequencing and ChIP-seq, are expected to experience lucrative growth during the forecast period, fueled by rising investments in RNA sequencing. The installation of sequencing platforms has resulted in larger revenue shares of sequencing services as compared to other workflow steps, primarily due to higher maintenance and recovery costs. By end-use, universities and other research entities held the largest revenue share in 2022, attributed to the growing application of NGS technology in cancer prognosis, diagnosis, and major academic projects. North America dominated the market in 2022, driven by higher technology penetration and the availability of funds to support research initiatives targeting various diseases. Prominent companies such as GENEWIZ and Novogene Corporation are actively engaged in offering NGS services based on platforms from major NGS developers. Meanwhile, companies like Illumina and BGI are focusing on developing sequencing instruments and offering services to research entities. The market's outlook remains optimistic, with several key players actively contributing to advancements in next-generation sequencing technology, enabling innovative applications in clinical settings. As the NGS landscape continues to evolve, market participants are expected to introduce novel products and services to meet the growing demand for accurate and cost-effective genomic analysis. Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 180 Forecast Period 2022 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $4830.3 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $24500 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 22.5% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1 Methodology and Scope Chapter 2 Executive Summary 2.1 Market Snapshot 2.2 Segment Snapshot 2.3 Segment Snapshot 2.4 Competitive Landscape Snapshot Chapter 3 Market Variables, Trends, & Scope 3.1 Market Trends & Outlook 3.2 Market Dynamics 3.2.1 Market Driver Analysis 3.2.1.1 Decline In Sequencing Prices 3.2.1.2 Growing Awareness Pertaining To Women & Reproductive Health 3.2.1.3 Strategies Undertaken For Implementation Of Clinical NGs 3.2.2 Market Restraint Analysis 3.2.2.1 Challenges Pertaining To Implementation Of Large-Scale NGs Analysis Workflows 3.2.2.2 Analytical Challenges In Single Cell Sequencing 3.3 Penetration And Growth Prospect Mapping For Service Type, 2022 (Usd Million) 3.4 Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic On Ngs Services Market 3.5 Business Environment Analysis Chapter 4 Service Type Business Analysis 4.1 Next-Generation Sequencing Services Market: Service Type Movement Analysis 4.2 Human Genome Sequencing Services 4.3 Single-Cell Sequencing Services 4.4 Microbial Genome-Based Sequencing Services 4.5 Gene Regulation Services 4.6 Animal & Plant Sequencing Services 4.7 Other Sequencing Services Chapter 5 Workflow Business Analysis 5.1 Next Generation Sequencing Services Market: Workflow Movement Analysis 5.2 Pre Sequencing Services 5.3 Sequencing Services 5.4 Data Analysis Service Chapter 6 End-Use Business Analysis 6.1 Next Generation Sequencing Services Market: End-Use Movement Analysis 6.2 Universities & Other Research Entities 6.3 Hospitals & Clinics 6.4 Pharma & Biotech Entities 6.5 Others Chapter 7 Next-Generation Sequencing Services Market: Regional Estimates And Trend Analysis, By Service Type, Workflow, & End-Use 7.1 North America 7.2 Europe 7.3 Asia Pacific 7.4 Latin America 7.5 Mea Chapter 8 Competitive Landscape 8.1 Company Categorization 8.2 Company Market Share Analysis, 2022 8.3 Strategy Mapping 8.4 Company Profiles/Listing Companies Mentioned Quest Diagnostics Incorporated ARUP Laboratories Applied Biological Materials, Inc. (ABM) Novogene Co, Ltd. Azenta Life Sciences (GENEWIZ) NanoString Illumina, Inc. PacBio Veritas BGI (Beijing Genomics Institute) Gene by Gene Ltd. Lucigen Corporation For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/focf3p About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Burlingame, July 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Backup Power Market, By Type (Diesel generators, Gas generators, Solar generators, Others (such as wind turbines, battery systems, etc.)), By Application (Standby power, Prime power, Peak shaving), According to Coherent Market Insights, global backup power market is estimated to be valued at US$ 2.66 billion in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period (2023-2030). Analysts Views on Global Backup Power Market Backup power is any device or system that offers instantaneous supply of power when there is a power failure. This comprises information technology, telecommunications and computer systems, utility substations, manufacturing processes, security systems, and railway applications. In some cases, power failure can lead to disrupted business operations, loss of money, or even threat to human life. Thus, backup power systems are increasingly being used across several industries. Request Sample copy of this Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/5811 Key Trends and Analysis of the Global Backup Power Market: Adoption of clean energy backup solutions is a major trend expected to fuel growth of the global backup power market over the forecast period. The concerns regarding climate change along with environmental sustainability are increasing due to which, industries are businesses are shifting toward backup power solutions that use renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro, and solar power. This trend contributes to the global push towards clean energy and reducing carbon emissions. Global Backup Power Market Drivers Increasing demand for reliable power backup in data centers to boost the market growth Data centers are complex infrastructure requiring reliable and constant power supply for preventing loss of data and maintaining uninterrupted operations. The rise in adoption of cloud computing and digital services, data centers is increasing in numbers all over the world, further driving the demand for backup power systems for ensuring constant uptime. Rising infrastructure development and industrialization to fuel the market growth Emerging countries are witnessing rise in urbanization, industrialization, and infrastructure development, which is further increasing the demand for backup power solutions. Various industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, oil & gas, IT and telecom need constant power supply for smooth operations. This in turn is further driving the market growth. Backup Power Market Report Coverage Report Coverage Details Base Year: 2022 Market Size in 2023: US$ 2.66 Bn Historical Data for: 2017 to 2021 Forecast Period: 2023 - 2030 Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 CAGR: 6.3% 2030 Value Projection: US$ 4.33 Bn Geographies covered: North America: U.S. and Canada U.S. and Canada Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America Europe: Germany, U.K., Spain, France, Italy, Russia, and Rest of Europe Germany, U.K., Spain, France, Italy, Russia, and Rest of Europe Asia Pacific: China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, ASEAN, and Rest of Asia Pacific China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, ASEAN, and Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa: GCC Countries, Israel, South Africa, North Africa, and Central Africa and Rest of Middle East Segments covered: By Type: Diesel generators, Gas generators, Solar generators, Others (such as wind turbines, battery systems, etc.) Diesel generators, Gas generators, Solar generators, Others (such as wind turbines, battery systems, etc.) By Application: Standby power, Prime power, Peak shaving Standby power, Prime power, Peak shaving By End user: Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Others (such as healthcare, data centers, etc.) Companies covered: Caterpillar Inc., Cummins Inc., Generac Power Systems Inc., Kohler Co., MTU Onsite Energy Corporation, Himoinsa S.L., Atlas Copco AB, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Schneider Electric SE, Eaton Corporation, Aggreko plc, Wartsila Corporation, Yanmar Co. Ltd., Doosan Corporation Growth Drivers: Increasing Demand for Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) Rise in Power Outages and Natural Disasters Growing Need for Reliable Power Backup in Data Centers Increasing Industrialization and Infrastructure Development Restraints & Challenges: High Initial Investment Costs Limited Run-Time and Fuel Dependence Maintenance and Operational Challenges Global Backup Power Market Restrain High cost of investment and maintenance to limit the market growth Gasoline and diesel-based generators require maintenance after 100-200 uses and need frequent oil changes. Moreover, these generators are considerably loud, due to which they require installation of mufflers. This further adds into the initial costs of generators. Along with this, the cleaning cost of these machines again contributes to the overall high cost. Thus, this factor is expected to hamper growth of the global backup power market over the forecast period. Buy Now this Premium Research Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/5811 Global Backup Power Market Opportunities Rise in adoption of decentralized power generation and microgrids is creating multiple opportunities in the global backup power market. Microgrids and decentralized power generation systems offer reliable and localized power supply. Backup power systems play an important role in microgrids as they offer support in grid disruption. Thus, their growing adoption due to their benefits, is creating growth opportunities in the backup power market. Global Backup Power Market - Key Developments In 2021, Tesla Powerwall, Tesla, introduced the Powerwall, an energy storage solution for residential application, to be used as backup power source. In 2020, Generac PWRcell, a leading backup power systems manufacturer launched the novel PWRcell energy storage system, designed for integrating with solar panels and providing backup power in case of grid failure. In October 2021, Generac Power Systems opened a manufacturing, assembly, and distribution facility in Trenton. This is likely to cater the increased demand for generators in residential applications. Key Market Takeaways: Global backup power market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.3% during the forecast period. The backup power market is growing rapidly in response to the growing demand for uninterrupted power supply due to rise in reliance on digital infrastructure and technology. On the basis of Type, Diesel Generators Segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period and this is attributed to the widespread use of diesel generators across various industries due to its cost-effectiveness. On the basis of Application, Standby Power Segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period and this is attributed to the rise in adoption of standby power backup in residential sector. On the basis End User, Commercial Segment is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period and this is attributed to the increasing power outages, and unreliable grid electricity driving the adoption of backup power solutions for business activities in commercial sector. On the basis of Geography, North America is expected to hold a dominant position over the forecast period, due to rise in adoption of backup power products in various industries such as manufacturing, and IT and telecom in the region. Competitive Landscape: Key players operating in the global backup power market include MTU Onsite Energy Corporation, Doosan Corporation, Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Yanmar Co. Ltd., Generac Power Systems Inc., Wartsila Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., Aggreko plc., Caterpillar Inc., Eaton Corporation, Cummins Inc., Schneider Electric SE, Kohler Co., Atlas Copco AB, and Himoinsa S.L. Request Customization of this Report @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-customization/5811 Detailed Segmentation: Global Backup Power Market, By Type: Diesel Generators Gas Generators Solar Generators Others (such as Wind Turbines, Battery Systems, etc.) Global Backup Power Market, By Application: Standby Power Prime Power Peak Shaving Global Backup Power Market, By End User: Residential Commercial Industrial Others (such as Healthcare, Data Centers, etc.) Global Backup Power Market, By Region: North America By Country: U.S. Canada Latin America By Country: Brazil Mexico Argentina Rest of Latin America Europe By Country: Germany U.K. France Italy Spain Russia Rest of Europe Asia Pacific By Country China India Japan Australia South Korea ASEAN Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East By Country: GCC Countries Israel Rest of Middle East Africa By Country/Region: South Africa Central Africa North Africa Related Market Intelligence Reports: Petroleum Coke (Petcoke) Market, By Product Type (Fuel Grade Coke and Calcined Coke), By End-use (Calcining Industry, Power Plants, Cement Kilns, Blast Furnaces, and Others), By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa)- Size, Share, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2023 2030 Concentrated Solar Power Market, By Technology (Parabolic Trough, Solar Power Trough, Fresnel Reflectors, Dish Stirling), By End User Industry (Residential, Commercial, Industrial), and By Geography (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa)- Size, Share, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2023 2030 About Us: Coherent Market Insights is a global market intelligence and consulting organization focused on assisting our plethora of clients achieve transformational growth by helping them make critical business decisions. We are headquartered in India, having sales office at global financial capital in the U.S. and sales consultants in United Kingdom and Japan. Our client base includes players from across various business verticals in over 57 countries worldwide. We create value for clients through our highly reliable and accurate reports. We are also committed in playing a leading role in offering insights in various sectors post-COVID-19 and continue to deliver measurable, sustainable results for our clients. Follow Us: LinkedIn | Twitter Dublin, July 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Cancer Immunotherapy Markets. The Race for the Cures. Market Forecasts for Immuno-Oncology Therapeutics by Therapy, by Cancer and by Customer including Executive and Consultant Guides. 2023 to 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This report offers a detailed analysis of the fast-growing cancer immunotherapy market, has been released, providing forecasts up to 2027. This report investigates the market trends, disruptions, and opportunities associated with cancer immunotherapy, a breakthrough technique that utilizes the body's own immune system to combat cancer. From CAR-T Cells to Checkpoint Inhibitors and Cytokines, the report breaks down complex jargon, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of this booming market. It addresses driving factors such as the potential for effective treatment outcomes, advances in technology, funding, and targeted solutions, as well as obstacles like treatment costs and the complexities of clinical trials and treatment combinations. Significant attention is given to the future of immunotherapy technologies, including the disruptive dynamics of CAR-T cell therapy, over the next half-decade. This research provides investors with the latest data to make informed decisions with confidence. The report includes an in-depth review of recent developments such as AC Immune's FDA Fast Track Designation, successful trials of immunotherapy in Melanoma, and innovations in T-cell therapy, to name a few. The report profiles numerous key immunotherapy companies, such as: AbbVie Achilles Therapeutics Acumen Pharmaceuticals Adagene Adaptimmune Therapeutics Adicet Bio ALX Oncology Holdings Ambrx Biopharma Amgen Apexigen Arcus Biosciences argenx AstraZeneca Atreca Avalo Therapeutics Avid Bioservices Bavarian Nordic BioAtla Biogen Inc. BioNTech Bolt Biotherapeutics Bristol-Myers Squibb Candel Therapeutics Caribou Biosciences Celldex Therapeutics Checkpoint Therapeutics Chinook Therapeutics Corvus Pharmaceuticals Cullinan Oncology Eli Lilly EOM Pharmaceuticals Evaxion Biotech Genenta Science Gilead Sciences Gracell Biotechnologies Greenwich LifeSciences Gritstone bio Harpoon Therapeutics ImmunityBio Immunocore Holdings Immunome IMV Inc Incyte Indaptus Therapeutics Instil Bio Iovance Biotherapeutics Johnson & Johnson Marker Therapeutics Medicenna Therapeutics Merck & Co. Merus Moderna Mustang Bio Nanobiotix Neoleukin Therapeutics Novartis Novavax Oncorus PDS Biotechnology Pfizer Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Roche Sanofi Sensei Biotherapeutics Senti Biosciences Surface Oncology Takeda Pharmaceutical TC Biopharm ThermoGenesis Holdings UroGen Pharma Werewolf Therapeutics Xilio Therapeutics Zymeworks It also presents an extensive market overview by country, therapy, cancer type, and customer. A detailed analysis of immuno-oncology therapeutics like Monoclonal Antibodies (MAB), Cytokines, Vaccines, Cell-Based therapies, and Inhibitors/Agonists is included, alongside the global market outlook for various cancers. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/a4pyr2 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. Talquetamab is the first therapy targeting GPRC5D to receive a positive CHMP Opinion Teclistamab, the first BCMA-targeting bispecific antibody to be approved in Europe, receives positive CHMP Opinion for reduced, biweekly dosing schedule BEERSE, BELGIUM, July 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced today that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended conditional marketing authorisation (CMA) for TALVEY (talquetamab) as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least three prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 antibody and have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy. Talquetamab is a subcutaneous bispecific antibody that binds G protein-coupled receptor class C group 5 member D (GPRC5D), a novel target on multiple myeloma cells, and CD3, on T-cells.1 The CHMP also recommended the approval of a Type II variation for teclistamab, providing a reduced, biweekly dosing schedule of 1.5mg/kg every other week in patients who have achieved a complete response or better for six months or longer. Teclistamab is the first bispecific antibody targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) on myeloma cells, and CD3 on T-cells to be licensed in Europe for the treatment of adult patients with RRMM who have had at least three prior therapies, including an immunomodulatory agent, a proteasome inhibitor, and an anti-CD38 antibody and have demonstrated disease progression on the last therapy.2 Despite recent advances, multiple myeloma remains a highly heterogenous and incurable disease that is unique to every patient.3 As the disease progresses and with each successive line of treatment, responses tend to decrease and patient outcomes become progressively worse.4 An unmet need remains for more therapeutic options with different modes of action, including for patients treated with prior bispecific or CAR-T cell therapies, to better address the unique characteristics of every patients individual needs through different cellular targets.3 With talquetamab, a novel bispecific antibody targeting GPRC5D, we look to build on our legacy of innovation and bring forward a vital new treatment option for patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma, who have a poor prognosis, said Edmond Chan, MBChB M.D. (Res), Senior Director EMEA Therapeutic Area Lead Haematology, Janssen-Cilag Limited. Todays recommendation from the CHMP marks an exciting step for patients who continue to face the challenges of this difficult-to-treat blood cancer. We look forward to working with health authorities to bring talquetamab to patients in need across the region as soon as possible, while we continue our focus on enhancing a robust multiple myeloma portfolio of therapeutics and regimens. The CHMP recommendation for talquetamab is based on data from the Phase 1/2 MonumenTAL-1 study (Phase 1: NCT03399799; Phase 2: NCT04634552), evaluating the safety profile and efficacy of talquetamab in patients with RRMM. The latest data from the study were recently presented at the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (2-6 June, Chicago) and the 2023 European Hematology Association (EHA) Hybrid Congress (8-11 June, Frankfurt). The CHMP recommendation for teclistamab is based on data from the Phase 1/2 MajesTEC-1 study (Phase 1: NCT03145181; Phase 2: NCT04557098), evaluating the safety profile and efficacy of teclistamab in patients with RRMM. Data from the study were recently presented at the 2023 ASCO Annual Meeting. Pending approval, this variation for teclistamab will be an important step forward for this first BCMA bispecific therapy, offering flexible, less frequent dosing depending on a patients response, said Sen Zhuang, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President, Clinical Research and Development, Janssen Research & Development, LLC. Today's positive recommendations for talquetamab and teclistamab, two novel bispecific antibodies discovered and developed at Janssen, reinforce our commitment to delivering innovative treatment options for patients with multiple myeloma. #ENDS# About Talquetamab Talquetamab is a bispecific T-cell engaging antibody that binds to CD3, on T-cells, and GPRC5D, a novel multiple myeloma target which is highly expressed on myeloma cells and hard keratinised tissues, with minimal to no expression detected on B-cells or B-cell precursors.1,5 Talquetamab, which is administered by subcutaneous injection, is currently being evaluated in several monotherapy and combination studies.6,7,8,9,10,11,12 CMA is the approval of a medicine that addresses unmet medical needs of patients based on less comprehensive data than normally required, where the available data suggest that the benefits of the medicine outweigh the risks, and the applicant can provide comprehensive clinical data in the future.13 Prior to the CHMP recommending this CMA, the EMA granted talquetamab PRIority Medicines (PRIME) designation in January 2021 and accelerated assessment in November 2022. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted talquetamab Breakthrough Therapy Designation in June 2022. Janssen also received Orphan Drug Designation for talquetamab from the EMA in August 2021 and the FDA in May 2021. About Teclistamab Teclistamab is an off-the-shelf (or ready to use) bispecific antibody.2 Teclistamab, a subcutaneous injection, redirects T-cells through two cellular targets (BCMA and CD3) to activate the bodys immune system to fight the cancer. Teclistamab is currently being evaluated in several monotherapy and combination studies.14,15,16,17,18,19 Teclistamab received European Commission (EC) approval in August 2022. The application for CMA was reviewed by the CHMP under an accelerated timetable to enable faster patient access to this medicine.20 This was also supported through the EMAs PRIME scheme, which provides early and enhanced scientific and regulatory support to medicines that have a particular potential to address patients unmet medical needs.21 For a full list of adverse events and information on dosage and administration, contraindications and other precautions when using teclistamab please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics. In line with EMA regulations for new medicines and those given conditional approval, teclistamab is subject to additional monitoring. About Multiple Myeloma Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer that affects a type of white blood cell called plasma cells, which are found in the bone marrow.3,22 In multiple myeloma, these malignant plasma cells change and grow out of control.22 In Europe, more than 50,900 people were diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2020, and more than 32,400 patients died.23 While some patients with multiple myeloma initially have no symptoms, others can have common symptoms of the disease which can include bone fracture or pain, low red blood cell counts, tiredness, high calcium levels or kidney failure.24 About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson At Janssen, were creating a future where disease is a thing of the past. Were the Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, working tirelessly to make that future a reality for patients everywhere by fighting sickness with science, improving access with ingenuity, and healing hopelessness with heart. We focus on areas of medicine where we can make the biggest difference: Cardiovascular, Metabolism & Retina; Immunology; Infectious Diseases & Vaccines; Neuroscience; Oncology; and Pulmonary Hypertension. Learn more at www.janssen.com/emea. Follow us at www.linkedin.com/janssenEMEA for our latest news. Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Janssen-Cilag Limited and Janssen Research & Development, LLC are part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. ### Cautions Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of talquetamab and teclistamab. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialise, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Janssen-Cilag Limited, Janssen Research & Development, LLC and any of the other Janssen Pharmaceutical companies, and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behaviour and spending patterns of purchasers of health care products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnsons Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2023, including in the sections captioned Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Item 1A. Risk Factors, and in Johnson & Johnsons subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies nor Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. References: 1 Chari A et al. Talquetamab, a T-Cell-Redirecting GPRC5D Bispecific Antibody for Multiple Myeloma. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(24):2232-2244. 2 European Medicines Agency. TECVAYLI Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/tecvayli-epar-product-information_en.pdf. Last accessed: July 2023. 3 Abdi J et al. Drug resistance in multiple myeloma: latest findings on molecular mechanisms. Oncotarget. 2013;4(12):2186-2207. 4 Yong K et al. Multiple myeloma: patient outcomes in real-world practice. British Journal of Haematology. 2016;175:252-264. 5 Venkateshaiah SU. GPRC5D is a cell surface plasma cell marker whose expression is high in myeloma cells and reduced following coculture with osteoclasts. Blood. 2013;122(21):3099. 6 ClinicalTrials.gov. Dose Escalation Study of Talquetamab in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (MonumenTAL-1). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03399799. Last accessed: July 2023. 7 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Talquetamab in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04634552 . Last accessed: July 2023. 8 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of the Combination of Talquetamab and Teclistamab in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (RedirecTT-1). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04586426 . Last accessed: July 2023. 9 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Talquetamab and Teclistamab Each in Combination With a Programmed Cell Death Receptor-1 (PD-1) Inhibitor for the Treatment of Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (TRIMM-3). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05338775 . Last accessed: July 2023. 10 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study Comparing Talquetamab in Combination With Daratumumab or in Combination With Daratumumab and Pomalidomide Versus Daratumumab in Combination With Pomalidomide and Dexamethasone in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (MonumenTAL-3). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05455320 . Last accessed: July 2023. 11 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Subcutaneous Daratumumab Regimens in Combination With Bispecific T Cell Redirection Antibodies for the Treatment of Participants With Multiple Myeloma. Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04108195 . Last accessed: July 2023. 12 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Talquetamab With Other Anticancer Therapies in Participants With Multiple Myeloma (MonumenTAL-2). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05050097. Last accessed: July 2023. 13 Conditional marketing authorisation. The European Medicines Agency. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory/marketing-authorisation/conditional-marketing-authorisation . Last accessed: July 2023. 14 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Teclistamab in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (MajesTEC-1). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04557098. Last accessed: July 2023. 15 ClinicalTrials.gov. Dose Escalation Study of Teclistamab, a Humanized BCMA*CD3 Bispecific Antibody, in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (MajesTEC-1). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03145181. Last accessed: July 2023. 16 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Teclistamab With Other Anticancer Therapies in Participants With Multiple Myeloma (MajesTEC-2). Available at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04722146. Last accessed: July 2023. 17 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of the Combination of Talquetamab and Teclistamab in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma. Available at: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04586426. Last accessed: July 2023. 18 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Subcutaneous Daratumumab Regimens in Combination With Bispecific T Cell Redirection Antibodies for the Treatment of Participants With Multiple Myeloma. Available at: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04108195. Last accessed: July 2023. 19 ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Teclistamab in Combination With Daratumumab Subcutaneously (SC) (TecDara) Versus Daratumumab SC, Pomalidomide, and Dexamethasone (DPd) or Daratumumab SC, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone (DVd) in Participants With Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma (MajesTEC-3). Available at: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05083169. Last accessed: July 2023. 20 European Medicines Agency. Accelerated assessment. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/humanregulatory/marketing-authorisation/accelerated-assessment. Last accessed: July 2023. 21 European Medicines Agency. PRIME Factsheet. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory/research-development/prime-priority-medicines. Last accessed: July 2023. 22 American Society of Clinical Oncology. Multiple myeloma: introduction. Available at: https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/multiple-myeloma/introduction . Last accessed: July 2023. 23 GLOBOCAN 2020. Cancer Today Population Factsheets: Europe Region. Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/populations/908-europe-fact-sheets.pdf . Last accessed: July 2023. 24 American Cancer Society. Multiple myeloma: early detection, diagnosis and staging. Available at: https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/CRC/PDF/Public/8740.00.pdf . Last accessed: July 2023. CP-400349 July 2023 LOS ANGELES, July 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Legal Soft , a leading virtual legal staffing company specializing in scaling and streamlining law firms, is delighted to announce its strategic partnership with Kenect , the premier texting software for law firms across North America. This collaboration brings together Legal Soft's team of Legal Industry Practice experts with Kenect's powerful texting tools to revolutionize client communication and empower law firms to thrive in the digital age. Legal Soft has earned its reputation as one of the biggest virtual legal staffing companies, providing exceptional services to help law firms nationwide efficiently manage and expand their practices. With their expertise and in-depth knowledge of the legal industry, Legal Soft has been at the forefront of transforming how law firms operate and grow. Kenect's elegant texting tools have empowered thousands of law firms across the country to generate online reviews, gather leads, engage in video chat, collect payments, and more - all through a simple, user-friendly platform. The diverse range of products offered by Kenect includes Business Texting, Online Reviews, Web Leads, Payments, Mobile App, Video Chat, Broadcast Messaging, Managed Services, and Social Media Publishing. With Kenect's innovative solutions, law firms can now convert their business phone numbers into textable numbers, unlocking limitless potential to engage with clients instantly and effortlessly. The integration of Kenect's platform with Legal Soft's expertise will provide law firms with the efficiency and convenience they need to thrive in today's competitive legal landscape. Kenect makes us feel more connected with clients every day. We are able to text and get feedback right away. It makes life so much easier! Lance D., Voyant Legal The partnership between Legal Soft and Kenect promises to revolutionize client communication for law firms, creating more meaningful connections and enhancing overall client satisfaction. Together, they aim to eliminate tech headaches and offer instant, engaging conversations with clients, resulting in an improved client experience and increased productivity for law firms. CEO of Legal Soft, Hamid Kohan , expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to partner with Kenect and leverage their cutting-edge texting software to enhance the way law firms interact with their clients. This collaboration aligns perfectly with Legal Soft's commitment to empowering law firms with the latest technologies and resources. Together, we can provide seamless solutions to amplify communication and foster better relationships between law firms and their clients." To learn more about how Legal Soft and Kenect's partnership can benefit your law firm, visit the demo landing page at: https://smart.kenect.com/legal-soft-2023 About Legal Soft : Legal Soft is a collection of Legal Industry Practice experts who have created, managed, and expanded the number of practices nationwide. As one of the largest virtual legal staffing companies, LegalSoft provides comprehensive solutions to scale and streamline law firms, empowering them to achieve their goals efficiently. About Kenect: Kenect is the premier texting software for law firms across North America, offering a suite of elegant texting tools that empower law firms to communicate effectively with clients. With a range of innovative products, Kenect simplifies client interactions, generates online reviews, gathers leads, and facilitates seamless communication, revolutionizing how law firms engage with their clientele. Contact: Media Relations VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vortex Energy Corp. (CSE: VRTX | OTC: VTECF | FRA: AA3) ("Vortex or the "Company") is pleased to announce, further to its news releases on April 28, 2023 and June 23, 2023, that it has further extended its engagement of Financial Star News Inc. (FSN) (address: 701 West Georgia Street, Suite 1500, Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1C6; email: info@thefinancialstar.com) for marketing services for an additional 60 days commencing on June 24, 2023, provided that the term of the marketing services may be extended or shortened at the discretion of management depending on, amongst other things, the efficiency of the marketing services. As previously disclosed, FSN has and shall continue to, as appropriate, create campaigns, ad groups, text ads, display ads, perform detailed keyword research, setup and manage remarketing campaigns, optimize keyword options, coordinate online advertiser and marketers corresponding to online marketing targets, create landing pages for ad campaigns and generally bring attention to the business of the Company. The promotional activity undertaken by FSN will occur on theFinancialStar.com and by email, Facebook and Google. The Company will pay a fee of USD $500,000 (plus GST) for the extension. The Company will not issue any securities to FSN as compensation for its marketing services. As of the date hereof, to the Companys knowledge, FSN (including its directors and officers) does not own any securities of the Company and has an arms length relationship with the Company. About Vortex Energy Corp. Vortex Energy Corp. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. The Company is currently advancing its Robinson River Salt Project located approximately 35 linear km south of the town of Stephenville in the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador covering over 17,000 hectares. Leveraging the Robinson River Salt project, the Company is also exploring the development of technologies to efficiently store green Hydrogen in Salt Caverns. Vortex also holds the Fire Eye Project, which is located in the Wollaston Domain of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Paul Sparkes Chief Executive Officer, Director +1 (778) 819-0164 info@vortexenergycorp.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words could, intend, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Companys current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the expected term of the marketing activities contracted for by the Company. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including, in respect of the forward-looking information included in this press release, assumptions regarding the efficacy of the Companys marketing program. Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Companys management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward looking information involves 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 forward-looking information. Such factors include, among other things, the risk that the Companys marketing program may not be as effective as anticipated by the Company and that the budget for the Companys marketing program may not be sufficient to permit the marketing activities to continue for the anticipated term. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company 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. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. OTTAWA, July 21, 2023 - TSX VENTURE COMPANIES AVARON MINING CORP. ("AVR") [formerly BENZ CAPITAL CORP. ("BCC")] BULLETIN TYPE: Name Change BULLETIN DATE: July 21, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Pursuant to a resolution passed by directors July 6, 2023, the Company has changed its name as follows. There is no consolidation of capital. Effective at the opening Tuesday, July 25, 2023, the common shares of Avaron Mining Corp. will commence trading on TSX Venture Exchange, and the common shares of Benz Capital Corp. will be delisted. The Company is classified as a ''Mining" company. Capitalization: Unlimited shares with no par value of which 13,726,497 shares are issued and outstanding Escrow: 3,500,000 Transfer Agent: Computershare Investor Services Inc. Trading Symbol: AVR (New) CUSIP Number: 05352J101 (New) ________________________________________ 23/07/21 - TSX Venture Exchange Bulletins TSX VENTURE COMPANIES Azarga Metals Corp. ("AZR") BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Debt BULLETIN DATE: July 21, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 8,958,293 shares to settle outstanding debt for $1,343,744.46. Number of Creditors: 7 Creditors Non-Arm's Length Party / Pro Group Participation: Creditors # of Creditors Amount Owing Deemed Price per Share Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate Non-Arm's Length Party Involvement: 3 $449,674.79 $0.15 2,997,831 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A N/A N/A The Company issued a news release on July 18, 2023 confirming that the shares were issued and the debt extinguished. ________________________________________ Blue Star Gold Corp. ("BAU") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: July 21, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on July 13, 2023: Number of Shares: 700,000 Flow-Through (FT) shares 1,175,000 Charity Flow-Through (CFT) shares Purchase Price: $0.42 per FT share $0.49 per CFT share Warrants: 937,500 share purchase warrants to purchase 937,500 shares Warrant Exercise Price: $0.50 for a two-year period Number of Placees: 6 placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: N/A Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: $52,185 N/A 112,500 Finder's Warrants Terms: Each non-transferable warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at the price of $0.50 for period of 2 years from the date of issuance. The Company issued a news release on July 20, 2023, confirming closing of the private placement. Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term. _______________________________________ CONSTELLATION CAPITAL CORP. ("CNST.P") BULLETIN TYPE: Resume Trading BULLETIN DATE: July 21, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Effective at 6:30 a.m. PST, July 21, 2023, shares of the Company resumed trading, an announcement having been made. ________________________________________ Europacific Metals Inc. ("EUP") BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Purchase Agreement BULLETIN DATE: July 21, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to the arm's length acquisition of a 30% interest in EVX Portugal, UniPessol, LDA and, consequently an indirect 30% in the Borba 2 exploration property in Portugal pursuant to an amendment to the definitive agreement dated June 3, 2023 and an amendment to amending agreement dated April 25, 2023 between the Europacific Metals Inc. (the "Company"), European Electric Metals Inc. and EVX Portugal, UniPessol, LDA. CONSIDERATION CASH ($) SECURITIES WORK EXPENDITURES (S) $70,000 700,000 common shares NIL For further details, please refer to the Company's news release dated May 4, 2023. ________________________________________ Highwood Asset Management Ltd. ("HAM") BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Debt BULLETIN DATE: July 21, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 466,667 shares and 233,334 share purchase warrants to settle outstanding debt for $2,800,000. Number of Creditors: 1 Creditor Non-Arm's Length Party / Pro Group Participation: Creditors # of Creditors Amount Owing Deemed Price per Share Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate Non-Arm's Length Party Involvement: 1 $2,800,000 $6.00 466,667 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A N/A N/A Warrants: 233,334 share purchase warrants to purchase 233,334 shares Warrant Exercise Price: $7.50 for a one year period $7.50 in the second year $7.50 in the third year The Company shall issue a news release when the shares are issued and the debt extinguished. ________________________________________ NEWTOPIA INC. ("NEWU") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: July 21, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on March 7, 2023: Number of Shares: 21,928,000 shares Purchase Price: $0.07 per share Warrants: i) 10,964,000 share purchase warrants to purchase 10,964,000 shares ii) 10,964,000 share purchase warrants to purchase 10,964,000 shares Warrant Exercise Price: i) $0.10 for a six month period ii) $0.15 for a two year period Number of Placees: 35 placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: 2 3,427,142 Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: $42,151.50 N/A 595,021 Warrants Finder's Warrants Terms: Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at the price of $0.07 for period of two years from the date of issuance. The Company issued a news release on March 7, 2023, confirming closing of the private placement. Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term. ________________________________________ P2 Gold Inc. ("PGLD") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: July 21, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on April 17, 2023: Number of Shares : 6,397,000 Flow-Through Units (the 'FT' Unit) 3,611,927 Non-Flow-Through Units (the 'NFT Unit) Purchase Price : $0.32 per FT Unit $0.27 per NFT Unit Warrant : 10,008,927 share purchase warrants to purchase 10,008,927 shares Warrant Purchase Price: $0.40 for 2 years from the date of issuance, subject to accelerated expiry Number of Place : 36 Placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Units Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: 3 N/a 992,593 N/a Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: $ 99,602 N/A 318,757 Finder's Warrants Terms: Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share at the price of $0.40 for period of 2 years from the date of issuance Pursuant to Corporate Finance Policy 4.1, Section 1.9(e), the Company issued a news release on May 23, 2023, announcing the closing of the private placement. ________________________________________ SMARTSET SERVICES INC. ("SMAR.P") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered BULLETIN DATE: July 21, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced on May 24, 2023: Number of Shares: 300,000 shares Purchase Price: $0.05 per share Warrants: N/A Number of Placees: 3 placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Placees # of Placee (s) Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate Existing Insider Involvement: N/A N/A Aggregate Pro Group Involvement: N/A N/A Aggregate Cash Amount Aggregate # of Shares Aggregate # of Warrants Finder's Fee: N/A N/A N/A The Company issued a news release on July 20, 2023 confirming closing of the private placement. Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term. ________________________________________ SOLID IMPACT INVESTMENTS CORP. ("SOLI.P") BULLETIN TYPE: Halt BULLETIN DATE: July 21, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Effective at 1:12 p.m. PST, July 20, 2023, trading in the shares of the Company was halted, pending news; this regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules. ________________________________________ YERBAE BRANDS CORP. ("YERB.U") BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for Services BULLETIN DATE: July 21, 2023 TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 11,363 shares at a deemed price of US$2.20, in consideration of certain services provided to the company pursuant to an agreement dated May 15, 2023, as amended on June 19, 2023. Number of Service Providers: 1 Non-Arm's Length Party / Pro Group Participation: N/A For further information, please refer to the Company's news releases dated June 19, 2023 and July 21, 2023. ________________________________________ SOURCE TSX Venture Exchange At Parker Center (LAPD HQ) in Los Angeles is Chief WILLIAM BRATTON Photographed fro Governing by Thomas Michael Alleman FOR ONE-TIME NON-EXCLUSIVE NORTH AMERICAN USE, Oct 2007 Thomas Michael Alleman For Bill Bratton, taking risks comes naturally.Just how natural became apparent one day in 1975 when Bratton, a rookie sergeant with the Boston Police Department, got a call that would have made a veteran blanch: bank holdup; shot fired; possible hostage situation. En route to the scene, Bratton encountered the gunman a 6-foot-2-inch man in a red leisure suit dragging a woman across a bridge, away from agitated bystanders. Bratton parked and advanced through the crowd and suddenly found himself standing five yards from the gunman, weapon drawn. At that point, Bratton violated the first rule of hostage negotiations (never give up your cover): He lowered his firearm and, looking into the barrel of the other man's gun, asked the robber to put down his gun, too. He did, and Bratton had a new reputation as someone who was either very brave or very foolhardy.In 1993, Bratton took an even bigger gamble. Just one year earlier, he had achieved his life-long ambition of heading the Boston Police Department after leading impressive turnaround efforts at Boston and New York's transit agencies and at Massachusetts's Metropolitan Police. But when advisers to New York City Mayor-elect Rudolph Giuliani approached him about applying for the biggest job in policing commissioner of the New York Police Department Bratton went after it with a plan he promised would reduce crime in New York City by 40 percent in three years time. Most criminologists considered it a crazy idea undoable, career suicide. Giuliani gave him the job.Twenty-seven months later, when Bratton resigned from the NYPD, felony crime in New York City was down 39 percent, homicides were down by 50 percent. Henceforth, American police chiefs were judged by one thing: Is crime up or down? According to Bill Bratton, that's the way it should be. "If you have a police chief that can't get crime down, get yourself a new police chief," he says.Bratton left New York as the world's most celebrated police chief. Business school professors hailed his "tipping-point leadership" and studied innovations such as Compstat, the computerized statistics system that Bratton developed to measure results and motivate commanders. Proteges applied the Bratton playbook in cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Providence and Miami, often with impressive results.Yet there were also skeptics. Criminologists pointed to nationwide crime declines in the late '90s and asked if Bratton's achievements in New York were really unique. For Bratton himself, there was also a personal question: How do you follow up on a success like New York? In 2002, after several years in the private sector, Bratton answered that question by returning to policing as chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. In New York, Bratton had policed a city of more than 7 million residents with 38,000 officers. In Los Angeles, a geographically larger city with a population of nearly 4 million people, he had a mere 9,100 officers.At first, it was rocky going. Efforts to secure more resources for the department failed. Bratton also struggled with an unfamiliar political system. He became closely identified with then-Mayor Jim Hahn, who in 2005 was defeated in his reelection bid. In short, all the ingredients for a serious disappointment seemed to be in place.Instead, the 60-year-old Bratton triumphed. In his first five years, major felonies have fallen by 30 percent, with homicides down 38 percent and overall violent crime down 46 percent. No wonder that L.A.'s new mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, has embraced his police chief, pushing through an increase in the trash-collection fee that will allow the LAPD to add 1,000 new officers. Even embarrassing mishaps haven't derailed the chief. When LAPD officers bludgeoned protestors at a pro-immigration rally last summer, Bratton moved quickly, acknowledging the failure, demoting the senior commander on the scene and revamping the department's training procedures."To me, that is leadership under fire, in difficult circumstances," says Police Commission President Anthony Pacheco. In October, Bratton became the first LAPD chief to be appointed to a second term since the 1980s. L.A. is on track to experience fewer than 400 homicides this year down from 588 in 2001. Those lives saved are part of Bill Bratton's legacy. The first free practice session for the Hungarian Grand Prix near Budapest is about to get underway. The forecast suggests rain will almost certainly fall during FP1 at the Hungaroring, so teams and drivers might be unable to record accurate data for Sunday's Grand Prix. However, it could be a useful time to test the relatively new wet tyres. Follow all the action with our live blog below. Article continues under ad FP1 LIVE | First practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix Red Bull Racing are on the verge of breaking a very significant record. Christian Horner's team will record their 12th consecutive win in Formula should either Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez win Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix. No other team in the sport's history has won that many races in a row. Red Bull are currently tied with McLaren's 1988 season with Aryton Senna and Alain Prost. Red Bull have proved they have a competitive car at every circuit type in 2023. The Hungaroring doesn't favour the characteristics of their car as much as other tracks, but neither did Monaco, and that event forms part of their hot streak. Helmut Marko suggested Red Bull will bring an update this weekend. McLaren themselves have seen a sudden uptick in form and are serious challengers for the podium places. Mercedes are battling away and were quick in Hungary last year with George Russell's pole position. Aston Martin also see this as one of their better tracks. Article continues under ad What will happen during FP1? FP1 will give us the first indication of what to expect during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, but everything must be taken with a pinch of salt if it rains as predicted. The session usually starts with some exploratory laps, part testing, and push laps towards the end. The weather is expected to be dry for Sunday's race, but rain is in the air for Saturday. The full weather forecast can be seen here. On Friday afternoon, F1 cars will return to the circuit for FP2. More qualifying simulations will take place if the weather isn't too bad. And then, teams will move on to the race simulations though any data will unlikely be accurate because the conditions will be completely different come Sunday. The session times for the rest of the weekend can be found here. The history of the Hungarian Grand Prix The Hungarian Grand Prix was the first event for Formula 1 behind the Iron Curtain. It was originally going to be a street circuit, but the government built a new one just outside Budapest. Construction started just eight months before the first Grand Prix in 1986. Ayrton Senna secured the very first pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix. He and Nelson Piquet battled for the win, and the latter was in the lead when the chequered flag dropped. Nigel Mansell joined them on the podium. With the race being a permanent fixture since the mid-80s, all of the big names have raced at the venue. Article continues under ad Recent Hungarian Grand Prix history Michael Schumacher took his first Hungarian pole position in 1994 and won the race. On the same day, Jos Verstappen secured his first of two podiums in Formula 1. Schumacher became World Champion at the venue in 2001 despite it being just the 13th event on the calendar (out of 17). Ferrari became Constructors Champions when Rubens Barrichello led a one-two in 2002. Fernando Alonso secured his first F1 career victory at the circuit in 2003. Jenson Button achieved the same statistic in a wet 2006 race. Lewis Hamilton achieved the first of his eight wins in Hungary during the 2007 season. He would dominate proceedings for the best part of the next 15 years. In 2019, Max Verstappen achieved his first career pole position, though he wasn't fast enough to keep Mercedes' Hamilton behind him on Sunday. Esteban Ocon took a surprise victory in 2021 in a red-flag and rain-affected race. Last time out, George Russell achieved his first career pole position, with Verstappen winning on Sunday. Red Bull are favourites to win again this weekend. Albon happy to hear Ferrari switch rumours Alex Albon is happy to find himself the subject of rumours this weekend at the Hungaroring. Alex Albon, British GP 2023 Williams Racing Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur, having delayed talks with his current drivers, has been moved to deny his interest in signing the impressive Williams driver. Carlos Sainz, currently without a deal for 2025, insists he's not worried about the delayed talks. No, I personally agree with Fred, he said in Hungary. I think in Ferrari right now there's much bigger priorities than sorting out the future of its drivers. But for Albon, who has resurrected his F1 fortunes after sliding down the Red Bull hierarchy, it's all good news. Is there any positive in the rumours? the British-born Thai driver told motorsport-total.com. "Good rumours are always pleasant. I think it just highlights that the year is going well so far. So I'm happy to hear it and I'm not complaining. The situation could well shift into a tug-of-war between Williams and a prospective new employer for the 27-year-old, although Albon's former boss at Red Bull thinks the driver is already tied up for 2024. James Vowles, the new boss at Williams, said recently that he plans to build the improving Grove-based team around Albon. It definitely means a lot to me. It's always nice to hear such words, Albon admitted in Budapest. It's always great if the bosses are happy with you. However, he cautions that after a strong outing with the updated 2023 car at Silverstone, the tight and twisty Hungaroring could be a tougher challenge. We don't usually go as well on these sorts of tracks, said Albon, "but I'm keen to see if the improvements are also felt here or the old problems reappear. FIA plays down budget cap breach rumours F1's governing body has played down rumours up to three teams may be set to be punished for breaching the sport's budget cap. Start, British GP 2023 Red Bull Last year, Red Bull and Aston Martin were found to have overspent in 2021 - but Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali wants future breaches to be sporting rather than merely financial or in reductions to development time. Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton agrees. It's certainly worrying, yes, he said when asked about rumours teams may again be found to have breached the cap. Last time they didn't get a particularly heavy sentence, so there's really no rule. So there will probably be teams that go for it again. Recently, the FIA issued a technical directive warning teams with non-F1 subsidiary engineering arms against exploiting a spending loophole. What has now followed is rumours that two or three teams may have been in breach in 2022. The FIA has called those reports unfounded . The process of auditing the data provided by the teams is ongoing and should be completed in a few weeks, a spokesman added. Hamilton, however, is concerned that Red Bull is one of the teams that have exploited the loophole - particularly with radically-reshaped sidepod air intakes on the already-dominant car this weekend in Hungary. They seem to bring upgrades to their cars all the time, the seven time world champion said. Currently, however, Hamilton is not even signed up to race in Formula 1 beyond the Abu Dhabi finale this year - but he says a deal is now very, very close . Haas not ready to extend Magnussen's contract As Nico Hulkenberg cruises towards a new contract with Haas, the American team is not quite ready to decide if Kevin Magnussen will also stay in 2024. Kevin Magnussen, British GP 2023 Haas F1 Team / LAT Team owner Gene Haas is making a rare paddock visit this weekend in Hungary, with team boss Gunther Steiner admitting a new deal for new arrival Hulkenberg, 35, is on the cards. Maybe there is no deal to be done? Hulkenberg, with a new bleached hairstyle, smiled in Hungary. "Maybe a deal is in place? Who knows? I think it works both ways at the moment, and I'm enjoying myself. So there's no reason not to think why the relationship shouldn't continue like this, he added. Haas brought Hulkenberg back to Formula 1 after his forced three-year break, while Dane Magnussen, 30, has been with the team almost from the beginning. However, Steiner and Haas do not seem ready to renew the similarly-expiring deal with Magnussen, whose wife gave birth to their second daughter last week. When asked about Magnussen's future, Steiner said: We have to see about that. However, he says he is actually satisfied with both Haas drivers, even though Hulkenberg has been more impressive in 2023. Logically, Kevin knows that he has to catch up with Nico, said Steiner. At the moment Nico is just better. Kevin has no problem admitting that either. Steiner says it caught both Magnussen and Haas by surprise that Hulkenberg settled in so well. Nico is an asset to him, he said. "If things don't go well for Kevin, he can see how things can be. This year Kevin took over the setup from Nico a couple of times, Steiner revealed. He said 'I've had enough of trying things, I'll just take Nico's. And most of the time it worked out. For his part, Magnussen admits that negotiations with Steiner are now looming. We communicate all the time, he said. "Both me and Gunther know that my contract expires at the end of the year, so of course there will be negotiations. When they will take place or whether they are happening already is not something I will expand on before something concrete appears. But if I want to race next year, then I need to sign a new contract, Magnussen added. I'm not too worried about this, since there were no problems with it before. An early rumour is that Haas might be taking a look at Alfa Romeo driver Guanyu Zhou, who - unlike Magnussen - brings a reported EUR 20 million in Chinese backing to his team. Magnussen, meanwhile, denied that becoming a father may have slowed him down. I can understand why it was like that when Niki Lauda was driving, he told Ekstra Bladet newspaper. "The danger was a completely different aspect then. There is still an element of danger now, but it's not something I think about, the 30-year-old insisted. "I still feel young and our family works well with my schedule. 9th Mining Industry awards slated for December Business Desk Report Business News Jul - 14 - 2023 , 15:26 The 9th edition of the Ghana Mining and Industry Awards (GMIA) will be held on December 1. 2023. This years awards involve two main categories, with about 20 sub-categories. The categories include Best Mining Company of the year, Mining Personality of the year, Best performance in Corporate Social Investment, Best performance in Innovation, Best performance in Environmental Management, Best performance Occupational Health and Safety, and Best performance in Contract Mining. The rest are Best Financial Deal of the year, Best Green Mine, and Best performance in Local Content. The awards, which is organised by the Ghana Chamber of Mines is to recognise excellence and the contribution of mining companies and individuals to the development of the country. Nominations for the awards is opened and will close on August 11, 2023. Commenting on the awards, the CEO of the Chamber, Dr Sulemanu Koney, said the Chambers aim was to promote healthy competition in the spirit of productivity to ensure health and safety and innovation in the industry. The awards is to promote healthy competition among our members to showcase and reward excellence in the industry, he noted. He added that, the Chamber wants to showcase that Ghana wants to be the real hub for mining in Africa. we want to be the productive industry that supports various stakeholders including government and investors. And this goes a long way to support the businesses and reputation of our industry, he stated. The Ghana Mining Industry awards adds up to the Chambers mining conference and exhibition which is aimed at forging partnerships with counterparts from other parts of the world. It also helps to reposition Ghana as the gateway for mining investment and business opportunities in West Africa and to connect mining companies with investors, suppliers and government officials to explore the vast mining and development opportunities. Ghanaian stakeholders train on EU trade rules Zadok Kwame Gyesi Business News Jul - 21 - 2023 , 14:55 Ghanaian exporters have been advised to keep to the Ghana-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in order to help drive more investments for Ghana. Stakeholders believe that complying with the trade rules would help to increase exports to EU countries, hence sustaining Ghanaian businesses. This came to light when a two-day training on the export requirement under the Ghana-EU EPA was organised for relevant stakeholder institutions in Accra on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. The participants, who were drawn from 13 public institutions consisting of regulators and policy makers, were trained on varied topics relating to the customs procedures and trade facilitation under the Ghana-EU EPA. Similarly, participants were also introduced to concepts of trade facilitation as well as the review of a number of trade agreements. The training, which was organised by Compete Ghana was funded by the EU under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The Team Leader of Compete Ghana, Mr. Nichols Gebara, said the 2-day training was organised to help trade institutions and facilitators get a better coordination of their work. He stated that the key goal of trade facilitation is to promote an open intervention between institutions involved in trade, stressing This is not about trade institutions, this is about networking among these institutions. He urged participants to help advocate the needs of trade facilitation to ensure the access of a clear and transparent information amongst exporters and importers. Mr. Gebara also encouraged the media to promote the role of facilitation and trade institutions when the need arises. A Trade Facilitation expert and trainer, Mr Dode Seidu, said Ghana utilising and implementing trade facilitation broadly could enhance her competitiveness as compared to her neighboring countries. He said this was because there was competition for investment in all countries, but within West Africa, political stability was an advantage to attract and maintain investments in the country. He added that to better achieve trade facilitation, there was the need for more and continuous cooperation, harmonising their activities and simplifying their activities. If actors in trade are not compliant, they should not expect that the institutions involved in trade will accord them the benefits, he added. Mr Seidu said the participants after the training were ready to in their own way make some changes or improve trade facilitation in Ghana. We discussed extensively and realized that trade facilitation is not a destination but a process, it is a process of continuous improvement for the private sector, so once they can go back and improve their processes, it will be better, he stressed. The Head of Product Inspection Department, Ghana Standard Authority, Mr Dode Seidu, who was a participant, said transparency was vital as far as trade facilitation was concerned. She added that simplification of trade facilitation processes was also important because it makes Ghana more competitive. So, if we can work in such a way that it will be risk based, it will help simplify the processes and save time so that exporters will be in business and at the end of the day benefit Ghana and make her more competitive, she stressed. Another Participant, Darko Osei from the Ghana Export Promotion Center, said the training has been enlightening for him. The Trade Counselor for the EU Delegation in Ghana, Mr Raffaele Quarto, said the training was the first of its kind with different modules that was offered through the Compete Ghana programme to the different agencies in Ghana dealing with international trade. He said there were representatives from different government agencies, but they would also be training business association companies and other NGOs that were involved in international trade. The trade counselor added that the institutions were expected to also educate the general public, exporters and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who visited their offices for information to improve their day-to-day activities. Nekotech to train 10,000 Africans through African Digitalization fund Kofi Duah Entertainment Jul - 21 - 2023 , 08:58 This a proven five year pilot program, 2018-2023, which now has many students in the US undergoing their STEM masters degrees, and working successfully, having been fully funded through the loan program. According to the Liberian Vice President, the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge is what African youths need to enhance their capacity to fend for themselves and also contribute meaningfully to their countries. Mrs. Jewel Taylor was speaking at the virtual launch of the project which had participants from over twelve African countries in attendance. On her part, the Executive Chairman of the Nekotech Foundation, Her Excellency Dr. Princess Asie Ocansey said Nekotech is spearheading the training of ten thousand Africans who will benefit from a $ 1 billion African Digitization Fund, having successfully completed the five year pilot . Under this arrangement, prospective applicants to the programme will be assisted to submit successful applications for admission to the partner universities and colleges who are on the programme. The fund is a no collateral loan which candidates will pay back while working in the USA/Canada for three years after two years of their STEM ( Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) master's degree. The US allows for a three year Optional Practical Training (OPT) of full time work during which time the candidates earn $60,000-$250,000/ year. She bemoaned the fact that of the 1.4 billion Africans, less than 39,000 students are studying in the United States, whereas South Korea with a population of 51 million, has over 40,000 students in the U.S, adding that out of the over 1.1 million foreign students in the U.S., Asia has 750,000 students who are mostly in the STEM field and this is changing their narratives from poverty to prosperity. Africa has a huge potential to change its fortunes by taking advantage of this STEM educational opportunity, Dr.Princess Ocansey noted. As a US STEM student herself, she added that India went on a similar route of educating their children in the U.S in STEM programs and the result is the over $85 billion in remittances India is enjoying annually. 2023 National Insurance Fair: Insurers association concerned about percentage of public insured Gertrude Ankah Nyavi & Yaa Kuffour Senyah Jul - 21 - 2023 , 11:16 The total insurance coverage in Ghana as of the end of 2022 was 44.6 per cent of the working population in Ghana. The penetration which is the contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) hovers around one percent yearly. The figure, according to industry experts was disturbing, given the benefits of insurance in every economy. Speaking at the opening of a three-day insurance fair in Accra Thursday (July 20), the Second Vice-President of the Ghana Insurers Association (GIA), Mabel Nana Nyarkoa Porbley, expressed concern about the low penetration rate of insurance in the country and called on Ghanaians to cultivate the habit of securing their lives and properties through insurance. Mrs Porbley, who is also the Managing Director of Sanlam Insurance, said: This means that very few people are basically buying insurance, but if we understand what insurance does for the ordinary person, we should see a penetration around a minimum of 10 to 15 per cent. Citing the June 3, 2015, flood and fire disaster in Accra that claimed more than 150 lives as an example, Mrs Porbley said GH34 million claims were paid to victims who were insured. She added that the rest of the victims became a burden to their families and the government. She said insurance companies in Ghana paid GH4.5 million claims daily, stressing that this is a clear picture of what we stand to benefit when we buy insurance. Insurance takes away the challenge of restarting your business after a mess-up such as a fire or a flood. She attributed the development to the fact that people did not understand the value of insurance but rather dwelt on the perception that they were investing their money in what was not practical. Insurance fair The National Insurance Fair is being organised by the Graphic Business, a brand of the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) stable, in collaboration with the Ghana Insurers Association (GIA) on the theme: Making Insurance the Ghanaian Way of Life. Mrs Porbley said the fair was to showcase services and products in the insurance sector, as well as to encourage Ghanaians to embrace insurance as their form of protection and backbone for unforeseen situations in the future. She said the GIA aimed to propagate the insurance message to every part of the country, hence the collaboration with GCGL. This fair is not about GIA, neither is it about Graphic; it is about the people representing the various sectors of the economy and communities for whom insurance is critical and should be an integral part of their daily lives, she added. She explained that the main feature of insurance is its ability to address the various life and business challenges that confronted the individual and organisations. GCGL mandate The Managing Director of GCGL, Ato Afful, said the mandate of the company was to ensure that information and knowledge permeated everywhere in the country. He said the partnership with the Ghana Insurance Association was, therefore, aimed at ensuring that the relevant information from the sector was spread accurately to inform the public on the available packages in the insurance industry. Mr Afful further gave the assurance that the GCGL would continue to partner the GIA to spread the news of the importance of insurance to the socio-economic growth of the citizenry. The Ag. Commissioner of Insurance at the National Insurance Commission, Michael Kofi Andoh, commended the association and the GCGL for the initiative to make insurance a priority in Ghana. He expressed the hope that the participating companies would actively exhibit insurance and bring their knowledge to the fore. Myths Clarifying the perception about companies not paying insurance claims, Mr Andoh, in an interview with the Daily Graphic, said most insurance companies paid millions of Ghana cedis daily as claims to customers. He, however, said some of the claims delayed because of processes that could sometimes be cumbersome but were necessary to authenticate the claims to ensure that they were genuine. He added that it was important to constantly educate the people on the difference between insurance and savings to break down the negative perception of insurance. Some of the exhibitors who spoke with the Daily Graphic expressed the hope that the fair would help increase the interest of the public in their activities and products. Sixteen insurance companies are exhibiting their products at the fair. They include Enterprise Insurance, Vanguard Insurance, SIC Insurance PLC, Prudential Life Insurance, Ghana Millennium Insurance, and SUNU Insurance. The rest are Donewell Insurance, Donewell Life, Activa International Insurance, Holland Insurance Life, Willis Towers Watson, Allianz Insurance, Star Assurance, StarLife, SIC Life, and GLiCO. Accra-Labone Rotary Club inducts new President Diana Mensah Jul - 20 - 2023 , 13:59 A Communication professional, Michelle Seli Kumedzro, has been inducted into office as the new President of the Rotary Club of Accra-Labone. She takes over from Theresa Ama Afro Agbodo. She will lead a 22-member board to steer the activities of the club for the 2023/2024 Rotary Year which spans July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024. The 22-member board also includes Carlis Arko (Vice-President), Linda Agyei (Secretary), Kuukua Twum-Baah (Treasurer), Jerry Otchi (Director 1), Gifty E. Annan-Myers (Director 2), Theresa Ama Afro Agbodo (immediate past President) and Jenny Quansah (Sergeant-at-arms). Others are Charles Boakye and Carlis Arko (Club Trainers), Bernard Atta-Sinnott (Club Admin Chair), Mercy Odzawo (Deputy) and Edmund Bray (Public Image). At a brief but impressive programme, citations were also given to some deserving members for their dedication, loyalty, selflessness and support to the club. Vision In her acceptance speech, Ms Kumedzro said her vision for the club was to carry out life-changing projects within the communities and beyond, and expressed her appreciation to the members and the board of the club for entrusting the reins of the club in her hands. She expressed commitment to continue the works of her predecessor, and solicited the support of all Rotarians to enable the club to succeed. The year 2023/2024 year will signify a lot of things for us a year of collaboration, a year of growth and capacity building for our members, both within the club and beyond, a year of great fellowship, reviving friendship, bonds and fostering camaraderie; a year of great service to execute projects in the areas of maternal and child health, water, sanitation and hygiene, protecting the environment, economic and community development, disease prevention and treatment, she stated. Ms Kumedzro expressed the belief that the projects earmarked for the year would bring hope to the world, and charged members to remain true to their calling and be guided by the clubs motto. In outlining some projects the club intended to undertake, she said the club would plant 1,000 trees and organise two major health screening exercises in collaboration with other sister clubs. Achievements The immediate past President of the club, Ms Agbodo, said although the club was challenged with the pandemic, it had a great fellowship, an increase in membership, met most of the clubs financial obligations and accomplished most of its objectives at the end of her term. She expressed appreciation to the board, Assistant District Governor Violet and members of the club for their commitment, dedication and support that ensured a successful term. Maternal and child health In an engagement, the District Governor Nominee, Nana Yaa Siriboe, indicated that the Rotarian theme for July was Maternal and Child Health. She, therefore, encouraged members of the club to contribute to the Rotary Foundation to enable the club to achieve its goal. Address development gap between north, south Shirley Asiedu-Addo Jul - 21 - 2023 , 07:22 A Professor of Migration and Refugee Studies at the University of Cape Coast, Professor Augustine Tanle, says there is urgent need to provide alternative sustainable livelihoods in the five regions of the north to halt the worsening poverty and deprivation in the area. He noted that Ghana had performed poorly in bridging the development gap between the north and the south and called for strategies that could create opportunities for investments in agriculture and non-agriculture enterprises to create wealth and reduce poverty. He indicated that if efforts were not made to urgently bridge that gap in socio-economic development, the country could not achieve many of its sustainable development goals targets. In order to achieve that, Prof. Tanle called for a conscious effort by the government to set up industrial zones to create employment in the five northern regions and educational drives and the setting up of more agro-based industries to help reduce poverty levels among the people and enhance socio-economic development. Prof. Tanle was speaking at his inaugural lecture on the topic, "Interrogating North-South Seasonal Labour Migration in Ghana as a Livelihood Strategy. He said Ghana might not achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1,2, 4,6 and 10 which included no poverty, zero hunger, education, clean water and sanitation and reduce inequalities if nothing was done to improve the quality of life of the people. Support livelihoods Prof. Tanle said it was time to provide support for agriculture and farmers in the north to optimise their land use and produce to feed the nation. He observed that while many migrated seasonally to the cities to seek better lives, others migrated to other farming communities because they did not have adequate provision and inputs to farm in the north. He said if Burkina Faso, which had poorer quality lands in terms of farming, could produce enough tomatoes for supply to Ghana, then the country had no excuse for not investing amply in farming in the northern regions. Factors He explained that there were factors, including the push: the high poverty levels, lack of access to quality education and health care, among others, that pushed many in the northern regions to migrate southwards. Again, he said, the pull factor included infrastructural development in the south that occasioned migrants down from the north. Apart from these, he indicated that there were other socio-cultural factors and the migration networks that also compelled many to move downwards. Reduce vulnerabilities He said it was time to work to reduce the vulnerabilities in the northern regions to keep them from migrating, saying many of the conditions that made them to migrate no longer existed down south, leaving them poorer. "For instance, the Aboboyaa and Pragya are now competing with the kayayei in Accra. This leaves them more vulnerable. If the disparities were not adequately addressed there would be transfer of intergenerational poverty in the five northern regions. Prof. Tanle observed that in spite of the many negative effects of the migration to the south, many families have had their socio-economic statuses changed because someone moved seasonally down south to work. The Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampomg, said he was certain that the exposition would engender conversation on the issues raised. Background Prof. Tanle obtained his Bachelors degree from UCC in 1994 and his Master of Philosophy in 2003. He has been lecturing at the university since 2004. He was promoted to senior lecturer in 2009, to associate professor in 2014 and professor in 2018. His research interests are migration, livelihood and development, gender and migration and refugee studies and endogenous development. African diasporas urged to reconnect with their roots, influence development GNA Jul - 21 - 2023 , 14:41 Africans living in the diaspora have been urged to reconnect with their roots and influence development in their motherlands. They have also been advised to show keen interest in the economic, political, social and spiritual emancipation of Africa and Africans everywhere. Bishop Dr Charles Abban, President of the International Clergy Association (ICA), gave the advice during the launch of the International Convention of Africans in Diaspora (ICAD) Conference 2023, organised by ICA in collaboration with NACAG Travel and Tours, in Accra. The event would happen at four different locations; Chicago, USA-July 28 to 29, 2023; Maryland, USA August 4 to 5, 2023; New York, USAAugust 19, 2023, and Accra, Ghana- December 9 to 10, 2023, under the theme, The Truth Need to be Told. He said the Conference would bolster tourism and relations between the Diasporas and the African continent. The Bishop said it would also bring together Africans and African-Americans in the diaspora for a common goal of developing their Motherland- Africa, and consider Africa as their home. The conference is opened to Africans, Americans, and friends of Africans on the continent in the United States and around the world, who seek to bring about the true economic, political, social and spiritual emancipation of Africa and Africans everywhere, he said. He said among other activities, the Conference would organise a renaming ceremony for the participants and help to establish patent right for inventions made by Africans in the Diaspora. The Bishop urged the Ga Traditional Council to collaborate with the ICA to receive the diasporas. Nii Quao Donkor II, Asere Tsono Mantse, said: We on the other hand are eagerly expecting the diasporas to come and join us in Africa to participate in all we do here. In a speech read on his behalf, Mr Akwasi Awuah Ababio, Director of the Diaspora Affairs, Office of the President, said the mandate of the Office was to engage diasporas and help them regain their lost existence to foster economic, political and socio-cultural development. He said the Diaspora Affairs had successfully engaged many Africans in the diaspora to come home and contribute their quota to the development of the country. Mr Ababio said the various programmes put together by the Office had increased Ghanas remittances, making it the second most remitted country in Africa only after Nigeria. He said the Diaspora Affairs would continue to lobby for convenience and inclusive policies to build a long-term relationship with diasporas to the benefit of Ghanaians. Dr Hamet Maulana, President, Ministry of the Future, said Ghana and Africa needed the economic viability and skills of diasporas to positively impact the continent. He described Ghana as a special country, adding that, he would do everything in his power to make sure that his people scattered in the diaspora returned home. GNA Cleaner loses 4-bedroom house Justice Agbenorsi Jul - 21 - 2023 , 16:57 A cleaner and bakery owner, whose four-bedroom house at Mpehuasem in the Greater Accra Region was demolished, is seeking justice a year after the ordeal. Benson Osei Acheampong, who works at the University of Ghana, bought the 70 feet by 100 feet plot from the then Chief of Mpehuasem in Accra, Nii Sodjah Obodai, and secured an indenture for the land dated December 31, 2011. An indenture, which he showed to the Daily Graphic, confirms that Nii Obodai gave the land worth GH40,000 to Acheampong on behalf of the Sanshie Family of La in the Greater Accra Region. In 2015, Acheampong completed a four-bedroom apartment on the plot and moved into it with his wife, three children and three other family members. But all that came crumbling down on May 18, 2022, when his wife called him from work to rush home and that there was an emergency. Upon reaching home, Acheampong realised that his four-bedroom apartment had been razed to the ground without prior notice and without explanation. His bread dough mixer and roller and brick making machine were also destroyed as part of a demolition exercise, a situation which has brought the bread business to a halt. The remains of the machines were taken away by the demolition team, which allegedly included police officers and government officials. Narrating his ordeal to the Daily Graphic, Acheampong said he was only told that his structure was razed down because the land belonged to the government. A search result from the Lands Commission in Accra dated August 19, 2022, signed by an Assistant Lands Administration Officer, Collins Tetteh, on behalf of the Regional Lands Officer, disclosed that the land was not state land. Acheampong has since not been able to purchase his dough roller and mixer, which has a market value of GH50,000, and his brick making machine worth GH30,000. He is currently living on the benevolence of the University of Ghana branch of the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), which has offered him accommodation at the Legon Staff Village for a period of one year. Acheampong is racing against time at his current abode to reclaim his land and the compensation he seeks for the demolished building. He has petitioned the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service to reclaim the land which has now been fenced alongside other lands in the enclave. The Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, James Dadson, at a news conference in Accra on July 12 last year, told journalists that the land belonged to the state. Acheampong said his dream was to build a four-bedroom house and move in with his family in order to expand his bread baking business. Upon moving into the house, he procured a bread dough roller and mixer machine, commenced and expanded his bakery business which was fetching him a daily sales of GH2,700. Acheampong later bought a brick making machine with the proceeds from the bread business to start selling bricks to real estate developers in the neighbourhood. Those businesses, he said, were thriving until the disaster struck on May 18 last year. Chief In an interview, the current Chief of Mpehuasem, Nii Torgbor Obodai Ampaw IV, confirmed that his predecessor sold the land to Acheampong. He added that he had sued the Lands Commission at the court, and had secured an injunction to halt development on the land due to a claim by the Lands Commission that the lands were for the state. Collaborate with govt to increase hotel rooms - Tourism Minister to hoteliers Chris Nunoo Jul - 21 - 2023 , 13:30 The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Mohammed Ibrahim Awal, has urged players in the hospitality industry to collaborate with the government to increase hotel rooms in the country from 3,900 to 100,000 within the next decade. He said following the increasing number of visitors into the country, there was the need for the construction of more hotel rooms to accommodate them. I want to urge you all to ensure that within the next 10 years we put up additional 100,000 rooms in Budget to Five Star hotels for both domestic and international visitors. At the moment, the 3,900 rooms we have in the country is not enough, the minister added. Dr Awal was addressing the third National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Ghana Hotels Association (GHA) in Accra yesterday on the theme: Sustaining the hotel industry in Ghana post COVID-19. It was attended by stakeholders in the hospitality industry who deliberated on strategies to address challenges and also identify opportunities for growth. Preferred destination As one of 13 countries identified this year as best places to visit in the world, coupled with the fact that Ghana was among the Most Peaceful countries in West Africa with a good legal system and very friendly citizens, the minister said his outfit was also working to ensure the country became the centre of meetings and conferences in the sub- region. He gave the assurance that the government would continue to create the necessary environment to attract visitors and create jobs to improve on the lot of the people. Dr Awal further called on hoteliers to prioritise issues relating to the environment in which they operate, adding practise environmental tourism and also source products from local communities. Let us develop our culture, including music, so that when tourists come to our hotels, they would be entertained by our indigenous cultural troupes and local musicians to create experience for our visitors, he said. On the organisation of a forum on Public Private Partnership (PPP), the minister said that it would be convened for stakeholders next month. He said such a forum was necessary to enable players in the sector to address their differences and chart the way forward. Concerns The President of the GHA, Dr Edward Ernest Ackah-Nyamikeh Jnr, expressed concerns over the astronomical increase in utility bills which he said was affecting the growth of the industry. Dr Ackah-Nyamikeh also said that members of the association were yet to receive their share of the Tourism Development Fund and demanded that they were updated on the disbursement of the fund. He urged members to buy into the digitalisation drive of the government by conducting their operations online. The president also commended the government for the upgrade of the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and other tourist attraction sites in the country. For his part, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of GHA, Benjamin Afunya, said that members could transform bitterness of high taxes into recipe for success through determination and resilience. Ghana Post records GH6.173m loss in 2020 Daniel Kenu and Nana Konadu Agyeman Jul - 21 - 2023 , 05:41 Ghana Post recorded a loss of GH6.173 million in 2020, as against a profit of GH995,000 the company made the previous year. The loss was due to escalating operational cost which soared by 16 per cent, as well as general selling and administrative expenses that also increased by 20 per cent in 2020. This came to light when the Managing Director of the company (MD), Bice Osei Kuffour, and other management staff appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament in Accra yesterday to respond to some infractions flagged by the Auditor-General in its 2021 report on the company. Also in attendance were the Deputy MD, Kwaku Tabi Amponsah; General Manager, Finance and Accounting Control, Iddrisu Chinchanku; General Manager, Finance Management Accounting, Eric Awuah, and the General Manager of Audit and Compliance, Isaac Marmah. COVID-19 effect Mr Kuffour attributed the situation to the emergence of COVID-19 in the country in 2020. Our work as postal administrators involves movement of items outside and into the country. So when the country was hit with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, borders were shut and items that you could have easily moved with vehicles had to be moved with airlines and this created a lot of operational cost and revenue losses, he said. Mr Kuffour, however, said that their operations had since improved significantly, especially with the stability of the Cedi. Now, the situation is much, much better because we do not have the challenges we faced in 2020. If we do come here again (PAC) for 2021/2022, I am sure your committee will commend management of Ghana Post, he added. Unused lands On the question of unused lands of the company totalling 110 acres scattered across the country, the MD said that the company was taking the necessary steps to get title for the lands. In fact, we have already secured title for 48 out of the 110 acres, adding that the company had entered into an arrangement with a third party to register its lands at Lashibi, Airport and Bubuashie, all in Accra. He, however, said that their land at Dichemso in Kumasi had been encroached upon, and that the company was in the process of registering and developing the property in partnership with a potential investor. Scheme of service The Vice-Chairman of the committee, Samuel Atta Mills, cited the Auditor-Generals report that flagged the absence of a scheme of service within the company. He wondered why the board of the company had not helped to develop such a scheme to govern employees output. We further noted that the lack of scheme of service has resulted in a situation where some employees have been on a particular rank for more than 10 years, while others have been promoted more than three times within a period, what is going on? Mr Atta Mills enquired. In response, the MD agreed that the company did not have such a scheme, but said that the board commissioned a firm in 2019 to help develop a scheme for the company. As we speak now the final draft has been submitted to us and before the end of quarter three this year, we should have the scheme of service, he assured. Other institutions that also appeared before the committee were the Accra Digital Centre and the Data Protection Commission. Graphic donates to patient at Korle Bu Elizabeth Konadu-Boakye Jul - 21 - 2023 , 04:48 The Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) has donated GH25,000 to a 61-year-old patient at the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department of the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). The donation, done under the Graphic Needy Trust Fund, will cater for the full cost of surgery for Hayford Asante, who is now unable to swallow anything after accidentally drinking caustic soda. Objective The Corporate Communications Manager of GCGL, Emmanuel Agyei Arthur, who made the donation on behalf of the company, said it was part of the company's corporate social responsibility under the Trust Fund which had health as one of its focus. He said over the years the company had made several donations to some citizens who could not afford their medical bills, and that the main objective of the fund was simply to help needy citizens. "Mr Hayford Asante came to us for assistance to have this surgery done so that he can regain his strength and the company decided to step in and help because that is the objective of our needy fund," he said. Mr Arthur, who is also the Chairman for the Graphic Needy Trust Fund, said the company's hope was that the donation would help the patient and ensure his speedy recovery. He said citizens who were in need of the company's support could apply to the company so they could be helped. "We do not want people who can pay to come and take advantage of the fund because the aim is to help people who are truly in need, so once you apply to us, our trustee board will look into it and give a helping hand," he said. Cover The Head of the ENT Department at KBTH, Dr Kenneth Baidoo, said the donation would cover the bills of the patient who had been with them since 2021. He said the patient had already done an initial surgery which opened up his throat to some extent and that the surgery would enable doctors to fully open up his throat so he could feed through it. "The donation would cover the surgery which would enable Mr Asante, who now feeds through tubes in his stomach, to feed through the mouth and breathe properly and depending on how his body reacts, he should fully recover in a few months," he said. The wife of the patient, Charity Asante Kissiedu, thanked the management and staff of GCGL for the donation. "God bless you for coming to our aid and we pray God replenishes wherever this money came from," she said. High Court to rule on 'side chick' case involving 'sugar daddy' banker today GraphicOnline Jul - 21 - 2023 , 08:23 The High Court is set to deliver a ruling on the captivating case involving Deborah Seyram Adablah, the plaintiff, who has sued the chief finance officer of a bank, Ernest Kwasi Nimako, for allegedly breaching an agreement to take care of her. Deborah Seyram Adablah joined the bank, where Ernest Kwasi Nimako, worked to the suit. A ruling on whether or not the bank should be part of the suit is expected today in Accra. The last time the case was called in Court on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, Justice Olivia Obeng Owusu ordered Deborah Seyram Adablah to hand over a vehicle under dispute to the Registrar of the Court. The vehicle, a Honda Civic worth GH120,000, has been at the centre of the legal dispute, and the court decided to preserve it until the final determination of the case. The vehicle has since been retrieved from her house by the Court Registrar with assistance from the Police. Substantive case Deborah Seyram Adablah's suit, filed on Monday, January 23, 2023, alleges that Ernest Kwasi Nimako, whom she refers to as her "sugar daddy," made several promises to her. According to the plaintiff, Nimako agreed to buy her the car, pay for her accommodation for three years, provide a monthly stipend of GH3,000, marry her after divorcing his wife, and offer a lump sum to start a business. The plaintiff claims that although the car was initially registered in Nimako's name, he later took it back, depriving her of its use after just a year. Additionally, she asserts that Nimako paid for only one year of accommodation, despite promising to cover three years. The ruling by Justice Obeng Owusu also mandated Ernest Kwasi Nimako to submit all documents related to the disputed vehicle to the Registrar of the High Court. Furthermore, both the plaintiff and the defendant were directed to refrain from making any public statements on the matter via social or traditional media. The pending judgment will be eagerly awaited by both parties as it will determine the outcome of the case and address the allegations made by Deborah Seyram Adablah against Ernest Kwasi Nimako. The court's decision is expected to shed light on the agreement between the two individuals and its subsequent alleged breach. The case has drawn public interest due to the nature of the claims and the involvement of a prominent financial figure. As the legal process nears its conclusion, stakeholders in the matter are keenly following the developments in the High Court in Accra. Reliefs The plaintiff is seeking an order from the court directed at the sugar daddy to transfer the title of the car into her name, and also give her back the car. She is also asking the court to order the defendant to pay her the lump sum to enable her to start a business to take care of herself as agreed by the plaintiff and the defendant. Another relief is for the court to order the sugar daddy to pay the outstanding two years' accommodation as agreed between her and the defendant. Again, she wants the court to order the defendant to pay her medical expenses as a result of a side effect of a family planning treatment the defendant told her to do in order not to get pregnant. How househelps blew millions allegedly stolen from Cecilia Dapaah's home GraphicOnline Jul - 21 - 2023 , 10:58 Two house helps working for Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, and her husband, Mr. Daniel Osei Kuffour are facing charges at an Accra Circuit Court, for allegedly stealing monies and items worth millions of cedis from the couple's residence at Abelemkpe in Accra. The accused individuals, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, have been charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing. The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022. During this period, the house helps allegedly stole personal effects belonging to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, including assorted clothes valued at GH95,000, handbags, perfumes, and jewellery worth US$95,000. Additionally, Ms. Botwe is accused of stealing six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH90,000 and six sets of men's suits valued at US$3,000, which belong to the minister's husband. Furthermore, three other individuals, identified as Ms. Botwe's current and former boyfriends and her father, are also facing charges for allegedly being involved in the crime. They have been respectively charged with dishonestly receiving GH1 million, GH180,000, and GH50,000. According to court proceedings, the stolen monies and items belonged to Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, taken from their bedroom in their residence. The accused individuals were arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Susana Ekuful, on Thursday, July 20, 2023. However, their pleas have not been taken yet. The court granted bail to Sarah Agyei in the sum of GH1 million with two sureties. The sureties are required to deposit their Ghana cards with the court's registrar. The bail conditions are subject to review by the substantive judge, as Susana Ekuful was serving as a relief judge. On the other hand, Ms. Botwe, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, have been remanded into lawful custody. The complainants reported the theft case to the police in June 2023 after discovering the missing cash and personal effects. Ms. Botwe was caught red-handed entering the couple's room with a duplicate key, leading to her arrest. Further investigations revealed that Patience, with the help of her alleged accomplice Sarah, had hidden the stolen money and used it to purchase properties and expensive items. The case is adjourned to August 2, 2023, as the court continues its proceedings to determine the fate of the accused individuals. Brief facts According to the amended charge sheet and brief facts presented in court, Ms. Botwe, also known as Maabena, was a house help of the complainants, Daniel Osei Kuffour and his wife, Cecilia Abena Dapaah. The court heard that Ms. Agyei was also a former house help of the complainants. The complainants reported the case to the police in June of this year after detecting the theft of cash and their personal effects. Ms. Botwe was caught entering the couple's room with a duplicate key. Upon entering the room, Mr. Kuffour found Ms. Botwe hiding behind the door. After the incident, the complainants realized that some of their properties were missing. Ms. Botwe was arrested and released on police enquiry bail but went into hiding with her boyfriend, Benjamin, in Tamale. While in Tamale, they allegedly rented a 3-bedroom apartment and a store. Upon intelligence, the police arrested Ms. Botwe, leading to the retrieval of US$40,000 and GH72,619.70 from their apartment. Ms. Botwe allegedly used the stolen money to buy a 3-bedroom house, a double-decker refrigerator, a water dispenser, a television set, a washing machine, and a chest cooler, among other items. She also bought a Hyundai Elantra for Benjamin, who later sold it to purchase a Honda Civic. Ms. Botwe also gave her father GH50,000 and GH1 million to her ex-boyfriend, Malik. During interrogation, Ms. Botwe implicated Sarah as her accomplice. The case is set to continue on August 2, 2023. MP donates 3 projects to Oda communities Samuel Kyei-Boateng Jul - 20 - 2023 , 13:52 The Senior Presidential Advisor, Yaw Osafo-Maafo, has inaugurated three facilities at Akyem Oda, capital of the Birim Central Municipality in the Eastern Region. The facilities, all valued at GH2.2 million, are a six-classroom block with an office for the Akyem Oda Presbyterian Primary A and C schools, a 10-seater washroom for the Oda Presbyterian Cluster of schools and a modern Information Communication Technology laboratory for the Oda St Luke Roman Catholic Primary School. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, initiated the three projects with financial support from some corporate bodies. Amenities The primary school block and the ICT laboratory are currently connected to electricity and equipped with electric fans and furniture, while the ICT centre has in addition been provided with 10 desktop computers with accessories. In his address, Mr Osafo-Maafo commended the MP for his commitment to the progress of Oda through the development of education, and urged the affluent in society to complement efforts towards the development of the community. He expressed gratitude to the MP's development partners who financed the construction of the three projects. Maintenance Mr Osafo-Maafo enjoined the teachers, members of the Parent-Teacher Association and the Presbyterian Church to take proper care of the facilities through regular maintenance so that they would last long to serve future generations. He admonished the electorate to retain Mr Akwasi Acquah as their MP in the 2024 general election so that he would continue to bring more development projects to the municipality. The MP said he initiated the construction of the A and C Primary School block following an appeal by the former Headteacher of the school, Regina Osam Simpson, to him to reconstruct the facility after a rainstorm completely destroyed the old structure on April 5, 2021. Mr Akwasi Acquah named the new school block and the ICT laboratory after Mr Osafo-Maafo, the three-time MP for Oda, for his contribution to the development of the municipality. The Chairman of the Oda Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Rev. Raymond Baah Abekah, expressed gratitude to the MP and his development partners for the projects, and promised that the church would carry out regular maintenance on them. He also said the church would plant shade trees on the school compound to serve as wind breaks. Other dignitaries at the function were the Chief Executive of the Birim Central Municipal Assembly, Victoria Adu, and the Krontihene of Akyem Kotoku Traditional Area, Obrempong Gyamfi Saforo Kyereh. NAGRAT demands reinstatement of interdicted WASS Headmistress GraphicOnline Jul - 20 - 2023 , 18:19 The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) is calling for the immediate reinstatement of Dr. Shine Agatha Ofori, the interdicted headmistress of West Africa Senior High School (WASS). The Ghana Education Service (GES) took the decision to interdict Dr. Shine Agatha Ofori on allegations of collecting unauthorized fees from students. However, NAGRAT believes that this action reflects the wider challenges faced by senior high schools across the country. RELATED ARTICLE: WASS headmistress interdicted for allegedly collecting unauthorised money from students During a press conference today, Mr. Angel Carbonu, the president of NAGRAT, asserted that the headmistress did not commit any wrongdoing. Instead, he urged the government to focus on providing adequate financial resources to schools to enhance the overall quality of education. Mr. Carbonu accused the government of using the headmistress as a scapegoat and called on them to direct their efforts towards improving service delivery in schools nationwide. "The issue goes beyond West Africa Senior High School; it is a nationwide problem. Singling out headteachers in this manner is absolutely wrong and unacceptable," Mr. Carbonu stated. NAGRAT is urging the government to engage with stakeholders to review the Free SHS policy and address the rapid deterioration of schools. They appealed to the government to make pragmatic decisions in the interest of education and promptly reinstate Dr. Shine Agatha Ofori and any other headteachers facing similar situations. PETROSOL pays GH241.5m taxes to regulators Daily Graphic Jul - 21 - 2023 , 05:34 Petrosol Ghana Limited, a privately owned oil marketing company (OMC), paid almost GH241.5 million to the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation (BOST) in 2022. The amount covers petroleum taxes, levies and regulatory margins. The Head of Finance and Planning of PETROSOL, Lawrencia Himans, said that although the current economic challenges were adversely affecting the companys operations, it was committed to maintaining its ethical business practices by ensuring that it dutifully lived up to its tax and regulatory margins payment obligations to the state. She added that although the first half of 2023 continued to be challenging due to the prevailing economic challenges, the company had maintained its tax compliance record. Ms Himans said the company successfully paid all its petroleum taxes, levies and regulatory margin obligations of over GH170 million to state agencies. Adherence to standards The Chief Executive Officer of PETROSOL, Michael Bozumbil, said besides the companys tax compliance nature, it also adhered to regulations of NPA in terms of fuel stations infrastructure standards and health and safety requirements. He said the company was also meeting conditions of the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) as it delivered quality fuel in the right quantity to consumers through its licensed fuel stations across the country. Mr Bozumbil expressed appreciation to the companys customers for their loyalty to the brand over the years. He said a nationwide brand-health survey conducted early this year for the company by a reputable research firm showed growth in customer loyalty to the brand. The CEO said the management and staff would not rest on their oars but would continue to improve upon their operations to meet the needs of customers. He also expressed gratitude to the regulatory agencies, especially the National Petroleum Authority, for their support and cooperation. Mr Bozumbil urged state agencies to identify indigenous companies and provide them with the needed support to grow and contribute towards the development of the country. He said that the companys tax compliance was acknowledged last year by the Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Rev. Dr Amishaddai Owusu-Amoah, who congratulated them on their compliance. Besides meeting the requirements of the regulatory agencies in the country, Mr Bozumbil also said that the company had stepped up its compliance level and had received a triple international certification from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) for Quality Management; Occupational Health and Safety Management, and Environmental Management. With 120 fuel stations spread across the country, he said, the company was currently ranked among the top 10 Oil Marketing Companies (OMC) by the NPA. Supreme Court rules on BoG revocation of licences Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Jul - 21 - 2023 , 03:00 The Supreme Court has declared that the High Court can interrogate the revocation of licences of banks and specialised deposit-taking institutions, especially with regard to alleged breaches of fundamental human rights. The court held that Section 141 of the Banks and Special Deposit-taking Institutions Act, 2016 (Act 930), which stipulates arbitration as the means of seeking redress for those whose licences had been revoked by the Bank of Ghana (BoG), did not oust the jurisdiction of the High Court to also determine the propriety of the revocation. A five-member panel of the apex court unanimously made the decision last Wednesday when it reversed a ruling by the Court of Appeal which had maintained that an arbitration tribunal and not the High Court was the proper forum for seeking redress against a revocation of a licence by the BoG. Successful appeal The Supreme Court gave the decision after it upheld an appeal by Dr Papa Kwesi Nduom, the founder of the defunct GN Savings and Loans, who is challenging the revocation of GNs licence by the BoG in 2019. Dr Nduom and two entities connected to him dragged the BoG to the High Court with a human rights application, arguing that the revocation of the licence was unfair, unreasonable and, therefore, against their rights to administrative justice as enshrined under Article 23 of the 1992 Constitution. The BoG raised a preliminary legal objection challenging the jurisdiction of the High Court on the basis that per Section 141 of Act 930, the proper forum for seeking redress against a revocation of a licence by the central bank was an arbitration tribunal and not the High Court. The High Court dismissed the objection, prompting the BoG to file an appeal at the Court of Appeal. On June 2, last year, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal unanimously upheld the appeal by the BoG, and held that the High Court had no jurisdiction to entertain the action on the basis that Section 141 of Act 930 had categorically provided arbitration as the means of seeking redress. The court, therefore, halted the suit at the High Court and referred the dispute to the Ghana Arbitration Centre. Dr Nduom then appealed the Court of Appeals decision at the Supreme Court, which has proven successful. Delivering the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court, Justice Gabriel Pwamang stated that although Section 141 of Act 930 mentioned arbitration as the means of seeking redress against the revocation of a licence by the BoG, there was no explicit provision barring the courts from also delving into the same issue. A statute may create only one exclusive forum for redress when there is an express ouster of jurisdiction of other forums, but this is not the case with Act 930, Justice Pwamang held. He held that even if Act 930 ousted a courts jurisdiction in cases related to revocation of licence by the BoG, it would be unconstitutional for Act 930 to prevent the High Court from hearing an alleged human right violation in relation to the revocation of licence. The High Court, he said, per Article 141 of the 1992 Constitution, had the jurisdiction to enforce the fundamental human rights of people. In this regard, he said, it was within the rights of people who felt aggrieved over the alleged violation of their human rights to petition the High Court for the enforcement of their human rights as stipulated by Article 33 of the Constitution. The apex court dismissed an argument by the BoG, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal that the application by Dr Nduom was purely a challenge against the revocation of the licence which was deliberately couched as a human rights application. The Supreme Court held that whether or not the application was a human rights application was for the High Court to decide, and, therefore, it was premature for such a determination to be made at this point. Alternative ways It was also the considered view of the apex court that the law sometimes gave litigants alternative ways of seeking redress, and when such a situation arose, it was within the right of litigants to make a choice. For instance, the court said, a person aggrieved by a decision of the High Court could either file an appeal at the Court of Appeal or invoke the supervisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court for judicial review or even file both for redress. The appellants have alternative means of redress, which are all lawful and they chose redress under Article 33 of the 1992 Constitution for the enforcement of their fundamental human rights, Justice Pwamang held. Consequently, the court held that Dr Nduom had the right to file the human rights application, while the High Court was also right to have dismissed the objection challenging its jurisdiction to entertain the action. The Court of Appeal erred by preventing the High Court from enquiring into the complaints of the appellants, Justice Pwamang stated. Other members of the five member panel were Justices Mariama Owusu, Issifu Omoro Tanko Amadu, Barbara Ackah Yensu and George Kingsley Koomson. West African Genetic Medicine Centre donates 75 laptops to graduate students Jemima Okang Addae Jul - 21 - 2023 , 06:44 The West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC) has presented laptops to 75 graduate students of four medical schools in Accra. The laptops were donated as part of University of Ghana (UG) Vice-Chancellors One Student, One Laptop Initiative (1S1L), which seeks to provide laptops to needy, brilliant undergraduate and postgraduate students of the university. The ceremony formed part of activities to commemorate the universitys 75th anniversary celebration. The beneficiary schools included students from WAGMC, the University of Ghana Medical School, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences and School of Social Sciences. The Vice-Chancellor of University of Ghana, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, explained that the laptops would help the students to improve upon changes in education delivery and learning, while having access to resources to facilitate effective teaching, learning and research. She noted that it would also help to bridge their digital divide and enhance their technological skills development. Considering the era that we find ourselves in, these laptops would help to improve your tech skills. There is a lot of work that would require you to research deep into the night. And this will help you greatly, she said. Vision Prof. Amfo said the university had a vision to become a world-class research-intensive school. That, she said, would need research graduate students to play a critical role in realising that vision. She indicated that the initiative was previously for undergraduate students, but they were moving a step higher to target and award graduate students. Prof. Amfo advised the students to maintain the laptops and use them for their intended purposes. Goal The Director of WAGMC, Prof. Fiifi Ofori-Acquah said their Centres goal was to promote the quantity and quality of post graduate education in the sub region specializing in a specific area. He explained that, the 75 student beneficiaries came through an innovation project of the centre. That, he said the centre came out with a back to school fair where they encouraged students to sign up for new laptops especially those who could not afford one. We told them to sign up for a free laptop. Most of them thought we were kidding. Most of them did not sign up. It was latter when they went back home and decided to sign up on the Centres website, he said. Initiative The Chairperson of 1S1L Committee, Prof. Peter Quartey, said the laptop initiative came up at the height of the pandemic when the university realised a number of students had difficulties participating in online classes and related academic activities. He noted that partnerships with IT companies had been established to explore mechanisms and channels that would help to secure free laptops for students who could not afford them. He further said the university was pursuing a path of establishing an assembling plant on campus and to enter contractual agreements for acquisition to make the required number of laptops available for distribution. Mr Quartey, who is also the Director for Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER), said the laptops would not only go to needy students, but those who could afford at a discount. We are also working towards securing laptops in large quantities where it is going to be cheaper for students to afford them, he stated. He explained that a committee had been set up to distribute laptops to staff and students who qualified. He said a criterion had been established for students to apply for the laptops on the schools website. Unforgettable Avatime-Vane Alberto Mario Noretti Jul - 21 - 2023 , 07:11 The beautiful and serene town of Avatime-Vane (Vane for short) is the capital of the Avatime Traditional Area in the Ho West District of the Volta Region. The heavy and immaculately white blankets of fog at Vane in the morning, the captivating and changing cloud formations in the afternoon, tranquility and cold temperatures at night, and the surrounding and thrilling scenic beauty, make Vane an ideal place to visit all year round. Lying majestically in the heart of the Avatime Mountains with dense green vegetative cover and an autumnal temperature, Vane is a strikingly clean town with very friendly and well-educated people. Everyone at Vane speaks Avatime, Ewe and English and that polyglot status of the people is another asset for tourism promotion in Vane, the Osie (Paramount Chief) of Avatime, Adza Tekpor VII, said. According to Osie Tekpor, the people of Vane and the rest of Avatime migrated from Ahanta, together with their kinsmen who are now the people of Agotime in the Volta Region and Togo, in the 15th century. Their choice of Vane (meaning never forgetting) was based on their love for mountainous areas, which made them stop over at Kormantse-Abandze in the Central Region, the hilly area of Legon, and then to Tanyigbe, before their present place of abode. Giants On arrival in the Avatime enclave, the people of Vane met a tribe of giants who were known to kill their perceived enemies by severely squeezing and crushing their heads. But we used tactics and spirituality to subdue them, Osie Tekpor said. During a visit to the town on July 7, 2023, Osie Tekpor told the Daily Graphic that for many years, the people of Vane took advantage of the cold weather and the fertile nature of the slopes of the mountains to grow apples, grapes, passion fruits, Irish potatoes and various fruits in abundance, in addition to their cherished amu (brown rice). Later, the German missionaries also encouraged them to produce vegetables and other foodstuff, including cassava and yam, a trend maintained with utmost seriousness over the centuries, making Vane a food basket today. Avatime-Vane in the morning The strong influence of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana, since the middle of the 19th century is evident in the many scholars, doctors, judges, teachers, engineers, administrators, entrepreneurs, lawyers, journalists, financial analysts, minsters of religion, and university lectures of great substance Vane has produced for the country. In Vane also, every household has at least one decent toilet and so there is no such thing as open urination and defecation. Vane was identified as the cleanest town in Ghana 60 years ago, and we still do not need Zoomlion or any waste management group in Vane because we manage our own waste as part of our culture Osie Tekpor said. No crime, no malaria Clean Vane is also known as the town where there is no crime. According to Osie Tekpor, anyone who came to Vane to steal from the people or their farms was not likely to live long enough to enjoy the booty, even if he or she managed to flee the town. Mosquitoes do not thrive in cold weather, and so malaria is rare. The Osie said the few mosquitoes spotted in Vane and other parts of Avatime in recent times was the result of the activities of unscrupulous chain saw operators who cut trees covertly in the forests on the mountains. So, we have taken a firm stance to fight them ferociously and treat all those attacking our well-preserved environment as mass murderers, he warned. Some non-natives, mostly teachers who spoke with the Daily Graphic said the cold weather and heavy forest around Vane made the serene environment of Vane ideal for teaching and learning, and made Vane a preferred retirement home. A farmer, who only gave his name as Kodzo said Vane would even be more glorious if farmers were resourced to resume the cultivation of potatoes, grapes and apples on a commercial scale. CPP to empower women break psychological barriers Daily Graphic Politics Jul - 21 - 2023 , 06:21 The Chairperson of the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), Nana Akosua Frimpomaa, has stated that the party will roll out a strategy to empower women to break psychological and mental barriers. "Today's women must face challenges and bottlenecks to thrive under this current global dispensation," Nana Frimpomaa explained. She noted, "The way we see gender roles is formed and perpetuated by our interactions with our social environment. Our perceptions about these roles unconsciously influence how we value the contribution of individuals around us". The CPP Chairperson stated this at a stakeholder engagement organised by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) Tema Regional Office, which is a platform rolled out for state and non-state actors to address national issues. Speaking on the topic, "The Path of Women Entrepreneurs: Challenges and Prospects, Nana Frimpomaa who is also a CPP presidential hopeful, stressed that women had a lot of potential that could be harnessed to scale up national development. She explained that Articles 17 (1) and (2) of Ghana's 1992 Constitution guaranteed gender equality and freedom of women and men, girls and boys, from discrimination based on social or economic status, among others. She, therefore, urged women to pick up the tools and break the glass ceiling, stressing that efforts for gender equity would continue to be a mirage if "women failed to confront the issues. She, noted, however, that issues of concern included inequality in access to social protection for the marginalised, vulnerable and poor. "Inequalities in the burden of extreme poverty, education, skilled training gaps and excess maternal mortality. Unequal access to socio-economic power and justice, including lack of respect for and inadequate protection and promotion of women's human rights. "Inequalities between women and men in the sharing of power and decision-making at all levels, as well as dealing with all kinds of conflicts, insecurities, and threats against women, she said. Capable Nana Frimpomaa stated that the Ghanaian woman, when given the opportunity, could make lots of gains for the family and nation. According to her, women formed a large percentage of the population, saying that more women must endeavour to take up leadership roles to help fine-tune the needs of the public. Nana Frimpomaa also said it was time for women to learn to be entrepreneurs, stressing that only three per cent of the entire population were employed in government institutions, a situation she said could be remedied if people acquired skills to be self-reliant. GNA Forestry Commission hit by GH51m debt Daniel Kenu Politics Jul - 21 - 2023 , 06:30 The 2021 Auditor General's Report has cited the Forestry Commission (FC) for making a loss of GH 51 million mainly in the area of goods and services. The figure covered the cost of uniforms and equipment for the Youth in Afforestation Programme. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Commission, John Allotey, confirmed this before the Public Accounts committee of Parliament on Wednesday. The report also indicated that the youth in afforestation were being owed allowances over one year. The last payment for the youth was made in May last year. Payment of arrears Mr Allotey said the commission was making frantic efforts to pay the outstanding balance but that would be contingent on how early the Ministry of Finance released the funds. The Chairman of the Committee, Dr James Klutse Avedzi, asked the CEO what benefit Ghana was deriving from the programme. Mr Allotey said the youth helped to plant trees and protect the boundaries of the commission. The report said some companies that the commission had done business with had an outstanding debt of GH6.1 million to pay the commission . Responding, Mr Allotey said GH3.2 million had been collected from the companies, some of which were now defunct. Land commission The report also cited the Lands Commission for failing to obtain the title deeds from the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) for a GHS2 million residential property it acquired from it. But the Deputy Executive Secretary (Corporate Services) of the Lands Commission, Jones Ofori-Boadu, said a process had been initiated, and indeed was far advanced to get the necessary documentation. He assured the committee of getting the documents ready within the next three months. NPP presidential race: Ill be in best 5 Boakye Agyarko Samuel Duodu Politics Jul - 21 - 2023 , 06:15 A New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential hopeful, Boakye Agyarko, has expressed confidence that he will be among the best five aspirants to be selected by the delegates to contest the November 4, 2023 presidential primary. I am very confident that I will be in the group of five. I am very, very confident God willing. I am absolutely sure that I will be in the five, he said The NPP will on August 26, 2023 convene a special delegates conference to select five of the 10 candidates to contest the November 4, 2023 presidential primary. Per the partys constitution, if more than five aspirants qualify to contest the presidential primary, the party will convene a special electoral college to select five candidates for the final around. Vetting So far, the vetting committee of the party on July 12, 2023 cleared all the 10 presidential aspirants for the special Electoral College election. In an interview with Daily Graphic in Accra, Mr Agyarko said he was the only candidate that could help the party break an eight-year political cycle. He also called for a re-examination of the concept of the super delegate conference, I think that at the appropriate time, after this one we ought to take a very careful look at what gave rise to it, its necessity, its impact on cohesion of the party and all of that and review that position," he said. NPP best party Mr Agyarko, a former Minister of Energy, also underscored the importance of retaining the ruling NPP in power for the next decade. The NPP in my judgement is the only political party that represents the safest pair of hands to handle and manage the affairs of this country. The presidential hopeful further explained that for Ghana to make progress, the kind of ideological underpinning drivers to make that happen lay with the NPP. My wish is that the NPP must continue to stay in power for the next 40 to 60 years, he stressed. Leadership will Although Mr Agyarko acknowledged the challenges in the country, he said with a dynamic leadership and a united front the challenges would be a thing of the past. There are challenges ahead of us, I agree. If we as a party have the will to mobilise the nation properly behind policies and programmes, we can solve these matters, he stated. He added that It is going to call for leadership and total mobilisation of the country, not just the party. That is why there must be a dialogue of all the parties. "NPP and National Democratic Congress (NDC), we shout at ourselves but we are not enemies. We represent different point of view for developing this country. The real enemy is poverty not ourselves. So whichever political party brings forth the programmes and the policies to defeat poverty has won for this country, he said. "Scandalous!!" - Mahama reacts to theft of "millions" at Cecilia Dapaah's home GraphicOnline Politics Jul - 21 - 2023 , 11:59 Former President John Dramani Mahama, has responded to the news of a theft incident at the residence of Cecilia Abena Dapaah, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour at Abelemkpe in Accra. In a tweet, Mr. Mahama expressed his dismay, stating, "$1m + 300k and millions of GHS in a Ghanaian Minister's home? Scandalous!!" He questioned the decision to keep such substantial sums of money at home, even if they were acquired legitimately, and called into question whether President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would set a positive example for other public office holders in his administration. The incident involved two house helps, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei, who are facing charges for conspiring to commit a crime and five counts of stealing. The alleged thefts occurred between July and October 2022 and included personal belongings of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, such as clothing, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry worth US$95,000. Furthermore, Ms. Botwe is accused of stealing additional items, including six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH90,000 and six sets of men's suits valued at US$3,000, belonging to the minister's husband. In addition to the house helps, three other individuals, identified as Ms. Botwe's current and former boyfriends and her father, are also facing charges for allegedly being involved in the crime. They are respectively charged with dishonestly receiving GH1 million, GH180,000, and GH50,000. The accused were presented before the Accra Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Susana Ekuful, on Thursday, July 20, 2023, with Sarah Agyei granted bail of GH1 million with two sureties. However, Ms. Botwe, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, has been remanded into custody. The complainants reported the theft to the police in June after discovering the missing cash and personal effects. Patience Botwe was caught red-handed entering the couple's room with a duplicate key, leading to her arrest. Subsequent investigations revealed that Patience, along with Sarah's assistance, had used the stolen money to acquire properties and expensive items. The case is set to continue on August 2, 2023, as the court proceeds with its hearings to determine the fate of the accused individuals. The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a 850-million French measure to support ArcelorMittal France in partially decarbonizing its steel production processes. France notified the Commission of a 850-million measure to support ArcelorMittals project aimed to partially decarbonise its steel production in Dunkirk, where it operates three blast furnaces producing liquid hot metal from a mixture of iron ore, pellets, coke, coal and preheated air. It also operates three basic oxygen furnaces which convert the liquid hot metal into liquid steel. The aid will support the construction of a direct reduction plant (DRP) and two electric arc furnaces (EAF). The combined DRP/EAF installation will substitute two of the three existing blast furnaces and two of the three basic oxygen furnaces. Natural gas, initially used in the DRP, will gradually be phased out of the steel production processes. Ultimately, the new installation will operate using exclusively renewable or low-carbon hydrogen, biogas and electricity as energy inputs. Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of a direct grant paid out in four instalments during the construction period of the DRP/EAF installation planned between 2023 and 2026. The combined DRP/EAF installation is envisioned to start operating in 2026 and it is expected to produce 4 million tonnes of low-carbon liquid steel per year. Once completed, the project is expected to avoid the release of around 70 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over the 15-year lifetime of the project. ArcelorMittal has committed to share actively the experience and technical know-how gained through the project with industry and academia. Magna International will invest more than $790 million to build the first two supplier facilities at Fords BlueOval City supplier park in Stanton, Tennessee. In addition to the two West Tennessee locations, Magna will also build a stamping and assembly facility in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Fords on-site supplier park will allow for vertical integration that helps ensure efficient production at BlueOval City, which will be capable of producing 500,000 electric trucks a year at full production. Magna will supply Fords BlueOval City with battery enclosures, truck frames and seats for the automakers second-generation electric truck. Magnas two facilities at BlueOval City supplier park include a new 800,000-square-foot frame and battery enclosures facility and a 140,000-square-foot seating facility. The battery enclosures facility will join one of Magnas sister plants in Ontario, Canada, which is currently producing battery enclosures for the Ford F-150 Lightning. The seating facility will produce polyurethane foam, and assemble and sequence just-in-time (JIT) complete seats. Magna will employ approximately 750 employees at its battery enclosures facility and 300 employees at its new seating plant. In addition, Magna will construct a new 400,000-square-foot stamping and assembly plant at the Team Lawrence Commerce Park West, a Select Tennessee Certified Site in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, that will produce truck frames. Magna will employ roughly 250 employees at this location. Production at all three plants is scheduled to begin in 2025. Tennessee has made significant strides in electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing with investments from companies such as Magna. During Governor Lees administration, more than $14.8 billion has been invested in Tennessee and nearly 11,000 new jobs have been committed through EV-related projects. The EU Commission has granted state aid approval for German federal and state government funding of the tkH 2 Steel decarbonization project (earlier post) in a total amount of around 2 billion. This will take place via two interlinked funding instrumentsInitial Grant and Conditional Paymentthus underwriting and promoting the innovative plant technology and an early end to the use of natural gas. The aid will take the form of: (i) a direct grant of up to 550 million to help thyssenkrupp Steel Europe (tkSE) decarbonize its steel production, and (ii) a conditional payment mechanism of up to 1.45 billion to support tkSE accelerating the phase-in of renewable hydrogen in its steel production processes. The EU Commissions state aid approval enables the German government to release the financial assistance applied for. The concept is characterized in particular by its innovativeness and the extremely ambitious hydrogen ramp-up. On the one hand, this will quickly save a lot of CO 2 , and on the other hand, tkH 2 Steel will become a driver of the European hydrogen economy, tkSE said. Consequently, it will function as a sheet anchor for investments in the rapid development of a cross-border hydrogen infrastructure. thyssenkrupps own investment is just under 1 billion. The core of the tkH 2 Steel concept lies in the integration of a technologically new plant combination in Europes largest iron and steel plant. The 100% hydrogen-capable direct reduction (DR) plant with two melters has a production capacity of 2.5 million metric tons of directly reduced iron per year (making for 2.3 million metric tons of hot metal). It is the first plant combination of its kind in the world with this technological concept, tkSE said. The direct grant will support the construction and installation of the direct reduction plant and two melting units in Duisburg, which will replace an existing blast furnace. Natural gas, initially used for the operation of the new direct reduction plant, will be gradually phased out and, as of 2037, the plant will be operated using only renewable hydrogen. The new installations are envisioned to start operating in 2026 and are expected to produce 2.3 million tonnes of hot metal per year with reduced CO 2 footprint, which will substitute an equal quantity of hot metal currently produced through the conventional blast furnace route. Once completed, the project is expected to avoid the release of more than 58 million tonnes of carbon dioxide over the project lifetime. tkSE has committed to share actively the technical know-how gained through the project with industry and academia. The conditional payment mechanism will cover, during the first ten years of operation of the new direct reduction plant, the additional costs of procuring and using renewable hydrogen instead of low-carbon hydrogen. The application of the conditional payment mechanism is subject to yearly verifications by an independent expert on the actual volumes and price paid for the renewable hydrogen consumed. tkSE will organize a competitive tendering process to select hydrogen suppliers, which the German authorities will monitor. Since an early start of the works had already been approved, thyssenkrupp Steel commissioned the SMS group from Dusseldorf with the engineering, supply and construction of the direct reduction plant, as well as the two melters and associated secondary units at the Duisburg location at the beginning of the year. The detailed planning and preparatory construction measures are already correspondingly advanced. City considers potential uses for downtown depot The historic Union Pacific train depot in downtown Green River usually stands empty, apart from the pigeons that have found their way in. But on Tuesday afternoon the doors were opened and community members and local government leaders gathered inside to dream about a future where the building is once again full and active. People wandered through the large brick building, looking into the various rooms, even climbing the stairs and using cell phone flashlights to look through the old office space on the second level. They also took time to write their own ideas for the building's future on sticky notes and share them on a large poster board. Ideas for the depot included a brewery or restaurant, an event center and rental space, various kinds of museums, a youth center, an indoor marketplace or farmers' market, an indoor recreation space, room for offices and small businesses, and more. Over 100 people stopped by the open house, which was hosted by the city of Green River and the groups that are helping the city evaluate options for the building's future, including the Environmental Protection Agency and Vita Nuova. Elaine Richardson, the Vita Nuova Vice President, explained that the company's name means "new life" - "which is what we try and bring to these buildings. That's what we do," she said. "We are specialists in redeveloping brownfields properties." Richardson, along with Vita Nuova VP of Community Development Nicole Henderson and EPA Brownfields Project Manager Ted Lanzano, not only met with the public to discuss the building during the open house, but also presented more information on the building's potential to the Green River City Council during a workshop before Tuesday night's council meeting. To begin the workshop, City Public Affairs and Grants Manager Ryan Rust explained that it was a little over a year ago when he first heard about the EPA's Land Revitalization Technical Assistance program, which provides support in developing former brownfield sites. From there he started working with Lanzano and Vita Nuova to look into what reusing the depot could look like. Lanzano explained the assistance program is designed "to help communities reuse challenging properties like the depot so they can be put back into productive use." Henderson gave the city council members an overview of the building's needs and funding opportunities. While a grant was previously used to clean up the building in 2018 and get out contaminants like asbestos and lead paint, other contamination and damage has occurred in the five years since then. A report done at the beginning of this year, The Historic Green River Depot Building Envelope Assessment, identified urgent issues that need to be addressed and noted that without making changes the depot "will remain at risk for further degradation from weather." Henderson explained that the building will need significant repairs and upgrades in order to be fit for use by tenants. These upgrades include things like meeting health and safety and general code guidelines as well as adding utilities and features for ADA compliance. Henderson also noted that since the building is a recognized historic site, the city will have to work together with the State Historic Preservation Office on things like exterior finishes and preservation standards. Despite the updates that are needed, Henderson said the depot is a great building that has "good bones" and provides a lot of space. The total floor area available is almost 22,000 square feet, and the building could provide multiple uses for multiple tenants. While Henderson admitted that bringing the depot back into use "has a very large price tag," she said there are multiple opportunities for funding available. Some of the potential initial funding could come from sources like Federal Historic Tax Credits, The US Department of Agriculture, the Wyoming Business Council, the Office of State Lands and Investments, and other similar agencies. Henderson also pointed out there could be different funding opportunities at different stages, or ways to use funds to offset other city projects in order to shift other funds toward the depot. Richardson also noted that for the sake of both funding and organization, the project could eventually look for a "future champion," either an organization or individuals to lead the charge. She explained this could be a nonprofit, which could help in applying for grants, or it could be individual volunteers or something like a steering committee. Before the project gets to that phase, however, Richardson pointed out that one of the next steps is for the city to work with Union Pacific. While the city owns the depot building as it was donated, it is on land that is owned by Union Pacific and leased to the city. The city is currently 10 years in to a 30-year lease. There's also a term that says UP can withdraw the lease within 30 days notice at any time. While this is common in UP leases, Henderson explained, it can make it hard for sub-tenants who could use the building to get financing. Henderson recommended city officials have conversations with UP to see if the lease can be re-negotiated. She also noted that she's known UP to give 100 year leases and to support community projects, but for things like that to happen, the conversation has to be started. Star photo by Hannah Romero People got to explore the historic depot building during the open house. While getting the depot to the point that it can be used will take time and money, the Vita Nuova representatives noted they've seen projects like this happen across the country, especially when they have strong community support, and the support already present in Green River blew them away. "We did not come in expecting the kind of enthusiasm and attendance that we had today and that is so great to see," Richardson added. "Embrace that. There's always going to be a lot of different ideas. But you've got a community that wants to do something, wants some action, and they're interested in this. That's great." Mayor Pete Rust also noted the positive environment at the open house and the number of community leaders who were present and enthusiastic about the potential resource. "I've never seen such a number of enthusiastic people," Rust said. Wyoming's largest electric utility, Rocky Mountain Power, wants to hike prices by nearly 22%, a request that's primarily driven by volatile natural gas and coal markets, according to the company. It's the largest rate increase request the regulated-monopoly utility has made in more than a decade, and it would result in an additional $16.42 per month for the average household customer, according to the company. A hearing on the matter, including an opportunity for public comment, will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the City Council Chambers in Rock Springs. The hearing will also be live streamed. The proposed rate hike faces scrutiny from the Sierra Club Wyoming Chapter, Walmart, the Wyoming Office of Consumer Advocate and an industry group - all intervenors in RMP's rate request. Though it hasn't filed as an intervenor, AARP Wyoming requested the public hearing scheduled for next week. "We feel like [the proposed rate increase is] a little bit speculative," AARP Wyoming Director Sam Shumway said. "We think this is higher than they actually need. The 21.6% is just astronomical." If approved as proposed, the new rates - which vary between residential, business, agricultural and industrial customers - would take effect January 1, 2024. The increase would generate an extra $140.2 million per year for RMP, which is part of the larger northwest power company PacifiCorp. RMP's rate case Approximately 97% of the annual $140.2 million increase that RMP wants to capture from Wyoming customers is "related to resetting the new base for the Energy Cost Adjustment Mechanism," according to written testimony by Joelle R. Steward, RMP's senior vice president of Regulation and Customer/Community Solutions. The ECAM is a formula to true-up the difference between forecasted fuel costs and actual costs for commodities such as natural gas and coal used to generate electricity. Since 2020, "net power costs have been climbing annually at unprecedented levels," Steward said, "driven by increases in regional market prices and fuel costs as well as new state and federal environmental compliance requirements." Historically, regulated utilities have split the risk of fuel cost adjustments with their customers in what's referred to as a "cost sharing band." In recent years, RMP was responsible for 20% of fuel-cost overruns while its Wyoming customers picked up 80%. In its current request, RMP wants to eliminate the cost sharing band to make Wyoming customers accountable for 100% of fuel cost overruns. The company wants to ensure its profitability in Wyoming. Without the annual $140.2 million rate increase, RMP's rate of return would be 1.32% - far below the maximum 9.5% currently allowed by the Wyoming Public Service Commission, the company said. RMP is currently proposing a maximum rate of return of 10.3%. "[RMP] understands the impact that a rate increase has on its customers and the company is taking long-term actions that continue to position the company as a least-cost, least-risk utility through this changing energy landscape," Steward said. Separately, RMP has asked the Wyoming Public Service Commission for a limited-time rate increase to cover $50.3 million in unexpected fuel costs and wholesale power purchases as the result of heat waves, extreme weather and drought in 2022. That request is still pending. Regulators granted the company a 3.8% energy cost adjustment totalling $23.6 million in 2022, citing extreme weather events in 2021. Fossil fuel risk Though PacifiCorp plans to gradually eliminate coal and add more sources of renewable and low-carbon energy to its power generation portfolio, the company is still exposed to wild commodity swings in fossil fuels. The company has known the risks of relying on fossil fuels for a long time, and it shouldn't be allowed to completely shift that risk to its customers, Sierra Club Wyoming Chapter organizer Rob Joyce said. "The company is basically saying they can no longer accurately predict these markets for things like coal and natural gas," Joyce said. Equally worrisome, Joyce said, is the fact that the company plans to add more natural gas to its energy mix. Several of the coal units it plans to decommission will be converted to natural gas. RMP essentially operates as a regulated monopoly. Wyoming customers don't get to choose their electricity provider. It's unfair, Joyce said, for that monopoly to saddle its customers with 100% of the fossil fuel market volatility risk when customers have little influence in how the company structures its energy portfolio. "We feel it's important to intervene and for folks to be engaged in these rate cases and the integrated resource planning that the company is going through currently," Joyce said. An extra $16.42 per month for the average household is a big deal for many residents in the state, AARP Wyoming's Shumway said. "The reality is, as many of our members live on fixed incomes, that's a chunk of change," Shumway said. "That's an extra $200 a year that somebody is going to have to come up with in addition to what they're already paying for their utilities. "Whatever the rate increase is," Shumway added, "we just want to make sure it's fair and reasonable and not a dime more than they need." WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy. Dewey E. Corhn, 74, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Saturday, July 8, 2023 at his home. He was a 71-year resident of Rock Springs, Wyoming and former resident of Rosiclare, Illinois. He was born November 3, 1948 in Rosiclare, Illinois; the son of Randolph Corhn and Helen Arlene Shaw. Mr. Corhn attended schools in Rock Springs, Wyoming and he was a 1969 graduate of Rock Springs High School. He married Susan Diehl October 20, 1967 in Rock Springs, Wyoming; and she preceded him in death in 2014. Mr. Corhn was a United States Army Veteran having served in Vietnam. He worked for FMC Corporation for 35 years and retired in 2006 as a Crew Coordinator. Dewey enjoyed spending time with his family; hunting; side by side rides and being in the great outdoors. He enjoyed teaching children about Native American History. Survivors include his very special friend, Eva Bingman of Rock Springs, Wyoming; one son, Gary Corhn of Rock Springs, Wyoming; one sister, Peggy Lund of Rock Springs, Wyoming; several cousins; three nieces and one nephew. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Susan Corhn; one son, David Corhn and one brother, Barry Corhn. Cremation will take place; a Graveside Service with Military Honors will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Friday, July 21, 2023 at the Rock Springs Municipal Cemetery. The family respectfully requests donations be made in Dewey's name to the Abundant Grace Ministries, 1515 Edgar Street, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901. Condolences may be left at http://www.vasefuneralhomes.com. Netflix increased its revenue, profit, and number of paying subscribers, according to the companys latest quarterly report. All the numbers are higher than the forecasts, beating all expectations by analysts. The streaming platform began with paid sharing (the official name of the crackdown on account sharing) in the United States and brought 5.8 million new paying subscribers. Netflix confirmed it is planning to address the issue in almost all of our remaining countries. The 15-page report revealed the cancel reaction was low among users who suddenly were locked out of their friends accounts. Netflix also ditched the Basic plan in the US, which was the cheapest ad-free solution that costs $9.99 in the US (9.99 in the UK, 9.99 in the EU). Instead, new and returning users should head to the $6.99 Standard with Ads, $15.49 Standard or $19.99 Premium. Basic is now available only to users who are still on the plan but will lose the chance to keep it once they eventually transfer to another one. The company was also pretty transparent that it is not relying on ads for revenue, at least not for now. It is still developing the ads business and is working with Nielsen and EDO to improve measurement and innovate for advertisers to make its ad service more welcoming to companies willing to invest in the new solution. Source Hafa Adai, Since my arrival in Guam on April 25 this year to assume my post as the Consul-General of Japan, I have been looking forward to attending the annual Liberation Memorial Ceremonies in the villages, and to meeting as many of the War Survivors as possible to express my condolences for their hardships during the War. However, with the recovery efforts after Typhoon Mawar still ongoing, I hear that the 79th Liberation Memorial Ceremonies in the villages will not take place as originally announced in May. As I witnessed how Typhoon Mawar damaged the Island, I truly admire the resilience of the people who have been working hard despite many days, even weeks, without power, water, phone line and internet at home, for the recovery of the Island. I respect Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio for their outstanding leadership and guidance with the recovery efforts during the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar, which fortunately resulted with no major injuries or deaths from the typhoon. I also respect the Mayors of the villages for leading the recovery efforts within their individual villages, and I can imagine how difficult it would be for the Mayors to be tasked to host the Liberation festivities at the same time. On behalf of Japan, I would be honored to attend the Memorial Ceremony on July 21, instead of visiting the villages as in usual years. I still would like to express my deepest respect to all the people of Guam in all villages and the military, who made the utmost sacrifice 79 years ago. On June 28, I was fortunate to be invited to attend the War Survivor Remembrance Day event organized by the Guam Legislature, as part of the celebration of the 79th Anniversary of Guams Liberation. The Government of Guam Proclamation and the Legislative Resolution were read out and presented to some of the War Survivors in attendance. Even though both the Proclamation and the Resolution recognize and remember the survivors of Guams wartime monstrosities during the Japanese occupation, I appreciate the attendees at the event treated me with highest respect. I was also deeply touched by one of the younger war survivors, who was present to recount the hardships endured by her parents, when she said her mother was saying War is War. You do what you need to do. I dont hold ill will towards Japanese. Its just something that happened, and you have to move on. I felt; this is the spirit of Guam, the society of Inafamaolek. This is the meaning of peace. The 79th Liberation Day Theme Our Journey Towards Peace I Hinanao-ta Para ta Fanmatto gi Minahgong is so fitting. As we pay homage to all who suffered pain and sacrificed themselves during the wartime, the thoughts and prayers of the Japanese community are always with you. As you say, we forgive, but we never forget. I would say, Of course. We will never forget. In closing, as the island has just emerged from the pandemic and Typhoon Mawar, let us continue to work together on our journey towards peace. I look forward to strengthening further our existing strong and friendly Japan and Guam relationship. Un Dangkolo Na Si Yuos Maase. Thank you very much. Twenty-two individuals were arrested by Chinese law enforcement, specifically the Bincheng Police Department, for their involvement in a fraudulent graphics card operation. The evidence and details of this operation were publicly shared on social media platforms, with seven main suspects being detailed in the reports. The operation involved the acquisition of older, used graphics cards that were then cleaned, re-packaged, and resold as brand new. The operation's structure indicated a high degree of organization with individual roles assigned to different stages of the process. One group was responsible for procuring the used graphics cards, another would clean and test the components, a third team would handle repackaging and rebranding, and finally, a sales team was responsible for distribution. This operation yielded goods valued at more than 15 million Chinese Yuan, or approximately $2 million USD, according to estimates. Although refurbishing and reselling used graphics cards can be a legal business operation, the group's fraudulent practices led to their apprehension and subsequent legal penalties. In light of the growing popularity of cryptocurrencies, purchasing second-hand graphics cards has become a risky endeavor. Numerous powerful graphics cards, some of which have been used for Ethereum mining less than a year ago, are now on the market. The past heavy use and potential improper handling of these cards, such as jet washing or selling them by weight, can make them more prone to malfunction than new stock. The purchase of these refurbished items also comes without the manufacturer's warranty, despite the false promises of renewed packaging. This underscores the need for buyer vigilance in the used goods market, specifically verifying the authenticity and condition of such products. Haiti - News : Zapping... Me Lucnas Etienne placed on leave without pay The Ministry of Justice has placed on leave without pay Me Lucnas Etienne, deputy of the Government Commissioner of Port-au-Prince for having released, without a court decision, the defendant Bonnet Vanol whose file is in the cabinet of instruction. Faculty of Agronomy : 6th edition of its scientific day The Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine announces for this Friday, July 21 the 6th edition of its scientific day which will take place around the theme : "Haitian agriculture between weakness of the production apparatus and vulnerability to climate change, what strategy for the next decade ?" Sunrise Airways : New schedules to Panama Sunrise Airways informs of new departure flight schedules for Panama on Wednesdays and Saturdays: Port-au-Prince - Panama : Departure 12:15 Arrival 13:45 Panama - Port-au-Prince : Departure 2:45 PM Arrival 5:45 PM Pierre-Louis Opont, more than 30 days in captivity More than 30 days after his kidnapping near his home in Tabarre, Pierre-Louis Opont https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39831-haiti-news-zapping.html has still not been released by his captors. In a pre-recorded message, his sister Marie Justine Opont, who had already been kidnapped, appealed to the kidnappers for compassion in order to free her brother. Did you know ? Haiti is home to 35 species of endemic birds, that is to say which are found nowhere else in the world? Haiti is also home to 180 native species of reptiles and amphibians, nearly 70 of which are found only in Haiti. It is our collective responsibility to protect these endemic species to avoid their extinction. Sunrise Airways has chosen to actively support this mission as a privileged partner of "Haiti National Trust and Societe Audubon Haiti" to contribute to the protection of Haitian biodiversity for future generations. Mosquito nets : Training of Trainers The United Nations Development Program (UNDP-Haiti) and the Ministry of Public Health co-organized a 2-day training of trainers on the logistical aspects and programmatic collection tools of the mosquito net distribution campaign as part of the Malaria Program funded by "The Global Fund". This activity aims to train participants on the tools for stock management, waste and distribution of mosquito nets and also to create a pool of trainers capable of replicating the training at the departmental, communal and communal section levels. HL/ HaitiLibre Published on 2023/07/20 | Source Jeon Yeo-been unveiled the behind-the-scenes cut of the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards. Advertisement Twenty days ago, Jeon Yeo-been posted several photos on her Instagram with the caption, "#Blue Dragon Series Awards #Glitch". In the picture, Jeon Yeo-been is showing off her elegant appearance by wearing a colorful dress suitable for the award ceremony. In addition, Jeon Yeo-been showed off her tall height and slim proportion, creating a unique atmosphere. Meanwhile, Jeon Yeo-been played the role of Joon-hee in Netflix's "A Time Called You" which is scheduled to be released in 2023. This work is drawing attention by remaking Taiwan's hit drama "Sang Gyeon-ni" into a Korean version. She was also nominated for the Best Actress Award for Netflix's "Glitch" on the 19th and attended the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards. Published on 2023/07/20 | Source Actor Kim Dong-wook has successfully completed two dramas that aired at the same time, solidifying his position as a 'trustworthy actor'. Advertisement Kim Dong-wook played Yoon Hae-joon, who digs into the truth of the Woojeong-ri serial murder in 1987 on KBS 2TV's "My Perfect Stranger", and Han Moo-yeong, a lawyer who overindulges other people's emotions in "Delightfully Deceitful", proudly rising to the throne of Monday-Tuesday drama. First of all, KBS 2TV's "My Perfect Stranger" continued its heavy presence at the center of the drama by presenting a variety of acting depending on the situation changing from time to time regardless of genre. In order to catch the real culprit of the Woojeong-ri serial murder case, he showed persistence, adding to the tension until the end of the drama. In addition, Hae-joon and Yoon-yeong (Jin Ki-joo) relied on each other in an unfamiliar environment and developed a loving heart, even showing a sweet romance, making viewers excited. In tvN's "Delightfully Deceitful", he silently played the role of a charismatic leader who leads the red-neck kid and a helper to Lee Ro-woom (Chun Woo-hee), drawing attention by playing a central key player in the drama. In particular, at the end of the drama, he stood by Lee Ro-woom who was arrested and interrogated for murdering Jang Kyeong-ja (Lee Tae-ran), acting as the savior of loneliness in repeated crises and chaos, causing sadness and emotion. "My Perfect Stranger" began airing first, and about a month later, "Delightfully Deceitful" began airing. Although there were concerns over the overlapping broadcast period of the two works, Kim Dong-wook was praised by viewers for perfecting the characters of the two dramas with his unique acting. Published on 2023/07/20 | Source Actor Lee Dong-hwi expressed his feelings about winning the Best Supporting Actor Award at the 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards. Advertisement On July 20th, Lee Dong-hwi posted on his Instagram, "First of all, I would like to express my condolences to those who have been affected by the heavy rain across the country. In the meantime, I feel really heavy to deliver the news", he confessed. "I thought it was the happiest moment of my life just to work with Choi Min-sik, but there have been more than once when I was embarrassed while acting in front of him. He said, "I sincerely give him all the honor because it was all achieved thanks to him". He also mentioned actor Na Chul, who passed away in January, saying, "I want to share this joy with Na Chul, who I never got a chance to say goodbye to, but will be celebrating with me in the heavens". At the same time, Lee Dong-hwi showed respect by releasing several photos taken with Choi Min-sik. Meanwhile, Choi Min-sik and Lee Dong-hwi performed enthusiastically in the Disney+ drama "Big Bet". Published on 2023/07/21 | Source New stills added for the upcoming Korean movie "A Man of Reason" (2021) Advertisement 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 The daily newspaper reported earlier this month that the number of assaults believed to have been committed by under 15-year-olds increased by 58 per cent and robberies by 60 per cent year-on-year between January and June. ASSAULTS and robberies committed by children have increased in recent years in Finland, according to Helsingin Sanomat. An alarming trend is continuing, said Markus Kaakinen, a researcher at the University of Helsinkis Institute of Criminology and Legal Policy. Police statistics reveal that under 15-year-olds were suspected of more than 1,100 assaults during the first six months of the year, a total that corresponds with a daily average of six. The change from previous years is substantial, with the daily average standing at less than four in 2022 and less than two in 2015. Assaults and robberies that are believed to have been committed by 1517-year-olds also increased but not to the extent of those by under 15-year-olds. The topic of gang and youth violence has been the subject of widespread public debate in recent years and is discussed at some length in the government programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP). The government intends to draft a broad-based action plan by the end of the year that puts an end to the adverse development. Kaakinen told Helsingin Sanomat that crimes are still being committed by only a small number of children. For example, the number of crimes per person has probably increased in the most active groups. Similarly, assaults are linked more often than before to other crimes. Theres something concerning about this day and age, he said. Similar observations have been made by police. Most children and youth behave better than previous generations. Also the use of substances has generally increased. Problems are piling up for a small number of youth, however. Some of them are already in a bad substance and institutional cycle when they have their first run-in with police, said Jussi Huhtela, a superintendent at Eastern Uusimaa Police Department. Both Huhtela and Kaakinen estimated that the actual increase in assaults by children may not be as sharp as statistics indicate because of a higher tendency to report such incidents. Im sure that the tendency to report assaults committed by under 15-year-olds has increased in recent years. Schools, for instance, are more prone to contacting the police if a pupil strikes a teacher. Its of course good that criminal complaints are filed, stated Huhtela. The reporting tendency does not explain the increase in its entirety, though. The increase in the number of robberies isnt explained by anything else than the fact that robberies have actually increased, he remarked. Helsingin Sanomat reported on the topic based on statistics requested from the National Police Board. Aleksi Teivainen HT The party leadership concurs with the position adopted last week by the parliamentary group and notes that the situation has not changed. Discussions will continue between the four chairpersons of the ruling parties, Minister of Education Anna-Maja Henriksson (SFP) stated in a terse press release . THE LEADERSHIP of the Swedish Peoples Party convened yesterday to discuss the problems faced by the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Petteri Orpo (NCP). The meeting was organised to provide the party leadership information about the government in order to make sure it does not have to rely exclusively on media reporting. The purpose was not to make any decisions on whether or not to leave the ruling coalition that remains divided over the racist statements made by Minister of Finance Riikka Purra (PS). The Swedish Peoples Parliamentary Group expressed its serious concern with the governments ability to function last week, following the re-surfacing of a blog post from 2019 in which Purra described women wearing burkas as black sacks. Purra, the group argued, also seemed to walk back the apology she issued for a series of earlier comments on Twitter. Minister [] Purras update on Twitter on Thursday evening raises questions about her recent apology, reads a press release issued by the group on Thursday, 14 July. The concerns were articulated last week also by Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Anders Adlercreutz (SFP): The way in which she communicated her apology eroded our confidence in the apology being genuine. Or that she genuinely recognised the effects of her statements on society, he wrote in his blog. Adlercreutz pointed to Purra arguing that opponents have already taken aim, as expected, at the direct, unpolished speech, immigration criticism and necessary measures employed by the Finns Party. As surely as people continue and will continue to point to mistakes by the Finns Party, the Finns Party will continue on the path for which we have a clear mandate. If that bothers other parties too much, it isnt our problem, tweeted Purra. Members of the Swedish Peoples Party stated to YLE earlier this week that the situation remains challenging, expressing their hope that the government take swifter action to tackle its problems. I think were very close to there being no other choice than to leave the government, Hanna Lonnfors, the chairperson of the Swedish Peoples Party in Uusimaa, commented to the public broadcasting company on Monday. Risto Artjoki, the state secretary to Orpo, told Helsingin Sanomat on Monday that the government will set up a task force to draft a statement on its measures to promote equality. The task force will begin its work after the summer holiday in early August, with a view to presenting the statement once the parliament commences its autumn term. Aleksi Teivainen HT Barnwell honored as national Apple Grower of the Year EDNEYVILLE Kenny Barnwell, a sixth generation apple grower and passionate advocate for his fellow farmers, has been named American Fruit Grower 2023 Apple Grower of the Year. A feature in American Fruit Grower magazine covers Barnwell family background in Edneyville. My grandparents on both sides grew apples, but my mother and father were educators," he said in an interview. "When I went to college, the last thing on my mind was becoming an apple grower. I came back and didnt really hunt for a job that hard. I started helping in the family business. My uncle had taken over what my grandfather had done, and I kind of grew into it. Most of the article focuses not directly on apple farming but on how Barnwell has aggressively lobbied for his industry's interest in economics, disaster relief, research, import-export issues, labor in Washington and Raleigh. As legislators in the state capital and county commissioners here began to tune in to the threat to farmland from development, Barnwell has been in the thick of it. The Fruit Grower article's headline calls him "a great defender" of apple growers and all farmers. We need to make sure we protect our farmland. We need to work on protecting specialty crops a little more than were doing now, he says in the interview. Two years ago we became a net importer of specialty crops for the first time in the history of the United States. Wouldnt you rather have something that is grown in the United States? The land in Henderson County is very pricey. All these people have figured it out, Barnwell continues. They come from New York and Chicago, where they sold all their high-dollar houses there. They go to Florida and buy a condo there and decide its too hot, and hurricane season comes, and they come back up to Henderson County. Weve had that tradition forever. Barnwell will travel to Chicago in August to accept his 2023 Apple Grower of the Year Award, sponsored by Valent USA, during the U.S. Apple Associations annual Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference. Mark Williams, director AgHC, the county's farm advocating nonprofit, nominated Barnwell for the award. He had already received the regional apple grower of the year from the magazine earlier this year. Several factors have led to the incredible popularity Istanbul now enjoys as the capital of hair transplant surgeries. One of those factors is the number of highly skilled professionals who have been in the industry for years or decades. Another vital factor is the low price these hair clinics in Turkey charge for high-quality hair transplants and all-around experiences. When these experts are concerned, hair loss isnt a problem, and theyll go above and beyond to provide you with the ultimate experience and make your hair restoration journey as pleasant as possible, which is another reason theyre so popular. Experts at Smile Hair Clinic Located on the 7th floor of a well-designed and gorgeous building in East Istanbuls financial district, the high-tech Smile Hair Clinic is home to around a hundred employees. It was created in 2018 by Dr. M. Erdogan and Dr. G. Bilgin, and ever since then, it has been a top choice for many suffering from hair loss. These two expert hair transplant surgeons and their hundred staff members have changed lives in the past five years. The two established doctors and their other colleagues have decades of combined experience in hair transplant surgeries and are always looking to improve their techniques, results, and patient experience. Why is Smile Hair Clinic an excellent choice? Generally, hair transplant in Turkey are an excellent idea, but Smile Hair Clinic takes it a step further. Its not the cheapest option in Turkey since these prices range between 2,000 to 8,000. Still, as far as prices go, its on the low end, making it an excellent option because of its service quality. Learn more about its prices below. People with hair loss problems likely already know that the prices of hair transplant clinics in Europe and the US are through the roof. In the US, theyre between $10,000 and $15,000, while in Europe, you might find them as low as 5,000. However, such prices are rare, and, in reality, youre looking at anywhere between 10,000 and 40,000. The prices of hair clinics in Turkey dont impact the quality of the treatment. Instead, they reflect the incredible competition between hair doctors, surgeons, and experts. Such competition has forced these clinics to lower their prices in the past two decades. On the other hand, the competition has also forced them to improve and continually adjust to the latest hair transplant techniques. Should you book a hair transplant with Smile Hair Clinic? Smile Hair Clinic is undoubtedly your answer if youre after a painless and quick hair transplant procedure. The professionals working in this establishment have years of experience and many satisfied customers, which you can also find on the website and look into their before and after photos. Turkish clinics low-priced yet high-quality hair transplant services are also some of the most popular worldwide. However, if the low price isnt enough to persuade you, wait until you hear about Smile Hair Clinics complete experience and everything in the packages. Smile Hair Clinic offers packages with similar treatments and identical hair transplant procedures. These packages always include the following: 1. Initial briefing, consultation, planning, and True Hairline design 2. The necessary tests before the surgery 3. An FUE extraction, sapphire-blade incisions, or manual implantation 4. Post-op discharge and 12-month aftercare 5. Hotel stay, transfers, and medications You can pick from three packages at Smile Hair Clinic. They all include the five services above, differing only in your chosen hotel. Moreover, the Diamond package includes surgery and supervision by the two established expert hair transplant surgeonsDr. M. Erdogan and Dr. G. Bilkin. Here are the three packages Smile Hair Clinic offers: Gold 2,390 Platinum 3,290 Diamond 5,790 Ultimately, the hair transplant procedure results will be the same, regardless of the package you go for, as all Smile Hair Clinic doctors and staff members will treat you like royalty, which is why theyre such a popular option in Turkey. Miscellaneous services the clinic offers At Smile Hair Clinic, Dr. F. Ahmedov, Dr. A. C. Azak, and Dr. B. Yakupoglu accompany the esteemed experts Dr. M. Erdogan and Dr. G. Bilkin. Such a team of experts will go above and beyond to create the best experience for you. Theyll construct the perfect hairline that matches your head and facial features. Moreover, a team of over a hundred staff members works tirelessly to make patients feel at home and go into surgery relaxed. Together with the doctors above, they can turn hair loss problems into joy, as theyre patiently waiting to fulfill your wishes, restore your hairline, and offer various services. These hair transplant services include the following: Afro hair transplants Beard transplants Body hair transplants DHI hair transplants Eyebrow transplants FUE hair transplants Manual FUE transplants Mesotherapy Mustache transplants Sapphire FUE transplants Sideburn restoration Treatments for women with hair loss issues FUE and DHI methods are the most famous treatment options regarding hair and beard transplants. They are highly effective in dealing with hair loss issues and are some of the most sought-after treatments worldwide. The FUE hair transplant method uses a sapphire blade made of synthetic sapphire. Its a sharp and rigid instrument thats much better than steel and capable of quickly making smaller incisions and implanting hair in those incisions. Similarly, DHI, or direct hair implantation method, uses implanter pens, also known as Choi pens. Once the Choi pen creates a small hole, it simultaneously implants grafts, reducing the work. However, compared to the FUE hair transplant method, the DHI method requires higher numbers of grafts and much more time. Depending on the size of your bald spot and the strength of your hair follicles, you might require the DHI method. The doctors can tell you more about it and recommend it if youre a suitable candidate. Conclusion By booking hair transplant clinics in Turkey, like the Smile Hair Clinic in East Istanbul, you can get the best possible transplanted hair for a much lower price than in Europe or the US. Although the hair transplant cost in Turkey is low, the quality of hair transplant services has never been higher, and you can finally get the treatment you deserve. 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. India, 21st July 2023: The esteemed Rector of Orenburg State Medical University, Prof. Igor Miroschnichenko undertook a momentous visit to India from 13th to 15th July 2023, fostering educational collaborations and celebrating the strong ties between the two nations. During his 2-day visit, the Rector engaged in various significant events, solidifying partnerships and promoting opportunities for Indian medical students. One of the highlights of the visit was the Rectors visit to Max Healthcare Hospital, where Orenburg State Medical University and Max Healthcare have a notable tie-up for a summer observership program for Indian medical students. This collaboration offers a unique learning experience for students to gain insights into the medical field, fostering international exposure and enriching their academic journey. This agreement will open doors for academic and cultural exchange, providing students and faculty with transformative opportunities for international collaboration and research. In a moment of great significance, Prof. Igor Miroschnichenko signed an agreement of cooperation with the Russian House in New Delhi, further strengthening educational ties between Russia and India. This agreement will open doors for academic and cultural exchange, providing students and faculty with transformative opportunities for international collaboration and research. As part of the visit, Prof. Igor Miroschnichenko attended the alumni meet, where graduates of Orenburg State Medical University gathered to express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation. The alumni honored the Rector with a touching token of love, recognizing his outstanding leadership and contributions to the universitys growth and success. Moreover, the visit coincided with the second edition of the Russian Education Fair, providing an ideal platform for the rector to engage with Indian students, parents, and academic representatives. Speaking at the press meet, Prof. Igor Miroschnichenko expressed his excitement and enthusiasm regarding the visit and the fruitful collaborations between Orenburg State Medical University and esteemed Indian institutions. He emphasized the significance of global education and how such collaborations contribute to fostering future leaders in the medical field. "The Rector's visit to India was a moment of great joy and celebration for us. The ties between Orenburg State Medical University and Indian institutions are vital in promoting academic excellence and cultural exchange. We are excited about the signing of the cooperation agreement between the Russian House in New Delhi, and Orenburg State Medical University which will undoubtedly pave the way for more transformative opportunities between the students of both the countries, said Mr. Oleg Osipov, the Director Russian House in New Delhi. The visit of the rector of Orenburg state medical university to India serves as a testament to the shared commitment of both nations in promoting international education and nurturing the bright minds of the future. The Indian students looking forward to starting their academic journey with Orenburg State Medical University can contact the exclusive admission partner in India, Rus Education on student helpline number 18008333338 or can visitwww.ruseducation.in. 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. Gurugram, Haryana, India Business Wire India ORIOL CYBER GROUP a leading Cybersecurity Group from France has decided to launch in India as a 50:50 Joint Venture with LD Sharma a leading Digital Marketing Expert. ORIOL GROUP is a risk management and security company that provides large companies, private and public investors, international institutions and governmental sectors with technical support as well as access, investment and development support in complex and risky markets and/or environments. Created to specifically serve the interests of Belt and Road Initiative partners and participants, ORIOL has operational capacities in Africa, the Middle East, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia. The company is focused, in particular, on blue chip companies, public institutions, and governments. ORIOLs founders, namely Mr Eric Battesti, President of ORIOL GROUP, are experts in international risk management, security and business intelligence, and have solid experience of business development, particularly in emerging markets. Over the last 30 years, their team has managed or collaborated on projects in over 40 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. LD Sharma, Founder of Shoogloo Group, is a pioneering Digital Marketer from India, and is also known as the Father of Affiliate Marketing in India. He has the distinction of having set up the first Affiliate Network in India in 2006 followed by Shoogloo Network and Optimise Media Group India, MEA and SEA. Mr. Sharma is also an Angel Investor who has investments in several leading companies such as Flickstree, MediBuddy, Redbasil, Woolly Farms, Greensat, SpeedLabs, Omnify and many more. Speaking on the Joint Venture, Thibault Montjean, the CEO of ORIOL CYBER GROUP said, This gives us a great opportunity to further increase our presence in the India, APAC and MEA regions. As this is our first foray into this region, we were looking for a partner that could work closely with us with full transparency and offer us a high level of account management, commitment, and expertise in this category. We saw these qualities in LD Sharma and were impressed by his hands-on approach when it came to launching our Cybersecurity products and services in these regions. LD Sharma commented, Cybersecurity is one of the biggest issues emerging these days, which we all need to take a lot more seriously. India is a country of almost 1.5Bn people, and with increased usage of social media, there are chances of company and personal data becoming more vulnerable. Given this scenario, having a strong Cybersecurity framework is going to be of great service to the nation and its people. Thibault Montjean further added - Oriols Cyber Group provides services such as Cybersecurity & Information Security, Security and Safety Audits, Surveillance & Security Systems, Intrusion Test Audits, Telecommunication Audits, Encryptions and Secure Communication, Private Security, Maritime Protection, HSE Risks and many more. He emphasized the importance of increased cyber threats due to increased social media and ranks Cybersecurity related threats bigger than anything else. ORIOL CYBER GROUP India will provide all available products and services currently being offered to various clients. Additionally, India being the second largest populated country, there will be additional services designed for the country including specialised services meant for Govt / Public sectors including providing AML Products to Banks. For more information, please get in touch with us at LD@Oriol-Group.com / T.Montjean@Oriol-Group.com. India and Sri Lanka have strengthened their economic ties and bilateral relations with the acceptance of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) technology in Sri Lanka. This move will allow Sri Lankan citizens to use UPI-based payment systems for various transactions, promoting seamless and efficient cross-border payments. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe(PTI File) The momentous occasion took place in the national capital, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe were present. During the event, several other agreements were also exchanged between the two nations. The acceptance of UPI technology in Sri Lanka is expected to promote financial inclusivity and create new opportunities for businesses and individuals in both the countries. The move signifies the strengthening of diplomatic ties and showcases the commitment of both nations to foster deeper collaboration in the future. So far, India's efforts to promote emerging fintech and payment solutions have been bolstered by strategic partnerships with countries such as France, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Singapore. India and Singapore signed a groundbreaking agreement in February 2023 to link their respective payment systems. This collaboration allows users in both countries to conduct seamless cross-border transactions. Earlier this month, France took a significant step towards embracing India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment mechanism. An agreement was reached between India and France to enable the use of UPI for transactions, starting from the iconic and popular tourist destination, the Eiffel Tower. During a recent bilateral meeting, an essential Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of the UAE. The MoU aims to interlink the payment and messaging systems of both countries, fostering seamless integration between India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and the UAE's Instant Payments Platform (IPP). This collaboration signifies a significant stride in enhancing cross-border financial transactions between India and the UAE. The government has been actively promoting the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) beyond its borders. The focus is not only on ensuring that UPI's benefits are available to Indian users but also on extending these advantages to other countries. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The father of a 19-year-old student accused authorities of a well-known university in Bengaluru of abetment to suicide of his son. Aditya Prabhu, a BTech student at a university in Bengaluru, died by suicide on Monday after jumping off the 8th floor of a building on the college campus, several reports claimed. Aditya was accused of cheating in an examination. The deceased's father reportedly filed a police complaint, alleging that the college authorities were responsible for his son's death. READ | Bengaluru students booked for performing a skit and allegedly offending Dalits The deceased's father, Ganesh Prabhu, reportedly filed a police complaint, alleging that the college authorities were responsible for his son's death. Days after the tragic incident, social media posts accused the college administration, including the student's mentor and other senior officials, of harassment. I am Aditya Prabhu's mother. He was a student (19 years old) of PES college, RR road campus, CSE 1st year student. On July 17th Aditya jumped from 8th floor of a building in the campus and committed suicide. The college announced to the media that Aditya was caught cheating and copying during examination. He was detained. He was counselled and when he was told that parents would be informed, he jumped from the building. I want to tell our side of story here, a user posted on Instagram. READ | PM Modi's heartwarming reply to class 2 student's condolence letter goes viral Hindustan Times could not independently verify the authenticity of the user's account. I got a call from Aditya at 11:45 am July 17th. He told me that he forgot to put the phone back in his bag and the phone remained in his pant pocketAditya also told that they are harassing him, they told him it's better to die than do such things and asked me to come to college, the user added. The post further read that the deceased's mother was pressured to sign a statement, which the user said was probably something that would wash off their hands from the matter. The user also posted a set of questions. The account, Justiceforadityaprabhu, had around 10,000 followers. Similar messages were also shared on the micro-blogging site Twitter. Aditya was a Mangaluru native and lived near Bannerghatta Road. (If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist. Helplines: Aasra: 022 2754 6669; Sneha India Foundation: +914424640050 and Sanjivini: 011-24311918, Roshni Foundation (Secundrabad) Contact Nos: 040-66202001, 040-66202000, ONE LIFE: Contact No: 78930 78930, SEVA: Contact No: 09441778290) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday called BJP MLAs "uncivilised" for tearing up copies of bills and the agenda and throwing it at Deputy Speaker Rudrappa Lamani who was presiding over the assembly session. Due to their action, 10 MLAs including four former ministers were suspended for the rest of the session, which ends on Friday. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. (ANI Photo) The BJP as well as the JD(S) boycotted the house on Thursday. Calling the BJP anti-democracy, he said the opposition MLAs behaved in an uncivilised manner. "BJP is anti-democracy, anti-Constitution and anti-Parliamentary system. Along with that, they do not respect the Chair (Speaker or deputy), which is the most respectable position," Siddaramaiah told the Assembly, replying to the discussion on the Budget, which he had presented on July 7. READ | Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Speaker Khader visit BJP leader Yatnal in hospital What should I call their behaviour yesterday? The word 'indecent' is still a decent word. They behaved in an uncivilised manner, the chief minister said. Expressing his anguish over the incident, he said he has been in the assembly since 1983, and twice he had served as the leader of the opposition but he never saw such behaviour. The Congress MLAs never behaved like this, he added. Stating that Lamani has been low since yesterday, Siddaramaiah asked him to be happy as the ruling Congress was with him. He (Lamani) is a Dalit who is downtrodden for centuries. If there were no marshals in the House, then they (BJP MLAs) would have manhandled him. Such was their unruly behaviour, he said. The chief minister also took a swipe at the BJP for failing to appoint a leader of the opposition. Siddaramaiah accused the opposition party of not having faith in the parliamentary system of democracy and the Indian Constitution as they spend their time in protests and demonstrations instead of serving as a constructive opposition. He pointed out that for the first time the Budget discussion happened without the parties having a leader to represent them, as they have not yet selected the Leader of Opposition. The party has become politically bankrupt as they could not choose a leader of opposition. This is dangerous for democracy, the Chief Minister said. READ | Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah launches registration for 'Gruha Lakshmi' scheme Siddaramaiah said the prime minister often spoke of Congress-Mukt Bharat (Congress-free India) but the Congress will never wish so. We will not say we will make a BJP Mukt Bharat or BJP Mukt Karnataka. Because they are communal and destructive forces destroying social harmony and creating conflict between faiths, our objective is that such forces should never come to power, he told the assembly. Siddaramaiah said he wants BJP to remain in the opposition forever and never come to power. Referring to the state election results, the chief minister said the downfall of BJP has started from Karnataka. The BJP is dependent on Narendra Modi only because it needs his help to win elections and uses his name to fetch votes, Siddaramaiah said. He added that the Modis charisma has started to wane. I dont say Narendra Modi is not a popular leader but his popularity is declining day by day, he said. The chief minister said never ever has a PM visited Karnataka 28 times for election campaigning -- either before the announcement of election dates or after that. "Modi conducted road shows and gave public speeches but wherever he went for campaigning, the party lost," he added. The CM also predicted that Congress will win 20 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the BJP will not be able to do anything to stop its own defeat. In the coming Lok Sabha election, we will win at least 20 seats. They will not be able to do anything. People are happy today with our five guarantees. Those guarantees were well received by the people of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said. Amity International School, Sector 79, has been fined 50,000 for not teaching Punjabi as a compulsory subject, Punjab school education and language minister Harjot Singh Bains confirmed on Friday. The school has been instructed to deposit the penalty amount within five days and submit a report. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) Bains said it had come to the notice of the education department that Punjabi was not being taught as a compulsory subject by the school, following which the director, school education, had issued a show-cause letter to the private school. During the hearing, it came to fore that in violation of the no-objection certificate given by the Punjab government to the private school, it was not following provisions of the Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages Act, 2008. He said hence, the school had been fined 50,000 for the first violation as per the Acts rules. The school has been instructed to deposit the penalty amount within five days and submit a report. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The police on Friday arrested six persons in connection with the attack on a police team by a group of miscreants involved in illegal sand mining. Ludhiana: Six held for murder bid on police team . (HT FILE) The arrested accused have been identified as Vedpal, Rishipal, Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan, and Gurpreet Singh alias Laddo residents of Tandimand village in Machhiwara, Manpreet Singh of Mand Charodi village in Machhiwara and Gurwinder Singh alias Guddu of Fatehpur village in Ropar. Mandeep Kaur, SHO at Machhiwara police station, said that the police had received a tip that some miscreants are involved in illegal mining and transporting sand from Machhiwara. The team conducted a raid and seized a tractor trolley loaded with sand on Thursday night. When the team was heading towards the police station, a group of miscreants attacked the police party. The accused took away the seized trolley after attacking the police party, Kaur said. A case under sections 307, 379B, 353, 186, 323, 186, 323, 341, 379, 506, 148, and 149 of the IPC and 21 of the Mining Act was registered against Mahinder Singh, Kulwinder Singh alias Kala, Jarnail Singh alias Rinku, Gurpreet Singh alias Laddo, Kuldeep Singh, Gagandeep Singh, Vedpal, Honey and four unidentified persons. The SHO added that after the matter was brought to the notice of senior officials of Khanna police, teams were formed and multiple raids were conducted to arrest the accused. As of now, six persons have been arrested and a manhunt is on for the arrest of the rest of the accused. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Former Rajya Sabha member Avinash Rai Khanna has written to the Union health ministry and Punjab state health department to ensure that persons with disabilities get the right of priority in attendance and medical treatment in all government and private health institutions as envisaged under Right of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016. The former RS member has forwarded the representation of a human rights activist that persons with disabilities get the right of priority in all government and private health institutions. (File Photo ( Representational) ) Forwarding a representation of human right activist advocate Navdeep Sud who also runs charitable trusts for the welfare of disabled, Khanna has urged the governments to take appropriate measures for implementation of the law as disabled and their families face inconvenience at health facilities while waiting for their turn as they were not treated with priority as mandated by the law. The government had enacted the law to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Right of Persons with Disabilities and the matters concerned therewith, even seven years after its enactment, the disabled in India have not got even the most valuable right of priority in treatment, he has written. He has suggested that the Union and the state governments must at least three inexpensive steps including display of disability boards in the hospitals, special counters for the disabled in the OPDs and creating awareness among the doctors and disabled persons about the latters special rights. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Himachal Pradesh Police have arrested a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan for faking his own death to evade loan repayment to start a new life. Border Security Force (BSF) jawan Amit Rana, 32, from Nurpur in Kangra district, was arrested for faking his death to evade loan repayment. (HT Photo) Amit Rana, 32, from Nurpur in Kangra district was arrested while travelling from Bengaluru to Chennai in his friends truck. On June 29, 2023, Ranas charred car was found on Chamba-Chowari road near Jot with bones inside it. It was presumed that the car caught fire due to engine overheating and Rana was charred to death. His family even performed his last rites while expressing apprehension that it may have been a murder and not an accidental death. Also read: Selling daily-use items at inflated prices to invite strict action, Manali authorities warn An inquest proceeding was started under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). We were sceptical of the death in the car. All evidence at the crime scene suggested a plot, said Chamba superintendent of police Abhishek Yadav. We scanned CCTV cameras and the person who was said to be dead was spotted at Chamba bus stand, he added. With the family clueless, police gathered information about Ranas friends, one of who was a truck driver in South India. Police suspected that the so-called dead man was staying with his truck driver friend. After deep analyses of the call detail report (CDR) and gathering intelligence, a team was sent to Bengaluru. Rana was arrested when his friend and he were on the way to Chennai. During interrogation, Rana admitted he was under financial distress due to 40-45 lakh debt he was unable to pay. He said he was addicted to online gaming. He picked up skeletal remains from somewhere and put them in his car before setting it ablaze. Rana chose the Chamba-Jot road because its a secluded stretch on which few people venture out at night. So far, police havent found the involvement of any other person or family members in the case. How police nailed the culprit Yadav said there were many reasons that made the police suspicious. The skeletal remains were not adequate. The car was burnt from all sides, which doesnt normally happen in a fire due to overheating of the engine, while the number plate was found safe. The movement of the person from his house at Nurpur towards Chamba was suspicious as there was long gap between the time when he started from his house and the incident. Police then enquired from Himachal Road Transport Corporation drivers, who ply buses on the route at night. One of them recalled seeing a tall man boarding the bus around 2am somewhere near the spot from where the car was found. Police scanned footage from CCTV cameras installed between Jot to Chamba and Rana was captured in a camera at Chamba bus stand. The police gathered all information about the jawan, his mobile number and his friends. Yadav said the BSF authorities had sought information from the police but no official information was given to them about the jawan being alive. Even his family came to know that he is alive when we arrested and brought him here, said the SP. The SP refuted the rumours that Rana was involved in drug smuggling and said, so far, financial distress is the only reason he faked his death. He said the police have sought legal opinion and a case would be registered against Rana under relevant sections. The skeletal remains have been sent for forensic examination to find out whether they are of human or an animal. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Naresh K Thakur Naresh K Thakur is a staff reporter in Hindustan Times Himachal bureau. Based at Dharamshala, he covers Tibetan affairs, local politics and environmental issues. ...view detail A Honda City moving on the wrong side of the road rammed into a Skoda car on the Sector 50/51 dividing road on Thursday night, leaving six occupants of both cars injured. The driver of the Honda City, Shivam Chandel, 23, of Una, Himachal Pradesh, was arrested. He was travelling with two others. The driver of the Honda City, Shivam Chandel, 23, of Una, Himachal Pradesh, was arrested. He was travelling with two others. The Skoda car driver, Manish Bindra, 30, of Sector 15, Panchkula, told the police that he, along with his wife and uncle, was going from Sector 34 towards Fortis Hospital, Mohali, past midnight. When they reached the backside of Model Jail, Sector 51, a Honda City, driving on the wrong side at high speed, crashed into their car head-on. All six occupants of both cars were injured in the mishap and taken to Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32. They were discharged after treatment the same night. Chandel is facing a case under Sections 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) of the Indian Penal Code. He was released on bail later. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Ludhiana police on Friday busted an illegal call centre and arrested 29 persons for allegedly duping several people, including foreigners, under the guise of technical service providers for multinational companies such as Apple and Microsoft. Ludhiana: Illegal call centre busted, two women among 29 held . (HT FILE) According to police, the call centre had been deceiving people of huge amounts of money, making a USD 10,000 daily. The arrested persons hailed from various states across India, including Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Delhi, and Punjab. Over the past one-and-a-half months, the call centre had been operating from a rented accommodation in Daad village in Ludhiana, the police said. During the raid, the police seized 14 tablets, 34 mobile phones, 2 laptops, 1 scooter, and 1.17 lakh from their possession. Commissioner of police Mandeep Singh Sidhu said that the police had been pursuing the accused for the past three months before finally apprehending all 29 members. Sidhu said that other teams associated with the scam were believed to be operating from different parts of the country and the US. The commissioner explained that the accused primarily targeted US citizens. A technical team, situated elsewhere, would send bulk pop-up fake warning messages to computers and laptops, deceiving users into believing that their systems had been hacked or were under attack. To resolve the issue, the accused would be provided helpline numbers posing as customer support personnel from Microsoft and Apple. They claimed to refer their case to the Federal Trade Commission of the US. Another team of the gang, posing as officials of the Federal Trade commission, would then contact the people claiming that the victims bank accounts were at risk and that the involvement of bank officials was suspected. The accused would advise the victims not to contact their banks and instead instruct them to purchase e-vouchers worth USD 500 or more to secure their money. They would assure the victims that after verifying their accounts safety, the money would be transferred back into their accounts, commissioner Sidhu said. Police investigations revealed that after redeeming the vouchers, an accomplice known as Alex, situated in the US, would transfer the money to individuals named Cherry and a brother duo Sandeep Yadav and Santosh Yadav through hawala transactions. Preliminary questioning identified Cherry and Paul as the masterminds of this operation, with the arrested accused functioning as their employees, receiving salaries ranging from 25,000 to 45,000. An FIR has been filed against the 29 accused, as well as Alex, Paul, and Cherry, under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), and sections 66C and 66D of the Information and Technology Act at Division number 8 police station. Most of the accused are between the ages of 20 to 25, having completed their school education. Some claimed to have initially believed they were employed by a legitimate call center but later realised it was a fraudulent operation. However, enticed by monetary gains and perks, they continued working for the scam syndicate, police said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Khanna police arrested two persons, including an 18-year-old boy, for allegedly smuggling illegal weapons and recovered four illegal countrymade pistols from their possession. The duo was arrested when they were crossing from Samrala to deliver illegal weapons. (iStockphoto) The duo was arrested when they were crossing from Samrala to deliver illegal weapons. The accused have been identified as Abhishek Saxena, 22, of Sector 40 of Chandigarh and Aman, 18, of Sector 39 of Chandigarh. The police also confiscated the motorcycle of the accused on which they were travelling. Khanna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Amneet Kondal said that the police have arrested the accused near police post Haidon in Samrala following a tip-off. The accused were coming from the Chandigarh side on a motorcycle. The police stopped them for checking. When frisked, the police recovered three illegal countrymade pistols of .315 bore from their backpack. A case under sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act was lodged against the accused at Samrala police station. On the information provided by the accused, the police have recovered another illegal pistol from their possession. During questioning, the accused told police that they are friends. They came in contact with an unidentified accused through Instagram, who gave them illegal weapons and asked to supply the same to Ludhiana. The accused have also promised them to give commission, said the SSP. The accused told police that they dont know the name of the supplier of the weapons and dont have any contact number for him, she added. The accused are into private jobs and indulged in crime to make some easy money. The SSP said that in this year since January 1, the Khanna police have arrested 38 people for supplying illegal weapons in 18 cases. The police have recovered as many as 67 illegal weapons, 119 bullets and 49 magazines from their possession. As the tussle between the office bearers and group of members of the United Cycle Parts Manufacturers Association (UCPMA) had reached the Company Law Board, no consensus on the proposal to hold elections for the post of President could be reached on Friday. Members of United Cycle and Parts Manufactures Association during annual general meeting at UCPMA house in Ludhiana. (HT PHOTO) The matter will come up before the Board on August 21. UCPMA President DS Chawla had moved a proposal to hold elections of the UCPMA only for the post of President. The other factions have condemned the proposal calling it as unfair. Those opposing the move are saying that the passing of the proposal will create an arbitrary rule in the largest association of the state. The office bearers opposing the movie had moved the Company Law Board. Today as the General House meeting of UCPMA was held, it was decided that hr proposal cant be moved as the matter is pending before the Company Law Board. The UCPMA elections for various posts are scheduled to be held in September. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two patients suffering from end-stage liver and kidney failure got new lease on life after the family of a 10-month-old boy, declared brain dead at PGIMER, agreed to donate his organs. 10-month-old boys organs save two lives; was declared brain dead at PGIMER On July 12, the infant, Harshit, was playing in his cot in the presence of his mother, Reena Rani, at their home in Yamunanagar. While playing, he suddenly rolled over and fell off the cot. Before his mother could react, the baby had already slipped into coma due to serious head injury. The family rushed Harshit to a local civil hospital and then to a private hospital. However, due to a worsening prognosis, he was shifted to PGIMER on July 17. Two days later, he was declared brain dead. As transplant coordinators at PGIMER approached the grief-stricken parents to consider organ donation, Harshits brave father consented. After the familys approval, we secured the infants liver and kidneys. As cross-matching indicated no matching recipient for liver at PGIMER, we immediately got in touch with other transplant hospitals and the organ was allocated to an 11-month-old boy at ILBS, New Delhi, said Dr Vipin Koushal, acting nodal officer, ROTTO (North). To ensure safe and speedy transport of the harvested organ, a green corridor was created from PGIMER to technical airport, Chandigarh. The infants kidneys were transplanted to a 35-year-old male patient at PGIMER itself. The case had its own kind of challenges. On the one hand, the donor was an infant so the retrieval was not a routine procedure and demanded extreme deftness and skill, on the other hand, the best matched recipient was a 35-year-old man. So both kidneys were transplanted to one recipient considering his age, said Dr Ashish Sharma, head, department of renal transplant surgery, PGIMER , who along with his team, successfully accomplished the dual transplant. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Ludhiana Range of Punjab vigilance bureau on Friday arrested an assistant sub-inspector, posted at Tibba police station, and his aide for allegedly accepting bribe of 20,000 from a widow. The bureau arrested Balbir Singh, the ASIs aide, from his house at Mohalla Jagdishpura. (iStock) The bureau arrested Balbir Singh, the ASIs aide, from his house at Mohalla Jagdishpura. A spokesperson of the bureau said that the accused ASI, Satnam Singh, was caught red handed while accepting the bribe from complainant Daljeet Kaur, resident of Ram Nagar of Ludhiana, at her home through Balbir to settle a complaint filed against her. The womans sister-in-law (brothers wife) had filed a complaint against her for selling ancestral property without their consent. The investigation of the matter was marked to ASI Satam Singh, who was threatening the woman that he would lodge an FIR against her, the spokesperson said. The accused police official had demanded 1,40,000 for not lodging an FIR against her. The woman contacted the ASI through Balbir following which the cop agreed at 60,000. The complaint claimed that she had already paid 3,000 to him on July 18. The spokesperson said that a case under section 7, 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act and 120- B of the IPC has been registered against the duo at police station VB, Ludhiana Range. Earlier on June 21, the vigilance bureau arrested an assistant sub-inspector (ASI), posted at Meharban police station, for allegedly accepting 6,000 from a person accused of kidnapping and assault. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Still coming to grips with the trail of destruction left by the heavy rains on July 8, the residents of Mohali city are now grappling with an acute water crisis. Phase 7 residents lining up to fill their buckets amid the ongoing water shortage in Mohali. (HT Photo) For nearly a week now, checking fresh water taps repeatedly, only to find them dry, and an even longer wait for the water to fill overhead water tanks once supply finally starts has left residents at their wits end. Such is the situation, hapless residents, even those living in tony sectors, have been forced to call in water tankers at personal cost to replenish their depleting overhead tanks. The public health department blamed water pipelines damaged by the heavy rain for the erratic supply, while mayor Amarjeet Singh Sidhu assured that proper supply will be restored in some sectors within 24 hours. Majority of the city gets water from Kajauli waterworks, located on the Bhakra mainline canal near Morinda in Rupnagar district. Apart from Mohali, the waterworks also meet the requirement of Chandigarh and Chandimandir. The remaining Mohali areas rely on tubewells or borewells for daily supply. On Friday, residents of Purab Premium Apartments, Sector 88, where there has been no water supply for four whole days, took out a protest march to highlight their plight. Parwinder Singh Saini, treasurer of the Purab Premium Apartments Allottees Association, said not a single drop of water was available in the society for the past four days. Besides buying bottled drinking water, residents have been forced to bring water from nearby villages for baths, and washing utensils and clothes. Elderly people living alone are the worst hit. Exasperated, the residents decided to stage a protest, he added. A delegation of residents later met Mohali MLA Kulwant Singh and submitted a memorandum. After the MLA pulled up officials, 10 water tankers were rushed to the society. The situation in citys prime Phase 7 is no different. Each evening, area residents can be seen lining up before water tankers to fill up their buckets. Water pressure has been extremely low ever since heavy rains battered the tricity region. Even ground floors are receiving water at low pressure. Residents are either making do by filling up buckets from low-lying taps or paying up to 1,000 for private water tankers to fill up overhead water tanks, said Mayur, a resident of Phase 7. Social activist and former PUDA official NS Kalsi said water supply had also been erratic in Phase 5 ever since the heavy rains on July 8 and 9. Mayor Amarjeet Singh Sidhu said water supply in the city was under the purview of the Punjab public health department. Considering the inconvenience caused to people, the municipal corporation is adopting alternative solutions, such as routing water through tubewells, hence the low pressure. By Saturday, around four more tubewells will be made operational that will improve the situation in some areas, he added. Public health department executive engineer Gurparkash Singh said the pipelines were damaged at many places due to flooding last week, adding that work was in progress to restore normal water supply. Deputy mayor blames UT Deputy mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi held Chandigarh and the bureaucracy responsible for the water scarcity in Mohali. He requested Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann to take immediate action in the matter and provide equal share of water to Mohali from Kajauli water works. He said Mohali got only 15 to 18 MGD of water from five pipelines of Kajauli water works that had been reduced to mere 7 MGD due to the damage caused by floods. On the other hand, Chandigarh, which was getting 107 MGD water, is presently getting over 80 MGD. He alleged that in giving priority to Chandigarh, rights of Mohali residents were being muzzled. The senior resident, who tried to end his life at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) on Tuesday, had enrolled in the three-year DM (doctorate of medicine) course only recently. Before taking the extreme step, the doctor had written a detailed statement, seeking that his senior be charged with abetment to suicide. Currently back home since the incident, the doctor is likely to rejoin the institute. Accusing an associate professor of subjecting him to humiliation and making his life unbearable since he joined the institute, the doctor had tried to end his life on Tuesday, but was saved in time by his peers. Before taking the extreme step, the doctor had written a statement, seeking that his senior be charged with abetment to suicide. A committee, appointed by PGIMER director Dr Vivek Lal, is probing the incident. According to Kumar Gaurav Dhawan, the deputy director of administration, a committee has been constituted with dean academics Naresh K Panda at the helm. The committee is currently investigating the issue and is expected to submit its report by Saturday, he said. Dr Lal said any resident doctor can meet him in person at any time to share a concern. He also emphasised that he was in constant touch with the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD). Furthermore, he said it was their responsibility to support and stand behind the residents during any challenges they face. Theres a useful adage for all professionals: A junior should not forget that they are a junior and a senior should never remember that they are a senior, and the working environment will be happy for both, said Dr Lal. 90% resident doctors stressed: Study In 2018, the psychiatry department of PGIMER had conducted a study on the stress levels of resident doctors. The study concluded that 90% of resident doctors, mainly in the first and second years, were stressed. A whopping 86% didnt seek psychiatric help and 57% felt theres a stigma attached to mental health problems. The study also found 90% doctors were moderately or severely stressed, which meant their routines were affected and they were finding it difficult to cope with life. 10% were overwhelmingly stressed, found the study that was conducted after a resident doctor committed suicide. Crisis helpline for PGIMER Students A round-the-clock helpline is run by a senior resident and a consultant of the department of psychiatry. As per protocol, depending on the need, the senior resident may either be able to handle the case on telephone itself or in most cases advise the student concerned to reach the emergency medical/surgical OPD of PGIMER in 15-30 minutes. Upon checking, numerous junior doctors were not acquainted with the existence of this helpline. Some mentioned having heard about it during orientation but were unaware of the specific contact number. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Robert Abraham Robert Abraham is a staff correspondent with the Hindustan Times in Chandigarh. He keeps readers updated on the latest developments in the world of health. ...view detail The special investigation team (SIT), constituted under Ambala Range IG Sibash Kabiraj to probe cases of immigration fraud in Haryana, has recovered 1.93 crore from the accused arrested till Friday. As per the arrest break-up, maximum 102 accused were held in Ambala, followed by 37 in Kurukshetra, 31 in Karnal and rest in others districts. The SIT, which also includes Ambala SP Jashandeep Singh Randhawa and Kaithal SP Abhishek Jorwal, was formed on the orders of Haryana home minister Anil Vij in April following a rise in immigration fraud cases. Speaking to HT, IG Kabiraj said the said recovery was made between April 17 and July 21 during which a total of 220 accused were arrested with the registration of 331 criminal cases. As per the arrest break-up, maximum 102 accused were held in Ambala, followed by 37 in Kurukshetra, 31 in Karnal and rest in others districts. While in terms of cases lodged, Ambala tops the list with 115, followed by 66 in Kurukshetra and 37 in Kaithal. Earlier this month, the SIT chief and members had also met British Deputy High Commissioner Caroline Rowett and other officials of the United Kingdom Home Office. Officials said the meeting-cum-workshop was aimed at preventing exploitation of young Indians who were being sent to the UK illegally in dangerous conditions by unscrupulous travel agents. Kabiraj said the meeting was fruitful, and the team was working to arrange similar meetings with the high commissions of Australia and Canada in the coming days. The SIT is also probing six cases where duplicate visas were issued to travellers, most of whom realised the fraud on arriving at airports. On this, the IG said, These are serious cases and there are instructions from the home minister to probe them on priority. We have decided to transfer all cases to Ambala and have deputed a DSP-rank officer for investigation. The SIT has also prepared a draft to be formulated as an Act by the state government on the functioning of immigration consultancies. The rules that will be released by the home department are said to be stricter than neighbouring Punjab and Chandigarh. Three miscreants, locked up at the Division number 3 police station, escaped while the cops on night duty were asleep, leaving the police department red faced. One of the accused was arrested by the police soon after the incident on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. (HT) Commissioner of Police Mandeep Singh Sidhu on Friday suspended and transferred inspector Sanjiv Kapoor, SHO at police station Division number 3, to Police Lines with immediate effect. An FIR has been lodged against night munshi, Jashandeep Singh, Sentry Ramesh Parsad and the three accused, who escaped, at Division number 3 police station. The Commissioner of Police has confirmed the development. One of the accused was arrested by the police soon after the incident on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. The accused were captured in the CCTVs installed at the police station while breaking open the lock of the prison using an iron rod. The accused scaled the compound wall of the police station and fled. The Division number 3 police had arrested the three accused- Kamal Kumar, Deepak Kumar and Jaswinder Singh- for snatchings. The police have recovered as many as 12 mobile phones from their possession. The accused were in police custody for questioning. On Wednesday night, the police personnel lodged them in the lockup. At around 2 am, the accused took out an iron rod which one of the accused had hid in the sleeves of his shirt. The sentry of the police station noticed the broken locks of the police station and raised an alarm. The police teams initiated a search for the accused, but to no avail. After the matter brought to the notice of the commissioner of police, he suspended the SHO with immediate effect. Three unidentified assailants shot at two men at Metro Plaza Citi Market located in Zirakpurs busy Lohgarh area on Friday evening. The bullet-riddled car of the victims. While one is critical after getting shot in the chest, the other suffered a bullet wound in the thigh. (HT Photo) The injured youths were identified as Inderjit Singh of Nawanshahr and Satinder Singh of Ludhiana. Shot in the chest, Inderjit remains critical at a private hospital in Zirakpur, while Satinder was admitted to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh, for a bullet injury in the thigh. According to police, prima facie, the attack appeared to be a fallout of personal rivalry. Investigators said the shooters carried out the crime in a planned manner. As per information, Inderjit and Satinder arrived at the market in a Maruti Suzuki Swift car around 4.45 pm to meet someone. In the meantime, the three shooters, two of them clean shaved and one turbaned, also reached the market and waited in the parking lot. As Inderjit and Satinder walked out of the market after 15 minutes and got in their car to leave, the trio opened indiscriminate fire at the duo, sending visitors at the complex scurrying for cover. As per eyewitnesses, the assailants opened fire from both the front and rear of the youths car. The entire incident was captured in CCTV cameras installed in the parking lot. Inderjit, who was driving the vehicle, was shot in the chest, while Satinder, who was sitting next to him, sustained a bullet injury on the thigh. Despite being shot, Inderjit managed to drive the car to Amcare Hospital in Zirakpur, while Satinder was shifted to GMCH-32. Police responded to the scene on being informed and recovered four empty shells. Superintendent of police (Rural) Manpreet Singh and deputy superintendent of police Bikramjit Singh Brar said the CCTV footage had been procured and investigation had been launched to identify the attackers. On July 16, two masked men had shot dead a 21-year-old student of Chandigarh University after knocking on the door of his rented accommodation in Sarpanch Colony, Bhagomajra, Kharar. Four bullets had hit the victim, Anuj, in the cheek, chest, ribs and a leg. Another student of the varsity had also sustained a bullet wound in the attack. A week later, police are still groping in the dark about the identity of the shooters. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON At least 10 persons including four policemen injured in a clash between the schedule caste community and police over handing over of possession of panchyat land in Mandaur village in Nabha Block. Police said that a case will be registered against the accused who pelted stones. (Representational Photo ( File Photo) ) The district administration handed over the villages common land to the allottees and vacated the protesting SC community members, who alleged that they were forcible vacated by allotting land to other ineligible persons. They opposed the move of taking possession of the land with the help of police. Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee, was on way to protest against Nabha MLA and Patiala Rural MLA and minister Dr Balbir Singh. As police arrived at the spot, the committee members started pelting stones after which police resorted to lathicharge. In the stone pelting and lathicharge, four policemen including station house officer Nabha was also injured. They were rushed to hospital. Six activists of the dalit community were also held. Dharamvir, a zonal member of the committee said that the police had detained nearly a dozen members, and their whereabouts are not known. He alleged that police are helping land mafia to take control of land, which they were possessing since a long time. Nabha deputy superintendent of police, Davinder Kumar Attri said the situation in the village is under control. He said that a case will be registered against the accused who pelted stones on police. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON For residents of Delhi, kite-flying assumes significant nostalgic and sentimental value. However, the unabated use of illegal glass-coated strings in these kites is proving fatal for residents. The Delhi government in January 2017 and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in July that year prohibited the sale, manufacture and supply of glass-coated thread across the city. (HT Archive) Also Read | Seven booked for death of minor by sharp kite string in west Delhi On Thursday, a seven-year-old girl was killed in west Delhis Paschim Vihar after her throat was slit by Chinese manjha (glass-coated kite string) while she was sitting in front of her father on his motorcycle. The Delhi government in January 2017 and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in July that year prohibited the sale, manufacture and supply of glass-coated thread across the city. Despite Delhi Polices claims of taking stringent action, incidents like the recent one and the sale of the glass-coated manjha continue to take place in the national capital. Even if someone is booked for using, keeping or selling these strings, they are let off comparatively easily. The maximum punishment for this offence prescribed under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code is imprisonment for up to only six months or a fine up to 1,000 or both. Shockingly, none of the accused booked in Delhi for this offence since the 2017 ban has been jailed so far. Also Read | Delhi Police crack down on sale of Chinese manjha, 12 held A senior Delhi Police officer said that punishment for the offence is not significant enough to cause any fear of legal consequences. All the police stations in Delhi have been asked to increase vigilance around kite shops and see if rules are being flouted...Any person found selling metallic powder or nylon or plastic manjhas would be booked under Section 188 of IPC. However, the maximum punishment for this offence is so small, people do not fear much, said the officer, asking not to be named. The officer added that surprise raids are also being conducted at various shops in different parts of the city. Most of the manjhas sold in Delhi come from Firozabad, Bareilly, Meerut and Noida in Uttar Pradesh and Rohtak in Haryana. While many people including children have fallen victim to the deadly manjha, it is difficult for us to identify the suspects through CCTV footage. Moreover, since several kites fly high in the sky, it is difficult to identify the source of the strings, he said. Quoting the 2017 NGT judgment, the officer said that the term Chinese is simply a terminology commonly used for nylon, metallic or synthetic threads. This Chinese manjha is in fact predominantly manufactured in different parts of India that are famous for its manjha and kites. The respective state governments can easily stop this menace at its roots, but they have not done it so far, he added. Suman Nalwa, the deputy commissioner of police (public relations), said that a notice has been issued from the police headquarters on Thursday, in which all the deputy commissioners of police have been asked to create awareness among target groups, and utilise eyes and ears approach to ill-effects and illegal use of Chinese manjha. They have also been asked to ensure strict surveillance and carry out sustained enforcement. A fortnightly performance assessment of DCPs with regards to this shall be discussed at PHQ (police headquarters) level, she said. When HT visited Old Delhis Sadar Bazar area, it found an instance of open flouting of norms on Chinese manjha. A man was seen standing with a kite thread roll and Chinese manjha in his hand near a thread shop. When HT tried to approach the man, he left the spot. When the shopkeeper was enquired about this, he denied availability of any Chinese manjha at his shop. We dont sell any manjha. Our shop is 50 years old, and we only sell tailoring materials, he said. However, a paan shop owner nearby said that manjha is sold to those customers known to the thread shopkeeper. You can easily get it in Patang Bazaar near Lal Kuan, he added. However, he claimed that one could buy thread rolls with Chinese manjha from roadside eateries itself. When HT approached a roadside eatery in Patang Bazaar, the paan vendors claims proved true as the illegal string along with a thread roll was available for 1,500. Sunil Kumar Mishra, a lawyer at the Supreme Court, said that the sale of manjhas wont be curbed with such lenient laws. The law must be more stringent for all the stakeholders of this business. Otherwise, putting a check on it will remain a distant dream, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sanjeev K Jha In his reporting career of over 20 years, Sanjeev K Jha has covered bureaucracy, politics, ISI activities in border areas, music and Bollywood. Presently, he covers crime in the national Capital. ...view detail The water level of Yamuna in Delhi crossed the danger mark of 205.34 meters again on Friday with the Central Water Commission's (CWC) data showing it may further rise to 205.45 meters by 11 pm. Amid heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas - mainly Himachal and Uttarakhand - there have been marginal fluctuations in the water level over the past few days. The Yamuna breached its danger mark again on Friday. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo) On Friday morning, the water level was at 205.33m, while on Thursday it was recorded at 205.30m. The river touched an all-time high level of 208.66m on July 13 which flooded low-lying areas across the national capital, causing evacuations of more than 27,000 people. The losses incurred in terms of property, businesses, and earnings have run up to crores, said reports. On Thursday, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced 10,000 for each family in flood-affected areas as an immediate assistance to help them recover from the impact of the floods. According to officials, those residing in relief camps will receive the compensation in the bank accounts of the head of each beneficiary family after verification. Heavy rainfall alert in Himachal The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow warning for heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh at a few places from July 23 to 25. Isolated spells of very heavy rainfall are likely in Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Solan, and Sirmaur districts, while heavy rain may occur in Una, Hamirpur, Lahaul and Spiti, and Kinnaur districts on Saturday, the MeT department said. Since the onset of the monsoon on June 24, over 130 people have died in rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and road accidents. The state has suffered a loss of 4,986 crore, reported PTI. (With inputs from agencies) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader Yasin Malik, who is undergoing life sentence in a terror funding case at Tihar Jail, appeared in the Supreme Court under police escort on Friday, with the solicitor general Tushar Mehta terming it a major security lapse in a letter written to the Union home secretary. Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik at the Supreme Court on Friday. (PTI) Watch: Supreme Court Security Breach; Yasin Malik Walks Into Court Without Permission | Details Mehta sought action on how Malik was allowed to step out in the absence of any order or authorisation from the court warranting his presence. In the letter addressed to home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Mehta said, It is my firm view that this is a serious security lapse. He urged the secretary to take the matter seriously and initiate suitable action. Malik arrived at the court a little before noon to appear in an appeal filed by CBI which challenged a September 2022 order passed by a Jammu TADA court requiring his personal presence in the trial into the killing of four Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel in Srinagar in 1990, and the 1989 abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of then Union minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. HT reached out to the home ministry which did not respond to queries seeking a comment. On April 24, the top court stayed the Jammu courts order and issued notice to the respondents, including Malik to appear either in person or through a lawyer. The order,however, did not seek his personal presence. When the matter was taken up by a bench of justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Dutta, the solicitor general flagged his concern about Maliks presence in the matter. He said, In view of an order issued by Centre under Section 268 of CrPC, he (Malik) cannot come out of jail. Moreover, if he wishes to argue in person, he requires permission of the Supreme Court Registry. He cant be brought out of jail in this manner. Section 268 CrPC enables the Centre or a state government to issue an order directing a person not to be removed from the prison as long as the order is in force. The bench said, We have only passed an order staying the direction of the Additional Sessions Judge, Jammu (TADA/POTA). There is no other order. Additional solicitor general (ASG) SV Raju, who appeared for CBI along with solicitor general told the court, The order of this court is sought to be misused. The callous manner in which he (Malik) has been brought to Court is a grave security risk. When the bench told the two law officers that convicts can virtually attend the proceedings, Mehta said, We will take care he is not brought out and the order under Section 268 CrPC is fully complied with. Officials said the SC Registry received a letter by the Superintendent of Prisons, Central Jail, Tihar Prisons on May 26, requesting the court to permit Malik to appear in person. The Registry did not reply to the letter. DG of Delhi Prisons Sanjay Baniwal said he has ordered an inquiry into the matter. Today (July 21), Yasin Malik was produced physically in the Supreme Court in the matter SLP No. 5526-5527/2022 Titled CBI Vs. Yasin Malik, by the officials of Central Jail no. 7 (Tihar). Prima facie, it was a lapse on the part of concerned Jail officials. An inquiry by deputy IG (headquarters-Prisons) has been ordered to fix accountability of errant officials, Baniwal said in an official order. He has ordered the report to be submitted within three days. The officials quote above said the notice sent by the top court on April 24 was taken as a notice seeking personal appearance as Malik chose not to be represented by a lawyer in the case. Hundreds of such orders are received by the jail authorities. Such orders from the court are never construed to be an order requiring personal presence of a convict. And here, it was a case of a convict facing an order under Section 268 CrPC, an officials said asking not to be named. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP candidate was allegedly stripped, groped and paraded naked at Panchla in West Bengals (BJP) Howrah on July 8 when panchayat elections were being held, the party has alleged. West Bangal BJP MP Locket Chatterjee (Twitter/@ANI) On July 8 when panchayat polls were being held in the state, a BJP woman candidate for the gram sabha was stripped, groped and paraded naked inside the booth. A FIR has been lodged, Locket Chatterjee, BJP MP, said while addressing a press conference on Friday. Police, however, said that they received a complaint from a woman via email on July 13. A day later a FIR was lodged but until now no evidence has been found to support the allegations. Till date we havent found any evidence. There are no witnesses. There were state police and central forces. Police approached the woman and her husband to give s statement in the court under. But they didnt. They woman stated in her complaint that she was assaulted and suffered injuries. But till date she couldnt produce documents of her treatment, Manoj Malaviya, director general of West Bengal Police, said. No one took a video of the incident, Malaviya said. Also Read: Mamata Banerjee launches INDIA campaign in WB; slams BJP over Manipur incident The central forces, which were deployed on the orders of the Calcutta high court also didnt lodge any complaint. CCTV footages of nearby areas didnt have any such footages. We are procuring the CCTV footages inside the booth, he added. Banerjee alleged that in another incident at Domjur in Howrah where a woman was molested at gunpoint at the counting centre on July 11. The complaint was lodged with the police on July 19. Another complaint filed by a woman candidate of BJP, in Howrahs Domjur She was groped and assaulted, by TMC candidate and his agents, inside the counting center on 11th Jul 2023. (Chief minister) Mamata Banerjees police is still to file a FIR. These are not isolated instances of crimes against women in Bengal, tweeted Amit Malviya, BJPs IT head. The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) hit back saying that the BJP was making up a story to counter the Manipur incident. They (BJP) are shameless. How come the incident took place on polling day inside a booth and no media reported it and there are no videos available on social media. They are making up story to counter the Manipur incident, Santanu Sen, TMC MP, told the media. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Stepping up the attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre for allegedly delaying funds to West Bengal, Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee announced on Friday that TMC leaders will peacefully gherao houses of all BJP leaders on August 5. Trinamool Congress (TMC) National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. (ANI) Speaking at TMC's annual Martyrs'Day event in Kolkata, Banerjee called forward party workers from every block and ward of Bengal to peacfully gherao the houses of BJP workers from 10 am to 6 pm on August 5. Banerjee also said TMC leaders will go to Delhi to launch a massive protest against the BJP stopping the funding to the state. He said, I announce from here after taking the permission of our leader Mamata Banerjee. The way BJP is stopping our funds (to the state) - we will go to Delhi on 2nd October, on the day of Gandhi Jayanti...On 5th August, we will gherao all BJP leaders' houses peacefully. Addressing a Martyrs' Day rally, Abhishek Banerjee said, The Centre, because of vendetta politics, has stopped funds for Bengal. As I had said earlier, we will launch a massive protest in Delhi against the BJP-led Central government against blocking funds of Bengal under MGNREGA. On October 2, we will organise a protest outside Krishi Bhavan. Seconding her nephew, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that if their October 2 rally was stopped, they would sit down and begin protesting right there. She added, Our movement against the Union government and BJP will continue unless our demands are fulfilled and dues are cleared. BJP has become simply intolerable now. Abhishek Banrerjee explained the reason for October 2 rally saying, The 100- day job scheme is under a particular act which is named after the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. So on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti this year, we will be assembling at New Delhi in demand of our legitimate dues. We will force the Union government to clear our legitimate dues. They cannot hold it back forever. The TMC general secretary also said that the whole country was resonating with the slogan of the Opposition alliance Jeetega Bharat. He added that BJP will be ousted and the alliance I.N.D.I.A will form the government after winning the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The West Bengal government has on multiple occasions accused the Centre of blocking its funds. They think that we will succumb to such pressure. But they are wrong. Trinamool Congress is like pure iron. The more it is burnt and hit, the stronger it would be", Abhishek Banerjee added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Days after returning from a meeting of 26 opposition parties in Bengaluru, which decided on the name Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) for the 2024 elections, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal (WB) chief minister Mamata Banerjee launched her partys 2024 Lok Sabha poll campaign, saying INDIA would fight, and the TMC would be part of the campaign like a soldier carrying a flag. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee (File Photo) Banerjee, whos TMC won 22 of the 40 seats in the 2019 elections, said that they would work to popularise the slogans Jai India (victory to India ) along with the slogan Jai Bangla (victory to WB) and use them in all party programmes. Banerjee was speaking at TMCs annual rally in Kolkata to mark July 21 as martyrs day to mark the deaths of 13 Congress workers who died in police firing during a protest led by her in 1993. INDIA will fight and TMC will stand beside it like a soldier carrying a flag. Let INDIA win. Let BJP lose. Modi will lose. Thats my only slogan. In the coming 2024 elections we will raise the slogan Jai INDIA along with our (partys) slogan Jai Bangla . We will raise this slogan in all our programs to popularise it, she said. Banerjee said that the TMC did not want a chair but the country could not tolerate the BJP anymore. I am happy that ahead of the 2024 elections we have formed an alliance named INDIA. The entire fight would be fought under this banner. INDIA will win. We dont want a chair. We want the BJP to be ousted. They cant be tolerated anymore. They have crossed all limits, she said. She also stepped up her attack against the BJP-led government at the centre on the Manipur incident where two women were stripped, paraded and gangraped on May 4. We convey our solidarity to Manipur people. We are with you. Where is the BJPs save daughter slogan? Today the daughter is burning. Manipur is burning. If you (BJP) hurt the dignity of women, they will throw you out in coming 2024 elections, she said. Banerjee said that talks were on to send an INDIA-delegation, comprising chief ministers, to Manipur. We are not going to leave Manipur. North eastern sisters are our sisters, she said. Banerjee said the BJP has been circulating fake videos to malign West Bengal. This has bene made clear by the Prime Minister during his speech on Manipur mentioned the names of West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, the TMC chief said. Alleging that the centre has stopped funds for the MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana), she said the WB government would launch two schemes funded by the state. Even if the centre has stopped the 100-days work scheme, the state has provided work for 26 days to job card holders. In future we would start a 100-days work scheme in WB. It would be funded by the state government. It would be named Khela Hobe (Game on). The centre stopped funds under the PMAY even after promising 1.1 million houses. We would construct them with our money. They would be constructed in phases. We have arranged the money, she said. Khela Hobe was her partys slogan in the 2021 assembly polls in which the TMC returned to power for the third time in a row in the state, registering a sweeping victory. Abhishek Banerjee, TMC national general secretary and MP, who also addressed the rally, said the TMC would organise a huge rally in Delhi on October 2, demanding release of central funds. He also said that TMC workers would picket BJP leaders homes on August 5. NEW DELHI: This years Indian Air Force (IAF) Day parade will be held at Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh in line with the government choosing to hold major defence events outside the national capital, officials aware of the matter said on Friday. The IAF will celebrate its 91st anniversary on October 8, 2023. The Indian Air Force Day parade was held at the Chandigarh Air Force Station in 2022 (HTFile Photo/Keshav Singh) Keeping with the new tradition of hosting the Air Force Day celebrations in different parts of the country, this years parade and air display will be held in Prayagraj, the IAF said in a statement. The army and the navy have also begun celebrating their key events outside Delhi. The IAF Day parade was held in Chandigarh last year, while the fly-past took over the citys Sukhna lake. The ceremonial parade would be conducted at Air Force Station, Bamrauli and the air display would be conducted over the Sangam area, in the vicinity of the Ordnance Depot Fort in Prayagraj. The scenic surroundings would add to the appeal of the stream of aircraft flying-by in close formation, the statement added. The IAF day celebrations will commence more than a week before the parade at Prayagraj, with an air display near Bhojtal lake in Bhopal on September 30. Key conferences of the armed forces, including the Combined Commanders Conference, have also been held outside New Delhi after the NDA government came to power nine years ago. For instance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 1 assessed the operational readiness of the armed forces in the backdrop of the lingering border row with China, carried out a security review, and asked the military to stay prepared for new and emerging threats, at the Combined Commanders Conference held in Bhopal. Before that, on March 6, defence minister Rajnath Singh addressed the inaugural session of a top navy meeting on board Indias first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, with the move bringing into sharper focus the countrys steps towards achieving self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector. Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Jayant Chaudhary on Friday backed the demand for a CBI probe into the attack on Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad in Saharanpur last month. RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary with Bhim Army founder Chandra Shekhar Aazad, CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury and Congress leader Deepender S Hooda at a protest in New Delhi on Friday. (PTI PHOTO) It was not a mere attack on Aazad but part of a conspiracy to silence and terrorise voices of Bahujan, Chaudhary said at a political event of the Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) in New Delhis Jantar Mantar where Aazad issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Central government for accepting his partys demands, including caste census, revival of the old pension scheme and the CBI probe among others, otherwise members of the Bahujan samaj would intensify their movement. I would support the decision taken here, Jayant Chaudhary said. Chaudhary also said that he cant digest the fact that four youths randomly decide to attack a leader like Aazad in his home district. The conspiracy was likely to have been hatched in the political corridors of Delhi and Lucknow. Therefore, a CBI inquiry is a must to expose the conspiracy and (those) who were behind it, the RLD leader said. Aazad was shot at in Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh on June 28. A bullet grazed the Dalit leader, but he did not receive any serious injury. Four people were arrested for the attack later. The RLD leader also spoke about opposition parties forming INDIA (Indian National Democratic Alliance for Inclusiveness) formed in Bengaluru earlier this week. Admitting that difficulties will come in the way, he asserted that the victory of INDIA will be victory of Bharat. The countdown has begun for those who were destroying the countrys constitution, he said without naming anyone. Mentioning the Manipur incident in which two women were paraded naked and assaulted, Jayant said mobs are lynching people in the name of food habits, language, caste and gender. He accused the government of hiding the Manipur incident for a long period and said, but country will not tolerate such incidents. Aazad announced that if the government failed to provide justice to victims and restoration of law and order, he would stage a dharna at Jantar Mantar. He exhorted supporters of his party and the Bhim Army to begin a massive jan jagran abhiyan (public awareness movement) of the bahujan if the government failed to fulfil the demands. Aazad, who is also the Bhim Army founder, read out the ASPs memorandum addressed to the President of India in which various demands were listed. The demands also included withdrawal of the Agnivir scheme, a legal guarantee for minimum support price to farmers, ban on privatization, recruitment of Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe candidates in jobs as per their share in population and recruitment of Dalit judges in the judiciary. He also advocated an alliance of Dalits and OBCs and called upon his supporters to unite and work hard to create their own destiny. The key to power is with you, understand its significance and use it for the betterment and welfare of the entire community, he said. Samajwadi Party MLAs Shahid Manzoor, Atul Pradhan, party national general secretary Swami Prasad Maurya, RLD MLAs Ashraf Ali, Gulam Mohammad, Madan Bhaiya, former SP MLAs Yogesh Jatav and Prabhudayal Valmiki also addressed the gathering. The RLD, Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) and the Samajwadi Party are allies. CPI(M) national general secretary Sitaram Yechury and farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chadhuni also addressed the gathering. Yechury said that its essential to dislodge this government to protect the constitution. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Amid continuous heavy downpour in parts of Maharashtra, the India Meteorological Department issued a rainfall warning Thursday, detailing the weather situation during the next five days. The capital city Mumbai was put on orange alert for Friday as heavy rainfall is anticipated in the city and suburbs, the weather body said. Due to heavy rains, the Thane Upvan lake has started to overflow, in Mumbai, India, on,Thursday. ( Praful Gangurde / HT Photo ) A red alert has been issued for four districts, Thane, Raigad, Pune, and Palghar as these areas may experience up to very heavy rainfall till Saturday. The weather warning also prompted authorities to declare a school holiday Palghar and Thane, while deploy National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams in six districts to mitigate the impact of rain-related damages. (LIVE updates) In view of the situation, the state government issued an advisory Thursday, urging people not to step out of their homes unnecessarily. With a possibility of heavy rain, the state government appeals to the citizens to not to go out, unless there is a very important work, the CMO's office tweeted. Top updates on Maharashtra rain: 1)Six NDRF teams have been deployed to deal with torrential rains in Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur, and Sangli. In landslide-hit Raigad, where at least 16 people died Thursday, IMD issued an orange alert till July 25. The NDRF will resume its rescue operations in a landslide at Raigad's Irshalwadi village as over 100 people are still feared trapped under debris and loose soil. Meanwhile, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were deployed in Gadchiroli and Nanded. 2) The weather situation is expected to improve in the next three to four days in Mumbai, Thane and Palghar. Mumbai's civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporations said the city received an average of 27.50 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours, as recorded on 8 am Friday. 3)Other than Thane and Palghar, a total of 355 schools in Pune's hilly regions, including Ambegaon, Khed, Junnar, Bhor, Purandar, Mulshi and Maval talukas will also remain closed on Friday in the view of the weather situation. 4)The officials said Vashishti and Jagbudi rivers in Ratnagiri, along with Kundalika, Amba, Savitri and Patalganga rivers in Raigad are flowing above the danger line. Kolhapur's Panchganga River is also nearing the flood line. The officials have issued warnings for the villages nearby coastal areas because of the high tide. 5)As of now, none of the districts were put on red alert for Saturday, however, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Pune, and Satara remained on orange alert. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON MUMBAI: A marketing executive has been booked for allegedly pocketing 1.22 crore belonging to a firm dealing in precious stones and metals. HT Image According to the police, the accused identified as Soni Sakharia worked with PT 950 World of Platinum, a firm run by complainant, Pankaj Jain, and his wife Puja, since August 2020. The complainant had worked with the accused in a similar business previously and they knew each other since 2012. Jain then appointed Sakharia as the distributor of jewellery manufactured at their factory in MIDC, Andheri East, for Tamil Nadu, a police official said, adding, the company also made living arrangements for Sakharia in Chennai. In June 2022, the company sent Sakharia diamond, gold and platinum jewellery worth 1.23 crore to sell them through retailers in Tamil Nadu, the police said. Sakharia was supposed to sell the jewellery within 30 days, deposit the amount to the company account and return any unsold jewellery. However, he neither deposited any money, nor did he return the wares for the next couple of months, the officer said. When the Jains tried to get in touch with Sakharia, he did not take their calls. After that, the company got in touch with some of the retailers. The retailers told the company that they had already purchased the jewellery in question from Sakharia. This made the complainant realise that their marketing executive had pocketed all the money from the sales, the police added. The Jains then approached the MIDC police on Thursday. We have booked Sakharia under sections 408 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code and are on the lookout for him, the officer added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Mumbai: The state government on Friday said that they will cancel licences of liquor shops if they are found to be violating the 10pm deadline of closing their respective outlets. They announced that strict action against liquor shops that violate the norm of a 50-metre distance from the schools and colleges. HT Image The development came after the issue of liquor shops rampantly violating rules, and the rise of illegal liquor sales, were raised in the state assembly on Friday. Additionally, the issue of poor rate of conviction in the cases related to liquor consumption, supply and sale was also raised. BJP MLA Abhimanyu Pawar even demanded that cases of illegal country liquor be treated as poisonous chemicals so that the criminals involved in it are subjected to stricter punishment. Kandivali MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar (BJP) said that Mumbai shops rampantly violate the 10 pm deadline, and the complaints against them are not paid heed to. He said that many shops violate the mandatory condition of their distance of 50 metres from schools, colleges and temples. The authorities measure the distance in such a manner that they are shown out of the limit. However, they are actually near temples and educational institutions, he said. Replying to the queries, excise minister Shambhuraj Desai said that serious action would be taken against the liquor shops violating the rules. The shops violating the 10pm deadline would be warned twice, and on the violation of the third time, their licences would be cancelled. Action would be taken against the liquor shops violating the norms related to the distance from schools, colleges and religious structures, he added. Desai said that the conviction rate of the cases registered under the Maharashtra Prohibition Act has improved to 3.11% this year from just 0.42% last year. He said that with the help of the additional workforce that has been recently recruited, the rate will improve further. Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the state government would consider increasing the punishment in the cases registered under the Act. He said that the demand to treat illegal liquor with poisonous chemicals will also be considered. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Surendra P Gangan Surendra P Gangan is Senior Assistant Editor with political bureau of Hindustan Times Mumbai Edition. He covers state politics and Maharashtra governments administrative stories. Reports on the developments in finances, agriculture, social sectors among others. ...view detail A total of 16 bodies have been recovered and 21 poeple were rescued so far at the landslide-hit Irshalwadi village in Maharashtra's Raigad district, according to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). The search and rescue operation resumed for the second day after the authorities earlier halted the operation fearing possible landslide during the night amid incessant rainfall. Volunteers carrying out rescue operation in Raigad.(HT_PRINT) Due to heavy rainfall and the threat of further landslide in the dark, the rescue operation has been called off with consultation of local administration and will resume tomorrow morning," the NDRF said on Thursday. The landslide occurred at Wednesday night in the village situated on a hill slope in the coastal district around 80 km from Mumbai, flattening 17 out of 50 houses in the area. Challenges in the rescue operation Due to unstable terrain in of the village, search and rescue teams were facing hurdles to use heavy machines in carrying out the operation. They had to clear the large portion of mud manually. Due to tough topography, heavy machinery such as earth-movers and excavators could not be moved to the hilltop. "Disaster management operations and a base camp have been set up at the foothills as it is impossible for JCB machines or any other vehicle to reach the disaster spot. The village takes one-half hours for a person to walk from the foothills and is accessible only to able-bodied men and trekkers, who are involved in the manual rescue operations at the moment, deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said earlier in the legislative assembly. Likewise, chief minister Eknath Shinde approached the Indian Air Force for support in airlifting the villagers. However, low visibility due to inclement weather in the area made it challenging for the personnel to carry out arial rescue operation. Flood-like situation in Raigad Parts of the coastal district experienced a flood-like situation due to heavy rains, damaging at least 125 houses. 17 out of 28 dams were overflowing after several places received over 200 mm of rainfall in 24 hours. Red alert for several districts The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday issued a Red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in the districts of Thane, Raigad, Pune, and Palghar for today and tomorrow. An Orange alert has also been issued for Mumbai and Ratnagiri. Mumbai: The state government is going to take back five airportsBaramati, Nanded, Latur, Yavatmal and Osmanabadfrom the Reliance Airport Developers Private Limited (RADPL), deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced in the Assembly. HT Image The airports were awarded to RADPL, a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure led by Anil Ambani, for a period of 30 years in 2009. The firm was supposed to develop the airports and start operations, but all the five airports are not functioning currently. RADPL is not doing maintenance of the airports and even not paying the statutory dues because of which Nanded airport was shut down. We will discuss the legalities of taking possession of the airports with the advocate general. The state government will also pay all the dues for the five airports and recover the amount from the firm, the deputy chief minister said. Fadnavis was responding to the issue of regional connectivity that came for discussion through attention motion. Senior Congress leader Ashok Chavan said that the state has around 32 airports and airstrips, of them only 11 are functional, which is affecting the plans of regional connectivity. Even the Mumbai airport is not giving enough slots for flights to major cities, which has made intra state traveling difficult, Chavan told the lower House. He also pointed out that the Nanded airport was shut for quite some time. Replying to this, Fadnavis said, To improve regional connectivity, the government will try to get more slots at the Mumbai airport. It will soon have a high-level meeting with the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) officials and would direct them to provide more slots for major cities of the state. Admitting that there is a need to have one nodal agency to look after the development of the airports, Fadnavis declared to form it soon. The five airports with the RADPL were earlier with the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), while the rest are with the Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation (MADC). Fadnavis told the lower House that the government has decided to build one helipad each in all the talukas (tehsil) and for which they have formed a committee to inspect technical feasibility of the spots. The committee will travel to all the talukas and see if they have required space for a chopper to take off, he stated. BOX Navi Mumbai airport likely to start by next August Deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the lower House that the Navi Mumbai airport will start operations from next year. We were preparing to start the operations from December next year, but we have asked the authorities to start it from August, 2024, he said. He said that the issue of regional connectivity will be resolved once the Navi Mumbai airport is functional as there will be no issue of prime slots. The chief minister (Eknath Shinde) and I visited the airport recently. The runway is ready and after the monsoon, its final coating will be completed. The work of the terminal building is also happening on a war footing. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Faisal Malik Faisal is with the political team and covers state administration and state politics. He also covers NCP. ...view detail Greater Noida: Pakistani citizen Seema Haider, who is currently residing in Greater Noidas Rabupura town submitted a mercy petition to the Presidents secretariaton Friday, seeking Indian citizenship and permission to stay in the country with her husband Sachin Meena and four children. Supreme Court lawyer AP Singh submitted the petition on Haiders behalf at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. (AFP) Supreme Court lawyer AP Singh submitted the petition on Haiders behalf at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The mercy petition has been submitted at a time when there are hectic efforts to deport her to Pakistan. In her petition, Haider has requested permission to stay in India as she is deeply influenced by Indian culture and traditions, Singh said. Haider met Meena on PubG, the online multiplayer game that became very popular during the Covid-19 pandemic. After chatting for some time, they reportedly fell in love. According to the duo, they first met in March in Nepal, where they got married. Three months later, Haider left Pakistan with her four children and travelled to Nepal via Dubai. She reportedly slipped through Indias porous border with Nepal and came to Greater Noida. She was arrested, along with Meena, by the Gautam Budh Nagar police on July 4, but was later released by a local court on July 8. Indian authorities are conducting an investigation against Haider, including the possibility of whether she is a spy who poses a threat to national security. The Noida Police had indicated that it found no clear evidence of espionage. The probe was handed over to the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Police at the request of Gautam Buddh Nagar police. The ATS officials have questioned Haider, her children, Meena and his family members in the case. Petitioner (Haider) has been divorced from her ex-husband Ghulam Haider who went to Saudi Arabia about four years back. Petitioner was the second wife of Haider, who already had another wife and two children from first marriage. After divorce, her ex-husband started living with his third wife, the petition said. HT has a copy of the petition. The petition said that Haider was regularly joining all the investigation as required by the investigating agency and obeying all the bail conditions.She claimed that she was ready to undergo a polygraph test, brain mapping test, lie detector test and as well as DNA test of her children. Singh said the Haider and Meenas family has high hopes from the government. They are expecting a positive response to the mercy petition, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Comptroller and Auditor General of Indias (CAG) report on mining in Chhattisgarh observed that the existing control measures prescribed by the mining department to curb illegal mining activities in the state were not compiled properly. Chhattisgarh is a leading producer of major minerals such as coal, iron ore and dolomite (Representative Photo) CAG report on the performance audit of mining of minor minerals with emphasis on illegal mining operations was tabled in the Assembly on Friday. The report stated that the cases of illegal excavation, transportation and storage of minerals increased from 3,756 in 2015-16 to 5,410 in 2020-21. The report also mentioned the under-utilisation of District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) funds and the works sanctioned under DMFT without identifying the directly and indirectly affected areas. The report further stated that there was absence of a comprehensive database of quarry leases, and boundary pillars/boundary marks to indicate the demarcation of the quarry lease area were missing which resulted in non-identification of quarrying activities beyond the sanctioned lease areas. The performance audit was conducted to ascertain whether the state government has developed a robust mechanism to prevent, detect and curb illegal mining activities. With the help of drone survey, audit detected illegal excavation of murrum at unauthorised sites, and illegal quarrying of sand and limestone outside the sanctioned lease area, resulting in loss of royaltyMonitoring of sand mining was found to be deficient and the department failed to check the evasion of royalty and non-compliance to the environment clearance conditions, the report stated. Also Read: Chhattisgarh: ED raids IAS officer, Congress treasurer in money laundering probe The report also raised questions on the underutilization of DMFT funds. The DMFTs objective is to work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining or mining-related operations. However, it was observed that the DMFT delayed (delay ranged from 17 months to 50 months) in identifying the mining-affected areas and failed to identify and prepare the list of mining-affected persons in the state, the report stated. During 2016-17 to 2020-21, an amount of Rs.1,918.84 crore was received in the nine test-checked DMFTs and the average utilisation of funds was 63%. Underutilisation of funds resulted in the accumulation of funds and the non-extension of due benefits to the intended beneficiaries promptly. The DMFT incurred expenditure amounting to Rs.14.94 crore in violation of the directives of the government to use the funds on the high priority/other priority areas specified in the DMFT Rules, mentioned the report. According to the report, the average utilisation of funds in the selected DMFT was 63% (excluding Kawardha district), with the lowest (50%) in Bilaspur, and the highest (82%) in Ambikapur. Further, as per the information provided by the mineral department, funds of Rs.6,179.56 crore were received in the 28 DMFTs of the state out of which Rs.4,637.20 crore (75%) was spent during 2015-16 to 2020-21. The audit also observed that the state government had declared 22 districts as mining-affected areas in January 2016, however, the respective DMFT took up the work of identification of directly/indirectly affected areas of mining-related operations within the districts from July 2017 to April 2020. Audit further observed that DMFT sanctioned the works valuing Rs.891.67 crore, without identifying the directly and indirectly affected areas. The CAG in its recommendations to the Chhattisgarh government stated that the district offices must be directed to maintain a database of quarry leases in the prescribed format and should ensure that the boundary pillars with boundary marks are maintained to indicate demarcation shown in the mining plan. The government (state) should establish an adequate number of check posts in Mungeli, Kawardha and Balodabazar districts within a fixed timeline and should consider installing CCTV cameras and weighbridge facilities at all the check posts to check illegal transportation and overloading of minerals. Further, the department should also ensure regular inspection of mines as per the prescribed norms by ensuring adequate manpower and maintenance of proper records of inspection, the CAG mentioned in its recommendations. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ritesh Mishra State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh. Reports Maoism, Politics, Mining and important developments from the state. Covered all sorts of extremism in Central India. Reported from Madhya Pradesh for eight years. ...view detail The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted searches at the premises of an IAS officer, senior Congress politician and contractors in Raipur, Bilaspur and Korba districts in Chhattisgarh in connection with the money laundering case, officials familiar with the developemt said. Enforcement of Directorate (File Photo) According to a Chhattisgarh senior police officer, premises linked to IAS officer Ranu Sahu, some other bureaucrats and Chhattisgarh Congress leader and PCC (Pradesh Congress Committee) treasurer Ramgopal Agarwal, were being searched by ED. Visuals showed central paramilitary personnel outside the residences of IAS officer Sahu and Agrawal in Raipur, and Korba Municipal Corporation Commissioner Prabhakar Pandey in Korba. Also Read: ED raids Jet Airways ex-promoter Naresh Goyal and associates in money laundering case There is no clarity about the case in which these searches are going on but it could be linked to the district mineral fund (DMF), said officials, adding some contractors of the public work department (PWD) working on DMF were also raided. Officials said that the premises of Korba Municipal Corporation Commissioner Prabhakar Pandey and one other employee of Korba Municipal Corporation were also raided and the house of a chartered accountant and steel businessmen was also searched in Raipur. We are still not clear that ED has registered a fresh case under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) or the search is going on in the previous coal levy case, said officials mentioned above. According to another state police officer, searches could be linked to an alleged rice scam but nothing is clear. The ED has been probing an alleged coal levy and liquor scam in the state in which it has arrested some prominent bureaucrats, including IAS officers, apart from politicians and those linked to them. On July 18, the Supreme Court asked the agency to stay their hand in all manner in the alleged Rs.2,000 crore liquor scam-linked money laundering case in Chhattisgarh. A 21-year-old man has been arrested from Assams Hailakandi for allegedly abducting and killing a 19-year-old woman he was in a relationship with. Police identified the accused as Pinak Suklabaidya. (Getty Images) The womans mutilated body was recovered three days after she went missing from Silchar town on July 15, sparking anger. Hundreds of people blocked roads in Silchar and stopped police from taking her body to a crematorium. They threw stones and vandalised police vehicles. Police superintendent Numal Mahatta said that they identified the suspect Pinak Suklabaidya within 24 hours of recovering the body. The woman was in a relationship with Suklabaidya...he killed her on July 15 as per the initial investigation. We arrested him on Wednesday, Mahatta said. He added Suklabaidya, who lived in Bengaluru, met the woman on July 15 after returning home on July 13 and took her 30 kilometres away from Silchar and strangled her. He left the body in an under-construction building and went to Guwahati, he said. Mahatta said Suklabaidya has been booked under India Penal Codes Section 302 (murder), 364 (kidnapping), and 201 (trying to destroy evidence). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Efforts have begun to erect a Memorial Wall in Prayagraj as a tribute to the sacrifices and battle victories of the Indian armed forces. An artists impression of the Memorial Wall showcasing the might of the Indian armed forces, planned in Prayagraj (Prayagraj Smart City Ltd) The 14-foot-high wall exhibiting the might of Indian Armed forces is set to come up as part of the beautification of the main road from Mazar Crossing to Bank Road, planned under the Prayagraj Smart City initiative, officials said. Besides the wall, the 800-meter stretch of the road too will be developed in a way to tell the tales of gallantry of the Indian armed forces through murals depicting famous battles, along with weapons, including guns and tanks among others, to inspire locals and visitors alike, they added. The busy road chosen for the project has been selected as it attracts a large number of youngsters due to its proximity to the Allahabad University campuses including Gandhi Bhawan as well as law and commerce faculties of the AU, besides the local NCC headquarters too. We have already held talks with army officials over the project and requested them to provide us with old weapons which can be displayed on the proposed Memorial Wall, as well as on the sides of the road after mounting them on pedestals. We wish to depict war scenes which played a significant role in the history of our country including the Kargil war, surgical strikes and the 1971 Indo-Pak war etc, will all find a place on the wall that will run on one side of the stretch of this road, said SK Sinha, mission manager, Prayagraj Smart City Limited. We have asked the Army to provide us accurate details about the wars and battles also so that the information that we display for the people is fully accurate historically, he added. Multiple focus lights will be installed over the murals. The greenery of the area will be maintained to attract people and promote greenery. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday hit out at chief minister Nitish Kumar for alleged attempts to cover up the cause of an Opposition party leaders death during a march to the state assembly this month. Vijay Kumar Singh, the leader, died on July 13 when police resorted to a lathi charge to disperse the march. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar. (HT PHOTO) The Patna district administration issued a statement late on Thursday saying a medical board concluded that Singh died of heart disease and other complications related to it. State BJP chief Samrat Choudhary rejected the report and said the probe into the events leading to the unprovoked lathi charge be handed over to a high court judge. On July 14, a BJP delegation submitted a memorandum to governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the lathi charge. The memorandum blamed Kumar and deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav for the lathi charge Choudhary said the post-mortem report is on the lines of what the government had been saying. The BJP will not accept any cover-up. It was the murder of our leader at the behest of the government. If the government has the courage, it should hand over the video of the post-mortem to AIIMS [All India Institute of Medical Sciences]. We have reports that it was established he died due to head injury, but later another committee was formed to hush it up. Choudhary said Kumar has always been a failure as a leader. It was the BJP that made sacrifices to make him the chief minister to end Lalu Yadavs misrule. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The construction of the civil enclave at Bihars Darbhanga airport will kick off in July next year, the ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) has said, even as the state government transferred 76.40 acres of land to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to pave the way for the ambitious project. (Twitter Photo) The land transfer process was completed at a cost of Rs.342 crore in two instalments in February this year. Presently, the air services are functional at Darbhanga airport from a makeshift civil enclave. Gen V K Singh (retired), Union minister of state for civil aviation, informed the Lok Sabha in response to a question from Darbhanga MP Gopal Jee Thakur that the allocated land will be strategically utilised for different purposes. Singh said that of the total land area, 23.75 acres will be dedicated to the installation of the advanced clear air turbulence (CAT-II) lighting system, which will be overseen by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Additionally, a substantial 52.65 acres will be utilised for the construction of a civil enclave, said Singh. According to the MoCA, the newly built civil enclave will house passenger terminals, check-in counters, baggage handling facilities, security checkpoints, and other essential amenities, all designed to provide a seamless and convenient travel experience for passengers. The Union minister further provided insights into the projects timeline and the crucial steps that will be undertaken before completion. Several preliminary works have to be set in motion, including the tendering process to appoint an engineering consultant, preparation of design and drawings, and obtaining approval from the public investment board (PIB), Singh said. According to Singh, once these initial stages are completed, the engineering procurement contract (EPC) will be awarded to the selected contractor to initiate the airports physical construction. The ministry also said that the estimated completion date for the Darbhanga airport, which is set for September 2026, may subject to potential delays due to various factors. PUNE The anti-terror agency had submitted two applications before the court, seeking Kurulkars consent for his polygraph test and voice layer and psychological analysis tests. (HT PHOTO) The Maharashtra State Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) on Friday told the special court in Pune that consent is not required for conducting the voice layer and psychological analysis test on Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist Pradeep Kurulkar (59), who was arrested in an espionage case for his links to a Pakistani intelligence operative (PIO). Kurulkar was arrested under sections of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) by the ATS on May 3 for sharing the defence secrets of the country with the PIO. The anti-terror agency had submitted two applications before the court, seeking Kurulkars consent for his polygraph test and voice layer and psychological analysis tests. The defence scientist had denied consent to the tests as his counsel Hrishikesh Ganu informed the court that carrying out the tests separately was not necessary citing that the communication took place over a mobile phone. Prosecution lawyer Vijay Fargade said, The ATS has made a submission before the court in writing that for the voice layer and psychological analysis test, consent of the accused is not required. It is not going to bring on record any material that will prejudice the court about the accused. Meanwhile, the ATS filed a chargesheet against Kurulkar on June 30. The chargesheet has revealed that Kurulkar was in touch with PIO identified as Zara Dasgupta through WhatsApp messages, including voice and video calls. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON TiE Pune mentoring event completes 11th version The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Pune programme of Nurture Accelerator accepted only 54 of the 148 applications received from mentee firms this year in its 11th version. (Getty Images/iStockphoto (PIC FOR REPRESENTATION)) Pune: The recently concluded Nurture Accelerator 11.0 saw 32 mentee companies graduate. The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Pune programme will enable the mentee companies to increase their chances of success and growth. Advait Kurlekar, chairperson, Nurture Accelerator, said, We accepted only 54 of the 148 applications received this year as many of the companies are either at too early a stage, perhaps still at ideation where they do not need Nurture but a validation programme, or do not have a POC (proof-of concept) ready or simply are not focused enough. Nikhil Karkare, co-chair, Nurture Accelerator said, The Nurture Accelerator Program is a six-month rigorous process-led programme for mentoring entrepreneurs. CII, JNPA SEZ hold investor conclave Pune: Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in association with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) held its special economic zone (SEZ) Investor conclave in Pune which witnessed participation of industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and key stakeholders from various sectors. The event showcases investment opportunities available within SEZ. Sanjay Sethi, chairman, JNPT, said With the state-of-the-art facilities, world-class infrastructure, robust logistics ecosystem, and proximity to major markets, JNPA SEZ has revolutionised the shipping industry. The port remains committed to nurturing a conducive ecosystem for businesses and facilitating sustainable economic development in line with the governments vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Rightsfually, Seracle collaborate to advance decentralised technologies Pune: Blockchain-based media rights distribution platform Rightsfually announced a strategic partnership at Consensus 2023 with Seracle blockchain cloud to build on the Polygon blockchain. The partnership aims to offer a more efficient and cost-effective solution for Rightsfually by leveraging Seracles Litenode architecture and Polygon blockchain. Shrikant Bhalerao, founder, Seracle, said, Rightsfually is bringing IP distribution to the Web3 world. By building on the Polygon blockchain through Seracles blockchain cloud, Rightsfually saves time and costs while ensuring high performance and security. Nitin Narkhede, founder and CEO, Rightsfually, said, Rightsfually has patented micro-distribution, a process to enable community-powered distribution on-chain for platforms operating on a subscription model. Seracle will help in setting up the infrastructure and its implementation on blockchain cloud and empower building by offering a low-cost infrastructure for such distribution and streaming process alike. Maxivision Eye Hospital raises 1,300 crore from Quadria Capital Pune: Quadria Capital announced an investment of up to 1,300 crore in Maxivision Eye Hospital. Quadria will make an initial investment of roughly 600 crore for a minority stake and a further investment of up-to 700 crore for additional stake to support Maxivision to serve the demand for eye care in India, particularly in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Dr. GSK Velu, chairman, Maxivision, said, With Quadrias support, both through their investment, and deep experience in the sector, we will be able to meet the growing demand for affordable, accessible, and high-quality eye care across India. Sunil Thakur, partner, Quadria Capital, said: Quadrias investment into Maxivision underscores our ambition to invest in regional leaders of Asian healthcare. Taruna appointed as Ajeenkya DY Patil Groups first woman CEO Pune: The Ajeenkya DY Patil Group announced Taruna Maheshwari as the new chief executive officer, the first woman to hold the post within the group. Dr. Ajeenkya DY Patil, chairman, stated, Tarunas invaluable leadership skills and strategic acumen make her a remarkable addition to our team. As we embark on our journey of digital transformation, global expansion, and ambitious growth, we are confident that she will position the group for long-term success. Taruna said, In an era of Industry 4.0, burgeoning digital technologies, the group has set its sights on online education in the form of GoSchool, an online school and GoLearn, an online continuing education provider. With our four upcoming hospital projects in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi, we are well positioned to establish a new model of affordable, high-quality healthcare. I look forward to working with our chairman to reinvent the group radically and reinforce its leadership position in the sectors we operate. Pune-based Tork Motors enters Puducherry market Pune: Tork Motors inaugurated its latest experience zone in Puducherry at Pakkamudyanpet area on East Coast Road. The facility will offer sales and after sales services to consumers in the region. Kapil Shelke, founder and CEO, Tork Motors, said, This is companys first experience zone in the Union territory and third in south India, after Hyderabad and Guntur. Puducherry also being a tourist destination, we look forward to contribute to its sustainable development by reducing the carbon footprint induced by conventional vehicles. The police on Thursday arrested a grocery shop owner for extorting 5.58 lakh from a pharmacist in the neighbourhood by posing as a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer. A case has been registered against the accused at Chinchwad police station under Sections 384, 388, 389, 170, 171 of the IPC. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO) According to the police, the accused has been identified as Suresh Jasaram Chaudhari, 32, of Sant Tukaramnagar in Pimpri. As per the complaint filed by the victim Mangilal Ghisaram Chaudhari, 37, residing near Chinchwad railway station, between December 8 and December 25, 2022, the accused have taken 5.58 lakh from him by issuing threat of arrest. According to the complaint, the accused first visited Chaudharis medical shop and showing his fake CBI identity card claimed that one person is in a critical condition after taking medicines sold from the shop. The accused also threatened that the complainant may be arrested for selling illegal drugs. To avoid police action, the complainant paid the accused money whenever the latter paid a visit. Later, on coming to know that other pharmacists are also duped in a similar manner, Chaudhari filed a complaint at Chinchwad police station on July 20. Police arrested the accused on Thursday. A case has been registered against the accused at Chinchwad police station under Sections 384, 388, 389, 170, 171 of the IPC. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON PUNE: Police claimed that Shinde induced at least 17 investors to get loans and invest in the Ashtvinayak Investment Firm and assured good returns. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC) During the police investigation into the Selva Nadar multicrore fraud, it was revealed that one of the prime accused Prasad Shinde allegedly used investors money for his business purpose. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Pune police on Monday arrested Shinde, Ajay Khadse and Nitin Shinde, who were working as connectors with DSA (direct selling agent). On Friday, all three accused were produced in court and were later remanded to police custody till July 25. Police told that during the investigation it was found that accused Shinde was running another financial firm with his partner Asif Salim Sheikh and transferred money to Sheikhs bank account. Prima facie, Shide used allegedly investors money for his personal business purpose hence to investigate the matter further police demanded police custody. An officer from EOW, who wished to remain anonymous, said, After technical analysis of accused Prasad Shindes bank account, it was revealed that he had transferred a certain amount to the bank account of his partner and to investigate in detail, we demanded to extend his police custody. Police further claimed that Shinde induced at least 17 investors to get loans and invest in the Ashtvinayak Investment Firm and assured good returns. Mayoor Vairagkar, Assistant Police Inspector (API) at EOW said, At the time when an FIR was lodged, the scam amount was 7 crore, but now after detailed investigation, it has reached 56 crore with 65 investors duped. Prime accused Selva Nadar is still at large and soon we will arrest him. Police also claimed that names of 2-3 more DSAs came in investigation and investigation related to it is underway. Police said that co-accused Khadse was selling data of IT professionals to Ashtvinayak Investment Firm. Now police are investigating to whom he got all this data and at what cost. According to officials, the accused were involved in duping more than 265 IT professionals to the tune of around 300 crore by getting approval and disbursement of loans in an illegal way. The complaint was filed by Sachin Pawar, a resident of Karmabhumi Nagar in Lohegaon, who works at a multinational bank. A case was registered in March 2023, under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 34 (act done in furtherance of a common intention), and section 3 of Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (In Financial Establishments) Act, 1999. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON There's a lot to register and process in the absolute mess that is Nitesh Tiwari's Bawaal, but let's start with something that strikes immediately: the audacity. Here's a mainstream Bollywood romance purposefully contextualising the unimaginable horrors of the World War II and the Holocaust to fit into the narrative of a failing marriage. Hitler becomes a metaphor for human greed; and Auschwitz, Nazi Germany's largest concentration camp, is recreated to imagine the two leads as a Jewish couple being suffocated with pesticides. There's no way to digest a film like Bawaal, and that it exists today, in all its singular insensitivity. (Also read: Bawaal celeb review: Arjun Kapoor, Karan Johar hail career-best performances by Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor) Bawaal is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The setting The tale begins in present day Lucknow, where the scene is set for our protagonist, Ajay Ajju Dixit (Varun Dhawan), to make his heroic entry on his bike, catching the attention of the locals in his neighbourhood. Why? Because our Ajju, we are told, is conscious of his 'image' more than anything else in the world. He works as a primary history teacher in the city, but how he got the job is still a 'mystery.' In reality, he is a good-for-nothing man-child and a pathological liar. He is married to Nisha (Janhvi Kapoor), an intelligent woman, who has epileptic fits. Nisha has told this to Ajju, who is too ashamed to take her out of the house fearing that the world would come to know about the truth and his image would suffer. Ajju and Nisha's trip to Europe Ajju's carefully-constructed image is threatened by his own mistake: he slaps a student in class and it turns out that his father is an MLA. Ajju gets temporary suspension immediately. It is then that he hatches a totally baffling plan to travel to locations in Europe, which were affected by the World War II, and teach his students about the tragedy. On top of that Ajju's parents (played by Manoj Pahwa and Anjuman Saxena) gleefully fund the hefty trip as they want the couple to come close. No one is still asking any questions? Good. From here onwards, Bawaal becomes a different beast altogether. Nitesh Tiwari, who co-wrote Bawaal with Piyush Gupta, Nikhil Mehrotra and Shreyas Jain, is interested less in the unspeakable horrors of war and more on the coming-of-age of his male chauvinist protagonist. At The Musee de l'Armee in Paris, an orchestra performance is unbearable to him and he wants to run away. He mocks their way of speaking a language multiple times to Nisha, and then begs her to accompany him from the next day. He sends his videos from the site to his students, who seem to learn a lot from his ramblings. The context of Holocaust A visit to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam propels Ajju to ask Nisha what would she do if she had a day to live. When Nisha asks why is he acting all philosophical, here's what he says: "Anne Frank ke ghar se nikalne ke baad thodi philosophy toh banti he (After visiting Anne Frank's house, some philosophy is to be expected)." Nisha says she would wear a gown and drink beer at a nearby cafe. Cue for their romantic development, and a ridiculously-staged song arrives. The more we try to wrap our heads in the tone-deaf positioning of history in Bawaal, the worse it gets. It doesn't help that Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor have zero chemistry. Varun is particularly exasperating to witness his coming-of-age angle barely even making a difference. Janhvi seems strangely clueless to what's occurring around her, and is saddled with the worst dialogues. There's a special place in hell reserved for that line equating Hitler to human greed. My ears are still bleeding. The most insensitive bits of Bawaal are saved for the last, when the two visit the concentration camp in Auschwitz and imagine themselves suffocated inside the gas chambers. It is an excruciatingly horrible and shameful depiction, in which Holocaust is but a narrative scapegoat for the characters to face their fears and save their toxic marriage. The moment the two find each other, the historical subtext disappears. The black and white fades to inject colour to the scenes. The effect is disconcerting to say the least. This is a film that is so blinded by its own warped version of romance and self-worth that one of the greatest human tragedies becomes a metaphor to nourish it. The point is not that the unimaginable horrors of war should be forgotten. Cinema is an immersive, empathetic medium that grants us the space to accommodate so many unaccounted stories, of the places and the generations that still continue to be haunted by its remains. But from a place of distance. There's no point in even trying to contextualise that horror and imagine what would one do in that situation. It is a deeply problematic exercise of narcissism and worse, invalidation of the stories of countless victims, whose experiences can never be put under the examining lens. Bawaal is perhaps the most tone-deaf and insensitive film Hindi cinema has produced in recent memory. This is a history lesson no one deserves to sit through. Mukesh Ambani, daughter Isha Ambani and Deepika Padukone were some of the big names seated in the front row at designer Manish Malhotra's fashion show in Mumbai on Thursday. Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh were showstoppers of the evening and walked the ramp together in Manish Malhotra's new collection. A video from the event shows how Deepika greeted Mukesh Ambani with a warm hug. Also read: Project K 1st glimpse: Prabhas' film titled Kalki 2898 AD, shows Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone in futuristic world Mukesh Ambani and Deepika Padukone share a hug, have a chat as her Anju Bhavnani (in black) looks on. A paparazzo account on Instagram shared a video of Deepika walking up to greet businessman Mukesh Ambani. She was in a sheer white saree with a backless halter blouse and had her hair tied in a top knot. She and Mukesh Ambani shared a long hug and had a small conversation. Deepika's mother-in-law Anju Bhavnani was also seen with them in a black outfit. There is also a video of Ranveer greeting Mukesh Ambani and Isha Ambani in the middle of his ramp walk. Ranveer and Alia walked the ramp as part of Manish's The Bridal Couture Show. The designer has also created the outfits for their upcoming film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Director of the film Karan Johar, who is a close friend of Manish's, was also present at the event. Deepika skipped Project K launch in San Diego Deepika attended Manish's show on the same night as the first look of her film Project K was unveiled at San Diego Comic Con. Deepika didn't take part in the event as she is a member of Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) which is now on strike. Project K's official title Kalki 2898 AD was unveiled at the event along with a teaser. A glimpse of Deepika Padukone as a soldier was also seen in the video. Prabhas and Kamal Haasan were at the attend for the teaser release. The film also stars Amitabh Bachchan who was seen with his face hidden behind a wrapped cloth. The film is slated to hit theatres next year. Deepika's other films Deepika also has Siddharth Anand's Fighter. This is her second film with thePathan director and her first opposite Hrithik Roshan. It will release on January 25 next year. Recently, Deepika's look from Atlee's Jawan was also unveiled. The Jawan Prevue showed two different avatars of Shah Rukh Khan who reportedly plays the father and the son. It is slated to release in September this year. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Ranveer Singh recently opened up about his equation with Maths in school. At an event, the actor revealed he not only scored zero on a test but ended up with a minus marking as a punishment. A video from his confession has surfaced online and a section of social media are not happy with Ranveer's words. Also read: Ranveer Singh turns show stopper with Alia Bhatt for Manish Malhotras show Ranveer Singh at an event talked about failing his maths test. Ranveer Singh scored minus 10 in maths In the video, Ranveer is seen wearing an all-white look. He was seen seated on a chair while holding a mic. He told the crowd, Aur koi hai zero aur hundred se koi lower laya hai (Is there anyone who has scored lower than zero in hundred)? He added after a pause, Mai laya hu. Jisko mila tha Maths me anda (I did it. I had got zero in maths). Zero on hundred, minus ten for talking. So, minus ten on hundred. He laughed while candidly sharing the hilarious incident from his childhood. The video has been shared by paparazzi on Instagram. Internet reacts to Ranveer Singh Reacting to the video, a user commented, Success ke baad it's ok to say but actually initially it's shameful (It's ok to confess after having success). Mai bhi laya hu (I also failed in maths), added another one. Someone also said, So lovely to see you like this again Ranveer. Giving wrong msg to students, yet another also accused the actor. Ranveer is currently promoting his upcoming film, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Directed by Karan Johar, the film also has Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi and Jaya Bachchan. It will release in theatres on July 28. Ranveer Singh at Manish Malhotras The Bridal Couture Show Recently, Alia and Ranveer turned showstoppers at fashion designer Manish Malhotras The Bridal Couture Show in Mumbai. For the event, Alia wore a black and silver bridal lehenga, paired with a long dupatta and matching jewellery. Ranveer Singh, on the other hand, stunned in a sherwani and a glittering jacket. The event was attended by several celebrities, including Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi Kapoor, Anshula Kapoor, Nora Fatehi, Sonali Bendre, Rakul Preet Singh, Huma Qureshi, and others. Industrialist Mukesh Ambani also attended the fashion show with his daughter Isha Ambani and mother Kokilaben Ambani. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT Entertainment Desk Dedicated professionals who write about cinema and television in all their vibrancy. Expect views, reviews and news. ...view detail Vijay Varma is having a stellar 2023 so far, with two releases so far in Dahaad, Lust Stories 2 and in the upcoming Kaalkoot. The actor who is mostly known for playing antagonistic characters, will be playing a cop in the Kaalkot. In a recent interview, the actor opened up about marriage pressure. (Also read: Vijay Varma on if his relationship with Tamannaah Bhatia was a publicity stunt: Im madly in love with her') Vijay Varma has shared that his mother stills asks him about his marriage plans. Vijay and Tamaannaah's relationship Vijay recently opened up about his relationship with actor Tamannaah Bhatia. He said that he is not only happy but madly in love with her. The two were seen together on screen for the first time in Lust Stories 2. They featured in Sujoy Ghosh's short in the Netflix anthology called Sex with the Ex. Vijay on facing marriage pressure Now, in a new interview with DNA, Vijay opened up about marriage pressure. He said, I am a Marwari. In our community, boys are considered of marriageable age at 16. So, all this began very early with me and also ended very early because I went past the marriageable age (laughs). On top of that, I had become an actor by then so there was that too. The actor further added how he is pressurised on the topic by his mother. My mother still asks me. On every phone call, she still asks me but I am just able to dodge it because I am doing well in my life, he said. Vijay's post on Mother's Day A few months earlier on Mother's Day, Vijay had shared his mom's reaction to his ads in Hindustan Times which called described him as Indias #1 bachelor.' In the photo, Vijay's mother does a facepalm expression to the newspaper. The article reads, Wanted bride. It further described Vijay's character from Dahaad as he plays the role of Anand Swarnakar, a serial killer and a Hindi literature professor. Vijay and Tamannaah met on the sets of Lust Stories 2, which dropped last month. It is an anthology of four stories directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma, Konkona Sen Sharma, R Balki and Sujoy Ghosh. He will be next seen in Kaalkoot, also starring Shweta Tripathi. He essays the role of a cop investigating an acid attack case. The series will drop on JioCinema on July 27. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON As the highly anticipated release of Christopher Nolan's epic film, "Oppenheimer," draws near, speculations have emerged about a potential ban on the movie in Japan. "Oppenheimer" delves into the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the brilliant physicist behind the creation of the first nuclear bomb during the Manhattan Project. This image released by Universal Pictures shows Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock, left, and Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer in a scene from "Oppenheimer." (AP) The use of nuclear weaponry in the Pacific War resulted in devastating consequences for Japan, with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki causing the loss of approximately 200,000 lives, mostly civilians. However, recent reports debunk the ban rumors, indicating that the film's release plans are still in progress for various markets, including Japan. Japanese Cinema's Savvy Approach While "Oppenheimer" gears up for its global release, the Japanese market is known for its prudent approach to blockbuster films. Hollywood releases often arrive later in Japan than in other countries, giving the industry a chance to gauge the movie's performance and popularity worldwide before determining its local release strategy. If "Oppenheimer" proves successful elsewhere, Japan may opt for a widespread launch; otherwise, a limited release could be considered. Unfounded Sensitivities Speculation arose that "Oppenheimer" might be too sensitive for Japanese audiences due to the tragic events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. However, a glance through Japan's cinematic history reveals a liberal approach to artistic expression. The industry has embraced various genres and styles, including horror, samurai, and high-school themed dramas. Moreover, since the 1950s, film censorship in Japan has largely focused on explicit imagery rather than political or militaristic issues. A Gripping Tale Leaving Audiences Devastated As the film premiered in several locations, viewers have been deeply moved by the intense story it portrays. Some even described it as akin to a horror movie. Kai Bird, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and co-author of the book that inspired the film, expressed being stunned and emotionally affected by Oppenheimer. Christopher Nolan himself proclaimed J. Robert Oppenheimer as one of the most significant figures in history, shaping the world we live in today, both for better and worse. Awaiting "Oppenheimer's" Unveiling in Japan The delays are not uncommon, and the industry's pragmatic approach could lead to a decision based on the film's global success. Despite the historical sensitivities surrounding nuclear warfare, Japan's cinematic landscape has shown resilience and artistic freedom over the years, making it a compelling territory for "Oppenheimer" to explore. Also read | 10 Reasons why Christopher Nolan's 'Oppenheimer' is touted as the best film of the century Is Oppenheimer in Japan is same as Barbie in Vietnam? Coincidentally, another film, Greta Gerwig's "Barbie," has faced its own challenges in Vietnam, where it was banned over a scene depicting the contentious "nine-dash line," representing China's territorial claims in the South China Sea. In response, Warner Bros clarified that the scene was intended to be a child-like crayon drawing within the context of Barbie's make-believe journey from Barbie Land. Also read | Bye, Barbie! Vietnam bans Barbie movie over controversial map of South China Sea Dipika Kakar and Shoaib Ibrahim have shared the first photo of their newborn son Ruhaan on Instagram. The couple welcomed their son last month. They recently returned home with Ruhaan after spending days in NICU as the little one was a premature baby. Also read: Shoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar finally reveal son's name Shoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar's son Ruhaan turned one month old. Deepika and Shoaib's son Dipika Kakar and Shoaib finally shared their first family pic with Ruhaan. The photo featured the new parents holding the baby close. Dipika seemed emotional as she kissed her baby boy. While Ruhaan's face wasn't visible, his tiny feet were seen in the photo. Thanking everyone, Dipika and Shoaib wrote in the joint post, RUHAAN Thank you for keeping him in your prayers #amonthalready #blessed #alhumdullilah. Replying to them, actor Gauahar Khan commented, Blessings. Ruhaan Shoaib Ibrahim turns one month old Announcing the birth of his first child, Shoaib had shared on his Instagram Stories, "Alhamdulillah today 21st June 2023 early morning we are blessed with a baby boy. It's a premature delivery nothing much to worry. Keep us in your prayers." However, their child was a premature baby and was hence kept under observation after his birth. After getting discharged from the hospital, Dipika and Shoaib made their first public appearance with their newborn baby in Mumbai. They posed outside the hospital as Shoaib carried the baby in his arms. Later, in their vlog on YouTube, Shoaib said that he and Dipika have named their son Ruhaan Shoaib Ibrahim. The meaning of Ruhaan is kind-hearted and spiritual. Shoaib said that they had decided on the name just a month or two after Dipika conceived. He added that they had even thought of a name if they were to have a daughter. During their special name reveal, Shoaib said, "Madam (Dipika) liked this name Ruhaan. His name was chosen by Dipika. We really liked the name a lot and were sure about it." The couple said that they inadvertently blurted out Ruhaan in a few videos earlier. They are yet to reveal the face of their baby. Dipika married her Sasural Simar Ka co-star Shoaib in 2018. They dated for a few years before the marriage. Both of them also appeared in Nach Baliye 8. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON ABOUT THE AUTHOR HT Entertainment Desk Dedicated professionals who write about cinema and television in all their vibrancy. Expect views, reviews and news. ...view detail Belagavi: A diary belonging to the murdered Jain monk Kamakumar of Nandi Aashram in Hirekodi town was found during investigation, the Belagavi police said on Friday. The accused who had borrowed money from the Jain monk allegedly killed him when the monk asked to return the money. (Representational Image) The murder accused, Narayan Mali from Raibag, and Hassansab Dalayat from Chikkodi taluk during inquiry had revealed that they had burnt their blood-stained clothes and the monks diary and led the police to where they buried the ashes, police said. Also Read | Ludhiana: Six held for murder bid on police team According to the police, they collected the ashes and sent them to the forensic laboratory in Bengaluru, where the report revealed that the ashes contained no paper but only burnt clothes. Further investigation led to the discovery of the monks personal diary in his room at the Aashram. It contained financial transactions and dealings, including the money spent on constructing the residential school within the Aashrams campus and the names of individuals who received loans from the monk. Narayan Mali, the prime accused, was among those who obtained a loan in lakhs from the monk. Also Read | Womans murder probe solves daughters death The team, according to a member from the special investigation squad told HT: The accused who misled the team disclosed the facts after we used our own investigative theory. After searching the Aashram, with the permission of the management committee, the team recovered the personal diary of the monk from the room he used to rest. The recovered diary which the investigating team copied for further investigation before producing it to the court found hundreds obtained loans, a few among them in lakhs. The monk, in the diary, has maintained the financial transaction of those who obtained a loan and also about the date and the amount of their repayment, said the DySP rank officer. Mali, who resided in Khatakabhavi in Raibag taluk, was close to the monk and often supplied sand to the residential school construction project. He engaged in illegal sand mining without the monks knowledge and used the sand for the project, leading to him obtaining a loan for a JCB. Additionally, he secured an additional loan of 6 lakh from the monk, which was documented in the recovered diary, said the officer. The monk, wanting to finish the construction of the Aashram residential school, instructed all those who had obtained loans to settle the matter promptly. However, Mali, unable to handle the alleged mental pressure from the monk, planned to eliminate him and sought help from Hassansab Dalayat. On July 6, both accused took the monk out on a bike and murdered him in Khadakbhavi village. They then dismembered the body, wrapped it in a saree and towel, and dumped it in an unused bore well, the officer said. The accused were apprehended the next day and confessed to the crime, albeit misleadingly at first. After revealing the truth, the pieces of the monks body were found inside the bore well. As a precaution, additional security personnel were assigned Narayan Mali while in custody as he expressed suicidal tendencies. The investigating team has produced the accused before the court, and they have been remanded to judicial custody until July 22. The state government has handed over the case investigation to the CID. Bengaluru: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continued its boycott of the Assembly session in Bengaluru on Friday and protested near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha. The protest led by former CM Basavaraj Bommai, BJP legislators from the Legislative Assembly and Council protested against the suspension of 10 BJP MLAs and the deployment of IAS officers for private political events by the CM Siddaramaiah-led government. Former Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai with BJP MLAs stage a protest against the suspension of 10 party MLAs at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Friday. (ANi) Chief minister Siddaramaiah taunted the Opposition suggesting they should have protested before the statue of Nathuram Godse instead. In response to the protest, CM Siddaramaiah acknowledged the right to protest and oppose government actions but condemned the uncivilized behaviour of the BJP members, who tore pages and behaved unruly in the House. Such a situation (ruckus and boycott) has never happened before. This shows the Oppositions anti-people and anti-democracy attitude. It is their right to protest and come to the Well (of the Assembly). But they went to throw paper at the deputy speaker. We dont know what would have happened if the marshals were not there not only they have boycotted and are protesting in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue. They should be sitting in front of the statue of Naturam Godse, he said. The Assembly passed a resolution on Wednesday suspending 10 MLAs, including four former ministers - R Ashoka, Dr C N Ashwath Narayana, V Sunil Kumar and Araga Jnanendra. They were suspended for their indecent and disrespectful conduct after they tore copies of bills and agenda documents and flung them towards the chair, said people aware of the matter. As a response to the suspension, the Opposition BJP and JD(S) members boycotted the session on Thursday. BJP leaders protested in front of the Gandhi statue at Vidhana Soudha and also marched to Raj Bhavan to complain against the speaker and the state government. JD(S) Legislature Party leader HD Kumaraswamy also joined the BJP leaders in complaining against the speaker. Former minister Kota Srinivas Poojari criticized the government claiming democracy. If Siddaramaiah can recall, when he was in Opposition, in 2010, he had created a ruckus in the Assembly. Congress MLA Zameer Ahmed had thrown the mic in front of the speaker and DK Shivakumar had torn books. They were not punished but let off with a warning. But Speaker Khader has suspended the BJP MLA to remove our MLAs from the Assembly, he said. Meanwhile the ongoing absence of an official Leader of Opposition (LoP) from the BJP in the Assembly has been a notable point of contention. The position of the LoP is a mandatory requirement, and the failure to appoint one indicates internal issues within the BJP, according to people familiar with the matter said in Vidhana Soudha. The Assembly session is expected to be adjourned sine die on Friday, marking its conclusion without an official LoP, further adding to the BJPs unique position as a party without an appointed opposition leader. The assembly passed the budget, followed by the CMs reply to the debate, in an unprecedented scenario where the opposition parties were absent. BJP and JD(S) members had boycotted the proceedings. This is the first time in the history of Karnataka, to my knowledge, that the entire opposition is absent when the finance minister is replying to the debate on the budget and the house is passing the budget. They have failed in their constitutional duty by boycotting the house after exhibiting unruly and uncivilised behaviour. Shame on them, said Siddaramaiah. Slamming the BJP for its failure to elect its legislature party leader, who is to function as the leader of opposition in the assembly, Siddaramaiah said the party boasts of Vishwa Guru but could not find an opposition leader in Karnataka. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON NEW DELHI: Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Friday stepped up the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) offensive against Ashok Gehlot government in Rajasthan, claiming that the law and order situation in the state has collapsed and women are no longer safe. BJP MPs from Rajasthan stage a protest near the Gandhi Statue at Parliament House complex on Friday (HT Photo/Sanjeev Verma) A million criminal cases have been registered in the last four-and-a-half-years in Rajasthan which was known for its law and order situation, he said. Shekhawat, a BJP lawmaker from Jodhpur, also referred to an incident in Cheria village of Osian where four members of a family were killed and burnt to insist that the law and order situation had gotten out of control after Ashok Gehlot came to power a little over four years ago. The minister also cited Congress legislator Divya Madernas sharp criticism of the state police and her remark that she did not face safe after an attack on her though police personnel had been deployed for her security. Shekhawat pointed to the power struggle within the Congress in the state over the last four years, saying the people were the biggest losers in this tug of war. Today the situation in Rajasthan is such that criminals are being released from jails at gunpoint. Criminals in police custody are seen fighting each other... Seeing this, it is clear that there is fear among the common people of Rajasthan and the morale of the criminals is high. BJP state In charge Arun Singh said it was clear that the law and order machinery has collapsed in Rajasthan and there is a jungle raj in the state. The government and the police administration are trying to suppress incidents. We saw this in Karauli when a Dalit girl was abducted, raped, and murdered there. After all this, when the girls mother went to the police, the police said dont file a case, compromise, otherwise you will be also put in jail. Such incidents are happening every day in Rajasthan, Singh said. . New Delhi Clamour for the ouster of Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh mounted on Friday as questions swirled about his governments lax response to the barbaric sexual assault of two women by a mob that stripped them and paraded them naked two months ago with disquiet about the Meitei strongmans role growing even within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Manipur CM N Biren Singh on Friday. (PTI) Singh position as the head of the state government has appeared increasingly untenable after a 30-second clip of the women being paraded and groped a first information report (FIR) registered later said one of the women was gang-raped and her brother murdered for trying to intervene went viral on Wednesday, triggering a nationwide outcry. Though police arrested four accused on Thursday, questions remained about why the police didnt act earlier or reach out to the victims for two months after the first complaint was filed. In Delhi and Imphal, calls rose for the removal of Singh who belongs to the dominant Meitei community, one of the two groups locked in ethnic clashes that have claimed at least 150 lives from the Opposition and even some party colleagues. Every section has lost confidence in Biren Singh. He was silent for seven days after May 3. He says that he came to know about the May 4 incident only when the video became viral. This government must go, Article 355 must be applied, consequently, Presidents Rule should be imposed in Manipur, said former Union minister P Chidambaram. Raghav Chadha, a Rajya Sabha member from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also called for his resignation. What is happening today is horrendous, horrific, catastrophic, and of much greater magnitude than 2017, he said. The situation demands accountability and transparency from the double-engine government. Even within the BJP, leaders pointed out that the biggest problem was that the chief minister also held the home portfolio, which is responsible for enforcing law and order and resurrecting the collapsed administration in the state. Voices within the party said that there was no denying the fact that the two-term CM was seen as a leader of only the Meitei people and had lost the trust of the Kukis. When Union home minister Amit Shah visited the strife-torn state in June, Kuki groups refused to meet Singh, who didnt travel to the hill districts. He will have to face action because he is identified with one community instead of with the entire state, said a senior BJP leader on the condition of anonymity. The fear is that if we do something now, like change the chief minister, it may exacerbate things. We dont want to disturb the applecart when things are so delicate, the leader added. The BJP also doesnt want to act under Opposition pressure but take a call at a time of its own choosing, said a second person in the party. But some Kuki legislators from the party have already openly demanded the CMs resignation. Ten of the 32 BJP legislators from the Kuki community issued a statement on Thursday night, saying they wanted a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into cases of sexual assault and murder of women in the state. The chief minister appeared to have dug in his heels. I dont want to go into this. My job is to bring peace to the state. Miscreants are there in every society but we will not spare them, he told reporters on Friday who asked him about the resignation demands. A spokesperson for the CM also rejected allegations of partisanship, saying Kuki legislators were influenced by militant groups to oppose him. As far as the CM is concerned, he hasnt gone to any Kuki dominated areas but is constantly monitoring the situation in these areas through the state government machinery, added the spokesperson. The list of charges levelled by some civil society groups and opposition parties at Singh is long the CM is accused of doing little to quell tensions when the clashes first broke out on May 3, then acting in a partisan manner and not reaching out to the Kuki community, not enforcing law and order strictly once the violence flared up again after a brief lull, and not pushing to bridge the trust deficit and rebuild the state administration. Pressure has been mounting on the CM for some time now. On June 30, he appeared on the verge of quitting and even typed up a letter of resignation but later changed his mind. He began the process of resigning, before protesters who gathered outside his Imphal home ostensibly prevented him from proceeding to the governors residence 200 metres away, following which he clarified he would not demit office. The dramatic scenes outside Singhs bungalow saw thousands of Meitei women gathering from the morning as rumours swirled; they raised slogans hailing him; and they tore a sheet of paper that contained his resignation, which was brought out and read by Singhs cabinet colleague. The next day, he courted more controversy when a series of tweets from his official Twitter handle hit out at social media users demanding his resignation. The tweets, which were later deleted, incensed the Opposition and tribal groups as they accused the chief minister of invoking the already inflamed ethnic fault lines in the violence-hit state. We have no recourse in the state government, which not only sides with the majority community but is itself the perpetrator of the violence. This is why we have repeatedly called for the imposition of Presidents Rule so that the state can be administered without bias and security forces will have a free hand in stopping the violence, said Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum, a conglomerate of recognised tribes in outer Manipurs Lamka, in a statement. The United Naga Council said, We can never allow the perpetrators involved in such a heinous crime to go scot-free. The government must initiate steps necessary to immediately book all the people involved in such a dehumanising crime and should ensure a trial in a fast-track court to deliver justice instantly. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON As Congress is massively slamming the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the atrocities on women in Manipur, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday took a jibe at the opposition party saying their concern should not only be restricted to Manipur. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Addressing a press conference, Sarma said, Congress is running a battle against Manipur because Manipur is being run by a BJP governmentCongress party should also think about the serious crime against women going on in Rajasthan and West Bengal. They should not target the state of Manipur. It is a peace-loving state. Speaking about the horrifying May 4 video showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a few men, Sarma said that the video was leaked due to political involvement. The case was registered long back, video was available. It (the video) was leaked a day before the commencement of the Parliament session. So, some kind of political things are involved, he said. The Assam CM then added, Irrespective of the date of release of the video, the incident should be condemned, culprits should be punished - on that, I have no issue. But you should not defame the entire Manipur or Northeast. If you compare rape incidents of West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh against Manipur, it's less in Manipur. Manipur shocker and national outrage A national outrage sparked on Wednesday after the horrifying video went viral on social media, with the opposition demanding the BJP government's removal, Manipur CM N Biren Singh's resignation, and the imposition of President's Rule in the state. Massive sloganeering and protests also rocked the monsoon session of the Parliament on Thursday and Friday over the Manipur situation, with the opposition demanding a discussion and a statement from PM Modi in the Houses. Earlier in the day, all four arrested accused, who were allegedly part of a mob that paraded and assaulted the women, have been remanded to 11-day police custody. Meanwhile, police officers told HT that more arrests are to follow as the investigating team has identified at least eight more men who were involved in the incident. As the G20 energy ministers negotiate on a joint statement in Goa on the way forward for energy transition to cleaner sources, observers said there have been disagreements on the language related to phasing down of fossil fuels, scaled up climate finance and trebling of renewable energy deployment by 2030 in the statement to be released on Saturday, people aware of the matter said. G20 energy ministers disagree on the language related to phasing down of fossil fuels. (G20 India Twitter) A leaked draft G20 communique of the Energy Transitions Working Group dated July 6 was shared among observers on Friday. The draft note states that the current rate of renewable energy deployment, globally, may be insufficient to implement the goals of the Paris Agreement and achieve universal energy access. According to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the annual global deployment of renewable energy needs to triple by 2030. To that end, and in line with national circumstances, we aim to contribute towards scaling up renewable energy at an accelerated pace, remove barriers hindering its deployment, and bring down costs by strengthening renewable energy capacity, the draft said. On fossil fuels, the language is careful. While we note that fossil fuels continue to be the part of the energy mix for many countries, we also recognise the importance of accelerating efforts towards the phase down of unabated fossil fuels in line with national circumstances. In this regard, we reaffirm our commitment made in 2009 in Pittsburg to phase out and rationalize, over the medium-term, inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption and commit to achieve this objective, while providing targeted support to the poorest and most vulnerable. The draft also speaks of doubling the rate of energy efficiency and a G20 Action Plan on Doubling the Rate of Energy Efficiency Improvement by 2030 prepared by the Indian Presidency. The draft also speaks of moderating consumption in line with Indias Lifestyle For Environment movement. We also recognize that individual actions and sustainable behavioural choices can play a major role in energy conservation. We intend to build upon the efforts by the past Presidencies to emphasize that energy efficiency and affordability gains go hand in hand with efforts relating to responsible consumption that would incentivize and empower sustainable consumer choices. We acknowledge that greater awareness and capacity building for all categories of consumers and coordinated measures are needed to incentivise sustainable consumption patterns. In this endeavour, we welcome the Presidencys initiative on Lifestyles for sustainable development. Finance and fossil fuels are very sticky issues with certain rich nations resisting talks, said an observer on condition of anonymity. Some officials said a communique may not come out on Saturday because of contentions among G20 nations on the Russia-Ukraine security crisis but a summary of the statement is likely to be released. The COP28 UAE Presidency and the International Energy Agency (IEA) convened the first high-level dialogue through to COP28 around building a 1.5C degree-aligned energy transition. The initiative is being conducted in conjunction with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and will be supported by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The dialogues are intended to build consensus on 1.5C degree-compatible energy transition pathways and the enabling conditions needed to achieve them, as well as momentum around the target energy outcomes for COP28, the Presidency said in a statement from Goa on Friday. COP28 President-Designate Sultan Al Jaber who is attending the ministerial said COP28 represents a milestone opportunity for the world to come together, unite around decisive action, and drive progress towards keeping the goals of then Paris Agreement alive and 1.5C within reach. This will require a collective effort and so we need everyone at the table and that includes the energy industry. The Kolkata Police on Friday arrested a person, allegedly inebriated, while he was attempting to enter a lane near West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence. The police recovered a firearm, a knife along with contraband substances in his possession. He was also carrying identity cards of several agencies. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee(Getty Images) According to the police, the person, identified as Sheikh Noor Alam, in black coat and tie was travelling in a car with a Police sticker on it. He was speaking incoherently, the police said. "Kolkata Police has intercepted one person, identified as Sheikh Noor Alam, near CM Mamata Banerjees residence while he was trying to enter the lane. One firearm, one knife and contraband substances found on him besides several ID cards of different agencies. He was travelling in a car with a Police sticker on it. Police, STF & Special Branch are examining and questioning him at Local Police Station," Vineet Goyal, commissioner, Kolkata Police, told news agency ANI. CM Banerjee was at her residence when the incident took place. This comes on the day when the Trinamool Congress is holding a Martyrs Day' rally in central Kolkata where a massive number of party workers have gathered. The July 21 Martyrs Day Rally holds a special place in our hearts. We have been dedicating this day to our martyrs and party workers, CM Banerjee said ahead of the event. She was scheduled to leave her residence to attend the rally. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON 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 Four people died when a SUV and tipper collision police said on Friday, adding, the mishap occurred near Iswarahalli Kudige in Alur taluk of Hassan district in Mangaluru - Bengaluru national highway. The vehicles collided in Mangaluru - Bengaluru highway. (HT Photo) According to police the accident happened when a speeding Innova car overtaking a Karnataka state road transport corporation (KSRTC bus) rammed the tipper coming from opposite direction. Soon after hearing the news we rushed to spot , and shifted one body to Alur taluk government hospital for autopsy said Janubai Kadapatti , sub inspector of Alur police station. She said the villagers already shifted three injured to the Alur hospital , but all the three succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. We have registered a case under IPC section 304 A( causing death by negligence ) and are investigating. She said the bodies were handed over to relatives on Friday night. This is first time four people have died in a mishap since a year in Alur police station limits. Police said the deceased all aged between 25 to 30 were identified as Chetan of Kuppalli village, Ashok of Guddenahalli village, Purushottama of Tattekere village and Dinesh of Chigaluru village of Aluru taluk.They were returning to Alur from Sakaleshpura. The car was driven by Chetan , as it was raining , he could not to control the car and rammed the Tipper transporting m sand. Chetan died on the spot. The mishap occurred around 25 kilometers from Hassan. I was having tea in a hotel beside NH 75 at Ishwaralli , it was heavy raining and an innova car was heading towards Hassan, an eye witness B Ramanatha told reporters. He said that tt was around 6.15 pm the car overtook a KSRTC bus and within moving just 10 metres ahead it rammed to the tipper coming from opposite direction. The three seriously injured persons shifted to Alur government hospital .The car was mangled due to mishap and vehicular traffic disrupted for some time, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi French energy transition minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher has said. (Twitter) France plans to train Indian personnel on EPR (Eurpean pressurised reactor) technology as part of work on the Jaitapur nuclear power project, which will have a significant Make in India component, French energy transition minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher has said. In an interview ahead of her virtual participation in a G20 energy ministers meeting in Goa on Saturday, she said Russias invasion of Ukraine has shown that energy is crucial for strategic autonomy. Edited excerpts: Q. What are Frances priorities for the G20 energy ministers meeting and how do your interests converge with India? A: Indias presidency has set very strong ambitions for the G20 agenda on energy transition issues, which France fully supports. Our priority, which I will stress in Goa, is to strengthen the level of multilateral commitment on achieving carbon neutrality and phasing out fossil fuels. I will highlight the need to address the multiple challenges of energy transition decarbonising the energy mix, energy security and diversification of supply chains and to ensure an inclusive energy transition. Energy efficiency, energy savings and the adoption of more sustainable lifestyles are the core of these efforts, and that is why France fully supports Indias Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) initiative. Lastly, the G20 must live up to its international responsibility and address the disastrous consequences of Russias invasion of Ukraine on the energy sector. Q. What are focus areas in Frances engagements with India, since energy forms a key part of the new 25-year roadmap? A: Indeed, energy transition was an important topic of discussion in Paris, and it features as a priority in the Roadmap 2047 adopted by President Macron and Prime Minister Modi. Our energy cooperation serves three objectives: meeting the Paris Agreements goals and achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible while addressing the growing energy demand driven by Indias fast-paced development, and reinforcing our energy security. Renewable energy solar and wind but also hydropower are at the core of our bilateral cooperation and both our countries believe nuclear energy is a key solution in combating climate change. In pursuit of these shared goals, our cooperation contributes directly to Indias Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme, whether it be through French investments in the energy sector in India, technology transfers or efforts to enhance energy independence. As Russias invasion of Ukraine has shown, energy is a crucial issue for strategic autonomy. Q. What are the plans to bolster cooperation in renewable energy and helping third countries with solar power programmes? A: The large-scale, rapid deployment of renewable energy in India, and Indias ambitious goal to achieve 500 GW of installed non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 are truly impressive. France and French companies are Indias steadfast partners for meeting this ambition. French companies have invested massively in clean energy in India in recent years today, we estimate that 10% of all installed solar capacity in India involves at least one French company! Going forward, we are joining hands on decarbonised hydrogen, a key energy vector for the future. Last year, we adopted a joint roadmap to bring our regulatory standards, research and industrial actors closer together. This new cooperation is already delivering results. On July 14, we announced a major partnership between Frances McPhy and Indias Larsen & Toubro to manufacture electrolysers in India. Together, we can be leaders of the emerging decarbonised hydrogen market. Lastly, we believe that together, France and India can act as a driving force to spur international action on climate. That is why we co-founded the International Solar Alliance, which has become a universal international organisation with 93 member states. We fully support its role as a provider of solutions for unlocking solar power in developing countries, in particular through the STAR-C solar capacity building programme. I look forward to exchanging views with Minister RK Singh on taking forward this ambitious agenda. Q. In civil nuclear cooperation, what is the status of the Jaitapur nuclear power project and the proposal to train Indian personnel in projects with EPR reactors, and the plan to develop low- and medium-power modular reactors? A: French and Indian teams are working together intensively to address all aspects of the Jaitapur nuclear power plant project, which represents a key pillar of the Indo-French strategic partnership. In Paris on July 14, we welcomed the recent progress on technical and commercial negotiations. This project will benefit from feedback from others EPR projects worldwide three EPRs are already in operation abroad and three more are under construction as well as from Frances ambitious new programme to build up to 14 new EPRs. Moreover, thanks to the involvement of dozens of Indian companies, Jaitapur would entail a significant Make in India component. On training and skill development, we have already set up joint training sessions in past years, in line with the Skill India initiative. Now, as part of the Jaitapur project, our proposal is to extend this cooperation and train Indian engineers and technicians on EPR technology. Another key outcome from Prime Minister Modis visit was the decision to launch cooperation on modular reactors SMRs and AMRs which are innovative solutions, in addition to larger reactors and renewable energy. Our goal is to work as partners not only on reactor technologies, but also on potential applications (electricity generation, hydrogen production, etc), certification, training and industrial partnerships. The French SMR (Nuward) is in a late development stage, and various French start-ups are working on advanced reactors, such as Naarea, based on molten salt reactors, and Newcleo, based on sodium-cooled fast reactors. Q. How can India and France work together on green transition and its funding and at COP28? A: As we know from the IPCC report, global warming is accelerating. Global emissions are back to pre-pandemic levels. If they dont start decreasing by 2025, we will not meet the 1.5C target. France has decreased its emissions by 2.7% in 2022 and we are engaged in the worlds most ambitious programme to cut our emissions through a system-wide approach. This will lead us to reduce our emissions by 55% in 2030 at the EU level. At COP28, the international community will carry out the first global stocktaking of climate efforts and we will strive to set the necessary goals for the next few decades, all the way to carbon neutrality by mid-century. To this end, we know the world needs to cut its dependency on fossil fuels. France will support the vulnerable countries call to phase out fossil fuels at COP28. France is fully committed to supporting developing and emerging countries in achieving a just transition. France contributes more than 6 billion annually to climate finance and we are spearheading efforts to build a new North-South consensus. That was the purpose of the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact hosted by President Macron in June, attended by more than 40 heads of state and government, and which aimed at enabling a financing breakthrough so that no country would have to choose between reducing poverty, combating climate change, and preserving biodiversity. We work very closely with India on this topic, and we believe India has a unique capacity to act as a bridge on this crucial issue. The Paris agenda for people and planet was discussed during Prime Minister Modis visit to Paris, and our goal is for it to help achieve meaningful outcomes at Indias G20 Summit in September and COP28 in November. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Union tourism minister G Kishan Reddy on Friday assumed charge as the president of Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Telangana state unit, weeks after he was appointed in the post by the BJP national leadership. Union minister G Kishan Reddy takes charge as the Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, in Hyderabad on Friday. (Bandi Sanjay Kumar Twitter) Reddy was accorded a grand welcome at the BJP state headquarters at Nampally, where he took charge from his predecessor Bandi Sanjay Kumar, who stepped down from the post of Telangana BJP chief on July 4. BJP state election in-charge and Rajya Sabha member Prakash Javadekar, BJP state in-charge Tarun Chugh, Rajya Sabha member K Laxman, Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar, Huzurabad MLA Eatala Rajender, Dubbaka MLA M Raghunandan Rao, Adilabad MP Soyam Bapu Rao, Nizamabad MP Dharmapuri Arvind, former MLA Komatireddy Rajgopal Reddy and several senior leaders were present on the occasion. This is the third time that Reddy was appointed as the state BJP chief once during the combined Andhra Pradesh regime from 2010 to 2014; and later as the first Telangana BJP president from 2014 to 2016. Before taking the charge of the party president, Reddy visited Bhagyalakshmi temple and offered prayers. He also visited Martyrs memorial site and later garlanded the statues of BR Ambedkar and Jyotirao Phule. After assuming the office, Reddy wrote an open letter to Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, demanding that the state government should fulfil the assurances and promises made, to the people of the state, by him during the formation Telangana, including waiver of crop loans of farmers to the extent of 1 lakh at one go; issuance of title deeds of lands occupied by tribals; filling of all vacant government jobs and payment of unemployment allowance to the jobless youth. After assuming the charge, Reddy expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president J P Nadda for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the party to victory in the next elections in Telangana. I will put forth all my energy with diligence and commitment to drive the party to newer heights and serve the people of the state, he said. Former BJP president Bandi Sanjay said he would work under the guidance of Kishan Reddy. I did my best as the Telangana unit president and I am confident that under Kishan Reddys leadership, the party would definitely achieve its goal of conquering Telangana in the next elections, he said. He, however, had a piece of advice to the party leaders. Let Kishan Reddy do his job peacefully. I wish you wont rush to Delhi every time to lodge complaints against him, as has happened in my case, Sanjay said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON 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 India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued a 'red' alert for Gujarat for Saturday and Sunday while noting that the state is likely to get "heavy to very heavy rainfall (more than 204.4 mm)" on these days. An aerial view of the flooded Sutrapada city after heavy rainfall, in Gir Somnath on Thursday.(ANI) Follow Mumbai Rain LIVE Updates here Meanwhile the state has been put on orange alert for today as it is predicted to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. Heavy rain battered parts of the state causing floods in low-lying areas of Saurashtra and Kutch on Wednesday. Meanwhile, severe waterlogging was reported in Rajkot due to incessant rainfall on Thursday. Earlier this week, three people were killed and around 300 were rescued as the rain continued to pound parts of Saurashtra on Wednesday. Two deaths in rain-related incidents were reported from Surendranagar district while one similar death was reported from Rajkot district. Most of Veraval town was flooded following heavy rain, which began on Tuesday afternoon and continued till late Wednesday. The NDRF rescued 270 people trapped in floodwaters while the Gir Somnath police rescued 30 near Somnath bypass. Read here: 'Heavy' rainfall alert in several states; flash-flood risk persists in Himachal: Top weather updates National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF) teams have been put on alert in view of the rain situation. Out of Gujarat's 206 reservoirs, 43 have been placed on high alert due to heavy inflow of water. 18 reservoirs are on alert mode, and warnings have been issued for another 19, said the state government. The weather body has also issued a fresh weather warning for the states such as Maharashtra, Odisha, flood-wrecked Himachal Pradesh in the days ahead. Further, the administration in Maharashtras Raigad district has sought assistance from citizens after a landslide at the hilly hamlet of Irshalwadi killed at least 16 people and destroyed several houses. Read here: Gujarat's Rajkot waterlogged after heavy rain; IMD issues orange alert. Top updates The landslide occurred around 11 pm on Wednesday at the tribal village, situated on a hill slope, under Khalapur tehsil of the coastal district, around 80 km from Mumbai. Of the 228 residents of the village, the bodies of 16 have been recovered, while 93 residents have been traced, an official said on Friday. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON India on July 18, 1980, became the sixth nation in the world with satellite launching capability when its 17-tonne four-stage rocket SLV-3 successfully put a 35kg Rohini satellite (RS-1) into an earth orbit. Rohini satellite (RS-1) ahead of its launch from Sriharikota space centre. (HT Archive) The indigenously developed SLV-3, fabricated at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre at Trivandrum, blasted off at 8.04am from the Indian Space Research Organisations Sriharikota Range, 100km north of Madras, and the satellite, RS-1, was in perfect orbit eight minutes later. Rohini is orbiting the earth once in 90 minutes. It was a flawless launching with all the stages of the carrier rocket performing excellently after the blast-off. The satellite is being tracked by the Isros tracking stations. The satellite Rohini is the third Indian satellite the other two being Aryabhata and Bhaskar, but they were launched on board Soviet rockets from foreign land. Rohini will have a 100-day life span. The success of the SLV-3 launch culminates an almost decade-long effort at perfecting Indias own launch vehicle. All the major systems in this vehicle including its propellant are completely indigenous, which is a tribute to the multidisciplinary R&D effort of Isro which is spearheading the space programme. The future launch vehicles would be more versatile and capable of putting payloads of 600 kg and above and the satellites will be multifunctional, helping communications, meteorology, TV and resource mapping. A four-stage rocket, SLV-3 weighed 17 tonnes before lift-off. The propellants needed for the four stages accounted for 13 tonnes. On the launching pad, SLV-3 stood over 22 metres high, comprising the four solid-propellant rocket stages inter-connected with inter-stages and separation systems. The satellite RS-1 was lodged on top of the fourth stage. This stage, which provided almost half of the speed of 28,000 kmph required to place the satellite in orbit, accounted for barely two per cent of the weight. SLV-3 left Earth with a form of 57 tonnes. While mediapersons were barred from the space centre during the launch, some had a grandstand view of the carrier rocket from 5km away as it rose vertically leaving behind a cloud of white smoke. There were 44 major systems and 250 subsystems in SLV-3, its individual components numbered 100,000. About 40,000 fasteners were used. Several thousand electrical and electronic components were used in the 560 functional units of the vehicle. There were about 800 integrated circuit chips, 300 transistors, 450 diodes, 2,000 capacitors and 3,000 resisters interconnected through 1,300 multi-pin connectors. A million meticulously soldered joints held the electrical network together. Electrical signals rushed back and forth through 25km of wire inside the vehicle. Apart from Isros own units, 46 industries and institutions spread throughout India contributed to the building of SLV-3. This was the second test flight of SLV-3. The first experimental flight, on August 10 last year, was officially described as partially unsuccessful after the rocket plummeted into the Bay of Bengal with the small technological payload which was to have been orbited. The Rohini satellite has on board an instrument pack that is powered by a five-watt solar battery. Right from lift-off, the vehicles trajectory was monitored by four long and medium range radars. Other tracking systems such as long-range Interferometer and optical line theodolites provided additional tracking support. Four major computer systems received trajectory information from the tracking sources and processed the data simultaneously. They also displayed the vehicles path on plot boards in the range safety room of the control centre at Sriharikota. The Isros closed circuit television network, said to be the largest of its kind in the country, monitored the launching operations. A network of ground stations located at Sriharikota, Car Nicobar, Trivandrum and Ahmedabad joined in providing tracking and telemetry support for the RS-1 satellite. The exact orbital parameters such as the satellites inclination and height are not known at present. The Sriharikota space centre will see two orbits of the satellite for the first time tonight only after which the parameters will be computed. Thereafter every 12 hours two more such orbits will be seen in regular periodicity. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON India and Sri Lanka on Friday unveiled a new economic partnership for maritime, air, energy and financial connectivity, including the use of Indias Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system, even as New Delhi pressed Colombo on a political solution to fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil minority. Sri Lankas President Ranil Wickremesinghe shakes hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo) The India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision, issued after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ranil Wickremesinghe, includes a power grid interconnection for electricity trade, construction of a petroleum pipeline, a feasibility study for land connectivity, and resumption of talks on an Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement to replace an existing trade deal. Following an agreement between Indias NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lanka Pay, UPI is set to be accepted in Sri Lanka after completion of certain processes in the next two to three months. As a follow-up to the 2022 deal on the Trincomalee oil tank farms, the two sides signed an agreement to develop the facility as a regional hub of industry and energy. Participating in a media interaction with Wickremesinghe, Modi said Sri Lanka has a key place in Indias Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. Referring to the unprecedented economic crisis that hit Sri Lanka over the past year, he noted that India stood shoulder to shoulder with the island nation in its hour of crisis. We believe the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined and therefore, it is essential that we work together keeping in mind each others safety and sensitivities, Modi said, speaking in Hindi. The remarks were seen as an apparent reference to bilateral ties being hit last year by Sri Lankas decision to allow a visit to Hambantota port by a Chinese surveillance vessel. A stable, secure and prosperous Sri Lanka is not only in Indias interest, but in the interest of the entire Indian Ocean region, he added. Wickremesinghe expressed profound appreciation for Indias support during the economic downturn. India extended economic support worth almost $4 billion to help Sri Lanka tide over the crisis. Besides strengthening connectivity in different spheres, the new economic partnership reflects Indias long-term commitment to Sri Lanka and will accelerate cooperation in tourism, power, trade and education, Modi said. Modi expressed the hope that Sri Lankas government will fulfil the aspirations of the island nations Tamil minority and drive the process of rebuilding for equality, justice and peace. He called on Sri Lanka to fulfil its commitment to implement the 13th constitutional amendment, conduct elections to provincial councils and ensure a life of respect and dignity for the Tamils. To mark 200 years of the arrival of Tamils in Sri Lanka, Modi said projects worth 75 crore will be implemented for the Indian-origin community. India will also contribute to development programmes in Sri Lankas northern and eastern regions that have a sizeable Tamil population. Wickremesignhe said he shared with Modi a proposal he presented to Sri Lankas Tamil leadership this week for furthering reconciliation and power-sharing. I have invited all party leaders in Parliament to work towards consensus and national unity on these measures. Thereafter, the government will place relevant legislation before Parliament, he said, adding Modi expressed solidarity and goodwill for these steps. However, Sri Lankas Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has rejected the proposal as it envisages devolution with the exception of police powers. Tamil leaders have pointed out that provincial councils have been virtually defunct for five years. Asked about these matters at a media briefing, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said India continues to back a political solution that addresses the aspirations of the Tamils for equality, justice and self-respect within the framework of a united Sri Lanka. Modi raised these aspirations and emphasised that meaningful devolution of powers is essential for reconciliation, he added. As part of maritime connectivity under the new economic partnership, the two sides will resume passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka and work for resumption of similar services between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar. They will cooperate to develop ports and logistics at Colombo, Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai. Following the resumption of flights between Jaffna and Chennai, the two sides will increase flights to Colombo and explore connectivity between Chennai and Trincomalee, Batticaloa and other destinations in Sri Lanka. In the field of energy connectivity, the proposed high-capacity power grid interconnection will enable bidirectional electricity trade between Sri Lanka and other regional countries. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation on renewable energy will facilitate development of offshore wind and solar in Sri Lanka. The two sides will work towards the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) to enhance bilateral trade and investments in new areas. The two countries held 11 rounds of talks on ETCA till negotiations stalled in 2019. The ETCA is meant to replace a free trade agreement signed in 1998. The Indian side agreed to facilitate investments for the divestment of Sri Lankan state-owned enterprises and in manufacturing and economic zones in various sectors. The two sides further agreed to leverage Indias digital public infrastructure in line with Sri Lankas needs for effective delivery of citizen-centric services. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON India and Sri Lanka on Friday unveiled a new economic partnership for maritime, air, energy and financial connectivity, including the use of Indias Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system, even as New Delhi pressed Colombo on a political solution to fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil minority. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi (Twitter/@narendramodi) The India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision, issued after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ranil Wickremesinghe, includes a power grid inter-connection for electricity trade, construction of a petroleum pipeline, a feasibility study for land connectivity, and resumption of talks on an Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement to replace an existing trade deal. Following an agreement between Indias NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lanka Pay, UPI is set to be accepted in Sri Lanka after completion of certain processes in the next two to three months. As a follow-up to the 2022 deal on the Trincomalee oil tank farms, the two sides signed an agreement to develop the facility as a regional hub of industry and energy. Participating in a media interaction with Wickremesinghe, Modi said Sri Lanka has a key place in Indias Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. Referring to the unprecedented economic crisis that hit Sri Lanka over the past year, he noted that India stood shoulder to shoulder with the island nation in its hour of crisis. We believe the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined and therefore, it is essential that we work together keeping in mind each others safety and sensitivities, Modi said, speaking in Hindi. The remarks were seen as an apparent reference to bilateral ties being hit last year by Sri Lankas decision to allow a visit to Hambantota port by a Chinese surveillance vessel. A stable, secure and prosperous Sri Lanka is not only in Indias interest, but in the interest of the entire Indian Ocean region, he added. Wickremesinghe expressed profound appreciation for Indias support during the economic downturn. India extended economic support worth almost $4 billion to help Sri Lanka tide over the crisis. Besides strengthening connectivity in different spheres, the new economic partnership reflects Indias long-term commitment to Sri Lanka and will accelerate cooperation in tourism, power, trade and education, Modi said. Modi expressed the hope that Sri Lankas government will fulfil the aspirations of the island nations Tamil minority and drive the process of rebuilding for equality, justice and peace. He called on Sri Lanka to fulfil its commitment to implement the 13th constitutional amendment, conduct elections to provincial councils and ensure a life of respect and dignity for the Tamils. To mark 200 years of the arrival of Tamils in Sri Lanka, Modi said projects worth 75 crore will be implemented for the Indian-origin community. India will also contribute to development programmes in Sri Lankas northern and eastern regions that have a sizeable Tamil population. Wickremesignhe said he shared with Modi a proposal he presented to Sri Lankas Tamil leadership this week for furthering reconciliation and power-sharing. I have invited all party leaders in Parliament to work towards consensus and national unity on these measures. Thereafter, the government will place relevant legislation before Parliament, he said, adding Modi expressed solidarity and goodwill for these steps. However, Sri Lankas Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has rejected the proposal as it envisages devolution with the exception of police powers. Tamil leaders have pointed out that provincial councils have been virtually defunct for five years. Asked about these matters at a media briefing, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said India continues to back a political solution that addresses the aspirations of the Tamils for equality, justice and self-respect within the framework of a united Sri Lanka. Modi raised these aspirations and emphasised that meaningful devolution of powers is essential for reconciliation, he added. As part of maritime connectivity under the new economic partnership, the two sides will resume passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka and work for resumption of similar services between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar. They will cooperate to develop ports and logistics at Colombo, Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai. Following the resumption of flights between Jaffna and Chennai, the two sides will expand flights to Colombo and explore connectivity between Chennai and Trincomalee, Batticaloa and other destinations in Sri Lanka. In the field of energy connectivity, the proposed high-capacity power grid interconnection will enable bidirectional electricity trade between Sri Lanka and other regional countries. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation on renewable energy will facilitate development of offshore wind and solar in Sri Lanka. The two sides will work towards the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) to enhance bilateral trade and investments in new areas. The two countries held 11 rounds of talks on ETCA till negotiations stalled in 2019. The ETCA is meant to replace a free trade agreement signed in 1998. The Indian side agreed to facilitate investments for the divestment of Sri Lankan state-owned enterprises and in manufacturing and economic zones in various sectors. The two sides further agreed to leverage Indias digital public infrastructure in line with Sri Lankas needs for effective delivery of citizen-centric services. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India is poised to be one of the largest providers of skilled workers globally while calling for rapid universalization of social-security benefits for them. Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (PTI) Modi said skilling, re-skilling, and up-skilling were the mantras for the future workforce. In this era of the fourth industrial revolution, technology has become and will remain the key driver of employment, he said in his inaugural virtual address to the 4th employment working group meeting of G20 labour and employment ministers in Indore. A ministerial declaration will be finalised at the meeting along with outcome documents, which will be adopted by G20 members nations. Drawing attention to the universal welfare of skilled workforce, Modi said member states must consider each countrys unique economic capacities, strengths, and challenges. Adopting a one-size-fits-all approach is not suitable for sustainable financing of social protection, he said. He said globalising the referencing of occupations by skills and qualifications will enable greater mobility and enhance employment opportunities, especially for countries with a large skilled workforce. Modi added these steps would boost productivity in the global economy. This requires new models of international cooperation and coordination, and migration and mobility partnerships. He also called for the sharing of statistics, information, and data regarding employers. As many as 165 delegates including 24 ministers, heads of international organisations, and employers associations, the World Bank, etc are attending the G20 labour conference. At the conference, India held a presentation of e-Shram, the largest portal and database of workers in the world. The portal is designed to integrate workers benefits, insurance, and all data on a single platfrom. Modi said the gig and platform economy emerged as the pillar of resilience during the Covid pandemic and therefore needs special impetus. The gig economy offers immense potential of generating gainful employment, especially for the youth while also becoming a transformative tool for socio economic empowerment of women. German vice-chancellor Robert Habeck, who is on a three-day India visit, urged New Delhi to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and said it would even help in their ties if India says this is an aggression. External affairs minister S Jaishankar meets German vice-chancellor Robert Habeck, in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI Photo) You can't stay neutral if there's injustice There's always an aggressor and one that is the victim, and if you say 'I don't distinguish between aggressor and victim', in a way, you don't reflect the real situation, Habeck told DW in an interview. Habeck added that while he respected India's own tradition and partnership with Russia, New Delhi cannot remain neutral while the war is ongoing. "I would be very glad, and it would even help in our relationship, if India at least finds clear language and says this is an aggression, it's a one-sided aggression, it's Putin's war," DW quoted Habeck as saying. In a recent interview to Wall Street Journal (WSJ), ahead of his departure for a historic State visit to the US, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that India stood on the side of peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Modi also said when it came to the Ukraine conflict, "Some people say that we are neutral. But we are not neutral. We are on the side of peace." Asked about criticism in the US of his government for not taking a more forceful stance against Russia in the conflict with Ukraine, Modi told the publication, "I don't think this type of perception is widespread in the US." Habeck's visit to India is a step toward expanding Germany's economic relations in Asia away from China and to diversify energy resources, DW reported. 'Democracies shouldnt take advantage of sanctions on Russian oil' Habeck, who is also Germany's economics minister, said democracies shouldnt take advantage of Western sanctions or the G7 price cap on Russian oil to provide more funds to Russia to fuel its war in Ukraine. Western sanctions imposed after Russias invasion of Ukraine havent banned trade in Russian oil, but providing more funds to Russia or using this sanctions system to benefit from it is not the idea of it," Habeck told reporters on the margins of an Indo-German Business Forum. Asked about India not joining the price cap imposed on Russia oil by the G7, Habeck replied, The sanctions system means that we havent banned the trade of oil, but theres a price cap on it. That means that you are allowed to buy crude oil and refine it, this is within the sanctions system, but making money out of it, bringing more money to Russia, using this sanctions system to benefit from it is not the idea of it. He added: So, I ask all democracies worldwide not to use the sanctions system to give more credit, more money to Russia that they can fuel their war in Ukraine. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The indigenously developed Kavach automatic protection technology has been in the news since the horrific triple train accident in Odisha's Balasore last month, which claimed lives of nearly 300 passengers and injured more than 800. The railways had confirmed that the Kavach was not installed on the route, which might have stopped the express trains from colliding with each other. During the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, Communist Party of India (CPI) MP Binoy Viswam had asked a series of questions from railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on the Kavach system. The opposition MP asked how many trains had Kavach installed out of total trains in the country. Vaishnaw replied that a toal of 121 locomotives (including electric multiple unit rakes) belonging to Secunderabad division (30), Hyderabad division (56), Guntakal division (28) and Vijaywada division (7) of South Central Railways are equipped with Kavach. The trains hauled by Kavach fitted locomotives change according to the operational requirements of Railways as per loco links, the minister's reply added. Viswam asked how much money has been spent by the government on the creation of Kavach till date. The minister replied that a total of 351.91 crore has been spent on its implementation. The CPI MP asked the number of private companies involved in the creation of this technology and amount paid to them. To this unstarred question in Rajya Sabha, the minister replied that a total of three companies have been involved in the creation of Kavach and the amount paid is approximately 351.91 crore including track side and locomotive works. The CPI MP also asked if there had been any accidents or failures in a train installed with the Kavach system. The minister said there had been no mishap. What is Kavach? A Kavach system alerts when a loco pilot jumps a signal and takes control of the brakes bringing the train to a halt automatically on noticing another train on the same line. This technology was announced in 2022 Budget as a part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. A total of 2,000 km of rail network was planned to be brought under this technology. This technology has been developed indigenously by Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in association with three Indian vendors and has been adopted as the National Automatic Train Protection (ATP) System. Railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said a total of 351.91 crore has been spent on implementation of 'Kavach' technology.(Representative image) American theoretical physicist J Robert Oppenheimer, the subject of Christopher Nolans newest film, is known as the father of the atomic (nuclear) bomb. The story of the bomb, however, begins with the science behind it, which was uncovered some years before Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy) headed the laboratory, part of the Manhattan Project, that developed the devastating weapon. PREMIUM Cillian Murphy in a still from the film Oppenheimer,which is based on J Robert Oppenheimer. (AP) A nuclear bomb works on fission, or the splitting of atoms. Atoms bombarded with neutrons split into newer atoms, in the process releasing energy and more neutrons. The newly released neutrons would then strike more atoms and fission them, releasing still more energy and neutrons. This chain reaction ultimately releases a staggering amount of energy. In the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the fission materials used were uranium-235 and plutonium-239. The science was new at the time the Manhattan Project was launched in 1941-42. The neutron had been discovered in 1932, and fission understood only in 1938-39. The story must, therefore, begin with the neutron. The neutron and fission Until the neutron was discovered, the atom was believed to contain only two kinds of particles, the positively charged protons in the nucleus and the negatively charged electrons orbiting it. The neutron, which resides alongside the proton in the nucleus, was discovered by the English physicist James Chadwick, who would go on to win the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1935. It first emerged in experiments by other scientists, starting 1930, in the form of unexplained radiation when beryllium atoms were bombarded with alpha particles. Chadwick guessed that the radiation must be made of particles, determined their size, found they carried no electric charge, and concluded that these particles were of a new kind. This was the neutron. The power that the neutron could unleash became apparent soon after. Since it had no charge, it could easily penetrate the nucleus of various atoms, and bombardment, in theory, could convert an atom of one element into an atom of the next higher element in the periodic table. A team led by the Italian-American Enrico Fermi (played by Danny Deferrari in the film), then in his ancestral country, bombarded uranium with neutrons and thought they had created element 93. It was actually a product of fission, although they did not realise it then. In 1939, the German scientists Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassman added non-radioactive barium to uranium, bombarded it with neutrons, and found that the barium contained some radioactivity. The riddle was eventually solved by the Austrian-born physicist Lise Meitner, Hahns former colleague, who fled to Sweden after Germanys occupation of Austria. The radiation, she proposed, came from radioactive barium, which was formed by the bombardment of uranium. This was counter-intuitive: how could barium be formed from the much heavier uranium? Meitner suggested that the bombardment spilt the uranium nucleus into two, forming barium and another element (later named technetium). When the theory reached the Danish physicist Neils Bohr (played by Kenneth Branagh), he presented it at an international conference in Washington, and physicists soon embarked on this new line of experiments. It was not long before the idea of a chain reaction dawned on them. Bombardment of an atom with neutrons would release new neutrons, which would strike more atoms and release still newer neutrons, all the time releasing more and more energy. The Hungarian-American physicist Leo Szilard (played by Mate Haumann) anticipated the consequences of such a weapon reaching Nazi Germany. Along with his colleagues Eugene Wigner and Edward Teller (Benny Safdie), they convinced the initially reluctant Albert Einstein (Tom Conti) to write to US President Franklin Roosevelt, urging that the US should try and develop such a weapon before the Nazis did. The letter reached the President after World War II had begun in Europe. On December 6, 1941, Roosevelt commissioned a project, initially called the Manhattan Engineer District, for making an atom bomb. Japan, incidentally, bombed Pearl Harbor the very next day. The Manhattan Project Oppenheimer, then with the University of California, Berkeley, was among the scientists who joined the effort, which later came to be known as the Manhattan Project. Army officer Leslie Groves (played by Matt Damon), who was supervising military activities relating to the project, chose Oppenheimer to direct weapons development. Oppenheimer chose Los Alamos, New Mexico, for construction of his laboratory. Among the challenges Oppenheimer and his team faced was finding the right element to be fissioned. Uranium was the obvious candidate, but the hitch was that the more abundant isotope, U-238, was more stable than U-235, which was less abundant. Bohr predicted that U-235 would yield more readily to fission, which was proved right in later experiments. The laboratory needed large quantities of uranium, which would first need to be purified to ensure neutrons were not wasted. Scientists set about producing purified uranium, but less than 1% was U-235, which meant that the 99% U-238 would capture the neutrons without resulting in fission. Eventually, a process called gaseous diffusion was used to separate U-235 from U-238. The next step was to moderate the speed of bombardment. Slower bombardment allows for better absorption of more neutrons. The experimenters eventually opted for carbon as a moderator. Subsequent experiments with carbon-graphite mixtures showed that a chain reaction was possible only if the lump of uranium was sufficiently large, and a uranium chain reactor of critical size was built at the University of Chicago. As it turned out, U-235 was used in only one of the two bombs that were dropped. The other used plutonium-239, which had turned up in experiments bombarding U-238 with neutrons. Given its unstable nature, it was a candidate for fission, and was eventually produced at special laboratories for the purpose. It was a plutonium-based bomb that was tested at Jornada del Muerto, New Mexico on July 16, 1945. This was the Trinity test, code-named by Oppenheimer. The first nuclear bomb to be used was uranium-based; called the Little Boy, it was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6 that year. The Fat Man, which was plutonium-based, was dropped on Nagasaki three days later. Life after the War Nolans film is based on a biography, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer (2005), by Kai Bird and Martin J Sherwin, who look at Oppenheimers life, including outside the Manhattan Project. After the War, Oppenheimer served on the advisory committee of the US Atomic Energy Commission (now the Department of Energy), which in 1949 recommended against building a hydrogen bomb. Such a bomb works on fusion, the opposite of fission; two atoms of hydrogen are made to combine into helium under high temperature, forming helium. The protons released in the process fuse with different hydrogen isotopes to create corresponding helium isotopes. This again is a chain reaction, which could result in a bomb much more powerful than those developed by the Manhattan Project. Oppenheimers refusal to make a hydrogen bomb earned him enemies. He was accused of being a Soviet spy (he had past communist links) and had to face a review board, after which his security clearance was revoked, which blocked his access to classified documents. He continued teaching physics, and died in 1967. In 2014, the records from the hearing were declassified. In 2022, the Department of Energy declared the proceedings unfair and reinstated Oppenheimers security clearance. Bengaluru: A day after JD(S) supremo and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowdas statement that there would be no alliance with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), former Karnataka chief minister and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy held a joint press conference with BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai at Vidhana Soudha on Friday. Together, they announced their decision to unite against the Congress-led government in the state, joining forces on various issues. JD(S) MLA HD Kumaraswamy along with former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai addresses a joint press conference, at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Friday (ANI) Kumaraswamy clarified that both the BJP and JD(S) are in Opposition and have decided to collaborate inside and outside the house against the government. BJP is also in the Opposition and we are also in the Opposition. We have decided to fight against this government together inside and outside the house. This decision has been taken for the welfare of the state, Kumaraswamy said. When asked about the JD(S) Legislature Party meeting held on Thursday night, Kumaraswamy said that a 10-member committee will be formed to strengthen the party. We held detailed discussions on Thursday and Friday. A committee of 10 members will be formed including youth to strengthen the party. We will raise our voices against this government. The Lok Sabha elections are still far away; we will see that later. HD Deve Gowda has also said that he has given his support to the decision taken by me, the former CM said. During the joint press conference, Kumaraswamy raised the issue of the NICE road and demanded that toll collection be stopped. People are asking why they should pay the toll on the NICE road. There were several cases against the company. A cabinet sub-committee was formed in 2016. We demand the government to implement the report, Kumaraswamy said. People are facing difficulties in paying toll on the NICE road. The government must act on the court and the cabinet sub-committee report. The additional acquired land must be returned to farmers. An audit must be conducted and additional toll collected must be taken back by the government, former Karnataka CM Bommai said. Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda on Thursday night held a meeting of JDS Legislators at a private hotel in Bengaluru. Contrary to any assumptions of an alliance, Deve Gowda clarified that the BJP and JDS have not joined hands. He said that the party will fight independently and there is no question of joining the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) or the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). On one hand there is NDA and on the other there is UPA. I have suggested which way to go. I know the national politics very well and I have shared my experience with the MLAs. For the welfare of the state, the regional party has to survive. We will keep raising the injustice faced by the people and fight independently. There is no question of joining NDA or UPA, Deve Gowda said. Deve Gowda acknowledged Kumaraswamys role in raising issues, such as IAS officers deployment, but insisted it didnt mean JD(S) had allied with the BJP. Kumaraswamy had raised the issue of IAS officers deployment through his tweet. The BJP raised it in the Assembly. BJP has more number of MLAs and we have to consider it. When they staged a walkout we also followed it as the issue was the same. That does not mean JDS has joined hands with the BJP, Deve Gowda said. Regarding recent incidents in the Assembly, while Kumaraswamy supported the suspended BJP MLAs, former minister and MP Devegowda held both the Congress and BJP MLAs responsible for their unruly behaviour. Some leaders believe that maintaining equidistance from both national parties is crucial for the survival and relevance of the regional party JDS. The partys sympathizers have also suggested the same approach, said a JD(S) legislator who didnt want to be named. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Friday reacted sharply to a picture of outgoing Wrestling Federation of India chief and Bharatiya Janata Party MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in which he can be seen smiling while leaving after the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament in New Delhi on Thursday. Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra.(PTI file) On Thursday, a Delhi court granted regular bail to Brij Bhushan in a case of sexual harassment of women wrestlers. The court also allowed the bail application of suspended Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) assistant secretary Vinod Tomar. I am granting bail on a bond of 25,000 each with certain conditions, additional chief metropolitan magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal said. The metropolitan court directed the accused not to leave the country without its prior permission and not offer any inducement to witnesses in the case. Commenting on the picture, which was clicked by news agency PTI and seen by HT, Moitra tweeted, This is how accused sexual harasser BJP MP entered parliament yesterday- triumphant & jubilant after getting bail for sexual harassment & assault. She also alleged, @DelhiPolice did NOT oppose bail. Maun Guru Honble PM - pls ask your conscience how wrestlers must feel seeing this image. The Delhi Police had filed a charge sheet against Brij Bhushan, a six-time MP, on June 15 under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The court had earlier in the day reserved order after hearing the submissions of all the parties while both Singh and Tomar were present in the court. The prosecution had submitted before the court that they are neither opposing the bail application nor supporting the bail but urged the court that the bail application should be dealt with in accordance with law. The counsel for the complainants, on the other hand, opposed the bail application submitting that if the court grants bail to the accused, strict conditions should be imposed on them. He had also apprised the court that there is an apprehension of threat among the wrestlers as Singh is an influential person. Olympians Bajrang Punia, Sakshi Malik and Vinesh Phogat along with other wrestlers had been on a protest in the national capital earlier this year to press for the arrest of Brij Bhushan over allegations of sexual harassment. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party over the ongoing violence in Manipur, Bilkis Bano and wrestlers' sexual harassment cases, claiming that the BJP's Beti Bachao slogan has now turned into Beti Jalao. West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.(PTI) You (BJP) gave 'Beti Bachao' slogan, where is your slogan now? We express our solidarity with the people of Manipur. Today, Manipur is burning, the whole country is burning. In the Bilkis Bano case, the accused were released on bail. In the wrestlers' sexual harassment case (Brij Bhushan Singh) was also granted bail...The women of the country will throw you out of the country's politics in the coming elections The BJP's 'Beti Bachao' has now turned into Beti Jalao, Banerjee said addressing tens of thousands of Trinamool Congress workers from villages and towns across the state who thronged Kolkata for the ruling partys 'Martyrs Day' rally on Friday. Banerjee also asserted that the Trinamool Congress doesn't want any chair, but we just want this BJP regime to go. We will organise all protests against the Centre under the banner of Opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A., the Bengal chief minister told the gathering. TMC to protest in Delhi on October 2: Abhishek Banerjee Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee announced that the party will launch a massive protest in Delhi on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) against the BJP-led Central government for blocking funds of Bengal under MGNREGA and other schemes. Banerjee, the TMC national general secretary, said the entire country is resonating with the slogan that BJP will be ousted and the newly formed opposition alliance - I.N.D.I.A - will form the next government in 2024. The Centre, because of vendetta politics, has stopped funds for Bengal. As I had said earlier, we will launch a massive protest in Delhi against the BJP-led Central government blocking funds of Bengal under MGNREGA. On October 2, we will organise a protest outside Krishi Bhavan, he said while addressing the Martyr's Day rally here. Mamata Banerjee also supported the call by Abhishek. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to outline a roadmap for the 2024 national polls at the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC)s annual martyrs day rally in Kolkata in remembrance of the 13 people killed in police firing during a protest she was a part of in 1993 against the then Left Front government. This will be Mamata Banerjees first rally since the formation of Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. (ANI) This will be her first rally since the TMC swept the panchayat polls this month and the formation of the 26-party Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) to take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the next national election. TMC is part of the grouping along with her arch-rival Left parties. Banerjee became the chief minister in 2011 after the Left Front was ousted from power after 43 years. Banerjee generally makes key announcements on July 21 annually as TMC observes the martyrs day in memory of the 13 people killed in 1993 during a Youth Congress protest. Mamata Banerjee, who was then a leader of the Youth Congress, was also injured. She quit Congress years later and formed TMC in 1998. A TMC leader, who did not want to be named, said they were waiting for the party chief to guide them for the battle ahead. There have been some developments on the national front over the past few days, he said. As the TMC, the Communist Party of India-(Marxist) or CPI(M), and the Congress are partners in the new grouping, there has been some confusion among the ground-level workers. The CPI (M) has clarified it will continue to fight against TMC in the state, which sends the third highest (42 out of 543) lawmakers to Lok Sabha. The BJP, which won 18 Lok Sabha seats in Bengal in 2019, has emerged as the main challenger to TMC, which got 22, the Congress two, and the Left Front none. TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said the turnout at their annual rally this year will break all previous records as thousands of the party workers and supporters started pouring into Kolkata. The BJP, the main Opposition party, has announced protests outside the offices of block development officers against the alleged irregularities in the panchayat polls. Violence and allegations of rigging marred the polling day. At least 55 people have been killed after the polls were announced on June 8. As many as 18 died on polling day. Post-poll clashes have continued in some places. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Friday responded to the opposition's calls for his resignation amid a nationwide outrage over the incident of atrocities on women in the northeastern state, saying that his main job is to bring peace in the state. Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh(ANI) I don't want to go into this. My job is to bring peace to the state. Miscreants are there in every society but we will not spare them, he told news agency ANI. He added, We have launched statewide condemnation protests, both in valley and hills, over the video that went viral and tarnished the state's image. People are protesting across the state regarding the incident and demanding the strictest punishment for the accused. Accused number one, who was arrested earlier, his house was burnt by women yesterday. Manipur society is against crime against women. They consider women as their mothers. This protest is to support the government to punish the accused, the CM said. A massive outcry sparked across the nation on Wednesday after a May 4 video showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a few men from the other side went viral on social media. While four people have been arrested in connection with the incident, the opposition leaders are demanding CM Singh's resignation and the imposition of President's Rule in the state. One accused's house burnt down On Thursday, an angry mob, mostly women, burnt the house of one of the accused seen in the horrifying viral video of women being paraded naked in Manipur. According to some reports, the house belonged to the main accused - Huirem Herodas Meitei. The Manipur Police is conducting raids and making all-out efforts to arrest the other culprits at the earliest, state police tweeted. Manipur Police have established contact with two victims who were stripped and paraded naked by a mob two months ago, officials with knowledge of developments said on Friday, adding that the statements of the women will be recorded soon. People gather outside Town Hall to protest against the alleged sexual assault of two tribal women in Manipur, in Bengaluru on Friday. (Reuters) The police action came two days after a horrific 30-second video of the sexual assault showed the men who were identified in a first information report (FIR) as Meiteis hooting and applauding as they groped the victims on May 4. The FIR said that the one of the women was later gang-raped and her brother was killed for trying to intervene. The police have come under sharp criticism for not acting soon enough after the first complaint or zero FIR was lodged on May 18, and not arresting the culprits even after the FIR was transferred to the nearest police station on June 21. But as outrage mounted over the viral video, the officials cited above said the one woman was at a camp in Churachandpur while another is staying at her relatives house. Police also said they have offered to provide security to the women. Police have arrested four people, and a senior officer aware of the probe details said 12 teams were formed to identify and arrest the other men involved in the case. We have got the Aadhaar car and other identification details of the other men involved in the case. They are from villages fasr away from B Phainom in Thoubal where the incident happened. The police teams have matched the identity of some accused with that of the photo identity card that we have got. A second team is on the trail of those accused men. We will be arresting more people soon, the officer added, requesting anonymity. Police said the women were informed over the phone that they neednt come to the police station and that if they had a problem with the local investigating officer, a neutral officer who belonged to neither of the two warring groups in the state -- would be assigned to coordinate with them. Officials said they sent the viral video to the cyber wing of the state police. The video will be enhanced so that the identity of every person in the mob is clear. Meanwhile our officers have started recording the statements of witnesses. This will help us make a watertight case and secure conviction, a second officer said. On Thursday evening, Manipur police said it arrested four people -- including main accused Huirem Herodas Meitei for the May 4 incident. Police are yet to comment if the four accused belong to any group or were involved in any similar cases of murder or crimes against other women. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Amid the national outrage over the atrocities on women in Manipur, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Raghav Chadha on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government by digging out an old tweet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the then Congress government in Manipur. Raghav Chadha PM Modi had tweeted in February 2017 saying, Those who cannot ensure peace in the state have no right to govern Manipur. At that time, Congress' Okram Ibobi Singh was the CM. To this, the AAP MP posted a picture of himself holding a placard with PM Modi's tweet on it, and demanded the removal of the BJP government and the imposition of President's Rule in the violence-hit northeastern state. A national outrage sparked on Wednesday after a May 4 video showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a few men went viral on social media. While four people have been arrested in connection with the incident, the opposition leaders are demanding CM Biren Singh's resignation and the imposition of President's Rule in the state. Also read: In first strategy meet, INDIA vows no compromise on its Manipur demands Massive sloganeering and protests also rocked the monsoon session of the Parliament on Thursday and Friday over the Manipur situation, with the opposition demanding a discussion and a statement from PM Modi in the Houses. PM Modi's first comment on Manipur Ahead of the Parliament session on Thursday, PM Modi in his first comment on the Manipur situation, said, This a shameful incident for any society..who did this and who is responsible is another issue but this has put our nation to shame. I appeal to all chief ministers to tighten law and order. Whether it is Rajasthan, Chattisgarh or Manipur...the issue of a woman's honour is above all politics. Congress leader Pawan Khera attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday questioning that if the latter could go to Manipur to seek votes, why couldn't he visit the state to urge the people to unite. Congress leader Pawan Khera (ANI) Khera, who is the Congress's chairman of media & publicity department, further inquired if the prime minister did not think he had any moral authority left to bring the people of Manipur together. Khera said, If anyone lived upto their responsibilities, it was the Opposition. If Rahul Gandhi could go and stand there [in Manipur], couldn't Narendra Modi go? He goes to seek votes. If PM Modi can go to Manipur to seek votes why can't he go there to appeal to people to unite together? Or you don't have confidence that you have any moral authority left? Khera also called the restrictions on the internet and the media shocking. Over 150 people have died and another 40,000 have been displaced since violence between the tribal Kukis and the Meiteis, the dominant community in Imphal Valley, erupted on May 3. The violence in Manipur was triggered during a protest against a court order for granting scheduled tribe status to Meities. The authorities later imposed a curfew and banned the internet. A massive outcry sparked across the nation on Wednesday after a May 4 video showing three women being paraded naked by a mob went viral on social media. Several Opposition leaders have demanded CM N Biren Singh's resignation and the imposition of President's Rule in the state. Further, Khera urged President Droupadi Murmu to dimiss the state government. He said, Now, this country has hope only from the President Droupadi Murmu ji, who has struggled her way to reach here. We hope from you President ji, we urge you to use the powers you possess under the Constitution to dismiss the Manipur government, which is more concerned on how the video went viral not because there are thousands of cases like that. Speaking to news agency ANI, Khera also took a jibe at the double engine government in Manipur, saying that state chief minister N Biren Singh did not even respond to the letters from National Commission of Women (NCW). This is your double engine government, where Manipur CM is not responding to letters from NCW. Both [state and Central] are Bharatiya Janata Party's governments. NCW chariperson is also from BJP. This is the condition. Why will he resign? Did their guruji Narendra Modi ji resign when Atal Bihari Vajpayee had asked him to? He [Manipur CM] is following in his [PM Modi] footsteps. Questioning Prime Minister Modi's silence over Manipur and the delay in investigation on the viral video, Khera said that wherever wrong was happening, it was being investigated, other than Manipur. Four accused sent to police custody in Manipur All four arrested accused, who were allegedly part of a mob that paraded and assaulted three women after stripping them, have been remanded to 11-day police custody on Friday, reported ANI citing Manipur police. The police had arrested the accused persons on Thursday after a viral video of the horrifying incident went viral on social media. Police officers told HT that more arrests are to follow as the investigating team has identified at least eight more men who were involved in the incident. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma on Friday said she had reached out thrice in the last three months to authorities in Manipur over incidents of violence against women but no response was received from them. Mahila Congress Acting President Netta D'Souza with party supporters stage a protest against the ongoing violence in Manipur, at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI) She was responding to reports in a section of the media that claimed the commission had on June 12 received a complaint about the incident of two women being paraded naked on May 4 in the ethnic violence-hit northeastern state but had not taken any action. The May 4 video surfaced online on July 19. (Manipur violence LIVE updates) Sharma denied receiving any report of the incident and said she took suo motu cognisance of it on Friday after the video surfaced and sought explanation from authorities on the matter. However, the NCW chief said that she had received other complaints regarding women issues and for that she had reached out thrice to authorities in Manipur but no response was received from them. She also shared the letters sent to authorities in the state. Sharma had written to them over complaints of incidents of violence against women. "We had to verify the authenticity, and also the complaints were not from Manipur, some were not even from India. We reached out to authorities but no response was received from them but then we took suo motu cognisance when the video (of women being paraded naked) went viral yesterday," Sharma said. The letters were written on May 18, May 29 and June 19. Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after the May 4 video surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a group of men from the other side. Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident, official sources in Imphal said on Thursday night, as the 26-second video capturing the ordeal of the two tribal women a day after ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern state on May 3 stoked a nationwide outrage. The horrific footage surfaced only on Wednesday and became viral after the internet ban was lifted. More than 160 people have lost their lives, and several have been 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. Manipur violence highlights: The incident of two women being paraded naked by a mob of men in Manipur's Kangpokpi district shook the nation when a 26-second video of the same went viral on Wednesday, almost 77 days after it took place. It happened a day after ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern state on May 3. Congress workers protest against the Manipur violence, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, India, on Thursday. (HT/Sanchit Khanna) Following widespread outrage across the country and among political parties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media before the Parliament's monsoon session Thursday. He said the incident had shamed 140 crore Indians and vowed that no guilty person would be spared, and the law would act with its full might and firmness. Later in the day, Chief minister N Biren Singh assured that his government would spare no effort in seeking the death penalty for those involved in the incident. As of now, four people have been arrested, and Manipur Police are conducting raids to apprehend the other culprits at the earliest. In response to the viral video, the Manipur Police registered a case of abduction, gang rape, and murder against unidentified men at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district. Since the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur on May 3, more than 150 people have lost their lives, and several others have been injured. The unrest began when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was held in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Massive ruckus ensued in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on the second day of the monsoon session on Friday after the Opposition parties demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak on the pressing issue surrounding Manipur. Amid the ruckus, Lok Sabha was adjourned till Monday while Rajya Sabha till 2.30pm on Friday as the Opposition in both the Houses continued to raise slogans criticising the government over Manipur issue. (File Photo) A solution can be found only through discussions, but you just dont want any discussion, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said. While the Speaker continued to urge the protesting members to go back to their seats and allow the House to function, the protest did not stop leading to the adjournment of the House for the day The outrage was sparked over the vile video showing two women of a tribal community in Manipur being paraded naked. The video recently went viral almost three months after the incident occurred. The Opposition parties have been demanding discussion, as well as an elaborate statement from PM Modi on this issue. Also Read: Manipur violence: Opposition seeks PM Modis reply; Shah will respond, says govt Requesting Opposition members to not disrupt the proceedings, Union minister of parliamentary affairs Prahlad Joshi reiterated in Lok Sabha that the government is willing to discuss the sensitive situation in Manipur as cleared by Union defence minister Rajnath Singh in the morning. Singh while speaking on behalf of the Union government, reiterated its demand to discuss Manipur. But he said that the Opposition parties were not serious and that selective political parties were creating a tense situation which was barring discussion. It looks like some political parties are creating a tense situation in the Parliament and disallowing a discussion on Manipur. The opposition is not as serious on the Manipur issue as it should be. I reiterate that a discussion on Manipur should be held and I also want the opposition to be more serious about it, Singh said. PM Modi on Thursday expressed his anguish over the viral video of two women being paraded naked in Manipur adding that the incident was shameful for any civilised society and assured that the guilty will not be spared. My heart is filled with pain and anger. The incident from Manipur that has come before us is shameful for any civilized society the whole nation is shamed, he had said. While Lok Sabha was adjourned till Monday, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2:30pm on Friday as the Opposition here too raised the Manipur incident. Trinamool Congress and Rajya Sabha MP Derek OBrien said the discussion on the Manipur situation should be taken up under Rule 267 and that the prime minister must break his silence on the matter in the House. He raised a point over expunging words from his speech yesterday. Citing rules 261 and 262 of the Parliament, OBrien asked Rajya Sabha chairperson Jagdeep Dhankar why the words prime minister and Manipur were expunged from his address. This followed other Opposition leaders to raise their voices, leading the Chairman to adjourn the House. Congress MP and leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Jairam Ramesh expressed disappointment for denying a discussion over the Manipur issue. Today all the parties in INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) demanded once more that the PM should make a statement on Manipur and the continuing tragedy since May 3rd, 2023 INSIDE both Houses, followed by a discussion. This was denied yet again and thats the reason Rajya Sabha stands adjourned till 2:30 pm and Lok Sabha till Monday, he wrote on Twitter. You did not make a statement inside the Parliament yesterday. If you were angry then instead of making false equivalence with Congress-governed states, you could have first dismissed your Chief Minister of Manipur, he further wrote. Also Read: Manipur video: Initiate action else we will step in, Supreme Court warns Centre, state On Thursday, women Congress workers and leaders staged a protest demanding the Manipur CM N Biren Singh to resign over the Manipur viral video incident. The Opposition parties have been demanding that all other businesses be suspended for the day to take up the Manipur issue, but the government agreed only to a Short Duration Discussion under Rule 176. However, the Opposition has stood strong on its stands and instead pressed for a longer discussion. Opposition parties in Lok Sabha gave notices to Lok Sabha under Rule 193 and in Rajya Sabha under Rule 176 and Rule 267 to discuss the Manipur matter. It may be noted that Rule 193 in Lok Sabha and Rule 176 in Rajya Sabha refers to a short discussion. Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha refers to the suspension of business of the day. The Manipur ethnic violence sparked nationwide outrage after a video of two women being paraded naked by a mob on May 4 in a Manipur village went viral on the internet. According to the officials, the Manipur Police on Thursday arrested four accused who were seen in the video. New Delhi On May 4, just an hour after a mob stripped and paraded three women and allegedly gang-raped one of them in B Phainom village in Manipur, two more women were allegedly raped and murdered by a mob in the state capital of Imphal, according to details of a first information report (FIR) seen by HT. Women take part in a demonstration against ongoing violence in Manipur, in Imphal, on Friday. (ANI Photo) Follow Manipur violence LIVE Updates here Not only did the two incidents happen on the same day within an hour of each other, the victims hailed from the same community (Kuki) as did the perpetrators (Meitei), according to the FIRs filed in both cases. And just like in the case of the brutal sexual assault, where the first arrests happened only after a shocking 30-second video of the incident went viral on Wednesday, there have been no arrests in the Imphal case, according to police officers aware of the matter. The two women who were allegedly raped and killed in Imphal were siblings who worked as caretakers at a carwash in the city, said the FIR filed by the victims father. The women, aged 21 and 24, were at a rented house when a mob entered their room and raped them before killing them, the FIR added. Speaking to HT, the father of the two women said, My elder daughters friend is a Meitei. We are Kukis. My elder daughters friend told us that a mob of men and women had entered their house and murdered them. I went to the morgue with a police officer. There, the doctor said that my daughters were raped and murdered. I filed a complaint of rape and murder at the police station. Police have not informed me why they have not taken any action. They said they have preserved the bodies for investigation. Also Read: Crowned Indias best in 2020, Manipur police station now accused of inaction The alleged crime happened in their house in the Meitei-dominated Konung Manang area of Imphal on May 4, the second day of ethnic clashes in Manipur that have killed at least 150 people and displaced another 50,000. In the FIR, the father who is a pastor said he suspected the mob of around 100-200 to be members of Meitei youth organisations, Meetei Leepun, Kangleipak Kanba Lup (KKL), Arambai Tenggol and World Meitei Council. These groups have been named in multiple complaints of violence. The complaint in the Imphal case was first filed as a zero FIR at the Saikul Police station in Kangpokpi district on May 16. A zero FIR can be filed at any police station and is used when a victim is unable to visit the police station under whose jurisdiction the crime occurred. It was unclear when the FIR was transferred to the appropriate police station, in this case the Porompat police station. No one has been arrested in the case so far, according to officials aware of the matter. On June 12, members of the North American Manipur Tribal Association and two women activists sent a complaint to the National Commission of Women (NCW) on the Imphal incident. While the complainants said that there has been no response from NCW, the commissions chairperson Rekha Sharma on Friday said she wrote to the chief secretary and the director general of police (DGP) of the state at least three times in the past three months, and forwarded all the complaints received by her to them, including the June 12 complaint, which detailed at least five other instances. Since the complaint was from people not based in Manipur and in fact not even in the country we had to verify the authenticity of it. Therefore, we contacted the authorities in the state to verify them, but there was no response, Sharma said. State police chief Rajiv Singh was not available for comment despite calls and text messages. A police officer aware of the matter said, The doctors have said the women died of multiple injuries. The doctors are analysing the nature of injuries. The probe in the case is on. It will be a detailed investigation. The organisations named by the father of the two Imphal women were also mentioned in the FIR over the B Phainom village sexual assault case of May 4. The clip from that incident surfaced on Wednesday and sparked a nationwide outcry and allegations of laxity and complicity against the state administration led by chief minister N Biren Singh, questions about why the FIR was filed weeks after the crime, and why no one was arrested till the video went viral on social media. Officials aware of the Imphal case details said that the bodies of the two women are at a mortuary of the Jawahar Lal Institute of Medical Sciences (JIMS) in the city. Hejang Mizao, a member of the Kuki-Zo Unity Forum who has been coordinating with the family of the two Imphal women, said the case showed why the community was protesting against state inaction. Also Read: Manipur video: Houses of two who were part of mob set afire Despite the family members approaching police two months ago, police have not acted in this case too. Police were forced to act in the other case because of the viral video but in many cases there are no videos, she said. The alleged rape and murder of the two Imphal women was one of several cases mentioned in a statement on Thursday by 10 Kuki legislators, who had said that several such cases were not investigated properly. One of the legislators who signed that statement, Letpao Haokip, confirmed that the Imphal incident was one of the cases they had referred to. We do not have videos related to these incidents. But such incidents have been reported in the last two months in different parts of the state. We have spoken to the family members and then issued the press statement, he said. Also Read: Manipur on edge after video of mans chopped head surfaces amid outcry over sexual assault case In their statement, the legislators requested that the cases be handed to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Monsoon session highlights: The second day of the monsoon session of Parliament on Friday saw chaos as Opposition parties resorted to sloganeering over the Manipur violence. The outrage was sparked over a video showing two women being paraded naked in the northeastern state, which went viral almost three months after the incident occurred. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and other parliamentarians in the House on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi(PTI) Helpful if India says Russia is: Germany's Robert Habeck on Ukraine war German vice-chancellor Robert Habeck, who is on a three-day India visit, urged New Delhi to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and said it would even help in their ties if India says this is an aggression. You can'tread more. Germanys vice chancellor and economics minister Robert Habeck said democracies shouldnt take advantage of Western sanctions on Russian oil (AFP)(HT_PRINT) We were treated like animals: Manipur village chief recounts ordeal On May 4, as the small Kuki village of B Phainom in Manipurs Kangpokpi district came under attack, the police were unresponsive on the phone, offered little protection, and even after a brutal sexual assault thatread more. 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Deepika Padukone stuns in exquisite saree at Manish Malhotra Bridal Couture Show; Ranveer Singh can't stop admiring her Bollywood's favourite fashion designer Manish Malhotra, known for his groundbreaking styles, hosted a lavish Bridal Couture show in Mumbai on Thursday evening. The event was a glamorous affair withread more. Postcard sent in 1969 from Paris gets delivered in 2023 In todays era, sending letters or postcards might not be a common thing. However, years ago, it was one of the most prominent ways of communication. People from different parts of the world used to send eachread more. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Heavy rainfall continued to lash Mumbai and Maharashtra's other districts on Friday, disrupting life and wreaking havoc across the state. The India Meteorological Department issued red and orange alerts for several districts of Mahrashtra on Friday. After heavy rain, as the local train is running late, there is a rush of commuters at the Thane railway station in Mumbai. (PTI) As reported by weather department, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm on Friday, Mumbai recorded 73.62 mm rainfall, whereas, the Eastern Suburbs and Western Suburbs recorded 88.30 mm and 63.29 mm rainfall respectively. Severe waterlogging issues were reported across Mumbai as extreme downpour continued in the city, causing heavy traffic congestion. Incessant rainfall also led to disruption of local train service in the city. Mumbai has been experiencing heavy rainfall for a few days, and the intensity has increased over the past 2-3 days. As a result, more than 100 local trains have been cancelled. Harbour line local train services, running between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, were hit on Friday after waterlogging was reported in Kurla. The Central Railways said on Friday evening that while all section trains were running, the Harbour line, which runs from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Panvel/Goregaon, was running 10-15 min late. The down harbour line of the Kurla railway station was also shut due to waterlogging. The Central Railways on Friday evening updated, Ground staff on field monitoring and Water pumps working to keep lifeline running. Chief public relations officer of Central Railways Dr Shivraj Manaspure told news agency PTI on Friday that Navi Mumbai-bound DOWN track was temporarily suspended due to heavy waterlogging. He also said that suburban services on the main line between the CSMT and Kasara, and CSMT and Khopoli along with trans-harbour line between Thane-Vashi/Panvel and Belapur-Kharkopar were normally functioning. Suburban train services along the Harbour line from Wadala to Mankhurd were also temporarily suspended on Friday. Several reports stated that due to heavy rain, water flowed inside train stations and over the tracks creating an issue for commuters. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) also diverted several buses on over 12 routes due to waterlogging. Extreme rainfall also inundated low-lying areas and disrupting vehicular traffic in the city and its suburbs. Most parts of the city and suburbs witnessed a heavy spell of rains, which caused waterlogging in Andheri, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Chembur and other places. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma tied herself up in knots on Friday, seeking to explain the usually hyperactive bodys sluggish reaction to complaints of sex crimes in Manipur amid the ethnic violence in the state, including a June 12 one that specifically detailed the stripping-parading-gang rape incident that came to light earlier this week, prompting responses from the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of India, and sparking nationwide outrage. Students from various organisations stage a protest against the ongoing Manipur violence, at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi on Friday. (ANI) Sharma, usually quick to weigh in on issues, big and small, said the complaints were generic, from outside the country in some cases, and that they had been forwarded to the state government, which had not authenticated any of the incidents. Her response did serve to answer the original question of whether NCW ignored complaints of the May 4 (stripping-parading-gang rape) incident even after being specifically alerted about it 38 days ago. The answer is: Yes. In a letter dated June 12, a copy of which is with HT, the North American Manipur Tribal Association and two Manipuri women activists, who asked not to be identified, wrote: On May 4, two women from B. Phainom village of Kangpokpi District of Manipur were disrobed, paraded naked, beaten, and then encircled by a marauding Meitei mob and raped in public. The state police commandos remained mere spectators while the mobs remained silent spectators to the lynchings and torching of homes. The two survivors are housed at a Churachandpur district relief camp. Also Read | NCW formally directs Twitter India to remove 'disgraceful' Manipur video Requesting the commission to constitute a committee to inquire into the incidents, the complainants said: We have faith in the Constitution of India and the enormous power that the National Commission for Women exercises to create a just world where the rights of all Indian women are respected, realised, and valued, even in times of conflict and war. Concurrently, we appeal to NCW to extend assistance to victims and survivors. One of the complainants said: There has been no acknowledgment of receipt or response from NCW till date. The June 12 complaint also detailed at least five other instances of violence and sexual assault against women that allegedly took place between May 3 and May 15 in different parts of Manipur. It would appear that NCW waited to take action till the video of the May 4 incident emerged on July 19. It showed two women being paraded naked by a mob. Sharma on Friday said she wrote to the chief secretary (CS) and director general of police (DGP) of the state at least three times in the past three months, and forwarded all the complaints received by her to them, including the June 12 complaint which mentioned various cases of sexual assault against women, including the May 4 incident. We wrote the first letter to the CS and DGP in May itself after receiving a complaint from a group of women based in Manipur. In June, we again received a complaint from two people who were not from Manipur; one of them was from outside India and another from Hyderabad. They mentioned many cases of alleged sexual violence from Manipur and not just one specific incident. We immediately forwarded that along with a letter to the CS and DG, she told reporters. Since the complaint was from people not based in Manipur and in fact, not even in the country, we had to verify the authenticity of it. Therefore, we contacted the authorities in the state to verify them, but there was no response, she added. The letters were sent by the commission on May 23, May 29 and June 19. Later, when the video surfaced on social media, we took suo motu cognisance and wrote to the authorities and told them that they need to arrest the culprits immediately, she said. According to Section 10 of the National Commission for Women Act, the commission is supposed to take up cases of violation of provisions of the Constitution and of other laws relating to women with appropriate authorities, and look into complaints and take suo motu notice of matters relating to deprivation of womens rights and non-implementation of laws enacted to provide protection to women. The commission can call for special studies or investigations into specific problems or situations arising out of discrimination and atrocities against women, and identify the constraints so as to recommend strategies for their removal. The women commission can only advise the authorities and we did our work by advising the authorities in Manipur, Sharma said. It is not correct that NCW was sitting on the complaints. There are some people who are trying to malign the name of NCW and the government of India. I would like to clarify that whenever the complaints came, we forwarded and wrote to the DGP and CS of Manipur, she added. I have also asked the chief minister (N Biren Singh) to question the CS and DGP on why they did not respond to my letters, she added. When asked why the commission did not send a delegation to the state, Sharma said: Do you think a delegation could go there considering the situation? We did not send the delegation because the ground reality was known to everyone. Experts, however, said the commissions role is not just limited to sending letters or making calls. Ranjana Kumari, chairperson of Women Power Connect, a national organisation of womens groups, said: NCW has completely failed to fulfil its responsibility of protecting women and their dignity. It is not really standing by the women of India. It cannot just get away by saying that authorities did not respond to their letters. Why didnt it just send a delegation? The state should have provided them with security or they could have reached out to the central government for security since they are a national commission. Indeed, soon after the post-poll violence in West Bengal in 2021, Sharma headed an NCW team that visited the state, and strongly criticised the Trinamool Congress government of the state on her return. In case of Manipur, though, she seems to have been content with merely forwarding complaints. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi: The Joint Committee of the Parliament has accepted nearly all amendments proposed in the forest conservation amendment bill 2023, but state governments have opposed specific clauses, according to the panels report. Northeastern states including Nagaland, Tripura, Mizoram, Sikkim -- all ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party or its allies -- have said a clause on exempting forest clearance in forest land within 100 km along the international borders would cover their entire states and open up ecologically important forest areas to a change in land-use. The northeastern states oppose specific clauses in the forest amendment bill 2023. (HT Archive) Himachal Pradesh , ruled by the Congress, has also sought clarity on the provision of exempting forest clearance for forest land within 100 km along the international borders or Line of Control or the Line of Actual Control proposed to be used for construction of strategic linear projects of national importance and concerning national security. With regards to the exemption of 100 km, it is to submit that the entire Nagaland State will be excluded. Given the peculiar shape of the northeast except Assam, nearly all States become excluded. The uniformity of 100 Km needs to be removed, more so as the Indo-Myanmar border is not as sensitive as the Indo-China or Indo- Pakistan border. Further, the entire 100 km belt falls in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, one of the richest areas in terms of gene pool diversity in the entire world, Nagaland said in its submission to the committee. Nagaland has also submitted that most forest areas in the state are not recorded as forests as no land records are maintained. There is no mention of how specifically the privately and community owned areas in the State will be treated. It is submitted that a specific insertion may be made keeping the private (naturally grown) forest areas out of the purview of the act to remove any ambiguity. Mizorams submission is similar and says: As almost the entire Mizoram State falls within 100 kms of aerial distance of the international border (Myanmar & Bangladesh Border) and therefore, all its forest and wildlife areas will get destroyed with such provision. This provision is strongly objected to and is not acceptable and shall be dropped. Sikkim has also raised concerns about opening up of biodiversity rich areas and come up with a recommendation of its own: In Sikkims geographical context, the proposed exemption may be reduced to 2 kms from 100 kms from the International Borders. Tripura has recommended that it be reduced to 10 km. Arunachal Pradesh, interestingly, recommended that the 100 km distance may be enhanced to 150 km. Himachal Pradesh has sought clarity on which authority is competent to certify or specify projects as being of national importance and national security. The environment ministry has said exemptions will be applicable to such qualifying linear projects, as may be identified by the defence and home ministries. During briefing on the Bill, experts, the report notes, observed that the 100 km exemption possible as in eastern Himalayas and in Northeastern states it would cover large chunks of land and states might not agree to the proposal. In response, the environment ministry said the exemptions were only for specific projects of strategic importance concerning national security as identified by the Union government. An analysis of approvals accorded in the past for defence projects revealed that out of total area of 80,408 ha diverted in the last eight years, only 2480 ha of forest land has been diverted to defence projects including roads which account for 3% of the total area, the ministry added. Several experts and members have raised concerns about how the clause impacts people in conflict affected areas. The proposed amendment, along with the MOEFCCs clarification in the parliamentary report, clearly states that linear projects of national importance and security, as identified by the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Home Affairs, will be deemed be approved from the Central Government. The MoEFCC has included a provision in the Bill to define terms and conditions, and guidelines to be followed for availing such exemptions. The proposed amendments only relax the Central Governments permission under Section 2, which is separate and acts as additional safeguard only after the States show intent to divert such forest land- its not the vice versa. Its important to note that the State Governments approval remains necessary for any forest diversion where the State has jurisdiction, including lands notified, recorded, and identified as forest by the State, said Debadityo Sinha, Lead- Climate & Ecosystems, Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy Even for strategic or nationally important projects within 100 km of international borders or public utility projects, until the State intends to divert such forests, central government cannot permit any non-forest activity on such lands. Therefore, if this amendment gets through, the future of forests will greatly depend on how much of these exemptions the States are willing to avail, he added. Indias 15,100 km international terrestrial border, comprises rich ecosystems - grasslands, deserts, wetlands, lowland forests, evergreen rainforests that are mostly untouched due to their remoteness. This is a natural defence cover to our country and needs to be protected at any cost. Animals and birds do not have international borders. Their free movement across the borders should not be restricted, said another. Some suggested large-scale consultations are needed with local people on these exemptions. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Nongpong Sekmai police station, where two men were murdered and three women were assaulted, by a mob two months ago amid the ongoing Manipur violence, was in 2020 adjudged the best police station in the country. Women burn the house of one of the men accused of parading two women naked in front of a mob, in Manipur, on Friday. (AFP) Also Read | Manipur video: Questions raised over NCWs response to complaints In a tweet in 2020, Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh said: Congratulations to Nongpok Sekmai PS, Thoubal District on being conferred the #BestPoliceStationAward2020 of the country by Union Home Ministry. The award is in recognition of the professionalism, hard work, dedication and community-oriented policing by the #Manipur Police. The best police station, an annual award by the Union home ministry, is judged on parameters such as coordination with locals, crime rate, disposal of cases and cleanliness of the police station. Also Read | Manipur video: Houses of two who were part of mob set afire The police station in Thoubal police district is now in the news for alleged inaction against perpetrators of the violence. Officials in the station did not act until Thursday, when they arrested four people who were allegedly part of the mob. The police action followed a horrific 30-second viral video which showed a mob who were identified in an FIR as Meiteis hooting and applauding as they groped two women on May 4. Details of the case reviewed by HT said that one of the women was also gang-raped. Also Read | Politics over Manipur incident worrisome, says Mayawati; SP hits back The case details said that while a complaint was filed at Saikul police station on May 18, it was forwarded to Nongpong Sekmai police station on June 21. It also showed that the victims were in the custody of Nongpoi Sekmai police before they were taken away by the mob. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON BHUBANESWAR: The Naveen Patnaik government on Friday announced interest-free crop loans of up to 1 lakh for farmers and loans of 1-3 lakh at 2% interest who have repaid previous loans, a top government official announced after a meeting of the state cabinet. Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik (PTI) Officials said interest-free crop loans were earlier capped at Rs. 50,000 under a cash assistance scheme that was started in January 2019. Chief secretary PK Jena said availability of adequate and hassle free credit at a cheaper rates to farmers was a top priority of the state government. Most farmers in the state belong to the small and marginal category with the small and marginal land holdings. These farmers do not have the required capital resources for their agricultural operations for which they need to avail hassle free crop loans from financial institutions, he said. The government approved 5,700 crore to enable banks to finance the interest subsidy for five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28 and ensure adequate credit flow at an affordable rate to farmers in the state. At present, cooperative societies provide about 55% of the total crop loans dispensed to farmers in the state as against the national average of 17%. The cooperatives gave loans of Rs. 16683.57 crore to 34.57 lakh farmers in the state in 2022-23. In May this year, the Odisha government announced free crop insurance to all farmers in the state for the next three years, making it the first state in the country in providing free crop insurance to farmers. Odisha is predominantly an agrarian economy with agriculture and allied activities accounting for 22.5% in Gross State Value Added as per the Odisha Economic Survey 2022-23. The agriculture and allied sector is the largest single employment sector of the state and holds the key to socioeconomic development in the state. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi Both Houses of Parliament could not function again on the second day of the Monsoon session amid an intense tussle between the Opposition and the Union government over the situation in Manipur, where raging ethnic violence over the last 80 days has claimed at least 150 lives and displaced thousands. HT Image On Friday, while the Opposition or the INDIA alliance partners stuck to its demand that the Prime Minister make a statement on the floor of the House on the issue, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh accused the Opposition parties of not being serious about discussing the Manipur situation. I can see a few political parties are unnecessarily creating a such situation that in no way a discussion on Manipur can take place. I want to level allegation that the Opposition is not as serious on the Manipur issue as it should be. I reiterate that a discussion on Manipur should be held and I also want the opposition to be more serious about it, Singh said in the Lok Sabha. The government had indicated on Thursday that it was open for a debate with a reply by Union home minister Amit Shah, but the Opposition did not accept that stance. The Trinamool Congresss Rajya Sabha floor leader Derek OBrien responded to Rajnath Singhs comments. Its BJP thats stalling Parliament. Lets start the discussion on Manipur on Monday at 11am sharp. Let the PM decide where he wishes to open the debate. His choice. Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha. Every INDIA party will participate, he said. Matters have come to a head after a video from May 4 showed a mob stripping and parading two women near a village in the state, leading to a nationwide outcry. The horrific incident, an attack on a Kuki village by some members of the Meitei community (recorded in the FIR) amid ethnic violence between the two sides, also involved, gang rape, and murder. No action was taken until the video surfaced on social media on Wednesday. On Friday, the Opposition resumed its protests in both Houses, demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a statement, leading to adjournment in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Let @PMOIndia make a Suo Motu statement on @Manipur reflecting on the central theme that the double engine failed the people and communities therein. Which should then be followed by a discussion in both the houses reassuring the people of #Manipur. That is what INDIA wants, Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha tweeted. To be sure, the PM spoke on Manipur for the first time while addressing the media outside the House on Thursday morning, saying he was pained and angered by the incident, and that the guilty would not be spared. Congress president and the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, tweeted: @narendramodi ji, you did not make a statement inside the Parliament, yesterday. If you were angry then instead of making false equivalence with Congress-governed states, you could have first dismissed your chief minster of Manipur. INDIA expects you to make an elaborate statement in the Parliament today, not just on one incident, but on the 80-day violence that your government in the state and the Centre has presided upon, looking absolutely helpless and remorseless. Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha quoted an old tweet of PM Modi from 2017 that said those who cannot ensure peace in the state have no right to govern Manipur to demand a dismissal of the state government. Speaking outside the House, he added, Manipur is burning & horrific videos have come to light. The government should hold discussion on it. Why is it running away? Later, at a press conference, Congress leader Pawan Khera said that in 2002, then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee reminded him about his Raj Dharma as the Gujarat chief minister. Khera said, He (the PM) needed to be reminded about his Raj Dharma again when Manipur is burning. In a statement issued by Congress leaders Khera and Pramod Tiwari, it has been said that only hope was now left with the President Draupadi Murmu, who had reached that position after a long struggle and who can use her constitutional powers in the matter and dismiss the government there which is sad not because of what happened, but because the video of the incident became viral. Speaking in the Lok Sabha on Thursday, parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi said, We had categorically stated (defence minister) deputy leader Rajnath Singh has categorically stated we are ready to discuss it both Houses. Manipur is a sensitive, humanitarian issue. Thats why we want to debate and Union home minister will give a detailed reply to the debate. A senior INDIA leader said that Opposition has conveyed its demand for reply or statement by the PM to the government managers a day before 26 parties met at Bengaluru on July 17 to launch the Opposition alliance. On Friday, the groupings floor strategists worked overtime to ensure that the focus remains entirely on the Manipur issue. A number of Opposition leaders including the Congress, TMC and Left had their private member bills in the House agenda. We spoke to all parties to continue our protests in the afternoon as well, said a senior leader. The Opposition parties are set to meet on Monday, and the logjam is expected to continue for at least another few days. The monsoon session started on July 20 and is scheduled till August 11. The government plans to bring 31 bills including the data bill and clear key legislation such as replacing the Delhi ordinance. Amid growing outrage against atrocities on women in Manipur, which is engulfed in ethnic violence since May 3, angry locals on Friday set ablaze the houses of two men who were allegedly a part of a mob that stripped and paraded naked three women two months ago, according to police officials aware of the details. Houses were burnt in Manipur on Friday. (AFP) Also Read | Crowned Indias best in 2020, Manipur police station now accused of inaction While one of the men was arrested along with three others on Thursday, the second is among several others who are absconding in the case. The alleged incident wherein the women were stripped and paraded naked took place on May 4, a day after violence broke out in the state, but came to light after videos of the same went viral on Wednesday. A horrific 30-second video of the sexual assault showed the men who were identified in a first information report (FIR) as Meiteis hooting and applauding as they groped the victims. The youngest of the three women was also allegedly gang-raped, according to FIR registered by Manipur police on May 18. All four arrested people were remanded in police custody for 11 days on Friday. Also Read | Manipur on edge after video of mans chopped head surfaces Police are yet to comment if the four accused belong to any group or were involved in any similar cases of murder or crimes against other women. As the video clips triggered nationwide outrage, a large number of women set ablaze the house of main accused, Heirum Hera Das (32), in Yairipok in Thoubal district. A similar scene took place in Wangjing Awang Leikai area of the district when another group of women set ablaze the home of a 20-year-old man, who is among those accused in the May 4 incident. This came hours after a police team arrived at the mans house in search of him. The officials said that he is one of the suspects but his whereabouts remained unknown. The suspect is yet to be arrested. He possibly fled home after coming to know that police were looking for him, an unnamed official was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. In a statement, Manipur police said: The state police is making all out efforts to arrest the other culprits at the earliest. Raids are continuing. Police, however, did not comment on the houses being set ablaze. Meanwhile, members of the Kuki community staged sit-in protests against the May 4 incident in various places in and around Imphal, including in Singjamei, Sagolband, Sekmai and Lamlai. Protests were also held in tribal areas such as Churachandpur. We strongly condemn the crime against women regardless of which community they belong to. The authorities should take necessary action, said RK Tamphasana, a women protester at Sagolband in Imphal West. 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. The authorities quickly clamped a curfew and suspended internet, pumping in additional security forces to force a break in the spiraling clashes. Internet is still not back in the state. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday held wide-ranging talks with visiting Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe largely focusing on boosting overall economic and strategic cooperation. Prime minister Narendra Modi shakes hand with Sri Lankan president Ranil Wickremesinghe at Hyderabad house in New Delhi on Friday. (Photo by RajkRaj/ Hindustan Times) Wickremesinghe arrived in Delhi on Thursday on a two-day visit which is the first tour of India by a senior Sri Lankan leader since the island nation was hit by an unprecedented economic crisis last year. India extended financial assistance worth around USD 4 billion to Sri Lanka, including lines of credit for purchases of food and fuel last year when it was hit by the economic crisis. New Delhi also provided guarantees to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help the country secure a USD 2.9 billion bailout package. "An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing India-Sri Lanka ties as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Twitter as the two leaders began talks. Ahead of the high-level talks between the two top leaders, NSA Ajit Doval called on Wickremesinghe and is understood to have discussed security cooperation between the two countries. On Thursday evening, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on the visiting leader and discussed various bilateral issues. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra took to Instagram on Friday to post an appreciation message for IndiGo crew on her flight to Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra with IndiGo crew. (Instagram/Priyanaka Gandhi Vadra) Vadra, posting pictures, thanked the sweet IndiGo ladies on her flight. She posted pictures on her Instagram account with two women of the crew and said that the crew on IndiGo flights was most efficient and pleasant. In her post, Vadra said, Thank you to the sweet IndiGo ladies on my flight to Gwalior....I have always thought that the crew on IndiGo flights are most efficient and pleasant. Along with the pictures with crew members, Vadra also posted a photo of a chocochip cookie jar on the flight with a note that had the names of a few crew members and read, Dear Mrs Gandhi, Thank you for flying with IndiGo. Upon reaching Gwalior, Vadra posted an Instagram story, in which she posed with IndiGo on-ground crew who present her a card welcoming her to Gwalior. Vadra wrote, A warm welcome. Vadra was travelling to Gwalior to address a rally. She also paid floral tribute to India's freedom fighter Rani Laxmibai. Vadra is visiting Madhya Pradesh, where assembly elections are due by year end, her second second tour in the last 40 days. Vadra kick-started Congress partys campaign for upcoming state assembly elections with an attack on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on June 12. She also promised to implement five guarantees, including revival of the old pension scheme and up to 100 units of free electricity, if the Congress is voted to power. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Rahul Gandhi defamation case highlights: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on an appeal filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi against a Gujarat high court order that refused to put on hold his conviction and a two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case, fixing August 4 to hear his plea for staying the guilty verdict. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.(ANI) A Supreme Court bench of justices BR Gavai and PK Mishra heard the petition. Also Read: Rahul Gandhi moves Supreme Court against Gujarat HC refusing to stay conviction The appeal was filed on July 15, exactly a week after the high court dealt a blow to Gandhis endeavour to revive his Lok Sabha membership, ruling that the Congress leader breached modesty and that his offence involved moral turpitude. The complainant in the case, BJP leader Purnesh Modi, has already filed his caveat in the top court to ensure no orders are passed in Gandhis appeal without hearing his side. Also Read: Rahul Gandhi likely to move to ex-Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit's house in South Delhi On March 23, a Gujarat magisterial court convicted Gandhi for his remarks on Modi surname after Purnesh Modi filed a criminal complaint. The Congress leader was sentenced to two years imprisonment, which disqualified him as an MP under the Representation of People Act. A Bharatiya Janata Party worker alleged she was sexuall assaulted by ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers in Howrah the day West Bengal voted in panchayat elections on July 8. The saffron party worker claimed that she was dragged by her hair by unknown individuals associated with the rival party and later pushed down a flight of stairs. "I have filed an FIR in this incident," she told ANI. ".They also ripped my clothes. Later, I went to a nearby house to borrow clothes to wear. Had my husband not been present there they could have done anything to me. He saved me. I have filed an FIR in this incident," she told ANI. However, West Bengal director general of police (DGP) M Malviya dismissed the allegations saying that no evidence was found of the occurrence of the incident. While addressing a press conference on Friday, the Bengal top cop said, On 13 July, SP Howrah Rural received a complaint by email from BJP that on July 8, a woman was forcibly pulled out from a polling booth in Howrah's Panchla and her clothes were torn. On this complaint, the police were ordered to register an FIR and conduct further investigation. The gram sabha candidate's statement came hours after BJP MP Locket Chatterjee was seen weeping on camera, relating the incidence of Manipur with West Bengal. She cited several cases involving crime against women and said: The situation in Manipur also prevails in West Bengal. Video | BJPs Locket Chatterjee Breaks Down; Slams Mamata Over Atrocities Against Women In Bengal The elections for 63,229 Gram Panchayat seats along with 9,730 Panchayat Samitis and 928 Zilla Parishads in West Bengal took place on July 8 marred with widespread violence, looting of ballots papers and rigging. There were also reports of booth capturing, damaging of ballot boxes, clashes between political parties and assault of presiding officers from several districts in the state. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Pakistani national Seema Haider is said to have filed a petition before President Droupadi Murmu, seeking an Indian citizenship. This comes amid new revelations which have deepened the mystery around the 30-year-old woman from Sindh who crossed over to India illegally in May to be with her partner Sachin Meena in Greater Noida. In her petition, Haider has requested permission to stay in India. She claims to have been deeply influenced by Indian culture and traditions. She has pleaded for mercy at a time when there are hectic efforts to deport her to Pakistan. Haider had met her partner Sachin Meena in the private chatroom of online game PubG in 2020. Their friendship over PubG and then over WhatsApp conversations blossomed into love to the extent that Haider travelled to Nepal in March this year to spend a week with Meena in a hotel room in Kathmandu. Two months later, she travelled from Karachi to Dubai and then to Nepal before sneaking into India illegally. Seema Haider along with her four children travelled to Greater Noida via Lucknow and Agra and had been staying with her lover since then. ALSO READ: 4 mobile phones, 5 Pakistani passports: UP Police on how Seema Haider sneaked into India On July 4, she along with Meena and his father were arrested by the Gautambuddha Nagar Police. Three-four days later, the trio secured bail from a local court. ALSO READ: Investigation underway, says India after Pak seeks consular access to Seema Haider She along with her partner were questioned by the Uttar Pradesh Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad for two days over her kin and claims of her brother and uncle serving in the Pakistan Army. A news report claimed she was able to perfectly read an English text handed to her by the sleuths. Sources told the website that UP ATS officials also questioned Haider over her proficiency in Hindi, as she would be heard using difficult Hindi words while giving TV interviews. As per report, Haider told the ATS officials she learned Hindi while playing with Indians on PubG. However, when confronted over the fact that her boyfriend, who hails from Western Uttar Pradesh, did not use such difficult phrases, Haider remained silent. Sources told the website that the UP ATS has recommended sending back Seema to Pakistan. However, the Pakistani woman has claimed she would be murdered if she returned to her country. Seema Haider has been staying in Greater Noida with her partner Sachin Meena since May. AHMEDABAD: A sessions court in Gujarats Mehsana on Friday suspended the seven-year jail sentence handed down to former Gujarat minister Vipul Chaudhary, 57, and 14 others in a cheating case that allegedly led to a 22.5 crore loss to a dairy in a 2014 case. Vipul Chaudhary was Dudhsagar Dairy chairman between 2005 and 2016. (HT File Photo/Raj K Raj) Additional district and sessions judge CM Pawar also ordered the release of the 15 persons convicted in the case on bail on producing a surety of 50,000. Chaudhary, a prominent face of Gujarats cooperative sector, was convicted on July 13 along with 14 others for causing a loss of 22.5 crore to Mehsana District Milk Producers Federation, popularly known as Dudhsagar Dairy, over its decision to send fodder to neighbouring Maharashtra. The court has suspended the lower courts sentence and allowed Chaudhary and others to be released on bail. Chaudhary must surrender his passport and he cant leave the country till the case is going on, said advocate RN Barot, who represented Chaudhary in the case. Chaudhary decided in his capacity as the Dudhsagar Dairys chairman to send cattle feed to drought-hit Maharashtra in 2014. The Gujarat government alleged the decision was taken without the requisite approval of the dairy board or any tender process. Dudhsagar Dairy is Indias largest co-operative dairy and is part of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, which markets its products under the Amul brand name. Chaudhary was the diarys chairman between 2005 and 2016. Chaudhary was a minister in Keshubhai Patel-led government in 1995. In 1996, he sided with Shankersinh Vaghela who rebelled against Patel and formed the government with the Congresss help. Chaudhary served in the Vaghela government as a minister as well. Chaudhary returned to the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2001 and formed a socio-political outfit in 2022. Gujarats anti-corruption branch arrested Chaudhary in September last year. Testimonies from 23 witnesses including Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia and former Gujarat chief minister Shankersinh Vaghela were considered during the trial. Investigators named 22 accused in the case but only 19 people were put on trial due to the death of three suspects. Additional chief judicial magistrate of Mehsana, YR Agrawal, convicted Chaudhary and 14 others under section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sentenced them to seven years imprisonment. Four accused were acquitted due to lack of evidence. Among the other 14 convicted by the judge were Dudhsagar Dairys former board members, its former vice chairperson Jalaben Thakor and former managing director Nishith Baxi. Looking at the seriousness of the crime in the present case, the accused, with the intention to cheat, have caused heavy financial loss to the stakeholders of Dudhsagar dairy and to the cattle farmers. Also, looking at the way the crime was committed, sentencing them to imprisonment for a short term will not serve the purpose of law, the trial court said in its 251-page order on July 13. Chaudhary was ousted as chairman of GCMMF in December 2013 through a no-confidence motion by majority directors of the federation who accused him of indulging in financial irregularities in Mehsana Milk Union. The Assam government will ban production and use of drinking water bottles made of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) of less than 1 litre in volume from October 2 this year. The Assam government has also announced a ban on single-use plastic in the state from October 2 this year. Assam govt decided to ban production of water bottles made of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) of less than 1 litre. Also Read | India is moving away from single-use plastics The decision was taken in the state cabinet meeting held at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati on Friday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma. The state cabinet has approved to prohibition on the production and use of drinking water bottles made of PET of less than 1 litre in volume and strict implementation of the ban on Single-Use Plastic in the state as per the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021 and the ban will be placed in effect from October 2 this year with a 3 month transition period provided up to that date, Sarma said while addressing the media. The state government will also ban on production and use of drinking water bottles made of PET of less than 2 litres in volume from October 2 next year, the Assam CM said. The Assam Chief Minister also said that envisioning a flood-free Assam, the state cabinet has given consolidated administration approval for Phase I of the ADB-aided Climate Resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Project to be executed through Flood and River Erosion Management Agency of Assam at a cost of 2097 crore. Under the project, integrated flood and riverbank erosion risk management activities would be taken up in the main stem of Brahmaputra river at vulnerable reaches in districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Morigaon, Kamrup and Goalpara. A total of 72.7 km of anti-erosion works and 3.27 km of embankment works are contemplated, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said. He also said that the state cabinet decided to free distribution of four 9-watt LED bulbs to approximately 50 lakh low-end households in Assam under Mukhyamantrir Dakshya Pohar soni/Mukhyamantrir Sanchay Pohar Asoni at an estimated cost of 130 crore and it will ensure reduced energy consumption for users thereby reducing their bills, while also helping manage electricity load during peak hours. The state cabinet has approved to the procedure for empanelment of retired officers as Inquiry Officers for conducting Departmental Inquiries. Retired officers not below the rank of Joint Secretary or equivalent with an upper age limit of 70 years will be engaged for conducting departmental inquiries and submitting enquiry reports to the disciplinary authority within a time frame. The concerned department will provide secretarial assistance and the officer will get remuneration at 1 lakh per Departmental Proceeding. The officer should not take up DP in departments where he/she has worked earlier in the last 5 years of their tenure, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said. The Assam Chief Minister also said that, in September this year, from Chief Minister to all cabinet ministers, MPs, MLAs and 5000 selected government officers will spend 3-15 days in census villages of the state and will be monitoring the benefits getting by the villagers from 15 welfare schemes and will understand the problems faced by the villagers during their stay in villages. Chief Minister and all cabinet ministers of the state will stay in villages for 15 days, MPs-MLAs will stay for 7 days and 5000 government officers will stay for 3 days, the Chief Minister said. For fast-tracking growth in BTR, the state cabinet has approved 400 crore, 250 crore for over 3007 Amrit Sarovar under CMSGUY, allotment of 45 bighas land for construction of Bodousa Kalakshetra under Tingrai Maouza of Tinsukia district, 265 crore subsidy for electricity consumers. The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice on an appeal filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi against a Gujarat high court order that refused to put on hold his conviction and a two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case, fixing August 4 to hear his plea for staying the guilty verdict. The Supreme Court will on August 4 hear the plea. (Reuters) The whole point right now is whether the conviction has to be stayed or not, remarked a bench of justices BR Gavai and PK Mishra as it sought responses from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Purnesh Modi, who is the complainant in the case, and the Gujarat government. During the brief hearing, the court expressed surprise over the high courts lengthy judgment on the point of staying the conviction. We dont understand a lengthy reply in a matter like this. The Gujarat high court penned down over 100-page judgment. Its peculiar of the high court to write such a lengthy judgment, observed the bench. Senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for Gandhi. Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani appeared for the complainant. At the outset of the hearing, justice Gavai pointed out that his father was associated with Congress for over 40 years though he was not a party member. He was closely associated with Congress. He became an MP and also a governor with the help of Congress. My brother is still in politics and associated with Congress. I am disclosing this at the very beginning so as to ask you if you would still want me to hear this case, the judge told Singhvi and Jethmalani. Both the lawyers were quick to respond that they have no issue at all with justice Gavai hearing the matter. We already know what my lords have said in the open court just now. We would never have problems. It is perhaps because of the times that we live in that my lords had to say it, Singhvi said. Responding, justice Gavai said: I felt it was my duty to point it out. You both already know about this. Incidentally, my father was a good friend to your [Singhvis] father and his [Jethmalanis] father as well I even assisted Mr Jethmalanis father in an election matter. Justice Gavai added that he even wrote in a judgment that although his family had a family background, it never affected him as a judge. During the hearing, Singhvi made out a case for an early hearing, pointing out Gandhi has suffered 111 days as MP and missed two parliamentary sessions, including the ongoing Monsoon Session. Accepting his request, the bench agreed to hear the case on August 4. The appeal was filed by Gandhi on July 15, exactly a week after the high court dealt a blow to his endeavour to revive his Lok Sabha membership, ruling that the Congress leader breached modesty and that his offence involved moral turpitude. In his appeal, Gandhi urged the top court to immediately stay his conviction to enable him to regain his MP status, arguing the conviction order would lead to throttling of free speech, free expression, free thought, and free statement. It would contribute to the systematic, repetitive emasculation of democratic institutions and the consequent strangulation of democracy which would be gravely detrimental to the political climate and future of India, he said. Gandhis petition complained that a political speech in the course of democratic political activity, critical of economic offenders, and also of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been held to be an act of moral turpitude inviting the harshest punishment. Such a finding is gravely detrimental to democratic free speech in the midst of a political campaign. It is respectfully submitted that the same will set a disastrous precedent wiping out any form of political dialogue or debate which is remotely critical in any manner, it said. The complainant in the case, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Purnesh Modi, filed his caveat in the top court to ensure no orders are passed on Gandhis appeal without hearing his side. On March 23, a Gujarat magisterial court convicted Gandhi for his remarks on the Modi surname after Purnesh Modi filed a criminal complaint. The Congress leader was sentenced to two-year imprisonment, which disqualified him as an MP from Keralas Wayanad under the Representation of People Act on March 24, following a notification from the Lok Sabha Secretariat. Gandhi approached the sessions court, which rejected his plea for a stay on his conviction on April 20, compelling him to approach the high court. The April 20 order cited Gandhis stature as an MP and former chief of the countrys second-largest political party and said he should have been more careful in his comments. On July 7, the high court affirmed this order, rejecting Gandhis revision application seeking a stay on his conviction. The present conviction is a serious matter affecting a large segment of society and needs to be viewed by this court with the gravity and significance it commands... It is now the need of the hour to have purity in politics. Representatives of people should be men of a clear antecedent, said justice Hemant P Prachchhak in his judgment. The high court judgment meant that Gandhis disqualification from the Lok Sabha will continue. While Gandhi cannot be arrested since his jail term remains suspended for now, only a stay on his conviction by the Supreme Court or a favourable judgment in his appeal by a sessions court can enable him to contest next years Lok Sabha elections. The conviction and two-year jail term renders Gandhi unfit to enter either House of Parliament for eight years. But this can be reversed if he can get the conviction overturned or suspended by a higher court. Gandhis legal team has to now get at least a stay on the conviction in the next 10 months to allow the former Congress chief to contest the 2024 polls. In his appeal to the top court, Gandhi contended that the entire approach of the judgments by the high court and the courts below has been to mischaracterise his one-line statement as hugely serious. This has resulted in the inexorable exclusion of the petitioner from all political elective office for a long period of 8 years. That too in the worlds largest democracy where the Petitioner has been a former President of the oldest political movement in the country and is also continuously in the vanguard of opposition political activity, the appeal added. If political satire were to be held to be a base motive, Gandhi said, any political speech which is colourfully critical of the government, or any other political party or involves a turn of phrase in the course of a vigorous political speech would become an act of moral turpitude. This would completely corrode the foundations of democracy. To equate a political speech criticising the government or a section of society, even if defamatory, to the aforesaid, sets a completely incongruous standard unknown to jurisprudence which deals with moral turpitude, the plea said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the proceedings pending before different high courts against the makers of the film Adipurush. The Supreme Court also issues notice on an appeal filed by the makers of the film against the Allahabad high court order asking them to appear before it on July 27. Adipurush. (Representative Photo) The Supreme Court also refused to entertain the plea seeking revocation of CBFC certification for the movie. Everyone is touchy about everything now...tolerance for movies, books are going down, remarked Justice SK Kaul while declining relief under Article 32. "Adipurush", a retelling of the epic Ramayana, has come under attack for its dialogues and use of colloquial language. The bench, which also comprises Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, issued notice to parties in the case. The Allahabad high court on June 30 had directed the makers of the movie to appear before it on July 27 and told the central government to form a committee to give its views on the film. It was hearing separate petitions of Kuldeep Tiwari and Naveen Dhawan seeking a ban on the movie. The high court had ordered director Om Raut, producer Bhushan Kumar, and dialogue writer Manoj Muntashir to appear before it on July 27. It has also directed the central government to constitute a five-member committee to give its view on the film as to whether it had hurt the feelings of the public. In an order, it had also directed the government to review the decision of granting of certificate to the movie. The high court had said the secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) will file their personal affidavits apprising it as to whether the guidelines for certification of the film for public exhibition has been followed in letter and spirit. (With inputs from agencies) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday sought the response of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a petition filed by Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji and his wife Megala challenging an order passed by the Madras high court that allowed the federal agency to take Balaji into custody in connection with a cash-for-job scam. Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji reacts in pain while being taken to a government hospital after his arrest in connection with a money laundering case, in Chennai on June 13, 2023. (PTI) A bench of justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh issued notice on the two petitions challenging a split verdict given by the high court on July 4, following which the matter went to a third judge who ruled on July 14 that ED was entitled to take the minister into custody, and that the period spent by the minister in hospital would not be counted as part of the custody. The third judge also held that the writ petition of habeas corpus filed by the wife was not maintainable as the minister was arrested on June 14, and remanded to ED custody by a judicial order. Also Read | Senthil Balaji's arrest by ED, judicial custody legal: Madras High Court The third judge ,justice CV Karthikeyan, sided with the view taken by justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy who in his July 4 decision dismissed the petitions and found no flaw with ED custody. Justice Karthikeyan, however, referred the matter to the same bench to pass the necessary orders on the period of custody. The other judge in the case, who ruled against ED custody, was justice Nisha Banu. ED challenged the custody period part of justice Karthikeyans verdict, in a separate appeal, which the top court on Friday agreed to hear along with Balaji and Meghalas appeals. ED was represented by solicitor general (SG) Tushar Mehta, who said that once the third judge agreed with the conclusion that period undergone during hospitalisation is to be excluded from the 15-day custody, he should have handed over the custody of the minister to ED. Mehta said that he was not supposed to refer the matter back to the same bench. Delay in taking custody is hampering effective investigation of the case. Thousands of people have paid money to this individual, he added. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the minister, sought orders restricting ED from taking his custody till this matter was decided. Nothing will happen till the next date. The third judge has directed the matter to be placed before the earlier division bench, the bench responded. Balaji, who is currently a minister in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu, was arrested on charges of accepting bribes while serving as transport minister in the pervious AIADMK-led government from people seeking jobs in the state transport department between 2011 and 2015. On May 16, the Supreme Court allowed ED to proceed with the investigation against him, leading to his arrest on June 14. Soon after his arrest, Balaji was hospitalised and underwent a bypass surgery. In his petition before the top court, Balaji said that since ED is not a police force, it may have power to investigate and arrest, but not to keep a person in custody. According to him, the high court erred by allowing ED custody beyond the mandated 15-day period under Section 167 of the criminal procedure code (CrPC). When the statute itself does not contemplate custody with police after 15 days of the initial arrest, courts cannot provide for the same, as it would amount to entering in the field of legislature, Balaji stated in his petition. Since the very arrest and remand order were both illegal and contrary to law, the impugned judgments upholding the same are liable to be set aside. The bench posted matter for hearing on July 26. The Varanasi district court on Friday ordered an extensive survey of the Gyanvapi Masjid by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to ascertain whether the mosque was built over a pre-existing Hindu temple, holding that the scientific investigation is necessary for the true facts to come out. The court ordered excluding the section which has been sealed since last year. (HT Archive) Allowing an application by four Hindu women plaintiffs, district judge Ajaya Krishna Vishvesha directed ASI to conduct a comprehensive survey, using dating, excavation and ground penetrating radar (GPR) techniques, of the plot where the mosque stands, next to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Also Read | How Gyanvapi battle may set template for places of worship cases The court, however, ordered excluding the section which has remained sealed since the Supreme Court order in May 2022. The area under seal is where Hindus insist a Shivling has been found, while Muslims claim it is part of a fountain. The director of ASI is directed to conduct a detailed scientific investigation by using GPR Survey, excavation, dating method and other modern techniques of the present structure (mosque) to find out as to whether same has been constructed over a pre-existing structure of a Hindu temple, stated the court order, seeking a report from ASI up to August 4 when the matter will be taken up next. Dating is a method of calculating the age of very old objects while a GPR survey is a method of gathering data about whats below the ground using ground-penetrating radar technology that sends electromagnetic energy signals into the subsurface. The order directed ASI to carry out GPR survey under the three domes of the mosque (where the plaintiffs claim there are remains of the pinnacle of a temple) and beneath the western wall (where the Hindu shrine of Shringar Gauri exists). Also Read | Shringar Gauri-Gyanvapi case: Bhadri ex-royal meets plaintiff, assures support to legal battle The director of ASI is also directed to conduct GPR survey beneath the ground of all the cellars and conduct excavation, if required. The director of ASI is also directed to conduct dating exercise of the pillars and plinth of the building to find out the age and the nature of construction, it added. Permitting ASI to carry out scientific investigation of all the artefacts found in the mosque to find out their age and nature, the court further directed ASI to study all objects of historical and religious importance existing in different parts of the building and also beneath the structure which may be found during excavation. The director of ASI is also directed to conduct GPR survey, excavation wherever required, dating exercise and other scientific methods for determining the age and nature of construction existing at the site in question, said the court, adding that ASI must ensure that there should be no damage to the structure standing on the disputed land and that it remains intact and unharmed. One of the lawyers for the mosque management committee, Raees Ahmad Ansari said that they will challenge the order in a higher court. The court order came on two applications moved by four of the five Hindu plaintiffs who filed a suit in August 2021, demanding the right of unhindered worship at the Maa Shringar Gauri Sthal, located inside the complex that houses idols of Hindu gods. Rekha Pathak, Manju Vyas, Sita Sahu, and Lakshmi Devi filed the application for the survey. Their pleas were argued by advocates Hari Shankar Jain, Vishnu Jain, Sudhir Tripathi and Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi. The mosque management committee, in its reply, refuted that the mosque was built over a temple, maintaining the structure at the spot was always a mosque. Represented through advocates Ansari and Ekhlaq Ahmad, the management committee opposed the survey, saying such an exercise cannot be ordered to collect evidence. It was also argued that a survey by an advocate commissioner was previously conducted in April 2022 and until the validity of that survey is not decided, no new survey can be ordered. But the district judge shot down the mosque management committees objections, noting the spot inspection conducted in April 2022 is entirely different from a scientific survey by ASI, which has all the modern techniques and wherewithal to ascertain the age and nature of construction at the disputed site. In my view, if ASI will be directed to hold survey and scientific investigation at the property in question and submit report then it will help in just and proper disposal of the case and true facts will come before this court. I am also of the view that objections, filed by defendant no.4 (mosque management committee) are unfounded and without any substance, held the court. The mosque management committee had earlier sought to get the case thrown out under Order VII Rule 11 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC), arguing the suit by the Hindu plaintiffs was barred by the 1991 Places of Worship Act. The Act locks the position or religious identity of any place of worship as it existed on August 15, 1947. But in last September, the Varanasi district judge dismissed the committees application. This judgment was upheld by the Allahabad high court in May, and the committees appeal is now pending before the Supreme Court. On Friday, the Varanasi court pointed out that the Supreme Court did not stay the proceedings before it even as the Allahabad high court order for a scientific survey to determine the age of a structure inside Varanasis Gyanvapi mosque complex that Hindus insist is a Shivling, and Muslims say is part of a fountain, was stayed. Therefore, the judge held, the Supreme Court orders on protecting a specific section inside the mosque complex or staying the scientific survey of a structure had no bearing on the application being decided by him. Scientific investigation by ASI seems to be necessary in this case so that true facts relating to this case can come before the court and this court can arrive at a just and reasonable conclusion, the order held. Advocate Rajesh Mishra, state governments special counsel for the Gyanvapi case, said: The Varanasi district court allowed the application for survey in the Gyanvapi Complexs barricaded area, excluding its barricaded area, by ASI. The district judge is currently trying eight suits claiming the existence of idols of Hindu deities inside the Gyanvapi mosque located next to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. While the first one to be filed by the five HIndu women asked for a right to worship Hindu deities inside the mosque complex, six others have pressed for a claim over title of the land where the Gyanvapi Masjid stands. The West Bengal Police on Friday rejected the Bharatiya Janata Party's allegation of its gram sabha poll candidate being sexually assaulted by Trinamool Congress workers in Howrah's Panchla during the recently concluded panchayat election. West Bengal director general of police (DGP) M Malviya said that no evidence was found of the occurrence of the incident, reported news agency ANI. West Bengal DGP M. Malaviya(Twitter/ @ANI) While addressing a press conference on Friday, the Bengal top cop said, On 13 July, SP Howrah Rural received a complaint by email from BJP that on July 8, a woman was forcibly pulled out from a polling booth in Howrah's Panchla and her clothes were torn. On this complaint, the police were ordered to register an FIR and conduct further investigation. "During the probe, the police team found no evidence of the occurrence of the incident. Police and Central Forces were present in the polling booth," he added. A gram sabha candidate on Thursday alleged that she was physically assaulted by TMC workers during the polling in Dakshin Panchla under the Panchla police station in Howrah district. She further alleged that the goons stripped her naked and paraded her around the village on the polling day, ANI had reported. After the incident, an FIR was filed by the victim at the Panchla police station. "On the polling day (8 July 2023), while the voting was ongoing, the TMC candidate of the same Gram Sabha named Hemanta Roy, and few other TMC supported anti-social elements named Alfi Sk., Sukamal Panja, Ranabir Panja, Sanju Das, Noor Alam and about 40-50 other miscreants physically assaulted me at the polling station. They hit me on my chest, and head with sticks and pushed me out of the polling booth," read the FIR. BJP MP Locket Chatterjee broke down during a press conference, citing a number of cases of crime against women, including alleged disrobing, during and after the West Bengal panchayat polls. "The situation in Manipur also prevails in West Bengal," she said. The elections for 63,229 Gram Panchayat seats along with 9,730 Panchayat Samitis and 928 Zilla Parishads in West Bengal took place on July 8 marred with widespread violence, looting of ballots papers and rigging. Around 5.67 crore voters participated and decided the fate of 2.06 lakh candidates in the state. There were also reports of booth capturing, damaging of ballot boxes, clashes between political parties and assault of presiding officers from several districts in the state. The ruling TMC won 44,105 Gram Panchayat seats while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) bagged 9,990 seats. Congress secured 2,680 seats, while Communist Party of India (Marxist) won 3,180 seats, according to the State Election Commission (SEC). The Tihar Jail administration on Friday ordered a detailed probe into the lapses over separatist leader Yasin Malik being produced physically in the Supreme Court. Yasin Malik is serving life imprisonment in a terror-funding case.(HT file) Director General (Prisons) Sanjay Beniwal ordered a detailed inquiry in the matter to be conducted by deputy inspector general (HQ) (Prisons) Rajiv Singh to fix the responsibility of erring officials. The report is to be submitted within the next three days. Yasin Malik, the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader who is serving life imprisonment in a terror funding case, appeared before the top court under police escort. The episode prompted Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to write to Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, terming it as a 'major security laps. Mehta sought action on how the separatist leader was allowed to step out in the absence of any order or authorisation from court warranting his presence. The solicitor general urged the home secretary to take the matter seriously and take suitable action as Malik is not an ordinary person but a man with terror and secessionist background who was convicted in a terror funding case last year. He did not rule out the possibility of the convict escaping, being forcibly taken away or getting killed, given his links to terrorist organisation in Pakistan. Malik had arrived in court to appear in an appeal filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation, challenging a September 2022 order passed by a TADA court in Jammu which required his personal presence in the trial relating to killing of four Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel in Srinagar in 1990 and the 1989 abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of then Union Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The Supreme Court on April 24 had stayed this order, thereby issuing notice to the respondents, including Yasin Malik to appear either in person or through an authorised lawyer. However, the order did not provide for his personal presence. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Preeti Aghalayams childhood home was a laboratory, she says, laughing. PREMIUM Her wishlist, if she had a magic wand, would be to have more of the sprightly zest of Monday mornings, Aghalayam says. I think if youre happy, you work hard, and you wake up on Monday mornings ready for everything! (HT Photo: Rangaprasad) She grew up in Mysuru, Karnataka, the daughter of two academics, a chemistry professor and a linguistics scholar. She dismantled clocks and toy cars in playtime; crafted mirrors from plain glass; stayed up all night to watch a bud bloom. One summer, she and her now-late father, AS Janardan, went a bright pink from chopping and pressure-cooking beets. We were determined to extract their natural sugar, after reading about the process in a journal. The kitchen went quite pink too, she says. The sugar ended up tasting funny and horrible, because the American scientists had used a specific variety of the vegetable, called sugar beet. What she remembers most, Aghalayam says, is that any question she and her elder sister Jyothi had as children found an answer or sparked a conversation. I was chatty and curious, and our parents were very indulgent. There were simply never too many questions. Now 49, Aghalayam has just been appointed the first-ever woman director of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). She will head the Zanzibar campus of IIT-Madras (IIT-M), in Tanzania, the first overseas campus in the 72-year history of the centrally funded elite technical institutes. As director, Aghalayam says she aims to build an environment where young people are encouraged to look beyond marks and lucrative jobs, and tap into their inventive side, as she did all those years ago. The new IIT is determinedly forward-looking. It opens in October (applications are being accepted until August 5) with two academic programmes, a four-year graduate degree course and a two-year Masters, both in data science and artificial intelligence. The IITs have stood not just for academic excellence but for shaping young people into mindful, scientific citizens. I want IITM-Zanzibar to be a place where we can shape young individuals in a way that they do good in the world, where they realise that hard work and academic rigour impacts not just their lives, but a vast horizon of people, places and problems. *** Aghalayam is currently juggling two continents, two cultures and two lives. For six months, she has lived between Zanzibar and Chennai. Having a family excited by the change has helped immensely. Her husband, Rajiv C Lochan, 52, who heads a finance and investment firm in Chennai, and their daughter Vichar Lochan, 19, a university student in Chicago, have constantly pushed me to be my best self, she says. She has had it so much easier than her mother, she adds. Rama Janardan, now 77, earned a PhD in language, linguistics and education, while running a household and raising two children. My mother worked so hard. It was the 80s, a completely different time and environment. But she never changed her ambitions to suit any societal norms. She always maintained that, of course the world is not equal for men and women, but you must know in your heart what youre capable of, what you want, and chase it. Aghalayam grew up knowing exactly what she wanted. She was in love with science and math. But by the time she walked into IIT-Madras (IIT-M) at 17, she knew it was where she was meant to be. The year she enrolled to study chemical engineering, the IIT-M batch of 360 students held 20 women, a figure that was celebrated because it was so much higher than in preceding years. The women studied together, supported each other. For nearly 30 years, these women have been my support system. Weve moved from Yahoo groups to a Google group to WhatsApp to stay in touch, Aghalayam says. Looking back, she adds, I wish my sister and I had done more to help our mother. *** After IIT-M, Aghalayam earned a PhD in chemical reaction engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, then spent about 18 months as a post-doctoral researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The infrastructure in the US was great; the student community, more diverse. But women were still a minority there in the late 90s, especially in leadership roles. As an Indian woman, I was part of an even smaller minority group, she says. But IIT-M had prepared her for the world. Even at MIT, where every second lab seems to hold a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, I wasnt overwhelmed. She now wanted to teach, at an IIT, and returned in 2002 to find a spot open at IIT-Bombay. In 2010, she got a chance to return to IIT-M, as faculty, and jumped at it. While there she served as a nodal officer on the campus division of the GATI (Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions) programme, which seeks to identify and address disparities and facilitate more opportunities for women on IIT campuses. Its crucial to have women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) because we are equal to men in skill and intellect, and when we exclude women, we stand to lose out on opportunities and innovation as a society, Aghalayam says. And doing this begins with listening to young women about the kinds of opportunities they want; the living, studying and research spaces they feel comfortable in; hidden barriers such as economics and caste. Rather than waiting for women to participate, we need to create opportunities for them to speak, conduct surveys to understand roadblocks, reward women for achievements and proactively seek them out while hiring. *** Listening will be a big part of how she and her team do things in Zanzibar. We want to create a world-class space for academics but not foist ideas on them, Aghalayam says. There are lessons from IIT-M that she wants to carry over: flexible elective subjects; a focus on innovation; infrastructure, funding and a culture that prioritise research in diverse fields. Diversity is key, because the bulk of Indian STEM students still aim for careers in either engineering or medicine. From science communication and writing to data science, theres so much else to explore, Aghalayam says. I hope we can help students realise that there are endless opportunities. They can take into account what they are good at, and what can help them make a change in the world, and make that their dream. Venus is a bit like the architect who lives quietly next door for years, and turns out to be a serial killer. PREMIUM Beneath its soothing white clouds, Venus is a hellscape. Above left is a computer-simulated view of the planets surface, created in 2020, using data from NASAs 1989 Magellan mission. Also in 2020, data from an earlier Mariner 10 mission was revisited with new imaging software, to generate a clearer view of the planet as seen from afar (above right). (NASA / JPL-CalTech) Our nearest planetary neighbour is roughly the same size as Earth. It is almost equidistant from the Sun. It is a terrestrial orb (rather than a gas giant like Jupiter). But, as it turns out, the similarities are entirely superficial. The clouds that cover Venus all year round contain sulphuric acid, and circle the globe at 100 metres per second, like a Category 4 hurricane that never dissipates. The atmosphere is almost entirely carbon dioxide, trapping all the planets heat. As a result, its surface temperature stands at over 450 degrees Celsius, making it hotter than even Mercury, which is far closer to the Sun. It is so hot on Venus that the planets sulphuric acid rain (thats an acid with a boiling point of 337 degrees Celsius) evaporates before it hits the ground. How could two planets born around the same time, almost equidistant from their star, be so different? As our planet warms, answers to Venuss past could hold clues to the future of Earth, researchers say. Getting close enough to seek those answers, however, poses a series of challenges. Venus is less than 60 million km away from Earth (for perspective, the moon is about 400,000 km away). But it maintains its searing temperatures even at night, owing to the runaway greenhouse effect created by its carbon dioxide. Its atmospheric pressure is at an intense 93 times that of Earth at sea level. Only four spacecraft have touched down on Venuss surface so far, and they only survived for a few minutes to a few hours. The Soviet-era Venera vessels that landed in the 1970s and 80s did manage to relay a few images to Earth before they were crushed and cooked. The images show a desolate, mustard-coloured landscape strewn with rocks. (Russian Academy of Sciences / Ted Stryk) As a result, only four spacecraft have made it to the surface so far (all part of the Soviet Venera missions), and they only survived briefly -- from a few minutes to a few hours -- before they were cooked and crushed by the planet. A hot mess As weve peered at our neighbour through the decades, though, the view has been changing. Humanitys first interplanetary mission headed to Venus, given its proximity. This was the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)s Mariner 2 fly-by, in 1962. It gathered the first granular data on the planet. The Mariner 10, launched in 1973, relayed the first close-up images. With each fresh set of data, estimates of surface temperature and atmospheric pressure were revised upwards. Then the Venera landers were crushed in the 1970s, and humanity moved on to places with more promise: back to the Moon, and on to Mars (which is roughly half the size of Earth and at least five times farther). In recent years, however, orbiters have returned. The European Space Agencys (ESA) Venus Express, launched in 2005, found evidence of granite-like rocks, which caused some excitement because on Earth they only form in the presence of water. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agencys (JAXA) Akatsuki, the only spacecraft currently orbiting this neighbour, has been studying Venus mysterious atmospheric dynamics since 2015, using cameras set to different wavelengths. Other missions including Hubble, the Parker Solar Probe and ESAs Solar Probe have flown past and added to the data. What weve learnt, from these fly-bys and from ground observations via radio telescopes and climate models, is astounding . Scientists believe that Venus once held an abundance of water, possibly for as much as two to three billion years, long enough for the planet to have been habitable. (The solar system, incidentally, is about 4.6 billion years old.) They have found traces of phosphine in the planets atmosphere. This is a compound that is produced as waste by bacteria on earth, and is hence considered a biomarker. Could there have once been life on Venus? Could Venus have once been a lot more like Earth? Venus fly trap New missions are seeking answers. Four, a mix of orbiters and atmospheric probes, are headed there in the coming decade, including one by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This year, scientists studying data from NASAs Magellan mission (launched in 1989) found geological evidence of recent volcanic activity. Above is a computer-generated 3D model of Maat Mons, one of the planets largest volcanoes. Understanding volcanic activity on Venus could help unlock some of the mysteries of its past. (NASA / JPL-CalTech) NASAs DaVinci and Veritas missions are slated for launch between 2028 and 2030. ESAs EnVision mission is due for launch in 2031. ISROs Shukrayaan 1 is set to head out as early as December 2024 or, failing that launch window, in 2031. This four-year orbiter mission is designed to probe the surface, sub-surface, atmosphere and upper atmosphere, and understand its seasons as well as the Venus-Sun interactions, says Anil Bhardwaj, director of the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, a unit of the Government of Indias Department of Space. Shukrayaan 1 will be the closest ISRO has ever come to the Sun. It will travel 40% of the distance between us and our star, Bhardwaj points out. A key challenge will be keeping the craft from being sucked into Suns orbit. JAXAs Akatasuki, for instance, was launched in May 2010; failed to enter orbit around Venus owing to a technical mishap; then got dragged into the Suns immense gravitational pull and went spinning around it for five years before it could be manoeuvred back towards its original destination in orbit around Venus. If all goes well, radar, infrared cameras and other instruments on board Shukrayaan 1 will collect data on Venuss composition and atmospheric characteristics, in the hopes that these will provide new clues into the theory of an Earth-like early life. There are fundamental reasons to look into our neighbours backyard, Bhardwaj says. There is a curiosity to understand what happed to a planet that is terrestrial like Earth, is almost the same size, and is a similar distance from the Sun What happened for it to end up so different? Understanding that could help us understand what could happen here on Earth, millions of years from now. Experience unrestricted digital access with HT Premium Explore amazing offers on HT + Economist Start 14 Days Free Trial Already Subscribed? Sign In Malnutrition during pregnancy may raise the chance of acquiring type 2 diabetes in later life, according to a number of studies. In comparison to those born one year before or later, people born during a famine have a risk of diabetes that is more than twice as high, according to a 2013 study by Peter Klimek and his team. Malnutrition during pregnancy raises chance of diabetes later in life: Study(Photo by Anna Hecker on Unsplash) In a recent study, Klimek and his team for the first time were able to measure not just the incidence, or the number of new cases, but also the overall number of diabetes patients (prevalence). Among men born during the two most severe famine periods, 1939 and 1946/1947, the rate of new cases of diabetes is up to 78 percent higher in 2013 to 2017 than in comparable years, and up to 59 percent higher among women, explains Klimek, from the Complexity Science Hub and the Medical University of Vienna. The effect is strongest in those born in 1939. ALSO READ: Here's how much weight you should lose before getting pregnant The incidence rate rose from 3.9 percent to 6.9 percent among men and from 3.4 percent to 5.4 percent among women. Additionally, both groups have an increased incidence of concomitant conditions such as heart failure, arterial hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease. Scientists believe this is a result of genetic programming that occurs during pregnancy, which increases the risk of these diseases. As a result of deficiency, the unborn childs metabolism adjusts to a nutritionally poor environment. If this does not prove true later in life, a maladaptation occurs that leads to increased metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in these birth groups. One strength of our study is the new, large dataset on which it is based, says Klimek. This covers 99.9 percent of the Austrian population between 2012 and 2017, and all insured patients aged over 50 and under 100 were examined. Of these approximately 3.5 million people, 746,184 were treated for diabetes. The comprehensive dataset allowed researchers to measure age-specific and regional incidence rates directly for the entire population, without additional assumptions that would be required for modeling. Our results clearly demonstrate that public health efforts to address diabetes should not focus solely on lifestyle factors. The importance of reproductive health, as well as adequate nutrition during pregnancy and in the early postnatal period, must also be considered, Klimek said. National Parents' Day celebrates and thanks parents for the love, sacrifices, and commitment they make to raising and nurturing their kids. The occasion encourages people to show their appreciation and affection to their parents or other parental figures in recognition of the significant influence they have on their children's lives. In order to help a child through the trials and tribulations of life, the love of the parents is of the utmost importance. As no one else in the world can compare to their steadfast support and care, National Parents Day is a fantastic opportunity to express our heartfelt love and thanks to them. From history to significance, here's all you need to know about this day. (Also read: Are you a toxic parent? Here are signs to look for ) National Parents Day is a great opportunity to express our heartfelt love and thanks to our parents and parental figures.(Unsplash) When is National Parents' Day 2023 National Parents' Day, observed annually on the fourth Sunday of July, pays tribute to parents and their selfless sacrifices. This year, we'll celebrate and honor parents on July 23. History of National Parents' Day National Parents' Day dates back to 1994, when President Bill Clinton signed a Congressional resolution designating the fourth Sunday in July as an official day to celebrate parents. Since then, this annual celebration has included parades, speeches, awards ceremonies, and special events to honour and celebrate the essential role parents play in our lives. National Parents' Day significance The National Parents' Day is of great significance as it is an annual celebration dedicated to honouring and appreciating parents for their selfless love, sacrifices and guidance in shaping the lives of their children. This special day recognises the vital role parents play in providing emotional and physical support, fostering strong family bonds and nurturing the future generation. It serves as a reminder to express gratitude and affection to parents or parental figures, recognising their unwavering dedication in meeting the challenges of parenthood and their profound impact on the well-being and success of their children and society as a whole. Ways to celebrate National Parents' Day Spend quality time: Arrange a special day with your parents, taking part in their favourite pastimes or making new memories. Express your gratitude: Compose a meaningful letter, card, or poem thanking them for everything they have done for you. Prepare a meal: Whether it's breakfast in bed or a handmade dinner, treat them to a nice meal. Family reunion: Plan a family reunion to rejoice with your extended family and make enduring memories. Gift-giving: Show them you know and care about them by giving them thoughtful presents that are in line with their hobbies or requirements. Europe finds itself in the tight grip of a scorching and dangerous heatwave named Charon, affecting several countries, including Spain, Italy, Serbia, Greece among several others. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that record-breaking temperatures, soaring as high as 48.8C in some regions, are expected to worsen in the coming days. Reports suggest that it will last till beginning of August . In Rome, outside The Colosseum, volunteers are offering water bottles and setting up giant fans to keep tourists hydrated and comfortable.The blistering heat is coinciding with the peak tourist season, causing concerns for travellers and locals alike. People queue to enter the Royal Palace during a hot and sunny day in Madrid, Spain (Photo: AP) Traveller experiences and precautions Neha Yadav, an HR manager from Delhi, shares her experience from a recent vacation in Paris, France, where extreme temperatures caught her by surprise. As if dealing with it in Delhi wasnt enough. Luckily, the homestay we had booked placed extra pedestal fans in rooms as there was no provision for AC. Moreover, it was a given that the rental car would have air-conditioning but that wasnt the case. We realised only when we got the vehicle and the heat was unbearable which made the road journey so uncomfortable! she says. However, some tourists remain undeterred by the heatwave. Sunita Sharma from Faridabad, who is flying to Europe for two weeks, is prepared to take precautions similar to those she follows in Delhis scorching weather, such as using sunscreen and staying hydrated. Heatwave in Europe is a yearly phenomenon now, she adds. Whereas, Gurugram-based research analyst, Dhruv Wadhwa, who is looking forward to a vacation in August, plans to modify his itinerary to a cooler destination. No cancellations, but change in itinerary, say travel operators We continue to see demand for Europe despite the current weather conditions. Although we have not witnessed any trend of customers cancelling or postponing their travel plans, many are opting for destinations like Scandinavia, Croatia and East Europe, as well as erstwhile CIS countries like Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Georgia, due to cooler climates. Schengen Visa challenges have abated considerably and this is driving our forward, informs Rajeev Kale, president and country head, Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited. Daniel Dsouza president and country head, Holidays, SOTC Travel, agrees and adds, We are [also] not witnessing an impact on bookings due to the ongoing weather conditions; however, we continue to monitor the situation and keep our customers updated. Tourist hotspots battling extreme heat Amid the heatwaves onslaught, Greece was forced to close down its famous Acropolis in Athens during daytime to safeguard visitors from the extreme heat. In Spains La Palma, nearly a thousand tourists were evacuated when temperatures reached a scorching 60C due to a nearby wildfire. The situation was no better in Croatia, where raging fires prompted evacuations as well. On Italys Sardinia, a British tourist had to be airlifted from the beach after losing consciousness due to the oppressive heat. Tips for a safe trip To stay safe during the heatwave, travellers are advised to stay hydrated (carry a thermo-steel bottle and if possible, carry oral rehydrating solutions), use sunscreen, avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol, find air-conditioned spots to rest and wear loose, light-coloured clothing, same goes for shoes; carry a cap or umbrella or portable hand-held mini fans, if required. Travel insurance for medical emergencies and confirming air conditioning availability in accommodations and rental cars are also essential precautions. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In the age of 24X7 news and social media, political campaigns are as much an exercise in branding and marketing as they are in ideology or mobilisation. It is on the former front that the newly announced Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) of 26 opposition parties has generated a lot of buzz. Will the new alliance prove to be a game-changer for the 2024 elections? PREMIUM Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) of 26 opposition parties has generated a lot of buzz. (Shrikant Singh) Let us begin with an obvious caveat. The alliance, at least at the moment, is nothing more than a billboard. Not only will the partners have to iron out the usual friction in seat sharing between various alliance partners, but it is also almost a given that there will be no alliance between INDIA constituents in some states such as West Bengal and Kerala, and perhaps even Delhi and Punjab. A more interesting question to ask is whether INDIA entails a wider Opposition unity than what existed in the 2014 and 2019 elections? It is best to look at this question on a state-wise basis. In Tamil Nadu, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its smaller alliance partners including the Congress, Left parties and smaller Dravidian parties swept the polls in 2019 as well. In Kerala, the main contest will continue to be between the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF). In Karnataka, the Congress actually had an alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular) in 2019. It is another matter that the alliance perhaps did more bad than good to both the Congress and the JD (S). The JD (S) might go with the BJP this time. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the balance is likely still skewed in favour of the regional heavyweights, namely, the YSR Congress and Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS). In Odisha, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) continues to remain equidistant from both the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in electoral terms, although if push comes to shove, the possibility of the BJD supporting the BJP in Lok Sabha cannot be ruled out. In Assam, the Congress is likely to face the BJP on its own, as the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) was not invited to the opposition deliberations which led to the formation of INDIA. In Maharashtra, the intra-party fault lines both the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have seen splits with a faction each aligned to the BJP and the Congress have completely muddied the political arithmetic. In Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party (SP)-Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) alliance in 2019 promised a much bigger challenge to the BJP in terms of arithmetic than what an SP-Congress-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance (this was tried in the 2017 assembly elections) can pose. In West Bengal, even if an alliance does happen, the Left and the Congress will have a hard time convincing their cadre on the ground to support the Trinamool Congress (TMC), whose high-handed and violent political tactics were at full display in the recently held panchayat elections. In Delhi and Punjab, it remains to be seen if the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) can arrive at any understanding. It needs to be reiterated that efforts were made towards this objective (then in Delhi and perhaps Haryana) even before the 2019 elections. The only state where a grand alliance is likely to give a tangible advantage to the opposition is Bihar, as a broadly similar alignment existed in the 2015 assembly elections and the BJP and its allies did very badly in the polls. Of course, in states such as Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat etc. the contest will continue to be between the Congress and the BJP. The short point is, purely in terms of arithmetic there is nothing very drastic which INDIA brings to the table. What about issues which INDIA might raise in the run-up to the elections? While it is early days to predict whether INDIA will have a joint manifesto or a common minimum programme, it is not very difficult to guess the broad contours of the oppositions talking points in the run-up to the polls. This will likely include three major points: A host of fiscal palliatives (everything from cash transfers to cheap LPG cylinders and restoration of old pension scheme come here) to complement the incomes of a large number of people, an attempt to resurrect Mandal politics by promising caste census and subsequently higher share of Other Backward Class (OBC) reservations and talk against the BJPs Hindutva politics. To be sure, it is more likely that the last component will see more rhetoric than promises to reverse some key decisions such as the abrogation of Article 370 and withdrawal of special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Are they likely to make the BJP worried? On the first, the BJP will make every attempt to outmanoeuvre the opposition by claiming that it has provided more to the poor than the Opposition has. We will most likely see an addition to the 'labharthi' portfolio when the interim budget is presented in February 2024. At least this is what the 2019 interim budget did. Irrespective of the results in 2024, one cannot deny that political compulsions have forced the BJP to significantly dilute its fiscal conservatism. On the second, the Oppositions biggest failure, at least until now, has been in not being able to force the BJP to come clean on either conducting a caste census or expanding the quota of OBC reservations. Even the Bihar governments decision to conduct a caste census has proved to be a damp squib; at least in terms of its political impact, after it was stayed by the Supreme Court. Can INDIA build a mass movement to precipitate things on this front in time for the 2024 elections? Has it even tried to do something along these lines so far? Is it the case that the demand does not enjoy popular traction today, as an earlier edition of this column had hinted? As far as the third is concerned, the BJP is actually happy to take the challenge head-on and if the post-2014 experience is anything to go by, it has not really suffered because of aggressive Hindutva in elections. Is 2024 a done deal for the BJP? Elections are still nine months away and it is a long time in politics. There is more than enough evidence from election studies to suggest that a significant section of voters make their choices when elections are closer than they are at the moment. The short point is this question is best left unanswered at the moment. Is there anything else we can say about 2024 at the moment? The BJPs rise since 2014 is, in many ways, just about the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Its most irrefutable proof is the vote share premium which the BJP enjoys in national elections compared to state elections (even when they are held at the same time). This is also why even the last round of state elections scheduled for later this year will not give conclusive evidence about the BJPs prospects in 2024. The Congress won this round in 2018 but was practically decimated in these states in 2019. By deciding against naming a convener for INDIA and with the Congress making it explicit that it is not insistent on the prime ministers post, the opposition has made it clear it does not want to make 2024 a presidential contest. This also means that 2024 is, for all practical purposes, Narendra Modis and not the BJPs election to lose. Modi's central challenge, at least in terms of 2024, will be to compensate objective pain points of the electorate with a subjective sense that his regime is indispensable for India. Without prejudice to the final result, one can argue that maintaining this balance should become difficult the more time Modi and BJP have spent in power. In other words, 2024 will be decided by voter fatigue or lack of it vis-a-vis Modi's grand narrative of a national rejuvenation. Everything else, including this weeks optics vis-a-vis INDIA and National Democratic Alliance is just a sideshow. Every Friday, HTs data and political economy editor, Roshan Kishore, combines his commitment to data and passion for qualitative analysis in a column for HT Premium, Terms of Trade. With a focus on one big number and one big issue, he will go behind the headlines to ask a question and address political economy issues and social puzzles facing contemporary India. The views expressed are personal A heartwarming and daring act of compassion by two divers has left people stunned. Shared on Instagram, a video shows how they risked their lives to rescue five whale sharks caught in a fishing net. The video is such that it will leave you both amazed and a tad scared as well. The image shows the divers rescuing the whale sharks. (Instagram/@kristian_t.langaeble) What does this whale shark rescue video show? The video opens to show the whale sharks trapped inside a fishing net. The divers slowly approach the net and at first they try to pull it down to free the whale sharks. When that doesn't work, they patiently make sure to help each whale shark get out of the net and swim away. The video ends with the divers fist bumping each other after successfully rescuing the sea creatures. Also Read: Baby killer whale asks people for help to save trapped mom What did the divers say about their experience of rescuing the whale sharks? Diver Kristian Toft Langaeble shared the video on his personal Instagram page. He also added a caption in Danish to explain more about his experience. Original here in Indonesia we came across 5 whale sharks that were caught in fishing nets, luckily we rescued them as seen here. A birthday I will never forget, reads the translated version of the caption. Take a look at this video of two divers rescuing the whale sharks: Isnt the video simply incredible? That is how several people felt and they also took to the comments section of the video to express their reactions. Many thanked the divers for rescuing the underwater creatures. What did Instagram users say about this whale shark rescue video? This is very sad to see but thank you for raising awareness on this and for helping these animals. I cant imagine it was easy to encounter this and its sad to think this probably happens regularly. That is unbelievable that yall saw 5 whale sharks trapped in nets, shared an Instagram user. Thanks so much for helping! The best way to celebrate life by saving lives, joined another. Wow!! Absolutely amazing! That is something else, well done!! added a third. Bravo. Well done. You are a true hero, wrote a fourth. The video was posted a few months ago on April 3. Since being shared, the video has been reshared by many across various social media platforms. What are your thoughts on this rescue video of the sharks? Pakistani national Seema Haider and Indian Sachin Meenas love story has been the talk of the town for the past few days. The woman hailing from the neighbouring country came under scrutiny of the security agencies in India and was arrested along with her Indian partner. Though they were recently released from jail, investigations on Haider are still on. There is a lot of chatter surrounding the duo. Expectedly, there are numerous social media posts being shared daily related to the couple. Amid those, an interview by a neighbour of the duo has gone viral. Her opinion on the two, especially her neighbour Sachin Meena, has sparked laughter among people. The image shows Pakistani national Seema Haider, her Indian partner Sachin Meena and their neighbour. (Screengrab) Also Read: Seema Haider writes to President Murmu amid demands for her deportation to Pakistan What does the interview of Seema Haider and Sachin Meenas neighbour show? The video opens to show a saree-clad woman speaking into a mic. As the video progresses, she is seen expressing her opinion on the entire situation. She also questions the couples love story. Take a look at the video which is now being shared by many: How did Twitter users react to the interview video of Seema Haider and Sachin Meenas neighbour? Haha yes, didi's roasting skills are 10/10, wrote a Twitter user. Next time, reject a guy by just saying jhingur sa ladka, joked another. This is hilarious, added a third. Many reacted to the video using laughing out loud emoticons. How did Seema Haider and Sachin Meena meet? Seema Haider, a 30-year-old mother of four, met Sachin Meena through the now-banned game PUBG back in 2019. She reportedly fell in love with Meena and came to India along with her children illegally. She entered the country via Nepal without a visa. Her presence came into the limelight when a few neighbours alerted the police that a woman from Pakistan is staying in the Rabupura area of Greater Noida. Rumours about Chinas foreign minister Qin Gang, who has been missing, have fueled intense speculations including an alleged extramarital affair with a journalist as commentators suggested that an affair with a television personality might be behind his absence, The New York Times reported. Although Beijing has said that his disappearance is a health-related matter as Qin Gang was supposed to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting in Jakarta but top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi filled his shoes instead. Qin Gang Missing: China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang.(Reuters) When was Qin Gang last seen in public? Qin Gangs last public appearance was during a meeting with Russias deputy minister of foreign affairs Rudenko Andrey Yurevich on June 25. Since then, he has been out of public view for about three weeks. A newspaper in Hong Kong also reported last Monday that he had contracted Covid-19. Who is Fu Xiaotian? Reports also suggested that Qin Gang has been missing due to an extramarital affair with a well-known television journalist Fu Xiaotian affiliated with Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV. Photos and videos of Qin Gang and the female reporter have recently circulated on Twitter. The ruling Communist Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection has reportedly asked the minister about the matter as reports claimed that he had a child out of wedlock with Fu Xiaotian, who is a US citizen. How is this a worry for Xi Jinping? Chinese president Xi Jinping promoted Qin Gang to the role of foreign minister over other senior diplomats but the infidelity rumours would be challenging to hush away. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Chinese citizen was injured on Thursday in the shooting in New Zealand's largest city of Auckland, state media said citing the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland. A Chinese citizen was injured on Thursday in the shooting in New Zealand's largest city of Auckland(File) The person is currently in stable condition, the media report said on Friday. US ambassador to China Nicholas Burns' email account was hacked into by Chinese hackers recently, according to a report by CNN. The report says that email account of Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of State for East Asia, was also compromised in the targeted cyberattack. US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns(AFP) The latest report adds to similar incident which involved the breach of email account of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo by Chinese hackers, last week. In recent years, cyberattacks have been one of the major reasons of bad blood between the two countries. During his recent visit to China, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had a meeting with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi in which a cyberattack on US government email systems, including the State Department, was discussed. A hacking incident which was discovered just before Blinken's visit was targeted on unclassified US government email system, which is operated by US officials with the assumption that it can be hacked. Talking about the cyber operation which happened before recent reports of breach of Burns' email account, Blinken had said: I cant discuss details of our response. Beyond that, and most critically, this incident remains under investigation." ALSO READ| Prince Harry dialled Prince William to request a truce without informing wife Meghan Markle: Report According to Microsoft, the cyberattack which compromised unclassified US government email system, began in mid-May when the China-based hackers used a stolen sign-in key to breach such accounts. The hack was discovered by US State Department analyst in mid-June after noticing unusual cyber activity on the department's computer systems. The analyst then alerted Microsoft about the issue. The incident rang alarm bells for senior cyber officials at the State Department and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) who sprung into action to understand the seriousness of the breach. The critical work that [the State Department does] conduct on behalf of the American people made it important to understand how serious the hack was, said Eric Goldstein, a senior CISA official. A shocking moment caught on camera showed a Florida man, 63, being viciously attacked in a movie theatre. The incident took place after the man asked a couple to leave his pre-booked VIP seat. A shocking moment caught on camera showed a Florida man, 63, being viciously attacked in a movie theatre (Broward County Sheriff's Office) The disturbing video shows the suspect pouncing on the white victim, and then repeatedly pummelling him during the attack in Pompano Beach. The elderly man is seen politely approaching the couple with his wife, and asking them to leave before being brutally assaulted. A release from Broward Sheriff's Office says the suspect began aggressively getting in the victim's face. Police said a manhunt has been launched for the black suspect. A security footage image of him has been released. A security footage image of the black suspect has been released (Broward County Sheriff's Office) What does the video show? The video shows the suspect moving so close to the victim that he takes a step backward. He then stands on the stairs in the theatre's aisle, with the trailer for the new Mission Impossible instalment playing on the screen. The suspect moves towards the victim, shoving him against a railing. The elderly man loses his balance at one point, and falls down the aisle stairs. The attacker stands over the man and continues to punch him in the head and face. He finally stops after witnesses pull him off. The man was transported to a local hospital. He sustained severe injuries to his head and face, the release says. The attacker and the woman who accompanied him quickly left the theatre and the complex after the incident. The attackers face is clearly shown on camera, but police have yet to catch him. They have now asked for the publics help to identify the suspect. Anyone who has any information on the suspects identity, or any knowledge of the case, has been asked to reach out toBroward sheriff's Violent Crimes division at 954-601-5905. Armed men attacked a Doctors Without Borders group in Sudan as the aid workers delivered medical supplies to a hospital in the capital city, the medical charity said on Friday amid months-long fighting between the nation's army and paramilitary forces. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) teams assist the war wounded from West Darfur, Sudan, in Adre hospital, Chad. (Reuters/File) The attackers violently assaulted a team of 18 people working for the global aid organization on Thursday as they attempted to bring supplies to the Turkish Hospital in southern Khartoum, the aid group said in a statement. Reuters could not independently confirm the incident, and representatives for Sudan's health ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. It was unclear which if any rivalling faction may have been behind the alleged attack. "After arguing about the reasons for MSF's presence, the armed men aggressively assaulted the MSF team, physically beating and whipping them," the charity, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), wrote. They detained the driver of an MSF vehicle, threatened his life before releasing him, and stole the vehicle. Fighting broke out April 15 between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary group, driving civilians out of the wider capital region and triggering ethnically motivated attacks in the western Darfur region. Those who have not fled the African country have faced a severe humanitarian crisis, with scarce access to clean water, medical care and other essential services as aid groups scramble to help. MSF said the incident jeopardised its activities at the hospital, one of only two that remain open in southern Khartoum. "If an incident like this happens again, and if our ability to move supplies continues to be obstructed, then, regrettably, our presence in the Turkish Hospital will soon become untenable," said Christophe Garnier, MSF's emergency manager for Sudan, adding that minimum safety guarantees were needed to continue its work. Regional and international mediation efforts have so far failed to end the fighting, and U.N. officials fear Sudan could slide into civil war. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The anticipation surrounding Donald Trump's classified documents case reached new heights as U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon rescheduled the trial for May 20, dismissing the former president's pleas for a delay until after the 2024 presidential election. The judge's decision comes after a heated debate during the first pre-trial conference, where arguments for and against a delay clashed, leading to a compromise that seems to satisfy neither side completely. Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Council Bluffs, Iowa,(REUTERS) Judge Cannon's seven-page order emphasized that the "interests of justice" necessitate a nine-month delay from the original trial date in August. This decision found middle ground between the prosecutors' push for a four-month delay and the defense attorneys' request for an indefinite postponement. While Trump's attorneys attempted to argue that his status as a presidential candidate warranted an indefinite delay, the judge and prosecutors remained unconvinced. Complexity challenge The case's complexity played a pivotal role in the judge's considerations. The Justice Department's proposed trial date of December 11 was met with skepticism by Judge Cannon, who believed that such an expedited schedule would not allow for a fair trial. She highlighted the immense volume of evidence involved, including over 1.1 million pages of non-classified discovery already produced by the Justice Department, months of camera footage, and numerous pages of yet-to-be-revealed classified discovery. Judge Cannon pointed out that the classified nature of some of the evidence further complicated the path from indictment to trial. This factor, combined with the ever-growing mountain of evidence, made it clear that more time was necessary to ensure a comprehensive and fair examination of the case. Trump and co-defendant's charges The 38-count federal indictment alleges that Donald Trump and his codefendant, Walt Nauta, mishandled classified documents and attempted to conceal them from federal investigators. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal battle in the coming months. Also read | Donald Trump's lead narrows over Ron DeSantis in New Hampshire GOP poll With the trial now set for May, the nation will be watching closely as this landmark case unfolds. The courtroom drama and legal maneuvering surrounding Trump's classified documents case are sure to captivate public attention, making it a significant event to mark on the calendar. As the trial date approaches, the nation braces itself for the legal showdown that will shape the political landscape for years to come. Also read | Is Donald Trump's January 6 speech enough to indict him? Legal experts comment. Here's all you need to know Greece is facing its hottest July weekend in 50 years, a top meteorologist warned Friday as the country wilts under a prolonged heatwave set to last well into next week. A woman takes a selfie in front of Parthenon temple atop of the ancient Acropolis hill during a heat wave in Athens, Greece on Friday.(AP) Government ministries have advised people to work from home where possible and not to venture out unnecessarily. The exceptional temperatures also mean key tourism sites will be closed during the hottest part of the day. Also Read | Roasting heatwave sizzles southwest America, surge in severe burns cases leave hospitals swamped "This weekend risks being the hottest registered in July in the past 50 years," said Panagiotis Giannopoulos, meteorologist with state broadcaster ERT. "Athens is going to have temperatures above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) for six to seven days, through to the end of July," said Giannopoulos. Such a prolonged spell of scorching temperatures is exceptional for the Greek capital. Sunday is likely to see the city labour under as much as 44C (111F) with the central region of Thessalia enduring 45C. Also Read | Planning a foreign trip? Heatwave in these countries will compel you to rethink A 46-year-old man was meanwhile reported to have succumbed to heatstroke on the central Greek island of Evia after being admitted to Chalkida hospital, which said cardio-respiratory failure following exposure to high temperatures appeared to be the cause. The national meteorological institute EMY earlier reported temperatures of 41C at Attica, encompassing the capital Athens and forecasting up to 44C in Thessalia. Yannis Kallianos, meteorologist with private broadcaster Mega, spoke of an "interminable and powerful heatwave". "According to latest forecasts, the heatwave could last until next Thursday or Friday," Kallianos warned, adding that strong northerly winds could also spark fires. Authorities meanwhile reported firefighters were still battling 79 forest fires across the country, with their spokesman Vassilios Vathrakoyannis saying Greece would be on a state of alert across the weekend. Turkey said Friday it was sending two firefighting aircraft and a helicopter to its neighbour, adding to earlier support from Jordan and Israel. Architectural attractions including World Heritage Site the Athens Acropolis will be shuttered during the hottest parts of the day through to Sunday, the ministry of culture said. The labour ministry urged people to work from home where possible and the health ministry called on people to avoid venturing out except where strictly necessary. "We have three difficult days ahead of us," Vassilis Kikilias, minister for civil protection, told ERT. "We must be vigilant." Athens saw its record temperature to date of 44.8 C (112.6F) in June 2007, according to the Athens national Observatory with nearby Elefsina recording a national record of 48 C (118.4F) in July 1977. Greece is just one of a swathe of countries battling a prolonged spell of extreme heat around the globe in recent days. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The House Judiciary Committee released a deposition on Thursday that revealed the FBI confirmed the authenticity of Hunter Bidens laptop on the same day The New York Post exposed its contents linking President Biden to his sons foreign business deals. Hunter Biden walks to a waiting SUV after arriving with US President Joe Biden on Marine One at Fort McNair in Washington, DC, July 4, 2023, as they return to Washington after spending the weekend at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)(AFP) The Post published the first article in its explosive series on Oct. 14, 2020, showing how an email indicated that Joe Biden met with an executive from Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian gas company that employed Hunter, while he was vice president. Biden had previously denied having any involvement in his sons overseas business ventures. According to the deposition, Laura Dehmlow, section chief of the FBIs Foreign Influence Task Force, testified that she participated in a call with Twitter on that day, where an FBI official confirmed that the laptop was real. Somebody from Twitter essentially asked whether the laptop was real. And one of the FBI folks who was on the call did confirm that, yes, it was, before another participant jumped in and said, no further comment, Dehmlow said in a closed-door deposition on Monday. ALSO READ| US Justice Department evaluates Texas border fence with razor wire after Mexican President deems it 'inhumane' The FBIs verification of the laptop was not made public before the 2020 election, as the US President and dozens of former intelligence officials falsely claimed that the documents were part of a Russian disinformation campaign. The deposition was released during a hearing on social media censorship featuring journalist Emma-Jo Morris, who wrote the initial laptop stories as a deputy politics editor at The Post. She revealed how Joe Biden referred to as the big guy was set to receive a 10% share of profits from a deal between Hunter and James Biden and CEFC China Energy, a company with ties to the Chinese government. Twitter blocked users from sharing links to The New York Posts first article for two days, citing its hacked materials policy, even though there was no evidence that the material was hacked and the outlet explained how it obtained the laptop from a Delaware repairman who legally took possession of it after Hunter abandoned it. The New York Post also published an FBI form showing that the bureau seized the laptop in December 2019, but there was still widespread doubt about its legitimacy until long after the election, largely due to the letter from 51 former intelligence agency leaders that cast suspicion on the documents. Hunter Biden's laptop held a collection of explicit personal images.(The New York Post) It was not until March 2022 that The Washington Post and New York Times confirmed the contents of the laptop, more than 17 months after The Posts original reports and more than 16 months after Joe Biden narrowly won the 2020 election. NYC front for October 14, 2020.(The New York Post) Twitter lifted its ban on sharing links to The Posts first article around 10 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2020, but continued to lock The Post out of its accounts for another two weeks for refusing to delete initial links to the story. At the final presidential debate on Oct. 22, 2020, more than a week after The Post broke the story, Biden asserted that the laptop was a Russian plant, citing the letter from former intelligence officials. The letter was signed by five former CIA directors or acting directors and many of their former deputies. Recent testimony suggests that Antony Blinken, who was advising Bidens campaign, inspired former CIA acting director Michael Morell to draft the letter. Blinken later became secretary of state under Biden. No one denies that the laptop is real, that the origin story is exactly what I told you it was in the first place, Morris said at the hearing Thursday. This elaborate censorship conspiracy wasnt because the information being reported on was false. It was because it was true. And it was a threat to the power centers in this country. ALSO READ| 'The GOP shows porn,' Marjorie Taylor Greene stuns Congress with explicit Hunter Biden photos at whistleblower hearing The FBIs confirmation of the laptops authenticity was not disclosed to the public until recently, despite knowing it since November 2019. The FBI matched the laptops device number to Hunter Bidens Apple iCloud ID in November 2019, after learning that a repair shop had the laptop and that it might contain evidence of a crime, according to IRS supervisory agent Gary Shapley, who testified to the House Ways and Means Committee on May 26. Shapley, who led the tax fraud investigation of Hunter Biden for over three years, said a federal computer expert also determined that it was not manipulated in any way. His testimony was made public on June 22. The FBI did not comment on why it did not share its verification of the laptop with the public or with Twitter, which banned The Posts reporting on the laptop for two days in October 2020. Musk, who became Twitters CEO with a mission to restore free speech, tweeted Wow on Thursday after the deposition was released. Flying dress photoshoots have taken social media by storm, #FlyingDress having become a popular hashtag. Twitter, TikTok and other social media platforms are overwhelmed with pictures of women in colourful, flowing dresses, on the mountains, at the beaches and in other scenic backgrounds. The 10-foot-long gowns are a sight to behold. Social media platforms are overwhelmed with pictures of women in colourful, flowing dresses in scenic backgrounds (@FlyingDressCPT/Twitter, @flyingdresscapetown/TikTok) Effortless as the shoots appear, there is a lot of struggle that goes behind the photoshoots. The weather is an important factor to be kept in mind. What I have to keep in mind is, dont go against the wind because its going to blow the other way, Leo Cabrera, 36, who runs a New York City photography company that specialises in these photoshoots, said. While Leo operates as a one-man show most of the time, he does have two assistants occasionally, according to New York Post. Most of the time, he shoots in Brooklyns Dumbo neighbourhood, around Central Park. He also shoots in destinations like Dubai and the Dominican Republic. You have to be ready for that moment These shoots require a lot of labour, so Leo books just two per day. The rates begin at $400 for a one-hour shoot and a dress rental. He has completed 100 shoots in the last year already. You have to be ready for that moment and grab the dress to get it flowing thats the hardest part. If I dont get the shot I want, I have to repeat the movements shaking the fabric. My arms get tired, Leo said. Leo initially thought he could capture good shots if his models ran in the dresses, but they would often trip. If you run, its going to make a mess with the fabric and you can fall down its more about just walking fast and me shaking the dress with both hands to get the perfect shot, he said. The gown is so heavy Several photographers are now cashing in on the trend. The hashtag#FlyingDress has at least 52.6 million views on TikTok. Georgia-based travel agent and content creator Adriannea Smith booked a Santorini-bound cruise to enjoy a flying dress photo shoot. She later revealed that it was much harder than it looked. The gown is so heavy the wind is blowing and youre trying to hold still, Adriannea said. The assistant is holding onto the end of your dress, then the photographer counts down and the assistant will throw the dress a certain way. It depends how the wind is moving as the photographer directs them, she explained. The shoot, however, was very successful. I felt like a super model, Adriannea said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Three daughters of a Hindu businessman in Pakistan's Sindh province have been married to Muslim men who first kidnapped them and forcibly converted them to Islam, according to a leading minority rights group in the country. The three sisters were married to the same men who abducted them.(HT File Photo) The head of Pakistan Darewar Itehad, Shiva Kachhi, said that the incident took place in Sindh's Dharki area where Chandni, Roshni and Parmesh Kumari, daughters of a Hindu businessman, Leela Ram, were first abducted and then forcibly converted to Islam. "The conversion was performed by one Pir Javed Ahmed Qadri and later they were also married to Muslim men," he said. Kachhi said despite appeals and pleas from his organisation's platform, the problem of forcible conversion of Hindu girls was continuing unabated with the police and authorities not apprehending the culprits. He said that the three sisters were married to the same men who abducted them. Kachhi also claimed that the attacks on the Hindu community in the riverine areas have spiked since the Seema Haider incident. Seema Haider, a Pakistani woman and a mother of four, sneaked into India to live with a Hindu man, Sachin Meena, whom she befriended through an online game platform. She was ostracised by her family and neighbours for daring to defy the societal norms of a conservative Muslim country. There have been daily threats from dacoits in the riverine areas to retaliate against Hindus because of this incident, Kachhi said. Last week, a gang of dacoits attacked a Hindu temple with rocket launchers along with adjoining homes belonging to Hindus in the Kashmore area of the Sindh province. "After the temple of Bhagri's was attacked by some dacoits in Kashmore, the authorities have now sent Hindu policemen for the security of temples and worship places in Mirpurkhas, Kashmore, Tharparkar, Ghotki, Sukkur, Umarkot and Sanghar," Kacchi alleged. He claimed these Hindu policemen had also been sent to riverine areas to hunt the dacoits. "These are poor Hindu people who are serving in low positions in police belonging to different areas of Sindh and the authorities now want them to provide security for the Hindu worship places," Kacchi added. Hindus form the biggest minority community in Pakistan. The majority of Pakistan's Hindu population is settled in Sindh province where they share culture, traditions and language with Muslim residents. Three women and two OB-GYNs are suing the state of Texas over its abortion ban, which they say is vague and cruel. Samantha Casiano and Luis Villasana stand outside the courtroom at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin, Texas on July 19, 2023. A Texas state court will hear arguments from both sides in Zurawski v. State of Texas, a lawsuit filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of thirteen Texas women denied abortions despite serious pregnancy complications. (Photo by SUZANNE CORDEIRO / AFP)(AFP) They are asking a judge to clarify what constitutes a medical emergency that would allow them to terminate their pregnancies. The lawsuit began with two days of hearings on July 19, where the women shared their stories of carrying nonviable fetuses and being denied abortions. One of them, Samantha Casiano, vomited on the stand as she recalled her ordeal. Casiano testified that she was diagnosed with anencephaly at 20 weeks gestation. Anencephaly is a serious birth defect that causes a baby to be born without parts of its brain and skull, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Casiano said her doctor only gave her information about funeral homes and did not offer her an abortion. She said she considered going out of state for an abortion but feared losing her job or facing legal consequences. I felt like I was imprisoned in my own body, she said. Casiano went into early labor and delivered Halo, who died four hours later. I now have a psychiatrist, Casiano said. I now vomit a lot more. Ive never vomited before like that, ever, before my pregnancy. My bodys never reacted that way. The judge called for a recess after Casiano threw up while reading a doctors note that described her pregnancy as high-risk. She said the memory of her trauma triggered her physical reaction. Two other women Amanda Zurawski and Ashley Brandt also testified about their nonviable pregnancies. Zurawski is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit. She said she almost died from sepsis after her water broke at 18 weeks and she was not allowed to have an abortion. Brandt is a woman from Dallas who said she had to travel to Colorado to have an abortion while pregnant with twins. One of the twins had acrania, a fatal condition that prevents the skull and brain from developing properly, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Brandt said the longer she carried the nonviable fetus, the more it endangered the other twin. ALSO READ| FBI confirms to Twitter Hunter Biden laptop's authenticity during New York Post scoop, official reveal Brandt said she would have had to give birth to an identical version of my daughter without a skull and without a brain and hold her until she died. The women blamed Texass unclear abortion law for their suffering. Dr. Damla Karsan, an OB-GYN from Houston, also testified that she did not know how to interpret the law. The hearings will continue on July 20 with more testimonies from doctors and experts. German police extended the search Friday for a wild animal believed to be a lioness roaming the outskirts of Berlin more than 24 hours since the last reported sighting. A police vehicle passes to search close to the forest after police warned the public that a suspected lioness was on the loose, in Zehlendorf, Berlin.(REUTERS) In a story that has fascinated Germany and livened up the summer "silly season", two people spotted what appeared to be a lioness early Thursday chasing a wild boar down a street outside the capital and made a short, grainy video. But their account and a sighting by police officers remain the only evidence so far of the wild animal, more at home on the African savanna than the sandy soils of eastern Germany. Police continued combing the streets of suburban communities southwest of Berlin in the small hours of Friday using night-vision goggles and drones but called off a forest search until daybreak, a spokesman said. The mayor of the town of Kleinmachnow, Michael Grubert, told public broadcaster RBB that professional animal trackers searching for dung or bloody remains of prey had been enlisted alongside police, veterinarians and hunters. But he acknowledged that the massive operation involving over 100 police officers as well as helicopters and thermal-imaging cameras was stretching his community's resources. "This can't go on for days," he said. Once the animal is found, it will likely be sedated with a tranquiliser and taken to an animal shelter, Grubert said. A reporter for RBB said that the 32 registered lions in Brandenburg state surrounding Berlin were accounted for, leaving police to ask whether the beast had been kept illegally. No owner has come forward since the search began early Thursday. Into thin air Despite numerous tips from citizens, including a few claiming to have heard a loud roar, none of the information had led to the animal being located so far, police said. Residents in the area have been advised "to act with appropriate caution and to avoid the adjacent forests" and to keep pets and farm animals in safety. Anyone crossing paths with the big cat should "seek safety immediately and call the police", Brandenburg police said. Despite the reported sightings by the passers-by and police, wild animal expert Derk Ehlert voiced doubt it was actually a lioness on the loose due to the absence of any trace of the beast since early Thursday. "A lioness doesn't just disappear into thin air," he told public radio. It's not the first time Germans have been told to be on the lookout for wild animals. In May, residents in the central German city of Erfurt were jolted by the sight of a kangaroo hopping across a busy road after escaping from a private property. In 2019, it took several days for a deadly cobra to be recaptured in the western town of Herne, where residents had been told to keep their windows closed and steer clear of tall grass. In 2016, German zookeepers shot dead a lion after it escaped from its enclosure in the eastern city of Leipzig and a tranquiliser failed to stop it. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Meghan Markle is reportedly "struggling in Hollywood" even after signing a top talent agency in April. She has not yet announced any of her upcoming plans. A PR expert, however, suggestef that she could be facing some difficulty finding "her footing in Hollywood. Meghan Markle arrives at the Invictus Games venue in The Hague, Netherlands on April 15, 2022 (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)(AP) Kieran Elsby said that three months is a "longer period of time than is typically expected" to secure deals, according to GBNews. Meghan and her husband Prince Harrys Spotify deal was recently snubbed after only one series. However, they still have their Netflix partnership, and Meghan has already signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME). Meghan may be struggling to find her footing in Hollywood Kieran said that Meghan will be a "a major coup for the agency" following the deal. "It is good business to have her on their roster. It is also good for Meghan having a prestige agency," he told The Mirror. "However, it's been three months since the news broke and we've heard nothing since. This is a longer period of time than is typically expected for a new client to secure deals, which suggests that Meghan may be struggling to find her footing in Hollywood, Kieran added. Kieran said there could be a few explanations as to why there is a lack of progress for Meghan with her upcoming projects. "It's possible that Meghan is still in the early stages of developing her projects and doesn't want to announce anything until she's sure they're ready, he said. "It's also possible that she's been rejected from potential partnership deals, which could be demoralizing and make her reluctant to share her plans with the public." Of course, with Meghan anything is possible Kieran also suggested that Meghan is "simply taking her time to figure out what she wants to do next." He said: "She's also said in the past that she's done with acting, and she seems to be more interested in producing and creating content. He added, "I think it's more likely that we'll see her launch a new lifestyle brand or start a foundation. That way she is in control and basically need sponsors, which should be easier to find. I think her charity work will continue as she has a strong passion for it, and also it is essential that most Hollywood stars have a charity to work and support. Of course, with Meghan anything is possible, she is ambitious, so she could surprise us all with her next move." Our cup has basically runneth over, states New York City's Mayor Eric Adams after stating the city welcomed 90,000 migrants since April 2022. Travelers wait at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, U.S.(REUTERS) "We stated several months ago that we have reached full capacity and that full capacity was verbalized, and now New York is just going to be visually actualized. We have no more room in the city, and we need help," Adams said in a press conference. The mayor showcased posters supporting his views and asking people to consider another city 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 highlighted. Posters shared by New York Mayor Eric Adams "This cannot continue, is not sustainable, and we're not going to pretend as though it is sustainable," the mayor said. "This is wrong that New York City is carrying the weight of a national problem." Under new plan to tackle the migrant crisis Adam announced that single adult migrants will only be able to stay in the city's shelters for 60 days, and will need to reapply for a space after that. According to a Politico report the city spent approximately $50,000 from April 2022 to April 2023 to resettle dozens of migrants in different parts of the U.S. including Florida, Texas and North Carolina as well as other countries, including South American nations and even China. The outlet also reported that five families were sent to other countries - Peru, China, Eucador and Venezuela. Earlier Adams had argued that it is "anti-American" not to allow the approximately 84,000 migrants who have come to the Big Apple to legally work in the United States. 'It's just unbelievable what's happening to the people of the city of New York that are going through this. And nothing is more anti-American than you can't have a job when you come to America.' Adams stated. Further adding, 'Every one of us in this room, family members came from somewhere. And the guiding light of this country is to be able to come here and work. We have a population of 84,000 people that we're saying you cannot work. That's anti-American,' Adams added. Adam's statement comes at a time when official Customs and Border Protection (CBP) statistics show that there were more than 144,000 migrant encounters at the border in June alone. However, immigration number is down from prior June and from May. This marks the lowest numbers since February 2021 but numbers still remain high compared to pre-2021 numbers. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Italian authorities have seized a record 5.3 tonne cocaine haul being transferred between ships off the southern coast of Sicily, police said on Friday. Packages containing cocaine seized during a police operation, lie on a dock in the harbour of Porto Empedocle, Italy..(via REUTERS) The consignment had an estimated value of 850 million euros ($946 million) and five people have been arrested, the Guardia di Finanza said in a statement. Police had been tracking a ship that sailed from South America and swooped in the early hours of Wednesday, when a surveillance aircraft spotted packages being thrown from its deck into the waters of the Strait of Sicily to be collected by a waiting fishing trawler. They stopped the trawler and found large quantities of drugs in a hidden compartment behind some panelling on the vessel. Two Tunisians, an Italian, an Albanian and a French national were arrested. Sicilian regional president Renato Schifani praised the operation as a blow against drug smuggling. "Drugs are a scourge of our society fuelled by unscrupulous men who sow death by crushing hopes and destroying many families," he said in a statement. In April, Italian police had found almost 2 tonnes of cocaine floating at sea off eastern Sicily which they believe had been left by a cargo ship for collection. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Poland has decided to move its military closer towards the Belarusian border in its east in the wake of possible threats due to the influx of the Wagner mercenary group in the neighbouring country, the state-run news agency said quoting the country's secretary of security Zbigniew Hoffmann. Polish army.(Getty Images) This comes after reports of Wagner fighters arriving at the previously decided military base in Belarus, with two more convoys are expected to arrive at the location soon. Earlier, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko claimed that he broke a deal between the Wagner boss and Russian President Vladimir Putin which ended the armed mutiny inside Russia in late June. Lukashenko also invited the Wagner fighters to train the military of his country. In a recent video, Wagner Group's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin seen making what is considered to be his first public appearance allegedly in Belarus. "The decision has been taken to stay here in Belarus for a certain time and Wagner would use the time to make the Belarusian army the second army in the world," the person in the video said. Earlier, the Belarusian defence ministry said the Wagner fighters have started training the country's special forces a few miles from the border with Poland. Rishi Sunak suffered a dramatic political upset as his ruling Conservative Party lost a key parliamentary election in northern England to Labour, which overturned a huge majority that gives Keir Starmers party clear momentum as it gears up for a national vote expected next year. Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.(AFP) The Tories also lost a key seat in southwest England to the Liberal Democrats, a double punch that will worry the prime minister though Sunak was spared a whitewash when his party unexpectedly held ex-leader Boris Johnsons old seat in a close result on the outskirts of London. The Conservatives had downplayed their chances in the three special elections in very different parts of England on Thursday, arguing that even winning in one contest would represent a victory given governments are traditionally given a kicking in mid-term votes. But the scale of the defeats will raise more questions about whether he can turn around his partys slump in the polls, which began under Johnson and has barely recovered from Liz Trusss disastrous seven-week premiership last fall. The tide is still a long way out for the Conservatives and they still have an awful long way to go before they look as though they might have a chance of being able to retain power after the next general election, John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, told the BBC. Keir Mather won 46% of the vote in Selby and Ainsty, a rural seat in North Yorkshire that has been in Tory hands since it was created in 2010, compared with Labours 25% when the seat was last contested in 2019. Conservative Claire Holmes came second with 34% of the vote down from 60% last time. The result is seismic for Starmer, who can show his party is using its double-digit lead in national surveys to overturn large Tory majorities as he tries to guide Labour back to power for the first time since 2010. The Conservatives were defending a majority of 20,137 votes the biggest margin Labour has overturned in a by-election, the party said on Friday. It is clear just how powerful the demand for change is. Voters put their trust in us many for the first time, Starmer said after the Selby result was announced. After 13 years of Tory chaos, only Labour can give the country its hope, its optimism and its future back. Meanwhile Sarah Dyke became Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome, securing a dramatic swing of 29 percentage points from the Tories that will be hailed by Ed Daveys party as proof the Tories are vulnerable in their traditional stronghold across southern England. That puts pressure on Sunak because it reinforces the view his Tories are being squeezed on multiple fronts. In her victory speech, Dyke said the result proved tactical voting can be used by progressive parties at elections to beat the Conservatives. In an emailed statement, Davey said the people of Somerton and Frome had spoken for the rest of the country who are fed up with Rishi Sunaks out-of-touch Conservative government. A bad night for Sunak could have been even worse. The Conservatives unexpectedly held off Labour in Johnsons old Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat in northwest London by just 495 votes after a recount. Tory Steve Tuckwell won 45% of the vote. There was a 6.7-percentage point swing from the Conservatives to Labour, just short of the 7.6-point swing the opposition party needed to take the seat. Starmers party pointed to local factors in the district that prevented its candidate making headway. Faced with an expected drubbing, the Tories worked to turn the vote into an unofficial referendum on controversial plans to charge vehicles in the district in an effort to reduce pollution, known as the Ultra Low Emission Zone. That program is being pushed by Labours mayor of London Sadiq Khan. We know that the Conservatives crashing the economy has hit working people hard, so its unsurprising that the ULEZ expansion was a concern for voters here in a by-election, a Labour spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Johnson first won Uxbridge in 2015 and held the seat in 2019 with 53% of the vote, when he also led the Tories to a landslide national victory. But he was forced out as prime minister last year and quit as an MP in June, after a panel found he lied to Parliament about rule-breaking parties in Downing Street during the pandemic. But further elections are expected in two more Tory-held areas Mid Bedfordshire and Tamworth creating the potential for an unwelcome narrative to persist into the fall for Sunak. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their royal duties in 2020, the couple moved to the US. The pair took potshots at the royal family during interviews, podcasts, chat with Oprah Winfrey, their Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, and the princes memoir Spare. Now, a report claimed that Prince Harry's friends in the UK are not only disgusted about the way he has acted but also livid that he hasnt shown the same loyalty they showed to him. Britain's Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex is seen. (Reuters) Daily Mails royal editor Rebecca English said that she has been hearing that Prince Harry's friends are disgusted by his behavior since stepping down and very hurt by his bombshell memoir. From what I hear there are a lot of people who are genuinely disgusted by what hes done since leaving the royal family. They feel very hurt by some of the revelations that hes made. As they were growing up William and Harry created a very close-knit circle of friends around each other," she said. Those friends understood loyalty and have shown that to Prince Harry time and time again, she said, adding, There was almost a kind of omerta between them. There are people who said: Weve been very loyal to him over the years and we dont feel that loyaltys been repaid. Some of the dukes military buddies are livid with him over revealing his kill count in Spare, the expert further claimed. This comes as Prince Harry skipped his friend's wedding in early July. Jack Mann has been called the dukes unofficial best man as he and the prince were extremely close. Jack Mann married Isabella Clark at St. Peters Church in Suffolk, England in July but we dont know if Jack Manns become estranged from Harry or not, royal editor Richard Eden said, explaining, But in Harrys memoirs, at the end he talks about how he was chastised in his words after the [Oprah] interview by some of his closest friends. Hes done a lot of damage to those old relationships. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In an outlandish incident, a man in Russias Novosibirsk almost escaped his death after he performed a brain surgery on himself using a handheld drill with the aim of controlling his dreams, reported Russia Today. Michael Raduga(Twitter) The Russian national Michael Raduga, 40, while sharing his ordeal on Twitter, said that he used a household drill on his skull to insert a chip that would allow him to control his dreams. Raduga further said that he carried out the operation on May 17 after studying hours of YouTube videos on neurosurgery, and experimenting on five sheep, reported Newsweek. However, due to lack of surgical experience, he reported losing nearly a litre of blood during the four-hour surgery and nearly died. "On May 17, 2023, I performed by myself trepanation, electrode implantation, and electrical stimulation of my brain's motor cortex. I needed it to test brain stimulation during lucid dreaming," he tweeted alongside graphic pictures. In the photos shared by Raduga, he could be seen holding back the skin on his head using paper clips, and drilling into the back of his skull. He then proceeded to stick a platinum and silicon implant into his brain, which he claimed allowed him to use electricity to trigger certain actions in dreams. He, however, was rushed to the hospital to hospital to have the chip removed. In another tweet, he could be seen with multiple bandages on his face as well as an X-ray that appeared to show the electrode inside his head. Do not repeat! Its much harder and more dangerous than you might imagine. A four-hour video of the operation clearly demonstrates this, Raduga told his followers. Russia's navy carried out a live fire "exercise" in the northwest Black Sea, Moscow's defence ministry said Friday, days after the Kremlin said it would consider ships travelling to Ukraine through the waterway potential military targets. The Black Sea Fleet "carried out live firing of anti-ship cruise missiles at the target ship. (via REUTERS) The Black Sea Fleet "carried out live firing of anti-ship cruise missiles at the target ship in the combat training range in the northwestern part of the Black Sea", Russia's defence ministry said in a statement on Telegram. "The target ship was destroyed as a result of a missile strike," it said. "Also during the joint exercise, the ships and fleet aviation worked out actions to isolate the area temporarily closed to navigation, and also carried out a set of measures to detain the offending ship." Russia said Wednesday that cargo ships en-route to Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea would be regarded as possibly carrying military cargo, days after scrapping a grain exports deal with Ukraine. The Kremlin has also declared unspecified areas in the "northwestern and southeastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea" as "temporarily dangerous for passage". It has also warned of "risks" to establishing Black Sea shipment routes without Moscow's participation. Kyiv said it was prepared to continue grain exports through its southern ports, despite Russia pulling out of the deal. People in Lebanon's northern city of Tripoli are outraged after reports of an infant being carried by a stray dog emerged. The baby girl, believed to be four months old, was admitted to a hospital after a passer-by heard her crying. The baby, with bruises to her face and body, was taken to hospital for treatment.(Twitter) The baby in a black plastic trash bag, was being carried by the dog near a municipality building on Wednesday morning, reported The National. The baby was taken to the Islamic Hospital by the unidentified bystander and later transferred to the Tripoli Government Hospital. Images of the newborn shared on social media showed red bruises on her face. Several citizens condemned the incident while some offered to adopt the abandoned child. Some say that the dog is an unclean animal and, of course, this is not true," wrote one on Twitter. "The dog has much more humanity, kindness, cunning and intelligence than some satanic mutants in human form," the user added. While another tweeted, Animals have more compassion than humans." Wednesday was also the start of the Islamic new year, when this incident made headlines. This case of child abuse comes as several other similar incidents were reported in the recent weeks, the outlet reported. Last week, a nursery employee was arrested and the concerned institution was permanently closed after videos of mistreating infants emerged. According to the country experts, it is impossible to know whether cases of child abuse are on the increase because there is no central system for monitoring statistics, given the financial difficulties that state institutions face. A mini tent city has appeared under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) in Brooklyn's Clinton Hill neighborhood, raising concerns about the fate of migrants booted from the city's newest mega shelters. The encampment, erected by a group of Venezuelan migrants who were expelled from the 47 Hall Street shelter following a conflict with other asylum seekers, consists of three tents, a large tarp, and multiple mattresses squeezed between parked vehicles. A mini tent city has appeared under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway raising concerns about the fate of migrants booted from the city's newest mega shelters.(Gregory P. Mango) The predicament deepens as Mayor Eric Adams announces a 60-day stay limit for adult migrants in shelters, leaving the displaced with a ticking clock to find alternative housing. Local residents worry that this move could lead to an increase in street encampments and exacerbate an already critical situation. City Responds to Concerns The city's Homeless Encampment Task Force has been alerted to the makeshift tents under the BQE. Responding to queries about migrants being ousted from shelters, a City Hall spokesperson emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe environment for asylum seekers and their families, stating that individuals who fail to adhere to shelter rules will be asked to leave. Since the Hall Street location was converted into a massive humanitarian relief center, residents and businesses in the area have witnessed a dramatic shift in their neighborhood's dynamics. Complaints of increased litter, offensive odors, and migrants loitering in public spaces have been voiced by local residents and businesses alike. A children's playground has become a gathering spot for migrants to engage in drinking and smoking, leaving locals with concerns about their children's safety. Portable shower trailers parked on the street have raised additional sanitation issues, with the run-off adding to the existing challenges. Straining the Community The influx of asylum seekers has taken a toll on the community's well-being and local businesses. Employees in the area have reported that the presence of migrants has led to a decline in customer numbers and a less inviting atmosphere. Residents feel they were not given adequate notice about the surge of asylum seekers, pointing out that the neighborhood lacks the infrastructure to support such a massive increase in population. City's Soaring Asylum Seekers Count The situation is emblematic of the broader issue facing New York City. Over 54,800 asylum seekers are currently accommodated in the city's 188 emergency shelter sites, reflecting the surge of over 90,000 arrivals since April the previous year. As the numbers continue to rise, the city grapples with how to accommodate the influx without sacrificing the well-being of its residents and maintaining suitable facilities for asylum seekers. Also read | No room for migrants, New York Mayor Eric Adam says NYC is 'full capacity' As tensions rise under the BQE, New Yorkers are left grappling with the human aspect of the city's housing crisis, hoping for solutions that strike a balance between compassion and practicality. The challenge of providing shelter and support to migrants while preserving the quality of life for all residents remains a daunting one for city authorities. The White House expressed deep concern about the well-being of US soldier Travis King who crossed into North Korea border this week. Although, Pyongyang has not responded to US requests for information about the soldier, White House national security council said, This is not a country that is known for humane treatment of Americans or actually anybody else for that matter. We don't know where he is. We dont know the conditions in which hes living right now. And its the not knowing that is deeply concerning to us and were trying as best we can to get as much information as we can about him. US Army soldier Travis King.(Reuters) North Korea's defense minister issued a veiled threat to the US suggesting that the docking of a nuclear-armed US submarine in South Korea could result in a nuclear attack by the North, marking the latest threat amid tensions between Washington and Pyongyang. Who is Travis King? Travis King was supposed to be on his way to Fort Bliss, Texas, after finishing a prison sentence in South Korea for assault. He reportedly ran into North Korea while on a civilian tour of the border village of Panmunjom, making him the first known American held in North Korea in almost five years. The US soldier had chosen to serve his time at a labor camp rather than pay the nearly $4,000 fine, officials said. Although, he has not been declared a deserted by the US military which can result in imprisonment of as much as three years. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said that Travis King was not escorted all the way to the gate because he was not in custody. There was no anticipation that he would not get on the plane to go home, she informed, adding that the US soldier does not represent a security threat or liability. There is no indication that Travis Kings decision to run into North Korea was pre-planned or organized with Pyongyang, she said. Are there earlier cases of the same? Rough treatment of Americans detained by North Koreans include the 2017 death of a 22-year-old student- Otto Warmbier- after he was flown home in a vegetative state after 17 months in captivity. He was a student at the University of Virginia and was seized by North Korean authorities from a tour group in January 2016. He served 17 months before being returned to the US in a vegetative state. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON 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 As Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky urged his government to closely monitor spending amid Russian invasion, he was caught unaware by a minister's resignation in a response to his call. Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky(AFP) "In a time of war like this the maximum amount of state attention and therefore state resources should go to defence," Zelensky said in his nightly video address in reference to his conversation with the country's PM Denys Shmyhal who was told by the president to find alternative funding for projects "that are really necessary. This applies to various areas, including culture. Museums, cultural centres, symbols, television series are important, but we have other priorities." The Ukrainian leader also appealed to local councils to show restraint in order to ensure "people feel that budget resources are used fairly and correctly...Cobblestones, city decorations, fountains will have to wait. Victory first." He also asked Denys Shmyhal to "consider replacing" culture and information policy minister Olexander Tkachenko with the latter resigning within an hour saying that he remains unapologetic about his projects. "Culture in wartime is important as this war is not just about territory but also people - our memory, history, language and creativity despite the war," Olexander Tkachenko said, adding, "Private and state funding for culture in wartime is no less important than for drones. Culture is the shield for our identity and our borders." The minister had earlier defended the allocation of funds to complete a museum devoted to Ukraine's man-made 1930s famine linked to Soviet dictator Josef Stalin. He has also promoted films and television programmes linked to the war against Russia. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In a major update in the 49-hours disappearance and subsequent return of Carlee Russell, the 25-year-old nursing student posted several tweets 40 minutes before she reportedly went missing. One of the tweets was made just 15 minutes before she called 911 and went missing. Carlee Russell(Twitter/@HooverPD) Notably, Russell made a 911 call on July 13 at around 9:34 p.m. and reported about a lost child in diaper wandering along the side of highway I-459 in Hoover, Alabama. Minutes later, she disappeared leading to a statewide search. She returned home around 10:45 p.m. on July 15. ALSO READ| Top 10 countries to which America's 'Unicorn' companies' founders belong Interestingly, upon investigation police found that there was no evidence that a toddler was walking along the interstate highway. At 8:55 p.m, Russell tweeted: "Today was a GREAT day God be looking out im telling you!!". At 8:56 p.m, she tweeted: "Someone to tell you i love you and dont got a reason." At 9:19 p.m, just 15 minutes before she called 911, Russell posted on Twitter: "yeah i want a family now". Russell's claims of abduction After returning home, Russell narrated her ordeal that she was abducted by a man with orange hair and a woman, in the trailer of a truck. The man and the woman allegedly confined her to a home where they disrobed her and took her photos. Russell has alleged that she escaped and ran throught the woods to reach home. Meanwhile, police are trying to ascertain the validity of Russell's claims. Investigation of Russell's internet search history The Hoover Police Department, with the help of the U.S. Secret Service, analysed Russell's internet search history. In an interesting revelation on the matter, they found that Google searches of the action-thriller kidnapping movie Taken was done on the day she was reportedly abducted. Police also found searches on the maximum age for an Amber alert, and if one has to pay for an Amber alert, in Russell's cellphone or work computer. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The US Justice Department is looking into the legality of Texas border fence that uses razor wire and buoys to stop migrants from crossing the Rio Grande after the Mexican president has condemned the fence as inhumane and barbaric. Migrants walk along concertina wire as they try to cross the Rio Grande at the Texas-U.S. border in Eagle Pass, Texas, Thursday, July 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)(AP) The fence is part of Gov. Greg Abbotts Operation Lone Star, a campaign to secure the border amid a surge of asylum seekers from Central America and other countries. Abbott has blamed President Joe Biden for creating a crisis at the border by reversing some of former President Donald Trumps hardline policies. But the wired fence has raised serious human rights concerns, as migrants have been injured, dehydrated, and denied water by Texas authorities, according to an email obtained by the Houston Chronicle from an anonymous Department of Public Safety trooper. The email described several incidents where troopers were ordered to push the people back into the water to go to Mexico and not to give them any water, even in the scorching heat. The trooper said he believed they had crossed a line into the inhumane. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador echoed that sentiment, saying he was shocked by the reports and that he thought Abbott was using the fence for political gain. ALSO READ| Heavy gowns and tired arms: #FlyingDress photoshoots take social media by storm, but the struggle is real I dont think the people of Texas view the policies in a positive light, he said. DOJ spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa said the department was aware of the troubling reports and was working with Homeland Security to assess the situation. The Houston Chronicle also reported that a 19-year-old pregnant woman, who was reportedly having a miscarriage, was found trapped in the razor wire last month and doubled over in pain. A four-year-old girl also fainted from heat exhaustion and had to be rescued from the water by a Texas National Guard soldier. A man with a cut on his leg suffered more injuries after trying to save his child from razor wire after they grabbed onto a buoy in the river. A 15-year-old with a broken leg had to be carried through the water by his father, who was desperately attempting to steer clear of the wire. Migrants walk along concertina wire as they try to cross the Rio Grande at the Texas-U.S. border in Eagle Pass, Texas, Thursday, July 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)(AP) In another email from DPS Director Steven McCraw, he defended the fence, saying it was meant to deter smugglers and not to harm migrants. He said smugglers did not care about the migrants well-being, but Texas did. The purpose of the wire is to deter smuggling between the ports of entry and not to injure migrants. The smugglers care not if the migrants are injured, but we do, and we must take all necessary measures to mitigate the risk to them including injuries from trying to cross over the concertina wire, drownings, and dehydration, he wrote. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the fence shameful and atrocious on Wednesday, but did not say if the Biden Administration planned on removing it, as Mexico has requested. She also said she did not know what conversations were happening between Texas and Mexico officials. The Mexican government has protested the razor wire fence, saying it violates two agreements signed with the US in 1944 and 1970, which regulate the use of the border rivers. Mexicos Foreign Affairs Secretary, Alicia Barcena, sent a note to US officials demanding a permit for the fence. ALSO READ| Paparazzi who regularly snaps Meghan Markle reveals tactic to photograph celebrities The border is facing a huge backlog of migrants, with more than 100,000 waiting to enter the US, compared to 60,000 last month. In Tijuana, near San Diego, California, there are 17,000 asylum-seekers alone, according to city immigration officials who shared the data with The Post. The US government has increased the penalties for illegal crossings, but it is also allowing up to 43,500 migrants to enter legally every month through its CBP One app, which lets them apply for appointments. There are only 1,450 slots available per day. Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann made chilling searches on the internet, it has been revealed. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told the news outlet PEOPLE that authorities are in the process of gathering a massive amount of digital evidence and trace evidence. Were undergoing that process so we just have to wait for that to play out. Then at the end, well see what we get. Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann has been making headlines ever since he was arrested (Suffolk County Sheriff's Office/Handout via REUTERS) 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 is on suicide watch at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility. Rex has been accused of using four different burner phones to contact the women. He would buy the burner phone, call them, and lure them out to Massapequa, claimed Ray. Then he would murder them, and then he would discontinue the use of the burner phone. He did that four times. Ray said that while Rex was disciplined in his use of the phones, cell sites betrayed his locations in Massapequa Park and Midtown Manhattan. Investigators found his burner phones, and found that he made fictitious email accounts. He was using fictitious identities. Rex Heuermann made searches about raping and torturing women We saw all this, really sort of concerning searches that he was undergoing, said Ray. In a 14-month period, over 200 times, hes searching for information about the Gilgo investigation. Hes trying to figure out what were up to. Authorities said his searches included, why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer and why hasnt the long island serial killer been caught. Hundreds of other searches were made about raping and torturing women, child porn and rape porn. The searches included girl begging for rape porn and torture redhead porn. There were also searches about his victims and their families. He was obsessively looking at the victims, but hes also looking at the victims siblings, Ray said. Rex was also seemingly interested in other serial killers, and searched online for 11 currently active serial killers, and 8 Terrifying Active Serial Killers (We Cant Find). Authorities also claimed that Rex may have kept trophies of his victims. Whatever it is, whether its something that he kept intentionally or something that he didnt An exchange with a child during a discussion at Kremlin sparked speculation around Russian president Vladimir Putin's health. The Russian leader got confused about the age of the child of a deputy mayor as rumours around Vladimir Putin having dementia began. The Kremlin has insisted that the Russian president is in good health. Vladimir Putin Dementia: Russia's president Vladimir Putin(AFP) A clip tweeted by Uliana Yapparova, a blogger, showed Vladimir Putin speaking with Ivan Shtokman. The latter was seen in a military uniform while talking about the success in his business that propelled him into becoming deputy mayor of the city of Nizhny Novgorod as he felt he must do something for his country. "The future of the country is now being decided," he Vladimir told Putin, explaining his decision to join the army amid Ukraine war. While the Russian leader seemed impressed, he said, "In the end, you came to the most important thing in this search ... dedication to this country. In the end, this is a struggle for the future of our children and your children." Vladimir Putin then asked the age of his children. Ivan Shtokman replied, "the youngest is nine" and the elder, 23. To this, the Russian leader said, "your little one is three years old" praising Ivan Shtokman's decision to go the frontline. What social media users said about Vladimir Putin's health? One user wrote that Vladimir Putin's "looking at the ceiling" while "slowly muttering about the search for a place in the country" was "abnormal." He can't hear people at all, another added while a third concluded that the incident was a display of "dementia". What has Vladimir Putin been up to? This week the Russian president was seen conducting an online discussion where he gave a flippant response to news from the Irkutsk governor Igor Kobzev about the death of soldiers in Ukraine. When Igor Kobzev talked about the troops from his region, Vladimir Putin responded quickly, Pass on my regards to them. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON 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 President Vladimir Putin on Friday accused Poland of having territorial ambitions in the former Soviet Union, and said any aggression against Russia's neighbour and close ally Belarus would be considered aggression against Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin (AP) Moscow would react to any aggression against Belarus "with all means at our disposal", Putin told a meeting of his Security Council in televised remarks. Much of the attention around generative artificial intelligence (AI) has focused on its transformative potential. For the real estate sector, however, the analytical prowess of AI and its ability to unearth new avenues of demand for space are whats sparking interest. AI has enormous potential to reshape real estate, with near- and long-term impacts ranging from the emergence of new markets and asset types to innovations in investment and revenue models, says Yuehan Wang, Global Research Associate, Real Estate Technology, JLL. A rapidly expanding AI ecosystem and its supporting infrastructure will drive new demand for real estate in different markets globally, she says. Expectations are running high among investors, developers, and occupiers surveyed by JLL, who believe AI and generative AI will be among the top three technologies to have the greatest impact on real estate over the next three years. Here are the top five areas where demand is emerging on the back of AIs rapid development. 1. AI clusters in established tech markets The need for specialized skillsets will only rise with the advent of AI. The war for talent is already driving decision-making for AI companies and investors on where best to establish operations. Companies have been sprouting up in established markets, often within major technology hubs and in close proximity to top academic institutions, to tap into the technology ecosystem and a ready crop of AI engineers and technical talent. Take ChatGPT developer OpenAI, which recently announced London as its first international hub to develop AI technology and policies. In Taiwan, contract electronics manufacturer Wistron built a new plant for AI, 5G, server and computing products in an AI-focused business park in Hsinchu, the citys main tech hub and home to the worlds top chipmakers. Meanwhile, other markets are using the same playbook to attract investors. In Shanghai, the municipal government is building an AI cluster as part of a three-year plan to increase its production output by 28% to 1.8 trillion yuan (US$251 billion). 2. Data center development The massive data processing and storage needs for AI has thrusted data center development into the spotlight. As generative AI technology becomes more seamlessly integrated into our everyday lives, the appetite for data will inevitably increase, says Christopher Street, Managing Director of Data Centers, Asia Pacific, JLL. Globally, the number of hyperscale sites in development is expected to double by 2024, up from 500 sites just five years ago, JLL data shows. Weve seen a substantial increase in the size of campus builds, with constructions exceeding 100 megawatts becoming commonplace, compared to the past when a 20-megawatt requirement was considered large, Street says. These newbuilds are also getting greener as operators come under pressure to address the environmental impact of these facilities. This is driving a stronger emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency through improvements in technology and the adoption of renewable energy in these facilities, according to Street. 3. Smart buildings powered by AI AI-powered buildings are becoming the new normal as developers count on smart technologies to deliver buildings with high sustainability performance. With all generative AI applications, the key for real estate owners and users will be to create the right prompts to connect insights across essential elements such as human experience, real estate performance, and sustainability to learn and address new opportunities, says Albert Ovidi, Chief Operating Officer, Markets, Asia Pacific, JLL. Another key opportunity is to further integrate AI with existing technologies such as robotics, drones, and digital humans to see different parts of a building and improve feedback and communication with the building and its users, Ovidi says. For instance, Hong Kongs One Taikoo Place uses AI to identify, interpret, and integrate data from disparate building systems, equipment, and devices. The Grade A office tower reaps energy savings through predictive maintenance and operational workflow improvements. But its not just office buildings where AI is expected to emerge. There are already sophisticated AI solutions used in supply chains, but not necessarily in terms of its real estate, says Ovidi. New technologies could enhance the analysis of the role of warehouses and determine where to place production versus distribution. 4. New investment and revenue opportunities AI is increasingly being deployed to accelerate the pace of transactions and unlock detailed analytics of properties and markets for investors. The ability of AI to scan data and find meaningful patterns at speed means it can offer valuable recommendations aligned with an investor's objectives, risk tolerance, and market conditions. An example is JLLs Capital Markets Quants platform powered by AI and machine learning. By analyzing data from over 1.25 million properties transacted globally in the past 20 years, the platform predicts real estate shifts and opportunities that support advisors in optimizing their clients portfolio strategies. Co-working operators are also finding new revenue streams from AI. Data collected and analyzed by AI algorithms can help predict future space demand to optimize energy usage and plan space utilization more effectively, which potentially opens new doors for expansion. 5. Experience-driven design and space functions The advancements in AI are transforming the workplace by enabling an improved human experience and a greater degree of personalization in the office environment. For instance, in Microsofts Redmond headquarters, AI collects and analyzes the data gathered from sensors on employees behavior patterns to anticipate needs, and automatically adjusts environmental factors like temperature, lighting, and desk height based on individual preferences. A recent study between JLL and neuroscience firm EMOTIV goes a step further by analyzing cognitive data to transform workspace design. What AI is able to do is to connect the cognitive data we collect from users with the physical data on usage patterns and human behavior before making sense of it and recommending better insights on how we can run offices, says Ovidi. With AIs capabilities, Ovidi believes employees expectations for workspace personalization and experience will only soar. I believe the workplace should align with peoples experience of technology in their daily lives as personal, useful, and easy. And I believe AI can help meet that expectation, he says. About JLL JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. JLL shapes the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people and our communities. JLL is a Fortune 500 company with annual revenue of $19.4 billion, operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of more than 102,000 as of June 30, 2022. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com. View source Accor, the regions largest international hospitality group is expanding its presence in Japan with the addition of the Daiwa Resorts portfolio, adding 23 properties and over 6,000 rooms, to its network across the country. As Japan continues to welcome back international travel and experiences a steady recovery of the tourism industry, Accor has strategically partnered with Ebisu Resort LLC to renovate and rebrand the Daiwa portfolio into Grand Mercure and Mercure hotels, providing guests with distinctive local experiences. Inspired by Mercury, the Roman god of travel and commerce, Grand Mercure and Mercure invite guests to immerse themselves in the cultural treasures that are unique to each destination. Grand Mercure will make its debut in Japan offering Proudly Local premium hotels, inspiring guests to experience their destination through local celebrations and multi- sensory experiences crafted by local hosts. Additionally, Mercure offers locally inspired, high-quality midscale hotels that awaken peoples appetite for discovery. Ranging in location from the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido to the southernmost prefecture of Okinawa, the properties are located close to local hidden gems such as Cape Zanpa in Okinawa, Asuka village in Nara, Shiroi Koibito Park in Hokkaido and Senri Beach in Wakayama. Each property offers a range of guestrooms, restaurants and wellness facilities such as onsen (hot springs), saunas and swimming pools, with select hotels also offering stunning views of the local landscape. We are excited to be adding these great hotels to our portfolio in Japan, especially as the desire to connect with nature is increasingly in demand amongst travellers today. This agreement will offer our loyal guests just that, with their location in charming coastal towns, proximity to nature and authentic local experiences. Popular destinations such as Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto will always remain in high demand, however if you want to immerse yourself in the real authentic culture of a country, sometimes you need to escape the big cities and head off the beaten path. We will continue to build on the relationships that Daiwa Resort has successfully maintained within each region, and work closely with our partners, Japan Hotel Reit Advisors, Daiwa Resort's asset manager, to revitalize these properties and welcome guests back by Q2 2024. Garth Simmons, Chief Executive Officer, Premium, Midscale and Economy Division for Accor in Asia We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported Daiwa Resorts until now. 23 of our hotels located in scenic spots across Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, will be rebranded as Grand Mercure and Mercure hotels. By rebranding, we will be able to provide our customers with various allures and memorable travel memories. In the future, we promise that guests will be able to enjoy a comfortable stay with activities that incorporate local cuisine, local attractions and relaxing hot springs while making the most of the unique characteristics of each hotel. We would like to work together with the local community more than ever before and share the appeal of each region not only within Japan but also around the world. Koji Mayanagi, Daiwa Resort Co., Ltd. President & CEO Daiwa Resort hotels to be converted into Grand Mercure hotels Royal Hotel Okinawa Zanpamisaki Royal Hotel Nasu Royal Hotel Yatsugatake The Hamanako The Kashihara Royton Sapporo Hotel & Resorts Beppuwan Hotel & Resorts Minamiawaji Hotel & Resorts Ise-shima Hotel & Resorts Nagahama Hotel & Resorts Minamiboso Hotel & Resorts Wakayama-Minabe Daiwa Resort hotels to be converted into Mercure hotels Hotel & Resorts Kyoto-Miyazu Hotel & Resorts Saga-Karatsu Hotel & Resorts Wakayama-Kushimoto Royal Hotel Nagano Hotel Toyama Tonami Royal Hotel Tosa Royal Hotel Daisen Royal Hotel Noto Royal Hotel Munakata Active Resorts Miyagi Zao Active Resorts Urabandai Renovations of the properties will begin from Q4 2023 and are expected to be completed by Q2 2024, after which the properties will operate under the Grand Mercure and Mercure brands. Accor currently operates 21 properties (5,085 keys) in Japan, under several brands including Pullman, Swissotel, Mercure, Novotel, ibis, ibis Styles and ibis Budget. In addition to the hotels signed within this agreement, there are five more properties (1,147 keys) currently in Accors pipeline. About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5 400 properties, 10 000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industrys most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit www.group.accor.com or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok. Emilie Pires Marketing & Communications Manager, Japan Accor There are a lot of ways to tell a story, but the most impactful stories rely on visuals as much as they do words thats why creating video content as part of your destination marketing strategy can bring your location to life for travelers like nothing else. At Expedia Group Media Solutions, our Media Studio team is our in-house, award-winning team that can create videos that take travelers to destinations around the world. Creating virtual, immersive travel experiences, the Media Studio team has created a vast array of interactive video marketing campaigns in partnership with destinations across the globe, including Brand USA, Abu Dhabi, Panama, and more. By enhancing typical approaches to travel video for tourism marketing, we seek to bring to life the multitude of ways travelers can experience a destination thats fresh, compelling, and shareable. Because we know travel is so inherently personal, we elect to use immersive, interactive online video to enhance a viewers experience of a destination more than traditional linear video to truly tell the story of destination. Take a video tour of some eye-popping destinations across the U.S. This is about more than simply creating another travel video this is about taking part in a series of decisions that encourage the user to explore a destination on their own terms and hopefully uncover some hidden gems along the way. We dont take a traditional approach when were trying to reach our target audience with online video. When we worked with Bermuda Tourism, we used specially designed wearable cameras to deliver a unique perspective to give viewers a birds eye view as if there were in Bermuda themselves. As part of our video marketing strategy, we also wanted to intentionally appeal to a younger demographic, which is why we decided to subtly weave Instagram-like filters into the narrative. Source: Expedia Group Media Solutions For our Panama The Next Turn campaign we spent time with three different travelers as they absorbed the Central American country. With each of the travelers, we focused on specific traveler experiences: Culture, customs and cuisine followed the free-spirited Marianela as she traveled from the countrys bustling capital to the banks of the Chagres River where she met the indigenous Embera people. followed the free-spirited Marianela as she traveled from the countrys bustling capital to the banks of the Chagres River where she met the indigenous Embera people. A feast for the senses traveled with Amar, a fun-loving and spontaneous adventurer who also happens to be blind. traveled with Amar, a fun-loving and spontaneous adventurer who also happens to be blind. Taking the plunge explored Panamas idyllic islands with Phil, a curious traveler who went snorkeling in Bocas del Toro and fishing off the coast of the Pearl Islands. Experience everything that Panama has to offer by following along with three travelers as they absorb everything the country has to offer. When it comes to developing intriguing video marketing strategies for your destination, theres no match for compelling video content that can put your ideal traveler in the front seat to let them experience what its like to visit your location. Every destination has its own story to tell, let us help you tell yours contact one of our destination marketing experts today. Targeted advertising solutions Expedia Group Media Solutions provides the ability to create digital marketing strategies with custom audience segments that target your ideal traveler. Our exclusive first-party travel intent and booking data provides in-depth insights into traveler behavior and travel trends. Targeting advertising solutions gives you the leverage you need to make the most of your ad spend when trying to reach your target audience. And our targeting options are flexible, allowing you to retarget specific travelers throughout your campaign. How to use targeted advertising. About Expedia Group Media Solutions Expedia Group Media Solutions is a global travel advertising platform that connects marketers with hundreds of millions of travelers across the Expedia Group brands. With our exclusive access to more than 70 petabytes of Expedia Group traveler search and booking data, we offer advertisers actionable insights, sophisticated targeting, and full-funnel results reporting. Our suite of solutions includes display, sponsored listings, audience extension, co-op campaigns, and custom creative campaigns all designed to deliver on the objectives of our advertising partners and add value for travel shoppers on our branded sites globally. With a consultative approach and more than 20 years of travel and media experience, we help our advertising partners inspire, engage, and convert travelers for meaningful results. For more information, visit www.advertising.expedia.com. 2022 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners. CST: 2029030-50 View source WASHINGTON - AHLA Foundation has awarded $500,000 in inaugural No Room for Trafficking (NRFT) Survivor Fund grants to four community-based organizations that serve human trafficking survivors. The 2023 NRFT Survivor Fund grant recipients will provide and promote resources to build survivors stability and self-sufficiencyfrom childcare and housing to transportation, career training and employment opportunities. The 2023 grantees are: The NRFT Survivor Fund is a first for the hospitality sector. It launched last year, expanding upon the hotel and lodging industrys efforts to support trafficking survivors. Since its launch, the fund has grown to $3.4 million. As part of its continued commitment to combatting this issue, AHLA Foundation is matching NRFT Survivor Fund contributions up to $5 million (with an overall goal of $10 million in total contributions by the end of 2023). The No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund shows unprecedented alignment by the industry in the fight against trafficking and provides crucial support to survivors on their path forward. By investing in organizations leading on the front lines of survivor support, the collective impact of the industry can help break the trafficking cycle and make a positive difference in the lives of survivors. Anna Blue, president, AHLA Foundation The NRFT Advisory Council, which includes executive leaders from across the hotel and lodging industry, announced the grants as part of the NRFT Summit at the Park Hyatt in Washington, DC. The event highlighted the hotel industrys critical efforts in the fight against human trafficking and featured a keynote address from U.S. Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Cindy Dyer. About No Room for Trafficking No Room for Trafficking is an AHLA and AHLA Foundation awareness program that builds on the industrys ongoing commitment and work to end human trafficking. Through elevating, assessing, educating and supporting the fight to end human trafficking, the campaign will ensure hotel employees are continuously developing a better understanding of ways to identify traffickers and potential victims in hotels. About The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com. About the AHLA Foundation The AHLA Foundation, the charitable giving arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, is dedicated to helping people build careers, improve their lives and strengthen the lodging industry. We provide impactful solutions that drive the recruitment, retention and development of individuals for life-long careers in hospitality. To transform the industry and change lives, we connect the unemployed and underemployed with new career pathways and provide educational programs and resources to support their professional advancement. The Foundation is funded by grants and charitable contributions from generous individuals and organizations who want to support individuals seeking opportunities to thrive in the hotel and lodging industry. Learn more at www.ahlafoundation.org. Rahkendra Ice AHLA Foundation Swiss-Belhotel International, the rapidly expanding global hotel management group, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CTG Hotel, part of the largest tourism enterprise in China - China Travel Group. The partnership is set to significantly boost the Swiss-Belhotel Internationals portfolio. Making the announcement Mr. Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International, said, The MOU with CTG Hotel will serve as a gateway for rapid growth for us in China and other international markets. The strength of the robust Swiss-Belhotel International brand, owned and nurtured by our International Group for over two decades, coupled with CTG Hotels vast resources and sterling reputation, will act as a catalyst for continued expansion. CTG Hotel, with its impressive portfolio of over 200 owned or managed properties, and parent company China Travel Group, wielding assets to the tune of RMB120.4 billion (US$16.9 billion) and providing services for over 60 million tourists annually, creates a formidable platform for Swiss-Belhotel International to amplify its presence globally. Mr. Faull revealed, CTG, attracted by the strength and credibility of the Swiss-Belhotel International brand, has been engaged in talks with us for nearly two years. We foresee this partnership to evolve and strengthen in the coming years, propelled by the ongoing resurgence of the travel industry. The strategic collaboration, imbued with a profound international perspective, aims to foster mutual trust and benefits between the two companies, exploring dual branding business cooperation and diversified business development both in China market and international markets. Leveraging on CTG's well-established track record of successful collaborations with other leading international hotel groups such as IHG, Marriott, Hilton, and Wyndham, this alliance represents a pivotal opportunity for Swiss-Belhotel International to accelerate its global expansion. The partnership will also furnish Swiss-Belhotel International with deep insights into the burgeoning Chinese market and potential collaborative opportunities with other China Travel Group entities, including China Travel Service. Established in Hong Kong in 1987, Swiss-Belhotel International has grown to manage 125 hotels and projects under 16 brands across 19 countries, with regional management hubs. Currently, it manages 15,000 rooms, with an additional 20,000 in the pipeline. About Swiss-Belhotel International Group Founded in 1987, Swiss-Belhotel International Group is headquartered in Hong Kong, and offers hotels, resort, serviced residences and property management services in Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Thailand. With full-service hotel brand concept, the Group's hotels cater to business & leisure travelers with hotels located in major city centers and resort destinations. The Group currently manages 125 properties in 16 countries under 16 brands. For further information visit https://www.swiss-belhotel.com. Accor Signs Milestone Agreement With Ebisu Resort LLC, With 23 Properties set to Join the Group's Hotel Network by Q2 2024 Accor's presence in Japan is set to double while hotel openings gain momentum throughout the region. With travel and tourism surging once again on a global scale, countries such as Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, and surrounding regions such as China, are experiencing a significant influx of foreign travelers, as well as increasing domestic demand for business and leisure travel experiences. Accor recently announced a new strategic partnership with JHRA in Japan to renovate and rebrand the Daiwa Resorts portfolio into Grand Mercure and Mercure hotels that will offer uniquely local experiences. The agreement will double Accor's current portfolio in Japan, adding 23 properties and over 6,000 rooms. Conversion of the hotels will occur throughout 2024, after which the properties will operate under the aforementioned Accor brands. "We are thrilled to be adding these great hotels to our portfolio in Japan and will continue to build on the relationships that Daiwa Resort has successfully maintained within each region, working closely with our partners, Japan Hotel Reit Advisors, Daiwa Resort's asset manager, to revitalize these properties," said Jean-Jacques Morin, Group Deputy CEO and CEO Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, Accor. "The recovery of Asia is fueling our ambitions as we seek to offer travelers a deeper and more diverse range of hospitality experiences across the region. Over the past decade, Accor has shifted from being asset-heavy to becoming an agile, asset-light company growing our hotel portfolio by 50% and tripling our brands. Now, with a resurgence of demand to serve as the wind beneath our wings, we will guide these brands to new heights, with more density, presence, and scale than ever before." "We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported Daiwa Resorts until now. 23 of our hotels located in scenic spots across Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, will be rebranded as Grand Mercure and Mercure hotels. By rebranding, we will be able to provide our customers with various allures and memorable travel memories. In the future, we promise that guests will be able to enjoy a comfortable stay with activities that incorporate local cuisine, local attractions and relaxing hot springs while making the most of the unique characteristics of each hotel. We would like to work together with the local community more than ever before and share the appeal of each region not only within Japan but also around the world," commented Koji Mayanagi, Daiwa Resort Co., Ltd. President & CEO. Accor will also debut several new flagship properties in the region over the coming years, demonstrating the diversity of the Group's expanding network in Asia Pacific. Pullman Singapore Hill Street is an architectural masterpiece augmented with smart technology and a rooftop bar that will open later this year. is an architectural masterpiece augmented with smart technology and a rooftop bar that will open later this year. ibis Styles Bangkok Twin Towers will be the largest ibis Styles property in the world upon its official opening in 2024, featuring the brand's creative, playful and family-friendly approach. will be the largest ibis Styles property in the world upon its official opening in 2024, featuring the brand's creative, playful and family-friendly approach. Novotel Nara will open in 2024, bringing one of the world's favorite midscale hotel brands and a multi-sensory experience for business and leisure travelers to this richly historic area of Japan, just 45 minutes south of Kyoto. will open in 2024, bringing one of the world's favorite midscale hotel brands and a multi-sensory experience for business and leisure travelers to this richly historic area of Japan, just 45 minutes south of Kyoto. Fairmont Hanoi will open in 2024 in Vietnam, blending one of the world's most celebrated luxury hotel brands with authentic Indochinese style and the vibrant local culture of Ho Chi Minh City. will open in 2024 in Vietnam, blending one of the world's most celebrated luxury hotel brands with authentic Indochinese style and the vibrant local culture of Ho Chi Minh City. Mondrian Singapore Duxton opens this year, bringing the brand's signature blend of art, glamour, and culinary flair to one of Singapore's most desirable neighborhoods. opens this year, bringing the brand's signature blend of art, glamour, and culinary flair to one of Singapore's most desirable neighborhoods. Fairmont Tokyo, slated for an opening in 2025, will feature 219 guestrooms and awe-inspiring views of Tokyo Bay. Historically, Thailand and Indonesia have been areas of strength for Accor and where the company will continue to push forward with new development opportunities. Vietnam, Philippines, and Japan are also markets of significance that Accor has identified for growth opportunities in the future. Accor will continue to seek out large scale opportunities exploring more conversion opportunities thus efficiently adding value to existing hotels and giving brands a sizeable boost. Independent hotel owners have long been attracted to Accor brands for conversion opportunities. The Group is renowned for its adaptability, ease of transition, and unmatched spectrum of brands, including Pullman, Novotel, ibis, ibis Styles, Mercure, Grand Mercure, Movenpick, greet, and the newest addition Handwritten Collection. All of these brands are designed to be conversion friendly, offering owners of existing hotels a swift revenue boost with immediate access to the power and reach of Accor's sales, distribution and loyalty platforms, while also benefiting from the Group's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) capabilities. Press Release July 21, 2023 Continue monitoring ICC proceedings despite full disengagement, Tolentino tells gov't MANILA - Senator Francis 'TOL' N. Tolentino urged the Marcos government to continue monitoring the proceedings before the International Criminal Court (ICC) despite Malacanang's recent pronouncement to fully disengage with the tribunal. "The disengagement would really mean that formally we will not allow them--not cooperate. But they (Marcos administration) should be monitoring what would be happening within the premises of the ICC," Tolentino, chairman of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights said in an interview with CNN Philippines. Tolentino explained that it should be wise for the Office of the Solicitor General to continue monitoring what is happening before the said tribunal, adding that "disengagement would really not mean a total lack of communication." "We should be aware of what is going on," he said. The senator stressed that considering that the resolution by the ICC's Appeals Chamber is a split decision, there is a chance that even a potential warrant of arrest to be issued "can be quashed and set aside by the Free Trial Chamber." Tolentino said that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s decision to fully disengage with ICC was the right thing to do since the tribunal no longer has jurisdiction over the Philippines after it pulled out in 2019 and since the supposed investigations have only commenced after the date of the effectivity of the withdrawal. Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Click here for a Print Subscription with Online Digital included. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. 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A Guide to Collaborating with Other Musicians and why its important that you do From Drake and Future to Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey, collaborations are ruling the charts and a great way to cross-pollinate your fanbase, Leaenr why collaboration is so important and how you can get started. by Sara-Lena Probst of Blackbird Punk If you want to further your career, it could be a good idea to collaborate with other musicians. For one, you can get more attention from journalists. What is more, the fans of the collaborating artist might start being your fans as well. However, many musicians have a negative attitude when it comes to collaborating with fellow musicians. I do not understand this sentiment too much but my guess is that many musicians find it scary because theyve never tried it. The old notion that the music industry is a hardcore competitive place also lingers on. Many might also worry that if they collaborate with other musicians, the workload might get out of hand. Already stretched to get even the minimum work in for their own project, many musicians might be overwhelmed by the prospect of collaborating. Heres the thing, collaboration is nothing that needs to scare you. On the contrary, there are so many benefits to it! The word collaborate comes in many different shapes in nowadays music business. For example, on social media, you are much for likely to hear the term cross-channel promotion. On YouTube, you may come across a Channel Takeover from another creator and so on. Important to realise, all those words mean collaborating at the end of the day. Why is this important? Its always critical to be clear about the ramification of a joint venture. What is more, having clear communication about your desired outcomes from a collab is also important so you can keep your expectation in check. When you jam with other musicians you can hone in on so many benefits! Collaborating with other musicians can come with so many benefits. For once, it can broaden your area of exposure. If you collaborate with another artist you can get so much more leverage out of the campaign. For example, if two social media channels are promoting a new single you immediately trigger the algorithm more. Also, if you have two YouTube Channels that promote the new music video you will also gain much from it. What is more, if your industry team joins forces with the team of the other artist you can get quite the synergy effect. Heres the kicker, perhaps the other artist has other experts on their team than you. For example, perhaps you are quite on the DIY route and the other artist has already established a bigger team. Then you can profit from the expert input into the campaign. What is more, you can get a feeling of how it would be to have an industry team behind you. Perhaps it could be interesting for you in the future or you think that you would rather stay DIY. Either way, its always good to gather as much information as possible. Broaden your sound and expertise when you collaborate with another musician Heres the deal: when you collaborate with other musicians its not all about marketing and promotion. You can also learn so much from each other. What is more, you might even broaden your sound and gain further expertise. Lets say you are a guitarist and you collaborate with a songwriter/lyricist. Then you can learn so much about songwriting and lyrics that you wouldnt have learned otherwise. Likewise, the songwriter might learn some guitar licks from you! Collaborating at best should always be beneficial for both sides. Particulary in the EDM, pop; R&B, and hip-hop world, collaborations have been responsible for breaking many new artists and sending songs up the charts. *MusicIndustryHowTo Ways in which you can collaborate with other musicians Firstly, you could work together on playlist pitching. That might seem counterintuitive, however, in case you work in completely different genres it wouldnt matter at all that you are competitors. This is wild, even if you would play in the same genre of music, you could still collaborate on playlist pitching. One partner could research viable playlists using tools like Playlist Supply. The other side could find the matching social media account and could vet that they are alright. The best way forward would be to simply record a song together. Now, working together on playlist pitching comes naturally. You could extend the joint work by sharing resources like data analytics software (Chartmetric or Soundcharts). Or you share the premium account of Canva for a couple of months. There are so many software applications that could help your music career that is normally a bit outside most peoples price range. However, if you can share the price it might become accessible. Share on: About This Property 17.9 Acres + Timber Frame Barn + Charming CottageExtraordinary opportunity to own almost 18 acres of prime building land in Mount Washington that comes with a charming cottage and a large timber frame barn. With enough frontage for multiple building sites, this unique parcel offers great building sites with potential Mount Everett views. The land is gently rolling, peaceful, easily walkable, and includes many old stone walls. An existing driveway serves the barn and cottage and could be extended for a new home. The beautiful, year-round cottage is a great place to call ''home'' while building the main house. It features a stone, wood-burning fireplace, vaulted ceilings, a kitchen, and a full bath. Land Details Community Details Search More Properties With these Features Barn/Stable Deciduous Shade Trees Outbuilding Sweetwood Owner Back Before Williamstown Planning Board WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. A representative from the Sweetwood Independent Living Community last week opened a dialogue with the Planning Board about creating a potential zoning bylaw amendment to help the facility stay economically viable. But attorney Karla Chaffee offered no new language to replace the amendments the landowner proposed and later withdrew for last May's annual town meeting. "If the message from the board is, 'You bring a proposal to us,' that's fine as well," Chaffee said in a video conference with the four members at the board's July 11 meeting. "I was heartened by comments we heard at the last Planning Board meeting that there was very much a willingness to work with us and work with [Sweetwood owner] CareOne. "The owner of the property is trying to do the right thing. They're trying to maintain services for their current residents." CareOne said it cannot continue to provide those services on a property zoned for assisted living with Sweetwood's current 50 percent occupancy rate. The company wants to be able to rent unoccupied units as regular apartments, an "other multifamily" use not allowed in the Rural Residence 2 and 3 zoning districts where Sweetwood is located. Last spring, concern about unintended consequences from a pair of zoning bylaw amendments CareOne submitted for May's meeting and objections raised by current Sweetwood residents prompted the Planning Board to vote against recommending town meeting pass those amendments. CareOne then withdrew them before the town meeting. At the July 11 session, Chaffee explained CareOne's motivations to newly elected board members Cory Campbell and Ben Greenfield. She also said CareOne would like to see the issue addressed in a special town meeting during this calendar year rather than wait until the May 2024 annual town meeting. She suggested that the landowner would be willing to agree to deed restrictions to address some of the unintended consequences that were feared from the spring 2023 proposals, which would have made the Sweetwood land a non-contiguous extension of the town's current Southern Gateway District. "One of the things would be if we entered into an agreement with you where we put a restriction on the property in perpetuity that it can't be converted to a hotel," Chaffee said, referring to a use that is prohibited in RR2 and RR3 but allowed by special permit in the Southern Gateway. "Any new construction at the property could be subject to not only an inclusionary bylaw but maybe something else. "That's the type of discussion that would be helpful. How do we get the use changed in a way that isn't going to have adverse consequences for you?" Chaffee said CareOne is continuing to communicate with Sweetwood's current residents to reassure them that the company has no plans to get out of the independent living business or to end the services those residents currently receive at the facility. And she reiterated the company's position that the current zoning restrictions at the property make it unlikely CareOne will be able to operate a facility at the site indefinitely. "The reason we're coming before you with a zoning proposal, a yet to be determined zoning proposal, is the property really needs new sources of income," the Boston attorney said. "We have done many marketing efforts. We have at least for 10 years been trying to increase occupancy at the property. Frankly, we have not been able to fill the spaces we'd like to fill to make it an economically viable model." The four members of the board at Tuesday's meeting Campbell, Greenfield, Roger Lawrence and Ken Kuttner indicated a willingness to continue cooperation with Chaffee and her client on developing a zoning bylaw proposal that the board could endorse to town meeting. In other business, Lawrence and Kuttner gave their colleagues presentations on potential high density housing models that have been successful elsewhere but would not permissible in Williamstown without changes to the current zoning bylaws. Kuttner, repeated a lesson he gave the Planning Board last winter about the " cottage court" model, citing ordinances he found that would allow as many as 15 single-family housing units on an acre of land. Lawrence went into greater detail on an open space residential development he has studied in Northampton. He said the open space residential development model has important differences from the cottage court model and that the former might be a good option for the rural parts of town. The Northampton development he studied, Burts Meadow, is a 100-acre parcel with the overwhelming majority kept in conservation and just three acres developed nine single family homes and three duplexes. "Open space residential developments may have a density of four to six units per acre," Lawrence said. "Also, with open space residential development, those smaller communities have an emphasis on private space that each unit has, but there may be some shared space as well. With cottage courts, there is very much an emphasis on common areas with almost no private space. "The consequence is open space residential development creates what I'd call neighborhoods. Cottage courts create what I'd call a discrete community with a well defined perimeter." Both Kuttner and Lawrence are working offline to see if they can craft zoning bylaw amendments that the whole board can consider to bring to town meeting to enable those housing types. One housing type that the board proposed allowing last May that town meeting narrowly rejected continues to spark discussion. The Planning Board members have discussed bringing a future town meeting a revised proposal to allow manufactured housing on single-family lots where "stick-built" homes currently are allowed in town. Greenfield, specifically, is researching ways to incorporate language that holds manufactured homes to the same design standards currently applied to stick-built or modular construction in town in order to avoid what he has characterized as a potential "two-tier housing system" in the bylaw. Manufactured housing was not on the agenda for the board to discuss at the July 11 session, but the issue nevertheless drew two residents to address the board during its public comment agenda item. Abigail Reifsnyder told the board that allowing manufactured homes can be a potential game-changer for people who want to live in Williamstown but cannot afford homes currently on the market. "I've seen families who for decades wanted to purchase their own home and finally can purchase a manufactured home and not have to be subject to the whims of a landlord," Reifsnyder said. "It's theirs. I would hate to see us deny that to people. I've just seen it be life changing." Real estate agent Paul Harsch, who dominated the discussion at the board's June meeting, returned a month later to continue voicing his objection to manufactured homes and, more generally, the idea that Williamstown needs to do anything in its zoning bylaws to allow more affordable housing options. "You need to quantify what is the level of need that seems to be driving this whole debate," Harsch said. "It drove the effort to create more in-town buildable parcels. Where is this tremendous demand for affordable housing? I'm a Realtor. I get calls all the time. I'm not getting any calls from people saying, 'Find me a home. I can't afford what's out there.' "There's a great deal of talk about the dire need for affordable housing, talk about poor people who can't afford to live in Williamstown. I'm not seeing that." Harsch also reiterated his argument that the Planning Board's May 2023 proposal on manufactured homes flies in the face of previous town officials' efforts to "protect the community." Specifically, he said he thinks that former Select Board and Planning Board member Richard DeMayo would "turn over in his grave" if he knew that manufactured homes were being allowed in Williamstown. That comment caught the ear of DeMayo's daughter, Carin Demayo-Wall. "Unfortunately, we don't have him here to help us fully obtain his opinion but I would like to offer a different perspective on Dick DeMayo's views," Demayo-Wall wrote in reply to an email asking for comment. "He was a man that was committed to balance and a place where all walks of life are welcome. His door was always open. He felt strongly that affordable housing was a necessity in the town he loved so much. "As Dick DeMayo's daughter, I believe what my father wanted was safe, reliable and affordable housing he did not exclude pre-fab as long as it meets safety standards." Unicorn startup Xendit took the stage at a fintech summit to lead the dialogue on how the Philippine finance industry can accelerate the digital economyand fast, through building payments infrastructure. In line with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap and its subsequent National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, Xendit has been advocating the digitization of payments processes to democratize access to innovation and bridge gaps in the digital economy. The faster the money moves through an economy, the faster the economy can grow. There will always be friction points that can potentially slow the momentum of growth, but the moment we are able to fully digitize the payments process for all Filipinos, we can erase the effect of the natural infrastructure challenges of an archipelagic nation, said Xendit Philippines President and CEO Yang Yang Zhang. Up until 2021, statistics showed that cash was still king in the Philippines. But as technology paved the way for new and innovative ways to pay for goods and services, consumer behavior likewise shifted. Digital banking, e-wallets, QR code payments, and Buy Now Pay Later methods have gained significant traction. Co-building pipes where money flows Spurred by a favorable regulatory environment, Xendit built its Philippines team in hopes that its technology could introduce robust payments infrastructure. Xendits partner businesses enjoy its reliable service delivered through a single integration, with an end-goal of creating a payment experience that is responsive to local needs and promotes inclusive progress. Fundamentally, we build infrastructure on multiple layers. We work directly with banks to co-build world-class solutions to address their own challenges and those of everyday consumers. By doing so, we aggregate financial institutions for merchants to create a seamless payment experience that ultimately empowers both customers and businesses, said Zhang. Prior to Xendits foray as a local player, many of the payment integrations currently available did not exist and had to be built from the ground up. Among Xendits pioneering products is Direct Debit, a service that allows bank account holders to directly access their funds to make payments on e-commerce sites and top up their e-wallets. With this convenience, businesses experience repeat and subsequent purchases from those customers, while also enjoying the instant settlement of funds, resulting in better visibility and immediate access to said funds. Direct Debit is an industry standard across the rest of the world, and today, it has become a definitive experience for Filipino businesses and consumers, too. Core to the success of a digital payment infrastructure is the support from consumers who will use it. When there is strong consumer trust in the system, digital acceleration and financial inclusion can be achieved. But in order for that trust to become unassailable, stakeholders in both the government and private sectors must work together to ensure that transactions are safe and secure and that consumers are educated on their rights and responsibilities in the digital economy. Yet inasmuch as roads and pipes continue to be built, work on payments infrastructure is a goal-driven process that has virtually no end in sight. Xendit aims to work with not just merchants, but more and more government and private agencies involved in the transfer of money in the economy. What it uniquely offers at this time is its capability to scale operations and process millions of transactions efficiently while maintaining uptime all the time. The BSPs twin objectives of converting at least 50% percent of total retail transactions volume to digital and onboarding 70% of Filipino adults to the financial system is nearing its 2023 set deadline. Now is the time to strengthen the countrys digital payments infrastructure, as its inherent reliability, scalability, and cybersecurity safeguards can help expedite the fulfillment of such vision. Xendit is a fintech company that offers payment solutions for businesses. It provides a suite of world-class APIs and a dashboard UI that simplifies processes to enable businesses and organizations of all sizes to accept various modes of payments quickly, reliably, and securely. More information is available at the website, and on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Interested businesses can sign up to try the dashboard. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Nobody knows what you believe. Do you? So asks scientist Edward Teller (Benny Safdie), in a scene from Christopher Nolans nuclear epic Oppenheimer. The question is posed to J Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), the so-called father of the atomic bomb, whose disavowed communist past clung to his reputation like stepped-on gum. But the question might just as well have been addressed to Nolan himself. Its easy to imagine the 52-year-old writer-director perhaps the pre-eminent blockbuster filmmaker of our time empathising with his latest films set-upon protagonist. Like Oppenheimer, Nolan is a man whose politics have often proved messy and inscrutable (on screen at least). That he has tended to keep his personal leanings to himself has only swung open the door for speculation; commentators from across the political spectrum have imposed all manner of personal readings onto his work. Ask some people and theyll argue hes a raging Tory. Others: a liberal pacifist. Many of his films seem to eschew politics entirely it is hard to argue exactly what agenda a film like Inception is pursuing, fixated as it is on the psychology of the human subconscious. With Oppenheimer, though, this aversion to politics is put under a microscope, cleaved open like an atom. Nolan has finally grown up. Before we can discuss Oppenheimer, it is important first to understand the political precedent within Nolans oeuvre. Several of his films including Victorian magician drama The Prestige and back-to-front amnesiac puzzler Memento are, like Inception, largely uninterested in politicking. They are works of fizzy spectacle brushed with metaphysical intrigue. Insomnia, Nolans 2002 procedural starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams, dipped its toe a little more ambitiously into the waters of social commentary, though Pacinos jaded, error-strewn police detective was more handy cliche than socio-political critique. (Insomnia was also a remake, and the only one of Nolans films he did not have a writing credit for.) The Dark Knight (2008) has sometimes been characterised as a right-wing parable, a paean to the need for authoritarian law enforcement. This was, very consciously, a Batman adaptation for the post-9/11 era: the Joker (Heath Ledger), once a campy circus ringmaster, is reimagined as a 21st-century terrorist. Christian Bales pteropine vigilante is seen bludgeoning the Joker to extract information; another scene sees him drop a mobster from a rooftop. As the film careens towards its climax, Batman uses mass surveillance technology to locate his nemesis technology that directly evokes the NSAs counterterrorist measures in the wake of the Twin Towers attacks. These allusions didnt hamper the films broad appeal, but they didnt go completely unnoticed. The Wall Street Journal published a widely shared piece that interpreted Nolans Batman as a fawning allegory for George Bush; the National Review ranked The Dark Knight among the best conservative films. Reports of Nolans conservatism were, however, overblown. It is worth noting that the superhero genre has always had fascistic underpinnings an idea explored definitively in Alan Moores Watchmen. To some extent, The Dark Knight simply brought to the surface ideas that have existed, unscrutinised, throughout Batmans history. But also, to read The Dark Knight as authoritarian is reductive in other ways. In the film, the use of torture to obtain information proves ineffective. Batmans mass surveillance infrastructure is destroyed at his own behest by the films end. Another part of the films climax focuses on the compassionate restraint of a convicted felon, who risks his own death by refusing to blow up a barge full of innocents the moral lines are not drawn simply along criminality. And yet, the Nolan conservatism argument persisted. The Dark Knight Rises, Nolans 2012 superhero follow-up, was all over the shop politically. It takes pains to deconstruct the fascist vigilante myth of its predecessor while also skewering populist political movements through the character of the brutish revolutionary Bane (Tom Hardy). Many critics read Nolans Bane as a critique of the then topical (left-wing) Occupy Wall Street movement: the masked supervillain is able to take over Gotham by capitalising on economic grievances against the citys wealthy elite. This may be a stretch and Nolan himself has denied that the films are political but the popularity of this reading testifies to a fundamental muddiness in the films messaging. Less muddy was Nolans 2017 war thriller Dunkirk. Set on the shores, seas and skies of northern France during the evacuation of Dunkirk, the film succeeds at capturing the frenzied blur of battle, but cannot escape an inbuilt jingoism, a simpering adherence to the spirit-of-Britain, pluck-against-the-odds, tally-ho-and-God-save-the-Queen fantasy that squats on our countrys malformed psyche. Unsurprisingly, we Brits ate it up. And then there was Tenet, a film that lurches back in the other direction, offering a pointed (if overly confusing) comment on the intersection of war and capitalism. Cameraman: Christopher Nolan on the set of Oppenheimer' (Melinda Sue Gordon) Which brings us to Oppenheimer. No one is going to mistake Nolans three-hour rollercoaster of a biopic for political treatise. The film is not interested in debating the merits of communism, though Oppenheimers communist affiliations are pivotal to the narrative: much of the films runtime is dedicated to the proto-McCarthyist attacks on Oppenheimers reputation after the war. Oppenheimer takes pains to show that its protagonist isnt bound by Marxist doctrine, but by the natural pathways of individualist thought. The characters communist leanings are framed principally through the lens of his globalist scientific background. In this way, Nolan could be accused of sidestepping politics yet again. But this does not quite do the film justice. Oppenheimer can be broadly considered sympathetic to left-wing causes. The communist characters and union organisers are portrayed relatively warmly, whereas the anti-communist military men and government officials are largely made out to be pernicious antagonists. (Casey Afflecks character, the viperish intelligence officer Boris Pash, is a prime example.) Unlike Nolans previous films, Oppenheimer is unafraid to discuss politics frankly and adultly even if Nolan never holds his cards all that far from his chest. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 6.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 6.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free It may be that political point-scoring is just too prosaic to really get Nolans juices flowing. Oppenheimer is essentially about something so monumental, so enormous and distressing the bomb, and all its mushroom-clouded consequences that everything else, from party politics to rivalries to love affairs, must take a backseat. The politics Oppenheimer is most interested in are the politics of war, the politics of persecution and it handles these with an unexpected and intelligent nuance. At the very least, the film ought to dispel speculation that Nolan is some kind of covert right-wing propagandist. You may leave Oppenheimer unsure exactly where he stands on communism, sure. In the film, no one is ever able to quite pin down Oppenheimers politics either (except when it came to the bomb). For him, there was usually a bigger issue at play; he saw the world on an atomic scale. Perhaps Christopher Nolan feels much the same way. Oppenheimer is out in cinemas now Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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]. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 6.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 6.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free 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. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} American political discourse is plagued by claims the country is now a post-racial society, despite being built on and still actively guided by white supremacy. So its no wonder that Black filmmakers like Jordan Peele and Boots Riley have been drawn to tales entrenched in gaslighting and conspiracy. Two of their films, Peeles Get Out and Rileys Sorry to Bother You, have found a spiritual companion in They Cloned Tyrone, the directorial debut of Creed II screenwriter Juel Taylor. Taylors film, however, exists entirely within its own strange, alluring dystopia. Its subtle, and not so different from our own world minus a lining of perpetual fog and the fact everyones dressed like theyre in a Seventies Blaxploitation flick. Fontaine (John Boyega) is a small-time drug dealer, increasingly exasperated by his debtors inability to pay up on time. After a particularly fraught showdown with the self-titled 1995 Players Ball Pimp of the Year, Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx), Fontaine is shot and killed by an unseen assailant only to wake up back in his bed, the world as it ever was. Fontaines bank account is still empty. His mother is still nothing but a voice behind a closed door, turned into a living ghost after the death of her youngest son. The homeless man outside the convenience store still imparts vague warnings that its in the water. Whatever it is. Fontaine joins forces with Slick Charles and Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris), a sex worker who keeps threatening to retire just like every young dreamer vows to leave their hometown, and together they try to solve the conspiracy at hand. Some of it is self-explanatory the word cloned is in the title, after all but it also switches gears frequently enough that there isnt much time to ponder what feels familiar and what feels new. Taylor, co-writing here with Tony Rettenmaier, has a razor-sharp sense of humour that feels relaxed and even occasionally goofy in its execution. Despite the films vintage aesthetics, and Diana Ross crooning Love Hangover on its score, the characters here use modern (or, more precisely, millennial) lingo. There are shout-outs to SpongeBob SquarePants, Dexters Laboratory, bitcoin, and Nancy Drew. When Yo-Yo first faces the reality of whats happening in her town, she brands it some sex dungeon, mint choc chip bukkake s***. A pair of white goons, strolling through an establishing shot, enthuse about their love of boiled, unseasoned chicken. Parris is clearly having the most fun with the material, and theres a great sense of physical comedy to the way she whips the tiniest gun imaginable out of her purse like its her last defence against both death and insanity. Foxx is the most at ease in his charm, his stardom, and in his gigantic fur coats. But its Boyega who drives home the dual nature of Taylors film. They Cloned Tyrone is funny, yes. Its stylish, certainly. But theres a real streak of despair here that the actor captures in every earnest, angry scene of Fontaine alone in his helplessness. This is a story, ultimately, that drives home the idea that solidarity can exist even when theres no sense of community and particularly when that community has been systematically dismantled by the powers that be. They Cloned Tyrone reminds us that dystopias like these really arent so speculative. Its our world, pushed one inch further into madness. Dir: Juel Taylor. Starring: John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, Jamie Foxx, David Alan Grier, Kiefer Sutherland. Cert 15, 119 minutes They Cloned Tyrone is streaming on Netflix Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Denise Welch has expressed support for her son, The 1975 frontman Matty Healy, after his bands recent concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was cut short. While performing at the Good Vibes Festival on Friday (21 July), Healy went on a rant about the Malaysian governments stance on LGBT+ rights. I made a mistake. When we were booking shows, I wasnt looking into it. I dont see the f***ing point, right, I do not see the point of inviting The 1975 to a country and then telling us who we can have sex with, Healy, 34, is heard saying in fan-captured footage. I am sorry if that offends you and youre religious and its part of your f***ing government, but your government are a bunch of f***ing r*****s and I dont care anymore. If you push, I am going to push back. I am not in the f***ing mood, Im not in the f***ing mood. LGBT+ people face severe discrimination in Malaysia, where homosexuality is forbidden and sodomy can be punished with imprisonment and corporal punishment. A source close to the band tells The Independent: Matty has a long-time record of advocating for the LGBTQ+ community and the band wanted to stand up for their LGBTQ+ fans and community. Healy later told the crowd: Unfortunately, you dont get a set of loads of uplifting songs because Im f***ing furious and thats not fair on you because youre not representative of your government. Because you are young people and I am sure a lot of you are gay and progressive and cool. So I pulled the show yesterday and we had a conversation and we said You know what? We cant let these kids down because theyre not the problem. He added: But, Ive done this before, Ive gone to a country where, I dont know what the f*** it is? Ridiculous. F***ing ridiculous to tell people what they can do with their that and that [points to groin and mouth] and if you want to invite me here to do a show, you can f*** off. Ill take your money, you can ban me, but Ive done this before and it doesnt feel good and Im f***ed off. Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up Healy, as he has often done on the bands ongoing Still... At Their Very Best tour, then proceeded to kiss bassist Ross MacDonald on the lips. After finishing their seventh song, I Couldnt Be More In Love, the band abruptly left the stage with Healy telling the crowd: We just got banned from Kuala Lumpur, goodbye. On Twitter, Waterloo Road star Welch reacted to a tweet claiming The 1975 had been banned from Malaysia alongside the video of Healy kissing MacDonald. Hes my son, Welch, 65, wrote alongside a rainbow flag emoji, which represents gay pride. The 1975 are next scheduled to perform at We The Fest festival in Jakarta, Indonesia. In Indonesia, LGBT+ people do not face as many restrictions as those in Malaysia; however, same-sex marriage is still not officially recognised by the state. Sign up to Roisin OConnors free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Roisin OConnors email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Greta Gerwigs Barbie, the inescapable Margot Robbie movie inspired by the Mattel doll, which arrives in cinemas this week, ties itself in knots as it goes along parodying itself, critiquing itself, and eagerly attempting to justify its very existence just in case anyone asks. Its the cinematic equivalent of a childs toybox theres colour, joy and imagination, yet its a total mess. Its soundtrack which features everyone from Sam Smith and Nicki Minaj to Ryan Gosling doing an impression of Freddie Mercury by way of one of the lesser *Nsyncs appropriately follows suit. Barbie: The Album has been a bit of an event in itself, the names of its A-list participants drip-fed over the course of several months. Speculation went into overdrive (Britney! Kylie! Absolutely anyone blonde and famous from the past 30 years of pop!) Disappointment was palpable once the final tracklist was confirmed (What is The Kid Laroi? the internet collectively asked). But hasnt all of this been sort of wistful, too? Star-packed soundtracks barely exist anymore, a result of the waning power of album sales and the declining significance of movies in the cultural conversation. But remember when a films soundtrack felt just as significant as the work that inspired it? When naturally youd stroll the aisles of Virgin Megastore to pick up the CD for Baz Luhrmanns Romeo + Juliet right after seeing it? Nostalgia also powers much of this album, which was curated by Mark Ronson from an artist wishlist he and Gerwig put together during production of the film. There is an abundance of plastic-y samples, Charli XCX doing one of her usual odes to vehicular homicide but this time over an interpolation of Toni Basils Mickey. Lizzos morning-routine anthem Pink think Barbies version of Legally Blondes fluffy opening-credits classic Perfect Day by Hoku seems to riff on Lionel Richies All Night Long. Fledgling pop star Gayle interpolates Crazy Towns Butterfly, while Minajs limp collaboration with Ice Spice samples Aquas seminal Barbie Girl. Unusually, the bigger names on Barbie: The Album are the most underwhelming. Dua Lipas disco number Dance the Night is a flat imitation of far better tracks on her Future Nostalgia record. Smiths Man I Am cant decide if it wants to be a stomping Eighties fantasia or an outrageously horny sex-dungeon shambles (Super-sleazy, sexy and freaky Ken tonight, they moan). Tame Impalas Pet Shop Boys-esque synth bop Journey to the Real World would have been the albums dazzling linchpin had it not clocked in at a scant minute and a half. Tracks by Haim and Billie Eilish are thematically in keeping with Gerwigs movie both dreamy mid-tempos about female self-actualisation and existential ennui. But they also feel slightly jarring when surrounded by hot-pink boppery, like a pair of Negative Nancys showing up to spoil your birthday party. Like Barbie itself, Barbie: The Album is at its best when it embraces the purely weird. PinkPantheress, a newbie British star best known for dressing like a mid-Noughties receptionist, contributes Angel, a lovely bit of PC Music airiness that calls to mind the late Sophie at her most romantic its fiddle-driven climax is breathtaking. Likewise, K-Pop queens Fifty Fifty and rapper Kaliii transform Janet Jacksons Together Again into a Barbiefied racket called Barbie Dreams that helps to answer the eternal question: What would happen if the Rugrats theme song had a baby with a hungover Caroline Polachek? Its absolutely the best thing here. Ice Spice and Nicki Minaj collaborate on the limp, Aqua-sampling Barbie World (Alex Grizz' Loucas) Finally, there is Goslings Im Just Ken, a glam-rock pastiche performed towards the films climax, all about Barbies chronically vapid sort-of boyfriend (Im just Ken and Im enough, he pleads, and Im great at doing stuff). Its slightly brilliant, built upon dramatic strings and Van Halen-esque synthesisers, and suggests the straight-up musical Barbie could have (should have?) been all along. It also stands out on a soundtrack that is always fun, if undeniably erratic Ronson cant decide on a consistent tone or approach, instead ping-ponging between satire and celebration, sincerity and spoof. In fairness to him, hes very much following the movies lead. Seen from afar, low-rise buildings featuring white walls and grey tiles huddle together amid stretchy green farmlands across which a river meanders through a valley. On both sides of the valley, mountains covered by lush trees reach up to the sky, blocking the outside chaos and bringing a pastoral and tranquil vibe. It is the first impression when arriving at Zhonghuang village, Jishou city, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture, in Central Chinas Hunan province. The village boasts a history of more than 700 years and is home to mostly ethnic Miao people and more than 60 distinctive folk houses that were built on stilts of different heights beside the river or in steep mountain areas. This stunning view and deep ethnic heritage has prompted Yi Hua to tap into her expertise in Xiang embroidery and add to the rural charm to draw in visitors and boost tourism. All the rural architecture and natural landscape scenery has been very well preserved, says Yi, who was born in the prefecture and has practised Miao embroidery for more than a decade. The village conditions are perfect for what Yi has been doing in recent years carrying forward ethnic culture, especially Miao embroidery. That was why she and her team started to work on the design and tourism operations of the village last year. We hope to retain the villages existing scenery and ethnic images, and industrialise Miao embroidery, batik and cloth-weaving in the village to revitalise traditional ethnic culture, Yi says. Yi works on a Miao embroidery piece (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY) Yi has given Miao embroidery training to local villagers, who are now wearing Miao costumes daily and can be spotted weaving with old-fashioned wooden looms or embroidering traditional animals and plants patterns on dark blue cloth. Yi and her team are also working to develop an ethnic intangible cultural heritage corridor in the village that will open to the public this summer vacation. In addition, more Miao elements have been applied to the overall village renovation. For example, the butterfly is an important totem of the Miao people, and it symbolises motherhood and love, so we have made a point of integrating butterfly elements in local architectural design, Yi says. The village transformation is part of the project Valley Residents, an effort by Yi and her team to use local ethnic elements in rural settings to promote the tourism and culture industries and improve villagers income. Yi has developed a predisposition towards Miao embroidery and related culture as she was immersed in many ethnic celebrations throughout her childhood in Xiangxi. To provide for her family, Yi studied communication technology in college in the provincial capital Changsha and worked at a local telecommunications company after graduation. Fortunately, she kept up with her painting and dipped into Miao embroidery in the interim. The more I practised, the more my interest grew, she says. In 2009, Yi quit her steady job, and went to Shanghai and Guangzhou, Guangdong province, to study design professionally. After two years of learning, Yi came back to Xiangxi and opened up her own workshop by renting a discarded warehouse of barely 108 square feet and setting up two sewing machines inside. I basically lived and worked at the workshop, Yi recalls, adding that she had to take care of everything, from fabric procurement and design to sewing and marketing. As she honed her skills, Yi worked her way up to becoming a prefectural inheritor of Miao embroidery. Seeing Yis commitment to her cause, her husband Lin Jie joined forces and the couple established Valley Residents. The project has set up ethnic craft cooperatives, including the Miao embroidery ones, in several villages of Hunan, and gives training to more than 1,000 embroiderers. Miao embroidery products from Valley Residents have been sent by Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs as gifts to senior foreign diplomats and experts, and were showcased at international events, including the 2015 World Expo hosted by Milan, Italy. Zhu Youfang contributed to this story. Zhang Jing, 33, a middle-school teacher from Taiyuan, Shanxi province, recently sent a customised air conditioner as a birthday gift to her calligraphy-loving father when a scorching heat wave hit many parts of North China. With just a few taps on her mobile phone, she chose the functions, appearance and design her father likes. Zhang said that once she placed the order with home-appliance manufacturer Haier Group, the company began making the air conditioner, which also had her fathers favourite phrase Tian dao chou qin, or God rewards the diligent, embossed on it. My father liked this birthday gift so much that he invited his friends over for a look. The price of this personalised air conditioner was about 150 yuan [16] higher than a regular one with similar functions, she said. Zhang is among the growing group of Chinese consumers who are driving surging demand for customised commodities and who want to have a bigger say in the design, features and functions of products. Demand for these new products is being met by cutting-edge digital technologies that are reshaping the operations and strategies of Chinese manufacturers and online retailers. Industry experts said the days when consumers are solely passive buyers are over, with next-generation information technologies creating new intelligent and green consumer goods and fostering fresh consumption growth areas. The new consumer model, which centres on consumers requests and places an emphasis on personalised, tailor-made and experience-based consumption, will play an important role in expanding domestic demand and taking the lead to promote the recovery of Chinas economy, said Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the e-commerce research department of the Ministry of Commerces research institute. This revolutionary approach is being made possible by the industrial internet a new type of manufacturing automation that combines advanced machines, internet-connected sensors and big-data analysis. The new approach is also bolstering the transformation and upgrading of the traditional manufacturing sector. The Haier Group has built an industrial internet platform, COSMOPlat, which allows enterprises to customise products quickly, and at scale, by collecting and analysing data from consumers, suppliers and factories with internet-connected information sensors. The new process also boosts productivity and cuts costs. Customers can choose the functions, appearance and design of home appliances by using their mobile phones, removing the need to visit a bricks-and-mortar sales store. Once a customer has placed an order, intelligent manufacturing equipment at Haiers interconnected factories automatically reads the information and starts production of the tailor-made item, the company said. Chinas industrial internet sector has developed rapidly in recent years. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, China has developed more than 240 industrial internet platforms that have strong regional and industry influence. More than 81 million industrial equipment units are connected to the platforms, which serve 250,000 enterprises covering over 40 key industries. To meet consumers growing and diverse demand for products, a string of e-commerce platforms have launched tailor-made and new products in collaboration with consumer-goods brands. E-commerce company JD is betting big on the consumer-to-manufacturer, or C2M, model, which leverages online retailers big data and customer analysis to customise products that meet consumers demands. The C2M products represent the latest consumption trends, as they are designed based on what consumers want, the company said. For instance, using data analysis of online searches and comments, JD found that users often searched for specific keywords such as nappy rash, and looked for nappies that featured better skin care. Based on big data and consumer preferences, the company cooperated with a baby nappy brand to jointly develop new paper nappies with enhanced aeration and softness that are more comfortable for babies to wear. The new product accounted for more than 70 per cent of the brands sales on JD the day it went on sale. Guan Lixin, deputy director of the Distribution and Consumption Institution at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said, The new consumption model will continue to evolve with the in-depth application of new technologies such as 5G, cloud computing and artificial intelligence, mainly driven by a new round of technological revolution. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} China is drilling a new 10,000-metre deep hole into the Earth with the hope of finding a gas reserve in its southern west Sichuan province. This will be Chinas second ultra-deep well, following the commencement of its first project on May 30 in Chinas western Xinjiang province, which is claimed to be Asias deepest well and is located in the petroleum-rich Tarim Basin region. Chinas largest oil and gas producer and distributor PetroChina Southwest Oil and Gasfield Company began drilling the new borewell called Shendi Chuanke-1 Well in Sichuan province on Thursday. The exploration of Chuanke-1 is a crucial component of the Deep Earth drilling project, which is a part of Chinas wider infrastructure project to provide an important foundation and support for Chinas future scientific research and oil and gas resource development, according to news outlet China Electric Power News. If successful, the project to find a gas reserve will boost the countrys energy security a major challenge for the country in recent years due to geopolitical conflicts, shortages and price volatility. China is already the worlds fourth largest producer of gas and its export of gas now exceeds that of oil. It is seeking to fulfil its energy needs at home by 2025 under Xi Jinpings current five-year plan. Sichuan, a southeastern province renowned for its spicy cuisine, breathtaking mountain landscapes and pandas, also boasts some of Chinas most extensive shale reserves. State-owned oil giants, however, have faced challenges in fully harnessing the regions potential due to complexities in its rugged terrain and intricate underground geology. Ding Wei, the deputy manager of the project, said the undertaking will be crucial in gaining geological information from the depths of the Earth and building a first-class international and technical team in China. The 10,000-metre-deep exploration project is a major national project comparable to the lunar exploration project, Mr Ding said, according to China Electric Power News. He acknowledged the engineers would have world-class challenges during the drilling of the borewell due to the underground conditions and remote terrain. In May, China National Petroleum Corporation said it began drilling Asias deepest well, at a depth of 11,100m in Xinjiang. The project was dubbed an effort to study areas of the planet deep beneath the surface. The Kola Superdeep Borehole, located in northwest Russia, holds the title of the worlds deepest human-made hole, reaching a depth of 12,262m. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} China-based hackers reportedly accessed US ambassador Nicholas Burns's email account in a sophisticated espionage operation that is believed to have compromised thousands of American government emails. The hackers were also able to access the email account of Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The Joe Biden administration last week admitted the email account of the commerce secretary Gina Raimondo had also been compromised. However, the State Department has refused to share additional information, citing "security reasons". The alleged Chinese hackers have since May secretly accessed email accounts at around 25 organisations, including US government agencies, Microsoft and US officials have said. Mr Kritenbrink was previously asked at a congressional hearing on US-China policy whether he could rule out that his or his staff's emails were targeted in the hack. He then said he couldn't comment on "an investigation that's underway being conducted by the FBI" but "will not rule it out". The Chinese government has repeatedly denied any form of state-sponsored hacking, alleging that Beijing itself was a frequent target of cyberattacks. "China firmly opposes and combats cyber attacks and cyber theft in all forms. This position is consistent and clear," Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington, told Reuters. "Identifying the source of cyber attacks is a complex technical issue. We hope that relevant sides will adopt a professional and responsible attitude ... rather than make groundless speculations and allegations." Microsoft claimed that Chinese hackers, which it identified as Storm-0558, misappropriated one of its digital keys and used a flaw in its code to steal emails of US government officials and other clients. The company in a statement on Thursday said it was taking the criticism on board. The White House last week said an intrusion in Microsoft's cloud security "affected unclassified systems," without elaborating. "Officials immediately contacted Microsoft to find the source and vulnerability in their cloud service," National Security Council spokesperson Adam Hodge said. The hacking row was reportedly raised by secretary of state Antony Blinken during a meeting with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi last week. I cant discuss details of our response. Beyond that, and most critically, this incident remains under investigation, Mr Blinken said at a news conference in Jakarta. Last month, Google-owned cybersecurity firm Mandiant said suspected state-backed Chinese hackers broke into the networks of hundreds of public and private sector organizations globally by using a security hole in a popular email security tool. The attack exploited a vulnerability in a Barracuda Networks email system and targeted foreign ministries in Southeast Asia, other government agencies, trade offices and academic organizations in Taiwan and Hong Kong, according to Mandiant. Close US soldier who fled to North Korea had served time in a South Korean prison For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} At least 16 people died, several were injured and hundreds trapped after a massive landslide struck a village in western Indias Maharashtra state. The incident took place early on Thursday morning and local reports said around 46 houses at Irshalwadi village in Raigad district were affected, while over 20 were submerged in the mud. Search and rescue efforts resumed on Friday morning after they were halted on Thursday evening due to massive rainfall. The landslide occurred due to heavy rains. News channel India Today quoted villagers as saying that, because the landslide struck early morning, several of those dead were asleep. According to officials, the disaster site is situated atop a hill, and the challenging terrain poses significant obstacles to ongoing rescue operations. The Maharashtra state government said around 109 people are still trapped under the debris. Several volunteers from neighbouring districts arrived at the site to help in rescue operations. Ground zero presented a devastating sight the mudslide had buried the entire village. Some families were wiped out completely, Mohammed Hanif Hussain Karjikar, from Aapda Mitra, a volunteer organisation from nearby Khopoli city told Hindustan Times. We had to remove the debris manually, till teams from NDRF [Indias National Disaster Response Force] and Thane Disaster Relief Force arrived. The rain made our job difficult, he said. The trail approaching the hamlet has become slippery. It takes more than one and a half hours to reach the site. Rescue teams had to walk up to the village, said Dattatrey Nawale, deputy collector of Raigad district in Maharashtra. Chief minister Eknath Shinde reached the spot to review the rescue operation. He gave instructions to the administration to treat the injured citizens immediately. Options were also discussed on how to evacuate those under the rubble. Mr Shinde announced an aid of Rs 5 lakh (4,700) to the families of those who died in the accident. The situation at the site is heart-wrenching. We tried to speak to villagers, but it is difficult to reach there, local lawmaker Aditya Thackeray told the media. The rescue operations are on. We did not want to put more pressure on the state machinery by insisting to go on the exact spot. Survivors were in shock. The ground shook suddenly and we ran out of our houses, one survivor, who lost several members of his family, told the BBC. It [a landslide] has never happened before here. I never thought the mountain would collapse; thats why people lived there, said another. Our priority is to evacuate people from the scene and treat the injured immediately, tweeted federal home minister Amit Shah. Some videos shared on social media revealed mass burials of those dead in the tragedy taking place in the village. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A group of women from a village in Indias strife-torn northeastern state of Manipur set fire to the house of a man who was allegedly part of a mob that paraded two women from a tribal community naked on the streets. The state police arrested one of the suspected perpetrators, identified as Huirem Heradas Singh, aged 32, in Thoubal district. He is the primary suspect among the four individuals arrested so far. Be it Meitei or other communities, as a woman, outraging a womans dignity is not acceptable. We cannot allow such a person to be in our society. Its a shame to the entire Meitei community, said a Meira Paibi leader, according to the Indian Express. Meira Paibis or women torch bearers are a senior women-led activist group with no rigid hierarchy, structure, or overt political leanings. One more man has been apprehended by the police taking the total number of people arrested to four in connection with the appalling incident of two tribal women from Manipur being publicly paraded naked. Chief minister N Biren Singh announced the arrest on Thursday evening as the nation reckoned with itself amidst widespread outrage. The arrests came after a video of the incident involving the women went viral. In the video, the man, wearing a green T-shirt, was observed dragging one of the women. The widely-circulated video prompted prime minister Narendra Modi to address the nation, marking some of his initial comments since the conflict began in Manipur. He expressed that the incident was a disgrace to India and assured the public that those responsible would face the full force of the law. I assure the nation that the guilty will not escape justice. The heinous act against the daughters of Manipur is unforgivable, he stated ahead of the commencement of the monsoon session of Indian parliament. According to reports, the incident occurred on 4 May during the early stages of the ongoing violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities. The conflict arose after some Kukis protested against demands from the predominantly Hindu Meitei community to be granted protected tribal status. Meanwhile, chief minister Mr Biren Singh said: After seeing the video, we took a decision to condemn the heinous crime and we term it a crime against humanity... Further investigation is going on and those who are involved will also be arrested and booked as per the law of the land. He further said that the state will seek the death penalty for the perpetrators. According to one of the survivors, the incident occurred in Kangpokpi district, just one day after clashes broke out between the two communities. It was reported that relatives of the women filed a police complaint, alleging that one of the women was gang-raped after the incident. The police registered the formal complaint, but as of now, no further action has been taken in the matter. On Friday, it was reported the house of the prime accused, Mr Heradas Singh was set on fire by the women of Petchi village who converged and headed to his house, according to Indian Express. The National Commission for Women reportedly did not act upon the complaint filed on behalf of the women who were paraded naked in Manipur on 12 June, according to India Today. Indias Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani called the incident condemnable and downright inhuman." She said on Thursday that investigations were underway and that no effort will be spared to bring perpetrators to justice. Anusuiya Uikey, the Manipur governor said on Thursday: I want to know why no action was taken on the complaint of the women? I called the DGP [Deputy General of Police] of my state today. Never in future, any person should have the courage to commit these types of crimes against women. Indias main opposition Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge, however, accused the ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party of turning democracy and the rule of law into mobocracy. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} India has said it hopes all G20 leaders, including Vladimir Putin, are able to attend this years summit in person amid increasing questions over the Russian leaders participation. India, which walks a tightrope between placating the West and maintaining decades-old ties with Russia, is hosting this years G20 summit. It has sought the physical participation of leaders, with the awkward possibility emerging that if Mr Putin were to attend, he would be in the same room with Western leaders for the first time since he called for the invasion of Ukraine. Indias foreign ministry said the G20, to be held on 9-10 September, will take the form of a physical summit in Delhi. Signals to Mr Putins potential India visit will be closely watched as the Russian leader has continued to avoid many such meetings since the Ukraine war. His attendance would become a significant occasion, as it would be the first time since Russias war that he would be face to face with world leaders like Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak and others who have condemned the invasion. The invitations have gone out to all the G20 members, invitee countries and international organizations, foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told a media briefing in New Delhi on Thursday. This is a physical summit and we would hope that all the invitees are able to participate in person. He said there have been confirmations for the summit, but did not share specifics on any world leaders. India becoming the G20 host has given rise to speculation that Mr Putin could travel there because of Moscows longstanding ties with Delhi. He had skipped the summit last year when it was hosted by Indonesia. The Kremlin had earlier cleared up Mr Putins schedule at the same time as the G20 summit in September to allow the possibility of him flying to India by cancelling a scheduled event. In March, Mr Putins aides reportedly pushed the dates by a week for an annual economic forum in Vladivostok, from its earlier 9-10 September date. Russias deputy chief of mission Roman Babuskin had earlier told The Hindu newspaper that G20 is one of the most important events for Russia. The speculation comes after it emerged that Mr Putin will not attend the Brics summit in South Africa to be held in late August and will send his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov instead. The decision, however, was made because South Africa is a signatory to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and if Mr Putin steps on South African soil, there is a chance he could be arrested. The ICC had issued an arrest warrant for him in relation to the forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.. Russian state media said Mr Putin will instead dial in via video link, while Mr Lavrov will fly down to Johannesburg. South African president Cyril Ramaphosa said the decision was by mutual agreement as any attempts to arrest Mr Putin would be a declaration of war against Russia. Meanwhile, India last month confirmed Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky will not attend the main G20 conference as invites for the summit this year were sent only to members. G20 participation is for members of G20, foreign minister S Jaishankar had said at a press conference marking nine years of the foreign policy of the Narendra Modi government. And for countries and organisations who we have invited and that list we had declared as soon as we assumed presidency of the G20. The G20 ministerial meetings held this year in India have revealed the countrys reluctance in referring to the Ukraine invasion. Under the Indian presidency, no clear, joint communiques for the G20 meetings have been issued as officials disagreed in calling the invasion a war. In the absence of a joint communique, the G20 chair has been publishing a chairs summary as the main outcome document. On Thursday, Indias foreign ministry said it has optimism that G20 leaders would be able to agree to a joint communique at the upcoming meeting. There have been differences in paragraphs related to Ukraine. But largely, there has been a high degree of convergence among the participants on other issues and thats a very positive thing, Mr Bagchi stated. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Thailands election-winning Move Forward Party has decided to step aside and allow runner up and ally, the Pheu Thai party, to take a shot at forming the next government. The decision has come after Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat faced two unsuccessful attempts to secure the position, both hindered by the influence of a military-backed Senate. Chaithawat Tulathon, Move Forwards secretary-general, announced the partys decision on Friday and said its main objective was not to have its leader, Mr Pita become the next prime minister. Our mission is to form a government of the democracy side under a memorandum of understanding signed by eight parties, Mr Chaithawat said. Pheu Thai, the most dominant political party in Thailand over the last two decades, announced its intention to begin lobbying lawmakers for their support and to identify any potential obstacles that lay ahead. We will find more votes from the Senate and other parties, Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew told a press conference. Article 112 was the condition that blocked us, we will need to get more votes. Meanwhile, the next round of voting between lawmakers to elect a prime minister is set for 27 July. The eight-party coalition, holding a comfortable majority in the lower house, remains hopeful of putting an end to almost a decade of military-backed rule that originated from a coup in 2014. Although Pheu Thai, the second-largest party in the alliance, has not officially announced its candidate for the upcoming vote, property tycoon Srettha Thavisin is widely considered the most likely choice for the position. The main challenge lies in gaining the support of the 250-member Senate, which predominantly consists of allies of the pro-military royalist establishment. Securing their backing is crucial for a successful outcome in the vote. We have to do everything to get a prime minister by July 27, Pheu Thais deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said, according to Reuters. It is clear that conservative forces from politicians, business monopolies and institutions they will not let Move Forward become the government, Mr Chaithawat said. According to the Bangkok Post, Pheu Thai extended its gratitude to Move Forward for stepping aside and allowing them to take on the responsibility of forming the government. The party further stated that its initial course of action would involve consulting with the eight parties in the current alliance to exchange ideas and establish a well-defined plan for government formation. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Independent Climate email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Despite the fact that extreme heat has been the number one cause of weather-related deaths in the United States over the last three decades, the federal government has repeatedly declined to declare extreme heat a federal disaster. The US government has never issued a federal disaster declaration for an extreme heat event, even as heat domes and long, uninterrupted stretches of 100-plus degree days have claimed lives in cities and states across the country in recent years. Given the state of the climate change, the federal governments unwillingness to issue disaster declarations for extreme heat events feels like a potentially dangerous anachronism a throwback to a time before heat began to routinely upend American summers. The federal governments ability to issue disaster declarations is constrained by the terms of The Stafford Act, the law governing FEMA disaster aid. The act, passed in 1988 and based on a previous Disaster Relief Act, omits extreme heat, droughts, and wildfires from its list of incidents that can qualify for disaster declarations. As Kate Aronoff writes in The New Republic, extreme heat can theoretically be treated as a limited emergency or major disaster, but states applying for relief must prove to the federal government that the disaster has exhausted their own capacity to respond. The situation speaks to broader concerns observers have about the federal governments infrastructure for dealing with extreme heat, particularly as tens of millions of Americans are expected to experience temperatures and heat indexes this week above 100 degrees. Extreme heat, once a rarity in most parts of the country, is rapdily becoming a summer norm. The Southwest region has been particularly hard hit so far this summer, but other states and regions have also experienced stretches of extreme weather not to mention dangerously poor air quality due to the effects of wildfire smoke. Its not just the federal government that seems ill-equipped to deal with the realities of heat emergencies in a rapidly warming climate. A report written by Jordan Clark and Ashley Ward at Duke University found that only half of all US states had a dedicated section in their FEMA-mandated state hazard mitigation plans (SHMP) for dealing with extreme heat, and an even smaller number had heat-specific mitigation strategies. According to the Duke report, only seven states had robustly included heat as a hazard in their SHMPs: Oregon, California, Utah, Arizona, Wisconsin, Vermont, and Massachusetts. A number of the states most exposed to the dangers of extreme heat, including New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana, barely deal with heat at all in their SHMPs. Given the heat the country has already experienced this summer, its a serious cause for concern. The monetary risks of extreme heat are harder to calculate than the risks of other natural disasters like hurricanes, but it is clear that heat poses risks to human productivity and safety and clear that the effects of extreme heat are being exacerbated by other societal issues as the largely country lacks uniform standards for how cool facilities like schools and prisons must be kept. Society is older than its ever been, New York University sociologist Eric Klinenberg told Aronoff. There are more people who are old and more alone than ever, and weve grown complacent about poverty and homelessness so that we just have enormous numbers of people in harms way. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} America Ferrera has pointed out one revolutionary detail that she remembers noticing in the original Barbie Dreamhouse. In a new interview for the Harpers Bazaar UK Summer issue, the US actor, 39, discussed Barbies progressive but inelegant history since its creation in 1959. Ferrera stars as the character Gloria in the new Barbie film, which was released in the UK today (Friday 21 July). Gloria is a longtime Barbie fan and assistant to the chief executive of Mattel. Speaking to Harpers Bazaar, Ferrera said that growing up, she was never a Barbie girl but there have been revolutionary moments in Barbies history when Mattel has made subversive statements about womanhood. Ferrera points out that there was no kitchen in the first Barbie Dreamhouse, which freed the doll from expectations of domesticity. The Dreamhouse, which debuted in 1962, was made entirely of cardboard and had one room. It had a television set and a record player but no kitchen. This was in contrast to early dollhouses, which were usually made with the intent of teaching young girls about domestic tasks such as cooking and cleaning. However, Barbies Dreamhouse was more focused on her leisure she had a TV set and record player instead. On the shelves and walls of the original Barbie Dreamhouse, books and varsity pennants suggested that Barbie was college-educated. The dolls single occupancy of the home also signalled that Barbie was an unmarried, young woman living independently in the Sixties. American Ferrera for Harpers Bazaar UK (Harpers Bazaar UK / The Masons) Felix Burrichter, the co-editor of the book Barbie Dreamhouse: An Architectural Survey recently toldThe New York Times that the first Barbie Dreamhouse played on the idea of a bachelor pad, instead representing a bachelorette pad. This was also the time of the Playboy bachelor pad and the idea of a single occupancy home for a freewheeling bachelor, but here you have the female version of that, Burrichter told the publication. While celebrating the more progressive moments in Barbies history, Ferrara told Harpers Bazaar UK that there have been some inelegant times, too. We also look back and see the exclusion of so many of us how long it took for [Barbie] to have a Black friend, and then she had another ethnically ambiguous sort of brown friend, she said. There were very inelegant times of change and growth. America Ferrera stars on the digital cover of Harpers Bazaar UK (Harpers Bazaar UK / The Masons) To be perfectly honest, I was never a Barbie girl, Ferrera admitted. I didnt play with Barbies for a number of reasons. We couldnt afford them. And they just didnt resonate with me. I didnt see myself reflected in that world in a way that captured my imagination. The Ugly Betty actor praised director Greta Gerwig and the Barbie team for addressing the problematic and sometimes controversial history of the dolls. They didnt ignore what was problematic about Barbie, or the multitude of perspectives that people have, Ferrera said. Read The Independents five-star review of Barbie here. Barbie is out in cinemas now. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Its the summer of Barbie. The 64-year-old Barbara Millicent Roberts, to give her full name, has long been a global icon, alternatively revered and reviled. But thanks to Greta Gerwigs movie, which stars Margot Robbie as Mattels golden girl and Ryan Gosling as some guy called Ken, she is having a pop culture moment like never before. For Barbies long-time collectors, though, the dolls appeal is nothing new. There were moments in my life when I was like, I should grow out of it or try and distance myself, says 30-year-old Londoner Joey, who works for a theatre charity and runs the YouTube channel Beauty Inside a Box, which is dedicated to all things doll-related. But I always just came back to Barbie. Now, he reckons, his collection must be into the thousands, but it started out with the Pocahontas doll that his dad brought back from a press trip to Disneyland Paris in the Nineties. He said years later, he thought about buying me something more boy appropriate, but he knew how much I loved Pocahontas and was like, Im just going to get him the doll. Then came a Twirling Ballerina Barbie, a gift from one of his grandmothers friends, who had noticed him fighting for temporary custody of her granddaughters doll on a visit (It got to the point where it had to be put right at the top of a bookshelf so that we couldnt reach it). By the time he finished primary school, though, I thought I shouldnt play with dolls any more. So I sold all my dolls on eBay. Secondary school wasnt great I wasnt having a good time, I hadnt really made any friends; plus, there was a backlash towards anything that didnt fit into traditional gender norms. People were so mean about my interests, so I had to do it all in secret, he says. I think in my time of sadness and loneliness, my dolls were such a comfort. He started to rebuild his collection, returning to eBay to re-purchase the models hed previously owned and buying new ones with his pocket money. Nostalgia is the driving force behind many a millennial Barbie fans collection. I had a few as a child, but we didnt have a huge amount we didnt have an awful lot of money growing up, so its replacing what I could have had as a child, in a way explains Tina, a 32-year-old from Eastbourne, who works at a law firm. She tends to focus on Eighties and Nineties designs, sharing highlights from her treasure trove of around 500 dolls on her Instagram account. Thirty-year-old textile designer and museum assistant Aidan, meanwhile, is the creative behind @barbiefashionfun, posting editorial-style photos of Barbies with bold hair and make-up, wearing fashion-forward ensembles. When he returned to the UK, where hed lived as a child before moving to Ireland, for his masters degree, design work went in the direction of nostalgia and re-imagining your memories, so naturally he started thinking back to toys specifically dolls. I screen printed pillows with Barbies on them, [and] Betty Spaghettys, he explains (these bendy plastic dolls, popular in the early Noughties, had interchangeable body parts and outfits, with long rubbery hair). Then the pandemic hit. I dont know if it was boredom, but I just started looking them up and getting more of the Nineties ones that Id had but then I found myself going into the Eighties, the Sixties, every decade. Then it became a bit of an obsession. My partner would be like theres another package at the door, its another Barbie! Auction site eBay is a regular online haunt for collectors Joey reckons he visits almost every day, and he has saved some searches for specific dolls I want at a specific price, to ensure hes notified if they ever come in stock. Trips to charity shops and car boot sales can reap rewards, too, although 52-year-old compliance officer Abbie Silverman, who is based in Barnet, north London, has learned the hard way that if you see a doll with potential, you have to grab it and never let go. Shes been collecting for more than 13 years after another mum at her sons school sparked her interest; she also shares a birthday with Barbie. On one memorable charity shop visit, she came across an Ikea unit full of Barbies, but while she was checking the dolls authenticity with the staff, another shopper grabbed the doll I was going to buy, and shot down the end of the shop to make it their own. Behaviour like that can surely only be described as having bad Ken-ergy. Tina, 32, from Eastbourne, is an avid collector of Barbies from the Eighties and Nineties (Instagram/@tinaedw) Collecting in the UK can be a little more difficult than in the United States, Abbie notes, as supply is scarcer. The problem in this country is getting the stock, she explains. You go through phases where you hardly find any clothes or accessories. Vintage pieces are especially tough to source, Aidan adds, because Barbie wasnt as popular on this side of the Atlantic in her early years, when her British-made rival dominated the market. Everyone had Sindy dolls instead, he says. Its still possible to strike gold, though. Aidans biggest coup so far came when he stumbled across a bundle of 10 Seventies dolls on Gumtree, presented in their original boxes and priced at 100 for the lot. He bought them all. I was actually unemployed at the time, and I thought oh, Ill throw one online to see how much I get for it I got 600 for one doll. Soon he had collectors from around the world asking him whether he had any more. I only wanted two from the bundle so over the course of the next few months, I sold them on and while I was unemployed, it paid my rent. I dont know if it was boredom, but I just started looking them up... Then it became a bit of an obsession Aidan Everyone has their own approach to collecting. Tina describes herself as a bit of a collection perfectionist: if I buy one doll from a particular line, Id like to see if I can get all of them. Aidan has a couple of dolls left in their boxes, but for the most part, he likes to customise them, dress them up and take them around the world to pose in photos. Also, I want to think [that] when I have my own family, theyll not be afraid to play with them as well, because thats the whole point of it, the element of play. Abbie loves buying dolls that are a bit older, so that I can wash their hair, clean them up Even if theyve got a missing finger or a bit of a stain, if you clean them up, neaten their hair and dress them in clothes from that era they look amazing. Not every model has aged well, though: some Barbies from the Sixties, she explains, are blighted by a phenomenon known as green ear, caused by a chemical reaction where their metal earrings meet their vinyl faces. Theres a camaraderie between fans on social media, Tina says she has a friend who sends me links to things she thinks I might like when shes stumbled across bargains. Joey started posting on Instagram in 2014, and launched his YouTube channel a few years later. When I was a child, I could be quite open about it and then when I got older, I started keeping it a secret that I collected dolls, he says. I honestly thought I was the only teenager slash adult who collected dolls. I did not realise that there was a whole community online. (Instagram/@tinaedw) His videos have included a deep dive into the history of the Barbie dreamhouse, and a primer on Barbies controversy-ridden bestie, Midge (when Mattel released a pregnant version, complete with detachable belly, it prompted outcry in the States, in part because she wasnt wearing a wedding ring). When Joey mentioned that hed been trying to track down the Midge variant of Jewel Hair Mermaid Barbie (a Nineties favourite) in a post, a viewer shipped one over from America. Adults buying toys is not a niche concern: its big business. In 2022, the European market for so-called kidult purchases, defined as toys bought by over-12s, was valued at 4.6bn (almost 4bn) by The NPD Group, a market research firm. But Joey notes that some markers of kidulthood are still more socially acceptable than others. I feel like male-centric IP, like Marvel people arent shamed as much for liking those in adult life, he says. Collecting Lego, Funko Pop! [figurines] or whatever, thats fine. But for some reason, people have such a stigma towards collecting dolls, they see it as weird. I think theres a little bit of anti-feminine [attitude] underlying there. [Barbie is] a typically feminine product, and they kind of turn their nose up at it. Gerwigs film, he adds, marks the first time weve had a big-budget, pink, flamboyant mega movie with a Marvel-worthy marketing spend to match. The movie might have given her a reputational boost, but Barbie still occupies a complex place in pop culture. Shes walked on the moon, run for office, been a rapper, a computer programmer and a vet, among hundreds of other things but until recently, shes also been synonymous with a very narrow beauty ideal. She used to get a bad rap, because of the sexualised image, the plastic body shape, says Tina. But I always think shes been a good role model, because shes had so many careers. Abbie concurs: She can be a doctor, she can be president she can be anything. In 2016, Mattel introduced an array of body types, skin tones, eye colours and hair types into the Barbie fold. Its only fair that everyone sees themselves in this brand, Aidan notes, adding that Barbie is one of the few dolls that has shown it can change over the years. Shes quite malleable, Joey agrees. Every five or 10 years, she has a complete overhaul Shes like a time capsule, seeing all the different eras, seeing what people were wearing and were interested in, and what would be seen as controversial today, but back then it was fine. In some ways, she holds a tiny mirror up to our world but her appeal certainly isnt entirely rooted in realism. I think thats also why shes stayed relevant, because shes fantastical and flamboyant, Joey says. Its like drag. Its the world, but heightened. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Toxic flame retardants have been found in human breast milk, research has revealed. A new peer-reviewed study published in the Environmental Pollution journal has identified 25 types of toxic flame retardants in human breast milk in the US, posing a disturbing threat to breastfeeding infants. After analysing breast milk samples of 50 mothers from the Seattle area, researchers at Toxic Free Future, Emory University, the University of Washington, and Seattle Childrens Research Institute found brominated flame retardants (BFRs) a class of man-made compounds commonly used in products like upholstered furniture, televisions, and insulation. Researchers have warned that these chemicals, as well as the presence of flame retardants in human breast milk, can have an adverse effect on human health and early-life exposures are of greatest concern. One type of flame retardant found in the breast milk samples were polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), despite these compounds being phased out by manufacturers nearly 10 years ago. Efforts to ban PBDEs came around in 2003 after the toxic chemicals were found in the breast milk of 20 mothers in the US. Chemical producers quickly stopped the sale of PBDEs for use in upholstered furniture, and they were eventually banned by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Companies then turned to another, largely unregulated BFR called bromophenols, which are used in electronics and have been shown to affect hormone levels in infants. While the research found that levels of banned PBDEs had declined in breast milk samples 70 per cent lower than they were 20 years ago bromophenols were present in 88 per cent of the breast milk samples tested, ultimately replacing one banned chemical with another, unsafe chemical in the same class. Our results show that when we prohibit the use of persistent toxic chemicals like PBDEs, we make breast milk safer for babies, said Erika Schreder, study co-author and science director at Toxic Free Future, a group that has advocated for new regulation of industry and consumer products. But its disturbing to find that the replacement chemicals are now building up in breast milk. Brominated flame retardants are often put into casings for TVs and other electronics. Studies have shown that these chemicals can escape out of products into indoor dust and air, outdoor air, surface water and of course, breast milk. BFRs have also been linked to negative health impacts such as learning problems, hormone disruption, and reduced fertility. Its concerning to find flame retardants in breast milk that can disrupt hormones and affect childrens brain development, said Dr Amina Salamova, study co-author and assistant professor at Emory Universitys Rollins School of Public Health, adding that bromophenols have already been found to affect key thyroid hormones during fetal development. Local, state, and federal policy makers have since taken steps towards regulating harmful flame retardants. In December 2021, New York governor Kathy Hochul signed into law a bill that restricted the use of flame retardants in furniture, mattresses, and electronic displays. The law also prohibited the use of organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) in electronic enclosures, such as televisions. The European Food and Safety Authority has also banned or restricted the use of certain BFRs and BFR-treated products throughout the EU to protect health and the environment. I hope we can learn our lesson this time and put policies in place that address the entire class and make sure chemicals used in products are known to be safe, said Schreder. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Margot Robbie has said she is really flattered by the attention her feet have received in Greta Gerwigs highly anticipated Barbie movie. In the film, which was released in the UK on Friday (21 July), several closeup shots reveal Robbies perfectly arched feet. In one scene that went viral after the official trailer released in April, Robbie slips out of a pair of fluffy pink heels. However, instead of standing normally, Robbies Barbie stays on her tiptoes in a nod to how the toy doll appears. While fans have praised Gerwig for the films attention to detail, it appears that others have become obsessed with Robbies feet. In an interview with CinemaBlend, Robbie appeared alongside her co-star Ryan Gosling, who plays Barbies boyfriend Ken in the film, and reflected on the moment she realised her feet had become highly documented by fans on the internet. I hadnt Googled myself before, Robbie explained. And I wrote in Margot Robbie, and before I finished writing Robbie, Margot Robbie feet came up. After she clicked on the Google search suggestion, Robbie realised that some people had become obsessed with her feet. There were like pictures zoomed in on my feet and people writing about it, someone had made a video compilation of footage of my feet. I was like, Oh wow! This is like a thing, I didnt realise, she said. Margot Robbies feet in Barbie (Warner Bros. Pictures / YouTube) Ive been lucky enough to be in some really iconic films but theres been some shots of my feet that I think have only encouraged this notion, she explained Im really flattered that people are really excited about my feet, Robbie insisted, adding: I think thats lovely. Gosling then cracked open a canned drink and made a toast, saying: To Margots feet! Reacting to the initial video clip of Robbies feet that went viral before the films release, American model Chrissy Teigan tweeted: I need to know everything about this shot. How many takes, if she held onto something, was she harnessed, is the landing mark sticky, are they her feet, who did the pedicure, really just a documentary on this shot. In a recent interview with Fandango, Robbie provided all of the answers to Tiegans burning questions. They are my feet, the Australian actor confirmed, adding that it only took probably about eight takes, wasnt that many. Margot Robbie in Barbie (Warner Bros Pictures) I walked up, we had little sticky bits on the floor double-sided tape for the shoes, so they wouldnt come off. So that I could get my feet out of them. And I was holding on to a bar, but thats it, she explained nonchalantly. I wasnt in like a harness or anything. I just walked up and kind of held onto the bar above camera. The Wolf of Wall Street actor added that she does not like having a body double or what is known as inserts added to scenes. I always try and do my own inserts, like I dont like when I watch a movie, and I know its not my hands. I hate that so much. I always say to the director, Please let me do all my own things. I dont like knowing I didnt do it. The movie follows Robbies titular character along her journey to the human world to find true happiness after getting kicked out from Barbieland. Read The Independents five-star review of Barbie here. Barbie is out in cinemas now. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Richard E Grant has announced that his mother, Leonne Esterhuysen, has died aged 93. The British actor, 66, shared a tribute on Twitter, detailing their incredibly complicated relationship as he processed her death. The Withnail and I star explained that he learnt of his mothers death after receiving eight missed calls and knew immediately what had happened. Speaking in his tribute video shared on Thursday (20 July), Grant told his followers: We had an incredibly complicated relationship. And shell be somebody that was to me, anyway, emotionally withdrawn and withheld her approbation or approval of anything. So nothing was quite good enough. But what that proved to be is a great motor for ambition and determination to try and prove yourself and be the best that you possibly can. And yet, ironically, whatever she did, she demanded and got applause and approval from everybody around her, including me. The actor then explained that he had stayed with his mother six weeks after the death of his wife Joan Washington, who died from lung cancer in 2021 aged 71. He continued: [My mother] sent me a very terse email at the end of the trip saying, I regret to say this was an absolute disaster. We only have two things in common, books and classical music. So whereas she was very physically untactile. Ive gone the opposite extreme, so a very loving father and husband, I suppose, in response to that. Grant concluded: Do I feel sadness that she has died? I feel resignation more than anything. But most of all, gratitude for having given me life. After the death of Grants wife, the actor has been opening up about his experience of grief. His memoir, A Pocketful of Happiness, recounts the events of Grants life and career, told through letters that Washington had sent him throughout their courtship and subsequent 35-year marriage. Speaking to The Independent in May, Grant said that he still has silent conversations with his late wife. I dont talk out loud [to her], but after 38 years together I know I can anticipate or predict what her response to whatevers happening in my day would be, he said. So I have a silent conversation with her, especially at the steering wheel at the end of a day, or at the end of a show... cross-reference what she would be thinking. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has said misogyny is present in all walks of life. Comedian Romesh Ranganathan, who helped Khan launch the Say Maaate to a Mate campaign, also echoed the sentiment as they spoke at the event launch in London. The campaign urges men and boys to challenge sexist behaviour and misogynistic attitudes, in a bid to tackle violence against women and girls. In the UK, [misogyny is present] in all walks of life, whether its in journalism, in politics, in the police, in the health service all walks of life, Khan told the PA news agency. Ranganathan said barriers are in place for women in the comedy industry too. I still think it is much more difficult for a woman to do comedy than it is for a man. People have attitudes towards whether women can be funny and some people immediately make a pre-judgment, Ranganathan said. I think its got better, but I dont think weve solved the problem by any stretch. The campaign comes as a new study by Ogilvy Consulting, commissioned by the Mayor, revealed that two-thirds of men want to intervene when they hear misogynistic language, but do not know what to say. Men have got to be allies, said Khan. We cant allow this to be an issue that is just at the doorstep of women to resolve, just like racism has been an issue for people who are black and minority ethnic. Khan wants the campaign to instil men with the confidence to firstly recognise sexism and misogyny and to challenge and call it out, and that will hopefully lead to a change in societal attitudes and a reduction and an end of violence against women and girls. The former human rights lawyer has two daughters with his wife Saadiya, and said: The reality is their experiences are not my experiences. Im not touched up on the Tube or the buses. Im not looked at in a lecherous way when I go to the gym, nobody comments on the clothes that Im wearing. I can go for a jog any time of the day. Were going to make sure London is as accessible, as wonderful, as brilliant, as safe for women as it is for men. Since the murder of Sarah Everard by police officer Wayne Couzens in 2021, the Mayor has faced scrutiny about womens trust in the police and their safety in the city. I recognise the institutional misogyny that exists in the police service, and racism and institutional homophobia, Khan said. Were not going to have a transformation of trust or confidence from women and girls, or the black community, or the LGBTQ+ community overnight. Too many women and girls have lost confidence in our police, and they need to have confidence in our police to report crime, and when theyve been the victim of crime to come forward. You can find out more about the campaign here. Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Stay ahead of the trend in fashion and beyond with our free weekly Lifestyle Edit newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Lifestyle Edit email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A woman who was gored by a bison at Yellowstone National Park has got engaged while recovering from her injuries in the hospital. Amber Harris, 47, from Phoenix, Arizona, was visiting Yellowstone National Park on Monday when she was charged by the bison, the National Park Service said in a press release. The female was walking with another individual in a field in front of the Lake Lodge when they saw two bison, the National Park Service said. Upon seeing them, the visitors turned to walk away from the bison. One of the bison charged and gored the woman. According to the NPS, the woman sustained significant injuries to her chest and abdomen and was transported via helicopter to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. In the statement, the NPS noted that wildlife in Yellowstone National Park are wild and can be dangerous when approached. On Tuesday, Harris revealed that, while she is recovering in the hospital, her boyfriend Chris Whitehill took the opportunity to propose. Harris shared the positive update on Facebook, where she showed off her engagement ring and revealed that her now-fiance had been planning on proposing during the trip to Yellowstone. Weve been planning this vacation to Yellowstone National Park for about a year. So excited to spend quality time with Chris Whitehill and my daughter, Harris captioned the photo of her ring. We woke up our first morning and walked down to the lodge for some coffee then decided to take a walk through a field to get to Yellowstone Lake. There were a few other people and about 20 elk roaming around so we waited for them to clear before walking through the field. According to Harris, during their walk to the lake, the pair noticed two bison, one on the path on which they were walking and the other in the opposite direction. She said that she and her partner had stopped and looked at the massive beast, which she estimated was about 50 yards away on the trail, hidden at first in the shadows of the trees. We watched him drop and roll in the dirt, like a dog would. He got up on his feet and started walking then running towards us, she remembered. In the post, Harris then recalled how shed been carried out of the field on a stretcher to an ambulance and then transferred to a helicopter for a life flight to Idaho. According to the 47 year old, who said she underwent both CT and MRI scans, she sustained seven spine fractures, bilateral collapsed lungs and bruising all over as a result of the bison attack. Glory to God all my vital organs look good, she added. After sharing the update about her injuries, Harris revealed that her now-fiance had planned a beautiful marriage proposal this week on a natural bridge but that the couple and her daughter have been in the hospital since yesterday morning and wont be able to leave anytime soon. Instead of the proposal he had been planning, Harris said Whitehill got down on one knee in the hospital. So my love got down on one knee beside my hospital bed last night and formally asked me to be his wife, she wrote. Without any hesitation I said yes! In response to the update, Harris followers have shared congratulatory messages, while also sharing their hopes for a speedy recovery. So sorry about the attack but congratulationson your engagement, one person commented, while another said: Oh my goodness!! I hope you heal fast and are able to enjoy your engagement! Congratulations. According to the NPS, visitors to Yellowstone National Park should give animals space when they are near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area. Stay more than 25 yards away from all large animals - bison, elk, bighorn sheep, deer, moose, and coyotes - and at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in proximity, the National Park Service advised. In the statement, the park service also noted that bison can become easily irritated during the mating season, which lasts from mid-July to mid-August, and that visitors to the park should use extra caution and give them additional space during this time. The NPS also reminded visitors that bison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans, while noting that this is the first reported incident of a bison attack in 2023. According to the NPS, the last reported incident occurred in June 2022, when a man was gored by a bison while visiting the park. The Independent has contacted Harris and the NPS for comment. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} FBI employees wrongly searched foreign surveillance data for the last names of a U.S. senator and a state senator, according to a court opinion released Friday. The disclosure could further complicate Biden administration efforts to renew a major spy program that already faces bipartisan opposition in Congress. Another FBI employee improperly queried the Social Security number of a state judge who alleged civil rights violations by a municipal chief of police, according to the opinion by the chief judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. News of the latest violations comes as the Biden administration faces a difficult battle in persuading Congress to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows spy agencies to collect swaths of emails and other communications. Already this year, U.S. spy officials have disclosed that the FBI improperly searched Section 702 databases for information related to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol and the 2020 protests following the police killing of George Floyd. U.S. officials say Section 702 enables their highest priority work on China, Russia and threats like terrorism and cybersecurity. But many Democratic and Republican lawmakers say they won't vote to renew Section 702 when it expires at this year's end without major changes targeting how the FBI uses foreign surveillance data to investigate Americans. Democrats who have long demanded new limits on the FBI's access to surveillance have increasingly been joined by Republicans angry about the bureau's investigations of former President Donald Trump as well as errors and omissions made during the probe of Russian ties to his 2016 campaign. FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement that reforms at the bureau had led to significant improvement and fewer incidents of not following intelligence rules. "We take seriously our role in protecting national security and we take just as seriously our responsibility to be good stewards of our Section 702 authorities," Wray said. "We will continue to focus on using our Section 702 authorities to protect American lives and keeping our Homeland safe, while safeguarding civil rights and liberties. Patrick Toomey, deputy director of the ACLUs National Security Project, said in a statement that the latest errors show it is long past time for Congress to step in. "As Congress debates reauthorizing Section 702, these opinions show why that cant happen without fundamental reforms, he said. The surveillance court opinion released Friday didn't disclose the names, states or party affiliations of the people whose names were searched. It said the searches of the state senator and U.S. senator occurred in June 2022. According to the court opinion, the analyst who did the searches had information that a foreign spy service was targeting the lawmakers. But the Justice Department's national security division reviewed the searches and found that they didn't meet FBI standards, the opinion stated. The state judge's Social Security number was searched that October. It was later determined that the analyst did not have sufficient evidence to conduct the search and did not clear the search with higher-ups as required of politically sensitive searches, according to a senior FBI official who briefed reporters Friday on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the agency. The unnamed U.S. senator has been notified of the search, but the state senator and state judge have not, the FBI official said. The FBI gets a section of foreign surveillance data collected primarily by the National Security Agency, U.S. officials have said. Unlike the NSA and CIA, which go after intelligence targets abroad, the FBI is responsible for investigating threats affecting the U.S. such as cyberattacks or attempts to influence or interfere in American elections. There are strict rules governing when analysts can search for U.S. citizens or businesses in surveillance data. Facing pressure from the surveillance court and Congress, the FBI in recent years has changed its search tools, ramped up training for analysts working with foreign data, and required new approvals from higher-ups for larger searches or sensitive searches like the names of public officials. The FBI last month also announced new disciplinary measures. Any employees accused of negligence would immediately lose access to surveillance data until they undergo training and meet with a bureau attorney. The actions revealed Friday predate the new disciplinary policy. Judge Rudolph Contreras' opinion, which was completed in April 2023 and released Friday with redactions, says there is reason to believe that the FBI has been doing a better job in applying the querying standard. Of nearly 80,000 searches audited over a 16-month period ending in December 2022, 1.8% were found to have not met internal standards, the court said. The total number of searches for Americans appears to have dropped as well. Over a year-long period ending in March, the FBI ran about 180,000 searches of U.S. citizens and other American entities, the court said. That's well below the roughly 2 million searches reported just between December 2020 and February 2021, something Contreras wrote should indicate less intrusion into the private communications of U.S. persons. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kevin Mitnick, who was once one of the most wanted computer hackers in the world, has died at the age of 59. Mitnick died Sunday in Las Vegas after a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer, said Stu Sjouwerman, CEO of the security training firm KnowBe4, where Mitnick was chief hacking officer. He spent five years in prison for computer and wire fraud following a two-year federal manhunt in the 1990s, but after his release in 2000 reinvented himself as a white hat hacker, renowned cybersecurity consultant and author. Computer hacker turned author Kevin Mitnick poses for a portrait Thursday, June 27, 2002, in Las Vegas. Mitnick (AP2002) Kevin was an original; much of his life reads like a fiction story. The word that most of us who knew him would use magnificent, stated his obituary. He grew up brilliant and restless in the San Fernando Valley in California, an only child with a penchant for mischief, a defiant attitude toward authority, and a love for magic. Kevins intelligence and delight in holding the rapt attention of audiences revealed themselves early in his childhood and continued throughout his life. In time, he transitioned from pranks and learning magic tricks to phone phreaking, social engineering, and computer hacking. Mitnick grew up in Los Angeles and broke into a North American Air Defense Command computer as a teenager. In the 1990s he went on a hacking spree that saw him break into the countrys cell networks, breach government computer systems, and steal thousands of credit card numbers and data files. There is no evidence he ever used any of the 20,000 credit card numbers. He never hacked for money, said Mr Sjouwerman, who became Mitnick's business partner in 2011. He was mostly after trophies, chiefly cellphone code, he said. Mitnick talks to the media in Los Angeles in 2000 (AP2000) The government accused him of causing millions of dollars in damages to companies including Motorola, Novell, Nokia and Sun Microsystems by stealing software and altering computer code. When he was eventually released from prison, Mitnick told reporters that he had committed simple crimes of trespass. I wanted to know as much as I could find out about how phone networks worked, he said. My hacking activity actually was a quest for knowledge, the intellectual challenge, the thrill and the escape from reality, Mitnick said during a March 2000 congressional hearing in response to a question by Sen Joseph Lieberman, about what motivated him. In his prepared testimony, Mitnick boasted that he had successfully penetrated some of the most resilient computer systems ever developed. Mitnick had first been arrested for computer crimes at age 17 for walking into a Pacific Bell office and taking a handful of computer manuals and codes to digital door locks. For that, he served a year in a rehabilitation centre, deemed by a federal judge as being addicted to computer tampering. During his five-year prison sentence, Mitnick was reportedly placed in solitary confinement for nine months because officials were worried he could emulate a modem by whistling into a payphone and hack NORAD and trigger a ballistic missile causing a nuclear war. Mitnick is survived by his wife, Kimberly, a native of Australia who is expecting a baby later this year. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} MPs will be looking at financial problems in British cinema chains following the restructure of Cineworld Group and some Empire Cinemas closing down. The Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee has announced a new inquiry that will scrutinise challenges faced by the British film and high-end television industry. This review includes a look at how the sector can adapt to the rise of artificial intelligence, and issues around skills and retention in the industry will also be examined. Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the CMS Committee, highlighted the new Barbie film starring Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie as the British film industrys latest success story, as the dolls home Barbieland was filmed at Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden, Hertfordshire. Dame Caroline said: We will be looking at how to maintain the attractiveness of the UK as a global destination for production while ensuring independent films, similar to recent hits Rye Lane and Aftersun, can be made and seen. Family drama Aftersun saw Paul Mescal nominated for both an Oscar and a Bafta this year, while romantic comedy Rye Lane, released in 2023, has received critical acclaim. Dame Caroline also said: The financial problems encountered by big name cinema chains have highlighted the importance of protecting and promoting the UKs screen heritage. Cineworlds UK operations are being placed in administration this month as part of its restructuring, though its cinemas remain open as usual. The Empire Cinemas chain collapsed into administration earlier this month after seeing dwindling numbers of film-goers, with six sites being closed with immediate effect. Dame Caroline also highlighted the need for the industry to get ahead of adapting skills and responding to the challenges of artificial intelligence as Hollywood actors and writers remain on strike over these issues. She added: The challenge now is to make sure the industry and Government are thinking of the future to maintain and enhance an industry that is hugely important both to the economy and to the culture of the UK and its power on the world stage. The MPs also highlighted the millions of pounds brought in by big scripted television projects such as Netflix period drama Bridgerton, BBC crime series Happy Valley and fantasy Amazon series The Lord Of The Rings: Rings Of Power, which were filmed in the UK. The review also considers how the independent film production sector can be helped and how to maintain and build up the UK as a global destination for filming. A previous report by the committee about the British film industry, 20 years ago, made recommendations around training and development of those in the sector along with how to change the tax regime. Written submissions need to be made to the committee by September 19. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A retired British miner who killed his terminally ill wife after she cried and begged him to do it may be able to leave prison after being cleared of her murder by Cypriot judges. David Hunter, 76, was found guilty of manslaughter for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice, as she lay dying of blood cancer in December 2021. Janice, who was 74, died of asphyxiation at their home near the coastal resort town of Paphos. Hunter denied premeditated murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence. He will be sentenced on July 27. Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, told PA news agency he may be able to get a suspended sentence and be able to leave prison in light of the verdict. Hunter was speechless and too tired to smile following the verdict, Mr Polak said. The expats legal team will argue his sentence can be suspended in a case which is a legal first in the country. Mr Polak told the PA news agency: Being found not guilty of murder means he avoids a life sentence which would have resulted in him dying in prison here in Cyprus. The manslaughter conviction, which we think is appropriate, will mean the court has a clean slate to sentence him how they see fit. We are fairly hopeful and what we are going to do is put together case law from across the Commonwealth where these cases have been sentenced before. In May, Hunter broke down in tears as he told his trial that he would never in a million years have taken Janices life unless she had asked him to. He added: She wasnt just my wife, she was my best friend. He showed the court how he held his hands over his wifes 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. Before he finished giving evidence, he asked to address the judge, who he told: My wife was suffering and she actually said: I dont want to live any more, and I still said no. Then she started to become hysterical. I was hoping she would change her mind. I loved her so much. I did not plan it, I swear to God. After giving evidence he told reporters his time in a Cypriot prison was nothing compared to the last six months of Janices life. Hunter told the court he tried to kill himself after his wifes death. At trial, the prosecution said he had decided to kill her and there was no common consent. During closing speeches in June, his defence team said it was not a case of premeditated murder and Hunter acted spontaneously to end his wifes life upon her begging him to do so. They have also argued a confession he is said to have made when he was arrested should not have been used against him, claiming he was suffering from dissociation at the time. A judge found Hunter was lucid and dismissed the application. I think the hope has been crushed out of him Lesley Cawthorne, David and Janice Hunter's daughter On Wednesday, the couples daughter Lesley Cawthorne told the PA news agency his her father is anxious, tired and lonely and the past 19 months has taken a huge toll on him. She added: I think the hope has been crushed out of him. He would probably tell other people hes keeping his chin up but I see how much hes struggling. A panel of three judges handed down the verdict following a lengthy trial. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A British expat has been cleared of murdering his terminally ill wife at their retirement home in Cyprus. Janice Hunter, 74, who suffered from blood cancer, died of asphyxiation in December 2021 near the coastal resort town of Paphos. Her husband, former miner David Hunter, had denied murder and told a court that his wife had begged him to end her life. Following a trial, he has been found guilty of manslaughter and may receive a suspended sentence. His lawyers claimed her death was an assisted suicide and that it was not a case of premeditated murder. David Hunter suffocated his wife at a retirement home in Cyprus (Handout/PA) (PA Media) Giving evidence in May, Mr Hunter, from Ashington in Northumberland, told the District Court in Paphos he would never in a million years have killed his wife of more than 50 years unless she had asked him to, adding: "She wasnt just my wife, she was my best friend." He had spoken of a perfect 52-year marriage to his wife and broke down in tears as he described the moment he killed her. He demonstrated to the court how he suffocated her with his hands after he eventually decided to grant her wish when she became hysterical. For five or six weeks before she died she was asking me to help her. She was asking me more every day, he said. In the last week she was crying and begging me. Every day she asked me a bit more intensely to do it. The court heard from Mrs Hunters doctor who said she had a rare blood cancer, with Mr Hunter saying that she had become progressively more ill and had no quality of life. Asked by defence lawyer Ritsa Pekri how the last days were, Mr Hunter said: She was crying, crying, crying, begging, begging, begging. She wasnt taking any care of herself. For the last two or three weeks she could not move her arms and had trouble with her legs, she couldnt balance. She was only eating soup, she couldnt hold anything down. She lost a lot of weight. She lost so much weight that there was no flesh to put her injections in. Before he finished giving evidence, he asked to address the judge, who he told: My wife was suffering and she actually said: I dont want to live any more, and I still said no. Then she started to become hysterical. I was hoping she would change her mind. I loved her so much. I did not plan it, I swear to God. Hunter leaving court Paphos District Court on Friday (PA) The pensioners defence team had also argued that a confession made during his arrest should not have been admissible and claimed he was suffering from dissociation at the time. Prosecutors had argued that there was no evidence Mrs Hunter had asked for him to kill her and that her death would not have been painless or peaceful but a horrible experience. After giving evidence Mr Hunter told reporters his time in a Cypriot prison was nothing compared to the last six months of Janices life. Mr Hunter told the court he tried to kill himself after his wifes death. The couples daughter, Lesley Cawthrone, said that her father was anxious, tired and lonely and that the past 19 months has taken a huge toll on him. She added: I think the hope has been crushed out of him. He would probably tell other people hes keeping his chin up but I see how much hes struggling. A panel of three judges handed down the verdict following a lengthy trial. Mr Hunter will return for sentencing on 27 July. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Judges in a Cypriot court are to rule on whether a British expat murdered his terminally-ill wife. Former miner David Hunter is on trial for killing his wife of 52 years, Janice Hunter, who died of asphyxiation in December 2021 at the couples retirement home near the coastal resort town of Paphos. Hunter, 76, denies murder and told a court his wife, who was 74, had 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, has 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 added. For five or six weeks before she died she was asking me to help her David Hunter Giving evidence in May, Hunter told the District Court in Paphos he would never in a million years have taken his wifes 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 her 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 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. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The daughter of a retired British miner cleared of murdering his terminally ill wife said it would be like having our lives back if he is released from prison in Cyprus next week. David Hunter, 76, was found guilty of manslaughter for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice, who died of asphyxiation at their home near the coastal resort town of Paphos in December 2021. The pensioner, from Ashington, Northumberland, will be sentenced on July 27 after judges found him not guilty of the more serious charge of pre-meditated murder. He told the court his wife, who was 74, was suffering with blood cancer and begged him to end her life. Speaking after the verdict on Friday, the couples daughter Lesley Cawthorne said: Im just genuinely stunned. I cant believe it I am just so pleased. My dads not a murderer. My dads never been a murderer. Now everybody knows that. Its incredible. Its just incredible. I cant believe it. If it had been premeditated murder, there was no chance hed ever see the light of day again, but this gives us a real chance. Ms Cawthorne said her father is likely to stay in Cyprus for a while if he is released, meaning they will have to wait before being reunited. He had almost two years of being a prisoner during lockdown, and then he went straight from that into prison. Hes had over three years of his life that have been lived at somebody elses kind of whim. So I think its time to respect what he wants and let him make choices, and I think its really important we let him make choices. I know what he will choose to spend some time with my mum. He doesnt just want one quick trip to the grave I know what hes going to be like. Hes going to want a period where hes at the grave every day, and if thats what he needs, thats what he needs. Its not my place to pull him away from that Im here, Ill be waiting, and when hes ready then hes going to come [to the UK]. But coming out of prison is going to be a big culture shock. I think coming out of prison and coming straight to the UK would just knock him off his feet. He needs time and space to acclimatise. Hes a proud man, and I think he wants time to put himself together before he sees us, so he can be the best version of himself. Describing the torment of the last 19 months, Ms Cawthorne said: Its been huge. I feel like its aged me, and its worn us down and depleted our emotional reserves. We are exhausted and drained. It has literally crushed all hope out of me and made it hard to find the kind of joy in life. But now weve got hope back, and we can see some light at the end of the tunnel. On what she is looking forward to most if Mr Hunter is freed, Ms Cawthorne said: Just hugging him and giving him a decent meal. Just giving him some food. I know it means so much to him. Knowing that he can go to see my mums grave and he can see my mum and he can say his goodbyes properly and calmly. Its unbelievable. Mrs Cawthorne also said she felt her mothers presence on the morning of the verdict for the first time since she died. She said: All morning, Ive really felt like my mums with me. Ive really felt my mums presence in a way I havent since she died. It might just be my imagination but its been really strange. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The daughter of a retired British miner cleared of murdering his terminally ill wife has said it would be like having our lives back if he is released from prison in Cyprus next week. David Hunter, 76, was found guilty of manslaughter for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice, after she cried and begged him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer. She died of asphyxiation at their home near the coastal resort town of Paphos in December 2021. The pensioner, from Ashington in Northumberland, will be sentenced on July 27 after judges found him not guilty of the more serious charge of premeditated murder. My dads not a murderer. My dads never been a murderer. Now everybody knows that. Its incredible. Its just incredible. I cant believe it Lesley Cawthorne, the couples daughter Lawyer Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, told the PA news agency the expat may be able to get a suspended sentence in light of the verdict, in a case which is a legal first in the country. Hunter was speechless and too tired to smile following the verdict, Mr Polak added. Speaking after the verdict on Friday, the couples daughter Lesley Cawthorne said: Im just genuinely stunned. I cant believe it I am just so pleased. My dads not a murderer. My dads never been a murderer. Now everybody knows that. Its incredible. Its just incredible. I cant believe it. If it had been premeditated murder, there was no chance hed ever see the light of day again, but this gives us a real chance. Describing the torment of the last 19 months, Ms Cawthorne said: Its been huge. I feel like its aged me, and its worn us down and depleted our emotional reserves. We are exhausted and drained. It has literally crushed all hope out of me and made it hard to find the kind of joy in life. But now weve got hope back, and we can see some light at the end of the tunnel. On what she is looking forward to most if Hunter is freed, Ms Cawthorne said: Just hugging him and giving him a decent meal. Just giving him some food. I know it means so much to him. Knowing that he can go to see my mums grave and he can see my mum and he can say his goodbyes properly and calmly. Its unbelievable. Ms Cawthorne also said she felt her mothers presence on the morning of the verdict for the first time since she died. Hunters ex-miner friend Barry Kent, 67, told reporters the verdict is the best outcome and he is looking forward to having a beer with him if he leaves prison soon. Mr Polak told PA after the verdict: Being found not guilty of murder means he avoids a life sentence, which would have resulted in him dying in prison here in Cyprus. The manslaughter conviction, which we think is appropriate, will mean the court has a clean slate to sentence him how they see fit. We are fairly hopeful and what we are going to do is put together case law from across the Commonwealth where these cases have been sentenced before. In May, Hunter broke down in tears as he told his trial, which lasted more than a year, that he would never in a million years have taken his wifes life unless she had asked him to. He added: She wasnt just my wife, she was my best friend. Hunter showed the court how he held his hands over his wifes mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant his wifes wish after she became hysterical. He 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. Before he finished giving evidence, Hunter asked to address the judge, who he told: My wife was suffering and she actually said: I dont want to live any more, and I still said no. Then she started to become hysterical. I was hoping she would change her mind. I loved her so much. I did not plan it, I swear to God. At trial, the prosecution said he had decided to kill her and there was no common consent. During closing speeches in June, his defence team said it was not a case of premeditated murder and Hunter acted spontaneously to end his wifes life upon her begging him to do so. They have also argued a confession he is said to have made when he was arrested should not have been used against him, claiming he was suffering from dissociation at the time. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A wealthy Russian businessman has lost a High Court fight with the Government over the detention of his superyacht. Sergei Naumenko wanted a judge to make an order setting aside a Government decision to detain the Phi as part of a sanctions regime following Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But Sir Ross Cranston has ruled against him after considering evidence at a High Court hearing in London. Mr Naumenko argued that then transport secretary Grant Shapps was wrong to decide to detain the yacht in spring 2022. He argued that the detention was a disproportionate interference with his property rights. The judge heard how following Russias invasion of Ukraine, the National Crime Agency and Border Force Maritime Intelligence Bureau investigated vessels with connections to Russia and the Phi had been identified as a vessel of interest. Mr Shapps had exercised detention powers, on the grounds that the yacht was owned, controlled or operated by a person connected with Russia, and decided that detaining the yacht was in the public interest. Sir Ross concluded that the detention of the yacht interfered with Mr Naumenkos property rights. But he indicated that the public interest in the UKs attempt to have as deep an impact as possible on Russia through a sanctions regime was greater. He said Mr Naumenko had great wealth and did not claim to be suffering financial hardship because of the detention of a luxury superyacht. Sir Ross heard that the Phi, which measures 58.5 metres nearly 200 feet, had been moored at South Dock in the West India & Millwall Docks, in London, in December 2021 and remained there. She came to London partly for tax reasons (she was to be onward exported into the EU), and partly at the invitation of a British magazine to participate in the World Superyacht Awards Sir Ross Cranston London was her first port of arrival following her delivery as a newly-built vessel by the Royal Huisman Shipyard in the Netherlands, said the judge in a written ruling published on Friday. She came to London partly for tax reasons (she was to be onward exported into the EU), and partly at the invitation of a British magazine to participate in the World Superyacht Awards. Following that winter stopover, she was due to leave London for Malta on 28 March 2022, followed by post-delivery warranty works in Mallorca, and a chartering season in the Mediterranean. The judge said there was no evidence that Mr Naumenko held any political or administrative position in Russia, nor evidence that he had any connection with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said Mr Naumenko had not been designated under sanctions regulations. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Met Police abused anti-terror powers when it stopped and arrested a French publisher at St Pancras station while he was on his way to the London book fair, a review has concluded. Jonathan Hall KC, the UKs independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said in his report that it is difficult not to sympathise with some of what Ernest Moret said during examination when he described the decision to detain him and to seize and download his devices as crazy and not normal in a democracy. Mr Moret, who works at Editions La Fabrique, was stopped by borders officers as he arrived at the north London station, and was examined using powers under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, on April 17. I have reached the clear conclusion that this examination should not have happened, and that additional safeguards are needed to ensure it is not repeated Jonathan Hall KC The review made clear that the decision to examine Mr Moret was taken by Counter Terrorism Border Policing Officers from the Metropolitan Police and that it was a pre-planned examination based on information which the police did not evaluate as they ought to have done namely that Mr Moret may be associated with violent extremism or terrorism overseas. Officers said he had participated in demonstrations in France over President Emmanuel Macron raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, according to a joint statement from Verso Books. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of wilfully obstructing a Schedule 7 examination, contrary to paragraph 18 of the Schedule, by refusing to disclose the PINs to his iPhone and laptop. Mr Moret said he felt violated by the requirement to provide access to his devices, according to the review. He was bailed, and later released under investigation. The problem with exercising counterterrorism powers to investigate whether an individual is a peaceful protestor or a violent protestor is that it is using a sledge-hammer to crack a nut Jonathan Hall KC Officers concluded they did not think that Mr Moret was a threat to national security or that he would employ violence for a political agenda, the review found. Mr Moret was informed in June that no further action would be taken against him after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) advised that the evidential test for prosecution had not been met. In reviewing the case to consider whether the Schedule 7 powers were used correctly, Mr Hall said: Even if the power was exercised lawfully against Mr Moret, that would still leave the question of whether it was right to examine Mr Moret in these circumstances. I have reached the clear conclusion that this examination should not have happened, and that additional safeguards are needed to ensure it is not repeated. The independent reviewer continued: The rights of free expression and protest are too important in a democracy to allow individuals to be investigated for potential terrorism merely because they may have been involved in protests that have turned violent. The report is a complete vindication of our clients stance, citing his right to privacy, in refusing to supply his personal data to police Richard Parry, lawyer for Mr Moret The problem with exercising counter-terrorism powers to investigate whether an individual is a peaceful protestor or a violent protestor is that it is using a sledge-hammer to crack a nut, the barrister added. Mr Hall characterised the examination as an investigation into public order for which counter-terrorism powers were never intended to be used. The review recommended that the Code is changed to specify that Schedule 7 should not be used for the purpose of public order policing and that officers should be trained to that effect. Mr Morets lawyer said the Met needs to apologise and compensate his client. Richard Parry said: The report is a complete vindication of our clients stance, citing his right to privacy, in refusing to supply his personal data to police. The police demand was totally unjustified. Scotland Yard has said it will continue to be as open as possible about work. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The father of Nottingham attack victim Grace OMalley-Kumar described his daughter as an angelic girl as he delivered a poignant eulogy at her funeral. Medical student Ms OMalley-Kumar and history student Barnaby Webber, both 19, were found stabbed to death in Ilkeston Road on June 13 with school caretaker Ian Coates, 65, found stabbed to death on Magdala Road, Nottingham, the same day. Ms OMalley Kumars funeral was held at the largest Catholic church in England and Wales, Westminster Cathedral, in London. A spokesperson for the church said it was filled with at least 1,000 guests. During the funeral, her father Dr Sanjoy Kumar said: No father should be called upon to give a eulogy for their child. Its not the natural order of things. It generally means something really unnatural has taken place and unfortunately for me, my beloved daughter Grace has been taken away from us. Dr Kumar spoke about his daughters dedication to medicine and mentioned that she had volunteered to vaccinate people when he became the operations lead for a Covid vaccination centre in Waltham Forest. The congregation heard that Ms OMalley-Kumar had wanted to apply to the Royal Army Medical Corps to further her medical training, inspired by her father and uncle, an orthopaedic surgeon. Dr Kumar said: I look back now and I am astonished by her resolve. Here we have a child who wanted to outdo her father and her uncle in public service. I have to ask, what kind of angelic child tries to outdo others in serving her country and her community, but that is exactly the sort of girl Grace was, she was truly amazing. Her mother Sinead OMalley told the service that her daughter had been cruelly and inexplicably taken. She said: She came into our lives here in Westminster at St Marys Hospital in Paddington. Her birth registered here, and it is now from Westminster that she will leave. Grace was such a perfect gift to us. A funeral for Mr Webber was held at Taunton Minster in Taunton, Somerset, earlier in the month. Mr Webbers parents, Emma and David Webber, attended the funeral of Ms OMalley Kumar and so did Sir Kenneth Olisa, the Kings representative in Greater London. Former University of Nottingham student Valdo Calocane, 31, was charged with the murder of Ms OMalley-Kumar, Mr Webber and Mr Coates in June. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Royal Navy aircraft carrier which broke down just a few miles from its home port has left dry dock nearly a year later after undergoing repairs and upgrades. HMS Prince of Wales suffered a broken propeller shaft after it sailed from Portsmouth Naval Base in August 2022 for a diplomatic mission to the United States. The 3 billion warship came to a halt off the Isle of Wight and was brought under tow back into harbour for the problem to be identified. It was then taken to the Babcock shipyard where it was built in Rosyth, Scotland, to undergo the repairs which have taken nine months to complete. Fears had been raised that the 65,000 tonne vessel was being cannibalised for parts to be used on sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth but Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said this was perfectly normal and the ship would return to service by the autumn. The carrier moved out of dry dock at Rosyth and into the River Forth on Friday before it begins its journey back to Portsmouth. A navy spokesman said: The carrier will then build on her previous successes including acting as Natos command ship and leading the Maritime High Readiness Force in the Arctic, before she takes over from HMS Queen Elizabeth as the nations flagship towards the end of 2024. The ships commanding officer, Captain Richard Hewitt, said: We are returning HMS Prince of Wales to operations as the most advanced warship ever built for the Royal Navy. This year, we will be operating F-35s, V-22 Ospreys, drones and the RN Merlin helicopters pushing the boundaries of naval aviation and UK Carrier Strike capability as we progress towards a global deployment in 2025. Our sailors are paramount to ensuring our return to operations. They have approached the task of getting us back to sea with the remarkable ethos that I have come to expect from them. They are a credit to the ship and the Royal Navy. The navy spokesman said that the ships engineering departments had worked with civilian engineers from Babcock to fix the propeller shafts along with BAE Systems which has also been carrying out previously-planned upgrade works. He added that the 750-strong crew have undergone training and supported recruitment drives as well as taking part in civic events during the period of the repairs. The spokesman added: Once the ship has completed her propulsion trials, she will bring her flight deck back to life before returning to Portsmouth to prepare for her autumn deployment to the USA. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A charity has said that renters are facing a crisis like never before after prices in and out of London reached new record highs. Property website Rightmove has said the average rent being asked outside London has risen to 1,231 per month, while the asking rent for new tenants in London is at a record 2,567. The asking rent figures, which cover Britain, are for the second quarter of this year and are the highest in Rightmoves 12-year history of covering the metric. It added that the average property available to rent is finding a tenant in 17 days, the quickest time period it has recorded since November 2022. The average asking rent for a typical home outside London is a third higher than during the same period in 2019, increasing by 308 from 923 per month. London rents are 28 per cent (559 per month) higher than they were at the same time in 2019. In signs that some landlords are selling up, 16 per cent of properties currently for sale were previously available on the rental market, a figure which is up from 13 per cent in January 2019, Rightmove said. Responding to the new figures, Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said private renters are facing a crisis like never before. She said: With private rents racing to record highs, thousands of people are battling to stay in their homes and face the threat of homelessness if they cant keep up. Ben Twomey, chief executive of campaign organisation Generation Rent, said: This data shows just how unaffordable rents are for tenants in the current market. People are facing higher mortgage and rent rises (PA) Costs for renters are sky high and there is no more room in tenants pay packets for further rent increases. These increases are coming in tandem with requests for multiple months rent upfront, and need for guarantors, making finding a new home even more difficult. Mr Twomey added that the continued return of people to cities including London post-pandemic is driving demand. Aditi Jehangir, secretary of Living Rent, said: Rents were already completely unaffordable, our wages remain stagnant and the cost of living continues to bite. Any new increase is forcing tenants to choose between paying through the nose for their housing or being forced out of the place they call home. The Department for Housing said: Our landmark Renters (Reform) Bill will deliver a better deal for renters and landlords, including support tenants to challenge unreasonable rate rises so that all tenants have greater security in their homes. We are abolishing section 21 no fault evictions, giving tenants greater security in their homes and making it easier for landlords to get rid of anti-social tenants. We are committed to creating a private rented sector that is fit for the twenty first century and works for responsible landlords while strengthening protections for renters. Additional reporting by Vicky Shaw, PA. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A woman has died in a house fire after firefighters tried to pull her to safety through an upstairs window. Emergency services rushed to the scene at around 12.10pm in Edale Avenue in Moston, Manchester, on Thursday after reports of a fire at a property. A 50-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene after firefighters attempted to rescue her from the upstairs bedroom, police said. Three fire engines attended the scene as they attempted to put out the fire, which is believed to have started in the upstairs bedroom. The cause of the fire is not yet known. Speaking to Manchester Evening News, one neighbour described the incident as a real shock. I only saw her this morning. Weve known her for years. Its tragic, they said. Another local who works at a nearby shop said she watch the house go up in flames on her CCTV. It was traumatic, she said. I saw her here often. I could see the fire in the back of the house through the cameras. It is a shock. Police confirmed the womans next of kin has been informed. A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: At around 12.10pm today (Thursday 20 July 2023), police were called to reports of a fire at an address on Edale Avenue, Moston Emergency services attended and sadly a 50-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her next-of-kin has been informed and enquiries are ongoing at this stage. A Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: At 12pm on Thursday the 20 July 2023, firefighters were called out to a house fire in a mid-terraced property on Edale Avenue, Manchester. Three fire engines from Manchester Central, Gorton and Hollins attended the scene where a fire had started in the upstairs of the property. Firefighters used four breathing apparatus and two hose reels to extinguish the fire and rescued a casualty from the upstairs bedroom, but they sadly passed at the scene. Our thoughts are with their family and friends. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The boss of Marks & Spencer has criticised Michael Gove for blocking the retail giants plans to redevelop its flagship store Oxford Street store in London. The companys chief executive, Stuart Machin said this short-sighted act of self-sabotage on Mr Goves part had forced M&S to re-evaluate its future on the countrys busiest shopping street. While Mr Machins plans to convert the 1930 art deco store, Orchard House, into a ten-storey retail and office unit were approved by Westminster city council in 2021, Mr Gove ultimately brought the project to a grinding halt amid backlash from historic-building campaigners. After a two-year process where our proposals were supported at every stage, our investment in 2,000 jobs, building one of the most sustainable buildings in London, improving the public realm and creating a flagship store, is now effectively in the deep freeze, Mr Machin said. Conservation group SAVE Britains Heritage, architects, engineers as well as celebrities such as actor Kristin Scott-Thomas and comedian Griff Rhys-Jones were among those opposing the redevelopment plans. Mr Gove ordered an inquiry into M&Ss proposed plans, but ultimately overruled the planning inspector David Nicholsons recommendation to approve the project. In addition to preserving the heritage building, the project was also criticised by SAVE over environmental concerns noting that retrofitting the existing structure would be more sustainable. According to the group, demolishing Orchard House would generate $0,000 tonnes of embodied carbon nearly equivalent to 20,000 flights from London to Sydney. SAVE director Henrietta Billings said Mr Goves decision rightly challenges the way we continually and needlessly knock down and rebuild important buildings, adding that this is the first time a planning inquiry has had sustainability and heritage as its joint focus. Mr Manchin has said theres no other viable scheme for the Oxford Street store, and Mr Gove had forced the company to evaluate whether it can remain on the high street in the long-run. Its utterly pathetic, the businessman added, noting that Mr Gove had disregarded expert opinion of the appointed inspector David Nicholson. Archie Norman, a former chairman of M&S, called Mr Goves decision a defeat for the planet claiming the new building would be massively more sustainable. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An urgent warning is in place for tourists to avoid a popular beach after a dead whale was found washed up. The body of a 30ft minke whale was found washed up on the shore of Romney Marsh in Kent on Thursday evening. Locals have now been warned not to approach the carcass due to the deep mud between the animal and the shoreline. The body of the dead whale is still on the beach but HM Coastguard in Romney Marsh said it is investigating how best to remove the dead animal from the shore. Local Paul Crawford told KentOnline he came across the dead whale at 5.30pm yesterday. I felt humbled to see it. But I also felt a bit of sadness, he said. Theyre such beautiful and amazing animals. In a statement, HM Coastguard said: The Romney Marsh Coastguard Rescue Team was tasked to an object floating on the water edge at St Marys Bay. Once the object had been located it was confirmed to be a deceased whale. Further investigations were carried out to record statistics of the animal for future analysis. The whale was also determined to be a Minke Whale. Possible further investigations will take place to determine how best to remove the animal from the beach. In the meantime, it is strongly advised NOT to venture out to the animal due to the deep mud (otherwise known as quicksand) between the animal and the shoreline. Common minke whales can weigh as much as 5,600kg - more than a family car. Pilot whales washed up in North Tolsta Last week, a pod of 55 pilot whales died after they washed up on Traigh Mhor beach in North Tolsta on the Isle of Lewis. 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 the whale pod had become 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. The stranding was the largest on record in UK waters. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rishi Sunak has insisted the next general election is not a done deal after losing two safe Tory seats but narrowly holding on to Boris Johnsons old constituency in three by-elections. Labour won in Selby and Ainsty and the Liberal Democrats in Somerton and Frome, both overturning majorities of about 20,000 in what polling experts said spelled deep electoral trouble for the Tories. But the Prime Minister was not changing his approach, vowing to double down on his existing policies to win over the public as he seized on a slender victory in Uxbridge and South Ruislip. The Conservative leader was spared becoming the first prime minister since 1968 to lose three by-elections on the same day by holding on to the west London seat. Labour blamed the Ulez charge on high-pollution vehicles being expanded in the capital by its own mayor Sadiq Khan for losing out by 495 votes. New Tory MP Steve Tuckwells majority is hugely down on the one secured by the former prime minister in 2019. In Selby and Ainsty, 25-year-old Keir Mather will become the youngest MP in the Commons the Baby of the House after overturning a 20,137 majority. He secured a 4,161 majority in the North Yorkshire seat and Labour said it was the biggest majority the party had ever overturned in a by-election. The swing from Conservatives to Labour of 23.7 percentage points is the second largest swing managed by Labour at a by-election since 1945. Mr Sunak celebrated the one piece of good news after a bad night by visiting the Rumbling Tum Cafe in Ruislip with Mr Tuckwell. The Prime Minister told broadcasters: By-elections, mid-terms for an incumbent Government are always difficult. They rarely win them. The message I take away is that weve got to double down, stick to our plan and deliver for people. Thats what I heard when I was out on the doorsteps and thats what were going to do. Were going to work incredibly hard to deliver on our five priorities and earn peoples trust for the next election. He argued holding on to the seat showed there was hope for the Tories at the general election expected next year. Mr Sunak said: Westminsters been acting like the next election is a done deal. The Labour Party has been acting like its a done deal, the people of Uxbridge just told all of them that its not. No one expected us to win here. But Steves victory demonstrates that when confronted with the actual reality of the Labour Party, when theres an actual choice on a matter of substance at stake people vote Conservative. Labour said that a similar swing across the country as seen in the by-elections would result in the party winning more seats than in Tony Blairs 1997 landslide. Leader Sir Keir Starmer said: This is a historic result that shows that people are looking at Labour and seeing a changed party that is focused entirely on the priorities of working people with an ambitious, practical plan to deliver. Keir Mather will be a fantastic MP who will deliver the fresh start Selby and Ainsty deserves. It is clear just how powerful the demand for change is. Voters put their trust in us many for the first time. After 13 years of Tory chaos, only Labour can give the country its hope, its optimism and its future back. For the Lib Dems, a 29.0 percentage point swing in Somerton and Frome saw a 19,213 Tory majority turned into a 11,008-vote cushion for new MP Sarah Dyke. In a victory visit to Frome, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said the result showed his party was once again winning votes in its former West Country heartland. Its time to end this shameful spectacle. Its time for a general election to end this Conservative circus, he told supporters. The victory means Sir Ed has become the first party leader since Paddy Ashdown in the 1990s to win four by-elections. Despite Labours success in North Yorkshire, the failure to secure victory in Uxbridge and South Ruislip in west London has led to a blame game among senior figures over Mr Khans plan to expand the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) to cover outer boroughs. Labour candidate Danny Beales had distanced himself from the policy, saying it was not the right time to expand the 12.50 daily charge for cars which fail to meet emissions standards. The defeat in the seat was dubbed Uloss by a party insider in a sign of the unease at Mr Khans plan. In his victory speech, new MP Mr Tuckwell said Mr Khan had cost Labour the seat. It was his damaging and costly Ulez policy that lost them this election, he said. This wasnt the campaign Labour expected and Keir Starmer and his mayor Sadiq Khan need to sit up and listen to the Uxbridge and South Ruislip residents. Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner and shadow justice secretary Steve Reed acknowledged it had been a factor in the campaign and called for Mr Khan to change course. Mr Reed told the PA news agency: I think those responsible for that policy will need to reflect on what the voters have said and whether theres an opportunity to change. Polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice said the by-elections suggest the Tories are in deep electoral trouble, with the results showing the Conservatives are 21 percentage points behind, similar to the national polling. He noted the similarity to the run up to the 1997 Labour landslide, telling BBC Radio 4s Today programme history is not bound to repeat itself but the precedent indicates the difficulty the Tories are in unless they can turn things around. But he said Labour must ask why its hold on the electorate is apparently so weak that when a local issue like Ulez comes up they dont perform as they should. For Mr Sunak, the defeats happened as MPs drifted away from Westminster to begin their summer break, so he may be spared a clamour against his leadership. The Prime Minister could attempt to reset his administration with a Cabinet reshuffle in the wake of the contests Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has already signalled he will exit the Government, so there is a vacancy to be filled although No 10 has publicly said there are no plans for a shake-up. Mr Sunak may have decided the benefits of freshening up his team at this stage would be outweighed by the risk of it being perceived as a panicked response to an electoral setback. No 10 said he will be in Westminster, working in Downing Street on Friday. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Conservatives are braced for a hattrick of by-election losses that would make Rishi Sunak the first prime minister since Harold Wilson to suffer three defeats in a single day. In a result one senior Tory said would be disastrous, voters could eject the party from every constituency up for grabs. There were, however, signs of growing optimism within the party on Thursday that they could hold one of the three formerly safe seats. The votes were called after Boris Johnson and his close ally Nigel Adams dramatically quit parliament, prompting accusations of mutiny from a fellow Tory MP. Mr Sunak has warned his MPs they face a "tough battle", cautioning that governing parties rarely win by-elections. One former minister predicted the results would be disastrous. Follow all the latest by-election updates on our live blog. A Tory peer said: I dont know anyone who thinks it will be anything except three losses. A former cabinet minister also described two of the three seats as well away but said he thought the party could potentially save one. As the parties expectation management got underway on Thursday, Labour sources emphasised it would require a big swing towards them and not just disillusioned Tory voters sitting at home to take Mr Adams Selby seat. Mr Johnson sensationally stood down as an MP last month, accusing a parliamentary committee of a witch hunt designed to force him out over the Partygate scandal. Former prime minister Boris Johnson (PA Wire) Within days his close ally Mr Adams had also resigned. The third contest was called after Tory MP David Warburton quit after admitting cocaine use amid allegations of sexual harassment. Labour hopes to take both Mr Johnsons former seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip and Selby and Ainsty, previously held by Mr Adams. The Liberal Democrats, meanwhile, are confident of victory in Somerton and Frome, Mr Warburtons old seat. Earlier this week Mr Sunak refused to comment on speculation he could perform a reshuffle of his cabinet on Friday, after the results are declared. But his official spokesman said on Thursday there were no plans for Mr Sunak to change his top team. (EPA) Senior Tories have sought to write off the results by blaming the former prime minister and what they called the long Boris effect. But Tory MPs will be nervously scanning the results for signs of whether or not their woes can be blamed on the previous administration. At the last election, Mr Johnson took Uxbridge in outer London with a majority of 7,000 majority. The other two seats have much larger majorities - Mr Adams took Selby and Ainsty in North Yorkshire with a 20,000 majority, a similar margin to Mr Warburton's victory in his Somerset seat. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has said voters can use the by-elections to send a message to Mr Sunak on the NHS, the cost-of-living crisis and protecting rural communities. Sir Keir's spokesman downplayed Labour's chances, saying the party had not won Uxbridge even during its landslide victory in 1997 and that taking Selby would require the party's best by-election result since the Second World War. Close By-elections: Rishi Sunak says next election is not a done deal Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rishi Sunak is doomed to lose power if he does not change course ahead of the next general election, a Conservative peer has said. Lord David Frost, the former Brexit negotiator, pointed to Labours defeat in Uxbridge and South Ruislip as evidence green policies are not popular as he called on the prime minister to ditch net zero goals. In a direct rebuke of Mr Sunaks five priorities for government, Lord Frost argued that the Tories two by-election defeats showed that sticking to the plan was not working. The peer, who supported Liz Trusss leadership campaign and has announced he will stand as an MP, said Mr Sunak needed to give the public something to vote for as he called for tax cuts. Getting inflation down is important but wont be enough, he wrote in The Daily Telegraph. There is still time to change course, but it is running out. Elsewhere, Keir Starmer is delivering a speech to his partys national policy forum this morning following, with Ulez and the controversial U-turn on child benefits police are likely to be discussed over the weekend. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} New Labour MP Keir Mather joked that he had heard far worse when asked how he felt about becoming the Baby of the House. The 25-year-old will become the youngest MP in the Commons after overturning a 20,000 majority in the North Yorkshire constituency of Selby and Ainsty. Speaking after the results at Selby Leisure Centre, Mr Mather told reporters: As a young person in politics, I really hope to be a representative for the power that young people have to make a difference. Asked about whether he could fully understand voters concerns at the age of 25, he said: Well, Im a taxpayer too, I feel the pressures like anyone else. Following the results Tory veterans minister Johnny Mercer mocked the 25-year-old by comparing him to one of teens in The Inbetweeners, and said he was an identikit MP who parrots Labour lines. After winning by more than 4,000 votes, Mr Mather said his first priority would be setting up financial support centres in the constituency for people to get expert help with mortgage payments and energy bills. He also told journalists that he supported Labour leader Sir Keir Starmers controversial policy of keeping the two-child benefit cap, a move which has sparked fury from some of his backbenchers. I think were going to inherit an absolute economic mess from the Conservatives when we take power and were going to have to make extremely difficult decisions once we do, and I support the Labour government in doing so, said Mr Mather. New MP Keir Mather (centre), with Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner (PA) Mr Mather has most recently worked as a senior public affairs adviser for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), and was formerly a parliamentary researcher for shadow health secretary Wes Streeting from 2019 to 2020. He was born in Hull and grew up near Selby, before going to Oxford University, studying history and politics. His candidacy was supported by the GMB and Unison unions. In a speech after he was declared the winner of the by-election, Mr Mather said he understood the enormity of what has just happened, adding: We have rewritten the rules on where Labour can win. The people of Selby & Ainsty have sent a clear message. For too long, Conservatives up here and in Westminster have failed us, and today that changes. (Getty Images) Senior Tory MP Johnny Mercer tried to downplay the importance of Selby result by mocking the new 25-year-old Labour MP Keir Mather and comparing him to the teen sitcom The Inbetweeners. We mustnt become a repeat of The Inbetweeners, right? the veterans minister told Sky News. This guy has been at Oxford University more than hes been in a job. You put a chip in him and he just relates Labour lines. People have had enough of that, right? Labour peer Baroness Chapman fired back: Youre being disrespectful to the voters of Selby. Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner said Mr Mercers comments showed the contempt that the Tories had for the people who voted for Mr Mather. Tory chairman Greg Hands refused to back the Tory veterans ministers comments. Asked if he thought the remarks were appropriate, he told LBC: I welcome young people coming into politics. Weve got young Conservative MPs ourselves, young MPs in their 20s. After Mr Mathers speech, the defeated Conservative candidate Claire Holmes left the venue without talking to reporters. Mr Mather said the cost-of-living crisis was the number one issue on the doorstep throughout the campaign. Asked if people were voting for Labour or against the Tories, Mr Mather said: Well, I make no bones about it, I think local residents were extremely frustrated at the way the Conservative MP (Nigel Adams) stepped down. He added: But they only voted Labour to the extent that they did because they knew we had a plan that would actually deliver on their concerns. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} New threats in the most northerly part of the globe and the Arctic may require a greater military presence, a committee of MPs has been told. The Scottish Affairs Committee said the UK should reassess its defence presence in Scotland and called for clarity on how the military presence could be scaled up in response to potential future threats in the Arctic and the strategically important Greenland-Iceland-UK gap (GIUK). Scottish MPs were also told a strategy on protecting offshore infrastructure is needed in the wake of the sabotage last year. An undersea explosion ruptured the Nord Stream 1 pipeline which, until Russia cut off supplies at the end of August, was its main natural gas supply route to Germany. European diplomats said they have not yet established who the perpetrators were and whether a state was involved, but media reports in March suggested that a pro-Ukraine group was involved in the sabotage. President Vladimir Putin and Russian officials have accused the U.S. of staging the pipeline explosions, which they have described as a terror attack. Ukraine has rejected suggestions that it might have ordered the attack. An independence row is brewing in Scotland over the Orkney Islands (Getty Images) Threats developing in the Arctic may also require a greater military presence, MPs were told. As well as an increased Russian presence, China is taking a growing interest in Arctic politics and climate change is leading to new trade routes opening in the High North, which is loosely defined as the Arctic region and the seas surrounding it, including part of the North Atlantic. It comes as an independence row is brewing in Scotland over the Orkney Islands. Council leader James Stockan recently put forward a motion for a vote on exploring leaving the United Kingdom. The move could see the remote island become a part of Norway. After conducting an inquiry on defence in Scotland, evidence from the Human Security Centre stated the RAF had too few Poseidon maritime patrol jets and Wedgetail early warning aircraft to provide a persistent presence. Andrew Dorman, a professor of international security at Kings College London, told the MPs the RAF would require more Typhoon and F-35B fighters if there were a serious escalation in the region. The Faslane naval bases role in policing the GIUK gap was said to be critical. The committee is chaired by the SNPs Pete Wishart, whose party wants the removal of the Trident nuclear deterrent from an independent Scotland. However, the report recognised there would be serious implications for the region if nuclear submarines were removed. HMS Vigilant, which carries the UKs Trident nuclear deterrent (Getty Images) It said: Whilst not all members of the committee support this view (of maintaining Trident), we do recognise the serious implications for the UK and Nato should the nuclear fleet ever be removed from Faslane. The report continued: The UK Government told us that repair of subsea cables was a matter for the cables commercial owners; we are concerned that the UK Government did not have more to say about how such important infrastructure could be repaired in the event of sabotage or failure. The UK Government should produce and publish a strategy for protecting offshore infrastructure. Mr Wishart said Scotland had a fundamental role in the defence of the region. He said: During our inquiry we heard widespread agreement that the Arctic is of growing strategic importance and maintaining a well-maintained and resourced military capability is essential to meet the UKs defence interests. Because of its geography Scotland is home to a number of the UKs strategic military assets and in our report we call on the UK Government to look at how the defence presence in Scotland could be scaled up if required to meet future threats if required. We are also calling for a review of the UKs cold weather capabilities. We also looked at the opportunities and threats that may emerge because of climate change in the Arctic and the High North. Emerging trade routes and the responsibility of protecting offshore and subsea infrastructure are likely to become emerging priorities in a fast-changing environment. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Conservatives remain in deep electoral trouble despite Rishi Sunaks relief at clinging on to Boris Johnsons old seat in Uxbridge, said polling guru Prof John Curtice. Prof Curtice said the overwhelming defeats to Labour in Selby and the Liberal Democrats in Somerton and Frome were a better guide for the mood in the country. He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: Taken in the round, these by-election results do suggest that the Conservatives remain in deep electoral trouble, as the opinion polls have been telling us. Across the three seats contested, the Tory vote was down 21 percentage points comparable to the national polling, Prof Curtice said. Although Uxbridge will provide Rishi Sunak with some immediate cover ... in the end the message from these by-elections is that the Conservatives are indeed in considerable electoral trouble along the lines that the polls are suggesting, he said. Labour overturning a 20,000 majority to win Selby and Ainsty a record win for the party while the Lib Dems transformed a 19,000 Tory majority in Somerton and Frome into a 11,00-vote cushion. Mr Sunak was spared the prospect of being the first PM since 1968 to lose three by-elections on the same day as the Tories defeating Labour by just 495 votes with both parties pointing to Sadiq Khans unpopular Ulez scheme expansion as the reason. But Prof Curtice said the Tories still have an awful long way to go before they look as if they might have a chance of being able to retain power. He added: Both our two biggest party leaders have been left with something to think about. Prof Curtice said Labour must ask why its hold on voters is apparently so weak that when a local issue like the Ulez ultra low emission zone in Uxbridge comes up they dont perform as they should. The results in Selby and Somerton will have many Tory MPs looking nervously at their own seat but there was a mood of defiance after the unexpected win in Uxbridge. Mr Sunak said the Tories by-election victory in Uxbridge shows the next general election is not a done deal and vowed to double down, stick to our plan and deliver for people. Speaking at a cafe in Mr Johnsons former west London seat, the PM said: Westminsters been acting like the next election is a done deal. The Labour Party has been acting like its a done deal. The people of Uxbridge just told all of them that its not. Former Tory cabinet minister Robert Buckland clashed with Labours Thangam Debbonaire on the BBC. Youre just learning how to do opposition youre nowhere near ready for government. Nowhere near, nowhere near. Senior Tory MP Johnny Mercer tried to downplay the importance of Selby result by mocking the new 25-year-old Labour MP Keir Mather and comparing him to the teen sitcom The Inbetweeners. We mustnt become a repeat of The Inbetweeners, right? the veterans minister told Sky News. This guy has been at Oxford University more than hes been in a job. You put a chip in him and he just relates Labour lines. People have had enough of that, right? Tory MP Steve Tuckwell said Sadiq Khan helped him win in Uxbridge (Getty Images) But Sir Keir Starmer hailed Labours victory by more than 4,000 votes the North Yorkshire seat, the highest majority the party had ever overturned in a by-election insisting that it showed demand for change among the electorate. Despite Labours success in North Yorkshire, the failure to secure victory in Uxbridge has led to a blame game among senior figures over mayor Sadiq Khans plan to expand the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) to cover outer boroughs. Labour candidate Danny Beales had distanced himself from the policy, saying it was not the right time. And new Tory MP for the area Steve Tuckwell said Mr Khan had cost Labour. It was his damaging and costly Ulez policy that lost them this election. A source close to Mr Khan played down the significance of the result, telling The Independent: Sadiq has always been clear that expanding the ULEZ was a really difficult decision, but necessary to save the lives of young and vulnerable Londoners. Winning Uxbridge and South Ruislip was always going to be a struggle for Labour. Labour hasnt won this seat for five decades and Tony Blair didnt even win it during the 1997 landslide. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said his party was now back in its former West Country stronghold after an overwhelming win the Somerton and Frome. And Sarah Dyke, the new MP for the area after winning by more than 11,000 and taking more than 50 per cent of vote share, hailed the use of tactical voting. She thanked Labour and Green voters for lending her their votes. There is no doubt that our electoral system is broken, but you have shown that the Conservatives can still be beaten under it. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Rishi Sunak has been dealt two painful by-election blows, despite clinging onto Boris Johnsons former seat as Labour recorded its largest swing since 1997. A Tory majority of more than 20,000 in Selby and Ainsty was overturned by Labours young Keir Mather, while in Somerton and Frome the Lib Dems also stormed to victory, overturning the Tories 19,000 majority with room to spare. The race in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip went down to the wire with a recount in the early hours, but it was Mr Sunaks party that clung on by just 495 votes. But Sir Keir Starmer was dealt a blow as Labour failed to win a key by-election in Boris Johnsons former constituency, Uxbridge and South Ruislip. The party had been widely expected to overturn a 7,000 majority in the outer London seat, but candidate Danny Beales fell short. He was beaten by Conservative Steve Tuckwell, who fought the campaign on a ticket almost exclusively opposing London mayor Sadiq Khans expansion of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (Ulez). Despite the schemes unpopularity in the constituency, Labour figures were confident in the run up to the contest, while Tories were bracing for defeat. But when the results were called, Mr Beales had secured 13,470 votes, compared to Mr Tuckwells 13,965. Mr Beales, who was the last candidate to arrive at the count, left immediately after hearing the result, while Mr Tuckwell delivered a victory speech. New Tory MP Steve Tuckwell said he won because of Ulez (PA) Shadow justice secretary Steve Reed blamed Ulez for the loss, adding: Clearly, it did resonate with a lot of people. And he said those responsible for the policy will now need to "reflect". Labours shadow leader of the House of Commons Thangam Debbonaire said: We have had a disappointment this evening. On a mixed night of by-elections: The Conservatives clung on to former PM Boris Johnsons Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat The Liberal Democrats overturned a 19,000 Tory majority to win in Somerton and Frome And Labour achieved its biggest by-election swing in history, winning in Selby and Ainsty in North Yorkshire. As the night unfolded for Sir Keir, his candidate in North Yorkshires Selby and Ainsty scored the biggest by-election scalp in Labours history, overturning a 20,137 Tory majority. Sir Keir said it was a historic moment which showed voters were looking at Labour and seeing a changed party under his leadership. Selby byelection winner and new Labour MP Keir Mather (PA) Labours 25-year-old candidate Keir Mather said he "understood the enormity of what has just happened". He said: "We have rewritten the rules on where Labour can win. People have opened their doors to us and embraced our positive vision for the future. "The people of Selby & Ainsty have sent a clear message. For too long, Conservatives up here and in Westminster have failed us, and today that changes. "Over the past few months, speaking to hundreds of people on the doorstep, Ive encountered so much hardship. Hardship made worse by 13 years of negligence and complacency from the Conservatives." The Liberal Democrats also landed a huge blow on Rishi Sunaks Conservatives, overturning a 19,000 majority to win in Somerton and Frome. The heavy losses in both the south west of England and North Yorkshire will raise questions about whether the Conservatives can hold onto the support to form a government after the next election. But Mr Sunak will be comforted by Sir Keirs party failing to win in Uxbridge, despite a significant lead in the polls and the shadow of scandal-ridden former PM Mr Johnson hanging over the party. Tory MP David Simmonds, who was at the count in Uxbridge, said it was a stunning result for the Conservatives that raised serious questions for Sir Keir. Labour went in with a 40 per cent lead in the opinion polls, and it has come out as a Conservative hold, he told The Independent. Uxbridge and South Ruislips new MP Mr Tuckwell said he was the underdog from the outset of the campaign, adding: The polls and the pundits predicted a big Labour win. Sarah Dyke, new Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome (PA) And Mr Tuckwell said Labour MPs in outer London boroughs whose constituents will also be impacted by the expansion of Ulez will be looking at the results with sweaty palms. Labour said it was unsurprising Ulez was such an issue for the party in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, but blamed the Conservatives for crashing the economy. Labour spokesman said: This was always going to be a difficult battle in a seat that has never had a Labour MP and we didnt even win in 1997. We know that the Conservatives crashing the economy has hit working people hard, so its unsurprising that the ULEZ expansion was a concern for voters here in a by-election. Count Binface celebrates on stage as the results are read in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election (PA) The race between Mr Beales and Mr Tuckwell was so close that ballots had to be recounted. And Ms Debbonaire told Sky News that she was glad we came a very close second in what has traditionally been a safe Tory seat. It was always going to be a difficult battle, she added. The scale of the majorities overturned in Selby and Somerton pose serious questions for the prime minister, but clinging on in Uxbridge will allow him to claim a victory of sorts. Sir Keir will want to keep the focus on Labours dramatic win in the North Yorkshire seat, but defeat in Uxbridge raises questions for the party. Pollster and political analyst Lord Hayward told The Independent the Conservatives will be extremely pleased at holding onto Uxbridge. And he said that Labours striking victory in Selby is not going to cover up the reaction to Uxbridge. Lord Hayward also said the shock result in Uxbridge means there is no certainty Labour will triumph in the next election, despite holding a 20-point lead in the polls. And he said the person with the most questions to answer will be Mr Khan, because it was Sadiq what lost it. Suddenly instead of all the attention being on three Tory losses, and therefore, on Rishi Sunak, the the concentration of attention will actually be on Labour and Sadiq Khan in particular, he said. Luke Tryl, UK director of the More in Common group, said: Uxbridge gives the Conservatives a short term sigh of relief and an expectations game win. But the scale of that Selby result means youd far rather be Keir Starmer than Rishi Sunak right now, and the electoral playing field could well be quite a big one. And the Liberal Democrats are looking forward to enjoying their Somerton win, with leader Sir Ed Davey taking to Twitter last night to say were going to need a bigger tractor. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Vadym Prystaiko has been sacked as Ukraines ambassador to the UK after he publicly criticised president Volodymyr Zelensky over his sarcasm during a row about his demands for weapons. A presidential order, signed by Mr Zelensky and published online on Friday, confirmed the dismissal of the Ukrainian diplomat from his posting in London. It follows a diplomatic spat earlier this month between the UK and Ukraine, after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said that the UK and US were not Amazon when it came to Kyivs requests for weapons and military equipment. I don't believe this sarcasm is healthy Vadym Prystaiko The remarks prompted anger in Kyiv and put pressure on Downing Street amid an otherwise successful Nato summit. The order did not say why Mr Prystaiko, in the job since since July 2020, had been sacked. But earlier this month, Mr Prystaiko appeared to publicly criticise Mr Zelenskys remarks during the row. Appearing on Sky News, he said: President Zelenskys term, when he said each and every morning hell wake up and call Ben Wallace to thank him, I dont believe this sarcasm is healthy. We dont have to show the Russians that we have something between us. They have to know we are working together. Mr Prystaiko became a prominent figure in London amid the UKs response to the war, often appearing on TV and radio to outline the latest views in Kyiv while also attending various official events in Downing Street and elsewhere linked to Ukraines war effort. Only last Thursday, was he spotted in the royal box at the Wimbledon tennis championships. Before taking up the diplomatic role in London, he was Ukraines vice-prime minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration and is also a former foreign minister. From London, Mr Prystaiko was in a key position to secure ongoing British backing for Kyiv, meeting with ministers, opposition party leaders and other influential figures as the war drags on. The UK Government, despite the political turmoil of the last 12 months, has remained one of the most vocal advocates and allies of Kyiv making the London posting a crucial diplomatic job. The remarks by Mr Wallace caused a headache for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who distanced himself from the comments. The Defence Secretary himself, who recently announced plans to resign at the next Cabinet reshuffle and stand down as an MP at the next election, also claimed his remarks had been misrepresented. He said that he had been talking about how Ukraine sometimes needs to realise that in many countries and in some parliaments there is not such strong support as in Great Britain. Mr Zelensky had hit back at Mr Wallaces comments, saying: I believe that we were always grateful to United Kingdom. I dont know what he meant and how else we should be grateful. Former prime minister Boris Johnson said he was sad to see the ambassador go. On Twitter, he called him a great Ukrainian ambassador and friend to this country. I hope he will emerge soon in another incarnation! Mr Johnson added. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists are celebrating a tornado that destroyed a Pfizer manufacturing plant, attributing the disaster to God's justice. A tornado severely damaged the Rocky Mount, North Carolina facility on Wednesday. The plant produces approximately a quarter of the sterile injectables used in the US. The 150mph winds crushed the walls of the facility, leaving the steel roof a crumpled pile of wreckage. More than 50,000 pallets of product including vials, IV bags, and anesthesia bottles were strewn about the site. No one was seriously injured, according to the Daily Dot. Conservative commenters deluded by conspiracy theories about the Covid-19 vaccine celebrated the destruction on social media. A writer for The Blaze, Daniel Horowitz, suggested that "God has a sense of humor" in one tweet, sharing the comment alongside news footage of the wreckage. Another user, Nick Searcy, said the "tornado saved lives." And anonymous conservative user "@wethepeople0825" called the tornado an "act of God," before saying that "he moves in mysterious ways." Perhaps most prominent among the throng of destruction-praising right wing voices was Ron Watkins, a failed Arizona congressional candidate and the man some people believe to be the shadowy "Q" figure that sparked the QAnon conspiracy movement. He said the tornado "feels like Genesis 19:24," citing a Biblical passage discussing God's judgement on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Attributing disasters to Gods wrath is nothing new for evangelical conservatives; according to Pew Research, in 1987 some 60 per cent of white evangelicals considered Aids Gods punishment on gay men. Pat Robertson, who died earlier this year, said Hurricane Katrina was punishment for Americans who recieved abortions. And more recently, Rick Wiles, another conservative evangelical pastor, called coronavirus a death angel sent by God to punish us for our sins. God is about to purge a lot of sin off of this planet, he said at the time. While many of the comments solely saw the event as a judgement from God, others rejected that theory and dug further down into the unreality rabbit hole, claiming the tornado was actually a man-made event devised by Pfizer. "That's not an Act of God ... it's a man-made disaster," a user named Megan theorised. "If you think the most ruthless company on the planet isn't capable of destroying evidence you're living in lego land!" In fact, the plant at Rocky Mount does not produce or store vaccines, according to the Associated Press. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} An Alabama lawyer has outlined the possible crimes Carlee Russell may have committed after police havent been able to verify her claims about her 49-hour disappearance. The 25-year-old claims she was kidnapped, but police have shared her internet search history which suggests the ordeal may have been staged. Birmingham lawyer Eric Guster, a longtime criminal defence attorney, told WVTM13 that he, like many others, grew interested in the case. He added that the message coming from the police was clear. She says she was kidnapped, and a kidnapping didn't happen. (They say) our citizens are safe. There's not a kidnapper out there. So, they use every other synonym for lie except saying she lied, he told the local TV station. The attorney added that the search for Ms Russell wasted time and funds for both the police and members of the community. Elijah Blanchard, the father of murder victim Aniah Blanchard, wrote on Facebook that the case had torn his wounds back open and that it wasn't okay to involve his family in the search efforts. Imagine going and searching for someone, and they're off doing something else, and they're never in danger. And you're thinking about saving this person's daughter, and yours was not saved. Beyond angry, super livid. That would be me, Mr Guster told WVTM13. He added that this story could affect future cases where people actually go missing. It's going to be much more difficult for African American women to be believed, and it may actually decrease the number of actual reports of things because people are already afraid that they won't be believed," the attorney said, adding that Ms Russell needs a lawyer. If I was Carlees attorney, I would speak for her," he said. "I would not allow her to speak to the police because anything she says can and will be used against her. I would speak for her. I would go to the mayor I would go to the police chief and figure out if there's something we could do. That's what I would do. Mr Guster added that the police have outlined three crimes that Ms Russell may be guilty of theft, lying to authorities and filing a false police report. The attorney noted his surprise that she's yet to be arrested. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Before 25-year-old Carlee Russell went missing for a mysterious 49 hours a disappearance, she admitted on Monday, that was staged she posted a series of bizarre tweets. On the day she went missing on 13 July, she tweeted at 8.55pm: today was a GREAT day God be looking out im telling you!! One minute later, Ms Russell wrote: someone to tell you i love you and dont got a reason. Finally, she tweeted, yeah i want a family now at 9.19pm. Just moments later, around 9.30pm, the Alabama woman called 911 and told detectives that she was following a lost toddler along the interstate. After she returned home, Ms Russell claimed was abducted by a man with orange hair, before escaping. She later turned up on foot at her parents home with $107 tucked in her right sock, and alleged she had barely survived the encounter. Her tweets, in combination with her search history prior to her vanishing, raised doubts about the Alabama womans story. Police revealed that Ms Russells internet search history gave hints she could have staged her own kidnapping, as she looked up Amber Alerts, the movie Taken, booking a bus ticket from Birmingham to Nashville and how to take money from a register without being caught. A tweet on 10 July adds colour to this complicated picture, and indicates potential problems in her relationship. Ms Russell wrote, I always say one thing i WONT do is stay with someone who cheated on me like you went and had sex with someone else and think itll be sweet one day?? hellll no. Days earlier, she also tweeted: everyone wants to feel wanted. Her boyfriend, Thomar Latrell Simmons, had posted on Facebook upon Ms Russells miraculous return, and supported her story that she had been abducted. She had been fighting for her life for 48 hours, he wrote, but has since taken down the post. Two days earlier, her tweet revealed she may have been unhappy at work: my job is really starting to get on my dang nerves. She worked at Woodhouse Spa, the owner of which said on Thursday that he provided the police with everything we uncovered. According to the New York Post, Ms Russell tweeted on 19 July, Im thankful I know how to identify when the enemy coming for me now, makes life a lot easier. But the post has been taken down. Police began expressing their doubts last week, saying Wednesday they were unable to verify most of Ms Russells claims regarding the events leading up to and during her disappearance. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} In 2019, the number of active serial killers in the US was in the single digits, according to crime researchers. In the last week, US officials believe they may have located at least two different serial killers across New York and Texas, allegedly responsible for at least six deaths. A third man is a person of interest in four deaths in Oregon. Last Thursday, Rex Heuermann, a New York City architect, was arrested and charged with the murder of three women whose remains were found in Gilgo Beach, Long Island, a decade ago. Rex Heuermann (AP) Mr Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to the killings of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Lynn Costello, all of whom were working as sex workers at the time of their deaths. Suffolk County district attorney Ray Tierney said on Monday he feels officials have a solid case against the architect and that hes confident Mr Heuermann will be charged the murder of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Police reportedly used a DNA sample from a discarded pizza box, records from burner phones allegedly used to call the victims, and a sample of the architects wifes hair found on one of the sets of remains to pin down the suspect. Officials say Mr Mr Heuermanns internet search history captured him seeking out images of child sex abuse and Googling the so-called Long Island Serial Killer, whom authorities allege to be the New York man. Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes and Megan Waterman (clockwise from top left) The following week, anonymous law enforcement sources told local media they had identified Jesse Lee Calhoun of Portland as a person of interest in the suspicious deaths of four women in the wider metro area in recent months, though officials have not publicly named him or charged him with any crimes. Jesse Lee Calhoun (Multnomah County Sheriff's Office) If he is in fact a person of interest, that would mean Oregon police think he has some tie to the deaths of Kristin Smith, 22; Charity Lynn Perry, 24; Bridget Leann (Ramsay) Webster, 31; and Ashely Real, 22, all of whom were found in wooded areas or near roads in the wider Portland area between February and May. Police have said the deaths are linked, though officials havent determined an official cause of death. 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) 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 he is in jail, though he was reportedly arrested last month on a parole violation and attempted to jump in a river to evade police officers. 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. 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 summer of 2022, 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. 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. A Washington woman named Krista Senor, who says she was in a relationship with Calhoun, claimed she lived with the alleged person of interest and knew that he sold fentanyl and had sex with other women during their time together. She claimed in an interview with a local YouTube channel Calhoun and one of the dead women, Real, had previously been involved with each other, and that Real would trade sex for drugs from the Portland man. Im still in shock over this. Its just surreal, Ms Sinor, 43 told The Oregonian on Wednesday. Its very strange. I cant wrap my mind around any of it. Neither can his family or friends. On Wednesday, Dallas, Texas, police arrested Oscar Sanchez Garcia, 25, and charged him with two counts of murder for the deaths of Kimberly Robinson, 60, and an unidentified woman, according to the Dallas Police Department. Oscar Sanchez Garcia, 25, was charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of Kimberly Robinson, 60, and an unidentified woman. Police say he is also leading suspect in death of Cherish Gibson, 25 (DPD) He is also suspected of killing a third woman, Cherish Gibson, 25. He is currently being held on $4m bond and does not appear to have entered a plea on his charges. The two murdered women were found on 22 April and 24 June, respectively, near a Dallas transit station. The third woman was found less than five miles away on Saturday. Police linked the suspect to the killings using phone records and information from a licence plate reader to link him to the crime, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by WFAA. Close Gilgo Beach: Police remove evidence from home of Long Island serial killer suspect Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} 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. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A bus monitor in New Jersey has been arrested on manslaughter charges after a child with disabilities she was driving died due to strangulation caused by a seat restraint. The six-year-old, identified as Fajr Williams, was in her wheelchair when she boarded the bus. Amanda Davila, 27, was assisting children on the bus and secured Fajr's wheelchair inside the vehicle. Investigators said while the bus was in motion, a series of bumps caused the child to slump in her wheelchair seat. As a result, the four-point harness she was secured with became tight around her neck, preventing her from breathing. Though Fajr's condition, Emanuel syndrome, a rare chromosomal disorder, left her unable to speak or walk, she was able to make sounds. Fajr Williams, 6, died by strangulation when the harnesses on her school bus tightened around her neck. A bus monitor tasked with checking on the children has been charged with manslaughter (Williams family handout) Amanda Davila, 27, was arrested and charged with manslaughter after a child with disabilities in her care was strangled to death in her wheelchair by the buss restraints (Somerset County Prosecutors Office) Police said Ms Davila was allegedly seated near the front of the bus and was using her cell phone with her earbuds in both ears during the drive. Wali Williams, the girl's father, said he could imagine his daughter struggling fruitlessly to get help. I am picturing her fighting. She cant speak, she cant defend herself. She cannot take the things off her neck, he told WNYTV 7. I pray that these people werent up there lollygagging, playing and joking on their phones while my daughter is back there fighting for her life. He said the girl "didn't have oxygen in her brain for almost 40 minutes," in an interview with NBC-4. "She was the sweetest kid you'll ever meet," Fajr's mother, Nash Williams, told the broadcaster. "She had the sweetest little laugh, little dimples and she just endured so much in her six years. To be taken away from us in such a way, that had nothing to do with her condition." The investigation noted that cellphone and headphone use was a violation of the policies and procedures of the company contracting Ms Davila. Mr Williams said that the companies contracted to work with children with disabilities "need to know that when they take that job, they have lives in their hands." The most important thing is that we want justice for Fajr, he added. Ms Davila was arrested and charged with second-degree manslaughter as well as endangering the welfare of a child. She has been booked into the Somerset County Jail until her detention hearing. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The victim names were there, finally, in black and white on charging documents, immortalised in the justice system as their alleged killer stood before a judge. Melissa Barthelemy. Amber Costello. Megan Waterman. They were names that had before been connected primarily to a cold case and a mystery a mystery still unravelling and their appearance on the court documents marked a step towards justice and, just maybe, some semblance of closure for families and investigators. Long Island architect and married father-of-two Rex Heuermann, 59, was charged last Friday with three counts of first- and second-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Ms Barthelemy, who went missing in 2009; Ms Costello, who vanished in June of the following year; and Ms Waterman, 22, who disappeared in September 2010. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said this week he was confident that Mr Heuermann would also be charged with the murder of Maureen Brainard Barnes, 25, who went missing in 2007. Her body was discovered in December 2010 in the same vicinity and within the same week as the remains of the three other victims. Authorities were searching for Shannan Gilbert, who went missing in 2010, when they began discovering bodies along the south shore of Long Island; Mr Heuermann has not been charged in her death (Courtesy of John Ray Law) But there were other names not included in the court documents, and there are other families watching closely as the investigation progresses wondering if their loved ones murders were at the hands of the alleged serial killer. And there are other victims whose names are still unknown other bodies found on Long Island that may or may not be linked to the same perpetrator. Their families may not even known they are dead. One of the names associated with the Long Island serial killings and Gilgo Beach murders, Shannan Gilbert, was not included in charging documents although it was her familys push for answers that undeniably played a pivotal role in the crimes prominence. Ms Gilbert, 24, went missing in 2010 right after making a 911 call from Long Island, desperately telling the operator somebodys after me as the call recorded the sound of her running and knocking on the doors of houses. Originally from upstate New York, Ms Gilbert had been working as a sex worker, as had the victims Mr Heuermann is charged with murdering. Investigators had been searching for her remains when they stumbled upon the other four bodies in 2010. Her skeletal remains were located more than a year later in a marsh eight miles from Gilgo Beach. Police ruled out murder at the time of her discovery, theorising that she may have been under the influence and run into the marsh, where she died by hypothermia or drowning. But her family doggedly demanding answers commissioned an independent autopsy, which found that her death was consistent with a homicide. The Gilbert familys quest was depicted on screen in Netflixs 2020 Lost Girls. Ms Gilberts sister, Sherre, released a statement on the Facebook page Praying for Shannan Maria Gilbert following Mr Heuermanns arrest. I want to express my deepest sympathy & prayers to the families & their loved ones that have been named as victims of the Long Island Serial Killer (LISK), she wrote, continuing that their lives were cut short by this cruel heinous act of violence and no amount of justice will ever bring them back. The pain, hurt & anger these families have had to deal with since these women first went missing is immense, she wrote, also thanking the media and investigators, including Suffolk County Police Department. Aerial shots show marshlands around where Valerie Macks partial remains were discovered (Suffolk County Police Department) Even though SCPD ruled my sisters death a tragic accident thats not connected to LISK and a mere coincidence, the time, effort, and dedication my mom & I put into this case isnt wasted ... Its sad how many of us have similar tragic stories & experiences with law enforcement with limited resources & opportunities to seek justice. Every victim deserves justice. And every case big or small deserves recognition. I wished, hoped & prayed for this day, she wrote. Im glad Im still alive to see it. And with LISK being captured, theres one less monster off the streets and hell never be able to hurt anyone else. I pray one day each of you who has gone through something similar and have yet to receive justice will have their day soon. The perilous fight is worth it! The family of Valerie Mack is among those yet to receive justice. Ms Mack, 24, was raised in an adoptive family in New Jersey and was working as an escort when she was last seen alive in 2000. Her remains were found on two separate occasions and two different locations, in Manorville in 2000 and in Oak Beach in 2011 the same place where Ms Gilberts remains were found but she was only identified in 2020 through the use of genetic genealogy. Following that identification, one of her sisters, Angela Mack, introduced herself on the Remembering Valerie Mack page and wrote: My big sister ... was a great smart sweet and troubled young woman. My parents did everything to try to help her troubled heart. My family and I tried to report her missing but they said she was an adult and left on her own. Another sister, Danielle, told the Associated Press after news of Mr Heuermanns arrest that it was a lot to process adding that she didnt know what to make of the fact that Heuermann wasnt charged in Valeries death. Im just waiting for all the other facts to come out for us to really understand what happened and whos responsible, she said. Hopefully the right person is being brought to justice. Jessica Taylor, 20, went missing in 2003; her partial remains were discovered in two separate locations on Long Island. Heuermann has not been charged in connection with her death (Courtesy of John Ray Law) Tricia Fulton Hazen describing herself in a previous post on the Remembering Valerie Mack Facebook page as the victims half-sister though they never met wrote this week that she felt thankful [that] this arrest has happened and hoping and praying that they connect him to all of the people that were brutally murdered. Especially my sisters case. The relatives of another victim, however, are also still waiting for answers. Jessica Taylor was just 20 and working as an escort when she went missing in New York in July 2003. Her partial remains were discovered in 2003 and in 2011 in two places, like Ms Macks: Manorville and along Ocean Parkway. Ms Taylors cousin, Jasmine Robinson, was outside the courthouse last Friday where Mr Heuermann was arraigned, telling reporters that full justice would only be achieved when all the cases were solved, the AP reported. Ms Robinson also hoped her cousin would be remembered as a beautiful young woman, not what her occupation was at that time. But enduring mystery surrounds other victims found on Long Island and whether they could all be tied to the same perpetrator. The search for Shannan Gilbert also yielded the partial remains in 2011 of a Black woman and, a few miles down the parkway, a toddler. DNA evidence later linked the womans skeletal remains to a dismembered torso discovered stuffed into a bin in a Long Island state park in 1997 as well as determining that she was the mother of the child. The adult victim has been nicknamed Peaches by investigators because of a large heart-shaped peach tattoo on her chest but the identities of Peaches and her child have not yet been determined. Around the same time that Peaches skeletal remains were found near the beach in 2011, a skull was also discovered that would be traced back to yet another body which turned up years earlier on Fire Island. The severed legs of an unidentified white woman, believed to be between 18-50, were discovered in April 1996 at Blue Point Beach, and DNA connected the remains to the 2011 find. On 4 August 2023, Long Island officials announced that this victim known as Jane Doe 7 or Fire Island Jane Doe had finally been identified as Karen Vergata, a 34-year-old woman who was last seen alive in Manhattan around Valentines Day in 1996 while working as an escort. Peaches identity meanwhile has yet to be ascertained. So has the identity of the only male victim found a quarter mile away from the bodies of the three victims whose murders Mr Heuermann is already charged with. The man, believed to be between 17 and 23 years old, was found in April 2011, was wearing womens clothing and had been dead for at least five years, according to the Long Island Press. Investigators were continuing to comb through evidence this week, and pieces of information continued to trickle out regarding Mr Heuermann and his past as victim families continued to hope for more and more answers. Im grateful for the hard work that has been done, Ms Taylors cousin, Ms Robinson, said after Mr Heuermanns arrest, according to The New York Times. Im grateful that today is happening, Ms. Robinson said. And Im hopeful for the future. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} North Carolina police obtained surveillance photos showing a man and a girl who matched the description of missing 12-year-old Madalina Cojocari after her disappearance, newly unsealed search warrants have revealed. Madalina was last seen at school in late November 2022, but her mother Diana Cojocari, 37 and stepfather Christopher Palmiter, 60, did not report her missing to the police until 15 December. The North Carolina polices Sugar Mountain police department had obtained the surveillance photos from 16 December showing a girl and a man, said to be Madalinas only blood relative known to live in the US, the documents stated. The newly unsealed warrant applications from December last year and March 2023 provide additional information, showing Ms Cojocari sent a text message on 2 December last year, suggesting she was in the company of the missing child. Two days later, on 4 December, Ms Cojocari claimed to be searching for Madalina in the mountains of North Carolina. On 3 December 2022, Ms Cojocari was spotted at a service station in Hickory, North Carolina, where she got an oil change for her car. The attendant confirmed childrens toys were in the vehicle, but there was no sign of Madalina inside the car, according to the information in one of the warrant applications from 19 December 2022. On December 16, 2022, Sugar Mountain Police Department provided surveillance photographs of a man and a young female. The man in the surveillance images was physically consistent in appearance with Octavian Cebanu, the only blood relative known to live in the United States, the document said. The young female in the surveillance images was physically consistent with the missing child, Madalina Cojocari. One of the unsealed warrants also revealed Ms Cojocari and Madalinas grandmother discussed the theory that the girl had been sold by her stepfather, reported CNN. The warrant, issued in March, had Madalinas mother and grandmother discuss the theory during a recorded jail phone call that Mr Palmiter gave the girl away for money. They also discussed a bag with money and withdrawing cash, the warrant said. Ms Cojocari and her husband, Madalinas stepfather Mr Palmiter, were arrested in December for failure to report the disappearance of a child to law enforcement. The warrant also said Ms Cojocari contacted Mr Cebanu to smuggle her and Madalina away from their home as she was in a bad relationship with Mr Palmiter. This is a serious case of a child whose parents clearly are not telling us everything they know, Cornelius police captain Jennifer Thompson said in a video statement earlier this year. We know everyone has a lot of questions. We also have questions and are doing everything we can, with proper legal authority, to get those answers. Ms Cojocari and Mr Palmiter were adamant they did not know where Madalina could be, the warrant applications stated. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Five members of a neo-fascist hate group that planned to disrupt a Pride event in Idaho last year will spend three days in jail after a jury convicted them of conspiracy to riot. The men Devin Center, Forrest Rankin, Robert Whitted, James Johnson and Derek Smith were found guilty by a six-person jury on 20 July after an hour of deliberation following a three-day trial. On 11 June, 2022, police arrested 31 members of Patriot Front blocks away from the annual Pride in the Park event in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, after calls to 911 identified a group of people coming out of a UHaul box truck in a military-like formation. They carried shields, metal flag poles, shin guards and at least one smoke grenade. Paperwork inside the truck appeared to show plans for a riot, according to police, and the men came from more than a dozen states, including some as far as Colorado and Texas. The men were arrested on charges of conspiracy to riot, a misdemeanour punishable by up to one year in prison with fines of $5,000. They pleaded not guilty. Under the sentence imposed on 21 July, the men will spend three days in jail and will have one year of unsupervised probation. They are also not allowed to go within two miles of the Coeur dAlene City Park in that time. Because the probation is unsupervised, those men are able to leave the state. Images provided by the Kootenai County Sheriffs Office shows, from top row from left, James Johnson, Forrest Rankin, Robert Whitted. Devin Center and Derek Smith are pictured on the bottom row from left. (AP) Despite the mass arrests of its members in Idaho, Patriot Fronts presence across the US has not diminished. The group, which first emerged from the splintering of another white nationalist group in the aftermath of the lethal rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017, was responsible for the vast majority of hateful propaganda efforts in the years that followed, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which designates Patriot Front as a hate group. Over the last few years, Patriot Front has made its physical presence known at demonstrations and rallies across the country. A month after the arrests in Coeur dAlene, a Black artist was attacked during a Patriot Front march in Boston. This year, members have marched in Indianapolis, protested a drag brunch in Tennessee, and, in a grim display in the nations capital, marched in Washington DC. A report from the Anti-Defamation League and GLAAD discovered more than 350 targeted threats against LGBT+ people within the last year from a wide array of anti-LGBT+ groups, including online harassment as well as armed protests at drag performances, bomb scares against hospitals that provide gender-affirming healthcare, and other acts of violence, including a mass shooting inside a Colorado Springs LGBT+ nightclub. Incidents targeting drag performers and the people and venues that host them have accelerated across the US, with similar threats surfacing in the UK, according to a separate recent report from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. The group collected 203 on- and offline threatening incidents specifically targeting drag events within the last year. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Did he know that his time was up? His alleged internet searches would certainly seem to suggest so. Over the last year between March 2022 and June 2023, the suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann repeatedly looked online for updates in the investigation police say. He searched for details about the victims and their families. He googled the use of new phone technology in the case and looked for podcasts and documentaries about the murders. And he even took a keen interest in the newly-launched task force headed up by newly-appointed Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison that was actively hunting for him. For up to 16 years, police say he had gotten away with brutally murdering young women and dumping their bodies along the shores of Gilgo Beach in Long Island. As body after body lay undiscovered, he added more victims to his graveyard, prosecutors allege. Then, in late 2010, a search for another missing woman led authorities to the grim discovery. But the suspects time still wasnt up. For more than a decade, the accused killer continued to go about his day to day life going to work at his architecture firm in Manhattan and coming home to his wife and two children. He seemed just as baffled by his lack of arrest as the local residents and victims families who questioned why police had not been able to catch the killer. Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, Maureen Brainard-Barnes and Megan Waterman (from clockwise top left) (AP) He even searched Google for the answers to questions including why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer and why hasnt the long island serial killer been caught, court documents state. Was he looking over his shoulder? Did he have an inkling that he was under surveillance? Or after all this time had passed, did he think that he might never get caught? Then, last Thursday, as he left his office in Midtown after a days work and walked along a busy Manhattan road, a group of suit-clad men approached and surrounded him. The gig was finally up. Rex Heuermann a 59-year-old married father-of-two, professional architecture, Manhattan business owner and Long Island native was arrested and charged with the murders of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy and Amber Costello. He was also named as the prime suspect in the murder of a fourth woman Maureen Brainard-Barnes, who was last seen alive in New York City in early June 2007. Moment Gilgo Beach suspect arrested in crowded New York street Its taken 13 years but Suffolk County Police finally say theyve caught the serial killer who lured in sex workers, brutally murdered them and then dumped their bound and wrapped bodies along the shores of Gilgo Beach. What led them to the suspected killer was laid out in court documents as prosecutors asked a judge to deny him bail. It consisted of a pimps tip about his pickup truck, a stash of burner phones, sadistic online searches, phone calls taunting victims families, his wifes hair and a pizza crust. Sighting of pickup truck The first piece of the puzzle came when a witness in the 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. One night earlier, witnesses said that a prostitution client had come to her home but the client was subjected to a ruse where a man posing as Costellos outraged boyfriend showed up and made him leave in a move to swindle the client out of cash. A witness Costellos unidentified pimp said that the client was driving a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche. The next day the same client contacted Costello to meet her but said that he wouldnt come to her home because of her boyfriend, the court documents state. Police remove evidence from home of Long Island serial killer suspect (Patrick Reichart) Costello left her home and was never seen alive again. The details of the vehicle came to light last year after a new taskforce was assembled in January 2022 to solve the serial killings once and for all. The taskforce reviewed the evidence gathered in the case and investigators interviewed Costellos pimp in the spring of 2022. He told officials about the suspect in the green Chevrolet Avalanche, telling them he didnt know the mans name but that you might want to look at him. In March 2022, 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. As described below, this was significant, because a witness to the disappearance of Amber Costello identified a first-generation Chevrolet Avalanche as the vehicle believed to have been driven by her killer, the court documents state. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison told New York Daily News this was the turning point in the investigation and the moment that authorities zeroed in on Mr Heuermann. The turning point was the car, he said. Once we got that car, who it connected to, thats when the investigation got legs. 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. Trove of burner phones Mr Heuermanns alleged use of burner phones then led police to make an arrest. At the time when the three women went missing, they had been in contact with a person who was using a burner phone to arrange to meet them. People often use burner phones for illicit or illegal activities as they are more difficult to trace. But, according to the court documents, Mr Heuermann still managed to make a series of critical errors while using them. The burner phones used to contact the victims always pinged off the same cell towers as Mr Heuermanns legitimate cellphone, the documents show indicating that while using the burner phones, he was also in possession of his cellphone at the same time. The burner phones also pinged off cell towers in two key locations close to Mr Heuermanns office in Midtown Manhattan and close to Mr Heuermanns family home in Massapequa Park. Rex Heuermann leaves court on Friday (Fox 5/YouTube) Records show that Mr Heuermanns personal cellphone and the burner phones were in the same locations at the same time and in the locations that corresponded with the disappearances and murders of each of the three women around Massapequa, Long Island and Midtown Manhattan. Investigators could find no instance where Heuermann was in a separate location from these other cellphones when such a communication event occurred, the court documents state. In the days leading up to Barthelemys disappearance, she had been contacted by the same burner phone multiple times. The last contact from the phone came on 10 July 2009 when she was last seen alive in New York City. Cell site records show the burner phone traveled from Massapequa Park to Midtown Manhattan that day. Then, chillingly, Barthelemys own cellphone traveled from Midtown Manhattan to Massapequa Park. Victims cellphones and taunting calls to grieving families The killer took at least two of his victims cellphones after their murders as a trophy and, in a sick move, called one of the victims families from her phone to taunt them about what he had done. Prosecutors say the evidence shows this person was Mr Heuermann. Following Brainard-Barnes and Barthelemys murders, the killer took and used their cellphones. Barthelemys last cell site location was in the early hours of 11 July 2009 in Massapequa. Surveillance footage captures Rex Heuermann adding credit to one of the burner phones (via REUTERS) Throughout the next two months, the killer then used her cellphone to make taunting phone calls to Barthelemys family members. In at least one of those calls, answered by a devastated family member, the male caller gloated about killing and sexually assaulting Barthelemy. Prosecutors allege that Mr Heuermann made those cruel calls from or in the vicinity of his Midtown office where his own daughter is now an employee. Records show that each of the taunting calls pinged off cell towers in Midtown Manhattan. Mr Heuermann also allegedly used Brainard-Barnes cellphone to check her voicemail, the court documents show. Online searches for explicit images and the LISK investigation In the years after the murders, Mr Heuermann allegedly continued to slip up in his use of technology as he allegedly continued to use burner phones to illicit sex from sex workers right up until his arrest. While it showed a pattern of behaviour, prosecutors also point to other disturbing activity traced to the cellphone numbers. Court documents show that Mr Heuermann had Tinder profiles and several email accounts under a series of fake names. He used these accounts linked to his burner phones to search for graphic images of young girls and children and sadistic, torture-related pornography. Selfie taken on one of his fake accounts (via REUTERS) Searches included girl hog tied torture porn and 10 year old school girl. As well as the disturbing sexual searches, prosecutors say he also looked up images of the murder victims and their relatives, and researched podcasts, documentaries and news stories on the case. These included why could law enforcement not trace the calls made by the long island serial killer, and why hasnt the long island serial killer been caught, Long Island killer and Long Island serial killer phone call. He also looked for information about the new task force on the case. Knowing he was keeping a close eye on the investigation, police kept the developments close to the vest. Surveillance footage captured Mr Heuermann adding credit to one of the burner phones and he had it on him when he was arrested. Wifes hair In a bombshell twist, hair belonging to Mr Heuermanns wife was allegedly found on the bodies of three of the four victims. Prosecutors say that two female hairs had been found on Waterman, one of them on the tape which the killer wrapped around her head. One female hair was found on tape used to wrap burlap around Costello and one hair was found in a belt buckle used to bind Brainard-Barnes who Mr Heuermann is yet to be charged over. To identify the female who the belonged to, investigators trawled through the trash at the Heuermann home in Long Island. New York State police officers carry out a large item from the home of Rex Heuermann (AP) In July 2022, they recovered 11 bottles from the trash and they were swabbed for DNA. Forensic testing found that the DNA on the bottles matched the female hair found at the crime scene, concluding that the hair belonged to Mr Heuermanns wife. The accuracy is such that more than 99 percent of the North American female population can be ruled out, according to the court documents. Prosecutors found that the suspects wife was out of town at the time of the three murders for which he has been charged but that her hair could have transferred to the crime scene through her husbands clothing or through him using items such as tape taken from the family home. Pizza crust As well as his wifes DNA, Mr Heuermanns DNA was also found on one of the victims. Prosecutors said that a male hair had been found on the burlap used to wrap Watermans body before the killer dumped her along Gilgo Beach. When the hair was first retrieved in 2010, it was unsuitable for DNA analysis, according to the court documents. But that hair was kept safely locked away and was submitted for analysis in 2020. A DNA profile came back. A pizza box discarded by Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann was used to link him to the killings through DNA (Suffolk County DA) Now, to check if it matched Mr Heuermann, investigators needed his DNA to compare the samples. This January, a surveillance team watching the suspect saw him chuck a pizza box into the trash close to his office in Manhattan. They nabbed the box and found a leftover pizza crust inside. Last month, court records state the forensics came back: it was Mr Heuermanns hair found on Watermans body. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} True crime fans have clustered outside the modest Massapequa Park home in Long Island, New York, where alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann lived until his bombshell arrest last week. Rex Heuermann, 59, was charged on 13 July with the murders of Amber Costello, Megan Waterman and Melissa Barthelemy, who vanished between 2007 and 2010 before their bodies were found dumped in Gilgo Beach. The suspect lived in Massapequa Park, Long Island, with his wife of 25 years, who has since filed for divorce, and two adult children. He also ran the architecture firm RH Consultants & Associates in Midtown Manhattan. In the aftermath of the breakthrough arrest, hundreds of crime enthusiasts have gathered outside the suspects home, The New York Times reports. I couldnt wait to see it. Im so into this thing, 51-year-old Long Island teacher Scarlett Fascetti, who made a 30-mile trip to see Mr Heuermanns home, told the outlet. Lidia Feldman, 26, also visited the house along with her two-year-old daughter. Its part of history, Ms Feldman told the Times. Crime scene tape surrounded the red house, which neighbours have previously said was always unkempt, as police carted more boxes of potential evidence earlier this week. Items pulled out of Mr 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. Authorities search the home of suspect Rex Heuermann, Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in Massapequa Park (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) True crime fans have clustered outside the modest Massapequa Park home in Long Island (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) Mr Heuermann, 59, is being held at the maximum-security Suffolk County Correctional Facility in Riverhead following his arrest. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges against him. On Thursday, South Carolina investigators confirmed they are probing potential links between Mr Huermann and the disappearance of a teen nearly a decade ago. Our investigators have been reviewing any information to see if there is a correlation between the disappearance of Aaliyah Bell and Rex Heuermann, Rock Hill Lieutenant Michael Chavis told ABC News in a statement. So far there is no indication that leads us to identify Heuermann as a suspect in this case. We will continue to investigate Bells disappearance and follow up on all tips and leads. In the aftermath of Mr Heuermanns arrest, it has emerged that he 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 also 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. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A teen girl was rescued from her alleged 61-year-old paedophile kidnapper after she wrote a help me sign and waved it at a passerby. Sixty-one-year-old Steven Robert Sablan has been charged with kidnapping and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, the Department of Justice said on Thursday. He is accused of abducting a 13-year-old girl in San Antonio, Texas, who he then allegedly sexually assaulted and drove to Long Beach, California. The minor told law enforcement that the suspect had kidnapped her at gunpoint, telling her, If you dont get in the car with me, I am going to hurt you. She was only able to escape once they arrived in Long Beach and Mr Sablan momentarily left her inside his grey Nissan Sentra while he went to a laundromat. The victim proceeded to write Help me! on a piece of paper that she then began waving at people. Eventually, a witness phoned law enforcement and help arrived at the scene. The teen was walking alone on 7 July when she was approached by the suspect, according to an indictment for his arrest. Mr Sablan allegedly threatened the victim with a weapon and coerced her to enter his vehicle. Once she was inside the car, Mr Sablan reportedly began asking her question and at one point, he allegedly told her they could go on a cruise ship together to visit her friend in Australia. The suspect warned her that first she had to do something for him, before allegedly sexually assaulting her several times. During the two following days, Mr Sablan is accused of driving the victim to California and assaulting her on at least two other occasions. When law enforcement officers responded to the 911 call reporting the victims cries for help on 9 July, they found Mr Sablan standing outside the vehicle. They also spotted the victim, who was inside the car and mouthed the word help when she saw the police. Laundromat employee Touch Vong told ABC News that Mr Sablan had asked her where he could grab food just moments before his arrest unfolded. I feel it. I have goosebumps, she said. They have restaurants here by the laundry but they never open on Sunday, but I dont know why my mouth opened and told him, Oh, maybe they open [at 11,] you can wait here. Ms Vong told the outlet that Mr Sablans demeanour changed and he suddenly looked scared. A black BB gun, a Help me sign, and a pair of handcuffs were seized from Mr Sablans vehicle. Mr Sablan is expected to appear in court for an arraignment hearing on 31 July. He would face life in federal prison if convicted of both charges. Sign up to our free US news bulletin sent straight to your inbox each weekday morning Sign up to our free morning US email news bulletin Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the US Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Four decades after a 23-year-old beauty school student was killed, police say DNA has led to a suspect. Laura Kempton was found dead in her Portsmouth, New Hampshire apartment in 1981. On Thursday, the states attorney general announced in a release that the case had been solved, yet no arrest will be made, and no prosecution commenced, as the suspect died of a drug overdose in 2005. It wasnt until 2022, though, that investigators used forensic genetic genealogy technology to analyse DNA samples from the 1981 crime scene. The perpetrator, the release said, was Ronney James Lee, who was 21 years old at the time of Kemptons death. Genetic evidence indicated that the same person sexually assaulted and murdered Ms. Kempton in the early morning hours of September 28. If Lee were still alive, authorities would have sought first-degree murder charges against him, according to the release. Attorney General John Formella said he hopes his announcement will be the long-awaited first step in providing what closure the criminal justice system can provide for Laura Kemptons family and community. Kempton was last seen the morning of 28 September 1981; later that evening, a police officer discovered her home in an attempt to serve a court summons for parking meter violations. The details of her murder described in Mr Formellas report are gruesome. She was found naked in her bed with a gray telephone cord around her neck and shoulders and a green pillowcase covering her head. Her legs were tied together with a white cord from an electric blanket, and the top part of her body was covered with a blanket. Investigators also noted a wine bottle beside her body, which was believed to be a possible weapon. An autopsy later revealed that she died as a result of massive trauma to the left side of her head caused by being struck by a heavy blunt object, the report states, which could have been from the wine bottle. Blood was everywhere, but so were his fingerprints, according to the report. The supsect was believed to have come in through a door panel leading to her apartment from the hallway. The attorney general said at a news conference that the investigations end was bittersweet, but should send a message to anyone who has been affected by a case that has gone cold in this state that we will never stop working these cases. He added, We will never forget about these victims. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} James Cameron, the Titanic director who has taken 33 dives down to the liners wreck, has called for increased regulation surrounding tourist vessels following the tragic fate of the Titan submersible. No fatalities, no incidents, no deaths, no implosions until today, the filmmaker said at an event in Ottawa, Canada on Tuesday. This is an extreme outlier of a data point that, in a sense, proves the rule. And the rule is weve been safe for half a century. And he added: We have to be reminded of the possibility of human failure. Cameron told the event that the shocking loss of the Titan might force international agencies to craft regulations for passenger vessels. He was speaking in front of the Deepsea Challenger, part of the Royal Canadian Geographical Societys exhibit called Pressure: James Cameron into the Abyss. The vessel was designed to reach the bottom of the oceans deepest point, known as the Challenger Deep. In 2012, Cameron led a successful mission in the vessel. He compared his experience on Deepsea Challenger to the Titan submersible, saying OceanGate didnt demonstrate the same level of rigour and discipline that is typically required for deep sea exploration. Bloomberg reported that Cameron and an Australian team dedicated seven years to creating and testing the limits of the Deepsea Challenger. I was pretty concerned about implosion risk and other hazards over a seven-year period, the filmmaker said. We did test after test after test and scenario after scenario. We have over a half-century of a perfect safety record as the deep submergence community. Actual exploration. Actual research. Camerons mission, however, was also not certified. He told the New York Times last month that he knowingly did not seek safety certification, clarifying that his journey was for scientific purposes, unlike the Titan submersible. I would never design a vehicle to take passengers and not have it certified, he told the outlet. Five people died aboard the Titan submersible last month when it imploded, and the company that launched the mission has since ceased operations. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Nebraska teenage girl received a 90-day jail sentence for using abortion pills to terminate her pregnancy and illegally concealing human remains. Celeste Burgess, 19, and her mother Jessica Burgess, 42, had pleaded guilty earlier this year to the charges. Her mother, who faces up to five years in jail, was charged after her private Facebook messages with her daughter were obtained by the police. These messages revealed their plans to end the pregnancy, burn the evidence, and dispose of the evidence by using abortion pills ordered online. The incident occurred in April 2022 when Celeste Burgess was 17 years old and an investigation into the case began before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in June 2022. The teenager was in the early stages of her third trimester when she took the abortion pills bought by her mother online, prosecutors said. Then the two proceeded to bury the fetal remains themselves, the police said. Prosecutors said, Celeste Burgess used abortion pills well beyond the 10-week limit approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Court records reveal that she terminated her pregnancy when she was nearly 30 weeks pregnant, surpassing the generally recognised point of viability at 23 to 24 weeks. At this stage, a fetus would have a higher chance of survival outside the womb. The teenager was not charged by prosecutors under Nebraskas abortion law. They agreed to drop two charges of concealing a death and false reporting against her after she pleaded guilty in May to concealing human skeletal remains. She was also sentenced to two years of probation apart from her 90 days jail sentence. Joseph Smith, the top prosecutor in Madison County, Nebraska, said the sentence seems reasonable as the teenager has no criminal history. Its a painful case for everybody, he said adding that it was the first case he had prosecuted in his 33-years-long career, and Im glad its over. The police began an investigation following concerns that a teenage girl had given premature birth to a still born baby about 115 miles northwest of Omaha and the baby was buried. It was found that the remains were dug up and moved to the north of the town to be buried again. They again moved the remains for the third time to burn the fetus, court documents show. After the remains were exhumed, it was found that it had thermal injuries, the detective wrote. The case came after the court issued a ruling in Dobbs V Jackson Womens Health Organisation, which ended the constitutional right to abortion after nearly 50 years. It raised fears that pregant women and those who help them could be prosecuted for abortions. Following the verdict Nebraska banned abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and later governor Jim Pillen singed a ban on abortion after 12-weeks into law. Activists and experts have said this case shows people would be forced to use illegal and concerning means in desperation to end pregnancies. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 21-year-old Oregon State University student died after he fell hundreds of feet down a rocky ravine while on a hike in Oregons Cascade Mountains. The body of Joel Tranby was found on Thursday using footage from drones, according to a statement from Lane County Sheriffs Office, which said he died after falling down a loose and rocky slope. We are saddened by this loss of life and extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends, the statement read. Since the area is impossible to reach by foot, the statement said the Lane County Sheriffs Search and Rescue staff are consulting expert climbers from a number of various sources to determine if a recovery mission can be safely conducted. Tranbys girlfriend reported that he was injured near the summit of the North Sister mountain 17 July after he had fallen approximately 300-500ft down the slope, an earlier statement said. However, she said she was unable to see him due to the rockiness of the terrain. Unfortunately he stopped responding verbally before searchers arrived, the initial statement said. The climbers mother, April Tranby, wrote on Facebook, describing that his girlfriend had seen him fall twice down the steep mountain: He was able to talk after first fall, but very badly injured. We have no contact with him after second fall. His girlfriend, Fiona Curley, was taken off the mountain by a helicopter, according to a GoFundMe page. The fundraiser aims to create a scholarship in Tranbys name. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A police officer in New York has been indicted on federal civil rights charges for allegedly using his stun gun seven times on a handcuffed man. On Thursday, prosecutors announced that the man put in handcuffs was facing a mental crisis and was being involuntarily taken for medical treatment. According to the indictment, Sgt Mario Stewart,44, a commander on the force in Mount Vernon, fired his Taser at a man multiple times in just two minutes. He has now been charged with violating the persons constitutional rights by using excessive force. Stewarts alleged conduct not only betrayed his duty as an officer to protect those under his charge but also violated the law, United States Attorney Damian Williams said. Mr Williams added: My Office is committed to protecting the constitutional rights of all New Yorkers, including those experiencing mental health crises, and to holding law enforcement officers accountable when they abuse their authority. However, Mr Stewarts attorney, Kevin Conway, said that his client was doing his duty and added: He merely was discharging his duty in responding to a mental health call for an individual who was in an agitated mental and physical state. What happened at the scene? In March 2019, Mr Stewart and six other officers were dispatched to a parking lot to assist a man who was partially naked and who appeared to be in distress. According to a press release from the US Attorney's Office Southern District of New York, Mr Stewart was assigned to the MVPDs Emergency Services Unit, which is responsible for (among other things) responding to individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis. At the time, Mr Stewart was supervising the scene and gave an order for the man to be handcuffed and taken down to the ground. The other officers at the scene then put the man in a restraint bag for transportation, but they were unable to pull the restraint bag over the Victims chest as the man was holding onto the strap of the bag. Prosecutors said Mr Stewart told the man to let go, but when he didnt, the officer proceeded to fire his stun gun repeatedly. The man was on the ground with his hands cuffed behind his back and his legs secured in the bag. Stewarts actions caused bodily injury to the Victim, the indictment said. Mr Conway said emergency services tried to get the man to be transported with care, but they were unsuccessful and Mr Stewart had no choice but to use such measures. Mr Stewart pleaded not guilty at an appearance before a federal judge in White Plains on Thursday and was released on a personal bond, the lawyer added. In a statement, the administration of Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, who took office several months after the incident, said: The alleged conduct predicating the Department of Justices charges is abhorrent and erodes the publics trust in the hard-working men and women of the Mount Vernon Police Department. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A woman claiming to be the winner of the $1.08bn Powerball jackpot was spotted at the California convenience store where the ticket was sold. An unidentified woman who was evidently overcome with emotion was captured on video eagerly hugging people at the unassuming Las Palmitas Mini Market in downtown Los Angeles. Reporters at the store tried to interview the woman, who may hold the third-largest jackpot in Powerballs history, but she appeared to be too ecstatic to talk. I cant even ... I cant, she said as she fought tears of joy. Im scared right now, Im so scared. She managed to nod when asked if she was the winner but as she rushed out of the store, the woman collapsed on her knees and continued sobbing as she waved her hands in the air. She then drove off in a BMW, according to Inside Edition. Nabor Herrera, who owns Las Palmitas Mini Market, told the outlet that he thought it was fake because he didnt recognise the woman. However, Mr Herreras daughters said they believe the woman is the daughter of a customer who bought the ticket. The California Lottery said the formal process to officially identify the winner will take longer. Anybody claiming to be the winner isnt valid until we say it is, spokesperson Carolyn Becker said at a press conference outside Las Palmitas Mini Marker on Thursday morning. The winner has secured an estimated $1.08bn, the sixth largest in US history, while store owners have also won a $1m bonus for selling the lucky ticket. The winning numbers for Wednesday nights drawing were white balls 7, 10, 11, 13, 24 and red Powerball 24. A woman claiming to be the Powerball winner was spotted at the store that sold the ticket on Thursday (KTLA) Mr Herrera told KTV-LA that he didnt realise hed sold the winning ticket until he arrived for work early Thursday and saw the heavy media presence outside of the store. I tell you, its a surprise for me, I didnt know what it is filming or what, the father-of-four said. Mr Herrera, who has owned the store for seven years, said he planned to use his $1m seller bonus to expand his business and take his family on a vacation to Cabo San Lucas or Cancun in Mexico. The large prize also helped raise money for California Public School System for every ticket that is sold, 80 cents go to public school funding. Thanks to this jackpot that grew for 39 different draws, the California Lottery raised nearly $80 million for public schools just from the last three months, Ms Becker said. California State Lottery spokesperson Carolyn Becker speaks during a news conference outside the Las Palmitas Mini Market (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The California Lottery announced on Wednesday that only one ticket across the country had matched all the six numbers in the draw. The organisation said that an additional seven tickets matched 5 of the numbers which means that these ticket holders will also win a prize of $448,750 each. The Golden State luck was in full force as California also sold SEVEN additional tickets that matched 5 numbers missing just the Powerball, winning $448,750 each, in Hayward, La Puente, Los Angeles, Northridge, San Francisco, Santa Clara, and South Lake Tahoe, the lottery said in a tweet. Las Palmitas Mini Marker is around the corner from LAs notoriouss Skid Row neighbourhood and just a 30-minute drive from the convenience store in Altadena where Powerball winner Edwin Castro purchased his ticket for last Novembers $2.04bn jackpot. The jackpots winner can choose the total jackpot paid out either in yearly increments or a one-time lump sum. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The state of Alabama will likely face another legal challenge from civil rights groups after the states Republican lawmakers approved another congressional map that, once again, likely discriminates against Black voters and significantly dilutes their voting power. Last month, in a landmark decision 19 months in the making, the US Supreme Court sided with a lower court ordering the state legislature to go back to the drawing board and rewrite the states congressional districts, finding that the current map violates the Voting Rights Act. That map packed most of the states Black residents, who make up more than a quarter of the states population, into one single congressional district out of seven. On 21 July, facing a court-imposed deadline to come up with a second map that adds at least one majority-Black district, Alabama Republicans maintained the status quo, with a map that has only one district in which Black voters in the state, most of whom vote Democratic, have a chance of electing a candidate of their choice. The plan has one district currently represented by Democratic US Rep Terry Sewell with a Black voting age population share of slightly more than 50.6 per cent. The Black voting age population in the other proposed district is 39.9 per cent. The rest of the states Black voters are cracked across other districts, significantly diluting their voting power. Civil rights groups and the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case of Allen v Milligan condemned the new map, saying that Alabama lawmakers believe they are above the law. Plaintiffs in the US Supreme Court case of Allen v Milligan have urged Alabama lawmakers to adhere to the courts decision and create a second Black-majority congressional district in the state. (Getty Images for Committee for H) What we are dealing with is a group of lawmakers who are blatantly disregarding not just the Voting Rights Act, but a decision from the US Supreme Court and a court order from the three-judge district court, they said in a statement. Even worse, they continue to ignore constituents pleas to ensure the map is fair and instead remain determined to rob Black voters of the representation we deserve. We wont let that happen, they added. During debate this week, Democratic state Rep Juandalynn Givan of Birmingham was shocked that Republican lawmakers would blatantly flip off the Supreme Court by rejecting an order for a new map. Revisions to the map and a Supreme Court ruling that could spell changes to other racially fragmented congressional maps in other states appear to have sparked Republican members of Congress into action as the GOP maintains a thin and fractured majority in the House. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville and other members of Alabamas Republican congressional delegation have talked with state lawmakers about the map plans, according to Republican state House Speaker Nathan Ledbetter, NBC News reported. Mr McCarthy is concerned about maintaining his House majority, Mr Ledbetter told NBC News. The plaintiffs represented by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union, among others are likely to ignite another legal challenge, if the map advances into law. If the new map is enacted, plaintiffs have until 28 July to file any objections in court. Stuart Naifeh, a member of the Legal Defense Funds litigation team in the Milligan case, told The Independent that Alabama lawmakers were engaged in a pointless exercise that has ignored the courts and smacks of racial gerrymandering. Alabamas Democratic US Rep Terri Sewell represents the sole majority-Black district in the state, despite Black residents, most of whom vote Democratic, making up more than a quarter of the states population. (REUTERS) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was drafted to prevent that kind of race-based dilution of Black voters, particularly in Alabama, a state with a long history of racist violence and discrimination. At the Supreme Court, attorneys for Alabama argued the opposite that considering race to redraw political boundaries would mark an unconstitutional consideration of racial targets and race-based sorting in violation of the 14th Amendments equal protection clause. The justices rejected that argument. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act prohibits voting laws and election policies from discriminating on the basis of race. The states suggestion that race should play no role whatsoever to determine whether redistricting plans violate Section 2 would rewrite the law and overturn decades of settled precedent, according to the maps challengers. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A high-profile Egyptian activist who was released from prison this week said Friday he plans to travel to Italy, where his case garnered significant attention. He said he will continue to work in the field of human rights and live between the two countries. In an interview with The Associated Press, Patrick George Zaki, who received a presidential pardon on Wednesday, said he hopes that other prominent jailed dissidents would be let go soon, including one of the most famous, Alaa Abdel Fattah. We hope that in the coming period there will be a presidential pardon for all prisoners of opinion," Zaki said. Egypt, which has carried out a relentless crackdown on dissent for nearly a decade, has also pardoned dozens of detainees in the past year. President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, who has overseen the crackdown, has previously denied that his country has political prisoners, and justified government measures by saying they are needed to fight the spread of terrorism. The release of Zaki, whose case was championed by Italys government, marks the end of a three-year ordeal. 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 accused of disseminating false news following an opinion article he wrote in 2019 on alleged discrimination against the Coptic Christian minority in the country. 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. Zaki earned a masters degree with distinction earlier this month without being able to go to Italy because he was barred from travel. He defended his thesis by videoconference. Days before he was pardoned, an Egyptian court convicted him of the charge of disseminating false news and sentenced him to three years in prison. Zakis case has echoed in Italy, reminding many 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. I will be in Bologna next Sunday night, Zaki said, adding that he would only make a short trip, that he needed to return to Egypt for his wedding in September. After that, he said he plans to pursue a doctorate in Italy and travel back to Egypt regularly. He said he is grateful for all the support the Italian people had shown him. I will continue to defend human rights around the world, and resume my work normally," he said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} For eight years, Donald Trump has managed to secure the support of many evangelical and conservative Christians despite behavior that often seemed at odds with teachings espoused by Christ in the Gospels. If some observers initially viewed this as an unsustainable alliance, its different now. Certain achievements during Trumps presidency notably appointments that shifted the Supreme Court to the right have solidified that support. Hes now the clear front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, even after he recently was found liable for sexually abusing a New York woman in 1996 and was indicted in a criminal case related to hush money payments to a porn actress. Robert Jeffress, pastor of an evangelical megachurch in Dallas, has been a staunch supporter of Trump since his first campaign for president and is sticking by him even as rivals like South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former Vice President Mike Pence tout their Christian faith. Conservative Christians continue to overwhelmingly support Donald Trump because of his biblical policies, not his personal piety, Jeffress told The Associated Press via email. They are smart enough to know the difference between choosing a president and choosing a pastor. In many ways, Christians feel like they are in an existential cultural war between good and evil, and they want a warrior like Donald Trump who can win, Jeffress added. In rural southwest Missouri, pastor Mike Leake of Calvary of Neosho a Southern Baptist church says support for Trump within the mostly conservative congregation seems to strengthen the more he is criticized and investigated. It further convinces them of their rhetoric that there is a leftist plot to undermine our nation, Leake said. So if everybody from the Left hates Trump, well, he must be on to something. Leake said many of his congregation members who strongly support Trump are not our most dedicated members. Anytime weve seen someone go full on MAGA, we lose them, Leake added. Attendance and involvement drops. Giving drops. Its all consuming -- just as with any other idol. Robert Franklin, professor of moral leadership at Emory Universitys Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, said Trump benefits from a perception among some of his followers that he is suffering on their behalf. The more he complains of persecution, the more people dig in to support him, and for a few, fight for him and make personal sacrifices (of money and freedom) for his advancement, Franklin said via email. Franklin also noted that some evangelicals, since early in Trumps presidency, have likened him to Cyrus the Great, the Persian king who, according to the Bible, enabled Jews to return to Israel from their exile in Babylon. This is a powerful trope, the bad man who makes good things possible, and is hence praised as a hero, Franklin said. Unfortunately, under this narrative, Trump can literally do no wrong. His wrong is right. No other politician gets that kind of pass. Trumps great achievements, in the eyes of many evangelicals, include moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and more profoundly appointing three Supreme Justices who have helped repeal the nationwide right to abortion and broaden religious-freedom protections in several cases involving conservative Christians. Trump is eager to tout his faith-based record. No president has ever fought for Christians as hard as I have, he told the Faith & Freedom gala in Washington in June. "Ill fight hard until Im back behind that desk in the Oval Office. The political results are widely viewed as the key to Trump's evangelical support. I am certain that many Christians in the MAGA movement earnestly believe Trump has been anointed for this purpose to bring about certain political outcomes they desire, said Robert Millies, a Chicago-based Catholic scholar whose books include Good Intentions: A History of Catholic Voters Road from Roe to Trump. The embrace of Trump is really, finally a cynical calculation concerned with power, one that has the thinnest of possible Scriptural justifications, Millies added. Back in February 2017, just two weeks after Trumps inauguration, the Rev. Peter Daly a retired Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Washington wrote a column for the National Catholic Reporter titled Donald Trumps gospel is not the Gospel of Jesus. In the piece, Daly depicted Trump as an uncharitable bully, prone to lying, lacking in empathy and tolerance. He sees every opponent as someone to be shouted down or roughed up, Daly wrote. He is not a peacemaker. Six years later, Daly tries to comprehend why so many conservative Christians remain in Trumps camp despite behavior and rhetoric that are antithetical to everything they stand for. Some pro-Trump pastors have relished the proximity to power afforded during White House visits or special political events, Daly said. And some rural, white Christians feel like nobody speaks for them, Daly added. They think, Heres Donald Trump. Hell be our champion' It has nothing to do with being Christian. Its the politics of grievance. Serene Jones is president of Union Theological Seminary in New York, which describes itself as a progressive religious institution with many LGBTQ students. Asked about Trumps popularity among conservative Christians, Jones evoked the numerous recent victories for evangelical and conservative causes in the courts and Republican-controlled state legislatures. Our nation is seeing a rampage of attacks on reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the separation of church and state, Jones said via email. Even though certain evangelical Christians might harbor some discomfort about particular politicians, they may believe these social and political successes far outweigh the concerns. In Iowa, where evangelical support is crucial in the caucuses that launch the GOP nomination process, Trump seems far better positioned than in 2016. A Des Moines Register Iowa Poll in March found that he was viewed favorably by 58% of evangelicals, compared to 19% ahead of the 2016 caucuses. President Trump has stood up for the values that we hold dear, Brad Sherman, a pastor from Williamsburg, Iowa, told The Associated Press in April. Then we need to pray for him that his personal life comes in line with that. As strong as Trumps support is among conservative Christians, some prominent figures in those ranks are seeking alternatives in the GOP campaign. The Rev. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, backed Trump in 2020 but said recently on his radio show that hes now had enough. Christians begin with the clear biblical truth that no sinful human being has a perfect character, but even as we grade presidents on something of a curve, some stand out as particularly lacking in character, Mohler said. Donald J. Trump is certainly one of those presidents. I do not want Donald J. Trump to be the 2024 Republican nominee, Mohler added. There is simply too much baggage ... A statesman would realize that fact and make way for someone else to lead. That does not appear likely. Trump was raised as a Presbyterian, but told Religion News Service in 2020 that he had shifted to identifying as a nondenominational Christian. He has not claimed membership in any particular congregation, and during his presidency he attended worship services infrequently. When in Florida, Trump has sometimes attended an Episcopal church in Palm Beach for Easter and Christmas Eve services. On the campaign trail, he has visited churches of various denominations, including some new-age churches with music and dancing. Jeffress, the Dallas megachurch pastor, admires Trump as a political battler. But Jeffress says that during eight years of friendship, I have seen a side to him that many people never see. Ive watched him interact with strangers, as well as his own family, with warmth and kindness. ___ Associated Press writers Thomas Beaumont in Iowa and Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A coalition of Thai political parties, struggling to form a government after two failed attempts, announced Friday it would try again next week to persuade conservative parliamentary opponents to back it, and suggested it might consider removing its most progressive member which won May's election. The eight-party grouping met in Bangkok on Friday for the first time since a combined sitting of the House of Representatives and Senate on Wednesday voted to block Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the progressive Move Forward Party, from becoming prime minister. Pita was rejected last week in a first vote on whether to name him prime minister, and was knocked out of contention on Wednesday when a procedural vote decided he could not be nominated a second time. Pita was further handicapped by a Constitutional Court decision on Wednesday that suspended him from Parliament while it decides whether he violated the constitution, as the state Election Commission said. The allegation involves whether he ran for office while holding prohibited shares in a media company, a charge he has denied. The Move Forward Party finished first in Mays general election and assembled the eight-party coalition, which together held a majority of 312 seats in the 500-member House. But under the military-enacted constitution, a new prime minister must receive the support of a combined majority of both the House and 250-seat unelected conservative Senate, and Pita fell short by more than 50 votes, capturing just 324 in all. The Senate, which was appointed by a previous military government and serves as the royalist establishments bulwark against change, gave only 13 votes to Pita. Many senators strongly oppose his partys call for amendment of a law that makes it illegal to defame Thailands royal family. Critics say the law, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison, has been abused as a political weapon. After Pitas failure, the coalition agreed to replace him as its choice for prime minister with a candidate from the Pheu Thai party, which won the second most seats in Mays election. It is to name the candidate next Wednesday. Pita was Move Forwards sole candidate, while Pheu Thai registered three names: real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin; Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a 2006 military coup; and Chaikasem Nitsiri, the partys chief strategist. Srettha, who has emerged as the favorite, entered active politics only last year. Fridays meeting of coalition partners decided to try to win over enough senators and House members by offering possible compromises on its agenda, most notably the reform of the law against royal defamation, before the next parliamentary vote on Thursday. This is the way we think would be best, Chonlanan Srikaew, leader of the Pheu Thai party, said after the meeting. But there is growing speculation that the only way to break the deadlock would be to remove the Move Forward Party from the coalition. Asked about the likelihood of this, Chonlanan agreed there was an option that may exclude a certain party from the equation. He said the meeting agreed to leave that up to Pheu Thai. The thing we said today is a promise that we will try our best to act within the principles upheld by the eight parties, he said. Any course of action that is outside the agreement made today by the eight parties - this is just something we are allowed to do. That will be what Pheu Thai thinks and does only after the other options have failed. Move Forwards victory in Mays election was powered by a widespread desire, particularly among young people, for deep structural change in Thailand after nine years of military-aligned rule. The party also wants to reduce the influence of the military, which has staged more than a dozen coups since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, and of big business monopolies. Any move to cast the popular party into opposition, instead of government, could lead to a return of sustained street protests, and several demonstrations are planned for the coming days. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} To hear Republicans react to reports that attorneys working for President Joe Biden had discovered and promptly reported the presence of documents bearing classification markings at a Washington, DC, think-tank where he kept an office before launching his 2020 presidential campaign, one might think Christmas came early in the new year. Georgia representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch defender of former president Donald Trump, immediately took to right-wing host Tucker Carlsons Fox News programme to declare that attorney general Merrick Garland should be impeached if Mr Garland fails to treat Mr Biden the way Mr Trump was treated after he refused to return classified documents that hed taken to his Florida home before leaving office. Since his term ended in January 2021, the National Archives and the Justice Department have been pushing Mr Trump to return documents that he took from the White House, some of which have been reported to be classified at top secret levels or higher. The back-and-forth culminated in the FBIs search of Mr Trumps Florida home on 8 August 2022, at which point special agents recovered more than 100 such documents. Between the documents found during the search, another tranche turned over in response to a grand jury subpoena, and the contents of 15 other boxes returned to the National Archives in January 2022, Mr Trump has allegedly had possession of more than 300 classified documents long after his ability to legally possess national defence information expired. A Department of Justice special counsel, Jack Smith, is overseeing a probe into whether Mr Trump violated US laws governing handling of national defence information by hoarding the documents. Most legal experts and intelligence veterans believe the ex-president faces considerable legal peril from Mr Smiths probe. And while the GOP has not been willing to criticise Mr Trump, they are jumping on the news of the discovery of roughly a dozen intelligence memoranda and briefing documents at an office Mr Biden used at the Penn Biden Center, a think-tank in Washington. A second set of documents was reportedly recovered at another location linked to the president in a follow-up search, multiple outlets reported in January. Mr Biden confirmed that additional documents were discovered in the garage of his Delaware home. Mr Garland has appointed a special counsel to oversee the investigation into the classified documents related to Mr Biden. Republicans have painted the Biden discoveries as an equivilent offence that can be used to argue that Mr Trump is being singled out for political reasons. The ex-presidents eldest son, Donald Trump Jr, expressed the line many Republicans have taken in the wake of the revelations in a Tuesday post on Twitter, writing: Biden kept classified documents from the Obama administration that he as VP would not have had the ability to declassify and I have yet to hear about the FBI Hostage Rescue Team raiding one of his homes? Why the double standard? House majority leader Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, suggested that the media is already giving Mr Biden kid glove treatment over the matter during a press conference. The image included in a US Justice Department court filing on Tuesday against Donald Trump (US Department of Justice/AFP/Getty) If then-Vice President Biden took classified documents with him, and held them for years, and criticised former President Trump during that same time that he had those classified documents I wonder why the press isnt asking the same questions of him, he said. In fact, the press did ask questions about the matter when Mr Biden appeared for a bilateral meeting with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau in Mexico City, but the president declined to answer their queries. Another top Republican, incoming House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Turner of Ohio, asked the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to conduct an assessment as to whether the discovery of documents at Mr Bidens former office indicates any damage to US interests. In a letter to DNI Avril Haines, Mr Turner warned that Mr Biden could be in potential violation of laws protecting national security, such the Espionage Act and Presidential Records Act. Those entrusted with access to classified information have a duty and an obligation to protect it. This issue demands a full and thorough review, he said. Yet despite the seemingly gleeful way Republicans are reacting to the news that Mr Biden or someone working for him may have packed classified documents in a locked office closet six years ago, theres a key difference they are missing. When Mr Bidens made their discovery on 2 November, their first call was to the National Archives, which under the Presidential Records Act would have been the proper custodian of any Obama-Biden administration records. According to special counsel to the president Richard Sauber, the Archives retrieved the documents the very next day. Joe Biden with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau (AP) Legal experts say that fact alone not only differentiates Mr Bidens case from that of Mr Trump, but it actually makes it far more likely that Mr Trump will face indictment for his conduct, as he now appears all but certain to this July. Mr Trump never once attempted to notify the Archives as to what he had taken to his Florida home upon leaving office. It took Nara a full year after the end of his term to reach an agreement for the ex-president to return 15 boxes of materials and only then did archivists discover classified documents among what had been brought back from Florida. According to court documents, Mr Trump and his aides actively resisted returning more documents until presented with a grand jury subpoena, then turned over another tranche in June 2022. But the resistance to returning what was rightfully government property continued for months, leading the Justice Department to ask a magistrate judge for a warrant to search the ex-presidents home after developing evidence showing that hed lied about having turned it all over to the government. Biden confirms second batch of documents found in 'locked garage' Whereas Mr Bidens lawyers promptly notified the government that they had discovered potential national defence information among papers in his former office, Mr Trump refused to return similar information after being asked to return it. Its that refusal that experts say could leave the ex-president on the hook for violating a criminal statute that makes anyone who willfully retains national defence information and fails to deliver it on demand to the officer or employee of the United States entitled to receive it at risk of imprisonment for ten years on each count. In an interview with Insider, national security law attorney Bradley Moss said Mr Bidens lawyers did exactly what you're supposed to do if you discover documents bearing classification markings. When you find improperly stored classified documents, you immediately notify the government and you turn it over immediately, he said. The reason Donald Trump is in criminal jeopardy right now isn't just because of the documents being improperly stored. It was the obstruction that is why it has gotten to the point it has, where we're looking at the real possibility of a criminal indictment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A new survey out from Monmouth University should have the Biden campaign and the DC media circuit breathing slightly easier. The universitys pollsters surveyed the effect that a prominent third-party presidential bid would have on a matchup between Mr Biden and his 2020 rival, Donald Trump, who is looking more likely to be the Republican nominee with every passing day. The findings were objectively good news for the president: Voters still back him over the twice-impeached former president when a prominent third-party candidate is introduced into the equation. And even better news for Mr Biden: When voters are asked to consider a scenario in which a vote for a third-party candidate would put Mr Bidens victory in particular danger, a slim majority say they would vote for the former president. The expectation that a third-party run could tip the scales toward Biden might produce a tighter contest than when the spoiler effect is seen to help Trump. Again, these are hypotheticals. Its impossible to predict the impact of a third-party challenge until an actual campaign is underway when the medias framing of it will play an important role, said Monmouth polling institute director Patrick Murray. [W]hen you drill down further, there doesnt seem to be enough defectors to make that a viable option, he added of a third-party bid actually having a shot at winning in 2024. The poll notably only included the names of potential contenders for a so-called fusion ticket consisting of a Democrat and a Republican, West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin and former Utah Gov Jon Huntsman, as specific options for voters to consider as third-party candidates. Others are actually running, including Green Party candidate Dr Cornel West, and two candidates are running under the Democratic ticket Marianne Williamson and Robert F Kennedy Jr, though the party is not set to hold any opportunities for them to debate the incumbent president. Mr Kennedy in particular has not ruled out the possibility of running third-party should his primary bid fail. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} There is a scenario in which Gov Ron DeSantis would applaud the prosecution of former President Donald Trump but only if Mr Trump were to do a traditional crime like robbing a bank. Look, nobody is above the law, Mr DeSantis said in an appearance on Newsmax. If Donald Trump or any big political person gets caught robbing a bank or doing things that we know are traditional crimes that people get prosecuted for every day, thats just the way the cookie crumbles. But when you try to shove conduct into some of these more opaque statutes, and youre running with that, given the politicisation of the Garland Justice Department, youre going to have a lot of people who look at that and wince. Mr DeSantis is, apparently, one of these people. The Florida governor has criticised the investigations into and prosecutions of Mr Trump for allegedly participating in a hush money payment scheme, mishandling classified documents and attempting to overturn the result of the 2020 presidential election on much the same grounds that the former president has: that the investigations are political in nature, designed to stop Mr Trump at the ballot box next year. A majority of Americans seem to agree with Mr DeSantis analysis regarding Mr Trumps indictment over the hush money payment scheme, though a majority also believes the indictment was justified. But Mr DeSantis is also trying to stop Mr Trump at the ballot box as he campaigns for the Republican nomination for president, stepping up his attacks on the former president in recent weeks while still attempting not to alienate his voters by supporting the criminal investigations into his conduct. So far, it appears Mr DeSantis is struggling to successfully thread the needle. After being touted for the better part of a year as a top rival to Mr Trumps for the nomination, Mr DeSantis recently laid off staff members amid a reported financial crunch and relatively low poll numbers. When Mr DeSantis camapign has seen fit to attack Mr Trump, hes largely attacked him from the right on issues like LGBT+ rights adopting stances in line with the aggressive, hard right policies hes favoured as governor of Florida. Hes also said he would clean house at the Justice Department, replacing figures like the FBI director and attorney general. But whatever Mr DeSantis thinks of the Justice Department as its currently run, Mr Trump has a number of very real legal problems on his hands. Already federally indicted over his handling of classified documents, he could also be indicted over his role in the January 6 insurrection attempt in the coming days. A group of MEPs is urging for the sanctioning of the violent group Alt-Info and its leader, Konstantin Morgoshia. They have addressed the presidents of the European Commission and the European Council, the EU ambassador to Georgia, and the European Commissioner for Equality in a corresponding letter.According to the European parliamentarians, the failure of the Georgian authorities and agencies to protect the safety of Tbilisi Pride participants has put the life and health of the organizers at risk."We strongly encourage you, as the President of the European Commission, President of the European Council, Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia and the Commissioner for Equality to take all the necessary steps to condemn to the highest degree the LGBTIQ-phobic attacks on Tbilisi Pride on Saturday, 8 July. We strongly encourage targeted sanctions on the group 'Alt-Info' and the oligarch behind the group, Konstantin Morgoshia. 'Alt-Info' is known to distribute LGBTIQ-phobic hate speech on its media channels and was heavily involved in the attacks on 8 July on Tbilisi Pride. We strongly encourage the relevant authorities to combat LGBTIQ-phobic violence and rhetoric in Georgia and commit to ensuring the safety of especially LGBTIQ people. The latter is especially important since the domestic Georgian authorities demonstrated a lack of pursuing the Tbilisi Pride attacks of 2019 and 2021 involving LGBTIQ-phobic violence. We strongly believe these steps are paramount to ensuring that the fundamental human rights of LGBTIQ persons are secured in Georgia - especially in light of the country's future EU aspirations," the letter reads.The Acting President of the National Bank of Georgia, Natia Turnava, held a meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union to Georgia, Pawel Herczynski, at the head office of the National Bank of Georgia.As per the press service of the National Bank, the discussion revolved around the country's economic trends, financial stability issues, and projects implemented through cooperation with the European Union.During the meeting, Turnava provided a detailed overview of the National Bank's consecutive steps towards enforcing and monitoring international sanctions. She emphasized that Georgia's financial institutions operate in full compliance with the sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus.The press release highlighted the significance of the support provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union in developing Georgia's capital market.Additionally, Turnava addressed the issue of Georgia joining the Single European Payments Area (SEPA) with the EU ambassador. She also discussed the legislative changes aimed at aligning Georgia's legislation even closer to the EU's legislation. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} After watching Sound of Freedom, the movie associated with QAnon, former president Donald Trump said that he would require the death penalty for anyone caught trafficking children across our border. In a new campaign video, Mr Trump claimed that during his presidency, child trafficking was down to the lowest number in many years just four years ago but now its gone through the roof. Under my leadership we did more than any administration in history to combat human trafficking and to end modern day slavery, he said, before listing the legislation he signed during his term. He promised, When I am back in the White House, I will immediately end the Biden border nightmare that the traffickers are using to exploit vulnerable women and children. He said that he will use Title 42 to put an end to the child trafficking crisis by returning all trafficked children to their families in their home countries. He also added, I will urge Congress to ensure that anyone caught trafficking children across our border receives the death penalty immediately. A number of conservative politicians have defended the movie Sound of Freedom in recent weeks. Kari Lake, a failed Arizona Republican gubernatorial candidate, tweeted a thank you the films star Jim Caviezel: Thanking this man on behalf of all the Mama Bears of the world for his willingness to be ostracized for talking on important roles in Sound of Freedom and Passion of the Christ. Georgia Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene also defended the movie, encouraging people to watch the film and let us all get active in every capacity to end child sex trafficking, despite not voting in favour of the most recent human trafficking bill. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} He may be suing the governor of Texas, but Jessie Fuentes isnt really a political guy. His disagreement with Greg Abbott is personal. Continental, in a sense. Spiritual even. On 7 July, Mr Fuentes, who owns a small kayaking business, sued the state for its decision to install a 1,000-foot buoy wall in the town of Eagle Pass, within a stretch of the Rio Grande river. In Texas, the river forms the legal border between the US and Mexico. More than just a legal argument that a state politician doesnt have jurisdiction over an international borderline, Mr Fuentes, who grew up along the Rio Grande, feels Mr Abbott has crossed a moral line. The governor, he says, is violating a river that nourishes ecosystems, people, and a vibrant transborder culture thats existed far longer and far more freely than the rolls of razor wire multiplying across the banks suggest. Migrants walk by a string of buoys placed on the water along the Rio Grande border with Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas (AFP via Getty Images) Im not a politician. I just say listen, I love that river. Nobody speaks up for it. Im speaking up for the river. Man, I have the right to try to prosper from my love of the river, that allows me the opportunity to get out there, to bring people to the river, he told The Independent. They dont live here. I do, he added of Texass state leaders. Youve taken a beautiful waterway and youve converted it into a war zone. Mr Fuentes is part of a group of local residents, human rights activists, state employees, and government officials who are pushing back on the floating barrier project. They face challenging waters ahead. Governor Abbott is a shrewd operator. He has combined media savvy and audacious use of government funds and powers to secure billions of dollars and heaps of political capital for his notion of a military-style crackdown at the border. He has charged ahead with little resistance, even though governors and presidents have spent decades taking this iron-fisted approach with little empirical success to show for it. In mid-July, state contractors were nearly complete installing the floating border barrier, a $1m, 1,000-foot pearl string of giant orange buoys with strong netting in between, anchored to the river floor. Floating barrier wall in Rio Grande nearing completion Discussing the plan in June, Mr Abbott described the floating wall as a key part of his larger buildup at the border, which has featured mass deployment of as many as 10,000 state troopers and national guardsmen at a time, as well as razor wire and sections of a new border wall on private lands. "When were dealing with 100 or 1,000 people, one of the goals is to slow down and deter as many of them as possible," Mr Abbott said on 8 June. "Some may eventually get to the border where they are going to face that multilayered razor wire and a full force of National Guard and DPS [Department of Public Safety] officers." An estimated 250 people died crossing the Rio Grande last year, but Texas officials have nonetheless claimed that installing what amounts to a giant net in the river will prevent the loss of life due to drownings. Operation Lone Star has seen as many as 10,000 Texas law enforcement agents deployed on the border at one time (Getty Images) The barrier technology, like much of Mr Abbotts border agenda, is a retrofitted version of what the Trump administration was pursuing. In 2020, the Border Patrol advertised on Twitter, then quickly deleted, a post showing a demo of a floating barrier system from the same company that built Mr Abbotts wall, Cochrane USA, only the Trump version had large black spikes that wouldnt look out of place in a dungeon. The Texas buoy plan dropped the spikes but kept the same controversy that Mr Trumps attempts to seal off the border attracted. Earlier, Mexicos top diplomat said the barrier plan may violate international treaties over the Rio Grande-based border, and said she will send an inspection team to investigate the buoy wall. The Justice Department has also threatened to sue Texas over the border wall plan, though governor insists he has the authority to carry on with the project. Texas will see you in court, Mr President, the Republican governor wrote in a letter on Monday to President Biden. Migrant advocates say the buoys, like generations of border installations before them, wont actually slow down immigration, but rather will push migrants towards ever more remote places to cross the border, increasing the likelihood they will face a perilous and potentially lethal crossing. This strategy, known as prevention through deterrence has more or less been the explicit policy of the US government since the Clinton administration in the 1990s, a policy choice many on the ground say is causing unnecessary deaths. Its been proven time after time that these so-called prevention through deterrence strategies dont work, Fernando Garcia of the Border Network for Human Rights told The Independent. They have not stopped immigration flows, but what they have done is they have put immigrants at risk. Its very likely that with [the floating buoy wall] they are looking for more remote and isolated places to come across so that whenever they are in danger by heat exhaustion, by drowning, they will not have anybody to help them, he added, saying he worries it could be a record year for migrant deaths in the Rio Grande. All of this is death by policy. Military buildup along the US-Mexico border hasnt substantially altered immigration flows, according to experts (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) According to leaks from the Texas Department of Public Safety, which oversees the states border scheme, this policy includes intentionally putting migrants into harms way. In a series of emails shared with news outlets including The Independent, a border medic described questioning orders from superiors to push exhausted migrants back into the river and to refrain from giving them water if captured. We were given orders to push the people back into the water to go to Mexico. We decided that this was not the correct thing to do. With the very real potential of exhausted people drowning, the trooper wrote. The DPS source also claimed in the span of one week in late June, a teen mother was trapped in razor wire at the border while having a miscarriage, a 15-year-old broke his leg as he tried to find a way around the deterrence buoys, and a man lacerated his leg while trying to rescue his child from razor wire placed on a buoy. Texas officials have defended the use of the razor wire while denying reports troopers were told to push people into the river. Texas governor Greg Abbott has used Covid funds and a state disaster declaration to increase his power over the US-Mexico border (AP) 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 Texas Military Department told The Independent in response to news about the emails. There is no order or directive instructing Service Members to push illegal immigrants back into the river or deny them drinking water. Texas is deploying every tool and strategy to deter and repel illegal crossings between ports of entry as President Bidens dangerous open border policies entice migrants from over 150 countries to risk their lives entering the country illegally, a spokesperson for the governor told The Independent earlier this month. The Texas Department of Public Safety did not respond to requests for comment on this story from The Independent. Beyond just putting migrants at risk, the border barriers are cutting into the deep cross-border cultural ties in the region, residents said. Mr Fuentes, the business owner suing the state, said the locked down border is only a recent historical development. His grandfather used to be able to casually ride into Mexico on a donkey to get supplies. He says that Texas politicians fomenting fear about immigration miss the fact that many who live along the US-Mexico border dont feel the same way. The walls arent stopping some hypothetical invasion of immigrants. Theyre dividing a community thats older and bigger than boundaries on a map. Thats the beautiful thing about America, he said. Weve got our culture on the border. The way its being misinterpreted right now, them saying were a war zone, things are out of control. Were not that. Were a community on the river. We get along with our neighbours. I dont think were under siege from an inflow of immigrants, he added. Were under siege by law enforcement. Leaks from inside the Texas Department of Public Safety allege state employs were told to push migrants back into the Rio Grande (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) When Mr Fuentes encounters migrants on the river, he offers them a blessing and any spare water if it he has it. You wouldnt know about these sorts of ties by watching the governor on TV. The Fox News regular frequently describes the situation in places like Eagle Pass as an invasion of drug-pushing cartel members, though drugs like fentanyl are overwhelmingly brought across the border by US citizens at official points of entry. Its not an accidental choice of words calling the situation an invasion. In November, the governor invoked a clause in the US Constitution allowing states to take military actions if they are under invasion to defend his policies, a theory legal scholars and critics say is both nonapplicable to immigration and an echo of the white-supremacist rhetoric that fueled incidents like the 2019 El Paso shooting, where 23 mostly Latino people were killed. It may not be legally bulletproof, but its another savvy move from Mr Abbott, who has proved adept at using crises in recent years to further his border agenda. The governor declared a state disaster at the US-Mexico border in 2021, freeing him up to use additional emergency powers, and used creative accounting to funnel an estimated $1bn in federal Covid relief funds to Operation Lone Star, the umbrella plan Mr Abbott has used to send troopers to the border and bus thousands of migrants out of Texas to liberal states. Despite massive investments from the state and the federal government over decades from leaders of both parties, immigration levels at the US-Mexico border in late 2022 and 2023 are about the same as they were during their previous peak around the year 2000. A spokesperson for the governors office declined to answer specific questions from The Independent about the floating border barrier, and criticisms that its illegal and dangerous for migrants. The governors office said Operation Lone Star had led to the apprehension of more than 393,000 unauthorised immigrants and the repelling of more than 49,000 illegal immigrants, as well as over 31,000 arrests, all of which would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas and our country thanks to President Bidens open border policies, according to spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris. The Department of Justice is investigating Operation Lone Star for alleged civil rights abuses. Immigration is a concern of federal law, but thousands of immigrants have been arrested by state personnel for trespassing on private property, allegedly being held in jail for weeks without facing charges. According to an investigation by the Texas Tribune, ProPublica, and The Marshall Project, state officials were arresting far more trespassers than cartel members, and allegedly inflated data on Operation Lone Star by citing arrests on crimes like cockfighting, sexual assault, and stalking in their success statistics, even though these offences had no clear link to immigration enforcement. Border communities like Uvalde, the site of a horrific 2022 school shooting, have suffered from decades of under-investment, leaving them without hospitals, even as billions are spent on border security (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Weve spent $12bn over the last decade, and we have nothing to show for it, Jaime Puente, director of economic opportunity programmes at the advocacy group Every Texan, which monitors the state budget, told The Independent. People are not being deterred from coming to the US to seek a better life and opportunitiesno matter how deadly we make that journey. Ironically, according to Mr Puente, the governors border crackdown has finally driven resources towards borderland communities that have historically suffered from under-investment. However, these resources are coming in the form of armed police officers and contracts to build military infrastructure, rather than investments in things like education or healthcare. Texas has historically undervalued and underserved border communities over the last century or more, and now, because its politically viable, because it makes for a great 7pm Fox News clip, these communities are being inundated with billions and billions of dollars, Mr Puente said. He points to the example of Uvalde, Texas, the site of a horrific 2022 school shooting, as a place that needs a different kind of investment from the state. That community doesnt have a hospital, he said. That community doesnt have some basic services, but they have 350 DPS troopers and Border Patrol agents just roaming around. That didnt help 19 kids and 2 teachers a year ago. In fact, according to some local residents, the influx of state personnel to border communities has made the residents there feel less safe. Operation Lone Star has driven a spike in the racial profiling of Latinx drivers in South Texas, according to the ACLU. According to an analysis from NBC News of Latinx-majority border areas, traffic citations have shot up, in one county by a factor of six, since Operation Lone Star came online in 2021. Migrants walk along concertina wire as they try to cross the Rio Grande at the Texas-U.S. border in Eagle Pass, Texas, Thursday, July 6, 2023 (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Despite the governors ever-expanding footprint on the border, Jessie Fuentes still believes in the magic of the Rio Grande. He ends our interview by inviting me to come onto the river with him sometime, though he notes its getting harder and harder for him to access the water because of all the fences, walls, and razor wire deployed around Eagle Pass. He has a bitter chuckle at the difference between the US and Mexico sides of the river. On the Mexico side, its parkland, with families out for walks or fishing on the river. On the US side, its a practically medieval tableau of walls and spikes, overseen by a group of state officials, one of whose title is literally Border Czar. I invite anyone to come if theyll let me, he said. What happens on the border often has deep roots. Border walls, once built, are rarely taken down, and connections to the land, built over generations, dont disappear from one administration to the next. Governor Abbott has vowed to fight Mr Fuentes all the way to the US Supreme Court. In the coming months, we will see whose vision of this complicated, beautiful region prevails. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} President John F Kennedys grandson Jack Schlossberg blasted Robert F Kennedy Jrs candidacy as an embarrassment before endorsing President Joe Biden. Mr Schlossberg said in a video on Instagram on Friday that his grandfathers legacy is important. He accused his cousin, RFK Jr, of trading in on Camelot, celebrity, conspiracy theories and conflict for personal gain and fame. Mr Schlossberg praised President Biden, saying he was on the way to becoming the countrys greatest progressive president weve ever had. He then slammed RJK Jr, saying if his cousin cared about his familys legacy then he would support the incumbent president. Joe Biden shares my grandfathers dream for America, that we do things not because things are easy, but because they are hard, he continued. Ive listened to him, I know him. I have no idea why anyone thinks he should be president. What I do know is his candidacy is an embarrassment, the 30-year-old lawyer said. Lets not be distracted again by somebodys vanity project, Mr Schlossberg added. The 2024 candidate recently revisited a Covid-19 vaccine conspiracy theory that there is an argument to be made that the virus is ethnically targeted. Although Mr Biden still has a large lead in the Democratic primary, Mr Kennedy has garnered some support himself. A recent YouGov poll taken after his most recent vaccine comment showed him polling at seven per cent, compared to the presidents 69 per cent. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Senator Ted Cruz pushed back slightly when the House Oversight Committee Chair, his fellow Republican James Comer, baselessly asserted that President Biden has been selling access to our enemies for decades. On his podcast, Verdict with Ted Cruz, the Texas senator told Mr Comer to pause, You say that he has been selling access to our enemies for decades. That on the face of it is an extraordinary statement. He then asked, Whats your basis for that? The Kentucky congressman replied, If you study Joe Biden like I have, hes always been cash-strapped. Hes never had a successful career in investing or anything like that. He continued, Then you look at the assets hes accumulated on the Senate salary, its pretty impressive, and you look at the upkeep of those assets. Mr Cruz interjected: So youre saying a classic Corvette doesnt buy itself? The Oversight chair has been investigating the Biden familys influence peddling schemes. The GOP-led panel wrote in a press release on Wednesday following a hearing: We need to know whether Joe Biden is compromised by these schemes and if our national security is threatened. The hearing involved testimony from two whistleblowers. During the hearing, Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene, who sits on the committee, held up posters featuring nude photos of Hunter Biden. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump accused former president George HW Bush of hiding classified documents in a bowling alley during a rally in Arizona on Sunday 9 October 2022. Mr Trump also claimed that many former presidents had likewise stored millions of pages of documents in warehouses with damaged main doors. The blustering Republican said that Bush Sr took millions and millions of documents to a former bowling alley pieced together with what was then an old and broken Chinese restaurant. He continued: They put them together. And it had a broken front door and broken windows. Other than that it was quite secure. He went so far as to demand to know why his predecessor had not been prosecuted for hiding the documents. Mr Trump himself is currently under investigation for taking government documents to his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. The US Department of Justice found 48 files marked classified at his estate after the FBI conducted a search on 8 August 2022. Its agents suggested that Mr Trump could be holding many more. Mr Trumps meandering anecdote was likely an allusion to reports from 1994 about the site of a future George Bush Presidential Library and Museum at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, which had indeed been an old bowling alley. When the future museum and library was first coming together, it was reported that mementos from the presidents life like an old infielders mitt, the door of a Kuwaiti palace, even a huge likeness of Bushs head from a Republican convention were brought to the venue for storage, only for the curators to find they did not have enough space for it all. Therefore, millions of pages of documents had to be temporarily kept next door in what had previously been the kitchen of a Chinese restaurant. They were, however, carefully guarded by security personnel at all times. At the time, Associated Press reported that some of the printed material is classified and would remain so for years and that it is open only to those with top secret clearances. The contents of the future library and museum were taken not just from Bushs presidency but his eight years as vice president as well. Many were also from his earlier tenure as a Texas congressman. Were not just taking a presidential library and saying, Gee, isnt this pretty and prestigious. We want to integrate the library into the intellectual life of the campus, said George Edwards, director of the Center of Presidential Studies at Texas A&M University, at the time. Today, the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The Bush Library and Museums archives hold more than 40 million pages of official records and personal papers documenting the life of the 41st president of the United States. The website of the presidential library and museum mentions that the presidential records of George Bush (1989-1993) comprise the core of the archival holdings. The library also contains the vice presidential records of both George Bush (1981-1989) and Dan Quayle (1989-1993) as well as donated historical materials that document Bushs private and public career. In addition to these records, the Bush Library has an extensive audiovisual collection containing more than two million photographs and 10,000 videotapes. Mr Trumps bizarre comment about Bush Sr and the bowling alley drew a sharp response on Twitter from the late presidents son Jeb Bush. I am so confused. My dad enjoyed a good Chinese meal and enjoyed the challenge of a 7-10 split. What the heck is up with you? he asked. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Florida federal judge overseeing the Espionage Act and obstruction of justice case against former president Donald Trump has rejected the disgraced ex-presidents bid to delay his trial until after the 2024 election. US District Judge Aileen Cannon on Friday issued an order granting the governments request to set a speedy trial date and schedule for pretrial motions, with a start date of 20 May 2024. Prosecutors with the office of Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith had asked for her to set a December 2023 trial date, four months after the August date shed put on the courts calendar shortly after Mr Trump and his co-defendant Walt Nauta first appeared in a Miami courtroom to answer the 38-count indictment charging the ex-president with unlawfully retaining national defence information, and charging both him and Mr Nauta with conspiracy and obstruction of justice offences. Attorneys for the ex-president and his longtime aide had argued in court documents that there was most assuredly no reason for any expedited trial and asked Judge Cannon to delay setting a trial date to give their legal team time to review evidence that they are being provided by the government and formulate pre-trial motions. The defendants attorneys had also argued that it would be impossible for Mr Trump and Mr Nauta to receive a fair trial before the election because of the massive amount of publicity surrounding the case, and because in their view it would not be possible to select an impartial jury during a presidential election. But at a hearing before Judge Cannon on Tuesday, prosecutors urged her to reject any argument that Mr Trump should be treated any differently from another criminal defendant because he is a former president or a presidential candidate. Assistant Special Counsel David Harbach told the judge that under relevant US law, it was Mr Trump who bore the burden of justifying any deviation from the principle which holds that the public interest is best served by holding a speedy trial for the defendants. Mr Harbach said it was the governments view that Mr Trump should be treated like anybody else, calling the need to give him equal treatment compared to ordinary Americans a fundamental tenet of the republic. Mr Trump is not the president. He is a private citizen who has been indicted by a lawfully empaneled grand jury in this district, and his case should be governed by the Constitution, the United States Code, and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, just like anyone elses, he said. The veteran federal prosecutor further argued that Mr Trumps attorneys rationale for delaying a trial on grounds that an impartial jury cant be selected during an election is not supported by relevant case law, and stressed that the twice-impeached, twice-indicted ex-president would remain a controversial figure long after Americans go to the polls in November 2024. The division of opinion in our country over Mr Trump, I think its fair to say, long predated his indictment and will long post-date the election, however it turns out, he said. He added that although there was no question that Mr Trumps status as a public figure would necessitate a thorough and careful process for vetting potential jurors, the governments view is that there is no reason to believe that the situation, vis-a-vis public differences about Mr Trump, would be any better post-election that at the present time. The selection of a May 2024 trial date is a significant early win for Mr Smith, who is also currently supervising a separate grand jury in Washington that is investigating Mr Trumps efforts to remain in office despite having lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden. During their court appearance on Tuesday, Mr Trumps lawyers had also argued that their clients Sunday receipt of a target letter stating that Mr Smith could soon ask the grand jury to issue yet another indictment of the ex-president also necessitated an indefinite delay because of the demands on his schedule from both his presidential campaign and the multiple criminal and civil cases against him in both New York State court and various federal courts. But Judge Cannon, who was nominated to the bench by Mr Trump, rejected those arguments, quelling fears that she would be overly accommodating to the ex-president. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Former president Donald Trump bashed his main rivals for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination late Thursday evening. The former president posted on his Truth Social platform that businessman Vivek Ramaswamy is now beating Florida Gov Ron DeSantis in some polling. He also poked fun at former Arkansas Gov Asa Hutchinson and attacked former New Jersey Gov Chris Christie over his weight. Vivek Ramaswamy is now beating DeSanctimonious, he said. Christie dead as his stomach band. Aida Hutchinson a solid minus 1%. Im up 44 points!!! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. In 2013, Mr Christie underwent bariatric surgery to help with his weight. Mr Trump in the past seemed to mock the former governor when he said he would no longer eat Oreo cookies. Mr Christie and Mr Trump have had a long and sordid relationship. In 2016, Mr Christie was one of a cadre of Republican presidential candidates running against Mr Trump for the Republican nomination for president. But shortly after the New Hampshire presidential primary, Mr Christie dropped out of the race and became of the first major elected officials to back Mr Trump. Since then, Mr Christie has mostly turned against Mr Trump and has largely staged his longshot presidential candidacy in an effort to neutralise the former president. Mr Trump also continued to use his preferred nickname for Mr DeSantis, calling him DeSanctimonious. But a new poll from Kaplan Strategies showed Mr Ramaswamy was tied, not beating, Mr DeSantis. Since announcing his candidacy in May, Mr DeSantis has failed to catch fire and his polling numbers have either stayed stagnant or even declined. Mr Hutchinson, for his part, has also largely run in opposition of Mr Trump and has failed to rise in the polls in a crowded field that also includes Sen Tim Scott (R-SC), former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley and former vice president Mike Pence. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The judge overseeing Donald Trumps sexual abuse case brought by columnist E Jean Carroll has denied his bid to toss the jurys verdict, and let the air out of his legal teams argument. Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled this week that a jurys award of $2m to Ms Carroll over its finding that Mr Trump had indeed sexually abused her was not excessive, given that while the actions alleged by his accuser did not fit the legal definition of rape, they certainly fit the colloquial meaning of the word. The jurys finding, he wrote, does not mean that that she failed to prove that Mr Trump raped her as many people commonly understand the word rape. Indeed, as the evidence recounted below makes clear, the jury found Mr Trump in fact did exactly that, he continued. It was a remark that, while likely far from being the last word in the appeals process, severely undermined the argument from Mr Trumps circle in the wake of the jurys decision that the outcome had been anything but a serious defeat for the former president. Ms Carroll has long alleged that Mr Trump forcibly penetrated her during an encounter at a department store in New York in the 1990s. Mr Trump has long denied the claim, but was unable to convince a jury of his innocence after his accuser brought a civil suit against him under a New York law allowing survivors of sexual abuse to go after their abusers long after the criminal statute of limitations has expired. Its also just one of many court cases in which the former president is now involved. Mr Trump remains under two criminal indictments in New York and at the federal level, and on Monday announced that he has received a target letter from the DoJ indicating that more criminal charges are likely coming down the pipes as a result of the agencys long-running investigation into the January 6 attack on Congress and Mr Trumps efforts to overturn the election. He also faces a separate case in Georgia, where authorities are weighing whether to bring charges against Mr Trump and members of his inner circle for possible violations of state law resulting from that same campaign to change the election results. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Dr Austin Dennard, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Texas, immediately knew something was catastrophically wrong. Last year, she learned during her own 11-week ultrasound appointment that the baby she was carrying had anencephaly, a fatal birth defect in which an infants skull is not fully formed. The condition also poses a significant risk to the health and life of the mother. In her harrowing testimony in the second day of a historic court hearing in Austin, Dr Dennard joined other plaintiffs in a landmark lawsuit who relived their traumatic pregnancies and the states failure to care for them under far-reaching anti-abortion laws that have effectively banned most abortions in the state. I felt like my pregnancy was not my own, that it belonged to the state because I no longer had a choice of what I could do, she told the court on 20 July. I felt abandoned. I couldnt believe that after spending my entire life in the state, being a sixth generation Texan, practicing medicine in the state, that the state had completely turned their back on me. Texas law makes only vague exceptions for abortion care in circumstances to protect the life of the patient, sparking widespread confusion among providers and hospitals fearing legal blowback or severe criminal penalties. 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. A lawsuit from 13 women who were denied abortions in Texas urges the state to clarify those exceptions. My only choice was to continue the pregnancy, putting my life at risk and my mental and emotional health at risk for a fetus that was never going to survive, Dr Dennard said. Dr Dennard not only was forced to leave her home state to receive abortion care but had to send one of her own patients on the same harrowing journey. They are now both plaintiffs in the case. She is among the first women in the country since 1973 to testify in court about the impact of anti-abortion laws on their pregnancies. In all, four plaintiffs testified in a Travis County courtroom through tears, describing their agony, isolation and heartbreak as they recounted life-threatening complications and, in one plaintiffs case, the death of a child she was forced to carry to term. Judge Jessica Mangrum, who was elected to the bench in 2020, is presiding over the case. She is expected to deliver a ruling in the coming weeks. What possible interest could the state have in forcing a patient to go through [what the plaintiffs] endured? Molly Duane, an attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs, said during her closing arguments Dr Austin Dennard arrives at the Travis County Courthouse in Austin, Texas on 20 July (AFP via Getty Images) Attorneys for the state, however, have sought to put the blame on their providers who allegedly interpreted the law incorrectly. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs have argued that doctors have merely been guided by the states own laws that threatened to revoke their medical licenses or imprison them. In cross-examination, an attorney for Texas asked Dr Dennard about her age and whether she was considered at a higher risk for pregnancy complications. She then asked whether she would have been considered geriatric due to her age. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton who is currently suspended while facing an impeachment trial over accusations of bribery and abuse of power is named as a defendant. Attorneys for the state asked plaintiffs whether Mr Paxton or other state officials personally told them they could not get an abortion. You know, Dr Dennard replied on the witness stand. I didnt think to ask him. The states expert witness, Dr Ingrid Skop, who is affiliated with the anti-abortion Charlotte Lozier Institute, said that doctors have known they could intervene. They should not have waited until women were on the verge of death and going to the ICU to intervene, she added. Ms Duane noted during a press briefing on 20 July that the states expert witness also has not provided an abortion in Texas since passage of the states anti-abortion law. Abortion rights advocates and providers fear that abortion restrictions in the state have fueled a spike in infant mortality, as women are forced to carry nonviable pregnancies to term. Last year, 2,200 infants died in the state, marking an increase of 11.5 per cent, or 227 deaths, over the previous year, according to Texas Department of Health data reviewed by CNN. That spike reversed what was a nearly decade-long decline, as the rates of infant deaths fell by nearly 15 per cent between 2014 and 2021. The views of the defense expert do not represent the views of the majority of OBGYNs in this state or this country, Dr Damla Karsan, a Houston-based obstetrician who joined the lawsuit. Its infuriating. Its so dismissive and really insulting, she told reporters during a briefing on Thursday following the court hearing. After the US Supreme Court overturned the precedent affirmed by Roe v Wade nearly 50 years ago, more than a dozen states mostly throughout the entire US South have outlawed most abortions, upending access to care for millions of Americans who are forced to travel outside their states in an already-fractured and patchwork system for abortion care across the country. Anti-abortion laws in Texas have paralyzed health providers from being able to properly counsel and advise their patients, Dr Dennard added. Were truly doing the best that we can with the situation that has been given to us, she said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A Cyprus court on Friday found a British man who killed his ailing wife in their home guilty of manslaughter, saying that the prosecution didnt prove beyond reasonable doubt that the 76-year-old man committed premeditated murder. In a unanimous decision, the three-judge bench said that David Hunters decision to suffocate his 74-year-old wife Janice as she was sitting in a recliner in December 2021 was a spur-of-the-moment decision: he snapped as he could no longer stand seeing her weeping in pain. The court accepted witness testimony that Janice feared her blood ailment would develop into full-blown leukemia and had repeatedly pleaded with her husband to take her life because she didnt want to share the fate of her sister who died of the disease. Hunter attempted to take his own life by consuming a large amount of pills after doing something he never before thought possible - closing his hands over his wifes mouth and nose, the court heard, but medical staff saved his life. The court cited expert testimony that Janice Hunter suffered from myelodysplastic syndrome, a type of blood cancer which to a large degree - as much as 45% - could turn into leukemia, although there was no proof that she had indeed developed the disease because no definitive tests were conducted. But the court said both husband and wife believed that Janice would develop it because of her sister's fate. The court also accepted that the actions of David Hunter who loved his wife and took care of her even under the most difficult circumstances without complaint were motivated only to end her suffering and that Janice had repeatedly asked him to end her life. David Hunter's earlier assurances to Janice that he would help her fulfill her wish to end her life and not suffer any more didn't indicate any premeditation, the court said. The court will reconvene Jul. 27 for mitigation pleas before passing sentence. The decision means Hunter avoids a maximum life sentence that a premeditated murder conviction carries. Michael Polak from Justice Abroad, a group that defends Britons facing legal troubles in foreign countries, said the ruling allows the court to hand down a suspended sentence which would be appropriate given the time that Hunter has already spent in custody. He was detained immediately after his wife's death, and has spent the intervening year and a half in prison, awaiting trial. "This remains a tragic case. Janice and David were in a loving relationship for over 50 years and it is clear that David did what he did out of love for Janice upon her request," Polak said in a statement. We strongly believe that no proper purpose would be served by David spending any further time within Nicosia prison. The prosecution said Cypriot authorities didn't want to set a precedent for any husband to kill his wife and claim after the fact and without proof that the killing was done with the wifes consent. State prosecutor Andreas Hadjikyrou told reporters the Attorney General would examine the verdict with a view to filing an appeal. He said a key point of scrutiny would be about proof the couple had indeed agreed for David Hunter to take his wife's life, Hadjikyrou said. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} German police continue to search for a lioness on the loose in a Berlin suburb, with helicopters and armoured vehicles used in counter-terrorism deployed to track down the beast. Authorities were alerted during the early hours of Thursday morning after residents in the south-western outskirts of the city claimed to have seen the wild cat in the woods. At least 30 police cars were deployed alongside commandos, drone fleets and veterinarians to help with the search, with local residents told to stay indoors until it is found. On Thursday evening, a police officer was heard shouting get out of the woods quickly! to joggers, with his colleague telling residents: its heating up, it was just seen. Despite this, the location of the lioness remained elusive overnight with specialist hunters carrying tranquiliser guns and machine pistols remaining at various locations around Kleinmachnow. A video shared on Twitter, which police believe to be real, appears to show the lioness wandering through a wooded area near the affluent suburb. Bild, the German tabloid, used geolocation software to pinpoint the exact location, which was revealed to be just 30 metres from a residential building. Local zoos, sanctuaries and circuses have all denied that one of their lions had escaped, causing speculation that the cat had been kept privately as a pet or was a false alarm. Michael Grubert, the mayor of Kleinmachnow, sought to reassure local residents that the animal would be caught swiftly, and if possible without bloodshed. A sniffer dog is brought in for the search (Reuters) Our hunters... are also equipped with ammunition... the first objective is to capture, he said. Other measures will only be taken by police officers if their lives or the lives of others are endangered. He also warned residents against outdoor activities, saying: I wouldnt go jogging. Children have been advised not to ride bikes, and the local nursery school will not allow its pupils out to play tomorrow as the search is ongoing. Police spokesperson Daniel Keip told RBB that "in the summer you often hear reports of crocodiles in swimming lakes and then it turns out all it was, was a big duck. In this case its obviously totally real. Were dealing with a lioness thats roaming freely through Teltow, Stahnsdorf and Kleinmachnow." Residents have been advised to stay indoors and to keep their pets with them, while guidance has been issued for people to avoid the forest and seek shelter immediately if they see the lioness. Florian Eiserlo of the Four Paws animal welfare organisation told the Rheinische Post newspaper that if anyone runs into the animal, they should not panic. "Stand still, stay calm, try to head to a safe area such as a car or a building," they said. Despite this, some residents remain sceptical with local circus director Michel Rogall telling the Taggespiel newspaper: If its a lion, Ill eat my hat. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police searching for a lioness in a Berlin suburb have determined there is no acute danger to people in the area, as experts conclude it may have been a wild boar. Authorities launched a major search operation after receiving reports during the early hours of Thursday that a wild cat was prowling around the wooded areas of the Kleinmachnow area. A widely-circulated video appeared to show a lioness in the nearby undergrowth, with police telling BBC that they believe the footage to be authentic and identified it as a big cat. Michael Grubert, mayor of Kleinmachnow, holds a picture demonstrating that suspected animal on the loose may not be a lion (Reuters) However, experts who have analysed the video have concluded that the animal was likely to have been a wild boar, which are common in the region. Independently of one another, the experts concluded that this isnt a lioness or a wild animal and that the creature tends toward a wild boar. A wide-ranging two-day search failed to turn up signs of the predator, with police only discovering a family of wild boars. Meanwhile, local residents were told to stay indoors and to avoid allowing their pets and children outside. Kleinmachnow Mayor Michael Grubert told reporters that police thoroughly combed woodland on both sides of the state boundary and found no indication at all of a lioness or any wild animal other than wild boars. We will return to the usual vigilant programme and we think there is no acute danger for Kleinmachnow or for the south of Berlin, the mayor said, adding that police would be able to step back up straight away if the situation changes. The lioness was reported during the early hours of Thursday morning (Reuters) Grubert defended the large, 36-hour deployment, in which helicopters, drones and infrared cameras were used and vets and hunters participated, as appropriate. The danger of a wild animal in Kleinmachnow justifies the deployment, he said, adding that he would act the same way if I were in the situation today. Around 120 police officers and wildlife experts have been scouring the local wooded areas, with counter-terrorism vehicles, drones and helicopters involved in the search. Around 120 police officers have been involved in the search (Getty) The news comes after a member of a notorious German crime family offered his help in capturing the suspected lioness, by saying he could lead the lioness back to her enclosure. Firas Remmo, the son of the head of the Remmo family, urged authorities not to shoot the creature. In a post on social media, he asked for anyone with information to let him know first so he can step in before some idiot shoots her. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ukrainian armed forces are using the cluster bombs provided by the US in their counteroffensive against Russia, the White House has confirmed. The US provided the war-torn nation with cluster munitions after much debate as part of an $800m security package in its war against Russia, despite opposition from human rights groups. Cluster munitions are prohibited by more than 100 countries. They typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. The bomblets, if they fail to explode on impact, can pose a long-term risk similar to landmines. Ukraine's forces started using the munitions "in the last week or so", White House national security council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Thursday. "They are using them appropriately, they are using them effectively and they are actually having an impact on Russia's defensive formations and Russia's defensive maneuvering," he said. Ukraine has said it will use cluster bombs only to "de-occupy" its territory and that it will not use them on Russian territories. Russia, Ukraine and the US have not signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans production, stockpiling, use and transfer of the weapons. The decision to send the munitions to Ukraine has been opposed by Spain and Canada, while Britain said it was part of a convention that discourages use of the weapons. Russian president Vladimir Putin said on Friday that the West was stoking the flames of war by supporting Ukraine and that Western weapons supplied to Ukraine burn well on the battlefield. He last week said Moscow had a "sufficient stockpile" of cluster bombs and reserved the right to use them if such munitions were deployed against his forces. "I want to note that in the Russian Federation there is a sufficient stockpile of different kinds of cluster bombs," Mr Putin said. "We have not used them yet. But of course, if they are used against us, we reserve the right to take reciprocal action." The Russian president said he regarded the use of cluster bombs as a crime and that Russia had so far not needed to use them, despite having suffered its own ammunition issues in the past. Meanwhile, Russia stepped up its assault on Ukraines ports with a third night of air strikes as it claimed to treat all ships heading for those ports as potential military targets. Saying that Moscow was deliberately turning the Black Sea into a danger zone, Kyiv responded in kind by announcing that from Friday, ships heading for Russian ports or Russian-occupied ports in Ukraine would be treated in the same way, as if they are carrying weapons or other military cargo. It follows Moscows decision to withdraw earlier this week from a UN-brokered deal to let Ukraine export grain. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Ukrainian military has begun deploying controversial cluster munition supplied by the United States in their counteroffensive against Russias Invasion, Washington has said. White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters: We have gotten some initial feedback from the Ukrainians, and theyre using them quite effectively. They are using them appropriately, they are using them effectively, Mr Kirby added. Cluster bombs have been banned by more than 120 countries, with many allies and humanitarian groups also opposing the use of the bomb. However, the use of cluster bombs does not violate international law when used on the battlefield, but any use in populated areas is considered a war crime. Ukraine welcomed the Biden administrations decision to provide the weapon and said it needed weapons, more weapons, and more weapons, including cluster munitions if it is to defeat Russia. Cluster bombs typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill at random, over a large area and those that fail to explode can be a danger for years to come. Here is a look at what cluster munitions are, why they are so controversial and where they have been used. What is a cluster munition? A cluster munition is a bomb that opens in the air and releases smaller bomblets across a wide area. The bomblets are designed to take out tanks and equipment, as well as troops, hitting multiple targets at the same time. The munitions are launched by the same artillery weapons that Western allies have already provided to Ukraine for the war such as howitzers and the type of cluster munition that the US is sending is based on a common 155 mm shell that is already widely in use across the battlefield. A Ukrainian serviceman carry a 155mm shell into self-propelled howitzer "Bohdana" before firing towards Russian positions near Bakhmut, Ukraine, Friday, July 7, 2023 (AP) Why are they so controversial? In previous conflicts, cluster munitions have had a high dud rate, which meant that thousands of the smaller unexploded bomblets remained behind and killed and maimed people decades later. The US last used its cluster munitions in battle in Iraq in 2003, and decided not to continue using them as the conflict shifted to more urban environments with more dense civilian populations. Brigadier General Pat Ryder the Pentagon press secretary said the US Defense Department has multiple variants of the munitions and the ones that we are considering providing would not include older variants with [unexploding] rates that are higher than 2.35 per cent. A convention banning the use of cluster bombs has been joined by more than 120 countries, which agreed not to use, produce, transfer, or stockpile the weapons and to clear them after they've been used. The US, Russia and Ukraine haven't signed on. Why provide them now? For more than a year the US has dipped into its own stocks of traditional 155 howitzer munitions and sent more than two million rounds to Ukraine. Allies across the globe, including the UK, have provided hundreds of thousands more. A 155 mm round can strike targets 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 kilometres) away, making them a munition of choice for Ukrainian ground troops trying to hit enemy targets from a distance. Ukrainian forces are burning through thousands of rounds a day battling the Russians. Yehor Cherniev, a member of the Ukrainian parliament, told reporters at a German Marshall Fund event in the US that Kyiv would likely need to fire 7,000 to 9,000 rounds daily during the intensified counteroffensive. Providing that many puts substantial pressure on US and allied stocks. The cluster bomb can destroy more targets with fewer rounds, and since the US hasnt used them in conflict since Iraq, it has large amounts of them in storage it can access quickly, said Ryan Brobst, a research analyst for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. A March 2023 letter from top House and Senate Republicans to the Biden administration said the US may have as many as three million cluster munitions available for use, and urged the White House to send the munitions to alleviate pressure on American war supplies. Cluster munitions are more effective than unitary artillery shells because they inflict damage over a wider area, Mr Brobst said. This is important for Ukraine as they try to clear heavily fortified Russian positions. Tapping into the US stores of cluster munitions could address Ukraines shell shortage and alleviate pressure on the 155 mm stockpiles in the US and elsewhere, Mr Brobst said. Is using cluster bombs a war crime? The use of cluster bombs itself does not violate international law, but using them against civilians can be a violation. As in any strike, determining a war crime requires looking at whether the target was legitimate and if precautions were taken to avoid civilian casualties. The part of international law where this starts playing [a role], though, is indiscriminate attacks targeting civilians, Human Rights Watchs associate arms director Mark Hiznay said. So that's not necessarily related to the weapons, but the way the weapons are used. Where have cluster bombs been used? The bombs have been deployed in many recent conflicts. The US initially considered cluster bombs an integral part of its arsenal during the invasion of Afghanistan that began in 2001, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). The group estimated that the US-led coalition dropped more than 1,500 cluster bombs in Afghanistan during the first three years of the conflict. The Defense Department had been due to stop use of any cluster munitions with a rate of unexploded ordnance greater than 1 per cent, by 2019. But the Trump administration rolled back that policy, allowing commanders to approve the use of such munitions. Syrian government troops have often used cluster munitions supplied by Russia against opposition strongholds during that countrys civil war, frequently hitting civilian targets and infrastructure. And Israel used them in civilian areas in south Lebanon, including during the 1982 invasion. During the month-long 2006 war with Hezbollah, HRW and the United Nations accused Israel of firing as many as four million cluster munitions into Lebanon. That left unexploded ordnance that threatens Lebanese civilians to this day. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has been criticized for its use of cluster bombs in the war with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels that has ravaged the southern Arabian country. In 2017, Yemen was the second deadliest country for cluster munitions after Syria, according to the UN. Children have been killed or maimed long after the munitions originally fell, making it difficult to know the true toll. In the 1980s, the Russians made heavy use of cluster bombs during their 10-year invasion of Afghanistan. As a result of decades of war, the Afghan countryside remains one of the most heavily mined areas in the world. Which countries have banned the cluster bomb? The Convention on Cluster Munitions is an international treaty of more than 100 states which prohibits all use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions. The Convention was first adopted on 30 May 2008 in Dublin by 107 States and signed in Oslo on 3 December the same year, according to its official website. It soon became binding international law when it entered into force on 1 August 2010 and so far, there have been a total of 123 States which have joined the Convention 111 States Parties and 12 Signatories. Italy, Spain, Germany and the UK are among the NATO members who have expressed opposition to the use of cluster bombs. The full of countries can be found here. The Associated Press contributed to this report In the early hours of 14 June, an overcrowded fishing boat carrying upwards of 700 migrants sank off western Greece. Those on board had paid smugglers thousands of dollars to travel from Libya to Italy a well-established route often cited as the deadliest migrant crossing in the world. Of those on board, 144 survived and more than 80 have been confirmed dead; hundreds remain unaccounted for. There were emotional scenes in Kalamata as relatives arrived looking for loved ones who had boarded the doomed boat in search of a better life in Europe. Greece says it is investigating the circumstances of the shipwreck while survivors wait for their asylum to be processed, but it emerged that a drone from EU border agency Frontex which receives hundreds of millions of euros from the European Commission each year flew over and photographed the boat before it sank. Frontex said it notified Greek authorities of the boat and offered further assistance but received no reply. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ukraines ambassador in London has caused deep consternation in Kyiv after publicly criticising Volodymyr Zelenskys conduct in a row with British defence secretary Ben Wallace, according to diplomatic sources. Vadym Prystaiko, who has been a key point of contact for the British government during the Ukraine war, accused Mr Zelensky of unhealthy sarcasm in his response to Mr Wallace saying Kyiv should not view the UK and Western allies as an Amazon delivery service. The Independent has been told that there were subsequently very strong telephone conversations between Mr Prystaiko and the government in Kyiv. Vadym Prystaiko has been a key point of contact for the British government during the Ukraine war (PA) There are also fears that his remarks would be picked up by Russian media and presented, with words twisted, to show major splits between Ukraine and its Western allies at a time Mr Zelenskys government is carrying out a major counteroffensive to reclaim occupied territory. Speaking at the Nato summit in Vilnius, the British defence secretary had said people expected Ukraine to show more gratitude for the huge help being given by allies. In a mocking response, Mr Zelensky said: How else can we show our gratitude? We can wake up in the morning and thank the minister. Let him write to me and tell me how to thank him. Mr Prystaiko responded on Sky News: President Zelensky saying each and every morning well wake up and call Ben Wallace to thank him I dont think that kind of sarcasm is healthy. I dont think we need to show the Russians there is something between us. Were working together, Ben can call me and tell me anything he wants to. It remains unclear what disciplinary measures Mr Prystaiko would face from his government. The decision is likely to be made by foreign minister Dmitry Kuleba, who was said to be in New York meeting UN officials earlier this week. Defence secretary Ben Wallace, centre right, with Ukrainian soldiers training at an Army base in the South West earlier this year (PA) Some senior Ukrainian officials accept that the ambassador a veteran diplomat who had served in the past as his countrys foreign minister was trying to soothe relations with the UK, but also point out that Moscow was always going to exploit such remarks. Ukrainian officials are regularly targeted by Russian trolls, with Mr Prystaiko himself having been a victim in the past. He gave an interview to Newsweek earlier this year in which he talked about heavy civilian losses due to Russian shelling, which was turned by a Russian website into colossal losses by the Ukrainian army with the invented phrase people were dying in the interest of the West. It is not just in Ukraine that the Amazon controversy lingers on. Some allies of Mr Wallace, who is due to step down from his post and leave politics altogether in the next election, feel that Rishi Sunak should have stood up more for the defence secretary. Asked about Mr Wallaces remarks, the prime minister said that President Zelensky had expressed his gratitude for what weve done on a number of occasions. President Zelensky gave a mocking response to Ben Wallace earlier this month (AP) He added: People across Ukraine are also fighting for their lives and freedom every single day and theyre paying a terrible price for it so I completely understand Volodymyrs desire to do everything he can to protect his people and to stop this war. Mr Wallace was not, however, the only Western official to raise the issue of Ukrainian gratitude at the Nato summit. The USs national security advisor held that the American people do deserve a degree of gratitude after being questioned about US resolve. Ukrainian foreign minister Mr Kuleba, in his own response to Wallaces comments, said: I apologise, but we are at war. Colleagues, ministers and foreign journalists often ask me if we are getting enough weapons. I tell them that as long as we are on the way to victory, we will not have enough weapons. When we win, we will say: Thank you, we had enough weapons. But as long as the struggle continues, we will not have enough. The UK has been involved in training the Ukrainian military since the separatist wars seven years ago. Since Vladimir Putins invasion, Kyiv has been supplied with NLAW, Brimstone and Starstreak missiles as well as Challenger tanks. When Russia hits Ukraines farmers, it lashes out at the world. This has been the resounding message Ive heard over the last year of Moscows invasion by Ukrainian farmers from Donbas to Dnipro. Most recently that warning was relayed near the southern city of Nikopol. We are just one farm, there are thousands like us, Vitaly, 29, told me in a crumbling field. If we cannot produce food, there will be a problem for the world, he added. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A prominent Russian hardline nationalist who has accused President Vladimir Putin of weakness and indecision in Ukraine has been detained on charges of extremism. The move suggests authorities have wearied of former FSB agent and battlefield commander Igor Girkin's criticism of Moscow's invasion, and perhaps that of other loud nationalist voices who had appeared to have exceptional licence to deride the Kremlin and the military. It follows an abortive mutiny last month led by another outspoken critic, Yevgeny Prigozhin, boss of the Wagner mercenary force, who is still free but has sharply curtailed his own verbal attacks. Prosecutors from the Federal Security Service (FSB) security service asked Moscow's Meshchansky district court to remand Mr Girkin in custody until September on a charge with a maximum sentence of five years in prison, state news agencies reported. Mr Girkin, also known as Igor Strelkov, helped Russia annex Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and then organise pro-Russian militias who wrested part of eastern Ukraine out of Kyiv's control. He was also handed a life sentence in absentia by a Dutch court in 2022 for his alleged role in the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014, with the loss of 298 passengers and crew. In footage from the Moscow court posted by the popular Telegram channel Shot, often one of the first to air official footage, Mr Girkin stood almost motionless in a glass cage, with his arms folded, staring straight ahead. He had been regarded by many as untouchable due to his history and ties to the authorities, but had become more outspoken in recent months. Mr Girkin announced in May that he and others had set up the "Club of Angry Patriots" to enter politics to save Russia from what he said was the danger of turmoil due to military failures in Ukraine. Asked at the time if he was naive to think he could launch a political movement without the assent of the Kremlin, he said: "I hope you would not call me a naive person." In one of his most outspoken tirades, in a post on his official Telegram channel this week read by over 760,000 people Mr Girkin peppered Mr Putin with personal insults and urged him to transfer power "to someone truly capable and responsible". In a message aboput the dentention posted on Mr Girkin's official Telegram account, his wife, Miroslava Reginskaya, said: "Today, at about 11.30am representatives of the Investigative Committee came to our house. I was not at home. Soon, according to the concierge, they took my husband out by his arms and in an unknown direction." She said friends had told her Girkin had been charged with extremism. "I do not know anything about my husband's whereabouts, he has not contacted me," she said. There was no immediate comment from the authorities. Mr Girkin's lawyer told the state news agency TASS that it was not clear why his client had been detained. RBC, citing two unnamed law enforcement sources, said Mr Girkin's Moscow home was being searched and that he had been detained over a complaint against him made by a former Wagner employee. Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of the R.Politik analysis firm, said the men who run Russia's law enforcement and power ministries had long wanted to arrest Mr Girkin. "Strelkov [Girkin] had overstepped all conceivable boundaries a long time ago," she said. "This is a direct outcome of Prigozhin's mutiny: the army's command now wields greater political leverage to quash its opponents in the public sphere." Ms Stanovaya said Mr Girkin's detention was a signal that any of the bitterest critics of Moscow's approach to the war could face prosecution. Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine have been supported on the battlefield by tens of thousands of mercenaries from a shadowy group led by a businessman and longtime ally of president Vladimir Putin. The Wagner Group is a private military company under the control of Yevgeny Prigozhin that cut its teeth in deployments to Crimea illegally annexed by Russia and eastern Ukraines Donbas region in 2014 and has since dispatched troops to several conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, including the Syrian Civil War. In Russias invasion of Ukraine, Wagner has been a key part of Moscows fighting force, but a power struggle between the Kremlin and the outspoken Mr Prigozhin threatened for 24 hours at least to drag Russia towards civil war. On Friday, 23 June, when Mr Prigozhin accused his countrys defence ministry, Sergei Shoigu, of destroying his fighters and concocting lies to justify the invasion of Ukraine. Mr Prigozhin called for armed mutiny in an explosive rant on Telegram in which he vowed to stop the evil of the Kremlins top brass. The Wagner Groups leader did not go after Mr Putin in his tirade, instead alleging that for more than a year and more than 350,000 casualties into the war a large part of which Mr Prigozhins group is responsible for the Russian president had been deceived by Mr Shoigu. The war was needed ... so that Shoigu could become a Marshal, so that he could get a second Hero Star the war wasnt for demilitarising or de-Nazifying Ukraine. It was needed for an extra star, Mr Prigozhin said on Telegram. Yevgeny Prigozhin and Vladimir Putin on a tour around the formers food factory in 2010 (AP) This outrage tuned into Mr Prigozhin and his men briefly occupying the city of Rostov-on-Don a majort logistics hub for the invasion of Ukraine on Saturday. They then marched on Moscow, shooting down a number of helicopters in the process. Mr Prigozhin halted them 125 miles from the Russian capital. A deal was struck under which the mercenaries would move to Belarus in return for charges against them relating to the uprising being dropped. Mr Putin said the fighters could either leave for Belarus, come under the command of the defence ministry or go back to their families. Before moving to Belarus, Wagner handed over its weapons to the Russian military, part of efforts by Russian authorities to defuse the threat posed by the mercenaries. Mr Prigozhin a 62-year-old ex-convict sometimes known as Putins chef because his catering business has hosted dinners for the Russian president had denied all links with the group until September last year when he announced he was proud to be its founder. Armoured vehicles are seen on a street of the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, Russia on 24 June, 2023 (REUTERS) He said he founded Wagner to support Russian-backed separatists in the Donbas conflict. I cleaned the old weapons myself, sorted out the bulletproof vests myself and found specialists who could help me with this, Mr Prigozhin said. From that moment, on 1 May 2014, a group of patriots was born, which later came to be called the Wagner Battalion. Dmitry Utkin, a former Russian intelligence officer, is alleged to be a co-founder who remains near the top of the groups command. Since its formation, Wagner has been accused of committing human rights abuses in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic, Sudan, Mali and Mozambique. Prior to admitting his involvement, Mr Prigozhin had a history of suing Russian and Western news outlets that alleged his ties to the group. His secretive stance was to protect the Wagner soldiers, he has claimed. Wagner fighters in a Soledar salt mine after Mr Prigozhin claimed to have taken the town (Telegram) Mr Prigozhin was finally forced to confess his links with Wagner as the group rose to prominence in the Ukraine conflict. British intelligence puts the number of Wagner troops active in Ukraine at 50,000, comprising a quarter of Russias total strength. War contractors are nothing new but military analysts say the Kremlin has been heavily reliant on Wagner due to the heavy losses incurred by official Russian forces during the war, along with difficulties in recruitment. The UKs Ministry of Defence (MoD) first reported that Wagner had been deployed in Ukraine on 28 March 2022, little over a month into the conflict after Russian losses had already begun to hamper the pace of the initial assault. Wagner has since then played significant roles in capturing towns such as Soledar, Popasna and Lysychansk offering relative operational competence while the Kremlin has been forced to repeatedly switch around command of its own forces in the face of losses. Graves of Wagner fighters in a cemetery near the village of Bakinskaya (Reuters) Mr Prigozhin has been at pains to claim victories for Wagner in Ukraine, sometimes putting him at odds with the Kremlin line. He has even accused Russias defence ministry of taking credit for Wagner successes. In the battle for Soledar, a small town subject to an intense assault as part of Russias still-ongoing campaign to take over the city of Bakhmut, Mr Prigozhin said his mercenaries had triumphed over Ukrainian forces days before the Kremlin said its own troops had done the same. Bakhmut is prized by Moscow as its capture would put Russian forces in a stronger position in the goal of capturing all of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions that make up the Donbas. On 12 February, Mr Prigozhin said Wagner had taken the village of Krasna Hora near Bakhmut, making no mention of Russian forces as Moscow began to launch a major offensive targeting the Donetsk town along with several other frontline settlements. A picture released by Mr Prigozhins press service shows what it said were Wagner fighters at the entrance sign to the village of Krasna Hora (Reuters) Speculation has raged over Mr Prigozhins ambitions in Russian politics and there are signs that Mr Putin is sensitive to any potential challenges by his former cook. Sergei Markov, a former Kremlin adviser who maintains contacts in political circles, said the Russian government extracted a promise from Mr Prigozhin that he would not create his own political movement or join a parliamentary party unless asked to do so by officials. They are a little afraid of him and find him an inconvenient person, Mr Markov said. The group, formally PMC Wagner, recently moved its headquarters to an imposing glass high-rise in St Petersburg, which also acts as a technology centre and holds exhibits of advanced weaponry along grey corridors filled with camouflaged personnel. The Wagner Groups headquarters in St Petersburg (EPA) Unsettling accounts of life in the mercenary group have surfaced recently from former members including Andrei Medvedev, who sought asylum in Norway in January after deserting a Wagner regiment in Ukraine. The 26-year-old said sergeants were ruthless in their attempts to recruit new fighters. They would round up those who did not want to fight and shoot them in front of newcomers, he alleged in an interview with CNN. They brought two prisoners who refused to go fight and they shot them in front of everyone and buried them right in the trenches that were dug by the trainees. The MoD said last July that Wagner was lowering recruitment standards to include formerly blacklisted individuals. Andrei Medvedev in Oslo after fleeing Wagner command (Reuters) Mr Medvedev claimed he joined Wagner as a volunteer after serving in the Russian military. He said Wagner fighters were often sent into battle with little direction. Two former Wagner fighters captured by Ukraine told CNN of devastating losses in assaults reminiscent of First World War charges. Recalling his first assault near the village of Bilohorivka in Luhansk, one said: There were 90 of us. Sixty died in that first assault, killed by mortar fire. A handful remained wounded. The other fighter said he was involved in a push for Lysychansk on the Luhansk-Donetsk border. The first steps into the forest were difficult because of all the landmines spread out. Out of 10 guys, seven were killed immediately, he said. The fight went on for five days, he said. There is no feeling attached to it. Just wave after wave. Four hundred [Wagner fighters] were brought there, and then more and more, all the time. Further evidence of brutality emerged on 14 February, as footage appeared to show a Russian convict who fought for Wagner being beaten to death with a sledgehammer after being accused of fleeing the war. The UKs opposition Labour Party is just the latest political organisation to demand the Wagner Group be classified as a terrorist organisation in response to its barbarous conduct in Ukraine and beyond. Following Mr Prigozhins failed mutiny the future of the Wagner Group and its role in the Ukraine war are now uncertain. Mercenaries have started to train Belarusian special forces at a military range just a few miles from the border with Nato-member Poland. Mr 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 while they trained the Belarusian army. "The armed forces of Belarus continue joint training with the fighters of the Wagner PMC (Private Military Company)," the Belarusian defence ministry said. "During the week, special operations forces units together with representatives of the Company will work out combat training tasks at the Brest military range." The range is just 3 miles (5 km) east of the Polish border. As of Thursday 20 July, the UK announced a wave of sanctions against individuals and businesses involved with the Wagner Group in Mali, Central African Republic (CAR) and Sudan. These sanctions will limit financial freedoms by preventing UK citizens, companies and banks from dealing with them, alongside freezing any assets held in the UK and travel bans, the government website has said. The UK government has accused the Wagner Group of operating in Mali, CAR and Sudan for several years and aggressively pursuing Russian foreign policy interests in the region and providing military support to counter-terrorism operations which have seen hundreds of civilians killed. Mr Prigozhin has already been sanctioned by the UK as well as several of his key commanders who have participated in Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Once a low-profile businessman who profitted from having Russian president Vladimir Putin as a powerful patron, Yevgeny Prigozhin has moved into the global spotlight since the onset of Russias war in Ukraine. Now the owner of the Kremlin-allied Wagner Group, the mercenary force seen fighting some of the Russian militarys toughest battles in Ukraine, most notably the drawn-out pursuit of Bakhmut, the 62-year-old has since stepped into his most dangerous role yet: preaching open rebellion against his countrys military leadership. On Friday 23 June, Mr Prigozhin finally escalated what had been months of scathing criticism of Russias conduct of the war when he called for an armed uprising to oust Russias defence minister Prigozhin has repeatedly condemned Russias regular army leaders (AP) As his men occupied Rostov-on-Don and marched on Moscow, Russian security services reacted immediately, opening a criminal investigation and demanding Mr Prigozhins arrest. In a sign of how seriously the Kremlin took the threat posed, riot police and the National Guard scrambled to tighten security at key facilities in the Russian capital, including government agencies and transport infrastructure, Tass reported. Mr Prigozhin a onetime felon, hot-dog vendor and longtime associate of Mr Putin urged Russian civilians to join his march to justice and the situation remained extremely volatile throughout the following Saturday before peace talks, seemingly mediated by Belarussian president Alexander Lukashenko, brought the standoff to a peaceful conclusion, with Mr Prigozhin agreeing to relocate to Belarus, only to subsequently return to his homeland. Details are still emerging about how exactly that played out and it has since emerged that the Mr Putin and Mr Prigozhin at the Kremlin five days after the aborted mutiny. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed that a three-hour meeting had taken place on Thursday 29 June with 35 people in attendance, including Wagner unit commanders, who reiterated their loyalty to their leader. Putins chef Mr Prigozhin and Mr Putin go way back, with both born in Leningrad, now known as St Petersburg. During the final years of the Soviet Union, Mr Prigozhin served time in prison 10 years, by his own admission although he does not say what it was for. Afterwards, he owned a hot dog stand and then a series of upmarket restaurants that attracted interest from Mr Putin. In his first term in office, the Russian leader took then-French president Jacques Chirac to dine at one of them. Vladimir Putin saw how I built a business out of a kiosk, he saw that I dont mind serving to the esteemed guests because they were my guests, Mr Prigozhin recalled in an interview published in 2011. Mr Prigozhin shows Mr Putin his school lunch factory outside St Petersburg in 2010 (Sputnik/AFP/Getty) His businesses expanded significantly to catering and providing school lunches. In 2010, Mr Putin helped open Mr Prigozhins factory that was built on generous loans by a state bank. In Moscow alone, his company Concord won millions of pounds in contracts to provide meals to public schools. He also organised catering for Kremlin events for several years earning him the nickname Putins chef and has provided catering and utility services to the Russian military. In 2017, opposition figure and corruption fighter Alexei Navalny accused Mr Prigozhins companies of breaking antitrust laws by bidding for around 300m in defence ministry contracts. Mr Prigozhin reportedly has a net worth of $1 billion. Military connection The former catering entrepreneur also owns the Wagner Group, a Kremlin-allied mercenary force that has come to play a central role in Mr Putins projection of Russian influence in trouble spots around the world. The United States, European Union, United Nations and others say the mercenary force has involved itself in conflicts in countries across Africa in particular. Wagner fighters allegedly provide security for national leaders or warlords in exchange for lucrative payments, often including a share of gold or other natural resources. US officials say Russia may also be using Wagners work in Africa to support its war in Ukraine. In Ukraine, Mr Prigozhins mercenaries have become a major force in the war, fighting as counterparts to the Russian army in battles aainst Ukrainian forces. A poster of a Russian soldier with a slogan reading Glory to the heroes of Russia stands opposite the PMC Wagner Centre in St Petersburg (AFP/Getty) That includes Wagner fighters taking Bakhmut, the city where the bloodiest and longest battles have taken place. By May 2023, Wagner forces and Russian soldiers appeared to have largely won Bakhmut, a victory with strategically slight importance for Russia, despite the cost in lives. The US estimates that nearly half of the 20,000 Russian troops killed in Ukraine since December were Wagner fighters in Bakhmut. Mr Prigozhins soldiers-for-hire included inmates recruited from Russias prisons. Raging against Russias generals As his forces fought and died en masse in Ukraine, Mr Prigozhin increasingly raged against the Russian militarys top brass. In a video released by his team in May, Mr Prigozhin stood next to rows of bodies he said were those of Wagner fighters. He accused Russias regular military of incompetence and of starving his troops of the weapons and ammunition they needed to fight. These are someones fathers and someones sons, Mr Prigozhin said then. The scum that doesnt give us ammunition will eat their guts in hell. A bad actor in the US Mr Prigozhin earlier gained more limited attention in the US, when he and a dozen other Russian nationals and three Russian companies were charged with operating a covert social media campaign aimed at fomenting discord ahead of Donald Trumps 2016 election victory. They were indicted as part of special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into Russian election interference. The US Treasury Department has since sanctioned Mr Prigozhin and associates repeatedly in connection with both his alleged election interference and his leadership of Wagner. Masks showing the faces of Putin, Prigozhin and Chechnya's regional leader Ramzan Kadyrov on display at a souvenir shop in St Petersburg (AP) After the 2018 indictment, the RIA Novosti news agency quoted Mr Prigozhin as saying, in a clearly sarcastic remark: Americans are very impressionable people; they see what they want to see. I treat them with great respect. Im not at all upset that Im on this list. If they want to see the devil, let them see him. The Biden White House called him a known bad actor and State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Mr Prigozhins bold confession, if anything, appears to be just a manifestation of the impunity that crooks and cronies enjoy under President Putin and the Kremlin. Avoiding challenges to Putin As Mr Prigozhin grew more outspoken against the way Russias conventional military had conducted the fighting in Ukraine, he continued to play a seemingly indispensable role for the Russian offensive and appeared to suffer no retaliation from Mr Putin for his criticism of Moscows generals. Media reports at times suggested Mr Prigozhins influence over Mr Putin was growing and that he was hoping to be rewarded with a prominent political post, although some analysts felt this assessment of his ambitions was overstated. Hes not one of Putins close figures or a confidant, said Mark Galeotti of University College, London, who specialises in Russian security affairs, speaking on his podcast, In Moscows Shadows. Prigozhin does what the Kremlin wants and does very well for himself in the process. But thats the thing he is part of the staff rather than part of the family, he said. A crane crashed into New York City's iconic Brooklyn Bridge, cracking and splitting a steel beam on the landmark. The crane was being transported on a barge passing through the East River. Despite the impact, the bridge hasn't sustained any structural damage. The footage shows a barge passing under the bridge, seemingly getting the crane atop it caught on the track system underneath the significant landmark. According to the Coast Guard Operations Unit, the damage was caused when "A crane barge was traveling underneath the bridge and a crane struck a track under the bridge". The New York City Fire Department inspected the incident and concluded that the crane Didnt impact the integrity of the bridge. A Florida jury awarded $800,000 in damages to an 8-year-old girl after she was burned by McDonald's nugget. The child suffered second-degree burns from a McNugget when it fell onto her leg as her mother drove away from the drive-thru. Lawyers for Olivia Caraballo and her family were originally looking for $15 million in damages for this incident that occurred in 2019 outside a McDonald's in Tamarac, near Fort Lauderdale. Jurors deliberated the case for two hours, returning with the verdict that Olivia Caraballo and her family were owed $400,000 for the last four years, and a further $400k. Im actually just happy that they listened to Olivias voice and the jury was able to decide a fair judgment, Olivia's mother, Philana Holmes, said in a statement. Exploration firm Lansdowne Oil & Gas said several outside funders have approached it regarding its planned legal action seeking up to $100m from the Irish State. The company has raised 200,000 (231,000), which it said will be used to help fund its operations as it pursues compensation over the Barryroe oil field. The Irish-headquartered firm, which is registered in the UK, is seeking millions in restitution after permission was refused to progress the prospective Barryroe oil well off the Cork coast. Lansdowne has a 20pc stake in the project, which has been estimated to hold around 300 million barrels of recoverable oil. Barryroe Offshore Energy, the firm holding the remaining 80pc stake in the development, has been trying to progress work at the site for over a decade, which would have been Irelands first commercial oil field. However, in May Environment Minister Eamon Ryan refused to grant a lease to Barryroe for further exploration of the field. Barryroe Offshore Energy has since decided to enter voluntary liquidation, which it said was a direct consequence of the surprising and extremely disappointing decision by Mr Ryan. Lansdowne said last month it intends to seek compensation from the Irish State due to the decision. It has been reported the company may be seeking up to $100m. In a stock market announcement, the company said it has now raised 200,000 via a share placing which will be used to help fund legal proceedings. Lansdownes legal advisers submitted a letter on 19 June 2023 to Ireland requiring Ireland to participate in discussions with a view to settling the dispute within three months of notice, it said. The proceeds of the placing will be used to meet the companys expected working capital requirements to the end of October 2023. During this time Lansdowne will advance discussions with external litigation funders, many of whom have already approached the company. The company said it would launch a legal challenge under the Energy Charter Treaty, an international agreement negotiated in the 1990s designed to protect energy investors. The case will be the first Irish case under the Energy Charter Treaty. Last year the Italian government was ordered to pay 210m (242m) in compensation to UK company Rockhopper as compensation for an offshore oil-drilling ban. The case was taken under the Energy Charter Treaty, and has led to increasing concerns that more fossil fuel companies will seek compensation from governments trying to move towards renewable energy. Earlier this year, Mr Ryan said in the Dail that the Energy Charter Treaty is inconsistent with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and with the objectives of EU nations looking to phase out fossil fuels in favour of renewables. In 2017, the Energy Charter Conference decided to modernise the treaty in order to respond to criticisms of the dispute resolution mechanism, he said. This modernisation process has not been completed. Ireland continues to support a co-ordinated EU withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty if it is not modernised to align it with the Paris Agreement, to address our concerns. The Kildare solar farm project will produce enough electricity to meet the annual needs of 25,000 homes Voltalia, a major French renewables company, will build a 108-megawatt solar farm in Kildare on behalf of the ESB and Bord Na Mona. It marks the first large-scale solar project in a joint venture between the two bodies, as the Irish State increasingly looks to develop solar power. Voltalia will act as the contractor for the development at Timahoe North, carrying out engineering, procurement and construction. Once finished, the project will produce enough electricity to meet the annual needs of 25,000 homes. Bord na Mona and the ESB have agreed to develop solar power across four midlands locations in Kildare, Offaly and Roscommon. The joint venture between the two bodies aims to collectively deliver up to 500 MW of power from solar farms based on Bord na Mona lands. Sebastien Clerc, the chief executive of Voltalia, said: Since the beginning of the year, the expertise of our teams has enabled us to grow in Ireland. We are delighted to build this new project. John Reilly, Bord na Mona's head of renewable energy, said while the organisation has made progress in renewable energies such as onshore wind, it will now look to diversify its energy offering. "While still in its infancy, the solar industry in Ireland has the potential to play a pivotal role in Irelands renewable energy future," he said. Jim Dollard, ESBs executive director of generation & trading, said the project also marks a significant move into solar energy for the ESB. "ESB expects to invest 200m over the next two years in the first phase of our solar roll out, as we move towards our ultimate goal of achieving net zero by 2040," he said. "This project shows the importance that ESB is placing in solar and demonstrates our commitment to developing a growing portfolio of solar assets in Ireland. The project is the first major commercial scale solar farm being developed in this way by Irish State bodies. It marks the States increasing move towards solar energy. While private developers have been pushing to build solar farms for almost a decade, many of these were stuck for years in the planning system. Solar developers who finally were granted planning then held off on building as they waited for long-promised State subsidies. However, multiple projects have developed after the government guaranteed pricing for dozens of solar farms in the 2020 round of the States Renewable Energy Support Scheme. In March, Aer Soleir announced a deal to enter the Spanish energy market, one of the largest in Europe Aer Soleir, a prominent Irish renewable energy firm set up by former Mainstream executives, is reported to be considering a sale. The Dublin-based firm, which was co-founded by senior Mainstream figures Andy Kinsella and Manus ODonnell, develops renewable energy projects across Europe. PeakLoad, an energy transition publication, reported the company is examining a fundraising which could morph into a full sale of the company. Rothschild is advising on the transaction and has approached a small group of potential investors. Aer Soleir had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication. Aer Soleir was established in 2021 by Mr Kinsella and Mr ODonnell, who both held senior positions at Mainstream Renewables, a green energy group founded by prominent entrepreneur Eddie OConnor. The company develops, constructs, owns and operates large-scale onshore wind, solar and energy storage projects. Last year it received equity funding of $250m (225m) from 547 Energy International, a US-based firm. 547 Energy is the clean energy investment platform of Quantum Energy Partners, a well-known US private equity firm. Speaking at the time of the fundraising in March 2022, Sean ODonnell, partner and head of energy transition at Quantum, said the demand for renewable energy projects to accomplish Europes energy transition was staggering. We are pleased to back the Aer Soleir team as they work to identify, invest in and guide major renewable energy assets to operation, he said. In March, Aer Soleir announced a deal to enter the Spanish energy market, one of the largest in Europe. The firm agreed to co-develop a hybrid project of over 130MW in the Andalucia region of Spain alongside Tartessos Power Development, a Spanish-based developer with an extensive track record in renewable energy development. Earlier in the year, Aer Soleir also struck a deal with Altea Green Power Spa, an Italian Company based in Turin. The two companies plan to develop renewable projects with a total capacity of about 300 megawatts over the next three years. Announcing the deal, Aer Soleir said the Italian market was a crucial one as the country received the largest share of the EUs pandemic recovery fund, with a third of that funding earmarked for supporting energy and climate objectives. Householders can expect a small cut in the cost of electricity at the end of the summer as energy providers have now recovered their losses from last year. But the reductions will be modest and the Government will need to again provide up to 600 in electricity credits, according to leading energy expert Dr Paul Deane of University College Cork. He was commenting after the latest Central Statistics Office figures showed wholesale electricity costs were down 36pc in June when compared with a year earlier. This is despite wholesale electricity costs rising by 11pc in the month of June. Dr Deane said wholesale energy costs had now been falling for all of this year. He said energy suppliers had hedged, or bought forward, their wholesale gas and electricity inputs last year. Wild swings in prices had caused them to lose money on many of these contracts. However, they have since recouped the losses. Wholesale energy prices have been coming down significantly for all of 2023. This means energy companies have recovered their losses, Dr Deane said. This means most suppliers will be able to reduce their prices by the end of the summer. But the reductions they pass on will be small, probably 10pc or 20pc. He said households would not see electricity and gas prices return to pre-crisis levels. Electricity prices have doubled for most households, to around 2,000 a year. So far only independent operator Pinergy has broken ranks to deliver a price reduction of 7.1pc in March. The move by the firm, which supplies electricity to householders on pay-as-you-go meters and those who pay a bill every two months, meant a reduction of 183 over a year for a typical customer. Big players Electric Ireland, Bord Gais Energy, Energia and SSE Airtricity have yet to cut their prices after a raft of increases last year. The academic said many families were under severe pressure meeting lighting and heating costs. The cost of petrol and diesel, and home-heating oil, have dropped significantly. But the cost of powering appliances is still very high. Dr Deane said the fact that energy prices were very unlikely to come down to the levels seen before the Covid and Ukrainian invasion meant there would be a need for electricity credits again this winter. A total of 600 was paid in energy credits in the last year or so. Dr Deane, who is a research fellow specialising in energy and climate policy with the MaREI Centre in UCC, said the global costs of wholesale energy were still very volatile. A recent report from the International Energy Agency indicated there are major issues around the security of supply for wholesale gas. A very cold winter and a surge in economic growth in China could send wholesale energy prices way up again, the UCC expert said. The CSO wholesale price index found that in June domestic producer prices for manufactured goods were on average 3.9pc compared with a year earlier. Producer prices for exported goods fell by 0.8pc. Overall, manufacturing producer prices were 0.6pc lower in the year. Producer prices for food products fell by 3.4pc in the 12 months to June, while the food products, beverages and tobacco index was down by 2.5pc. On This Day In History - July 21st More than half of EU firms founded in 2015 have gone to the wall Ireland had the lowest rate of business failures of any EU country at the peak of the Covid crisis in 2020, reversing its position among the worst member states for liquidations during the financial crisis. The Government response to Covid was characterised by massive taxpayer-funded supports for small business and households, unlike the previous financial crisis when taxes were hiked and incomes hollowed out. The Irish economy has been the fastest growing in the EU since the start of the pandemic. New figures from EU statistics agency Eurostat show just 1.6pc of Irish companies closed permanently during 2020, compared with an average of 7.2pc across the EU. That failure rate was less than in a normal year, despite the lockdown of swathes of the economy. A prominent small business lender has hailed government Covid supports after new figures showed Ireland had the lowest percentage of business failures of any EU country in 2020. The founder and CEO of SME lender Grid Finance, Derek Butler, campaigned in 2020 for direct business supports to ride out lockdown and says the justification for that policy is borne out by the results. Mr Butler was a founder of SME Recovery, a group established at the start of the pandemic as tens of thousands of businesses were forced to close their doors. He said the new Eurostat figures show that schemes such as the employment wage subsidy scheme, where the government spent billions helping companies affected by the outbreak pay their staff, were extremely effective. It looks like there is a direct correlation between all the supports which were introduced for the SME sector and the low insolvency rate, he told the Irish Independent. Were reaping the benefits of the success of that Government intervention, and I dont think there has been enough recognition of that. It looks like there is a direct correlation between all the supports which were introduced for the SME sector and the low insolvency rate However, he warned that some businesses that have been propped up by those supports may yet fail, with insolvencies merely delayed rather than prevented. Figures published earlier this week by credit risk analyst CRIFVision-Net found there were 410 insolvencies in the first six months of the year, a jump of nearly 50pc from the same period in 2022, though still low by historic standards. Mr Butler said while the number was still relatively low, it was indicative that some of the companies which can no longer rely on state supports are likely struggling. Read more Pandemic boom is over for banking, tech and science jobs Many of these are businesses which would have naturally failed in 2020 or 2021, but were sustained by Government supports. Its those ones who are failing now, and the reason we didnt see it last year is because many businesses would have come out of the pandemic with a cash buffer. However, Mr Butler said despite this, he feels the billions spent supporting SMEs was still a good idea during the pandemic. Theoretically yes, I would say it would have been better to target it, but like with the Pandemic Unemployment Payment for workers, the time you would have spent designing a perfectly targeted scheme would have been time away from saving the majority of businesses which needed it, so I think it was fair that there was a blanket approach. The Eurostat figures also show that Ireland had the highest survival rate for businesses 68pc of firms set up in 2015 were still operating in 2020, compared with an average of less than half across the EU. Mr Butler said while this figure was encouraging, he felt it was more indicative of the overall strength of the Irish economy. Other European countries tend to be more SME-friendly than Ireland, he said. I think the high survival rate has more to do with the fact that there is a rising tide in our economy, our growth rates have been significantly higher than in other countries. The men claimed the Constitution did not allow for the creation of an indictable offence other than by way of primary legislation. Two farmers have lost a High Court challenge to their prosecutions under natural habitats protection legislation for allegedly refusing to allow parks and wildlife officers access to their bogland. Gerry Gearty and Sean Beirne, both of Eddercloone, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, are facing charges in Longford District Court for allegedly obstructing National Parks and Wildlife Service officers and Gardai who sought access to their property at Cloneen bog in Longford in June 2012. Those prosecutions were stayed pending determination of High Court challenges over the European Communities Act 1972 which gave effect to the EU Habitats Directive under which the officers sought access to their land. The men claimed the Constitution did not allow for the creation of an indictable offence other than by way of primary legislation. It was also claimed the provisions which allow for the introduction of such regulations which create such offences are invalid. The domestic regulations which gave effect to the EU directive is the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 which were introduced to conserve natural habitats and wild fauna/flora. The regulations create criminal offences for obstructing wildlife officers and, on conviction, carry financial penalties as well as providing for sentences of imprisonment. Represented by Rosario Boyle SC and Anthony Lowry BL, the men brought the challenge against the DPP, the judge of the Longford District Court, the Minister for Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the State. The respondents represented by Brian Kennedy SC, Conor Power SC and Emily Egan McGrath BL, opposed the challenge. On Thursday, Mr Justice Garrett Simons dismissed their challenge. He said the provisions of Section 3(3) of the European Communities Act 1972 are capable of being interpreted and applied in a manner which is consistent with the requirements of Article 15.2(1) of the Constitution. The State, as a member of the EU, is required to put in place effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties for an infringement of European law, he said. A criminal offence must be created in order to give effect to the EU legislation, he said. The discretion to do so is confined to deciding on the detail of the offence which is subject to the maximum penalties prescribed by the Oireachtas, and guided by the principles and policies in the relevant EU legislation, he said. It followed that the challenge to the validity of the relevant part of the European Communities Act 1972 must be dismissed, he said. An agricultural worker operates in a grain storage during wheat harvesting in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict near the settlement of Nikolske in the Donetsk Region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko Wheat fell about 3% as Ukraine is making preparations to continue a grain-export deal, which Russia exited this week amid escalating military risks in the Black Sea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy instructed his top military commanders to prepare "actions" that seeks to allow the grain deal to continue functioning. He also told the foreign ministry to prepare "analogous diplomatic steps." The statement on Zelenskiy's Telegram didn't elaborate on what the measures may be. It wasn't immediately clear how Kyiv plans to get the corridor restarted just as tensions are escalating on both sides, and shippers and traders are wary. Wheat is still poised for a weekly gain of 7%, as military drills in the Black Sea add to the risks disrupting grain trade from a vital producing region. Russia's navy on Friday said it conducted a live fire exercise in the waters. That comes at the end of a volatile week that saw the Kremlin terminate a deal allowing Ukraine to export grain via some Black Sea ports, and then attack the nation's agricultural facilities. Both countries have warned that ships headed to each other's ports could be considered military targets. It's unclear how realistic Ukraine's hopes are. The US said shipping escorts are not an option, while the United Nations has said it's not able to offer grain ships security guarantees. Meanwhile, shipowners are wary of sending vessels, and a major insurance broker has suspended a program for grain exports from Ukraine. On Friday another Russian missile attack damaged "important infrastructure" in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi area in Odesa region, according to the regional administration. Russian missiles had hit a grain depot in the Odesa region overnight, causing a fire and damaging farm equipment, the administration said. The rise in prices could again stoke food-commodity costs, which had moderated since the outbreak of the war last year. "Markets have reacted violently this week from the geopolitics following Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and continued weather concerns across much of the Northern Hemisphere," ADM Agriculture Ltd. said in a note. "The hype up in military action will also cause ship owners and insurers to be less confident in sending ships into what is now a 'war zone' environment." The flaring of Black Sea tensions adds to risks in global grain markets. Heat is threatening corn crops in southern Europe. And drier conditions are ahead for corn and soy crops in the US Midwest and Delta next week, Maxar said in a report. India added to the food supply shocks on Thursday, saying it will ban some rice exports. The International Grains Council raised its global grain production estimate for the 2023-24 season, but trimmed prospects for wheat. Bloomberg. As I prepared to pay 726 for Taylor Swift tickets, it was my 12-year-old who told me it wasnt worth it It was a day of heartbreak and ecstasy in equal measure for diehard Swifties who battled to get tickets to one of her three shows in Dublin next year Taylor Swift on stage in Chicago on the opening night of her Eras tour, which comes to Dublin in June 2024. Photo: Getty Images Mary McCarthy Fri 21 Jul 2023 at 03:30 Cork Airport is in talks with various airlines about opening a direct route to New York, Independent.ie can reveal. DAA, the state body which runs Cork and Dublin airports, said the opening of the route could happen within the next three years. Cork Airport made a submission to the Governments mid-term review of regional airports, in which it said it is looking at a direct link to the United States. Whilst Cork is well serviced in European route terms, our hinterland has identified demand for transatlantic services, primarily Cork New York, it said. We are in dialogue with airlines and continue to pursue that on commercial grounds. A spokesman for DAA confirmed Cork Airport is still in discussions with several potential partners about opening a New York route. However, he said this was likely a medium-term project. Were working on a three-year timeframe, he said. In January, Cork Chamber published a survey of its members which found New York was by far the most in-demand new direct destination from Cork Airport. The poll, which was carried out in co-operation with Cork Airport, asked businesses about their current travel patterns and future route preferences. The survey found that the Americas was the final destination for 75pc of all long-haul trips out of Cork taken by businesses, and New York was the most desired airport for future connectivity from Cork. Conor Healy, the CEO of Cork Chamber, called the results of the survey undeniable and said new routes to key business locations will be required to support continued economic growth in the Cork region. Irish airports have been exploring increased direct links to the Americas in an effort to expand their offerings and attract new passengers. In an interview with the Irish Independent in May, DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs said the organisation is having exploratory talks with LATAM, one of the largest airlines in Latin America, about a route from Dublin Airport to Brazil. Last month, Chinas Hainan Airlines announced the reopening of its direct route from Dublin to Beijing, and Mr Jacobs said there was a focus on expanding long-haul travel at the airport. Cork Airports submission to the regional mid-term review also featured a call for the State to subsidise airport charges at the facility, as part of its effort to reduce emissions. The organisation said it supports the Governments goal to reduce Irelands emissions by 51pc by 2030. However, it said it would be helped by increased state support. Carbon emitted from aircraft is the greatest challenge for sustainability in aviation. Targeted supports for the reduction of aircraft emissions should be considered, it said. This would entail the subsidisation of airport charges on the basis that airports operate more sustainable aircraft in Cork Airport. In addition, the new requirement of airlines increasingly expecting discounts on airport charges for the deployment of low-carbon aircraft could be specifically supported within the provision of operating aid for airports. Crime People are so afraid they dont come out of their apartments: Residents of complex near where US tourist was attacked living in fear Security outside Leinster House is to be stepped up after politicians expressed fears about their safety. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is understood to have given undertakings to Ceann Comhairle Sean O Fearghail and senior officials after an hour-long meeting in Government Buildings. There have been accounts of politicians being jabbed and jostled by protesters in recent weeks as well as being verbally abused, chanted at and having their personal space invaded. Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns recently had a phone on video mode held in her face as she was stalked and harangued while walking on Kildare Street. The fears of politicians that the open intimidation could escalate into violence and personal assault saw the issue raised at parliamentary party meetings before the summer recess. The meeting between Mr O Fearghail and Mr Harris on Wednesday came after an overnight attack on what was mistakenly thought to be the Dublin home of independent councillor Hugh Lewis, during which a brick was thrown through a window. Mr O Fearghail told Mr Harris that politicians have constitutional protection not to be obstructed in the course of their work. It is understood there could now be more proactive garda measures through a stronger interpretation of a common-law breach of the peace in the vicinity of Leinster House. This would apply to any harassment of public representatives or even people arriving as witnesses to Oireachtas hearings. Former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly were recently verbally abused by a member of the public while standing within the parliamentary campus at Leinster Lawn. The garda response could result in more loudhailer warnings to groups of demonstrators that they must keep within the law at all times and the greater deployment of the Garda Public Order Unit. It is believed that a small extra delegation of gardai, but with the capacity to arrest particular individuals, would be sufficient to meet the growing concern over the intimidation of politicians in and around Leinster House. The Ceann Comhairle told the Irish Independent: We convened a meeting with the garda commissioner in the aftermath of a series of concerns raised by individual politicians and political parties about the harassment that members and their staff were getting in coming and going from Leinster House. There have been a number of serious recent incidents. Also present at the meeting were the Clerk of the Dail and the acting Superintendent of Leinster House, although the focus was on demonstrators outside the parliamentary campus and not on the recent penetration of the building itself by an intruder. The hour-long exchange of views resulted in the Ceann Comhairle commenting that the political administration was looking forward to significant improvements in how members are supported in precincts of Leinster House. One politician said there was some irony in looking at the Oireachtas having legislated, just before the recess, for safe zones around hospitals where terminations are carried out and our own situation, where you can have people yelling in your face, spittle on your cheek, as you go in through the gate. It is seen by some that garda deployment currently emphasises the static defence of the parliament building far too much, whereas it is elected members who most need protection. Mr O Fearghail pointed out that many TDs have offices in Agriculture House or Kildare House on the street outside Dail Eireann and are running the gauntlet of abuse more frequently. The Constitution is explicit about guaranteeing the right of ingress and egress for elected members at Leinster House, he added. The Houses of the Oireachtas earlier this year introduced 5,000 grants for members to upgrade security at their homes and constituency offices, although it is understood the uptake to date is considered low. Members who are receiving harassment online are not often really willing to report it, Mr O Fearghail added. Some politicians feel it is something they should endure and put up with. However, he noted that former garda commissioner Noirin OSullivan chairs a forum on wider participation in public life, aimed at encouraging diversity through better gender, ethnic and minority balance, and that all forums of intimidation and harassment were therefore intrinsic threats to achieving those aims, as well as being damaging to Irish democracy itself. Water shortages and boil water notices could be on the cards if the dispute deepens, according to Siptu. Photo: Colin Keegan Multiple bomb threats forced the evacuation of several Government offices in Dublin this afternoon. The departments of the Taoiseach, Enterprise and Justice as well as the Labour Court were cleared while checks were made following the threats. However, gardai are now satisfied that all the warnings were hoaxes. All of the buildings subject to the threats are in different parts of Dublin city centre. It is understood claims were made that a bomb had been placed at the different locations. The offices at the Labour Court and Workplace Relations Commission were evacuated by staff at 1.45pm this afternoon, with staff advised that a threat had been phoned in to its reception desk. All cases listed for the afternoon have been abandoned. Staff at the Department of Enterprise got an email earlier this afternoon advising them to leave the building due to a bomb threat. The Department of Justice is located on St Stephens Green while the Department of Enterprise is situated on Kildare Street opposite Leinster House. The Labour Court is based on Lansdowne Road in Dublin 4. "Gardai are aware of a number of security alerts at Government buildings this afternoon, Friday 21st July 2023, the force said in a statement. Following further enquiries An Garda Siochana is satisfied that all of the alerts have been deemed as hoax and the areas have been declared safe. On This Day In History - July 21st Man in serious condition in hospital after savage, unprovoked assault just metres from garda station Crime scene tape at the scene of the assault just around the corner from Store Street garda station A 14-year-old teenage boy has been identified as one of the chief suspects for the violent assault on an American tourist on a Dublin street that left him with life-altering injuries. The 57-year-old victim remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital after being punched and kicked in the head after being knocked to the ground near Talbot Street on Wednesday night. The victim has suffered serious eye and head injuries. Doctors at Beaumont Hospital were yesterday continuing to assess whether there are any long-term brain injuries. Detectives believe three youths were centrally involved in the unprovoked attack and were part of a wider gang present. Independent.ie has learned that gardai have identified at least one of the suspects for the attack who is a 14-year-old juvenile from the north-inner city. Gardai believe the teenager is part of a group involved in other attacks in the area in recent weeks and months. Ministers Helen McEntee and Paschal Donohoe speak on recent Store street incident There are fears that the US tourist, who is from New York and was staying in accommodation on Talbot Street, will lose an eye. Doctors had to perform emergency surgery to reduce swelling to his brain. Efforts are ongoing to confirm the identities of the other suspects in the case and gardai are expected to make arrests soon as part of the inquiry. One source said: "This group of about 20 local youths have been going around assaulting people throughout the summer in and around the city centre, one source said. The assaults are all unprovoked and they literally roam the streets looking to start fights with innocent people. They are out of control. No arrests have yet been made in relation to Wednesday nights attack, although gardai are making good progress in identifying all of the suspects in the case and expect to make arrests. The attack, which took place at 10.40pm after the man left the accommodation where he was staying, has been described as extremely violent and unprovoked. HeThe victim has suffered serious eye and head injuries, while doctors at Beaumont Hospital were yesterday continuing to assess if there are any long-term brain injuries. Detectives have reviewed CCTV from the area and taken witness statements as part of the inquiry. Sources said that this group is believed to be the same individuals responsible for other attacks in the area in recent weeks and months. Justice Minister Helen McEntee yesterday promised a tough and firm response to the violent attack on the tourist within metres of Store Street garda station. Ms McEntee said the brutal attack near the station must be condemned in the strongest terms and said there can be no excuse for such violence and intimidation. A tough and firm response will send out the message that we will not tolerate this thuggery on our streets, she added. I urge any witnesses to last nights assault to contact An Garda Siochana at Store Street or on the Garda Confidential Line. Ms McEntee, who has been justice minister for three years, said people must have confidence they can safely walk the streets of our capital. She said she was in regular contact with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on the issue of garda visibility. Ms McEntee said the best way of making the streets safer was having more gardai on patrol. The minister was last weekend criticised by Fianna Fail TD Willie ODea for her lack of focus on addressing street crime and anti-social behaviour in cities. The public want her to focus more on delivering safe streets than on playing to the woke gallery. Every minute spent pushing a flawed hate bill or allowing gardai who pursue criminals to be investigated is a minute wasted, Mr ODea said. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithi de Roiste, condemned the attack, saying the thugs involved have no respect for anyone. I would call on the gardai to find out who did this and ensure they are charged and prosecuted, he said. Assistant Garda Commissioner for Dublin Angela Willis vows to bring perpetrators of Store street attack to justice Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said the Governments response to addressing crime in north inner city Dublin had been pathetic. It was only last Tuesday in the Dail, I asked the Justice Minister Helen McEntee what she was doing to make the city centre safer. Her response was to point to a community safety partnership plan that has been discussed for two years, and not put a single extra garda on the street, he said. Mr Gannon said there were almost weekly vicious assaults in the city and there was an increasing sense of lawlessness in the capital. Fine Gael hold the justice ministry, its a cruel joke that they refer to themselves as a party of law and order while the city is in the condition that it is, he said. Gardai are appealing to anyone with information in relation to this incident, or who may have video footage, to contact Store Street garda station on 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station. Investigations are ongoing. Crime scene tape on Store Street, just off Talbot Street, after the serious assault on a US tourist Violence savage and indiscriminate is now far too common in our capital. A 57-year-old American tourist sustained life-changing injuries close to his guesthouse and just metres from one of the biggest garda stations in the country. Justice Minister Helen McEntee condemned the latest attack in the strongest terms. But tourists, Dubliners and the rest of the population, who ought to be proud of the capital, are entitled to so much more than expressions of outrage from the Government and senior gardai. This savage assault, like too many others, was completely unprovoked. Its viciousness has left a man fighting for his life with severe head and facial injuries. For too many years we have listened to hollow talk about zero tolerance, about taking back our streets from thugs who hide their cowardice by attacking in gangs when what we really need to do is ensure there is zero opportunity for such assaults. Had we a sufficient garda presence, along with adequate sanctions to force any would-be assailant to weigh up the consequences of spending a considerable chunk of their lives locked up, might we see a change? Those who wantonly engage in assault should be left in no doubt they face serving decades in prison. A few weeks ago, not far from the latest incident, a Ukrainian actor had his face lacerated in another senseless and random assault. He also was an innocent visitor to our capital, but he left it with scars that will remind him of it for ever. People may well start to think again before coming here. But surely it is the spineless predators who need to be made to have second thoughts. Independent councillor Nial Ring told RTE the attack had appalled everyone in the area. But he does not want to see Talbot Street becoming a no-go area. The truth is, there are many areas of Dublin and several other cities where people are afraid to go at night. Why should taxpayers feel unsafe while gangs of ruthless criminals can strike where they wish with nothing to fear? Depraved attacks are now too familiar for us to be shocked or even surprised. If garda numbers have been falling since a peak of 14,750 in 2020 they are now at 13,927 what is being done about it? Appeals to make high-visibility policing a priority in our cities and towns have largely been ignored, yet we seem to be seeing more open criminality, unprovoked attacks and drug-taking. Many people are asking: How is it you can walk safely around a city like New York, and feel totally safe, but if you happen to find yourself on OConnell Street in Dublin after dark you had better keep looking over your shoulder? If levels of violence seem more extreme in the public mind, responses seem the same. The perception is culprits all too often get away with it. Yet surely for passers-by to be randomly attacked so brutally is something no decent society can tolerate. Whatever the future funding model for RTE is hopefully the Government wont expect the taxpayer/ licence payer to shoulder the entire burden. To throw away the commercial arm of the station would be akin to throwing the baby out with the bath water. How advertising revenue holds up in the long term is debatable but currently the appetite is still encouraging and shouldnt be cast aside because of recent trials and tribulations within the station. If RTE forgoes any positive revenue streams for the high moral ground it will only impact severely on broadcasting output and ultimately staff. While in the short term, governments might support its mantra of public service at all costs, when the winds of economic change come, the cost-cutting knife will have its day not just on the talent but also on the much appreciated staff who put their shoulders to the wheel day in day out. Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18 The taxing matter of how to characterise the recent litany of controversies I have been racking my brain cells trying to think of a short concise slogan for the current events. The most appropriate would appear to me to be: Its only taxpayers money. Gerry Kelly, Rathgar, Dublin 6 Tackle cocaine scourge by implementing testing right at the top of society Reading the news this morning, that cocaine worth 2m has been found washed up on a Donegal beach, Im reminded that Irish people are now the biggest users of cocaine in the EU, according to a new report (as highlighted by Aoife Breslin, Ireland tops EU table for cocaine use and is second for deadly drug overdoses Irish Independent, June 17). Once the exclusive drug of choice for high achievers and top earners, now it seems everyone, from the local postman to the small farmer, is indulging on a regular basis. Looking at some of the trials and tribulations our poor little nation has gone through in the past 20 years (financial crash, housing crisis, migration crisis, Covid, etc) it would be unsurprising to learn that many of those at the helm were drug-addled lunatics. How do we combat this scourge and prevent even more damage being done? One solution might be random drug-testing for all those in positions of power and influence. A similar system to that already enforced in elite sports. I wonder how many captains of industry, insurance, legal, accounting and financial executives would welcome the introduction of such a regime? Would our hard-working politicians and higher civil and public servants support such a move? I can already hear the civil-liberties arguments and legal challengesperhaps I should have kept my powder dry. Paddy Sharkey, Hollywood, Co Wicklow The asteroid-sized hole at the heart of our early-warning systems Andrew Griffins piece (Near-miss asteroid only noticed after it flew past, Irish Independent July 18) is a scary thought. Shockingly, researchers and astronomers in South Africa have discovered that a 200ft asteroid an object the size of a large airplane came within 60,000 miles radius of the Earth and was not noticed until two days after it flew past. Luckily the space rock did not threaten to hit our planet, but it is frightening to think that such a large object from outer space went unseen by our scientists in advance, and was only noticed 48 hours after it passed. These asteroids fly towards us from the direction of the sun, making them difficult to detect as they approach at massive speed. This situation suggests that our early-warning systems are not fit for purpose, and must be modified immediately to protect our planet from this enormous threat to life on Earth. If (God forbid) we were to be hit by an unseen large asteroid, mankind would then find itself between a rock and a hard place. Tom Towey, Cloonacool, Co Sligo Former US president appears to suffer memory failure over recent past Given his intellect, and his self-confirmed genius status, we must assume temporary memory-loss is to blame when the Donald proclaims the courts are guilty of electoral interference in his quest to re-enter the big house. The fact he tried to get people in authority to find 11,000 votes to help him win in Georgia, roused the rabble to attack the Capitol to try to overturn the 2020 election result, and made many, many inflammatory hate-filled speeches is not really electoral interference, in his view. These events in any other democracy, would ensure this man would be behind bars. David Ryan, Co Meath Just a drop of sympathy, please, for real victims of pint price increase With the price of a pint going up again, its time to acknowledge that I have a problem with drink. I cant afford it. Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9 Young teachers should realise how much Ireland needs them Aoife Ni Cheileachair makes a strong argument for the Government to think seriously about keeping teachers in Ireland, with many emigrating to countries where rent costs are affordable (Teacher (31) fears rental crisis will force next generation of educators to leave Ireland, Irish Independent, July 20). Her article evokes memories for me, because I can remember, when I was her age teaching with a part-time teacher who at the beginning of November told me he was going to follow the sun and go to Australia. I often thought of him frequenting sun-drenched beaches as I faced the bleak skies of winter in my second-hand car bouncing along dangerous roads. I am well aware that people of Aoifes age face high rents in this country and it is hard starting at the bottom of the teaching salary scale. But it is important to keep the young blood coming into the profession. I can see Aoife comes from a long line of teachers and I would encourage her to stay teaching in this country, because we need teachers. There are so many people out there who would love to be teachers and they are all needed. I was never sorry that the beautiful skies of the southern hemisphere didnt lure me despite all the bad Irish weather. Thomas Garvey, Claremorris, Co Mayo 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. Sean OShaughnessy, the son of a Charleville emigrant, has just returned to his home in Perth in Western Australia after his seventh visit to the north Cork ancestral home of his father, Willie OShaughnessy. Visiting the town of his fathers boyhood is like a pilgrimage for Sean, who was accompanied by his wife Alex, and were guests of the Foley family in the Glen area of the town during their stay in Charleville. It is great to meet family and to spend time where my father grew up and to walk the streets that he walked, and to visit the local Holy Cross Cemetery where my father Willys ashes are buried. Even though I was born in the UK, I consider myself a Charleville man, just like my father, and I love coming to meet everybody, and visit the places he once knew as a boy, said Sean. Willy OShaughnessy was born in the Kilmallock Union hospital in 1918, which was the norm for local people of the early 20th century period, as Charleville was classified as being in the old Kilmallock Union area. He was reared in Charleville by his grand-parents, John and Bridget OShaughnessy, went to school and served Mass in the local Holy Cross Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Rea. The young Willie left Charleville for London at the age of 15 years and after working for a period there he attended night school, enrolling in a telecommunications course, from which he emerged as a qualified radio communications officer. He then joined the communications section of the RAF and served in Iraq during the Second World War. Now married with two children, when the war ended Willie joined the London based STC Telecommunications company, who also had a branch in Sydney, Australia. Willie requested a transfer to their Sydney branch, which was granted and he went there in 1948. The family followed on in October 1949. They lived in Riverstone, an outer suburb of Sydney until 1954, when the family moved to the town of Cooma in the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales, to work on the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme. A popular national radio programme, the Jack Davey Show, broadcast a show from Cooma in 1958 with local people participating, including Willie who sang Phil the Fluters Ball. The family eventually moved back to Sydney in 1961. All this time Willie was working in the telecommunications industry and in 1968 he decided to go into a start-up company making switching systems. After a period with that company he took the further step of setting up his own business in the town of Katoomba in the Blue Mountains area of New South Wales. In 1978 he made his first trip back to Charleville, the town of his boyhood. However, his first trip back to Charleville since 1944 was a bittersweet occasion as it was for the funeral of his grandmother Bridget. His son, Sean, has led a checquered career since he left high school in Sydney in 1963. After completing a wool classing course, he worked in the agricultural sector for six years, where he did a variety jobs, including working on a rubber plantation in Papua New Guinea. He joined the Cafe Bar, an office tea break supply and equipment company, for 15 years before following in his fathers footsteps and joined Telecom Australia (Telstra) in Perth from 1986 to 2000. A keen ocean swimmer, Sean spends his time touring with his wife Alex, and there are no shortage of places to visit in the vast Australian country. In between he has included his trips to Charleville, which he loves to visit to renew his association with his adopted town, to hear accounts of his fathers family from Jim Foley and his family, who all look on Sean and Alex as their own. Conflicting messages regarding the north Cork after hours medical service in Kanturk are causing distress to many people who are concerned about its future, the newly selected candidate for Sinn Fein in the Kanturk/Charleville Council area has said. Ms. Evelyn OKeeffe, who was recently nominated to run for Sinn Fein in next years local elections, was speaking after the Kanturk South-Doc service appeared to be shut indefinitely just a week after a letter from Minister of Health Stephen Donnelly in which he gave assurances that the future of the after-hours service was not in danger. The apparent closure of the Kanturk South-Doc service is happening at the same as theres considerable anger and concern in Fermoy as after hours medical care, between 10pm and 8am on weekday nights, was no longer being provided in the South-Doc centre in the grounds of St. Patricks Hospital in the town. A protest march was held on Friday to highlight the issue. She accused local politicians from the Government parties of providing conflicting information and suggested that caused distress to local people. "The community has been subjected to undue stress and worry, due to what seems to be point scoring and a lack of understanding of what is going on in their own Ministers department, said Ms. OKeeffe. Earlier this week, Cllr John Paul OShea of Fine Gael said the South-Doc facility was closed on Wednesday night and appeared to be closed indefinitely. He said that calls seeking after hours medical assistance were being triaged through to the Mallow centre. Ms. OKeeffe said that people who might be seeking medical help in towns such as Charleville, Newmarket and Kanturk were unsure now where they could assistance after normal working hours. "Due to the shortage of doctors in Charleville, for instance, patients are being advised to seek help in Mallow South-Doc, which is putting this service under additional pressure. In a joint statement issued by South-Doc and the Cork-Kerry Community Healthcare, they insisted that there was no reduction in the service available from South-Doc in north Cork and what had taken place was a roster change for doctors against the backdrop of a shortage of GPs and an increase in demand. FREE PIC - NO REPRO FEE - July 20, 2023 From left; Cllr. Frank Roche; Clare Cronin, Cork County Council; Cllr. Deirdre O'Brien; Mary Sleeman, County Archaeologist and Cllr. Frank O'Flynn, Mayor of the County of Cork pictured at the launch of Cork County Councils 101 Archaeological Sites to visit in North and East Cork guide map by the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Frank O'Flynn, which took place at Bridgetown Priory in Castletownroche. A guide map an insight into 101 archaeological sites around north and east Cork has been launched by County Mayor, Cllr Frank OFlynn. The map, which has been specifically designed to highlight the rural landscape, complementing the Cork County Councils Historic Town Map series. Mayor OFlynn welcomed Cork County Councils latest heritage publication and said he was delighted to present the '101 Archaeological Sites to Visit in North and East Cork' guide map to the Cork community and visitors. "This remarkable map offers a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating archaeological heritage of our county. It is a testament to the Council's commitment to preserving and sharing our rich history, making it accessible to all. "I encourage everyone to embark on this journey of discovery and gain a deeper appreciation for Cork Countys remarkable heritage." In the map, the prehistoric period is represented by monuments that show the importance that people in that period placed in venerating the dead and how their beliefs were tied into a worship of the sun. For example, the magnificent stone tomb at Labbacallee, near Glanworth, was carefully constructed of massive stone blocks according to strict rules including its shape and the entrance facing the south-west. The Bronze Age Stone Circle at Knocknakilla, overlooking Millstreet, also observes a defined pattern in the way the stones forming the circle are arranged. Both monuments are easily accessible and feature on the map along with other prehistoric sites. The Early Christian period has left a rich legacy in the area and many important early monastic sites feature on the map. These include Tullylease, with its internationally renowned carved cross, Labbamollaga, where the shrine tomb of its founding saint St. Molaga can be seen and Cloyne in East Cork, with its tall round tower and medieval cathedral. North and East Cork were bustling locations during the medieval period. There are numerous castles of different periods such as the great stone edifice at Glanworth, where an important medieval bridge is still in use, numerous tower houses built by the Gaelic lords, such as Conna and Carrigadrohid and later castles such as Mallow and Kanturk. The church is represented by impressive monastic remains like Ballybeg Priory in Buttevant, Kilcrea Friary near Ovens and Bridgetown Priory, near Castletownroche. One of the best-preserved monastic sites in the county set in a wonderful rural location on the banks of the river Blackwater, Bridgetown Priory, is in the care of Cork County Council who maintain it as a public amenity. The more recent past is also represented in the map, including two important visitor attractions in the care of Cork County Council, Camden Fort Meagher, Crosshaven, and Fort Mitchell, Spike Island. '101 Archaeological Sites to Visit in North and East Cork' is a production of Cork County Councils National Monuments Advisory Council (NMAC) and is part of a wider project by the Councils Heritage Unit to foster a greater public understanding and appreciation of the countys wonderful and unique archaeological and built heritage. The text was written by Elena Turk and the watercolour illustrations are by Rhoda Cronin Allanic. The new map is available to view or download from Cork County Councils website, corkcoco.ie. Cllr Bernard Moynihan is a member of the Governing Body for UCC where there are a number of successful agriculture oriented courses already. A call has been made for a new School of Veterinary Medicine in UCC, which could be located in the north Cork region of Duhallow. Ireland should get a new veterinary college and it should be located in UCC, Duhallow based councillor and UCC Governing Body member, Bernard Moynihan has said. Cllr Moynihan has demanded a new veterninary college in the south of the country by suggesting that the facility to train new vets be located in Duhallow in north Cork due to regions focus on agriculture. In his role as a representative of Cork County Council on the UCC Governing Body, he called for an agriculture science course to be set up in the Cork university in 2014 and this has since been established and has been very successful. His call comes as the Government is considering plans to increase the number of health oriented third level courses around the country, partly to meet the demand for additional GPs due to a shortage of doctors at present. "UCC has a long tradition of providing top class graduates in food science to the dairy industry over many decades, said Cllr Moynihan. The south of the country is a hugely important region for food production and the equine industry and would be the ideal location. "I believe myself that Duhallow could be the base for this faculty as were not too far from Cork city and centrally located for Munster agriculture." Cllr Moynihan, who has recently been re-elected to the influential position of Chairman of the Northern Area Committee of Cork County Council, was speaking to The Corkman following his retention of the chairmans role at this weeks meeting of the body. Participants train for this year's Topper World Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC). 5,000 people are set to attend the competition in Crosshaven from Saturday 22nd July for five days of sailing. 250 participants from Ireland, the UK, Spain China and more will compete, with entrants aged from eight years old to teenagers. mParticipants train for this year's Topper World Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC). 5,000 people are set to attend the competition in Crosshaven from Saturday 22nd July for five days of sailing. 250 participants from Ireland, the UK, Spain China and more will compete, with entrants aged from eight years old to teenagers. Participants train for this year's Topper World Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC). 5,000 people are set to attend the competition in Crosshaven from Saturday July 22 for five days of sailing. 250 participants from Ireland, the UK, Spain China and more will compete, with entrants aged from eight years old to teenagers. The scene is set for this years Topper World Championships in Crosshaven as the Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC) have said this years competition is set to be the biggest yet, with 5,000 people set to attend the prestigious five-day sailing event. RCYC will host 250 participants from the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, Malta, the Peoples Republic of China, Hong Kong, Switzerland and Brazil for this years competition, with entrants aged between eight years old to their teens. Two days of registration will begin this weekend followed by five full days of racing. The competition will then conclude on Friday evening, July 28, with a prize-giving ceremony taking place. On Sunday evening keep an eye out for the competitors parade which begins at the Club at 6pm and will go to Crosshaven House where the Opening Ceremony will take place at 6:30pm. Speaking in the lead up to the event, RCYC Club Event Director Topper Worlds 2023 Marcas Worth said the club was excited to welcome their international guests for a global celebration of Topper sailing: He said: Were very excited to play host to such a prestigious event and wed like to extend them all with a very warm welcome to Crosshaven. The Chinese team has already arrived at the Club and after a couple of hours of schoolwork each morning they have been busy training in the harbour for the afternoon. Teams from Vanhang Sailing and Beijing Sailing Centre will also be joined by a nine-strong squad from Cool International Sailing School. Other overseas teams are also on their way from Hong Kong Schools Sailing Association, Vikings SC in Malta and the Swiss team from the TOP to TOP global climate expedition who arrive all the way from the Arctic. Entries from Belgium and Spain will be joining up with the strong Irish and UK entries, making it a truly global celebration of International Topper racing. Marcas Worth also paid tribute to the extensive support provided by the local businesses and communities through volunteering or providing accommodation and facilities for participants of the event. We would like to extend our thanks to our amazing volunteers and our event sponsors - Topper Technology International, Cork County Council, Ronstan, Rooster & Jones Engineering. We have approx. 100 and events of this magnitude would be impossible without this help and support. Wed also like to thank Crosshaven Rugby Club, the many residents of Crosshaven have given use of their homes, in addition to the Carrigaline Court Hotel and UCC who have each provided accommodation for international competitors and their families. All in all, it is shaping up to be a fantastic event and we are immensely proud to have 18 of our own participants from RCYC to fly the flag for our club, he said. The victim was set upon on Talbot Street at 10.40pm last nightHe is being treated in Beaumont Hospital and his condition is criticalJustice Minister promises tough and firm response The man is being treated for his injuries in Beaumont Hospital Crime scene tape on Store Street, just off Talbot Street, after the assault Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said Dublin "has a problem with public order offences" in the wake of a serious assault on a US tourist last night. The man (57) suffered serious eye and head injuries following the violent and unprovoked attack in the city centre last night. He was punched and kicked in the head after being knocked to the ground by three youths near Talbot Street. Gardai believe the three attackers were part of a wider group and sources said that, while no arrests have yet been made, "good progress" is being made in identifying those involved. The man remains in a serious but stable condition in Beaumont Hospital where he is continuing to receive treatment in the intensive care unit. Independent.ie understands that this includes serious eye and head injuries with doctors continuing to assess any potential long term brain damage. Sources have said the man was completely innocent and was set upon by a number of assailants in a shocking attack. Speaking on RTE Six One News, Mr Varadkar said: I'm somebody who is from Dublin and lived in Dublin all my life. But like any city, it has a problem with public order offences and violence happens. It's never acceptable. I certainly want to pass on my best wishes to the American gentleman who has been injured, hope he makes a speedy recovery." Yesterday, Mr Varadkar met with a Ukrainian actor who was assaulted after performing at the Abbey Theatre in the capital, he said he really just wanted to express to him my sorrow of what he had to experience as a visitor to our city. He added: But of course, people live in our city have to experience this as well from time to time and it's never acceptable. There is a strong response from government, both in terms of stiffer penalties, and also in terms of increasing garda resources and court resources. Mr Varadkar said the number of gardai has gone up and down in the last few years but pointed to the opening of new garda stations in the city centre, including on OConnell Street. "The effort this year is to recruit an additional thousand guards and we're confident we will see an overall net increase in the number of guards this year, even when you take account of retirements, resignations but, again, an area that is hard to recruit in at a time of full employment that's happening across the board but we really want to encourage people to respond to the recruitment campaign. "We want to get those garda numbers up and particularly have an increased visible presence on the streets. The US tourist is currently receiving treatment at Beaumont Hospital where his condition is described as critical. No arrests have been made at this time. Justice Minister Helen McEntee has promised a tough and firm response to the violent attack on the tourist within metres of Store Street garda station in Dublin city centre. I hope he pulls through and makes a full recovery Ms McEntee said the brutal attack near the station must be condemned in the strongest terms and said there can be no excuse for such violence and intimidation. A tough and firm response will send out the message that we will not tolerate this thuggery on our streets. I urge any witnesses to last nights assault to contact An Garda Siochana at Store Street or on the Garda Confidential Line, she added. Ms McEntee, who has been Justice Minister for three years, said people must have confidence that they can safely walk the streets of our capital. She said she is in regular contact with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on the issue of garda visibility. Ms McEntee said the best way of making the streets safer is having more gardai on patrol. We recently opened the new station in OConnell Street, and there have been around 420 proactive foot and bike patrols mounted from the station since it opened, she said. Justice Minister Helen McEntee. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins We are piloting our local Community Safety Partnerships in the area and the North Inner City Community Safety Partnership will soon publish its Community Safety Plan. We have also recently introduced community safety wardens in the area, she added. Ms McEntee was last weekend criticised by Fianna Fail TD Willie ODea for her lack of focus on addressing street crime and anti-social behaviour in cities. The public want her to focus more on delivering safe streets than on playing to the woke gallery. Every minute spent pushing a flawed hate bill or allowing gardai who pursue criminals to be investigated is a minute wasted, Mr ODea said. Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said the Governments response to addressing crime in Norther Inner City Dublin has been pathetic. It was only last Tuesday in the Dail, I asked the Justice Minister Helen McEntee what she was doing to make the city centre safer. Her response was to point to a community safety partnership plan that has been discussed for two years, and not put a single extra Garda on the street, he said. Mr Gannon said there are almost weekly vicious assaults in the city and there is an increasing sense of lawlessness in the capital. Fine Gael hold the justice ministry, its a cruel joke that they refer to themselves as a party of law and order while the city is in the condition that it is. There are deep rooted problems in this city, but in the first instance the State needs to get control of the situation in the city centre of Dublin. Mr Gannon was also critical of the North Inner City Task Force which was until recently chaired by Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoes political donor Michael Stone who resigned over undeclared support he gave the Fine Gael politician The Task Force spent 34 million to date and has achieved nothing of substance. The Justice minister should be hauling the Garda commissioner and the chief Executive of DCC to her offices, all have proven themselves to be absolutely useless to providing a city that is safe for the people of Dublin, Mr Gannon said. Fianna Fail senator Mary Fitzpatrick called the attack on a visitor to the city as appalling, really upsetting and totally unacceptable. Ms Fitzpatrick said she hopes the victim makes a full and speedy recovery and said the assailants need to be prosecuted and removed from the streets. Gardai need to use the extensive CCTV in the area and I appeal to the public to help Gardai with any used information, she added. Independent councillor Nial Ring said the attack has appalled everyone in the area. The fact that it took place within yards of the busiest garda station in the country makes it even more disturbing. Again and again, local public representatives have pointed to the lack of garda resources in the area, Mr Ring said, adding that more gardai are needed to prevent such incidents. "We should not have to wait for incidents like this to have the issue highlighted again. The Minister for Justice has to stop paying lip service to the north inner city with the creation of diversions such as the Community Safety Partnership which has its place but I would call on the minister to visit the area and actually listen to what the people of the area, the local representatives of the area and the gardai in the area demand more gardai on the streets and on the beat, preventing incidents like this. Of course, we hope that the victim of this mindless crime makes a full recovery, and he is in our prayers, he added. Fine Gael Dublin city councillor Ray McAdam describe the unprovoked assault as utterly appalling. Mr McAdam said his thoughts and prayers are with the man and his family at this time. I hope he pulls through and makes a full recovery, he said. It is absolutely sickening and reiterates the importance of visible gardai on the street. A spokesperson for the US embassy in Dublin said it cannot comment on individual cases as US citizens are protected by the Privacy Act of 1974, meaning information cannot be passed on without the persons written consent. Gardai are appealing to anyone with information in relation to this incident or who may have video footage to contact Store Street garda station on 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. Investigations are ongoing. More to follow... There is a scarcity of dog and cat blood donations needed during surgeries UCD veterinary hospital is pleading for dog and cat owners to bring their pet in to donate blood, due to a scarcity. While blood products are more readily available in human medicine, they are slightly rarer in animals. Blood transfusions are essential to improve oxygen carrying capacity and save an animals life. Just like people, dogs and cats have different blood types. Giving a matched blood transfusion minimises the risk of an adverse reaction. They need blood donations for animals who need serious surgeries, have had a traumatic accident, or have a medical condition like anaemia. The benefits of your pet donating blood include free pre-inclusion health screen, blood typing and annual health screening for donors. Pets that donate regularly will receive free blood products if they need them due to illness or accident. Dr Benoit Cuq, who manages the blood donor clinic, told Independent.ie: One donation can help three patients. So, if you come with your dog once, they might help treat three different pets on three different occasions. Theres a shortage of blood for several reasons, theres a big difference between dogs and cats. For dogs, donors have to be a certain size, theyve to be over 25kg, theyve to be young and healthy. Dogs must be young, healthy and over 25kg to donate For dogs, we can store the blood so weve people coming with their dogs regularly, theyll come twice a year, or at most, three times a year. Cats are trickier, they need to be sedated during blood donations because they cannot stay still. We only do cat blood donations on an emergency basis. If we have a cat that needs a transfusion, we will reach out to people on our list and try to get one available person to bring their cat that day. Our cat blood donor list is small. We do the health screen, we want cats over 4.5kgs, healthy, ideally indoors and ideally have never left Ireland. We use blood for different types of patients. We have patients in intensive care units that have had blood loss in a road traffic accident or something like that. There are also patients with acute trauma, weve patients who go for complicated surgeries. Some surgeries may bleed more than others, so some may require blood donations. A dog may have a coagulation effect or anaemia where the bone marrow cannot produce red blood cells too. Protests in Ballybrack have continued since Tuesday evening. Pic: Collins Photos A woman was arrested for public order offences following an altercation which took place at a third evening of protests in Ballybrack, south Dublin yesterday. The demonstrations against the prospect of refugees being housed in the area follows an attack on Independent councillor Hugh Lewis family home on Monday, when a rock was thrown through a window with a threatening note. Mr Lewis no longer lives at the property in Ballybrack. His 78-year-old father was at home alone and sustained an injury during the attack. On Tuesday, extensive damage was done to Ridge House in the village, where protesters believed it was being repurposed to accommodate refugees. However, the Department of Integration has since rejected these claims. A crowd gathered outside Ridge House for a third evening of protests on Thursday with a heavy garda presence. One woman was arrested at the demonstration for public order offences following an altercation between two people. Traffic came to a standstill in the village around 7pm as protesters stood in the middle of the junction in Ballybrack, blocking the road and stopping traffic and public transport. The crowd, primarily young men, voiced their dissatisfaction with the Governments immigration policies. Protesters pitched chairs outside Ridge House with signs reading house the Irish first and carried tricolour flags. Gardai at the Ridge Hall building in Ballybrack which was damaged by anti-immigrant protesters. Pic: Collins Photos A garda spokesman said: Gardai attended a demonstration in Ballybrack village which began at approximately 7pm on Thursday, July 20. The crowd fully dispersed by 11.30pm. One woman was arrested for public order offences following an altercation between two people. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has condemned the attack on Mr Lewis family home and promised a strong garda response. Ms McEntee said the anti-immigration demonstrators do not represent the vast majority of people in this country who are extremely welcoming. A group of Dublin residents has also condemned the recent incidents in Dun Laoghaire and Ballybrack. Padraig Drummond, of The Dublin Communities Against Racism group (DCAR), said: Local youths are being manipulated by sinister forces intent on using young people to further an anti-working class agenda. Misinformation and lies from racist organisers are encouraging locals to see refugees as their enemies. Wise up, dont allow yourselves to be used as cannon fodder. Place the blame on the government political parties for their failure to provide housing and resources for all those in need. The group said the government is failing to engage with locals and refusing to provide information on plans for refugee accommodation in the area. People are entitled to be consulted and told the truth, cutting the base from under organised racists attempting to build a political base in our areas, said a statement. That an independent leftist councillor, with no power over government policy, is targeted in an attack reveals the real agenda at work here. A new research vessel named after Annascaul man and Antarctic explorer Tom Crean has completed almost 300 days worth of surveying since it moved to its base one year ago. On its anniversary, a senior member of the Marine Institute said the vessel has proved invaluable to Irelands scientific community. The RV Tom Crean was commissioned in Dingle, to much fanfare, last October, at an event attended by many, including some of Creans living Kerry relatives. It arrived at its Galway base in July of last year, and data shared by the Marine Institute this week outlined that the boat has completed 296 survey days since then, across 20 surveys. Almost 180 scientists took part in these surveys, and the boat travelled more than 32,000 nautical miles, the equivalent of rounding the country 46 times. Its work has included five surveys for INFOMAR, surveys which mapped an area totalling 6,317 square kilometres. It has also collected data from locations such as the Porcupine Bank, some 300 kilometres west of Kerry; Aran Grounds; the Celtic Sea; and the Bay of Biscay. With its state-of-the-art capabilities and the dedication of its skilled crew and scientists, we eagerly await the vessel's next chapter, brimming with exciting accomplishments and ground breaking discoveries, Marine Institute Interim CEO Michael Gillooly commented this week. The RV Tom Crean has proven itself as an invaluable asset to Ireland's scientific community, and we eagerly look forward to the remarkable achievements yet to come. Fine Gael Councillor Mike Kennelly has slammed a response to a Notice of Motion he brought to the most recent Listowel Municipal District Meeting, describing it as a copy and paste answer. The Notice of Motion related to safety improvements and road surfacing from Boltons Cross Junction on the Tarbert Road to the Tim Kennelly Roundabout in Listowel. Cllr Kennelly told the meeting the location was the scene of a fatal accident one year ago, and further accidents have taken place nearby. He asked if the funding needed to carry out works at the location has been obtained from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The Council told Cllr Kennelly that surface improvements took place at Boltons Cross in 2022, and a PARR report, being carried out as part of an application to seek further surfacing improvements between Boltons Cross and the Tim Kennelly roundabout, will be prepared this year and submitted to TII. If TII gives its approval, the works would be carried out in 2024. The response, however, annoyed Cllr Kennelly, who claimed he had seen virtually the same answer given several times previously. This is the fourth copy and paste Ive got on this, he told the meeting. This is in relation to the N69. Its a total disaster area at the moment. The road is not suitable for anyone entering our town. When you go back on my motions, they were preparing this in 2021 as well. In response to Cllr Kennelly asking why the Council has sat on our hands over the last few years, the meeting heard that the TII has indeed received PARR reports and applications for funding over recent years, but applications have not been successful to this point. With a PARR report to be carried out again this year, the newest application will highlight the current state of the road, Kerry County Council assured. The works cannot currently be carried out in conjunction with the Listowel Bypass works under the contact in place for those works. A Leitrim based part time farmer has launched Irelands first all in one agriculture auction website, bidsell.ie., designed for the Irish market with a special emphasis on the agri sector. Noel McKeon, in his mid-40s, is a primary school teacher and a part time farmer based in Eslin with the nearest town being Mohill. He is a suckler farmer who is continuing on his family farm after his father passed away in 2019. He said, I do it because I grew up with it. I have been a farmer before being a teacher and I will be a farmer forever. The family farm is my identity and I am continuing that after my father. I think thats the way people in the west of Ireland do it. It is not all about money, they are doing it because they have an attachment with the land. They love doing it and they have been doing it for generations. A big problem for farmers is the low prices for cattle and the amount of time they put into rearing the animals. The fact is that the factories have monopoly at the moment in Ireland and they can manipulate the prices that farmers get for cattle in the factory. The reason behind setting up the website is that I was selling the cattle at the mart earlier. But being a part time teacher and having other responsibilities sometimes I wouldnt have time to go the mart. Also, at marts sometimes the farmers have to settle for a price thats not enough but they dont want to go back home with the cattle. Then we have the online websites where the process is a bit complex. You need to put up a reserve price and be available anytime to have a call. Even then the farmers maybe do not know what reserve price to put on and if they put up a high price then they would not get a single call. This makes it difficult to go through. He said: the new website that has been set up is easier in terms of usage as the farmer can set up their account and put up a reserve price there. Then those who want to bid for it can put their own prices and by the end of the bid whoever puts up the highest price would be able to purchase it. The process is transparent as you can see what price others have put on the product and even if the reserve price is high a bidder can put up their prices and the farmers can change it later on accordingly. We have many different categories of products other than cattle, machinery and agriculture related products. Its all just about building a community of buyers and sellers and it is completely free for anyone to use. The site is unique in that bids are placed and displayed. This can create a sense of competition among buyers, while also giving them a better sense of what they need to pay based on the market value. The vendor sets a reserve price for the product and at the end date for the auction, the highest bid over the reserve price is the winning bid. The site then emails the vendor and the buyer each other`s contact details. The site also has an advertisement facility for people seeking services in their locality. "It was developed out of a need to have an easy way to sell your own goods. Farmers in particular, are busy people. Ultimately, Bidsell.ie saves them time and money. While a question can or may be answered by the vendor through the site, the site does the work for you by taking bids from customers. Bidsell.ie currently has 17 specific categories. Most of these categories are in the agricultural sector. However, there are non-agricultural categories also such as bicycles, furniture, home and DIY, lawn equipment, motorbikes, cars, commercial vehicles, property, clothes and miscellaneous items. Noel believes that farmers in Ireland are already going through a lot due to various environment protection laws. He said, EU wants us to reduce the number of cattle to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions while they are importing beef and food products from faraway countries which eventually leads to deforestation and various greenhouse gas emissions. So through this website I wanted to build a community that can help each other and make things a little bit easier for the farmers. The website is bidsell.ie where anyone can register for free and put an advertisement for anything that they want to sell. The bid open and close timings are also controlled by the advertiser. In last two weeks it has already closed three deals. Irelands biggest Barbie collection holder is all excited for the new movie and has been celebrating the launch in her own way. Glenda Taylor from Riverstown, Sligo has been collecting Barbie dolls from a very young age. To celebrate the release of Barbie Glenda has showcased some of her collection in the window of her workplace, Cooke Opticians on Stephens Street in Sligo. She said, I used to play with my dolls at a young age and I used to read Barbie magazines. I had my first show at Riverstown Vintage Day and after that I got more serious about the collection. Initially, it was the dolls that were gifted to her by people on different occasions, but later it became a passion for her and eventually she became the biggest collector of Barbie in Ireland. She currently has more than 700 dolls in her house and the collection goes back to vintage dolls from the 1960s. Glenda with the Barbie on the window She said, At some point I discovered credit cards and e-bay, and I started buying dolls online. I joined the Official Barbie Fan club in America in 2004 and then I started getting special access to some limited-edition dolls. Thats where I bought most of my dolls, as they are all collector dolls. Glenda went to watch Barbie in the Omniplex in Sligo on Friday night with her girlfriends. She said, I have watched one or two movies and some videos as a kid, but I have never gone to cinema for a Barbie movie. I am looking forward to this as the cast looks brilliant. There is an Irish actor Nicola Coughlan in it and Margot Robbie and Ron Gosling, its a big cast. It would be interesting to see how they do as I never knew he could sing but he sings in the movie. Oppenheimer is coming out tonight too but as we see there is very little publicity about it, everywhere it is Barbie and pink. I think the movie is going to be the right amount of comedy and humour. Margot once did an interview and said, its a very good script, too bad nobody will be able to see it, as they didnt think they would be allowed to make it. Then somebody else said, If you love Barbie, you are going to love the movie and if you hate Barbie, you are going to love the movie. So, I think there is something for everyone in the movie. Glenda's Barbie dolls in Cooke Opticians window I think there are some serious undertones to it in that Barbie is all for women and women have choices. I think thats why Margot Robbie chose to do it as she can be anything through it. Glenda has many vintage and newer dolls in her collection. She has the four ponytail Barbies from 1961, Francie from 1967 (the first Barbie with a darker skin tone), Talking Christie (the first African-American doll) released in 1968 and the Fashionistas. Glenda has kept her dolls in a pristine shape, with most of them having their boxes intact. She is happy how the company is now trying to broaden their base and bringing inclusivity by launching dolls with different body shapes, hairs, disability and inspiring figures. On This Day In History - July 21st With a comprehensive review of rail lines across the entire island of Ireland imminent, its all but certain that it will recommend the reinstatement of the Rosslare to Waterford rail line, over a decade since it last took passengers. TWO Wicklow town establishments are the only public houses in the Garden County shortlisted for the upcoming Bar of the Year awards. After careful consideration and rigorous evaluation, the esteemed panel of judges handpicked the top contenders from all over Ireland. OSheas Corner has been nominated in three different categories and is in the running for the award for best newcomer and best bar to watch a match, with its spacious surroundings and comfortable and welcoming setting impressing the judges. Anthony Byrne of OSheas Corner has also been shortlisted for the bar manager of the year award. Meanwhile the Brass Fox has been shortlisted in the tourist bar of the year category, impressing visitors to Wicklow town from far and wide. The award winners will be announced at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin on Monday, August 21. All of the finalists have been entered into the Peoples Choice Award, voted by the public. You can cast your vote by visiting the website baroftheyear.ie. US President Joe Biden arrives on Air Force One at Stansted Airport in Essex (Joe Giddens/ PA) Prince Harry and wife Meghan asked whether they could fly back from Queen Elizabeth IIs funeral with Joe Biden on Air Force One, it has been alleged. Sources close to the couple have not denied the claim. The couple are said to have asked White House staff whether they could join the US President and his wife on the journey home, but were swiftly rebuffed. The alleged proposition raises the extraordinary prospect that the duke and duchess wanted to be photographed climbing the steps of the famous Boeing 747 to wave alongside the President and First Lady of the United States. But sources with knowledge of the decision said there was little discussion about the request because it was generally agreed that it was a non-starter. One told MailOnline: It would have caused such a commotion. It would have strained relations with the palace and the new king. The White House declined to comment on the claim. A spokesman for the Sussexes also declined to comment. The Duke and Duchess were in the UK when Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8 after they had flown over to carry out various charity engagements. They stayed in the country for two weeks until the funeral but fraught family relations prompted dramas including a mistaken invitation to a state reception at Buckingham Palace, confusion over military uniforms and a dispute about when Prince Harry was told about his grandmothers death. The couple are thought to have returned home on the day after the funeral with their own private security team feeling more ostracised from the royal family than ever. The Duke and Duchess previously enjoyed a good working relationship with the Bidens and it was one they were keen to cultivate after stepping away from royal duties as they tried to establish themselves as powerful establishment figures in the US. As such, Jill Biden was invited to attend the 2022 Invictus Games in The Hague but that too was declined, The Telegraph has confirmed. British officials are understood to have conveyed to US National Security Council staff in a working level conversation that they thought the idea would land badly with the palace. Both Bidens attended the Invictus Games in Canada in 2017 and the First Lady attended the 2016 games in Florida. She is said to have been keen to attend the 2022 event, not least as she runs her own Joining Forces Initiative and is a keen supporter of the military and their families. A further attempt to ingratiate themselves with the Bidens saw the duchess send a basket of lemons to the First Lady after interpreting a sartorial choice as a show of support. The day after the Sussexes controversial Oprah Winfrey interview aired in March 2021, Jill Biden wore an Oscar de la Renta dress with a lemon pattern to the State Departments International Women of Courage Awards. It bore a striking resemblance to a dress that Meghan had worn for a Spotify event the previous month and was seen in some quarters as a message of solidarity with the duchess after she had described her tortuous relationship with the royal family. The duchess has made no secret of her political ambitions, having personally called US senators on their mobile phones to lobby for a change in the law on paid parental leave. She said it was critical in those first few weeks to be together as a family and used a television interview to note that the US is the only country in the entire world that does not have such a policy, adding: I will do everything I can to make sure we can implement that for people. On This Day In History - July 21st Recovery Through Comedy is the first ever Poppyscotland Fringe show (Poppyscotland/PA) Veterans who learned comedy techniques to improve their wellbeing will perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe next month at a charity poppy factory. Poppyscotland, which runs Scotlands annual poppy appeal to raise vital funds for veterans, will host the Recovery Through Comedy show at the internationally renowned arts festival. It will be the first time Poppyscotland has hosted a Fringe event and follows the refurbishment of the historic Lady Haig Poppy Factory building. A group of armed forces veterans and a current serving member will bring their unique comedy to the factory in Edinburgh on August 11 and 12. Performers are all graduates of an innovative veterans programme developed by the Royal British Legion with techniques to promote resilience, support mental health and wellbeing. The participants have been supported to create their own original stand-up comedy routine. Poppyscotlands director, Austin Hardie, said: Were very proud to be able to bring the Recovery through Comedy Show to this years Fringe. Not only is it very funny, the show also gives a voice to veterans in a new and inspiring way that challenges preconceptions. At Poppyscotland, we provide support for current and former members of the Armed Forces and their families in whatever way works best for them. Initiatives like Recovery through Comedy show that there are many ways to help them overcome whatever challenges they face. The free, ticketed show will be at Lady Haigs Poppy Factory in Warriston on Friday and Saturday August 11-12, with performances at 2pm and 6pm each day. Capacity is limited so guests are encouraged to secure their tickets as early as possible. A North Korean soldier stands guard in a picture taken near the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas, in Paju, South Korea on Wednesday. Photo: Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters North Korea said yesterday that the deployment of US weapons like aircraft carriers, bombers, or missile submarines in South Korea could meet the conditions for its use of nuclear weapons, state media KCNA reported, citing a statement by the countrys defence minister Kang Sun Nam. Britain Harry and Meghan buy film rights to book with similarities to how they met A Canadian who crochets miniature clothing items for Barbies has said British viewers of the dolls new film can expect a series of emotions from the dark yet hopeful comedy. David Hunter has been found guilty of manslaughter following the death of his wife Janice (Joe Giddens/PA) A Cyprus court on Friday found a British man who killed his ailing wife in their home guilty of manslaughter, saying that the prosecution didnt prove beyond reasonable doubt that the 76-year-old man committed premeditated murder. Top Republican denies reports of agreement with former president The top Republican in the US House of Representatives yesterday said he did not promise Donald Trump that he would pass a measure aimed at expunging the former presidents two impeachments. New Delhi: India's instant payment technology Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will now be used in Sri Lanka. Apart from the agreement on UPI acceptance, several agreements were also signed between India and Sri Lanka in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi Friday. Unified Payments Interface is an instant payment system developed by National Payments Corporation of India. The interface facilitates inter-bank peer-to-peer and person-to-merchant transactions. It is used on mobile devices to instantly transfer funds between two bank accounts. The UPI payments system has been a major success in India for retail digital payments and it is witnessing acceptance across the world. So far, France, UAE, and Singapore have collaborated with India on the growing fintech and payment technology. In February 2023, India and Singapore signed an agreement to connect their respective payment systems. This collaboration enables users in both countries to conduct cross-border transactions seamlessly. Now, individuals in India and Singapore can engage in real-time money transfers using QR-code-based methods or by entering mobile numbers linked to their bank accounts. This partnership aims to facilitate efficient and convenient financial transactions between the two nations, promoting greater economic connectivity and ease of doing business. In February 2023, India and Singapore signed an agreement to connect their respective payment systems. This collaboration enables users in both countries to conduct cross-border transactions seamlessly. Now, people of India and Singapore can engage in real-time money transfers using QR-code-based methods or by entering mobile numbers linked to their bank accounts. This partnership aims to facilitate efficient and convenient financial transactions between the two nations, promoting greater economic connectivity and ease of doing business. France had also agreed to use the UPI payment mechanism earlier this month. It will begin from the iconic and tourist hotspot Eiffel Tower. An MoU was also exchanged between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Central Bank of the UAE to interlink their payment and messaging systems. This collaboration will enable the integration of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India and the Instant Payments Platform (IPP) of the UAE. As a result, users in both countries will have enhanced access and convenience in conducting cross-border transactions, fostering stronger financial ties and seamless payment experiences between India and the UAE. Image Credit : PIB New Delhi: Indias coal sector registered the highest ever coal production at 223.36 million tonnes (MT) in Q1FY24, a growth of 8.55% compared to the production of 205.76 MT during the same period during FY 2022-23, the Ministry of Coal said. Coal India Limited (CIL) registered 175.48 MT production between April and June 2023, marking a commendable growth rate of 9.85% in comparison to 159.75 MT during the corresponding period of the previous year, the ministry said. The consistent upward trajectory in coal production highlights India's commitment to meet its energy demands and drive sustainable economic growth. While coal imports increased by 16.76% from April 2023 to May 2023, as compared to the same period in the previous year, it is important to note that this rise is primarily attributable to the substantial decline in coal import prices. Import prices for coal have plummeted by over 60% in the Q1 of FY2023-24, compared to the Q1 of FY 2022-23. Consequently, the e-auction premium over the notified prices of CIL has witnessed a significant reduction, declining from 357% in June 2022 to 54% in June 2023, mainly due to the sharp fall in import prices, the ministry said. The premium on coal auctions speaks of the pulse of the industry. The sharp decline in coal auction premiums is indicative of adequate coal availability in the domestic market. This decline in import prices has played a crucial role in shaping the import landscape for coal. On available stock of coal in India, the ministry said, "As far as availability of coal is concerned, there is enough stock of coal available in the country which is 107.15 MT (67 MT with coal companies, 33.61 MT with TPP (DCB) & 6.54 MT at Private Washeries/Good shed siding/Ports) during the end of Jun23, indicating a growth of 37.62% as compared to the same period of last year." The availability of substantial coal stock ensures a stable supply for various sectors dependent on coal, thereby contributing to the overall energy security of the nation. India's achievement in coal production reflects the concerted efforts of the coal industry and its commitment to meeting the growing energy needs of the nation. The record-breaking figures not only demonstrate the industry's resilience but also its ability to adapt to market conditions while striving for sustainable growth. Bengal Image Credit: IBNS File Days after the sweep in the panchayat polls, West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee will hold the Martyrs' Day rally, which will be the last before the next General Elections, on Friday. The rally, which is the annual mega political event of the ruling party, is held at Esplanade in downtown Kolkata. This year's rally has assumed significance as the TMC swept the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Left and Congress in the violence-marred panchayat polls. Moreover, Mamata's rally comes just a few days after 26 anti-BJP parties formed an opposition alliance, named 'INDIA', to deny Prime Minister Narendra Modi a straight term in the coming year. A team of CMs may visit Manipur: Mamata Banerjee Mamata says, "I spoke to Arvind Kejriwal, we all Chief Ministers can visit Manipur and meet people in the camps." I congratulate 26 parties for forming the Opposition alliance: Mamata Mamata Banerjee says, "I congratulate all 26 parties for forming the Opposition alliance." Mamata announces state govt's '100 days work' scheme 'Khela Hobe' Angry upon the Centre's alleged denial to release funds of 100 days work to the state, Mamata Banerjee has announced her government's new 100 days work scheme, named 'Khela Hobe', for the job card holders. 'This BJP govt is beyond tolerance': Mamata Mamata said, "This BJP government at the Centre is beyond tolerance." 'New India' will be formed in 2024: Mamata Mamata says, "New India will be formed in 2024." 'Does PM Modi feel sad for Manipur incident?': Mamata Speaking on the Manipur sexual harassment, Mamata said, "Does Prime Minister not feel sad over the Manipur incident?' Will TMC people will kill their co-workers? questions Mamata over panchayat violence Mamata questioned, "18 out 29 people who were killed during the panchayat polls were from TMC. Will TMC people kill their co-workers? If that possible?" I am happy that 'INDIA' coalition if formed: Mamata Mamata says, "I am happy that 'INDIA' coalition is formed for the 2024 General Elections. The elections will be fought under the banner of 'INDIA'. We will protest in Delhi if money for 100 days work not cleared: Mamata Mamata says, "On Gandhi Jayanti, we will protest in Delhi if money for 100 days work is not cleared." Mamata begins her speech Mamata reaches rally venue Mamata Banerjee reached the rally venue in Esplande amid loud cheer from the crowd. Mamata leaves residence for rally venue Mamata Banerjee left the her Kalighat residence in South Kolkata to reach Esplanade, which is located in downtown Kolkata. Police intercept one armed person outside Mamata's residence The Kolkata Police has intercepted one armed person near West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence in the city ahead of Trinamool Congress' Martyrs' Day rally. The person, identified as Sheikh Noor Alam, was carrying a firearm, one knife and contraband substances besides having several ID cards of different agencies. "He was traveling in a car with a police sticker on it. Police, STF and SB are examining and questioning him," Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal said. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in October 2019, had appointed Colin Bloom as an Independent Faith Engagement Adviser to provide recommendations on how government should engage with faith groups in England. The aims of this review included identifying what the government can do to recognize and support the contribution of faith organizations within communities, how best to break down barriers and promote acceptance between faith groups, the steps the government can take to promote shared values and tackle cultures and practices that are harmful and how the government can promote, in parallel to freedom of religion, the values of freedom of speech, democracy, the rule of law and equality? The parts in the report on Khalistan extremism in the UK have sparked a firestorm of controversy, as it rightly should. It is a critique that strikes at the heart of the British Sikh community, painting an unsettling picture that has led many Sikhs to express anger and frustration, feeling misrepresented and unjustly stigmatized. A group of Sikh lawyers in Britain has dismissed the Bloom Review, the UK government-commissioned independent review into how it should engage with people of faith, saying its chapter on faith-based extremism, which devotes 13 pages to Sikhs, is colonialist. The heart of the issue lies in the perceived broad-brush approach of the report. The claim that a small minority of Sikhs involved in Khalistani extremist activities somehow represents the entire Sikh community is a gross mischaracterization. The overwhelming majority of Sikhs are peaceful, law-abiding citizens who have little to no connection with extremism. Granted, the Bloom Report does acknowledge this peaceful majority, yet its emphasis on the extremist minority raises concerning implications. But in no way can the reports findings be dismissed. The issue here is a handful of fringe elements in the Sikh diaspora come forward claiming to be the representatives of the community at large. That is misleading, at the same time dangerous, since Khalistan extremists have been involved in several aggressive and violent acts. According to the report, many politicians, academics, and officials have been threatened by aggressive Sikh activists who abuse or threaten anyone who criticizes them. The report has expressed concern that the UK government is not able to differentiate between the extremist agenda of the regime and the mainstream Sikh communities. A question must be posed here: Is the Bloom Report wholly wrong? Despite its glaring issues, it would be hasty to dismiss it entirely. It raises valid concerns about the presence of a small, yet potent, extremist faction within the Sikh community, a problem that cannot be brushed under the carpet. One of the most troubling aspects highlighted by Colin Bloom in the report is the manipulation of young, impressionable minds by Khalistani separatists. It underscores a more insidious dimension of the extremist issue: the exploitation of the innocent. This indoctrination of young Sikhs, under the guise of promoting cultural heritage and freedom, in reality, is a clandestine maneuver to incite them with separatist agendas. The danger lies not only in the propagation of extremist ideology but also in the potential long-term damage to these young minds and the social fabric of our communities. Its critical that we, as a community, protect our youth, fostering an environment of balanced understanding and respect for our shared heritage and values, without fuelling divisive ideologies. This requires vigilance, education, and most importantly, open dialogues about the complexities of our history and the perils of radicalization. The Bloom Report should be seen as a wake-up call. It underscores the need to confront and tackle extremism within our midst. Educating the youth about the perils of extremism, emphasizing the tenets of peace and tolerance that Sikhism firmly espouses, collaborating with authorities to root out extremism, and vocally denouncing extremist tendencies whenever we encounter them these should be our immediate responses. The Kanishka flight bombing, attacks on Indian embassies and consulates in countries such as Canada, US, Australia, the UK, the plans to bomb targets in London, the scheme to attack a Birmingham police station these are sobering reminders that the extremist issue is real and far from being negligible. Lord Indarjit Singh of Wimbledons recent remarks underlines the urgency of the issue. People have been threatened and beaten up, he says. Such instances of violence and intimidation cannot be tolerated. Albeit not perfect, the Bloom Report offers a valuable starting point for initiating a much-needed conversation on extremism within the Sikh community. It is not an indictment but an invitation to introspection, a call to action. Lets not dismiss it outright. Instead, let us leverage this as an opportunity to learn, grow and foster a stronger, more cohesive and tolerant community, living true to the Sikh principles of equality, peace, and mutual respect. (Image and text credit: Khalsavox.com) Image: Hardeep Singh Puri Twitter page New Delhi: A Global Biofuels Alliance might be launched on July 22 during the upcoming G20 Clean Energy Ministerial meeting in Goa. Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri shared details on the issue and tweeted: " As a landmark initiative during Indias G20 Presidency under the leadership of PM Sh @narendramodi Ji, Global Biofuels Alliance will be opened for signature on 22 July 2023 in Goa." "Brazil, India, and the United States, as leading biofuel producers and consumers, will work together during the next few months towards the development of a Global Biofuels Alliance along with other interested countries," the Indian government earlier said in a statement. What is the aim of the alliance? This Alliance will be aimed at facilitating cooperation and intensifying the use of sustainable biofuels, including in the transportation sector. It will place emphasis on strengthening markets, facilitating global biofuels trade, development of concrete policy lesson-sharing and provision of technical support for national biofuels programs worldwide. It will also emphasize the already implemented best practices and success cases. The Alliance shall work in collaboration with and complement the relevant existing regional and international agencies as well as initiatives in the bioenergy, bioeconomy, and energy transition fields more broadly, including the Clean Energy Ministerial Biofuture Platform, the Mission Innovation Bioenergy initiatives, and the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP). Picture caption and Credit: Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri speaking at an event. Image: Unsplash Mumbai: Mumbai police have detained a man for uploading child pornography content on Facebook after they received information about his mobile number, email ID, and IP address. The man was detained by the cyber cell of Mumbai police at Bandra, and they are gathering electronic evidence from him. Cyber Cell had last week registered four cases related to Child Pornography uploaded on Social media; after that, police launched a manhunt to trace the culprits involved in this heinous crime. According to the police, in the first case, they had come across a 60-second video clip in which an unknown adult was seen involved in the sexual exploitation of a minor child. The said clip was uploaded on Facebook in June 2020, and the police have also received information about the mobile number, email ID, and IP address of the person who uploaded the clip. In the second case, a video of 55 seconds was uploaded on Instagram in June 2020, in which an unknown adult woman was seen involved in the sexual exploitation of a minor child. During the investigation, police have received information about the mobile number and IP address of the person who uploaded the clip. In the third case, the police came across a 60-second clip in which an unknown adult woman was seen involved in the sexual exploitation of a minor child. The said clip was uploaded on Instagram in May 2020, and the police have information about the mobile number, Instagram user ID name, and IP address of the person who uploaded the clip. The fourth case that the police came across was a 1.55-minute video clip in which an unknown adult male was seen exploiting a minor girl. The said clip was uploaded on Facebook in May 2020, and the police have also received information about the mobile number and IP address of the person who uploaded the clip. The police had registered the cases on July 14 under Section 67B (punishment for publishing or transmitting material depicting children in sexually explicit acts, etc., in electronic form) of the Information Technology Act. In order to curb the menace of sharing child sexual abuse material online, the Maharashtra Cyber Department initiated Operation Blackface in December 2019. Meanwhile, Ulhasnagar police in neighbouring Thane district have arrested a youth for editing girls' Instagram photos into pornographic content. (With UNI inputs) India and Kyrgyzstan officials recently met in Bishkek when the two nations agreed upon further steps that are needed to be taken to increase bilateral security cooperation The decision was taken during the Second Security Dialogue between India and the Kyrgyz Republic which was held on July 17-18. The delegation from India was led by Vikram Misri, Deputy National Security Advisor of India, while the Kyrgyz Republic was led by Marat Mukanovich Imankulov, Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic. "Discussions at the Security Dialogue focused on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern, the threats and challenges being faced by both the countries, including the situation in Afghanistan," read a statement issued by the Embassy of India in Bishkek. Both sides welcomed the similarity of views on these matters and agreed upon further steps that need to be taken to increase bilateral security cooperation between the relevant organisations, including in the fields of counter-terrorism, combating radicalisation, narcotics control and defence cooperation. Pi 2nd India-Kyrgyz Security Dialogue was held in Kyrgyz Republic on 17-18 July, 2023. Dialogue was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Vikram Misri, Deputy National Security Advisor of India & H.E. Mr. Marat Imankulov, Secretary of Security Council of Kyrgyz Republic@MEAIndia @MFA_Kyrgyzstan pic.twitter.com/W9bYRrrGLY India in Kyrgyz Republic (@IndiaInKyrgyz) July 18, 2023 cture caption and credit: India and Kyrgyzstan officials participate in Second Security Dialogue. India in Kyrgyz Republic Twitter page Dhaka: The Bangladesh government is likely to launch three major infrastructure projects, including a power plant and Railway Links, under Indias financial assistance in September, media reports said. Three major infrastructure projects to be launched during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas India visit for the G20 summit in September this year, reports The Financial Express. The three infrastructural projects are Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant-2, 65-kilometre-long Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Link, Akhaura (Bangladesh) and Agartala (India) Railway Link, the newspaper reported. Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma recently called on Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban in Dhaka and held wide-ranging discussions on the India- Bangladesh bilateral relationship. "High Commissioner briefed Honble PM on several recent positive developments in our bilateral relations and highlighted the progress achieved in energy cooperation between the two countries as well as development projects being implemented in Bangladesh under India concessional financing," read a statement issued by the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh. They expressed confidence that the recent launch of bilateral trade in INR would further strengthen economic partnership between the two countries. The Prime Minister asked High Commissioner to convey her warm greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that she was looking forward to attending the G20 Summit in India in September. The High Commission of India and the Bangladesh Bank organized an event on July 11 to launch trade between India and Bangladesh in Indian Rupees (INR). The programme saw overwhelming participation of senior officials of the government of Bangladesh, members of the banking/financial institutions, business community, and media houses. Picture caption and credit: Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma meets Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka. Indian High Commission in Bangladesh website Image: Avishek Mitra/IBNS Kolkata: Kolkata Police on Friday arrested a drunk person while he was attempting to enter the high-security cordon near the lane of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence at Kalighat. Police seized a firearm, a knife along with contraband substances from his possession. Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal told newsmen that the arrested person was also carrying several fake identity cards. The person was identified as Sheikh Noor Alam, who was travelling in a car with a police sticker pasted on it, Goyal said. Police, STF and Special Branch are questioning him at the local police station. It may be mentioned that the incident happened on the day when the Trinamool Congress is holding Martyrs Day' rally at Esplanade in downtown Kolkata. (With UNI Inputs) Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS Kolkata/IBNS: In her last Martyrs' Day rally ahead of 2024 General Elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday peddled the newly formed anti-Modi national alliance 'INDIA' to oust the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claiming she is not in the race for prime ministership. Speaking at her Trinamool Congress' annual mega political event in downtown Kolkata, Mamata said, "I am happy that we could create an inclusive alliance in the name of INDIA ahead of the 2024 General Elections. All political battles in the country will be fought under the banner of INDIA. "We don't care about the chair, but want BJP to be ousted from power. BJP can't be tolerated anymore because it has crossed all limits," she said. Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS Mamata's rally came just a few days after 26 anti-BJP parties formed the opposition alliance to deny Prime Minister Narendra Modi a straight third term in the coming year. However, the local Left and Congress leaders have cleared they will have no alliance with TMC in West Bengal despite the top brass' hobnobbing with Mamata and an attempt to iron out the state-level differences. Mamata slams Modi over 'Manipur' incident Mamata, the only woman Chief Minister of the country, slammed Modi and his BJP over the recent incident in Manipur where a viral video in early May showed two women were paraded naked on road. Despite Modi's strong response to the incident outside Parliament on Thursday, Mamata on Friday said, "BJP is planning to make fake videos and defame Bengal. This is evident in the Prime Minister's speech where he referred to West Bengal, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh while referring to Manipur. "I just ask the Prime Minister whether he is not even remotely sad over the incident in Manipur? He keeps on dictating over Bengal but has no love for women and their integrity in Manipur." Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS Mamata has even contacted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as they plan to lead a delegation of CMs to Manipur, the ethnic-clash ridden northeastern state of India. "I have talked to Arvind (Kejriwal). We, a team of CMs of the country, may visit Manipur," she said. Mamata attacks Left over panchayat poll violence Though reportedly over 40 people were killed in the recently concluded panchayat polls, which saw TMC's absolute dominance in terms of results, Mamata blamed the presently politically weak Communists for the violence. The Chief Minister, who had earlier claimed the 2023 panchayat polls were largely peaceful, said, "In 2003, how many people were killed during the regime of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya? The figure was 89 including 49 only on the polling day. The problem in panchayat polls is often members of a single family contesting polls. This is a societal problem. "This is why there are many apolitical panchayats as well. But we haven't established political panchayats. It was established during the CPI-M rule and we are carrying it forward. Since the elections were declared this year, a total of 29 people, including 18 from TMC supporters, were killed. So who killed them? How can TMC people kill each other?" Photo: Avishek Mitra/IBNS Mamata's 'Khela Hobe' scheme In a double strike, Mamata tried to corner BJP over the Centre's alleged delay in disbursing funds for the MGNREGA (100-days work) scheme. The TMC supremo announced a protest on Gandhi Jayanti in Delhi against the Modi government if funds are not cleared. In a bid to reach out to the voters from the marginalised section ahead of the 2024 General Elections, Mamata launched a state-run MGNREGA-like scheme, naming it after her party's favourite slogan 'Khela Hobe', for all "job card holders". What is the Martyrs' Day rally? On this day in 1993, 13 people were shot by police during the Left Front regime when then Congress youth leader Mamata Banerjee was leading a rally demanding that identity cards be made mandatory to cast votes. (Photos: Avishek Mitra/IBNS) Image Credit: UNI New Delhi/IBNS: With opposition parties staying firm over the debate on Manipur horror and in no mood to relent over other issues such as the Centre's Delhi ordinance, the proceedings of both houses of Parliament remained virtually paralysed for the second consecutive day of the ongoing Monsoon session. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha will now meet at 11 AM on Monday. With opposition members pressing for discussion on Manipur violence and a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two houses have been barely allowed to function and take up any legislative business. While members of the ruling party have maintained that they are ready for discussion on Manipur, the opposition parties have accused the government of running away from the debate. Union Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday said that the opposition keeps looking for excuses to disrupt Parliament. "Why is the opposition running away from the discussion? Is it because their own leaders are no more members of the Parliament?" he asked, referring to Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha has also witnessed continuous uproar from opposition party members. The proceedings of the upper house could not continue even for 20 minutes this morning. As Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members started protesting against the Delhi ordinance and the inclusion of the Bill to replace it, a member of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) wanted to know if the Bill could be discussed considering the Supreme Court was hearing a challenge against the ordinance. This was followed by TMC leader Derek OBrien raising a Point of Order to ask why certain words pertaining to the Manipur issue were expunged from the record of Thursday's proceedings. The house soon descended into chaos forcing adjournment. Later in the afternoon, it met barely for a few minutes before being adjourned for the day. Image Credit: PIB New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said a string of projects worth Rs 75 crore have been announced for the Tamils of Indian origin living in Sri Lanka. Speaking in the presence of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who arrived in India on Thursday on a two-day official visit to India, he said, I am confident Sri Lanka will keep working to fulfil aspirations of the Tamil community. The Prime Minister said that 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations and the bicentennial celebration of the Indian-origin Tamil community's arrival in Sri Lanka. I am confident Sri Lanka will keep working to fulfil aspirations of the Tamil community. This year we mark 75 years of India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations and 200 years since the Indian origin Tamil community arrived in Sri Lanka. During the joint press meet with President @RW_UNP, announced various projects worth Rs 75 crores for the Indian origin Tamils in Sri Lanka, PM Modi tweeted on Friday. I am confident Sri Lanka will keep working to fulfil aspirations of the Tamil community. This year we mark 75 years of India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations and 200 years since the Indian origin Tamil community arrived in Sri Lanka. During the joint press meet with President Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 21, 2023 The PM further wrote: India will keep contributing to the development works in the Northern and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka. To boost commercial and people-to-people linkages, passenger ferry services will start between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai. Meanwhile, PM Modi in a joint statement with Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe on Friday said: We hope that the Sri Lankan Government will fulfil the aspirations of Tamils and take forward the process for equality, justice and peace. We hope it will fulfil its commitment to the implementation of the 13th Amendment and Provincial Council Elections On Friday, India and Sri Lanka officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the area of renewable energy. An MoU was signed to foster cooperation for economic development projects in the Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka. India and Sri Lanka entered into a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) to strengthen cooperation in the field of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. The two nations also signed a Network to Network Agreement between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lanka Pay to facilitate UPI application acceptance in Sri Lanka. An outcome-oriented visit! PM @narendramodi & President @RW_UNP adopted the - Economic Partnership Vision document: Promoting Connectivity, Catalysing Prosperity. Agreements signed & announcements made add force to the Vision.https://t.co/fbcfkyZQWd pic.twitter.com/EfZc4rYQZ9 Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 21, 2023 An Energy Permit was issued for the Sampur Solar Power Project on Friday PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet. PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing - ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. pic.twitter.com/Ee6kikEpjZ Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 21, 2023 The talks were held in Hyderabad House in New Delhi. On Friday, India and Sri Lanka took a significant step towards enhancing their economic partnership by adopting a vision document. This document aims to strengthen various aspects of the relationship, including people-to-people connectivity, maritime cooperation, trade, and power collaboration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement, highlighting the importance of this strategic move in bolstering the ties between the two nations. Image Credit: UNI Varanasi (UP): A court in Varanasi on Friday permitted the carbon dating of the Gyanvapi mosque, situated adjacent to the Kashi Vishwanath temple, media reports said. According to the order, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will conduct a scientific survey of the complex, except for the disputed 'Shivling' structure. The court asked ASI to submit a preliminary report by August 4, the next date of the hearing. The full survey will take a period of six months. The Hindu side had approached the court seeking its direction to ASI to survey the entire Gyanvapi mosque complex. After the court admitted the petition in May, it directed the Gyanvapi mosque committee to submit its reply to the petition made by the Hindu side. Fridays direction comes after the court heard the arguments of both sides. The petitioners lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain argued that the dispute over the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi mosque can be resolved only by an archaeological examination of the entire mosque complex. He stated that by examining the three domes of the Gyanvapi complex, the western wall of the complex, and the entire complex with a modern approach, the situation can be better understood and clarified. In May, the Supreme Court instructed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) not to proceed with the carbon dating of the disputed 'Shivling' structure located inside the Gyanvapi mosque-Kashi Vishwanath corridor. This decision came as the Supreme Court put on hold an order issued by the Allahabad High Court, which had allowed a scientific investigation to determine whether the structure in question is a 'Shivling' or a fountain. Punjab, known as the fertile land of five waters, serves as the backbone of the country. With its unique character, lifestyle, and behavior, Punjabis stand apart from people in other parts of India. Inherited traits of pride and resilience define their spirit. To truly grasp the Punjabi mentality, one must delve into their glorious and prestigious history. Punjabs legacy dates back to ancient times. In the Treta Yuga, legends speak of Lav and Kush, who valiantly captured the horse of Ashwamedh Yag, conducted by the revered Shri Ram Chandraji. Punjab was also witness to the historic clash between Alexander the Great, led by King Porus, as they fiercely protected the Beas River and obstructed raiders from the Dara Khyber pass. These remarkable events have become an integral part of Punjabs heritage. Describing the essence of Punjabis in a single line, one could say, They embrace devotion with unwavering loyalty, willing to sacrifice their lives, yet remain skeptical of others. This resilient spirit manifested even during the British occupation, following the demise of the revered Shere Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The rebellious nature of Punjabis persisted, fueled by the incompetence of subsequent rulers. While some regard the rebellion of 1857 as Indias first war of independence, it must be acknowledged that the parties involved primarily fought to safeguard their family kingdoms rather than pursue complete liberation. The First War for Independence against the British East India Company was led by Diwan Mool Raj, a Punjabi Hindu, in Multan, Punjab. This momentous battle took place from April 18, 1848, to January 22, 1849, showcasing a formidable resistance against the British forces. Diwan Mool Raj had previously resigned from his governorship of Multan, demonstrating his unwavering dedication to the nation. Notably, other notable figures such as Raja Sher Singh, Sardar Chatar Singh Attari Wala, and Bhai Maharaj Singh Naurangabad (who met martyrdom on July 5, 1856) also played a significant role in raising the banner of revolt. Throughout Punjabs history, there have been few decades untouched by various struggles and uprisings. Following the British occupation of Punjab, a wave of socio-religious reformist movements emerged. Among them were the Nirankari sect in Sikhism, led by Baba Dayal Ji (1783-1854), and the Namdhari Kuka movement, spearheaded by Bhai Balak Singh (1799-1862 AD). Another significant flame of freedom was kindled by Baba Ram Singh Ji from Village Bhaini Sahib, District Ludhiana, Punjab. Under his leadership, a non-cooperation movement, preceding Gandhis endeavors, fiercely challenged the British rule. Despite its religious nature, the movement aimed primarily at expelling the British and liberating the motherland. Notably, it was the first instance where 68 chickens were tied to cannons and detonated. In 1884, Baba Ram Singh tragically passed away during his exile. A robust peasant movement has emerged, vehemently opposing the British governments imposition of increased revenue on canal lands. This movement, driven by the mistreatment of Indians on American soil and the burning desire for liberation, culminated in the formation of a formidable Treason Movement in 1913. President Baba Sohan Singh Bhakna, Secretary Lala Hardyal, and Kartar Singh Sarabha shared the common goal of liberating their homeland through an armed revolution to expel the British. The tragic incident of the Kama Gata Maru ship in 1914 was a poignant chapter within this movement. However, it was the appalling Jallianwala Bagh massacre in Amritsar in 1919 that sent shockwaves throughout the nation, shattering the faith of countrymen in British rule. Stricter measures such as the Roll Act and the implementation of Martial Law further exacerbated the disillusionment towards British governance. The 18th century marked a period of struggle for the Sikh community, as they fought to preserve their existence, self-identity, and overcome political pressures while expanding their influence. During the conquest of Delhi, Kabul, Kandahar, Leh, Ladakh, and other regions, the Sikhs dedicated efforts to construct historical shrines and elevate their significance. Following the conquest of Delhi under the leadership of S: Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, the construction of Gurdwaras in Delhi, led by S: Baghel Singh, showcased the Sikhs devotion and love for their sacred places. Under the Sikh rule of Shere Punjab Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the administration of Gurdwaras thrived without interference. However, with the decline of Shere Punjabs reign, the British granted influence to mahants and priests, resulting in a deterioration of Gurdwara administration. This period also witnessed the entrance of Arya Samaj into Punjab, significantly impacting the religious and social systems, further exacerbating sectarian divisions. Additionally, the British presence introduced Christianity and Western influence, prompting Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh societies to develop a heightened sense of self-protection. In 1875, Saraswati (Swami) Dayanand of Gujarat established Arya Samaj, aiming to awaken the Hindu class and disregarding non-Hindu scriptures apart from the Vedas. Dayanand brought this controversial view to Punjab in April 1877, fueling animosity and sectarianism between Hindus and Sikhs. The effects of this communal divide persist to this day. Urban Hindus in Punjab were drawn to the Arya Samaj, while Swami Dayanands objectionable comments about Guru Nanak Dev in his book Satyaarth Prakash outraged the Sikh community. Despite his death, the attacks on the Gurus by Arya Samaj followers intensified. In June 1890, under the guise of purification, some Sikhs were openly murdered. The situation deteriorated to the extent that German linguist Dr. Ernest Trump boldly declared, Sikhism is a dying religion, which will soon be buried in the bosom of history. The actions of these Christian missionaries and Arya Samajis compelled Sikh intellectuals to abandon intellectual complacency. The Singh Sabha movement, led by Prof. Gurmukh Singh, Giani Ditt Singh, Bhai Kanh Singh Nabha, and Bhai Vir Singh, among others, provided intellectual leadership to the Sikhs. Even after a century, Bhai Kanh Singh Nabhas influential work Hum Hindu Nahi contrasting Sikh Hindu Hai remains authentic. The profound significance of Gurdwaras in the Sikh community left a lasting impression on the British colonial rulers, who discovered that these sacred spaces were more than mere temples for worship and rituals. Instead, they served as platforms for communal introspection on religious, social, and political aspects. It was within these hallowed halls that Sikhs derived their organizational structure and political influence. Recognizing the importance of Gurdwaras, the British government appointed a committee and Sarbarah to oversee their management, with a particular focus on Sri Darbar Sahib and Sri Akal Takht Sahib. During this period, Christian missionaries actively propagated Christianity, leading some Sikh children to gravitate towards this foreign faith, causing concern among the Sikh community. The conversions of Maharaja Dalip Singh in 1853 and Kanwar Harnam Singh Kapurthala to Christianity further deepened these anxieties. Witnessing their religious system being distorted, Sikh hearts were wounded. Consequently, a sense of urgency to protect their religion and heritage took root among Sikh youth. In response to these challenges, the Singh Sabha movement emerged in 1873, dedicated to promoting Sikhism. Within a few years, various Singh Sabhas were established across Punjab. To support these Sabhas, the Khalsa Diwan was formed as a central body. On October 30, 1902, the Khalsa Diwan of Amritsar and Lahore merged, forming a formidable entity known as the Chief Khalsa Diwan. Comprising educated leaders with influential backgrounds, the Chief Khalsa Diwan played a pivotal role in advocating for Sikh interests, while maintaining cooperation and loyalty without political conflict with the British government. Amidst these developments, the anti-Gurmat activities of Mahants and Pujaris, who were honored by the British government, reached their peak, negatively impacting communal spaces. On October 12, 1920, under the leadership of Bhai Mehtab Singh Bir, a former Muslim who had embraced Sikhism, baptized Singhs from untouchable castes protested the ban on visiting Sri Darbar Sahib or offering prasad. Subsequently, a 9-member committee was formed after discussions with the administration, followed by the election of a 17-member committee to oversee the service of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, which had been left vacant by the priests at that time. This marked the initial steps towards the realization of the Shiromani Committee. In light of these events, community leaders recognized the need for an elected committee to manage the Gurdwara Sahib. To this end, a Sarbat Khalsa meeting was called on November 15, 1920. Despite the governments announcement of a 36-member committee for the management of Sri Darbar Sahib and other Gurdwaras just two days prior to the Sarbat Khalsa meeting, the Sikh community proceeded with the gathering and elected a 175-member management committee. This momentous occasion coincided with the launch of the Gurudwara reform movement, aimed at liberating all Gurdwaras from the control of Mahants. In the midst of political upheaval, the movement found support in the establishment of the Gurdwara Sevak Dal, later known as the Akali Dal. This organization played a significant role in both the Gurudwara reform movement and the freedom struggle of the country. In 1914, the movement for Gurdwara awareness took root with the front advocating the reconstruction of Gurdwara Rakab Ganjs demolished wall. However, it reached its pinnacle during July-August 1920, compelling the British government to yield to Sikh demands for the walls reconstruction. Simultaneously, on September 27, 1920, the Sikh Sangat reclaimed Gurdwara Chumala Sahib, Patishahi Sixth, Lahore, effectively launching the Gurdwara reform movement. Furthermore, Gurdwara Baba di Ber in Sial Kot was successfully acquired. On November 19, 1920, Gurdwara Panja Sahib was liberated through the unwavering leadership of S. Kartar Singh Jhabbar. A significant turning point occurred during negotiations between Jathe (group) and Mahants (temple custodians) at Gurdwara Taran Taran Sahib on January 25, 1921. Tragically, the Mahants attacked the Jathe, resulting in the martyrdom of Bhai Hazara Singh Aladin Pur and Bhai Hukum Singh Wajau Kot. The martyrdoms of the Shaheed Jatha, led by Lachhman Singh Dharowali, to free Gurdwara Janm Asthan Nankana Sahib garnered global attention. On February 20, 1920, Mahant Narainu Das, the corrupt custodian of Nankana Sahib, orchestrated a massacre of the Shaheed Jatha from Dharowali, leaving 168 martyrs. The victims outside the Singh Gurdwara were also brutally slain. Following these events, on February 21, 1921, Commissioner Lahore handed over the keys of Gurdwara Sri Nankana Sahib to Jathedar Kartar Singh Jhabbar, marking a significant victory. Similarly, on January 19, 1922, the DC of Amritsar yielded the keys of the Toshe Khane at Sri Darbar Sahib Amritsar to Baba Kharak Singh, President of the Shiromani Committee. The triumph of this movement led Mahatma Gandhi to declare it as Indias first battle for independence. In the pursuit of peaceful struggle, no other nation shines brighter than the Sikh community. Their unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance was demonstrated during Guru Ka Bagh da Morche, where the Singhs became a symbol of resilience. Despite facing brutal treatment from the police, who ruthlessly beat them with sticks, the world stood witness to their persecution as reports flooded newspapers globally. An inquiry committee report revealed that a staggering 1656 Sikhs were injured, and the martyrs Bhagat Singh and Tara Singh sacrificed their lives for the cause. In the end, the Sikhs emerged triumphant in their battle. Another historic event, Saka Panja Sahib, unfolded on October 30, 1922, when Hasan Abdal Panja Sahib halted a train and laid down on the Singh railway line to provide langar to the prisoners. The train came to a halt after passing a group of devotees. Unfortunately, Bhai Pratap Singh and Bhai Karam Singh met a tragic end as martyrs, and numerous others suffered severe injuries. Furthermore, when the Shiromani Committee took a firm stand in support of Maharaja Ripudaman Singh of Nabha, who had backed the Akali Singhs, a violent confrontation ensued. On February 21, as the Jatha departed from Sri Akal Takht Sahib and reached Jaito, the government ordered the army to open fire, resulting in the deaths of dozens of brave Singhs and leaving many injured. The police continued their relentless harassment of others involved. Not only did Singhs from Punjab join this movement, but also those from Bengal. Despite emerging victorious, the question of reinstating the Maharaja remained unanswered. The front witnessed the sacrifice of hundreds of martyrs and left thousands with life-altering injuries. Many lost their properties and were banished from the princely states. Moreover, this movement led to the acquisition of several Gurdwaras for the community. In a decisive move aimed at resolving the ongoing struggle for panthic control over Gurdwaras, the government has made a landmark decision. The Gurdwara Act, introduced on 21 January 1925, grants elected representatives the responsibility of managing the Gurdwaras in Punjab. This crucial development comes after years of tireless efforts by the Sikh community. During the heated debate on July 9, in the Punjab Assembly, the Hindu members voiced their support for the Mahants, opposing the bill. They also demanded representation for the Hindu community. Responding to these concerns, the Gurdwara Act was amended on 28 July, with the approval of the Governor of Punjab. The Act officially came into effect on 1 November 1925, empowering elected Sikh representatives to take charge of Gurdwara management. Initially known as the Central Board, the governing body later evolved into the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). While the establishment of the SGPC has been considered a boon for the Sikh panth, it has also faced criticism. The implementation of the Committee Act led to the diminishing influence of Sikh bodies like the Sarbat Khalsa. Despite the absence of provisions for Jathedars in the Gurdwara Act, the election process for Jathedars fell under the purview of the Shiromani Committee. Consequently, independent Jathedars became susceptible to political control through the Committee, which raised concerns about the intrusion of politics into the sacred gurdwara system. The relationship between the Akali Dal and the Shiromani Committee brought mutual strength, but also exposed each others weaknesses. The advent of politics within the gurdwara system gave rise to numerous challenges and ambiguities that persist to this day. According to the 1921 census, the population composition in Punjab was reported as follows: Sikhs accounted for 12 percent, Hindus 35 percent, and Muslims slightly over 50 percent. However, despite the increase in the Muslim population, the voting power of Sikhs remained at 24 percent, while Hindus had 40 percent, due to property and education-based voting rights. Consequently, Muslims persistently demanded separate reserved constituencies. In an attempt to find common ground, a compromise was reached between the Congress and the Muslim League through the Lucknow Pact of 1916. This resulted in the agreement for separate constituencies for Muslims at both the central and provincial levels. Regrettably, the Sikh community was completely overlooked in this agreement, effectively paving the way for Muslim constitutional rule in Punjab. It is worth noting that Britain acknowledged the Sikhs claims for separate nationhood, as reflected in the Montague Report of 1918, which recognized the minority status of Sikhs and their significant contributions in the military and other areas. In 1929, during the Lahore session of the Congress Party, the resolution for Puran Swaraj (complete independence) was passed. The Simon Commission faced widespread opposition across the country. During the Simon Commission of 1930, Muslims argued that without the freedom to choose their representatives, their interests could not be protected due to their economic and educational disadvantages. Meanwhile, the Sikhs, led by the Chief Khalsa Diwan, advocated against granting reservations to any specific group and instead proposed a Sikh United Indian Nation. Simultaneously, the Sikhs demanded representation in all spheres and one-third of the nominations. Their ultimate aim was to challenge the constitutional majority held by Muslims. However, Britain rejected this demand. Furthermore, Bhimrao Ambedkar demanded reservation for the untouchables. Two round table conferences were convened in London to discuss the Simon Commission report. Consequently, the government approved the Communal Award in 1932, reserving 51 percent of seats for Muslims, leaving the Sikhs disappointed. In 1935, the British Parliament abolished dual governance in the provinces by enacting the Government of India Act. The Legislative Council, comprising 175 seats, allotted 48 percent to Muslims, 24 percent to Hindus, and 18 percent to Sikhs. During 1936 and 1937, conflicts arose between Congress President Jawaharlal Nehru and Muslim League leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah. While Nehru stated that the two parties in India were the British government and the Congress, Jinnah identified Muslims as a separate party. Over time, the Muslim League gained momentum. In March 1940, during the Lahore session of the Muslim League, Jinnah raised the demand for a separate state (Pakistan) for Muslims, further fueling tensions. Subsequently, the Sikh community also demanded Khalistan. The overall atmosphere grew increasingly tense. In December 1940, a conference was held opposing Pakistan, with Master Tara Singh firmly rejecting its demand as mischievous and poisonous. He declared that the creation of Pakistan would not be allowed, even if it meant sacrificing lives. Similarly, in March 1941, Zinah emphasized the significance of Pakistan for Muslims, describing it as a matter of life and death. During this period, the Sikh community expressed readiness to support Congress against Pakistan. However, a hurdle emerged as Congress decided not to recruit for World War II, while Sikh leaders believed Sikhs had a vital role to play in the army. In early 1941, the Akali Dal announced its support for the British in the war. March 1942 marked the visit of Cripps to India, where he proposed that Indias independence could be considered once the war concluded. He suggested the immediate formation of a national government if political leaders agreed. This brought happiness to Congress, but it also fueled the Leagues aspirations for independence and the formation of Pakistan after the war, causing anxiety among Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab. Consequently, plans to arm were accelerated. In November 1942, Jinnah mentioned the necessity for dealings between Sikhs and Muslims in Punjab. However, he also expressed that Muslims would protect themselves with force if needed, raising doubts about Muslim-Sikh unity. When confronted with the Sikandar-Zinah Pact, which prohibited political agitation by the League in Punjab, Jinnah insisted that Pakistan would be created in Punjab, not Bombay. Master Tara Singh warned that forcing Pakistan upon Sikhs would greatly undermine the morale of Sikh soldiers in the army. In an attempt to reach an agreement between the Muslim League and Congress, Gandhi proposed holding a referendum across the country to separate Muslim-majority areas after independence. The failure of Gal Baat due to the absence of autonomy made Jinnah realize its significance. On June 14, 1945, Viceroy Wavell discussed the release of Congress leaders and the possibility of a National Government at Shimla. The British aimed to create a pro-British Pakistan, leading to Unionist movement Muslim leaders joining the League and expanding its influence in rural areas. The provincial elections of 1945-46 fueled factionalism within Congress and the League, but the latter failed to form a government. With support from Congress and Akalis, Khizr became the Prime Minister of Punjab. Jinnah emphasized that the League would not tolerate a Prime Minister in majority Muslim Punjab who relied on support from Hindus and Sikhs. In an attempt to appease the Sikhs, he proposed the formation of a separate Sikh state where they constituted the majority. However, the Sikh leadership disregarded this offer. On March 15, 1946, Prime Minister Attlee announced Britains decision to leave India. Subsequently, three British ministers arrived in Pakistan for negotiations. Witnessing the situation, the Sikhs reluctantly accepted the partition of Punjab. Jinnah offered autonomy to Sikhs in Pakistan, but due to mutual distrust, the talks yielded no results. The Sikh leadership stood with Congress and India against the creation of Pakistan. The Sikhs played a significant role in integrating East Punjab into India during independence. They bore heavy losses of life and property during the partition, with 179 renowned historical Gurdwaras remaining in Pakistan. These events have profoundly influenced post-independence Punjab and Sikh politics, which will be further explored in subsequent discussions. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members. (Image and Text credit: Khalsavox.com) Image: Pixabay Doha: Qatar's Foreign Ministry said Friday that it summoned Swedish Ambassador Gautam Bhattacharyya to hand him a note of protest over the repeated desecration of the Quran in Sweden. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces that, on the back of continued attack aimed at the Quran and Islam, it was summoning HE Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to the state Gautam Bhattacharyya to hand him an official objection memo that includes calls on the Swedish authorities to take all the necessary measures to stop these heinous practices," the ministry said in a statement on the website. The ministry noted that Doha expresses "its strong dissatisfaction and denunciation of the repeated permission to attack the Holy Quran in the Kingdom of Sweden, and the failure of the authorities there to stop these practices," adding that "allowing continued attacks against the Quran under the pretense of freedom of expression inflames hatred and violence, threatens peaceful coexistence, and reveals objectionable double standards." The Swedish police have given Iraqi immigrant Salwan Momika the go-ahead to stage another Quran-burning protest. His previous act in June sparked outrage in many Muslim countries. Hundreds of Iraqi demonstrators stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad ahead of Momika's protest, which took place Thursday in front of the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm. In the end, the 37-year-old stepped on his copy of the Quran but did not burn it. On June 28, the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, a protest took place outside Stockholm's main mosque, during which a Quran was burned. The Swedish police authorized the demonstration. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the authorization was "lawful but inappropriate." A similar demonstration took place in Sweden in January when Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan burned the Muslim holy book in front of the Turkish embassy. In July, media reported that Swedish authorities had issued permits for several more acts of burning religious books. (With UNI inputs) Image: Pixabay The High Commission of India and Namaste Yoga Studio in collaboration with the New Amsterdam Prison recently hosted a yoga programme from women inmates, media reports said. The event was hosted as a part of the International Day of Yoga 2022 and 2023. The sessions were conducted by the founder of Namaste Yoga Studio and Yoga instructor, Agnela Patil, reports ANI quoting Guyana Times report. Since its beginning, in June 2022, the third graduation ceremony was held on Friday for inmates on their successful conclusion of the yoga programme, as per Guyana Times as quoted by ANI. During the ceremony, the instructor, Patil, said she has seen noticeable changes in inmates, adding that the inmates now are confident, more disciplined and prepared to embrace a positive mindset. She added that all the graduands should feel proud of themselves as they have begun and finished a journey that was focused on empowering them, and to gain better control over themselves, both mentally and physically, which are absolutely necessary for personal growth and to become meaningful contributors to society, according to Guyana Times as quoted by ANI. The first Yoga session with inmates was organised by Patil and the Indian High Commission on June 21, 2022. At the time, Indias High Commissioner to Guyana, KJ Srinivasa, had spoken on the benefits to ones mental and physical well-being and the efforts that are being made to make yoga popular among the prison population. Yoga is the art and science of well-being, which is a traditional practice from India. Over the years, efforts have been made to share yoga with people globally since it is good for not only your mental well-being but also your physical well-being. It helps also in your spiritual upliftment, he had said, adding, Yoga is a game changer. Becoming the best version of oneself, achieving a balance between body and mind, embracing peace and harmony and working together for the better of humanity are among the central themes of yoga. Yoga could also become your game changer once you practice what you have learnt in earnest. Image: Pixabay Peshawar: As many as four terrorist attacks rocked Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan in the last 48 hours, media reports said. However, security personnel thwarted one of the attacks on a check post in Peshawar on Thursday. The province has seen a surge in terrorist attacks from improvised explosive device blasts to suicide bombings since late last year when the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) ended its ceasefire with Islamabad, Geo News reported. In the latest attack, which took place late at night, eight terrorists were sent running for their lives when police personnel fought back as the militants tried to attack the Riaz Shaheed Police Post in Peshawar's Sarband area. Superintendent of Police (SP) Cantt Waqas Rafiq told Geo News as a result of police remaining "high alert," the cops could thwart the attack as terrorists tried to target the checkpost at night. Image: Pixabay At least four people were hurt as a blast rocked Geelay area in the Mamund Tehsil of Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region on Friday, media reports said. According to Mamund Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sattar Khan, a vehicle was targeted. He added that the bomb was detonated via remote control, reports Dawn News. The injured people were rushed to Khar district headquarters (DHQ) hospital for treatment. Pakistan has seen an uptick in terror activities, especially in KP and Balochistan, after the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November last year, reports Dawn News. Image: Wikimedia Commons Taipei: Taiwan's armed forces have detected 26 Chinese aircraft and 7 vessels approaching the island in 24 hours, the Taiwanese Defense Ministry said on Friday. "26 PLA [People's Liberation Army of China] aircraft and 7 PLAN [People's Liberation Army Navy] vessels around Taiwan were detected by 6 a.m.(UTC+8) [22:00 GMT on Thursday] today. 13 of the detected aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait or entered Taiwans southwest and east ADIZ [air defense identification zone]," the defense ministry said in a statement. The Taiwanese military is monitoring the situation and has ordered its aircraft, naval vessels and land-based missile systems to respond to these activities, the ministry added. Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing regards the island as its province, while Taiwan maintains that it is an autonomous entity but stops short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official foreign contacts with Taipei and regards Chinese sovereignty over the island as indisputable. The latest escalation around Taiwan took place in April after Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in the United States. Beijing responded by launching massive three-day military drills near the island in what it called a warning to Taiwanese separatists and foreign powers. (With UNI inputs) Image: Wikimedia Commonsc Washington: A massive fire, caused by the explosion of propane tanks, has broken out near the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in the US state of Arizona, with over 100 firefighters fighting the flames, the Phoenix fire department said. "Over 100 Valley firefighters are battling a Fourth Alarm propane fueled fire near 40th street and Washington. Street closures remain in effect," the fire department said in a statement released on Thursday evening. No casualties have been reported so far. The Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport said that the fire had not affected its operation, with terminals and runways remaining open. At the same time, the airport authorities still advised travelers to check their flight status. (With UNI inputs) The bill that will lift restrictions for Greek citizens voting in elections abroad is expected to be approved in the Plenary Session of the Parliament with a large majority of Bill lifting restrictions for Greeks voting abroad to pass in Parliament - Home Search ICH Question Everything! Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Across the West, people are dying in greater numbers. Nobody wants to learn why By Jonathan Cook July 20, 2023: Information Clearing House -- Theres only one plausible explanation for continuing silence on excess deaths: governments, media and regulators are frightened of what the research may uncover. During the pandemic, the challenge for each of us was to maintain critical distance: spurning both the tribalism of those insisting Covid was a hoax and the counter-tribalism of those who demanded complete acquiesence to a corporate-political agenda dictated by Big Pharma under the mantle of Follow the science. Fear of living under Big Brother or of dying from plague drove many people not only into the arms of one of these two oppositional camps but fuelled a pandemic mania in which reason and compassion were replaced with either extreme cynicism or extreme compliance. We are still living with the consequences. There has been a spate of excess deaths over the past two years across the West well above what would normally be expected and yet this sustained trend is being universally ignored by governments, establishment media and medical bodies. No one is protesting. The cult of compliance is still in the ascendant. More on that in a moment. But it is worth first revisiting briefly the climate of intolerance and willed ignorance that predominated at the height of the pandemic, as I documented in real time in a series of essays that upset more of my readers than any I had written before. It was always unwarranted to press for vaccine mandates, if only because they violated the critically important principle of bodily autonomy. But the demand became completely unhinged once it was clear as it was much earlier than publicly let on by Big Pharma, the World Health Organisation and national regulators that the vaccines were doing little to halt virus transmission. Similarly, it was always unethical to insist that children should be routinely given the vaccine and boosters when it was evident that the virus posed no threat to the overwhelming majority of them and all the more so given that the mRNA vaccines were based on a new technology whose development had been rushed through on an emergency licence. By definition, no one could know the long-term effects of mRNA vaccines on humans because there had been no long-term studies. The science was built on a wing and a prayer, which is part of the reason the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation, the British governments official advisory body on vaccinations, demurred for so long, and despite huge political pressure, on recommending vaccination for children. And it was always deeply irresponsible to refuse to consider, or even study, other treatments that might have had an impact on the virus. Medical authorities ignored or warned the public off potential prophylactics and immunity-boosting treatments and behaviours even when those interventions could have complemented the role of the vaccines, rather than serving as an alternative to them. Nothing could be allowed to dilute the publics exclusive reliance on vaccinations. One prize example was Vitamin D, the sunshine hormone that, uniquely, every cell in the human body has a receptor for. Most people in the West are deficient in Vitamin D, many of them severely so, and doctors still have little understanding of what the consequences of that deficiency beyond osteoporosis might be. Even before Covid, there were many studies suggesting that Vitamin D was critical to improving the health of our immune systems, including by warding off and aiding recovery from coronaviruses. That evidence has only grown stronger subsequently. But definitive proof has been lacking because full-scale controlled studies are extraordinarily expensive and only Big Pharma has deep enough pockets to fund such studies (given that our captured governments refuse to dig deep themselves), but Big Pharma has no interest in proving a cheap hormone like Vitamin D one it cannot patent or profit from might offer the public health benefits not only in relation to Covid but for a wide range of chronic health conditions. The fact that most medical regulators and media commentators continue to prefer to shut down debate about the potential benefits of Vitamin D rather than demand that governments fund research to confirm or refute the growing body of evidence for such benefits should be a scandal. But, predictably, it isnt. Blanket silence I set this out as a preface to this latest scandal on excess deaths, one that like so much else related to the pandemic and its aftermath continues to elicit a blanket silence from the establishment media, politicians and, of course, our medical authorities. The consistent and markedly elevated death rates each month across most of the Western world are not due to Covid and are far above the seasonal five-year average before the pandemic. Such deaths have been significantly raised since late 2020 or mid-2021. That is all the more surprising because, after early waves of Covid killed off those who were already sick and vulnerable, the expectation was that excess deaths would fall, not rise. That anomaly needs explaining scientifically. Despite the backlash inevitably provoked by asking critical questions, I want to examine this development because it highlights something important about the way of our supposedly democratic governments, and the regulatory and adversarial institutions meant to hold them in check, have been hollowed out. We imagine we live in societies where scientific reason and compassion guide our response to a medical crisis. The reality is different. In our societies, one thing rules: money. The issue of excess deaths is only one of many problems though probably the most serious that have emerged in the aftermath of the pandemic. Unless you have made an extraordinary effort to do your own research and managed to evade the internet censors and their algorithms, you will most likely not know about these developments. Neither politicians nor establishment media have publicised them. Instead troubling data is buried away in obscure, peer-reviewed scientific journals, or has to be squeezed out of government authorities through freedom of information requests and even then the information is often heavily redacted. Such data would remain largely unnoticed but for the efforts of a few brave souls daring to draw attention to it only to be smeared as cranks and crackpots, whatever their formal qualifications. Dr John Campbell, whose Youtube channel became an invaluable internet resource during the pandemic and since (at least for those trying to sift the wheat from the chaff), has done sterling work shedding light on many of those problems. Some notable videos have covered: the mishandling and lack of oversight of Pfizers research into its vaccine; the astounding admission that Pfizer never actually tested whether its vaccine stopped transmission; continuing efforts to obscure evidence demonstrating that natural infection confers superior immunity to the vaccine; the troubling discovery that mRNA can remain in the blood for at least a month after vaccination, with no understanding of what it might be doing in that time to our immune systems; high variation in adverse reactions caused by different batches of mRNA vaccine, with some off the scale; the involvement of US researchers and Pfizer in engineering Frankensteins monster-type coronaviruses of the very kind that, it increasingly seems, led to the Covid pandemic in the first place; new research demonstrating the lack of evidence for reduction in virus transmission from masking; the failure of policymakers to weigh the serious financial, social and possibly medical costs of lockdowns; and a causal connection, confirmed by the WHO, between vaccination and the development of autoimmune disease like multiple sclerosis. There is doubtless much worse, but we cannot learn of it at least from qualified sources because any effort to discuss it publicly will almost certainly result in banning by the corporations that run social media, our modern town squares. For his efforts shining a light into the darkest recesses of the Wests pandemic response, Dr Campbell has been pilloried by the tribe that still identifies with Big Pharma. Arrogantly, they dismiss him as a glorified nurse, even though he has written widely read and authoritative medical textbooks. More to the point, the smears are designed to distract from the fact that, more often than not, Dr Campbell is not speaking for himself but relaying in intelligible language the findings of peer-reviewed studies or interviewing respected experts in their field to draw attention to their work. Complete mystery Nonetheless, the issue of unexplained excess deaths is an order of magnitude more serious than even these other matters, which is why Dr Campbell has dedicated so many of his videos to discussing it. Many, many thousands more people, including young people, are now dying each month across the Western world (where such data is reliably collected) than should be, compared to previous years. And they are dying for entirely mysterious reasons. Yet: This deeply troubling phenomenon barely merits a mention from politicians, the media or medical authorities. Governments are failing to fund research to determine the causes of these extra deaths, even though the rates have been elevated for two years or more. This reckless, self-imposed climate of ignorance is being sustained even as expert medical bodies warn that we face future pandemics. It is almost as if Western governments prefer to let large numbers of people die unnecessarily, and potentially at great cost to health care services, rather than learn the truth. It seems these governments are quite happy, if they believe another pandemic is on the way, to risk repeating any mistakes they made during Covid that may have caused those excess deaths. In a world where we are supposed to follow the science, how can that possibly be the case? What is going on? If we try to understand why a blind eye is being turned to the shocking data showing a sustained and unexplained rise in deaths, it is hard not to arrive at one, and only one, conclusion. Governments, establishment media and the medical regulators are frightened. They are scared of what they may discover if the research is carried out. And that suggests something further. That these are not groups with their own discrete or competing interests and agendas. The media, whatever it claims, is not a watchdog on government or the medical establishment. It colludes with them against the public. In fact, the corporate interests of all three are closely aligned. Why? Because the government is captured by Big Business. Because the medical authorities are funded by Big Pharma, which can make or break careers. And because the media is owned by billionaires, and serves as little more than the public relations arm of concentrated wealth and as cheerleader for a neoliberalism that normalises the criminal profiteering of drug manufacturers like Pfizer. Cultivated ignorance Before I continue further, let me state unequivocally because sadly, these things need emphasising in our ever-more tribal, polarised societies that I have no idea what is causing this wave of excess deaths. The point of this piece is not to pre-judge the matter or adopt a tribal position. Rather, Im trying de-tribalise your and my own thinking so that we can better understand why our governments and medical agencies prefer that no research is conducted, and why our establishment media chooses not to expose this glaring failure. Dr Vibeke Manniche, a member of the Danish medical team whose peer-reviewed research showed that some batches of the mRNA vaccine caused off-the-scale adverse reactions, believes there are likely to be an array of contributory factors. That sounds right to me. Her team are now undertaking as their next project an investigation into the mysterious rise in deaths. It is their private initiative, rather than research funded, organised or assisted by the Danish government. In fact, according to Dr Manniche, Danish authorities have been throwing obstacles in their way. But why are these authorities so afraid? The answer is simple. They suspect that any research will implicate them in those excess deaths. They are frightened rightly or wrongly that the narrative they constructed around the pandemic, and the powers they accrued to themselves, will unravel. The reason they are in no hurry to find out why so many extra people are dying is because they fear that significant contributory factors are either the lockdown policies they imposed or the side-effects of the vaccines they championed or both. Again, Im not saying that is what I think. I have no expertise to evaluate all the possible causes, including the ongoing erosion of socialised health care in much of the Western world and its transfer to yet more corporate profiteers for which our governments areundoubtedly responsible. But governments and medical regulators have access to the same data and graphs as Dr Manniche, showing a relentless and near-identical rise in excess deaths beginning in spring 2021 in Denmark, Norway and Finland, in the immediate wake of the mass vaccine rollout. Similar graphs are available for other Western states. The inference that there is a connection between the vaccines and excess deaths may be wrong. But it is not a hypothesis they wish to test. The consequences are far too serious for them. They would rather enforce general ignorance, or perpetrate a deception on the public, than risk undermining their own authority and the crucial levers they control both to sustain their privileges and to further concentrate their wealth. There are some uncomfortable lessons here for us all. The truth is Western governments all of them dare not test the evidentiary basis for their insistence on lockdowns and experimental vaccines as the only way out of the pandemic. They dare not do so in the full glare of public scrutiny for fear that the truth will not serve them, and more likely will damage them. So they cultivate public ignorance. The truth is that the medical regulatory authorities were long ago captured by Big Pharma, and the revolving door it offers, leading to prestigious jobs and lucrative salaries in the industry. So they favour public ignorance too. The truth is that the media will not hold the feet of governments or the medical establishment to the fire because, whatever the media claim, they are not in the business of enforcing real, systemic accountability. The billionaire-owned media corporations are embedded in the same model of corporate profit as Big Pharma. Indeed, the medias own corporate profits depend on the advertising and sponsorship of drugs companies fellow corporations like Pfizer. So they benefit from public ignorance as well. World of illusion We live in a world not, as we are told and tell ourselves, of democratic accountability and transparency. Beyond formal, surface appearances, the system of political, economic and social control is designed to lack all but the most minimal checks and balances, institutional safeguards and oversight. We live in a world of illusion, of elites that look out for their own, that develop ever more sophisticated technological tools to manipulate and deceive us, and that have progressively rigged the system to accrue to themselves ever more wealth and power. We are not, as we like to imagine, informed citizens. The system cannot afford to provide us with the information we need to be informed information that might reveal to us that we have been duped, that the rich steal from the poor to give to themselves, that our rulers have no clue how to fix the biggest problems facing us, aside from lining their pockets with more gold as the ship goes down. As the last year has demonstrated, our elites had no more idea how to deal with the pandemic than they currently do with the climate crisis, or with the Ukraine war (without risking nuclear conflagration), or with rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence. Faced with the biggest challenges, they are like children shouting Follow the Science or Green New Deal to distract the rest of us as they grab as many sweets as they can thrust into their pockets. For these elites, Covid was a party quite literally in the case of the British government in which the biggest corporations not only profiteered but drove small businesses into the ground. Excess deaths are but a hangover, one that must be studiously ignored if the fiction of responsible, accountable, democratic government is to be maintained. Our world has been carefully constructed to ensure we do not get to peek behind the curtain, to see the con-men at work. Unless we dispel this central illusion that science, reason and compassion are the forces driving the West the charlatans will take us with them over the edge of the cliff in their pursuit of suicidal economic growth and chimerical progress. Jonathan Cook is a Nazareth- based journalist and winner of the Martha Gellhorn Special Prize for Journalism. No one pays him to write these blog posts. If you appreciated it, please consider visiting his website and make a donation to support his work. https://www.jonathan-cook.net/supporting-jonathan/ - Click here to support Jonathan's work. Views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Registration is not necessary to post comments. We ask only that you do not use obscene or offensive language. Please be respectful of others. See also Search Information Clearing House The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. Home Search ICH Question Everything! Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Brzezinski's Warning By Mike Whitney July 20, 2023: Information Clearing House - The Vilnius Summit Communique is a crude attempt to NATO-ize Washingtons list of enemies in order to enlist broader support for the impending global conflict. The intended targets of this campaign are Russia and China, the main opponents of the so-called rules-based order. Neither of these countries pose a direct security threat to NATO or the United States, but their sudden re-emergence on the Asian continent makes them Washingtons de facto enemy. The United States is determined to dominate Central Asia, which means that all potential rivals must be contained or crushed. The purpose of the Vilnius Communique is to identify these rivals, divulge their alleged offenses, and denounce them in the harshest terms possible. This is how NATO makes its case for war and lays the groundwork for future hostilities. This is an excerpt from the Communique: The Russian Federation is the most significant and direct threat to Allies security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area Russia bears full responsibility for its illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, which has gravely undermined Euro-Atlantic and global security and for which it must be held fully accountable. We continue to condemn in the strongest terms Russias blatant violations of international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and OSCE commitments and principles. We do not and will never recognize Russias illegal and illegitimate annexations, including Crimea. There can be no impunity for Russian war crimes and other atrocities, such as attacks against civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure that deprives millions of Ukrainians of basic human services. All those responsible must be held accountable for violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law, particularly against Ukraines civilian population. Vilnius Summit Communique, NATO The strident tone of the announcement is intended to quash any counter-argument or opinion. The authors approach is rigid and inflexible. Russia is portrayed as a serial offender with whom negotiations are impossible. Thus, diplomacy is reflexively precluded with a wave of the hand. The only way to deal with a war criminal is though military force. That is the underlying message of the Communique. Peace talks must be avoided at all cost so that Russia can be dealt a strategic defeat in Ukraine. That remains the primary objective. Heres more from the Communique: Russia must immediately stop this illegal war of aggression, cease its use of force against Ukraine, and completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its forces and equipment from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters. Vilnius Summit Communique, NATO There is a delusional quality to the Communique that has drawn a fair amount of criticism from all quarters. Why would the authors embarrass themselves by making demands that they cant back-up on the battlefield? After 17 months of fighting, reasonable people can agree that Russia is winning the war, and winning it handily. There will be no unconditional withdraw of Russian forces and equipment nor will Ukraine recapture the territory it has lost. Zelensky was given the opportunity to accept those concessions early-on, but chose to follow Washingtons diktat instead. Now Ukraine is hopelessly divided and no longer exists as a viable, contiguous state. That was Zelenskys choice not Putins. Heres more from the Communique: We will continue to ensure our collective defense from all threats, no matter where they stem from, based on a 360-degree approach, to fulfill NATOs three core tasks of deterrence and defense, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security. Vilnius Summit Communique, NATO This is how NATOs mandarins have decided to announce the organizations transformation from a regional security alliance to a global gendarmerie free to conduct military operations wherever Washingtons dominance is challenged. There is considerable disagreement on this issue among the members, many of who think that NATO should limit its activities to the European theater. So, it is instructive that the above excerpt was put in the Communique at all. What it shows is that NATO policy is not decided by the individual members or their respective parliaments, but by the billionaire elites who have a stranglehold on Washington and who have decided that NATO is the preferred vehicle for prosecuting their war on China. This is a clip from Time Magazine: NATO is continuing to gradually move toward the Asia-Pacific region to counter Chinas increasing power.. For the second consecutive year, Japan and South Korea, which are not NATO members, were invited to attend the annual summit. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida walked away with a so-called partnership program with NATO, a five-page agreement that aims to strengthen defense cooperation between Japan and the alliance, up to the fielding of joint exercises. The NATO joint communique stated in no uncertain terms that China is a potential threat that needs to be taken seriously. NATO, it seems, is making a concerted decision to add Asia to its docket at a time when the alliance has its hands full managing Europes largest war since 1945. NATOs rationale for venturing into Asian security affairs is clear enough. The U.S. categorizes China as its pacing challenge, a country that seeks to displace Washington as the worlds leading center of gravity. Why NATOs Growing Interest in Asia Is a Mistake, Time Magazine The benefits of deploying NATO to the Asia-Pacific cannot be overstated. First, NATO involvement creates the impression that a broad coalition of nations support US warmongering in Asia. Second, the expense of any Asian military intervention will be shared among the 31 members. And, third, a stronger NATO-US alliance divides the world into warring blocs (similar to the Cold War) which is what Washington now seeks since it finally realizes that control of China will remain in the hands of the Communist Party and will not be transferred to Western oligarchs.(as planned) A bifurcated world, preserves Washingtons dominance of the West which is critical to prosecuting its long-term war on Russia and China. Heres more from an article at the World Socialist Web Site: The declaration adopted this week by the heads of state and government of the 31 NATO members in Vilnius, Lithuania is a blueprint for global war. Only a fraction of the 24-page document deals with the central issue of the summit, the war in Ukraine. In the rest, NATO declares its intention to impose its will on the entire world. Hardly any continent and region are left out in what the document calls NATOs 360-degree approach.. A central focus of the communique is on China, which is accused of employing a broad range of political, economic, and military tools to increase its global footprint and project power. It is damaging the alliances security with malicious hybrid and cyber operations and confrontational rhetoric and disinformation, and is attempting to control key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure, and strategic materials and supply chains. the North Atlantic Treaty Organization has been transformed into a Frankenstein monster that asserts its interests and values in every part of the globe. Vilnius NATO summit unveils plans for global domination, World Socialist Web Site There is a striking similarity between the NATO Communique and the Biden administrations National Security Strategy. In fact, we suspect that the authors may have collaborated on the text. In any event, the laser-like focus on China as an emerging threat is a recurrent theme in both documents as is the inference that the United States which has grown increasingly uncompetitive over the last three decades must use military force to preserve its position in the global order. Heres a brief clip from the NSS: The PRC is the only competitor with both the intent to reshape the international order and, increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to do it. Beijing has ambitions to create an enhanced sphere of influence in the Indo-Pacific and to become the worlds leading power. It is using its technological capacity and increasing influence over international institutions to create more permissive conditions for its own authoritarian model Our strategy toward the PRC is threefold: 1) to invest in the foundations of our strength at home our competitiveness, our innovation, our resilience, our democracy In the competition with the PRC, as in other arenas, it is clear that the next ten years will be the decisive decade. We stand now at the inflection point, where the choices we make and the priorities we pursue today will set us on a course that determines our competitive position long into the future. US National Security Strategy, White House The NSS refers to competition four times in this short excerpt and yet nowhere do we see any indication that Washington is taking steps to improve competitiveness. There is no federal program for improving critical infrastructure. There is no federal program for improving education. There is no federal program for expanding worker training or for supporting the industries and technologies of the future. The United States has basically given up on competition altogether, realizing that the Robber Barons who control the system are determined to extract as much wealth as they can rather than recycle their profits into productive outlets that would make the country more competitive. This is why the worlds largest economy can no longer compete with China. Chinas state-led model is vastly superior to Americas extractive model. How do the Chinese feel about all of this? How do they like the idea of being blamed for the voracious greed of US elites who threw the American worker under the bus 3 decades ago so they could make bigger profits on Chinas low-paid workforce? How do they like being lambasted for their success or criticized for putting their capital to work on more productive ventures? How do they like the prospect of a hostile military alliance taking root in their neighborhood so they can stir up trouble and provide aid to Chinas enemies? Check out this blurb from the Global Times: NATOs strategic impulse to meddle in the Asia-Pacific region is also imminent at this summit. Expanding cooperation with the four Asia-Pacific partners Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand is another major topic of the summit. In this regard, the US media boldly stated that NATO is trying to deter Chinas strategic ambitions. This is the second year that Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand have been invited to the NATO summit. In order to firmly rope in these four countries, NATO imitated the Quad mechanism of the US, Japan, India and Australia at last years summit, and specially created a new name for these four countries called Asia-Pacific Four (AP4). This aims to institutionalize the cooperation between these four countries and NATO, and make them de facto new allies of NATO+ in the Asia-Pacific region. There are 31 NATO members, but they have been kidnapped by the panic and tension instigated by the US, becoming Washingtons axe, spears and shovels. Wherever NATO goes, wars are likely to break out. These are not only the subjective impressions left by NATO, but also objective facts to a large extent. NATO must promptly withdraw the black hand it has extended toward the Asia-Pacific region, and it should not even think about squeezing half of its body in the future. Apart from certain the majority of countries in Asia not only do not welcome NATO but also see it as a terrible monster that should be avoided at all costs. This is because NATO only brings security risks, war threats, and development predicament to Asia. The transatlantic military alliance is now extending its reach into the Asia-Pacific region. Its ulterior motives are well-known in the international community. Inciting division and hatred, creating group confrontations, and causing chaos in Europe, they now seek to disrupt the peace in the Asia-Pacific region. We firmly resist this, together with the majority of countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Two Stern Warnings Must be Given to NATO, Global Times Clearly, China is not happy with these developments, and why should they be? After all, the US never stops preaching about the wonderous symmetry of the free market until, of course, some upstart country in Asia uses that free market to its own advantage and becomes the unrivaled engine of global growth. Thats when Uncle Sam does a quick about-face claiming that Chinas success is the result of coercive policies that challenge our interests, security and values. But dont be deceived; its just jealousy. Brzezinskis Warning Washingtons grandiose plan to confront Russia and China at the same time illustrates the shortcomings of a policy-making body that has eliminated anyone whose views veer even slightly from the warmongering consensus. (Groupthink writ large) Its interesting to note that the main architect of Washingtons plan to rule the world, Zbigniew Brzezinski, eventually abandoned the idea altogether and called for forging ties with Russia and China. In an article that was written shortly before his death, Brzezinski said the following: As its era of global dominance ends, the United States needs to take the lead in realigning the global power architecture the United States is still the worlds politically, economically, and militarily most powerful entity but, given complex geopolitical shifts in regional balances, it is no longer the globally imperial power. the United States must take the lead in realigning the global power architecture in such a way that the violence can be contained without destroying the global order. a long and painful road toward an initially limited regional accommodation is the only viable option for the United States, Russia, China, and the pertinent Middle Eastern entities. For the United States, that will require patient persistence in forging cooperative relationships with some new partners (particularly Russia and China) The fact is that there has never been a truly dominant global power until the emergence of America on the world scene. During the latter part of the 20th century no other power even came close. That era is now ending. Toward a Global Realignment, Zbigniew Brzezinski, The American Interest) Brzezinski is right. Instead of creating more enemies who seek to destroy us, the US should be looking for ways to ease the transition to a world in which one center of power no longer dictates policy. That doesnt mean America should not defend its vital interests. It simply means that policymakers must realize that the world has fundamentally changed and we must change with it. Mike lives in Washington state. He can be reached at fergiewhitney@msn.com. " Source " Views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Registration is not necessary to post comments. We ask only that you do not use obscene or offensive language. Please be respectful of others. See also Search Information Clearing House The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. By Kevin Gosztola In addition to targeting WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, a CIA-linked private security company based in Spain allegedly spied on former Ecuador president Rafael Correa. Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that UC Global director David Morales instructed his employees to collect information from Correas 2018 meetings with Latin American leaders that included the former presidents of Argentina, Brazil and UruguayCristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Dilma Rousseff, and Jose Mujica." Morales objective was to obtain information about Correa that he could share with then-President Lenin Moreno, who succeeded Correa and turned against the platform that had convinced Correa to support him. Sofia and Anne, Correas daughters, twice had Trojans (viruses disguised as legitimate software) from the company Tradesegur installed on their cell phones, according to El Pais. The two iPhone 5s were provided by UC Global in 2014 and gave the company full control of their messages and conversations while the young women were studying in France. The new spying revelations come from Morales laptop, which has been analyzed by Assanges legal team as part of a case in a Spanish criminal court against Morales. It has unfolded parallel to Assanges extradition case in the United Kingdom. El Pais was granted access to records showing surveillance against Correa and his press chief Amauri Chamorro Venegas, when they were accompanied by UC Global employees acting as bodyguards on a trip between March 18 and 24, 2018. Laptop files previously confirmed UC Globals connection to the CIA. El Pais reported on June 4, The word CIA appears several times on a Western Digital-branded external hard drive, on which Morales kept the projects and operations that his companyUC Global S.L.was contracted to deliver. In June 2012, Assange entered the Ecuador embassy in London and applied for political asylum. The Ecuador government considered his application and granted Assange asylum in August of that year. While numerous details related to the CIA-backed pressure campaign to force Assange out of the embassy are known, little has been reported about the role the CIA may have played in pressuring Ecuador officials. Not only did UC Global target Correa, but El Pais also revealed that intimate images involving a member of the diplomatic mission stationed at the Ecuadorian Embassy in London were found on a flash drive hidden in a safe at the companys headquarters in Jerez de la Frontera, southern Spain. The photographs were taken from a private hard drive belonging to the diplomat, which was copied by a UC Global employee. The intimate material was delivered by Morales in Quito to Bolivar Garces, director of Senain, Ecuadors now-defunct national intelligence service, when he was informed that his security contract at the London embassy was going to be terminated. El Pais continued, "WhatsApp conversations between Morales and his employees suggest he intended to use the photographs as blackmail in order not to lose the contract, which was awarded to an Ecuadorian company. I want to use the images to post them. By the way [...] do you have the report that was made of her [...] I think you destroyed it, no? Morales typed in one WhatsApp message. It is unclear whether the files contain evidence of blackmail against Correa, however, under Moreno the former president was the target of a political prosecution. Ecuador's National Court of Justice found Correa guilty of "bribery" in 2020, and Correa has been living under asylum in Belgium (his wife's home country). Police did not share the intimate images with Spanish Judge Santiago Pedraz when they handed over material uncovered while searching Morales devices. They also withheld files that confirmed a link between UC Globals operations and the CIA. Finally, yet another nugget involving Morales work for the CIA was found on Morales laptop. While staying at The Venetian hotel in Las Vegas, which was owned by billionaire and Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, Morales emailed employees about access to the audio and video recordings from the embassy cameras. He wanted employees to ensure Ecuadorians would only see what we are interested in [...] and not who has more connections or who is connected to the system. The message was sent in December 2017 and attached to the email were PowerPoint slides with English instructions for creating a second user to access cameras at the embassy. At the time, the Ecuador government planned to give Assange a diplomatic passport and help him leave the embassy in a diplomatic car on Christmas. Morales shared files with the CIA that tipped off his "American friends. Only the top article, the El Pais report, is relevant (Screen shot from July 19, 2023) The reporting from El Pais, which adds even more intrigue to the Spanish case, was acknowledged and covered by zero media organizations. News media that partnered with Assange and WikiLeaks on the publication of documents at issue in the U.S. casethe New York Times, the Guardian, Der Spiegel, and Le Mondehave ignored what has been learned about UC Global and the CIA. But the uncovered evidence is important and relevant to the U.S. Justice Departments unprecedented effort to pursue an Espionage Act trial against a journalist and publisher. Kevin Gosztola: Managing editor of Shadowproof, host of the "Dissenter Weekly," co-host of the podcast "Unauthorized Disclosure," and member of Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. July 21, 2023: Information Clearing House -- " Tom Dispatch " -- Seeking news coverage about the Adriana, the boat crowded with some 700 people migrating to Europe to seek a better life that sank in mid-June off the coast of Greece, I googled migrant ship and got 483,000 search results in one second. Most of the people aboard the Adriana had drowned in the Mediterranean, among them about 100 children. I did a similar search for the Titan submersible, which disappeared the same week in the North Atlantic. That kludged-together pseudo-submarine was taking four wealthy men and the 19-year-old son of one of them to view the ruins of the famed passenger ship, the Titanic. They all died when the Titan imploded shortly after it dove. That Google search came up with 79.3 million search results in less than half a second. Guardian journalist Arwa Mahdawi wrote a powerful column about the different kinds of attention those two boats received. As she astutely pointed out, we in the anglophone world could hardly help but follow the story of the Oceangate submersibles ill-fated journey. After all, it was the lead news story of the week everywhere and commanded the attention of three national militaries (to the tune of tens of millions of dollars) for at least five days. Why do people care so much about rich men who paid $250,000 apiece to make what any skilled observer would have told them was a treacherous journey, but not hundreds of migrants determined to better their families lives, even if they had to risk life itself to reach European shores? Are You Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? The Adriana was quite another story. As Mahdawi pointed out, the Greek Coast Guard seemed preoccupied with whether the migrants on that boat even wanted help, ignoring the fact that many of those aboard the small trawler were children trapped in the ships hull and that it was visibly in danger. On the other hand, few, she pointed out, questioned whether the men in the submersible wanted helpeven though its hull was ludicrously bolted shut from the outside prior to departure, making rescue especially unlikely. Glued to the coverage like many Americans, I certainly didnt think they should be ignored, since every life matters. But why do people care so much about rich men who paid $250,000 apiece to make what any skilled observer would have told them was a treacherous journey, but not hundreds of migrants determined to better their families lives, even if they had to risk life itself to reach European shores? Part of the answer, I suspect, lies in the very different reasons those two groups of travelers set out on their journeys and the kinds of things we value in a world long shaped by Western military power. An American Preoccupation With the Military I suspect that we Americans are easily drawn to whatever seems vaguely military in nature, even a submersible (rather than a submarine) whose rescue efforts marshaled the resources and expertise of so many U.S. and allied naval forces. We found it anything but boring to learn about U.S. Navy underwater rescue ships and how low you can drop before pressure is likely to capsize a boat. The submersible story, in fact, spun down so many military-style rabbit holes that it was easy to forget what even inspired it. Im a Navy spouse and my family, which includes my partner, our two young kids, and various pets, has been moving from one military installation to another over the past decade. In the various communities where weve lived, during gatherings with new friends and extended family, the overwhelming interest in my spouses career is obvious. Typical questions have included: Whats a submarines hull made out of? How deep can you go? Whats the plan if you sink? What kind of camo do you wear? And an unforgettable (to me at least) comment from one of our kids: That blue camo makes you guys look like blueberries. Do you really want to hide if you fall in the water? What if you need to be rescued? In our militarized culture, we seize on the cosmetic parts like the nature of submarines because theyre easier to talk about than the kind of suffering our military has actually caused across a remarkably wide stretch of the planet in this century. Meanwhile, my career as a therapist for military and refugee communities and as a co-founder of Brown Universitys Costs of War Project, which might offer a strange antiwar complement to my spouses world, seldom even makes it into the conversation. Aside from the power and mystery our military evokes with its fancy equipment, I think many Americans love to express interest in it because it seems like the embodiment of civic virtue at a time when otherwise we can agree on ever less. In fact, after 20 years of Americas war on terror in response to the September 11, 2001, attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, references to our military are remarkably widespread (if youre paying attention). In our militarized culture, we seize on the cosmetic parts like the nature of submarines because theyre easier to talk about than the kind of suffering our military has actually caused across a remarkably wide stretch of the planet in this century. Most of us will take fancy toys like subs over exhausted servicemembers, bloodied civilians, and frightened, malnourished migrants all too often fleeing the damage of our war on terror. Migration During Wartime We live in an era marked by mass migration, which has increased over the past five decades. In fact, more people are now living in a country other than where they were born than at any other time in the last half-century. Among the major reasons people leave their homes as migrants are certainly the search for education and job opportunities, but never forget those fleeing from armed conflict and political persecution. And of course, another deeply related and more significant reason is climate change and the ever more frequent and intense national disasters like flooding and drought that it causes or intensifies. The migrants on the Adriana had left Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, Palestine, and Pakistan for a variety of reasons. Some of the Pakistani men, for instance, were seeking jobs that would allow them to house and feed their desperate families. One Syrian teenager, who ended up drowning, had left the war-torn city of Kobani, hoping to someday enter medical school in Germanya dream that was unlikely to be realized where he lived due to bombed-out schools and hospitals. All in all, the Costs of War Project estimates that the war on terror has led to the displacement of at least 38 million people, many of whom fled for their lives as fighting consumed their worlds. In my minds eye, however, a very specific shadow loomed over so many of their individual stories: Americas forever wars, the series of military operations that began with our 2001 invasion of Afghanistan (which ended up involving us in air strikes and other military activities in neighboring Pakistan as well) and the similarly disastrous invasion of Iraq in 2003. It would, in the end, metastasize into fighting, training foreign militaries, and intelligence operations in some 85 countries, including each of the countries the Adrianas passengers hailed from. All in all, the Costs of War Project estimates that the war on terror has led to the displacement of at least 38 million people, many of whom fled for their lives as fighting consumed their worlds. The route taken by the Adriana through the central Mediterranean Sea is a particularly common one for refugees fleeing armed conflict and its aftermath. Its also the most deadly route in the world for migrantsand getting deadlier by the year. Before the Adriana went down, the number of fatalities during the first three months of 2023 had already reached its highest point in six years, at 441 people. And during the first half of this year alone, according to UNICEF, at least 289 children have drowned trying to reach Europe. If theres one thing Ive learnedeven if on a distinctly small scaleas a therapist in military and refugee communities, its this: A painful history almost invariably precedes anyones decision to embark on a journey as dangerous as those the migrants of that ill-fated ship undertook. Though Im sure many on it would not have said that they were fleeing war, its hard to disentangle this countrys war on terror from the reasons so many of them made their journeys. One Syrian father who drowned had been heading for Germany, hoping to help his three-year-old son, who had leukemia and needed a treatment unavailable in his devastated country, an area that the U.S. invasion of Iraq first threw into chaos and where war has now deprived millions of healthcare. Of course, it hardly need be noted that his death only ensures his familys further impoverishment and his sons possible death from cancer, not to mention what could happen if he and his mom were forced to make a similar journey to Europe to get care. Pakistans War Story As many as 350 migrants on the Adriana were from Pakistan where the U.S. had been funding and fighting a counterinsurgency warvia drones and air strikesagainst Islamist militant groups since 2004. The war on terror has both directly and indirectly upended and destroyed many lives in Pakistan in this century. That includes tens of thousands of deaths from air strikes, but also the effects of a refugee influx from neighboring Afghanistan that stretched the countrys already limited resources, not to speak of the deterioration of its tourism industry and diminished international investments. All in all, Pakistan has lost more than $150 billion dollars over the past 20 years in that fashion while, for ordinary Pakistanis, the costs of living in an ever more devastated country have only increased. Not surprisingly, the number of jobs per capita decreased. One young man on the migrant ship was traveling to Europe to seek a job so that he could support his extended family. He had sold 26 buffalohis main source of incometo pay for the journey and was among the 104 people who were finally rescued by the Greek Coast Guard. After that rescue, he was forced to return to Libya where he had no clear plan for how to make it home. Unlike most of the other Pakistanis on the Adriana, he managed to escape with his life, but his is not necessarily a happy ending. As Zeeshan Usmani, Pakistani activist and founder of the antiwar website Pakistan Body Count, points out, After youve sacrificed so much in search of a better life, youd likely rather drown than return home. Youve given all you have. Rest Stops in a Militarized World We certainly learned much about the heady conversations between the Titans OceanGate CEO, his staff, and certain estranged colleagues before that submersible embarked on its ill-fated journey, and then about the dim lighting and primitive conditions inside the boat. Barely probed in media coverage of the Adriana, however, was what it was like for those migrants to make the trip itself. What particularly caught my attention was the place from which they left on their journey to hell and backLibya. After all, that country has quite a grim history to be the debarkation point for so many migrants. A U.S.-led invasion in 2011 toppled dictator Muammar Gaddafi, leaving the countrys remote beaches even less policed than they had been, while Libya itself was divided between two competing governments and a collection of affiliated militias. In such a chaotic setting, as you might imagine, conditions for migrants transiting through Libya have only continued to deteriorate. Many are kept in warehouses by local authorities for weeks, even months, sometimes without basic needs like blankets and drinking water. Some are even sold into slavery to local residents, and those lucky enough to move on toward European shores have to deal with smugglers whose motives and practices, as the Adrianas story reminds us, are anything but positive (and sometimes terrorizing). Consider how you would feel if youd been adrift at sea, hungry, thirsty, and fearful for your life, when men in another boat armed and wearing masks approached you, further rocking a boat that was already threatening to capsize. Onward, to the sea itself: When, some 13 hours after the first migrants called for help, the Greek Coast Guard finally responded, it sent a single ship with a crew that included four armed and masked men. The Guard alleges that many of the migrants refused help, waving the men away. Whether or not this was the case, I can imagine their fears that the Greeks, if not smugglers, might at least be allied with them. They also might have feared that the Guard would set them and their children, however young, on rafts to continue drifting at sea, as had happened recently with other migrant ships approached by the Greeks. If that sounds far-fetched to you, then consider how you would feel if youd been adrift at sea, hungry, thirsty, and fearful for your life, when men in another boat armed and wearing masks approached you, further rocking a boat that was already threatening to capsize. My guess is: not good. Uncounted War Deaths It would be far-fetched to count people like the migrants on the Adriana as war deaths. But framing many of their deaths as in some sense war-related should force us to pay attention to ways in which fighting in or around their countries of origin might have impacted their fates. Paying attention to wars costs would, however, force us Westerners to confront the blood on our hands, as we not only supported (or at least ignored) this countrys wars sufficiently to let them continue for so long, while also backing politicians in both the U.S. and Europe who did relatively little (or far worse) to address the refugee crises that emerged as a result. To take language used by the Costs of War Projects Stephanie Savell in her work on what the project calls indirect war deaths, migrants like the drowned Syrian teenager seeking an education in Europe could be considered doubly uncounted war deaths because they werent killed in battle and, as in his case and others like it, their bodies will not be recovered from the Mediterraneans depths. When we see stories like his, I think we should all go deeper in our questioning of just what happened, in part by retracing those migrants steps to where they began and trying to imagine why they left on such arduous, dangerous journeys. Start with war-gutted economies in countries where millions find slim hope of the kind of decent life that you or I are likely to take for granted, including having a job, a home, health care, and safety from armed violence. Ill bet that if you do ask more questions, those migrants will start to seem not just easier to relate to but like true adventurers on this planetand not those billionaires who paid $250,000 apiece for what even I could have told you was an unlikely shot at making it to the ocean floor alive. Andrea Mazzarino co-founded Brown University's Costs of War Project. She is an activist and social worker interested in the health impacts of war. Views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Popular Nigerian comedian, Ayodeji Makun, fondly called AY, has reacted to critics of his latest interview with Talk Show host, Teju Oyelakin. Information Nigeria reports that AY and his colleague, Basketmouth have been on the trend list over their lingering feud. The comedian had in his latest interview on Thursday, said he is done making efforts towards reconciling with Basketmouth. Following the interviews backlash, AY in a post via Instagram gave a shout out to social media magicians and expressed his happiness to give them something to talk about. READ ALSO: Rivers Monarch Arraigned For Murder, Kidnap, Other Crimes Describing the interview as honest and innocent, he said: Intelligence is analyzing things as they are. Imagination is conceiving them as they could be. Morality is conceiving them as they should be. Magic is making them occur the way you conceive them for your needed trend. Shout out to all social media magicians. Im happy to give boring people something to discuss over an honest and innocent interview with @tejubabyfaceoyelakin. The Governor of Anambra state, Chukwuma Soludo has said that the nations political class should take a good look at themselves, especially after the controversial removal of petrol subsidy. Soludo stated this while addressing journalists after the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja on Thursday. He noted that the situation in the country has called for some reviews, and it would be insensitive for governors to move around with large convoys. He said, That we mustnt live, even the cost of running the state, the way we even live, someone gave an example of a state governor going with 20-something vehicles in a convoy and all these have to be fuelled, and so on and so forth. Soludo also confirmed there were discussions among the governors and members of the council to also make sacrifices for the people. Hey gentlemen, we would need to be sensitive to the times; we need to live within the average of the people that were governing, and so on and so forth, and knock off the waste and the irrelevancies, so to speak, he said. READ MORE: Fuel Crisis: Pro-Tinubu Protesters Storm National Assembly Complex Soludo cited examples of what he has done in his state to cut costs. He said, When I assumed office, for example, it was costing about N137 million every month to clean up public offices, and so on. Today, in Anambra, were doing N11 million a month from N137 million on a monthly basis; this is just an illustration. Vice President Kashim Shettima chaired the NEC meeting. The council is also made up of the 36 state governors, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and other government officials. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has officially registered the Youth Party (YP), as a new political party in Nigeria. Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner and Chairman of INECs Information and Voter Education Committee made this known in a statement released in Abuja on Thursday. Recall that in February 2020, INEC deregistered the Youth Party among others, for failing to meet the criteria provided by section 225(a) of the 1999 constitution (as amended). Not satisfied, the YP challenged the deregistration before an Abuja Federal High Court. The legal tussle lingered up to the apex court which later nullified the partys deregistration. READ ALSO: Nigerian youths declare interest to form their own political party, the #YouthDemocraticParty Okoye in a statement released on Thursday said that the Youth Party was registered on 16th August 2018 by virtue of the judgement of the Federal High Court delivered on 16th October 2017. He said, Following the commissions decision to deregister some parties in accordance with Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Youth Party approached the Federal High Court and secured an Order restraining the commission from deregistering it. On appeal by the commission, the Court of Appeal set aside the Order of the Federal High Court and on further appeal by the party, the Supreme Court set aside the deregistration of the party. The statement said that based on the judgement of the Supreme Court, INEC interfaced with officials of the YP on the modalities for its operation based on the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022 and the Regulations and Guidelines of the Commission. He said, Consequently, the commission has recognised the Youth Party (YP) as the 19th Political Party in Nigeria with all the rights and privileges accorded political parties in Nigeria. The Kano State Police Commissioner, Muhammad Usain Gumel has climbed the historic Dala Hill on Thursday to declare fight against thugs, drug peddlers and other criminals making life difficult for residents of the area. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that Gumel made the declaration when he climbed the historic Dala Hill in the ancient city of Kano. The police boss stated that the climbing of Dala Hill by him and his men symbolizes an end to criminalities and perpetrators of crimes in the area and the state at large. The CP announced names of some hardened criminals that have refused to submit themselves to the Command for dialogue giving them only two weeks or else they will be declared wanted and arrested anywhere they are seen. However, the CP also listed names of repentant thugs who have submitted their weapons and entered a pact to fight crime with the police, he gave the long list of those wanted by the command. Going forward, we are calling on you to please inform the following set of second batch of people we want to have dialogue with to also report themselves. If not, within the next two weeks, anyone that refuses to be with us will henceforth be counted to be against us and will be arrested wherever we come across him. READ MORE: Group Slams Clueless Kano Govt Over Criticism Of Tinubus Palliative Plan, Says State Should Develop Coop. Societies They are, Bahago Tamasi Gwaranya, Bello Maro Yakasai, Dan Jibrilla Yakasai, Maraja Gabari and Shaban Tanga Yakasai. Others include Dan Ayye Danagundi, Sharu Atta Hanga, Bala Laba, Da Bashir Zage, Dan Nura Sheshe, Khalifa Ado Galadanci, Dodon Mopol Yakasai, Dimfama Ziri and Sarki Dankima Rijiyar Lemo. By this press briefing the police command is calling for the collaborative effort of all the stakeholders especially our non state actors, the vigilante, traditional hunters, special constabulary personnel to keep coming together to ensure that these elements of insecurity are hunted and arrested anywhere they are found the CP said. Gumel also mentioned names of blacksmiths identified as producers of the local weapons used by the criminal gangs to also submit themselves to the police command within the same period or else they will be arrested to face the wrath of the law. Equally the police command is also going to start arresting fabricators of these life threatening weapons popularly known as blacksmiths who on daily basis keep arming the thugs. It is on this development that the following blacksmiths are invited to the police command for dialogue otherwise they will be treated by the police as criminals. They are as follows; Auta Makeri of Kwandarama village of Minjibir Local Government, Bala Israila of Santar Bulo village of Bichi, Sarkin Kira of Adakawa Quarters and Dayyabu Gawuna of Gawuna Quarters of Gawuna. These are the elements of blacksmiths that we are looking for to come for dialogue. They are advised to report themselves to the police he declared. The member representing Dala Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Lawan Husain expressed appreciation of the people on behalf of the residents. He promised the police boss that the residents, on their part, would continue to support the steps being taken by the police command. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says if Bola Ahmed Tinubus declaration as President is nullified, Nigerians will rejoice. Pedro Obaseki, Director of Strategy and Research of the defunct PDP Presidential Campaign Council who disclosed this ahead of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) judgement, expressed confidence in the judiciarys ability to deliver a fair judgement that will be acceptable to the parties involved. He furthered that because of the mounting evidence in their possession, the judges would muster courage to address the issues raised, adding that the countrys image is at stake, which he stated, the judges would not take lightly. The lawyer also specifically mentioned the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) petition seeking to overturn Tinubu and Kashim Shettimas victory, noting that the issue of eligibility is key. There is still a watershed moment and that moment might just be provided by the Allied Peoples Movement petition in this election. That does not in any way discontinue the other mounting evidence. READ ALSO: Nigerians Like Nonsensical Nonsense Aisha Yesufu Fumes After Ned Nwokos Wife, Regina Daniels Bagged Appointment We were here when the election took place, we were here when the election was declared and we are still waiting for those that want to celebrate, they have not celebrated. You may be shocked that immediately there is a judgment that does not validate the supposed election of President Tinubu, people will run into the streets to celebrate; that is the truth, he said. Information Nigeria reports that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in reaction, claimed that the PDP was hallucinating adding that Tinubu has the mandate of Nigerians and will function in that capacity as required by the Constitution. APCs National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka said: The PDP or whoever that is thinking that the election of President Tinubu would be nullified is only hallucinating. The president won the election clear and clean and the opposition has no evidence against him. The Leader Of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele has donated the sum of N500,000 to veteran Nollywood actor, Charles Olumo popularly known as Agbako and placed him on life salary to celebrate his 100th birthday. This was done at an event held in Abeokuta on Thursday, 20th July, 2023. The event which was to decorate Primate Ayodele as the life patron and spiritual father of the Theatre Arts And Motions Pictures Practicioners Association Of Nigeria (TAMPAN) had several Nollywood actors and actresses including Bolaji Amusan(Mr Latin), Odunlade Adekola, Yemi Solade, Charles Olumo, Owolabi Ajasa, and many more. Speaking on the reason for the conferment of Life Patron on Primate Ayodele, the Ogun state TAMPAN president, Owolabi Ajasa made it known that the man of God ultimately deserves it due to his prophetic prowess that spreads accross the globe. READ ALSO: Release Nnamdi Kanu, He Cant Actualise Biafra Primate Ayodele Advises Tinubu He made it known that the decision making board of the association attested to the credibility of Primate Ayodele, hence, the need to install him with the lofty position. He further appreciated the man of God for accepting the position and making himself available for the event despite his busy schedule. When we had it in mind that we want to do this inauguration, we had meeting with our executive and one of our secretary said theres one prophet in Lagos that sees things before it happens. In the meeting, another person mentioned the same thing and said we should make you the life patron of the association. When I got back home, I searched the internet for your name and saw the many things you have done. You truly deserves to be our spiritual father and our life patron. We want to thank you for accepting the honour and making yourself available despite your busy schedule. Thank you sir. Also, Bolaji Amusan better known as Mr Latin eulogized Primate Ayodele while making it known that he has been following the man of God for more than 30 years. For over 30 years, I have been a fan of Primate Ayodele, I listen to his prophecies at the end of each year, during election period. I know him as someone who always foretells events to happen around the world. You have proven once again that you are a true man of God. A man of God must be compassionate, humble, with everything God has given to you you still remain humble. In his reaction, Primate Ayodele appreciated the leadership of TAMPAN for considering him worthy of the recognition. I appreciate this group for recognizing me, state national and president. I appreciate your service to the country. I I appreciate this group for recognizing me, state national and president. I appreciate your service to the country. By Gods grace, I will donate the sum of N500,000 to veteran actor, Charles Oluomo and place him on a monthly salary of 100k till his maker calls him home. Also, I will donate N500, 000 to the association for this laudable event. I want you to come up with a foundation for the old veterans in the industry and include me in it. They dont have to become beggars before they feed, This foundation will be responsible for their well-being and Gods willing, I will contribute my quota into it. I also want to urge that you engage in prayer programmes for long life among actors and actresses. We dont want the death of young ones in the industry, we need to get God involved in our affairs. While responding to the prophets donations, TAMPAN expressed gratitude and promised to speedily work on the requests made by Primate Ayodele. The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on International Boundary Dispute Between Nigeria and Cameroon, has said it might consider a fresh application to appeal the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment that ceded Bakassi to Cameroon. Information Nigeria reports that the Committee was set up by the House to probe the case of encroachment into another Cross River State territory by Cameroon. The Danare and Biajua communities and about 7,00010,000 hectares of land in the Boki Area of Cross River State risk being lost to Cameroon according to a motion by lawmakers from the State last week. The lawmakers, in the motion on Thursday, presented by Victor Abang, had said it was as a result of the non-location of pillar 113A by the technical committee of the Cameroon- Nigeria Mixed Commission. The potential loss of this second Cross River State territory also has its basis in the same 2002 judgment that ceded Bakassi. Chairman of the Committee, Beni Lar, in a meeting with relevant stakeholders on the issue said they were concerned about the potential loss of a significant landmass and Nigerian citizens residing within it to Cameroon. In attendance at the meeting was the Director General of the National Boundary Commission, Adamu Adaji; representatives of the affected Boki communities; as well as representatives of security agencies among others. READ ALSO: UCH Ibadan Resident Doctors Embark On 3-Week Strike Adaji however assured that the House would not let another Nigerian territory be lost to another country. From the human rights angle let us know what can be done. It is very important. Everything is dynamic. You cannot have a law that wants to implement a 1912 treaty which is so old. Laws are reviewed from time to time. You cannot want to implement it in the same manner. It is just like when you talk about the issues in Nigeria about grazing routes. You cannot go back and get back the same grazing routes. There has to be a political solution. You give us the legal solution and then we politicians would come up with the political solution. There has to be a solution. There has to be a way to keep our Nigerian brothers and sisters in Nigeria. We have to find a way around it even if it means coming up with a fresh appeal to the ICJ using diplomatic channels. Whatever we need to do we should do it for the sake of the nation and the sake of our brothers and sisters that live in Nigeria. I cannot imagine waking up one morning and being told I am not a Nigerian. SO from that human right angle, there has to be a way. Yes, these technocrats are doing their job as technocrats. We do not dispute that, but there has to be a way where on compassionate grounds, human rights grounds. We have to find a way to solve this issue or resolve this issue, she said. The Director General also called for compliance with the provisions of the ICJ judgment. Members of the Committee expressed anger that NBC did not seem to be interested in protecting the interest of the country. Cletus Obun, a community leader from Boki, urged urgent intervention to avoid the loss of land and displacement of the people. The paramount ruler of Kono-Boue community in Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, His Royal Highness, King Taalor Tornwe, has been arraigned for his involvement in a litany of crimes. Tornwe and three others are facing twenty-five count charge bothering on conspiracy, cultism, kidnapping, murder and possession of illegal firearms. King Tornwe, who is already on bail and the three others already in the Nigerian Correctional Center, have taken a fresh plea on the charges. The four, as well as others now at large, are alleged to have between the year 2019 to 2021, sponsored, killed, kidnapped for ransom and operated as members of a cult group in Kono-Boue community. When the charges were read in court, the accused pleaded not guilty. READ ALSO: Suspected Car Smuggler Murders Customs Officer In Kebbi Tornwe, who is already on bail was allowed to go home while three others were sent back to the Port Harcourt Correctional Center. The trial Judge, Justice Else Thompson after listening to the charges and plea, adjourned the matter to Friday, the 21st of July, 2023 for the commencement of trial. The paramount ruler of Kono-Boue community was first arraigned before a Magistrate Court and granted bail with a surety signed by one Diukwe Robert, who was later arraigned after the monarch jumped bail. King Tornwe was later re-arrested and arraigned before the case was moved to the state High Court, where he was granted bail on health conditions. Members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan on Thursday embarked on a three-week industrial action. President of ARD-UCH, Dr Abiodun Ogundipe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan that the action was to demand for the enrollment of their colleagues on the governments payment platform. He said the strike commenced at 8 a.m. on Thursday to call the attention of the government to the plight of 250 members of the association. Ogundipe said the members were employed at UCH in May and were yet to be captured on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and had not been receiving salaries. Up till now, they were yet to be captured on the platform, which means there is no hope in sight for them. READ MORE: Doctors Begin Indefinite Strike Over Colleagues Abduction In Cross River This is why we have embarked on this industrial action to express our displeasure and also to plead with the government to help us facilitate this and ensure that our members are as soon as possible placed on the IPPIS platform so that life can be better for them, he said. Ogundipe added that the strike would be for three weeks hopefully, depending on when the issue would be resolved. There are other national issues bordering on welfare which the government needs to address, and we are having a meeting tomorrow (Friday) to review them. Already, we have a two-week ultimatum given to the Federal Government. This is regarding some of our welfare issues and other matters that have been lingering for long, he said. Noelani Pantastico, artistic director of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, demonstrates a port de bras for students in the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet's summer intensive. Read more Carlisle is a small city of fewer than 20,000 residents. But it has had an outsize effect on the ballet world. The artistic director of the New York City Ballet, Jonathan Stafford, grew up there and studied at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet. So did Darla Hoover, the chair of its School of American Ballet. Several dancers in the top companies across the United States grew up in or near Carlisle and got their start at CPYB, including Ashley Bouder at New York City Ballet, Jeffrey and Lia Cirio at Boston Ballet, Leta Biasucci at Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Julia Rowe at San Francisco Ballet. One of Staffords sisters, Abi, is a former New York City Ballet principal dancer, and his other sister, Melissa, is the chief artistic officer of the ballet division of Philadelphias Rock School for Dance Education. Advertisement Noelani Pantastico, another alum, spent many years as a principal dancer at Pacific Northwest Ballet, with some years in between at Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo in Monaco. This spring, she returned to school as artistic director. Its very much a full-circle moment. Im renting my brothers house. Theres my backyard, and then theres some rowhouses, and my dad lives right behind us. And my mom still lives in the same house that I grew up in, in Carlisle. Pantastico, 43, who goes by Noe (rhymes with Joey), was born in Hawaii and was one of six children. She is married to choreographer Bruno Roque. Her father died when she was very young and her mother remarried when she was about 3. Her stepfather, who she calls her dad, was in the military, which took the family all over the country. She started ballet in New Hampshire with a teacher who thought she had talent. When the teacher heard the family was moving to Pennsylvania, she recommended CPYB. My dad had to commute a couple hours every day. But we set up the family in Carlisle, like five minutes from the studio. Looking back... it was like a pot of gold. As a kid, I didnt realize it at the time. She studied at CPYB for about six years before getting an apprenticeship at Pacific Northwest Ballet. She retired from that company in 2022, after a last dance as Juliet in Romeo & Juliet. She was also artistic director of Seattle Dance Collective, a company she founded. The late Marcia Dale Weary started CPYB in 1955 at just 19 years old. She had discovered a little too late that ballet was her calling. So while she would not become a dancer herself, she was determined to train children the way she wished she had been trained. She opened the school in Carlisles Band Hall. Two years later, she spotted a little red barn for sale, and decided it would make a good studio. She and her sister, Sandra Lee Weary, bought the barn and the house around the corner, where Sandra still lives. Wearys way of teaching was the magic touch that turned generations of children into professional dancers. We all used to joke around that there was something in the water, Pantastico said. At the barn, there was this water fountain. ... In between classes, wed all line up. Theres just something there that you cant explain, she said of the barn, something supernatural. CPYB later expanded to a former warehouse. Between the barn and the warehouse, CPYB has 12 studios, which makes it one of the countrys larger schools in terms of dancing space. The students get several performing opportunities each year in Balanchine work and new choreography. Pantastico said shes planning only small changes during her tenure. Why change a good thing? she said. I think if anything, the school just needs enhancements to take it into the future. That just means everything is going to be maintained the way it has been operating, in terms of the syllabus and the structure that Marcia has built so beautifully. So beautifully that she can spot a professional dancer who trained at CPYB. She has this Marcia port de bras that theyre taught at a very young age and its a combination thats very simple. But those head positions and arm positions you see all throughout the syllabus. ... You can really spot a CPYB kid just because of the epaulment. Pantastico came to CPYB at 11, talented but behind. I felt like I was very lucky when I came in, she said, because I kind of inserted into that generation. I had a lot of catching up to do when I got to the school. I remember Abi Stafford was 8 years old and in pointe shoes. That drove me. I wanted to catch up. At home, it was a different story. I remember my family had a real hard time with this because the schedule for an 11-year-old was pretty intense. You know, three and a half hours a day, and then Saturdays kind of all day. So it was a real big adjustment and kind of a fight. In Wearys day and still in Pantasticos, if youre in the school, youre in class, whether or not you are registered for that class. Along with her administrative responsibilities, Pantastico also teaches. She has already spotted a few students who could make their marks on the ballet world. Right now theres probably four or five I can count on my hand that I think if they want to continue with it, they could have very successful careers, she said. They are ages 13 to 17, both girls and boys. I dont know what the future holds for them. We just can do our best and give them things to dance that will [hone their skills] and hopefully teach them good behaviors, that will make sure that when they do enter the dance world, theyll be successful. The Philadelphia Orchestra has canceled another tour. Four California concerts in March of 2024 previously announced by presenters there will not happen, the orchestra said Thursday. The concerts, which were to have been led by principal guest conductor Nathalie Stutzmann, were canceled because of logistical challenges and recent significant increases in cargo and travel costs, said orchestra spokesperson Ashley Berke. The concerts were no longer financially viable, she said. Tickets to one Philadelphia Orchestra California concert had already been sold to about 300 households by subscription, said Thor Steingraber, executive and artistic director of the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, or the Soraya, where the orchestra was booked to perform an all-Beethoven concert March 7, 2024. Single tickets were set to go on sale next week. Advertisement We are a little perplexed and disappointed, said Steingraber. Every single touring orchestra from the Israel Philharmonic to orchestras in Europe, and all over the world, have the same cargo costs from the moment they commit to the tour right on through the performances themselves. Steingraber said there was no opportunity to discuss the fate of the concert with the orchestra before the decision was made. He said he hadnt learned of the cancellation from the orchestra directly, but from an agent for the tour. Berke said the orchestras team had been working around the clock to try to make this work, so the tour could be saved. But the concerts were scheduled closely together March 5, 6, 7, and 8 and, in addition to the recent increased costs, the tour brought tricky travel challenges, she said. The concerts were to have featured pianist Haochen Zhang as soloist. Stutzmann began a three-year contract as the orchestras principal guest conductor in the 2021-22 season. In the fall, the orchestra announced that a three-week tour of China planned for this past May had been scrapped. The visit was meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the orchestras historic 1973 visit to China the first by an American orchestra. That tour was canceled because COVID-19 protocols in the country could have forced it to leave behind members of the tour party, the orchestra said at the time. The California concerts were slated at the Soraya in Los Angeles; the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa; the Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara; and the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert. Berke said that touring will continue. Presenters have already announced spring concerts led by Yannick Nezet-Seguin in Hill Auditorium at the University of Michigan and performances in Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa. The Philadelphia Orchestra has had a long and distinguished touring history that will continue, as we connect with people throughout the world through music, said Berke. We are looking forward to our upcoming tours and to rescheduling the California trip. La Colombe is getting a $300 million investment from beverage producer and manufacturer Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. as part of a new partnership. The Philly-founded coffee company will also sell its products through Keurig Dr Peppers North American distribution network and will launch a single-serve coffee capsule next year. Partnering with KDP is the ideal next step to accelerating our growth and continuing our mission of making people happy with coffee, Chuck Chupein, president of La Colombe, said via email Thursday. Keurig Dr Pepper will have a 33% ownership stake in La Colombe with this investment, which is subject to regulatory approval, making it La Colombes second-largest investor. Advertisement Chairman Hamdi Ulukaya, founder of Greek yogurt brand Chobani, became the majority investor in La Colombe in 2015. La Colombe will join the companys beverage portfolio, which includes Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Snapple, and Canada Dry among others. KDP, with headquarters in Burlington, Mass., and Frisco, Texas, has 28,000 employees and had net sales of $14.1 billion last year. La Colombe plans to use the investment to accelerate growth and pay off debt, according to a statement from Keurig Dr Pepper. As part of the partnership, a La Colombe single-serve coffee capsule is expected to launch sometime next year and will be manufactured and distributed by KDP in the United States and Canada. Brands including Starbucks, Dunkin, Cafe Bustelo, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters already sell their coffee in Keurigs signature single-serve coffee K-Cup. The coffee company previously had an agreement with Chicago-based Molson Coors Beverage Co., which began distributing its products in January 2021. That agreement ended in March, according to the Philadelphia Business Journal. La Colombe was founded by Todd Carmichael and J.P. Iberti in 1994 with a first location near Rittenhouse Square. Today, the company has 32 stores in including Philadelphia Austin, Boston, Chicago, New York City, Washington, and various cities in California. What this new investment means for the growth and presence of the company locally is yet to be seen. We are rooted in Philadelphia, where our journey began, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to this community, a La Colombe spokesperson said via email Friday. Our new strategic partnership with KDP allows us to bring our Philadelphia-born brand to more people in more parts of the country so they, too, can experience the delicious, quality crafted coffee we all love, the spokesman said. Issa Rae poses for photographers upon arrival at the "Barbie" premiere on July 12 in London. Rae plays "President" Barbie, but the political aspirations of the Barbie doll may have something to do with the city of Philadelphia. Scott Garfitt / Invision Read more Twenty-three years before Greta Gerwigs army of Barbies made their way onto our screens, Barbie came to Philly. The 2000 Republican National Convention was held in Philadelphia, where the party nominated George W. Bush for president and Dick Cheney for vice president. The swag bag for the delegates included a Convention Barbie along with an elephant-shaped Beanie Baby, packs of Altoids, elephant-shaped Kraft Mac & Cheese, and other goodies. Convention Barbie has a stylish pearl-buttoned red suit, pearl earrings, a convention pass and, naturally, red high heels, Inquirer journalist Jane M. Von Bergen wrote at the time. This Barbie came in four avatars a Black version with long, straight, dark hair; an Asian American version with black hair; a brunette Latinx version; and a white Barbie with blond hair though the basic features remained similar for each. The doll wears a Convention 2000 badge around her neck, but there are no party symbols. The box has the same words printed in red, white, and blue, and contains a red plastic hairbrush and two paper signs that say Barbie Votes. Advertisement Mattel donated the same dolls to the Democratic National Convention the same year. (The dolls are identical; the color of the box changes from red to blue for the Democrat Barbie.) This political neutrality argues Levi Fox, former Allen F. Davis fellow at the Philadelphia History Museum at the Atwater Kent, did not reflect the realities of political difference between the two major parties in 2000. In an essay that accompanies the entry of the Convention Barbies on the Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia website, Fox mentions that, in 2000, the Democratic Party platform focused extensively on the need to increase economic and political opportunities for both women and minorities, but the Republican Party platform had little to say about issues of gender and race. Mattels approach to racial diversity has been criticized for years. The Stereotypical Barbie as Gerwig calls Margot Robbies Barbie with blond hair, blue eyes, and an impossibly svelte body, was released by Mattel in 1959. A Black Barbie, named Christie, came out only in 1968, after Vintage Bubblecut Barbie, Swirly Ponytail Barbie, seven versions of Ponytail Barbie, and more. Ken with Flocked Hair made an appearance in 1961. After stints as a veterinarian, an aerobics instructor, a nurse, a police officer, and more, Barbie finally ran for president in the early 1990s. In 2000, the Barbie for President doll wore a blue pencil skirt and a blazer, and had her hair in a blond bob. Stephanie Mangino, a 2000 GOP convention spokeswoman called this Barbie almost as stiff as Al Gore, referring to the Democratic presidential candidate, Von Bergen reported. In 2012, the I Can Be U.S.A. President Barbie came in blond and brunette versions. In Gerwigs film, actor Issa Rae plays President Barbie wearing a candy pink jumpsuit with a blue sash that spells out her designation, as she sits in a made-of-plastic (its fantastic!) Pink House. Mattel has released a corresponding president doll that resembles Rae and wears a glittery pink inaugural gown, complete with matching sash. The Black and white Convention Barbies from 2000 are now part of the Atwater Kent collection at Drexel University. The museum, whose collection is now under the aegis of Drexel, supplied paintings by Arrah Lee Gaul to the Republican Partys downtown office in the summer of 2000. Lee Gaul, a Philadelphian artist, was the official painter of the 1926 Sesquicentennial International Exposition. The Barbies were a part of the gift the Republican National Committee gave to us, among other things, said Jeffery Ray, senior curator at the former Atwater Kent Museum. Though Ray wanted the other versions of the Barbie for the collection as well, he was told those were too popular. An officer from the committee imagined that shed go home and find several of these dolls on eBay for sale, he said. The Republican Partys decision to include the diverse dolls was in line with its effort to project itself as a Big Tent party especially for women. I would hope that the message if a doll could have a message is that women do represent the Republican Party and do represent politics and more of them should enter politics, Jan Larimer, then-cochair of the Republican convention, said to Von Bergen. Five of the 13 speakers at the 2000 convention were women; four were married to Republican politicians. Jerry Seinfeld will do two stand-up shows at the Met Philly in October. Read more Jerry Seinfeld is doing two shows in Philadelphia this October. The comedian who specializes in observational humor about the absurdities of daily life continues to be a major draw on the stand-up circuit 25 years after the final episode of the TV show that bears his last name. Seinfeld will perform two shows in one night at Met Philly on North Broad Street on Friday Oct. 6 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. The shows will be Seinfelds first ever at the Met and his first in Philadelphia since he played the Academy of Music in 2018. Since 2012, Seinfeld has hosted the self-descriptive Netflix series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee, in which he has hung out and told jokes with Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Barack Obama, among others. Seinfelds nine seasons are also available on the streaming service, on which the comics most recent stand-up special, 23 Hours to Kill, debuted in 2020. He has a Netflix project in the works that sounds truly Seinfeldian: Its called Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story and he is slated to direct, co-write, and star alongside Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, and Amy Schumer. Tickets for Seinfeld at the Met Philly go on sale via Live Nation and Citi card member pre-sales at 10 a.m. July 26 and to the general public at 10 a.m. July 28 via Ticketmaster.com. At the invitation of the government of the Federated States of Micronesia, President Xi Jinpings Special Envoy and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Tang Renjian will attend the inauguration ceremony of President Wesley W. Simina to be held on July 26 in the Federated States of Micronesia. Reuters: A building of the Chinese consulate in Odessa was damaged by a Russian missile and drone attack yesterday. Does this mean that China will now condemn the attack on the Ukrainian city? Also has China launched any complaint at all with the Russian side about the attack? Mao Ning: We have given information on the explosion near Chinas Consulate-General in Odessa. We will stay in communication with the parties concerned and take all measures necessary to keep Chinese institutions and nationals in Ukraine safe. Global Times: It was reported that recently a Japanese scholar found Unit 731-related official documents from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for the first time, including the name list of members of Unit 731 that launched bacterial warfare against the Chinese people. These documents contain details of the Unit structure and its members names and titles, including information on Shiro Ishii, the Japanese bacterial warfare culprit and Unit 731s first head. What is your comment on that? Mao Ning: During WWII, in blatant violation of international law, the Japanese army launched horrendous bacterial warfare against the Chinese. They conducted barbaric in vivo experiments on humans, and committed heinous crimes against humanity during their aggression against China. The official documents disclosed by the Japanese scholar are yet another solid proof of the bacterial warfare launched by Japanese militarists. Theres no room for denial. We appreciate the courage of people with vision in Japan to reveal and face the historical facts. Japan needs to heed the just callboth domestically and internationallyand earnestly face up to and reflect on its history of militarist aggression. Japan needs to root out the toxic legacy of militarism, and not let history repeat itself. Reuters: With the Chinese consulate in Odessa being damaged by Russian attack, if there is no criticism over Russian damage of the building, is non-criticism now the policy for any future similar cases should Chinese missions abroad be damaged or hit in any way during an attack of some sort? Mao Ning: On the Ukraine crisis, our position is consistent and clear. We will continue to facilitate the political settlement of the crisis. We are closely following relevant developments and staying in communication with the parties concerned. We will take all measures necessary to keep Chinese institutions and nationals in Ukraine and anywhere else in the world safe. Reuters: According to The Wall Street Journal, Chinese hackers infiltrated the emails of hundreds of thousands of US officials, including those of US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia Daniel Kritenbrink. Do you have any comment on this? Mao Ning: My colleague has answered relevant questions. Im not going to repeat the answer. Two people stand along the Delaware River in front of a hazy Ben Franklin Bridge at the smoke's peak on June 7. Smoke from Canadian wildfires substantially worsened air quality across the Northeast. Read more The Canadian wildfires this summer exposed people to secondhand smoke at levels not seen since smoking was banned indoors in 2006, according to preliminary findings from Rutgers University researchers. Since the worst of the pollution from June 6 to 8, Philadelphia and other East Coast cities have continued to experience periodic dips in air quality. Parts of Philadelphia were under a code orange alert at least two days this week, again due to wildfire smoke. (A code orange indicates that the air outside may be unhealthy for the elderly, children, and those with preexisting health conditions.) READ MORE: What do the colors in the air quality index mean? The researchers in the ongoing study sought to understand the fires impact on air quality in the Northeast United States and give insight to how this pollution could affect peoples health, as such fires become more common with climate change, according to a statement Tuesday. Advertisement The wildfires in Canada gave us a sobering demonstration of the climate change impacts on air quality, Memo Cedeno Laurent, an assistant professor at the Rutgers School of Public Health who is working on the study, said in the statement. The average levels of pollution measured in New Jersey and New York on the afternoon of June 7 reached nearly 10 times the maximum level that federal standards say is safe for people to consume over 24 hours. New York City was the worlds most polluted city that day. READ MORE: Wildfire smoke hasnt packed Phillys emergency departments with patients, but physicians say the risk isnt over yet Researchers found that this was similar to the level of secondhand smoke in bars before the passing of a 2006 New Jersey law that banned smoking in almost all public spaces. Pennsylvania passed a similar law in 2008 following nationwide recognition that secondhand smoke causes lung cancer, heart disease, and other conditions. Philadelphia residents began feeling the consequences soon after the smoke arrived, with people experiencing discomfort, reporting a smoky odor, and contending with the cancellation or postponement of outdoor events due to the poor air quality. Emergency room visits did not surge as feared, but experts are still concerned about longer-term effects. Wildfires are a leading pollution-related cause of hospitalization. A 2021 study discovered that the rise in hospitalizations due to wildfire smoke in Southern California far outpaced those caused by other sources of pollution. READ MORE: Bad air quality is especially bad for children with asthma In the next several months, the researchers said they will look more closely at chemicals that made up the smoke to study how exactly they can make people sick, as well as how they can contribute to climate change. The particles from the wildfire smoke can cool and warm the atmosphere, similar to the effects of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. The number of wildfires is increasing across North America. This years wildfires marked a significantly earlier start to Canadas fire season. This years fires have burned more than 2 million acres to date, an area of land equivalent to the size of Kentucky and double the average burned in previous years. READ MORE: Summers will only get more hot and more smoky A 2023 national report also found that New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania were gaining more dry, hot, and windy days that can contribute to wildfires. New Jersey has already experienced multiple wildfires in the past few months after another early start to its fire season. On days with poor air quality, experts recommend staying indoors when possible and wearing an appropriate mask one that can filter out the small particles in wildfire smoke, like an N95. Buying an air purifier can also help, as well as inspecting home air filtration systems for those at greater risk. Vaccines fill a fridge in the pediatrics section at the City Department of Public Health, Health Center 10, in Philadelphia. Recently announced federal cuts will impact funding to a database that allows physicians to check the vaccines their patients have already received. Read more When parents bring their children to get vaccinated at Ala Stanfords health clinic in Swampoodle, its crucial for the pediatric surgeon to know which shots theyve already received. She relies in part on databases like PhilaVax, a federally funded system that helps local physicians track their patients vaccine records and recommend which shots they should get next. You cant just give a child a vaccine not knowing what theyve had before, said Stanford, a former director of regional operations for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. But this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention informed the city that the program will lose its more than $670,000 in federal funding part of widespread budget tightening linked to a deal in Congress to extend the debt ceiling. Advertisement Philadelphia will cover the cuts using unspent money from federal COVID-19 relief funds, city Health Commissioner Cheryl Bettigole said. The cuts represent nearly 20% of the citys $3.9 million in funding from the CDC to run the citywide vaccination program that includes the tracking. Bettigole and other health officials around the country say theyre concerned that the cuts could be a precursor to broader reductions in public health spending. This is part of a rapidly unfolding disaster for public health, Bettigole said in an email, calling the funding cuts nationally a warning to us all that the wall of immunity that protects us all against vaccine-preventable diseases and other public health threats is at risk. Tracking vaccinations more effectively Health departments around the country were notified earlier this month to expect cuts in the federal funding that many rely on to pay for vaccine programs, sexually transmitted infection prevention, and other public health services. In Philadelphia, the cuts affect PhilaVax, an immunization information system that allows health providers to easily track vaccines their patients have already received, Bettigole said. Its a program used by many clinics such as the one Stanford runs in Swampoodle, the Dr. Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity, which aims to provide comprehensive primary care in a neighborhood where health-care options are scarce. She said that some parents come into her office with their childs vaccine records on hand, but others arent able to access online records, or dont have a phone with enough data to load them. Sometimes, the clinic has to get releases to dig through old medical records or call a childs previous doctors. PhilaVax makes that task easier by consolidating vaccine records in one place, she said. Like several other big cities, Philadelphias federally funded vaccine program is separate from the states. Thats in part to ensure that the city can more quickly respond to outbreaks of disease, without having to wait for funding appropriated from the state. But the state is also facing cuts from the CDC. Mark ONeill, spokesperson for the state health department, said in a statement that $4 million in federal funding that had been set to go toward modernizing the states data tracking on immunizations was cut. He said the state is planning to move ahead with its efforts. Come get your vaccines Stanford urged parents to continue to use the citys existing services to vaccinate children. Come get your vaccines, she said. The city said in a 2021 report that routine vaccinations for adults and children dropped during the early part of the pandemic, with 60% fewer Philadelphians getting vaccinated in the spring of 2020, but later ticked back up. About 70% of children in the city are eligible for free vaccines through the citys federally funded Vaccines for Children program. The health department was admonished by the city controllers office earlier this year for skipping required site visits for the Vaccines for Children program during the pandemic. Health officials said that the staffers responsible for that had been swamped with other pandemic-related duties, and that the department is now conducting site visits as it did before the pandemic. Elsewhere in the country, CNN has reported, local health departments are facing cuts to funding that paid for STI prevention, including disease intervention specialists who helped patients recently diagnosed with illnesses like syphilis to navigate care and treatment. Thats concerning to public health officials like Bettigole and practicing physicians like Stanford, who say early intervention is key to preventing the spread of disease. With cuts to those programs, Stanford said, its harder to capture individuals that are impacted. And then were playing catch-up. A childhood friend of Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson skirted regulations, defrauded taxpayers, and made a killing buying and reselling city-owned properties in rapidly gentrifying Point Breeze by trading on his connection to power, federal authorities said Friday. Prosecutors accused developer Felton Hayman, 53, of Wilmington, Del., of enlisting Johnson to help him sidestep the thicket of complicated procedures governing the sale of city lands. He then failed to deliver on promises to build affordable housing on the parcels hed bought at cut-rate prices, instead flipping them in some cases for as much as 15 times what he originally paid. In all, authorities say, Hayman made more than $1 million on the sales between 2014 and 2018. Advertisement To obtain discounted prices for the vacant properties from the City of Philadelphia or evade certain restrictions placed on the development of the properties, Felton Hayman made a series of misrepresentations to city officials, prosecutors said in court filings. Johnson a three-term Democrat from Point Breeze who is considered to be a front-runner in the race to replace Darrell L. Clarke as Council president is not accused of wrongdoing in the indictment unsealed this week charging Hayman with three counts of wire fraud. In fact, prosecutors cast him as a victim of Haymans misrepresentations about his true plans for the land he was buying. But the case against Hayman has once again drawn scrutiny to how Johnsons land-use decisions for his district have benefitted friends and political allies. The Inquirer documented several of those transactions including some of the land deals involving Hayman in a 2016 investigation. READ MORE: Developers bought low and sold high with the help of Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson In a separate case, Johnson was acquitted by a federal jury in November on charges alleging, in part, that hed accepted payoffs from a pair of nonprofit executives looking for his help to hold on to properties theyd bought from the city. Johnson relied on a custom known as councilmanic prerogative the tradition by which members of Council hold final approval over nearly all land-use decisions in their districts to block city efforts in 2013 to revoke the nonprofits ownership of the parcels because it had not lived up to the terms of the sales agreement. Proponents of the practice say prerogative power helps give residents a voice in neighborhood development through their elected representatives and can help streamline the development process. But critics of the tradition, which is not codified in any city laws, maintain that allowing one legislator unchecked sway over land use makes the system vulnerable to unethical behavior. READ MORE: Councilmanic prerogative in Philadelphia: What you need to know Johnsons use of councilmanic prerogative factors heavily into Haymans case. But their long history together raised red flags even before the indictment this week. Hayman and Johnson grew up together in Point Breeze but ultimately took different paths. Johnson went into politics first working as an aide to State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, then winning office himself as a state representative before his election to Council in 2011. Hayman, meanwhile, found himself in prison for 15 years after he pleaded guilty in 1991 to a third-degree murder charge. Police said he, then a gang member, had helped concoct a plan to kill a rival drug dealer. The hit went awry when some of Haymans coconspirators shot and killed the wrong man in a West Oak Lane tavern. After release from prison, Hayman worked as a driver and legal assistant to a Philadelphia lawyer before going into the construction business. When Hayman in 2014 expressed interest in redeveloping three city-owned vacant lots in the now booming neighborhood where he and Johnson grew up, the Council member was willing to help. Hayman said he intended to build three-story homes for affordable housing on the lots on Ellsworth and Manton Streets. Johnson wrote letters to the citys Vacant Property Review Committee one of the bodies that controlled the sale of city-owned lands backing Haymans proposal. And because of councilmanic prerogative, the committee unanimously approved Haymans purchase allowing him to jump the line of other potential buyers without having to engage in a competitive bidding process that might have earned more money for the land. The indictment repeatedly notes that Hayman failed to disclose to the Council member that he had no intention of following through on that promise. Councilman Johnson is disappointed by the allegations against Mr. Hayman, his attorney, Patrick Egan, said in a statement Friday stressing that the elected official had not been accused of acting illegally or unethically. His interest, as always, has been for improving the community while attempting to preserve affordable and workforce housing. Still, because of Johnsons support the proposed sale sailed through the approval process before that committee, City Council, and the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority and was finalized with Hayman paying $70,488 for all three lots later in 2014. Despite his promises, Hayman sold all three lots within two years for a combined $1.1 million more than $1 million more than what hed originally paid. No affordable housing was ever built on the land. Four years later, Johnson backed another set of Hayman land deals. And this time, prosecutors say, Hayman was so sure of Johnsons support that he hired Realtors to sell three parcels he planned to buy on South Bucknell and Titan Streets before the sales were even finalized. That sale was approved in August of 2018 for a total of $101,000 or just under $33,000 each. But as early as three months before the titles were officially transferred to his company, Hayman was seeking buyers looking to off-load the lots for $150,000 apiece, prosecutors said. One lot on South Bucknell attracted a buyer who signed a sales agreement with Haymans Realtor before property purchase from the city had been finalized, according to the indictment. But the deal to resell it ultimately fell through after the buyer discovered that the lot would be encumbered with deed restrictions putting timelines on redevelopment and capping the amount for which it could later be resold as part of Haymans sales agreement with the city, prosecutors said. Hayman still managed to sell the two Titan Street lots hed picked up as part of the $101,000 land purchase. Within a matter of weeks, he sold them both for a combined $230,000, according to the indictment more than three times what hed originally paid for them. His profit? Roughly $142,000. Haymans attorney, Robert B. Mozenter, did not return requests for comment on the indictment Friday. When interviewed by The Inquirer in 2018 about the South Bucknell and Titan Street parcels, Hayman insisted hed done nothing wrong. You got a right to make all the money you want, he said. Why are you worried about these three lots? Read the indictment: A Parkside Borough councilman is accused of stealing a gas grill worth $499 at a Lowes home improvement store. Robert A. Powers, 58, was charged Thursday with two counts of retail theft, one count of theft by unlawful taking, and one count of receiving stolen property in connection with the July 14 incident. Powers was seen on the retailers security camera around 1:30 p.m. that afternoon selecting a 36-inch, four-burner Blackstone griddle grill and a grease cup, according to court documents. Footage then shows Powers at the self-checkout register scanning the cup which cost $6.63 and making what Brookhaven Borough police said was no effort to scan the grill before leaving the store with both items. Advertisement Powers, who is also the Delaware County boroughs fire marshal, health inspector, and emergency manager, offered no comment when reached by phone Friday. Police linked Powers to the theft after a Lowes asset-protection manager alerted them to the footage. Security cameras show Powers in the parking lot placing the grill in the back of a Jeep Wrangler registered in his name. Anna Guy, council president for Parkside Borough, said she was aware of Powers arrest and had alerted other members of council. Guy, who became president last year, said the borough had no guidelines for disciplinary action for council members accused of crimes. She said she would consult Borough Solicitor Jay Wills about what, if any action, council should take. Powers has lived in the borough for over 30 years and is a graduate of Chester High School. He was elected to council two years ago and began serving in January of 2022, Guy said. Before his current term, Powers had served on council but lost a reelection bid. He was endorsed by the Parkside Republican Committee in 2015, local media reported during his first campaign. Powers is set to appear in court in early August. File photo of the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility on State Road in Northeast Philadelphia. Read more A 35-year-old man awaiting retrial for a 2017 murder was charged with attempted murder for an assault on a Philadelphia correctional officer last weekend, the District Attorneys Office said Thursday. Around 3 p.m. Sunday, Tarrell R. Rister allegedly attacked a correctional officer who was attempting to lock his cell at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility. The correctional officer was knocked unconscious and suffered several fractures to his face as well as bruising to the brain that required treatment in an intensive care unit, prosecutors said. Rister also was charged with aggravated assault, assault by prisoner, and related offenses. Advertisement The president of the union representing the citys correctional officers told KYW News Radio that the injured officer is 51 years old with 21 years on the job. At the time of the assault, the injured officer was overseeing 80 inmates by himself. David Robinson, president of AFSCME Local 159 DC 33, said the citys prisons are understaffed and the situation is dangerous for the correctional officers. In May, members of the union unanimously voted no confidence in Prisons Commissioner Blanche Carney. At a City Council budget hearing in April, Carney acknowledged that the jails had 820 vacant officer positions, about 40% short of a full complement. Last year, a mistrial was declared in Risters murder case for the 2017 fatal shooting of 25-year-old Muhammaud Johnson after Rister allegedly attacked his lawyer. He assaulted me in the courtroom, said George S. Yacoubian Jr., his lawyer at the time, in a phone interview Thursday. He punched me in the face, Yacoubian said, recalling that the incident occurred on the third day of Risters trial After Rister was secured by sheriffs deputies, Rister made threatening statements against the jury, Yacoubian said. For that, Rister was charged with aggravated jury tampering involving violence, as well as aggravated assault and numerous related offenses. Since that incident, Rister was found in contempt of court several times for misbehavior in the courtroom, court records show. Prior to Yacoubian being appointed to represent Rister, three prior court-appointed lawyers had withdrawn from representing Rister. Yacoubian said he was warned that Rister was difficult. Court records show Rister pleaded guilty in 2011 to aggravated assault and aggravated harassment by a prisoner. He also served several years in prison for drug trafficking and for aggravated assault. Grant is a strategic leader with extensive underwriting expertise across multiple lines, with established relationships and a deep understanding of the Australian and New Zealand market, said Chris Colahan, regional president of Asia Pacific. Cairns will report to Colahan, who started in his role in May. Among the factors suggested to be considered when setting up employee assistance programs are the culture and background and the age breakdown of the workforce. Programs would be more appealing if they are able to empathise with what influences a persons attitudes as well as foresee what needs of the employees should be met. New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! A Connecticut man who was exonerated after serving 28 years in prison for killing a baby in 1994 has filed a lawsuit against the city of New Haven and six now-former police officers involved in his arrest. Adam Carmon, 51, was convicted of murder and other crimes and sentenced to 85 years in prison for the shooting that killed 7-month-old Danielle Taft and paralyzed her grandmother, Charlene Troutman. A gunman had fired more than a dozen shots through their apartment window from outside. Carmon was released in December after a judge ruled that prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense and city police failed to pursue other suspects including one who recanted a confession. The charges were officially dismissed last month. In June, Carmon told The Associated Press in a phone interview that his name remained tarnished. I have to live with that the rest of my life, regardless of what transpired, he said. Right now, Im just working, trying to piece the pieces of my life back together. The lawsuit filed Monday in U.S. District Court seeks unspecified monetary damages. Patricia King, corporation counsel for the city of New Haven, said in a statement that she could not comment on the specifics of Carmons case, but that the City is committed to cooperating with all parties and appropriately engaging in the civil litigation process to ensure there are reasonable resolutions on matters where city employees are deemed legally responsible for wrongful convictions or miscarriages of justice. Carmen`s attorney argued that evidence showed two other men __ purported drug dealers __ could have been involved in the shooting. Prosecutors failed to disclose to Carmons lawyer that one of those men voluntarily went to the police station and implicated himself and another man in the shooting, the judge said. Police abandoned their investigation of those men when the firearms expert concluded a handgun Carmon possessed was the murder weapon. Carmon is working at a grocery distribution warehouse and said he will soon be marrying a woman he was dating before he went to prison. He said he is building a relationship with his 28-year-old son, who was a baby when the shooting happened. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Law Enforcement Connecticut Ukraine said any ships heading to Russian ports may be military targets, a tit-for-tat response to a threat from Moscow that escalates the wars risk to global food markets. Since Moscow halted the Black Sea agreement that allowed Ukraine to export part of its grain harvests, Russia has attacked Ukrainian grain storage facilities and warned that all vessels heading to Ukrainian ports would be considered potential carriers of military supplies. Wheat prices surged on Wednesday, and initially jumped again when the Defense Ministry in Kyiv said any ships heading to ports in Russia and Ukrainian areas occupied by Kremlin troops were also legitimate targets. They then gave up those gains to trade little changed. Russia Issues Warning to Any Ships Traveling to Ukraines Black Sea Ports The escalating threat to vital Black Sea trade steps up the risk of turmoil on global markets for everything from oil and food staples to fertilizers. Russias attack on its neighbor has already severely disrupted exports from Ukraine, a major producer of grains and vegetable oils. Ukraine has previously attacked Russian ships in the Black Sea, sinking the flagship Moskva cruiser with a Neptune anti-ship missile shortly after Russias invasion. It also sank a landing ship and damaged another in the port of Berdyansk in March of 2022, and Ukrainian rockets have reached Russias main supply line to Crimea, the Kerch Strait bridge. The fate of the cruiser Moskva proves that Ukraines defense forces have the means necessary to repel Russian aggression at sea, Ukraines Defense Ministry said. The Black Sea is also home to a major Russian oil terminal, with more than half a million barrels a day of crude flowing through Novorossiysk, which is also a key port for fertilizer, grain and coal. Oil prices were little changed, suggesting the market took a skeptical view of the prospect of disruption. Russia also has several export terminals for refined oil products near Taman, across from eastern Crimea. Tanker tracking data monitored by Bloomberg shows 28 oil tankers, mostly smaller products carriers, in the vicinity. Alexander Kulikov, Chief Executive Officer at St-Petersburg based chartering company Sea Lines Ltd., said that Novorossiysk port was working as usual on Thursday. Passage through the Kerch strait has been closed since the Crimea bridge blast, and its unclear when it will reopen, he said. He has two ships waiting to pass the Kerch strait from the south side, he said. A spokesperson for Novorossiysk port did not immediately reply to requests for comment. It wasnt immediately clear how realistic the Ukrainian threat would be. Russias Defense Ministry also didnt specify what it would do to any ships that try to enter Ukrainian ports. On the other hand, Russias defense capabilities in the northern Black Sea and the Sea of Azov are considerable. They include a fleet of warships, including missile cruisers and radar designed to provide a protective umbrella against attack from the air, as well as the large military base on Crimea at Sevastopol. The longest range missiles Ukraine has are Harpoons and the Storm Shadows provided by the UK. Both have maximum ranges that fall well short of Novorossiysk, as well as its approaches. That will complicate any Ukrainian efforts to strike tankers in the area. Ukraine also has developed a small number of much less powerful long range aerial drones that may have been used in largely symbolic attacks on Moscow, in May. Lacking a deployable navy, Kyiv has been using surface water drones in attacks on Russian naval vessels, most of which have been thwarted by cannon fire. Only naval escorts would provide such defenses for Russian merchant ships. Theyve shown in a number of ways they can put Russian shipping under threat in ways that surprised the Russians, so potentially they could, said Nick Childs, senior fellow for naval forces and maritime security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a London think tank. The question is whether this is part of a rhetorical slanging match, to put pressure on others to bring the grain deal back into operation, as we have seen in the past. The Russians may also believe, according to Childs, that the combination of overnight attacks on Ukrainian ports and grain terminals, together with threats to attack commercial shipping will be enough to create a de facto blockade, without having to actually sink any vessels. Attacks on loaded oil tankers would also carry the risk of environmental disaster, which could trigger an unwanted backlash from the international community. With assistance from Aine Quinn, Alaric Nightingale, Marc Champion and Julian Lee. Photograph: Ships in the Black Sea. Photo credit: Daniel Mihailesu/Getty Images Copyright 2023 Bloomberg. Topics Russia Ukraine Less than two years after an investigation found dozens of serious safety and health violations at a Verona, Missouri chemical plant, workplace safety inspectors with the U.S. Department of Labor identified 16 violations, including those that put employees at risk of exposure to toxic substances such as ethylene oxide. After its January 2023 follow-up inspection, the departments Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued four repeat and nine serious safety and health violations, and proposed $393,798 in penalties to BCP Ingredients Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Balchem Corp. The agency also issued a hazard alert letter for inadequate medical evaluation procedures for workers exposed to ethylene oxide. In October 2021, OSHA cited the same facility for 24 serious safety and health violations. Ethylene oxide is a colorless and flammable gas and unsafe exposure can cause cancer and other serious health issues, said OSHA Area Director Karena Lorek in Kansas City, Missouri. The companys failure to address its previous violations and follow OSHA regulations is troubling. BCP needs to bring its monitoring procedures into compliance immediately and re-evaluate its engineering processes to make sure its employees are kept safe and healthy. Investigators cited multiple OSHA violations, including the following: Inadequate process safety management procedures and monitoring. Failing to develop an emergency evacuation plan. Failing to train workers on actions to take in the event of a chemical release. Exposing respirators to ethylene oxide while in storage. Allowing electrical safety hazards. Part of Balchems Animal Nutrition and Health Division, BCP Ingredients Inc. produces choline, nutrient encapsulation, chelated minerals and functional ingredients for feed and animal supplements. The Verona facility also produces food ingredients primarily for the baking industry. Based in Montvale, New Jersey, Balchem Corp. is a leading global producer of nutrition and health products for animal and human consumption, and employs more than 1,400 people worldwide. Source: OSHA Topics Pollution Missouri Chemicals New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! The ongoing cyberattack exploiting MOVEit file-transfer software has taken a toll on US colleges and universities. At least 30 institutions have been notified that personal information of students and employees may have been exposed through vendors including the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, or TIAA that use MOVEit or have a service provider that does, according to statements from the schools. The impacted colleges and universities include Stony Brook University, Middlebury College, Rutgers University, Loyola University Chicago, Trinity College in Connecticut, Colorado State University, the University of Dayton and the University of Alaska. Given the nature of the attack, many more institutions may have had data exposed, cybersecurity experts said. MOVEit Cyber Attack Hits UK Printing Firm Used by Insurers, Brokers and Banks The colleges and universities are among dozens, perhaps hundreds, of companies and organizations that were impacted by a Russian-speaking gang that exploited a flaw in a popular file-transfer product to steal data. In addition to the schools that were affected via vendors, some others, including the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of Georgia, were ensnared because they used MOVEits platform, according to statements from the institutions. The impact on the higher education sector shows the potential ripple effects of software breaches TIAA, for instance, didnt use MOVEit but an outside vendor did and the widening repercussions of the MOVEit attacks. Clop, the hacking group that has claimed credit for the attack, demands money from hacking victims in exchange for not publishing stolen information from victim organizations online. In this instance, it doesnt appear any significant data has been leaked yet from the colleges and universities. Clop shared links to download files on three of the universities it claimed to have breached, but Bloomberg News couldnt verify the contents. Its not known if any of the schools paid a ransom to the hackers. Some of the institutions that were hit are still trying to figure out the extent of the breaches. New details are emerging daily from MOVEit and other third-party vendors, so the university does not yet have complete information about the extent to which our data was involved, including details about what university data may have been part of the incident Colorado State University said in statement. Middlebury and Dayton confirmed that some data was exposed, while Stony Brook, Rutgers, Loyola, Trinity and Alaska said they were informed of a possible exposure. Many of the affected colleges and universities learned about the cyberattacks after being alerted by TIAA, the National Student Clearinghouse, orother vendors. Colorado State, for instance, was notified of potential data exposure by both TIAA and NSC, along with four other vendors, according to a university statement. The National Student Clearinghouse said in a statement that hackers obtained files transferred through its MOVEit system, including some maintained for customers. Rutgers, for instance, said it was notified of a cybersecurity issue by the Clearinghouse. At this point, the impact on Rutgers information is unclear, according to a statement from the university. Rutgers administrators are monitoring the issue closely. TIAA said a vendor, PBI Research Services, used MOVEit and experienced a cybersecurity incident. PBI confirmed the breach in a statement. TIAA, which provides investment and insurance services, said it had been in contact with impacted institutions. Third-party data exposures are extremely complex, said Brett Callow, a threat analyst for the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft. Some companies and organizations will invariably have had exposure via third parties and not realize it. Its very hard to say because we dont know exactly what information is being extracted, how much of it there is, what other information it could potentially be paired with, he said. Clop, which is also known as Cl0p, exploited a flaw in MOVEit software that allowed them to access sensitive customer data from some customers. The reality today is that sophisticated cybercriminal groups are executing highly complex campaigns at an increasingly rapid rate, said John Eddy, a spokesperson for Progress Software Corp., which markets MOVEit. While no one is immune, our primary goal is to work to address the security and safety of our customers. Clop has claimed credit for breaching more than 381 organizations on its dark web page, according to Callow. While the number is difficult to confirm, several dozen companies and organizations have publicly acknowledged being impacted, including Ernst & Young, the government of Nova Scotia, the Minnesota Department of Education and the British communications regulator Ofcom. More potential victims keep emerging. On Wednesday, Allegiant Air said an authorized party obtained data including from current and former employees and one customer by using the MOVEit vulnerability. The financial services sector has also been impacted, with at least 11 institutions reporting that data may been exposed. Some of the affected firms, including Indiana-based First Merchants Bank, have said that personal information such as names, contact details, account numbers and social security numbers may have been exposed. A spokesperson for Texas-based PlainsCapital Bank, which was also ensnared by the MOVEit attacks, said via email that the incident is receiving the highest level of attention at the company. The companys investigation hasnt found any indication that customer information has been used to commit identity theft or fraud, a spokesperson said early July. As is the case with higher education, financial institutions regularly handle sensitive data, raising the stakes for hacks involving information theft. Almost everybody in the world has some sort of bank account, mortgage, student loan, credit card, whatever it might be, said Teresa Walsh, global head of intelligence at the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center, known as FS-ISAC, an industry group that shares cyber intelligence among financial institutions around the world. The National Student Clearinghouse is a nonprofit that provides degree and enrollment verification and research services. The group has 3,600 participating colleges and universities, representing 97% of students in public and private institutions, according to the organizations website. The Clearinghouse provides enrollment status, and other student information, to lenders, servicers and the US Department of Education on behalf of institutions. The data exposed may have included information from the student record database on current or former students, the Clearinghouse said in a statement. Its not known how many of the colleges and universities that report data to the Clearinghouse were caught up in the attacks. A Clearinghouse spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. James Shreve, chair of the cybersecurity practice at law firm Thompson Coburn LLP, said hed be surprised if all 3,600 schools were impacted, but that the possibility couldnt be ruled out. One of the unfortunate things about incidents like this is that a school is dependent on what theyre being told by NSC and TIAA, Shreve said, and that investigation is ongoing. With assistance from Tanaz Meghjani, Marnie Munoz and Margi Murphy. Photograph: Russian cyrillic keyboard in arranged photo in Moscow, Russia, on March 10, 2019. Photo credit: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg Related: Copyright 2023 Bloomberg. Topics Cyber Education Colorado Universities NEW ORLEANS (AP) _ New Orleans is being sued by the family of a teenager crushed by a massive tree limb in a historic French Quarter park. The 17-year-old is still in the intensive care unit, the family`s attorney said at a Wednesday news conference. The teen suffered catastrophic brain, facial and spinal injuries on July 7, according to the lawsuit. The limb fell directly on his head and pinned him to the ground for many minutes before he could be released from the limb, the attorney, Morris Bart, said. The family was visiting New Orleans` Jackson Square, a popular tourist destination, from New Braunfels, Texas, when the teen was injured. The lawsuit says the branch snapped as he, his mother and brother sat on a nearby bench. His family was not harmed. An urban forestry consulting firm, a tree-trimming company and a construction company are also defendants in the lawsuit, filed on behalf of the teen`s parents in a state district court. The lawsuit does not specify a dollar figure for damages. The lawsuit says the tree had been in critically poor condition for some time and that a construction company working nearby didn`t protect the trees roots. Damage to roots can harm a tree and lead to the failure of a limb, the lawsuit said. It also said the city failed to take action to keep people out of harms way, even though another limb had fallen days earlier. A city spokesperson declined comment, citing a policy against commenting on litigation. Photo: A large oak tree being trimmed snapped in half, injuring a teenager in Jackson Square, New Orleans on Fri., July 7.(WVUE) Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits New You can now listen to Insurance Journal articles! A Tennessee firefighter died and three others were hospitalized after they became trapped while battling a house fire late Tuesday, fire officials said. Fire crews were called to a house fire on Rile Street around 11:30 p.m., the Memphis Fire Department said in a news release. As crews worked to put out the blaze, firefighters became trapped inside and others worked to rescue them. Firefighter Lt. Jeffrey Norman died from his injuries, fire officials said Wednesday morning. The 20-year veteran firefighter was a courageous and dedicated member of our team, Memphis Fire Chief Gina Sweat said in a statement. Jeffrey was a leader and hard worker who took pride in serving his community. Three others remained hospitalized. Officials did not immediately release details about the severity of the firefighters` injuries or the cause of the blaze. Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Tennessee Singapore - July 21, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) The upcoming Cancun upgrade marks Ethereum's next milestone following the Shanghai upgrade. The Cancun Upgrade is expected to take place later this year. Why is the Cancun upgrade so significant, and what practical benefits will it bring? Undoubtedly, Ethereum's leading position among public chains remains unshakable. So holding and staking ETH on crypto exchanges would be a wise decision to earn stable passive income. Let us take Huobi Earn as an example. Faster and more cost-efficient post-Cancun: A boom for Layer 2 narratives According to the summary of the 160th Ethereum All Core Developers Execution (ACDE) call, the core of the Cancun upgrade lies in the Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) 4844. EIP-4844 aims to implement the temporary storage and retrieval of off-chain data through Ethereum nodes to meet the data storage needs of blockchain applications. After the Cancun upgrade, Ethereum L1 data will be moved into a new temporary 'Blob' storage. Blobs are cheaper with larger space, allowing Ethereum to handle more data, increase transactions per second (TPS), and reduce costs. In this case, EIP-4844 is expected to mitigate the cost of Layer 2 rollups. This cost reduction will ignite the breakout of the Layer 2 ecosystem, expanding Ethereum's advantages and narrowing the window of opportunity for other Layer 1 chains. Indeed, this upgrade will be a game changer. It will make Layer 2s cheaper and faster, benefiting not only Layer 2 protocols but the overall ecosystems will be geared for meteoric growth. We can see that the Layer 2 space is playing a key role for the next bull run. Stake ETH with Huobi Earn and get ready for a long-lasting bull run To embrace the Cancun upgrade, Huobi Earn is introducing several passive income products, including ETH 2.0 Staking, ETH Flexible, and BETH Flexible. Long-term holding and staking ETH can get you more stable returns than investing in Layer 2 projects. For Ethereum strong believers, opting to stake ETH with Huobi Earn can yield potential profits. According to Huobi's official data, ETH 2.0 Staking offers users an APY of up to 5.41%, with a low investment threshold and stable earnings. 100% of on-chain rewards generated by ETH 2.0 Staking are directly given to users. You can stake ETH easily without losing the flexibility to sell BETH, a tokenized asset representing your staked ETH, anytime you wish. Huobi's ETH Flexible and BETH Flexible products provide impressive APYs of up to 6% and 5%, respectively, with easy-to-use operations and diversified choices. It is reported that Huobi Node has been operating properly as an Ethereum PoS verifier for two years, witnessing a couple of milestones such as The Merge, the rise of MEV, and the Goerli testnet preview. As the Cancun upgrade approaches to enhance Ethereum's competitiveness, Huobi will continue to keep a close eye on the development of Ethereum's ecosystem and aim to provide exceptional investment experiences for its users. About Huobi Founded in 2013, Huobi has evolved from a crypto exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, wallets, research, investment, incubation and other areas. Huobi serves millions of users worldwide, with a business presence covering over 160 countries and regions across five continents. Its three development strategies - "global development, technology drives development, and technology for good" underpin its commitment to providing comprehensive services and values to global cryptocurrency enthusiasts. Contact Details Michael Wang glo-media@huobi.com Company Website https://www.huobi.com/ More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. 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That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More Source: Darren Odell July 21, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) With the contracts landed thus far this year, this Australian firm already has exceeded 2023 revenue estimates, noted a Peloton Capital report. DroneShield Ltd. (DRO:ASX; DRSHF:OTC) closed contracts valuing about US$50 million (US$50M) total, most recently one for US$33M with the U.S. government, since raising capital in March, reported Peloton Capital analyst Darren Odell in a July 19 research note. "We believe this recent contract wins cement DroneShield's position as one of the key players in the global market for counterdrone solutions," Odell wrote. Together, the contracts the company landed in the last four months equate to an estimated cash profit in 2023 of about US$22.5M, noted Odell, given the expected cash flow of about US$70M. Compelling Return Odell noted that Peloton has a target price of AU$0.84 per share on this Australian anti-drone equipment and services firm "based on increased confidence on the closure of larger contracts in full-year 2023 (FY23) and beyond." In comparison, DroneShield is trading at about AU$0.305 per share, noted Odell. This price gap implies a significant possible gain for investors of 179%. The defense solutions company remains a Buy. More Contracts Anticipated Odell pointed out that DroneShield's repeat contracts with the U.S. government have increased in value over a two- to three-year span. The first one was US$1M. The next was US$11M, and the latest, US$33M. "We would expect this trend to remain for the U.S. and Five Eyes countries (including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization)," purported Odell. "The war in Ukraine has ensured elevated interest in the capabilities of the likes of DroneShield, which is not expected to dissipate any time soon." Revenue Growth Continues Given its performance thus far in 2023, highlighted Odell, DroneShield is on track to achieve US$100M in revenue with a 60%-plus gross margin. Year to date, the company already surpassed Peloton's 2023 revenue estimates. Looking ahead, the growth expected to come from existing customers' repeat orders "provides confidence in our FY24 forecasts," wrote Odell. Additionally, DroneShield has a sales pipeline of various AU$10M-plus contracts and a total sales pipeline with a value of about AU$200M. At the end of this year, Odell wrote, the company is expected to have a cash balance of about AU$60M. More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Get Great Trading Ideas and News Alerts Guest posts and sponsored content - Got $100? That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More July 21, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Global oil markets are navigating a complex landscape marked by economic uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and strategic business decisions. Economic Uncertainties and Market Sentiments The oil market has been largely unresponsive, grappling with numerous uncertainties. The escalating Russo-Ukrainian conflict, marked by an incident involving the Chinese consulate in Odessa, has added to the market's apprehension. Despite these concerns, oil prices managed a slight increase, driven by the conflict's intensification. However, the market is still seeking a clear direction, lacking a catalyst to decisively influence prices. Geopolitical Tensions and Their Impact The Russo-Ukrainian conflict has been a significant factor influencing oil prices. The recent Russian airstrikes on Odessa, which damaged the Chinese consulate, have raised concerns about China's reaction. As a major client of Russian oil, any deterioration in Sino-Russian relations could significantly impact the oil market. The market is closely monitoring the situation, with traders worried about the potential implications of China's dissatisfaction with the situation. Strategic Business Decisions In the midst of these global tensions, strategic business decisions are also shaping the oil market. Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco has finalized the acquisition of a 10% stake in Chinese petrochemical company Rongsheng Petrochemical. This $3.4 billion deal includes the supply of 480,000 barrels of oil per day to a Rongsheng subsidiary's integrated refining and chemical complex. This move advances Aramco's strategy of transforming liquids into chemicals while strengthening its presence in China, the world's largest oil importer. In conclusion, the oil market is currently navigating a complex landscape influenced by a mix of economic uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and strategic business decisions. As these factors continue to evolve, the market's direction remains uncertain. Will the escalating Russo-Ukrainian conflict and its potential impact on Sino-Russian relations further influence oil prices? How will strategic business decisions, like Aramco's recent acquisition, shape the future of the oil market? These are questions that market watchers and stakeholders will continue to ponder in the coming days. Crude Oil - Summary Map Chart: US Dollar Currency Index (DXY/USDX) US Dollar Currency Index CFD Chart: Energy Futures (CL; NG; RB; HO) Crude Oil (CL); Natural Gas (NG); RBOB Gasoline (RB); Heating Oil (HO) Continuous Futures contracts More Info: This news is published on the Investorideas.com Newswire - a global digital news source for investors and business leaders Disclaimer/Disclosure: Investorideas.com is a digital publisher of third party sourced news, articles and equity research as well as creates original content, including video, interviews and articles. Original content created by investorideas is protected by copyright laws other than syndication rights. Our site does not make recommendations for purchases or sale of stocks, services or products. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. All investing involves risk and possible losses. This site is currently compensated for news publication and distribution, social media and marketing, content creation and more. Disclosure is posted for each compensated news release, content published /created if required but otherwise the news was not compensated for and was published for the sole interest of our readers and followers. Contact management and IR of each company directly regarding specific questions. More disclaimer info: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp Learn more about publishing your news release and our other news services on the Investorideas.com newswire https://www.investorideas.com/News-Upload/ Global investors must adhere to regulations of each country. Please read Investorideas.com privacy policy: https://www.investorideas.com/About/Private_Policy.asp Get Great Trading Ideas and News Alerts Guest posts and sponsored content - Got $100? That's all it takes to get an article published on Investor Ideas - Learn More They Cloned Tyrone (16s) stars John Boyega as Fontaine, a drug dealer who is shot dead in a motel parking lot by his rival Isaac (J. Alphonse Nicholson). So how come Fontaine wakes up the next morning with no memory of his own murder? Aided and abetted by local pimp Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx) and Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris), Fontaine sets out to discover what the hell is going on Written by Tony Rettenmaier and Juel Taylor, with Taylor directing, They Cloned Tyrone comes on like a Blaxploitation take on Groundhog Day, albeit one with a savage satiric edge: the targeting of Black areas with products (hair straightener, rap music, fried chicken) designed to maintain the population in a state of passive acceptance has strong echoes of the way in which Black American communities were flooded with heroin in the 1970s (check out that funky but downbeat 70s-influenced score). Darkly funny (Theyre Clockwork Orange-ing this shit!), the film is equally powerful as a parody and a thriller, with John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris in terrific form as their characters wreak havoc on the best-laid plans of white supremacists. There are a few Inishturks in the country the largest of which in County Mayo is positioned just south of Clew Bay. There is another, Inishturk Beg, nestled in the inner part of the bay, hiding in plain sight as it were, among the scores of islands there. Inis Torc Beg translates as Small Island of the Boar and the name itself gives a clue as to past farming practices. Though virtually all of the islands in Clew Bay are uninhabited, Inishturk Beg has occupants who moved there in 2013. The island has changed hands for vast sums in recent years. In 2003 the Irish-Egyptian businessman Nadim Sadek purchased the island for 1m before investing a further 9m in developing it as a mini-holiday complex including a marina, rental houses, tennis court and a heated swimming pool. It even made an appearance on RTEs Secret Millionaire programme. Sadek transformed an otherwise unremarkable island into one of the most talked about properties in the country. He developed a whiskey distillery and produced the single malt Maiden Voyage which still fetches high prices on the market. He also hosted art events, established a traditional band, and fostered an artistic milieu based from the island. Former Inish Turk Beg Island owner, Nadim Sadek. Picture: Denis Scannell He sold the island in 2013 for 2.85m after running into financial problems. He told a newspaper at the time: Having travelled the world, I am certain that Inish Turk Beg is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It inspires, intoxicates, enlivens. Those who come after me benefit from a decade of loving investment, building and imagining. The island and the sea have taught me many things, among which is that some journeys are orbital and you never know when you might end up back where you started again." However, Sadek was just the latest in adventurous spirits who chose to live on Inishturk Beg. The islands previous owners were intrepid enough to live there for 14 years despite the challenges. Bob and Thelma Van Duijil from Rotterdam in the Netherlands, lived on Inishturk Beg from 1988 to 2002 and ran a scientific publishing business from there, at a time when remote working was but a dream. The Van Duijils were famous around Westport for a few years appearing in town in their amphibious car. And as far as countering loneliness living on an island, they told the Western People: You can live in a big city like Rotterdam and never know your neighbours. Its a matter of perception. One persons freedom is anothers claustrophobia. A view of Croagh Patrick from Inishturk Beg Island. Picture: Denis Scannell Inishturk Beg is a sizeable 59 acres, and at 51m in altitude is the highest of the islands in Clew Bay, or strictly speaking, Newport Bay, named after the town further to the east. Most islands in Clew Bay have no trees, but Inishturk Beg has a decent smattering of them. Its population peaked at 57 people pre-Famine, the dwellings obliterated by the hand of time. Among the names of the people who lived on the island recently were Stoney, Diagely, and latterly, Berry. A Mary Berry lived on the island according to the 1911 census with her three children. Her antecedents almost definitely lived there too, or on another Clew Bay Island. A Bridget Graham Berry is recorded as having died on the island in 1853 and is interred at a church graveyard on the very small neighbouring island of Inishdaft. And as proof that island living can be very good for you, her husband Thady, lived until the age of 96 and is also buried on Inishdaft. And he survived the Famine when County Mayo was particularly badly affected. Thady had jointly leased the 59 acres of Inishturk with William Berry (possibly a brother) in 1855 from the notorious marquis of Sligo, George John Browne. A description of Brownes merciless treatment of his tenants during the Famine reads: Village after village were blotted out, and for miles around the solitude was unbroken by the voice of man. The Marquis of Sligo, false to the religion of his ancestors, sent his Catholic tenants adrift. Thady survived those troubled times. How to get there: Privately owned Other: nadimsadek.com Western People 14/10/1998 genealogy.com sites.rootsweb.com/~irlmayo2 The UN has warned of a global food security crisis for millions of the world's poor following Moscows withdrawal from a grain export deal. The warning came as wheat prices surged on global markets and as Ukraine/url]s southern ports endured a third successive night of Russian aerial bombardment since Moscow's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative deal on Monday. The UN Security Council is due to meet on Friday to discuss the "humanitarian consequences" of Russias withdrawal from a deal that allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain for the past year. Workers load grain at a grain port in Izmail, Ukraine, on April 26, 2023. File Picture: Andrew Kravchenko/AP The deal, negotiated in July 2022 among Turkey, the UN, and Russia, had allowed grain to flow from Ukraine to countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, where hunger is a growing threat and high food prices have pushed more people into poverty. But since the collapse of the deal, Ukrainian port cities, including Odesa and Mykolaiv, have been shelled nightly. The attacks have destroyed critical grain export infrastructure as well as 60,000 tons of grain that was designated for China, and have left more than 20 people wounded. In this image provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, emergency services work at a scene of a destroyed residential area after a Russian attack in Mykolaiv, Ukraine, yesterday. Humanitarian aid agency Concern said it is extremely concerned that the ending of the grain deal will impact some of the poorest people in the world, with Lebanon (which received nearly three-quarters of its grain from Ukraine before the war), Pakistan, Libya, and Ethiopia expected to be among the worst affected. It will particularly impact countries in Asia and in eastern Africa which are coming out of one of the worst droughts over the last 30 to 40 years, said a Concern spokesman. Some countries in the Horn of Africa were up to 90% reliant on imported grain from Ukraine before the war, so this will have a huge impact on them. But it will also impact on maize and sunflower oils, which are staple foods in these regions. We would call on all parties to get back to the negotiating table and resolve this. Tanaiste calls for deal return A spokesperson for Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin, who is in South Africa and Mozambique this week, said Ireland is deeply concerned that Russia has failed to agree to extend the Black Sea grain initiative. This initiative has been vital in ensuring that lifesaving grain and other food products from Ukraine continue to reach those countries most impacted by food insecurity, exacerbated by Russias war, said the spokesperson. Ireland is clear in our support for Secretary General Guterres and his team in negotiations. The Black Sea Grain Initiative must continue and be put on a sustainable footing. We will continue to show full solidarity with countries in addressing the global consequences of Russias war, including food and energy security. Markets' reaction As the grain deal broke down, wheat prices on the European Stock Exchange soared by 8.2% on Wednesday from the previous day, to 253.75 per tonne, corn prices were up 5.4%, and US wheat futures jumped 8.5% their highest daily rise since just after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Prices in shops will not immediately increase, but if the interruption in supplies leads to a prolonged period of higher prices, the impact will make itself felt around the world in the coming months, experts warned. The sharp increase in grain cost after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year led to rising prices not just for food items based on grains, but also for meat and poultry, as animals are often fed with grain. In Brussels, the EU's foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, condemned Russia's targeting of grain storage facilities. More than 60,000 tons [54,431 metric tonnes] of grain has been burned," he said on Thursday. So not only did they withdraw from the grain agreement ... but they are burning the grain. German foreign affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock said the EU is involved in international efforts to get Ukrainian grain onto the world market. Meanwhile, Russia has also warned that it will now treat ships heading for Ukrainian ports as potential military targets, while Ukraine said that ships heading towards Russian or occupied ports on the Black Sea could be viewed as carrying military cargo. Airline Tui has apologised after hundreds of passengers were left unable to return to Belfast for a lengthy period due to delays. Footage on social media showed passengers, including children, laying on airport floors. Northern Irish holidaymakers trying to travel from Rhodes to Belfast on Wednesday night had their flight rescheduled multiple times due to technical difficulties. Those affected by the delays were offered somewhere to stay but many chose to remain in the airport citing poor conditions at the accommodation offered by Tui. We know that this is not how anyone wants to end their holiday and would once again like to apologise for the inconvenience caused In a statement, Tui said the aircraft, which is operated by Sunwing, was delayed due to a technical issue which meant the flight crew were over the legal working hour limit. After this customers were given a new departure time on Thursday. Following a further delay to the Thursday flight, the airline said passengers were provided with accommodation and food vouchers. The statement read: Unfortunately, the technical issue needed further work so with the safety of our customers and crew in mind the difficult decision was made to extend the delay. All passengers were provided with overnight accommodation; however some chose to stay at the airport. Those who stayed at the airport were provided with vouchers for meals and refreshments. A gesture of goodwill has also been offered to all customers. The new estimated time of departure was 1935 local time on Friday. Tui added: We know that this is not how anyone wants to end their holiday and would once again like to apologise for the inconvenience caused. The treatment weve got is just atrocious and weve been treated like dogs, to be honest All customers will be entitled to claim EU261 flight delay compensation. One passenger on the flight, Niamh McDonald, told the BBC they were treated like dogs. The treatment weve got is just atrocious and weve been treated like dogs, to be honest. And its just put us off ever travelling again. The communication has been terrible, to be honest. Weve been sleeping on the floors of the airport for the past few nights, elderly people on the floors, children on the floors. Yeah, its just been terrible. Passengers attempting to travel from Ibiza to Northern Ireland also experienced issues with the airline. After a delay spanning more than 24 hours, some passengers said they found it difficult to communicate with airline representatives. We completely understand the frustration of customers who were due to depart Ibiza on flight TOM1331 yesterday, and we would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused In relation to the Ibiza flight, a statement from Tui said a new part was needed due to technical issues with the aircraft, also operated by Sunwing. We completely understand the frustration of customers who were due to depart Ibiza on flight TOM1331 yesterday, and we would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused, the statement read. The safety of our customers and crew is our utmost priority. The aircraft customers were meant to travel on developed a technical issue that required a new part to be transported from overseas. This also meant the flight crew were over the legal working hour limit. Customers were communicated with throughout the delay, and we provided them with accommodation until their new expected flight time of 9am the following day. Unfortunately, the new part for the aircraft was delayed in customs which caused the unexpected further delay. The aircraft has now departed and customers are on their way home. Two men who pleaded guilty to the attempted deception of a post office worker when trying to claim a pension from a deceased man have been sentenced to two-and-a-half years and two years in prison. Both co-accused Declan Haughney, 41, of 119 Pollerton Road, Carlow, a nephew of the deceased man Peadar Doyle, 66, and Gareth Coakley, 38, of 44 John Sweeney Park, Carlow town pleaded guilty to the attempted deception of Margaret OToole at Hoseys post office on Staplestown Road, Carlow town on January 21, 2022, contrary to common law after changing their plea from not guilty when the case opened last Tuesday. Handing down his sentence at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Eugene OKelly sentenced Mr Haughney to two-and-a-half years with the final six months suspended for one year and Mr Coakley was handed a two-year sentence with the final six months suspended. Judge OKelly said that while considering his judgment he took into account the distasteful and macabre scene in the post office on the day in question. The attempt of deception and theft was (for a) very modest (sum). It was at the lowest level of gravity but was highly aggravating. (Declan Haughney) was not responsible for Mr Doyles death, only his attempted deception. But the seriousness of the offending conduct and culpability and harm done (was taken into consideration). (Declan Haughney) showed a callous disregard and dignity towards a dying man. He refused offers of help (from a motorist when she noticed the three men near the post office) and abandoned him (Mr Doyle) on the floor when challenged by customers and staff. He could have been left at home to have died peacefully and in bed. No person should die in those circumstances. Gareth Coakley was handed a two-year sentence with the final six months suspended. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin Remarking on Mr Coakleys sentence, Judge OKelly said he was marginally less culpable and was not a relative. He leant support to (Mr Haughney). His offence (on this occasion) is mid range. Judge OKelly pointed out that a post-mortem could not ascertain the exact time of Mr Doyles death and that there was no evidence of foul play. The court was shown CCTV footage from multiple cameras placed at various angles from inside the post office and from New Oak Community Centre. A montage of footage showed Mr Haughney entering the post office at 10.59am on the day of the incident. Dressed in a black hoodie with red and white stripes, black trousers and black runners he used his uncles social welfare card which was out of date in an attempt to collect Mr Doyles money. Relatives of Mr Doyles who attended the court left the room while the CCTV footage was being shown. Members of staff from Hoseys post office also were present in court. In evidence, Garda Joe OKeeffe said that Mr Haughney told Ms OToole that his uncle was unwell and that he had asked him to collect his money and that he had called an ambulance". However Ms OToole said the card was expired and that he was not a named agent a person allowed to collect monies on Mr Doyles behalf. She then told Mr Haughney that he could not give him the money. Mr Doyles sister Noeleen Dowling was the only other person besides Mr Doyle who could collect his 246 pension. The court was informed that Mr Haughney then became very aggressive towards the post office staff saying his uncle was at home, very unwell and that he would have to go and bring him down. In evidence, the court heard that Mr Haughney blamed Ms OToole for his uncle collapsing saying: If you paid me, he wouldnt be here, while pointing a finger at her. Dragged He left the post office and returned at 11.14am with Mr Coakley and Mr Doyle whom they were carrying with their arms around him. CCTV footage obtained by gardai from outside the post office along Bridge St and from the Community Centre showed that Mr Doyle was being dragged along the footpath. While Mr Haughney and Mr Coakley were accompanying Mr Doyle to the post office, they were observed by witness Claire Knight, who was driving into Carlow. In her witness statement which was read out to the court by Gda OKeeffe, she said she saw the men close to Mr Doyles home and thought that there might be something wrong with him as she observed him being dragged along by two other men. She continuously watched them in her rear view car mirror and decided to turn her car around and go back to the three men. She did not get out of her car and said to Mr Haughney and Mr Coakley, Is he alright lads? Mr Haughney answered Hes fine, hes grand, while Mr Coakely added that he had called for an ambulance. However, Ms Knight decided to call 999 and ask for an ambulance herself. The court heard that at this time Mr Doyles eyes were fixed and his face was grey and that in fact no ambulance had been called by either of the two accused. Ms Knight, although having no medical training, formed the opinion that Mr Doyle was already dead. In the post office She then followed the three men into the post office as they jumped the queue and went to the post office clerks window. Mr Haughney, the court heard, said to Ms OToole: Hes here now to collect (his money)" and pushed him against the partition in front of Ms OToole. However, she could not see his face as it was obscured by a grey hat he was wearing along with a grey jersey top. Prosecution counsel, Niall Storan BL, said at this point Mr Haughney shouted: Hes dead, hes dead. She (Ms OToole) wouldnt pay. It was her fault (meaning Ms OToole) If you paid me (before) he wouldnt be here. Ms Knight along with other customers in the post office reacted in a shocked manner. From the CCTV Ms Knight could be seen to be on her mobile phone to emergency services as Mr Haughney and Mr Coakley placed a motionless Mr Doyle sitting on the floor and then into the recovery position. Another employee Ashling Muldowney could be seen running upstairs to get a chair for Mr Doyle to sit on. CPR was then performed by Ms Knight under guidance from the National Ambulance Service (NAS) when a defibrillator located in the post office was found to be flat. Gda OKeeffe said that he received a phone call at 11.15am that a man had been seen being dragged along Bridge Street. In a subsequent phone call shortly after he was told that the man seen being dragged may have had a heart attack and to bring a defibrillator. He took over CPR from Ms Knight, followed by two firemen and then by an advanced paramedic, but following advice by phone from Cork University Hospital they ceased attempted resuscitation at 11.40am. Mr Doyle was declared officially deceased at 12.40pm by a GP and later removed from the post office. Gda OKeeffe explained that Mr Haughney lived with his uncle from a young age as his mother had died and he had no relationship with his father. Gda OKeeffe said his relationship with his uncle was not the best at times. Victim impact statements In a victim impact report read out to the court by Gda O'Keeffe, Ms OToole said that she had worked at Hoseys post office for over 16 years and had always enjoyed my work. But everything changed (that day). It was traumatic and upsetting. A victim impact report from Mr Doyles family was read out to the court. The report said that the family wanted to express their gratitude to the court for allowing them to speak as they have had mostly silent voices. Our family has been badly affected (by the events) and the media outlets caused most of the damage. This story sent shock waves around the world and has devastated our family. The report outlined that what occurred on the day and subsequently has been a traumatic battle for the family, that they have been put through the court of public opinion and not been able to leave their homes and have been threatened by people, received hate mail and remain deeply hurt and that their pain will never leave them. In particular, Mr Doyles sister Mrs Dowling explained: My brother has been ridiculed, and said that her life is not her own anymore, that she cannot sleep, suffers flashbacks and her sanctuary (life) violated. Peadar was a caring loving, brother, a charismatic character, he loved us so much. He loved his nieces and nephews unfathomably, Mrs Dowling added in the report. Letters of apology The court was informed that Mr Haughney had a serious heroin addiction and had 55 previous convictions while Mr Coakley had 49 previous convictions, was a serious heroin, cannabis and alcohol addict and is a father-of-two. Defence barrister David Roberts read out two letters of apology to the court from Mr Haughney, one addressed to his uncles family and in particular to his aunt and sister of Mrs Dowling, and one to post office clerk Margaret OToole. The letter of apology to Mr Haughneys aunt said that he deeply regrets and is deeply remorseful and is deeply sorry that he didnt raise the alarm (over the health of his uncle sooner) along with his actions on the day. To Ms OToole he said in his letter that he was sorry he traumatised and upset her and that he hoped she would work well into the future. Mr Roberts pointed out that Mr Haughney is a loved member of his family and is supported by them. He informed the court that Mr Haughney had remained in prison serving another sentence but opted to remain there despite having consent to bail. Mr Haughney has been taking part in a brick-laying course and has enhanced privileges, has tested negative to all random drug tests and hoped to gain employment. Mr Richard Downey BL, for Mr Coakley, said his client was on a methadone course since being remanded in custody last Wednesday and that he and Mr Haughney would be inextricably linked to these tragic circumstances and that Mr Coakley wasnt in his right mind on the day. Both men, the court was told by Gda OKeeffe, co-operated with gardai at all times when giving voluntary statements in the hours after Mr Doyles death. They were formally arrested on January 26, 2022. Read More Two men admit trying to deceive post office worker about dead man's pension Upon sentencing, Judge OKelly added that he was taking into account their guilty pleas, but that they cost the court system a lot of time and money in not pleading guilty sooner. He pointed out that Mr Haughney had already been found guilty for stealing his uncles old age pension while he was in hospital several years ago and that Mr Coakley had shown no real attempts to engage with probation services in the past. Neither of the men showed much emotion upon sentencing, but Mr Coakley when asked whether he understood the sentence said: I do. Thank you. Thank you, your honour. As one Irishman, Cillian Murphy, portrays the physicist and so-called father of the atomic bomb in Oppenheimer, released in cinemas today, recall another Irishman who was the first to film the real-life devastation it caused. Daniel A McGovern, a native of Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, was among the first to enter Japan after its surrender in 1945 where he saw how two cities, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, had been annihilated by a nuclear bomb four weeks earlier. McGovern, a cameraman with the US Army Air Force, later said that it was as if a massive anvil had flattened Nagasaki. He filmed and photographed the harrowing aftermath the bodies of children, the shadows of people who had been atomised by the bomb, a boy (16) whose whole back just looked like a bowl of bubbling tomatoes, and the landscape, bleached white. Some 200,000 people died in the nuclear attack while tens of thousands more died due to radiation sickness. As a member of the US Strategic Bombing Survey, Lt Daniel McGovern directed Japanese and American camera crews as they recorded the apocalyptic scenes around them. More than that, without him much of the disquieting evidence of nuclear fallout might be lost. An America fearful of a public backlash tried to suppress the footage, but McGovern safeguarded the archive by making secret copies of photographs as well as some 100,000 ft of colour footage and 26,000 ft in black and white. There is a moment in Oppenheimer when some of the early footage is shown to those working at the Los Alamos Laboratory, where a team of physicists worked secretly with the blessing of US President Franklin D Roosevelt to develop a nuclear bomb. REBELS TO REELS: Irish journalist Joseph McCabe has brought the story of McGovern to a wider audience in his meticulously researched biography J Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) looks away in horror, aware of the implications of his powerful creation. Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds, Oppenheimer said in real life, and the line from a Hindu sacred text is a leitmotif in Christopher Nolans three-hour film. The film, a sustained assault on the senses, does not ignore the truth of that, but the story is complex and layered and satisfyingly told from several perspectives. Arguably the most important of those the human cost of nuclear war has been preserved for future generations thanks to Daniel McGovern, or Big Mack as his Air Force colleagues nicknamed this man who stood at 6ft 5. In turn, Irish journalist Joseph McCabe has brought the story of McGovern to a wider audience in his meticulously researched biography, Rebels to Reels. As McCabe has pointed out, Daniel McGovern preserved the material that represents the definitive film-and-photographic aftermath record we have today of the only time in history that atomic weapons have been used in warfare. He was a recorder of history and he was one of best in my opinion, he said. McGovern was recently honoured in his native county where a plaque was unveiled to him next to the former RIC station where the family lived during their time in Carrickmacross. The son of an RIC sergeant, he later emigrated with his family to America where he joined the US Air Force. Meanwhile, Cillian Murphy portrays Oppenheimers tortured regret in a breathtaking performance. He warns of the folly of a nuclear arms race, but it was Irishman Daniel McGovern who showed the world what weapons of mass destruction can do to the human race. May they rest in peace forever more Marie Coyne made history last Sunday when she lifted a coffin onto her shoulder and carried it part of the way to the burial ground on Inishbofin Island. Accompanied by Bridget Cunnane, Veronica Cunnane and Tuuli Rantala, these women became the first female four to be given the honour of carrying a coffin in the traditional procession from church to grave. They were followed by Clare Rishbeth, the great-granddaughter of Alfred Cort Haddon who, 133 years ago to the day, stole the remains of 13 islanders being carried in the coffin. Picture: Ciaran Walsh The women were retracing the voyage the remains had taken in 1890 after Haddon and Andrew Francis Dixon stole them from St Colman's Monastery, smuggled them on to a ship and brought them back to Dublin. Haddon gave the collection to TCD in 1892 and they remained there until 11.30am on July 12, 2023, when Marie Coyne and Tommy Burke took custody of the remains in the Anatomy Department on Pearse St. HISTORY HUB If you are interested in this article then no doubt you will enjoy exploring the various history collections and content in our history hub. Check it out HERE and happy reading Following a removal ceremony in the college chapel, they began the long journey back to Inishbofin. It has taken 10 years or so to get there. It began with a small photograph in an album in the Manuscript Library in TCD, which Felicity O'Mahony showed me in 2009. It pictured a collection of skulls in a niche in the east wall of St Colman's Monastery. Subsequent research revealed that Haddon included a sketch of this photograph in a graphic account of the theft of the same skulls. Marie Coyne saw the photograph in an exhibition Daithi de Mordha and I curated in 2012 in partnership with the library. We began searching for the remains after a spokesperson for TCD told RTE that the college did not know where the remains were, despite an online catalogue that contained a detailed description of them. Picture: Ciaran Walsh A search of Haddon's papers in Cambridge confirmed that he gave the collection to TCD after a lecture on the craniology of the Aran Islands at the Royal Irish Academy. He followed this with a study of the skulls from Inishbofin in 1893. He described these studies as an attempt to discover the origins of the so-called Irish Race, the theory being that variations in skull form evolved and became characteristic as migrating populations settled in an area and remained undisturbed for many generations. The islands off the west coast provided Haddon with the perfect research site. William Wilde, father of Oscar, wrote that monasteries in the Aran Islands were the best source of ancient Irish skulls. Haddon discovered in Inishbofin that communities placed skulls uncovered during burials in mediaeval monasteries for safekeeping and his papers show that his colleagues began targeting monasteries throughout Ireland. These records leave no doubt that they knew they were involved in graverobbing. Haddon described in detail how he and Dixon went to St Colman's under cover of darkness, selected 13 skulls, put them in a sack and smuggled them on board the SS Fingal, telling a security guard the sack contained poteen. We were certain these skulls were still in TCD. We confirmed this in 2014, when I was given access to the Old Anatomy Department and saw the Skull Passage for the first time. This is a long service corridor that runs behind the anatomy theatre and links the original dissection room to the Anatomy Museum. One side of the corridor is lined with two-metre high display cases that hold the department's Anthropological Collection. Each case has large signs identifying the provenance of the human remains inside and two shelves of skulls were signed INISHBOFFIN: HADDON & DIXON and ST. FINAN'S BAY, CO. KERRY: HADDON & DIXON. It was at that point that we discovered that the pair had stolen the remains of 11 other individuals from monasteries in St Finian's Bay and the Aran Islands. Unfortunately, Haddon stopped writing his journal the day before he arrived in St Finian's Bay. This became a major sticking point in our attempts to have the entire collection returned for burial. The Old Anatomy Steering Group manages the collection and insisted that proof of theft was the only basis on which any application for return for burial might be considered. That came as a surprise. I started my doctoral research in Old Anatomy in 2015 and Marie emailed me asking me with characteristic directness to tell Old Anatomy that we want to bury our ancestors in Bofin. I assured her that TCD had behaved ethically in relation to other human remains, a reference to the repatriation of Maori remains in 2009 that I thought would serve as a precedent for Inishbofin. Furthermore, this department manages an anatomy donor programme and has developed a highly regarded ethnical approach to handling human remains. I was optimistic, but I was wrong. It took the murder of George Floyd in 2020 for Old Anatomy to even acknowledge Marie's request. Floyd's murder mobilised the Black Lives Matter Movement and triggered widespread public protests against colonial era anthropological collections that perpetuated racism. Up to that point the Old Anatomy Steering Group had refused to engage with the question of repatriation. After that point, we became part of an international movement demanding that universities and museums deal with their colonial legacies. Pegi Vail and Cathy Galvin joined us and we formed a collective called the Haddon Dixon Repatriation Project. Picture: Ciaran Walsh In 2020, Provost Paddy Prendergast announced his plan to engage with the movement and decolonise the TCD campus. We wrote to him proposing that the repatriation of the Haddon Dixon collection would be a good start. He responding quickly, stating that he had consulted the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Head of the School of Medicine and they supported fully the idea that any crania held by Trinity College that can be identified as coming from Inishbofin should be returned; recognising that this requires utmost care and sensitivity. No mention was made of St Finian's Bay or the Aran Islands and this was the first sign of trouble. The second was TCD's insistence on using de-accession to describe the process, thereby rejecting repatriation and its association with the colonial legacies movement. De-accession, incidentally, is a technical term used by museum managers to describe the process of selling off parts of a collection to fund the acquisition of new material. This came as a shock because it simultaneously objectified and commodified human remains. It also signalled a strategy that treated the Haddon Dixon collection as archaeological specimens and used the formal authority of the university as the basis for the retention of the remains. Nevertheless, negotiations continued with the Provost's office, but little progress was made until September 2022, when we set up a meeting with Provost Linda Doyle and her colonial legacies team. Old Anatomy set out its position two weeks in advance of the meeting. The group concluded that the School of Medicine was not in a position to support a request for de-accession of the crania and transfer to the possession of private individuals or historical interest groups. The colonial legacies team seemed to overrule them when Senior Dean Eoin O'Sullivan confirmed that the repatriation of the entire Haddon Dixon collection was being considered. Picture: Ciaran Walsh In October, however, the colonial legacies team reached a compromise with Old Anatomy under which the return of the Inishbofin remains alone would be considered pending the outcome of an evidence-based investigation of their theft. It soon became apparent that this was a strategy designed to remove private individuals or historical interest groups from the decision-making process. That led to a fractious meeting on Inishbofin in November in which the islanders responded with a petition demanding repatriation without condition or delay. Nevertheless, everyone engaged with evidence-based process even though we felt we were being made jump through hoops. The board announced its decision to return the Inishbofin skulls in February and planning commenced for a funeral on Inishbofin. In April, it emerged that board members were not aware of the other half of the collection and this was rectified in June, when Old Anatomy and the colonial legacies team were directed, according to Phil Mullins, a board member, to follow through on a verbal commitment to honour communities' voices and take seriously the need for people to bury their ancestors in their ancestral burial grounds. Old Anatomy met community representative from St Finian's Bay but no contact has been made as yet with the Aran Islands. Picture: Ciaran Walsh Nevertheless, the funeral on Inishbofin marks the beginning of the end of this saga. A grave was opened two weeks ago in the new part of the cemetery, the risk of disturbing burials in the older part being too great. To the accompaniment of keener Caitriona Ni Cheannabhain and musician Eoin Mac Casarlaigh, the islanders lowered the coffin, covered it with straw and filled the grave with soil, placing a layer of sea-rounded white stones on top. A memorial stone was laid on these. It stated May they rest in peace forever more. When he pleaded guilty, it felt like I took my first breath, Ciara Mangan said after the man who raped her was sentenced to eight years in jail, with the final year suspended. It was like something left my body. That was the moment the shame and the guilt left me and he took it into prison with him. Thats what vindication felt like for me. It was the transferring back of the shame onto him finally, after so long. I felt freer, lighter. Ms Mangan waived her right to anonymity in the case against Shane Noonan, aged 28, of Castlehill Park, Turlough Rd, Castlebar, Co Mayo. On Monday, Noonan pleaded guilty to raping her when they were both 18 at a house party in Castlebar on May 11, 2013. The court this week heard that Ms Mangan started to feel very unwell after she was handed an open can of cider at a party. Noonan made a beeline for her when she began to look incapacitated and vulnerable, guided her to a bathroom, and raped her on the floor as she drifted in and out of consciousness. He then left her there alone, like a piece of rubbish in such a vulnerable condition that she could have choked on her own vomit. I am lucky to still be alive, she said. Shane Noonan of Castlehill Park, Turlough Rd, in Castlebar, pleaded guilty to the rape of Ciara Mangan at a house party 10 years ago. Picture: Collins Courts Ms Mangan and Noonan grew up on the same road in Castlebar. She knew him to see but they never spoke before they began working in the same fast food restaurant as teenagers. Even then they barely spoke and she believed he did not like her. He was strange, she said. Ms Mangan believes that the rape was planned. And Ms Justice Eileen Creedon also said that the rape had been premeditated, cold, and predatory. Ms Mangan had not planned to go to the party where she was attacked, but felt pressured to go by people who were older and kind of popular. They said I was wanted there. It was a kind of popular group of people. I thought, wow, they really want me at this party, how cool'." Ms Mangan was handed two open cans of cider with a straw. But halfway through the second can she began to feel very unwell. I couldnt stay awake. I couldnt see and I couldnt hear properly. I couldnt stand unaided. He was stalking me from across the room all the time. Waiting for me to get really out of it. Once he saw his best chance he made a beeline over to me and told me to go upstairs. She refused but was scared of Noonan. She was largely incapacitated, struggling to stay awake, and he guided her to the bathroom where he locked the door, ordered her to lie on the floor, and raped her as she drifted in and out of consciousness. The next day at work everyone already knew that she had been raped and seemed to find it funny. One colleague told her she should just be grateful that he didnt get you pregnant. Id walk into work petrified. I felt shame and embarrassed. The singing and the rape jokes started. Everyone was singing them. I was brainwashed into thinking rape was not a serious thing because people found it so funny." But when her sister was due to start work in the same fast food restaurant she had to stop her and save her from any potential abuse. I couldnt let her go. So I told my Mam then," said Ms Mangan. It was lifted off my shoulders then. My problems felt halved. I knew someone was going to help me." Ciara Mangan: Rape culture needs to be 'shut down'. Picture: Michael Donnelly Ms Mangan had a happy childhood and teenage years until the rape. I was born in London. I lived there until I was eight. But my parents wanted to move somewhere their kids would grow up safer. So we moved to Castlebar because my parents are from Mayo. I had a lovely childhood and lovely teen years. I had great friends. I was good at school. I was a busy girl. I played the fiddle, did lifesaving training, I did horse riding. I was just a normal girl. With a normal family. I was happy. Ms Mangan was ambitious and worked hard in school. She planned to study accountancy. I worked so hard, I really did. But it all just crumbled so close to the end. Id have got at least 150 more points, probably more [without the trauma of the rape beforehand]. Despite the trauma, Ms Mangan secured enough points to study business and German at the University of Limerick. But her mental health was so badly impacted that she was on the verge of suicide in the first year. My Mam called me. I had not left my bed for a week. I said, Im sorry but I dont want to live anymore'. She kept me on the phone to make sure I was safe, got in the car from Mayo, and came to bring me home. I didnt want to live anymore. But the only reason I didnt do anything was because of my family. My medication got upped and I really had to commit to psychological therapy and dealing with the trauma. And it really helped. I did get out of that depression and life started to get a little bit better. I got my degree and because I could speak German I decided to go to Berlin. I really was so excited to run away from Castlebar. He was still out. Youd see him everywhere you went. They [the rapists] go around living their best lives and their victims are just silenced and hiding and feeling scared and anxious about bumping into them. It should be the other way around. It makes you angry. I spent 10 years hiding away from him but it should have been the other way around. He should have been hiding from me. I only walked on my own around Castlebar for the first time once he had pleaded guilty and I knew he was in jail. Ms Mangan got an accounting job in Berlin and has been in the city for four years. She has a German boyfriend and the pair plan to move to the west coast of Ireland, most probably Galway, in the coming months. Ms Mangans experience is horribly common. CSO data Recent CSO data shows that four in 10 adults have experienced sexual violence, 52% of women and 28% of men. But prosecutions for sexual offences, although rising, remain low, as do convictions. Its like you dont know how many victims there are living in the shadows of all of these rapists and abusers, said Ms Mangan. She encouraged anyone who has suffered sexual violence to contact the Rape Crisis Centre, which helped her to heal after the attack. People are waiting in the Rape Crisis Centre with open arms to just hear what you have to say. You will be believed. And no matter how many years have gone by, its never too late. Youre not alone. She has called for rape culture to be shut down by the people of Ireland refusing to tolerate language that makes light of sexual violence. I think rape culture needs to be seriously looked at in this country. I think people take it too lightly and dont appreciate the seriousness and devastation it causes. "Not just to victims and survivors but to their families as well, their friends. It needs to be not tolerated, completely shut down. If you do hear someone making light of this, you have to say, no, thats not okay to say'. Thats such a basic but vital step in ending rape culture. If people had said it back then it could have saved me a lot of trauma and pain and suffering. And maybe I wouldnt have issues with trust, or doubting myself, things like that, now. Ciara Mangan speaking outside the Criminal Courts of Justice. Picture: Collins Courts Ms Mangan said that the court process should also be speeded up to make it easier for victims of crime. It took five years, including two years of covid delays, to bring her case to court. Character references for rapists must also be banned in courts, she said. Its like were living back 200 years ago that people can support a rapist. And for it to be recognised as a mitigating factor [in the judges sentencing]. Theres already a jury and judge, why do we need references from other people? Ms Mangan never got an apology letter from Noonan and said she does not want one. But she has heard from other survivors who reached out on social media to thank her for her bravery in speaking out. "One person said, I want to thank you on behalf of all the women and men of Ireland. What you did was so brave and courageous. Ive gone through something similar. Youve given me some form of light. And hope'. "If there was just one thing I could have done by waiving my right to anonymity it was putting a face out there for victims and showing some hope maybe to other people. "Now, I just want to put this behind me, if I can. Ill never forget it. But I feel I do have a brighter future now. I know Im going to be happy." Japanese, US and South Korean officials have condemned North Korea over its recent ICBM-class ballistic missile launches and vowed to step up co-operation to strengthen deterrence and sanctions against the North. The three countries have also stressed the need for dialogue with Pyongyang. Their meeting on Thursday in the central Japanese city of Karuizawa comes days after North Koreas solid-fuel ICBM launch last week, which landed in the water off the western coast of Japans northern main island of Hokkaido, and one day after the launch of two other missiles. The American special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, also said that the United States was working hard to gather information about a US soldier who fled to the North earlier this month. The US is seeking to ensure his safety and return him home, Mr Kim said. Pte Travis King, 23, had been held in South Korea on assault charges and was released on July 10 after serving his time. He was taken to the airport on Monday but did not board his flight home. Instead, he joined a tourist trip to the border and bolted to the North Korean side. US special representative for North Korea Sung Kim speaks during the trilateral meeting with Japanese and South Korean officials (Pool via AP) Mr Kim said he and his Japanese counterpart, Takehiro Funakoshi, director general of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau at the foreign ministry, and South Koreas Kim Gunn, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, were to also discuss their leaders summit planned for next month in the United States. In his opening remarks, Japans Mr Funakoshi said Tokyo seeks to further strengthen the three-way security cooperation to enhance deterrence and implement sanctions against the North over its missile advancement in violation to the United Nations Security Council resolutions. However, he also stressed the need for dialogue with the North. He reiterated that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was willing to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without any preconditions to resolve the decades-old issue of North Koreas abductions of Japanese nationals. Sung Kim said the United States had no hostile intent and that we are willing and ready to sit down at the negotiating table to work through our differences. South Koreas Mr Kim said the three officials were to affirm their intent for dialogue with North Korea, while discussing ways to strengthen close communication to bring North Korea back to the path to denuclearisation and to encourage Chinas constructive role. He noted the start of this weeks launch of a nuclear consultation between Seoul and Washington, saying North Korea undermined its own security, while its attempt to intimidate the two allies only upgraded their cooperation on nuclear deterrence. Thousands of Israelis have joined a march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in the latest protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus vow to push through a controversial overhaul of the judicial system. Hundreds of protesters became thousands as Israelis joined the 45-mile march throughout the day in a demonstration against one of Israels most far-right governments in history. The demonstrators plan to camp overnight at Shoresh, about 11 miles from Jerusalem, before making their way to Israels parliament on Saturday, the Jewish holy day of Shabbat. The march comes a day after Mr Netanyahu vowed to press ahead with the plan, defying demonstrators, growing defections by military reservists and appeals from US President Joe Biden to put the plan on hold. There are widespread concerns the proposed law would undermine the judicial system (AP) Protesters carried Israelis flags and political signs in a line more than two miles long that wound through olive orchards and farmland. They had left Tel Aviv on Thursday, camping overnight roughly halfway to Jerusalem near the Latrun Monastery. Rising on Friday to shared meals and coffee, the protesters dismantled their tents as others prayed with their arms wrapped in tefillin before they all began marching again towards Jerusalem and the Knesset, Israels parliament. Legislators are expected to vote Monday on a bill that would curtail the supreme courts oversight powers by limiting its ability to strike down decisions it deems unreasonable. The standard is meant as a safeguard to protect against corruption and improper appointments of unqualified people. The bill is one of several keystone pieces of the Netanyahu governments judicial overhaul plan. Mr Netanyahu and his allies a collection of ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties say the plan is needed to curb what they consider excessive powers of unelected judges. Critics say the legislation will concentrate power in the hands of Mr Netanyahu and his far-right allies and undermine the countrys system of checks and balance. They also say Mr Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, has a conflict of interest. There is also a concern that Mr Netanyahu has a conflict of interest (AP) The proposal has bitterly divided the Israeli public and drawn appeals from Mr Biden for Mr Netanyahu to forge a broad national consensus before passing any legislation. The judicial overhaul plan was announced shortly after Mr Netanyahu took office as Prime Minister following Novembers parliamentary elections. It was Israels fifth election in under four years, with all of the votes serving as a referendum on his leadership. Presidents of major Israeli universities said they would hold a strike on Sunday to protest against the bill, local media reported. Doctors held a two-hour warning strike on Wednesday against the proposed overhaul, which they said would wreak havoc on the healthcare system by granting politicians greater control over public health. They vowed more severe measures if the bill is voted through. Thousands of people have taken to the streets in a handful of Muslim-majority countries to express outrage at the desecration of a copy of the Koran in Sweden, a day after protesters stormed the countrys embassy in Iraq. The protests in Iraq, Lebanon, Iran and Pakistan that followed weekly prayers were controlled and peaceful, in contrast to scenes in Baghdad on Thursday when demonstrators occupied the Swedish embassy compound for several hours and set a small fire. The embassy staff had been evacuated before the storming, and Swedish news agency TT reported that they were relocated to Stockholm for security reasons. For Muslims, any desecration of the Koran, their holy text, is abhorrent. Hezbollah supporters burn the Swedish flag in Beirut (AP/PA) Under scorching heat on Friday, thousands gathered in Baghdads Sadr City, a stronghold of influential Iraqi Shia cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr, some of whose followers took part in the attack on the Swedish embassy. They brandished Korans, burned the Swedish flag and the LGBTQ rainbow flag and chanted: Yes, yes to the Koran, no, no to Israel. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had called on protesters and security forces to ensure that the demonstrations remained peaceful. In the southern suburbs of Beirut, thousands more gathered at a protest called by the Iran-backed militia and political party Hezbollah, also brandishing copies of the holy book and chanting with our blood, we protect the Koran. Some burned Swedish flags. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a video address on Thursday night that Muslims should demand their governments expel Swedens ambassadors. Iraq cut diplomatic ties with Sweden earlier that day. I invite brothers and sisters in all neighbourhoods and villages to attend all mosques, carrying their Korans and sit in them, calling on the state to take a stance toward Sweden, Mr Nasrallah said in the address, according to Lebanons state-run National News Agency. Rallies were held in Muslim-majority countries after Friday prayers (AP/PA) In Iran, thousands marched in Tehran and other cities across the country, demonstrations that were aired on state television. In the capital, protesters gathered in the city centre, chanting: Death to the Americanised Sweden! Death to Israel! Death to enemies of the supreme leader! Smaller rallies took place elsewhere, including in Pakistan, where hundreds gathered in various cities, particularly in the countrys north-west area bordering Afghanistan. A larger rally was planned for Saturday in Karachi, the countrys largest city, convened by Fazl-ur-Rahman, the head of the pro-Taliban religious party Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Pakistan. Mr Rahman is part of the coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who wrote on Twitter on Friday that the granting of permission to desecrate the Holy Koran, Torah and Bible is part of a sinister, vile and despicable agenda whose sole aim could be to threaten world peace. The demonstrations come after Swedish police permitted a protest on Thursday in which an Iraqi of Christian origin living in Stockholm now a self-described atheist threatened to burn a copy of the Koran. In the end, the man kicked and stood on the holy book outside the Iraqi Embassy. He gave similar treatment to an Iraqi flag and to photos of Mr al-Sadr and of Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The right to hold public demonstrations is protected by the constitution in Sweden, and blasphemy laws were abandoned in the 1970s. Police generally give permission based on whether they believe a public gathering can be held without major disruptions or safety risks. The reaction in Iraq was particularly virulent, although no embassy staff were injured since none were present. After protesters left the embassy, diplomats closed it to visitors without specifying when it would reopen. The desecration of the Islamic holy book in Sweden sparked outrage (AP/PA) The state-run Iraqi News Agency reported that some 20 people were arrested in connection with the storming of the embassy. Among those arrested were an Associated Press photographer and two Reuters staff who were covering the protests. The detained journalists were released hours later without charges, following an order from the prime ministers office. Mr al-Sudani, the Iraqi prime minister, ordered the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador and the withdrawal of the Iraqi charge daffaires from Sweden. Leaders in several Muslim-majority countries condemned the desecration of the Koran and summoned diplomats from Sweden to express their outrage. Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian wrote a letter to the United Nations secretary-general, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to play a historic role in expressing the sentiments of Muslims and stopping this demonisation. Meanwhile, the Swedish Foreign Ministry conveyed to the Iraqi charge daffaires that the storming of the embassy was completely unacceptable, according to the TT agency. Thursdays Koran desecration was the second to involve the Iraqi man in Sweden, identified as Salwan Momika. Last month, a man identified by local media and on his social media as Momika burned a Koran outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, triggering widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. Veteran democracy activist Ko Mya Aye, a former 88 Generation student leader and now a leader of the political organization Federal Democratic Force, was among the first people to have their homes surrounded and to be detained at gunpoint during the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021. He was jailed by the junta and only released in a mass amnesty in November 2022. The democracy activist had already been jailed on two earlier occasions by former military juntas for his political activism after the 1988 uprising. The Irrawaddy recently talked with him to get his views on the current situation in the country more than two years after the coup attempt, as well as on federalism and the juntas use of jailed leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to conduct hostage diplomacy. What do you think of the junta-arranged meeting between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai? Do you see it as the juntas attempt to reduce the pressure on it, both internal and external? There has been much debate over Daw Aung San Suu Kyis words [at the meeting] and this has had a great impact. But I think it is still difficult to know whether this statement [Dons statement claiming that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi called for negotiations with the junta] is true [truly reflects her words] or not. Politics depends on principles and the stands that we take. It cant depend solely on one person. We need to weigh everything against our principles and our stand to find the right path. In politics, there can be a lot of different opinions, agreements and disagreements. We need to take those into consideration but based on what we hope for, and what path we are taking. Thats how I measure it. Another factor is that the situation has become one of political stagnation. If we look to the military side, as we all know, according to the 2008 Constitution, if two years have passed [since the emergency declaration], the election must be held. But given the current situation inside the country, there is no way it can be held. As you can see, there is no stability in many areas such as Magwe, Sagaing, Karenni [Kayah], and Karen, and thus it is impossible to hold an election. Similarly, if we look at the forces on our side, we see that it is still quite difficult to reach our original goal. This means that the situation is now in a deadlock. In this kind of situation, Daw Aung San Suu Kyis returning to the political spotlight is particularly significant. Thus, there are some who hope that this can ease the current situation. However, whether good things can happen for the country or not depends on many things. To put it bluntly, there are ways that young people are now engaged in [armed resistance] and there may be other ways. I think it will depend on which method satisfies the publics wishes. How do you see the role of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was elected by the people? Is she still relevant? There are some who no longer consider her to be central to Myanmar politics. What do you think? I would say I disagree with that. I always say that there may be differences of opinion. Not only with Daw Aung San Suu Kyiwith whomever it may be. But based on disagreements [with her], to say she is no longer central would be a somewhat biased assessment. One thing that is certain is that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is a leader who is still accepted by the majority of people in Myanmar. One cant say the public, who see her as Amay Suu [Mother Suu] no longer have affection towards her or accept her because they disapprove or dislike one action by her. If one thinks only they are right, and that those who are not the same as them are wrong, one is limiting oneself. Another issue is whether Daw Suu can solve the situation alone. Todays problem has become a federal democracy problem. In other words, we have higher political aspirations than before. This means that we cant solve the problem without the ethnic forces. The reason for not being able to do so can be seen by looking back at the peace efforts during the U Thein Sein government in 2010. You can see the efforts of Daw Aung San Suu Kyis NLD [National League for Democracy] government, which tried to end the civil war in the country by holding the second Panglong conference in 2015. Todays youth strongly want to see democracy in the country and to secure the original rights of ethnic groups. When it comes to achieving those, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi alone cant solve the problem. This is also obvious if we look at the disputes with ethnic groups that happened in 2015 to 2020 [roughly the term of the NLD government]. While Daw Aung San Suu Kyi alone cant solve the problems, on the other hand, you have said that she and the NLD cant be removed from Myanmar politics. Is this still your view? I will speak openly. Now, if we held an election like before, the NLD would definitely win again. This is what the public chose. We cant just disregard this fact. However, we cant assume that this alone would solve all of the countrys problems. Because the current issue is no longer democracy alone. The situation has developed. In 1988, we talked about democracy. There was no [talk about] federalism. And before that, we were fed propaganda that federalism led to divisions within the Union. Gradually, it was understood that federalism needed to be established to restore the original rights of ethnic groups. The young people of the current age know better. So, if we are going to solve these issues, we cant leave out the ethnic groups. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLDs role is important, and the role of ethnic groups is also very important. Looking at the state of the country, how do you assess the current conflict situation? The situation is pretty bad. If you look at politics, society or the economy, or just look at education, we are in a very chaotic situation. Things have really deteriorated. We dont know where justice has gone with all the bloodshed and everything. Right now, I see that the country is pretty torn up. My personal view is that its a failed state. It is definitely a failed state. This is not a good situation. How do we recover from such a situation? There are various ways. However, one thing is certain, if you can offer a way that reflects the expectations and political aspirations of the people in the country, people will accept it. If that is the case, I believe the country will recover. What do you think is the root cause of all these problems? For now we are focusing on democracy and federalism. For federalism, as this is about nation building, we have to start thinking about what systems should be applied, and how. When thinking about solving the issue of federal democracy, we need to examine whether or not the 2008 Constitution encourages it. I have repeatedly said that in my own opinion, the 2008 Constitution is less oriented towards federal democracy. I do not think it can work and I want to create a new constitution that is compatible with federal democracy. There are two roads we can take here. Some may prefer to gradually expand the 2008 [Constitution]. But for me, Id go for drafting a new one. Because we have to think about the form of the state. What are the aspirations of the ethnic groups? There are different demands and different wishes among ethnic organizations and ethnic groups. We must gather all of these first and then start thinking about how to build a Union. But there may also be those who seek to amend almost all parts of the 2008 Constitution. If we can see the light from within the darkness, the path will become clearer. Next week marks one year since the juntas execution of your comrade, Ko Jimmy, and three others. In light of their hangings, how do you assess the political situation in Myanmar? On the 23rd [of July] it will be a year since my friend Jimmy and my younger brother Zeya Thaw were hanged. Since I was freed from prison, I have said that [hanging them] was committing a huge mistake. In the history of our student movement, it was the first time this happened since Salai Ko Tin Maung Oo [in 1976] It is very ugly. The political impact is also very big. Ridiculous. It is totally unacceptable. One thing is for sure: They are noble martyrs. But their lives cannot be returned. It is a big loss for the country. A great loss for our generation and future generations. Do you see any way out of the current deadlock? I think its a little early to say. Because politics is deadlocked now and every word is very sensitive. For me, I stand on three points. No. 1 is the emergence of a political landscape compatible with federal democracy or a federal democratic constitution. No. 2, we want international cooperation to help make that happen. No. 3: How much time will it take for us to rebuild the country? For that, I dont want it to take more than three years, as our people and country have suffered more than enough. But I have no say in deciding that [time frame]. For international cooperation, I believe that it is necessary for the international community to step in and solve it. I think its not easy. To be clear, we need a referee. Thats all. I approach every problem on the basis of those three things. When it comes to international cooperation, what do you think of the international response to the Myanmar situation over the past more than two years? There are some people who approach it with the idea that the international community will come and save us. In reality, in our own countrys affairs, I see domestic politics is more important. The international community will support, help, cooperate, and act as they can. It will not be much, as we expected. We can say to the international community that nothing has been implemented regarding the ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] Five Point Consensus for more than two years, but the international community said the same thing at the recent ASEAN meeting. If you look at the UN, the US, China, we see that they all back this Five Point Consensus. This is the international scene. We need to be aware of it. Regarding the ethnic groups, how do you view the current situation? Some groups are fighting together with the resistance while others are engaging with the junta? The ethnic groups are fighting for their original rights because those have been extinguished. The history of each group, the status of their region, their political ambitions wont all be the same. And thus, they will consider [the situation] based on who can fulfill their goals and to what extent. Because [it has happened] many times in historythere was the 1947 Panglong contract, but the Panglong contract did not materialize. Similarly, before, [governments] also held a lot of discussions and things. But the desires of the ethnic people werent fulfilled. So they have great doubts about local politicians and local forces. We need to understand this. The interests of each group are different. And thus, there are those that are engaging with the junta. We cant blame them for that. We just have to think about how we can bring them together. We cant look down on them because they go to the other side and not come to our side. That wont bring any benefits for us. When building a country, we cannot exclude any ethnic parties, including ethnic armed organizations. I think we need to try to understand this. When building a federal democracy, is it necessary to make democratic standards such as election results a lower priority, and prioritize federalism? Election results and federalism are two totally separate issues. The issue of nation building is [related to federalism], while elections have to do with democracy and with people voting. I see your point: What if a party won a majority and the ethnic parties dont win? Elections will be dealt with after we have handled the issues of power sharing, resource sharing, and all of these things under the federal structure. It is clear. Democratic standards cannot be removed. Similarly, when you implement a federal system, we cant say an election will be held in this state and not in that state. For example, lets consider America, the model country for federalism. If we look at America, if the Democratic Party wins, the Democrats form the [federal administration] and take the presidency. So too, if the Republican Party wins, the Republicans form the administration and take the presidency. Thats how it is. Five civilians, including a child, were killed and seven injured in indiscriminate junta shelling in Khin-U Township in the resistance stronghold of Sagaing Region over five days. Two villagers died on the spot and three sustained injuries when a shell hit Mu Thar village on Thursday morning, according to a volunteer. A woman in her 20s and a man in his 40s were killed by the junta bombardment, a volunteer said. Thousands of residents are taking shelter in monasteries and schools amid frequent raids, arson attacks and artillery strikes by junta forces. We dont dare to stay in our homes at night. We only return to get food during the daytime, a villager said. Schools have been shut for a week and at least 5,000 residents from seven villages had fled their homes in western Khin-U by Thursday. On Wednesday, shelling targeted civilian targets in western Khin-U, killing two residents, including a six-year-old, in Thet Pay village, according to a villager. A boy and his uncle died on the spot. His mother and another two relatives were injured when their house was shelled, he said. A junta base in Ye-U Township has been shelling Khin-U since Sunday when a junta infantry unit passed through the area, heading towards Ye-U. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports. On July 16, a displaced villager was killed and one injured in Inn Pat village during a bombardment. There has been no fighting reported with resistance forces in Khin-U Township during the past week. Around 5,500 houses from 75 villages have reportedly been incinerated by junta infantry in the township since the 2021 coup. The Arakan Army (AA) has warned that Myanmars regime is risking an armed conflict in Rakhine State by violating a ceasefire agreement. The military and AA engaged in fierce fighting from late 2018 to November 2020. After approximately 18 months of relative calm, the two sides clashed again from August to November last year before declaring an unofficial truce after mediation by Yohei Sasakawa, Japans special envoy to Myanmar. The ceasefire came after the junta blockaded main roads and waterways in northern Rakhine for more than two months, blocking food and medicine supplies. Farmers also could not harvest rice in parts of the state because of indiscriminate junta shelling. The ceasefire was agreed on humanitarian grounds and the regime agreed to stop arrests, release innocent civilians and lift travel restrictions, AA spokesman Khaing Thukha told The Irrawaddy. The regime has violated the agreement. It has imprisoned civilians on terrorism charges, he said. The regime has detainees charged under Unlawful Association Act or Counterterrorism Law over alleged ties to the AA. A senior clerk from Thandwe District General Administration Department was given a two-year sentence on July 7 for sedition. He was detained in November last year and charged under the Unlawful Association Act. Six Taungup Township residents were sentenced by the junta-controlled Thandwe District Court on July 11 to four years in prison under the Counterterrorism Law. Buthidaung Township Court last week charged two village administrators under the Unlawful Association Act over alleged ties to the AA. They were detained last September. We constantly ask for their release. It is totally unacceptable that they are jailing them despite our requests. The regime must stop this, otherwise it might lead to armed conflict, he told The Irrawaddy. The regime continues to restrict the delivery of goods by roads and waterways in the state with approval needed from the juntas security and border affairs minister to bring goods into Rakhine State. Tensions rose when junta troops attempted to enter AA territory in Rathedaung and Kyauktaw townships on the pretext of delivering aid after Cyclone Mocha, said residents. The majority of victims have received little humanitarian aid since the storm in May. Rakhine politician U Pe Than said: Myanmars military is seeking to survey AA areas on the pretext of helping the victims of Cyclone Mocha. They were trying to survey the area for military reasons. But they dont really want to fight the AA. There are checkpoints manned by the AA on public roads and the regime could attack them if it wants a fight. Observers say fighting is possible at any time with no concrete political agreement. During the latest fighting in Rakhine, the regime has prosecuted around 100 people with most verdicts still pending amid complaints of unexplained delays by relatives. A teacher who ran an online school opposed to military rule was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday by a Myanmar junta court at Obo Prison in Mandalay, according to lawyers. Daw Ei Shwe Sin Myint was head of the Federal School of Aung Myay Thar Zan in Aungmyaythazan Township, Mandalay Region, in cooperation with the civilian National Unity Government (NUG). She was charged with terrorism at Aungmyaythazan District Court and tried by a special court in the prison. She was given 20 years. There are also co-defendants. I dont know their sentences, a lawyer told The Irrawaddy on condition of anonymity. The school was opened in February 2022, a year after the coup, for families that rejected education under the junta with classes from primary to lower-secondary levels. Four teachers, including Daw Ei Shwe Sin Myint, were arrested on March 22 last year. The school was subsequently closed. Junta newspapers in April last year reported that 15 teachers, aged 20 to 40, were arrested for unlawfully teaching at the instruction of the NUG. The reports warned that those who financed the school, collaborated with it and the parents would also face prosecution. The schools were not NUG-run but rather community schools emerging from cooperation between teachers who joined the civil disobedience movement (CDM), children and parents, said a striking high-school teacher. Community schools were opened to provide education for all and set up a federal education system to challenge the military dictatorship and its education. But people who have forcibly seized power with weapons say the schools are unlawful, she said. While some schools are online, in some parts of Sagaing Region and ethnic-minority areas where resistance forces have replaced junta administration, children can study in community schools. The regime makes sure striking teachers do not work at private schools. A striking lecturer from Yadanabon University: It is quite ugly to arrest and imprison those teaching children. It is against the law. Teachers have been officially dismissed for joining the CDM. And it is extrajudicial bullying to arrest them for teaching outside public schools. Three resistance fighters were killed and two more were injured on Wednesday when Magwe Region resistance groups attacked a pro-junta village in southern Pauk Township. Fierce fighting began at about 5am when several resistance groups jointly attacked Tat Kone Villagethe base of a pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia and a military unit. We were attacked first by the regime forces while we were approaching the village. Three resistance members were killed by a junta explosive, Ko Nay Lone, a leader of Pakokku District Peoples Defense Force, told the Irrawaddy on Friday. Two other resistance members were injured. Two regime forces were also killed in the clash and at least 11 others were injured. The Irrawaddy could not independently confirm casualty figures. The junta also conducted a 45-minute airstrike on resistance forces with a Mi-35 attack helicopter, but no resistance fighters were injured in the airstrike, said the Chauk Guerilla Force, which joined the resistance raid. One of its members suffered a leg injury. The resistance group said they were unable to enter the village. Local resistance groups said that at least 23 villages in southern Pauk Township have been looted and incinerated by regime forces and Pyu Saw Htee militia groups based in pro-junta villages, including Tat Kone. On July 11, a combined force of resistance groups raided the pro-junta villages of Tat Kone and Ywar Thit, torching junta bases and the houses of militia leaders. At least 10 regime forces and militia members were killed in the raid in which the junta also used a Mi-35 helicopter in an attempt to repel resistance forces. At least 31 Myanmar junta forces including pro-junta militia members as well as three resistance fighters were killed in four days of clashes as Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) continued to attack regime targets across the country. Incidents were reported in Kachin and Chin states and Sagaing, Magwe, Mandalay and Bago regions. The Irrawaddy has rounded up the following reports of significant attacks from PDFs. Some military casualties could not be independently verified. Military unit ambushed with land mines in Kachin At least 10 junta troops were killed and 15 others seriously injured in Shwegu Township, Kachin State on Thursday when Myohla PDF group triggered improvised land mines to ambush a military unit of 100 troops raiding villages along the bank of the Irrawaddy River, the PDF group said. After the ambush, injured soldiers and the bodies of killed soldiers were transported to a junta base in Shwegu town on motorboats. Pro-junta militia members killed in Bago Tharawaddy District PDF Battalion 3802 claimed to have killed two pro-junta militia members, Chit Hmawe and Kaung San, on a road in the Bago Yoma Mountains in Minhla Township, Bago Region on Wednesday. The two militia members were arrested and killed while illegally transporting charcoal in a vehicle. The PDF group said the victims willingly helped the military regime by transporting regime troops to Yoma Mountain and searching for PDF camps on the mountain. Military camp attacked in Magwe Two pro-regime militia members and three resistance fighters were killed during a clash in Pauk Township, Magwe Region on Wednesday when several resistance groups jointly attacked military bases in the pro-junta village of Tat Kone, where Pyu Saw Htee militia members are recruited, said Chauk Guerilla Force, which joined the resistance attack. In the clash, six soldiers and militia members were also injured. A junta Mi-35 helicopter gunship attacked the resistance forces. On July 11, resistance groups raided the village, killing around 10 soldiers and militia members. Junta base raided in Magwe Many regime forces are believed to have been killed and injured in Yesagyo Township, Magwe Region on Wednesday when the PDF group Myingyan Black Tiger attempted to occupy a junta base in Hin Thar Village, the resistance group claimed. The resistance group abandoned its attempt to occupy the base when its rocket-propelled grenade launcher was damaged in an accident. Heavy clashes erupt in Kanpetlet, Chin At least 13 regime troops were killed during two days of clashes with Chin Defense Force (Kanpetlet) in Kanpetlet Township, Chin State on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the resistance group. On Tuesday, two clashes between the Chin resistance group and a military unit broke out near a village, leaving eight soldiers dead and many injured. After sustaining heavy losses, the junta used five fighter jets to bomb the clash site and a nearby village, damaging seven buildings including a church, the Chin resistance group said. Five more soldiers were killed on Wednesday as clashes continued in the area. Four resistance fighters also suffered injuries. Police station bombed by resistance drones in Sagaing The Civilians Defense and Security Organization of Myaung (CDSOM) said it and other resistance groups used five improvised fixed-wing drones to conduct strikes on the township police station in Myaung Town, Sagaing Region on Wednesday. After being bombed, regime forces from the police station responded with firearms. Military casualties were unknown. During the mission, the resistance group lost three drones. Also, three resistance members suffered injuries due to an accident involving a bomb. Police outpost bombed in Sagaing The resistance drone group Eagle Brigade said it coordinated with three other resistance groups to conduct drone strikes on the Kan Daunt police outpost in Pale Township, Sagaing Region on Wednesday. Police and military casualties were unknown. Junta forces ambushed in Sagaing The resistance group Black Wolf Army said it and other resistance groups attacked a military unit of 50 troops between two villages in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region on Monday, killing two regime forces. Drones were also used to drop bombs on the regime forces. In the clash, the junta used an Mi-35 helicopter gunship to attack the resistance forces, the PDF group said. Two junta soldiers killed in mine attacks in Mandalay Natogyi PDF, which forms Myingyan District PDF Battalion 4, claimed to have killed two regime troops in Natogyi Township, Mandalay Region on Thursday when it triggered land mines to ambush regime forces near a mountain. Friday, Jul 21st, 2023 (9:00 am) - Score 2,376 Telecoms giant BT and satellite operator OneWeb have completed the deployment of their new rural broadband trial on Lundy Island, near the North Devon coast, which aims to help bring high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity to residents supported by the UK Governments (DSIT) Alpha Trials programme. Back in April 2023 the Government announced (here) that theyd committed 8m of public investment to help deliver high-speed broadband (this was not defined) via Satellite-backed network solutions for up to 35,000 of the UKs most remote properties (i.e. those unable to get gigabit-capable connections) specifically on Shetland in Scotland and Lundy Island in England. NOTE: OneWeb has launched 634 small (c.150kg) satellites into a Low Earth Orbit (inc. one experimental GEN2 spacecraft) orbiting at an altitude of 1,200km above the Earth (588 of them for coverage and the rest for redundancy). The good news is that BT and OneWeb have now completed the deployment of their trial on Lundy Island (pictured), which sits 19km off the coast of North Devon and is home to a permanent, albeit tiny, population of just 28 residents. Not to mention being a designated Marine Conservation Zone and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with three endemic species and over 21,000 seabirds. In this setup, connectivity is said to be delivered through the installation of an Intellian dual parabolic terminal on the island itself (pictured). This outdoor satellite antenna system connects to OneWebs constellation of LEO satellites, enabling high throughput and low latencies to even the most remote locations. This is then connected to an indoor satellite modem to provide two-way data connectivity. The connection then travels from a User Terminal (UT) to Satellite Network Portal (SNP) via the satellites, where it is backhauled across OneWebs Wide Area Network to handover at one of BTs Points of Presence (PoP) in London. Greg McCall, BT Groups Chief Networks Officer, said: Its brilliant to be bringing high-speed, low-latency connectivity to Lundy Island in partnership with OneWeb and DSIT. The installation will not only have a transformative impact on the island and its residents, but is also a significant milestone in demonstrating the value of satellite communications and the crucial role such solutions will play in enabling digital connectivity across the entirety of the UK and beyond. Stephen Beynon, OneWebs Chief Commercial Officer, said: We are excited to be working with BT and DSIT across Lundy Island, as we deliver consistent and stable connectivity to its community. This project illustrates the importance of collaboration between OneWeb and its partners, to maximise the benefits of LEO solutions for rural and hard-to-reach areas. We look forward to continuing our partnership with government and the telecoms industry to improve access to connectivity services globally. The description of the network setup isnt particularly clear, and as such were unsure of precisely what approach BT and OneWeb are using to deliver the end-user connections between the satellite terminal and premises (e.g. fixed wireless or backhaul for a local 4G/5G mobile mast or fixed line broadband). Similarly, theres currently no detail on how fast the data connection is or what latency theyve been able to achieve. Not to mention how much the end-users may be charged for the service itself. One other big question mark in all this is the cost per premises passed. None of the kit being installed is particularly cheap and that could be an issue when needing to serve such a tiny community, although well probably have to wait for a post-trial report from the government before being able to learn more about its economic viability. Not to mention whether its better value than simply using a Starlink system. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. ( Middle East Monitor ) The two major political parties in the US have waded into the debate about whether or not Israel is a racist state by passing a non-binding resolution pledging loyalty and support to it. Democrats and Republicans employed the symbolic power of Congress in a move intended to counter the near unanimous consensus among major human rights groups about Israels practice of apartheid. The US, said one critic, is behaving like thought police on the issue. Tuesdays vote in Congress comes as an international debate over how to define the situation in the territories from the west of River Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea heats up. For many millennia, the territory was part of historic Palestine. Human rights groups, including Israels BTselem, have concluded that the most accurate description, given Israels total control and domination of every inch of the territory, is apartheid. US lawmakers, though, passed a resolution overwhelmingly proclaiming that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state. The message appears to be directed not only at progressive critics in Washington, but also to shield Israel from criticism and hand supporters of the occupation state ammunition with which to push back against growing support for the Palestinian cause in America and elsewhere. The resolution was rushed through to coincide with the visit of Isaac Herzog. The Israeli president was in Washington to address Congress. His visit, however did not pass without controversy. Members of the progressive camp of lawmakers slammed the decision to honour Herzog in such a manner, given that he is effectively the head of a state which has very clearly passed the threshold of apartheid. Ten Democrats declined to back the resolution, which passed by a vote of 412 to 9. One lawmaker voted present. Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat and the first Palestinian American Muslim woman elected to Congress, argued against the resolution in an emotional speech. Israel is an apartheid state, insisted Tlaib. This is not made up. She cited determinations from UN officials, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and the Israeli human rights organisation BTselem. All have concluded that Israels treatment of Palestinians amounts to apartheid, which is akin to a crime against humanity. There are dozens of other groups and experts, including former Israeli officials, who have reached the same conclusion. Article continues after bonus IC video Majority Report with Sam Seder: Tlaib SHREDS Bipartisan Defense Of Israels Right-Wing Genocidal Apartheid Of Palestinians The [Israeli] government is deeply problematic in the way that it is proceeding in the structure of oppression, Tlaib continued. This is about speaking up against violence. Congress must stop funding apartheid. Tuesdays resolution was symbolic, but it showed the increasingly firm approach that Israels supporters are taking to shield the occupation state. The United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel, the resolution concluded. Questions were raised over why Congress was wasting time on an issue that has very little impact on US citizens. The shocking denial by the lawmakers of what is clearly a reality in occupied Palestine was also questioned. Israels regime *is* apartheid, tweeted the former head of BTselem following the Congress vote. This fact is so flagrantly obvious, that the US House of Representatives had to try and deny it via a pathetic, thought-police style, 412-9-1 vote. Which only proves once again that nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come. Israel's regime *is* apartheid. This fact is so flagrantly obvious, that the U.S. House of Representatives had to try and deny it via a pathetic, thought-police style, 412-9-1 vote. Which only proves once again that nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come. pic.twitter.com/y14fSV1ykA Hagai El-Ad (@HagaiElAd) July 19, 2023 The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment. Via Middle East Monitor Reddit Email 44 Shares Review of Abdelrahman Ayyash, Amr ElAfifi, and Noha Ezzat, Broken Bonds: The Existential Crisis of Egypts Muslim Brotherhood, 2013-22 (Washington, DC: The Century Foundation, 2023). Munich (Special to Informed Comment) July 3, 2023, marked the tenth anniversary of the military coup that removed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi from power, paving the way for the establishment of an autocratic regime led by the retired military officer Abdel Fatah al-Sisi. The overthrow of Morsi sent the Muslim Brotherhood, the sociopolitical organization that supported him, into what many consider its most severe crisis since it was founded in 1928 by the Egyptian teacher and imam Hassan al-Banna. Morsi had been elected president in June 2012 in the freest Egyptian elections up to date. The first experience of political power for the Brotherhood would last only a bit longer than a year, with the July 2013 coup forcing the members of the Brotherhood into hiding, exile, or, as in Morsis case, imprisonment. Morsi died in prison in June 2019 due to maltreatment. In their collective work The Existential Crisis of Egypts Muslim Brotherhood, 2013-22, Abdelrahman Ayyash, Amr ElAfifi, and Noha Ezzat present a historical overview of the Brotherhood before examining its trajectory during the last decade. Ayyash is a fellow at Century International, the US think tank that published the book. Meanwhile, ElAfifi is a PhD candidate at Syracuse University and Ezzat is an independent writer and researcher. Broken Bonds greatly relies upon multiple interviews with former and current members of the Brotherhood. Overall, the authors see the Brotherhood as finding itself at the lowest point of its almost centennial history, and yet, as a resilient organization that will most likely bounce back thanks to the adaptability it has always shown in the face of crisis. The Brotherhoods relationship with the Egyptian state has historically been a complex one. Repressed by President Gamal Abdel Nasser in the 1950s and 1960s, it managed to establish a solid presence in universities and syndicates in the 1970s when President Anwar Sadat initiated a limited political opening. Under Sadats successor Hosni Mubarak, the Brotherhood enjoyed a tacit non-aggression pact during the 1980s while it spread its conservative values among Egyptian society. This tacit understanding collapsed in the early 1990s when Mubaraks regime restricted the Brotherhoods influence among university students and syndicated workers. In the context of Egypts neoliberal turn, the Brotherhood came to play a larger role in providing services and basic commodities to the most disfavored sectors of society. The Brotherhood expanded its membership in the 2000s, but its political role was limited to participating in protests allowed by the Mubarak regime, such as demonstrations against Israeli violence in Palestine or the US invasion of Iraq. For an organization that had traditionally been repressed or, at best, tolerated, by the Egyptian state, its assumption of state power in June 2012 although with the shadow of the army always looming over was a profound change. The authors describe the Brotherhoods decision to run for the Egyptian presidency as driven by two competing objectives. On the one hand, it sought to avoid prosecution at the hands of a new regime by controlling state power itself while showing an image of moderation. On the other hand, the Brotherhood wanted to prevent more radical Islamist groups and figures, such as Salafi preacher and presidential candidate Hazem Salah Abu Ismail, from gaining support among Brotherhood sympathizers. This, however, necessitated stressing the Brotherhoods conservatism. The Brotherhoods simultaneous pursuit of these incompatible goals led to contradictory policies and mixed messages to the public.[1] Morsis foreign policy was also confusing, with the presidents frequent changes of course transforming the Brotherhoods tactics for seeking allies into a series of trials and errors.[2] If the short period in power had been an agitated time for the Brotherhood, the July 2013 coup sent the organization into disarray, with the leaders that had avoided capture scattered in Egypt and exile, mainly in Qatar, Sudan, Turkey, and Malaysia. Only three members of the Brotherhoods Guiding Bureau remained in Egypt without having been imprisoned or gone into hiding a small fraction considering the Guiding Bureau had twenty members at that point. These three members, who had all joined the Bureau after 2011 and were thus newcomers to the higher echelons of the Brotherhood, decided to create the High Administrative Committee (HAC) in 2014 to lead the Brotherhood from within Egypt. Mohamed Kamal emerged as the main figure of the HAC, which sought to include younger members of the Brotherhood in the new leadership structure. Abdelrahman Ayyash, Amr ElAfifi, and Noha Ezzat, The Existential Crisis of Egypts Muslim Brotherhood, 2013-22. Click here The HAC also adopted an increasingly confrontational stance toward the Egyptian government, accelerated after a slim majority of the HAC approved plans to carry out limited violent attacks against the new Egyptian regime. The interviews with rank-and-file Brotherhood members conducted by the authors allow us to better understand the changes taking place after the Brotherhood lost power. An interviewee rhetorically asks: What were we supposed to do, just let people, especially women, get beaten or arrested off the streets?.[3] The HACs escalation resulted in new crackdowns against the Brotherhood. Moreover, Kamal and his partners would soon find out that changing a movement as vast as the Brotherhood is not an easy task.[4] The historical leadership of the Brotherhood in Egyptian prisons and exile saw with concern their decreasing power over the Brotherhoods actions, which was being directed by leaders with limited experience that had attracted numerous youth revolutionaries. Mahmoud Ezzat, the Brotherhoods acting general guide after the imprisonment of the general guide Mohammed Badie in August 2013, had gone into hiding and little was known about him. In May 2015, however, Ezzat issued a statement ordering the dissolution of the HAC and the creation of a new HAC that would be subordinated to the Brotherhoods leadership in exile. The HAC contested Ezzats decision, but the acting general guide and the historical leadership in exile commanded most of the Brotherhoods financial resources. They proceeded to cut funding to those regional offices in Egypt that supported the HAC and progressively imposed themselves. Kamal, who had co-founded the first HAC and become its leader, was killed by the Egyptian security forces in October 2016. The Kamal-Ezzat split was followed by another period of internal tensions after the arrest of Ezzat in August 2020. This new conflict would show that the historical leadership was far from united, pitting two of its main figures against each other.[5] Mahmoud Hussein, a member of the Guidance Bureau who happened to be out of Egypt at the time of the July 2013 coup, had gained a dominating position over the communications between the Brotherhood in Egypt and the leadership in exile. The new acting general guide after Ezzats detention, Ibrahim Munir, accused Hussein of blocking messages sent from prison by the general guide Mohammed Badie to the leadership in exile. Munir removed Hussein from his positions of responsibility in 2020, but the internal victory of the acting general guide was not consolidated until 2022. As the authors note, in contrast to the clash between Kemal and Ezzat, the Hussein-versus-Munir split was not based on conflicting ideas and worldviews. Rather, it appeared to be about the power of controlling the organization.[6] Despite the death of Ibrahim Munir in November 2022, the Brotherhood seemed to have returned to relative stability quickly thereafter. The internal conflicts had left profound scars on the organization, though. The authors document the case of numerous members of the Brotherhood that decided to abandon the group. Some of them mentioned that the Brotherhood was no longer loyal to the ideals of its founder Hassan al-Banna, while others expressed their disenchantment over the Kamal-Ezzat split. It is not only the Brotherhood that is undergoing a long crisis but Egypt itself. Al-Sisis period in power has been dominated by sham elections and continuous repression on the political front, and vanity projects and unmanageable amounts of debt on the economic front. Al-Sisi has continuously presented the Brotherhood as an omnipresent nemesis to justify the states continued repression of Egyptian society, writes Abdullah Al-Arian, an associate professor at Georgetown University.[7] Nevertheless, the Brotherhood will continue to be popular in Egypt, argue the authors of Broken Bonds, because the reasons behind the organizations popularity are intrinsic in the states failures in dealing with societys problems.[8] If we are to highlight a shortcoming of the book, this would probably be its limited attention to how the international dynamics of Middle Eastern politics affected the Brotherhoods fate. Whereas Qatar and Turkey accommodated members of the Brotherhood after the 2013 coup, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates backed al-Sisis anti-democratic repression of the Islamist group. As Matteo Colombo from the Clingendael Institute details, a key factor in the Brotherhoods current crisis is the increasingly repressive regional political environment supported by the power of the Saudi and Emirate states.[9] Ayyash, ElAfifi, and Ezzats Broken Bonds is an impressive piece of research and analysis. There are two main reasons for this. First, the authors succeed in making intelligible the labyrinthic internal politics of the Brotherhood to those who might only have a general understanding of Egyptian politics and history. Second, thanks to their access to senior leaders and rank-and-file members of the Brotherhood, the authors show a deep understanding of the organization that is both top-down and bottom-up. Broken Bonds constitutes a work that cannot be ignored to comprehend the convulsed trajectory of the Muslim Brotherhood in the last decade. [1] Abdelrahman Ayyash, Amr ElAfifi, and Noha Ezzat, Broken Bonds: The Existential Crisis of Egypts Muslim Brotherhood, 2013-22 (Washington, DC: The Century Foundation, 2023), p. 80. [2] Ibid., p. 83. [3] Ibid., p. 127. [4] Ibid., p. 104. [5] Ayyash, ElAfifi, and Ezzat, Broken Bonds, p. 109. [6] Ibid., p. 112. [7] Abdullah Al-Arian, The Lasting Significance of Egypts Rabaa Massacre, Middle East Report Online, August 23, 2022, https://merip.org/2022/08/the-lasting-significance-of-egypts-rabaa-massacre/. [8] Ayyash, ElAfifi, and Ezzat, Broken Bonds, p. 157. [9] Matteo Colombo, Lost in Transition: The Muslim Brotherhood in 2022, CRU Policy Brief (The Hague: Clingendael Institute, July 2022), p. 8. Retrieved from https://www.clingendael.org/publication/lost-transition-muslim-brotherhood-2022. Reddit Email 24 Shares ( Tomdispatch.com ) Seeking news coverage about the Adriana, the boat crowded with some 700 people migrating to Europe to seek a better life that sank in mid-June off the coast of Greece, I googled migrant ship and got 483,000 search results in one second. Most of the people aboard the Adriana had drowned in the Mediterranean, among them about 100 children. I did a similar search for the Titan submersible which disappeared the same week in the North Atlantic. That kludged-together pseudo-submarine was taking four wealthy men and the 19-year-old son of one of them to view the ruins of the famed passenger ship, the Titanic. They all died when the Titan imploded shortly after it dove. That Google search came up with 79.3 million search results in less than half a second. Guardian journalist Arwa Mahdawi wrote a powerful column about the different kinds of attention those two boats received. As she astutely pointed out, we in the anglophone world could hardly help but follow the story of the Oceangate submersibles ill-fated journey. After all, it was the lead news story of the week everywhere and commanded the attention of three national militaries (to the tune of tens of millions of dollars) for at least five days. The Adriana was quite another story. As Mahdawi pointed out, the Greek Coast Guard seemed preoccupied with whether the migrants on that boat even wanted help, ignoring the fact that many of those aboard the small trawler were children trapped in the ships hull and that it was visibly in danger. On the other hand, few, she pointed out, questioned whether the men in the submersible wanted help even though its hull was ludicrously bolted shut from the outside prior to departure, making rescue especially unlikely. Glued to the coverage like many Americans, I certainly didnt think they should be ignored, since every life matters. But why do people care so much about rich men who paid $250,000 apiece to make what any skilled observer would have told them was a treacherous journey, but not hundreds of migrants determined to better their families lives, even if they had to risk life itself to reach European shores? Part of the answer, I suspect, lies in the very different reasons those two groups of travelers set out on their journeys and the kinds of things we value in a world long shaped by Western military power. An American Preoccupation with the Military I suspect that we Americans are easily drawn to whatever seems vaguely military in nature, even a submersible (rather than a submarine) whose rescue efforts marshaled the resources and expertise of so many U.S. and allied naval forces. We found it anything but boring to learn about U.S. Navy underwater rescue ships and how low you can drop before pressure is likely to capsize a boat. The submersible story, in fact, spun down so many military-style rabbit holes that it was easy to forget what even inspired it. Im a Navy spouse and my family, which includes my partner, our two young kids, and various pets, has been moving from one military installation to another over the past decade. In the various communities where weve lived, during gatherings with new friends and extended family, the overwhelming interest in my spouses career is obvious. Typical questions have included: Whats a submarines hull made out of? How deep can you go? Whats the plan if you sink? What kind of camo do you wear? And an unforgettable (to me at least) comment from one of our kids: That blue camo makes you guys look like blueberries. Do you really want to hide if you fall in the water? What if you need to be rescued? Meanwhile, my career as a therapist for military and refugee communities and as a co-founder of Brown Universitys Costs of War Project, which might offer a strange antiwar complement to my spouses world, seldom even makes it into the conversation. Aside from the power and mystery our military evokes with its fancy equipment, I think many Americans love to express interest in it because it seems like the embodiment of civic virtue at a time when otherwise we can agree on ever less. In fact, after 20 years of Americas war on terror in response to the September 11, 2001, attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, references to our military are remarkably widespread (if youre paying attention). In our militarized culture, we seize on the cosmetic parts like the nature of submarines because theyre easier to talk about than the kind of suffering our military has actually caused across a remarkably wide stretch of the planet in this century. Most of us will take fancy toys like subs over exhausted servicemembers, bloodied civilians, and frightened, malnourished migrants all too often fleeing the damage of our war on terror. Migration During Wartime We live in an era marked by mass migration, which has increased over the past five decades. In fact, more people are now living in a country other than where they were born than at any other time in the last half-century. Among the major reasons people leave their homes as migrants are certainly the search for education and job opportunities, but never forget those fleeing from armed conflict and political persecution. And of course, another deeply related and more significant reason is climate change and the ever more frequent and intense national disasters like flooding and drought that it causes or intensifies. The migrants on the Adriana had left Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, Palestine, and Pakistan for a variety of reasons. Some of the Pakistani men, for instance, were seeking jobs that would allow them to house and feed their desperate families. One Syrian teenager, who ended up drowning, had left the war-torn city of Kobani, hoping to someday enter medical school in Germany a dream that was unlikely to be realized where he lived due to bombed-out schools and hospitals. In my minds eye, however, a very specific shadow loomed over so many of their individual stories: Americas forever wars, the series of military operations that began with our 2001 invasion of Afghanistan (which ended up involving us in air strikes and other military activities in neighboring Pakistan as well) and the similarly disastrous invasion of Iraq in 2003. It would, in the end, metastasize into fighting, training foreign militaries, and intelligence operations in some 85 countries, including each of the countries the Adrianas passengers hailed from. All in all, the Costs of War Project estimates that the war on terror has led to the displacement of at least 38 million people, many of whom fled for their lives as fighting consumed their worlds. The route taken by the Adriana through the central Mediterranean Sea is a particularly common one for refugees fleeing armed conflict and its aftermath. Its also the most deadly route in the world for migrants and getting deadlier by the year. Before the Adriana went down, the number of fatalities during the first three months of 2023 had already reached its highest point in six years, at 441 people. And during the first half of this year alone, according to UNICEF, at least 289 children have drowned trying to reach Europe. If theres one thing Ive learned even if on a distinctly small scale as a therapist in military and refugee communities, its this: a painful history almost invariably precedes anyones decision to embark on a journey as dangerous as those the migrants of that ill-fated ship undertook. Though Im sure many on it would not have said that they were fleeing war, its hard to disentangle this countrys war on terror from the reasons so many of them made their journeys. One Syrian father who drowned had been heading for Germany, hoping to help his three-year-old son, who had leukemia and needed a treatment unavailable in his devastated country, an area that the U.S. invasion of Iraq first threw into chaos and where war has now deprived millions of healthcare. Of course, it hardly need be noted that his death only ensures his familys further impoverishment and his sons possible death from cancer, not to mention what could happen if he and his mom were forced to make a similar journey to Europe to get care. Pakistans War Story As many as 350 migrants on the Adriana were from Pakistan where the U.S. had been funding and fighting a counterinsurgency war via drones and air strikes against Islamist militant groups since 2004. The war on terror has both directly and indirectly upended and destroyed many lives in Pakistan in this century. That includes tens of thousands of deaths from air strikes, but also the effects of a refugee influx from neighboring Afghanistan that stretched the countrys already limited resources, not to speak of the deterioration of its tourism industry and diminished international investments. All in all, Pakistan has lost more than $150 billion dollars over the past 20 years in that fashion while, for ordinary Pakistanis, the costs of living in an ever more devastated country have only increased. Not surprisingly, the number of jobs per capita decreased. One young man on the migrant ship was traveling to Europe to seek a job so that he could support his extended family. He had sold 26 buffalo his main source of income to pay for the journey and was among the 104 people who were finally rescued by the Greek Coast Guard. After that rescue, he was forced to return to Libya where he had no clear plan for how to make it home. Unlike most of the other Pakistanis on the Adriana, he managed to escape with his life, but his is not necessarily a happy ending. As Zeeshan Usmani, Pakistani activist and founder of the antiwar website Pakistan Body Count, points out, After youve sacrificed so much in search of a better life, youd likely rather drown than return home. Youve given all you have. Rest Stops in a Militarized World We certainly learned much about the heady conversations between the Titans OceanGate CEO, his staff, and certain estranged colleagues before that submersible embarked on its ill-fated journey, and then about the dim lighting and primitive conditions inside the boat. Barely probed in media coverage of the Adriana, however, was what it was like for those migrants to make the trip itself. What particularly caught my attention was the place from which they left on their journey to hell and back Libya. After all, that country has quite a grim history to be the debarkation point for so many migrants. A U.S.-led invasion in 2011 toppled dictator Muammar Gaddafi, leaving the countrys remote beaches even less policed than they had been, while Libya itself was divided between two competing governments and a collection of affiliated militias. In such a chaotic setting, as you might imagine, conditions for migrants transiting through Libya have only continued to deteriorate. Many are kept in warehouses by local authorities for weeks, even months, sometimes without basic needs like blankets and drinking water. Some are even sold into slavery to local residents and those lucky enough to move on toward European shores have to deal with smugglers whose motives and practices, as the Adrianas story reminds us, are anything but positive (and sometimes terrorizing). Onward, to the sea itself: When, some 13 hours after the first migrants called for help, the Greek Coast Guard finally responded, it sent a single ship with a crew that included four armed and masked men. The Guard alleges that many of the migrants refused help, waving the men away. Whether or not this was the case, I can imagine their fears that the Greeks, if not smugglers, might at least be allied with them. They also might have feared that the Guard would set them and their children, however young, on rafts to continue drifting at sea, as had happened recently with other migrant ships approached by the Greeks. If that sounds far-fetched to you, then consider how you would feel if youd been adrift at sea, hungry, thirsty, and fearful for your life, when men in another boat armed and wearing masks approached you, further rocking a boat that was already threatening to capsize. My guess is: not good. Uncounted War Deaths It would be far-fetched to count people like the migrants on the Adriana as war deaths. But framing many of their deaths as in some sense war-related should force us to pay attention to ways in which fighting in or around their countries of origin might have impacted their fates. Paying attention to wars costs would, however, force us Westerners to confront the blood on our hands, as we not only supported (or at least ignored) this countrys wars sufficiently to let them continue for so long, while also backing politicians in both the U.S. and Europe who did relatively little (or far worse) to address the refugee crises that emerged as a result. To take language used by the Costs of War Projects Stephanie Savell in her work on what the project calls indirect war deaths, migrants like the drowned Syrian teenager seeking an education in Europe could be considered doubly uncounted war deaths because they werent killed in battle and, as in his case and others like it, their bodies will not be recovered from the Mediterraneans depths. When we see stories like his, I think we should all go deeper in our questioning of just what happened, in part by retracing those migrants steps to where they began and trying to imagine why they left on such arduous, dangerous journeys. Start with war-gutted economies in countries where millions find slim hope of the kind of decent life that you or I are likely to take for granted, including having a job, a home, health care, and safety from armed violence. Ill bet that if you do ask more questions, those migrants will start to seem not just easier to relate to but like the planets true adventurers on this planet and not those billionaires who paid $250,000 apiece for what even I could have told you was an unlikely shot at making it to the ocean floor alive. Copyright 2023 Andrea Mazzarino Via Tomdispatch.com TORONTO, July 20, 2023 /CNW/ - Mandalay Resources Corporation ("Mandalay" or the "Company") (TSX: MND) (OTCQB: MNDJF) is pleased to receive the mining concession permit to produce in the Eastern Extension Zone at its Bjorkdal operation from Bergsstaten (Mining Inspectorate of Sweden). Frazer Bourchier, President and CEO of Mandalay commented: "I am very pleased to announce that we have successfully obtained the mining concession for the newly designed Eastern Extension of our Bjorkdal mine. This significant development grants us the extension of the mining envelope by an additional 350 metres, effectively encompassing the entire resource base that has been drilled and defined over the past two years. "The inclusion of the Eastern Extension area aligns with our strategic objective of incorporating higher gold grade and margin ounces into our near-term production profile at Bjorkdal. By integrating this addition into our mine schedule, we believe that it will further contribute to our intended growth and success at Bjorkdal." Exploration to Date In 2021, the Company discovered the Eastern Extension of the Main Zone and Central Zone. Following the recognition of the mineralized potential, a series of drilling programs were dedicated to defining this enriched veining, with each program yielding exceptional grades and furthering our understanding of this domain. For further details, please refer to the news releases dated: July 18, 2023; February 22, 2023; June 21, 2022; and January 24, 2022. About Mandalay Resources Corporation Mandalay Resources is a Canadian-based natural resource company with producing assets in Australia (Costerfield gold-antimony mine) and Sweden (Bjorkdal gold mine), with projects in Chile and Canada under closure or development status. The Company is focused on growing its production and reducing costs to generate significant positive cashflow. Mandalay is committed to operating safely and in an environmentally responsible manner, while developing a high level of community and employee engagement. Mandalay's mission is to create shareholder value through the profitable operation and continuing the regional exploration program, at both its Costerfield and Bjorkdal mines. Currently, the Company's main objective is to continue mining the high-grade Youle vein at Costerfield, bring online the deeper Shepherd veins, both of which will continue to supply high-grade ore to the processing plant, and to extend Youle Mineral Reserves. At Bjorkdal, the Company will aim to increase production from the Aurora zone and other higher-grade areas in the coming years, in order to maximize profit margins from the mine. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, changes in commodity prices and general market and economic conditions. The factors identified above are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Mandalay. A description of additional risks that could result in actual results and developments differing from those contemplated by forward-looking statements in this news release can be found under the heading "Risk Factors" in Mandalay's annual information form dated March 31, 2023, a copy of which is available under Mandalay's profile at www.sedar.com. In addition, there can be no assurance that any inferred resources that are discovered as a result of additional drilling will ever be upgraded to proven or probable reserves. Although Mandalay has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. VANCOUVER, BC, July 21, 2023 /CNW/ - FPX Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FPX) (OTCQB: FPOCF) ("FPX" or the "Company") is pleased to report a transition and succession plan for the role of the Company's Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary. FPX's current and long-serving CFO and Corporate Secretary, Mr. Chris Mitchell, has informed the Company of his intention to retire on a flexible timeline in the second half of 2023 or early 2024. As part of a planned transition process, the Company has commenced a search for a new CFO and Corporate Secretary, and Mr. Mitchell will remain available to the Company on an as-needed basis to support an orderly changeover of duties to his successor. "Following a 30-year career in the minerals exploration and development sector, Chris joined the Company in July 2003," commented Peter Bradshaw, FPX's Chairman. "Since then, he has been an integral part of FPX's senior leadership group as we advanced our flagship Baptiste project from discovery drilling in 2010 to the upcoming preliminary feasibility study this September. On behalf of FPX's board, management, and shareholders, I would like to thank Chris for his many years of professional service, greatly valued counsel and keen sense of humour. Throughout his tenure, Chris has gone above and beyond in service to the Company, consistently demonstrating attention to detail, and ethical and committed leadership for the benefit of all FPX stakeholders. Chris will be missed, and we wish his family and him the very best in his well-deserved retirement." About the Decar Nickel District The Company's Decar Nickel District represents a large-scale greenfield discovery of nickel mineralization in the form of a naturally occurring nickel-iron alloy called awaruite (Ni 3 Fe) hosted in an ultramafic/ophiolite complex. FPX's mineral claims cover an area of 245 km2 west of the Middle River and north of Trembleur Lake, in central British Columbia. Awaruite mineralization has been identified in several target areas within the ophiolite complex including the Baptiste Deposit and the Van Target, as confirmed by drilling, petrographic examination, electron probe analyses and outcrop sampling. Since 2010, approximately US $28 million has been spent on the exploration and development of Decar. Of the four targets in the Decar Nickel District, the Baptiste Deposit has been the focus of increasing resource definition (a total of 99 holes and 33,700 m of drilling completed), as well as environmental and engineering studies to evaluate its potential as a bulk-tonnage open pit mining project. The Baptiste Deposit is located within the Baptiste Creek watershed, on the traditional and unceded territory of Tl'azt'en Nation and Binche Whut'en First Nation, and within several Tl'azt'enne and Binche Whut'enne keyohs. FPX has conducted mineral exploration activities to date subject to the conditions of our agreements with the Nations and keyoh holders. About FPX Nickel Corp. FPX Nickel Corp. is focused on the exploration and development of the Decar Nickel District, located in central British Columbia and other occurrences of awaruite mineralization. For more information, please view the Company's website at www.fpxnickel.com or contact Martin Turenne, President and CEO, at (604) 681-8600 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . On behalf of FPX Nickel Corp. "Martin Turenne" Martin Turenne, President, CEO and Director Forward-Looking Statements Certain of the statements made and information contained herein is considered "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as disclosed in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Actual results could differ from those currently projected. The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2023) - Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc. (TSXV: LEXI) (the "Company" or "LEXI") announces the resignation of Arena Investors' LP nominee to the Company's board, Daniel Blanks as a director of the Company, and the appointment of Eamonn McInerney as the new Arena Investors LP nominee to the Company's board, effective immediately. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Blanks for his valuable contribution to the Company. Mr. McInerney bring a wealth of experience when it comes to supporting the growth of businesses across a wide spectrum of industries. He spent the last three and a half years at Arena Investors LP as the Head of European Asset Management and has helped finance the growth and development of numerous portfolio companies. Eamonn has extensive experience in hedge funds, private equity funds and commercial banking. About Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc. Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc. is an exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of lithium brine assets in Argentina. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, with offices in Catamarca, Argentina, the Company's shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: LEXI), the Frankfurt Exchange (FSE: L09) and the U.S. OTC markets (OTC Pink: LXENF). LEXI's portfolio of prospective lithium brine concessions in the Argentina Province of Catamarca (heart of the lithium triangle) includes approximately 57,000 hectares and a 20% interest in Triangle Lithium Argentina, S.A., which owns an additional 15,000 hectares - all located in and around the Antofalla Salar, one of the largest basins in the region, which is over 130 km long and up to 20 km across and the Hombre Muerto Salar, Argentina's long-producing lithium basin. LEXI is committed to innovation, sustainability, and quality, striving to differentiate itself from other players in the industry to maximize its potential for success. For more information, please visit our website at lithiumenergi.com. For more information about Lithium Energi Exploration, Inc., please view the Company's filings at www.SEDAR.com. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Ali Rahman" ________________________ Ali Rahman, Chief Executive Officer and Director FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Ian Murphy Tel: (310) 689-6397 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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. TORONTO, July 20, 2023 /CNW/ - Orford Mining Corp. ("Orford" or the "Company") (TSXV: ORM) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced (July 11, 2023 and July 12, 2023) non-brokered private placement of: (i) 6,456,000 "flow-through" shares ("FT Shares") at an issue price of C$0.1725 per share, 500,000 critical minerals "flow-through" shares ("CMFT Shares") at an issue price of C$0.1725 per share, and (iii) 6,666,667 "hard dollar" shares ("HD Shares") at an issue price of C$0.15 per share, for gross proceeds of $2.2 million (the "Offering"). Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX:AGI) ("Alamos") participated in the financing through the purchase of 6,666,667 HD Shares for $1 million which increased its holding in Orford to approximately 27.88% of Orford's outstanding common shares from approximately 26.34% of Orford's outstanding common shares prior to the closing of the Offering. Orford intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering on its currently active exploration programs in the Nunavik Region of Northern Quebec, in particular its Qiqavik Gold project summer 2023 RAB Drilling program and its summer 2023 Nunavik Lithium inaugural exploration program in addition to ongoing work on its Joutel Eagle project, all in Northern Quebec, and for general corporate purposes. The South Gold Zone on the Joutel-Eagle property in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt of Northern Quebec is intended to be the focus of a 2024 winter geophysics and drilling program. The Qiqavik project represents what Orford believes is a new gold district discovery in the Cape Smith Belt of Northern Quebec. The securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a hold period expiring four months plus a day from the date of closing. The purchase of securities pursuant to the Offering by Alamos (an insider of Orford) was a "related party transaction" as such term is defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The transaction was exempt from the MI 61-101 valuation and minority approval requirements for related party transactions under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involves the Alamos, exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101). With respect to the closing of the Offering, the Company paid aggregate finder's fees totaling $71,994.60 in cash and 417,360 non-transferable finder's warrants. Each finder's warrant entitles the holder to purchase one common share of the Company for a period of two years at an exercise price of C$0.1725. About Orford Mining Corporation Orford Mining is a gold and critical mineral explorer focused on highly prospective and underexplored areas of Northern Quebec. Orford's principal assets are the Qiqavik, West Raglan and lithium exploration projects comprising a land package totaling over 111,000 hectares in the Cape Smith Belt of Northern Quebec. The Qiqavik Project hosts several new high-grade gold discoveries along a mineralized trend in excess of 40 km. The West Raglan Project hosts a number of high-grade Raglan-style nickel/copper/platinum group metal discoveries along a 55 km mineralized trend. In early 2023 Orford acquired large claim blocks targeting lithium in the Nunavik Region. These lithium claim blocks have been carefully selected as having promising lithium potential after an exhaustive compilation of available data. Orford also has four property positions in the Joutel region of the Abitibi District of Northern Quebec, which hosts historical deposits such as the Eagle/Telbel, Joutel Copper, Poirier Copper, and Vezza deposits. Orford continually seeks new gold exploration opportunities in North America. Orford's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ORM. This information from neighbouring properties is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on Orford Mining's properties. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Neither the 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 contains "forward-looking information" including without limitation statements relating to the exploration potential of its mineral properties. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Orford to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; or delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Orford's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Orford has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward- looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Orford disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Provides Update on Palos Verdes Assays Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2023) - Prismo Metals Inc. (CSE: PRIZ) (OTCQB: PMOMF) ("Prismo" or the "Company") is pleased to report that the trenching program at Los Pavitos has been completed. A total of 347 samples from trenches have been submitted to the lab for assay, with results received for 303 samples to date. The trenching was generally focussed on areas with little outcrop along strike from areas with quartz veining and high-grade surface assays. In general, the best trench results are located in the Santa Cruz and Las Auras areas, as expected based on surface sampling results. The 5,289 hectare (20 square miles) Los Pavitos project is located in the well mineralized Alamos region of southern Sonora State, Mexico Results show wide zones of mineralization, with the best being 4 meters with 10.3 g/t Au and 104 g/t Ag within a 19-meter-long mineralized interval at Las Auras and 7.8 meters with 2.31 g/t Au and 13 g/t Ag at Santa Cruz, along with several intervals of lower grade mineralization (Table 1). Dr. Craig Gibson, President and CEO, commented: "Trench sampling at Los Pavitos has shown that in some areas the narrow high grade quartz veins defined in surface sampling are hosted by wider mineralized structures. Wider zones of gold mineralization near the surface could be important for future development of the property. We are looking forward to exploring these mineralized zones by drilling, planned to commence shortly." Table 1. Highlight assays from Los Pavitos trenches Trench Location Length (m) Au_g/t Ag g/t ZA1 Auras 6.4 0.1 - ZA2 Auras 19.0 2.2 22.9 includes 4.0 10.3 104.3 ZSC4 Santa Cruz 18.5 0.2 - ZSC3-1 Santa Cruz 2.1 1.7 - ZSC9 Santa Cruz 8.0 0.5 - ZSC10 Santa Cruz 7.8 2.3 13.0 ZSC12 Santa Cruz 2.5 0.9 69.6 New Data ZSC1 Santa Cruz 2.00 0.95 - 2.30 0.50 - ZSC7 Santa Cruz 17.70 0.13 - includes 8.80 0.16 - and 2.90 0.25 35.2 ZSC13 Santa Cruz 2.00 0.22 - ZE3 Espanola 1.40 0.74 - The trenching program across the main mineralized trends on the Los Pavitos property is now complete. The cumulative length of trench samples is 698 meters in 25 trenches (Table 2). The best assays for individual samples are 20.4 g/t Au and 207 g/t Ag over 2 meters at Las Auras and 16.7 g/t Au and 48,2 g/t Ag over 1 meter at Santa Cruz. The main objective of the trenching program is to define the orientation and full width of the mineralized structures prior to starting the drill campaign, expected shortly. Table 2. Sampled trenches at Los Pavitos Coord start WGS84 Coord end WGS84 Trench Location Length Azim Easting Northing Easting Northing ZA1 Las Auras 31.50 348 674,686 3,003,774 674,681 3,003,803 ZA2 Las Auras 44.50 335 674,770 3,003,795 674,752 3,003,833 ZSC1 Santa Cruz 67.85 320 676,997 3,001,638 676,954 3,001,688 ZSC2 Santa Cruz 40.30 153 676,766 3,001,823 676,802 3,001,805 ZSC3-1 Santa Cruz 28.70 322 676,754 3,001,728 676,739 3,001,749 ZSC3-2 Santa Cruz 13.00 313 676,731 3,001,754 676,723 3,001,762 ZSC4 Santa Cruz 35.20 325 676,721 3,001,708 676,703 3,001,734 ZSC5 Santa Cruz 43.30 322 676,487 3,001,431 676,515 3,001,400 ZSC6 Santa Cruz 40.00 308 676,092 3,001,434 676,122 3,001,410 ZSC7 Santa Cruz 28.50 320 676,950 3,001,695 676,932 3,001,714 ZSC8 Santa Cruz 18.20 155 677,323 3,002,231 677,331 3,002,216 ZSC9 Santa Cruz 38.20 231 676,790 3,001,997 676,828 3,001,994 ZSC10 Santa Cruz 21.20 273 676,813 3,001,939 674,794 3,001,942 ZSC11 Santa Cruz 24.20 335 676,844 3,001,869 676,835 3,001,888 ZSC12 Santa Cruz 14.30 328 676,914 3,001,680 676,908 3,001,690 ZSC13 Santa Cruz 16.90 320 676,589 3,001,359 676,579 3,001,369 ZSC14 Santa Cruz 10.20 295 676,873 3,001,652 676,866 3,001,656 ZE1-1 Espanola 22.15 306 675,334 3,002,793 675,318 3,002,806 ZE1-2 Espanola 7.40 298 675,314 3,002,806 675,309 3,002,809 ZE2 Espanola 31.20 335 675,375 3,002,842 675,388 3,002,815 ZE3 Espanola 28.70 242 675,387 3,002,811 675,363 3,002,798 Figure 1. Trench locations at Los Pavitos. Palos Verdes Assays Update The Company is in the process of completing a 2,500-meter drill program on the Palos Verdes project. The drill program is designed to test the areas of the Palos Verdes vein system in areas where there previously was no drill access, mainly along the northeastern extension of the vein system and certain areas in the southwestern portion where previous drilling occurred. Eight holes have been completed for a total of about 1,500 meters of HQ core drilled for the current program. Assay data from the first seven holes have been received from the lab and evaluation is in progress. The Company now expects to announce those results next week. Photo of core from hole PV-23-25 showing multistage vein mineralization with locally abundant sulfide minerals from about 150,3m to 154.2 meters. This hole was drilled in the center of the vein system under the previous drilling and near hole PV-11 that was drilled at a steeper angle from closer to the vein outcrop. QA/QC Rock samples taken by Prismo were analyzed by multielement ICP-AES and MS methods by ALS Group, an internationally recognized analytical service provider. Gold is analyzed as part of the ICP package using a 25-gram aqua regia digestion. Ag, Pb and Zn over 1% and Au values over 1 g/t are re-analyzed by the by an overrange ICP method. Certified Reference Materials including standard pulps and coarse blank material were inserted in the sample stream at regular intervals. Dr. Craig Gibson, PhD., CPG., a Qualified Person as defined by NI-43-01 regulations and President, CEO and a director of the Company, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release. About Prismo Prismo (CSE: PRIZ) is mining exploration company focused on two precious metal projects in Mexico (Palos Verdes and Los Pavitos) and a copper project in Arizona (Hot Breccia). Please follow @PrismoMetals on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. Prismo Metals Inc. 1100 - 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6 Contact: Craig Gibson, President & Chief Executive Officer This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Jason Frame, Manager of Communications This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement and exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, required permitting, exploration programs and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including CSE acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Collective Metals (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) (the Company or Collective), is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated July 12, 2023, the Company has completed its previously announced acquisition (the Acquisition) of all of the issued and outstanding shares of 1000587016 Ontario Ltd. (587016) from the shareholders of 587016 (each, a Vendor). Pursuant to the Acquisition, the Company issued 4,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (each, a Consideration Share) to the Vendors at a deemed issue price of $0.31 per Consideration Share, representing aggregate share consideration of $1,240,000, in exchange for all of the outstanding common shares of 587016. In addition to the issuance of the Consideration Shares, the Company made a $40,000 cash payment to a Vendor. The Consideration Shares were issued pursuant to s. 2.16 (take-over bid and issuer bid) of National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions. The Acquisition is an arms-length transaction for the Company and does not constitute a fundamental change or result in a change of control of the Company, within the meaning of the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. About Collective Metals: Collective Metals Inc. (CSE: COMT | OTC: CLLMF | FSE: TO1) is a resource exploration company specializing in precious metals exploration in North America. The Companys flagship property is the Princeton Project, located in south-central British Columbia, Canada, approximately 10 km west of the currently producing Copper Mountain Mine. The Princeton Project consists of 29 mineral tenures totaling approximately 28,560 ha (70,570 acres) in a well documented and prolific copper-gold porphyry belt and is easily accessible by road, located immediately west of Highway 3. The Companys Landings Lake Lithium Project, which is located in northwestern Ontario where numerous lithium deposits have been delineated to host significant reserves of Li 2 O. The Landings Lake Lithium Project is located 53 km east of Ear Falls, Ontario and covers 3,146 hectares. The Whitemud Project with several identified pegmatite outcrops, neighbours the Landings Lake Project and consists of 381 single cell mining claims totaling 7,775 hectares. Social Media ON BEHALF OF COLLECTIVE METALS INC. Christopher Huggins Chief Executive Officer T: 604-968-4844 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Forward Looking Information Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements respecting: completion of the Acquisition; and the expected benefits to the Company from the Acquisition. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 20, 2023) - Blue Star Gold Corp. (TSXV: BAU) (OTCQB: BAUFF) (FSE: 5WP0) ("Blue Star" or the "Company") announces that, further to its news release of July 13, 2023 and subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange"), the Company has closed its non-brokered private placement of $869,750 through the issuance of 700,000 flow-through units (each, a "FT Unit") at $0.42 per FT Unit and 1,175,000 charitable flow-through units (the "Charitable FT Units") at a price of $0.49 per Charitable FT Unit (together, the "Private Placement"). Each FT Unit consists of one flow-through common share of the Company (a "FT Share") and one-half of one transferable warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"), with each whole Warrant exercisable at $0.50 per Share until July 20, 2025 (the "Expiry Date"). Each Charitable FT Unit consists of one FT Share and one-half of one Warrant, with each whole Warrant exercisable at $0.50 per Share until the Expiry Date. The FT Shares qualify as flow-through shares for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada). The Company will renounce said expenditures to the investors for the taxation year ending December 31, 2023. All securities issued are subject to the Exchange Hold Period and a four-month and one day hold period pursuant to securities laws in Canada expiring on November 21, 2023. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Private Placement of FT Units and Charitable FT Units to incur Canadian exploration expenses (the "Qualifying Expenditures") on its projects in Nunavut prior to December 31, 2023. The Company paid finder's fees in the amount of $34,912.50 cash and 77,250 non-transferable finder's warrants (each a "Finder's Warrant") to GloRes Securities Inc. and $17,272.50 cash and 35,250 Finder's Warrants to Teresa Schmid. Each Finder's Warrant is exercisable at $0.50 per Share until the Expiry Date. About Blue Star Gold Corp. Blue Star is a gold company focused on exploration and development within Nunavut, Canada. Blue Stars landholdings total 270 square kilometres of highly prospective and underexplored mineral properties in the High Lake Greenstone Belt, Nunavut. The Company owns the Ulu Gold Project, comprised of the Ulu Mining Lease and Hood River Property, and the Roma Project. A significant high-grade gold resource exists at the Flood Zone deposit (Ulu Mining Lease), and numerous high potential exploration target areas occur throughout the Company's extensive landholdings, providing Blue Star with excellent resource growth potential. Blue Star is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol: BAU, the U.S. OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol: BAUFF, and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol: 5WP0. For information on the Company and its projects, please visit our website: www.bluestargold.ca. For further information, please contact: Grant Ewing, P. Geo., CEO Telephone: +1 778-379-1433 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Raffi Elmajian, Corporate Communications Manager Telephone: +1 778-379-1433 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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. The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities for sale, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities. Any public offering of securities in the United States must be made by means of a prospectus containing detailed information about the company and management, as well as financial statements. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Philippe, King of the Belgians. Your Majesty, On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my most sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and through you all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Kingdom of Belgium. Sincerely, Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, 18 July 2023 "And I said to the Minister: I'm glad that Switzerland never participated in either slavery or colonization. Four years after this statement by former Swiss minister Doris Leuthard during a visit to Benin, eight Swiss museums joined the Benin Switzerland Initiative. This initiative is part of a process of decolonizing museums. Through this initiative, Swiss museums have discovered that, of the 97 objects in the collection originating from the Kingdom of Benin, 40% come from the colonial period. If you were to ask the Swiss what they think of their colonial history, most would say that it doesn't exist. Researchers have nevertheless proved the colonial involvement of Switzerland, or rather of certain Swiss people. For example, the triangular trade was also supported by investments from Swiss banks, and 40% of the "slave trade" was covered by Swiss insurance. The family of Credit Suisse founder Alfred Escher owned slave coffee plantations in Cuba. What is the relationship between this colonial past and museums? Since the 19th century, "scholars" have used museums to disseminate their ideas through exhibitions. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, objects belonging to indigenous communities and collections of human remains became exhibition items. Neither intellectuals nor museum directors had the slightest regard for the religious or sacred nature of these objects. The rise of racist theories was shaping the academic thinking of the elite and, inevitably, of Swiss ethnological museums. With the restitution movement, the understanding of these objects and their history has changed. This process is sometimes conceived in harmony with the cultures concerned. A case in point is a sacred mask of Haudenosaunee origin, which until recently was housed at the Musee Ethnographique de Geneve (MEG). It was only on February 7, 2023 that the MEG returned it. The ceremony that followed demonstrated the change in attitude: as a sign of respect for its sacredness, the mask was locked in a box during the event, and the ritual welcoming its return was not filmed. What is decolonization? There is no agreed definition of what decolonization means. According to the Swiss Association for Provenance Research, decolonizing implies the act of denouncing the colonial ideology that persists in our societies. For writer Elisa Schoenberger, decolonizing means opposing the white domination that continues to silently structure our societies and the violence, latent or not, in relations between Western and non-Western communities around the world. The consensus is that these unequal power relations manifest themselves in culture, language and social and economic relations. They persist throughout our society, and museums are no exception. The ethnographic museum was born with the first plundering campaigns on the American continent in the 16th century. Towards the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, the museum became one of the instruments of European imperial policy. Through images and objects, they helped to disseminate, affirm and establish the West's claim to superiority over the "savage". Museums embody the authority of knowledge and convey a certain narrative of national history: a glorifying, heroic epic. This is also the case in Switzerland, where silence about the colonial past remains shrouded in a thick veil. Swiss museums decolonize Over the past 20 years, curators at Swiss museums have become increasingly aware of this opacity. In March 2002, the Musee ethnographique in Neuchatel opened the exhibition "Musee cannibale". This pioneering move paved the way for the decolonization of Swiss museums. In 2010, the Rietberg Museum in Zurich launched a cooperation and restoration project with Cameroon linked to its extensive collection from the Kingdom of Bamoun. In 2019, the Musee ethnographique de Geneve included in its strategic plans the need to "make visible the violent and unequal history of colonial and neo-colonial collections". The Black Lives Matter movement has accelerated this process. According to Professor of History and International Politics Davide Rodogno, several Swiss museum directors have realized that acknowledging the violence suffered by colonized peoples and the stereotyped, demeaning representations of non-European peoples in museums is a crucial step towards dismantling unequal relations. The Swiss National Museum's 2024 exhibition will be devoted to Switzerland's colonial past. Its director, Denise Tonella, points out that the existence of a Swiss colonial history still surprises most Swiss people. For this reason, she recommends starting by acknowledging the existence of this past and telling its story. Swiss identity at the heart of the debate Certain stances against museum moves to decolonize illustrate the controversies around this issue. These efforts on the part of museum directors contrast with certain reactions from the Swiss public. Some people reject, deny or openly oppose the idea of a colonial Switzerland and these initiatives. "Switzerland has a problem with its image; it likes to see itself as neutral, democratic, humanitarian and therefore irreproachable, always on the side of good, says Helen Bieri Thomson, director of the Chateau de Prangins. It's difficult to deal with the less glorious themes of the past and the amnesia that concerns Switzerland." The process of decolonizing Swiss museums involves issues of identity, and opens the way to deeper reflections: do these various projects highlight a dangerous crisis for the Confederation? Does talking about Swiss colonial history call into question the myth of "Sonderfall", Swiss exceptionalism? If so, why and for whom should Switzerland destabilize national history (built around a narrative of neutrality and humanitarian tradition) by insisting on colonial issues that don't belong to the Swiss? And if Switzerland is decolonizing to satisfy its own needs, to what extent will the process take colonized communities into account? If the decolonization process is to be welcomed by the Swiss population, these sensitivities must be taken into account and addressed throughout the Swiss decolonization process. Towards the end of ethnographic museums? Thanks to the decolonization process, looted properties, objects and human remains have begun to be recognized for their value and history. This first step enables discussions to be initiated concerning the return of objects, as in the case of the MEG. Formerly colonized communities can have "their version of history" recognized. To break these unequal dynamics, museums need to be more ambitious. Professor of History and International Politics Mohamed Mahmoud Mohamedou is categorical in this respect: the decolonization of museums requires the decolonization of the mind. Ethnographic and history museums, like other public institutions, could start by making public what they have omitted to say about the past. They should adopt a critical approach to themselves. This would involve publicizing the museum's history, its colonial implications, its funding and the provenance of its objects. This approach raises deeper questions about the very nature of museums. Indeed, if ethnographic museums are a product of colonization, wouldn't successful decolonization imply their definitive closure? In other words if, as argued by social anthropology professor Fabien Van Geert, the representation of the Other is the raison d'etre of the ethnographic museum, does its existence still make sense? This article, translated by Justice Info, is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article. Recommended reading Colonial crimes: the reparations movement stalls in Europe The Philippines will no longer deal with the International Criminal Court, President Ferdinand Marcos said Friday, after The Hague-based tribunal rejected Manila's appeal to stop a probe into a deadly drug war. Thousands of people have been killed in the anti-narcotics campaign started by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 and continued under Marcos. "We're done talking with the ICC," Marcos told reporters during a visit to the southern island of Mindanao, according to an official transcript. "The alleged crimes are here in the Philippines, the victims are Filipino, so why go to The Hague? It should be here," he said. The ICC launched a formal inquiry into Duterte's crackdown in September 2021, only to suspend it two months later after Manila said it was re-examining several hundred cases of drug operations that led to deaths at the hands of police, hitmen and vigilantes. ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan later asked to reopen the inquiry in June 2022, and pre-trial judges at the court gave the green light in late January -- a decision that Manila appealed shortly afterwards. A five-judge bench on Tuesday dismissed Manila's objection that the court had no jurisdiction because the Philippines pulled out of the ICC in 2019, some three years before the inquiry was resumed. Marcos said Friday the government would take "no more actions" regarding the ICC ruling, but would "continue to defend the sovereignty of the Philippines and continue to question the jurisdiction of the ICC in their investigations". - Thousands killed - More than 6,000 people were killed in police anti-drug operations during Duterte's term, official government figures show, but ICC prosecutors estimate the death toll at between 12,000 and 30,000. The drug war has continued under Marcos even though he has pushed for more focus on prevention and rehabilitation. More than 350 drug-related killings have been recorded since Marcos took office last June, according to figures compiled by Dahas, a University of the Philippines-backed research project that keeps count of such killings. Opened in 2002, the ICC is the world's only permanent court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, and aims to prosecute the worst abuses when national courts are unable or unwilling. Manila argues it has a fully functioning judicial system, and as such, its courts and law enforcement should handle the investigation into alleged rights abuses during the drug war -- not the ICC. Only four police officers have been convicted for killing drug suspects in two separate cases since the start of the crackdown in 2016. Rights groups allege the killings were carried out as part of a state policy, and that Duterte had publicly encouraged them with incendiary rhetoric during his public comments. During his presidency, Duterte openly encouraged law enforcers to shoot suspects in anti-drug operations if the lawmen felt their own lives were in danger. It's a battle of visuals as K-drama royalty Son Ye Jin, Jun Ji Hyun, and Lee Min Ho grace the covers of top fashion magazines. On social media, fans were thrilled to see how the top stars dominate the fashion department, serving fierce and bold looks. For the August 2023 cover of Vogue Korea, Dazed and Harper's Bazaar, the publication is set to welcome the month by featuring the kings and queens of Hallyu. Jun Ji Hyun for Vogue Korea On Vogue Korea's official Instagram, the publication showcased Jun Ji Hyun's elegance as the actress donned pieces from the Burberry collection. Describing the actress as timeless and classic, the 41-year-old top star never fails to mesmerize fans with her jaw-dropping beauty. Strutting the streets of Seoul to showcase Burberry's newest collection by chief creative officer Daniel Lee, Jun Ji Hyun exudes the iconic yet adventurous style of English women. To recall, the luxury British brand selected the "Jirisan" star as their first female ambassador in Korea. Son Ye Jin for Harper's Bazaar Korea From the OG Hallyu queen, Harper's Bazaar Korea showcases one of the most beloved actresses in South Korea, Son Ye Jin. In a series of photos released by the publication, the mother-of-one flaunted her amazing physique, not to mention her long legs, for the magazine's collaboration with Valentino, where she serves as one of the brand ambassadors. Son Ye Ji flew to France, to attend Paris Fashion Week and grace Valentino's "Chateau" collection fashion show. Showcasing the brand's 2023 fall/winter haute couture, the South Korean star looked as if she came straight from the runway with those killer visuals. Interestingly, Son Ye Jin showcased a mix of menswear, like the oversized blazer and boots, mixed with feminine pieces like flowy fabric and rosettes. Lee Min Ho Graces Dazed Korea Cover In collaboration with Fendi, Lee Min Ho captivates netizens with his visuals for Dazed Korea's August 2023 cover. With the theme "vision of manner," the South Korean hearthrob made everyone swoon over his good looks and amazing style. Fans Gushed Over Lee Min Ho, Son Ye Jin, and Jun Ji Hyun's Magazine Cover Although the trio did not appear in one photo shoot, netizens are drawn to how the king and queens of K-drama is reigning in the fashion department with their visuals. Calling them as the "OGs," fans were delighted to see the nation's first love, Chungmuro royalties, and Hallyu star supremacy grace the latest covers. Moreover, fans also celebrated Son Ye Jin and Jun Ji Hyun's beauty as mothers. jun jihyun for vogue kr and son yejin for harper's bazaar kr ?? MY MOTHERS pic.twitter.com/HHx0PQshe2 ja (@ingukkies) July 18, 2023 For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars. KDramaStars owns this article Written by Geca Wills MLAs Renee Merrifield and Norm Letnick host a public forum in Rutland on Wednesday. People who attended wanted to talk about crime and drug use. Both MLAs represent part of the community. By Mike Sebalu Members of the media fraternity are demanding an apology and explanation from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leadership over the attack on scribes at its party headquarters in Najjanankumbi on Thursday. A group of unknown men attacked journalists, physically assaulting them before confiscating their work gadgets including cell phones, and camera stands among others. Addressing a news conference in Kampala this morning, journalists resolved to tentatively stay away from any event that happens at FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi until all the demands are met. They have also appealed to the general public to join the journalism community to promote press freedom and protect journalists from violence, threats, and harassment while performing their duties. Photojournalist Abubaker Lubowa was among those who addressed the media. We have given them up to July 24 to issue a written apology and also return the gadgets that were stolen from journalists. For over the last 10 years, I have covered FDC, its the first time were witnessing such things happen, Lubowa said. President Museveni is set to meet the leadership of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) on August 10, 2023, to discuss an amicable way on how advertising funds are distributed across both private and state-owned media. The meeting follows NABs nationwide boycott of the coverage of government activities in protest of a contentious directive by President Museveni that ring-fences advertising funds to state-owned Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) and the New Vision, living out privately owned media houses. Mr. Joseph Beyanga, NABs Secretary General maintains that they will not give coverage to government activities until the misunderstanding is resolved. The tentative date set for the meeting is August 10th, but in the meantime it doesnt mean that the ban is off, the ban is still on. We are saying no coverage for government activities. We are talking about communication from the cabinet, from the media center through which government communicates, said Mr. Beyanga. He adds that what will continue is emergency communication in the event of an outbreak and that there shall be no free airtime considerations on radio, online, and TV to any government official. By Kevin Githuku Politicians, religious, and other government leaders joined mourners on Friday to eulogise and celebrate the life of former Mbarara Archbishop Paul K. Bakyenga a requiem mass held at Rubaga Cathedral in Kampala. Archbishop Emeritus Bakyenga died on July 18 at Nsambya Hospital in Kampala. Speaking to KFM on the sidelines of the mass, Mbarara Woman Member of Parliament, Rita Atukwasa, described the late as a generous man and asked Ugandans to emulate the sharing and caring character he exhibited. The late Archbishops body is en route to his home area in Mbarara and shall be escorted to his final resting place on Sunday, July 23. The United Nations (UN) department of safety and security has issued an advisory to its staff regarding alleged insecurity along the Entebbe Expressway and the Northern Bypass. In a statement dated July 19th, 2023, UN says Available information indicates that there is a resurgence of criminal gangs along the Northern bypass that connects to the Entebbe Expressway. It adds that several of their staff have fallen victim to violent robberies by organized criminal elements along the road after sunset orchestrated by youth aged between 14-25 years. Several members of the public have been affected including some UN staff. A joint security team has intensified operations at Busega, Masanafu, Namungoona flyover, NWSC treatment plant at Lubigi, Bwaise, Kaleerwe, Kyebando, Kisaasi, Naalya roundabout and Namboole, the statement reads in part. They claim Uganda polices response time to emergencies on the Expressway varies from less than an hour to over two hours, along with uncoordinated security patrols by Pinnacle Service Providers and police. The UN has further advised their officials to avoid travelling along the Expressway from Entebbe to Kampala, adding that if they are to do so, they should travel with police escorts, among other recommendations. The current security measures stay in place and UN personnel continue to be advised to avoid travelling on the Expressway from Entebbe to Kampala and from Kampala to Entebbe between 2200hrs-0600hrs and are to consider using day flights to and from Entebbe or staying at Entebbe on late night arrival or departure. If travel is absolutely necessary and unavoidable, then both the Kampala and Entebbe SOC are to be informed prior to travel, the statement reads further. The Uganda Police Force is yet to respond to the concerns. The head of Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Mr David Livingstone Ebiru, remains in office even after he was sent on a six-month forced leave early this month. This was revealed by Mr Francis Mwebesa, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. Because of the grave matter, I thought six months would have been appropriate [for investigations to be done]. We talked, (although) there is nothing in writing and they sent him on leave. As we talk here, I expect this man to be on [forced] leave, Mr Mwebesa told MPs. The minister appeared before the House Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) to explain the circumstances under which Mr Ebiru continues to stay in office even after the minister had last month directed that UNBS boss goes on forced leave. Read more The Executive Director of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) Mr David Livingstone Ebiru has this afternoon withdrawn his statement in which he had confessed to having paid a Shs100 million bribe to the National Standards Council to retain his job. This was before Parliaments Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) which is currently probing into the Auditor General report for Financial year 2021/2022 raised about UNBS. I want to formally withdraw the statement because it was quoted out of context. The issue of offering my chairman 100 million for protection as reported, I want to withdraw it formally, Ebiru said. Mr. Ebiru told lawmakers that the remarks were made out of anger and high animosity between him and the board. 1 of 1 , khaskhabar.com : , 21 2023 1:08 PM YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS. Prosecutor General of Armenia Anna Vardapetyan does not consider the existing format of combating drug trafficking to be sufficient, at the same time she assures that efforts are being made in this direction, in particular, an attempt is made to change the tactics and quality of the investigation, but it is too early to talk about the results. On the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the establishment of the Prosecutor's Office, ARMENPRESS spoke with the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia Anna Vardapetyan. During the interview, Vardapetyan spoke about her achievements in the position of the Prosecutor General for almost a year, her upcoming plans, "delayed" justice, rise in crimes, and also referred to the results of meetings with the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Kyamran Aliyev and the conference dedicated to the establishment of the Prosecutor's Office. To the question of the correspondent of ARMENPRESS about the achievements recorded during the year in office, Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan noted that one year is not enough to talk about tangible results. Besides, the results should not be talked about, they should be seen by the public, therefore here I would like to talk about some important changes. The first is the legislative reform adopted by the National Assembly in March 2023, by which the Prosecutor's Office was given the authority to initiate a lawsuit for the protection of community interests in court. This means that the Prosecutor's Office has the right to question in court the orders and decisions of the heads of local self-government bodies, based on which public parks, kindergartens and other similar immovable properties were illegally alienated, Vardapetyan said, adding that this has one goal to return to the public the illegally alienated property. Since the Prosecutors Office has been granted by the mentioned power, 235 criminal cases have been initiated. The next area of reforms is about cadres. I have spoken about this on different occasions. In terms of cadres, my approach is unchanged. As the Prosecutor General, I want to share my responsibility and success with those prosecutors who are well-mannered, have a high standard of professional knowledge, are hardworking, honest, improve their qualities and most importantly, are dedicated to their profession and their country. In terms of cadre policy, I attach great importance to the work with young people, students and pupils. In terms of professional orientation, we give students the opportunity to do an internship with us, to have regular meetings with prosecutors, before being included in the list of prosecutors, to work in the Prosecutor's Office. I am often asked about the involvement of women. Anticipating this question, I should note that smart and dedicated women certainly have their place in the Prosecutor's Office, including in high positions. Women know about the rule in the Prosecutor's Office: we work hard and treat our work with extreme responsibility, Prosecutor General of Armenia Anna Vardapetyan said. Speaking about challenges and problems, Vardapetyan noted that they are quite many, starting from criminal proceedings, delay of trials to efficiency of fight against corruption. Answering the question about delay of trials and delayed justice, which cause decline of public trust in legal system, Anna Vardapetyan noted that delayed justice still continues to exist, adding that she first raised that issue last year, when being nominated as candidate for the position of Prosecutor General. In the 2022 activity report of the Prosecutor's Office, we devoted a separate chapter to the issue of the delay in the examination of criminal cases, where the concerns raised by me about "delayed" justice are presented with examples. The reasons for the delay in examination of criminal cases are multifaceted: they have objective and subjective aspects. The objective side is the increase in the number of criminal proceedings, the subjective side is the unscrupulous attitude of the bodies conducting the proceedings towards their responsibilities, the frequent change of judges in the same case, the incomplete application of prosecutor's supervision and control mechanisms, etc. From the day I assumed the position of the Prosecutor General, I gave instructions to all departments to exclude the phenomenon when prosecutors do not attend trials for no serious reason, she said, emphasizing that the period of examination of criminal cases is in the center of her everyday attention. Referring to the question about her two meetings with the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan Kyamran Aliyev through the mediation of the Russian Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov, how she evaluates those meetings, what significant results can be highlighted, and whether there will be similar meetings in the near future, Mrs. Vardapetyan answered, At the end of 2022, I received an offer from the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation to meet with the Prosecutor General of Azerbaijan in a tripartite format, which I accepted, because each discussion in such a format is an opportunity to talk substantively about the fulfillment of the obligations stipulated by the tripartite statement of the leaders of Armenia, Russia and Azerbaijan on November 9, 2020. Point 8 of the tripartite declaration on humanitarian obligations is a priority for the prosecution. At the core of the tripartite meeting held at the end of 2022 was the issue of Armenian prisoners of war still held by Azerbaijan. Another tripartite meeting was held in June of this year, again at the initiative of the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation. In this context, I cannot help but emphasize the efforts of my Russian partner to resolve this sensitive issue as soon as possible, but it is a fact that there are still no tangible results from those meetings. I will not stop raising this issue among the prosecution community. You ask if there will be such meetings in the near future, yes, there will be, because if my participation in the meetings in such a format will create an opportunity to return our soldiers to the homeland, then yes, I will participate, I will speak, I will raise the need for Azerbaijan to fulfill international humanitarian demands and I will not allow the Azerbaijani side to ignore the issue. Answering the question whether there is any analysis of whats the reason behind the rise in crimes, Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan noted that in 2022 nearly 22 thousand cases of crimes were registered in Armenia, which is 24% higher than the figure in 2021. The analyzes show that one of the reasons is the change in criminal procedure legislation. You might be aware that the new code eliminates the stage of preparation of materials, and criminal proceedings are initiated for each report that can reasonably be given a preliminary legal assessment of compliance with any act under the Criminal Code, Vardapetyan said, adding that it should not be forgotten that crimes are systemic and re-productive phenomenon. The correspondent of ARMENPRESS asked if sufficient efforts are made to fight against the rise in drug trafficking in Armenia, to which Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan answered, You raise a very important question. I regret to say that no, I do not consider the current format of combating illegal drug trafficking to be sufficient. Efforts are being made, particularly an attempt is being made to change the tactics and quality of the investigation, but it is too early to talk about the results. The need to ensure the confidentiality of the preliminary investigation does not allow me to reveal details about the investigation process in specific cases, however, I should note that active work is being done within the framework of international legal assistance regarding the importation of large batches of drugs, including the extradition of suspected criminals to Armenia. As for prevention of drug use among minors, Anna Vardapetyan emphasized that the systematic criminal-legal fight against illegal drug trafficking is of primary importance, along with it, however, the family can also play a serious role in prevention. For a minor, the drug is a deception of "happiness", "interesting experience", she said. Referring to the question about the conference dedicated to the 105th anniversary of the establishment of the Prosecutor Generals Office, Anna Vardapetyan answered, A few days ago, on July 1-2, the Prosecutor's Office celebrated its 105th anniversary. With the support of our international partners, the Council of Europe and the European Union, a conference was organized on the topic "Prosecutions independence as a guarantor of the rule of law". The heads of the executive and judicial authorities of Armenia, ambassadors accredited to Armenia, heads of law enforcement structures, prosecutor generals of five member states of the Council of Europe, high-ranking representatives from the Council of Europe, the International Association of Prosecutors and the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice participated in the conference. At the end of the conference, a document summarizing the results of the panel discussions and reports was adopted. It was a great honor for me to organize such a high-level conference in Armenia and to host my European colleagues in Armenia. I am sure that the participants of the conference left our country having discovered Armenia and with the desire to return. I am glad that in addition to professional discussions, we managed to tell our European partners about the cultural and national wealth of Armenia. Thanks to the positive feedback on the effectiveness of this conference, we already have a preliminary agreement with our colleagues from the Council of Europe to hold another conference in the near future, which will have a more inclusive geography and will be dedicated to the institute of confiscation of property of illegal origin. Interview by Karen Khachatryan Photos by Hayk Manukyan Anticipation ahead of the All-Ireland Hurling Final is at fever pitch across the city and county as Kilkenny take on Limerick for the second year running this Sunday. For those lucky enough to get their hands on a ticket, the sat navs are being booted up, sandwiches buttered and cars fueled. But, what about people who couldnt get their hands on hurlings most desired ticket? Earlier this week it was announced that Limerick would show the match on OConnell Street in the city. Former Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr. David Fitzgerald, has called for a similar event to take place in UPMC Nowlan Park for hurling supporters not fortunate enough to make it to Croke Park. 'The Big screens will be used to show replays of matches as well as live entertainment at the homecoming on Monday evening, I dont see why we cannot use the same set up Sunday evening to show the match to the public. There has been some commentary and calls online for a public showing of the match and I think if we are going to have a significant set up for the homecoming we could also use it to show the All Ireland hurling final on Sunday, he said. YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan on Friday met with the Russian Foreign Ministers Special Envoy for Supporting the Normalization between Armenia and Azerbaijan Igor Khovaev. Grigoryan and the Russian official discussed the situation around Nagorno Karabakh and underscored that the rights and security of the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh are a priority and must be protected, Grigoryans office said in a readout. Speaking about the Azerbaijani blockade of Lachin Corridor, which constitutes a violation of the 9 November 2020 trilateral statement, Grigoryan stressed the need for Azerbaijan to implement its obligations. Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations highest court the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations and the Red Cross has been facilitating the medical evacuations of patients. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - Shanta Gold (AIM: SHG), the East Africa-focused gold producer, announced Thursday that the company produced 29,403 ounces of gold in Q2 2023, up 68% from Q2 2022 and up 92% from Q1 2023. The company said that its record performance over the last quarter has been outstanding, demonstrating the immediate clear benefits of having added Singida to its asset portfolio. Shanta Gold also reported adjusted EBITDA of US$23.2 million in Q2 2023, which is an increase of 209% compared to adjusted EBITDA of US$7.5 million in Q1 2023. Cash and available liquidity amounted to US$25.0 million at 30 June 2023 (Q1 2023: US$11.5 million). Importantly, the company reiterated its 2023 production guidance of 90,000 98,000 ounces of gold. CEO Eric Zurrin said, The future is exciting for Shanta with our two producing assets delivering record results, and yet with room for further growth at Singida and West Kenya, we are confident in the long-term prospects for shareholders. Shanta Gold is an East Africa-focused gold producer, developer and explorer. The companys assets include the New Luika gold mine and the Singida gold mine in Tanzania, as well as the West Kenya project in Kenya. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - Authorities in Canada have issued a warning to the public about an emerging trend of cryptocurrency investors being targeted in home robberies, with local law enforcement in Richmond and Delta, British Columbia responding to several such incidents over the past year. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Richmond and Delta Police issued the public warning on Wednesday after learning of a possible trend emerging in which high-value cryptocurrency investors are being robbed in their own homes. It appears someone is targeting these victims for cryptocurrency, and we believe this public warning is necessary in the interest of public safety, said Staff Sergeant Gene Hsieh of the Richmond RCMP Major Crime Unit. Investigators with Richmond RCMPs Serious Crime Unit and Delta Police have yet to release specific details about the incidents, including the amounts of cryptocurrency involved, other than to say they are large amounts. The investigations are still ongoing. An arrest has been made in one of the cases under investigation, and charges are being recommended. Police have yet to confirm whether these incidents are linked, however, a discernable pattern of operating, or modus operandi (M.O.), appears to be emerging, the release said. In all of the incidents reported so far, the suspects posed as delivery people or persons of authority to gain access to the victims home. Once inside, the suspects robbed the victims of information that grants access to their cryptocurrency accounts. The suspects appear to know the victims are heavily invested in cryptocurrency, know where they live, and are robbing them in their own homes, said Staff Sergeant Jill Long of Delta Police Investigative Services. The public warning was issued to try and help prevent future robberies and to encourage any victims that have yet to report such an incident to the police to come forward. If you or someone you know has been victimized by one of these robberies, please call police, said Staff Sgt. Long. You may have important information that can help our investigators. The alert also included precautions that investors can take to prevent becoming the next victim of these perpetrators. Recommendations include not allowing a delivery person or a person claiming to be in authority who shows up unexpectedly to enter the home; keeping valuables and financial information in a safe location, like a safety deposit box at a financial institution; only discussing financial matters with those you trust, and never discussing them in public places where you can be overheard or posting them on social media; and exercising caution and doing extensive research before investing or selecting a broker. Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here! (Kitco News) - NGEx Minerals (TSXV: NGEX) announced today that, due to strong demand, it has elected to increase the previously announced non-brokered private placement to an aggregate of up to 13,076,923 common shares of the company at a price of C$6.50 per common share for gross proceeds of up to C$85 million. Yesterday, NGEx announced that it intends to sell on a non-brokered private placement basis, an aggregate of up to 6,155,000 common shares of the company at a price of C$6.50 per common share for gross proceeds of up to C$40.0 million. The company said that net proceeds of the private placement will be predominantly used towards furthering exploration programs at the Lunahuasi exploration project in Argentina and continued exploration and maintenance of the company's Los Helados project in Chile. According to a company news release, the Lundin Family Trusts will acquire common shares under the private placement. NGEx Minerals is a copper and gold exploration company based in Canada, focused on exploration of its Los Helados copper-gold project located in Chile's Region III and the nearby Lunahuasi copper-gold-silver project located approximately 12 kilometres to the southwest in San Juan Province, Argentina. The company is the majority partner and operator for the Los Helados project, subject to a joint exploration agreement with Nippon Caserones Resources, which is the 49% owner of the Caserones open pit copper mine located approximately 15km north of Los Helados. Lundin Mining holds the remaining 51% stake in Caserones. LONDON, July 21 (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Friday, buoyed by evidence of tightening supplies and economic stimulus in slow-recovering China. Brent futures were up $1.02 at $80.66 a barrel by 1134 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude climbed $1 to $76.65 a barrel. "The supply deficit that had been looming in the second half of the year is now backed up by hard figures," Commerzbank analysts said, citing recent data indicating China and India's imports of crude oil from Russia had hit an all-time high in June. However, buying interest from India is likely to weaken, given narrowing discounts and payment problems. Meanwhile, in early July Russia joined Saudi Arabia in cutting output for August. "Demand from China and India could therefore shift more towards other suppliers, which would push up oil prices," the analysts said. In the U.S., crude inventories (USOILC=ECI) have also fallen, supported by a jump in crude exports as well as higher refinery utilisation, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Wednesday. "That tightness in supply is already showing up in inventories," analysts from ANZ Bank said. Meanwhile, investors welcomed stimulus measures designed to reinvigorate China's sluggish economy. Latest figures from the world's second-biggest oil consumer suggest the rate of gross domestic product growth in the second quarter augurs a miss of the government's 5% annual growth target. On Friday, Chinese authorities unveiled plans to help boost sales of automobiles and electronics. "The announcement remains short on detail but notions of China buying more cars gives rise in hope for oil investor bulls," PVM analyst John Evans said. YEREVAN, JULY 21, ARMENPRESS. On July 21, regular political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia and the People's Republic of China were held in Beijing. The Armenian delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan, and the PRC delegation was led by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu, ARMENPRESS was informed from MFA Armenia. During the consultations, the parties discussed a wide range of issues on bilateral regional and international agenda, including cooperation within the framework of international organizations. Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan presented Azerbaijan's policy of using force against Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia which undermines the efforts of the Armenian side aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the South Caucasus. The Deputy Minister presented the details of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of the illegal blockade of the Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan and the threat of ethnic cleansing of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ma Zhaoxu emphasized that China supports the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, underscoring that the settlement of conflicts through peaceful negotiations is the key to maintaining peace and security in the region. The Armenian side reiterated its support to the One China principle. Both sides commended the dynamics of bilateral cooperation in the trade, economic, cultural and educational spheres and discussed issues regarding the development and deepening of cooperation in the spheres of connectivity, investments, tourism and air communication. On the same day, the delegation led by Mnatsakan Safaryan had a meeting with Mr Li Yongquan, the Director of the Institute of Eurasian Social Development, Development Research Center of the State Council, the leading "think tank" of the PRC government, and the institute's experts. Issues on international and regional politics were discussed. Stuff reports: Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has been bringing her dog to work, where it is not allowed. The Post reports Whanau has been breaching the council's tenancy agreement by bringing her dog, Teddy, to the office. In an emailed response to The Post, her office confirmed the lease agreement the council had for its offices on The Terrace does not allow animals on the premises. However, it said the council hadn't received a formal breach notice from the landlord, nor had the landlord asked her to stop bringing the dog in. Having dogs at work is a great idea. i love seeing photos of dogs at Parliament after trevor mallard changed the rules to allow them. If WCC owned its own building, then the Mayor could bring her dog in, as well as Councillors and staff. That would be great. But WCC have a legal lease agreement which bans animals from the premises. The issue here is whether the Mayor is above the rules that apply to everyone else. Other Councillors have been told they can't bring dogs in. No staff are allowed to bring their dogs in. The fact the landlord hasn't complained to the Council is irrelevant. The landlord may not even be aware. The Council has a legal obligation to not breach the lease terms. The Council could have approached the landlord and asked for a waiver. They did not. What is unclear is whether the Mayor was aware she was breaching the lease by bringing her dog in. Did no one on staff ever tell her? If so, then the staff are at fault, not her. But if the staff did tell her, and she decided the Mayor gets to ignore legal requirements, then she is at fault. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Interesting letter to the editor in today's NZ Herald from Revenue Minister David Parker. Looking forward to his commentary on Mike Munro, Neale Jones, lamia Iman, Craig Renney, kris Faafoi and his former press secretary vernon small. pic.twitter.com/OlpWNMP2ta simeon brown (@SimeonBrownMP) July 18, 2023 Astonishing that a Minister of the Crown would take the time to complain to media that two of their columnists are former National Party Ministers. Must be feeling the pressure. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Impeding breathing (s189A): 7 years Injuring with intent to injure (s189(2)): 5 years Wilful damage (s269): 7 years Male assaults female (s194): 2 years Five months home detention really wasn't adequate was it, even if he was actively engaged in a non-violence programme. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Shenandoah, IA (51601) Today Partly cloudy skies early followed by scattered thunderstorms overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early followed by scattered thunderstorms overnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 66F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Dear fellow citizens in Artsakh, many people say that the public in the RA is not informed about the situation in Artsakh, as if we in Artsakh only understand what is happening to us and a small part of the society in Armenia and the Diaspora. July 21, 2023, 10:30 I still don't know how to shout to make them realize the situation is grave. Ombudsman of Artsakh STEPANAKERT, JULY 21, ARTSAKHPRESS: Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan wrote on his Facebook page. "All Artsakh social media users and dear compatriots who are aware of the situation, write about the situation on all social networks, as Diana did, tagging her friends. The National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh has issued an address, calling on Armenia to ask UN to grant an international mandate to the peacekeeping mission deployed in Artsakh. July 21, 2023, 11:10 Artsakh parliament calls on Armenia to ask UN to grant international mandate to peacekeepers STEPANAKERT, JULY 21, ARTSAKHPRESS: In a statement adopted on July 21, the parliament of Nagorno Karabakh called on the Government of Armenia to take immediate measures to vest the peacekeeping mission in Nagorno Karabakh with an international mandate by requesting the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly to take proper action to preserve peace and security in the region. It also called on the international community, in person of the permanent members of the UNSC, to adopt an imperative resolution and initiate practical measures to impose peace in Artsakh pursuant to the goals and principles enshrined in the UN Charters Chapter 1 and guided by Chapter 7. The Republic of Artsakh is committed to saving its people from the disaster of war, to reiterating faith for the fundamental human rights and freedoms, and equal rights of large and small nations, thus it expects from these organizations to create the kind of conditions that would ensure respect towards obligations stemming from the norms of international law, and promote the safeguarding of the dignified life of the Artsakh people in conditions of freedom, reads a part of the resolution. It noted that under the 9 November 2020 trilateral agreement, Russia which deployed peacekeepers to Nagorno Karabakh - exercised the provisions of the UN Charters Chapter 6 on Pacific Settlement of Disputes, bringing the dispute settlement to the framework of mediation, consent and negotiations, but this has been undermined by Azerbaijans continuous aggression which created a regional crisis with the involvement of the direct and indirect parties to the conflict. On the other hand, the subjectivity and the expression of will of the Republic of Artsakh and its people continue to be ignored. The people of Artsakh exercised its right to self-determination in line with well-known norms and principles of the international law and the USSR legislation, proclaiming the Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) Republic on September 2, 1991, and then holding an independence referendum on December 10, reads the statement adopted by parliament. It added that the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh dont have an international mandate and that this greenlights Azerbaijan to commit violations, jeopardizing regional security and stability. The statement says that the blockade of Lachin Corridor by Azerbaijan, Azerbaijans disruption of infrastructures, continuous terror against civilians, promotion of ethnic hatred, deliberate destruction of Armenian churches and historical and cultural landmarks constitutes a policy of ethnic cleansing which amounts to a crime against humanity. The National Summit on Equal Opportunity in Higher Education aims to find new ways to work diversity into the admissions process, according to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, pictured here in 2021. An aerial view shows a Pfizer facility in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, after a tornado. Most of the damage from July 19's tornado to a major Pfizer plant in North Carolina was to a warehouse facility, rather than areas that produce medicines, the drug giant said Friday. The UN Office in Yerevan has been urged to deliver food, medicine and other essential goods to blockade-hit Artsakh collected in Armenia. July 21, 2023, 16:58 UN urged to deliver relief supplies to Artsakh collected in Armenia STEPANAKERT, JULY 21, ARTSAKHPRESS: The citizens initiative Opening launched the collection of relief supplies for Artsakh outside the UN headquarters on July 19, Panorama.am informs. Citing the UN World Food Programme and its charter, members of the initiative claim the organization must immediately deliver humanitarian aid to Artsakh to save its 120,000 people from starvation. The people of Artsakh have been living under Azerbaijan's unlawful blockade for over seven months now. Korea's trade chief met with Bahrain's top envoy in Seoul on Friday for talks on ways to boost bilateral trade and investment, the trade ministry said. Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun met with Bahrain's Ambassador to Korea Mohamed Ghassan Mohamed Adnan Shaikho and discussed how to enhance two-way trade and industry relations, as well as a free trade agreement between Korea and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Negotiations are under way for the bilateral FTA, with the last session taking place in February. The GCC consists of six nations of Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. Trade between Korea and Bahrain hit an all-time high last year of 2 trillion won ($1.6 billion), government data showed. (Yonhap) Yes, by at least $1 Yes, by $2 or more No Vote View Results Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan intend to increase trade turnover by 5.5 times and reach $1bn in the near future. On this, Azerbaijani and Uzbek delegations agreed the 12th meeting of the Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan Joint Intergovernmental Commission which kicked off in the city of Shusha. Uzbek Ministry of Investment, Industry, and Trade noted that in 2022 alone, the volume of trade between the two countries will increase by 1.5 times, and since the beginning of this year, this indicator has increased by 16%. The Uzbek ministry emphasized that the volume of delivery of textile products to Azerbaijan increased by 2.6 times, the delivery of mechanical equipment by 19.7 percent, and the delivery of glass and glass products by 76 percent. It should be mentioned that Azerbaijan was keen to develop business relations with the West after it got independence and with a determined foreign economic policy Azerbaijan formed a good business cooperation with the Western countries. Today, over 80 percent of Azerbaijans export is diverted to the West. However, after 2020 Azerbaijan started to develop its relations with Central Asian countries. Trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Central Asian countries has increased by several times over three years. It is worth noting that the relations with Uzbekistan stand forward among these countries. There are several sectors, that Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan agreed to cooperate. Processing of Uzbek dried fruits in Alat Free Economic Zone, and jointly assembling vehicles are some of them. It is clear from the information provided by the Ministry of Uzbekistan that the two countries intend to further develop these economic relations. But how far can the economic relations between the two countries develop? Speaking to Azernews, the economist Eyyub Karimli underlined that generally, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan have political, cultural, and economic relations, and the history of these relations goes back to ancient times. "Obviously, Uzbekistan is located on the Silk Road. Even before the USSR, Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan relations always developed and the relations were a way better during the USSR and it is now. These relations stemmed from the fact that both of these countries come from the same lineage, and also belong to the same religion," the expert said. He emphasized that last year the trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $183m, of which Azerbaijan exported products and services costing $46.5m to Uzbekistan and imported $137m. However, Karimli thinks that this amount is not sufficient. "Of course, there are enough opportunities to increase this amount. Today, within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States, Azerbaijan is further developing relations with Uzbekistan on the basis of bilateral economic relations between the two countries. Currently, there are great opportunities for this. As is known, Azerbaijan is strengthening its economic and political influence among Central Asian states. The industrial potential in Uzbekistan is already developing. Today, household appliances, cars, and agricultural products are imported to Azerbaijan from Uzbekistan," Eyyub Karimli said. He also touched on the Middle Corridor and its benefits to the two countries. The Economist believes that in the near future, the logistics opportunities developing along the East-West direction of the Middle Corridor will create great opportunities for Uzbek entrepreneurs to access the European markets, and other countries on this route. Eyyub Karimli ensured that both the economy of Azerbaijan and the economy of Uzbekistan will gain from this process, and the possibilities of activity of Uzbek entrepreneurs will expand. As for further development between these countries, of course, I think that in the near future, we will observe the rise of Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan relations to a high level. As I mentioned earlier, there is an economic basis for this. Today, Uzbekistan is a leading cotton-growing country, and in the future, wide opportunities for cooperation in this field can be obtained. In addition, Uzbekistan has gas opportunities, and it is possible that we will mediate in the transfer of this gas to Europe in the future. Today, Uzbekistan has wide opportunities in both industry and agriculture, and we can exchange mutual experiences. From this point of view, Azerbaijani entrepreneurs have the opportunity to acquire and apply certain knowledge in the field of agriculture in Uzbekistan. Also, Uzbekistan receives oil products from Azerbaijan, and this may increase in the future," he noted. Azerbaijani economist added that all these mentioned can affect the trade turnover between the two countries, and I believe that we can reach the set figure within the next five years. Central New York U.S. Reps. Claudia Tenney and Brandon Williams joined a bipartisan supermajority in supporting a bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration for the next five years. The Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act passed by a 351-69 vote on Thursday. Tenney, R-Canandaigua, and Williams, R-Sennett, were among 187 Republicans and 164 Democrats who voted for the bill's passage. The FAA reauthorization bill contains several provisions. According to the legislative summary, it requires the agency to increase air traffic controller hiring targets and raises the airline pilot retirement age from 65 to 67. It also creates a workforce development program to recruit and retain aviation workers. Amendments pushed by Tenney and Williams were included in the House bill. Tenney joined a western New York delegation that included U.S. Reps. Brian Higgins and Nick Langworthy in advocating for the 1,500-hour standard for pilot training. That requirement was adopted after the Flight 3407 crash in 2009 near Buffalo. Over the years, there have been unsuccessful attempts to tweak that standard. But on behalf of the Flight 3407 families, Tenney and her colleagues ensured that the 1,500-hour standard would remain in the FAA bill. "The 1,500-hour requirement ensures that our pilots receive the necessary training and experience to handle the complexities and challenges they may face in the cockpit," she said. Williams' amendment that was included in the final legislation requires the FAA administrator to study surface surveillance systems and consult with regulatory agencies and safety experts before making any changes. In a statement, Williams said his amendment would ensure that safety comes first. "As post-COVID travel rises, our ground safety systems must be fully operational avoiding collisions at our busy airports and avoiding accidents and delays," he added. "Air safety goes beyond political partisanship and is the core of the FAA's mission: To provide the safest and most efficient civilian air transportation system in the world." Following the House's approval of the FAA bill, it now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration. The Biden administration expressed some concerns with the bill, including raising the retirement age for pilots, but generally supports the reauthorization measure. Other votes in the House this week: A bill that would bring the rulemaking process into the 21st century received unanimous support. The Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act would require a federal agency to include a link to a summary in the notice of a proposed rule. According to the bill's text, the summary must be no more than 100 words and posted on regulations.gov. Tenney and Williams voted for the bill, which passed by a 400-0 vote. The Global Investment in American Jobs Act passed 386-22, with Tenney and Williams supporting the legislation. According to the bill's summary, it would require the Department of Commerce and Government Accountability Office to review the United States' global competitiveness in attracting foreign investment from "responsible private-sector entities based in trusted countries." The House rejected five resolutions that sought to end national emergencies declared by past presidents. During his tenure, former President George W. Bush declared national emergencies in response to the situations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq and Syria. Former President Barack Obama made similar declarations concerning Libya and Yemen. A group of House conservatives pushed to end the national emergencies, but those attempts failed. Tenney and Williams opposed the measures. The House approved a resolution supporting Israel after comments made by U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Jayapal called Israel "a racist state." The House resolution says Israel "is not a racist or apartheid state" and that Congress "rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia." It adds that the U.S. "will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel." The resolution passed 412-9. Tenney and Williams voted for the resolution. A bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro, a New York Republican, passed 222-201. Tenney and Williams voted for the legislation. The Schools Not Shelters Act would prohibit schools that receive federal funding from being used to house migrants. 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) The European Union has allocated additional 10 million in humanitarian aid to Chad, to help the country cope with the needs of the large number of people fleeing from the conflict in neighbouring Sudan. This new funding comes on top of the 7 million in humanitarian aid already pledged for actions in Chad at the high-level event held in Geneva last month, in response to the crisis in Sudan. The funding will be used to respond to the most urgent needs of refugee populations living in extremely precarious situations, most of them women and children, including many pregnant and lactating women. Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, made the announcement during a call with the President of the Transition, Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno. The total funding mobilised for interventions in Chad since the beginning of the crisis in Sudan amounts now to more than 18.6 million. This is in addition to the 39.1 million mobilised so far in 2023, in favour of the most vulnerable people in other provinces of Chad. Further support from the EHRC Additionally, a new flight of the EU Humanitarian Air Bridge (HAB) to N'Djamena has departed today. This flight, the third since the launch of the HAB at the end of May, is carrying nearly 90 tonnes of supplies for different humanitarian partners. Out of the total cargo, 52 tonnes are donated by the EU from its pre-positioned stockpile in Brindisi, which will be delivered to humanitarian partners. This Humanitarian Air Bridge is organised in the framework of the European Humanitarian Response Capacity (EHRC), which aims at filling gaps in the humanitarian response to natural and human-made disasters. The previous two flights delivered around 180 tonnes of essential supplies for several partners, including medicines, shelter, water and sanitation equipment, school supplies and other non-food items. Through the EHRC, the EU is also supporting several actions to facilitate the delivery of aid in the east of Chad. The EU is supporting the creation of a logistic hub in the town of Adre, close to the Sudanese border and which is one of the main entry points for people fleeing Sudan. There, together with local authorities, the EU has launched works to rehabilitate an airstrip, which will allow the arrival of small planes transporting humanitarian staff and cargo, as well as medical evacuations. Furthermore, in partnership with the World Food Programme, the EU will support the temporary deployment of a deep-field helicopter in the eastern regions, which will provide access to hard-to-reach areas for humanitarian organizations. Background Since fighting started in Sudan, at least 300 000 people have escaped towards Chad, the vast majority women and children. New people are crossing the border every day. Such a sudden influx has highly strained the response capacity of humanitarian partners in the country, one of the less developed in the world and where previous humanitarian needs were already high. Before the current conflict in Sudan, Chad already hosted one of the largest refugee populations in the region, with nearly 600 000 people. Around 400 000 of those were from Sudan, while the rest came from Nigeria, Cameroon and Central African Republic. For 2023, the EU has already allocated 39.1 million to respond to humanitarian needs in other parts of Chad, as part of its humanitarian aid in West and Central Africa. The region continues to face a protracted crisis driven by conflict and worsened by other factors, such as climate change and the global spike in food prices. For More Information EU Humanitarian Aid to Chad EU Humanitarian Aid to Sudan European Humanitarian Response Capacity Zarazeno pa 21.07.2023 16:07:00 Zdroj Evropska komise en Original ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/documents?reference=IP/23/3968&language=en lang en A member of Bishop Ludden High School's class of 1980 and Niagara University's class of 1984 is giving back to his alma maters. Federal Election Commission records show former U.S. Rep. John Katko, through his campaign committee, donated $50,000 each to Bishop Ludden and Niagara University. The donations are the largest expenditures Katko for Congress has made since the former Republican congressman decided not to seek a fifth term in 2022. Bishop Ludden is a private Catholic school in Syracuse. After graduating from high school, Katko majored in political science at Niagara University, a private college in western New York. He earned his bachelor's degree in 1984. Katko joined Niagara University's board of trustees in May. When Katko announced he would not run for reelection in 2022, he had raised $1.8 million and reported more than $1 million in the bank. According to his latest FEC filing, his campaign has $728,708 cash on hand. Katko's expenditures totaled $129,976 in the second quarter, with the $100,000 in donations accounting for most of the spending. He also contributed $25,000 to the Governing Majority Education Fund, which pushes for "center-right policy solutions and advancing responsible governance through research and education," according to its website. The group announced in February that Katko has joined its board. Katko also donated $1,500 to help build the Jon Diaz Community Center in Nedrow. The effort to construct the center is being led by Latavius Murray, a Buffalo Bills running back who grew up in Nedrow. Summer is the time when you should be concerned about tick bites and the risk of Lyme diseases and other tick-borne diseases. The Cayuga County Health Department is encouraging residents to take steps to reduce their risk. The number of adult ticks increases during the warmer months and peaks in fall. The colder months will bring a decrease in ticks, but they can still be active year-round. According to a news release, Lyme disease is the most common disease spread by ticks in New York state. There are other serious uncommon diseases spread by ticks such as babesiosis, anaplasmosis, and rarer diseases, like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Powassan virus. In 2022, there were 118 reported cases of Lyme disease among Cayuga County residents. At the time of this release, there have already been 111 cases of Lyme disease reported this year in Cayuga County, as well as cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and anaplasmosis. To reduce the risk of tick bites, the health department recommends the following: In your yard: Mow your lawn often and remove brush. Stack wood neatly and in dry areas. Keep playground toys, decks, and patios away from wooded areas. Create barriers to keep deer away and/or out of your yard, remove plants that attract deer, and do not feed deer on your property. When outdoors: Wear light-colored clothes, long pants, long sleeves, and socks. Tuck in your shirt and tuck pant legs into your boots or socks. Check yourself and others, especially kids, for ticks after being outdoors, even when you are in your own yard. Bathe or shower, preferably within 2 hours, after coming indoors. Wash and dry clothing at a high temperature to kill any ticks that may remain on your clothing after outdoor activities. Consider using insect repellent when outdoors: Follow all labeled directions. Put a small amount of repellent in your hands and apply it to your child. Do not let children touch repellents. Repellents containing DEET should not be used on children under two months old. Use insect repellent containing up to 30-35% concentration of DEET on clothes and on bare skin. Use just enough repellent to cover exposed skin. Check for ticks: Do a full body tick check on yourself, children, and pets after being outdoors. Check your body for ticks especially your scalp, neck, armpits, groin, and ankles. Look carefully when checking for ticks, they can be as small as a poppy seed. How to remove a tick: Take tweezers to the ticks head or mouth, where it enters the skin. Pull the tick up firmly in a steady motion away from the skin. Clean the bite with rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or soap and water. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Keep a record of the date, time and where you were bitten. Dispose of the tick by placing it in a container of rubbing alcohol or a sealed bag/container and then placing it in the trash. If you suspect a tick has been attached for 24 hours or more, consult a doctor. Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of rash, fever, vomiting, headache, stiffness/aches, or other conditions after a tick bite. For more information about tick prevention and removal, visit health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/lyme/ For more information, call the Cayuga County Health Department at (315) 253-1560 or visit cayugacounty.us/environmental New Delhi [India], July 21 (ANI): Tenders for anti-collision system 'Kavach' have been awarded for DelhiMumbai and Delhi-Howrah corridors, which together are approximately 3000 route km, Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw informed Parliament on Friday. The work is in progress, Vaishnaw said. Also Read | Punjab: International Fake Call Centre Racket Busted in Ludhiana; 30 Arrested. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha today, he also apprised the House that the Indian Railways is preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and detailed estimate for installing Kavach in another 6,000 route km. Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Also Read | Microsoft Gets the Top Spot for Impersonated Brand for Phishing Scams in Quarter 2 of 2023, Reveals Report. Kavach is a technology-intensive system which aids the loco pilot in the train running within specified speed limits by automatic application of brakes in case the Loco Pilot fails to do so and also helps the train safely run during inclement weather. The first field trials on the passenger trains were started in February 2016. The amount spent so far on Kavach implementation is Rs 351.91 crores. Based on the experience, three firms were approved in 2018-19, for supply of Kavach. Subsequently, Kavach was adopted as a National Automatic Train Protection system in July 2020. The system has so far been deployed on 1,465 route km and 121 locomotives (including Electric Multiple Unit rakes) on South Central Railway. Presently there are three Indian OEMs (manufacturers) who are approved for Kavach. Efforts are being made to develop more vendors to enhance the capacity and scale up the implementation of Kavach, the minister added. There was much debate around the anti-collision system in light of the horrific triple-train accident in Odisha's Balasore on June 2, which claimed the lives of close to 300 passengers while leaving about 1,000 injured. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Guwahati, Jul 21 (PTI) Diverse representations, some questioning the timing of the delimitation exercise in Assam and seeking its deferment while some welcoming the draft proposal, were placed before the Election Commission of India (ECI) during public hearings which concluded here on Friday. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, who headed the full bench of the ECI which conducted the hearings over the last three days on the draft delimitation proposal for Assembly and Parliamentary constituencies of Assam, appreciated the conducive manner in which the sittings took place, with conflicting claims on various issues placed without any confrontations or hostility. Also Read | Punjab: International Fake Call Centre Racket Busted in Ludhiana; 30 Arrested. "During the public meetings held in last three days, the Commission patiently heard all the representations from different sections of the society and organisations and assured due consideration of all the representations within the constitutional and statutory provisions," the ECI said in a statement. "The CEC appreciated the ability of different groups to present their conflicting claims on various issues, with detailed reasons for their point of view, in a respectful and friendly manner, without creating confrontations or hostility," it said. Also Read | No Manipur-Like Sexual Violence Incident in West Bengal: DGP Denies Allegations of BJP Candidate Being Paraded Naked on Panchayat Elections Poll Day (Watch Video). Kumar added that such an attitude is conducive to constructive dialogue and open-mindedness, allowing a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives. The Commission heard over 1,200 representations from 31 districts and held meetings with more than 20 political parties. In all, more than 6,000 people participated in the public hearings. Representatives from national parties -- Aam Aadmi Party, Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Bhartiya Janata Party and state parties All India United Democratic Front, Asom Gana Parishad, United Peoples Party Liberal and Bodoland People's Front shared their feedback and suggestions with the CEC. United Opposition Forum Assam comprising Congress, Assam Jatiya Parishad, CPI(M), Raijor Dal, CPI, Jatiya Dal Assam, NCP, RJD, Janata Dal (U), TMC, CPI(ML) and others, and several registered unrecognised political parties also participated in the hearings. The release said that several organisations "welcomed the draft proposal based on Census 2001 and were largely satisfied with the draft delimitation proposal". The increase in Assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC) from 8 to 9 and Scheduled Tribe (ST) Assembly seats from 16 to 19 was widely welcomed by different organisations, it said. The people and organisations from four districts under the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) and three autonomous hill council districts welcomed the proposal. However, there was a demand for further increase of Assembly seats in Dima Hasao, West Karbi Anglong and Karbi Anglong districts, and people from BTR also demanded the creation of one more ST Parliamentary seat for Udalguri and Baksa districts. If not, they demanded that at least the name of Darang Lok Sabha seat be changed to Udalguri. A few representations from Barak Valley welcomed de-reserving the Parliamentary constituency of Karimganj, though several representations demanded that Assembly seats in the valley should be restored from 13 to 15. However, a few representations questioned the timing of the exercise, while others sought its deferment to permit a better understanding of the methodology being adopted. A few organisations from the Lower Assam, central Assam and Barak Valley districts also requested for maintaining the compactness, contiguity of the constituencies and keeping intact the administrative units as far as possible. Many organisations requested for a change of nomenclature of some Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies, highlighting the historical, cultural, political, and ethnic significance of the region. Many people from Sibsagar district submitted representations for restoration of Amguri Assembly constituency in their district citing the historical and political significance of the place. United Opposition Forum Assam apprised the Commission that it had filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the draft delimitation proposal and the matter is listed for hearing on July 25. Many representations were purely aspirational and raised issues beyond the remit of the exercise, the release said. Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel, had reached here on Wednesday to hold the public hearings. On the first day, 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 were heard on Thursday. On the last day, the ECI heard prayers from Tinsukia, Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Sivasagar, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Charaideo, Golaghat and Majuli districts. The last delimitation exercise in Assam took place in 1976 on the basis of the 1971 Census. Many political parties have knocked the doors of the Supreme Court against the entire delimitation exercise. The ECI had on June 20 notified the draft delimitation document by retaining the number of Assembly seats in Assam at 126 and the Lok Sabha constituencies at 14. The state has seven Rajya Sabha seats. As per the draft, the Assembly seats reserved for Scheduled Castes have been increased to nine from eight and for Scheduled Tribes to 19 from 16. For the Parliamentary constituencies, two have been proposed under the ST category and one for the SC community. The poll panel has also planned to alter the geographical boundaries of most of the constituencies, both Assembly and Lok Sabha, while eliminating some seats and creating a few new ones. An ECI team had earlier visited Assam on March 26-28 and held interactions with political parties, public representatives, civil society members, social organisations, members of the public and officers regarding the delimitation exercise. In total, representations from 11 political parties and 71 other organisations were received and considered during that visit of the ECI. The Commission had prepared detailed guidelines and methodology for the draft delimitation proposal keeping in view the constitutional and legal provisions, physical features, density of population, existing boundaries of administrative units, facilities of communication and public convenience and suggestions received in the representations after the consultative exercise. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) AUBURN Mead, or honey wine, means high alcohol to most. But the flagship product of the city's first meadery is just 5.5% ABV. That's just one example of the creative approach to the beverage taken by Elaine Ferrier, owner of Combgrown Mead, which opened Friday in Suite 4 of 26 Osborne St., across from Wegmans. "What I love about mead is it's such a blank canvas," Ferrier told The Citizen. "There aren't a lot of expectations, so there's a lot of room to be creative and surprise people in good ways." Combgrown is the second mead business for Ferrier and her husband, Michael Sojka, a family physician at Auburn Community Hospital. Their first began about 10 years ago in southwestern Ontario, Canada, while he was in medical school and she worked in environmental policy for the province's Ministry of Natural Resources. A homebrewer, Sojka suggested they try fermenting honey to produce mead. Ferrier ran with the idea, he told The Citizen, making a batch in the kitchen of her family farm in Thorndale. There, they opened Tallgrass Mead, named for the area's endangered prairie and savannah ecosystems that are more rare than rainforests, she said. New career opportunities took Ferrier and Sojka to Michigan, where they briefly commuted while continuing to run Tallgrass. When another opportunity presented itself in Auburn, they decided to take the meadery with them, expand it and rename it Combgrown. Ferrier thanked her parents for letting her use their property until the move. On Osborne Street, Ferrier and Sojka will have 1,000 gallons of capacity to produce meads like Honey Pops, their 5.5% ABV flagship. Such "session meads" were scarce 10 years ago, she said. "It's not often you want to sit down and have mead. It pairs well with food, but not the way wine does," she said. "So I thought there was an opportunity to create meads that are more sessionable." Although it has less alcohol than traditional meads, Honey Pops is actually harder to make, Ferrier said. That's partly because of the time it takes to carbonate, a process that also lengthens production of Combgrown's line of mead spritzers. About 8% ABV, they include gamay noir rose grapes with extracts of rhubarb and strawberry, and chardonnay grapes with extracts of elderflower and lemon. A bourbon barrel-aged mead should be released next weekend, Ferrier said. Though she would like to distribute Combgrown to stores eventually, for now it will be available in cans to go or in glasses to enjoy in the meadery's tasting room. She looks forward to becoming a stop on tours as part of the busy Finger Lakes craft beverage scene. "With all its wineries and breweries, it's nice to be able to offer something new," she said. "And Auburn has been so great. People here seem to take it seriously to support local businesses." Ferrier will make traditional meads eventually, but for now she wants to expand people's definition of the beverage. She's also still finalizing some parts of her production, like carbonation, and experimenting with varietals of New York honey. It's one of the most expensive fermentables, she said, on par with Napa Valley wine grapes. Among her first sources was Kutik's Honey Farm in Oxford. "It's a really unique type of ingredient," she said. "In my opinion, (mead) is a more sustainable type of craft beverage. As much as I love grape wine, there is a lot of agriculture. You have to clear the land, there's sometimes chemicals used in production and definitely a lot of fossil fuels for the equipment. It's very resource-intensive. Whereas wherever there's wildflowers, bees will make honey." If you go WHAT: Combgrown Mead WHEN: Open 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays, 4 to 8 p.m. Fridays and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays; ribbon-cutting event at 4 p.m. Friday, July 21 WHERE: 26 Osborne St., Suite 4, Auburn INFO: Visit combgrown.square.site or facebook.com/combgrownmead, or email combgrown@gmail.com New Delhi [India], July 21 (ANI): Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal plans to visit Manipur for assessing the situation after incidents of sexual violence against women and girls emerged. In this regard, she also wrote a letter to DGP Manipur and said that she shall be reaching Imphal by July 23 and requested support from DGPs office. Also Read | Luxury Cars Racing in Hyderabad: Six Men Race Ferrari, Lamborghini And Other High-End Vehicles in Kokapet, Booked. I am deeply distressed after watching the recent viral video which revealed how two women were paraded naked, groped, molested and gang raped by a mob of men. I have been informed that the horrific crime occurred in the state over 2.5 months back but not even a single arrest was made by the Manipur Police until the video went viral on social media, read the letter As a woman and as a citizen of this country, I feel deeply aggrieved by these gross human rights violations and the apparent failure of the State in protecting its women and girls. In light of the same, I have decided to visit the state of Manipur and interact with the survivors of sexual violence therein and give a fact finding report to the Government. In this regard, I wish to inform you that I shall be reaching Imphal 23 July 2023. I request the following support to be extended by your office: read the letter further, read the letter further. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Man Beheads Sister After Argument, Walks Around With Severed Head in Barabanki (Watch Video). On Thursday, Maliwal also wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to take urgent steps to curb violence in Manipur and protect the dignity and safety of all its citizens while seeking his intervention in seeking justice for the victims of the violence. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bengaluru, Jul 21 (PTI) The High Court of Karnataka has said that it will hear on July 28 a petition challenging the election of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to the Assembly from Varuna constituency. The petition blames the election manifesto of the Congress party which promised five 'guarantees' as corrupt practices amounting to bribery and also undue influence under Section 123(2) of the Representation of the People Act. Also Read | Lioness Near Berlin May Be Wild Boar, Police Say. The petition alleges that Siddaramaiah had breached the provisions of the Constitution and the rules and guidelines under The Representation of the People Act. Also Read | Gyanvapi Mosque Case: Varanasi Court Allows Survey of Mosque Premises, ASI To Carry Out Scientific Survey of Complex Barring Shivling. The petition claims that the The said guarantees are in the nature of offer and promises made by the candidate and by the Indian National Congress party. This was done with the consent of the respondent (Siddaramaiah). They are in the form of gratification to the electorate of Varuna Constituency and with the object of directly inducing the electorate to vote for the Congress party candidate namely the respondent. The consideration was the vote in favour of the Respondent as a gratification with the motive and reward. The Election petition filed by K M Shankara, a private citizen from the constituency, came up before the single-judge bench of Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav. The petition alleged that Siddaramaiah during the recently concluded Assembly Elections indulged in corrupt practice during the election period. Senior advocate Pramila Nesargi, appearing for the petitioner, submitted to the court that everyone who sought votes in the name of the five guarantees are guilty of breaking the model code of conduct but only Siddaramaiah has been made a respondent as an example. All the persons' names which find a place in the manifesto are all jointly and severally responsible for the corrupt practice of 123(1) and 123(2) of the RP Act, the petition says. The HC adjourned the hearing after directing the petitioner to comply with the office objections raised to the petition. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jaipur, Jul 21 (PTI) Rajasthan minister Rajendra Gudha on Friday questioned his own government's performance in reining in the crimes against women, even as his peers slammed the Manipur violence. During the discussion on the Rajasthan Minimum Income Guarantee Bill 2023 in the state Assembly, Congress MLAs waved placards on the Manipur violence, but the protest did not go down well with Gudha, who sought accountability from his own government on crimes inflicted against women. Also Read | Manipur Viral Video: Both Meitei, Kuki Women Hold Massive Protests Across State After Two Women Paraded Naked by Mob. "The way we have failed to provide security to women in Rajasthan and atrocities on women have increased, instead of raising the issue of Manipur, we should introspect," Gudha said in the assembly. Leader of the Opposition Rajendra Rathore slammed the state government saying Rajasthan tops the chart of crimes against women. Also Read | US Shocker: Teen Mother Tries to Hire Contract Killer to Murder Her Three-Year-Old Son in Miami, Arrested. "Cabinet minister Rajendra Gudha himself is stating the reality of atrocities being done on sisters and daughters in Rajasthan. According to Article 164(2) of the Constitution, the cabinet works on the basis of collective responsibility and the state of a minister is considered to be that of the entire cabinet," Rathore later tweeted. He also asked Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who is also the home minister, to take responsibility for the "poor" state of law and order in Rajasthan. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal responded to the charges saying that the state government has supplied the House with the statistics that show that the maximum number of atrocities were committed on women during BJP rule. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) The Supreme Court Friday refused to entertain an appeal of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari challenging a Calcutta High Court order dismissing his contempt plea against the West Bengal Director General of Police (DGP) and other police officials. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra told senior advocate P S Patwalaia, appearing for the leader of opposition in the state assembly, that it was not going to hear this plea. Also Read | Delhi Shocker: 19-Year-Old Woman Sexually Harassed at LNJP Hospital. "Not in this..., come to us in some better case," the bench said, prompting Patwalia to withdraw the petition. "Mr P S Patwalia, senior counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, seeks the permission of the Court to withdraw the Special Leave Petition. The Special Leave Petition is dismissed as withdrawn," it ordered. Also Read | Manipur Viral Video: Both Meitei, Kuki Women Hold Massive Protests Across State After Two Women Paraded Naked by Mob. The Calcutta High Court, on November 7, 2022, had dismissed the plea of Adhikari seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against Director General of Police Manoj Malviya and others, including IPS officer Biswajit Ghosh and Kalyan Sarkar, for not permitting him to visit Paschim Medinipur district's Netai village on January 7 last year on the anniversary of the killing of nine people despite giving an undertaking. A single judge bench, which had earlier issued a notice on the contempt plea, later dismissed it saying it cannot be categorically said that there was a wilful breach of undertaking by the state "in the strict sense." The high court had said that the DGP cannot automatically be liable for the actions taken on the field by other alleged contemnors. It had said that the expression "subject to legal restrictions" qualified the permission to Adhikari to visit Netai, which he had wanted to visit on January 7 last year. It had said that there was sufficient material to justify the claim of the alleged contemnors that there would be a flagrant violation of the law and order situation in the event Adhikari was allowed to go through, which might have prompted the police authorities to prevent him from doing so, as it would create a risk of "inciting the highly volatile situation in Netai village". Adhikari's petition seeking that he be allowed to visit Netai was disposed of on January 5, 2022 by the high court which had said that the petitioner and his security personnel have the right, as citizens of India, to visit not only Netai village but any other place in India, subject to legal restrictions, without violating any provision of law. The contempt application was filed alleging that the DGP and other officials had deliberately and wilfully violated the order of January 5. On January 7, 2011, nine villagers, said to be sympathisers of non-Left parties, were shot dead in indiscriminate firings from the house of local CPI(M) leader Rathin Dandapat. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kupwara (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], July 21 (ANI): Weapons and ammunition were recovered during a joint operation by BSF Army trooper, as well as Jammu and Kashmir Police, on a specific BSF intelligence input in Kupwara district, officials said on Thursday. BSF officials added that on the intervening night of July 19 and 20, acing on a specific intelligence input, a joint search operation was launched by the BSF, Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in Gen Area of Vill Amrohi, in the Karnah police station area of Kupwara district. Also Read | Karnataka Horror: Man Murders Father, Conceals Body in Gunny Bag, Buries it Near Highway in Raichur. A BSF official said, "The joint search party recovered 2 AK-74 Rifles, 6 pistols, 2 AK Series Magazines, 13 Pistol Magazines, 338 rounds of AK Series Ammunition, 109 rounds of Pistol Ammunition (15mm), 90 rounds of Pistol Ammunition (9mm), and 4 Hand Grenades." The BSF informed that it also recovered Pakistani currency worth Rs 20,000 and two pairs of shoes. Also Read | Manipur Viral Video: Rajnath Singh Says Government Ready for Discussion on Manipur Incidents, Opposition Unnecessarily Creating Problems (Watch Video). Further details are awaited. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], July 21 (ANI): BJP leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Friday took aim at chief minister Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government alleging deterioration of law and order and increasing instances of crimes against women, children and Dalits in the State. "The manner in which incidents are happening with women, girls, Dalits and businessmen has shredded the law and order (in the state). The highest number of cases of crimes against women have taken place in Rajasthan," Vasundhara Raje said while talking to ANI. Also Read | Mamata Banerjee Security Breach: Armed Youth Carrying Narcotic Assignment Nabbed Near West Bengal Chief Minister's Residence in Kolkata. The former chief minister alleged that Rajasthan has witnessed the most number of cases of crimes against women, children and Dalits. Over the past 54 months there has been more than 10 lakh cases, Raje alleged. More than 7,500 innocent people have been murdered. Over 2 lakh cases of crime against women have been registered out of which there were 33,000 incidents of rape, which amounts to 22 per cent of the cases of the country," Raje said Also Read | Tomato Stolen in Maharashtra: 400 kg of Tomatoes Stolen From Outside Farmer House in Pune, Case Registered. A Dalit woman was gang-raped and it is being said that police personnel were also involved (in the crime). She was speech and hearing-impaired. What will become of the state if the 'rakshak' becomes 'bhakshak'?" Raje said citing a crime in the State's Karauli village. The incident, in which the body of a 19-year-old girl was recovered from a well in which she was allegedly dumped after being allegedly raped and murdered had created a furore in the State Assembly. Meanwhile, Jodhpur Police recovered four charred bodies from a hut at Cherai village in Ramnagar gram panchayat of Jodhpur on July 19. As per the information, the family members were first murdered and then their bodies were set on fire. Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani on Thursday said that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and National Commission for Women have taken cognizance of the incident. Incidents of crime against women are occurring in the CMs home region but they are all silent," Vasundhara Raje said adding that Rajasthan was now topped the country in rape cases. The BJP leader said that according to media reports, 18 murders are taking place daily in Rajasthan and accused the State police of not taking decisive actions. A rape took place in Vaishali Nagar, within 5 km range of the Chief Minister's house a girl was raped in Karauli, she was shot, acid was poured on her and then she was thrown into the well, her body was recovered from the well. In Alwar a girl is gang raped and murdered, the former chief minister said. Raje said that the manner in which law and order are deteriorating in the State, the Congress government has no right to continue in power. What is happening When and how will (such incidents) stop, Raje asked stating that crimes against women was at its peak in the State. As a woman I am hurt that women in my State of Rajasthan are suffering Such a government has no right to prevail. It if had any shame it will resign immediately, Raje said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bangkok, Jul 21 (AP) A coalition of Thai political parties, struggling to form a government after two failed attempts, announced Friday it would try again next week to persuade conservative parliamentary opponents to back it, and suggested it might consider removing its most progressive member which won May's election. The eight-party grouping met in Bangkok on Friday for the first time since a combined sitting of the House of Representatives and Senate on Wednesday voted to block Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the progressive Move Forward Party, from becoming prime minister. Also Read | Indian Expat in Dubai Flies Home With 10 kg Tomatoes in Suitcase To Fulfil Her Mother's Wish. Pita was rejected last week in a first vote on whether to name him prime minister, and was knocked out of contention on Wednesday when a procedural vote decided he could not be nominated a second time. Pita was further handicapped by a Constitutional Court decision on Wednesday that suspended him from Parliament while it decides whether he violated the constitution, as the state Election Commission said. The allegation involves whether he ran for office while holding prohibited shares in a media company, a charge he has denied. Also Read | Carnegie Hero Award: Sikh Man Who Died Attempting To Save Minor Girl in California in 2020 Honoured With North America's Highest Honor for Civilian Heroism. The Move Forward Party finished first in May's general election and assembled the eight-party coalition, which together held a majority of 312 seats in the 500-member House. But under the military-enacted constitution, a new prime minister must receive the support of a combined majority of both the House and 250-seat unelected conservative Senate, and Pita fell short by more than 50 votes, capturing just 324 in all. The Senate, which was appointed by a previous military government and serves as the royalist establishment's bulwark against change, gave only 13 votes to Pita. Many senators strongly oppose his party's call for amendment of a law that makes it illegal to defame Thailand's royal family. Critics say the law, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison, has been abused as a political weapon. After Pita's failure, the coalition agreed to replace him as its choice for prime minister with a candidate from the Pheu Thai party, which won the second most seats in May's election. It is to name the candidate next Wednesday. Pita was Move Forward's sole candidate, while Pheu Thai registered three names: real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin; Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a 2006 military coup; and Chaikasem Nitsiri, the party's chief strategist. Srettha, who has emerged as the favourite, entered active politics only last year. Friday's meeting of coalition partners decided to try to win over enough senators and House members by offering possible compromises on its agenda, most notably the reform of the law against royal defamation, before the next parliamentary vote on Thursday. This is the way we think would be best, Chonlanan Srikaew, leader of the Pheu Thai party, said after the meeting. But there is growing speculation that the only way to break the deadlock would be to remove the Move Forward Party from the coalition. Asked about the likelihood of this, Chonlanan agreed there was an option that may exclude a certain party from the equation. He said the meeting agreed to leave that up to Pheu Thai. The thing we said today is a promise that we will try our best to act within the principles upheld by the eight parties, he said. Any course of action that is outside the agreement made today by the eight parties - this is just something we are allowed to do. That will be what Pheu Thai thinks and does only after the other options have failed. Move Forward's victory in May's election was powered by a widespread desire, particularly among young people, for deep structural change in Thailand after nine years of military-aligned rule. The party also wants to reduce the influence of the military, which has staged more than a dozen coups since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, and of big business monopolies. Any move to cast the popular party into opposition, instead of government, could lead to a return of sustained street protests, and several demonstrations are planned for the coming days. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], July 21 (ANI): Finally, the cypher gate has become Imran Khans nemesis and has ended the dilemma of Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir, along with the poll blues of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his shaky coalition, writes Delhi-based senior journalist and commentator, Malladi Rama Rao. Trail by special court, and capital punishment under the Official Secrets Act are expected in quick succession to make Imran Khan disappear from the country's political map. Also Read | #MeToo Accusations Against One of Chinas Leading Dissidents. The civilian and military leadership have been gunning for him for more than a year but have been apprehensive about packing him off from his six-bedroom Lahore home, Bani Gala, to a Rawalpindi jail. Not any longer. Certainly, not after the confession of a former aide has exposed the fast bowler batsman turned politician, the darling of Islamists, to charges of sedition, spying and espionage. Well, to the great relief of Pakistans patron, the United States. Also Read | #MeToo Accusations Against One of Chinas Leading Dissidents. Pakistans Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) has already summoned Imran for questioning. If he ducks the summons, as he did twice so far, his absence would be taken as an admission of guilt. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Munir are believed to be in favour of severe punishment for Imran Khan. He has been running a covert and not-so-covert campaign against the all-powerful military ever since he became a former Prime Minister in April last year. He has built a narrative that he had lost his crown because of a conspiracy by the US, the country he had annoyed with his relentless criticism. When realization dawned that he or Pakistan can ill afford to incur the wrath of Uncle Sam, he rolled back his cypher gate and mounted a frontal attack on his very own God-father, Gen Qamar Bajwa, the army chief of the day, for orchestrating his fall. Army is a holy cow for Pakistan politicians but not for the masses, who have been at the receiving end of its crony capitalism. Imran Khan cashed in on this reality check. His anti-America rhetoric and pro-Taliban tilt were lapped up by the overwhelmingly radicalized Pakistanis. This manifested in the May 9 mayhem that gave sleepless nights to the military brass and political executive alike. It was not the first time that the all-powerful military in Pakistan had fallen off the high pedestal on which it is usually perched firmly but this time around the Khakis are finding it tough to quickly regain their sheen. Viewed against this background, the latest bombshell of a confessional statement by Azam Khan, his former aide, has put Imran Khan in hot soup. Azam was Principal Secretary to Imran Khan when he was the prime minister, and whatever the bureaucrat had told a judicial magistrate appears to have become the epitaph for Imran. The Azam- speak is that Imran had stooped to play the victim card at the cost of ties with the United States of America, USA, which has been a part of the A-trinity guiding and guarding Pakistan for the past seven decades of its existence as the land of the pure. Azam said Imran had forged the so-called encrypted diplomatic message sent by the Pakistan embassy in Washington and thus pump-primed his narrative that the US was trying to punish the prime minister of the Islamic Republic for daring to stand up to it. The White House as also the State Department have repeatedly denied the allegations, stating that Washington has had no role in Imran Khans downfall. Since Imran himself has piped down on his anti-American rhetoric, the alleged US role is no longer a headline. But attention has stayed on his allegation against the Pakistan Army, especially, Gen Bajwa. Clever and calculated Imran Khan is not unaware of the designs of the civilian government and the military both for him and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. His going is going to be tough now that PTI defectors have formed a pampered Kings Party. His party may not be banned and prevented from participating in the nationwide elections due later in the year. But with Imran likely to be axed from the political theatre altogether, his hard-core loyalists, deemed lumpen youth, may either simply get dissolved or nationalised by powerful satraps. Either way, it may herald curtains down on the Imran saga. On his part, the erstwhile playboy may hope to bounce back one day by rekindling his support base built on the foundation of Islamic nationalism. The writer of the article is Malladi Rama Rao, a New Delhi-based journalist and commentator. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Tel Aviv [Israel], July 21 (ANI/TPS): A scientist at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has designed an AI system capable of identifying social norm violations in-text samples. With US military funding, Professor Yair Neuman and engineer Yochai Cohen built the system using GPT-3, zero-shot text classification and automatic rule discovery. Also Read | #MeToo Accusations Against One of Chinas Leading Dissidents. They trained the system to identify 10 social emotions: competence, politeness, trust, discipline, caring, agreeableness, success, conformity, decency and loyalty. The system successfully classified texts into one of these 10 groups and defined them as positive or negative. The system was tested on two massive datasets of short texts and empirically proved the validity of the models, according to a statement from BGU. Also Read | #MeToo Accusations Against One of Chinas Leading Dissidents. The US Defense Departments Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) commissioned The Computational Cultural Understand (CCU) program to create cross-cultural language understanding technologies to improve situational awareness and interactional effectiveness. Cross-cultural miscommunication not only derails negotiations but also can be a contributing factor leading to war, according to DARPAs explanation of the program. The findings were published recently in the journal Scientific Reports. This is a preliminary work, but it provides strong evidence that our approach is correct and can be scaled up to include more social norms, said Neuman, who heads The Functor Lab in the Department of Cognitive and Brain Sciences at BGU. (ANI/TPS) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Cairo, Jul 22 (AP) A high-profile Egyptian activist who was released from prison this week said on Friday he plans to travel to Italy, where his case garnered significant attention. He said he will continue to work in the field of human rights and live between the two countries. In an interview with The Associated Press, Patrick George Zaki, who received a presidential pardon on Wednesday, said he hopes that other prominent jailed dissidents would be let go soon, including one of the most famous, Alaa Abdel Fattah. Also Read | Ukraine: New Export Routes Needed for Grain. We hope that in the coming period there will be a presidential pardon for all prisoners of opinion," Zaki said. Egypt, which has carried out a relentless crackdown on dissent for nearly a decade, has also pardoned dozens of detainees in the past year. President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, who has overseen the crackdown, has previously denied that his country has political prisoners, and justified government measures by saying they are needed to fight the spread of terrorism. Also Read | Indian Expat in Dubai Flies Home With 10 kg Tomatoes in Suitcase To Fulfil Her Mother's Wish. The release of Zaki, whose case was championed by Italy's government, marks the end of a three-year ordeal. 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 accused of disseminating false news following an opinion article he wrote in 2019 on alleged discrimination against the Coptic Christian minority in the country. 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. Zaki earned a master's degree with distinction earlier this month without being able to go to Italy because he was barred from travel. He defended his thesis by videoconference. Days before he was pardoned, an Egyptian court convicted him of the charge of disseminating false news and sentenced him to three years in prison. Zaki's case has echoed in Italy, reminding many 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. I will be in Bologna next Sunday night, Zaki said, adding that he would only make a short trip, that he needed to return to Egypt for his wedding in September. After that, he said he plans to pursue a doctorate in Italy and travel back to Egypt regularly. He said he is grateful for all the support the Italian people had shown him. I will continue to defend human rights around the world, and resume my work normally," he said. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Beijing (Gasgoo)- On July 21, AVATR, the new energy vehicle brand jointly backed by Changan Automobile, Huawei, and CATL, held a partner recruitment conference in Chongqing. Signing ceremony; photo credit: AVATR On top of its existing channels, AVATR is set to upgrade its diversified distribution channel layout and promote the collaborative development of "self-operated stores" and "partner-operated stores," aiming to accelerate the establishment of 350 channel touchpoints by the end of the year. Over 100 leading automotive dealership groups participated in the conference, with nearly 30, including China Grand Auto and C&D Automobile, signing intention contracts on-site. AVATR's Chairman and CEO, Tan Benhong, stated, "AVATR is on track to complete its four-year, four-model product plan ahead of schedule. The AVATR 12 has already been listed in Chinas Ministry of Industry and Information Technology catalogue, and is set to debut in the third quarter and be delivered within the year. Additionally, two new models with internal codenames E15 and E16 will be launched in 2024." The anticipation for the three new products drives AVATR's further advancement in diversified channel layout. Chen Zhuo, Senior Executive Vice President of AVATR, emphasized the importance of the "partner-operated stores" model in harnessing high-quality social resources in the business and automotive circulation sectors. To this end, AVATR is accelerating the deployment of the "self-operated + partner-operated" diversified channel model. By year-end, the proportion of self-operated stores to partner-operated stores is expected to reach a 1:1 ratio. San Juan (Puerto Rico), Jul 22 (AP) A man accused of killing eight people after opening fire at a bar rented by a rival drug trafficker in northern Puerto Rico was found guilty on Friday following a retrial. A federal jury also found Alexis Candelario Santana guilty of killing an unborn child and injuring 19 other people in the October 2009 mass shooting in which Candelario's godson and cousin were killed. Also Read | Ukraine: New Export Routes Needed for Grain. The US Attorney's Office said that 17 different weapons were used in the shooting, with more than 330 shell casings found at the bar called La Tombola in Toa Baja. Authorities said that Candelario and others opened fire on people gathered outside the bar as they celebrated its grand opening and then entered the building and continued shooting. Also Read | Indian Expat in Dubai Flies Home With 10 kg Tomatoes in Suitcase To Fulfil Her Mother's Wish. Candelario, who also was convicted of 40 counts of drug trafficking, is scheduled to be sentenced in October. His attorneys said they would appeal Friday's conviction. Candelario previously had been found guilty in the case and received a life sentence in 2013, but an appeals court ordered a new trial after finding a judge erred in a proceeding. The US Attorney's Office said that Candelario once ran a drug trafficking operation in Toa Baja from 1993 to 2003, despite being arrested in 2002 on various murder charges. He was released from prison in February 2009 and was arrested in the US Virgin Islands in December 2009, two months after the mass shooting. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Jerusalem, Jul 21 (AP) Thousands of Israelis joined a march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Friday in the latest protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vow to push through a controversial overhaul of the judiciary system. Hundreds of protesters became thousands as Israelis joined the 70-kilometer (roughly 45-mile) march throughout the day in a demonstration against one of Israel's most far-right governments in history. Also Read | Indian Expat in Dubai Flies Home With 10 kg Tomatoes in Suitcase To Fulfil Her Mother's Wish. The demonstrators planned to camp overnight at Shoresh, about 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Jerusalem, before making their way to Israel's parliament on Saturday, the Jewish day of rest. The march comes a day after Netanyahu vowed to press ahead with the plan, defying demonstrators, growing defections by military reservists and appeals from US President Joe Biden to put the plan on hold. Also Read | Carnegie Hero Award: Sikh Man Who Died Attempting To Save Minor Girl in California in 2020 Honoured With North America's Highest Honor for Civilian Heroism. Ronen Rosenblatt, 58, a high-tech worker who'd joined the march following months of frustration with Netanyahu's government, described the event as jovial, with people united behind a common objective of stopping this stupidity, this dictatorship. Protesters carried Israelis flags and political signs in a line four kilometers (2.5 miles) long that wound through olive orchards and farmland. They'd left seaside Tel Aviv on Thursday, camping overnight roughly halfway to Jerusalem near the Latrun Monastery. Rising on Friday to shared meals and coffee, the protesters dismantled their tents as others prayed with their arms wrapped in tefillin before they all began marching again towards Jerusalem and the Knesset, Israel's parliament. Lawmakers are expected to vote Monday on a bill that would curtail the Supreme Court's oversight powers by limiting its ability to strike down decisions it deems unreasonable. The standard is meant as a safeguard to protect against corruption and improper appointments of unqualified people. The bill is one of several keystone pieces of the Netanyahu government's judicial overhaul plan. Netanyahu and his allies a collection of ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties say the plan is needed to curb what they consider excessive powers of unelected judges. Critics say the legislation will concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his far-right allies and undermine the country's system of checks and balance. They also say Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, has a conflict of interest. The proposal has bitterly divided the Israeli public and drawn appeals from Biden for Netanyahu to forge a broad national consensus before passing any legislation. The judicial overhaul plan was announced shortly after Netanyahu took office as prime minister following November's parliamentary elections. It was Israel's fifth election in under four years, with all of the votes serving as a referendum on his leadership. Presidents of major Israeli universities said they would hold a strike Sunday to protest the bill, local media reported. Doctors held a two-hour warning strike Wednesday to protest the overhaul, which they said would wreak havoc on the healthcare system by granting politicians greater control over public health. They vowed more severe measures if the bill is voted through.(AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, July 21: The projected population of Muslims in India in 2023 would stand at 19.75 crore, the government has informed the Lok Sabha. In a written reply to a question by TMC MP Mala Roy in Lok Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Smriti Irani said as per the Census 2011, Muslim population is 17.22 crore, which constitutes 14.2 per cent of the total population of the country. "As per the report of the Technical Group on Population Projections, July 2020, National Commission on Population, country's projected population in 2023 stands at 138.82 crore. Accordingly, applying the same proportion of 14.2 per cent, as was there in Census 2011, projected population of Muslims in 2023 would stand at 19.75 crore," Irani said. India Home to Second Largest Population of Muslims in World, Says President Droupadi Murmu. As per the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2021-22 conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, literacy rate of Muslims aged seven and above stands at 77.7 per cent and the labour force participation rate for all ages as per usual status stands at 35.1 per cent, she said. Further, as per Multiple Indicator Survey 2020-21 conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation to collect data on select Sustainable Development Goals indicators, the percentage of Muslim persons reported to have improved source of drinking water stands at 94.9 per cent, and the percentage of Muslim persons reported to have access to improved toilet stands at 97.2 per cent, the minister said. 'Will Muslim Population Be Growing If...?': Nirmala Sitharaman Gives Befitting Reply To Question on 'Violence Against Muslims' in India (Watch Video). The percentage of Muslim households which have purchased or constructed a new house or flat for the first time after March 31, 2014 stands at 50.2 per cent, Irani said. Her response on Thursday came to three questions by Roy, asking whether there is any data on Muslim population as on May 30, 2023 in the country, whether there is any population data of Pasmanda Muslims and the details of their socio-economic status. The Ukrainian president said spending must focus on defense in remarks that prompted his culture minister to resign. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the priority needed to be fending off Russia's war rather than other projects.Ukrainian Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko offered his resignation on Thursday after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the lawmaker for overspending at a time when the focus should be fending off Russia's invasion. Also Read | Parliament Monsoon Session Day 2: Modi Government Braces for Another Opposition Storm Over Manipur Violence. "In times of war like this, the maximum state attention, and therefore state resources, should be spent on defense. This is an obvious thing," Zelenskyy said in his nightly address to the nation. Also Read | Child Porn Video Case in Mumbai: Videos Showing Sexual Exploitation of Children Uploaded on Social Media, Police Launch Manhunt to Nab Culprits. "Museums, cultural centers, symbols, TV series, all of this is important, but now there are other priorities," he continued. "Paving stones, city decorations, and fountains can wait till after the victory." Culture Minister Tkachenko had a different take, though. There had been "a wave of misunderstandings about the importance of culture in times of war," Tkachenko said on Telegram. He defended spending on cultural projects, while nevertheless tendering his resignation. Culture vital during war, Tkachenko argues "Culture during war is important because it is not only a war for territories but also for people," he said. "Both private and budget funds during the war for culture are no less important than for drones because culture is the shield of our identity and our borders." Zelenskyy said he had asked Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to consider replacing Tkachenko. Within an hour, the culture minister said he would step aside. jsi/rc (Reuters, dpa) (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 21, 2023 10:10 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). The incident had taken place in the early hours of July 16 and the act of the accused had created fear among fellow passengers. The techie was taken into custody after flight landed at Bengaluru International Airport and an Air France employee lodged a complaint in this regard. Angola is rich in crude oil but has to import the fuel it needs. A new refinery could change that.Wearing a hard hat, safety glasses and high-visibility vest, project manager Martin Jooste gives a tour of the rain-sodden construction site that he oversees in the tiny Angolan exclave of Cabinda. Also Read | Stigma and Ignorance at Heart of Indias Diabetes Problem. Separated from the rest of Angola by the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cabinda produces 60% of Angola's oil and dozens of oil and gas platforms lie off its coast. Also Read | India, Sri Lanka Agree To Facilitate Mutual Investments Through Policy Consistency, Promoting Ease of Doing Business and and Fair Treatment of Investors. If all goes according to plan, by mid-2024 the construction site on the Malembo plain will be home to a new refinery that is supplied by local Cabinda oil. Angola has crude oil, but is not processing it, Jooste told DW. "The whole idea [of the new refinery] is to make Angola less dependent on importing refined products." Angola, Africa's second biggest crude oil producer, pumps out some 1.1 million barrels of oil a day. But the southern African nation on the Atlantic coast currently has only has one operational refinery, located near the capital Luanda. The lack of refinery infrastructure means Angola spends vast sums importing fuel every year to meet its own energy needs in 2022, the country spent $4 billion (3.6 billion) on petroleum imports compared to $1.9 billion in 2021. "We are still very dependent on oil products from abroad," Angola's Economy Minister Mario Caetano Joao told DW. "We make a lot of money with oil on the international market when prices are high. But ... we import about 70% of petroleum products. So, we have to subtract what we spend on imports from what we make selling oil," he said. The Cabinda refinery is a joint venture between the UK-based asset management company Gemcorp and Angola's national oil company, Sonangol. It's hoped that it will deliver around 10% of Angola's domestic demand for refined oil products, such as diesel and jet fuel, with plans to increase the capacity in further phases. The project is well behind schedule though. Initial construction commenced in 2020 with the refinery initially expected to be operational by early 2022. New refineries are also planned in Soyo, on Angola's far north coast close to Cabinda, and Lobito, on the central coast. Both projects have seen long delays. As the pressure to act on climate change builds though, some question the sense of such ambitious investments in fossil fuel projects. Distilled diesel In Cabinda, the distillation tower rises over the rest of the sandy site. The heated and vaporized crude oil is fed into the tower, allowing for its separation into products such as gases, naphtha, kerosine, diesel and heavy fuel oil at the bottom, explains project manager Jooste. The refinery's first phase is costing $473 million, according to the African Export-Import Bank, and will be able to refine 30,000 barrels of oil a day. The second phase plans to double this capacity. Cabinda enclave currently imports all its gasoline and diesel, according to Jooste, but the supply can be inconsistent. "Sometimes people queue for fuel at the filling station. Hopefully, if they have a constant supply of diesel [from the new refinery], they don't have to queue anymore," he said. In two further phases, Gemcorp also plans to refine crude into gasoline and liquified petroleum gas (LPG), also known as autogas. Another $800 million is budgeted for this. The community of Malembo borders the planned refinery. Miguel Matias Ngo represents nearly 13,000 residents, mostly fishermen and farmers, living in the 10 villages that make up Malembo. Sitting on a plastic chair next to his house roofed with corrugated iron, Ngo tells DW about the many oil companies that have settled in Cabinda without the community deriving any benefit. "The biggest issue we face is unemployment," said Ngo, wearing a polo shirt and sneakers. "The impacts of this are extremely visible today, namely youth drug abuse." Ngo is concerned that so many have alcohol problems or smoke cannabis, and theft is also high. The local population has hardly any prospects, while the oil companies next door are raking in big profits, he said. Gemcorp has so far behaved differently, said Ngo. The company has launched health projects and promised to employ locals once the refinery is up and running. Jobs for Angolans The head of Gemcorp's operations in Luanda, Marcus Weyll, is confident that 90% of the refinery's jobs can be filled by Angolan workers. The first phase will create 1,300 direct and indirect jobs, according to Gemcorp, which has set up a training center for this purpose. "Job creation, social and economic development of any country that we are based is part of our investment strategy," Weyll told DW, adding that the refinery will also contribute to the diversification of Angola's economy by adding value to the oil sector. Angolan journalist and economist Carlos Rosado de Carvalho also believes that the construction of the refinery for domestic supply is a step in the right direction. But significant investment is needed in sectors beyond oil and gas, said de Carvalho. "It's a question of survival, because oil is coming to an end," he told DW, adding that Angola's known reserves won't yield much after 2035. "The energy transition makes it even more urgent to diversify the Angolan economy, because if we discover more oil in the future, it will be worth much less." The economic expert therefore argues that agriculture, manufacturing and the service sector should be expanded as quickly as possible as well as the production of renewable energies. Nearly two thirds of Angola's electricity is generated by hydropower and the country's potential for solar power is enormous. Overall, however, better investment conditions are needed, de Carvalho said. Slow energy transition Economy Minister Joao has launched some programs to diversify the Angolan economy. But he sees these as a complement to the oil sector, not a competitor. "Our country has been through a very destructive civil war. That's why we have some catching up to do, and we can't pursue an energy transition as abruptly as we would like," he said. The goal, he said, is for 80 to 85% of the country's energy supply to come from renewable sources by the 2050s. Today, the Cabinda enclave relies primarily on diesel generators to produce electricity. However, the power supply is unreliable, said community representative Ngo. In the villages, people usually cook use charcoal made from trees logged in the local rainforest. There are renewable alternatives, stressed Ngo, such as using solar panels, but that would require financial support and training. For now, Malembo community members hope that the refinery will bring new jobs and that sometime soon they won't have to line up for fuel any more. This article has been translated from German. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 21, 2023 08:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). London, July 21: The UK police has begun a hate crime inquiry into an incident in which a Sikh holy book was set on fire and tossed in a bin outside a community member's house in Leeds, England. An elderly Sikh man and his daughter discovered the burnt and torn Gutka Sahib outside of their home in St Annes Road, Headingley, on July 12. They brought the burnt scripture to the Gurdwara Sahib temple following which a community member got in touch with the local police. Police said they received a report of an incident that had occurred in the Headingley area at 5.03 p.m. on July 16. "A representative of the local Sikh community reported that a holy text had been found damaged outside a Sikh community members address in St Annes Road," the West Yorkshire police said in a statement shared on July 18. California Shooting: Two People Shot At Gurudwara in Sacramento County, Hate Crime Ruled Out. Police said a crime has been recorded for racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident including how the damaged text came to be left there. Any crime such as this which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by hostility or prejudice to their race or religion is treated as a hate crime, and we treat all incidents of this nature very seriously," Leeds District Commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Dodds said. Hate Crime in US Increased by 12% in 2021, 64.5% Victims Targeted Over Race or Ancestry Bias: FBI Report. It is completely unacceptable for someone to deliberately damage a holy text with the aim of causing offence to the victim as a member of the Sikh community." A criminal investigation has been launched by detectives from Leeds District CID who are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the incident and perpetrators behind the crime. Police said they are working closely with key community representatives to reassure them and keep them updated as the investigation progresses. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 21, 2023 12:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). On 20 July in a speech to congress marking Independence Day and the opening of the new 2023-2024 legislative session the following day, Colombias Presidentstruck a semi-conciliatory tone, calling for a new national agreement to back structural reforms. End of preview - This article contains approximately 558 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 20 July prosecutors from Guatemalas attorney general's special anti-impunity unit (Feci) raided the offices of the electoral authority (TSE) and announced an arrest warrant for, the deputy director of the TSEs citizens registry. End of preview - This article contains approximately 397 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 20 July Chiles government led by Presidentfound itself under fire from the opposition again following a bizarre case in which computers were stolen from the social development ministry before being promptly recovered by the police. End of preview - This article contains approximately 344 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options TAMPAThe parent company of high-end porn imprints Vixen, Blacked, Blacked Raw, Tushy, MILFY and Deeper has settled a major piracy lawsuit in a federal district court in Florida. Strike 3 Holdings, a Delaware limited liability company, settled with accused pirate John Adaire in a suit that made it much further than most of this type dowhile Strike 3 has filed thousands of copyright infringement cases, the majority of them end with private settlements long before coming anywhere near a courtroom. Legal counsel for Strike 3 and Adaire reached an agreement at the last minute, avoiding a federal jury trial. Torrent Freak reports a permanent injunction was agreed to in the negotiation of a settlement deal. Defense counsel Curt Edmondson said the settlement was amicably resolved to the satisfaction of all. The attorney representing Strike 3 Holdings in this matter, Christian Waugh, views the outcome of this particular case as a historic win. According to the same media report on the settlement, the injunction has yet to be adopted by the federal district court in Florida. Under the permanent injunction, the defendant will have to pay $125,000 in compensatory damages if the injunction is violated in the future. Waugh told Torrent Freaks Ernesto Van der Sar that the settlement, and the granting of an injunction in this format, is a historic result for content creators and owners like my client. Waugh added: There are extraordinary penalties, including contempt, if the defendant ever violates the injunction imposed by the court. Edmondson, speaking on the settlement, maintains his client did not download any movies produced by Strike 3s brands and has no desire to do so. Strike 3 Holdings has filed more than 1,600 piracy lawsuits against defendants in 2023 alone. This is a record, according to some reports. The 2023 figure is an increase of 57 percent compared to the first half of the previous calendar year. Strike 3 Holdings v. Adaire was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Volunteer searchers have uncovered a clandestine grave in Reynosa, Mexico, near the US-Mexico border. The grave site had 27 bodies in it, all hacked up. Of these, four of the bodies have already been identified through some distinguishing tattoos that they have. According to People Magazine, the bodies were uncovered by a volunteer "colectivo" that largely comprises of relatives, mostly mothers, of people who disappeared. The Tamaulipas State Attorney General's Office confirmed that the group found the bodies on July 14 after an anonymous tip. Forensic experts have been sent to the clandestine grave site and have been working there for four days. They managed to recover 27 skeletons but are continuing their forensic work to identify the dead bodies in laboratory studies. It was noted that many of these bodies were dismembered into half a dozen pieces. Reynosa is in Tamaulipas state dominated by the infamous Gulf Cartel, which grabbed headlines in the US earlier this year over the deaths of two American tourists. Other cartels are also vying for control of the state, though it is unknown which criminal group was using the clandestine grave site. Anonymous Tip Led to Discovery of Clandestine Grave Site in Mexico Edith Gonzales, who heads the volunteer search group that found the clandestine grave site, "For the Love of the Disappeared," spoke with the Associated Press. She stated that the site is just around 4 miles (7 km) from the US-Mexico border. READ MORE: Mexico Explosion Leaves 6 Police Dead; Governor Slams 'Cowardly Attack' She admitted that she received an anonymous tip regarding the site's location. Gonzales also revealed that the site had 16 burial pits in total, and each one contained one or two dead bodies. The still-unknown gang that used the site may have started using it as recently as a month or two ago, with some of the bodies being covered by only 1 1/2 feet (a half meter) of soil. These clandestine burial sites are often used by drug cartels and criminal gangs to bury the people they murdered. They are found all over Mexico, with many people believing that most of the country's missing persons may be buried in these sites. Volunteer Searchers Continue Looking for Clandestine Graves Around Mexico Mexico has thousands of missing persons, though many often turn up dead in clandestine graves. To try and look for their loved ones, dead or alive, relatives of these missing persons often form volunteer search groups to scour secluded areas around the country and look for clandestine graves. However, doing this can be a bit dangerous, as Mexican drug cartels often target leaders of these groups to kill or intimidate them from stopping their searches. While these groups often only want to look for the bodies of their loved ones and not assist the police in the investigation, they have since become a thorn in the side of the cartels. According to the MIT technology review, these searchers have recently gone high-tech in their quest to find missing loved ones. From social media to google maps, these groups are using everything at their disposal. Witnesses would often tell these groups that they witness clandestine burials before pointing to Google Maps to where the exact locations are. They also use social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to post images of their missing loved ones. READ NEXT: Mexico Police Found Dismembered Body After Spotting a Dog Carrying Human Arm This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: At least 27 bodies found in clandestine graves in Mexico - WISH-TV Authorities in Ecuador have officially verified the occurrence of an oil spill that released approximately 1,200 barrels of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean, contaminating several kilometers of oceanfront, per Al Jazeera. Rafael Armendariz, the transportation manager representing the state-owned oil company, Petroecuador, confirmed the incident during a press conference. The spill originated from a tank at the marine terminal in the port of Esmeraldas, where it surpassed its maximum capacity, releasing crude oil. Armendariz provided further details, stating that an estimated 1,200 barrels of oil were spilled during the incident. However, not all the oil reached the beach as some of it was contained within Petroecuador's facilities. Despite the containment efforts, approximately half of the spilled crude oil managed to escape the confines of the Petroecuador facilities and spread across an area of about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of Las Palmas Beach. This beach is popular among tourists and locals, serving as a favored destination for recreation and leisure activities. READ NEXT: Ecuador Oil Spill: Amazon Residents Are Furious as Spill Reaches Coca River Petroecuador Takes Full Responsibility for the Ecuador Oil Spill The environmental consequences of the oil spill are causing legitimate concern among Ecuadorian authorities. Ecuador's Environmental Minister Jose Davalos has expressed apprehension over the potential impact on wildlife, particularly birds and crustaceans. A comprehensive assessment conducted by Petroecuador will be instrumental in determining the extent of the damage. It will play a crucial role in deciding appropriate penalties for the incident. Efforts to clean up the affected areas are already underway, with authorities estimating that the cleanup process will take approximately one week to complete, according to Energy Portal. Given the spill's severity, the impacted region will require extensive cleaning and restoration measures to mitigate the environmental damage effectively. Petroecuador, the state-owned oil company responsible for the spill, has taken full accountability for the incident. The company has been working diligently to control the impact on land and the sea. As per official reports, they have managed to contain 90% of the impact on land and 60% of the advancement of the oil stain in the sea through the recovery of contaminated material. Esmeraldas, where the oil spill occurred, is approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles) south of Ecuador's northern border with Colombia. Being a state-owned entity, Petroecuador fully engages in the containment and cleanup efforts in the affected areas. Human Error Causes Ecuador Oil Spill, Environment Director Says A recent military helicopter survey of the impacted area revealed distressing scenes, with blackened waves spreading along the shoreline and depositing a viscous substance on the beach, as captured in a video posted on Twitter. Alex Benalcazar, Esmeraldas' local environment director, addressed the incident during a press conference, stating that preliminary information suggests human error as the cause of the Ecuador oil spill, Reuters noted. He confirmed that the spill adversely affected a section of Las Palmas beach in the city. Despite the gravity of the situation, Petroecuador, in an official statement, assured that its export and fuel supply operations remained unaffected by the spill. READ MORE: Guatemala Boy Dies at Mississippi Poultry Plant This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Oil Spill Pollutes Ecuador Beach - From Voice of America A disturbing incident unfolded that resulted in the arrest of an 18-year-old Florida mom named Jazmin Paez on Tuesday. Authorities uncovered a chilling plot as Paez attempted to use a fake hitman website called RentAHitman.com to hire an assassin to kill her 3-year-old son, according to the NY Post. Paez allegedly provided pictures of her young son along with precise details about his location to the supposed hitman, according to court documents. Unbeknownst to Paez, the "for-hire killer" was an undercover investigator, and conversations were closely monitored. During the exchanges, the Florida mom reportedly agreed to pay $3,000 for the murder of her own child. Investigative authorities skillfully posed as the assassin to gather evidence and gain insight into the demented plan. Once investigators traced Paez's IP address back to her residence and verified the intended target with the child's grandmother, they swiftly moved to apprehend her. The child's grandmother confirmed that Paez's son was indeed the intended victim. Considering the disturbing evidence and interactions, Paez was charged with first-degree solicitation of murder and third-degree using a communications device for unlawful purposes. READ NEXT: Florida Woman Arrested for Manslaughter The Fake Hitman Website The owner of the fake hitman website, Robert Innes, initially created the platform as a part of a cybersecurity project. However, he has received a staggering number of inquiries daily, PEOPLE noted. Innes disclosed that Jazmin Paez, the young Florida mom who attempted to solicit a hitman through the website, had filled out an online request form stating that she needed the hitman to "get something done once and for all" and requested that her 3-year-old son be taken "far, far away." Innes expressed concerns about Paez's specific details, such as researching names and addresses to verify the target's location. These details raised red flags to him, and he believed it warranted further attention. Consequently, he attempted to report the incident to the Miami-Dade Police Department multiple times. However, he said the police directed him to CrimeStoppers USA and showed limited interest. They even threatened a cease and desist letter if he continued reaching out. Despite initial challenges, the Miami-Dade Police Department eventually acted after the investigation was pursued further. Florida Mom Released After Paying Bond The investigation into the disturbing case involving a young Florida mom has revealed further details. Detectives spoke with the boy's grandmother, who informed them that Paez had moved out of their residence in May, and the child continued to live with her. The grandmother mentioned that Paez frequently communicated with the child through FaceTime, WSVN noted. The grandmother further revealed that she took a photo of the boy, which was subsequently posted on the hitman website, and sent it to her daughter on Monday. Paez was arrested at her father's residence, where she had been staying. The arrest report stated that she confessed to the crime, although the specific details of her statement were redacted when released to the media. During a court appearance before Miami-Dade County Judge Mindy Glazer, Paez claimed she had never received any treatment for mental health conditions. The judge set her bond at $15,000, and Paez was released from jail on Thursday. As part of the legal proceedings, the judge ordered Paez not to have any contact with her son, who remains under the care of his grandmother. The public defender's office currently represents the Florida mom, which has not yet provided a comment in response to media inquiries. READ MORE: 1 Dead, 1 Injured at Florida City Walmart Shooting This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: South Florida mother silent leaving jail, accused of hiring hitman to kill 3-year-old son - From WPLG Local 10 Kevin Mitnick, a pioneering computer hacker renowned for his antics in the 1980s and 1990s, passed away at 59. He died on Sunday in Las Vegas following a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer, AP reports. Mitnick's colorful career encompassed a range of roles, from a student tinkerer engaging in computer mischief to an FBI-hunted fugitive, imprisoned felon, and, finally, a respected cybersecurity guru, public speaker, and author sought after for advice by lawmakers and major corporations. Throughout Mitnick's journey, the public gained insight into the nuances of computer hacking and learned to distinguish serious cybercrimes from the actions of mischievous youths seeking to showcase their hacking skills. Contrary to financial gain, Mitnick's motivations primarily revolved around obtaining trophies, particularly cellphone codes. Mitnick's high-profile arrest in 1995 drew significant attention, occurring three years after he had skipped probation on a prior computer break-in charge. The government accused him of causing substantial damage to companies like Motorola, Novell, Nokia, and Sun Microsystems through software theft and computer code alterations. READ NEXT: Surfing Star Mikala Jones Dies Kevin Mitnick's Arrest Kevin Mitnick's insatiable curiosity led to his downfall when he was arrested in 1988 for stealing $1 million worth of proprietary software from Digital Equipment Corporation, per CNN. As a result, he was sentenced to one year in prison and three years of probation. However, in 1995, a new arrest warrant was issued for violating his probation, prompting Mitnick to run. During this time, he reportedly broke into the computer systems of various corporations, cell phone companies, and educational institutions, as documented in the federal indictment against him. Throughout the ordeal, Mitnick and his supporters maintained that his actions were driven by intellectual curiosity rather than malicious intent or financial gain. He insisted that he was an "old-school hacker," exploring systems out of a desire to learn rather than cause harm. The severity of the authorities' concerns about Mitnick's capabilities was evident during his incarceration in 1995. He was held in solitary confinement out of fear that even proximity to a telephone could enable him to continue hacking. Mitnick reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors in 1999, leading to his conviction on seven criminal counts, including wire fraud and causing damage to computers. As part of the agreement, he received a 46-month prison sentence and was prohibited from being employed in any capacity involving access to computers or related equipment during his probation period. Mitnick was ultimately released in 2000, thanks to credit for time already served. Kevin Mitnick: From Most Wanted Computer Hacker to Security Consultant Following his release from prison, Kevin Mitnick transformed into a "white hat" computer hacker, adopting a constructive approach to cybersecurity, according to BBC. As a white hat computer hacker, he used his skills to identify vulnerabilities and security issues within organizations, helping them improve their security configurations. Mitnick founded Mitnick Security Consulting in 2003, providing cybersecurity advice to Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. His expertise and insights became invaluable in the fight against cyber threats. Mitnick became the "chief hacking officer" and a part owner of KnowBe4 in 2011, a company specializing in phishing security awareness training. Through this role, he continued to share his knowledge and expertise to help individuals and organizations defend against phishing attacks and other social engineering tactics. His transformation from a notorious computer hacker to a respected cybersecurity expert earned him recognition as "the world's most famous hacker." He was known not only for his technical brilliance but also for his intelligence, humor, and exceptional skill with technology. His legacy as an original "social engineer" remained unmatched, leaving a lasting impact on cybersecurity. READ MORE: Florida Mom Hires Hitman to Kill 3-Year-Old Son This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Bert Hoover WATCH: Cybersecurity Expert Demonstrates How Hackers Easily Gain Access To Sensitive Information - From Dr. Phil Coverage of this Article 1. Introduction - A Boca Raton personal injury attorney can help you explore your legal options and ensure that you are rightfully compensated for your injuries and other damages. 2. Look for a Lawyer With Experience in Handling Similar Personal Injury Cases - A lawyer specializing in car accidents might know accident reconstruction experts that can become expert witnesses in your case and prove fault. 3. Check Their Reputation - Sometimes, you can also check your local bar association and see if the lawyer has any complaints or disciplinary actions against them. 4. Analyze Their Success Rate 5. Consider Your Lawyer's Fees 6. Schedule a Consultation 7. Consider the Lawyer's Communication Skills and Trust Your Gut Instinct - They will actually be able to determine if you are also entitled to other types of compensation for your damages, such as pain and suffering. If you live in Boca Raton, Florida, and you have suffered injuries due to an accident, then you should take legal action. A Boca Raton personal injury attorney can help you explore your legal options and ensure that you are rightfully compensated for your injuries and other damages. With the proper lawyer by your side, there's no telling how much you can actually achieve by pursuing your personal injury claim. However, how do you choose a good personal injury lawyer for your case? To ensure you have the proper lawyer by your side, several aspects must be considered. Here is what you should pay attention to: Look for a Lawyer With Experience in Handling Similar Personal Injury Cases There are various types of personal injury cases, and sometimes, lawyers specialize in dealing with certain types of cases rather than others. For example, some lawyers only deal with medical malpractice, car accident cases, or product liability cases. In contrast, others take on only slip and fall accidents, dog bites, workplace accidents, and other types of personal injury cases. When you want to find a good personal injury lawyer for your case, the most important aspect is to select one with experience in dealing with similar cases. This is because that lawyer will know exactly what you went through and what you are entitled to and may know third-party experts that can work with them for your case to prove fault. For example, a lawyer that takes on medical malpractice cases may know more medical professionals that they can work with when it comes to testifying in the courtroom rather than a lawyer who only deals with premise liability cases. A lawyer specializing in car accidents might know accident reconstruction experts that can become expert witnesses in your case and prove fault. Check Their Reputation Even though you want a lawyer with experience in cases similar to yours, that doesn't mean you don't have to check out their reputation. If a lawyer or law firm grabbed your attention, check out their reviews and client testimonials. You will find plenty of useful information from these sources that can help you decide whether to work with the lawyer that grabbed your attention. Sometimes, you can also check your local bar association and see if the lawyer has any complaints or disciplinary actions against them. Analyze Their Success Rate Some lawyers are better than others, such as some sportsmen perform better than others. If your case is complex or you really want to ensure that you don't draw the smallest straw, gauge your lawyer's success rate in personal injury cases. This is a great indicator of their ability to handle your case, and if you want to take it a step further, try to find out as much information as you can about similar cases and how they went. You can always find data by browsing online reviews and testimonials. Consider Your Lawyer's Fees Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you will need to pay them only if they win your case. Before hiring any lawyer for your case, you must ensure you understand their fee structure. Schedule a Consultation Once you have decided on what lawyers are a good fit for your personal injury case, you should schedule a consultation and meet them in person. Many lawyers offer free consultations; this is the final stage where you can decide who you should go with or not. Consider the Lawyer's Communication Skills and Trust Your Gut Instinct Once you meet with your lawyer, use your time to ask about their experience and track record and ask them other relevant questions. Gauge their communication skills and style. You should be able to feel a gut instinct immediately if they are a good fit for your case. Once you begin working with the lawyer, see if they will keep you informed about your case and answer your questions in a timely manner. Remember, the most important aspect when working with a lawyer is communication. Lawyers prioritizing good communication don't just showcase that they care about your case. They will actually be able to determine if you are also entitled to other types of compensation for your damages, such as pain and suffering. Join LAWyersClubIndia's network for daily News Updates, Judgment Summaries, Articles, Forum Threads, Online Law Courses, and MUCH MORE!!" Join our Telegram group Join our Whatsapp group "Loved reading this piece by Yaksh Sharma Join LAWyersClubIndia's network for daily News Updates, Judgment Summaries, Articles, Forum Threads, Online Law Courses, and MUCH MORE!!" Tags : others A fugitive wanted for a homicide eight years ago in Puerto Rico was captured Tuesday in Allentown, according to the Lehigh County District Attorneys Office. The arrest caps a six-month drug investigation, District Attorney Jim Martin said in a news release Friday. Victor Castillo-Guerrero, 33, is charged as a fugitive from justice for homicide and gun crimes in Puerto Rico as well as local drug crimes, the release says. A message seeking comment from the county public defenders office on his behalf wasnt immediately returned Friday. In answer to Alexzander Heageles letter to the editor (Easton police need radar to stop speeding drivers on Cattell Street | Letter), giving the police RADAR will not end the accidents on Cattell Street in Easton. Only re-engineering Cattell using best-practices highway safety engineering will solve the problem. For instance, if drivers cant see around Knox Avenue, the road needs to re-engineered to improve sight-lines. Im sure Easton police officers are very responsible. However, local politicians hate that they are inundated with complaints from misinformed citizens about all those speeders and then instruct the police to do something about it, so no matter how responsible, the police engage in enforcing too-low posted limits. This doesnt improve highway safety, it only raises revenue. In fact, revenue is the overriding reason to give RADAR to municipal police in Pennsylvania. The excuse given is to make the roads safer. If safety is the goal, then speed limits must be posted at the safest speed for that particular road. That speed is the 85th Percentile Speed of free flowing traffic. Highway safety engineers use that principle to set safe limits, and Pennsylvanias Vehicle Code, Title 75, calls for limits to be set at the 85th Percentile Speeds. If accidents still occur, then a re-engineering of the roadway is called for, not enhanced enforcement. Tom McCarey Berwyn Hold-harmless policy ensures that schools cannot experience a decrease in funding compared to any previous year. The fault of this policy is its inability to consider change in district enrollment. Since 1992, 313 school districts have lost students. An analysis of Pennsylvania Department of Education data show revenue raised through local school district tax funding as a percentage of all funding sources ranges from 10% in one school district to a mind boggling 85% in another school district. This distortion is primarily driven by hold-harmless policy. The inequitable-funding court order emphasized that funding already relies too heavily on school property taxes. Utilizing property taxes to help approach level-up funding is not possible without burdening many with draconian tax increases and perpetuating the very funding policy that compelled the court to rule Pennsylvania school funding unconstitutional. With property taxes seemingly off the table, how will the legislature address the issue? It will be interesting to watch the myriad of proposals that will range from the laughable to misguided to costly. The legislature created its own predicament by neglecting the issue of hold harmless. Realistically, they have no alternative but to scrap the current funding system and transition to a tax shift such as HB13. Robert Kistler Lehighton Well before it was warm enough to plant seedlings in the ground, farmer Micah Barritt began nursing crops like watermelon, eggplant and tomatoes eventually transplanting them from his greenhouse into rich Vermont soil, hoping for a bountiful fall harvest. Within a few hours last week, those hopes were washed away when flood waters inundated the small farm, destroying a harvest with a value he estimated at $250,000. He still hopes to replant short-season crops like mustard greens, spinach, bok choy and kale The loss of the crops is a very tangible way to measure the flood, but the loss of the work is hard to measure, said Barritt, one of five co-owners of Diggers Mirth Collective Farm in Burlington, Vermont. Were all grieving and heartbroken because of this. That heartbreak was felt by farmers in several Northeast states after floods dealt a devastating blow at the worst possible time, when many plants were too early to harvest, but are now too late to replant in the regions abbreviated growing season. Storms dumped up to two months worth of rain in a couple of days in parts of the region, surpassing the amount that fell when Tropical Storm Irene blew through in 2011, causing major flooding. Officials have called last weeks flooding Vermonts worst natural disaster since floods in 1927. Atmospheric scientists say floods occurring in different parts of the world are fueled by climate change, with storms forming in a warmer atmosphere, making extreme rainfall more frequent. The additional warming scientists predict is coming will only make it worse. Diggers Mirth is one of seven commercial organic farms located at the Intervale Center, according to Melanie Guild, development director of the center, which manages 350 acres (142 hectares) in the heart of Burlington. Operators of the center, located near the Winooski River, have long been aware of the threat of flooding. As the forecast called for heavy rains, the center reached out to hundreds of volunteers to harvest as much as possible. This is smack dab in the middle of the growing season so anything that was ready to harvest was pulled. Whatever was left was lost, Guild said. There were cabbages just floating around in the flood. All seven farms were washed out. Losses will likely run higher than Irene, where losses tallied about $750,000, she said. Not all farms that suffered losses grew vegetables or flowers. The Maple Wind Farm in Richmond Vermont, which produces pasture-raised animals, was also struck. Beth Whiting, who owns the farm with her husband, said even with predicted heavy rains they assumed their turkeys would be OK because theyd never seen flooding reach the area where they kept the birds. Then at about 3:30 a.m. on July 10, the nearby Winooski River crested higher than theyd ever imagined, Whiting said. Workers in a canoe were able to rescue about 120 of 500 turkeys. Workers also saved about 1,600 chickens, but lost 700 at a second farm. We had no idea the flood was going to be so dramatic, she said. The flooding forced many farmers into tough choices, according to Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Anson Tebbetts. Dairy farmers who found roads to processing plants impassable were forced to dump milk. Another problem is the loss of corn, a key source of food for the dairy industry. Thousands of acres were completely or partially underwater or flattened and unusable, he said. Flower farms were also destroyed. Some blueberry bushes are under water. That is very important for pick-your-own operations. Once produce is underwater it cant be used, he said. As of the end of last week, Vermont farmers had reported 7,000 acres (2,833 hectares) in crop damage, Tebbetts said, adding many farms must clear debris washed onto their fields when rivers overflowed. In Pennsylvania, officials have been monitoring rainfall. When water is rising, thats the big concern because you get a lot of standing water and the soil starts to loosen up, turns into mud and the mud starts to wash away. When dirt and soil washes away, crops do as well, said David Varner from the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. Recently, a farmer called the Penn State Extension in Bucks County saying his crops looked wilted, as if they hadnt been watered in a while, said Margaret Pickoff, horticulture extension educator. It was the opposite: The soil was so full of water, the plant roots were unable to take in any oxygen, and were dying off. In Massachusetts, at least 75 farms have been hurt by flooding, with about 2,000 acres (809 hectares) in crop losses at a minimum value of $15 million, according to the state Department of Agricultural Resources. That number is expected to climb as more damage is assessed and the longer-term impacts set in. Damaged farms ranged from community farms to a farm with 300 acres (121 hectares) of potatoes that were a total loss just weeks from harvest to a 230-member community supported agriculture farm only five weeks into a 30-week program. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said the disaster requires an unprecedented effort to chase federal, state and private money. On Thursday she announced a Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund, a partnership between philanthropic organizations and private foundations Its just such a shame, Healey said after touring flooded farms this week. Unlike Irene, this happened right on the cusp of harvest, so the crops are ruined for this year. In Connecticut, Bryan Hurlburt, the states agriculture commissioner, said the flooding impacted about 2,000 acres (809 hectares) of farmland, much of it in the Connecticut River valley. The flooding is part of a larger environmental crisis, according to Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont. What the hell is going on here? Lamont said, speaking in front of a flooded farmers field in Glastonbury. Look behind us. We were irrigating that a couple of months ago, desperate for water in the middle of a drought. And today its Lake Wobegon. And so what do you do? Kate Ahearn, who runs Fair Weather Growers along the Connecticut River in Rocky Hill, said the flood waters took a heavy toll. This is our livelihood that is at stake, she said. Fair Weather Growers is going to lose about 300 acres of crops and more than half of our labor force, plus all of our wholesale accounts. Images of an alleged drugs transfer involving a County Kildare man were captured on his own CCTV system Naas District Court heard. John Donaghy, 59, whose address was given as Ballynamullagh, Carbury, and Slawomir Wojtyniak, 42, whose address was given as 7 The Oaks, Lakepoint, Mullingar are charged with having drugs for sale or supply on July 15 at Ballynamullagh, Carbury. According to the Garda Press Office, members of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau seized cocaine and cannabis valued in excess of 2.1m, as well as over 112,000 cash following searches in Kildare and Westmeath on Saturday July 15. Its alleged that during an initial search, gardai seized approximately 29kgs of suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of around 2m and 112,050 in cash was also seized. As part of follow up searches, a pill manufacturing facility was allegedly discovered. Cannabis with an estimated street value of 125,000 was allegedly seized along with other drug paraphernalia. A cannabis cultivation facility was also discovered, it was claimed. This operation was conducted as part of Operation Tara and a number of people were detained, the GPO concluded. A second court hearing was told that the case arose from an intelligence-led operation conducted by the Garda National Organised Crime Bureau against an organised crime group in County Kildare. Garda ONeill said the property near Carbury was placed under surveillance and a van was seen arriving at the home of Mr Donaghy, who met the driver and at his home and took two refuse bags from the red van and placed them into a Mondeo vehicle. Gda ONeill, opposing a bail application by the defendant, said he was observed locking the vehicle. Read more Kildare news He took delivery of the cocaine and moved it into the boot of a car, adding this was captured by the defendants own CCTV. He added that the Mondeo was registered to that address. Gda ONeill also said that the defendant had changed his name by deed poll to Donaghy but a new British passport, which was found in the house, had been issued in his previous name. Gda ONeill said that due to the loss of the drugs, the defendant may be pressured by an organised crime gang to commit offences. He added the defendant has a cocaine dependency and poses a significant flight risk. He said the defendant does not have solid ties in this jurisdiction, is not working and has no legitimate earnings. He described the house as a rented dwelling with no lease in place. He said the mans partner indicated she intends to return to the UK. His co-defendants case was adjourned to December 6. He told defending solicitor Tim Kennelly that there is a significant organsied crime group working in the area. He added he believed the defendant has resided here for six years. Mr Kennelly said the conditions including signing on twice daily and observing a strict curfew would deal with any fears surrounding the granting of bail. The defendant addressed the court by videolink and said he accepted he made a mistake under pressure from people. He said he did have an addiction but has ceased using cocaine five weeks previously. He would honour any bail conditions adding he has four beautiful children, who are Irish citizens and they are entitled to claim benefits here, adding his partner will stay here. Cross examined by Sgt Dave Hanrahan, the defendant said he changed his name because he didnt want his children discriminated against. He said he returned his old passport to get it renewed in April and did not realise this was an offence. If your children get threatened its not a nice situation, he said. The defendant works for an entity taking vans to be mechanically tested. I dont have any money, Im not a wealthy man. I have a drug debt, he said. He added he started to take cocaine 20 years ago but was not addicted Judge Joanne Carroll noted the defendant had admitted a drug debt and said she believed he would commit further offences. He was remanded in custody to June 26 when he will appear by videolink. His co-defendants case was adjourned to December 6. Former United States president Donald Trump in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on July 18, 2023. CHARLIE NEIBERGALL / AP A federal judge in Florida has scheduled a trial date for next May for former United States president Donald Trump in a case charging him with illegally retaining hundreds of classified documents. The May 20, 2024, trial date, set on Friday, July 21, by US District Judge Aileen Cannon, is a compromise between a request from prosecutors to set the trial for December and a bid by defense lawyers to put it off indefinitely until sometime after the 2024 presidential election. If the date holds, it would follow close on the heels of a separate New York trial for Trump on dozens of state charges of falsifying business records in connection with an alleged hush money payment to a porn actress. It also means the trial will not start until deep into the presidential nominating calendar and probably well after the Republican nominee is clear, though before that person is officially nominated at the Republican National Convention. In pushing back the trial from the December 11 start date that the Justice Department had requested, Cannon wrote, "The government's proposed schedule is atypically accelerated and inconsistent with ensuring a fair trial." She agreed with defense lawyers that the amount of evidence that would need to be sifted through before the trial, including classified information, was "voluminous." Trump could yet face additional trials in the coming year. He said earlier this week he had received a letter informing him he was a target of a separate Justice Department investigation into efforts to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election, in an indication that charges could be coming soon. And prosecutors in Georgia plan to announce charging decisions within weeks in an investigation into attempts by Trump and his allies to subvert the vote in that state. The trial before Cannon would take place in a federal courthouse in Fort Pierce. It arises from a 38-count indictment last month, filed by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, that accused Trump of willfully hoarding classified documents, including top secret records, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach and conspiring with his valet, Walt Nauta, to hide them from investigators who demanded them back. Trump and Nauta have both pleaded not guilty. WHILE some Limerick fans will rise with the dawn on Sunday to travel to Croke Park, some of the Treaty Countys most committed fans will be getting up that early simply to watch it on TV, almost 5,000 miles away! It will be a 7.30am throw-in for Billy Noonan (37), originally from Caherdavin and living in Vancouver, Canada for the last eight years. He will be up at 5am to watch the big dance with Irish friends at the Irish Heather Shebeen in the city. Games are usually early morning so my weekends are planned around Limerick lately, he explained. Last few finals have been great craic here although it makes you homesick all the same. My in-laws are Canadian and I have them hooked on the hurling too. They are slightly fascinated by it to be honest. Meanwhile, it will be an extra-special weekend for Castletroy brothers Cian (28) and Alan (25) Costelloe, as their parents, John Costelloe and Geraldine Stack, will be arriving to visit just in time to watch the final as a family. They plan on watching the match at home, as John and Geraldine will be flying in the Saturday before. For Cian, his real love of hurling developed since moving to Vancouver almost two years ago. Growing up, I didn't go to a huge amount of games, he said. I remember going to Munster finals and stuff like that, we went up to Croke Park once I think against Kilkenny, but since moving here I'm living with a lad that's hurling mad from Clare so we watch all the matches together. We were driving to white water rafting on the weekend and we had the Limerick match on the radio. NEWLY-CROWNED New York Rose, Roisin Wiley, and her family have two big reasons to return to Ireland. Roisin will return with her family for the Rose of Tralee festival in August but, before then, there is the not so small matter of attending the All-Ireland final on Sunday. Roisins parents, Kilmallock native Eddie Wiley along with his wife Majella, originally from Templeglantine, will jet into Ireland with Roisin to support Limerick as they take on Kilkenny. Last year, John went and Roisin stayed at home to mind our dog Roxy and this year Roisin gets to go. He will be OK as we will all travel as a family to support Roisin in Tralee and he will get to come then, Eddie explained. Eddie and Majella moved to New York in their early 20s and Eddie has been successfully running Club Limerick NY for five years. The couple have never failed to immerse their children in Irish traditions despite them growing up in New York. From Tayto crisps to bacon and cabbage, they embrace it all! They are big fans of the hurling and we all watch it as a family and I try to travel back for big games such as this. Roisins favourite player would be Sean Finn and Johns favourite player would be Gearoid Hegarty, smiled Eddie. On the number of Limerick finals Eddie has traveled to, he said; I have traveled to all the Limerick finals. I have been back in 1994, 1996, 2007 and all the other ones since I came to New York. So how does he think Sunday will pan out? I am very confident Limerick will win, they seem to be peaking at the right time and if we can get our captain Mr Hannon back we will be doing great but, overall, they will be fantastic. Club Limerick NY has been a huge success and raises a lot of money for the GAA back home in Limerick and in NYC. One of their big fundraisers is a dinner dance which sees members of the senior team fly over to the Big Apple. We will have a big dance in New York with the team and county officials in November and it is all booked up. Last year we had about 60 people come out and hopefully this year we will have something to celebrate. THE QUEST to bring home the remains of one of Limericks most revered historical figures, Patrick Sarsfield, has taken a leap forward as a major sponsor, has stepped up to fund crucial excavation work and DNA proofing for the campaign. The campaign seeks to return Sarsfield's remains to Limerick, a city intrinsically tied to his legacy, funded by Carelon Global Solutions Ireland, a US health-tech company that established its R&D hub at the National Technology Park in Limerick in 2021. In history, Patrick Sarsfield, made a lasting impact through his leadership during the Siege of Limerick in 1690. His brave and daring feats, including the famous Sarsfield Ride, which led 600 men to blow up the English siege train bound for Limerick have earned him a place in history. Unfortunately, he met his end at the Battle of Landen in 1693 in modern-day Belgium, where he was fatally wounded. Repatriating the remains requires more than just excavations, and this is where the DNA proofing process becomes crucial, and Carelons expertise in genetics makes them a perfect partner for the campaign. John Patrick Shaw, head of Carelon Global Solutions Ireland, expressed his excitement about becoming the lead sponsor of this initiative, and supporting the Patrick Sarsfield Homecoming project, He highlighted that the company's decision to support the campaign stems from their admiration for Limerick's history and pro-business environment, and reaffirmed Carelon's commitment to standing by the campaign until a successful conclusion. The goal is to complete the DNA testing with living descendants of Sarsfield, in Ireland and elsewhere in Europe, and if all goes to plan, confirm the remains by next summer, with formal repatriation to Ireland targeted for 2024 or 2025. LIMERICK sisters Teresa and Frances OKeeffe were honoured by Concern Worldwide at a recent award ceremony. The siblings from Ballingarry received Outstanding Commitment Award medals at the annual Concern Volunteer Awards, which were held at Concerns Dublin office earlier this month. We are very grateful and accept the awards on behalf of the people of Granagh and Ballingarry, who have so generously donated their time and money to help us fundraise, said Frances, whose work with Concern goes back over three decades. They have raised over 46,000 from the annual collection and fast that their mother Hannah and her friend Nora OKeeffe began in 1988 when Frances first volunteered to work with Concern overseas. Teresa lives in the village and works in the local OGrady Spar shop where the first collection started. She now organises the yearly collection with her siblings and Frances has done the fast for several years. Teresa says people are very generous and love to hear stories about the work that Concern are doing and especially the work Frances has done overseas. I would like to thank all the people of Granagh and Ballingarry for their continued support and a special mention to Nora OKeeffe who helped us for many years, she said. Frances first time volunteering with Concern was in Bangladesh in 1988 and she has worked in many other countries since for Concern, including Somalia, Rwanda and South Sudan. She served on the board of Concern from the mid 90s and was Chairperson between 2010 and 2014. In all the countries I have worked, Concern works with the people who are the poorest and supports them to improve their lives through their many different programmes, said Frances. I feel very lucky as I have seen first-hand the amazing impact that the money we collect can make to the poorest people in the countries where we work. Renowned Limerick brothers, Fr Jack and Aengus Finucane, who are now deceased, were a great inspiration to Frances, and indeed many others, to join the organisation, which they led at the time in the 1980s. Countries worldwide must remain cautious about the possibility of a new Cold War. It is much better to seek common ground while shelving and narrowing differences, foster collaboration and play a part in advancing sustainable development for all of humanity. The concept of "de-risking" peddled by the United States is based on the same old logic of "decoupling" as the world's sole superpower continues its tireless efforts to thwart China's development. Don't be fooled. "De-risking" will increase economic frictions and slow global economic recovery. International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas has said that "de-risking" could see countries turn inward at the expense of global growth. "There is a danger that (the) global economy could fragment into blocks." As the world's second-largest economy, China's total goods trade topped the world for six consecutive years in 2022, playing a massive role in promoting a much-needed global economic recovery. Washington's decision to politicize economic and trade matters violates the World Trade Organization's principles of non-discrimination and freer trade. This undermines the multilateral trading system and ignores the laws of economics. To stop China's rise, the United States is deliberately sabotaging the global economy. Take supply chains, for example. It's self-evident that friend-shoring and restructuring supply chains are bound to obstruct global trade flows. For enterprises, developing new and decentralized supply chains would drive up costs significantly and threaten their vitality and survival. IMF estimates showed the longer-term cost of trade fragmentation alone could range from 0.2 percent of global output in a limited fragmentation scenario to almost 7 percent in a severe scenario. Moreover, "de-risking" would delay scientific and technological progress, disrupt the global technology ecosystem and fragment international cooperation in research and development. Nowadays, countries worldwide coordinate with each other to optimize and advance technologies in hardware, software and basic and applied science. By roping in more allies, the United States seeks to forge a parallel system to shut China out through "decoupling and severing supply chains" and building "small yards with high fences." Jensen Huang, CEO of AI chip giant Nvidia, has warned that the US tech industry is at risk of "enormous damage" from the escalating battle over chips between Washington and Beijing. "Over the long term, restrictions prohibiting the sale of our data center graphic processing units to China, if implemented, would result in a permanent loss of opportunities for the US industry to compete and lead in one of the world's largest markets," Nvidia's Chief Financial Officer Colette Kress has said. "De-risking" would also disrupt global governance and hinder global efforts to tackle climate change and eliminate poverty. Visionary policymakers worldwide have been devoted to tearing down trade barriers and bridging ideological differences for decades. Nevertheless, "de-risking" creates artificial barriers, destroys the foundation of mutual trust built among countries for decades and could eventually drag the world back into a Cold War. The risk of "de-risking" is so evident that even many US allies are wary of it. A recent poll conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations in 11 European countries showed the majority of more than 16,000 respondents think their country should remain neutral between China and the United States and are reluctant to "de-risk" from the Asian country. Creating a bigger pie of common interests is necessary for a global economic recovery and solving challenges. The United States should ditch its "de-risking" approach and abandon its zero-sum, Cold War mindset. Countries worldwide must remain cautious about the possibility of a new Cold War. It is much better to seek common ground while shelving and narrowing differences, foster collaboration and play a part in advancing sustainable development for all of humanity. Source: Xinhua EXERCISE equipment at the Castle Demesne Park in Newcastle West, Limerick has been removed and will not be replaced. At this month's Newcastle West district meeting, Independent councillor Jerome Scanlan asked when the recreational equipment which was recently taken away will be replaced. He was told in a written answer by director of services Vincent Murray that local authority staff removed the pieces of recreational equipment as they represented a safety hazard. There is currently no funding in place for their replacement, he also confirmed. But, Mr Murray said the council is examining possible sources of funding to replace the gear next year. Councillor Scanlan said many residents in Newcastle West have made contact with him asking for the return of the equipment. He said: Of course it should be replaced. It should be managed properly. Since we became a unified authority. We are not getting the same care and level of attention that I feel we as the county town deserves. The equipment was extremely well used. People made representations to me on a weekly basis. I put this down on the basis of constituents constantly enquiring. THE PARKWAY Shopping Centre in Limerick has been sold to investors. Davy Real Estate has completed a 74 million acquisition of six regional shopping centres throughout Ireland, including the Parkway. It has been confirmed to the Limerick Leader, that the sale of the Parkway will not affect retailers or the management company. A precise price for the Parkway has not been disclosed, only that it was acquired as part of the multi-million euro deal. The Parkway Shopping Centre is located on the Dublin road just outside Limerick city. The centre is anchored by Dunnes Stores and comprises 135,000 sq. ft. over a single level with 30 stores and more than 700 free car parking spaces. The Hexagon Portfolio comprises the Parkway Shopping Centre, Letterkenny Shopping Centre, the Longwalk Centre in Dundalk, Galway Shopping Centre, Laois Shopping Centre and Donaghmede Shopping Centre in Dublin. The shopping centres were built and owned by developer Pat Dohertys Harcourt Developments and bought by Davy after two prospective buyers walked away from the sale, reports the Irish Times. Camgill Development Corporation and Lugus Capital both backed out of their respective negotiations to buy the centres. The final sale price of 74 million is a 26% discount on the original 100 million price which had been guided by agent JLL when the portfolio was originally put on the market. In 2016, Irish Life acquired the Childers Road retail park nearby for 46 million. The sale was handled by HWBC and DTZ Sherry Fitzgerald. The following year, the Parkway Retail Park was sold for 24.3m by Green Reit. AFTER a lengthy period out of commission the Wild Geese monument, located at Merchant's Quay in Limerick city is back in action. The Wild Geese monument, sculptured by William H Turner, was a gift from the government of Spokane in Washington, USA to honour the families that were forced to flee Limerick following the siege. In recent weeks, the scaffolding which had bordered the water feature had ruffled more than a few feathers around the city. According to Limerick City and County Council, the scaffolding was erected after damage to the fountain was detected. The spokesperson for the council added that the damage posed a potential health and safety risk. An area with scenic value, many members of the public took to social media to voice their concerns on the appearance the construction equipment had on the picturesque views. During its repair, one social media user dubbed the safety equipment as eyesore fencing, while some of the public wondered if the local authority forgot about the scaffolding altogether. With popular events taking place over the summer, including Limerick Bastille Day Wild Geese Festival, the council have completed the rejuvenation of the fountain just in time. It's a monument with a history of damage to its structure - back in 2019 Councillor John Gilligan also saw a council motion passed on previous restoration works. Abbey Tauchen | Lincoln University of Missouri upcoming seniors Chyler Hughes and Kennedy Thompson have been accepted into the U.S. Department of Education White House Initiative on Advancing Equity, Educational Excellence and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities 2023 HBCU Scholar Recognition Program. The program recognizes outstanding student leaders and further empowers them with tools for excellence. The Initiative received well over 250 applications, with nominations from 70 HBCUs. This years cohort consists of 101 HBCU scholars, which is the largest cohort in the history of the program. Scholars were picked from a talented group of students, and their selections were informed by presidential recommendation and endorsement by HBCU faculty. They were chosen due to a unique combination of academic achievements, campus leadership, civic engagement and entrepreneurial spirit. Hughes is majoring in agriculture with an emphasis in natural resource management, is the vice president of LUs agriculture club and is involved in the Rooted College Ministry on campus. Hughes also has an internship with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 this summer. I am looking forward to gaining valuable skills and resources to bring back to me at LU, as well as taking what I learned with me as a further my education in graduate school. Hughes said. I want to encourage other students to apply for this wonderful opportunity. I am very honored and excited to represent Lincoln. Thompson is majoring in psychology and minoring in English with an emphasis in creative writing. Shes a member of the National Association of Colored Women Club, president of creative writing club, a member of psychology club, a residential advisor and a member of Lincolns English Honors Society, Sigma Tau Delta. I look forward to learning more with like-minded people and expanding my knowledge on the excellence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Thompson said. As HBCU scholars, Hughes and Thompson will: Serve as student ambassadors for the Initiative and LU, ensuring information, resources and opportunities and distributed through the campus. Be invited to attend the 2023 Annual National HBCU Week Conference workshops, designed to help them learn and adopt promising practices in areas such as leadership, professional development, HBCU excellence and workforce development. Be invited to participate in monthly master classes hosted by the Initiative and various partners. Network with other scholars, federal agencies and private partners to showcase their individual collective talent across the HBCU community. Hughes and Thompson will get to participate in the National Annual HBCU Week Conference in mid-September. Never limit yourself because you think you might not meet the criteria, Thompson said. Always aim for the moon, because regardless, youll land with the stars. In 2011 Tesla stated an aim of becoming the most compelling car company of the 21st century, while accelerating the worlds transition to electric vehicles". At the time this was easy to dismiss as crackers. In the eight years since its founding in 2003 the firm had manufactured a piddling 1,650 EVs. Its first big-selling car, the Model S, had yet to hit the road. View Full Image (Graphic: The Economist) Today it is almost as mad to argue that Elon Musk, the carmakers boss since 2008, has not achieved that goal. His company, a rare insurgent in an industry with formidable barriers to entry, has grown at neck-snapping speed. In the first quarter of 2023 Teslas Model Y mini-SUV was the worlds bestselling car. In the second quarter it delivered a total of 466,000 cars, beating analysts forecasts (see chart 1). Mr Musks promise of 2m sales this year, up from 1.3m in 2022, no longer seems fanciful. On July 15th the first Cybertruck, an angular, retro-futuristic pickup, rolled off the production line. Tesla has just unveiled an expansion plan for its German factory, where it wants to double capacity to 1m vehicles per year. Besides almost single-handedly reimagining the car, Mr Musk has done the same to the car industry. His focus on streamlined manufacturing of only a handful of models has kept costs at bay. Last year Tesla boasted operating margins of 17%; among non-niche carmakers only Porsche, which churns out fewer than 1m cars annually, matched its performance. Mr Musks ambition to dominate the auto businessby making 20m cars a year by 2030, double the current output of todays top manufacturer, Toyota, and by creating the go-to self-driving systemcertainly compels investors, who value Tesla at around $900bn. That is down from over $1trn in early 2022 but still more than the next nine most valuable carmakers put together. Incumbents are scrambling to electrify their product ranges and to copy Mr Musks vertically integrated approach to production, while fending off a wave of EV newcomers, many of them Chinese, all trying to be the next Tesla. View Full Image (Graphic: The Economist) The question now is whether Tesla can keep growing as fast and as profitably as it has for much longer. In its latest quarterly earnings on July 19th, it reported margins of 9.6%, even lower than the 11.4% it eked out in the three previous months, as it slashed prices in order to compete with cheaper rivals (see chart 2). Its advantages as a disruptive tech firm with a Silicon Valley mindset are in danger of being eroded. To make even 5m-6m cars a year this decade, a more realistic target than Mr Musks goal of 20m, would require embracing the techniques of legacy auto", observes Dan Levy of Barclays, a bank. In order to remain a disruptive force, Tesla may, paradoxically, need to become a bit more like the stodgy car business it has shaken up. Tesla maintains a lead over its more established rivals in batteries, software and manufacturing productivity, notes Philippe Houchois of Jefferies, an investment bank. But competitors are catching up. In some areas, like marketing and product planning, they have overtaken it, notes Mr Houchois. When it launched the Model Slarge and pricey with big batteries and a long rangeit had the EV market largely to itself. Nowadays motorists can choose between 500 or so EV models from dozens of marques. Bernstein, a broker, estimates that around 220 new models may be launched this year and another 180 in 2024 (chart 3). For Tesla to grow fast in the face of all this competition will be difficult. Unlike incumbent carmakers something for everybody" approach, Tesla manufactures just five models (if you count the Cybertruck) and relies heavily on two of them. The Model 3, a small saloon, and the Model Y account for 95% of the vehicles Tesla shifts. By comparison, Toyotas two bestsellers, Corolla and RAV4, make up just 18% of the vehicles sold by the Japanese firm. For Tesla to hit its target of selling a combined 3m-4m Model 3s and Model Ys, each model would need to control 50% of the cars in its class ($40,000-60,000 mass-market cars and $45,000-65,000 SUVs, respectively). According to Bernstein, no carmaker has ever had more than 10% in those two segments. Off the marque And both models are ageing. The Model Y is three years old and the Model 3 has just turned six, which makes them less desirable in a business where novelty has historically counted for a lot. Carmakings rule of thumb to keep sales chugging along is to refresh models every 2-4 years and redesign them completely every 4-7 years. Teslas planned refresh" of the Model 3s styling and its tech innards this year looks late by industry standards. The company will need to go well beyond its current strategy, of offering software updates that improve some of its cars features, or that add new ones. This may have done the trick for its original customer base of early-adopter techies but is unlikely to cut it with the average motorist. One solution is to offer more options for its existing range. Barclays estimates that the Model 3 comes in 180 configurations, a fraction of the 195,000 trims for a comparable (petrol-powered) BMW 3 Series saloon. But this would introduce the sort of complexity Mr Musk has hitherto shunned. Another route to higher sales is to launch new models, like the Cybertruck or a low-cost mass-market vehicleunofficially called the Model 2" and with prices starting at $25,000which Mr Musk has promised to start selling in the next couple of years. New models, though, come with new challenges. The relevant pickup market, with global sales of 1.3m, according to Bernstein, is relatively modestand the Cybertrucks bold styling may limit its appeal. And though low-cost Teslas could expand the companys market beyond America, China and Europe, they would almost certainly generate lower margins, further depressing the companys overall profitability. Moreover, granting regional ventures greater autonomy to manage regional differences in taste, as established carmakers have historically done, again adds complexity and costs. Mr Musk may no longer be able to avoid other expensive industry practices. One is marketing. In contrast to all other big carmakers, which spend princely sums on ads, Tesla has depended on word-of-mouth and Mr Musks own larger-than-life persona to promote its products. Barclays reckons that eschewing ads and, by selling directly to buyers, bypassing dealers, currently saves the company $2,500-4,000 for every car it sells. As it seeks new customers, and as Mr Musk risks affecting Tesla sales with his polarising stewardship of Twitter, his $44bn side-project, the company is likely to forgo some of those savings. Mr Musk has conceded as much, saying that, for the first time, his company might try a little advertising". Another carmaking staple to which Tesla has belatedly come around is price cuts. Mr Musk had pledged never to offer discounts or allow inventory to build up. His company has lately done both. Production exceeded sales in the past five quarters. After growing at an average annual rate of 60% for years, quarterly sales volumes expanded by an average of 30-40% between the second quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023. To shift more vehicles Mr Musk began slashing prices late last year, by up to 25% on some models. Sales duly ballooned, by more than 80% in the second quarter, compared with a year ago. The flipside was those duly contracting margins. Investors have tolerated Mr Musks price cuts more than in the case of his rivals: on July 17th Fords share price fell by 6% after it announced hefty discounts on its F-150 Lightning EV pickup. They may not stay so forgiving for ever. As its various costs rise, Tesla will try to keep cutting them elsewhere, notably in manufacturing. In March it unveiled what it called the unboxed process", designed to make cars significantly simpler and more affordable" by streamlining or even eliminating stages of production. It is unclear what exactly Mr Musk has in mind. Despite his record of engineering ingenuity, at least one previous attempt to up-end car manufacturing, by replacing people with robots for the Model 3, led to what Mr Musk himself candidly described as production hell" and near-bankruptcy in 2018. View Full Image (Graphic: The Economist) Mr Musks last fresh challengeand another one he shares with incumbent Western carmakersis what to do about China. Tesla, which makes more than half its cars at its giant factory in Shanghai, no longer seems to hold its privileged position in the country. It was allowed to set up without the Chinese joint-venture partner required of other foreign carmakers, at a time when China needed Mr Musk to supply EVs for Chinese motorists and, importantly, to encourage Chinas own budding EV industry to raise its game. That has worked too well. Tesla is thought to have sold 155,000 cars in China in the second quarter, 13% more than in the previous three months. But China Merchants Bank International Securities, an investment firm, reckons its market share may have slipped below 14%, from 16% in the preceding quarter, as buyers switched to fast-improving home-grown brands. In a sign that Tesla now needs China more than China needs Tesla, the company was obliged to sign a pledge on July 6th with other car firms to stop its price war and compete fairly in line with core socialist values". Tu Le of Sino Auto Insights, a consultancy, says rumours are rife that the Chinese authorities are pushing back against Teslas efforts to increase manufacturing capacity in China. And that is before getting into the increasingly fraught geopolitics of Sino-American commerce. If Tesla is to sell 6m cars a year at an operating margin of 14% by 2030, which Mr Levy of Barclays thinks possible, it probably needs to avoid at least some of these pitfalls. It would be foolish to dismiss that eventuality, given Teslas knack for confounding sceptics. It could, for example, offset part of the decline in sales growth with new revenue streams, such as recent deals to open its charging network to Ford and General Motors customers. As brands become defined by the digitally mediated experience of driving rather than the body shell or handling, its superior softwareincluding, one day, self-driving systemsmay allow it to keep offering fewer models than its rivals. Mr Le thinks Tesla will mitigate the China risk by manufacturing more of its cars in Germany and other countries, including low-cost ones. Tesla has been by far the most compelling car company of the early 21st century. If it is to hold on to that title, it must work for it. To stay on top of the biggest stories in business and technology, sign up to the Bottom Line, our weekly subscriber-only newsletter. For more coverage of climate change, sign up for The Climate Issue, our fortnightly subscriber-only newsletter, or visit our climate-change hub. 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com In the ever-expanding digital landscape, where the rules of business are constantly evolving and consumer expectations are reaching new heights, ONDC, the government-backed initiative, has emerged as a true game-changer. The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is restructuring the way businesses operate and transforming the dynamics of consumer interactions. With its aim to establish an open and transparent digital network for e-commerce transactions, ONDC brings a wealth of advantages to the table, reshaping the entire digital commerce ecosystem. What are the objectives of ONDC? The four core objectives of ONDC are: a. Democratization and decentralization: ONDC aims to level the playing field, giving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and local businesses an equal shot at success. No longer will they be overshadowed by industry giants, but instead, they'll have a platform to showcase their products and services to a wider audience. b. Inclusivity and access: It recognizes the importance of giving every seller, regardless of their scale or resources, the opportunity to participate in the digital commerce boom. c. Increased choices and independence: ONDC empowers consumers to make decisions that align with their preferences and needs. With a multitude of sellers from various platforms accessible through ONDC, consumers can explore a wide range of options and find the best fit for them. d. Goods and services are more affordable: This means that consumers can enjoy competitive pricing, as well as potential cost savings due to reduced overhead costs associated with traditional e-commerce platforms. How does ONDC work? It's not like any normal online shopping platform. ONDC has the same idea as UPI. To get access to a network of sellers offering their goods and services, you have to download the ONDC app. This app is convenient and hassle-free. Acting as a gateway, ONDC connects buyers and sellers from various platforms. It consists of a seller app, a buyer app, and a gateway that brings them together seamlessly. Through its seller and buyer applications, ONDC acts as a gateway that connects buyers and sellers across different platforms, breaking down barriers and promoting inclusivity. Arishekar N, Sr. Director of Marketing & Growth at SellerApp, a data analytics company helping e-commerce sellers said that he firmly believes that technology-driven innovations, such as analytics-powered customer engagement and digital ads, are leading to faster growth of the e-commerce industry in India. At SellerApp, they have established their prowess in the e-commerce industry, successfully onboarding over 1,100 sellers into ONDC, including renowned CPG brands like Red Bull, Patanjali, True Elements, and 24 Mantra Organic. Similar to UPI's remarkable trajectory, the adoption of ONDC among sellers and buyers will undoubtedly grow in the near future. It doesn't just benefit a handful of sellers, but it holds the potential to the whole nation," said Arishekar N. Here are a few ONDC Seller Apps like SellerApp GO FRUGAL, Growth Falcon, and eSamudaay that are helping sellers onboard into the ONDC. What are the main benefits of the ONDC network? With the potential to transform the e-commerce landscape in India, the advantages of ONDC are far-reaching. These benefits include enhanced transparency, expanded customer choices, acting as a catalyst for innovation, cost efficiency, consumer protection, and providing a neutral and regulated platform. Enhanced transparency is a fundamental aspect of ONDC, fostering trust and accountability by making government data more accessible. This increased access empowers individuals to make well-informed decisions and hold entities responsible for their actions. ONDC's focus on expanding customer choice breaks down barriers to entry, encouraging the participation of more SMEs. This diversifies the market, providing consumers with a wider range of options and fostering a more competitive marketplace. By granting entrepreneurs access to valuable government data, ONDC catalyzes innovation, enabling the development of innovative products and services that benefit society as a whole. Leveraging this data, entrepreneurs can identify emerging trends and tailor their offerings to meet evolving consumer needs. ONDC streamlines processes, eliminating duplication of effort and resulting in significant cost savings for businesses and end customers. Businesses utilizing ONDC for food delivery, for instance, benefit from substantially lower platform fees compared to market leaders. Consumer protection is a key focus of ONDC. By introducing healthy competition and breaking the hegemony of dominant players, ONDC promotes fairer practices, improved services, and better protection of consumer rights. Moreover, ONDC operates as a neutral and regulated platform, independent of any specific entity, to ensure fairness, transparency, and equal opportunities for all participants. This approach fosters collaboration, prevents favoritism, and promotes a healthy and regulated digital commerce environment. Milestones achieved by ONDC so far Since its inception, ONDC has achieved significant milestones. With over 26,000 collaborating merchants offering a diverse range of more than 27 lakh products, ONDC has experienced exponential growth, with over 600 transactions per day. The thriving network of over 40,000 sellers and participation from more than 45 participants across 236 cities showcases ONDC's extensive reach and inclusivity. The platform drives success from its ability to foster collaboration, attract established and emerging players, and offer a diverse array of products and services to consumers. The ONDC network is driving a seismic shift in the e-commerce landscape in India, empowering SMBs and entrepreneurs. With its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and fair practices, ONDC stimulates innovation, leading to the development of new products and services that benefit society and propelling the industry into the future. 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. For those looking for hair restoration techniques, hair transplant in Istanbul, Turkey, has grown to be a well-known and preferred choice. Several factors have contributed to Istanbul's rise to prominence as a top location for hair transplants: Surgeons with experience: Hair transplant surgeons with extensive training and experience can be found in Istanbul. Numerous hair restoration experts in the city have successfully completed a significant number of hair transplant treatments, earning them a reputation for their experience. Turkey has made investments in cutting-edge medical facilities that provide the latest technologies for hair transplant surgeries. The finest results for patients are guaranteed by the use of the most modern hair restoration methods and tools in these facilities. Competitive Pricing: Compared to many Western nations, hair transplant operations in Istanbul are frequently more reasonable. Istanbul is a desirable location for people seeking hair transplants because of the lower cost and the high level of care offered. Hair Transplant Tourism: Istanbul has developed into a center for medical travel, drawing people from throughout the world in need of hair transplants. Medical tourists prefer the city because of its high-quality medical facilities, reasonable costs, and accessibility to its fascinating history and culture. Available methods: Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) and Direct Hair Implantation (DHI) are two hair transplant methods available in Istanbul. Patients are free to select the approach that best fits their requirements and preferences. It's crucial to do your homework and pick a reputed hair transplant facility and surgeon before getting a hair transplant in Istanbul. Seek out clinics with a good reputation and glowing client testimonies. Make sure the clinic adheres to international safety and sanitary standards and utilizes the most recent hair restoration treatments. The hair transplant surgeon will assess your hair loss situation, go over your goals, and suggest the hair transplant procedure that will work best for you during the consultation phase. They will also provide you a thorough treatment plan and price quote. Similar to any medical operation, it is imperative to put patient safety and high-quality care ahead of money. Consider speaking with an experienced hair transplant specialist in your native country before making any decisions to receive a thorough analysis and tailored guidance. Many people travel to Turkey for many reasons. You are probably fascinated by the serenity, beauty, natural wonders, or delicious cuisine the country guarantees. But the country has a rich history, and youll be surprised to learn that millions of people visit to get hair transplants and related treatments. Hair Transplant Turkey Cost The price of a hair transplant in Turkey might vary based on a number of variables, such as the clinic's reputation, the surgeon's experience, the technique employed, the degree of hair loss, and the quantity of grafts required for the treatment. An average hair transplant in Turkey might cost between $1,500 and $4,000. It's vital to keep in mind that these are approximations and that costs may vary between clinics. Turkish hair transplant clinics frequently provide two major methods: Individual hair follicles are taken from the donor location, which is often the back of the scalp, and then transplanted into the balding or thinning areas using the Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) hair transplant technique, which is well-liked and requires little to no surgical intervention. FUE is typically a little more expensive than other methods. Direct Hair Implantation (DHI): A Choi pen is a specialized tool that is used in Direct Hair Implantation to implant the harvested hair follicles directly into the recipient area. DHI is a version of FUE. DHI might cost a little more than conventional FUE. When comparing prices, it's critical to take the hair transplant clinic and surgeon's reputation and experience into account. Even though a reputed facility with skilled doctors may charge more, the results they produce are more likely to be successful and appear natural. Remember that the price of a hair transplant in Turkey should take into account the costs of the surgeon, the anesthesia used, the quantity of grafts used, the use of cutting-edge technologies, and any required post-operative medications and follow-up appointments. Similar to any medical operation, it's critical to put quality and safety above price. Find a reliable hair transplant facility with qualified doctors and glowing client testimonials by doing your research. Make sure the clinic uses the most recent hair restoration methods and complies with international safety requirements. The hair transplant surgeon will evaluate your unique hair loss problem during your appointment and give you a personalized treatment plan, including a precise cost estimate. Consider speaking with an experienced hair transplant specialist in your home country before deciding in order to receive a thorough assessment and tailored guidance. Well, youll not be the first person to get a hair transplant in Turkey, as the country is seeing a rising trend. Here are the top 10 clinics to visit: 1. NIMCLINIC Take the first step to getting matchless hair transplant Turkey. NIMCLINIC is a reliable and reputable clinic that has transformed many lives. The clinic allows you to boost your self-confidence, get that natural-looking hair, and look more appealing through unrivaled transplant techniques. As your go-to clinic, NIMCLINIC focuses on high-quality services and is certified to offer diverse hair treatment solutions thanks to its JCI and A++ certification. Just get a free quote today. 2. HLC Clinic The HLC Clinic guarantees matchless expertise and top-notch hair transplantation solutions. The clinic utilizes cutting-edge hair transplant methods to improve the volume of customers hair and give it that natural look they are yearning for. The specialists at the clinic have years of experience and will deliver quality results. 3. Smile Hair Clinic The doctors at Smile Hair Clinic are well-trained, experienced and have done successful procedures. The award-winning clinic will transform your look as it maintains the highest-grade standards in top-notch hair transplant operations. 4. Cosmedica You wont go wrong by picking Cosmedica if you want exquisite hair transplantation in Turkey. The clinic guarantees excellent and natural-looking hair transplant results. The all-inclusive package it offers covers VIP transfer, hair loss therapy, care products, medication, and ample accommodation. Micro Sapphire DHI is the most sought-after technique offered by English-speaking doctors. 5. Dr. Serkan Aygn Get your hair back and in that natural-looking condition at Dr. Serkan Aygin Clinic. The facility provides hair transportation services at international quality standards. Besides top-notch hair transplant procedures, customers get counseling services at no hidden costs. After the operation, youll get a quality certificate and an initial quote that fits your budget. 6. Dr. Muttalip Keser Look no further than Dr. Muttalip Keser Clinic for world-class hair transplantation via special techniques. Dr. Keser is a well-known and certified surgeon with years of experience and knowledge in hair restoration, aesthetics, and surgery. Further, the doctor utilizes unique tools to help achieve desired hair density and design. Dr. Keser has treated patients from all walks of life and is eager to work with you. Make that call. 7. Asmed A visit to Asmed will clear all your doubts about hair transplantation and restoration. The clinic has a team of experienced and certified doctors who inspire patients to look and feel their best. The top-notch techniques the doctors embrace include advanced FUE hair transplant, and they use tested approaches to analyze your hair. 8. ADH Clinic Are you visiting ADH Clinic for the first time? Say goodbye to hair loss and related problems. ADH Clinic offers unparalleled hair transplantation services to international and local patients at budget-friendly rates. Online consultation is available, and an expert is eager to help with your questions. 9. Medart Hair Clinic With specialized hair transplantation, its possible to treat hair loss and baldness. Medart Hair Clinic utilizes exceptional techniques like DHI and FUE to deliver high-quality results. The experts youll work with are patient-oriented and will fully meet your expectations. 10. Pekiner Clinic A visit to Pekiner Clinic and consultation with well-trained, experienced, and knowledgeable doctors will transform your perceptions about hair transplantation. The doctors are fluent in popular languages, and you shouldnt have any difficulties asking as many questions as possible. The clinic also caters to your accommodation, medication, and therapy. Summing Up Stress no more if you suffer from hair loss, thinning, or baldness. Turkey is the best place to visit for matchless treatment solutions. To get the best results, invest in the best hair transplant surgeons available at the abovementioned clinics who are eager to help. Treatment techniques and prices vary from each clinic, and you can enquire and get instant quotes. 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. NEW DELHI : Vedanta Ltd posted a 41% drop from a year earlier in June quarter net profit at 3,308 crore amid lower commodity prices and higher finance costs. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) fell 35% to 6,975 crore with an Ebitda margin of 24% during the quarter. In a post-earnings interview, Sunil Duggal, chief executive at Vedanta said, Fundamentally, these commodities have a very strong footing... I think future fundamentals are very strong. What we are doing good is adding value-added capacity, earning premiums, downstream, and integrating. So, this is what is easy internally because we dont have any control over commodity prices." On its semiconductor manufacturing plans after the split with Taiwans Foxconn, Duggal said Vedanta is engaging with technology partners to build the semiconductor fab in Gujarat. As of now, we are in the process of engaging with the technology partners, both for the joint venture as well as providing the technology to us. The government has PIL schemes of providing 50% of the capital cost as the project subsidy. And the government of Gujarat also has a scheme where they would provide 40% of the subsidy provided by the government of India, as the subsidy by the state. So maybe overall 70%. On other infrastructure facilities like land, power, and water, for all these facilities, the state government will definitely help us," he said. He also confirmed Vedantas plan to sell ESL Steel Ltd. It acquired the asset for 5,320 crore through a bankruptcy resolution process five years ago. Mint had exclusively reported it on Wednesday. ...we are also doing the strategic valuation and we have appointed the banker that how and if anything we can do to monetise our Iron ore and steel assets, which can help us to de leverage and make us more smarter and better," Duggal told Mint. A previous attempt to sell the asset in late December failed as certain approvals, including environmental clearance and expansion plan, were still pending, turning prospective buyers cautious. The mandate for selling the asset in Bokaro, Jharkhand, is with bankers including Citigroup and JPMorgans India offices, Mint reported. The mandate may also include the iron ore mines in Goa and Karnataka, they said, adding that the details and contours of the asset will be known by mid-August. The price tag for ESL and the iron ore assets would be between $2 billion and $3 billion. For a certain type of person, John Wayne exists somewhere between Superman and Jesus. Hes not the greatest American actor, but he might be the most American actor, a near sacrosanct figure that personified this country as well as anyone ever did. He was always portrayed as invincible in his movies, but if he did bleed, itd probably be red, white and blue. At least, thats how it used to be. Wayne, with his megawatt charisma and invulnerable stage presence, was everywhere from the 1930s until the 1970s. But after his death in 1979, Waynes legacy hasnt always been so clear cut. Theres always been the little knocks against him, like the fact that he turned down the lead in High Noon because his disliked the films allegorical retelling of the Hollywood blacklist by which creatives who were suspected of communist leanings were locked out of the industry. Wayne supported the blacklist. And Gary Cooper wound up with an Oscar for the role, so maybe it all worked out. But the most troubling marks against Waynes legacy come from his infamous 1971 interview with Playboy. It was in those pages where he said that he believe(d) in white supremacy until the blacks are educated to a point of responsibility. In the same interview, he claimed that the settling of the American West was necessary because the Indians were selfishly trying to keep (land) for themselves. That interview haunts him as much as any role does. Mention Wayne to a young person and theres a good bet theyll know him as a reactionary more than they know him as the fat guy who physically couldnt ride his horse into the sunset in True Grit. The reemergence of Waynes comments, and the reappraisal of his legacy, is part of a long American story. What is this country if not a place that is continually recontextualizing itself? Its those thoughts that are spurring on Gordon McConnell right now. Hes got an exhibition up at Kirks Grocery called Comic Book Cowboys, Cadillacs and the Italian West. And in it, McConnell rethinks and expands on several topics hes been exploring for years namely the story of the West, and how it interacts with and reflects his own life. McConnell grew up on a farm in southern Colorado during the 1950s. Westerns, usually watched on a small, black and white TV set, were his introduction to wider culture. So for most of his career, his art has been a reflection of that. He worked, in his words, in the classicism of black and white photography and cinema. He took scenes from those westerns he so loved as a kid movies like My Darling Clementine, Red River, Rio Grande and blew them up to epic scale. It was like looking at something youd seen countless times and realizing you could now see it from another angle. But something changed. Those monochromatic pieces didnt work for him anymore. Instead, his works at the Kirks show are boldly colorful, and instead of adapting movies, hes pulling from comic books, especially the Lone Ranger. I began to feel like the Western mythology and subject matter that Ive been working on for so long was a little ridiculous, he explained. Ive read about this for years, and I still love western movies, but I became more aware of the ideology, the propagandistic persuasiveness of the scenarios and rhetoric, particularly when it comes to indigenous issues. McConnell said he was inspired by the cartoonishness of public discourse. So why not examine literal cartoons? Ive always loved them, McConnell said of the old, 1950s era cartoons he pulled from to create his newest works. They were a significant aesthetic awakening for me as a kid. If the polychromatic comic book panels were his escape, the black and white serious westerns on TV were a reflection of real life. Now hes flipping them. That transformation was partially inspired by the exhibition about pop art that was at the Yellowstone Art Museum back in 2021. McConnell, who first moved to Billings to work at the museum back when it was still the Yellowstone Art Center, went to see that show over and over again. I was steeping myself in this over at the museum, he recalled, and thinking especially about Roy Lichtenstein and the whole idea of taking a two and a half inch square frame of a comic and blowing it up to a size where it occupies our space. It has much more impact. Hes right. And these supersized Lone Ranger panels which he culled from a collection called The Lone Rangers Western Treasury, which McConnell reckons was given to him around age 3 or 4 illuminate a few things. The images are painted onto a collage of articles and ads McConnell took from Artforum magazine, the long-running monthly publication McConnell estimates he's subscribed to for 50 years. "The content of the collage material has lent itself to advancing the narrative or creating an interesting contrast," he noted. "It's putting these comic book sources in the context of high art and commerce." But the big thing that's illuminated when the Lone Ranger is seen at this size is how violent this cartoon was. Almost all the pieces include gunplay, usually the Lone Ranger shooting guns out of evil-doers hands. Which isnt just practically impossible, its the sort of neutered violence typical of popular works about Americas colonial ambitions. So much of our frontier heritage revolves around land. Land that once had people on it. It sanitizes the violence and makes him a superhero in a way, McConnell said. John Wayne was the same way. Once he ascended to superstardom, he became too famous to kill. The Searchers, the 1956 John Ford classic, is probably the best movie Wayne was ever in, and also probably the hardest to watch through a modern lens. The movie follows Waynes character on a desperate search for get his niece back from the bloodthirsty Native Americans who have kidnapped her. He doesn't waste many bullets. The antagonist tribe's chief is played by an actor named Henry Brandon, who was born in Germany. Leni Riefenstahl isnt any more extreme, McConnell said about The Searchers, comparing John Ford to the infamous producer of Nazi propaganda. The script is based on a book by Alan Le May. And McConnell, who of course has read it, said that the source material is better for one main reason. Ethan Edwards, Waynes character, dies at the end. John Wayne is more retable when hes actually more mortal than bulletproof, McConnell contended. The Kirks exhibition, and all of McConnells work, is about turning John Wayne mortal. Its blowing up our version of the West, the way we talk about and understand American empire, to a large canvas, and examining why its constructed like that. Thats why the Lone Ranger called out to McConnell. The style of these comics, so primitive and simplistic, reminds him of folk art, and maybe even early Italian Renaissance. Those artists were just beginning to look at the world and look at human beings as human beings, and not as schemed and symbols he continued, trying to convey emotions and identity and make a miracle look like a miracle They began to put the tools together to express transubstantiation of flesh and sensuality. These are weighty themes to a series of paintings about the Lone Ranger. But McConnell wouldnt have it any other way. Thats what makes him a special artist. Im blowing smoke, he said, chuckling. Im a serious artist, I know art history and I have to stand on the tradition. Im egalitarian. Adidas is attempting to recover $75 million from Kanye West, also known as Ye, alleging mishandling of funds. As reported by Business Insider citing Bloomberg, the rapper is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with the sportswear giant, and the matter is under arbitration. The disagreement centers around a $100 million annual marketing fund, as disclosed in court documents viewed by Insider. Adidas alleges that it deposited $75 million into two Yeezy bank accounts, but according to Bloomberg, Kanye West (Ye) and his associated companies "mishandled almost all of the marketing funds." They reportedly failed to maintain proper separation of the funds and used them for unauthorized purposes. Insider, which has seen the contract signed by both parties, confirms that the marketing fund should not be "commingled," and if any funds are utilized improperly, Yeezy would be required to reimburse Adidas. As per the report, the court filing has redacted the contract's definition of appropriate marketing purposes. In a 2020 interview on Nick Cannon's podcast, Kanye West (Ye) revealed that he utilized $50 million of the Yeezy marketing funds for his gospel choir tour called "Sunday Service," which also involved arranging flights to Jamaica for 120 individuals. "The Yeezys, they were selling themselves," he said. "So instead of paying for ads, I invested it in the church." He did not specify whether this money had come from Adidas. In May, Adidas attempted to freeze the eight-figure sum in court, but their bid was unsuccessful. However, US District Judge Valerie Caproni expressed the likelihood of Adidas recovering the funds through arbitration, as reported by Bloomberg. While many of the case documents are redacted or sealed, new details inadvertently came to light when a reporter entered the courtroom unnoticed by the lawyers, despite the judge's prior warning about such potential occurrences, according to Bloomberg. Following the dissolution of the Adidas-Ye partnership in the previous year, Adidas disclosed holding $1.3 billion worth of Yeezy stock. In a statement made in May, the sportswear company declared its intention to sell the Yeezy shoes and contribute the proceeds to organizations representing individuals who were impacted by Kanye West's (Ye's) anti-Semitic remarks. The National High-Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has awarded L&T Construction order worth more than 7,000 crore for the Mumbai Ahmedabad high-speed rail project. With this Package, the company will execute 92 percent of the main line between Shilphata and Ahmedabad. The project has been bagged for the construct the 135.45 km stretch MAHSR C3 package which includes the construction of viaducts, stations, major river bridges, depots, tunnels, earth structures, stations, and other auxiliary works, L&T construction said in a BSE filing. Meanwhile, NHSRCL has already awarded contracts for the construction of Mumbai (BKC) station and 21 km of tunnels including a 7 km undersea tunnel works in Maharashtra. With this last tender, all civil contracts for the Mumbai -Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor have been awarded, the release by NHSRCL said on 20 July. The Bullet train corridor is divided into 28 contract packages, of which 11 are `civil packages', it said. Also Read: L&T plans first buyback as markets rise The approximately 508 km Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail project also called the MAHSR Bullet Train project will cover 155.76 kms in Maharashtra, 4.3 kms in Dadra & Nagar Haveli and 348.04 kms in Gujarat. The train will have 12 stations along the route. As per the press release by L&T, upon completion of the project, the High-Speed Rail will operate at a speed of 320 Kmph, covering the entire distance in approximately two hours with limited stops and in three hours with all stops. Speaking of the order, Mr S V Desai, Whole Time Director & Senior Executive Vice President (Civil Infrastructure) said, This is the second largest package which L&T has won in this prestigious MAHSR project, and we are humbled by the trust reposed in us by our client, NHSRCL. The company further added that it has significantly enhanced its capability of building faster and reliable mass transit systems and this project is in line with their strategic goals. Earlier this month, officials overseeing the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor had said that the work was progressing swiftly and cited the construction of three river bridges in one month in Gujarat. Officials of the National High Speed Rail Corridor told PTI that four out of the 24 bridges have been built in the past six months. "Of these four, we have managed to build three bridges, situated between Bilimora and Surat stations on the HSR route, in Navsari district in one month. There are 24 river bridges on the corridor, 20 of which are in Gujarat and the rest in Maharashtra," the NHSRCL had said in a release. The NHSRCL had said that the first phase of the bullet train project is expected to be launched in 2026. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) released a formula to determine the cost of acquisition (COA) of equity shares of RIL and Reliance Strategic Investments (to be renamed as JFS) in a press release on Thursday. Nithin Kamath, CEO of Zerodha, praised RIL for promptly declaring the COA before the corporate action (JFS demerger), which occurred on the ex-date in the previous session. Kamath explained that this move facilitated better price discovery and allowed brokers' trading apps to adjust the buy average price for holdings in time. Typically, companies take time, even after the ex-date, to announce the COA, creating a risk of retail investors panicking and selling due to an artificial loss when the price adjustments are not made on time. Kamath emphasized that announcing COA well in advance would be ideal and beneficial for investors, as it helps remove reasons for panic and allows brokers to show accurate profit and loss (P&L) details to investors even on the ex-date. RIL's press release provided the formula for determining the COA, stating that the income tax provisions require the COA to be calculated based on the net worth of the resulting company (RSIL or JFS) divided by the net worth of the demerged company (RIL). The formula mentioned an apportionment ratio of 4.68 for RSIL and 95.32 for RIL in the case of demerger. Centrum Broking used RIL's standalone net worth of 5 lakh crore and the apportionment ratio of 4.68% for RSIL to arrive at the net worth of RSIL, which was calculated at 23,500 crores. However, RIL stated that this communication is provided for the benefit of shareholders, and the company takes no express or implied liability in relation to this guidance. The CEO of Zerodha said companies normally take time, even after ex-date to announce COA. "Without this, trading apps can't adjust the buy average price for holdings downward to account for the demerger. This increases the risk of a retail investor panicking & exiting after seeing an artificial loss," he said. Two years ago chief diversity officers were some of the hottest hires into executive ranks. Now, they increasingly feel left out in the cold. Companies including Netflix, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery have recently said that high-profile diversity, equity and inclusion executives will be leaving their jobs. Thousands of diversity-focused workers have been laid off since last year, and some companies are scaling back racial justice commitments. Diversity, equity and inclusionor DEIjobs were put in the crosshairs after many companies started re-examining their executive ranks during the tech sectors shake out last fall. Some chief diversity officers say their work is facing additional scrutiny since the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions and companies brace for potential legal challenges. DEI work has also become a political target. Theres a combination of grief, being very tired, and being, in some cases, overwhelmed," says Miriam Warren, chief diversity officer for Yelp, of the challenges facing executives in the field. In interviews, current and former chief diversity officers said company executives at times didnt want to change hiring or promotion processes, despite initially telling CDOs they were hired to improve the talent pipeline. The quick about-face shows company enthusiasm for diversity initiatives hasnt always proved durable, leaving some diversity officers now questioning their career path. In the wake of George Floyds murder in police custody in May 2020, companies scrambled to hire chief diversity officers, changing the face of the C-suite. In 2018, less than half the companies in the S&P 500 employed someone in the role, and by 2022 three out four companies had created a position, according to a study from Russell Reynolds, an executive search firm. Once mostly tasked with HR matters, todays diversity leaders are expected to weigh in on new product development, marketing efforts and current events that have an impact on how workers and consumers are feeling. Warren and other CDOs said the expanded remit is playing out in a politically divided environment where corporate diversity efforts are the subject of frequent social-media firestorms. Falling demand New analysis from employment data provider Live Data Technologies shows that chief diversity officers have been more vulnerable to layoffs than their human resources counterparts, experiencing 40% higher turnover. Their job searches are also taking longer. I got to 300 applications and then I stopped tracking," says Stephanie Lubin, who was laid off from her role as diversity head at Drizly, an online alcohol marketplace, in May following the companys acquisition by Uber. In one case, Lubin says she went through 16 rounds of interviews for a role she didnt get, and says she is now planning to pivot out of DEI work. The number of CDO searches is down 75% in the past year, says Jason Hanold, chief executive of Hanold Associates Executive Search, which works with Fortune 100 companies to recruit HR and DEI executives, among other roles. Demand is the lowest he has seen in his 30 years of recruiting. At the same time, he says, more executives are feeling skittish about taking on diversity roles. Theyre telling us, the only way I want to go into another role with DEI is if it includes something else," he says of the requests for broader titles that offer more responsibilities and resources. He estimates that 60% of diversity roles he is currently filling combine the title with another position, such as chief human resources officer, up from about 10% five years ago. During the pandemic, some companies moved people into diversity leadership if they were an ethnic minority, says Dani Monroe, even when they werent qualified. Monroe served as CDO for Mass General Brigham, a Boston-based hospital system and one of the largest employers in the state, until 2021 and convenes a yearly gathering of more than 100 CDOs. These were knee-jerk reactions," she says of the hurried CDO hires, adding that some of those elevations didnt create much impact, leaving both sides feeling disillusioned. On-the-job obstruction American workers are split on the importance of a diverse workforce, surveys find. Diversity chiefs also encounter obstruction from top executives, says Melinda Starbird, a human resources and diversity executive who has worked at AT&T, Starbucks and OfferUp, an online marketplace. Leaders sometimes associate diversity efforts with mandates, such as the equal-employment rules that apply to federal contractors. Those requirements for compliance can create executive resistance that bleeds over into other cultural or policy shifts, such as adding Juneteenth as a company holiday, she says. Even if you report to the CEO, its still a battle and its a smaller budget," says Starbird, who was laid off from OfferUp in November during a broader restructuring. Many diversity executives feel a lack of buy-in from their colleagues. In a survey of 138 diversity executives conducted this spring by World 50 Group, a networking organization for corporate leaders, 82% said they had sufficient influence to do their job, down 6 percentage points from 2022. Asked if they felt supported by middle managers, 41% said yes, an 8-percentage-point drop. Since the Supreme Court overturned affirmative action in June, companies are anticipating spillover legal action could have an impact on them. Those that are still hiring CDOs want people who can help the board navigate the political and legal landscape of diversity work and figure out how to take defensive moves to shield them from litigation, says Tina Shah Paikeday, global leader of Russell Reynoldss diversity, equity and inclusion practice. They recognize it would be smart to get ahead of that." People are more resistant to company-backed efforts to advance diversity when they are worried about their own jobs, whether because of impending layoffs or disruptions from AI, says David Kenny, chief executive of Nielsen, the media-ratings company. Kenny was both CEO and CDO for a time, taking on the diversity role to emphasize how important it was to the future of the business. Even as CEO, it could be a tough sell. Efforts to restructure compensation to make it more equitable created a backlash. A lot of it is, Im losing my slice of the pie, " he says. But grand declarations and rhetoric alone wont suffice, say economists and investors. Sluggish domestic demand and a widely held view that Beijing still favors its state-owned enterprises mean that sentiment among the private business ownersa group that accounts for most of the economys dynamism and hiringisnt likely to turn around, at least not in the near term. In a high-profile pronouncement this week, Chinas Communist Party and the countrys cabinet jointly unveiled a list of more than 30 guidelines vowing to make the private sector bigger, better and stronger." Authorities said the measures would level the playing field between privately-run and state-owned enterprises, promising to break down market barriers, expand financing for privately held companies and engage them in future policy consultations. Beijings outreach to the private sectora segment that contributes about 60% of Chinas total output and 80% of urban employmentcomes as growth in the worlds second-largest economy is decelerating on multiple fronts. It also marks a reprieve from the previous three years, in which Chinese officials decimated industries including after-school education and property with a series of regulatory crackdowns and strict limits. The measures, unveiled on Wednesday, drew public praise from several prominent entrepreneurs such as Tencent Holdings low-profile co-founder Pony Ma. The videogame and social media titan and other major internet companies have seen their business and profits pummeled by Beijings sudden changes in regulation in the last two years. Over the past few weeks, Chinese officials have showered investors and the business community with attention and public promises to buttress the sector. Chinas Premier Li Qiang met with executives from the countrys biggest tech companies including Alibaba Group Holding and TikTok parent ByteDance, encouraging them to support the economy through innovation. Officials also met local business leaders in the manufacturing and consumption sectors to survey the difficulties they face, and held meetings to reassure business associations from the U.S., Europe and Japan that the country remains open for foreign investment. They also rolled out incentives to boost vehicle sales. Such support comes after Chinas internet companies lost over $1 trillion in market value since late 2020, when authorities scrapped fintech giant Ant Groups blockbuster initial public offering, kicking off a series of regulatory crackdowns. Government raids on global consultancies including Bain & Co. this year, as well as an expanded version of anti-espionage law have also dampened animal spirits in the business community. Despite this, economists and private entrepreneurs interviewed by The Wall Street Journal say that three years of strict control of Covid-19 and concurrent regulatory campaigns have taken its toll. The recent purges in Chinas internet and private tutoring industry have left entrepreneurs wary of unexpectedly falling afoul of the Communist Partys social goals, said George Magnus, research associate at Oxford University and former chief economist at UBS. The overall attitude toward the private sector is still one where they are subordinate to the interest of the state," he said. Much of the caution among private business and investors also reflects long-term economic headwinds such as the countrys shrinking population as well as elevated local government and household debt. The private-sectors share of Chinas 100 largest listed companies by market value dropped from a peak of 55% in mid 2021 to 39% this June, close to its lowest levels in more than three years, according to a forthcoming research report by the Washington, D.C.-based think tank Peterson Institute for International Economics, or PIIE. Private sector investment shrank by 0.2% in the first half of 2023 from a year earlier, the first contraction since official data collection began in 2005, with the exception of 2020, when the economy was racked by the pandemic. In contrast, investment by state-controlled firms expanded 8.1% in the same period. Profits at private sector firms, more exposed to falling exports and weak consumer spending, reported a 21% plunge in the first five months of the year. Profits at state-owned enterprises fell 17.7%. Ongoing pains in Chinas housing market could worsen investor sentiment. Investment by real-estate developers likely accounts for roughly one-third of private investment, according to Tianlei Huang, a research fellow at PIIE. The stakes are high for Beijing to rekindle business confidence. A failure to resuscitate the ailing private sector risks pushing Beijings full-year growth target of around 5% further out of reach. It may also exacerbate already high youth unemployment. For years, private firms, in particular those in the technology, education and property sectors, have absorbed a large share of Chinas college graduates. Analysts say years of regulatory tightening in those sectors and ongoing distress in the real-estate market have dried up career opportunities for young professionals, helping push Chinas youth jobless rate to a record of 21.3% in June. In the longer run, the private sectors retreat would reduce overall efficiency and lead to slower productivity growth, consequences that could ultimately suppress Chinas growth potential, economists say. Zhang Xuan, a Beijing-based partner of a private-equity firm focusing on technology investment said Beijings most recent pledge on supporting the private sector sent a positive message to investors, but hasnt reassured him about containing a broader economic downturn. The long-term performance of the market cant simply be governed by a couple policy documents," he said. Banks in India are likely to be open only five days a week, with proposed two day weekly offs, a decision will be made on this on 28 July. The Indian Banking Association (IBA) will likely take the decision in a meeting with United Forum of Bank Unions (UFBU) next week on Friday, according to a report. The United Forum of Bank Unions on 19 July said that they took up the issue of introduction of five banking days in earlier discussion. "IBA informed that the issue is under active consideration of the various stakeholders and the same is being pursued. We asked the IBA to expedite the same so that five banking days per week is introduced without further delay," it said. According to a report by CNBC, both organisations are set to discuss five-day work week, salary hike and requirement of group medical insurance policies for retirees during the 28 July meet. Now banks are open on two Saturdays a month- the first and third Saturday banks are open in India. The UBFU has sought that working days for banks remain five days a week only, also that employees get 2 days weekly off. The need for a five day work week came into limelight after government implemented the rule of five working days in the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). The Finance ministry of India had earlier informed that they have no objection to the UBFU's demand to a five day work week for bank employees. The Indian Banking Association had sent a proposal to the government regarding this. According to the proposal, daily working time for bank employees will be increased by 40 minutes, the CNBC report stated. Regarding the medical insurance of retired bank employees, the UBFU had said that they have agreed to offer a base policy for 2 lakh for retirees with certain ceilings and caps on bed charges/package treatments etc. This was done to ensure that the premium amount is reduced. "Over and above this, top up scheme up to 10 lakh will be made available on optional basis," CNBC quoted the UBFU. It is to be noted that banks are slated to remain closed for several days in the month of August this year. However, the online banking services and ATMs will remain open to public despite holidays. The day offs in August include the Saturdays and Sundays in August 2023. Apart from the days mentioned in the table below, banks will remain closed on usual second and fourth Saturday. Date Day Holiday State / India 8 August Tuesday Tedong Lho Run Faat Sikkim 15 August Tuesday Independence Day India 16 August Wednesday Parsi New Year Several states across India 28 August Monday First Onam Kerala 29 August Tuesday Thiruvonam Kerala 30 August Wednesday Raksha Bandhan Several states across India 30 August Wednesday Jhulan Purnima Odisha New Delhi: Indias per capita carbon emissions have been hailed as significantly low amidst growing concerns over climate change, said Union minister for power and new & renewable Energy R.K. Singh. The statement was made during the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial and 8th Mission Innovation Meeting in Goa. The ministerial meeting, chaired by R.K. Singh, saw the participation of ministers from more than 30 countries, as well as representatives of international organizations. The primary objective of the gathering was to discuss challenges related to energy transition and explore potential solutions. R.K. Singh emphasized that Indias per capita carbon emissions stand at approximately 2.29 tons, a figure significantly lower than the global average of 6.3 tons. He attributed this achievement to the simple lifestyle adopted by the Indian populace. He further stressed that every individual must play an active role in combating climate change, and collective efforts are essential to ensure a sustainable future. The minister outlined Indias commitment to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and enhance renewable energy generation. He announced ambitious targets, aiming to fulfil 50% of the countrys energy requirements from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030. Additionally, India is striving to achieve the generation of 500 GW of renewable energy by the same year. Singh informed the ministerial that India has a Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme for industries, which encourages them to implement sustainable practices, resulting in 105 million tons of emission reduction per annum. We are exploring different renewable sources including solar, wind and hydrogen to accelerate energy transition. We have also focused on energy efficiency in the lighting sector, with schemes such as UJALA, star rating, and LED street lights. These have resulted in 278 million tons of emissions reductions per annum," he added. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, a member of NITI Aayog, stressed the importance of transitioning away from fossil fuels to secure a sustainable future for humanity. He emphasized that the global community must work together to promote clean energy solutions and reduce carbon emissions. Commending Indias leadership in the global energy transition, Jennifer M. Granholm, the US secretary of energy, acknowledged the significance of collaborative efforts among nations, businesses, cities and institutions to tackle climate change effectively. She highlighted the critical role of emerging technologies in achieving the Net Zero goal. The Mission Innovation (MI) initiative, represented by 23 countries and the European Commission, aims to accelerate progress towards clean energy revolution and the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, including pathways to achieve net-zero emissions. As the event unfolded, Brazil declared its intention to host the MI Ministerial Meeting in conjunction with its G20 presidency next year. Americas financial plumbing is overdue a spot of maintenance. The current payment rails" on which it is basedbuilt by a group of the countrys biggest banks to replace paper chequesare more than half a century old and run on antiquated code. Although robust, the system is painfully slow. American payments are less sophisticated than those in the rest of the rich world, and indeed those in much of the poor world, too. It is a problem the Federal Reserve is trying to fix with a centralised instant-payments system, which it launched on July 20th. Aptly called FedNow, this will allow Americans to ping money to their compatriots, via their existing financial institutions, and for payments to settle straight away. All told, 35 banks and 16 payment providers have signed up to use the service. Most American bank transfers are cheap but processed in batches, often taking days to settle. Peer-to-peer networks, like Cash App, appear much quicker to customers but, beneath the surface, rely on the old system. Regulators have warned that funds held on such apps might not qualify for deposit insurance in the event of a failure. Credit cards, which offer juicy rewards at the cost of even juicier fees, also use existing rails. According to the San Francisco Fed, nearly a third of payments last year were made using plastic. Typically, Americans use different methods for different types of payment: a water bill is paid via bank transfer; $100 owed to a friend is sent through a payment app; a purchase on Amazon is made with a credit card. A single, real-time payments solution should improve the quality of all. JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, two heavyweight banks, have signed up to FedNow. But Wall Street is not entirely on board: a longer list of institutions, including Bank of America, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs, is absent. Although the older system is slow, it is also profitable for those involved. Financial institutions can take advantage of slow settlements to park cash in interest-bearing short-term securities overnight, or merely keep the money at the Fed to accrue interest. They also pocket late-payment fees and some make money from their own instant-payment systems, such as The Clearing House, which is run by a group of banks. Some observers, recalling the banking turmoil this spring, worry that FedNow might destabilise the financial system. A report by Moodys, a credit-ratings agency, warns that the new scheme could make bank runs more likely by making it easier for depositors to flee. Such worries are likely to prove overblown, however. The current system, where weekends are closed for business, provided little relief to Silicon Valley Bank and others a few months ago. Moreover, since FedNow is a back-end system, participating institutions are able to set limits in line with their risk appetite. They can, for instance, cap payments or limit transactions. View Full Image (Graphic: The Economist) Other countries are also light years ahead of Americaand do not appear more vulnerable to bank runs. In India, for example, instant payments are the norm, accounting for 81% of domestic electronic transactions last year (see chart). In Thailand and Brazil they accounted for 64% and 37% respectively. Emerging markets have embraced instant payments in part because of demography (consumers are younger and more open to change), in part because of a crackdown on cash (policymakers are keen to shrink the size of grey markets, and increase tax takes) and in part because, unlike in America, new payment systems did not have to push aside existing ones, and those who benefited from them. FedNow is unlikely to transform payments immediately. The scheme will only support push" transfersones that consumers initiate themselves. By contrast, FedNows counterparts in Europe and India also have pull" capabilities that businesses may use when given permission (which enable, say, regular payments for electricity). Fed officials claim to have no plans to extend the system for such uses, but bankers suspect it is the next step. Mass adoption will face one more hurdle: the American consumer, over whom paper-based payments retain a particular hold. According to aci Worldwide, a payments firm, around a fifth of all cash transfers in the country happen via cheque. Still, it will be nice for them to have the option, just like the rest of the world. Editors note: This piece has been updated to incorporate news of FedNows launch. For more expert analysis of the biggest stories in economics, finance and markets, sign up to Money Talks, our weekly subscriber-only newsletter. 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com The water level at the Yamuna River in Delhi has dropped below the danger mark on Friday morning. The water level at the Old Railway Bridge in Yamuna was recorded at 205.25 meters on July 21 morning, as per the latest update from the Central Water Commission. This marks a further decrease from 205.35 meters recorded on Tuesday evening. A slight rise in the river's water level was observed on Monday due to fresh rainfall in neighbouring Haryana. The danger mark for Yamuna is at 205.33 meters, and the river had breached this mark on July 10, leading to extensive flooding in Delhi. Following improvements in the waterlogging situation, the Delhi government has lifted the ban on the entry of heavy vehicles into the city. 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," official statement read. Several low-lying areas in the city were impacted by the rise in Yamuna's water level, leading to waterlogging and relocation of affected residents to relief camps set up by the Delhi government. Also read: Yamuna water level in Delhi drops below danger mark The Yamuna had previously reached an all-time high of 208.66 meters last week and had been flowing above the danger mark for eight days before receding below it on Tuesday evening. The heavy rainfall in the upper catchment areas of the Yamuna caused the river to swell, leading to waterlogging and flooding issues in various parts of Delhi. The floods resulted in the evacuation of over 27,000 people from their homes and significant damage to property, businesses, and livelihoods. Also read: Yamuna breaches low flood level mark in Agra, reaches Taj Mahal wall | WATCH Experts point to human-made factors such as encroachment on the river floodplain, obstruction of the natural flow of the Yamuna, and silt accumulation as contributors to the unprecedented flooding in Delhi. Renowned water conservationist Rajendra Singh emphasized that effective action is needed from relevant agencies to make Delhi flood and drought-resistant, setting aside political differences for a common goal. In the wake of the recent floods, the supply of water to the city's treatment plants was affected due to the inundation of a pump house at Wazirabad. The pump house supplies raw water to the Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla water treatment plants, that account for around 25% of the city's total supply. (With inputs from PTI and ANI) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India is well placed to be one of the largest providers of skilled workers globally while calling for rapid universalization of social security benefits for workers. The prime minister said that the world is at the threshold of some of the greatest changes in the employment sector and stressed on the need to prepare responsive and effective strategies to address these rapid transitions. In this era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the prime minister said, technology has become and will remain the core driver for employment. He highlighted Indias capability in creating countless tech-based jobs during the last such technology-led transformation. PM Modi stressed that workers should be skilled with the use of advanced technologies and processes and said that skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling are the mantras for the future workforce. He gave examples of Indias Skill India Mission making this a reality, and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana which has trained more than 12.5 million of Indias youth so far. Special focus is being laid on Industry Four Point O sectors like Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Internet of Things, and Drones", the prime minister added. PM Modi highlighted the skills and dedication of Indias front-line health workers during Covid and said that it reflects Indias culture of service and compassion. He said that India has the potential to become one of the largest providers of skilled workforce in the world and a globally mobile workforce is going to be a reality in the future. He emphasized G20s role in globalizing the development and sharing of skills in the true sense. The prime minister commended the efforts of member nations to initiate the international referencing of occupations by skills and qualifications requirements. He said that it requires new models of international cooperation and coordination, and migration and mobility partnerships. He suggested sharing statistics, information and data regarding employers and workers for a start which will empower countries across the globe to formulate evidence-based policies for better skilling, workforce planning, and gainful employment. Concluding the address, the prime minister expressed confidence that this meeting will send out a strong message for the welfare of all workers worldwide. He appreciated the efforts being made by all dignitaries in addressing some of the most urgent issues in this field. Here's the best events in Billings this week, all hopefully held in nice air conditioned rooms. Big Sky International Balloon Rendezvous The annual event, which the Balloon Federation of America bills as "the only balloon event in the state of Montana," features launches from Amend Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6 a.m. Everything comes together at the park on Saturday at 6 p.m. for a festival featuring live music, food trucks and a balloon glow. Montana Shakespeare in the Parks at Pioneer Park If you weren't able to make it all the way out to Utica a couple weeks ago, Montana's finest traveling Shakespeare troupe is in Billings for two nights. On Saturday, head to Pioneer Park at 6 p.m. for "Measure for Measure," one of the Bard's hilarious comedies about unjust capital punishment and coerced sexual violence. Great stuff! Lighten the mood a little on Sunday at 6 p.m., again at Pioneer Park, for MSIP's adaptation of Alexandre Dumas' swashbuckling classic "The Three Musketeers." All MSIP events are free, and seating is first come, first serve. Morgan Wade at the Pub Station You should see Morgan Wade at the Pub Station on Wednesday, July 26 at 8 p.m. for a couple reasons. For one, you can expect a fantastic show from Wade, with her hard worn lyricism and bruised voice. And because one day you'll be able to tell folks that you saw her way back when. Because Wade is primed to absolutely explode soon. Her major label debut "Reckless" much of it co-written and produced by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit guitarist Sadler Vaden already feels like a cult classic. Her follow up "Psychopath" drops in August. Next time she's in Billings, you can bet it'll be in a much bigger room. $27 tickets are at thepubstation.com. Samantha Ruddy at NOVA Bone Dry Comedy's latest run through Montana starts this week, with comedian Samantha Ruddy performing at the NOVA Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, July 27 at 8 p.m. Ruddy has been featured on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon." Get a ticket for $25 at the door, or save a few bucks and buy one in advance at eventbrite.com. The Hellroaring at St. John's The St. John's United campus is turning into the best honky-tonk in town on Thursday, July 27. The Hellroaring, who are one of the hottest groups around and are fresh off the release of their debut EP, take the stage at 7 p.m., while opener Cory Leone Johnson goes up at 6 p.m. Event is free, and food trucks abound. Honorable mentions Kirks' Grocery is the place to be on Friday, July 21 at 7 p.m. Missoula indie rockers Wildlands and Helena acoustic folkies Mender are both playing. $12 at the door, $10 in advance. Country musician Chase Rice is at ZooMontana on Friday at 6 p.m. $35.50 tickets are at thepubstation.com. Craft Local is hosting The Old Ones, Runecaller and The Grey Goo on Friday at 7 p.m. $5 at the door. P.E.A.K.S.'s Summer Brewfest is on Saturday at ZooMontana from 4-8 p.m. There's music from Lunatic Fringe, a cornhole tournaments, auctions, food trucks and, of course, beer. $30 tickets are available at the gate or at billingsclinic.com. The 7th Avenue Band is playing the first show of Red Rooster's Summer Concert Series on Saturday from 8 p.m. - 12 a.m. There's a few very distinctive looking bands coming to the Metra on Saturday, July 22 for the Dark Horizon Tour, featuring In This Moment and Motionless in White. Tickets are at metrapark.com. Dance your problems away at Thirsty Street on Saturday at 8 p.m. with Biddadat and Desperate Electric. $10 in advance at thirstystreet.com and $15 at the door. The Mary Queen of Peace Parish's "Mexican Fiesta" is back again this year on Saturday at the 3411 3rd Ave South from 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Includes a Mexican dinner of enchiladas, beans, rice, tacos, chips and salsa, and access to a silent auction along with raffles and other fun. Then there's a dance at the Billings Hotel from 8 p.m. - 12 a.m., featuring Tejano Outlaws. Tickets for the dance are $15. Lyle Lovett and his Large Band are bringing beautiful music to the Alberta Bair Theater on Sunday, July 23 at 6 p.m. No opener, so get there on time. $49.50 tickets are at thepubstation.com. The show had been planned for outdoors at the skate park until the weekend forecast called for asphalt-melting temps. Former wrestler and current talking head and comedian Tyrus is at the Babcock Theatre on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go from $20 - $300 at eventbrite.com. The Babcock is returning to second-run movies with a bang this week with a showing of "Spy Kids," the early 2000s classic directed by Robert Rodriquez, of all people, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 26. The penultimate Alive After 5 is on Thursday, July 27 at Tiny's, and it's featuring the rare touring band, Ryan Chrys and the Rough Cuts, who hail from Colorado. Music starts at 5 p.m., free to enter, $2 to drink. They're packing them into Kirks' on Thursday, starting at 7 p.m. Albuquerque rockers Redbush and the Missoula group Poverty Porn are on the bill, along with Billings favorites Scuba Steve and the Shark. $10 in advance, $12 at the door. As the country grapples with incessant rainfall in several regions, schools of some states will remain closed on 21 and 22 July amid heavy rainfall alerts issued by Indian Meteorological Department. Maharashtra Amidst the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) issuance of Red Alert warnings, district administrations in Palghar and Thane districts of Maharashtra have declared two days holidays on Friday and Saturday, 21 and 22 July, for all schools and colleges. The IMD forecast issued on Thursday stated 'heavy to very heavy' rainfall is likely in several places in Palghar and Thane over the next 48 hours. Palghar collector Govind Bodke and his Thane counterpart Ashok Shingare issued the order to shut schools. Shingare also urged people to stay indoors and directed the civic and district machinery to be fully prepared to provide relief to citizens in view of the rains. Also read: Monsoon rains Highlights: Heavy to very heavy rainfall expected in Raigad, Mumbai in coming days, says IMD Telangana In response to heavy rains, the Chief Minister's Office in Telangana has announced two days of holidays, 21 and 22 July, for all government offices and educational institutions within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits. CM K Chandrashekhar Rao said that essential services like medical facilities and milk supply will continue uninterrupted during this period. Moreover, the State Labour Department has been directed to ensure that private companies also declare holidays for their respective offices within the GHMC Limits. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert across Telangana on Wednesday indicating the likelihood of widespread rainfall. Also read: Monsoon Rains LIVE Updates: All schools, colleges in Palghar and Thane to remain closed on 21 July Himachal Pradesh Following the occurrence of flash floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur District due to heavy rains, the Deputy Commissioner announced that all schools in the Sangla and Nichar sub-divisions of the district will remain closed from 20 to 22 July. All Government/private schools, pre-schools, Anganwaris of Sub-Division Nichar and Tehsil Sangla, District Kinnaur to remain closed from 20th to 22nd July in the apprehension of flash floods and landslides", stated an official statement released on Thursday. The recent torrential rains in Himachal Pradesh have led to supply disruptions in far-flung regions, with roads being washed off, rendering some areas inaccessible. In response to the situation, Indian Air Force (IAF) officials reported that IAF helicopters have been deployed to deliver crucial essential supplies to the affected areas. Shaakti, Maror, and Shansher are among the locations cut off by the heavy rains. (With inputs from PTI and ANI) The latest Google Doodle celebrates Belgium National Day 2023, also known as the Belgian National Day or the National Day of Belgium which is observed on July 21 every year. On this day, Belgians enjoy a public holiday and recall the history of the country. The day holds great significance for the country's people. It is celebrated across Belgium and in Belgian immigrant communities abroad on July 21. All you need to know about Belgium National Day 2023 History: Belgium became part of the United Netherlands in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. Following the unrest, the Belgian Revolution forced the Butch forces out of the country in 1830. The different revolutionary factions proposed the idea of an independent Belgian state by November 1830 and started drafting a constitution for the country. Then it was decided that Belgium would become a constitutional and popular monarchy. In a search for a monarch, the revolutionaries decided to give the position to Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, a German aristocrat in the United Kingdom. On July 21, he became Belgium's first monarch, and the day is then considered the beginning of the modern Kingdom of Belgium. Significance: For Belgians, the National Day of Belgium is a moment of national pride and unity that serves as a reminder of the country's struggle for independence, and its evolution as a sovereign nation. It brings up a sense of patriotism among the country's people. Celebration: Some common celebrations on National Belgium Day include a military parade, fireworks, public gatherings, festivities, music, and religious observances. The National Day of Belgium usually begins with the military parade in its capital city, Brussels. The King of the Belgians, members of the royal family, and high-ranking government officials attend the parade showcased by the Belgian Armed Forces and other security forces. After this, fireworks enlighten various cities of the country and people attend cultural and social events. Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan could be jailed for life if he was found guilty of jeopardizing national security by exposing a controversial diplomatic communication commonly known as cypher, said Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar in a press conference on Thursday. In March last year, Imran Khan used a cable sent by the Pakistan embassy in Washington to blame the United States for orchestrating his ouster from power a month later, according to a report published by the news agency PTI. The minimum punishment for leaking an official secret was two years. But the nature of crime would change if the cypher was made public and its contents were leaked for vested interest then an accused can be sentenced to up to 14 years," the minister said. Tarar stated that 14 years of punishment is the maximum in Pakistan and is also considered life imprisonment. He clarified that the cypher, an official classified document, can neither be made public nor shared with anyone, saying that Imran was summoned by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for interrogation on July 25 in this regard. National security was compromised by indiscriminate use of the cypher, as evident from the confessional statement of (former PM's aide) Azam Khan. Chairman PTI used it for his own political motives," he added. The law minister said that Imran Khan revealed the contents of the cypher during one of his political rallies, compromising the countrys national security, PTI reported. He then asserted that the cypher was not returned to the concerned authorities, adding that the case against the former premier will be thoroughly investigated on merit. The cypher saga resurfaced after Azam Khan recorded a statement that Khan used it for political purposes. Imran Khan has already been implicated in scores of cases which were launched against him after his downfall in April last year. His party is also under pressure and several senior leaders have left him. (With PTI inputs) New Delhi: India is considering expanding its solar STAR-C initiative, run by the International Solar Alliance, to a number of Pacific Island countries, according to persons aware of the matter. The programme aims to boost solar power ecosystems in the poorest countries. In the Pacific, it currently runs in Tonga. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modis participation in a summit with Pacific Island countries, India is looking to expand its diplomatic footprint in a region that has seen increased outreach by China. Indias efforts will primarily be focused on economic development, connectivity and climate change. The expansion of the STAR-C initiative will form a key part of that outreach. The overall objective (of the STAR-C initiative) is to create a strong network of institutional capacities within ISA Member States to enhance quality infrastructure (QI) for the uptake of solar energy product and service markets, particularly in least developed countries (LDCs) and small island developing states (SIDS)," according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), which runs the initiative alongside the ISA. Funding for the project is also provided by France. The programme aims to boost capacity in developing countries by building solar workforces, standardizing products, setting up infrastructure and bringing greater awareness among policymakers. In its initial stages, the focus was on the Economic Community of West African States, the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) and the East African Community. The expansion of the STAR-C initiative will come on the back of an increased outreach to Pacific Island nations from New Delhi. Modi flew to Papua New Guinea for the Forum on Pacific Islands Cooperation Summit in May. Modi announced a 12-step action plan for the islands which included solar power projects. India has also emphasized the importance of working with Pacific Island countries on climate change and renewable energy in recent years. These island countries have been courted by the US and China in recent years as geopolitical competition in Pacific between the two powers has heated up. China has signed a security deal with the Solomon Islands and moved to conclude a sweeping pact with 10 regional nations last year, although that bid ended in failure. This has spurred the regions traditional heavyweights like Australia to place a greater economic and political focus on the islands. The Quad grouping of the US, Japan, Australia and India has also made this a priority. We recommit to working in partnership with Pacific Island countries to achieve shared aspirations and address shared challenges," the leaders of the four Quad nations said in May. In these efforts, Quad Leaders will listen to and be guided at every step by Pacific priorities, including climate action, ocean health, resilient infrastructure, maritime security and financial integrity," they added. NEW DELHI : IIndia and Sri Lanka on Friday agreed to start discussions on an Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ECTA) and unveiled plans to cooperate on power, digital payments, connectivity and green energy. The ECTA with Sri Lanka will focus on tariff and non-tariff barriers as well as investment rules. The development came during the visit of Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to New Delhi. The two countries agreed to operationalize Indias Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to ease digital payments across borders. Foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra told reporters that the initiative could kick off in two to three months. Bhutan and Nepal have already adopted Indias signature digital payments platform. New Delhi and Colombo also unveiled plans to establish power grid connectivity, possibly boosting electricity trade in the neighbourhood. According to the India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision released by the Ministry of External Affairs, this development has the potential to not only bring down the costs of electricity in Sri Lanka but also help create a valuable and dependable source of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka." The two sides will also construct a multi-product petroleum pipeline for steady supplies to Sri Lanka. Last year, the island nation saw widespread fuel shortages as it grappled with a crippling economic crisis. According to the vision document, New Delhi and Colombo will look to undertake mutually agreed joint exploration and production of hydrocarbons in Sri Lankas offshore basins with an aim to develop Sri Lankas upstream petroleum sector." Besides this, work on the Sampur Solar power project and cooperation in emerging green technologies related to green hydrogen and green ammonia will also drive the partnership on renewable energy. Both countries agreed to resume passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka and will look to resume similar services in other locations. An expansion in air connectivity is also on the cards. A key issue to watch will be the role played by Indian companies in Sri Lankas divestment programme. Colombo is looking to divest its stake in state-owned enterprises as part of a push to reform its economy. According to reports in Sri Lankan media, the Tata Group has been eyeing Sri Lankan Airlines, the state-owned carrier, which is in line for divestment. Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran was in Sri Lanka prior to President Wickremesinghes visit and met with Indias High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay. The economic partnership vision mentions Indias support for Sri Lankas divestment process. Political issues also featured in the discussions when Wickremesinghe met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. The sensitive issue of the rights of Sri Lankan Tamils, which has been of particular concern to New Delhi, was discussed by the two leaders. We hope that the government of Sri Lanka will fulfil the aspirations of the Tamils. Will drive the process of rebuilding for equality, justice and peace. Will fulfill its commitment to implement the Thirteenth Amendment and conduct the Provincial Council Elections. And will ensure a life of respect and dignity for the Tamil community of Sri Lanka," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. Chinas military presence in the Indian Ocean and its use of Sri Lankan facilities for naval activities has been a key concern for New Delhi. India was upset by the presence of Chinese spy vessels, notably the Yuan Wang-5, which docked in Hambantota port in August 2022 despite Indian objections. Yuan Wang-6, another research vessel, entered the Indian Ocean even as India planned a test launch of its nuclear-capable Agni-ballistic missile.We are neighbours. We naturally have a very long-standing and comprehensive relationship. When the leaders of the two countries meet, it is very natural for them to speak about their concerns," Kwatra said. Discussions on these challenges", presumably related to China, were brought up during the meetings, he added. The Sri Lankan side did convey to us their sensitivity and respect for our security and strategic, sensitive concerns relating to what happens in our maritime domain," Kwatra concluded. Wickremesinghe returned to Sri Lanka on Friday after his meetings with Prime Minister Modi and President Droupadi Murmu. North Korea has said that the deployment of US aircraft carriers, bombers or missile submarines in South Korea might be seen as meeting criteria for using nuclear weapons, as reported by state media KCNA. Kang Sun Nam, the defence minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), criticised the US and South Korea for escalating tensions in the region during their Nuclear Consultative Group meeting. "The ever-increasing visibility of the deployment of the strategic nuclear submarine and other strategic assets may fall under the conditions of the use of nuclear weapons specified in the DPRK law," Reuters quoted an official statement as saying. Also Read: North Korean hacking group Labyrinth Chollima breached US IT firm JumpCloud to steal cryptocurrency The North expressed concern over the arrival of the nuclear-armed US ballistic missile submarine in Busan. The situation on the Korean peninsula is deemed dangerous, according to KCNA. South Korea defends the NCG meeting and USS Kentucky deployment as defensive measures against nuclear and missile threats. South Korea's Ministry of National Defense has said the NCG meeting and the deployment of the USS Kentucky were "just defensive countermeasures" against the North's nuclear and missile threats. "North Korea will get no concessions from the South Korea-US alliance for its nuclear development and threats which will only lead to worsening isolation and hardships," the South Korean ministry said in a statement. The KCNA report came after a US soldier crossed the border into North Korea on Tuesday at a time of heightened tension between the two Koreas and the United States. North Korea has yet to comment on the incident involving the US soldier. In 2022, North Korea enacted an all-encompassing nuclear law, solidifying its position as a nuclear-armed state with no intention of reversing it. The law allows for various scenarios where nuclear use could be a possibility, and the recent submarine visit aligns with those conditions, as stated by Ankit Panda from the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "More broadly, though, I think they're seeking to dissuade Washington from regularizing additional shows of reassurance of this nature for the South Koreans," Panda said. (With Reuters inputs) Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves have surged to a nine-month high following a fresh financial bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The country's reserves nearly doubled to $8.73 billion as of July 14, with inflows coming from the IMF and friendly nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This is the highest reserve level since October when the central bank held $8.76 billion. The financial assistance, totaling around $4.2 billion received last week, comes as Pakistan seeks to stabilize its balance of payments position amid a 13% decline in exports and a 25% drop in foreign direct investment in the past year, Bloomberg reported. China's Exim Bank has extended a $600 million commercial loan to Pakistan, further contributing to the reserve boost, which will be reflected in the reserves next week. With the fresh inflows and local commercial banks holding $5.34 billion, Pakistan's total foreign exchange reserves now stand at $14.1 billion, as reported by the central bank. The financial aid from the IMF has helped Pakistan avert an imminent default and provided much-needed relief to the outgoing government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose term is concluding next month. Despite the recent financial boost, Pakistan faces challenges concerning its external debt, which has reached $100 billion. The IMF has cautioned that the country's debt could become unsustainable if it fails to meet the bailout program's goals. The report also points out that risks to debt sustainability have heightened due to limited international financing options and substantial funding requirements. Pakistan will need an additional IMF programme and support from other international lenders beyond the current election cycle and the ongoing standby arrangement, according to a 120-page report earlier published by the IMF. The report delves into Pakistan's macroeconomic outlook and emphasises the necessity for further financial assistance to address the country's cash-strapped situation, reported the Dawn newspaper. (With Bloomberg inputs) ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sounak Mukhopadhyay Sounak Mukhopadhyay, who also goes by the name Sounak Mukherjee, has been producing digital news since 2012. He's worked for the International Business Times, The Inquisitr, and Moneycontrol in the past. He's also contributed to Free Press Journal and TheRichest with feature articles. He covers news for a wide range of subjects including business, finance, economy, politics and social media. Before working with digital news publications, he worked as a freelance content writer. Read more from this author Rishi Sunak faced a significant political setback as the ruling Conservative Party suffered defeat in a crucial parliamentary election in northern England, losing to the Labour Party. As reported by Bloomberg, this overturning of a large majority has given Keir Starmer's party clear momentum as they prepare for an upcoming national vote anticipated next year. Additionally, the Tories lost another important seat in southwest England to the Liberal Democrats, delivering a double blow that may cause concern for the prime minister. However, Sunak avoided a complete rout when his party unexpectedly retained ex-leader Boris Johnson's former seat in a closely contested result on the outskirts of London. The Conservatives had downplayed their chances in the three special elections in very different parts of England on Thursday, arguing that even winning in one contest would represent a victory given governments are traditionally given a kicking in mid-term votes. But the scale of the defeats will raise more questions about whether he can turn around his partys slump in the polls, which began under Johnson and has barely recovered from Liz Trusss disastrous seven-week premiership last fall, Bloomberg reported. The tide is still a long way out for the Conservatives and they still have an awful long way to go before they look as though they might have a chance of being able to retain power after the next general election," John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, told the BBC. In Selby and Ainsty, a rural constituency in North Yorkshire, Keir Mather secured 46% of the vote, marking a significant increase compared to Labour's 25% in the previous 2019 contest. The seat, which has been under Conservative control since its establishment in 2010, experienced a shift in voter support. Conservative candidate Claire Holmes came in second with 34% of the vote, experiencing a notable drop from the 60% support received in the last election. The result is seismic for Starmer, who can show his party is using its double-digit lead in national surveys to overturn large Tory majorities as he tries to guide Labour back to power for the first time since 2010. The Conservatives were defending a majority of 20,137 votes the biggest margin Labour has overturned in a by-election, the party said on Friday. It is clear just how powerful the demand for change is. Voters put their trust in us many for the first time," Starmer said after the Selby result was announced. After 13 years of Tory chaos, only Labour can give the country its hope, its optimism and its future back." Meanwhile, Sarah Dyke became Liberal Democrat MP for Somerton and Frome, securing a dramatic swing of 29 percentage points from the Tories that will be hailed by Ed Daveys party as proof the Tories are vulnerable in their traditional stronghold across southern England. That puts pressure on Sunak because it reinforces the view his Tories are being squeezed on multiple fronts. In her victory speech, Dyke said the result proved tactical voting can be used by progressive parties at elections to beat the Conservatives. In an emailed statement, Davey said the people of Somerton and Frome had spoken for the rest of the country who are fed up with Rishi Sunaks out-of-touch Conservative government." Rishi Sunak narrowly avoided a more disastrous outcome as the Conservative Party unexpectedly managed to retain Boris Johnson's former Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat in northwest London by a mere 495 votes following a recount. Tory candidate Steve Tuckwell secured 45% of the vote, with a swing of 6.7 percentage points from the Conservatives to Labourjust shy of the 7.6-point swing required for the opposition party to claim the seat. Labour's Keir Starmer's party attributed its inability to make significant progress in the district to local factors. The Tories transformed the election into an unofficial referendum on the contentious Ultra Low Emission Zone plan, led by Labour's London Mayor Sadiq Khan, which aims to charge vehicles in the area to combat pollution. We know that the Conservatives crashing the economy has hit working people hard, so its unsurprising that the ULEZ expansion was a concern for voters here in a by-election," a Labour spokesperson said in an emailed statement. Boris Johnson first secured victory in Uxbridge in 2015 and retained the seat in 2019 with 53% of the vote, leading the Tories to a resounding national triumph. However, he stepped down as prime minister last year and resigned as an MP in June following a panel's finding that he had lied to Parliament about rule-breaking parties in Downing Street during the pandemic. Additional elections are anticipated in two more Tory-held areasMid Bedfordshire and Tamworthraising the possibility of an unwelcome narrative lingering into the autumn for Rishi Sunak. Prince Harry's much-talked-about memoir, Spare , seems to have lost its charm among readers, as copies of the book are being left behind at holiday hotspots, causing a unique situation for hoteliers and resorts. The book, released only six months ago, initially created quite a stir and quickly soared to the top of Amazon's bestseller list, with over 1.43 million copies sold on its debut day, earning the book a prestigious Guinness World Record. This remarkable feat earned the book the distinction of being the fastest-selling non-fiction book in history, outpacing other acclaimed works like A Promised Land by former US President Barack Obama and many others. However, it appears that public interest has waned since then. Popular vacation destinations like Spain, Turkey and Greece have been inundated with discarded copies of Prince Harry's memoir. Tourists have been spotted leaving the book unattended by the poolside, placing it in hotel receptions, rooms or even throwing it away in beachside bins, the Daily Express reported. The surplus of Spare copies has become a headache for holiday specialists On the Beach, as local bookstores and libraries are unwilling to accept them. Zoe Harris, the Chief Customer Officer at On the Beach, expressed her frustration at the overwhelming number of books they have had to handle. According to Harris, the situation has reached an unprecedented level. Lost property offices in the most popular resorts are overflowing with copies of Spare and hotels have even sent back books left behind by their customers. We've never witnessed anything quite like itIm asking hotels to please stop sending them over, otherwise well never get rid of them allMaybe we should all take a leaf out of Harrys book and spare ourselves the bother in the first place," the publication quoted Harris as saying. While Europe has worked hard to close security gaps since Russia invaded Ukraine, a tiny island group in the North Atlantic provides a loophole for Russian ships to fish and dock in its waters and ports, among them vessels accused of spying and sabotage. Western nations are growing increasingly wary of whats going on in and around the Faroe Islands, a self-governing territory under the Kingdom of Denmark which has a longstanding fishing agreement with Moscow. The agreement lets Russian vessels call at Faroese ports, circumventing a ban from European Union ports. It also gives Russian vessels fishing rights in waters shared between the Faroes and the U.K, prompting the British government to push the Faroese to suspend itsomething the islands leaders havent yet agreed to do. The dispute illustrates how Europe has sharpened its focus on waterways in the North Sea and the North Atlantic, as it enters a new era of great-power conflict with Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. The Faroese-U.K. special area falls within a strategic transit route between Greenland, Iceland and the U.K., known as the GIUK Gap, which since the Cold War has been a key access point for military operations in the North Atlantic. As countries have become more dependent on offshore energy facilities and undersea fiber cables that enable internet access and financial transactions, the gaps importance has grown. Seabed critical infrastructure and energy infrastructure have been targeted and will be targeted in the future. It is an awareness that the U.S. and Europe have been waking up to in the last year," said Rebecca Pincus, director of the Polar Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. Following criticism from the British, the Faroe Islands last week implemented new restrictions meaning that only 31 Russian vessels named in their bilateral agreement can access its ports. Previously, other Russian fishing vessels not named in the agreement could legally transship cargo or undergo repairs in Faroese harbors. Faroese Foreign Minister Hgni Hoydal said in an interview that the new step will decrease the number of Russian vessels by about 60%. However, the named Russian ships will still be able to fish in the so-called special zone that the Faroes share with the U.K., where British authorities arent allowed to inspect them, according to a 1999 agreement with Denmark. Mark Spencer, the British minister for food, farming and fisheries, told his Faroese counterpart Dennis Holm in January that the decision to renew your deal with Russia impacts upon our bilateral relationship," and expressed grave concern that this situation may arise again during 2023," according to a letter obtained by the Wall Street Journal through a freedom of information request. A U.K. government spokesperson said London will continue to seek a ban on Russian vessels fishing in the U.K.-Faroes special area. The wind-lashed Faroes, with a population of 54,000 people, 70,000 sheep and around a half-a-million breeding pairs of puffins, have jurisdiction over their own trade policy and arent a member of the EU, but their foreign and security policy is determined in Denmark. The Faroese-Russian fishing agreement, which dates back to 1977, allows the Faroese to fish primarily for cod in the Barents Sea and Russians to fish for herring and mackerel in Faroese waters. Fish constitutes about 90% of Faroese exports. Danish politicians have said the agreement makes the Faroes, and by extension Denmark, vulnerable to Russian espionage and creates a rift with the EU. The sabotage last year of the Nord Stream pipeline in the Baltic Sea showed the vulnerability of underwater infrastructure and the difficulty in identifying culprits. For instance, 77% of the U.K.s gas is imported from Norway through pipelines under the North Sea. Russia has invested a lot into being able to threaten these areas and carry out clandestine undersea activities," said Nick Childs, senior fellow for naval forces and maritime security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. It is very much back in vogue again." Recent incidents have stoked anxiety in European capitals about the Russian presence in the Faroes. Last year, after 2.6 miles of an undersea fiber-optic cable connecting a Norwegian satellite station with the mainland was cut and vanished without a trace, marine tracking data showed a Russian fishing trawler had crisscrossed over the cable more than 140 times in the days before it was severed, prompting suspicions of sabotage. The trawlers movements were first reported by Norwegian media outlets. Following the incident, the trawler, Melkart-5, docked in the Faroes until May this year. Andrey Roman, deputy director of Murman SeaFood, which owns Melkart-5, denied allegations that the vessel had been involved in sabotage. Our company is a completely commercial company," Roman said. Our vessels are subject to control in Norwegian ports and on the high seas by the Norwegian authorities." In November last year, Norwegian police in the northern port of Kirkenes searched two Russian fishing trawlers, Lira and Ester, which had arrived there straight from the Faroes, and found Soviet-era military radio equipment behind locked doors. The chief of Norwegian intelligence in the region told national media at the time that he suspected the vessels could be involved in espionage. The two vessels currently have their transponders turned off, but have docked in the Faroes more than 200 times since 2015, according to marine trafficking data. They are both among the 31 vessels allowed to call at Faroese ports, according to a list provided by the Faroe Islands Fisheries Inspection. A spokesperson for the Norwegian Police Security Service declined to comment on the allegations against the three Russian vessels, but said Norway was a target for Russian intelligence services, and that it is obviously possible that ships, including civilian ones, can be used by Russian authorities as platforms to collect information as part of their activities." Hoydal, the Faroese foreign minister, said Faroese authorities had not detected any malign activity from Russian vessels in their waters. He also pointed out that the islands trade with Russia doesnt violate EU sanctions against Moscow, which exclude food itemsalthough no EU nations currently trade fish with Russia. Since the beginning of Russias war in Ukraine, we have introduced the same sanctions as the EU," Hoydal said. But we honor our agreements." A Faroese lawmaker in Copenhagen, Sjurdur Skaale, said the EU should remove tariffs on Faroese exports of processed seafood products to help the islands reduce their trade with Russia and suspend the agreement. The Faroese earned privileged access to the Russian market in 2014, following the invasion of Crimea, when the islands chose not to follow EU sanctions on Russia. However, Icelandanother small territory depending on the seafood businessfollowed the EUs lead and was targeted by Russian counter sanctions. The following year, Icelands economy contracted by about 1%. The stakes are high for smaller countries and territories," Pincus said. Ambassador of Uzbekistan Kadamboy Sultonov met with the chairman of the board of directors of Latvian BAO company Yanis Wilgerts, Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz News Agency. During the interview, Yanis Wilgerts expressed his readiness to increase the volume of investments in Uzbekistan by implementing the additional project Construction of Phosphorite Processing and Enrichment Plant. According to preliminary estimates, the construction of the plant is estimated at $12 million, all of which will be covered by foreign direct investment. As a result of the meeting with Yanis Wilgerts, an agreement was reached on organizing his business mission to Uzbekistan on July 19-21 and conducting negotiations with the responsible representatives of relevant ministries and agencies of the republic. For information, BAO was established in 1995. It is one of the largest Latvian companies providing a full cycle of services related to the collection, safe transportation, and disposal of hazardous waste, as well as minimizing environmental damage. At the moment, the company is implementing an investment project for the development of phosphorites in Uzbekistan with a total cost of $30 million. Who exactly does Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks serve? Presumably, the entirety of the Montanan public, with decisions presumably reflecting scientific management of all of Montana's wild resources for all users. Two weeks ago, Montana based non-profit Wolves of the Rockies hosted a Yellowstone Wolf Summit in Gardiner. Wolves of the Rockies' agenda is simply the scientific management of wolves as a wildlife species through policies that take into account non-consumptive users in addition to consumptive interests. One of the major focal points of the summit was the dangers of allowing extremists on all sides to dominate issues of wolves (and other wildlife) and the need to understand the sincere concerns of fellow Westerners who see wolves through a different lens than ourselves. We believe it is through good faith relationships, transparency and policies based on reality that all sides will ultimately come out ahead. Summit speakers included livestock owners who live in wolf country. They included ethical hunters who venture into the Rocky Mountain wilderness in the hopes of filling up their winter freezer with elk meat. They even included the lead wolf biologist of Wyoming Game & Fish. But they did not include Montana FWP. Not for lack of invitation. Wolves of the Rockies asked FWP over 10 months ago to participate in the June 2023 summit, and asked again on at least five subsequent occasions, only to be first refused by the previous director Hank Worsech and then by the new director Dustin Temple. Additional FWP leadership either refused or ignored all invitations. We didn't want FWP to send someone to our wolf conference so they could be heckled; that would serve absolutely no purpose for us. We wanted someone representing our wildlife resource management agency to answer honest questions, explain the data behind their wolf management policies, and to simply engage with us as legitimate stakeholders. FWP works regularly and closely with the Montana Trappers Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari Club International, and a host of other targeted wildlife interests. And that brings us back to the initial question posed above. If FWP is truly serving the people of Montana, then it must start extending its engagement beyond only consumptive users, as well as cease pretending that a handful of organizations with deep pockets speak for all hunters. Furthermore, if FWP is indeed managing wildlife based on sound science and the long established American tradition of the public trust, then it is quite perplexing that they routinely refuse to engage non-consumptive users or clearly explain the data behind their decision making. Why for example do we need a complete open season (no quota) on wolves, with individuals able to now obtain 10 wolf tags by hunting and another 10 by trapping, with said individuals then paid by the state for each dead wolf (which is a bounty, despite the state calling it "reimbursement") even in areas of the state with elk populations above management objectives and miniscule livestock losses? Why does the FWP insist on ignoring the tens of thousands of Montanan wildlife wildlife watchers, the tens of millions of dollars that wolf-watching and other wildlife watching brings to Montana communities, and those outdoorsmen who know that the responsible carnivore management promised by the state is nothing like the wholesale slaughter through any means imaginable that the state is actually delivering? Finally, why does FWP aggressively resist any fiscal benefits that could be provided by inclusion of wildlife watchers, including killing a voluntary Wolf Stamp for which all proceeds would have directly funded all non-lethal aspects of Montana's wolf program? It seems that FWP refuses to even acknowledge that wildlife management governed by science and enacted on behalf of all Montanans' interests is desirable, or even possible. We want win-win. We're tired of the paradigm of "win-lose", and wildlife watchers getting the seats at the table that our numbers warrant to hold FWP accountable to reality is not the death knell for Western culture. It's an affirmation of Montana values of equality, responsibility and fair governance. We have no interest in banning big game hunting or destroying the small family rancher. Of course, if FWP bothered to come to the summit, they would have learned that. In another setback to Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar, all the seven NCP MLAs in Nagaland have sent a letter of support to Ajit Pawar and his faction. NCP Nagaland president Vanthungo Odyuo has confirmed that all the seven NCP MLAs in the north-eastern state sent a letter in favor of Deputy Chief Minister Maharashtra, Ajit Pawar on Thursday morning, news agency ANI has reported. Vanthungo Odyuo said that he has all the papers required for their support and he has submitted those to the 'high command' Thursday morning. The political landscape of Maharashtra underwent a significant shift the last month when Pawar and eight other Nationalist Congress Party MLAs joined the BJP-Shiv Sena government. This move effectively split the NCP, which was founded by Sharad Pawar. His political split in the party changed the political equations of Maharashtra ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. While Ajit Pawar has drawn support from NCP leaders like Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Dilip Walse Patil and claimed his faction to be the 'real NCP', Sharad Pawar has also asserted himself to be the party boss by expelling several leaders for 'anti-party activities'. Ajit Pawar's move is same as the Eknath Shinde split the undivided Shiv Sena last year and joined his hands with the BJP, thereby pulling the Uddhav Thackeray led Maha Vikas Aghadi government out of power and securing the Chief Minister's post for himself. Meanwhile, on Monday, the Maharashtra government had tabled the supplementary demands worth 41,243.21 crore for the year 2023-24 in the state Assembly on the first day of its monsoon session with highest allocation being sought for the Urban Development Department, a report by PTI stated. Of the total amount, 34,001.53 crore is from the revenue account and 7,004.50 crore in the capital account. The supplementary demands, which are additional funds sought by the government over the budgetary allocation, were tabled by Finance Minister Ajit Pawar. This was also the second-highest supplementary demand in the last three years and eight months. After the then Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government took charge in November 2019, supplementary demands worth 2,27,121.23 crore have been submitted. In Budget 2023-24, the Shinde government submitted a supplementary demand of 6,383.97 crore. Of the total supplementary demand of 41,243.21 crore, the government proposed an allocation of 6,224.55 crore for the Urban Development (UD) Department out of which 2,100 crore is for stamp duty surcharge of Metro Railway, while 3563.16 crore is towards the seventh pay commission arrears for teaching and non-teaching staff, PTI said. (With inputs from agencies) The US House Oversight Committee will hold a hearing on Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAPs), formerly known as UFOs, on 26 July. The Republican-led initiative will be chaired by Representatives Anna Paulina Luna and Tim Burchett. Also Read: Bipartisan push to compel release of UFO records gains momentum in US In a press conference on Thursday, Tim Burchett said that the committee was facing pressure from several quarters about the hearing. He said, We've had a heck of a lot of pushback about this hearing. We've had members of Congress who fought us we've had members of the intelligence community and also the Pentagon. Even NASA backed out on us. There are a lot of people who don't want this to come to light" The chatter about UAPs has intensified recently with a revelation by former US intelligence officer David Grusch. Grusch was part of the Department of Defence and led the analysis of UAPs until he resigned on 14 April after a 14-year career. According to a report in The Debrief, Grusch claims that the US government is in possession of an "intact and partially intact" alien vehicle and that this information is being illegally withheld from Congress. David Grusch is now among the three witnesses called upon by the House Oversight Committee along with Navy commander David Bravor and Navy pilot Ryan Graves. Burchett argued that the US government spends a lot of money on examining UFOs but isn't forthcoming about what it knows. He said, They (UFOs) either do exist or they don't exist. They (US government) keep telling us they don't exist, but they block every opportunity for us to get a hold of the information and prove that they do exist. And we're gonna get to the bottom of it that gamut Whatever the truth may be. We're done with the cover-ups." Meanwhile, the US Senate is also considering a bipartisan move to force the US government to disclose possible UFO sightings. The move is being led by Democrat Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer along with Republican Senator Mike Rounds. (With agency inputs) The simultaneous occurrence of extreme heat across vast regions of Asia, Europe, and North America is not a mere coincidence. A convergence of potent weather forces is contributing to the creation of widespread planetary conditions, and unfortunately, there seems to be no immediate respite from the blistering temperatures. As reported by Bloomberg, while climate change remains a central factor in driving temperatures to unprecedented levels, the situation is more complex than that. The intricate interplay between the Earth and its atmosphere allows weather patterns in one area to exert influence on distant parts of the globe. High and low-pressure zones play a significant role in establishing these connections, forging links between weather conditions in different locations. Meteorologists refer to this phenomenon as "teleconnections," and it revolves around the movement of air within the atmosphere, Bloomberg noted. The presence of high and low-pressure zones is responsible for bringing extreme heat to certain regions and heavy rainfall and flooding to others. Typically, these weather systems traverse across the globe. However, the current situation is different; the atmospheric carousel seems to be stuck in one position, remaining stationary for several weeks. Unfortunately, forecasts indicate that this stationary pattern is expected to persist for the foreseeable future. The meandering river of wind that encircles the globe and creates our weather," noted climate scientist Jennifer Francis, adding, "Right now, its unusually stuck in place," said Francis of the Woodwell Climate Research Center in Massachusetts. Also Read: El Nino casts a shadow over Indian agriculture "The multiple devastating heat domes and flooding events around the Northern Hemisphere in recent weeks are indeed connected," Francis further reported. As the domes of high pressure remain stationary, the extreme heat has resulted in devastating consequences. Record-breaking temperatures have been linked to a significant increase in fatalities in Mexico. In California's Death Valley National Park, conditions were so severe that a medical helicopter was unable to reach the scene where a 71-year-old man was dying. Phoenix, the fifth-largest city in the US, experienced an unprecedented 21 days with temperatures surpassing 110F (43C). Wildfires have erupted in Greece and Switzerland, and Rome experienced all-time high temperatures, while Tokyo shattered a 150-year-old heat record. While the high-pressure systems bring scorching heat and calamity, the low-pressure systems are causing their own havoc with heavy rainfall. In India, prolonged heat waves have given way to torrential downpours, resulting in extensive damage due to flooding. China is facing threats of floods in Beijing and Tianjin, and the US Northeast has experienced two consecutive weekends of fatal flooding. Paul Pastelok, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather Inc., described the pressure systems as interconnected like a chain, where everything across the globe is linked together. This interconnection creates a complex web of weather patterns and influences, leading to the diverse and extreme conditions experienced worldwide. Bloomberg further noted that one of the clearest examples of how the teleconnections work is seen with El Nino, the phenomenon in the equatorial Pacific that can upend weather patterns the world over. As surface waters become much warmer than usual, trade winds weaken or can even reverse. These changes then ripple around the globe. The world is now under its first El Nino weather in nearly four years. On top of all this, the ocean temperatures are also setting new highs. Once you get extremely warm oceans, it is easier to maintain heat waves" as more humidity gets unleashed, said Daniel Swain, a climatologist at the University of California Los Angeles. Scientists are investigating a hypothesis suggesting that, under specific conditions, waves in the jet streams might result in the entrapment of high and low-pressure systems, causing them to remain stationary, Bloomberg noted. And that would indeed be at least consistent with what we are seeing, at least times, this summer," Swain said in a live stream presentation Wednesday. It is still a hypothesis with a growing amount of evidence in its favour, but not an overwhelming amount thats my current personal assessment." Still, he added, its increasingly likely that there is" something to the theory. In the badlands of central Montana, Clayton Phipps, a third-generation cowboy, makes his living wrangling metre-long horns. It is a lifestyle he inherited from his father and grandfather. But in Mr Phippss case the horns in question belong not to Montanas herds of Angus and Hereford cattle but the three-horned dinosaur Triceratops horridus. I describe myself as a dinosaur cowboy," says Mr Phipps. Others would call him a commercial fossil prospector. Mr Phipps spends his time finding, digging up and preparing fossils to sell to prospective buyers. In 2006 he hit the headlines when he discovered Duelling Dinosaurs", the complete skeletons of a Triceratops horridus and a Tyrannosaurus rex buried alive by a landslide while locked in a fatal embrace. Pictured above, it is perhaps the most spectacular fossil specimen ever found. Prospectors such as Mr Phipps supply a flourishing market for dinosaur fossils, fuelled by well-heeled private collectors. The boom started in 2018 when Aguttes, a French auction house, sold the almost-complete skeleton of a carnivorous dinosaur (thought to be a relative of Allosaurus fragilis) for $2.4m at a glamorous event on the first floor of the Eiffel Tower. It took off in earnest when Christies, a London auctioneer, sold Stan"one of the most complete T. rex fossils ever foundfor $31.8m in 2020, a record. There has been a serious uptick in demand for dinosaur specimens since then," says Cassandra Hatton, head of natural history at Sothebys, yet another auction house, this time based in New York. In the past two years, at least six specimens have sold for $6m or more, including the Duelling Dinosaurs" in 2020. The next big sale is likely to come at the end of July, when Sothebys is due to auction off another nearly complete skeletonthough it is, for now, tight-lipped on the details. For some scientists all this is a travesty. The qualities that make fossils attractive to collectorsrarity, uniqueness and completenessare also the ones that make them scientifically valuable. That has led to rows in the field, with some worried that the influx of private buyers is bad for science. There is concern that museums and other tight-budgeted public institutions will be priced out of access to valuable specimens," says Professor Paul Barrett, a palaeontologist at the Natural History Museum in London. In an open letter to Christies in 2020, the Society of Vertebrate Palaeontology (SVP), an American scientific body, warned that fossil specimens that are sold into private hands are potentially lost to science." Bones under the hammer For that reason, many scientific journalsincluding Palaeontology and the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontologyrefuse to publish studies on privately held fossils. The SVP would like journals to go further, and exclude private specimens that have been given to museums on long-term loans. Not all palaeontologists agree. Dissenters point out that the evidence that private collectors really are pricing museums out is mixed. The secretive buyer who bought Stan" at Christies in 2020amid much opprobriumwas revealed in 2022 to have been the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism. It bought the fossil as a centrepiece for the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum, which is due to open in 2025. Likewise, Duelling Dinosaurs" will, by the end of the year, become the main attraction at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Both specimens will be available for scientists to study as well as for the public to admire. Even when specimens do end up in the hands of private collectors, their owners are often happy to support scientists. Niels Nielsen, a former Danish investment banker, bought Tristan"a jet-black T. rexin 2014, then offered the fossil to the Natural History Museum in Berlin on long-term loan, free of charge. Tristan" has rotated between the Natural History Museums of Berlin and Copenhagen ever since. A similar arrangement has been announced for Big John"the largest specimen of Triceratops horridus ever found. In 2021, Big John" was sold for $7.7m to a buyer later revealed to be Siddhartha Pagidipati, an American businessman. The fossil is due to be sent on long-term loan to the Glazer Childrens Museum in Tampa. Our interest in purchasing Big John" and other specimens is first and foremost to make them available to the public and for research," says Mr Pagidipati. Not everyone agrees with research bans in journals, either. Oliver Rauhut is a curator at the Palaeontological Museum in Munich and one of almost 50 signatories to a letter published in Palaontologische Zeitschrift in 2020 criticising the SVPs proposals. He has pointed to the example of Archaeopteryx. First described in 1861, this was an early species of feathered dinosaur that helped prove that modern birds are descended from the ancient reptiles. Every one of the dozen known specimens of Archaeopteryx was found, collected and prepared by enthusiastic private collectors. Excluding such fossils from the scientific literature simply because they are privately owned seems arbitrary", wrote Dr Rauhut in a paper on the topic. Others argue that scientists in the field, despite their noble motives, could use some help. Every year, thousands of fossils around the world are exposed to the elements by ordinary geological processes before being weathered to dust without a trace," says Ms Hatton, of Sothebys. In December 2022 her firm sold Maximus"a remarkably intact T. rex skullfor $6.1m. The rest of the specimen, barring a badly eroded clavicle, had crumbled from exposure to ice, wind and rain. If it had been found earlier, she says, more of the skeleton might have been recovered. In the real world, most public institutions barely have the necessary staff and funds to ensure basic operations," says Dr Rauhut, who thinks private collectors can provide useful support for public institutions. Almost all of the fossils bought at auctions in recent years were taken from the Hell Creek formation, a geological deposit that spans much of Montana, Wyoming and the two Dakotas. There is a good reason for this: in America, there is clear legal precedent guaranteeing that fossils discovered on private land belong to the landowner and can be legally traded. That is unusual. Besides Hell Creek, the most important fossil-bearing deposits in the world are in Qinjiang in China, the Gobi Desert in Mongolia, Campanha in Brazil and Argentine Patagonia. In all four countries, dinosaur fossils are considered the property of the state. That does not stop tradebut it does push it into the black market, where crime syndicates smuggle fossils across national borders. Given their illegality, such fossils are unlikely ever to end up in a scientists hands. That belongs in a museum The keenest supporters of privatised fossil-hunting argue that the growing legitimate market might help curb the dodgy one. Big Western auction houses, often pilloried for enabling sales to anonymous billionaires, demand the same sort of provenance assurances as they do for fine art and antiquities. The hope is that will make it harder for unscrupulous dealers to pass off ill-gotten specimens as legitimate. It may not always seem like it," argues Ms Hatton, but we are all on the same side." Correction (25th May 2023): This article previously stated that a fossil auctioned by Aguttes in 2018 had not been seen since. That was wrong. It is permanently on loan to the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels, where it is on display to the public. We apologise for the mistake. 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com Google employees were reported to have earned an average total compensation of $279,802 (approximately 2.3 crore) in 2022, according to a leaked internal spreadsheet. This places them among the top earners in the tech industry within the United States. As per the leaked spreadsheet, accessed by Business Insider, it unveiled the pay scale for different positions within the tech giant. Alongside revealing Google employees' average total compensation for 2022, the leaked document provided insights into the company's remuneration structure across various roles. Based on the spreadsheet, it was revealed that software engineers held the top position as the highest earners within the company, with a maximum base salary of 718,000 (approximately 6 crore) in the year 2022. The data from the leaked internal spreadsheet highlights the total base salary in 2022 (approximate value when converted from USD to Rupees) for various positions at Google. Topping the list as the highest earners were Software Engineers, earning around 6 crore. Following closely, Engineering Managers earned approximately 3.28 crore, while positions in Enterprise Direct Sales and Legal Corporate Counsel, along with Sales Strategy, received a base salary of around 3.09 crore and 2.62 crore, respectively. The list continues with UX Designers at 2.58 crore, Government Affairs and Public Policy roles at 2.56 crore, Research Scientists at 2.53 crore, Cloud Sales professionals at 2.47 crore, and Program Managers at 2.46 crore. These figures place Google's employees among the most well-compensated professionals in the tech industry in 2022. However, it is essential to note that the data presented above only accounts for the total base salary in 2022 for positions within Google and does not encompass salaries from other ventures under Alphabet, Google's parent organization. Meanwhile, Google is reportedly planning to try out a new tool that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to help journalists. According to a report by New York Times, the American tech giant will use a powerful technology called large language model (LLM) to develop the tool, which is also the foundation of AI systems like ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and Google Bard. Reportedly, the main purpose of this tool is to support news writers by helping them write news articles. Google also sees it as a personal assistant for journalists. Social media giant Twitter is set to take on the likes of LinkedIn and Indded with a new feature. Twitter's new feature will allow verified organisations to scout for fresh talent on the platform by tapping into its 528 million users. The feature was first spotted by app researcher Nima Owji. Owji tweeted a screenshot of the proposed new feature on Thursday. According to the post shared by Owji, Twitter is marketing the feature as a way for companies to attract top talent for open positions. "Twitter hiring is a free feature for verified organizations to post jobs, feature jobs on your company profile, and attract top talent to your open positions." the screenshot by Owji read. Verified organizations will be able to feature upto 5 jobs on their company profile which can be viewed whenever someone opens the Twitter profile of the company. These organizations will also get a supported Application Tracking System or XML in order to add jobs to Twitter in a matter of minutes. While this may come as a surprise to many, Elon Musk had briefly hinted that the social media giant might bring jobs feature to the Twitter app in reply to a post in May. Interestingly, Musk-led Twitter 2.0 also made its first acquisition in May in the form of job-matching tech startup Laskie. For farmers like Dunn Countys Lenci Sickler, recent U.S. Department of Labor rule changes that alter the pay rates for temporary seasonal foreign workers could cause his labor costs to skyrocket unless they are rescinded. Sickler supplements his staff with three workers from South Africa who travel to North Dakota on H-2A visas for seasonal spring through autumn work then return home in the winter. Most of the time the visa workers are involved in normal farm labor, from baling hay to tending cattle. Occasionally they drive a truck, or haul grain, hay or cattle to pasture for an hour or so. This is where the rule changes could really bite. Technically workers engaged in any truck driving could now be reclassified under a specialization as drivers instead of general laborers. This means that their wages could increase from around $17 per hour up to $27 per hour not just for the time behind the wheel but for the entire season. Unfortunately, thats one of the highest wages that the Department of Labor has put in, especially for North Dakota, so it would be extremely detrimental, Sickler said. If we would fall into those categories, I mean we would have to really evaluate how we have our employees work or whether the H-2A program is even viable anymore. The Labor Department has run the H-2A program since 1987 to help fill agricultural workforce needs. It has largely been seen as beneficial for both farmers and temporary workers who make wages at a higher level than in their home countries. There have also been occasional issues with inadequate housing, poor treatment and wage theft in some parts of the country, particularly related to workers sourced from Mexico or other Latin American countries. The department last December increased the basic wage rate, and made the changes currently opposed by many farmers at the end of February this year that specified types of employment that should be paid at a higher wage, including driving trucks. Nationally, the average basic wage rate is $16.13 per hour, with the highest in California at $18.65 and the lowest in a belt of southern states stretching from South Carolina to Louisiana at $13.67. North Dakotas basic rate now stands at $17.33 per hour. Dependency rises The wage increases also come as North Dakota farmers are more dependent on seasonal foreign workers. The number of applications from farmers and the total number of H-2A visa workers have steadily risen the past three years, according to data provided by Job Service North Dakota. Applications from farms jumped from 736 in 2021 to 979 for the current period of 2023, which runs through the end of September. The number of workers also increased, from 2,444 in 2021 to a current 3,155. Nationally, there were more than 372,000 H-2A workers in the U.S. in 2022, a sharp rise from the 75,000 temporarily employed in 2010. Dawn Mandt, executive director of the Red River Regional Council, which concentrates on community and economic development in Grand Forks, Nelson, Pembina and Walsh counties, said shes noticed farmers in her region addressing their workforce needs through the H-2A visa program in recent years. Its really on a steady incline, Mandt said of the reliance on the program. The program isnt necessarily taking away work opportunities from locals. It is, however, biting into housing stock. Theres an impact that it is having more broadly on communities, because farmers are required to provide housing (to H-2A workers), so we literally have no housing available anymore, Mandt said. In the four counties her organization covers, applications have jumped from 91 in 2021 to 145 in the current 2023 period, while H-2A worker numbers have increased from 323 to 534 in that time frame. Potential reversal The Labor Department is facing two lawsuits aimed at blocking the changes. One is from the National Council of Agricultural Employers, and another is from USA Farm Labor Inc., the latter one of the primary agencies arranging H-2A visa workers for farmers in North Dakota. Another potential action is a Congressional Review Act resolution introduced by around two dozen U.S. senators, including North Dakotas Kevin Cramer, in April that could temporarily pause the changes until further review. A spokesperson for the Republican senator indicated that the vote could occur soon, but no date had been nailed down. USA Farm Labor mainly connects farm workers from South Africa with farmers looking for workers, and works with around two dozen clients in North Dakota. The agency has traditionally been a go-to for those migrant workers during what would be their off-season in the Southern Hemisphere. Alex Cracchiolo, USA Farm Labor spokesperson, said the main issue with the Labor Department rule changes entails the classifications that could bump a worker up to a heavy trucking category even if that wasnt the main duty of the worker. Hauling stuff with a semi, regularly, all day every day across state lines is a vastly different job than taking stuff over to the local grain elevator, Cracchiolo said. Especially considering its not even a primary duty, but something thats going to get done once in a while during a season. That was Sicklers main issue as well, and he said he hoped the Labor Department could address why it had made the changes and how the calculations -- which vary from state to state -- are figured. He thinks they end up being higher in North Dakota due to comparisons with other truck driving jobs locally. I get it -- we live in a state that has the oil industry and the wages in the oil industry are quite a lot higher, but those jobs arent hauling grain from the farms to the elevator, those are specialized trucking jobs, Sickler said. There's a lot more regulations, rules, theres a lot more training, there's a lot of that stuff, he said. So they're using those positions and factoring them in to just the guy that's hauling hay down the road to his neighbor. So that I think is a little unfair. The Labor Department's regional and national public affairs team was provided a set of questions related to the changes to the H-2A rules and how the trucking specialty wage was calculated in North Dakota, but did not respond within a week after receiving them. Some smaller farms that cant pay the wages may end up shutting down, Cracchiolo said. Others could turn to illegal workers or end up working around the clock to get their tasks done themselves with whatever local workers are available. None of those options are particularly appetizing for a lot of people, he said. In a survey of 139 USA Farm Labor clients nationally, 65% said they would not use the H-2A program after this year if the changes remain in place, Cracchiolo said. Stephanie Hatzenbuhler, operator of Diamond J Angus just west of Mandan, employs three South African H-2A workers at her farm. She said her experience has been beneficial, since the workers already speak English and most come from farm backgrounds themselves, making integration with her operations easier. Shes not so happy about the potential changes though, and suspects they may be overturned. It's hardly affordable the way it is, she said of the recent wage increases. I don't even know how you'd keep track of specialized jobs, put it that way. If the policy does remain in place, she, like many farmers, may cut back on their reliance on H-2A visa workers, or do the hauling and trucking themselves. If you just keep these guys as general farm laborers, it doesn't apply, you know, so that's kind of what we've been doing, Hatzenbuhler said. So what they want to call specialized work, well you know what, I'm just gonna do that myself. A Bureau of Indian Affairs officer shot and wounded a suspect on the South Dakota side of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation last month. The incident late the afternoon of June 20 began with a man reported to be making threats with a handgun in rural Watauga, South Dakota. BIA and Corson County law officers responded but the man fled a traffic stop in Bullhead. A chase ended at the Bullhead Community Center, where the man allegedly brandished a handgun and ignored commands to drop the weapon. He was shot once by a BIA officer, and taken to Bismarck for medical treatment. He was taken into federal custody on July 6. Federal authorities released information on the incident Friday but did not name the suspect or the officer, citing the ongoing investigation. The BIA's statement said its Office of Justice Services Internal Affairs Division is conducting an administrative review of the incident. The FBI also is investigating. Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. No indictments for Georgia guards fired after they held down mentally ill inmate who died Six deputies of a Georgia sheriffs office will not be indicted in the death of a mentally ill detainee Arson caused house fire that killed Memphis firefighter and injured 3 others, officials say Authorities are searching for the person who set a fire that killed a Memphis firefighter and sent three others to the hospital Burlington angler Cody Pardon early this week was formulating a game plan for defending the title he and Minot angler Josh Gladback won at last year's North Dakota Governors Walleye Cup tournament on Lake Sakakawea. The walleye bite on the big lake has been good all summer, and "there's a lot of fish to be caught," according to Pardon. "You've just got to find the right fish," he added. He and Gladback did just that last year, finding a hot spot after numerous hours of fruitless searching during the first day of the event, and ending up with enough big fish in the boat over the two days to win by a margin of about 4 ounces. Gladback, an auto body worker, and Pardon, a heavy machine operator, are looking to repeat as champions this weekend -- something that hasn't been done for nearly half a century. Pardon isn't daunted by the task. "I think we have a chance, if the fish stay around," he said. "We've been catching quite a few (in prefishing); we've just got to find the right ones." Also back in the field are Justin and Brent Racine, of Minot, last year's runner-up team; 2021 winners Ken Schmidt and Mark Jones, both Montana anglers; and 2019 winners Ricky Schumacher and Kerry Wentz, of Bismarck. The 2020 tournament was canceled due to the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. The Governor's Cup is generally considered the most prestigious fishing trophy in the state. The tournament is based out of Garrison and nearby Fort Stevenson State Park, with daily weigh-ins Friday and Saturday at Garrison City Park. The majority of anglers who compete are from North Dakota or surrounding states, though about a dozen states are typically represented. The tournament pays down to 42nd place, with a top prize of $15,000. This year's derby -- the 48th -- has 261 teams. "We filled on the first day applications could be postmarked and have a wait list," Tournament Chairwoman Joyce Pfliger said. "It is wonderful to see the lake back up to about what it was last year at this time. Fishing on Lake Sakakawea has been awesome and we are hoping to see a lot of nice walleye." Pardon said walleye are biting "real shallow and real deep -- kind of all over the board right now." He and Gladback plan to concentrate on deep areas, where he said walleye are more congregated, rather than shallow areas where the "fish are kind of sporadic." The National Weather Service forecast for the Garrison area calls for sunny skies Friday and Saturday with high temperatures in the 80s and light winds. "Praying for beautiful weather for our tournament, and looking forward to seeing those who come back each year to fish the derby," Pfliger said. More information is at https://www.ndgovernorscup.com/. Junior Cup The North Dakota Junior Governors Cup Youth Fishing Derby is at Fort Stevenson State Park on Saturday, in the DeTrobriand Marina. Anglers 17 years old and younger can compete for prizes. Registration starts at 10 a.m., according to state Parks and Recreation. A limited supply of loaner poles is available on a first come-first served basis; anglers are encouraged to bring their own pole. Bait will be provided. Lunch will be served following the derby while supplies last. There is no fee to participate. The park charges a $7 vehicle entrance fee unless a State Park Annual Pass is displayed. Fort Stevenson State Park is 3 miles south of Garrison. Citations spike The good fishing on Lake Sakakawea this summer has led to more citations for anglers being over the limit, according to state Game and Fish Enforcement Division Chief Scott Winkelman. From early May to early July game wardens issued 25 citations for walleye over-limits. "In a normal year I'd say we'd probably be closer to 10," Winkelman said. He attributes the spike not to anglers purposely breaking the rules but to miscounts by excited anglers. "When fishing is really good and there are multiple people in the boat, it's pretty easy to lose track of how many (fish) you have," he said. The daily limit for walleye is five per angler. The possession limit is 10 per angler. One fish over the limit warrants a noncriminal citation that carries a $100 fine; two or more above the limit is a Class B misdemeanor, which carries a potential punishment of 30 days in jail and a $1,500 fine. There haven't been any instances this summer of anglers being way over the limit, according to Winkelman. "Get out and enjoy the good fishing, and make sure you pay attention to how many you keep," he said. 76-year-old Ike Lee Long, Jr. was killed in the wreck, and his wife, Alma Jean Long, also 76, died six days later. McNally Motors in Longford, has been awarded the prestigious Ichiban Award by Toyota Motor Europe (TME). The annual Ichiban Awards, which translates to Number One Awards, recognise excellence in customer service across Europe. A customer-first philosophy forms a central part of Toyotas DNA and TMEs Ichiban Awards is an important international initiative in terms of recognising and celebrating this key focal point for the business. In the case of McNally Motors, TME awarded the family-run business for its commitment to providing the highest levels of excellence and memorable customer service. McNally Motors Toyota Longford was founded in 1962 by Tom McNally, and is managed by Toms son Paul, with his wife Aine. Over the years, the business has gained a strong reputation for providing reliable, quality cars with excellent afte rsales service. Paul McNally, Dealer Principal at McNally Motors, said, Its an amazing achievement to be awarded the Ichiban Award. Respect, dedication and customer service were at the heart of McNally Motors when it was founded over 60 years ago and remain just as important today. "We make it our mission to ensure every customer who comes into us is given all the time, energy and support they need. Whether theyre looking to buy or sell a car, need a service or want to know more about a new model, were always on hand to help. Steve Tormey at Toyota Ireland, said, On behalf of Toyota Ireland, wed like to congratulate McNally Motors on its achievement. Were thrilled that the team is being awarded for its amazing work and dedication to customer service. The Ichiban Awards are highly coveted and its fantastic to see an Irish dealership recognised as one of the best retailers for outstanding customer service in Europe. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. THE co-director of a Traveller advocacy group has said there is no intelligence or evidence to suggest that violence will occur at Croagh Patrick this Saturday. A policing plan has being put in place at the mountain this weekend amid growing fears about clashes between feuding groups from the Travelling community. Large numbers are expected to travel to the area for Saturday, when UK-based celebrity Paddy Doherty will be climbing the Reek for charity. Speaking ahead of the event, Martin Collins, Co-Director of the Pavee Point Traveller Centre, said that at least 40 men from Wales and from Coolock and Finglas in Dublin are planning to climb the Reek in aid of various causes. While he said could not guarantee peace during the charity climb, he was critical of what he believes is scaremongering surrounding the event. Theres a sense of hysteria and a little bit of scaremongering. I just think the whole thing is being blown out of all proportion, Mr Collins told The Mayo News. I have no reason to believe, I have no evidence, I have no intelligence that would point towards violence occurring at the Reek on either Saturday or Sunday. Id be very surprised, and Id be very disappointed actually, if there was an occurrence of violence, he added. Negative narrative It is understood that several people intending to undertake the climb have already arrived in the locality. Due to concerns around anti-social behaviour, several local pubs have decided to install private security, cancel live music or close their doors. Paddy Doherty, who is climbing the Reek in aid of an orphanage, has repeatedly urged others not to cause trouble at the mountain, which is a popular pilgrimage site among Travellers. I really think its very unfortunate because its a really positive event, said Mr Collins, who has spoken to several people involved in the climb. A number of Traveller men have come together to raise money for good causes, for good charities and so we have something really positive that Traveller men are doing. And yet, theres a negative narrative now beginning to emerge around it, which I think is very unfair actually, he continued. These men are smashing all of the stereotypes, the stereotypes being that were violent, drunken, disorderly, anti-social. All these stereotypes have been around for decades if not centuries. So lookit, its a really positive event and I think it should be celebrated, and I say fair play to the men directly involved. No-win situation Mr Collins added that comments from politicians and recent media coverage had left the Traveller community in a no-win situation. Local county councillor and former garda Christy Hyland had previously called for gardai to have adequate resources to deal with a potential outbreak of violence. I think we as a community are being put in a really difficult and a very invidious position. In fact, were in a no-win situation as a community, Mr Collins said, explaining: If theres no occurrence of violence, and hopefully there wont be, then the Gardai and the politicians will all point that their strategy has worked. If there is an outbreak of violence then they will turn around and say, We told you so. Mr Collins said he would encourage all pilgrims to refrain from violence irrespective of your ethnicity. When people go to worship at a religious site like Croagh Patrick, people need to be respectful and need to behave in an orderly fashion. That applies to everybody. I wouldnt for one minute signal out my own community. That principal has to apply across the board. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: July 21 2023 Albert Coppedge Allegedly Beat Kenneth Mitchell to Death with a Dumbbell, and then Stole Money from His Wallet. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney has announced that Albert Coppedge, 49, of Coram, was indicted for Murder in the Second Degree and Robbery in the First Degree for allegedly beating his landlord, Kenneth Mitchell, 62, to death with a dumbbell and stealing money from his wallet afterwards. The alleged actions of this defendant were vicious, brutal, and senseless, said District Attorney Tierney. We will do everything in our power to seek justice for Kenneth Mitchell. According to the police investigation, on December 6, 2020, shortly after 11 a.m., multiple eyewitnesses allegedly saw Coppedge and his landlord, Kenneth Mitchell, engaged in a verbal altercation in the backyard of their home, located in Coram. Coppedge was later allegedly seen wielding a dumbbell and then repeatedly striking Mitchell in the head while Mitchell was heard pleading for Coppedge to stop hitting him. Coppedge allegedly then took Mitchells wallet and removed a large sum of cash before fleeing the property. Mitchell was taken to Long Island Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Several hours after the attack, Coppedge returned to the scene where he encountered law enforcement and was placed under arrest. On July 10, 2023, Coppedge was arraigned on the indictment by Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Steven A. Pilewski, for two counts of Murder in the Second Degree, Class A violent felonies, and two counts of Robbery in the First Degree, Class B violent felonies. Justice Pilewski ordered Coppedge to be held without bail during the pendency of the case. Coppedge is being represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Dena Rizopoulos of the Homicide Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Scott Aquilino of the Suffolk County Police Departments Homicide Squad. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: July 21 2023 Owner Jim McHale, Jr. prides himself on offering a comprehensive range of services using the very latest in technology to handle any sort of pest-related issue you may be encountering. JP McHale Pest Management of Southampton equipped with the latest in innovative technology and specializing in eliminating pests through biological and environmentally sensitive methods has experienced rapid growth over the past year, with several high-profile acquisitions and a continued dedication to evolving their cutting-edge tech in a bid to eliminate their customers pest problems. Founded more than 50 years ago, JP McHale is a family business operated by Jim McHale, Jr., with service areas all throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties, as well as several satellite offices in towns such as Cutchogue and Oakdale. McHale prides himself on offering a comprehensive range of services using the very latest in technology to handle any sort of pest-related issue you may be encountering, and it is that dedication to the continued evolution of his company that has contributed greatly to its rapid recent expansion, he said. JP McHale Pest Management owner Jim McHale, Jr. Over the past year we partnered up with several firms and eventually integrated them into our network, he said. What that does is makes us more efficient, increases our route density, and lowers our costs, and we pass that savings on to our customers. It enables us to be more efficient and to deliver better service with a faster response. McHale noted that the process of partnering with new companies and adding them into their own network is a "soft one, so as to keep the experience from being a jarring one for their pre-existing customers. There's a reason why these businesses have been around for as long as they have, and we get great talents out of these acquisitions in many cases, so we want the customers to stay and we want the employees to stay, he said. We do a co-branding thing at first and fly below the radar a little bit, and then let the customers know after we've been servicing them for the past six months or so. Then we ask them how everything is, and they're always very pleased with the service. We try to make things as 'soft' as possible for the transition. Over the course of the past year, McHale has had five acquisitions; in addition, they potentially have another three in the works as of press time. However, the companys acquisitions have gone hand-in-hand with the organic expansion of the base business itself, which McHale said has been driven in-part by an increase in local pest populations due to the mild winters that Long Island has been experiencing the last several years. This warm winter we just had has enabled ticks that normally would have perished to survive and thrive. Our tick numbers and instances of tick bites are elevated this year, so our tick business lately has been exceptional, he said. With the economy the way it is these days, a lot of people are staying home and they're investing in their yards, so weve been getting a lot of calls to come in and take care of any tick problems they may have so they can enjoy their summer. JP McHale's reliance on technology has also continued to evolve and advance over the past year, giving them a serious leg up over the competition. Their patented SMART System is a digital remote monitoring surveillance program that the company installs in their clients homes that immediately notifies their office if it detects any pest activity. The company then calls the customer as opposed to the other way around and then heads on over to the house to preemptively take care of any infestations before they can take root. We've had some really good upgrades to our SMART System reporting component, which shows the value to the client. We've really streamlined our reporting to make them more user friendly for the clients, and we send them out quarterly so the customer can see the value they're getting and how many catches we've made for them, he said. We're no longer putting up bait and checking traps, we're now being proactive and our guys are focusing on where the avenues of entry are and intercepting early stages of infestation and getting ahead of the problem. That's true integrated pest management. JP McHale is also at the forefront of the industry when it comes to the environmental impact that pesticides can normally have, adopting the use of many "green products to ensure that they're not polluting the environment when ridding a household of any pest issues they may have. We utilize a lot of plant-based products that are more environmentally sustainable. We use formulations that don't drift or runoff into wetlands or ponds, McHale said. We're very cognizant of some of the hazards associated with pesticide applications, so we use a lot of eco-friendly products and we strategically time their use for when the insects are most vulnerable, based on their life cycle. We also make sure the weather is appropriate when we do the application itself as well. McHale noted that hes been keeping an eye on artificial intelligence or AI which has been making big headlines as of late, and he already has a potential vision in place for this emerging form of tech to assist with his already exemplary customer service. I think AI could potentially really help us a lot with customer service. Our biggest challenge is answering the phones in our call center, and I'm anxious to see how AI can assist us in being more responsive and more helpful to the clients, he said. "I don't know exactly where it's going, but I know there's a lot of chatter about it in my industry, and I want to really be at the forefront of the technology when it does come into play. However, McHale noted that no matter what, keeping the human part of the connection he has with his clients will always remain vitally important to his company. This is still always going to be a relationship business, that's what I learned from my dad. Its all about the people, he said. If you can't kill the rodents and the bugs, you shouldn't be in this business. But you should always show up on time, wipe your feet, leave the place nicer than you found it, and always call people back immediately. It's about the client experience, anything we can do to make it easier to do business with us, we're going to do it. Utilizing a combination of top-notch customer service, the latest technology, and an unquenchable urge to grow and remain at the forefront of the industry, McHale said that he is proud of the growth that JP McHale Pest Management has experienced in over the last year, and looks forward to remaining the top company in the industry on Long Island for years to come. One thing I can say is that this is a very simple business, but it's not an easy business. There are a lot of moving parts and a lot of people involved, he said. It's a grind, but in the end, it's all about helping the customer, and that's what the most important thing is to us. To find out more about JP McHale Pest Management, please call 833-270-1976 or visit https://nopests.com. Crime By Chris Boyle Published: July 21 2023 James Tunstall, also known as Math, was accused of distributing heroin, the use of which resulted in the fatal overdose of 24-year-old Sergio Niko Alvarez on October 29, 2018. On Thursday, July 20, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, James Tunstall, also known as Math, was sentenced by the Honorable Joan M. Azrack, United States District Judge, to 30 years imprisonment, for distributing heroin, the use of which resulted in the fatal overdose of 24-year-old Sergio Niko Alvarez on October 29, 2018 in Jericho, New York. Tunstall was found guilty in a week-long jury trial in February 2023. Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Frank A. Tarentino III, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA); and Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner, Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), announced the sentencing. As proven at trial, the defendant feigned addiction to misuse a rehab program to get out of jail, where he met vulnerable individuals he could sell drugs to, including the victim, stated United States Attorney Peace. It is our hope that todays sentence serves both as a deterrent to those peddling dangerous narcotics in our communities and as a measure of comfort to the victims family, that callous disregard for human life will never be accepted. United States Attorney Peace extended his appreciation to the members of the Long Island Heroin Task Force for their outstanding working on this case. DEAs New York Division works tirelessly to safeguard our communities from drug traffickers peddling their poison that has taken too many lives, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Tarentino. This sentencing exemplifies law enforcements focus of bringing those responsible for overdoses and poisonings to justice, and sends a message of support to the families of loved ones lost that we will not rest until justice is done. The arrest and sentencing of defendant James Tunstall is a clear example of numerous law enforcement agencies working together to bring closure to this case, said NCPD Commissioner Ryder. Defendant Tunstall continuously dealt illegal drugs to Nassau County residents which contaminated our communities. This also resulted in the fatal overdose of a 24-year-old male and the defendant is now held accountable. Nassau County continues our zero tolerance approach for the distribution of illegal drugs and this case should send a strong message to all that may contemplate the distribution of these drugs. As proven at trial earlier this year and set forth in the governments sentencing letters and other public documents, Tunstall was a drug dealer who regularly sold cocaine and heroin to customers in Nassau County. Despite repeated state arrests for drug trafficking, the defendant regularly feigned opioid addiction and was therefore court-mandated to participate in rehabilitation programs in lieu of incarceration. As proven in court, Tunstall amassed new drug customers at these rehabilitation centers, including the victim, who he met at an outpatient rehabilitation facility in Mineola. Tunstall later sold cocaine to the victim at that same facility. In an effort to keep his drug customers out of jail, Tunstall also provided these individuals with his own clean urine for use in order to pass their drug tests. Tunstalls co-defendant, Jay Tenem, who Tunstall also met as part of a drug rehabilitation program, delivered the fatal dose of heroin from Tunstall to the victim on October 28, 2018. Tenem also brought the victims cash payment back to Tunstall, in exchange for heroin of Tenems own to use. The next morning, the victim was found dead, by his mother, of heroin intoxication. Tunstall was arrested for the victims death while on release pending sentence in yet another state drug trafficking case. Tenem was also arrested, and pleaded guilty. Tunstall pleaded guilty in July 2021 to participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine, and was sentenced by the Court in December 2022 to 20 years imprisonment. The sentence imposed upon him today in connection with Alvarezs death will be served concurrently with that sentence. The Taliban continues to claim that there are no foreign terror groups operating inside Afghanistan, despite plenty of evidence to the contrary. The latest denial came this week when the Taliban was pressed about the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan (TTP), which shelters inside of Afghanistan while it wages a deadly insurgency inside Pakistan. In response to Pakistans Defense Minister Khawaja Asif recent accusation that the Afghan is not abiding by the Doha Agreement and terrorists who shed the blood of Pakistanis can find refuge on Afghan soil, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Afghanistan is not used against Pakistan and Pakistan is a brother and Muslim country. Asif referred to the defunct Doha Agreement, in which the U.S. agreed to leave Afghanistan in exchange for nebulous and unenforceable promises from the Taliban. Under the agreement, the Taliban said it would prevent any group or individual, including Al Qaeda, from using the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of the United States and its allies. [See LWJ report, Analysis: Taliban leader declares victory after U.S. agrees to withdrawal deal.] Mujahid responded by saying that the Taliban signed the Doha agreement with America, implying that Pakistan was exempted, and perhaps is not a U.S. ally. The Taliban, of course, has lied about not allowing Afghanistan to be used as a base for foreign terror groups. That was made fact on July 31, 2022, when the U.S. killed Al Qaeda emir Ayman al Zawahiri in a safe house in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. Zawahiri was sheltered by a subordinate of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Talibans Interior Minister and one of the groups two deputy emirs. The Taliban has lied about Al Qaedas presence in Afghanistan for the past two decades, claiming the groups members left after the U.S. invasion in 2001. The Taliban has maintained this lie even as both Al Qaeda and the Taliban has admitted that top leaders of the group have been killed in the country since then. In the past, the Taliban has also attempted to assure the U.S. that Al Qaeda leaders based in the country were no threat to the U.S. As the 9/11 Commission found, the Taliban told an American diplomat in April 1998 that it didnt know where Osama bin Laden was and, in any event, he wasnt a threat to the United States. Four months later, on Aug. 7, 1998, Al Qaeda operatives drove two truck bombs into the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. [See LWJ report, The Taliban promises China it wont allow terrorists to use Afghanistan as launching pad.] The TTPs presence in Afghanistan is undeniable. Thousands of TTP fighters maneuver in southern and eastern Afghanistan, and the group played a key role in the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan in the summer of 2021. In a 2020 video released by the TTP that celebrated its second emir, Hakeemullah Mehsud, the TTP admitted that both he and his predecessor, Baitullah Mehsud, fought alongside the Afghan Taliban in Afghanistan. The video stated that TTPs men fought alongside the Afghan Taliban in Khost, Paktika, Paktia, Nangarhar, and Helmand. 1) In a new video by the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan that pays homage to Hakeemullah Mehsud, the group includes Al Qaeda and Pakistani jihadists among its fellow travelers in jihad. Non-TTP martyrs follow: pic.twitter.com/qlC4Alczx5 Bill Roggio (@billroggio) April 14, 2020 In the mid-2000s, there were numerous reports of bodies of slain Pakistani Taliban fighters being brought back from Afghanistan to be buried. Faqir Mohammad, the former deputy emir of the TTP, was captured in Afghanistan in 2013 and freed after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in Aug. 2021. The U.S. military struck a TTP training camp in eastern Afghanistan in 2018. After the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Afghan Taliban invited the TTP and the Pakistani government to Kabul to broker a ceasefire. The ties between the TTP and the Afghan Taliban are also undeniable. The TTPs emir has sworn allegiance to the leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Noor Wali Mehsud, the emir of the TTP, has said that his group is a branch of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The latest report on Afghanistan by the United Nations Security Councils Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which was released on June 9, noted that Afghan Taliban is directly sheltering, supporting, and training the TTP with the help of Al Qaeda. TTP fighters are training at a camp in Kunar province run by Al Qaeda. The UN estimated that more than 4,000 TTP fighters, commanders and leaders are sheltering in Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban continues to lie about TTPs presence in an effort to obscure its relations with foreign terror groups, even if there is evidence to the contrary in plain sight. Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal. Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here. Donald Trump says he isn't "frightened" by Jack Smith's Jan. 6 indictment, but that it should frighten everybody else if he ends up behind bars. After posting on Tuesday that he was a target in Jack Smith's Jan. 6 investigation, Trump told Sean Hannity that although the news "bothered" him, he wasn't "frightened." But others should be, he threatened later in the day, when a radio host in Iowa asked him how his fanatic followers would react if prosecutor Jack Smith put him in jail before the trial. "I think it's 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," Trump said, referring to the violent MAGA mob that broke into the Capitol after the 2020 election didn't go his way. "And much more passion than they had in 2016." (Listen to audio below, posted by Republican Accountability.) To make sure his silent whistle was loud and clear, the twice-indicted thug reiterated, "I think it would be very dangerous." Oriole Resources PLC - London-based gold exploration company, focused on an early stage exploration project in Cameroon and Senala gold project in Senegal - Says exploration at central licence package project in Cameroon confirms presence of pegmatite veins within granitoids at Ndom and Gamboukou licence areas. Says Ndom and Gamboukou are being assessed for their potential to host hard rock lithium. Chief Executive Officer Tim Livesey says: "Whilst it's good to get consistent lithium results on the samples taken to date, we do need to complete further analyses and mineralogical studies to begin to understand better the initiation point for the original anomaly. "We will continue to run our lithium investigations in parallel and remain open to any investment interest at a project level from any lithium specialist exploration groups." Current stock price: 0.18 pence, up 0.8% on Friday 12-month change: up 3.8% By Sabrina Penty, Alliance News reporter Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. A jury in Florida has awarded a family $800,000 after finding a McDonalds franchise was responsible for second-degree burns suffered by a toddler given overheated chicken nuggets. In a statement, attorneys for the family said, "This momentous decision brings meaningful closure to an arduous and protracted legal process. Having previously established the defendants, Upchurch Foods Inc and McDonald's USA LLC, as liable for their wrongful actions, this verdict reaffirms that they must now face the consequences and provide full justice." CNN has reached out to attorneys for Upchurch Foods and McDonald's for comment. A nadir of modern journalism was Liebeck v. McDonald's case, in which a franchisee served an elderly woman scalding-hot coffee and refused to pay for the relatively modest cost of treating the severe, life-changing burns that hospitalized her for a week. The media en masse decided, for no good reason at all beyond their own internalization of reactionary nonsense, that she was a gold-digger out to defraud a noble American corporation and turned on her, fingers steepled and eyebrows raised, to help it ensure she would never be made whole. Some are trying again with this case. The Hot Coffee stock story and its effortless tone of "this must be some kind of scam" all but floats off the fingers, aided as ever by the comically harmless names McDonalds uses to market its food. A McDonalds served overheated food to child and must now pay an award of unremarkable size for her pain and suffering. That should be the end of it. PBBM: Were done with them; indicted officials wont be turned over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday that the Philippines is done with the International Criminal Court (ICC), stressing that the government was putting its foot down on the tribunals jurisdiction and that it would not turn over officials involved in the case to the court. Mr. Marcos confirmation comes after the tribunal decided to push through with its investigation of former President Rodrigo Dutertes bloody war on drugs in which thousands of suspects were killed. Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, who was Justice secretary under Duterte, said the Philippine engagement with the ICC has come to an end with the rendition of judgment by the ICC Appeals Chambers. He added that the country will focus on its investigation and prosecution related to the abuses in the anti-drug campaign. Thats it. We have no appeals pending. We have no more actions being taken. So, I suppose that puts an end to our dealings with the ICC, Mr. Marcos said on the sidelines of the inauguration of road projects in Zamboanga Sibugay. The President reiterated that the Philippines will not cooperate with the ICC, saying it has no jurisdiction in the country. So, we continue to defend the sovereignty of the Philippines and continue to question the jurisdiction of the ICC in their investigations here in the Philippines, he added. On July 18, the ICC Appeals Chamber rejected the countrys plea against the investigation of the war on drugs of the previous administration. The President emphasized that the investigation should be conducted by Filipinos and by the countrys courts. They (ICC prosecutors) are talking about Filipinos. Their alleged crimes are here in the Philippines; the victims are Filipino; why will it go to the Hague? We can handle that here, Marcos said in a mix of English and Filipino. Meanwhile, a lawyers group assisting the families of those killed in the drug war said they will present the speeches and statements made by Duterte as evidence before the ICC. We are preparing the speeches and public statements that have been made available by the former President because thats how precisely he is being tagged or being impleaded in these proceedingsthat he masterminded, ordered, and encouraged all these killings, National Union of Peoples Lawyers-National Capital Region Secretary General Kristina Conti, ICC assistant to counsel, said in an interview with ANC. They (ICC) are trying heads of state, they are trying masterminds and for them, these pieces of evidence are admissible and would be taken in by the justices or the judges. These videos, these speeches, these transcripts have been made available on official websites, Conti added. She said they are looking at ways to properly preserve, document, and share with the ICC all these pieces of evidence that they have. Conti said it may take the ICC more than a decade to come out of its findings. We have already told the families we are looking at 10 years or more, said Conti, who noted that it has been five years since the case was brought before the ICC. Whats best for the families right now is to cooperate with the ICC because this investigation will move forward and ask for evidence, she said. She said two types of available data will be presented to the ICC aggregated data and data with the families. Aggregated data is information from the government, which is the compilation of all police reports, [and a] compilation of other documents that would be related to the war on drugs, she said. That would be an easy source of information because all the data is there. All you have to do is process [it], she said. Conti also said 7,000 cases are now with the Supreme Court. We have many stories of families being raided inside their homes and the women and children being asked to leave the room and the father or the son or a male member of the family who was asked to stay inside. Thats where they will be killed, she said. So, these children, these mothers, these women would likely be taken as eyewitnesses themselves, she said. However, Conti said it would be painstaking work to put them all together. I myself have been through only data from 200 families, she said. Guevarra said the Philippines will focus on its investigation and prosecution of crimes from the war on drugs. He said the country has no legal duty to cooperate with the ICC investigation. Guevarra said that he had personally discussed the matter with the President and agreed that the appeal is the end of the countrys engagement with the court. The ICC is free to proceed with its investigation but it cannot expect any cooperation from the Philippine government, as we continue to dispute its jurisdiction, he said. Earlier, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla advised Duterte and Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who led the war on drugs when he was Dutertes police chief, to avoid visiting countries where the ICC has influencemostly in Europe. Both men were mentioned in the ICC prosecutors report on the drug war killings. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier said the Senate will not give up Dela Rosa unless theres a local warrant for his arrest. Dela Rosa said he would also protect himself from arrest. Dela Rosa added that Duterte has just laughed off the prospect of the ICC continuing its investigation. At least 6,200 suspects were killed in police operations during the war on drugs, according to the government. But human rights groups claimed the actual death toll could be from 12,000 to 30,000. Also on Friday, Senator Francis Tolentino urged the government to continue monitoring the proceedings before the ICC, despite Malacanangs recent pronouncement that the administration will fully disengage with the tribunal. Tolentino has been hired by Dela Rosa to be his lawyer if the ICC will seek his arrest. In an interview with CNN Philippines, Tolentino said it would be wise for the Office of the Solicitor General to continue monitoring what is happening before the tribunal. We should be aware of what is going on, he said. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Federal agents in Boston repatriated a manuscript signed by Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes in 1527, believed to have been stolen before 1993, back to Mexicos National Archives in a ceremony on Wednesday, the FBI Boston Division announced Thursday. An investigation began in June 2022 when a representative from Mexicos National Archives alerted the FBI that the document was up for sale online via an auction house based in Massachusetts, the FBI said in a statement. The National Archives asked the FBI if they could retrieve the manuscript. The FBI contacted the auction house and it removed the manuscript from the auction, turning it over to authorities after being served a seizure warrant. Cortes signed the document, a payment order, on April 27, 1527, the FBI said. The payment order authorized purchasing rose sugar for a pharmacy in exchange for 12 gold pesos. The FBI added that the document is believed to be one of several that were unlawfully removed a collection concerning a Spanish expedition to Central America in 1527, originally housed in Mexicos National Archives. Courtesy of the U.S. State Department. The government of Mexico doesnt know exactly when or how the manuscript was stolen, and we dont know how it was brought into the United States, but we do know the manuscript was sold by an auction house in California in the early 1990s and passed through several hands before being consigned by a person in Florida to the auction house here in Massachusetts, supervisor of the FBIs Art Crime Team Kristin Koch said in a statement. Certainly, the individual who owned the document at the time of this discovery had no idea the manuscript was stolen, Koch added. Acting United State Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua Levy filed a civil forfeiture action last July to permit the return of this historical document, the FBI said. After missing for decades, thanks to incredible international collaboration and persistence the Cortes manuscript is finally where it belongs back in Mexico, where it will remain a treasured part of Mexicos history and heritage, Levy said in a statement. A sailor assigned to the USS Constitution was hospitalized on Thursday after falling 20 feet, officials said Friday. At around 6 p.m. on Thursday, the sailor was cleaning the ship during routine operations after he fell one deck, the USS Constitution Public Affairs Office said in a statement. Boston Fire Department Deputy Chief Steven Shaffer told Channel 7 that the 19-year-old sailor broke his ankle and suffered other injuries. Boston firefighters said they had difficulty moving the sailor because he was found in a tight area of the ship, Boston 25 News reported. He was carried out by a technical rescue team on a stretcher. The initial company that came was having trouble getting down there, Shaffer told Channel 7. There are narrow stairways down there and it was aggravating his injuries, so they called for a technical rescue. The sailor was awake and spoke with first responders during the rescue, Channel 7 reported. The public affairs office said the sailor, whose name has not been released, received a minor head injury and was taken to Boston Massachusetts General Hospital. The new Barbie movie has been banned in Vietnam. Not because of any of the imagined controversies that have caused American conservatives to denounce the movie, but because it subtly promotes a territorial claim by China that impinges on Vietnam's sovereignty. Link to the Vox article here. The controversy concerns a map of the "real world" that appears when Margot Robbie's Barbie is told she must leave Barbieland and enter the real world after her perfectly arched feet have inexplicably turned flat. Shown for only a split second, the map looks as if it were drawn by a child one who likes bright colors and has failed geography class. Among a mess of shapes and scribbles, one oddly specific detail stood out to reviewers from Vietnam's National Film Evaluation Council: a dotted, U-shaped trail crossing into the ocean from what's supposed to be China. Warner Bros says that the map depicting the "nine dash line" in 'BARBIE' that got the film banned in Vietnam is a "child-like crayon drawing." "The doodles depict Barbie's make-believe journey from Barbie Land to the 'real world.'" (Source: https://t.co/6IpFSD5i0b) pic.twitter.com/rGqhqDveSi DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 6, 2023 The dashed line jutting out of Asia may look like an innocent flourish on a child-like map of the world, but a curved dashed line jutting out from Asia east and south into the sea has great and inflammatory significance to Vietnam. As far as the council is concerned, this is no ordinary doodle, but a clear and deliberate representation of the so-called nine-dash line: a maritime boundary demarcating Beijing's contested ownership of the South China Sea. The line has been featured on Chinese maps since the 1940s and, despite being rejected by the International Court of Justice in The Hague in 2016, is still used today to justify the expansion of China's naval presence in the region, its construction of artificial islands, and its intimidation of foreign fishermen. The nine-dash line is represented in red in the below map. China claims the line marks the boundary of its territorial claims in the sea, far south of its own borders, and limiting Vietnam's resources to only its most immediate coastal waters. Today marks the 7th anniversary of the PH's victory in its case against China's claims to virtually all of the South China Sea. "..there was no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the 'nine-dash line'," the ruling said. pic.twitter.com/hH8igpaIs3 The MillenNior (@normanagleron) July 12, 2023 There is concern that those few lines on a child's map were an attempt by Warner Bros. to curry favor with China. Props used on the East Corinth, Vermont, sets for filming the upcoming Beetlejuice sequel were stolen in two separate incidents in the last week, Vermont State Police announced Thursday. Two incidents were reported to state troopers. The first took place on Friday, July 14, when movie security personnel reported at around 12:35 a.m. that someone in an older model GMC pickup truck drove up to a lamppost topped with a distinctive pumpkin decoration on Village Road, the statement read. The lamppost was removed from its base, covered in tarp and placed into the back of the truck, state police said. The GMC then fled at a high rate of speed. The second incident is believed to have happened between Thursday, July 13 and Monday, July 17. Movie officials reported on Monday that an abstract art statue weighing around 150 pounds was removed from the vicinity of the cemetery, state police said. Anyone with information about the stolen items is asked to contact state police in St. Johnsbury, either by calling 802-748-3111 or leaving an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit. Fans of the first film will recognize the statue as belonging to the Deetz family, who have a taste for abstract art and bring pieces of art with them when they move into the haunted home belonging to the films dead protagonists. Late in the film, Beetlejuice causes the statues to come to life. Director Tim Burton is returning to direct, and returning cast members include Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Wynona Ryder and Catherine OHara. Justin Theroux, Monica Belluci, Willem Defoe and Wednesdays Jenna Ortega also fill out the cast, according to Collider. Michael Keaton is set to return as the films titular character in his fifth collaboration with Burton. They previously worked together on Batman, Batman Returns and Dumbo. Keaton returned as the Dark Knight for the first time in over 30 years in Junes The Flash. Beetlejuice 2 will be released by Warner Bros. Discovery and is expected to premiere Sept. 6, 2024. A homicide investigation is underway in Taunton after a 33-year-old man was shot and killed this week, according to the Bristol County District Attorneys Office. Police responded to a report of shots fired in the area of 188 Winthrop Street (Route 44) around 7:50 a.m. on Friday, July 21, the District Attorneys Office reported. Read More: Boston police release video after crash involving city councilor Kendra Lara Upon arrival, officers found Alvaro J. Andrade sitting in the drivers seat of a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee with gunshot wounds. The car was parked in the driveway at the same address. Andrade was taken to Morton Hospital where he later died, officials said. No other information was released and the investigation is ongoing. A search made up of police officers and community members in Maynard ended Thursday with officials being able to reunite a missing 4-year-old girl with her family. At 1:13 p.m. Thursday, officials responded to a 911 call regarding the missing 4-year-old girl. The Maynard Police Department said all town units responded, including multiple off-duty officers. They also began using drones and K9s to search for the girl. But as time went on, they called in further support, including the Massachusetts State Police Airwing. Police said community members also helped in the search. Officials asked for information on social media and reverse 911 calls, which were handled by dispatchers. At 2:35 p.m., the 4-year-old was located in a thick bush near her home, police said. She was then reunited with her family. Maynard Police Department is sincerely grateful for all of our first responders, assisting agencies, and the entire Maynard community who helped with successfully reuniting the young girl with her family, the police department wrote on Facebook. Earlier this year, police officers from departments across Massachusetts, along with state police, began learning how to better handle missing persons cases and unidentified human remains investigations through a statewide training initiative, according to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Massachusetts State Police. Read more: Mitchel Iviquel has been missing for 3 years but police have no leads Led by the governors office, in conjunction with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), the Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) and state police, the two-and-a-half-hour online session was designed to educate officers on the best practices when investigating missing persons and unidentified remains cases, different approaches for inspecting digital evidence and an overall review on forensic services available to officers in their cases. There are about 1,908 active missing persons cases reported by Massachusetts law enforcement to the FBIs National Crime Information Center and 19 active unidentified human remains cases, according to EOPSS earlier this year. This initiative comes after the Massachusetts Missing Persons Task Force recommended changes in 2020 to the law, police training and resources available to officers in a 30-page report. We havent put our resources into these trainings, and I think that this will be a fantastic development for our law enforcement. Its only going to make our communities safer, Heather Bish, sister of unsolved homicide victim Molly Bish and part of the task force, told MassLive in March. If law enforcement is able to use the tools that they have access to, I think were moving in the right direction, for sure. We found out in Mollys abduction, and then in her loss, the law enforcement had not been trained in a missing childs case, Bish said. Officials still do not know who is responsible for Mollys death. A GoFundMe has been created for Peabody police officer, Henry Breckenridge after he passed away Thursday from complications during a non-emergency surgery, according to the Peabody Police Department. Henry was one of the nicest and most gentle people I have had the honor to know, said the departments Facebook post. I know that sentiment is shared throughout our department and with the entire Peabody community. Today, with a tremendously heavy heart and true sadness, I must share news of the tragic and sudden passing of Officer... Posted by Peabody Police Department on Thursday, July 20, 2023 Organized by Danielle Breckenridge, the GoFundMe is for the funeral and memorial of Breckenridge, with a goal of $5,000. That goal has been surpassed with over $20,000 raised, and over 300 donations. Read more: GoFundMe raises money for funeral of former foster youth shot in Springfield Henry was loved by so many, nicknamed the Mayor of Peabody, said Breckenridge on the GoFundMe page. Everywhere we go someone knew of Henry. He touched so many people and is loved by so many. For the Peabody Police Department, Henry Breckenridge was known to be an outstanding police officer with firm grasp on community policing. Nearby police departments sent their condolences on the Facebook post. The men and women of the Medford Police Department send our deepest condolences to you al and to Henrys family, said Medford Police Department in the comment section of the post. May he rest in peace. Sending our deepest condolence, said Chelmsford Police Department. Peabody fire was saddened deeply to hear of Officer Breckenridges untimely passing, said the Peabody Fire Department in a Facebook post. He truly was an asset to this city and all who know him. Rest easy Henry knowing you were loved and admired by so many. CHICOPEE Two new assistant superintendents will round out a new school leadership team for the next academic year. The school department was left with a hole in its leadership ranks after the school superintendent was fired after being arrested for lying to the FBI 15 months ago. Then this spring, the two assistant superintendents, including Alvin W. Morton, who was serving as interim superintendent, resigned to take jobs in neighboring school systems. An acting assistant superintendent retired in the spring as well. On Wednesday, new Superintendent Marcus Ware was officially welcomed as the head of the 6,700-student district during the School Committee meeting. He started the job July 1. Im excited to start this journey with you, Ware said. At the same time, Ware announced he had selected two long-term educators to fill the vacant assistant superintendent positions. Contracts for both appointments were approved in 12-0 votes. Carol Kruser, who has served as principal of Chicopee High School since 2018, will take over as the assistant superintendent of student support services. She will oversee a variety of things such as health, safety, security and special education. Kruser, who will be paid $140,500 in the first year of her contract, said she will remain in her role as Chicopee High School principal until Aug. 14 so she can help the school transition to a new leader. A new principal has not been named yet. Kruser holds a masters degree in administration and health education. She first worked as a health teacher and then served as vice principal of Chicopee High before being promoted to principal. I worked with Carol (Kruser) during COVID. She was the lead for the school department at the time and she did a very good job in a very trying situation, so Ive seen her in action, School Committee member Donald Lamothe said. Jennifer Bellville started Monday as assistant superintendent of instruction and accountability. She will earn $143,000 in the first year of her contract. Chicopee is a great community and under the leadership of Dr. Ware it is super exciting to be here, she said. Im very much looking forward to it and working with all the staff, students, families and community. Bellville, who also holds a masters degree, has worked as the principal of a kindergarten through grade three school in Uxbridge for the past four years. Before that, she worked for the Millbury school district for 10 years, first as director of curriculum and assessment and then as principal of a grade four to six elementary school. I think everyone is bringing different things to the table to move Chicopee forward to where we want it to be ... Im really excited for that and excited to be able to support all the students and staff and families in Chicopee, Kruser said. The three have expertise working with students of different ages. Kruser mainly worked at the high school level and Bellville worked with elementary school children. Ware had served as assistant principal and principal of Windham Middle School in Willimantic, Connecticut, and then as executive director of strategic initiatives for the Windham public schools. The three replace Morton, who took over as director of the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative, and Matthew Francis who was hired as the Palmer superintendent. Both left at the end of June. A Boston restaurant owner is expected to appear court after he was arrested in connection with a shooting outside a popular Italian bakery in the North End earlier this month, Boston police reported. Patrick Mendoza was arrested on Friday, July 21, in connection with the shooting that occurred outside Modern Pastry, located at 257 Hanover Street, around 11:10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12, police said. A man standing outside Modern Pastry at the time claimed Mendoza rode by him on a bicycle, yelled obscenities at him, pulled out a gun and fired two times in his direction, The Boston Globe said, citing a police report. No one was injured in the shooting, but one of Moderns windows was damaged by the gunfire, the Globe continued. WCVB reported Mendoza is one of the owners of Monicas Trattoria on Prince Street, an Italian restaurant that is a short walk away from Modern Pastry. He was was in court for a probation hearing in connection with a different issue, according to the news outlet. Mendoza was ordered held without bail and will appear in court next Wednesday. He is charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and assault and battery, according to Boston police. REGION The state is sending nearly a million dollars to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to help fund projects intended to reduce the amount of untreated sewage discharged into the Connecticut River, especially during rainfall events. The states capital plan has earmarked $953,000 to support various Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke initiatives to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs). The funding is going to the Connecticut River Cleanup Committee, which is managed by the planning commission. The collaboration includes Chicopee and Holyoke, the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. The states funding will be allocated to several initiatives, including: The South Fairview Sewer Separation project in Chicopee, which is set to begin construction. The implementation of a system to monitor the flow of combined sewer overflows in Chicopee, collecting data at 16 location in the city. The finalization of the design for Holyokes River Terrace Sewer Separation project, including permitting, public meeting and bidding services. The installation and implementation of controls at the Springfield Water and Sewer Commissions York Street Pump Station project, the disconnection of existing pump station piping at Bondis Island, and the removal of the diversion structure. We are grateful to the Department of Environmental Protection for supporting our local water and sewer operators in maintaining the Connecticut River, said Kimberly H. Robinson, executive director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. Robinson cited the role of the Healey-Driscoll administration and legislature in supporting water pollution control projects, which play a critical role in ecological and economic terms for Springfield, Chicopee and Holyoke. This year marks the ninth consecutive time the commonwealth has provided financial support for initiatives to reduce combined sewer overflows, all authorized through the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection within the states Environmental Bond Bills. In a statement, the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission indicated a portion of the state capital funding (not a loan) will be used for the York Street Pump Station and Connecticut River Crossing project. The separation project should be completed later this summer. The funding will aid in installing controls and configuring the final piping to direct the flow to the treatment plant. The commission is completing the $137 million project that should increase the pumping capacity from city sewer pipes to the wastewater treatment plant on Bondis Island. The boosted capacity will enable rerouting more water to the treatment plant during storm events. The pipes become overwhelmed with rainwater, causing discharges of untreated wastewater and stormwater into the river. The project aims to reduce overflows by approximately 100 million gallons in a year. The sewer commission anticipates the volume of overflow discharges into the Connecticut River will be reduced by about 50% annually. Kelsey Wentling, from the Connecticut River Conservancy, said This is significant funding. Its encouraging to see it aimed at these projects and supporting these communities. Wentling said communities that have received funds for combined sewer overflows have made significant steps in reducing the discharges. Were not done yet. Thats why funding like this is crucial to continue the progress and aim for as close to elimination as we can for these discharges, she said. She also mentioned the recent discharges into the river following heavy rains and floodwaters, cautioning that the water is currently unsafe for recreational activities. In the past, officials cautioned residents to wait 48 hours after a combined sewer overflow discharge before swimming and fishing in the river. However, with the storms and flooding of the past few weeks, Wentling recommended waiting longer. Combined sewer overflow, which carries not just sewage but also stormwater, introduces a lot of nutrients and pollutants. The rivers water quality is not currently ideal for recreational use, she said. One person was injured and the suspected shooter apparently shot and killed himself afterwards in Lawrence on Thursday evening, July 20, according to the Essex County District Attorneys Office. Officials said the first shooting happened outside a home at 324 Prospect Street around 6:45 p.m. The victim was taken to Lawrence General Hospital before they were airlifted to a Boston hospital for further treatment. The second shooting happened shortly after in a nearby car that was parked outside 103 Summer Street, the District Attorneys Office continued. Authorities were looking for the suspected gunman from the first shooting when they found a person inside the car who had died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. There is no threat to the public and the shootings remain under investigation. No other information was released. A 37-year-old woman was arrested and charged with attacking an older couple on an MBTA Orange Line train this week, according to Transit Police. Krysten Kulch was charged with two counts of assault and battery on an elderly person in connection with the attack that happened Thursday, July 20, at Wellington Station in Medford, Superintendent of the Transit Police Department Richard Sullivan said. Kulch reportedly attacked the 76-year-old couple after they asked her to move her bag so they could sit on the train together, Transit Police said on Twitter. Kulch reportedly hit the couple with a closed fist multiple times. Despite the attack, TPD said no injuries were reported. Authorities are searching for a suspect after a woman was stabbed and seriously injured while walking to an MBTA station in the Boston Common this week, Boston police reported. Officers responded to a reported stabbing near Park Street station, near 121 Tremont Street, around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, police said. Upon arrival, police found the woman had sustained life-threatening injuries. The incident resulted in a major police presence with the entrance to the station being taped off, according to a photo posted to Twitter. The woman, whose named was not released, was taken to the hospital for treatment, police said. The MBTA said that Red Line trains were delayed for about 20 minutes because of police activity at Park Street. The delay was cleared shortly after midnight, the MBTA said on Twitter. So far, no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. The department also confirmed that homicide detectives have been assigned to the case. Tom Heintjes, of the comic strip history publication Hogan's Alley points out that Mattel's Barbie was based on a German doll named Lilli, which was from a bawdy German comic strip about a sexy young woman. The website Messy Nessy describes the 1952-1961 Lilli comic strip that appeared in the West German publication Bild: "The comic strip character was known as 'Bild Lilli', a post-war gold-digging buxom broad who got by in life seducing wealthy male suitors." Lilli is also described as "high-end German call girl." Wikipedia describes Lilli the comic strip character: Lilli was post-war, sassy, and ambitious, "a golddigger, exhibitionist, and floozy".[2] The cartoon always consisted of a picture of Lilli talking, while dressed or undressed in a manner that showed her figure, usually to girlfriends, boyfriends, or her boss. To a policeman who told her that two-piece swimsuits are banned in the street: "Oh, and in your opinion, what part should I take off?" The popularity of the character convinced Bild to market a Lilli doll, which was sold from 1955 to 1964. But not for children. "Parents considered the doll inappropriate for children and a German brochure from the 1950s described Lilli as 'always discreet,' and with her impressive wardrobe, she was 'the star of every bar'". The Lilli doll was later described in The New Yorker magazine as "sex doll." But because the line of Lilli dolls had a wide range of outfits and accessories, German girls began to buy it as a playdoll. That got the attention of Mattel, which purchased the rights to Lilli, renamed her Barbie, and sold her in America. On July 10, heavy rains led to widespread flooding alongside small rivers and creeks throughout our region. The next day, the Connecticut River overflowed its banks to levels not seen since Tropical Storm Irene in 2011. This flooding event was fast in some ways the fields at Natural Roots Farm in Conway, along the South River, filled with water as farmers and their draft horses worked to save their deluged chickens and equipment. And it was slow in others, as farmers watched and waited over 24 hours to see how high the Connecticut River would rise. Heavy rain has continued to fall, making some fields that didnt flood too wet to access for farmwork and increasing the likelihood of plant diseases that thrive in wet conditions. Flooding is catastrophic for farms in many ways. The timing of this flood is especially damaging. Flood waters sweep away plants, livestock, equipment and topsoil. Plants that survive generally cant be harvested and eaten, because flood water is often contaminated with road runoff, sewage overflow, and other contaminants. Any edible part of a plant that contacts flood water or flooded soil cant be sold or donated. A flood that hits in early July has huge financial implications for the farms that were flooded: they have devoted immense time and money to growing and maintaining crops which are now unsalable, and they may not be able to plant and harvest new crops before the growing season is over. Flooding impacted farms of all kinds: small start-ups, some of them operated by immigrant and refugee farmers; long-standing, diverse vegetable operations that sell directly to consumers through farmstands and CSAs; and large wholesale operations that supply supermarkets and corner stores across the state. Farms of all sizes donate produce, too, so food pantries and food banks are also impacted. The response to this disaster has been swift. Farmers have donated produce and young plants to flooded farms. Community members have contributed generously, and volunteers have turned out to help clean up mud and debris. State and federal elected leaders came to see the damage and hear directly from farmers. Local legislators, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, UMass Cooperative Extension, and nonprofits that focus on food and farms worked quickly and cooperatively to tally losses, address immediate needs and plan for a more comprehensive response to this and future climate-related disasters. On Thursday, Gov. Maura T. Healey, in her second western Mass visit in three days, announced the launch of the Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund, a public/private initiative that offers a place to donate, a source of grants for impacted farms statewide and the beginnings of a safety net for future climate change events. In addition, advocates are hopeful that state legislators will include a farm disaster fund in their supplemental budget. Farmers are resilient and adaptable. Farming has always been a weather-dependent, narrow-margin occupation. But the weather extremes of our changing climate are bigger and more damaging than the everyday unpredictability of New England weather. This flood is the third weather event this year to bring widespread losses to local farms: peach buds were killed in February in a weekend cold snap during an otherwise warm winter. And a late frost in May greatly reduced blueberry and apple harvests. These events match climate change predictions for our region, which include wild temperature fluctuations, increased precipitation and higher summer temperatures. Local farmers have already begun to adjust their growing practices to increase resilience in the face of these changes. But to survive, they need more help. This must include more funding for research into climate-adapted farming practices, more financial support for farmers in making those changes and a more robust emergency response system. Climate change will make extreme weather events more frequent. Recent flooding and freezes show the devastation these events can cause and the response thats possible. Farms saw an outpouring of community support. Massachusetts has begun to build the capacity for the larger response that will get us through this disaster and the ones to come. Right now, funds are desperately needed. Go to buylocalfood.org to donate to the new Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund, individual farm fundraisers and CISAs Emergency Farm Fund, which provides no-interest farm loans. And dont forget that using your grocery dollars to buy local food offers a two-part benefit: investing in local farms while enjoying summers bounty. Claire Morenon is communications manager with CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture). Philip Korman is the groups executive director. NORTHAMPTON The July 18 column by Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood starts out by raising questions about the root causes of gun violence and some possible roads towards solutions. But she cant help falling back on the favorite standby of police and politicians blaming the judiciary. She goes on to shamelessly dox a Superior Court judge, David Hodge. The only thing worse than her comments was your editor highlighting her complaints about judges in the headline. There is nothing new about these sorts of attacks. Police officers and politicians routinely blame the courts for their lack of success in controlling crime. Implicit is the suggestion that judging is easy: Just do your job and lock everyone up. On this episode of MassLives Fenway Rundown podcast, hosts Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam break down a few Red Sox decisions leading up to the Aug. 1 trade deadline. They discuss the excess of middle infield players and what Boston could do (including cutting Kike Hernandez, make the case for both buying and selling and debate what it takes for Boston to get Shohei Ohtani in a trade with the Angels. You can listen to the full podcast here and subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Cotillo on Bostons middle infield logjam: You can obviously bet pretty strongly that Chaim Bloom is talking to teams about a trade involving this group or trying to unload maybe one or two of those guys in the next couple weeks, Cotillo said. And I think the goal is to have (Trevor) Story play shortstop full-time, basically from whenever he comes back in August on. And then second base figuring it out, whether its an external upgrade or platooning some of those righties Kike Hernandez, Christian Arroyo with a left-handed hitter. Enmanuel Valdez seems to be a guy who would come back up, though hes hurt right now in Worcester. So lots of shakeout on that mix as it has been all year. But at least theres stability coming and you can file this one, I think, under a good problem to have. MORE FROM THE POD: If Red Sox traded for Shohei Ohtani, what would they give up? (podcast) Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday. McAdam on who the Red Sox should look to trade for at the deadline: I think they definitely need a back-end starter, McAdam said. Its amazing to me that theyve gotten as far as they have over the last couple of weeks when 40% of their games are openers and bullpen games. So a guy like (Pittsburghs) Rich Hill or (Kansas Citys) Zack Greinke, a veteran guy that can you hope, give you five innings, give up three runs and give you a chance every five days. I think they have to do that, at the very least. And then I would say that they could as weve heard be in the market for a seventh inning setup guy, which to me is a little interesting that theyre looking in that avenue because John Schreiber is close to coming back ... But I think its in the constitution that every contending team has to add at least one bullpen piece for the final two months, and I would not be surprised if the Red Sox follow that gameplan. Western Massachusetts could see some severe storm conditions on Friday excessive rain, damaging winds, hail and even a chance for tornadoes. The main threat of this incoming system in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut are the damaging winds, the National Weather Service said. This risk stretches across Western Massachusetts as far east as Leominster, while the tornado risk stretches as far as just past Amherst, a weather service tweet indicated. [Severe Weather Debrief] Friday probabilities for tornadoes, damaging winds, severe hail & excessive rainfall below (clockwise). #Thunderstorms most numerous in western portions of MA & CT from 2 pm to 9 pm. Check back for updates. #MAwx #CTwx #RIwx #SevereWeather #Hartford pic.twitter.com/24wWjz9ubR NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) July 21, 2023 The probability of severe winds at 60 mph hovers between 5 and 14%, while the tornado risk hovers between 2 and 4%, forecasters said. More instability would have to inch those risks upward, so this will be something to monitor as the day goes on. Forecasters expect severe, isolated thunderstorms to appear between 2 and 9 p.m. Hailstones are expected to be the size of pennies, while the odds of street flooding are very likely, according to another weather service tweet. [Strong to Isolated Severe Weather Fri] Another period of for Friday afternoon & early evening. Greatest risk, especially in the area in dark green, is heavy rain capable of localized flooding & strong wind gusts capable of isolated tree & power line damage. More details: pic.twitter.com/WZyDgoQSJp NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) July 20, 2023 Storms will gradually move east and weaken as they do so after sundown, forecasters said. Read more: Massachusetts rolls out online assistance guide for flood victims Temperatures on Friday are expected to be in the mid- to high 70s, with Springfield and Amherst expected to reach 76 degrees, while Worcesters temperature could peak at 80 degrees. Weakened thunderstorms and scattered showers are expected overnight as a cold front dissipates any heavy storms from during the day, forecasters said. Saturday is expected to be much drier with more sunshine, with temperatures ranging from 82 degrees in Lawrence, Medfield and Auburn, while Springfield could peak at around 84 degrees. Humidity is expected to depart Saturday and return on Sunday, forecasters added, with the second half of the weekend displaying sunny and seasonably warm weather. Temperatures should be around the highs in the low to mid-80s. Forecasters anticipate similar conditions on Monday as a new system moves into New England from the Great Lakes by Tuesday. On that day, widespread showers and thunderstorms are currently expected, though they are likely to be very scattered. Wednesday and Thursday should be dry again, with temperatures inching towards the 90s. In alignment with our companys unwavering commitment to providing innovative and technology-driven imaging solutions to customers in Africa, Canon Central and North Africa announced the much-anticipated Multicam Show, which was held in Nigeria for the first time on 4th July 2023. The exclusive event provided a platform to showcase Canons cutting-edge multicamera technology and foster collaborations and partnerships to drive business opportunities in Africa while enhancing end-user confidence in Canon products. With an impressive lineup of experts from the imaging and technology sectors, participants were able to connect and interact with professionals who have extensive knowledge and expertise in their respective fields, gaining insights into the latest trends, techniques, and solutions in the multi-cam industry. Amine Djouahra, B2C BU Director, Canon Central & North Africa, says, We are thrilled to have brought the Multicam Show to Nigeria, where our primary objective was to get closer to our valued customers and provide them with a hands-on experience of Canons promising multicamera technology. Our aim was to demonstrate how this technology can enhance and provide solutions to their current workflows. The event was specifically tailored to our target audience, which included professionals from the broadcast industry, radio stations, educational institutions, and houses of worship. We showcased some of the exciting new technologies and solutions that Canon will be providing through our PTZ (Pan-tilt-zoom), ENG (Electronic News Gathering), and cinema lineup. Our goal was to empower our customers by giving them the opportunity to explore the capabilities of Canons multicam technology and inspire them to elevate their multimedia projects to new heights. Driving the shift to digital technology in Africa The event presented a great opportunity to drive and encourage the digital technology shift in Africas multimedia industry. With majority of the industry yet to transition to digital, raising awareness and educating the market about the importance of this shift is crucial. With its advanced technology and products, Canon is well-positioned to lead this transformation. An experience to remember To take the experience to the next level, Canon created distinct experiential zones, each aimed at immersing customers in a dynamic and interactive environment that goes beyond traditional product showcases. Through our experiential zones and interactive workstation walk-throughs, customers had the unique opportunity to touch, feel and experience our products firsthand. They explored the sleek interfaces, tried out the intuitive controls, and witnessed the seamless integration of our solutions into real-world applications. Additionally, participants gained valuable insights into the capabilities of multi-cam technology through live demonstrations, interactive workshops, and presentations by professionals. The African Development Bank has signed on as a partner of the Women Deliver 2023 Conference, a multi-sectoral gathering for advancing gender equality. The conference will debut in Africa, from 17 to 20 July in Kigali, Rwanda. The Bank has earmarked $300,000 to support the Women Deliver 2023 Conference, which is expected to draw 6,000 in-person participants and 200,000 others online. Women Deliver 2023 brings together leaders from government, grassroots, multilateral organizations, and the private sector, alongside representatives from groups experiencing systematic discrimination. The theme for this years conference is Spaces, Solidarity and Solutions: Enabling inclusive and co-created spaces that foster solidarity for sustainable solutions on gender equality. Malado Kaba, Director for Gender, Women, and Civil Society, leads the Banks delegation to the conference. Kaba said: The African Development Bank firmly believes that investing in women is critical to advancing development goals across Africa and the Global South. We are thrilled to partner with Women Deliver as we showcase programs and policies that we know work and explore new ideas and collaborations to advance gender equality. Women Deliver is a leading global advocate that champions gender equality. Its work centers around driving political commitment and financial investment to improve the lives of women and girls worldwide. The organization harnesses evidence-based knowledge products and convenes dialogues that unite diverse voices, drive policy changes, and stimulate financial commitment to gender equality. As a Visionary Sponsor, the Bank is co-organizing or participating in four Women Deliver 2023 Conference events in Kigali. Aissa Toure, the Banks Rwanda Country Manager, said: It is fitting that this years Women Deliver conference is held in Rwanda, a country that has made significant strides toward gender equality in government, development and wider society. The Bank looks forward to engaging with partners, leaders and civil society during this landmark event. On Sunday, the Bank co-hosted a luncheon event with the Angaza Forum, in partnership with the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development, and Women in Finance Rwanda. The event focused on Promoting Womens Leadership in Financial Sector Inclusion and Innovation and featured remarks from Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Nobel Prize Laureate. On Tuesday, the Bank and the African Union presented the plenary [email protected]: Bridging the Gap Between Policies and People. The plenary spotlighted Africas priorities and actions taken to advance gender equality and womens empowerment in Africa in light of the protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, marking its 20th anniversary in 2023. During the session, Director Kaba highlighted how the Bank is working to achieve the objectives of the Maputo Protocol, including ending discrimination against women, improving womens access to education and training, and advancing womens economic rights. Also Tuesday, the Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation hosted a private ministerial roundtable on Accelerating Inclusive Economic Growth by Advancing Womens Economic Power. The event convened a cross-sectoral group of government ministers, leaders of multilateral institutions, and bilateral and philanthropic donors to discuss how investing in gender equality helps countries deliver on their economic development goals. Alongside contributions from Director Malado and Country Manager Toure, the session also featured remarks from government ministers and recorded remarks from the G20 Sherpas chair Shri Amitabh Kant. Key takeaways from the conversation will form the basis of recommendations shared with the G20. On 19 July, the Bank and the African Union will co-present the conferences Africa Session: Scaling Up Innovative Solutions to Enhance Womens Access to Finance. Country Manager Toure will speak on a panel focused on bridging access to affordable financial products and services. She will highlight insights from the Banks Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiative, which seeks to help close the $42 billion finance gap for the continents women entrepreneurs. TWO ENGLISHMEN who were caught unloading over 2.3 million worth of cannabis which was concealed under a consignment of frozen chicken are facing the possibility of lengthy prison sentences. Daniel Bowker, aged 40, of Empire Roadd, Bolton and Ibrar Sharif, aged 47, also with an address in Bolton, were arrested in Dublin three days before Christmas last year. They told gardai they had been trying to gather some money to buy presents for their families. Both men came forward on signed pleas from the District Court having admitted possessing 2.364 worth of cannabis for sale or supply at Kilmainham, Dublin 8 on December 22, 2022. They have been in custody in Cloverhill Prison since their arrest. At Dublin Circuit Court, Detective Garda Patrick Hearne told Diarmuid Collins BL, prosecuting, that a surveillance operation was put in place after gardai received confidential information about an expected delivery of pallets of illegal drugs. At 9am on the day in question, gardai observed a white Ford Transit van driven by Bowker arriving at a unit in the Chapelizod Industrial Estate in the Capital. Both accused got out and around an hour later, they interacted with the driver of a transport truck that arrived. Bowker was observed driving the van closer to the shutters of the unit, before the van left in convoy with another car. The van was driven to a house in the Kilmainham area of Dublin where Sharif directed it into a driveway and both men began to unload cardboard boxes from the van into the house. The van was driven off and then stopped by gardai, whereupon two men tried to flee before they were arrested. Gardai obtained a search warrant for the house in Kilmainham and they subsequently seized 12 cardboard boxes containing a total of 119 kilos of vacuum-packed cannabis. Bowker admitted putting boxes into the van and driving them to the Kilmainham address but initially told gardai he didnt know what was in the boxes. During subsequent interviews, he admitted there were bags of cannabis underneath frozen chicken and that himself and Sharif had taken the drugs out and put them into new boxes. Bowker has five previous convictions from the UK, for minor offences including criminal damage. Det Garda Hearne agreed with counsel for the defence that both Bowker and Sharif had been cooperative with gardai and that both had long-standing alcohol problems. The garda also agreed that both accused were at the lower end of the ladder of the organised crime gang and had been used by those higher up to courier drugs. It was also agreed that neither man displayed any signs of wealth or a lavish lifestyle, nor did they stand to benefit materially from the crime. Oisin Clarke SC, defending Bowker, said his client was suffering from severe anxiety, depression and PTSD after he was assaulted in January 2022 by three men who broke into his house to try and steal a dog. The court heard Bowker suffered a facial fracture and had to get two plates inserted into his jaw following the attack. Bowker told gardai he was a heavy drinker, on medication for anxiety and depression and had wanted to make some quick money to buy Christmas presents for his three kids. Bowker wrote a letter of explanation and remorse and said he had been very naive. Letters were also presented from Bowkers former wife describing him as a caring, sensitive person when sober. Another letter from Bowkers housing manager describes him as a lovable man and a model tenant with a big heart but a tortured soul. Maurice Coffey SC, defending Sharif, said his client had similarly found himself vulnerable, broke and with a drinking problem coming up to last Christmas. Mr Coffey said Sharif began working at the age of nine in markets and later worked in restaurants, factories and Marks and Spencers until he was made redundant during Covid. He had no money; he was unemployed, he foolishly agreed to get involved and let his moral compass shift, said counsel. Both defence counsel said that organised crime gangs often prey on people who have dependency problems and no money, cajoling them to do their dirty work and suffer the punishment while those at the top are protected from the rigours of the law. A letter from Sharif spoke of his remorse, regret and hopes for the future. Letters were also presented from his sisters describing his good heart and hardworking ethos. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case for finalisation on October 9 and ordered an education report and a prison governors report to be prepared. Medical Drying Cabinets are essential equipment in healthcare facilities, designed to efficiently dry and sterilize medical instruments, labware, and equipment. These cabinets use advanced technology to eliminate moisture, preventing bacterial growth and ensuring optimum hygiene. Their controlled airflow and temperature settings ensure rapid, thorough drying without causing damage to sensitive items. Equipped with safety features, they offer secure and contamination-free storage. Medical Drying Cabinets are indispensable in maintaining a safe and sterile environment, promoting infection control, and facilitating smooth and efficient medical procedures in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. Global medical drying cabinets market is estimated to be valued at US$ 324.5 million in 2023 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period (2023-2030). Ask Us to Get Your Sample Copy Of The Report, Covering TOC and Regional Analysis @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/5820 Medical Drying Cabinets Market Drivers : The Medical Drying Cabinets market is driven by several factors. Firstly, the increasing awareness of infection control and the need for stringent hygiene standards in healthcare facilities fuel the demand for these cabinets. Secondly, advancements in technology, such as the integration of smart features and automation, enhance their efficiency and ease of use. Additionally, the growing adoption of medical drying cabinets in research laboratories and pharmaceutical industries propels market growth. Moreover, the rise in the number of surgeries and medical procedures worldwide drives the demand for sterile equipment, further boosting the market. Furthermore, stringent regulations and guidelines mandating proper instrument drying and sterilization contribute to the markets expansion. Medical Drying Cabinets Market Opportunity : The Medical Drying Cabinets market presents significant opportunities for growth and expansion. One of the key opportunities is the increasing demand for advanced healthcare infrastructure in emerging economies. As these countries invest in upgrading their healthcare facilities, the need for state-of-the-art sterilization equipment like medical drying cabinets will surge. Additionally, the rising focus on research and development in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors creates opportunities for the adoption of these cabinets in laboratories. Moreover, the growing emphasis on patient safety and infection control in healthcare settings further enhances the market potential. Furthermore, the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence technologies into medical drying cabinets opens up new avenues for innovation and market growth. Medical Drying Cabinets Market Trend and Restraints : Market Trends : Integration of Advanced Technologies: The medical drying cabinets market is witnessing a trend of integrating advanced technologies, such as IoT, cloud connectivity, and automation. These features enhance the cabinets functionality, allowing remote monitoring, data analysis, and real-time alerts. The adoption of smart drying cabinets streamlines workflow, improves operational efficiency, and ensures compliance with sterilization protocols. Eco-Friendly Solutions: There is a growing focus on developing eco-friendly medical drying cabinets that consume less energy and utilize sustainable materials. Manufacturers are investing in research and innovation to create energy-efficient models, reducing the environmental impact while meeting the high demands of healthcare facilities. Customization and Modular Designs: Healthcare facilities require flexible solutions to accommodate different instrument sizes and configurations. As a result, there is a trend towards customizable and modular medical drying cabinets. These cabinets allow healthcare providers to optimize storage space, arrange trays and racks as needed, and ensure efficient use of the available area. Growing Demand in Dentistry and Cosmetology: The dental and cosmetology sectors are witnessing an upswing in the adoption of medical drying cabinets. These cabinets are instrumental in ensuring the sterilization of dental and cosmetic instruments, complying with strict industry regulations, and maintaining patient safety. Market Restraints : High Initial Costs: The initial investment required for purchasing medical drying cabinets can be substantial, especially for advanced models with integrated technologies. This cost can pose a challenge for budget-constrained healthcare facilities, hindering widespread adoption. Maintenance and Operational Costs: In addition to the upfront costs, ongoing maintenance and operational expenses can be significant, including regular servicing, calibration, and energy consumption. These costs might deter some healthcare providers from investing in high-quality medical drying cabinets. Competition from Alternatives: Traditional sterilization methods like autoclaves and manual drying may still be prevalent in some settings due to their lower costs. Convincing healthcare facilities to transition to medical drying cabinets can be a restraint, requiring manufacturers to demonstrate the long-term benefits and cost-effectiveness of these cabinets. Stringent Regulatory Compliance: Medical drying cabinets must adhere to strict regulatory guidelines to ensure proper sterilization. Manufacturers face the challenge of continuously updating their products to meet evolving regulatory requirements, which can affect product development timelines and increase compliance-related costs. Global Medical Drying Cabinets Market: Key Players Major players operating in the global medical drying cabinets market include SHINVA MEDICAL INSTRUMENT CO., LTD., Steelco S.p.A., STERIS, Rhima, Steridium, A. E. ATHERTON & SONS. ABN, LEEC Limited, KWC Nordics Oy, Suzhou NaMeiRui, Staber Industries, Inc., PINK GmbH, SDI Group, BINDER GmbH, Hettich Benelux, Labtron Equipment Ltd, Smartline Medical, Scientific Laboratory Supplies Ltd, Totech Canada Inc., Memmert GmbH + Co.KG, Getinge AB, Harloff, Olympus Corporation, and ECOLAB. Medical Drying Cabinets Market Segmentation : By Product Type: Single Door Double Door Glass Door Vacuumed By Application: Surgical Instruments Glassware Lab Clothes Endoscopes Others By Material Type: Stainless Steel Seawater Resistant Steel By End User: Hospitals Pharmaceutical Industries National Laboratories % @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/5820 Report Attribute Details The market size value in 2023 US$ 324.5 Mn The revenue forecast in 2030 US$ 589.4 Mn Growth Rate CAGR of 8.9% The base year for estimation 2022 Historical data 2017 2021 Forecast period 2023 2030 Growth Drivers: Increased risk of healthcare acquired infections Increasing prevalence of gastro esophageal reflux disease Restraints & Challenges: Disadvantages of medical drying cabinets Table of Contents with Major Points: Executive Summary Introduction Key Findings Recommendations Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Overview Definition of Medical Drying Cabinets Market Market Dynamics Drivers Restraints Opportunities Trends and Developments Key Insights Key Emerging Trends Key Developments Mergers and Acquisition New Product Launches and Collaboration Partnership and Joint Venture Latest Technological Advancements Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on Global Medical Drying Cabinets Market Supply Chain Challenges Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak Conclusion Appendix Data Sources Abbreviations Disclaimer TOC Continued! Why Choose Coherent Market Insights? Identified business opportunities Our market research report can be used to analyze potential markets and new products. It can give information about customer needs, preferences, and attitudes. Also, it compare products and services. A clear understanding of your customers A market report gives companys marketing department an in-depth picture about customers needs and wants. This knowledge can be used to improve products, prices, and advertising. Clear data-driven insights Our Market research encompasses a wide range of activities, from determining market size and segment to forecasting demand, and from identifying competitors to monitoring pricing. All of these are quantified and measurable which means that gives you a clear path for building unique decisions based on numbers. Ask For Discount Before Purchasing This Business Report : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-discount/5820 Explore More Related Insights: Mark Grenon, 65, and his sons Jonathan, 37, Joseph and Jordan, 29, were found guilty by Miami jurors of conspiring to defraud the United States and delivering misbranded drugs. The con: selling bleach as a cure for Covid. The Grenons represented themselves in court, but made no significant effort to rebut the charges. Prosecutors called the Grenons "con men" and "snake-oil salesmen" and said the family's Genesis II Church of Health and Healing sold $1 million worth of their so-called Miracle Mineral Solution, distributing it to tens of thousands of people nationwide. In videos, the solution was sold as a cure for 95% of known diseases, including COVID-19, Alzheimer's, autism, brain cancer, HIV/AIDS and multiple sclerosis, prosecutors said. The "church" was ordered to stop selling its fake cure in 2020, but continued to do so. Jonathan and Jordan Grenon were arrested in Florida, while Mark and Joseph Grenon were arrested and extradited tothe U.S. after fleeing to Columbia. Chlorine dioxide is a cheap and effective disinfectantperfect for a con artist to sell as a cure-allbut is safe only at very low concentrations. It's dangerous otherwise, causing vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure and deaths. Its place in Covid medical conspiracy theories is exemplified by a case in Argentine, where a judge compelled a clinic to provide it to a patient demanding it, who died as a result. The FDA warns strongly against its use. The Global Neuroregeneration Therapy market size was valued at US$ 11.67 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 26.61 billion by 2030, grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5% from 2023 to 2030. Neuroregeneration therapy refers to a type of treatment aimed at promoting the regrowth and repair of damaged or injured nerve cells (neurons) within the nervous system. The nervous system is a complex network of cells responsible for transmitting signals and controlling various bodily functions. When neurons are damaged due to injury, disease, or degeneration, it can lead to a range of neurological disorders and disabilities. The goal of neuroregeneration therapy is to stimulate the repair and regrowth of damaged neurons, which can potentially restore lost or impaired functions and improve the quality of life for patients. While the human nervous system has some ability to repair itself naturally, the process is often limited and insufficient for significant recovery after certain injuries or diseases. Ask Us to Get Your Sample Copy Of The Report, Covering TOC and Regional Analysis @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/5837 Top companies in Neuroregeneration Therapy Market Companies Like Biogen Inc., AstraZeneca PLC, Pfizer Inc., Novartis International AG, Merck & Co., Inc., Sanofi S.A., F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Medtronic plc, Boston Scientific Corporation, Abbott Laboratories, Ceregene Inc., BioTime Inc., Stemedica Cell Technologies, Inc., Neuralstem, Inc., and StemCells Inc. are operating majorly in the Neuroregeneration Therapy Market. Neuroregeneration Therapy Market Regional Insights North America: North America was one of the leading regions in the neuroregeneration therapy market. The presence of well-established healthcare infrastructure, high R&D investments, and a favorable regulatory environment contributed to the growth of this market. The United States, in particular, was a key player in driving research and development in neuroregenerative therapies. Europe: European countries also played a significant role in the neuroregeneration therapy market. Many European nations had advanced healthcare systems, making them conducive to the adoption of innovative therapies. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom were among the leading European countries investing in neuroregenerative research and clinical trials. Asia Pacific: The Asia Pacific region showed considerable potential for growth in the neuroregeneration therapy market. Rapidly developing healthcare infrastructure, rising healthcare expenditure, and a large patient population with neurological disorders contributed to the markets expansion in this region. Countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea were actively involved in advancing neuroregeneration therapies. Latin America: Latin America, although relatively smaller in market size compared to the aforementioned regions, was also witnessing growth in the neuroregeneration therapy market. Improving access to healthcare and increasing awareness of neurological disorders drove the demand for innovative therapies in countries like Brazil and Mexico. Middle East and Africa: The Middle East and Africa region had a growing interest in neuroregenerative therapies, but the market was still in the early stages of development. Limited access to advanced healthcare facilities and economic challenges hindered the widespread adoption of these therapies. However, as the healthcare infrastructure continued to improve, the market showed potential for future growth. Neuroregeneration Therapy Market Opportunities The neuroregeneration therapy market presents significant opportunities for medical advancements and improved patient outcomes. Neuroregeneration therapy is a cutting-edge field focused on repairing and regenerating damaged nervous system tissues, such as neurons, to restore their functionality and alleviate neurological disorders. Advancements in stem cell research, gene therapy, and tissue engineering have paved the way for innovative treatments that were once considered impossible. These therapies offer hope for patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and multiple sclerosis. As the aging population increases, the demand for effective neuroregeneration therapies is expected to grow exponentially. Pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and academic research institutions are investing heavily in this area to develop novel treatments and capitalize on the expanding market. Furthermore, collaborations between research organizations and regulatory agencies have streamlined the approval process for these groundbreaking therapies, accelerating their entry into the market. This favorable regulatory environment, combined with increased public awareness and patient advocacy, further fuels the potential for market growth. Additionally, the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and precision medicine, enhances the personalized approach to treatment, improving therapeutic efficacy and minimizing adverse effects. In conclusion, the neuroregeneration therapy market holds immense promise and opportunities for scientific progress and commercial success. As research continues and more therapeutic options become available, patients with neurological disorders can look forward to a brighter future with enhanced quality of life and better prospects for recovery. Investors, innovators, and healthcare stakeholders are well-positioned to contribute to and benefit from the remarkable potential of this rapidly evolving field. Neuroregeneration Therapy Market Report Coverage Report Attribute Details The market size value in 2023 USD 11.67 Billion The revenue forecast in 2030 USD 26.61 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of 12.5% The base year for estimation 2022 Historical data 2017 2021 Forecast period 2023 2030 Growth Drivers: Increasing Prevalence of Neurological Disorders Technological Advancements Growing Investment in Research and Development Favorable Regulatory Environment Restraints & Challenges: Complex Nature of Neurological Disorders Safety and Efficacy Concerns Ethical and Legal Considerations % @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/5837 Detailed Segmentation: By Type of Neuroregeneration Therapy: Stem Cell Therapy Gene Therapy Pharmacological Therapy Neurostimulation Therapy Others By Indication: Spinal Cord Injury Stroke Traumatic Brain Injury Parkinsons Disease Alzheimers Disease Multiple Sclerosis Peripheral Nerve Injury Others By End User: Hospitals Specialty Clinics Research Institutes Rehabilitation Centers By Mode of Administration: Oral Injectable Implantable Topical Others By Age Group: Pediatric Adult Geriatric By Distribution Channel: Hospital Pharmacies Retail Pharmacies Online Pharmacies Others By Therapy Type: Regenerative Medicine Neurorehabilitation By Neurological Disorder: Central Nervous System Disorders Peripheral Nervous System Disorders By Technology: Cell-based Technology Biomaterials Technology Genetic Engineering Technology Electrotherapy Technology Others Neuroregeneration Therapy Market Drivers Neuroregeneration therapy refers to the process of repairing or replacing damaged nerve cells in the nervous system. It has gained significant attention in the medical field as a potential treatment for various neurological disorders and injuries, such as Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, spinal cord injuries, and stroke. Several drivers are contributing to the growth and advancement of the neuroregeneration therapy market: Increasing prevalence of neurological disorders : The rising incidence of neurological conditions, such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, and multiple sclerosis, has created a significant demand for effective treatment options. Aging population: With a growing aging population worldwide, the prevalence of age-related neurological diseases has surged. Technological advancements: Advancements in biotechnology, genomics, and stem cell research have paved the way for more sophisticated and targeted neuroregeneration therapies. Supportive regulatory environment: Many regulatory agencies recognize the potential benefits of neuroregeneration therapies and are streamlining approval processes for related treatments. Growing investment in research and development: Increased funding and investment from governments, private organizations, and pharmaceutical companies have bolstered research in neuroregeneration therapy. High unmet medical needs: Many neurological disorders lack effective treatments, leaving patients and healthcare providers seeking alternative solutions. Patient preference for non-invasive treatments: As the preference for non-invasive and minimally invasive treatments grows, neuroregeneration therapy, which focuses on stimulating the bodys natural repair mechanisms, becomes an attractive option for patients. Collaboration and partnerships: Collaborations between academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and biotech firms have accelerated the pace of research and development in the neuroregeneration field. Table of Contents with Major Points: Executive Summary Introduction Key Findings Recommendations Definitions and Assumptions Executive Summary Market Overview Definition of Neuroregeneration Therapy Market Market Dynamics Drivers Restraints Opportunities Trends and Developments Key Insights Key Emerging Trends Key Developments Mergers and Acquisition New Product Launches and Collaboration Partnership and Joint Venture Latest Technological Advancements Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on Global Neuroregeneration Therapy Market Supply Chain Challenges Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak Conclusion Appendix Data Sources Abbreviations Disclaimer TOC Continued! Ask For Discount Before Purchasing This Business Report : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-discount/5837 Why Choose Coherent Market Insights? Identified business opportunities Our market research report can be used to analyze potential markets and new products. It can give information about customer needs, preferences, and attitudes. Also, it compare products and services. A clear understanding of your customers A market report gives companys marketing department an in-depth picture about customers needs and wants. This knowledge can be used to improve products, prices, and advertising. Clear data-driven insights Our Market research encompasses a wide range of activities, from determining market size and segment to forecasting demand, and from identifying competitors to monitoring pricing. All of these are quantified and measurable which means that gives you a clear path for building unique decisions based on numbers. Explore More Related Insights: Proton therapy market Intraoperative imaging market Widefield imaging systems market Orthopedic imaging market Us imaging services market Veterinary diagnostic imaging market Medical device connectivity market Plasma expander market General medicine education publishing market Animal healthcare market Veterinary dermatology drugs market Healthcare contract research outsourcing market Poultry pharmaceuticals market Tissue glue and bio adhesive sealants market Halal nutraceuticals and vaccines market The concentration of antigens in the blood can be determined by using one of the most common in-vitro assay methods: radioimmunoassay (RIA). Competitive binding assay is the foundation of the radioimmunoassay. Radioimmunoassay is used to quantify the amount of antigen bound by an antibody in this method. Because it uses antibodies, this technique is extremely sensitive and can detect extremely low concentrations of hormones and drugs. Clinical laboratory analytes such nucleic acid, hormones, proteins, and medicines all benefit greatly from the use of immunoassays. In order to find new biomarkers for illness diagnosis, more sensitive assays need to be developed. Radioimmunoassay has become increasingly significant in the field of medical diagnostics as a result of its high degree of specificity of results, reliability, sensitivity, and precision. In order to calculate the delivery of radioactivity in free and bound antigens, a separation unit is required for use in radioimmunoassay, together with bound antigen, a radio tagged antigen, and a pure antigen. In the early identification and evaluation of cancer, various chronic diseases, and the diagnosis of neurological disorders, radioimmunoassay techniques are used. Radioimmunoassay is a method used in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries for testing medications. Ask Us to Get Your Sample Copy Of The Report, Covering TOC and Regional Analysis @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-sample/1770 Radioimmunoassay Market Dynamics It is expected that the radioimmunoassay market will expand rapidly over the coming years as a result of the increased incidence of cancer and other infectious disorders. For instance, cancer caused around 609,640 deaths in the United States in 2018, per a report by the American Cancer Society. The pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, as well as contract research organizations and academic institutions, are anticipated to be major end-users of radioimmunoassays, which will fuel the markets expansion during the forecast period. Market growth for radioimmunoassays is anticipated to be propelled by a number of factors over the forecast period, including the rising need for healthcare automation and high throughput procedures in diagnostic labs and research centres to guarantee customer and patient satisfaction with error-free results. Growth of the global radioimmunoassay market is anticipated to be stymied by a number of issues, including the high cost of equipment needed for procedures and the presence of dangerous radioactive material in the assay. Radioimmunoassay Market Competitive Landscape DRG international, Inc., DIAsource ImmunoAssays, IBL Internationa, MP Biomedicals, Beckman Coulter, Inc., PerkinElmer, Inc., Dia Dorin S.p.A., Cisbi, EMD Millipore, Berthold Technologies GmbH & Co. KG, Euro Diagnostica, and Izotop are all major competitors in the global radioimmunoassay industry. In order to maintain their market share, the industrys leading companies are emphasising innovative techniques like collaboration and increased R&D funding. As an illustration, in 2016, the immunoassay products and molecular diagnostics business of Quest Diagnostics were purchased by the Italian company DiaSorin S.p.A for US$300 million. Radioimmunoassay Market Taxonomy Based on the product type, the market for radioimmunoassay worldwide is classified into: Kits and Reagents Analyzers Based on the application, the market for radioimmunoassay worldwide is classified into: Scientific Research Medical Diagnosis Based on the end user, the market for radioimmunoassay worldwide is classified into: Academic Research Institute Hospitals Contract Research Organizations Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industry Based on geography, the market for radioimmunoassay worldwide is divided into: North America Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East Europe Africa Ask For Discount Before Purchasing This Business Report : https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/request-discount/1770 Radioimmunoassay Market Regional Insights The radioimmunoassay market is broken down into regions such as North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. Because of factors like as increasing product innovation, higher infection rates, stronger healthcare infrastructure, and greater public awareness, North America currently has the largest share of the global market. Also fueling the expansion of the radioimmunoassay business is the governments encouragement of infection-free states. For instance, 16.8 million visits to doctors offices were attributed to infectious and parasitic disorders in 2015. This data comes from the 2015 National Ambulatory Medical Care survey. Over the projected period, the market is expected to grow at a particularly high rate in Asia and the Pacific because of the regions huge susceptible population and rising healthcare research efforts. According to a 2011 WHO report, for example, this area carries about 37% of the worlds perinatal conditions, 35% of the worlds nutritional deficiencies, 33% of the worlds maternal conditions, 30% of the worlds respiratory infections, and 27% of the worlds burden of infectious and parasitic diseases. Table of Contents with Major Points: Executive Summary Introduction Key Findings Recommendations Definitions and Assumptions Market Overview Definition of Radioimmunoassay Market Market Dynamics Drivers Restraints Opportunities Trends and Developments Key Insights Key Emerging Trends Key Developments Mergers and Acquisition New Product Launches and Collaboration Partnership and Joint Venture Latest Technological Advancements Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis Qualitative Insights Impact of COVID-19 on Global Radioimmunoassay Market Supply Chain Challenges Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact Potential opportunities due to COVID-19 outbreak Conclusion Appendix Data Sources Abbreviations Disclaimer TOC Continued! % @ https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/insight/buy-now/1770 Why Choose Coherent Market Insights? Identified business opportunities Our market research report can be used to analyze potential markets and new products. It can give information about customer needs, preferences, and attitudes. Also, it compare products and services. A clear understanding of your customers A market report gives companys marketing department an in-depth picture about customers needs and wants. This knowledge can be used to improve products, prices, and advertising. Clear data-driven insights Our Market research encompasses a wide range of activities, from determining market size and segment to forecasting demand, and from identifying competitors to monitoring pricing. All of these are quantified and measurable which means that gives you a clear path for building unique decisions based on numbers. Explore More Related Insights: Pregnancy testing devices market Pleural diseases market Cancer diagnostics market Cervical cancer diagnostic tests market Physician office diagnostic market Salmonella testing market Fertility test market Sleep testing services market by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, July 21, 2023 Fall is coming early to The CW as the Nexstar network premieres three of its fall comedies later this month, in the middle of summer. In a CW news conference May 18 in New York during Upfront Week, the three shows -- all imports from Canada -- were positioned as part of The CWs fall lineup. In addition, they were slated for Tuesday nights, along with a fourth one. But the summer premieres are all on Monday -- two next week (on July 24) and the third on the following Monday (July 31). All three of them are family comedies -- two of them based in Canadian suburban locales. The two premiering on Monday are Son of a Critch with two back-to-back episodes at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Eastern, and Children Ruin Everything at 9. advertisement advertisement The title of Son of a Critch is made possible by the name of the shows creator, Mark Critch, a Canadian comedian. The show is an 80s-based comedy about the creators life as a socially awkward 11-year-old Canadian schoolboy growing up in St. Johns, Newfoundland. Like other shows of its kind, the story is told mainly by the young Mark Critch character who narrates the whole thing. Young Mark is played by Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (above photo, left). The real Mark Critch plays the fictional Mark Critchs father. Veteran actor Malcolm McDowell, 80, plays the boys outspoken grandfather (above photo). Children Ruin Everything is a family sitcom about harried parents, a theme common to many TV comedies over the years. In this one, a Canadian couple copes with raising their two small children while remembering how easy and enjoyable their lives were before the kids came along. A week later, its back to the burbs with Run the Burbs, about families living as neighbors in a Canadian cul-de-sac. The Pham family is the focus of Run the Burbs. In the press material for the show, the Phams are described as instigators and gossips. Often the instigators of community events and always the first to know whats going on in the neighborhood, the Phams have become the heart of their cul-de-sac, The CW says. Together, nothing can beat phamily [sic]. All three shows premiered in Canada in January 2022. CW evidently feels that these Canadian family sitcoms will resonate with Americans who also live the suburban family life. After all, were all North Americans, right? by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, July 20, 2023 More than 100 companies that collect health data face were warned by government officials about the privacy risks of tracking consumers' online activity. In letters dated Thursday, officials with the Federal Trade Commission and Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights wrote that tracking technologies like the Meta Pixel and Google Analytics gather identifiable information about users as they interact with a website or mobile app, often in ways which are not avoidable by and largely unknown to users. The agencies added that sharing people's sensitive health data could lead to identity theft, financial loss, discrimination, stigma, mental anguish, or other serious negative consequences. To the extent you are using the tracking technologies described in this letter on your website or app, we strongly encourage you to review the laws cited in this letter and take actions to protect the privacy and security of individuals health information, the agencies stated. advertisement advertisement The letters were sent to 130 companies, including not only hospitals and health providers covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (which aims to protect patients' privacy), but also some developers of health related apps. The letters specifically warned companies they have an obligation to protect against impermissible disclosures of personal health information, regardless of whether they're subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This is true even if you relied upon a third party to develop your website or mobile app and even if you do not use the information obtained through use of a tracking technology for any marketing purposes, the agencies wrote. They added that disclosing health information can violate the FTC Act, which prohibits companies from engaging in deceptive or unfair practices. Earlier this year, the FTC brought enforcement actions against two companies -- drug discounter GoodRx and therapy app BetterHelp -- for allegedly sharing consumer data with third-party ad platforms. Meta and Google are both facing class-action complaints stemming from the FTC's allegations against GoodRx. Both companies have asked U.S. District Court Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin in San Francisco to dismiss the case, arguing that they're not responsible for other companies' use of tracking technology. Meta said it doesn't want to receive sensitive health information from publishers, and has a system to filter out sensitive health data. Google made a similar argument, adding that it prohibits targeted advertising based on health conditions. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, July 21, 2023 The Biden administration reached a deal with big tech companies Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Meta, and OpenAI to put more safeguards around artificial intelligence (AI), including the development of a watermarking system to help users identify AI-generated content. The effort aims to curb misinformation and other risks that stem from the technology. Seven U.S. companies, which also includes AI startups Anthropic, and Inflection, have voluntary committed to work to ensure their AI products are safe before releasing them. Some of the commitments call for third-party oversight of the workings of commercial AI systems. Thought it's not yet known the names of details around the audit system that will hold companies accountable. advertisement advertisement The increase in commercial investment in generative AI (GAI) tools from Google Bard, Microsoft Bing Search, as well as newly announced platforms from Newswire and others that can write convincingly human-like text and create new images and other media out of descriptive words and photographs has brought on concerns about the spread of disinformation and falsehoods. The companies have also committed to methods for reporting vulnerabilities to their systems and to use digital watermarking to help distinguish between real and deepfakes, which are AI-generated images. The companies also agreed to publicly report flaws and risks in their respective technology, including effects on fairness and bias. The White House said that the commitment announced today is part of a broader commitment by the Biden-Harris Administration to ensure AI is developed safely and responsibly, and to protect Americans from harm and discrimination. A Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights also was developed to safeguard Americans rights and safety, and U.S. government agencies have increased efforts to protect Americans from the risks The news comes days after Microsoft and Meta announced an extended alliance to expanded an artificial intelligence (AI) partnership with the release of the new large language model (LLM), Llama 2, free for research and commercial use. The U.N. Security Council earlier this week held its first formal meeting to discuss potential economic and security impact from using AI. China wants to embrace AI, but also dominate in the technology. The state media outlet Xinhua on in May issued a statement summarizing the Politburos quarterly meeting on Chinas social and economic development, the Politburo headed by President Xi Jinping. It concluded that China must pay attention to the development of [artificial general intelligence], create an ecosystem for innovation but at the same time take risk prevention into account. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, July 21, 2023 Microsofts development of its own version of Googles Performance Max platform, as well as rebranding the PromoteIQ retail media platform and Xandr ad tech into a suite of applications under the Microsoft Advertising banner, has prompted the analyst firm New Street Research to update its Microsoft ad model. New Street Research estimates Microsoft Search will outgrow Google search revenue during the next three years, but only gain an incremental 60 basis points of market share by 2025. Basis points remove some of the ambiguity when talking about percentage moves or revenue or stock. Estimates by the research firm were partially based on a redacted internal Microsoft report released as part of the Federal Trade Communications (FTC) investigation into Microsofts Activision Blizzard acquisition. Based on the data, New Street Research estimates Bing search growing at more than 16%, Other ad revenue growing at more than 11%, LinkedIn Marketing Solutions at more than 8%, and Other S&N ad revenue at a compounded annual growth rate at more than 8% between 2022 and 2025 CAGRs. advertisement advertisement New Street Research estimates Bing reaching $10 billion in revenue, 40% of total Microsoft Advertising, by 2025. Microsoft Performance Max opened for beta, the company announced during a presentation this week. Key features rolled into Microsoft Performance Max include Responsive Search Ads, Product Ads, Automated Bidding, Audience Signals, Predictive Targeting, Dynamic Search Ads, and many more. Microsoft recently rebranded PromoteIQ to Microsoft Retail Media and Xandrs suite of ad tech offerings to Microsoft Monetize, Microsoft Invest and Microsoft Curate, analyst wrote in the report. The changes are part of MSFTs larger effort to unify its search, display, native, retail media, video and Connected TV advertising offerings. Microsoft Store Ads also expanded internationally, along with Premium Search Ads in the Microsoft Store and Bing search results, the company said. Premium Search Ads will become available beyond the Store on Bing search engine results pages, which provides advertisers significantly more reach with their app ads. The research report also noted how the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into responsive search ads (RSA), asset creation, and Audience Ads predictive targeting will support the New Street Researchs model by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, July 21, 2023 I've been fascinated by dark pockets of the media universe -- especially the kind operated by nefarious, undisclosed sources -- for some time, because while they may not hit the radar screens of mainstream media, they can have a profound below-the-line influence. We saw that with activities of Russia's Internet Research Agency in the lead-up to 2016, and more recently, with countless AI-generated "news" sites. But there is a much broader array of media operatives utilizing sub-groups and communities on platforms from Reddit to 4Chan to 8kun to who-knows-what's-next? Apparently, the what's next is a new ad network called Publir that has been using dark money to prop up "TheDonald," a rogue extremists' forum that purportedly helped organize the January 6 insurrection, which was kicked off of Reddit. The forum -- which now operates via a patriots.win website -- is being funded through the Publir ad network, according to a report by independent media watchdog Check My Ads, which makes the case that RealClearPolitics.com is behind it. advertisement advertisement According to the report, Publir has been "receiving a steady supply of ads from major exchanges, including Google" vis a vis "a series of mislabeled advertising accounts," which are being funneled to TheDonald. And it certainly hasnt stopped it from funneling ad revenues to The_Donald. Read the report and judge for yourself. Meanwhile, I wonder how many other similar dark pockets of media -- many tapping into and exploiting funding vis a vis the programmatic ad market -- actually exist? by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, July 21, 2023 Sapporo, Japans oldest beer and top selling Asian beer in the U.S., has unveiled a new ad campaign today encouraging fans to Shine Through. The new brand messaging, which will be featured across paid social media, web, trade, connected TV and more, moves to position the brew as more than a sushi beer, according to the brewer. advertisement advertisement The brand worked with the marketing agency Red Door Interactive on the campaign, which is part of an aggressive expansion plan for the beer brand in the U.S. As part of that effort Sapporo acquired craft brewery Stone Brewing in 2022 and beginning later this year all Sapporo beer for the U.S. market will be brewed at Stone Brewing facilities in Escondido, California and Richmond, Virginia. Sapporo fans already know that its great taste goes hand in hand with a great sushi experience, said Reid Carr, CEO and executive creative director of Red Door. The campaign uses imagery of moments and people highlighted by Sapporos widely recognized neon star. The star, recognized in bars and restaurants, paired with black-and-white photography inspired by Sapporos signature silver and black can, is brought to a variety of new environments, encouraging consumers to choose a reliably good beer that stands out, in fact it makes you stand out, says Carr. Great things happen when cultures come together and the adventurous spirit and Japanese artistry behind the Sapporo brand is a testament to that, said Erin Smith, senior vice president of marketing at Stone Brewing and Sapporo USA. "This campaign is an invitation for consumers to celebrate their uniqueness and elevate any experience with a beer thats eye-catching, distinctive, and timeless." New York is to pay $13.7m in settlements to people beaten by officers during protests against the murder of George Floyd and other victims of police violence. It's one of the largest in history, reports CBS News. The brutality during 2020's protests was indiscriminate, inflicted on more than 1000 people from participants in rallies to passers-by, and often resulted in serious injuries such as broken bones. The plaintiffs joined attorneys for a press conference in Foley Square on Thursday. "Today's settlement is historic, and I'm very proud that it will bring some sense of justice to nearly 1,400 people who took to the streets and put their bodies on the line against police brutality," attorney Wylie Stecklow said. "It's saying to the city, 'We made a mistake.' They might not say it on paper, but they made a mistake, because they wouldn't be paying this money for it if they didn't," Ross said. Plaintiffs and attorneys in the case say the settlement is just the beginning. They believe the NYPD is in need of deep operational and cultural reform. China's northernmost province of Heilongjiang saw its foreign trade in goods grow 16.6 percent year on year to 142.46 billion yuan in the first half of 2023, according to local customs, Azernews reports, citing Xinhua. During this period, Heilongjiang's imports rose 10.4 percent year on year to 109.59 billion yuan, while its exports grew 43.7 percent to 32.87 billion yuan, data from Harbin Customs showed. The province's trade with countries along the Belt and Road reached 112.62 billion yuan, up 16.8 percent year on year, accounting for 79.1 percent of the province's total foreign trade volume. Its trade with members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership rose 18.2 percent to 13.32 billion yuan. Its exports of mechanical and electrical products and labor-intensive products maintained strong growth during this period. The province also saw an increase in imports of agricultural products, metal ore and ore sand. Gabriel Infante, 24, was falsely accused on having taken drugs when he was, in fact, dying of heat exposure. His family is suing Infante's employer, B Comm Constructors, over the 2022 death digging trenches for fiber-optic cable. According to the lawsuit, Infante began exhibiting heatstroke symptoms including confusion, altered mental state, dizziness and loss of consciousness. His friend and co-worker Joshua Espinoza began pouring cold water over him, trying to cool him down. A foreman insisted Espinoza call the police, claiming Infante's bizarre behavior was due to drugs, and the foreman pushed for a drug test when emergency medical services arrived. On the day of the incident, temperatures in San Antonio reached in excess of 100F (37.7C) with humidity levels reaching as high as 75%, noted the lawsuit. Infante later died in a hospital from severe heatstroke and had a recorded internal temperature of 109.8F (43.2C) The company wasn't forthcoming even then, according to the lawsuit: "I have never, ever gotten a phone call from the owner of the company to offer his condolences for my son's death," says Infante's mother. I think there's a wee gap in the discussion around this. I don't think the guy in charge accused Infante of being on drugs to explain the heatstroke symptoms. I figure he accused him of being on drugs because even residual weed or alcohol might help the company and its insurers avoid liability. That's why they insisted on him getting tested when he was being loaded onto an ambulance. They would have been told at that point by EMTs what was going on, even if they didn't know. Their interest was in not paying out. You might say "burn it all down," but climate change is already on it and it ain't helping. More heatstroke deaths in Texas are on the cards,too, and it's not just the baking-hot weather there this summer. The governor, Greg Abbott, recently signed a law that forbids local government from enacting heat protection standards for construction workers and lifting whatever standards had already been imposed. A federal judge in West Virginia ruled this week that the state cannot force an atheist incarcerated there to attend religious programming to be eligible for parole. Andrew Miller was given a 1-to-10 year indeterminate sentence for breaking and entering and would could get out early only if he signed up for worship posed as a recovery program. The course featured Christian reading materials, recitals of the Serenity and Lord's Prayer, and required further participation in other religion-"infused" meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. A book the course is based on states that atheists and agnostics are "doomed to alcoholic death" unless they "seek Him." In a sweeping 60-page decision issued Tuesday, Charleston-based U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Goodwin said Saint Marys Correctional Center inmate Andrew Miller "easily meets his threshold burden of showing an impingement on his rights." The state's "unmitigated actions force Mr. Miller to choose between two distinct but equally irreparable injuries," the judge wrote. He can either "submit to government coercion and engage in religious exercise at odds with his own beliefs," or "remain incarcerated until at least April 2025." Consider how far the rug had already been pulled, with all the compulsory Christianity in prison until someone made a fuss. Department of the Air Force officials are restoring bonuses but are not fully lifting a pause on duty assignment moves after an Alabama lawmaker blocked and then restored the service's ability to cover budget shortfalls this week. Last week, the Air Force said that, because of higher-than-expected personnel costs and the delay in congressional approval to reprogram funds, it was pausing some duty assignments and reenlistment and retention bonuses. But on Friday, officials announced it "will restore funding to most military personnel programs that were suspended or closed last week," according to a press release. The Air Force will restore the Selective Retention Bonuses and the Aviation Bonus program next week, as well as Assignment Incentive Pay and Foreign Language Proficiency Pay agreements that were paused. Read Next: 'We Owe Them an Identity and Culture': Space Force's STARCOM Gets New Commander The Department of the Air Force will also resume those paused permanent change-of-station orders for moves in fiscal 2023 "with the target of airmen having orders in hand at least 30 days before departure date," the service said. But not all moves are being resumed. Deployed airmen with a DEROS -- or date expected to return from overseas -- between October and December 2023 will remain paused, according to the service. Those return dates remain extended to January through March 2024. "Airmen can request an exception to policy from their wing commander, for Air Force Personnel Center commander consideration if needed," the service's press release said. Airmen with questions about their PCS orders are advised to call the Total Force Service Center at 210-565-0102, or toll-free at 800-525-0102. "While most of the benefits have been reinstated, the Air Force will continue to communicate with airmen whose PCS orders have not been completed, specifically those with PCS moves in FY24," the service added. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, R-Ala., told Military.com last week he was holding up military reprogramming requests because the Air Force had not yet announced where it will base U.S. Space Command. A committee spokesperson told Military.com on Wednesday that the lawmaker reversed course and allowed personnel funding to go through. Rogers and other members of Alabama's congressional delegation from both parties are increasingly upset and becoming more vocal about the Air Force's delayed deliberations in choosing between Alabama and Colorado as the permanent home for Space Command. Whichever state wins the headquarters will also win 1,400 jobs, an economic boon of millions of dollars. Notably, Rogers has also launched his own investigation into the basing process. In May, he requested the Air Force hand over documents to the committee related to the Space Command decision. In a second letter sent Wednesday, Rogers demanded the documents be produced by Friday and that Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and Space Command chief Gen. James Dickinson sit for transcribed interviews with the committee by Aug. 18. -- Rebecca Kheel contributed to this report. -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. Related: Alabama Lawmaker Blocks Pentagon Budget Moves to Force Decision on Space Command Basing Four days after a U.S. soldier was taken into North Korean custody, mystery still swirls over why he decided to flee across the border into the intensely isolated, authoritarian country. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said she fears for Pvt. Travis King's safety, as the fates of other American prisoners in North Korea have been grim, including Virginia college student Otto Warmbier, who was imprisoned and eventually released by the North in 2017 in a vegetative state. He died days after returning to the U.S. "What we want to do is get that soldier back into our custody. I worry about him, frankly," Wormuth said Thursday during the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. "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." Read Next: Army National Guard Halts Payments for Soldier Student Loans After Funding Snafu North Korea has detained at least 20 Americans in the past 30 years. Many described being tortured during captivity. In 2016, Warmbier was a college student on a guided tour in North Korea. He was imprisoned over allegations he attempted to steal a propaganda poster from his hotel and was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor. While in custody, he fell into a coma and never recovered. King, a cavalry scout with the 1st Armored Division, was on a nine-month rotation to South Korea, where he apparently had legal troubles. In October, he got into an altercation with locals and damaged a police car; he was detained and spent 47 days in a South Korean prison. When he was released, he was set to be sent back to his home base of Fort Bliss, Texas. There, he was expected to face additional disciplinary actions through the Army. King was escorted to a South Korean airport up until customs. But instead of boarding the plane, he left and joined a civilian tour of the heavily fortified Demilitarized Zone between South Korea and North Korea. King sprinted across the border and was immediately detained by North Korean authorities. "He may not have been thinking clearly, frankly, but we just don't know," Wormuth said, adding that virtually nothing is known about King's status. The Biden administration has tried to reach the North Korean government about King but received no contact. It's unclear whether King could be used by the North Korean government as a bargaining chip or propaganda. King would not have any useful knowledge on U.S. military operations, given his junior status in the service. -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: Propaganda Tool? Bargaining Chip? What North Korea May Have in Mind for Travis King Five Marines who took off on training flight on June 8, 2022, died when their Osprey suffered a catastrophic clutch issue, the Marine Corps revealed in an investigation report Friday. Despite the findings -- and earlier concerns over the possibility of a deadly crash caused by the clutch -- the military continues to fly the V-22 with no firm understanding of the cause or any definitive mechanical fix for the problem in sight. The five Marines are the first known casualties of a persistent mechanical issue -- a hard clutch engagement, referred to as HCE -- that shredded the components responsible for powering the aircraft's propellers. The issue has plagued the Osprey platform for years, but it was not acknowledged publicly until a month after their aircraft crashed in southern California. Read Next: 'We Owe Them an Identity and Culture': Space Force's STARCOM Gets New Commander Amber Sax, the wife of John Sax, one of the pilots who died on that Osprey, told Military.com on Friday after the new revelation from the Marine Corps that a tragedy like her husband's death is not something she wants others to experience. "The aviation community is our family. John loved being a Marine; John loved flying the Osprey," she said. "This is a difficult day for so many. We just want to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else." The report and accompanying letters from Marine Corps leaders lay bare the scope of the problem. Despite a history of at least 15 such incidents between March 2010 and August 2022, "the root cause of HCE remains unknown," Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering wrote in a March letter accepting the investigation results. Gering wrote that the fix the Pentagon touted in February -- replacing a part of the drivetrain called an input quill assembly -- serves only to reduce the chance of this costly, and now deadly, issue from happening again. "Once the root cause of HCE is understood, then and only then, can improvements to flight control system software, drivetrain component material strength, and robust inspection requirements be developed where applicable," Gering wrote. Despite no clear understanding of what causes the problem, the office that runs the Osprey program for the Pentagon claimed in a statement released Friday that, "through a combination of efforts, including the recent input quill assembly replacement bulletin in February 2023, the risk of a HCE event occurring was reduced by greater than 99%." The office's statement added that the results of this investigation "have further driven efforts to mitigate the HCE phenomenon, identify root cause and prevent it from occurring." 'Nothing Seemed Strange About That' The massive, 400-page report released by the Marine Corps on Friday reveals that the Marines of Swift 11 -- the call sign of the doomed Osprey -- had little indication that anything was wrong in the moments leading up to their crash. The Osprey left Camp Pendleton that morning with a wingman headed for an aerial gun range near the California and Arizona border. The training flight was going normally until 12:12 p.m., when the Osprey told its wingman that its gearboxes were getting too hot. However, one of the enlisted crew in the accompanying Osprey later told investigators "that's pretty normal" for the maneuvers they were doing because of the heat in the summer of southern California. "Nothing seemed strange about that," he added. The procedure was for the Osprey to climb to a higher altitude to help cool the oil in the gearboxes. Investigators say Swift 11 began its climb at 12:14 p.m. Seconds later, it would slam into the ground from a height of around 500 feet. The crash was so sudden that the crew of the accompanying Osprey -- Swift 12 -- didn't realize what happened at first. Investigators said that the doomed Osprey made no radio calls and no one witnessed the crash. When Marines in the wingman Osprey spotted the smoke from the crash, the same enlisted crew member told investigators he thought it was an oil or tire fire. "I did not think for a second that it was our wingman," he said in written testimony. After they weren't able to raise Swift 11 on the radio, they flew in for a closer look, and reality dawned on them. Despite the thick, black smoke, one of the pilots on Swift 12 told investigators that "you could tell it was an Osprey." Investigators determined that Swift 11 crashed so violently that its fuel cells ruptured and caught fire. The ensuing fire was so fierce that it destroyed the Osprey's black box. When the crew from a nearby Navy helicopter landed nearby and tried to put out the flames, they found that their fire extinguishers did nothing. The remains of all five Marines -- Capt. Nicholas Losapio, Capt. John Sax, Cpl. Nathan Carlson, Cpl. Seth Rasmuson, and Lance Cpl. Evan Strickland -- were found at their stations, the report said. The oldest Marine, Sax, was 33. The youngest, Strickland, was only 19. Two months later, on Aug. 18, the Marine Corps, responding to the Air Force's grounding of its own Osprey fleet over HCE concerns, would tell reporters that its pilots could handle the issue. "Hard clutch issue has been known to the Marine Corps since 2010, and as such, we have trained our pilots to react with the appropriate emergency control measures should the issue arise during flight," Maj. Jim Stenger, a spokesman for the Marines, said at the time. According to the documents included in the report on the crash, the crew of Swift 11 were some of the best the Corps had to offer. The squadron that the Osprey belonged to -- Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 364, known as the Purple Foxes -- had recently been named the Marine medium tiltrotor squadron of the year. The citation specifically noted the squadron surpassed 10,000 mishap-free hours and "managed risk across a wide spectrum of desert and littoral combat operations." Furthermore, the lead pilot of Swift 11, Losapio, was widely regarded as an excellent aviator. His commanding officer told investigators that he was a "phenomenal" officer and pilot who was "leaps and bounds ahead of his peers in terms of capability and stick control." Friday, however, the office that manages the Osprey program for all the services called the incident "unpreventable and unanticipated." 'A Christmas Tree of Lights' While the Air Force was more cautious and grounded its aircraft in August as the Marines continued to take to the skies, the pause was short-lived. That same month of August would see one of the Air Force's CV-22 Ospreys get stuck on a remote nature reserve in Norway after the crew experienced a hard clutch engagement, forcing an emergency landing. There were no fatalities, but retrieving the aircraft began an intense ordeal involving international cooperation. By September, just two weeks after grounding its Ospreys, the Air Force announced it had cleared them to fly once more, saying that, despite not having a mechanical fix for the issue, "the focus is on mitigating operations in flight regimes where HCEs are more prevalent and ensuring our aircrews are trained as best as possible to handle HCEs when they do occur," a spokesperson said at the time. Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, then the head of Air Force Special Operations Command, told reporters at the Air Force Association's Air, Space & Cyber Conference in September that he was frustrated by the lack of a mechanical fix to the problem and said he was grateful there hadn't been any deadly incidents with his command. "In AFSOC, we haven't had a catastrophic mishap," Slife said at the conference. "Each one of them results in a kind of a Christmas tree of lights, caution lights in the cockpit. ... I'm really, really proud of our crews and the way they've been able to safely land these airplanes, but I'd rather they not have to demonstrate their superior skill because we put superior controls in place to prevent them from having to do that." That same month, Military.com exclusively reported the details of a 2017 Air Force Osprey mid-flight incident in Arizona that was caused by a clutch issue similar to the one that downed Swift 11. That incident caused more than $5 million in damage to the aircraft, according to the Air Force report. Both engines and five gearboxes needed to be replaced, as well as nearly a dozen other components. It took a team of six, working 12-hour days, 45 days to repair the aircraft, according to the report. It wasn't until February that the issue resurfaced again when the military announced that the services that fly the aircraft had grounded an unknown number of Ospreys. Officials wouldn't disclose the exact number, citing "operational security concerns." A defense official, who spoke with reporters on the condition of anonymity at that time, pointed to the input quill assembly, saying it wears out more quickly than previously thought and would need to be replaced. Lt. Col. Rebecca Heyse, an Air Force Special Operations Command spokeswoman, told Military.com on Friday that the service has been flying the Osprey since the February grounding. The command did not comment on the revelation that a hard clutch engagement led to the deaths of the five Marines. The released Marine Corps investigation did manage to fill in one detail of the current approach to flying the Osprey that the military wouldn't discuss in February: how many hours it takes to wear out that assembly. Both the report and Gering's letter mention that an analysis determined that the input quills should be replaced after 800 flight hours. Both of Swift 11's quills had more than 2,000 hours of flight time. It's not clear what portion of the Marine or Air Force fleet is above the 800-hour threshold. Meanwhile, when fiscal 2024 budget documents came out for all the services earlier this year, something became clear: The military was done buying the flawed aircraft. The Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force all say that they don't need any new aircraft and that the end of the buy is simply the end of the contract for the services. But Liz Mildenstein, a spokeswoman for the office that oversees the program, told Military.com in March that they were dedicated to the aircraft "for decades to come." Japan is the only other country that currently flies the Osprey, and other countries such as Israel and Indonesia have reportedly been interested over the last decade. Jeremiah Gertler, a senior associate with the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington, D.C., who specializes in aviation, told Military.com in an interview Friday that, while the U.S. military is done buying it, that doesn't mean they're done flying it in the future, if there's a fix. But other countries who are weighing additional or new buys have and will be paying attention to the V-22 track record. "Those countries are the ones who are going to have to make the judgment about suitability for their use," Gertler said. "Everybody knows the V-22's record, for both good and ill. The countries that are considering buying are keeping their eyes open." The Families Grieve Meanwhile, many of the families of the five Marines have grieved publicly, and the Marine Corps said that it would "never forget" them "as we continue with our quest to provide the safest, most lethal platforms to the men and women who fly them." Amber Sax, who was pregnant with her second child at the time of the mishap, has started a foundation in her late husband's name to provide scholarships to "bolster the aspirations of current and future aviators." Avery Rasmuson has made many posts on Instagram talking about her late husband and posted photos of the various memorials the Purple Foxes have put together for the crew of Swift 11. The family of Evan Strickland has started a podcast talking about his life and service. Kelsie Hancock was set to marry Losapio just shy of two months after the crash. She has since spoken on social media about what it was like to learn about his death and how she has tried to move forward with her life. "Two Marines and a chaplain were at my door," Hancock recalled in a YouTube interview. "I remember getting the knock and I knew. I knew what it was. And that whole walk down the hallway I was like, 'Please God, please let it not be this.'" -- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin. -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. Related: Military Grounds Some Ospreys While a 'Complete Redesign' Is Underway on Troubled Clutch System A Collin County, Texas, man was found guilty Wednesday of assaulting a police officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach in Washington, D.C. Matthew DaSilva, a 51-year-old Navy veteran from Lavon, was convicted of two felonies and four misdemeanors. He was found guilty of civil disorder; assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings, according to the U.S. attorneys office in D.C. DaSilva was found not guilty of disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election, the U.S. attorneys office said in a written statement. Prosecutors said DaSilva made his way to the Capitols west plaza about 2:30 p.m. that day while holding a flagpole and waving a large blue flag. Less than two hours later, security footage showed him at the back of a crowd of rioters engaging in a group heave-ho maneuver in an attempt to dislodge law enforcement from their position defending an entrance to the building, the U.S. attorneys office said. The video shows DaSilva approached a group of officers in the tunnel minutes later and push against an officers outstretched riot shield before grabbing it and pulling it away. Court documents say DaSilva also swatted the officers arm away as the officer try to deploy pepper spray. DaSilva is scheduled to be sentenced in October. It was not immediately clear how much time in prison he faces. In the 30 months since the riot, more than 1,000 people have been arrested in almost every state in relation to crimes committed during the breach of the Capitol, including more than 350 who have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. About two dozen North Texans were among those charged. ------- 2023 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado -- For the first time since its inception in 2021, STARCOM -- the command that's responsible for training policy and doctrine for the entire Space Force -- will be led by a Guardian. Brig. Gen. Timothy Sejba took over the Space Training and Readiness Command from Maj. Gen. Shawn Bratton, an Air Force officer and the first commander of STARCOM, during a ceremony Thursday afternoon at Peterson Space Force Base. In his new role, Sejba is tasked with preparing 8,600 Guardians for the rigors of space warfare through training and policy. But he said he also owes them a military culture, an important task for a service still working to gain its identity in the eyes of the American public. Read Next: Alabama Chairman Releases Hold on Air Force Personnel Funds, But Space Command Standoff Continues "In addition to the skills and expertise we owe Guardians, we owe them an identity and culture," Sejba said during his change-of-command ceremony. "We must foster the Guardian spirit in our institutional training and role-model it during our day-to-day interactions through our character, our connection and courage." Bratton became the first commander of STARCOM in February 2021, coming mostly from an Air National Guard background. In his role, he oversaw the creation of STARCOM and the development of numerous initiatives, ranging from creating the Space Force's first war college at Johns Hopkins University to originating separate Guardian-focused basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio in Texas. "My role now is to continue all that good work," Sejba said. "And then certainly we'll have some of our own challenges or opportunities, and those are the things that we're going to focus on." Sejba's previous role was at Los Angeles Air Force Base, where he was the program executive officer for Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power, according to his service biography. In July, he was nominated for promotion to major general. Sejba is taking over the command at a pivotal time. Since 2021, STARCOM has been temporarily headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado. In May, the Department of the Air Force selected Florida's Patrick Space Force Base as the preferred permanent location for STARCOM headquarters. The decision is pending an environmental impact analysis, which is "expected to be completed later this year before final decisions are made," according to an Air Force press release. Sejba said he plans to develop upon Bratton's work, but also told Military.com that more changes and developments to the Space Force's basic military training program aren't out of the question -- such as possibly moving boot camp to an independent basing location. "I certainly want to build upon that," Sejba said when asked about future BMT plans. "Whether that requires a separate facility somewhere down the road, a different location, I really, at this point, don't have a good understanding or an idea of that." But one of Sejba's biggest challenges, and one that doesn't have an immediate solution, will continue to be building the service's culture. In the three years since the Space Force became a separate and distinct service branch under the Department of the Air Force, officials have worked tirelessly to build public recognition. This past September, the Space Force unveiled its first official service song. The tune was met with mixed reviews. Thursday's change of command ceremony concluded with Guardians in attendance singing the song, but most appeared not to know the lyrics or mumbled through them. Gen. Chance Saltzman, who serves as the head of the service as the chief of space operations, pointed out in a memo this past May that the Space Force needs a clearer and easier to understand mission statement and said he understood why many in uniform can't remember it. "How many Guardians can recite the current mission statement of the Space Force? My guess is very few," Saltzman wrote. "My biggest concern is that the mission statement does not reflect why the nation has a Space Force and the vital functions Guardians perform." Bratton, who will be transferring from the Air Force to the Space Force, has been nominated for promotion to lieutenant general for his next assignment as deputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans, programs and requirements at Space Force headquarters in Washington, D.C. In his outgoing speech from STARCOM on Thursday, Bratton said it will take time to cement the identity and culture of the Space Force but believes the command he led has been instrumental in getting the ball rolling. "We realize that we can't dictate a culture, but we can create the conditions required to grow the Space Force culture we need," Bratton said in his remarks. "As Guardian culture and identity grows over the decades, we should be able to trace them back here to the start of our team that created the circumstances for the Space Force's culture to take hold." -- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly. Related: Space Force's STARCOM HQ Preferred Location Is Florida Base, Service Says State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code NEW ORLEANS (AP) The first auction of offshore leases for wind power development in the Gulf of Mexico will take place Aug. 29 for tracts off the Louisiana and Texas coasts, the Biden administration announced Thursday. The Department of the Interior said the lease sale will involve more than 300,000 acres (120,000 hectares). That includes a 102,480-acre (41,470-hectare) area off the southwest Louisiana coast, and areas covering 102,480 acres (41,470 hectares) and 96,786 acres (39,160 hectares) off Galveston, Texas. Plans for the sale come as wind energy projects are already taking shape in the Northeast. Earlier this month, the government gave the go-ahead for New Jerseys first offshore wind farm to begin construction. That followed approval of projects now under construction in the northeast, one off Massachusetts and the other off New York and Rhode Island. We're going to the Gulf, President Joe Biden said Thursday in Philadelphia. He was there to tour the Philly Shipyard, where there was a steel-cutting ceremony for the Acadia, a vessel that will help to build offshore wind farms. The administration had said in February that it was considering an offshore lease sale in the Gulf, where industries that traditionally serve offshore oil and gas drilling are also embracing wind energy developments. The Gulf areas being auctioned next month have the potential to generate 3.7 gigawatts, enough power for nearly 1.3 million homes, the Interior news release said. The administration has set a goal of installing 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030. The Mets and Orioles swung a trade late Wednesday night, with Baltimore acquiring James McCann and cash considerations for a player to be named later. New York is reportedly covering $19MM of the $24MM still remaining on McCanns contract over the next two years. To create a spot on the 40-man roster, Baltimore designated infielder Tyler Nevin for assignment. It looked like only a matter of time before McCann changed teams. New York agreed to terms with Omar Narvaez on a two-year contract last Thursday. As soon as news of that agreement broke, it became clear the Mets were going to deal one of their incumbent backstops, with McCann the likeliest candidate. Neither McCann nor Tomas Nido could be sent to the minor leagues, and carrying three catchers on the 26-man roster wouldve been challenging. Thats before considering top prospect Francisco Alvarez, who figures to get an extended MLB look at some point soon after debuting late in the 2022 season. McCann will secure his roster spot in Baltimore. The Os entered the day with just one catcher on their 40-man roster, making it an inevitability theyd bring in some help from outside the organization. Of course, that backstop is AL Rookie of the Year runner-up Adley Rutschman. McCann will have to move into a backup role with the Os. The past couple seasons have been rough for McCann, who first joined the Mets over the 2020-21 offseason. New York placed a sizable bet on the veteran backstops previous couple seasons with the White Sox. The University of Arkansas product had hit .276/.334/.474 through 587 plate appearances for Chicago between 2019-20. That handily dwarfed the .240/.288/.366 mark hed posted over the preceding four-plus seasons with the Tigers, and the Mets clearly felt hed turned a corner offensively. They inked him to a four-year, $40.6MM free agent contract that beat most expectations. New York gave McCann extended run in his first season, starting him at catcher for 97 of their 162 games in 2021. His production more closely resembled that of his Detroit days, however. He hit .232/.294/.349 over 412 plate appearances, connecting on just 10 home runs after hitting 18 longballs in his only full season with the White Sox. Nevertheless, McCann was back in the Opening Day lineup for the second season of the deal as the Mets hoped for a bounceback campaign. That wasnt to be, as he struggled with both underperformance and injury this year. The veteran fractured the hamate bone in his left hand/wrist in mid-May. He required surgery and lost six weeks to rehab. A few weeks after his return, he suffered a strain in his left oblique and went back on the injured list for a little less than a month. In between the health setbacks, he managed just a .195/.257/.282 line in 61 games. By the time the postseason rolled around, Nido was starting behind the dish. McCann was relegated to a depth role, while Alvarez was with the big league club in a catcher/DH hybrid capacity. The past two seasons certainly arent what the Mets had envisioned when they signed McCann. As a result, theyre left to pay down a notable chunk of the remaining money on his contract. His deal was backloaded, with a $600K signing bonus followed by successive $8MM salaries in the first two seasons. Hes due $12MM in each of the next two years, the bulk of which will remain on the Mets ledger. While New York only sheds $5MM in actual salary, the savings from the trade are a bit more than that for owner Steve Cohen and his front office. New York is going to shatter all four thresholds of the competitive balance tax, meaning theyre paying a 90% tax for every additional dollar they spend next season. Tim Healey of Newsday tweets that New Yorks CBT hit on McCann will recalculate to encompass the two years and $19MM theyre still paying a $9.5MM average annual value. His contract had previously counted for $10.6MM against the teams tax ledger (reflecting the AAV of his four-year deal), so theyll shave roughly $1.1MM off their CBT number. That translates to $990K in tax savings this year. If they surpass all four CBT thresholds again next year, theyd be taxed at 110% on every dollar spent beyond the fourth threshold. Shaving $1.1MM off their CBT mark would pick up around $1.21MM in tax savings that season. Paying down the deal makes it a reasonable proposition for the Orioles. A $5MM commitment spread over two years is minimal for a veteran catcher. Players like Mike Zunino and Austin Hedges have signed one-year deals in the $5-6MM range recently as free agents. Those players will take on a larger role in their new destinations than McCann will with the Orioles, but hed have fit in that group were he available on the open market. The Os are nowhere near the luxury tax threshold, so the money New York saves in that regard is of little consequence to the Os. Theres no question its Rutschmans job, but McCann offers a respected and experienced voice behind him on the depth chart. After a few seasons of subpar pitch framing numbers, he has rated as a slightly above-average framer in two of the past three years. McCann doesnt have a great arm, but hell bring competent receiving when called upon in Rutschmans stead. A situational role could allow manager Brandon Hyde to work him in against left-handed pitching, against which he has a career .258/.325/.458 mark. Theyll presumably look to shield him from righties, who have limited him to a meager .237/.284/.351 line. Its a minimal financial hit for Baltimore, and the acquisition cost will be minor. Its not likely the player to be named later will be a prospect of much renown, with the Mets not negotiating from a position of strength. For the most part, the swap is about the Mets clearing the roster spot and some money. Baltimore will plug the #2 catcher spot theyd been seeking to address. Doing so means they risk losing Nevin, who was bumped from the 40-man roster. The son of Angels skipper Phil Nevin, Tyler briefly debuted in the majors in 2021, but the bulk of his MLB experience came this past season. He hit just .197/.299/.261 with a pair of home runs across his first 184 trips to the plate. Nevin appeared at all four corner positions but rated poorly in the eyes of public metrics for his work at third base. Prospect evaluators have long considered Nevin more of a bat-first player, so his defensive struggles at the hot corner arent too surprising. Baltimore has stockpiled plenty of upper level talent in the infield that had surpassed or was likely to soon leapfrog Nevin on the depth chart. Theyll now have a week to trade him or place him on waivers. While Nevin doesnt have much MLB experience, hes only 25 and has a more respectable Triple-A track record. The righty is a .246/.328/.417 hitter through 644 plate appearances at the top minor league level. Nathan Ruiz of the Baltimore Sun tweets the Os were granted a fourth minor league option year, meaning any team that acquired Nevin could bounce him between the majors and Triple-A for another season. Jeff Passan of ESPN first reported the Orioles were acquiring McCann. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com first reported the Mets were receiving a player to be named later and that the Os were covering $5MM in salary. Image courtesy of USA Today Sports. The Diamondbacks are among the teams to have shown interest in White Sox starter Lucas Giolito, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com. Its a sensible match, given that Giolito is one of the top trade candidates this summer and the DBacks have a need in their rotation. The White Sox are 41-57, which places them nine games back of the division lead even in the weak American League Central. The playoff odds at FanGraphs have them down to a 1.5% chance of leapfrogging the Tigers, Guardians and Twins in order to take the crown. With just over a week to go until the August 1 deadline, it seems fair to expect them to make a few deals aimed at improving their chances in future seasons. Recent reporting has indicated the club is willing to consider deals on all players except for Luis Robert Jr., Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease and Andrew Vaughn. Giolito would be one of their most logical trade chips, given that he is an impending free agent and a potential playoff starter for an acquiring club. MLBTR recently placed him in the #1 slot on a list of top deadline trade candidates, a reflection of both his likelihood to be traded and his appeal to other clubs. The righty made 72 starts over the 2019 to 2021 seasons, posting a 3.47 earned run average in that time. That figure spiked to 4.90 last year but Giolito has brought it back down 3.96 here in 2023. Across those five seasons, hes struck out 28.5% of hitters while walking 8.2%. Hes making $10.4MM this year but only about $3.35MM will be left to be paid out at the time of the deadline. Just about any club in need of starting pitching should have at least some interest in Giolito and hes already been connected to the Dodgers, while the Reds have reportedly had discussions with the White Sox about their starters, which presumably includes Giolito. Theres plenty of logic in the Diamondbacks throwing their hat in the ring, given the state of their own rotation. The club has featured a top-heavy rotation this year, with Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly doing strong work at the front. Kelly is on the injured list right now due to a calf issue and could return next week, but even if that proves to be the case, that still leaves the DBacks with plenty of questions behind the Gallen-Kelly duo. Tommy Henry has a 3.89 ERA but its possible hes lucky to have it, as his .276 batting average on balls in play and 81.1% strand rate are both on the lucky side of average. His 5.07 FIP and 5.23 SIERA suggest some regression may be in store. Ryne Nelson has made 20 starts but with a 4.82 ERA in that time. Zach Davies has a 7.38 ERA for the year and is on the injured list for a second time. Prospect Brandon Pfaadt has been given six starts but has a 9.82 ERA in those. Despite those rotation issues, the Snakes are 54-43 and currently tied for the top Wild Card spot in the National League, in addition to sitting just two games back of the Dodgers for the division lead. Adding some pitching for the final months of the postseason race would be a logical move, something that general manager Mike Hazen admitted last month. Although Giolito will be highly in demand, the acquisition cost in terms of the trade return might not be exorbitant since hes a rental, at least compared to a similar pitcher with multiple years of control. Hazen also recently said that the club will likely be aggressive but not reckless at the deadline, in terms of which younger players they are willing to give up. Perhaps going after an impending free agent like Giolito would fit that plan. Whether the Diamondbacks are willing to be aggressive enough to land a pitcher like Giolito remains to be seen. There have already been a few clubs publicly connected to him and there are surely plenty of others who have called the White Sox. For any club that comes up short, some of the other rental starters that could be available include Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, Michael Lorenzen and many others. The Phillies have signed right-hander Shaun Anderson to a minor league deal, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com. He had been pitching for the KBOs Kia Tigers this year but was released a couple of weeks ago. Anderson, 28, has a bit of major league experience. He appeared in 63 games from 2019 to 2022, suiting up for the Giants, Twins, Orioles, Padres and Blue Jays. He registered a combined 5.84 earned run average in that time, along with a 17.1% strikeout rate, 9.9% walk rate and 41% ground ball rate. Though he broke in as a starter, he moved to more of a relief role over time. The righty was outrighted by the Blue Jays last summer and qualified for free agency at seasons end. He then signed with the Kia Tigers and headed to Korea this year, posting solid results there as he returned to a starting role. He was able to make 14 starts, tossing 79 innings with a 3.76 ERA. His strikeout and walk numbers were fairly similar to his MLB work, but he was able to get grounders at a 61.7% clip. Despite those solid results, Anderson was put on waivers when the Tigers signed Thomas Pannone. KBO teams are only allowed three roster spots for non-Korean players and the club decided to nudge Anderson out in favor of Pannone. Anderson will now make his way back to North America, presumably to join Triple-A Lehigh Valley in the near future. The Phillies rotation consists of Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suarez, Taijuan Walker and Cristopher Sanchez, but their depth recently took a hit as prospect Andrew Painter has been recommended for Tommy John surgery. Anderson will give the club another non-roster option to potentially call upon should the need arise, though they could also move him back to a relief role. If Anderson is able to make it onto Phillys roster at any point, he has one option year remaining and just under two years of major league service time, meaning he could be cheaply retained for future seasons as well. The Rockies are kicking right-hander Connor Seabold to the bullpen, reports Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. Colorado plans to recall righty Peter Lambert from Triple-A Albuquerque to start tomorrows game in Miami instead. Acquired from the Red Sox over the offseason, Seabold has started 13 of 20 outings during his first year in Colorado. His 72 2/3 innings are easily a career high and hes third on the team in starts behind Austin Gomber and the currently-injured Kyle Freeland. The Rockies have plenty of pitching uncertainty, so theyve been able to afford the 27-year-old his first extended look in a big league rotation. To date, Seabold hasnt taken advantage of the opportunity. He carries a 7.63 ERA as starter. Seabold is throwing a fair number of strikes but has gotten hit hard. Hes striking hitters out at a meager 15.1% clip and has surrendered 16 homers in 59 rotation innings (2.44 HR/9). Seabold had a solid three-start run in early June, but his results since then have been alarming. Hes allowed six-plus runs in three of his last five outings. He failed to get past the fifth inning in any of them. The Yankees tagged him for six runs on as many hits in 2 1/3 innings in a 6-3 New York victory on Saturday, spurring the role change. Lambert, a former second-round pick, started 19 games as a rookie four seasons ago. Injuries (most notably July 2020 Tommy John surgery) essentially ruined his next three campaigns. Hes worked in long relief for Colorado this season, tossing 34 1/3 frames over 16 outings. Lambert has only a 6.29 ERA of his own, though hes at least striking hitters out at a decent 23.5% clip. Colorado optioned him early in the month to stretch back out as a starter in Albuquerque. The 26-year-old has thrown 56 innings between the MLB and Triple-A levels this season. Saunders writes that the Rox are planning to keep him in the 100-120 range for the year. He should have a few chances to try to stake an early claim to a spot in a wide open Colorado rotation for 2024. Gomber and Freeland (assuming he comes back as expected from a dislocation and small tear in his non-throwing shoulder) are the only two pitchers who seem to have holds on 24 starting spots. German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela both underwent Tommy John surgeries this year. Marquez will be a free agent once Colorado buys out a $16MM option for next season; Senzatela is under contract but might not pitch at all next year. Of the other Rockies starters, only Ryan Feltner has an ERA below 6.00; hes allowing 5.86 earned runs per nine over eight outings. Sign up at DraftKings Sportsbook and place a $5 bet on UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura to get $150 in bonus bets. Top 10 heavyweights Tom Aspinall and Marcin Tybura will take center stage in the octagon this Saturday at UFC Fight Night. Click here to register for DraftKings so that you can get $150 in bonus bets. For more information on the best sites and promos to bet on the UFC, see our MMA betting guide. UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura Who: Tom Aspinall (-475) vs. Marcin Tybura (+350) What: UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura Where: O2 Arena, London, England When: Saturday, July 22 at 12:00 p.m. ET No. 5 ranked heavyweight Tom Aspinall will look to get back in the win column after suffering his first UFC defeat in his last outing exactly one year ago. Meanwhile, No. 10 ranked Marcin Tybura aims to secure his third straight victory and continue his ascension up the rankings. Thats not the only fight set to take place this Saturday though. There are over a dozen other bouts scheduled on the rest of the card, which includes 12 fighters who hail from England. UFC Fight Night: Aspinall vs. Tybura best bets Below, you will find the moneyline odds for every matchup on the main card: Tom Aspinall (-475) vs. Marcin Tybura (+350) Molly McCann (-210) vs. Julija Stoliarenko (+180) Nathaniel Wood (-205) vs. Andre Fili (+175) Paul Craig (+185) vs. Andre Muniz (-215) Jai Herbert (+135) vs. Fares Ziam (-155) Lerone Murphy (-140) vs. Josh Culibao (+120) Lets begin with the main event that features a heavy favorite coming off of a loss in Aspinall going up against a surging underdog in Tybura. We like Aspinall to win the fight, but at -475 odds, we recommend going with a prop bet instead. Best bet: Same game parlay Total Rounds Over 1.5 and Tom Aspinall Moneyline (+235 odds) The co-main event showcases home crowd favorite Molly McCann against Lithuanias Julija Stoliarenko, who has dropped three of her last four bouts. McCanns three-fight win streak came to an end in her last outing, losing to rising star Erin Blanchfield via submission. Best bet: Moneyline Finish Only Molly McCann (-200 odds) Featherweights Nathaniel Wood and Andre Fili make up the next bout on the main card. This pair have been heading in different directions recently, as Wood is a winner of two straight, while Fili has just one victory in his last four outings. Best bet: Fight To Go the Distance Yes (-200 odds) Scotlands Paul Craig is officially our upset pick on the main card. The UFC veteran is on a two-fight losing streak after an impressive 5-0-1 run from Sept. 2019 to Mar. 2022. His opponent, Andre Muniz, lost his first bout in the octagon his last time out after picking up wins in hisfirst five UFC appearances. Were not getting too cute here, just taking the moneyline. Best bet: Moneyline Paul Craig (+185) DraftKings promo info DraftKings Sportsbook (see our thorough review here) is currently offering new customers in Michigan the opportunity to make a first-time wager of just $5 in order to receive $150 in bonus bets. To claim this DraftKings welcome offer, simply create an account using information like your full name, birthdate, address, social security number, etc. Then, make your first deposit of $10 or more and place your first real-money wager of $5. Once your qualifying wager is placed, you will receive your $150 in bonus bets within 24 hours. The bonus bets will be awarded in the form of six $25 wagers. Notably, you will have seven days to use your bonus bets after they reach your account or they will expire. Sidelines Group provides PennLive with original sports betting, lottery and casino content including odds, analysis, predictions and reviews to educate bettors. Please bet responsibly. If you have a gambling problem and are located in Pennsylvania, call 1-800-GAMBLER or contact the 24-hour helpline chat at https://www.pacouncil.com/chatline. DETROIT - Its official. More than 70,000 fans packed the home of the Detroit Lions to watch Ed Sheerans stadium concert last weekend at Ford Field. It was a night which featured Eminem making an epic surprise appearance. Sheeran played in front of 70,412 people at his show on Saturday, July 15th, according to Ford Field officials. In comparison, Taylor Swift, who had, perhaps, the two most in-demand shows in Michigan concert history, had around 59,000 fans each of her two nights. Youre probably wondering how Sheeran had over 10,000 more fans than Swift. It was all about the configuration. Sheerans stage was round and set up in the middle, allowing for all seats to be sold around the stadium. Swifts stage, like at most concerts, was on one of the sides, not allowing for thousands of tickets behind it to be sold. Despite the huge number, Sheeran did not break a Ford Field concert attendance record. That belongs to Garth Brooks, who played in front of more than 74,000 fans back in February 2020. The attendance record for any event at Ford Field is Wrestlemania 23 in 2007 with 80,103. Although, some dispute that number. Sheerans concert, which was one night after a theater show at the Royal Oak Music Theatre, featured one of the most memorable concert moments in Michigan music history when Eminem made a surprise appearance. The Detroit rapper performed Lose Yourself and Stan with Sheeran and received the loudest ovation weve ever heard at a concert. MORE FROM MLIVE: Bret Michaels meets Bret Michaels at Pine Knob at his first-ever Parti-Gras MACKINAW CITY, MI One person is dead and another injured after a motorcycle hit a pickup truck at a Northern Michigan gas station. 9&10 News reports the incident occurred at the BP gas station in Mackinaw City at 1:25 p.m. on Thursday when a motorcycle driven by Ronald Rumpel of Lakeland, Florida accelerated and hit a pickup truck pulling a camper trailer in front of them. Rumpels motorcycle sideswiped the truck and camper before directly hitting a cement post, the TV station reported. Rumpels passenger received serious injuries and was airlifted to Munson Hospital in Traverse City. Rumpel was pronounced dead at the scene. The Mackinaw City Police Department was assisted at the scene by the Mackinaw City Fire Department, Emmet County Sheriffs Department, Michigan State Police and Emmet EMS. READ MORE: Woman, 52, ejected from vehicle during rollover crash in Benzie County Cyclist killed in hit-and-run on Michigan-Wisconsin border was U.P. resident Woman, 24, arrested after fatal shooting of woman outside Livonia party store Michigan man, 74, missing after kayak overturns on Lake Superior It has been more than 22 years since Sacred Heart School in Niagara Falls closed, but the school, convent and rectory are now back in use as affordable housing. Belmont Housing Resources for Western New York, in partnership with True Bethel Baptist Churchs True Community Development Corp., has completed its $15 million renovation of the vacant complex at 1128 South Ave., creating 39 apartments for low-income, elderly and disabled residents. Sign up for the Buffalo Next free newsletter The News' Buffalo Next team covers the changing Buffalo Niagara economy. Get the news in your inbox 5 days a week. True Bethel Commons features 28 one-bedroom, nine two-bedroom and two three-bedroom units including four two-story townhome units carved out of the schools gymnasium. The completion of this project marks yet another step forward in the revitalization of the city of Niagara Falls, said Belmont Executive Vice President Brad Packard. True Bethel Commons not only provides quality affordable housing for area residents, but it also preserves significant historical assets in our community. The apartments are aimed at households earning at or below 60% of the area median income, but the City of Niagara Falls will also provide 24 project-based Section 8 vouchers for residents. Eight apartments will be fully accessible and adapted for people with individual physical challenges. Affordable housing is not just a fundamental need, but also a vital component of fostering a thriving community, said Jeffrey Elder, Niagara County legislator. The school and adjacent buildings are part of the larger Sacred Heart Church complex, which dates to 1855, when Bishop John Timon authorized the establishment of a mission church called St. Williams and then St. Raphaels, according to the Uniquely Niagara website. The church building burned down in November 1888, and was replaced with the current Sacred Heart over the next two years. Sacred Heart then purchased an adjacent Lutheran church in 1895, and demolished it to construct the school and convent in 1899 and 1909, respectively. The entire complex, which was renovated or expanded several times, is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. However, declining enrollment and population changes took their toll, prompting the closure of a school addition in 1979, and the full school in 2001. The church closed in 2008, and the entire complex was acquired by True Bethel in 2011, with plans to expand the Buffalo churchs mission into Niagara Falls. True Bethel proposed the redevelopment of the school into housing in 2017, after beginning discussions with Belmont two years earlier. True Bethel still operates the church. The project was funded with $8 million in federal low-income housing tax credits, and a $2.4 million subsidy from New York State Homes and Community Renewal, plus $2.4 million each in federal and state historic tax credits. It also received $390,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, through Evans Bank, and $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds from Niagara Falls. The Beaver Island Music Festival is a chill party in the woods, but getting there is a journey. Mainlanders will need to catch a boat or a plane from Charlevoix to make the 32-mile trip across Lake Michigan to reach the island. Once there, tie-dye colored signs lead ticket holders deeper and deeper into the woods on winding dirt roads until arriving at the aptly named Hideaway Campground, the festival site. It is disconnected from the rest of the world and technology, festival director Carol Burton said. Its very mellow. There is no internet, barely any cell service and for Burton thats one of the things she appreciates about the location. People tend to put their gadgets down for the weekend, and thats something that doesnt happen very much these days, she said. Over a dozen bands came to the island and Burton expects a 1,000 people a day to venture to her woodsy property for the three-day festival. Each band is a different genre. Among others, the Pairs, a harmonizing folk trio from London, Ontario, took the stage of opening night followed by Adrien + Meredith, a band led by a husband and wife duo that got the crowd rocking with their high-energy set. While it may be difficult to place a call from the festival, a professional light setup illuminates the stages and the music sounds clean and crisp. This is the first year in the festivals 21 years that electricity runs directly to the site. In the past, everything was powered by generator. Its a well-oiled machine, Stephen Garcia of Detroit said. Its a very professional, marquee music festival in the state of Michigan for sure. Garcias band, Simplicity, played at the very first festival in 2003. He remembers performing on the back of a flatbed truck parked in a clearing. They were the only band that year, but it was so much fun that Burton and her husband Dan built a stage and hosted over a dozen bands the very next year. Its certainly evolved into something really impressive, Garcia said. Related stories: Tiny airline delivers it all to Beaver Island people, parcels and peepers The slow boats to Beaver Island are a vital link to the mainland From the editor: Why MLive is visiting Beaver Island Beaver Island cider made from 170-year-old apple trees Private submersibles join Beaver Island research Whimsical toy museum is Beaver Island mainstay Beaver Island harbor from above Beaver Island ferry begins 2023 crossings New Beaver Island ferry gets federal grant Beaver Island hosts emergency exercise This story was updated at 2:15 p.m. on July 21 to include new information from the Cannabis Regulatory Agency The Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency on Friday, July 21, recalled an unidentified number of vaping cartridges sold at more than 75 marijuana shops across the state. The cartridges, retailed under the Flight brand name and including the Grease Monkey, Space Ether and Bubblegum flavors, may contain banned chemicals used as insecticides or fungicides, according to the CRA. The potentially hazardous chemicals include: bifenthrin, myclobutanil, bifenazate, paclobutrazol, pemethrin. The CRA hasnt revealed how the contamination occurred, or how the cartridges were cleared for sale, since all marijuana is required to undergo safety lab tests before making being sold. The CRA said it wont comment on open investigations but did confirm 13,080 of the recalled vaping cartridges made it to consumers. Another 2,212 remained on shelves in 59 stores at the time of the recall. CRA spokesman David Harns said. Related: Marijuana business faces fines, penalties after 4-year-old ate mislabeled gummies The vaping cartridges were produced by Sky Labs, a Mount Morris marijuana processing business recently penalized by the CRA following an investigation that identified more than 30 rules violations. Earlier this month, the CRA fined Sky Labs $100,000 and the business also agreed to give up its medical processing license, although it retains a license to manufacture recreational products. The CRA said customers who purchased the recalled vaping cartridges should return them to the marijuana retailer for disposal. Shops that sold the recalled cartridges must post the recall notice for 30 days. Anyone who experiences negative health reactions to the recalled vaping cartridges is asked to contact the CRA via email, CRA-Enforcement@michigan.gov, or by phone, 517-284-8599. The following marijuana shops sold the possibly contaminated products: 263 Cannabis in River Rouge Bud and Marys Cannabis in Portage Crafted Leaf in Middleville DACUT in Detroit Depot Provisionary Center in Leslie Elite Cannabis in Bay City Elite Wellness in Jackson Elite Wellness in Mount Morris Flora in East Lansing Great Lakes Exotics Cannabis Company in East Tawas Great Lakes Provision Center in Big Rapids Green Genie 3 in Detroit Green Genie in Detroit Green Pharm in Detroit Green Trend in Saline Green Vitality in Ypsilanti Greencare Provisioning in River Rouge HOD in Monroe Herbology in River Rouge Heritage Provisioning in East Tawas High Society in Big Rapids Holistic Health in Wayne Homegrown Cannabis in Lansing House of Dank in Lapeer House of Dank in Saginaw House of Dank 2 in Detroit House of Dank in Center Line House of Dank in Grand Rapids House of Dank Michigan in Detroit House of Dank in Traverse City House of Dank in Ypsilanti JARS Cannabis in Jackson JARS Cannabis in Saginaw, Flint, Mount Clemens, Mount Pleasant, Oxford, Detroit, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Owosso, Battle Creek, Centerline, Muskegon, Fennville, Lansing, River Rouge KAI in Adrian and Muskegon King of Budz in Monroe Township and Detroit Lucky Buds in Crystal Luckys Cannabis in Muskegon Michiganja in Cedar Springs and White Cloud Neighborhood Provisions in Alpena Olswell Cannabis in Adrian and Grand Rapids OZ Cannabis in Ypsilanti Premiere Provisions in Big Rapids Proper Leaf Cannabis in Memphis Prosper Cannabis in Constantine and Wayland Rush Cannabis in Saline Ruch Cannaco in Hazel Park SecureCann III in Flint Sticky Ypsi in Ypsilanti The Barn in Burton The Flower Bowl in Inkster The Flower Pot in Michigan Center The Herbalist in Detroit The House of Mary Jane in Detroit The Refinery in Detroit Top Tree Provisioning in Oscoda URB in Monroe and Vassar Waky Willy Cannabis in Bay City More on MLive: Michigan ends marijuana testing for some government job applicants Marijuana-infused candy bars recalled over potency concerns Marijuana business faces fines, penalties after 4-year-old ate mislabeled gummies Are Michigan marijuana customers being ripped off by inflated THC potency claims? Michigan revokes marijuana companys license after inspectors find illicit, untagged cannabis Marijuana advocate overwhelmed after donors raise $30,000 for wheelchair-accessible van A Hash Bash treasure hunt will benefit expungement efforts ANN ARBOR, MI - The 2,800-member expansion of University of Michigans Faculty Senate was approved Thursday, giving voice to more wings of university faculty. The Board of Regents unanimously approved the expansion in its July 20 meeting. ANN ARBOR, MI A commercial building thats sat empty along Ann Arbors State Street for several years is about to be turned into a drive-thru. The citys Planning Commission voted unanimously Tuesday, July 18, to OK plans to reconfigure the building tucked behind a Jimmy Johns drive-thru at 3945 S. State St., just north of Ellsworth Road. My family has been seeking approval from the city of Ann Arbor for a drive-thru for around two years, said Gary Schwarcz, an attorney from Oak Park. We have been advised by our professional advisors that, absent a drive-thru, this building will be almost impossible to lease. Theyve been unable to find a tenant for five years and have spent the last two years jumping through the citys hoops to get approval to add a drive-thru lane, spending about $40,000 on professional fees doing so, he said. Their now-approved plan to make the space more enticing to potential tenants includes removing the northern part of the building, reducing it from 5,695 to 4,311 square feet, to add a single drive-thru lane there. The site is located at the extreme periphery of the city in an area dominated by vehicle use, project architect Brad Moore told commissioners, noting the area lacks walkability. You can tell by the other businesses that are in this corridor that thats the nature, he said. No ones walking to Costco. A stretch of State Street approaching the Interstate 94 crossing in Ann Arbor where there are no sidewalks on March 23, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News The building has been on the market for a long time with no takers, but there would have been takers if there was a drive-thru lane, Moore said, adding a lot of businesses such as pharmacies, financial institutions and coffee shops rely on a drive-thru for a significant portion of their business. Moore presented a drawing showing there will be space for several cars to stack up. The project also adds electric vehicle chargers next to the building. While Ann Arbor officials are hoping the auto-centric nature of the State Street corridor will change in the coming decades with more dense, pedestrian-oriented development and infrastructure improvements, city planning commissioners agreed the circumstances in the State and Ellsworth area justified the small-scale drive-thru plan. If theres a place for drive-thrus within our city boundaries, this is it, Commissioner Sarah Mills said, adding it would be a benefit for people staying at hotels on State Street if there was another dining option there. Hopefully eventually this area will be more walkable, Commissioner Sara Hammerschmidt said. Local commercial real estate broker Jim Chaconas said his firm has been trying for years to get anybody to lease the space, offering incentives and lowering the price. Its kind of a hidden site back in there, so weve tried office we dont have enough parking, he said, adding the market for office space right now is kind of in the tank. A drive-thru retail operation of some kind would be great and is the best use, he said. You see the Tim Hortons next door does well, he said. It doesnt create a lot of backup traffic. Jack Schwarcz, another member of the family behind the project, told commissioners both he and his brother are proud University of Michigan graduates and they have been developing property in Ann Arbor for three decades. We are very pleased and have loved being a part of the Ann Arbor landscape, he said. Reducing the size of their building at 3945-3957 S. State St. to add a drive-thru will come at great cost, but its the only viable option due to high automobile traffic in the area, he said, adding there also are challenges with it sitting vacant. Theres garbage being dumped, theres cars being left, were having vandalism problems, he said. Its a vacant building. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS: New separated bike lanes in Ann Arbor now open to cyclists More space for pedestrians and cyclists? Ann Arbor to reimagine downtown streets Ann Arbor officials visited German sister city Tubingen. Heres what they saw. Ann Arbors Victory Inn proposed to be replaced with new 4-story hotel Mini roundabout madness and bike lane building: Washtenaw County road work for July 21 WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Washtenaw County fared better than any other part of Michigan when it came to the rate of residents dying from COVID-19 during the first three years of the pandemic, a new report shows. Some 642 county residents, ranging from 21 to 108 years old, died from COVID between March 1, 2020. and Feb. 25, 2023. GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Grand Rapids police said they are mourning the death of a five-year police dog that likely succumbed to an undetected health issue. Police on Thursday, July 20 announced the death of Bosco. Rest in peace, good boy, reads a post on the Grand Rapids Police Facebook page. Bosco started with the department in 2018. His police partner was Officer Kenneth Nawrocki. He was trained in patrol operations and explosives detection. Since his start, Bosco helped make 70 arrests and also completed 70 sweeps for explosives, police said. Police said its not yet clear what cause Boscos death, but it appears he had a health issue that had gone undetected during his routine veterinary care, according to the Facebook post. More from MLive Man who struck and killed bicyclist, then left scene, convicted of 15-year felony Police video shows fleeing vehicle cause rollover crash on East Beltline GRAND RAPIDS, MI A Saturday event billed as the most epic Colombian Independence Party is inviting the community to celebrate the South American countrys rich heritage. The free party will span across Ionia Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids, offering the opportunity for people to immerse themselves in the culture. Ionia Avenue will be closed all day between Weston Street and Oakes Street. All day Saturday, July 22 from 12 to 10 p.m., Pochis Sweet Designs in partnership with Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and others will be holding the first Colombian festival downtown with Colombian food, music, dancers and artisan products for sale. Event organizer Paola Carlson, owner of Pochis Sweet Designs restaurant and cafe, located at 44 Ionia Ave. SW, said the idea came from the absence of a Colombian festival and wanting to bring her countrys independence day, which is July 20, to her new home and restaurant. Related: Colombian womans Pochis Sweet Designs restaurant thrives in Grand Rapid Carlson said its normal for Colombia to have a big party on a holiday. She said there are 27 holidays a year in Colombia and almost every weekend is filled with a big festival. Were bringing a little sample of this on Saturday with this party, Carlson said. The event will also feature a live DJ, childrens activities and games, raffles, Zumba, a Colombian orchestra and seven vendor tents with Colombian art and products. Carlson said the restaurant interior will be closed, but the restaurant will bring their food outside to share with the community. The restaurant is still looking to expand their influence in the city, having only been open for the last seven months. However, with her strong following of customers that have been traveling to Ionia for Colombian food, Calrson is looking at potentially 1,000 visitors this weekend. She said that visitors from Chicago are likely with to come up with the Windy City having its festival last weekend. Carlson said the goal of the festival is to delight people with Colombian traditions, but also for more people to try her coffee and food. She said she wants to make this into an annual event, but take more time next year to get more people involved in the planning to make the festival one of the biggest in Grand Rapids. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. More from MLive: Updated $785,000 ranch home near Grand Rapids is designed for entertaining See population estimates for Kent, Ottawa counties Whats under construction in downtown Rockford? Boutique space in the works KENT COUNTY, MI Families living together are on the rise, a trend that hits economic flashpoints: an aging population, tight housing market and growing childcare expenses. We have four generations in one household - all women, strong women, said Jade Lowe, a 27-year-old who lives in a multi-generational house in Wyoming, a suburb of Grand Rapids. My grandma has her traditions that she brings to our household and we bring in that new innovation and new ideas. The Lowe house, which belongs to Jades mother, Gema Lowe, 50, is divided into three levels. Jade and her two girls, Malaya, 7, and Ava, 5, have a basement apartment. The middle level with the communal kitchen and living room has bedrooms for Gema, and Gemas mother, Tomasa Herrera, 82. The upstairs is for Gemas daughters Tamia, 23, and Jazpe, 16. Related: Four generations under one roof: Families living together on the rise Caretaking for older and younger generations is at the heart of the Lowe family home. When asked why they chose to live together each family member said it was about more than just money. When I get older, Im going to be taken care of by my family and not some strangers, Gema Lowe said. And the other way around with the kids, to take care of the kids with all our knowledge and our values, rather than a stranger. Nearly one in five Americans live in a multi-generational home, quadrupling stats from the 1970s. Now homebuyers are seeking out homes that will fit everybody. There was a spike in spring of 2020 when 15% of homebuyers were looking for room for the whole family during the pandemic lockdown, according to the National Association of Realtors. The following spring that rate returned to a pre-pandemic 11% of homebuyers looking for multi-generational homes. The trend switched gears once again in 2022 as 14% of homebuyers wanted to live with grandparents, parents and children. Culture is a key component to the multi-generational living trend. Growing racial and ethnic diversity in the U.S. population explains some of the rise, according to Pew Research. Racial groups more likely to live together like Black, Asian and Hispanic populations are growing more rapidly than the white population. Living amongst so many matriarchs has its challenges, the Lowe family told MLive, but said clashes arent as often as one might think. For me, the hardest, or most challenging part, is me coming in with my own ways of parenting, and then having other parents in the same household who have their ways of parenting, Jade Lowe said. [I say] I respect (you), I see where youre coming from and I appreciate your ways of parenting, but I kind of want to do it my way too. Read more about the Lowe family and housing market trends here. Jade Lowe, top left, makes lunch with her mother, Gema Lowe, near her daughters, Malaya Carter, 7, bottom left, and Ava Carter, 5, inside their Wyoming, Mich., home on Friday June 23, 2023. Four generations of the family are living together in the same house. Cory Morse | MLive.com Malaya Carter, 7, plays nearby as her mother, Jade Lowe, top left, and grandmother, Gema Lowe, make lunch inside their Wyoming, Mich., home on Friday June 23, 2023.Cory Morse | MLive.com (From left) Ava Carter, 5, Tomasa Herrera, 82, Gema Lowe, and Malaya Carter, 7, eat lunch inside their Wyoming, Mich., home on Friday June 23, 2023. Cory Morse | MLive.com (From left) Tomasa Herrera, 82, Malaya Carter, 7, Ava Carter, 5, Jade Lowe and Gema Lowe, are pictured inside their Wyoming, Mich., home on Friday June 23, 2023. Cory Morse | MLive.com Ava Carter, 5, left, and Malaya Carter, 7, play inside their Wyoming, Mich., home on Friday June 23, 2023.Cory Morse | MLive.com Malaya Carter, 7, hugs her great-grandmother, Tomasa Herrera, 82, in their Wyoming, Mich., home on Friday June 23, 2023. Cory Morse | MLive.com See more images in the picture gallery below or click here to view the gallery. 13 1 / 13 Women live together in multigenerational home More on MLive: Updated $785,000 ranch home near Grand Rapids is designed for entertaining Womens World Cup outdoor watch party happening Friday in downtown Grand Rapids See population estimates for Kent, Ottawa counties CASCADE TOWNSHIP, MI The Rapid bus system will no longer service about 3 miles of 28th Street, including several big retailers, starting later this summer. Beginning Aug. 28, The Rapids route on East 28th Street near I-96 will terminate at Acquest Avenue, ending direct stops near some retailers like Target, Meijer and Walmart that lay further east. The route change isnt a strategic choice by the bus system. Instead, it stems from a breakdown in negotiations between The Rapid and Cascade Township to service the municipality. Cascade Township Supervisor Grace Lesperance said The Rapids current route in the township wasnt serving the needs of residents and local businesses enough to justify the $218,000 annual cost of the service. The township uses Downtown Development Authority funds to pay the annual bill. About a year ago, the township hired a consultant to analyze ridership, finding that the vast majority of riders utilizing the Cascade Township route werent residents, Lesperance said. It wasnt serving the needs of residents, local businesses and riders to justify the cost, Lesperance said. The cost greatly outweighed the benefit in its current form. The township proposed several alternatives to change the route in Cascade Township in an effort to keep some form of the service but cut costs. One of those options included terminating the 28th Street route at the Meijer at 5531 28th St. SE. Less than one-third of all Route 29 riders travel beyond Meijer, Lesperance said. The Rapid rejected all the alternatives, except for a measure that wouldve reduced daily trips and frequency of pick-ups but only saved the township about $18,000, according to the township. Lesperance said the township then asked The Rapid to provide alternatives that would keep some form of the service but save the township money. The Rapid didnt respond, she said. The townships Downtown Development Authority in June unanimously approved not renewing The Rapids contract, which ends Aug. 27. The township, through its Downtown Development Authority and transportation committee, offered a variety of alternatives to The Rapid to preserve bus services for residents and businesses they were all flatly refused, Lesperance said. Alternative services for our residents and for workers are available and we will continue to support those providers and to direct our residents and workers to them. Lesperance said the township is examining a partnership with rideshare company Lyft that would essentially subsidize Lyft rides taken by residents. But its not just the route in Cascade Township that is ending. The Rapid also provides at-home pick-ups to people with disabilities or age 65 and older through its GO!Bus program. In June, about 160 passengers in Cascade Township used the service, according to The Rapid officials. Sabrina Minarik, contract administrator for the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, said many seniors use the GO!Bus service to get to doctors appointments, go grocery shopping and more. The service helps reduce transportation barriers that some seniors who dont drive face, such as getting to a bus stop or relying on a friend or family member to take them places. There are some alternatives, however. Cascade Township already subsidizes rides for residents with at-home pick-ups through Hope Network. Cascade Township residents eligible for rides must be 60 and older or have a disability. To fill out a registration form for the service, people can call 616-243-0876, email riderequest@hopenetwork.org or go to this link. Another option is RideLink, which also provides at-home pick-ups and is available for any Kent County resident ages 60 and older. The service is paid for by the countys senior millage. A $2 fee is requested per trip. To register for the service, people can go to ridelinkmi.com to fill out a registration form or call 844-694-6589 to have the registration form mailed. The current route through Cascade Township, called Route 29, begins near the Woodland Mall, where it connects with the main 28th Street route, called Route 28. From there, it goes east around Shops at Centerpoint and then onto 28th Street, where it eventually loops back west after reaching Cascade Road. The new route which will effectively take Route 29s place on 28th Street starting Aug. 28 will terminate at Acquest Avenue, located a little east of Shops at Centerpoint. During The Rapids current fiscal year, Route 29 has seen an average of about 2,600 rides per month, said The Rapid spokesperson Cassi Cooper. She said she didnt know how many of those riders were Cascade Township residents. The contract with Cascade Township has been in place since 2016. Cooper said she wasnt involved in discussions with the township and so couldnt comment on why the bus system rejected the townships proposals and didnt put forward any of its own. She said that, without the townships funding, The Rapid cant provide stops at those large retailers along 28th Street located in Cascade Township and currently part of Route 29. With the way were funded, we serve those core six cities and then additional service needs to be funded in order to provide, Cooper said. With that elimination and their decision not to renew that contract, we just dont have the means to serve that area, unfortunately. Im hopeful that the township will decide to do something that can help fill those gaps, otherwise well just be able to provide (riders) with different stores in the area. The Rapid provides service to six cities Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Walker, Kentwood, Grandville, and Wyoming that contribute property taxes to the bus system. It requires contracts to serves businesses, municipalities and other organizations outside those cities. With Cascade Township ending its contract, The Rapids remaining contracts are with Gaines Township, Grand Valley State University, Ferris State University, and Disability Advocates. In August 2022, Byron Township ended its contract with The Rapid in a close, 4-3 vote by township leaders. Related: Rapid bus system makes route changes after Byron Township axes contract Byron Township Supervisor Donald Tillema, who was in favor of ending the contract, previously told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press that there werent enough riders to justify the expense. 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. Read more on MLive: U.S. attorney looks at use of restraint, seclusion at Michigan school district Kent County gives $75,000 to ArtPrize 2.0 Request to limit lawn watering in northwest Ottawa County continues GRAND RAPIDS, MI Federal prosecutors are investigating Montcalm Area Intermediate School Districts use of restraint and seclusion of students. U.S. Attorney Mark Tottens office is working with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division regarding restraining or secluding students, spokesperson Tiffany Brown told MLive. Ted's Hot Dogs closes Lockport location The Lockport Ted's Hot Dogs location, plagued by staffing issues, has permanently closed. "It was a really hard decision for us, but we kind of had to make it," said Evan Ortolani, Ted's president. The problem started during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Ted's had trouble finding enough staff to keep its restaurants running properly. "Covid was not easy. It was a hard time for our team," Ortolani said. "Our Buffalo team is so important. With our staffing challenges, we needed to focus on the stores that could be running more efficiently. "And, you know, it was kind of just a business focus. We needed to have as many stores open as we could and, unfortunately, Lockport was just too much of a challenge for us to keep open. So, we had to focus on the business as a whole to keep Buffalo thriving." Ted's temporarily closed the Lockport location in the fall and asked workers to work at other locations to beef up staffing levels elsewhere. Other locations, including ones in Cheektowaga and downtown on Chippewa Street, have also closed temporarily at different times. The Chippewa Street store is now open just Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Recently, Ted's decided it would keep the Lockport location closed for good. Burt Flickinger, a Buffalo native, retail expert and CEO of consumer consulting firm Strategic Resource Group, called the move a shock and said the company had been doing strong business. "I'm really, really surprised that Lockport closed," he said. "It's tough getting help two shifts a day, seven days a week." Ted's locations remain open in the Town of Tonawanda, Orchard Park, Cheektowaga, Williamsville, Amherst, North Tonawanda, Depew, Chippewa Street and in Tempe, Ariz. Samantha Christmann 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. New Skate Park opens at McKinley Mall Food Court Skate Park, built by skate pro company Ramp Carnies, will open in the McKinley Mall on Sunday. It had been shooting for an April opening. "After tons of unforeseen surprises and issues, we are finally ready to open," owner Weldon Jones said. "The transformation this place has taken is insane." The park is located in a giant 16,000-square-foot space, formerly home to a mattress store and a martial arts studio. It has a bowl that looks like an empty swimming pool, ramps, handrails and ledges of all shapes and sizes for all skill levels. It also will offer private lessons and skate clinics. It was designed by Brent Kronmueller, whose San Diego-based company is known for building skate ramps for the X Games, professional skateboarders such as Tony Hawk and pro skate teams' private training facilities. BuyBuy Baby in Amherst to close Every BuyBuy Baby location will close, including one at 1261 Niagara Falls Blvd. in Amherst near the Boulevard Mall, as part of parent company Bed Bath and Beyond's bankruptcy and liquidation. Store closing sales are in progress, with prices discounted 60% to 90%. Gift cards, merchandise credits and rewards are no longer being accepted. Earlier this month, Bed Bath and Beyonds debtors canceled an auction of the entire BuyBuy Baby business, including its retail locations, after failing to secure an acceptable offer. Inclusive bridal shop opens in East Aurora New Ivory Bridal, a bridal store that caters to mid- to plus-sized brides, has opened in East Aurora. Co-owners Kristen Hauck and Amanda Shamrock carry sample sizes 14 to 30 in the store, starting at $1,500, and carry such designers as Justin Alexander, Colby John, Allure and Madison James. The idea for the shop was born out of Hauck's experience as a plus-sized bride who, even after checking with bridal shops ahead of time, could not find gowns in her size to try on. Crosby's opens in Amherst Crosbys Pizza & Subs, a convenience store, has opened at 3652 Sheridan Drive in Amherst. It's part of the Crosby's convenience store chain, which has 87 stores in Western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. In addition to a fueling station, it has pizzas prepared in house, calzones, chicken wings and breakfast items. THE LATEST Eastern Hills Mall is starting to move tenants to clear room for a planned town center. The state is tweaking its plan for cannabis farmers markets. ECMC workers approved a new contract. Anonymity is proving to be a problem for a Buffalo developer's waterfront project. M&T's earnings topped expectations. 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. Cannabis growers aren't getting much of a spark from the state's plan to allow pot-only farmers markets. 2. Growth from afar: Inside Hilbert College's deal with Valley College. 3. Local unions buck a trend: Why Buffalo Niagara unions aren't seeing declining membership. 4. Training future nurses: How simulated patients will play a key role in this effort. 5. Psychics, wrestlers and churches: How Buffalo Niagara malls are finding a way forward. 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. BRANCH COUNTY, MI A Livonia attorney is accused of bringing drugs into a state prison under the guise of a visit with a client, state police said. The 69-year-old attorney, whose name was not released, was arrested Thursday, July 20, and taken to Branch County Jail. The arrest was part of an ongoing investigation that began last month in response to contraband being smuggled into Lakeland Correctional Facility in Coldwater, state police said. The issue of smuggling drugs, cell phones, weapons, and other dangerous items is a serious matter with serious safety implications for all involved including the prison staff who have to deal with the results once the items are inside, state police said in a statement. State police and the state Department of Corrections investigated the attorney who allegedly brought an undisclosed controlled substance into the prison under the guise of an attorney/client visit, police said. He is expected to soon make his initial court appearance on a felony charge. State police said visitors should know what they are bringing into prisons and that they can be held responsible for unknowingly bringing in contraband. Read more: This lighthouse in Michigans Thumb is unmissable. So, why do boats ignore it? Learn how to use new Kalamazoo road with 2 lanes for bikes, 1 for cars These 2 Michigan colleges are among the 100 most selective in U.S., federal data shows NILES, MI A failed traffic stop that led to a mans death after a police shooting started because of a broken brake light. Joshua Ringle, 32, of South Bend, Indiana, was shot and died Wednesday, July 19. The shooting happened in South Bend, after a police chase from Niles. He was shot by Michigan State Police, according to Indiana State Police Sgt. Ted Bohner. BRIDGMAN, MI Officials searched Lake Michigan Thursday night, July 20, for two teenage girls who possibly drowned. The Bridgman police and fire departments, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, searched Lake Michigan near Weko Beach, 5239 Lake St., starting around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, Police Chief Daniel Unruh said. Two other teenage girls who didnt know the two potentially missing girls called police to say they lost track of the other two in the water, Unruh said. Police and fire were at the Berrien County beach within minutes to start a search. Nothing was found during a search and there are no active missing person reports, Unruh said. Police went door to door at the Weko Beach Campground and no one reported missing people. Police are treating it as a possible drowning, Unruh said. It was dark when the call came in, so the hope is the two potential missing teenagers got out of the water without the other two girls noticing, Unruh said. Want more Kalamazoo news? Our 3@3 newsletter rounds up Kalamazoos top stories every weekday at 3 p.m. Enter your email to get our free newsletter: People should account for their family and report any missing people to Bridgman Police Department at 269-465-3880. Warren Dunes State Park, which is just to the south, was also alerted and is checking, Unruh said. Im hoping and praying we dont get anybody to report missing girls, Unruh said. The Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive now offers free email news alerts with the days top story. Click here to sign up for alerts or for the daily 3@3 Kalamazoo roundup of news. Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page here. Also on MLive: Kalamazoo school board member resigns; 2nd departure in 6 weeks West Nile Virus found in Kalamazoo County mosquito Attorney brought contraband to inmate during prison visit, police say PORTAGE, MI Lisa Brayton wants to be the peoples mayor. Elected to the Portage City Council in 2021, Brayton is resigning in the middle of her first term to challenge incumbent Mayor Patricia Randall this November. Randall has served as mayor since 2017. Brayton, 52, will continue to serve as councilwoman until the November election. The two women are the only candidates to file for mayor so far. Im not a politician, Im a public servant, Brayton told the Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive. Portage deserves better and they will get better with me. Brayton, who co-owns a dental practice with her husband, said a lack of leadership and transparency is motivating her to run. She had been planning to wait to run until Randall was ready to retire. But when neither Randall nor anyone else on the council showed up to walk in the Memorial Day Parade, it was a pivotal moment for Brayton. I was completely disheartened, she said about not being joined by other councilmembers at the parade. It took me an hour and I loved every second of it. ... We have to support those who have given so much to us. Brayton said that isnt the only time shes felt the community hasnt been supported by the current council and mayor. Ive been to ribbon cuttings where Ive been the only one there, and Im like Are you kidding me? she said. We have to support our small businesses. I am a small business. I want to see them flourish. We have to look at ordinances, and if its in the best interest for the people and for the businesses to change them, we have to support them. They are what keeps Portage going. We have to support Stryker and Pfizer, of course, we are so blessed to have the bigger companies, but the small people matter. The mom and pop shops matter. Being the peoples mayor means listening to people, Brayton said. In addition to listening to residents, that also means working with department heads and developing relationships with first responders. Thats been a huge focus of hers during her two years as a councilwoman. She has met with every department head and taken several ride-alongs with police and firefighters to understand what each department needs. The big issues she plans to focus on, if elected mayor, include finalizing plans for the citys permanent farmers market and addressing the county housing crisis with new and responsible development. Related: Portage explores 4 spots to build new farmers market While seeing a need for more housing, Brayton is opposed to the controversial high density development proposed near Austin Lake. The people dont want it, she said. Im all for single-family homes there. But Im not for changing the ordinance to allow for high-density housing. I think theres other places in Portage that are perfect for that type of development. That isnt it. Related: 700 housing units near lake? Portage leaders hear outcry, pause developments Brayton understands people are upset because they feel theres a lack of transparency. She wants to change that. I work for the people, she said. Every voice matters. Im not upset when people come to our meetings. I want to hear from them. How can I do my due diligence and make my vote if I dont listen to what they have to say? In my opinion, you cant. Want more Kalamazoo news? Our 3@3 newsletter rounds up Kalamazoos top stories every weekday at 3 p.m. Enter your email to get our free newsletter: Brayton, a resident of Portage since 1997, ran unsuccessfully for county commission in 2020 before winning a council seat in 2021. While she ran as a Republican in 2020, she said she loves that serving Portage is a nonpartisan job. I wish everything could be nonpartisan, she said. Why check boxes? We just need someone that brings unity to people and we need to celebrate our differences, not fight over them. Im for everybody. I dont care what color you are. I dont care who you love. ... I dont judge anybody. Brayton, who founded and ran a nonprofit called Haleys Hope for 16 years, said giving back to her community was instilled at a young age. Growing up poor in the small, farming village of Lake Isabella, she was raised by a mother who was a Portuguese immigrant. Despite having next to nothing, she said, she watched her mother knit mittens for members of the unhoused community every winter. Haleys Hope took its name from her two sons Hayden and Baley. It kept the tradition going, providing food baskets and gifts and helping people in need find shelter. This is just another level of serving, she said of her decision to run for mayor. I dont think Im better than anybody. Im just the person trying to do whats right and whats better for the future of Portage. Brayton has an undergraduate degree from the University of Detroit Mercy and has served as hygienist and bookkeeper at the family dental practice for more than 25 years. For more information on Braytons campaign, visit lisabrayton.com. Also on MLive: Kalamazoo school board member resigns; 2nd departure in 6 weeks High-end seafood spot opens in old bus depot in Southwest Michigan Broken light led to traffic stop before fatal police chase, shooting Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. MUSKEGON, MI -- The motorcycles are rumbling and the beers are flowing along Western Avenue for this years Rebel Road and Muskegon Bike Time rallies. As far as the eyes could see, thousands of motorcycles representing various makes and models revved their engines at Bike Times Hot Rod Harley-Davidson to along Rebel Roads W. Western Avenue event location. Rebel Road kicked off its festivities Wednesday, July 19, and Muskegon Bike Time started Thursday, July 20. Both rallies run through Sunday, July 23. The annual rallies are packed with campground options, live music, scenic rides, stunt shows, a public cannabis use area, local comfort food options, beer tents, biker merchandise vendors and much more. Related: Western Avenue in downtown Muskegon closes for Rebel Road, Bike Time motorcycle events Grand Rapids locals Lynn and Scott Grinwis said this was their second time attending the annual event. Although they cycled along Western Avenue with their electric bicycles, the couple were excited to see the motorcycles with the loud engines rumble through. We really are cycle people, but we thought to come down here and still check it out, said Lynne Grinwis. Weve rented a cottage on the beach two summers in a row just to be back here on the lakeshore. Attendees from across the state flocked to the two rallies for five days of all things biker related, from checking out custom bike shows to seeing some rock and roll tribute bands perform. Caprice Parker told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle she got her whole family into riding, touting the experience as great family bonding. She said she rides a High Boost 1300, one of the fastest bikes out there. Me, my son and daughter all ride together, Parker said. Ive been riding for over 20 years with Rough Riders Motorcycle Club, and I come out here every year. Its a wonderful thing because when you are walking down, you meet new people and then the next year, you look for them. Its just great and a big community party. Brandon Keane, who was crowned King in 2021 at Sturgis Motorcycle Rally for his custom motorcycle build, said he travels from Traverse City every year on his 1984 Evo Motor Harley Davidson for the annual Muskegon event. Its a chopper that I built from the ground up, Keane told MLive. I come down to this every year. Looking forward to lots of riding. Related: Rebel Road, Bike Time motorcycle rallies to hit downtown Muskegon. See their schedules. The West Michigan community showed out to celebrate the annual event. People stopped to check out custom bikes, take pictures and grow friendships. Motorcyclists and biker enthusiasts could be seen at every restaurant along Western Avenue grabbing a refreshing drink in Muskegons Social District or a quick bite to eat. Newer spots like The Early Owl, Socibowl and Shes Divine Cuisine saw an uptick in patrons since the opening day of Rebel Road on Wednesday. We love fresh faces, said Jenn Jordan, general manager of Socibowl. Thats a huge deal for us. We have the patio and bar set up and thats been doing super well because people just want to walk and see Muskegon, and we love that. Even just people walking in to get a Social District drink is good exposure for us. Bikers and attendees looking to check out some cool engines and detailing will have plenty to see. Both rallies have several events scheduled for Saturday and they conclude Sunday. I look forward to this every year, said Joell Boek, a Norton Shores resident. I mean, look at all these motorcycles. Its a great event. Want more Muskegon-area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter. Read more: 5 fun things to do in Muskegon this weekend (July 21-23) Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore reopens Grand Haven meeting space Why do people love pickleball so much? We asked Beer City Open players OTTAWA COUNTY, MI A request to limit lawn watering due to limited water plant capacity in Grand Haven has been so effective that the city is asking residents to consider it for the rest of the summer. The city of Grand Haven in early June asked residents of northwest Ottawa County to limit watering to three days a week. A combination of factors led to the request, including very dry conditions and limited capacity in the citys water plant. At that time, there was concern about having enough water for firefighting. The plant serves the cities of Grand Haven and Ferrysburg; Spring Lake Village; and Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Crockery townships. In a message posted on Facebook, the city thanked water customers for doing their part to conserve water. It says its lifting a voluntary watering restriction, but later asks that residents continue it. Effective immediately, the system is lifting the voluntary even-odd restriction status. NOWS officials want to thank the... Posted by The City of Grand Haven on Thursday, July 20, 2023 Your efforts have helped shave peak morning water demand driven by outdoor irrigation, the message states. Managing peak demand has given operators the necessary water volume to maintain adequate fire suppression levels in system tanks during the driest June on record. Related: Limiting of lawn watering requested of those in northwest Ottawa County The city says the request showed voluntary restrictions were effective and asks the community to consider adopting the even-odd schedule format permanently during the summer months going forward. The suggestion is that those with addresses ending in an even number water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and those ending in an odd number water on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The highest volume of water used in a 24-hour period in June was 16 million gallons, of which between 10 million and 11 million were for irrigation, according to the city. Planning has begun on a 12.25-million-gallon capacity expansion at the water plant. But that is lengthy process that will take five years once it starts and will cost $40 million, according to the citys message. The recent record June demand demonstrated how vulnerable our water system is against the populations demand of water and the increasing frequency of drought conditions, the message states. Want more Muskegon area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter. Also on MLive Dont swallow Lake Michigan water at Ottawa County park, health department warns Public asked to help save Grand Haven forests from several threats Learn to help pollinators at upcoming workshop in Muskegon County SAGINAW, MI Months after a man was shot to death in a Buena Vista Township home, his daughters mother surrendered to police to face charges she orchestrated the killing. To that end, police allege she purchased the fatal gun a month before the shooting. Her male codefendant currently imprisoned in another state then tried selling the pistol on social media the day after killing, police allege. Devon L. Chip Williams, 34, was shot multiple times around 3:30 a.m. on March 30 inside a duplex in the 3100 block of Walters Drive, between Aspen Drive and Willow Lane. Williams, a father of five, was still alive when police arrived at the scene. He was taken to an area hospital, where staff pronounced him deceased. Investigators developed two suspects, including 24-year-old Markeisha R. Burns-Cross, with whom Williams has a 2-year-old daughter in common. Authorities issued a warrant for Burns-Cross in late June. According to Buena Vista Township Police Detective Russ Pahssen, Burns-Cross was living in Indiana at the time and came back to Saginaw County to visit. She contacted Williams and told him she was coming over to pick him up, Pahssen said. Burns-Cross arrived at the duplex with another man and shortly thereafter, they repeatedly shot Williams, Pahssen said. Another woman was present in the house and hid in a closet, then called 911, he added. Burns-Cross purchased the gun in Jackson about a month prior, Pahssen said. The day after the shooting, the male codefendant tried selling the gun on Facebook, he added. Devon L. "Chip" Williams, 34, shot and killed in Buena Vista Township on March 30, 2023. Police have not recovered the gun, Pahssen said. Both Burns-Cross and her codefendant left Michigan shortly after the shooting. Burns-Cross initially went to Ohio, where Pahssen interviewed her. She then relocated to California for work purposes. Once she found out there was a warrant out for her, she contacted me and advised within the next few weeks she wanted to turn herself in, the detective said. Burns-Cross surrendered to police on July 20. The next morning, she appeared before Saginaw County District Judge M. Randall Jurrens for arraignment on single counts of first-degree premeditated murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent, plus two counts of felony firearm. A first-degree murder conviction mandates life in prison without possibility of parole. Defense attorney Christopher White asked a not-guilty plea be entered on Burns-Cross behalf and that her case be referred to the Office of Assigned Counsel. He described her as being currently homeless. Jurrens ordered Burns-Cross held without bond. Burns-Cross 24-year-old codefendant has no ties to Saginaw and was on parole out of Indiana on a burglary conviction from 2019. On April 24, he was sentenced to two more years, plus two 11-month terms on convictions of receiving stolen auto parts and resisting police. He is currently incarcerated at Miami Correctional Facility near Bunker Hill, Indiana. His earliest possible release date is April 14, 2025. Williams and Burn-Cross daughter is being raised by Williams mother, Shontele Lockett, in Columbia, Tennessee. I knew (Burns-Cross) did this from the day they told me he was passed, Lockett said. She had no regards for me or her baby. I just would love to know why would she do this. I dont understand. My son was no fighter, no gangbanger, no nothing. Williams death is the second time Lockett has lost a son to gun violence. In 2011, the younger of her two sons, Jarail Jackson, was shot to death at age 18 in Syracuse, New York. No one was ever charged in that homicide. Williams was raised in Saginaw but moved out of state with his family in 2004. After graduating from high school in Syracuse, he moved back to Saginaw. He loved Saginaw, his mother said. He always said he wanted to go back home. She remembered her son as a sweet and fun-loving man, who would begin each day by messaging people Good morning, beautiful. He just liked to have fun and make people happy, Lockett said. He wanted to make everybody feel special. Lockett had no other children beside the two who have now predeceased her. While shes pleased suspects have been charged in Williams killing, she said closure was not in her future. Ill never have closure because I dont have my son, she said. Devon didnt bother nobody. He just wanted to listen to music, dance, and be around friends, family, and his kids. He wouldnt harm a fly. Williams homicide was Saginaw Countys fourth of the year and first in Buena Vista Township. As of July 21, there have been 11 homicides throughout the county, 10 of which occurred in the city of Saginaw. Of the countys 25 homicides in 2022, two were in Buena Vista Township. Burns-Cross is to appear for a preliminary examination at 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 11. 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. Read more from MLive: Judge orders new trial for Saginaw teen shot by police during drug raid, finds jury was confused Police identify man shot, killed in Buena Vista Township residence Man killed in early morning shooting in Buena Vista Township PORT AUSTIN, MI No, Jody Glancy will tell anyone who listens, the Port Austin Reef Lighthouse does not float on water. Still, that was the message she sent earlier this month to followers of the Facebook page for the lighthouse, which stands albeit partly submerged in water on a Saginaw Bay reef about two miles north of the shoreline at the tip of Michigans Thumb. The reason for her warning: Boaters keep trying to navigate the space between the 145-year-old lighthouse and the shore, likely confused by the sight of a lighthouse standing in water. Its a move mariners make that sends their vessels into the very shallow reef the 75-foot-tall facility was designed to warn mariners to evade. Aka: Really bad news for their ships. Having lived up there every summer of my life, Ive seen the biggest, fanciest boats with all the electronics to warn them whats ahead cut in front of a lighthouse, which is this huge, brick building, said Glancy, vice president of the nonprofit that maintains the structure. It happens at least once every summer. Every single summer. Mariners guilty of the maneuver sometimes later complain of a sand bar they struck in that space, she said. Other boaters need help from salvage crews to escape the reef. After reports of three boats ignoring the warning earlier this month, Glancy on Facebook uploaded a photo of the water-surrounded facility with overlaying captions that read, WARNING THIS BUILDING IS NOT FLOATING. It is sitting on a stone reef. The message was shared hundreds of times, and comments in the social media post indicated locals familiar with the lighthouse like Glancy find it humorous that boaters continue to miss the warning inherent by the presence of a six-story-tall lighthouse. Never built a lighthouse to mark deep water!, one user wrote in the thread. Glancy said she meant her post to resonate with sarcasm, but with the message capturing so much attention, perhaps it will reach boaters who will know now to keep their distance from the reef. Obviously, its not floating, she said of the lighthouse. Obviously, its sitting on something shallow enough that you could build a lighthouse there. I mean, I wouldnt take my big, fancy boat in front of it. She said its practically a Port Austin tradition to watch boaters ignore why the lighthouse exists despite the fact the structure is considered by many to be the most noticeable and visible historic landmark in the scenic Port Austin lakeside region. The lighthouse continues to shine an automated light out onto the bay, even as the facility undergoes renovations this year, Glancy said. Those renovations mean she will not lead any tours this summer through the facility, which she typically reaches via a pontoon boat built for the shallow-water trek. The original Port Austin Reef Lighthouse was built in 1878 and then rebuilt on 1937, according to the structures website. The facility was positioned to serve as a turning point for shipping vessels moving north from Saginaw Bay or west from Lake Huron. Glancy said, even with tours inside the lighthouse suspended during the renovations, its a sight worth checking out from the shore and worth avoiding from the sea. 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. Read more from MLive: This Michigan tourist spot makes travel list we almost feel bad talking about Quell your communal exercise fix via this weekly mid-Michigan bicycling group Try barbecue, burgers and more at this food truck fest in Michigans Little Bavaria Check out this Michigan city you didnt know was great for antiquing Bay City State Parks new nature-inspired playground now open by the Saginaw Bay Jazz in the Garden, Lawn Chair Film Festival and more Saginaw summertime events this July BAY CITY, MI Theres a waterfront ice cream shop on the banks of the Saginaw River in Bay City thats known for its unique flavors freshly made with locally-sourced ingredients. Michigan Cream & Sugar Ice Cream Co., a seasonal ice cream parlor located in the Uptown Bay City development thats also home to Prost! Wine Bar & Charcuterie, Real Seafood, Vinnys Pizzeria and other restaurants and retailers, serves campfire smore, peaches and cream, lemon blueberry and other special flavors in freshly-made bubble waffle cones. But this summer, Cream & Sugar has a special treat for canine customers, too. Ice cream maker Rachel Vaillancourt was baking banana bread for our totally bananas flavor a couple weeks ago, when she suggested we should make a banana pup cup. She said her dog loves to eat bananas as an occasional treat, said Tim Mangan, manager of Cream & Sugar, 160 Uptown Drive. These snacks are made with only locally-sourced cream, milk and sugar, plus fresh bananas and a premium doggie treat on top. The pup cups have been so popular that Mangan plans to keep them on the menu for the next few weeks. While youre in town, you can also browse Bay Citys antique shops, enjoy a meal at one of the locally-owned restaurants downtown and at Uptown, and catch a concert at the Wenonah Park Bandshell. Cream & Sugar is open from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more information, visit michigancreamsugar.com or find Michigan Cream & Sugar Ice Cream Company on Facebook. Read more from MLive: Check out this Michigan city you didnt know was great for antiquing 5 great places to grab a bite after fishing all day in Bay City Saxsquatch and retail therapy: Fun things to do in Bay City this weekend July 21-23 Nineteen months after it completed its maps, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, returning to headlines, cleared Commissioner Anthony Eid of any ethics violations after he left a position as deputy director of Michigan Voices, a nonprofit that had lobbied the commission. With questions of a conflict of interest hanging overhead, Commissioner Rebecca Szetela last month asked for an ethics discussion and ruling regarding Eids employment at the next meeting. But soon after that meeting began Thursday, virtually over Zoom, Szetelas item was pulled from the agenda, leading her to accuse commission Chair Doug Clark of silencing debate. I think that there is a cover-up going on to protect Commissioner Eid from his own behavior and his own bad choices, she said. The meeting began with Clark announcing Eid and Michigan Voices had mutually parted ways. He then moved that discussion on this matter should be deleted from the agenda because it has been taken care of. But the question of whether Eid violated the commissions code of conduct or its conflict-of-interest policy, Szetela argued, was still unresolved, and her agenda item existed so the whole commission could make an determination. Eid, however, referenced a report requested by Clark, commission Executive Director Edward Woods III and legal liaison Steven Lett to address Szetelas agenda item. At this time, our attorneys have no concerns on this matter, concludes the report. It consulted commission policy, Michigan law, Eid and Michigan Voices. Michigan Voices, in a response, said it does not have a political action committee, a lobbyist, or a lobbying agent. It became an independent nonprofit in 2021. In 2022, it received about $58,000 from Reproductive Freedom for All, the successful effort to amend the state constitution to guarantee a right to abortion, according to the report. Our role was to ensure that historically disenfranchised and/or marginalized communities were able to participate in the process, Michigan Voices said of its commission interaction. Although the report includes the statement from the commissions attorneys, it was not prepared by them, Szetela noted to MLive. Under the the commissions conflict-of-interest policy, she argued, commissioners are to vote in a hearing to determine whether there was a violation. I think this document speaks for itself, Eid told MLive. He added he and Michigan Voices parted ways Wednesday but did not give a reason. The report, although dated Thursday, was sent to commissioners Tuesday evening, Woods told reporters in a press conference. Eid, he said, informed him Wednesday morning of the parting ways. We did not negotiate saying, Hey, Mr. Eid, if you quit your job with Michigan Voices then we wont make this an agenda item, Woods said. That did not happen. Eid openly worried in an email a month ago to his fellow commissioners, provided to MLive by Szetela, that he could lose his position with Michigan Voices due to the news coverage from the negative attention [that] has put me in a ton of hot water with the new job. The commission voted 8-5 to delete Szetelas agenda item, but Thursdays meeting soon heated back up. Commissioner Rhonda Lange had scheduled a core values discussion centered on transparency for after Szetelas agenda item. But after she tried to mention Eid, Clark responded that were not going to pinpoint or crucify a commissioner publicly like this. The commission then voted 8-4 to keep talk of Eids controversy out of the discussion, which is when Szetela accused Clark of covering up the matter by not allowing an open airing of concerns. FILE: Commissioner Rebecca Szetela, listens during a redistricting hearing on draft political maps put forward by Michigans independent redistricting commission in Detroit on Wednesday Oct. 20, 2021.Nicole Hester/ MLIVE.com We have a chair who is trying to shut down conversations that he doesnt like and trying to control speech of other commissioners, she said, arguing Clark was sullying the commissions integrity and made us look like a bunch of clowns. Commissioner Brittni Kellom fired back, saying its embarrassing for Szetela to air her grievance publicly instead of calling Eid privately. We are not going to find a subversive way to cover an agenda item that weve already voted collectively that is not going to be discussed, Kellom said. It is not about a cover-up. Szetela and Lange defended themselves by noting Clark had called them asking to remove the agenda item. So, there was an attempt to hide this and conceal it and cover it up from the very beginning, Szetela said. And the fact that now Rhonda wants to talk about transparency, and shes being shouted down and told she cant even talk about what she wants to talk about? Again, its very disturbing. Woods, in the post-meeting press conference, contended, There was no cover-up, and the report he helped prepare shows an open and transparent process. Lett and Clark added that they considered the ethics question against Eid to be moot after he and Michigan Voices parted ways. Its a shame, quite frankly, that Anthony has now lost a good-paying job because of what should never have been brought up in the first place, Lett said. If the Commission has to draw maps, it will need to revisit any potential conflict of interest, the report concludes. The commissions next scheduled meeting is Thursday, Aug. 17. Read more from MLive: Michigan GOP, after a pause, excoriates Nessel over Trump elector charges Shelby Twp. clerk removed from election duties after fake elector felony charges Whitmer signs $24.3 billion education budget with record per-pupil funding Where road construction could affect Michigan travel this weekend Calvin and Karen Caruso are worried a new GO Car Wash planned for the site of a former funeral home in Clarence is going to burst their business bubble. The Carusos have owned and operated Bubble Boy Car Wash for 17 years. They argue there is no need for another car wash to open just 100 feet or so from them. After nearly two years of review, the project got final approval in May, and demolition at the site along busy Transit Road started late last week. The couple cant predict whether GO will drive them out of business but, Karen Caruso said in an interview, I think thats their intention. Delta Sonic, long the areas major car wash operator with full-service locations boasting gas and retail sales, has seen some new developments run into opposition from neighbors. But the expansion of Rochester-based Royal Car Wash later taken over by GO and other companies into Buffalo Niagara has sparked more community conflict, some covered in the local Bee Newspapers. Inside the 'gold rush' to build car washes Calvin Caruso was shocked to receive phone calls recently from larger out-of-state car wash operators inquiring whether hed be interested in selling his Bubble Boy Car Wash on Transit Road. Residents have complained about traffic, noise, water and cleaning solution runoff and other potential harmful effects. During municipal meetings, company representatives have defended their operations and said they strive to be good neighbors. I think, obviously, the municipalities have noticed an increase in the number of car washes in the area. So the scrutiny has certainly increased from a municipal standpoint, said Anthony Daniele, a vice president with the Daniele Family Cos., which develops new car wash locations for GO to operate. Some local governments have taken to heart their constituents concerns, scrubbing planned developments and even changing their zoning codes to limit where the businesses can go. We want people to invest in West Seneca, Supervisor Gary Dickson said, within reasonable limits meant to protect the interests of the town and its residents. Heres how the car wash clashes played out recently in three Buffalo suburbs. Clarence conflict The town Planning Board in July 2021 started reviewing the Royal Car Wash proposed for 6685 Transit Road, the former Urban Brothers Funeral Home, two parcels south of the Bubble Boy Car Wash and detailing shop. A car wash so close threatens their business, which started with three employees and now has 28, said Calvin Caruso, who recalled laughing when he learned of the plan. I go, No way in hell the Town of Clarence would allow that, he said. Thats the dumbest thing Ive ever heard. Its just stupid. You dont put your car washes 100 feet apart. Neighbors complained at Planning Board and Town Board meetings that this section of Transit, which briefly narrows to one lane in each direction, already is too busy. I hear at least one accident a month. At least, said Charlie Reid, owner of Picket Fence and Exteriors, which sits between the Bubble Boy and funeral home sites. Clarence officials noted the state has jurisdiction over Transit Road. The developer produced a traffic impact study, as required, that found the car wash would not significantly add to traffic, though some neighbors questioned how the study was conducted. The town couldnt weigh the competitive effects of the new car wash on existing businesses, said Jon Bleuer, Clarences director of community development, who said the project was subject to the towns robust, standard process of review. Royal Car Wash expands into Delta Sonic's turf Danny Daniele fondly remembers rolling through Delta Sonic car washes as a kid him in the backseat, his parents in the front. Today, hes driving forward with his own string of car washes that put him in direct competition with Delta Sonic in Rochester and, soon, in Buffalo. Royal Car Wash will construct its first local car wash on vacant The Carusos remain bitter. They said they believe town officials werent transparent and Clarence Supervisor Patrick Casilio didnt do enough to distance himself from the review process given his conflict of interest. It was already a done deal because of him, Karen Caruso said. Casilio said he recused himself as of November 2021 because his family business, Casilio Cos., had the contract to construct the Royal Car Wash on Union Road in West Seneca. The company last month was hired to build the Clarence car wash. Whenever the matter came before the Town Board he went to sit in the audience. He did not attend meetings of the Planning Board, which led the review process and is a whole, separate entity, Casilio said. Daniele said most of the opposition he heard from residents at town meetings was stirred up by the Carusos. I would say 85 to 90 percent of them specifically got up and said, We dont need another car wash. We like the car wash next door. The car wash next door asked us to come out and support them, Daniele said. Daniele said the new GO car wash will compete with Bubble Boy but, if customers request a service GO doesnt offer, employees will send them to the Carusos. Tonawanda tempest Town officials in 2019 approved a Royal Car Wash at 2355 Sheridan Drive. The business, now a GO Car Wash, opened in January 2020 just east of the towns Rails to Trails pedestrian walkway between Caputis Sheridan Pub and a Family Dollar. The backyards of homes on Woodland Drive meet the rear of the car wash. Neighbors say they have dealt with loud noise, smell from cleaning products and spray from pre-washing that splashes onto their properties, making it all-but-impossible to enjoy their yards. In interviews and at public meetings they said the car washs owners and town officials havent responded to their concerns. This is just a nightmare, said one neighbor, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. Royal and Daniele misled town planners when they promised pre-washing would be done inside the car wash tunnel, said Tonawanda Supervisor Joseph Emminger, when it regularly takes place outdoors. Because the town didnt require indoor pre-washing in the site plan, he said, it has no authority to force the company to stop. The neighbors have been asking the town to do something but our hands are tied on that, the supervisor said. We cant, because we took him for his word. Its also difficult to mitigate noise coming from the business. Daniele said the company has tried to act responsibly. On Sheridan Drive, for example, he said it constructed an 8-foot-high fence along the rear of the property line, installed quieter dryers and used soap without artificial scents. Nobody wants it in their backyard. But, unfortunately, theres commercially zoned areas. And if you choose to live near them, its going to be loud and its going to smell, Daniele said, noting that is the case with restaurants and other businesses along Sheridan. Residents near 2436 Niagara Falls Blvd., at Forbes Avenue, offered their own objections when a proposed GO car wash was under review in late 2022. Forbes resident Alan Plath on Dec. 5 told Town Board members he had a petition with 130 signatures in opposition, meeting minutes show. Two days later, the town Planning Board recommended denying the car wash a special use permit. Planning Director James Hartz said the issues on Sheridan influenced the boards vote on the Niagara Falls Boulevard proposal. We learned our lesson, Emminger said this week. Daniele said the company withdrew this request to try to preserve a good working relationship with Tonawanda officials. West Seneca wrangling GO has two car washes in the town. One is at 1343 Union Road, across from West Seneca Town Park. Its just south of a site at Union and Center roads where Royal had initially proposed constructing a car wash. When neighbors objected, Royal reached a deal with the owner of 1343 Union, who had already received permission for a car wash, to buy that property. GO also has a car wash at 3400 Transit Road, at Clinton Street. The company last year sought to open a third location, at Transit Road and Seneca Street, two miles to the south. The Town Board in March voted to deny a special use permit for the project. Dickson said potential traffic problems, the abundance of car washes nearby and worries about what would happen if the business closed drove the decision. We feel the reasons we rejected it are defensible, the supervisor said. As an example, he pointed to the former Bollers Car Wash, across the street from 3400 Transit, which closed about a decade ago and has remained unused. Youre stuck with a building that is really not reusable and is an eyesore, Dickson said. Further, the Town Board last month updated its zoning code to require any future car wash location be at least 500 feet from a residence and 1,000 feet from another car wash. Its modeled after language in the Hamburg town zoning code, he said. Daniele said the towns rationale was arbitrary and capricious and, if the company chose to force the question in court it would win. But, he said, they dont want to force their way into this location. The town, he said, historically, has been good to us and fair. Republicans on Capitol Hill who have been probing Ford as it prepares to construct an electric vehicle battery plant in Marshall are raising new concerns about its Chinese partner, a company called CATL. In a letter to the automaker Thursday, GOP Reps. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin and Jason Smith of Missouri asked for answers regarding Chinese employment at the plant, how much control the countrys ruling Communist Party will have, and CATLs alleged connection to human rights abuses. Smith chairs the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, and Gallagher chairs a select committee on the Chinese Communist Party. Ford expects its $3.5 billion BlueOval plant near Battle Creek where production will start in 2026 to create 2,500 jobs, but the congressmen say in their letter that they learned several hundred of these jobs will be given to Chinese citizens instead of Americans. Additionally, financial disclosures and Chinese media reports suggest, per the letter, that CATL took steps to maintain effective control while appearing to divest its ownership stake in companies that allegedly are connected to forced labor practices. CATLs ongoing relationship with a lithium mining company implicated in forced labor calls into question Fords commitment to responsible supply chains, Gallagher and Smith wrote. The congressmen requested from Ford a copy of its licensing agreement with CATL, all related documents and communications between the entities, plus all documents and communications between Ford and the Biden administration relating to the agreement and/or achievable tax credits. The lawmakers also want to know how many Chinese nationals will be employed at BlueOval and how long they plan to stay, plus how Ford will ensure imports are free of forced labor and to what extent CATLs loyalties may lie with the Communist Party. Related: Judge rules against pausing Ford battery plant in Marshall Ford spokesperson Melissa Miller told MLive the company is reviewing the congressmens letter and will respond soon. On the topic broadly, she added, there has been a lot of misinformation about the Marshall plant. In defense, she noted that unlike Fords competitors it will own and run this LFP battery plant in the U.S. Were creating 2,500 new U.S. jobs while helping to strengthen domestic manufacturing and supply chains and reduce carbon emissions, Miller said. This is good for our country, good for the planet and good for Fords business. Related: Historic barns sold for $1 will be moved from site of Ford plant Rep. Haley Stevens, the only Michigan Democrat on the select committee, defended Ford on Twitter. We have been woefully behind on scaled battery manufacturing production for years, allowing China to dominate this space, she tweeted. We cant fail to invest and then finger point when our autos try to catch up. Ford has a plan to own the tech and be independent from China, I support that. Early work has already begun on the hundreds of acres of open land that Fords campus will occupy. Michigan has awarded the project $1.7 billion in incentives like grants and tax breaks. Read more from MLive: Whitmers team leans into the Barbie craze. Social media eats it up. Michigan State Police deletes Barbie post out of respect for female officers Ranking Michigan health care jobs by growth, pay and staff shortages Cover-up alleged as Michigan redistricting member cleared of ethics violation The Michigan Governors office capitalized on the social media ubiquity of Barbie to near-viral success this week by depicting an 11.5-inch, fuchsia suit-wearing version of the states chief executive. Social media posts of Gretchen Whitmer-Barbie produced by the governors staff have exploded on social media in the run-up to the much-ballyhooed movies release Friday. The post have been so widely shared that The New York Times wrote a full-fledged style section feature on the outreach strategy. Come on Barbie, let's go govern. This Barbie is the 49th Governor of the great state of Michigan, and just like @Barbie, fuchsia is my power color. I'm committed to fighting for a state where every Michigander, no matter their background, can thrive. pic.twitter.com/F8Qq9gSrEL Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) July 20, 2023 The Barbie, it turns out, is one of the figures released in celebration of the film pink suit included. It retails for $50. The necklace? A Meijer find, her staff said. Politicos and public relations experts have fawned over the campaign, which was the brainchild of Whitmers digital director, Julia Pickett. Whitmer advisors told MLive the scene-setting in the pictures was deliberate. Barbie in a Chevrolet Corvette, a model historically made in Flint, is placed in front of cones meant to symbolize Whitmers emphasis on road infrastructure. The doll seated at a desk depicts Whitmer signing legislation, which is, of course, pink. Photos depict a Barbie doll as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in and around the Michigan Capitol. Whitmer's staff posted the picture, coinciding with the eponymous movie's release, on social media to promote her agenda, where they were widely shared. We meet people where they are and use cultural moments to make change in policy, government, and politics, Kaylie Hanson, Whitmers chief communications officer said in a statement. This campaign will hopefully help show people that yes, girls can embrace who they are and do what girls do best: lead. The movie aims to pull a full plot out of the iconic Mattel dolls universe and stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken. It has been largely well-received by critics. Fuchsia has become something of a trademark for Whitmer, who wore a similar suit on election night in 2022 and then an overcoat in the same shade for her inauguration in January. She donned the color again in April, when she signed legislation repealing the states 1931 law banning abortion. It is also a shade that symbolized resistance to the administration of former President Donald Trump, as the color of hats associated with the 2017 womens march in Washington, DC. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at the Michigan Democratic election night party held at the Sound Board Theater inside MotorCity Casino in Detroit on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com Tying public servants to the Barbie franchise hasnt been universally well-received. The Michigan State Police had to take down a Barbie post of their own after criticism. More: Michigan State Police deletes Barbie post out of respect for female officers Read more on MLive Michigan has a housing problem. So, what is the legislature doing? Why one Michigan governors official portrait appears forever unfinished Whitmer signs $24.3 billion education budget with record per-pupil funding Barbie is taking over social media as brands, businesses and even government officials get in on the hype as the popular dolls live action movie debuts. But the Michigan State Police removed late Thursday, July 20, a post depicting a Barbie in a blue police uniform in front of a squad car. MSPs social media team values the contributions of our female members and out of respect for them we have removed our previous post about Barbie, the department then wrote in a social media post. The now-deleted post, captured in a screenshot and shared on Twitter, encouraged people to seek a career with MSP. It reads, This Barbie is ready to serve the state of Michigan! and listed some of the endless job opportunities available with the agency. MLive reached out to the state police about whether they received employee complaints that led the department to take down the post. The statement we shared last night is the extent of our comment on this matter, a spokesperson responded. Several social media users applauded the state polices use of Barbie, saying it was a positive message for young girls. With the star-studded film released in theaters July 21, other state agencies and officials have joined in on the fervor. RELATED: Whitmers team leans into the Barbie craze. Social media eats it up. Gov. Gretchen Whitmers social media account made a number of posts this week of a Barbie look alike dressed in the governors signature hot pink suit with a Chevrolet Corvette to match. Come on Barbie, let's go govern. This Barbie is the 49th Governor of the great state of Michigan, and just like @Barbie, fuchsia is my power color. I'm committed to fighting for a state where every Michigander, no matter their background, can thrive. pic.twitter.com/F8Qq9gSrEL Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) July 20, 2023 The state Capitol building was transformed into the iconic Barbie Dreamhouse in a post made by the Michigan House Democrats. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources also had some fun, as they used Barbie and Ken dolls to showcase jobs of their employees, like a data scientist and wildlife biologist. Read more from MLive: Cover-up alleged as Michigan redistricting member cleared of ethics violation Ranking Michigan health care jobs by growth, pay and staff shortages Michigan GOP, after a pause, excoriates Nessel over Trump elector charges Whitmer signs $24.3 billion education budget with record per-pupil funding Its been a busy offseason for Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, whos changed more than one-third of the roster following a series of free-agent signings and a couple of trades. The Red Wings still have $8.1 million in cap space (slightly less after they re-sign Joe Veleno). After Veleno is signed, their projected roster will have 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders. There is room for one more, though they dont need to go to the 23-man limit. Three weeks after the start of free agency, there are a few prominent players available. Is Yzerman done making moves? That was among the topics in the latest Red Wings mailbag: Q: We still have cap space and theres some intriguing options still available, like Patrick Kane and (Vladimir) Tarasenko. Would love to see Kane on (Alex) DeBrincats line. They worked well together in Chicago. Any chance of that happening? Doug A: For what its worth, this is what Yzerman said about potentially making another move after acquiring DeBrincat: Im not going to rule anything out. If theres a great player out there and we can acquire him we would strongly consider it. Were not restrained by finances, were restrained by the salary cap. Were not going to go to the cap just to go to the cap, but certainly if an opportunity comes along that makes our team better were prepared to do that. Having said that, Im not aware of any scenario thats going to happen at this time. So, I dont see us doing a whole lot more. Kane underwent hip resurfacing surgery on June 1 and is expected to miss four-to-six months. Hell likely sign with a team when hes closer to returning. Hes probably looking for a multiyear deal with a Stanley Cup-contending club. Dont think hed be interested in being part of a rebuild at this stage of his career. Tarasenko reportedly is seeking a multiyear deal in the $6 million-a-year range. He wont get that in Detroit. If the New York Rangers cant afford him, maybe he goes to Ottawa as DeBrincats replacement if the Senators can find the cap space. The Red Wings arent going to exhaust all of their cap space but could use another forward, maybe a bottom-six center. Perhaps theyd be interested in bringing back Pius Suter on a reasonable one-year deal. At this point, hes probably not getting the two-year contract hes seeking on the market. Another possibility is helping a cap-strapped team by assuming an expiring contract and acquiring a second-round pick in the process, like they did with Marc Staal and Nick Leddy. Q: Any interest in Alex Chiasson? Hed come cheap and the power play was more dangerous when he got called up. Don A: They were interested in Chiasson, 32, heading into free agency but only on a two-way contract. Perhaps theyll circle back if he cant get the one-way deal hes seeking on the market. He could move back and forth between Grand Rapids and Detroit as needed or remain with the Red Wings as the 13th or 14th forward on a healthy roster. He was a good fit as a net-front presence on the power play, where he scored five of his six goals in 20 games. Q: I dont understand why Ottawa traded Alex DeBrincat to a team that he could help keep them (the Senators) out of the playoffs. Anything to read into that? Chuck A: Ottawa, under ordinary circumstances, wouldnt have traded a proven goal-scorer to a team it figures to be competing against for a playoff spot for the next several seasons. But the Red Wings benefitted from several factors. They were one of the few teams in need of a goal-scorer that had the cap space to afford him and was willing to relinquish a 2024 first-round pick, having acquired Bostons in the Tyler Bertuzzi trade (the lower of their own first-rounder and the Bruins pick will go to Ottawa). Plus, DeBrincat had leverage with a short list of teams hed be willing to sign an extension with and Detroit being at the top. No team was going to relinquish key assets for a player it couldnt get signed beyond this season. In hindsight, Senators GM Pierre Dorian probably shouldnt have acquired DeBrincat from Chicago in 2022 unless he had assurance the player wanted to stay there long-term. (If you have a Red Wings-related question, email akhan1@mlive.com.) More: Projecting Red Wings season-opening lines, defense pairs We are pleased to announce an exciting partnership between Event Guide Africa and the South African High Commission to host the highly anticipated 5th edition of the Africa Event Awards. This prestigious event is dedicated to recognizing and rewarding excellence in the events industry, and it is with immense pleasure that we reveal its main launch on 25th August, with the grand finale set to take place on 22nd September at the esteemed South African High Commissioner's residence. The Africa Events Awards have consistently celebrated outstanding achievements in the events domain, bringing together industry professionals, stakeholders, and visionaries from around the globe. As we enter the 5th edition of this remarkable event, we aim to raise the bar even higher, providing an unparalleled platform for exceptional event organizers, planners, hosts, promoters, and suppliers to gain well-deserved recognition. This partnership between Event Guide Africa and the South African High Commission signifies the coming together of two entities committed to excellence, creativity, and cultural exchange. By collaborating, we seek to create an extraordinary experience that celebrates not only the innovation in events but also the rich heritage and diversity of Africa. The official launch of the 5th edition of the Africa Event Awards will be held on August 25th, catalyzing building anticipation and excitement for the upcoming event. It will be an opportunity to unveil the various categories and criteria for the awards, as well as provide insights into the exceptional performances that will be recognized and celebrated. We would like to extend our gratitude to our esteemed partners who have shown unwavering support and belief in the power of events to shape our society. The South African High Commission, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ministry Of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Lebanon Embassy, Africa Middle East Trade & Investment Corporation, Beyond the Return, Kaya Tours, and India Africa Trade Council, Nineteen57, Global Ovation, Imperial Global Group, Rhythms Africa, Uprok Events, Veetickets, Foodsurf, and MultipleQuest. Our sponsors, Belaqua, Bel Beverages, B5 Plus Group, Lesfam, Accra City Hotel, Labelle Event, GhMedia, Veuve Du Vernay, Asuavo, and Luxlight, have played a pivotal role in making this event a reality. Their generous contributions and commitment to excellence have made it possible for us to create a platform that recognizes the outstanding achievements of event professionals. In addition, we would like to acknowledge our media partners, Media General, Metro Tv, Pan African Tv, Hype Media Group, Trace Africa, EBS, Citizen Digital, Hip Tv, Kobby Kyei, Zionfelix, Nkonkonsa, and Roonie Is Everywhere, who will play an essential role in spreading the word about this esteemed event. Their dedication to journalistic integrity and their extensive reach will ensure that the 5th edition of the Events Award receives the attention it deserves, amplifying its impact within the events industry and beyond. We invite event organizers, professionals, and enthusiasts from all corners of the globe to join us in celebrating the remarkable achievements within the events industry at the South African High Commissioner's Residence on September 22nd. This is an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, gain valuable insights, and witness firsthand the talent and creativity that drives this thriving sector. Together, Event Guide Africa and the South African High Commission are committed to creating an unparalleled experience that showcases the very best the events industry has to offer. We look forward to welcoming you to the 5th edition of the Africa Event Award and celebrating the outstanding achievements that have shaped our industry. Thank you. Ethiopian Airlines, Boeing and ThinkYoung have launched the STEM School, an initiative designed to equip young individuals and teachers in Ethiopia with the necessary skills for better employment opportunities. The program focuses on underprivileged African youth especially women, fostering their pursuit of higher education in STEM with a focus on aviation. The STEM School will be hosted at the Ethiopian Airlines Aviation University, leveraging the expertise of the flagship carrier of Ethiopia. This collaboration ensures that students and teachers will benefit from the extensive knowledge and resources of the fastest growing Airline in Africa, enhancing their educational experience and providing them with real-world insights. Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Mr. Mesfin Tasew said about the program: "We are delighted in our collaboration with Boeing and ThinkYoung to launch the STEM School initiative, which helps Ethiopian youths to succeed in education and in their future careers, primarily in aviation fields, and to become the next generation of innovators. We believe in going at a compatible pace with the speed of technology and being prepared for future demands. This cooperation and initiative will develop young people to meet the future needs of the fast-growing Ethiopian aviation industry. A comprehensive, immersive program spanning six weeks, the STEM School will provide over 300 hours of classes and hands-on training. The program will welcome 24 students in grades 11-12 from different regions of Ethiopia. 50% of students will be girls. The students will learn the basics of STEM, coding and programming as well as soft skills such as teamwork and problem-solving. Job shadowing at Ethiopian Airlines will allow students to experience various STEM-related roles and improve skills gained during the program. The students will have an opportunity to meet with the professionals from Ethiopian Airlines who will mentor them during their individual projects. This internship also has the added benefit of providing professional recommendations, resume-worthy experience, and networking opportunities. Kuljit Ghata-Aura, president of Boeing Middle East, Turkiye and Africa commented, "The partnership between Ethiopian Airlines, ThinkYoung, and Boeing embodies a perfect blend of leadership in African aviation, global aerospace innovation, and educational excellence. This synergy will undoubtedly contribute to the success of the STEM School, facilitating the creation of a steady talent pipeline to support growing commercial aviation in Ethiopia." Anbessie Yitbarek, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Sales and Marketing vice president in Africa added, We value our partnerships with Ethiopian Airlines and trusted NGOs that in the long run help boost the economy in Ethiopia and beyond by developing and attracting local talent. We are proud of the community work we do in Africa and believe in developing the skills and encouraging young people to consider the aviation industry for their studies and careers. Another portion of the partnership is the Teacher Training Program. 24 educators from Ethiopia will attend a teaching workshop to improve their ability to teach advanced STEM concepts. After one week of training the teachers will return home with a kit they can use in their classrooms. Andrea Gerosa, founder of ThinkYoung Africa said, "ThinkYoung is honored to join forces with Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines in introducing our transformative STEM School program, aimed at supporting Ethiopia's commitment to addressing skills gaps, particularly in the field of STEM education. Together, we want to create a lasting impact on the lives of Ethiopians, empowering them with the essential education and skills needed to not only adapt but thrive in the ever-evolving digital future." Peace FM morning show host, Kwami Sefa Kayi, popularly known as 'Chairman General', has rubbished rumours Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia is being funded by some Islamic group in Nigeria. The veteran broadcaster, during his 'Kokrokoo' morning show on Peace FM described as false information circulating about the Vice President. The rumour alleges that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's presidential campaign is being sponsored by Islamic fundamentalists from Nigeria called ACF. The claim, shared by a purported Nigerian journalist named David Humdeyin, has been gaining attention. In his commentary, Sefa Kayi referred to this period as the "silly season" where various unfounded allegations and smear campaigns are fashioned against political opponents. He stated, "Thankfully, to the glory of God, I have worked as a practising Journalist for well over 25 years. Sometimes, we know it is a silly season, juju and tricks." He added, "when you ask those making the allegations to provide evidence, it turns into stories. Challenging Heights has provided financial support valued GHC250,000 to 368 fishermen in Winneba, to help the beneficiaries cope with the impact of this years fishing closed season. The beneficiaries were carefully selected from amongst those who are caregivers of children of school going age, and whose sources of income have been seized as a result of the close season. Beneficiaries received cash amount ranging between GHC500 and GHC1,000, per the needs of the individuals. According to Challenging Heights, the cash support are meant for various purposes including the repair of fishing gears, support their childrens education and for the women in the value chain to engage in petty trading. A couple of weeks ago the Minister of Fisheries and Aqua Culture announced a suspension of all fishing activities for the month of July, rendering fisherfolks within the fishing value-chain, with no alternative income sources for the period. Presenting the financial packages, the President of Challenging Heights, James Kofi Annan, expressed his displeasure towards the Ghana government for not doing enough to mitigate the impact of the close season on the fishermen and fishmongers whose livelihoods are being affected. He said artisanal fishing directly employs over 200,000, and over 2.2million people in the fishing value-chain. Asking all these men and women not to work for four weeks without providing appropriate mitigation makes the fishermen more vulnerable to poverty, and consequently affects the education of their children, James Kofi Annan argued. . A couple of years ago the Ghana government introduced the annual fishing closed season, with the purpose of improving fish stock in the nations marine waters. Fishermen and fishmongers have lamented the untold hardship the closed season policy plunged them into. In view of the consequences of the closed season, Challenging Heights is calling on Ghana to provide appropriate insurance packages for the affected individuals whose livelihoods depend on the fishing value-chain. Ghana's Supreme Court dismissed a legal challenge seeking to block parliament from passing a strict anti-LGBT bill on Wednesday, paving the way for its ratification. The Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values bill would criminalise transgender people, same-sex relations, and advocating LGBTQ+ rights in Ghana. It will further reduce freedoms in a country where gay sex is already punishable with up to three years in jail, critics and activists say. Amanda Odoi, an academic researcher, filed a lawsuit on July 7 challenging the bill's constitutionality, saying it could impact donor aid and other forms of financial support. But Ghana's Supreme Court ruled her arguments were not sufficiently convincing to grant an injunction on Wednesday. The ruling clears the way for the bill, one of the harshest towards the LGBTQ community in Africa, to go through a final stage of parliamentary approval before being signed into law. Lawmakers in the West African nation have been debating the bill since August 2021. Most Ghanaian MPs are in favour of it. International worry The United Nations said in 2021 that the Ghanaian law would create "a system of state-sponsored discrimination and violence" against sexual minorities. Ghana's bill is backed by religious and traditional leaders, and includes jail sentences of up to 10 years for advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. Publishing content considered pro-LGBTQ or that challenges traditional binary gender identities could also lead to prosecution. Opponents also say the bill encourages conversion therapy, as sentencing can be reduced if those found guilty request treatment. Reactionary wave The move comes as Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni signed one of the world's toughest anti-LGBTQ+ laws, in May, which spelled out the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality". In Burundi, in March, prosecutors charged 24 people with engaging in same-sex acts and inciting homosexuality in others, in a crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights that has been criticised by the United Nations. South Africa and Namibia are the rare exceptions. In May, Namibia's Supreme Court recognised same-sex marriages contracted abroad between citizens and foreign spouses. Many saw the ruling as a step towards decriminalising homosexuality in the country. Kenyan opposition MP George Peter Kaluma has also been leading a campaign for parliament to further criminalise the country's small LGBTQ community. It was seen as the latest sign of rising homophobia in different African countries. US President Joe Biden had responded by threatening to impose sanctions and travel restrictions on "anyone involved in serious human rights abuses" in East Africa. US Ambassador also warned Ghanaian lawmakers in December that their attempt to pass the anti-LGBT bill could affect their economy. (with Reuters) South Africa is on the path to reforming its law on whistleblowing to provide improved protection for individuals who expose corruption and illegal activity. The country's Department of Justice and Constitutional Development recently published a discussion document on the proposed reforms. This first step in reforming the country's law on whistleblowers is to be welcomed. Whistleblowers in South Africa have endured severe consequences. These include physical harm, intimidation, and loss of jobs and career prospects. Some have been murdered . Others have fled the country , fearing for their lives or safety . The Zondo Commission , which investigated state capture and corruption within government departments and state-owned entities, highlighted whistleblowing as one of the most effective tools to combat corruption. The discussion document on reform builds on President Cyril Ramaphosa's response to the commission's findings and recommendations. I am a company law professor with many years of research in corporate governance including corruption and whistleblowing in South Africa. My recent analysis of the current whistleblowing regulations found that they do not go far enough in protecting or encouraging corporate whistleblowers. The new discussion document has many commendable proposals, in my view. But these may not go far enough. While the government proposals would expand the scope of protection under the Protected Disclosures Act , they do not address the challenge of whistleblowers having to navigate a complex and inconsistent web of legislation currently in place. What South Africa needs is a consolidated legislative framework that governs whistleblowing in the various sectors. The requirements for protection would be the same in the different sectors. This would bring clarity and consistency across sectors. It would also make the laws easy to understand and to rely on. Financial incentives The discussion document rejects the idea of providing financial rewards to whistleblowers. It opts instead for a fund to assist those who are dismissed and who face severe financial hardship for blowing the whistle. While the fund may provide some relief to unemployed whistleblowers, it does not go far enough to give whistleblowers an incentive to come forward. Without adequate incentives, whistleblowers may hesitate to come forward and expose corruption. Given the alarming levels of corruption in South Africa, it is imperative that whistleblowers are incentivised to step forward and that their protection is ensured. It is controversial whether whistleblowers should be rewarded for their disclosures. This is because of moral and ethical concerns. Some worry about potential ulterior motives taking the place of a genuine desire to expose wrongdoing when rewards are offered. Another concern is that whistleblower awards may encourage fraudulent reporting and false allegations. Read more: Whistleblowers are key to fighting corruption in South Africa. It shouldn't be at their peril However, in a highly corrupt environment, the need to expose corruption should outweigh concerns about motives. Strict penalties could be put in place in the legislative framework to overcome concerns about fraudulent reporting and false allegations. In my research I found that the benefits of a whistleblower award system in South Africa outweigh the potential drawbacks. Such a system may encourage whistleblowers to disclose high-quality information that would otherwise be difficult to obtain. This is crucial in a country with high levels of corruption but low rates of reported wrongdoing. Other proposals for reform The justice department suggests that whistleblowers under the Protected Disclosures Act should have the right to request state protection if they reasonably believe that their lives or those of their immediate family members are in danger. This proposal is commendable because of the risks whistleblowers face in South Africa. It also proposes that criminal offences should be imposed on certain persons or organisations that ignore whistleblowers' disclosures, such as the Public Protector and the Public Service Commission . Legal Aid South Africa should provide legal assistance to whistleblowers at the justice minister's discretion. Read more: South Africa's corporate whistleblowers don't get enough protection: what needs to change Another proposal is to allow whistleblowers who believe that detrimental action has been taken against them to file complaints with the Human Rights Commission . The commission will have the authority to decide whether to investigate or dismiss the complaint, or refer it to a court to determine whether detrimental action was indeed taken. This proposal would enhance the commission's powers in managing whistleblower complaints. It is, however, crucial to establish effective processes and to avoid prolonged delays in addressing complaints. Consolidated legislative framework The main statutes governing whistleblowing in South Africa are the Protected Disclosures Act of 2000 and the Companies Act of 2008 . But there are at least nine other statutes governing whistleblowing. These include: the constitution Labour Relations Act Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act Financial Intelligence Centre Act National Environmental Management Act . This fragmented regulation creates a confusing web. It also results in inconsistent protection. The complexity and vagueness may also discourage people from disclosing wrongdoing. The proposed reforms focus at this stage on enhancing the Protected Disclosures Act , but not the other statutes related to whistleblowing. The act protects whistleblowers who are employees in the public and private sectors from being subjected to occupational detriments, such as being dismissed, demoted, suspended or disciplined. The justice department proposes widening its protections to include persons who are not in an employer-employee relationship. Read more: Whistleblowers and tax evasion: what South Africa needs to add to its toolbox Whistleblowing is neither self-serving nor socially reprehensible. It is an essential weapon in the fight against corruption. Given South Africa's staggering and escalating corruption levels, a strong legal framework is needed which both encourages whistleblowing and effectively protects whistleblowers. The reforms are still in the early stages. They require further development before being drafted into an amendment bill. The discussion document is open to public comment until 15 August 2023. It remains to be seen what effect the public comments will have on the proposed reforms. Hopefully, the final reforms will provide stronger encouragement and incentives for whistleblowers, considering the risks they face while bravely serving society. Rehana Cassim does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. By Rehana Cassim, Professor in Company Law, University of South Africa A tractor-trailer carrying a load of stone collided with a car Thursday morning in the Town of Warsaw, causing injuries to the drivers of both vehicles. The driver of the car was transported by Warsaw ambulance to Erie County Medical Center, and the truck driver was transported by Mercy Flight to Strong Hospital in Rochester. The collision, which occurred just before 10 a.m. at the intersection of Buck and Liberty Street roads, resulted in significant damage to the car, while the tractor-trailer rolled over into a hay field, according to the Wyoming County Office of Emergency Services. An electrical pole was damaged, causing power outages in the area. The tractor-trailer also spilled about 120 gallons of diesel fuel. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation responded to the scene to monitor cleanup of the diesel spill. The Wyoming County Sheriffs Office is investigating the crash. - Mike Petro 20.07.2023 LISTEN Assistant Commissioner Joseph Allan, Aflao Sector Commander, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority has appealed to nurses and midwives to stay and offer their services to the citizenry. He said nurses and midwives played an integral role in the healthcare system as they were responsible for providing care and support to families and communities including personnel under his Command hence, the need for them to stay back and serve the country. Assistant Commissioner Allan made the appeal through his representative at a ceremony to mark this year's Nurses and Midwives Week celebration at Aflao under the theme, Our Nurses and Midwives, Our Future. He said nurses and midwives might be facing challenges including poor working environments and conditions of service but that should not serve as motivation for them to migrate to other developed countries for greener pastures to the detriment of their home country saying, without nurses and midwives, our future is not guaranteed. We sympathise with you on the challenges you face working in the country for which reason you may want to leave but you must know that there are challenges everywhere. God in His wisdom gave you Ghana. Stay, and serve the motherland. We celebrate Ghanaian nurses and midwives and those in Ketu South in particular. We are able to do what we do collect revenue for the state because we are healthy as result of the quality of care you give us when we fall sick and visit the health facilities, the Commander said. Mr Courage A.Y.F Kwame-Kumah, Volta Regional Secretary, Ghana Registered Nurses, and Midwives Association (GRNMA) said data available to the Association showed that from ending of January 2022 to April 2023, some 9,000 nurses and midwives had cleared themselves to leave the shores of Ghana. The most pathetic part is that it is the professional and specialist class we are losing. The negative implications are already being felt in all our facilities and are getting worse by the day, he said. Mr Samuel Kwaku Numana, Ketu South District Chairman, GRNMA said nurses and midwives continued to face challenges that must be addressed in the interest of all. Some of our challenges include but not limited to increasing workload as a result of the increasing migration of nurses and midwives; poor conditions of service including low salaries; logistical challenges including the lack of modern equipment for care; poor and unsafe working environments; unemployment of qualified nurses and midwives because they lose their skills while sitting at home; and lack of medical insurance. Mr David Agbokpe, Ketu South Municipal Director of Health Services called on key stakeholders to support the cause of nurses and midwives whose role cut across every area of the healthcare system including administration and clinical, for a better future of healthcare. GNA French President Emmanuel Macron has reshuffled his government as he looks to move on from a series of crises since his re-election last year, government sources said on Thursday. After weeks of speculation that he might change prime minister, Macron had already said earlier in the week that he would stick with his under-fire prime minister, Elisabeth Borne. Since his re-election last May, Macron has faced months of fierce street protests over a deeply unpopular pensions reform. He was forced into crisis management again late last month when riots erupted nationwide after a police officer shot dead a teenager during a traffic stop. Advisors and ministers had long argued over whether Macron should carry out a major overhaul of his cabinet to signal a fresh start, but in the end the changes were limited. Education, interior, health The highest-profile change saw the replacement of Pap Ndiaye, France's first black education minister, who despite a solid intellectual profile was seen as lacking political experience and found little support among Macron's allies. His successor is Gabriel Attal, a former government spokesman and currently public accounts minister, and rising star in the Macron administration, sources told France's AFP news agency. Junior interior minister Marlene Schiappa was also sacked after she became embroiled in a scandal over the management of a public fund to fight Islamic extremism. The feminist campaigner also irked her colleagues by posing for Playboy magazine in the middle of the protests over Macron's pension reform. France also got a new health minister, Aurelien Rousseau, who was previously chief of staff to Prime Minister Borne. Macron's popularity ratings remain low but have begun to recover after suffering a near-record slump in April, with 30 percent of respondents in a 6 July poll saying they had a positive view of him. Riots sparked by the police killing of a teenager in a Paris suburb on 27 June saw four nights of intense clashes, with around 3,700 people arrested and hundreds of public buildings attacked. The violence, the worst since 2005, was contained after the deployment of around 45,000 security forces. Read also: (with AFP) 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. A local resident walks past a destroyed residential building in Mykolaiv. By Oleksii FILIPPOV (AFP) 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. A previous strike had destroyed 60,000 tonnes of grain meant for export from the major global producer, the Ukrainian agriculture ministry said. In the surprisingly named New York, whose horizon is darkened by smoke rising from the battlefields around, Russian strikes have targeted its chemical factory. By Genya SAVILOV (AFP) 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. On the front, fighting is concentrated in eastern Ukraine. By SERGEY BOBOK (AFP) 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 Soldiers from the 192 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have intercepted a Ghanaian national attempting to smuggle a truckload of ammunitions to Anambra State, in the Eastern part of Nigeria. Acting on credible intelligence, the soldiers busted an international ammunition smuggling syndicate on the Ajilete-Owode road in Ogun State, in western Nigeria. The troops conducted an extensive stop-and-search operation which led to the discovery of the illegal ammunitions in a truck bearing the registration number ENU 697 XY. The truck was found to be loaded with 720 packets of Red Star Cartridges of 12 Calibre, each containing 25 cartridges, totaling 18,000 cartridges. Additionally, the troops seized 250 packets of live (black) cartridges, with 10 packets per packet, amounting to 2500 cartridges of the same calibre. The suspects, identified as Eric Seworvor, a Ghanaian, and the driver, Lukman Sani, have been apprehended and are currently in custody assisting with ongoing investigations. Preliminary investigations reveal that the ammunition, which had been covertly concealed in an apparently empty truck, was imported from Mali via the Idiroko International Border. The alleged criminals managed to evade numerous checkpoints enroute to their final destination in Onitsha, Anambra State, where they intended to deliver the illegal ammunitions. The Nigerian Army has urged citizens to continue providing credible and actionable information to support the troops and other security agencies in their efforts to combat security challenges across the country. The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, commended the troops for their dedication and called on them to maintain their commitment as they work in collaboration with other services and security agencies to provide a safe and secure atmosphere for all Nigerians and promote socio-economic development. -DGN online A Metro Mass Transport (MMT) bus with registration number GT 5392-17 travelling to Cape Coast from Accra hit the rear of a stationary vehicle heading to the Ivory Coast at Potsin junction in the Central Region Thursday morning, injuring seventeen people. One person who sustained severe injuries has been referred to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. The accident happened around 10 am close to Tonisco quarry site on the Potsin section of the Accra-Cape Coast highway. The seventeen people who sustained various degrees of injuries after the crash are being treated at the Potsin Polyclinic. According to an eyewitness, the driver of the MMT bus, which was heading to Cape Coast, saw the trailer with registration number BL 4582 about to park on the shoulder of the road. An attempt to overtake the trailer would have resulted in the MMT bus colliding head-on with an articulated truck, so the driver had no choice but to hit the rear of the trailer, causing the accident. What I saw was the MMT bus speeding, and in the process, it met the trailer vehicle which was in the process of parking at Potsin junction. However, because the MMT bus was speeding, it was difficult for it to slow down. There was another vehicle from the opposite direction, and driving towards that side would have resulted in further damage. So the driver had no choice but to hit the rear of the trailer, resulting in the accident, said Ebo Anderson, an eyewitness. One person who is in critical condition has been referred to the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital for further treatment. In the case of accidents on the stretch, response time is important to save lives and properties. To address this, Ebo Anderson and some staff of the Potsin Polyclinic have formed an emergency response team that responds to accident cases on the stretch. Other emergency response personnel such as the Fire Service, Police, and the Ghana Ambulance Service in the enclave have representatives on the team. The team not only responds to emergencies but also deals with damaged vehicles parked on the stretch. I formed this emergency response team to reduce accidents and save lives. Various stakeholders such as doctors, nurses, NIB officials, the Ambulance Service, Police Service, among others, are part of the team. We have a WhatsApp group where these members respond to emergencies or raise alarm in the unlikely event of an accident, Ebo Anderson said. -citinewsroom The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) is demanding immediate reinstatement of the interdicted headmistress of the West Africa Senior High School, Dr. Shine Agatha Ofori. According to the Ghana Education Service, it interdicted the WASS headmistress for allegedly collecting unauthorized money from students. NAGRAT believes that the decision made by the Ghana Education Service is emblematic of the challenges faced by various senior high schools across the country. While the Regional Disciplinary Committee of the Service has been assigned to investigate the matter, Angel Carbonu, the president of NAGRAT at a press conference asserts that the headmistress did no wrong hence government should rather shift its focus towards financially resourcing these schools in other to enhance the overall quality of education provided in the schools. He accused the government of using the headmistress as a scapegoat and charged it to rather channel such energy toward working to enhance service delivery across the country. You are isolating one person and making her a scapegoat, Carbonu said. The problem is bigger than West Africa Senior High School. It is a nationwide problem. We think it is absolutely wrong and unacceptable for heads of senior high schools to be singled out in this case. There is a need for the government to sit with stakeholders to review the Free SHS policy because our schools are deteriorating very fast. We plead with the government to take the most pragmatic decisions in the interest of education and also call on the GES to immediately reinstate the headmistress of West Africa Senior High School and any other headteacher in a similar situation, Carbonu added. -citinewsroom As the war in Sudan entered its fourth month mid-July, an army delegation returned to the Saudi city of Jeddah to resume truce talks last weekend. The entire Sahel region is now impacted by the conflict. The Saudi and US-brokered talks were adjourned last month after a several truces were violated. Before the Jeddah talks were suspended, US mediators had grown increasingly frustrated with both sides' reluctance to work towards a sustained truce. Sudan's East African neighbours also tried to encourage mediation, via the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Kenyan President William Ruto, who wants to lead the IGAD talks, had a telephone call with Sudan's military leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan last Sunday. Khartoum's foreign ministry had previously objected to Ruto's leadership, accusing Nairobi of siding with the RSF. Egypt also tried to increase peace efforts by receiving Sudan's neighbours for a meeting in Cairo on Thursday last week. Destabilising the Sahel region While the Sudanese are still waiting the outcome of these talks, the war between the two rival generals, army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, known as Hemedti, entered its fourth month on Saturday, 15 July. Since it began on April 15, fighting has already killed more than 3,000 lives, and displaced more than three million people with half a million fleeing to Egypt, Central African Republic, Sudan, and Chad. Chad is one of the most affected countries,and has received thousands of refugees, while already suffering from drought and food shortages itself. War crimes Last week, the United Nations said they discovered a mass grave in West Darfur with 87 bodies. The UN high commissioner for Human Rights has demanded a thorough and independent investigation into activity in the region. The International Criminal Court launched a probe on Thursday into suspected war crimes, including sexual violence and civilians being targeted for their ethnicity. In the Sudanese capital Khartoum, witnesses reported clashes and heavy fighting. Experts believe that both Burhan and Daglo are both aiming for military victory much more than a negotiated peace. But Sudan's international partners keep pushing for a ceasefire and a dialogue to resolve the deadly conflict. (with AFP) The National Council of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has dismissed a petition by nine aspirants proposing that the partys August 26 election be centralized. The nine flagbearer hopefuls excluding Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia argued that a centralized election would be more efficient and transparent. They insisted that plans to allow only 900 delegates to vote at the regional level do not sit well with them. However, the National Council at a crunch meeting on Thursday, July 20, 2023, rejected the petition resolving to implement what is in the partys constitution. Addressing journalists, General Secretary of the NPP, Justin Koduah said the party will go ahead with its planned decentralised election. The NPP will on August 26th cut down the list of its presidential aspirants from 10 to five as stipulated in its constitution. The party says a new register will be needed for the register since some of the delegates had passed. Justin Koduah had earlier assured that the new register will be out by the end of the week. We are in the final stage of doing the compilation. Basically, we are not going to exceed 1000 so between 900 and 1000 delegates will form the special electoral college. Some of the founding members have died, so we have to take their names out. We also have to look at past national officers. I am sure before the weekends we should have the final list for the special delegates' election, he stated. Bawumia spokesperson backs his boss Meanwhile, Miracles Dennis Aboagye, a spokesperson of Dr. Bawumia has clarified that his boss was not against the petition by the remaining nine flagbearer hopefuls. Speaking in an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Citi FM in Accra on Thursday, Mr Aboagye said the Vice President was indifferent and would respect any decision of the party's National Council. The Vice Presidents position is to accede to whatever guidelines and decision that the National Council will come up with. The Vice President is indifferent, he stated. -citinewsroom Ukrainian forces are using United States-supplied cluster munitions on the battlefield, the White House said, as Kyiv seeks momentum in its grinding counteroffensive. Washington provided the weapons to Ukraine for the first time earlier this month as Kyiv attempts to dislodge entrenched Russian forces and retake land lost in the early months of Moscow's invasion last year. The weapons, which disperse up to several hundred small explosive charges that can remain unexploded in the ground, are banned by many countries because of the long-term risks they pose to civilians. Ukraine's forces started using the munitions "in the last week or so", White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Thursday. "They're using them appropriately, they're using them effectively and they are actually having an impact on Russia's defensive formations and Russia's defensive manoeuvring," he said. Ukrainian forces are using United States-supplied cluster munitions on the battlefield, the White House said. By Handout (DVIDS/AFP) Moscow's forces still occupy swathes of southern and eastern Ukraine and over a month into Kyiv's long-anticipated counteroffensive, large parts of the front appear to be frozen. Earlier this week a senior presidential aide in Kyiv told AFP the operation would be "long and difficult". Russia hit the Ukrainian ports of Mykolaiv and Odesa with drones and missiles in the third consecutive night of "hellish" strikes, Ukrainian officials said Thursday. At least three people died and more than 20 were injured in the strikes, officials said, posting images of buildings in flames and partially collapsed. In Odesa, a man was found "under the rubble", regional governor Oleg Kiper said, while in Mykolaiv an elderly couple were killed. Russia hit the Ukrainian ports of Mykolaiv and Odesa with drones and missiles. By Oleksandr GIMANOV (AFP) Oleksiy Luganchenko, 72, stood outside a collapsed building in the city, saying the dead 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." On Thursday Kyiv said it would treat ships in the Black Sea headed for Russian-controlled ports as potential carriers of military cargo. The announcement mirrored a move made by Russia after the Kremlin withdrew from a key grain export deal facilitating the safe shipment of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea. 'Retaliatory strikes' After Russia invaded last year, its warships blockaded Ukraine's ports until the two sides agreed to the grain export deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey. That 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 Afghanistan, Sudan 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 honoured Since the deal collapsed Ukraine has accused Russia of targeting grain supplies and infrastructure vital to grain shipments. Russia said it had carried out the 'retaliatory strikes' against military infrastructure. By Oleksii FILIPPOV (AFP) A strike on Odesa had destroyed 60,000 tonnes of grain meant for export from the major global producer, the Ukrainian agriculture ministry said. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the effect of the attacks went well beyond Ukraine. "We are already seeing the negative effect on global wheat and corn prices which hurts everyone, but especially vulnerable people in the global south," Guterres said in a statement from his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric. Ukraine has already said it would be ready to continue with grain exports from its southern ports despite Russian threats. It has called on the UN and neighbouring countries to secure safe passage for cargoes through joint patrols. Slow progress 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 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 source told AFP. On the front, fighting is concentrated in eastern Ukraine, where Kyiv's counteroffensive is making slow progress against Russia's defensive lines. In the settlement of New York, which is framed by smoke rising from nearby battlefields, 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-rma/mca Former Member of Parliament for the Nkawkaw constituency in the Eastern Region, Seth Adjei Baah, has described the decision of the Minority Caucus to boycott parliamentary business in solidarity with Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson, as an act of intimidation of the judiciary. Mr. Baah expressed concern over the Caucus actions, which he emphasized could be likened to actions seeking to compel the judiciary to give a ruling that would be favourable to them. Speaking on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, the former lawmaker urged the Minority to give the judiciary the chance to do its work. They should give the judiciary the chance to do what is right, because they are trying the case and the lawyers are there. I know they will do the right thing, so it is not about following up that will influence the decision of the court. I would therefore plead with my brothers to come back to Parliament so that we can see how we can move Ghana forward. If a few people want to go with him [James Gyakye Quayson] to court, that is fine, but boycotting the work of Parliament is something we should not do. He further indicated that if the Caucus feels the pressure to prosecute Mr. Quayson, who is on trial for forgery and perjury, is emanating from the executive, as is widely alleged, the energy focused on flooding the court on Mr. Quaysons trial day should be channeled towards the Jubilee House. If they [the Minority] think the problem is coming from the executive, then they should go and picket over there and tell them that they are not happy, but not go and put pressure on the judiciary because their presence there is intimidating. Mr. Quayson is currently facing trial for perjury. The High Court hearing the case had decided to sit on the case every day, but this decision has not gone down well with the Minority. MPs making the Minority Caucus thus decided to boycott Parliament on days Mr Quayson would be in court. They have done that four times already bringing parliamentary business to a halt. MPs on the Majority side had criticised the decision, but the Minority remains adamant. citinewsroom A 41-year-old Buffalo man who admitted throwing a fake pipe bomb into former Eden Supervisor Melissa Hartman's home last year was sentenced Thursday in State Supreme Court to three years' probation, the Erie County District Attorney's Office said. Adam A. Jones pleaded guilty in March to attempted placing a false bomb or hazardous substance, a misdemeanor. Buffalo man admits throwing fake pipe bomb into Eden supervisor's home A 41-year-old Buffalo man has admitted he threw a fake pipe bomb into Eden Supervisor Melissa Hartman's home last year, the Erie County District Attorney's Office said. Authorities say Jones on March 28, 2022, threw a partially completed pipe bomb through the front window of a Hillbrook Drive home where Hartman lived. Hartman said the object, which did not explode, had messages urging her to drop out of the 2022 county clerks race, which she lost. She now oversees a nonprofit corporation controlled by Erie County. Jones was also accused of throwing rocks at a different Hillbrook Drive home two other times in 2022. Eden police said Jones told investigators he was paid by someone to target the homes, but police and prosecutors would not reveal more. A final no-contact order of protection remains in place for the victims in the bogus pipe bombing for five more years. - Stephen T. Watson The South African Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, recently lost a court case that anyone could have anticipated was unwinnable. He probably expected to lose it too. He lost it on humanitarian and technical grounds. It prevents him from terminating the South African government's concession to refugees from neighbouring Zimbabwe nearly fifteen years ago. In April 2009, South Africa provided legalised shelter for Zimbabweans hit by economic and political crisis in their country across the Limpopo River. The Zimbabwe Dispensation Project was the first form of a policy to temporarily accommodate Zimbabwean refugees. It became the Zimbabwean Special permit in 2014 and after 2017 it was known as the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit . Zimbabweans who had arrived during the crisis period of 2008-09 had full freedoms, but no rights to citizenship even for their children, for as long as the permits allowed. In 2021, Home Affairs decided to end the special dispensation after a period of grace lasting till the end of 2022 to allow Zimbabweans to regularize their circumstances. Some were expected to be able to obtain residence and work rights based on their skills and occupations, and others were to return to Zimbabwe. The number of people affected by the ruling is estimated at around 178 000 who remained on their ZE permits. Children born in South Africa were expected and allowed to obtain Zimbabwean citizenship and were not allowed South African citizenship. 178 000 is a relatively small number compared with the total number of immigrants in South Africa, estimated at 3.96 million by StatsSA . Many of the registered Zimbabweans are educated and skilled. Most have been successfully living in South Africa for 15 years. Why not simply regularize all the law-abiding Zimbabweans living under the permit? Elsewhere in Africa and around the world larger numbers of irregular migrants have been regularised. In South Africa, Mozambican refugees were regularized after the end of the Mozambican civil war. But the current anti-migrant sentiment in South Africa made such a course difficult for the Minister of Home Affairs. This is why he opposed a court action he pretty much knew he would lose. Read more: The free movement of people is an AU ambition: what's standing in its way I have been studying migration policy on the continent, including the African Union's adoption of a protocol on the free movement of people in 2018 which I have argued could facilitate economic growth and the trade integration. Migration policy in South Africa seems constantly in flux. Most of the immigration policy white paper passed by cabinet in 2017 has never been implemented. Policy documents and a law amendment on labour migration published a year and a half ago are still in limbo. A promised new white paper on immigration has not yet been published. Some of the proposals could have simplified migration rules such as a proposal to replace the critical skills list with a points system, while others such as the quota system proposed in the draft law would have added further complexities. Will any reforms be implemented before the general election of 2024? Probably not. This is the fundamental problem. Immigration policy is so highly politicised that the government seems afraid to move. Our programme of research seeks to show how South Africa could learn positive lessons on migration reform from other African countries and elsewhere. Hostility to migration While politicians frequently voice sentiments hostile to migration and migrants, sensible policies in practice and on the table are shrouded in camouflage and occasionally sneaked through. One example is the corporate labour permit , another is the rising number of African countries with visa-free access to South Africa . Access to skilled employees needed from beyond our borders is being simplified. Reforms will be hidden behind a veil of hostility to foreigners. This is hardly unique to South Africa. In the UK, while the government threatens to deport illegal migrants to Rwanda and stakes its fate on stopping the boats in deference to its political base, long-term immigration rose to 1.2 million for the year ending December 2022, an increase of 221,000 from the previous year. Similarly, Georgia Meloni who was elected Prime Minister of Italy at least in part for her anti-immigrant views, has set aside work permits for 425 000 non-EU migrants to immigrate into Italy up to 2025. Laura Boldrini, of the centre-left Democratic Party, said the high quotas were a surrender and a bitter dose of reality for those who have built their political careers by demonising immigration as a national security threat. A textbook on migration warns us, when it comes to migration policies, not to equate political rhetoric with policy practice. It is not surprising that in many countries migration policies seem confused or incomprehensible. Migration policy reform seems elusive in the context of such opacity. And yet, effective African economic development depends on economic integration. Most countries are pretty small, especially economically, and effective integration entails the movement of persons across borders without excessive hindrances. Read more: Free movement of people across Africa: regions are showing how it can work Not all African governments, even of richer countries, have been as hesitant as South Africa to reform migration policies. Members of both the East African Community and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have made greater progress than the regions at the southern and northern ends of the continent. Countries in Africa can learn not only from experiences in the EU or in South America, but also from other African countries and regions. The New South Institute is running the Migration Governance Reform in Africa project, or MIGRA. The rationale and framework for the MIGRA project are set out in our new working paper . We are studying migration policy and practice in four African countries, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya and Nigeria, and in four regional organisations, SADC , the EAC , ECOWAS and the African Union. We believe that countries and regions in Africa can learn as much from each other as they can from experiences elsewhere. Papers on these eight cases will be published over the next year or so, as they are completed, and we will also be preparing other forms of media to engage in conversation with the wider public as well as with policymakers. The work we have already done shows us some exciting examples of reform on the African continent. In east and west Africa there are many ways to allow cross border migrants access for different periods and reasons. Even in southern Africa the recent agreement between Namibia and Botswana on travel by citizens of the two countries across their common border with identity documents alone shows what progress is possible. Visa-free travel is proliferating in Africa, as the recent bilateral agreement between South Africa and Kenya shows. There are many more examples. Our project grows as much out of optimism about recent developments on migration governance around the African continent, as from the frustration and confusion about migration policy in many places. Perhaps it will make a small contribution to improving the practice, and maybe even the political rhetoric. And perhaps the South African cabinet will decide to grant the Zimbabwean exemption permit holders and their children the same kind of amnesty that was offered to 220 000 Mozambican refugees in December 1996. Alan Hirsch is Leader of the Migration Governance Reform Program of the New South Institute; Emeritus Professor of Development Policy and Practice at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town; and Research Associate at School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. By Alan Hirsch, Research Fellow New South Institute, Emeritus Professor at The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town In the early hours of today, a tragic incident occurred on the outskirts of Walewale, as a group of assailants opened fire on a Kumasi-Bawku bound bus. As a result of the attack, one person died, and seven others sustained injuries. Authorities believe the heinous act is connected to the ongoing chieftaincy-related conflict within the area. In response to the incident, the police have launched a comprehensive intelligence operation to swiftly apprehending the criminals. Law enforcement officers are currently conducting an intensive manhunt to track down the individuals involved in the attack. The police said they are determined to bring those responsible to justice and restore peace and security in the area. Classfmonline Lawyer Abraham Amaliba, a Member of the National Democratic (NDC) legal team has criticized the actions of Rev. Victor Kusi Boateng alias Kwabena Adu-Gyamfi for walking with a double identity. Lawyer Amaliba said the matter merits Attorney General Godfred Dames prosecution. According to him, these are the issues he should be focusing on rather than the day-to-day persecution of Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North James Gyakye Quayson. Speaking in an interview on TV3 on July 21 he stated, You want your birth certificate and birthdays in two different names, who are you (Rev. Kusi Boateng). You, am asking you (Rev Kusi Boateng) who is he? I want to say that Attorney General Godfred Dame should this morning invite the two individuals either Rev. Kusi Boateng or Kwabena Adu Gyamfi and let the police arrest him and investigate him and put him before the court for criminal action and stop focusing on the day-to-day trial of Gyakye Quayson. NDC Member of Parliament(MP) for the North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has indicted President Akufo-Addo, Chief of Staff, Frema Opare, and the Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo for being aware of the alleged double identity of Rev. Kusi Boateng, also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi. According to Okudzeto Ablakwa, he has obtained documents from the Presidency which confirm that President Akufo-Addo, his Secretary Nana Asante Bediatuo, and Chief of Staff, Madam Frema Osei Opare all knew about the double identity scheme of Secretary of the National Cathedral of Ghana Board of Trustee. The MP stressed that the presidency got to know about the scheme of the Man of God during the presidential approval process to grant him a diplomatic passport. In a series of posts on his Twitter handle, the NDC MP said the presidency did not raise objections on conduct which the Human Rights Court has described as bordering on criminality. Unemployment is a concern in many countries, including Ghana. Youth unemployment presents significant challenges to the Ghanaian government, as it exacerbates social and economic issues. The lack of job opportunities for young people can increase poverty, social unrest, and crime rates. Additionally, it hinders economic growth by depriving the nation of a productive workforce and skilled labor. Moreover, the government may face the burden of providing welfare support and facing a loss of potential tax revenue. Addressing youth unemployment becomes crucial for fostering Ghana's stable and prosperous future. Therefore, Ghanaian politicians and policymakers must address this issue honestly and openly with Ghanaian youth: educating them about the essential role of work ethic in job creation. While the government plays a crucial role in creating an enabling environment for job creation, the government alone cannot solve the unemployment problem. Moreover, this brutal fact must be made explicitly clear to Ghanaian youth whose anti-social practices at the workplace undermine private investments. I have often said that Ghana's unemployment problem is not an economic but a moral or ethical problem: a lack of ethical workers. The idea that the Ghana government alone can employ a large army of unemployed youth is an illusion. Public sector employment in almost all West African countries is below 10%. Public sector employment in Ghana in 2017 was 6.4%, yet the public sector wage bill alone took about 50% of all domestic tax revenues. While governments play a crucial role in fostering employment opportunities, expecting them to be solely responsible for providing jobs for all active citizens is unrealistic. Even in developed nations like the United States of America, federal, state, and local governments account for only 14.5% of total employment. Promoting economic growth and job creation requires a multi-faceted approach involving both the public and private sectors. The government can create policies and implement initiatives encouraging investment, supporting entrepreneurship, and providing skills training and education. This will enhance youth employability. However, it is important to acknowledge that private investors may have legitimate concerns about doing business in Ghana for fear of theft or other risks. Unemployment is not solely due to a lack of available jobs but rather a mismatch between job seekers' skills and the requirements of available positions. There are more Ghanaian expatriates abroad who want to invest in Ghana but cannot find ethical workers. We should remember that Ghana officially recorded $ 4.7 billion in remittances in 2022, maintaining a second position in Africa. The official figures show that remittances can earn the country 8 to 10 billion dollars if we consider unofficial remittances. Yet not much of this amount is invested because of the fear of workers undermining businesses by theft. This means the country can attract more investments from its citizens abroad if they can find reliable workers. The private sector, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), drives innovation and entrepreneurship. These ventures often contribute significantly to job creation, responding to market demands, and creating employment opportunities in emerging industries. Unlike the government, the private sector can respond swiftly to changing market conditions and adjust its workforce accordingly. This flexibility enables companies to adapt to economic fluctuations and maintain employment stability. The private sector often offers competitive salaries and benefits, attracting skilled workers and fostering a motivated and productive workforce. These factors contribute to higher job satisfaction and increased labor force participation. Notwithstanding, employee theft has become a stumbling block to many potential investors. Employee theft has far-reaching consequences for companies, often leading to collapse and unemployment. Employee theft refers to workers unlawfully taking or misusing company assets for personal gain. While it is essential to acknowledge that most Ghanaian employees are honest and dedicated, even a small percentage of stealing can have dire consequences for businesses. Employee theft directly impacts a company's bottom line by reducing revenue streams. As a result of theft, an inventory is depleted, requiring the company to pay for replenishment. As revenue decreases due to theft, profitability suffers. Diminished profits can impair a company's ability to invest in growth, research, and development, ultimately hampering its long-term sustainability. Companies must often invest in security measures, such as surveillance systems or loss prevention personnel, to counteract employee theft. These additional expenses strain the company's financial resources, diverting funds from productive purposes. When employee theft becomes rampant, stockholders can suffer substantial losses due to declining share values. Diminished investor confidence and a negative perception of the company's financial health can further exacerbate this issue. Repeated employee theft can tarnish a company's reputation, making it difficult to secure loans or credit. Lenders may view the company as high-risk, leading to higher borrowing costs or even credit denial. In addition to financial losses, companies may incur legal expenses related to investigating and prosecuting employee theft cases. This further erodes their financial stability and diverts resources from more productive activities. Countries with high rates of employee theft create an environment of uncertainty for investors. Theft not only results in immediate financial losses for companies but also erodes trust in the workforce. This lack of trust deters potential investments, limiting job creation and economic growth. Employee theft negatively affects productivity as companies divert resources to prevent and investigate theft. Moreover, mistrust and suspicion can create a toxic work environment, reducing employee morale and productivity. Ghana's government can foster collaborations with the private sector to promote job creation initiatives. The government and businesses can identify growth sectors through joint efforts, develop skills training programs, and encourage entrepreneurship. Governments must establish robust legal frameworks and enforce stringent penalties for employee theft. Clear regulations and swift justice systems are essential to deter theft and protect businesses' interests, attracting investments and fostering employment opportunities. Promoting ethical practices and integrity within the workforce is crucial to preventing employee theft. Education and awareness campaigns can foster an honest culture, emphasizing ethical conduct. This improves job security and economic stability. The Ghana government can learn how to combat employee theft and create an investment-friendly environment from other countries. Singapore's proactive approach to employee theft has attracted investment and reduced unemployment. The government's solid legal framework, stringent penalties, and comprehensive training programs have created a secure business environment, resulting in sustained economic growth and job creation. Germany's vocational education and training system, which combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training, has helped bridge the skills gap and promote employment. The government's collaboration with businesses ensures that training programs align with industry needs, enabling a smooth transition from education to employment. By recognizing the importance of investments, understanding the vital role of the private sector, and addressing the detrimental effects of employee theft, Ghana can adopt comprehensive approaches to tackling unemployment. Through proactive policies, adequate legal frameworks, and ethical workforce cultures, Ghana can create an environment conducive to job creation, economic growth, and social stability. 21.07.2023 LISTEN Afrobarometer (AB) is pleased to announce the renewal of its memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), reaffirming their joint commitment to promoting accountable governance in Africa. The MoU, signed on 18 July 2023 by Afrobarometer CEO Joseph Asunka and ISS Executive Director Fonteh Akum, marks a milestone in their partnership, superseding the previous version signed in 2015. The signing took place on the sidelines of the Africa Drive for Democracy Conference in Arusha, Tanzania. We are delighted to renew the Afrobarometer and ISS Africa MOU. We remain committed to advancing inclusive democratic governance for a peaceful and prosperous Africa, Akum said. ISS works with partners to build knowledge and skills that promote sustainable peace, development, and prosperity in Africa. The renewed MoU serves as a guiding framework for collaboration between Afrobarometer and ISS, facilitating joint efforts to engage mutual stakeholders. The scope of collaboration spans various areas, including policy research and analysis, technical assistance to policy makers and civil society, capacity building, and policy dialogue. Leveraging Afrobarometers rich trove of public attitude data, the two organisations will collaborate on crucial issues such as African futures and innovation; gender equality; governance, peace, and security; climate change and adaptation; globalism; and Africa's interests. I am excited about this MoU and looking forward to building on our respective comparative advantages to move the accountable and responsive governance agenda in Africa forward, Asunka said. Afrobarometer is an independent pan-African research network that provides data on African citizens values, evaluations, and experiences. Under the previous MoU, ISS used Afrobarometer data to conduct analyses on security and election issues across the continent, leading to the publication of more than 30 policy briefs and the inclusion of data in various policy events. Under the Futures Project, spearheaded by Jakkie Cilliers, Afrobarometer data played a vital role in extensive governance analysis. Chairman of the Political Committee of the Conventions Peoples Party (CPP) Lawyer Kwame Jantuah has expressed shock at an appointment given to Rev Kusi Boateng to occupy public office without any due diligence conducted by the office of the president. According to lawyer Jantuah, a high-ranking office of the Presidency being involved in the issue of double identity is shocking. Speaking on the latest documents released by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa about the presidency involved in the double identity of Rev Kusi Boateng on July 21, he said There should be somebody there whose responsibility to do due diligence on anybody appointed in the Presidency. He stated, We have different birthdays for both names and different mothers for both names so you ask the question, what is the intention of having these two? So having said this when the letter got to the Presidency the Presidency is not just any individual but an office, there should be somebody there whose responsibility it is to do due diligence, anybody that the government appoints." You need to see the background of anybody coming, what have they done in the past, all that, these need to be done. So I ask the question, was this done before the president signed his signature to the letter? Was the real due diligence done? We need to find out? When such letters get to the presidency, what is the process or procedure that will make the president grant such a request? Obviously, there was no due diligence, Lawyer Kwame Jantuah stated. NDC Member of Parliament(MP) for the North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has indicted President Akufo-Addo, Chief of Staff, Frema Opare, and the Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Asante Bediatuo for being aware of the alleged double identity of Rev. Kusi Boateng, also known as Kwabena Adu Gyamfi. According to Okudzeto Ablakwa, he has obtained documents from the Presidency which confirm that President Akufo-Addo, his Secretary Nana Asante Bediatuo, and Chief of Staff, Madam Frema Osei Opare all knew about the double identity scheme of Secretary of the National Cathedral of Ghana Board of Trustee. The MP stressed that the presidency got to know about the scheme of the Man of God during the presidential approval process to grant him a diplomatic passport. In a series of posts on his Twitter handle, the NDC MP said the presidency did not raise objections on conduct which the Human Rights Court has described as bordering on criminality. There has been a shooting incident at the outskirt of Walewale in the North East Region involving a gang of armed men. The shooting which occurred during an attack on a Kumasi-Bawku bound bus has resulted in the death of one person. In addition, seven other people have been injured and in various conditions. Following a report to the Police, the Service has indicated that it is already on a manhunt to arrest the shooters. According to the Police, the shooting is suspected to be in connection with the ongoing chieftaincy-related conflict within the enclave. The Police is on a manhunt for a group of people who shot into a Kumasi-Bawku bound bus at the outskirt of Walewale this dawn killing one person and injuring seven others. The attack is believed to be in connection with the ongoing chieftaincy-related conflict within the enclave. An intelligence operation is currently ongoing to get the perpetrators arrested, part of the Police release said. President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) Angel Carbonu has urged heads of senior high schools to sit aloof and allow the challenges in the schools to remain. This is the only way to make the government realize the actual problems in the schools and take steps to resolve them, he said. If the heads always take the initiative to resolve the issues, the government will think that all is well in the schools, and won't take any steps to resolve the actual problems, he added. Sometimes I also blame the heads, they are too enthusiastic to ensure that there is education for the students. I will advise in the current situation, the heads of the schools should also stay aloof. Maybe they are not staying aloof enough for the government to see that there is a problem, they are being moved by the need to provide good education and take action that will get them into trouble. We are calling for the reinstatement of the headmistress of West Africa SHS because the problem is bigger than the incident that occurred in WASS, he said at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, July 20 while reacting to the interdiction of the Headmistress of West Africa Senior High School, Dr Mrs Shine Agatha Ofori. NAGRAT wants the headmistress reinstated. Carbonu said that the government had failed to resolve the problems in the senior high schools which is forcing some heads to take actions to ensure the education of the students goes on. Announcing the interdiction in a statement dated July 19 and signed by the head of Public Relations, Cassandra Twum Ampofo, the GES said the Regional Disciplinary Committee has been tasked to look into the matter and make the final determination. She is to hand over the administration of the school to the Regional Director of Education pending the final determination of the case by the regional disciplinary committee, the statement added. The NAGRAT president said In the case of West Africa Senio High School, through the ingenuity of parents, the president of the PTA identified problems with the school and they decided to levy themselves. The only problem from the investigations that I have carried out is that it is the assistant headmaster who gave his mobile money number to be the conduit through which the payments are made. The investigations should rather go into what the money collected was used for. Is it used for the consumption of an individual or it is the for the purpose that will ensure the education of the students? If it is for the purpose that will enhance the education of the students it tells you that there is a government supply deficit that created the vacuum for the need for this money to be collected to fill that deficit. 3news.com Two house helps namely, Patience Botwe and Sarah Agyei, are facing charges for allegedly stealing money and valuable items amounting to millions of Ghana Cedis from Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, in their home in Abelemkpe in the Greater Accra Region. The stolen items include cash, jewellery, clothing, and other personal effects. Patience, the first accused, is also facing charges related to the theft of kente cloth and men's suits belonging to Daniel Osei Kuffour. Additionally, three other individuals, Benjamin, Kweku Botwe, and Malik Dauda, have been charged with dishonestly receiving portions of the stolen money. The accused were brought before an Accra Circuit Court presided over by Susana Ekuful on Thursday, July 20, 2023. However, their pleas have not yet been taken. Sarah has been granted bail in the sum of GH1 million, with two sureties, based on her status as a breastfeeding mother. The other accused individuals have been remanded into custody. According to the court's records, Patience and Sarah were former house helps of the complainants, and the thefts took place between July and October 2022. The complainants reported the thefts to the police after noticing the missing items and cash. During the investigation, it was revealed that Patience had entered the couple's room using a duplicate key, and Mr Kuffour caught her hiding behind the door. Subsequently, the stolen items were discovered missing. Patience was later arrested and released on police bail but went into hiding in Tamale with her boyfriend, Benjamin. The police apprehended Patience and Benjamin in Tamale and found significant amounts of money and stolen items in their possession. Patience allegedly used some of the stolen money to purchase a 3-bedroom house in Amrahia and furnish it with new items. Sarah was implicated by Patience during interrogation, revealing that they worked together in the couple's house, with Patience keeping watch at the main gate to allow Sarah to enter the room and steal. Items stolen Patience and Sarah (A2), are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing US$1 million, 300,000 and millions of Ghana cedis. Within the same period, Patience and Sarah allegedly stole personal effects of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, which included assorted clothes, valued at GH95,000, handbags and perfumes. The rest are jewelleries valued at US$95,000 from Cecilia Abena Dapaah. However, Patience alone, within the same period stole six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH90,000 and six set of mens suits valued at US$3,000 which are properties of the ministers husband. Benjamin (A3), 29 years old, a plumber, has been charged for dishonestly receiving GH180,000, Kweku Botwe (A4), 65 years, a trader, also dishonestly receiving GH50,000 and Malik Dauda (A5), 23 and unemployed, dishonesty receiving GH1 million. The case has been adjourned to August 2, 2023. The ongoing debate surrounding the acceptance of the LGBTQI community within the broader society is a challenge that Ghana continues to face. As the nation's Parliament strives to outlaw LGBTQI activities, it becomes evident that their continued presence in society is not only a risk to their own safety but also a catalyst for animosity and exclusion. It is crucial that we question the necessity of legislation aimed at criminalizing a group of individuals who pose no discernible threat to the general public. The prevailing argument is that we must safeguard our family values from degradation by upholding proper human sexual rights. While the proposed bill appears to be an attempt to cleanse society of perceived moral decay, it is essential to question whether the targeted group merits such severe legislation based on their actions and non-actions. Ironically, when viewed in a wider context, society is already grappling with moral issues far more significant than those associated with LGBTQI activities. The rapidity with which the legislation was drafted and presented to Parliament raises serious concerns about attempts to discriminate without making any effort to understand the needs of the LGBTQI community. It prompts us to consider the possibility of more compassionate regulation as opposed to outright criminalization. Does the LGBTQI community have needs that should be acknowledged? Should their acceptance or exclusion be contingent upon these needs? What does the nation stand to gain by discriminating against this vulnerable group? I have consistently argued, and I reiterate, that the LGBTQI phenomenon is a part of human evolution and a global trend that should not be perceived as a threat to Ghana. If we are unable to foster a society that recognizes and caters for the needs of minorities, then we are not a society prepared to embrace dynamism and adapt to change. Parliament's efforts to isolate the LGBTQI community and incite animosity towards them highlight the extent to which Ghana is falling behind on key developmental indicators. Our society should not be anchored on moral laws dictating how individuals should live their lives, but rather on a constitution and other international human rights instruments that guarantee the fundamental rights of every individual. Isaac Ofori Human Rights Advocate BA, MA, MPhil The woman whose lawsuit accuses Buffalo Common Council President Darius Pridgen of sexual assault said Thursday that the incidents never happened, she never filed a lawsuit and she never talked to an attorney about Pridgen. I dont know nothing about it, the accuser told The Buffalo News on Thursday night. It didnt happen on my behalf. Honest to God. Darius Pridgen, Buffalo Common Council president and church pastor, accused of sexual abuse in lawsuit 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 said she did not know anything about the accusations until her son woke her up Wednesday night. He asked me did I know anything about this, she said. I told him, Hell no. Just like I told pastor Kenny. Kenneth Simmons, pastor of Cold Spring Bible Chapel on Northland Avenue, called The Buffalo News on Thursday and said the woman attends his church. She has been a member for the past eight years. When he asked her about the accusations, she told him that none of this happened, Simmons said. Simmons, who was director of recreational programming for the City of Buffalo until about a month ago, provided the womans telephone number to a reporter. The woman told The News on Thursday night that she never talked to an attorney or anyone else about Pridgen sexually assaulting her, because it never happened. No. I dont know him (Pridgen) to say that, she said. But in a short conversation Thursday morning with The News, when asked if she filed the lawsuit, the woman replied, Yeah, but Im not getting on no news. Pridgens lawyers sent the womans lawyer, Antigone Curis of New York City, a letter today demanding she discontinue the lawsuit. In light of (the womans) statement to the Buffalo News and her pastor, we demand that you immediately file a notice of discontinuance with prejudice. Failure to do so will result in additional litigation, the letter said. Pridgen said Friday evening the woman and her pastor called him Thursday night to say this never happened, and shes never talked to an attorney, and we never met, Pridgen said. The Buffalo News is not naming the woman suing Pridgen because the lawsuit claimed she is a victim of sexual assault. When told Friday by The News that her client had denied being assaulted by Pridgen, Curis said that her client just wants to be left alone by the media. Curis, who filed the lawsuit against Pridgen on Tuesday, said she talked to her client. Shes just trying to get the media away. She doesnt want to speak to the media. Thats the bottom line, Curis said Friday. When told the accuser had spoken already with The Buffalo News, denying the accusations and stating that she did not speak to a lawyer, Curis responded, Shes trying to get the media away. She just does not want the phone calls anymore. She really just does not want to speak with anyone. Shes very upset that the media keeps contacting her. She would like her privacy. Thats the bottom line ... She is not willing to speak to the media. We are not giving any statements. A woman, presumably Curis, called back minutes later from the same phone number, and said, You need to stop harassing me and my client, please. This has just gotten completely out of hand. She hasnt spoken to anyone. Theres no statement to give. In the lawsuit filed in State Supreme Court under the Adult Survivors Act, Pridgen was accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting the woman, who was identified as a parishioner at True Bethel Baptist Church, where Pridgen has served as the longtime pastor. The lawsuit claimed the sexual abuse and assaults took place in or about 2020 after services on church grounds on at least seven occasions. The lawsuit says the accuser was 45 years old when the abuse began. Pridgen denied Wednesday that he had sexually abused the woman or that she 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. Pridgen said Wednesday that he did not recognize the accusers name. He called the accusations baseless and unfortunate. When asked Thursday evening how she feels, the woman said I feel bad. Thats crazy to put my name over all that. I dont like that. I aint trying to be in nobodys spotlight. I dont need to be in no spotlight, she said. Curis, the attorney who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the accuser, founded Curis Law Firm in New York City in 2021, according to her LinkedIn page. Court records show Curis has represented two clients this year in adult survivors cases in New York State, including this claim. The Curis Law website says the firm focusses on high-profile personal injury cases spanning medical malpractice, sexual assault and general negligence. A summit between European and Latin American countries closed with a watered-down statement that condemned the war in Ukraine but failed to mention Russia. Yet, critics see the summit as a step forward in relations between the EU and the global south. Ambassadors worked through much of the night and into the second day of the EU-CELAC summit 2023 to compromise on thorny issues like Russia's invasion of Ukraine, slavery and the embargo against Cuba with talks hung up over the reservations by Moscow's allies in the region, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. "It was a good summit for both sides in the sense that it took place," Professor Bert Hoffmann, head of the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (Giga) told RFI. During the previous meeting of the 60-country group (27 EU members and 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries) in 2015, high level representatives stayed away. But this time, with the presence of heads of state and governments, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and other top EU and Latin American leaders "showed the interest and the Latin American side clearly made some points they had not made before, like mentioning slavery and the need for apologies or reparations and that showed the increased self-confidence of the region," according to Hoffmann. Nevertheless, the final 41 point document was, due to the many disagreements, not a "joint" declaration, but a watered-down compromise. In its criticism of the war in Ukraine, it did not mention Russia by name, but merely expressed "deep concern". The EU-CELAC countries also "reiterated support for the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the efforts of the UNSG to secure its extension" without condemning Russia's recent announcement that it was suspending the deal. Vaguely worded But according to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the statement was "very reasonable" and responds to the "interests of everyone". He played down the lack of harsh criticism vis-a-vis Russia: "The discussion revolved around the vision of 60 countries, and one must assume that not everyone will agree (...) I think the discussion on Ukraine took the right amount of time, and there was nothing we didn't know," he said. Apart from the extremely weak criticism of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the document contains the participant's "profound regret" over the suffering inflicted on "millions ... as a result of the trans-Atlantic slave trade." The statement also expresses "opposition to the ... embargo against Cuba" but consists, for the large part, vaguely worded references to bilateral relations and climate change. French President Emmanuel Macron, speaking to reporters at the venue said Russia's decision to end the grain deal was widely condemned. "It is clear," he said, "that the emperor has no clothes, if not to say the Tsar. We can see that Russia has brought food into the war and starving countries that are already struggling," but this critical language did not make it into the joint declaration. Geopolitical competition The EU-CELAC meeting takes place just ten days before Moscow holds a Russia-Africa summit in Saint Petersburg, according to the official Tass news agency to be held from July 26 through 29. "W e have a new geopolitical competition between EU, US, China, Russia," says Hoffmann, which already existed but was largely polarised as a result of the war in Ukraine. "This renewed attention to the countries of Asia, Africa, Latin America is part of this new context of geopolitics where it's as much about trade and securing trade or investments or resources" and now a "new political military dimension with the Ukraine war," he says. The court hearing a case involving a side chic who sued her sugar daddy for reneging on his promise to cater to her needs, is expected to pronounce judgment on the matter today, Friday, July 21. Deborah Seyram Adablah sued top banking executive Ernest Kwasi Nimako early this year. In the suit dated Monday, January 23, 2023, filed at the Accra High Court, the plaintiff contends that her sugar daddy, agreed to buy her a car, pay for her accommodation for three years, give her a monthly stipend of GH3,000, marry her after divorcing his wife and also give her a lump sum to start a business. She said although Mr Nimako bought the car and registered it in his (sugar daddys name), he took the car back, denying her access to it after about a year of enjoying the Honda Civic worth GH120,000, while he also paid only a year's rent for her two-bedroom rented house instead of three years as he promised. Ms Adablah who claims that she was forced into the relationship during the period she did her national service with her sugar dad's former employers, also accused Mr Nimako of abuse, sexual harassment, maltreatment, exploitation and also lowering her reputation. She said she had family planning procedure for her sugar daddy that affected her health. She is seeking an order from the court directed at the sugar daddy to transfer the title of the car into her name, and also give her back the car. She is also asking the court to order the defendant to pay her the lump sum to enable her start a business to take care of herself as agreed by the plaintiff and the defendant. Another relief is for the court to order the sugar daddy to pay the outstanding two-year rent as agreed between her and the defendant. At the last hearing in May, Ms Adablah was asked by the court to surrender the Honda Civic in question to the court registrar. Mr Nimako was also ordered by the court to submit documents of the vehicle to the registrar. The court, also prohibited any form of publication with regard to the case by Ms Adablah and the 1st Defendant, Mr Nimako on both traditional and social media platforms. "Both parties are prohibited from posting any videos, pictures and materials on social media and traditional media which has the tendency to prejudice the matter before the court until the final determination of the case", the court said. The 1st Defendant had prayed the court to restrain the Plaintiff from tarnishing his reputation by posting on social media platforms including Instagram, Tik Tok and others. The plaintiff, however, denied the accusations by Mr Nimako, stating the publications on social media were done prior to the commencement of the hearing of the case. Despite being named the 2nd defendant, Mr Nimako's former employers, First Atlantic Bank, requested that the institution's name be withdrawn from the suit. classfmonline.com The alleged stealing of millions of dollars, Ghana Cedis, pounds and personal belongings from the bedroom of Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah has raised questions. In reaction, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, Member of Parliament for South Dayi, in a tweet alleged that the said stolen money was a State Agencys annual budget. This is a State Agencys annual budget yet its available in a Ministers bedroom, Dafeamekpor tweeted. Vicky Hammer only entertained the idea of $1m yet she was dismissed & the NDC suffered the penalty. Im glad the image of the AG features gingerly beside this headline, he added. Per a report by The Chronicles newspaper, the theft was allegedly committed by two house helps of the Minister and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, who are now before an Accra Circuit Court. According to the amended charge sheet and brief facts presented in court, 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei conspired to steal millions of Ghana Cedis, along with US$1 million and 300,000, from the Ministers bedroom. The stolen items also included clothes, handbags, perfumes, and jewelry valued at US$95,000. Patience alone allegedly stole six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH90,000 and six sets of mens suits valued at US$3,000, which belonged to the Ministers husband. Three other individuals, including Patiences current and former boyfriends and her father, have also been charged with dishonestly receiving stolen property. Sarah was admitted to bail in the sum of GH1 million, with two sureties required to deposit their Ghana cards with the registrar of the court. Her bail condition is subject to review by the substantive judge, as the presiding judge was serving as a relief judge. Patience, along with her alleged boyfriends and father, has been remanded into lawful custody. A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal and communication team, Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu has expressed concerns over the impact of the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy on Ghana's economy. According to Mr Adawudu, the policy is imposing severe hardship on Ghanaians and needs urgent review to prevent further damage. Speaking on the Breakfast Daily Show on Citi TV, he highlighted the government's indebtedness to the National Food Suppliers and suppliers of uniforms to public schools under the Free SHS programme as a major issue. He pointed out that the delays in payment to these suppliers have led to protests and picketing, which indicates a loss of faith in the government's ability to manage the economy effectively. "When it comes to the Free SHS, everybody is livid about that. It is bringing untold hardship upon us and this economy. Why is it that the people the government owes, the uniform contractors, cannot even go to court to say that we want our money? Everyone is picketing because citizens are losing faith in our institutions," he stated. Mr. Adawudu's remarks come amidst ongoing discussions about the sustainability of the Free SHS policy, which was implemented by the government to provide free secondary education to all qualified students in public schools. While the policy has significantly increased access to education and reduced the financial burden on many families, it has also faced challenges in terms of funding and management. Clement Abas Apaak, Member of Parliament for Builsa South has questioned whether Sanitation Minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband are trying to turn their house into a bank. The MP asked how the couple came by the large amounts of money allegedly stolen from their home by domestic workers. In a tweet on Friday, July 21, Apaak wrote: "How did the Minister (Cecilia Dapaah) and her husband come by this quantum of money? Is their home a bank? We must all be interested in finding out the source of the money." His comments come after two house helps of Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, were arraigned before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing millions of cedis and other foreign currencies from the couple's Abelemkpe residence between July and October 2022. The Chronicles newspaper reports that 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei have been charged with stealing $1 million, 300,000 and several millions of cedis from the couple's bedroom. They allegedly conspired to steal the money, as well as clothes, handbags, jewelry and other personal effects worth thousands of cedis. Three men - Patience's current and former boyfriends and her father - have also been charged with dishonestly receiving large sums of money suspected to be part of the stolen loot. According to the brief facts of the case, Patience was caught by Mr. Kuffour hiding in their bedroom after entering with a duplicate key. It was then he realised that their cash and valuable items were missing. Patience later implicated Sarah as an accomplice. Investigations revealed the two allegedly used their share of the stolen money to acquire houses and luxury items. The case continues on August 2, 2023 but the legislator said "We must all be interested in finding out the source of the money." 21.07.2023 LISTEN Ministry of Education has defended Ghana Education Service (GES) for interdicting the headmistress of West Africa Senior High School (WASS), Dr. Shine Agatha Ofori. The GES took action against Dr. Ofori for allegedly collecting illegal fees from students. The National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT) called for the headmistress of WASS to be reinstated with immediate effect. But reacting to the issue, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Education Ministry, Kwesi Kwarteng, said the GES took the right decision because it was evident that the students of WASS were being illegally levied by the school. The leadership of the school actually levied students. So that is far different from people or parents voluntarily coming in to support a course in the school. But of course, come to think of it with particularly what NAGRAT said, but then the question is: Is it only WASS that has challenges? Why is it that all the close to 900 SHSs do not also charge the same? he queried. Meanwhile, NAGRAT believes that the decision made by the GES is emblematic of the challenges faced by various senior high schools across the country. While the Regional Disciplinary Committee of the Service has been assigned to investigate the matter, Angel Carbonu, the president of NAGRAT, at a press conference asserted that the headmistress did no wrong and that the government should rather shift its focus towards financially resourcing these schools in order to enhance the overall quality of education provided in the schools. A man identified as Nii Addo, suspected to be a leader of a gang in Sekondi-Takoradi and Tarkwa, the Western Region has been nabbed. He was arrested by some civilians at the Takoradi market circle last Monday evening when he attempted snatching a mobile phone from a Kumasi-based radio presenter and a film producer called Mawuli Ekpe Peter, popularly known as Abro.. The suspect was on a motorbike with one of his gang members and managed to snatch the mobile phone of a young man. The victim had parked his car around the YOU 84 Supermarket area at the Takoradi Market Circle and was walking around town at about 8:45pm when the suspects snatched his iPhone 11 Promax and bolted. The victim with the help of some people around, traced the robbers and sighted them around Dadzie Bakery Area in Takoradi on the motorbike. The victim managed to knock them with his car into a gutter but one of the suspects managed to flee with the phone, leaving behind the rider, who was said to be the gang leader. We handed him over to the Police but the other one left with the phone. When we got to the police station we learnt that the suspect was already on the wanted list of the police, the victim said. According to the victim, the suspect is currently at the Central Police Station in Takoradi. DGN online Gradually some Members of Parliament (MPs) are making the episode of Animal Farm a reality in the day-to-day lives of the people. Everyday they bring Ghanaians to the painful realisation that some are more important than others in our society. Although one of the key drivers of the rule of law is equality before the law, our MPs are placed above the ordinary person. There is no denying the fact that MPs enjoy special privileges in our midst, but by their actions they leave the people wondering whether the legislators are truly representing the people. We are told that Parliament is the master of its own rules, the MPs like any other citizen should always submit to the laws of the land. Whenever the arrest of an MP becomes a topical issue with the political party to which he belongs making it a political fuss of it, we are quickly told that a legislator cannot be arrested while on parliamentary duties or while he or she is on the way to and from Parliament. There may be good reasons for such a caveat, but it creates the impression that as a country we want to create a class society. Not too long ago, to be precise, after the change of government in 2016, it was alleged that some MPs who were also ministers of state took double salaries but almost seven years on the matter is in limbo. The Auditor General's Report is replete with similar reports of some public servants allegedly receiving double salaries and when state institutions appear before Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), these officers are rebuked for their selfish acts. It does not end there but the PAC refers them to the Attorney General for prosecution. We salute the PAC for safeguarding the public purse by holding the government to account for every pesewa. The question is if the PAC is outraged by the reckless use of the public purse, why has it remained silent over the double salaries saga allegedly committed by some MPs? Let the PAC act to retrieve such monies from our MPs if it is established to be the truth, and certainly we shall applaud them. It will also be a very loud statement to Ghanaians that nobody is above the law. Now to the vexed question of whether our MPs are public servants and for which reason they are obliged to be guided by the rules of the public service. In so far as the emoluments of the MPs are a charge onto the Consolidated Fund, they cannot claim otherwise. The releases from the government facilitate the work of Parliament, including the payment of sitting allowances and ex-gratia even if they want to call it gratuity. When our MPs travel abroad on official duties, our missions there serve them in various spheres. Therefore our MPs are servants of the Republic. And that being the case, can our MPs go on strike indefinitely or stage boycotts because one of their own has been dragged to court? Source: Daily Guide Former President John Dramani Mahama has questioned why the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah will keep millions of dollars in her home. A report by the Chronicle on Thursday indicated that some amounts of US$1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis had been stolen from the home of the Minister. The report noted that two house helps of Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah have been dragged to court. Reacting to the reports of the missing money, John Dramani Mahama has described it as scandalous. $1m + 300k and millions of GHS in a Ghanaian Ministers home? Scandalous!!, the flagbearer of the NDC said in a post on Twitter. The leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) wonders whether President Akufo-Addo will ever set a good example for a public office holder in his administration. Even if genuinely acquired, why keep millions of hard currency at home? Will President Akufo-Addo ever set a good example for public office holders in his administration? Mahama quizzed. The two house helps of Minister Cecilia Dapaah accused of stealing the money have been identified as 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei. Patience and Sarah (A2), are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing US$1 million, 300,000 and millions of Ghana cedis. Within the same period, Patience and Sarah allegedly stole personal effects of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, which included assorted clothes, valued at GH95,000, handbags and perfumes. The rest are jewelleries valued at US$95,000 from Cecilia Abena Dapaah. However, Patience alone, within the same period stole six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH90,000 and six sets of mens suits valued at US$3,000 which are properties of the ministers husband. Benjamin (A3), 29 years old, a plumber, has been charged for dishonestly receiving GH180,000, Kweku Botwe (A4), 65 years, a trader, also dishonestly receiving GH50,000 and Malik Dauda (A5), 23 and unemployed, dishonesty receiving GH1 million. "You brood of vipers, why are you running from the coming judgment?" I would like to ask Godfred Dame, the current attorney general this question. In reality, Akufo Addo and all of his appointees continue to be the worst leaders in Ghana's political history, therefore; Ghanaians shouldn't expect success from any politician or judge functioning in the administration of the NPP government. A leader that lacks vision and intelligence, doesnt excel, everything he or she does will be a complete failure. Godfred Dame won't let his opponents rest because he values his position as attorney general over that of the Almighty God, but he is unaware that the Supreme God, whom his people sincerely revere, is not as corrupt as he is. Godfred Dame ought to have displayed a clear and honest legal system in a nation where the judicial system has come under harsh criticism because of pervasive corruption, injustice, and favoritism; yet, he can't because he works for the president. Godfred Dame believes that resigning and running away from the scandal-plagued cathedral board of directors will improve his position as Attorney General, but the truth is that his reputation is so badly tarnished that no amount of bleach can make it transparent. A government based on criminology neither advances a nation nor gives its citizens comfort, as I have previously mentioned in the majority of my articles. The NPP is like a wolf going for chickens and tearing them apart, yet they have the nerve to condemn a government that improved life for Ghanaians and saw a surge in both domestic and foreign investments thanks to businesses blooming all across the nation, under the administration of the former Ghanaian leader, John Mahama. The cathedral project, which was originally Akufo Addo's pledge to God and later criminally shifted to become a state-sponsored project, has come under fire for its pervasive corruption. Despite several domestic and foreign donations, the foundation has not yet been established. When Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the MP for North Tongu, claimed that the Attorney General was profiting from the cathedral project in June of last year, Godfred Dame threatened to sue MP Sam Ablakwa to withdraw the claim. No Ghanaian media outlet missed Attorney General, Godfred Dames, request that MP Ablakwa withdraw the accusation against him. However, until North Tongu MP shared on social media on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, that the Attorney General, who is known to be a member of the Executive Council of the National Cathedral, had resigned, Ghanaians were unaware of the resignation. The Attorney General had left the cathedral board on January 19, 2023, according to the post. I need to know from Godfred Dame why, after resigning in January, he didn't announce it to the public or no media revealed it until MP Ablakwa did so just this week. Godfred Dame withheld the news of his resignation from the public for several reasons, including the fact that he knew the allegations made against him by Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa were accurate, that the information would reveal the extent of the NPP's corruption, and that the public would come to understand how the NPP not only views Ghanaians as fools but also has no respect for them. That much is true; a government that values its citizens will never lie to them. Didn't Akufo Addo vow to lower the taxes he claimed that Mahama has heaped on Ghanaians? But it turns out that he is the only Ghanaian president to have enacted more taxes than any other president. The terrible aspect is that no one has any idea where all the money goes because Ghana is in debt, the economy has collapsed, and there has been little progress in many areas of the country, including the Ashanti region, which is the NPP's heartland. If this isn't craziness, then certainly it is ignorance. Akufo Addo promised to use Anas principles to combat corruption, which has never existed in Ghanaian politics. Today, the president who vowed to protect the public coffers has proven to be the most deceitful and corrupt figure in Ghanaian politics to the extent that he has seriously corrupted NPP politicians in his administration and even did instruct the Mafia Special Prosecutor, Kissi Agyebeng, to unfreeze the assets of another corrupt NPP official, the late Kwadzo Owusu Afriyie. Currently, the National Identification Authority is issuing non-Ghanaian national cards with a validity of one year for a cost of $120, and during the COVID era, foreign passengers were liable to $150 per COVID test. Since there hasn't been any advancement or growth under the NPP regime, knowledgeable Ghanaians have a right to inquire about the government where all the money goes. Following the announcement by MP Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa that Godfred Dame had secretly resigned from the cathedral's board of directors since January, Ghanaians were amazed to hear from the Attorney General that "In the circumstances, I hereby respectfully notify you of my immediate resignation as secretary to the executive council." I pray for God's blessings to be upon the organization in the coming years. What a shame, Godfred Dame? Do you expect Ghanaians to revere you despite your disrespect for them? I'm sorry, but I won't. Serious Ghanaians should take Godfred Dame's behavior as a warning that, even though he works for Akufo Addo and the NPP government, he doesn't have faith in them. He doesnt trust Akufo Addo. More importantly, he did it to maintain his dignity; sadly, this dignity has been so thoroughly tarnished that no amount of bleach will be able to restore its transparency. Since what Ghanaians have seen is only the tip of the iceberg, if you allow them to rig this election, you will have to stand in line to buy chicken intestines in the market. You will experience the most trying circumstances that will drive many parents to sell their kids, kill themselves, or use them for "Sika Duro." I will not stop warning Ghanaians about this treacherous regime. Although I am not a prophet, since my articles are accurate, I see myself better than the so-called nation's bogus prophets. Love is in the air of Buffalos Lovejoy District this week. Volunteers with the organization Eight Days of Hope are showing the neighborly kind of love by providing residents with free home repairs, refurbishments and renovations for eight days, ending Saturday. I feel like it is so much better to give than to receive, volunteer Shelby Webster said. Every time I go out to help others for Eight Days, I end up being blessed by the people I am serving. The homeowners are always so amazing. Eight Days of Hope is an all-volunteer national ministry based in Mississippi and formed in 2005 to help with disaster relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers travel across the country to help rebuild homes for free in communities after disasters. Steve Tybor, president of organization, described its efforts in Buffalo as unique, because the effort did not start in response to a disaster. In 2019, Eight Days decided to open a satellite location on Kensington Avenue in the city. We decided that we wanted to take time to love and serve our own community to not just focus on disasters, but to serve the community we call home, said volunteer and organization coordinator Hannah Fletcher, a Buffalo resident. This years efforts mark the fourth annual outreach in Buffalo. Each year, Eight Days of Hope chooses a new district and about 100 families to help. Repair services include painting, porch replacements, window installations, roofing, landscaping, concrete work and more. Homeowners in each years respective district can submit an application to be entered in a random lottery to be selected as one of the recipients. Photos: Volunteers fix up houses in Lovejoy District More than 1,300 volunteers with Eight Days of Hope helped 100 families in the Lovejoy District with home repairs that included painting, roofi We put all the names in a bowl and pulled them out at our lottery night, Fletcher said. We take church nominations, as well, so churches in whatever district we are serving can nominate two people. We take families from that, as well. Volunteers have also provided landscaping services for more than 200 homes. So, its more than just the 100 families being impacted, Fletcher said. Everyone is being touched in a little way. Eight Days of Hope has partnered with more than 70 local churches, businesses and nonprofits to gather the finances, volunteers and other kinds of support to carry out this years efforts. More than 1,700 volunteers have come together this year. About 80% of volunteers are from Buffalo, Fletcher said. The rest hail from 34 states and two countries. Volunteer Megan Neyland moved to Buffalo in March. We are doing Eight Days of Hope full time, Neyland said. We brought our five kids, and I am currently pregnant with number six. We have a heart for serving others and want to train our kids up (with that mindset). We just want to show love to everyone. Neyland said one of the homeowners she helped for another Eight Days of Hope project in Louisiana is a volunteer in Buffalo this year, showing how giving to others can inspire them to give back as well. Event organizers are delighted with this turnout for this years event. What I love about Buffalo is that businesses and churches are willing to work together to help families in need, Tybor said. What we have seen locally in the past four years is people that are willing to set aside their differences to help. Local businesses, churches and volunteers have been showing up and supporting it all the way. The organization on March 1 plans to announce the Buffalo district it will serve next year. 21.07.2023 LISTEN Member of Parliament (MP) for Bole Bamboi, Yussif Sulemana, has accused the government of causing financial loss to the state by importing semi-processed sugar for refining at the Komenda Sugar Factory in the Central Region. The MP said that Parliament approved an amount of $24 million in 2016 for the cultivation of sugarcane to provide adequate raw materials for the factory, but the government failed to draw down the funds, rendering the factory defunct. Speaking to journalists after the Minister for Trade and Industry, KT Hammond, answered questions about the factory in Parliament, Sulemana said that the government has denied young people job opportunities by failing to put the factory to use. Komenda Sugar factory Today, you are importing semi-processed sugar. Isnt that a loss for us? Parliament approved the facility and asked that you should draw down the funds. You arrogantly refused to draw down the money. Today, we are unable to give the needed resources for the farmers to be able to cultivate the sugarcane, he said. So, what you are now doing is to import semi-processed sugar. What you are doing is denying the people a source of livelihood. What you are doing is that you are denying people the needed jobs that we had wanted to create for them, he underscored. -citinewsroom Minority Members of Parliament say it was unlawful for the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, to have kept large sums of money in her house, which allegedly were stolen by her house helps. Two house helps of the Minister are facing charges before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing an amount of $1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghanaian cedis at her residence in Abelenkpe, Accra, in October 2023. The Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi, Yussif Sulemana, said in a Citi News interview that he expects President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to immediately sack the Minister while investigations commence into the legitimacy of the money. I expect the President to fire her if its true that she kept that huge sum of money in her house. The question is where did she get the money? If indeed that money was legitimate, why did she put it in her house instead of the bank? If it is indeed established that this woman was keeping such sums of money, the first thing is for the President to sack her. Thats the only way we would know that the President is fighting corruption. The President must act and act immediately. The next stage is that any state institution interested in investigating her could do so freely, Mr. Sulemana added. The NDC MP for the Kumbungu constituency, Hamza Adam, also speaking to Citi News, said it would be shocking if it is indeed established that the said monies were kept in the house of the Minister. Every minister of state has the right to own properties provided those properties are owned on the back of legitimacy. The issue surrounding Cecilia Dapaah is something that has come up as a shock, especially when everyone knows that the country is in a crisis. It will be surprising if indeed such monies were kept by her in her house. We have to establish the truth of the matter. We are expecting the proper legal action to be taken and an investigation triggered to establish where she got the money from. I think it is illegal to keep such money in your house, the Kumbungu MP added. -citinewsroom Forty-three African heads of state attended the 2019 Russia-Africa summit . They had high hopes that Russia would emerge as a new source of investment and trade for the continent. Russian president Vladimir Putin promised to double Russian trade with Africa in five years to US$40 billion . Since then, Russian trade with the continent has contracted to US$14 billion. It is lopsided, with Russia exporting seven times as much as it imports from Africa. Additionally, 70% of this trade is concentrated in just four countries : Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and South Africa. Russia invests very little in Africa . It accounts for 1% of the foreign direct investment that goes to the continent. Mauritius is a larger source of foreign direct investment for Africa. Additionally, Russia's gross domestic product has shrunk in value from US$2.3 trillion in 2013 to US$1.8 trillion in 2021. Despite these diminishing economic ties, Russia's influence in Africa has rapidly expanded since 2019. It has deployed troops to the continent and become the dominant external partner in a handful of countries. Russian disinformation campaigns in at least 16 African countries are shaping the information environment on the continent. This has largely been achieved through irregular means . These include propping up isolated, autocratic regimes through a combination of the deployment of Wagner paramilitary forces , electoral interference, disinformation and arms-for-resources deals. Each of these tactics is destabilising for the host country. Predictably, half of the two dozen African countries where Russia has been actively plying its influence are in conflict . Russia has similarly undermined UN operations in African countries where Moscow is vying for influence, further compounding instability. A lire aussi : Why Russia is on a charm offensive in Africa. The reasons aren't pretty Despite Russia's increasingly aggressive policies on the continent and internationally, roughly the same number of African heads of state are expected to participate in this year's St Petersburg summit as in 2019. More significant than any commercial deals announced are the political and financial benefits Russian and African elites are expecting to gain. Having closely followed Russia's disruptive interventions in Africa for many years, the main losers will be ordinary citizens who will pay for these exclusive partnerships through higher taxes, greater instability and less freedom. The Russia-Africa summit has obvious benefits for Moscow. It conveys a perception of normalcy following Russia's invasion of Ukraine , an International Criminal Court war crimes arrest warrant for Putin and the aborted insurrection led by Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin . While Russian-African economic ties are modest, the continent provides Russia with a global stage from which Moscow can puff up its geostrategic posture. Africa matters more to Russia than Russia does to Africa. The upside for Moscow Given Russia's track record of destabilisation on the continent since 2019, it begs the question why African leaders would even consider attending the St Petersburg summit . Security has deteriorated in every African country where Wagner has been deployed, while human rights abuses have surged . Local communities have been intimidated into leaving their homes where Wagner has been given mining access, effectively annexing these territories. Moscow curries favour with some of these regimes by providing protection from international sanctions for human rights violations or for violating democratic practices. Unsurprisingly, the African countries where Russia is most involved have median democracy scores of 19 . The African democracy median is 51 on Freedom House's 100-point scale . The summit is a chance to show it's business as usual for Russia. And that Russia is not a pariah, but enjoys the implicit endorsement of its violations of international law by African heads of state. Russia will likely use this year's summit to falsely claim that western sanctions are limiting the export of Russian (and Ukrainian) food and fertiliser to Africa, distracting attention from Russia's culpability for triggering the disruption in global grain supplies . The summit also highlights the increasing importance of Africa to Russian foreign policy. Africa remains the continent most welcoming of Russian engagement . It's also the least willing to criticise Moscow for its land grab in Ukraine . Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has made at least eight visits to Africa since Russia launched its attack in March 2022. Dubious benefits to Africa Anaemic investment, normalising autocracy, fomenting instability and intervening in African domestic politics doesn't sound like a winning strategy for building a long-term partnership. It's one thing to take a non-aligned posture on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which may seem like a far-off conflict. But why would African leaders continue to engage with a foreign actor with an active record of undermining stability on the continent? A clear-eyed assessment of national interests isn't compelling. The instability caused by Russia's irregular tactics threatens to spill across borders and is creating crises of sovereignty on the continent. The upending of the rule of law is simultaneously damaging the continent's budding reputation as a reliable destination for investment and international partnerships. Russia's influence operations are nearly always aimed at helping incumbent (typically autocratic) regimes retain power. Opaque mining and arms deals are frequently part of the package. African leaders benefiting from these tactics welcome Moscow's overtures. Other African leaders see engaging with Russia as a tactic to get more support from the west. A minority may naively see their participation as a genuine opportunity to gain more Russian investment or encourage more constructive Russian engagement. Expected announcements of mining, energy, grain, transport and digitisation deals at the summit will provide a justifying fig leaf to all attendees. Even if such plans never materialise. Reality check The reality is that Russia's strategy of elite cooption is widening the gap between African leaders' and citizens' interests. Citizens regularly say they want more democracy , job creation and upholding of the rule of law. Russian engagements on the continent are undermining all three. The interests gap between African leaders and citizens points to another takeaway from the summit: most African political leaders won't be championing reforms on citizen priorities for better governance, development and security. Rather, leadership on these interests will need to come from African civil society, media and independent judiciaries. Moscow is sure to use this year's gathering in St Petersburg to conjure up the imagery of shared Russian and African interests. The key question for African citizens to ask is: whose interests are being served? Joseph Siegle ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possede pas de parts, ne recoit pas de fonds d'une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n'a declare aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche. By Joseph Siegle, Director of Research, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, University of Maryland The mentality of the Ghanaian politician can oftentimes be dubious and doubtful. The lack of love of the country and the people they are supposed to serve make many a Ghanaian politician a misfit in their positions and roles. The other day, was it yesterday, Thursday, 20 July 2023, when I heard the Deputy Foreign Minister Sarpong Ampratwum who doubles as the member of parliament for Mampong in the Ashanti region, grant an air interview to Kwame Nkrumah Tikese? On the question of who he supports and is campaigning for to become the NPP flag bearer-cum-presidential-candidate going into election 2024, he said without mincing words that it is Dr Alhaji Mohammudu Bawumia. Who he supports and does not support is not the issue, and it is irrelevant to the reason for todays publication. However, his reason assigned to why he supports his named candidate is what has engendered this publication. He said, I support Dr Bawumia because he is the one who can win the 2024 election for NPP. I listened attentively to him for a while and all that he kept saying was, Dr Bawumia is the only candidate that can win the election for NPP. I had expected him to proceed further to say something like, Dr Bawumia is so far the most farsighted, knowledgeable and dedicated to serving his people and nation, among all the competitors. However, he dwelt only on the fact Dr Bawumia can win the election for NPP owing to the politics of ethnicity as practised in Ghana, exacerbated by the once infamous utterance of NPP being the Akans party by Nana Akufo-Addo. My beef with Sarpong Ampratwum is his failure to comprehend that leaders are appointed, or voted for, to come and serve the nation but not only their political parties, the warped thinking of the Ghanaian politician hence the level of incompetence, corruption, nonchalance and malevolence associated with them. Dr Bawumia is desirous to be of selfless service to the nation. This is a fact! Why could Sarpong Ampratwum not declare that on air in his favour but kept repeating that it is only Dr Bawumia that can win the general election for NPP. I, Rockson Adofo, will in any day and time, go for a candidate that will be ready to seriously serve the nation but not the one that can only win the election for their political party. If Sarpong Ampratwum is looking forward to the electorate electing someone that can win elections for NPP, he would not have misconducted himself in the not too distant issue involving the principal of the Mampong Nursing and Midwifery Training College and the then level 200 students callously unprofessionally dismissed from the college. Does he know how many of the students, their families and friends that have vowed to vote against NPP should he, Ampratwum, ever again contest for the Mampong parliamentary seat on the ticket of NPP? If he wanted NPP to win election 2024, he should have been fair, firm and friendly in his involvements in the students saga rather than being partial, unprofessional, myopic and deplorable. Anyway, I find Dr Bawumia as able to win the election to develop Ghana. Nonetheless, Kennedy Agyapong that some NPP parliamentarians and others are rubbishing is more able and capable of enforcing the obedience of the laws of the land to bring about speedy development to the nation and the people. The Whitemans lands have developed to become a magnetic green pastures attractively pulling Ghanaians toward them. That is the type of country I wish to see Ghana become. All the current NPP flag bearer aspirants have their strengths and visions for the country so none should be denigrated for all malicious reasons or else, you put asunder to the party. Deputy Foreign Minister Sarpong Ampratwum has no moral right to speak on who can win or not, the election, for NPP in 2024 since himself has done something silly that has already cost NPP votes in advance. I am not going to open up old warts because they hurt. Nonetheless, Sarpong Ampratwum is put on notice to be mindful of his actions and pronouncements as they can possibly can come back to haunt him. Co-Chairman of Citizens Movement against Corruption (CMaC), Edem Senanu, has said the alleged stealing of huge sums of money from the house of the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, raises eyebrows. He said this when he reacted to the development in an interview on the Citi Breakfast Show on Citi FM on Friday, July 21, 2023. Absolutely, first of all, the sums of money and the quantum raise eyebrows because we do know how much public officers are paid and ministers. We are not expecting millions of dollars and other currencies to just be easily accessible so that definitely raises eyebrows. There is also the prudence of anybody deciding to keep that kind of money at home. Nobody who is very cautious about security would want to keep that kind of money and why would you want that kind of money when it could be much more secure elsewhere. So the prudence in that raises eyebrows, he said. Mr Senanu also said that the country had not codified illicit financial enrichment, an article under the AU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Corruption, in which debt would cover issues like lifestyle audits where when something like this comes up there is a suspicion that the sources of income could not justify the sums of monies being spoken about. He said that it was for the above reasons that questioning and discussions were needed on the matter. The Chronicle Newspaper on Friday reported that two house helps of Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, are before an Accra Circuit Court, for allegedly stealing monies and items running into millions of Ghana Cedis. The said monies were allegedly stolen from the couple's room in their house at Abelemkpe, a suburb of Accra, in the Greater Accra region. The two house helps of the Minister are facing charges before an Accra Circuit Court for allegedly stealing an amount of $1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghanaian cedis and other personal effects at her residence in Abelenkpe, Accra, in October 2023. -citinewsroom National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) has dispelled claims that the outfit diverted funds meant for paying food suppliers. Some disgruntled food suppliers alleged during their picketing a few weeks ago that the Buffer Stock Company had diverted money from the Education Ministry to defray their loans. The suppliers were demanding the payment of over GH270 million for food supplied to various senior high schools across the country under the Free SHS policy. In response to the allegations, the CEO of Buffer Stock Company, Hanan Abdul-Wahab, said the claims are untrue as the company is committed to paying all debts owed to its creditors. Between 2021, 2022, and 2023, the entire Free SHS feeding budget is far more than even GH480 million, so it is clear that the figure is not correct. We have not received money from the Ministry that is meant to be paid to suppliers that we have not paid. The report is not true, and we are very focused on making sure that we will make life very comfortable for our suppliers. 21.07.2023 LISTEN Chief Executive Officer of IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, Franklin Cudjoe has waded into the conversation on the gargantuan amount of money stolen from the home of the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah. There were reports that US$1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis had been stolen from the home of the Minister. The report noted that two house helps of Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah have been dragged to court. Reacting to the argument that other Ministers may be keeping similar cash in their homes, Franklin Cudjoe has cautioned that it could put them in harms way. He is baffled as to why the Sanitation Minister did not put the money in a bank if she acquired the cash through legitimate means. House helps steal $1.3m stashed in a minister's house. Suggests others may be doing same but puts them in harm's way as they could be targeted by robbers. Why didn't the minister bank the money if it was legitimately acquired? Franklin Cudjoe shared in a post on Facebook. Having followed reports, former President John Dramani Mahama has also reacted. In a post on social media, the flagbearer of the NDC said the revelation is a scandal under President Akufo-Addos government. $1m + 300k and millions of GHS in a Ghanaian Ministers home? Scandalous!!. Even if genuinely acquired, why keep millions of hard currency at home? Will President Akufo-Addo ever set a good example for public office holders in his administration? Mahama quizzed. A former Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkawkaw in the Eastern Region, Seth Adjei Baah, has asked the Minority in Parliament to allow the legal process to take its course in the case involving the MP for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson. The former MP argues that the continuous absence of the caucus would largely affect their constituents, hence the need to come into negotiations with the majority side. The NDC has the right to boycott if they are not happy about certain issues. However, we should also make sure that we do not stand in the way of the judiciary. This is a case where, if we are not careful, we will be influencing the stance of the judiciary. So, I think the majority should just come out and find a way to negotiate to get them back to Parliament while the judiciary is going ahead to do their work. Because if you continue in this way, it means that Ghanaians are suffering, and you are there to help us get things done. Yes, I dont want to say that they should do this or that, but they should give the judiciary the chance to do what is right. They are trying the case; the lawyers are going, and I know that in Ghana, they will do the right thing. So, it is not about following up there that will influence the decision of the court. So, I will plead with my brothers to come back and lets see how best we can move Ghana forward, he stated. -citinewsroom President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has today, Friday, July 21 as part of his four-day official visit to Italy, engaged in bilateral discussions with the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella. The main focus of their talks was to strengthen the cooperative relationship and deepen the friendship between the two nations. Both leaders also explored opportunities for mutual benefit that would positively impact their respective populations. The meeting between President Akufo-Addo and President Mattarella aimed to reaffirm the existing ties of cooperation and foster even closer bonds of friendship between Ghana and Italy. It also provided an avenue for the leaders to discuss key areas of collaboration and identify opportunities for further cooperation in various sectors. The bilateral discussions underscored the commitment of both countries to working together on shared interests and common goals. It is expected that the outcomes of these talks will enhance diplomatic and economic relations between Ghana and Italy, leading to increased opportunities for trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges. -Classfmonline.com Deputy Algerian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Atmane Boudjemia, has paid a working visit to Artcraft Media Consult - publishers of Ghananewsonline.com.gh, Businessweekghana.com and GhanaNews.tv in Accra. The visit was to enable the diplomat to familiarize himself with the workings and operations of publishing house and to explore avenues for mutual collaboration, among others. In his interactions with management during the visit, Mr. Boudjemia explained that the Algerian Embassy in Ghana is on an agenda of creating collaborations with key influential outlets in the Ghanaian media space to open up Algeria for business and other partnerships. He explained that Ghana is a peaceful country and it is incumbent on the media to continue to work to promote peace, security and religious tolerance in the country at all times. Mr Atmane Boudjemia further noted that the Algerian Embassy will continue to build partnerships with the Ghanaian media and their counterparts in Algeria to enhance media practices in both countries. Managing Editor of Artcraft Media Consult, Mr. Jeorge Wilson Kingson asserted that the Ghanaian media has made strides in promoting democracy in Ghana, but was quick to add that there is always room for improvement. Kingson also admitted that the Ghanaian media needs effective collaborations to deliver on its mandate of informing and educating the public. He stated that Artcraft Media Consult is open to collaboration with the Algerian media to project all the positive business and other opportunities available in both countries for the mutual benefit of all. The discussions also touched on democracy, good governance and the future of the media. Source: ghananewsonline.com.gh By order of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudswoman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, members of the National Preventive Group (NPG) of the Ombudswoman, without prior notice, visited a shelter intended for victims of human trafficking, which is under the control of the Main Department for Combating Human Trafficking of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Azernews reports. During the visit, the sleeping, medical, dining, and kitchen premises of the institution were examined. The guests of the shelter were received, they were discussed confidentially, and their appeals were heard. Applicants were given detailed information on application forms to the Commissioner for Human Rights and 916, a 24-hour emergency service. It was noted that the institution provides normal conditions for the detention of victims of human trafficking, their safety, and persons who have found shelter there, are provided with food and medicine, and appropriate conditions have been created for providing them with medical, psychological, social, and legal assistance. At the end of the visit, a meeting was held with the management and employees of the enterprise, and legal educational talks were held. After intense, last-minute lobbying by the Erie County sheriff and others, the County Legislature voted 10-1 on Thursday to pay for a 10-year, $8 million lease that enables SWAT and other special units to move out of a windowless, Cold War-era bomb shelter at Chestnut Ridge Park and into a new space. It was touch and go on whether the lease deal would be voted on Thursday, but the new Orchard Park property owners willingness to throw in $750,000 toward the agreement certainly helped. Concerns over proposed $10 million lease keep Erie County Sheriff's Office in windowless bunker The clock is now ticking for the county to secure new space under more favorable terms before the end of next month. Sheriff John Garcia expressed relief that the weeks-long effort to get the deal approved worked, but said hes still going to ask the Public Works Department to have employees at the bunker moved ASAP to temporary space elsewhere. He said the Legislatures vote is evidence that they care about the working conditions of first responders. He also referred to lawsuits against the county due to people getting sick at the current bunker location. While a majority of legislators were supportive of the move, a couple had lingering questions about whether the lease originally calculated to cost more than $10 million made financial sense. That led to several heated exchanges, with the sheriff at one point referring to Legislator John Bargnesis questions and criticisms as B.S. He also said the Sheriffs Office shouldnt be treated as a red-headed stepchild. Erie County Sheriff's Office wants to move staff out of a nuclear bunker. It would cost $10 million After more than 50 years of working out of a county-owned bomb shelter in Chestnut Ridge Park, the Erie County Sheriffs Special Services Division needs to move. But the new office and warehouse space in Orchard Park would cost about $10 million. Bargnesi responded, Im sorry that youre offended by us asking financial questions. And if you take offense to that, Im sorry. Thats our job. And I respect your job, and be sure you respect ours. No lawmakers disputed the need to move Sheriffs Office personnel from the bunker. Many mechanical and structural components in the bunker are failing, Sheriffs Office officials said. The space is poorly ventilated and has sewer drains that back up several times a year, forcing evacuations. Mobile phone service is poor. The new space at 13 Centre Drive, which is closer to the Buffalo Bills stadium and major highways, includes office space and warehouse space, allowing the county to park large vehicles and emergency equipment at a single site, instead of having them scattered across the county. Members of the Comptrollers Office said they had no opinion on what space would best suit the Sheriffs Office needs, though Deputy Comptroller Timothy Callan noted that other proposals received by the Sheriffs Office were cheaper. Legislators balk at voting on multimillion-dollar space for Sheriff's Office while 'flying blind' The Erie County Sheriff's Office's plan to move employees out of a grass-covered nuclear bomb shelter, currently home base for the SWAT team and other Special Operations personnel, remains in limbo. The lease previously came under intense scrutiny due to its expense and legislators desire for more information. The lease was originally expected to cost the county more than $10 million, but after Bargnesi raised questions about the true cost last week, the property owner agreed to allocate an additional $750,000 to cover all needed renovations. The Sheriffs Office had originally projected such construction-related costs, for things such as a secured evidence room and larger bay doors for oversized vehicles, to add another $1 million to the move-in expenses. But Public Works Commissioner William Geary said he expects total renovations to cost no more than $500,000, he said. Garcia said any money left over from the developers $750,000 allocation would be credited against the first-year costs of the lease. Though Legislature Democrats expressed no hurry to vote on the lease deal, Republican legislators moved to discharge the item from committee and have it voted on the floor. Legislator Jeanne Vinal criticized the lease proposal and the vote, saying that there were still too many unanswered questions. I just think were rushing this for no reason, she said. The Legislature is not normally allowed to vote on any lease deal that extends beyond five years. However, a local law is awaiting Legislature approval to create an exception for the Sheriffs Office. Special Operations Chief Brian Britzzalaro said the many units who constitute Special Operations, including special rescue teams, are valuable to the county for their exceptional work as problem solvers in emergencies. All were doing is putting them in a position to solve those problems quicker, healthier and safer, he said. A former Minister for Energy, Mr Boakye Agyarko, has made yet another startling revelation about the renegotiation of the terms of 250 Megawatts Ameri Power Plant by naming persons whose conduct and actions during the renegotiation formed the basis for his removal from office in 2018. Narrating the circumstances leading to his removal from office on Kumasi-based Asanteman FM, Mr Boakye Agyarko, a former Policy Advisor for then-candidate Akufo-Addo, said when the New Patriotic Party was in opposition, one of the things they planned to do was to renegotiate the terms of the power plants contracted by the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) including the Ameri Power Plant. Consequently, Mr Agyarko stated that an eighteen-member committee with institutional representation from the energy sector agencies was constituted and chaired by Lawyer Philip Addison and Vicky Bright. He said the decision Cabinet took was to find a way to get Ameri Energy Group, the owners of Ameri Power Plant out of the contract and instead negotiate with Metka, a company which was operating the plant, by making the cost of the contract lesser. He explained that the committee started the negotiations and everything was going on smoothly. Im on the course of the negotiations, he said the committee members travelled to Dubai, UAE, to meet officials of Ameri Energy Group to continue the negotiation but said during one of the visits to Dubai, the officials of Ameri Energy Group became very hostile and he had to order the negotiations team to leave and return to Ghana. Mr Boakye Agyarko continued that during the period of renegotiation of the contract with Ameri Energy Group, he was onboard an aircraft at the Kotoka International Airport to Houston, Texas, USA when he received a telephone call from Mr Gabby Asare Otchere- Darko, a cousin of President Akufo-Addo lamenting that he had been trying to reach him but he (Agyarko) was not answering his calls. I told him I was onboard a flight travelling. Then he (Gabby) told me that he was sending me a document via email so I should check. When I arrived safely and went to my hotel room, I opened my email address and saw the document. To my surprise, Gabby had, on the blind side of the Committee set up and approved by the President to renegotiate with Ameri Energy Group, contracted a law firm to engage Ameri Energy Group and completed their negotiation and recommended a certain company to operate the Ameri Power Plant and extended the contract to 20 years. I sent Gabby mail and asked him what authority he had to do that. And I told him Cabinet has given specific instructions to follow and his response was what makes me think that my Boss (President Akufo-Addo) doesnt know about what he has doneso I kept quiet, Mr Agyarko stated. According to Mr Agyarko, when he returned from the trip, he went to President Akufo-Addo and told him about what ensued between him and his cousin, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko. He said President Akufo-Addo asked him what he thought was wrong about what Gabby has done and his response to him was that the authority to renegotiate the terms of the Ameri Power Plant doesnt lie in the hands of Gabby and that the proposal the firm he contracted had violated all the Cabinet instructions and extended the contract to 20 years. He said President Akufo-Addo was satisfied with the explanation he gave, adding that he, however, requested him to forward the proposal by the law firm Gabby had engaged to the Chairman of the Committee and he did so. Based on President Akufo-Addos instruction, Mr Agyarko said he sent the document to Lawyer Philip Addison but upon receipt of the document, he flared up because he did not understand what was happening. Mr Agyarko revealed that a prominent person told the Committee that President Akufo-Addo did not support the renegotiation they were doing and that, Mr Agyarko said, discouraged the members of the Committee. Continuing, Mr Agyarko said he went to Parliament for a Ministry of Energy business and while in Parliament, the Member of Parliament for South Abuakwa, Lawyer Atta Akyea warned him not to set foot in Parliament to present the Addison Committee Report. Mr Agyarko said Atta Akyea said he would mobilise the whole House to walk him out if he set foot in Parliament. He said unknown to him, Mr Atta Akyea had already prepared the ground and so when he went to meet the Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy and Finance, the MPs were very hostile and did not even offer him a seat. Mr Agyarko explained that President Akufo-Addo called the speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Aaron Ocquaye, and Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Majority Leader, at the time Parliament was about to rise to make sure that the Ameri Power Plant Renegotiated Agreement was passed before the House rose for recession. He said when he arrived at Parliament, the Speaker told him that the mood in Parliament was not favourable so instead of seeking Parliamentary approval, they should go by Executive Approval. Given that, he called Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia since President Akufo-Addo was out of the country. He stated that the Vice President was at an event in Tamale and could not respond but the information was relayed to him and requested that the document be sent to him at home. Mr Agyarko said he sent four people led by one Michael Opam but they did not meet the Vice President at home. He said a lady who received them wanted them to leave the document, a request he said his messengers declined and so they returned the document. Mr Agyarko said the four people went to Dr Bawumias home for the second time and when they met him, they left the document with him to append his signature. Surprisingly, Mr Agyarko revealed that when they went back for the document, they noticed that Lawyer Nana Bediatuo Asante, Executive Secretary of President Akufo-Addo, had signed the document instead of Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. When energynewsafrica.com reached him on WhatsApp for his response to the claims by Mr Boakye Agyarko, Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko stated that he was not interested in commenting on the issue. Background The Ameri Power Plant was procured during the John Mahama administration for US$510 million to increase the countrys energy capacity to meet the countrys energy demand. The agreement was signed in February 2015 under Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) after five years. Source: https://energynewsafrica.com Former New Patriotic Party (NPP) Second Vice Chairman for the Central Region, Joe Donkor, has expressed his belief that Kennedy Agyepong will be the first businessman to be elected as Ghana's president. According to Mr Donkor, Kennedy Agyepong, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin Central, will lead the NPP to the 2024 general election and eventually be sworn in as president on January 7, 2025. Mr Donkor drew a parallel to the United States of America, where J.F. Kennedy, a farmer, was elected as president, and the country reaped the benefits. He emphasised that if Ghanaians elect Kennedy Agyepong as president, the nation will benefit from his common-sense approach to management which will greatly move the country forward. He highlighted Agyepong's understanding of job creation and his ability to utilise this knowledge to drive Ghana's economy. In a viral video on social media, Mr Donkor urged NPP delegates to vote overwhelmingly for Kennedy Agyepong in the upcoming super-delegates conference, believing that he is the right candidate to lead Ghana as its first businessman president in the Fourth Republican dispensation -Classfmonline.com Sam George's hard talk to Westerners on LGBTQ issues. This video has gone viral, and seriously, the number of my African friends who have seen this video, many are impressed and a number of them have made comments such as "this is the guy for Africa" "this guy should become president in the near future" "such, is the type we need in Africa." George is making waves in big positive ways. Well done George! In another news, one Mr Bugri Naabu is also making waves albeit incoherently. In this Bugri video, one finds it hard to understand a word he says, but according to those with good ears, he, Bugri Naabu, has 'put his foot in it.'' According to those who understand Bugri Naabu's unique way of obfuscation, he has compromised himself or someone. Aaah, let's wait and see how this pans out. But if you'd asked me, I would say that nothing will come out of this just like the many many scandals in akufo Addo's regime, including serwa broni, excavators, cash for seats and many many more. Nothing came out of those. Close the door and go to sleep Now the smallest big news is that someone called Cecillia Abenaa Dapaah (a local politician in Ghana) has caused the arrest of two househelpers. They have allegedly stollen some biggish moneys in cedis, in dollars, and in euros. Maybe later, when Ghana joins the BRICS money union, some house helpers will start stealing South Africa moneys, some Chinese moneys and etc etc etc etc. I told you not long ago that some in this akufoAddo government have amassed so much wealth, of which the source is very questionable. Let's see how this also pans out. But I conclude by saying, imagine if a politician in UK should report that huge sums of dollars, Rubbles, Yens, Kwachers and Cedis has been stolen from his or her home, do you want to know what would happen to that politician? It doesn't bear thinking about. I rest my case. My friend said the other day, "ewifuo enkoaa" 21.07.2023 LISTEN Have you ever harboured strong animus towards a fellow black person who openly expresses regret for being born black? Many a black person, or Ghanaian, may feel hatred against their fellow that may have declared feeling sorry to have come into this world cloaked in inextricable black skin. They will hastily accuse such a person of being full of him or herself. They will look at the person eerily, hate them with passion, try to distance themselves from them and act in all sorts of manner to tell how they will cause the disappearance of such a person from the surface of the earth and from among them, if they had the abracadabra powers of their own to do so, having their own way. Nonetheless, they never bother themselves about knowing why the person bemoaning his or her black skin colour is doing so. Could it not be that some black people, especially some Ghanaians, reason as though, they have left a sizable portion of their brain on another planet hence have difficulty fully analysing and understanding situations prevailing on earth? I dont mean to underrate the intelligence of some Ghanaians but I often get gobsmacked by their attitudes, pronouncements and aspirations that clearly appear infantile. Lot at a whole section of the 8th parliament of the 4th Republic of Ghana behaving childishly in breach of the laws of the land, although they are themselves legislators. I mean the NDC minority caucus in parliament. One James Gyakye Quayson, currently the NDC member of parliament for Assin North Constituency in the Central region, had conspicuously acted in breach of an entrenched clause in the 1992 Constitution by which Ghana is governed. He has subsequently been arraigned facing criminal charges of perjury, falsification of documents, etc. Nevertheless, his entire NDC colleagues in parliament are abandoning their parliamentary duties to troop to court to solidarize with him whenever he attends court. They claim to be offering him what they purport to be moral support but indeed a criminal support intended to rubbish and render ineffective that constitutional clause the break of which he, Quayson, is on trial. Are the NDC legislators that dumb? Do they read, and if yes, do they comprehend the plain English wordings of the 1992 Constitution, especially that Article 94 section 2a, the breach of which James Gyakye Quayson is on trial? The NDC for all selfish, parochial and stupid reasons, have been doing whatever is in their might to not only tarnish the reputation of the courts, especially the Supreme Court, but to turn the Ghanaian public against the courts. No wonder that Ghana is engulfed in lawlessness that is obviously pulling back her socio-economic advancement. I shall say it at any least opportunity I get that the nations water bodies, arable and fertile lands and forests are wantonly being destroyed by illegal small scale and alluvial miners (galamsayers) yet, NDC flag bearer John Dramani Mahama and the NDC are fully supportive of their destruction, although they are essential elements of life. Are some Ghanaians not that stupid to continue to trust someone who tells them to their face that he will not hesitate to tell them lies as long as they will believe and take the lies for truth, to turn their heart towards him and to vote for him? When will my people learn to wise up in order not to forever be taken for fools and for rough rides by our insatiably greedy politicians and traditional overlords? The whole world is in economic turmoil come about as a culmination of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, yet, some politicians are attributing that of Ghanas to purely the mismanagement of President Nana Akufo-Addo and his NPP government. You can blame the government for some of his policies and programmes as contributing to the economic hardships faced by the country but you cant fully pin the entire problem on her. Ghanaians, please be abreast with world news to better understand the origins of some of the economic hardships faced by the citizens. This will help you to tell who is a credible politician that you can entrust with the governance of the nation. Conditions will get worse if India bans the exportation of her rice, and if Ghana lives on imported rice. I read from the news today as can be verified from the web link below how some economies may worsen. If it does happen, dont let John Mahama come to tell you stories all because he takes you for fools that swallow hook, line and sinker whatever he throws at you. https://uk.yahoo.com/finance/news/top-rice-supplier-india-bans-053529636.html Fellow Ghanaians, please dont let us accept anything we are told by some greedy politicians whose only desire is to win elections by hook, or by crook, to enrich themselves, taking us for inhibited persons. I pity those Ghanaians who cant see and appreciate the benefits of acquisition of knowledge hence dragging in the mud the free Senior High School education to only be continually taken for fools and persons having short memory. More to come from the wise one from Kumawu/Asiampa in the Ashanti region. You are invited to drink freely from his overflowing fountain of wisdom. What a fearless and no-nonsense son God has blessed Kumawu/Asiampa with. Rockson Adofo Friday, 21 July 2023 Private legal practitioner, Kwame Jantuah has called for investigations into the huge sums of money allegedly stolen from the home of the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah. Reports that US$1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis have been stolen from the home of the Minister has caused stir, sparking conversation from various quarters. Sharing his thoughts on the matter in an interview with Starr FM, Kwame Jantuah said the Office of the Special Prosecutor and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) should get involved to find out if the money is for the Minister or her husband and how it was made. It is open season and Im not sure the court will ask because that is not what the case is about, it is about stolen money. So the authorities in this country, Special Prosecutor who looks at some of these things should ask the questions. GRA should ask the questions and lets see where the truth lies. I wouldnt want to hang somebody with the chain when I really dont have the facts as to where that money is derived from. It could be for her husband, if it is for the Minister and if it is for both of them they should prove how that money was made, Kwame Jantuah shared. Reports indicate that two house helps of Mrs. Cecilia Abena Dapaah have been dragged to court. The two house helps of Minister Cecilia Dapaah accused of stealing the money have been identified as 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei. Patience and Sarah (A2), are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of stealing US$1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghana cedis. Within the same period, Patience and Sarah allegedly stole personal effects of Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, which included assorted clothes, valued at GH95,000, handbags, and perfumes. The rest are jewelleries valued at US$95,000 from Cecilia Abena Dapaah. However, Patience alone, within the same period stole six pieces of Kente cloth worth GH90,000 and six sets of mens suits valued at US$3,000 which are properties of the ministers husband. The Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Savannah Region, Alhaji Iddrisu Sulemana Kalamonia has urged politicians in the region to leave an impressive legacy for the unborn generation. Prof. Kalamonia gave this admonishment in an exclusive interview with Modern Ghana News on Thursday, July 20, 2023. According to him, leadership is a call to serve and as such, people elected or appointed to positions must not lord over those over propel them to such heights. In his view, they should instead, serve in transparency, fairness, humility and must at all times, be accountable to their subordinates. "As a politician, you must not be fixated on amassing wealth but rather exhibit leadership of influence such that you would be remembered by generations yet unborn," he urged. He further impressed on politicians especially those that hail from the Savannah Region to always do something distinctive that will help change the lives and aspirations of those looking up to them. "As a politician, you must do something singular to have a positive response on others and by doing so, you must embrace the virtues and values of leadership," he stated. The veteran politician has endeared the hearts of all political divides in the Savannah Region for his stellar performance. He has also received widespread commendations for securing countless jobs for the teeming youth in all sectors of the economy. An Accra Circuit Court has granted two people a GHC450,000.00 bail with three sureties each for allegedly collecting USD25,000 from a businessman under the pretext of securing him a BMW saloon car. Two of their sureties, each, the Court ordered, should be public officers. Mubarak Mohammed, alias Maija Orey, denied defrauding Mr Kwame Osei Sarfo whilst Jonathan Bright Mensah, also known as JB, pleaded not guilty to aiding and abetting Mubarak. They are expected back in Court on August 21, 2023. Meanwhile, their alleged accomplice, one Obeng, is now at large. Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Eric Pobee told the Court Mr Sarfo, the complainant was a businessman and resident of Weija in Accra. He said Mensah was an electronic Technician,and Mubarak a businessman. They are residents of Accra Newtown and Kotobabi respectively. The prosecution said in January 2022, Mubarak approached the complainant that he was a car dealer and that his brother, domiciled in the United States of America, had a BMW X7 2022 model car for sale in the States and went ahead to show the complainant pictures of the said car. Mubarak told the complainant that the cost of the car and its shipments to Ghana would be USD$25,000.00 and based on that the complainant became convinced and parted with USD$20,000 for the purchase of the car. A week later, the Court heard that Mubarak went to the complainant and told him that the car had been purchased and was ready to be shipped to Ghana. He then demanded and collected the remaining USD 5,000 from the complainant as shipping fee and promised the complainant that the car would be in Ghana in a couple of months, but it turned out to be false after the complainant waited for 16 months. The prosecution said a report was made to the Police and on June 13, 2023, Mubarak was arrested. He confessed to the crime and told the police that he gave USD$11,000 to one Jonathan and gave USD$12,000 to his partner, who is in United States of America and pocketed the remaining USD$2,000. The prosecution said Mubarak led the Police to arrest Jonathan. It said in his cautioned statement, Jonathan admitted collecting $11,000.00 from Mubarak and stated that he also gave same to Obeng, at large now. Jonathan and Mubarak were charged with the offences and put before Court. The police said efforts were being made to arrest Obeng. GNA Professor Amin Alhassan, the Director-General of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has informed the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, that the State Broadcaster now broadcasts in 27 Ghanaian languages. He reiterated that GBC had not stopped broadcasting in local Ghanaian languages and that in the past the Corporation used to broadcast in six local languages but now the number had increased to 27. Prof Alhassan made the revelation when he appeared at the public hearing of the PAC in Accra to respond to issues raised in the 2021 Auditor-Generals Report concerning the State Broadcaster. Mr Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor, a Member of PAC and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for South Dayi, informed the Director-General that some complaints he had received was that some programmes organised in Ewe, Dagbani and some notable local languages had been stopped and that they no longer run on the allocated dates. And some of my Constituents are worried and they want me to find out from you why it is so? Prof Alhassan in his response noted that in the past when the State had Radio Ghana (Radio One) and there were no Regional FM Stations, the local languages were broadcast directly from Accra to whole country. He noted that GBC now had 18 FM Stations across the country, and that each FM Station broadcasts in a certain local language. He cited an example that Dagbani, which used to be broadcast by GBC from Accra, has now been broadcast on Radio Savannah in Tamale. Prof Alhassan said on GTV, they still broadcasted in local languages such as Ewe, Dagbani, and Nzema. He underscored that GBC had not stopped broadcasting in local Ghanaian Languages. He said GTV still airs programmes in some local languages and that they used to be at a particular scheduled period; weve moved them to other periods. But they are not shortchanged. The two hours that were used are still what we use. So, we have not really stopped local language broadcasting, in fact, that is what we pride ourselves in. We broadcast in 27 Ghanaian languages today. Prof Alhassan stated. GBC used to do only six of them, now we do 27, so we havent stopped (broadcasting in local languages). We are doing more local language broadcasting. The Director-General was accompanied by Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Minister of Information. GNA Kennedy Agyapong, an aspiring presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has unveiled an ambitious plan to spur economic growth and development in Northern Ghana if elected president. The lawmaker has observed the massive rural-urban migration of Northerners in search of jobs in the South. To solve this, the outspoken Assin Central MP said he aims to transform the economy of Northern Ghana, which has lagged behind in terms of development. His plan involves incentivizing companies to establish operations in the north and creating ample job opportunities for northern communities. He emphasized equitable distribution of resources while noting that those from the southern part of the country will also move to the north in search of jobs. In a tweet on Friday, July 21, Ken Agyapong stated, "I will push about 60% of our country's businesses to the north, and I'll make sure people from the south go there to look for job..." "There are lots of undeveloped lands up there," Mr Agyapong noted, indicating the availability of space for industrial expansion. The Member of Parliament for Kumbungu Professor Hamza Adam, has called for the resignation of Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah for keeping millions of dollars and euros in her house. If she fails to resign, Prof Asam said, the president must compel her to go. Prof Adam said that per the laws of Ghana, it is illegal to keep a certain amount of money at home. Madam Cecilia Dapaah is said to have kept $1 million, 300,000 and millions of undisclosed Ghana Cedis at home. These monies were allegedly stolen by two house helps, for which they are standing trial at an Accra Circuit Court. Speaking on this in an interview with the press in parliament on Friday, July 21, Prof Adam said First of all it is illegal to keep certain money, at home particularly foreign. So an amount to the tune of millions will be shocking to the bone. I will appeal to all the stakeholders who matter to investigate the matter so that we will get to the bottom of the issue because it is shocking if you look at the quantum of the amount that is alleged to be found at her residence. if we got such an amount of money we didn't need to go to the IMF. He added That is also a wake-up call, which means we have to go down and investigate all ministers who are serving the country at the moment. What it simply means is that whereas everybody is dying that the stake is heating up and livelihoods are getting deteriorated others are sitting in gold mines. I am appealing to the stakeholders who matter to do further investigation. I think it is important the minister, as a matter of urgency, relinquishes her position as the minister, the reason being that it may interfere with the investigation process otherwise the president must compel her to resign. -citinewsroom On one day in March, there were three dozen false reports of mass shootings at schools across New York. If those or similar swatting incidents occur again, they can be tracked by the FBIs new National Swatting Virtual Command Center, according to New York Sen. Charles E. Schumer. A week after the incidents, Schumer visited Lockport High School and other schools around the state, calling on the FBI to investigate and start tracking them. Swatting is a false report or a bogus threat made in an attempt to draw law enforcement, particularly SWAT teams, to respond to a house, school or other location. Lockport and South Park High schools were among two of the schools targeted March 30. Teachers and students at Lockport High School spent 30 to 45 minutes in hiding after the lockdown announcement came, before they learned there was not an active shooter in the school. They waited as each classroom was emptied by police. More than 100 law enforcement officers from multiple agencies responded. One teacher told The Buffalo News it was the most frightening day she had spent in 29 years of teaching. The new center logs the incidents, helping local law enforcement exchange, track and share information, Schumer said. It is open to all federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies, as well as crime-fighting fusion centers that gather and analyze threat related information. There are more than 230 members, and there have been more than 130 entries of swatting instances since the center was created in May. Mass shooting threat hits home in Lockport as Schumer calls on FBI to combat 'swatting' "When something like this happens, it is terrifying," Sen. Charles E. Schumer said. "False reports like this matter even more in places like Buffalo, where we've had a real attack not very long ago." Prior to my calls there was no proactive effort to track swatting incidents on the national level by the federal government, Schumer said in press release. This critical step will help law enforcement across the country better understand the increases in this disturbing trend and help better hold criminals accountable for the panic they cause from swatting attacks. Officers responded to more than 220 schools in New York State on March 30, according to the senator. Schumer said the creation of the national database will help identify the commonalities between the crimes, provide real-time situational awareness and critical information management to law enforcement to go after the criminals who commit the attacks. Ghanaian media personality Deloris Frimpong Manso, widely known as Delay says she is interested in working as a house help for a Minister. Her sudden interest in the job follows recent theft allegations against the househelps of Minister of Sanitation, Cecilia Abena Dapaah. "I want to be a house help for a Ghanaian minister," Delay tweeted on Friday, July 21. According to a report by The Chronicles newspaper, two of Dapaah's house helps - 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei stole huge sums of monies and valuable effects. The two are now before an Accra Circuit Court on charges of conspiring to steal millions of Ghana cedis, US$1 million and 300,000 from the Minister's bedroom. The stolen items also included clothes, handbags, perfumes and jewellery valued at US$95,000. Patience alone allegedly stole six pieces of kente cloth worth GH90,000 and six sets of mens suits valued at US$3,000 belonging to Dapaah's husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour. Three other individuals, including Patience's current and former boyfriends and her father, have also been charged with dishonestly receiving stolen property. Sarah was granted bail in the sum of GH1 million with two sureties required to deposit their Ghana cards. Her bail condition is subject to review by the substantive judge. Meanwhile, Patience and the three others have been remanded into lawful custody. Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson wants an immediate and impartial investigation to be carried out to ascertain the source and legitimacy of the over $1 million and other varied sums of money and items allegedly stolen from the house of the Minister of Sanitation, Abena Cecilia Dapaah. It came to light on Friday morning that two house helps of Madam Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, are before an Accra Circuit Court, for allegedly stealing monies and items running into millions of Ghana Cedis in the house of Madam Dapaah and her husband. The Minority Leader on his Facebook page indicated that given the magnitude and gravity of the situation, the Sanitation Minister must recuse herself for thorough investigations to be initiated to unravel the source and legitimacy of the alleged stolen money. Below is Mr. Forsons Facebook post Dear Friends, Recent revelations have come to light regarding the discovery of an astonishing amount of money in the private residence of a Ghanaian Minister. The sum in question amounts to $1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghanaian Cedis. We cannot overlook such a serious development that has the potential to undermine the very principles of probity, accountability, and transparency in our governance. Given the magnitude and gravity of this situation, it is essential that an immediate and impartial investigation be carried out to ascertain the source and legitimacy of these funds. I strongly urge the concerned Minister to voluntarily step aside from her duties until the relevant state institutions have conducted a thorough and independent investigation into this matter. The people of Ghana deserve nothing less than a government that serves their interests with honesty and dedication. -citinewsroom Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, says government has taken drastic, decisive and pre-emptive steps to protect the Black Volta from the destructive activities of illegal miners. According to the Minister, following recent media reports of illegal mining activities on the Black Volta, the government through the collaborative efforts of the Minerals Commission, the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council and the Ghana Armed Forces embarked on an intelligence-gathering operation to ascertain the situation on the ground. Mr Abu Jinapor, who was speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the presentation of the intelligence report on Friday, July 21, stated that a number of operations have already taken place by the military to stop the illegal miners and protect the river body from further destruction. Providing details of the said operations, the Minister disclosed that 20 changfans which were operating on the Black Volta have been confiscated and destroyed. He stated that resources and personnel will be committed to ensuring the Black Volta returns to its naturally healthy state sooner than later. Describing the emergence of illegal mining activities as 'scandalous and unfortunate', Samuel Abu Jinapor vowed that government through the Ministry and allied institutions will activate the necessary and legal measures to protect the Black Volta and other water bodies from illegal mining activities. The need for us to protect the Black Volta is absolutely important and I'm happy to report that following the reports the Ministry received, we are working closely with the Minerals Commission, the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council and the 6th Battalion of Infantry, 6Bn) in collaboration with the Military command of the Savannah Region were able to carry out an intelligence-gathering operation to ascertain the true facts on the ground, he indicated. As I speak to you now, series of operations have been undertaken and the reports I've received is that 20 changfans have been destroyed and there is a well-thought-through plan to eradicate illegal mining on the river and other parts of the country, he stressed. The Lands Minister disclosed that government will not relent in its effort to eradicate illegal mining activities and ensure that the exploitation of the country's natural resources are done in accordance with the laws of the country and international standards. He explained that the government illegal mining battle is modelled on two pillars which are enforcement and reformation. The Minister vowed that the government will continue to pursue the two pillars and will not renege on its effort to create a sustainable mining sector through responsible and environment-friendly mining practices. The Minority Leader in Parliament, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has indicated that it is important that the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Mrs. Cecilia Dapaah steps down. The Minister and her husband have a case in court after two of their house helps stole over $1 million from them. The monies in question are $1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghanaian Cedis. In a statement to react to the case, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has called for an immediate and impartial investigation to ascertain the source and legitimacy of the money stolen from the Minister. Given the magnitude and gravity of this situation, it is essential that an immediate and impartial investigation be carried out to ascertain the source and legitimacy of these funds, the Minority Leader said in his statement on Facebook. He continued, I strongly urge the concerned Minister to voluntarily step aside from her duties until the relevant state institutions have conducted a thorough and independent investigation into this matter. The people of Ghana deserve nothing less than a government that serves their interests with honesty and dedication. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson strongly believes that as a country, we cannot overlook such a serious development that has the potential to undermine the very principles of probity, accountability, and transparency in our governance. Read the full post from the Minority leader below: Dear Friends, Recent revelations have come to light regarding the discovery of an astonishing amount of money in the private residence of a Ghanaian Minister. The sum in question amounts to $1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghanaian Cedis. We cannot overlook such a serious development that has the potential to undermine the very principles of probity, accountability, and transparency in our governance. Given the magnitude and gravity of this situation, it is essential that an immediate and impartial investigation be carried-out to ascertain the source and legitimacy of these funds. I strongly urge the concerned Minister to voluntarily step aside from her duties until the relevant state institutions have conducted a thorough and independent investigation into this matter. The people of Ghana deserve nothing less than a government that serves their interests with honesty and dedication. 21.07.2023 LISTEN Dr Adam Bonaa, a Security Analyst, says the State should prosecute refugees arrested with weapons and ammunition at the Ghana-Burkina Faso border. He said the hostility within the West Africa sub-region had become volatile that people, including refugees suspected to be terrorists, militants or combatants when caught should not go scot-free under any circumstances. Some of them could be terrorists or are combatants fleeing from the conflicts they have started in their country. Prosecute those caught and send them back to their home country to serve whatever sentence given them, Dr Bonaa said. National Security has intensified surveillance at the country's border with Burkina Faso after the refugees, who were dressed like nursing mothers, were arrested with weapons. Dr Bonaa said the State needed to collaborate with neighbouring countries, especially the war-torn countries to know the profiles of the alleged refugees and take their fingerprints when sending them away. In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, he said: The chances are that some of them will go, disguise themselves and come back again. Others too run into Ghana when the heat is on in their country, go back to stoke the fire when everything seemed to have died out. Dr Bonaa said though Ghana was a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, the arrested refugees should face the full rigours of the law without any fear that Ghana could be seen in bad light by the international community. The international community should respect our sovereignty. As a member of the Commonwealth Nations and UN, we shall not allow anybody to come and destabilise this country, he said. Mr Kwaku Amankwah Manu, Deputy Defence Minister, earlier said the development had pushed the security agencies to tighten the search on asylum seekers. Mr Manu said government would not sacrifice the safety of Ghanaians for the rights of the asylum seekers. So, we really need to be on the lookout, we have the Ghanaian people to protect, we have properties to protect, we cannot say that because we want to be compassionate, we will not look at the security of our nation, he said. Mr James Agalga, Ranking Member, Defence and Interior Committee of Parliament, said, government had every right to screen the refugees, but must also be mindful of international treaties that protected the rights of the asylum seekers. Government clearly has a commitment not to repatriate refugees who are refugees where they may face very serious threats to their lives and fundamental freedoms, he said. GNA 21.07.2023 LISTEN Drivers at the Kumasi-Bawku bus terminal have suspended services in protest of a dawn attack on one of their buses at Walewale in the North East Region. The drivers say the attack is the latest in a series of incidents that have threatened their livelihood and made them scared of transporting passengers to Bawku and other parts of the North. The Ghana Police Service has launched a manhunt for the persons who shot into the bus and set it ablaze. One person was killed and several others were injured in the attack. The incident has caused panic among the drivers at the Suame bus terminal, who say they are now being targeted by people who want to prevent them from travelling to Bawku and other areas of the North. One of the Chairmen at the bus terminal, Anasara George Akolgo says the incident has left drivers devastated. All of us were very shocked by what happened in Walewale because we had loaded the bus yesterday evening bound for Bawku, and it was attacked in Walewale and the people even followed the bus to the police station and burnt it, and we dont understand why anytime there is a problem in Bawku, then the Walewale people begin to misbehave with us. We have suspended services to Bawku, and we want the government and the IGP to step in and solve it amicably because what is happening is intimidation to us because most of the drivers are panicking. He also alleged that some people are now going from one station to the other tracking travellers to Bawku and attacking them during the journey. Analyst IMS Investment Management Services Ltd. decreased its stake in shares of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report) by 15.5% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 16,788 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 3,071 shares during the quarter. Analyst IMS Investment Management Services Ltd.s holdings in NextEra Energy were worth $1,286,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in NEE. Charter Oak Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in NextEra Energy by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Charter Oak Capital Management LLC now owns 13,474 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,039,000 after acquiring an additional 130 shares in the last quarter. Horan Securities Inc. lifted its position in shares of NextEra Energy by 22.6% during the 1st quarter. Horan Securities Inc. now owns 710 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $55,000 after purchasing an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Nvest Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of NextEra Energy by 1.1% during the first quarter. Nvest Financial LLC now owns 11,846 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $913,000 after purchasing an additional 132 shares in the last quarter. Keystone Wealth Services LLC increased its holdings in NextEra Energy by 4.0% in the first quarter. Keystone Wealth Services LLC now owns 3,576 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $276,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MPS Loria Financial Planners LLC lifted its holdings in NextEra Energy by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. MPS Loria Financial Planners LLC now owns 4,449 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $343,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.70% of the companys stock. Get NextEra Energy alerts: NextEra Energy Stock Performance NEE traded up $0.46 during trading on Thursday, hitting $72.56. The stock had a trading volume of 787,941 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,043,597. The firm has a market capitalization of $146.82 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.46, a PEG ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.46. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.13, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 0.53. NextEra Energy, Inc. has a twelve month low of $69.64 and a twelve month high of $91.35. The companys 50-day moving average price is $74.11 and its 200 day moving average price is $76.12. NextEra Energy Dividend Announcement NextEra Energy ( NYSE:NEE Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The utilities provider reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.09. NextEra Energy had a return on equity of 12.44% and a net margin of 26.97%. The company had revenue of $6.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.78 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.74 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that NextEra Energy, Inc. will post 3.11 EPS for the current fiscal year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 30th were issued a $0.4675 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 26th. This represents a $1.87 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.58%. NextEra Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 55.65%. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently weighed in on NEE. Erste Group Bank raised NextEra Energy from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, March 28th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of NextEra Energy in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on shares of NextEra Energy in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. They set a buy rating and a $90.00 price target on the stock. Guggenheim decreased their price objective on shares of NextEra Energy from $92.00 to $86.00 in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on NextEra Energy from $94.00 to $96.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, NextEra Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $91.64. Insider Transactions at NextEra Energy In other news, CEO John W. Ketchum purchased 13,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $74.26 per share, with a total value of $1,009,936.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 184,485 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $13,699,856.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, EVP Robert Coffey sold 4,000 shares of NextEra Energy stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $74.90, for a total transaction of $299,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 11,292 shares in the company, valued at approximately $845,770.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO John W. Ketchum bought 13,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $74.26 per share, with a total value of $1,009,936.00. Following the purchase, the chief executive officer now directly owns 184,485 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,699,856.10. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.18% of the companys stock. NextEra Energy Company Profile (Free Report) NextEra Energy, Inc, through its subsidiaries, generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electric power to retail and wholesale customers in North America. The company generates electricity through wind, solar, nuclear, coal, and natural gas facilities. It also develops, constructs, and operates long-term contracted assets that consists of clean energy solutions, such as renewable generation facilities, battery storage projects, and electric transmission facilities; sells energy commodities; and owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates electric generation facilities in wholesale energy markets. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding NEE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for NextEra Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NextEra Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fidelity European Trust PLC (LON:FEV Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 347.43 ($4.54) and traded as high as GBX 348 ($4.55). Fidelity European Trust shares last traded at GBX 346.50 ($4.53), with a volume of 381,979 shares. Fidelity European Trust Trading Up 0.3 % The firm has a 50-day moving average of GBX 347.43 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 342.77. The stock has a market capitalization of 1.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -2,535.71 and a beta of 0.78. Fidelity European Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Fidelity European Trust PLC is an open-ended equity fund launched and managed by FIL Investment Services (UK) Limited. It is co-managed by FIL Investments International Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of Continental Europe. It makes its investments in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Fidelity European Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fidelity European Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Finsbury Food Group Plc (LON:FIF Get Free Report)s share price crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 92.85 ($1.21) and traded as high as GBX 95.74 ($1.25). Finsbury Food Group shares last traded at GBX 95.50 ($1.25), with a volume of 163,775 shares trading hands. Finsbury Food Group Stock Down 0.9 % The firm has a market cap of 127.32 million, a P/E ratio of 1,231.25 and a beta of 0.93. The companys 50-day simple moving average is GBX 92.93 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 95.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 35.81, a current ratio of 1.24 and a quick ratio of 0.80. Finsbury Food Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Finsbury Food Group Plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in manufacture and sale of range of cakes, bread, and bakery snack products in the United Kingdom and internationally. It offers various bread and morning goods, such as speciality breads, buns and rolls, hot cross buns, muffins, doughnuts, celebration cakes, and sharing and snacking cakes, as well as gluten-free bread. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Finsbury Food Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Finsbury Food Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Scottish American Investment Co PLC (LON:SCAM Get Free Report)s stock price passed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of GBX 417.50 ($5.46) and traded as high as GBX 418.67 ($5.47). Scottish American Investment shares last traded at GBX 417.50 ($5.46), with a volume of 170,822 shares trading hands. Scottish American Investment Stock Up 0.6 % The firm has a 50 day moving average of GBX 417.50 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 417.50. The firm has a market capitalization of 603.25 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.08. The company has a quick ratio of 3.80, a current ratio of 3.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 14.49. Scottish American Investment Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Scottish American Investment Company P.L.C. is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Baillie Gifford & Co Ltd. The fund is co-managed by Baillie Gifford & Co and OLIM Property Limited. It invests in public equity markets across the globe. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Scottish American Investment Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Scottish American Investment and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. WASHINGTON Seven hundred or so emails later and with a lot of help from their friends, the families of Continental Flight 3407 this week beat back the biggest threat yet to the aviation safety reforms they forced through Congress after losing their loved ones in a 2009 plane crash in Clarence. Well, they beat it back for now, at least. Theres still a proposal in the Senate to cut back on the number of hours that pilots must fly before qualifying to work for passenger airlines, but a proposal to do just that died an unexpected death on the House floor late Wednesday night. Five weeks after the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously passed a major aviation bill that aimed, in part, to cut back on the so-called 1,500-hour rule, the House voted to remove that provision from the larger Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization measure. House passes Langworthy amendment protecting Flight 3407 safety provision Led by Rep. Nicholas A. Langworthy, the Buffalo area's House delegation on Wednesday beat back an effort to alter the flight safety rules Congress passed 13 years ago in response to the 2009 crash of Continental Connection Flight 3407 in Clarence. The vote, on an amendment sponsored by Rep. Nicholas A. Langworthy and other Western New York lawmakers, came as a surprise even to those who most wanted to see it happen. When we first started, we thought it was really, really a long shot, said Scott Maurer, who lost his daughter, Lorin, in the 2009 crash that claimed 50 lives. But then it became a full-court press. Dozens of Flight 3407 family members teamed up to inundate congressional offices with an estimated 700 emails. Langworthy said he spoke to more than a hundred of his colleagues. Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat, said he spoke to dozens of his and arranged a conference call between the families and staffers for about 100 progressive members of Congress. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, a Democrat, made calls, and Miracle on the Hudson hero Chesley Sully Sullenberger made the case for the amendment on social media. The result, then, was something very unusual in this deeply divided Congress. The families and their allies led this time by Langworthy, a rookie Republican managed to upend the wishes of a powerful House committee chair with more than two decades of service in Congress. Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri, the Republican who chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, pressed for months for a provision that would have allowed pilots to substitute 250 hours of flight simulator time for part of that experience requirement, up from the current 100 hours. Im not convinced that taking kids out of flight school and telling them to tow banners, train students or bore holes in the sky while racking up debt produces the best pilots, Graves said at a committee hearing in April. But Western New Yorks lawmakers begged to differ. My amendment protects the integrity of the 1,500-hour flight training requirement in the face of efforts to lower pilot training standards and jeopardize the safety of passengers and crew alike, Langworthy said on the House floor on Wednesday. Those who perished in crash of Continental Flight 3407 remembered "Officially, they were tallied as 45 passengers, 4 crew and 1 on the ground," said Karen Eckert, who lost her sister Beverly in the crash. "But they had names and they had lives, each loss devastating to family and friends." Since that change was made, commercial aviation fatalities decreased by nearly 100%, added Higgins. It is vital that our pilots have full competence in the high stakes environment of a cockpit in flight, said Rep. Claudia Tenney, a Canandaigua Republican. That floor debate capped months of work on the part of the families and their allies. About a dozen family members traveled to Washington in April to begin their latest campaign to beat back changes to the 1,500-hour rule, which the airlines have been fighting since its inception, saying it contributes to a pilot shortage. And then, Maurer said, family members started sending emails to congressional staffers theyd met on trips to Washington, to their local lawmakers, to anyone who could help. Meanwhile, the local lawmakers strategized on what was originally seen as a Brian Higgins amendment. But then Langworthy who, as a member of the Republican majority and the House Rules Committee was in a better position to actually pass the measure volunteered to be the lead sponsor. I was there that night when an error-prone pilot flew Flight 3407 into a house in Clarence, Langworthy explained in a conversation with Maurer. That went right to my heart, Maurer said. So Langworthy chief of staff to then-Rep. Chris Lee of Clarence at the time of the crash went to work. Former chair of the New York Republican Party, he persuaded all but two of his New York GOP colleagues to support the amendment. He also enlisted the aid of the two commercial pilots in the House Republican Conference, Rep. Jack Bergman of Michigan and Rep. Jake Ellzey of Texas. The result? We got 49 Republican votes against the wishes and the recommendations of the committee chair, which is pretty unheard of, Langworthy said. And thanks to a number of factors, 194 Democrats voted for an amendment sponsored by a Republican. Maurer said the conference call that Higgins set up with House Progressive Caucus staffers was key in building the momentum. On the call, the family members delivered the same message that Langworthy and Higgins were delivering to their colleagues about Graves proposal to cut pilot experience. This is potentially dangerous, and doesnt lead to public safety, Higgins said. Schumer pushed against Graves proposal, too, in calls with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat who ended up voting for the Langworthy amendment against the wishes of the top Democrat on the Transportation Committee. And Sullenberger made his point clear on Facebook. Actual flight experience in the real world is irreplaceable and unmatched by any other form of training or simulation, he wrote before Wednesdays vote. In the face of all that lobbying, the final vote on Langworthys amendment 243-191 wasnt close. Whats more, it made for strange bedfellows. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive Democratic firebrand from New York City, voted for it. So did Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the conservative Republican firebrand from Georgia. Now the FAA bill, and the 1,500-hour issue, move to the Senate, where Schumer will push back on changes suggested by two more conservative lawmakers. But for now, the Flight 3407 families are savoring an unexpectedly big victory. This is a perfect example of how government is supposed to work, Mauer said. Citizen voices still count. United States Oil Fund LP (NYSEARCA:USO Get Free Report)s stock price passed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $63.96 and traded as high as $68.12. United States Oil Fund shares last traded at $67.96, with a volume of 2,537,501 shares traded. United States Oil Fund Price Performance The stocks 50-day moving average price is $64.09 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $66.04. Get United States Oil Fund alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On United States Oil Fund A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. bought a new position in United States Oil Fund during the 1st quarter valued at about $259,000. US Bancorp DE lifted its stake in United States Oil Fund by 581.4% during the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 8,245 shares of the companys stock valued at $611,000 after acquiring an additional 7,035 shares during the period. Prudential PLC bought a new position in United States Oil Fund during the 1st quarter valued at about $333,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC lifted its stake in United States Oil Fund by 14.5% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 21,140 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,567,000 after acquiring an additional 2,678 shares during the period. Finally, Cibc World Markets Corp bought a new position in United States Oil Fund during the 1st quarter valued at about $505,000. United States Oil Fund Company Profile United States Oil Fund, LP (USO) is a commodity pool that issues limited partnership interests (shares) traded on the NYSE Arca, Inc (the NYSE Arca). The investment objective of USO is for the daily changes in percentage terms of its shares per share net asset value (NAV) to reflect the daily changes in percentage terms of the spot price of light, sweet crude oil delivered to Cushing, Oklahoma, as measured by the daily changes in the price of the futures contract for light, sweet crude oil traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange, that is the near month contract to expire, except when the near month contract is within over two weeks of expiration, in which case it will be measured by the futures contract that is the next month contract to expire, less USOs expenses. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for United States Oil Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for United States Oil Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PDS Planning Inc acquired a new position in shares of Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO Free Report) during the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund acquired 3,605 shares of the mining companys stock, valued at approximately $247,000. A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in RIO. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its holdings in Rio Tinto Group by 23.9% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 61,529 shares of the mining companys stock worth $4,947,000 after purchasing an additional 11,879 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC increased its stake in Rio Tinto Group by 33.8% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 6,549 shares of the mining companys stock worth $527,000 after acquiring an additional 1,654 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in Rio Tinto Group by 19.4% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,539,846 shares of the mining companys stock worth $123,803,000 after acquiring an additional 250,480 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. bought a new position in Rio Tinto Group in the 1st quarter worth about $499,000. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers increased its stake in Rio Tinto Group by 141.7% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 13,466 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,083,000 after acquiring an additional 7,894 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 10.44% of the companys stock. Get Rio Tinto Group alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have weighed in on RIO shares. Morgan Stanley upgraded Rio Tinto Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Rio Tinto Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 5th. Citigroup upgraded Rio Tinto Group from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. Argus reduced their price objective on Rio Tinto Group from $80.00 to $72.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. Finally, Liberum Capital upgraded Rio Tinto Group from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Rio Tinto Group has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $4,360.50. Rio Tinto Group Trading Up 0.6 % About Rio Tinto Group Shares of RIO stock opened at $66.61 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $83.33 billion, a PE ratio of 10.19 and a beta of 0.69. Rio Tinto Group has a 1-year low of $50.92 and a 1-year high of $80.51. The business has a 50-day moving average of $63.97 and a 200 day moving average of $68.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.10. (Free Report) Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. It offers aluminum, copper, iron ore, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, silver, molybdenum, and lithium. The company also owns and operates open pit and underground mines, refineries, smelters, and concentrator facilities, as well as power stations, research, and service facilities. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RIO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Rio Tinto Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rio Tinto Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Abundance Wealth Counselors trimmed its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO Free Report) by 4.4% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 3,332 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 155 shares during the quarter. Abundance Wealth Counselors holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific were worth $1,920,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 104,536.8% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 8,355,245 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $4,601,150,000 after purchasing an additional 8,347,260 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 4th quarter worth about $3,105,677,000. Polen Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Thermo Fisher Scientific during the 4th quarter worth about $1,208,055,000. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in Thermo Fisher Scientific by 17.7% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 11,730,063 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $6,459,629,000 after purchasing an additional 1,764,312 shares during the last quarter. Finally, CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC grew its position in shares of Thermo Fisher Scientific by 107.5% during the 4th quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 1,391,587 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $759,715,000 after buying an additional 720,823 shares during the period. 96.33% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Thermo Fisher Scientific alerts: Insider Activity at Thermo Fisher Scientific In related news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $545.22, for a total value of $5,452,200.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 141,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at $77,055,942.60. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. In other Thermo Fisher Scientific news, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 1,600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $534.82, for a total value of $855,712.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 141,330 shares in the company, valued at $75,586,110.60. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Marc N. Casper sold 10,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $545.22, for a total value of $5,452,200.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 141,330 shares of the companys stock, valued at $77,055,942.60. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.32% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Thermo Fisher Scientific Stock Up 3.9 % NYSE:TMO traded up $21.06 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $559.33. 1,175,441 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,482,437. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. has a twelve month low of $475.77 and a twelve month high of $611.06. The stock has a market cap of $215.74 billion, a PE ratio of 36.11, a PEG ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 0.92. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $522.30 and a 200 day moving average of $549.03. Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE:TMO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $5.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $5.03. Thermo Fisher Scientific had a return on equity of 19.16% and a net margin of 13.75%. The company had revenue of $10.71 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.67 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $7.25 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. will post 23.69 earnings per share for the current year. Thermo Fisher Scientific Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 13th. Investors of record on Friday, September 15th will be paid a $0.35 dividend. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.25%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 14th. Thermo Fisher Scientifics dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 9.13%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Citigroup decreased their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $700.00 to $650.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. KeyCorp decreased their target price on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $710.00 to $640.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 25th. Credit Suisse Group upgraded Thermo Fisher Scientific from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $620.00 target price for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 13th. Barclays decreased their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $610.00 to $590.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 27th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Thermo Fisher Scientific from $670.00 to $620.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $626.86. About Thermo Fisher Scientific (Free Report) Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc provides life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, and laboratory products and biopharma services in the United States and internationally. The company's Life Sciences Solutions segment offers reagents, instruments, and consumables for biological and medical research, discovery, and production of drugs and vaccines, as well as diagnosis of infections and diseases; and solutions include biosciences, genetic sciences, clinical next-generation sequencing, bio production to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agricultural, clinical, healthcare, academic, and government markets. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thermo Fisher Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. grew its stake in American Express (NYSE:AXP Free Report) by 9.1% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 117,087 shares of the payment services companys stock after purchasing an additional 9,800 shares during the period. Daiwa Securities Group Inc.s holdings in American Express were worth $19,314,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of AXP. RB Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 5.3% in the first quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 3,783 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $707,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the period. Roundview Capital LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 0.4% in the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 27,029 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $5,054,000 after purchasing an additional 105 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 5.6% in the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 1,421 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $266,000 after purchasing an additional 75 shares during the period. Covestor Ltd increased its holdings in shares of American Express by 207.1% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 946 shares of the payment services companys stock valued at $177,000 after purchasing an additional 638 shares during the period. Finally, Donaldson Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Express in the first quarter valued at approximately $397,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.84% of the companys stock. Get American Express alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on American Express from $186.00 to $188.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Robert W. Baird lowered American Express from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $185.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Thursday, July 6th. 3M reiterated a reiterates rating on shares of American Express in a research report on Friday, June 30th. Piper Sandler decreased their target price on American Express from $179.00 to $172.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on American Express in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $173.41. American Express Price Performance Shares of NYSE:AXP traded down $5.94 on Friday, hitting $171.17. The company had a trading volume of 4,994,872 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,294,017. The company has a current ratio of 1.55, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. American Express has a 52-week low of $130.65 and a 52-week high of $182.15. The business has a 50 day moving average of $166.81 and a 200 day moving average of $164.59. The company has a market cap of $127.23 billion, a PE ratio of 17.68, a PEG ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 1.19. American Express (NYSE:AXP Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The payment services company reported $2.40 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.66 by ($0.26). American Express had a return on equity of 29.44% and a net margin of 13.00%. The business had revenue of $14.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.02 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.73 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 21.7% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that American Express will post 11.15 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. American Express Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 10th. Investors of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a dividend of $0.60 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. This represents a $2.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.40%. American Expresss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.24%. American Express Profile (Free Report) American Express Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides charge and credit payment card products, and travel-related services worldwide. The company operates through three segments: Global Consumer Services Group, Global Commercial Services, and Global Merchant and Network Services. Its products and services include payment and financing products; network services; accounts payable expense management products and services; and travel and lifestyle services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for American Express Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Express and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Well Co. (NYSE:AMWL Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 10,400,000 shares, an increase of 7.1% from the June 15th total of 9,710,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,280,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 8.1 days. Approximately 5.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. American Well Stock Performance AMWL traded down $0.09 during trading on Thursday, reaching $2.18. The company had a trading volume of 891,985 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,295,282. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $2.23 and its 200 day simple moving average is $2.66. The company has a market cap of $612.29 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.02 and a beta of 0.74. American Well has a 12-month low of $1.92 and a 12-month high of $5.43. Get American Well alerts: American Well (NYSE:AMWL Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported ($0.24) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.20) by ($0.04). The company had revenue of $64.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $65.31 million. American Well had a negative return on equity of 26.40% and a negative net margin of 216.13%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that American Well will post -0.88 EPS for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Insider Activity at American Well Separately, TD Cowen lowered American Well from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $5.00 to $2.50 in a report on Thursday, March 23rd. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $4.28. In related news, insider Phyllis Gotlib sold 14,478 shares of American Well stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $2.25, for a total transaction of $32,575.50. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 651,424 shares in the company, valued at $1,465,704. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CEO Ido Schoenberg sold 250,610 shares of American Well stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2.04, for a total transaction of $511,244.40. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,566,299 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,195,249.96. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, insider Phyllis Gotlib sold 14,478 shares of American Well stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $2.25, for a total value of $32,575.50. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 651,424 shares in the company, valued at $1,465,704. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 621,756 shares of company stock worth $1,334,425 over the last ninety days. 12.94% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Well Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Centurion Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in American Well in the 4th quarter worth about $75,000. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale purchased a new position in American Well during the 4th quarter valued at about $629,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in American Well during the 4th quarter valued at about $51,000. Bray Capital Advisors grew its stake in American Well by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Bray Capital Advisors now owns 200,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $566,000 after acquiring an additional 4,980 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MQS Management LLC purchased a new position in American Well during the 4th quarter valued at about $40,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 48.79% of the companys stock. American Well Company Profile (Get Free Report) American Well Corporation operates digital care delivery enablement platform in the United States and internationally. Its platform connects and enables providers, insurers, patients, and innovators to deliver access for quality care. The company's products offer urgent care; scheduled visits; acute behavioral health; telestroke; comprehensive behavioral health; ED triage; pediatrics; end-stage renal disease and dialysis; and retail health, school health, and home settings. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for American Well Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Well and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Vontier (NYSE:VNT Get Free Report) and Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:FGRRF Get Free Report) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation, dividends, earnings and risk. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Vontier and Fingerprint Cards AB (publ)s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Vontier alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Vontier $3.21 billion 1.54 $401.30 million $1.49 21.35 Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Vontier has higher revenue and earnings than Fingerprint Cards AB (publ). Insider and Institutional Ownership Analyst Recommendations 94.5% of Vontier shares are held by institutional investors. 0.7% of Vontier shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Vontier and Fingerprint Cards AB (publ), as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Vontier 0 4 2 0 2.33 Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) 0 0 0 0 N/A Vontier presently has a consensus target price of $29.00, suggesting a potential downside of 9.09%. Given Vontiers higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Vontier is more favorable than Fingerprint Cards AB (publ). Profitability This table compares Vontier and Fingerprint Cards AB (publ)s net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Vontier 7.28% 87.50% 11.37% Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A Summary Vontier beats Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Vontier (Get Free Report) Vontier Corporation engages in the research and development, manufacture, sale, and distribution of technical equipment, components, software, and services for manufacturing, repairing, and servicing in the mobility ecosystem worldwide. The company offers a range of solutions, including environmental sensors; fueling equipment; field payment hardware; point-of sale, workflow, and monitoring software; vehicle tracking and fleet management; software solutions for traffic light control; and vehicle mechanics', and technicians' equipment. It operates through two segments: Mobility Technologies, and Diagnostics and Repair Technologies. The Mobility Technologies segment products include solutions and services in the areas of environmental compliance, fuel dispensing, remote fuel management, point-of-sale and payment systems, vehicle tracking and fleet management, and traffic management products marketed under the Gilbarco, Veeder-Root, Orpak, DRB, Teletrac Navman, and Global Traffic Technologies brands. The Diagnostics and Repair Technologies segment products comprise vehicle repair tools, toolboxes, automotive diagnostic equipment, and software, as well as wheel-service equipment for automotive tire installation and repair shops, including brake lathes, tire changers, wheel balancers, wheel aligners, lifts, and inspection lane systems under the Matco and Coats brands. The company markets its products and services to retail and commercial fueling operators, convenience store and in-bay car wash operators, tunnel car wash and commercial vehicle repair businesses, municipal governments, and public safety entities and fleet owners/operators through a network of franchised mobile distributors, as well as direct sales personnel and independent distributors. It serves customers in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America. The company was incorporated in 2019 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. About Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) (Get Free Report) Fingerprint Cards AB (publ), a high-technology company, develops, produces, and markets biometric systems and technologies. Its biometric systems include sensors, microcontroller units, algorithms, software, and packaging technologies. The company offers biometric solutions for smartphones, PCs, tablets, smart cards, door locks, authentication keys, vehicles, payment cards, internet of thing (IoT), and the automotive industry. It also offers various development tools for software development and production. The company sells its products through distributors and resellers. The company serves customers in Sweden, Asia, South and North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Fingerprint Cards AB (publ) was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden. Receive News & Ratings for Vontier Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vontier and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Alliance Pharma plc (LON:APH Get Free Report) insider Andrew Franklin purchased 50,988 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 18th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 49 ($0.64) per share, for a total transaction of 24,984.12 ($32,667.52). Alliance Pharma Stock Performance Shares of APH stock opened at GBX 47.85 ($0.63) on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.24, a quick ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 47.83. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 56.60 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 61.27. The company has a market cap of 258.46 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 3,450.00, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 0.52. Alliance Pharma plc has a 12-month low of GBX 34.14 ($0.45) and a 12-month high of GBX 103.20 ($1.35). Get Alliance Pharma alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages have weighed in on APH. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and issued a GBX 105 ($1.37) target price on shares of Alliance Pharma in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Numis Securities reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 105 ($1.37) price objective on shares of Alliance Pharma in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Alliance Pharma Company Profile Alliance Pharma plc operates as a pharmaceutical company in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Asia Pacific, China, and the Americas. The company acquires, markets, and distributes consumer healthcare and prescription medicine products. The company also offers medicines, medical devices, food supplements, and cosmetics. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Alliance Pharma Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alliance Pharma and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV (NYSE:BUD Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday . Approximately 870,464 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 58% from the previous sessions volume of 2,070,744 shares.The stock last traded at $58.36 and had previously closed at $58.73. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have issued reports on BUD shares. StockNews.com raised shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. Evercore ISI lowered their target price on shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from $80.00 to $70.00 in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, June 22nd. Morgan Stanley raised shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their target price for the stock from $64.00 to $68.50 in a report on Thursday. Finally, HSBC lowered shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $67.06. Get Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV alerts: Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Stock Performance The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $102.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.73, a P/E/G ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.25. The stocks 50 day moving average is $56.96 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.13. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV ( NYSE:BUD Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The consumer goods maker reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.64 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $14.21 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.05 billion. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV had a net margin of 12.78% and a return on equity of 15.38%. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NVs revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.67 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV will post 3.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Veracity Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 7.9% during the second quarter. Veracity Capital LLC now owns 9,311 shares of the consumer goods makers stock worth $528,000 after buying an additional 679 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 18.5% during the second quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,116 shares of the consumer goods makers stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 174 shares during the period. Naviter Wealth LLC grew its holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 12.9% during the second quarter. Naviter Wealth LLC now owns 12,227 shares of the consumer goods makers stock valued at $694,000 after purchasing an additional 1,397 shares during the period. Black Swift Group LLC acquired a new position in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV during the second quarter valued at approximately $1,702,000. Finally, Douglas Lane & Associates LLC grew its holdings in Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV by 2.8% during the second quarter. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC now owns 1,254,966 shares of the consumer goods makers stock valued at $71,182,000 after purchasing an additional 34,185 shares during the period. 5.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Company Profile (Get Free Report) Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV produces, distributes, markets, and sells beer and beverages. It offers a portfolio of approximately 500 beer brands, which primarily include Budweiser, Corona, and Stella Artois; Beck's, Hoegaarden, Leffe, and Michelob Ultra; and Aguila, Antarctica, Bud Light, Brahma, Cass, Castle, Castle Lite, Cristal, Harbin, Jupiler, Modelo Especial, Quilmes, Victoria, Sedrin, and Skol brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Antero Midstream (NYSE:AM Get Free Report) had its price objective reduced by equities researchers at JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $12.00 to $11.00 in a report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an underweight rating on the pipeline companys stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s price objective suggests a potential downside of 7.64% from the stocks previous close. A number of other brokerages have also issued reports on AM. Morgan Stanley raised their price target on Antero Midstream from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a research note on Thursday. Capital One Financial reiterated an equal weight rating on shares of Antero Midstream in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Antero Midstream in a report on Wednesday, May 10th. They issued a buy rating and a $14.00 price target on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Antero Midstream from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, July 4th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Antero Midstream currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $12.25. Get Antero Midstream alerts: Antero Midstream Price Performance Shares of AM traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $11.91. 526,856 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,629,500. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.02. The company has a market cap of $5.71 billion, a PE ratio of 17.28 and a beta of 2.35. Antero Midstream has a 52-week low of $8.80 and a 52-week high of $12.13. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $11.04 and a two-hundred day moving average of $10.74. Insider Transactions at Antero Midstream Antero Midstream ( NYSE:AM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The pipeline company reported $0.21 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.19 by $0.02. Antero Midstream had a net margin of 34.62% and a return on equity of 17.56%. The firm had revenue of $259.48 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $249.58 million. On average, equities analysts predict that Antero Midstream will post 0.81 earnings per share for the current year. In related news, insider Michael N. Kennedy sold 300,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.47, for a total transaction of $3,141,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 1,060,730 shares in the company, valued at $11,105,843.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Antero Midstream news, insider Sheri Pearce sold 19,600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $10.25, for a total value of $200,900.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 155,267 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,591,486.75. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Michael N. Kennedy sold 300,000 shares of Antero Midstream stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $10.47, for a total transaction of $3,141,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 1,060,730 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,105,843.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.52% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Graypoint LLC purchased a new stake in Antero Midstream during the 2nd quarter valued at about $124,000. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC acquired a new position in shares of Antero Midstream during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $7,585,000. Teacher Retirement System of Texas grew its position in shares of Antero Midstream by 3.7% in the second quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 121,147 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $1,405,000 after purchasing an additional 4,319 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System increased its holdings in shares of Antero Midstream by 10.5% in the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 98,100 shares of the pipeline companys stock valued at $1,138,000 after purchasing an additional 9,300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, New Mexico Educational Retirement Board lifted its position in Antero Midstream by 12.7% during the second quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 68,400 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $793,000 after buying an additional 7,700 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 51.00% of the companys stock. Antero Midstream Company Profile (Get Free Report) Antero Midstream Corporation owns, operates, and develops midstream energy infrastructure in the Appalachian Basin. It operates through Gathering and Processing, and Water Handling segments. The Gathering and Processing segment includes a network of gathering pipelines and compressor stations that collects and processes production from Antero Resources' wells in West Virginia and Ohio. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Antero Midstream Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Antero Midstream and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS Get Free Report) had its target price cut by stock analysts at Argus from $72.00 to $68.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Argus price objective indicates a potential upside of 20.48% from the companys previous close. LVS has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $70.00 to $69.00 in a report on Thursday. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Las Vegas Sands from $76.00 to $80.50 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Jefferies Financial Group cut Las Vegas Sands from a buy rating to a hold rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $69.00 to $65.00 in a report on Thursday, June 8th. StockNews.com began coverage on Las Vegas Sands in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Las Vegas Sands from $73.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $70.81. Get Las Vegas Sands alerts: Las Vegas Sands Stock Down 5.4 % LVS opened at $56.44 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.78, a current ratio of 1.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.65. Las Vegas Sands has a twelve month low of $33.38 and a twelve month high of $65.58. The company has a market cap of $43.14 billion, a PE ratio of -78.39, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.84 and a beta of 1.15. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $58.11 and a 200 day moving average price of $57.53. Insider Buying and Selling at Las Vegas Sands Las Vegas Sands ( NYSE:LVS Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The casino operator reported $0.46 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.44 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $2.54 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.41 billion. Las Vegas Sands had a negative return on equity of 10.21% and a negative net margin of 10.42%. The businesss revenue was up 143.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.34) earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Las Vegas Sands will post 1.79 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In related news, Director Charles D. Forman sold 15,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $63.17, for a total value of $947,550.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 205,984 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,012,009.28. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.91% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 0.3% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 55,712 shares of the casino operators stock worth $3,201,000 after acquiring an additional 169 shares in the last quarter. Westshore Wealth LLC grew its stake in Las Vegas Sands by 3.6% during the 1st quarter. Westshore Wealth LLC now owns 4,904 shares of the casino operators stock worth $282,000 after purchasing an additional 172 shares in the last quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in Las Vegas Sands by 0.7% during the 1st quarter. Securian Asset Management Inc. now owns 27,087 shares of the casino operators stock worth $1,556,000 after purchasing an additional 176 shares during the period. MML Investors Services LLC raised its position in Las Vegas Sands by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 9,767 shares of the casino operators stock valued at $561,000 after purchasing an additional 185 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Czech National Bank grew its position in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 0.5% during the second quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 38,897 shares of the casino operators stock worth $2,256,000 after buying an additional 196 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 39.66% of the companys stock. About Las Vegas Sands (Get Free Report) Las Vegas Sands Corp., together with its subsidiaries, develops, owns, and operates integrated resorts in Macao and Singapore. It owns and operates The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, the Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip, and the Sands Macao in Macao, the People's Republic of China; and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Las Vegas Sands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Las Vegas Sands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Senate: The Final Frontier It turns out that New York has two U.S. senators whose interests go far, far beyond state lines all the way to outer space, and whatever or whomever might be visiting us from there. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, a Democrat, last week joined Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota in sponsoring an amendment that would declassify government records pertaining to unidentified anomalous phenomena, otherwise known as unidentified flying objects, or UFOs. For decades, many Americans have been fascinated by objects mysterious and unexplained, and its long past time they get some answers, Schumer said. The American public has a right to learn about technologies of unknown origins, non-human intelligence and unexplainable phenomena. Schumer offered his amendment to the bill reauthorizing defense programs for the coming fiscal year. In doing so, he joined Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, also a New York Democrat, who has long shown an interest in UFOs. Two years ago, Gillibrand and Sen. Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, sponsored an amendment to the defense bill calling for a new federal office to study unidentified anomalous phenomena. Understanding UAPs is critical to our national security and to maintaining all-domain awareness, said Gillibrand, a co-sponsor of Schumers amendment. The truth is out there, as they say, and our senators are going to find it. Jerry Zremski Unusually busy Pat Whalen spent more than a year using the state Thruway Authoritys Welcome Center on Grand Island as a temporary office while he waited for the headquarters of the Niagara Global Tourism Institute, which he served as executive director, to open. Based on that experience, he has long questioned the authoritys decision to build the expensive center on the island, at a site that lacks direct Thruway access, instead of in Niagara Falls. He argued this limits its appeal and value to tourists visiting the area. So Whalen said he was pleasantly surprised to see about two dozen vehicles in the centers parking lot when he made a recent stop there. However, as he recalled in a Facebook post, he noticed the vehicles all had New York state license plates. No, not tourists exploring what to do in WNY, but the Grand Island Knitting Club. Oh yea! Theyre enjoying their $25 million dollar clubhouse! Whalen wrote. Well, at least its being used! Stephen T. Watson Tables turned For seven years, Nadine Marrero was a fixture at Buffalo Planning Board meetings. As city planning director, she sat in on and advised the board for its biweekly meetings and supported the Zoning Board of Appeals and Preservation Board. She left two years ago to join Bridges Development, the nonprofit arm of the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority that is responsible for the agencys efforts to remake its aging housing portfolio. On Monday, she found herself in familiar but unfamiliar territory, in the ninth-floor conference room where the Planning Board meets. But this time, she was on the other side as an applicant testifying during a public hearing for a project. In this case, it was BMHAs $200 million revamp of the Commodore Perry Homes and a separate, 78-space parking lot at Holling Homes on Delaware Avenue. The board didnt waste an opportunity. We have to grill Nadine, said Chairman James Morrell, before asking Marrero his standard question, Are you finished with your presentation? He tried again a few minutes later, when board member Horace Gioia came back into the room. Heres your chance. Its Nadine, Morrell told Gioia. Terrible presentation, Gioia cracked. Marrero told us afterward that it has been helpful to know a lot of the questions theyre going to have, and really be able to anticipate it for the project, and hopefully design away some of the concerns. But its weird, she acknowledged. For seven years, I was on the other side. But I was at the Zoning Board of Appeals last month, so it helped ease the transition. And the ribbing? ZBA Chairman Rev. James Lewis already got it all done, she said with a laugh. StockNews.com lowered shares of Banco Santander-Chile (NYSE:BSAC Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report released on Tuesday morning. Banco Santander-Chile Stock Down 1.4 % NYSE BSAC opened at $20.55 on Tuesday. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $18.89 and its 200-day moving average price is $17.86. The company has a quick ratio of 2.05, a current ratio of 2.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.02. Banco Santander-Chile has a 52 week low of $13.37 and a 52 week high of $21.01. The company has a market capitalization of $9.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.77 and a beta of 0.74. Get Banco Santander-Chile alerts: Banco Santander-Chile (NYSE:BSAC Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 28th. The bank reported $0.36 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.28 by $0.08. Banco Santander-Chile had a return on equity of 16.17% and a net margin of 14.55%. The firm had revenue of $477.99 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $541.67 million. On average, equities research analysts predict that Banco Santander-Chile will post 1.72 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Trading of Banco Santander-Chile About Banco Santander-Chile Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its stake in Banco Santander-Chile by 1.2% during the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 3,154,396 shares of the banks stock valued at $59,460,000 after purchasing an additional 37,700 shares during the period. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in Banco Santander-Chile by 54.2% during the 2nd quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 2,682 shares of the banks stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 943 shares during the period. Cardinal Capital Management raised its stake in Banco Santander-Chile by 32.2% during the 2nd quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 68,091 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,284,000 after purchasing an additional 16,589 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Fund raised its stake in Banco Santander-Chile by 19.0% during the 1st quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 153,793 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,742,000 after purchasing an additional 24,520 shares during the period. Finally, Fortis Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Banco Santander-Chile in the 1st quarter worth approximately $78,000. Institutional investors own 9.47% of the companys stock. (Get Free Report) Banco Santander-Chile, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial and retail banking products and services in Chile. It operates through Retail Banking, Middle-Market, Corporate Investment Banking, and Corporate Activities segments. The company offers debit and credit cards, checking accounts, and savings products; consumer, automobile, commercial, mortgage, and government-guaranteed loans; and Chilean peso and foreign currency-denominated loans to finance various commercial transactions, trade, foreign currency forward contracts, and credit lines, as well as mortgage financing services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Banco Santander-Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Santander-Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Basilea Pharmaceutica AG (OTCMKTS:BPMUF Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $50.00 and last traded at $50.00, with a volume of 0 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $50.00. Basilea Pharmaceutica Price Performance The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $50.08 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $51.33. About Basilea Pharmaceutica (Get Free Report) Basilea Pharmaceutica AG, a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development of products that address the medical needs in the therapeutic areas of oncology and anti-infectives. It offers Cresemba, an intravenous and oral azole antifungal drug for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis in the United States, and the European Union, as well as in Phase III clinical trials for invasive fungal infections in Japan. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Basilea Pharmaceutica Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Basilea Pharmaceutica and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Black Hills Co. (NYSE:BKH Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,710,000 shares, a growth of 17.9% from the June 15th total of 1,450,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 424,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 4.0 days. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Black Hills from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, June 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and five have issued a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $67.29. Get Black Hills alerts: Insider Activity at Black Hills In other Black Hills news, CFO Richard Kinzley sold 10,033 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $65.49, for a total value of $657,061.17. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 36,576 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,395,362.24. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.61% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Black Hills Black Hills Price Performance Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Belpointe Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Black Hills in the 4th quarter worth approximately $29,000. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp bought a new stake in Black Hills during the 1st quarter valued at $31,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Black Hills by 594.7% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 521 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 446 shares during the last quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC purchased a new stake in Black Hills during the 1st quarter valued at $35,000. Finally, Ronald Blue Trust Inc. grew its holdings in Black Hills by 78.3% in the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 592 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 260 shares during the last quarter. 86.24% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. NYSE BKH traded up $1.11 on Thursday, reaching $61.25. 517,576 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 470,544. The stock has a market cap of $4.10 billion, a PE ratio of 15.71, a P/E/G ratio of 7.23 and a beta of 0.57. Black Hills has a 12 month low of $56.75 and a 12 month high of $79.78. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $61.27 and a 200 day simple moving average of $64.21. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 0.88 and a quick ratio of 0.76. Black Hills (NYSE:BKH Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The utilities provider reported $1.73 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.67 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $921.20 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $754.70 million. Black Hills had a net margin of 9.62% and a return on equity of 8.33%. The firms revenue was up 11.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.82 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Black Hills will post 3.73 earnings per share for the current year. Black Hills Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 18th were issued a $0.625 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 17th. This represents a $2.50 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.08%. Black Hillss dividend payout ratio is currently 64.10%. About Black Hills (Get Free Report) Black Hills Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as an electric and natural gas utility company in the United States. It operates in two segments, Electric Utilities and Gas Utilities. The Electric Utilities segment generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 220,000 electric utility customers in Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming; and owns and operates 1,482 megawatts of generation capacity and 9,024 miles of electric transmission and distribution lines. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Black Hills Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Black Hills and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Amalgamated Bank lifted its position in Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Free Report) by 0.6% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 375,939 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after purchasing an additional 2,191 shares during the period. Amalgamated Banks holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $18,808,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BSX. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Boston Scientific during the first quarter worth $54,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Boston Scientific during the first quarter worth $35,000. Prudential PLC acquired a new position in Boston Scientific during the first quarter worth $1,076,000. Cetera Investment Advisers raised its position in Boston Scientific by 24.0% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 28,793 shares of the medical equipment providers stock worth $1,275,000 after acquiring an additional 5,581 shares during the period. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Boston Scientific during the first quarter worth $230,000. 92.20% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms have weighed in on BSX. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $52.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $56.00 to $58.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 12th. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Boston Scientific in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. BTIG Research upped their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $56.00 to $57.00 in a report on Monday. Finally, Raymond James upped their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $56.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Buy and an average target price of $56.95. Insiders Place Their Bets Boston Scientific Trading Up 2.2 % In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Eric Francis Yves Thepaut sold 83,401 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.49, for a total transaction of $4,377,718.49. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 12,269 shares of the companys stock, valued at $643,999.81. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . In other news, EVP Eric Francis Yves Thepaut sold 83,401 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.49, for a total transaction of $4,377,718.49. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 12,269 shares of the companys stock, valued at $643,999.81. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 11,671 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.24, for a total transaction of $621,364.04. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 72,847 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,878,374.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 176,779 shares of company stock valued at $9,371,164 over the last 90 days. 0.53% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Shares of BSX stock opened at $53.47 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 1.40 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The firm has a market cap of $74.86 billion, a PE ratio of 90.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a 50-day moving average of $52.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $49.97. Boston Scientific Co. has a 1-year low of $37.24 and a 1-year high of $54.74. Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.47 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $3.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.16 billion. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 6.91% and a return on equity of 14.57%. Boston Scientifics revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.39 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that Boston Scientific Co. will post 1.95 EPS for the current year. About Boston Scientific (Free Report) Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through MedSurg and Cardiovascular segments. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions; devices to treat various urological and pelvic conditions; implantable cardioverter and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators; pacemakers and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers; and remote patient management systems. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Boston Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd. (NYSE:BAMR Get Free Report) shares traded up 2.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $35.37 and last traded at $35.22. 6,473 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 69% from the average session volume of 20,993 shares. The stock had previously closed at $34.47. Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Trading Down 1.6 % The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $32.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $33.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.28 and a quick ratio of 0.28. Get Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank acquired a new stake in shares of Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $60,000. UBS Group AG raised its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners by 14.3% during the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 2,854 shares of the companys stock valued at $116,000 after acquiring an additional 358 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners by 149.0% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 3,302 shares of the companys stock valued at $189,000 after acquiring an additional 1,976 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Credit Suisse AG raised its position in shares of Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. Credit Suisse AG now owns 6,050 shares of the companys stock valued at $269,000 after acquiring an additional 201 shares in the last quarter. 39.71% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Company Profile Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides annuity-based reinsurance products to insurance and reinsurance companies. The company operates in two segments, Reinsurance and Pension Risk Transfer. It also acts as a direct issuer of pension risk transfer products for pension plan sponsors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Brookfield Co. (TSE:BN Get Free Report) shot up 2% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as C$47.29 and last traded at C$47.11. 1,482,332 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 19% from the average session volume of 1,832,373 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$46.17. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price target on Brookfield from C$54.00 to C$51.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, March 23rd. Get Brookfield alerts: Brookfield Price Performance The stock has a market capitalization of C$73.65 billion, a PE ratio of 81.65 and a beta of 1.59. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$42.95 and a 200 day moving average price of C$44.22. Brookfield Increases Dividend Brookfield ( TSE:BN Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 11th. The company reported C$0.97 EPS for the quarter. Brookfield had a return on equity of 1.88% and a net margin of 0.85%. The firm had revenue of C$31.50 billion for the quarter. On average, equities analysts expect that Brookfield Co. will post 2.3355601 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st were given a dividend of $0.095 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 30th. This is a boost from Brookfields previous quarterly dividend of $0.09. This represents a $0.38 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.81%. Brookfields dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 64.91%. About Brookfield (Get Free Report) Brookfield Corporation is an alternative asset manager and REIT/Real Estate Investment Manager firm focuses on real estate, renewable power, infrastructure and venture capital and private equity assets. It manages a range of public and private investment products and services for institutional and retail clients. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CBD of Denver Inc. (OTCMKTS:CBDD Get Free Report) saw a large decline in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,102,700 shares, a decline of 11.0% from the June 15th total of 1,239,500 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 7,958,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. CBD of Denver Stock Performance OTCMKTS CBDD remained flat at $0.00 during trading hours on Friday. The company had a trading volume of 7,988,146 shares, compared to its average volume of 19,678,529. CBD of Denver has a one year low of $0.00 and a one year high of $0.00. Get CBD of Denver alerts: About CBD of Denver (Get Free Report) Read More CBD of Denver Inc engages in developing and commercializing cannabidiol (CBD) products. It is involved in the research, development, and distribution of premium hemp extract products. The company was formerly known as Verde Media Group, Inc and changed its name to CBD of Denver Inc in 2018. CBD of Denver Inc is based in Centennial, Colorado. Receive News & Ratings for CBD of Denver Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CBD of Denver and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Argo Group International (NYSE:ARGO Get Free Report) and Suncorp Group (OTCMKTS:SNMCY Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, valuation and dividends. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Argo Group International and Suncorp Groups gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Argo Group International alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Argo Group International $1.68 billion 0.62 -$175.20 million ($6.24) -4.76 Suncorp Group N/A N/A N/A $0.38 24.31 Suncorp Group has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Argo Group International. Argo Group International is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Suncorp Group, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Argo Group International -9.98% 0.06% 0.01% Suncorp Group N/A N/A N/A Analyst Ratings This table compares Argo Group International and Suncorp Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. This is a breakdown of current ratings and target prices for Argo Group International and Suncorp Group, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Argo Group International 1 1 0 0 1.50 Suncorp Group 0 1 2 0 2.67 Argo Group International currently has a consensus target price of $30.00, indicating a potential upside of 0.94%. Given Argo Group Internationals higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Argo Group International is more favorable than Suncorp Group. Institutional and Insider Ownership 89.9% of Argo Group International shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 0.1% of Suncorp Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of Argo Group International shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Summary Argo Group International beats Suncorp Group on 6 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks. About Argo Group International (Get Free Report) Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. underwrites specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the property and casualty markets. The company operates in two segments, U.S. Operations and International Operations. It offers primary and excess specialty casualty, general liability, commercial multi-peril, and workers compensation, as well as product, environmental, and auto liability insurance products; management liability, transaction liability, and errors and omissions liability insurance; primary and excess property, inland marine, and auto physical damage insurance; and surety, animal mortality, and ocean marine insurance products. The company also provides directors and officers liability, errors and omissions liability, and employment practices liability insurance; international casualty and motor treaties insurance; professional indemnity and medical malpractice insurance; direct and facultative excess insurance, North American and international binders, and residential collateral protection for lending institutions; and personal accident, aviation, cargo, yachts, and onshore and offshore marine insurance products. It markets its products through wholesale and retail agents, managing general agents, brokers, and third-party intermediaries. The company was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Pembroke, Bermuda. About Suncorp Group (Get Free Report) Suncorp Group Limited provides insurance and banking products and services to retail, corporate, and commercial customers in Australia and New Zealand. The company operates through Insurance (Australia), Suncorp Bank, and Suncorp New Zealand segments. The Insurance (Australia) segment provides general insurance products and services, including home and contents, motor, marine, travel, commercial property, industrial special risk, public liability and professional indemnity, workers' compensation, and compulsory third-party products, as well as distributes life insurance products. The Suncorp Bank segment offers banking products and services, such as commercial, agribusiness, small business, and home loans; savings and transaction accounts; foreign exchange services; and treasury products and services. The Suncorp New Zealand segment provides general and life insurance products comprising home and contents, motor, commercial property, public liability and professional indemnity, life, trauma, total and permanent disablement, and income protection. The company was formerly known as Suncorp-Metway Limited and changed its name to Suncorp Group Limited in December 2010. Suncorp Group Limited was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in Brisbane, Australia. Receive News & Ratings for Argo Group International Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Argo Group International and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Diversified Portfolios Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:VGT Free Report) by 13.7% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 820 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 130 shares during the period. Diversified Portfolios Inc.s holdings in Vanguard Information Technology ETF were worth $316,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF by 73,743.6% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 5,635,747 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,800,114,000 after acquiring an additional 5,628,115 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF by 36.8% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 6,305,682 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $2,014,099,000 after acquiring an additional 1,696,758 shares during the last quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF by 848.5% during the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 1,039,711 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $332,094,000 after acquiring an additional 930,095 shares during the last quarter. Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co boosted its position in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF by 67.4% during the 4th quarter. Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Co now owns 1,178,424 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $376,400,000 after acquiring an additional 474,296 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Parker Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Vanguard Information Technology ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $72,280,000. Get Vanguard Information Technology ETF alerts: Vanguard Information Technology ETF Trading Down 2.1 % Shares of VGT stock opened at $448.77 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $426.87 and its 200-day moving average price is $384.17. The stock has a market cap of $54.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.70 and a beta of 1.16. Vanguard Information Technology ETF has a twelve month low of $291.61 and a twelve month high of $462.97. About Vanguard Information Technology ETF Vanguard Information Technology ETF seeks to track the investment performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Information Technology 25/50 Index, a benchmark of large-, mid-, and small-cap United States stocks in the information technology sector, as classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS). Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VGT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSEARCA:VGT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard Information Technology ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard Information Technology ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund (NYSEAMERICAN:ENX Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 18,900 shares, a decline of 17.8% from the June 15th total of 23,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 27,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.7 days. Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund Price Performance Shares of NYSEAMERICAN ENX traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $9.54. The stock had a trading volume of 3,145 shares, compared to its average volume of 31,343. Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund has a twelve month low of $8.15 and a twelve month high of $10.24. Get Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund alerts: Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 24th will be paid a dividend of $0.0297 per share. This represents a $0.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.74%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 21st. Insider Buying and Selling at Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund Institutional Investors Weigh In On Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund In other news, major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. purchased 12,780 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 26th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $9.45 per share, for a total transaction of $120,771.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 2,416,270 shares of the companys stock, valued at $22,833,751.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . Insiders acquired 14,452 shares of company stock worth $136,320 over the last 90 days. Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC raised its holdings in Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund by 316.5% in the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 6,580 shares of the companys stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 5,000 shares during the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors purchased a new position in shares of Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $90,000. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund during the 4th quarter worth approximately $95,000. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. purchased a new position in shares of Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund during the 4th quarter worth approximately $99,000. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP purchased a new position in shares of Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund during the 1st quarter worth approximately $117,000. Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund Company Profile (Get Free Report) Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund is a close-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Eaton Vance Management. The fund invests in the fixed income market of United States. It invests primarily in high grade municipal obligations comprising of various industries, such as general obligations, hospital, electric utilities, transportation, water and sewer, public education, and private education. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eaton Vance New York Municipal Bond Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Potentially severe thunderstorms and strong winds are expected in Western New York on Thursday night and could continue into Friday. Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for most of Erie, Niagara and Cattaraugus counties, according to the National Weather Service. The rest of Western New York remains under severe thunderstorm watches until 3 a.m. Friday. The system is expected to move through Western New York between 7 p.m. and midnight, according to the National Weather Service. Strong winds have the potential to do the most damage, with large hail and minor flooding also possible. Gov. Kathy Hochuls office, which has been tracking the storm, noted that isolated tornadoes are also possible. The risk of severe thunderstorms is highest in parts of Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties, Hochuls office said. A stretch of Chautauqua County, spanning from Ripley to Dunkirk, was under a severe thunderstorm warning early Thursday afternoon. Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Dunkirk NY, Fredonia NY and Westfield NY until 3:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/KaPXXk3efB NWS Severe Tstorm (@NWSSevereTstorm) July 20, 2023 State officials are ready to assist local governments with personnel and equipment in the event of flooding or power outages, Hochul said in a statement. We are closely tracking severe weather forecast for tonight & tomorrow, with the greatest impact expected in the Western New York, Finger Lakes & Southern Tier regions. Please monitor your local forecast & exercise caution. Sign up for emergency alerts: https://t.co/ELyoVQXm1n https://t.co/eJy81rLTxt Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) July 20, 2023 Severe thunderstorms are also expected in the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier. Thursdays storm comes weeks after torrential downpours and flash flooding killed one woman and affected millions in the Hudson Valley region and New England. Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL Free Report) Stock analysts at Zacks Research boosted their Q2 2023 EPS estimates for Ecolab in a research note issued on Tuesday, July 18th. Zacks Research analyst D. Dey now anticipates that the basic materials company will post earnings per share of $1.20 for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $1.19. The consensus estimate for Ecolabs current full-year earnings is $5.00 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Ecolabs FY2023 earnings at $4.95 EPS, Q1 2024 earnings at $0.96 EPS, Q2 2024 earnings at $1.39 EPS, Q4 2024 earnings at $1.40 EPS, FY2024 earnings at $5.12 EPS and Q2 2025 earnings at $1.47 EPS. Get Ecolab alerts: Ecolab (NYSE:ECL Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The basic materials company reported $0.88 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.86 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $3.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.47 billion. Ecolab had a net margin of 7.96% and a return on equity of 18.05%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 9.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.82 EPS. Ecolab Stock Performance A number of other research firms also recently commented on ECL. Mizuho increased their target price on Ecolab from $163.00 to $177.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. VNET Group reissued a maintains rating on shares of Ecolab in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Ecolab from $175.00 to $195.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. StockNews.com raised Ecolab from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 14th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price objective on Ecolab from $164.00 to $182.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Ecolab presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $180.43. NYSE ECL opened at $187.74 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 0.79. Ecolab has a 1-year low of $131.04 and a 1-year high of $189.90. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $178.54 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $166.08. The stock has a market capitalization of $53.45 billion, a PE ratio of 46.47, a P/E/G ratio of 2.96 and a beta of 1.02. Institutional Trading of Ecolab Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CWM LLC grew its position in Ecolab by 0.7% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 9,377 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $1,552,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC raised its holdings in Ecolab by 4.5% in the first quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 1,432 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $238,000 after buying an additional 62 shares during the period. Benjamin Edwards Inc. grew its stake in Ecolab by 13.3% during the first quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 545 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $90,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the period. Country Club Bank GFN lifted its holdings in shares of Ecolab by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Country Club Bank GFN now owns 2,170 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $316,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Pine Haven Investment Counsel Inc increased its holdings in Ecolab by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Pine Haven Investment Counsel Inc now owns 2,447 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $405,000 after purchasing an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.73% of the companys stock. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CEO Christophe Beck sold 34,450 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $173.48, for a total value of $5,976,386.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 53,043 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,201,899.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Christophe Beck sold 34,450 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $173.48, for a total transaction of $5,976,386.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 53,043 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,201,899.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, SVP Gail Peterson sold 934 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.00, for a total value of $163,450.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 1,567 shares of the companys stock, valued at $274,225. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 67,050 shares of company stock valued at $11,865,590 over the last three months. 0.04% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Ecolab Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 17th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 20th were issued a dividend of $0.53 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 16th. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.13%. Ecolabs payout ratio is currently 52.48%. About Ecolab (Get Free Report) Ecolab Inc provides water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Global Industrial, Global Institutional & Specialty, and Global Healthcare & Life Sciences segments. The Global Industrial segment offers water treatment and process applications, and cleaning and sanitizing solutions to manufacturing, food and beverage processing, transportation, chemical, metals and mining, power generation, pulp and paper, commercial laundry, petroleum, refining, and petrochemical industries. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ecolab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ecolab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fisher Asset Management LLC trimmed its position in shares of The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE:SAM Free Report) by 5.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 131,302 shares of the companys stock after selling 7,711 shares during the quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC owned approximately 1.07% of Boston Beer worth $43,159,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Several other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Boston Beer during the 1st quarter valued at about $410,000. Truadvice LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Boston Beer during the 1st quarter valued at about $397,000. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp lifted its holdings in shares of Boston Beer by 33.4% during the 1st quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 8,454 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,779,000 after buying an additional 2,117 shares during the last quarter. Simmons Bank lifted its holdings in shares of Boston Beer by 12.1% during the 1st quarter. Simmons Bank now owns 7,142 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,348,000 after buying an additional 772 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in shares of Boston Beer by 233.4% in the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 3,927 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,291,000 after acquiring an additional 2,749 shares in the last quarter. 65.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Boston Beer alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Boston Beer news, insider John C. Geist sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $341.35, for a total value of $3,413,500.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 5,573 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,902,343.55. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, CEO David A. Burwick sold 1,644 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $326.38, for a total value of $536,568.72. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 47,910 shares in the company, valued at $15,636,865.80. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider John C. Geist sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $341.35, for a total value of $3,413,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 5,573 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,902,343.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 23.50% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Boston Beer Price Performance A number of research analysts recently weighed in on SAM shares. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price objective on Boston Beer from $300.00 to $311.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. UBS Group cut their price objective on Boston Beer from $364.00 to $349.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Roth Mkm raised Boston Beer from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their price objective for the company from $274.00 to $386.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 30th. Roth Capital raised Boston Beer from a neutral rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 30th. Finally, TD Cowen dropped their price target on Boston Beer from $350.00 to $300.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Boston Beer currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $305.54. Shares of SAM stock opened at $301.06 on Friday. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $319.84 and its 200 day simple moving average is $329.99. The firm has a market cap of $3.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 61.95 and a beta of 1.03. The Boston Beer Company, Inc. has a one year low of $296.27 and a one year high of $422.75. Boston Beer (NYSE:SAM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported ($0.73) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.32) by ($0.41). The company had revenue of $410.00 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $412.47 million. Boston Beer had a net margin of 2.82% and a return on equity of 7.58%. Boston Beers quarterly revenue was down 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.16) EPS. On average, research analysts anticipate that The Boston Beer Company, Inc. will post 7.38 earnings per share for the current year. Boston Beer Company Profile (Free Report) The Boston Beer Company, Inc engages in the production and sale of alcohol beverages primarily in the United States. The company's flagship beer is Samuel Adams Boston Lager. It offers various beers, hard ciders, flavored malt beverages, and hard seltzers under the Samuel Adams, Twisted Tea, Truly Hard Seltzer, Angry Orchard, Dogfish Head, Angel City, Coney Island, and Havana Lager brand names. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Boston Beer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Beer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. General American Investors Co. Inc. increased its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM) by 21.5% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 504,528 shares of the mining companys stock after acquiring an additional 89,387 shares during the quarter. Agnico Eagle Mines comprises 2.4% of General American Investors Co. Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 14th largest holding. General American Investors Co. Inc. owned about 0.10% of Agnico Eagle Mines worth $25,716,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. V Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 30.1% in the 1st quarter. V Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 6,670 shares of the mining companys stock worth $340,000 after purchasing an additional 1,544 shares during the period. Round Rock Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Agnico Eagle Mines during the first quarter valued at $663,000. Stack Financial Management Inc grew its holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines by 2.0% during the 1st quarter. Stack Financial Management Inc now owns 386,097 shares of the mining companys stock worth $19,679,000 after acquiring an additional 7,740 shares during the period. Lincoln National Corp bought a new position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in the 1st quarter worth about $898,000. Finally, Csenge Advisory Group acquired a new position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in the 1st quarter valued at about $528,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 55.54% of the companys stock. Get Agnico Eagle Mines alerts: Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Down 0.0 % AEM stock traded down $0.02 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $51.90. 909,797 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,821,357. The company has a quick ratio of 1.07, a current ratio of 2.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The firms 50 day moving average price is $51.39 and its 200 day moving average price is $52.54. The stock has a market cap of $25.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.22, a P/E/G ratio of 23.21 and a beta of 0.78. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a fifty-two week low of $36.69 and a fifty-two week high of $61.15. Agnico Eagle Mines Announces Dividend Agnico Eagle Mines ( NYSE:AEM Get Free Report ) (TSE:AEM) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The mining company reported $0.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $1.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.30 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a return on equity of 6.07% and a net margin of 40.12%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 2.27 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.08%. Agnico Eagle Miness dividend payout ratio is currently 31.50%. Analysts Set New Price Targets AEM has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Agnico Eagle Mines in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. They set an outperform rating for the company. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Scotiabank started coverage on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Finally, Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $63.00 to $61.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Agnico Eagle Mines has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $67.71. About Agnico Eagle Mines (Free Report) Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM). Receive News & Ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Global Payments (NYSE:GPN Get Free Report) had its target price upped by equities research analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from $105.00 to $115.00 in a note issued to investors on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Jefferies Financial Groups price target points to a potential upside of 2.61% from the companys previous close. GPN has been the topic of several other reports. B. Riley initiated coverage on shares of Global Payments in a research report on Friday, June 23rd. They issued a buy rating and a $179.00 price objective on the stock. Susquehanna decreased their price target on shares of Global Payments from $190.00 to $180.00 in a research note on Monday, June 5th. 51job reissued a maintains rating on shares of Global Payments in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. began coverage on shares of Global Payments in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. They set a neutral rating and a $124.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Global Payments from $125.00 to $135.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and eighteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $144.67. Get Global Payments alerts: Global Payments Stock Down 0.7 % GPN stock opened at $112.08 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The companys 50 day moving average is $102.53 and its 200 day moving average is $105.85. The stock has a market cap of $29.36 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -238.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 0.99. Global Payments has a 1-year low of $92.27 and a 1-year high of $136.88. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Global Payments Global Payments ( NYSE:GPN Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 1st. The business services provider reported $2.40 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.31 by $0.09. The company had revenue of $2.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.01 billion. Global Payments had a negative net margin of 1.58% and a positive return on equity of 10.67%. Global Paymentss revenue for the quarter was up 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.97 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts predict that Global Payments will post 9.62 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Penserra Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Global Payments by 6.4% during the 1st quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 1,389 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $190,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares during the period. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its position in Global Payments by 25.7% during the 4th quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 465 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $46,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares during the period. Kentucky Retirement Systems lifted its position in Global Payments by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 21,791 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $2,164,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares during the period. Quent Capital LLC lifted its position in Global Payments by 7.9% during the 1st quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 1,331 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $140,000 after acquiring an additional 98 shares during the period. Finally, Rock Point Advisors LLC lifted its position in Global Payments by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Rock Point Advisors LLC now owns 29,306 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $3,084,000 after acquiring an additional 99 shares during the period. 85.68% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About Global Payments (Get Free Report) Global Payments Inc provides payment technology and software solutions for card, check, and digital-based payments in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific. It operates through three segments: Merchant Solutions, Issuer Solutions, and Consumer Solutions. The Merchant Solutions segment offers authorization, settlement and funding, customer support, chargeback resolution, terminal rental, sales and deployment, payment security, and consolidated billing and reporting services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Global Payments Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global Payments and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Green Dot (NYSE:GDOT Get Free Report) was upgraded by StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday. A number of other analysts also recently weighed in on GDOT. Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of Green Dot from $22.00 to $24.00 in a report on Wednesday. Needham & Company LLC downgraded shares of Green Dot from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, May 8th. Finally, BTIG Research began coverage on shares of Green Dot in a report on Tuesday, June 13th. They issued a neutral rating on the stock. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $23.71. Get Green Dot alerts: Green Dot Stock Down 0.7 % NYSE GDOT traded down $0.15 on Thursday, reaching $20.58. The company had a trading volume of 257,254 shares, compared to its average volume of 318,126. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.07 billion, a PE ratio of 17.74 and a beta of 1.05. The firms 50 day moving average price is $18.68 and its 200 day moving average price is $17.77. Green Dot has a 12 month low of $14.96 and a 12 month high of $28.91. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Green Dot Green Dot ( NYSE:GDOT Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The financial services provider reported $0.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.55 by $0.29. The company had revenue of $412.36 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $385.33 million. Green Dot had a net margin of 4.20% and a return on equity of 13.13%. On average, research analysts expect that Green Dot will post 1.22 EPS for the current year. Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. CWM LLC lifted its position in shares of Green Dot by 291.0% in the 4th quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,685 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 1,254 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Green Dot by 543.8% in the 4th quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,290 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 2,779 shares during the period. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in shares of Green Dot during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $114,000. Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC bought a new position in shares of Green Dot during the 4th quarter worth approximately $95,000. Finally, Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its stake in shares of Green Dot by 34.1% during the 4th quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 7,652 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $121,000 after acquiring an additional 1,945 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.83% of the companys stock. About Green Dot (Get Free Report) Green Dot Corporation, a financial technology and bank holding company, provides various financial services to consumers and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Consumer Services, Business to Business Services, and Money Movement Services. The company offers deposit account programs, including consumer and small business checking account products, network-branded reloadable prepaid debit cards and gift cards, and secured credit programs. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Green Dot Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Green Dot and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. (NYSE:TV Get Free Report) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six brokerages that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $8.66. A number of research analysts have recently commented on TV shares. TheStreet raised shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a report on Monday, June 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $6.10 target price for the company. UBS Group cut shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $8.80 to $6.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Friday, May 12th. Get Grupo Televisa S.A.B. alerts: Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. Trading Down 2.1 % Shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. stock opened at $4.91 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $2.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -5.27, a PEG ratio of 7.90 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a quick ratio of 2.33, a current ratio of 2.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05. Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. has a 12-month low of $4.38 and a 12-month high of $8.13. The firms 50-day moving average price is $5.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $5.18. Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. Increases Dividend Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. ( NYSE:TV Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported ($0.08) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.09) by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $992.32 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.03 billion. Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. had a negative net margin of 13.77% and a negative return on equity of 7.77%. On average, analysts forecast that Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. will post 0.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared an annual dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 30th were issued a dividend of $0.0985 per share. This is a positive change from Grupo Televisa, S.A.B.s previous annual dividend of $0.09. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 26th. This represents a yield of 1.6%. Grupo Televisa, S.A.B.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -9.68%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. raised its holdings in Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. by 681.6% during the 1st quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 5,565 shares of the companys stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 4,853 shares during the last quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $25,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. by 5,105.3% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 10,827 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 10,619 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. during the 1st quarter worth approximately $55,000. Finally, Lido Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. during the 1st quarter worth approximately $55,000. Institutional investors own 38.11% of the companys stock. Grupo Televisa, S.A.B. Company Profile (Get Free Report Grupo Televisa, SAB. operates as a media company in the Spanish-speaking Mexico and internationally. It operates through three segments: Cable, Sky, and Other Businesses. The Cable segment operates cable multiple system that provides basic and premium television subscription, pay-per-view, installation, Internet subscription, and telephone and mobile services subscription services, as well as sales local and national advertising services; and telecommunication facilities, which offers data and long-distance services solutions to carriers and other telecommunications service providers through its fiber-optic network. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Televisa S.A.B. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Televisa S.A.B. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. National Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS:NTIOF Get Free Report) and Westpac Banking (OTCMKTS:WEBNF Get Free Report) are both financial services companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations, valuation and profitability. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for National Bank of Canada and Westpac Banking, as reported by MarketBeat. Get National Bank of Canada alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score National Bank of Canada 0 0 1 0 3.00 Westpac Banking 0 2 0 0 2.00 National Bank of Canada currently has a consensus price target of $119.17, indicating a potential upside of 55.63%. Given National Bank of Canadas stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe National Bank of Canada is more favorable than Westpac Banking. Insider and Institutional Ownership Dividends 0.1% of National Bank of Canada shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 13.9% of Westpac Banking shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of National Bank of Canada shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. National Bank of Canada pays an annual dividend of $3.01 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. Westpac Banking pays an annual dividend of C$1.78 per share and has a dividend yield of 12.2%. National Bank of Canada pays out 43.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Westpac Banking pays out 74.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Profitability This table compares National Bank of Canada and Westpac Bankings net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets National Bank of Canada 17.58% 17.54% 0.84% Westpac Banking N/A N/A N/A Valuation and Earnings This table compares National Bank of Canada and Westpac Bankings top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio National Bank of Canada $10.82 billion 2.39 $2.63 billion $6.98 10.97 Westpac Banking N/A N/A N/A C$2.39 6.13 National Bank of Canada has higher revenue and earnings than Westpac Banking. Westpac Banking is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than National Bank of Canada, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Summary National Bank of Canada beats Westpac Banking on 11 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About National Bank of Canada (Get Free Report) National Bank of Canada provides various financial products and services to retail, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International. The Personal and Commercial segment offers personal banking services, including transaction solutions, mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit, consumer loans, payment solutions, and savings and investment solutions; various insurance products; and commercial banking services comprise credit, and deposit and investment solutions, as well as international trade, foreign exchange transactions, payroll, cash management, insurance, electronic transactions, and complimentary services. The Wealth Management segment comprises investment solutions, trust services, banking services, lending services, and other wealth management solutions. The Financial Markets segment offers corporate banking, advisory, and capital markets services; and project financing, debt, and equity underwriting; advisory services in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, and financing. The U.S. Specialty Finance and International segment provides specialty finance products; financial products and services to individuals and businesses in Cambodia; and investment solutions, guaranteed investment certificates, mutual funds, notes, structured products, and monetization. National Bank of Canada was founded in 1859 and is based in Montreal, Canada. About Westpac Banking (Get Free Report) Westpac Banking Corporation provides various banking and financial services in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally. It offers savings, term deposit, business transaction, not-for-profit transaction, foreign currency, farm management deposit, project and retention trust, and statutory trust accounts; home, personal, business, and commercial loans; car and equipment finance; business overdrafts and bank guarantees; debit and credit cards; international and travel services; share trading services; investment products; and home, car, travel, life, caravan and trailer, credit card and loan repayment, boat, and business insurance products. The company also provides corporate and institutional, transaction banking, financial market, corporate and structured finance, trade and supply chain financing, and industry specific banking and treasury services, as well as online banking services. It serves individuals; micro, small, and medium enterprises; commercial business and private wealth clients; and commercial, corporate, institutional, and government customers. The company was formerly known as Bank of New South Wales and changed its name to Westpac Banking Corporation in October 1982. The company was founded in 1817 and is based in Sydney, Australia. Receive News & Ratings for National Bank of Canada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for National Bank of Canada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW Get Free Report) had its price target raised by Stifel Nicolaus from $236.00 to $250.00 in a report issued on Wednesday, Marketbeat.com reports. The firm currently has a hold rating on the industrial products companys stock. Stifel Nicolaus target price would suggest a potential downside of 2.16% from the companys previous close. ITW has been the subject of a number of other reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $183.00 to $181.00 and set a sell rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. StockNews.com cut shares of Illinois Tool Works from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, June 22nd. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $203.00 to $210.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. 3M restated a maintains rating on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $235.00 to $240.00 in a research note 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 issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $234.92. Get Illinois Tool Works alerts: Illinois Tool Works Trading Up 0.2 % Shares of ITW opened at $255.51 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $77.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.55, a PEG ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $239.17 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $235.29. Illinois Tool Works has a twelve month low of $180.27 and a twelve month high of $256.61. Insider Buying and Selling at Illinois Tool Works Illinois Tool Works ( NYSE:ITW Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $2.33 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.23 by $0.10. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 19.27% and a return on equity of 92.13%. The firm had revenue of $4.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.98 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.11 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Illinois Tool Works will post 9.64 EPS for the current year. In other Illinois Tool Works news, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 5,425 shares of Illinois Tool Works stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $239.23, for a total transaction of $1,297,822.75. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 8,870 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,121,970.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Illinois Tool Works Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ITW. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 11.7% in the second quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 1,422 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $356,000 after buying an additional 149 shares in the last quarter. Veracity Capital LLC purchased a new position in shares of Illinois Tool Works in the second quarter worth $1,026,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 15.2% in the second quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 1,773 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $444,000 after buying an additional 234 shares in the last quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 978.7% in the second quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 960 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $240,000 after buying an additional 871 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its holdings in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 103,194.6% in the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 72,134,735 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $18,045,225,000 after buying an additional 72,064,901 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.37% of the companys stock. Illinois Tool Works Company Profile (Get 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. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Illinois Tool Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Illinois Tool Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust (TSE:INO.UN Free Report) had its target price reduced by National Bankshares from C$3.75 to C$3.50 in a research report report published on Tuesday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust Stock Down 1.4 % Shares of INO.UN opened at C$3.59 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 85.65, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 1.00. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of C$3.40 and a 200 day moving average price of C$3.77. The stock has a market capitalization of C$117.68 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -3.21 and a beta of 1.54. Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust has a one year low of C$3.01 and a one year high of C$7.33. Get Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust alerts: Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Articles Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust established pursuant to a declaration of trust under the laws of the Province of Ontario. The REIT has been created for the purpose of acquiring and owning office properties primarily located in France and Germany but also opportunistically in other European countries where assets meet the REIT's investment criteria. Receive News & Ratings for Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Inovalis Real Estate Investment Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rain Capital Management LLC reduced its holdings in iShares Core High Dividend ETF (NYSEARCA:HDV Free Report) by 99.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,327 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 130,212 shares during the quarter. Rain Capital Management LLCs holdings in iShares Core High Dividend ETF were worth $135,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Eagle Strategies LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF by 6.7% in the 1st quarter. Eagle Strategies LLC now owns 3,721 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $378,000 after acquiring an additional 235 shares in the last quarter. MGO One Seven LLC lifted its position in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF by 373.1% in the 4th quarter. MGO One Seven LLC now owns 13,176 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,374,000 after acquiring an additional 10,391 shares in the last quarter. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $346,000. Oversea Chinese Banking CORP Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $206,000. Finally, Wedbush Securities Inc. lifted its position in shares of iShares Core High Dividend ETF by 61.9% in the 4th quarter. Wedbush Securities Inc. now owns 11,254 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $1,173,000 after acquiring an additional 4,304 shares in the last quarter. Get iShares Core High Dividend ETF alerts: iShares Core High Dividend ETF Stock Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:HDV traded up $0.52 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $103.51. The stock had a trading volume of 117,873 shares, compared to its average volume of 687,618. The company has a market cap of $11.23 billion, a PE ratio of 16.13 and a beta of 0.81. iShares Core High Dividend ETF has a 12-month low of $91.24 and a 12-month high of $109.01. The companys 50 day moving average is $99.73 and its 200-day moving average is $101.60. iShares Core High Dividend ETF Profile The iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Morningstar Dividend Yield Focus index. The fund tracks a dividend-weighted index of 75 high-yielding US equities, screened for high earnings potential and dividend sustainability. HDV was launched on Mar 29, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HDV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core High Dividend ETF (NYSEARCA:HDV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core High Dividend ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core High Dividend ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Supreme Courts insistence on its superior authority and wisdom has reached a tipping point, where I think we should be more concerned about an imperial judiciary than an imperial presidency. Under the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act (HEROES Act), Congress endowed the secretary of education with broad authority to waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to the student financial assistance programs under title IV of the [Education Act] as the Secretary [not congress] deems necessary in connection with a war, military operation, or national emergency. The language of the statute makes it clear that the statute applies to any national emergency. Surely, Covid cases and Covid-related deaths created a national emergency in the U.S. Thus far, there have been close to 103.3 million Covid cases in the U.S. and 1.2 million Covid-related deaths in the U.S. On June 30, in a 6-3 ruling, however, the Supreme Court held in Biden v. Nebraska that the Biden administration lacks the authority to implement a roughly $400 billion student loan forgiveness program. The court deemed that the statutory grant of authority to the secretary of education to waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to the student financial assistance programs did not justify a debt cancellation on the scale of the student loan forgiveness program. Instead, the Supreme Court, in effect, elevated a judicial doctrine of statutory interpretation of its own making above the language of a law of the United States ,which is by constitutional declaration a Supreme Law of the Land. The judicial doctrine the court applied is known as the major questions doctrine, which creates a presumption that Congress may not delegate issues of major political or economic significance to executive agencies. As U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar pointed out to the court during oral arguments in this case, The judiciary doesnt sit as a roving commission to rule on the legality of either Congress enactments or the executives implementation of those enactments. In other words, the judiciary has no jurisdiction to act in an advisory role, to issue what amounts to advisory opinions and then compel either of the other two branches of government to comply with its views. In my view, it is not within the judiciarys authority to rule that the Congress that passed the HEROES Act made a public policy mistake and, therefore, the current chief executive has no authority to execute the law that the previous Congress passed. The separation of powers doctrine disables, not enables, the courts rationale for striking down the student loan forgiveness program. Vesuvius (OTCMKTS:CKSNF Free Report) had its price objective cut by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 475 ($6.21) to GBX 430 ($5.62) in a report issued on Monday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports. Separately, Barclays boosted their price target on shares of Vesuvius from GBX 345 ($4.51) to GBX 385 ($5.03) in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Get Vesuvius alerts: Vesuvius Stock Performance Shares of CKSNF stock opened at $3.70 on Monday. Vesuvius has a 52 week low of $3.68 and a 52 week high of $4.75. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $3.68 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $3.69. About Vesuvius Vesuvius plc provides molten metal flow engineering and technology services to steel and foundry industries worldwide. It operates through Flow Control, Sensor & Probes, and Advanced Refractories segments. The company provides consumables and equipment, which includes binders, coatings, feeding systems, filtration and gating systems, melt shop refractories, metallurgical and pouring control systems, die dressings and coatings, melt treatment products, crucibles, and ceramics for the iron, steel, and nonferrous foundries. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Vesuvius Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vesuvius and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. lessened its position in Shell plc (NYSE:SHEL Free Report) by 10.4% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 17,230 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 2,000 shares during the period. Lee Danner & Bass Inc.s holdings in Shell were worth $991,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of SHEL. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Shell by 96,141.3% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 14,370,746 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $818,414,000 after acquiring an additional 14,355,814 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP bought a new stake in shares of Shell during the 1st quarter worth about $677,739,000. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Shell during the 4th quarter worth about $658,071,000. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership bought a new stake in shares of Shell during the 1st quarter worth about $549,346,000. Finally, Capital Research Global Investors bought a new stake in shares of Shell during the 1st quarter worth about $262,275,000. Institutional investors own 8.52% of the companys stock. Get Shell alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades SHEL has been the subject of several analyst reports. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on shares of Shell from $75.00 to $67.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Shell from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $2,521.00. Shell Price Performance Shares of NYSE:SHEL opened at $62.60 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $59.74 and a 200-day moving average of $59.56. The stock has a market capitalization of $218.18 billion, a PE ratio of 5.19, a PEG ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a current ratio of 1.47, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. Shell plc has a 12 month low of $46.74 and a 12 month high of $62.75. Shell (NYSE:SHEL Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The energy company reported $2.78 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.30 by $0.48. The company had revenue of $89.02 billion during the quarter. Shell had a net margin of 11.20% and a return on equity of 20.91%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Shell plc will post 9.05 EPS for the current fiscal year. Shell Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 26th. Investors of record on Friday, May 19th were given a dividend of $0.575 per share. This represents a $2.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.67%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 18th. Shells dividend payout ratio is 19.07%. Shell Company Profile (Free Report) Shell plc operates as an energy and petrochemical company Europe, Asia, Oceania, Africa, the United States, and Rest of the Americas. The company operates through Integrated Gas, Upstream, Marketing, Chemicals and Products, and Renewables and Energy Solutions segments. It explores for and extracts crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids; markets and transports oil and gas; produces gas-to-liquids fuels and other products; and operates upstream and midstream infrastructure necessary to deliver gas to market. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Shell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Loudon Investment Management LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM Free Report) by 12.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 34,942 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,097 shares during the period. Archer-Daniels-Midland comprises approximately 1.9% of Loudon Investment Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 19th biggest position. Loudon Investment Management LLCs holdings in Archer-Daniels-Midland were worth $2,783,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of the business. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 2.9% during the first quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 169,143 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,474,000 after buying an additional 4,760 shares during the period. Amalgamated Bank boosted its holdings in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 17.9% in the first quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 168,846 shares of the companys stock valued at $13,450,000 after purchasing an additional 25,589 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 7.9% in the first quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 46,986 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,743,000 after purchasing an additional 3,448 shares during the period. Lincoln National Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 29.1% in the first quarter. Lincoln National Corp now owns 6,694 shares of the companys stock valued at $533,000 after purchasing an additional 1,507 shares during the period. Finally, Csenge Advisory Group boosted its holdings in shares of Archer-Daniels-Midland by 2.9% in the first quarter. Csenge Advisory Group now owns 18,184 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,449,000 after purchasing an additional 510 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.13% of the companys stock. Get Archer-Daniels-Midland alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of analysts have weighed in on ADM shares. StockNews.com started coverage on Archer-Daniels-Midland in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Archer-Daniels-Midland in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. They set an outperform rating and a $100.00 price target on the stock. Roth Mkm started coverage on Archer-Daniels-Midland in a research report on Thursday, June 22nd. They set a buy rating and a $92.00 price target on the stock. Robert W. Baird cut their target price on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $98.00 to $90.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Barclays cut their target price on Archer-Daniels-Midland from $99.00 to $95.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $99.50. Archer-Daniels-Midland Price Performance Shares of ADM stock traded down $0.04 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $82.59. 355,425 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,021,286. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $74.94 and a 200 day moving average of $78.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.86, a current ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company has a 52-week low of $69.92 and a 52-week high of $98.28. The company has a market cap of $44.98 billion, a PE ratio of 10.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.81. Archer-Daniels-Midland (NYSE:ADM Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.71 by $0.38. The firm had revenue of $24.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $24.09 billion. Archer-Daniels-Midland had a net margin of 4.36% and a return on equity of 18.39%. Archer-Daniels-Midlands quarterly revenue was up 1.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.90 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Archer-Daniels-Midland Company will post 6.79 earnings per share for the current year. Archer-Daniels-Midland Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 7th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 17th were paid a $0.45 dividend. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.18%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 16th. Archer-Daniels-Midlands dividend payout ratio is presently 22.58%. About Archer-Daniels-Midland (Free Report) Archer-Daniels-Midland Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises agricultural commodities, products, and ingredients in the United States, Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Archer-Daniels-Midland Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Archer-Daniels-Midland and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. M3-Brigade Acquisition III Corp. (NYSE:MBSC 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 1,600 shares, a decline of 23.8% from the June 15th total of 2,100 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 72,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. Approximately 0.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of M3-Brigade Acquisition III in the 1st quarter valued at about $106,000. Jane Street Group LLC purchased a new position in M3-Brigade Acquisition III during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $710,000. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS grew its stake in M3-Brigade Acquisition III by 12.5% during the 4th quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 74,998 shares of the companys stock worth $760,000 after buying an additional 8,334 shares during the last quarter. Landscape Capital Management L.L.C. purchased a new position in M3-Brigade Acquisition III during the 4th quarter worth approximately $851,000. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG purchased a new position in M3-Brigade Acquisition III during the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,505,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 78.78% of the companys stock. Get M3-Brigade Acquisition III alerts: M3-Brigade Acquisition III Price Performance MBSC stock traded down $0.01 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $10.48. The company had a trading volume of 30,588 shares, compared to its average volume of 82,856. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $10.44 and a 200 day simple moving average of $10.34. M3-Brigade Acquisition III has a fifty-two week low of $9.98 and a fifty-two week high of $10.60. M3-Brigade Acquisition III Company Profile M3-Brigade Acquisition III Corp. does not have significant operations. It focuses on effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization, or other business combination with one or more businesses. The company was incorporated in 2021 and is based in New York, New York. Read More Receive News & Ratings for M3-Brigade Acquisition III Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for M3-Brigade Acquisition III and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mesa Royalty Trust (NYSE:MTR Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Friday, July 21st, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 31st will be paid a dividend of 0.058 per share by the energy company on Tuesday, October 31st. This represents a $0.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.82%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 28th. Mesa Royalty Trust has increased its dividend by an average of 29.3% per year over the last three years. Get Mesa Royalty Trust alerts: Mesa Royalty Trust Stock Performance Shares of MTR stock traded down $5.61 during trading on Friday, reaching $18.23. The companys stock had a trading volume of 101,860 shares, compared to its average volume of 26,892. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $23.74 and a 200-day moving average price of $19.96. Mesa Royalty Trust has a one year low of $10.83 and a one year high of $29.50. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Mesa Royalty Trust Mesa Royalty Trust ( NYSE:MTR Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The energy company reported $0.39 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $0.85 million for the quarter. Mesa Royalty Trust had a net margin of 89.88% and a return on equity of 142.69%. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of MTR. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC increased its holdings in shares of Mesa Royalty Trust by 50.0% in the first quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 2,032 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 677 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG increased its holdings in shares of Mesa Royalty Trust by 800.0% in the first quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 4,500 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 4,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BNP Paribas Arbitrage SA acquired a new position in shares of Mesa Royalty Trust in the first quarter valued at $58,000. 10.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Mesa Royalty Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Mesa Royalty Trust owns net overriding royalty interests in various oil and gas producing properties in the United States. The company has interests in properties located in the Hugoton field of Kansas; and the San Juan Basin of Northwestern New Mexico and Southwestern Colorado. Mesa Royalty Trust was founded in 1979 and is based in Houston, Texas. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Mesa Royalty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mesa Royalty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The technology company reported $0.08 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.09 by ($0.01), MarketWatch Earnings reports. Nokia Oyj had a net margin of 16.78% and a return on equity of 11.57%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.11 earnings per share. Nokia Oyj Price Performance NYSE:NOK remained flat at $3.94 during trading hours on Thursday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 20,540,716 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,389,230. The company has a market capitalization of $22.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4.98 and a beta of 0.97. Nokia Oyj has a one year low of $3.83 and a one year high of $5.28. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $4.08 and a 200 day moving average price of $4.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.55. Get Nokia Oyj alerts: Nokia Oyj Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 9th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 25th were issued a dividend of $0.0329 per share. This represents a $0.13 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.35%. This is a positive change from Nokia Oyjs previous quarterly dividend of $0.02. The ex-dividend date was Monday, April 24th. Nokia Oyjs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 10.13%. Institutional Trading of Nokia Oyj Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in shares of Nokia Oyj by 18.9% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,795,249 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $26,183,000 after acquiring an additional 763,930 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of Nokia Oyj by 79.1% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,029,643 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $27,462,000 after buying an additional 2,221,142 shares in the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Nokia Oyj during the 1st quarter worth approximately $55,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its stake in Nokia Oyj by 44.9% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 62,728 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $343,000 after acquiring an additional 19,430 shares during the period. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Nokia Oyj by 171.3% in the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 33,493 shares of the technology companys stock worth $183,000 after acquiring an additional 21,146 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 6.51% of the companys stock. NOK has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Raymond James decreased 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. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Nokia Oyj from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, June 16th. TheStreet downgraded Nokia Oyj from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Monday, June 12th. Finally, Northland Securities lowered their price target on 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. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $5.76. About Nokia Oyj (Get 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 Receive News & Ratings for Nokia Oyj Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nokia Oyj and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund (NYSE:NNY Get Free Report) crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $8.50 and traded as low as $8.47. Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund shares last traded at $8.50, with a volume of 18,979 shares changing hands. Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund Stock Performance The business has a 50 day moving average of $8.48 and a 200 day moving average of $8.50. Get Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund alerts: Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be issued a $0.028 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $0.34 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.96%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund Company Profile Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of NNY. JPMorgan Chase & Co. purchased a new stake in Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund during the 1st quarter worth approximately $42,000. Opal Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund in the 4th quarter worth approximately $84,000. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $85,000. Evanson Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $97,000. Finally, Advisor Group Holdings Inc. grew its position in shares of Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund by 13.5% in the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 12,823 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $105,000 after acquiring an additional 1,527 shares in the last quarter. 18.49% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. (Get Free Report) Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of New York. The fund invests in tax exempt municipal bonds, with a rating of Baa/BBB or higher. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen New York Municipal Value Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Oakworth Capital Inc. grew its position in shares of ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Free Report) by 18.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,540 shares of the energy producers stock after purchasing an additional 237 shares during the period. Oakworth Capital Inc.s holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $153,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Denver Wealth Management Inc. lifted its position in ConocoPhillips by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Denver Wealth Management Inc. now owns 2,630 shares of the energy producers stock worth $310,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Atwood & Palmer Inc. lifted its position in ConocoPhillips by 14.4% in the 4th quarter. Atwood & Palmer Inc. now owns 668 shares of the energy producers stock worth $79,000 after buying an additional 84 shares during the last quarter. PFG Advisors lifted its position in ConocoPhillips by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. PFG Advisors now owns 3,639 shares of the energy producers stock worth $429,000 after buying an additional 89 shares during the last quarter. Tiedemann Advisors LLC lifted its position in ConocoPhillips by 1.3% in the 4th quarter. Tiedemann Advisors LLC now owns 6,938 shares of the energy producers stock worth $824,000 after buying an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wealthspan Partners LLC lifted its position in ConocoPhillips by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Wealthspan Partners LLC now owns 6,245 shares of the energy producers stock worth $737,000 after buying an additional 98 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.20% of the companys stock. Get ConocoPhillips alerts: ConocoPhillips Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:COP traded up $0.89 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $112.58. 1,507,370 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,230,470. The company has a market cap of $136.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.03, a P/E/G ratio of 0.61 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 1.39. ConocoPhillips has a one year low of $87.54 and a one year high of $138.49. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $103.44 and a 200 day moving average of $106.27. ConocoPhillips Announces Dividend ConocoPhillips ( NYSE:COP Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The energy producer reported $2.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.02 by $0.36. ConocoPhillips had a return on equity of 32.75% and a net margin of 20.21%. The firm had revenue of $15.52 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.06 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $3.27 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 19.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that ConocoPhillips will post 9.53 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 16th were issued a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.81%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 26th. ConocoPhillipss dividend payout ratio is 16.32%. Insider Buying and Selling at ConocoPhillips In other ConocoPhillips news, Director Caroline Maury Devine sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $102.08, for a total value of $102,080.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 849 shares of the companys stock, valued at $86,665.92. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.37% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have weighed in on COP shares. Bank of America boosted their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Mizuho boosted their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $126.00 to $127.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. StockNews.com started coverage on ConocoPhillips in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Raymond James boosted their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $135.00 to $142.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $124.00 price objective on shares of ConocoPhillips in a research report on Wednesday. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $135.30. ConocoPhillips Company Profile (Free Report) ConocoPhillips explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas liquids in the United States and internationally. The company's portfolio includes unconventional plays in North America; conventional assets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia; various LNG developments; oil sands assets in Canada; and an inventory of global exploration prospects. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding COP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for ConocoPhillips Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ConocoPhillips and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PDS Planning Inc acquired a new position in Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:MGC Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 1,476 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $211,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC acquired a new position in Vanguard Mega Cap ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $31,000. Country Trust Bank acquired a new position in Vanguard Mega Cap ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $40,000. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Vanguard Mega Cap ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $40,000. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in Vanguard Mega Cap ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $48,000. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new position in Vanguard Mega Cap ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $49,000. Get Vanguard Mega Cap ETF alerts: Vanguard Mega Cap ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA:MGC opened at $159.62 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $4.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.60 and a beta of 1.00. Vanguard Mega Cap ETF has a one year low of $121.30 and a one year high of $161.31. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $152.73 and a 200 day moving average price of $144.51. Vanguard Mega Cap ETF Profile The Vanguard Mega Cap ETF (MGC) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the CRSP US Mega Cap index, a market-cap-weighted index that covers 70% of the market capitalization of the US equity market. MGC was launched on Dec 24, 2007 and is managed by Vanguard. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard Mega Cap ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard Mega Cap ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. PrairieSky Royalty (TSE:PSK Free Report) had its price objective lifted by Royal Bank of Canada from C$25.00 to C$26.00 in a research note published on Tuesday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the stock. A number of other equities research analysts also recently weighed in on PSK. Canaccord Genuity Group dropped their price objective on PrairieSky Royalty from C$24.00 to C$23.75 in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. TD Securities downgraded shares of PrairieSky Royalty from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a C$24.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. CIBC increased their target price on shares of PrairieSky Royalty from C$26.50 to C$28.50 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Finally, National Bankshares lifted their price target on shares of PrairieSky Royalty from C$23.00 to C$26.00 in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$25.55. Get PrairieSky Royalty alerts: PrairieSky Royalty Price Performance PSK stock opened at C$26.76 on Tuesday. PrairieSky Royalty has a 12 month low of C$16.47 and a 12 month high of C$26.79. The company has a 50-day moving average price of C$23.79 and a 200 day moving average price of C$22.50. The stock has a market cap of C$6.39 billion, a PE ratio of 20.58, a P/E/G ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.81. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.57. PrairieSky Royalty Announces Dividend PrairieSky Royalty ( TSE:PSK Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Monday, July 17th. The company reported C$0.20 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of C$0.19 by C$0.01. The business had revenue of C$117.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$119.00 million. PrairieSky Royalty had a net margin of 51.42% and a return on equity of 11.50%. Equities research analysts anticipate that PrairieSky Royalty will post 0.9448202 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 17th. Investors of record on Monday, July 17th were issued a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.59%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 29th. PrairieSky Royaltys payout ratio is 73.85%. About PrairieSky Royalty (Get Free Report) PrairieSky Royalty Ltd., a pure-play royalty company, holds crude oil and natural gas royalty interests in Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Manitoba of Canada. It holds an interest in approximately 9.7 million acres with petroleum and/or natural gas rights, 8.6 million acres of gross overriding royalty interests, and other acreage. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for PrairieSky Royalty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for PrairieSky Royalty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News Editorial Board In agreeing to take a second look at their onerous and unfair tax on underused homes, Canadian officials may be coming to their senses. Perhaps they are finally realizing that by punishing generations-long cottage owners on that side of the border they are, in fact, punishing themselves. Moreover, this murky bit of tax legislation potentially harms Canadians living in rural areas, far away from its intended target. Justin Trudeau's government has missed the mark. At least, now, there may be some movement to set things right. We remain hopeful. Here are the details, as reported in The Buffalo News: The Parliamentary Budget Office agreed to review the 1% tax on properties that are not occupied full time. The tax was imposed this year as part of the governments attempts to curb housing speculation. Fair enough. But the intended target was supposed to have been speculators in hot urban real estate markets. Read: Red-hot Toronto and Vancouver, not the rural shores of Lake Erie. But, sure enough, this ill-thought tax picked off owners of cottages whose families had been part of the landscape and local contributors patronizing nearby businesses and, well, paying taxes. These are well-used cottages where families easily gather, make memories and support the local economy. The complaints about the tax have been flooding in, apparently on both sides of the border. So much so, that Chris Matier, an aide to Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux, agreed in a letter earlier this month to review the tax and its implementation. The point of the study is to determine whether the tax will raise enough revenue to pay for the complex process of implementing it. It doesn't get to the matter for fairness, but if it does the job, fair enough. Opponents of the onerous tax have allies. Tony Baldinelli, a Conservative member of Parliament from Niagara Falls, expressed satisfaction that the government is taking a second look at the tax. Baldinelli led 34 members of Parliament in asking for the review. Their letter to the Parliamentary Budget Office makes salient points describing the governments poor and uncoordinated rollout of the new tax, which caused so much confusion that the deadline for paying it was pushed back six months, to Oct. 31. Rep. Brian Higgins, D-Buffalo, recently met with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, and told her he believes the levy violates a tax nondiscrimination clause in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement. She agreed to take the issue to her Canadian counterpart. Not long ago, Higgins threatened to push for a retaliatory tax on Canadian-owned properties in this country. If all goes well, the congressman may not have to go that far. But all possibilities in response to this tax should remain on the table. 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. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG Free Report) from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report released on Monday morning. Several other research analysts also recently weighed in on PG. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $170.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Evercore ISI lifted their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $171.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on shares of Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research report on Monday, April 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price target on shares of Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $174.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Monday, April 24th. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $161.06. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Procter & Gamble Stock Performance Shares of PG opened at $150.58 on Monday. The firms 50 day moving average is $148.89 and its 200-day moving average is $147.22. The stock has a market capitalization of $354.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.23, a P/E/G ratio of 3.83 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.59 and a quick ratio of 0.39. Procter & Gamble has a 12-month low of $122.18 and a 12-month high of $158.11. Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend Procter & Gamble ( NYSE:PG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 21st. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.32 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $20.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $19.32 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 17.69% and a return on equity of 32.18%. The businesss revenue was up 3.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $1.33 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Procter & Gamble will post 5.86 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 21st will be paid a $0.9407 dividend. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.50%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 20th. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 65.51%. Insider Buying and Selling at Procter & Gamble In other news, COO Shailesh Jejurikar sold 31,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.03, for a total value of $4,836,930.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 10,014 shares in the company, valued at $1,562,484.42. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, COO Shailesh Jejurikar sold 31,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.03, for a total value of $4,836,930.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 10,014 shares in the company, valued at $1,562,484.42. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, CAO Matthew W. Janzaruk sold 13,697 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.76, for a total transaction of $2,133,444.72. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 883 shares of the companys stock, valued at $137,536.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 95,093 shares of company stock worth $14,821,930 over the last ninety days. 0.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Procter & Gamble A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich increased its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 99,734.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 253,081,478 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,402,583,000 after buying an additional 252,827,976 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 161,843,254 shares of the companys stock valued at $24,064,473,000 after buying an additional 2,157,319 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Procter & Gamble by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 46,754,131 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,936,343,000 after buying an additional 510,559 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley grew its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 12.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 44,320,700 shares of the companys stock worth $6,717,246,000 after purchasing an additional 4,959,527 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Procter & Gamble by 96,526.4% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 38,535,557 shares of the companys stock worth $5,840,449,000 after purchasing an additional 38,495,676 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.65% of the companys stock. Procter & Gamble Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Thunder Mountain Gold (OTCMKTS:THMG Get Free Report) and Dakota Gold (NYSE:DC Get Free Report) are both small-cap basic materials companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their institutional ownership, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings, risk, valuation and dividends. Risk and Volatility Thunder Mountain Gold has a beta of 0.83, meaning that its stock price is 17% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Dakota Gold has a beta of 1.66, meaning that its stock price is 66% more volatile than the S&P 500. Get Thunder Mountain Gold alerts: Profitability This table compares Thunder Mountain Gold and Dakota Golds net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Thunder Mountain Gold -415.33% -275.31% -61.56% Dakota Gold N/A -20.56% -19.76% Earnings & Valuation Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Thunder Mountain Gold $300,000.00 12.15 -$1.25 million ($0.02) -3.00 Dakota Gold N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A This table compares Thunder Mountain Gold and Dakota Golds revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Dakota Gold has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Thunder Mountain Gold. Institutional & Insider Ownership 0.0% of Thunder Mountain Gold shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 24.8% of Dakota Gold shares are owned by institutional investors. 29.5% of Thunder Mountain Gold shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 29.4% of Dakota Gold shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Thunder Mountain Gold and Dakota Gold, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Thunder Mountain Gold 0 0 0 0 N/A Dakota Gold 0 0 1 0 3.00 Dakota Gold has a consensus target price of $5.25, suggesting a potential upside of 88.17%. Given Dakota Golds higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Dakota Gold is more favorable than Thunder Mountain Gold. Summary Dakota Gold beats Thunder Mountain Gold on 7 of the 9 factors compared between the two stocks. About Thunder Mountain Gold (Get Free Report) Thunder Mountain Gold, Inc., a mineral exploration stage company, explores for mining properties in Nevada and Idaho. It explores for gold, silver, base metals, and other commodities. The company holds interests in the South Mountain property that includes 17 patented mining claims covering an area of approximately 326 acres; 21 unpatented mining lode claims covering an area of approximately 290 acres; leased private land covering an area of approximately 489 acres; and private land not contiguous with the mining claims covering an area of 360 acres located in Owyhee County, Idaho. It also holds interests in the Trout Creek project, which comprises 26 unpatented mining claims covering an area of approximately 520 acres situated in Lander County, Nevada. The company was incorporated in 1935 and is based in Boise, Idaho. About Dakota Gold (Get Free Report) Dakota Gold Corp. engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It primarily explores for gold deposits. The company holds 100% interest in the Blind Gold, City Creek, Tinton, West Corridor, Ragged Top, Poorman Anticline, Maitland, South Lead/Whistler Gulch, and Cambrian Unconformity Properties located Homestake Mining District, South Dakota. It also holds an option to acquire 100% interest in the Barrick Option and the Richmond Hill Option projects situated in Homestake Mining District, South Dakota. Dakota Gold Corp. was incorporated in 2017 and is based in Lead, South Dakota. Receive News & Ratings for Thunder Mountain Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Thunder Mountain Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. SageView Advisory Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 4,498 shares of the information technology services providers stock, valued at approximately $1,286,000. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Kestra Advisory Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Accenture by 40.7% during the 4th quarter. Kestra Advisory Services LLC now owns 64,893 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $17,316,000 after acquiring an additional 18,786 shares during the last quarter. GW Henssler & Associates Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Accenture during the 1st quarter valued at about $207,000. Alpha Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Accenture in the 4th quarter valued at about $263,000. Main Street Financial Solutions LLC raised its holdings in Accenture by 10.7% in the 1st quarter. Main Street Financial Solutions LLC now owns 2,792 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $799,000 after buying an additional 271 shares during the period. Finally, Aspen Grove Capital LLC purchased a new stake in Accenture in the 4th quarter valued at about $1,437,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.00% of the companys stock. Get Accenture alerts: Accenture Stock Performance NYSE:ACN opened at $312.46 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $305.42 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $284.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $207.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.85, a PEG ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 1.22. Accenture plc has a 1 year low of $242.80 and a 1 year high of $327.93. Accenture Dividend Announcement Accenture ( NYSE:ACN Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 22nd. The information technology services provider reported $3.19 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.96 by $0.23. The company had revenue of $16.56 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.49 billion. Accenture had a return on equity of 30.47% and a net margin of 11.28%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.79 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Accenture plc will post 11.59 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 13th will be issued a $1.12 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, July 12th. This represents a $4.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.43%. Accentures dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 39.93%. Insider Activity at Accenture In related news, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $275.90, for a total transaction of $1,448,475.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 26,908 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,423,917.20. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other Accenture news, CAO Melissa A. Burgum sold 1,344 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $300.00, for a total transaction of $403,200.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 10,506 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,151,800. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider Ellyn Shook sold 5,250 shares of Accenture stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, April 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $275.90, for a total value of $1,448,475.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 26,908 shares in the company, valued at $7,423,917.20. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 15,774 shares of company stock worth $4,754,416. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes ACN has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Societe Generale boosted their price objective on shares of Accenture from $314.00 to $373.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 7th. TD Cowen lowered shares of Accenture from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $325.00 to $300.00 in a report on Friday, June 23rd. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Accenture from $335.00 to $340.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, March 24th. Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Accenture from $306.00 to $358.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 14th. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of Accenture from $322.00 to $316.00 in a research note on Friday, June 23rd. Eight equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $329.20. About Accenture (Free Report) Accenture plc, a professional services company, provides strategy and consulting, interactive, industry X, song, and technology and operation services worldwide. The company offers application services, including agile transformation, DevOps, application modernization, enterprise architecture, software and quality engineering, data management, intelligent automation comprises robotic process automation, natural language processing, and virtual agents, and application management services, as well as software engineering services; strategy and consulting services; data and analytics strategy, data discovery and augmentation, data management and beyond, data democratization, and industrialized solutions comprises turnkey analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) solutions; metaverse; and sustainability services. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Accenture Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Accenture and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG Get Free Report) had its price target decreased by stock analysts at Stifel Nicolaus from $77.00 to $71.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, Marketbeat reports. The firm presently has a buy rating on the shipping companys stock. Stifel Nicolaus price target would indicate a potential upside of 67.61% from the stocks current price. Several other equities analysts also recently weighed in on STNG. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a buy rating and issued a $76.00 target price on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a research note on Tuesday, March 21st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Scorpio Tankers from $95.00 to $82.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 14th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Scorpio Tankers in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Scorpio Tankers from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $55.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Scorpio Tankers presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $72.33. Get Scorpio Tankers alerts: Scorpio Tankers Stock Performance Shares of STNG stock opened at $42.36 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $2.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.82, a P/E/G ratio of 0.13 and a beta of 0.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a current ratio of 1.70. Scorpio Tankers has a 52 week low of $36.38 and a 52 week high of $64.20. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $45.65 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $51.33. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Scorpio Tankers Scorpio Tankers ( NYSE:STNG Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shipping company reported $3.31 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.92 by $0.39. The business had revenue of $377.16 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $387.37 million. Scorpio Tankers had a net margin of 51.60% and a return on equity of 40.01%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 119.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted ($0.27) earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Scorpio Tankers will post 10.09 earnings per share for the current year. Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC lifted its position in Scorpio Tankers by 32.8% during the second quarter. Measured Wealth Private Client Group LLC now owns 11,558 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $546,000 after purchasing an additional 2,853 shares during the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC lifted its position in Scorpio Tankers by 10.1% during the second quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 17,431 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $823,000 after purchasing an additional 1,592 shares during the last quarter. Bailard Inc. lifted its position in Scorpio Tankers by 5.4% during the second quarter. Bailard Inc. now owns 11,700 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $553,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its position in Scorpio Tankers by 32.7% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 3,106 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $147,000 after purchasing an additional 766 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. bought a new stake in Scorpio Tankers during the second quarter valued at approximately $376,000. 65.52% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Scorpio Tankers Company Profile (Get Free Report) Scorpio Tankers Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the seaborne transportation of refined petroleum products in the shipping markets worldwide. As of March 23, 2023, its fleet consisted of 113 owned, finance leased, or bareboat chartered-in tankers, including 39 LR2, 60 MR, and 14 Handymax with a weighted average age of approximately 7.2 years. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Scorpio Tankers Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Scorpio Tankers and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eldorado Gold Co. (NYSE:EGO Get Free Report) (TSE:ELD) saw a significant decline in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,750,000 shares, a decline of 13.5% from the June 15th total of 3,180,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,570,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 1.8 days. Currently, 1.5% of the shares of the company are sold short. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of Eldorado Gold in a research report on Friday, June 9th. They set an outperform rating and a C$17.00 target price for the company. TD Securities lifted their price target on Eldorado Gold from $11.50 to $12.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Monday, May 1st. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Eldorado Gold in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. National Bank Financial upgraded Eldorado Gold from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus lowered shares of Eldorado Gold from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $13.73. Get Eldorado Gold alerts: Eldorado Gold Price Performance EGO stock traded down $0.11 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $10.98. 845,978 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,686,319. The company has a market cap of $2.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -274.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.23. The stocks 50 day moving average is $10.25 and its 200 day moving average is $10.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 2.92 and a quick ratio of 1.91. Eldorado Gold has a 12-month low of $5.06 and a 12-month high of $12.11. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Eldorado Gold Eldorado Gold ( NYSE:EGO Get Free Report ) (TSE:ELD) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The basic materials company reported $0.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $229.35 million during the quarter. Eldorado Gold had a negative net margin of 1.10% and a positive return on equity of 1.62%. On average, research analysts expect that Eldorado Gold will post 0.42 EPS for the current year. A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in Eldorado Gold by 234.1% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 3,869,793 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $40,084,000 after buying an additional 2,711,353 shares in the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its stake in Eldorado Gold by 113.6% during the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 4,167,313 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $26,629,000 after buying an additional 2,216,406 shares in the last quarter. Helikon Investments Ltd increased its stake in Eldorado Gold by 9.0% during the 1st quarter. Helikon Investments Ltd now owns 25,472,150 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $263,891,000 after buying an additional 2,099,930 shares in the last quarter. Royal Bank of Canada boosted its stake in Eldorado Gold by 1,043.9% during the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,779,308 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $19,945,000 after purchasing an additional 1,623,765 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Citigroup Inc. boosted its stake in Eldorado Gold by 2,358.6% during the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 1,654,218 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $17,112,000 after purchasing an additional 1,586,934 shares during the last quarter. 59.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Eldorado Gold (Get Free Report) Eldorado Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the mining, exploration, development, and sale of mineral products primarily in Turkey, Canada, Greece, and Romania. The company primarily produces gold, as well as silver, lead, and zinc. It holds a 100% interest in the Kisladag and Efemcukuru gold mines located in western Turkey; Lamaque gold mines located in Canada; and Olympias, Stratoni, Skouries, Perama Hill, and Sapes gold mines located in Greece, as well as the 80.5% interest in Certej development projects located in Romania. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Eldorado Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eldorado Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ADENTRA (OTCMKTS:HDIUF Free Report) had its price objective decreased by Stifel Nicolaus from C$47.00 to C$45.50 in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports. Separately, National Bank Financial cut their target price on ADENTRA from C$65.00 to C$61.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Get ADENTRA alerts: ADENTRA Stock Performance Shares of ADENTRA stock opened at $25.37 on Tuesday. ADENTRA has a one year low of $16.36 and a one year high of $26.50. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $22.47 and its 200 day moving average price is $21.28. ADENTRA Increases Dividend ADENTRA Company Profile The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a $0.0961 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 14th. This is a boost from ADENTRAs previous dividend of $0.09. This represents a dividend yield of 1.69%. ADENTRAs payout ratio is presently 19.67%. (Get Free Report) ADENTRA Inc engages in the wholesale distribution of architectural building products to the residential, repair and remodel, and commercial construction markets in Canada and the United States. It offers doors, decorative surfaces, moldings, stair parts, hardwood lumber, hardwood plywood, composite panels, and other building products to industrial manufacturers, home builder distribution yards, home centers, and architects and designers. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for ADENTRA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ADENTRA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Ternium (NYSE:TX Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report published on Tuesday morning. Separately, Bank of America cut shares of Ternium from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $56.00 to $47.00 in a research note on Monday, June 12th. Three 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 currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $47.14. Get Ternium alerts: Ternium Trading Down 0.5 % NYSE:TX opened at $43.75 on Tuesday. Ternium has a one year low of $26.01 and a one year high of $45.81. The company has a market cap of $8.59 billion, a PE ratio of 6.29 and a beta of 1.54. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $40.44 and a 200-day moving average of $39.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a current ratio of 4.00 and a quick ratio of 2.55. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Ternium ( NYSE:TX Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The basic materials company reported $1.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.93. The business had revenue of $3.62 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.67 billion. Ternium had a net margin of 8.68% and a return on equity of 9.84%. Terniums revenue was down 15.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.95 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Ternium will post 6.21 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in Ternium by 1,971.9% during the 1st quarter. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC now owns 663 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 631 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC grew its holdings in Ternium by 793.8% in the 1st quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 715 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 635 shares during the period. Sound Income Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in Ternium in the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ternium in the 1st quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Ternium in the 4th quarter valued at about $45,000. Ternium Company Profile (Get Free Report) Ternium SA, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, processes, and sells various steel products in Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil, the United States, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. It operates through two segments, Steel and Mining. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Ternium Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ternium and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Citizens Financial Group (NYSE:CFG Get Free Report) had its price target lifted by The Goldman Sachs Group from $30.00 to $33.00 in a research note issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a buy rating on the banks stock. The Goldman Sachs Groups target price would indicate a potential upside of 5.63% from the stocks previous close. Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Robert W. Baird cut their target price on shares of Citizens Financial Group from $48.00 to $44.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 20th. DA Davidson cut their price target on Citizens Financial Group from $40.00 to $37.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Credit Suisse Group restated a neutral rating and set a $35.00 price objective on shares of Citizens Financial Group in a research note on Thursday. Royal Bank of Canada cut their target price on Citizens Financial Group from $52.00 to $44.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, June 30th. Finally, Bank of America lowered shares of Citizens Financial Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $37.00 to $33.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Citizens Financial Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $38.76. Get Citizens Financial Group alerts: Citizens Financial Group Stock Performance CFG stock opened at $31.24 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $15.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.53 and a beta of 1.31. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $27.14 and its 200 day simple moving average is $32.88. The company has a current ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. Citizens Financial Group has a 12-month low of $23.37 and a 12-month high of $44.82. Insider Transactions at Citizens Financial Group Citizens Financial Group ( NYSE:CFG Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The bank reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.00 by ($0.08). Citizens Financial Group had a return on equity of 11.12% and a net margin of 21.12%. The business had revenue of $3.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.09 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.14 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Citizens Financial Group will post 4.09 EPS for the current year. In other news, Director Terrance Lillis bought 1,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $26.39 per share, with a total value of $26,390.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 3,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $79,170. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Citizens Financial Group Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Fiduciary Alliance LLC purchased a new position in Citizens Financial Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $26,000. Virtue Capital Management LLC grew its position in Citizens Financial Group by 8.4% during the second quarter. Virtue Capital Management LLC now owns 7,656 shares of the banks stock valued at $201,000 after purchasing an additional 591 shares in the last quarter. FSC Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group during the 2nd quarter valued at $63,000. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC grew its holdings in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 45.9% during the 2nd quarter. Centennial Wealth Advisory LLC now owns 11,024 shares of the banks stock valued at $287,000 after acquiring an additional 3,469 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hennessy Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of Citizens Financial Group by 39.5% in the second quarter. Hennessy Advisors Inc. now owns 60,000 shares of the banks stock worth $1,565,000 after acquiring an additional 17,000 shares during the last quarter. 88.85% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Citizens Financial Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Citizens Financial Group, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Citizens Bank, National Association that provides retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, corporations, and institutions in the United States. The company operates in two segments, Consumer Banking and Commercial Banking. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Citizens Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citizens Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG Get Free Report) issued an update on its second quarter 2023 earnings guidance on Thursday morning. The company provided EPS guidance of -$1.91$1.91 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $1.33. The company issued revenue guidance of -. The Hanover Insurance Group Price Performance Shares of THG stock opened at $112.42 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $4.02 billion, a PE ratio of -3,746.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.48 and a beta of 0.68. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $113.79 and a 200-day simple moving average of $125.14. The company has a current ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The Hanover Insurance Group has a twelve month low of $108.71 and a twelve month high of $148.78. Get The Hanover Insurance Group alerts: The Hanover Insurance Group (NYSE:THG Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The insurance provider reported $0.13 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.07 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $1.44 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.47 billion. The Hanover Insurance Group had a negative net margin of 0.01% and a positive return on equity of 3.62%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.26 earnings per share. Equities research analysts anticipate that The Hanover Insurance Group will post 6.25 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The Hanover Insurance Group Announces Dividend Analyst Ratings Changes The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 16th were paid a dividend of $0.81 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 15th. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.88%. The Hanover Insurance Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -10,796.40%. A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. TheStreet downgraded shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 9th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. JMP Securities reduced their price objective on shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from $170.00 to $160.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 12th. Bank of America cut shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $142.00 to $130.00 in a report on Thursday, May 18th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised shares of The Hanover Insurance Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $155.00 to $153.00 in a report on Thursday, July 6th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, The Hanover Insurance Group has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $148.43. Institutional Trading of The Hanover Insurance Group A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 11.7% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 92,806 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $11,926,000 after acquiring an additional 9,711 shares during the period. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. increased its holdings in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 258.0% in the 1st quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 2,431 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $312,000 after acquiring an additional 1,752 shares during the period. Chilton Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group in the 1st quarter worth about $73,000. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 14.0% in the 1st quarter. SRS Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 1,356 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $174,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the period. Finally, State Street Corp increased its holdings in shares of The Hanover Insurance Group by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,136,855 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $146,086,000 after acquiring an additional 9,252 shares during the period. 85.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. The Hanover Insurance Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides various property and casualty insurance products and services in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Core Commercial, Specialty, Personal Lines, and Other. The Commercial Lines segment offers commercial multiple peril, commercial automobile, workers' compensation, and other commercial lines coverage. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for The Hanover Insurance Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Hanover Insurance Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. TopBuild Corp. (NYSE:BLD Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decrease in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 915,900 shares, a decrease of 14.4% from the June 15th total of 1,070,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 232,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.9 days. Currently, 2.9% of the companys stock are sold short. TopBuild Price Performance BLD traded down $7.08 during trading on Thursday, reaching $267.06. 284,306 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 236,869. The companys 50-day moving average is $239.79 and its two-hundred day moving average is $212.40. The company has a market cap of $8.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.86, a P/E/G ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 1.57. The company has a quick ratio of 1.58, a current ratio of 2.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68. TopBuild has a 12-month low of $140.66 and a 12-month high of $280.67. Get TopBuild alerts: TopBuild (NYSE:BLD Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The construction company reported $4.36 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $4.06 by $0.30. TopBuild had a return on equity of 30.52% and a net margin of 11.31%. The business had revenue of $1.27 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.26 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $3.50 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 8.2% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that TopBuild will post 16.46 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Insider Buying and Selling A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Jefferies Financial Group upped their price target on TopBuild from $262.00 to $320.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 13th. Stephens upped their price target on TopBuild from $230.00 to $250.00 in a research report on Monday, May 8th. StockNews.com raised TopBuild from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. Bank of America upped their price target on TopBuild from $255.00 to $305.00 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Finally, Loop Capital upped their price target on TopBuild from $225.00 to $285.00 in a research report on Friday, June 30th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $259.75. In other TopBuild news, insider Robert Jeffrey Franklin sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.97, for a total value of $212,970.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 19,091 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,065,810.27. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other TopBuild news, Director Tina Donikowski sold 1,480 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $212.13, for a total value of $313,952.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 4,400 shares in the company, valued at approximately $933,372. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Robert Jeffrey Franklin sold 1,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $212.97, for a total value of $212,970.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 19,091 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,065,810.27. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 16,876 shares of company stock worth $3,722,427. 0.46% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of TopBuild Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Millennium Management LLC increased its position in shares of TopBuild by 230.1% during the 4th quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 864,237 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $135,244,000 after purchasing an additional 602,416 shares during the last quarter. Capital International Investors increased its position in shares of TopBuild by 135.6% during the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 913,930 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $165,778,000 after purchasing an additional 526,053 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in shares of TopBuild during the 4th quarter valued at about $70,298,000. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. increased its position in shares of TopBuild by 350.6% during the 4th quarter. Alyeska Investment Group L.P. now owns 409,476 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $64,079,000 after purchasing an additional 318,593 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Artemis Investment Management LLP bought a new position in TopBuild during the 1st quarter worth approximately $55,524,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 94.27% of the companys stock. About TopBuild (Get Free Report) TopBuild Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the installation and distribution of insulation and other building material products to the construction industry. The company operates in two segments, Installation and Specialty Distribution. It provides insulation products and accessories, glass and windows, rain gutters, afterpaint products, fireproofing products, garage doors, fireplaces, closet shelving, roofing materials, and other products; and insulation installation services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for TopBuild Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TopBuild and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Well, here we go again. "I was persecuted, I was prosecuted and then I was pressured into pleading guilty..." Chris Collins is a convicted felon, a crime that sometimes negates the criminal's right to vote (let alone seek office). But Collins, who initially said he did what he did, and people shouldn't feel sorry for him, now claims he is the victim of the Department of Justices overzealous U.S. attorney, and is weighing whether or not to run for Congress. How the story changes. After his conviction, he begged the judge for leniency, complaining about his medical conditions (asthma and hypertension) that put him at higher risk for Covid-19 (maybe because his political party didn't believe in wearing masks), even in one of the cushiest federal prisons in the country. He served 10 weeks before being pardoned by an even bigger criminal, and now thinks he deserves a congressional seat. Collins, who initially said, he did what he did, and people shouldn't feel sorry for him now complains he is a victim of the DOJ. (sound familiar?) And yet has the audacity to say he'll wear his conviction as a badge of honor because he thinks it will get him votes? Make up your mind, Mr. Collins, are you the criminal or victim, or does it depend on which way the political wind is blowing? Mr. Collins, the best thing you could do for Congress is to stay away from it. So happy that you can hold your head up with your new Florida friends who understood what really happened. What really happened, Mr. Collins, is that you broke the law and got caught. Don't commit the crime if you can't do the time. Maureen Donovan Orchard Park WestRock (NYSE:WRK Free Report) had its target price reduced by Truist Financial from $30.00 to $29.00 in a research note published on Tuesday morning, Benzinga reports. Truist Financial currently has a hold rating on the basic materials companys stock. A number of other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Bank of America upgraded WestRock from a neutral rating to a buy rating and raised their target price for the stock from $38.00 to $40.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Citigroup upgraded WestRock from a neutral rating to a buy rating and cut their price objective for the company from $34.00 to $32.00 in a report on Monday, March 20th. UBS Group cut their price objective on WestRock from $42.00 to $37.00 in a report on Friday, June 30th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on WestRock in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $33.25. Get WestRock alerts: WestRock Price Performance Shares of WRK opened at $30.35 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.53, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.93. WestRock has a 1 year low of $26.84 and a 1 year high of $43.37. The stock has a market cap of $7.77 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.24, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.19. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $28.75 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $30.90. WestRock Dividend Announcement WestRock ( NYSE:WRK Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The basic materials company reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.51 by $0.26. WestRock had a positive return on equity of 9.98% and a negative net margin of 5.86%. The firm had revenue of $5.28 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.23 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.17 earnings per share. The companys revenue was down 1.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts predict that WestRock will post 2.36 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 25th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, May 11th were paid a $0.275 dividend. This represents a $1.10 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.62%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 10th. WestRocks payout ratio is -22.63%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On WestRock Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Chicago Capital LLC bought a new stake in WestRock in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $206,000. DAVENPORT & Co LLC increased its position in shares of WestRock by 0.6% during the 2nd quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 105,191 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $3,058,000 after purchasing an additional 591 shares during the last quarter. Caldwell Sutter Capital Inc. acquired a new position in shares of WestRock during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $42,000. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board increased its position in shares of WestRock by 5.1% during the 2nd quarter. New Mexico Educational Retirement Board now owns 12,385 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $360,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wedge Capital Management L L P NC increased its position in shares of WestRock by 996.6% during the 2nd quarter. Wedge Capital Management L L P NC now owns 99,249 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $2,885,000 after purchasing an additional 90,198 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.54% of the companys stock. About WestRock (Get Free Report) WestRock Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides fiber-based paper and packaging solutions in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It operates in four segments, Corrugated Packaging, Consumer Packaging, Global Paper, and Distribution. The Corrugated Packaging segment produces containerboards, corrugated sheets, corrugated packaging, and preprinted linerboards to consumer and industrial products manufacturers, and corrugated box manufacturers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for WestRock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WestRock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Valmark Advisers Inc. grew its position in General Electric (NYSE:GE Free Report) by 16.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,960 shares of the conglomerates stock after buying an additional 690 shares during the period. Valmark Advisers Inc.s holdings in General Electric were worth $474,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Ieq Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of General Electric by 10.0% in the 1st quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 28,180 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $2,694,000 after purchasing an additional 2,567 shares during the last quarter. PDS Planning Inc lifted its stake in General Electric by 30.6% in the first quarter. PDS Planning Inc now owns 3,161 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $302,000 after buying an additional 740 shares during the period. Sfmg LLC bought a new position in General Electric during the first quarter worth about $220,000. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of General Electric by 67.2% during the 1st quarter. Mascoma Wealth Management LLC now owns 886 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $88,000 after buying an additional 356 shares during the period. Finally, Texas Permanent School Fund Corp grew its holdings in shares of General Electric by 46.3% in the 1st quarter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp now owns 227,097 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $21,710,000 after buying an additional 71,850 shares during the period. 74.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get General Electric alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth GE has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Citigroup boosted their target price on General Electric from $114.00 to $126.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. UBS Group increased their target price on General Electric from $95.00 to $109.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of General Electric in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Barclays increased their target price on shares of General Electric from $115.00 to $125.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of General Electric from $90.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Friday, March 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, General Electric presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $109.63. General Electric Stock Performance NYSE GE opened at $111.23 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $121.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 7.81 and a beta of 1.27. The firms fifty day moving average price is $105.93 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $94.41. General Electric has a 1 year low of $48.06 and a 1 year high of $112.15. The company has a current ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.61. General Electric (NYSE:GE Get Free Report) last issued 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 company 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%. The companys revenue was up 14.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.24 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that General Electric will post 2.03 EPS for the current year. General Electric Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 11th will be given a $0.08 dividend. This represents a $0.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.29%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 10th. General Electrics payout ratio is presently 4.17%. Insider Activity In related news, major shareholder General Electric Pension Trust acquired 35,160 shares of the companys 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 completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 175,160 shares of the companys stock, valued at $174,361,270.40. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In other General Electric news, VP Thomas S. Timko sold 7,254 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.82, for a total transaction of $731,348.28. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 20,953 shares in the company, valued at $2,112,481.46. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, major shareholder General Electric Pension Trust acquired 35,160 shares of General Electric stock in a transaction on Friday, June 30th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $995.44 per share, for a total transaction of $34,999,670.40. Following the completion of the purchase, 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. Insiders have sold 239,419 shares of company stock valued at $24,144,151 over the last ninety days. 0.67% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. 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 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for General Electric (NYSE:GE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for General Electric Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for General Electric and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Walker River Resources Corp. (CVE:WRR Get Free Report)s share price shot up 3.1% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as C$0.17 and last traded at C$0.17. 18,500 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 70% from the average session volume of 62,276 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.16. Walker River Resources Stock Performance The company has a 50 day simple moving average of C$0.17 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of C$0.23. The firm has a market cap of C$6.24 million, a PE ratio of -3.10 and a beta of 1.59. About Walker River Resources (Get Free Report) Walker River Resources Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the identification, exploration, acquisition, and evaluation of mineral properties in Canada. It holds 100% interests in the Lapon Canyon gold project with 147 claims, which covers an area of approximately 2940 acres located in Nevada. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Walker River Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Walker River Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Headlands Technologies LLC lifted its stake in shares of Wayfair Inc. (NYSE:W Free Report) by 96.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,513 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,721 shares during the quarter. Headlands Technologies LLCs holdings in Wayfair were worth $121,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Wayfair during the first quarter worth approximately $1,352,000. Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake in Wayfair by 68.3% during the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 186,667 shares of the companys stock worth $6,410,000 after purchasing an additional 75,757 shares during the last quarter. Vanderbilt University bought a new position in Wayfair during the first quarter worth $2,838,000. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its stake in Wayfair by 3.7% during the first quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 21,235 shares of the companys stock worth $729,000 after purchasing an additional 754 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Baystate Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in Wayfair by 628.7% during the first quarter. Baystate Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,645 shares of the companys stock worth $91,000 after purchasing an additional 2,282 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.35% of the companys stock. Get Wayfair alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other Wayfair news, insider Steve Oblak sold 24,653 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.54, for a total transaction of $974,779.62. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 219,548 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,680,927.92. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other Wayfair news, COO Thomas Netzer sold 2,913 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.96, for a total transaction of $90,186.48. Following the completion of the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 96,919 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,000,612.24. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Steve Oblak sold 24,653 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $39.54, for a total value of $974,779.62. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 219,548 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $8,680,927.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 125,409 shares of company stock worth $7,177,497. Company insiders own 26.81% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Wayfair Trading Down 0.9 % W has been the topic of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Wayfair in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Bank of America raised their price objective on Wayfair from $60.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Friday, July 14th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Wayfair from $53.00 to $56.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 8th. Stephens reduced their price objective on Wayfair from $40.00 to $34.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, Loop Capital cut their target price on Wayfair from $30.00 to $25.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $50.68. Shares of Wayfair stock opened at $70.79 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $53.10 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $45.54. Wayfair Inc. has a 52 week low of $28.11 and a 52 week high of $76.35. The stock has a market cap of $7.95 billion, a PE ratio of -5.56 and a beta of 3.15. Wayfair (NYSE:W Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported ($2.50) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of ($3.14) by $0.64. The company had revenue of $2.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.74 billion. On average, equities analysts predict that Wayfair Inc. will post -8.8 EPS for the current fiscal year. Wayfair Company Profile (Free Report) Wayfair Inc engages in the e-commerce business in the United States and internationally. The company provides approximately fourty million products for the home sector under various brands. It offers online selections of furniture, decor, housewares, and home improvement products through its sites, including Wayfair, Joss & Main, AllModern, Birch Lane, Perigold, and Wayfair Professional. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding W? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Wayfair Inc. (NYSE:W Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Wayfair Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wayfair and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp raised its holdings in shares of Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL Free Report) by 46.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 98,512 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 31,376 shares during the period. Texas Permanent School Fund Corps holdings in Welltower were worth $7,062,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Welltower by 41.2% in the 1st quarter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. now owns 6,617 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $474,000 after purchasing an additional 1,932 shares during the period. CWM LLC lifted its stake in shares of Welltower by 4.3% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 9,721 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $697,000 after purchasing an additional 399 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC lifted its stake in shares of Welltower by 12.1% in the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 6,502 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $466,000 after purchasing an additional 701 shares during the period. abrdn plc lifted its stake in shares of Welltower by 14.8% in the 1st quarter. abrdn plc now owns 970,565 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $69,580,000 after purchasing an additional 124,790 shares during the period. Finally, Wealthfront Advisers LLC lifted its stake in shares of Welltower by 14.2% in the 1st quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 19,101 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,369,000 after purchasing an additional 2,375 shares during the period. 93.16% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Welltower alerts: Welltower Trading Up 2.0 % Shares of WELL opened at $82.01 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.04, a quick ratio of 2.04 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.71. Welltower Inc. has a 12-month low of $56.50 and a 12-month high of $86.83. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $78.71 and a 200 day moving average price of $75.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $40.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 356.57, a P/E/G ratio of 2.91 and a beta of 1.06. Welltower Announces Dividend Welltower ( NYSE:WELL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The real estate investment trust reported $0.05 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.82 by ($0.77). Welltower had a net margin of 1.74% and a return on equity of 0.51%. The firm had revenue of $1.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.57 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.82 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 11.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Welltower Inc. will post 3.48 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 23rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 16th were issued a $0.61 dividend. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 15th. Welltowers dividend payout ratio is currently 1,060.87%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities analysts have weighed in on WELL shares. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Welltower in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating for the company. Credit Suisse Group upped their price objective on shares of Welltower from $72.00 to $80.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Welltower from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and set a $81.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of Welltower from $91.00 to $86.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 30th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company assumed coverage on shares of Welltower in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. They set an overweight rating and a $85.00 price objective for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $81.36. About Welltower (Free Report) Welltower Inc (NYSE:WELL), a real estate investment trust ("REIT") and S&P 500 company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is driving the transformation of health care infrastructure. Welltower 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WELL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Welltower Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Welltower and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. ZTE Co. (OTCMKTS:ZTCOY Get Free Report) crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of $4.04 and traded as high as $4.08. ZTE shares last traded at $4.04, with a volume of 4,800 shares trading hands. ZTE Trading Up 6.3 % The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $4.04 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $4.04. The company has a current ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The stock has a market cap of $9.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.60 and a beta of 0.77. ZTE Company Profile (Get Free Report) ZTE Corporation provides integrated communication information solutions in the People's Republic of China, rest of Asia, Africa, Europe, the United States, and Oceania. It operates through three segments: Carriers' Networks, Government and Corporate Business, and Consumer Business. The Carriers' Network segment provides wireless access, wireline access, bearer systems, core networks, telecommunication software systems and services, and other technologies and product solutions for meeting carries' requirements. See Also Receive News & Ratings for ZTE Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ZTE and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. News / Local by Staff reporter The African Union (AU)'s Pan-African Parliament, set up by the 2014 Protocol to its Constitutive Act, is now becoming a playground for discredited Zanu PF-linked high-profile Zimbabweans after the recent appointment of controversial Prophet Uebert Angel as its ambassador for interfaith dialogue and humanitarian affairs.The Pan-African Parliament was set up to ensure the full participation of Africans in the economic development and integration of the continent.The Parliament sits in Midrand, South Africa.Angel, who is also President Emmerson Mnangagwa's envoy, is implicated in the Gold Mafia scandal which entails rampant smuggling, money laundering and corruption, as well as conspiracy to commit financial crimes.Chief Fortune Charumbira, who is the Pan-African Parliament President and also President of the Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs, is embroiled in an indecent sexual assault storm at home.Of late Charumbira, who is also a Zimbabwean senator, was involved in a stormy political controversy after he was called out for fuelling ethnic politics and lobbying for tribal sectarian interests to govern the country.In 2021, Zanu PF MP Barbara Rwodzi was involved scuffles and a dramatic fight during the election of Charumbira as the Pan-African Parliament President in Midrand on the edge of the Gallagher Estate convention complex in South Africa's economic heartland of Gauteng province.The ugly scenes came amid sharp divisions and death threats over who the next president of the 235-member parliament should be, with southern African delegates insisting that Charumbira should be chosen to end the dominance of other regions.A few days ago, Rwodzi, who is also deputy Tourism minister, was caught in a recorded audio file angrily insulting a police officer, calling him a "stupid idiot" and a "dog" for prosecuting her political supporter. Amid debates about artificial intelligence (AI) replacing jobs, Indian software-as-a-service (SaaS) major Zoho's co-founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu said on July 21 that AI will only replace roles, not employees. "Language models are generating human-sounding, plausible text but it can be a fiction and it is a problem... At Zoho, we believe that AI can only replace roles but people will still matter. It reflects an organisation's philosophy," Vembu said during his keynote address to Chief Information Officers (CIOs) from various industries at an event organised by ManageEngine and Zoho in Chennai. This comes at a time when organisations are increasingly looking to utilise AI to automate many services. In fact, Dukaan co-founder Suumit Shah tweeted that the e-commerce SaaS firm has laid off more than 90 percent of its customer support employees. "We had to lay off 90% of our support team because of this AI chatbot. Tough? Yes. Necessary? Absolutely, " he tweeted. Zoho's Vembu also added that the AI hype period is settling, and now the tech is evolving to be more useful for organisations. Also Read: AI poses a threat to many programming jobs, we need a strong policy around this, says Zoho's Sridhar Vembu "The current wave of peak has been reached. We are now in the long, tough slog to make the tech useful for enterprises," he said. Vembu also spoke about a survey conducted within Zoho's ecosystem, involving around 8,000 people. "We noticed that about 52 percent use it (ChatGPT) on a regular basis, 30 percent used it, but usage is dropping, and 15 percent have entirely stopped using it. I find myself in the 30 percent category. The initial usage frenzy is dropping, and more meaningful use cases are emerging," he said. Vembu's comments come at a time when Zoho announced that it is investing in and exploring the generative AI space in its operations. The SaaS giant recently launched around 13 generative AI Zoho application extensions and integrations, powered by ChatGPT. Zoho is also blending third-party intelligence with Zia, its AI engine, which runs on Zoho's secure cloud. In June 2023, Zoho announced that it is building its own large language model (LLM), similar to OpenAI's GPT and Google's PaLM 2 models. The project is being overseen by Vembu and is being worked on by the company's R&D team in India. LLMs are a type of AI model specifically designed to understand natural language. They can process and generate text, allowing them to be used for a variety of tasks such as language translation, summarisation, and question-answering. Also Read: What powers ChatGPT and Bard? A look at LLMs or large language models Vembu has also been advocating for the implementation of an AI policy in India. In May 2023, Vembu, along with Rajiv Kumar, former vice chairman of Niti Aayog, and Sharad Sharma, co-founder of iSPIRT Foundation, submitted a proposal to the central government. The primary objective of this proposal is to establish an AI policy that prioritizes openness and transparency. Macroeconomic pressure Zoho also witnessed the impacts of macroeconomic pressures, which led to a slowdown in SaaS businesses. The company slowed down hiring in FY22. SaaS rival Freshworks conducted several rounds of layoffs to weather the macroeconomic pressure. However, Vembu said that Zoho will not lay off employees, no matter what. "We definitely saw downturn... I told my employees that there may be salary cuts, no hikes but definitely no layoffs...This reflects the philosophy of the company," he said. In FY22, Zohos net profit was up by 43 percent YoY, touching Rs 2,700 crore, driven by growth in revenue from its enterprise IT management software business, as per Registrar of Companies (RoC) filings. Revenue from operations grew 28 percent YoY, coming in at Rs 6,711 crore for FY22. The majority of this revenue came from the North American market, which contributed about Rs. 3,198 crore followed by Europe at Rs 1,505 crore. Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 18,258 crore for the quarter ended June 2023, down 5.9 percent from a year ago as muted performance in the oil-to-chemicals (O2C) partly offset the strong growth in consumer-facing businesses. Higher finance cost and depreciation also weighed on the companys bottomline. The conglomerates consolidated total revenue in the June quarter declined to Rs 2.31 lakh crore from Rs 2.42 lakh crore a year ago as oil-to-chemicals segment sales declined tracking the weakness in crude prices. Consolidated net profit attributable to shareholders stood at Rs 16,011 crore in the quarter, down 11 percent from Rs 17,955 crore in the same period last year. A Bloomberg poll had seen consolidated net sales at Rs 2.14 lakh crore and net profit at Rs 16,995.50 crore. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) increased by 5.1 percent to Rs 41,982 crore in Q1FY24. Reliances strong operating and financial performance this quarter demonstrates the resilience of our diversified portfolio of businesses that cater to demand across industrial and consumer segments, said Mukesh D. Ambani, Chairman and Managing Director. RIL expects that its robust balance sheet with high liquidity will support accelerated growth plans. O2Cs weak performance Revenue for the O2C business, so far the biggest division of RIL, stood at Rs 1.33 lakh crore in Q1FY24, a decrease of 17.7 percent on-year, on account of the sharp reduction in crude oil prices and lower price realisation of downstream products. EBITDA in the April-June 2023 quarter reduced by 23.2 percent from a year ago to Rs 15,271 crore. The company said that fuel cracks, the difference between the price of a refined product and crude oil, declined 60-70 percent owing to the high base of the previous year when fuel cracks were exceptionally high. Polyester margin declined due to subdued demand from China. The first quarter of FY 23 was (a) once-in-a-generation dislocation of energy markets, which drove fuel margins to historic levels, said Chief Financial Officer V Srikanth during a media call. Although RIL does not report gross refining margins (GRMs) separately, analysts had expected that its GRM would have declined in the quarter tracking the steep fall in the benchmark Singapore GRM. The O2C business includes refining, petrochemicals, fuel retailing through Reliance BP Mobility Ltd, aviation fuel and bulk wholesale marketing. The company said that the global oil demand in 1Q FY24 rose by 2.8 million barrels per day (bpd) YoY to 101.4 million bpd, due to higher demand mainly from China, Middle East, and Asia. Jet/Kero and gasoline posted strong demand growth YoY, while diesel demand remained flat, the company added. Oil & Gas production rises The companys oil and gas revenue increased by 27.8 percent on-year to Rs 4632 crore by higher gas price realization and increase in KGD6 volumes with start-up of oil and condensate production from MJ fields. The average price realised for KGD6 was $10.81 per MMBTU (million metric British thermal unit) in Q1FY24 compared to $9.72 per MMBTU in Q1FY23. The KG-D6 production for the quarter was 48.3 BCFe (Billions of cubic feet equivalent), up 18.4 percent YoY. MJ field commenced production post testing and commissioning activities. First Cargo of about 500,000 barrels of Condensate was sold during the quarter. The current rate of Condensate production is ~17,000 BOPD (barrels of oil per day), the company said. Steady uptrend in Jio Platforms Jio Platforms profit for the first quarter stood at Rs 5,098 crore, an increase of 12.5 percent on-year. The telecom and streaming business segments revenue from operations was Rs 26,115 crore for April-June 2023, compared to Rs 23,467 crore in the same quarter a year ago. Jio Infocomm, the telecom subsidiary of Jio Platform, reported average revenue per user (ARPU), an important metric to measure the performance of telecom companies, increased by 2.8 percent YoY to Rs 180.5 per user per month. Jio Infocomm reported a standalone net profit of Rs 4,863 crore in the June quarter, registering a growth of 12.17 percent year on year. Jio is on track to complete pan India 5G rollout before December 2023. The new JioBharat phone is another innovation by Jio combining network and device capabilities to help accelerate 2G-MUKT BHARAT vision and democratize internet, said Akash M Ambani, Chairman, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd, a subsidiary of Jio Platforms. Robust retail performance Reliance Retail posted a net profit of Rs 2,448 crore in the quarter, an increase of 18.8 percent led by growth in grocery, consumer electronics (excluding devices) and fashion & lifestyle. Revenue from operations stood at Rs 62,159 crore in the quarter, up 19.5 percent on-year. The quarter recorded the highest ever store footfalls at 249 million. The sustained growth across consumption baskets has further consolidated our position as a market leader. We continue to innovate and invest in our stores and digital platforms to make shopping more engaging for our customers," said Isha M Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd. RIL media business Reliances media business posted a profit of Rs 29 crore for the quarter under review, which is a decline of 25.6 percent from the same period last year. Revenue from operations in the segment increased by 141.7 percent to Rs 3,239 crore driven by Viacom18, as IPL on JioCinema delivered record advertising revenues. The strong performance of JioCinema was driven by the scale, targeting ability, cost flexibility, measurement, and integration options, which offered significant advantages to advertisers on the platform, the company said. JioCinemas advertising revenue was higher than TV as the platform attracted more than 13 times the number of advertisers on TV, it added. Road ahead RIL CFO V Srikanth cautioned that the voluntary oil production cut by OPEC+ countries may keep crude prices elevated and impact demand. High inflation, subdued global demand, and increased supply from China may affect Indian downstream exports to the US and Europe. Closer home, the company expects Indian downstream chemical demand to reflect robust economic growth. The company said its capital expenditure plans remained on track. Our net debt has remained flat despite the accelerated capex on the rollout of infrastructure in the consumer business. The capex for the quarter was Rs 39,600 crore which was funded largely by internal accruals of Rs 33,000 crore, Srikanth said. RILs net debt was at Rs 126,621 crore at the end of June 2023 compared to Rs 125,766 crore three months ago. Disclaimer: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary. Reliance Retail, the retail arm of diversified conglomerate Reliance Industries, on July 21 reported an 18.8 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase in net profit to Rs 2,448 crore in the quarter ended June. Gross revenue stood at Rs 69,948 crore, rising 19 percent YoY from Rs 58,554 crore in the corresponding quarter last year, the company said. The growth was led by growth in Grocery, Consumer Electronics (excluding Devices) and Fashion & Lifestyle. On the operating front, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) grew 33.9 percent YoY to Rs 5,139 crore. EBITDA margin from operations on net sales was at 7.9%, up 30 bps Y-o-Y driven by sourcing benefits and operating efficiencies. Reliance Retail received a record 249 million footfalls across formats and geographies in the quarter, a growth of 42 percent YoY. Reliance Retail expanded its physical store network with 555 new store openings, taking the total store count at the end of the quarter to 18,446 and operating area to 70.6 m sft. The registered customer base grew 28 percent YoY to reach 267 million. Grocery business delivered another quarter of record performance, up 59 percent Y-o-Y, led by Smart and Smart Bazaar formats. Non-food continues to grow rapidly with improving share in overall business. The business capitalized on the summer season with an uptick in several related categories such as ice-creams, cold drinks, and seasonal fruits like mangoes. The fashion and lifestyle business delivered a revenue growth of 15 percent Y-o-Y driven by pick up in store traffic and average bill value as Consumer preferences continue to evolve particularly after social life and travel has resumed in a post COVID era. AJIO reported another strong quarter with sustained improvement across operational metrics. The business added 2 million new customers during the period along with several new brand launches across categories. Jewlery business saw robust revenue growth on the back of growth across all town classes led by wedding season and regional festivals. Consumer Electronics business, excluding devices, delivered 14 percent growth Y-o-Y by driving consumer engagement through category-led promotions and regional festivities leading to broad based growth across categories. "The sustained growth across consumption baskets has further consolidated our position as a market leader. We continue to innovate and invest in our stores and digital platforms to make shopping more engaging for our customers." said Isha M Ambani, Executive Director, Reliance Retail Ventures Limited. Consumer brands business is focusing on expanding distribution reach and engagement in General Trade channel, delivering 8x Y-o-Y revenue growth. There was a sharp uptick in performance of the beverages category with sales growing 11x Y-o-Y led by Campa Cola gaining traction across the country. Jio Mart continues to focus on strengthening its catalogue with option count growing around 6x Y-o-Y and expanding its seller base which is up around 4x Y-o-Y. JioMart has built a new marketing property, Grand Shopping Carnival which has been well received by customers. The event drove a large base of incremental customers and witnessed doubling of electronics category share. The business completed acquisition of Metro Cash and Carry India towards the end of the quarter. Disclaimer: Moneycontrol is a part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary. Asian rice trade paused on Friday to digest the previous day's ban by India, by far the world's biggest supplier, of a major share of its exports of the staple, with prices expected to climb substantially in coming days, three traders said. India, which accounts for 40% of world rice exports, on Thursday ordered a halt to its largest rice export category to reduce domestic prices, which have climbed to multi-year highs in recent weeks as erratic weather threatens production. "Rice prices are going to go up further in the export market. We expect a minimum gain of around $50 a metric ton and it could be $100 or even more," said one Singapore-based trader at an international trading company. "Right now, everybody - sellers as well as buyers - are waiting to see how much the market goes up," the trader said. Two other traders, one in Singapore and the other in Bangkok, said they expected a similar gain in prices. The traders declined to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to media. "We haven't heard of any trades done today but buyers will have to pay higher prices to get cargoes as India's decision has taken out large volumes from the market," the second Singapore trader said. India's decision to ban rice exports coincides with strong gains in the global wheat market that have sparked renewed concerns over red-hot food prices. Global wheat prices jumped more than 10% this week, their biggest weekly gain in more than 16 months as Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports raised worries over global supply. [GRA/] Rice is a staple for more than 3 billion people, and nearly 90% of the water-intensive crop is produced in Asia, where the dry El Nino weather pattern is likely to curb supplies. Rice prices in top exporting countries had been rising on expectations of India's ban. Vietnam's 5% broken rice was offered at $515-$525 per metric ton, its highest since 2011, before India's late-Thursday announcement. [RIC/AS] India's 5% broken parboiled variety hovered this week near a five-year peak at $421-$428 per metric ton and Thailand's 5% broken rice prices jumped to $545 per metric ton - their highest since February 2021. The long-pending 288 km-long Bengaluru Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR, NH 948A), designed to tackle traffic congestion in the silicon city, finally seems to be creaking towards closure. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), responsible for executing the Rs 17,000-crore corridor, told Moneycontrol that the project will be completed by December 2025. Initially proposed in 2005, the project gained momentum after it was incorporated into the Centre's Bharatmala Pariyojana in 2017. In June 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the STRR, which is being executed under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM). About 85 percent of the road 243 km runs through Karnataka, and the remaining 45 km passes through Tamil Nadu. The four-six-lane, access-controlled expressway will link 12 satellite towns in Karnataka: Dobbaspet, Doddaballapur, Devanahalli, Sulibele, Hoskote, Sarjapur, Attibele, Anekal, Tattekere, Kanakapura, Ramanagara, Hosur, and Magadi. An access-controlled expressway has limited and designated entry and exit points to ensure rapid movement. According to NHAI officials, the project's construction is divided into nine sections, and work is already underway in four. The contracts for the rest are expected to be awarded by December 2023. The first 80 km section is expected to be inaugurated by December 2023. Vivek Jaiswal, Regional Officer, NHAI, told Moneycontrol, "The first section includes two stretches: the six-lane Doddaballapur-Hoskote bypass (38 km) and the four-lane Dobbaspet-Doddaballapur bypass (42 km) are nearing completion. We are planning to inaugurate both by the end of this year." "Once operational, STRR will facilitate the movement of commercial vehicles without entering the core city areas of Bengaluru, serving as a bypass route for goods traffic," added Jaiswal. "Completion of the Dobbaspet-Devanahalli-Hoskote section by December 2023 is expected to reduce congestion at Hebbal by 20-25 percent. Trucks bound for places like Kolar and Nelamangala / Hassan could utilise the STRR," explained Jaiswal. While the toll charges for the STRR are yet to be finalised, NHAI officials estimate it to be around Rs 1.98 per km. NHAI officials said that since the STRR will connect major satellite towns around Bengaluru, it will encourage private firms to operate in these areas, reducing the pressure on Bengaluru. "The availability of land parcels along the STRR route will get private firms to establish offices, tech parks, and further fuel real estate growth," said an NHAI official. The STRR will also provide crucial connectivity to the proposed multi-modal logistics park at Dobbaspet, and the upcoming Bengaluru-Pune greenfield expressway. Further, it will improve connectivity with Chennai Port and Krishnapatnam Port (in Andhra Pradesh). Greenfield expressways avoid inhabited areas to bring development to new regions and reduce land acquisition costs and construction timelines. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has also proposed building double-decker roads on the STRR. He further suggested that the state government establish satellite towns along the road to address Bengaluru's traffic woes. The Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) and the STRR are two major projects aimed at easing traffic congestion on Bengalurus Outer Ring Road (ORR). The 74-km PRR, proposed by BDA (Bangalore Development Authority) in 2007 to address congestion on the outskirts of the city, is supposed to be an eight-lane, access-controlled expressway linking Tumakuru Road and Hosur Road via Hesaraghatta Road, Doddaballapur Road, Ballari Road, Hennur Road, Old Madras Road, Hoskote Road, and Sarjapur. However, the project is yet to see the light of day. Bengaluru-Mysuru travel time set to reduce NHAI officials said the STRR is expected to reduce travel time between Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru and places such as Mysuru and Kodagu, as the new route will bypass congested city roads. Archana Kumar, Project Director, NHAI, told Moneycontrol: "The distance covered via STRR from Bengaluru airport to Mysuru may be longer, but the travel time will be reduced from four hours to two. From Bengaluru airport, one has the option to take the STRR via Dobbaspet or Ramanagara, and then take the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway to reach Mysuru. Similarly, the travel time from Bengaluru to Coorg is expected to be reduced from seven hours to four," she said. "The STRR will divert commercial vehicles away from the city's arterial road roads and the ORR, which are currently struggling to cope with the traffic. The STRR, which will be located around a 50-km radius from the city centre, will offer a viable route for commercial vehicles," said Kumar. According to the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for Bengaluru prepared by the state government, the highest number of goods vehicles 29 percent enter the city through NH 4 (Tumakuru Road). The percentage of trucks / multi-axle vehicles varies from 6-29 percent across locations, it said. Perishables comprise the largest chunk of goods transported to and from Bengaluru, followed by industrial and manufactured goods, and tankers. The maximum number of industrial goods are carried on Tumakuru Road, followed by Kanakapura Road and Hosur Road. Maximum perishables (foodgrains, vegetables, fruits, etc.) are carried on Old Madras Road and Mysuru Road," the report adds. B Channa Reddy, president of the Federation of Karnataka Lorry Owners Association, said that the STRR and PRR will support efficient freight movement. "At present, high-volume freight and truck movement is restricted to the night time or off-peak hours in Bengaluru. By routing freight not intended for the city through the STRR and PRR, the strain on truck drivers will be reduced, and logistics and fuel costs will decrease", he said. NHAI seeks support to overcome hurdles Jaiswal said that the state government's assistance is crucial for the project as 30 percent of the land acquisition cost needs to be borne by the government. "Timely release of the allocated funds for land acquisition is essential to avoid delays and keep the project on track," he said. "The project is facing land acquisition issues and protests from residents in certain sections. We are experiencing delays in obtaining permissions from the railways, particularly in areas like Ramanagara. The state wildlife board's approval for work in Bannerghatta is still pending. All this is slowing down the project," he said. Jaiswal also highlighted the need for specific exemptions from the state government to facilitate the project's smooth execution. "These include waiving the royalty on sand and stone, and also waiving the state GST on steel and cement, which would ease the financial burden on the project," he said. Indias aviation regulator has conditionally allowed Go First to resume operations after carrying out a multi-location audit earlier this month following a plan to start services submitted by the insolvency resolution professional. If and when the airline starts flying again, it will be an unprecedented, history-creating event in Indian skies because no airline has been able to take to the skies after being shut for over 24 hours. Go First can start operations with 15 aircraft and 114 daily flights. The airline had operated about 25 aircraft in early May, when it decided to suspend services and seek voluntary bankruptcy, blaming engine maker Pratt & Whitney for not supplying enough engines and its overall woes. The move may turn out to be historic, but there are more questions than answers at this stage. Aircraft lessors want their planes back, which has been challenged in court, and various cases are pending. At the same time, the airline owes money to travel agents and passengers, who would be more interested in knowing the fate of their money before proceeding to book flights with Go First in the future. India continues to be a market where flight bookings are driven by indirect channels such as travel agents and online travel agents. Without their past dues being cleared or a plan to clear those dues, both segments would be wary of putting in more money. However, the Indian market is also driven by cost-conscious travellers who are loyal to low fares. Passengers could well be attracted by dropping prices. This may not help the airline shore up profit, but a going concern is better than a grounded one when it comes to attracting buyer interest and decking up for a possible sale. What are the challenges? The audit by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation would have covered various aspects from crew and staff to maintenance and engineering and the ability to sustain operations, subject to funding. It is now up to the bankers to decide on the quantum of funding that may be needed. If the lessors and the airline do not come to an agreement on the use of aircraft, there is limited wet lease capacity available across the world for the airline to use in line with current local laws. Wet-lease is an expensive proposition but could come in handy in imparting confidence to lessors, passengers and the entire ecosystem that the airline is here to stay. Airports have temporarily handed over Go Firsts slots to other airlines that are flying with short-term schedules. Based on the slots that Go First utilises, there will be challenges for other airlines, but in some sectors if not all the competition landscape would have changed since May. Seasonality is playing its part, with the July-September quarter being a lean one. Go Firsts traditional higher presence in tourist-centric markets will not help garner higher revenue in these lean months. At 114 flights a day, Go First will be operating less than 1 percent of all domestic flights and will be smaller than Akasa Air or SpiceJet. Tail Note Go First may create history when it takes off, but the route to survival is long and may get bumpy with court cases. Will the Wadia group bid for the airline with or without a partner? For now, the focus will be on managing costs. The airline had 50+ aircraft in its fleet and operated half of it. This effectively meant it had to generate revenue to pay for leasing and parking 50 planes by operating only half of them. With 15 aircraft that do not have engine issues five of which are likely to be A320ceos the airline will be further hard-pressed to make ends meet. Resumption itself is a massive achievement, but continued operations will be the real challenge and a lot could hinge on what turns the case against Pratt & Whitney in the Delaware court takes. The airline has so far cited the judgement of a Singapore arbitration court directing Pratt & Whitney to provide engines, while the engine manufacturer has made public its inability to do so and also talked about contractual violations by the airline on payments. How will this dispute end? With an eye on the market, will this be settled amicably or will it go down to the wire in the courtroom? Any thoughts right now would be as unpredictable as the monsoon rains. The lenders of cash-strapped airline Go First have decided to proceed with interim funding for the company after the aviation regulator gave a green signal to the airline to resume operations, multiple people aware of the development told CNBC-TV18. The airline's lenders are now seeking individual board approvals to release interim funding for the company, said people in the know. This move comes after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) gave its green light for the airline to resume operations, albeit with certain conditions. Following a crucial meeting held today, the lenders unanimously decided to proceed with the financing, signalling a ray of hope for the cash-strapped airline, CNBC-TV18 has learnt. It should be noted that the lenders had previously given an in-principle nod for approximately Rs 450 crore in interim financing for Go First, last month. However, the final decision on releasing the funds was contingent upon the DGCA's clearance, which has now been obtained. The interim funding assumes utmost importance for Go First as it will enable the airline to resume operations, which have been severely impacted by the economic downturn and the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sources close to the matter have indicated that a substantial portion of the financing is expected to come from two key lenders, namely Bank of Baroda and Central Bank of India. Both institutions have expressed their commitment to supporting the airline during these difficult times. However, one notable absentee in providing further financing is Deutsche Bank, which is unlikely to extend any additional support to Go First. This development might put added pressure on other lenders and the airline's management to secure alternative sources of funding. Go First, formerly known as GoAir, has been grappling with financial difficulties, which led to its admission into the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) on May 10. The airline has outstanding debts amounting to Rs 6,521 crore, owed to various banks including Central Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Deutsche Bank, and IDBI Bank. GoFirst, one of the major players in the Indian aviation industry, has faced stiff competition and market challenges in recent years. The cash-strapped airline filed for bankruptcy, blaming faulty Pratt & Whitney engines which led to the grounding of half its fleet, and revenue hit. As part of the ongoing financial restructuring efforts, Go First had cancelled all its flights until July 23. This temporary halt in operations is aimed at minimising costs and conserving resources while the airline works towards resolving its financial woes. Utkarsh Small Finance Bank opened with a massive 60 percent premium over issue price on July 21, the listing day, attributing to the strong IPO subscription numbers and bullish market conditions. The benchmark indices hit historic highs this week with the Nifty reaching 20,000 mark. The stock started off first day first trade at Rs 40 on the NSE, against the issue price of Rs 25 per share, while the listing price on the BSE was Rs 39.95. The initial public offering of the small finance bank recorded the second highest subscription numbers after Ideaforge Technology in current calendar year, subscribing 101.91 times during July 12-14. Qualified institutional buyers were at the forefront with buying shares 124.85 times the allotted quota, followed by high networth individuals and retail investors who had bid 81.64 times and 72.11 times the part set aside for them. Employees, too, were aggressive in bidding, who part was booked 16.58 times. The attractive valuations along with healthy financials, improving asset quality, and reduction in exposure to unsecured micro banking segment seem to be key reasons that boosted confidence among participants. The Varanasi-based small finance bank raised Rs 500 crore which barring issue expenses will be used for augmenting its Tier-1 capital base to meet the future capital requirements which are expected to arise out of growth in its advances. The price band for the offer was Rs 23-25 per share. The issue had received a subscribe rating from most of brokerages considering the fairly valued issue. The small finance bank (SFB) sector is growing rapidly in India, and Utkarsh Small Finance Bank is one of the leading players in the market. It is well-positioned to benefit from the growth of the SFB sector, as it has a strong focus on underserved segments of the population, Swastika Investmart said, adding the company has a strong track record of growth, and its financial performance has been improving in recent years. Also read: Is the grey market premium of over 70% for Netweb Technologies IPO justified? Utkarsh Small Finance Bank has registered gross loan portfolio growth at a CAGR of 34 percent in its gross loan portfolio during FY18-FY23, reaching Rs 13,957 crore, while the total deposits grew at a CAGR of around 44 percent to Rs 13,710 crore in the same period, backed by expansion of outlets, recovery post-Covid, diverse products, and customer acquisitions. Profit for the year ended March FY23 grew by 558 percent to Rs 405 crore compared to previous year, while net interest income increased 44 percent to Rs 1,529 crore with net interest margin improving from 8.8 percent in FY22 to 9.6 percent in FY23. On the asset quality front, gross non-performing assets (NPA) as a percentage of gross advances falling to 3.2 percent in FY23 from 6.1 percent in FY22 and net NPA declining to 0.4 percent in FY23 from 2.3 percent in FY22, driven by normalisation of business activities post pandemic. "The IPO is priced at a reasonable valuation, and the company has a strong balance sheet. However, there are some risks to consider, such as the competitive landscape and the potential for asset quality problems. Overall, we believe that the IPO is a good opportunity for investors who are looking for exposure to the growth of the SFB sector. So, we have subcribe rating for this IPO," Swastika Investmart had said. Also read: Yatharth Hospital and Trauma Care Services IPO to open on July 26 Considering its resilient performance post COVID, consistent growth in loan book and deposits, healthy return ratios, best cost to income ratio, pan India presence and promising industry outlook, Geojit Securities had also assigned a subscribe rating to the issue, on a short to medium term basis. Over FY21-23 period, Utkarsh has outperformed its peers on all fronts - loan growth, return ratios and asset quality. Its valuation on P/B basis is at a significant discount compared to peers, at 1.1x FY23 post issue BVPS. "Considering that the micro finance industry has come out of severe crisis over 2020-22, with most of the bad loans having weeded out of the system, we expect growth and healthy profitability to resume for the sector as well as for Utkarsh. We recommend subscribing to the issue," Nirmal Bang said. 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. News / Local by Staff reporter Zimbabwe's Supreme Court - which usually makes fair decisions except on major politically sensitive cases - faces a stern litmus credibility test on 26 July when it is expected to decide the fate of independent candidate Saviour Kasukuwere in the 23 August crucial presidential election.The Supreme Court will hear and decide on a badly flawed High Court judgement barring the former Zanu PF commissar, MP and minister from running in the election.Three judges, Susan Mavangira, Chinembiri Bhunu and George Chiweshe, will deal with the matter that has far-reaching consequences for freedoms of movement and residence.A separate and unrelated constitutional case has been filed challenging the Electoral Act infractions on the Bill of Rights or those entrenched fundamental liberties.The relevant controversial case arose after a Zanu PF activist Lovedale Mangwana filed a court application seeking to block Kasukuwere from standing in the election.Mangwana claimed without evidence that Kasukuwere's nomination was invalid as he was automatically no longer a registered voter in Zimbabwe, having allegedly spent 18 consecutive months out of the country.High Court Justice David Mangota ruled in Mangwana's favour in a judgement which lawyers have widely criticised as deeply flawed, not well-thought-out and unsustainable.Kasukuwere appealed, hence suspension of the High Court decision pending the appeal outcome.The appeal hearing has been set down for 26 July.However, Mangwana has also appealed to the High Court for leave to execute the judgement pending the appeal decision.He has also applied to the Supreme Court to treat the matter urgently given that elections are on 23 August.Kasukuwere initially objected to this, but later withdrew the earlier objection to have the case heard on an urgent basis.Given that Mangota incredibly misdirected himself on the case in broad daylight - for instance by giving himself and the court unlawful powers to remove a voter from the voters' roll in violation of the law or shifting the burden of proof to Kasukuwere away from Mangwana - the Supreme Court faces a major litmus credibility test on 26 July. Realty major DLF Ltd on July 21 said that its subsidiary DLF Home Developers Limited's (DHDL) wholly-owned arm Pegeen Builders & Developers will re-enter the real estate market in Mumbai. DLF Home Developers Ltd's (DHDL) wholly-owned arm Pegeen Builders & Developers will allot 9,800 equity shares of Rs 10 each at par to Delhi-based realty firm Trident Buildtech. DLF said that Pegeen Builders & Developers Private Limited (Pegeen) agreed to enter a development agreement with Sahyog Homes to develop the first phase of the Slum Rehabilitation Project in Andheri (W), Mumbai. DLF Limited disclosed that Trident through its wholly-owned subsidiary i.e. Sahyog Homes is currently developing the project. "Trident through its wholly-owned subsidiary i.e. Sahyog Homes Limited (SHL) is presently developing a Slum Rehabilitation Project in Andheri (W), Mumbai ('Project'). Pegeen has also agreed to enter a development agreement with SHL to develop the first phase of the Project," the stock exchange filing said. DLF further stated that Pegeen would allot 9,800 equity shares of face value of Rs 10 per share to Trident. Consequently, post allotment, DHDL will hold 51 percent equity share capital of Pegeen, it said. "DLF Home Developers Limited (DHDL), a wholly-owned subsidiary, has executed a Securities Subscription and Shareholders Agreement, pursuant to which its wholly owned subsidiary i.e. Pegeen Builders & Developers Private Limited (Pegeen) would allot 9,800 equity shares of face value of Rs 10 per share at par to Trident Buildtech Private Limited (Trident). Consequently, post allotment, DHDL will hold 51 percent equity share capital of Pegeen," its statement read, adding that the expected date of completion of the sale/disposal is August 31, 2023. The real estate developer reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 526.11 crore for the quarter ended June 2023, up from Rs 469.21 in the same quarter last year, exceeding analysts' estimates. The total income in the April-June quarter stood at Rs 1,521.71, a marginal increase from Rs 1,516.28 in the same quarter last year. Shares of DLF Limited closed the day at Rs 501 apiece down 0.72 per cent on BSE. On the intraday basis, the stock touched a low of Rs 496.20 apiece, and a high of Rs 505 apiece on July 21. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Dalmia Bharat Limited shares were down 2.65 percent in morning trade on Friday after the companys Net Profit for the recently ended April to June quarter declined by 30 percent to Rs 144 crore against Rs 205 crore reported in Q1FY23. Sequentially, Net Profit declined by 76.35 percent from Rs 609 crore reported in Q4FY23. At 10.30 am, the stock was quoting at Rs 1951.40 apiece, down by Rs 69.55, or 3.44 percent on the NSE. The stock has been on a downward trend since June 21st, having declined 13.29 percent to date. Dalmia Bharat on Thursday reported a 9.8 percent year-on-year (YoY) increase in consolidated revenue for the quarter at Rs 3,624 crore as compared to Rs 3,302 crore in Q1FY23. Sequentially, the revenue declined by 7.36 percent against Rs 3,912 crore reported in the January to March quarter. The OPM (operating profit margins) of the company for Q1FY24 shrunk by 100 basis points to 16.8 percent on a year-over-year basis. We are in the midst of a strong demand environment on the back of a sustained push by the Government on infrastructure and a robust real estate cycle already kicking in. Though we have strong conviction in our ability to outperform the industry, this quarter has been a disappointment as against our expectations, observed Puneet Dalmia, Managing Director and CEO of Dalmia Bharat Limited. In an investor presentation, the company reported a 12.4 percent increase YoY in the consolidated sales volumes and a 15.4 percent YoY decrease in power and fuel costs. However, this was negated by a 9.2 percent YoY increase in the cost of raw materials consumed along with a 5.5 percent YoY increase in the costs incurred for logistics. Despite a drop in profits, both prominent foreign brokerages- Morgan Stanley and Jefferies are positive on the company. Commenting that the profit realisations were in-line with the estimate, Morgan Stanley has an overweight rating on Dalmia Bharat and has set a target price of Rs 2,360. Jefferies has maintained a buy rating on Dalmia Bharat and has set a target price of Rs 2,490. Dalmia Bharat Limited is primarily engaged in the business of cement and cement products. The company serves domestic as well as international markets through its 13 manufacturing plants in India with an installed production capacity of 30.75 million tonnes per annum. The company offers a product lineup consisting of Portland Pozzolona Cement (PPC), Portland Slag Cement (PSC), Portland Composite Cement (PCC), and Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not those of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Nifty was inching closer to the much-awaited 20,000 mark, but Infosys spoiled the party. The disappointing June quarter results posted by the IT behemoth, which has a 6.9 percent weightage on the Nifty 50, dragged the index down on July 21. At 12:30 pm, Infosys was quoting at Rs 1,331 on the NSE, lower by 8 percent from its previous close. The stock tumbled below the crucial 200-day moving average. Infosys' Q1 report card not only wiped out all the gains made by the stock in a month but also made analysts wary of its future prospects. As the management cut revenue growth guidance from 4-7 percent to 1-3.5 percent, 'Buy' calls from analysts on the stock tumbled from 28 to 21 overnight. The 12-month consensus target on the stock, as per Bloomberg, is now 2 percent lower than what it was a day back. If we look at the number of downgrades over the past year, the picture is even gloomier. In fact, the 12-month target for the stock was Rs 1,813 a year back. Currently, it is Rs 1,313, which shows how analysts were way off with their estimates, not having anticipated the kind of slowdown witnessed in discretionary IT spending. Also Read: Infosys nosedives 10% on sharp guidance cut Of the recent lot, Macquarie and Nomura have downgraded their ratings on the stock. Macquarie downgraded the stock to 'underperform' as it was disappointed by the IT behemoth's deal wins in Q1. The brokerage does not see the $2 billion AI deal as a 'mega deal' as it is just an estimate by the management. On the other hand, Nomura has downgraded Infosys to 'reduce' along with a cut in target price to Rs 1,210, which is another 9 percent downside from here. The broking firm has also reduced FY24-25 EPS (earnings per share) estimates for Infosys by 3-4 percent to factor in the weak Q1 earnings. According to Bloomberg, Infosys' EPS for Q1 FY24 came in at Rs 14.37 versus estimates of Rs 15. For the forthcoming quarters, EPS is estimated at Rs 15.5, Rs 15.7 and Rs 16.3. For FY24, the EPS estimate of Rs 61.6, has been revised to 3.2 percent down in a day. Management commentary Infosys top boss Salil Parekh said that in the near term they see clients stopping or slowing down transformation programs and discretionary works particularly in financial services in mortgages, asset management, investment banking and payments, and in telecom. We also see some impact in the hi-tech industry and in parts of retail, he said. Also Read: Delays in decision-making, clients cutting back on spends: Why Infosys sees a bleak year ahead In the meeting with analysts, Chief Financial Officer Nilanjan Roy said the decline in guidance, among other reasons was due to lower-than-expected volumes and lower mega deals in discretionary areas. 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 IT index has plunged over 4% after the guidance shocker from Infosys. The relief rally that the index had witnessed in the past week has completely fizzled out as shares of India's second largest IT services giant nosediving as much as 10% during intraday trade. However, Trideep Bhattacharya of Edelweiss AMC remains neutral on the industry despite low valuations, he told CNBC TV18 in an interview held on July 21. The market expert has upgraded to a neutral stance as against the underweight stance of last year but is not looking to modify his holdings in the sector as of present. In the context of our portfolio positioning then, we were massively underweight, about 300 basis points or so, about a year or so ago. We are now standing neutral. I think as we speak, that probably is in sync with, in tandem with where fundamentals are. So we have benefited from some of the relief rally that have come through said Bhattacharya. The Nifty IT Index has delivered a mere 1.77 percent return over the past 6 months as against the Nifty 50s return of 9.14 percent over the same period. At 12pm on July 21, the Nifty IT Index is trading a percent lower at 19,773.45. Although the sector has not performed worse than expected, Bhattacharya believes that the IT sector may not see a material recovery in the next two to three quarters. This view is in line with TCS CEO Krithivasans recent comment stating need a quarter or two before we can say difficult times are behind. Market Expert Andrew Holland also suggests waiting for another quarter before investing in IT. The overall sentiment of market experts suggesting refrain from investing in the IT sector for the next few quarters comes despite the 157 percent zoom in workforce demand from the IT sector in the first six months of 2023. National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma on Friday said she had reached out thrice in the last three months to authorities in Manipur over incidents of violence against women but no response was received from them. She was responding to reports in a section of the media that claimed the commission had on June 12 received a complaint about the incident of two women being paraded naked on May 4 in the ethnic violence-hit northeastern state but had not taken any action. The May 4 video surfaced online on July 19. Sharma denied receiving any report of the incident and said she took suo motu cognisance of it on Friday after the video surfaced and sought explanation from authorities on the matter. However, the NCW chief said that she had received other complaints regarding women issues and for that she had reached out thrice to authorities in Manipur but no response was received from them. She also shared the letters sent to authorities in the state. Sharma had written to them over complaints of incidents of violence against women. "We had to verify the authenticity, and also the complaints were not from Manipur, some were not even from India. We reached out to authorities but no response was received from them but then we took suo motu cognisance when the video (of women being paraded naked) went viral yesterday," Sharma said. The letters were written on May 18, May 29 and June 19. Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after the May 4 video surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a group of men from the other side. Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident, official sources in Imphal said on Thursday night, as the 26-second video capturing the ordeal of the two tribal women a day after ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern state on May 3 stoked a nationwide outrage. The horrific footage surfaced only on Wednesday and became viral after the internet ban was lifted. More than 160 people have lost their lives, and several have been 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. A group of 30 prominent domestic and international startup investors, including Tiger Global, Peak XV Partners, and Steadview Capital wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 21 to express their concern that the GST Council's recent decision to levy a 28 percent tax on the online real-money gaming sector could lead to a "potential write-off" of the $2.5 billion capital invested in the sector. The investors said that the current GST proposal will set up the "most onerous tax regime for the gaming sector" across the world. "This will also adversely impact prospective investments to the tune of at least $4 billion in the next 3-4 years and hence the growth of the gaming sector in India," the letter read. The decision will also "substantially and meaningfully erode investor confidence" in backing this or any other "sunrise sector" in the Indian tech ecosystem, it said. Moneycontrol has viewed a copy of the letter. Investors claim that the decision has the "unintended consequence" of equating the "constitutionally protected legitimate online skill gaming industry with gambling, betting and other games of chance. It also mentions that the council has changed the methodology of determining value of supply from the decade-old practice of charging service tax/GST on the gaming operators platform fee to a levy of GST on the full value that includes the player's contribution towards the prize pool. "This will result in wholesale destruction of the sector, including for many MSMEs and startups, which may no longer be able to sustain their business operations and will shut down with immediate effect," the letter read. Investors claimed that the move would result in a loss of "over 50,000 high-skilled jobs and a loss of livelihood opportunity for over one million Indian citizens who are indirectly associated with this industry" Roughly $1 billion spent by the sector on advertisements would also be wiped off leading to a cascading adverse impact on the larger media and entertainment industry, they warned in the letter. "We invested in this sector with the vision to make India the gaming capital of the world, which would help in generating, among other things, high-skilled jobs, billions in foreign capital and make the country a net exporter of innovation in gaming and allied areas such as animation, artificial intelligence and visual effects," the letter further added. It's worth noting that Tiger Global is an investor in Games24x7, a skill-based gaming unicorn, while Peak XV has previously backed Mobile Premier League (MPL), a real-money gaming unicorn. Additionally, Steadview Capital is an investor in Dream11, a fantasy sports major, and MPL's game development studio, Mayhem Studios. Among the other investors who have signed the letter are Kalaari Capital, ChrysCapital, Orios Venture Partners, Lumikai, Kotak Private Equity, Malabar Investments, Smile Group, and Matrix Partners India. International investors include Think Investments, Clairvest Group, Tribe Capital, DST Global, Alpha Wave Global, and RTP Global. The investors have now sought a brief meeting with the prime minister and relevant officials to discuss the matter in more detail. The letter from investors comes on the heels of a group of around 130 real-money gaming startup founders, CEOs, and industry associations signing an open letter to the government. In the letter, they requested the government to reconsider the recent decision to levy 28 percent on the full value of pool deposit, Moneycontrol reported on July 15. On July 11, the GST Council decided to impose the top GST slab of 28 percent on the full value of the money paid by users to play skill-based games in a uniform manner, with no distinction made between games of skill and chance. Gaming platforms currently pay an 18 percent GST on platform fees. This decision, which came after years of deliberation, shocked the country's burgeoning real-money gaming industry. Several industry executives and associations have warned that this move will "wipe out the entire industry and lead to job losses". In the letter, the investors said that if the GST is levied on every contest played every time, with fully taxed winnings, the GST burden will increase by 1,100 percent. "On account of taxation of redeployed player winnings, the same money will get taxed repeatedly resulting in a scenario where over 50-70% of every rupee will go towards GST, thereby making the online real money skill gaming business model unviable," it said. The letter instead suggested that the government levy 28% GST on the platform fees or gross gaming revenue (GGR), which would result in a 55 percent increase in GST quantum. "This would ensure that the Indian online gaming operators are able to survive and are able to be a key contributor to the Indian economy. In addition, such a suggestion of levying GST on GGR would be in line with internationally accepted and proven practices" it read. These tax rates do not apply to free-to-play and paid video games in the country, wherein the 18 percent GST rate is already included in the app sales on Google Play and Apple App Store. The real-money gaming segment accounted for 77 percent of India's gaming sector revenues in 2022 which stood at Rs 13,500 crore, as per a recent FICCI-EY report. These revenues are set to grow to Rs 16,700 crore in 2023 and Rs 23,100 crore in 2025, it said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has called on finance ministry officials to ensure all Land Customs stations in the North-East region of the country are enabled electronically by the end of 2023 to help clamp down on smuggling of illicit items such as gold, drugs, and cigarette sticks. Speaking at the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) Investiture Ceremony in Guwahati on July 21, Sitharaman said the North-East region was crucial because of the border it shared with Myanmar, Tibet, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. The region houses 25 functional Land Customs Stations facilities that provide transit, customs, immigration, and cargo handling services for the movement of goods and passengers of which 15 are enabled with Electronic Data Interchange. Electronic Data Interchange is the exchange of information with foreign trade partners via a standardised format. "I would like 25 done within December of this year. It is not a big challenge for CBIC," the finance minister said. "I really fail to understand why we would want to consume more time in making the rest of those Land Customs Stations electronic. We should do it at the earliest. It helps us to get a better picture of what's moving in and out. And also the moment you do electronic, there is a lot more transparency," she added. Also Read: India needs to lead and set global agenda on smuggling While the finance minister admitted that making all the Land Customs Stations electronic would not eliminate smuggling altogether, it was imperative CBIC officials focused on stopping smuggling. "The kind of things which are getting smuggled through the North-East are worrisome. We are quite used to seeing huge amount of gold and 'ganja'. But now, chemical and artificial drugs are getting into the country in unbelievable numbers," Sitharaman said. Also Read: Amit Shah says Modi govt to crack down on drug smuggling Legitimate businesses affected She also added that the smuggling of cigarette sticks was "killing" people as well as small Indian industry. "We want no cigarettes at all in this country, but if there are cigarettes which are being manufactured in this country with a legitimate licence, they are now gone because we are not getting rid of cigarettes but we are getting rid of our own cigarettes at the cost of smuggled cigarettes, which are coming in which we are not able to detect successfully," she said. According to Sitharaman, these smuggled cigarettes were doing the rounds in major cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai, where policing "should not be a problem". "Equally, all of them heroin, or cigarettes, or other drugs need to be detected better," she said. As the two largest democracies of the world hits the election cycle ahead of the next year's presidential elections in the US and parliamentary polls in India, politician-turned-diplomat Eric Garcetti believes that the politicians need to focus on leadership and governance and the elections would take care of them. "I love elections, and maybe it's because I've been in many of them. But it's a moment where the people get to prove that they're in control, that it's not the top down, it's the bottom up in our countries; a moment to listen to candidates, hear what they're going to say, and make a decision based on what's in your own best interest," US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti told PTI in an interview. Garcetti is currently in the US for consultations with Biden administration officials, a month after the historic State visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and before the upcoming presidential trip to India for the G20 Summit. Both India and the United States are headed into an election cycle. While the parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in April-May, the presidential polls in the US are scheduled to hit in January with the primaries. Garcetti, said to be a rising star in the ruling Democratic party, was elected as the Mayor of Los Angeles in 2013 and re-elected in 2017. At 42 years of age, he was elected as the youngest mayor in more than 100 years. In just three and half months since being in New Delhi as America's top diplomat in India, Garcetti has travelled to about a dozen Indian states. His Twitter account shows he loves vibrant Indian culture and cuisines. "I love the vibrancy of the Indian democracy. Democracies are difficult. They're not always perfect, but they're worth fighting for. And my advice to any leader running is don't be a politician, be a leader. Govern and elections take care of themselves," Garcetti told PTI. In response to a question, the Ambassador said Americans are starting to have a better understanding of India. "But beyond loving the food, one in four Americans being treated by an Indian doctor who's immigrated here, I think they're beginning to ask even deeper questions. Tell me more about the culture? The history? Maybe I want to visit as a tourist. Maybe I'd think about studying there, if I'm a university student; invest there, if I have capital," he said. "These things are deepening that relationship beyond the positive kind of surface level feelings that Americans have to really getting to the core of what I hope will be a 50-year friendship that will deepen both our country's experiences," the ambassador said. President Joe Biden, according to the Ambassador, probably has been the most pro-India President that the US has ever had and understands what's at stake. "That this isn't just about good relations. This isn't just about deterring bad actors. This is about raising the potential of our two countries to not be two plus two equals four, but that we could be two times, two times two times two. It's exponential in what we can produce together. "So sometimes it's fear and common challenge that brings us together, whether it's making sure we do risk supply chains, have freedom of navigation, deal with climate change, but it's also good opportunities about how we can raise people out of poverty and empower women, make sure that all people have a sense of belonging in our very diverse countries. "And to me, that's the most exciting place. And I've heard both leaders in their private conversations really engage about values, democracy, rule of law, freedom, and that contrast with parts of the world that don't have those values," Garcetti said. Responding to a question, Garcetti said the Prime Minister was happy with his US visit. "I know he was told by everyone around him, and he expressed it to me too, how happy he was with this visit. I think he understands that America is the place where India and America are together. We can find breakthroughs to cancer and tuberculosis. We can figure out safer ways to protect our countries," he said. "He seems to be just as Joe Biden is the most pro-Indian President we've had; I think he is the most pro-America Prime Minister in many ways. And he balances all the relationships around the world, but he's somebody who understands that there is a special person-to-person relationship between the US and India. And in many ways, he embodies that with Biden," Garcetti said. Garcetti said some people say the US and India can't engage on values, human rights, democracy, "but that's not the case". "I've witnessed that we do, and we will continue to. Maybe it's on trade where we see, India still has the most protectionist measures of any major economy in the world. I see a desire to bring those down in order to have manufacturing and iPhones, maybe Teslas, others come in key American technologies and brands," he said. "I don't see a lot of places of friction and where I've seen friction, what gives me a lot of hope is we're able to resolve them very quickly. No friendship, no relationship, no marriage is always agreeing all the time. But what we do have is the ability to talk to each other frankly and get to a yes or an understanding with each other and move on to the places where we agree," Garcetti said. Responding to a question, Garcetti said human rights and the Ukraine war are areas of difference, but they are also areas of opportunity. "We'll keep expressing our values. We're not going to stop speaking out about the Russian invasion, unprovoked, of Ukraine and pointing out that sovereignty and borders mean something to every country, including India. "Those are values worth fighting for and worth defending. On the flip side, we listen to India. This is not a relationship where America is coming to teach India and India is the student. We both need to be students and teachers to each other. When we have that sort of relationship, I think again, the future is limitless," Garcetti said. Poll authorities on July 21 launched a month-long voter registration campaign in Delhi, during which house-to-house verification will be done by booth-level officers, officials said on July 21. The integrated draft electoral roll will be published on October 17 and the final roll published on January 5, they said. "A month-long voter registration campaign was launched today. In line with the vision of the Election Commission of 'No Voter to be Left Behind', house-to-house verification will be done by BLOs (booth-level officers) in this period," a senior official said. During the campaign, deletion and modification of voter-related data will also be done, he said. Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Delhi, Ranbir Singh held a meeting with all recognised political parties regarding the campaign. Representatives from the Congress, BJP, BSP, AAP, NPP and the CPI(M) were present at the meeting on July 20. He informed them about the ensuing survey to verify all entries in the voter lists and sought their cooperation in creating mass awareness about the need to provide correct information to the visiting officers regarding unenrolled eligible citizens, prospective voters (who will be 18 years old on or before 1.10.2024) as well as dead and permanently shifted electors to make the electoral rolls pure, healthy and inclusive in all aspects, the CEO's office said in a statement. Singh also shared with them the schedule and details of the ensuing Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls (with reference to 1.1.2024 as the qualifying date), the statement said. "During this one-month campaign, all the 13,649 BLOs will visit each and every house of their allotted polling station area and verify each and every entry in the electoral roll," it said. Sharad Mittal, the CEO of Real Estate Funds at Motilal Oswal Alternates, has resigned from the company after successfully raising five funds worth over Rs 7,500 crore from global and domestic investors over the last 10 years. With over two decades of experience in the real estate industry, Mittal plans to start his real estate fund. In light of his departure, Saurabh Rathi and Anand Lakhotia have been appointed as co-heads for the real estate platform. Vishal Tulsyan, Founder & CEO of MO Alternates, expressed confidence in the firm's future despite Mittal's departure, emphasising the strength of their real estate investment platform and the promising outlook for the realty market over the next decade. MO Alternates currently manages five real estate funds and four growth capital funds, with a cumulative asset under management of over $2 billion or Rs 16,400 crore. Of this, assets worth over Rs 7,300 crore are under the real estate platform. The real estate fund has been actively managing its portfolio and has achieved over 74 profitable exits, boasting an average return of 20.4% internal rate of return (IRR) from more than 143 investments made across 8 cities in India. Mittal's decision to embark on his entrepreneurial journey comes amid a notable upswing in the housing property market in recent years, leading to several senior managers in the real estate funds sector venturing out on their own. Mohit Malhotra, former MD and CEO of Godrej Properties, has also started his fund, NeoLiv, with plans to raise $150 million according to ET. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Saudi Telecom Company (stc) has announced that it has successfully completed the sale of a prime plot of its land at Al Khobar city in the kingdom's Eastern Province for SR1.38 billion ($368 million). Hasan Abdulrahman Almusleh Alqahtani purchased the land plot at a price of SR336 per sq m, said stc in its filing to the Saudi bourse Tadawul. The sale deal was guaranteed by a non-refundable deposit worth SR10 million and a SR1.36 billion promissory note in favour of the Tadawul-listed firm. Located in Al Murjan area in South Al Aziziah district, the assets book value amounted to SR82 million. The financial impact will appear in the consolidated financial statements for the third quarter. News / National by Desmond Nleya Citizens Coalition for Change leader, Nelson Chamisa continues to feast on ZANU PF territories ahead of the watershed elections scheduled for next month.The opposition leader this Friday crisscrossed Plumtree in Matabeleland South drumming up support for His party and candidates.In the morning Chamisa visited Masendu area where he addressed thousands of his supporters who braved the chilly weather to see the man they deem their "only hope".After addressing the rally, the youthful leader crossed to the other side at Linda Bussiness near the border with Botswana where his supporters waited patiently.As usual, in his speeches, Chamisa promised a better Zimbabwe for everyone saying ZANU PF has drained the country into poverty.Ironically, Masendu area is just a stone throw away from Nyele, where ZANU PF had its meagre rally early this month.Chamisa visit to Plumtree follows other similar visits to Midlands earlier this week where he addressed crowds in ZANU PF. Washingtons doubling down on pro-India Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League government ahead of the countrys December general elections militates against Indias interests in its backyard and has substantially increased both External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankars and National Security Adviser Ajit Dovals workload when they were least expecting it. India and the United States are backing rival political parties in election-bound Bangladesh underlining a sharp geo-strategic divergence among Quad allies in yet another nation in Indias periphery after Myanmar and Afghanistan. In this scenario, one cant help but ask: Has the Biden Administration become proactive because it has lost all confidence in Indias capabilities to counter Chinas increasing presence in Bangladesh, leaving Uncle Sam with no other option but to pad up and come out to bat? Or is the US needling India for buying Russian oil? Indias Hasina Preference The Narendra Modi government wants Hasina to become the PM for a fourth straight term as she and her government have served Indias national interests well since 2009. But American pressure, especially the threat to cancel US visas of those obstructing free and fair elections backed by visits of top US officials, has tied down the unapologetically pro-India Hasina regime and raised the morale of the anti-India Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the even more anti-India Jamaat-e-Islami, which has connections with Pakistan. The wind in the Oppositions sails is not good news for New Delhi. Its undermining Indias influence in Bangladesh and has placed obstacles in the path of our diplomatic and security establishments. Bangladeshs importance for India cant be overemphasised. It is not a neighbouring country like Pakistan, Nepal or Bhutan its much, much more than that. Lets not forget that geographically Bangladesh is embedded inside India. Save for a short boundary with Myanmar and the waters of the Bay of Bengal in the south, Bangladesh is surrounded by as many as five Indian states West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram on all sides. In that sense, Bangladesh is indeed inside India, so to say. Conversely, it can be said that India encircles Bangladesh territorially. Bangladeshs domestic politics and governance naturally impacts India more than other country in the world and certainly much, much more than the US which is continents and oceans away from Bangladesh. Yet, the superpower that the Modi regime looks up to and loves to cosy up and even basks in its reflected glory, has intentionally waded into Bangladeshi waters, unnecessarily putting at risk Indias stakes in its zone of influence and generally making life difficult for New Delhi. Opposition Gets A Breather After the US threatened to sanction any Bangladeshi politician or official, including those in the election commission, judiciary, law enforcement agencies and armed forces, obstructing free and fair elections, the administration gave permission to the much-maligned Jamaat to hold its first public rally after 10 years. The go-ahead was like a miracle. Bangladeshs largest Islamist party was pounded and hounded for a decade. A court even revoked its registration as a political party. The Jamaat rubbed its eyes in disbelief when it got Dhaka metropolitan police permission to assemble for a political programme. Subsequently, it was revealed that it was not an administrative but a political decision, making it abundantly clear that it was taken at the very top. Which means that US pressure tactics has shaken and softened up the Awami League leadership. With US help, the hammered and browbeaten Opposition is reclaiming the democratic space from an authoritarian Hasina who pretends to be a Mahathir Mohamad and Lee Kwan Yew rolled in one to legitimise her repression. US Undermining Indian Interests India has excellent reasons to not be bothered by what Hasina does in her own country as long as she gives us what we want. But the US clearly doesnt want a repetition of the rigged elections of 2014 and 2018 which have become an international benchmark of farcical polls. The US stance is deeply upsetting for New Delhi as it has the potential to bring about a regime change which is against our interests. Last week, senior US officials spent four days in Bangladesh to exert even more pressure. State Departments Uzra Zeya, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, and Donald Lu, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of South and Central Asia, held long meetings not only with the PM but with the Foreign, Home and Law ministers. It seemed more like a fact-finding mission than a diplomatic visit with the Americans talking to various cabinet ministers separately to get to the bottom of things and fix responsibility. Before flying out, Zeya announced that US sanctions against the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Hasinas militia for terrorising the Opposition and critics clamped in December 2021 wont be lifted as they have produced documented results. Moreover, US officials extracted an assurance that the Draconian Digital Security Act will be rolled back. The overall US approach doesnt augur well for Indias goals and interests in a country which New Delhi prioritises over all other nations. SNM Abdi is an independent journalist specialising in Indias foreign policy and domestic politics. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Historically, India-bashing has been a favourite pastime of the elites in Dhaka. Over the last decade, those in support of Sheikh Hasinas Awami League government blamed Delhi for 'not doing enough.' And, those against accused India of 'manufacturing' election outcomes in Hasinas favour. While India continues to be a popular theme, Bangladeshis are not expecting Delhi to be a factor in the forthcoming election in December-January. The principal opposition, Khaleda Zias Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is pinning hopes on the American promise to ensure a fair election, to assume power after a gap of 15 years. Zia was found guilty in several corruption cases and was released from prison temporarily on health grounds. The party is now remote-controlled by her son Tarique Rahman. A convict in a 2004 grenade attack on Hasina, Rahman has been living in exile in London and has reportedly hired some former American diplomats for lobbying. The potential pitfalls of the US meddling apart, the prevailing scenario has created an opportunity for Delhi to de-risk itself from the emerging political equations in Bangladesh where an unpopular Hasina may try every trick at her disposal to stick to power. Unfortunately for India, the alternative is worse. Return Of The Jamaat Going by the recent chain of events, the return of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami long held for sponsoring anti-India terrorist activities in electoral space, is a writing on the wall. A six-member Election Exploratory Mission from the European Union (EU) met Jamaat this week. Once an electoral ally of BNP, Jamaat was banned from contesting elections by the apex court of Bangladesh in August 2013, for upholding Sharia law in their party constitution. The party constitution has since been amended. Possibilities are wide open that Hasina will give extra space to Jamaat to keep BNP away from power. Political observers in Dhaka feel that apart from its open stance in favour of Pakistan and against India, Jamaat always maintained close rapport with all sides and vice-versa. The association is old. In 1952, Ghulam Azam, then general secretary of the Dhaka University Central Students Union (DUCSU) was at the forefront of the famous language movement. Azam later became the tallest leader of Jamaat. They were very much a part of the movement in East Pakistan for a better share of economic and political power till 1970 but took the side of Pakistan when League gave the call for Independence in March 1971. For the next nine months, many Jamaat leaders volunteered as Pakistan-sponsored militia which was responsible for killing and raping millions. The resulting mass exodus mostly of minority Hindus to India, forced Indira Gandhi government in Delhi to act. The short but intense India-Pakistan war paved the way for the surrender of the Pakistani army in Bangladesh in December 1971. Dhaka adopted a secular constitution, thereby taking the wind away from Jamaats dream to build a Sharia-based constitution. Jamaat was back in relevance in mainstream politics in 1990 when they acted as a cementing force between Hasina and Khaleda Zias BNP to build a united opposition against the army ruler HM Ershad. The 1991 election saw Khaleda Zias rise to power. A few years later, Jamaat accused the Zia government of authoritarianism and joined the chorus with Hasina for holding the 1996 election under a caretaker government. League won the election. Political Opportunism The relationship between League and Jamaat turned exceptionally sour over the execution of Abdul Quader Mollah, in 2013, for Liberation War crimes. Many in Dhaka believe Hasina was not keen on such a confrontation. League came to power in 2008 promising trial of war criminals. Mollah, a Jamaat bigwig and a known culprit was handed out life imprisonment by the trial court in February 2013. Secular, liberal forces took it as a ploy to keep him off the hook and launched a mass protest known as the Shahbag movement demanding capital punishment. The violence by Jamaat added fuel to the fire, making it imperative for Hasina to protect her electoral constituency. The prevailing trial laws didnt allow the petitioner, the government, to appeal to the higher court. The law was amended. Supreme Court handed out capital punishment. Mollah was hanged on December 11, three weeks ahead of the 2014 General Election that was abstained by BNP. A lot has changed in Dhaka since. The secular face of the League suffered serious dilution as it started flirting with the biggest Islamic pressure group, Hefazat-e-Islam, from the second term in power. Hefazat controls unregistered madrasas in the country and provides mass support to religion-based politics. The government accommodated many of their Sharia-based demands including the withdrawal of 'un-Islamic' content from the school textbooks and the removal of some sculptures, ahead of the 2018 election which was rigged, to say the least. In a parallel development, Jamaat activists infiltrated into the rank and files of League and other parties post-2013 ban. The traditional ideology-based organisation of the League has also become weak during the long stay in power. Everything Is Possible Bangladesh is known as a country of impossibilities. And, anything can happen in this election. In the past, HM Ershads Jatiya Party played an invaluable role to the incumbent by switching sides at ease. It is not known if Jamaat will be as opportunistic, but rest assured it will play a key role in this election. Unfortunately, the Manmohan Singh government burnt Indias bridges with Jamaat in 2013. In a visit to Dhaka weeks ahead of the election, Indian foreign secretary Sujatha Singh told Bangladeshi media that Delhi wanted to keep Jamaat out of the race for power. It is not known if the Narendra Modi government repaired the relations. Pratim Ranjan Bose is an independent columnist, researcher, and consultant. His Twitter handle is @pratimbose. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Wheat is the worlds most important staple and so, perhaps unsurprisingly, its also been wielded as a powerful weapon. Luckily for the world, this time around its mostly proving to be a dud. The US weaponised the cereal against the Soviet Union in 1980, when President Jimmy Carter imposed a wheat embargo on its Cold War rival in response to the invasion of Afghanistan. Four decades and another Russian invasion later, its Vladimir Putin whos dragging wheat into war, imposing an embargo on Ukrainian grain exports that could cost the nation as much as $800 million a month in badly needed hard currency. The West has limited options to respond. Short of NATO nations providing escorts for Ukrainian grain shipments and risking direct confrontation with Moscow, Russia has the upper hand. When Putin agreed last year to a deal re-starting Ukrainian grain and oilseeds shipments via the Black Sea, the Kremlins calculation was that it had much to lose from blocking the agreement, but something to win at only a small cost. In mid-2022, the Russian President desperately needed to keep the Global South onboard, so diverting the blame for rising global food prices was essential. Back then, the cost of wheat had surged to a record of $13.40 a bushel, nearly three times above the 2000-2020 average of $4.95. That risked alienating Russia allies in Africa, Latin America and Asia. Putin also wanted to nudge the US and Europe into facilitating Russias own grain exports by easing banking sanctions. For Moscow, the costs Ukraine would make several hundred million dollars each month exporting foodstuff were outweighed by the potential benefits. And, in any case, Kyiv was already exporting its agricultural commodities into Eastern Europe in great quantities, so the sense in Moscow probably was that the accord would simply re-route existing Ukrainian exports to sea from overland. A year later, the calculation has changed. Wheat prices have fallen nearly 50 percent from their 2022 peak, easing pressure in the Global South. Despite a spike this week, wheat is changing hands at around $7.50 a bushel. On the propaganda front, Moscow can show that Ukrainian shipments have been largely flowing into wealthy European nations and China, rather than hungry countries in Africa. Meanwhile, Russias own wheat exports have surged to an all-time high, limiting any extra gains for the Kremlin in continuing with the deal, formally known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, even if Western nations were to accept Moscow demands for more sanctions relief. In another development in the past year, Kyiv is also struggling with the overland route as several Eastern European nations have imposed their own bans on Ukrainian foodstuff exports to protect domestic farmers. The de facto embargoes are in response to a flood of Ukrainian grain depressing local prices in Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania. Russia isnt the only country handicapping Ukrainian farming. So Putin canceled the agreement earlier this week and has since doubled down, first bombing the port of Odessa, its agricultural export hub, and then warning that any ship involved with Ukrainian foodstuffs would be deemed a legitimate military target. Ukraine retaliated on Thursday by making the same threat to vessels heading to Russian ports. From French President Emmanuel Macron to the White House, the West has denounced the Russian move in apocalyptic terms. The continued weaponisation of food harms millions of vulnerable people around the world, US State Secretary Antony Blinken said in a statement. They may be correct about the moral argument, but their commodity-market analysis is wrong. Thankfully for global food security, 2023 isnt 2022, and bumper crops over the last year should put a lid on wheat, corn and soybean prices. Ironically, Russia is contributing to keep prices under control thanks to those record wheat exports. In the 2023-24 season year, Moscow is expected to ship 47.5 million metric tons of wheat, more than double the amount it exported a decade ago. Global food prices are down more than a fifth from their 2022 peak, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Wheat prices have halved; the cost of corn has fallen 33 percent, and soybean prices are down 15 percent. The only worry is the cost of rice, which has surged to a two-year high, up 30 percent from a year ago. But Ukraine doesnt export any rice, and the jump is being prompted by worries about bad weather hurting crops, rather than war. In 1987 to 1988, President Ronald Reagan sent the Navy into the Persian Gulf to create an humanitarian corridor for oil tankers during the Iran-Iraq War. Could be the same done now in the Black Sea for grain shipments? The risk would be huge. If sending NATO warships is too risky, what else the West can do? Frustratingly, its best hope is that global food prices rally, and the Global South particularly the likes of India, Saudi Arabia and Egypt put pressure on the Kremlin. If wheat prices dont surge, Washington and Brussels will either have to accept the Russian blockade, offer concessions to Moscow, or pay Eastern European nations large subsidies to accept Ukrainian wheat. None of those is a good option, but Kyiv is going to need help. The collapse of the grain corridor, alongside the overland route to its Eastern European neighbors, will cost Ukraine dearly. More is at stake than just the cost of breakfast. Javier Blas is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering energy and commodities. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication. Credit: Bloomberg USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Nearly 46 percent of sitting MLAs who changed political parties after elections face criminal charges, with 38 percent facing serious criminal charges under the IPC. Among turncoat MLAs, 88 percent were crorepatis, according to data released by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR). As many as 120 MLAs across India switched parties after elections, the ADR said in a report. The Bharatiya Janata Party gained the most number of these MLAs, with 42 percent of them joining the party. The Congress lost the most number of MLAs about 28 percent of the turncoat MLAs were originally from the party. Among the 50 MLAs that joined the BJP, as many as 20 were originally with the Congress. The highest number of turncoat MLAs were from Telangana, followed by Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, according to the report by ADR, which analysed the current legislative assembly of each state. In Telangana, all MLAs except T Raja Singh, who was suspended by the BJP and became an independent MLA, went to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, now known as the Bharat Rashtra Samithi. The large number in Maharashtra was due to the split in the Shiv Sena in late June 2022. Criminal netas As much as 44 percent of the 4,001 MLAs covered in the study had criminal cases against them, with 28 percent facing serious criminal cases including charges such as murder, attempt to murder, and kidnapping. At 202, Uttar Pradesh had the most number of MLAs with criminal cases. And as many as 155 MLAs from the state had serious criminal cases against them. Percentage-wise, Kerala led the list with 70 percent of sitting MLAs in the state having criminal cases against them. However, these criminal cases include those filed against MLAs during protests and agitations. If only serious criminal cases are considered, the figure drops to 27 percent for Kerala. Among political parties, the BJP had the highest number of MLAs with criminal cases (479) and serious criminal cases (337). The Congress has 334 MLAs with declared criminal cases and 194 MLAs with serious criminal cases. Crorepati MLAs According to the ADR report, MLAs in India had assets worth Rs 13.63 crore on average. The report noted that the average assets of MLAs with criminal cases were Rs 16.36 crore, higher than the average assets of MLAs with no criminal cases, at Rs 11.45 crore. Karnataka led with regard to the average assets of MLA, as shown in the chart. The state also had the highest share of billionaire MLAs 32 MLAs from the state had assets worth more than Rs 100 crore. Individually, MLAs from Karnataka also took up the top three spots in the list of MLAs with the highest amount of assets. Hitting out at the Centre over the violence in Manipur, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said that she was in talks with CMs of states ruled by parties in the opposition coalition INDIA to send a delegation to the Northeastern state. Speaking to reporters, she said "mothers and daughters" of the country are crying after seeing the May 4 video from Manipur that showed two women being paraded naked by a mob. "Today, I am extremely troubled. I feel ashamed having seen that horrific video clip, which has gone viral. Although it has been taken down from social media after being forced by the government, the fact is already so many people have witnessed the barbarism. This anarchy has to stop. It is due to the Centre's policies that the country is burning," she said. Taking on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Banerjee said whataboutery is not the way to go forward. "The PM was busy equating the tragedy in Manipur with Bengal, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. Whataboutery is not the way to go forward. What is wrong is wrong. Rather than suppressing facts by countering us, they should ensure that the country doesn't suffer," she said. Calling the BJP a "merchant of violence", Banerjee said the Centre should work to unite all communities. "When the PM goes abroad, he keeps claiming that democracy is alive and that ours is the biggest democracy in the world. But in reality, the BJP bats for one-party rule, which is atrociously terrible," she said. The Trinamool Congress chief said parties in the opposition coalition INDIA were discussing the situation in Manipur. "If we get an opportunity, some of the chief ministers would want to go to Manipur," she said. "INDIA stands for Manipur, INDIA stands for peace and unity. We will talk among ourselves and see if the other parties agree to the proposal," she added. Earlier in a tweet, she had described the May 4 incident as an "act of barbarism". "Heartbroken and outraged to witness the horrific video from Manipur showing the brutal treatment of two women by a frenzied mob. No words can express the pain and anguish of witnessing the violence inflicted on marginalised women. This act of barbarism is beyond comprehension and humanity. "We must stand united in condemning such inhumane actions by the miscreants & bring justice to the victims," Banerjee tweeted. The BJP claimed that Banerjee was trying to divert attention from "her government's failures" in maintaining the law and order situation in West Bengal. "So many people have died during the panchayat elections. She should first answer why there is lawlessness in the state and so many people died," BJP national vice president Dilip Ghosh said. A video shot on May 4 surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities in Manipur being paraded naked and molested by a mob from the other side. Four persons have so far been arrested in connection with the incident. 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. OpenAIs new update lets you give ChatGPT Custom instructions Custom instructions allows you to tailor ChatGPT to more specifically understand you. Custom instructions allow you to tailor ChatGPT to more specifically understand you, for example, "a teacher crafting a lesson plan no longer has to repeat that they're teaching 3rd-grade science. A developer preferring efficient code in a language thats not Python they can say it once, and it's understood". Custom instructions is currently in the beta phase and is available to all ChatGPT Plus subscribers. The company says the feature will expand to all users in the coming weeks. The feature is not currently available in the UK and EU. AI companies will commit to safeguards in the US The firms will agree to abide by eight principles according to a draft document. Companies such as Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI among others have agreed they will commit to certain safeguards regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI), following a request by the White House. According to Bloomberg, the companies have agreed to certain principles regarding the use and research of AI technologies but the agreement will expire once the US Congress passes AI legislation. AI being used for hacking and misinfo, top Canadian cyber official says Canadian Centre for Cyber Security Head Sami Khoury said that his agency had seen AI being used "in phishing emails, or crafting emails in a more focused way, in malicious code (and) in misinformation and disinformation." In an interview this week, Canadian Centre for Cyber Security Head Sami Khoury said that his agency had seen AI being used "in phishing emails, or crafting emails in a more focused way, in malicious code (and) in misinformation and disinformation." Canada's top cybersecurity official told Reuters, early evidence that the technological revolution sweeping Silicon Valley has also been adopted by cybercriminals. 19-year-old Aditya Prabhu, a first-semester BTech (Computer Science) student at Bengalurus PES University, died by suicide after being accused of cheating by using his mobile phone during an examination. The incident, which took place on July 17, has sparked intense controversy, with social media posts apparently from the teens family pointing fingers at the college administration for alleged harassment leading up to the tragedy. On Monday around 11.30 am during his exams, an invigilator caught Prabhu using a mobile phone during the examination, which subsequently led to him being taken to an adjacent room for counseling by other faculty members. Distressed upon hearing that his parents would be informed about the incident, Aditya abruptly left the room and, between 12.30 pm and 1 pm, jumped to death from the eighth floor of this college building. The victims father, Ganesh Prabhu, filed a complaint against the college management, principal, and other staff members, accusing them of being responsible for his son's death. In the days following the students death, social media posts have emerged, shedding light on a different perspective. One such post on Instagram from a user identifying as Prabhu's mother has gained attention, providing the family's narrative to the events leading up to the tragedy. #justiceforadityaprabhu pic.twitter.com/ceK19enQZh Gowda (@gowda7709) July 20, 2023 "I am Aditya Prabhu's mother. He was a student (19 years old) of PES college, RR road campus, CSE 1st year student. On July 17th Aditya jumped from 8th floor of a building in the campus and committed s**cide. The college announced to the media that Aditya was caught cheating and copying during examination. He was detained. He was counselled and when he was told that parents would be informed, he jumped from the building. I want to tell our side of story here," the caption of the post read. The user claimed that Aditya had reached out to her and admitted to accidentally keeping his phone in his pants during the examination, an action that led to him being accused of cheating. This happened four minutes before the examination was supposed to end. Moreover, the post accused college authorities, including Aditya's mentor and senior officials, of subjecting him to harassment. "He was counselled and when he was told that parents would be informed, he jumped from the building," the Instagram post read. The user further claimed that the teens mother was pressured to sign a statement, which the user said was probably something that would wash off their hands from the matter. She also asked that even if he had cheated, the authorities should have followed procedure and not mentally harass him. She also claimed that she got to know the college authorities told the police that the victim was not from their college and some random person who had walked in and pressured the cops to move the body away. She also said that no one from the college was with her assisting (except someone from admin) and the Vice Chancellor arrived after 7:30 pm to extend his condolences. The social media account 'Justiceforadityaprabhu,' which shared these claims, has garnered significant attention, amassing over 12,500 followers. A photo of a Bengaluru school bus driver issued a challan for taking an incorrect turn has gone viral after the picture showed him holding the challan in a strange way. A handle named "FixBangalorePls" tweeted and shared a video in which the bus could be seen taking a wrong U-turn. "Your school bus full of students is driving down wrong way under Garudacharpalya metro station from Brigade Metropolis. Bus number KA53AA6189 . @blrcitytraffic please impose severe fine, being school bus and endangering life of so many kids is not done," they wrote. "This is today, despite the complain, the same bus. what action is taken?," the caption in the video read. @ChrysalisHigh Your school bus full of students is driving down wrong way under Garudacharpalya metro station from Brigade Metropolis. Bus number KA53AA6189 . @blrcitytraffic please impose severe fine, being school bus and endangering life of so many kids is not done FixBangalorePlz (@G1_G) July 18, 2023 @blrcitytraffic@mahadevapuratrf@WFRising@ChrysalisHigh This is today, despite the complain, the same bus. what action is taken? pic.twitter.com/p2EKj8NoRo FixBangalorePlz (@G1_G) July 19, 2023 The local police later tweeted that the bus driver was issued a challan, but the photo posted on Twitter left many surprised. Fined Bus driver pic.twitter.com/7VSvJY8lQX MAHADEVAPURA TRAFFIC BTP (@mahadevapuratrf) July 19, 2023 The photo with the bus driver holding the challan and the police officer standing next to him shared on Twitter led to many asking if he had been given an award for what he had done. "Great job, @blrcitytraffic. By looking at the drivers expression, he be like, "I was expecting a bigger award", " one user wrote. "Ha Ha. It's more like handing over the key at the time of first sale of a new model vehicle," another user wrote. "Looks more like the driver accepting the reward," a third user wrote. "Looks like Amitabh Bachchan giving a rewarding cheque to winner," a fourth user wrote. Also read: Bus driver finishes lunch while waiting in Bengaluru traffic. Video has 2 million views Alyssa Tsai, founder and CEO of Panony, lives a productive life in Paris or so she thinks. Twitter users would beg to differ after reading her latest post. On Thursday, the entrepreneur and investor shared a snapshot of what a typical day in Paris looks like for her. Tsai begins her day with 3 am catch-up calls with her team in Asia Panony is a blockchain investment and media platform based in Shanghai, Seoul and Hong Kong. This 3 am meeting is followed by brunch events at 9 am. After this, Tsai typically attends a luncheon with venture capitalists around 12 pm. Her afternoon is filled with some mandatory walk meetings in such a gorgeous and cultural city as Paris. Dinner for her is usually at 8 pm again with other venture capitalists, and typically at one of the many fancy, Michelin star restaurants that populate the French capital. After this, she makes her way to midnight parties before starting the cycle all over again at 3 am. Life in Paris is so productive - 3am catch up w/ my team in Asia - 9am brunch events - 12pm luncheon with VCs - afternoon some mandatory walk meetings in such a gorgeous and cultural city - 8pm Michelin dinner w VCs - midnight parties - 3am again oops here we go again Alyssa (@AlyssaTsai) July 20, 2023 Notice anything missing in this daily schedule? Several Twitter users pointed out that Tsai did not seem to getting a lot of work done during her day, nor a lot of sleep. In fact, much of her typical day seems to be spent socialising with other venture capitalists or dining out. The CEO of Panony has therefore been mocked for claiming that life in Paris is so productive in her post. Wheres the productive part, asked one commenter. Wheres the productive part Chad (@PalantirChad) July 20, 2023 Nice definition of productive, said another. nice definition of productive Maanav Khaitan (@MaanavKhaitan) July 20, 2023 Lmao, nobody in Paris actually lives like this. QuikThinx_AllThots (@QuikThinx_AT) July 20, 2023 Midnight parties sound productive, a third agreed sarcastically. Midnight parties sound productive Ivan Bjelajac (@instantfinality) July 20, 2023 Many people wondered when Tsai found the time to sleep Wen sleep mlady? Klaus Kajetski (@KlasuGG) July 20, 2023 Wow! When do you sleep Emerging Ventures Capital (@emerging_v_c) July 20, 2023 Alyssa Tsai started Panony in 2018 along with Tongtong Bee. According to her website, she was included in the Forbes 30 under 30 Asia list in 2020. She previously worked for Vogue and Ogilvy, while Apple, LVMH and Huawei consulted her for their Asia and Greater China go-to-market strategies. File Hundreds of people descend on the Nebraska Capitol, in Lincoln, on 23 May 2023, to protest plans by conservative lawmakers in the Nebraska Legislature to revive an abortion ban (AP) A Nebraska teenage girl received a 90-day jail sentence for using abortion pills to terminate her pregnancy and illegally concealing human remains. Celeste Burgess, 19, and her mother Jessica Burgess, 42, had pleaded guilty earlier this year to the charges. Her mother, who faces up to five years in jail, was charged after her private Facebook messages with her daughter were obtained by the police. These messages revealed their plans to end the pregnancy, burn the evidence, and dispose of the evidence by using abortion pills ordered online. The incident occurred in April 2022 when Celeste Burgess was 17 years old and an investigation into the case began before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in June 2022. The teenager was in the early stages of her third trimester when she took the abortion pills bought by her mother online, prosecutors said. Then the two proceeded to bury the fetal remains themselves, the police said. Prosecutors said, Celeste Burgess used abortion pills well beyond the 10-week limit approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Court records reveal that she terminated her pregnancy when she was nearly 30 weeks pregnant, surpassing the generally recognised point of viability at 23 to 24 weeks. At this stage, a fetus would have a higher chance of survival outside the womb. The teenager was not charged by prosecutors under Nebraskas abortion law. They agreed to drop two charges of concealing a death and false reporting against her after she pleaded guilty in May to concealing human skeletal remains. She was also sentenced to two years of probation apart from her 90 days jail sentence. Joseph Smith, the top prosecutor in Madison County, Nebraska, said the sentence seems reasonable as the teenager has no criminal history. Its a painful case for everybody, he said adding that it was the first case he had prosecuted in his 33-years-long career, and Im glad its over. The police began an investigation following concerns that a teenage girl had given premature birth to a still born baby about 115 miles northwest of Omaha and the baby was buried. Story continues It was found that the remains were dug up and moved to the north of the town to be buried again. They again moved the remains for the third time to burn the fetus, court documents show. After the remains were exhumed, it was found that it had thermal injuries, the detective wrote. The case came after the court issued a ruling in Dobbs V Jackson Womens Health Organisation, which ended the constitutional right to abortion after nearly 50 years. It raised fears that pregant women and those who help them could be prosecuted for abortions. Following the verdict Nebraska banned abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and later governor Jim Pillen singed a ban on abortion after 12-weeks into law. Activists and experts have said this case shows people would be forced to use illegal and concerning means in desperation to end pregnancies. On 24 June 1975, Justice VR Krishna Iyer, who was holding court as a vacation judge of the Supreme Court, stayed the order of the Allahabad High Court, which had nullified the election of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and disqualified her from contesting in the elections for six years. Her grandson, Rahul Gandhi, was a three-year-old then. About 48 years later, on 21 July 2023, another bench of the Supreme Court will decide whether or not Rahul Gandhis conviction for criminal defamation can be stayed. Rahul Gandhi was convicted by a Magistrates court in Surat in March 2023 for allegedly remarking that "all thieves have Modi surname" during the campaign for the 2019 elections. While his grandmother, Indira Gandhi, was the Prime Minister of India when she was disqualified, Gandhi was a prominent opposition leader when he was disqualified. Moneycontrol explains why these Congress leaders were disqualified, what the courts held, and how their cases ultimately came to the Supreme Court. Indira Gandhis case Indira Gandhi versus Raj Narain is prominently known as the case that led to the declaration of Emergency in India. Raj Narain was a freedom fighter and an opposition leader who contested the 1971 general election against Indira Gandhi in the Rae Bareilly Lok Sabha seat. Indira Gandhi won the election by a huge margin, and her party won the general elections. Narain filed a petition at the Allahabad High Court alleging that Indira Gandhi used her powers as Prime Minister to employ the government machinery and resources to win the election. He alleged that Indira Gandhi unfairly used government employees to campaign for her. Four years later, in 1975, Justice Jagmohanlal Sinha, a judge of the Allahabad High Court held that Gandhi was guilty of corrupt practices, and nullified her election. The judge further disqualified her from parliament and barred her from contesting elections for six years. Indira Gandhi appealed against this order before the Supreme Court. The case came up before Justice VR Krishna Iyer, who was holding the court during its annual summer vacation in June 1975. He stayed the order, subject to certain terms, and Gandhi declared Emergency shortly thereafter. In November 1975, the Supreme Court overturned the Allahabad High Courts verdict, which eventually led to Gandhi continuing as the Prime Minister of India. Gandhi had also brought in an amendment to the constitution, according to which the courts of law could not question the election of a Prime Minister or a Speaker. However, this amendment was struck down by a constitution bench of the Supreme Court. Rahul Gandhis case While campaigning for the 2019 general elections at Kolar in Karnataka, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi allegedly remarked How come all thieves have Modi surname? A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Gujarat named Purnesh Modi filed a criminal defamation case alleging that Gandhis statement had defamed the community. Four years later, on March 23, Gandhi was convicted by the chief judicial magistrate in Surat and sentenced to two years in prison. On March 24, he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha on account of his conviction. In April, a sessions court in Surat refused to stay his conviction, as a result of which Gandhi approached the Gujarat High Court. In July, a single judge of the Gujarat High Court refused to stay Gandhis conviction. He has now approached the Supreme Court to obtain the stay. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi continues to be disqualified from parliament. According to the Representation of the People Act of 1951, MPs and MLAs are disqualified the moment they are convicted of an offence with a sentence of imprisonment for not less than two years. The elected representative will continue to be disqualified for six years after release from prison. In Gandhi's case, the conviction, if upheld, will disqualify him for eight years. Gandhi will have to obtain a stay on his two-year conviction to be reinstated as a member of the Lok Sabha. The Supreme Court will hear senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's appeal in the "Modi surname" defemation case on July 21. This appeal pertains to the Gujarat High Court's decision on July 7, where they rejected his request for a suspension of his conviction in a defamation case related to his statement regarding the "Modi surname." Appearing for Rahul Gandhi, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the court that he was seeking a hearing on July 21 or July 24. The court however agreed to hear the court on July 21. On July 7, Gujarat High Court refused to grant a stay on Rahul Gandhi's conviction by a Surat court in a defamation case, as a result of which he continues to be disqualified from parliament. The former Congress president was found guilty of defamation for the "all thieves have Modi surname" remark allegedly made during the campaign for the 2019 elections. On March 23, Gandhi was convicted by the chief judicial magistrate of Surat and sentenced to two years in prison. The next day he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha. According to the Representation of the People Act of 1951, MPs and MLAs are disqualified the moment they are convicted of an offence punished by imprisonment of two years or more. They also continue to be disqualified from the electoral process for six years after release from prison. In Gandhi's case, the conviction, if upheld, will disqualify him for eight years. Gandhi will have to obtain a stay on his conviction to be reinstated as a member of the Lok Sabha. Days after Gandhis disqualification, a plea was moved in the Supreme Court, challenging the validity of the provision under which he was disqualified. On April 20, a sessions court in Surat refused to stay Gandhi's conviction, an appeal was filed against the order in the High Court, which concluded the hearing on May 2 and refused relief on July 7. The Supreme Court agreed to hear Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji's appeal against the Madras High Court judgment, on July 26, upholding his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court has also issued notice to the ED. The case is likely to be heard at 2 PM on July 26. Senior counsel Kapil Sibal appeared for Balaji and argued that the there are certain legal propositions that need to be clarified by the apex court and sought for a date to make elaborate submissions. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the ED, argued that it has the right to seek his custody as he could not be interrogated after his hospitalisation. The court thus agreed to hear the case at length. On July 14, Justice C V Karthikeyan, the third judge to hear the matter, following a Division Bench's split verdict on a plea related to the Minister's arrest, held that ED's arrest and custody were legal. A Division Bench comprising Justices Nisha Banu and D Bharatha Chakravarthy had pronounced a split verdict on the Habeas Corpus petition (HCP) filed by Megala, wife of Senthil Balaji. Justice Nisha Banu had held that the ED had no power to seek custody and said the HCP was maintainable. Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy, however, differed. The ED arrested Senthil Balaji last month in connection with the cash-for-jobs scam that occurred in the state's transport department, and he continues to be a Minister without portfolio. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept China has agreed to reschedule over USD 2 billion debt of Pakistan for a period of two years, providing a major relief to the cash-starved government, which is in the process of rebuilding foreign exchange reserves through fresh loans. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday, approved the revised terms of the agreement reached between Islamabad and Beijing, according to senior Pakistani officials, the Express Tribune reported. Pakistan has built two nuclear power plants in Karachi that have a combined generation capacity of 2,117 megawatts. The total cost of the plants is USD 9.5 billion, including the USD 6.5 billion financing from China. The loan was extended by the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of China. Of USD 2 billion, over USD 625 million was maturing in this fiscal year that will now be paused. The USD 6.5 billion is a publicly guaranteed debt, and over USD 2 billion repayments were maturing in two years that China has agreed to make a pause on, according to senior officials. The Ministry of Finance did not officially make a statement about the ECC's stamp of endorsement to the revised agreement with China. China has, time and again, helped Pakistan meet its debt obligations through the provision of new loans and the rollover of the existing debt. China prematurely refinanced its USD 1.3 billion commercial loans in June, which helped Pakistan avoid a default on its international debt obligations during the period when the International Monetary Fund program was stalled. After the signing of the new IMF programme, Pakistan's gross official foreign exchange reserves have bounced back to USD 8.7 billion up from the critically low level of USD 4.5 billion before the IMF deal. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that China rolled over more than USD 5 billion in loans. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept IT stocks spiral lower as Infosys sours sentiment Information technology stocks were the biggest drags on the market on July 21 after a raft of disappointing numbers from Infosys and other players highlighted the stiff near-term challenges confronting the IT segment. Here is a detailed report. Neutral stance on IT despite lower valuations: Trideep Bhattacharya The IT index has plunged over 4% after the guidance shocker from Infosys. The relief rally that the index had witnessed in the past week has completely fizzled out as shares of India's second-largest IT services giant nosedived as much as 10% during intraday trade. However, Trideep Bhattacharya of Edelweiss AMC remains neutral on the industry despite low valuations, he told CNBC TV18 in an interview held on July 21. The market expert has upgraded to a neutral stance against the underweight stance of last year but is not looking to modify his holdings in the sector as of present. Read more. Tiger Global, Peak XV, Steadview Capital, others write to PM Modi against 28% GST on real-money gaming A group of 30 prominent domestic and international startup investors including Tiger Global, Peak XV and Steadview Capital have written to prime minister Narendra Modi, expressing deep concerns over GST Council's recent decision to levy 28 percent on the online real-money gaming sector. More details here. AI will replace roles, not employees: Zoho's Sridhar Vembu Amid debates about artificial intelligence (AI) replacing jobs, Indian software-as-a-service (SaaS) major Zoho's co-founder and CEO Sridhar Vembu said on July 21 that AI will only replace roles, not employees. More details here. Red alert in Thane, orange alert in Mumbai on July 21 | In Pics Amidst severe monsoons, the India Meteorological Department has issued a 'Red' alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Thane, Raigad, Pune as well as Palghar for today. Additionally, an 'Orange' alert has been issued for Mumbai, Ratnagiri and Satara. More updates here. Strong listing | Utkarsh Small Finance Bank debuts with 60% premium Utkarsh Small Finance Bank opened with a massive 60 percent premium over issue price on July 21, the listing day, attributing to the strong IPO subscription numbers and bullish market conditions. The benchmark indices hit historic highs this week with the Nifty reaching 20,000 mark. Detailed report here. YouTube, Google's video streaming platform, hiked prices on its monthly and annual premium plans in the United States for the first time since the subscription service was launched in 2018. The YouTube Premium plan would cost $13.99 a month in the U.S., up $2 from before, according to the company's website on Thursday. The price for its annual plan was hiked by $20 to $139.99. Members who subscribed five years ago, including those who signed up originally through Google Play, would get three more months of subscription at the old price, according to YouTube. YouTube had in April introduced new features for its premium users including letting them host Google Meet sessions to watch videos on the platform together with other users. It has also hiked prices for YouTube Music by $1 to $10.99 in the U.S. The move follows similar price increases by Amazon Music, Apple Music and Tidal. USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Babies require a lot of supplies. Kathy Davis, of Schuyler, saw a need among mothers who were entering or transitioning out of homelessness for those supplies. Those necessities were some that she could help fill and her efforts have made their way to Columbus. At a July 20 ribbon-cutting ceremony, Baby Shower in a Box joined the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. In almost eight months, the charity has already made an impact and Davis and her friend CJ Max hope it will grow even more. (Weve been) all over the state of Nebraska from Scottsbluff all the way to Aurora, all the way from both ends, Davis said. It makes me happy. Davis mission finds its origins with an organization Davis worked with called Save The Family in Arizona and a later mission trip to Hawaii. We did some baby showers for the for people that were coming out of homelessness, then when I did a mission for my church in Hawaii there was a lot of homeless people there because of the weather being so nice, Davis said. She decided to take the baby shower aspect and make it a little more accessible. After retirement, she started getting bored and depressed with nothing to do, she said. Having a heart for helping others, she decided to make her idea into a reality and start helping mothers again by packing supplies a mother and baby will need, such as diapers, books, toys, blankets and other items one would receive at a baby shower into boxes for these mothers. Somebody said you should call it Baby Shower in a Box, Davis said. I originally started donating to abuse centers and homeless centers and then the Sixpence program saw one of my posts that I donated to a homeless center in Fremont. The director loved what she was doing, so she started donating the boxes to Sixpence to find people who need them. When its possible, Davis said, she likes to have the recipients get a photo with the box to send to her. Since Nov. 1, her charity has sent out 186 boxes in Nebraska. Early on in the process, Davis spoke to Max, who had dabbled in the world of corporate paperwork and 501(3) registration. Max helped Davis get recognized as a non-profit for the sake of helping with donations, taxes and potentially grants in the future. She told me about how she was doing Baby Shower in a Box and I was like Thats such a great idea, have you thought about making it legal, doing a non-profit? Max said. So Im kind of the one who talked her into making it official, now were trying to figure out grants, getting that whole world figured out. People have helped in many ways, Davis said, through her Amazon baby registry, sewing quilts for the boxes, donating through CashApp and Venmo. With her birthday coming up, her charity is also an option for Facebooks birthday donation posts. Max said that finding help with writing grants is one of the bigger reasons they joined the chamber, along with just getting their name out into the community. The need is high and they are only a two-person team. Even with all the help they get, there are still people who need their help that they arent reaching. What were hoping is itll get our name out there more because we need donations so bad and the need is so high, Max said. Were hoping that gets our name out there, helps us bring in donations and we find the grant funding or someone that can help us with that. Those interested in contributing to Baby Shower in a Box can reach Davis at 480-907-5566. Crypto Trading Platform Bitget Expands to the Middle East, Opens Dubai Office Image Source: Pixabay Cryptocurrency exchange Bitget is set to expand its operations to the Middle East, with plans to hire up to 60 new staff members in the region. In a Thursday press release, Bitget revealed that it has opened an office in downtown Dubai to support its expansion, and is also exploring opportunities in countries like Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Bitget aims to establish a regional headquarters in near future as well. The company further revealed that it has started recruitment for the new roles, with some employees already hired for middle- and back-office positions. "We hope to scale our Middle East team rapidly to support business growth, with between 30 to 60 hires over the next 2 years or more across the Middle East region," Gracy Chen, the managing director of Bitget, said in a comment. "New team members will include various mid-office and back-office functions. We may consider selecting Dubai as an operational hub for the Middle East market." Chen emphasized that this move is not solely about business, but also aligns with the company's core values, which focus on advancing blockchain and cryptocurrency adoption on a global scale. Bitget has already begun the process of obtaining the necessary licenses from domestic regulators in the region. Crypto Firms Expand Outside the US Amid Regulatory Struggles Bitget's expansion plans come as US-based cryptocurrency exchanges have been aggressively expanding their services globally amid increasing regulatory hostility in the US. Last month, Gemini said it plans to expand into the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region to capture the next wave of growth for crypto. The platform detailed that it aims to bring in more than 100 new employees to expand its current team in Singapore and establish an engineering division in India. Likewise, Coinbase has expanded the services it provides in Singapore, one of the more crypto-friendly financial hubs. The expansion plans come as crypto platforms have been under increasing regulatory scrutiny in the US. Last month, the SEC sued both Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, and Coinbase, the largest US-based cryptocurrency exchange. The commission filed 13 charges against Binance and its US affiliates, ranging from allegedly operating as an unregistered exchange to offering unregistered securities. The regulator also levied similar charges against Coinbase, claiming that it operated as an exchange, broker, or clearing agency without the required registrations. Furthermore, the SEC has taken enforcement action against crypto exchanges Kraken and Bittrex, as well as crypto lending platform Nexo so far this year. By Alex Pologruto | Jul 21, 2023 Pictured at the signing of the guidelines for the Jody Cash Memorial Scholarship are: Murray Independent Schools Superintendent Coy Samons; Calloway County Schools Superintendent Tres Settle; Linda Moore, 79; Michelle Moore Cash, 94; Murray State University President Dr. Bob Jackson; Towing for Toys CEO Monty McCuiston; Murray State University Executive Director of Development Dr. Tina Bernot; and Murray State University Director of Development for the College of Education and Human Services and University Libraries Brandon Anderson. MURRAY, Ky. Murray State University has announced the establishment of the Jody Cash Memorial Scholarship, funded by gifts to the Murray State University Foundation from Towing for Toys through Monty McCuiston and friends and family of the late Jody Cash, including his wife, Michelle Moore Cash. The scholarship will assist students who have graduated from either Murray Independent High School or Calloway County High School and plan to study criminal justice with the intent of serving in the law enforcement profession. Chief Deputy Jody Cash served for over two decades in law enforcement in Kentucky, including almost two years with the Calloway County Sheriffs Office, eight years with the Kentucky State Police, six years as the assistant chief of the Murray State University Police Department, and another six years at the Caldwell County Sheriffs Office. He graduated from the Kentucky State Police (KSP) Academy as Valedictorian of Class #89 in 2011. During his esteemed career, he also received the KSP Trooper of the Year and KSP Citation for Bravery both in 2014, among numerous other awards and recognitions. Cash earned his bachelors degree in business administration from Murray State in 2003, and his wife Michelle Moore Cash earned her bachelors degree in nursing from Murray State in 1994. Chief Deputy Jody Cash lost his life in the line of duty on May 16, 2022. Throughout his life, he was known for giving back to his community in many ways through his support of a variety of local charitable organizations. By establishing this scholarship, his family and friends continue that tradition by supporting students from the local high schools and helping them obtain an education in their pursuit of a law enforcement career. "We are very grateful to the family for establishing this memorial scholarship for Chief Deputy Jody Cash, said Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson. This scholarship will be a wonderful legacy for Jody who left an indelible mark on the University, his family and friends and everyone he worked with during his lifetime." Our community has always held a special place in the heart of Maxs 641 Towing Family and especially with the young children and their families who struggle each day, said Monty McCuiston of Towing for Toys. Towing for Toys strives each year to provide those children with toys and other needs at Christmas. Chief Deputy Jody Cash shared those same feelings with our young children and we couldnt think of any better way to honor his legacy than to establish a memorial scholarship fund for our local high school graduates that want to further their education and pursue a career in law enforcement. It is not only an honor but a privilege for us to continue our mission and provide support to our community while honoring our fallen hero. Jody not only served and protected our community, he was also a servant leader in our community. Thank you to Monty McCuiston for taking the initiative to establish a scholarship to honor Jody and to the Murray State Foundation for assisting in the process, said Michelle Moore Cash. Education was an important component in Jodys life and to be able to financially assist incoming freshmen in pursuing a degree at Murray State would be a high priority for him. He daily lived his mantra of helping others whether it was changing a tire for someone stranded on the side of the road or anonymously buying someones lunch. I join Monty in honoring a selfless man who took his oath to his profession seriously. He would be humbled by this endeavor. I encourage family and friends to join us with a contribution to his scholarship whenever you choose. The next application period for the scholarship will open in September for the fall of 2024. For more information on how to apply for the scholarship or any other scholarship at Murray State, please call the Scholarship Office at 270-809-3225 or 800-272-4678 or contact the office by email at msu.scholarships@murraystate. edu . Contributions to the scholarship fund can be made by contacting the Murray State University Office of Development at 270-809-3001 or by making a secure gift online at https://murraystate.edu/give. FTX Founder SBF Accused by US DOJ of Leaking Ex-Alameda Research CEO's Private Diary Source: YouTube / ABC News FTX founder and former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) faces multiple charges of fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and more by US prosecutors. The nearly one-year-long criminal case has been on since his arrest from the Bahamas after the FTX collapse. In a July 20 filing , the US Department of Justice (DOJ) accused the ex-FTX CEO of leaking Caroline Ellisons private diary to the New York Times. Caroline Ellison was the former CEO of FTXs sister company, Alameda Research, who became a government witness in Bankman-Frieds case. US DOJ Requests Court Order to Ban SBF And Other Parties from Making Extrajudicial Statements The DOJ based its accusation on a recently published New York Times article that revealed excerpts of Ellison's private diary. Given this allegation, the DOJ seeks to ban all out-of-court statements by witnesses and parties related to the case. The DOJ condemned Bankman-Frieds sharing of Ellison's musings with a New York Times reporter. The US prosecutors argued; The defendant's actions [] implicate the core concern of Rule 23.1 that disseminating material related to the testimony or credibility of prospective witnesses, presumably involves a substantial likelihood or prejudice to a fair trial and the due administration of justice. According to the prosecutors, Rule 23.1(a) prohibits lawyers and their clients from releasing private information about a case if it presumably interferes with a fair trial. The prosecutors asked the court to issue an order restricting extrajudicial statements due to the high media attention on the case. They also argue that the defendant might manipulate media coverage to his advantage. In addition, the DOJ said Sam Bankman-Fried's action may slur the jury and bring harassment on Ellison. They raised concerns about the fear of public harassment and besmirch of personal image deterring potential trial witnesses from testifying. FTX Leadership Sues Bankman-Fried and Others, Seeking to Recover Misappropriated Funds The DOJs filing comes after FTX, under CEO John Ray III's leadership, filed a civil case in the US Bankruptcy Court for the Delaware District against SBF, Ellison, and other executives. The civil lawsuit seeks to recover funds and reverse transactions worth over $1 billion. Filed on Thursday, July 20, the lawsuit alleged that the defendants abused their control over FTX Group's businesses to commit massive fraud from February 2020 to November 22. It noted that Bankman-Fried and his accomplices squandered FTX's assets on luxury homes, political and charitable donations, and other personal investments. The lawsuit alleged that Sam Bankman-Fried diverted $10 million of FTX.US funds to his purse. It also alleged that Bankman-Fried's brother, Gabriel, planned to buy the island of Nauru with foundation funds. FTX also alleged that the former CEO donated over $100 million of company and customer funds to political campaigns via fraudulent cash and shares transfers. Furthermore, according to the lawsuit, Alameda's former CEO, Ellison, gave herself a $22.5 million bonus when FTX faced a significant cash crunch. Fitness and the Nuclear Family Written by IFBB Pro Marc Lobliner 21 July 2023 Fitness and the Nuclear Family By Marc Lobliner CMO Tigerfitness.com Kids emulate what their parents do and if your parents are hardworking and fit, the child is more likely to develop those values. When I started bodybuilding, the fitness industry was all about getting hot chicks, hot dudes, and an oversexualized industry. Lets be real, when I get onstage, I essentially pose nude with the equivalent of an eye patch over my manhood. Bikini girls literally bend over and look back at it. We are constantly evaluating every single part or our bodies. The sport is about the body and with hot bodies, you get hypersexuality. It just makes sense. I see it differently though. Bodybuilding isnt about competing, its about setting goals, setting commitments, and following through on your promises to yourself and others. American values, to me at least, involve family and freedom. There is nothing that embodies these values more than fitness. During the Covid pandemic, over 70 percent of those hospitalized in the beginning were obese. Over 70 percent! Yet Atilis Gym in new Jersey, famous for defying the lockdowns, didnt have one case of Covid during the entire extent of the pandemic. Why is this? Fitness is health. When youre in shape and not obese, your immune system works better, your brain works better, and your entire quality of life is better. On December 28, 2022, Time magazine ran a piece about how fitness is white supremacy (https://time.com/6242949/exercise-industry-white-supremacy/). Wait, what? Yup. The government wants you fat and weak so that they can control you. They vilify fitness. None of the overreactions to Covid would have been accepted if we had a fit society that could withstand a virus with a survival rate of over 99.8 percent. We would have never had lockdowns; we would have never had children damaged for life because they were forced to wear masks and slow their learning and development and we would have never had small businesses crushed by government telling them that they were non-essential and forcing them to shut down. In essence, America sold the bag. We screwed ourselves by not being fit enough and allowing tyranny to take over. But what about marriage? Its the same idea. Family above everything. When a family is strong, we promote family values as something more important than the state. Instead of the government dictating what is best for your family, you follow tradition and, in some cases, God. We fight back against tyranny and the mistreatment of our children because in the nuclear family, we have clear roles. The fathers provide for and defend their families and the mothers nurture and care for their offspring. I look at fitness as the embodiment of American values and exceptionalism. The statistics are clear that dual-parent households lead to better outcomes for children. A fit society is a healthy society. Work output is better, quality of life is better fitness enhances everything. The discipline it takes to exercise daily, eat healthy and stay on a regimen will allow you to carry those qualities into your career and to set an example for your children for future generations. This article is not meant to be an anti-government piece, although it might come off as such. The bottom line is that America is built around limited government and personal responsibility, and we prevent government overreach and the need for government intervention if we take care of ourselves and our families. The saying it takes a village was made popular by Hillary Clinton in the 1990s. While a community will help create a winning and nurturing atmosphere for children and families, the true test is what goes on in the four walls of your home. This is where values and ideals develop. Kids emulate what their parents do and if your parents are hardworking and fit, the child is more likely to develop those values. The take-home is that there is nothing wrong with being traditional. There is nothing wrong with wanting the nice house with the picket fence and to play catch with your son or daughter after a hard day of work. Having children is the best decision I ever made and as a father, my number one job is to make sure that they have every opportunity I can provide to help them succeed in life. By working hard and being mentally and physically fit, I am already setting them up with an example of how to maximize their lives. If its your thing, dont be ashamed of wanting to settle down in a monogamous marriage, have kids and love and raise them to be the future. As a fitness-minded individual, you already have the qualities of goal setting, commitment, and pride in what you do. Make America Nuclear Again, make families love again, and lets raise the next generation of leaders. God bless and see you next month! https://www.tigerfitness.com/ Instagram @tigerfitness Instagram @marclobliner Twitter @MarcLobliner YouTube: Tiger Fitness DISCUSS ON OUR FORUMS SUBSCRIBE TO MD TODAY GET OFFICIAL MD STUFF VISIT OUR STORE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER ALSO, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON: FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM YOUTUBE Reporter Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post. Chinese actor Mei Zhiyong performs a flying kick in front of a bronze statue of kung fu legend Bruce Lee on the waterfront of Hong Kong, July 20, 2013. Arrests at the Capital City Mall this week involved six out-of-state people whom police believe were involved in an organized retail theft ring. Lower Allen Township Police said officers were patrolling the parking lot of the mall at 1:33 p.m. Tuesday when they saw a Dodge Durango with its parking lights on parked close to another SUV. A man exited the vehicle with a black bag and walked toward Macys while police were monitoring the vehicle. Police said that at the same time they were outside, Capital City Mall security reported an active retail theft at Macys in which multiple men were running with merchandise toward the parking lot, ditching some of the merchandise under a vehicle before fleeing on foot. One was located in the parking lot and taken into custody after a foot chase, another was taken into custody inside JCPenneys, a third led a foot pursuit in JCPenneys before being taken into custody, and a fourth man fled toward Walmart before being taken into custody at Capital City Mall Drive. During an investigation, police said they learned the suspects were staying at a hotel in Swatara Township and that a fifth person had taken an Uber from Dave & Busters at the mall at the time of the other arrests. At the hotel, Swatara Township Police located the fifth person mall security identified. They later determined a person the man was with Terrell Jackson, 29, of Chicago was also involved, and police are now searching for him. Police said the group stole $3,499 worth of merchandise from Macys. The five men: Dominique Williams, 26, and Arterrior Williams, 30, both of Hisxon, Tennessee; Shaquille Myers, 29, of Chicago; Dontre Jasper, 30, of Atlanta; and Kobi Hill, 23, of Forest Park, Georgia, were all charged with felony organized retail theft, retail theft and conspiracy, as well as misdemeanor possession of an instrument of crime, evading arrest and disorderly conduct. All but Dominique Williams posted $30,000 cash bail and were released on Friday. New York Governor Kathy Hochul speaks during a press conference to announce vehicle congestion pricing plan in New York City, U.S., June 27, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo New York to distribute flyers telling migrants at U.S.-Mexico border to 'consider another city' A Taiwan flag can be seen at Liberty Square in Taipei, Taiwan, July 28, 2022. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo An oil storage tank and crude oil pipeline equipment is seen during a tour by the Department of Energy at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in Freeport, Texas, U.S. June 9, 2016. REUTERS/Richard Carson/File Photo Theres an adage that says a plan is nothing without action. When it comes to pedestrian and bicyclist safety in Cumberland County, the saying holds true. Several area municipalities have plans have pedestrian or bicyclist safety-related projects. Mechanicsburg Mechanicsburg Borough Manager Layne Thompson said the remainder of the year will likely bring low-cost projects for the borough while its recently established Traffic Advisory Committee develops its first annual improvement plan for next year. Throughout the past few months, borough staff members have been repainting crosswalks, he said. Crews have wrapped up painting on PennDOT-owned roads and are turning their attention to borough-owned streets. They have very specific lifespans, the different paints that are used on different roads for different traffic volumes, and so on, Thompson said. We need to be more disciplined about ensuring that that cycle of refreshing the paint and all that is done. Interim solutions to current problems could also be used to help prevent injuries until future projects might be completed. Thompson said the borough has five midblock crosswalks between Market Street and York Street that dont have signals. A temporary way to make the crosswalks safer might be to add plastic pedestrian crossing signs in the middle. If we think, for instance, that those little signs are not the whole solution, we need to try to make a decision about, yeah, but is that a good interim solution that can at least prevent some injury while we work on a bigger solution, he said. Thompson anticipates bike lanes to be a significant part of Mechanicsburgs transportation plan, which was created with the help of grant funding and is expected to go into effect in August. He said the borough doesnt have marked bike lanes, but adding them could provide additional safety and help connect Mechanicsburg to surrounding communities. You see them going down the road today, Thompson said of bicyclists. [The lanes are] just not marked. ... So we do need to give them that lane, call it out, monitor it, make it safe, that sort of thing. The borough could consider building larger, more expensive projects into the budget. Thompson said officials are looking into curb extensions and chicanes, which help divert traffic and make roads less linear, preventing speeding. These can be constructed with painted lines, curbs or bumps in the road. Mechanicsburg has also examined incorporating roundabouts, but Thompson said many of the boroughs buildings are close to the street and installing a roundabout would likely mean removing buildings that stand in the way. Unless we get some volunteers for that, thats not going to happen, he said. Carlisle In Carlisle, however, roundabouts are already part of the boroughs recent history. The borough installed two roundabouts along B Street last year as part of the Carlisle Connectivity Project, with construction of a third, five-point roundabout at the intersection of North Hanover, Penn Street and Fairground Avenue to begin this fall. I love roundabouts, Cumberland Goodwill EMS Assistant Chief Nathan Harig said. ... Roundabouts really control those intersections pretty well because it goes down to everyone doing their share of responsibility and making sure theyre operating safely. He said everyone travels the same direction in a roundabout, making traffic flow more predictably for motorists and nonmotorists, and that predictability eliminates some of the variables that result in pedestrian-involved crashes in the first place. When you have those right turns where pedestrians [are] starting out at the same time, thats a potential for conflict and for people to get struck, Harig said. So by having that constant, predictable flow, you can avoid that. Cumberland Goodwill EMS data on crashes involving bicyclists or pedestrians shows multiple incidents at the intersection of North Hanover Street, Penn Street and Fairground Avenue. Harig is optimistic that the installation of a roundabout at that intersection will reduce incidents there. Where we see improvements take place is typically where we see a reduction in future accidents and collisions ... in general, he said. Harig said the borough has also incorporated speed bumps and traffic control measures along Pitt Street near Memorial Park and a raised crosswalk along Cherry Street to increase pedestrian safety. Deputy Mayor Brenda Landis said Carlisle officials try to seek out ways to include pedestrian and bicyclist safety measures within existing projects. Every time that were going to be repaving a road, are there additional elements that we can add in ... can we do small pilot projects to see if things can improve? she said. The borough incorporated curb extensions into different phases of the Carlisle Connectivity Project, which can be found in northern portions of the borough. Carlisle is also considering changes to Noble Boulevard from South Hanover Street to West Ridge Street, including lane reductions and the installation of bicycle lanes. Plans to repave the road this year were postponed until next year because of the changes that are being considered, giving officials more time to evaluate possibilities for the road. Harig said the inclusion of designated bike lanes along the corridor would be a positive change, since the area sees heavy bicycle traffic between people navigating the stretch to shop, go to work or attend school. He said if people dont have a safe way to reach their destination, then theyll reach their destination unsafely. I know people, in not just Carlisle, but anywhere, who say, Well, this is how it is, it was good in my day and it should be that way, Harig said. But things change, and if you arent adapting to that change, youre creating risks for other people, and were all about the risk reduction business. South Middleton South Middleton Township has several pedestrian or bicyclist-safety projects for Boiling Springs that are either on the way or in the conceptual phase. Within the next few weeks, construction is anticipated to begin on improvements to Route 174, or First Street, from High Street to Hilltop Road, South Middleton Township Engineer Brian ONeill said. The projects includes sidewalk and ADA improvements. A construction contract was awarded to JVI Group Inc. for $831,745. ONeill said the project is being funded through a $500,000 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant awarded by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and a $450,000 grant from the county under the American Rescue Act. It will also include a trail crossing to promote safer navigation between Childrens Lake and the Bubble. Another project that could be on the horizon for Boiling Springs are sidewalk improvements from First Street to Race Street. ONeill said the project is conceptual, with design anticipated to begin this year with potential construction next summer. The project would involve making South Front Street one-way going south, allowing for the installation of a sidewalk on the east side of Front Street, helping to promote a dedicated pedestrian facility around the lake. The houses across the street, they have sidewalks, but for some reason people dont tend to use them, ONeill said. They walk on the lake side, so thats where we intend to put the sidewalk. Funding for this project could come from a $275,000 Multimodal Transportation Fund grant awarded by Commonwealth Financing Authority and $150,000 from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. ONeill said some accommodations for pedestrians along the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat access area have already been installed through the dam and facilities rehabilitation project at Childrens Lake. A third project that could be on its way to Boiling Springs involves improvements to North Front Street and Forge Road with the installation of a mini-roundabout at First Street and Front Street. While this project is also conceptual, ONeill said it could make North Front Street into a one-way road traveling north from First Street to Walnut Street. Bike lanes would be created along Forge Road from either First Street or Walnut Street to Lindsey Road. There are actually a high volume of bikers and walkers that utilize that shoulder, he said. So we felt it was appropriate to ... have [a] little bit more protected lane that is sort of separated from the vehicular traffic. ONeill said the township is looking into combining Harrisburg Area Transportation Study Regional Transportation Plan Implementation funds to complete the work. Designs for project are anticipated to be completed in 2024 with potential construction to take place the following year. Photos: Scenes from the 35th Annual Foundry Day Arts & Crafts Festival Zaldy Dandan is a recipient of the Best Editorial Writer Award of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the CNMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com/. When it comes to pedestrian and bicyclist safety, Mechanicsburg is ready to take the proverbial bull by the horns. In the past, Borough Manager Layne Thompson said Mechanicsburg has addressed safety by reacting to incidents that occur. It was more or less like, somebody gets hit by a car, then ... you need to go find a solution, he said. However, with a growing state and national focus on the topic, the borough is taking steps toward a more proactive approach. We certainly need to hold safety more important than it takes the sacrifice of someone being injured or killed for us to do anything, Thompson said. Municipal safety plans One such step is the development of an active transportation plan for the borough, addressing pedestrian and bicycle travel as it relates to safety and recreation. It brings all of that together into one plan, Thompson said. Basically, how do you improve the nonmotorized kind of navigability of the borough? Mechanicsburg received approximately $33,000 in grant funding last year to develop the plan through a process that began in March and included three executive steering group meetings and six public workshops. Thompson estimated 60 to 80 residents participated in the public workshops, which allowed them to share concerns and ideas. He said a consultant also installed cameras that will rotate to 12 intersections throughout the borough and record the number of pedestrians crossing at any given time of day. Thompson anticipates the final plan will be adopted in August. Mechanicsburg also established a Traffic Advisory Committee that consists of four community members, Thompson, Council Member Ron ONeil and Borough Engineer Greg Rogalski. The committee is tasked with recommending pedestrian safety improvements and making budget suggestions to the Borough Council. We kind of went out on Facebook and asked for volunteers and I vetted them to try to make sure that they were diverse in where they lived in the borough, Thompson said. I wanted to find diversity of gender and then also diversity and like family status, you know, having kids [or] not having kids gives you different view of pedestrian safety. In addition to taking the finished active transportation plan and turning it into a reality, he said the committee will also create an annual improvement plan with budgeted projects. Thompson believes the problems are common knowledge in the community; the difficulty comes with prioritizing projects and funding. You show them the whole budget and you say, Well, where should we take this money from, he said. Do you take it from potholes? Do you take it from ... the police force, do you take it from the fire department? And its very difficult trying to thread the needle for that, so theres a lot of work to do. The first annual improvement plan will be specific to next year and will likely be completed around November, in time to be considered with budget discussions, Thompson said. Like Mechanicsburg, South Middleton Township used a grant to create an Active Transportation Plan, which was approved in 2021. Its a townshipwide plan looking at ... bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout the township and sort of plans out long term improvements in that sort of thing so there is a plan in place, South Middleton Township Engineer Brian ONeill said. Thompson said the difference between a township and a borough is that the entirety of a boroughs geography is walkable and residents are able to walk from one end to the other in any direction in under an hour. South Middleton Township is more spread out, occupying 48.75 square miles compared to to Mechanicsburgs 2.41 square miles, according to 2020 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Even so, Boiling Springs, located within South Middleton Township, offers a downtown setting with features like Childrens Lake and the Appalachian Trail that draw bikers and pedestrians. Carlisles bicycle-pedestrian network is covered in the boroughs Comprehensive Plan, which was last updated in March 2019. Deputy Mayor Brenda Landis said while Carlisle doesnt have a committee specifically for pedestrian and bicyclist safety, the boroughs Climate Action Committee, which works to implement its 2022 Climate Action Plan, includes a transportation subcommittee. Vision Zero One of the things in the pipeline for Carlisle is a resolution for Vision Zero, a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries. We dont want people to die and we certainly dont want people to have serious injuries, Landis said. We dont want any injuries, but we know that sometimes things happen. Its about designing roads [and] designing spaces, so that it limits the severity of it. She anticipates the council will pass the resolution this summer, and added that it will say the borough is committed to the cause of trying to make policy changes. Its to ensure that when were looking at policies, are we realizing that Vision Zero is something that weve committed to and how could we adjust this, Landis said. So its not all of the details of what were gonna be doing, its sort of like that vision guide. In Mechanicsburg, Thompson said Vision Zero serves as a guiding principle for the Traffic Advisory Committee. When the council approved the committees establishment, one of the requirements was to infuse Vision Zero into future actions, he said. The committee absolutely will be going back to council and ask them to adopt their Vision Zero, probably as part of the 2024 budget, because it really has to tie together with some sort of action plan, Thompson said. ONeill said Vision Zero hasnt been discussed at South Middleton Township meetings. Its just never been brought up before in front of the board because theres never really been a reason to, he said. ... I guess if somebody saw it, theyd have to bring it in and say, Hey, why dont we do this? But there hasnt really been that spark. Photos: Scenes from Mechanicsburg's 93rd Jubilee Day Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment. Propaganda tool? Bargaining chip? What North Korea may have in mind for Travis King View Photo SEOUL, South Korea (AP) What will North Korea do about the first U.S. soldier in decades to flee into its territory? Its official media have yet to mention Pvt. Travis King, theres little precedent for his situation and guesses about the countrys next steps vary widely. Unauthorized crossings across the Koreas heavily fortified border are extremely rare. The few Americans who crossed into North Korea in the past include soldiers, missionaries, human rights advocates or those simply curious about one of the worlds most cloistered societies. North Korea has used a varied playbook in its handlings of them. Defecting soldiers, like Charles Jenkins or James Dresnok in the 1960s, were treated as propaganda assets, showcased in leaflets and films spewing anti-U.S. hatred and praising the Norths regime. Other Americans were detained, criticized and handed harsh penalties based on confessions of anti-state activities they later said were coerced. Behind-the-scenes pleas and lengthy backdoor negotiations followed, and the detainee was freed, often flown home with a high-profile U.S. official who traveled to Pyongyang to secure the release. None of the previous cases, however, seems relevant as a forecast for King. The length of his stay will likely depend on whether North Koreans find a way to spin his story for their own propaganda, said Jenny Town, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington and director of the North Korea-focused 38 North website. Its unclear whether the North Korea of today would treat King similarly to how it did Jenkins and Dresnok, whose crossings were six decades ago. And King might be less ideal as propaganda material. Jenkins walked into North Korea in 1965 to avoid combat duty in Vietnam, making it easier for Pyongyang to paint him as a disillusioned U.S. solider who escaped evil imperialists and chose to live in North Koreas socialist paradise. Theres a big difference with King, who had legal problems and faced disciplinary action and a possible discharge before he bolted into North Korea. If they decide that hes not a good story, they may just return him so that this doesnt exacerbate already fragile relations (with the United States), Town said. This is largely a wait-and-see as theres just so little precedent for it. But Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in South Korea, says its highly unlikely North Korea would pass up the propaganda value of a U.S. soldier who voluntarily entered the country. While Kings immediate value would be propaganda, Pyongyang could also seek opportunities to use him as a bargaining chip to wrest concessions from Washington, he said. Its possible North Korea may demand the United States scale back its military activities with South Korea in exchange for Kings release. The U.S. has increased its deployment of strategic assets like bombers and nuclear-capable submarines since 2022 in a show of force against North Koreas nuclear threat. North Koreas goal would be to create a dilemma for Washington in choosing between (strengthening) U.S.-South Korean nuclear deterrence strategies and protecting its own citizen, Yang said. That would create challenges for South Korea, which has been focusing on strengthening nuclear deterrence strategies with the United States. Thae Yong Ho, a former diplomat at the North Korean Embassy in London who defected to South Korea in 2016 and is now a lawmaker, said the North has never released any U.S. soldier who walked into the country voluntarily. But its also unclear whether North Korea would want to hold King for long, considering considering his low rank and thus likely low level of U.S. military intelligence he could provide and the high costs of managing his life. A specialized security and surveillance team must be organized (for King), an interpreter must be arranged, a designated vehicle and driver must be provided, and accommodation must be arranged. You also need to indoctrinate him into the North Korean system, so you will need to organize a team of specialized teachers and a curriculum, Thae wrote on Facebook. Park Won Gon, a professor at Seouls Ewha University, said the current high tensions between Washington and Pyongyang would complicate diplomatic efforts to bring King home. During cozier times with the United States, North Korea released U.S. detainees rather swiftly and easily. In 2018, North Korea freed Bruce Byron Lowrance a month after he entered the country illegally through China. Lowrances relatively quick deportation came in the afterglow of a highly orchestrated summit between then-U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at which they described vague goals for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and vowed to improve ties. Weeks ahead of that summit, North Korea released three American detainees who returned home on a plane with then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. That diplomacy collapsed in 2019, and the current environment seems unfavorable for Kings early release. Starting in 2022, Kim ramped up his weapons-testing activity, which prompted the United States to expand its military exercises and nuclear contingency strategies with South Korea. The United States will likely attempt to communicate with the North via the U.S.-led United Nations Command, which administers the southern side of the inter-Korean border village, and through the so-called New York channel using North Koreas diplomatic mission to the United Nations. But, considering the prolonged diplomatic freeze, it could be quite a while before the United States is able to send a high-profile official to Pyongyang to secure Kings release, if that happens at all. The only thing thats certain for now is that North Korea will handle King entirely the way it wants to, 100%, said Park. When an American goes into North Korea, they usually are used for political purposes, regardless of whether they want it or not. By KIM TONG-HYUNG Associated Press Russia arrests a hard-line nationalist who accused Putin of weakness in Ukraine View Photo MOSCOW (AP) A prominent hard-line nationalist who accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of weakness and indecision in Ukraine was arrested Friday on charges of extremism, a signal the Kremlin has toughened its approach with hawkish critics after last months abortive rebellion by the Wagner mercenary company. Igor Strelkov, a retired security officer who led Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and was convicted of murder in the Netherlands for his role in the downing of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet that year, has argued that a total mobilization is needed for Russia to achieve victory. He recently criticized Putin as a nonentity and a cowardly mediocrity. Moscows Meshchansky District Court ordered the 52-year-old Strelkov, whose real name is Igor Girkin, to be held in custody for two months pending a probe on charges of making calls for extremist activities. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted. Strelkov rejected the charges, but asked the judge to place him under house arrest, citing health issues. Strelkovs arrest comes nearly a month after a short-lived mutiny launched by mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin that saw his Wagner troops capture military headquarters in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and then drive as close as 200 kilometers (125 miles) to Moscow to demand the ouster of Russias top military leaders. Prigozhin agreed to end the June 23-24 rebellion under a deal that offered amnesty to him and his mercenaries and allowed them to move to Belarus. The revolt posed the most serious threat to Putins 23-year rule, eroding his authority and exposing government weakness. Like Prigozhin, Strelkov harshly criticized Russias military leaders for incompetence, but he also denounced the Wagners chief and described his action as treason and a major threat to the Russian state. The two repeatedly had traded insults, and Strelkovs supporters said a criminal inquiry into his statements has been initiated by one of Wagners mercenaries. Strelkov has over 875,000 subscribers on his messaging app channel. The Club of Angry Patriots, a recently created hard-line group he belonged to, issued a statement protesting his detention as a provocation that undermines the populations trust in law enforcement organs and carries extremely negative consequences for the countrys stability. Strelkov served in the Russian military during the Chechen separatist wars and later joined the countrys top domestic security agency, the Federal Security Service, where he reached the rank of colonel. After he retired from service, he took part in the Kremlins annexation of Ukraines Crimean Peninsula and then led fighters in eastern Ukraine during the first months of a Moscow-backed separatist rebellion there in 2014. Last year, a Dutch court convicted him and two other men of murder in absentia for their role in downing Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 with a Russian surface-to-air missile, killing all 298 people aboard the Boeing 777 as it flew over separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014. They were accused of bringing the Buk air defense missile system from a Russian military base into Ukraine and putting it into position for launch. The Dutch Public Prosecution Service said it was watching the developments with interest, although we cannot verify what is going on. We would, of course, like nothing more than for this man, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the Netherlands, to serve his prison sentence here. The victims of MH17 and their relatives deserve that, the statement said. But the fact is that Russia does not extradite its citizens, and this event unfortunately does not bring that any closer. Strelkov, whose adopted name is rooted in the word shooter, had a penchant for war history and was among the Russians who take part in military reenactments, appearing in the uniform of an imperial Russian officer from World War I and toting historic weapons. Amid the fighting in Ukraine, he has mocked Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu as a plywood marshal, an apparent reference to Shoigus hobby of woodcutting. Strelkov long has spoken with contempt about Putin, accusing him of incompetence and kowtowing to Western interests, and he toughened his criticism after the start of Moscows action in Ukraine. He predicted Russia would face imminent defeat because of Putins reluctance to declare a massive mobilization and put the country on full military footing. A lot of empty talk, the minimum of action and the utter lack of responsibility for failures that is Putins style of late, Strelkov said recently. A nonentity that has managed to cheat a large part of the population has been at the countrys helm for 23 years. He warned that the country will not survive another six years under the rule of that cowardly mediocrity, a reference to Putins expected bid to run for another six-year term in a presidential vote in March 2024. Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, said Wagners rebellion has given the military brass an opportunity to go after its critics. Strelkov had overstepped all conceivable boundaries a long time ago, sparking the desire among security forces from the FSB to military chiefs to apprehend him, she said on Twitter. This is a direct outcome of Prigozhins mutiny: the armys command now wields greater political leverage to quash its opponents in the public sphere. She predicted that while its unlikely that there will be massive repressions against angry patriots, the most vehement dissenters may face prosecution, serving as a cautionary tale for others. CHP San Andreas Unit logo View Photo Copperopolis, CA A 30-year-old Copperopolis woman died Thursday evening in a crash on Little John Road at Copper Cove Drive. The CHP reports that the unidentified woman was driving a Toyota Camry north on Little John Road at a high rate of speed and she crashed into a power pole, sheering it. The vehicle then continued into a field and overturned multiple times. She was pronounced dead at the scene and no other vehicles were involved. Details surrounding the crash are under investigation, according to the CHP. Idaho jury finds 5 from white nationalist group guilty of criminal conspiracy to riot at Pride event Idaho jury finds 5 from white nationalist group guilty of criminal conspiracy to riot at Pride event View Photo COEUR DALENE, Idaho (AP) Five members of the white nationalist hate group Patriot Front were convicted Thursday of misdemeanor charges of conspiracy to riot at a Pride event. A Kootenai County jury found Forrest Rankin, Devin Center, Derek Smith, James Julius Johnson and Robert Whitted guilty after about an hour of deliberation, news outlets reported. A total of 31 Patriot Front members, including one identified as its founder, were arrested June 11, 2022, after someone reported seeing people loading into a U-Haul van like a little army at a hotel parking lot in Coeur dAlene, police have said. Police found riot gear, a smoke grenade, shin guards and shields inside the van after pulling it over near where the North Idaho Pride Alliance was holding a Pride in the Park event, Coeur dAlene Police Chief Lee White has said. Documents found with the group reportedly outlined a plan to form a column outside City Park and proceed inward, until barriers to approach are met. Once an appropriate amount of confrontational dynamic had been established, the column would disengage and head down Sherman Avenue. Those arrested came from at least 11 states, including Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Colorado, South Dakota, Illinois, Wyoming, Virginia and Arkansas. Rioting is generally a misdemeanor in Idaho. Conspiracy to riot is punishable by up to one year in jail, as well as a $5,000 fine and up to two years of probation. The five men are scheduled to be sentenced on Friday. ___ This story has been updated to correct James Johnsons middle name to Julius, not Michael. From the Berlin Veterans Commission: The Korean War was fought between North Korea and South Korea from 1950 to 1953. The war began on June 25, 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea following clashes along the border and rebellions in South Korea. On June 27, 1950, the United States officially entered the Korean War. The U.S. and allied countries supported the Republic of Korea (commonly called South Korea) in repelling an invasion from the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (commonly called North Korea). North Korea was supported by China and the Soviet Union. In the United States, the battles were controversial because of the large number of soldiers killed for terrain with no strategic or tactical value. According to U.S. sources, Chinese losses were far greater than our own. The first battle was described in the work Pork Chop Hill: The American Fighting Man in Action, Korea, Spring 1953, by S.L.A. Marshall, from which the film Pork Chop Hill was drawn. The Battle of Pork Chop Hill was significant because it enabled the United States to prevent North Korea from harnessing the hill. On June 6 and 7, 1952, the 279th Infantry Regiment seized the six northern hills, while the 180th Infantry advanced on the six southern ones. Company I of the 180th took Pork Chop Hill after a one-hour firefight and immediately fortified the position. Battles continued throughout Korea, and at dawn on April 18, 1953, an additional U.S. rifle company (Company A, 17th Infantry) climbed Pork Chop Hill to reinforce the 2nd Battalion companies. Together, the three companies spent the bulk of the day clearing the trenches and bunkers of enemy combatants and securing the hilltop. The battle ended that afternoon on Pork Chop Hill, and three months later, on July 27, 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed. Welcome home, Korean War veterans! Beginning this fall, with the Class of 2027, public high school students in Connecticut will be required to complete a half-credit course in personal financial management and financial literacy in order to graduate. The legislation was approved in the Senate by a vote of 35 to 1 and in the House of Representatives, 138 to 12. Gov. Ned Lamont signed the bill into law on July 19. Personal financial management is one of the most important instructional tools that we can give young people to achieve economic independence and stability throughout their lives, and requiring it to graduate from high school is simply common sense, Lamont stated. This course will help give every student a better shot at financial success, particularly those who are not fortunate enough to be given the opportunity or the resources to receive this kind of instruction at home. Financial education is as important as math, science and reading. I am proud to sign this bill into law, and I thank the overwhelming majority of legislators who sent it to my desk. Deputy Republican Leader Paul Cicarella (R-North Haven) and Chief Deputy Republican Leader Henri Martin (R-Bristol) applauded the signing of the bipartisan S.B. 1165. The Republican lawmakers had proposed the concept of financial literacy for high school students in an earlier bill, S.B. 18. Thank you to the Governor for signing this legislation for the benefit of Connecticuts future workforce. The first step to a successful career is understanding the value of a dollar, and the cause and effects of how you spend your money. This is exactly why I joined Senator Martin to research and introduce this concept last year, said Cicarella. We had the privilege of engaging with numerous students, school counselors and educators to craft a proposal that will work. I was astonished that a significant number of young people are unfamiliar with the expenses related to essentials like their phone bill or groceries. This new law will equip them to navigate financial challenges with confidence and avoid the burden of debt. Entering adulthood without debt will pave the way for their prosperity in the state. Martin echoed those remarks, stating, Our children are our future, and giving them real-life building blocks and knowledge to maintain financial stability will prepare them for their future. He added, Less than half of all Americans have more than $1,000 in their savings. It is imperative that we begin introducing financial literacy to our students in their teenage years, teaching them the fundamentals of finance. The Connecticut State Board of Education will provide curriculum and resources to help local school boards develop the finance-related courses, which must include instruction on banking, investing, savings, the handling of personal finance matters and the impact of using credit cards and debit cards. By Phoebe Cooke, senior reporter at DeSmog. She joined the organization in 2020 to investigate forest-based carbon offsets, and now focuses on investigating false solutions to the climate crisis, including hydrogen, bioenergy and liquefied natural gas, across the UK and Europe. Originally published at DeSmog. An energy trade association that represents and promotes gas boilers and manufacturers is behind a barrage of negative press attacking heat pumps, DeSmog has learned. Over the past two years, the Energy and Utilities Association (EUA) has paid a public affairs firm to generate hundreds of articles and interviews to lobby the UK government on energy policy. The PR campaign subjects heat pumps to intense criticism. Powered by electricity, heat pumps are currently set to play a key role in decarbonising heating and replacing gas boilers, which heat around 85 percent of Britains homes and account for 15 percent of greenhouse gas emissions nationwide. Negative stories about electric heat pumps have featured in outlets such as The Sun, Telegraph and The Express, in which damning headlines dub the technology Soviet-style, financially irrational as well as costly and noisy. Broadcast media has amplified similar messages on BBC 2s Newsnight, LBC, TalkTV and GB News. The company driving this coverage is the Birmingham-based WPR Agency, which was hired by the EUA to deliver an integrated PR and social media campaign to help change the direction of government policy. On its website WPR said it aimed to spark outrage around heat pumps. This wording, along with other phrases, has since been altered to read spark conversations following a request for comment on this article from DeSmog. The group has since lobbied to delay government plans to ramp up heat pump installation targets in a consultation that closed in June. WPRs campaign also explicitly promotes hydrogen as a viable fuel for domestic heating. While favoured by the gas and installers industry as it can flow along existing infrastructure, neither the UNs leading climate body the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) or 32 recently reviewed independent studies see a major role for hydrogen in decarbonizing homes. Much of the media coverage about heat pumps features Mike Foster, a former Labour MP and the chief executive of the Energy and Utilities Association trade body. According to the group, its members carry out around 98 percent of the UKs heating installations. The vast majority of these are for gas boilers, though some of its members have also branched out into heat pumps. WPR has sought to enhance both the image of Foster and EUA. The agency takes credit on its website for 32 media hits criticising heat pumps since June 2021 (described as a snapshot of results by the firm). Foster is quoted in 90 percent of this coverage. According to DeSmogs analysis of google news taking in tabloids, broadsheets, broadcast media and select trade press this would mean the PR agency has generated two thirds of the high-profile negative content published about heat pumps in the 23 months to April 2023. With targets now set for the phase-out of gas boilers in countries across Europe, in recent years, gas companies in the UK and the EU have lobbied hard for hydrogen over heat pumps the model which offers the least disruption to their business model. The people who are pushing for hydrogen heating arent genuinely interested in tackling climate breakdown theyre looking for a lifeline for the gas industry, says Sarah Becker of Global Witness. They arent just talking up a false climate solution, theyre also working hard to undermine the right ones, she adds. Heat pumps will play an essential role in reducing our fossil fuel dependence and making our homes and buildings renewables-ready. Energy expert Professor Martin Freer puts the UKs glacial uptake of heat pumps the lowest in Europe in part down to a lack of clarity for consumers. The homeowner is confused by the mixed messages from government, industry and the sector around which low-carbon heating solution is best, says the director of the Birmingham Energy Institute. This same confusion does not exist in countries such as Italy and Poland and even France, Germany or the Netherlands. Responding on behalf of WPR, the lawyer Jonathan Coad said hydrogen was an entirely viable means of providing an efficient and low-carbon heating alternative to gas boilers, stating that WPR was simply raising the disadvantages of heat pumps, about which scientific and ecological opinion is clearly divided. Foster said: There is no anti-heat pump campaign funded by EUA, adding that the WPR merely provides outsourced media support for our organisation. He said neither he nor the EUA are outright opposed to heat pumps and support the right appliance for the right home. Future of Heat In order to hit national climate targets and slow global heating, governments need to slash greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, which account for over a third of the EUs energy consumption. UK government research has found heat pumps to be three times as energy efficient as gas boilers, and plans to install 600,000 of the devices per year by 2028. The future of hydrogen in heating homes in the UK is less assured. The House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee has determined that low carbon hydrogen will at best have a limited role in heating homes. This echoes the view of the 2022 report from the IPCC which cited over 18,000 studies. It saw at best a very modest role for hydrogen in buildings by 2050, citing a much higher delivered cost of heat compared to heat pumps, along with safety and performance concerns associated with hydrogen. Hydrogen can be made in a number of ways some of which are more polluting than others. Green hydrogen is made from solar and wind power, while blue hydrogen is made using natural gas, in a process that involves capturing and storing methanes carbon dioxide emissions (CCS), however this technology was described as minimal or non-existent in a 2021 report by Manchester Universitys Tyndall Centre. While green hydrogen is widely accepted as necessary for decarbonising heavy industry and some other sectors where greenhouse gas emissions are harder to remove it is not considered viable for heating homes. A peer-reviewed assessment of over 30 independent studies in 2022, concluded that hydrogen use in domestic heating is inefficient, costly and resource-intensive compared to other low-carbon options such as heat pumps. Green hydrogen will always be 2 to 3 times more expensive, and this will always be the case independent of any technology improvements. Its fundamental physics, explains Simon Roberts, Honorary Professor at Brunel Universitys Resource Efficient Future Cities Research Centre. Hydrogen should only be considered where there is no alternative. For example, long distance, heavy transport, such as ships, large planes and some trucks. Another hitch with hydrogen is that there may simply not be enough green hydrogen available due to the energy required to make it. It would require the installation of 2 to 3 times more renewable energy, which could be better used elsewhere. Not only is this a high expense but expansion of renewable energy generation wont be able to keep up with the switch from fossil fuels, additional demand of electric vehicles and additional demand of hydrogen production, Roberts says. The government is due to announce a hydrogen village trial in Redcar, North Yorkshire later this year to assess whether to introduce hydrogen blending a mix of green hydrogen and gas in the National Grid from 2026. The Redcar trial has proved controversial after a gas companys PR offensive in the town, documented by DeSmog, and concerns over safety and environmental damage. Hydrogen trials due in Whitby, Cheshire have been cancelled in the face of local opposition. Financially Irrational Despite the overwhelming scientific consensus on the cheapest, most efficient route to decarbonisation of home heating, the EUA holds a different view. The WPRs campaign blurb claimed it took on the heat pump lobby by highlighting the high installation cost and disruption of heat pumps, which it said had become increasingly focused on heat pumps to the detriment of other technologies and fuel choices, specifically hydrogen. After DeSmog approached WPR for comment, the wording was edited on the companys site. The original page, archived by DeSmog, stated took on the heat pump lobby, which was changed to challenged the prevailing narrative while the phrase spark outrage was softened to spark conversations. The PR campaign run by WPR Agency has exploited genuine concerns around the high upfront cost of heat pumps to generate consistently negative headlines, while boosting the profile of hydrogen blending in the energy mix without raising any concerns or drawbacks associated with the fuel. This technique of paltering using statements that are technically true but omit crucial information and are therefore misleading are a well used tactic of anti-environmental movements in the US. These delay arguments on climate change often focus on economic cost and appeals to social justice. Foster, who represented the constituency of Worcester from 1997 to 2010, is quoted in dozens of trade and national media titles criticising the technology. After energy bills rocketed in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine in February last year, Foster labelled the act of buying a heat pump as financially irrational in a paid-for opinion piece in Politics.co.uk, a publication targeted at Westminster insiders. Foster refers repeatedly on Twitter to the heat pump cult. In an op-ed for The Telegraph in January (Heat pumps for all is a cult that the Government should abandon), he argues that for the vast majority of homes, already on the gas grid, keeping your boiler and changing the gas to hydrogen, is the most feasible way forward. In an interview with The Express in February this year, he described the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which awards a 5,000 grant to heat pump buyers, as a sick dog that should be put down. The governments rollout of the devices so far has been widely viewed as chaotic, with widespread criticism of the low uptake of the scheme and inadequate subsidies. Heat pumps perform best when they are installed in well-insulated homes, which prevents warm air from leaking through cracks, gaps and cavities. The government is lagging behind on its insulation scheme, which Fuel poverty charity National Energy Action in April characterises as slow and poorly targeted. But critics say concerns over heat-pump schemes have been misused. Despite subsidies that are higher than those awarded in many European countries, the UK installed just 60,000 in 2022 compared to 200,000 in Poland and Italy, according to Martin Freer. Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP, said that the UK governments roll-out of heat pumps had been shambolic enough without unnecessary media attention from a trade association, funded by members with an interest in preserving the status quo. Whats certainly not needed is the dirty fossil fuel lobby further undermining the credibility of heat pumps in favour of gas-powered hydrogen, simply to allow the continued use of climate-wrecking fossil fuels, Lucas told DeSmog. WPR has run a number of overlapping campaigns for the EUA, its various divisions and members. For the EUA trade associations heating and hotwater division (Heating & Hotwater Industry Council, or HHIC) the PR agency promoted hybrid heat pumps for domestic heating air source heat pumps that run alongside gas boilers as part of its 2021 Heating up to Net Zero campaign. A briefing produced by members called on the government to promote hybrid heat pumps, which are heavily promoted by the gas industry as less carbon intensive than gas boiler, but experts say only provide a further way to prolong the use of planet-heating gas. The WPR was also hired by the EUA and HHIC to generate coverage for its Heat Pump Installer Shortage campaign, for which it landed stories in the Telegraph and City AM. WPR which also includes Baxi, Worcester Bosch and Cadent among its clients also ran an additional campaign on behalf of the EUA, titled Moving the Dial on Hydrogen, which helped to produce the Too Close To Home briefing. The document drew attention to the high price of heat pumps, critiqued long installation times, and polled high support for low carbon gas boilers, including those partly powered by hydrogen. According to WPR, the hydrogen campaign produced national hits in mainstream media with a Twitter campaign reaching the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Kwasi Kwarteng, the former business and energy secretary. Technology Agnostic The EUA is made up of over 280 members active in the UKs energy trade sector, with seven umbrella divisions representing the heating, hot water, utility, gas vehicle, and radiator industries. The organisation says it acts on its members behalf to shape the UKs decarbonisation policy whilst being mindful of affordability and security of supply. Based on its name, you might think the Energy and Utilities Alliance represents both electricity and gas utilities, but you would be wrong, Michael Liebreich, energy analyst and founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, told DeSmog. Its a gas industry association, as you can see from its list of members. EUAs members include some of the gas industrys biggest names. Gas distribution companies SGN, Northern Gas Networks, Wales and West Utilities and Cadent the UKs largest gas distributor with 11 million customers. All these distributors advocate for the blending of hydrogen into the UK gas grid. Also present is National Gas, the owner of Britains gas network. On its website, the company which owns and operates the UKs 7,600km-long network of gas pipelines and maintains seven million gas meters expresses its ambition to deliver a hydrogen backbone for Britain. Boilermakers Worcester Bosch and Baxi, who are also members, both promote and market hydrogen-ready boilers as a carbon-free fuel source while Vaillant which sells boilers, as well as other heating systems backs hydrogen as the future fuel for boilers. While some of the EUAs member companies, including Baxi, Valliant and Wolseley, also provide heat pumps, these make up a tiny fraction of their current business. The UKs primary electricity distribution networks including UK Power Networks and Northern Power Grid are notably absent from the membership, along with electricity transmission operator National Grid. The EUA appears to back hydrogen in its policy strategy, sponsorship and on its website. The association sponsors the prestigious Institution of Gas Engineer and Managers annual gas industry awards and is also a co-sponsor of the cross-party informal parliamentary group (APPG) for hydrogen, alongside EUA members Baxi, Bosch and Cadent. The EUA champions hydrogen as a viable domestic fuel in reports, articles and events. The association enthusiastically promoted Hydrogen Week in February, and its most recent manifesto in 2019 listed Greening the gas grid with the aim of 99 percent hydrogen before 2050 as a top priority. On the EUAs website, multiple articles promote the blending of hydrogen with gas for home heating, and Foster regularly blogs on the subject. Foster acknowledges a limited role for heat pumps in just one post, in October 2021, for homes that already run solely on electricity. Foster told DeSmog that both he and the EUA had a technology agnostic approach. We support the right appliance for the right home, some will be heat pumps, some connected to heat networks and we believe some connected to a hydrogen gas network, he told DeSmog. Any suggestion that the organisation is anti-heat pump is wide of the mark, indeed outright wrong, he said. But the only EUA-sponsored stories that WPR has chosen to highlight on its site are negative stories about heat pumps. Hydrogen Champion In April, Foster was on seen canvassing for Worcesters Labour parliamentary candidate, Tom Collins who is also the hydrogen development lead at Worcester Bosch, one of the EUAs members. When asked by DeSmog if this presented a conflict of interest, Foster told DeSmog that as a Labour Party member of 40 years it would be strange if I did not support his election campaign. As well as closely following the events and activities of the Hydrogen APPG, Foster has spoken at the all-party parliamentary group for Energy Costs, including at an event in March on decarbonising heat. In late April Foster attended a meeting with Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Grant Shapps along with MPs Emma Hardy, Karl Turner and Shaun Edwards, the chief executive of Ideal Heating. A government spokesperson said the meeting was to discuss the clean heat market mechanism and progress regarding the installation of heat pumps. Foster told DeSmog the meeting was at the invitation of the three Hull Labour MPs, who wanted to represent their GMB unionised workforce, given my expertise in the heating area, in a local issue. The meeting took place during a consultation on a proposed mechanism to incentivise heat pumps, which closed June 8. In it, the government sets out a mandate for the UKs fossil fuel boiler manufacturers to sell a rising proportion of heat pumps from next year. A leaked draft response seen by DeSmog that was submitted by the EUA body, the Heating and Hotwater Industry Council, proposes delaying the mechanism until 2026. The plans were misguided, the response stated, and would push UK manufacturers out of the UK and directly lead to significant job losses. Foster told DeSmog that it would be perverse for the EUA to fund an anti-heat pump campaign. He added that he authorised heat pump installations in his capacity as chair of Affordable Warmth Solutions a company that administers a government energy support fund and also through the EUA itself. We support a range of technologies heat pumps, heat networks and hydrogen and yes, we campaign for that outcome for the consumer, who we believe should have a choice about future home heating, he said. Despite the prohibitive cost of heat pumps in the UK (an average of 10,000), the number of homes installing one has grown by around 10 percent month-on-month, according to new research published in early May by the energy and climate think tank Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU). Writing in the New Statesman in February this year, the analyst Jan Rosenow, director of European programs at the Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) of clean energy experts, identified three ingredients to fix the UKs heat pump problem: reform the tax system to better reward environmentally friendly options, set clear dates for fossil fuel phase out to provide market certainty and spark investment and communicate better about heat pumps and how they work. Responding to DeSmogs findings, Michael Liebreich said: I would love to know the reasons for Mike Fosters relentless boosting of hydrogen is it because his members are pushing him in that direction? None of his campaigns will have the slightest impact on the eventual outcome; as Nobel prize-winning physicist Richard Feynman said: For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled. But the delay will cost the climate dearly. Every year of confusion and delay is a year Fosters members dont have to invest in new business models, reflects Michael Liebreich. And if hydrogen heating doesnt work which of course it wont so be it, and shame about the planet. Its impossible to look back at the history of the Nashville Scene without paying tribute to the man who helped define the publication perhaps more than anyone else. Jim Ridley, who worked at the paper for a quarter-century and served as its chief editor for the better part of a decade, was a singular writer, a peerless film critic, an inexhaustible champion of the arts and a mentor to dozens of local journalists. As an editor, Ridley was a wizard. Former editor-in-chief Steve Cavendish remembers this: I was a thousand words into explaining a complex piece of tobacco litigation for a Scene cover story, and what I turned in was, well, not great. Jim not only untangled it, he added this little gem: The ash hadnt hit the tray before the tobacco companies appealed. It makes me smile every time. Former Scene staffer Steve Haruch compiled Ridleys film writing into a collection published by Vanderbilt University Press last year. People Only Die of Love in Movies is a compendium of nearly 100 film reviews and features penned by Ridley for the Scene and other publications. There are literally thousands of great things that Jim created for the Scene that never appeared under his name, says Cavendish, from 150-word Critics Picks to whole sections of stories that needed to be rewritten. So, yeah, the world lost a powerful critic, but every Scenester lost the best editor a writer could dream of having. For our 30th anniversary issue, we asked staffers and contributors past and present to share their favorite of Jims enduring works. The stories span the era from the early 90s to one month before his death in 2016. Rollicking concert reviews, a history of queer life in Nashville, a deep dive into roadside comfort food and more, Ridleys colleagues cover enough ground to keep you busy all week. Deep Focus Aug. 4, 1994 For students, Prof. Brooks made French culture attractive through sheer force of personality: When he greeted students Bonjour!, he did so not with an instructors reserve but with a boulevardiers gusto. My dear friend Franklin Brooks died on July 25, 1994. Jim had taken a French course from him while he was at Vanderbilt. He captured Franklins essence with the lightest, sweetest touch. Jim had that gift, not just for cleverness, but for caring too. He could be elegant at every word. John Bridges, Scene staff, 1989-1998 Last Call at Juanitas: The untold story of Nashvilles oldest gay bar Oct. 19, 1995 They recall Miss Juanita in 1953, a strong, husky woman striding down the sidewalk in front of the old Sam Davis Hotel toward Commerce Street. Her fiery red hair gave her the look of a lighted powder keg. In 1953 she had just taken over the tiny lounge that bore her name. It really showcases Jims ability to tell you about something you know nothing about in a way that makes you immediately feel invested in it and protective of it and in love with it. Betsy Phillips, contributor, 2008-2018 The Plays the Thing: Kenneth Branaghs dynamic Hamlet Feb. 20, 1997 "In Hamlets paradoxical world, fiction has the power to unmask, to conceal, or even to kill; to act means either to make a decisive move or to hide ones grisly deeds and intentions sometimes both at once. Only Jim Ridley could turn a simple film review into a graduate seminar on Jacobean dramaturgy, Shakespearean wordplay and the art of adaptation and all in language worthy of the Bard himself. Margaret Renkl, contributor, 1996-2009 Night Spot: The mysterious, mundane magic of Waffle House Aug. 7, 1997 To translate Winston Churchills famous description of Russia into wafflecentric terms, the Waffle House is a mystery smothered, covered, chunked, and topped with an enigma. Its no wonder this story has been taught in feature-writing classes; its a perfect mix of observation, obsessive fact-hoarding and personal narrative that somehow makes a story about a so-ubiquitous-as-to-be-nearly-invisible roadside chain restaurant, best known for its waffles and hash browns, into a story about comfort and human longing. Steve Haruch, Scene staff, 2007-2014 A Dogs Life: The times of Lucys Record Shop Jan. 29, 1998 On a rainy Friday night in front of the venue, on the crowded sidewalk that has served as the citys informal meeting place for teen punk fans, dozens of kids jostled, pantomimed, and ground cigarettes beneath their sneakers into the cold, wet concrete. But a strange uncertainty was felt, in the whispers and the too casual conversations on the pavement. More than a time capsule of Nashville during the 1990s, Jims tribute to Lucys Record Shop is an evocative rumination on the ephemerality of local scenes, underground movements and independently owned businesses, while at the same time affirming their enduring, transformational power. Jonathan Marx, Scene staff, 1990-2006 Fade to Black: Can the Watkins Belcourt be saved? Jan. 21, 1999 If dull familiarity is what Nashvillians want, theyll be amply rewarded either by Patch Adams on three screens at every megaplex, or by the umpteenth production of Smoke on the Mountain at the local playhouse. If these represent the pinnacle of our intellectual curiosity, its a sad joke that were investing in a $15 million downtown arts center. What will we enshrine there? Paintings of kittens and sunsets? I cant think of a story that better demonstrates the power of journalism to shape the future of a city than Fade to Black, Jims impassioned call to arms to save our citys arthouse theater, the Belcourt, from imminent demise. The gleaming new Belcourt quite likely wouldnt exist without that 1999 cover story and Jims countless pieces drawing attention to his beloved local cinema sanctuary. Jack Silverman, Scene staff and contributor, 1997-present The Year in Review: Scene writers survey highlights (and some lowlights) in music, books, arts and culture Dec. 18, 2003 Sunset, approx. 4:35 p.m. Nov. 18. Not just any sunset, mind you a savage Van Gogh stippling of storm clouds and sunlight that streaked the sky with fire and bruises. Through the plate-glass window of a 100 Oaks superstore, it looked like an advancing tidal wave of flame a reckoning. Outside, shoppers stood stopped in their tracks, wide-eyed and open-mouthed, as reflecting puddles on the asphalt smoldered like magma. When I tried to call people to tell them to look, the phones were down. Sometimes nature sends us a message if it thinks we arent paying attention. Such a sky does not happen by accident. I still wonder what it means. Tucked away in an 11,000-word roundup of Scene staffers favorite 2003 discoveries is Jim Ridleys No. 1, a brief but gobsmacking blurb about an autumn sunset an awe-inspired and awe-inspiring recollection about the kind of moment most of us would overlook, rendered in impossibly tender prose. D. Patrick Rodgers, Scene staff (2008-present) and current editor-in-chief Missed Opportunities: Kick yourself for not seeing these movies Dec. 27, 2007 Chris Sivertsons mystifying mood piece [I Know Who Killed Me] about a demure honor student who morphs into a mutilated stripper was sold as torture porn, but its closer in spirit to a glue-huffing remake of Kieslowskis The Double Life of Veronique. Satoshi Kon, Lake of Fire and I Know Who Killed Me playing nice with Tsai Ming-Liang, Edward Burtynsky, local interest features and artsy kindertrauma. Nobody did it better, or with a more expansive heart, than Jim. I am no expert on the ways of the universe; I am not having new conversations with whatever is beyond. But I am continuing one that started 20-odd years ago. Jason Shawhan, contributor, 2000-present The Spin: The Raconteurs at the Cannery Apr. 15, 2008 From the grinding opening groove of Consoler of the Lonely, every hook-loaded, arm-windmilling song sounds as though the sun had melted a whole stack of Who, Badfinger, Thin Lizzy and Boston LPs into a foot-thick brick of Super Seventies goodness. Jims 2008 review of the Raconteurs show at the Cannery stands as the TL;DR of how to write: The band comes out swinging their dicks like Louisville sluggers, looking like Bob Dylans Basement Tapes meets Slap Shot. Plus, every hook-loaded, arm-windmilling song sounds as though the sun had melted a whole stack of Who, Badfinger, Thin Lizzy and Boston LPs into a foot-thick brick of Super Seventies goodness. Take notes, kids. Tracy Moore, Scene staff, 2005-2011 Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Bridgestone Arena Apr. 18, 2014 Time throws you off a rooftop the day youre born, and the fall you have to the pavement is called a life. The Springsteens of the world are there to remind us the object is to never stop kicking and punching and straining for the sky, all the way to the inevitable finish. Jim transcended the medium, turning a concert review into a sage rumination on life, and all the joy, sadness, hope, despair and turns of phrase that come with it kind of like a great Springsteen song. Adam Gold, Scene staff, 2008-2017 The Umbrellas of Cherbourg: A Finite Forever July 23, 2014 for The Criterion Collection More than any other film I know, Umbrellas affects people differently at different stages of life. When I first saw it, newly married but still remembering vividly the pang of adolescent crushes, it played as tragedy: the story of a young love snuffed out by war, fate, and economic hardship. Over the years, seen in the light of Demys other films, it has come to seem more properly an exaltation of lifes bittersweet balances and trade-offs of unexpected triumphs made richer by the dashed hopes that offset them. Its rare that a film review can make you cry as much as the actual film does, but Jims tender description of the delirium of first love and the grim realities of real life hit you right in the gut. He also seamlessly weaves Western capitalism, James Joyce and The Shirelles into his review. Who does that? Jim Ridley, thats who. Abby White, Scene staff, 2012-2015 Best Nighttime Fun: John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, Best of Nashville 2014 Its free, and the rewards are immense. The skylines a jewelbox, the view breathtaking, the mood festive; the Cumberland shimmers with pools of reflected color, periodically rippled by a barge or passing steamboat. (Go in the daytime, and it doubles as a chance to check out the fountain park and climbing wall at nearby Cumberland Park.) It makes your heart swell. Stand on one of the overlooks with your wide-eyed kids, and tell them: This is where you live. This is your city. I keep coming back to Jims gemlike salute to the Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge a few sentences into which he packs a practical tip for parents, a poetic appreciation of a piece of infrastructure and a note of civic pride. Stephen Trageser, Scene staff, 2014-present I Saw the Light travels Hank Williams lost highway to its bitter end Mar. 24, 2016 Over the years, Williams, like many an artist who did his legend the favor of dying young, has been embraced as an emblem of many things: artistry stoked by suffering, rebel-yell belligerence, misunderstood genius, the honky-tonk cult of true experience. One of the last pieces Jim ever wrote was about the Nashville premiere of the Hank Williams biopic I Saw the Light, and even though the film itself isnt that great, Jim used some of his space at the top of the article to pen one of the most evocative and accurate descriptions I ever read of Williams music, and how it makes its own movies in the listeners mind. Noel Murray, Scene staff, 1993-1995; contributor, 1996-present A group of Covenant School parents and community members have created two nonprofits, Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows and Covenant Families Action Fund, to protect children from gun violence. The nonprofits were announced in a press conference on Thursday in the Cordell Hull State Office Building in what spokesperson Alexei Laushkin called a profound moment of hope in the midst of grief and loss both for the Covenant families, the city of Nashville, the state of Tennessee and indeed the nation. Prior to the press conference, the group gathered on the steps of the Tennessee State Capitol to pray for each state legislator leading up to the anticipated August special session proposed by Gov. Bill Lee in response to the March 27 school shooting. (Lee has yet to formally issue a special session call, and Republican lawmakers have said they do not plan to support a red-flag law like the one backed by the governor.) This organization [Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows] aims to provide education around the impact and prevention of school shootings and to improve mental health support, Laushkin said. The parents firmly believe that the school was made safe for that day due to the preparatory steps taken and they want to explore pragmatic steps that schools can take that keep kids safe in the event of a horrific day that, unfortunately, is becoming more common. Other speakers included Covenant School parents Sarah Shoop Neumann, Melissa Alexander and David Teague, who are also co-founders of both nonprofits. Covenant Families for Brighter Tomorrows lists their objectives as advocating for comprehensive measures that enhance security protocols, including improved infrastructure, increased training, and updated emergency response systems, as well as increased mental health resources in schools and stricter gun safety measures while preserving Second Amendment rights. My hope is that their education and legislative advocacy I can bring up from these ashes in honor of the lives lost that we mourn so deeply for, Shoop Neumann said, calling for meaningful legislation, including firearm reform. Neumann held up her young son, Noah, who spoke softly into the collection of news microphones. I dont want any guns for today or any day, and I love my school, he said. The nonprofits are not affiliated with the school or church, and Laushkin said that they have no plans to endorse candidates. The nonprofits are not involved in the ongoing lawsuit over the shooters manifesto, but some of the parents are individually involved in the litigation. Our group alone has already taken dozens of legislator meetings, Alexander said. We thank those who have met with us thus far and we will continue to do so because we believe there is power in sharing our story so that others can understand and learn from the experience our children and staff faced on that fateful day of March 27. Alexander said that she is a gun owner who wants to see action taken when there are clear signs that something is wrong. We are advocating for gun violence prevention solutions, such as expanded background checks, secure storage, order of protection laws a life-saving measure that could have prevented the tragedy at The Covenant School. Teague said that seeing police body camera footage inside of his childs classroom jarred him and deepened my resolve. It's going to take everybody in the state and the small towns and big cities, but we just need to lower the volume and stop screaming at each other talk to one another, see the humanity in each other, and we can find common ground to help make our children safer. While the special session is anticipated to take place in August, Republican State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson told SuperTalk 99.7 that he is confident that the legislature will not pass any type of red flag law or ERPO, extreme risk protection order. The parents are urging policymakers to get serious as it relates to the policies that are before them, and to pray and to reflect on what's possible, Laushkin told reporters. Conservative states like Florida and Indiana have these laws. This article first ran via our sister publication The News. Speaking at the 14th annual Aspen Security Forum on Thursday (20 July 2023), Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana outlined the major decisions taken at the recent Vilnius Summit to strengthen NATO and ensure its ongoing adaption to a more dangerous world. The Deputy Secretary General highlighted the decisions on the most robust and detailed defence plans since the Cold War, the enduring commitment to invest more in defence, and the strong package of support to bring Ukraine closer to NATO than ever before. He also outlined that increased resilience and innovation requires closer and deeper cooperation between NATO, the private sector, and its partners around the world. Mr Geoana participated in a discussion on the Vilnius Summit outcomes with David Sanger, White House and National Security Correspondent at The New York Times. He also took part in a panel discussion on the future of European security and defence with Geoffrey van Leeuwen, Foreign Affairs and Defence Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, and Tom Tugendhat, Minister for Security of the United Kingdom. The panel discussion was moderated by Peter Spiegel, U.S. Managing Editor at Financial Times. During his visit, Mr Geoana also met with Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, U.S. Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, Christine Wormuth, U.S. Secretary of the Army, and Michael Froman, President of the Council on Foreign Relations. Biden administration FINALLY ends HHS funding for Wuhan Institute of Virology After months of pushback, the administration of President Joe Biden has finally formally halted the Wuhan Institute of Virology's (WIV) access to federal funding Biden's Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notified the institute about the suspension on Monday, July 17, following a department review that began in September 2022, raising concerns that the institute where the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) first emerged is violating biosafety protocols and isn't complying with United States safety regulations. (Related: Investigation shows taxpayers may have been DOUBLE BILLED by US government for projects in Wuhan.) A memorandum on the cutoff from the HHS noted that the Wuhan lab "not only previously violated, but is currently violating and will continue to violate protocols of the NIH [National Institutes of Health] on biosafety" and that "the immediate suspension of WIV is necessary to mitigate any potential public health risk. The department further said that the cessation of all federal funding for the Wuhan lab was also due to the lab's failure to provide the U.S. with important information regarding its alleged biosafety violations. The WIV has received more than $1.4 million in federal awards, including subgrants from the NIH, since 2014. While it hasn't received any new funding since 2020, it is still eligible for some taxpayer dollars until next year. Republicans call on EcoHealth to also be cut off from taxpayer funding In the wake of this development, Republicans in the House of Representatives are now calling for the HHS to "consider a similar debarment for EcoHealth Alliance," the organization which also receives federal funding that may have aided researchers at the Wuhan lab in conducting gain-of-function research which led to the creation of the coronavirus. "Our committee has led a comprehensive investigation that has uncovered numerous reasons to debar the WIV and prevent U.S. taxpayer dollars from funding risky research done at inappropriate biosafety levels," said House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington in an open letter. McMorris Rodgers signed this letter along with Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie of Kentucky and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith of Virginia. The representatives noted that the HHS's own inspector general even confirmed that EcoHealth Alliance did not effectively monitor its awards and subawards, limiting the organization's ability to understand the nature of the research conducted using EcoHealth funds and preventing the organization from quickly identifying problem areas. "We've questioned the Inspector General as well as [HHS] Secretary Xavier Becerra and NIH's head official Dr. Lawrence Tabak about decisions to continue funding research at the lab," wrote the representatives. "If that wasn't enough, our committee has uncovered that Dr. Anthony Fauci wasn't lawfully appointed when he approved the latest grant to EcoHealth Alliance in 2022." "It's past time that the Biden administration made this decision, but they deserve no credit for finally doing what the evidence and facts demanded," wrote McMorris Rodgers. "It is outrageous that it took them so long. HHS must now consider a similar debarment for EcoHealth Alliance." Learn more about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic at Pandemic.news. Watch this clip from "The Kim Iversen Show" as host Kim Iversen interviews Dr. Andrew Huff about how the Biden administration's decision to cut funding for the Wuhan lab is a "meaningless" gesture intended to placate the public. This video is from the Pool Pharmacy channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: BIOWARFARE ON AMERICANS: RFK Jr. says CIA was directly involved in funding COVID research for Wuhan lab. Former researcher at Wuhan lab reveals COVID-19 was developed by the CCP as a bioweapon. US investigators say COVID came from classified bioweapons program at Wuhan lab. Definitely intentional: Senate investigation uncovers SECOND lab leak from Wuhan Institute of Virology that's connected to vaccine development. Shocking connection made between Hunter Biden, Ukraine biolabs and reported origin of COVID pandemic in Wuhan. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com Bloomberg.com EnergyCommerce.House.gov Brighteon.com Bidens Justice Department might file a THIRD INDICTMENT against Donald Trump Former President Donald Trump might receive a third indictment The embattled former Republican president, who has already been indicted twice by the Department of Justice of the administration of President Joe Biden, recently received a target letter from the department's special counsel Jack Smith listing the categories of charges Trump could potentially face, including conspiracy to defraud the United States. A target letter is an official correspondence that prosecutors send to people informing them that they and their alleged crimes are currently under investigation. Trump himself has confirmed that he received the target letter from Smith. (Related: Glenn Beck: America to turn into BANANA REPUBLIC if Trump is indicted.) The conspiracy to defraud the U.S. charge could be an umbrella of charges piled into one, with these allegations covering various parts of Trump's strategy to overturn the results of the 2020 election leading up to and including the incident on Jan. 6, 2021. Norm Eisen, a lawyer who previously worked with Democrats when they controlled the House of Representatives, claimed that the possible third indictment stems from claims that Trump "led an alleged conspiracy from the Oval Office to procure fake electoral certificates across the nation as well as to push other schemes to overturn the election." Furthermore, the charge also stems from the charge recommended by the House's January 6 commission, which alleged that Trump tried to obstruct the congressional count of Electoral College votes by attempting to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence into rejecting electors for Biden and appointing alternate pro-Trump electors. Possible third indictment receives widespread condemnation from conservatives Conservative activist and president of the organization Judicial Watch Tom Fitton noted that this third indictment marks the latest in "a coordinated Democratic Party operation to destroy the Republican Party" using the powers of government. Political commentator, radio host and conservative activist Glenn Beck made a similar comment, noting how the Democrats might be desperate to smear Trump's name and prevent him from running a successful campaign "because this is the last election that they will have a chance of winning ever again if they don't start moving mountains here and actually cutting off the purse strings to the things that they can do and use every tool at its disposal." Even some of Trump's rivals for the Republican Party's nomination have noted how a potential third indictment against him sets a dangerous precedent. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted what plenty of other Republicans have argued: That federal judicial institution under Biden, including the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, have been politicized. "I can tell you one of my jobs as president will be to end the weaponization of these agencies," he said. "I will get that job done." South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott similarly pointed out that this weaponization of federal executive institutions has affected not just Trump but many other innocent people. Businessman Vivek Ramaswamy argued that the new charges against Trump are "different from any of the other indictments" because it could potentially disqualify Trump either from running or, if he is elected, potentially forcing his removal. "Either sets a dangerous precedent here," warned Ramaswamy. "I do not want to see my opponents eliminated because of the actions of a corrupt federal administrative police state." But several of Trump's rivals have used this possible third indictment to heap criticism on him. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson claimed that Trump's actions on January 6 "should disqualify him from ever being president again." Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie similarly claimed that "[Trump's] conduct on January 6th proves he doesn't care about our country and our Constitution." Read the latest news involving former President Donald Trump at Trump.news. Watch this clip with Glenn Beck interviewing Tom Fitton of Judicial Watch regarding Trump's possible third indictment and Congress' complicity in this whole debacle. This video is from the High Hopes channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Biden regime again proves 'Justice' Dept. is weaponized: Witness against first family indicted days after providing damning whistleblower testimony. Right Now with Ann Vandersteel: Biden's DOJ showing double standard in Trump indictment Brighteon.TV. Poll: 55% of independents find Trump's indictment politically motivated because IT IS. Former federal prosecutor finds numerous problems with indictment documents against Trump. Talk of "revolution" reverberates across America after Biden's politicized DOJ indicts President Trump, the candidate most likely to beat Biden in 2024. Sources include: Brighteon.com USAToday.com CBSNews.com FoxNews.com Unearthed emails prove Fauci was aware of unnatural COVID-19 origins, WIV gain-of-function research Unearthed emails by the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic revealed that former White House Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci was well aware that there were mutations in the virus that would be most unusual to have evolved naturally in the bats and that there was suspicion that this mutation was intentionally inserted During an appearance at Newsmax TV's "Rob Schmitt Tonight," subcommittee member Rep. Rich McCormick (R-GA) said that the emails said that suspicions were heightened due to the fact that scientists in Wuhan University (WHU) are known to have been "working on gain-of-function experiments to determine the molecular mechanisms associated with bat viruses adapting to human infection, and the outbreak originated in Wuhan." McCormick pointed out that Fauci absolutely knew what was going on. "As a matter of fact, several scientists were discussing this and agreeing with each other that it made no sense that it came from a natural selection process," the congressman said adding that it is bizarre that the retired health authority moved away from the lab leak theory because, in his view, the lab leak theory has gotten more likely as more evidence has come to light. But the former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) director decided "to mislead the public on purpose." ?BREAKING? New emails reveal that Dr. Fauci was aware of risky gain-of-function research occurring in Wuhan, China prior to the emergence of COVID-19. Why didn't he tell the American people?@COVIDSelect is demanding answers? pic.twitter.com/pvxtaCRB5s Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic (@COVIDSelect) July 13, 2023 Meanwhile, Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland last week calling for an investigation into whether Fauci committed perjury when he testified in front of a Senate committee in 2021. Paul accused Fauci of lying under oath over his knowledge of dangerous virus research in China. In July of that year, Fauci testified that he "has not ever and does not now fund gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV)." Yet in the newly released email dated February 1, 2020, with the subject "follow up," Fauci clearly mentioned WIV's "gain of function experiments." Perjury is a federal offense that carries up to five years in prison. The July 13-released electronic correspondence from Fauci was about a conference call regarding the origins of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) hosted by Fauci and attended by Dr. Francis Collins, former director of the National Human Genome Research Institute and other researchers. More evidence that the gain-of-function study was Biden administration-supported To further prove that Fauci was feigning innocence, Paul cited WIV scientists' piece titled "Discovery of a rich gene pool of bat SARS-related coronaviruses provides new insights into the origin of SARS coronavirus," which specifically talked about the ongoing efforts to produce a 'chimeric' coronavirus, which means it has been altered by man otherwise known as 'gain of function.' The lawmaker asserted that the research recorded in the paper explicitly matches the definition of gain-of-function research. "This paper was judged by qualified staff up and down the chain as not being gain-of-function," Fauci insisted. But then, the emails proved otherwise. (Related: Former Director of National Intelligence finally admits that Fauci LIED about gain of function research.) While it was not mentioned in the emails whether the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded the research, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) determined last month that WIV and WHU did receive NIH funding, Paul said in his letter to AG Garland. It said: 'The report noted that NIH funded the WIV's project "Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence" and included "genetic experiments to combine naturally occurring bat coronaviruses with SARS and MERS viruses, resulting in hybridized coronavirus strains." GAO also found that NIH funded WHU's collaboration with WIV on viral detection in the Yunnan Province. Meanwhile, Danish evolutionary biologist Dr. Kristian Andersen, the co-author of a now-notorious research paper published in March 2020 that denounced the origin scenario as a conspiracy theory and xenophobic actually privately believed lab leak was possible, as per the leaked messages. According to the obtained Slack messages by the Daily Mail, just weeks before the publication of the paper, Andersen told colleagues the idea of a lab leak was 'not some fringe theory' and was, in fact, 'highly likely' the genesis of the pandemic. Separate, publicly available communications between the virologist and his co-authors show how the group backed the natural origin theory the idea the virus jumped from an animal to a person in the wild for 'political' reasons and feared pinning the blame on the Chinese lab would cause a 's***show' and threaten future funding of virus manipulation research, the alternative news portal wrote. "The main issue is that accidental escape is in fact highly likely it's not some fringe theory. I absolutely agree that we can't prove one way o the other, but we never will be able to however, that doesn't mean that by default the data is currently much more suggestive of a natural origin as opposed to e.g. passage," Andersen's message read. Bookmark Outbreak.news for more stories related to the origins of coronavirus. Sources for this article include: Breitbart.com DailyMail.co.uk 1 DailyMail.co.uk 2 Young female military recruit forced to bathe with biological male transgenders who still have their genitalia intact An 18-year-old female military recruit was reported to have been forced to shower with biological male transgenders who still have their genitalia intact. The "extremely uncomfortable position" the young recruit experienced was first raised at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing last week. The young woman feared that speaking out about the Joe Biden administration's policies could disrupt her dream to serve the country. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), who learned about the matter from the attorney general of the South Dakota National Guard, told Fox News Digital in an interview. Rounds said the female military recruit has been in significant distress in having to shower with soldiers who were supposedly changing from male to female. The recruit also complained of having no choice but to sleep in between these two "transitioning" people, who already initiated chemical interventions to change genders, but their genitalia were fully intact as they have not yet undergone the mutilation procedure. "The respect that this young recruit should have received and the privacy that she should have had, she was being deprived of," the senator from South Dakota pointed out. The Pentagon has released a statement about the matter. "Department of Defense [DoD] policy is that all service members must be treated with dignity and respect. We would encourage any troop who's feeling uncomfortable or has concerns about privacy in shared spaces to work through their chain of command. Commanders may employ reasonable accommodations to respect the privacy interests of service members," the statement reads. However, the girl's "options were not good," according to Rounds. "She could have basically resigned or stepped away. She could have started over again. And I think this is one of the reasons why we're not meeting our recruitment goals now," the senator stressed. "And the 'recruitment crisis' is partially due to Biden's woke agenda that we now see coming down by executive order [EO]." He explained that Biden's EO led to the changes in policies and directed the DoD to integrate individuals who were transgender and how they should be perceived within the military. Also, the current administration reversed former President Donald Trump's ban on transgender people serving in the military. "Most of the focus is on the transgender individuals, not on the individuals who are working with them," Rounds said. Under the definitions that Biden's DoD was using, transgender individuals may be housed in female facilities even without genital surgery. Former defense secretary says US military recruitment is dying The military is in the midst of its worst recruitment crisis since the 1970s and this places the country at serious risk should rival nations China or Russia launch attacks. According to the Daily Mail, actions taken by Biden, including his withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, have been blamed on the poor recruitment numbers. (Related: U.S. military facing recruitment shortages, with most potential service members DISQUALIFIED.) Mark Esper, the Trump administration's defense secretary, warned that America's armed forces are dying. He noted in an op-ed that the military's all-volunteer force (AVF) is the most affected, falling short by up to 15,000 soldiers of its 65,000 target last year. "The Pentagon must steer away from lowering standards, reducing the size of the military, or creating hollow combat formations," Esper said. "With the threats from China and elsewhere growing, we cannot risk our future by ignoring these issues." Esper's remarks came after data from July 2022 found that the number of veterans, service members and their spouses who recommend a career in uniform has dropped sharply. Also, research from the Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN) found that the number of military personnel who would advise others to enlist sank nearly 12 points to 62.9 percent between 2019 and 2021. Those surveyed complained of being cash-strapped and even going hungry. Others warned the U.S. military was becoming another casualty of the culture wars, with woke criticism of the armed forces deterring new recruits. Critics see Biden's regime going extreme with the "woke" policies in the military to raise the figures, without considering the discomfort these could bring. And these policies may be causing the recruitment issues in the first place. Visit WokeMob.news for more stories related to "woke" policies being pushed by influential wokies. Watch the video below that talks about how Biden's DoD is destroying the military with its transgender policies. This video is from Dr. Jane Ruby's channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Chinese military claims to possess high-tech NEUROSTRIKE WEAPONS that can disrupt brain function and manipulate entire populations. Pentagon leaders give THUMBS-DOWN on planned drag show at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada but they're OK to transfer it to other venue. IT'S A FARCE: Air Force now saluting LGBT communitys rainbow flag in celebration of Pride month. Biden regime turning military into a freak show as Navy uses 'non-binary' sailor who performs as a drag queen in recruitment campaign. Sources include: FoxNews.com DailyMail.co.uk Brighteon.com IRONIC: House Judiciary Committee has been asked to censor RFK Jr. in hearing about federal governments role in censoring Americans Kyle Herrig, the executive director of the Congressional Integrity Project, addressed a letter to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, demanding the removal of Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from the hearing on censorship Thursday, July 20, after being accused of antisemitism and racism. According to the letter, Herrig called RFK Jr, "a total whack job whose views and conspiracy theories would be completely ignored, but for his last name." The dispute began when the New York Post falsely accused RFK Jr. of claiming that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "attacks certain races disproportionately" and "is ethically targeted" in a spliced video interview. "COVID-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people. The people who are most immune are Ashkenazi Jews and Chinese," RFK Jr. stated in the video. "We don't know whether it was deliberately targeted at that or not, but there are papers out there that show the racial or ethnic differential of impact for that." RFK Jr. vehemently denied the antisemitism and racism allegations and demanded a retraction from the New York Post on his tweet, claiming that his words were twisted. (Related: RFK Jr. warns: "There is no time in history where the people censoring speech were the good guys.") The said hearing ironically focuses on "the federal government's role in censoring Americans." RFK Jr.'s name came up in a previous committee hearing when Republicans presented evidence that the government had actually requested Twitter to delete a tweet by RFK Jr. However, Democrats denied any instances of the government requesting Twitter to remove any legal content. Democrats used the spliced video to condemn RFK Jr. and advance own agenda The Democratic Party, who are concerned about RFK Jr.'s challenge to President Joe Biden, along with various anti-hate groups and medical researchers, quickly seized the opportunity to condemn RFK Jr. and advance their own agenda. House Minority Leader Hakeen Jeffries (D-NY), known for his history of supporting antisemitism, accused Kennedy of employing a "vile antisemitic trope." Jaime Harrison, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, tweeted that the comments of RFK Jr. were deeply troubling and did not represent the views of the party. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, called the remarks "reprehensible" and accused RFK Jr. of perpetuating harmful and debunked racist tropes. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also weighed in on the matter, denouncing the claims of RFK Jr. as false and "vile," warning that they could put fellow Americans in danger. The Anti-Defamation League, an organization dedicated to fighting antisemitism, released a statement condemning the remarks of RFK Jr. as deeply offensive and contributing to sinophobic and antisemitic conspiracy theories surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Michael Mina, a medical doctor and immunologist, quickly refuted the assertion of RFK Jr., dismissing the claims as absurd. He stated that the scientific knowledge required to create a virus targeting only certain ethnicities simply does not exist. More likely than not, these people and organizations don't even know that they're commenting about a spliced video. Perhaps they don't even bother to check the video's authenticity, as long as they can attack RFK Jr. and advance their own agenda. Visit Censorship.news for more stories like this. Watch how Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was filmed while speaking in a New York dinner party and how the New York Post makes it looks like he believes that COVID-19 "attacks certain races disproportionately." This video is from the You Can't Handle the Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: ABC News censors Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s criticisms against covid "vaccines." Insta-BANNED: RFK Jr. campaign accounts immediately SUSPENDED by Instagram for 6 months. 4th Branch with Tony and Sofia: Robert Stone discusses the CENSORSHIP of Trump and RFK Jr. ELECTION INTERFERENCE: YouTube removes Jordan Peterson interview with presidential candidate RFK Jr. over vaccine comments. YouTube CENSORS another RFK Jr. video "on its own initiative" most likely to please the establishment. Sources include: Breitbart.com NewYorkPost.com MSN.com Brighteon.com Putin to skip BRICS Summit in South Africa, eluding potential ICC arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be attending the 2023 BRICS Summit in August in the South African city of Johannesburg, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The South African government confirmed the decision on July 19, with a spokesman for the country's President Cyril Ramaphosa saying Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Putin at the summit. Lavrov will join Ramaphosa and the leaders of Brazil, India and China "by mutual agreement" during the two-day meeting. The Kremlin did not immediately comment on the decision. Previously, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov had remarked Moscow would be represented at the August 2023 summit at the "proper level" though he did not provide more details. In an affidavit to a South African court, Ramaphosa argued that arresting Putin while he is in attendance at the BRICS Summit would expose his country to serious risks. "Russia has made it clear that the arrest of its sitting president would be tantamount to a declaration of war," the South African president wrote. "It would be inconsistent with our constitution to risk engaging in war with Russia." Peskov denied that Moscow had made such a threat to Pretoria, however. Russian state news agency TASS quoted the Kremlin spokesman's remarks to reporters during a press briefing: "No, it didn't sound like that. Nobody made anyone understand anything." "In this world, it's absolutely clear to everyone what an attempt to encroach on the head of the Russian state means. Therefore, theres no need to explain anything to anyone here." Putin's no-show solves Pretoria's dilemma The Russian leader's decision to skip attending the summit resolved a dilemma faced by Pretoria. South Africa is a signatory to the 1998 Rome Statute that established the International Criminal Court (ICC). Given this fact, it is obliged to arrest Putin the moment he steps into South Africa and turn him over to the ICC's chambers in the Netherlands. In March, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Putin and another senior Russian official over alleged war crimes in Ukraine. Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dubbed the ICC's warrants legally void. The BBC noted that while Pretoria is required to aid the ICC, it has refused to honor that obligation in the past. In 2015, South Africa permitted safe passage to former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. The erstwhile leader of Sudan was wanted at the time for war crimes against his own people. Meanwhile, South African officials have said in recent weeks that they would prefer Putin not to attend the summit in person. Ramaphosa himself acknowledged this in the affidavit he filed: "South Africa has obvious problems with executing a request to arrest and surrender Putin." (Related: Putin rejects South Africa's request not to attend BRICS Summit over ICC arrest warrant.) Even South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile noted how his country is stuck between a rock and a hard place over its ICC obligations. But he can now breathe a sigh of relief as the problem eventually solved itself. "We would be happy if he [Putin] doesn't come," said Mashatile. "We understand we are bound by the Rome Statute, but we can't invite someone and then arrest them. You can understand our dilemma." Head over to RussiaReport.news for more stories about Russian President Vladimir Putin. Watch this news report about the ICC's issuance of an arrest warrant for Putin. This video is from The Willow channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: International legal body (that's not recognized by the USA) issues arrest warrant for Russia's Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes involving children. De-dollarization efforts continue: BRICS member nations to discuss COMMON CURRENCY in August meeting. USD dominance will substantially weaken with BRICS launch of a gold-backed cryptocurrency. Sources include: WSJ.com BBC.com ZeroHedge.com Brighteon.com Western tanks are priority targets for Russian forces, Putin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has revealed that Western tanks are "priority targets" for the Russian forces The Ukrainians seem to have noticed that as "they often refuse to man Western tanks," Putin said. "They [Western tanks] burn just as well as all the others, in fact, better than the Soviet T-72 tanks, for instance." According to Putin, his troops have destroyed over 100 Western tanks since early July as Ukraine's ongoing counter-offensive struggles to make headway. "All attempts by the enemy to break through our defenses and this is their objective they have not been successful for the entire time of the offensive." Overall, Putin said 311 enemy tanks had been destroyed since July 4. "At least a third of those were made in the West, including Leopards," he added. Pro-Ukrainian observers estimated in early June that around 15 percent of the American-made Bradley fighting vehicles and half the Leopard 2R tanks supplied to Ukraine had already been lost. It is impossible to verify Putin's claims, but his message is loud and clear: The Russians are not afraid of weapons and armored vehicles coming from the West. Western tanks not helping Ukraine's counter-offensive The Ukrainians have also conceded that their progress has been slow, essentially admitting that the tanks supplied by the West failed to give them any advantage. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky himself said their counter-offensive has been moving "slower than desired." This is because Russia has spent months hardening fortifications and positioning reinforcements in their bid to protect territory seized since the start of its special military operations in February 2022. The Russians had mined more than 77,000 square miles of its territory, constituting the outer layer of its defenses. Ukrainian officials also pointed out Kyiv's lack of air support and the three-to-one offensive-to-defensive troop ratio that Western militaries typically want for this kind of push. But William Taylor, a former U.S. diplomat in Ukraine's capital, still thinks Ukraine has a chance to recover all occupied territories if it gets the right supplies. "A lot depends on what we provide them. We can affect the probabilities," he said. Western countries are continuing to supply Ukraine with weapons, including British Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which have increased Kyiv's reach into Russian-held territory. The Joe Biden administration is also planning to supply Ukraine with more sophisticated weaponry, including the Army Tactical Missile System. Just recently, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed a resolution calling for the missiles to be sent to Ukraine. Biden has also vowed to spend another $500 million in military aid, including dozens of armored vehicles to augment or replace those damaged or destroyed. (Related: U.S. announces a further $2.1 billion in military assistance for Ukraine, bringing overall total to $40 billion.) Putin and his troops must be licking their chops right now. They will have more Western toys to destroy. Read more news about the Russia-Ukraine War at WWIII.news. Watch this video of Putin claiming they are observing a lull as Ukraine suffers serious losses in its counter-offensive. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteo.com. More related stories: Russia to deploy robot tanks to counter American and German tanks in Ukraine. Pentagon expediting delivery of Abrams tanks to Ukraine in acceleration toward continental war. Switzerland refuses to send tanks to Ukraine, citing NEUTRALITY policy. Sending modern tanks to Ukraine could trigger unimaginable escalation, German lawmaker warns. Peace talks over Russia-Ukraine conflict could be held as soon as July, German media reports. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com BusinessInsider.com Brighteon.com YouTube is pulling Sound Of Freedom interviews, reviews (Article by Steve Watson republished from Summit.news) Former Navy SEAL and CIA Contractor Shawn Ryan posted screenshots of the backend of his YouTube account, showing that a 2 and a half minute preview video of an upcoming interview with the films star Jim Caviezel has been removed. YouTube has also declared the content titled Actor Jim Caviezel Unveils Dark Truths Behind The Trafficking Of Children as Ineligible for monetization. YouTube pulled my preview of Jim Caviezels episode for violating community guidelines. I did not realize saving children and bringing awareness to the sex trafficking of kids was against the community guidelines.#savethechildren#youtube#censorshippic.twitter.com/KI6yNbSStB Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyan762) July 18, 2023 This doesnt seem to be a one off. They are doing that to all the content folks who are mentioning or reviewing that movie? What is You Tube up to. Christie ?? ? (@EYESOPN) July 19, 2023 They are doing that to all the content folks who are mentioning or reviewing that movie? What is You Tube up to. Christie ?? ? (@EYESOPN) July 19, 2023 Commentator Luke Rudkowski has also had a strike against his account for posting a review of the film, and has been prevented from uploading any more content. Luke was bullying pedophiles again so youtube gave him a strike https://t.co/q2Rwzjy3ar Tim Pool (@Timcast) July 18, 2023 After tweeting about the issue to @TeamYouTube they updated my strike and now are preventing me from uploading at all! pic.twitter.com/5cUlUIxDtz Luke Rudkowski (@Lukewearechange) July 18, 2023 Now I cant upload for a week? Freaking hell maybe Ill just do it exclusively on twitter and https://t.co/TI3ZVnZjpF from now on pic.twitter.com/X8r97AWvxt Luke Rudkowski (@Lukewearechange) July 18, 2023 What is this all about? As we highlighted last week, Tim Ballard, the real life former government agent who the film is based on, has accused the media of running interference for pedophiles and human traffickers. Why would you want to lie to push an agenda whose goal is to have children be in captivity? Its kind of sick, Ballard urged. The Official Sound of Freedom Movie Trailer pic.twitter.com/eIAVpVr0DZ Dillon Fillion (@DillonFillionIA) July 10, 2023 Read more at: Summit.news Biden regime seizes phones of close Trump advisers as political persecution continues It's pretty obvious by now that the Biden regime's main objective to prevent the most senile president in our history from having to face a rising Donald Trump is to put the latter in prison ahead of the 2024 election. As Trump begins to dominate Biden in a growing number of polls, the current president has obviously authorized a new 'legal' move against him. On Tuesday, as part of the ongoing investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol Building, federal investigators seized the phones of certain Trump advisers. According to The New York Times, the phones of Boris Epshteyn, who is described as "an in-house counsel coordinating Mr. Trump's legal efforts," and campaign strategist Mike Roman, the director of Election Day operations for Trump's 2020 campaign, were among those seized. In addition, the phones of John Eastman and Jeffrey Clark were also seized, the latter in connection with an investigation into fake 2020 electors, other reports noted. The latest Biden Gestapo action came after Trump revealed earlier he was in receipt of a letter sent by special counsel Jack Smith informing him that hes 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. So now, Joe Bidens Attorney General, Merrick Garland, who I turned down for the United States Supreme Court (in retrospect, based on his corrupt and unethical actions, a very wise decision!), together with Joe Bidens Department of Injustice, have 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 added. After his arraignment in Miami last month, Trump faces the looming possibility of another indictment. The Biden Justice Department contends that he violated the Presidential Records Act by improperly retaining documents even after the conclusion of his presidency. Additionally, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who is backed by George Soros, has also indicted Trump. Bragg alleges that Trump was involved in felonious business practices when he made a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, Conservative Brief noted as well. And Trump is confronting the possibility of an indictment connected to the 2020 election in Fulton County, Georgia. Recently, the Georgia Supreme Court turned down Trump's attempt to halt a criminal investigation into accusations that he sought to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in the state. Trump's legal team made efforts to prevent Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from participating in the investigation and attempted to halt the use of the Special Purpose Grand Jury's report in any future proceedings, both civil and criminal, according to the state high court's statement. And, with regard to Petitioners request to disqualify Willis from representing any party in any and all proceedings involving him, we note only that Petitioner has not presented in his original petition either the facts or the law necessary to mandate Williss disqualification by this Court at this time on this record, the justices said. For these additional reasons, Petitioner has not shown that this case presents one of those extremely rare circumstances in which this Courts original jurisdiction should be invoked, and therefore, the petition is dismissed. All the Justices concur, the ruling ends. Trumps lawyers filed separate petitions with the Fulton County Superior Court as well as the Georgia Supreme Court, asking them to intervene with the ongoing grand jury process. Willis, an elected Democrat, has indicated that final charging decisions could come as soon as next month, according to CNN. Sources include: CNN.com ConservativeBrief.com NYTimes.com Caravan of MIGRANTS march toward the southern border after banding together in Mexico A growing caravan made up of nearly 1,000 illegal immigrants is working its way through Mexico in an attempt to cross the border into the United States. The group, made up mainly of Venezuelan immigrants, formed on July 15 in southern Mexico after the illegals banded together. They decided to assemble after many of them ran out of funds for food and had nowhere else to stay. The group walked over a highway in Mexico carrying a Venezuelan flag with the words "Peace, Freedom. SOS." "We just want to move forward, to fulfill our American dream and work, because we're all workers here," said Venezuelan migrant Roseli Gloria. (Related: Near-unanimous Supreme Court ruling: States can't do anything to prevent being overrun by illegal aliens.) Over 100K illegals waiting in Mexico to cross into the US The migrant caravan will be joining the more than 104,000 illegal immigrants already camped in Mexico near the border and waiting for their opportunity to either cross "legally" through border checkpoints or to sneak into the U.S. illegally. The estimated number of illegals waiting at the border is substantially higher than the 60,000 originally predicted by former Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz in mid-May. He issued the prediction at a time when Title 42 rules had ended, causing a massive surge of migrants and so-called "asylum seekers" at the border. Even though the government has imposed tougher penalties for those caught trying to enter America illegally, almost 43,500 immigrants are being "processed" into the country supposedly legally each month since Title 42's expiration through the government's CBP One mobile app. This has led to tens of thousands of illegals mainly Venezuelans, Haitians, Cubans and Nicaraguans to camp at the border and try their luck for one of the 1,450 regular appointments provided through the app. Figures acquired by the New York Post show that in Tijuana alone directly south of San Diego there are at least 17,000 so-called asylum seekers waiting to be processed, an increase of around 1,000 since May thanks to the last-minute rush of illegals making their way to the border to attempt a crossing. In the Mexican city of Matamoros just across the border from Brownsville, Texas there are another 8,000 illegal immigrants waiting in shelters, camps or simply sleeping out on the streets per city officials. In Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso, charity workers noted that the conditions there are fluid, with hundreds of migrants regularly coming and going. But they noted that there are between 6,000 to 12,000 illegals in the city at any given time, all of whom are seeking refuge in America and crossing legally through border checkpoints or illegally by way of so-called "coyotes" or people smugglers. "There are quite a few people waiting for CBP One. Were in the thousands, probably, but not too high. I'd hesitate to give anything more concrete," said Dylan Corbett, Executive Director of the Hope Border Institute in El Paso, Texas, which provides aid for illegals across the border in Juarez. Many of the migrants camped out in Mexico believe they have legitimate asylum cases and are waiting the 90 or so days it normally takes refugees to get an appointment through the CBP One app. If the migrants receive an appointment, they are then granted an interview after the waiting period wherein CBP officials decide if they meet the necessary criteria to be granted asylum. If they meet the criteria, they are permitted to enter the U.S. and pursue their asylum claim in the country and get a work permit. Due to the time it takes to process asylum seekers, these migrants can "legally" remain in the country for years until their cases appear in court. Asylum seekers who do not pass the interview are either deported from America or are not allowed to enter. If they do not break any immigration laws, they are not likely to be penalized, meaning they may reapply for asylum after a certain period of time. Follow Migrants.news for more news about immigrants entering America. Watch Stew Peters explaining how the Biden administration's Department of Homeland Security colludes with Mexico to coordinate the border invasion. This video is from the Heaven Reigns channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Smuggling network caught using fake FedEx vans to smuggle migrants past US border patrol checkpoints. US government is FUNDING invasion camps in Central America exclusive interview with Michael Yon. Illegal aliens are destroying farmland and threatening US food supply, warns RFK Jr. Sources include: YourNews.com NewYorkPost.com Brighteon.com D.C. Central detention facility officers harass and mentally torture J6 political prisoner An American political prisoner who got convicted and sentenced to 8.5 years in the federal "prison camp" is being harassed and mentally tortured by correctional officers in the female maximum-security jail of the DC Central Detention Facility after being found "guilty of Seditious Conspiracy." For what crime, one may ask? Jessica Watkins peacefully protested the stolen election at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. She did not threaten anyone, did not vandalize anything, encouraged others not to vandalize, spoke with several police officers inside the Capitol, and followed their orders. Calling from the gulag-style prison, Watkins told "Flip The Switch" podcast host Jennifer Baker her nightmare to raise public awareness about the torturous abuses. "Jessica Watkins, a DC gulag political prisoner, called me today telling me that she is tired of the abuses she has been going through since being moved to maximum security at the DC Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF)," Baker wrote in an article. According to the host, Watkins said that they were told about many tactics the DOC staff use on these prisoners. "Everything from the Diesel Therapy, ridiculous amounts of solitary confinement, 100*+ heat while in the hole, no visits for 2 years, to tainting of food or just plain not providing proper nutrition," the political convict told her. Baker also revealed that Watkins is housed with the worst of the worst and stays inside her cell most days by herself. The staff also made sure she would no longer mingle with other inmates that she has been friends with. What is worse is that Biden's Department of Justice announced last week they are appealing the sentences of several prominent J6 defendants including Watkins to add even more to their already harsh sentences. A chronicle of prisoner maltreatment According to Baker, a certain correctional officer, CPL. Pryor, makes Watkins feel especially harassed mentally and emotionally, given the "unfair" situation the prisoner is currently in. "She 'accidentally' calls Jessica by male pronouns. Jessica is in the women's jail and to look at or talk to her you would not make that mistake," Baker pointed out, detailing how this particular officer came into her cell and search without a body camera on. A surveillance video was also available showing how Pryor settled on a picture of Watkins' pet fish, that the former ripped down, put it in her jacket then left the cell. She gave it back to Watkins after the latter protested noisily, but it was all damaged. Pryor is not the only one mistreating Watkins, Baker disclosed. Another one named CO CPL Warren locked her out of her cell on July 6 and demanded she stay out until she finished doing her rounds. However, Watkins is on "water pill" medications. She needs to use the restroom often and there is no communal bathroom in the POD, so she had to "hold it" for a long time. When Watkins wrote a grievance letter about this, the facility management just returned her paperwork. Because of everything she's been undergoing, her anxiety has become increasingly worse. On laundry day on July 10, the CO refused to take her laundry for cleaning and she would have no clean clothes for another week. She admittedly started to break down because of all the bad treatments and solitary confinement. She came to a point where she was inflicting self-harm, which a certain Lt. Hines recorded on a body cam. "I was never taken to mental health or a doctor for my grievous self-inflicted injuries. They just kept me locked in my cell and left me like that," Watkins further exposed. As if all that was not enough, they sent her to a doctor, who put her in an isolation cell for half of the day and advised: "Needs Jesus, before sending her back to her unit." But the real breaking point was the reason why Baker wrote an article to expose the abuses and torturous treatment of Watkins. "At 2:30 a.m. CPL Pryor kicked Jessicas cell door making the bright overhead light come on in her cell. Jessica could hear Pryor laughing when she did this. Jessica yelled and banged on her door for at least a half hour before the light was finally turned off. Her mental strength is being tried at every level. She doesn't know what can be done or know what the answer is to get through this, but she does want people to be aware of her struggle. She has written numerous grievance reports to which nothing is done," the podcaster revealed. On May 26, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta sentenced Watkins, a day after he sentenced Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes to 18 years in federal prison and Florida Oath Keeper Kelly Meggs to 12 years. Metha would not allow Watkins or her co-defendants to cross-examine the fraudulent fed informants who lied about her during the trial. (Related: Trump demands immediate release of all Jan. 6 prisoners after Tucker Carlson reveals shocking security video footage.) Bookmark Rioting.news for more stories about the Jan. 6 Capitol rally. Sources for this article include: TheGatewayPundit.com Rumble.com China is laughing: Defense Dept. memo absolves transgender troops from deploying if theyre on hormone therapy Our enemies are growing stronger while the left-wing lunatics running Joe Biden's administration continue to destroy our culture, tear down our society, and ruin the greatest military on the planet. According to Breitbart News, a Defense Department memo dated in February states that any service member receiving hormone therapy because they believe they can change their biological gender will not have to deploy. This comes at a time when a) our military is undermanned and understaffed; and b) recruiters are finding it impossible to meet congressionally-mandated recruitment goals for nearly all branches. The memo, first obtained and published by The Dossier, directs that most military members will require up to 300 days to be stabilized on cross-sex hormone therapy, and they will remain in a non-deployable status during that time. That timetable, meanwhile, is contingent on when the service member is "clinically stabilized." The memo lists other procedures and therapies that transgender soldiers may get at the Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Liberty at taxpayer expense. The memo stated that transgender military members might request "surgical care," such as "upper" and "bottom" surgery, after completing a year of hormone therapy. The transgender service members could potentially ask for surgery without first undergoing hormone therapy, according to the statement. Mind you, it's a privilege to serve in the U.S. military, not a "right" and certainly, at present, not a requirement. Also note that the lunatic Biden handlers had him reverse President Donald Trump's policy of requiring troops to serve as their biological gender, not what they think they are or are trying to pretend to be. Joe Biden reversed Donald Trump's military transgender policy that required military recruits to serve in their biological gender. https://t.co/qALNGkPsDX Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) January 26, 2021 Breitbart News adds: The memo said Upper surgery can be performed at WAMC and is a covered benefit, but that surgeries that could not be performed at WAMC, to include bottom surgery and voice feminization surgery, were not covered. (All transitioning service members will be offered voice and communication therapy, the memo said). The memo said that facial/body contouring could be performed at WAMC, but was not covered since it is considered cosmetic. Laser hair removal was not considered cosmetic, but medically necessary in the case of bottom surgery. According to the memo, the gender transition process could span from 9 to 18 months for service members. Throughout this period, a service member has the option to request an exception to policy, allowing them to follow "self-identified gender standards" for various aspects, including uniform, grooming, fitness testing, billeting, bathrooms, and shower facilities. As per the memo, transgender service members who require medical treatment must coordinate the timeline of their treatment with their unit commanders. But, a sample medical treatment plan that was issued with the memo stated that commanders may not deny medically necessary care, but the timeline for specific treatments may be adjusted to minimize readiness impact. The commander of the Womack Army Medical Center, Army Col. David Ross Zinnante, signed the memo. Not having transgender members of the military "undermines our national security," explained Biden deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. https://t.co/7SE2WQXEnt Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) January 27, 2021 The memo offers the WAMC staff revised guidelines on how to treat transgender service members following the policy issued by the Biden Administration in April 2021, which permits transgender individuals to serve in the military. Breitbart noted further: "The Biden administrations policy reversed the Trump administrations policy, which allowed transgender troops to serve only in their biological sex and prohibited those diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a condition where the service member was experiencing psychological distress over remaining in their biological sex." This insane nonsense will continue until 1) we get all Democrats out of positions of authority; or 2) our military suffers a major, humiliating defeat (which we really do not want to see, by the way). Sources include: Breitbart.com Army.mil Obama denounces profoundly misguided bans on sexually explicit and pro-LGBT books from public school libraries Former President Barack Obama has written an open letter denouncing the so-called "profoundly misguided" efforts by conservative groups to ban sexually explicit books from public school libraries across the United States. In his letter addressed to American librarians, Obama wrote that some of the books being banned "shaped my life and the lives of so many others," further claiming that they are only being banned because they are challenging "people who disagree with certain ideas or perspectives." Obama further claimed that it is not coincidental that these banned books often feature content from minorities and members of the LGBT community. The former president further praised librarians in the U.S. for battling "on the frontlines" of the "banned book war" and lent his support to the United Against Book Bans campaign organized by the American Library Association (ALA) attempting to prevent the book bans. Obama even made a special appearance in a TikTok video posted by the Kankakee Public Library in his native Illinois. The library is notable for its previous viral videos in support of the anti-book ban campaign. In the particular clip with Obama, staff members were seen reading books that have been subjected to bans or attempted bans by other states. At the end of the video, Obama himself appeared, reading a book and sipping from a library-branded mug. According to the ALA, last year witnessed a record 2,571 unique book titles targeted for censorship in U.S. public schools, representing a 38 percent increase from the previous year. Most of these targeted titles were authored by or centered around minorities and the LGBT community. While Obama acknowledged that there have been instances where books by conservative authors or containing "triggering" content have also faced attempts at removal, he stressed the importance of engaging with diverse perspectives rather than silencing them. He expressed his belief that stifling opposing viewpoints is contrary to the principles that have made the U.S. a great nation. (Related: Protecting children from LGBT indoctrination, transgender mutilation now considered by leftists to constitute "hate.") In his letter, Obama also highlighted the global implications of book bans in the United States. He warned that if a nation founded on freedom of expression allows certain voices and ideas to be silenced, it sets a precedent that other countries may follow, jeopardizing freedom of speech on a global scale. Obama faces backlash for defending books After endorsing books containing explicit sexual and LGBT content, Obama found himself at the center of a heated controversy. Critics, particularly from conservative circles, responded to Obama's statement, accusing him of disingenuously misrepresenting the nature of the challenged books. They asserted that the banned books contained pornographic depictions of explicit sexual acts including same-sex acts which they deemed inappropriate for school libraries. Conservative political commentator and Daily Wire host and columnist Matt Walsh directly questioned Obama's assertions by asking whether his life was shaped by books that featured explicit sexual and same-sexual acts. Similarly, conservative author and documentary filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza demanded further clarification, sarcastically inquiring if Obama's life was genuinely influenced by literature discussing sexual practices in such a manner. Social media was even flooded with screenshots of the controversial books, aiming to provide tangible evidence of their explicit content. This resulted in an intense debate, with supporters of Obama and his detractors sharing their opinions on free speech, censorship, and the appropriate material for public consumption, particularly in educational settings. The situation has highlighted the ongoing struggle between advocates of free expression and those concerned about age-appropriate content in educational institutions. The discussion also reflects the broader tensions between promoting diversity and inclusivity while balancing sensitivity to differing viewpoints. Head over to BarackObama.news for more stories about the former president. Watch Matt Walsh analyzing former President Barack Obama's claim that the banned books which include sexually explicit and same-sexual acts "shaped his life." This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs four new laws restricting sexually explicit books in school libraries. Biden Regime GROOMING CHILDREN while promoting perverted books and gender-bender cult philosophy in SCHOOLS across America. PLAYING VICTIM: Human Rights Campaign has declared the LGBTQIA+ community to be under a nationwide "state of emergency." Sources include: Infowars.com FoxNews.com TheGuardian.com Brighteon.com NO WAY! Ramaphosa doesnt plan to arrest Putin in South Africa during BRICS Summit (the Russian president isnt going anyway) Any attempt to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he visits South Africa would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Moscow, according to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. His warning came weeks before the five-member BRICS group Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is set to hold the 2023 BRICS Summit in the South African city of Johannesburg. The Russian leader was invited to the August 2023 event. Putin would be subject to arrest under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) the moment he leaves Russian soil. The ICC warrant accused Putin of committing war crimes during the Russia-Ukraine war. Moscow, meanwhile, denounced the arrest warrant as "outrageous" and "legally void" as Russia is not a member of the organization. However, South Africa is a member of the ICC and a signatory of the 1998 Rome Statute that established it thus obliging Pretoria to aid in Putin's arrest. Based on court filings obtained by the BBC, Ramaphosa opposes any attempt to arrest Putin due to national security concerns. He said in an affidavit: "South Africa has obvious problems with executing a request to arrest and surrender 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." The South African leader also noted that his nation is one of many countries in Africa holding talks with both Russia and Ukraine "with a view [to] ending the war altogether." Attempting to arrest Putin, he said, would be counter-productive. While Pretoria is required to aid the ICC in its attempt to arrest Putin, it has refused to honor that obligation in the past. Back in 2015, South Africa permitted safe passage to former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. The erstwhile leader of Sudan had been wanted at that time for war crimes against his own people. Putin's no-show a burden off Pretoria's back Even South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile acknowledged the difficulty of having to arrest Putin, a close ally of his country in the BRICS group, under ICC obligations. "We would be happy if he doesn't come," the deputy president said in a statement. "We understand we are bound by the Rome Statute, but we can't invite someone and then arrest them. You can understand our dilemma." Fortunately for both Ramaphosa and Mashatile, the dilemma solved itself with Putin eventually deciding to skip the BRICS Summit. The Wall Street Journal reported on the development on July 19, citing a spokesman for Ramaphosa. According to the source, the Russian leader will not be attending the two-day meeting in Johannesburg. Instead, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will take Putin's place during the gathering "by mutual agreement." The Kremlin, meanwhile, did not immediately comment on the decision. Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitri Peskov had previously said Moscow would be represented at the summit at the "proper level" although he did not provide more details. Head over to RussiaReport.news for more stories about Russian President Vladimir Putin. Watch this Russia Today report about the BRICS group introducing a gold-backed digital currency, a point of discussion at its upcoming summit. This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: BRICS nations moving rapidly to circumvent the US dollar as the World Reserve Currency. USD dominance will substantially weaken with BRICS launch of a gold-backed cryptocurrency. BRICS nations rapidly working to create common currency to counter US dollar's global hegemony. De-dollarization efforts continue: BRICS member nations to discuss COMMON CURRENCY in August meeting. International legal body (that's not recognized by the USA) issues arrest warrant for Russias Vladimir Putin over alleged war crimes involving children. Sources include: BBC.com ZeroHedge.com WSJ.com Brighteon.com All those armored fighting vehicles the U.S. sent to Ukraine? One third of them have already been destroyed by Russia Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russia is failing, and with this comes the loss of one third of all the armored fighting vehicles that the United States has sent to Kyiv since the start of the year. At least 34 Bradley Fighting Vehicles (BFV) have already been taken out by Russia, we are told, despite these armored vehicles having been hailed as a "game-changer" by the ruling class elites who told us all that Volodymyr Zelensky needed them to win the war. Reports indicate that the Bradley vehicles "have now been visually confirmed as having been abandoned, damaged or destroy," citing "open source" data from the military research firm Oryx. The U.S. sent as many as 109 BFVs to Ukraine since the start of the war. They were first deployed on the battlefield in April. Fake president Joe Biden told America back in January that the Bradley tanks would be sent to Kyiv, while the Pentagon touted them as "tank-killers," claiming they would provide "a level of firepower and armor that will bring advantages on the battlefield." Numerous corporate-controlled media outlets from Newsweek and Business Insider to The Washington Post also parroted the claim that the Bradley tanks were going to be a "game-changer," which is clearly not the case. (Related: Even deep state neocons now admit that the Ukrainian landscape is littered with Pentagon-run "biological research facilities." Ukraine is losing the war against Russia, despite all the money and weapons the West is pouring into Kyiv All along, Russia has been warning the West that procuring Ukraine with BFVs and other Western-supplied weapon would "only prolong the suffering of the Ukrainian people," which it has. During just the first two weeks of its attempted counteroffensive, Kyiv lost 20 percent of the equipment it was given. This, according to The New York Times, is the reason why Zelensky decided to hit the pause button so soon. Russia was quick to destroy a large number of Kyiv's U.S.-supplied fighting vehicles early on, forcing Ukrainian forces to abandon their armored vehicles and advance much more slowly on foot. "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," stated Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine's top general. By all appearances, Ukraine has already lost the war, despite the Western media and political structure's best efforts to claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin is crazy or dying from cancer or whatever the fake news story of the week might be. If Ukraine is losing, then so are the American taxpayers who have been forced to fund Zelensky's military. How many more weapons need to be spent and how much more cash needs to be sent before the West gives up on trying to stop Putin from cleansing Ukraine of the deep state infrastructure that exists there? Between the bioweapons factories, money laundering networks, and child trafficking syndicates that have proliferated there, Ukraine is a hotbed of crime that Russia wants removed from its borders and that all free people everywhere want removed from the world. "It's time to arrest Biden for war crimes," one commenter suggested as part of the solution. "He's given orders to deliver cluster munitions to Nazis." "Wait, didn't Biden just say that Russia lost the war in Ukraine?" asked another about the constant lies coming from the U.S. regime. "Is he lying to the world or does he get his info from a U.S.-made video game?" Will the conflict in Ukraine swell into World War III? Learn more at WWIII.news. Sources for this article include: SHTFPlan.com NaturalNews.com Dr. Steve Hotze and Bill Zedler discuss Texas AG Ken Paxtons impeachment case Brighteon.TV Dr. Steve Hotze and former Texas State Rep. Bill Zedler discussed the impeachment case against Texas Attorney General (AG) Ken Paxton during the July 17 edition of the Brighteon.TV program "The Dr. Hotze Report." "They just threw this out and went after Paxton," said Hotze, referencing the Texas House of Representatives' May 27 decision to impeach the AG. "It was a long time coming, but nobody knew it was coming and it blindsided everybody." "There was a strong motivation between House RINOs (Republicans in name only) and Democrats to get rid of Paxton. I happen to believe they probably cut this deal with them early on before the session started." Hotze said his guest, who served two stints in the lower state House from 2003 to 2009 and from 2011 to 2021, has keen insight on the inner workings of the state's lower chamber as he had worked with both Paxton and incumbent Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan. The AG's impeachment on political charges was spearheaded by Phelan, a RINO who has appointed Democrats to many of the state House committees. Zedler meanwhile remarked that Paxton's 2011 candidacy against Joe Straus for the state House speakership made him an enemy of the RINO leadership in the chamber. While Paxton was indicted by a grand jury, he has never gone to trial over the charges against him. Hotze continued that while there are other allegations against the AG, there haven't been any indictments. "According to the Texas Governance Code, it says that you cannot be impeached for any actions whether [they were] illegal or not that occurred prior to your election," said Hotze. "He just got elected, so they can't bring these charges. They can't bring the charges against him [as] it totally violates the Texas governance code." (Related: RINOs in Texas legislature move to impeach America first attorney general, Ken Paxton, who has battled against Big Pharma, Big Tech and the LGBT cult.) Texas House conspired to impeach Paxton Paxton did not push through with his campaign for state House speaker, and remained at the Texas House of Representatives until his election as state senator in 2012. He served one term as state senator before assuming his duties as AG following his election in 2014. Paxton was re-elected twice in 2018 and 2022. In comparison, Zedler commented that Phelan has never scored very high in the conservative rankings. But he interestingly pointed out how the state House speaker managed to mobilize the RINOs and the Democrats against Paxton. Given that the Phelan got into the House with the support of Democrats, he promised to give committee chairmanships to Democrats violating the state convention resolution that called on the Republican house speaker to appoint only GOP lawmakers as chairs of various state House committees. Hotze also mentioned that the Phelan suddenly established the Texas House of Representatives' Special General Investigative Committee (SGIC) after bringing up the charges against the AG. The chamber then voted to file impeachment charges against Paxton on May 27, which brings the complaint to the Texas Senate. With more than 60 percent of the Texas Legislature's lower chamber voting in favor of impeachment, a political trial at the state senate is sure to follow. Moreover, the SGIC didn't allow Paxton or any of his lawyers to appear and speak in his defense a clear violation of the right to due process guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment. The committee also prohibited Paxton and his legal team from presenting their case in the Texas House of Representatives as well. Follow Smeared.news for more news about the impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Watch the July 17 episode of "The Dr. Hotze Report" below. "The Dr. Hotze Report" airs every Monday and Saturday at 5-6 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: 2 Months since Ken Paxtons impeachment, and still no evidence as to why. Attorney Jared Woodfill blasts Texas House for impeaching AG Ken Paxton WITHOUT DUE PROCESS Brighteon.TV. RINOs going after Texas AG Ken Paxton because he was about to take on their Big Pharma donors. War heats up between MAGA and RINOs in Texas over impeachment of AG Paxton its us or them Sources include: Brighteon.com TexasAttorneyGeneral.gov Tom Renz: THERE ARENT ANY true leaders in Congress fighting for conservatives in America Brighteon.TV Ohio-based lawyer Tom Renz lamented the lack of true leaders fighting for the conservative movement in the halls of Congress. "There are no true leaders, no patriots that are fighting for the conservative movement," he said during the July 18 episode of "Lawfare with Tom Renz" on Brighteon.TV. According to him, only a handful of lawmakers are doing their job while the rest are pandering. Renz blasted Republican members of Congress for not pushing the articles of impeachment against President Joe Biden and raising the debt ceiling with no limits on spending. He also zoomed in on House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) for failing to release the Jan. 6 event tapes. Absolute corruption is happening on every level, Renz said, and legislators are just releasing or doing things without any follow-up. He continued: "They get the headlines and then they disappear." Given this, Renz emphasized the need for Americans to retake the Republican Party starting with holding some of its leaders accountable. The "Lawfare" host noted that some GOP leader are concerned about the possible attacks or political backlash they would get if they did anything legitimate. It is definitely an issue when some outspoken GOP leaders are doing nothing, and the people should call them out on it. Renz also blasted the Republicans in name only (RINOs) who lie, pretend to do something good and do everything they can to screw their constituents. To fix the GOP, Americans need to remove all the RINOs in both chambers of Congress. Renz: Calls to investigate Fauci will do nothing The "Lawfare" host also mentioned the proposed investigation on infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, which is being pushed by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY). According to Renz, the Kentucky senator asking Attorney General Merrick Garland to probe Fauci is a waste of time. (Related: If Republicans take the Senate, Sen. Rand Paul could lead Nuremberg 2.0 investigation into COVID crimes.) According to the Western Journal, Paul announced the move in a July 17 tweet. The senator wrote: "I've referred Fauci to the Department of Justice again for lying to Congress when he denied the National Institutes of Health (NIH) was funding gain-of-function research in Wuhan." Paul's referral came in the form of a letter addressed to Garland, which quoted Fauci's testimony during a 2021 Senate hearing. Renz pointed out that the senator for the Bluegrass State is obfuscating and "playing a political game." Paul's exhortation to investigate Fauci for perjuring before Congress doesn't accomplish anything and is only tantamount to meaningless drivel. "There's no need for an investigation, and [Paul is] not calling for an indictment. He is calling for an investigation," the "Lawfare" host stressed. "It's not going to result in any sort of indictment. It's going to do nothing. You don't need to investigate whether [Fauci] perjured himself. He did that's about as clear as day." Renz then wondered why Paul did not call for an investigation into the Department of Defense (DoD) funding the creation of SARS-CoV-2. According to the Brighteon.TV host, both the DoD and NIH continue to fund gain-of-function work on deadly viruses. Visit Corruption.news for more stories like this. Watch the July 18 episode of "Lawfare with Tom Renz" below. "Lawfare with Tom Renz" airs every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.-12 pm.. and every Saturday at 12:30-1 p.m. on Brighteon.TV. More related stories: Everything that is happening in America stems from CORRUPTION, says Tom Renz. Traitor Republicans exposed: Look to who is complaining the loudest about J6 secret footage to know which Republicans in name only need to be booted. Republicans demand accountability after Fauci exposed for commissioning paper debunking covid lab leak theory. House Republicans to hold FBI Director Wray in contempt for refusing to hand over documents that could prove a criminal scheme involving Biden. House Republicans press DoD about its covid vaccine mandate reversal: stop discriminating against unvaccinated troops! Sources include: Brighteon.com WesternJournal.com One recent morning along 14,000-foot Culebra Peak in southern Colorado, a pair of hikers offered some assistance to another they met. They learned this young man named Jason had been backpacking around without a sleeping pad. It was like, Oh my goodness, youve been sleeping on the ground? recalled Mark Reis, who was taking unrelated photos for The Gazette. Incredible journey: 54 fourteeners, 54 years, 2 lost toes, countless memories He and a partner offered their own sleeping pad. Jason politely declined. Previously, on the drive approaching the trailhead for Culebra, they saw him walking by the road and offered a ride up. Jason politely declined then, too. It was only later that Reis learned what the kid was up to. I was just so shocked to hear what he was doing, Reis said. Jason Heyn, 26, was walking to all of Colorados 54 fourteeners and climbing up them. Then he would be walking to Wyoming, where he would climb 36 peaks above 13,000 feet. Then he would be walking to Montana for that states 27 mountains above 12,000 feet. Since starting with Pikes Peak in June, Heyn has been quietly on his way to finishing in Colorado and continuing on the little-known challenge called the Rocky Mountains Grand Slam. The concept came to light in 2020, when one Eric Gilbertson reported the mission complete in 60 days. He was driving and had help from others. Thats the case this summer for Jason Hardrath, an athlete chasing a record time. Its believed no one has attempted the Grand Slam without a car, unsupported. People in Colorado are very nice, Heyn recently said between mountains near Leadville. Rides, gear, food no thank you, he has said over and over again. Only once has he accepted an offer, he said: After two days and six summits across the Collegiate Peaks with a torn shoe, he agreed to a friendly hikers donation. If all goes accordingly in Wyoming and Montana finishing by October is the goal and a big if, he knows Heyn estimates he will have walked something like 2,600 miles. Thats about the distance from Californias Venice Beach to the old battlefield in Gettysburg, Pa. Thats about 400 miles longer than the Appalachian Trail. Thats closer to the length of the Pacific Crest Trail. Summit trail to Fishers Peak could soon be realized But none of those comparisons works when you consider 117 summits rising above treeline, many of them requiring careful navigation and technical, Class 5 skills. Gilbertsons log noted 432,500 feet of vertical gain across Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Heyns mileage on foot would be something new. Its ridiculous, said Andrew Hamilton, regarded as Colorados King of Fourteeners and well familiar with obscure pushes in the mountains. Hes familiar with athletes walking to all of Colorados fourteeners. The latest in 2021 finished with a reported average of 27 miles and 6,800 vertical feet per day for 43 days. But walking ahead to more peaks in Wyoming and Montana? I mean, who wants to do that? Hamilton remarked. Heyn has wanted to do it for more than a year now. Amid an early career in alpine ultra running proper preparation for calorie-counting and moving without sleep Heyn learned about the Grand Slam and thought about combining two new passions: long distances and big mountains. It kind of clicked for me, the Maryland native said. Like, can this be done as a thru hike, this epic list? Planning began in earnest. Heyn crafted spreadsheets detailing times and stations for resupplying on food and water and other essentials. To achieve as many as 18 hours of walking a day, he said he has traveled light, often little more than a rudimentary tent, an ice ax, crampons and hardly any more clothing. I made the mistake of not bringing a change of socks, he said from Leadville, where he was munching on fruit from Safeway. Now I have a change of socks. I have one more pair of shorts, a pair of wind pants, the same shirt Ive been wearing for 43 days. I think Im gonna get a new one today. Planning has been helped by previous records and data tracked on Colorados fourteeners, Wyomings thirteeners and Montanas twelvers. But when it comes to the rugged, glaciated collection in Wyoming in particular, available information does little to quell Heyns concerns. The big question mark for all of this is Wyoming, he said. The fearsome bunch includes Francs Peak, notorious for grizzly bears; one speedsters online post about carrying a rifle served as a warning. As if the jagged wilds of the Wind River Range and Grand Tetons werent enough, Heyn will have to walk hundreds of miles between them and thirteeners on the opposite corner of the state. Im taking a step into the unknown there, he said. Im taking it day by day. So Heyn has been taking life since graduating college in 2019. The partying from those days carried into the days after, he said. Ive done a lot of reflecting as far as the time I spent just consuming alcohol and things like that, he said. It felt like it was ruining my life more so than being a productive outlet. The outlet became backpacking and running. With a remote job in software, Heyn has bounced around Airbnbs, living for weeks in different bases with mountains. As hes explored, hes pondered the question of why. We always want to talk about the why, and its hard to identify, he said en route to his next fourteener. I just know Im supposed to be out here doing this. A GPS tracker posts infrequent progress online. He didnt sound interested in public attention and any calls for better data. A peculiar plant grows in Colorado, and a colorful legacy lives on I know verification has come to the forefront with these things, he said. Frankly, if people want to dispute this, Im fine with it. This is my experience. Im certainly not out for notoriety or to get sponsors or anything. And thank you, but he doesnt want any help, either. No thank you, he said to Reis, the photographer who cant get an image out of his head: Heyn walking alone by the road. I think about where hes at right now just on some road in Colorado, Reis said. Just walking down the road. Thousands of Black, Hispanic aspiring and former teachers who FAILED licensing exam to be given $1.8 billion settlement Roughly 5,200 Black and Hispanic aspiring and former teachers will receive a massive $1.8 billion payout from New York City (NYC) after city officials decided to stop fighting a nearly three-decade-long discrimination lawsuit alleging that the Liberal Arts and Sciences Test (LAST) used for licensing teachers is biased against non-Whites. The largest-ever legal payout to date from the Big Apple, the settlement is expected to result in several hundred more large financial awards in the future, according to the New York Post. At least 225 people failed the LAST between 1994 and 2014, according to Manhattan federal court records. Each of them will receive at least $1 million in settlement money. The court found that the exam violated civil rights laws, resulting in more than 90 percent of White test takers passing the 80-question multiple choice and essay qualification exam between March 1993 and June 1995. During the same time period, just 52 percent of Black applicants passed the exam, while Hispanics had just a 50 percent passing rate. (Related: A Blue Cross Blue Shield charity program in North Carolina was specifically designed to exclude White applicants.) As usual, taxpayers will foot the bill for this anti-White ruling In addition to the $1.8 billion in settlement money, plaintiffs are also expected to collect additional money in the form of health insurance and pension checks for all the time that they did not work but could have had they been able to pass the "racist" test. Sixty-four-year-old Herman Grim, one of the black applicants who failed the test, is expected to receive the largest payout of more than $2 million. Though Grim was unable to provide any tangible examples as to why the test was racist, nor could he even say how many times he took the certification exam and failed, he will still receive this large lump sum. Grim will receive more than $1.5 million in back pay for time never clocked, lost interest accrued, and various other forms of compensation. Other cash winners include 62-year-old Andrea Durant of Center Moriches on Long Island who will receive just under $2 million. Then there is the estate of Kathy Faye Bailey of Queens who will receive just under $1.9 million. Based on an agreement that was forged in November 2021 during then-Mayor Bill de Blasio's reign, NYC agreed to set aside more than $1.8 billion in funds to pay off these and the rest of the plaintiffs through 2028. So far, more than $750 million in judgments have been awarded to 2,959 of the 5,200 plaintiffs. Judgments range from just a few hundred dollars to more than $2 million depending on how far back each plaintiff took and failed the test. The city is also responsible for the plaintiffs' lawyer fees, which last year alone totaled more than $43 million. By the looks of it, the settlement is just reparations in disguise. Non-Whites are demanding free money because of "White supremacy," and because they were unable to get the money they covet some other way they resorted to suing the Big Apple over a licensing exam that they claim is racist. "It's a struggle to explain how NYC could spend $38,000 a year per kid with such a poor return, but decisions like this really help people understand where all that money's going," complained Ken Girardin, a fellow and labor specialist for the conservative government watchdog group Empire Center for Public Policy about the settlement. Grim, meanwhile, is overjoyed at striking gold, telling the media that he is looking forward to paying off the debt he has accrued on his Queens home and credit cards. "I can't tell you how many times I took them," Grim says about taking and failing the test. "A lot! A lot!" The latest news about the anti-White "reparations" movement can be found at RaceWar.news. Sources for this article include: JustTheNews.com NYPost.com Newstarget.com University of Florida LIED to Gov. DeSantis about money spent on DEI propaganda In its official filings to the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis, the University of Florida (UFL) massively downplayed the amount of money and other resources it spends on anti-white Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. According to Christopher Rufo, a DeSantis education hire, UFL officials have been "lying through their teeth to the governor" by falsely claiming that the school only has about 30 DEI schemes that cost $5 million a year. The truth figure is more like 1,000 DEI schemes at a much, much higher cost. To prove his claims, Rufo procured internal documents from the UFL showing the true and full extent of the school's DEI programs. It turns out there are many more of them than the school told DeSantis about, which was intentional to "conceal the radicalism inside the campus." Since DeSantis is on a mission to defund and shut down all DEI programs in Florida, the university tried to hide its programs from his office. "I've discovered through public records requests and the threat of litigation that the UFL, which is under the purview of a Red state legislature, explicitly lied to the governor in its official response to his request about their DEI programs," Rufo said. Rufo, a trustee of New College of Florida, is an activist and scholar who wrote a book about all this called America's Cultural Revolution: How the Radical Left Conquered Everything. "But I've discovered through these bombshell documents that they, in fact, had more than 1,000 separate DEI programs embedded in every facet of the university's programs and administration." (Related: Earlier this year, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz [D-Fla.] blasted DeSantis for trying to dismantle Florida's corporate "equity" programs.) Hating and fighting against White people is a costly endeavor DEI advocates claim their schemes are necessary to right the wrongs of the past, which in their minds are all "White" people's fault. This means giving special treatment to non-Whites and pouring money into programs and benefits for non-Whites. DeSantis ordered all public universities in the state, including the UFL, to disclose all government funds that are spent on DEI programs, classes and other initiatives to get a grip the scope of their influence. The university told DeSantis' office that it only operates 30-40 DEI schemes. The $5 million the school claims it spends on DEI programs includes salaries for DEI staffers, which include a chief diversity officer, an assistant director, a senior advisor to the president and an executive assistant. These positions alone gobble up more than $1 million annually, most of this money coming from state coffers. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are also spent on creating a "welcoming, inclusive work environment," which is code for an anti-White work environment. Through Florida's freedom of information laws, Rufo obtained internal files showing that there are 1,018 different DEI schemes currently in operation at the university. These schemes focus on recruiting and training non-whites to teach anti-white propaganda, as well as positions for "affirming diverse identities." Other projects include teaching students about the "legacies of slavery and oppression," as well as "decolonizing the curriculum." There is also a "gender pronouns initiative" that sucks up a lot of DEI money. The internal list also specifies a "Black storytelling project," training sessions about "implicit bias" and "microaggressions," and many other entries that the UFL deliberately hid from DeSantis. "What we see over and over in America's institutions is that the leaders have been captured by radical left wing DEI ideology," Rufo says. "And then when they're discovered, they make every attempt to hide, obfuscate and conceal the true nature of what's happening inside their institutions." The latest news about America's culture war can be found at CultureWars.news. Sources for this article include: DailyMail.co.uk Newstarget.com White House admits to funding Wuhan Institute of Virology, just now cutting funds to the infamous bioweapons lab After spending years of funding, offshoring, coordinating, and delegating coronavirus gain-of-function research in China, the U.S. government has finally taken steps to curb their involvement in these unethical and inhumane experiments. On July 17, White House officials reached out to the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) to suspend taxpayer funding of coronavirus gain-of-function research at the Chinese lab. This move comes three and half years after a global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic originated in Wuhan. With this move, the White House finally admits that the US government funded the infamous lab that was at the center of the covid-19 scandal. Conspiracy theory no longer, as White House stops funding Wuhan Institute of Virology For over three years, it was considered a conspiracy theory to suggest that the US government conspired with Chinese scientists to enhance the infectivity and lethality of coronaviruses. When questioned in front of Congress in May of 2021, then director Anthony Fauci claimed that the NIH "has not ever and does not now fund gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology. This was blatant perjury, and now more White House officials are moving away from Faucis lies and the Chinese coverup of covid-19s origins. Back in 2014, a U.S. based nonprofit the EcoHealth Alliance was awarded $3.7 million in grants from Dr. Anthony Fauci, then head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Approximately $600,000 of the grants were sent to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, where researchers worked on enhancing the infectivity and lethality of bat coronaviruses to develop diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines for future pandemics. The taxpayer funded project, Understanding the Risk of Bat Coronavirus Emergence, was renewed in 2019 -- the same year an mRNA vaccine platform was prepared for mass distribution around the world -- the same year a coronavirus pandemic was declared in Wuhan, China. In the memo to the WIV, White House officials laid out a plan to block the lab from ever receiving U.S. funds again. The lab was found to be non-compliant with federal regulations, and Chinese officials stonewalled an international investigation into its proceedings inside. Moreover, multiple scientists working at WIV fell ill and were hospitalized in the fall of 2019. All evidence points to covid-19 being a planned operation, derived from years of laboratory experimentation, scripted narratives, investments into vaccines, and other forms of money laundering, high level coverups, and human rights abuses that were carried out in real time. EcoHealth Alliance deceptively carried out gain-of-function in Wuhan As the covid-19 scandal unraveled, NIH principal deputy director Lawrence Tabak reviewed EcoHealth Alliance coronavirus research in Wuhan and blamed the organization for not being transparent about the work it was doing. EcoHealths experiment tested whether spike proteins from naturally occurring bat coronaviruses circulating in China were capable of binding to the human ACE2 receptor in a mouse model. In the study, the modified viruses made the animals sicker, but the results were not properly reported as sinister evidence was gathered. The grant was originally approved by the NIH but additional reviews were not undertaken because at the time, the research didnt fit the definition of research involving enhanced pathogens of pandemic potential because these bat coronaviruses had not been shown to infect human. Tabak said Eco Health head Peter Daszak failed to comply with the terms of the grant. Had EcoHealth alerted NIH to the new results, it would have prompted a review to determine if the research plan should be re-evaluated. EcoHealth failed to report this finding right away, as was required by the terms of the grant... Tabak said. It's this deception that paved the way for unaccountable gain-of-function research on bat coronaviruses at the WIV. Even though no government has conclusive evidence that SARS-CoV-2 came directly from NIAID and EcoHealth research, the very act of gain-function bioweapons research at the WIV cannot be denied, and this nefarious activity must be shut down at all costs. Although it's coming years too late, the White House is taking the right steps now. Sources include: WashingtonExaminer.com NYPost.com NaturalNews.com BBC.com NaturalNews.com NYPost.com As July ends, the latest weather report showed that record-breaking heat is forecasted to hit the Southwestern United States and Southern Europe, bringing brutal heat conditions. People vulnerable to hotter conditions should monitor the weather conditions and scorching weather forecasts before leaving. Hotter conditions can be concerning, as it can cause heat-related stress and heat stroke. Nature World News (NWN) recently reported the challenging heat conditions in the Southwestern US and Southern Europe. In Southern Europe, brutal heat was forecast in portions of Germany, Spain, Poland and Greece. In Greece, NWN reported that raging wildfires emerged in the city, causing many residents to be evacuated. The forecast noted that extreme heat and fire concerns could be possible in the Southwestern US. Challenging heat in the Southwestern US According to the NWS Climate Prediction Center, excessive heat is predicted to hit Midwest and Southwest, bringing brutal hot temperatures. In the latest key message, the forecast explained that Southern US could expect a brutal heatwave until July 28. Meanwhile, AccuWeather's forecast explained that the dome could likely help bring triple-digit temperatures in parts Southwestern US. The early beginning of July recorded challenging heat conditions, causing heat warnings and advisories. The forecast warned of possible heat-related stress. Based on the NWS forecast, 80 million people could experience challenging heat conditions, especially in the south-central and southeast US. AccuWeather's outlook showed that scorching heat is likely this late July. Heat conditions are forecast in Reno, San Franciso, Las Vegas, Elko, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Denver. As the summer season begins, a hotter outlook will continue in parts of the United States. However, the weather forecast noted that temperatures could become cooler at night. The forecast explained that people should remain hydrated at all times. Hotter temperatures in Southern US In another forecast, the report explained that Southern Europe could likely experience hellish heat conditions. The forecast warned of challenging heatwaves that could cause record-breaking heat. The forecast warned that troublesome heat conditions could unfold in Athens, Rome, Milan and Madrid. Previously, Nature World News (NWN) reported that the soaring temperatures in Europe resulted in 61, 672 people dying from heat-related illnesses in 2022. Also Read: Southern Europe Intense Heat: Hotter Conditions Likely to Continue Until Next Week Stormy conditions in Central and Eastern US In the Northeast, the forecast noted that rainy conditions could continue in the region. Meanwhile, AccuWeather's forecast noted severe thunderstorms in the Central and Eastern US. The forecast noted that severe thunderstorms could unload hail conditions and isolated tornadoes. Severe thunderstorms could likely emerge in Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Louisville, Nashville, Charlotte, Charleston, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Charlotte. The forecast explained that torrential rainfall and large hail could unfold in Denver, Guymon, Colorado Springs, Wichita, Amarillo and Norton. Related Article: Extreme Heat To Hit in Southwestern to Eastern US This Week; Increased Fire Risk Possible For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature News. Sea ice loss is endangering migrating beluga whales from the Arctic to the southern waters, exposing them to their natural predators and other external threats, according to reports. As the melting of glaciers and ice sheets continues amid climate change and global warming, not only Arctic animals such as polar bears lose their habitats and prey but also the said white whale species. The climate-driven loss of sea ice, which threatens the great annual beluga whale migration, could also impact the population of the Arctic and sub-Arctic cetacean. This threat is expected since the migration itself involves the foraging and mating of giant marine mammals. Described by experts as highly sociable and intelligent creatures, beluga whales are known to be friendly with humans. The looming natural disaster poses various risks to the sea creatures in the Arctic waters, whether direct or indirect repercussions. Previous research on habitat loss in marine ecosystems, due to anthropogenic warming, shows that ocean warming can lead to loss of food opportunity, including fish, for predators such as the beluga whales since excessive ocean temperatures can kill several living organisms. Climate scientists have often linked melting glaciers and ice melt in general to anthropogenic or human-induced greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel burning, leading to the current "climate emergency" worldwide. Scientists have warned that the climate crisis has intensified extreme weather events, including catastrophic natural disasters such as hurricanes, heatwaves, and even drought. Beluga Whales Under Threat Every July, approximately 57,000 beluga whales travel from the Arctic to warmer waters in the sub-Arctic region, specifically to Canada's Western Hudson Bay, according to the World Wildlife Fund Canada. The shallow water in these "safe southern havens" protects them from predators such as orcas or killer whales, that allows them to feed, populate, and shed their skin on the surface of rocks of the riverbeds. Experts told ABC News that sea ice loss impacts beluga whales since the animals use the sea ice to hide underneath it to evade the killer whales that hunt them. In addition, the rise of ocean temperatures is also attracting orcas further to the northern Arctic waters. Also Read: Researchers Debunk Idea on Using Glass to Halt Sea Ice Loss Climate Change Threat While the climate change threat concerns economies and poses life-threatening hazards to vulnerable communities, it also places animals at risk and disrupts their food chain, as well as natural ecosystems. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), climate change can increase the frequency and strengthen the intensity of drought, heatwaves, storms, rising sea levels, warming oceans, and melting glaciers. These phenomena can directly harm animals and destroy the places they live. For instance, droughts are threats to crops, freshwater supplies, and wildlife, leading to the deaths of some animals due to the lack of food and water resources they needed, in addition to the scorching heat. This has been the reality from polar bears in the Arctic region to sea turtles off the African coast, the WWF adds. Related Article: Warm Atlantic Waters Melting Sea Ice in Arctic Pinky, a rare pink bottlenose dolphin, was recently spotted by a fisherman in a Louisiana river. Rare Sighting of Pink Bottlenose Dolphin Last week, a river in Louisiana was the route a pink bottlenose dolphin took. Thurman Gustin, a fisherman for more than twenty years, recorded the animal on camera. His video of his July 12 encounter with two pink bottlenose dolphins in Cameron Parish, which is close to the Gulf of Mexico, quickly gained popularity. Gustin told CBS News that although he was used to seeing dolphins in the vicinity, this particular encounter utterly caught him off guard. He described the experience as unforgettable, recalling other amazing wildlife encounters he had, including the time he saw a bobcat swim over a bayou in Texas. Nevertheless, this pink dolphin sighting has surpassed his swimming bobcat experience. He claimed that as they were moving, he saw something unusual just beneath the surface of the water. When he halted the boat, a stunning pink dolphin surfaced, and he captured it on camera. One pink dolphin is seen momentarily emerging from the ocean before plunging back under in Gustin's video. Rare Louisiana Fishing Experience Gustin claims that even though he frequently goes fishing and this was his third visit to Louisiana this year, he still got exceptionally lucky because such spottings are incredibly uncommon. According to Gustin through USA Today, even the majority of folks who have lived there their entire lives haven't encountered anything similar. It was improbable that Gustin had encountered the pink river dolphin, a species that lives in freshwater river basins in South America, instead, the more likely scenario is that he encountered bottlenose dolphins. The latter species are said to frequent the Gulf of Mexico and are generally observed in the gray hue. According to the Blue World Institute, pink and white dolphins have very low frequency in nature and are sometimes related to albinism. Its highly unusual color attracts the attention of people, who take the animals into captivity. Despite only existing in freshwater, Amazon river dolphins are pink as well, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). These dolphins can be seen in several parts of the Amazon and the river basins of Orinoco in Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela, they can be found, USA Today reports Also Read: 10 Rarest Albino Animals in the World Pinky in Louisiana According to USA Today, the dolphin Gustin encountered might have been "Pinky," a well-known dolphin from southern Louisiana. Pinky, who was seen first in the Calcasieu River in 2007, resembles an albino dolphin as it lacks the usual pigmentation of a dolphin and has reddish eyes blood vessels that are visible to the naked eye. Pinky has quite a following on Facebook as people excitedly share their encounters with her. According to researcher Greg Barsh, albino dolphins have a genetic abnormality that turns their skin pink and white. Since the middle of the 20th century, only around 20 sightings of this genetic abnormality have been documented, according to the Blue World Institute. Related Article: Threatened Pink Dolphins in Amazon At Risk From Overfishing, Construction The survivor sailor is returning to Sydney and has bid farewell to Bella. (Photo : Ulises Ruiz / Getty Images) The survivor sailor, who had been lost at sea with the Mexican dog named Bella for three months, sadly had to find a new home for his castaway buddy before heading back to Sydney. A Survivor Sailor and His Castaway Buddy A sailor, who spent three months at sea with his dog drifting on the surface of the Pacific Ocean and depended on raw fish and rainwater, has found a new home for his loyal companion. This week, Tim Shaddock, 54, who had been missing for more than 90 days, was found alive on board his catamaran. Having a castaway buddy like the dog Bella may have aided Shaddock, claims Mike Tipton, a professor from the University of Portsmouth. Their ability to survive depended on both skill and luck, he continued, according to CBS News. Bella, his "amazing" dog, had also made it through, but Shaddock chose to leave her in Mexico after hearing a member of the rescue boat crew pledge to provide her with a loving home. He said Bella had discovered him in the middle of Mexico. She is therefore Mexican and represents the heart of the nation, yet she refused to allow Shaddock to leave. The faithful dog just kept trailing him onto the ocean despite his three attempts to find her a home. The dog, according to Shaddock, is a lot bolder than he is. When Shaddock was being driven to the airport to be reunited with his family in Sydney, Bella could be seen waiting obediently on the boat. Also Read: Hawaiian Surfer Fights Off Shark with Punches in Bloody Water, Loses Foot The French Polynesia Journey The Australian guy said in his initial interview that he had not seen land since early May when he set sail from the Sea of Cortez in search of French Polynesia. However, he was unable to call for assistance since a storm destroyed the electronics on the boat, causing it to become lost. Before they were discovered by a helicopter, rescued by a tuna fishing boat, and transported to the Mexican city of Manzanillo, he managed to survive by gathering rainwater and eating raw fish. The Grupomar fishing fleet said in a statement that it had detected Shaddock's boat some 1,200 miles from the coast. The skinny and bearded Shaddock stated he was feeling OK after visiting a doctor. Shaddock admitted that there were both good and bad days and that he didn't think he would survive. There was a lot of tuna sushi because, according to him, he lost his cooking skills along the road. Shaddock expressed his gratitude and admiration to the fishing crew and skipper who saved his life, Independent reported. The sailor emphasized that he will never give up the hobby and that he will constantly be in the water because he just genuinely loves nature, although he currently has no high-seas adventures planned yet, according to NBC News. Related Article: French Polynesia Catamaran Journey Waylaid by Weather; Sailor and Dog Survives on Rainwater, Raw Fish, Skill Croatia is taking an innovative approach to combat the threat of mosquitoes, which are expected to increase in number and range due to climate change. The country is releasing thousands of sterile male mosquitoes in Zagreb, the capital city, as part of a pilot project to reduce the population of invasive Asian Tiger mosquitoes, which can carry diseases, such as dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. The project aims to prevent the spread of these diseases in Croatia, which is a popular tourist destination in the Mediterranean region. How does the project work? The project is based on the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), which is a method of biological control that has been used for decades to control various pests, such as fruit flies, screwworms, and tsetse flies, as per Phys.org. The method involves mass-rearing and sterilizing male insects in a laboratory, and then releasing them in the target area, where they mate with wild females. Since the females can only mate once in their lifetime, the sterile males prevent them from producing offspring, thus reducing the population over time. The project in Zagreb started in June 2021, when 100,000 sterile male mosquitoes were released in a high-risk area with thick vegetation where mosquitoes often breed. The mosquitoes were produced by a laboratory in Italy, which uses gamma rays to sterilize them. They were then transported by air in special containers and released by hand or by drones in selected locations. The project will continue until September, with weekly releases of 100,000 mosquitoes each time. The project is monitored by entomologists from the Zagreb-based teaching institute of public health, who collect and analyze samples of mosquitoes from traps set up in the area. They use molecular techniques to identify the species and sex of the mosquitoes, and to determine the ratio of sterile to wild males. The goal is to achieve a ratio of at least 10:1, which is considered sufficient to suppress the population. Also Read: Avian Flu Outbreak Expected in Europe and Asia What are the benefits and challenges of the project? The project has several benefits for public health and the environment. By reducing the number of Asian Tiger mosquitoes, which are aggressive biters and active during the day, the project can lower the risk of disease transmission and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors, as per TheCitizen. The project can also reduce the need for chemical insecticides, which can have negative impacts on human health and biodiversity. The project also faces some challenges and limitations. One challenge is to ensure that enough sterile males are released to outnumber the wild males, which can vary depending on environmental factors such as temperature, rainfall, and vegetation. Another challenge is to prevent accidental release or escape of female mosquitoes from the laboratory or during transport, which could increase the population instead of reducing it. A limitation of the project is that it only targets one species of mosquito, while there are other species that can also carry diseases or cause nuisance. The Zagreb project is a pilot research that will offer useful information and experience for future SIT mosquito control applications in Croatia and other nations. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which advocates SIT as a secure and reliable pest management method, is a supporter of the initiative. SIT has been successfully used for mosquito control in other countries, such as China, Italy, Brazil, and Mauritius. SIT is also being tested for other mosquito species, such as Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae, which are vectors of dengue, yellow fever, Zika, and malaria, respectively. Related Article: Zika Update: Canada Develops Cheap Way Of Killing Mosquito Eggs Using Old Car Tires A helicopter pilot has died after the aircraft collided with the ground during wildfire fighting operations in Alberta, the authorities said. According to the BBC report, the 41-year-old unnamed pilot from Whitecourt was the lone occupant of the Bell 205A helicopter when it crashed near Haig Lake in north-western Alberta. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the forestry workers failed to resuscitate the pilot, who was declared dead at a nearby airport. Authorities received the first signal from the emergency beacon at the collision site around 6:15 p.m. local time, 80 kilometers east-northeast of Peace River. Initial investigations said the aircraft collided with the ground as the pilot worked to deliver water to the ongoing wildfire. "I don't know what phase it would have been, whether it would have been while it was picking up water or it was releasing water," Transportation Safety Board spokesperson Chris Krepski said, as quoted by CBC. "That is typically what we would try to find out." The helicopters utilized in the bucketing operation have a specialized bucket suspended on a wire to supply water to a fire. Valhalla Helicopters, based in West Kelowna, British Columbia, operated the aircraft. Company authorities declined to comment on the tragedy. Read Also: Canada Wildfire Smoke Clearing Up Along US East Coast, Extreme Heat Danger an Emerging Threat: Meteorologists Canada mourns the death The untimely death of the pilot comes just days after two other wildfire fighters were killed while fighting Canada's wildfire season. Devyn Gale, a 19-year-old firefighter, died last week when a tree collapsed on her near Revelstoke, British Columbia. Adam Yeadon, 25, was killed while fighting a wildfire near his home in Fort Liard, Northwest Territories, on Saturday. "There are a lot of people across this country who have been stepping up during these very, very difficult forest fires, protecting their families, protecting their communities, protecting their fellow citizens," said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as quoted by The Guardian. "And to have lost three firefighters, or individuals helping out in fighting the fires, is heartbreaking." In June 2021, 48-year-old Heath Coleman of Prince George died when the aircraft he was flying while fighting a fire in Evansburg crashed in a rural area near the fire front. Out of control wildfire Data from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center shows that more than 880 fires were burning across the country, and at least 580 of these current wildfires are considered "out of control" by the The CNN reported that Canada is set for another record, consuming about 25 million acres, an area roughly the size of Ohio. Michael Norton, a director general with Canada's Northern Forestry Centre, said that 2023 fire season will continue to break some record jn a number of ways. Smoke from the Canadian wildfires had traveled south, blanketing North Georgia, Atlanta, and other portions of the southeast. The hazy conditions are expected to last in Atlanta and North Georgia, and potentially in central and southern Georgia. Related Article: Over 100 Wildfires in Western Canada Forces Evacuation of Nearly 25,000 People Recent reports showed that at least 1,200 barrels of crude leak affected a famous beach in North Ecuador's coast, which could also affect birds, fish and fishermen in the area. Authorities are investigating the cause of the leak, whether human error, sabotage, or mechanical error. The first report noted that it could likely be human error. Oil spill in North Ecudaor According to Reuters' recent report, about 1,200 barrels of crude managed to leak into a famous beach in Northern Ecuador located near Las Palmas Beach. The report added that the leak on Wednesday at Petroecuador's Esmeraldas Maritime happened after a tank reached and exceeded its capacity, resulting in the sudden spill near the beach. Meanwhile, a report published on Phys.org and AFP explained that the leak was controlled, and Petroecuador immediately launched a cleanup in the affected waters. Due to the leak, the report explained that some birds, fish and crabs could be affected and harmed. Fishermen could likely suffer from the leak. Furthermore, the report noted that Petroecuador would look into the incident and help the affected fishermen due to the unexpected spill. According to Reuters' report, transportation manager Rafael Armendariz explained that not all the 1,200 barrels went into the pool, as they immediately controlled 90% of the leak impact on the sea. Meanwhile, the authorities are expected to assess the full impact of the leak on aquatic animals near the area and possible sanctions. Oil spill near the Coca River In the previous Aljazeera report in January 2022, a major oil spill that impacted the Cayambe-Coca National Park's protected area and Coca River emerged in Eastern Ecuador. The severe weather event unloaded heavy rains that resulted in mudslides, impacting the OCP Ecuador pipeline. According to Ecuador's Environment Ministry, the major oil spill polluted the river, which could likely affect the water supplies of indigenous areas. The oil spill could also affect the wildlife and communities that depend on the water. Also Read: Oceanic Large Manta Ray Species Found on Ecuador's Coast, Research Shows What are the impacts of oil spills? Oil spills can become devastating in bodies of water and animal animals. It is considered harmful to animals and communities that rely on water supplies. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), oil spills can result in significant problems that result in water pollution. NOAA explained that oil spills occur when ships refuel, pipeline break, drilling operations and sinking of oil tankers. It becomes more dangerous to plants and nearby species. Oil can cover birds' wings, reducing the animal survival. In terms of humans, the oil spill can harm one's health due to toxic compounds, especially when they consume contaminated fish. Related Article: Scientists Call For Conservation of Sea Cows, Pillar Coral and Abalone Due to Threats of Extinction For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News. A federal magistrate in Denver opted to deny bail to a Castle Rock teenager accused of trying to travel to Iraq to join the Islamic State group, citing concerns about his previous death threats to his mother and wanting to avoid any risk of him following through on alleged ambitions of committing mass violence. After a two-hour hearing Thursday morning, Magistrate N. Reid Neureiter said he has a lot of empathy for the situation of 18-year-old Davin Meyers family members because of efforts they made over several years to change the paths of religious extremism he went down. But Neureiter said he ultimately was not prepared to risk releasing Meyer to live with his mother, which his defense lawyer requested, and his mother said she would not have a problem with. Despite her genuine testimony, Im not prepared to put Ms. Meyer at risk, Neureiter said. Davin Meyer faces one count of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization. The charge could carry a prison sentence up to 20 years. Beginning last November, according to federal prosecutors, he communicated with two FBI informants he believed were Islamic State group facilitators about his desire to join the Islamic State group as a fighter. Meyers mother reportedly contacted law enforcement in June 2022 with concerns that his beliefs grew increasingly radical, he sought out extremist online content, including videos of killings, and talked openly about violent intentions, prosecutors said. He also reportedly had threatened in the past to kill his mother, prosecutors said. She reported Meyer said he wanted to either die as a martyr for the Islamic State group or kill people in the U.S., including military servicemembers and police. Last October, Meyer allegedly said he wanted to build a fertilizer bomb in the U.S., according to his arrest affidavit. Meyer eventually bought a plane ticket to Germany and then Ankara, Turkey, where he believed he would meet up with Islamic State group members and travel to Iraq. According to prosecutors, he used money given to him by his mother for living expenses after she moved him into his own apartment. The FBI arrested him right before he got on the flight out of Denver International Airport on July 14. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Hindman identified Meyers mother, Deanna Meyer, as the person referenced in his arrest affidavit who contacted law enforcement in June last year about her sons alleged escalating radicalism in his beliefs and interest in extreme, violent online content. When arguing for denying Meyer bail, Hindman emphasized Meyer managed to communicate with the people he thought were Islamic State group facilitators and to make plans to travel and join the group without his mother knowing, despite her best efforts to get intervention for her son. Hindman also pointed out Meyers refusal to take medication for his mental health, despite his mothers efforts, and concerns raised about his behavior by a psychiatrist he saw. Meyer 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. I just dont believe that she can assure (bail) conditions are followed, nor should we be asking her to, Hindman said, later adding, Much of the threat to the community we are discussing is the threat to her. Deanna Meyer took to the witness stand Thursday to say she doesnt believe Meyer living with her, while his case is pending, would put her at risk, and she didnt appear to directly say her son had threatened her. She said her son has never had friends because of his disabilities and has never been motivated to follow through on things. She said she believes he only went through with his intention to join the Islamic State group because he believed he had found people who understood him in the informants he communicated with. I would bet my life he never wouldve done that without that encouragement and feeling like he had a friend with the same ideology as him, she said. However, Meyers mother disputed the characterization by prosecutors that her son said he planned to build a fertilizer bomb. During her testimony, she said he only told her he knew how, and she responded that concerned her. He never said he had an intent to do that, she said. Meyers attorney, David Kaplan, argued that the FBI or the Douglas County Sheriffs Office should have acted sooner in the 13 months the informants were in contact with him if they truly saw him as the threat Hindman talked about in Thursdays hearing. Kaplan said law enforcement ostensibly was making their own judgment calls about any risk Meyer posed to his community as they monitored him. I understand the court should be concerned, but so should law enforcement, he told Neureiter. In mulling over his decision, Neureiter also mentioned he worries about the possibility of Meyer following the same path a similar situation in Colorado recently took if Neureiter were to grant him pretrial release: A person with mental illness was known to law enforcement for making violent threats, previous charges were dropped (or not pursued), and the person went on to commit mass killings. Though Neureiter didnt name the case, both the Club Q and Boulder King Soopers mass shooting bear similar patterns in their defendants histories. The worst thing I can do is release somebody and then something like that happens again, the magistrate said. Malaysias communications minister revealed the government has reached a deal outlining stakes in its wholesale 5G company Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) for the nations five MNOs. Fahmi Fadzil said in a statement the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commissions 5G Task Force worked on striking a deal with CelcomDigi, Maxis, Telekom Malaysia, U Mobile and YTL Communications. The MNOs are all processing and finalising their shares in DNB. Maxis was the last operator to sign up for the governments controversial singular 5G network plan, having agreed to join its rivals earlier this month. 5G services are expected to launch sometime after Q3 from Maxis. Fadzil stated the government is targeting to deploy 5G coverage to 80% of the population by the end of the year. By Express News Service KOLKATA: Shortly before Mamata Banerjee leaves her Kalighat home to attend the partys annual event-Martyrs Day-at Esplanade, police rounded up a suspect moving in a vehicle, with police written on its windscreen, carrying a firearm, knife and drugs from near the West Bengal chief ministers residence. Identity cards of security agencies were found in his possession and the suspect failed to come up with a satisfactory explanation. The person was spotted as soon as he parked his car in the high-security zone near the chief ministers residence. Suspecting the vehicle suspicious, police swing into action and took out the suspect in black trousers, coat and tie with a white shirt, out of the car. A search on him recovered a firearm, a knife, drugs and identity cards of different agencies, which include the Border Security Force (BSF)from his possession. During the course of preliminary interrogation, the suspect claimed to have hailed from different parts of the state which needed to be verified, said Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal. The suspect said he wanted to meet the chief minister, a Z-plus security protectee, and our men intercepted him when he approached the chief ministers residence. Sources in the police said the suspect, who was identified as Noor Amin, was sitting inside the vehicle feigning to be a cop in mufti. He got down and started walking towards the CMs residence feigning to be a security agencys personnel. When we intercepted him and asked for his identity, he produced an identity card from an intelligence wing which we suspected to be a forged one. Soon, a thorough search was carried out, said a police officer. In July last year, another suspect was arrested who was found hiding inside the premises of the chief ministers residence hoodwinking a strong posse of policemen who were guarding the CMs residence. KOLKATA: Shortly before Mamata Banerjee leaves her Kalighat home to attend the partys annual event-Martyrs Day-at Esplanade, police rounded up a suspect moving in a vehicle, with police written on its windscreen, carrying a firearm, knife and drugs from near the West Bengal chief ministers residence. Identity cards of security agencies were found in his possession and the suspect failed to come up with a satisfactory explanation. The person was spotted as soon as he parked his car in the high-security zone near the chief ministers residence. Suspecting the vehicle suspicious, police swing into action and took out the suspect in black trousers, coat and tie with a white shirt, out of the car. A search on him recovered a firearm, a knife, drugs and identity cards of different agencies, which include the Border Security Force (BSF)from his possession. During the course of preliminary interrogation, the suspect claimed to have hailed from different parts of the state which needed to be verified, said Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal. The suspect said he wanted to meet the chief minister, a Z-plus security protectee, and our men intercepted him when he approached the chief ministers residence.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Sources in the police said the suspect, who was identified as Noor Amin, was sitting inside the vehicle feigning to be a cop in mufti. He got down and started walking towards the CMs residence feigning to be a security agencys personnel. When we intercepted him and asked for his identity, he produced an identity card from an intelligence wing which we suspected to be a forged one. Soon, a thorough search was carried out, said a police officer. In July last year, another suspect was arrested who was found hiding inside the premises of the chief ministers residence hoodwinking a strong posse of policemen who were guarding the CMs residence. Ramashankar By Express News Service PATNA: The report of an autopsy performed on Bihar BJP leader Vijay Kumar Singh has triggered a political storm as it found that Singh died of heart disease and other complications related to it even as BJP continued to stick to its earlier stand that Singh died due to lathi-charge during the Bihar Vidhan Sabha march on July 13. Both the grand alliance partners--RJD and JD (U)--fired a salvo at BJP for claiming that Singh died in the police action despite the autopsy report concluding that his death was not caused by the lathi blows. While rejecting the autopsy report, state BJP president Samrat Choudhary asked the state government to order a judicial probe into the unprovoked police lathi-charge in which several leaders and workers of the party suffered injuries. A BJP delegation had also submitted a memorandum to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, seeking a CBI probe into the lathi charge. In the memorandum, BJP leaders blamed chief minister Nitish Kumar and deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad for the lathi-charge on the procession. Choudhary said the post-mortem report was prepared under the influence of the state government. He alleged that the government was trying to hush up the matter but his party would not accept it at any cost. He reiterated that his leader was murdered at the behest of the government. The post-mortem report was manipulated, he alleged. If the government has the mettle, it should hand over the video of the post-mortem to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for further investigation, he added. He said that it was also initially established Singh died due to head injuries but the government constituted another committee to cover up the matter. On the other hand, RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary said the post-mortem report had proved that Singh's death was not caused by due police lathi charge. He said that BJP's allegation was baseless. BJP leaders are politicising the death of Singh and they should stop it, he added. BJP's Jehanabad district general secretary Singh was brought in an unconscious state to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and was admitted to ICU where he died during treatment. There were no injury marks on his body, both the PMCH superintendent and Patna district officials had claimed. A histopathological examination was also conducted to ascertain the exact cause of death of Singh. Earlier, Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Rajiv Mishra had released video footage, which showed that the BJP leader was not present when police resorted to the use of force. Meanwhile, BJP's youth wing has decided to launch a signature campaign from July 24 to collect signatures from people against the government's move to hush up the 'murder case'. The campaign will conclude on August 9. Later a delegation would meet the Governor and submit them, a press statement issued by BJP said. PATNA: The report of an autopsy performed on Bihar BJP leader Vijay Kumar Singh has triggered a political storm as it found that Singh died of heart disease and other complications related to it even as BJP continued to stick to its earlier stand that Singh died due to lathi-charge during the Bihar Vidhan Sabha march on July 13. Both the grand alliance partners--RJD and JD (U)--fired a salvo at BJP for claiming that Singh died in the police action despite the autopsy report concluding that his death was not caused by the lathi blows. While rejecting the autopsy report, state BJP president Samrat Choudhary asked the state government to order a judicial probe into the unprovoked police lathi-charge in which several leaders and workers of the party suffered injuries.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A BJP delegation had also submitted a memorandum to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, seeking a CBI probe into the lathi charge. In the memorandum, BJP leaders blamed chief minister Nitish Kumar and deputy chief minister Tejashwi Prasad for the lathi-charge on the procession. Choudhary said the post-mortem report was prepared under the influence of the state government. He alleged that the government was trying to hush up the matter but his party would not accept it at any cost. He reiterated that his leader was murdered at the behest of the government. The post-mortem report was manipulated, he alleged. If the government has the mettle, it should hand over the video of the post-mortem to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for further investigation, he added. He said that it was also initially established Singh died due to head injuries but the government constituted another committee to cover up the matter. On the other hand, RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwary said the post-mortem report had proved that Singh's death was not caused by due police lathi charge. He said that BJP's allegation was baseless. BJP leaders are politicising the death of Singh and they should stop it, he added. BJP's Jehanabad district general secretary Singh was brought in an unconscious state to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) and was admitted to ICU where he died during treatment. There were no injury marks on his body, both the PMCH superintendent and Patna district officials had claimed. A histopathological examination was also conducted to ascertain the exact cause of death of Singh. Earlier, Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Rajiv Mishra had released video footage, which showed that the BJP leader was not present when police resorted to the use of force. Meanwhile, BJP's youth wing has decided to launch a signature campaign from July 24 to collect signatures from people against the government's move to hush up the 'murder case'. The campaign will conclude on August 9. Later a delegation would meet the Governor and submit them, a press statement issued by BJP said. Rajesh Asnani By Express News Service JAIPUR: In a move to prevent politics and protests over human bodies in cases of unnatural deaths in Rajasthan, the Gehlot government on Thursday passed a crucial law in the state assembly. The Rajasthan Honour of Dead Body Bill 2023 aims to curb the growing trend of protests involving bodies being placed on roads as a part of expressing anger over an incident. To accord dignity in death to victims and ensure timely cremations and burials, the bill proposes that people can be penalised up to five years in jail for protesting with bodies lying by their side. The state government cites several instances of unnatural deaths where people and families come out protesting with political parties and social groups joining them later. The groups then raise unjustified demands to pressure the government for various types of compensation. The Bill, introduced by the Ashok Gehlot government in the Assembly, says the deceased will be granted specific rights, ensuring the last rites are conducted in accordance with the traditions and practices of their respective communities and religions. The comprehensive Bill encompasses seven parts, ranging from definitions to the rights and responsibilities of the next of kin, powers vested in police officers and executive magistrates, handling of unclaimed bodies, DNA profiling, and penalties for crimes related to the misuse of bodies. To support the legislation, the government has allocated a budget of Rs 10 lakh, with an additional provision of Rs 60 lakh for DNA testing, which costs Rs 6,000 per sample. The total funding under various provisions stands at Rs 70 lakh. The Bill also mandates that the relatives of the deceased take prompt custody of the body when handed over by the police or any authorised officer. The body cannot be used for protests and explicit consent will not be granted for such purposes. The Bill grants police the authority to take possession of a body being used for protest, and they are required to inform the executive magistrate of such occurrences. In case deemed necessary, the body may be sent to the hospital for examination. The executive magistrate is responsible for notifying next of kin of the deceased to perform the rites. Honouring the dead The state government says protests by keeping victims bodies on roads are rising. According to government every deceased individual is granted the right to last rites, adhering to customs of ones community. Relatives of the deceased must take prompt custody of the body when handed over by police. A body cannot be used for protests and consent wont be granted for such purpose. JAIPUR: In a move to prevent politics and protests over human bodies in cases of unnatural deaths in Rajasthan, the Gehlot government on Thursday passed a crucial law in the state assembly. The Rajasthan Honour of Dead Body Bill 2023 aims to curb the growing trend of protests involving bodies being placed on roads as a part of expressing anger over an incident. To accord dignity in death to victims and ensure timely cremations and burials, the bill proposes that people can be penalised up to five years in jail for protesting with bodies lying by their side. The state government cites several instances of unnatural deaths where people and families come out protesting with political parties and social groups joining them later. The groups then raise unjustified demands to pressure the government for various types of compensation. The Bill, introduced by the Ashok Gehlot government in the Assembly, says the deceased will be granted specific rights, ensuring the last rites are conducted in accordance with the traditions and practices of their respective communities and religions.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The comprehensive Bill encompasses seven parts, ranging from definitions to the rights and responsibilities of the next of kin, powers vested in police officers and executive magistrates, handling of unclaimed bodies, DNA profiling, and penalties for crimes related to the misuse of bodies. To support the legislation, the government has allocated a budget of Rs 10 lakh, with an additional provision of Rs 60 lakh for DNA testing, which costs Rs 6,000 per sample. The total funding under various provisions stands at Rs 70 lakh. The Bill also mandates that the relatives of the deceased take prompt custody of the body when handed over by the police or any authorised officer. The body cannot be used for protests and explicit consent will not be granted for such purposes. The Bill grants police the authority to take possession of a body being used for protest, and they are required to inform the executive magistrate of such occurrences. In case deemed necessary, the body may be sent to the hospital for examination. The executive magistrate is responsible for notifying next of kin of the deceased to perform the rites. Honouring the dead The state government says protests by keeping victims bodies on roads are rising. According to government every deceased individual is granted the right to last rites, adhering to customs of ones community. Relatives of the deceased must take prompt custody of the body when handed over by police. A body cannot be used for protests and consent wont be granted for such purpose. Sudhir Suryawanshi By Express News Service MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday arrested businessman Sujit Patkar, a close aide of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and civic doctor Kishore Bisure in connection with the multi-crore jumbo Covid centre scam. The two were produced before the special judge for Prevention of Money Laundering Act cases, M G Deshpande, who remanded them in ED custody till July 27. The ED is probing the money laundering angle in connection with contracts given out by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for setting up or managing Covid field hospitals, called jumbo centres, during the pandemic. According to the ED, Patkar is one of the four partners of Lifeline Hospital Management Services that was awarded the contract to run a Covid-19 jumbo centre in Worli. During investigation, it was revealed that Rs 22 crore was laundered via shell companies and Patkar was instrumental in this. Dr Bisure was the in-charge of a field hospital, officials said. MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday arrested businessman Sujit Patkar, a close aide of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut and civic doctor Kishore Bisure in connection with the multi-crore jumbo Covid centre scam. The two were produced before the special judge for Prevention of Money Laundering Act cases, M G Deshpande, who remanded them in ED custody till July 27. The ED is probing the money laundering angle in connection with contracts given out by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for setting up or managing Covid field hospitals, called jumbo centres, during the pandemic. According to the ED, Patkar is one of the four partners of Lifeline Hospital Management Services that was awarded the contract to run a Covid-19 jumbo centre in Worli. During investigation, it was revealed that Rs 22 crore was laundered via shell companies and Patkar was instrumental in this. Dr Bisure was the in-charge of a field hospital, officials said. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); By PTI WASHINGTON: An Indian-origin couple has been charged in the US for allegedly subjecting an immigrant, who is their relative, to forced labour and physical abuse at a convenience store they owned. According to the accusation, Harmanpreet Singh, 30, and Kulbir Kaur, 42, from Virginia used "various coercive means", including confiscating the victim's immigration documents and subjecting him to physical abuse, threats of force and other serious harm and, at times, degrading living conditions, to compel him to work extensive hours for minimal pay between March 2018 and May 2021. They forced the victim to provide labour and services, including working as the cashier, preparing food, cleaning and managing store records, at Singh's store in North Chesterfield. The defendants allegedly confiscated the victim's immigration documents and subjected him to physical abuse, threats and degrading living conditions at a convenience store in North Chesterfield, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said in a statement. The victim, who is Singh's cousin, was not identified by his name. A federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment on Wednesday charging them with conspiracy to commit forced labour, forced labour, alien harbouring for financial gain, and document servitude, along with fraud-related charges - conspiracy to commit bankruptcy fraud and fraudulent transfers in contemplation of bankruptcy in connection with the case, the Department of Justice said in a statement. The indictment further alleges that the defendants harboured the victim after his visa expired for financial gain and committed bankruptcy-related fraud offences. The charge of forced labour carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to USD 250,000 and mandatory restitution. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. WASHINGTON: An Indian-origin couple has been charged in the US for allegedly subjecting an immigrant, who is their relative, to forced labour and physical abuse at a convenience store they owned. According to the accusation, Harmanpreet Singh, 30, and Kulbir Kaur, 42, from Virginia used "various coercive means", including confiscating the victim's immigration documents and subjecting him to physical abuse, threats of force and other serious harm and, at times, degrading living conditions, to compel him to work extensive hours for minimal pay between March 2018 and May 2021. They forced the victim to provide labour and services, including working as the cashier, preparing food, cleaning and managing store records, at Singh's store in North Chesterfield.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The defendants allegedly confiscated the victim's immigration documents and subjected him to physical abuse, threats and degrading living conditions at a convenience store in North Chesterfield, the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said in a statement. The victim, who is Singh's cousin, was not identified by his name. A federal grand jury returned a seven-count indictment on Wednesday charging them with conspiracy to commit forced labour, forced labour, alien harbouring for financial gain, and document servitude, along with fraud-related charges - conspiracy to commit bankruptcy fraud and fraudulent transfers in contemplation of bankruptcy in connection with the case, the Department of Justice said in a statement. The indictment further alleges that the defendants harboured the victim after his visa expired for financial gain and committed bankruptcy-related fraud offences. The charge of forced labour carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to USD 250,000 and mandatory restitution. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Yeshi Seli By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe had wide-ranging bilateral discussions which include an oil pipeline, ferry connectivity, UPI, trade-in rupee, a possible land route and increased air connectivity, amongst other things. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in New Delhi a day earlier for the official visit, his first since taking up the top job last year after an economic meltdown forced his predecessor to flee. "Today we have adopted a vision document for our Economic Partnership. This vision is to strengthen the Maritime, Air, Energy and people-to-people connectivity between the people of both countries. The vision is to accelerate mutual cooperation in tourism, power, trade, higher education and skill development. This is the vision - of India's long-term commitment towards Sri Lanka," said PM Modi. "My visit to India has provided an opportunity to review our bilateral relationship, leverage the strength of geographical and civilizational links, reinforced trust and confidence for our future prosperity in the modern world," Wickremesinghe said. PM Modi conveyed to President Wickremesinghe India's expectations from Colombo to fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil community in the island nation and ensure a life of respect and dignity for it. He also sought a humane approach from Sri Lanka over conflicts involving the island nation's navy and fishermen from Tamil Nadu. "We hope that Sri Lankan government will fulfil aspirations of the Tamils as this would drive the process of equality, justice and peace and fulfil the commitment to the 13th Amendment and conduct the Provincial Council Elections," PM Modi added. The Tamil community in Sri Lanka has been demanding the implementation of the 13th Amendment that provides for devolution of power to it. The 13th Amendment had been brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987. This year, India is celebrating its 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka. Tamil nationals have been a native of the island nation for over 200 years now and to mark this, India has earmarked Rs 75 crore for projects that cater to the development programmes of the Tamil community. Meanwhile, talks on the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) will begin soon. The two leaders spoke about enhancing air connectivity and beginning a passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and KankeSanthurai in Sri Lanka. "We have decided that the work of connecting the electricity grids between the two countries will be expedited. The feasibility study will be done for the petroleum pipeline between India and Sri Lanka. Apart from this, it was also decided to check the feasibility of a land bridge. Fintech connectivity will also increase with the agreement signed today to launch UPI in Sri Lanka," PM Modi added. ALSO READ | Sri Lankan presidents visit to India signals growing economic and energy ties India provided critical financial and humanitarian assistance worth over USD 4 billion to its neighbour, including food, medicine and fuel, aimed at injecting much-needed stability as its bankrupt neighbour battled outstanding total debt of over USD 83 billion, of which USD 41.5 billion was foreign. Earlier on Friday, President Ranil also had an interaction with industrialist Gautam Adani and they held talks on port development. "We had a discussion around continuing development of the Colombo Port West Container Terminal, a 500 MW wind project and extending our renewal energy expertise to produce green hydrogen, Adani said after the meeting. While modalities are yet to be worked out for the projects that have been spoken about, investments are an option that would be considered as private companies are involved in some projects. Here is a list of agreements on the pipeline between the neighbouring nations: Maritime connectivity: To cooperate in the development of ports and logistics infrastructure at Colombo, Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai with an aim to consolidate regional logistics and shipping, as per mutual understanding. To resume passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka and work towards early resumption of ferry services between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar, and other mutually agreed places. Air connectivity: The resumption of flights between Jaffna and Chennai has enhanced people-to-people ties and agreed to further expand it to Colombo as well as explore connectivity between Chennai and Trincomalee, Batticaloa and other destinations in Sri Lanka. To encourage and strengthen investment and cooperation in civil aviation, including augmentation of airport infrastructure at Palaly for greater economic benefits to the people. III. Energy and Power connectivity: MoU on cooperation in developing renewable energy would develop Sri Lankas significant renewable energy potential, including offshore wind and solar, thus enabling Sri Lanka to achieve its target of generating 70 per cent of power requirements from renewable energy sources by 2030. To establish a high-capacity power grid interconnection between India and Sri Lanka to enable bidirectional electricity trade between Sri Lanka and other regional countries, including the BBIN countries, which has the potential to not only bring down the costs of electricity in Sri Lanka but also help create a valuable and dependable source of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka. To expedite the implementation of the understanding reached on the Sampur Solar power project and LNG infrastructure, and explore cooperation in green hydrogen and green ammonia through the use of innovative technologies with an aim to increase the renewable energy mix in power generation of Sri Lanka. Ongoing cooperation in the development of Trincomalee Tank Farms is a reflection of our endeavour to develop mutually beneficial cooperation projects in the Trincomalee area and agreed to further develop Trincomalee as a national and regional hub of industry, energy and economic activity on the basis of mutual understanding. To cooperate for the construction of a multi-product petroleum pipeline from the Southern part of India to Sri Lanka with an aim to ensure an affordable and reliable supply of energy resources to Sri Lanka. To undertake mutually agreed joint exploration and production of hydrocarbons in Sri Lankas offshore basins with an aim to develop Sri Lankas upstream petroleum sector. IV. Trade, Economic and Financial Connectivity: That salience of bilateral trade and economic engagements was significantly demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis in Sri Lanka and agreed to facilitate mutual investments through, inter alia, policy consistency, promoting ease of doing business and fair treatment of each others investors. To facilitate investments from India in the divestment of Sri Lankan State-owned Enterprises and in manufacturing/economic zones in various sectors in Sri Lanka. To undertake discussions on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement with an aim to comprehensively enhance bilateral trade and investments in new and priority areas. The decision to designate INR as currency for trade settlements between the two countries has forged stronger and mutually-beneficial commercial linkages and agreed to operationalise UPI-based digital payments for further enhancing trade and transactions between businesses and common people. Indias rapid digitalisation is an important force-multiplier for ongoing transformational changes in India, both in economic development and governance, and agreed to leverage Indias Digital Public Infrastructure in accordance with Sri Lankas requirements and priorities towards effective and efficient delivery of citizen-centric services to the people of Sri Lanka; V. People-to-people Connectivity: To promote awareness and popularize Indias Buddhist circuit, and Ramayana trail as well as ancient places of Buddhist, Hindu and other religious worship in Sri Lanka for enhancing tourism. To explore cooperation between educational institutions on both sides including through the establishment of new higher education and skilling campuses in Sri Lanka in accordance with Sri Lankas requirements and priorities. To expand cooperation between research and academic institutes in areas of mutual interests such as agriculture, aquaculture, IT, business, finance and management, health and medicine, earth and marine sciences, oceanography, space applications, as well as history, culture, languages, literature, religious studies and other humanities. To establish land connectivity between Sri Lanka and India for developing land access to the ports of Trincomalee and Colombo, propelling economic growth and prosperity in both Sri Lanka and India, and further consolidating the millennia-old relationship between the two countries. A feasibility study for such connectivity will be conducted at an early date. Both the leaders directed respective officials concerned to expedite the realisation of this shared vision, which will not only impart long-term direction and significant momentum to bilateral cooperation for growth and prosperity in both countries and in the wider region but also set the future direction of a dynamic India-Sri Lanka relationship, founded on enhanced mutual confidence and trust. NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe had wide-ranging bilateral discussions which include an oil pipeline, ferry connectivity, UPI, trade-in rupee, a possible land route and increased air connectivity, amongst other things. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in New Delhi a day earlier for the official visit, his first since taking up the top job last year after an economic meltdown forced his predecessor to flee. "Today we have adopted a vision document for our Economic Partnership. This vision is to strengthen the Maritime, Air, Energy and people-to-people connectivity between the people of both countries. The vision is to accelerate mutual cooperation in tourism, power, trade, higher education and skill development. This is the vision - of India's long-term commitment towards Sri Lanka," said PM Modi.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "My visit to India has provided an opportunity to review our bilateral relationship, leverage the strength of geographical and civilizational links, reinforced trust and confidence for our future prosperity in the modern world," Wickremesinghe said. PM Modi conveyed to President Wickremesinghe India's expectations from Colombo to fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil community in the island nation and ensure a life of respect and dignity for it. He also sought a humane approach from Sri Lanka over conflicts involving the island nation's navy and fishermen from Tamil Nadu. "We hope that Sri Lankan government will fulfil aspirations of the Tamils as this would drive the process of equality, justice and peace and fulfil the commitment to the 13th Amendment and conduct the Provincial Council Elections," PM Modi added. The Tamil community in Sri Lanka has been demanding the implementation of the 13th Amendment that provides for devolution of power to it. The 13th Amendment had been brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987. This year, India is celebrating its 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Sri Lanka. Tamil nationals have been a native of the island nation for over 200 years now and to mark this, India has earmarked Rs 75 crore for projects that cater to the development programmes of the Tamil community. Meanwhile, talks on the Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) will begin soon. The two leaders spoke about enhancing air connectivity and beginning a passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and KankeSanthurai in Sri Lanka. "We have decided that the work of connecting the electricity grids between the two countries will be expedited. The feasibility study will be done for the petroleum pipeline between India and Sri Lanka. Apart from this, it was also decided to check the feasibility of a land bridge. Fintech connectivity will also increase with the agreement signed today to launch UPI in Sri Lanka," PM Modi added. ALSO READ | Sri Lankan presidents visit to India signals growing economic and energy ties India provided critical financial and humanitarian assistance worth over USD 4 billion to its neighbour, including food, medicine and fuel, aimed at injecting much-needed stability as its bankrupt neighbour battled outstanding total debt of over USD 83 billion, of which USD 41.5 billion was foreign. Earlier on Friday, President Ranil also had an interaction with industrialist Gautam Adani and they held talks on port development. "We had a discussion around continuing development of the Colombo Port West Container Terminal, a 500 MW wind project and extending our renewal energy expertise to produce green hydrogen, Adani said after the meeting. While modalities are yet to be worked out for the projects that have been spoken about, investments are an option that would be considered as private companies are involved in some projects. Here is a list of agreements on the pipeline between the neighbouring nations: Maritime connectivity: To cooperate in the development of ports and logistics infrastructure at Colombo, Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai with an aim to consolidate regional logistics and shipping, as per mutual understanding. To resume passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka and work towards early resumption of ferry services between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar, and other mutually agreed places.Air connectivity: The resumption of flights between Jaffna and Chennai has enhanced people-to-people ties and agreed to further expand it to Colombo as well as explore connectivity between Chennai and Trincomalee, Batticaloa and other destinations in Sri Lanka. To encourage and strengthen investment and cooperation in civil aviation, including augmentation of airport infrastructure at Palaly for greater economic benefits to the people.III. Energy and Power connectivity: MoU on cooperation in developing renewable energy would develop Sri Lankas significant renewable energy potential, including offshore wind and solar, thus enabling Sri Lanka to achieve its target of generating 70 per cent of power requirements from renewable energy sources by 2030. To establish a high-capacity power grid interconnection between India and Sri Lanka to enable bidirectional electricity trade between Sri Lanka and other regional countries, including the BBIN countries, which has the potential to not only bring down the costs of electricity in Sri Lanka but also help create a valuable and dependable source of foreign exchange for Sri Lanka. To expedite the implementation of the understanding reached on the Sampur Solar power project and LNG infrastructure, and explore cooperation in green hydrogen and green ammonia through the use of innovative technologies with an aim to increase the renewable energy mix in power generation of Sri Lanka. Ongoing cooperation in the development of Trincomalee Tank Farms is a reflection of our endeavour to develop mutually beneficial cooperation projects in the Trincomalee area and agreed to further develop Trincomalee as a national and regional hub of industry, energy and economic activity on the basis of mutual understanding. To cooperate for the construction of a multi-product petroleum pipeline from the Southern part of India to Sri Lanka with an aim to ensure an affordable and reliable supply of energy resources to Sri Lanka. To undertake mutually agreed joint exploration and production of hydrocarbons in Sri Lankas offshore basins with an aim to develop Sri Lankas upstream petroleum sector.IV. Trade, Economic and Financial Connectivity: That salience of bilateral trade and economic engagements was significantly demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis in Sri Lanka and agreed to facilitate mutual investments through, inter alia, policy consistency, promoting ease of doing business and fair treatment of each others investors. To facilitate investments from India in the divestment of Sri Lankan State-owned Enterprises and in manufacturing/economic zones in various sectors in Sri Lanka. To undertake discussions on the Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement with an aim to comprehensively enhance bilateral trade and investments in new and priority areas. The decision to designate INR as currency for trade settlements between the two countries has forged stronger and mutually-beneficial commercial linkages and agreed to operationalise UPI-based digital payments for further enhancing trade and transactions between businesses and common people. Indias rapid digitalisation is an important force-multiplier for ongoing transformational changes in India, both in economic development and governance, and agreed to leverage Indias Digital Public Infrastructure in accordance with Sri Lankas requirements and priorities towards effective and efficient delivery of citizen-centric services to the people of Sri Lanka;V. People-to-people Connectivity: To promote awareness and popularize Indias Buddhist circuit, and Ramayana trail as well as ancient places of Buddhist, Hindu and other religious worship in Sri Lanka for enhancing tourism. To explore cooperation between educational institutions on both sides including through the establishment of new higher education and skilling campuses in Sri Lanka in accordance with Sri Lankas requirements and priorities. To expand cooperation between research and academic institutes in areas of mutual interests such as agriculture, aquaculture, IT, business, finance and management, health and medicine, earth and marine sciences, oceanography, space applications, as well as history, culture, languages, literature, religious studies and other humanities. To establish land connectivity between Sri Lanka and India for developing land access to the ports of Trincomalee and Colombo, propelling economic growth and prosperity in both Sri Lanka and India, and further consolidating the millennia-old relationship between the two countries. A feasibility study for such connectivity will be conducted at an early date. Both the leaders directed respective officials concerned to expedite the realisation of this shared vision, which will not only impart long-term direction and significant momentum to bilateral cooperation for growth and prosperity in both countries and in the wider region but also set the future direction of a dynamic India-Sri Lanka relationship, founded on enhanced mutual confidence and trust. Rwanda and Cameroon have recently announced significant education-related technology agreements Rwanda with investment group SoftBank and Cameroon with UN agency UNICEF. SoftBank has this week announced the signing of a partnership agreement with the Government of Rwanda's Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) to provide an educational technology (edtech) service in Rwanda using non-terrestrial network (NTN) solutions starting from the autumn of 2023. The actual agreement was signed at the end of June. To provide this edtech service to schools lacking internet connectivity, SoftBank has partnered with Cyber University, Japan's first full online university and a provider of digital content for academic programmes and professional learning through its platform Cloud Campus. It is also working with other partners providing high-quality satellite internet broadband connectivity and related local management. This edtech service was designed and proposed by SoftBank in line with Rwanda's efforts to promote and enhance digital education. Through the service, SoftBank, together with other partners, will aim to provide sustainable and affordable internet connectivity framework with high-quality educational content. The NTN solutions referred to in the agreement presumably include high altitude platform stations (HAPS). In June this year, SoftBank and the Government of Rwanda successfully completed a stratospheric flight test in Rwanda with a new HAPS prototype aircraft. Further HAPS testing and development towards commercial implementation is ongoing. SoftBank says provision of HAPS-based connectivity is one way in which it can contribute to the digitalization of schools and communities in rural areas that are not connected to the internet. Also edtech-related but with a slightly different emphasis is a partnership between Cameroon and UNICEF to encourage the adoption of information and communication technologies in elementary and secondary schools. Cameroon's Special Council Support Fund for Mutual Assistance (FEICOM) a national fund for municipalities signed the agreement with the United Nations agency earlier this week. The US$4.8 million project will, we are told, benefit 100,000 students, 1,000 teachers and 15 schools, which will receive technology to enable access to digital learning platforms. The project, called Education and Technology for Every Child, is being piloted in the municipalities of Bertoua I, Bertoua II, Garoua Boulai, Mandjou and Ngoura. The partners will contribute, among other things, to the construction and renovation of schools in the municipalities. The move aligns with the government of Cameroons long-term plan to transform the country into a digital upper-middle-income economy by 2035. Shruti Kakkar By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday expressed displeasure on the personal appearance of separatist leader and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik before it in the absence of a court order. There is some problem. We will not be able to hear the matter on merits. There is no order by us that he will appear, said a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta, taking serious objection to the incident. Malik, who is in jail following his conviction and life sentence in a terror funding case, was brought to the high-security SC premises in a prison van, escorted by armed security personnel. He walked into the courtroom surprising all. The bench was hearing a CBI appeal against the September 20, 2022 order of a trial court in Jammu in the 1989 kidnapping case of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of then Union home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, which allowed Malik to personally appear in court to cross the witnesses. The SC had on April 24 issued notices on CBIs appeal, following which Malik wrote a letter to the SC registrar on May 26 seeking permission to appear in person to plead his case. An assistant registrar took up his request on July 18 and said the SC would pass necessary orders. Tihar jail authorities apparently misconstrued this as Malik was to be presented before the SC. When Solicitor General Tushar Mehta emphasised that Malik is a high-risk prisoner who cant be taken out of jail, the SC said it has not passed an order to produce him. Justice Datta has recused himself from the matter and it will now be placed before CJI D Y Chandrachud for listing it before another bench. The Delhi Prisons Department on Friday ordered an inquiry into the lapse. Mehta flags serious security lapses Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta on Friday wrote to Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla stating that Yasin Maliks appearance in SC was a matter of grave security lapse. A person with terrorist background like him could have escaped, been forcibly taken away or could have been killed, Mehta wrote. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who also appeared for the CBI, said the court may clarify and pass necessary orders to ensure such an incident doesn't happen again. After Justice Kant said an in-person argument by an accused was not a problem anymore with the apex court allowing virtual hearing these days, Mehta contended the CBI was ready to allow Malik to argue via video conference but he was refusing to appear virtually. Mehta referred to the CBI's contention in its appeal against the trial court order to bring Malik to Jammu for an in-person examination of the witnesses in the Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case and said under section 268 of the CrPC a state government may direct certain people to not be shifted from the confines of a prison. The bench then asked Mehta to present his arguments before another bench that will be constituted after Justice Datta's recusal and listed the matter after four weeks. On September 20, 2022, a special TADA court in Jammu directed that Malik be produced before it physically on the next date of hearing so he can be given an opportunity to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses in the Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case. The CBI challenged this order of the trial court directly before the Supreme Court as appeals in TADA cases can only be heard in the top court. Rubaiya Sayeed was abducted from near Lal Ded Hospital in Srinagar on December 8, 1989. She was freed five days later after the then BJP-backed V P Singh government at the Centre released five terrorists in exchange. Now living in Tamil Nadu, Sayeed is listed as a prosecution witness by the CBI, which took over the case in early 1990. Malik is lodged in Tihar jail after he was sentenced by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in May last year in a terror funding case. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday expressed displeasure on the personal appearance of separatist leader and Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik before it in the absence of a court order. There is some problem. We will not be able to hear the matter on merits. There is no order by us that he will appear, said a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta, taking serious objection to the incident. Malik, who is in jail following his conviction and life sentence in a terror funding case, was brought to the high-security SC premises in a prison van, escorted by armed security personnel. He walked into the courtroom surprising all. The bench was hearing a CBI appeal against the September 20, 2022 order of a trial court in Jammu in the 1989 kidnapping case of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of then Union home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, which allowed Malik to personally appear in court to cross the witnesses.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The SC had on April 24 issued notices on CBIs appeal, following which Malik wrote a letter to the SC registrar on May 26 seeking permission to appear in person to plead his case. An assistant registrar took up his request on July 18 and said the SC would pass necessary orders. Tihar jail authorities apparently misconstrued this as Malik was to be presented before the SC. When Solicitor General Tushar Mehta emphasised that Malik is a high-risk prisoner who cant be taken out of jail, the SC said it has not passed an order to produce him. Justice Datta has recused himself from the matter and it will now be placed before CJI D Y Chandrachud for listing it before another bench. The Delhi Prisons Department on Friday ordered an inquiry into the lapse. Mehta flags serious security lapses Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta on Friday wrote to Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla stating that Yasin Maliks appearance in SC was a matter of grave security lapse. A person with terrorist background like him could have escaped, been forcibly taken away or could have been killed, Mehta wrote. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who also appeared for the CBI, said the court may clarify and pass necessary orders to ensure such an incident doesn't happen again. After Justice Kant said an in-person argument by an accused was not a problem anymore with the apex court allowing virtual hearing these days, Mehta contended the CBI was ready to allow Malik to argue via video conference but he was refusing to appear virtually. Mehta referred to the CBI's contention in its appeal against the trial court order to bring Malik to Jammu for an in-person examination of the witnesses in the Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case and said under section 268 of the CrPC a state government may direct certain people to not be shifted from the confines of a prison. The bench then asked Mehta to present his arguments before another bench that will be constituted after Justice Datta's recusal and listed the matter after four weeks. On September 20, 2022, a special TADA court in Jammu directed that Malik be produced before it physically on the next date of hearing so he can be given an opportunity to cross-examine the prosecution witnesses in the Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case. The CBI challenged this order of the trial court directly before the Supreme Court as appeals in TADA cases can only be heard in the top court. Rubaiya Sayeed was abducted from near Lal Ded Hospital in Srinagar on December 8, 1989. She was freed five days later after the then BJP-backed V P Singh government at the Centre released five terrorists in exchange. Now living in Tamil Nadu, Sayeed is listed as a prosecution witness by the CBI, which took over the case in early 1990. Malik is lodged in Tihar jail after he was sentenced by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in May last year in a terror funding case. By Express News Service KOCHI: Amidst the increasing man- animal conflict which has led to wide spread protests in the high ranges, a statewide enumeration conducted by forest department revealed that the wild elephant population has declined by 58.19% in Kerala over the past five years. As per the enumeration conducted in 2017, Kerala had 5,706 wild elephants, but the population declined to 2,386 in 2023. Meanwhile, an enumeration of tiger population in Wayanad wildlife sanctuary revealed that the population of the striped big cat has come down to 84. In 2018, Wayanad wildlife sanctuary had 120 tigers. Revealing the enumeration figures at a press meet in Thiruvananthapuram, forest minister A K Saseendran said the reason for the drastic decline in elephant population could be migration to Karnataka forests. The enumeration was conducted across all south Indian states from May 17 to 19, 2023. The elephant census was conducted during the same period in 2017. According to authorities, climate plays a significant role in elephant migration. During the 2017 enumeration, elephants had migrated to Kerala as dry weather prevailed in Karnataka. This time, it was raining in Karnataka and the temperature was high in Kerala. "The elephant enumeration was conducted adopting the block count and dung count method. In block count, the state forests were divided into 610 sample blocks of an average area of 5.78 sq km. In block count 1,920 elephants were counted and the population density was 0.20 per sq km. The total forest area with elephant population is 9,622.33 sq km of which 36.46% has been surveyed," the minister said. As part of dung count 2,386 elephants were counted and the population density was 0.25 per sq km. During the 2017 enumeration 3,322 wild elephants were sighted in block count while 5,706 elephants were estimated in dung count. As many as 251 elephant herds were lcoated during the block count and 700 wild elephants were part of these herds. As part of the tiger enumeration 297 camera traps were installed in Wayanad sanctuary, Aralam and Kottiyoor forests. From the 297 ntraps images of 84 tiogers were collected from 160 locations. Of the 84 tigers, 69 were in Wayanad sanctuary while 8 were in North Wayanad division and 7 in South Wayanad division. Of the 84 tigers 45 (54%) were enumerated in 2016, 2018 and 2022 and 39 tigers (46%) were sighted for the first time. The analysis identified 29 male tigers and 47 females. The gender of 8 tigers could not be confirmed. . The density of tiger in wayanad landscape is 7.7 per 100 sq km, which is healthy, said Minister Saseendran. KOCHI: Amidst the increasing man- animal conflict which has led to wide spread protests in the high ranges, a statewide enumeration conducted by forest department revealed that the wild elephant population has declined by 58.19% in Kerala over the past five years. As per the enumeration conducted in 2017, Kerala had 5,706 wild elephants, but the population declined to 2,386 in 2023. Meanwhile, an enumeration of tiger population in Wayanad wildlife sanctuary revealed that the population of the striped big cat has come down to 84. In 2018, Wayanad wildlife sanctuary had 120 tigers.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Revealing the enumeration figures at a press meet in Thiruvananthapuram, forest minister A K Saseendran said the reason for the drastic decline in elephant population could be migration to Karnataka forests. The enumeration was conducted across all south Indian states from May 17 to 19, 2023. The elephant census was conducted during the same period in 2017. According to authorities, climate plays a significant role in elephant migration. During the 2017 enumeration, elephants had migrated to Kerala as dry weather prevailed in Karnataka. This time, it was raining in Karnataka and the temperature was high in Kerala. "The elephant enumeration was conducted adopting the block count and dung count method. In block count, the state forests were divided into 610 sample blocks of an average area of 5.78 sq km. In block count 1,920 elephants were counted and the population density was 0.20 per sq km. The total forest area with elephant population is 9,622.33 sq km of which 36.46% has been surveyed," the minister said. As part of dung count 2,386 elephants were counted and the population density was 0.25 per sq km. During the 2017 enumeration 3,322 wild elephants were sighted in block count while 5,706 elephants were estimated in dung count. As many as 251 elephant herds were lcoated during the block count and 700 wild elephants were part of these herds. As part of the tiger enumeration 297 camera traps were installed in Wayanad sanctuary, Aralam and Kottiyoor forests. From the 297 ntraps images of 84 tiogers were collected from 160 locations. Of the 84 tigers, 69 were in Wayanad sanctuary while 8 were in North Wayanad division and 7 in South Wayanad division. Of the 84 tigers 45 (54%) were enumerated in 2016, 2018 and 2022 and 39 tigers (46%) were sighted for the first time. The analysis identified 29 male tigers and 47 females. The gender of 8 tigers could not be confirmed. . The density of tiger in wayanad landscape is 7.7 per 100 sq km, which is healthy, said Minister Saseendran. By PTI NEW DELHI: The government is ready to hold a discussion on incidents in Manipur but the opposition is not serious about it, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday in Lok Sabha which witnessed protests over the matter leading to adjournment of proceedings till 12 noon. As soon as the House met, the members of the opposition parties were on their feet. The members, including those from the Congress, DMK and Left, raised slogans and told Speaker Om Birla that "Manipur is bleeding". The speaker told opposition members that sloganeering will not bring any solution to the problem but only dialogues and discussions can. "This is not good. Solution can be found only through discussions," he said. As the opposition did not heed his requests, Birla asked the Defence Minister to speak. Singh said the government is ready for a discussion on Manipur incidents. "We are ready for a discussion. But I can see that the opposition is unnecessarily creating problems. The opposition is not serious about a discussion on Manipur. We want a discussion and there should be a discussion," he said. As the opposition did not relent, the speaker adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon. "A solution can be found only through discussions but you just don't want any discussion," Birla said. The Manipur violence rocked proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on the first day of the Monsoon session on Thursday, with the opposition demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a discussion on the situation in the northeastern state. The session started a day after a video of two women being paraded naked by a mob on May 4 in a Manipur village went viral, triggering a nationwide outrage. The Manipur Police on Thursday arrested four accused who were seen in the video, officials said. Police said a case of abduction, gang rape and murder has been registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unknown armed miscreants. Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2.30 pm over Manipur issue, expunging of words Rajya Sabha proceedings were on Friday adjourned in the pre-lunch session after an uproar over the Manipur violence and the chair expunging certain words from proceedings of the House. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the proceedings till 2.30 pm as TMC's Derek O'Brien sought to raise a point of order over the expunging of certain words from the House proceedings on Thursday. The opening day of the Monsoon session of Parliament had witnessed heated exchanges over the Manipur violence and the May 4 video of two women being paraded naked in the northeastern state. While the House proceedings were washed out in protests, Dhankhar had expunged references made by O'Brien seeking the prime minister's response to the violence. On Friday, he sought to raise a point of order over the expunging of the words. Referring to the rule and page number from the rule book, O'Brien said the rule pertains to the expunging of words used in Parliament -- what can be used and what can't be. "Three words were expunged. Yesterday we said the Prime Minister should open his mouth on Manipur. Prime Minister got expunged. Manipur got expunged. Why?" he asked. While he sought to know if any of the words were not fit for Parliamentary proceedings, the chairman repeatedly asked what his point of order was. As Derek O'Brien tried to explain, the House plunged into disorder. At this point, Dhankhar adjourned the proceedings till 2.30 pm. O'Brien walked up to the Chair's podium to convey the point he was raising but Dhankar left the chamber. Earlier, after official papers were laid, Dhankhar started reading out time allocated for government business. He began this by mentioning The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill that is to replace an ordinance on services in Delhi. Even before he could complete it, AAP MPs were up on their feet calling the bill "unconstitutional". Dhankhar asked them to maintain decorum in the House. But MPs from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Sanjay Singh, continued to object, saying no bill can be brought that is unconstitutional. "I give time to everyone in accordance with rules. This House is the house of elders. Our conduct is being watched by more than 1.3 billion people. We have to be exemplary in our conduct so that we can be appreciated. It is not a public street. It is not a platform," the chairman said. As the AAP MPs continued to protest, he asked them to read the constitution and get guidance. "Get enlightened so that people do not laugh at us. What is unconstitutional is not in a word that is why you need to study." K Keshava Rao of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) wanted to know if the House can take up an issue that is pending before a court. The Supreme Court on Thursday referred a petition against the ordinance to a 5-member constitution bench. Dhankhar responded saying the constitution puts a bar on discussion in the House in a very qualified manner. "This House is entitled to discuss everything under the planet with one restriction. That one restriction is germane to the issue Dr Keshav raised," he said adding Article 121 puts restrictions on discussion in Parliament on conduct of any judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court in the discharge of his duties. The exemption to this rule is when the House was considering an impeachment motion against the judge. "Therefore, the concept of sub-judice is totally misconceived," he ruled. But the AAP MPs continued to protest. Dhankhar told Sanjay Singh that he may have to name him if he doesn't take his seat. An MP named by the Chair has to withdraw from proceedings of the House for the rest of the day. He had similar advice for Raghav Chadha, also of the AAP, and asked him not to run down his reputation. At this point, Pramod Tiwari of Congress raised the issue of furore in the country over the shameful incident in Manipur. His party colleagues joined him in raising the issue. Derek O'Brien then raised his point of order over the expunging of remarks. NEW DELHI: The government is ready to hold a discussion on incidents in Manipur but the opposition is not serious about it, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday in Lok Sabha which witnessed protests over the matter leading to adjournment of proceedings till 12 noon. As soon as the House met, the members of the opposition parties were on their feet. The members, including those from the Congress, DMK and Left, raised slogans and told Speaker Om Birla that "Manipur is bleeding".googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The speaker told opposition members that sloganeering will not bring any solution to the problem but only dialogues and discussions can. "This is not good. Solution can be found only through discussions," he said. As the opposition did not heed his requests, Birla asked the Defence Minister to speak. Singh said the government is ready for a discussion on Manipur incidents. "We are ready for a discussion. But I can see that the opposition is unnecessarily creating problems. The opposition is not serious about a discussion on Manipur. We want a discussion and there should be a discussion," he said. As the opposition did not relent, the speaker adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon. "A solution can be found only through discussions but you just don't want any discussion," Birla said. The Manipur violence rocked proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on the first day of the Monsoon session on Thursday, with the opposition demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a discussion on the situation in the northeastern state. The session started a day after a video of two women being paraded naked by a mob on May 4 in a Manipur village went viral, triggering a nationwide outrage. The Manipur Police on Thursday arrested four accused who were seen in the video, officials said. Police said a case of abduction, gang rape and murder has been registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unknown armed miscreants. Rajya Sabha adjourned till 2.30 pm over Manipur issue, expunging of words Rajya Sabha proceedings were on Friday adjourned in the pre-lunch session after an uproar over the Manipur violence and the chair expunging certain words from proceedings of the House. Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar adjourned the proceedings till 2.30 pm as TMC's Derek O'Brien sought to raise a point of order over the expunging of certain words from the House proceedings on Thursday. The opening day of the Monsoon session of Parliament had witnessed heated exchanges over the Manipur violence and the May 4 video of two women being paraded naked in the northeastern state. While the House proceedings were washed out in protests, Dhankhar had expunged references made by O'Brien seeking the prime minister's response to the violence. On Friday, he sought to raise a point of order over the expunging of the words. Referring to the rule and page number from the rule book, O'Brien said the rule pertains to the expunging of words used in Parliament -- what can be used and what can't be. "Three words were expunged. Yesterday we said the Prime Minister should open his mouth on Manipur. Prime Minister got expunged. Manipur got expunged. Why?" he asked. While he sought to know if any of the words were not fit for Parliamentary proceedings, the chairman repeatedly asked what his point of order was. As Derek O'Brien tried to explain, the House plunged into disorder. At this point, Dhankhar adjourned the proceedings till 2.30 pm. O'Brien walked up to the Chair's podium to convey the point he was raising but Dhankar left the chamber. Earlier, after official papers were laid, Dhankhar started reading out time allocated for government business. He began this by mentioning The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill that is to replace an ordinance on services in Delhi. Even before he could complete it, AAP MPs were up on their feet calling the bill "unconstitutional". Dhankhar asked them to maintain decorum in the House. But MPs from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Sanjay Singh, continued to object, saying no bill can be brought that is unconstitutional. "I give time to everyone in accordance with rules. This House is the house of elders. Our conduct is being watched by more than 1.3 billion people. We have to be exemplary in our conduct so that we can be appreciated. It is not a public street. It is not a platform," the chairman said. As the AAP MPs continued to protest, he asked them to read the constitution and get guidance. "Get enlightened so that people do not laugh at us. What is unconstitutional is not in a word that is why you need to study." K Keshava Rao of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) wanted to know if the House can take up an issue that is pending before a court. The Supreme Court on Thursday referred a petition against the ordinance to a 5-member constitution bench. Dhankhar responded saying the constitution puts a bar on discussion in the House in a very qualified manner. "This House is entitled to discuss everything under the planet with one restriction. That one restriction is germane to the issue Dr Keshav raised," he said adding Article 121 puts restrictions on discussion in Parliament on conduct of any judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court in the discharge of his duties. The exemption to this rule is when the House was considering an impeachment motion against the judge. "Therefore, the concept of sub-judice is totally misconceived," he ruled. But the AAP MPs continued to protest. Dhankhar told Sanjay Singh that he may have to name him if he doesn't take his seat. An MP named by the Chair has to withdraw from proceedings of the House for the rest of the day. He had similar advice for Raghav Chadha, also of the AAP, and asked him not to run down his reputation. At this point, Pramod Tiwari of Congress raised the issue of furore in the country over the shameful incident in Manipur. His party colleagues joined him in raising the issue. Derek O'Brien then raised his point of order over the expunging of remarks. By PTI NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said in Lok Sabha that the government was ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence amidst vociferous protests by opposition parties which disrupted the proceedings of the House for the second consecutive day. As soon as the House met, the members of the opposition parties were on their feet. The members, including those from the Congress, DMK and Left, raised slogans and told Speaker Om Birla that "Manipur is bleeding". The speaker told opposition members that sloganeering will not bring any solution to the problem but only dialogues and discussions can. "You don't want the House to function, you don't want the Question Hour should take place. All other members want the House to run. This is not good. The solution can be found only through discussions," he said. As the opposition did not heed his requests, Birla asked the Defence Minister to speak. Singh, who is also the deputy leader of the House, said the government is ready for a discussion on Manipur incidents. He said the Manipur situation should be taken seriously and the seriousness of the government was reflected when the prime Minister himself said that the entire country was feeling ashamed over the Manipur incidents. Singh said: "We want that there should be discussions on Manipur incidents. I have said this in an all-party meeting and I want to reiterate here that there should be discussions on Manipur incidents". "But I can see that the opposition is unnecessarily creating problems so that no discussions take place on the Manipur situation. I want to say that the opposition is not serious about a discussion on Manipur as it should have been. We want a discussion on the Manipur situation and there should be a discussion. The opposition should take it seriously," he said. As the opposition did not relent, the speaker adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon. ALSO READ | Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon; Rajnath says govt ready for discussion on Manipur incidents "A solution can be found only through discussions but you just don't want any discussion," Birla said. When the House assembled again at 12 noon, opposition members trooped to the well raising slogans demanding a reply from the prime minister. They also raised slogans demanding the presence of the prime minister in Lok Sabha. As Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the Chair, asked members to return to their seats, the sloganeering continued. Members also displayed placards as part of their protests. "This is an important and sensitive issue. This should be discussed in the House," Agrawal said. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said the government is ready for a discussion. "The entire country is concerned about the Manipur situation. we are equally concerned," Joshi said. As the protest continued Agarwal adjourned the proceedings for the day. The Manipur violence rocked proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on the first day of the Monsoon session on Thursday, with the opposition demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a discussion on the situation in the northeastern state. The session started a day after a video of two women being paraded naked by a mob on May 4 in a Manipur village went viral, triggering a nationwide outrage. The Manipur Police on Thursday arrested four accused who were seen in the video, officials said. Police said a case of abduction, gang rape and murder has been registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unknown armed miscreants. NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said in Lok Sabha that the government was ready for a discussion on the Manipur violence amidst vociferous protests by opposition parties which disrupted the proceedings of the House for the second consecutive day. As soon as the House met, the members of the opposition parties were on their feet. The members, including those from the Congress, DMK and Left, raised slogans and told Speaker Om Birla that "Manipur is bleeding".googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The speaker told opposition members that sloganeering will not bring any solution to the problem but only dialogues and discussions can. "You don't want the House to function, you don't want the Question Hour should take place. All other members want the House to run. This is not good. The solution can be found only through discussions," he said. As the opposition did not heed his requests, Birla asked the Defence Minister to speak. Singh, who is also the deputy leader of the House, said the government is ready for a discussion on Manipur incidents. He said the Manipur situation should be taken seriously and the seriousness of the government was reflected when the prime Minister himself said that the entire country was feeling ashamed over the Manipur incidents. Singh said: "We want that there should be discussions on Manipur incidents. I have said this in an all-party meeting and I want to reiterate here that there should be discussions on Manipur incidents". "But I can see that the opposition is unnecessarily creating problems so that no discussions take place on the Manipur situation. I want to say that the opposition is not serious about a discussion on Manipur as it should have been. We want a discussion on the Manipur situation and there should be a discussion. The opposition should take it seriously," he said. As the opposition did not relent, the speaker adjourned the proceedings till 12 noon. ALSO READ | Lok Sabha adjourned till 12 noon; Rajnath says govt ready for discussion on Manipur incidents "A solution can be found only through discussions but you just don't want any discussion," Birla said. When the House assembled again at 12 noon, opposition members trooped to the well raising slogans demanding a reply from the prime minister. They also raised slogans demanding the presence of the prime minister in Lok Sabha. As Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the Chair, asked members to return to their seats, the sloganeering continued. Members also displayed placards as part of their protests. "This is an important and sensitive issue. This should be discussed in the House," Agrawal said. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Prahlad Joshi said the government is ready for a discussion. "The entire country is concerned about the Manipur situation. we are equally concerned," Joshi said. As the protest continued Agarwal adjourned the proceedings for the day. The Manipur violence rocked proceedings in both Houses of Parliament on the first day of the Monsoon session on Thursday, with the opposition demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a discussion on the situation in the northeastern state. The session started a day after a video of two women being paraded naked by a mob on May 4 in a Manipur village went viral, triggering a nationwide outrage. The Manipur Police on Thursday arrested four accused who were seen in the video, officials said. Police said a case of abduction, gang rape and murder has been registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unknown armed miscreants. Pranab Mondal By Express News Service KOLKATA: Launching a scathing attack on the BJP over the issues of violence and parading two disrobed women in Manipur, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday said the saffron party's 'Beti Bachao' scheme has now turned into 'Beti Jalao' (Burn our daughters). Speaking at Trinamool Congress' (TMC) annual event, Mamata dubbed the BJP as 'merchants of terror' who quickly send central teams to Bengal at the drop of a hat and questioned why no such team was sent to Manipur despite the ongoing ethnic violence claiming 160 lives. "The 'merchants of terror' are sending central teams to Bengal, but why aren't central teams being sent to Manipur? BJP leaders in Bengal openly claim they would impose Presidents' Rule in Bengal; why isn't the same happening in Manipur?" she questioned. Criticising the BJP for its inaction on violence against women, the TMC supremo claimed that women voters will throw the saffron party out of politics in 2024. "BJPs Beti Bachao campaign has now turned into Beti Jalao in reality. In Bilkis Banos case, the accused were released on bail. In the wrestlers case, the same thing happened. They are looting women's modesty. Who are these women? They are our mothers, sisters and daughters. The women of the country will throw you out of the politics in the 2024 elections," she said. Mamata said she spoke with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and will hold dialogues with all the chief ministers of 'INDIA' (Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance) over a joint visit to Manipur. Criticising the Prime Minister for indulging in "whataboutery, instead of condemning the Manipur violence", Banerjee said the PM is wrongly equating Manipur violence with incidents in other states. So many people died in a Namami Gange project site. We didnt say anything. But while reacting to the torture of two women in Manipur, you mentioned names of other states including Bengal and Rajasthan. I want to ask Modiji did the incident not hurt you even a little? You point fingers at West Bengal but dont you have love for sisters and mothers? For how long daughters will be burnt, Dalits, and minorities will be killed? We will not leave Manipur. Northeastern sisters are our sisters, she added. 'CPI(M) is allergic to me' Meanwhile, Mamata also hit out at the CPI(M), one of TMC's allies in the 26-member Opposition bloc 'INDIA' which decided to take on the BJP-led NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Though her tone against the Left party was not as tough as it was in previous years, Mamata claimed that the CPI(M) was allergic to her and raised concerns over the violence following the recently concluded panchayat polls in the state. However, she did not accuse the CPI(M) directly for the death of TMC workers. "I feel sorry for the violence in the rural polls. Among the total victims of 29 persons killed in the rural poll violence, 18 are from the TMC. Who killed them? Did Trinamool kill Trinamool? My CPI(M) friends, you are always allergic to Mamata Banerjee. How many were killed in Buddhadebbabus (former Bengal CM) regime? In 2003, a total of 89 persons were killed and on the day of the rural polls in 2008, 39 persons were killed. It started during CPI(M)s regime and we are facing its consequences," said Mamata while addressing the TMCs Martyrs Day, an annual event to commemorate the killing of 13 people in police firing in 1993. The TMCs mega annual event came four days after she attended the meeting of opposition parties, which also included the CPI(M), in Bengaluru and it has served as a peek into the partys roadmap for the next months left for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Bengal CM said the oppositions alliance would organise multiple protests against the BJP under the banner of the front INDIA. They want to sell our country. We want to save India. Let INDIA win, let BJP lose. This will be the only slogan for us in the 2024 elections. We will raise the Jay INDIA slogan along with Jay Bangla, she said. Mamata also seconded her nephew Abhishek Banerjees announcement that the TMC would stage a protest in Delhi on October 2 over the Centres decision not to clear the states dues under the scheme of 100-day job scheme. When Abhishek called for a mass-gherao programme at the houses of the BJP leaders at booth level on August 5, Mamata instructed to carry out the protest event at the block level and stage demonstrations 100 metres from the BJPs leaders houses peacefully. KOLKATA: Launching a scathing attack on the BJP over the issues of violence and parading two disrobed women in Manipur, Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Friday said the saffron party's 'Beti Bachao' scheme has now turned into 'Beti Jalao' (Burn our daughters). Speaking at Trinamool Congress' (TMC) annual event, Mamata dubbed the BJP as 'merchants of terror' who quickly send central teams to Bengal at the drop of a hat and questioned why no such team was sent to Manipur despite the ongoing ethnic violence claiming 160 lives. "The 'merchants of terror' are sending central teams to Bengal, but why aren't central teams being sent to Manipur? BJP leaders in Bengal openly claim they would impose Presidents' Rule in Bengal; why isn't the same happening in Manipur?" she questioned.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Criticising the BJP for its inaction on violence against women, the TMC supremo claimed that women voters will throw the saffron party out of politics in 2024. "BJPs Beti Bachao campaign has now turned into Beti Jalao in reality. In Bilkis Banos case, the accused were released on bail. In the wrestlers case, the same thing happened. They are looting women's modesty. Who are these women? They are our mothers, sisters and daughters. The women of the country will throw you out of the politics in the 2024 elections," she said. Mamata said she spoke with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and will hold dialogues with all the chief ministers of 'INDIA' (Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance) over a joint visit to Manipur. Criticising the Prime Minister for indulging in "whataboutery, instead of condemning the Manipur violence", Banerjee said the PM is wrongly equating Manipur violence with incidents in other states. So many people died in a Namami Gange project site. We didnt say anything. But while reacting to the torture of two women in Manipur, you mentioned names of other states including Bengal and Rajasthan. I want to ask Modiji did the incident not hurt you even a little? You point fingers at West Bengal but dont you have love for sisters and mothers? For how long daughters will be burnt, Dalits, and minorities will be killed? We will not leave Manipur. Northeastern sisters are our sisters, she added. 'CPI(M) is allergic to me' Meanwhile, Mamata also hit out at the CPI(M), one of TMC's allies in the 26-member Opposition bloc 'INDIA' which decided to take on the BJP-led NDA in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Though her tone against the Left party was not as tough as it was in previous years, Mamata claimed that the CPI(M) was allergic to her and raised concerns over the violence following the recently concluded panchayat polls in the state. However, she did not accuse the CPI(M) directly for the death of TMC workers. "I feel sorry for the violence in the rural polls. Among the total victims of 29 persons killed in the rural poll violence, 18 are from the TMC. Who killed them? Did Trinamool kill Trinamool? My CPI(M) friends, you are always allergic to Mamata Banerjee. How many were killed in Buddhadebbabus (former Bengal CM) regime? In 2003, a total of 89 persons were killed and on the day of the rural polls in 2008, 39 persons were killed. It started during CPI(M)s regime and we are facing its consequences," said Mamata while addressing the TMCs Martyrs Day, an annual event to commemorate the killing of 13 people in police firing in 1993. The TMCs mega annual event came four days after she attended the meeting of opposition parties, which also included the CPI(M), in Bengaluru and it has served as a peek into the partys roadmap for the next months left for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The Bengal CM said the oppositions alliance would organise multiple protests against the BJP under the banner of the front INDIA. They want to sell our country. We want to save India. Let INDIA win, let BJP lose. This will be the only slogan for us in the 2024 elections. We will raise the Jay INDIA slogan along with Jay Bangla, she said. Mamata also seconded her nephew Abhishek Banerjees announcement that the TMC would stage a protest in Delhi on October 2 over the Centres decision not to clear the states dues under the scheme of 100-day job scheme. When Abhishek called for a mass-gherao programme at the houses of the BJP leaders at booth level on August 5, Mamata instructed to carry out the protest event at the block level and stage demonstrations 100 metres from the BJPs leaders houses peacefully. Shruti Kakkar By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's plea against Gujarat HC's refusal to stay his conviction in a criminal defamation case for his alleged remarks on the Modi surname. Laying emphasis on the fact that the court will have to hear the other side, a bench of Justices BR Gavai and PK Mishra however refused to stay his conviction. Posting the plea for August 4, 2023, the court said that the limited question that it had to decide was regarding the stay of conviction. Gandhi had approached SC against the verdict passed by a bench of Justice Hemant M Prachchhak. Justice Prachchhak while upholding the Surat sessions court verdict on July 7 said that the need of the hour was to have purity in politics and had termed the two-year jail term as just, proper and legal. He had noted that stay on conviction was not the rule but an exception to be reserved for rare cases only and that the present case did not fall into that category. In the brief hearing that transpired on Friday, Justice BR Gavai at the outset while expressing his difficulty to hear the matter told the counsels regarding the association of his father and brother with the Congress party. Asking the parties to take a call if they wanted him to hear the matter, Justice Gavai said, Before we studied the matter, I must express some difficulty. My father was associated with Congress not closely. he was not a congress member.. but he was closely associated.. Mr Singhvi you are with Congress for more than 40 years and my brother is still in politics. In this background, youll have to take a call. Senior Advocates AM Singhvi for Gandhi and Mahesh Jethmalani for Purnesh Modi unanimously told the bench that they had no difficulty. Laying emphasis on the fact that Gandhi had been undergoing conviction for 111 days, Singhvi in an attempt to convince the court to stay his conviction said, He has suffered 1 parliament session. The elections to Wayanad constituency will be notified anytime. Urging to stay HC's ruling, Gandhi in his plea has said, If the impugned judgement is not stayed, it would lead to "throttling of free speech, free expression, free thought, and free statement". It would contribute to the "systematic, repetitive emasculation of democratic institutions and the consequent strangulation of democracy which would be gravely detrimental to the political climate and future of India". If political satire were to be held to be a base motive, then any political speech which is colourfully critical of the government, would become an act of moral turpitude. "This would completely corrode the foundations of democracy. Gandhi in his plea has laid emphasis on the fact that the surname Modi in different parts of the country encompasses different communities and sub-communities, which usually have no commonality or uniformity at all and that the three specific persons named in the speech, who alone could have possibly suffered prejudice, have admittedly not sued or complained. Instead, the Complainant simply has a Modi surname from Gujarat who has neither shown nor been held to be prejudiced or damaged in any specific or personal sense, the plea also states. He in his plea has said that the most important ingredient of the offence, an intention to defame, has admittedly not been proved in the case on the basis of any evidence. Despite this, a political speech in the course of democratic political activity, critical of economic offenders, and also of Shri Narendra Modi, has been held to be an act of moral turpitude inviting the harshest punishment. Such a finding is gravely detrimental to democratic free speech in the midst of a political campaign. It is respectfully submitted that the same will set a disastrous precedent wiping out any form of political dialogue or debate which is remotely critical in any manner, the plea stated. Gandhi was convicted in the case and was sentenced to two years in jail by Surat Court. The imprisonment resulted in his disqualification as an MP under the Representation of People Act on March 24, 2023. Although he had approached sessions court seeking a stay on his conviction the same was rejected on April 20. His sentence was however suspended and he was granted bail on the same day to enable him to move appeal against conviction within 30 days. Justice Prachchhak had noted that Modi surname holders and members of the Modi community were certainly identifiable and well-defined classes, and thus, the seriousness of Gandhis offence was compounded by the fact that the defamation alleged was of a large identifiable class, and not just an individual. The conviction of the petitioner involves the impairment of the cherished fundamental right to dignity and reputation of a large segment of the population. The public standing of the petitioner and the fact that any utterance of the petitioner attracts large-scale publication gravely impairs and damages the reputation of the complainant and the identifiable class in question, the HCs order had said. Declining to stay his conviction, the HC noted that the leader had used PM Narendra Modis name in his speech at a poll rally to add sensation with an intention to affect the result of the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The court had said that Representatives of people should be men of clear antecedent. Additionally, the bench had also taken note of other complaints pending against Gandhi which also included the one filed by Vir Savarkars grandson in Pune court. Notably, Purnesh Modi, the complainant who filed a defamation case against Gandhi for his alleged remarks on the Modi surname had also filed a caveat in Supreme Court urging the top court to also hear him in case the Congress leader decides to appeal. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's plea against Gujarat HC's refusal to stay his conviction in a criminal defamation case for his alleged remarks on the Modi surname. Laying emphasis on the fact that the court will have to hear the other side, a bench of Justices BR Gavai and PK Mishra however refused to stay his conviction. Posting the plea for August 4, 2023, the court said that the limited question that it had to decide was regarding the stay of conviction. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Gandhi had approached SC against the verdict passed by a bench of Justice Hemant M Prachchhak. Justice Prachchhak while upholding the Surat sessions court verdict on July 7 said that the need of the hour was to have purity in politics and had termed the two-year jail term as just, proper and legal. He had noted that stay on conviction was not the rule but an exception to be reserved for rare cases only and that the present case did not fall into that category. In the brief hearing that transpired on Friday, Justice BR Gavai at the outset while expressing his difficulty to hear the matter told the counsels regarding the association of his father and brother with the Congress party. Asking the parties to take a call if they wanted him to hear the matter, Justice Gavai said, Before we studied the matter, I must express some difficulty. My father was associated with Congress not closely. he was not a congress member.. but he was closely associated.. Mr Singhvi you are with Congress for more than 40 years and my brother is still in politics. In this background, youll have to take a call. Senior Advocates AM Singhvi for Gandhi and Mahesh Jethmalani for Purnesh Modi unanimously told the bench that they had no difficulty. Laying emphasis on the fact that Gandhi had been undergoing conviction for 111 days, Singhvi in an attempt to convince the court to stay his conviction said, He has suffered 1 parliament session. The elections to Wayanad constituency will be notified anytime. Urging to stay HC's ruling, Gandhi in his plea has said, If the impugned judgement is not stayed, it would lead to "throttling of free speech, free expression, free thought, and free statement". It would contribute to the "systematic, repetitive emasculation of democratic institutions and the consequent strangulation of democracy which would be gravely detrimental to the political climate and future of India". If political satire were to be held to be a base motive, then any political speech which is colourfully critical of the government, would become an act of moral turpitude. "This would completely corrode the foundations of democracy. Gandhi in his plea has laid emphasis on the fact that the surname Modi in different parts of the country encompasses different communities and sub-communities, which usually have no commonality or uniformity at all and that the three specific persons named in the speech, who alone could have possibly suffered prejudice, have admittedly not sued or complained. Instead, the Complainant simply has a Modi surname from Gujarat who has neither shown nor been held to be prejudiced or damaged in any specific or personal sense, the plea also states. He in his plea has said that the most important ingredient of the offence, an intention to defame, has admittedly not been proved in the case on the basis of any evidence. Despite this, a political speech in the course of democratic political activity, critical of economic offenders, and also of Shri Narendra Modi, has been held to be an act of moral turpitude inviting the harshest punishment. Such a finding is gravely detrimental to democratic free speech in the midst of a political campaign. It is respectfully submitted that the same will set a disastrous precedent wiping out any form of political dialogue or debate which is remotely critical in any manner, the plea stated. Gandhi was convicted in the case and was sentenced to two years in jail by Surat Court. The imprisonment resulted in his disqualification as an MP under the Representation of People Act on March 24, 2023. Although he had approached sessions court seeking a stay on his conviction the same was rejected on April 20. His sentence was however suspended and he was granted bail on the same day to enable him to move appeal against conviction within 30 days. Justice Prachchhak had noted that Modi surname holders and members of the Modi community were certainly identifiable and well-defined classes, and thus, the seriousness of Gandhis offence was compounded by the fact that the defamation alleged was of a large identifiable class, and not just an individual. The conviction of the petitioner involves the impairment of the cherished fundamental right to dignity and reputation of a large segment of the population. The public standing of the petitioner and the fact that any utterance of the petitioner attracts large-scale publication gravely impairs and damages the reputation of the complainant and the identifiable class in question, the HCs order had said. Declining to stay his conviction, the HC noted that the leader had used PM Narendra Modis name in his speech at a poll rally to add sensation with an intention to affect the result of the 2019 Lok Sabha election. The court had said that Representatives of people should be men of clear antecedent. Additionally, the bench had also taken note of other complaints pending against Gandhi which also included the one filed by Vir Savarkars grandson in Pune court. Notably, Purnesh Modi, the complainant who filed a defamation case against Gandhi for his alleged remarks on the Modi surname had also filed a caveat in Supreme Court urging the top court to also hear him in case the Congress leader decides to appeal. By PTI AURANGABAD: Nearly 1,000 people from Biloli tehsil in Maharashtra's Nanded district have been shifted to safer places as heavy rains created a flood-like situation in 12 villages, officials said on Friday. Rescue teams comprising revenue department personnel and others carried out the rescue operation from Thursday evening that continued till late night, a district administration official said. "Nearly 1,000 residents of 12 villages, including Harnali, Machnur, Biloli, Golegaon, Aarali, Kasarali, Belkoni, Kundalwadi and Ganjgaon, were moved to safety. There was a sudden increase in water level in these villages following rains, which created a flood-like situation," he said. ALSO READ | Delhi floods: No end in sight to woes of displaced slum dwellers People were shifted as water entered settlements and farms in these villages, he added. The rescued people were given temporary shelter in nearby Zilla Parishad-run schools or houses located in high-lying areas, the official said. ALSO REA D| Heavy rains inundate areas of Saurashtra in Gujarat resulting in flood-like situation Several local people also contributed to the rescue operation, he said. AURANGABAD: Nearly 1,000 people from Biloli tehsil in Maharashtra's Nanded district have been shifted to safer places as heavy rains created a flood-like situation in 12 villages, officials said on Friday. Rescue teams comprising revenue department personnel and others carried out the rescue operation from Thursday evening that continued till late night, a district administration official said. "Nearly 1,000 residents of 12 villages, including Harnali, Machnur, Biloli, Golegaon, Aarali, Kasarali, Belkoni, Kundalwadi and Ganjgaon, were moved to safety. There was a sudden increase in water level in these villages following rains, which created a flood-like situation," he said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ | Delhi floods: No end in sight to woes of displaced slum dwellers People were shifted as water entered settlements and farms in these villages, he added. The rescued people were given temporary shelter in nearby Zilla Parishad-run schools or houses located in high-lying areas, the official said. ALSO REA D| Heavy rains inundate areas of Saurashtra in Gujarat resulting in flood-like situation Several local people also contributed to the rescue operation, he said. By PTI NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday demanded that the prime minister make an elaborate statement in Parliament on the Manipur situation, saying he could have dismissed the state chief minister instead of making "false equivalence" with Congress-governed states if he was angry over the matter. The Congress has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must make a statement in both houses of Parliament followed by a discussion on the situation in Manipur. Opposition parties have stepped up their attack on the government over the Manipur violence, especially after the video of two women being paraded naked and assaulted by a crowd in a Manipur village, went viral on social media. "Narendra Modi ji, You did not make a statement inside Parliament, yesterday. If you were angry then instead of making false equivalence with Congress-governed states, you could have first dismissed your Chief Minister Manipur," Kharge said on Twitter. .@narendramodi ji, You did not make a statement inside the Parliament, yesterday. If you were angry then instead of making false equivalence with Congress governed states, you could have first dismissed your Chief Minster of Manipur. INDIA expects you to make an elaborate Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 21, 2023 "INDIA expects you to make an elaborate statement in Parliament today, not just on one incident, but on the 80-day violence that your government in the state and the Centre has presided upon, looking absolutely helpless and remorseless," the Congress chief also said. ALSO READ | Manipur viral video: CM Biren Singh says capital punishment considered against culprits Modi on Thursday said the incident of women being paraded naked in Manipur has shamed 140 crore Indians, asserting that the law will act with its full might and no guilty will be spared. ALSO READ | NCW formally directs Twitter India to remove Manipur video Both houses of Parliament did not transact any business on Thursday as the opposition was unrelenting on its demand for a statement from the prime minister on the Manipur violence. NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday demanded that the prime minister make an elaborate statement in Parliament on the Manipur situation, saying he could have dismissed the state chief minister instead of making "false equivalence" with Congress-governed states if he was angry over the matter. The Congress has demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi must make a statement in both houses of Parliament followed by a discussion on the situation in Manipur. Opposition parties have stepped up their attack on the government over the Manipur violence, especially after the video of two women being paraded naked and assaulted by a crowd in a Manipur village, went viral on social media.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Narendra Modi ji, You did not make a statement inside Parliament, yesterday. If you were angry then instead of making false equivalence with Congress-governed states, you could have first dismissed your Chief Minister Manipur," Kharge said on Twitter. .@narendramodi ji, You did not make a statement inside the Parliament, yesterday. If you were angry then instead of making false equivalence with Congress governed states, you could have first dismissed your Chief Minster of Manipur. INDIA expects you to make an elaborate Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) July 21, 2023 "INDIA expects you to make an elaborate statement in Parliament today, not just on one incident, but on the 80-day violence that your government in the state and the Centre has presided upon, looking absolutely helpless and remorseless," the Congress chief also said. ALSO READ | Manipur viral video: CM Biren Singh says capital punishment considered against culprits Modi on Thursday said the incident of women being paraded naked in Manipur has shamed 140 crore Indians, asserting that the law will act with its full might and no guilty will be spared. ALSO READ | NCW formally directs Twitter India to remove Manipur video Both houses of Parliament did not transact any business on Thursday as the opposition was unrelenting on its demand for a statement from the prime minister on the Manipur violence. Mukesh Ranjan By Express News Service RANCHI: A joint team of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Delhi Police have arrested an Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist Faizan Ansari from Jharkhands Lohardaga. NIA sources claimed that he was in contact with the ISIS network within and outside the country through the dark net. Ansari was also said to be in contact with Pakistans intelligence agency. Later in the afternoon, he was produced before the NIA court and sent to Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi. A student of Aligarh Muslim University, Ansari was living with his family in Lohardaga for the last two months and was operating from there. He came in contact with the ISIS network while studying at Aligarh Muslim University. NIA, along with other agencies, is said to have kept a tab on his activities for the last few weeks. Ansari was in regular contact with his handlers and was also trying to build a network in Jharkhand, claimed NIA sources. Many incriminating videos, pen drives and other objectionable items related to radical Islamist ideology have been found from Ansari, they added. As per the information received, the terrorist organization was trying to set up a strong network in Jharkhand and was in contact with several youths in and outside Lohardaga in Jharkhand. His father Firoz Ansari, originally from Bihar, is working with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on a contractual basis and had been living in Lohardaga for the last 20 years after constructing a house. After the arrest of Fizan Ansari, his parents and other family members went elsewhere after locking the house. RANCHI: A joint team of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Delhi Police have arrested an Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist Faizan Ansari from Jharkhands Lohardaga. NIA sources claimed that he was in contact with the ISIS network within and outside the country through the dark net. Ansari was also said to be in contact with Pakistans intelligence agency. Later in the afternoon, he was produced before the NIA court and sent to Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi. A student of Aligarh Muslim University, Ansari was living with his family in Lohardaga for the last two months and was operating from there. He came in contact with the ISIS network while studying at Aligarh Muslim University. NIA, along with other agencies, is said to have kept a tab on his activities for the last few weeks.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Ansari was in regular contact with his handlers and was also trying to build a network in Jharkhand, claimed NIA sources. Many incriminating videos, pen drives and other objectionable items related to radical Islamist ideology have been found from Ansari, they added. As per the information received, the terrorist organization was trying to set up a strong network in Jharkhand and was in contact with several youths in and outside Lohardaga in Jharkhand. His father Firoz Ansari, originally from Bihar, is working with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on a contractual basis and had been living in Lohardaga for the last 20 years after constructing a house. After the arrest of Fizan Ansari, his parents and other family members went elsewhere after locking the house. Ejaz Kaiser By Express News Service RAIPUR: Jahnvi Yadu, a teacher, left students puzzled when she arrived in the school in the uniform specified for students. She had a reason. She believes that a teachers role should go beyond achieving the academic pursuit in the school. One must inculcate discipline from an early stage in life. As a teacher at the government primary school in Raipur, she finds most students who are from relatively poor socio-economic backgrounds not attending the classes in neat and tidy uniforms. She took the initiative to ensure the students behaviour was good and there was orderliness in their class and school. She was delighted to find many students responding with enthusiasm. Students said the barrier between them and the teacher was less with newly inspired change in the classroom: she sits with them and takes classes donning the school uniform. To manage the disciplinary issue, the teacher has to be a positive role model with a gentle attitude. Playing tough or being rigid doesnt really work, she said. School uniforms have a special significance for students; it creates a feeling of pride and belonging. Attending the classes in neat uniforms will make them appear and imbibe a sense of discipline and purpose. So, I decided to wear the uniform, Jahnvi told this newspaper. Jahnvi, who has been teaching in the same school since 2013, said that young students learn many things in life simply by observing. So the idea clicked; students now understand what a neat dress uniform means. She decided to attend two days a week in the school uniform. Forget students, even the school staff were surprised to find Jahnvi in the specified school uniform. To be in the school uniform daily can become monotonous for students. The motivated students began to attend their classes with their newly gained sense of responsibility with the neat school dress, she said. Attempt to manage disciplinary issues Jahnvi Yadu took the initiative to ensure the students behaviour was good and there was orderliness in their class and school. She found most students who are from relatively poor socio-economic backgrounds not attending the classes in neat and tidy uniforms. She was delighted to find many students responded with enthusiasm. RAIPUR: Jahnvi Yadu, a teacher, left students puzzled when she arrived in the school in the uniform specified for students. She had a reason. She believes that a teachers role should go beyond achieving the academic pursuit in the school. One must inculcate discipline from an early stage in life. As a teacher at the government primary school in Raipur, she finds most students who are from relatively poor socio-economic backgrounds not attending the classes in neat and tidy uniforms. She took the initiative to ensure the students behaviour was good and there was orderliness in their class and school. She was delighted to find many students responding with enthusiasm. Students said the barrier between them and the teacher was less with newly inspired change in the classroom: she sits with them and takes classes donning the school uniform. To manage the disciplinary issue, the teacher has to be a positive role model with a gentle attitude. Playing tough or being rigid doesnt really work, she said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); School uniforms have a special significance for students; it creates a feeling of pride and belonging. Attending the classes in neat uniforms will make them appear and imbibe a sense of discipline and purpose. So, I decided to wear the uniform, Jahnvi told this newspaper. Jahnvi, who has been teaching in the same school since 2013, said that young students learn many things in life simply by observing. So the idea clicked; students now understand what a neat dress uniform means. She decided to attend two days a week in the school uniform. Forget students, even the school staff were surprised to find Jahnvi in the specified school uniform. To be in the school uniform daily can become monotonous for students. The motivated students began to attend their classes with their newly gained sense of responsibility with the neat school dress, she said. Attempt to manage disciplinary issues Jahnvi Yadu took the initiative to ensure the students behaviour was good and there was orderliness in their class and school. She found most students who are from relatively poor socio-economic backgrounds not attending the classes in neat and tidy uniforms. She was delighted to find many students responded with enthusiasm. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Asking new officers set to join the Uttar Pradesh government, CM Yogi Adityanath on Thursday launched a scathing attack against the previous governments by accusing them of deploying corrupt officials at every level and said that they ate into the states system. The chief minister urged the newly-appointed officers to be ready to fight systemic corruption because it was a major deterrent in path of development. Handing over appointment letters to 700 candidates selected by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission as a part of Mission Rozgar here on Thursday, Yogi told them that they had the responsibility of holding the government offices for 30-35 years during which they would get the adequate opportunity to demonstrate their competence and capability. A total of 39 deputy collectors and 93 deputy superintendents of police are among the new appointees. Put your ego aside and work for the welfare of people as the general public reaches out to the bureaucracy with the complaints related to various government departments, said the CM. He suggested the budding bureaucrats to tame arrogance while dealing with people as it would go against them in their career. If you are posted in a district a deputy collector and refuse to interact with people, it would go against you, said the CM, while addressing the gathering of new appointees. While claiming that the recruitment processes in the state were transparent, fair ad clean, CM Yogi appreciated the efforts of UP Public Service Commission saying the process of selection has been free from casteism and nepotism, regionalism, consideration of religious faith and language during the last six years. Only those who qualify will be selected, the CM noted. The CM also reminded the new appointees that as an officer, they would be entrusted with protecting the rights of common citizen. Urging the budding officers to treat the entire state as their family, CM Yogi also advised them to function in such a way that they were remembered even after hanging their boots. There are many officers whom no one recognises, but there are some who are remembered long after their superannuation. You will meet the same fate if you will bother the common man. Make no recommendations to any officer-employee. Instead, every employee must treat the entire state as your family, the chief minister said. LUCKNOW: Asking new officers set to join the Uttar Pradesh government, CM Yogi Adityanath on Thursday launched a scathing attack against the previous governments by accusing them of deploying corrupt officials at every level and said that they ate into the states system. The chief minister urged the newly-appointed officers to be ready to fight systemic corruption because it was a major deterrent in path of development. Handing over appointment letters to 700 candidates selected by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission as a part of Mission Rozgar here on Thursday, Yogi told them that they had the responsibility of holding the government offices for 30-35 years during which they would get the adequate opportunity to demonstrate their competence and capability. A total of 39 deputy collectors and 93 deputy superintendents of police are among the new appointees. Put your ego aside and work for the welfare of people as the general public reaches out to the bureaucracy with the complaints related to various government departments, said the CM.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He suggested the budding bureaucrats to tame arrogance while dealing with people as it would go against them in their career. If you are posted in a district a deputy collector and refuse to interact with people, it would go against you, said the CM, while addressing the gathering of new appointees. While claiming that the recruitment processes in the state were transparent, fair ad clean, CM Yogi appreciated the efforts of UP Public Service Commission saying the process of selection has been free from casteism and nepotism, regionalism, consideration of religious faith and language during the last six years. Only those who qualify will be selected, the CM noted. The CM also reminded the new appointees that as an officer, they would be entrusted with protecting the rights of common citizen. Urging the budding officers to treat the entire state as their family, CM Yogi also advised them to function in such a way that they were remembered even after hanging their boots. There are many officers whom no one recognises, but there are some who are remembered long after their superannuation. You will meet the same fate if you will bother the common man. Make no recommendations to any officer-employee. Instead, every employee must treat the entire state as your family, the chief minister said. By PTI JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday sacked Rajendra Gudha as minister of state, hours after he cornered the state government over law and order in the assembly. Gudha held charge as Minister of State for Sainik Kalyan (Independent Charge), Home Guard and Civil Defence, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development. A Raj Bhavan spokesperson said, "Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot recommended Governor Kalraj Mishra to dismiss a member of the council of ministers Rajendra Gudha in the evening. The governor has accepted this recommendation with immediate effect." Gudha on Friday questioned his own government's performance in reining in crimes against women, even as his peers slammed the Manipur violence. During the discussion on the Rajasthan Minimum Income Guaranteed Bill, 2023, in the Assembly, Congress MLAs waved placards on the Manipur violence. The protest, however, did not go down well with Gudha, who sought accountability from his own government on crimes against women. "The way we have failed to provide security to women in Rajasthan and atrocities on women have increased, instead of raising the issue of Manipur, we should introspect," Gudha said in the assembly. Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore latched onto Gudha's statement and slammed the state government, saying Rajasthan tops the chart for crimes against women. Rathore later asked Gehlot, who is also the home minister, to take responsibility for the "poor" state of law and order in Rajasthan. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal responded to the charges, saying that the state government has supplied the House with the statistics that show that the maximum number of atrocities were committed on women during BJP rule. Hours later, after a green signal from the party's high command, Gehlot sent a recommendation to the governor to sack Gudha. Following his sacking, Gudha told reporters that he was punished for speaking the truth. "Rajasthan is at the number one position in crimes against women. What did I say? I got the punishment for speaking the truth," he said. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Meena sided with Gudha and said he spoke the truth in the assembly. "Law and order in Rajasthan has deteriorated and crimes against women have increased multifold. The minister had expressed what is true," he said. Gudha, who is among six MLAs who won the 2018 assembly elections on a BSP ticket before defecting to the Congress in September 2019, was inducted as a minister in November 2021. He represents Jhunjhunu's Udaipurwati constituency. Gudha and other MLAs who won on a BSP ticket had supported Gehlot in July 2020, during his tussle with his then-deputy Sachin Pilot, which had led to a political crisis. However, in the last few months, Gudha has made statements in favour of Pilot. He has also caused embarrassment to the Congress-led government with his recent statements. In a widely circulated video a few days ago, he was heard saying that Gehlot and Pilot were running after him, so there must be some quality in him. Gudha also launched a scathing attack on the Congress government and alleged that the dispensation had surpassed Karnataka's "40 per cent commission BJP government" in corruption. While addressing a rally in support of Pilot in May, Gudha said, "Hamari sarkar ka alignment kharab ho gaya (our government's alignment has been disturbed). The record of corruption has been broken. There was an issue of 40 per cent corruption in Karnataka. Our government has surpassed it," he had said. He also met AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi during his recent visit to the state. Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the second day in a row on Friday following vociferous protests over the Manipur violence by opposition MPs. The Monsoon session started on Thursday, a day after a horrific video of two women being sexually assaulted and paraded by a mob on May 4 in a Manipur village went viral. 'Sacked for telling the truth' The BJP on Friday accused Gehlot of sacking Gudha for telling the truth and added that "it shows how serious the ruling Congress is about the issue of crimes against women." Reacting to the minister's sacking, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said in a tweet in Hindi that Gehlot removed Gudha from his cabinet for telling "the truth." "This shows how serious Congress is about harassment of women," the BJP leader charged. Senior BJP leader and Union minister Gajendra Singh Sekhawat also targeted the Rajasthan chief minister and said in a tweet in Hindi, "Telling the truth is forbidden in Gehlot's regime." "The chief minister does not have the courage to accept the truth. When his minister Rajendra Gudha ji told the truth in the assembly, Gehlot ji felt so bad that he removed him from the post itself," Shekhawat said. With this, Gehlot has warned his colleagues if they speak the truth, they will not be spared, the Union minister charged. "Intimidating one's own comrades, gagging them will also be called oppression," he added. JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday sacked Rajendra Gudha as minister of state, hours after he cornered the state government over law and order in the assembly. Gudha held charge as Minister of State for Sainik Kalyan (Independent Charge), Home Guard and Civil Defence, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development. A Raj Bhavan spokesperson said, "Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot recommended Governor Kalraj Mishra to dismiss a member of the council of ministers Rajendra Gudha in the evening. The governor has accepted this recommendation with immediate effect."googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Gudha on Friday questioned his own government's performance in reining in crimes against women, even as his peers slammed the Manipur violence. During the discussion on the Rajasthan Minimum Income Guaranteed Bill, 2023, in the Assembly, Congress MLAs waved placards on the Manipur violence. The protest, however, did not go down well with Gudha, who sought accountability from his own government on crimes against women. "The way we have failed to provide security to women in Rajasthan and atrocities on women have increased, instead of raising the issue of Manipur, we should introspect," Gudha said in the assembly. Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore latched onto Gudha's statement and slammed the state government, saying Rajasthan tops the chart for crimes against women. Rathore later asked Gehlot, who is also the home minister, to take responsibility for the "poor" state of law and order in Rajasthan. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal responded to the charges, saying that the state government has supplied the House with the statistics that show that the maximum number of atrocities were committed on women during BJP rule. Hours later, after a green signal from the party's high command, Gehlot sent a recommendation to the governor to sack Gudha. Following his sacking, Gudha told reporters that he was punished for speaking the truth. "Rajasthan is at the number one position in crimes against women. What did I say? I got the punishment for speaking the truth," he said. BJP Rajya Sabha MP Kirodi Meena sided with Gudha and said he spoke the truth in the assembly. "Law and order in Rajasthan has deteriorated and crimes against women have increased multifold. The minister had expressed what is true," he said. Gudha, who is among six MLAs who won the 2018 assembly elections on a BSP ticket before defecting to the Congress in September 2019, was inducted as a minister in November 2021. He represents Jhunjhunu's Udaipurwati constituency. Gudha and other MLAs who won on a BSP ticket had supported Gehlot in July 2020, during his tussle with his then-deputy Sachin Pilot, which had led to a political crisis. However, in the last few months, Gudha has made statements in favour of Pilot. He has also caused embarrassment to the Congress-led government with his recent statements. In a widely circulated video a few days ago, he was heard saying that Gehlot and Pilot were running after him, so there must be some quality in him. Gudha also launched a scathing attack on the Congress government and alleged that the dispensation had surpassed Karnataka's "40 per cent commission BJP government" in corruption. While addressing a rally in support of Pilot in May, Gudha said, "Hamari sarkar ka alignment kharab ho gaya (our government's alignment has been disturbed). The record of corruption has been broken. There was an issue of 40 per cent corruption in Karnataka. Our government has surpassed it," he had said. He also met AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi during his recent visit to the state. Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the second day in a row on Friday following vociferous protests over the Manipur violence by opposition MPs. The Monsoon session started on Thursday, a day after a horrific video of two women being sexually assaulted and paraded by a mob on May 4 in a Manipur village went viral. 'Sacked for telling the truth' The BJP on Friday accused Gehlot of sacking Gudha for telling the truth and added that "it shows how serious the ruling Congress is about the issue of crimes against women." Reacting to the minister's sacking, BJP IT department head Amit Malviya said in a tweet in Hindi that Gehlot removed Gudha from his cabinet for telling "the truth." "This shows how serious Congress is about harassment of women," the BJP leader charged. Senior BJP leader and Union minister Gajendra Singh Sekhawat also targeted the Rajasthan chief minister and said in a tweet in Hindi, "Telling the truth is forbidden in Gehlot's regime." "The chief minister does not have the courage to accept the truth. When his minister Rajendra Gudha ji told the truth in the assembly, Gehlot ji felt so bad that he removed him from the post itself," Shekhawat said. With this, Gehlot has warned his colleagues if they speak the truth, they will not be spared, the Union minister charged. "Intimidating one's own comrades, gagging them will also be called oppression," he added. Shankari Sundararaman By In May, President Joe Bidens visit to the Pacific island state of Papua New Guinea (PNG) was cancelled owing to domestic political issues in the US taking pride of place, with the debt limit talks deepening the divide between the Republicans and Democrats. But the Biden administration was focused on displaying a critical show of strength in its foreign policy, particularly on the Indo-Pacific stage. What was supposed to be the first-ever state visit of a serving United States president led to much anticipation in PNG, including declaring the day a national holiday. But the cancellation of Bidens visit underscored how the interstate system remains deeply divided between great powers and small states. The cancellation also impacted the proposed Quad Summit scheduled to take place in Sydney, but the event was hurriedly rescheduled and held in Hiroshima, Japan, where President Biden was already present for the G7 meeting. While media reports focused on the cancellation, a visit to PNG did take place, but it was US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who travelled to the island state instead. The focus on the US growing defence cooperation with the small island is the critical factor that emerges from the visit. Two agreements were signed: the New Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) and an Agreement Concerning Counter Illicit Transnational Maritime Activity Operations. This shows how major powers are shifting their priorities to gain greater access to the smaller states of the Indo-Pacific region. Over the past few years, the nature of the US-China rivalry has acquired sharper dimensions, and the geopolitical shifts in the Indo-Pacific region have played a critical role in shaping the regional matrix. The signing of the two agreements is a significant push by the United States to unveil another facet of its strategic shift towards the Indo-Pacific region, thrusting the US-China rivalry into the most vulnerable part of the Pacific. The states in the South Pacific remain susceptible to the effects of this rivalry as their economic dependence is on the regions bigger economies. Moreover, on issues such as climate change and medical and health infrastructure, they need to catch up with the other regional states in the Indo-Pacific, exposing their weaknesses in the face of concerted major power rivalry. The two recent agreements have also led to several domestic tensions within PNG, especially in terms of the privileges that it affords to the United States, which is seen as hitting at the foundation of the countrys sovereignty. The political opposition within the country has been critical of the agreement, particularly because of two factors: First, there are allegations that the agreement provides US personnel legal immunity within the country. Second, that it allows unrestricted access to US vessels across the country and in the immediate territorial waters, thereby impacting the countrys sovereign rights vis-a-vis the already asymmetrical relations between the US and PNG. However, PNGs current leadership has defended the right of the country to enter into military cooperation, clearly alluding to the fact that the PNG already has an active Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) that acts as the foundation on which the current Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) has been built. The US State Department also categorically reaffirms this position, stating that the current deal is based on the existing SOFA and will act as the foundation for the US and PNG to build future ties in the region. One of the biggest advantages of this agreement is that for PNG, it brings in a massive amount of moneyto the tune of nearly $45 millionto address some of the core non-traditional security challenges that Papua New Guinea faces. These include improving provisions for tackling climate change, dealing with transnational crimes and issues related to public health infrastructure. The second agreement, highlighting the maritime part, will also bolster the island nations defences vis-a-vis issues like illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, a major menace in the region. Regarding illegal fishing, the most implicated countries are China and Taiwan, with the victims being regional states in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. PNG also has an expansive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), nearly 2.4 million sq km, making this zone vulnerable to encroachments by neighbouring states. This vulnerability was exposed when Chinese ships exploring marine resources entered PNGs EEZ in April 2019. This was just around the period when the United States and Australia had announced the decision to upgrade the existing infrastructure on Manus island, a geopolitically important area in terms of the power play in the region. From around 2018, the presence of Chinese vessels in the EEZ of Micronesian states such as Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has often occurred without respect for the tenets of international law in the maritime zones. These Chinese encroachments have been critical triggers that have also impacted how smaller island states are reassessing their priorities to employ clear hedging strategies and therefore derive the best outcomes vis-a-vis the major players. Chinas foray into the South Pacific region also indicates the vulnerabilities of what has come to be called the Second Island Chain, which falls beyond the immediate scope of Chinese interests in the South China Sea. All this being said, the importance of Papua New Guinea is unlikely to wane: as one of Australias immediate northern neighbours, PNG will be seen as a crucial hub in any US-Australia strategy for ensuring regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. Shankari Sundararaman Professor at School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi (shankari@mail.jnu.ac.in) In May, President Joe Bidens visit to the Pacific island state of Papua New Guinea (PNG) was cancelled owing to domestic political issues in the US taking pride of place, with the debt limit talks deepening the divide between the Republicans and Democrats. But the Biden administration was focused on displaying a critical show of strength in its foreign policy, particularly on the Indo-Pacific stage. What was supposed to be the first-ever state visit of a serving United States president led to much anticipation in PNG, including declaring the day a national holiday. But the cancellation of Bidens visit underscored how the interstate system remains deeply divided between great powers and small states. The cancellation also impacted the proposed Quad Summit scheduled to take place in Sydney, but the event was hurriedly rescheduled and held in Hiroshima, Japan, where President Biden was already present for the G7 meeting. While media reports focused on the cancellation, a visit to PNG did take place, but it was US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who travelled to the island state instead. The focus on the US growing defence cooperation with the small island is the critical factor that emerges from the visit. Two agreements were signed: the New Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) and an Agreement Concerning Counter Illicit Transnational Maritime Activity Operations. This shows how major powers are shifting their priorities to gain greater access to the smaller states of the Indo-Pacific region. Over the past few years, the nature of the US-China rivalry has acquired sharper dimensions, and the geopolitical shifts in the Indo-Pacific region have played a critical role in shaping the regional matrix.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The signing of the two agreements is a significant push by the United States to unveil another facet of its strategic shift towards the Indo-Pacific region, thrusting the US-China rivalry into the most vulnerable part of the Pacific. The states in the South Pacific remain susceptible to the effects of this rivalry as their economic dependence is on the regions bigger economies. Moreover, on issues such as climate change and medical and health infrastructure, they need to catch up with the other regional states in the Indo-Pacific, exposing their weaknesses in the face of concerted major power rivalry. The two recent agreements have also led to several domestic tensions within PNG, especially in terms of the privileges that it affords to the United States, which is seen as hitting at the foundation of the countrys sovereignty. The political opposition within the country has been critical of the agreement, particularly because of two factors: First, there are allegations that the agreement provides US personnel legal immunity within the country. Second, that it allows unrestricted access to US vessels across the country and in the immediate territorial waters, thereby impacting the countrys sovereign rights vis-a-vis the already asymmetrical relations between the US and PNG. However, PNGs current leadership has defended the right of the country to enter into military cooperation, clearly alluding to the fact that the PNG already has an active Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) that acts as the foundation on which the current Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) has been built. The US State Department also categorically reaffirms this position, stating that the current deal is based on the existing SOFA and will act as the foundation for the US and PNG to build future ties in the region. One of the biggest advantages of this agreement is that for PNG, it brings in a massive amount of moneyto the tune of nearly $45 millionto address some of the core non-traditional security challenges that Papua New Guinea faces. These include improving provisions for tackling climate change, dealing with transnational crimes and issues related to public health infrastructure. The second agreement, highlighting the maritime part, will also bolster the island nations defences vis-a-vis issues like illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, a major menace in the region. Regarding illegal fishing, the most implicated countries are China and Taiwan, with the victims being regional states in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. PNG also has an expansive Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), nearly 2.4 million sq km, making this zone vulnerable to encroachments by neighbouring states. This vulnerability was exposed when Chinese ships exploring marine resources entered PNGs EEZ in April 2019. This was just around the period when the United States and Australia had announced the decision to upgrade the existing infrastructure on Manus island, a geopolitically important area in terms of the power play in the region. From around 2018, the presence of Chinese vessels in the EEZ of Micronesian states such as Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has often occurred without respect for the tenets of international law in the maritime zones. These Chinese encroachments have been critical triggers that have also impacted how smaller island states are reassessing their priorities to employ clear hedging strategies and therefore derive the best outcomes vis-a-vis the major players. Chinas foray into the South Pacific region also indicates the vulnerabilities of what has come to be called the Second Island Chain, which falls beyond the immediate scope of Chinese interests in the South China Sea. All this being said, the importance of Papua New Guinea is unlikely to wane: as one of Australias immediate northern neighbours, PNG will be seen as a crucial hub in any US-Australia strategy for ensuring regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. Shankari Sundararaman Professor at School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi (shankari@mail.jnu.ac.in) By AFP KYIV: Ukrainian forces are using United States-supplied cluster munitions on the battlefield, the White House said, as Kyiv seeks momentum in its grinding counteroffensive. Washington provided the weapons to Ukraine for the first time earlier this month as Kyiv attempts to dislodge entrenched Russian forces and retake land lost in the early months of Moscow's invasion last year. The weapons, which disperse up to several hundred small explosive charges that can remain unexploded in the ground, are banned by many countries because of the long-term risks they pose to civilians. Ukraine's forces started using the munitions "in the last week or so", White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Thursday. "They're using them appropriately, they're using them effectively and they are actually having an impact on Russias defensive formations and Russias defensive manoeuvring," he said. Moscow's forces still occupy swathes of southern and eastern Ukraine and over a month into Kyiv's long-anticipated counteroffensive, large parts of the front appear to be frozen. Earlier this week a senior presidential aide in Kyiv told AFP the operation would be "long and difficult". Russia hit the Ukrainian ports of Mykolaiv and Odesa with drones and missiles in the third consecutive night of "hellish" strikes, Ukrainian officials said Thursday. At least three people died and more than 20 were injured in the strikes, officials said, posting images of buildings in flames and partially collapsed. In Odesa, a man was found "under the rubble", regional governor Oleg Kiper said, while in Mykolaiv an elderly couple were killed. Oleksiy Luganchenko, 72, stood outside a collapsed building in the city, saying the dead 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." On Thursday Kyiv said it would treat ships in the Black Sea headed for Russian-controlled ports as potential carriers of military cargo. The announcement mirrored a move made by Russia after the Kremlin withdrew from a key grain export deal facilitating the safe shipment of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea. 'Retaliatory strikes' After Russia invaded last year, its warships blockaded Ukraine's ports until the two sides agreed to the grain export deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey. That 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 Afghanistan, Sudan 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 honoured Since the deal collapsed Ukraine has accused Russia of targeting grain supplies and infrastructure vital to grain shipments. A strike on Odesa had destroyed 60,000 tonnes of grain meant for export from the major global producer, the Ukrainian agriculture ministry said. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the effect of the attacks went well beyond Ukraine. "We are already seeing the negative effect on global wheat and corn prices which hurts everyone, but especially vulnerable people in the global south," Guterres said in a statement from his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric. Ukraine has already said it would be ready to continue with grain exports from its southern ports despite Russian threats. It has called on the UN and neighbouring countries to secure safe passage for cargoes through joint patrols. Slow progress 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 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 source told AFP. On the front, fighting is concentrated in eastern Ukraine, where Kyiv's counteroffensive is making slow progress against Russia's defensive lines. In the settlement of New York, which is framed by smoke rising from nearby battlefields, 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." KYIV: Ukrainian forces are using United States-supplied cluster munitions on the battlefield, the White House said, as Kyiv seeks momentum in its grinding counteroffensive. Washington provided the weapons to Ukraine for the first time earlier this month as Kyiv attempts to dislodge entrenched Russian forces and retake land lost in the early months of Moscow's invasion last year. The weapons, which disperse up to several hundred small explosive charges that can remain unexploded in the ground, are banned by many countries because of the long-term risks they pose to civilians.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Ukraine's forces started using the munitions "in the last week or so", White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Thursday. "They're using them appropriately, they're using them effectively and they are actually having an impact on Russias defensive formations and Russias defensive manoeuvring," he said. Moscow's forces still occupy swathes of southern and eastern Ukraine and over a month into Kyiv's long-anticipated counteroffensive, large parts of the front appear to be frozen. Earlier this week a senior presidential aide in Kyiv told AFP the operation would be "long and difficult". Russia hit the Ukrainian ports of Mykolaiv and Odesa with drones and missiles in the third consecutive night of "hellish" strikes, Ukrainian officials said Thursday. At least three people died and more than 20 were injured in the strikes, officials said, posting images of buildings in flames and partially collapsed. In Odesa, a man was found "under the rubble", regional governor Oleg Kiper said, while in Mykolaiv an elderly couple were killed. Oleksiy Luganchenko, 72, stood outside a collapsed building in the city, saying the dead 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." On Thursday Kyiv said it would treat ships in the Black Sea headed for Russian-controlled ports as potential carriers of military cargo. The announcement mirrored a move made by Russia after the Kremlin withdrew from a key grain export deal facilitating the safe shipment of Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea. 'Retaliatory strikes' After Russia invaded last year, its warships blockaded Ukraine's ports until the two sides agreed to the grain export deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey. That 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 Afghanistan, Sudan 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 honoured Since the deal collapsed Ukraine has accused Russia of targeting grain supplies and infrastructure vital to grain shipments. A strike on Odesa had destroyed 60,000 tonnes of grain meant for export from the major global producer, the Ukrainian agriculture ministry said. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the effect of the attacks went well beyond Ukraine. "We are already seeing the negative effect on global wheat and corn prices which hurts everyone, but especially vulnerable people in the global south," Guterres said in a statement from his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric. Ukraine has already said it would be ready to continue with grain exports from its southern ports despite Russian threats. It has called on the UN and neighbouring countries to secure safe passage for cargoes through joint patrols. Slow progress 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 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 source told AFP. On the front, fighting is concentrated in eastern Ukraine, where Kyiv's counteroffensive is making slow progress against Russia's defensive lines. In the settlement of New York, which is framed by smoke rising from nearby battlefields, 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." By PTI LAHORE: Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan has been found "guilty of inciting attacks" on military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander House, an anti-terrorism court was told by the government prosecutor on Friday. However, the ATC Lahore extended Khan's pre-arrest bail in five terrorism cases till August 8. "A special prosecutor on Friday told the ATC that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of Punjab police completed its probe into the May 9 attacks on military and state buildings and found Imran Khan guilty of abetment and other terrorism charges," a court official told PTI. Khan appeared before the court amid high security. Prosecutor Farhad Ali Shah said that Khan is guilty of masterminding the May 9 attacks and his arrest is needed for collection of evidence. He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief had led a campaign and incited the party workers against the Army before the May 9 attacks. That incitement led to the attack on the military installations, he said. ATC Judge Abher Gul Khan extended the pre-arrest bail of Khan till August 8 and directed the prosecutor to come up with more arguments at the next hearing. Following the arrest of Imran Khan by paramilitary Rangers unrest broke out in Pakistan on May 9 that saw the torching and vandalizing of dozens of military and state buildings, including the Army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the ISI building in Faisalabad. Police arrested over 10,000 workers of PTI and over 100 are being tried under the Army Act. Khan denied masterminding or inciting the attacks stating that it was a well-planned conspiracy to oust its party from upcoming elections. The military establishment managed to carve out two political parties -- Istekham-i-Pakistan Party and PTI Parliamentarians -- of the PTI as dozens of its leaders joined the new parties. LAHORE: Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan has been found "guilty of inciting attacks" on military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander House, an anti-terrorism court was told by the government prosecutor on Friday. However, the ATC Lahore extended Khan's pre-arrest bail in five terrorism cases till August 8. "A special prosecutor on Friday told the ATC that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of Punjab police completed its probe into the May 9 attacks on military and state buildings and found Imran Khan guilty of abetment and other terrorism charges," a court official told PTI.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Khan appeared before the court amid high security. Prosecutor Farhad Ali Shah said that Khan is guilty of masterminding the May 9 attacks and his arrest is needed for collection of evidence. He said that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief had led a campaign and incited the party workers against the Army before the May 9 attacks. That incitement led to the attack on the military installations, he said. ATC Judge Abher Gul Khan extended the pre-arrest bail of Khan till August 8 and directed the prosecutor to come up with more arguments at the next hearing. Following the arrest of Imran Khan by paramilitary Rangers unrest broke out in Pakistan on May 9 that saw the torching and vandalizing of dozens of military and state buildings, including the Army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the ISI building in Faisalabad. Police arrested over 10,000 workers of PTI and over 100 are being tried under the Army Act. Khan denied masterminding or inciting the attacks stating that it was a well-planned conspiracy to oust its party from upcoming elections. The military establishment managed to carve out two political parties -- Istekham-i-Pakistan Party and PTI Parliamentarians -- of the PTI as dozens of its leaders joined the new parties. Fugazee partners with Myntra, eyes exponential growth and offline expansion SRV Media, New Delhi, July 20: Fugazee, the leading men's streetwear brand in India, has forged a strategic partnership with renowned e-commerce platform Myntra. Fugazee partners with Myntra, eyes exponential growth and offline expansion This groundbreaking collaboration is expected to propel Fugazee towards exponential growth and solidify its position as a premium fashion brand. With remarkable achievements already under its belt, Fugazee is poised to conquer the fashion industry both online and offline.The partnership with Myntra marks a significant milestone in Fugazee's growth strategy. With this collaboration, Fugazee aims to achieve exponential growth, targeting a three-fold increase in GMV by the financial year 2024-2025. The association with Myntra will provide Fugazee with enhanced visibility and exposure to a vast customer base, driving sales and brand recognition to new heights.Fugazee's journey has been marked by phenomenal revenue growth and a strong online presence. As a bootstrapped business, the brand achieved a Gross Merchandise Value of approximately 20 Crores in the previous financial year, establishing its popularity and sales prowess. Fugazee's commitment to delivering affordable high-fashion streetwear has resonated with its target audience, resulting in a loyal customer base and recognition from leading marketplaces.Having conquered the online space, Fugazee is now poised to make a splash in the offline market. Recognizing the importance of an immersive shopping experience, Fugazee is planning to launch an exclusive offline store in the heart of the national capital. This strategic move will not only bolster the brand's presence but also cater to the growing demand from fashion enthusiasts who prefer the touch-and-feel aspect of retail. The offline store will serve as a physical embodiment of Fugazee's commitment to delivering cutting-edge streetwear fashion.Fugazee's expansion plans go beyond its online and offline presence. The brand is continuously diversifying its product range to cater to the evolving preferences of its customers. In addition to introducing new designs every two weeks, Fugazee is actively expanding its collection to include more unisex options, plus sizes, and accessories. These efforts emphasize Fugazee's commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that their fashion offerings resonate with a diverse customer base.Fugazee's partnership with Myntra has set the stage for a new phase of growth and expansion. With impressive revenue growth, the establishment of an exclusive offline store, and ambitious future targets, Fugazee is well-positioned to continue its dominance in the men's streetwear market. By seamlessly integrating online and offline channels, Fugazee is poised to offer an unparalleled shopping experience to fashion enthusiasts. As the brand continues to push boundaries and set new benchmarks, it is certain to cement its position as a fashion powerhouse in India and beyond.To shop Fugazee's exclusive collection, visit -https//www.fugazee.com/collections/fresh-arrivalCheck out Fugazee's bestsellers - https//www.fugazee.com/collections/bestsellersANI20 July 2023 Shared Recently! Revolutionary Smartwatch Launches, Redefining Wearable Technology for the Modern Lifestyle NewsVoir, Pune, July 20: Smartwatches are revolutionising the way we interact with technology. These sleek timepieces seamlessly blend style and functionality, placing the power of a smartphone right on your wrist. From fitness tracking to notifications and app integration, smartwatches offer a world of convenience at your fingertips. Revolutionary Smartwatch Launches, Redefining Wearable Technology for the Modern Lifestyle Buying the latest and trendiest smartwatches is now Bajaj Mall online and experience the innovations in modern timekeeping without breaking the bank, thanks to the affordable financing schemes.Moreover, smartwatches for men and women have evolved to become powerful devices. Elegantly designed and highly functional, they will help you up your fashion quotient while tracking a wide range of physical parameters, including heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen concentration, sleep cycles, etc.The health benefits apart, a smartwatch can also assist you with navigation, make and receive voice calls, and even locate your phone if you have misplaced it. Additionally, you can use your smartwatch to check emails and send pre-set responses quickly and easily. Attending personal or work calls is also a breeze once you have paired the smartwatch to your smartphone.The best part is that the latest smartwatches are compatible with most online music services, so you never run out of songs to listen to while you are on the move. So, what are you waiting for? Get a best-selling smartwatch today on Bajaj Mall and embrace a new, healthier way of living.Benefits of purchasing the latest smartwatch on Bajaj MallVisit Bajaj Mall today and get the lowest smartwatch price along with many other discounts and cashbacks. For example, new and registered Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card users can use the No Cost EMI and the zero down payment option on select products. This scheme helps you convert the total cost of the smartwatch into easy instalments. Along with low prices and easy EMIs, you also get the assurance of 100% genuine products and even free home delivery on select products.Here is how to shop for your favourite smartwatch on Bajaj Mall1. Log in to Bajaj Mall using the registered mobile number2. Choose your preferred smartwatch, add it to the cart3. Select the repayment tenure and proceed to checkout4. Enter the Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card details, registered mobile number, name, and delivery address5. Click on the 'Generate OTP' option and enter the OTP sent to the registered mobile number in the field to complete the purchaseA confirmation SMS will be sent to the registered mobile number with the date and time of delivery.*Terms and Conditions ApplyBajaj Mall is an online digital marketplace that assists consumers to compare and choose from a wide range of products. It offers customers abundant choices in providing the required products on No Cost EMI and zero down payment options on select products. Bajaj Mall has partnered with leading electronics, home appliances, lifestyle, etc., brands to provide a guided buying experience.For further information, visit www.bajajmall.in or download the Bajaj Finserv app on Google Play Store or App Store.ANI20 July 2023 Shared Recently! 46.87 lakh in Assam escaped multi-dimensional poverty in 5 yrs: Niti Aayog report Guwahati, July 20: Assam has registered a significant decline of 13.30 percentage points in the number of multi-dimensional poverty, from 32.65 per cent in 2015-16 to 19.35 per cent in 2019-2021. About 46.87 lakh people have escaped multi-dimensional poverty in Assam. 46.87 lakh in Assam escaped multi-dimensional poverty in 5 yrs: Niti Aayog report According to the 'National Multidimensional Poverty Index A Progress Review 2023' released by the Niti Aayog earlier this week, the rural areas of the state witnessed a remarkable decline in poverty from 36.14 per cent to 21.41 per cent and in the urban area it declined from 9.94 per cent to 6.88 per cent.According to data shared by the Chief Minister's Office, the Hailakandi district has registered a decline in multi-dimensional poverty from 51.07 per cent to 36.22 per cent, Karimganj district witnessed a decline from 46.02 per cent to 32.93 per cent, from 42.29 per cent to 30.58 per cent in Cachar district, from 51.06 per cent to 26.02 per cent in Dhubri district, from 38.22 per cent to 23.65 per cent in Darrang district, from 36.75 per cent to 22.46 per cent in Morigaon district, from 30.51 per cent to 20.84 per cent in Nagaon district, from 29.46 per cent to 19.16 per cent in Udalguri district, from 25.32 per cent to 19.94 per cent in Sonitpur district.It declined from 39.41 per cent to 19.12 per cent in Barpeta district, from 32.14 per cent to 18.92 per cent in Kokrajhar district, from 40.15 per cent to 18.34 per cent in Goalpara district, 36.70 per cent to 17.66 per cent in Tinsukia district, 33.77 per cent to 17.39 per cent in Bongaigaon district, 36.20 per cent to 16.79 per cent in Chirang district, 37.59 per cent to 16.20 per cent in Karbi Anglong district, from 23.59 per cent to 15.60 per cent in Baksa district, from 20.60 per cent to 14.60 per cent in Golaghat district, from 24.23 per cent to 14.06 per cent in Lakhimpur district.Similarly, the Dhemaji district has witnessed a decline from 27.71 per cent to 13.73 per cent, from 31.07 per cent to 13.62 per cent in Dima Hasao district, from 26.22 per cent to 12.71 per cent in Kamrup district, from 28.97 per cent to 12.26 per cent in Dibrugarh, from 20.24 per cent to 11.49 per cent in Jorhat, from 16.94 per cent to 11.24 per cent in Nalbari, from 25.55 per cent to 10.28 per cent in Kamrup, from10.93 per cent to 5.63 per cent in Sivasagar district.The Chief Minister's Office said the state came out as the seventh best among all Indian states.Overall, as many as 13.5 crore individuals in India moved out of multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21, according to the NITI Aayog report.The MPI measures simultaneous deprivations across the three dimensions of health and nutrition, education, and standard of living.The report 'National Multidimensional Poverty Index A Progress Review 2023' was released on Monday by the government think tank's Vice-Chairman Suman Bery, in the presence of Members of NITI Aayog VK Paul and Arvind Virmani, and BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO NITI Aayog.The report prepared based on the latest National Family Health Survey 2019-21, according to Niti Aayog, represents India's progress in reducing multidimensional poverty between the two surveys, NFHS-4 and NFHS-5 .According to the Report, India has registered a significant decline of 9.89 percentage points in a number of India's multidimensionally poor from 24.85 per cent in 2015-16 to 14.96 per cent in 2019-2021.Notably, the report said the rural areas witnessed the fastest decline in poverty from 32.59 per cent to 19.28 per cent. During the same period, the urban areas saw a reduction in poverty from 8.65 per cent to 5.27 per cent. Uttar Pradesh registered the largest decline in the number of poor with 3.43 crore people escaping multidimensional poverty.Providing multidimensional poverty estimates for the 36 States and Union Territories and 707 Administrative Districts, the Report stated that the fastest reduction in the proportion of multidimensional poor was observed in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan.ANI20 July 2023 Shared Recently! Automatic tracking system being developed for fighter planes: IAF MC Nagpur, July 20: The Maintenance Command of the Indian Air Force has developed an automatic tracking system for the fighter jets and trials being conducted are in final stages. Automatic tracking system being developed for fighter planes: IAF MC "Every 30 seconds, the system will track the movement of flying aircraft to record its exact location and trials have been conducted in South-Western, Northern sectors and soon in Eastern sector before finally inducting it in IAF," Air Marshal Vibhas Pande, Air Officer Commanding In Chief, Maintenance Command of IAF, told reporters, here on Thursday.The Air Marshal said the system will be operated through satellite programming and very soon it will be operational.The IAF will receive a first batch of four of imported C205 Military Transport Aircraft from Spain.The Government of India signed a procurement deal with Spain in October 2021 for acquiring 56 Aircraft. India will receive 16 Aircraft while remaining 40 Aircraft will be indigenously manufactured in the country at a location in Gujarat.The Maintenance Command was steadily marching towards 'Atmanairbhar' concept and not much depending on imports of spares but manufacturing indigenously through technology transfer, he added.joseph/ukIANS20 July 2023 Shared Recently! Fast charging drives 80% of global smartphone sales in Q1: Report New Delhi, July 20: The sales of fast charging-based smartphones accounted for almost 80 per cent of the global smartphone market in the first quarter of 2023, compared to 74 per cent in Q1 2022 and 29 per cent in Q1 2018, a new report showed on Thursday. Fast charging drives 80% of global smartphone sales in Q1: Report According to Counterpoint Research, the increasing adoption of fast charging-capable smartphones is attributed to growing smartphone usage and continuous advancements in hardware.Chinese smartphone brands are leading this trend by introducing higher-wattage charging across different price points."Chinese brands are leveraging fast charging as a selling point to attract consumers. For instance, realme and Xiaomi offer smartphones with power capabilities exceeding 200W. Furthermore, Xiaomi and OPPO recently showcased smartphones with an impressive 300W fast charging capability. These brands aim to provide extremely fast charging speeds, enabling users to charge their phones within a few minutes," said Senior Analyst Karn Chauhan.Moreover, the report mentioned that smartphone brands are focusing on making fast-charging technology affordable."Smartphone brands are embedding fast charging into their lower-priced models as a differentiating factor. While fast charging has already become a standard feature in the -$200 price segment, smartphone brands are now focusing on providing higher-power charging in this segment to achieve the fastest charging speeds," said Chauhan.In Q1 2023, the average power for fast-charging smartphones globally reached 34W, compared to 30W in Q1 2022 and 18W in Q1 2018.Smartphones with more than 30W of power can charge a completely depleted phone in about an hour. Charging a smartphone in an hour can be a strong selling point for smartphone manufacturers, the report said.Chinese smartphone manufacturers are leading this trend by introducing higher-wattage charging at various price points, particularly in the Chinese market, where the average power is 50W. Brands such as Apple and Samsung, on the other hand, have prioritised battery safety and overall performance over pushing for higher-power chargers.IANS20 July 2023 Shared Recently! Yoga and food plays important role in staying healthy: Mansukh Mandaviya New Delhi, July 20: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday inaugurated the maiden Global Food Regulators Summit 2023. Yoga and food plays important role in staying healthy: Mansukh Mandaviya While citing the significance of food safety and security, he stated that balanced, safe, and nutritious food is preventive care and ensures our health and wellness, as per an official statement."It is critically important to deep dive into issues of food grains, food safety, and food security for global sustainable development. Food regulators have a highly responsible job to create an ecosystem under the One Health approach," said Union Minister Mandaviya.In addition, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar was also present at the event."Considering the size and volume of the agriculture sector and food industry in India, it is vital to consider the entire value chain network, from agricultural inputs until products reach the end-consumer, as a single entity to ensure food safety and security," said Minister Tomar.Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development of Nepal, Bedu Ram Bhusal, Professor SP Singh Baghel and Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare were also present on the occasion, added the official statement.The Union Health Minister, on Monday, stressed the importance of kitchens in homes and Yoga, Mandaviya said that they play key roles in acting as preventive care for any individual's health."We go for treatment after falling ill, but our scriptures say that we should not fall ill, and stay healthy. For this preventive care, our kitchen is our hospital. And to stay healthy, yoga also plays a very important part in preventive care," Mandaviya said in the press briefing.Food Regulators from over 40 countries will participate along with representatives from 30 International Organisations and 25 International Research Institutes/Universities.Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare unveiled the logo of the Summit today in the presence of Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, SP Singh Baghel."This is the first time the summit is being held outside Rome, Italy. The Global Food Regulators Summit will focus on the crucial aspect of food safety, which needs as much attention as food security", he stated.The Union Minister further expressed his confidence that through collective efforts, the summit would lead to the harmonization of global food safety standards, improved regulatory frameworks, and the provision of safe and high-quality food for consumers worldwide.Union MoS for Health and Family Welfare, SP Singh Baghel said, "This summit aligns with the theme of India's G20 Presidency- One Earth, One Family, One Future. Indian tradition has always been about Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, and this summit is a step in that direction."The Summit will witness the launch of a Common Digital Dashboard--a unified IT portal providing comprehensive information on standards, regulations, notifications, advisories, guidelines, contamination limits, and the latest developments by Food Regulators in India.The Summit will witness the launch of several groundbreaking initiatives that will revolutionize the accessibility and sharing of food safety information. Among these initiatives is the release of Food-o-Copoeia, a comprehensive collection of food category-wise monographs, serving as a single-point reference for all applicable standards for specific product categories.ANI20 July 2023 Shared Recently! Primarc Pecan Becomes The First ONDC Enabled E2E Ecommerce Solutions Provider for Brands VMPL, New Delhi, July 20: Primarc Pecan, the leading E2E Ecommerce Solution provider for brands, has announced its ONDC enablement as India prepares itself to revolutionize its e-commerce industry. Primarc Pecan Becomes The First ONDC Enabled E2E Ecommerce Solutions Provider for Brands The Open Network for Digital Commerce is a government-backed initiative that aims to create an inclusive and scalable e-commerce ecosystem through an open protocol.T Koshy, MD & CEO, ONDC, said, "We warmly welcome Primarc Pecan to the ONDC Network. Primarc Pecan's experience in e-commerce and digital marketing combined with the empowering capabilities of ONDC will unlock boundless opportunities for brands, allowing them to seamlessly navigate the evolving market, reach untapped customer segments and drive remarkable growth," said.By joining the ONDC network, Primarc Pecan and its brand partners will be discoverable on the buyer apps available on the network. Significantly, Primarc Pecan will cover its partner brands from onboarding to handling all things e-commerce, including a) Marketplace management, b) D2C management, c) Data Analytics, d) Digital marketing support, e) Enhanced cataloguing and listings, f) Warehousing operations, and g) Reconciliation.Ankur Dayal, CEO of Primarc Pecan, said, "We are excited to join ONDC to bring a new era of e-commerce to our brands. We believe this initiative will empower brands to unlock their full potential and achieve unparalleled growth. As the industry continues to evolve, initiatives such as these will play a critical role in driving innovation and expansion."Partnering with Primarc Pecan is a transformative opportunity for brands. By aligning with Primarc Pecan's extensive experience in e-commerce and digital marketing, combined with the vast network of trusted participants within ONDC, brands will experience a paradigm shift. They will unlock the potential to reach new customers, expand their market share, and propel their growth and profitability to unprecedented heights.ONDC is the Open Network for Digital Commerce, a government-backed initiative that aims to create an inclusive and scalable e-commerce ecosystem through an open protocol. ONDC enables interoperability among various participants in the e-commerce value chain, such as buyers, sellers, logistics providers, payment gateways, and more. ONDC also ensures data security, privacy, transparency, and trust among all stakeholders. By joining the ONDC network, participants can access a vast network of trusted partners and customers and benefit from lower costs, higher efficiency, and greater innovation.Primarc Pecan is a leading e-commerce agency that offers end-to-end solutions for brands. It helps brands manage their online presence and performance across various platforms, including marketplaces, D2C websites, social media, and more. Primarc Pecan also provides data analytics, digital marketing support, enhanced cataloging and listings, warehousing operations, and reconciliation services. Primarc Pecan is now ONDC enabled and is the only e-commerce agency currently bringing an end-to-end solution for your brand. https//primarcpecan.com/For further information contactAashi Chaturvedi +91 9871210640, +91 885 140 9666, aashi@lexiconworld.co.inAnkita Dwivedi +91 7678274536, ankita@lexiconworld.co.inANI20 July 2023 Shared Recently! Invitations sent to all leaders for G20 Summit: MEA on Russian President's participation New Delhi, July 20: India has sent out invitations to all G20 members, invitee countries and international organizations and is looking forward to welcoming their participation for the G20 Summit scheduled in the national capital this September. Invitations sent to all leaders for G20 Summit: MEA on Russian President's participation Responding to a question on whether Russia has confirmed participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the G20 Summit, External Affairs Ministry official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said he cannot issue a response on any particular leader."At this point, all I can reiterate is what we have said earlier that invitation have gone out to all the G20 members as well as the invitee countries, the international organisations and all the invitee international organisations. This is a physical summit and we would hope that all the invitees are able to participate in person for the summit."There have been confirmations I understand but again I don't have any specific response on any particular leader, yes or no, and I don't think it would be fair to look at it that way. But, yes, we are looking forward to welcoming the leaders here for our G20 Leaders Summit, New Delhi leaders' Summit in September," he said.Putin had skipped the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia in 2022 and sent the country's Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in his place.Earlier today, 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.Putin will instead deliver his speech at the summit via video conference, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agency TASS. Peskov also confirmed that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia at the summit in-person.Lavrov had this March participated in the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in Goa. India assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1.The 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 9-10. The meeting will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.A G20 Leaders' declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the New Delhi Summit, stating Leaders' commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings, according to the official G20 statement.The Group of Twenty comprises 19 countries - Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States and the European Union. The invited countries are Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and UAE.ANI20 July 2023 Shared Recently! Magister Elevators Triumphs at Karnataka Business Awards 2023 for Best Custom Elevator Manufacturer in Bangalore SRV Media, New Delhi, July 20: In a remarkable display of excellence and innovation, Magister Elevators has emerged victorious at the prestigious Karnataka Business Awards 2023. Magister Elevators Triumphs at Karnataka Business Awards 2023 for Best Custom Elevator Manufacturer in Bangalore The esteemed Karnataka Traders Chamber of Commerce honoured Magister Elevators with the coveted title of "Best Custom Elevator Manufacturer in Bangalore." This recognition is a testament to the company's commitment to quality, its visionary founder, Mohammed Akif, and its unwavering dedication to revolutionizing the elevator industry. As an ISO certified company, Magister Elevators sets the gold standard for delivering cutting-edge elevator solutions tailored to meet diverse customer needs.The Triumph at Karnataka Business Awards 2023The Karnataka Business Awards is an eminent platform that celebrates outstanding achievements of businesses and entrepreneurs across various industries in the state. Each year, the awards recognize enterprises that have demonstrated exemplary performance, leadership, and innovation in their respective sectors. In the 2023 edition of the awards, Magister Elevators rose to the top, securing the top spot in the highly competitive category of "Best Custom Elevator Manufacturer."The recognition highlights Magister Elevators' relentless pursuit of excellence, unparalleled service, and their remarkable contributions to the elevator manufacturing industry. It underscores the company's unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and the creation of bespoke elevator solutions that cater to the unique requirements of their clients.Mohammed Akif The Visionary FounderAt the heart of Magister Elevators' triumph is its visionary founder, Mohammed Akif. With an unyielding passion for elevators and a keen eye for innovation, Akif has been the driving force behind the company's soaring success. His visionary leadership, coupled with his deep industry knowledge, has guided the organization to new heights. Under his guidance, Magister Elevators has earned a reputation for excellence, reliability, and innovation.Akif's relentless pursuit of perfection and customer-centric approach has been instrumental in transforming the elevator landscape in Bangalore and beyond. His dedication to pushing the boundaries of elevator engineering and creating customized solutions has not only earned the trust of clients but also set a benchmark for the industry.ISO Certification A Mark of QualityMagister Elevators' ISO certification is a testament to the company's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency in its operations. The ISO certification provides assurance to customers that the company adheres to internationally recognized best practices in elevator manufacturing and service. This accolade further reinforces Magister Elevators' reputation as a trustworthy and reliable partner in the vertical transportation industry.Connecting with Magister ElevatorsFor businesses and individuals seeking innovative elevator solutions in Bangalore and beyond, Magister Elevators offers a comprehensive range of services. To learn more about their offerings or to discuss customized elevator solutions, interested parties can visit their official website at www.magisterelevators.comFor direct inquiries or to get in touch with their expert team, they can be reached via phone at +91 8105842606 or +916366549786.Magister Elevators' triumph at the Karnataka Business Awards 2023 as the "Best Custom Elevator Manufacturer in Bangalore" is a well-deserved recognition of their commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Led by the visionary founder, Mohammed Akif, the company continues to raise the bar in the elevator industry by delivering bespoke solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of their clients. With an ISO certification backing their operations, Magister Elevators remain at the forefront of the vertical transportation sector, setting new standards for others to follow.ANI20 July 2023 Shared Recently! Stalin writes to Union Minister; seeks release of Cauvery water by Ktaka Chennai, July 20: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday wrote a letter to Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, urging him to direct the Cauvery Water Management Authority for directions to Karnataka government to release the prescribed volume of Cauvery river's water to the state.A . Stalin writes to Union Minister; seeks release of Cauvery water by K'taka In the letter, the Chief Minister said "I urge your personal and immediate intervention on this issue and request you to direct the CWMA to issue directions to Karnataka to abide by the monthly schedule prescribed by the Supreme Court and to make good the shortfall."He also pointed out to the Union Minister on the risk being faced by the Kuruvai farmers due to Karnataka not releasing the prescribed quantity of water.The Chief Minister said that the Mettur dam that was opened for Kuruvai cultivation on June 12, have water only to irrigate the fields for 20 days.He also said that even though the onset of the monsoon was delayed, it has picked up pace in July.Stalin said that Karnataka, however, has not released any water to Tamil Nadu from the two scheduled reservoirs.In a letter to the Union Minister, Stalin further said "Since the monsoon rainfall in Tamil Nadu is less, the Kuruvai crops depend only on flows from Mettur reservoir, which in turn depends on releases from Karnataka. We have been taking all efforts to manage the crisis with judicious water management."The Chief Minister said that the demand and supply gap is very significant and it could be met only by water release from Karnataka.He said that the CWMA, had in its letter dated July 4, advised Karnataka to ensure the water flow at Billigundalu as per the final award of the CWDT modified by the Apex court.He also added that even after the CWMA's intervention, Karnataka has not made any efforts to adhere to the monthly schedule prescribed by the Supreme Court.The Chief Minister also said that the standing Kuruvai crops could be saved only if Karnataka releases water immediately.IANS20 July 2023 Shared Recently! The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs is holding a resilience panel discussion on July 27 at 8:30 a.m. at Hoover City Hall in the William J. Billingsley Council Chambers to introduce the conversation of building and furthering a resilient lifestyle. Operation Resilience will feature a panel of veterans who have displayed resilience throughout their military and civilian careers. The event is an acknowledgement and understanding that life includes difficulties, but we can establish personal skills and traits that make us prepared to adequately respond to those challenges. Being resilient requires a skill set that can be built and strengthened. It takes time, effort, and surrounding yourself with people who can help. It does not mean avoiding stress, emotional upheaval, or suffering. It simply means working through that emotional pain. While service members and veterans are frequently associated with integrity, discipline, leadership, strength, and work ethic, they also commonly excel with establishing, maintaining, and building resilience traits and skills. Operation Resilience panelists include: Kent Davis, Retired U.S. Navy rear admiral; Lisa Minney, Retired Air Force colonel; Alan Cook, U.S. Marines Corps veteran; and, Mike White, U.S. Navy Seals veteran. The panelists will discuss a host of resilience-based topics, including: Why it is essential to live a resilient lifestyle; Why it is important to surround yourself with resilient people; Tips for building resilience in your life; and, Using resilience-based traits and skills to overcome burnout. The discussion, which is open to the public, is expected to last 45-60 minutes. Attendees will have an opportunity to ask panelists questions on resilience-based topics. EU announces Euro 7.6 million in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan Kabul, July 20: The European Union has announced Euro 7.6 million in aid to address the concerning levels of food insecurity affecting Afghanistan's vulnerable communities, Khaama Press reported. EU announces Euro 7.6 million in humanitarian aid for Afghanistan The Khaama Press News Agency is an online news service for Afghanistan.The EU's financial contribution of Euro 7.6 million will allow Afghanaid and its partners to provide a comprehensive support programme to secure the necessities of rural Afghans, provide income generation opportunities, and support communities to apply climate-smart agriculture techniques and restore agricultural land for food productionThe project will be implemented in six provinces of the country, including Badakhshan, Dykundi, Ghor, Jawzjan, Samangan and Takhar, a statement said.Afghanistan has widespread food insecurity which has mainly affected women, youth and households with disabled household members. A total of 17.2 million Afghans experienced high levels of acute food insecurity in April 2023. The statement added that Afghanistan is also particularly vulnerable to climate change and ranks among the countries most affected by ecological threats, including droughts, floods, and increasing temperatures.EU Chargee d'Affaires, Raffaella Iodice, said "We are committed to helping the people of Afghanistan, especially the most vulnerable people in local communities, such as families headed by women that cannot meet their basic needs. We welcome this partnership with Afghanaid, a long-standing actor engaged in Afghanistan."Meanwhile, Managing Director of Afghanaid, Charles Davy, said, "At a time when so many Afghans do not have enough to eat, more must be done to enable vulnerable households to grow more food and strengthen and diversify their incomes."He continued, "This is especially crucial for people with disabilities, disproportionately affected by the present crisis. Afghanaid is committed to making a real and sustainable change to the lives of the people it is supporting", as per Khaama Press.ANI20 July 2023 Shared Recently! Cinematograph Amendment Bill 2023 introduced in Rajya Sabha; aims to tackle film piracy New Delhi, July 20: A bill which aims to curb piracy in film content and protect creative industry was introduced in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Cinematograph Amendment Bill 2023 introduced in Rajya Sabha; aims to tackle film piracy The Cinematograph Bill 2023 was introduced in the House by Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur amid din by opposition members on their demand for discussion on the situation in Manipur.Anurag Thakur moved a motion to withdraw Cinematograph Bill, 2019 which was approved by the House amid din. He later introduced the new bill.The bill is aimed at ensuring that the film content does not suffer due to piracy as the menace causes heavy loss to the industry.Thakur had said earlier that the bill will also prove to be a "revolutionary step" towards promoting Indian films and helping local content go global."The Indian film industry is a crucial part of our cultural heritage, but piracy has been a constant threat to it. The Union Cabinet's approval of Cinematography Act 2023, is a major step forward towards safeguarding and promoting the film industry," he said."The bill, which has been drafted after thorough consultation with the stakeholders, incorporating best practices, will be introduced in the next session of parliament. It will also prove to be a revolutionary step towards promoting Indian films & helping local content go global."The fight against piracy is a global one but we're determined to protect our creative industry by simplifying laws & improving the ease of doing business in India. Our efforts have resulted in a significant improvement in our rankings benefitting citizens & businesses alike," he added.The minister had also said that best practices across the world have been taken into consideration while drafting the legislation.Officials said that the bill has provisions for categorising films based on age group, rather than the current practice of 'U,' 'A,' and 'UA'.The Bill seeks to amend the Cinematograph Act, 1954.The government had introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha in 2019 and it was sent to the Standing Committee for scrutiny.The monsoon session of Parliament began on Thursday.ANI20 July 2023 Shared Recently! Malnutrition during pregnancy raises chance of diabetes later in life: Study Vienna, July 20: Malnutrition during pregnancy may raise the chance of acquiring type 2 diabetes in later life, according to a number of studies. In comparison to those born one year before or later, people born during a famine have a risk of diabetes that is more than twice as high, according to a 2013 study by Peter Klimek and his team. Malnutrition during pregnancy raises chance of diabetes later in life: Study In a recent study, Klimek and his team for the first time were able to measure not just the incidence, or the number of new cases, but also the overall number of diabetes patients ."Among men born during the two most severe famine periods, 1939 and 1946/1947, the rate of new cases of diabetes is up to 78 percent higher in 2013 to 2017 than in comparable years, and up to 59 percent higher among women," explains Klimek, from the Complexity Science Hub and the Medical University of Vienna. The effect is strongest in those born in 1939.The incidence rate rose from 3.9 percent to 6.9 percent among men and from 3.4 percent to 5.4 percent among women. Additionally, both groups have an increased incidence of concomitant conditions such as heart failure, arterial hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease.Scientists believe this is a result of genetic programming that occurs during pregnancy, which increases the risk of these diseases. As a result of deficiency, the unborn child's metabolism adjusts to a nutritionally poor environment. If this does not prove true later in life, a maladaptation occurs that leads to increased metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in these birth groups."One strength of our study is the new, large dataset on which it is based," says Klimek. This covers 99.9 percent of the Austrian population between 2012 and 2017, and all insured patients aged over 50 and under 100 were examined. Of these approximately 3.5 million people, 746,184 were treated for diabetes. The comprehensive dataset allowed researchers to measure age-specific and regional incidence rates directly for the entire population, without additional assumptions that would be required for modeling."Our results clearly demonstrate that public health efforts to address diabetes should not focus solely on lifestyle factors. The importance of reproductive health, as well as adequate nutrition during pregnancy and in the early postnatal period, must also be considered," Klimek said.ANI20 July 2023 Shared Recently! UAE announces special focus on trade at COP28 Abu Dhabi, July 20: International trade is to be featured at the United Nations Climate Conference for the first time when it convenes in the UAE in November and December. UAE announces special focus on trade at COP28 The UAE mission to the World Trade Organisation made the announcement at the Committee on Trade and Environment, stating that trade will be subject to a dedicated day under the UAE's COP28 Presidency Thematic Program - in particular its role as an enabler of climate-smart growth, including supply-chain resilience.This was then confirmed in a letter from Dr Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President Designate late last week.Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and the COP28 Presidency will co-lead the committee on trade for COP28 alongside the WTO Secretariat.The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the International Chamber of Commerce, the World Economic Forum and the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development have also all been invited to help shape discussions on trade during the COP28 Presidency Program.This alliance, a first in the context of a United Nations Climate Conference, was created to promote the use of trade and investment instruments to deliver climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions. It also seeks to ensure open, equitable access to global supply chains, which will support small- and micro-enterprise growth around the world, especially in the global south.Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi said the inclusion of trade at COP28 demonstrates the UAE's commitment to delivering actionable, real-world solutions."As a global supply chain hub, the UAE understands how significant a role the international trading community can play in championing energy transition and delivering sustainable growth across the world. We are excited that COP28 will showcase the opportunities in the sector for future-focused thinking that can deliver a trading system that is smarter, faster and more inclusive - especially for SMEs and MSMEs across the developing world. From the development and deployment of new technology to building consensus for integration into global supply chains, the UAE welcomes the chance to lead this essential transformation of trade."WTO's Director General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, noted that trade ought to be an essential element in any climate-change conversation."Trade has too often been the missing link when responding to the climate crisis, but for this year's COP28, the UAE Presidency is ensuring trade is part of the agenda. As the only international organization dealing with the rules of trade between economies, we want to mobilize world leaders to unite in using trade policy and trade facilitation to scale up trade in environmental goods and services and to accelerate decarbonizing supply chains and making them more inclusive and more resilient to climate shocks."Dr Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President Designate, further elaborated on the importance of this initiative, saying "From the outset, we have been clear that COP28 is focused on transformational change that cuts across sectors and societies. International trade, as a cornerstone of economic growth, jobs, and livelihoods, is an essential tool in accelerating climate action. It has the potential to unlock investments in emerging economies, boost the uptake of clean energy technologies, and support green jobs and innovation. The inclusion of trade in the COP28 thematic programme is a deliberate and targeted effort to bring more stakeholders on board in our effort to fast-track climate action."Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, believes the inclusion of trade at COP28 reaffirms the UAE's unwavering commitment to shaping the future of global trade to achieve sustainable development goals."The UAE sees climate-change mitigation as a major catalyst for sustainable socio-economic development, underpinned by a smart and circular economic strategy that encourages the inclusive flow of trade, supply-chain efficiency, and trade tech, creating new opportunities for exporters, manufacturers and investors between all four nexuses of the world. As the catalyst of Abu Dhabi's economic growth and diversification, ADDED is doubling down its efforts in raising the Emirate's trade stature to new heights, elevating its competitive edge as a global trade and investment hub."Leading up to COP28, Abu Dhabi is hosting the 8th edition of UNCTAD's World Investment Forum, paving the way for policymakers to address challenges and reach agreements on priority issues in the global trade and investment which will feed into COP28 negotiations."Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of UNCTAD, highlighted the development benefits of trade and how it can positively impact global commitments to carbon reduction and sustainability."Trade can serve as a powerful catalyst for promoting inclusive growth and reducing poverty. UNCTAD is delighted to collaborate with the trade, climate and environment communities at COP28 to achieve this goal, and establish a multilateral trading system that contributes to combating climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution while identifying opportunities for trade, investment, innovation and entrepreneurship benefiting both women and youth, as well as micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises."Gim Huay Neo, Managing Director, Centre for Nature and Climate, World Economic Forum, also praised the initiative "The scale of the climate crisis urgently requires collective action, commitment and creativity. COP28 will provide a key global milestone for government, industry and civil society leaders to take stock of progress made, and an opportunity to define a clear pathway forward to drive action at speed and scale. By bringing the issue of trade into the program, the UAE Presidency is demonstrating a practical, real-world approach to climate solutions that bridges private-sector and public policy innovation."John WH Denton AO, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce, commented "We applaud the UAE COP28 Presidency's foresight and leadership in placing a particular focus on trade at this year's Dubai Climate Summit. We see this as a great opportunity to elevate discussions on the role of international commerce in reducing emissions and building climate resilience in global supply chains. We look forward to working with partners to shape a high-impact COP28 Trade Day with potential for action, also bringing our large and small business networks to the discussion."The COP28 Trade Day will take place on December 4 at Expo City Dubai.The UAE leadership has confirmed that COP28 will provide a critical opportunity to place the multilateral trading system at the heart of conversations about sustainable development and equitable, inclusive growth.As one of the world's leading trade hubs, the UAE is keen to lead the conversations on introducing greater efficiencies, modern technologies and low-carbon solutions into global supply chains. The country will also host UNCTAD's 8th World Investment Forum in October, which will be followed by WTO's 13th Ministerial Conference in February 2024.The WTO Secretariat dedicated its 2022 World Trade Report to exploring the complex interlinkages between climate change and international trade. The report revealed how international trade and trade rules can make a positive contribution to addressing climate change.ANI21 July 2023 Shared Recently! Russia restricts movement of UK diplomatic staff in response to Moscow, July 20: Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday issued a notification procedure for the movement of employees of British diplomatic missions through the Russian territory, CNN reported. Russian Foreign Ministry noted that the decision has been taken in response to the "hostile actions" of London. Russia restricts movement of UK diplomatic staff in response to In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, "As a response to the hostile actions of London, including hindering the normal functioning of Russian foreign missions in the UK, the British side was informed of the decision to introduce a notification procedure for the movement of employees of British diplomatic missions on the territory of our country," according to CNN.According to the statement, it will be mandatory for employees of the British Embassy in Moscow and the Consulate General in Yekaterinburg to send a notice of travel outside the 120 kilometres free movement zone at least five working days in advance. The document should include information about the timing, purpose, type of visit, planned business contacts, transportation and route of the trip.Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned UK Charge d Affaires Tom Dodd. He spent more than an hour at the Russian Foreign Ministry, CNN reported citing RIA.Speaking to journalists, Tom Dodd said, "We want peace in Ukraine and for Russian troops to leave Ukraine." The ministry noted that Dodd was told it was "inadmissible to support the terrorist actions of the Kyiv regime."The Russian Foreign Ministry asserted that any efforts by the UK to continue "the destructive line against Moscow, demonize Russia and complicate the work of its foreign agencies will receive a decisive response," according to CNN.Last week, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announced 14 new sanctions, including 11 against those involved in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children, according to the statement released by UK Foreign Ministry.The people who have been sanctioned by the UK include Russian officials Ksenia Mishonova, Commissioner for Children's Rights in the Moscow Region, and Sergey Kravtsov, Minister of Education of Russia.UK Foreign Ministry in the statement said, "These individuals have played an insidious role in Russia's calculated programme of deportation, designed to erase Ukrainian cultural and national identity. Over 19,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia or temporarily Russian controlled territory by Russian authorities."According to the statement, since the beginning of Russia-Ukraine conflict, more than 1,600 people and entities have been sanctioned, which include 29 banks with global assets worth ?1 trillion, over 130 oligarchs with a combined net worth of over ?145 billion and UK-Russia trade worth over ?20 billion.ANI21 July 2023 Shared Recently! Ataya Exhibition kicks off in Amman Amman, July 20: The Emirates Red Crescent has organised an initiative to empower refugees in Jordan, as part of the Ataya Exhibition. Ataya Exhibition kicks off in Amman The initiative includes training and financing small projects under the "Digital Convergence for Livelihood Enhancement" project, which trained 248 beneficiaries, including women, the youth and people with disabilities who are Jordanian citizens and refugees of different nationalities.The initiative was launched in collaboration with the Jordan Hashemite Fund for Human Development .The exhibition was inaugurated under the patronage of Sheikh Khalifa bin Mohammed bin Khalid Al Nahyan, UAE Ambassador to Jordan, and is showcasing the products of 47 participants who took part in the training courses, as part of the project to enhance their livelihoods.Sheikh Khalifa expressed his happiness at attending the exhibition launch, which showcases various works and activities to promote human welfare, generosity and development.Its goal is to create new possibilities and enable people to overcome life's difficulties, especially in the areas of health and education, he said, highlighting the UAE's efforts to help humanity, most notably refugees, which underscore the directives of the country's leadership to provide them with basic supplies, services and training.He thanked all parties that contributed to the initiative, most notably the ERC and JOHUD.Hind Al Muhairbi, Director of the Ataya Project, conveyed the greetings and best wishes of H.H. Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent for Women's Affairs and Chairperson of the Higher Committee of Ataya, who is the wife of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the ERC, to the participants of the event.The event, which is being held under the patronage of Sheikha Shamsa, has offered solutions to several key humanitarian issues in health, education, social and other services, she said, noting that the event implemented 55 development projects in 15 countries.In 2022, Sheikha Shamsa announced that the event's proceeds would be allocated to empowering refugees in several countries, including Jordan, in collaboration with JOHUD, she added.ANI21 July 2023 Shared Recently! "High level visits are announced...": MEA on PM Modi's participation in BRICS Summit New Delhi, July 20: On India's participation in the upcoming BRICS Summit to be held in South Africa, Ministry of External Affairs said high-level visits are announced at an appropriate time. "High level visits are announced...": MEA on PM Modi's participation in BRICS Summit Official spokesperson Arindam Bagchi made the remarks when asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the BRICS Summit.While addressing a press briefing on Thursday, Arindam Bagchi said, "I have nothing particular to share on this issue at the moment as high level visits are always announced at the appropriate time and as soon as we have something that we can share with you we will do that."At this point, yes of course there's a BRICS Summit and we will let you know the modalities of India's participation, you know Prime Minister's acceptance of the same," he added.South Africa will host the 15th BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg's Sandton from August 22-24. BRICS is a group of leading emerging markets and developing countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, according to the BRICS official statement.South Africa became Chair of BRICS on 1 January 2023 under the theme "BRICS and Africa Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism".The theme informs the Chair's five priorities for 2023 - Developing a partnership towards an equitable Just Transition; Transforming education and skills development for the future; Unlocking opportunities through the African Continental Free Trade Area; Strengthening post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and the attainment of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development; Strengthening multilateralism, including working towards real reform of global governance institutions and strengthening the meaningful participation of women in peace processes, according to the official statement.Notably, the first BRICS Summit was held in Russia in 2009. After the formation of BRICS, South Africa was invited to join the group in 2010. Notably, the 14th BRICS Summit was held virtually in June 2022 under the theme Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development".ANI21 July 2023 Shared Recently! Clear signs of lead, zinc, silver minerals presence found in Rajasthans Alwar belt Jaipur, July 20: After getting clear indications of lead, zinc and silver deposits near Bileta in Alwar's Raini tehsil, the state government has decided to get detailed exploration done from the Rajasthan State Mineral Exploration Trust. Clear signs of lead, zinc, silver minerals' presence found in Rajasthan's Alwar belt Under the leadership of Additional Director, Geology, Alok Jain, the officials showed samples of the spot to Director, Mines and Petroleum Sandesh Nayak on Thursday and expressed the possibility that there are abundant reserves of lead, zinc, and silver available in Alwar belt in the state.Nayak said that looking at the deposits, the department is hopeful that veteran players from the country and abroad in the mining sector will come forward to invest in the state.He said that this is the first time when clear signs of lead, zinc, silver deposits have been found in the North Dehli fold belt, adding that so far, deposits of lead, zinc and silver have been found in Udaipur, Bhilwara, Rajsamand and Ajmer in the South Dehli fold belt and Hindustan Zinc is mining in these areas."There is a possibility of getting deposits in an area of aaabout 20 square km near Bileta in Alwar's Raini," he said.According to the samples collected by the officials of the department from the area, the possibility of deposit of lead, zinc, silver, sulphide minerals, copper, and pyrite minerals has been expressed. He said that after studying the samples received, it was also found that its samples are seven times more heavy than normal stone, shiny and visible in layers.IANS21 July 2023 Shared Recently! Jordan, UN agency for Palestine refugees discuss support strategies Amman, July 21: Jordan and the UN agency for Palestine refugees have discussed strategies to enable the agency to continue providing services for Palestinian refugees. Jordan, UN agency for Palestine refugees discuss support strategies During a meeting with Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Amman, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi highlighted his country's continued efforts in mobilising resources to provide essential financial support for the agency, according to a statement by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry on Thursday.Safadi and Lazzarini stressed the need to diversify UNRWA's funding sources under the principle of sharing burdens and invite donors to provide multi-year pledges, Xinhua news agency reported.For his part, Lazzarini thanked the kingdom for efforts to mobilise regional and international support for the agency, enabling the agency to overcome the financial deficit it faces.int/khzIANS21 July 2023 Shared Recently! Turkey's first lady visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Abu Dhabi, July 20: Turkey's First Lady Emine Erdogan visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. Turkey's first lady visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Accompanying Turkey's First Lady and her accompanying delegation during the tour were Hessa Buhumaid, Director-General of Dubai's Community Development Authority.Turkey's First Lady Emine Erdogan and her accompanying delegation toured the mosque's halls and external corridors, during which they were briefed about Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque's noble message that promotes the practice of tolerance, and openness to the world's nations, following in the footsteps of the UAE's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed.They also learned about the mosque's history, its collection and aesthetic features of Islamic art and architecture that manifest in every corner of this grand edifice.At the end of the visit, Turkey's First Lady was presented with one of the The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre's distinctive publications which titled "Spaces of Light," showcasing the winning photographs in the "Spaces of Light" photography award, annually organised by the centre to celebrate the mosque's scenic aesthetics and visual culture.ANI21 July 2023 Shared Recently! An armed suspect surrendered and no one was harmed in the process. That is what Enterprise Police Chief Michael Moore calls a win for the community that he credits to the support of law enforcement partners from neighboring counties. At a Republican Women of Coffee County meeting Wednesday Moore reiterated what he said at a press conference held at city hall Monday. We were out there 15 hours but the end result was what we wanted, Moore said. Luckily I was surrounded by a whole lot of patient people. Shannon Scott Anthony, 40, is in Coffee County Jail after ultimately surrendering to authorities at about 7:55 p.m. Friday after being holed-up with a rifle inside an abandoned vehicle in a wooded area behind the Ford dealership off of Boll Weevil Circle. Moore said that when police responded to a call for help at a residence in the 100 block of Boll Weevil Circle at about 4 a.m. Friday morning, they discovered two men fighting. Anthony, who had earlier kicked in the door to the residence, retreated into the residence to get a long rifle which he pointed at the officers. One officer got the residents of the place out and another went to the back yard where he was met by Anthony and the same rifle was pointed at him, Moore said. After this the officers lost sight of Anthony and the EPD Shift Supervisor created a wide cordon in the wooded area. Tracking dogs from the Alabama Department of Corrections and a Dale County Sheriffs Department helicopter joined in the search and at 12:38 p.m., members of the search team located Anthony hiding in an abandoned pickup truck in the woods behind the Mitchell Dodge dealership on Boll Weevil Circle. After multiple hours of negotiation with the suspect, he finally surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident, Moore said. Moore held the press conference Monday, he said, to let the community know how appreciative he and his department are with the immediate response they received from fellow law enforcers at the state and county level. We could not have had a better resolution to this situation, he said, surrounded by law officers who had assisted in the 15-hour day It was a team effort, Moore said, crediting the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and their SWAT team, Coffee Dale and Houston County Sheriffs Offices, Dothan Police Department, ATF, Enterprise Rescue, the Twelfth Judicial Circuit District Attorney, the Enterprise State Community College Police, and Alabama Department of Corrections for their assistance. We would also like to thank the staff of Mitchell Dodge for their support during this incident, he said. Our assignment is to protect the community. The mission was met, said Moore. At the end of the day we want to protect our citizens and that is what happened Friday. EAM Jaishankar virtually attends BRICS Foreign Minister summit New Delhi, July 21: Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar on Thursday attended the BRICS Foreign Ministers virtual summit, focussing on the annual summit in South Africa next month. EAM Jaishankar virtually attends BRICS Foreign Minister summit BRICS is a grouping of five nations -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar called the meeting as 'useful' conversation for taking the BRICS agenda forward."Participated with Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa in the extraordinary BRICS Foreign Ministers' virtual meeting today. A useful conversation for taking the BRICS agenda forward. And preparing for the summit meeting," Jaishankar said in his tweet.South Africa will host the 15th BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg's Sandton from August 22-24.South Africa became Chair of BRICS on 1 January 2023 under the theme "BRICS and Africa Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism".Earlier on Wednesday, South Africa informed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not travel to the country for the summit. Later, Kremlin informed that Putin will virtually participate in the summit."The theme informs the Chair's five priorities for 2023 - Developing a partnership towards an equitable Just Transition; Transforming education and skills development for the future; Unlocking opportunities through the African Continental Free Trade Area; Strengthening post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and the attainment of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development; Strengthening multilateralism, including working towards real reform of global governance institutions and strengthening the meaningful participation of women in peace processes," according to the official statement.Notably, the first BRICS Summit was held in Russia in 2009. After the formation of BRICS, South Africa was invited to join the group in 2010.The 14th BRICS Summit was held virtually in June 2022 under the theme Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development".ANI21 July 2023 Shared Recently! Russia and Ukraine warn each other against ships being considered as military cargo Kyiv, July 21: Russia and Ukraine, both warned each other against the travelling of ships in the Black Sea, saying that it will be considered as "potential military cargo", Al Jazeera reported on Thursday. Russia and Ukraine warn each other against ships being considered as military cargo The Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that it would deem all ships travelling to Ukraine to be potentially carrying military cargo on behalf of Kyiv and "the flag countries of such ships will be considered parties to the Ukrainian conflict".In a statement on the Telegram platform, the defence ministry said it would implement its new stance towards ships in the Black Sea starting at midnight Moscow time .In response to threats from Moscow, Kyiv also warned that all ships calling at Russian-controlled ports in the Black Sea "may be considered by Ukraine as carrying military cargo with all the relevant risks", Al Jazeera reported.The warning, issued in a statement on Thursday by Ukraine's Ministry of Defence, said this takes effect at midnight on Friday .Meanwhile, Moscow's warnings -- withdrawing the previous security guarantees -- came after Kyiv said it would set up a temporary shipping route to continue grain exports following Moscow's withdrawal from a deal that permitted food shipments from Ukraine's ports, AL Jazeera reported.Russia also declared 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 said on Wednesday it was establishing a temporary shipping route via Romania, one of the neighbouring Black Sea countries, Al Jazeera reported.Earlier on Monday, Russia 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.Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that 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.Moscow had also accused Ukraine of using the Black Sea grain corridor for "combat purposes".While, Kyiv hit back at Moscow, stating that Russia must stop playing hunger games with people around the world.ANI21 July 2023 Shared Recently! IOM develops durable strategy to support displaced persons in South Sudan Juba, July 21: The International Organisation for Migration, the UN migration agency, has said it is developing a durable solutions strategy to support displacement-affected communities in central South Sudan. IOM develops durable strategy to support displaced persons in South Sudan The IOM added on Thursday that it organised a two-day meeting in Yei County in Central Equatoria state which is witnessing a high number of returns of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, which helped identify viable pathways and steps to support sustainable and lasting solutions for them in a region beset with scarcity of resources and heightened competition over land and administrative control.IOM Programme Officer Imme Widdershoven said that these returns signify that the current situation requires a shift in programming from a humanitarian level of intervention to a recovery-oriented one, Xinhua news agency reported."Such interventions need to be designed by these communities themselves and led by the government, with support from partners," he said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.Widdershoven said durable solutions require a long-term approach, noting that humanitarian needs can be prevented by planning for self-reliance and resilience of both displaced people and the communities that receive them.The two-day meeting was attended by more than 70 key stakeholders from the local government, community representatives, civil society organisations, security forces, religious leaders, non-governmental organisations and UN agencies. They discussed how the integration of returnees and IDPs can best be supported."It is better to be home in South Sudan than to be a refugee. However, coming back, we are still facing challenges. For instance, many of us do not have access to land for farming. This makes it difficult to earn an income, whereas basic goods and services, such as food and water, are expensive," said Winnie Lado, a South Sudanese refugee in Uganda who returned to Yei County, during a sharing session.int/khzIANS21 July 2023 Shared Recently! 3 back-to-back earthquakes jolt Jaipur Jaipur, July 21: Three back-to-back earthquakes jolted Jaipur on Friday, but there was no immediate report of any damages. 3 back-to-back earthquakes jolt Jaipur According to the National Centre for Seismology, the first tremor measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale struck at 4.09 a.m.The second 3.1-magnitude aftershock occurred at 4.22 a.m., followed by the third 3.4-magnitude tremor at 4.25 a.m., the Centre said.The back-to-back quakes triggered panic among the residents of the state capital,many running out of their homes as a result.After the earthquakes, there was power outage in many areas of the city.IANS21 July 2023 Shared Recently! Russian prosecutors demand 20 years of maximum-security prison for Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny Moscow, July 21: The Russian state prosecutor on Thursday demanded 20 years of prison sentence in a 'penal colony' for Kremlin critic and jailed blogger Alexei Navalny on a number of charges including creating an "extremist community", TASS reported on Thursday. Russian prosecutors demand 20 years of 'maximum-security prison' for Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny Navalny's lawyer Olga Mikhailova said that the prosecutor has demanded that Navalny should serve his sentence in a maximum-security prison."The prosecutor demanded that Navalny be found guilty under Part 3 of Article 282.1 of the Russian Criminal Code, as well as for financing extremist activities, public calls for extremist activities, and demanded that he be sentenced to 20 years in prison, serving out his sentence in a maximum-security prison," TASS quoted the lawyer as saying.The state prosecutor on Thursday demanded that blogger Alexey Navalny be sentenced to 20 years in a penal colony in the case of creating an extremist community, his lawyer Olga Mikhailova told TASS.The second defendant in the case is the former technical director of Navalny's YouTube channel, Daniil Kholodny.The prosecutor demanded that he be found guilty of creating an "extremist community" and organizing the activities of an "extremist organization", and that he be sentenced to 10 years in a maximum-security prison, TASS reported.Notably, the trial is being held in a prison in the Vladimir Region, where Navalny is serving a sentence in another case. It is taking place behind closed doors for fear of reprisals against the participants in the trial.A criminal case was opened against Navalny, Leonid Volkov, and Ivan Zhdanov for organizing an extremist community, TASS reported.Lyubov Sobol, Georgy Alburov and others are accused of participating in an extremist community. Most of the defendants in the case now live outside Russia."According to the Investigative Committee, in 2014 or later, Navalny, as the founder of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, created an extremist community and directed it to carry out extremist activities aimed at changing the foundations of the Russian constitutional order, undermining public security and state integrity. During this period, Zhdanov and Volkov participated in Navalny's criminal activities. The IC pointed out that in order to ensure the activities of the extremist community, including its financing, as well as to create conditions for the commission of extremist crimes, and involve new participants, the organizers established eight non-profit organizations, as well as commercial organizations, which were subdivisions of the community," TASS reported.Meanwhile, during Thursday's closed-door court hearing, Navalny condemned Russia's war in Ukraine, Al Jazeera reported citing a statement released by Navalny's aides." floundering in a pool of either mud or blood, with broken bones, with a poor and robbed population, and around it lie tens of thousands of people killed in the most stupid and senseless war of the 21st century," he said.Navalny is already serving an 11.5-year prison sentence over fraud and other charges, in a maximum security penal colony in Melekhovo, 250 kilometres east of Moscow, Al Jazeera reported.ANI21 July 2023 Shared Recently! Cerebras and G42 Unveil World's Largest Supercomputer for AI Training with 4 exaFLOPs to Fuel a New Era of Innovation PRNewswire, Sunnyvale, July 21: Cerebras Systems, the pioneer in accelerating generative AI, and G42, the UAE-based technology holding group, today announced Condor Galaxy, a network of nine interconnected supercomputers, offering a new approach to AI compute that promises to significantly reduce AI model training time. The first AI supercomputer on this network, Condor Galaxy 1, has 4 exaFLOPs and 54 million cores. Cerebras and G42 Unveil World's Largest Supercomputer for AI Training with 4 exaFLOPs to Fuel a New Era of Innovation Cerebras and G42 are planning to deploy two more such supercomputers, CG-2 and CG-3, in the U.S. in early 2024. With a planned capacity of 36 exaFLOPs in total, this unprecedented supercomputing network will revolutionize the advancement of AI globally."Collaborating with Cerebras to rapidly deliver the world's fastest AI training supercomputer and laying the foundation for interconnecting a constellation of these supercomputers across the world has been enormously exciting. This partnership brings together Cerebras' extraordinary compute capabilities, together with G42's multi-industry AI expertise. G42 and Cerebras' shared vision is that Condor Galaxy will be used to address society's most pressing challenges across healthcare, energy, climate action and more," said Talal Alkaissi, CEO of G42 Cloud, a subsidiary of G42.Located in Santa Clara, California, CG-1 links 64 Cerebras CS-2 systems together into a single, easy-to-use AI supercomputer, with an AI training capacity of 4 exaFLOPs. Cerebras and G42 offer CG-1 as a cloud service, allowing customers to enjoy the performance of an AI supercomputer without having to manage or distribute models over physical systems.CG-1 is the first time Cerebras has partnered not only to build a dedicated AI supercomputer but also to manage and operate it. CG-1 is designed to enable G42 and its cloud customers to train large, ground-breaking models quickly and easily, thereby accelerating innovation. The Cerebras-G42 strategic partnership has already advanced state-of-the-art AI models in Arabic bilingual chat, healthcare and climate studies."Delivering 4 exaFLOPs of AI compute at FP 16, CG-1 dramatically reduces AI training timelines while eliminating the pain of distributed compute," said Andrew Feldman, CEO of Cerebras Systems. "Many cloud companies have announced massive GPU clusters that cost billions of dollars to build, but that are extremely difficult to use. Distributing a single model over thousands of tiny GPUs takes months of time from dozens of people with rare expertise. CG-1 eliminates this challenge. Setting up a generative AI model takes minutes, not months and can be done by a single person. CG-1 is the first of three 4 exaFLOP AI supercomputers to be deployed across the U.S. Over the next year, together with G42, we plan to expand this deployment and stand up a staggering 36 exaFLOPs of efficient, purpose-built AI compute."A leading AI and cloud computing company based in the UAE, G42 is driving large-scale digital transformation initiatives globally. The UAE was the first nation to appoint a Minister for AI in their federal government, followed by massive investments, including the establishment of G42 research partner, Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, the first post-graduate university in the world focused entirely on AI.Training large models requires huge amounts of compute, vast datasets, and specialized AI expertise. The partnership between G42 and Cerebras delivers on all three of these elements. With the Condor Galaxy supercomputing network, the two companies are democratizing AI, enabling simple and easy access to the industry's leading AI compute. G42's work with diverse datasets across healthcare, energy and climate studies will enable users of the systems to train new cutting-edge foundational models. These models and derived applications are a powerful force for good. Finally, Cerebras and G42 bring together a team of hardware engineers, data engineers, AI scientists, and industry specialists to deliver a full-service AI offering to solve customers' problems. This combination will produce ground-breaking results and turbo charge hundreds of AI projects globally.About Condor Galaxy 1 Optimized for Large Language Models and Generative AI, CG-1 delivers 4 exaFLOPs of 16 bit AI compute, with standard support for up to 600 billion parameter models and extendable configurations that support up to 100 trillion parameter models. With 54 million AI-optimized compute cores, 388 terabits per second of fabric bandwidth, and fed by 72,704 AMD EPYC processor cores, unlike any known GPU cluster, CG-1 delivers near-linear performance scaling from 1 to 64 CS-2 systems using simple data parallelism."AMD is committed to accelerating AI with cutting edge high-performance computing processors and adaptive computing products as well as through collaborations with innovative companies like Cerebras that share our vision of pervasive AI," said Forrest Norrod, executive vice president and general manager, Data Center Solutions Business Group, AMD. "Driven by more than 70,000 AMD EPYC processor cores, Cerebras' Condor Galaxy 1 will make accessible vast computational resources for researchers and enterprises as they push AI forward."CG-1 offers native support for training with long sequence lengths, up to 50,000 tokens out of the box, without any special software libraries. Programing CG-1 is done entirely without complex distributed programming languages, meaning even the largest models can be run without weeks or months spent distributing work over thousands of GPUs.Located at Colovore, a high-performance colocation facility in Santa Clara, California, CG-1 is operated by Cerebras under U.S. laws, ensuring state of the art AI systems are not used by adversary states. Each Cerebras CS-2 system is designed, packaged, manufactured, tested, and integrated in the U.S.; Cerebras is the only AI hardware company to package processors and manufacture AI systems in the U.S.CG-1 is the first of three 4 exaFLOP AI supercomputers, built and located in the U.S. by Cerebras and G42 in partnership. These three AI supercomputers will be interconnected in a 12 exaFLOP, 162 million core distributed AI supercomputer consisting of 192 Cerebras CS-2s and fed by more than 218,000 high performance AMD EPYC CPU cores. G42 and Cerebras plan to bring online six additional Condor Galaxy supercomputers in 2024, bringing the total compute power to 36 exaFLOPs.Access to CG-1 is available now. For more information, please visit www.condorgalaxy.ai.Condor Galaxy Brand InspirationThe Condor Galaxy, also known as NGC 6872, stretches 522,000 light years from tip to tip, which is about 5 times larger than the Milky Way. The galaxy is visible in the southern skies as part of the Pavo constellation and is 212 million light-years from Earth.About Cerebras SystemsCerebras Systems is a team of pioneering computer architects, computer scientists, deep learning researchers, and engineers of all types. We have come together to build a new class of computer system, designed for the singular purpose of accelerating generative AI work. Our flagship product, the CS-2 system, powered by the world's largest and fastest AI processor, makes training large models simple and easy, by avoiding the complexity of distributed computing. Cerebras solutions are available in the cloud, through the Cerebras AI Model Studio or on premises. For further information, visit https//www.cerebras.net.About G42G42 is a global leader in creating visionary artificial intelligence capabilities for a better tomorrow. Born in Abu Dhabi and operating around the world, G42 champions AI as a powerful force for good. Its people are constantly reimagining what technology can do, applying advanced thinking and innovation to accelerate progress and tackle society's most pressing problems. G42 is joining forces with nations, corporations, and individuals to create the infrastructure for tomorrow's world. From molecular biology to space exploration and everything in between, G42 realizes exponential possibilities, today. For further information, visit www.g42.ai.ContactGiacomo Zianigiacomo.ziani@g42.aiPhoto - https//mma.prnewswire.com/media/2158430/Condor_Galaxy_1_Cerebras_G42.jpgANI21 July 2023 Shared Recently! Russias Sberbank establishes major IT unit in Bluru Bengaluru, July 21: Sberbank's branch in India has received permission from the Reserve Bank of India to establish an IT unit here. Russia's Sberbank establishes major IT unit in B'luru The new IT office will house Sberbank's in-house Data Processing Center, official release stated on Friday.Bengaluru is India's third biggest city and the country's leading scientific and industrial center, specializing, amongst other things, in aerospace, engineering and electronics industries and development of IT products.While Sberbank's India branch has been active in New Delhi since 2010 and offers a wide range of financial services, the Bengaluru office will be fully focused on developing information technologies.Anatoly Popov, Deputy Chairman of Sberbank's Executive Board, said, "Bengaluru is often called the Silicon Valley of India, and it is symbolic that Sber has chosen that city for its international IT project. The Bengaluru hub will not only handle the technological needs of our Indian branch but also develop and implement new digital products for its clients. And in the longer term, we plan to employ up to 200 IT specialists in our new unit."PJSC Sberbank is Russia's largest bank and a leading global financial institution. Holding almost one-third of aggregate Russian banking sector assets, Sberbank is the key lender to the national economy and one of the biggest deposit takers in Russia.IANS21 July 2023 Shared Recently! 55% of Americans expect routine space tourism in next 50 years: Report Washington, July 21: More than half of US adults expect that people will routinely travel in space as tourists in the next 50 years, according to a new report released on Friday. 55% of Americans expect routine space tourism in next 50 years: Report The Pew Research Center survey report, however, showed that Americans themselves are not enthusiastic about travelling to space.While 35 per cent said they would be interested in orbiting Earth in a spacecraft, 65 per cent said they would not be interested in this. About 44 per cent also think people will not routinely travel to space as tourists by the year 2073.The survey on 10,329 US adults, conducted between May 30 and June 4, takes a wide-ranging look at Americans' attitudes toward space, including the contributions of private companies, priorities for NASA and public expectations for the next 50 years in space.About seven-in-ten Americans said it is essential that the US continue to be a world leader in space exploration, and 65 per cent say it is essential that NASA continue to be involved in space exploration.This comes even as private space companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic are increasingly involved in space, and also because more countries, such as India and China, are pursuing their own goals in space, which could challenge the US as a world leader.Looking to the future of space, a large share (69 per cent) of Americans expect problems with human-made debris in space from rockets, satellites and other human-made objects over the next 50 years.But 58 per cent are confident that discovering intelligent life and building colonies (65 per cent) on other planets will not happen.The share of Americans who think space colonies will be built in the next 50 years is virtually unchanged since 2018.Further, Americans rank monitoring asteroids (60 per cent) that could hit the Earth and monitoring the Earth's climate system (50 per cent) as the top priorities for NASA.There's far less public urgency for NASA to send humans to the moon or Mars and to search for other planets that could support life. Only 16 per cent considered it as top priority for the space agency.Just 12 per cent of Americans said sending human astronauts to explore the moon should be a top priority for NASA, and only 11 per cent said this about sending human astronauts to explore Mars.Larger shares think both of these things are not too important for NASA or that they should not be done (43 per cent).In April, NASA announced the crew for the Artemis II mission, scheduled for late 2024, which would fly around the moon, taking astronauts the furthest from Earth since the 1970s.The next planned mission would be for a lunar landing. Missions to the moon are considered important preparation for sending astronauts to Mars.IANS21 July 2023 Shared Recently! PM Modi holds talks with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe New Delhi, July 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday for talks during which the two leaders would discuss issues of mutual interest. PM Modi holds talks with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe The Sri Lankan President is on a two-day visit to India."PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing - ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet.The talks are being held in Hyderabad House in the national capital.National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on the Sri Lanka President earlier in the day.Sri Lanka is an important partner in India's Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR. The visit is expected to reinforce the longstanding friendship between the two countries and explore avenues for enhanced connectivity and mutually beneficial cooperation across sectors.Wickremesinghe arrived in New Delhi on Thursday and was welcomed by Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan.ANI21 July 2023 Shared Recently! Indias first Anglo-Indian Themed Whisky Bar and Kitchen New Delhi, July 21: For its emotional clientele who still want to visit the heyday of the British Raj, India's first Anglo-Indian Themed Whisky Bar and Kitchen epitomises the spirit of this culture. India's first Anglo-Indian Themed Whisky Bar and Kitchen A special tradition passed down through the centuries, Anglow goes beyond its fine food and whiskies to take a deep dive into our common cultural background and how it influenced our modern cuisines. It offers a unique Anglo-Indian dining experience, was created by seasoned hospitality experts and is located in the Khan Market in the heart of Delhi.Offering an array of options for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners, the restaurant specialises in distinctly Anglo-Indian fare ranging from our beloved Shami Kebabs, to the dish that became legendary among European settlers here in India, the Railway Mutton Curry, which incidentally was inspired by and first served in the first class compartments of the then British Indian Railways. The kitchen also serves up a popular Anglo-Indian dish that owes its origins to a north Indian staple we all know as Khichri, made to include a few 'western-world' herbs and ingredients like parsley and flaked fish and lovingly called Kedgeree by its growing base of fans back in England.From Devilled/Scotch Eggs, Assorted Roasts, Soups to Dak Bungalow Curry and various mains like Country Chicken Stew, Vindaloo and a wide variety of desserts like Tipsy Pudding and CrAme BrAlAe, Anglow will take its patrons on a culinary sojourn set in the backdrop of 18th and 19th Century India.To complement this one-of-a-kind food experience, Anglow offers a carefully curated selection of single malts and wines to ensure that even the most rigid connoisseurs end up with a sly grin of satisfaction when they enter the elegant surroundings of Anglow.To further complete this enchanting journey back in time, Anglow boasts of a bar that has a vast collection of single malts, wines and cocktails ranging from classics such as The Gibson, GNT (Gin and Tonic) and Sidecar to the in-house Signature cocktails like Anglow Spice, King's Derby and Coffee Train, to name a few. The world of Anglow is set against a backdrop of retro numbers and classic hits to tap away in true Anglo Indian spirit.The setting is elegant and posh, evocative of Drinking Parlours and Clubs of colonial India with memorabilia predating Independence, collected and unassumingly displayed for the keen observer. Anglow exudes old-world charm fused unequivocally with present-day India to bring forth a wholehearted celebration of our rich Anglo-Indian cultural inheritance.(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)IANS21 July 2023 Shared Recently! ENTERPRISE-When Jeremy Pate opened a second Folklore Brewery and Meadery, this one in Enterprise, it was a homecoming, he says. The brewmaster who started the Dothan operation on Halloween night 10 years ago,opened for business at Westgate Shopping Center on Boll Weevil Circle this month. It's a family friendy place where you can get a locally brewed beer, Pate said. Its just hard to find a place like that. The Enterprise store will be brew-ready by the end of the month and plans are to include beer pretzels, beer cheese, and cooked wings on the menu. He is developing nonalcoholic products and a malt soda. We also have Mid-light Crisis, a low calorie, low alcohol beer, Pate said. Cotton Tale Ale is a Belgian-American white ale brewed with sweet orange peel, coriander, and imported hops, dedicated to the city of Enterprise and the Wiregrass area, Pate said. We honor the Souths story of adversity leading to prosperity. The boll weevil destroyed the local cotton fields, which in turn encouraged the peanut industry to flourish, he said, explaining the reason citizens in 1919 erected the Boll Weevil Monument in downtown Enterprise, the only monument dedicated to an insect. The Folklore Brewery and Meadery name is a nod to the Alabama legends of Pates childhood, he said, citing the tale of the headless horseman who haunts the Dale County road once named in its honor, now known as Freedom Drive. The son of Jim and Jerrilyn Pate moved with his military family to the Wiregrass in 1978 after being stationed in Germany. After attending Pinedale Elementary School, Pate was in the first sixth grade class to attended the new Harrand Creek Elementary School. He attended Coppinville Junior High School, when it was the city's all seventh grade school, the now-defunct Enterprise Junior High School and Enterprise High School. The 1994 EHS graduate started brewing beer as a pastime, he said. With a job at the time that required travel through parts of Florida, Pate said he drove weekly by the Spare Bedroom Winery which sparked his interest. He stopped and met the man running the place. He probably forgot more about brewing than I will ever know, Pate said. He got me a home brew kit, so my first experienced with brewing beer was in 1997. I was fascinated with the chemical change with basically a living biological single cell organism that could turn sugar into alcohol, he said, adding that he started home brewing and, ultimately, consulting with brewers to help them equip breweries and develop flavors. After the death of his grandfather, the Pate family moved to the family farm located on Mary Lou Lane off of Hagler and Hodgesville roads just outside of Dothan, and it was there that the first Folklore Brewery and Meadery opened 10 years ago. The first packaging brewery in Dothan since the Prohibition era, the brewery has grown to 11,800 square feet with multiple add-ons from its original 2,400 square feet. It was an opportunity for us because it was on family-owned land, Pate said. The Dothan brewery is a family affair with both his parents pitching in. His sister, Laura Pate, a WOOF-FM radio personality, was part of the Folklore team until her death in 2017, her brother said. Folklore is a full production facility manufacturing plant, with state of the art equipment for canning and brewing, kegging and washing of kegs. They sell to Adams Beverages distributor. To open in Dothan was an opportunity because our connection to family land. Dothan is the destination brewery. The Enterprise Folklore is more a daily stop off with your friends place to have some fresh local beers, said Pate, who is currently the brew mater for both locations. We have a couple of retired military guys that are in brewmaster training and our hope is to keep them very busy. Folklore just took off and Ive just chased it trying to give people what they asked for, he said. And they asked for an Enterprise location but that does not mean that we plan to stop there. Opening in Enterprise is a homecoming for us but Enterprise Folklore is a testing grounds for the concept and we hope to expand, he said. I am looking for people to partner with us in other locations. Ashes 2023: Nasser Hussain wishes to see ultra aggression from England on day three as scare of wet weather looms Manchester, July 21: Former England captain Nasser Hussain has urged the Ben Stokes-led side to be ultra-aggressive on Day Three of the fourth Ashes Test in Manchester, especially with heavy rain predicted for days four and five. Ashes 2023: Nasser Hussain wishes to see 'ultra aggression' from England on day three as scare of wet weather looms Opener Zak Crawley slammed a magnificent 189 off 182 deliveries and propelled England to take a lead of 67 runs after ending day two of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford on 384-4. Moeen Ali and Joe Root also supported him with their respective half-centuries.Crawley led England's batting charge from the front, hitting 12 fours and a maximum to hit a sensational maiden Ashes century in just 93 balls, as Australia were left rattled by the opener's blazing knock."I think they've (England) got to go really ultra-aggressive. Either way -- if they get bowled out, the game has progressed. You don't want to be left on Sunday night thinking 'I wish we'd just given ourselves another half hour'.""And if they don't get bowled out, you can imagine them going at seven or eight runs an over, and then their lead will be massive, which will by them time for the weather. The forecast is poor. Everyone is going to say 'Why do you keep going on about the forecast?' But it is poor. Really bad for Saturday, not great for Sunday.""If you've got a ticket for (Friday) morning, get there for 11 am, because Stokes, Brook, Bairstow, Woakes, Wood, go and have some fun, get the lead up to 200, and then get on with bowling. You need 20 wickets, get on with bowling," Hussain was quoted as saying by Sky Sports Cricket.Michael Atherton, Hussain's former England team-mate, also said in the same vein."First of all (if I'm England), I'm getting the best possible, up-to-date forecast Friday morning. Come to the ground Friday, and try and find out what the most accurate forecast is. It seems clear we're probably going to lose most of Saturday," he said."But we might get most of Friday and most of Sunday, in which case you play as they're playing now. Putting their foot down and trying to build that lead until maybe lunchtime, and then you've got to get Australia in because you need those 10 wickets. And you're not worried so much about batting last and chasing, because they don't have a specialist spinner and it looks a very good pitch."Former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara feels the outcome of the match is heavily dependent on the weather."Once you're close to that 200 mark in terms of a lead, then you've got to make a decision. You get Australia in, but it all depends on the weather. If Saturday gets rained out, if Friday is rain-marred, and Sunday becomes the day, then by lunch Australia have to go back in (on Friday)."IANS21 July 2023 Shared Recently! Projects worth Rs 75 crore announced for Indian-origin Tamils in Sri Lanka: PM Modi New Delhi, July 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said various projects worth Rs 75 crore have been announced for Indian origin Tamils residing in the Island nation. Projects worth Rs 75 crore announced for Indian-origin Tamils in Sri Lanka: PM Modi The Prime Minister while expressing confidence in Sri Lanka, said "I am confident Sri Lanka will keep working to fulfil aspirations of the Tamil community."The Prime Minister further said 2023 marks 75 years of India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations and 200 years since the Indian origin Tamil community arrived in Sri Lanka."I am confident Sri Lanka will keep working to fulfil aspirations of the Tamil community. This year we mark 75 years of India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations and 200 years since the Indian origin Tamil community arrived in Sri Lanka. During the joint press meet with President @RW_UNP, announced various projects worth Rs 75 crores for the Indian origin Tamils in Sri Lanka," PM Modi tweeted on Friday.The PM further wrote "India will keep contributing to the development works in the Northern and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka. To boost commercial and people-to-people linkages, passenger ferry services will start between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai."Meanwhile, PM Modi in a joint statement with Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe on Friday said "We hope that the Sri Lankan Government will fulfil the aspirations of Tamils and take forward the process for equality, justice and peace. We hope it will fulfil its commitment to the implementation of the 13th Amendment and Provincial Council Elections..."Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday arrived in Delhi on a two-day official visit to India. Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan welcomed Wickremesinghe at the airport.India, Sri Lanka on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of renewable energy. Another MoU was signed on cooperation for economic development projects in the Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka.The two countries issued a Joint Declaration of Intent in the field of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Network to Network Agreement between NPCI International Payments Limited and Lanka Pay for UPI application acceptance in Sri Lanka.An Energy Permit was issued for the Sampur Solar Power Project.Prime Minister Modi on Friday met the Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe, the two discussed issued of mutual interest."PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing - ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet.The talks were held in Hyderabad House in New Delhi.To boost the economic partnership between the two nations, India and Sri Lanka adopted a vision document that would strengthen people-to-people connectivity and Maritime cooperation, trade, and power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday.ANI21 July 2023 Shared Recently! India, Sri Lanka agree to popularize Buddhist circuit and Ramayana trail New Delhi, July 21: India and Sri Lanka have agreed to promote and popularize the Buddhist circuit, Ramayana trail and ancient places of Buddhist, Hindu and other religious worship in Sri Lanka. India, Sri Lanka agree to popularize Buddhist circuit and Ramayana trail The bilateral document released by the Ministry of External Affairs reads, "To promote awareness and popularize India's Buddhist circuit, and Ramayana trail as well as ancient places of Buddhist, Hindu and other religious worship in Sri Lanka for enhancing tourism." The bilateral document was released as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held bilateral and delegation-level talks in Delhi.The two sides agreed to explore cooperation between educational institutions on both sides including through the establishment of new higher education and skilling campuses in Sri Lanka as per the requirements and priorities of Sri Lanka.India and Sri Lanka agreed to expand cooperation between research and academic institutes in areas of mutual interests such as agriculture, aquaculture, IT, business, finance and management, health and medicine, earth and marine sciences, oceanography, space applications, as well as history, culture, languages, literature, religious studies and other humanities.The bilateral document released by MEA reads, "To establish land connectivity between Sri Lanka and India for developing land access to the ports of Trincomalee and Colombo, propelling economic growth and prosperity in both Sri Lanka and India, and further consolidating miliennia old relationship between the two countries. A feasibility study for such connectivity will be conducted at an early date."Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe directed concerned officials to expedite the realisation of this shared vision.The bilateral document released by MEA reads, "Both the leaders directed respective officials concerned to expedite realisation of this shared vision, which will not only impart long-term direction and significant momentum to bilateral cooperation for growth and prosperity in both countries and in the wider region, but also set the future direction of a dynamic India-Sri Lanka relationship, founded on enhanced mutual confidence and trust."The two sides noted that the resumption of flights between Jaffna and Chennai has enhanced people-to-people ties and agreed to further expand it to Colombo. The two sides agreed to encourage and strengthen investment and cooperation in civil aviation.The bilateral document reads, "That resumption of flights between Jaffna and Chennai have enhanced people-to-people ties and agreed to further expand it to Colombo as well as explore connectivity between Chennai and Trincomalee, Batticaloa and other destinations in Sri Lanka."It further said, "To encourage and strengthen investment and cooperation in civil aviation, including augmentation of airport infrastructure at Palaly for greater economic benefits to the people."ANI21 July 2023 Shared Recently! Israeli firefighting aid arrives in Greece Tel Aviv, July 21: A C-130 cargo plane from the Israeli Air Force landed in Greece on Thursday morning as part of the aid mission Israel sent to help put out the ongoing wildfires in the country. Israeli firefighting aid arrives in Greece Israel's aid delegation is led by the Ministry of National Security, Israel Fire and Rescue, the Israel Police, the Prime Minister's Office, the National Security Council and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The cargo plane assisted in deploying the teams and transporting equipment to help put out the fires.Two firefighting aircraft from the IDF's Elad Squadron were also dispatched.The Government issued a statement saying that it will stand by Greece as it fights the huge wildfires and appreciates Greece's contribution to extinguishing wildfires in Israel over the past decade.The two nations, together with Cyprus, have recently created a tripartite relationship with increasing cooperation in all manner of fields including defense and national emergencies.Israel is known for its professionalism when it comes to dealing with such disasters.The IDF has a special unit dedicated to search and rescue operation in just these situations and has sent the unit all over the world to assist different nations when they were in need.Most recently, IDF teams went to Turkey to help with search and rescue missions there after an earthquake.ANI21 July 2023 Shared Recently! With a hearty cheer, Main Street Enterprise cut the ribbon on the incubator shipping container Wednesday morning, signifying the opening of the new business space in downtown. The first business that will occupy the space is the Circle City Balloon Company. Though they do sell balloons, the three women who own the business are also event planners. The repurposed 8 foot by 20 foot shipping container is provided by Main Street Alabama through a USDA Rural Development grant. The intent is for entrepreneurs to occupy the space to test their small business in the market and eventually expand into a permanent brick and mortar in the downtown area. The building includes air conditioning, sliding glass doors, two screened windows, a custom-built desk, ceramic tile floors and adjustable shelves. The incubator sits in the parking lot of 123 S. Main Street, in an area called The Nook, which will serve as an event and gathering space for the community. The Young Main Street committee took on the task of transforming not only the incubator, but the entire space. They took on the designing of the container itself, creating a photo-friendly mural that wraps around and is super unique to Enterprise. We are really proud of them, Main Street Executive Director Mariah Montgomery said. Our design committee and economic vitality committee have worked hard to make sure this space is a success. We are very excited to welcome small businesses to our Main Street program. None of this would have been possible without Main Street Alabama and USDA. The incubator is the fifth of its kind in the state. Others can be found in Heflin, Wetumpka, Monroeville, and Jasper. One will be placed in Marion later this month and two more will be added next year in Elba and Anniston. A wooden stage, concrete planters full of flowers, and string lights now fill the former parking lot surrounding the incubator. Inside, balloons in canisters in rainbow order line shelves, as Circle City Balloon Co. prepared for its grand opening this weekend in conjunction with the Back 2 School bash. The all-women owned business was selected in early June from a pool of applicants to be the first to occupy the space Gale Renteria, one of the owners, said that the incubator helps with one of the hardest parts of starting a small business. When you start a business, it is always a risk and a gamble, Renteria explained. You hope that people love it, and you hope that it prospers and things like that, and this way we can kind of start small. We can try it and make sure it is loved and make sure we are doing things before we before we go to like a bigger brick and mortar that requires yearlong leases and things like that. Along with the Renteria, the other two owners are Christina Quinones and Stevie Pybas. Their small business started out with decorating for their childrens birthday parties, eventually getting paid to recreate the same decor for others. This space will allow entrepreneurs to occupy the container to test their small business in the market before moving to a brick-and-mortar location, Main Street Enterprise Executive Director Mariah Montgomery said. We are so excited to offer this space to up and coming business owners and look forward to welcoming them to the heart of our city. There is an application and screening process to rent the space. According to Renteria, the whole process was about two months. Once approved, the tenant is permitted to occupy the incubator for up to 90 days at a rate of $50 a month. Tenants must have a current Enterprise business license, must obtain personal property/rental insurance and must operate under agreed upon business hours. For more information, visit www.enterprisedowntown.com/incubator. Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Police aware of issue, seeking solutions On the heels of several crashes in the past month at the same intersection in a west Champaign neighborhood, The News-Gazette spoke with Champaign police Lt. Andre Davis about possible solutions. Can police put automated license-plate readers in the area of Green Street and McKinley Avenue? Champaign implemented automated license-plate reader technology for a two-year pilot program in May 2021 and has shared the successes that have been seen with the pilot program with the community. Currently, our department is authorized for 46 automated license-plate readers, which are installed through Champaign. Champaign police have received requests for ALPR installations by neighborhoods in the past, but have not been able to honor them, as the program is at its full authorization with the 46 units presently installed. Staff will continue to evaluate the program and the locations of all ALPR units to determine if they would better serve the community by being moved to a different location. Is the Green and McKinley problem part of a broader problem of angry, speeding and distracted drivers in the community? Nearly a year ago, Champaign police announced the return of our STEP Program to address a notable increase in traffic concerns throughout the community, including speeding and other violations of the motor vehicle code. Since then, Champaign police have made it a priority to address these concerns and slow drivers down, including announcing a 430.1 percent increase in traffic stops in 2022 over the COVID-19-restricted efforts of 2021. These efforts continue even now. What do police advise for staying safe in neighborhoods where dangerous traffic situations arise? Champaign police take the concerns of our residents very seriously, and the best course of action for anyone is to be aware of their surroundings and to report any concerning activity to police as quickly as possible. Just as we are working to address the concerns of these neighbors, CPD works with neighborhoods throughout the community to identify and address the quality-of-life issues that are being seen in our community. Traffic concerns can be referred to the district commander, who directs the officers on patrol in their quadrant of the city, and emergencies such as traffic collisions can be shared by calling 911. CPD officers continue to address concerns related to speeding throughout the city and deploy assigned STEP details throughout the community to remind drivers of the importance of following the rules of the road. DEBRA PRESSEY Part of our key to success is our referral base and it is this loyalty that our clients show which drives us to be better and better. Jason Gittany, Managing Director of Gitani Stone With its roots tracing back to Lebanon in 1974, Gitani Stone has emerged as one of Australias leading stone companies, setting new standards in the industry. A remarkable journey spanning over six decades unfolds as the company proudly narrates its tale of determination, innovation, and the spirit of entrepreneurship, all brought to life by the visionary founder, Fahd Gittany. My father was a tiler in the early days (early 60s- early 70s) and started to import tiles from Italy not long after to offer his customers the full supply and install process. He then ventured into stone manufacturing when a loyal customer insisted on stone benchtops. He purchased machinery from a company in liquidation and employed industry experts to help supply and install for this company. I worked in the business since 1992 and grew to love the nature of the business, shares Jason Gittany, Fahds son, who now leads the family legacy. The beginning Gitani Stones success story began with Fahds vision of revolutionizing the stone trade globally. Facing challenges as a small family business, he juggled administrative duties with hands-on craftsmanship while preparing his sons, Jason and George, to become part of the venture. Through unwavering dedication and a commitment to excellence, Gitani Stone carved a unique path by offering comprehensive solutions for all stone needs. Their approach, which involved importing, fabricating, and installing stone, set them apart from competitors, earning them a reputation for reliability, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional customer service. In 2013, Jason Gittany officially assumed the mantle of leadership, further expanding operations and investing in state-of-the-art machinery to cater to the companys growth. Today, with the third generation actively involved, represented by Josef and Eden, the passion and drive for success continue to fuel the companys evolution. The visionary move The most important strategy is the fact that we invest heavily in the latest machinery on the manufacturing side A key strategy that has contributed to their triumph is Gitani Stones significant investment in cutting-edge manufacturing machinery alongside importing a vast array of stone colors and types, enabling them to retain their one-stop-shop ethos, reminiscent of their early days in the tile industry. The companys strategic partnerships and unyielding focus on research and development have given birth to groundbreaking innovations, reshaping the stone industry. Notably, their investment in an Australian stone quarry has paved the way for supplying high-quality stone across Australia and exporting to Italy and beyond. Our ability to execute high-end detailed work on a large scale, thanks to our innovative machinery, sets us apart from other companies, Jason emphasises, attributing the companys remarkable growth to its core values of integrity, innovation, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. Finding trustworthy clients The biggest challenge is finding regular clients that you can trust and continue to work for and nurture. Gitani Stones journey has been challenging, with Jason pointing out that nurturing and maintaining regular, trustworthy clients remains a top priority. The companys success is deeply rooted in its referral base, driven by the loyalty demonstrated by their clients, propelling them to strive for continuous improvement. Jason extends his heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated team and loyal customers who have played a pivotal role in the companys success. Their unwavering support underscores the power of perseverance and the relentless pursuit of excellence, which continues to illuminate Gitani Stones enduring legacy in the stone industry. Beyond their unwavering determination, Jason offers valuable advice: Look after your employees by creating a supportive work culture, and they will, in turn, look after your clients with the same energy. Gitani Stone stands tall as a shining example of how passion for creating relationships and adapting to evolving customer needs can lead to unprecedented achievements in the stone business. With their benchmark-setting presence in Australia, the company continues to forge ahead, inspired by their remarkable history and fueled by an unyielding commitment to delivering exceptional stone solutions. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Thousands of Muslims took to the streets to express outrage over Quran desecration in Sweden Thousands of people took to the streets in a handful of Muslim-majority countries to express their outrage at the desecration of a copy of the Quran in Sweden Toy company Mattel has been criticized for "stealth marketing" after giving away free Barbie and Ken dolls to schools as part of a programme to teach empathy to children, finds an investigation published by The BMJ today. Investigative journalist Hristio Boytchev reports that Mattell's "Barbie School of Friendship" programme, in which free dolls are given for children to carry out role play exercises, has been rolled out to 700 schools across the UK, "with the potential to reach more than 150,000 pupils", according to the company. Mattel says it has sponsored research which shows playing with dolls offers "major benefits" for child development, including nurturing skills like empathy. But experts have criticized the programme, raising questions about potential negative effects of Barbie dolls in terms of gender stereotyping, questioning the use of research to justify the programme, and asking whether companies should be able to freely market their products through schools. "The project makes me suspicious that it may be exploitative", said Philippa Perry, a psychotherapist and author of books on parenting and education. "I feel faintly repulsed by it." Mark Petticrew, professor of public health evaluation at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine called the programme "alarming." "Commercial entities like Mattel are not experts in children's health or education, they are experts in selling products to maximise profits", adds May van Schalkwyk, a specialty public health registrar, also at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. "The Mattel materials are heavily branded why should children be exposed to this type of stealth marketing?" Lisa Georgeson, a teacher at Lord Blyton Primary School in Tyne and Wear, which participated in the programme, said the company had offered free resources "which, given the current lack of funding in schools, is always a positive." On multiple occasions, in information aimed at teachers, parents and the public, Mattel references the studies it has funded as the basis for the programme. The research is part of a five year collaboration between Mattel and Cardiff University, a Mattel spokesperson says. A paper published in 2020 found higher brain activity in children when they played with Mattel dolls compared with playing games on electronic tablet computers. A Mattel-sponsored reanalysis of the same experiment group concluded in 2022 that the children playing dolls used more "internal state language" describing feelings and thoughts. Franziska Korb, a psychologist at the Dresden University of Technology, Germany, told The BMJ that the study's idea was good and the methodology appropriate, but stressed that the studies found significant differences between doll and tablet play when each child was playing alone. When children played with an adult, the differences disappeared. Korb also says the research cannot be used to make statements about long term developmental or behavioural effects. Sarah Gerson at Cardiff University, the senior author of both studies and recipient of Mattel's research funding, says she finds the programme interesting but expressed some reservations. She described Mattell's statement to parents that the research shows playing with dolls like Barbie offers major benefits as "a bit strong." When presented with criticism of the programme, a Mattel spokesperson sent anonymous teacher testimonials celebrating the programme for the positive response it has elicited in pupils and the diversity of the dolls, in terms of body type, disability and skin tone. The spokesperson also told The BMJ that because of the positive results, the company will consider expanding the programme to other markets. The Department of Education refused to confirm if it had evaluated the programme and told The BMJ that British schools have autonomy to introduce any educational materials they believe are appropriate. A highly critiqued paper in the British Journal of Psychiatry has been cited in US legal cases to restrict access to abortion. Attempts to retract the paper by insiders at the journal have failed after the author suggested she would take legal action, leading to a row over editorial independence. An investigation by The BMJ and BBC Newsnight can reveal that three of the journal's international board members have resigned after the journal and its owner, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, ignored the advice of its own internal panel to retract the paper. The case raises questions about the use of scientific research in legal cases, the integrity of the research record and the editorial independence of journals. The researchers who called for retraction have expressed concerns that the college has declined to retract for fear of being sued by the paper's author, raising questions about the journal's editorial independence from its owner and about the chilling effect of threats of legal action on scientific publishing. The paper (Abortion and mental health: quantitative synthesis and analysis of research published 1995-2009) published in 2011, concluded that "women who had undergone an abortion experienced an 81% increased risk of mental health problems, and nearly 10% of the incidence of mental health problems was shown to be attributable to abortion." The author is Priscilla K Coleman, who was a professor of human development and family studies at Bowling Green State University, Ohio, between August 2002 and June 2022. Coleman has testified in at least 20 abortion related court cases, all in favour of greater restrictions on the procedure, and the paper was cited in recent US legal cases that restricted access to abortion, including the landmark US Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which effectively ended the constitutional right to an abortion for millions of women in the United States. Since 2011, 10 letters critiquing Coleman's paper have been published, including two calling for it to be retracted. They said the Coleman paper had significant methodological flaws that invalidated its conclusions. In June 2022 a group of 16 researchers, many of whom had raised issues a decade earlier, wrote to the British Journal of Psychiatry again asking for the paper to be retracted. They pointed out that the analysis had been used to influence access to abortion in the United States. In December 2022 an internal panel convened by the journal to investigate the paper formally recommended that it should be retracted. But after the journal contacted Coleman to inform her that an expression of concern would be added to her paper, her lawyers sent the journal a letter saying that such a notice would cause "serious harm and direct damage to her reputation." Coleman is currently suing the journal Frontiers after it retracted one of her earlier papers. Four months later, in April 2023, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which owns the British Journal of Psychiatry, decided not to retract Coleman's paper, but gave no scientific explanation for its decision, according to the researchers who had asked for retraction. A spokesperson for the College told BBC Newsnight and The BMJ that the paper was "fully investigated between 2011 - 2012 by the-then BJPsych Editor, who decided that the article should not be retracted," and "the letters critiquing the article could be published and posted online with the article." In a statement the College said: "After careful consideration, given the distance in time since the original article was published, the widely available public debate on the paper, including the letters of complaint already available alongside the article online, and the fact that the article has already been subject to a full investigation, it has been decided to reject the request for the article to be retracted." Panel members Alexander Tsai at Harvard Medical School and Aileen O'Brien at St George's University of London think the journal couldn't act on their recommendation to retract the paper because it wasn't backed by legal cover from the college. They, along with another colleague, resigned from the journal's editorial board in May. "A journal whose editors do not have the editorial freedom to retract science that is deemed unreliable is a journal that should be regarded by the scientific community as being unable to effectively police the quality of the science it publishes," Tsai told The BMJ. O'Brien told Newsnight that the Royal College of Psychiatrists' behaviour was 'concerning.' "Usually you would have expected that to be an editorial decision," she said. "So at that point, those of us on the panel who'd been part of that investigation felt we had to resign; it didn't feel appropriate to stay. "This isn't the way to settle science," says Chelsea Polis, a senior US scientist who led the call to retract. "Every decision about whether an article should be retracted should always be based on scientific considerations, and any aberration from that is a real disservice to the public." Coleman disputes the methodological criticisms of her paper and says the researchers are motivated by a desire to discredit her as a researcher and an expert witness for political reasons. "My interest in the issue was to produce and synthesise high quality scientific data on a highly contentious topic for the ultimate purpose of effectively serving the needs of women," she told The BMJ. The British Journal of Psychiatry's editor, Kamaldeep Bhui, passed the request for comment on to the Royal College of Psychiatrists, but has recently published a paper, which included Tsai and O'Brien as co-authors, about the importance of editorial independence of journals. The Royal College of Psychiatrists did not address BBC Newsnight or The BMJ's specific questions about the level of legal coverage it held and whether this influenced its decision to overrule the recommendation for retraction. A spokesperson for the College said it would continue to encourage academics in this field to produce articles and papers that further the science on abortion and mental health, adding that it regarded this matter 'as closed. A University of Arizona Cancer Center researcher was awarded a $1.3 million grant from the National Cancer Institute to study the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in American Indian patients with obesity-related solid tumor cancers who are preparing for surgery. According to principal investigator Jennifer Erdrich, MD, MPH, there are 13 cancer subtypes linked to obesity that account for 40% of all cancers diagnosed annually in the United States. American Indian and Alaska Native populations are more than 1.5 times more likely to be obese than the general population and have some of the lowest cancer survival rates in the nation. Many factors influence this elevated risk including poverty, nontraditional foods, related adverse social determinants of health and physical inactivity. Dr. Erdrich, UArizona Cancer Center member, assistant professor in the UArizona College of Medicine Tucson's Department of Surgery and surgical oncologist in the Division of General Surgery said, "There has recently been a paradigm shift where we are interested in how we can improve the health of patients prior to surgery so the shock of recovery is not as great." Earlier studies have shown that using preoperative time to improve patients' health has shown significant results in cancer patients with obesity-related inflammation. This will be the first study to focus on American Indian populations. "There is a short window of opportunity, about three weeks, when these preoperative measures could improve inflammatory biomarkers in American Indian cancer patients and potentially improve patient outcomes," said Dr. Erdrich, who provides general surgical oncology care to tribal populations throughout southern Arizona and specializes in melanoma, sarcoma and breast cancers. Her project, "Nutrition and Exercise Prehabilitation Intervention on Inflammatory Biomarkers in American Indian Cancer Patients," will finalize, adapt and implement a prehabilitation translational clinical trial for American Indian patients with obesity-related solid tumor cancers who are preparing for surgery. She said that most importantly, the study does not delay care for patients. Dr. Erdrich, a descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, developed a clinical and research interest in serving tribal populations after witnessing disparities in Native American health care, especially in the areas of surgical care and cancer treatment. The research being done at the Cancer Center has the potential to help Indigenous people living not only in southern Arizona, but all over the United States. We're fortunate to have such a talented scientist as Dr. Erdrich on our team; it's important to invest in researchers like her. They're the innovators that will lead the next generation." Joann Sweasy, PhD, UArizona Cancer Center Director The NCI Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08) given to Dr. Erdrich provides support and protected time to postdoctoral and non-tenured junior clinician-scientists who are practicing clinicians in the United States for intensive mentored research and career development activities in basic, translational and patient-oriented cancer-focused research. A transformative $200 million gift to NYU Long Island School of Medicine will ensure generations of medical students continue to receive a tuition-free, top-quality education focused on primary care. The gift from Kenneth and Elaine Langone extends the school's guarantee of Full-Tuition Scholarships to every student, regardless of need, in perpetuity. Expanding opportunities to future doctors will also help expand access to medical care across Long Island, the entire New York metropolitan area, and beyond. In conjunction with the donation, the school will be renamed NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine in honor of Robert I. Grossman, MD, CEO of NYU Langone Health and dean of the highly ranked NYU Grossman School of Medicine in Manhattan. "By providing our future doctors with an affordable education, we are investing in a brighter and healthier future for all, particularly here on Long Island, where Elaine and I grew up," said Mr. Langone, chair of the NYU Langone Board of Trustees. "Providing a world-class, tuition-free medical education here on Long Island ensures many of these future doctors will remain and practice on Long Island. None of this would have been possible without Bob Grossman's visionary leadership shaping the future of medicine." Earlier today, the Langones announced the gift and new name at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine's annual White Coat Ceremony, during which incoming students ascend to the stage where a member of the faculty cloaks them in their white coats for the first time, symbolizing the beginning of their formal medical education. "This extraordinary gift from Ken and Elaine ensures that, just like today's entering class, students for generations to come can follow their passion for medicine, regardless of their background and financial status," Dr. Grossman said. "Our goal has always been to offer exceptional opportunities to the most talented students. The focus on primary care at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine also allows them to meet a critical need in our local communities and have a real impact. I wish each of them great success on the wonderful path they have chosen." Innovating medical education Established just four years ago, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine has quickly positioned itself at the forefront of innovation in medical education. The school has distinguished itself by offering an accelerated three-year MD curriculum focused on training primary care physicians, attracting bright minds from diverse backgrounds. Eighty-five percent of the school's graduates remain in New York for their training after graduation. This current gift advances a longstanding commitment to ensure the affordability of medical school and to advance healthcare on Long Island. In 2018, NYU Grossman School of Medicine in Manhattan made the historic announcement offering Full-Tuition Scholarships to every current and future student, the culmination of over a decade of fundraising efforts led by Dr. Grossman and the Langones. When NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine opened in 2019, it did so with the same guarantee of Full-Tuition Scholarships to current students, although the original endowment did not cover this support in perpetuityuntil now. As a result of the Langones' generosity, all future students will benefit from this effort, avoiding approximately $200,000 in debt, the median amount determined by the Association of American Medical Colleges. The yearly tuition costs covered by the scholarship at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine total $59,738. With this gift, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine will continue to attract the brightest minds from diverse backgrounds, fostering a new generation of healthcare professionals who will make significant contributions to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities. Our students have the opportunity to receive a world-class education without the burden of overwhelming student debt." Gladys M. Ayala, MD, MPH, Dean of NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine Opening doors for future physicians NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine's incoming Class of 2026 comprises 24 students pursuing careers in internal medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology. Among the students present for the White Coat Ceremony announcement was Lewan Ghirmay, whose family are here from Ethiopia to attend the ceremony. "Honestly, the free tuition is critical for me to go into primary care," she said. California's powerful health care industry just notched a historic win: The state is going to give it an $11.1 billion infusion to improve care for millions of low-income Medicaid patients. But the intense jockeying over the money is only beginning. Top state health officials say they plan to plow most of the money into higher payments for doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers who serve Californians covered by Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program. But the framework, hammered out this summer as part of state budget negotiations, lacks critical details, which has set off a lobbying frenzy among health industry groups seeking a cut. Even as they battle for their share, industry leaders are quietly plotting a November 2024 ballot initiative to lock in the Medi-Cal payment increases, which they argue are needed to sustain the safety-net program that covers nearly 16 million Californians a staggering 40% of the state's population. "We are addressing decades of systemic underfunding in Medicaid that has exacerbated inequity and health care provider deserts, where patients are often forced to get their care in emergency departments," said Dustin Corcoran, the CEO of the influential California Medical Association, which represents doctors. Corcoran also leads the coalition negotiating with Gov. Gavin Newsom and fellow Democratic lawmakers in Sacramento over how the money a combination of state and federal funding to be doled out over six years will be spent. "Even with this historic deal, there are still parts of the health care system that are going to struggle to provide the care that patients need," Corcoran said. "The coalition is dedicated to ensuring long-term stability and predictability in reimbursement rates in California." California has among the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates in the country, which is often cited as a key reason many low-income patients can't get care and often face excruciating wait times, especially for primary care, obstetric, and mental health appointments, said Kathryn Phillips, the associate director for improving access to care at the California Health Care Foundation. (KFF Health News publishes California Healthline, which is an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.) "That's where the state is struggling the most," she said. "Low rates are why a physician may not accept Medi-Cal patients, or only accept a low number of patients." This deal funds the largest increase in base Medi-Cal reimbursement rates in at least 25 years, said Jennifer Kent, a former director of the state Medicaid agency. The money will come from the managed care organization tax, which has been levied since 2005 on health insurers that do business in California. Revenue from the tax, which allows the state to secure billions in federal health care dollars it wouldn't otherwise receive, has previously been funneled into the state general fund, which can be used for anything state leaders want. Under the deal, and for the first time, Newsom and the legislature have agreed to use the money to improve care for poor Californians. Of the $19.4 billion projected to be raised by the tax between 2023 and 2026, $11.1 billion will go directly to Medi-Cal and $8.3 billion to the general fund to offset state spending on Medi-Cal, according to state Department of Finance spokesperson H.D. Palmer. The new funding will start flowing next year, with $820 million earmarked for initial rate increases in primary care, obstetric care, and mental health care, Palmer said. From 2025 through 2029, the state plans to allocate nearly $2.7 billion a year, according to the department. State and industry officials said they plan to direct some of the money to expand medical residency programs for doctors serving low-income people, fund new beds for psychiatric patients, and increase the workforce of other providers such as nurses, mental health therapists, and community health workers. But the bulk will go to rate increases for primary care and an array of providers and services, including hospitals and long-term care facilities, abortion care, and emergency services. Higher rates for specialists, such as psychiatrists and dentists, are also desperately needed. Although Newsom and state health officials have promised to direct the money to health care providers, they haven't specified which ones will get increases and there's no guarantee the money won't be diverted to another program. Medi-Cal, a massive and ballooning program with a budget of $152 billion this fiscal year, is under tremendous pressure. The state continues to expand the program to more people and offers a growing list of expensive services, despite the threat of budget deficits. "There has to be more guardrails," said Assembly member Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) during a June legislative debate. "This should not be seen as a revenue grab." Mark Ghaly, Newsom's health and human services secretary, acknowledged that even though some providers and treatments may be left out initially, the payment boosts represent a critical step toward better access. "The core providers in Medicaid will benefit," Ghaly told KFF Health News. "There's always going to be someone out there with a question and a concern, and I hope that as we learn about them and we hear them, we address them." Ghaly said the tax will bring some Medicaid rates in California from the bottom in the country to the top. While he acknowledged concerns that the money might be diverted in future years, he said Newsom is committed to spending it on Medi-Cal. "Who knows about the uncertainty of the future?" he said. "But we have basically done as much as you can to hard-wire these changes into the way we design Medicaid. The man with the pen the governor of California is committed to this." Even though the tax deal isn't big enough to fix all the problems in Medi-Cal, it will improve patient care, said Charles Bacchi, president and CEO of the California Association of Health Plans, which represents private and public insurers. "There's a lot more work to do hammering out the rate increases and where they should go," Bacchi said. "We have to make sure that the funding actually survives the budget process next year." Some providers worry they may be left out. "We've argued hard for optometrists to be included," said Kristine Schultz, executive director of the California Optometric Association, noting that optometrists can't afford to treat poor patients because of low rates. For example, optometrists get about $39, on average, to conduct an eye exam on a new Medi-Cal patient, while Medicare reimburses $158, she said. As a result, she said, patients "are not able to get in for months." Ann Rivello, a therapist in San Mateo County specializing in trauma, also cited low rates and complicated medical billing demands as the reasons she doesn't accept Medi-Cal patients. "I've been practicing over 20 years and I do not accept Medi-Cal even though it's within my values," she said. Detailed rates for most health care treatments for Medi-Cal patients are not publicly available because they are negotiated privately by insurance companies and vary by geography and health insurance plan. And the state has a slew of bonus payments it uses to supplement base Medi-Cal rates, further obfuscating how much health care providers receive. While Medi-Cal rates vary widely, on average, California reimburses 76% of Medicare rates, Phillips said. Next year, the state plans to raise that base payment rate to 87.5% of Medicare in three target areas primary care, obstetrics, and mental health. As health care providers battle for their slice of the tax revenue, they say they want to avoid the same lobbying fight each time the state renews the tax, which happens every few years. One option they are considering: a ballot initiative next year that would lock the Medi-Cal funding into the state constitution. Bacchi declined to take a position on the concept but said insurers are "taking a look at it." He argues that California "needs to make a long-term commitment to the Medi-Cal program." John Baackes, the CEO of L.A. Care, the largest Medi-Cal insurer, supports the idea. He argues that a permanent increase in Medi-Cal rates would help address the disparities between Medi-Cal and private insurance coverage. "The pandemic showed us that inequality is a life-and-death matter, because if you look at the people who got sick the most and died, they were people of color," he said. "If we continue to ignore that, we're idiots." This article was produced by KFF Health News, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation. insights from industry Nick Clare Director of Something Vendor Stategy Work Group Lead, ELRIG UK In this interview conducted in anticipation of ELRIG UK's Drug Discovery 2023 Conference, we spoke to Nick Clare, Vendor Strategy Work Group Lead for ELRIG UK, about what vendors can gain from attending ELRIG events, such as Drug Discovery 2023. Please can you introduce yourself and tell us about your professional background? My name is Nick Clare, and I've been in biotech and pharma for about 20 years. I started and came into it a little bit differently from others. I'm dyslexic, so I decided to go straight to work and worked for companies such as Cancer Research UK, Merck Sharp & Dohme, and AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca paid for my degree, which I did part-time, studying cellular biology and neuroscience while working and getting lots of experience in the lab. That allowed me to have a lot of lab experience before I even had a degree. I spent 16 years running labs, overseeing cell culture, building cell models and disease models, and working predominantly in stem cells towards the end, which I really loved. Then through serendipity, I got into the commercial world. I always thought that that was a little stopgap to get me through something, but I actually ended up loving it and loving the engagement I get to have daily with scientists. You were recently appointed to the ELRIG UK board as Vendor Strategy Work Group Lead. What did it mean to you to be appointed to the ELRIG board? I was really proud to be appointed to the ELRIG board. I've been part of ELRIG, whether as a delegate, a speaker, or even as a vendor, for probably almost a decade. I've been to different events, and I've always seen that it's high-quality science, the delegates bringing value to the meeting, and then the vendor's interaction with those. Being appointed to the board and being a strategic part of that is quite a proud moment for me. In your new appointment, you will chair and lead the Vendor Strategy Work Group. Could you tell us more about what this will entail and your hopes for the group? First of all, this will entail bringing together a group of people within ELRIG that are very smart, very qualified people that can help me engage more with the vendors. What's key about that is we want ELRIG to grow and progress and move forward with the community, so having that voice of the vendor within the board and ELRIG directly is really important. What I hope for the future is that we start to engage a wider vendor community as well across more disciplines within the drug discovery landscape. I'm a bit of a tech geek as well, so I would like to add some more technology platforms and elements into ELRIG in the future that allow us to engage with the vendors not just at the meeting but add value to the vendors around the meeting, to giving them more tools, resources, networking, and engagement. One of the upcoming ELRIG UK events is Drug Discovery 2023. What can potential vendors expect from Drug Discovery 2023? The important part of Drug Discovery is the high-quality science and delegates that bring people across all sectors from pharma, biotech, CROs, academia, and all levels from early career professionals to VPs, directors, and CEOs. It means they can expect a high level of engagement in high-quality science. The vendors get great access to that science and those people to discuss their needs and projects and be able to engage with them. Image Credit: ELRIG UK The theme for Drug Discovery 2023 is "Diverse Thinking New Perspectives." What does this theme mean to you, and what can potential vendors gain from this theme? Last year we were coming out of the pandemic, and we were bringing science back together. The COVID-19 pandemic showed us how important collaboration is in science. That collaboration across all different diverse thinkings and sectors actually propelled science, not only in time, but in technology, forward so fast that we could see that that was a direct result that people needed to come together and work quickly together on something. This diverse thinking is about being an ecosystem and an environment that allows that diverse thinking across pharma, biotechs, CROs, providers, technology platforms, and even the diversity of the people within that from all different backgrounds and career stages. That's how you get those ideas and bring those technologies and science together to do something great. That's what I think ELRIG has the potential to do this year. Drug Discovery 2023 will feature a range of scientific content. How important is the exchange between commercial members and the scientific community? How can events such as Drug Discovery facilitate these conversations and collaborations? The quality of the science and the delegates is extraordinary for a free-to-attend event. Likewise, the vendors try to come forward and bring high-quality science with them. In my own life, you talk to a customer, and actually, by just listening to them as a vendor, you're able to derive a new process or product or something that fits a niche you weren't even aware of because of the collaboration between and discussion between these two groups. Likewise, vendors that are focused on the science can talk to scientists and solve problems for them. When we see each other as collaborators and not as customer-vendors, we get a much greater experience, and I think everybody comes away better because of it. How can vendors showcase their company and products at ELRIG events, such as Drug Discovery 2023? What vendors can do is, before ELRIG, is look at what kind of package facilitates what they're looking at. Is it brand awareness, or is it a product launch? Then pick a package that suits you around ELRIG, such as a booth. Is it a large spotlight section, or do you want a poster? When you pick the correct thing that suits your need, you can get a huge impact from that Drug Discovery platform. But the biggest tip I can give anyone, whether you are attending as a commercial delegate or actual vendor, is to just engage. Some so many people are willing to engage with you, and if you stand on the peripheries and don't engage, you miss so much. Take advantage of the networking, the coffee breaks and your booth, and just speak to everybody and enjoy it. That is what is the biggest thing you can get out of this. For vendors showcasing their company and products, what unique opportunities can ELRIG events provide? There are a lot of conferences. What is unique about ELRIG, I think, is that it is free to attend and has high-quality science. Because it's high-quality science and free to attend, nobody's excluded from this, and anybody can attend, from a Ph.D. student with no budget but great ideas to the CEO. And everybody does attend. Image Credit: ELRIG UK What's unique is your access to unrivaled delegates. To be able to collaborate with those people is fairly unique. The other unique thing is that the delegates know the vendors are supporting their science here, so there's much greater engagement from the delegates' side towards the vendors in ELRIG than you would normally get for a paid community. What is the current state of the biotech industry landscape, and how do you foresee the industry changing over the next ten years? A couple of decades ago, they were quite insular, quite protective, and already you can see how many collaborations, acquisitions, mergers happen around those to engage with the smaller companies that have the high-tech attitude and fast pace. I think we're going to see a continuation of that and a continuation of the bioclusters pop up around Europe. We're still going to have the hubs as Cambridge and Oxford, but I think we're going to see other key hubs pop up around the UK and Europe. Then the other thing is, particularly for vendors and companies, how they have to be seen to be attractive to investors will change. I think that the days of huge funding for an idea are over. You need to be able to show you're commercially viable to get more funding. That's where conferences such as ELRIG can help you get out in front of your customers and showcase your technology so that we can see it through so that patients benefit from it in the end. What is next for you and your work? Do you have any exciting projects coming up? I have my day job, which is always exciting and high-tech. And for ELRIG, this is just the start of the vendor community group for me. I want to hear from as many vendors now that are current vendors. Anybody reading this that is not a current vendor, I want to hear from these people so that we can guide ELRIG to being great for all vendors and communities. I think putting that front and center for ELRIG is a big task for me at the moment. Where can readers find more information? For Exhibitor Enquiries, please email [email protected] . . ELRIG's Exhibitor Brochure https://www.elrig.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/ELRIG-DD23-Brochure.pdf About Nick Clare Nick brings twenty years of industrial life science experience, with a diverse portfolio spanning scientific and commercial roles in large pharmaceutical companies and startups. Whilst in the lab, Nick was a scientist and laboratory head in R&D, leading efforts to develop cell/genetic models for drug discovery and disease modeling. He currently serves as VP at DefiniGEN. Over recent years, Nick has been instrumental in guiding scientists in selecting tools and workflows for stem cell and CRISPR applications, all to accelerate the development of novel treatments. Now as Vendor Strategy Work Group Leader and board member at ELRIG UK, Nick hopes to help vendors grow and support them to get the tools and technologies into the hands of scientists and ultimately improve the lives of more patients. Skoda, the Czech automaker known for its practical and stylish vehicles, is back with a bang as it reveals the latest generation of the Superb, set to debut in November. Unlike the mechanically related Volkswagen Passat, the Superb offers both liftback and wagon body styles, catering to the diverse preferences of its customers. 2024 Skoda Superb: Dimensions The 2024 Superb showcases evolutionary styling, sticking to its unique identity while avoiding the recent design language shift seen in other Skoda models. With an increased length of 4912 mm for the standard model and 4902 mm for the wagon, the Superb gains 43 mm and 40 mm, respectively, compared to its outgoing counterpart. Its worth noting that both versions are now slightly narrower, at 1849 mm, and have been raised by a few millimeters in height. Skodas commitment to practicality is evident in the new Superb. The regular body style offers a cargo capacity of 645 liters, while the wagon takes it a step further with 690 liters of space. These capacities represent an improvement of 20 and 30 liters, respectively, over the previous generation. Headroom for passengers has also been increased for a more comfortable driving experience. 2024 Skoda Superb: Engine Specifications Under the hood, the 2024 Superb boasts an impressive lineup of engines. All variants, except the plug-in hybrid, come with a seven-speed DSG transmission. The entry-level model features a front-wheel-drive, mild-hybrid 1.5 TSI engine with 147 bhp. Stepping up, theres a 2.0 TSI with either 200 bhp in front-wheel drive or a powerful 260 bhp with all-wheel drive. On the diesel front, the base 2.0 TDI offers 147 bhp with front-wheel drive, while the more potent version churns out 189 bhp with all-wheel drive. The Superb iV plug-in hybrid variant, available only in the wagon body style, combines a 1.5 TSI engine with an electric motor to deliver a combined 200 bhp. The enhanced battery pack allows for an electric range of over 62 miles (100 kilometers), making it a greener choice for environmentally-conscious drivers. 2024 Skoda Superb: Features The new Superb comes packed with 28 Simply Clever features, ranging from an electrically operated roller blind for the wagon to a rear center armrest with a built-in tablet holder. Skoda has also repositioned the gear selector onto the steering wheel column, creating additional space between the front seats. The infotainment system, measuring up to 12.9 inches, strikes a perfect balance between manual controls and touch-sensitive functions. In terms of safety, the Superb takes the lead with a comprehensive airbag system, including a knee airbag for the driver and a central airbag. The model introduces the innovative Curve Assistant and Intersection Assistant for enhanced driving assistance. Moreover, the upgraded front radar now detects cyclists, offering improved predictive pedestrian protection. In a significant move, Skoda is relocating the Superbs production from Kvasiny in the Czech Republic to Bratislava, Slovakia. Here, it will share the assembly line with the 2024 VW Passat Variant, streamlining the production process and ensuring a seamless manufacturing experience. Looking ahead, the 2024 Superb might be the last generation to offer combustion engines. With the 2035 EU sales ban on new cars generating harmful emissions, Skoda is likely to shift its focus towards electric and sustainable alternatives, setting the stage for a cleaner and greener automotive future. The all-new 2024 Skoda Superb is undoubtedly a game-changer, combining practicality, performance, and innovation, making it a force to be reckoned with in the automotive world. Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen pose for a photo in Hanoi on July 20, 2023. Photo by Vietnam Government Portal U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said her country is willing to assist Vietnam in producing semiconductors and improving its renewable energy capacity. "The United States considers Vietnam a key partner in advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific," she told Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during her visit to Vietnam Thursday. The U.S. wants to promote economic and trade cooperation with Vietnam and plans to strengthen cooperation on supply chains on the basis of a comprehensive and reliable partnership, she said. She offered increased cooperation from the U.S. Treasury for the State Bank of Vietnam and the Ministry of Finance to modernize monetary policymaking and exchange rate mechanisms and access international financial resources. Chinh told her that expanding the supply chain and manufacturing semiconductors are also a priority for Vietnam. It is focusing on improving its institutions, policies and technical infrastructure and modernizing governance and human resource training, he said. Vietnam adheres to a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, he said. The country also prioritizes multilateralization and active international integration, and is willing to be a reliable partner and responsible member of the international community, he said. It considers the U.S. one of its most important partners and deeply appreciates the high-level contacts with it, he said, referring especially to the telephonic conversation General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong had with U.S. President Joe Biden in March. He said the State Bank of Vietnam and the U.S. Treasury should have a mechanism to resolve any issues that arise amid the global economic uncertainties through dialogue. He hoped the U.S. would help Vietnam develop its renewable energy industry and establish a carbon market. Companies and individuals can use carbon markets to compensate for their greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing carbon credits from entities that remove or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Last year trade between Vietnam and the U.S. topped US$123 billion. The U.S. has become the second largest trading partner and one of the most important export markets for Vietnam. The U.S. is the 11th biggest of the 142 countries and territories that have invested in Vietnam. After nearly 30 years since establishing diplomatic relations (1995) and 10 years of the Comprehensive Partnership (July 25, 2013), bilateral relations have developed positively and steadily in all fields including trade, investment, science and technology, and education and training. In a groundbreaking move, Maruti Suzuki, the automotive giant, is all set to make its foray into the electric vehicle market with a bang. After having established its supremacy in the realm of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, the Delhi-based automaker is gearing up to introduce the much-anticipated eVX, a revolutionary Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). The eVX took the center stage at the prestigious 2023 Auto Expo, where it was showcased in its concept form, captivating automobile enthusiasts with its cutting-edge features and futuristic design. But thats not all! The production version of the eVX has already made a stunning appearance in Poland, igniting excitement among global observers. Sources close to the development have revealed that the eVX is the result of a collaborative effort between Maruti Suzuki and Toyota, making it a truly global vehicle. Toyota, renowned for its prowess in the BEV domain, will also introduce its own version based on the same platform in the near future. However, India will proudly claim the distinction of being the first market to witness the launch of this eco-friendly marvel. The eVX, touted as an electric compact SUV, will directly challenge formidable contenders like the MG ZS EV, Mahindra XUV400, Citroen eC3 Aircross, Hyundai Creta EV, and Mahindra BE.05. With a length of approximately 4.3 meters and a width of around 1.8 meters, the eVX exhibits a balanced and appealing design, as suggested by recent spy shots. The stylish rear door handles, reminiscent of the Swift hatchback, and the slightly coupe-ish rear approach add an extra touch of sophistication to this electrifying SUV. The heart of the eVX is speculated to be a 60 kWh battery, granting it an impressive claimed range of 500 km on a single charge. While a smaller battery model might be on the cards for the future, the current configuration is expected to feature a single motor setup. However, enthusiasts hope that this motor will be positioned at the rear, adding to the SUVs dynamic performance and handling. Maruti Suzuki enthusiasts might not have to wait for too long to embrace the eVX, as industry insiders suggest that the much-anticipated debut could be as early as 2024, with a full-fledged launch expected by early 2025. Production of this trailblazing electric SUV is likely to take place at Maruti Suzukis Gujarat plant, affirming the companys commitment to manufacturing in India and boosting the nations self-reliance in the electric mobility segment. With the eVX on the horizon, Maruti Suzuki is all set to revolutionize the Indian electric vehicle landscape and redefine the way we perceive sustainable mobility. Brace yourself for an electrifying future with Maruti Suzukis indigenously crafted eVX - the pride of the nation and the envy of the world! In a groundbreaking development, Mumbai is all set to get its first fully underground metro corridor - the Mumbai Metro Line-3, popularly known as the Aqua Line. With the project now inching closer to completion, the citys transport landscape is about to witness a revolutionary transformation. Ashwini Bhide, the Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, recently revealed in an exclusive conversation with BQ Prime that the organization is striving to finish the first phase of the Line-3 project by December of this year. The commissioning of phase one is very much within our reach. We are fully gearing up for this last-mile push," Bhide affirmed, as quoted by BQ. However, she also acknowledged that unforeseen delays, up to two or three months, may occur due to late access to the depot and monsoon-related construction challenges. The Aqua Line will cover a sprawling distance of 33.5 kilometers, establishing a crucial link between Seepz in Andheri and Colaba, the southernmost area of the city. Boasting an impressive array of 27 stations, the Aqua Line is expected to significantly enhance connectivity, particularly to bustling locations such as the airport, the Santacruz Electronics Export Processing Zone, the Bandra-Kurla Complex, and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation area. When the Aqua Line project was initiated in 2011, the cost was estimated to be around Rs 23,000 crore. But more than Rs 37,000 crore has already been spent. Since the budget is quite high, it is difficult for the state and central government to bear all the expenses. Almost 57 percent of the overall cost has been borrowed from the Japan International Cooperation Agency as a soft loan. The remaining amount will be covered by government funding, according to Bhide. The company (MMRCL) also has to generate revenue of around Rs 1,000 crore, which we can get with the help of commercial use of land, she said. In September 2018, the MMRCL agreed to a substantial contract of over 315 million euros with the renowned French manufacturer Alstom. As per the agreement, Alstom will provide 248 metro cars for the Mumbai Metro Line-3. The contract calls for the design, delivery, and commissioning of 31 fully-furnished modern passenger train sets, which will have eight cars each. The Central University Entrance Test, or CUET UG 2023 result has been declared and with this, the race for admission to colleges and universities has begun. While Delhi University has started the second phase of registration on the CSAS portal, admissions have started in other universities as well or are about to start in a few days. Every university has its cut-off scores. The question that may arise in the minds of the students is what score is required to get admission to a good university? The cut-off of different universities will be revealed only after the counseling process. However, as per past trends and media reports, there will be maximum competition for admission to Delhi University. The passing marks for BA in political science, history, and Sanskrit for the general category can remain between 400-500. Candidates can register themselves on DUs CSAS portal to take part in the admission process. The first allotment list will be released by the university on August 1. Candidates have been advised to choose as many courses as they want. According to reports, there are a total of 91 affiliated colleges that will be offering admissions to around 70,000 seats this year. Also read| After Scoring 100 Percentile in CUET, Muskan Nayyar Aims to Continue Her Family Legacy by Joining DUs SRCC Meanwhile, at Banaras Hindu University, the passing marks can be up to 170-200 for BA honors and BSC biology. Those who score 120-300 marks in BBA, BA honors history, and BA honors Hindi can get admission to BR Ambedkar University, Delhi. Whereas in Allahabad University, the passing marks for B.Com, BALB and BFA courses can be between 400-500. The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the result of CUET UG 2023 on July 15 at cuet.samarth.ac.in. This year, over 22,000 candidates received 100 percentile scores. According to reports, a total of 5,685 students secured 100 percentiles in English, and about 4,850 candidates obtained a top score in biology, biochemistry, and biotechnology, followed by 2,836 in economics. The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) will declare Round 5 Seat Allotment Result today at 5 PM. Students who applied for the entrance examination and appeared for the same can check their results from official website, josaa.nic.in. Candidates who have been selected in this round are instructed to proceed with the online reporting process, which includes document uploading and fee payment. JOSAA ROUND 5 SEAT ALLOTMENT RESULT 2023: HOW TO CHECK Step 1: Go to the official website of JoSAA at josaa.nic.in Step 2: On the homepage, click on the link provided for Round 5 allotment result Step 3: As a new page opens, candidates need to enter their JEE Main application number and password. Then click on submit. Step 4: The JoSAA round 5 seat allotment result will appear on the screen. Step 5: Check, save, and download the seat allotment result. From July 21 to July 24, candidates will have opportunity to complete online reporting, fee payment, document uploads, and query responses. The deadline for answering the question is July 25 at 5 p.m. Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, passing certificates, JEE main rank cards, JEE advance rank cards, caste certificates, and government-issued photo ID cards are needed for JoSAA 2023 counseling. Beginning on July 26, the last round of seat allocation will take place. JOSAA ROUND 5 SEAT ALLOTMENT RESULT 2023: DOCUMENTS NEEDED During the reporting process, students need to submit a set of scanned documents which include: Class 10 and 12 mark sheets and pass certificates. JEE Main and Advanced admit cards and rank cards. Caste certificate as well as income and assets certificate. Domicile certificate (if required). A valid photo id card such as a Pan card, Drivers License, Aadhaar card, voter ID, and others. The JoSAA counselling is being held for the JEE Advanced qualified students who are seeking admission to Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIIT), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and other engineering colleges. The Staff Selection Commission issued an important notice regarding the SSC MTS Registration 2023. Candidates who are interested must make sure to submit their online application form for the Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff and Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) Examination 2023 by today, July 21. To participate in this recruitment drive, applicants must submit their forms on SSCs official website at ssc.nic.in. The commission has urged candidates to complete their application process before the last date, as there will be no extension provided for this registration window. It is hereby reiterated in the interest of the candidates that aspiring candidates for Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff, and Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) Examination, 2023, should submit their online application much before the closing date i.e. 21.07.2023 and not to wait till the last date to avoid the possibility of disconnection/inability or failure to login to the website on account of heavy traffic on the servers during the closing days. , read the official notification. The registration process for SSC MTS 2023 began on June 30. The recruitment drive aims to fill approximately 3954 posts, with 2196 vacancies for MTS and 1758 vacancies for Havaldar in CBIC and CBN. The SSC MTS (Non-Technical) and Havaldar examination for the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) and Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN) is scheduled to take place from September 1 to 29. The exam will consist of two stages: stage one is a computer-based online examination, and stage two is the physical efficiency test (PET)/physical standard test (PST), which will be conducted offline for successful candidates from stage one. SSC MTS, Havaldar Registration 2023: How to Apply Step 1: Go to the official website ssc.nic.in. Step 2: Complete the registration process and fill in the application form for MTS & Havaldar. Step 3: Upload all required documents and submit the application fee. Step 4: Obtain a copy of the confirmation page by downloading and printing it for your records. Candidates applying for the SSC MTS 2023 exam should have passed Class 12 and fall within the age range of 18 to 25 years. The application fee for General, OBC, and EWS category candidates is Rs 100, while SC, ST, PH, and all category female candidates are exempted from the fee. The SSC MTS exam aims to recruit candidates for the Multi-Tasking (Non-Technical) Staff and Havaldar positions. These posts are categorized as General Central Service Group C Non-Gazetted, Non-Ministerial roles in various Ministries/Departments/Offices of the Government of India, as well as different Constitutional Bodies/Statutory Bodies/Tribunals across different States/Union Territories. Afghanistan, which has been living in poverty with its economy on the brink of collapse, may be sitting on $1 trillion worth of minerals. The country has been left in tatters after the US exit post-Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021. It has also been rated as one of the poorest nations in the world with 34 million Afghans living beneath the poverty mark. However, US military officials and geologists have said that the country is sitting on mineral deposits worth nearly $1 trillion, which include the worlds biggest lithium deposit. The country also has iron, copper, gold, and other rare minerals, which experts predict can change the fate of the nation grappling with an economic crisis. Why is Lithium Crucial for Afghan Economy? When the US invaded Afghanistan more than two decades ago, there was no Tesla, Iphone or Artificial Intelligence. There was no modern technology and no conception of Electronic Vehicles (EV). However, two decades later, the EVs are a buzzword and the demand for the mineral, a vital ingredient in batteries, has soared to an all time high. According to International Energy Agency, the demand for Lithium in 2040, could rise 40-fold from 2020 levels. Afghanistan sits on a huge reserve of lithium that has not been tapped to this day," said Guillaume Pitron, author of the book The Rare Metals War". According to US Geological Survey, Afghanistan could be considered as the worlds recognized future principal source of lithium. An internal Pentagon memo said Afghanistan could become the Saudi Arabia of lithium." Moreover, the deposits of iron, copper, cobalt and gold are so huge that it could transform the impoverished nation into one of the worlds important mining centres, according to New York Times. The country is also home to other rare earths that are used in the clean energy sector, including Neodymium, praseodymium and dysprosium. Chinese Eye on Afghanistan The huge potential and untouched minerals in Afghanistan have not been ignored by the world. However, its not the US to tap in the potential reserves. According to a report in The Washington Post, a new wave of foreigners began to visit Afghanistan in late 2021. The new foreigners, i.e. the Chinese, were attracted to Afghanistan after the Lithium price skyrocketed eightfold from 2021 to 2022. While the Taliban rule, which is yet to be recognised internationally, deter foreign investors, China seems willing to do business with them. The Chinese are trying to strike a $10 billion deal for access to lithium deposits, along with creating jobs and building infrastructure. So, far the Chinese appear to be the leading contender for the Afghan lithium, which will later make it to the world market. The Taliban, however, said they are not in a hurry to give China access to the lithium reserves, despite the offer. In January this year, Taliban officials arrested a Chinese businessman for smuggling 1,000 tons of lithium ore from Konar province to China via Pakistan. Enormous Challenges Ahead The Taliban emerged victorious after decades of war with the Afghan military forces and American soldiers on Afghan soil. The economy is in tatters and the country is struggling to revive post-war. Afghanistan lacks an industrial base and infrastructure to transfer the minerals from the mountain roads to the outside of the country. The country also lacks skilled policy makers as in the past, the Taliban have appointed unqualified people into key specialized positions. Experts say that it can take as long as 20 years between the discovery of a mineral deposit and the start of mining operations. One of the biggest challenges remains the political stability as no company would want to invest if there is no stable political and legal system, according to Guillaume Pitron, author of the book The Rare Metals War". The video of two women from Kuki community being paraded naked and sexually assaulted in Manipur has sparked outrage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that he is pained and his heart was filled with anger. The Supreme Court also directed the Centre and state government to take immediate action and said that it is really disturbed over the video. Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister said it was a crime against humanity and promised strict action. Four people, including the main accused, who were part of the mob in the viral video, have been arrested. The disturbing incident recorded on video took placed on May 4 in Kangpokpi district, but went viral on July 19, when the internet ban was lifted. The viral video has once again brought the ethnic clashes, schisms and tribal divide in Manipur into focus. Why is There Violence in Manipur? The violence in Manipur has been going on since May 3, when a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in Churachandpur district to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. During the march, an armed mob allegedly attacked people of the Meitei community, leading to retaliatory attacks in the valley districts, which escalated throughout the state. The violence has led to more than 160 deaths, and several injuries. The violence in Manipur began when Kuki clashed with Meitei, over economic, social, and political benefits and quotas given to the tribes. Who are Kukis? Kukis, one of the several hill tribes in India, are an ethnic group inhabiting the North-eastern states of Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura and Nagaland. The Kukis live mainly in the hills while Churachandpur in Manipur is their stronghold. However, they are also present in significant numbers in Chandel, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, and Senapati districts of Manipur. It is believed that Kuki people are native to the Mizo Hills, a mountainous region in the south-eastern part of Mizoram. The community is further divided into 20 sub-tribes. Thought many people from the Kuki tribe converted into Christianity, especially to Protestantism, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, they practice local culture and traditions including rituals like animism, animal sacrifices, and traditional festivals to appease their Gods. Who are Meiteis? The Meiteis, who are the dominant ethnic majority in Manipur, are predominantly Hindus and also follow their ancient animist beliefs and practices. They mostly live in the Imphal Valley region and a significant population is settled in the other Indian states of Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. A small number of the Meiteis, around 8 percent, are Muslims and are called Meitei Pangals. The Meiteis are more educated and also better represented in business and politics than other tribal groups. Manipur Violence: A Religious or Tribal Issue? Though the Meiteis, who are in majority and predominantly Hindus, and Kukis, who are in minority and mostly Christians, have religious differences, but the present issue is centred around reservation, land rights and affirmative action. The conflict between Meiteis and Kukis is the extension of hills-versus-plains conflict seen in many other places in the northeast and has existed for a very long time. But, the May violence started in Manipur after the All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM) organised a Tribal Solidarity March in Churachandpur district against the Meitei demand for Scheduled Tribe status. The march was organised by tribal groups including Nagas, Zomis, and Kukis who are around 40 percent of the states population. The Meitis, on the other hand comprise around 53 percent of the state population, but are scattered across just 10 percent of the state. But, the tribals comprising less than half of the population, are spread across 90 percent of land. The Meiteis demand the ST status and blame their problems on the large-scale illegal immigration from Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Kukis oppose the inclusion of Meiteis in the ST communities of Manipur since they fear that they would lose their job opportunities and other affirmative actions to the Meiteis, who are much advanced, educated and better represented in business and politics. The Kukis further say that the Meitei community is already classified under Scheduled Castes (SC) or Other Backward Classes (OBC). Both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned till Monday amid disruptions in the house over the Manipur issue. Opposition members began sloganeering and demanding that the Manipur situation be discussed suspending all business in the House under Rule 267 and the Prime Minister make a suo motu statement followed by a discussion. Whereas the government has said that they were willing to discuss the Manipur situation through a short-duration discussion under Rule 176. But, before looking at the two rules, lets take a look at the statements made by the government and the opposition parties: Heres What the Opposition is Saying Members of the opposition parties including the Congress, DMK and Left, raised slogans as the Lok Sabha met on Friday and told Speaker Om Birla that Manipur is bleeding". The Lok Sabha was first adjourned till 12:00 pm on Friday and then again suspended till 11 am on Monday. Congress President and the leader of the opposition Mallikarjun Kharge said that the government should discuss the issue and PM Modi should release a statement. I had raised the question in the parliament but wasnt given a chance, he said. Congress MP Manish Tewari said there is an atmosphere of anarchy in Manipur and therefore it is the duty of PM Modi to give a statement on the Floor of the Parliament. He further said that the opposition has demanded that the matter be discussed in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha under Adjournment Motions and Suspension of Business Notices. #WATCH | Bengaluru: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Manipur viral video says, "I had raised the question in the parliament but wasn't given a chance. Govt should discuss this issue and we demand PM Modi to release a statementPM Modi made a statement outside the House, pic.twitter.com/2ETNgc3ao2 ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 AAP MP Raghav Chadha also urged the government to discuss the Manipur issue and said the entire country wants to know what is happening in Manipur, what the government has done. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said that it is a serious issue that Manipur violence is being discussed at international forums but not in our Parliament. Heres What the Govt is Saying Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi has said that the government is ready to discuss whenever the Speaker directs. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has officially told the Speaker and the Chairman that we are ready for a discussion. For the opposition to bring in new demands and interrupt the discussion is wrong, Joshi further said. #WATCH | Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on the ruckus in parliament over the Manipur issue says, "We are ready to discuss whenever the Speaker directs. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has officially told the Speaker and the Chairman that we are ready for a discussion. pic.twitter.com/BwmSAHRR2L ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 There are important bills and BJP under the leadership of PM Modi wants to hold extensive discussions in the parliament, he added. Union Minister of State for Parliamentary affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal appealed the opposition to not change their stand repeatedly and not indulge into politics in a very sensitive matter. I think the parliament session should run as were ready to address and discuss the issue," he said. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attacked the opposition by saying that they are not serious about a discussion on the Manipur issue. PM Modi himself said that the country is ashamed of whatever has happened in the state and assured strict action, Singh said. What are Rules 267 and 176? The essential between Rules 267 and 176 is the duration of discussion. While under Rule 176, there is a short discussion, Rule 267 calls for a longer discussion. In the book, the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States, Rule 267 states, Any member, may, with the consent of the Chairman, move that any rule may be suspended in its application to a motion related to the business listed before the Council of that day and if the motion is carried, the rule in question shall be suspended for the time being: Provided further that this rule shall not apply where specific provision already exists for suspension of a rule under a particular chapter of the Rules. The Rule 176 calls for a short-duration discussion not exceeding two-and-a-half hours. Any member desirous of raising discussion on a matter of urgent public importance may give notice in writing to the Secretary-General specifying clearly and precisely the matter to be raised: Provided that the notice shall be accompanied by an explanatory note stating reasons for raising discussion on the matter in question: Provided further that the notice shall be supported by the signatures of at least two other members, the rule states. If the Chairman is satisfied, after calling for such information from the member who has given notice and from the Minister as he may consider necessary, that the matter is urgent (then) he may admit the notice and in consultation with the Leader of the Council fix the date on which such matter may be taken up for discussion and allow such time for discussion, not exceeding two and a half hours, the Rule 177 states. Therefore, by the rule 176 and 177, an urgent matter can be taken up for a short-duration discussion immediately, a few hours later or the next day or on a prescribed date and time. What is the bone of contention? While the opposition is pressing for urgent discussion on Manipur issue and the government agreeing to it, there is a difference over the timing of discussion. Sources said that the government is ready to have the discussion and Union Home Minister Amit Shah will respond in the House. The government is pressing for Rule 176, since there will be a statement from the Union Minister and few more MPs will speak on the issue and the House will move to the regular proceedings. Under the rule, the discussion can only go for a maximum duration of 2.5 hours. However, with Rule 267, all the agendas that were pre-decided by the government will be suspended and the discussion could stretch for a longer period, the deadline of which is not established. Also, the Prime Minister doesnt necessarily need to stay in house under Rule 267 as the issue is discussed for long hours. According to a report in The Indian Express, the opposition parties had been mistakenly using Rule 267 as an equivalent to the adjournment motion. The report, quoting former Lok Sabha secretary general, said that Rule 267 is to suspend a particular rule in relation of a business on agenda, for example suspending a bill that is to be introduced. However, the rule is being used wrongly as a substitute to the provision of adjournment motion in Lok Sabha. When ChatGPT was developed by OpenAI in November last year, it took the world by storm. The AI-powered language model not only answered queries and provided information, but also eased doing task that took days like writing tasks, analysing datasets and writing codes. While the OpenAI chatbot began to be used by millions worldwide, Google launched an alternative Bard, while Microsoft came up with AI-powered search engine Bing AI or the new Bing. Many other alternatives came out offering similar and more advanced capabilities. However, a new AI tool, termed as malicious cousin of ChatGPT, was launched recently and is being promoted for sale on a hacker forum. WormGPT is based on the GPTJ language model, which was developed in 2021. It reportedly has a range of features, including unlimited character support, chat memory retention and code formatting capabilities. Researchers from cybersecurity firm SlashNext said the cybercrime tool is a blackhat alternative" to ChatGPT and lets you do all sorts of illegal stuff and easily sell it online in the future." Why is it Termed Malicious? SlashNext has confirmed that the sophisticated AI model was developed purely with malevolent intent. While other AI tools like ChatGPT has a set of rules in place to prevent abuse of the chatbot and unethical use, WormGTP has no ethical boundaries or limitations and providing hackers with a method to conduct large-scale attacks. This tool presents itself as a blackhat alternative to GPT models, designed specifically for malicious activities. WormGPT was allegedly trained on a diverse array of data sources, particularly concentrating on malware-related data, the report on SlashNext read. In one of the experiments conducted by researchers at Slashnet, they instructed WormGPT to generate an email to pressure an account manager into paying a fraudulent invoice. The AI tool produced an email that was not only remarkably persuasive but also strategically cunning, showcasing its potential for sophisticated phishing and BEC attacks. What are the threats from WormGPT? Here are some of the potential threats from the AI tool: It is used for cybercrimes likes hacking, data theft and other illegal activities. It has made it easy to re-create phishing emails, so its important to be cautious when going through your inbox. The AI tool has the potential to craft malware to set up phishing attacks. It also equips hackers with the means to instigate sophisticated cyberattacks. It facilitates cybercriminals in executing illegal activities effortlessly. Does WormGPT has any ethical constraints? The AI tool doesnt have any ethical constraints. It is in stark contrast to other GPT models like ChatGPT or Googles Bard as it doesnt have any ethical boundaries or limitations to prevent it against malicious intents. Reports said that it was cooked up exclusively for malicious deeds, such as malware creation and exploiting vulnerabilities. The developer of WormGPT is creating a subscription model for access, ranging from $60 to $700. The developer has already managed to get over 1,500 users. How to Protect Against Malicious Attacks? Here are some of the things that one needs to keep in mind: A 24-year-old Bhojpuri artiste was allegedly raped by her Instagram friend at a hotel here where she was called on the pretext of an interview, police said on Thursday. The woman in her complaint said she is a Bhojpuri artiste and currently lives in Delhi, they said. According to police, the victim has a huge following on Instagram where she regularly posts her videos. A few days ago I came in contact with a person named Mahesh Pandey through Instagram, who offered me work in the Bhojpuri film industry. On June 29, he called me to a hotel in the Udyog Vihar area in Gurugram on the pretext of an interview," she said in her complaint, according to police. When I reached the hotel, Mahesh had already booked a room where he took me and after asking some questions, he started drinking alcohol. After this when I started leaving, he forced himself on me and raped me," the woman alleged. She said the accused threatened to kill her and later had some of his friends give her phone calls, who threatened to post her private videos online. Following the womans complaint, an FIR was registered against Mahesh Pandey, said to be a resident of the Chakarpur area in Gurugram, under sections 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (common intention) of the IPC at Udyog Vihar Police Station on Wednesday. We are verifying the allegations. The accused will be arrested soon," said ACP, Crime, Varun Dahiya. Actress Phuong Oanh and tech entrepreneur Nguyen Hoa Binh will hold a traditional engagement ceremony this month. Oanh, 34, confirmed the news with NgoiSao and said she planned to have a private and intimate engagement ceremony at her hometown in the northern province of Ha Nam. The ceremony will also be an occasion for the two extended families to officially meet and get to know each other. She said they had no plans for a wedding party in Hanoi. Actress Phuong Oanh and businessman Nguyen Hoa Binh. Photo courtesy of Oanh The actress said she wanted to prioritize her family life after marriage, though she would not be a full-time housewife. She would return to the screen if she found a suitable project, aiming to maintain her acting career in parallel with her fashion and real estate businesses. She said she had been busy over the past month preparing her engagement ceremony and her fashion collection at the same time, but felt happy and supported by her and Binhs family. The couple have returned from a family holiday in Thailand. After more than a week traveling together, they have both gotten more familiar with their in-laws and feel ready for married life. Oanh admitted to dating Binh, 43, last August, after photos of the couple circulated on social media. Oanhs future mother-in-law said her family had always been welcoming to Oanh since the first time Binh brought Oanh to her family and introduced Oanh as his girlfriend. She said it was her and her husband that urged Binh and Oanh to tie the knot after seeing how genuine Oanh was and how she took good care of Binh. Oanh is a renowned actress and has starred in several TV series. In 2018, she was nominated for the Vietnamese Golden Kite Award for Best Actress, one of the most prestigious acting awards in the country. Binh is the founder of various tech startups, including Nexttech Group of Technopreneurs, which has been dubbed the "Alibaba of Vietnam" by the Chinese media. He joined Shark Tank Vietnam as one of the showcased investors in 2019. The Varanasi court on Friday has allowed a scientific survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises apart from the Wazukhana area. The court was hearing a petition seeking a scientific survey, including carbon dating, to determine the age of Shivling" which was believed to have been found at the Gyanvapi mosque. A K Vishveshs court upheld the petition of a group of Hindu devotees who sought a scientific survey to ascertain if the mosque was constructed on the site of a Hindu temple. However, the barricaded wazukhana, where a structure claimed by Hindu litigants to be a shivling exists, will not be included in the survey. The mosque authorities have asserted that the structure is actually a part of a fountain in the wazukhana, where ablutions are performed before namaz. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will conduct the survey and submit the final report by August 4. The next hearing would be on August 4. Advocate Mohammad Tauheed Khan, representing the Muslim side, said, Today the court approved the application of the (Hindu side) to conduct the ASI survey of the area, except the sealed wazukhana. The court has asked ASI to submit the report by August 4. We will decide our further course of action after going through the order copy." The Hindu side had filed a petition in the case, seeking a direction for the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to survey the entire Gyanvapi mosque complex. Vishnu Shankar Jain, the counsel representing the Hindu side, welcomed the order and said, the survey will be done. We will file a caveat if the Muslim side approaches Allahabad High Court or the Supreme Court." Advocate Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi also hailed the order terming it as a turning point" in the case. Our application for the ASI survey has been accepted. Its a turning point in the case," he told News18. After the last hearing of the case by the Varanasi court on July 14, Jain had said they have sought a comprehensive archaeological and scientific investigation of the entire Gyanvapi complex, except the wazukhana. Jain in his arguments, had asserted that the resolution of the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi mosque dispute hinges upon conducting an archaeological investigation of the entire mosque complex. According to Jain, examining the three domes of the Gyanvapi complex, along with the western wall and the entire complex in a modern manner, can bring clarity to the situation. He said that during the court proceedings, the Muslim side expressed concerns that an archaeological survey could potentially damage the complex. In response, the Hindu side advocated for a modern investigation approach that would avoid any harm to the premises. Previously, in May, the Muslim side objected to a petition requesting the ASI to survey the entire Gyanvapi mosque complex. On May 12, the Allahabad High Court ordered the age determination of the structure claimed to be a Shivling" using modern technology. Subsequently, following the Allahabad High Court order, the Varanasi district court agreed to hear the plea for an ASI survey of the entire mosque premises on May 16. After hearing arguments from both parties last week, the court had reserved its verdict for July 21. (With inputs from PTI) In a bid to promote seamless cross-border transactions, India and Sri Lanka have signed an agreement to launch the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Sri Lanka. The agreement was reached during a bilateral meeting between Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on Friday. The India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision statement highlighted the commitment of both nations to promote digital payments and further enhance trade and transactions between businesses and individuals. The UPI system is known for its efficiency and low-cost fund transfers, making it an attractive option for cross-border transactions. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, briefing the media on the outcomes of the bilateral meeting, stated that the UPI payment system would be operational in the next two-three months. He also clarified that the digital payment system would not be limited to the government platform BHIM UPI payment app, as private payment platforms would also be allowed to operate in Sri Lanka. Speaking at the press meet with President @RW_UNP. https://t.co/9lirjZ9aXo Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 21, 2023 UPIs APPEAL The UPI has gained global appeal for its ease of use and cost-effectiveness in facilitating international transactions. Several countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, France, BENELUX countries, Nepal, and the UK, have already embraced UPI payments, recognizing its potential to revolutionize cross-border financial transactions. India and Sri Lanka have further agreed to designate the Indian Rupee (INR) as the currency for trade settlements between the two countries. This move is expected to boost trade and economic ties between the two nations, simplifying financial transactions and fostering increased economic cooperation. Last week, at an Indian CEO Forum event in Colombo, Wickremesinghe had indicated Sri Lankas openness to accept the Indian currency as common currency in the Island nation. It makes no difference to us if India (the Indian Rupee) becomes a common currency. We will have to figure out how to go about it. We must become more open to the outside world", he had said. The world is evolving and India is undergoing rapid development, particularly under Prime Minister Modis leadership, he added. Glad to welcome President Wickremesinghe. I congratulate him on completing a year in office and working for Sri Lankas progress with great courage. Sri Lanka is key to our 'Neighbourhood First' and 'SAGAR' efforts and thus, we discussed ways to deepen bilateral ties. @RW_UNP pic.twitter.com/Dz3A8j4BPg Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 21, 2023 PUSH TO TOURISM Both the sides have also pledged to promote Indias Buddhist circuit, Ramayana trail and ancient places of religious worship in Sri Lanka to enhance tourism. Sri Lankas hospitality industry has been struggling to recover from the effects of COVID-19 pandemic and the politico-economic turmoil of last year. India is the second-largest source of tourists for Sri Lanka and the island is aiming to attract two million Indian tourists this year. Direct flights between Chennai-Jaffna and Colombo-Mumbai opened in the past one year have facilitated the growth of tourism and business activities between the two nations. The successful implementation of UPI in Sri Lanka is aimed at making Indian tourists life easier while increasing the cross-border transactions and remittances, promoting economic growth and cooperation. Modi-Wickremsinghe also agreed to establish land connectivity between Sri Lanka and India for developing land access to the ports of Trincomalee and Colombo. A feasibility study for such connectivity will be conducted at an early date. Two sides will also work to resume passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka and work towards early resumption of ferry services between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar, and other mutually agreed places. Faizan Ansari, the 19-year-old from Jharkhand arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday for his alleged links to the Islamic State (IS or ISIS), is highly radicalised and had formed a group of 10 individuals to carry out a major attack in India, according to sources in the agency. Ansari was in touch with the ISIS operatives in Syria, Afghanistan and African countries. He has been under ISIS training for the past four years and was staying outside the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), where he was studying. Ansari wanted to identify targets in India, especially at important places, to show his allegiance to the ISIS. He had given his payment to the ISIS recently, said sources, adding, He has deep connection with various individuals in India and used to conduct meetings related to the ISIS. He was planning violent actions and was also contemplating doing hijrat (shift) to a foreign-based ISIS conflict theatre. Documents related to making of explosives were also recovered from his possession and possibly he wanted to make IED, said sources. RADICALISED NEO-CONVERTS After searches, the NIA has recovered electronic devices and jihadi material from him. He was actively involved in the process of radicalising neo-converts and attracting them to the terrorist fold to increase the cadre base. Ansari was also in contact with foreign-based ISIS handlers, who were actively guiding him on recruitment of operatives for the ISIS, said sources. The NIA conducted searches at his house in Lohardaga district of Jharkhand and rented room in Aligarh on July 16 and 17. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Karnataka | Terror module busted in Bengaluru! Larger plot under scanner: ISIS-radicalism threat clear and present?Azerbaijan-based gang exposed: News18 brings you probe details, exclusive inputs by @manojkumargupta@AnchorAnandN #TheRightStand pic.twitter.com/e0WlcpDrrz News18 (@CNNnews18) July 19, 2023 AFTER BENGALURU Recently, the NIA busted a terror module in Bengaluru and arrested five youngsters. News18 had reported how Junaid, one of the five suspects of a possible Islamic State (IS or ISIS) module arrested from Bengaluru on Tuesday, was the mastermind behind a sinister plan for major target killings and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts, according to top sources in security agencies. ALSO READ | Bengaluru ISIS Module Busted: Masterminds Explosive Plan IED Blasts, Killings | Exclusive from Agency Sources The investigation and technical assessment has revealed that Junaid was working on the targets for an ISIS module in Baku, capital of Azerbaijan. The agencies are checking if Junaid had roped in T Nazir, Mangalore blast accused presently lodged in Bengaluru Central Jail, who the suspects were in touch with, sources said. According to the initial plan accessed by agencies, they wanted to carry out only major incidents. Karnataka may be facing a shortfall in rains in July when compared to the same timeline last year, but the scientists at the India Meteorological Department are optimistic and predicted widespread rainfall across the state in the next 72 hours. This will bring down the deficit, which is presently at minus 18 percent, said A Prasad from IMD, Bengaluru. Prasad predicted that areas, including Bidar, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu and Shivamogga districts are likely to see moderate to heavy showers in the coming week. He also predicted slightly above normal rainfall over coastal Karnataka, Ghat districts and North Interior Karnataka. But the Cauvery river basin is facing a severe rain deficit, especially in the Kodagu district that has received very less rainfall. The Cauvery originates from Talacauvery in Kodgau district. The deficit has drastically come down. If you see the situation, where the deficit was 65 to 70 percent for Karnataka as a whole; and you see it as of today, the current deficit is of minus 18 percent, which means that Karnataka has received around 70 percent, he said. Kodagu contributes to the Cauvery basin, but the shortfall has been a cause for concern. Kodagu has not been receiving rainfall. It is the origin of the Cauvery river and has recorded rainfall that has fallen short by minus 55, said the IMD scientist. According to the MeT, coastal Karnataka has a deficit of minus 12; north interior Karnataka is minus 7; and south interior Karnataka, including Bengaluru, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Mandya, Mysuru among others, has a deficit of minus 29. Cauvery water: To send, or not to send Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has written to union jal shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat seeking immediate intervention, as he alleged that the Karnataka government had not been releasing the southernmost states share of Cauvery water despite intervention from the Cauvery Water Management Authority. In this critical scenario, the standing kuruvai (short-term paddy) crop can be saved only if Karnataka releases water immediately, Stalin said in his letter. State experts, however, said the rain and water deficit have also forced Karnataka to say that it will not be able to release water from the Cauvery to the neighbouring state. Karnataka is waiting for better rains before releasing the river water, said Karnataka agriculture minister N Cheluvarayaswamy. According to the final directive of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) and the Supreme Court, the Karnataka government is required to release 177.25 TMC of water to Tamil Nadu annually. But Karnataka is arguing that when it is already facing a major deficit of minus 21 this year, how will it be able to release the required quantity? Tamil Nadu, in return, argued that Karnataka has released less amount of water instead of the prescribed quantity but the Karnataka government countered that by saying in times of excess rains, the state has released more than the prescribed quantity. Last year, in the previous BJP regime, water resources minister Govind Karjol had said in a reply to a question raised by MLC Dinesh Gooligowda on water released to Tamil Nadu from the Cauvery: In the four months between June to September, Karnataka has released 416.65 TMC to TN as against the allocation by the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal of 177.25 TMC of water to the riparian state. Karjol also said, as per the CWDT directive, Tamil Nadu is eligible for 101.08 TMC of water in the months between June and September, but four times more was released due to excess rainfall in 2022. A senior officer from the water resources department also said if excess water was not released from the swelling Cauvery basin, then dams in Karnataka would have burst or been breached. Cheluvarayaswamy said if the rains, as predicted by the MeT, do not happen, the state government will have to declare affected districts as drought-hit and also try to introduce cloud seeding to improve the situation. In the background of this situation, water experts said agencies in Bengaluru and other cities must stress on rainwater harvesting and ensure that this kind of dry state does not occur. Low water levels in major reservoirs Depleting levels of various dams and water reservoirs in Karnataka is also a cause for concern. The levels were already low ahead of the monsoon but with the state staring at a rain deficit, the situation does not seem to improve anytime soon. 21.07.2023 . Reservoir Level as of 21.07.2023. pic.twitter.com/izKcyHbQFA Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (@KarnatakaSNDMC) July 21, 2023 For example, for the Krishna Raja Sagar reservoir, which is a lifeline for farmers in Mysuru and Mandya districts, the water level is at 90.1 feet and at 33 percent of its storage capacity as on July 21. The reservoir had almost reached its full depth and storage capacity of 124.8 feet and 49.45 TMC, respectively, this time last year. In May, its depth had fallen to 83.6 feet; if this drops below 74 feet, the water will not be released for irrigation but saved as drinking water. The rain prediction in the next 24 hours for south interior Karnataka, where the water reservoir is located, does not look as promising with a forecast of very light to light rains. Another major reservoir, Tungabhadra at Vijayanagara district, is at 13 percent of its storage capacity (105.79 TMC). While Harangi (in rain-starved Kodagu) and Kabini (Mysuru district) reservoirs are at 73 and 67 percent of their total capacity, the Hemavathi dam in Hassan district is at 48 percent. According to data from the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), the state has a gross storage capacity of 895.20 TMC if 14 major water reservoirs are taken into account. As on July 21, the capacity of 11 reservoirs stand below 50 percent. The water stands at 31 percent (277.73 TMC) of the total storage capacity of all 14 major reservoirs; this capacity stood at 73.5 percent (655.88 TMC) this time last year. IMD predicts heavy rains over coastal Karnataka The IMD on Friday predicted light rains in Bengaluru with heavy rains over coastal Karnataka districts in the next 24 hours. It said thunderstorms with lightning are likely at isolated places over the state. According to the IMDs rainfall forecast, BBMP area (Greater Bengaluru metropolitan region), is likely to receive isolated very light to light rains. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 29 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius, respectively. The rainfall forecast on Friday showed that the state is likely to receive widespread moderate to heavy rains over coastal Karnataka districts; scattered to widespread very light to moderate rains with isolated heavy rains over Malnad districts; scattered to widespread very light to moderate rains with isolated heavy rains over northern interior districts; and isolated to scattered very light to light rains over southern interior districts. In south interior Karnataka, the IMD predicted isolated to scattered very light to light rains over Davanagere, Chitradurga, Tumakuru, Ramanagara, Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural and Mysuru districts; and dry weather will likely prevail over remaining places in the region, it said. In north interior Karnataka, widespread light to moderate rains with isolated heavy rains are likely over Belagavi district; scattered to widespread very light to moderate rains are likely over Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir and Dharwad districts; and scattered to widespread very light to light rains have been predicted over remaining districts of the region. In Malnad district, the IMD forecast scattered to widespread very light to moderate rains with isolated heavy rains over Shivamogga, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu districts, whereas it said coastal Karnataka is likely to receive widespread moderate to heavy rains over Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada districts. A man was arrested by the Kolkata Police on Friday for trying to enter West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees residence in the state capital by posing as a police officer. According to police, the person, identified as Sheikh Noor Alam, tried to enter the chief ministers house with a firearm, a knife and contraband substances. One firearm, one knife and contraband substances were recovered from him along with ID cards of different agencies. He was travelling in a car with a police sticker on it," police said. According to a TOI report, the arrested accused is being interrogated by the police, STF and a special branch at the local police station. The incident took place hours before Mamata Banerjee left her Kalighat residence to take part in the Martyrs Day rally in the central part of the city. The Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi and the state government on Congress leader Rahul Gandhis appeal challenging the high court verdict which dismissed his plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a defamation case over his Modi surname" remark. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and P K Mishra issued notices to Purnesh Modi, who had filed a criminal defamation case in 2019 against Gandhi over his How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?" remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019, and the Gujarat government on Gandhis appeal. The limited question at this stage is whether the conviction deserves to be stayed," the bench observed. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Gandhi, said the Congress leader has suffered for 111 days, lost one Parliament session and is about to lose another session. The apex court has posted the matter for further hearing on August 4. A bench headed by CJI D Y Chandrachud had on July 18 agreed to hear Gandhis plea after senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi mentioned the matter and sought urgent hearing. In his appeal, Gandhi has said if the July 7 HC judgment is not stayed, it will lead to throttling of free speech, expression, thought, and statement". Purnesh Modi, a former minister in the Gujarat government, had filed a criminal defamation case in 2019 against Gandhi over his how all thieves have Modi as the common surname" remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019. He was apparently referring to businessmen Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi, two fugitive prominent businessmen wanted in India. (with inputs from PTI) Parliament Monsoon Session 2023: On the second day of the Monsoon Session, both houses of Parliament were adjourned within minutes of its proceedings beginning on Friday after the opposition created an uproar over Manipur violence. Congress President and LoP in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge demanded the immediate removal of Manipur CM Biren Singh adding that PM Modi must come to the parliament and speak on the issue. Meanwhile, PM Modi Modi urged parliamentarians to make full use of the Monsoon session of Parliament for extensive discussion on a host of bills. Wednesday night was like any other night for Irshalwadi villagers. Heavy rain, thick fog, no electricity. But the dark night turned darker at 10.30 pm when a massive landslide struck the village in Raigad district, burying more than 85% of it under stones and sludge. The death toll has reached 22. The first distress call came from a group of young boys who were playing PUBG in a community centre of the area. They called up a grocery store at the base of their village. Soon, word spread and people from Chauk village as well as those from the base village rushed up. They were met with the devastation caused by the landslide. Most of the village was turned to dust and around 75 survivors were rescued and taken to safety in villages down the hill. We all reached around midnight. We could hear cries for help. Most of those trapped were children. We started helping them around midnight, but it was pitch dark and raining, making it difficult for us to help them. Even the NDRF team had reached overnight, said a Chauk resident. Irshalwadi village in Khalapur tehsil is around 80 km from Mumbai. On Day 2 of rescue operations, four NDRF teams were working at the spot. The total population of the village is estimated to be 248 people, of whom 22 have died. A total of 75 people were rescued initially and 21 were evacuated later. Most of those who came with injuries had fracture but they were mostly traumatised, said a district doctor posted at the primary care centre set up at the base camp. Rescue work has been hampered by poor access to the village. The village is a 6-km trek through two hills from the base camp, taking anywhere between 1-2 hours. With no proper roads, the terrain is difficult to navigate. It is an uphill climb with the slope titled 30 degrees. Torrential rains have made the situation worse. CM Eknath Shinde undertook the trek on Thursday morning to reach the site to take stock of the situation. So far, 12 dead bodies have been recovered by search and rescue teams. As many as 103 people have been identified who were living there. Some of them were out for work in paddy fields and some children had gone to residential schools. Search for them is on," he had said. This village was not in the list of landslide-prone villages Our priority now is to rescue those still trapped beneath the rubble. There is continuous heavy rainfall and the debris and rubble has mounted up to 15 to 20 feet," the CM had told reporters. A fireman involved in rescue operations died of a heart attack while climbing the hill to reach the village. The fire officer was climbing up the steepest part of the hill. He was breathless and collapsed following pressure on his heart. He couldnt be revived after that, an official said. The village is 6-km from Morbe dam, which supplies water to Navi Mumbai. It is located near Irshalgad fortress between Matheran and Panvel. The fortress is a sister fort to Prabalgad. Irshalwadi is a tribal village inaccessible by pucca road. Chowk village on Mumbai-Pune Highway is the nearest town. This is the biggest landslide in Maharashtra after the July 30, 2014 landslide at Malin village in Ambegaon tehsil of Pune district. The massive landslide had swallowed up almost the entire tribal village of around 50 families. The final death toll was 153 when the rescue operation was stopped. Nothing of the old village remains except for its school building. With agency inputs The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued alerts warning of moderate to heavy rainfall across various states including Uttarakhand, Himachal, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Odisha for the next few days. Heavy downpours in Mumbai on Friday caused traffic snarls and affected local train services on central and harbour lines. Andheri subway was shut today due to waterlogging. Severe waterlogging was also reported from the Kings Circle area in Mumbai. The IMD has warned of heavy to extremely heavy" rains in isolated places in the ghat (hilly) areas of Pune district, Konkan and Madhya Maharashtra on Saturday. Here are the key updates: A letter by Guardian Minister of Mumbai (suburban) Mangal Prabhat Lodha to Mumbai civic body chief and administrator Iqbal Singh Chahal led to strong debates in the Maharashtra State Assembly on Friday. In the letter dated June 5, 2023, Lodha had requested cabins for guardian ministers of Mumbai in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters. The minister stated that common people who face civic issues dont get entry into the secretariat building every time. Solving civic issues of Mumbaiites is the primary job of BMC, hence guardian ministers of Mumbai should get cabin at the BMC HQ, Lodha said. Shiv Sena UBT leader and former minister Aaditya Thackeray took a dig at the CM Eknath Shinde-led government over the issue. Why have two cabins been allotted in the BMC HQs to the guardian ministers of Mumbai? What is the purpose behind this allotments? Now encroachments have moved into @mybmc HQ, hoping to probably name it Casa BMC or something like a builders advert. This is a shameless attack on the BMCs independence as a local self government. If this is allowed, each of us as Mumbai MLAs should be given a cabin there, pic.twitter.com/biNHvX5QcO Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) July 21, 2023 Without naming Lodha, who is involved in construction business, Thackeray said, Is the guardian minister planning to construct a residential tower in the BMC? Is that why he needs a cabin there? Thackeray further asked that with the state government not conducting the overdue BMC election, leading to no mayor or corporators, why does the guardian minister have to be present at the civic headquarters? Then, all MLAs representing Mumbai should also get office space at the BMC headquarters as people come to us, too, with work related to the BMC, he said. Slamming Thackeray for raising the issue unnecessarily", Lodha told News18: As their Maha Vikas Aghadi was being run from home, there was a huge communication gap between people and the government. The primary work of the government is to solve the problems and issues of people. Being a guardian minister of Mumbai, I get a lot of complaints regarding civic issues. As I started working out of the BMC HQ, I have been able to resolve many issues within a short span of time. Why is the Opposition making noise? Arent they happy that peoples problems are getting solved? The Opposition cant digest the fact that Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis have actually brought the government to the doorsteps of people. The positive response to the government is an issue for the Opposition, he said. During the Bosnian war, which lasted from 1992 to 1995, Bosnian Serbs, one of the large ethnic groups that made up the former country of Yugoslavia, was on a quest to establish an ethnically homogenous homeland, the Republika Srpska. Standing in the center of their chosen territory was Srebrenica, historically the home to a majority Bosnian Muslim population. For three years, Bosnian Serb nationalists hounded and terrorized Srebrenicas Muslim Bosniak population. Finally, toward the end of the war, units of the Bosnian Serb Army of Republika Srpska, under the command of General Ratko Mladic, forced their way into the besieged enclave of Srebrenica, a "safe area" under United Nations protection. The Serbian troops rounded up the population, including hundreds of refugees from surrounding villages. They separated the women and youngest children, and then systematically murdered all males over the age of fifteen. Between July 11 and 31, 1995, they massacred 7 to 8 thousand unarmed men and boys. The 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention defines genocide as "acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group". And that is what happened in Srebrenica, according to a report issued in 2004 by the Commission for Investigation of the Events in and around Srebrenica. Back then, the government of Republika Srpska, now an autonomous region within Bosnia i Herzegovina, issued an official apology. But 14 years later, the National Assembly of Republika Srpska rejected the report, claiming that many of the victims are still alive. To this day, denial of the Srebrenica genocide and glorification of those who committed these acts are common within the region. Speaking at the 28th observance of the Srebrenica Massacre, U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia i Herzegovina, Michael Murphy said that the American people stand in solidarity with the victims, the survivors, and families who grieve for their loved ones. The facts about the genocide in Srebrenica have been established beyond the shadow of a doubt, said Ambassador Murphy. The United States calls on the political leaders of Bosnia i Herzegovina to demonstrate respect for the truth, for the memory of the victims of the genocide in Srebrenica, and for the future of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which depends on their ability to acknowledge that genocide occurred in Srebrenica and take the necessary steps to right this and many other wrongs of the 1992-1995 war. On July 20 in Mumbai, The Bridal Couture Show featured the latest collection by renowned designer Manish Malhotra. Ranveer and Alia graced the occasion as they elegantly walked the ramp. The pair won the hearts of the crowd with their chic ramp walk. At The Bridal Couture Show, Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh recently graced the ramp as they showstoppers as they prep for the release of their upcoming film, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, in stunner attires. While Ranveer looked absolutely stunning, Alia shone in a lehenga, making the ideal bride with her flowing veil and complementing jewellery. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Ranveer stunned everyone when dressed in his ethnic attire. Ranveer maintained his regular zeal as he walked down the runway wearing a stunning Manish Malhotra outfit and smiled broadly at everyone in the audience. Check out Ranveers post here- View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ranveer Singh (@ranveersingh) He also dropped a kiss on Deepika Padukones face while walking down the ramp while decked out in a sherwani and dazzling jacket. Deepika was as beautiful in a white Mansih Malhotra sari. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Alia, nevertheless, radiated grandeur as she made her way down the runway at Manish Malhotras bridal couture show. In a silvery, embellished lehenga, the actress exuded pure Rani charm. She wore it with a long veil that was embroidered with pretty flowers. The actress accessorised stylishly. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) We are absolutely smitted watching what Manish dressed Alia in for this presentation despite the fact that the actress has served as Manish Malhotras inspiration in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. In the movie, the actress is seen wearing sarees made by the designer which is basically a variety of chiffon sarees in various colours for the movie. After the Tum Kya Mile song shoot, Alia was seen in her vlog discussing her love of the black saree and the multicoloured saree, which she affectionately referred to as the Kulfi saree, with director Karan Johar. Janhvi Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Anshula Kapoor, Karan Johar, and Nora Fatehi were among the well-known stars that attended Manish Malhotra;s Bridal Couture, yesterday. The event was also attended by Mukesh Ambani and his family. Together with other stars, Ridhi Dogra, Nusshratt Bharuccha, and Khushi Kapoor grabbed attention with their fashion choices. On July 28, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, directed by Karan Johar, will hit theatres. The movie tells the story of a Punjabi boy Rocky Randhawa (Ranveer Singh) and smart Bengali journalist Rani Chatterjee (Alia Bhatt), who fall in love and battle their separate families to establish their love. Juvenile arthritis (JA) refers to a group of chronic autoimmune diseases that affect children and adolescents, causing joint inflammation and stiffness. Early detection plays a crucial role in managing the condition effectively and preventing long-term complications. In India, while comprehensive nationwide statistics on juvenile arthritis are limited, there are indicators that highlight the need for early detection. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), around 20% of the Indian population consists of children under the age of 15. Among this population, the prevalence of juvenile arthritis is estimated to be around 1 in 1,000 children. However, the actual number may be higher due to underreporting and lack of awareness. JA presents with a variety of signs and symptoms that can vary from child to child. It is important for parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to be aware of these signs in order to facilitate early detection and appropriate management. Dr Harish Puranik, Senior Consultant - Orthopedics, Fortis Hospital Nagarbhavi, says, Early detection of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is important because it can help to prevent or reduce joint damage. The symptoms of JIA can often be misunderstood by parents as children do not report their injuries and are likely to be passed off as something picked up during play. Dr Naman Jain, Consultant, Rheumatology, Ramkrishna CARE Hospitals, Raipur explains some common signs and symptoms of juvenile arthritis: Joint pain and swelling Persistent pain and swelling in one or more joints, often accompanied by warmth and tenderness, are key indicators of juvenile arthritis. The pain may be worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity. Joint stiffness Children with JA may experience stiffness, particularly after waking up in the morning or after prolonged periods of rest. Stiffness may also occur after physical activity or prolonged sitting. Fatigue Unexplained fatigue and low energy levels are common in children with juvenile arthritis. They may tire easily and have difficulty participating in activities that require prolonged physical exertion. Limited range of motion Joint stiffness and swelling can lead to a reduced range of motion, making it difficult for children to move their joints fully. This limitation may affect activities such as bending, walking, or playing sports. Fever Many children with JA experience recurring fevers that tend to spike in the evenings. These fevers are often accompanied by other symptoms such as rash and malaise. Rash Some forms of juvenile arthritis, such as systemic-onset JA, can cause a distinctive rash. The rash may be pink or pale and may come and go with the fevers. Eye inflammation In certain types of JA, such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) associated with uveitis, inflammation may occur in the eyes. Symptoms can include redness, pain, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor right away. Apart from radiographs and routine blood tests, some specific tests are also recommended based on the symptoms. These tests can help to confirm the diagnosis of JIA and to determine the severity of the disease. However, in some cases even with negative tests, under strong clinical suspicion a diagnosis of JIA may still be made. Once JIA has been diagnosed, the doctor will develop a treatment plan for your child. The treatment plan will vary depending on the type and severity of the disease. However, most treatment plans include medication, physical therapy, and education, adds Dr Puranik. Early detection of JIA can help to prevent or reduce joint damage, and help in leading a normal life. Its important for parents not to overlook any persistent symptoms of JIA. If you think your child may have JIA, please see a doctor right away. Dr Pranik shares some tips for early detection of JIA: Be aware of the symptoms of JIA. See a doctor if your child is experiencing any of the symptoms of JIA. Ask your child about any pain or stiffness in their joints. Pay attention to your childs activity level. Monitor your childs growth and development. Early detection of JIA can help to improve your childs chances of a good outcome It is important to note that these symptoms can be similar to those of other conditions, and a proper medical evaluation is necessary for accurate diagnosis. To ensure early detection, parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals should be vigilant for warning signs. Timely referral to a rheumatologist is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Increased awareness campaigns and educational initiatives are needed to promote early recognition and reduce diagnostic delays. Efforts should be made to improve access to specialized healthcare services, especially in rural areas, to ensure early diagnosis and management of juvenile arthritis, signs off Dr Jain. Barbies lead protagonist Margot Robbie admits she was a dramatic child" who loved playing pranks on others. Not many know the Hollywood actress had an inclination toward faking injuries which once led her to fabricate her own death. The revelation was made during her latest appearance on BBC Radio 2s The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show alongside Barbie co-actor Ryan Gosling. In a candid segment, Margot Robbie revealed the prank was an attempt to get revenge on one of her babysitters that she didnt like. According to the actress, she preferred her previous caretaker who was 16 and cool" but the new one happened to be a cranky" lady. In an Instagram clip shared by the radio show, Margot Robbie can be heard saying, We got a new babysitter and I wanted my old babysitter back, Talia, who was like 16 and I thought she was so cool. We got this much older lady in and I was just not happy about it, and she told me to go have a bath and I didnt want to and she was very cranky and I thought, Im going to show you.'" The prank involved the Hollywood diva covering herself in ketchup and lying still for about 45 minutes. But it was all worth the wait" for the actress. She added, So I got a big kitchen knife and the ketchup and I sprawled out naked on the tiles, covered myself in ketchup, put the kitchen knife, and I waited like 45 minutes for her to find me." Margot Robbie confirmed to that host that her babysitter ran out of the house screaming. Meanwhile, co-star Ryan Gosling was in complete splits listening to the story of Margot producing" her own death. If that wasnt enough, once people around her were forced to call for an ambulance owing to her prankster antics. She jokingly continued, I also once practiced like a pratfall on the cinema stairs at the shopping center where Im from and people called an ambulance. So I guess I was a bit of a dramatic child." Watch a snippet of Margot Robbies revelation here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by BBC Radio 2 (@bbcradio2) Directed by Greta Gerwig, Barbie also features Kate McKinnon, Simu Liu, Issa Rae, and Will Ferrell among others in the ensemble cast. After expulsion from Barbieland, the female lead enters the human world on a journey of self-discovery along with her boyfriend Ryan Goslings Ken. Barbie theatrically releases on Friday, July 21. Barbie Movie Review: One mention of Barbie and you instantly think of a lean, tall-figured doll who is always well-dressed and has a perfect life. This stereotype is stuck with the doll for years, despite the numerous new designs and models being introduced. Director Greta Gerwig understood these stereotypes and even plays along with them for the first 15 to 20 minutes of the Barbie movie. However, she shatters the glass as soon as she is done playing with the doll and gets down to business to tell a relatable, feminist, and applaud-worthy movie that lives up to the hype. Barbie, starring Margot Robbie in the lead, is set in Barbie Land which has several kinds of Barbies co-existing. We see the stereotype Barbie (Margot), the President Barbie (Issa Rae), Physicist Barbie (Emma Mackey), and Lawyer Barbie (Sharon Rooney), among many more, running the Barbie land while the men, all of them named Ken, double up as their supporters, lovers, and partners. All goes well in the alter imaginary world until one day, the stereotypical Barbie wakes up feeling unusual emotions. She begins to wonder about death, loses her ability to walk on her toes, and exhibits sad emotions. When she approaches the Weird Barbie (Kate McKinnon), she learns that a portal between Barbie Land and the real world has led to Barbie feeling human-like emotions. She is advised to visit the real world to find answers. Driving through roads, crossing mountains and seas, Barbie and Ken (Ryan Gosling) roller-blade into Venice Beach in California where they meet Gloria (America Ferrera) and her daughter Sasha (Ariana Greenblatt). While Gloria is still a fan of Barbie, Sasha is not on board with the idea of Barbie and even calls her a fascist on her face. Barbie soon understands that her questions are being answered but Ken goes off on a different journey of self-discovery. He learns that in the real world, men are treated higher than women and that the concept of patriarchy plays to their benefit. Ken returns to Barbie Land and brings about drastic changes. On the other hand, Barbie also lands in her own world with the mother-daughter duo and finds out everything is changing. This leaves her worried. How will Barbie save her world? Id recommend you watch the film and find out. Greta, with co-writer Noah Baumbach, delivers a colourful, fresh, and probably one of the best concepts of the year. While the film starts off as though it is portraying a delusional world of Barbies, Greta smashes open the plot and lets you in on her feminist take on the popular doll. She is conveying some of the most powerful messages with the film, she is doing it under the garb of humour and coming-of-age, making the impact stronger. The dialogues and screenplay are the biggest superpowers of Barbie. Greta makes several pop culture references thus adopting the meta narration which helps Barbie take things a notch higher. She also takes digs at Margot Robbie, the concept of Barbie over the years, Warner Bros projects, and patriarchy, leaving everyone in splits. Barbie is so strong in its approach towards surprise humour that it somewhat reminded me of Phoebe Waller-Bridges style of comedy. On the acting front, Margot proves she was meant to play the role of Barbie. The actress shifts gears from being the happy-go-lucky Barbie to the Barbie no one has ever seen before with utmost ease. However, Ryan Gosling steals the show. He channels his inner Kenergy so hard that he outshines Margot in a few scenes. He also shows his comedy side in the goofiest way possible. His rapport with Simu Liu in the film, especially in their musical scenes, is hilarious and you will find yourself asking for more of their scenes. America Ferrera also holds the screen in the film. Her monologue in the film was not only relatable but also very moving. That scene and her performance will be discussed in the days to come. However, she couldnt match up to Margot and Ryans massive energy in the film. Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie also knows how to hold the cameras attention but is outshined by Margot. However, Barbie has its share of flaws as well. The climax is based on convenience and shifts focus from Barbie to Ken, which backfires the whole build-up of the film. To top it off, it appeared as though Greta was confused about how to end the film so she brought in a strange subplot to wrap things off, paving the way to several questions but no answers. Bottom Line: Dear Barbies, take your Kens with you to watch the impressive Gret Gerwig directorial because the film talks about the various struggles women go through that men truly need to be reminded of. Watch the film for the dialogue writing and Margot and Ryans performances. Actor Deepika Padukone attended Manish Malhotras Bridal Couture show on Thursday in Mumbai, looking like a vision in white. Deepikas husband, actor Ranveer Singh, walked the ramp with Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani co-star Alia Bhatt. Ranveers mother, Anju Bhavnani, was also seen seated in the front row, between Deepika and Kajol. A paparazzi video from the show is going viral on Reddit in which Deepika can seen walking out of the venue and momentarily pausing to make sure if Anju was right behind. Fans of the actor are praising her for taking care of her mother-in-law. Some even wrote that the pride on Anjus face was evident as she walked behind Deepika. One fan wrote, shes looking gorgeous as always but look at how she kept turning back to see whether ranveers mom was there and also ranveers moms proud smile i love love <33" Another fan commented, Proud MIL behind n DP looks soooo gorgeous. Also so nice to see Jalal & Sanu (driver) with her all through these years. If Im not wrong they are there with her from the start." Another fan added, She is beautiful. As someone commented, you can see a tinge of pride on MIL face." Deepika looked stunning in a Manish Malhotra white saree in sheer net with intricate frill detailing. The actor opted for a halter-neck, sequin blouse with mirror work all over. She completed the look with a tight bun and emerald and diamond earrings. A fan of the actor wrote, Shes sooo stunning. Can just walk into a room and steal the show." Another fan commented, Her presence both on/off screen is unmatched." One fan also wrote, Yaar the structured back is all I can see." Deepika will soon be seen in the upcoming sci-fi film, Kalki 2898 AD, earlier known as Project K. Directed by Nag Ashwin, the film also stars Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan in central roles. The first glimpse of the much awaited film was released at the San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday. The long-awaited glimpse of Project-K was released at the ongoing San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) in the United States. Veteran Actor Kamal Haasan attended the launch along with several other cast and crew members of the film. The Nag Aswin directorial stars Prabhas and Deepika Padukone as the leads. Kamal Haasan, on the other hand, will play a negative role in the upcoming project. At the global event, the veteran actor shared the reason behind accepting to work as an antagonist in this ambitious film, and there is no doubt he will do justice to it. At the San Diego Comic Con, Kamal Haasan, along with the other team members, including Prabhas and Rana Daggubati, attended a panel discussion. Speaking at the event, he said, The reason I accepted this film is because I come from analogous cinema. Without a negative, theres no positive. So, a negative role is an important role in a film. Two negatives make a positive." His answer was met with a huge round of applause. The clip from the event was shared by one of his fan pages on Twitter. #Aandavar @ikamalhaasan on why he chose to be a part of #ProjectK "The reason I accepted this film is because I come from analogous cinema. Without a negative, there's no positive. So, a negative role is an important role in a film" #KamalHassan #Prabhas #Kalki2898AD pic.twitter.com/I7OHMr8Z52 KP (@kamalmaniac) July 21, 2023 Before launching the first preview, the team of Project K gathered for a get-together. Kamal Haasan wore a classic black jacket with a white shirt, while Prabhas looked dashing in a blue blazer paired with a black T-shirt. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vyjayanthi Movies (@vyjayanthimovies) Vyjayanthi Movies shared a few pictures on social media and mentioned how they missed one of the cast members, legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan there. They wrote, The forces meet Kamal Haasan, Prabhas. Wish you were with us today in San Diego, Amitabh Bachchan sir. Cant wait to see the magnificent frame of all our stalwarts Project K." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vyjayanthi Movies (@vyjayanthimovies) Along with a sneak peek, the filmmakers revealed the official title of the film, which is Kalki 2898 AD. This will replace the working title of Project K. The teaser shows a world fighting a deadly war where people are ruled by dark forces. There is violence and oppression everywhere. This is a multilingual sci-fi film directed by Nag Ashwin. Produced by Vyjayanthi Movies, this marks the first collaboration between Deepika and Prabhas. The movie is scheduled to release next year in January. Jailer may give fans a chance to see the Rajinikanth they have been missing. The actor has recently experienced a difficult time in his career. The majority of the directors who collaborated with the renowned actor in recent years were unable to highlight his swag. The Rajinikanth that his admirers fell in love with has been waiting patiently to appear on screen. The poster of Jailer has given Rajinikanths fans a ray of hope that Nelson Dilipkumar will present him in his best form. If the posters were not enough for fans to get excited about, the recently released second single from Jailer has made fans go crazy. Titled Hukum, the song is the ultimate mass pleaser that elevates the Thalaivar. Anirudh Ravichander, has been successful in putting out a song that celebrates the persona of Rajinikanth. Hukum, written by Super Subu, is all about Rajinikanths timeless style that endures beyond generations. The song also has Anirudhs vocals. Ungappan whistle ah ketavan (The one who received your dads hoots and whistles) is one example of a line. Another one goes Thalaimura Kadakura hit-aanavan (someone who is a hit beyond generations) and any Rajinikanth fan can vouch for the fact that these lines are totally on point and relatable when it comes to Rajinikanth. In an interview with a YouTube channel, Subu said that when he heard the music by Anirudh Ravichander, he knew the lyrics had to be fiery to match the mass-appealing tunes. He was also shown the footage of the song and he described it as being on another level. Anirudh then told him to retain as much mass appeal as he could and Subu wrote the song in just one hour. Subu said writing the song was easy for him since he is an ardent fan of Rajinikanth himself and Nelson Dilipkumar had given him complete freedom as a lyricist. Everything in this song is true, I have written what is in peoples minds, he said. Jailer will release on August 10 and also stars Tamannaah Bhatia, Mohanlal, Jackie Shroff, Shiva Rajkumar and Ramya Krishnan. Disneys The Haunted Mansion is slated to release next week and it stars an intersting line up. The trailer revealed that the film is inspired by the classic theme park and will be focus on a mother and son duo who reach out to a group of so-called spiritual experts to tackle the supernatural activities in their home. The film stars Lakeith Stanfield, Rosario Dawson, Owen Wilson, Tiffany Haddish, Danny Devito, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chase W. Dillon, and Jared Leto, among others, who are promising a fun ride. But who plays what in the movie? Lets meet the cast of Haunted Mansion: Lakeith Stanfield as Ben Matthias: Lakeith Stanfield has been roped in to play the role of Ben, a scienist who specializes in paranormal activities and is atan existential crossroads. In spite of his training in paranormal activity, does not believe that the Mansion is really haunted by ghosts. When Father Kent requests his assistance, he only agrees once payment is off ered, thinking of the easy money to be made. Rosario Dawson as Gabbie: Rosario Dawson plays Gabbie, a smart, accomplished physician and mother with a young son, Travis, who sets out hoping for a fresh start in a sprawling antebellum home in New Orleans. With the best intentions, she promises him a new adventure, which takes an unexpected turn. Dawson sees Gabbie as a stalwart maternal protector who galvanizes the group with passion and resilience. Owen Wilson as Father Kent: Owen Wilson inhabits the part of Father Kent, to whom Gabbie turns when she discovers her new home is haunted. Despite his positive, optimistic outlook on life and his ecumenical garb, Father Kents hipster demeanor and odd comments seem out of place for a clergyman. Wilson describes his character as definitely not your typical priest. You dont see a lot of priests running around with a hatchet. He has a very casual approach to matters of faith and specializes in exorcisms. Hes kind of a trailblazer in the field, and the skill set that he off ers is unique. I dont know if theres another priest like him in Louisiana. Tiffany Haddish as Harriet: actress-comedian Tiff any Haddish plays Harriet, the outlandish French Quarter psychic who discovers that her supernatural gifts may be stronger than she ever imagined once she confronts the potent energy swirling inside the Haunted Mansion. Harriet is unaware of what shes in for when she visits the Mansion, and she makes a quick exit after gleaning a bit of the dark energy of the ghost realm. But she returns and agrees to help, if only to relieve herself of the ghost attached to her from her initial visit. Danny Devito as Bruce Davis: Veteran actor Danny DeVito portrays Professor Bruce Davis, the gruff, crochety Tulane University professor who has delved into the science behind supernatural occurrences such as spirits inhabiting physical spaces in the real world. Jamie Lee Curtis as Madame Leota: Jamie Lee Curtis has been roped into the film to play the role of Madame Leota. She is is the woman in behind the magic ball but somehow lands up in the ball. The mystery will unfold in the movie. Chase W. Dillon as Travis: 13-year-old Chase W. Dillon has been roped in to play Gabbies 9-year-old son, Travis. In the movie, we see him having trouble making friends at school. Jared Leto as Crump/hatbox: Jared Leto has been roped in to play the role of Hatbox Ghost. The character is seen in the theme park attraction as well and it will be interesting to see how Leto adds his spin to the role. Haunted Mansion in theatres on July 28 Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI) has recently laid down new rules for Kollywood. FEFSI is an Indian organisation which consists of technicians from 23 unions from various fields of the Tamil film industry. According to their new rules, only Tamil actors should be taken in Tamil films. They even stated that Tamil films should be shot only in Tamil Nadu unless its necessity to shoot outside the state or country. These rules came as a huge blow to many. Social media users criticised these rules. Tamil artists are yet to share their views on this. Lets take a look at the rules laid down by FEFSI: 1. For Tamil films, only Tamil artists should be employed. 2. Shooting of films should happen only in Tamil Nadu. 3. Shoot should not take place in an outside state or outside country without utmost necessity. 4. If the shoot doesnt complete on time or goes out of budget, written communication is to be made to producers with appropriate reasons. FEFSI further stated that the Tamil film industry should cooperate with Tamil actors this way, and that would be enough. The organisation has also issued that disciplinary action will be taken if these are violated. They also said that if the films director is the author of the story, he should take responsibility, if there is a problem with the rights of the story. It is said that the members of FEFSI were not able to secure work because Tamil films were made with stars and actors from other industries. Many of the films were shot in foreign locations, which also posed a problem, creating a lack of employment opportunities for FEFSI members. Reportedly, these reasons led them to pen down strict rules. Kollywood is one of the biggest film industries in the country. Artists from across India work in Tamil films. Malayali actors have been an important part of Tamil cinema. Many big-budget and star-led Tamil films are shot in foreign countries. The audience is thus criticising the new rules proposed by FEFSI. During San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, the makers of Project K revealed the initial sneak peek of Prabhas Project K. Earlier, the actors first look was released, but it received underwhelming responses from fans. At the event, the Project K team unveiled the films title, teaser, and release date. The film has been titled Kalki 2898 AD and its first glimpse features Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Prabhas in a futuristic setting. The teaser portrays them as warriors amidst a war-like scenario. The film is scheduled for release in 2024. Present at the event are Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, and Rana Daggubati. According to a report, Deepika Padukone, who is a member of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA), wont be part of the event due to the ongoing strike by the union in the US. Making history, Project K became the first-ever Indian film to debut at the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) in 2023. Before the event, a billboard for Project K at Times Square, New York City, teased the audience with the message, First glimpse on July 20." Earlier, several photos of Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, and Rana hanging out in the US had surfaced online as they arrived in the country ahead of the event. 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. Earlier, the first look of Prabhas was revealed. In the poster, Prabhas, dubbed the Rebel Star of the film sported a metal armour, dreadlocks and a thick beard. The sci-fi fantasy thriller is scheduled to release next year in January. Apart from Prabhas and Ran Daggubati, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone and Nag Ashwin will take part in the panel discussion. US-based Bryant University and Bengaluru-based RV University recently revealed the launch of a global executive MBA program. The 18-month program was created to meet the needs of mid- to senior-level professionals in India who want to progress in their careers. Bryant University faculty members will present eight modules in person by traveling to Bengaluru, while RV faculty members will teach the rest. The program includes a one-week global immersion experience at Bryant Universitys campus in Smithfield, Rhode Island, the universities said in a statement.We are excited to partner with RV University to offer this new Global EMBA program, Bryant University president Ross Gittel said. Educating our students to be strong contributors with a global mindset is at the core of the Bryant experience, he added. RV University Chancellor AVS Murthy added: This program is a unique opportunity for Indian professionals to gain a world-class business education from two of the leading universities in the world. We are confident that this program will help our students achieve their career goals.RV University pro-chancellor P Nagaraj said the program offers a unique blend of academic rigor and practical experience, and it is taught by world-renowned faculty. The university is run by Rashtreeya Shikshana Samithi Trust (RSST), founded in 1940. During San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, the makers of Project K revealed the initial sneak peek of Prabhas Project K. Earlier, the actors first look was released, but it received underwhelming responses from fans. At the event, the Project K team unveiled the films title, teaser, and release date. The film has been titled Kalki 2898 AD and its first glimpse features Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Prabhas in a futuristic setting. The teaser portrays them as warriors amidst a war-like scenario. The film is scheduled for release in 2024. For More: Project K Is Now Kalki 2898 AD; Prabhas, Deepika Padukone Give Us Goosebumps With 1st Glimpse While everyone is eagerly waiting for Gadar 2, the makers have now assured all that the film will surely be a blockbuster. On Friday, the production house of the movie released a video which featured Sunny Deol in his Tara Singh avatar. The clip also featured actor Utkarsh Sharma, who will be essaying the role of Taras son in the movie. For More: Gadar 2: Sunny Deol Runs, Escapes Bullets and Screams Hindustan Zindabaad In New Video The buzz about Tiger 3 is growing stronger with each passing day. This is the fifth film of the YRF Spy Universe and is all set hit the big screens this year. Salman Khan and Katrina Kaifs much-awaited action entertainer has been shot extensively all around the world, promising its viewers a perfect cinematic experience. As the film gradually inches closer to its release, a BTS video of the superstar performing action stunts in the film has gone viral. For More: Salman Khans Bold Action Scene from Tiger 3 Sends Fans Into Frenzy, BTS Video Goes Viral; Watch Ranveer Singh is gearing up for the release of Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani. While everyone is waiting eagerly for the much-awaited movie, his wife Deepika Padukone is no different. On Friday, Ranveer was promoting his film at an event in Mumbai when News18 Showsha asked him about Deepikas reaction to the RRKPK trailer and songs. For More: Ranveer Singh Reveals Deepika Padukone Keeps Singing RRKPK Songs, Is Very Excited About Film Prabhas and Rana Daggubati are currently in the US attending the San Diego Comic-Con along with Kamal Haasan. During the event, the makers of Project K presented the first sneak peek of the film, now titled Kalki 2898 AD. The film features Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Prabhas in a futuristic setting, portraying them as warriors in a war-like situation. Amitabh Bachchan, who couldnt attend in person, joined the event via video call. For More: Kamal Haasan REVEALS He Hated Sholay; Project K Co-Star Amitabh Bachchan Says Stop Being So Ranveer Singh is currently promoting his much-awaited film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani. During one such event, the actor took a trip down memory lane and discussed his school life, when he revealed that he had once got minus 10 out of 100 in Maths. In a video from the event, the actor can be heard saying, Zero on hundred se koi lower laaya hai? Main laaya hun. Jisko mila tha maths mein anda, Zero on hundred minus ten for talking, so minus ten on hundred. A video of the same has got viral on Instagram. Have a look : Speaking of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, Ranveer would be seen sharing screen space with Alia Bhatt for the same. Earlier last month, the makers dropped the films trailer and one can say, the film promises to be a quintessential romantic entertainer. The films trailer gives a glimpse of Rocky and Ranis completely contrasting world, who fall in love, but theres no surety if theyd actually have a happy ending. While Rocky is a beefed-up Punjabi boy hailing from an affluent Punjabi family, Rani belongs to a Bengali household where knowledge and intelligence is given an importance over anything else. In what Karan had once described as a story from a real life family anecdote that was shared by his father, late producer Yash Johar, these forces collide and fall in love, but theres a twist. Apart from Ranveer and Alia, the film also stars veteran actors Dharmendra, Shabana Azmi and Jaya Bachchan. The film also includes supporting actors like Tota Roy Chowdhury, Ronit Roy, Saswata Chatterjee, Karmveer Choudhary, Kshitee Jog, and numerous prominent performers. The films album is composed by Pritam. Rocky Aur Rani KIi Prem Kahani is co-produced by Viacom18 Studios and Dharma Productions. Karan Johars last directorial was Ae Dil Hai Mushlkil in 2016. This movie is slated to release on July 28, 2023. During San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, the makers of Project K revealed the initial sneak peek of Prabhas Project K. Earlier, the actors first look was released, but it received underwhelming responses from fans. At the event, the Project K team unveiled the films title, teaser, and release date. The film has been titled Kalki 2898 AD and its first glimpse features Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Prabhas in a futuristic setting. The teaser portrays them as warriors amidst a war-like scenario. The film is scheduled for release in 2024. Reacting to the first glimpse, SS Rajamouli has given a shoutout to Nag Ashwin and the entire team of Kalki 2898 by sharing the teaser and penning a heartfelt note. Taking to his Twitter handle, the RRR director praised the makers for undertaking this massive project despite the challenges of making futuristic movies. His tweet read, Great job Nagi and Vyjayanthi movies. Creating an authentic futuristic movie is such a difficult task and you guys made it possible..Darling looks smashing.. Only one question remainsRelease date #Kalki2989AD." Check It Out Making history, Project K became the first-ever Indian film to debut at the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) in 2023. Before the event, a billboard for Project K at Times Square, New York City, teased the audience with the message, First glimpse on July 20." Earlier, several photos of Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, and Rana hanging out in the US had surfaced online as they arrived in the country ahead of the event. 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. Earlier, the first look of Prabhas was revealed. In the poster, Prabhas, dubbed the Rebel Star of the film sported a metal armour, dreadlocks and a thick beard. The sci-fi fantasy thriller is scheduled to be released next year in January. Apart from Prabhas and Ran Daggubati, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone and Nag Ashwin will take part in the panel discussion. It has been more than 75 days of ethnic violence but the Northeast state of Manipur is yet to see the return of normalcy. The ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zomis since May has left more than 140 people dead and displaced more than 50,000 people. Taking advantage of this chaos, militant groups belonging to both Meitei and Kuki-Zomi tribes are trying to gain ground among their respective communities, making things more difficult for both the state government and the Centre in restoring peace. Resurfacing of the old demand of Kukiland Amid this chaos, the old demand for a separate Kukiland has resurfaced. The proposed state is to be curved out from the state of Manipur. Days after starting of the ethnic violence, the demand for a separate administration was raised by 10 Kuki-Zomi MLAs cutting across parties. These included the MLAs from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Later, this demand for separate administration got support from civil society groups. Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of Kuki tribes in the state, has demanded a separate state under Article 3 of the Constitution. On the other hand, Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) has also specified that they are for a separate state or a Union Territory, if a separate state is not agreeable. Demand for Greater Mizoram echoes The Kuki-Zomi tribes of Manipur and the Mizos the dominant tribe of Mizoram belong to the same Zo tribe. Already, more than 12,000 people from the Kuki-Zomi tribes hit by the ethnic violence have taken shelter in neighbouring Mizoram. It is due to this shared ethnic relation, Mizos are very much concerned with the developments of Manipur. They feel that the current Chief Minister of their neighbouring state, N Biren Singh, is biased against the Kuki-Zomis. They are also supportive of the demand of a separate administration raised by their Kuki-Zomi brethren. It is another thing that this demand for separate administration is getting support from the political parties of Mizoram, where state assembly polls are due late this year. The BJP unit of Mizoram has passed a resolution supporting the demand for separate administration. Chief Minister Zoramthanga even went one step ahead by bringing the demand of Greater Mizoram, which means uniting areas falling outside Mizoram dominated by the Zo tribes. This too isnt a new demand. This was raised in the 1960s when the Mizo National Front (MNF), the current ruling party of the state, was founded. Clearly, with elections near the corner, the Zoramthanga-led MNF is bringing up the issue of Greater Mizoram by milking the unfortunate developments of Manipur to get a political advantage in the polls. The main Opposition, the Zoram Peoples Movement, keeping in mind the electoral arithmetic of upcoming polls, too has supported the idea of unification of the Zo tribes. Separate state not a correct peace formula The area of the proposed state includes the hill areas of the state where Kukis are dominant. However, this isnt a simple solution as it seems. It has to be mentioned that Nagas also reside in the hills, which comprise 90 percent of the states area. There are 16 districts in the state and of these, 10 come under the hills. Churachandpur district is the main stronghold of the Kukis, who are also spread in districts like Pherzawl, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal and Chandel. However, the areas included by Kukis in their Kukiland are claimed as their ancestral lands by the Nagas. It has to be mentioned that when Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh-led Congress government separated the Kuki-dominated Sadar Hills area from the Naga-dominated Senapati district to create a new district, Kangpokpi, it was opposed by the Nagas, who viewed this as an encroachment on their ancestral lands. Both Nagas and Kukis have a bitter past. Back in the 1990s, their rivalry resulted in ethnic violence claiming more than 400 lives. This was the worst ethnic violence the state has seen so far. As far as demography is concerned, Kukis account for 30 percent of the states population while the Nagas 15 percent. In the current ethnic violence, the Nagas have stayed neutral so far. However, with the demand for a separate administration gaining momentum among the Kuki-Zomi tribes, the Nagas too have raised their concerns. The states water resources minister Awangbow Newmai of the Naga Peoples Front, an ally of the BJP, said that the Naga areas shouldnt be touched as it would create more problems. In June, a delegation of 10 Naga MLAs, including two from the BJP, from the state accompanied by Outer Manipur Lok Sabha MP Lorho Pfoze of NPF, met with Union home minister Amit Shah where they urged the latter not to arrive at any settlement with the Kukis without consulting the Nagas. Already the Meiteis are clearly opposed to any kind of division of the states territory. The Nagas too have issues as their ancestral areas overlap with the areas of the separate state as demanded by the Kuki-Zomi tribes. So any division of the state with the intention to restore normalcy in the Northeast state is likely to only backfire. Any such step has the potential to worsen the current situation instead of bringing peace. Potential to disturb peace of the Northeast region There have already been demands for separate states in the Northeast like a separate Tipraland or Greater Tipraland in Tripura, a separate Garoland in Meghalaya, a separate Bodoland in Assam, a separate Frontier Nagaland and the Greater Nagalim demand in Nagaland. In fact, the Centre hasnt agreed to the demand of Greater Nagalim as the proposed area of this land includes territories of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. The demand for Greater Tipraland is also similar to the Greater Nagalim demand. If the Centre agrees to create a separate state or even a Union Territory for the Kuki-Zomi tribes out of Manipur, the various statehood demands of the region are likely to gain momentum. Such movements may strengthen the various weakened militant groups, who claim to be working for their ethnic communities, operating in the region. If peace is to be restored in the strife-torn Manipur, firstly, bold political steps rising above electoral arithmetic need to be taken by the Centre. Secondly, the deep mistrust between the two communities has to be gradually reduced. For that, dialogue between the two communities has to be encouraged through a third party, maybe Nagas, who are neutral in this violence and can play a significant role with the help of the Centre. Instead of a separate state, autonomous district councils under the sixth schedule can be granted to Kukis and also to the Nagas, so that the latter too dont feel that they are neglected. Obviously, this wont also be easy as the Kukis and Nagas have differences over the area but this is much better than agreeing to the demand of a separate state, which itself is a problem; not a solution. The author is a political commentator and tweets @SagarneelSinha. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. Debate on the no-confidence motion moved by the BJP against the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government, in which the opposition party mentioned a 109-point chargesheet" targeting the ruling dispensation, began in the state legislative assembly on Friday. The debate is likely to continue till late evening. The Monsoon session of the state assembly is concluding on Friday. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) moved a no-confidence motion against the government on Wednesday. This is the last session of the assembly before the state goes to polls this year-end. During the debate, which began around 12 pm, the opposition members accused the ruling Congress of having failed on several fronts and ditching youth and contractual employees. Leader of Opposition Narayan Chandel tabled the 109-point chargesheet in the House. Initiating the debate, senior BJP MLA Brijmohan Agrawal hit out at the Congress government and said the no-trust motion has been brought as this government has turned deaf and dumb" and become a murderer of democracy. The atrocities committed by the Baghel government against youths have surpassed as compared to what was committed by the British rulers, he said. Referring to the nude protest staged earlier this week by men belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities seeking action against those who got government jobs using fake caste certificates, Agrawal said youths had to strip in this government. The Congress government cannot do development of the stateit rather indulges in self welfare," he alleged. Taking a dig at recent changes in the ruling Congress organisation and the cabinet, Agrawal said, The CM has no faith in his cabinet colleagues nor on his party chief while ministers have no faith in the CM." He was referring to the induction of Congress leader Mohan Markam into the Baghel-led cabinet after replacing him as Congress Chhattisgarh unit chief and the removal of minister Premsai Singh Tekam from the cabinet. Agrawal also targeted the Congress government over corruption including the alleged liquor scam. Meanwhile, ruling party MLAs, including ministers, interrupted him and countered his charges. However, deputy speaker Santram Netam asked the ministers not to interrupt saying that everyone would get a chance to speak during the discussion on the no-confidence motion. Former Chief Minister of Kerala Oommen Chandy enjoyed massive popularity and love among people and his funeral procession which took 28 hours to cover from Thiruvananthapuram to Kottayam, 150 km a distance which usually takes about 3.5 to 4 hours is proof. Right from the time the funeral procession began from Puthupally house", his residence in Thiruvananthapuram was qued as hundreds gathered to pay their last respects. Many a time, the vehicle carrying his mortal remains couldnt move further as hundreds of elderly, women, and children were waiting to pay their last tributes and mourn the death of their loving leader. The crowd refused to disperse despite the rain and thousand were waiting patiently to catch a last glimpse of their beloved Oommen. Everyone who attended the last rites had only praises for him as children held posters saying We love you Appacha, and will miss you." His followers, who were in thousands, were raising slogans to bid adieu to their favourite leader who spent his life among and for the people. Kanne karale kunjunje (which means our eye and heart kunjunju) aaru paranju MariChennu, jeevikunnu najngalilude" ( who said you are dead, you are living through us, our memories ) and a thousand kisses for you Oommen Chandy," the voices echoed as Chandy left for the heavenly abode As the funeral procession reached closer to Kottayam, people were seen running along with the vehicle carrying his mortal remains. Former CM of Kerala, Oommen Chandy was a people man who used to work for over 19-20 hours. His mass reach programmes to interact with the public used to begin at 9 in the morning and continue till the other day. Those who know Oommen Chandy knew his a man who was accessible to the common public despite being in a position of power. During his tenure, the official residence of the Chief Minister was open to all who wanted to meet their leader and discuss their problems. He was never spotted alone as he was always among the people. When asked, Oommen Chandy always said he gets his energy from the people. He never liked to be alone and Kerala made sure that he was not alone even during his last journey. The love and respect Chandy enjoyed was unparallel and the presence of his political rivals, who were struggling to hold back their tears, was a testament to that. Kerala legislative assembly Speaker AN Shamseer said that it is a great loss for Kerala and remembered how Chandy always greeted him with a smile even after he voraciously criticised him in the state assembly. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan also reached out to pay his last respect and teared up while speaking about Chandy. About his political career, he remained the MLA of Puthupally for 53 years. He was first elected in 1970. Congress Central leadership reportedly had called him Dehi several times but Chandy always said he wanted to work in Kerala. Chandys demise is a vacuum that the Congress in Kerala cannot fill. My father had said that he was a common man, lived like one and did not want state honours. It was his wish," said Chandys son. Oommen Chandy was laid to rest at Puthupally church at around midnight on Friday. Parliament has become one of the most active protest sites, consuming a major part of its scheduled working hours. It sits for 60 to 70 days a year, divided into three sessions budget, monsoon and winter while both the houses work from 11 am to 6 pm with an hours recess. This years monsoon session began on Thursday and, much like in the recent past, was finally adjourned for the day amid repeated protests. Opposition parties protested over the unrest in Manipur demanding discussions in the lower and upper houses and the prime ministers statement on it. So, its not surprising that the session for both houses, once again, began on a stormy note. Parliament performance in 2023, so far According to data from PRS Legislative Research, the productivity rate of the budget session, which usually performs well, hit rock bottom. Lok Sabha could work only for 33 percent of its scheduled working hours while it was 24 percent for the Rajya Sabha. Before this, the budget session had recorded such a poor performance in 2018 21 percent for Lok Sabha and 27 percent for Rajya Sabha. Both the houses of Parliament had 25 sitting days. The lower house could work for 46 hours, losing 96 hours due to interruptions and adjournments. The upper house had a worse record 32 hours and 14 minutes with 109 hours lost to disruptions. There was much brouhaha over Congress leader Rahul Gandhis comments in London that he made against the BJP-led central government. Some opposition parties, including the Congress, protested over the Hindenburg report against the Adani Group and even demanded a probe by a joint parliamentary committee (JPC). 17th Lok Sabha: Productivity rates from 2019 to 2022 Data shows that the first session of the 17th Lok Sabha began on June 17, 2019, with an oath and affirmation by new members as well as the selection of the speaker of the house. The first session of Rajya Sabha, during the 17th Lok Sabha or its 249th session, began three days later on June 20. Lok Sabha had 37 sittings while the Rajya Sabha had 35. The session saw over 100 percent productivity. Data shows the lower house worked 135 percent over its scheduled working hours. The upper house, too, used all its working hours giving a 100 percent productivity rate. The LS was expected to sit for 280 hours and added another 73.14 hours with late hour sittings. The RS, meanwhile, was expected to sit for 195 hours and 35 minutes but lost 19 hours and 12 minutes due to interruptions and adjournment; it made up for this by adding late hour sittings. Productivity of the 2019 winter session was excellent as well. It was 111 percent for Lok Sabha and 92 percent for Rajya Sabha but productivity rate was low for sessions during 2020 and 2021 the pandemic years due to the Covid crisis. The performance was adversely impacted due to reduced number of days, large number of absentees, lack of debate while passing legislations and cancellation of a session. The 2020 budget session was supposed to have 31 sittings but sat for only 23 days. Parliament was adjourned sine die on March 23, 2020, and, hence, Lok Sabhas productivity level stood at 86 percent while it was 74 percent for Rajya Sabha. The monsoon session was delayed and began on September 14, 2020. It was supposed to end on October 1, 2020, but was concluded earlier on September 23, 2020. The 10-day session registered productivity at 145 percent in the lower house and 99 percent in the upper house. The winter session was cancelled. All three sessions were held in 2021. Productivity of LS and RS during the budget session was at 107 percent and 90 percent, respectively. The session usually begins with the presentation of the union budget and related financial bills and is expected to be the most productive of all three sessions. But productivity drastically came down in the monsoon session, which began on July 19, 2021, and was concluded two days ahead of its last working day. Protests by opposition parties demanding discussions on farm laws and farmers protests, price rise and Pegasus scandal brought productivity down to 21 percent in Lok Sabha and 29 percent in Rajya Sabha. In the 2021 winter session, 12 MPs were suspended for their unruly behaviour during the monsoon session. It fuelled the opposition parties protests but this session performed better on the productivity scale. The lower house worked for 77 percent of its allotted time while it was 43 percent for the upper house. The year 2022 followed the 2021 trend. Productivity of the LS during the budget session was 123 percent while it was 90 percent for the RS. It came down to 47 percent for the former and 42 percent for the latter during the monsoon session. Lok Sabha lost 54 working hours while Rajya Sabha lost 76 due to interruptions and adjournments. The session was supposed to end on August 12, 2022, but disruptions forced it to be concluded on August 8, 2022. Rival parties protested on price rise and GST imposition on some essential commodities. The winter session performed better with the lower house having a productivity rate of 88 percent while it was 94 percent for the upper house. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday sacked Rajendra Singh Gudha as minister of state for questioning his own governments performance in handling the recent incidents of crimes against women in the state. Governor Kalraj Mishra accepted with immediate effect the recommendation of Gehlot to sack Gudha, said Raj Bhawan. This came hours after Gudha had criticised his own Congress-led government over the safety of women in Rajasthan. During the discussion on the Rajasthan Minimum Income Guarantee Bill 2023 in the state Assembly, Congress MLAs waved placards on the Manipur violence, but the protest did not go down well with Gudha, who sought accountability from his own government on crimes inflicted against women. News agency ANI quoted Gudha as saying in the Assembly, It is true and should be accepted that we have failed in womens safety. Instead of Manipur, we should look within ourselves that atrocities on women have increased in Rajasthan." #WATCH | Rajasthan Minister & Congress leader Rajendra Singh Gudha says, "It is true & should be accepted that we have failed in women's safety. Instead of Manipur, we should look within ourselves that atrocities on women have increased in Rajasthan."(Source: Rajasthan pic.twitter.com/uwStRuzmju ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 21, 2023 Gudha held charge as Minister of State for Sainik Kalyan (Independent Charge), Home Guard and Civil Defence, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development. Leader of the Opposition Rajendra Rathore slammed the state government saying Rajasthan tops the chart of crimes against women. Cabinet minister Rajendra Gudha himself is stating the reality of atrocities being done on sisters and daughters in Rajasthan. According to Article 164(2) of the Constitution, the cabinet works on the basis of collective responsibility and the state of a minister is considered to be that of the entire cabinet," Rathore later tweeted. He also asked Gehlot, who is also the home minister, to take responsibility for the poor" state of law and order in Rajasthan. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal responded to the charges saying that the state government has supplied the House with the statistics that show that the maximum number of atrocities were committed on women during BJP rule. Taking to Twitter, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came down heavily on Congress and said the minister was removed for speaking the truth". Women empowerment, Congress style, with a dash of Indira Gandhi inspired democratic temperament! A Minister in Rajasthan Govt is removed for speaking the truth. Mohabbat Ki Dukan offers no space for honest customers it seems. Only the corrupt and liars are welcome in this Dukan!" the party tweeted. Women empowerment, Congress style, with a dash of Indira Gandhi inspired democratic temperament!A Minister in Rajasthan Govt is removed for speaking the truth. Mohabbat Ki Dukan offers no space for honest customers it seems. Only the corrupt and liars are welcome in this Dukan! BJP (@BJP4India) July 21, 2023 Other BJP leaders also joined to slam Congress over Gehlots decision to sack Gudha from the state cabinet. (with inputs from PTI) Ahead of next years Lok Sabha election, the BJP has internally set a goal of reaching 350, which is needless to say ambitious even with the Modi-magic trump card. The party is looking for newer pastures like Telangana and Kerala, while seeking to better its tally in states like West Bengal and Tripura where it did well for the first time in 2019. Amit Shah has set a goal of winning 25 seats for the BJP in Bengal in 2024. However, even if it maintains its 2019 super performance when it scored a massive 303 seats on its own, the BJP is not just unlikely to reach Shahs Mission 25 in Bengal but drop to a mere single digit. And the reason behind it is simple INDIA. Data Speak Recently, Bengaluru witnessed a surprising spectacle that shocked leaders of the Left front and Congress alike in West Bengal as Sitaram Yechury and Rahul Gandhi were seen sharing space with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In fact, Gandhi was seen engaged in a deep conversation with Banerjee. This, while their respective state leadership accused Banerjees Trinamool Congress of perpetrating violence against their cadres that resulted in even deaths. But in Bengaluru, a decision was taken United we stand. This effectively means natural progression to seat sharing in the coming days and weeks. Here comes the googly. News18 has done a post mortem of the 2019 Lok Sabha performance of all political outfits and found a startling fact. There are 14 parliamentary seats won by the BJP in 2019 where the collective votes polled for INDIA were more than that of the BJP candidate. However, since the Opposition fought separately, BJP won. A whopping 10 of 14 such seats are from West Bengal. Simply put, if INDIA reaches the seat-sharing stage, BJP could lose as many as 10 seats in West Bengal even if it performs as well as it did in 2019. Last time, the BJP got 18 seats a first for the party under then-state president Dilip Ghoshs leadership. This will effectively mean the number will plunge to eight single-digit and a far cry from Mission 25. Union Ministers to BJP State Prez May Lose Among those 10 seats where if TMC, Congress, and the Left front fight together are some high-profile names. They include Union minister of state for home affairs Nisith Pramanik who fought from the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha constituency last time. Pramanik was also believed to have been instrumental in convincing Rajbanshi leader Ananth Maharaj as the BJP chose to field him for the saffron partys first Rajya Sabha seat from Bengal. Union minister of state for ports, shipping, and waterways Santanu Thakur too may face an uncertain future as his Lok Sabha seat Bongaon falls under this list. Thakur is also the face of the Matua community that comprises a sizable chunk and is politically relevant in West Bengal so much so that Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually addressed them during the opening of Matua Dharma Maha Mela last year. BJPs Bengal unit president Sukanta Majumdar, who recently met Amit Shah to complain about violence during the panchayat election in the state and whose team won pats from top party functionaries, including general secretary (organisation) BL Santhosh, may face uncertainty this time, suggests data processed by News18. His seat Balurghat also falls among the 10 high-risk seats that BJP may lose if INDIA reaches a seat-sharing agreement. Other seats in the risky 10 are Bardhaman from where SS Ahluwalia won, Barrackpore from where Arjun Singh (now switched allegiance to the TMC) won, Bishnupur from where Saumitra Khan won, Hoogly that saw the partys fiery woman leader Locket Chatterjee clinch victory and Jhargram which witnessed engineer-turned-politician Kumar Hembrams win. Maldaha Uttar and Raiganj also feature in the list of risky 10 from where Khage Murmu and Debasree Chaudhury won respectively on the BJP ticket. Chaudhury was earlier in Modis council of ministers. But, Theres A Catch Though data never lies, politics is more often than not influenced by a variety of factors. First of all, INDIA constituents have to reach a seat-sharing agreement for this data to make sense. As of now, the Opposition hasnt yet reached the stage of a common minimum programme. In a state TMC swept back to power in 2021, it is highly unlikely that the party will be keen to cede even an inch to its national allies. Moreover, the local leadership of the Congress and the Left front are furious with their national leaderships decision to ally with someone they see as their political rival. Pradesh Congress spokesperson Koustav Bagchi earlier told News18, Its because of TMC that eight Congress workers were killed. We informed our leadership that we are not going to accept any alliance with TMC. The sentiments among Left leaders arent very different though they have not been as outspoken as Bagchi. So, even if INDIA reaches a seat-sharing agreement, for that to effect, the state leadership has to be on board, which doesnt seem to be the case. And finally, even if the state leadership is coerced into accepting any probable seat sharing between Congress, Left, and TMC in next years Lok Sabha election, the transfer of votes will remain a concern. The much-awaited films, Barbie and Oppenheimer, also known as Barbenheimer by fans, have finally hit the theatres. While Barbie revolves around the iconic doll, the other tells a historical story of the creation of the atomic bomb. The Christopher Nolan directorial is based on the life of J Robert Oppenheimer, known as the father of the atomic bomb. Unlike the usual scenario where one film overshadows the other, Christopher Nolan and Greta Gerwigs directorial are receiving equal attention and appreciation from audiences. With movies in theatres, Twitter is buzzing with reactions from excited fans. Lets dive into what people are saying about Barbie: One user lauded Greta Gerwigs work, calling Barbie Movie an absolute masterpiece. #Barbie #BarbieTheMovie was an absolute masterpiece greta gerwig my mother you have done it again pic.twitter.com/UIDMWS4aRn kaylin (@blurrykkarma) July 21, 2023 Another user confessed to shedding tears watching the climax of Margot Robbies film. kinda cried at the end of barbie pic.twitter.com/SFgmrKf4NJ jimmys mom (@tall_homo) July 21, 2023 A person credited the film for changing her life. barbie movie changed my life i think celine (@celinestagram) July 21, 2023 Another user declared called Barbie literally amazing," and expressed a wish to watch it again. THE BARBIE MOVIE WAS LITERALLY AMAZING I NEED TO SEE IT AGAIN IT WAS BETTER THAN I EVER COULD HAVE IMAGINED pic.twitter.com/1FsxMYDJTB Andres (@ParzyArt) July 21, 2023 Another viewer described Barbie deep as hell." Hey man!! Barbie was deep as hell! madi (@MadiHilton) July 21, 2023 Heres what people are saying about Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer: Calling the film masterpiece, the user praised Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jr.s performances. Yet another masterpiece to Nolan's collection Cillian Murphy & RDJ lived in it #Oppenheimer pic.twitter.com/u3YsXtowL5 Bhargav (@BhargavA_1098) July 21, 2023 Another applauding Christopher Nolans drama centric approach, describes the film as a masterpiece from start to finish. When Lord Nolan goes drama centric A masterpiece from start to finish#Oppenheimer pic.twitter.com/saVsUEWYRk T bag (@ForehandWinner1) July 21, 2023 A viewer shared their views on Oppenheimers technical part, particularly the use of sound and editing. #Oppenheimer I enjoyed the movie to a large extent. The way sound and editing were used in synchrony is just batshit crazy! Acting was just perfect in every sequence. Since the movie was extremely dialogue heavy and they don't even take a millisecond of breath in between each.. pic.twitter.com/BkYUeX4i52 Likith (@likitongue) July 21, 2023 Another fan acknowledged Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey Jrs performance and described their acting as hauntingly beautiful. Still processing the emotional impact of #Oppenheimer. Cillian Murphy's portrayal of Oppenheimer was hauntingly beautiful, and Robert Downey Jr.'s performance was simply outstanding. Bravo! pic.twitter.com/D5qYlz5r0i Shiv Bhakt (@Hara_Hara_Maha) July 21, 2023 A Twitter user shared silence they felt in theatre after the climax. I have NEVER heard a crowded theater left absolutely silent at the end of a movie like that beforeChills.#Oppenheimer Cole Feuchter Tokyo, OK (@LordAzria) July 21, 2023 As per earlier reports, Nolans film has witnessed extraordinary success, with an impressive 90,000 tickets already sold across three major theatre chains for its opening day. Meanwhile, Gerwigs movie also garnered strong response, with 16,000 tickets sold on its first day. The star-studded cast of both Barbie and Oppenheimer has grabbed a lot of attention. Greta Gerwigs movie stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the lead roles. The supporting cast includes, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Helen Mirren, and Will Ferrell, along with numerous other actors in cameo appearances. Christopher Nolans movie also boasts of an impressive lineup of actors, with Cillian Murphy taking on the lead role. The movie also stars Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., and Florence Pugh in pivotal roles. Shawna P. Herrera, 30, of Elko was arrested July 14, 2023, at 1101 Southside Drive for driving under the influence and child endangerment. Bail: $21,140 Talon S. Jones, 31, of Fernley was arrested July 15, 2023, on a felony warrant for open murder and robbery. Octavio A. Juarez Jr., 28, of Elko was arrested July 15, 2023, at 258 Court St. for felony possession of a controlled substance, failure to appear after bail on a misdemeanor crime, and drug paraphernalia. Bail: $4,640 Jesse A. Smith, 31, of Twin Falls was arrested July 14, 2023, on U.S. Highway 93 for driving under the influence resulting in substantial bodily harm, attempting to leave the scene of an accident, conspiracy to elude, and reckless driving disregarding the safety of persons or property. Bail: $500,000 Jesse A. Smith, 31, of Twin Falls was arrested July 15, 2023, at Elko County Jail for battery by a prisoner and intimidating public officers with threat of force. Amanda R. Gettings, 40, of Spring Creek was arrested July 17, 2023, on Mountain City Highway for felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of a dangerous weapon, and driving under the influence. Bail: $60,640 Ray R. Williams, 40, of Elko was arrested July 17, 2023, at 7015 Frontier Drive for violating a domestic violence temporary protective order and child abuse, neglect or endangerment. Bail: $100,000 Kammi R. Davis, 45, of Kimberly, Idaho was arrested July 18, 2023, on Dozer Street for fugitive felon from another state. Luis M. Guizar Mendoza, 39, of Elko was arrested July 18, 2023, on Elko Summit for trafficking a controlled substance. Bail: $750,000 Dennis W. McCarty, 24, of Elko was arrested July 18, 2023, on a felony warrant for lewdness committed by a person over 18 with a child younger than 14, and indecent or obscene exposure. Bail: $105,000 Jeromy M. Ruckdaschel, 29, of Elko was arrested July 18, 2023, for violation of probation or condition of suspended sentence. Danyel D. Seloom, 45, was arrested July 18, 2023, at the Rainbow Casino for fugitive felon from another state. Russell A. Bingamon, 32, of Elko was arrested July 19, 2023, at 3021 E. Idaho St. for assault with a deadly weapon, felony possession of a controlled substance, two counts of battery on a protected person, two counts of resisting a public officer, and drug paraphernalia. Bail: $31,065 James B. Knight, 57, of Elko was arrested July 19, 2023, at Fifth and River streets for fugitive felon from another state. Blaine H. Duggins, 34, of Elko was arrested July 20, 2023, in the 200 block of West Commercial Street for felony possession of a controlled substance. Bail: $10,000 Ashton R. Moses, 25, of Sandy, Utah was arrested July 20, 2023, for failure to appear after bail on a felony crime. Bail: $5,000 Enduring difficult and exhausting working conditions, the persistence of the winegrowers who cultivate grapes on hillsides or at altitude pays off when you taste the results, often marked by a long finish and memorable character. Unfortunately, the conditions that have long been an asset to these wines are now under threat from global warming. What do Prosecco, Vin Jaune du Jura, Iruleguy, Champagne and Port wine have in common? Theyre all made from grape varieties grown at altitude. And while the height of the hills or mountains is totally different from one region to another, the elevated location of these vineyards jeopardizes their very existence. This mountainside environment is claimed to be one of the secrets behind the quality of these wines. On steep slopes, far from the arable land of the plains, vines have to be tough to survive. And thats what gives them their strength, which is reflected in the grapes. Mountain wines are often long on the palate. Their character is generally the fortuitous consequence of atypical, well-drained land with thin and eroded soils, marked by extreme climatic conditions that make it impossible to mechanize the work in the vineyards. In addition, sunshine is optimal, and the grapes thrive between the warm days and cool nights, helping them to ripen. Also read: Thats Climate Change: Man Who Climbed Everest 17 Times Warns Of Less Snow Unfortunately, if these conditions have contributed to the quality of such wines, these wine-growing areas are now paying the price in the face of climate disruption. In a study published on a scientific platform, iScience, researchers from the University of Padua in Italy point to two reasons for fearing the disappearance of such vineyards. The first is that the increased frequency of weather extremes driven by climate change accelerates soil degradation," even though high-altitude vineyards are characterized, among other things, by soils that have already suffered from erosion. Episodes of heavy rainfall also accentuate the phenomenon. This concern is compounded by hot spells, which are all the more problematic when droughts are prolonged, as was the case in Europe in 2022. These landscapes are under threat by changing climate," warns the study lead author, Dr Paolo Tarolli. Managing water for irrigation on agricultural slopes greater than 50% (in extreme situations) is difficult; it costs and requires a very efficient and sustainable strategy." This problem is all the more complicated to solve since the new generation of growers is reluctant to take on these vines, which are synonymous with harsh working conditions. The study even refers to this profession as heroic viticulture." The last half past century has been characterized by rural exodus and a gradual abandonment of mountain landscapes. The new generation is not attracted to continue working under extreme conditions if economic benefits are insignificant," the researchers write. The conclusions of this study are all the more concerning given that, throughout the world, altitude has proved to be an asset for wine growing. The study notably cites Italian examples, such as Prosecco or the wines of Pantelleria, an Italian island in the Strait of Sicily in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite Team India being in a commanding position in the ongoing second Test against West Indies in Port of Spain, Shubman Gills performance on Day 1 has left fans disappointed. Having scored just 10 runs off 12 balls in the match and a mere six runs in the series opener. While he initially made a promising start to his white-ball international career and also showed great promise during the 2020-21 Test series in Australia, his inconsistency, especially outside Asia, has become a matter of concern. Amidst this frustration, Desi fans on Twitter couldnt help but notice his recent good form on the Ahmedabad pitch, which is known to be a flat and batting-friendly surface. As a result, they have started taking a playful dig at him with jokes, suggesting that he seems to miss playing on that favourable pitch a bit too much. One user humourously remarked, According to sources: Shubman Gill talked to Rahul Dravid and requested to arrange all the matches of the Indian team in Ahmedabad stadium. He said Ahmedabad pitch suits me, and I can do better for the team there." Another user added, Give me freedom, Give me fire, Give me Ahmedabad pitch or I retire." Others pointed out the interesting coincidence that Gills last Test, ODI, and IPL centuries all came from Ahmedabad, wondering if it was more than just chance. Indeed, Ahmedabad has been a happy hunting ground for the 23-year-old opener. In February, Gill scored his maiden T20I hundred, and during the final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, he hit his second hundred, both achieved in Ahmedabad. Additionally, this is the venue where he scored his maiden IPL hundred. Also Read: Jasprit Bumrah is Finally Back in Action But Cricket Fans Cant Stop Delivering These Memes Despite receiving abundant accolades while playing as the crucial opener for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023, Gills recent unsatisfactory outing has exposed the darker side of social media, which has become an all-too-common occurrence among these cricket fans! Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned Friday of the risk of a new war with Azerbaijan, accusing Baku of genocide" in the breakaway Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku and Yerevan have fought two wars over the mountainous enclave and the signature of a peace treaty remains a distant prospect. Talks under the mediation of the European Union, United States, and Russia have brought about little progress. So long as a peace treaty has not been signed and such a treaty has not been ratified by the parliaments of the two countries, of course, a (new) war (with Azerbaijan) is very likely," Pashinyan told AFP. Tensions escalated earlier in July when Azerbaijan temporarily shut the Lachin corridor, the sole road linking Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. The closure sparked concerns over a humanitarian crisis in the region, which experiences shortages of food, medicines, and energy. Were talking not about a preparation of genocide, but an ongoing process of genocide," Pashinyan told AFP in an interview, referring to the Karabakh crisis. The growing diplomatic engagement of the European Union and United States in the Caucasus has irked traditional regional power broker Russia. As the latest round of peace talks on July 15 in Brussels failed to bring about a breakthrough, Pashinyan said that both the West and Russia needed to increase pressure on Baku to lift its blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh. If, according to the logic of some circles in the West, Russia is not meeting all of our expectations because it is not fulfilling its obligations, similarly Russia also tells us (the same) about the West," he said. Nagorno-Karabakh has been at the centre of a decades-long dispute between the two countries, which have fought two wars over the mountainous territory - in the 1990s and in 2020. In autumn 2020, a Russian-brokered ceasefire deal saw Armenia cede swathes of territories it had controlled for decades, while Moscow deployed peacekeepers to the Lachin Corridor to ensure free passage between Armenia and Karabakh. Tensions are rising in the Black Sea region days after Russia exited the grain deal. There are fears that the war will spill over from the eastern Ukrainian countryside to the sea as the Russian navy carried out a live fire exercise" in the northwest Black Sea. Earlier this week, Russia warned that it would consider ships travelling to Ukraine through the Black Sea as potential military targets. A report by the news agency AFP said that Russian Navys Black Sea fleet carried out live firing of anti-ship cruise missiles at the target ship in the combat training range in the northwestern part of the Black Sea, citing a statement from the Russian defence ministry. The ships and fleet aviation worked out actions to isolate the area temporarily closed to navigation, and also carried out a set of measures to detain the offending ship, the statement further added. Russia earlier this week demarcated unspecified areas in the northwestern and southeastern parts of the international waters of the Black Sea" as temporarily dangerous for passage". The Kremlin has been clear that establishing Black Sea shipment routes without Moscows participation is a chance laden with risks. Ukraine said that it is prepared to continue exporting grain through its southern ports. On Thursday, in a tit-for-tat move said that ships going to Russian-controlled ports on the Black Sea will possibly be treated as military cargo. The deal which was signed with the help of the United Nations and Turkey protected maritime exports and vessels transporting those exports. The current steps make navigation in most of the Black Sea dangerous for vessels following bans from both nations. Russia also struck military infrastructure overnight near the Black Sea port cities of Mykolaiv and Odessa in southern Ukraine. Overnight Russias armed forces continued retaliatory strikes with sea and air-based weapons against production and storage sites for unmanned vessels in the Odessa region, the Russian Army said. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres slammed the attacks and said their impact can be felt far beyond Ukraine. These attacks are having an impact well beyond Ukraine. We are already seeing the negative effect on global wheat and corn prices which hurts everyone, but especially vulnerable people in the global south, Guterres said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hope on Friday that the Sri Lankan government will fulfill the long-standing aspirations of the Tamils and uphold its commitment to the minority community in the country. The Prime Minister made the remarks in front of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is on a two-day visit to India. This is his first trip to India since assuming the office. Delivering a joint address alongside Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister laid stress on the India-backed 13th amendment and the holding of the provincial council election in Sri Lanka. We hope that the Government of Sri Lanka will fulfill the aspirations of the Tamils. Will take forward the process of reconciliation for equality, justice, and peace," PM Modi said. As we are celebrating 75 years of our diplomatic ties, the Indian-origin Tamil community in Sri Lanka is completing 200 years. On this occasion, I am happy to say that a number of projects are being undertaken for them," he added. Expressing Indias long-term commitment to island-nation, PM Modi said Sri Lanka also has an important place in both Indias Neighbourhood First" policy and SAGAR" vision. Today we shared our views on bilateral, regional and international issues. We believe that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined," he said. Days before coming to India, Sri Lankan President held talks with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to settle the long-standing Tamil minority demand for political autonomy. TNA is an alliance of parties that represent Tamils from the North and East regions. Read More: Sri Lankan President Discusses Tamil Minoritys Long-Standing Demand Ahead of India Visit Since December, Wickremesinghe had opened dialogue with the TNA to settle the long-standing Tamil minority demand for political autonomy. Wickremesinghe mooted the idea for full implementation of the India-backed 13th Amendment which came to be opposed by the powerful Buddhist clergy in a case of history repeating itself. The 13A provides for the devolution of power to the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. India has been pressing Sri Lanka to implement the 13A which was brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a productive and outcome-oriented discussion with visiting Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe during their interactions in New Delhi on Friday that resulted in the adoption of the India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision document. The list of agreements signed by the two neighbours included an MoU on the development of Trincomalee as a regional hub of economic activity and an agreement between NIPL & LankaPay to enable digital payments with UPI-based apps. In the joint statement, the two leaders also announced the commencement of ferry services between Nagapattinam-Kankesanthurai. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, both Modi and Wickremesinghe acknowledged that the India-Sri Lanka partnership has been a source of strength in overcoming economic difficulties faced by Sri Lanka. The President of Sri Lanka especially appreciated Indias timely, unprecedented, and crucial support to the Government and the people of Sri Lanka. An outcome-oriented visit! PM @narendramodi & President @RW_UNP adopted the India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision document: Promoting Connectivity, Catalysing Prosperity. Agreements signed & announcements made add force to the Vision," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet. An outcome-oriented visit!PM @narendramodi & President @RW_UNP adopted the - Economic Partnership Vision document: Promoting Connectivity, Catalysing Prosperity. Agreements signed & announcements made add force to the Vision.https://t.co/fbcfkyZQWd pic.twitter.com/EfZc4rYQZ9 Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 21, 2023 Both leaders reiterated their firm commitment to, and confidence in democracy, stability and economic recovery in Sri Lanka, and stressed the significance of Indias continued support and investment will benefit all segments of Sri Lankan society. The two leaders agreed that Indias sustained and rapid economic growth, and technological advancement coupled with the current phase of stabilisation and economic recovery, reconstruction and growth in Sri Lanka, provides a unique opportunity to forge a closer and deeper bilateral economic partnership between the two countries and enhance growth in the Indian Ocean Region. Further, the leaders underscored the unparalleled advantages afforded by civilizational ties, geographical proximity, cultural connect and age-old goodwill between the peoples of the two countries and reaffirmed their endeavour to harness existing synergies and complementarities. Here is the list of agreements and other outcomes from todays meet: Pakistans former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan will be charged for the May 9 attack on the Corps Commander House in Lahore after his arrest in a corruption case, special prosecutor Farhad Ali Shah told a local court, according to local sources. Khan is involved in rioting and attacking the Corps Commanders House in Lahore, Shah said. We have sufficient evidence and witnesses to prove that. ALSO READ | Imran Khans Ex-Principal Secretary Azam Khan to Become Approver Against Him: CNN News18 Exclusive He also told court that the investigation in the case is almost over. We are going to prosecute him for fuelling and supporting this attack, he said. WHAT HAPPENED ON MAY 9? On May 9, violent protests erupted after the arrest of Khan in a corruption case by paramilitary Rangers from the premises of the Islamabad High Court. His party workers vandalised a dozen military installations, including the Jinnah House (Lahore Corps Commander House), Mianwali airbase and the ISI building in Faisalabad. The Army Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi was also attacked by the mob for the first time. Law enforcement agencies arrested around 8,000 people across the country, mostly party leaders and workers of the PTI, for their alleged involvement in the violence. LAST WEEKs APPEARANCE Khan last week appeared before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of Punjab Police and recorded his statement in 10 terrorism cases registered against him in the wake of attacks on military installations on May 9 in Lahore. According to the police, the PTI chief appeared before the JIT headed by Lahore Investigation DIG Kamran Adil and quizzed him for 45 minutes. Khan is accused of aiding the attackers who set the Lahore Corps Commander House on fire. Talking to reporters, PTI leader Asad Umar said Imran Khan has recorded his statement at the DIG investigation headquarters office and responded to all queries of the JIT members. He said that Khan was in the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) when the military and state buildings came under attack. Khan is facing over 150 cases related to terrorism, murder, blasphemy and inciting the public to violence. With PTI Inputs Russia on Friday opened a case for extremism against former separatist commander and nationalist military blogger Igor Girkin, a hawkish who criticised Russias leadership. Girkin better known by his alias Igor Strelkov is a supporter of the offensive but also vocally criticised its conduct on the messaging app Telegram, where he was followed by around 875,000 people. By opening this case against him, authorities signal that any criticism even from supporters of the military operation in Ukraine are off-limits in the aftermath of the Wagner mercenary groups short-lived rebellion. Girkin appeared in a glass cage at a Moscow court around which dozens of supporters peacefully gathered, AFP saw. A message on social media from Girkins wife Miroslava Reginskaya first said he had been detained for extremism, which court documents later confirmed. He is facing the charge of public calls for extremism", which could see him imprisoned for five years. A former military commander of the Donetsk Peoples Republic, 52-year-old Girkin was one of the key figures in the pro-Kremlin insurgency when fighting broke out in eastern Ukraine in 2014. In 2022, he was one of three men sentenced by a Dutch court to life imprisonment over the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. In recent years Girkin has become one of the most vocal critics of Putin, and most recently of the way in which Russias offensive in Ukraine has been conducted. - Crossed all red lines - In one of his most recent posts Girkin urged power to be handed to a successor. The country will not survive another six years of this cowardly mediocrity in power," he wrote on Telegram. Independent political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said Girkin had long crossed all possible red lines". But his detention comes around a month after the attempted mutiny by the mercenary group Wagner, from which the Kremlin emerged visibly weakened. Prigozhin was the most strident voice for those inside Russia criticising failures in the invasion and the strategies used by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and army chief Valery Gerasimov. Strelkov denounced Prigozhins muntiny but kept on criticising the incompetence of Russias conventional military commanders. The case against Girkin is one of the consequences of Prigozhins rebellion: the army received more political opportunities to suppress its opponents in the public space," Stanovaya said. She did not expect mass arrests but said, The most radical ones may be prosecuted, so that the rest will be more careful." Criticism of Russias assault on Ukraine has been outlawed and all key liberal opposition figures are either behind bars or in exile. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday covering wide-ranging discussions on key aspects of the relationship. PM Modi welcomed Wickremesinghe at Hyderabad House for talks that gave an opportunity to lend further momentum to the long-standing ties between the two neighbours. PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing-ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year," the Ministry External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet. Bolstering our ties with a close maritime partner. PM Narendra Modi and President @RW_UNP hold bilateral discussions. Talks will focus on promoting mutually beneficial cooperation across sectors and strengthening connectivity in all its dimensions between our two countries," he added. PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks.An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing - ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. pic.twitter.com/Ee6kikEpjZ Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 21, 2023 In a subsequent tweet, Bagchi said that talks between Modi and Wickremesinghe covered a wide-ranging agenda on energy security, economic and financial linkages, defence & security cooperation, and people-to-people ties. Wickremesinghe kicked off a two-day visit to India which started on Thursday that is expected to impart new momentum in bilateral ties. India provided financial assistance amounting to approximately USD 4 billion to Sri Lanka, including lines of credit for purchasing food and fuel, during the economic crisis last year. New Delhi has also offered guarantees to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to support the country in securing a USD 2.9 billion bailout package. On the first day of his visit, Sri Lankan president was called on by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. They discussed various bilateral issues between the two countries. Honoured to call on President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka during his India visit.Confident that his meeting with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will further strengthen our neighborly bonds and take forward Indias Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policies.@RW_UNP pic.twitter.com/BiHsgVbhqG Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 20, 2023 At the weekly media briefing on the same day, MEA Spokesperson Bagchi said it is the first visit to India by a Sri Lankan leader since the island nation reeled under an economic crisis. We Look forward to the visit to impart a new momentum to the relationship, he said. During the briefing, Bagchi described the visit of the Sri Lankan leader as very important. This is a very important visit. It (Sri Lanka) is a neighbouring country with whom we have very important and multi-faceted relations. I do not want to prejudge the conversations that will happen, Bagchi said. The MEA spokesperson said India has discussed with Sri Lanka the issues of closer economic cooperation including how Indian economic growth can benefit the island nation. He also identified security issues, development cooperation and new projects as areas of engagement, adding India helped Sri Lanka to address its economic problems. (With PTI inputs) Britains government reacted angrily Thursday after the European Union used the Argentine term for the Falkland Islands, the territory over which the two countries fought a war in 1982. The Falkland Islanders have the right to choose their own future," Britains Foreign Secretary James Cleverly responded on Twitter. 99.8% of Falkland Islanders voted to be part of the UK family. Argentina and the EU should listen to their democratic choice." The EU reference came in the EUs statement at the end of its summit with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). Regarding the question of sovereignty over the Islas Malvinas / Falkland Islands, the European Union took note of CELACs historical position based on the importance of dialogue and respect for international law in the peaceful solution of disputes," it said. While the English-language version of the statement carried both the British and Argentinian names for the island, the Spanish-language version only referred to the Islas Malvinas". Lets be clear the Falkland Islands are British," said a spokesman for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. That was the choice of the islanders themselves. The EU has rightly now clarified that their position on the Falklands has not changed after their regrettable choice of words," the spokesman added. Argentinas President Alberto Fernandez however welcomed the EU statement. Malvinas is a national cause," he wrote on Twitter, welcoming what he described as a historic diplomatic victory". The commitment of Argentines to defending the rights of our homeland made it possible," he added. The statement was covered widely in the Argentinian press. Argentina claims the islands off the Patagonian coast as its own, and in 1982 sent soldiers to take the territory. Britain sent nearly 30,000 troops halfway round the world and drove out the Argentines. The war lasted 74 days and left more than 900 dead 649 Argentine and 255 British soldiers as well as three islanders. The campaign left a deep wound, despite diplomatic and economic ties recovering since then. Shuttle buses are seen running up to the Changbai Mountain of Northeast China's Jilin province July 20, 2023. The 2023 "A Date with China" international media tour visited the mountain, the highest peak in Northeast China and highest mountain range on the eastern edge of Eurasia. The Changbai Mountain Reserve is the UNESCO "Man and the Biosphere Program" nature reserve and the international A-class nature reserve with its unique and diverse vertical vegetation landscape and volcanic landform landscape. Together with its Heavenly Lake, waterfalls, snow sculptures, and winding forests, Tianchi, its highest peak, has been ranked by the Guinness World Records as the highest of its kind. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] A view of Changbai Mountain waterfall. At an elevation of 2,100 meters, the fall remains unfrozen all through the year. The water comes from the Heavenly Lake. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] A view of the Heavenly Lake taken on July 20, 2023. The lake is the world's highest volcanic lake at an elevation of 2,700 meters and is on the border of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The viewing spot is closed during bad weather. [Photo by Guan Xiaomeng/chinadaily.com.cn] Rishi Sunak was expected to become the first UK Prime Minister to lose three parliamentary seats on a single day but a Conservative Party win in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Boris Johnsons old constituency, brought some respite for him and his party. The Labour Party also set a record by securing massive victories in Tory strongholds of Selby and Ainsty. They also are sending the youngest-ever MP to the parliament - a 25-year-old Keir Mather. Sunak will likely be concerned that the Labour Party overturned the 20,000 majority in Selby and Ainsty constituency and the Liberal Democrats wiped out the Tories with a margin of 19,000 in the Somerton and Frome seat - both major defeats ahead of an expected general election next year. Rishi Sunaks party will not be too happy with the win in Uxbridge and South Ruislip as the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, reduced the margin to just 495. MP Steve Tuckwell is the third Tory to represent the area and was reelected on Thursday night. A report by the Guardian said that he is the third Tory to be elected from this seat after John Randall and former prime minister Boris Johnson. The news outlet also said that in Somerton and Frome, where the Tories were victorious in 2019, 29 in every 100 people who voted Tory in 2019 switched sides. Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Dyke has emerged victorious in this constituency. Sarah Dyke will be an incredible local champion for the people of Somerset who have been neglected for far too long. She will fight for stronger local health services, better access to GPs and a fair deal for rural communities during this cost of living crisis. The people of Somerton and Frome have spoken for the rest of the country who are fed up with Rishi Sunaks out-of-touch Conservative Government, Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey was quoted as saying by the Guardian. He became the first leader of any political party in the UK to win four byelections since the 1990s, the Guardian highlighted. Labour Party chief Keir Starmer said it is a historic result for his party. This is a historic result that shows that people are looking at Labour and seeing a changed party that is focused entirely on the priorities of working people with an ambitious, practical plan to deliver, Starmer was quoted as saying by the Guardian. Referring to the baby in the House, Keir Mather, Starmer said that the 25-year-old will be a fantastic MP who will deliver the fresh start Selby and Ainsty deserves. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak turned up at the Conservative Party office in Uxbridge to offer words of victory in the by-election held on Thursday. Sunaks brave face, however, was a change from the worried Conservative faces all around him. But there is more reason to be concerned than be confident like Sunak appeared to project. Conservative candidate Steve Tuckwell did win the by-election in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency, which was brought about by the resignation of former PM Boris Johnson. Tuckwell scraped through with a margin of only 495 votes. That is a narrow margin given the small constituency electorates in Britain. After winning, Tuckwell did not speak a word in support of Sunak or his policies, which might arguably have led him to victory. He spoke of the single local issue on which the bypoll was fought the extension of the vehicle emission zone limited to outer London, which is to take effect from August 29. That unpopular scheme has been introduced by Londons Labour mayor Sadiq Khan. Both Labour and the winning Conservative candidate agreed that the emissions issue had made the difference in the outcome. I was not expecting to win, Tuckwell said. Through five weeks of door-to-door campaigning, he said he had heard nothing but complaints about the emissions scheme. Nothing by way of support for Sunaks policies. But he still did not think the emissions grouse against Labour would see him through somehow. It proved to be the tipping point, just about. Tuckwell did not quite echo Sunak when he came along on Friday morning. Steves victory demonstrates that when confronted with the actual reality of the Labour Party, when theres an actual choice on a matter of substance at stake, people vote Conservative, Sunak said. That claim was not backed by the circumstances of the partys razor-thin victory. And it was emphatically not backed by the heavy Conservative losses in the other two constituencies, where bypolls were held the same day. In Shelby, 25-year-old Labour candidate Keir Mather overturned a massive Conservative majority of more than 20,000 to win by over 4,000 votes, making him the youngest MP in British parliament. This was a knockout for the Conservatives in one of their safest strongholds. Clearly, Conservative areas are still not bound to rejecting Labour even if this was to an extent a vote against the Conservatives and not necessarily in favour of Labour. In the third constituency, Somerton, Labour were pushed into fifth place. Here the Liberal Democrat candidate Sarah Dyke won, overturning a Conservative majority of close to 20,009 by a margin of 11,000 votes. People seem to have voted tactically in these two areas to back the strongest candidate, who could knock the Conservatives out. Which makes Sunaks brave words sound hollow. His gung-ho tone was at odds with the results and the far more sober and sobering assessment of his own colleagues. The PM appears on track on getting some policy decisions about the economy right, but that appears not to have delivered popularity for him or his party. If he is not more worried than he sounds, it should be even more a matter of concern. The Union minister of state of the external affairs ministry, V Muraleedharan, Thursday said authorities in the US have committed to the safety and security of the diplomatic facilities and diplomats following the attempted arson by extremist elements at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. Union minister V Muraleedharan told the Rajya Sabha that both attacks led by extremist elements at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on March 19 and July 2 were taken up strongly with the American government and local authorities. The Ministry, our Embassy in Washington DC and the Consulate in San Francisco are in regular contact with the US authorities, both in Delhi and in the US, to find the perpetrators and bring them to justice. Investigations are underway in both countries, V Muraleedharan, Union minister of state, Union ministry of external affairs said. He pointed out that the US government enhanced security arrangements at Indian missions and consulates as per threat perceptions and they, including the nations national security adviser and State Department, condemned the attacks. He further added that the ministry will take all steps to ensure that the nations diplomats as well as Indian missions abroad are safe in order to allow them to perform their normal diplomatic functions without fear and intimidation. Several radical anti-India elements over the past two years have organised demonstrations and launched attacks and vandalised Indian consulates and missions abroad, notably in the US, UK and Canada. The government immediately raised these issues through diplomatic channels with the authorities of the host nations for investigation and corrective action, while urging them to provide adequate safety and security. The government has asked the host nations and authorities to take appropriate action as per their national laws and international obligations. So far, the authorities in these host nations have responded and continued to engage with Indian missions and consulates abroad in order to ensure safety and security of the diplomats as well as the consulate and mission premises. (with inputs from Shalinder Wangu) The U.S. is sending additional warships and thousands of Marines to the Middle East to increase security in the wake of Iranian attempts to seize commercial ships there. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday approved the deployment of the USS Bataan amphibious readiness group and the 26th Marine Expeditional Unit to the Gulf region, according to U.S. officials. The readiness group consists of three ships, including the Bataan, an amphibious assault ship. An expeditional unit usually consists of about 2,500 Marines. In an announcement, U.S. Central Command said the deployment will provide even greater flexibility and maritime capability in the region. The announcement did not name the ships, but U.S. officials detailed the units involved in the deployment on condition of anonymity to discuss troop movements. Along with the Bataan, the group includes two other warships, the USS Mesa Verde and the USS Carter Hall. The group left Norfolk, Virginia, earlier this month. It was unclear Thursday if all three ships would continue into the Gulf region. The deployment comes on the heels of decisions in recent weeks to send the USS Thomas Hudner, a destroyer, and a number of F-35 and F-16 fighter jets to the region. There also have been A-10 attack aircraft there for several weeks in response to the Iranian activity. Iran tried to seize two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz early this month, opening fire on one of them. The fighter aircraft are intended to give air cover for the commercial ships moving through the waterway and increase the militarys visibility in the area, as a deterrent to Iran. Gen. Erik Kurilla, who heads Central Command, said the additional forces provide unique capabilities, which alongside our partner nations in the region, further safeguard the free flow of international commerce and uphold the rules based international order, and deter Iranian destabilizing activities in the region. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) and Malay sian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. (Photo: VNA) The Party leader welcomed the official visit by the Malaysian PM, which takes place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (1973- 2023), and stressed that Vietnam and Malaysia, as close neighbours in Southeast Asia and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), share views on many important international issues, as well as similarities in culture and history. He reiterated Vietnams foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and multilateralisation and diversification of foreign relations, with great importance attached to relations with neighbouring countries. Trong shared with his guest the importance of the fight against corruption, wastefulness and other negative phenomena, saying that the fight has received warm support and trust from the public in Vietnam. He added that Vietnam has learned a lot from Malaysias development experience, and hailed the achievements that Malaysia has recorded under the leadership of the government led by PM Ibrahim. He agreed with Ibrahims suggestions on the exchange of experience in leadership, socio-economic development management, and corruption and wastefulness combat. For his part, the Malaysian PM lauded the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Party General Secretarys contributions to Vietnam's national development. Informing his host about outcomes of the talks with PM Pham Minh Chinh, Ibrahim noted his hope for stronger comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, including relations between parties, and the exchange of experience in leadership, development, economic cooperation, national defence and security, digital economy, cyber security and response to non-traditional security challenges. Vietnam and Malaysia should also beef up cooperation and share experience in fighting corruption and other negative phenomena, he stressed./. Florida education officials have changed state standards, in keeping with Gov. Ron DeSantis' policies, to mandate teaching public school students that some Black people benefited from being enslaved because they learned useful skills. The state Board of Education immediately defended the policy, unanimously approved Wednesday, by saying lessons will still include the "darkest" parts of the nation's past, Politico reports. "It's the good, the bad and the ugly in American history," Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. said. State officials denied that students will be taught that "slavery was beneficial"; the policy calls for instruction in "how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit." A Democratic proposal to require the Supreme Court to adopt an ethics code for itself passed a Senate committee on Thursday but appears to have little future in the rest of Congress. The bill can't clear the full Senate or House without Republican support, and GOP lawmakers have said they won't back it, CBS News reports. The committee vote was along party lines, 11-10. The Democrats' effort picked up steam after news coverage about Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito accepting but not reporting gifts from Republican donors. The idea of an ethics code has been around but has never gone anywhere with the court. Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, a Democrat, said he suggested it to Chief Justice John Roberts 11 years ago. "Unfortunately, he did not accept my suggestion," Durbin said Thursday, per the Hill. "Since then as more and more stories have emerged of justices' ethical lapses, the American people's confidence in the Supreme Court has dropped to an all-time low." Republicans said the proposal is retaliation for a series of rulings that Democrats have opposed. "This is a bill to destroy a conservative court," GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham said. The Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal and Transparency Act also would create a transparent process for members of the public to submit ethics complaints against justices. A panel of chief judges from lower courts would make recommendations after complaints are received. Gifts, travel, and income received by the justices and their law clerks would be subject to disclosure rules comparable to those in the Senate and House. Lower court judges have had to follow a code of conduct since 1973, but it doesn't apply to Supreme Court justices. "The highest court in the land has the lowest standards of ethics anywhere in the federal government," said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, the bill's main sponsor, per the Washington Post. (Read more US Supreme Court stories.) The women believed to have been murdered by the Gilgo Beach serial killer all disappeared during times that the family of the newly arrested suspect in the Long Island slayings, Rex Heuermann, was out of town. For that reason, a source connected to the investigation tells CNN , investigators are operating on the theory that the killings took place in his home in Massapequa Park, New York, less than six miles from where the remains were found. Investigators are searching the home now, and CNN notes it's taking a while because they're combing for trace evidence possibly linked to the victims. Heuermann is charged with the murders of three of the so-called "Gilgo Four," Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, and is the prime suspect in the murder of the fourth, Maureen Brainard-Barnes. In Heuermann's bail application, details of the victims' communications with burner phones in the days and hours leading up to their deaths were revealed, and cellphone data from at least one of the victims shows her last known location was Massapequa, the day after she was last seen alive. Meanwhile, a neighbor of Heuermann's tells the New York Post that the suspect routinely burned garbage at his home, once even in a hole he dug in his yard in the middle of the night. Investigators believe, per CNN's source, that Heuermann may have lured the women to his home and killed them there, where he could control the environment. (Read more Gilgo Beach killer stories.) Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at their meeting in Hanoi on July 20. (Photo: VNA) US firms should be encouraged to expand and increase investment in Vietnam, especially in high-tech, he said, highlighting the building of harmonious, sustainable and mutually-beneficial trade ties between the two countries. The Government leader also called for stronger collaboration in climate response and the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), and asked for the US assistance in renewable energy development and the establishment of a domestic carbon market connected with the international market in Vietnam. The PM appreciated the US sides recognition of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)s successful implementation of the action plan on exchange rate and information transparency, contributing to reinforcing cooperation between the two countries as well as between the SBV and the US Department of the Treasury. Briefing the Treasury Secretary on Vietnams foreign policy, PM Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam wishes to strengthen its comprehensive partnership with the US, and supports the enhancement of the bilateral friendship and cooperation across spheres, prioritising finance-banking. Host and guest shared the view that the Vietnam-US relationship has been developing positively and firmly in all fields since the two countries established diplomatic ties 30 years ago and the comprehensive partnership a decade ago, with the economic-trade ties serving as a pillar and a driver. They noted that two-way trade exceeded 123 billion USD last year, making the US become Vietnams second biggest trade partner and one of the most important export markets. Currently, the US ranks 11th out of the 142 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. The PM spoke highly of the objective and relevant assessment of the US Department of the Treasury on Vietnam's monetary policy and exchange rate management in the recent past, and briefed the US official on Vietnams socio-economic situation, and major financial and monetary policy orientations. He urged the SBV and the US Department of the Treasury to maintain dialogues and close contacts to handle emerging issues in the time ahead given the evolving global situation. For her part, Yellen expressed her impressions of Vietnams development, affirming that Vietnam is an increasingly important partner of the US and plays a key role in the countrys Indo-Pacific Strategy. The Treasury Secretary said she will hold working sessions with US competent agencies and convey the Vietnamese PMs suggestions to US leaders. The US will forge cooperation with Vietnam in investment and supply chain diversification and relocation, and assist the country in development and economic reform, she pledged. Yelle said she supports and wishes for further dialogues with the Vietnamese central bank on monetary policy, exchange rate and other macro matters, as well as more cooperation activities between the two sides. The US highly values and backs Vietnams efforts and solutions in energy transition, the implementation of the National Power Development Plan VIII, and acceleration of the realisation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) through the mobilisation of international financial sources, she emphasised./. Alabama executed a man on Friday for the 2001 beating death of a woman as the state resumed lethal injections after two failed executions prompted the governor to order an internal review of procedures. James Barber, 64, was pronounced dead at 1:56am after receiving a lethal injection at a south Alabama prison. Barber was convicted and sentenced to death for the 2001 beating death of 75-year-old Dorothy Epps. Prosecutors said Barber, a handyman, confessed to killing Epps with a claw hammer and fleeing with her purse. Jurors voted 11-1 to recommend a death sentence, which a judge imposed. Before he was put to death, Barber told his family he loved them and apologized to Epps' family, the AP reports. It was the first execution carried out in Alabama this year after the state halted executions last fall. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey announced a pause on executions in November to conduct an internal review of procedures. The move came after the state halted two lethal injections because of difficulties inserting IVs into the condemned men's veins, and Barber said this week that he felt "trepidation." Barber's attorneys unsuccessfully asked the courts to block the execution, saying the state has a pattern of failing "to carry out a lethal injection execution in a constitutional manner." The Supreme Court denied Barber's request for a stay without comment. Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a dissent from the decision that was joined by Justice Elena Kagan and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. She said the court was allowing "Alabama to experiment again with a human life." "The Court should not allow Alabama to test the efficacy of its internal review by using Barber as its 'guinea pig.'" Sotomayor wrote. Barber's execution came hours after Oklahoma executed Jemaine Cannon, 51, for stabbing a Tulsa woman, 20-year-old mother of two Sharonda Clark, to death with a butcher knife in 1995 after his escape from a prison work center. It was the state's second execution this year, the AP reports. (Read more execution stories.) Ron DeSantis is planning to reboot his struggling campaign with what campaign officials are calling the "DeSantis Is Everywhere" approach. The campaign says there will be a shift away from big speeches and events to appearances in places like diners and churches where DeSantis can talk directly to voters, a change that will also cut costs, NBC News reports. The governor of the country's third most populous state plans to switch to a more national focus and portray himself as an anti-establishment candidate. "Ron DeSantis has never been the favorite or the darling of the establishment, and he has won because of it every time," campaign manager Generra Peck said in a statement. "He's ready to prove them wrong again. Buckle up." But with the candidate almost 30 points behind frontrunner former President Trump and failing to gain traction, according to a recent Quinnipiac poll, some staffers are buckled up for a rough ride. Morale is "downright low," a source who was present when around a dozen aides were fired to cut costs earlier this month tells NBC. "The entire campaign is on the brink," the source says. "I've never seen anything like it." In an interview with CNN earlier this weekhis first with a mainstream news outlet since he declared his candidacyDeSantis dismissed concerns about his campaign. "They've been saying that I've been doing poorly for my whole time as governor, basically," he told Jake Tapper. While it is still early in the race, and staffers hope the GOP debate next month could shake things up, some analysts doubt DeSantis has much hope of turning things around and closing the gap with Trump. Former Florida GOP strategist Mac Stipanovich tells Vox that DeSantis and his campaign just aren't "measuring up" to the demands of a presidential run. "Now he has to go out and face the media and questioning from people who are not carefully vetted and carefully selected. And he doesn't do well at all because he has no practice at it," Stipanovich says. He adds: "Every time DeSantis raises his head, Trump steps on it, in terms of media coverage." (Read more Ron DeSantis stories.) Amsterdam is trying to reduce the number of tourists that visit the cityespecially cruise ship tourists, who have been likened to a "plague of locusts" by city council member Ilana Rooderkerk. The council has voted to ban cruise ships from docking in the city center and to close the central cruise terminal, the BBC reports. "Cruise ships in the centre of the city don't fit in with Amsterdam's task of cutting the number of tourists," said Rooderkerk, whose liberal D66 party introduced the motion. She said polluting cruise ships are not in line with the city's "sustainable ambitions." Around 100 cruise ships dock in the center of the Dutch city every year. Mayor Femke Halsema complained last year that cruise ship tourists ate at international chain restaurants during the few hours they were in the city but didn't have time to do things like visit museums. She said Amsterdam "welcomes 22 million tourists per year, and that's a little bit too much," per Sky News. Amsterdam has also been trying to discourage visits from tourists who see the city as a party destination, especially young British men. "The task for Amsterdam is now to reduce the number of tourists. All parties in the city must contribute to this, including the cruises," D66 said in a statement. Closing the central cruise terminal will also allow the city to build a new bridge over the River IJ, connecting the southern district to the Noord district, where the city aims to build much-needed new housing, Maritime Executive reports. (Read more Amsterdam stories.) The Russian Army veteran found guilty of murder for his role in the downing of a Malaysia Airlines aircraft over Ukraine in 2014 has been detained by Russian authoritiesbut not in connection with the deaths of 298 passengers and crew on Flight MH17. Igor Girkin, a hardline nationalist blogger also known as Igor Strelkov, was arrested at his home Friday for alleged extremism, his wife said in a Telegram message. Girkin has been a vocal critic of how the war in Ukraine is being conducted and recently referred to Vladimir Putin as a "cowardly mediocrity," the New York Times reports. Prosecutors said Friday that he had been charged with inciting extremism and asked a court to remand him into custody, reports Reuters. Girkin, who led Moscow-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014 and was serving as defense minister for the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic when MH17 was shot down, has called for Russia to fully mobilize for victory in Ukraine. In a July 18 Telegram post, Girkin repeatedly insulted Putin and asked him to transfer power "to someone truly capable and responsible," per Reuters. Analysts say his arrest appears to be part of a wider crackdown on ultranationalist critics of Putin's regime after the failed mutiny led by Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin last month, though Girkin has also criticized Prigozhin as a traitor. Russia's defense ministry has been "itching to arrest" Girkin for a long time, according to Tatiana Stanovaya at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Girkin was a member of the recently formed Club of Angry Patriots, which issued a statement Friday protesting his detention, saying it "undermines the population's trust in law enforcement organs" and "carries extremely negative consequences for the country's stability," the AP reports. The Dutch Public Prosecution Service, meanwhile, said it was watching developments with interest. "We would, of course, like nothing more than for this man, who has been sentenced to life imprisonment in the Netherlands, to serve his prison sentence here. The victims of MH17 and their relatives deserve that," the service said. "But the fact is that Russia does not extradite its citizens, and this event unfortunately does not bring that any closer." (Read more Russia stories.) President Biden has decided to nominate Adm. Lisa Franchetti as chief of naval operations, a promotion that would make her the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in US history. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had suggested that Biden select Adm. Samuel Paparo, the Washington Post reports, though many people involved considered Franchetti the likely choice. Should the nomination be confirmed, her name apparently will be added to the list of senior military leaders whose promotions are being blocked by Republican Sen. Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, CNN points out. That would put the Navy in the same boat as the Marines , whose next leader is unable to take office. Franchetti, who has extensive command and executive experience, holds the second-highest job in the Navy now. Paparo, who commands the Pacific Fleet, instead will be nominated to lead the US Indo-Pacific Command. An administration official told the Post that Franchetti's broad experience at assignments at sea and on land won her the job, including a series of high-level policy and administrative positions. Austin's recommendation last month had surprised leaders in the Pentagon, per Politico, but being in the Pacific, Papro has experience in monitoring the increasing naval power of China. The president expects Franchetti and her groundbreaking ascent to be an inspiration to male and female sailors, the administration officials said. She'll become acting chief next month at the retirement of Adm. Michael Gilday. In announcing Franchetti's nomination on Friday, Biden called on Tuberville to drop his stonewalling of military promotions, saying that supporting the military has always transcended politics. "What Sen. Tuberville is doing is not only wrongit is dangerous," Biden said. (Read more Navy stories.) Russia came under pressure in a UN Security Council meeting on Friday from its ally China and developing countries as well as Western nations to avert a global food crisis and quickly revive Ukrainian grain shipments. Moscow was criticized by the UN and council members for attacking Ukrainian ports after pulling out of the year-old grain deal on Monday and destroying port infrastructurea violation of international humanitarian law prohibiting attacks on civilian infrastructure. In response to Russia declaring wide areas in the Black Sea dangerous for shipping, the UN warned that a military incident in the sea could have "catastrophic consequences," the AP reports. Russia said it suspended the Black Sea Grain Initiative because the UN had failed to overcome obstacles to shipping its food and fertilizer to global markets, the other half of the Ukraine grain deal. The Kremlin said it would consider resuming Ukrainian shipments if progress is made in overcoming the obstacles, including in banking arrangements. China's deputy UN ambassador, Geng Shuang, noted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' commitment to ensuring that both Ukrainian grain and Russian food and fertilizer get to world markets. He expressed hope that Russia and the UN will work together soon to resume exports from both countries in the interest of "maintaining international food security and alleviating the food crisis in developing countries in particular." US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield accused Russia of using the Black Sea as blackmail and playing political games, pointing to Moscow's export of more grain than ever before at higher prices. She called on the Security Council and all 193 UN member nations to urge Russia to resume negotiations in good faith, per the AP. Several developing countries warned of the impact of the cutoff in Ukrainian grain shipments, which has already led to a rise in wheat prices. Gabon's UN ambassador, Michel Biang, said the grain deal had avoided a spark in grain prices and calmed the risk of food insecurity in the drought-affected Horn of Africa and other regions. (Read more Russia-Ukraine war stories.) Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim pose for a photo before their talks in Hanoi on July 20. (Photo: VNA) They highlighted the enhanced ties in politics, diplomacy, trade and investment, as well as the recovery of the fields directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic such as tourism, labour, and education - training. The two leaders agreed that in the time ahead, Vietnam and Malaysia will increase mutual visits and meetings at all levels between their Parties, States, Governments and parliaments; consider setting up a mechanism for the two PMs to meet and share opinions via flexible forms at multilateral forums; and step up the implementation of the specialised cooperation mechanisms. The two sides will work to raise bilateral trade to 18 billion USD by 2025 in a balanced manner; minimise the use of trade barriers; facilitate the export and import of the commodities that they have potential and strength for such as agricultural and aquatic products, food, electronic components and construction materials; grasp opportunities from regional trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP); expand connections in the fields of digital economy, circular economy, green economy, and sharing economy. PM Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is ready to be a stable and long-term source of rice supply for Malaysia, and asked Malaysia to help Vietnam develop the Halal industry and soon sign a cooperation document in this regard. The leaders also agreed to reinforce partnerships in defence and security and promote the signing of related documents; discuss the enhancement of cooperation in the defence industry and training; establish a cooperation mechanism between the naval, air, and coast guard forces of the two countries; work together to fight terrorism and transnational crimes; and boost coordination to combat terrorist and reactionary organisations. Vietnam and Malaysia do not allow any individual or organisation to use one countrys territory to sabotage the other, they emphasised. The PMs also underlined the importance of maritime cooperation, and that their countries will consider the establishment of a consultative mechanism on sea-related issues and hotlines against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. PM Pham Minh Chinh called on Malaysia to support Vietnams efforts to have the European Commissions yellow card warning against seafood lifted. At the talks, the Government leaders concurred to continue the promotion of cooperation in other aspects. Accordingly, the two countries will consider renewing aviation and tourism cooperation agreements, increase flights connecting the two sides, and foster ties in education - training, labour, agriculture, culture, and sports. PM Pham Minh Chinh thanked and asked Malaysia to continue creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, work, and study there and assist the Malaysia - Vietnam Friendship Association to operate fruitfully to contribute to people-to-people exchanges. Discussing multilateral and regional cooperation, the PMs highly valued their countries coordination at and mutual support for each others candidacy for membership of international organisations. They agreed that the two sides will coordinate with other ASEAN members to ensure the blocs solidarity and unity and jointly propose suitable initiatives to help carry out ASEANs priorities for 2023. The Vietnamese leader also pledged support for Malaysias chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025. In addition, both PMs agreed to maintain ASEANs common stance on the East Sea issue, keep coordination in the negotiations on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea, and make active contributions to the building of a practical and efficient COC that matches international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). On this occasion, PM Anwar invited his Vietnamese counterpart to pay an official visit to Malaysia. Following the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of two documents, namely the minutes of the 7th meeting of the Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, and a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia./. Agencies | London The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, attended the signing of an agreement between the Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (Danat) with MALCA-AMIT, during his official visit to the UK. The agreement was signed by Noura Jamsheer, the CEO of Danat, and Charles Frederick Richard Turner, Managing Director of MALCA-AMIT. The agreement stipulates MALCA-AMIT will handle communication with prospective clients and facilitate their requests to examine pearls, jewellery, and gemstones. From the outset, MALCA-AMIT will arrange for items to be sent to Danats laboratory in Bahrain for testing. After the evaluation is complete, MALCA-AMIT will securely ship items back to customers along with the corresponding inspection certificate. This process adheres to the highest standards and principles of security in the industry. Danats strategic decision to expand into the British market is designed to leverage the markets rich experience in the jewellery and gemstone trade. London, in particular, serves as the global hub for numerous jewellery houses, making it a prime destination for individuals seeking pearls, jewellery, and gemstones. Danat is actively involved in driving forward Bahrains national plan to revive the Kingdoms pearl sector. Over the last six years, the institute has made significant advancements in several areas, including, providing jewellery inspection services, establishing global partnerships and developing comprehensive training programmes. Danat continues to establish collaborations with renowned institutions in the region and across the world. The institutions primary objective is to contribute to the sector on a global scale by adhering to the highest industry standards and leveraging scientific knowledge to ensure the guarantee, protection and enhancement of public trust in pearls, gemstones, and jewellery. Danats persistent efforts continue to play a crucial role in strengthening the natural pearl trade in Bahrain and across the globe. Japanese manga artists and creators are exploring the use of generative artificial intelligence, pinning their hopes on using the technology to offer suggestions for illustration drafts and story plots, as well as for making the creative process substantially more efficient. Nonetheless, manga artists remain cautious about how much AI can be relied upon for generating works captivating enough to sell to the public, and they are also concerned about AI's potential for copyright infringement, given such technologies are typically trained using massive amounts of data from the internet. Recently, a project was launched in Tokyo to create a new episode of "Black Jack," a famous Osamu Tezuka manga, using generative AI for release in a weekly magazine this fall. Dubbed the "God of manga," Tezuka died in 1989 at age 60 after writing some 150,000 pages of manuscripts for around 700 titles. ...continue reading A Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, July 20, 2023. China successfully launched the rocket to send four new satellites into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 11:20 a.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday. The four satellites, belonging to the Tianmu-1 meteorological constellation, have entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) JIUQUAN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- China successfully launched a Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket to send four new satellites into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 11:20 a.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday. The four satellites, belonging to the Tianmu-1 meteorological constellation, have entered the planned orbit. They will mainly be used to provide commercial meteorological data services. It was the 21st flight mission using a Kuaizhou-1A commercial carrier rocket. A Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, July 20, 2023. China successfully launched the rocket to send four new satellites into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 11:20 a.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday. The four satellites, belonging to the Tianmu-1 meteorological constellation, have entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) A Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, July 20, 2023. China successfully launched the rocket to send four new satellites into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 11:20 a.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday. The four satellites, belonging to the Tianmu-1 meteorological constellation, have entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) A Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, July 20, 2023. China successfully launched the rocket to send four new satellites into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 11:20 a.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday. The four satellites, belonging to the Tianmu-1 meteorological constellation, have entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) A Kuaizhou-1A carrier rocket blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, July 20, 2023. China successfully launched the rocket to send four new satellites into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 11:20 a.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday. The four satellites, belonging to the Tianmu-1 meteorological constellation, have entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua) Editor: JYZ Guests can soon reserve seats for sailings that will begin August 14th. NANAIMO, BC, July 20, 2023 /CNW/ - Hullo's two new high-speed passenger ferries, sthuqi' (sta key) and spuhels (spah els), recently arrived home at the Nanaimo Port Authority's Assembly Wharf. In celebration of the vessels home coming, Hullo will be opening bookings early next week for sailings beginning August 14th. Both of Hullo's Brand New Vessels Arriving to The Nanaimo Port Authority Wharf on July 14th, 2023 (CNW Group/Vancouver Island Ferry Company) "It's a tremendously exciting period for us all," says Alastair Caddick, Hullo's Chief Executive Officer. "Our dedicated Hullo crew has been working relentlessly to bring this highly anticipated bi-coastal service to life. We can't wait to welcome our first guests aboard in just a few short weeks!" The vessels and crew spent the past few weeks in Victoria's Point Hope shipyard where they underwent sea trials, vessel familiarization, training drills and Transport Canada certifications. The Hullo crew will utilize the remaining weeks leading up to launch to conduct additional personnel training, sailing the route between Downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo. Hullo unveiled its initial sailing schedule. Hullo plans to build on these initial sailings and add more of the trips as listed over the next two months. Nanaimo to Downtown Vancouver: (Departing from the Nanaimo Port Authority) Downtown Vancouver to Nanaimo: (Departing from the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre) 6:00am 8:00am 8:00am (coming soon) 10:00am (coming soon) 10:00am 12:00pm 12:00pm (coming soon) 3:30pm (coming soon) 4:30pm 6:30pm 5:30pm (coming soon) 7:30pm (coming soon) 8:30pm* 10:30pm* *May be later subject to special events and occasions. While the tickets can be booked from August 14th onwards, guests should keep an eye out after July 28th for earlier sailing dates that may become available for booking. Those who subscribe to Hullo's email list will be the first to know when bookings open next week and checking the Hullo website daily is the best way to keep updated as more sailing dates and trips become available. About the Vancouver Island Ferry Company (VIFC) and Hullo Proudly headquartered in Nanaimo, BC, the Vancouver Island Ferry Company (VIFC) is a modern Canadian ferry company transforming how we travel in BC. Through its service brand, Hullo, VIFC will set a new standard for guests' travel experience across the Georgia Strait with reliability, convenience, and enjoyability at the forefront of operations. For more information on Hullo, visit www.hullo.com . SOURCE Vancouver Island Ferry Company For further information: Media Contact: Vancouver Island Ferry Company, Andrea Bava, Phone: 778 908 1764, Email: [email protected] Company Continues to Expand North America Retail Footprint with Rollout of First Flagship in Canada NEW YORK, July 21, 2023 /CNW/ -- LensCrafters, one of the largest optical retail brands in North America, announced the opening of the company's first flagship in Canada, scheduled to open in Toronto on July 21st at 33 Bloor Street East. The new flagship store, located in Toronto's premiere Yorkville shopping district, will further position LensCrafters as a modern optical retail leader of exclusive brands and reinforce the company as a trusted eyecare and eyewear authority in the region. The milestone opening, in the heart of Toronto's high-end fashion destination on Bloor Street, is part of LensCrafters' continued North America expansion plans. The company opened its first two flagship stores in New York City in 2020 and two more in San Francisco in 2021 and Palo Alto last year. LensCrafters The new elevated flagship will encompass the latest advanced digital technology and state-of-the-art design blending eye-catching finishes to create a dynamic customer journey. From quality eye exams to shopping for the perfect frame, the new location will showcase an expanded selection of designer eyewear styles and brands that include Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Persol, Versace, and Prada. The flagship will leverage a wide range of tools to afford customers more opportunities to meet their needs for a premium in store experience. Customers will be able to digitally explore the wide variety of EssilorLuxottica collections and brands, customize Ray-Ban and Oakley frames, and virtually try-on any frame thanks to the Virtual Mirror technology through LensCrafters' Smart Shopper interactive in store tool. "As LensCrafters continues to expand in the US and Canada, we look forward to advancing the brand this year with the rollout of our new flagship store in Toronto this month," said Alfonso Cerullo, President & GM of LensCrafters, North America. "Appealing to the well-known local shopping hub on Bloor Street, the store will reflect the effortless integration of design and technology, giving customers a more individualized experience that allows them to easily browse the vast luxury assortment of both optical and sun frames. At the end of the day, we want to be a top destination in the community when it comes to finding the best vision care solutions that resonate with our customers and help people express themselves while seeing well at the same time." The collection of luxury optical and sun styles along with superior lens design and technology by Essilor, will give the brand a larger footprint in the eyewear market. The new flagship will be equipped with high-resolution digital screens and led-walls displaying eyewear and campaigns to allow customers an immersive experience around the brand's offering. An added focus will be given to the storytelling of prescription lenses through interactive applications installed both on iPads and touch screens, leveraging the see-through technology to simulate lens features and effects for better vision. About LensCrafters LensCrafters, the leading optical retailer in North America, was founded in 1983 and currently operates over 1,000 stores in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. With a mission of helping people look and see their best, LensCrafters has a passion for vision care and offers the best selection of the latest trends in eyewear from leading designer brands as well as incomparable personalized service from Doctors of Optometry located at or next to its stores. LensCrafters opened its first Macy's location in April of 2016 and three flagship stores in New York City and San Francisco in 2021. The brand's trusted doctors and associates continue to make an impact by giving the gift of vision through the company's partner efforts with OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, providing access to quality vision care and glasses in underserved communities worldwide. LensCrafters is currently the number one contributor to OneSight in North America. For more information, visit www.lenscrafters.com. Media Contact: Alexa Anello [email protected] SOURCE LensCrafters This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows three ships docking at a container terminal of Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. The foreign trade cargo throughput in Tangshan Port reached 160.95 million tonnes from January to June, up 28.8 percent year on year. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao) This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows a container terminal of Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. The foreign trade cargo throughput in Tangshan Port reached 160.95 million tonnes from January to June, up 28.8 percent year on year. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao) This aerial photo taken on July 17, 2023 shows a ship unloading cargo at a wharf of Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. The foreign trade cargo throughput in Tangshan Port reached 160.95 million tonnes from January to June, up 28.8 percent year on year. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao) Workers operate crane to load containers at a container terminal of Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, July 19, 2023. The foreign trade cargo throughput in Tangshan Port reached 160.95 million tonnes from January to June, up 28.8 percent year on year. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao) This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows a ship sailing to the wharf area at Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. The foreign trade cargo throughput in Tangshan Port reached 160.95 million tonnes from January to June, up 28.8 percent year on year. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao) This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows a ship berthing at a cargo terminal of Tangshan Port in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province. The foreign trade cargo throughput in Tangshan Port reached 160.95 million tonnes from January to June, up 28.8 percent year on year. (Xinhua/Yang Shiyao) Editor: JYZ President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the Cabinet of Ministers to consider the National Bank of Ukraine's (NBU) proposal for a "financial institution owned by Russian oligarchs." "Now it will be right for the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to immediately consider the relevant proposals of the National Bank of Ukraine and support them in relation to this financial institution. In the interests of depositors, for the sake of financial stability and basic justice," he said in a video address on Thursday. Zelenskyy did not name the financial institution, however, it is likely that he is talking about Sense Bank. The NBU has decided to withdraw JSC Sense Bank (formerly Alfa-Bank) from the market and turned to the government with a proposal to nationalize it, NBU Governor Andriy Pyshny said. "The Board of the National Bank... decided to withdraw the systemically important bank, Sense Bank, from the market and made a proposal to the Cabinet of Ministers regarding the participation of the state in this procedure," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Thursday. Pyshny said the government's decision on nationalization is expected on Friday and ruled out the possibility that the government would refuse to accept the NBU proposal. The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education has increased the school fees of new students into Federal Government Colleges otherwise known as Federal Unity Colleges to 100,000. This was contained in a directive from the Office of the Director of Senior Secondary Education Department of the Federal Ministry of Education, reference number ADF/120/DSSE/I, dated 25th May, 2023, and addressed to all Principals of Federal Unity Colleges. According to the circular entitled, Approved fees/ charges for Federal Unity Colleges (1st Term) for new students, signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, new students are expected to part with 100,000 instead of the previous N45,000. The latest fees/charge increment will affect virtually all aspects and activities of the school, including tuition and boarding fees, uniform, text books, deposit, exercise books, prospectus, caution fee, ID card, stationery, clubs and societies, sports, extra lesson, insurance, et al. Please be informed that the ministry has approved only the underlisted fees and charges for all Unity Colleges, the memo read. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has added the Youth Party (YP) to the list of registered political parties in the country. INEC had, in February 2020, deregistered some political parties including the YP for failing to meet the criteria set by section 225(a) of the 1999 constitution (as amended). However, YP challenged the deregistration before an Abuja federal high court. While delivering the ruling in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/10/2020, Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, in October 2020, held that INECs decision was a breach of the political partys right to a fair hearing. Ekwo said the electoral umpire violated YPs right by deregistering it despite a pending case the party filed against INEC. At the court of appeal, the high courts verdict was affirmed while INECs appeal was dismissed. INEC, thereafter, filed an appeal at the supreme court. The apex court, in its judgment, affirmed the decision of both the high and appeal courts. In a statement on Thursday, the commission said after the supreme courts judgement, it interfaced with officials of the YP on the modalities for its operation based on the constitution, the electoral act 2022 and the regulations and guidelines of the commission. Consequently, the commission has recognised the Youth Party (YP) as the 19th Political Party in Nigeria with all the rights and privileges accorded political parties in Nigeria, the statement reads. President Bola Tinubu on Friday spelt out his National Security Objective, stressing that it would focus on ensuring security, justice, and democratic prosperity through state power. Tinubu disclosed this at the graduation of Course 45 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Jaji, Kaduna State. He pledged that his government would focus lots of energy on providing adequate security for all Nigerians. The president promised to support the military as he commended them for protecting the territorial integrity of the nation. While acknowledging the commitment of the immediate-past administration in enhancing the combat readiness of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the President pledged to pick up the pace, by providing the necessary support to the military. According to Tinubu: As Commander-in-Chief, I have given myself the following charge: to deploy the entire machinery of state power to ensure the security of our people and property in a just and democratic society. Under my predecessor, the Armed Forces worked tirelessly toward necessary reforms to enhance combat effectiveness and operational capability. We must now pick up the pace. The senate has asked the federal government to suspend a tender by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to purchase electricity meters for the second phase of the national mass metering programme (NMMP) abroad. TCN is said to be looking to purchase the meters through a World Bank facility. The upper legislative chamber urged TCN to negotiate with the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) if the Word Bank would not encourage local manufacturing of meters. The resolutions of the senate followed a motion by Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central. The World Bank has approved a loan of $155 million for the national mass metering programme, Umeh said. The ongoing World Bank-funded NMMP Phase 2 seeks to promote foreign companies participation against competent and prequalified local meter manufacturers which will ultimately result in the loss of jobs and revenue. A deliberate policy to prioritize local manufacturing will catalyze job creation and economic growth. TCN on behalf of the World Bank closed bidding advertisement on July 11, 2023, and further extended it to July 25, 2023, for the supply and installation of 1.2 million smart meters to the 11 distribution companies in Nigeria. The motion was adopted after it was put to a vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Vice-President Kashim Shettima says the federal government would vigorously pursue the mass deployment of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles in all states for public transportation. Shettima spoke on Thursday while presiding over the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting on the petrol subsidy removal, in Abuja. The move was part of the resolutions reached at the fourth NEC meeting, according to a statement by Olusola Abiola, director of information, office of the vice-president. The councils decisions followed a presentation on cushioning the effect of petrol subsidy removal by Chukwuma Soludo, Anambra state governor, who spoke on behalf of the NEC ad hoc committee. We will also pursue vigorously, the mass deployment of CNG-powered vehicles and establishment of autogas conversion plants/kits in all states in the short-term, Shettima was quoted as saying. We will also deploy electric buses and cars with charging infrastructure across the country. Although the vice-president did not state when these resolutions would be fully implemented, he noted that the council decided to support enhanced engagements between state governors and the leadership of the labour unions across the states. Shettima said the committee also proposed the provision of cost-of-living allowances to civil servants in both the state and federal civil services. The council agreed to support the federal governments efforts to scale up infrastructure, especially to give attention to fixing dilapidated highway roads across the country, he said. Other highlights of the NEC meeting are as follows: outstanding balances at the end of June excess crude account $473,754.57, stabilisation account N27,524,857,142.27, development of natural resources fund N98,421,834,602.86. Monthly statutory and exchange gain, non-oil revenues balance as at January to June 2023 is N104,978,145,865.86; solid mineral development fund (SMDF) balance as at January to June, 2023 is N835,511,263.00. On the state budget support facility as at June 30, he said that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) outstanding liability was N1,718,705,566,436.25. Shettima said the presentation on revenue outlook made by Muhammad Nami, chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), focused on major revenue reforms implemented between 2020 and 2023. Four key areas highlighted include; restructuring tax operations and administration, automation of tax administration, operational processes, creating a customer-focused service, and creating a data-centric institution, the vice-president added. On June 8, oil distributors under the aegis of the Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) pledged to donate 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to help mitigate the effects of petrol subsidy removal. The marketers, led by Winifred Akpani, the managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Northwest Petroleum and Gas Company Limited; made the commitment during a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a week after the announced the removal of petrol subsidy. President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigeria and the neighbouring countries in the Lake Chad region to display courage in reforming their military doctrine and practices. Tinubu said the change in tactics had become necessary as countries in the region were battling a mobile and elusive irregular force that disregarded established rules of warfare. The State House release on Friday showed it was part of the Presidents speech at Kaduna during the graduation ceremony of Senior Course 45 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji. Tinubu noted that the enemies facing countries in the sub-region are not conventional armies engaging in traditional battlefield warfare. While encouraging African countries to work together against common threats, the President acknowledged the multinational efforts of Nigeria, Cameroon, the Niger Republic, and Chad to bring peace to the Lake Chad region. We must also be brave enough to reform military doctrine and practice. We do not face a conventional army in the traditional field of battle. No, we contend against mobile, elusive irregular forces that disdain the normal rules of warfare. We must adjust accordingly to subdue the menace. This shall require a change in mindset, strategy, tactics in, equipment and in gear. The President also used the occasion to spell out his National Security Objective, saying it would focus on ensuring security, justice, and democratic prosperity through state power, Tinubu said. The President further noted that he is committed to deploying the entire machinery of state power to ensure people and property are secured in a just and democratic society. He urged the armed forces to defend the continent from geopolitical changes and resource competition. The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last election, Abubakar Atiku, has asked the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to uphold the declaration of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that he (Atiku) won 21 states in the February 25 presidential election. Atiku made the request on Friday in his final address in support of his joint petition with the PDP seeking the nullification of INECs declaration of Ahmed Bola Tinubu as winner of the poll. In the final address settled by his lead counsel, Chris Uche SAN, Atiku said that INECs assertion that he won in 25 states was neither disputed, retracted, debunked nor claimed to be error through the proceedings of the tribunal so far. INEC had in its response to Atikus petition, asserted that the PDP presidential candidate won 21 states of the Federation in the last presidential poll. The 21 states listed by INEC as having been won by Atiku and PDP are Adamawa, Akwa Ibom Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Osun, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara. The former Vice President said that since the electoral commission, which on its own averments claimed that he won those states and did rebut the assertion throughout the proceedings, the tribunal should proceed to uphold the declaration. The final written address read in part, Very importantly, the 1st Respondent (INEC) who conducted the election made an open admission in paragraph 18 of its Reply to the Petition, where it unequivocally stated thus: The 1st Respondent further avers that in compliance with extant laws and regulations, it diligently discharged its duties when it collated the 1st Petitioners (Atiku) scores at the election, which aggregate to 6,984,520, winning only 21 states, to wit: Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Ekiti, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Osun, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara. Indeed, as admitted by the first Respondent (INEC), the first Petitioner (Atiku) won in these 21 states. It is important to note that throughout the trial, the first Respondent (INEC) neither refuted or countermanded this critical averment nor denied it. We urge your Lordship to hold that this constitutes an admission that requires no further proof. It also constitutes an admission against interest. Atiku therefore pleaded with the Tribunal to uphold the assertion of INEC in the process and declare him winner of the February 25 Presidential Election. A payroll clerk for the Atlantic City Police Department has been indicted on charges she was paid thousands of dollars for hours she didnt work in the department, which she supervised, authorities said Friday. Suzanne Ricketts, 43, of Pleasantville, was allegedly unable to account for more than 174 hours of time she did not work. The alleged crime resulted in an estimated loss to city taxpayers of more than $3,000, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office. A grand jury in Atlantic County indicted Ricketts on charges of official misconduct, theft by deception and computer crimes, according to the prosecutors office. Ricketts was suspended without pay pending the outcome of her criminal and administrative charges, authorities have said. In 2020, the Atlantic City Police Department began investigating alleged discrepancies in Ricketts timesheets, according to the prosecutors office. A review of security cameras and computers showed differences between the times Ricketts was physically at the Atlantic City Police Department and what was listed in the payroll system, of which Ricketts was in charge, the prosecutors office said in a statement. Ricketts was arrested on July 29, 2021, four days before investigators charged retired Atlantic City police detective with third-degree theft by deception for allegedly fudging his hours, according to court records. Gregory Ingrum allegedly clocked into work as a police aide in the citys surveillance center but allegedly didnt show up, while still getting paid. Ingrum was arrested on Aug. 2, 2021, court records show. The status of Ingrums case was not immediately available, and public records available on Friday did not list attorney information for Ingrum or Ricketts. Anyone with information about the alleged crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office at 609-909-7800 or visit ACPO.Tips. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Rutgers was among numerous universities across the nation that may have exposed the personal information of students and employees through vendors that use a particular file transfer software that was hacked by a Russian ransomware gang. In the case of Rutgers, the school was notified by the National Student Clearinghouse a nonprofit that provides a range of higher education data and research services of a cybersecurity issue involving NSC information, including data from the university, a school spokeswoman told NJ Advance Media. The NSC issue involves a vulnerability in a third-party software tool, MOVEit Transfer a vulnerability that is affecting thousands of organizations using the tool for file transfers, a statement from Rutgers read. The NSC determined that an unauthorized party obtained certain files transferred through the clearinghouses MOVEit environment, including files from customers, according to an update on the incident from the NSC. The spokeswoman clarified that the incident was not a data breach of Rutgers systems. At this time, the impact on Rutgers information is unclear, school officials said. The NSC is investigating the issue, and Rutgers administrators are monitoring the issue closely and coordinating with the NSC to address any impact on the Rutgers community. The NSC works with 3,600 colleges and universities, including Rutgers, to gather student data required by the U.S. Department of Education. Multiple other universities were affected by the breach, including Stony Brook University, Middlebury College, Rutgers University, Loyola University Chicago, Trinity College in Connecticut, Colorado State University, the University of Dayton and the University of Alaska, according to a report by Bloomberg published by Yahoo Finance. Other government agencies, major pension funds and private businesses also have been affected by a Russian ransomware gangs so-called supply chain hack of the software. The Clop ransomware syndicate behind the hack has indicated that it would extort victims, threatening to dump their data online if they dont pay up. Clop, which is also known as Cl0p, exploited a flaw in MOVEit software that allowed it to access sensitive customer data from some customers, Bloomberg reported. Rutgers officials said they would provide updates about the NSC issues as more information becomes available. This article contains material from the Associated Press. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Ukrenergo will hold first joint auction for export of 200 MW of electricity to Slovakia on July 23 At the first joint auction for the distribution of the capacity of interstate lines on the Ukraine-Slovakia export route, which starts on July 21, 2023, 200 MW of capacity will be offered with a delivery date of July 23 from 09:00 to 14:00, Ukrenergo reported. "Ukrenergo and the Slovak transmission system operator SEPS have signed an agreement defining the procedure for conducting and distributing funds from auctions for access to interstate interconnectors between the operators of the two energy systems. Therefore, after the necessary changes are made to the legislation and approved by the NEURC regulator, Ukraine has the opportunity to start exporting electricity to Slovakia," it said on Telegram. They noted that, given the war and constant risks from shelling, access to interstate sections is distributed only for a short period at daily auctions. Ukrenergo stressed that Ukrainian electricity will be exported only during the hours of the day when there is an excess of it in the energy system. "For example, exports are possible in the morning and afternoon hours, when the production of solar power plants is the most. In the evening, when solar power plants are not working, and the ability of generation to cover a high level of electricity consumption is limited in the energy system, the need for imports remains," the system operator explained. The Essex County Sheriffs Office announced Thursday that it is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the bias crime attacks against two businesses that occurred in West Orange last week. The sheriffs office has joined with the Essex County Prosecutor and the West Orange police investigating back-to-back acts of vandalism at Harpers Cafe, a South Valley Road eatery that displayed two pride banners in the front. The first attack occurred on the night of Wednesday, July 12, when someone smashed the glass on the front door and smeared paint. The next night, someone hurled a brick through the front window, officials said. Also on July 13, a woman who owns a photo studio in town received a call where she was asked if she was Black, authorities said. Once hearing she was Hispanic, the caller told the studio owner she should move to another neighborhood. The caller also threatened to harm the business, the sheriffs office said. Earlier this week, acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens urged anyone with information to come forward and contact the West Orange police. On Thursday, Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura offered rewards of up to $10,000. Essex County is one of the most diverse counties in the state. We are proud to live peacefully side by side, said Essex County Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura. We are shocked and surprised by these bias crimes. They will not be tolerated, and law enforcement is working hard to apprehend the perpetrator(s) of these heinous actions. So far, no arrests have been made. Anyone with information about either crime is asked to contact the West Orange Police Department at 973-325-4000, or the Essex County Prosecutors Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. Information about any bias incident in New Jersey can be reported to the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office by calling 1-800-277-BIAS (2427). Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Richard Cowen may be reached at rcowen@njadvancemedia.com. Though Newark residents tend to feel their quality of life has improved, they also feel less safe than in the past, and their attitude toward police has declined, according to results of a Fairleigh Dickinson poll released Thursday. In FDUs poll of 1,104 city residents taken March 17-31, 34% of residents said Newark had gotten better as a place to live over the previous two years versus 26% who said it had gotten worse, and the rest perceived no significant change. The poll didnt ask whether people felt safer than in the past. Instead, it asked how safe people were feeling at the moment and compared the response to a previous poll from 2018. Asked in March how safe people felt walking in their neighborhood at night, 41% of respondents said either very safe or somewhat safe, compared to 47% five years earlier. FDU Poll Director Dan Cassino said feeling safe is a key component of how people judge their quality of life, but not the only one. We focus on crime, but theres a lot more to it, Cassino wrote in an email. Shopping and cultural events, public transportation, and all sorts of other things might well lead residents to say that the city is getting better as a place to live even as they worry more about crime. People feel more secure during the day, with 68% feeling very or somewhat safe on surrounding streets before sundown in the March polling. Cassino said the 2018 poll didnt ask how safe residents felt during the daytime. In terms of attitudes toward the police, 10% of respondents said the department was doing an excellent job serving their neighborhood, with 25% characterizing the job as good for a combined 35%. The responses to the same question in 2018 were 10% and 33%, respectively, or a combined 43%. Conversely, 25% of respondents in the latest poll said police were doing a poor job, up from 20% in 2018. Non-Hispanic white Newarkers, who make up about 10% of the citys population, and Asian residents, who make up 2%, gave police higher marks than the general population. Newark is 48% Black and 37% Latino. Among Whites and Asians, 51% told pollsters police were doing a good or excellent job. Cassino said the difference in attitudes toward police reflected a similar divide revealed by nationwide polling. In Newark, he attributed the difference to the departments racial makeup, which he said had a higher share of white officers relative to the citys white population. The NPD still doesnt look like Newark, even if theyve made progress, Cassino said. So it makes sense that whites would trust them more. The poll is a measurement of peoples perception of safety how safe they feel, whatever the level or nature of crime around them may be which Cassino and others said may have little to do with more objective measurements of safety. Newark officials agree. Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Public Safety Director Fritz Frage each issued statements insisting the perceptions of safety reflected in the polling were at odds with the reality that crime has declined in Newark. Pointing to some of the polls own findings, Frage said it was gratifying to see that an overwhelming 83.9 percent of respondents across all racial lines stated that NPD has not stopped or questioned them in the last two years, which he called a clear indication that we have significantly reduced racial bias in stops. Baraka pointed out that Newark was one of four cities nationwide recognized by the Obama Foundation in May for keeping youth safe from violence, and that last year the city continued a nine-year trend by reducing the number of shooting victims by 36%, homicides by 15%, and aggravated assaults by 9% from 2021 levels. What the responses in this study tell me is that we need to do a better job getting the word out that Newark is in fact safer today than since JFK was in office, Baraka stated, referring to President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. Overall, reports of violent crime in Newark fell 6% in 2022, the year leading up to the March survey, according to figures Baraka, Frage and state law enforcement officials announced in late December. Even so, any level of crime, plus national headlines about mass shootings, may persist in contributing to perceptions of violence, said Newark-based civil rights activist Larry Hamm, director and founder of the Peoples Organization for Progress. Whats that expression in your profession? If it bleeds, it leads? Hamm, who was not involved in the poll, told NJ Advance Media. You might have a decline in homicides in the town that you live in, but you hear on the television or in the news a number of mass shootings that are occurring in this country, and you might feel less safe in your own community. Perception is everything. Hamm and Cassino said mistrust of police in Newark might be magnified by the 2020 killing of George Floyd under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer and other high-profile police-related deaths in recent years. Right in Newark, despite a federal consent order mandating police reforms intended to curb a history of abuses, Hamm said brutality cases continue to sew mistrust of the police among residents. Distrust in Newark is so acute, FDU stated in its announcement of the poll, that a majority say that they would not cooperate with a police investigation. Just this month, a jury convicted former Newark Police Officer Jovany Crespo of aggravated manslaughter and assault charges in the 2019 fatal shooting of Gregory C. Griffin and wounding of Andrew J. Dixon following a car chase. Newark has had, and continues to have, police brutality incidents, Hamm said. NOTE: This article was updated to include responses to the FDU Poll by Newarks mayor and public safety director. Nobody knows Jersey better than N.J.com. Sign up to get breaking news alerts straight to your inbox. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com The nurses could soon hit the picket line. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospitals nursing staff rejected the latest contract proposal from the New Brunswick facility after voting to strike last week if an agreement wasnt reached by Friday. The union has said additional staffing remains the top issue, though the nurses are also seeking a pay hike, retirement benefits and a cap on insurance costs. Protestors march on the streets around Montefiore Medical Center during a nursing strike, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in the Bronx borough of New York. Two New York City hospitals have reached a tentative contract agreement with thousands of striking nurses that ends the walkout, the nurses' union announced Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) You know its big when a U.S. senator takes time out from national issues to weigh in. Why not both? Sen. Bob Menendez tweeted in Spanish Thursday morning amid support for humanitarian aid and a crackdown on telemarketers when asked which movie hell see: Oppenheimer or Barbie. But if you havent already bought your tickets, you might be too late to catch either of the most anticipated movies of the year when they arrive in Hudson County theaters this weekend. Both Greta Gerwigs Barbie and Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer dubbed Barbenheimer for those planning to see them back to back hit the big screen Thursday, and excited moviegoers are flocking to the theaters to catch an opening viewing of the two expected blockbusters. Prime-time showing for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at both the Jersey City AMC theater at the Newport Centre mall and the Kerasotes ShowPlace theater in Secaucus are already almost entirely sold out for both films. My constituents have been asking me which movie I will see, Barbie or Oppenheimer? Por que no los dos? https://t.co/JOJQTKJmZz pic.twitter.com/ljOdMka5py Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) July 19, 2023 We are expecting this to be one of our largest weekends of the summer, said Jersey City Newport AMC theater manager Ckaane, who asked that his last name not be used. Both Barbie and Oppenheimer are expecting a lot of sellouts. For some fans it will be breakfast with Barbie and the bomb 9:30 a.m. showtimes for both films already nearly fully booked in Jersey City on Saturday. Barbie is expected to lead the box-office race, and both Secaucus and Jersey City theaters hope to meet demand with more than 20 showtimes each day throughout the weekend. The premieres should attract all types of movie lovers, as the two wildly different films truly offer something for everyone: Barbie, starring Margot Robbie, is neon pink-filled journey of the Mattel doll venturing out of Barbie Land and into the real world, while the three-hour R-rated Oppenheimer follows the invention and the moral dilemma of the atomic bomb. The Jersey City theater staff is looking forward to the explosion in crowd numbers no matter if its glitter-filled or atomic. Were excited to see the theater at peak attendance, the manager said. We have beefed up (our staff) for the weekend and the weekdays as well. So yeah, were ready to rock. While the two blockbusters may be dropping on the same day, there is anything but competition between the two films. In fact, a social media phenomenon where viewers book a double-feature to see both films Barbenheimer, has taken over the internet with viral memes and posters cross-promoting the films. Some 40,000 people have already booked double-feature showings for the films, according to AMC. One Hoboken resident booked his tickets months in advance to secure his spot for opening weekend of the Barbenheimer craze. I had alerts set through the AMC app that whenever the tickets were released, I would get a notification, explained Andres, who is seeing both films over the weekend. For Oppenheimer, I think that was two months ago. And even then I was a little bit late so my seat isnt the best. Barbie tickets released a little bit later. So maybe, a month ago. And they were equally as hard to get. I fell into the hype really early on. I feel like this has been on my radar for like the past year or so, Andres added. Its crazy that its the same day its just an event that Im all for. While Hudson County theater-goers should anticipate extra crowds for this weekend, attendees can rest assured that management has taken extra precautions to avert a popcorn shortage. Were actually gonna get a special expedited delivery just to make sure that we dont run out of what we need, the Jersey City AMC manager explained. Everyones excited, morale is up. Our team feels like we bond well over busy times. So were looking forward to it. At a venue overlooking the ocean, eager New Jersey cannabis entrepreneurs turned out in numbers for the chance to engage in serious business networking and gain insights from the states leading agencies tasked with launching and expanding the legal weed market. Amid the buzzing connections and conversations among some 200 attendees at the exclusive industry networking event Thursday in Long Branch, insiders heard from several organizations instrumental in helping businesses find their way in the states flourishing sector, including New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJDEA) and New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC) along side the states top cannabis regulator. Tanmoy TJ Jadhav, founder of the Elizabeth-based cannabis business MoJo Botanica, found value in being able to engage with the state agencies and ask questions about their pending state grant and license applications. Like many others that were in the room, MoJo Botanica is awaiting a response from the NJEDA about their Cannabis Equity Grant Program application. The event was very timely for where we are in the process, he said. We also received a much-awaited update on the NJEDAs Joint Ventures Grant program, which launched on 4/20. It was heartening to learn that some applicants have begun receiving responses, instilling hope among us aspiring cannapreneurs. Ellie Siegel, CEO of Longview Strategic a company that has been consulting cannabis entrepreneurs at all business stages for the past seven years used the event as an opportunity to get answers to questions for her clients, including more information about the license conversion process. Getting a chance to meet the regulators, put faces to them, have them answer questions makes a huge difference when were trying to work with those entrepreneurs as clients and assist them towards their goals, she said. During her talk, Dianna Houenou, chairwoman of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, took a optimistic tone about the state of the market. While there remains much work ahead to ensure small, diverse businesses find footing in the states growing cannabis industry, the CRC is doing a hell of a lot to help get minority applicants across the finish line, she said. The summer business networking event, hosted by NJ Cannabis Insider, drew cannabis growers, retail store owners, manufacturers, regulators and other business leaders to meet at the swanky oceanside Wave Resort. The industry as a whole is becoming more sophisticated, more educated, Houenou said. We want to see prospective applicants coming to events like this, where we can give them the information that they need and guidance that they need. Before the commission was launched in April of 2021, the state had less than 12 medical dispensaries. Now, there are 35 adult-use dispensaries in the state, according to the CRC. Houenou noted, however, there still remains three main barriers preventing cannabis businesses from becoming operational in the state: delays with site control and real estate, municipal approval delays and lack of sufficient funding. As a result of these challenges, 75% of the 1,200 businesses with conditional license applications the state regulatory body has approved have requested extensions. Unfortunately, theres a very limited number of things that the commission can do to help businesses through those challenges, but where we can, we make sure that we collaborate and share information with partners at the local level, state level and potential industry operatives and investors, Houenou said. In response to the criticism the CRC has fielded concerning its processes, Kelly Anderson, the CRC deputy executive director, said they are a brand new agency thats building the plane as were flying it, asking for patience from eager operators in the space. Megan Tagliaferri, CRC director of Licensing, for her part offered several suggestions on how to ensure license applications meet all the state-issue requirements for a successful review, offering an email address and phone number for any questions (crc.licensing@crc.nj.gov, 609-376-7373). Looking ahead, the CRC encouraged entrepreneurs to prepare for the opening of applications on Sept. 27 for wholesale, distributor and delivery licenses. Additionally, the commission is nearing the adoption of final regulations governing the operation of cannabis consumption areas, the officials said. The NJEDA and NJBAC announced they are offering upcoming opportunities tailored to aid diversely owned businesses. The states economic development authority is set to launch the second phase of its pilot $10 million Cannabis Equity Grant Program, providing support for start-ups in the state, including technical training and early-stage expense assistance. Come late August or early fall, social equity businesses that have obtained a conditional license but have not secured real estate or municipal approval and need assistance converting their permits to an annual one can apply for The Phase II Seed Equity Grant of $150,000, said Genevieve Jones, program manager at the NJEDA. Tauhid Chappell, the newly appointed executive director of the NJBAC Cannabis Training Academy, announced a forthcoming program offering more than 60 online courses for those interested in obtaining an adult-use cannabis license. This free program will launch by this winter and aims to equip eligible students social equity, legacy, impact zone, diverse-owned or microbusiness applicants with insights from industry experts, he said. No barriers to entry, we want to make this free, easy and informational so that you have the best information from the best industry experts to make the best business decisions for your company, Chappell said. Guests also had the opportunity of hearing from the events sponsor, CannaRemediesNJ, a women-led and operated retail dispensary opening in Ewing this fall. Victor Guadagnino, head of business development at CannaRemediesNJ, left his fellow peers with one piece of advice as the industry continues to thrive, the importance of educating and having strong relationships with municipalities to facilitate business openings and create more opportunities within the state remains paramount. But for us, what we can help you with is education, Guadagnino told attendees. Our tagline is education, curate, elevate and we really do mean to bridge the gap between cannabis beginners and cannabis enthusiasts. In addition to CannaRemediesNJ, several sponsors and vendors conducted business on the vendor floor, including Hance Construction, Saul Ewing Law, All Space, Viking Pest Control, 5S Security, Cova, All Funding Solutions, Queen City and BCB Bank. NJ Cannabis Insider is a weekly subscriber-based online trade journal and events group produced by NJ Advance Media, which also publishes NJ.com, The Star-Ledger and other affiliated papers. NJCIs next event is an all-day conference on Oct. 12 in Newark. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Nyah Marshall may be reached at Nmarshall@njadvancemedia.com. Air travel has been worse than a hot mess this summer and a New Jersey Congressman is demanding answers from federal aviation officials about why air travel has melted down at Newark and other metro area airports. Citing numerous complaints from travelers whove been delayed and grounded for days due to a rash of canceled flights, U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer sent a letter demanding answers from federal officials. A documented shortage of air traffic controllers and how those ranks will be filled is one of the main issues Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., wants addressed in the letter sent to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg Thursday. Ive heard it from my constituents, delays and cancelations upends the plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers, he said during a virtual press conference. From July second to the ninth, Newark and JFK (airports) ranked in the top three in the country for delays and cancelations in the U.S. A General Accounting Office report said that the Federal Aviation Administration had a shortage of Air Traffic Controllers, he said. A June 2023 USDOT Inspector Generals Office report said the FAA continues to face staffing challenges and lacks a plan to address them, which in turn poses a risk to the continuity of air traffic operations. The inspector general determined at 20 of 26, or 77% of critical facilities, are staffed below the FAAs 85% threshold, with the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control at a 66% staffing level. Its a two year shortage of air traffic controllers and it impacts the capacity the skies can handle, Gottheimer said. The inspector general put out a report where the FAA admitted there would be a problem this summer. Im worried these delays will become the norm. Todays letter gets to the bottom of it and asks FAA what is your plan, when will you make it public and how will you fix the traffic controller shortage? An FAA spokeswoman pushed back on the allegation that air traffic controller issues were solely to blame. We hire controllers annually and have for decades. This year, we will hire 1,500 and next year we will hire 1,800, she said. We have recently completed a comprehensive review of the distribution of controllers, which was included in the Controller Workforce Plan submitted to Congress on May 5, 2023. The FAA is also implementing the Air Traffic Operations Management System, a comprehensive system that will track controller timekeeping and various work assignments, she said. That addresses criticism of the FAAs air traffic controller scheduling system in the inspector generals report. In the letter, Gottheimer also asked the FAA to explain how it is approaching delays and cancellations in the New Jersey-New York regions, which is one of the busiest in the country. He asked what the FAA is doing proactively to prepare for bad weather conditions and its plans to address the controller shortage and national aviation system issues. The FAA will respond directly to Gottheimer about the letter, the spokeswoman said. Language requiring a study of flight delays in the tri-state area was included in FAA reauthorization legislation passed by the U.S. House Thursday and sent to the U.S. Senate Air travel experts interviewed by NJ Advance Media said bad weather exposes the problem in the air travel system, especially airline and FAA staffing problems and over-scheduling by airlines. They own a chunk of the blame, he said, responding to a reporters question. Were working with airlines on that. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. A dramatic pursuit on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge ended Thursday with the arrests of two New Jersey teens in a stolen car, according to the NYPD. NYPD officers began tracking the SUV with a New Jersey license plate around 11 a.m. Thursday, according to a spokesman for the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. Officers pursued the vehicle onto the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, where the suspects abandoned the vehicle roughly mid-span and ran on foot in an attempt to flee, according to the police spokesman. The boys, ages 17 and 15, were arrested by police. The entire upper level of the bridge was closed in both directions due to police activity around 12:30 p.m., according to the MTA. Both teens were charged by police with criminal possession of stolen property and unauthorized use of a vehicle. The 15 year old also was charged with false personation, the police spokesman said. Surveillance images showed multiple emergency vehicles responding to the upper level of the span where trucks and other vehicles mired in congestion. The police activity caused traffic to back up on both the Staten Island and Gowanus expressways. The lower level remained open in both directions during the emergency response. One person was killed Thursday afternoon when a single-family home in a retirement community caught on fire, Berkeley Township Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said. The house is located on Miles Pond Road in the Holiday City section of Berkeley Township, a 55-plus community of all single-family homes, adjacent to the Pine Barrens. The identity of the victim has not been released. The blaze is under investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutors Office and Berkeley Township Office of Fire Prevention. 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. UPDATE: The woman who died in the fire was identified Friday afternoon as the 77-year-old owner of the home, Janet Conroy. A house fire in Ocean County that left a 77-year-old woman dead on Thursday began in a dishwasher and has been ruled accidental, authorities said. The fire was reported about 1:50 p.m. at 1 Miles Pond Road in Berkeley Township. Firefighters found the woman dead in the dining room, according to Ocean County Prosecutors Office. The fire appeared to have originated in the kitchen dishwasher from a suspected electrical equipment failure, authorities said. Investigators withheld the womans name as they continued Friday morning attempts to locate her relatives. Anyone with information about family members of the woman is asked to call Detective John Doran of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3524. The house is located in the Holiday City section of Berkeley Township, a 55-plus community of all single-family homes, adjacent to the Pine Barrens. Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal addressed the Polish side amid statements about blocking the export of Ukrainian grain through the Polish border, recalling that Ukraine continues to seek and expand export opportunities in the context of Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion. "First, Russia thwarted the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and now it is destroying Ukrainian ports, from where grain was shipped to dozens of countries around the world. Russia wants to cause hunger and a food crisis. We are doing everything to prevent this. We successfully carried out two sowing campaigns in extremely difficult conditions. Ukrainian farmers are working even on mined fields. They are harvesting the second crop. We are building new logistics on the western border. We have tripled the cargo turnover on the Danube. We are opening new checkpoints and expanding the possibilities of existing ones. In this extremely difficult time, we, unfortunately, hear statements from our Polish allies that the EU borders for Ukrainian grain will be closed," Shmyhal said at the Friday government meeting. He expressed gratitude to Poland for the help provided since the full-scale Russian invasion and called for an expert dialogue. "I would like to appeal to our Pole brothers. Your support during the Russian aggression is extraordinary. We will never forget this and will always be grateful for it. You are always the first to support Ukraine. You understand better than anyone that Ukraine is now a shield that does not let Russian barbarians into Europe. Therefore, we urge you not to succumb to slogans and populism. Poles to give Ukraine a shoulder of help and thus drive Russia into a dead end. We offer cooperation and expert dialogue instead of slogans and short-term political expediency," the prime minister said. NEW YORK Aaron Judge isnt the only Yankees outfielder inching closer to a return from the injured list. Outfielders Greg Allen, Jake Bauers and Willie Calhoun have all started rehab assignments with a Yankees minor-league affiliate, one final step before rejoining the active roster. Allen (right hip flexor strain) homered in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. Bauers (left rotator cuff contusion) went yard and doubled with the RailRiders on Thursday while Calhoun (left quad strain) was 0-for-3 in Double-A Somerset. You have to figure Judge (right great toe sprain) is next to embark on a rehab assignment. He added baserunning drills and on-field batting practice to his daily routine in Anaheim this week, one final hurdle before ramping up with in-game reps. Judge hasnt seen live pitching since the day he hurt his toe (on June 3), so he has some building up to do. BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER Players coming off the IL is a good thing. It also means the Yankees have some decisions to make. Getting Judge back onto the roster wont be an issue, obviously. Finding room for those other three names is more of an undertaking. Mix in the trade deadline along with the Yankees continued interest in adding a corner outfielder and it gets even trickier. Out of Allen, Bauers and Calhoun, Allen the switch-hitting speedster figures to be the likeliest to stick with the big-league club. The Yankees traded for him from the Red Sox in late May and he got hurt a couple weeks later, so hes only played in 10 games with the Yanks so far. He can bring value off the bench with tantalizing speed Allen was 23-for-23 in stolen base attempts with Bostons Triple-A affiliate to begin this season and coverage at all three outfield positions on defense. Bauers and Calhoun have both showed flashes of power from the left side offensively over the last few months, helping to fill in while Judge, Harrison Bader, Giancarlo Stanton and more have missed time. Bauers was hitting .224 with a .782 OPS in 49 games before getting hurt, swatting seven home runs. Calhoun was batting .239 with a .712 OPS, leaving the yard five times in 44 games before landing on the IL. To get those three on the big-league roster, the Yankees will probably part with Billy McKinney, sending Franchy Cordero and Oswaldo Cabrera back to the minors. Cordero and Cabrera are the only players in this mix that have minor-league options, valuable roster flexibility for the stretch run. Anybody else, like McKinney, would need to be designated for assignment. McKinney Mania has cooled down after the leftys hot start the outfielder is 1-for-29 (.103) in his last 14 games, lowering his batting average from .320 to .241. Want to bet on MLB? See the best NJ Sports Betting sites Cabrera has been much better of late on offense hitting .333 (7-for-21) this month but hes still been a disappointment this year, failing to take control of a starting job in the outfield despite ample playing time. An alternative would be to trade Isiah Kiner-Falefa, a way to slash some payroll and open up another slot on the active roster. Then again, IKF has excelled in a super utility role this season and has been one of the Yankees best hitters all summer long, making up for poor metrics on defense in the outfield. Harrison Baders health will play a role here as well, certainly if he needs to miss time after getting hit by a pitch and leaving Wednesdays game in Anaheim. Preliminary imaging on Baders side seemed encouraging, but we wont know if Bader is OK until we hear from him and Boone on Friday at Yankee Stadium. Finally, adding an outfielder via trade like a Cody Bellinger or Dylan Carlson adds another piece to the puzzle, an asset that instantly leapfrogs all these other names (besides Judge) on the depth chart. In other words, this next week and change of games is pivotal in determining whether or not the Yankees go all-in and buy or if they take a less aggressive approach and retool ahead of the Aug. 1 deadline. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Max Goodman may be reached at mgoodman@njadvancemedia.com. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. Traffic passes Friday, July 21, 2023, on La. 1 in Napoleonville. Town officials say residents have complained about speeding through town but they suspended a contract for an electronic speed enforcement program after complaints from residents and the sheriff. The officer who was enforcing the speed limit was standing just up the road from the town sign, far left, and, the sheriff says, clocking drivers farther down La. 1 outside the village limits. The Subcommittee on Ukrainian-Chinese Trade and Economic Cooperation discussed in Kyiv on Friday the prospects for bringing new commodity items to the Chinese market by the end of 2023, the press service of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection reported. "The parties discussed the conditions and necessary steps for mutual trade, especially the opening of new commodity items for the export of Ukrainian products, in particular honey, flour, fish products, poultry meat, peas, fresh blueberries, feed for productive animals (premixes), etc.," the agency's website says. According to the State Food Service, at present more than 900 Ukrainian enterprises have the right to export their own products to China, in particular, corn 227 enterprises, milk and dairy products 35, soybeans 55, barley 51, meal and bagasse 48, beef six and frozen blueberries and blueberries ten. As a result of the meeting, the parties agreed to prepare for the signing of protocols on the export of Ukrainian goods by the end of the year, as well as to begin the exchange of experience between veterinary specialists from Ukraine and China. Jefferson Parish business and political leaders traveled to Austin, Texas, this week to learn more about one of the country's fastest-growing cities. The trip was organized by the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and included panels and excursions on economic development, education, workforce development and quality of life initiatives. Attendees arrived in Austin on Tuesday and flew back to Louisiana on Friday. Ruth Lawson, president of the Jefferson Chamber, said the "purpose is to make sure we have a vision for Jefferson Parish far in the future." "We looked at what's going on with Jefferson Parish and where we need to improve," she said, adding that they wanted to learn what Austin did "10, 20, 30 years ago" to set itself up for success. People stand in a long line wrapping around the outside the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles location on Independence Blvd., Monday, June 15, 2020, to take care of their business there. People are catching up from the OMV being closed since mid-March, due to COVID-19 social distancing safety precautions. WASHINGTON New Orleans native Kenneth Polite Jr., a former U.S. attorney who became head of the Justice Department's criminal division two years ago, will step down from that role July 28. The 47-year-old will take a short break, then join a law firm, he told media outlets this week. He will be replaced by his deputy in the criminal division, Nicole Argentieri, at least until a new head is chosen by the White House and confirmed by the Senate, he said in a speech last week. I am deeply grateful to Kenneth for the skill and integrity with which he has led the departments criminal division, the U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement to The Guardian, a British newspaper. The impact of his leadership on the criminal division and the Justice Department will be felt for a long time to come. Love him or loathe him, nearly everyone in America wants to hear what U.S. Sen. John Kennedy is going to say next. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal with a proposal to replace Oleksandr Tkachenko as Minister of Culture and Information Policy. "Budget expenditures. In times of war like this, the maximum state attention, and therefore state resources, should be spent on defense. This is an obvious thing. And every project that can be implemented at the expense of extra-budgetary resources should be implemented at the expense of extra-budgetary resources," he said in a video address on Thursday. According to him, this concerns different spheres and, in particular, the sector of culture. "Museums, cultural centers, symbols, TV series - all of this is important, but now there are other priorities. Find extra-budgetary funds. Not state funds," Zelenskyy said. "I suggested two steps to the Prime Minister. The first is to find extra-budgetary funds for projects that are really needed now. There are people in the world who can help. Second, I asked the Prime Minister to consider replacing the Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine," he also said. According to Zelenskyy, "people should feel that budget resources are used fairly and properly. Everyone understands what we are talking about. Paving stones, city decorations, and fountains can wait till after the victory." President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a decree dismissing Vadym Prystaiko from two positions. Relevant document No. 442/2023 was published on the presidential website. According to the text of the decree, Prystaiko is dismissed from the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and from the post of Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concurrently. The Democrat-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee narrowly approved a Democrat-backed Supreme Court ethics reform bill on July 20 on a party line 1110 vote. Republicans oppose the legislation, which they say is unconstitutional. They have suggested that Democratsmany of whom want to pack the Supreme Court with liberal justicesonly want to move against the Court because its six-member conservative-leaning majority has been handing down decisions they find objectionable. Three of those six justices were appointed by then-President Donald Trump, a Republican. Democrats have been demanding that the Supreme Court adopt a code of ethics after the revelation of several alleged ethical lapses committed by conservative members of the Court, particularly Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito. Democrats are angry that wealthy Republican donor Harlan Crow gave Justice Thomas luxurious vacations, tuition support for a grandnephew he raised, and purchased low-dollar real estate from the justices family. Justice Thomas didnt disclose the events, saying he was advised that it wasnt required, but has vowed to disclose such events going forward. Justice Alito has defended his decisions not to disclose a paid Alaska trip in 2008 and not to recuse himself from a court case in 2014 that was related to the person who paid for the transportation. The justice said he did not mention the trip in a 2008 report because not disclosing it was the standard practice in cases like this. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), the ranking member on the committee, said at the hearing that the bill was designed to destroy a conservative Court to rearrange the makeup of how the Court governs itself. Its an assault on the Court itself, Mr. Graham added. The bill is the proposed Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act (SCERT) of 2023 (S.359), which was introduced in February by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), chairman of the committees Subcommittee on the Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights. Whitehouses bill would direct the Supreme Court to issue a code of conduct governing its own members. The bill would also create a system allowing members of the public to file complaints against justices for violating the code of conduct or for engaging in conduct that undermines the integrity of the Supreme Court of the United States. A judicial investigation panel comprised of five judges selected randomly from among the chief judge of each circuit of the United States would investigate a complaint and report its findings to the Supreme Court, which would then dismiss the complaint, order disciplinary action, or make changes to the courts rules or procedures. The panel would have subpoena powers and the authority to conduct hearings and release public reports about its activities. Rules requiring the disclosure of gifts, income, and reimbursements received by any justice or justices law clerk would be established. A litigant would also be allowed to file a motion to disqualify a justice from a case, which would be reviewed by a panel of judges. The measure would compel a justice to recuse him or herself from a case when he or she knows that a party or its affiliate in a legal proceeding spent substantial funds in support of a justices confirmation by the Senate. The duty to disqualify him or herself would also apply when a justice, his or her spouse, minor child, or a privately held entity owned by such a person received income, a gift, or reimbursement from a party or affiliate to a proceeding in a six-year period before the justice takes up the case. The bill would also require greater disclosure by parties filing friend-of-the-court briefs, who seek to influence the court on specific cases. The Supreme Court and the Judicial Conference of the United States, a body created by Congress, would be directed to prescribe rules forbidding the filing of any such briefs that would lead to the disqualification of a justice from a particular case. Mr. Whitehouse said at the hearing that the Court has been captured by special interests, much like a railroad commission in the 1890s might have been captured by railroad barons to decide things their way. In addition, right-wing front groups that have filed friend-of-the-court briefs have a statistically staggering record of certain justices ruling their way, he said. It is the only court in the country, perhaps the only court in the world, with no ethics process at all. Then came the news that six politically active right wing-billionaires have been paying household expenses, engaging in financial transactions, and providing massive secret gifts of travel and hospitality for at least two justices. We are here because the highest court in the land has the lowest standard of ethics anywhere in the federal government. And justices have exhibited much improper behavior, not least in hapless efforts to excuse the misdeeds. This cannot go on. Defending this behavior defends the indefensible, Mr. Whitehouse said. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) lauded the bill, saying it will establish important ethical standardsif given a chancefor Supreme Court justices related to their financial disclosures and decisions whether to recuse from hearing a case. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), on the other hand, said the bill is about harassing and intimidating the Supreme Court. Over the past several years, the far Left has mounted an unprecedented assault against the Supreme Court. The far Left is unhappy with the courts conservative majority and detest a handful of its decisions, he said. The far-Left playbook is to attack the Court, cast doubt on the legitimacy of the institution, impugn the reputation of the justices, and attempt to dictate the rules and practices of a separate branch of government. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said Democrats are exaggerating any problems the Court may have. The Court does, in fact, have its own ethics rules that it supervises, that it oversees, and there is a Judicial Conference that can and does look into these things. Democrats claim those safeguards are not good enough and to them its basically a post-apocalyptic hellhole over there from an ethical standard viewpoint. This is objectively untrue and deliberately slanderous, Mr. Lee said. Mr. Graham said the bill would fundamentally change the way the Court operates and fundamentally erode the power of the Supreme Court. The measure would create a complaint body where anybody could file a complaint against the Court. Thered be a massive effort by liberals throughout the country to disqualify conservatives in every major case, Mr. Graham said. A series of Republican amendments to the bill were rejected by the committee. Democrats said the amendments were not relevant to Supreme Court ethics, the subject of the legislation. Mr. Lee offered an amendment to the bill that would create a new federal crime for leaking the work product of the court. Such an action would be punishable by a $10,000 fine and up to 10 years in prison. The amendment was a response to the unprecedented leak last year of a draft majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade. The leak was followed by loud protests both at the Court and at conservative justices residences. One man was arrested in connection with a plot to assassinate conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Republicans complained that U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland refused to enforce a federal law banning picketing outside the homes of justices. Saying there was a very organized effort to intimidate the justices, Mr. Graham offered an amendment that would have allowed the Supreme Courts police force to investigate violations of the federal anti-picketing law. The system designed to protect justices at their homes failed, he said. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) proposed an amendment that would have extended a right to carry firearms to federal judges that would apply regardless of state and local restrictions on gun-carrying. Cornyn said the amendment was needed because of the verbal attacks on the court launched by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). He was referring to Mr. Schumers March 4, 2020, statement at a pro-abortion rights rally on the courthouse steps. Mr. Schumer vowed unspecified retribution against conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch and Justice Brett Kavanaugh should they vote to uphold the law then under challenge, a Louisiana statute that required abortionists to have hospital admitting privileges close to where the procedure takes place. Theyre taking away fundamental rights, he said as the case was being argued inside. I want to tell you, Gorsuch, I want to tell you, Kavanaugh, you have released the whirlwind! And you will pay the price! You wont know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions, Mr. Schumer said at the time. The statement was referenced repeatedly throughout the hearing by Republicans. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) offered an amendment that would have required members of the media to publicly disclose a list of their outlets funders and swear not to disclose anything about the internal deliberations of the Court in order to receive Supreme Court media credentials. Mr. Durbin said he opposed the amendment because it would unduly restrict freedom of the press. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) proposed an amendment intended to prevent Democrat-led packing of the Court. The defeated amendment stated that the Supreme Court is composed of nine justices, which is the current number of seats on the court. The number is fixed by statute. When the full Senate will take up the bill was unclear at press time. The Supreme Court is in recess for the summer and is scheduled to release orders in ongoing cases on July 24, Aug. 21, and Sept. 8. Its new term will begin with oral arguments in October. From The Epoch Times The Beverly Shores Depot Museum and Art Gallery will showcase exhibits about the early settlers and the Potawatomie in August. The museum and art gallery in a historic but working South Shore Line Station at 525 S. Broadway at U.S. 12 in Beverly Hills will showcase "Dancing for Our Tribe: Potawatomie Traditions in the New MillenniumPhotographs by Sharon Hoogstraten" and "Early Settlers and Area Native Americans." "In the heyday of the Anishinaabe Confederacy, the Potawatomis were spread across Indiana, Illinois, Canada, Michigan and Wisconsin. Sharon Hoogstraten is a photographer of Potawatomi descent who creates formal portraits of present-day tribal members in traditional dress, all sewn incorporating the old arts of ribbonwork, beading and quillwork," The Depot said in a press release. "Hoogstratens striking large-format canvas portraits of the Potawatomi have been exhibited in museums and institutions including the Smithsonian Institute, National Museum of the American Indian and the State Museum of Illinois and are included in the permanent collection of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation Cultural Heritage Center." A Second Friday opening is planned from 5 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 14. It will feature a Potawatomi drummer and a Native American dance performance. The exhibit will close on Sunday, Oct. 1. Visitors also can check out "Early Settlers and Area Native Americans," which will run at the museum through Aug. 27. "You may have been lucky enough to come upon an ancient arrowhead on our beach or wondered why a path exists in the middle of the foredune to the south of Lake Front Drive. Learn about the Native Americans who once lived, hunted, and traversed our area," the Depot said in a press release. The Beverly Shores Depot Museum and Art Gallery is open from noon until 4 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For more information, visit bsdepot.org. A Michigan City resident was sentenced to 130 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, U.S. Attorney Clifford Johnson announced. Meliki Marion, 42, of Michigan City, Indiana, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Damon Leichty to the prison term, to be followed by five years of supervised release. According to documents in the case, from June through mid-August 2021, Marion conspired with others to distribute fentanyl in the Michigan City area. Marions co-defendants allegedly sold pills purporting to be oxycodone that were actually fentanyl. In August 2021, two co-defendants were stopped by police while traveling back to Michigan City with over a kilogram of fentanyl pills, according to the U.S. Attorneys office. Marion was in possession of over $3,000 when apprehended by law enforcement as she attempted to run away from her residence as it was to be searched. Marion admitted that she collected money related to the conspiracy. The U.S. Attorney said the case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the LaPorte County Drug Task Force and the Michigan City Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberly Schultz and Joel Gabrielse. HAMMOND Inside a classroom in the bioscience building at Purdue University Northwest, a group of medical students are huddled around two hexagon tables. At one of the tables is the instructor of this learning session, Ernest Talarico, wearing lavender gray medical scrubs. Talarico is leading the group in a case scenario where a couple is dealing with infertility issues. Hes asking the students questions based on the information provided, the students shuffle through their notes and scroll through their PowerPoints to look for the answers. They answer the questions, with Talarico filling in any information they may have missed. If theyre struggling with a question or topic, he asks a student to write it down on the whiteboard with a list of learning issues the students will have to research after this session. Talarico is a professor of anatomy and physiology at PNW. He is leading the group of students in a problem-based learning session, where medical students are gradually presented with information in a clinical case. The process is meant to simulate the way an actual doctor gets information and data from a patient in real life. According to Talarico, it allows the students to use their basic science and clinical knowledge to apply it in a real-life clinical scenario. The class is a cohort of international medical students and graduated physicians that arrived in early July. Nearly all of them are from Vietnam, up until last week, they were also joined by students from the Czech Republic. The medical students are either in their fourth or fifth year of school. In Vietnam, medical school is a six-year-long process. The students are either from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City or Tan Tao University, where Talarico serves as a faculty advisor. The graduated physicians are recent international medical students that are residing in the U.S. as they are seeking to be accepted in a residency program. Luke Lawrence John is one of those graduated physicians. Hes originally from Malaysia and currently resides in Minnesota as hes looking to be accepted in a residency program in either internal or family medicine. Lawrence John describes PBL learning as kind of a maze. Its a very active form of learning where were not reading from a textbook and about particular diseases, rather we are looking at a problem that were trying to solve, Lawrence John said. Typically, PBL cases last around three sessions, with each session lasting two hours. However, Talarico says he makes these sessions three hours long so the students have an opportunity to practice their English. In addition, the students are conducting clinical rotations at St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart. In these rotations, they are moving between different medical disciplines and seeing patients under the supervision of an attending physician. This is the first year PNW has hosted a summer program for international medical students. However, Talarico has had prior experience, when he taught a summer cadaver program when he was previously at Indiana University Northwest. On Friday, the students presented in-depth research they did outside of the sessions on a medical condition or topic of their choosing. Some of them will be returning home at the end of the month, while the rest will be staying a few more weeks to continue their medical rotations. Talarico hopes these students take what theyve learned in the past weeks to help improve the care of patients and improve the education of future doctors in their home countries. Exposure, experiences and educating is where its at and thats how people are going to have better treatment and better medical outcomes, Talarico said. Mai Hoang, one of the students who will be returning to Vietnam, says she will take back all that Talraico has taught them. And I hope that I can be a better student, and I can graduate and become a great doctor, Hoang said. PHOTOS: Beehives at PNW CROWN POINT The woman who owns and operates local mental health services center Crown Point Counseling was arrested last month for forging records. Suzanne Krischke (aka Suzanne Bonaventura) was arrested on July 3 for allegedly forging patient documents for a 2019 audit, according to court records. Records indicate that Krischke was charged with seven counts of counterfeiting records. If convicted on all counts, shed face 17 and a half years in prison. Charging documents detailed how Krischke purportedly falsified the signatures of doctors when she was required by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, which oversees Medicaid, to resubmit old records for an audit. Charges described how Indiana Medicaid typically operated on a trust-based system, wherein most claims from enrolled medical providers dont require individual verification, due in part to the sheer volume of claims. Crown Point Counseling was first audited in 2017 for reimbursed claims from 2016, after the FSSA notified the mental health provider that 95 of their claims were not complaint. When the counseling center resubmitted the documents for reconsideration in 2019, auditors noticed that the documentation submitted for the reconsideration audit was the same documentation submitted for the initial with modifications to make them compliant, according to the probable cause affidavit. An employee at Crown Point counseling told investigators that Krischke, supervisors and human resources made everyone in the office create fake treatment plans in response to an audit. He said the problem of missing documentation stemmed from guidance to therapists that they did not need to create treatment plans until a patient was seen three times, charges stated. The FSSA stipulates that practitioners must document some sort of treatment plan within seven days of a patient seeing a provider, the affidavit stated. A former employee described to investigators how documents were created to fill in gaps and documents were modified after audits during reconsideration audits at the direction of Krischke. He said that he didnt think Krischke had a stamp or electronic signature from the doctors, so he suspected they just copied the signatures by hand. Court records indicate that Krischke appeared in Mag. Mark Watsons courtroom on Monday. Her next hearing is set for September 12 in Judge Gina Joness courtroom. HAMMOND Some Hammond Common Council members say they need more information before voting on an ordinance that would force gas stations to close overnight. The legislation was introduced two weeks ago, just a few weeks after a 33-year-old man from Chicago died after being shot around 2 a.m. at the Luke gas station at 5105 State Line Ave. Under the proposed ordinance, all of Hammonds 37 gas stations would be forced to close from midnight to 5 a.m. However, owners would be able to petition the Hammond Board of Public Works and Safety for an exception to the mandatory closure. Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. has said stations that are near the highway and are used by trucks and people driving cross-country could have strong cases for staying open 24/7. The ordinance has generated strong emotions on both sides: supporters say it will curb violence, while opponents say it will push crime elsewhere and cost people their jobs. The council heard from gas station owners, employees, residents, city officials and police officers during a Thursday committee meeting. The ordinance will be reviewed again during a Monday committee meeting, which will take place at 4 p.m., before the regular 6 p.m. council meeting. Jim Witham, who operates Witham Sales and Services and previously owned four gas stations in Hammond, said he feels the ordinance is being rushed. We can talk about health and safety all you want, but you shut down businesses... youre putting 20, 30 people out of a job Witham said many overnight employees have to work the late shift because they are parents or have other jobs. Is that fair? He also said forced overnight closures would leave gas stations vulnerable to break-ins. Councilwoman Janet Venecz, D-at-large, cosponsored the ordinance alongside Councilman Dan Spitale, D-at large. Venecz said she has spoken to the mother of Ronnie Martin, the 33-year-old man who was killed at the Luke gas station. Our primary function as city officials is to keep our city safe and all Im hearing about is money, money, money, Venecz said. What price do we put on a human life? Hammond Police Chief William Short said violence at gas stations has been on the rise. During a July 10 Common Council meeting, McDermott presented a number of public safety statistics. He said that since 2019, 195 violent crimes have occurred at Hammond gas stations between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. Additionally, Hammond Police and Fire have received 657 calls for service from gas stations between midnight and 5 a.m., since 2019. Lieutenant Karl Eidam said gas stations draw valuable police resources away from the rest of the city. Police regularly patrol the stations at night, especially those that are known narcotic and gun transfer locations. I understand that some see it as an inconvenience, but it is a small sacrifice for the greater good of our community safety, Short said. Councilwoman Alexander, D-at-large, asked the police department to provide more specific data, outlining where exactly the crimes occurred, what stations seem to have the most crime and how these numbers compare to other businesses that are open 24/7. Laura Ebeling is a manager at a gas station located at 175th St. and Indianapolis Blvd. She said her station doesnt have any more issues from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. than during the day. She also said closing gas stations will just push crime to other businesses and other communities. We have people that come into our station as a safe haven, Uber drivers or people that are facing domestic violence, they come into our station because they are lit up like the sun, Ebeling said. If we close at midnight, all of those overhead lights are completely dark and that spot on Indianapolis Boulevard is a dark spot. McDermott has said that if the ordinance passes, the city could consider a phased implementation, giving employees time to adjust their schedules and owners time to petition the BOW. Hammond City Planner Brian Poland said the city has limited gas station hours in the past. Provisions established in 2003 state that gas stations that abut residential properties must be closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. However, most of the gas stations in the city predate the rule; it can only be enforced if a new gas stations comes to the city or if any existing station applies for a structural modification. Gary elected officials have also sought to curb violence at gas stations. Over the past few years, Gary Mayor Jerome Prince and the Common Council have considered legislation that would require gas stations to have armed security guards overnight, but the ordinance has never moved forward. Multiple councilmembers suggested the city explore alternative crime reduction tactics such as bulletproof glass, security cameras and guards. Councilman Dave Woerpel, D-5, asked Hammond gas station owners to admit theres a problem, work with us, tell us what youre willing to do. Just to say sorry theres nothing we can do, I cant accept that, Woerpel told the owners. The Monday committee meeting will end at 5:15 p.m. and the official Common Council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. Both meetings will be held in the Hammond City Hall, which is located at 5925 Calumet Ave. During a call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the unilateral withdrawal of Russia from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, the illegal blocking of shipping, shelling of the port and energy infrastructure of Ukraine. "I briefed the interlocutor that as part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukraine has supplied Ethiopia with almost 300,000 tonnes of food and another 90,000 tonnes of grain within a separate initiative Grain from Ukraine. I noted that Ukraine is still ready to remain a guarantor of global food security," Zelenskyy said on Twitter on Thursday. According to him, Ukraine is interested in developing bilateral relations with Ethiopia in security, digitalization and other sectors. "We talked about the need to create a platform for dialogue with African countries. In addition, we discussed preparations for the Global Peace Summit. I invited the Prime Minister to visit Ukraine," the head of the Ukrainian state said. Zelenskyy said the conversation was the first phone conversation between the head of the Ukrainian state and the head of the government of Ethiopia in the history of bilateral relations. Purdue University Extension has partnered with urban farmers to help locals assess their soil health and land history. A Zoom presentation Wednesday outlined the methods available for such an assessment. There are methods that we can use to make sure that were not going to do harm to ourselves and to protect people that we live with, live next to, care about, sell feed, sell crops to, etc., former Westwood College professor and urban farmer Sam Love said during the presentation. Love highlighted that researching soil and site history can aid land and homeowners in determining their soil health and, therefore, what can grow on certain properties. The first of the methods Love outlined in his presentation was conducting a soil test. A soil test, according to Purdue Extensions website, measures phosphorus, potassium, pH levels and organic matter in a soil sample. Although Purdue extension does not conduct soil tests for homeowners, A&L Great Lakes Laboratories Inc., which is located in Fort Wayne, does conduct such tests. To submit a sample for testing, collect enough soil to fill a plastic sandwich bag and indicate what will be grown in the area where the soil was collected. There are a variety of basic soil test packages available without recommendations or, at an additional cost, with recommendations. More information and cost estimates can be found at algreatlakes.com/pages/soil-analysis. Another method from Loves presentation was self-observation. Albeit a simple method, self-observation is important to assess whats already growing on a piece of property, Love said. Dry or dead patches can indicate problems with soil, as well as the presence of invasive species. A common invasive species in northwest Indiana is tree of heaven, which closely resembles native sumac species and secretes a chemical into the soil that is toxic to other plants, Love said. The presentation continued on with perhaps more complicated resources for looking up land history. GIS, or geographic information systems, can be a useful tool for recording both land history and land characteristics over time. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) offers maps free for public use that identify a range of locations facing environmental damage, from cleanup sites to brownfields. Brownfields, according to Love, are sites that are too polluted for the growth of vegetation. Brownfields often are the sites of abandoned gas stations or the sites of abandoned dry cleaners. Additionally, Love said that soil maps can be a useful tool in identifying what soil types are common in certain areas. Although data is available through the Soil Survey Geographic Database (SSURGO), access to information is not necessarily user friendly. There is a very real reason for us to be more knowledgeable of what is in the ground beneath our feet before we start planting and eating from there, Love said. MICHIGAN CITY Over the next few months, the Shirley Heinze Land Trust will hold four "Nature in the Arts" events. The first event will take place this Saturday at the St. Francis Nature Preserve in Michigan City. Participants will be able to explore some of Shirley Heinze' reserves while creating nature-inspired art during the free, family-friendly programs. The Nature in the Arts initiative received funding from both the Indiana Arts Commission and South Shore Arts. Shirley Heinze is partnering with a number of local environmental nonprofits, hospitals and arts organizations to host the events. Each day features a different theme: July 22: "The Art of Mindfulness" From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT at the St. Francis Nature Preserve, 35000 Franciscan Way. This event will include a relaxing hike along the board walk, three mindfulness stations and collage-making. Franciscan Health Michigan City, the Lubeznik Center for the Arts and Brown Faces Green Spaces are the event partners. Aug. 19: "Pairing Pollinators and Plants" From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT at the Meadowbrook Nature Preserve in Valparaiso, 109 West 700 North. Attendees will be able to explore the preserve through guided hikes and will create watercolor and pastel art pieces that celebrate native plants and pollinators. The Art Barn and the Chesterton Art Center are the event partners. Sept. 30: "Bug-Eating Plants of the Bog" From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET at the Lydick Bog Nature Preserve in South Bend, 25898 US-20. Attendees will create art that represents the many carnivorous plants present in Lydick Bog. The South Bend Museum of Art and the Northern Indiana Pastel Society are the event partners. Oct. 7: "Wetlands and Watercolors" From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT at the Ivanhoe South Nature Preserve in Gary, 750 Colfax St. Attendees will create art that represents the surrounding dune and swale habitat. Brown Faces Green Spaces and South Shore Arts are the event partners. Based out of Valparaiso, Shirley Heinze has worked to preserve natural areas throughout northern Indiana since 1981. The trust currently oversees some 3,000 acres in Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Marshall and Starke counties. Many of Shirley Heinze' preserves are open to the public; a map is available at heinzetrust.org/preserves. For more information call 219-242-8558 or visit heinzetrust.org. PHOTOS: Shirley Heinze Nature Walk WHITING For a quarter century, longtime Mr. Pierogi Matt Valuckis presided over the offbeat wackiness, polka mania, imported Polish beer swilling and unbridled caloric consumption that is Pierogi Fest. Valuckis has retired his pierogi costume and poofy chefs hat. But theres a new anthropomorphic dumpling in town. Tony Panek, a well-known WJOB radio personality, was appointed to serve as Mr. Pierogi last year. He debuted in the role at the Pierogi Drop on New Years Eve and has appeared in a few parades. The new Mr. Pierogi is about ready to make his big debut at Pierogi Fest, the wild celebration of Polish cuisine and all things Eastern European that rolls into downtown Whiting next weekend. Its hard to believe its already here, Panek said. It will hit me all at once when I put the costume on and morph into Mr. Pierogi. Its going to be tricky to step in for somebody whos filled the role for 25 years. Its like replacing Bozo the Clown. Ive got some big, doughy shoes to fill. Theres a lot of hype. Im going going to swing for the fences and have a good time. Dozen of vendors will sell pierogi, Polish sausage, halupki and other Polish fare from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 28 to 30. There also will be arts and craft vendors, goofy events like the The Buscia Cooking Show and nonstop live music on seven stages, including a free concert by Smash Mouth. I did the Pierogi Drop, the Easter Parade when it was rainy and cold and the Fourth of July Parade when it was 90 degrees so hopefully its somewhere in between, he said. Ive put on the suit a few times. It was sentimental watching the pierogi drop from the crane. But this is the big one. He got a new suit designed for him that hes already tested out in extreme weather. Its a little more lightweight and durable while still encompassing the padding, he said. You can move around. Its comfortable so I wont be toasting on 119th Street. You never know what you can expect at Pierogi Fest except that it will be pretty hot. It was comfortable to walk around in during the Fourth of July heat. I did just fine. Hes been preparing for the massive festival, which throngs 119th Street and has attracted international media coverage. Ive been eating a pierogi each and every day to get inside of the mindset of a pierogi, he joked. Hes gotten tips from Valuckis, who he plans to consult in-depth before Pierogi Fest. Im basically being amongst the people but want to make sure Im not missing anything, he said. Ill reach out for a conversation to get all the tips of the trade. Mr. Pierogi presides over the Polka Parade along 119th Street between Calumet Avenue and Indianapolis Boulevard. He has experience, having marched in it as part of the Precision Lawnmower Drill Team for the past seven years. He used his grandfathers lawnmower from the 1950s and wore different outfits, dressing up a Elvis, a hot dog and Star Wars characters. It was something different every year, he said. I wont have to put as much time and effort into my costume because I know what Ill be wearing as Mr. Pierogi. Hell also have to croon karaoke at the Mr. Pierogi Song Fest with the Pieroguettes on the Oliver Stage. Ill be singing popular songs like Love Me Tender, he said. Along with the Buscia Cooking Show, its a fan favorite. People are accepting if I cant carry a tune. No one expects me to sound like Elvis. Theyll give me a pass. Hell spend most of his time roaming around the crowds, greeting people and posing for pictures. Im basically Mickey in Disney World, he said. Ill be taking pictures the whole time. Im expecting to be stopped every few steps. People already have been asking for pictures, like a girl he met at a friends birthday party who was too intimidated to directly approached him. She was acting like Im Harry Styles, he said. Hes planning on posing with his thumb up for most photos but may mix it up for variety. Im a traditional thumbs up guy, he said. Its an easy one and shows youre having a good time. Panek has enjoyed Pierogi Fest every year, but will have to adjust to a new routine. Ill have to have plenty of water. Ill have a handler so I dont get mobbed or kidnapped, he said. Its a whole different dynamic. The Buscias told me people will have to bring me food. You cant wait in line at a food vendor because youll get mobbed. Theyll have to bring me back food to my secret bunker. Hes psyched for the festival. Anticipation is building. It wont be the first time I wore the costume but this is a different beast, he said. It wont sink in until Im on the parade route stepping off on the float. Panek, who is of Polish descent and grew up in East Chicagos Roxana neighborhood, is ready to step into the role. I cant take it too seriously as Im going to be dressed as a giant pierogi for goodness sake, he said. The question I get asked most is what is my filling, what am I? Im been going back and forth but think the best answer is Im whatever filling you want me to be, whether thats potato or something zany like bacon. Panek personally prefers the traditional potato pierogi. But he encourages everyone to sample the smorgasboard that will be grilled up in downtown Whiting. I am an ambassador for Pierogi Fest. If youve never been, you need to go once in your life. If you go youll keep coming back. Its a once-in-a-lifetime festival. Geronimo, a 33-foot sailboat, slowly pulled into Washington Park Marina after a short venture in Lake Michigan. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Michigan City. The water glistened. The sun splashed on every boat in the crowded harbor. Only one thing was missing. No wind at all, crew member Kevin Comerford said as Geronimo motored back into its dock slip. Without wind, a sailboat is like a fishing line without a hook. Wind and waves are when this thing comes alive, said Herb Philbrick, Geronimos second-generation owner. Since it was built in 1994, Geronimo has competed 28 times in the prestigious Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Island, the longest annual freshwater sailing race in the world. The Mac is the race, Philbrick said as crew members secured the sailboat to the dock. The Mac is recognized as one of the most prestigious sailing races on the planet, attracting sailors from Maine to California and from Hong Kong to Australia. This year, there will be more than 250 boats and roughly 3,000 sailors including Philbrick and his six-member crew. It becomes a bucket list thing, Michael Lunn told me last Sunday on the dock. This weekend, Philbrick and Lunn will be competing in their 25th Mac race, allowing them induction into the fabled Island Goats Sailing Society. As legend goes, by the time youre in the Island Goats Society, youre Lunn said. An old goat, Philbrick said, interrupting him. Yes, you either look like or smell like an old goat, Lunn said with a laugh. Sailors who've been inducted into this esteemed group share the same characteristic quality - a sense of humor about the absurdity of all the situations they've endured every July sailing from Chicago to Mackinac. You do about 15 Macs and youre like, Ive kind of had enough of this race, Lunn said. But then you say, if I could just get to 25 someway, somehow. This race kind of sucks you in. Our prizes are brag flags. The Mac race started in 1898 with a mere five boats. By 1906, the race had developed a healthy following and the original Mackinac trophy was purchased. Since 1921, the race has run consecutively every year despite fickle winds, unpredictable weather and dangerous Lake Michigan currents. Its an annual test of strength, endurance, strategy and willpower. Were pushing the boat day and night during the race, Lunn said. This race is usually won at night. Fellow crew member Kevin Comerford folded up a sail before joining our conversation. The Mac is a fun race because youre basically camping out on a boat. But no campfires allowed, he said. The experience makes sailors a little more unflappable with lifes uncharted destinations. Night storms make the paperwork on your desk less intimidating, said Lunn, managing director of NWI Commercial Property Solutions in Crown Point. Im not smart enough to get out of this race, Philbrick joked. Two of the Geronimos crew members are in college. We want Gen Z to step up, Lunn said. There are more Hoosier sailors than youd think. You think of corn and farmers, not sailors. But there are a lot of good people from our Region in the sailing community, including engineers, carpenters and mill workers, Lunn said. Its a very attainable sport. Some boats cost as much as a used car. Sailboats for the Mac must be larger than 27 feet. Some entrants navigate finely tuned yachts with the latest technology and gadgetry. The Geronimo, a C&C SR 33 boat, has undergone dozens of changes over the years. All to keep it ship-shape, Philbrick said, loosening up his weathered orange life vest. The race begins Saturday in Chicago, with many boats getting to Mackinac Island on Monday. Sunday is a stretch, Philbrick said. Tuesday is not unheard of. One year, Geronimo finished the Mac in 36 hours. If the wind is pushing 30 over your shoulder and you have healthy waves, this boat will surf, Philbrick said. Its all wind power and clean energy, Lunn added. In an email Lunn sent to crew members this week, he wrote, The first 230 miles is really just about going fast. Predicting wind shifts and shore breezes is two parts luck and one part math. Sail the wind you are in, he wrote, meaning make the most of immediate conditions. Lunn has written recaps from his previous races through the years. Without it, the races blur together into a fine puree of memories - mostly pleasant, some painful, some outright sad, he said. Its not unheard of for sailors competing in the Mac to be tossed overboard. Theyre required to wear a tracking device for safety purposes. Every boat has a satellite transponder, allowing online observers to track its whereabouts and the course. You can follow the whole fleet, Lunn said. (Visit www.cycracetomac.com for more info.) Earlier this week, the crew converged at the marina to complete its final preparations for Saturdays race. Watch a video and view more photos at the online version of this column at NWI.com. We are lightening the boat as much as possible, Lunn explained. One of the guys went into the water to clean out algae stuck to the boat. The difference between third and tenth place is usually less than a half-knot of average boat speed. They swapped out a light beacon for the boats man-overboard life sling. They also posted crew shift schedules, created the food menu, and stocked island bags of clothes once they arrive at the island. This is the glamor side of yacht racing, Lunn joked. It wasnt too early to begin checking the wind forecast for this weekend. Wind is the dearest friend and most menacing foe for sailors. This is especially true for the Mac race. In a column next week, Ill tell readers how Geronimo fared and Ill share a love story that first set sail thanks to "the Mac." Photo Gallery: Gary sailor recalls first Mackinac race as he prepares for regatta Gary sailor recalls first Mackinac race as he prepares for regatta Gary sailor recalls first Mackinac race as he prepares for regatta Kevin Lynch competes in Chicago to Mackinac race Gary sailor recalls first Mackinac race as he prepares for regatta Gary sailor recalls first Mackinac race as he prepares for regatta Kevin Lynch competes in Chicago to Mackinac race Gary sailor recalls first Mackinac race as he prepares for regatta Gary sailor recalls first Mackinac race as he prepares for regatta Kevin Lynch competes in Chicago to Mackinac race Kevin Lynch competes in Chicago to Mackinac race Kevin Lynch competes in Chicago to Mackinac race Kevin Lynch competes in Chicago to Mackinac race Kevin Lynch competes in Chicago to Mackinac race Kevin Lynch competes in Chicago to Mackinac race Kevin Lynch competes in Chicago to Mackinac race The good feeling she had when she walked into the first-floor commercial space in the three-story brownstone was equaled by the good feeling that hit her when she met the landlord, Grzegorz (Gregory) Pasternak. Hes very old school, she said. He doesnt even have email. I love that about him. Ms. Blat learned that Mr. Pasternak had owned the place, a designated landmark, for decades, as he walked her through 30 years of history. It was mostly artists and people with a creative spirit who had lived in the building, she said, which I loved. I told him I wanted to have a bookstore, and he was so supportive. They both took it as a good omen that Henry Millers childhood home was next door. I realized immediately after talking to her, Mr. Pasternak said, that the space fit her very well because it had a previous history of being artsy. I liked that she had experience working in bookstores and that she was so excited. Before Ms. Blat even signed a lease, she had a set of keys and permission to visit the space. I would come in every day and meditate and envision things. That was a really crucial period when I asked myself, Wow, am I really going to do this? I brought my family, my friends. That trust he had in me felt really nice. The experience wasnt like any other landlord experience Ive had in New York. Usually all they want is your money and they dont really care about what youre doing, she said, laughing. This was such an open and trusting experience and it lined up with everything I was seeking. In July 1945, as J. Robert Oppenheimer and the other researchers of the Manhattan Project prepared to test their brand-new atomic bomb in a New Mexico desert, they knew relatively little about how that mega-weapon would behave. On July 16, when the plutonium-implosion device was set off atop a hundred-foot metal tower in a test code-named Trinity, the resultant blast was much stronger than anticipated. The irradiated mushroom cloud also went many times higher into the atmosphere than expected: some 50,000 to 70,000 feet. Where it would ultimately go was anyones guess. A new study, released on Thursday ahead of submission to a scientific journal for peer review, shows that the cloud and its fallout went farther than anyone in the Manhattan Project had imagined in 1945. Using state-of-the-art modeling software and recently uncovered historical weather data, the studys authors say that radioactive fallout from the Trinity test reached 46 states, Canada and Mexico within 10 days of detonation. Its a huge finding and, at the same time, it shouldnt surprise anyone, said the studys lead author, Sebastien Philippe, a researcher and scientist at Princeton Universitys Program on Science and Global Security. During the final show of Dead & Companys so-called Final Tour on Sunday night, the crowd at Oracle Park in San Francisco swayed and bobbed like the current of a turning river. People in flower crowns grooved through the shimmying mass on the stadiums field. A man in cowboy regalia cupped his hands around his ears and two-stepped to the beat. A woman in face glitter who gave her name as Honey Bee regaled strangers with the tale of how she came with a man she had met two days before, who happened to have an extra ticket. Other fans, who were not as lucky, danced on the sidewalk outside of the park. And onstage, the bands lead guitarist, John Mayer, leaned back, sucked his lips inside his mouth and scrunched his eyes closed as he wailed on a guitar while playing the song Althea. Shortly after his impassioned solo, footage of it started spreading on Twitter. Mr. Mayer has been a member of Dead & Company, an offshoot of the Grateful Dead, since it formed in 2015. Though he is not the bands face, the faces he has made while performing which can cover the full spectrum of human emotion, from despair to sweet relief to sublime pleasure have for some been almost as unforgettable as the music itself. Carlin Glynn, a stage actress who, after a long hiatus spent raising a family, stepped back into the footlights, sang onstage for the first time and walked away with a Tony Award for her performance as the madam in the 1978 hit The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, died on July 13 at her home in upstate New York, in the Hudson Valley. She was 83. Her daughter Mary Stuart Masterson, the actress, said the cause was lung cancer. Ms. Glynns breakout performance, at 38, came about almost by accident. Her husband, the actor and director Peter Masterson, had read a 1974 article in Playboy by Larry L. King about the closing of a Texas bordello and saw the ingredients for a musical. He and Mr. King began working on a script and brought in Carol Hall to create the music. For the early readings, Ms. Glynn, though she had been largely out of the acting business for at least a dozen years, covered the role of Mona Stangley, the strong-minded but sensitive madam at the center of the story. She was still holding down the role in a workshop production mounted by Mr. Masterson and his collaborators at the Actors Studio in 1977. And when the musical opened Off Broadway in April 1978. And when it moved to Broadway that June. I initially worked on the play only to help out, Ms. Glynn told The New York Times in July 1978. Peter was hesitant to force his wife on his collaborators. Finally, all four of the organizations who wanted to take the show to Broadway wanted me to stay in the part. So then I stopped worrying about nepotism. Its the applause including my own I find troubling. Not that there isnt plenty to praise in Here Lies Love, the immersive disco-bio-musical about Imelda Marcos that opened on Thursday at the Broadway Theater. The infernally catchy songs by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, performed by a tireless and inspired all-Filipino cast, will have you clapping whether you want to or not. Their chunky beats, abetted by insistent dance motivators, may even prompt you to bop at your seat if you have one. Because the real star of this show is the astonishing architectural transformation of the theater itself, by the set designer David Korins. Opened in 1924 as a movie palace, more lately the home of King Kong and West Side Story, the Broadway has now been substantially gutted, its nearly 1,800 seats reduced to about 800, with standing room for another 300 in the former orchestra section and a 42-inch disco ball dead center. The folks upstairs, if not the mostly younger standees below, will surely recognize the visual reference to Studio 54, the celebrity nightclub where Marcos, the first lady of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986, danced away the last decade of her reign while impoverishing her people. That she would probably adore the over-emphatic atmosphere of Here Lies Love with its lurid lighting by Justin Townsend, skittering projections by Peter Nigrini and earsplitting sound by M.L. Dogg and Cody Spencer is, however, equivocal praise. For here we are, at the place where irony and meta-messaging form a theatrical-historical knot that cant be picked apart. Which is why, as you clap, you should probably wonder what for. The hack of Microsofts cloud that resulted in the compromise of government emails was an example of a traditional espionage threat, a senior National Security Agency official said. Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum, Rob Joyce, the director of cybersecurity at the N.S.A., said the United States needed to protect its networks from such espionage, but that adversaries would continue to try to secretly extract information from each other. It is China doing espionage, Mr. Joyce said. It is what nation-states do. We have to defend against it, we need to push back against it. But that is something that happens. The hackers took emails from senior State Department officials including Nicholas Burns, the U.S. ambassador to China. The theft of Mr. Burnss emails was earlier reported by The Wall Street Journal and confirmed by a person familiar with the matter. Daniel J. Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia, also had his email hacked, a U.S. official said. High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell says Russia, by withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, creates artificial hunger for the peoples of the world, earning additional income from the export of its grain. He also expects the international community to react decisively to the current situation, as follows from Borrell's opening remarks at a press conference in Brussels on Thursday that followed the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council. "Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Deal, and the world faces again a man-made problem of food security. Putin is using hunger as a weapon even against peoples in countries that still hesitate to condemn his illegal bloodshed in Ukraine. is blocking and bombing Ukrainian seaports and preventing freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, [now also] threatening all ships navigating in the Black Sea to be considered as 'warships.' Russia illegally blocks exports of Ukrainian grain. It destroys Ukrainian fields and loots Ukrainian agricultural production. Contrary to what Russia is claiming, it is making good profits from exports of its grain and fertilisers, and will make even more profits now when the prices will rise again after Russia killed the [Black Sea Grain] Deal, and destroys the stockpiles in the Ukrainian harbours. We believe that the international community should respond decisively to this deliberate attempt by Putin to starve the world populations, in order to gain extra money or to fight this illegal war," Borrell said. According to him, during the meeting, the foreign ministers of the EU member states listened to information provided by their Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba. "We reconfirmed our [resolve] to continue supporting the legitimate defence of Ukraine against the aggressor, who keeps committing atrocities against the Ukrainian people, targeting these last three nights, Ukrainian ports and grain storages, which affects also the most vulnerable people around the world," the High Representative said. In addition, EU ministers also reaffirmed "our support to Ukraine's Peace Formula." "We consider it as the only comprehensive basis to achieve a just and sustainable peace. And on that, Ukraine should be in the drivers seat. In the end, it is the Ukrainians who are suffering the direct consequences of this war. It is Ukraine which is being invaded," Borrell said. During the meeting, EU ministers also spoke via video link with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. We discussed our level of cooperation in response to Russias war of aggression against Ukraine Together with the United States, we are fully committed to standing with Ukraine for as long as it takes. We also discussed a coordinated outreach and engagement with other partners globally," the EU High Representative said. Russia on Thursday stepped up its aerial assaults on Ukrainian ports critical to the worlds food supply, as the White House warned that the Kremlin has mined sea routes and might be setting the stage for attacks on commercial transport ships. Moscow has already put shipping companies on notice that they now cross the Russian blockade in the Black Sea at their own peril, and could be treated as military targets. The warning came days after Russia pulled out of a multinational deal that had allowed desperately needed Ukrainian grain to make it to the world market. In a further sign of rising tensions, Ukraine on Thursday issued its own warning: Ships heading to Russian ports or to ports in occupied Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense said, will now be considered to be carrying military cargo, with all the corresponding risks. In Washington, a White House official accused Moscow at a news conference of engaging in a false-flag operation to implicate Ukraine if Russia attacked a ship. The waters where Russia is said to have placed the mines are in an area already mined by Ukraine to deter an amphibious assault. The American militia men were hidden in the bushes having lunch and playing cards when they heard the horse galloping toward them. Springing from their lookout post near Tarrytown, N.Y., they confronted a stranger who was seemingly in a great hurry. He was Maj. John Andre, head of British secret intelligence. But on this day, Sept. 23, 1780, he was disguised as a civilian, John Anderson. Stuffed in Andres boot were papers that laid out how to successfully take the American fort at West Point. He had only received the information two days earlier from Benedict Arnold, the commander of the fort, and Andre now was riding south in the hope of getting back behind the British lines. But the militia men, John Paulding, David Williams and Isaac Van Wart, questioned Andre, realized he was a spy and arrested him. West Point was never attacked, Andre was later hanged and Arnold, whose name became synonymous with treason, fled. Several free-standing Indian figures turn the shows final gallery, teasingly titled The Buddha Revealed, into a kind of chapel. And it is visually clear that a page has turned, both in the exhibitions narrative, and in the history of Buddhism itself. By the time the latest of these single-figure icons was made in the late fifth to sixth century C.E., the map of Buddhism was changing. By then the religion was widespread in Southeast Asia and China. In the sixth or seventh century, it would arrive in Japan. And its heyday in India was gradually quieting. New evangelical forms of Hinduism were overtaking it in popularity; later, Islam would enter the scene and put Buddhism under siege. By the 12th century, it was reduced to a remnant in India. Then it was all but gone. If you didnt know of this fate it would be hard to guess it from the glowingly vital, all but palpitating early Indian Buddhist art in the Met show. And from the perspective of the time that art was made, it would have been difficult to predict the terrestrial disaster of our day, engineered by what has turned out to be the planets most dangerous invasive species, humans. The stand-alone Buddhas in the shows last gallery are self-contained and expressively commanding, and modern-looking. But coming to them after passing through rooms filled with images of humans and divinities jostling, body to body, like New Yorkers on a subway with those bodies inextricably woven into landscapes of trees and flowers and birds self-contained and commanding" and modern feel like liabilities, not virtues. Tree & Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India, 200 B.C.E. 400 C.E. Through Nov. 13, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave., (212) 535-7710; metmuseum.org. Has there ever been a more purely likable pop figure than Tony Bennett? Throughout a career that began in the 1940s, Bennett, who died on Friday at 96, maintained one mission, amiably and unswervingly. He didnt chase trends; he didnt get defensive, either. Instead, he let listeners and, in recent decades, much younger duet partners come to him, generation after generation. He welcomed them to a repertoire of songs he admired, knew intimately and was happy to share. Bennett sang vintage pop standards, the pre-rock canon sometimes called the Great American Songbook. Theyre songs mostly about grown-up love, about courtship, yearning and fulfillment, with elegant rhymes and ingenious melodies that invite a little improvisation. He recorded with orchestras, with major jazz musicians, with big bands and, for more than 50 years, with the pianist and arranger Ralph Sharon and his trio. He was always unplugged a simple fact that cannily recharged his career when he played MTV Unplugged in 1994. Bennetts voice made the technical challenges of his songs evaporate. As a young man, he showed off his near-operatic range and dynamic control in early recordings like The Boulevard of Broken Dreams, from 1950. But he wasnt an old-fashioned crooner; his sense of swing was just as strong. And he understood that pure virtuosity can keep listeners at a distance. He soon revealed a grain in his voice that made it earthy and approachable, downplaying his precision. Very often, there was a jovial savvy in his phrasing; hed punch out a note ahead of the beat, as if he couldnt wait to sing it. Kering, the French luxury goods company that owns brands like Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen and Yves Saint Laurent, surprised the fashion industry this week when it announced a sweeping reorganization of its top ranks, including the departure of Marco Bizzarri, the longtime chief executive of Gucci, Kerings premier brand. The move came amid a year of declining sales and stock performance. But the conglomerate run by the billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault is also under pressure from Bluebell Capital Partners, an activist hedge fund in London that has tangled with luxury titans before, said a person with knowledge of the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Kering declined to comment. Activists have turned on the luxury industry in recent years. Dan Loebs Third Point as well as Artisan Partners called for change at Richemont, the owner of jewelry brands like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. But the most active recently is Bluebell, a four-year-old, $250 million firm that has also taken aim at Richemont and the fashion brand Hugo Boss. (Bluebell has also pushed for change at BlackRock and the pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline.) Bluebell failed to persuade fellow Richemont shareholders to add Francesco Trapani, the former chief executive of Bulgari, as a director, but the conglomerate agreed to give public investors more influence. Homeownership is synonymous with the American dream. It is supported by various federal and state tax breaks and so encoded in the American mythology and financial system that historians and anthropologists assert that it has come to symbolize a permanent participation in society. The underlying message is that renting is temporary, or should be. There is a pretty foundational bias against renters in American sociological and political life, said Jamila Michener, a professor of government and public policy at Cornell. So when policymakers say, Hey, this is an identity thats relevant, and one we are willing to own and lean into, thats significant. About two-thirds of Americans own their dwellings, and survey after survey shows that the aspiration of owning a home is no less potent today than it was for previous generations. But the number of renters has grown steadily over the past decade to about 44 million households nationwide, while punishing housing costs have migrated from coastal enclaves to metropolitan areas around the nation. More salient to politicians, perhaps, is that renters are increasingly well-off households that make more than $75,000 have accounted for a large majority of the growth in renters over the past decade, according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. At the same time, the struggle to find something affordable has escalated from lower-income tenants to middle-income families that in past generations would very likely have owned their homes. In other words, renter households are now composed of families much more likely to vote. And after a pandemic in which homeowners gained trillions in home-equity wealth while renters had to be supported with eviction moratoriums and tens of billions in assistance, the fragility of their position has been made clearer. The billionaire investor Leon Black agreed to pay $62.5 million to the U.S. Virgin Islands in January to be released from any potential claims arising out of the territorys three-year investigation into the sex trafficking operation of the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, according to a copy of the settlement agreement. The previously undisclosed settlement came after the Virgin Islands reached a $105 million deal in November with Mr. Epsteins estate. The next month, the territory sued JPMorgan Chase in federal court over the banks 15-year relationship with Mr. Epstein, a registered sex offender who killed himself in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019. The Virgin Islands government produced its settlement agreement with Mr. Black in response to a public records request by The New York Times. In January, representatives of the two parties held a private mediation session to settle claims, according to another document reviewed by The Times. The $62.5 million settlement followed that session. Mr. Black agreed to pay in cash, according the settlement document. The settlement shows the extent to which Mr. Black, once a titan of the private equity industry, has gone to limit scrutiny of his decades-long social and business ties to Mr. Epstein. Those dealings, including the revelation that he paid $158 million to Mr. Epstein for tax and estate planning services, had become a source of embarrassment for Mr. Black in the years after Mr. Epsteins death. Researchers may have solved a big mystery surrounding a very big fish. Around the world, freshwater fish are in trouble. Thats especially true of large species. But one recent episode surprised scientists: A massive stingray was pulled out of the Mekong River by Cambodian fishermen last year. The fish, a female, weighed 661 pounds, or about 300 kilograms, and set a record for the heaviest freshwater fish ever caught. The discovery was surprising because the species, known as the giant freshwater stingray, like many of the other big fish of the Mekong, is listed as endangered. Yet, here was evidence that huge ones, somehow, still exist. Imagine an era where whale populations are in broad decline numbers are declining dramatically, whales are getting smaller and are seldom seen and then, all of a sudden, Moby Dick appears, said Zeb Hogan, an aquatic ecologist at the University of Nevada, Reno. Its a shock and also opens the door to so many questions. Nearly a third of freshwater fish worldwide are threatened with extinction. Since 1970, 94 percent of bigger species, those that weigh more than 66 pounds, have declined, researchers have found. Times Insider explains who we are and what we do and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together. Manohla Dargiss notebooks are full of illegible words and phrases. The chief film critic for The New York Times, Ms. Dargis takes note of memorable scenes while watching films she intends to review. In the darkness of a movie theater, her notes are rarely coherent, she admits, and distractions are inevitable. Every so often when Im watching a film, my pen drifts onto my shirt and I ruin it, she said. This is one of the great tragedies of being a movie critic. This week, Ms. Dargis reviewed two much-talked-about movies new to theaters, Barbie and Oppenheimer nicknamed the Barbenheimer movie event of the year on the internet. This highly anticipated film pairing comes at a fractious time for the American film industry, as 160,000 actors represented by SAG-AFTRA went on strike last week. They joined the thousands of television and film screenwriters already on the picket line over issues including pay and the use of artificial intelligence in creative capacities. The strikes have brought Hollywood productions largely to a standstill. I am an Egyptian American man in my 60s. On a trip home five years ago, I met an Egyptian man much younger than me. We fell in love and decided to marry so we could be together in an open and free society. I applied for him to come to the United States as my fiance. Two months later, the pandemic hit. Everything was closed, and his visa processing at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo was put on hold. We spent over two years just waiting, not knowing when this situation will be resolved. During that time, I traveled to Egypt every four to six months so we could be together. Over the past year, our relationship has gradually deteriorated, culminating in his texting me, two months ago, that he is not sure if we are good for each other. Then, finally, the visa was approved. Now we have four months to decide if we should proceed with our marriage plans. He now says he wants to be together. I am hesitant. My level of trust in him has diminished, because when times were rough, he did not keep faith in our relationship. I still love him. He also says he loves me. I dont question that. But I am afraid that his love is situational and not solid. I never wanted to marry until I met him. I think of him as my life partner. Now this feeling has been challenged. Do you have any ethical insight that can help me decide? Name Withheld From the Ethicist: Many readers will immediately wonder whether this man truly loves you or whether hes simply drawn to the better life you represent. The per capita gross national income in Egypt is a fraction of Americas, and the situation there for gay men, in particular, is pretty bad. (Human Rights Watch has reports of entrapment, arbitrary arrest and police maltreatment of L.G.B.T.Q. people, sometimes using private information found on computers or cellphones.) So he has plenty of reasons to want to get out of Egypt. Either he loves you for you or he wants a better life. Which is it? Germany hands over new military aid package to Ukraine, including 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks Germany has handed over to Ukraine a new military aid package, which includes ten Leopard 1A5 tanks, as well as 20 MG3 machine guns for tanks and armored vehicles. The new aid package also contains 1,305 155mm projectiles, some 2,064 155mm smoke ammunition, a bridge system and 12 trailers, four border guard vehicles, ten ground radar stations, some 16 Zetros trucks, and 100,000 first aid kits, according to a statement posted on the German government website. In addition to tanks, Germany donated 20 MG3 machine guns to Ukraine for Leopard 2 tanks, Marder infantry fighting vehicles and Dachs engineering tanks. An active member of the Bay Areas Communist Party, Tatlock (Florence Pugh) was a graduate student at Stanford Medical School when she began dating Oppenheimer in 1936. She helped introduce him to Communist activists, fueling his left-leaning sympathies. She ended her relationship with Oppenheimer in 1939, even as he continued to visit her. Their last meeting, in June 1943, was surveilled by F.B.I. agents. In 1944, the 29-year-old Tatlock was found dead in her bathroom. Most historians conclude she died by suicide. William Borden (played by David Dastmalchian) Born in 1920 in Washington, D.C., Borden (David Dastmalchian) had degrees from Yale and Yale Law. He eventually worked as legislative secretary for a Connecticut senator, Brien McMahon, and became staff director of the congressional Joint Committee on Atomic Energy in 1949. In 1953, most likely with the encouragement of Strauss, he sent a letter to the F.B.I. director, J. Edgar Hoover, suggesting that more probably than not J. Robert Oppenheimer is an agent of the Soviet Union. This was the catalyst for a closed-door hearing about Oppenheimers Communist ties depicted in the film and the eventual revocation of his security clearance. On a sticky July afternoon, as the sun beat down and the temperature climbed into the high 80s, several dozen people gathered on the banks of a murky pond in Morningside Park in Manhattan to talk about a slimy green problem. The pond, built in 1989, is a highlight of the leafy park, which runs for 13 blocks through Harlem and Morningside Heights. But in recent years, it has turned a sickly shade of green as algae has overtaken its surface. And on this Saturday, scientists from Columbia University and the citys Parks Department began a new research effort at the site into the spread of harmful algae blooms worldwide. For the university, the project represents a new chapter in its complicated and sometimes tense relationship with the surrounding community over this section of the park. The pond itself was built on the site of a proposed Columbia gymnasium, which was abandoned after students and Harlem residents objected and the issue set off the bitter Columbia student protests of 1968. The ponds small size, and the amount of its water that has been taken over by algae, makes it a perfect case study, said Joaquim Goes, the projects lead researcher and a biology professor at Columbias Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. For years, Dr. Goes has studied toxic algal blooms around the world, even monitoring a bloom that grows to three times the size of Texas every year off the coast of Oman, in the Arabian Peninsula. Mr. Lichtenstein, 35, and Ms. Morgan, 33, were charged in February 2022 with conspiring to launder 119,754 Bitcoin that were worth $71 million when hackers stole them from the exchange Bitfinex, based in Hong Kong, in a 2016 heist that shook the cryptocurrency world. The couple were not charged with participating in the theft. The exchange breach was one of several that resulted in large amounts of digital currency being stolen. The thefts, some of which drastically affected cryptocurrency values, underscored the security vulnerabilities of Bitcoin and other digital currencies. Because such currencies move through decentralized computer networks that are not under the control of any single government or company, most trading occurs on largely unregulated exchanges that give consumers little information about their operations. The lack of regulation has led to a host of problems in the virtual-currency world. Bitcoins value soared in the years between the Bitfinex heist and the arrest of Mr. Lichtenstein and Ms. Morgan. In announcing the charges against the couple, officials said they had seized $3.6 billion worth of the currency from them in what was then the Justice Departments largest financial seizure ever. (The total value of the stolen Bitcoin had climbed to $4.5 billion by then, officials said.) Michael D. Cohen, the longtime fixer to Donald J. Trump, who was set to go to trial next week against his former bosss company in a dispute over legal fees, has agreed to settle his lawsuit with the Trump Organization, lawyers for both parties said at a brief court hearing on Friday. Mr. Cohens lawsuit, filed in 2019, accused the Trump Organization of failing to abide by the terms of a deal and refusing to pay more than $1 million in legal costs. Jury selection for the trial began earlier this week, and opening arguments were scheduled for Monday. But at the hearing Friday, a lawyer for Mr. Cohen, Hunter Winstead, and a lawyer for the Trump Organization, James D. Kiley, said that they had agreed on terms for a settlement. The settlement is not yet finalized and the details will be kept confidential. The judge in the case, Joel Cohen who is no relation to Mr. Cohen said that he would delay the trial pending a final agreement. Mr. Cohen said in a statement that the matter had been resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties. The miners were roundly defeated, but their struggle was not in vain: Years later, as part of the New Deal, the rights they were fighting for including the right to collectively bargain were written into law. Black, white and immigrant, the Red Neck Army (so named for the red bandannas they wore) had mounted the largest working-class uprising in U.S. history and the largest armed insurrection since the Civil War. Today, Blair Mountain is just that: a mountain. While many battlefields are the object of exhaustive study and veneration places and times when power wobbled and blood was shed Blair Mountain is still largely unexplored. No statue or roadside attraction commemorates it; no tour buses roll up and disgorge visitors. Despite a burst of recent interest, for most West Virginians, the story of Blair Mountain barely even exists. My family has lived more or less continuously in West Virginia since our patriarch, John Hinkle, settled his brood near Seneca Rocks around 1760. But I spent much of my adolescence dreaming of a world beyond the blue ridges a dream my grandmother vigorously encouraged, having bolted over them herself when Representative Ken Hechler offered her a job in Washington. Her implied message to me, delivered via magazine clippings of girls in gaucho pants and trips to cities like Chicago, seemed to be: A much bigger world awaits. So having heard Joe Manchin call West Virginia the extraction state, I extracted myself. In college several states away, I majored in international relations, casting my attention as far away as I thought I should. In the time I was gone, the mid-2000s, things back home seemed to further deteriorate. Opioid companies began flooding West Virginia with pills, and by 2010 it became the leading state for overdose deaths, kicking off a cascading crisis in the foster care system. That same year, an explosion at the Upper Big Branch coal mine killed 29 people. Since 2012, many mine operators have filed for bankruptcy. As they did, they paid astonishing sums to management while foisting much of their pension, black lung and environmental obligations onto taxpayers. By the 2020 census, West Virginia had shrunk enough to lose one of its three congressional seats, partially because people keep fleeing. Its easy to understand why: According to one source, West Virginia is the least happy state, the worst for finding a job and the least educated. I blocked it all out, knowing I was part of the brain drain. NOTTINGHAM, Md. Agnes Torregoza came to this country when she was a toddler, brought from the Philippines by her parents. Her mother found a teaching job in the Baltimore County Public School District, and the family set about cobbling together a new life. Both parents eventually got union jobs in the public schools and moved with their children into a prefabricated home in the unincorporated reaches of the Baltimore suburbs. Her parents, Ms. Torregoza explained, had very definite ideas about the aesthetics of the American dream everything should be fresh. My parents are really into, Oh, were in America, Ms. Torregoza, 20, said. I want to have a brand-new house. I want to have a new car. When it came time to forge her own path, Ms. Torregoza, a slight woman with a black fringe of bangs and exactingly applied makeup, puzzled over her options. Shed graduated from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, a competitive magnet high school, and took some community college classes. She dreamed of attending a liberal arts college, but found the cost of tuition both unattainable and philosophically repellent. In 1966, scientists at Camp Century, a now abandoned U.S. military base in the Arctic, drilled deep into the Greenland ice sheet, extracting a cylinder of ice nearly a mile long along with 12 feet of the frozen sediment that sat beneath it. That was a pretty miraculous engineering feat that has been really hard to repeat, said Andrew Christ, a geoscientist who recently completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Vermont. The sample was the first deep ice core that scientists had ever collected, and over the decades that followed, the ice became the subject of intense scientific study, providing critical clues about the planets climate history. The same could not be said for the sediment, which was largely overlooked before vanishing completely. In 2017, the sediment was rediscovered in a freezer in Denmark. Now, a study of the frozen samples is shedding new light on Greenlands past and, perhaps, providing an ominous warning for the future. The findings, which were published in Science on Thursday, suggest that roughly 400,000 years ago the Camp Century site in northwestern Greenland was temporarily ice-free. They add to accumulating evidence that Greenlands ice sheet has not been stable for the last 2.5 million years, as scientists once assumed. Their love began with a clue a crossword clue, to be exact. Sophia Wang and Marcus Brittain Fleming matched on Tinder in July 2019. When Mr. Fleming first messaged Ms. Wang asking what she was up to, she said she was doing a New York Times crossword puzzle. He said, Give me a clue. They did the crossword together over messages on the dating app, until Mr. Fleming, 33, suggested they meet up to do puzzles in person. On their first date, in August 2019, they had a picnic in Prospect Park in Brooklyn, with snacks, puzzles and pencils at the ready. But Ms. Wang soon found that Mr. Fleming was more interested in getting to know her than in finding the right seven-letter word. He really wouldnt let me do the crossword, Ms. Wang, 33, recalled with a laugh. As the sun set and the air cooled, the two settled into a steady rhythm of dad jokes and giggles. Three days later, they sat on the floor of Ms. Wangs apartment in Flatbush, Brooklyn, eating Indian food and sharing intimate details about their lives. At the time, Mr. Fleming was in graduate school and working multiple jobs. Ms. Wang was preparing to quit her job and go to Mexico for five months to soul search, she said. That night, Mr. Fleming said, they realized that they could handle each other and that there was space for the silliness and the turbulence, too. Like his singing voice, Tony Bennetts personal style was supple, straightforward and sure of itself. He resisted the temptation to change his approach to music when rock overtook the pop charts, and he largely stayed away from many sartorial trends that came and went during his seven decades in show business, wisely sticking with tuxedos and smartly tailored suits, many of them from the Italian fashion brand Brioni. For more casual moments, he went with slacks and a blazer, sometimes with a handsome dark turtleneck in place of a button-down shirt and tie. Paradoxically enough, by sticking with the style that allowed him to feel most himself when it came to both music and fashion, Mr. Bennett managed to avoid the trap of becoming associated too strongly with any one era. In recent decades, when mens fashion magazines celebrated the ring-a-ding-ding style of the 1950s and early 1960s in backward-looking fashion spreads, they tended to focus on Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and other dyed-in-the-wool members of the Rat Pack. While Im in the shop, I watch as Goldberg drapes ivory gazar against a bride-to-be, showing her how it would work as an engagement party dress. Later that afternoon, Tsigie White, the costume designer for the TV series Power Book III: Raising Kanan, stops in. Shes mesmerized by a piece of gold material covered with glittering paillettes. Ill find something to do with it for the show, she says while Goldberg measures a yard of it for her. Ive never been here before; a friend mentioned it, she continues. This is a great find for me. Goldberg knows her stock by heart, and even the storess website seemingly the businesss largest concession to the 21st century is wonderfully detailed, the fabrics carefully described and shown draped on mannequins. Goldbergs customers are based all over the country, as well as abroad; some of them ask to browse the fabrics over Zoom or FaceTime. I want everyone to buy on the internet with the same confidence as if they walked in the store. Lets say youre in Texas and you order something online. I dont want you to open [the package] and say, Oh my God, she says. I want you to be thrilled. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting of the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief on Friday. "The Headquarters. We continue systematic work to protect our ports and the infrastructure of the grain initiative. We understand the risks, threats, prospects. Reports by the Commander of the Navy Neizhpapa and Deputy Prime Minister Kubrakov. Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhny, Commander Neizhpapa and Minister Kubrakov to prepare a set of actions to continue the work of the grain corridor. The Foreign Ministry to work out similar diplomatic steps," the president said in Telegram. At Headquarters, reports were also delivered by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny and commanders of the operational areas of the troops Syrsky and Tarnavsky on the current situation on the battlefield, analytical intelligence reports on the enemy's plans for the short and long term. In addition, the participants discussed the supply, logistics and production of weapons for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Minister Reznikov, Commander Huliak, Minister Kamyshin," Zelenskyy said. "Northern border. We keep under close control the activities of mercenaries in Belarus. Reports of the Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense, the State Border Guard Service," he said. According to the head of state, a comprehensive check of the work of military registration and enlistment offices continues. "We heard an interim report, we are waiting for the results of the inspection by the end of the month," the president said. Regulating artificial intelligence has been a hot topic in Washington in recent months, with lawmakers holding hearings and news conferences and the White House announcing voluntary A.I. safety commitments by seven technology companies on Friday. But a closer look at the activity raises questions about how meaningful the actions are in setting policies around the rapidly evolving technology. The answer is that it is not very meaningful yet. The United States is only at the beginning of what is likely to be a long and difficult path toward the creation of A.I. rules, lawmakers and policy experts said. While there have been hearings, meetings with top tech executives at the White House and speeches to introduce A.I. bills, it is too soon to predict even the roughest sketches of regulations to protect consumers and contain the risks that the technology poses to jobs, the spread of disinformation and security. This is still early days, and no one knows what a law will look like yet, said Chris Lewis, president of the consumer group Public Knowledge, which has called for the creation of an independent agency to regulate A.I. and other tech companies. Over a forceful dissent from its three liberal members, the Supreme Court early Friday morning refused to halt the execution of a death row inmate in Alabama who said that the states history of botched executions made it likely that he would suffer intense pain as he was put to death. The inmate, James Barber, was executed about two hours after the courts 1 a.m. order. Early news reports did not note major flaws in the procedure. Mr. Barber was convicted in 2003 of beating Dorothy Epps, 75, to death with his fists and a claw hammer. The Supreme Courts brief order gave no reasons for denying the stay, but the courts conservative majority has been notably unsympathetic to claims from death row inmates that the method of execution to be used would violate the Eighth Amendments ban on cruel and unusual punishment. I cant give you the details, because Im not there yet. But I know that report gave some very specific ways to make policies so strong that C.S.U. will be the model for the nation. This report didnt pull any punches. It was clear about what has to be fixed and on what timetable. Now, well jump into it: Tell me a little bit about yourself. Im a first-generation college student. Im one of seven in my family. My parents came from Puerto Rico to Brooklyn, so Im a Nuyorican. My parents worked in the factories in what is now the Dumbo area. At that time, it was tenements. My father died when I was 12, and my mother raised us on a factory salary, but we never felt poor. When I was 14, my mother allowed me to get my working papers for the summer to work in a factory, because I wanted to get money as young people do, right? And it was the best lesson she could ever give me. I saw how horrible it was. And I remember saying, The only way out is through education. Last year, academic workers at the University of California went on strike in a major action that highlighted how pay hasnt kept up with costs of living in California. At the same time, Cal State is an important economic mobility engine for students who rely on affordable tuition. How do you think about financial sustainability for both educators and students? California is expensive. Im a New Yorker. I get it. But there are a couple of things. Right now, in Washington, D.C., my organization and other organizations are fighting to double the Pell Grant. After an overhaul to Floridas African American history standards, Gov. Ron DeSantis, the states firebrand governor campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination, is facing a barrage of criticism this week from politicians, educators and historians, who called the states guidelines a sanitized version of history. For instance, the standards say that middle schoolers should be instructed that slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit a portrayal that drew wide rebuke. In a sign of the divisive battle around education that could infect the 2024 presidential race, Vice President Kamala Harris directed her staffers to immediately plan a trip to Florida to respond, according to one White House official. How is it that anyone could suggest that in the midst of these atrocities that there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization? Ms. Harris, the first African American and first Asian American to serve as vice president, said in a speech in Jacksonville on Friday afternoon. James B. Zagel, who as a federal judge sentenced former Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich to a hefty 14 years in prison for corruption and who earlier helped prosecute Richard Speck in the grisly killings of eight Chicago student nurses, a mass murder that shocked the nation, died on July 15 at his home in Chicago. He was 82. His death, from heart failure after a long illness, was announced by Rebecca R. Pallmeyer, chief judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Judge Zagel, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, had served on that court since 1987. He assumed senior status in 2016. Judge Zagel was widely regarded as a wise and witty Renaissance man who found time to write a potboiler novel and who not only served as a judge but also played one, in the 1989 movie thriller The Music Box. A District Court colleague, Judge Manish Shah, remarked in an email that Judge Zagel could quote Ludwig Wittgenstein and Groucho Marx with an easy charm. They called it the Kansas two-step. When a mundane traffic stop was nearing its end, a state trooper would turn to leave. But after a couple of paces toward the squad car, the trooper would whirl around and go back to the window of the pulled-over driver, hoping to strike up a conversation and find enough reason to scour the car for drugs. Perhaps the driver would say something the trooper deemed suspicious, or perhaps the driver would just agree to a search. But that two-step, which troopers used often against out-of-state drivers, was part of a war on motorists waged by the Kansas Highway Patrol in violation of the Fourth Amendment, a federal judge said in a blistering opinion on Friday. The war is basically a question of numbers: stop enough cars and youre bound to discover drugs, wrote Senior Judge Kathryn H. Vratil of the Federal District Court. And whats the harm if a few constitutional rights are trampled along the way? Judge Vratil, who was appointed by President George H.W. Bush, described in scathing terms what she said was the Highway Patrols practice of pulling over drivers with out-of-state license plates on Interstate 70, which transects hundreds of miles of Kansas prairie between Colorado and Missouri, both states where marijuana is legal, and of prolonging traffic stops in hopes of searching for contraband. Marijuana is illegal in Kansas. Louisvilles interim police chief, Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel, will continue permanently in her role and take over a department that has been in turmoil since the 2020 police killing of Breonna Taylor and was excoriated this year in a scathing U.S. Department of Justice report. Ms. Gwinn-Villaroel, 49, will be the first Black woman to serve permanently as the Louisville Metro Police Departments chief. She had been interim chief since January, after the resignation of her predecessor, Erika Shields, one of several recent leadership changes. Over the past six months, Chief Gwinn-Villaroel has shown our city that she has exactly what Im looking for in a chief and exactly what our community is looking for in a leader, Mayor Craig Greenberg, who took office in January, said Thursday in a news release announcing her hiring. She has extensive experience in law enforcement leadership and a record of reform. Chief Gwinn-Villaroel, a 26-year law enforcement veteran, started with the department in 2021 as a deputy chief after having spent her entire career at the Atlanta Police Department. Mayor Jacob Frey of Minneapolis issued an executive order on Friday instructing the citys police officers to, in essence, look the other way when it comes to the purchase and use of certain illegal psychedelic drugs. Coming as a growing number of cities, including Denver, Detroit and Washington, D.C., have adopted more permissive stances on psychedelics, Mr. Freys order notes that people are increasingly turning to substances like psychoactive mushrooms to improve their mental health. The widening appeal of psychedelics in clinical and spiritual settings has alarmed some health professionals who say they worry about the rise of an unregulated field of therapeutic interventions through mind-altering compounds. At the same time, efforts to decriminalize and expand access to psychedelics have received a surprising degree of bipartisan political support in Minnesota and elsewhere. Mr. Frey, a Democrat, acknowledged that some residents might oppose any loosened enforcement of drug laws. But he said he hoped the measure would contribute to a national rethinking of drug laws that date back to the Nixon era, and draw attention to the role plant-based psychedelics can play for people dealing with depression, trauma and addiction. Five members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front were convicted on Thursday of conspiracy to riot at a local pride event in Coeur dAlene, Idaho, last year, court officials said. After about an hour of deliberation, a jury in Kootenai County District Court found Devon Center, 24, of Arkansas; James Johnson, 37, of Washington; Forrest Rankin, 29, of Texas; Derek Smith, 25, of South Dakota; and Robert Whitted, 23, of Texas; guilty of conspiring to riot, a misdemeanor, said Pete Barnes, the jury commissioner for Kootenai County. Judge James D. Stow sentenced each of the men to five days in jail with two of the days credited, and one year of unsupervised probation, according to court documents. The judge also fined the men $1,000 each and barred them from being within two miles of Coeur dAlene City Park, where the pride event was held on June 11, 2022. Seven leading A.I. companies in the United States have agreed to voluntary safeguards on the technologys development, the White House announced on Friday, pledging to manage the risks of the new tools even as they compete over the potential of artificial intelligence. The seven companies Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft and OpenAI formally made their commitment to new standards for safety, security and trust at a meeting with President Biden at the White House on Friday afternoon. We must be cleareyed and vigilant about the threats emerging from emerging technologies that can pose dont have to but can pose to our democracy and our values, Mr. Biden said in brief remarks from the Roosevelt Room at the White House. This is a serious responsibility; we have to get it right, he said, flanked by the executives from the companies. And theres enormous, enormous potential upside as well. A joint investigation team, which included law enforcement officers from Ukraine, Estonia and France, exposed a misappropriation and money laundering scheme organized by the ex-director of the state-owned enterprise Ukraina Polygraph Combine (Kyiv), the press service of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) has reported. "Investigators found that the ex-director of SOE Ukraina Polygraph Combine, for his own enrichment when purchasing consumables for the manufacture of documents (including passports for traveling abroad, etc.), used a company registered in the Republic of Estonia controlled by him. Materials for the Ukrainian state-owned enterprise were purchased not directly from manufacturers, but through a shell company. Thus, prices were inflated by four-six times. This made it possible to accumulate an amount equivalent to about UAH 500 million on the accounts of the Estonian company. After that, the funds were transferred to the accounts of a large number of companies registered in different countries. Thus, their illegal origin was masked," the SAPO said on its Telegram channel. To assist in the implementation of the scheme, the former official attracted a person close to him and one of the heads of departments of the Ukraina Polygraph Combine. In Estonia, he was assisted by two citizens of this country, who ensured the management of the shell company in the unlawful interests of the Ukrainian civil servant. This scheme was in effect during 2013-2016. That is why the cost of production of SOE Ukraina Polygraph Combine was artificially increased due to the corruption component. "The suspects registered intellectual property rights to the graphic elements of Ukrainian passports for the foreign company. Thus, the offenders received additional remuneration in royalties. Every citizen of Ukraine was forced to pay an inflated price when processing documents (primarily passports for traveling abroad)," the SAPO said. On Friday, July 21, SAPO prosecutors and NABU detectives notified the defendants in the case of suspicion of misappropriation and money laundering. In addition, at the initiative of the anti-corruption authorities, the government took action and stopped the unjustified payment of royalties to the foreign company. As a result of the activities of the joint investigation team in Estonia, its citizen was exposed, who is being checked by law enforcement agencies of different countries for involvement in organizing a complex system of money laundering around the world. In addition to him, Estonian law enforcement officers notified three more Estonian citizens of suspicion of money laundering. French law enforcement officers received an assessment of the legality of actions of other persons in the territory of this country. In the period from 2011 to 2016, SOE Ukraina Polygraph Combine was headed by Maksym Stepanov. Since January 2017, Stepanov served as head of the Odesa Regional State Administration, and from March 2020 to May 2021 he was the Minister of Health of Ukraine. Since the days of John Paul Jones and the American Revolution, the top job in the U.S. Navy has gone to a man, but that will change if President Bidens pick to become the services top uniformed leader is confirmed. The White House announced on Friday that President Biden intends to nominate Adm. Lisa Franchetti to become the Navys highest-ranking officer following the retirement of Adm. Michael M. Gilday this summer. Lloyd J. Austin III, the secretary of defense, said he was proud that Admiral Franchetti had been selected to be the first woman to lead the Navy and to serve as a permanent member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She will continue to inspire all of us, Mr. Austin said in a statement. Currently the Navys vice chief, Admiral Franchetti will serve in an acting role as the Navys top officer, awaiting confirmation by the Senate a process that Senator Tommy Tuberville, Republican of Alabama, has blocked for hundreds of admirals and generals in an attempt to force the Pentagon to drop a policy offering time off and travel reimbursement to service members who need to go out of state for abortions. President Biden on Friday elevated William J. Burns, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, to become a member of his cabinet, citing the agencys work in providing good intelligence, delivered with honesty and integrity on China, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and emerging technologies. Bill has always given me clear, straightforward analysis that prioritizes the safety and security of the American people, reflecting the integral role the C.I.A. plays in our national security decision-making at this critical time, Mr. Biden said in a statement. Mr. Burns, a veteran diplomat with a career stretching back more than three decades, has been a key player in the administrations efforts to thwart Russias invasion of Ukraine. He traveled to Moscow before the invasion and has been to Kyiv several times since the war started to confer with the countrys leaders. The position of C.I.A. director had been a cabinet-level one until 2005, when the post of director of national intelligence was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Starting that year, the director of national intelligence, not of the C.I.A., served in the cabinet. While Mr. DeSantis called the riot unfortunate, he was critical of the most serious charges that the Justice Department has brought against some of those who took part in the attack. I know a lot of people that were there who were just there, he said. They didnt have any designs on doing anything. He continued, But to say that they were seditionists is just wrong. This week, Mr. Trump publicly acknowledged that he could soon face a federal indictment in connection with the Jan. 6 attack, adding to his legal baggage. He is already grappling with two indictments, one in June over his handling of classified documents after he left office and the other in March in a hush-money case in New York. Mr. Schlossberg, who did not respond to messages on Friday, has never run for public office, but he did speak alongside his mother in a video recorded for the 2020 Democratic National Convention. An array of Kennedy family members have denounced Mr. Kennedys campaign in recent days, spurred by his suggestion, caught on video and published by The New York Post, that the coronavirus was ethnically targeted to spare Jews and Chinese people. His sister, Kerry Kennedy, called the remarks deplorable and untruthful, and his brother Joseph Kennedy II told The Boston Globe that his remarks in no way reflect the words and actions of our father, Robert F. Kennedy. Former Representative Joseph Kennedy III wrote on Twitter, I unequivocally condemn what he said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. did not respond to messages on Friday, nor did his campaign spokeswoman. On Twitter, he has defended himself against what he called spurious anti-Semitism charges while highlighting support from conservative news outlets. Why It Matters: Future health threats loom. The coronavirus pandemic has often been described as the worst public health crisis in a century. But experts agree that given current migration patterns and the way humans intersect with animal life, it will not be a century and it might not even be a decade before the next pandemic arrives. The era of Covid czars is over. Mr. Bidens first White House coronavirus response coordinator, Jeffrey D. Zients, is now the White House chief of staff. The second coordinator, Dr. Ashish K. Jha, has gone back to his position as dean of the Brown University School of Public Health. Covid-19 made clear that a biological health threat does not respect boundaries including the boundaries that divide federal agencies. The appointment of Dr. Friedrichs signals a more permanent and coordinated effort to prepare for and respond to pandemics one that will last beyond the Biden administration and will be centralized within the White House. Background: Dr. Friedrichs served decades in the Air Force. In a February speech, Dr. Friedrichs, who retired from the military in June, reflected on his 37-year career in the Air Force and shared a bit about himself. His father served in the Navy at the end of World War II, and his mother was a Hungarian freedom fighter whose parents were killed by the Russians. His wife was an Army doctor when they met. He also reflected on the role of the military in fighting Covid-19, an effort that included helping to develop and distribute vaccines and providing medical support to struggling hospitals. The military health system became the pinch-hitter that stepped in to help our civilian partners as we collectively struggled to work through that pandemic, he said. Whats Next: The job will focus on preparedness. Dr. Friedrichs new position gives him authority to oversee domestic biosecurity preparedness. He will need to work on the development of next-generation vaccines, ensure adequate supplies in the Strategic National Stockpile and ramp up surveillance to monitor for new biological threats. He will also have to work with Congress to secure funding for preparedness efforts. Lawmakers created the new White House office as part of a government spending package enacted late last year. When President Biden came into office, we inherited a once-in-a-generation public health and economic crisis but no plan to get us out of it, Mr. Zients said in a statement. This office under the strong and capable leadership of Major General Friedrichs will lead the charge to ensure that never happens again. Acts forbidden for such reasons could include intercourse between people of the same sex, oral and anal sex between a man and a woman and masturbation. The legal language is not always explicit and it changes state by state. In North Carolina, for example, the sodomy law makes it a felony to commit a crime against nature, with mankind or beast. Over time, the language defining a crime against nature changed in some states, oftentimes more clearly targeting same-sex couples. Other states decided that the legal system was moving toward preserving the right to privacy and repealed sodomy laws to reflect that, like Illinois did in 1961. In the states where the sodomy laws have remained, though, they have been used as tools of oppression and discrimination against gay and lesbian people, Mr. Phelps said. In Texas, he said, people who wanted to apply for certain jobs or professional licenses, such as those needed for medicine or cosmetology, would have to sign a document vowing to follow the states laws. This meant that, before Lawrence v. Texas, gay and lesbian people either had to perjure themselves or not apply. It wasnt really a criminal issue for gays and lesbians; it was an issue of discrimination, Mr. Phelps said. The collision of academia and politics played out at an institution at the heart of Texas identity and culture. With nearly 75,000 students, Texas A&M, in College Station, about 95 miles northwest of Houston, is the states other leviathan of higher education the more rural, more conservative rival to the University of Texas at Austin. It is a university determined to be considered among the world-class research institutions while also intensely focused on its traditions and its beginnings as a school made up of students from farming towns, which then sent them on to the military. The school is known for the fervent loyalty of its graduates. And even by Texas standards, it is defined by a celebration of the state and big-time sports, especially Aggie football. Black students make up a disproportionately small percentage of both Texas A&M (2 percent) and the University of Texas at Austin (5 percent), when compared with the state as a whole (13.4 percent) or the cities where the universities are located. What remained a mystery even after Dr. Bankss resignation was exactly why the university had altered its offer to Dr. McElroy. One conservative alumni group, the Rudder Association, had emailed A&M leadership after her appointment was announced and said in a statement that A&M should avoid the divisive ideology of identity politics. On Friday, the groups president, Matt Poling, said he appreciated Dr. Bankss service to the university. At the faculty senate meeting on Wednesday, professors had sharply criticized the universitys bungling of Dr. McElroys appointment, with some saying that criticism over Dr. McElroys work to promote diversity should not have factored into her hiring. What is not OK is that the university is presumed to have gone back on a contract, and what is even more not OK is the perception that the reason that the initial contract did not go through was not because of merit, but rather because of the opinions or demographics of the candidate, said Tracy Anne Hammond, a computer science professor and the speaker of the faculty senate. She added: Right now, the faculty and the world has lost trust in Texas A&M University, and that is a huge problem. They have also reviewed phone calls Mr. Trump made to pressure state officials after the election, including one in which he told Brad Raffensperger, Georgias secretary of state, that he needed to find 11,780 votes one more than Joseph R. Biden Jr.s margin of victory in the state. Because of the logistics involved in bringing such a high-profile case, Ms. Willis has telegraphed a timeline for any charges she may bring. In May, she took the unusual step of telling most of her staff to work remotely during the first three weeks of August, and she asked judges in a downtown Atlanta courthouse not to schedule trials for part of that time. In a letter sent to 21 county officials, she thanked them for your consideration and assistance in keeping the Fulton County Judicial Complex safe during this time. Even the former presidents lawyers are treating an indictment in Georgia as a foregone conclusion, saying in a legal filing on Friday that the District Attorney has indicated publicly that she is seeking a bill of indictment from a regular grand jury which was empaneled last week. Similar federal charges could also be coming. This week, Jack Smith, the special counsel investigating Mr. Trumps attempts to reverse his defeat, informed the former president that he could soon face indictment. But while Mr. Trump could theoretically derail a federal case or pardon himself if he was re-elected president, Georgia law makes pardons an option only five years after the completion of a sentence. Getting a sentence commuted would require the approval of a state panel. Racketeering charges were raised as an option from the early days of the Georgia case. In an interview with The New York Times more than two years ago, when the investigation was just beginning, Ms. Willis discussed the possibility of using such charges, with which she has long experience. To her mother in South Korea, SuJin Kim is a failure: Shes over 30, single and not working for a big Korean corporation. But to her millions of followers in Latin America, she has become a relatable friend and a teacher of all things Korean. In Mexico, where she lives, they know her, in fact, as Chinguamiga, her online nickname, a mash-up of the words for friend in Korean and Spanish. Her success has been propelled not just by her ingenuity and charisma, but also by a wave of South Korean popular culture that has swept the world, driven in part by a government effort to position the country as a cultural giant and to exert a soft power. In her homeland, Ms. Kim, 32, struggled with the grind of a hypercompetitive society where success is defined narrowly and young women face diminishing labor prospects, grueling work schedules, sexism and restrictive beauty standards. Wildfires in Canada have so far scorched forests totaling the size of the state of Virginia. The province of Quebec recorded its biggest blaze ever this month as it advanced across an area 13 times as large as New York City. Mega fires, so vast and ferocious that they simply cannot be fought, have erupted across the country. Even as thousands of Canadians and firefighters from abroad continued to battle more than 900 fires, Canadas record-shattering wildfire season has made it clear that traditional firefighting methods are no longer enough, experts in wildfires and forests say. Instead of focusing on putting out flames, wildfire agencies, provincial governments and the logging industry must carry out fundamental changes to prevent fires from igniting and spreading in the first place, they say. They include steps like closing forests to people when conditions are ripe for fires and increasing patrols to spot smaller fires earlier, when there is still a chance to contain them. Two children, a brother and a sister, were killed and another woman was injured on Friday afternoon as a result of the shelling of the village of Druzhba by the Russian occupiers of Toretsk community of Bakhmut district of Donetsk region, head of Donetsk Regional Military Administration Pavlo Kyrylenko said. "At about three o'clock in the afternoon, the ruscists shelled the village with artillery: one of the shells hit the courtyard where the children were - a 10-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl a brother and a sister. They received injuries incompatible with life. In addition, an elderly woman was wounded in the same village during the shelling she was taken to the hospital," Kyrylenko wrote on Telegram. In this regard, he called on the parents of minor children to immediately take the children out of the danger zone. "Children should not live next to the war. You are responsible for the safety of their lives, including before the law," the head of the regional administration wrote. A retired officer of Canadas national police force was charged Friday with foreign interference after spying for the Chinese government and targeting an individual on its behalf, the authorities said. The retired officer, William Majcher, 60, allegedly used his knowledge and his extensive network of contacts in Canada to obtain intelligence or services to benefit Beijing, the authorities said in a statement. The case is likely to heighten calls for a public inquiry into the Chinese governments alleged involvement in Canadian affairs. Mr. Majcher, who had been living in Hong Kong and was arrested Thursday evening in Vancouver after voluntarily returning to Canada, also assisted in the Chinese governments efforts to identify and intimidate an individual outside the scope of Canadian law, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or R.C.M.P. The arrest, following a two-year investigation into what the R.C.M.P. described as Mr. Majchers suspicious activities, came as the issue of Chinas interference in Canadian elections has roiled political circles for months. Chinese diplomats and operatives in Canada are believed to have tried to undermine elected officials critical of Chinas record on human rights, especially in districts with many ethnic Chinese voters in Vancouver and Toronto. Amsterdam will bar cruise ships from docking in the city center as part of a broader effort to curb pollution and reduce the large numbers of tourists who visit the Dutch capital. The City Council passed a proposal on Thursday to close a terminal where more than a hundred cruise ships dock each year not far from the central train station. The motivation of the proposal from the City Council was to reduce the number of tourists, but also for environmental reasons, Amsterdams deputy mayor, Hester van Buren, said in a statement on Friday. The municipality has not yet determined when the change will take effect. The cruise ship measure was the latest attempt by Amsterdam to cap the number of visitors and crack down on bad behavior as the tourism industry has rebounded, addressing residents longstanding grievances linked to overcrowding and rowdy tourists. Last year, the city drew about 20 million visitors and in 2021, close to nine million tourists came either for a day trip or overnight, according to city data. Russias withdrawal from a grain deal with Ukraine that fed millions of people in Africa in the last year could upend food security in several countries already reeling from multiple crises, humanitarian organizations and officials have warned. Countries in the Horn of Africa, like Somalia and Ethiopia, could be hit the hardest, according to Allison Huggins, deputy Africa director at Mercy Corps, a humanitarian organization. When you compound conflict, drought and climate change with acute food insecurity, the impact could be catastrophic, she said. A top official in Kenyas foreign affairs ministry, Korir SingOei, called Russias decision a stab on the back. The suffocating heat in Athens has forced its top attraction, the Acropolis, to close to tourists in the afternoons for the second time this month, with plans to open up in the cooler hours of the evening. But a strike by workers at that site and others, over dangerous working conditions, will likely keep it closed in the afternoons while the extreme temperatures endure. Greece is suffering through its second heat wave in as many weeks, and temperatures are expected to reach 111 degrees Fahrenheit, or 44 Celsius, in Athens on Sunday. Workers say the heat poses a potential risk to them and to visitors, and they stopped working at noon on Thursday and Friday and plan to continue doing so until at least Sunday. Their union says they will reassess the situation on Monday. Speaking to Greek radio on Friday morning, the head of the union, Ioannis Mavrikopoulos, said the temperature on the site of the Acropolis, home to the gleaming white marble Parthenon monument and few shade trees, had reached some 118 degrees Fahrenheit, or 48 Celsius. The Acropolis is perched on a rocky outcrop high above Athens. Russian investigators on Friday detained a leading nationalist critic of the countrys conduct of the war in Ukraine, in a sign that last months brief mutiny by Wagner mercenaries has further reduced tolerance of any dissent, even among those who support Moscows invasion. Igor Girkin, also known as Strelkov, was detained in his apartment by investigators, who accused him of engaging in extremist activities, his wife, Miroslava, said in a post on the Telegram messaging app. RIA Novosti, a Russian state news agency, confirmed Mr. Girkins detention, citing his lawyer. Who is Girkin? A popular nationalist blogger, Mr. Girkin has been increasingly critical of the Russian Armys leadership and the way it has managed the war in Ukraine. He has argued for a more robust mobilization of Russian society and its economy to support the war effort, as well as a purge of those who oppose the invasion. He escalated his criticism in recent days, launching personal attacks against President Vladimir V. Putin, whom he referred to as a nothingness, who managed to throw dust in the eyes of a large portion of the population. In the before times, there were caps and gowns and canapes, but Mariupol State University could offer only a pared-down ceremony on Thursday for the class of 2023 on its campus in exile almost 400 miles from its ravaged home city. Of the 500 graduates, only about 60 attended here in Kyiv to collect their diplomas in person at a new university home that is a work in progress. The rest took part online if they could, scattered by war around Ukraine and abroad. It was a bittersweet moment for the graduates of Mariupol, a city that became synonymous with the wars brutality and devastation before falling to the Russian invasion last year. Even in virtual form, the university has offered a sense of moving toward something beyond the war, and an oasis from the cruel realities they have all seen and felt, that were never really out of mind. Valeriya Tkachenko, 21, continued her studies in ecology and education, even as her husband, Vladislav, underwent treatment and rehabilitation after losing a leg in the battle for Azovstal, the sprawling steelworks where Mariupols defenders made their last stand before surrendering in May 2022. Severe unrest has roiled France in recent weeks, with riots in multiple cities after a police officer fatally shot Nahel Merzouk, a French teenager of Algerian and Moroccan descent, in a suburb of Paris. This is part of a longstanding pattern, my Times colleagues Catherine Porter and Constant Meheut report. Calls to overhaul the police go back at least four decades to when thousands of young people of color marched for months in 1983 from Marseille to Paris, over 400 miles, after an officer shot a young community leader of Algerian descent, they wrote. Since then, there have been multiple cycles of police violence and riots. And although many politicians have promised change, many French people have found meaningful change to be elusive. As always, Times coverage is the best way to understand the news. Here is an explainer on the recent unrest, and here is a story that delves into why so many people in France identified with the young man who was shot. More than a thousand pilots and other personnel in the Israeli Air Force reserve said on Friday that they would stop reporting for duty next week if the government pushes through a contentious plan to reduce judicial power without broader consensus. In a joint letter released Friday, 1,142 air force reservists including 235 fighter pilots, 98 transport plane pilots, 89 helicopter pilots and 173 drone operators said they would not serve if the government proceeded with its plan to reduce the ways in which the Supreme Court can overrule the government. Legislation that allows the government to act in an extremely unreasonable manner will harm the security of the State of Israel, will cause a loss of trust and a violation of my consent to continue risking my life and will lead, with deep sorrow and lack of choice, to the suspension of my volunteer service in the reserves, the letter said. If such a large number of reservists follow through with their threat, defense officials have said it could significantly affect the capacity of the air force and its operational readiness. When Israeli Supreme Court judges overruled a decision by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in January to award the Finance Ministry to an ally convicted of tax fraud, some of the justices used a contentious legal concept to block the move. The appointment was unreasonable, they said. When judges struck down Mr. Netanyahus appointment in 2015 of a new deputy health minister, they used the same legal argument. Unreasonable. And the decision by an earlier Netanyahu government, in 2012, to reject a particular candidate for the directorship of the tax authority? That was unreasonable, too. It is these kinds of judicial interventions using the subjective legal concept of reasonableness that are at the center of what is widely seen as the gravest domestic crisis in the history of Israel. Mr. Netanyahus coalition is close to passing a new law that would prevent the Supreme Court from using the concept of reasonableness to overturn government decisions. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a proposal to the Ministry of Strategic Industries, the Defense Ministry and the Digital Transformation Ministry on the implementation of an experimental project of the production, procurement and supply of ammunition for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned system warheads during two years, Representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Verkhovna Rada Taras Melnychuk said. "The implementation procedure has been approved for an experimental project that provides for a mechanism of implementation of the experimental project of the development, production, procurement and supply of ammunition for UAVs and unmanned system warheads for the security and defense forces of Ukraine in terms of the establishment of organizational, technical and other requirements for the implementation of economic activities in the relevant field," he said on the Telegram channel on Friday. According to the press service of the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution "On the implementation of a pilot project for the production, procurement and supply of ammunition for unmanned systems and warheads for unmanned systems." The implementation of this experimental project provides for the establishment of a procedure for obtaining the status of a manufacturer of ammunition for UAVs as well as the establishment of clear requirements for personnel, production capacities and storage procedures for manufacturers of unmanned systems. In addition, the production of drones can be carried out without an environmental impact assessment report. This project also provides for the establishment of requirements for the supply of manufactured ammunition and the possibility of developing ammunition and combat units for UAVs both on government orders and on own initiative. It also establishes the procedure for testing the developed sample and facilitates the procedure for supplying it to service, and quality control is carried out at the production stage. Legal entities have the opportunity to purchase and supply ammunition for the needs of the security and defense forces of Ukraine. A UK man has been jailed for draining tens of thousands of pounds from his fathers bank accounts by faking both his voice and that of his dead mother, during phone calls with bank staff. A complex police investigation found that during a 14-month period in 2017 and 2018, just months after his mother had passed away, 42-year-old Daniel Cuthbert defrauded his grieving father of more than 56,000 ($70,000) by phoning his parents bank and posing as both his father and his late mother. Audio footage released by Northamptonshire Police revealed how Cuthbert faked his dead mothers name on at least nine occasions. He can be heard correctly answering a number of security questions before requesting that a sum of money be transferred from his parents account into another account. Cuthbert took all of his fathers savings, including his redundancy pau-out, and also took several loans in his name. Photo: David Hahn/Unsplash This was a really despicable abuse of trust by this man who falsely represented his father and even his late mother, in order to defraud them out of more than 56,000, Sgt Mike Rogers, from the Forces Volume Crime Team, said. According to prosecutors, Daniel Cuthberts father noticed some suspicious activity when checking his bank account and confronted the fraudster about it, but he was persuaded that Daniel had nothing to do with it. However, the poor man would soon learn that trusting his son had been a very bad decision. In 2018, a building company called Mr. Cuthbert to inform him that he was going to lose his house due to arrears. Apparently, his son had taken several loans in his name and never bothered to pay them or at least inform his father about them. In face of overwhelming audio evidence against him, Daniel Cuthbert admitted to fraud by false representation and a Preston Crown Court judge recently sentenced him to two years in jail. We hope this brings some closure to the victim who was put through a horrendous ordeal by his son only months after losing his wife, a Northamptonshire Police source said. A young Chinese woman suffered a ruptured eardrum while sharing a moment of passion with her boyfriend, who, while kissing her ear, accidentally created too much suction pressure. Chinese media recently reported the bizarre case of a young woman from Huizhou City, Guangdong Province, who came to the ENT Department of Huizhou First Peoples Hospital because she experienced mild pain and hearing loss in her left ear. Upon examining the patient, the doctor on duty found dried blood on her eardrum and a closer inspection revealed that she had suffered a traumatic eardrum perforation. The womans medical history didnt mention any sort of physical trauma at ear level, but when asked if she could recall anything that might have caused the eardrum perforation, she just said that her boyfriend accidentally sucked on her ear canal during a moment of passion Photo: Sam/Unsplash When he kissed my ear, he sucked it hard and it made a pop sound. After that, I couldnt hear in my left ear. I was shocked, the woman, referred to only as Xiaohua, told the ENT doctor, adding that all she could hear was a constant buzzing accompanied by mild pain. There was a spot of blood near her wound, which was unusual. According to the medical history, she had suffered no trauma, impact or beating. She just mentioned that her boyfriend used too much force during the kiss, and she felt pain at that time, Fu Jia, deputy director of otolaryngology head and neck surgery at Huizhou First Peoples Hospital, told Hui Video. The doctor explained that eardrums are prone to ruptures when the external atmospheric pressure changes suddenly, such as in the case of explosions and extremely loud noises. Theoretically mouth-applied suction qualifies as well, although eardrums ruptured during romantic kissing is definitely very uncommon. Usually, the eardrum heals by itself within two weeks to three months, Fu Jia said. If the eardrum has not healed in three months, external intervention may be required. If it is not repaired and the perforation remains, water can get through while bathing or swimming and may cause problems such as otitis, which can in turn cause hearing problems. Although Xiohuas case was presented as a cautionary tale, it mostly inspired humorous comments on social media, such as people describing the boyfriends love as defeating and asking if the ruptured eardrum counts as emotional injury. FINN Partners Israel office launches an environmental innovation group as an extension of the agencys global Purpose and Social Impact practice. Nicole Grubner, partner at FINN Partners, will lead the group. Grubner, who has a decade of experience working with Israeli clients, will spearhead strategic communications programs for Israeli companies making an impact within the environmental innovation sphere. According to Start-Up Nation Central, there are more than 850 Israeli companies in the environmental space, developing solutions for clean energy, food and agricultural systems, industry, mobility, nature and carbon, water, and construction. "FINN's Israel team stands alone in that it can draw upon expertise from across the worldwide FINN network to elevate Israel's burgeoning environmental innovation sector through communications campaigns with global reach and impact," said Goel Jasper, managing partner, FINN Israel, and global digital health innovation group lead. Channel V Media launches a specialty practice for companies in the climate technology space. The new climate technology division will offer clients specialized PR programs to raise awareness of their climate solutions and innovations, help shape public opinion and policy on climate change and drive inbound customer leads. The agency has already created strategic PR programs for such climate tech businesses as air quality data company BreezoMeter (acquired by Google) which it introduced into the U.S. market in 2021. As part of the launch, Channel V Media has added weather intelligence company Meteomatics to its client roster. As climate change becomes an increasing concern for the general public, well see the climate tech market continue to growmaking it even more challenging for these companies to communicate their differentiators and properly distinguish themselves from others in the space, said Channel V Media EVP Kieran Powell. Tunheim receives the Environmental Protection Agency Administrators Award for Outstanding Accomplishments by a Woman-Owned Small Business Contractor. The award recognizes Tunheims contributions as a woman-owned business to the EPAs Small Business Program, and its commitment to protecting the environment and promoting sustainability. Tunheim has worked with the EPAs Great Lakes National Program Office to engage communities around Minnesotas Lake Superior. GLNPO coordinates U.S. efforts to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem, which includes Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. We are incredibly proud of our contributions put forth to bring about the restoration of our beloved Lake Superior, Kathy Tunheim, CEO and principal of Tunheim, said. Mark Dixon Recent calls from US and UK government politicians for Ukraine to be thankful for military and financial support show a blinkered view because they disregard the existential risk facing Western democracy, and ignore Ukraines courage in fighting democracys current No. 1 enemy. At the NATO summit, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and UK defense secretary Ben Wallace both called for more gratitude from Ukraine, with Wallace saying the UK is not an Amazon for weapons. Sullivan and Wallace are wrong. Yes, Ukraine has had to fight for its own life, its freedom, and even its existence as a sovereign nation, but it has also been fighting a regime that threatens every value that we outside Ukraine cherish and still enjoy. So, every drop of Ukrainian blood has been shed for global gain. In such an interdependent situation, who should actually be thanking whom? How do we measure which direction any gratitude should be flowing? We can answer this by expanding the financial concept of Return on Investment to "Return on Sacrifice". We can consider the sacrifice suffered by Ukraine against its necessity or benefit to the country, and then compare this Return on Sacrifice to the Wests own return on its Ukrainian "investment". By this measure, the West has already seen a very good democracy return for a very modest sacrificea Return on Sacrifice no less worthwhile than Ukraines. Alternatively, we could just simply ask who has done more for the other. This leads to the same answer: Ukrainein tipping the global autocracy-democracy balance in the right directionhas done at least as much for the West as the West has done for Ukraine. It is true that Ukraines motivation for its sacrifice, courage and determination is for survival rather than expressly to help other democratic nations. However, we can likewise say that the West is helping Ukraine so its own values have a higher chance of not being turned to dust. Zelensky is right to stress that Russia is the common enemy of all democratic nations. We should not forget that it is simply because of the way the cards of history have fallen that the responsibility to fight Putin has befallen Ukraine. The main benefit in considering "balance of gratitude" is to spotlight that Western assistance is not purely altruistic or some sort of charity. If we accept that we are all in this together, there is, in fact, no need for thanks in either direction. When the history of the 21st century is writtenif it happens to be a story that ends with the survival of democracy and freedom for Homo Sapiensit will be obvious that the nation that surprised the world by standing up to Putin, and helped avert the downward slide of values on the planet, had no need whatsoever to thank anyone. We should not expect David to thank us while fighting Goliath for the common good. Moreover, when the trajectory of insufficient support could be the long-term loss of freedom itself, this is not the time to count the beans. We are in a battle that we cannot risk waging by half-measure because it is for our values. Demanding gratitude both disrespects Ukraine and undermines the message that we are all in the battle together. No civilized person needs to thank another for jointly trying to save civilization. It would be much better for leaders to have the vision to explain why thanks are not due. *** Mark Dixon founded and runs the Moral Rating Agency, the goal of which is to get companies out of Russia, to get Russia out of Ukraine, and Putin out of Russia. It does this by measuring companies involvement with Russia under a standardized rating system and then naming and shaming them till they leave. IRISH Water ''should be hauled over the coals'' for the manner in which it handled the recent boil water notice in Tullamore, believes Councillor Tony McCormack. Cllr McCormack was speaking at the July meeting of Tullamore Municipal District when he said the communication from Uisce Eireann as it is now know was ''terrible.'' He said many people didn't even know there was a boil water notice. ''I know other people who tried to contact Irish Water and they were fobbed off. They didn't know when the water was going to be back up and running. They [Uisce Eireann] also put a map up and you would want to be Bear Grylls to figure out where on the map it was, there were no names, no points marked out, no streets, bridges, canal. It was impossible to find out unless you put another map beside it,'' said the Tullamore based councillor. The Boil Water Notice was issued on June 20 for all customers supplied by Tullamore South and Clonaslee Water Supply. Uisce Eireann said it was ''to protect the health of approximately 3,900 customers due to raw water quality issues which impacted the treatment processes at the water treatment plant. The notice has since been lifted. At the municipal district meeting, Cllr McCormack said: ''An awful lot of people weren't able to figure out where the boil notice was and where it wasn't. He said some pubs, bars and restaurants were using water because ''they didn't know any different. The communication was terrible. We need to be sending a strong message to Irish Water that this is not on. If there is a boil notice then obviously there is a danger to some people, especially vulnerable people. We need to get that word out to them. How we do it, I don't know. We have never had so many forms of communication whether it be social media, or through papers, radio or through whatever means we can get that point across.'' ''I think it's an absolute disgrace, Irish Water or Uisce Eireann need to be taken over the coals for this it could have been an awful lot more serious and thankfully it wasn't,'' he said. Councillor Sean O'Brien said he received calls from people regarding the notice. Most people think it's still the function of Offaly County Council and I tried to explain it to them that it's Uisce Eireann.'' Cllr O'Brien advised people to log on to water.ie and then to go to water quality to enter their eircode and they will get an update on the water quality in their area. Uisce Eireann said, ''Drinking water experts from Uisce Eireann and Offaly and Laois County Councils worked hard to lift the notice as quickly as safely as possible, carrying out a number of upgrade works at the treatment plant and substantial reconfiguration of the water network. Following satisfactory water samples confirming that the drinking water was compliant with EU drinking water regulations, the Boil Water Notice was lifted.'' Uisce Eireanns John Gavin acknowledged the impact of the notice on the community, adding: Uisce Eireann regrets the inconvenience that the Boil Water Notice had on these communities in Offaly and Laois. I would like to thank them for their patience and support while our drinking water experts worked tirelessly with our colleagues in Offaly and Laois County Councils to lift the Boil Water Notice as quickly as it was safe to do so. I would also like to thank the local councillors and the media for their assistance in sharing the information during the period of this boil water notice." The Russian Federation has confirmed the detention and intends to arrest the terrorist Igor Girkin (nickname Strelkov), who for several years was a member of the terrorist organization "DPR" operating in the occupied territories of Ukraine, and is also accused in the case of the downed Malaysian Airlines flight MH17. According to Russia, the court in Moscow will soon consider the petition of the investigation on the election of a preventive measure. The investigation asks to take Girkin into custody. According to the court's file, its about a criminal case on calls to carry out extremist activities. Girkin's arrest was reported earlier on Friday by his wife, and his lawyer that his client was taken away by law enforcement officers after a search at his place of residence. In November last year, the District Court of The Hague found Girkin, another Russian and one Ukrainian guilty of the crash of a Malaysian Boeing in the sky over Donbas in July 2014. The court sentenced all three in absentia to life imprisonment. Manipur Violence: SC Sets Up Panel Of 3 Former HC Judges To Look Into Relief, Rehabilitation Amid Growing Demand For Resignation, Biren Singh To Continue As Manipur CM India oi-Prakash KL Despite the growing demand for the resignation of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, there are no talks on replacing him, NDTV reported citing sources. The Congress and several other parties have targeted the BJP, demanding his resignation after the video of two women being paraded naked in the state surfaced online. However, the priority for the party is the law and order situation, the report said citing government sources. "The situation in Manipur is under control. The Home Minister spoke to Kuki groups this morning. Assured them of speedy action... The Centre is in constant touch with the state," sources said. Manipur Video: Issue Not That It's a Shame for Nation But Trauma Inflicted on Women, says Rahul Gandhi A distressing video emerged on social media on Wednesday evening, depicting a horrifying incident where a group of men paraded and groped two women naked. Subsequently, the women were led towards a paddy field, and reports suggest that one of them was subjected to a gang rape. Shockingly, despite the video's circulation, no action was taken for over 70 days. However, after the public's outrage peaked on Wednesday, authorities finally sprang into action, resulting in the arrest of four men involved in the heinous act. The Opposition parties came down heavily on the BJP while Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the alleged incident of women being paraded naked in Manipur has shamed 140 crore Indians, asserting that the law will act with its full might and no guilty will be spared. "My heart is full of pain and anger," he told reporters in his remarks ahead of Parliament's Monsoon Session, amid his criticism by opposition parties for not speaking on the ethnic violence in the northeast state. Manipur Women Paraded Naked: Four Arrested After Outrage Over Incident The Supreme Court condemned the incident and warned the Centre and Manipur governments to "act". Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said it's "simply unacceptable". He stated, "We are deeply disturbed by the videos which have emerged. If the government does not act we will." Meanwhile, four accused involved in the mob that paraded two tribal women naked in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, as seen in a viral video, have been arrested. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, July 21, 2023, 9:18 [IST] How Soon Can Rahul Gandhi Regain His Membership In Parliament? Can He Attend No-Confidence Motion Debate? Manipur Violence: SC Sets Up Panel Of 3 Former HC Judges To Look Into Relief, Rehabilitation Defamation Case: No Relief For Rahul Gandhi But SC Issues Notice To Gujarat Govt India oi-Deepika S The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Gujarat government in connection to the appeal filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, challenging the High Court order that refused to put on hold his conviction and a two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case. The top court also issued notice to the complainant and Gujarat BJP MLA Purnesh Modi on Rahul Gandhi's plea and posted the matter for hearing on August 4. In his appeal filed on July 15, Gandhi has said that if the July 7 judgment is not stayed, it would lead to throttling of free speech, expression, thought, and statement. Purnesh Modi, a former minister in the Gujarat government, had filed a criminal defamation case in 2019 against Gandhi over his "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?" remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019. Manipur Video: Issue Not That It's a Shame for Nation But Trauma Inflicted on Women, says Rahul Gandhi Gandhi, in his appeal, said, "It is most respectfully submitted that if the impugned judgment is not stayed, it would lead to throttling of free speech, free expression, free thought, and free statement. It would contribute to the systematic, repetitive emasculation of democratic institutions and the consequent strangulation of democracy which would be gravely detrimental to the political climate and future of India." He said unprecedentedly, in a case of criminal defamation, a maximum sentence of two years has been imposed; itself a rarest of rare occurrence. "The sentence has been suspended for the asking; however conviction is not stayed/ suspended. This has resulted in the inexorable exclusion of the petitioner from all political elective office for a long period of eight years. That too in the world's largest democracy where the petitioner has been a former president of the oldest political movement in the country and is also continuously in the vanguard of opposition political activity", he said. Gandhi highlighted that he would suffer irreparable injury coupled with irreversible consequences resulting in injustice and as a consequence of the conviction, he is currently disqualified as a Member of Parliament from Wayanad, a parliamentary constituency in Kerala, and cannot participate in parliamentary proceedings. His appeal said Gandhi was elected with a record margin of 4,31,770 votes and in the absence of stay of conviction, he cannot contest in the forthcoming elections. "The disqualification as MP on account of a frivolous conviction is causing irreparable harm and injury not only to the petitioner, who is a full-time politician but also to the constituents of the petitioner's constituency", his appeal said. Gandhi, as an interim relief, sought an ad-interim ex-parte stay of the July 7 order of the Gujarat high court and an ad-interim stay of his conviction during the pendency of this appeal in the top court. Tejashwi Yadav Hits At PM Modi For Not Visiting Manipur; Praises Rahul Gandhi The Congress leader was disqualified as a Member of Parliament on March 24 after a Gujarat court convicted him and sentenced him to two-year imprisonment on charges of criminal defamation for comments he made about the Modi surname. In a setback to the 53-year-old Gandhi, the high court dismissed his petition for a stay on conviction on July 7, observing that "purity in politics" is the need of the hour. A stay on Gandhi's conviction could have paved the way for his reinstatement as a Lok Sabha MP but he failed to get any relief from either the sessions court or the Gujarat high court. Delhi Row Over Services: Will Examine If Parliament Can Abrogate constitutional Principles Of Governance: SC India oi-PTI The Supreme Court has said a five-judge constitution bench will examine whether Parliament can "abrogate the constitutional principles of governance" for the Delhi government by making a law to take away its control over services. The Centre recently issued an ordinance on the Delhi services matter by exercising its powers under Article 239-AA, a special provision in the Constitution pertaining to the national capital. The top court, which on Thursday referred to a constitution bench the Delhi government's plea challenging the Centre's ordinance, uploaded its order on its website containing the legal questions to be dealt by the larger bench. "We accordingly refer the following questions to a constitution bench: (i) What are the contours of the power of Parliament to enact a law under Article 239-AA(7); and (ii) Whether Parliament in the exercise of its power under Article 239-AA(7) can abrogate the constitutional principles of governance for the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCTD)," said the order passed by a bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra. Delhi Ordinance: How Numbers Stack Up In Rajya Sabha A 10-page order, penned by the CJI, said there were two preliminary issues which arose for the consideration by a larger bench. "The first is on the import of Section 3A (of the ordinance). Section 3A removes Entry 41 (services) of List II (State List) from the legislative competence of the NCTD. On the exclusion of Entry 41 from the NCTD's legislative power, the government of the NCTD ceases to have executive power over services because executive power is co-terminus with the legislative power," the order said. The issue, therefore, is whether a law could completely remove Delhi government's executive power over services, it said, adding that the aspect of services under Entry 41 was also "interconnected with the validity of Section 3A" of the ordinance. While referring the Delhi government's plea to the constitution bench, it had rejected the vehement submission of the city dispensation that there was no need for referring the matter to a constitution bench as it will "paralyse the whole system" during its pendency. On Thursday, the bench raised a query with regard to the ordinance and said it took away the control of services from the control of the Delhi government. The Constitution excludes three entries of List II (State List) related to police, law and order and land from the control of the Delhi government, it said. "What you (Centre) have effectively done is that the Constitution says barring three entries, Delhi legislative assembly has the power. But, the ordinance takes away Entry 41 (services) (of the List II) also from the power. That is the effect of Section 3A of the ordinance," the bench said. Row Over Services: SC Refers Delhi Govts Challenge To Centres Ordinance To Five-Judge Constitution Bench The bench had recently issued notices to the Centre and the Delhi lieutenant governor on the plea while refusing to grant an interim stay on the ordinance on control over services in the national capital. Article 239AA deals with special provisions with respect to Delhi in the Constitution and its sub-article 7 says, "Parliament may, by law, make provisions for giving effect to, or supplementing the provisions contained in the foregoing clauses and for all matters incidental or consequential thereto." It also says any such law made under the article "shall not be deemed to be an amendment of this Constitution for the purposes of Article 368 notwithstanding that it contains any provision which amends or has the effect of amending, this Constitution." 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. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, July 21, 2023, 14:21 [IST] Go First's Flight Resumption Plan Approved by DGCA, But Conditions Apply India oi-Madhuri Adnal Go First, a cash-strapped airline, has received approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to resume scheduled flight operations. However, certain conditions must be met for the resumption to take place. The Resolution Professional (RP) appointed by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) presented the airline's resumption plan to the aviation regulator on June 28. Following this, a special audit of Go First's facilities in Mumbai and Delhi was conducted from July 4-6. The focus of the audit was on safety-related aspects and compliance with the requirements necessary to hold an air operator certificate. It also involved physical verification of the arrangements made for the resumption of flight operations. The DGCA has accepted the proposed resumption plan, subject to the outcomes of the writ petitions/applications that are pending before the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi and Hon'ble NCLT, Delhi. As a result, Go First can commence flight operations as a going concern, but the following conditions apply: The airline must ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements for holding an Air Operator Certificate at all times. The airworthiness of the aircraft engaged in operations must be ensured at all times. No aircraft shall be deployed for operations without undertaking a satisfactory handling flight. Any changes in the company that have an impact on the resumption plan submitted by the RP must be promptly notified to the DGCA. Additionally, the resolution professional has been asked to submit a proposed flight schedule, considering the available resources such as airworthy aircraft, qualified pilots, cabin crew, AMEs (Aircraft Maintenance Engineers), and flight dispatchers. This proposed schedule will be considered by the aviation regulator after making the necessary arrangements for the commencement of scheduled flight operations, including interim funding required for resumption. The sale of flight tickets can only begin after the DGCA approves the flight schedule. The resumption of flight operations will be subject to the proceedings and outcomes in the ongoing Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) at NCLT, Delhi, and other writ petitions/applications related to the aircraft leased to Go First, which are pending in the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi and NCLT. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, July 21, 2023, 17:34 [IST] Govt Raises Concern Over Yasin Maliks Appearance In SC: Here's Why India oi-Deepika S Expressing displeasure over the personal appearance of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik, the Supreme Court on Friday questioned why he was brought to court when no such order was passed. The Central government also expressed concern over the physical appearance of Yasin Malik, in the apex court. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta wrote to Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday flagging a "serious security lapse" after Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik, serving life term in Tihar jail, was brought to the Supreme Court for attending a case proceeding. "It is my firm view that this is serious security lapse. A person with terrorist and secessionist background like Yasin Malik who is not only a convict in terror funding case but has known connections with terror organisations in Pakistan could have escaped, could have been forcibly taken away or could have been killed," Mehta wrote. He said that even the security of the Supreme Court would have been put to a serious risk if any untoward incident were to happen. Mehta highlighted that there is an order passed by the Ministry of Home Affairs with regard to Malik under section 268 of the Criminal Code of Procedure which prevents the jail authorities to bring the said convict out of the jail premises for security reasons. "In any view of the matter so long as the order under section 268 of CrP Code subsists, jail authorities had no power to bring him out of jail premises nor did they have any reason to do so," he said, adding, "I consider this to be a matter serious enough to once again bring it to your personal notice so that suitable action/steps can be taken at your end." Additional Solicitor General SV Raju informed the bench that Malik was brought out of jail carelessly by the jail authorities due to a misinterpretation of the top court's order. Malik appeared in the top court when a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant was hearing an appeal filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the September 20, 2022 order of a trial court in Jammu in the 1989 kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed, the daughter of then Union home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The CBI has appealed against the Jammu court order directing that Malik be produced before it physically on the next date of hearing so that he can be given an opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses of the prosecution in the Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, July 21, 2023, 20:05 [IST] HD Kumaraswamy Announces His Party Will Be BJP Ally, Work Against Congress India oi-Madhuri Adnal JD(S) leader and Karnataka's former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy today declared that his party has decided to work together with the BJP as an opposition, in the interest of the state. Stating that party supremo and former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda has authorised him to take any final decision regarding the party, he said there is still time for Parliament polls to talk about it. HD Kumaraswamy was responding to a question on the discussions in the JD(S) legislature party meeting on Thursday night, which was attended by Gowda, amid reports about the possibility of JD(S) allying with the NDA ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "I have already said both inside and outside the assembly, as both BJP and JD(S) are opposition parties, it has been decided to work together in the interest of the state. Even today morning, MLAs of our party discussed how to go ahead," he said. JDS Not Part Of Opposition Meet In Bengaluru, Awaits NDA Invite Speaking to reporters, he said, in the legislature party meeting Gowda has advised that after gathering the opinion all the leaders, a 10-member team has to be formed with representation from all communities, for the party organisation and to raise the voice against the misdeeds of this (Congress) government in all the 31 districts. "Still there is 11 months for Parliament elections. Let's see when Parliament election comes. It was advised to organise the party. Also, Deve Gowda has said that he has authorised me to take any final decision regarding the party," he added. In the elections to the 224-member Assembly held in May, the Congress bagged 135 seats, while the BJP secured 66 and the JD(S) 19. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, July 21, 2023, 18:44 [IST] Manipur Violence: SC Sets Up Panel Of 3 Former HC Judges To Look Into Relief, Rehabilitation Congress Has Blood On Its Hands In Northeast: Himanta On Manipur Violence How Meitei Mob Burns Down House Of Accused Seen Parading Kuki Women Naked In Manipur India oi-Prakash KL A video of an angry mob setting the house of the main accused in the Manipur 'women parade incident' on fire has surfaced online. In the viral clip, people, largely women, are seen destroying his fire. However, Oneindia has not independently verified the authenticity of the clip. This comes a day after a video of two women being sexually assaulted by a mob surfaced online. The cops first arrested the main accused, who wore a green t-shirt in the viral video while molesting the women. He is identified as 32-year-old Huirem Herodas Meitei. His family has been ostracized by the villagers after the shocking video emerged online. Taking suo motu cognisance of the video, police said a case of abduction, gang rape and murder was registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unknown armed men and that all-out efforts were on to arrest the culprits at the earliest. #Manipur incident main accused Huirem Herodas Meitei's house burnt down by agitated people on Thursday. Manipur Police has so far arrested four accused in the horrific Manipur incident in which two women were paraded.#ManipurBurning pic.twitter.com/dIjFl6SoTi Oxomiya Jiyori (@SouleFacts) July 20, 2023 A total of four arrests have been made by the Manipur cops, so far. On the other hand, Chief Minister N Biren Singh, who is under fire from the Opposition parties, has said that he will ensure strict action is taken against all the perpetrators, including considering the possibility of capital punishment. On the other hand., the National Commission for Women (NCW) has formally directed Twitter India to remove the video that shows the "disgraceful act" of two women being paraded naked. 160 people have lost their lives 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. India, Sri Lanka Ink Pacts As PM Modi, Ranil Wickremesinghe Hold Bilateral Talks India oi-Deepika S Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held bilateral talks with visiting Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe largely focusing on boosting overall economic and strategic cooperation. Several Agreements were exchanged between India and Sri Lanka in the presence of PM Modi and President of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, in Delhi. One of these Agreements is for network-to-network agreements for the UPI acceptance in Sri Lanka. PM Modi reaffirmed his stance on India's "Neighbourhood first policy" and SAGAR' vision during his joint press conference with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. "We agree on the enhancement of air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. To increase trade and travel by people, we have taken the decision to start passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanturai in Sri Lanka," PM Modi said. Recommended Video Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with Ranil Wickremesinghe, President of Sri Lanka | Oneindia News "Sri Lanka also has an important place in both India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision. Today we shared our views on bilateral, regional and international issues. We believe that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined," the prime minister said. To Restructure Domestic Debt, Sri Lanka Shuts Down Banks For 5 Days "The Agreement signed to launch UPI in Sri Lanka, will increase Fintech connectivity," he added. "Today, we also discussed the issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we should go ahead on the matter with a humane approach. We also spoke about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Wickremesinghe told me about his inclusive approach. We hope that the Sri Lankan Govt will fulfill the aspirations of Tamils and take forward the process for equality, justice and peace. We hope it will fulfill its commitment to the implementation of the 13th Amendment and Provincial Council Elections," the prime minister said. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the great strides India continues to make under his leadership. "I have congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the great strides India continues to make under his leadership in economic infrastructure and technological progress in ensuring growth and prosperity for the people of India. We believe that India's growth will be beneficial to the neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region," said Ranil Wickremesinghe. "I have also appraised Prime Minister Modi of the extraordinary challenges that Sri Lanka has experienced in economic, social and political terms in the past year and of the reform measures I have spearheaded on a number of fronts in overcoming these challenges. I have conveyed to Prime Minister Modi and to the government and the people of India a profound appreciation for the solidarity and support rendered to Sri Lanka in what was undoubtedly the most challenging period in our modern history," he added. Manipur Horror: Husband Narrates Mob's Animal-Like Assault On Wife India oi-Madhuri Adnal The woman's husband, a former army personnel who fought in the Kargil war, spoke to India TV about the most painful hour of his life. Recounting the horrific incident where his wife and other women were paraded naked by a mob in Manipur, he described how the mob attacked them "like animals" with weapons and the intent to kill. The incident occurred on May 4, following clashes between the valley-majority Meitei and the hill-majority Kuki tribe over the Meiteis' demand for Scheduled Tribes (ST) status. In the disturbing turn of events, the women were forcibly stripped and forced to walk naked while being surrounded by the mob. Shockingly, some men in the video can be seen dragging and groping them. The incident only came to light over two months later when the video surfaced on social media, igniting nationwide outrage. The FIR was filed 15 days after the incident, and arrests were made only after the video's viral circulation triggered public outcry. According to the police complaint filed on May 18, the younger of the two women was brutally gang-raped during the attack in broad daylight. The complaint detailed that the women were part of a group attempting to escape the mob when their village came under attack. While the police initially intervened and rescued the group, the mob intercepted them en route to the police station, forcibly taking the women from police custody. Tragically, the brother of the younger victim lost his life while trying to protect his sister. House Of Man In Manipur Women Viral Video Set On Fire, His Family Ostracized In a heartbreaking account, the younger woman shared that the police were present during the attack on their village and later handed them over to the mob. Despite enduring the horrifying ordeal, the victims managed to escape. The woman's husband expressed fear of more such attacks, considering the gravity of the situation. In response to the video's circulation, four people have been arrested as the state machinery finally took action. The victims' harrowing experience highlights the urgent need for justice and protection for vulnerable communities in the region. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, July 21, 2023, 17:59 [IST] President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy intends to hold a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Erdogan. "We are planning to hold talks with Turkish President Erdogan tonight. The Black Sea region, food security, and other important topics will be discussed," he said in a video message on Friday. Manipur Violence: SC Sets Up Panel Of 3 Former HC Judges To Look Into Relief, Rehabilitation Manipur-Like Ordeal in West Bengal: Woman Beaten, Paraded Naked Allegedly By 40 TMC 'Goons' India oi-Madhuri Adnal Amidst the nationwide outrage over a viral video from Manipur, where two women from the Kuki tribe were subjected to a horrific incident of being paraded naked and allegedly gang-raped, a similar distressing incident has surfaced from neighboring state West Bengal. In this incident, a female BJP gram sabha candidate from a political party claimed that she was also stripped naked and paraded by Trinamool Congress (TMC) workers on July 8 during the Panchayat polls. According to her complaint, the woman stated that around 40 Trinamool miscreants in the Panchla area of Howrah district attacked her while the Panchayat polls in West Bengal were taking place. She revealed that she was beaten with a stick, thrown out of the polling station, and further subjected to unimaginable assault. The FIR mentioned names of several individuals, including Trinamool candidate Himanta Roy, Noor Alam, Alfi SK, Ranbir Panja Sanju, and Sukmal Panja, all allegedly involved in the incident. The victim claimed that while she was being assaulted, Himanta Roy incited others to tear her saree and inner dress, leading to her being undressed and molested in front of others. BJP's 'Beti Bachao' Has Now Turned Into 'Beti Jalao': Mamata On Manipur Situation The woman further alleged that TMC workers tore off her clothes, stripped her naked, and paraded her throughout the entire village. She stated that she was molested and inappropriately touched during this horrifying ordeal. The Bengal BJP's co-incharge, Amit Malviya, strongly criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in response to the incident, calling for her to take moral responsibility and step down. Since Mamata Banerjees dead conscience has finally surfaced and she is, for a change, feeling ashamed, here is the complaint of Panchla victim, who was stripped naked inside a polling booth (on 8th Jul 2023), by TMC candidate and his henchmen copy of the FIR, which names the https://t.co/i0ZheSV42l pic.twitter.com/ivc8IgB3i9 Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 21, 2023 BJP MP Locket Chatterjee also broke down during a press conference while recounting another alleged incident of sexual assault by TMC workers against a BJP candidate. #WATCH | BJP MP Locket Chatterjee breaks down as she recounts an alleged incident of sexual assault by TMC workers of a BJP candidate during Panchayat polls on 8th July in Howrah district of West Bengal pic.twitter.com/45VdDGqDXi ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 Mob Raped Manipur Woman, Killed Brother For Trying To Protect Her: FIR On Parade Incident Reveals The BJP has condemned both the Manipur and West Bengal incidents, stating that the Panchla incident is equally distressing and deserves attention, despite not having video evidence due to restrictions imposed by Mamata Banerjee's police. #WATCH | West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar says, "We condemn the Manipur incident, it is a sad incident but a woman BJP worker was paraded naked in South Panchla, is it less sad than the Manipur incident? The difference is that there is no video of this incident because pic.twitter.com/Dgeots0UrM ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 These incidents have sparked widespread condemnation and calls for action against the perpetrators and those responsible for ensuring the safety and security of citizens during electoral processes. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, July 21, 2023, 17:17 [IST] Manipur Violence: SC Sets Up Panel Of 3 Former HC Judges To Look Into Relief, Rehabilitation My Job Is To Bring Peace: Manipur CM Biren Singh Amid Calls For Resignation India oi-Deepika S Amidst calls for his resignation, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has clarified that his job is to bring peace to the state. The opposition parties have targeted the BJP, demanding his resignation after the video of two women being paraded naked in the state surfaced online. "People are protesting across the state regarding the incident and demanding the strictest punishment for the accused. Accused number one, who was arrested earlier, his house was burnt by women yesterday. Manipur society is against crime against women. They consider women as their mothers. This protest is to support the government to punish the accused," Biren Singh said. Mob Raped Manipur Woman, Killed Brother For Trying To Protect Her: FIR On Parade Incident Reveals When asked to respond on calls for his resignation over the law and order situation in Manipur, Singh said "I don't want to go into this. My job is to bring peace to the state. Miscreants are there in every society but we will not spare them." Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after the May 4 video surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a group of men from the other side. Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident, as the 26-second video capturing the ordeal of the two tribal women a day, after ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern state on May 3, stoked a nationwide outrage. The horrific footage surfaced only on Wednesday and became viral after the internet ban was lifted. More than 160 people have lost their lives, and several have been 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. One Of The Two Women Paraded Naked In Manipur Is Kargil Hero's Wife 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. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, July 21, 2023, 14:54 [IST] Not A Spy, Don't Send Me Back To Pakistan: Seema Haider's Appeal To PM Modi, UP CM India oi-Prakash KL Pakistani woman Seema Haider who illegally entered India to be with her Hindu boyfriend Sachin Meena after getting in touch through online game PUBG, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath not to send her back to her country. She is currently being interrogated by the Indian authorities to find out whether she is a spy disguised as a mother of four. In an interview with India Today, she said that she is not a spy. "If anyone in Pakistan would have come to know that I was going to India, they would have killed me. I am not a spy, soon the truth will come out," the website quoted Seema as saying while making it clear that she will not go to Pakistan. "I request Modi ji and Yogi ji not to send me back," she appealed. How Pakistani Hindus Are Facing After-Effects Of Seema Haider's Illegal Entry To India In the interview, Haider claimed that she answered all the questions asked by the Uttar Pradesh Anti Terrorism Squad for six hours. "I crossed over illegally as I had no option. I didn't want to live in Pakistan. I didn't hide any information from my past," she added. On the other hand, her lawyer, AP Singh told India Today that she is seeking Indian citizenship as she has tied the knot with Sachin. He also stated that the Pakistani woman has embraced Hinduism even before the marriage. "A petition has been filed before the President and legal formalities have been completed. Seema is getting threats, her life is in danger. If the police have questions, they should investigate. But Seema is now Sachin's wife so she should get Indian citizenship," AP Singh said. Seema Haider, a married Muslim woman from Pakistan and mother of four, came across 22-year-old Sachin Meena on PUBG during the pandemic in 2020. Is Seema Haider A Pakistani Spy Agent? Probe Deepens into Her Deceptive Indian Attire, Army Connections 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. Pakistan society has slammed her for fleeing to India and marrying a Hindu even as her husband Ghulam Haider is pleading her to come back to her life. However, this incident has not gone well with the radical Muslims who are now targeted minority Hindus and their religious places. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, July 21, 2023, 16:27 [IST] Opposition Deliberately Stalling Discussion On Manipur: Govt India oi-Deepika S Amid nationwide outrage over the abhorrent treatment of two Manipur women, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the government is ready for a discussion in Lok Sabha concerning the incident. "Manipur incident is definitely very serious and understanding the situation, PM himself has said that what happened in Manipur has put the entire nation to shame. PM has said that strictest action will be taken over the incident. We do want a discussion in Parliament over Manipur. I had said this in the All Party Meeting and I reiterate this in the Parliament that we want a discussion in the House over Manipur," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said. He further claimed that a few political parties are "unnecessarily" creating a situation in the Parliament so that the discussion on Manipur can't take place. "I am clearly levelling allegations that this Opposition is not serious over Manipur as they should have been...," Rajnath Singh further alleged. Both Houses of the Parliament, the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned on Friday, the second day of the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, amid uproar over Manipur violence. Opposition parties have been demanding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi make a detailed statement in Parliament on the Manipur situation, saying he could have dismissed the state chief minister instead of making "false equivalence" with Congress-governed states if he was angry over the matter. How Meitei Mob Burns Down House Of Accused Seen Parading Kuki Women Naked In Manipur PM Modi on Thursday said the incident of women being paraded naked in Manipur has shamed 140 crore Indians, asserting that law will act with its full might and no guilty will be spared. Both houses of Parliament did not transact any business on Thursday as well as the opposition was unrelenting in its demand for a statement from the prime minister on the Manipur violence. Appealing to the Opposition to not indulge in politics, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that a discussion on Manipur should not be hindered. "I would like to make an appeal to the opposition to not change their stand repeatedly and not indulge into politics as it is a very sensitive matter related to women's dignity, north-east and a border state," he told news agency ANI. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, July 21, 2023, 12:23 [IST] Girl Drinks Urine After Boy Mixes It in Her Water Bottle, Protests Break Out in Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot Sacks Minister Who Cornered His Govt Over Crimes Against Women In Rajasthan India pti-PTI Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday sacked Rajendra Gudha as minister of state, hours after he cornered the state government in the assembly, sources said. "Rajendra Gudha has been terminated from the post of minister of state," an official source told PTI. Gudha held charge as Minister of State for Sainik Kalyan (Independent Charge), Home Guard and Civil Defence, Panchayati Raj and Rural Development. Gudha on Friday questioned his own government's performance in reining in the crimes against women, even as his peers slammed the Manipur violence. During the discussion on the Rajasthan Minimum Income Guarantee Bill 2023 in the state Assembly, Congress MLAs waved placards on the Manipur violence, but the protest did not go down well with Gudha, who sought accountability from his own government on crimes inflicted against women. Caught On Cam: Rajasthan Minister's Nephew Vandalises Jaipur Hotel "The way we have failed to provide security to women in Rajasthan and atrocities on women have increased, instead of raising the issue of Manipur, we should introspect," Gudha said in the assembly. Leader of the Opposition Rajendra Rathore slammed the state government saying Rajasthan tops the chart of crimes against women. "Cabinet minister Rajendra Gudha himself is stating the reality of atrocities being done on sisters and daughters in Rajasthan. According to Article 164(2) of the Constitution, the cabinet works on the basis of collective responsibility and the state of a minister is considered to be that of the entire cabinet," Rathore later tweeted. He also asked Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who is also the home minister, to take responsibility for the "poor" state of law and order in Rajasthan. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal responded to the charges saying that the state government has supplied the House with the statistics that show that the maximum number of atrocities were committed on women during BJP rule. Threat To Life: Pakistan's Seema Haider Sends Petition to President of India India oi-Madhuri Adnal Seema Haider, a Pakistani national, has recently submitted a petition to President Draupadi Murmu, seeking Indian citizenship. Her situation has become more enigmatic after she illegally crossed over to India in May to be with her partner, Sachin Meena, in Greater Noida. In her plea, Haider expresses her desire to remain in India, citing her deep appreciation for Indian culture and traditions, according to reports. She implores for compassion, especially since there are ongoing efforts to deport her back to Pakistan. Haider and Meena's love story began when they met in a private chatroom of the online game PubG in 2020. Their friendship grew over WhatsApp conversations, eventually leading to a romantic relationship. In March of the current year, Haider traveled to Nepal to spend a week with Meena in a hotel room in Kathmandu. Later, she embarked on a journey from Karachi to Dubai and then to Nepal, ultimately sneaking into India illegally. Accompanied by her four children, she made her way to Greater Noida via Lucknow and Agra, where she has been living with her partner since then. On July 4, Haider, Meena, and his father were arrested by the Gautambuddha Nagar Police. After a few days, they obtained bail from a local court. Not A Spy, Don't Send Me Back To Pakistan: Seema Haider's Appeal To PM Modi, UP CM The Uttar Pradesh Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad questioned Haider and Meena about her relatives and claims of her brother and uncle serving in the Pakistan Army. During the interrogation, a news report claimed that she demonstrated an impressive ability to read English text handed to her by the investigators. The police also probed her proficiency in Hindi, as she was observed using complex Hindi words during TV interviews. Haider attributed her Hindi language skills to playing with Indians on PubG. However, when confronted with the fact that her boyfriend, hailing from Western Uttar Pradesh, did not use such difficult phrases, Haider remained silent. Sources familiar with the matter reported that the UP ATS has recommended repatriating Seema to Pakistan. However, she strongly opposes this move, claiming that returning to her home country would put her life in jeopardy, fearing for her safety. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, July 21, 2023, 19:41 [IST] Three Earthquakes Jolt Rajasthan's Jaipur In Just Half An hour India oi-PTI An earthquake of magnitude 4.4 hit Jaipur on Friday. Panic-stricken people rushed out of their houses as the tremors were felt in parts of the city. According to the National Centre for Seismology, the earthquake occurred at 4.09 am and struck at a shallow depth of 10 km. "Earthquake of Magnitude:4.4, Occurred on 21-07-2023, 04:09:38 IST, Lat: 26.88 & Long: 75.70, Depth: 10 Km ,Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan, India," the NCS tweeted. It was followed by two earthquakes of magnitude 3.1, which hit the Rajasthan capital at 4.22 am, and a 3.4-magnitude temblor that shook the city at 4.25 am, according to the NCS data. The Police Control Room said there is no immediate information about any loss of life or damage to property. People took to social media to enquire about the earthquake. Recommended Video Jaipur: 3 back-to-back earthquakes jolt Rajasthans capital within half-an-hour | Oneindia News Earthquake rocks Central America They also shared pictures of people gathering outside their buildings. Former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje said strong tremors were felt in Jaipur. "I hope you are all safe!" she tweeted. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, July 21, 2023, 8:54 [IST] What Caused The landslide In Irshalwadi In Maharashtra? India oi-Prakash KL The landslide on a hilltop in Irshalwadi village in Raigad district in Maharashtra after torrential rains in the area killed at least 16 while burying several houses. The rescue and search operation at the hamlet resumed on Friday morning. The landslide occurred around 11 pm on Wednesday at the tribal village, situated on a hill slope, under Khalapur tehsil of the coastal district, around 80 km from Mumbai. There are 228 residents in the village and the bodies of 16 have been recovered, while 93 residents have been traced, officials said. However, a total of 119 villagers are yet to be traced. They include those who had gone out of the village to attend a marriage or for rice plantation work. Of the nearly 50 houses in the village, the landslide flattened 17, officials said. Raigad Landslide Claims 13 Lives: Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde At Site Recommended Video Raigad Landslide: 16 dead after landslip triggered by heavy rains buries village | Oneindia News What Caused The landslide In Irshalwadi In Maharashtra? The tragedy was triggered by a sudden cloudburst, which unleashed an unprecedented 400 mm rainfall within a mere 24 hours. This deluge eventually caused the entire hilltop to collapse onto the village, claiming lives instantaneously, experts say. Environmentalists express deep concerns over the recurring soil erosion in the area, primarily caused by the lack of vegetation and ongoing construction, quarrying, and digging activities in the vicinity. These factors have made the terrains across the Sahyadri mountain range highly vulnerable to such heavy rains, posing a significant threat to the lives of people residing at the foothills. This is not the first instance of such an incident in the Western Ghats. In 2014, a landslide occurred in the Malin village in the Ambegaon tehsil of the Pune district killed 151. In 2021, Taliye village in Mahad tehsil of the district had witnessed a devastating landslide following heavy rains, which claimed the lives of 84 persons, PTI reported. In fact, as many as 302 people have died due to landslides in Raigad district of Maharashtra in the last 17 years, according to a survey of landslide-prone areas conducted by the disaster management department. In 2005, 84 villages in Raigad were expected to be affected by landslides. In 2015, this figure rose to 103, while this year (2022) the number of villages likely to be hit by landslides is pegged at 211, the report said. Taliye, Jui and Dasgaon villages in the district were completely destroyed by landslides over the past few years, it said. 2 dead, 51 missing in landslide near Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur Environmental activists blame uncontrolled quarrying for these disasters. Hence, they want an immediate prohibition on all quarries operating across the hills and a thorough examination of the eco-sensitive zones in the Raigad and Thane districts. NatConnect Foundation and Shri Ekvira Aai Pratishthan (SEAP) highlighted the serious consequences of frequent high-intensity blasts, as they significantly weaken the soil on the hill slopes, increasing the risk of landslides. In an email addressed to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the organizations stressed the urgency of taking necessary measures to safeguard the region's ecology and prevent potential disasters, according to a report in The Times Of India. "We, environment lovers, have been cautioning against blasting of hills, deforestation and unregulated development on the hills across the State, but in vain," NatConnect director B N Kumar told the daily. According to Padmabhushan, award-winning Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil, the complete lack of focus on afforestation to prevent soil erosion, ongoing quarrying activities, and the extensive development of roads and infrastructure by cutting into hillsides, collectively render these areas highly susceptible to heavy rainfall. Archana Godbole, the director of Applied Environmental Research Foundation (AERF), added that the depletion of tree covers exacerbates the situation. When large volumes of rainwater pour down in a short period, the reduced tree cover fails to provide sufficient pathways for the water to recede naturally. Consequently, this adds additional pressure on the hills, leading to an increased risk of landslides. KS Hosalikar, additional director general of meteorology and head of climate research and services at IMD Pune, claims that heavy rains for six to eight days might lead the entire hilltop to crash down. "Here capacity to hold the water on the hillock was over. The precipitation led to very high runoff that even the soil could not hold itself giving way to gravity. So intense rain pressure was the trigger," he told while talking about the Irshalwadi landslide. "Geographically entire Sahyadri mountain range is prone to very vigorously active heavy monsoons, especially the Konkan ghats. Every monsoon most of the region gets red alert. Other than three-digit rainfall over the last seven-eight days, Raigd's rainfall stood highest in the country today at around 400 mm. Tomorrow also there is a red alert. When such a gross or cumulative impact occurs, the entire hilly range gets affected," said Hosalikar. Green groups are urging the government to conduct thorough assessments of all sites in Navi Mumbai, Raigad, Thane, Uran, and other quarry locations. They emphasize the importance of examining the seismic impact resulting from blasts at all hills and construction sites, including the Navi Mumbai International Airport. Taking these precautionary measures will help ensure the safety and environmental stability of these regions. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, July 21, 2023, 10:49 [IST] Manipur Violence: SC Sets Up Panel Of 3 Former HC Judges To Look Into Relief, Rehabilitation Zero FIR In Manipur Sexual Assault: What Is It? How Does It Work? India oi-Deepika S The Manipur police on Thursday arrested four people, who were allegedly part of a mob that paraded and assaulted three women after stripping them on May 4. Police swung into action, 63 days after a Zero First Information Report (FIR) was registered and days after a video of it in which the women could be seen being paraded naked went viral on social media. While the incident took place on May 4, just a day after ethnic violence erupted in the state, word of the incident has spread after a two month delay, bringing back the nation's attention to the ongoing ethnic clash in Manipur. "Four main accused arrested in the Viral Video Case: 3 (three) more main accused of the heinous crime of abduction and gangrape under Nongpok Sekmai PS, Thoubal District have been arrested today. So a total 4 (four) persons have been arrested till now," the Manipur Police tweeted. Following the arrest, Chief Minister N Biren Singh took to Twitter to report that "suo motu" action after the video surfaced had led to the first arrest in the case. House Of Man In Manipur Women Viral Video Set On Fire, His Family Ostracized In view of the same, let us have a brief look at what a zero FIR means. What is Zero FIR? A zero FIR refers to an FIR that is registered irrespective of the area where the offence is committed. In such cases, police can no longer claim that they have no jurisdiction. Such an FIR is then later transferred to the police station that has the actual jurisdiction, thereby converting it into a regular FIR. Unlike an FIR, which has serial numbers assigned to them, zero FIRs are assigned the number '0'. Hence the name. However, once the case is transferred, the police station with the appropriate jurisdiction assigns it a serial number. How did the Zero FIR come into existence? Days after the horrific Delhi gangrape case, the Manmohan Singh-led government formed a three-member committee under retired judge Justice JS Verma. The committee recommended the concept of zero FIR, which puts a legal obligation on the police to begin an investigation and take quick action without the excuse of an absence of jurisdiction. Amid Growing Demand For Resignation, Biren Singh To Continue As Manipur CM According to the Hindu, almost a third of the 5,960 cases of arson and violence registered in Manipur since the ethnic violence broke out in the state. On average, more than 100 cases were filed every day. Out of the total such cases, 1,771 cases or nearly 30 per cent FIRs were 'zero FIRs', filed suo-motu by the police irrespective of jurisdiction. Understanding the concept of Zero FIR For example, in the Lalita Kumari vs UP govt case, the Supreme Court observed that it is mandatory to register an FIR u/s 154 of the Code, if the information discloses the commission of a cognizable offence and no preliminary inquiry is permissible in such a situation. If the information does not disclose a cognizable offence but indicates the necessity for an inquiry, a preliminary inquiry may be conducted to ascertain whether information reveals any cognizable offence. In August 2013, the police in Jodhpur and Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur had refused to file an FIR in the rape case against self-styled godman Asaram Bapu. The 16-year-old victim's family then travelled to Delhi where the police at Kamla Market station lodged a zero FIR, which is filed irrespective of jurisdiction. The case was later transferred to Jodhpur. India Records Second Highest Internet Shutdowns After Iran: Report International oi-Deepika S India is the second country after Iran that has imposed the highest number of internet shutdowns until June this year, a new report has revealed, in what is seen as yet another blow to the country's commitment to freedom of speech and access to information. Privacy protection company, Surfshark revealed that there were 42 new internet disruptions during the first half of 2023 globally, with India responsible for 9 of them. Iran, which which topped the list had 14 such cases. "Iran, India, and Pakistan were the top three countries leading in new internet restrictions for the first half of 2023. This is hardly surprising given that Asia has long been the focal point of internet shutdowns, with these nations ranking 2nd, 1st, and 4th, respectively, in terms of restriction counts globally since 2015," according to the report. Woman Lists Salaries Of 14 Guys She Met On Matrimonial Site, Asks Internet To Help Her Choose "Iran had the most internet disruptions in the first half of 2023, with 14 cases in total. All of these occurred in Zahedan during Friday protests over the Zahedan massacre," it said. "India closely trailed Iran, with 9 recorded cases of internet restrictions. The majority of these restrictions happened during protests," it added. "Pakistan ranked third in internet disruptions in the first half of 2023, with 3 recorded cases. These were sparked following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan," the report further stated. Notably, violence-hit Manipur is facing an internet ban since May 3 even as there were multiple petitions at different courts, calling for lifting the ban. This comes over a month after a report by the Human Rights Watch and Internet Freedom Foundation stated that since 2018, India has shut down the internet more than any other country in the world. Of 28 states in the country, 18 shut down the internet at least once in the last three years. Eleven states out of these-Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana-did not publish suspension orders as directed by the Supreme Court. Indias Internet Shutdowns Hurt Its Most Vulnerable: Report "The local authorities used shutdowns in 54 cases to prevent or in response to protests, 37 to prevent cheating in school examinations or in exams for government jobs, 18 in response to communal violence, and 18 for other law and order concerns," the report highlighted. "India was responsible for the most shutdowns in 2022, for the fifth consecutive year, with 84 shutdowns out of 187 globally. While this report covers shutdowns up until December 2022, in March 2023, the entire state of Punjab had been placed under a three-day mobile internet blackout to track down a separatist leader. In May, the internet was completely blocked on both mobile and fixed line services in Manipur state for weeks following violent ethnic clashes," the report said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, July 21, 2023, 11:28 [IST] Zelenskyy on Russian missile strikes in southern Ukraine: There will be response President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised a response to Russian missile, drone and artillery strikes by Russia on southern regions, including Odesa and Mykolaiv, and other cities and regions of Ukraine. Today, Russian missiles and drones hit Odesa and our southern regions again. In total, since the start of the week, over 20 people have suffered from Russian terror in Odesa region alone. Among them are two children, he said in his video address tonight. As he stressed, only absolute evil can inflict such blows. There will be an answer. In addition, there will be even more consolidation of the world for defense and for joint action, even more energy for victory, even more desire for justice, the just punishment of Russia for all the crimes of this war. And this punishment will be, Zelenskyy said. In addition, the President added that Russia killed two more children today. Russian artillery attack on the village of Druzhba, Toretsk community, Donetsk region. A girl born in 2007 and a boy born in 2013 died. Also, there is a missile hit in Chernihiv region, in the village of Honcharivske. Two women were killed, a cultural center, a school, residential buildings were damaged. In this regard, the Head of state expressed condolences to the relatives and friends of the victims. Eurasia Review 11 Jul 2023 A much ignored yet gruesome massacre in Iran's prisons in 1988 has come to light following three unrelated events. The first is the.. Friends and associates have confirmed a body found at Watsons Bay is that of the leading dealer of Australian Indigenous art. A search continues for a possible second body. Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused unnamed Polish leaders of "dreaming about Belarusian lands" and said any attack on Moscow's ally would be treated as an attack on Russia. Follow DW for the latest. Eurasia Review 27 Jul 2023 The NATO-Ukraine Council met on Wednesday (26 July 2023) to address the serious security situation in the Black Sea region.. Senate Democrats have called for the redesignation of deportation protections for immigrants from Venezuela and Nicaragua, citing poor conditions in their countries. Upworthy 25 Jul 2023 Earlier in July, the Biden administration announced that it will wipe out $39 billion in student loan debt held by more than.. President Joe Biden is hailing new commitments by seven tech companies including Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft that are leading the development of artificial intelligence technology to meet a set of AI safeguards brokered by his White House. (July 21) 2008-2023 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds talks with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe Posted by Editor on July 21, 2023 - 12:23 pm Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe who is on a two-day official visit to India, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi this morning (July 21) for talks. President Ranil Wickremesinghe marks his first visit to India as the President of Sri Lanka, while marking one year since he was selected as President, after Gotabaya Rajapaksa stepped down in 2022. PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet. PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing - ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. pic.twitter.com/Ee6kikEpjZ Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) July 21, 2023 National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on the Sri Lanka President earlier in the day. Sri Lanka is an important partner in Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR (Security and Growth of All in the Region). The visit is expected to reinforce the longstanding friendship between the two countries and explore avenues for enhanced connectivity and mutually beneficial cooperation across sectors. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in New Delhi on Thursday (July 20) and was welcomed by Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan. During his visit, Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe will meet Indian President Smt. Droupadi Murmu and hold discussions with the Prime Minister Modi and other Indian dignitaries on a range of issues of mutual interest. The Booking.com hotel and accommodation booking service has suspended the provision of services in Kherson and Zaporizhia regions, according to a letter sent to partners on Wednesday. "Currently, we are facing such great operational difficulties in your region that today we cannot continue to work in it. Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to suspend the provision of Booking.com services in Kherson and Zaporizhia regions," the letter reads, the text of which is available to Interfax-Ukraine. As reported, with the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Booking.com left the Russian and Belarusian markets and canceled the 15% service fee for Ukrainian hotel partners as a gesture of support. The owner of the Admiral Hotel in the temporarily occupied Kyrylivka (Zaporizhia region) Denys Katiukha considers the decision of Booking.com regarding the territories temporarily not controlled by Ukraine to be correct. "After the start of the war, Booking.com stopped working in Russia and Belarus. However, hotels and recreation centers in the temporarily occupied territories were not disconnected from the service. We saw not only propaganda stories from the occupied bases, but also reviews on booking," he told the Interfax-Ukraine. In his opinion, it would be more logical to remove the temporarily occupied territories from the service, but this is technologically difficult, given the changing front line. The general manager of Khortitsa Palace (Zaporizhia) Fedir Chanev told the agency that the bulk of bookings in 2022-2023 went through the hotel's website. "Booking.com is an important tool, it generated 7-8% of bookings, mostly for the weekend," he said. As one of the alternatives for finding accommodations that customers will now use, Chanev named the domestic service hotels24. To date, it offers 45 options for Zaporizhia and three for Kherson. The Booking.com platform is a subsidiary of Booking Holdings. As of December 31, 2022, Booking.com offered accommodation booking services for approximately 2.7 million properties, including 400,000 hotels, motels, and resorts, and 2.3 million homes and apartments in more than 220 countries. 'It's a free country' is a commonplace but is it? Yes, you say, you can do what you want. Yet, on second thoughts how true is that expression in reality? As early as the 17th century, the Huron Indian chief Kandiaronk observed perceptively that we (not he or his people) live under the tyranny of money. He was right of course. We are chained to it, governed by it; it rules our lives each day, each week for as long as we live. It is in the nature of our capitalist society and yet as we slave away and put something aside, we become the beneficiaries of an economic freedom our ancestors tied to a plough on someone else's land, might have envied. However, as the rate of return on capital is almost always greater than the economic growth rate, resulting in a magnifying inequality, one can definitively assert the capitalist system has embedded in it a persistent inequality. The poor put up with this inequity until it becomes unbearable and then politicians respond. Sometimes they might be deaf and we get revolutions -- the French revolution best known for the guillotine, the Mexican revolution(s), even the American revolution. Wars and such revolutions have overtaken most of the world from time to time: Russia, China, countries throughout Latin America to Africa and the Middle East. Chained by money, i.e. its lack of it, to poverty the only way out when hunger is gnawing is to fight to be free of the system. Smart economists at the World Bank and sundry think tanks have developed measures to quantify freedom and then rank countries. If you live in the United States where its freedoms are often compared favorably with the adversary of the day when the US is on a military adventure -- which is notably described as a mission to free the people there. Few note the fact that US success often leads to a worse dictator being installed than the previous one... but then now it's "our dictator". Fighting for freedom across the world, where would you expect the US to be ranked? Surely #1, particularly for press freedom; in fact for the latter measure according to Reporters Without Borders, it is ranked #42 out of 180 countries. If it is any consolation, China ranks 175. On incarceration rates, the World Prison Brief assigns the US a #1 rank, the UK is #115 and China beating both is #124. Is that a surprise? The measure used is the number of prisoners for every 100,000 people. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). In the earlier articles of this series, we considered some problems with the conventional approach of billing for electric power. We call that approach delivery-billing because customers are simply charged a fixed fee for each KWH of power delivered to them. Electricity bills often include a line item for the electric power along with a separate line item for the delivery of that power; to customers this may seem a curious distinction; the electricity becomes useful only when it is delivered and both line items must be paid. But the rational for making this distinction is that one company (or perhaps several) produces the energy, but it is a single but often separate company (the one we call the power company) that delivers that power and sends us our monthly bills. Charging by KWH for the power, at least when generated using fossil fuels, is hard to argue with. But no matter how the power is generated, charging for delivery of each KWH is a mistake with potentially harmful consequences. The basic problem is that the actual delivery costs for the power company are largely unrelated the amount billed. In this article we illustrate the problems this disconnect can cause, with a story about the hypothetical Hypyer Widget Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hypyer Corporation. Projections for a rapid growth in demand for the Hypyer Corporation's widgets led its CEO to send a memo to its vice-presidents and directors soliciting business plans for an additional widget factory. The RFP noted that while electric power represents a significant cost for the existing widget factory, a yet larger expense has been from the frequent drop in productivity caused by excessive employee turnover. The proposal submitted by Vice-president Quipwhit was selected and Quipwhit was authorized to carry out the plan and manage the new factory. Certain that this would prove more palatable than attending boring meetings all day as in his present assignment, Quipwhit was delighted. This project would likely keep him busy until he could retire. Dinwhit was the name Quipwhit had inherited from his father but in his early 20s, he had changed his surname. The change was no doubt motivated in some deep way by recollections of ribbing he had suffered in early school days, but his young adult mind justified the name change based on appearances. No longer did anyone openly rib him about his name, but he still worried what people might be thinking. After some investigation, Quipwhit located five promising sites for his factory, scattered around the sunny southwest. His search had been for large plots of inexpensive undeveloped land that fell within the geographical bounds of medium-sized towns with depressed economies. These sites should also be reasonably close to highways or rail lines. Quipwhit, wanting the towns to be fully aware they were in a competition, made it no secret that he was soliciting proposals from several different towns. What Quipwhit was offering was a factory that would bring more than a thousand jobs to the town he selected. Of course, he did not mention that these jobs would, with very few exceptions, surely pay only the minimum wage. What he asked in return was for the selected town to build a sturdy road for trucks and to exempt the Widget factory from property taxes for a dozen years. He also wanted guarantees that the power company would provide, at minimal expense to the Widget Factory, 20,000-amp. service. The proposal explained that the factory would operate for ten hours a day and would draw, during those ten hours, roughly 12,000 amps. An extra 8000 amps would add a margin for error, but the proposal failed to mention that would also ensure electric power for some additional buildings. The local power companies quickly estimated that they would be delivering 14400 KWH of power each day for 30 days each month, a total of 432,000 KWH each month. At the current delivery rates of around $.25 per KWH, this would give them an additional income of $108,000 per month. The cost of establishing the requested service level was only slightly over a million. For these small local power companies, a million-dollar investment was a big commitment, but for the anticipated returns, it seemed easily justified; the more difficult issues would concern the road construction and the tax waivers. Four of the five towns rejected one or more of these terms, but one town named Maeket had a strong mayor, ironically with the name, Dinwhit, who especially wanted that widget factory. Maeket was a deeply conservative town with faith in a unitary executive. So, such a decision was up to Dinwhit to make. Quipwhit was curious about whether he was in some way related to the mayor, but he dismissed any thought of investigating that possibility. The town itself, back in the 1950s and into the 1970s, had thrived, thanks to an assortment of mysterious local businesses that were engaged in secret military consulting. But that prosperity had withered in the 1970s and finally vanished by the 1990s. Maeket still had nearly 10,000 residents, but the town had vanishingly little income. Its dwindling and aging population consisted mostly of retirees with ample savings. These people had made good money during the years of prosperity and they were now living on that savings and Social Security; there were younger people who looked after them and a few small retail businesses struggled on, but the town was living only on the limited and now withering wealth from earlier days. It greatly annoyed the mayor to hear people say that you just can't make it in Maeket. He had grown up there and dearly hoped to find a way to turn its economy around. His dream was to hear them say, you really can make it in Maeket. The proposed factory would be eight miles from town center. To build a road to tolerate the expected heavy truck traffic would cost an estimated $1.5 million. But new jobs for a thousand people sure sounded so attractive to Dinwhit. He salivated at the prospect that this would surely bring new people to town who would buy houses and spend money. Dinwhit found that Maeket could issue 20-year municipal bonds at about 5% interest making the cost to the town to be only about $9900 a month to pay for the road. That's only about $10 per month for each resident, Dinwhit thought. Foolishly (as he learned later), he offered the widget factory everything they asked for and Mayor Dinwhit was thrilled to learn that the new widget factory was to be built in his town. Hypyer Corp. was nearly as thrilled to draw up the contracts. Before assuring Mayor Dinwhit of the decision, Hypyer Corporation (then identified only as a Mr. Smith) purchased nearly 300 acres of land that was then mostly regarded as worthless. The attorney, Mr. Smith, went before the Maeket planning board to get approval an enormous apartment complex and general store out in that wilderness outside of Maeket and no roads; the board was mystified at the seemingly crazy; but Mr. Smith was paying substantial fees, and so they granted approval for the project. There seemed no real harm in this very odd proposal and in any event, they suspected that none of this would ever happen. There was some bad blood between Mayor Dinwhit and the Maeket Planning Board, so the board was not yet aware of the Hypyer Corporation or the proposed factory. As much as anything, this probably accounted for the deal going through as smoothly as Quipwhit had hoped and even that was much more smoothly than he had reason to expect. When the plan for the road project was finalized, it included an interchange connecting with the interstate that was only a mile from the proposed widget factory. The town chose to avoid having big trucks going through the center of town, and this was also an advantage for the factory. This made the road project a bit more costly, however, so the impact on taxes would increase. But the power company promised that their projected income from the new factory would result in reduced electric bills for people and businesses in the town. When completed a year later, the general store and the apartment complex not only had a connecting roadway but attractive walking and biking paths. There was also a well-groomed path to a particularly scenic spot that was destined to eventually include several picnic tables and some playground equipment for young children. These conveniences were implemented, not because Quipwhit was a particularly progressive thinker. He might better be described as a woke conservative, wakened from his executive slumber by a sudden concern, not so much for the workers but rather out of concern for worker turnover. Aware of the unpleasantness of life for a minimum wage worker, that seemed a likely cause for much of the costly turnover experienced at the existing Hypyer widget factory. Still, Quipwhit understood that Hypyer Corporation would surely reject any proposal for paying ordinary workers more than the minimum wage; proposing that seemed to risk an emotional quagmire. But he gambled, correctly as it turned out, that the company would find more acceptable some other expenditures to make the lives of his workers easier. That approach might even make workers more productive, but that thought did not make it explicitly into his business plan. Controlling worker turnover was his rationale for the apartment complex, which would rent to workers at cost; the general store likewise would not be expected to turn a profit. These facilities might even be allowed to operate at some loss if that would keep worker turnover under control. To avoid the need for workers to own an automobile, electric shuttles would run frequently between the buildings and, occasionally, even to the center of town. There were trails for biking and walking. Playground equipment and some indoor space was included in the plans to provide places for workers' children to play and for adults to socialize. All in all, the effort was not to make life luxurious, but at least comfortable for workers. If life was even a bit better than they could expect elsewhere, that should damp down the frequent turnover. That was his thinking, and it worked marvelously; as word about the conditions there, the widget factory easily found workers and those workers rarely quit. The factory operated at capacity for ten hours a day with workers filling a mix of four-, five- and six-hour shifts. To the extent possible, workers' schedules were adjusted to meet workers' requests. Many workers considered the regular schedules, together with these accommodations, as important benefits, appreciated just as much as the low prices at the general store or the shuttles and trails. Many workers traveled by bicycle, some foot-powered but a few, electric powered. But even the avid bikers took advantage of the shuttles when it came to shopping at the general store or in down-town Maeket. But soon, town merchants complained about it being so rare for factory workers to buy more than a little fast food from town merchants. However, the town merchants were particularly angry that so many town residents had stopped shopping in town but instead at the Widget General Store. Quipwhit had not anticipated this problem, but being sensitive to these complaints, he decided to introduce a credit card to allow workers to charge their purchases at the company store. These charges would be discounted and then deducted from future paychecks. Town folk went back to shopping in town where it was more convenient. And for workers, the General Store still operated at or below cost, still helping to provide a dependable workforce for the widget factory. The fact that town residents no longer frequented the general store reduced operating expenses for the general store and this allowed an increase in the discount for workers (and managers) who paid with the company charge card. While town merchants were pleased to notice that their former business activity was returning, they still grumbled at how much their taxes had increased. The mayor pointed out that they did see a nice drop in their electric bills, but the town merchants still felt cheated that they had not profited from extra business from the widget workforce as they had expected. But at least they were no longer losing long-time customers to the Widget General Store. Before the first year of operation ended, solar panels appeared on top of factory and apartment buildings, and this gave workers access to reduced cost electric power. Some other solar panels were located to shade playground and picnic areas near the apartments. The General store no longer drew quite as much electric power from the grid so there was a small but noticeable dent in the factory's grid-power consumption; so, there was added pressure for electric bills in town to be increased. The factory's fleet of electric shuttles could now be fueled by solar power. Before long the company stopped bothering to charge workers who could show their charge-cards for rides on the shuttles; the occasional rider who lived in town still paid a small toll. In each subsequent year, more panels were installed, mostly now on open ground and each year the amount of power drawn from the grid fell. In time, as more and more solar panels were installed, the widget factory even began selling electric power, but still, the factory would depend on the local power company. There were occasional cloudy days and, depending on the time of year, some production time when it was dark. The 20,000-amp service was valuable to the widget factory, though now mostly for these occasional and usually brief times. And while the widget factory continued to pay for that electric power from the grid, this provided insufficient income for the power company. Providing electric service to the factory remained every bit as large an expense for the power company than it had ever been, but with reduced consumption that provided them precious little income. That income did not even pay the interest charges on the power company's loan for establishing that service ten years earlier. The power company could not even take pleasure in complaining to Quipwhit for having misled them. Quipwhit had already moved to Maui for a comfortable retirement on that beautiful island. The power company had no alternative to increasing power delivery rates for all customers; the unanticipated drop in income from the widget factory had to be compensated by increasing bills, mostly for other customers in Maeket. Ultimately, Maeket had not gained much by the factory coming to town; the town folk were now paying both more in taxes and more for electric power. They did now have a second easy access to the interstate, however. Electric bills were higher, despite the fact that power-generation costs had fallen significantly over the last decade. During these years, the power company had increased its delivery charges enough that most customers had seen their electric bills steadily increase; delivery of the power had become more costly than the power itself. But these increases barely affected the widget factory, which now paid delivery charges of under $10,000 a month. The people in town, most of whom remained dependent on the grid, simply had to pick up the difference in increased delivery-billing charges. The people in town were angry about the increases in their electric bills on top of the increases in their taxes. They blamed Mayor Dinwhit (now finding his name often derisively mispronounced) and his two successors for the problem but there was not much any of them could do. Hypyer Corporate lawyers had been sure to make that very clear in the contracts they had drawn up that the Widget factory, apartment complex and general store remained exempt from property taxes. Some town residents were themselves installing solar panels, but this only put yet more upward pressure on the KWH delivery charges for other residents of the town. The power company also had a new CEO, the former one having been pressured to resign a year or two earlier. At the suggestion of a young employee who had picked up the idea on the internet, the new power company CEO petitioned the Public Utilities Commission to change the power company's billing from delivery-billing to service-billing. This did not affect the now lower charges for electric-power generation, but the charges for delivery of that power would no longer be computed based on a fixed price for each KWH of power delivered. Instead, that line item would apportion the operation expenses of the power company in proportion to the costs for providing a customer's level of service. In the case of the widget factory this made a dramatic difference. It seems that Quipwhit, who had never anticipated such a turn of events, had retired just in the nick of time, but still he would be fondly remembered and at times emulated for his solution to the turnover problem. A significant portion of the power company's operations were for servicing the large bank loan they had taken out to install service to the widget factory, but that was far from the only expense. There were also maintenance expenses, worker pay, office equipment and the like. The power company determined that charging the widget factory $85,000 a month for providing its 20,000-amp service in a rural area was appropriate. But certainly, the cost of the loan played some role in the decisions about what constituted the widget factory's fair share of costs. $85,000 was well below the revenue that the power company had projected a decade earlier and it was even less than the power company was billed during the first three years the factory was in operation but even so, it was more than sufficient to cover the interest on the loan and at least pay for the anticipated maintenance of providing service to the factory. The new billing approach had led the PUC to conduct more thorough audits and those audits led to a bit of belt tightening at the power company. Overall, charges to customers had fallen some. Both town customers and the widget factory had to share in the power company's costs and profits. But for homes in town with 100-amp service, average monthly service charges dropped to rarely more than they had paid using delivery-billing ten years earlier. Many homes in town were older and still had only 60-amp service so their bills were 40% lower than for the similarly situated homes with 100-amp service and in most cases, this was significantly less than they had paid ten years earlier. The power company noticed a gradual increase in power consumption, probably because people began to realize that their electric bills did not increase as much when they used more electric power. Mostly, people in town blamed the former mayor and the power company more than they blamed the widget factory for all the increased bills they had been forced to pay. But there was some consolation in realizing that in just a couple years the town could start taxing the widget factory properties. Maybe then, some of the town services that had been eliminated over the last decade could finally be restored. Perhaps the town could again have a professional fire department. DEAR DR. ROACH: I am a 64-year-old man who had an ultrasound six months ago that revealed a 1.9-cm echogenic nodule in the right lobe of my liver. The radiologist felt it was a hemangioma. I recently had another ultrasound to determine if the nodule had changed, and thankfully, it has remained the same. A separate radiologist reviewing the current ultrasound also noticed two subcentimeter hepatic cysts on the right lobe of my liver. So, I have two questions: Are the cysts a reason for concern? And why do radiologists often differ in their interpretations of viewings? This has happened before, where one radiologist didnt report an issue that another radiologist did in a subsequent report of the same part of the body. -- M.S. ANSWER: A hemangioma is a benign tumor of blood vessels that are commonly found in the liver. Women are more likely than men to have them, and they are most often diagnosed between the ages of 30 to 50. As many as 20% of people will have them, if you look carefully enough. When a person gets an ultrasound for some other reason, it is common to find unexpected abnormalities (these sometime go by the name of incidentalomas), and the ordering physician must decide whether the abnormality needs to be evaluated. Its occasionally the case that a person gets saved from a terrible outcome when cancer is found this way and removed before it could spread. It is much more likely, however, that the person would have lived their entire life never knowing that they had this incidental abnormality. The vast majority of them do not need further evaluation, although sometimes a follow-up scan is ordered in the next six to 12 months to make sure the lesion is not growing like cancer would. A hemangioma is an example of a solid mass. A fluid-filled mass (a cyst, by definition, is fluid-filled) in the liver is rarely a cause for concern. In a person with no symptoms in whom the cyst was found incidentally, no further evaluation is recommended for small cysts (less than 4 cm). These are also common -- I have read estimates that 2.5% to 40% of people will have them. Its useful to go back and look at the first ultrasound to see whether the two small cysts found on the second ultrasound were originally there. They may have grown enough to be noticeable now, or the ultrasound may have been done in such a way that made it easier for the radiologist to notice it. DEAR DR. ROACH: Can you please discuss testosterone pellet treatment? So many men have low amounts of testosterone. My doctor recommended a plan of Testopel pellets every few months. What are the benefits and concerns? -- A.C. ANSWER: Low testosterone levels are common in men, and replacement therapy is indicated in men with symptoms of low testosterone and repeatedly abnormally low levels, with tests done in the early morning when levels are normally the highest. There are many different ways to use testosterone -- injections being the oldest and most time-tested. Gel preparations are very convenient, but my experience is that its hard to get to a therapeutic level for many men. A new oral formulation is available in Canada, and a nasal gel (used three times daily) has newly become available as well. I havent yet had experience with either of these. The pellets (two to six are typically used) are placed surgically under a local anesthetic every three to six months. Potential side effects include infection, fibrosis and extrusion of the pellets. I believe this has limited use. Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or send mail to 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803. (c) 2022 North America Syndicate Inc. All Rights Reserved Brewery 26, a nanobrewery begun in 2017 in the Cully neighborhood garage of founder Andy Shaw that parlayed early accolades into a brewhouse and taproom in Southeast Portland, is up for sale and will close in September, it announced this week. Shaw began the business by brewing small batches out of his garage, and he eventually took on Keith Hattori, his brother-in-law, as a partner. They opened a taproom on Southeast Powell Boulevard in 2020, then closed that location when together they built and opened a new brewhouse and taproom in the Buckman Neighborhood, at 818 S.E. Ankeny St. Hattori on Monday said the business couldnt afford to continue operating. The news, however, was not a big surprise. Brewery 26 took a hit about a year ago, when Shaw left over a conflict Hattori said he couldnt discuss. The departure left Hattori without a brewer. Hattori tried to fill that gap with a string of professional brewers who would come in and lend a hand, and he brought on a young brewer eager to learn the profession. But ultimately it wasnt enough, Hattori said, adding that sales are down more than 17% this year. We tried to get through the pandemic and construction delays, and we started at a bad time, Hattori said. Ultimately I reached a point when Andy left, that it was just untenable. I couldnt make it profitable without him. Hattori listed a number of possibilities when asked why he thought business at the taproom was down so much. I could conjecture on many reasons, starting with the fact that my founding brewer was no longer a part of it, he said. Plus increased competition, Multnomah County having a smaller population base, people not coming out after the pandemic. He declined to expand on why Shaw left. Youd have to ask him why he left, Hattori said. Im not really at this point going to talk about things. It was a conflict that I cant get into. Hattori did say the issue could end up in the courts, but theres nothing pending at this time. I feel like we had a good plan, and if that plan had been upheld by all parties, we had a shot, he said. I learned a lot of lessons. Hattori has Brewery 26 listed for sale at $200,000 as a turnkey operation, meaning another business could move in and quickly begin doing business. That price includes everything, he said, though he said hes open to creative other options regarding the finances of a deal. Meanwhile, Sept. 30 will be the last day of existence for Brewery 26, and Hattori said hell plan some sort of goodbye party. He isnt sure what hell do after he closes the business, but he said hell be leaving the industry. Its been a long journey and I feel like the end is in sight, Hattori said, which makes me feel alright. Editors note: This is a republication of selections from Oregon Brews and News, a beer newsletter from The Oregonian/OregonLives Andre Meunier, who covers the Portland and Oregon beer and brewing scene. You can get this newsletter sent directly to your email inbox at noon every Thursday by signing up at oregonlive.com/newsletters. Oregonian readers top 15 McMenamins locations My colleague Lizzy Acker joined me in writing about McMenamins turning 40 this summer. I interviewed Brian McMenamin and she listed her favorite locations. She also asked her Oregonian/OregonLive readers to share their favorite and their least favorite McMenamins locations. Check out what she found here. What to do, what to do? Here are upcoming events and happenings in the region: Imperial Bottle Shop anniversary release: Alex Kurnellas and wife Shawn Stackpoole own the excellent Imperial Bottle Shop & Taproom in Southeast Portland. The other day I noticed a funny Facebook post from him, in which he recounted his on-again-off-again love-hate relationship with Belgian beers and the ester-y and phenolic flavors of Belgian or weizen yeasts (he loves them again). He wrote that hes wondered why craft brewers havent explored those flavors more for their notes of fruit and spice. He wrote: If you want me to drink a pumpkin beer, why not leave the spices in the kitchen, and make a pumpkin trippel with clove & smoke notes from the yeast? The banana flavors of a weizen beer could be really killer aged in some liquor barrels. But it should be dark, like a dunkelweizen. And strong, like a weizenbock. No, doubly strong, like a doppelbock. So just your basic barrel-aged doppeldunkelweizenbock. Well, turns out that Imperial is turning 10, and the brewers at Level Beer apparently knew of Alexs desires and brewed just that beer he described for the anniversary, then put it into whiskey barrels. He wrote: And of course we are naming it after the banana-loving, barrel-throwing, super-strong Donkey Kong Dunkel Kong will be available later this year for the holidays, after he takes a little whiskey-induced nap. So Im looking forward to that, but Alex did persuade Level to rack off one cask of the beer, and theyll will be pouring it as Dunkel Kong Jr on Friday, July 28, along with three other Level beers (Lets Play Pils, Button Smasher IPA, and Ready Player One Saison). He said Still Point Bakery would be onsite baking up Italian beef stromboli. How many more reasons do you need to go? 4:30 p.m., 3090 S.E. Division St. Details here. Biscuits Birthday Bash at Bantam Tavern: I learned this week that Biscuit The Cat Rustler is a rescue dog who cohosts Alternative Mornings on 94/7 (FM) with his DJ dad Greg Glover. At noon on Saturday, July 22, Biscuit is celebrating his upcoming 12th birthday by throwing a party in the parking lot of Bantam Tavern, at 922 N.W. 21st Ave. The event is doubling as a benefit for local nonprofit animal rescue Stumptown Strays. It will feature live and DJ tunes, cake, cocktails, pFriem Family Brewers beers, Jello Shots, and fair/backyard barbecue-style food think special versions of burgers, dogs, Frito pie, watermelon salad, funnel cakes and more. All ages, free, with donations to Stumptown Strays encouraged. Steeplejack Brewings second anniversary: The Northeast Portland brewery, now already with two more locations and a fourth planned, holds its anniversary all day on Saturday, July 22, at its original location, 2400 N.E. Broadway. To celebrate, its offering happy hour prices all day including a new happy hour food menu, plus the release of an anniversary French Saison, blind tasting beer flights, and events including meet the brewers. Then on Saturday, July 29, the party moves to its Hillsboro location, 5834 N.E. Pinefarm Court, where they will grill burgers and dogs outside, along with all-day happy hour, brew tours and more. Pearl District Beer & Arts Fest: Backwoods Brewing teamsup with fellow Northwest Portland brewery Deschutes Brewery to hold the Pearl District Beer & Arts Fest, from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, in the North Park Blocks. It will feature more than 20 Pacific Northwest breweries plus cideries, food carts, local artists and live music, and the breweries said the event will honor the history of beer in Portland. A portion of all proceeds benefit Caldera Arts, whose mission is to inspire and support youth from underserved communities by awakening the potential of their creative voice. Tickets, participants and more details available at the Pearl District Beer & Arts Fest website. Beer of the Week Shareable Charitable Vienna Style Lager, Old Standby Brewing collab with Gilgamesh Brewing (5% ABV). Founder Ryan Holts nonprofit Old Standby Brewing of Salem has an important mission: make collaboration beers with commercial breweries, then donate proceeds to a charity. The latest is this Vienna-style lager, whose raw materials were all donated once again by Imperial Yeast, LINC Malt and Yakima Valley Hops. This is Holts eight charity collaboration to be released, and this lager, made with partner Gilgamesh of Salem, will benefit the Marion-Polk Food Share. Brewery notes: Slight bready, biscuit flavors and a brilliant amber color. Crisp and refreshing. Available on draft at all three Gilgamesh locations in Salem and Independence. New Releases of Note Duality Brewing, from 4-8 p.m. Friday, July 21, holds its first-ever can release party at the taproom, 715 N.E. Lawrence Ave. The new brewery will offer Highest Sun, its seasonal toasted fig leaf saison.Andre Meunier/The Oregonian Highest Sun, Duality Brewing. From 4-8 p.m. Friday, July 21, Duality holds its first-ever can release party at the taproom, 715 N.E. Lawrence Ave., as the new brewery delivers its seasonal toasted fig leaf saison. Brewery notes: This beer is summer embodied and we are so stoked to share it with all of you. Available in draft and cans. For the event, food partner Astral is offering beef rib barbacoa cooked in fig leaves and served in taco form. Plus the taproom will pour a white Lambrusco by the glass. Son of Man, the cidery in Cascade Locks that makes traditional Basque-style ciders, releases the new vintages of three ciders: Beti: The cidery says this is your always-in-the-fridge cider. Cidery notes: It tastes dry, bright, and fresh like a summer day on the river. Fermented spontaneously, then aged for 6 months exclusively in stainless steel. This vintage has crushable notes of green banana peel and lemon. Txiki: The cider blends just two little apple varieties but is big on flavor. Cidery notes: Prepare for super tart with complexity. Fermented spontaneously, then aged for 6 months exclusively in stainless steel. No added sulfites. This vintage has warm notes of orange peel and spice. Handi: This cider is described as rich and full. Cidery notes: Big portions of bittersweet, tannic apples make it taste as golden as its color. Fermented spontaneously, then aged for 6 months exclusively in stainless steel. No added sulfites. This vintage has full notes of red apple skin and forest floor. These ciders are now available at the cidery, 160 NE Herman Creek Lane, Cascade Locks, or at grocery and specialty stores. Sirens of Belimo, Wayfinder Beer. This aromatic Grisette offers a blend of Saaz, experimental hop 333, Heirloom Wheat and Belgian Farmhouse yeast. Brewery notes: Enjoy the otherworldly flavorscape of delicate floral and peach notes. Available at Wayfinder Beer, 304 S.E. Second Ave., beginning Friday, July 21. Calaca Mexican-Style Lager, Second Profession Brewing. This ode to Dia De Los Muertos is brewed with pilsner malt, flaked corn and noble hops. Brewery notes: Ultra crisp, light and traditional. Amazing with or without a lime. Available at the taproom, 668 N. Russell St. Von Ebert Brewing on Wednesday tapped these three, which are available at its locations on draft and in cans: Pils: German-style Pilsner. Brewery notes: Fresh flowers, white peppercorn and lightly toasted crackers. Vienna Lager: A medium body copper/amber lager. Brewery notes: Bread crust, English toffee and toasted walnuts. Lombardy: Italian-Style Pilsner. Brewery notes: Blueberry, jasmine, orange blossom. Farm to Market, 25th edition, Zupans Markets collab with Fort George Brewery. The Portland market has partnered with the Astoria brewery for the 25th beer in the stores Farm-to-Market lineup, a summer IPA. Brewery notes: Big tangerine and ripe apricot with some honey and light malt on the nose. Tangerine, citrus, and melon with a hint of jasmine on the palate. Available at Zupans Markets locations in 16-ounce cans and 4-packs for a limited time only. Andre Meunier; sign up for my weekly newsletter Oregon Brews and News, and follow me on Instagram, where Im @oregonianbeerguy. Arriving in this sleepy college town last Saturday, still reeling from the school year, I couldnt help but feel I had just accomplished something of a prison break. The only thing missing was Morgan Freemans omnipresent narration. In all seriousness, I had nothing planned this summer. And my prison? Boredom. While my peers are off backpacking across Europe or some other far-flung place many only get to hear about, I instead opted for a week at the Oregon High School Journalism Institute (Try fitting all of that on a T-shirt! They did and now I want one). With my cocktail of seasonal allergy medications on-hand and my sun bleached, orange Oregon State Beavers cap that I nicked from my alumnus dad to blend in with the locals, my fellow aspiring journalists and I along with a newsroom of seasoned veterans fell headlong into our shared craft. Our first task: profiling our reporting partner. What better way to earn the trust of another person than to interrogate their most key human elements. This was an opportunity to get a glimpse at life in professional newsrooms and I was surprised to learn that I was not required to address my editor by their prefix, which had become a near reflex when talking to someone of clearly higher rank and expertise. The weeks long days have blurred and I am now beholden to the deadline, keeping a vigilant eye on the oversized digital clock that hangs over the Orange Media Networks newsroom. Being in the newsroom is intoxicating. The day is an ebbing cycle of hushed typing and socializing, mind abuzz with quotes, and anecdotes exchanged among the mentors, and finally time to go back to the dorms With after-hour gatherings running late into the night, invoking a noise complaint on one occasion, students rest and recuperate with the same mindset they write: youll feel better tomorrow. -- John Pham, La Salle Catholic College Prepatory This story was produced by a student reporter as part of the High School Journalism Institute, an annual collaboration among The Oregonian/OregonLive, Oregon State University and other Oregon media organizations. For more information or to support the program, go to oregonlive.com/hsji. There is no better way to spend a hot summer day, than on dirt path by the swarming bees on the Oregon State University campus farm. My mentee Hannah and I stood on the 6.5 acres of farmland on the southwest edge of campus. We watched interns and volunteers tend to the onion, tomato and potato plants that are lined up in their respective rows. The beaming Corvallis sun almost distracts us from the smell of manure. With her pen, notepad and digital camera in hand, Hannah was ready for her story interview. For the rest of camp, she would write about a rock star-turned-farmer, who now teaches classes on his true passion: dirt. As her mentor, I saw it as natural first exposure to journalism writing and reporting. Hannah is undoubtedly a fast learner with an undeniable eagerness to learn. She tells me that she does not have prior journalism experience, but despite this, she confidently stands in front of the farmer pen on paper ready to jot down every word. Twenty seconds into the interview that would prove to be an impossible task. But what would the High School Journalism Institute be if not a series of seemingly impossible tasks. We ask high school students with little to no journalism experience to be reporters, editors and photographers. We push them to write draft after draft, execute the rule of thirds, all while separating them from families for a week. And without fail they continuously exceed our expectations. Student Hannah Smith and mentor Karla Salinas at HSJI 2023 They make all of their deadlines, crush the rule of thirds and even find time to organize a water balloon fight. On the farm, I saw Hannah asks challenging questions, invent her own shorthand and truly listen with open ears. Just a few days in she already gets it. Perhaps, not all 17 of the students will become career journalists. Hannah told me shes considering a career in clinical psychology. But if they take anything away from program let it be this: Journalism is not about having years of experience, countless edits, or perfect note-keeping. Its about what these kids already do everyday build connections, be present and attempt the impossible. Portland likes to do things a little differently. Case in point, Portlands weekend-long LGBTQ+ Pride celebration, which took place in July this year, instead of during Pride Month (June). The rationale behind the date change was clear. The weekend Portland traditionally held Pride events overlapped with Juneteenth and Fathers Day. But there would be a possibly welcome side effect: July is a lot warmer than June. On the weekend of the event in mid-July, that weather possibility became a fact, when the temperatures reached into the high 90s on Saturday and into the high 80s on Sunday. Read more: Portland Pride Parade marks another year of joy, freedom, defiance So, how did it go? While attendees and organizers agree the high temperatures werent ideal, most agree the weekend went well. The date change was well-received both before and during the event, said Debra Porta, executive director of Pride Northwest. Yes, it was definitely warm and that will be an adjustment for sure, she added. For some attendees, the temperatures were overwhelming. Ceaira Jones, 21, of Vancouver, has been attending Portland Pride since at least 2017, she said. Jones said she understood why the date was changed but was still a little disappointed that Portland Pride was no longer during the official Pride month. The main problem for Jones though, was the heat. It was so hot and I dont do good with the heat, Jones said. Even though I was so hydrated, I ended up throwing up. Jones said she imagined that people who saw her at Pride thought she was a hot mess, probably drunk. But no, she said, it was just so hot. I underestimated the power of the sun that day. Luckily, Jones said, there were plenty of helpful people and tents with fans. Katie England, also 21, of Portland, was with Jones at the festival. It was Englands first time at Portland Pride. 21 1 / 21 Portland Pride Festival 2023 It was a lot of fun actually, England said, noting that there were a lot more people and businesses with booths than shed expected. England also struggled some with the heat. Oh my gosh, it was really hot and very, very sweaty, " she said. We had to line to stand in line for smoothies for about 45 minutes. It was so hot, it was insane. Even with the high temperatures, England said shell likely be back. I will probably go again, she said. But Ill probably make sure to bring my Hydro Flask with ice water, and sunscreen. Jones and England were just some of the many people who attended the two-day festival and multiple parades. All indications show that we had record participation and attendance, Porta said. As I said prior to the event, we are outgrowing the Waterfront, both in size and in what we want to integrate into the festival, Porta added. This year only demonstrated that even more than before, and we are already looking ahead at next years event. What that could mean is still up in the air. There are still conversations Pride Northwest needs to have with the City and event management. We will remain in July, Porta said, and just need to identify which weekend. The Portland Bureau of Transportation also considered Pride in July a success. From PBOTs perspective, the date change for Pride was positive on many levels, said bureau spokesperson Hannah Schafer. Those included no date conflicts and the fact that the festival wasnt immediately following the Rose Festival, providing some much-appreciated breathing room between two major city events, Schafer said. And, she added, It activated downtown and Portlands beautiful waterfront at a time where previously there were no major events. Schafer pointed out another positive to Pride in July, saying, One additional benefit is that it essentially extends all the great Pride festivities in Portland beyond the month of June. Jones also counted that as a good thing, which means that Pride lasts longer and isnt confined to one month. Overall, Jones added, it was still fun and successful. But, she added, I feel like maybe there could have been another weekend we could have chosen. Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052; lacker@oregonian.com; @lizzzyacker Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Maria McClouds 1-year-old granddaughter got sick first vomiting and diarrhea and a fever. A few days later, McCloud began to feel ill, as did several other children in the home. Probably the stomach flu, the family figured. And then they got a notice from the water district in this Northern California mountain town: E. coli had been found in the water supply. It was at that point that McCloud still feeling nauseated piled the vomiting baby and several other sick children into the car and made the 20-mile drive to the hospital in the nearby town of Fall River Mills. Once there, a test soon confirmed that she and her baby granddaughter had E. coli too. And, McCloud said, a doctor told her that numerous patients from her small town had shown up with stomach ailments. Valerie Lakey, the chief public information officer for the Mayers Memorial Hospital District, said the hospital had treated four patients with confirmed cases of E. coli, and that other patients may have presented with symptoms but not been tested. She added that the hospital district, which also operates a skilled nursing facility in Burney, found out about the E. coli in the water from a notice posted on Facebook, and not from a direct notification from the water district. At times like this, communication is important, Lakey said. But she said that officials saw the notice almost immediately and quickly took action to protect residents. But McCloud said she wished her family had known sooner. Im mad; Im watching all our kids be sick, she said. I dont understand why they didnt catch it sooner. Now, one week into the crisis, its almost impossible to find anyone in Burney an unincorporated lumber and tourist town of just over 3,000 residents near the Instagram-famous Burney Falls who doesnt know about the problem. Everyone is struggling to get through their days without potable water as the local water district works to treat the source of the problem. Restaurants that rely on tourists have shut their doors. It is yet another example of the vulnerability of rural Californias water systems. Many of the states failing water systems are in the Central Valley, where water is drawn from wells that are contaminated with nitrates, or that have run dry because of years of drought and overpumping of groundwater. The irony is, Burney, nestled near the snow-capped peaks of the northern Sierra Nevada mountains and surrounded by cool rushing streams, usually has some of the cleanest and most delicious water in the state, according to residents. But not this month. On July 12, the water district posted a boil water notice on Facebook. In the following days, officials went door to door posting notices warning residents not to drink the water and telling restaurant owners they had to close. It was a heavy blow for businesses that rely on summer tourist traffic to buoy them through leaner winter months. Its terrible, said Connie Voltura, the owner of the Rex Club, a restaurant and banquet hall on the towns main drag, State Route 299. The Rex Club also operates four cabins, and she said guests canceled their reservations when they discovered the lack of water. Were in our peak tourist season right now, she said. We rely on tourists in the summer, so we can make our money, so we can make it through the winter. I cant take this for very much longer, she added. Nancy Bobo, the manager of the Green Gables Motel, said some of her guests also left early upon learning that they couldnt drink the water and that the motel cant even hook up its coffee maker in the morning. But Bobo said the real hardship is being borne by restaurant workers, who were sent home, until further notice, many of them without pay. Up and down the towns main street, restaurants with empty parking lots have remained dark for days. At the McDonalds on the north end of town on a recent evening, a car entered the drive-through. The driver rolled down their window and spoke plaintively into the microphone. After receiving no response, they slowly drove away. The local Safeway which serves as the towns de facto public square, especially in the hot summer months is seeing a run on prepared meals. Residents pushed carts full of cases of water and frozen food. Some residents stopped to compare notes about who had fled town until the water was better and whether it was safe to take a shower. Cant do nothing about it, said one woman who has lived in Burney since 1962 and declined to give her name because she said she wanted to protect her privacy. Her cart was full of frozen food. Its inconvenienced everybody, she said. Rumors have abounded around town as to the cause. Some said a raccoon had sneaked into the water tank and died there. Others said they heard a water line had somehow been shot through with sewage. David Zevely, the manager of the Burney Water District, said officials had not yet determined the cause. Routine testing detected the pathogen on July 12, he said. Illnesses from E. coli bacteria generally strike three to four days after contact. Symptoms include diarrhea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting, according to the CDC. On July 14, technicians added sodium hypochlorite to the water system to disinfect it something many residents said they could have figured out even without the post from the district because the smell of chlorine began to waft from their taps. The water system will be monitored for a few days, according to a notice on the districts website, and then chlorine will be flushed from the system. More testing will follow and then, after approval from state drinking water regulators, the boil water advisory may be lifted. Steve Watson, Lassen Countys district engineer for the states drinking water division, said investigators still have not determined what caused the contamination. But the good news, he added, is that the wells that the district draws water from show no signs of E. coli . What we do know is it is not a problem with their source. Once the boil water notice is lifted, he said, the water district will do extra testing to make sure the problem has been resolved. As her family recovers, McCloud said she fears the contamination may have been present for longer than the district realizes. In all, she said eight members of her family became ill. She also said that many out-of-town visitors who came up for the July 4 weekend experienced what they thought was stomach flu. In addition, she said, several of her mothers neighbors, who live in housing for elderly members of the Pit River Tribe, became ill. The tribe, and others in the area that operate casinos, dispatched cases of bottled water to be donated to residents. She was thankful, but also wondered why the water district failed to provide drinking water. Thankfully, McCloud said, everyone in her family is feeling better, although some of the children are still fatigued and complaining of periodic nausea. But she said she is still traumatized to think of all the tap water she pressed upon the children when they started feeling poorly, believing that fluids would help. This is usually good drinking water, she said. But it was making them sicker and sicker. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. 2023 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Copyright 2023 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved Within a clearing of a wooded area of Southeast Portland, surrounded by fern-covered trees, stand two crosses, one bearing a photo of Kristin Smiths smiling face. Near them are freshly planted yellow, purple and orange flowers, along with tall glass candles, decorations of hummingbirds and butterflies and a bottle of Nesquik. The 22-year-olds family erected the memorial near Southeast Deardorff Road and Flavel Street after her body was found there Feb. 19 exactly three months after her mother, Melissa Smith, spoke to her for the last time. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting on Friday on "one of the most important components of the state policy of Ukraine the policy of heroes." The policy regarding our soldiers, regarding veterans. Ukraine will not only win this war, but also win a life that will be worthy of the heroes who fight for it, he said in a video address on Friday. It is very important that our system state, social, economic, and cultural is exactly such that it can be said that it is truly based on respect. With respect to Ukraine and everyone who directed their lives, their bravery, their strength for the sake of Ukraine resisting evil and defeating Russian terror, he said. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to "everyone who has already begun to develop with us the details of the Ukrainian transformation after this war." Oregons law against drunk driving is one of the narrowest in the country, but a bill that awaits Gov. Tina Koteks signature could change that, allowing Oregon to join 46 other states that prosecute drivers when theyre impaired by any drug. Right now, Oregon defines DUII as something that happens when a driver is impaired only by alcohol, inhalants, psilocybin, cannabis or controlled substances not over-the-counter medications such as cough syrup or combinations of drugs that can impair people when mixed. House Bill 2316 pushed by the Oregon District Attorneys Association earned bipartisan support in the 2023 Legislature, with only one House Democrat voting against it, and would affect the 25,000 people a year in Oregon who are arrested for DUII, and their victims. According to Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services, 387 people in 2021 were killed in crashes involving someone who was impaired by drugs or alcohol. Advocates said the bill would close a loophole that has allowed some drivers to escape prosecution when toxicology reports have shown an over-the-counter medication in their system in combination with alcohol or other drugs. In those cases, defense attorneys have argued that it is impossible to tell which substance caused the driver to be impaired, said Kimberly McCullough, legislative director for the Oregon Department of Justice, in testimony to lawmakers in January. This type of argument happens on a regular basis as it is uncommon for someone with a drug-related DUII to only have one drug in their urine or blood, she said. Cate Duke, a representative from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said the change is necessary to ensure safer streets in Oregon. A lot of the over-the-counter medications, if taken as prescribed, dont cause a problem, but if you abuse them they can cause you to be very impaired, Duke said. If you have somebody whos injured or killed in a crash by someone who is impaired on one of these substances, you wont see the same level of justice. She said its time for Oregon to recognize an issue most of the country has already addressed. We need people to understand that there are risks involved any time you put something into your body, Duke said. When something terrible happens, lives can change in the blink of an eye. You cant take that back, you cant fix that. No amount of sorry makes it go away. Four previous versions of the bill failed, starting in 2013. Opponents included the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Oregon Trucking Association, whose representatives argued lawmakers risked expanding the definition of intoxicants too broadly. Are we closing a loophole, or are we opening up another broad landscape to categorize every non-food substance as an intoxicant? asked Waylon Buchan, a lobbyist for truckers, in 2019. Because a Tums is not an intoxicant. The 2023 version of the bill grants exceptions if a driver is found to have followed the warnings and instructions on a prescription or over-the-counter medicine or if they had an unexpected, adverse reaction. Mae Lee Browning, legislative director for the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, said her group still had reservations. The issue with the any drug bill is that it expands it to things like Benadryl, over-the-counter stuff, prescription stuff, said Browning. Everyone is on some sort of medication. Were concerned about the expansion of traffic stops and what that might mean. Impaired driving has been in the news repeatedly since May 18, when the driver of a semitruck is accused of crashing into a Ford Econoline on Interstate 5 near Albany and killing seven farmworkers. The driver, Lincoln Clayton Smith, has pleaded not guilty to charges that include driving under the influence of intoxicants. On June 25, a driver struck a car while being chased by Gresham police, killing 40-year-old driver Jennifer Parise and injuring her husband, a passenger. Police said Nathan Franklin Jr. rear-ended the couples car at Northeast Glisan Street near 147th Avenue while fleeing a traffic stop. He faces charges of first-degree manslaughter, DUII, and reckless driving. Just over two weeks later, a driver with gunshot wounds T-boned a car with 11-year-old Ryan Ambrose inside. The driver, identified as Duprie Smith, was allegedly going more than 80 miles per hour on Southeast 102nd Avenue, according to court documents. The boy died in the hospital. Smith faces charges of DUII, reckless driving and first-degree manslaughter. And on Saturday, youth librarian Jeanie Diaz was killed at a Portland bus stop after a driver on Southeast Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard allegedly jumped the curb at Taylor Street. The driver, identified as Kevin Michael Scott, also faces charges of DUII, reckless driving and first-degree manslaughter. Its not clear what substances may have impaired the drivers in the four crashes, and their cases wont be affected by HB 2316. If Kotek signs the bill into law a spokesperson for her office declined to say if she will, noting the governor reads all bills first the soonest it would go into effect is January. Rep. Farrah Chaichi, D-Aloha, was the lone vote against the bill. Chaichi was also the only lawmaker to say no to House Bill 2645, which would close a Measure 110 loophole on fentanyl possession, allowing misdemeanor charges. It also awaits the governors signature. While toughening the DUII law against motorists, HB 2316 also would lower the fines and penalties for bicyclists accused of DUII, who face the same punishments as motorists under current law. That includes the suspension or revocation of their drivers licenses, possibilities that would go away for bicyclists. The less severe consequences would not apply to e-bikes. Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744 Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe. A Portland woman discovered dead in Clackamas County woods in early May reported to police last fall that she was attacked and strangled by Jesse Lee Calhoun, according to her father. Calhoun is now a person of interest in her death and the deaths of three other women. Ashley Reals father told The Oregonian/OregonLive that he called police on Nov. 11 after his 22-year-old daughter showed up crying at his Southeast Portland home. The July 14 executive session of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission started just like any other. The chairperson read an admonition that reporters cannot report on what you hear today. Thats typical. The unusual part came later. Oregon has a quirky public access law that allows reporters to attend otherwise confidential government meetings. Like many of our states sunshine laws, the provision was enacted in the post-Watergate era, when public sentiment strongly favored the media keeping a close eye on the activities of government. In Oregon, most meetings of public bodies must be open to all. Some sensitive topics, however, such as legal advice from an agencys attorney, can be discussed behind closed doors, in whats called an executive session. Journalists are expressly allowed to attend, except in rare circumstances. The history behind the unusual access shows that lawmakers wanted reporters to gain valuable background information for future reporting, according to the Oregon Attorney Generals Public Records and Meetings Manual. While the media may attend, public bodies may require attendees to keep the information confidential. Usually, they read a reminder at the start of the session, as they did July 14: Media representatives can be here, but you cant report on this. In Oregon, theres one other important assurance of open government: Public bodies generally may not make any final decisions in executive session. Even if they reach an informal consensus in closed session, they must reconvene in public to cast the final vote. The idea is to allow Oregonians to know who voted which way and why. It informs the public and holds officials accountable. And when officials violate the executive session provisions, there are consequences: They could get hauled in front of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. Its against this backdrop that enterprise reporter Noelle Crombie contacted me on July 14. She called to tell me Ethics Commission members had taken a roll-call vote, behind closed doors, to launch a full investigation into former Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. They cant do that, can they? Well, you learn something new every day. It turns out the Ethics Commission, which oversees the appropriate use of executive session, including the prohibition on secret final decisions, operates under a statute that gives it authority to make a final determination in secret. Ron Bersin, longtime executive director of the Ethics Commission, said the commission was operating that way when he arrived in 2006. I asked Bersin why not vote in public. The commission cant, he said; the statute requires the vote occur in closed session. And, he argued, the entire matter is public after the executive session ends also unlike provisions for any other state agency or commission. How would the average Oregonian ever know that? I asked. He countered that people interested in the Ethics Commission would know to look at its website. There, an audio recording of the previously confidential executive session is posted after the meeting concludes. That audio, by the way, is found not under public records, cases & complaints or resources but rather under the meetings tab. He said reporters also help get the word out. But on July 14, according to the audio, reporters were specifically told at the start of the executive session that they may not report on the proceedings. Was there a similar proclamation to them after the secret vote that the information was now public? No. Quite the opposite. Sophie Peel, the Willamette Week reporter who first broke the Fagan story, attended the July 14 meeting virtually. After the vote, she posted a question in the chat asking if the result could now be reported by journalists. Instead of a simple yes, she was told instead the commission did not take media questions during executive session. So, I asked Bersin how reporters would know the vote was public, given they are repeatedly cautioned they cannot report the contents of executive session. I could practically hear his shrug over the phone line. Reporters should do their homework, Bersin said. That information is in the law, he said, and reporters should read the statute. The Oregonian/OregonLive reported the commissions vote at 3:20 p.m. Friday, after Crombie was able to reach Bersin and clarify that we could reveal the contents of the executive session publicly. Peel also got the green light. But a third reporter, Julia Shumway of the Oregon Capital Chronicle, didnt receive the information until July 15, the next day. Even though she attended the executive session in person, she was given bad information when she asked how to get the now-public preliminary report on the Fagan case. She followed up with a phone call Friday afternoon but did not get what she requested until the weekend. Bersin later chastised Shumway for not emailing him directly that Friday afternoon, even though she said people at the meeting directed her otherwise. Three excellent reporters, all of whom found the Ethics Commission process opaque -- at best. The Legislature should require the commission to vote in public. Posting audio on the commission website does not inform the public of its activities in any meaningful way. Expecting Oregonians to listen through the audio to find out the result of the vote is cumbersome, to say the least. The Ethics Commission staff also could have and should have answered Peels simple and straightforward question in real time. Reporters can speak up in executive sessions. The commission, which advises public bodies and public officials on best practices, should have an efficient and transparent way to inform reporters and Oregonians when it has voted to investigate public officials. No doubt Bersin is a dedicated public servant. But he sounded frustrated during our conversation, as I was. This is why I dislike calling you guys (the media) all the time, he grumbled at one point. He retired last Nov. 30 but remains in office until his replacement can be found. My vote, which I make openly so you can hold me accountable, is in favor of a successor who will care deeply about open and transparent communication with all Oregonians about the actions of the Ethics Commission. Oregon schools are failing students. The state and local educational bureaucracies and teachers are responsible for the poor performance of students across the state, (Oregon students academic mastery remains far below pre-pandemic levels, preliminary test scores suggest, July 12). Continuing to blame COVID-19 just wont cut it. Teachers unions and bureaucrats have little incentive to produce better results. Give parents the right to choose a school for their children. This would introduce competition among the schools to provide a superior product. We owe it to our children to provide an education system that produces results. Jay Barber, Sherwood To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. The Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries has found in favor of lawyer Amber Kinney, who alleged when she quit the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office in 2022 that District Attorney Mike Schmidt had set back womens advancement in the office by decades. Schmidt released a lengthy report in March to beat back allegations he had engaged in gender discrimination and retaliation when deciding promotions in his office. Read the BOLI decision Schmidts office paid $200,933 to Barran Liebman, a law firm that describes itself online as dedicated to defending the interests of employers, to investigate Kinneys allegations that Schmidt discriminated against female prosecutors when he promoted men seven consecutive times and that he retaliated against Kinney for speaking up about the issue. Multnomah County officials, separate from the DAs office, selected Barran Liebman after Schmidt requested the county launch an outside investigation. This month BOLI found substantial evidence that Schmidts office had subjected Kinney to gender discrimination, retaliation and constructive discharge meaning she was forced out when she resigned in January 2022. Im pleased that BOLI took the time to thoroughly investigate this matter and feel validated that they found there to be compelling evidence that the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office discriminated against me because of my sex, Kinney said Friday in a statement. Kinney was a veteran child-abuse prosecutor who handled some of the most serious and complex cases in the states largest district attorneys office. She outlined the reasons for her resignation in a blistering seven-page letter to Schmidt. Schmidt faces a 2024 election challenge from longtime prosecutor Nathan Vasquez, one of Schmidts top deputies. Schmidt denied the allegations in his response to BOLI, maintaining that his office neither unlawfully discriminated against Kinney nor retaliated against her. And on Friday he provided a statement through his spokesperson, Elizabeth Merah, that alluded to the March report. While I disagree with BOLIs findings, which are contrary to the findings of an independent investigation already completed into these matters, I believe there are always areas for improvement in furthering equity in my office, and I am deeply committed to that work, he said. One of those areas is improving promotional processes so they are more transparent, which my executive team and I are actively working on. I look forward to our progress and will continue to uphold and deepen equity and diversity moving forward. In June, Schmidts office settled claims from a second former lawyer in his office for $125,000. Nicole Harris, a former deputy district attorney, alleged discrimination and retaliation related to a protected leave of absence. The state and Multnomah County split the cost of the settlement. I opted to speak up because gender equity is very important to me, and I believe its particularly important in law enforcement, Harris said in a statement through her attorney, Dana Sullivan. I am proud of my lengthy career in the DAs office and I hope that the fact that I and others have raised these issues will make the path to leadership easier for younger women who want to be career DAs. Beth Slovic; bslovic@oregonian.com; 503-221-8551 Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe Flowers began appearing at the bus stop the day after the accident. Wrapped bouquets. Colorful blooms in small pots. There also were cards and notes and photographs. This is where Miss Jeanie died, killed instantly when a car rolled over onto the sidewalk and through the bus stop where she was waiting. You probably have a Miss Jeanie in your past most of us do, even if we dont realize it. That magical person who, early on in your life, helped you learn to read, who unlocked words for you and made it fun allowing the thrill of discovery to pour in. Jeanie Diaz was a youth librarian, a second career that began in Washington County in 2006. She later moved to the Multnomah County library system and was one the librarians who also played a key role in the library systems popular Storytime program. Diaz was perfect for Storytime because she had the gift of remembering what it was like to be a child. She played her guitar, sang songs and acted out what she read. No taskmaster, she let kids discover the fun and power of simple words bat, cat, sat, wow, pow. For young children, comprehending such words likely driving parents crazy by constantly repeating them at home are the first steps on a long journey, before they move on to bigger words and then complex sentences and eventually to any book in the library and beyond. The children called her Miss Jeanie. Diaz knew that, even though most of the children at her Storytime presentations would eventually forget about her, as children do, she had fulfilled her mission in life, to inspire ideas in those young minds and feelings in those young hearts. Her boss estimates Diaz, 43, touched more than 7,000 young lives. None of those kids ever called her Jeanie or Mrs. Diaz. She was, always, Miss Jeanie. She was absolutely committed to children, said Danielle Jones, Multnomah County Librarys youth development manager. In addition to her other library duties, Jeanie did six Storytimes a week and two more a week in the summer. After moving from the Washington County library system, Diaz worked in various branches in the Multnomah County system before her 2021 assignment to the Belmont branch. Its right across the street from the bus stop where she died. Raised in Portland, Diaz graduated from Cleveland High School and earned a bachelors degree in communication from Syracuse University in New York. She then moved to Los Angeles to work for a talent agency. A guitar player, she met other L.A. musicians and eventually became immersed in the creative community. She enjoyed the energy but had no dream of becoming an agent or professional performer. It was in L.A. that she recalled one of her best childhood memories. As a little girl, her parents would take her to the Woodstock library, the neighborhood branch. Diaz didnt remember the name of any of the librarians, but she remembered how the women made her feel, sparking a love of reading and books. She realized she wanted to follow in their footsteps. In 2005 she earned a masters in library sciences from San Jose State University, returned to Portland and started a second career as a librarian. She loved her new job. And, in 2011, she fell in love. Jeanie and Arturo fell in love quickly -- and it lasted. A friend of mine suggested I meet this woman, said Arturo Diaz, 50, who has a 23-year-old son from an earlier relationship. It was beautiful. Arturo Diaz was born in Santiago, Chile, grew up in Fresno and eventually landed in Portland. A professional musician, he plays drums and sings in bands and for recording sessions. Jeanie and Arturo married in 2014 and eventually bought a home in Milwaukie. They have two daughters Myra, 8, and Josie, 5. We had everything we wanted, said Arturo Diaz. Life was perfect. And then on July 15, 2023 it wasnt. *** Jeanie Diaz usually drove to and from work, a trip that took about 20 minutes. Then she learned the bus was a direct route, said Arturo Diaz. She started taking the bus, maybe six or so times. It was sporadic. Some days the car, other days the bus. Whyd she take the bus that day? What if shed driven? All the what ifs, said Arturo Diaz. What could have been done differently? He knows there are no answers to these questions. He knows these questions will haunt him for the rest of his life. The library closes at 6 p.m., and 15 minutes later Jeanie Diaz was standing at the bus stop, ready to go home to a planned dinner with her family. When she didnt arrive, her husband didnt worry. I thought maybe she went for drinks with friends, he said. I didnt give it much thought. I was too busy getting dinner ready. At 8 p.m., he called his wifes cellphone. She didnt answer. He left a voice message. By 10 p.m. the girls were in bed. Now worried, he texted her. Nothing. At about 11:30 p.m. the doorbell rang. I figured shed gone out for drinks, got an Uber home and couldnt find her key, he said. I went downstairs, opened the door, and three men, two of them in police uniforms, were standing there. They asked me if Jeanie Diaz lived here. He invited them in. I just sort of started pacing, he said. Then I told them to lay it on me. They were here for a reason. The man in plain clothes did most of the talking. He told me that earlier in the evening, Jeanie was struck and killed at a bus stop across from the library, said Arturo Diaz. He said the driver had been arrested for drunk driving. He told me theyd been at the scene all night reconstructing the accident. In that instant, his world shattered, he said. There was a before. Now there is an after. When they left, I ran up to my sons room, said Arturo Diaz. Ezra Keyth-Diaz, his grown son, was asleep. I told him I needed his help, right now, said Arturo Diaz. He hadnt heard the doorbell. I told him Jeanie was gone. I need him to come downstairs and just sit with me. I told him I needed him. With his son by his side, he called family members to break the news. That done, he reached out to friends. One by one they arrived at the house. It was a saving grace, he said, to have them with me. Then he noticed his 8-year-old daughter coming down the stairs. Whats going on? she asked. Arturo Diaz asked Ezra to take Myra back to her bed. Moments later, after gathering himself, the father walked the long walk up to her room. He sat on her bed. His daughter spoke first. I heard you say something about mama. Myras life had changed irrevocably. She just didnt know it yet. This moment, Arturo Diaz understood, would be forever seared into his daughters memory. If he could get the words out. Im so sorry, sweetie, said the father, trying to keep his voice calm, tender. Theres been an accident and mama passed away. He studied his daughters face. She was processing it, said Arturo Diaz. She had this smile, this nervous smile. She didnt know what to do or say, like she didnt get it. Myra didnt cry until morning. Right when her father had to tell his younger daughter, Myras sister Josie, her mother had died. In the daylight, Arturo Diaz tried to explain it all to his daughters in a way their young minds could grasp. And it hit him all over again that his wife would never again be in this house, would never again hug their children, never again kiss him goodnight at the end of a long day. It was his own Storytime, the most important one hed ever lead. He finally said their mother was with her father, their grandfather, who had died suddenly of a heart attack in 2021. It seemed, in a strange way, to make it a little easier for them, he said. But Storytime isnt over, he knows. There will be more questions, more tears. Including his own. Jeanie Diaz hugs her daughters. For now, hes doing his best, tucking the girls in at night by himself, hugging them tight and then, when he is alone, trying to contemplate a future without his wife, the love of his life. A GoFundMe page for Jeanie Diaz has raised more than $90,000 as of Thursday, and Arturo Diaz knows this will make his childrens lives better. But not his. Arturo Diaz carries a Storytime memory, the day he stood in the back of the Belmont branch and watched his wife work her magic. She dressed in a dress that made her look like a pineapple, he said. She had a hat on that looked like pineapple leaves. She knew what the kids wanted. Even now, not a week after her death, he can hear the voices of the children. Miss Jeanie! Miss Jeanie! The squeals of laughter. They loved her. He loved her. Family members and friends have visited the makeshift memorial at the bus stop across from the library. Ive seen some photos of it, Arturo Diaz said. Its beautiful, touching. Moving. He fell silent. But Im not ready to go see it, he said. Im just not there yet. Tom Hallman Jr 503-221-8224; thallman@oregonian.com; @thallmanjr Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe A startups plan to build a $100 million data center in the Columbia River Gorge has collapsed after public sentiment coalesced against the project. A newly formed business called Roundhouse Digital Infrastructure had proposed building a data center in a vacant industrial building at the Port of Cascade Locks, about 40 miles east of Portland. Roundhouse had sought a 25-year lease and said it would host other companies data and provide technology services at the site. The exclusive interview with Michael O'Leary, Group CEO of Ryanair, to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency Text: Alena Manzelo Now I remember that I had the honor to be at your press conference at Boryspil Airport in 2018. No one then could have imagined the events after which we are meeting now... Its my first trip to Kyiv since then. At that time, Ryanair had to make a lot of effort to start flights from Ukraine... We are very proud and pleased with my backdrop in here. Today we brought this (shows a jacket, reading Ryanair supporting Ukraine). We presented it to the minister (Oleksandr Kubrakov). Today we've had a meeting with the minister, a meeting of the Kyiv-Boryspil, Lviv and Odesa airports. So we've had a very good day of meetings talking about how we can reopen air travel to and from Ukraine, as soon as it is declared safe to do so. Could you tell in detail what was discussed at these meetings? Sure. We submitted to the minister plan to restart aviation in Ukraine. We've committed that if the EASA confirms opening the skies and there have been competitive cost at the airports, we will put 5 million seats into Ukraine in year one. Within six weeks of the skies reopening, we think it's possible that we can connect Kyiv to 25 European cities. You said 25 cities... The press release mentioned 20... Yes, between 20 and 25 European cities from Kyiv, probably 10 from Lviv and Odesa, maybe another five, but all within six weeks of reopening. What will be the first EU cities to which Ryanair will fly? They all will be on the same day. But the main cities that we think we start from will be obviously Warsaw, Krakow, Berlin, Frankfurt, Milan, Rome, London, Brussels, Amsterdam and Paris. So these are all the main cities. And because we have aircraft based in those cities we can just turn those aircraft to serve Kyiv and Lviv in, I think, about between two and six weeks. What will this time period of 6-8 weeks be needed for? Firstly, because we had to put the flights on sale. And it will typically take us probably about two weeks to put the flights on sale. And then another four weeks to fill the flights. We can't [do this immediately] because there's going to be very little outbound traffic from Kyiv and Lviv going to Europe. We think most of the traffic will be inbound. It typically takes three, four weeks to fill the flights. Because we have to take those planes away. Those planes today are flying from London to Malaga, or they're flying from Brussels to Milan or from Milan to Warsaw. We have to switch them now to flying London - Kyiv or Milan - Lviv or Warsaw - Lviv. So it would take two weeks to cancel those flights. So, we have to run them for at least two weeks. And then we switch them. It takes us about another four weeks to fill them. Did you discuss this today with Ukrainian authorities? What we discussed was this kind of restarting Ukraine aviation. Here's the big plan: 5 million passengers in year one, growing to 10 million passengers within five years. But it might be more complicated than that We may not be able to open up all of Ukraine on day one. There are Ukrainians working with experts in Israel, for example, and they may be able to open a small number of flights to Kyiv and a small number of flights to Lviv. We are also discussing if they do that if we can make those flights. And but it may not be 5 million passengers in year one. We may have to fly a smaller number of flights. And then we need to work with the airport to discuss if, for example, we can operate five flights or 10 flights into Kyiv. [We have to determine with Ukrainian authorities] which airports do you want, which are the routes you want first, and we'll work to deliver the routes they want first. So, there are two plans, one, the war finishes and everything reopens in one day or two. And then there is the more likely [scenario], under which we can put some small number of flights in here at the end of this year. Can we persuade the European safety authorities and the Ukrainian authorities that flying will be safe that they can protect the aircraft from drones or rockets and things like that, which they do in Israel? So the Ukrainian authorities are working with the right people to try to reopen airspace, but we can't do anything unless they persuade the EASA, the European safety agency, and the insurance companies that it's safe to fly even a limited number of flights to Kyiv and Lviv. One word from EASA will be enough to open the sky for Ukraine? Yes. I mean, if the agency says it's safe, then there's no reason not to fly back to Ukraine. Okay. We were the second largest airline in Ukraine before the war, before the Russian invasion. And when the Russian invasion finishes, we intend to be the largest airline in Ukraine, because we have the aircrafts. We have the ability selling tickets on the website to fill these flights into Ukraine straightway. Ukraine International (MAU), for example, their aircraft are stuck on the ground. They will all have to go to a maintenance before they can fly again. We have all our aircraft flying. All we have to do is pivot those aircraft to fly them back into Ukraine. We want to work with the airport. Particularly Boryspil and Lviv and to do that quickly. You are also considering Odesa Airport, as well? We're not sure how much damage the airport has suffered, they tell us today that they've suffered no damage. So if it's open, we will fly there. Because I think it's very important. Ukraine is still battling Russia. It is very important, as Mr. Kubrakov said, to show people that there is a future here. We need to show our people that once the war is over, we can rebuild, that we can return to life the way it was and that we can have low-cost flights all over Europe. And that we can bring back or at least create a pathway to reignite the millions of Ukrainian families who have been divided by the war. It is unlikely that this will possible until the Russian shelling stops? It's possible. Look at what the Israeli authorities do. We operate in and out of Israel. We fly to Tel-Aviv airport. Occasionally, there are rockets coming from the West Bank, with Hamas firing rockets. So, it is possible, but we have to persuade the European safety authorities that it's safe. The airport and the government here have to show that they can protect flights going in and out of Kyiv and Lviv, because without that the safety authorities and the insurance companies won't allow the flights to take place. Firstly, Ukraine needs to demonstrate that it's safe or that it can protect flights. If they can do that, then the Europeans say its safe, then we'll be back. And we'll be back within six weeks. Eurocontrol gave a disappointing forecast - in particular, according to their estimates, restrictions on flights from Ukraine will remain until 2030. Do you agree with that assessment? It will change very quickly, because Eurocontol is not an accurate forecaster. Nobody knows what will happen with the war here. I think we should be optimistic. Certainly, the ministry is working on trying to reopen some flights to Kyiv and Lviv in the end of this year. And if they can prove that it's safe to do so then we will operate those flights. Aircraft can land on a daily basis in Tel Aviv, which is only 10 minutes away from the West Bank, where they are launching rockets. It has been determined that it is safe to fly and that they can protect the aircraft, so I see no reason why we can't return flights [in Ukraine]. The question in my mind is do we return with a small number of flights, that at least we reopen the skies? Or do we do the big plan which is 5 million passengers in year one. I would like to do 5 million passengers in year one. But for that you need a ceasefire or a victory or an end of the war. Is a scenario under which EASA will issue permission for flights from certain airports, for example from Uzhgorod or Lviv, and keep the rest closed realistic? It's possible. They can give permission for flight corridors into specific flight paths into Lviv into Kyiv. At the moment, Kyiv seems reasonably safe, it seems reasonably well protected. Life is continuing as normal here. So, everything is possible. But the challenge lies with the Ukrainian authorities to persuade the European authorities. I think the Europeans and the Americans want to reopen flights to Ukraine. The trains are running, buses are running and normal life is continuing. There is obviously a huge risk to return flights [now]. What would happen if a plane gets blown out of the sky like when the Russians shot down the Malaysian Airlines [MH-17]? Nobody can afford to run that risk. I wanted to clarify whether this is your first visit to Ukraine after the start of full-scale aggression? Its my first visit since February 2022. Actually, we understand that if you are here, it is a sign that we might hear some good news soon. I think so. We have a plan. It is, subject to the war ending to fly 5 million passengers in year one and to increase the number of passengers to 10 million within five years. So the plan is there. I think the minister was very excited by the plan. He recognizes that the government has to play its role, that the airports can't afford the investment. We're talking about basing up to 30 aircraft here. That's an investment of $3 billion by Ryanair in Ukraine. It is one of the biggest ever inward investments in Ukraine at a time when there's a war in progress. So we're committed to Ukraine. We are committed to investing our money in Ukraine. But Ukraine has to deliver us safe airport facilities and low cost airport facilities. We can only fill these flights with air fares, 15 euros and 20 euros and 25 euros. So need to have very low airport charges here. The ministry needs to help with that. Did you discuss the position with Ukrainian government? Are they ready? I think so. Earlier today minister has said he wants a waiver for a week to work through the numbers with the airports, then he's going to come back to us in a week. I see no reason why not. What is the current situation with insurance companies, are they still not ready to insure the risks of airlines in Ukraine against possible threats due to the war? It's not an issue of the insurance companies. You can't fly, period. The issue will arise when the European authorities say it's safe to fly back to Ukraine. I think what's likely to happen is that maybe for the first six months, maybe the first 12 months the European Commission will give the airline some kind of insurance, some kind of indemnity. I think everybody is committed in Europe, and both the Europeans and the Americans to supporting Ukraine. They recognize the vital need to rebuild the Ukrainian economy. And the only way you can do that in the short term is get aviation restarted. People can't and won't rebuild Ukraine if they have to drive on roads and the bridges that have been damaged. The way to get things really started quickly, like in Germany after the Second World War, when they had a Marshall Plan, is aviation, flights into Europe, to deliver [materials for rebuilding] infrastructure by air. The same thing will happen in Ukraine. We need almost like a Marshall Plan for Ukraine, like the Marshall Plan after the Second World War when Americans helped rebuild the economies of Germany, France and other European countries. We will have to have a similar joint program, I think, a European US Marshall Plan for Ukraine. Ukraine is fighting for freedom, for democracy, defending all of Europe from Russia. I think when Ukraine defeats Russia, all countries of Europe need to stand beside Ukraine, invest in Ukraine. That's why Ryanair wants to come here today. We want to be here. We want to be the first year and to come down to Kyiv. Stand with the airports in Kyiv, in Lviv and Odesa, commit that we will return to flying here. Here's the plan. Here's 5 million passengers in year one, here's 10 million passengers in year five, here's where the aircraft will come from. Here's how we will deliver it. Give us the cost base, give us the safety umbrella, and then we will do the rest. Do you have your own forecast, vision of when it might happen? When will the first passenger plane from Ukraine fly? It depends when the war ends, and none of us knows when. I think the end will be sooner rather than later. Because Putin has made such a mess of the war. I'm not sure how long Putin will survive. I'm not sure how long he can keep pouring men and material into a war that he's clearly loosing. I don't know how long he survives. I don't know when the war ends. I suspect and I hope that it will be this winter. But none of us know. And a lot depends on Ukraine, where the people have done a lot, done an incredible job of defending the country. But it's a much bigger challenge now to push the Russians back out. We know how difficult it is now in Ukraines southern regions, which are mined. It is very difficult to make progress there. These are challenging times for Ukraine. I think it's important that different companies, like Ryanair, which is biggest airline in Europe, stand up and say we will stand with Ukraine. We are here in Ukraine, and we will invest heavily in Ukraine to realize that the peace or the peace dividend that's coming. You named three airports as priorities for Ryanair. Are you considering flying, for example, from the airport in Uzhgorod? Do airports in western Ukraine have better chances to restart flights first? Before the war, we flew to five airports in Ukraine. So Lviv, Odesa and Kyiv, of course. Because of damage in Kherson, we can't go back. We actually learned today we're going to start talks with officials in Zaporizhzhia, as well, but there is damage there too. It appears from the meetings today that two airports are undamaged and are available to start tomorrow. They are in Kyiv and Lviv. We think the airport in Odesa will also be available reasonably soon. Ryanair will base up to 30 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft worth over $3 billion at the three main Ukraine airports, giving Ukrainian citizens and visitors access to Europes lowest air fares. Am I correct in my understanding that the company plans to create its own bases, including aircraft maintenance services in Ukraine? Firstly, we have plans to base aircraft, pilots, cabin crew engineers, spares in Boryspil, Lviv and in Odesa within 12 months. We could have 10 aircraft in Kyiv maybe five aircraft in Lviv and maybe one or two aircraft in Odesa. And that would double that we would grow that then over the next 2-3-4 years as the traffic builds up. We are also looking over the longer term as to whether we could build up our own aircraft maintenance hangars here and do heavy maintenance for aircrafts, as well as doing engine maintenance. We're looking at building our own engine maintenance shop, which is a $500-million investment. We certainly will put one in Europe, and I think Ukraine would be a very interesting location for something like that. Ukraine has a highly-skilled population. I think Ukraine will become a member of the European Union rather quickly. In January, you started a recruitment program for Ukrainian flight attendants and pilots in order to prepare the base for returning to Ukraine. How many employees do you plan to recruit? What is the total number of people you are ready to transport to Ukraine when you start work? Today we employ about 260 Ukrainians. We have about 100 pilots, about 120 cabin crew and about 40 IT professionals. Most are in hubs in France and Poland. We're hoping at the end of this year to grow that to between 300 to 400 people. One of the critical things for us when the war is over is have enough Ukrainian pilots and enough Ukrainian cabin crew. We will ask them to return here and live and work in Kyiv. We need the people to want to work with us to rebuild Ukrainian aviation as well. I think we can hire also maybe ex-UIA [Ukraine International Airlines] pilots or cabin crew, WizzAir pilots or cabin crew, but you have to train them. So, it's going to take three to six months to train those people, but we have the training facilities. We believe and I think in the future, you know if we base 30 aircraft here in Ukraine, there will be 1,000 pilots, cabin crew and engineers at those airports. Three hundred people translates to 30 per each 10 aircraft. Most of the people who have completed the training are currently based and working mainly in Poland? Mostly in Poland, although we do have some at the southern Slovakia, there are some in Belgium as well. Have you calculated how much tickets from Ukraine might cost and how they will differ in price from tickets from Poland to similar destinations? The minister asked us today and we gave him a commitment that of the 5 million seats will offer in year one 20% or 1 million of those seats will be sold for less than 20 euros. Will you be able to do this based on pure economics or will you need special arrangements for airport charges? We will need to have a low cost base at the airports. But that's a decision for the ministry. The minister asked about providing low airport costs. He asked if we will commit to low fares and we said yes. Some 20% of the seats will be sold at fares of EUR 10-14-19 euros, million seats, and most of those we sold at EUR 24-29-34 and 39. The only way we can fill this number of seats will be with very low airfares. So, Ukraine would have lower fares to Poland. But Ukraine has to deliver lower airport costs than Poland. Ryanair in Europe provides and develops related partner services - car rentals, hotels, ordering taxis on the website and through its app. Do you plan to develop these services in Ukraine? Not really. The most important task after the war is to get air travel going again. The critical thing is to build a wide network of routes and to connect Kyiv to 25 European cities within six weeks. The critical thing is to get flights started again, to get the airports working again. It's difficult today not to be inspired by the visit to Boryspil, which today is a huge, empty airport with no passengers. However, people continue to work. They are keeping the terminals clean, repairing the baggage and check-in areas. Everybody is working. It must be very frustrating to work in that environment where you have no customers. But they're doing the work that keeping the airport ready for to reopen quickly. And they deserve our support. Everything is ready at Boryspil International Airport to resume work? Yes. It could happen tomorrow. Do you plan to visit Lviv Airport during this visit as well? No. We're going back to Poland tonight. I've got to go back to work. It's been an inspiring visit here. I met people working at the airports and looked at the tremendous work they've done for the last two years in what have been incredibly difficult circumstances. It's very easy for us. We're flying away in Europe. COVID-19 has ended and our flights are full. We're all making money. Everybody's back traveling, going on holidays, doing their business again. It feels normal here in Kyiv. Except the only way you can get here is by road or by rail. We have to get the skies of Ukraine open again. Your minister said the same thing. We want Ukraine to be open for business. Do you have statistics on how many Ukrainian migrants, in general, Ukrainians, since the beginning of the full-scale Russian aggression, have used Ryanair in which directions? It's impossible to know now, we don't calculate those. This is because we fly to 47 different countries. We don't care what the nationalities of our passengers are. The UN estimate that about 8,5 million Ukrainian citizens have migrated to Europe as a result of the war. The population of Ukraine pre-war was about 42 million. It might be down to 34-35 million today. Some 8 million Ukrainians have left the country. When we came in last night on the train from Poland, we saw many women and children. Obviously men can't travel. They are here fighting the war. But we saw many women and children traveling. I have a farm manager in Ireland. He is from Ukraine. He's been working with me for 20 years. He has a Ukrainian wife, and they have raised their family in Ireland. He had about, I think, eight or 10 of his relatives, mainly sisters, cousins and their children who have come to Ireland. He has provided them with accommodations. Their children are going to the local school where I live. This is happening all across Europe. I think those people want to be able to come back to Ukraine, not all of them, but many. Some will settle and live and grow their families in other European countries. But they will always want to come and visit their family here in Ukraine. I think that would be a source of business for the airlines going forward. Our traditional question - tell us a little about how Ryanair supported Ukrainians during the war? What philanthropic projects and programs have you managed to implement and which ones are you currently working on? From Ryanair, particularly, we committed to having very low fares for people who were fleeing from Ukraine. In February and March of last year, we continued to offer low fares, a range of low fares for Ukrainians who are mostly traveling to and from Poland, to access Ukraine. We are the largest airline in Poland. We have been hiring . As I said, now we have recruited about 260 Ukrainian citizens who are working directly for us as pilots, cabin crew and engineers. We want to double that number over the next 12 months and we want to bring that up to 500 people, mostly based in Poland. We are continuing to donate funds to charities working with Ukrainians and providing for Ukrainian refugees who fled the country at the outset of the war. We hope that the minister will be able to persuade your government that what Ukraine needs now, apart from defeating Russia, is a serious plan for a very aggressive reopening of Ukrainian aviation. Lets get people back flying again. But let's get it back fine in huge numbers. The first year or two of reopening Ukraine will be difficult. It will take a number of years before you get the tourists to come back. So, there is a lot of hard work to do, a lot of low fares, a lot of partnership with Ukrainian airports. The price is big for all of us. Ukraine is a country with about 42 million people. So it's essentially the same population as Poland, but a bigger landmass. Actually, Poland has nearly three times the air travel that Ukraine has. We need to replicate that success here in Ukraine. You have the airports, the facilities are outstanding. The people are hardworking and committed. Ukraine needs a plan like the Marshall Plan for rebuilding Ukrainian aviation. I say with all my heart we wish Ukrainian people success in defeating Russia and joining the European Union. What Putin has achieved from this war is that Ukraine will never, ever look east towards Russia. Putin has managed to unite Europe, unite NATO, but he's failed in almost everything he thought he set out to achieve in Ukraine. Demagogues need to be defeated. Democracy needs to win. Thank you very much. Friday 21 July 2023 3:01pm As the number of vape retailers in Aotearoa continues to grow there are now more vape retailers than community pharmacies in the country - a group of health researchers and advocates says regulations are failing rangatahi. In a research letter in this weeks New Zealand Medical Journal, Professor Janet Hoek, of the University of Otago, Wellington, Bridget Rowse, of Te Whatu Ora, National Public Health Service, Northern Region, Nga Tai Ora , and Martin Witt, of the Cancer Society, say current and imminent regulations do not go far enough to reduce young peoples exposure to vaping products. Professor Hoek says regulations need to include more comprehensive proximity and density limits, a sinking lid measure, and approvals for opening specialist vape stores should also require community consultation. The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act 2020 differentiated between generic retailers and specialist vape retailers. The Act restricts generic retailers to selling vaping products featuring tobacco, menthol or mint flavours, while specialist vaping retailers ( SVR) operating as R18 stores, can sell a full flavour range. Regulations implementing the Vaping Act came into effect in August 2021, and by November that year the Vaping Regulatory Authority had approved 671 applications for specialist vaping stores. By the end of March this year, a further 534 applications had been approved. While half of the applications in the first three months were for specialist stores, that number jumped to 92 per cent of all applications since then. Professor Hoek says this change may reveal a loophole in the regulations. We believe these single store applications reflect the rising numbers of small retailers, typically dairy owners, who have subdivided their premises to include a specialist vape store. The evolution of these stores-within-a-store which are sometimes just a walk-in cupboard means specialist vape stores are now located adjacent to schools and playgrounds. This development is highly unlikely to support the legislations aim of minimising harm to young people and children, she says. A study in June last year found that of the 645 specialist vaping retailers in New Zealand, 613 were within one kilometre of a school. Since that study, SVR numbers have nearly doubled. By way of context, there are currently four times the number of SVR s than there are McDonalds and KFC stores, and SVR outlets now exceed the number of community pharmacies in the country. While new regulations announced last month would not allow specialist vape stories to begin operation within 300 metres of a school or marae, that does not address the issue of the many stores already operating in close proximity to schools. Not only do the proposed restrictions not govern general vape retailers, they will not apply retrospectively to address proximity problems that have caused community concerns and they do not address rising outlet density, Professor Hoek says. We need more comprehensive regulations that recognise outlet concentration will increase young peoples exposure to vaping products and facilitate vaping uptake. As well as introducing firmer proximity and density policies for both specialist and generic vape retailers, the community should also be involved in the approval process, a move which Professor Hoek says will help address the current disconnection between those making decisions and those affected. A sinking lid policy, where licences for stores that close or transfer ownership are not renewed, would also help reduce numbers in due course, she says. Aotearoa New Zealand has treated vaping products as though these are normal consumer products, when in fact they are anything but. That approach has failed rangatahi, particularly rangatahi Maori. The new regulations will not go far enough to safeguard young people and fall short of the detailed, comprehensive protection they deserve. Publication details: The rise and the rise of specialist vape stores: will proposed changes protect rangatahi? Bridget Rowse, Martin Witt, Janet Hoek The New Zealand Medical Journal (Friday 21 July 2023 edition) For more information please contact: Professor Janet Hoek Department of Public Health University of Otago, Wellington Email janet.hoek@otago.ac.nz Lea Jones Communications Adviser, Media Engagement University of Otago Mob +64 21 279 4969 Email lea.jones@otago.ac.nz Interfax-Ukraine to host discussion 'Local communities in the wartime: how and why to perform better?' On Monday, July 24, at 13:00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host an expert discussion on "Local communities in the wartime: how and why to perform better?" The discussion will be held within the framework of the Resilience program implemented by the East Europe Foundation in a consortium of NGOs led by ERIM and supported by the European Union. Participants: Anatoliy Tkachuk, Director of Science and Development at the Civil Society Institute; Program Manager of the Eastern Europe Foundation Vira Nedzvedska; Olga Krasovska, independent evaluation expert, Chairman of the Board of the Ukrainian Evaluation Association (2020-2023); Iryna Pletniova, Mayor of Uman community, Cherkasy region; moderator, expert on local development, grants and project management Liubov Ropalo (8/5-A Reitarska St.). The broadcast will be available on the Youtube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Registration of journalists on the spot with editorial credentials. Washington DC, US (PANA) - The Addis-Djibouti corridor, a vital trade route and lifeline for Ethiopia's 120 million people, will get a significant upgrade thanks to the newly approved Horn of Africa Initiatives Regional Economic Corridor Project Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - The home of former President Uhuru Kenyatta's son was raided on Friday in what the interior ministry said was an operation to disarm home owners of firearms Photo: (Photo : Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash) Wesleyan University, a New England liberal arts college, has made the decision to eliminate legacy admissions in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's ruling against race-based affirmative action. According to ABC, the move comes as part of the university's commitment to fostering a fair and inclusive admissions process. In a statement released by University President Michael S. Roth, he emphasized the importance of formally ending the admission preference for legacy applicants. While the university still values the ongoing relationships that stem from multi-generational attendance, there will no longer be a "bump" in the selection process for legacy applicants. Going forward, family members of alumni will be admitted based solely on their own merits. Valuing Merit-Based Admissions: Legacy Status Will No Longer Influence Selection Process at Wesleyan Legacy admissions had already played a negligible role in Wesleyan's admission process, as being related to an alumnus was deemed to provide little insight into an applicant's ability to succeed at the university. However, it was the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action that prompted Wesleyan's decision to discontinue the practice. The Supreme Court's ruling, which impacted colleges nationwide, declared that Harvard and the University of North Carolina's affirmative action admissions programs violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. This decision represents a departure from more than four decades of legal precedent and has raised concerns about race-conscious admissions programs across colleges and universities. Following the ruling, the admissions process for colleges and universities came under increased scrutiny, particularly regarding legacy admissions. According to Forbes, legacy admissions give preferential treatment to applicants who have family ties to alumni. Critics argue that this perpetuates privilege and limits opportunities for underrepresented groups. Wesleyan University's decision to end legacy admissions sets an important precedent, becoming the first university to take this step since the Supreme Court's ruling. Amherst College in Massachusetts also discontinued legacy admissions in 2021, with then-president Biddy Martin emphasizing the need to provide equal opportunities for academically talented individuals regardless of their financial background or legacy status. Out of the 2,280 students admitted for the class of 2027, only 4% had a parent who attended Wesleyan, according to the school. This figure had previously hovered between 7% and 8% for the classes of 2022 to 2026. Wesleyan's decision aligns with the broader national conversation about creating a more inclusive and diverse student body within colleges and universities. Read Also: Straight-A KSU Student Drops Out And Accuses University Of Scamming Students Prioritizing Meritocracy: Wesleyan University's Focus on Individual Merits in Admissions Process While legacy admissions had already played a minimal role in Wesleyan's admissions process, the university's decision sends a strong message about its commitment to fairness and equal opportunities in higher education. By eliminating legacy admissions, Wesleyan aims to level the playing field and provide equal chances for all applicants based on their own merits. As other institutions grapple with the implications of the Supreme Court's ruling, Wesleyan's decision serves as a progressive step towards a more equitable admissions process. It highlights the importance of considering the impact of admissions policies on diversity, representation, and equal access to education. With a renewed focus on merit and inclusivity, Wesleyan University is setting an example for other colleges and universities to follow. By prioritizing fairness and meritocracy, Wesleyan University is taking a significant step in shaping a more equitable and diverse landscape within higher education. This move is a testament to the university's commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their family background or connections. As the conversation around affirmative action and admissions practices continues to evolve, Wesleyan's decision stands as a progressive and proactive approach to address concerns and promote equal opportunities for all aspiring students. Related Article: School Admissions: Top Chicago Public School Makes Mistake, Retracts Offer For 500 Students Photo: (Photo : Image by Unsplash+ on Unsplash) In early 2023, 27 percent of paid full-time hours were worked from home. A study by Stanford University, which examined 10,000 workers across US cities and industries, found that most followed hybrid setups. If you're a work-from-home parent, you're likely aware of the revolutionary benefits of remote work. One of the greatest benefits is that your children can spend more time with you. According to research, the more kids spend time with their parents, the higher their sense of well-being. But besides your kids, you must also take care of yourself. A recent poll conducted by Savanta ComRes found 45 percent of parents experienced parental burnout. Fortunately, you can avoid it with the right tips. This article delves into seven ways to remain effective at work while being a responsible parent and a self-fulfilled individual. 1. Establish a Schedule Blurring the lines between work and personal life is usually the first mistake of inexperienced work-from-home (WFH) parents. It's easy to lose track of time when you're typing a report in your pajamas, tired from all the housework. But it doesn't have to be that way. You need a schedule. Make sure to get everyone involved and ensure they follow through. Whether it's feeding the pets or washing the dishes, older children in the house should help with chores when possible. The key is to put everything on a calendar that is open to all members of the household. Ensure that your routine includes quiet time for yourself and fun family time, too. Most importantly, avoid wide gaps in your calendar as they can tempt you to "freestyle" with random, productivity-hogging activities. If you enjoy that mid-morning mobile phone chat with a friend too much, you could lose time for the next task, creating a domino effect that ruins your entire schedule for the day. Ultimately, staying on track with your work, home, and self-care duties will reduce stress and help your mental health. 2. Be Clear About Boundaries Setting clear boundaries is one of the cornerstones of a successful WFH career, especially when you have kids at home. Ensure they understand that when the door to your office is closed, it stays that way until you open it. Of course, there may be exceptions during emergencies. But even these situations should be well-explained to the little ones. Another smart thing to do is immediately communicate any workload problems to your employer. It's a boundary issue because sometimes, it's hard to say no to your boss, but you must do it to keep a healthy work-life balance. The sooner you tell them about your issue, the earlier it gets resolved, and the less time you'll spend stressing over them. 3. Be Realistic There's a common belief that working from home increases employee productivity, but a 2021 study presents a different perspective. It found that the participants, all WFH knowledge workers, experienced a decline in productivity that researchers blamed on many factors. One factor was the difficulty of working in a virtual environment, where meetings were bigger and one-on-one interactions were fewer. As a result, workers had less focused time, which was further exacerbated by the presence of children. They also cited the absence of the intangible benefits of onsite work, such as colleague relationships, professional networks, and unplanned interactions that often spur innovative ideas. Sometimes, we believe we can do more at home because of the relaxed and comfortable environment. The productivity statistics we read can also mislead us into thinking we can do more, but we must be realistic and avoid over-committing. Instead of instinctively taking on additional work, know what's enough for you and stick to it. This way, you can concentrate on achievable goals, creating less frustration and more peace of mind. 4. Get Help With Home Responsibilities Being a WFH parent doesn't mean you have to do everything at home yourself. Although you have your kids, sometimes their help won't be enough, or they may not be ready for specific responsibilities like paying bills or picking up groceries. Having a go-to person or two might be the key to lessening your load. It could be a sibling who usually has time to spare or maybe your non-WFH spouse. This kind of consistent help goes a long way in keeping you focused on your job, which your employer will surely appreciate. 5. Take Breaks, Including Naps While you mustn't overindulge, breaks are necessary for your mental health and performance. However, not all breaks are created equal. While petting a dog can lower your stress hormone levels, a social media scroll can create negative experiences like FOMO (fear of missing out) and feelings of inadequacy. A particularly beneficial type of break is also the simplest: napping. You won't only feel rested, but doing it in the early afternoon can also improve your cognitive performance and alertness up to two hours following your nap. Additionally, experts discovered that physically removing yourself from your work area and spending time in a green space can be more recharging than just pausing at your desk. The same professionals suggest that you don't need to take extended breaks - short but regular ones are enough to refresh you. In any case, breaks interrupt the cycle of stress, help you regain mental composure, and reduce your chances of burnout. 6. Create a Social Support System Man is a social being. This fundamental fact underscores why you need a social support system. Working from home can make you feel isolated and stressed, but a social support system helps you attain a healthy frame of mind. Engaging with friends, relatives, or colleagues allows you to share your experiences and concerns, providing you with a sense of connectedness and belonging. Moreover, a social support system opens up channels for advice and guidance as you go about your journey as a parent working from home. You can exchange tips with other remote workers with kids, helping one another through experiences only you and they understand. Instead of relying only on your current circle, you can join online forums and communities dedicated to WFH parents. It can widen your perspective on work and life and develop a more positive outlook. 7. Take on a Hobby or Meaningful Activity Similar to taking breaks and naps, engaging in hobbies or meaningful activities is an excellent way to disrupt the cycle of WFH stress. Whether it's painting or helping a charity group, indulging your passions, or pursuing a cause is great for your mental health. Of course, a hobby is also effective in raising self-awareness, which is crucial to having a healthy mental disposition. A lack of self-knowledge keeps you from understanding your needs and meeting them. As a result, you deal with unfulfilled needs on top of the pressures of being a WFH parent. Bonus Tip: Listen to Your Gut Your body is equipped with the ability to warn you that it's time for rest. Maybe your heart rate goes up, your muscles feel sore, or you feel sick for no apparent reason. Sometimes, it's just time to pause, so take heed when your body signals it. Reach out to your boss, call in sick, and get your much-deserved mental health break. With the increasing awareness of mental health issues, many companies have grown more sensitive to their employees' sentiments. Even if your employer hasn't mentioned mental health breaks, don't hesitate to ask when you need one. You don't have to wait for your body to cue you. Just ask when you have the opportunity. Strive To Be a Happy and Productive Work From Home Parent In a FlexJobs study, 61 percent of parents prefer to work at home full-time, 37 percent are happy with a hybrid work setup, and 62 percent might quit if they had to stop working remotely. These numbers indicate that more and more parents could be working remotely in the coming years. As a WFH parent, you serve your children by making yourself more available. At the same time, never think that guarding your mental health is a selfish act. Remember, a mentally healthy and balanced parent contributes to a happier and more nurturing family environment. Photo: (Photo : Spencer Platt / Getty Images) In a devastating incident that unfolded along the banks of the Connecticut River, a mother and her five-year-old daughter were tragically lost after being believed to have been swept downstream. The rescue mission that followed ended in heartbreak, as both mother and child succumbed to the treacherous waters. Authorities are investigating the untimely deaths, ruling out foul play, while issuing warnings about the dangerous river conditions. Desperate Search and Rescue for the Mother and Daughter According to People, the incident occurred on Tuesday, July 18, when Quinebaug Valley Dispatch alerted Connecticut State Police Troop E in Montville of a report concerning a mother and her child lost in the Shetucket River in the Park Drive area of Sprague. Responding to the distress call, State Troopers, along with members of several local Fire Departments and EMS, rushed to the scene. During the extensive search, rescue crews located an adult female and a young girl in the river, initiating life-saving efforts on the spot. The victims were subsequently transported by ambulance to William W. Backus Hospital, raising hopes that medical intervention could save their lives. Despite the best efforts of the rescue teams, the mother, identified as Kelly Dora, 39, of Norwich, was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The child, identified as Aralye McKeever, aged 5, was later transferred to Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford. Tragically, young Aralye's fight for survival came to an end on July 19, as she was pronounced dead at the medical facility. Heartbroken next of kin were notified of the devastating loss. The news of this tragic incident sent shockwaves through the Connecticut community, leaving many grieving for the loss of a young life and a loving mother. Read Also: Missing Alabama Woman Case: Police Share Updates on Carlee Russell's Abduction Investigations and Safety Warnings As authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, they have stated that foul play is not suspected. According to CSP News, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause and manner of death, seeking answers for the family and community grappling with this heartbreaking loss. In the wake of this tragedy, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) issued a separate news release, urging residents to exercise caution around flooded rivers and streams. Paul Copleman, the media relations manager for DEEP, emphasized the dangers posed by high waters, swift currents, and moving debris, which can prove fatal to unsuspecting individuals, even in areas not visibly flooded. The Connecticut River, once a source of enjoyment and tranquility for many, turned into a scene of sorrow and mourning as a mother and her young child lost their lives to its unpredictable currents. According to NBC Connecticut, the closure of the swimming area adjacent to River Park due to the incident and elevated water levels. Additionally, the state's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection cautioned against venturing near numerous flooded rivers and streams within the region, advising people to steer clear of such areas. As the community mourns their tragic passing, questions remain about how such a heartbreaking incident could occur. In the face of this tragedy, authorities and environmental agencies emphasize the importance of river safety, urging residents to exercise extreme caution during periods of flooding or swift currents to prevent further losses of life. Though the rescue efforts may have ended in tragedy, the memory of Kelly Dora and Aralye McKeever will live on in the hearts of their loved ones, forever cherished and dearly missed. Related Article: Children's Hospital Colorado Shifts Focus, Ends Transition Surgeries for Transgender Adults BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to Philippe, King of the Belgians, Trend reports. "Your Majesty, On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my most sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and through you all your people on the occasion of the national holiday of the Kingdom of Belgium," the letter said. Photo: (Photo : Jon Cherry / Getty Images) The National Education Association (NEA), the largest union of teachers in the United States, has found itself embroiled in controversy as it recommends the inclusion of the book "Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe in its 'Great Summer Reads for Educators' list. The NEA's selection, aimed at providing educators with diverse perspectives, has sparked outrage among parents and critics due to the book's sexually explicit content and LGBTQIA+ themes. As debates continue, the NEA faces scrutiny over its commitment to racial and social justice, and its defense of book inclusion amidst calls for censorship. NEA Stands for Book Inclusion According to Valuetainment, in its recently published 'Great Summer Reads for Educators!' list, the NEA featured "Gender Queer" alongside ten other titles, including books that explore racial understanding and conversations about racism. However, "Gender Queer" quickly became the center of attention, as it was listed in the NEA's 'banned books' section, having been one of the most challenged books for two consecutive years. Critics have voiced concerns over the book's graphic content, as it deals with puberty, gender identity, and features explicit cartoon illustrations, leading some to call it "soft porn" and inappropriate for school shelves. The memoir, penned by Maia Kobabe, recounts the author's journey of coming out as nonbinary and asexual, exploring gender identity in a way that Kobabe believes is vital for understanding various facets of life. Despite the book's acclaim, with awards from the American Library Association and PEN America, it remains a subject of controversy and challenges to its place in educational settings. NEA's Commitment to Social and Racial Justice NEA's president, Becky Pringle, has repeatedly emphasized the union's dedication to social and racial justice. For the NEA, education justice extends beyond traditional boundaries and must encompass climate justice and other interesting aspects. This dedication to inclusivity and understanding has driven the NEA to advocate against book bans, arguing that restricting access to books puts both students and educators at a disadvantage. However, the inclusion of "Gender Queer" in the recommended reading list has raised questions about the NEA's consistency in promoting inclusivity. According to Poynter, while the NEA asserts that the list is intended for educators and not students, some media outlets have mistakenly portrayed it as a summer reading list for kids, causing further confusion and controversy. Fox News, in particular, has faced criticism for misrepresenting the NEA's intentions and inflaming the situation with sensationalized headlines. Read Also: California Jury Awards $18.8 Million To Cancer Victim in Johnson & Johnson Talc Baby Powder Lawsuit Author's Perspective and Defending Inclusion Maia Kobabe, the author of "Gender Queer," has expressed disagreement with the outrage surrounding the book's inclusion in the NEA's list. As per the New York Post, defending the memoir's explicit content, Kobabe highlights that gender identity and sexuality are interconnected aspects of life. The author believes that addressing these themes honestly is essential for fostering understanding and empathy among educators and students alike. As the controversy continues, the NEA remains steadfast in its position, maintaining that educators benefit from reading diverse books to better comprehend their colleagues, students, and the families they serve. Despite calls for censorship, the NEA's commitment to upholding freedom of expression remains unwavering. As the nation's largest teachers union, the NEA faces the challenge of navigating complex issues surrounding LGBTQIA+ representation, explicit content, and the promotion of racial and social justice in education. As the conversation continues, educators, parents, and the NEA itself grapple with finding a middle ground that respects freedom of expression while ensuring a safe and appropriate learning environment for all. Related Article: Children's Hospital Colorado Shifts Focus, Ends Transition Surgeries for Transgender Adults This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions New just yesterday on the website of the Interpreter Foundation: Conference Talks: In the Visions of the Night: The Human Brain and Divine Revelation, originally presented by Brant A. Gardner on Saturday, 12 March 2016, at the 2016 Second Interpreter Science & Mormonism Symposium: Body, Brain, Mind, and Spirit. *** Hal Boyd is always interesting, and this recent article for the Deseret News especially caught my notice: The winds of change: The Middle East is in the midst of a generational sea change. Could that mean more freedom and religious tolerance? Let us pray! And heres another article that I think worth calling to your attention: How will religion fare as liberal arts education shrinks in the United States of America? Its a really good question: After all of the miracles he has seen in his life, why doesnt Indiana Jones truly believe? As Ive been telling you to the point of (your) boredom, the Interpreter Foundation is now moving forward with a film project presumably, as with our Witnesses effort, divided into theatrical movie, docudrama, and short features, though things always evolve and change along the way (as, in fact, the Witnesses project did) that were terming Six Days in August. It will focus on the succession crisis following the murder of Joseph and Hyrum, on the confrontation between Sidney Rigdon and the Twelve, and on the preparation of the Twelve to assume leadership of the Church. Important materials in support of our approach include (but are far from exhausted by) the following, which are cited from Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, The Prophets Final Charge to the Twelve, 1844 (https://rsc.byu.edu/joseph-smith-prophet-seer/prophets-final-charge-twelve-1844): At an important meeting that occurred in the spring of 1844, Joseph addressed the Twelve and gave them their last charge. Years later, he commented on that event: I, Wilford Woodruff, being the last man living in the flesh who was present upon that occasion feel it a duty I owe to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to the House of Israel, and to the whole world to bear this my last testimony to all nations, that in the winter of 18434, Joseph Smith, the Prophet of God, called the Twelve Apostles together in the City of Nauvoo, and spent many days with us in giving us our endowments, and teaching us those glorious principles which God had revealed to him. And upon one occasion he stood upon his feet in our midst for nearly three hours declaring unto us the great and last dispensation which God had set His hand to perform upon the earth in these last days. The room was filled as if with consuming fire; the Prophet was clothed upon with much of the power of God, and his face shone and was transparently clear, and he closed that speech, never-to-be-forgotten in time or in eternity, with the following language: Brethren, I have had great sorrow of heart for fear that I might be taken from the earth with the keys of the Kingdom of God upon me, without sealing them upon the heads of other men. God has sealed upon my head all the keys of the Kingdom of God necessary for organizing and building up of the Church, Zion, and Kingdom of God upon the earth, and to prepare the Saints for the coming of the Son of Man. Now, brethren, I thank God I have lived to see the day that I have been enabled to give you your endowments, and I have now sealed upon your heads all the powers of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods and Apostleship, with all the keys and powers thereof, which God has sealed upon me; and I now roll off all the labor, burden and care of this Church and Kingdom of God upon your shoulders, and I now command you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to round up your shoulders, and bear off this Church and Kingdom of God before heaven and earth, and before God, angels and men; and if you dont do it you will be damned. And the same spirit that filled the room at that time burns in my bosom while I record this testimony, and the Prophet of God appointed no one else but the Twelve Apostles to stand at the head of the Church and direct its affairs. (James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966), 3:134; see Richard Neitzel Holzapfel and Steven C. Harper, This Is My Testimony, Spoken by Myself into a Talking Machine, BYU Studies 45, no. 2 (Spring 2006): 11216.). [514-515 and 523 note 58] To which Dr. Holzapfel adds this further item in support: There is another important source about this monumental gathering which may be the earliest written document describing the meeting. Although it is unknown exactly when it was composed, it could have been written as early as September 1844. Speaking of the meeting, the Twelve recalled, Joseph Smith seemed somewhat depressed in Spirit, and took the liberty to open his heart to us concerning his presentiments of the future. The document then records what the Prophet said on that occasion. Joseph told the Twelve, The Lord bids me hasten the work in which we are engaged. The Prophet did not want the keys and powers to be lost from the earth so he placed them on the heads of the Twelve: Upon the shoulders of the Twelve must the responsibility of leading this church henceforth rest until you shall appoint others to succeed you. Your enemies cannot kill you all at once and should any of you be killed you can lay your hands upon others and fill up the quorum. Thus can this power and these keys be perpetuated in the earth. (Draft Declaration of the Twelve Apostles, ca. September 1844, reporting March 1844 meeting of Twelve, in Brigham Young Papers, Church History Library, Salt Lake City.) (516 and 523 note 59) Were Brigham Young and the other members the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles the legitimate and authorized successors to Joseph Smith in Church leadership? Other claimants to that leadership have, of course, denied that they were. And lately Ive heard even some members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints deny that the Twelve legitimately succeeded Joseph. I will confess that this has shocked me and left me somewhat dismayed. It should surprise nobody that, via its Six Days in August project, the Interpreter Foundation will come down forthrightly and unambiguously on the side of the Quorum of the Twelve as the proper and legitimate heirs to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Posted from Park City, Utah Microsoft Office, which was renamed Microsoft 365 a while ago, is about to undergo drastic visual changes. Microsoft is giving its Office suite a new standard theme across all individual applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Everything from fonts to colors to even line weights are getting new default settings. The changes are intended to make documents created with Microsoft 365 look more modern and accessible, Microsoft says. Heres brief overview of what Office users will need to adjust to once the new Microsoft 365 default theme goes live at some point in the future. Further reading: How to get Microsoft Office 365 for cheap New standard font: Aptos replaces Calibri The first, most obvious change that every Microsoft 365 user will see immediately: Office will soon be using a new default font. HCD Since 2013, Calibri has been the default font for Office apps. But Microsoft users with five alternatives to choose from for a new default: Bierstadt Grandview Seaford Skeena Tenorite Bierstadt won the race and will now become the new standard font for Microsoft 365, albeit under the name Aptos. Aptos supports a variety of font styles (such as normal, italic, bold, etc.) and variants such as narrow, serif, and monochrome. Microsoft As usual, you can of course use any other font available in Microsoft Office. New color palette Microsoft also researched popular color palettes and design trends and then created a set of standard colors that should work well in all Office applications. The motivation behind the change is making your documents feel more accessible. The new colors are suitable for content such as charts, lists, and shapes. Microsoft New style Microsoft wants to make the default style for Word documents and Outlook emails easier to read and more professional looking. This change should make it easier for users to navigate through documents. Microsoft New line widths Microsoft has also increased the line widths, so the lines will be thicker. This should lead to better consistency between shapes and lines. Microsoft has also improved the contrast. Microsoft How to use the new Microsoft 365 theme With the introduction of the new theme, all new documents, presentations, worksheets, and emails you create in Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook will automatically have the new theme applied. You wont need to take any special action to see it. Your existing documents will not be changed to the new theme, however. They will continue to use the original design that was applied when they were created. You can continue to use the previous Office theme if you want, but youll need to manually change to Office Theme 2013 2022. Availability Currently, only Microsoft 365 Insider Testers can try out the new theme. These are the requirements: Win32: Version 2308 (Build 16701.20000) or higher Mac: Version 16.76 (Build 23070400) or higher Android: Version 16.0.16701.20000 or higher An iOS version isnt available yet. Microsoft is not yet disclosing when all Microsoft 365 users will be swapped over to the new default theme. Until then, Calibri will remain the standard font in Office. Editors note: This article was translated from German to English, and originally appeared on pcwelt.de. Several of the top American companies developing AI have agreed to work with the U.S. government and commit to several principles to ensure public trust in AI, the White House said Friday. Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI all signed off on the commitments to make AI safe, secure, and trustworthy. In May, the Biden administration had said that it would meet with leading AI developers to ensure that they were consistent with U.S. policy. The commitments are not binding, and there are no penalties for failing to adhere to them. The policies cant retroactively affect AI systems that have already been deployed, either one of the provisions says that the companies will commit to testing the AI for security vulnerabilities, both internally and externally, before releasing it. Still, the new commitments are designed to reassure the public (and, to some extent, lawmakers) that AI can be deployed responsibly. The Biden administration had already proposed using AI within government to streamline tasks. Perhaps the most immediate effects will be felt on AI art, as all of the parties agreed to digital watermarking to identify a piece of art as AI-generated. Some services, such as Bings Image Creator, already do this. All of the signees also committed to using AI for the public good, such as cancer research, as well as identifying areas of appropriate and inappropriate use. This wasnt defined, but could include the existing safeguards that prevent ChatGPT, for example, from helping to plan a terrorist attack. The AI companies also pledged to preserve data privacy, a priority Microsoft has upheld with enterprise versions of Bing Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot. All of the companies have committed to internal and external security testing of their AI systems before their release, and sharing information with industry, governments, the public, and academia on managing AI risks. They also pledged to allow third-party researchers access to discover and report vulnerabilities. Microsoft president Brad Smith endorsed the new commitments, noting that Microsoft has been an advocate for establishing a national registry of high-risk AI systems. (A California congressman has called for a federal office overseeing AI.) Google also disclosed its own red team of hackers who try to break AI using attacks like prompt attacks, poisoning data, and more. As part of our mission to build safe and beneficial AGI, we will continue to pilot and refine concrete governance practices specifically tailored to highly capable foundation models like the ones that we produce, OpenAI said in a statement. We will also continue to invest in research in areas that can help inform regulation, such as techniques for assessing potentially dangerous capabilities in AI models. Microsoft is moving several significant features into its latest Windows 11 Insider Beta Channel release today, a sign that its committed to updates like RGB lighting controls, an updated File Explorer, and a subtle but nifty improvement in inking. Microsoft released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22621.2050 and Build 22631.2050 to the Windows Insider Beta Channel today. Shipping them to users in the Beta Channel has historically been the first official signal that Microsoft has signed off on the features to eventually ship them. (The 631 build includes all of the features for testing, while the other holds some back.) The new features may seem familiar, especially if youve been following releases in the experimental Canary or Dev Channels, where Microsoft doesnt always bring new features to market if they test poorly. Microsoft hasnt said when these new features would be available, but with mentions of 23H2 already bubbling up, it seems likely that theyll appear in September or October. Heres a look at what Microsoft is promising: A (new) modernized File Explorer Microsoft has revamped the File Explorer app previouslyadding tabs, a pizza icon, better visibility into available OneDrive storage, and deeper insights into file previews in the preview page. Its heading further down this path, in part because the new WinUI framework allows additional customization, Microsoft says. An attractive carousel view will greet you on the File Explorer home view. Microsoft File Explorer will show Recommended files in a carousel view from the Home view. Youll also see your OneDrive status integrated into File Explorer, and any cloud folders will be better integrated into Windows. Finally, the Details pane in File Explorer (Alt+Shift+P) will even show you related content and show recent activity on a file if its been shared and/or modified. Specifically, when a user selects a file in File Explorer and enables the pane, a modern pane will display contextual information about the file including file thumbnail, share status and button, file activity, related files and e-mails, and other information, Microsoft said. File Explorers new preview pane. Microsoft Passkey management Last month, Microsoft began building in passkey support within its Windows Insider Dev Channel. Passkeys replaces passwords on sites like BestBuy.com with the biometrics on your PC or phoneif a Web site like Amazon adds passkey support for the Web, you wont need to enter (or remember) your password. Instead, youll use Windows Hello. Microsoft is adding a Settings page (Settings > Accounts > Passkeys) where you can manage all of the passkeys for sites youve visited. This is a fantastic step forward for ease of use, but it will need industry support to move further ahead. Unsafe password warnings If you do use passwords, though, as we all do, Microsoft is also warning you not to copy your password using cut and paste. Microsoft is adding a feature to Windows Security under App & browser control > Reputation-based protection > Phishing protection to warn you on the unsafe habit of copying a password via copy and paste. Microsoft Dynamic Lighting gets a stamp of approval Given that Microsoft has already chosen to work with several PC accessories companies that include RGB, it seemed inevitable that the overarching controls for PC RGB lighting, known as Dynamic Lighting, would appear in Windows. Normally, vendors often provide their own RGB lighting control software. Third-party apps also try and provide umbrella access. Microsoft decided to bring it all within Windows, so you can make your PC as sparkly as possible. A new Dynamic Lighting settings page will provide a one-stop shop for all of these controls. Youll be able to manage RGB accessories from within Windows with Dynamic Lighting. Microsoft While Microsoft maintains an up-to-date list of hardware compatible with Dynamic Lighting, at press time it was still dominated by Razer hardware. Direct Inking Inking finally works like youd expect it to. On Windows, inking has traditionally meant one of two things: drawing freehand with a pen or scrawling text inside of a dedicated box. If you needed to input text inside of a particular field, you could either ink it (like a signature) or write it inside of a separate input box, where it would be translated into text. In the real world, you can write on a piece of paper such as a field-trip permission slip and our brains interpret that as text. Now Windows does too. If Windows presents a search box, for example, you can simply write in the search box and Windows will translate your inked handwriting into typed text and enter it in the proper field. Only English is supported, though. Direct inking could be a sleeper hit for Surface Pro tablet users. Microsoft Windows Spotlight tweaks Windows Spotlight has been one of my favorite features within Windows for years: a simple, gorgeous photo of the natural world which serves as that days background. Microsofts tweaking Spotlight further to offer more information about what youre seeing, so you can learn more about it or even potentially plan a visit. To enable Windows Spotlight on your PC today, right-click on your desktop and choose Personalize and then choose the new Spotlight theme, Microsoft says. Microsoft has never said whether all of its backgrounds are formatted for 4K displays, though Im seeing more and more high-resolution photography on my screen. Microsoft has added an updated volume mixer (Win+CTRL+V) where you can configure the volume and source of the audio on a per-app basis, which it showed off earlier. Microsoft is also trying to make it easier for users to find its Windows Sonic spatial sound in addition to other audio enhancement technologies (Dolby DTS and so on) that may be available. Windows 11s new Volume Mixer. Microsoft File sharing within Windows has always been a bit of a pain. Now, if you right-click on a file to share it, youll receive new options. Youll see a button to turn on nearby sharing, for example. Everyone will now be able to email their files through Outlook directly within the Windows share window and youll see a search box to type in contact names. Windows will now return suggestions as you do. File sharing among friends will hopefully get easier under Windows 11. Microsoft Other tweaks: The second edition of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) Foundation Career Fair, has been held at the University of Cape Coast in the Central Region. The fair drew hundreds of participants into an information exchange forum with industry professionals, to prepare them for the demands of the ever-evolving global workforce. Themed: Strategic Positioning for the Job Market, the highly anticipated event proved to be a resounding success, providing a dynamic platform for students, fresh graduates, and job seekers to hone their skills and acquire knowledge on the key competencies required by employers which are also useful in ensuring business success for those seeking to chart entrepreneurial paths. With an array of insightful presentations and expert-led discussions on topics such as Emotional Intelligence, Financial Management and Design Thinking for Positive Change, the event offered an invaluable opportunity for attendees to gain practical insights and guidance on how to succeed in the world of work. Participants, also among other things, had the opportunity to engage in a variety of activities, including networking sessions with industry professionals offering insights into industry trends, skill development, and career pathways. Additionally, various companies actively participated in recruitment drives, opening exciting opportunities for potential internships and job placements. In a message read on his behalf by Dr. Dominic Eduah, Executive Director of the Foundation, the Chief Executive Officer of GNPC, Opoku-Ahweneeh Danquah, said the Career Fair, being one of the many educational and human capacity development initiatives funded by the Corporation, is implemented by the Foundation with the aim to bridge the gap between academia and industry; empowering students to align themselves with the unique expectations of the constantly changing job market. He further encouraged young Ghanaians to channel the energies of their youth into expanding their knowledge by investing their time in research and innovation as a sure way to safeguarding their future. Dr. Eduah, expressing his delight with the events success and its assured impact on the attending students, said the GNPC Foundation is committed to fostering the personal and professional growth of students, and the success of the second edition of the Career Fair underscores the Foundations dedication to this cause. We are thrilled to witness the exceptional outcomes from todays session. The enthusiasm and active participation from both students and industry professionals have exceeded our expectations, and we are confident that the skills acquired here will be instrumental in shaping their future careers for the best, he concluded. The Dean of Students, who also served as the Chairperson for the occasion, Prof. Eugene Marfo Darteh, expressed gratitude for the initiative and added his expectation that, the GNPC Foundation Career Fair proves a transformative experience for our students. This program has provided an avenue for them to interact directly with industry experts, gaining valuable insights into the current job markets expectations. We believe that this exposure will significantly enhance their career prospects and better prepare them to face the challenges of the professional world, he concluded. Also present at the program were Prof. Moses Jojo Eghan, Provost of the College of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, the Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, a representative of the Central Regional Minister as well as officials from a host of companies including Republic Bank, CBG, ADB, Enterprise Life and Hubtel, who lent their support to the programme. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video South African authorities are concerned there could be a second explosion in Johannesburg's business district, after one person died and 48 were injured in a large blast on Wednesday. Videos show a main road split wide open from the force of the explosion, with several vehicles blown onto their side. It is still unclear what led to the blast, but officials suspect an underground gas pipe is responsible. Officials have pleaded with the public to stay clear of the area. The scene at Bree Street is still being treated as a potential risk area - emergency services remain there and people are being evacuated where necessary. Several streets have been closed to traffic and electricity supply in the area has been sealed off, in what is usually one of the busiest parts of South Africa's commercial hub. Officials from Gauteng province, which includes Johannesburg, suspect the blast may have been caused when some underground gas pipes ruptured. Addressing the media on Thursday, Premier Panyaza Lesufi said 12 people are still being treated in hospital for their injuries. A preliminary inquiry did not establish the cause of the blast and investigations are underway to determine what happened, he told reporters. Local supplier Egoli Gas said on Thursday that they had found a small leak in one of their pipes, but they believe it is unlikely that it led to the explosion. The firm has been asked by authorities to check on their other pipes in the area, as a possible gas leak still the focus of investigations. On Wednesday evening, witnesses reported feeling the ground shake then hearing a loud bang moments before the earth opened, and a section of Bree Street collapsed. 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. Featured Video An MP in Ghana is calling for the legislative body to investigate the activities of the US-based charity International Justice Mission (IJM), following a BBC Africa Eye expose of an anti-human trafficking scheme where children are wrongfully identified as victims. The MP, Betty Krosby, on Wednesday, told her colleagues in parliament to reconsider the countrys anti-human trafficking laws which she says are often exploited by NGOs. International NGOs are taking advantage of our human trafficking law," to benefit their own organisations, she added. "I would urge this house to reconsider the act on human trafficking and the childrens act once again to consider our cultural values and way of life as well to put proper systems in place to monitor and evaluate the activities of such organisations in Ghana," she said. While condemning IJM's activities exposed by the BBC investigation, the lawmaker expressed concern about publications that suggest there is pervasive child trafficking in communities along Lake Volta. BBC Africa Eye, in its latest investigative documentary, exposed how IJM was falsely identifying and separating children from their families, sometimes through violent means while aiding local authorities to prosecute and jail their breadwinners. The IJM told the BBC that it seeks to "provide the most effective support to authorities to stop child trafficking." The group added that its "approach always has the welfare of the child at its core". 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. Featured Video BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned the act of burning the Quran in Sweden, Trend reports. "We strongly condemn despicable act of Quran burning in Sweden. We call on authorities to take all necessary measures against perpetrators and to prevent the recurrence of such hate crimes," the ministry wrote on its Twitter page. On June 28, on the Eid al-Adhar, one of the biggest holidays for Muslims, in the capital of Sweden, Stockholm, two men burned the Quran near the mosque in the presence of police officers. 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. A survey conducted in 36 countries by Afrobarometer reveals that declining satisfaction threatens African democracy. In these countries, the report disclosed that two-thirds (66 per cent) of Africans prefer democracy over any other form of government. It also stated that large majorities reject one-man rule (80 per cent), one-party rule (78 per cent), and military rule (67 per cent). But only 38 per cent express satisfaction with the way democracy functions in their countries. Satisfaction with the way democracy is working has declined across Africa, undermining citizens confidence in democratic governance, the Afrobarometer CEO, Joseph Asunka, disclosed on Monday at the Africa Drive for Democracy Conference Elders Retreat in Arusha, Tanzania. The conference gathered former heads of state and key elders, creating a platform to discuss the state of democracy in Africa and harness their collective wisdom and imagination in building pathways for renewed and sustained democracy on the continent. Asunka cited non-compliance with presidential term limits, rising crime and insecurity, and corruption as factors that may be contributing to popular dissatisfaction with democratic rule. The data shows that Africans commitment to democracy remains strong, however, governments and elected leaders have failed to meet these popular democratic aspirations, he stated. This has led to a decline in popular confidence in democratic governance and an increasing attraction to military rule and intervention, he lamented. Tanzanian President, Samia Suluhu Hassan, stated that Unless and until African governments address the deficiencies in democratic governance and deliver essential public services to their people, democracy will remain an aspiration never to be meaningfully realised. Addressing the conference theme, Securing Africas democratic future through learning and engaging, Ernest Bai Koroma, former president of Sierra Leone, said confronting these challenges demands collective action to preserve and strengthen democratic norms and institutions. No doubt democracy is not without obstacles, but together we must confront the challenges that threaten its foundations: poor leadership, ineffective citizenship, corruption, poverty, political polarisation, rogue elections, and all the attendant ramifications of social unrest and political instability, he urged. Source: dailyguidenetwork.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Accra High Court has dismissed the case against First Atlantic Bank by former National Service person, Deborah Seyram Adablah who has alleged sexual harassment against the bank and its former Chief Finance Officer, Ernest Kwasi Nimako. The High Court in Accra has awarded cost of GH6,000 as compensation to the bank against Deborah Seyram Adablah, the young woman who has sued a former Chief Finance officer of the First Atlantic Bank, Ernest Kwasi Nimako. That was after the court presided over by Justice Olivia Obeng Owusu, struck out First Atlantic Banks name from the case today, Friday, July 21, following a motion filed by lawyers of First Atlantic Bank. Lawyers for the bank had asked the court to award a cost of GH50,000 but Adablahs lawyer pleaded with the court and the Plaintiff offered to pay GH5,000. Meanwhile, Lawyers of the Plaintiff, Deborah Seyram Adablah had on June 15,2023 filed a motion to set aside the ruling of the Court for execution and order for preservation of the vehicle which is one of the subject matters in dispute. However the substantive case, is still hanging as numerous interim applications have stood in the way of the case. Ernest Kwasi Nimako, on the other hand has filed an interim application to commit Adablah to prison for contempt. The plaintiff is seeking an order from the court directed at the sugar daddy to transfer the title of the car into her name, and also give her back the car. She is also asking the court to order the defendant to pay her the lump sum to enable her to start a business to take care of herself as agreed by the plaintiff and the defendant. Another relief is for the court to order the sugar daddy to pay the outstanding two years' accommodation as agreed between her and the defendant. Again, she wants the court to order the defendant to pay her medical expenses as a result of a side effect of a family planning treatment the defendant told her to do in order not to get pregnant. Background Adablah who is the plaintiff filed a writ alleging sexual harassment against Ernest Kwesi Nimako, former Chief Finance Officer and the bank. Following the action, the Bank had requested that its name be withdrawn from the lawsuit filed by the former NSS worker. In that application dated January 24, this year, the Bank requested that seven paragraphs of the writ be dismissed on the ground that they disclose no reasonable cause of action against the applicant. It contends that Paragraphs 7,8,9,10,11,31,32,33,34,36 and 37 which were requested to be excluded comprise portions of the writ that accuse the bank of watching on for female workers being harassed sexually by senior male officers of the bank. The substantive case alleging sexual harassment against Kwasi Nimako would be dealt with after this preliminary application. Substantive case Deborah Seyram Adablah's suit, filed on Monday, January 23, 2023, alleges that Ernest Kwasi Nimako, whom she refers to as her "sugar daddy," made several promises to her. According to the plaintiff, Nimako agreed to buy her the car, pay for her accommodation for three years, provide a monthly stipend of GH3,000, marry her after divorcing his wife, and offer a lump sum to start a business. The plaintiff claims that although the car was initially registered in Nimako's name, he later took it back, depriving her of its use after just a year. Additionally, she asserts that Nimako paid for only one year of accommodation, despite promising to cover three years. The plaintiff is seeking an order from the court directed at the sugar daddy to transfer the title of the car into her name, and also give her back the car. She is also asking the court to order the defendant to pay her the lump sum to enable her to start a business to take care of herself as agreed by the plaintiff and the defendant. Another relief is for the court to order the sugar daddy to pay the outstanding two years' accommodation as agreed between her and the defendant. Again, she wants the court to order the defendant to pay her medical expenses as a result of a side effect of a family planning treatment the defendant told her to do in order not to get pregnant. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Former Minister for Central Region, Kwamena Duncan has replied former Energy Minister and a Presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party(NPP), Boakye Agyarko on his comment that some of his colleagues in the presidential race numbering 8 are against the candidacy of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Hon. Boakye Agyarko, speaking on Citi TV, intimated that eight candidates including himself are in regular communication and will take a collective decision to take Dr. Bawumia down in the NPP upcoming primary. The NPP will hold a Special Delegates Congress on Saturday, August 26 to elect five out of ten candidates and the five will compete in the main race on Saturday, November 4 this year. The ten candidates comprise the Vice President; Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP; Kennedy Agyapong, former Trade Minister; Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, former Agric Minister; Dr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice; Joe Ghartey, former NPP General Secretary; Kwabena Agyei Agyepong, former Offinso MP, Kofi Konadu Apraku among others. "Let's not prejudge what will happen but my suspicion is yes. We, the eight aspirants in constant touch, will support one candidate other than Bawumia," Boakye Agyarko is quoted, according to Ghanaweb publication on July 11. But Kwamena Duncan has burst Mr. Agyarko's bubble, stating his dream will not materialize. He held that there is no way the Special Delegates Congress will go into a run-off, hence some eight candidates going to gang up against Bawumia is only Boakye Agyarko's figment of imagination. "It will not even come to that," he told Kwami Sefa Kayi on Wednesday's edition of 'Kokrokoo' on Peace FM. He explained that the constitution of the NPP does not mandate that five candidates must strictly be elected during the Special Delegates Congress, so even if it ends with two candidates, the party will proceed with the main congress. "There will not be run-off there . . . at most, we will present five, so there will not be eight there to join together that in the event of a run-off," he emphasized. He also wondered what at all could Dr. Bawumia have done to deserve this sort of hatred. "He (Boakye Agyarko) said all but Bawumia. What it means is that they all together against Bawumia. I don't know what at all is paining him for him to say this . . . it will not come to pass." Watch video below Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Economist Kwame Pianim has expressed his disapproval of Members of Parliament (MPs) who boycott their parliamentary duties to protest situations they disagree with. According to Mr Pianim, such actions are not acceptable, and has advocated for the removal of allowances for MPs engaged in boycotts. A parliamentarian has no business to boycott parliament. If they boycott parliament their allowances should be taken off, he said on the News 360 on TV3 Wednesday, July 19. Parliament is young, there is a tendency now to put a lot of burden on the fledgling judiciary which is not fair, 3news.com quoted. He emphasized that lawmakers should fulfil their responsibilities and not refrain from participating in parliamentary sessions as a means of protest. Mr. Pianim further pointed out that the parliament is still in its nascent stages, and he believes that undue burdens are being placed on the fledgling judiciary, which he considers unfair. The discussion was sparked by the decision of the Minority in Parliament to abstain from parliamentary sessions as a form of protest against the ongoing trial of James Gyakye Quayson, the Member of Parliament for Assin North. The Minority justified their decision by stating that it is in response to what they perceived as the government's escalating "persecution" of Mr Quayson. In their statement, the opposition lawmakers highlighted their concerns about the High Court's ruling to continue the daily trial of Mr Quayson, even with a pending application before the Court of Appeal requesting a stay of proceedings. The Minority questioned the practicality of expecting the accused MP to attend court daily while also fulfilling his parliamentary duties and representing the people of Assin North effectively. The trial of James Gyakye Quayson has drawn attention due to the unique circumstances surrounding his parliamentary tenure. Having been elected twice within a single parliamentary term, he initially won the 2020 Parliamentary election in the Assin North Constituency, which the Supreme Court later nullified after two and a half years. Subsequently, a by-election was held, in which he emerged victorious with an overwhelming 57.56% majority. Despite Mr. Quayson's application to halt the criminal trial until the outcomes of the pending appeals in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, the Accra High Court dismissed the stay proceedings application on Tuesday, July 18. 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. Featured Video The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei-Owusu has stated that Ghana's eighth Parliament has seen a shift in power dynamics, with backbenchers taking center stage and the leadership facing challenges in controlling affairs. The Deputy Speaker lamented that the equal number of Members of Parliament (MPs) on the side of the ruling party and the opposition has led to a focus on politics rather than the essential business of governance and as a result, the eighth Parliament has witnessed a decline in legislative productivity. We have decided to do politics instead of business. This equal number in parliament has brought the worst in MPs, I have repeated it, I will repeat it again this parliament, the eighth parliament has made the least number of laws, myjoyonline.com quoted him to have said. Speaking in a media interview after a parliamentary sitting Joseph Osei-Owusu, who has served in parliament for more than a decade, expressed his concern about the rising trend of absent MPs hindering the conduct of parliamentary business. The said absence according to him has added to the difficulties in managing the affairs of the house. Highlighting the shifting dynamics, the First Deputy Speaker noted that young MPs, particularly those seated in the backbench, have taken on an active role in steering discussions and raising important issues for consideration instead of the leadership. Young people are in control; they look at things differently from the rest of us, so it is even good for them when their leaders agree to do it. Check the current parliament, it is always people from the back bench who come to raise this thing and not the leaders. What it means is that at this time in the parliament of Ghana, leaders dont have control, the back bench has control. The Minority declared early this week that they are escalating their protest against the prosecution of Gyakye Quayson. The new strategy is to continuously raise issue of quorum, literally shutting the House down every time. 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. Featured Video Delegates in the Buem constituency of the Oti region, have thrown their support behind Hon Alan Kyerematen, frontrunner in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential race. Speaking at a delegates durbar in Jasikan, constituency chairman, Mr. Agbley Arnold assured the aspirant of the massive support of his people at the August 26 primaries, saying 70% of randomly sampled voters expressed their desire to see him (Hon. Kyerematen) as the next President of Ghana. He added that a striking majority, seven out of every 10 individuals on the streets, express their desire to see Kyerematen as the presidential candidate for the NPP. This massive endorsement of Alan Kyerematen speaks volumes about his reputation and the faith people have in his leadership, the chairman said to loud applause. The Buem constituency chairman also highlighted Hon Kyerematen's notable accomplishments, including his instrumental role in the implementing the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy(GPRS) and establishing the Ghana Export Promotion Council (EPC). Mr. Arnold, amid cheers from the delegates, said the contribution of Hon. Kyerematen in the negotiation and signing of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, aimed at boosting intra-African trade and economic integration, further exemplifies his commitment to trade liberalization and the economic development of Africa. Mr. Agbley addressed challenges faced by the Constituency and neighboring ones, including the need for financial and logistical support but said inspire of their difficulties they stand solidly behind Hon Kyerematen. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Minority Leader of Parliament, Cassiel Ato Forson has called for an immediate and impartial investigation to be carried-out to ascertain the source and legitimacy of the funds stolen by the two househelps of Sanitation Minister, Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour. Two house helps of Cecilia Abena Dapaah and her husband, Daniel Osei Kuffour, are before an Accra Circuit Court, for allegedly stealing monies and items running into millions of Ghana Cedis. The said monies were allegedly stolen from the couples room in their house at Abelemkpe, a suburb of Accra, in the Greater Accra region. 18-year-old Patience Botwe and 30-year-old Sarah Agyei allegedly stole the monies and personal effects of the couple, between the months of July and October 2022. Read his full post below on twitter Dear Friends, Recent revelations have come to light regarding the discovery of an astonishing amount of money in the private residence of a Ghanaian Minister. The sum in question amounts to $1 million, 300,000, and millions of Ghanaian Cedis. We cannot overlook such a serious development that has the potential to undermine the very principles of probity, accountability, and transparency in our governance. Given the magnitude and gravity of this situation, it is essential that an immediate and impartial investigation be carried-out to ascertain the source and legitimacy of these funds. I strongly urge the concerned Minister to voluntarily step aside from her duties until the relevant state institutions have conducted a thorough and independent investigation into this matter. The people of Ghana deserve nothing less than a government that serves their interests with honesty and dedication. Brief facts The court was told in the amended charge sheet and brief facts that Patience, also known as Maabena, was a house help of the complainants, Daniel Osei Kuffour and his wife, Cecilia Abena Dapaah. The court was further told that Sarah was also a former house help of the complainants. Her Honour Susana Ekuful was told that the complainants reported the case to the police somewhere in June, this year, after detecting theft of cash and their personal effects. Preceding the report, Patience was caught to have opened and entered the couples room with a duplicate key. A1 was caught by Mr Kuffour, who returned from town only to find out that their bedroom was opened, as well as hearing an unusual noise coming from it. The first complainant, Mr Kuffour, entered the room and found A1 hiding behind the door. It was after this incident that the complainants detected that some of their properties were missing. A1 was arrested and released on police enquiry bail, but unfortunately, went into hiding with her boyfriend, Benjamin, in Tamale. While in Tamale, the love birds allegedly rented a 3-bedroom apartment at the cost of GH105,600 as well as a store at the cost of GH120,000. The police arrested her upon intelligence and on a spot search conducted in their apartment led to the retrieval of US$40,000 and GH72, 619.70. Patience allegedly bought 3-bedroom house at a cost of US$70,000 at Amrahia and furnished it with the following brand new items a double-decker refrigerator, water dispenser, a television set, washing machine and a chest cooler among others. She also bought Hyundai Elantra at the cost of GH80,000 for Benjamin who also sold it to purchase Honda Civic. A1 also gave her father GH50,000 and GH1million to Malik (ex-boyfriend.) The court heard that A1 implicated Sarah during interrogation that she was her accomplice. Thus, when they were working together in the complainants house, A1 used to keep watch at the main gate to enable Sarah to enter the couples room to steal, after which they shared the spoil. Sarah was arrested at Budumburam and during investigation, it came to light that she used her portion of the stolen money to build 3-bedroom house at where she was arrested. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video WILLIAMSPORT The attempt by the states top prescriber of opioids in 2015 and 2016 to withdraw his guilty plea has failed a second time. The effect of Thursdays decision by a panel of the U.S. 3rd Court of Appeals is that the conviction and 15-year prison sentence of Dr. Raymond J. Kraynak stands. He had asked the court to reverse U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann, who in denying his motion to withdraw his guilty plea rejected his argument that he was innocent and his public defenders were ineffective. MIAMI, Florida A teen mom used a parody website in an attempt to hire someone to kill her 3-year-old son, reports say, and shes now facing criminal charges. Jazmin Paez, 18, was arrested Tuesday and has been charged with solicitation of first-degree murder and unlawful use of a communications device, Local 10 reports. She was released from jail Thursday after posting a $15,000 bond, but shes been ordered to have no contact with her son, who is in the custody of his grandmother. Police tell CBS News Miami that Paez went to a fake hire-an-assassin website and offered to pay $3,000 for someone to kill her son. Reports say Paez gave an address of where her son lived and also provided a photo. WSVN Channel 7 reports that police say Paez requested that her son be taken away, far, far, far away and possibly be killed but ASAP. Paez also said she wanted to get something done once and for all, WSVN reports. Reports say the person who created the website contacted police immediately. Police later arrested Paez at her fathers house. Local 10 reports that police say she confessed to seeking a hitman, but the confession was not included in the police report. More: Police arrest 20-year-old woman in connection with children found outside Michigan high school Two Pa. moms charged after 3 young children found alone in deplorable conditions SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. The "New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution" Global Media Forum will be held on July 22-23, in the Azerbaijani city of Shusha on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev, within the framework of the "Year of Heydar Aliyev" and in connection with the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijani National Press, Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev will meet with the forum participants in Shusha. The event will be attended by 150 foreign guests from about 50 countries, including state news agencies from over countries, 12 international organizations and media structures. A total of some 60 managers and representatives of local media outlets will also be represented at the forum. It is planned to discuss topical issues at the global level in the field of media and information and communication area. Well-known global media executives and experts will discuss new tools of journalism and communication in the digital age and transformation, media management in the modern information environment and the creation of sustainable media business models, media literacy, methods of combating disinformation and fake news, the safety of journalists and other issues. The initiative of the Media Platform of the Non-Aligned Movement will also be put forward within the framework of the forum. Heads of the world's leading media and journalistic organizations, authoritative experts in the field of media, information communications and well-known journalists are gathering for the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan in the city of Shusha. A man was killed in a shooting outside of a restaurant in Philadelphia, according to police. Fox 29 reports that police were flagged down in the Logan section of Philadelphia, after a man was shot near the intersection of W. Courtland Street and Belfield Avenue. The man had been shot in the head, chest, neck and torso, but was semi-responsive. He was rushed to the Einstein Hospital, but pronounced dead at 12:49 a.m. According to NBC 10, the man was shown on surveillance cameras earlier in the evening picking up food from a nearby restaurant, and got into an argument with another man and woman. The other man was shown on video drawing a gun and firing at least 12 rounds at the victim, according to police. Authorities reported that the shooter was last seen fleeing on W. Courtland Street in a white SUV. HACC recently requested that the Middle States Commission on Higher Education remove nine of the colleges former locations from the schools scope of accreditation. The nine locations in five counties closed at various times between 2005 and 2022. The community college said the reason why these changes are being reported now is due to a review that showed they had not been previously reported. READ MORE: HACC to offer new medical assistants program in partnership with UPMC A continuous improvement review revealed that some substantive changes were not reported to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education during the institutions transition to a One-College model in 2020. This has now been addressed, the college said in a statement. The one-college model was part of HACCs strategic plan and a reorganization that shifted the colleges focus from campus-wide to collegewide decision-making that among other things eliminated redundancies and reduce operating expenses. These are the locations that HACC reported had ceased operations: 349 Wiconisco St., Harrisburg, ceased operations effective August 12, 2010 2463 Loop, Chambersburg, ceased operations effective May 9, 2014. 350 Hill St., York, ceased operations effective June 28, 2018. 2101 N. Front St. Bldg #2, Harrisburg, ceased operations effective April 26, 2005. 833 Metro Drive, Lebanon, ceased operations effective May 12, 2015 1718 Heilmandale Road, Lebanon, ceased operations effective May 12, 2015. 3367 Mill Rd., Elizabethtown, ceased operations effective December 12, 2008. 1500 N. Third St., Harrisburg ceased operations effective June 30, 2022 The most recent closing was the facility at 1500 N. Third St. (also known as Midtown 2) in Harrisburg last year. HACC had a 15-year lease at that location. When the lease ended, HACC closed the facility. The location housed academic programs; English as a Second Language programs; workforce development programs; student support services; and facilities and maintenance services. A third-party food vendor was also at this location, and the contract ended. The programs and support services were relocated to HACCs Midtown 1 location at Fourth and Reily streets, and the colleges Harrisburg Campus. HACC previously said it would save approximately $1.9 million annually in rent, maintenance and expenses by moving out of that location. Scipione Giulianis passion for viticulture and enology started back in his childhood when he spent a lot of time with his grandfather, a winemaker in the Treviso area who used to make wine in his home cellar. Treviso is located in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Lowes customers, particularly in rural areas, will be able to buy pet food and toys along with lumber and nails. Lowes said it is expanding its pilot program with Petco Health + Wellness Company store-in-store concept from 15 stores to almost 300 by the end of 2023. Focusing on rural communities across the country, this expansion offers a new convenience to shoppers, providing access to pet supplies and veterinary care along with everything DIY and Pro customers need for their home improvement projects, Lowes said. According to the American Pet Products Association, about 70% of households in the United States have a pet. Our initial pilot program with Petco resonated with our existing, loyal shoppers and introduced new customers to Lowes, said Bill Boltz, Lowes executive vice president of merchandising. Partnering with top brands that our customers know and trust, like Petco, allows Lowes to continue elevating and localizing our curated assortment to ensure we have the right products in the right markets. By expanding our store-in-store footprint, were offering more tailored products and services to meet the unique needs of our customers in rural and remote areas, streamlining the shopping experience. READ MORE: Walmart adds sensory-friendly hours for back-to-school shopping. Lowes and Petco Deepen Pet Parent Affinity with Expansion of Store-in-Store Concept to Nearly 300 LocationsLowe's Companies, Inc. Lowes said the Petco store-in-stores will carry products ranging from nutrition and supplies to flea and tick solutions. That will include Petco private brands - EveryYay, Leaps & Bounds, So Phresh and WholeHearted; as well as national brands such as Advantage II Cat, BARK Toys, Blue Buffalo, ChuckIt, Frontline, K9 Advantix, Purina One and Seresto. Petcos Vetco Clinics will offer vaccinations, microchipping and preventative medicine, once a month at 75 Lowes stores. They will be staffed by a licensed veterinarian. The success and expansion of our Lowes + Petco store-in-store concept is proof of the important role pets play in our lives, and pet parents deep desire to give them the best possible life in return, said Amy College, Petco chief merchandising officer. As Americans continue to improve their homes for the entire family including their beloved pets were delighted to bring Petcos pet care expertise, combined with our health and wellness merchandise and veterinary services, to even more pet parents as we scale up to hundreds of Lowes locations across the country. Lowes said the Petco store-in-store is part of a broader strategy in rural areas to include everything needed for farm and home. Expanded rural store assortments will include feed, pet and outdoor products such as troughs, an expanded trailer selection, farm implements, livestock fencing, utility vehicles, and specialized hardware plus new Carhartt apparel in select stores and the expansion of Wrangler apparel in all rural stores. In Pennsylvania, the Petco store-in-store will be at Lowes in Altoona, Mount Pocono, State College, Latrobe, Somerset, Hazleton, Sunbury and Sayre. Customers also can shop the selection online. Lowes and Petco Deepen Pet Parent Affinity with Expansion of Store-in-Store Concept to Nearly 300 LocationsLowe's Companies, Inc. As dangerous levels of heat are hitting in areas across the United States, the Salvation Army is stepping up to help people sweating it out. The Salvation Army is establishing cooling centers and shelters and distributing water, fans, cooling packs and sun protection in seven states. As the summer heat intensifies, The Salvation Army will continue to serve and support those in need, said Kenneth Hodder, national commander of The Salvation Army. We are providing relief and assistance to communities all across the country, making sure no one has to face these scorching temperatures alone. From the sweltering days to the warm nights, our goal is to lend a helping hand and provide essential resources, to help keep our neighbors safe this summer and beyond. The Salvation Army said that, according to the National Weather Service, heat causes more deaths each year than any other weather event in the country. In some areas, unsheltered individuals account for nearly half of these deaths. These individuals face dehydration, sunburn, heat stroke, and infections from sweat-soaked clothing that goes unwashed. Salvation Army teams also are checking on the elderly, people with disabilities and other at-risk populations. Efforts by the Salvation Army include: Dallas, Texas - established more than a dozen cooling stations, also offering shelter, hydration and snacks. Phoenix, Arizona - established eight heat-relief stations and activates mobile hydration units when the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat warning. Las Vegas, Nevada - opened a shelter where residents can take showers, do laundry, get water and meet with case managers. New York City, New York - established eight cooling centers including one in Times Square. Omaha, Nebraska - activated cooling centers and a fan program. Denver, Colorado - opened shelters where people can stay cool and get hydrated. Wichita, Kansas - opened a cooling center for unsheltered people and providing fans. The Salvation Army at the same time is responding to flooding in Vermont and the Northeast by providing meals, snacks, water and cleanup kits. READ MORE: How to keep your pets safe in the heat. PIPESTONE, Minn. (AP) Under the tall prairie grass outside this southwestern Minnesota town lies a precious seam of dark red pipestone that, for thousands of years, Native Americans have quarried and carved into pipes essential to prayer and communication with the Creator. Only a dozen Dakota carvers remain in the predominantly agricultural area bordering South Dakota. While tensions have flared periodically over how broadly to produce and share the rare artifacts, many Dakota today are focusing on how to pass on to future generations a difficult skillset thats inextricably linked to spiritual practice. Id be very happy to teach anyone and the Spirit will be with you if youre meant to do that, said Cindy Pederson, who started learning how to carve from her grandparents six decades ago. Enrolled in the Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Nation, she regularly holds carving demonstrations at Pipestone National Monument, a small park that encompasses the quarries. In the worldview of the Dakota peoples, sometimes referred to as Sioux, the sacred is woven in the land where the Creator placed them, said Iyekiyapiwin Darlene St. Clair, a professor at St. Cloud State University in central Minnesota. But some places have a special relevance, because of events that occurred there, a sense of stronger spiritual power, or their importance in origin stories, she added. These quarries of a unique variety of red pipestone check all three starting with a history of enemy tribes laying down arms to allow for quarrying, with several stories warning that if fights broke out over the rare resource, it would make itself unavailable to all. The colorful prayer ties and flags hung from trees alongside the trails that lead around the pink and red rocks testify to the continued sacredness of the space. It was always a place to go pray, said Gabrielle Drapeau, a cultural resource specialist and park ranger at the monument who started coming here as a child. From her elders in the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota, Drapeau grew up hearing one of many origin stories for the pipestone: In time immemorial, a great flood killed most people in the area, their blood seeping into the stone and turning it red. But the Creator came, pronounced it a place of peace, and smoked a pipe, adding this is how people could reach him. Its like a tangible representation of how we can connect with Creator, Drapeau said. All people before you are represented in the stone itself. Its not just willy-nilly stone. Pipes are widely used by Indigenous people across the Great Plains and beyond, either by spiritual leaders or individuals for personal prayer for healing and thanksgiving, as well as to mark rites of passage like vision quests and the solemnity of ceremonies and gatherings. Pipestone has a particular relationship to our spiritual practice praying with pipes, we take very seriously, St. Clair said. The pipe itself is thought to become sacred when the pipestone bowl and the wooden stem are joined. The smoke, from tobacco or prairie plants, then carries the prayer from a persons heart to the Creator. Because of that crucial spiritual connection, only people enrolled in federally recognized tribes can obtain permits to quarry at the monument, some traveling from as far as Montana and Nebraska. Within tribes, theres disagreement over whether pipes should be sold, especially to non-Natives, and the pipestone used to make other art objects like carved animal figures. Sacredness is going to be defined by you thats between you and the Creator, said Travis Erickson, a fourth-generation carver whos worked pipestone in the area for more than two decades and embraces a less restrictive view. Everything on this Earth is spiritual. His first job in the quarries, at age 10, was to break through and remove the layers of harder-than-steel quartzite covering the pipestone seam then about six feet down, now more than 18 feet into the quarry, so the process can take months. Only hand tools can be used to avoid damaging the pipestone. Taken out in sheets only about a couple of inches thick, it is then carved using flint and files. The stone talks to me, added Erickson, who has fashioned pipe bowls in different shapes, such as horses. Most of those pipes showed what they wanted to be. Growing up in the 1960s, Erickson recalled making pipes as a family affair where the day often ended with a festive grilling. He taught his children, but laments that few younger people want to take up the arduous job. So does Pederson, some of whose younger family members have shown interest, including a granddaughter who would hang out in her workshop starting when she was 3 and emerge pink from head to toe from the stone dust. But they believe the tradition will continue as long as they can share it with Native youth who might have their first encounter with this deep history on field trips to the monument. On a recent trip, Pedersons brother, Mark Pederson, who also holds demonstrations at the visitor center, took several young visitors into the quarries and taught them how to swing sledgehammers and many asked to return, she said. Teaching the techniques of quarrying and carving is crucially important, and so is helping youth develop a relationship with the pipestone and its place in the Native worldview. We have to be concerned with that as Dakota people all cultural messages young people get draw away from our traditional lifeways, St. Clair said. We need to hold on to the teachings, prayers, songs that make pipes be. From new exhibits to tailored school field trips, recent initiatives at the monument undertaken in consultation between tribal leaders and the National Park Service are trying to foster that awareness for Native youth. I remind them they have every right to come here and pray, Drapeau said a crucial point since many Native spiritual practices were systematically repressed for decades past 1937, when the monument was created to preserve the quarries from land encroachment. Some areas of the park are open only for ceremonial use; the 75,000 yearly visitors are asked not to interfere with the quarriers. The National Park Service is the newcomer here for 3,000 years, different tribal nations have come to quarry here and developed different protocols to protect the site, said park superintendent Lauren Blacik. One change brought through extensive consultations with tribal leaders is the parks decision to no longer sell pipes at the visitor center, though other pipestone objects are like small carved turtles or owls. Pipes are available at stores a few miles away in Pipestones downtown. Tensions over the use of sacred pipes by non-Natives long predates the United States, when French and English explorers traded them, said Greg Gagnon, a scholar of Indian Studies and author of a textbook on Dakota culture. Nobody wants to have their world appropriated. The more you open it up, the more legitimate a fear of watering it down, he said. But theres also a danger in becoming entrenched in dogmatic ways of understanding traditions, Gagnon added. For carvers like Pederson, good intentions and the Spirit at work in both those practicing the craft as well as those receiving the pipestone are reasons to be optimistic about the future. Grandma and Grandpa always said the stone takes care of itself, knows whats in a persons heart, she said. By GIOVANNA DELLORTO Associated Press A school bus monitor is facing charges after a 6-year-old girl with special needs died in an incident aboard a New Jersey school bus, according to news sources. Amanda Davila, 27, of New Brunswick, was arrested Wednesday on charges of second-degree manslaughter and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to reports from NBC10 and 6ABC. According to Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald and the towns public safety director, Quovella Maeweather, the incident took place Monday morning when the 6-year-old, who uses a wheelchair, was being transported on the bus to an extended school year program in Franklin Township. After the girl boarded the bus around 9 a.m., the wheelchair she used was secured to the back of the bus by Davila. During the ride, a series of bumps in the road caused the child to slump in the wheelchair which caused the four-point harness that secured her to the chair to become tight around her neck. This restricted her breathing and ultimately blocked her airway, according to reports, and she became unresponsive. She didnt have oxygen in her brain for almost 40 minutes. Do you understand the image that we got in our head of our daughter the last time that we seen her? What we had to go through? her father, Wali Williams, said to NBC10 Thursday. The child was born with a rare chromosome disorder called Emmanuel syndrome and couldnt speak or walk. Davila was seated toward the front of the bus at the time and, according to authorities, was utilizing a cellular telephone while wearing earbud headphone devices in both ears, according to reports. An investigation into what happened found that this was in violation of policies and procedures. When police responded shortly after 9 a.m. and administered CPR after she was found unresponsive, the girl was rushed to a nearby hospitals ICU but was sadly pronounced dead. My daughter, she cant speak, shes helpless, Williams said to 6ABC. She cant even take the harness off on her own, she cant even take the seat belt off. The only thing she can do is move her arms. She did not deserve this, to be taken away from us in such a way that had nothing to do with her condition, her mother, Najmah Nash, added. After Davilas arrest, she was being held in a Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing, according to 6ABC. Read More: A magisterial district judge acquitted last year of criminal charges filed a lawsuit against the people who charged her, claiming they maliciously targeted her because of her race. District Judge Sonya McKnight says several Harrisburg police officers gave false testimony at her two-day trial and targeted her for being a Black woman in a position of power. Three teenagers were among four people who assaulted a pizza delivery person heading to a home in Dauphin County Wednesday night, police said. Swatara Township Police Department officers responded to a residential neighborhood in the 7400 block of Clearfield Street around 10:20 p.m. after receiving reports of a robbery. Three juveniles, and a fourth male whose age is unknown, assaulted and robbed the pizza delivery person, according to a police report. It is unclear at this time whether the males stole cash or pizza, or both, from the pizza delivery driver. Police did not provide any details on how the males assaulted the victim. At 9:45 a.m. Thursday police arrested the three juveniles, ages 16 and 17, and booked them before they were taken to the Dauphin County Juvenile Probation Office, a police report says. The fourth male is still on the loose. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call or email Swatara Detective Ken Platt at 717-564-2550, kplatt@swatarapolice.org. READ MORE: 6-year-old dies after being choked by wheelchair harness on school bus: reports Pa. inmate accused of attacking corrections officer charged with attempted murder: report Pennsylvania State Police say troopers deployed spike strip tire deflation devices to end the pursuit of a stolen truck early Wednesday morning on Interstate 78 through Northampton and Lehigh counties. The driver, identified as a 38-year-old Baltimore man, was jailed on felony charges, police said. A trooper with state police at Belfast was monitoring I-78 West near the Easton-Williams Township border about 1:30 a.m. when he was notified of a stolen tractor-trailer traveling west on the highway, according to court records. The trooper soon spotted the white Volvo bobtail rig and confirmed it was stolen before attempting to stop it in Williams, police said. The driver continued west, occasionally activating the hazard lights and at one point calling state police dispatch to indicate that he was not going to stop, the court records say. Additional troopers set up the spike strips, which the truck struck in the area of mile 59, causing the drivers side tires to slowly deflate, according to police. The truck became disabled in a parking lot in the 2800 block of West Emaus Avenue in Allentown, police said. Troopers took suspect Raymond E. Sims Lewis into custody, identifying him by a Florida identification card, according to court records. Sims Lewis was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township for a complaint of wrist pain, the records state. Upon his discharge, Sims Lewis was arraigned Wednesday morning before District Judge Robert Hawke on felony charges of receiving stolen property and fleeing or attempting to elude police, in addition to summary driving without a license, improper use of license class, disregarding traffic lane and careless driving. He was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $75,000 bail and faces a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled Aug. 1. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. More: Driver killed in Camp Hill crossover crash: police Steelton police retire K9 after five years on the job SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. The Shusha "New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution" Global Media Forum is set to kick off on July 22, Trend reports. The forum participants arrived by plane at the Fuzuli International Airport. Then they went to Shusha from there. "The Future of Mass Media: new tools in journalism and communications in the digital age", "Investments in mass media, consumer trends" topics will be discussed in the sessions within the framework of the Shusha Global Forum. It is also planned to hold some parallel events - exhibitions and trainings. The forum will last until the evening of July 23. The event will be attended by 150 foreign guests from about 50 countries, including state news agencies from over countries, 12 international organizations and media structures. A total of some 60 managers and representatives of local media outlets will also be represented at the forum. It is planned to discuss topical issues at the global level in the field of media and information and communication. Well-known global media executives and experts will discuss new tools of journalism and communication in the digital age and transformation, media management in the modern information environment and the creation of sustainable media business models, media literacy, methods of combating disinformation and fake news, the safety of journalists and other issues. Its not apocalyptic like The Terminator movie franchise, but U.S. Sen. Bob Caseys No Robot Bosses Act would protect job seekers and employees from falling victim to artificial intelligence. Right now, there is nothing stopping a corporation from using artificial intelligence to hire, manage or even fire workers without the involvement of a human being, Casey said in a statement. As robot bosses become more prevalent in the workplace, he said, we have an obligation to protect working families from the dangers of employers misusing and abusing the novel technologies. The debate over artificial intelligence-generated content, or AI, has grown as its been used to create art, write articles and design fake humans. Casey introduced the bill along with Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii. According to a summary, the legislation would: Ban employers from relying exclusively on automated decision systems to make employment decisions Require periodic testing of such systems for possible discrimination and bias before they are used in employment decisions Require proper training for those using the systems Mandate human oversight of the automated decision systems results before they are used in employment decisions Require disclosures on the use of systems Create the Technology and Worker Protection Division within the U.S. Department of Labor to regular the use of automated decision systems in the workplace Casey, Schatz and Sen. Cory Booker, a New Jersey Democrat, also introduced the Exploitative Workplace Surveillance and Technologies Task Force Act that would create an interagency task force to study and report on workplace surveillance. Sen. John Fetterman has co-sponsored both piece of legislation. The son of Philadelphia rapper turned popular podcaster Gillie Da King (formerly known as Gillie Da Kid) was killed in a triple shooting Thursday night, according to multiple news sources. The triple shooting occurred on the 5800 block of Mascher Street in the Olney neighborhood at 8:24 p.m. in Philly, where a 25-year-old man was shot once in the back. He was transported to the hospital by police, but was pronounced dead at 8:39 p.m. The victim was later identified as Devin Spady of Wyncote, Pa. He was a rap artist, much like his famous dad, and known by his stage name as YNG Cheese, according to reports from NBC10 and 6ABC. According to authorities, after Spady sustained the gunshot wound to his back, he ran from the scene but collapsed a block away. In addition, a 28-year-old man was shot twice in the leg and a 31-year-old man was shot once in the hip. Both were transported to the hospital and are now in stable condition. Authorities located a Mercedes SUV with its engine running about a block away at the corner of Mascher and Nedro avenues. Now, the vehicle is part of the investigation, according to reports. So far, no arrests have been made and no weapons have been recovered at the scene. Also, theres no word on a motive behind the shooting. Though, it has been said the shooter appeared to be a man in a black mask and white jacket, NBC10 reported. The victims father, Gillie Da Kid, born Nasir Fard, is a popular figure in Philadelphias underground hip hop scene and was also a member of the local hip hop group Major Figgas. Fard currently hosts Million Dollaz Worth of Game, a weekly podcast with social media influencer and Philadelphia native Wallo267, the outlet reported. Read More: Some time has passed since WWE Hall of Famer Rick Steiner was given the boot from WrestleCon back on WrestleMania weekend in April. WrestleCon and event where fans pay to meet and greet wrestlers said at the time it made the decision to remove Steiner, who is also a member of the Cherokee County School Board in Georgia, because he hurled a series of transphobic remarks in the direction of Impact Wrestlings Gisele Shaw. Theres another WrestleCon coming up in Detroit on Aug. 4-5, and Steiner, whose real name is Robert Rechsteiner, was originally slated to appear there. But, just like back in April, the convention has announced on Twitter that it has once again given him the boot. In a lengthy post to its Twitter page, the event said that the decision was made after the 62-year-old grappler missed a deadline given to him to apologize for what it says happened in April. Because we understand this issue required great urgency, we gave Rick Steiner 24 hours to make such a statement, the post read. Unfortunately, there is not currently and we do not expect to receive such a statement, and we have therefore made a decision to revoke our permission for him to attend. The event received social media blowback when It revealed Steiner was slated to appear. We initially allowed him to return because 1) We still feel that people deserve a second chance, the events statement read. 2) Rick did make an apology to all parties that chose to be present. 3) We lacked any type of code of conduct/harassment policy that clearly defined our expectations as a convention participant. Attention: Rick Steiner has been removed from Wrestlecon. When we allowed Rick Steiner to return to our Convention as a vendor guest of Tony Hunter Promotions, we did not adequately take into account the impact his past words from our last event still held in the LGBTQIA+ WrestleCon - Detroit - August 4 & 5 (@wrestlecon) July 18, 2023 Shaw accused Steiner of hurling the insults at her after she arrived at the convention in April. I have been bullied all my life and have never stood up for myself because Im scared that I would get beat up physically, mentally, or emotionally, Shaw, who revealed last summer that she is transgender, wrote on Twitter. The bullies in my life have always silenced me, but that ends today! Then Shaw detailed her allegations against Steiner. I was at an autograph signing event today at WrestleCon and while I was walking to my table, I hear someone yelling, Youre a man, youre a dude, youre a piece of trash, you are filth, get the (expletive) away from here. Shaw said she kept her head down because she did not want to acknowledge that hate, but that when she got to her table she told another IMPACT wrestler about it and said it wasnt sitting well with her. That is when she said she decided she wanted to know who was saying those things to her because it was unacceptable. So, I decided to talk a walk in that area, and I hear that same person saying the same derogatory comments, she wrote. I looked up and it was Rick Steiner saying those statements. I was shocked and could not believe this was happening. To have someone saying these comments who a lot of people look up to and consider their hero was quite shocking and disheartening. Shaw says she was in disbelief, so she said to Steiner, excuse me? He kept repeating those hateful phrases and started yelling at me in a public setting, Shaw wrote. It was inexcusable and unacceptable! Shaw said that she was also disappointed because other wrestling legends witnessed it but turned their heads away, and did not want to get involved. Shaw said that she was not writing her account for sympathy but because it was International Transgender Day of Visibility and that she was standing up for herself and others like her. I want everyone to know what kind of deplorable person Rick Steiner is and that this cannot be tolerated, she added. Steiner was a standout wrestler in college at Michigan before moving into the professional wrestling ranks in 1983. Along with his brother, Scott, he formed the popular, Steiner Brothers, tag team who were multi-time world champions and starred in the WCW and WWE. He still has not publicly commented about the accusations. His son, current WWE wrestler Bron Breakker, has commented about the accusations, though. I cant speak for my father, but thats not a reflection of me, and who I am, and what Im about, he said on a recent podcast. . A group of respected rabbis from congregations in and around Harrisburg have issued an urgent call for city, county, and state officials to help the people who live in The Residences at Governors Square. We add our voice to that call. The rabbis say their Jewish faith considers housing a fundamental human right. A lot of Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and those of the Bahai faith would strongly agree. Even people of no faith understand that decent affordable housing is a basic human necessity in any society, particularly in the United States of America, one of the richest nations on earth. The rabbis were right to prick our collective social consciences and draw our attention to the plight of elderly people, single moms and poor families who are residents of the complex in Harrisburgs Camp Curtin neighborhood. The Residences at Governors Square in Harrisburg. October 27, 2022. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com We are talking about an estimated 190 families, many with small children. They dont have the money to just pack up and move to another house. That takes coming up with a deposit that could be more than $1,000. Then theres moving costs, and fees to connect electricity, water and gas. Plus, there are really few places for low-income people to find decent, low-cost housing in this whole region. The Residences at Governors Square was one of the few. Its through no fault of the people living there that Uptown Partners, LP, didnt keep up the property and is now bankrupt. In the past few years, the city has issued an estimated 1600 code violations at Governors Square, to no avail. The property just kept deteriorating, leaving innocent people in the lurch. This is not news in Harrisburg. In fact, its the same old story for too many residents who feel helpless in dealing with slum landlords. Chad and Jessica Horner live at The Residences at Governors Square in Harrisburg. October 27, 2022. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Chad and Jessica Horner told PennLive in November they had been paying rent but living in condition that are unfit for human habitation. Stray bullets have even hit their house. Its depressing he said. Hes right. No one should have to live that way. That wasnt always the case at Governors Square. When it opened in 2006, it was a desirable place to live in the city. It was touted as a model of affordable housing. It looked like a nice, middle-class complex. The Residences at Governors Square in Harrisburg. October 27, 2022. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Not anymore. Its what happens when landlords refuse to keep up their property, but the laws allow them to continue demanding rent. It happens all too often in Harrisburg, leaving residents angry, frustrated and living in unsafe, dilapidated buildings. A growing number of Harrisburg residents say they are not happy with the city's new comprehensive plan. And no one in any position of power seems to be able to do anything about the slum landlords who continue to prey on poor families in Harrisburg. There was a ray of hope for Governors Square when someone stepped up to buy it. But the city nixed that, saying the proposal was too low for the amount of work that needed to be done. The city was probably right. It will take a lot of money to bring the property up to decent living standards. But the rabbis offered another idea worth considering. Why dont city, county and state leaders come together to work out a plan to save the residents of Governors Square? Theyre coming together to save the Broad Street Market? Thats great. But why not save a place where good people are actually living? Where are all of the elected officials these residents voted into office? The Residences at Governors Square in Harrisburg. October 27, 2022. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com The city may not have the resources to renovate Governors Square, but surely the county and state can help. Gov. Shapiro got I-95 back in operation in record time after its collapse last month. Can he bring those same forces to bear to help 190 poor families in desperate need of some hope? Its always a question of priorities. And all too often, helping poor people doesnt rise to the top of the problems officials decide to solve. But its wrong. Plain and simple. We join the good rabbis in pointing a spotlight on the injustice of what is happening to the residents of Governors Square. And we demand officials at all levels do something to help them. Quality local journalism has never been more important. You deserve the best. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Nicole Miller considers herself fortunate that her employer made accommodations for her during her pregnancy seven years ago that allowed her to keep working without fear of losing her job right up until the day her water broke. Many others have not had that same security, said Miller, general manager of Cornerstone Coffee in Camp Hill. My message is this: When employers take care of their pregnant workers, those workers will stay. Im proud to say Ive worked at Cornerstone for 13 years. She said she can now breathe easier knowing a federal law championed by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., is in place that guarantees pregnant workers the right to reasonable accommodations such as extra bathroom breaks, access to water, assistance with heavy lifting, and an opportunity to sit down. Miller joined Casey along with Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC president and CEO Ryan Unger on Friday to celebrate the passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which took effect on June 27. No pregnant woman in America should have to make a choice between their job and a healthy pregnancy, Casey said. Thats why passing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act was so essential for workplaces all across the country. He said this law builds on the anti-discrimination protections for pregnant women provided in a 1978 law and relies on the reasonable accommodations requirement of the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure that same principle applies to pregnant workers. Casey, who first introduced this legislation in 2012 at the suggestion of staff members and a New York Times op-ed, said it was difficult to get enough bipartisan support for his legislation to pass. He did not offer any reasons for that opposition. But he said it passed a Senate committee in 2021 and was folded into the appropriations bill approved late last year. President Joe Biden signed it into law on Dec. 29. He said what is considered a reasonable accommodation will vary by employer and the nature of the pregnant workers job but it is meant to refer to simple steps rather than costly or technological ones. Employers will have not just a new principle to guide their interactions with employees but it gives them certainty, the senator said. Its not some vague standard. Its not some onerous standard. Its a standard that employers have been dealing with for 30 years in the context of disability. So this is different but its basically the same the principle. Unger spoke to that uncertainty for employers about whether and how they had to accommodate pregnant workers. Employers want to do the right thing, he said. They are seeking clarity. Many times, when they are faced with that situation, they were unsure of what to do. How they could provide support to their employees. And this legislation makes that clear and removes that doubt. He said it has been a priority for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for several years. The U.S. Chamber was among 200 groups that supported passage of the law that tasks the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission with enforcing it. Legislation recently has been proposed to enact a state version of the law by Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, D-Montgomery County, who said 30 states already have this law on the books. Rep. Sheryl Delozier, R-Cumberland County, has been advocating for a state pregnant worker fairness law as well in previous legislative sessions dating to 2015. Both Casey and Unger held up the legislation as an example of what bipartisanship in divided government can accomplish through compromise. Casey said it took time, but persistence and a willingness to make adjustments to get more support paid off to the benefit of employers and employees. If you consider all the women in America who are pregnant, more than 70% of them are working, so its a huge number, Casey said. Without protections in place, he said it can be detrimental to not only the pregnant worker but their family as well as society. If that pregnancy is not a healthy pregnancy because of what we didnt do to protect her in the workplace, were not going to have the outcome that we want, which is a child who was born under the best of circumstances a child who has a chance to succeed, he said. All of that is undermined if that childs mother is not able to have a healthy pregnancy. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. Experts are calling on health authorities to consider requiring Canadian public buildings and institutions to upgrade their air ventilation systems in light of increasing impacts of wildfire smoke across Canada. Buildings are shown on Adelaide St., in downtown Toronto, on Tuesday June 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tammy Hoy SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. An opening ceremony of the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution has been held, Trend reports. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev attended the opening ceremony of the Forum and answered the questions. Addressing the event, President Ilham Aliyev said: - Dear guests, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Karabakh, welcome to Shusha. I am very glad to see you here, and thank you for accepting our invitation and participating in the Shusha Global Media Forum, which is a remarkable event for our country and, of course, for the Karabakh region. Shusha is officially a cultural capital of Azerbaijan already. But at the same time, Shusha is a symbol of our victory and also a symbol of peace. Because after Shusha was liberated, the Second Karabakh War stopped. You came here through the liberated territories. From Fuzuli Airport to Shusha, you came by the road, which later was called by us the Victory Road. This road did not exist neither during soviet times, nor during the period of occupation. This road was opened by the courage and spirit of our heroes. That is a way how we moved, liberating cities and villages, moved here to this city, which is also a symbol of our courage. Shusha already hosted several international events, including the Khari Bulbul International Music Festival, Vagifs Poetry Days, several international sporting events and now Global Media Forum. So, the city kept its identity despite the fact that it was very deliberately destroyed during the time of occupation. I prefer not to have a long speech but maybe to have more of our discussions and to address issues, which are of interest to you. So, probably I will now conclude and give floor to the moderator. Moderator: Your Excellency. First of all, wed like to express our gratitude to You for taking your time to be with us. Ladies and gentlemen, as our President mentioned his kind participation here is for the purpose of exchanging ideas in an interactive form. And now, with your permission, Mr. President, we are going to the questions from the participants. I would like to inform you that some of the questions have been collected in advance to save our time and I will read them out one by one. But dear participants, feel free to jump in with your questions at any time. Mr. President, shall we start? TRT World, Bora Bayraktar. Bora Bayraktar: Thank you very much for your invitation. I'd like to ask a question about, of course, the Karabakh victory. We know that foreign relations between two countries, the personal relations of leaders are also important and they play an important role. And we know that Your Excellency has very good relations with the Turkish President, Mr. Erdogan. This special relationship played a very important role in liberation of Karabakh. Mr. President, the President of Turkiye has won a five-year term. It means that now you have five more years together. It seems like a golden opportunity. What will be your priority in these five years in this process? I mean, what would you say we have to do together immediately? What is the first thing that you want to do with Turkiye? President Ilham Aliyev: You are absolutely right. Our personal friendship with President Erdogan, I think, is known now not only to the regional community, but also to the world. This is a really important factor of regional development and regional stability. But also I'd like to say that relations between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Turkiye are based on long-lasting friendship and brotherly ties. So, this is a great foundation for our countries to develop and support each other. From the first days, even I would say, from the first hours of the Second Karabakh War, Turkiye, its people and its leader were side by side with us. The statement of President Erdogan in the first hours of the Second Karabakh War that Azerbaijan is not alone was a great moral support to us. Throughout all the 44 days of the Second Karabakh War, we felt the support from our brothers. President Erdogan several times publicly announced the position of Turkiye. At the same time, other governmental officials also elaborated on that. So, that was a great moral and political support to Azerbaijan. After the victory in the Second Karabakh War, Azerbaijan and Turkiye formalized their relationship, which, actually, de facto were relations between allies. This relationship was formalized by signing the famous Shusha Declaration, which was signed a couple of 100 meters from this hotel and elevated our relations at the level of allies. This is really a big asset for our nations, for our peoples. This declaration actually opens new horizons in front of us. Though, even before that Azerbaijan and Turkiye in many areas demonstrated unity, solidarity, and mutual support. If we take the broad agenda of our cooperation, we'll see starting from political relations, energy, trade, transportation, defense, defense industry, and many other. So, it's easier to name the areas, where we are not very advanced rather than in the areas where we are closely working. I have no doubts that my brother President Erdogan will be reelected. Because what he did for Turkiye during 20 years in office is a demonstration of commitment to his people and to his country. Today, Turkiye is one of the global leaders. International influence of Turkiye is growing year after year. Of course, in Azerbaijan, it is difficult to find someone who was not happy with the results of the elections. In the coming five years, we will definitely continue our close partnership. The world is changing, the situation in the region is changing. We need to stabilize situation in the South Caucasus. We need to have sustainable peace and security for the future. The role of Turkiye in global affairs and in particular, in our region, of course, is a role of very important stabilizer. Policy of Turkiye aimed at regional security and regional development is highly appreciated in Azerbaijan and not only in Azerbaijan. As you know, President Erdogan already paid a state visit to Azerbaijan after elections. This is a tradition between us, you know. I do the same after my reelections. And also, before that participating in the inauguration ceremony, we had an opportunity to address the issues of our future cooperation. Probably, I will not disclose all what we agreed on. But I think, it will not be difficult to guess that in the coming years, Turkiye and Azerbaijan will play more important role in our region. Of course, we'll use our potential in order to bring our countries closer. Moderator: James Flue, the United States of America. James Flue: Thank you, Mr. President. My question is about threats to Azerbaijan. And what you sort of view as the most important threats to the country? President Ilham Aliyev: Well, actually, after the liberation of our territories, we don't see any potential threats to our country. Because, first of all, there are no internally generated threats. The country is stable. The level of solidarity among Azerbaijanis is high as never before. The country's economic development is very impressive. I don't want to go into details into figures, but those who are interested in that can see that Azerbaijan's economy is self-sufficient and based on our own resources and good management. So, in that respect, the oldest threats we had before was a threat coming from Armenia from its occupational policy. And that threat was here around, including in this particular place for almost 30 years. Now this threat, in general, have been managed. But of course, we must be on alert. We should not forget our past. We should not forget that we were stabbed in the back by our neighbors, when we did not expect that, and they took advantage of chaos in Azerbaijan and occupied our territories. Also, we should not forget that even now, despite the results of the Second Karabakh War, there are people in Armenia in different segments including government and in other parts of society, which live with revanchist ideas, and they do not hide it. Therefore, we must be ready for any kind of scenario. And for that purpose, right after the Second Karabakh War, despite the glorious victory, courage and spirit we demonstrated on the battlefield, we started immediately deepening reforms in the defense area. I already publicly spoke about that. Today, our army is much stronger than three years ago. This is a need, I think, which is based on our history, and also based on that, we see that international law norms are being violated brutally. Now, we see that international law is working selectively. We have faced that for many years, when we were raising our voice saying that, look, the United Nations Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding withdrawal of Armenian troops from our lands - immediate and unconditional withdrawal. But these resolutions were not implemented. So, now this tendency is spreading around. When international law doesn't work, when signature does not mean a lot, the only guarantee for peace is strength. So, having said that we cannot exclude potential threats, which may emerge in the future because situation in the world and in our region is quite unpredictable. For the time being, the level of external threats is not very high. But, probably also because of the fact that we are ready to manage those threats and to defend ourselves. Mikhail Gusman: If you will allow me, I will ask my question now. My name is Mikhail Gusman. I represent the TASS agency. Dear Mr. President! A little over a year ago, on February 23, we had the honor of welcoming you together with colleagues, some of them are here today, at the TASS agency, together with leaders of the Russian media. This was the day after you signed the Moscow Declaration with the President of Russia. More than a year has passed. The world is in a very turbulent state. After the victorious 44-day war, Azerbaijan is consistently working, but so far it has not been possible to conclude peace with Armenia. Russia is conducting a special military operation. And yet, how would you assess the development of this memorandum you signed? How is it being implemented? What are its prospects? Are there any problems in the implementation of this Memorandum, which was signed in Moscow on February 22? I will also have a second question. Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: In my opinion, the declaration signed in February last year was a milestone in Russia-Azerbaijan relations. The declaration covers the history of development of relations, which developed differently in various periods of independence and reached the level of strategic partnership just as both countries declared for long years. This was really so because if we look at the scope of work done by both countries, the two sides set a goal of strengthening relations and results-based cooperation. We know very well how deep these relations are and the scope of international is quite broad. Russia played a key role as a mediator for many years and played its part in ceasing military operations and settling the Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as one of such areas. We all remember those days very well. It was the Russian side that acted as a link between Armenia and Azerbaijan, I mean between the leadership of the countries, on November 9, 2020 when the trilateral statement was being coordinated. Therefore, the signing of the Declaration on Allied Interaction had a solid foundation. As for the period we are going through after the signing, this period is completely new for the peace, for our region, including Russia and ourselves. But despite this, despite such a serious change in the geopolitical situation, the development of relations between Russia and Azerbaijan since the signing of the Declaration has been quite successful. There have been many contacts at the highest level, there have been contacts at the level of heads of government, ministers of foreign affairs and other representatives of governments and state bodies. Therefore, I can say with full confidence that provisions of the Declaration are being fulfilled. The most important thing is that there is political resolve at the level of the leadership. Taking the opportunity of the presence of media representatives here and the fact that you will discuss these issues tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, both cooperation and problematic issues, I would like to say that those small rough edges that we see in the Russian media in relation to Azerbaijan and in the Azerbaijani media in relation to Russia have no influence on the policy of Azerbaijan and Russia. We know this quite clearly. But this is also, as they say, a tribute to the time when media representatives are completely free in their assessments. Since the situation is changing dramatically, including our region after the Second Karabakh War, the situation in the world after the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, then, naturally, different assessments, different analyses and different opinions are inevitable. But again, taking this opportunity, I want to say that in any case, such moments do not affect the political will of the Azerbaijani leadership. Therefore, I think that the future of our relations will be as positive and successful as in previous years. Considering that you started your remarks in Azerbaijani, I think that you can ask the second question right now. Otherwise, you may never get another opportunity. Mikhail Gusman: Thank you, Mr. President. Before asking my question, I would like to express my gratitude to you personally and to the organizers of this Forum. Because I visited the liberated Shusha two years ago. I was lucky enough. Shusha is also changing in a spectacular way and the Forum is also organized at an exceptional level. My second question is that Azerbaijan has been successfully leading the Non-Aligned Movement for the last few years, and a month ago, I contacted your successor, Ugandan President Museveni. He talked about Azerbaijan's successful leadership of the Non-Aligned Movement over the years and emphasized that Azerbaijan had breathed a new life into it. I have two questions about this. In which direction do you see the further development of this movement? Secondly, a women's forum and a youth forum were created here during the period when Azerbaijan chaired the Movement. We are also considering the media. How would you see the evaluation the prospects for organizing a media forum of the Non-Aligned Movement in Azerbaijan? Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you, this is a very good idea. I think that it will be fully accepted by us. We don't have much time left as our chairmanship ends early next year. Therefore, in order to have time to do this, we probably need to work together. As you know, initiative is punishable, so I invite you to take an active part in the preparation of such an event. This will be very useful, especially considering that, as you noted, the Non-Aligned Movement I can say without false modesty received a second breath during Azerbaijan's chairmanship. It is no secret that the influence of the Movement had been gradually in decline and it had become a platform for discussing certain issues that did not have much of a continuation. As is the case with any work we do, we treated this work with great responsibility and began to work step by step in the direction of institutional development. And I think the fact that Azerbaijan's chairmanship was extended by a unanimous decision for another year, and in fact for a year and a half, shows that our activity was appreciated and is in demand. In addition to the formats you mentioned, I would also add a parliamentary platform, this is also a very important element in terms of institutional development. We believe that this is the path the Movement should follow. Of course, after we transfer our powers to Uganda in a few months, we will be in the trio for some time, while Uganda presides. Of course, we will actively participate in consolidating efforts, filling the activities of the Movement with concrete results. I must say that during COVID we showed leadership in drawing the attention of the world community to this problem. Azerbaijan as chair was one of the countries that actively opposed vaccine nationalism. We didn't hesitate to call countries by their names the ones that bought five times more vaccines than they needed, while many poor countries found themselves unprotected. Among other things, it was simply shameless. On our initiative, a database was created in the countries of the Movement, which was also used by the World Health Organization, not to mention the fact that we allocated 10 million US dollars for humanitarian and financial assistance and provided assistance to many countries with vaccines. So, the countries of the Movement saw that this structure, although it is not an organization, can achieve its goals. At the summit in Baku, when we took over chairmanship, I said that we would protect international law, justice and the legitimate interests of member countries. I think that we have successfully coped with this task. And I would like to believe that after we transfer the powers of chair, the positive dynamics will be continued. In any case, we will do everything to ensure that this is the case. Moderator: Mirshahin Agayev, Real Analytical and Information Center. Mirshahin Agayev: Mr. President, I would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to ask questions of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Shusha after 29 years. Let's keep in mind that tomorrow is the National Press Day, it is a holiday for all of us, and let me ask you to accept my gratitude on behalf of all our media as the head of state, as the Victorious Commander-in-Chief, for making this holiday even more magnificent. My question is about your hand sign. It can be like this, when you extend your hand, and like this, when it becomes an Iron Fist. We have heard this statement a lot in Shusha, and every time we have seen the real echo and impact of this statement. My question today is a little below Shusha, about Khankendi. You know that the remnants of the separatist forces are carrying out certain events there and are engaged in disinformation. Azerbaijan is said to be allegedly blocking someone and something although I recently prepared a special edition of the Mirshahin's Time program on Lachin road, and we saw everything there. We saw Red Cross vehicles coming and going through there, how warm and gentle the attitude towards people is. This is one thing. Among the tasks facing the New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, what do you require from us in order to combat this type of disinformation? Because you brought us Victory. You were in front of us in our media struggle, and you were the key person in breaking the information blockade of Azerbaijan. We followed you. Therefore, I want your advice in this matter. Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you. I think that the Azerbaijani media are doing great things in this direction. Of course, the general direction is already clear. All of us, regardless of the position we held during the occupation period, every patriotic Azerbaijani tirelessly went towards this goal. In my speeches, I said many times during the occupation that this day would come, the day of freedom would come, each one of us must bring this day closer, and we brought it closer and closer. This is our national Victory. In other words, the people of Azerbaijan deserved this Victory. Of course, the restoration of international law, the restoration of our territorial integrity all these are fundamental rights, and we won this right on the battlefield by shedding blood and giving martyrs. However, at the same time, the activity of the Azerbaijani media in this field is valuable, because the media was our first tool to convey the problem we are facing to the world community not only from the perspective of international law, but also from the general human perspective. This is why I always mentioned this during meetings with media representatives in the previous years, i.e. during the occupation period. I mentioned that we should reach bigger international audiences. You will probably agree that what we were saying in the past was falling on deaf ears. It was as if we were trying to prove something to ourselves. It was important. It was important to keep the issue on the agenda and to educate the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism. Most of our sons who liberated Shusha and all the other occupied lands had never seen Shusha, Aghdam or any other occupied land. In other words, education at home, education in schools and keeping this issue on the daily agenda by the media strengthened the internal unity to a huge extent. Of course, state policy was always at the forefront. However, at a later stage, we started speaking to a more international audience. That is, we have these opportunities, and there are publications of many of our media resources, websites and other electronic means in various languages. Today, we are destined again to prove our truth. Because the campaign against us continues to this day. We must and we do respond with solid and real arguments to those who cannot digest our Victory, who are jealous of our success and who have started an open information war against us. It is the result of this that today, despite all these slanders, libel and lies, the voice of Azerbaijan, the rightful voice of the Azerbaijani people and state is being heard, and our media are the main tool for this. Therefore, the solidarity and unity in society provides us with this advantage. As for recommendations, to be honest, I am a bit far from this. Because the independence of the Azerbaijani media is one of the main conditions for the development of our society. Secondly, you know everything perfectly well yourself, and I am very glad that the healing process in our media is progressing successfully and articles that are against the interests of the people and may harm the interests of the state are now very rare. That is, this is again a factor that indicates the responsibility of the media. So, my advice to the media is to keep it up. Moderator: Mr. President. It's quite active here and we are getting some questions from our participants. I do believe that we will have enough time for all questions. Next question from Jordan Morgan, the United Kingdom. Jordan Morgan: Mr. President, thank you very much for the hospitality. My name is Jordan and I'm from the UK. My question for you. What opportunities do you see for Azerbaijan and the West Asia region since China brokered Iran-Saudi rapprochement? And what opportunities are present for Azerbaijan? Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: In respect with our relations with Asian countries, you mean? Jordan Morgan: This whole region. President Ilham Aliyev: Well, regional development here in the Southern Caucasus largely depends on the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We have now international actors, which should try to help us to find a mutually acceptable solution. And fortunately, what we've seen so far is clear that all international actors understand that this solution must be based on international law. And now, after almost three years have passed since the end of Second Karabakh War, we hear more and more very straightforward statements that Karabakh is Azerbaijan. If that was the case during the times of occupation, probably the Second Karabakh War wouldn't have started. But unfortunately, during those years - 28 years, negotiations under the umbrella of the Minsk Group not only produce zero result, but also actually did not elaborate the formula, which must be taken as a basis for settlement. They're ambiguous and sometimes contradictory statements, not to mention actions, actually lead to the freezing of the conflict. At some point, we realize here in Azerbaijan that their goal is to freeze the conflict and make occupation endless through different so-called public diplomacy initiatives to impose an understanding that we should start cooperation, we should start doing business with Armenia, and the conflicts will be resolved by the future generations. Many times, during the times of occupation, I publicly raised the issue of imposing sanctions on Armenia. I was explaining this position by international organizations` decisions and declarations. The United Nations Security Council resolutions, the Council of Europe, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe decisions, even the European Parliament - though, it now takes a very pro-Armenian stand but even the European Parliament once adopted a resolution, which reflected the reality. But it did not happen because their geopolitical agenda was different. So, we had to do it ourselves. We had to implement the Security Council resolutions of United Nations on the battlefield. Now, situation is different. By the way, at that time, none of those international players who today say Karabakh is Azerbaijan never said that. They said that with respect to some other protracted conflicts in the post-soviet area, but not about Azerbaijan. When it came to Azerbaijan, their narrative was you have to agree. You have to integrate self-determination and territorial integrity understanding, which is not possible. It is not possible. Fundamental principles of international law like territorial integrity and self-determination of any nation should not undermine territorial integrity of countries, especially, when this nation has already self-determined itself once having independent Armenian state. So, now situation is different. And now, international brokers are, how to say, expressing their position from a more realistic point of view. Because I always said that I heard many times during the times of occupation that Azerbaijan has to take into account the reality. And now I say yes, I agree. Now everybody should take into account the new reality. One cannot think about any peace agreement with Armenia, which is not absorbing the reality of the 30-year occupation and destruction, and the reality of the results of the Second Karabakh War. But so far, the efforts of international actors are not enough. At the moment, we have three international actors who are providing the assistance - the United States, Russia and the European Union. And on three tracks, Azerbaijan works in good faith and with result-oriented approach. But so far, it did not end in any result. Because Armenia needs to make, I think, one of the final steps. They already made several steps after the war, I would say that these were not the steps, which they made voluntarily. There have been several cases during the last two-and-a-half years, several episodes. I would name it like it clearly demonstrated to Armenia that if they do not recognize our territorial integrity, we will not recognize their territorial integrity. And what will mean for them is more or less clear. They already accepted that Karabakh is Azerbaijan publicly. Now they need to put their signature under the document. This is one of the final steps and there must be some more. But if that step is made - negotiation teams on the level of foreign ministers are going to hold the next round of negotiations to take place in the coming days in Moscow - if Armenia will agree on that paragraph, where they totally refrain from any territorial claims to Azerbaijan, I think, the signing of a peace agreement can be realistic by the end of the this year. If not, well, I said many times, if they don't want to have a peace agreement with us, we cannot force them. We could not force them to comply with international law for 28 years. We managed only to force them by force. But in this case, there'll be no peace. Well, it's not the best scenario for the region. It will not add stability, security. And also taking into account the very fragile geopolitical situations that may create complications in the future. So, we have three brokers. All of them have enough international mechanisms to work independently. We hope that on one of these three tracks, we will see progress. Moderator: The next question from Maurizio Geri, Italy. Maurizio Geri: Mr. President, it is my second time in Shusha. Thank you very much for having us here. My question is related with the last two weeks I spent in Baku for the Energy Summer School in ADA. So I would like to ask you the role of Azerbaijan as a bridge between Europe and Central Asia. In particular, gas and other energy from countries like China and Russia. So, I know that there are projects with Turkmenistan. I know you said you would be happy with it if the Turkmenistan decides to do it. What could be the help that Italy or Europe could give you to support you in this process? President Ilham Aliyev: With respect to the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline project, several times I already expressed our position. I want to repeat that this is not the project, which Azerbaijan will initiate. Because usually the projects, which are initiated by the countries, other projects based on these country's resources as we did for instance with the Southern Gas Corridor. We initiated, we were their major shareholder, and we were actually their coordinator of all intergovernmental relations and agreements. As you know, this project was successfully implemented, and already for more than two years Azerbaijan became an important gas supplier to Europe. The President of the European Commission names Azerbaijan a reliable partner, and the Energy Commissioner of EU calls Azerbaijan a pan-European gas supplier. And this is true, because geography of our gas supplies to Europe is becoming broader and broader, and hopefully by the end of this year, two more European countries will be recipients of Azerbaijani gas. With respect to the Trans-Caspian. This project as an idea is based on the gas resources of Turkmenistan. Therefore, it's not up to us to initiate it or to invest in it. What can we do? We can provide our existing infrastructure or can provide infrastructure some land in their possession in order to build a new infrastructure. But I think, it's also important to know that today, Azerbaijan is working on expansion of the pipeline, which was built less than three years ago. Why? Because demand in Europe is growing. The pipeline, which was designed for 10 bcm like TAP, now, needs to be expanded up to 20 bcm. TANAP from 16 to 32. That was not expected by us. Because situation has changed. So, why we talk about expansion is that Azerbaijan will produce more gas and is producing every year more gas than year before. For instance, if 2021 we exported 19 bcm, last year, it was more than 22 bcm, and this year, probably it will be 24 bcm or even more. And these months - that's in the time when we didn't see each other - we already announced the discovery from the Absheron gas field, which possesses at least 300 billion cubic meters. And the first well is already producing gas more than any well on Shahdeniz. So, in other words, expansion of our pipeline system is based on our growing resources. For additional gas from Eastern shores of the Caspian first, the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline must be built under the sea, and second from Baku to the European destination, another something like the Southern Gas Corridor must be built. And the main question is who will finance these important projects? And we don't have an answer. Therefore, before we find an answer who will finance it, I think, implementation or even some ideas about that will be unrealistic. And also you know very well that now European banks stopped financing the projects of fossil fuel. Therefore, it will be difficult to raise substantial money for that. Because, when we were building the Southern Gas Corridor, apart from corporate financing, we had financing from EBRD, EIB, ADB and also from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. But now two of these European institutions - they are out, I hope temporarily, from the fossil fuel financing, therefore, who will finance it? The green transition makes implementation of this project even more complicated. And the fluctuation of the gas prices in Europe, which we see also creates a lot of questions. By the way, also the price cap, which, I think, was absolutely unacceptable for the consumers to put a limit for the price. This is totally in contradiction with any market economy principles, which these countries were advocating for many years. So, in other words, from realistic point of view, this is very problematic. But again, if someone decides to build the Trans-Caspian Pipeline, we will be only happy. We will have more transit fees and more cooperation. Vusala Mahirgizi, head of APA group: Mr. President, I want to ask you about the Return. The relocations to Lachin are currently underway as part of the Great Return. Residents of which district will be welcomed in their districts at the next stage? My second question may seem a little personal to you. When Karabakh was liberated, you were the first to go there, followed by our army. You have been visiting Karabakh very often, and every time you come, new projects and new places are opened. How does that make you feel? A completely ravaged place being rebuilt from scratch. How does that feel? How does it feel to be a winning President in general? President Ilham Aliyev: You know, the emotions I experience are no different to those felt by the people of Azerbaijan. The only difference is that I see these places so often. Most people see it on television, but at the same time, as you know, there are now tours to liberated areas and, as you mentioned, citizens are quickly returning to the liberated lands. Of course, first of all, I feel proud. Every time I come to Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, the first thing I feel is a sense of pride. Because it is impossible not to be proud of my people, our Army, our heroes, and every time you also come to Shusha along Victory Road, just look at how our heroic soldiers and officers with only light weapons covered this road, how they died in hand-to-hand battles in the face of the enemy armed with cannons, tanks, and artillery. This is how high the spirit of the Azerbaijani people is. In other words, all this showed the qualities of our people to all of us again. It once again showed to each of us, first of all, and to the whole world how high the moral qualities of the Azerbaijani people are. It is very hard for each of us to see the destroyed cities and villages. We cannot come to terms with this pain. Although I have already been to the liberated lands perhaps a hundred times in the last three years or so, every time I see the ruins, my heart hurts. I ask myself every time. Why did the people we consider neighbors resort to this barbarism? What did we do to them? We were the defeated side in the First Karabakh War. We did not destroy their cities, we did not destroy their graves, we did not remove the bones of their dead. Why did they do this? How much hatred did these people have in their hearts for us to commit such inhuman acts? I mean I still can't understand that and probably no normal person can ever understand it. At the same time, every time I see a new development project or participate in a groundbreaking ceremony, it feels as if blood is being pumped into my veins, in other words, that is, it gives me so much positive energy that this positive spiritual energy also strengthens a person physically. It is not just about the weather of this region. I am sure you feel the same way. We say a lot about how we feel good in Shusha or Zangilan or Lachin. Not only because of the weather. What is happiness? Happiness that comes from within. Many have asked themselves, but every time I see this development, I say to myself that this is probably what happiness is. As for the Great Return program, we have now approved the Master Plan of more than 30 cities and villages, the foundations of many villages have been laid and the figures have already been announced. We will return more than 150,000 people to both Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur within the next three years. Now we are at the preliminary stage of the work, as they say, because the design takes a long time, the tender procedures take a long time. We want everything to be in order, according to the law, to be completely transparent, and this takes time, it does take time. I am sure that the former IDPs understand this. To the Karabakh region alone, 140,000 people are expected to return by 2026. I already hope that next year the first residents will arrive and settle down in the city of Shusha. Now, you probably haven't had the time today, but you will probably walk around in the evening or tomorrow, and you will see that in several places construction projects, namely the construction of residential buildings, are already underway. Of course, the demining process was the biggest obstacle. Because the work we have done during these two and a half years not only shows that we have financial opportunities. It also shows that we have very serious experience and professional personnel. I don't think anyone would have thought of implementing projects on this scale in a matter of two and a half years. No-one could have imagined that in just two and a half years, such large-scale work would be carried out on a large area covering 10,000 square kilometers. This is why the Azerbaijani public is periodically updated about the plans and the work done. When master plans of the cities were approved, the opinions of the people who lived in the cities were taken into account, and I attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the reconstruction of cities together with the former IDPs. In other words, we really want people who have suffered morally and physically for 30 years to be provided with the best conditions, and we are moving towards that and will continue to do so. Moderator: And the next question from Majeed Shawkey, Egypt. Majeed Shawkey: My name is Majeed. The Middle East News Agency, Egypt. Mr. President, you have talked about threats to your country and your efforts for the development after the war. How far landmines are affecting the daily lives of ordinary people and how far these landmines are affecting the efforts for development? And if there are any plans for removing these mines, given the high cost of the process? Thank you very much. President Ilham Aliyev: Yes, you touched upon probably the most important issue. Because landmines already claimed almost 300 lives and serious injuries of our civilians and military personnel. So, 300 mine explosions on the liberated territories, because of these war crimes. Planting landmines is a war crime. But not giving us the maps of landmines is a continuation of the Armenian terror. Because we know that they have it. This is how the mines are being planted. Those, who plant the mines, they have to have a map. Otherwise, they themselves can be victims of those mines. They first denied on the very high level, on the level of the Armenian Prime Minister that they have mine maps. Then, finally they admitted that they have it. That means they were lying to us at first. And why were they lying to us? They wanted Azerbaijanis to be killed, to continue to be killed, losing their legs, being severely injured. When they announced that they gave us the maps, and we started to check the accuracy of those maps, which was not as high as 25%. You can imagine that it means nothing. It means that these maps are absolutely useless. We are undertaking very serious efforts in demining. We purchased equipment, special machines, the mining machines. One of our local companies started to produce demining machines in Azerbaijan. We invited private companies to join the efforts, and several private companies already were established, which already started the demining process. Our State Agency ANAMA, along with the battalions of the Ministry of Emergency Ministry, specialists are working day and night to clean the area. But according to our estimation more than 1 million mines have been planted. The maps, which Armenians gave us, cover about 400,000. That means that they admitted that 400,000 have been planted. But we know that it is more than 1 million. So, it's very credible information. We received several proposals from international companies to work in this area. But unfortunately, the price was very high. I don't want to go into much details, but on average it was 8 to 10 times higher than the cost of demining of one mine. So, in other words, Azerbaijani local companies and ANAMA are demining the area 8-10 times cheaper than foreign companies, which applied for this job. We started to use drones thanks to good brains of some people. There are drones now, which detect the most contaminated places by mines and it is helpful. But at the same time, we can understand that it's a long process. Unfortunately, we should understand that there will be more victims and more casualties. So, the mine terror of Armenia continues. The most important is the fact that the areas, which have not yet been cleaned, are isolated now. Restricted access to the liberated territories helps us to minimize the casualties. But after the former IDPs will return, they must be very careful. I want just to use this opportunity once again to apply to them, I made it many times, to be very careful and not to go to the places, which are not authorized. This is really very dangerous and this is one of the biggest threats, which we will face for many years in the future unfortunately. Moderator: Gela Vasadze, Georgia. Gela Vasadze: Mr. President, first of all, thank you very much for organizing such a large-scale and wonderful event. I am really impressed. I agree with you that there are just a few steps, perhaps even step to peace. But peace depends on how far the process of integration of the Armenian population of Karabakh goes. When they tell me about people, when talking with friends, I ask them: Give me the phone number of these people. Do you have the phone number of Karabakh Armenians? Do you know this phone? Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: We have repeatedly expressed our position on this issue and have shown maximum constructivism. But, unfortunately, the junta that seized power in Karabakh and which calls itself presidents, ministers or deputies is only causing everyone to laugh. They have taken hostage those who now live in the territory where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed. We took the initiative, I appointed a special representative who was supposed to deal with representatives of the Armenians of Karabakh, and in order to establish these contacts, he was sent to Karabakh. The first meeting took place there, in the village of Khojaly, at the base of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. After that, we invited representatives of the Armenians of Karabakh to come to Baku to continue the dialogue. But they refused, and quite defiantly. After some time, we invited them again perhaps there was some kind of a mistake, it happens, a misfire in order to find out whether they want it or not. But there was a refusal again. And then I said that there would be no third invitation. If they are not interested, so be it. Well, what happened next you probably know the establishment of a border checkpoint on the state border of Azerbaijan and Armenia. If you trace the chronology of all our actions, even if you go back before the beginning of the Second Karabakh War, you will see logic and a very strong argument on our side. We did not do anything for which we would be ashamed or we could say, yes, we are wrong there. We did everything right. We gave them a chance, including the Armenian leadership before the start of the Second Karabakh War for two years, but they did not take advantage of it. We gave them a chance at a time when the Lachin-Khankendi road was just a thoroughfare through which Armenia transported mines that were produced in Armenia in 2021. And we discovered these mines. We found them. We invited representatives of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, as well as representatives of the Russian-Turkish monitoring center, which is located in Aghdam, demonstrated that to them and asked: How did these mines get into Karabakh? Who brought them? And who was supposed to watch? It is unacceptable for us to die after the Victory on our own territory because Armenia continues its policy of terror. Therefore, all our steps were logical, justified, legitimate, competent and sufficiently courageous. So, the establishment of a checkpoint on the border is an important stage in the post-conflict situation, which has significantly changed the landscape and the fact that these actions were fully accepted, although not immediately and not entirely willingly by all actors, but they were eventually perceived as legitimate. It was also a message. But how many times are we supposed to send messages? How many times can we hint? Was it not enough? The Farrukh operation, the situation on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan in May 2021, the situation on the border in September 2022, and the border checkpoint. Well, how many messages should we give to them? Are they really so slow-witted? Therefore, the issue of reintegration depends on when the Armenian residents of Karabakh will be able to get rid of these shackles, of this junta that took them hostage and exploited them as slaves. It is still exploiting them now, because when eco-activists came to the Lachin-Khankendi road, the Armenian leadership, the so-called leadership in Khankendi did not allow ordinary citizens to use this road. They set up a roadblock, accusing us of the blockade. Today they put up concrete blocks on the Aghdam-Asgaran road again. When you said, why do products have to be shipped from another country? After all, Karabakh is Azerbaijan. Right? It is, isnt it? Doesnt everyone recognize it as such? Everyone recognizes it. Does anyone say it is not? No! And why should goods be delivered from another country? This is illogical. But instead of accepting this gesture, concrete blocks were placed there. So, who is blocking whom? This is the whole point. And todays comedy show they are staging when they sit in a tent and protest against someone. It is just a joke, you know. People who call themselves president protest, do a sit-in strike we have some journalists joking that the next stage will probably be a lying down strike. Whatever it is, it wont help the case. We are ready to follow the path of reintegration, respecting the rights and security of the Armenian minority in Karabakh within the framework of our Constitution and within the framework of the good practice of how these issues are resolved in Azerbaijan as a whole. Azerbaijan is a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state, and this is our strength. All representatives of ethnic groups living in Azerbaijan have the same rights and obligations and the same level of security. So, why should some ethnic group stand out against this background is also not entirely clear to me. This is our approach. We still have not lost hope that the sensible part of society that lives in Khankendi and its environs will understand the futility of ignoring of Azerbaijan and common sense will prevail. Otherwise, I think that only naive people can count on the fact that someone will come and fight for them. They had several stages when they had to understand and come to terms with the realities. They appealed to different authorities, to different countries starting with neighboring ones and ending with some countries that are located further away. But no-one in the right mind will fight against us on the territory of Azerbaijan for them. Therefore, they must eventually understand and accept these realities. I have already said this. I was told many times by mediators during the occupation, that the First Karabakh War ended like this, so you must accept the realities. But I wasnt accepting them and did not. I am saying again: accept these realities, and these realities will only change if they do not for the benefit of either Armenia or the Armenian minority in Karabakh. Therefore, I hope that they will hear these words and draw the right conclusion. President of the Global Policy Institute, Paolo von Schirach: Mr. President. Thank you for your hospitality. You won the war, you need to win the peace. What message could you give to the American private sector, corporate economy, which are interested in business with Azerbaijan. Of course, everybody knows about oil and gas. What about other sectors of the economy? What would be your message to American business leaders who are interested in partnering with Azerbaijani companies, where the benefit should be transparent and mutual with particular value for your country and the people who suffered so much because of this horrible war? Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: One of our priorities now is to stimulate the development of the sector, which is not related to natural resources. And that program is being successfully implemented. Year after year, we increase not only the share of the non-energy economy in our GDP, which is now more than 50%, but also increase our non-energy related export. My message would be that now capital goes to the places where there's a predictability and stability, which is a case in Azerbaijan. That was here for many years, even during the times of occupation. But definitely the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict being unresolved created certain probably frustration and was elevating certain risks. After the Second Karabakh war is over, this risk is very minimum in general. So, our government has a very predictable policy with respect to development and also with respect to improvement of business climate. I think that foreigners who live and work in Azerbaijan can also prove that in recent years, there have been very serious, positive changes in management, including our fiscal system, including corporate management in our companies. This process is already in the final stage of full compliance with international standards. The countrys economy is sustainable, foreign debt is below 10% of GDP. And currency reserves exceed the foreign debt 10 times. So, in principle, if we decide, we can zero the foreign debt within one week. Trade turnover has a high surplus. During these six months, we had 10 billion US dollar surplus in our export over our import. Political situation is stable. Azerbaijan proved itself as a reliable partner in oil and gas, and at the same time, is now working actively on issues related to connectivity, taking into account the geographical location and already very modern transportation infrastructure. So, these are general messages to companies, which probably think it's a good idea to come and try to work in Azerbaijan. With respect to the areas, which are now priorities for us, of course, number one is reconstruction of the liberated territories. We have a growing number of foreign companies, who are working here as contractors. Another important sector, which we are actively working on, is digitalization. And already substantial financial resources have been channeled to that sector. I know that some American companies are already showing interest to the renewable energy area. We have discovered a lot of potential. Those who know Baku are aware that Baku is a very windy city. When the wind was very strong, it always created certain problems. But at the same time, now we found out that wind will generate a lot of money in the Caspian. So, the IFC already made the assessment and testifies that there is 157 gigawatt of wind power only in the Caspian Sea. Foreign companies have already started several investment projects in renewables. Last December, an agreement was signed between Azerbaijan, Georgia, Hungary and Romania and witnessed by the European Commission to build an integrated green energy line from Azerbaijan to Europe going under the Black Sea. So, feasibility study already started. We expect the feasibility study to be presented probably in September-October. The first steering committee of the projects was held in Baku this February. The first 240-megawatt solar power station is to be inaugurated by the end of this year. But this is only the first. We already signed MoUs and contracts at the level of 10 gigawatts. So, if half of these MoUs is materialized, that will be more than enough to supply big geography in Europe. At the same time, it will save us a lot of natural gas, which we use now to generate electricity and that natural gas will go also to the international market. So, it's a win-win situation. And also I would like to see more foreign companies in agriculture. We don't have many of them so far. We use some of the advanced technologies, including in the irrigation area. But, I would personally would like to see investors, because there is a big potential of agriculture, especially, in the liberated territory, whose soil is very fertile. And 25% of our water resources is generated in Karabakh, can you imagine? We've been deprived from that for 30 years and we could not use it, because Armenians were closing the dams as water reserves. 100,000 hectares of land were not irrigated. We had to drill the wells, artesian wells. So, now this water is a source of life not only for Karabakh. We have a plan to build pipelines to bring this water to the central part of Azerbaijan, which needs water most of all. So, I would like to see in agriculture and also in transportation, but here it is more, how to say, already internationalized this sector, because one country cannot be transportation hub. If it wants to be a hub, it should work with the neighbors. So, here we have quite a good international cooperation with the neighboring countries and big potential in expansion of transportation infrastructure. Moderator: Your Excellency, the next question, Mohamad Al Kadi, Al Jazeera TV. Mohamad Al Kadi, Al Jazeera TV: Thank you very much, dear Mr. President. Thank you for your hospitality in this beautiful city of Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan. My question will be in Arabic so that everyone should know that there are Arabs in this Forum too. Because the Arabs also watched and observed the war in Karabakh with great interest, and you talked with them about the damage to museums, centers and mosques. You also talked about historical places, monuments and thousands of lost manuscripts and books. In your opinion, why did the Armenians cause this devastation and deliberate and programmed destruction of Azerbaijani heritage and culture? My other question is when the reconstruction of Karabakh will be completed and how long will it take? Thank you very much. President Ilham Aliyev: The process of reconstruction of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur has been divided into stages. The Great Return program has been adopted. Financial resources have been mobilized for the implementation of the program. In dollar equivalent to date, projected spending on infrastructure and urban development purposes by the end of the year will be somewhere around $7 billion. So, this is just the beginning. How long will the implementation of this program, which is divided into stages, take? It is difficult to say. Because at the first stage, our main task is to rebuild eight cities and about 100 villages. People have already been settled in several places. The Aghali village of the Zangilan district, the Talish village of the Tartar district, and the city of Lachin. But this is a gradual process. One million people who suffered from the occupation must return to their ancestral lands. I should also mention that before we started the restoration work, we conducted an informal survey among the former IDPs to find out whether they intend to return to their ancestral lands or not. The good news is that the absolute majority of IDPs gave an affirmative answer. This, of course, increases the amount of work to be done, and I think that the rehabilitation of cities will be possible in the next five years. On the example of the city of Lachin, I can say that in a matter of eight months, the town of Lachin was completely rebuilt. There are facilities for more than 700 families today both individual houses and multi-apartment houses. Now the school will be ready for September 15. A kindergarten will also be ready. A hospital will be ready and other social facilities are being built. Therefore, I am sure that people will live in all liberated cities in the next five years. But the development plan of the cities is certainly more extensive. Because if we take the city of Aghdam as an example, in the period before the occupation, somewhere around 40,000, perhaps even 50,000 people lived in the city of Aghdam. According to our master plan, about 100,000 people will live in the city of Aghdam. Of course, all this will be done in stages. Because funds should be spent when people are ready to go there. As for your first question, I mentioned in my comments that I still can't understand where this cruelty and hatred comes from. Because the Armenians have lived in the territory of Azerbaijan for a long time. Their migration to Karabakh en masse began in the first half of the 19th century. In 1805, as a result of the Kurakchay agreement, the Karabakh Khanate was included in the Russian Empire. The agreements of Gulustan and Turkmenchay signed after that included other khanates of Azerbaijan into the Russian Empire. After that, the process of settlement of Armenians from Iran and Eastern Anatolia began. There are many documents to confirm this. Therefore, the writings, letters and statements of prominent statesmen are all confirmed historically. So they came to these lands as guests of the Karabakh land, including Shusha. They claimed that Shusha is an Armenian city. First, the history of the city of Shusha doesnt date too far back. In 1752, Panahali Khan built a city in Shusha, and last year was declared the year of Shusha in Azerbaijan because we were celebrating the 270th anniversary of Shusha. From then and until the occupation, the absolute majority of people living in Shusha were Azerbaijanis. If Shusha was an Armenian city, why was it in such a deplorable state? Why were 17 springs of Shusha dried up by Armenians during the occupation? I specifically enquired about that when I came to Shusha on November 14, 2021. Because Shusha was a city of 17 mosques, and 17 springs. If this was your city, why did you dry up the springs? Why didn't you leave a single stone in Shusha? There are two or three villas in Shusha that were built during the occupation, and they were on the Lachin-Khankendi road. One of them belongs to the head of the junta located in Khankendi, Karabakh. One is said to have been donated by the head of the junta to one of the leaders of Armenia, and the owner of the other is unknown. Besides, the Khankendi junta did not leave a single stone in Shusha. As for other cities, their hatred towards Azerbaijan and our people does not fit into normal human psyche. Psychologists, probably psychiatrists should analyze this and tell us what the reason for this cruelty and barbarism is. That is, they stole gravestones, erased the names of Azerbaijanis who died there and used them as gravestones for their own relatives. What kind of culture is this? Or to dig up Azerbaijani graves, extract gold teeth from the skulls of the dead, melt them and sell them in the market. I am not talking about the damage done to the environment. A total of 60,000 hectares of forests were destroyed by Armenians, chopped and sold for parquet floors. When the Second Karabakh War ended, Russia appealed to us to give them time to leave those lands Aghdam, Kalbajar, Lachin. We probably haven't forgotten those shameful scenes yet. They cut down trees and burned houses. They burned the trees and in the houses once inhabited by the Azerbaijanis which they settled illegally in, they even dismantled their cheap belongings and carried them on their backs right in front of the whole world. What name can we give to that? Therefore, what can we expect from people who committed these deeds? Everything I say is 100 percent true. I am not exaggerating anything. In fact, I am not even saying all of it. There may be a reason that they did this in order to completely Armenianize this region, to erase the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan and to make these lands unfit for habitation in the future. Because the ruins you see are the cities of Fuzuli and Aghdam, which suffered the greatest destruction. There is not a single sound building left there. Those ruins are not wartime ruins. Those ruins are the ruins resulting from the demolition of these houses after the First Karabakh War. They removed the stones one by one and sold them here and there. So, what can you call that? We do not touch the historical heritage of the Armenian people. There is even an Armenian church here in Shusha. Anyone can go and have a look, not a single stone has been touched there. On the contrary, it is protected. That is our attitude, and we are not going to take revenge on them for their actions. I said even during the war and afterwards that we must take revenge on the battlefield, and when we did that. We also avenged the blood of our martyrs on the battlefield. We have never fought against civilians. But during the war, they fired at our peaceful cities with Iskander, Tochka, and Scud missiles. About a hundred innocent people, including 12 children, were killed as a result of this cowardly fire. So by saying all this, I want to state that our memory is not erased. It will not and should not be erased, the people of Azerbaijan should never forget this. Again, not for revenge, they must remember it so that it never happens again. Because we made a mistake once, we trusted the neighbors too much and then we were made to suffer for it. In any case, everything is obvious. The importance of these gatherings is also important, among other things, because representatives of the international media gathered here will see everything with their own eyes. They will convey the truth of Azerbaijan to their countries, their people, and the public. We want that. During the occupation, it was a kind of forbidden zone. They did let some foreigners come to the city of Shusha but no-one was allowed to go to Aghdam and Fuzuli districts. Because whoever goes there will see everything. But now everything is obvious and it shows once again what historical result we have achieved. We did not just defeat Armenia. We broke the back of Armenian fascism. We almost saved the Armenian people from these evil deeds. Maybe this bitter defeat, the bitter defeat in the Second Karabakh War will be a lesson for them, and they will sit down and think about how to live in this region from now on, acknowledge their sins, confess their crimes, and bring criminals to justice. This process has already started. In Armenia, the executioners whose hands are soaked in the blood of the Azerbaijani people are being punished by the Armenian government now. It is only fair, and there should be a continuation. Only in this case can there be real reconciliation between peoples. A peace treaty can be signed, but the main issue is to take steps towards reconciliation at public level, and the first of them is the confession of their sins by the Armenians. Igor Korotchenko, Russian military expert: Thank you. Mr. President, in your speech you noted that the world is turbulent, everything is changing very quickly, and against this background, Azerbaijan is successful. It stands like a rock. For many countries today, Azerbaijan is an example in addressing a variety of problems. The strategic vision of the future of Azerbaijan, which is in your hands, Mr. President, how do you see the future of Azerbaijan? Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: First of all, thank you for such an assessment of what we are doing and how the country is positioning itself. In principle, we have strategic directions for development, and they were determined many years ago. The only thing is that life makes adjustments, and we have to integrate the changing realities into our plans. But I will not say that it is of any dramatic nature. In the foreground after the liberation of the occupied territories, of course, are issues of socioeconomic development. Because the political processes in Azerbaijan are going in the right direction. There is a consensus in society on the main issues of our future. Whether it is political development, whether it is economic development or issues related to social policy. Therefore, improvement of the well-being of the Azerbaijani people is now the main task. Before that, this was always one of the priorities, but the main priority, of course, was the issue of liberating the territories and, accordingly, strengthening the potential of the Armed Forces. Now with regard to defense capability. This issue is also in the spotlight, taking into account the experience of the Second Karabakh War, taking into account what we needed more, what we needed less, what was used more and what was used less. But as someone who deeply knows the issues of military construction you probably understand what I am talking about. But, of course, the issues of sustainable development and reducing dependence on the oil and gas sector come to the fore. This task, I think, is facing all oil-producing economies in which this sector plays an important role, including ours. This is not easy to do. But without this there will be no sustainable development. Because natural resources are resources that are depleted, and we must be prepared for the economy to show its resilience in any case. Of course, we are making reserves, we are accumulating foreign exchange reserves, we are improving the system of governance. All this gives us additional opportunities. Even if we look at the statistics of the fulfillment of the forecast by our tax and customs authorities, the picture is very impressive. This is not the first year that we have been introducing upward additions to the budget in May and June based on the fact that the tax and customs authorities have collected much more revenue only thanks to transparency and a new approach to governance. As for the broader context, not everything here depends on us, including the issue of normalizing relations with Armenia. If we come to the signing of a peace treaty, this will improve the situation in the South Caucasus as a whole and exclude the South Caucasus, by and large, from the high-risk zone. Because the high-risk zone is not just an assessment of experts, it is also about ratings, which involves opportunities to take loans. These issues are directly related to foreign investment, especially now, when investors primarily proceed from potential and existing risks. The settlement of relations with Armenia will remove this risk, it will be good both for our economy and for the economy of Armenia. In general, it will create opportunities for the normalization of relations and a more complete implementation of our plans. This will allow us the opportunity to finance issues related to our defense potential to a lesser extent, i.e. it will free up fairly large resources. And of course, I still see Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur as a driver of the non-energy sector of the economy. Because in terms of natural and climatic conditions, in terms of tourism potential, in terms of the potential of agriculture, as well as renewable energy, this region will be able to seriously contribute to the treasury of our GDP. For example, I will say that by the end of next year we will complete the construction of about 30 hydroelectric power plants with a capacity of 200 MW. More than 50 MW have already been put into operation, and for comparison, perhaps I am going into too much detail, but it might be of interest to someone. The efficiency of using hydroelectric stations in Karabakh is much higher than in any other point in Azerbaijan, i.e. the flow is so powerful and the rivers are so full-flowing. Each power plant has its own efficiency factor, whether it is a combined cycle power plant or a hydro power plant, and there is exceptional efficiency here. That is, the huge potential of wind power in the Kalbajar-Lachin zone, in the Jabrayil district in just a couple of months, the construction of a solar station with a capacity of 240 MW will begin. In other words, it will be such a huge energy potential plus a logistical center. No-one has canceled the Zangezur corridor and this project remains on the agenda and will remain until it is implemented. And this opens up huge potential. It is now called connectivity, as it were, of transport links. And in order to fully answer this question, this requires a separate interview. Thank you. Moderator: The next question, Khalil Mohamed Ibrahim, Chad. Khalil Mohamed Ibrahim: Dear Mr. President, when you liberated these lands, many countries gave you moral, logistical and diplomatic support. The positions of many countries were unclear. What will Azerbaijans diplomatic relations be in the future? The second question is how Azerbaijan's relations with African countries will be in this regard. Thank you very much. President Ilham Aliyev: Our relations with African countries are developing rapidly. Some time ago, our embassy in the African Union was also opened. At the same time, we are in close contact with African countries within the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement, and I have already mentioned that part of our humanitarian aid during the COVID period was also directed to the African continent. I must also state that until today our relations in the economic and commercial sphere have not been on a very high level. Just like on the political level. There are probably natural reasons for this, and I think that opportunities in this direction will be evaluated as contacts become more intense. Anyway, we are interested in that. As for the position of countries during the Second Karabakh War, this is now history. We know who was with us, who was with Armenia, and who was in a neutral position. I think it would be wrong to bring this issue up again now. Our main task was to liberate our lands and we did that. Every country has its own agenda, its own foreign policy, its own internal, as they say, reasons. We understand that too. From some countries, we expected a little more support, from some countries we expected nothing at all. So, these are the laws of international relations, and I can say that in our experience, such issues do not have a great impact on bilateral relations. Even during the occupation, I can say that we saw a neutral position from many countries. We were not satisfied with that, because we rightly demanded that the position of justice prevail. At the same time, we saw the position of countries that were in solidarity with Armenia during the occupation. But let me say again that this did not lead to the freezing of our relations with those countries, that's one thing. Secondly, I think we have achieved this to some extent. We have to try to play on the opponent's court, and we did that. Our relations with countries considered to be close allies of Armenia during the occupation, I mean that period also developed successfully, and we managed to show those countries that their real political, economic and other interests should lie in Azerbaijan, not in Armenia. This factor made it possible to somewhat amend the pro-Armenian position of these countries. It is true that during the Second Karabakh War and afterwards, the countries distinguished for being close to Armenia could no longer hide their pro-Armenian position or did not want to. To a certain extent, this led to the straining of our relations with such countries. But that doesn't mean it will be like this forever. At this stage, it will end, a new stage will open, and the main thing is that you have an agenda. In the post-war period, we did everything in sequence, one step was a logical continuation of the previous step, and we were moving towards the goal. We reached many goals. There are some goals we haven't reached yet, but we will reach them. Of course, political competence is not in the last place in order to achieve those goals. Therefore, our communication channels are open with all countries. In parallel with this, we express our displeasure, protest and countermeasures at the appropriate level when necessary. Nurjan Kasmaliyeva, Kyrgyzstan: After the completion of the Karabakh war, some Central Asian countries announced their willingness to help Azerbaijan in reconstruction of liberated territories. What kind of support or help Azerbaijan received from the Central Asian countries? And in general, how can you characterize relations with the Central Asian countries, in particular, with Kyrgyzstan? President Ilham Aliyev: We are very grateful to our friends and brothers in Central Asia for support. When you drove from Fuzuli Airport, probably, you've noticed the housing project, which is being implemented. There is a school behind it, which was generously donated to us by Uzbekistan and also the Art Center, which was donated by Kazakhstan. Both are under construction and the school must be ready by the end of August, and Art Center for young generation - Youth Art Center - by the end of the year. So, these are two signs of support. And actually all this is foreign aid, which we received since the war ended. This was a very important gesture demonstrating their solidarity. They clearly understand that we can build schools and we build schools. But this was a genuine desire to demonstrate their solidarity and to help us, and understanding that what a great scope of work is in front of us. With respect to cooperation with Central Asian countries in general, they are very dynamic. I visited many Central Asian countries last year and this year. Also presidents of the Central Asian countries visited Azerbaijan, and we expect also more visits of presidents of friendly countries by the end of the year. We are now actively working on bilateral level on the issues related to investments and trade. We established a Joint Investment Fund with Uzbekistan and there is such initiative to establish one with Kyrgyzstan. The amount of assets is not very big, but it depends on the availability of the projects. With Uzbekistan, the Fund is on the level of half a billion US dollars, with Kyrgyzstan I think it is 25 million. Because we do not have yet projects to be implemented, so, these funds, of course, can be enlarged and they will be enlarged. You also asked particularly about our relations with Kyrgyzstan. They are very good, very friendly. I paid a state visit to your country and the president paid a visit to Azerbaijan. We also meet regularly at the meetings of the Organization of Turkic States summit and also CIS summits. With the Central Asian countries, we are now actively working on the issues related to connectivity and transportation infrastructure. Just several days ago, I received the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, a while ago Prime Minister of Kazakhstan. Main topics of conversation were transportation routes across the Caspian through Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkiye to Europe. This route is going to be one of the most important transportation routes for the Central Asian countries. Because Azerbaijan's transportation infrastructure is modern and is capable to handle cargoes much more than we have now. So, I think that there is a great future in our relations. Moderator: The next question, Mohammad Reza Pour, IRNA News Agency. Mohammad Reza Pour: Mr. President, thank you for the invitation. I greet you on behalf of IRNA News Agency, on behalf of Iran. Mr. President, the governments of Iran and Azerbaijan are making great efforts to develop and strengthen relations between the two countries. How will the launch of the project, which will take place in the near future, affect the strengthening of relations? President Ilham Aliyev: I am sorry. Your question wasnt clear. Please repeat your second question. Mohammad Reza Pour: What effect will the launch of IRNA Azeri have on the strengthening of relations? President Ilham Aliyev: Maybe you are a little far from us, so we can't hear your question well. Please voice your question to the moderator and he will pass it on to us. Moderator: Opening of IRNA office in Azerbaijan? In the coming days, IRNA agency will open its office in Azerbaijan and what role can IRNA Azeri play between the two countries? President Ilham Aliyev: I hope IRNA Azerbaijan will definitely contribute to strengthening of relations between our countries. Because I think the responsible media outlets need always to contribute to strengthening of relations between neighboring countries. Therefore, I think the best way is to inform your audience in Iran about Azerbaijans reality, about the process of reconstruction of Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur. Of course, I think that it will be very good if more people in Iran know the reality of the Second Karabakh War and post-war situation, especially with respect to Azerbaijan's agenda of broad regional cooperation here in the region. So, I wish you success in your activity. I'm sure that you will play an important role in strengthening our relations. Moderator: Next question, Tarek Cherkaoui, Manager of TRT World Research Centre? Tarek Cherkaoui: Your Excellency. I would like to congratulate you, after winning the battle for liberation. You are winning also the battle for reconstruction. My question is about Shusha, actually. What is your vision for Shusha down the line in 10 years time? Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: Well, reconstruction of Shusha has started. The master plan has been approved a while ago, and now the construction of the first housing projects has started. Maybe you can see them. They are in different parts of the city. These projects will accommodate the Shusha residents back to their homes. At the same time, as I already said, Shusha was officially declared by the presidential decree a cultural capital of Azerbaijan. And we expect big traffic from all over the world to come to this unique place. Because history, culture, architecture and climate of Shusha is really a big asset for our country. Of course, the city, which is situated on the rock, surrounded by the ancient city wall is really a pearl of the Caucasus - as we call it the crown of Karabakh. We are actively now restoring the historical monuments of Shusha. Three mosques have already been rebuilt with one of them restored and others built, which were destroyed. The first historical monument, which we restored was a Mausoleum of our great poet and the minister vizier, a kind of minister of Karabakh Khanate Vagif, which was destroyed by Armenians during the times of occupation. As I said, we already restored the springs, traditional springs - five of them already are full with water. Shushas infrastructure also is taken care of. When Armenians were running away from here, they damaged the water distribution system. So, we had to build it from scratch. And, in general, all the infrastructure of Shusha, including new roads, has been taken into account while master plan was elaborated. This September, we will inaugurate the opening of the school, which is designed for almost 1000 pupils and the hospital for 90 patients will be ready, I think, in several months, may be probably by the end of the year. Everything in Shusha is being done based on the master plan. And that will allow the city to look even better than it looked ever before. So, it will be very convenient and modern, at the same time keeping the authentic look. Because almost all the historical buildings are now in the process of renovation. And those who travel to Shusha often can see every time the changes and how city becomes looking better and better. There will be still some demolition works to be carried out, because of the buildings, which were built during the soviet times. Their sustainability do not allow us to use them as apartment buildings. But the master plan for Shusha is really amazing. I think this will be one of the best places in three-four years in the world, not only in the Caucasus. By the way, this hotel is also a good illustration of what we're doing. Two hotels have been restored - Karabakh and Khari Bulbul and they were built from scratch. Interesting thing about this hotel is that here on this particular place, the separatists wanted to build a parliament for so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. And when I came here first time in January, I came to see it, they did not finish it. There was only construction. They wanted to move their so-called parliament here, and to continue Armenisation of Shusha. And standing in front of that, I called it the House of the Devil. And the House of the Devil was knocked down, and we built this beautiful hotel, which is a five-star hotel. I hope guests also feel themselves comfortable. This also demonstrates how quickly Shusha is being developed. Moderator: Mr. President, actually, more than two hours have already passed since the start of our interactive part. It's clear that everyone wants to be a part of this process. But we do not want to overuse your discretion. Maybe we can let Mr. Markov ask his question. He was raising his hand from the first minute. Russian political scientist Sergey Markov: Thank you, Mr. President. If you don't mind I will speak English. If you remember we conducted very small international conference. There was even an explosion on the way to the conference. We very much hope that there will be no explosion at all here and Armenians will accept the reality peacefully. And my question to you, not only as to a politician and to a winner. You are a very experienced person. You told about three brokers, now. They are competing each other. And all of them want to be successful, first. But at the same time, all these three brokers worked together as Minsk Group and fully collapsed and were absolutely not able to prevent the beginning of the Second Karabakh War. They spent 28 years with no sense of negotiation. It has come to the war. We can see now that the number of brokers is increasing but the sense of brokering is a little bit decreasing. And what you think, first of all, who amongst the brokers will be successful in competition? What the brokers must do to be successful? And second is connected in a broader sense. How should international institutes develop not to move to the crisis because it's clear that the United Nations is not successful and the OSCE Minsk Group proved to be unsuccessful. With you great experience, and with your great education on international relations, what could be a positive direction for these international institutions to become most stable and sustainable? President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you very much. I want to specify a little bit with respect to these tracks of negotiations. We have two processes. One is negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and we have two brokers, which is Russia and United States. And we have the so-called Brussels format, which is not a formal negotiation, because negotiations are being held by ministers of foreign affairs and their teams and experts. The Brussel format, we consider as a kind of supplementary or a kind of a supportive mechanism of direct interaction on the level of the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan. So far, it has worked, I think, more or less successfully. There is some difference between this format and the Minsk Group, because we do not have exactly the same actors. One of the members of the Minsk Group was France, which is now not in the picture. But the European Union again, I said, is not a real broker for negotiations but a kind of a factor, which maybe decreases the tension and allows Armenian, Azerbaijani leaders to talk and to understand each other better. With respect to the Minsk Group, I want to say that it was not me, it was themselves who actually made it dysfunctional. When the Second Karabakh War ended, frankly speaking, they also were asking themselves what they should do next. And when communicating with us, our position was that the conflict is over taking that into account. Absolute majority of provisions of the so-called Madrid principles have already been achieved, including the peacekeeping operations. Therefore, to our mind, the Minsk Group, if continued, should have dealt with trust-building measures only, and also helping countries to implement fully provisions of the 10 November 2020 declaration. Because as you know, two important paragraphs are not implemented - first, withdrawal of the Armenian troops from Karabakh and second, having access to Nakhchivan. These two provisions Armenia does not fulfill. But then after this geopolitical clash, the Minsk Group formally, how to say, resigned. And now the reincarnation of the Minsk Group in any form is absolutely unrealistic and is unacceptable to us. We hear some rumors, sometimes, some information that there are some ideas how again to assemble this broken vase. But it is not possible from practical point of view and point of view of disagreement of Azerbaijan. Because, as you can imagine, we don't have good memories of the activity of the Minsk Group. With respect to the rivalry, yes, we see this rivalry. This is part of the global rivalry. It's not only here. It's easier to say where this rivalry is not happening. So, the Southern Caucasus and Azerbaijan is not an exclusion. After the end of the Second Karabakh War, naturally, Russia took the lead, because, as I said before, Russia was the principal negotiator with respect to the 10 November declaration, and the Russian peacekeepers were deployed in the region. Russia is a neighbor to Azerbaijan, and though, it's not neighbor but very close to Armenia. So, it was natural. But then, we all know that Russia became more preoccupied with other issues and the rivals just started to fill the gap. So, what will be the end of this rivalry here in the Caucasus, I cannot say. For me, as a President it was always important, even during the times of occupation, that Azerbaijan does not transform into the area of rivalry. This is the worst scenario one can imagine for any country. We see that Armenia now is slowly becoming such an area of rivalry, which can lead to serious problems. Not only Russian-American, but also other countries are actively stepping in, and I think that the Armenian government does not have a clear foreign policy strategy. They had it before the Second Karabakh War. But now we see that they don't have it and this could lead to serious problems for them. But with respect to Azerbaijan, our area is free from rivalry. We are the area of cooperation. As you know, many times Russian and American military commanders gathered in Baku for meetings. They were high-level commanders of Chief of Staff of Russian Army and US military commander or NATO military commander - they selected Baku for their meeting. That was a sign of respect to us. Selection of Baku by them - I think four or five meetings of that kind took place - demonstrated that Azerbaijan is a country, which can unite interests even between countries, which always compete. That was a time, when this competition was more or less peaceful. Now, under current circumstances, again Azerbaijan is a place, where potentially this kind of context can restart. What will be the final result? Difficult to say. The thing is that both sides actually provide the space for negotiations, and whether it's Moscow or Washington. That is not a trilateral negotiation, it is a bilateral negotiation. Shortly, the meeting was held in Washington, in several days it will be in Moscow. It depends on who invites. So, when we got invitation from the Russian Foreign Ministry several days ago, I immediately gave instructions to our foreign minister to agree, and they agreed the date. Then, Armenians asked to change the date. We agreed to change the date, because probably they had some reason. So, Americans were inviting more. So, more meetings took place there. But again, it is definitely the bilateral format. Negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to our approach, must be bilateral only. Of course, the factor of where these negotiations take place is also important. It has played its role, and we are open to any kind of mediation efforts in order to make positions closer. But one of the most important issues now on the negotiation table, which needs its resolution, is the formal agreement by Armenia to refrain from territorial claims against Azerbaijan. They did it already verbally. We consider it as a position. When the Prime Minister said that Karabakh is Azerbaijan, I wish he said that in 2019. But he said an absolutely different thing in Khankendi. Now, he says the right thing, but now he needs to put his signature under that. He needs to initial that open paragraph, which we did not agree on peace treaty draft, and clearly demonstrates that they don't have territorial claims. Their position is a little bit ambiguous. They say we recognize territorial integrity, and even they say the parameters. But at the same time, they say that this Armenian minority in Karabakh should be incorporated, which is not possible at all. There are a kind of bridging language proposals, which are reciprocal, and which refer to national minorities, their rights and security in both countries. Because if Armenians want to talk about rights and securities of Armenians in Karabakh, then we want to talk about rights and securities of Azerbaijanis in Zangazur, in Goycha, and in Yerevan. So, I think, this is logical absolutely. But hopefully, we will come to a final stage, though its difficult to predict. I can predict only what solely depends on us. But with respect to negotiations, we are hopeful, but must be less optimistic, more realistic. Moderator: Mr. President. It will be the last question. Shafag Mehraliyeva, ADA University. Shafag Mehraliyeva: I teach communication and media at ADA University. In the next two days, we will continue these conversations with our distinguished colleagues talking about modern media trends. And one of the issues that usually come up in this conversation is relationship between social media and professional media or traditional media. Sometimes difficult relationship, most of the time competitive relationship. You have a very strong, open, active social media presence. I would like to thank you for that. Population of all age ranges follow you. My son religiously follows you on Instagram. And I hope that the First Lady knows that we very closely follow her. Her messages, videos are very open and warm. It gives us an opportunity to connect with you, directly without any filters without any framing. So my question to you. When it comes to social media usage, what value do you see in social media yourself? Do you use it? Thank you. President Ilham Aliyev: Well, I can tell you that I find out many important things from social media and what is happening in our country. On several occasions in my communications with media representatives, I was telling them that you help me in my day to day job. Because you know every President has his own, how to say, very similar to each other format of activity. Because especially in the countries like Azerbaijan, where you have to work 24 hours a day and be ready for any kind of news, good or bad. At the same time, the scope of activity is really so huge that sometimes you miss some important points, so you can miss the feeling of the pulse of society. This is very important for me to feel this pulse. I feel it when I travel, when I meet people, when I also use social media and many things, which happened in Azerbaijan and were not reported to me, either due to some bureaucratic procedure or now less deliberately, now less but still. Maybe because of my being too busy with some other issues. I find out also through my grandchildren sometimes, and children from social media and sometimes myself. It helps a lot. Because there are a lot of things, which irritate me, as well as anyone in Azerbaijan. I feel the same. I live the same life like any other person. I love my country like any other person, and I am irritated like any other person, when I see injustice, bureaucracy, mismanagement or something even worse. So, channels of communications to me are different. But taking into account the current situation and, of course, post-war situation, issues related to security, peace process, energy diplomacy - I mean issues of global security and development of Azerbaijan - they prevail in my day to day working activities. So, in these circumstances, definitely, I can miss something. So, social media and not only social media, traditional media help, when I follow of course, to know what is happening in order to react immediately. In many cases, I can tell you that governmental officials react even to the cutting of one tree because I saw it on the media in many cases. It creates additional discipline. You know, I travel around the country regularly and travel most of the time by car. The reason is that when I go by car, I can see many more things than I go by a plane or by a helicopter. Officials on the ground know that I will come next time and check what is happening, what is going not as it should be. So, I think that in my future activity, definitely I will use social media. I'm not as active as I would like to, but with respect to issues, which create concern in the Azerbaijani society, I am also very reachable by people of my office and my close relatives. And also I think that meetings like this are very important. I was not planned to be around, when the first Forum was held last year here in Shusha by the Azerbaijani media community. I then told our Presidential Administration, employees that it will be good if we make it international next time. It happened. It is well-organized with big presentation, and I decided to join the group. When I was scheduled to be a keynote speaker, I decided not to use this formal once again, speeches or long speeches, something like that. I saw these kinds of discussions much better for me and I think for you also. So, I'm grateful for your patience. So, almost three hours already. I'm sure you will come with very good results after two-day discussions. That will be a kind of good guidelines also for our government how to move in this direction. My last suggestion is to have this forum regularly and name it the first Shusha Global Media Forum. Moderator: The first Media Global Forum is over. Once again, thank you so much, Mr. President, for your time. See you next year. x x x The Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. Details added: first version posted on 15:10 BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. An expanded meeting on implementation of measures provided for in the State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan for 2023-2027 under the chairmanship of the Chief of Staff of the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers Rufat Mammadov has been held, Trend reports. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministries of Economy, Finance, the Plenipotentiary Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Center for Analysis and Communication of Economic Reforms and executive bodies (structures). At the meeting, issues related to implementation of decree of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dated June 5, 2023 and other matters were discussed. The State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023-2027 was approved by the above mentioned decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Besides, in accordance with the presidential decree, the Cabinet of Ministers was instructed to prepare and submit to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan more detailed projects in accordance with the Action Plan of the state program and the amount of financial resources to ensure the implementation of the issues provided for in the action plans (2023-2024 and 2025-2027), as well as to coordinate implementation of measures, provided by the state program and inform the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan about its implementation. In order to ensure the execution of the decree of the head of state, a Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of June 14, 2023 was signed. SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. Shusha is a symbol of our courage, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution in Shusha, Trend reports. Shusha already hosted several international events, including Kharibulbul International Music Festival, Vagif Poetry Days, several international sporting events and now Global Media Forum. So, the city kept its identity despite the fact that it was very deliberately destroyed during the time of occupation, the head of state added. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. Head Down the PokerStars Power Path to the 2023 EPT Barcelona Festival July 21, 2023 Matthew Pitt Editor The excitement surrounding the 2023 World Series of Poker is starting to die down, but tournament grinders do not have time to rest on their laurels because the 2023 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Barcelona festival is right around the corner. The latest edition of EPT Barcelona runs from August 21 through September 3, and it looks set to build on the record-breaking success of last year. Some massive events adorn the bustling schedule, and there is every chance the mind-boggling attendance figures from 2022 will be beaten this time around. European Poker Tour Barcelona Event Schedule Date Time Event Mon 21 Aug 3:00 p.m. 1,100 ESPT Main Event Day 1a 3:00 p.m. 1,100 NLHE Freezeout Day 1 7:00 p.m. 10,200 Mystery Bounty Day 1 8:00 p.m. 1,100 ESPT Main Event Day 1b Tue 22 Aug 12:00 p.m. 1,100 ESPT Main Event Day 1c 12:30 p.m. 10,200 Mystery Bounty Final Day 1:00 p.m. 1,00 NLHE Freezeout Final Day 2:00 p.m. 1,100 8-Game Mix Day 1 6:00 p.m. 1,100 ESPT Main Event Day 1d 8:00 p.m. 10,150 Hyper Turbo Knockout Freezeout Wed 23 Aug 11:00 a.m. 1,100 ESPT Main Event Day 1e 12:00 p.m. 1,100 8-Game Mix Final Day 12:30 p.m. 1,100 NLHE Seniors Day 1 12:30 p.m. 25,000 NLHE 6:00 p.m. 1,100 ESPT Main Event Day 1f Thu 24 Aug 11:00 a.m. 1,100 ESPT Main Event Day 1g 12:00 p.m. 1,100 NLHE Seniors Final Day 6:00 p.m. 1,100 ESPT Main Event Day 1h Fri 25 Aug 12:00 p.m. 1,100 ESPT Main Event Day 2 12:30 p.m. 50,000 NLHE 2:00 p.m. 550 Estrellas Cup Day 1 Sat 26 Aug 11:00 a.m. 2,200 Estrellas High Roller Day 1a 12:00 p.m. 1,100 ESPT Main Event Day 3 12:00 p.m. 550 Estrellas Cup Final Day 12:30 p.m. 100,000 NLHE EPT Super High Roller Day 1 7:00 p.m. 2,200 Estrellas High Roller Day 1b Sun 27 Aug 12:00 p.m. 2,200 Estrellas High Roller Day 2 12:00 p.m. 5,300 EPT Main Event Day 1a 12:30 p.m. 1,100 ESPT Main Event Final Day 12:30 p.m. 100,000 EPT Super High Roller Day 2 12:30 p.m. 1,650 Pot-Limit Omaha Day 1 Mon 28 Aug 12:00 p.m. 2,200 Estrellas High Roller Final Day 12:00 p.m. 5,300 EPT Main Event Day 1b 12:00 p.m. 1,650 Pot-Limit Omaha Final Day 12:30 p.m. 100,000 EPT Super High Roller Final Day 10:00 p.m. 2,100 NLHE Tue 29 Aug 12:00 p.m. 5,300 EPT Main Event Day 2 12:30 p.m. 2,700 EPT Second Chance Day 1a 2:00 p.m. 1,100 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 3:00 p.m. 50,000 Super High Roller Second Chance Day 1 7:00 p.m. 2,700 EPT Second Chance Day 1b 10:00 p.m. 1,050 NLHE Hyper Turbo Freezeout Wed 30 Aug 12:00 p.m. 5,300 EPT Main Event Day 3 12:30 p.m. 2,700 EPT Second Chance Final Day 12:30 p.m. 50,000 Super High Roller Second Chance Final Day 1:30 p.m. 25,000 NLHE 2:00 p.m. 3,000 EPT Mystery Bounty Day 1 2:00 p.m. 10,200 Pot-Limit Omaha Day 1 6:00 p.m. 550 NLHE Freezeout 9:00 p.m. 2,100 Hyper Turbo Knockout Freezeout Thu 31 Aug 12:00 p.m. 5,300 EPT Main Event Day 4 12:00 p.m. 10,200 Pot-Limit Omaha Final Day 12:30 p.m. 3,000 EPT Mystery Bounty Day 2 12:30 p.m. 1,100 H.O.R.S.E. 12:30 p.m. 25,000 NLHE 4:00 p.m. 1,100 NLHE Freezeout Day 1 10:00 p.m. 1,050 Hyper Turbo Freezeout Fri 1 Sep 12:00 p.m. 5,300 EPT Main Event Day 5 12:00 p.m. 3,000 EPT Mystery Bounty Final Day 12:00 p.m. 1,100 NLHE Freezeout Final Day 12:00 p.m. 3,000 Mystery Bounty Day 1 12:30 p.m. 550 Women's Event 12:30 p.m. 1,150 Pot-Limit Omaha Day 1 12:30 p.m. 10,300 EPT High Roller Day 1 6:00 p.m. 3,000 Mystery Bounty Day 1b 9:00 p.m. 2,100 Hyper Turbo Knockout Freezeout Sat 2 Sep 12:00 p.m. 5,300 EPT Main Event Day 6 12:00 p.m. 550 Women's Event Final Day 12:00 p.m. 1,150 Pot-Limit Omaha Final Day 12:30 p.m. 3,000 Mystery Bounty Day 2 12:30 p.m. 10,300 EPT High Roller Day 2 2:00 p.m. 2,200 NLHE Deepstack Day 1 2:00 p.m. 550 NLHE Day 1 7:00 p.m. 25,000 NLHE Day 1 9:00 p.m. 1,050 Hyper Turbo Freezeout Sun 3 Sep 12:00 p.m. 2,200 NLHE Deepstack Final Day 12:00 p.m. 550 NLHE Final Day 12:00 p.m. 25,000 NLHE Final Day 12:00 p.m. 550 NLHE 12:30 p.m. 5,300 EPT Main Event Final Day 12:30 p.m. 10,300 EPT High Roller Final Day 12:30 p.m. 3,150 NLHE 6-Handed 4:00 p.m. 10,200 NLHE 6-Handed 6:00 p.m. 1,050 Last Chance Super Hyper Turbo Freezeout The 1,100 ESPT Main Event is the tournament that gets the festival off the ground. An incredible turnout of 6,313 entrants created a 6,060,480 prize pool in 2022, with Dutchman Rick van Bruggen defeating British pro Jack Sinclair heads-up to clinch a 600,000 top prize. There is the usual array of Mystery Bounties, 25,000 High Rollers, 50,000 High Rollers, and 100,000 buy-in events, plus plenty of prestigious tournaments at the more affordable end of the scale. Of course, it is the 5,300 EPT Barcelona Main Event that every player heading to Spain wants to win. Including re-entries, 2,294 players entered the 2022 edition of the EPT Barcelona Main Event, creating an 11,125,900 prize pool. That prize pool was so vast that nobody at the final table took home less than 152,310 for their efforts, while the top two finishers became millionaires! Jimmy Guerrero finished in second place, and took home 1,250,337, leaving Italy's Giuliano Bendinelli to secure a 1,491,133 payday after staging an epic comeback that saw him down to a solitary big blind at one stage. Learn more about the PokerStars Power Path You won't believe how incredible Power Path is. Read more PokerStars EPT Barcelona Main Event Champions Will You Turn a Freebie or $0.50 Into an EPT Barcelona Package? In addition to the plethora of live and online satellites for the EPT Barcelona Main Event and side events, the recently launched Power Path makes it possible for you to turn a free $0.50 Power Path Spin & Go ticket into package worth $10,300! Make it all the way and bag yourself a Gold Pass, and you can redeem it for a wealth of amazing prizes, including a $10,300 package for EPT Barcelona. That package consists of: 5,300 EPT Barcelona Main Event entry 1,100 EPT Barcelona Event #47 NLHE Freezeout entry 8 nights' accommodation at the SB Icaria Hotel (Aug 27-Sept 4) worth 2,440 690 in expenses plus limited edition merchandise, live event liaison support, and exclusive activities, including players party and a catamaran boat trip Never Miss a PokerStars Tournament Again PokerStars has so many multi-table tournaments running that it is easy to miss one, which is where the PokerNews Online Tournament Calendar comes in. Our free-to-use tool allows you to filter tournaments based on buy-in, game type, and more. It even allows you to fire up the PokerStars client via PokerNews so you can continue browsing all of the latest news, strategy, and promotions! Check it out today! How Much Money Players at 2023 WSOP Main Event Final Table Really Made July 21, 2023 Jon Pill Contributor Daniel Weinman took his winner's photo for the 2023 World Series of Poker Main Event in front of a stack of cash that was $12,100,000 tall. However, Weinman's bank account will never see that much lettuce. As an American, gambling winnings are taxed as income, meaning that by the time the WSOP cut him his cheque, the company would have withheld around 37% and sent it to the IRS as federal income tax. Then, when Weinman returns to his home state of Georgia, he has a further 5.75% of the full amount to pay as Georgia state income tax. Daniel Weinman wins the 2023 WSOP Main Event This makes Weinman's apparent $12,100,000 windfall into something closer to an estimated* $6,969,679 windfall. Every player at the final table was subject to similar calculations. Some of the overseas players pay nothing, while others have it even rougher than the Yanks. Within the US, each state charges a different state income tax. So, the top three finishers are also all Americans from different states so Weinman, Steven Jones (2nd - $6,500,000), and Adam Walton (3rd - $4,000,000) all receive tax bills that differ only slightly. The differences are such that they do not affect the players' positions in the 2023 Main Event money rankings. *All the figures in this article are estimates using online tax calculators and assuming no other income and no deductions. For non-US players, a double taxation treaty is also assumed. The Taxman Cometh For Jan-Peter Jachtmann (4th - $3,000,000), his bill is particularly galling. Professional poker players in Germany are taxed as self-employed businessmen, which means they pay income tax (though they can deduct expenses). Hobbyists, on the other hand, do not pay tax on offline poker winnings. Unfortunately, Jachtmann, a resident of Hamburg, describes himself on Twitter as a semi-professional. This fact will probably cost him around $1,405,678 of his $3,000,000 win. That takes his fourth place down to $1,594,321. This is rather less than the $1,850,000 prize that Dean Hutchison gets to keep, two places below Jachtmann in sixth. Both Hutchinson and Toby Lewis, being from the UK, do not pay tax on their gambling winnings. This leaves them with their full amounts of $1,850,000 and $1,425,000, respectively. Check out the 2022 WSOP Main Event tax breakdown here! Ruslan Prydryk is from Ukraine, which charges nothing on the first UAH480,000 ($13,057) in poker winnings and then a flat 18% thereafter. Prydryk will also probably have to pay a 1.5% military levy. This means his remaining $1,934,546 for fifth is also higher than Jachtmann's prize for fourth. Just this year, Spain opted to start treating poker players as professionals meaning that, like Jachtmann, Juan Maceiras (8th - $1,125,000) will have to pay income tax on his win. For Macieras, that means a 43% pay cut from $1,125,000 to $642,525. 2023 WSOP Main Event final table Italy, on the other hand, has heavy gambling taxes, but they fall entirely on operators, not the players. So, Daniel Holzner (9th - $900,000) might avoid paying anything on his winnings when he returns home to the Apennine Penisula. This creates another reversal, where ninth place will take home much more than eighth. In total, the final table at this year's WSOP Main Event won $33,300,000 and paid an estimated $11,575,951 in taxes to four national and three state governments. Three of the players probably paid nothing in taxes. Table of 2023 WSOP Main Event Final Table Payouts After Taxes* Place Player Country Prize Tax Owed Prize After Taxes 1st Daniel Weinman United States $12,100,000 $5,130,321 $6,969,679 2nd Steven Jones United States $6,500,000 $2,653,860 $3,846,140 3rd Adam Walton United States $4,000,000 $1,438,163 $2,561,837 4th Jan-Peter Jachtmann Germany $3,000,000 $1,405,678 $1,594,321 5th Ruslan Prydryk Ukraine $2,400,000 $465,454 $1,934,546 6th Dean Hutchison Scotland $1,850,000 $0 $1,850,000 7th Toby Lewis England $1,425,000 $0 $1,425,000 8th Juan Maceiras Spain $1,125,000 $482,475 $642,525 9th Daniel Holzner Italy $900,000 $0 $900,000 Sharelines See how much money the 2023 WSOP Main Event finalists REALLY made, it wasn't as much as you think! Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print By Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) The FBI is pursuing 1,000 investigations into suspected lone wolf militants and another 1,000 into domestic terrorists, FBI director Christopher Wray told a congressional committee on Wednesday. At a Senate Appropriations Committee subcommittee hearing, Wray said lone wolf terrorists whom another law enforcement official described as individuals often radicalized over the internet or other social media are the Federal Bureau of Investigations highest counterterrorism priority at the moment. Wray said the FBI has about 1,000 investigations into suspected lone wolves in all 50 states, and thats not even counting the al-Qaeda investigations, the traditional ISIS investigations, the domestic terrorism investigations And what makes it so hard is that there are not many dots to connect with some of these people, he said. They pick soft targets, they use easy-to-use weapons; you know, IEDs (improvised explosive devices), cars, knives, guns. Wray said the FBI is trying to get better at looking for red flags that could signal when people becoming radicalized might start to consider taking action. In addition, Wray said, the FBI is pursuing another 1,000 investigations into domestic terrorists. The second law enforcement official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said right-wing extremists, violent animal rights and anti-abortion extremists, and African-American or left-wing militants fall into this category. This official said, there is an overlap in FBI statistics on the number of lone wolf investigations and investigations related to the Islamic State movement. Patrick Leahy, a senior Democratic member of the appropriations committee, said that as part of the annual budget request the FBI had presented, President Donald Trumps administration reduced the Bureau budget by 5 percent, rescinded planned allocations of $148 million in salaries and expenses, and dropped or at least postponed plans for a new FBI headquarters. (Reporting by Mark Hosenball and David Alexander; Editing by John Walcott and James Dalgleish) Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print In a rather ominous and unflattering Truth Social post, defendant and Republican Party leader Donald Trump threatened: If you f*ck around with us, if you do something bad to us, we are going to do things to you that have never been done before. Given what Trump has *already* done, including trying to use the force of his violent supporters to overtake an election, which resulted in what Director Wray called a domestic terrorist attack on this country, these should not be taken as empty threats. Trump posted this just two days after announcing he was a target in special counsel Jack Smiths probe into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. This means he is likely to be charged with federal crimes in the next few weeks. There are three statutes that Trump could be charged with according to the target letter, including: pertaining to deprivation of rights; conspiracy to commit an offense against or defraud the United States; and tampering with a witness, according to multiple news outlets, including the Wall Street Journal. Asha Rangappa said The big thing that I am waiting to see if Jack Smith is going to go there, is whether theyre going to charge Trump with any crime related to incitement or insurrection, which would really go to directly to his words and his intent to rile up the the crowd to enrage in violent behavior. The former president has also already been charged in two separate criminal cases with thirty-seven felony counts in Miami and the thirty-four felony criminal counts in New York. In New York, Trump has been indicted related to a hush money payment made to Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress. In Florida, Trump was indicted for taking and keeping classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, including sharing them with others and leaving them accessible to the many people who visit the club. The former Republican President and current Republican 2024 presidential front-runner has pleaded not guilty in both of the criminal cases in which hes already been indicted. Trumps defense never wavers from his claim that he is a victim and that Democrats are doing this to keep him out of office. However, President Joe Biden already beat Donald Trump in 2020 and Trump has proven himself a very effective motivator and get out the vote tool for the Democratic Party, meaning that Democrats would likely be happy to face off with Trump again were it not for the damage to democracy his candidacy has caused in the past. Furthermore, the FBI is run by a Republican and these alleged crimes are all crimes for which other people would be charged and certainly in the classified documents case, we have historical evidence that they would have been charged much sooner. Donald Trump is doing his best mob boss intimidation tactic in this video. Not only is he putting out what, given his history of incitement, could fairly be described as a stochastic terrorism call to any unhinged lone wolf supporters, but he is also potentially poisoning the jury pools and vaguely intimidating them. Although traffic at Trumps social media company surged after his indictment in April, the head of engineering at Truth Social resigned several days ago. With calls to violence like this video, Trump should not be welcome on mainstream social media sites. However, both Meta and Twitter have welcomed Trump back to their platforms. So, no matter what happens with Truth Social, Trump might well be posting things like this on other more popular sites any day now. This is the man whom a judge just told a jury found committed rape. This is the man who endangered U.S. troops and our intelligence assets. This is also the man who endangered public safety. This is also the man who has cheated his own supporters. This is also the man who threatens and intimidates to get what he wants, including trying to coerce Republicans in Georgia to find votes for him. And this is also the man the Republican Party wont quit. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print The Blaze and conservatives are up in arms because Fox News will reportedly match employee donations to groups like Planned Parenthood and The Satanic Temple. Via The Blaze: Fox Giving is an app in the company portal that facilitates charitable donations via the Canadian-based donation management platform Benevity. Fox will apparently match donations up to $1,000 to various organizations that satisfy the companys criteria. While on its face, this appears to be little more than an attempt at corporate beneficence, the company is willing to match donations to the Satanic Temple, the Trevor Project, Planned Parenthood (and local Planned Parenthood branches), and the Southern Poverty Law Center radical leftist groups antipathetic to conservatives and the values they hold most dear. If you work at Fox News, you might have thought that the Satanic Temple was another name for the company picnic. The Blaze is claiming that they have whistleblowers who work at Fox News. The right seems to have no idea what the term whistleblower means. A whistleblower is someone who informs on an organization or person for engaging in illicit or illegal activity. There is nothing illicit or illegal about donating to Planned Parenthood or the Southern Poverty Law Center. If an employee wants to contribute to the Satanic Temple and Fox wants to match it, thats legally fine too. The missing part of The Blaze story was any proof that Fox has ever given money to any of these organizations. The right media bubble is coming apart and eating itself, but the idea of Fox News employees getting back at their bosses by having the Murdochs match donations to Planned Parenthood and the Satanic Temple is pretty funny. SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. Our personal friendship with President Erdogan, I think, is known now not only to the regional community but also to the world. And this is a really important factor of regional development and regional stability, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Trend reports. But also I'd like to say that relations between the peoples of Azerbaijan and Turkiye are based on long-lasting friendship and brotherly ties, the head of state underlined. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. Rural Health Services will hold a Patient Appreciation Day from 10 a.m. to noon today at the Clyburn Center for Primary Care, 1000 Clyburn Place. There will be a food giveaway courtesy of the Golden Harvest Food Bank and Unity Outreach. The event is part of a celebration of National Health Center Week. Read moreToday's events for Aug. 9 Two Aiken County men are each facing sexual exploitation charges in separate cases following a cyber tip. Daimarion Jadarius Coleman, 18, of Trenton, and Kevin Kenyatta Johnson, 27, of Gloverville were arrested and charged with five counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a media release from the South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson's Office. Investigators with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Aiken County Sheriff's Office made the arrests in these unrelated cases, the release said. The case was assisted by investigators from the Attorney General's Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and Aiken Department of Public Safety, all also members of the state's ICAC Task Force. Investigators were led to Coleman and Johnson after investigators received a cybertipline report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Both men possessed files of child abuse materials, investigators said. The felony offense is punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment on each count and the case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office. On Jan. 9, 2022 an officer with the Aiken County Sheriffs Office received a tip from the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office in reference to child sexual abuse material, according to a media release from the Aiken County Sheriffs Office. According to Aiken County Sheriffs Office arrest warrants stated that Coleman and Johnson knew the character or content of the material, possessed material that contained a visual representation of minor engaging in sexual activity or appeared in a state of sexually explicit nudity when a reasonable person would infer the purpose is sexual stimulation. The warrants state while investigators searched a Trenton residence, a cellphone was found in a vehicle belonging to Coleman that had several videos of minor victims in inappropriate acts. Investigators stated they found a cellphone in Johnson's bedroom with explicit materials while executing a search warrant at a residence in Gloverville, an arrest warrant said. The cellphone contained several videos of minor victims in inappropriate acts. Coleman admitted to posing the files, the warrant said. Johnson was arrested July 13 and Coleman was arrested July 18. Coleman and Johnson were each released on a $5,0000 personal recognizance bond, according to court records. The PGA Tour has released its 2024 schedule packed with big purses and big bonuses. It also includes a big change for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Pebble Beach becomes a signature event with a $20 million purse and a limited field. That means the field will be cut nearly in half from 156 players to 80 players, each with a prominent amateur. And it will be played on only two courses, Pebble and Spyglass Hill. That eliminated Monterey Peninsula. The signature events won't have a cut except for player-hosted events at Bay Hill, Memorial and Riviera. Read morePebble Beach to cut pro-am field to 80 players over 2 courses in 2024 schedule Over the past year, inflation in the United States has tumbled from 9% all the way to 3%, softening most of the price pressures that have gripped the nation for more than two years. Now comes the hard part. Squeezing out the last bit of excess inflation and reducing it to the Federal Reserves 2% target rate is expected to be a much harder and slower grind. The stickiness of inflation could endanger the possibility that the Fed will achieve a rare soft landing a scenario in which it manages to slow inflation down to its target level through higher interest rates without derailing the economy. Read moreU.S. inflation has steadily cooled. Getting it to the Fed's target rate will be the tough LOS ANGELES Thousands of Los Angeles city employees, including sanitation workers, engineers and traffic officers, walked off the job for a 24-hour strike alleging unfair labor practices. Picket lines went up before dawn Tuesday at Los Angeles International Airport and other locations and a rally was planned for later in the day at City Hall. SEIU Local 721 said more than 11,000 workers are striking. The union said its members voted to authorize the walkout because the city has failed to bargain in good faith. Mayor Karen Bass disputed allegations of unfair labor practices and said the city is ready to negotiate. Read moreThousands of Los Angeles city workers walk off job for 24 hours alleging unfair labor practices South Carolinians who were previously sidelined returned to the labor pool in June to nudge the workforce participation rate a few notches higher as employers added more jobs. According to seasonally adjusted data, the number of Palmetto State residents working or looking for work increased by 13,077 to about 2.4 million in June, or about 54,00 more from a year earlier. The increase pushed the lagging labor force participation rate to 56.7 percent last month from 56.5 percent in May, the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce said in its July 21 report. The figure remains well below the U.S. average of of 62.6 percent. The total estimated number of South Carolina employed climbed to about 2.3 million,an increase of 12,560 over May. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.1 percent. That is good news for South Carolina, which continues attracting top-tier employers, said William Floyd, DEW director. Employers added 6,300 jobs in June, and about 63,000 for previous year. Most job gains were in government, education and health services and construction, up 3,700, 1,900 and 1,500, respectively. Conversely, leisure and hospitality lost 1,400 positions last month, through the sector is up by 14,000 compared to June 2022. Transportation and utilities, manufacturing and the professional and business services industries saw declines ramning from 300 to 800 jobs. Floyd said employers having trouble finding workers can reach out to the department to develop customized recruiting plans, including creating an account in the SC Works Online Services system, vetting resumes, virtual or in-person job fairs and hiring events, social media, targeted marketing campaigns or direct referrals. LEXINGTON The family who owns the 93.5-acre lakefront property where the town of Lexington planned a resort community has withdrawn consent for annexation, effectively killing the project. The property, once described by Lexington Mayor Steve MacDougall as "the most prestigious property on Lake Murray," was planned to be developed into two hotels, a marina, retail space, restaurants, conference center, single-family homes, townhomes and condos. The town had been working with the family for years to create the plan, MacDougall said in a previous interview. After taking initial steps toward the project on May 1, Lexington, a 24,000-resident town 15 miles southwest of Columbia, has met with resistance. Critics questioned whether the area's infrastructure, including its roads, emergency services and schools, would hold up with the added homes and tourist attractions. Others were concerned with Lake Murray's environmental health. Additionally, during a joint meeting between the town of Lexington and Lexington County, the county raised concerns about the legality of Lexington's plans to annex, given that the property only abuts the town limits by water through Lake Murray. Plans for the development have been in the works since 2006 but were solidified in Lexingtons Vision Plan in 2012, MacDougall said. The town set its sites on a 93.5-acre peninsular property owned by the McMeekin family on the south side of the Lake Murray Dam. SUMTER Four South Carolina inmates pleaded guilty July 20 to charges related to an eruption of violence at Lee Correctional Institution that became the deadliest American prison riot in a generation. The inmates, who faced various mob and assault charges, were among 29 indicted in connection with the April 2018 melee that left seven inmates dead and dozens injured. The pleas, entered at Sumter County Courthouse, were the first stemming from the riot at the maximum-security prison in Bishopville . Each of the four inmates who appeared in court on July 20 lived in the same housing unit when the riot occurred, according to South Carolina Corrections Department officials. On the night of the riot, authorities said, these four inmates used contraband cellphones to learn of the violent uprising and then decided to join in. "These inmates took part in violent mayhem fueled by contraband and illegal cellphones, and are now being held accountable," SCDC Director Bryan Stirling said. This is just the beginning. We intend to prosecute everyone charged with crimes involving the Lee riot. All four inmates took plea deals resulting in mob, assault or contraband convictions that carried three-year sentences. Each inmate was initially indicted in December 2020 and faced additional prison terms of up to 10 years on charges of carrying or concealing a weapon. Three initially faced up to five years or a fine of up to $5,000 for criminal conspiracy, and one was additionally charged with first-degree assault and mob resulting in death a charge that carried a sentence up to 30 years. Mike Smalls, 28, pleaded guilty instead to second-degree assault and battery by mob and conspiracy. He was sentenced to 18 years on the mob charge and five years on the conspiracy charge. Tyrone Lewis Jr., 34, Arsenio Colclough, 36, and Rahim Carter, 40, were all convicted of possession of contraband. Lewis and Colclough were sentenced to three years while Carter received a five-year sentence. SCDC officials said the contraband referenced in the charges involved weapons. GREER The city of Greer has helped a new charter high school and a daycare clear regulatory hurdles for construction projects despite outcry from nearby residents who fear more traffic and strain on infrastructure. The city's Board of Zoning Appeals voted to allow a special exception for a charter high school of 700 students on one portion of a 55-acre parcel near the intersection of Kist and Reidville roads. The school would host 350 students in a morning block and then 350 students in an afternoon block. Neighbors said construction on the plot and the influx of new drivers would violate the character of their neighborhoods, which is one of the metrics by which the board must examine a special exception. Residents were concerned about the access of emergency vehicles and pedestrian safety in neighborhoods that they said might soon be used by parents and students looking to dodge traffic on Kist and Reidville. Both those roads are single lane," resident Nick Uva said. "You actually have to get off the road to let anybody pass you. If a fire truck had to come down that road, you would literally have to completely get off of the road because it's a back road, thats just how they are." Uva said the parents of the prospective schools students will most likely use those back roads to circumvent the traffic. The developer only being required to widen the roads shoulders where the school meets the road is insufficient, he said. Other residents said that parents would likely park in their neighborhoods to avoid the heavy traffic and strict turns that are generated by what would be a two-session school, instead having their children walk from school to the neighborhoods for easier pickup. The residents also insisted during the public hearing that the addition of signals and turn lanes would not expedite the school rush in a significant enough way, effectively trapping residents in their neighborhoods during the four drop-off and pickup times throughout the day. PICKENS COUNTY With a new academic year two weeks away, a federal judge denied a request to temporarily reshelve a banned book in Pickens County schools, saying the reasons for the ban are still unclear. The denial, issued by U.S. District Court Judge Bruce Howe Hendricks, means Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You will still be subject to Pickens County School Districts restrictions while the case awaits trial. Those restrictions include requiring parental consent to read it in the library and a prohibition on classroom use. Families of high-schoolers in Pickens County, the local NAACP chapter and the ACLU filed the initial lawsuit in April against the district for restricting Stamped, which examines the United States history with racism. The lawsuit is the only recent legal challenge to book bans in South Carolina. What the court said here was that preliminary injunctions are extraordinary remedies, said Allen Chaney, legal director of the ACLU of South Carolina. And that she didn't ultimately feel comfortable issuing such relief where there is such unresolved factual dispute about what was actually driving the board's decision. Chaney said the decision does not end the case nor does it indicate how the judge is likely to rule at trial. The ACLU said its disappointed by the judges ruling, while the district said the ruling supports their argument that the board's ban was within its authority. In October 2022, the school board voted unanimously to remove the book after parents complained about its use at D.W. Daniel High School, despite school and district-level review committees recommending the book stay in Pickens County schools. The committees which included parents, teachers and administrators found it was appropriate for high school students and aligned with various state education standards. SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. From the first days, even I would say, from the first hours of the Second Karabakh War, Turkiye, its people and its leader were side by side with us. The statement of President Erdogan in the first hours of the Second Karabakh War that Azerbaijan is not alone was a great moral support to us, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Trend reports. And throughout all the 44 days of the Second Karabakh War, we felt the support from our brothers. President Erdogan several times publicly announced the position of Turkiye. At the same time, other governmental officials also elaborated on that. So, that was a great moral and political support to Azerbaijan, the head of state noted. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. GREENVILLE Former Gov. Nikki Haley kept her message within arms reach of the de facto leader of the Republican party during her first presidential campaign town hall in the Upstate, the largest conservative treasure trove in South Carolina. She never criticized former President Donald Trump by name, but Haley pushed a more traditional conservative message centering on a hawkish approach to national security, anti-immigration rhetoric and cutting federal spending. As the former ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, Haley said she understands how to handle China, which she said was an enemy, not a competitor. She repeated common culture wars talking points, blasting critical race theory in schools and transgender girls playing sports. Do you remember when you were growing up? Do you remember how simple life was? Do you remember how safe it felt? It was about faith, family and country, Haley said at the July 20 event at Zen Greenville. Haley didnt mention a possible third indictment against her former boss, who was notified this week that hes the subject of a federal investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. In a major diversion from Trump, she said Ukraine should be invited to NATO, a move that the Biden administration declined at the military alliances July summit. Trump was critical of NATO during his time in office and has been ambivalent on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A win for Ukraine is a win for freedom, Haley said. As the wife of a military officer who was recently deployed to Africa, Haley expressed support for improving veterans health care and addressing their mental health issues. Did you know, you can do much of your business online with Social Security? This means no need to call or visit a local Social Security office. You can take your time completing our online applications and even save your progress to return to later. Read moreApply for Social Security benefits online Sending your child off to college is stressful enough without having to think about all the stuff they need. But the sooner you face the reality that your son or daughter will be living on their own on a college campus, the better, because they will certainly be in need of quite a bit of stu Read more15 must-have items for every dorm room Barbie lives! Little girls worldwide have been breathing life into the plastic doll since Mattel debuted Ruth Handlers creation on March 9, 1959, at the American International Toy Fair in New York City. But on July 20, during a celebration a day before the release of the highly anticipated live-action movie, Barbie came to life in about 250 women attending the Come On Barbie Share House Party. Nicole Farina, the 27-year-old founder of the blog The Charleston Diaries, organized the sold-out event. I grew up with Barbie, said Farina, who long ago shelved the 11.5-inch-tall doll modeled on the German Bild Lilli doll. The July 21 release of the Warner Brothers Barbie film, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie as the title character and Ryan Gosling as Ken, presented the perfect opportunity to bring her off the shelf and into real life. It was too perfect. I just had to do it, Farina said. Standing on the deck at Share House, Farina welcomed guests, mostly pink-clad women, who stood in line waiting to trade in their $30 tickets for a goody bag and one of three Barbie's Dream Cocktails: the Pretty in Pink, Frozen Malibu Party or the Chilled Pink Whitney Shooter. Crowds mingled around the outside deck at 23 Ann St. in downtown Charleston. Some stopped by tables where local vendors, including Flip Rings, LGM Designs, Lena Marie, Fairy Hair Charleston and Sadie & Sutton Boutique, sold their wares. Inside, pink and white strings of balloons hung from the ceiling, mixing well with the coastal, relaxed vibe of the club. Share Houses weather-worn shutters in blue, yellow, purple and, yes, pink; a 280-degree deck; and two full-service bars with custom-blended oyster shell and blue sea-glass bar tops provided the perfect setting for the beach party. Occasionally, a pink-and-white beach ball rained down from the sky, hitting the ground next to eventgoers. Caitlin Joyce was one. I bought my ticket for this a month ago, the night they came out, Joyce said. The 23-year-old Charleston resident and her sister grew up with Barbie. We played Barbie every day. My favorite was the one with bendable elbows and knees, Joyce said. Not everyone could do that, she added, her excitement still evident after all these years. The event was all about nostalgia for Joyce. The movie was a big part of the reason, but we wouldnt be celebrating if Barbie wasnt a part of our childhoods. Controversial past But Barbies life hasnt been all bubble gum and roses. The doll has seen her share of struggle and controversy over the years. In human form, Barbie would stand 5 feet, 9 inches tall, with a 39-inch bust, an 18-inch waist, 33-inch hips and a size 3 foot. If she were human, she would be unable to support her weight or balance. Her unattainable and unrealistic figure was at the heart of a controversy over body image and the message of perfection the doll unintentionally generated. In a study published in 2006 in the journal Developmental Psychology, girls ages 5 to 8 were exposed to Barbie dolls, Emme dolls (U.S. size 16) or no dolls (baseline control), then asked about body image. The study found that girls exposed to Barbie had lower self-esteem and a desire to be thinner. In 1997, a Danish-Norwegian Europop music group named Aqua released a song called Barbie Girl that was sexually suggestive and poked fun at the "blond bimbo girl in a fantasy world." The CD booklet for the album "Aquarium" that the song appeared on stated, The song Barbie Girl is a social comment and was not created or approved by the makers of the doll. Mattel filed a lawsuit against the band's label, MCA Records Inc., over the song citing copyright infringement, a battle they ultimately lost. Handler and Mattel defended their creation at various times over the years, regularly pointing to Barbies accomplishments. In the 1960s, Barbie was a businesswoman. She was an astronaut before men walked on the moon and a surgeon in the 1970s when few women were doctors. In the dolls more than 60 years, she has emulated workers in about 200 jobs, from princess to president. The young women at Share House said they admired Barbies accomplishments, not her body type. Her body never crossed my mind when we were playing, said Joyce. Paige Enright, 23, dressed in stockings and a black-and -white bathing suit reminiscent of the original Barbie, said she celebrates the iconic doll. She is always a girls girl, Enright said. Barbie sales and beyond In 1959, Barbie's first official year on the toy shelves, 3,000 dolls sold at a cost of $3, according to the website Barbie Media.com. The best-selling Barbie doll ever was 1992's "Totally Hair Barbie," which featured floor-length hair. Sales of the doll suffered between 2011 and 2015, partly because the dolls figure was frozen in time, not evolving since her initial launch in the late 1950s. But the bombshell Barbie doll shed that image and reinvented herself several times over. Mattel expanded the Barbie line, broadening race and body-type representations. I am happy things are shifting to be more positive, said Amanda Wakefield, a 26-year-old Barbie lover from Mount Pleasant who attended the July 20 event. Barbie made an impressive comeback in 2020, earning $1.35 billion in gross global sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the brand generated about $1.49 billion, a drop from $1.68 billion the previous year, according to Statista data. Retailers, including Kohls, Crocs and Gap, that struck licensing agreements with Mattel to sell Barbie-themed items from fashion to accessories are counting on sales to climb again with the release of the Warner Bros. movie. Merchants wont be disappointed if the young women attending the Share House event are any indication. I might buy a Barbie blanket, and I saw a tote at Target, said Joyce, the 23-year-old Charleston resident. The 26-year-old Wakefield said she was looking at getting some clothes from Zara, which released a capsule collection that included some looks featured in the film. Most of the crowd had plans to spend from about $10.50 to $18 to watch Barbie and Ken in the new live-action movie, where they get expelled from their colorful utopian world and set out on an adventure of self-discovery in the real world. Wakefield said she and some friends had already bought tickets for the 9 p.m. showing for the July 21 opening. Creating community The event organizer, Farina, also plans to see the flick. The Gettysburg College graduate moved back into her parents home in Delaware after graduating in 2018 with plans to move to New York City. Then the pandemic hit, and Farina reevaluated her plan. Im a big fish, small pond kind of person, said Farina. She feared New York would swallow her up. A competitive swimmer, she knew she needed to be near water. Farina set her sights on Charleston, moved in 2020 and hasnt looked back. I fell in love with Charleston, said Farina, adding, Charleston is such a community-based place. Her desire to tap into the community inspired Charleston Diaries TikTok videos created as she explores the city. Its like a day in the life, said Farina. Charleston Diaries following has grown to over 44,000. Farina said she is still determining how the business will evolve. But shes sure she wants to make a difference. I want to help others, continue to create and bring the community together. At the Barbie party, she brought a sisterhood of Barbie lovers (and a Ken or two they dragged along) together. After all, Farina said, Barbie herself is a community. A 25-acre wetland restoration project on Johns Island is turning the tide on how the city of Charleston manages water. The $13 million Barberry Woods drainage improvement project cleared its final funding hurdle this week and is expected to provide relief to a frequently flooded neighborhood on the island, as well as create a new passive park for nearby residents. The property will help absorb and store stormwater like a natural sponge rather than siphon it away with a series of drains and pipes. Charleston City Council voted July 18 to accept a nearly $5 million grant from the state of South Carolina, as well as put $8 million worth of city drainage funds toward the effort. As street flooding in Barberry Woods became more severe and slower to drain, city officials and nearby residents grew nervous. They feared that the floodwater would eventually reach the homes or cause issues in surrounding neighborhoods. "Since I've been on council, one of those questions I would always get was, 'Why would you even build there in the first place?,' " said Charleston Council member Karl Brady, whose district includes Johns Island. If the subdivision was proposed 20 years later, it may never have been built. A new stormwater manual adopted by city council in 2019 requires new developments to store enough stormwater to negate any potential downstream impacts. And more recently, City Council banned slab-on-grade foundations, common for single-family subdivisions, in the 100-year flood plain. The building practice is largely regarded as a perpetrator of increased flooding. But not all of the water management regulations that city officials are considering have been finalized yet, leaving some development practices in a gray area. A pilot project The Barberry Woods project is one of the largest efforts of its kind on Johns Island and in the city as a whole. It's a test of "green infrastructure," or the practice of managing water the way the natural environment already does rather than forcing it through a network of drainage pipes. "It's a nice pilot project for building these large scale green infrastructure projects," said Matt Fountain, city stormwater director. The city is following a similar approach in the Church Creek Basin in West Ashley. In 2019, the city bought out a neighborhood of 32 frequently flooded townhomes. The community, known as Bridgepointe, will eventually be converted into a passive park, although the project is in earlier stages. Fountain said the city did not pursue buyouts in Barberry Woods for two reasons: Because buy-outs must be voluntarily agreed to, city officials were uncertain that homeowners would be interested; although the roads frequently flood and hold stormwater for hours and even days, flooding of the homes themselves is not a frequent problem. Additionally, the cost to buy the homes would likely exceed the cost of the proposed drainage project. "When the homes are repeatedly flooding, the homeowners are more interested," Fountain said. Robby Maynor, a program director with the Coastal Conservation League, said he is excited to see the city embracing more nature-based projects. Not only will the project protect Barberry Woods, but it will also provide park space for residents and an improved habitat for local wildlife. "This is a great step and something that should be incorporated throughout developments in these low-lying areas," he said. The challenge moving forward will be setting aside resources to maintain the property and encouraging more private developments to take a similar approach in their stormwater management plans. Ideally, Maynor said, such practices would be required or incentivized in city code. Learning from past mistakes Developments across the city are proceeding with new projects amid ongoing regulatory shifts. What is currently legal may not be legal a few years from now. Thats because Charleston officials are currently crafting a Comprehensive Water Plan and a new zoning code for the entire city. When those documents are complete, developers will have a new set of standards to follow. And those could restrict how much building happens in low-lying areas. A plan adopted in 2021 called for elevation-based zoning to be the foundation of the city's currently ongoing zoning re-write "The idea is to have developments built correctly in the first place," Fountain said. Without new zoning laws in place, the city is facing an uphill battle managing the drainage needs of both old and new neighborhoods. Last year, City Council stepped in and used a mix of funds to buy a flood-prone property on Johns Island called the Oakville tract, where a 240-home development was proposed. But the city can't step in every time a development squeezes under regulations that haven't changed yet, Maynor said. Broader requirements will need to be codified. "We need to ensure that our land use policies are taking water into consideration," he said. "And not thinking about today but what areas are going to be even more flood prone in the future." COLUMBIA Nine people in the custody of South Carolina's prisons orchestrated a scheme behind bars to fraudulently obtain coronavirus pandemic unemployment relief, bilking eight state governments out of millions of dollars, a recent indictment in federal court alleges. Six additional people are charged in the 51-count indictment, which was filed July 18 in South Carolina's U.S. District Court. Each count of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud detailed in the indictment carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million. Between March and December 2020, the indictment alleges, the defendants fraudulently obtained COVID-19 unemployment benefits administered by South Carolina, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Nevada, New Jersey, Missouri, Arizona and California. Throughout the country, states and federal governments' distribution of unemployment benefits during the public health crisis has given rise to historic levels of fraud. More than 1,000 people have been charged in schemes to fraudulently obtain unemployment benefits since the pandemic, according to a September report by the Office of the Inspector General. The report estimated the losses at $45.6 billion. According to the indictment in South Carolina's federal court, defendants behind bars conspired with friends and relatives outside of prison to submit unemployment claims on behalf of themselves and other incarcerated individuals. The incarcerated defendants, using contraband cellphones, also coerced people to send them their personally identifiable information by means of catfishing, the indictment alleges. Posing as younger people, the defendants lured their victims into sending nude photographs and then claimed they were law enforcement officers. Prisons forbid inmates from using cellphones, but they are frequently smuggled in and traded through an underground prison economy. South Carolina Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling has long beseeched lawmakers to pass legislation to allow cellphone jamming in prisons, which would block cell signals within inmate housing facilities and therefore prevent inmates from orchestrating crimes behind bars. But federal law bars state and local agencies from jamming public airwaves. The fraudulent scheme described in the indictment netted the defendants nearly $5 million in the form of government checks and prepaid Visa debit cards, according to court documents. The defendants will be arraigned Aug. 1 in Columbia's federal courthouse before Magistrate Judge Shiva V. Hodges. The defendants charged in the indictment are: There arent many public officials whod dare fight with the folks who protect homeless puppies and kitties. After all, who are most people gonna side with a politician or a sad little doggie? Thats not even a fair fight. But Charleston County officials are not only fighting with the Charleston Animal Society, theyve threatened to sue. Because, frankly, they think theyre being extorted. A few weeks back, the county received notice from the Charleston Animal Society: Pay up. The society says its costs run more than $4 million a year and the county provides only about half of that. This isnt the first time the Animal Society has complained about the countys contributions. It says the countys chronic cheapness has forced donors to pony up $40 million in the past two decades to keep the doors open at the society, a private nonprofit the county contracts with for animal control services. The lack of adequate funding and resources is problematic as it puts those animals on track to be euthanized regardless of the animals fitness to be saved, which contradicts the language and spirit of the vendor agreement between Charleston County and the Animal Society, says Joe Elmore, its president and CEO. Usually at this point, a local government would make some sort of concession for neglected or abused animals ... because anything else would just look mean. Instead, the county sent the Animal Society a letter last week arguing the nonprofit had no legitimate cause to cancel its contract but Charleston County could very well file suit. The County has fulfilled its contractual obligations and demands specific performance of the Agreement, Assistant County Attorney Marc G. Belle wrote. Failure to do so shall be considered a breach of contract and require the County stop forthcoming payments and consider legal action. Guess nobody at the county has visited the Animal Societys spay and neuter clinic, because that took, well, something. The relationship between the county and the Animal Society hasnt been good for a long time. County folks say the shelter takes in animals from other counties as well as other states that county residents shouldnt have to subsidize. And they say as a result of the Animal Society becoming a no-kill shelter, critters now stay longer than the county agreed to pay for. Some County Council members also resent being made to look cheap when the Animal Societys tax returns show assets in excess of $20 million (and its top five executives receive nearly $800,000 in compensation). Of course, none of that is the countys business private nonprofit and all but it doesnt make county officials very sympathetic to the poor-mouthing. Theres also a philosophical argument going on here, and the Animal Society called baloney in its response to the county's lawsuit threat. See, the county says it is only responsible for the 29% of animals the shelter takes in from unincorporated areas of the county. However, the contract covers the humane disposition of live dogs and cats running at-large delivered by citizens of Charleston County, Animal Society attorney Cody S. Deckert wrote to the county late last week. Yeah, most folks might reasonably assume residents of Charleston, North Charleston and other municipalities qualify as county residents otherwise, why are we paying county taxes? But the county suggests the Animal Society should try to collect the rest of its operating costs from those cities. Which is a slight problem, because the shelter has a fragile relationship with some cities something about Animal Society supporters waging war on Charlestons horse carriage industry. Which, honestly, has also caused problems with county officials in the past. County Council Chairman Herb Sass says the county's upcoming budget includes a modest increase for the shelter and council would like to help the Animal Society approach local cities for more money. Sass says no one wants a lawsuit, but the county is tapped out. They do good, important work, and wed like to help them, Sass says. We paid them more this year than the contract required not much, but a little. We couldnt afford to pay everything they want without a tax increase, and we werent willing to do that. And there we stand. In June, the Animal Society threatened to discontinue providing service to the county on July 20, but that deadline passed Thursday with no change. In its response to the countys threat to sue, the society agreed to extend their agreement until the end of September so they could continue talks. Trouble is, neither side is talking too much. At this point, theyre just barking at each other. A Richland County judges claim that he has a legal right to be reappointed to the position hes held for 34 years features more than just the sheer audacity of a judge suing the county legislative delegation. There's also Master-in-Equity Court Judge Joseph Stricklands claim that hes being pushed aside for outing a senators son for thievery, five legislators arguing they didnt even realize his name hadnt been forwarded to the governor for reappointment, and one of them alleging the way this non-appointment was handled is part of a pattern by some delegation members to manipulate the judicial appointment process and force targeted judges into hold-over status to give legislators "improper influence over members of the judiciary. Were not convinced that Judge Strickland has a legal leg to stand on; his claim that the Legislature has only a ministerial role in the appointment of masters-in-equity would come as a surprise to anyone who has ever spent any time inside the Statehouse where its painfully obvious that the Legislature that wrote the law does not consign itself to ministerial roles in anything. But while legislators certainly have the option of allowing proposals or even appointments to die without a vote, they don't have the option of making something else happen in its place in this case, starting the appointment process anew without a vote, as the judge and the five legislators allege happened here. We would hope that the court would not tolerate such lawlessness. Regardless of what the Supreme Court decides, though, the extraordinary lawsuit once again underscores just how messed up South Carolina's entire judicial selection process is. The process for selecting equity court judges is a bit of a mashup between the way Family, Circuit, Appeals and Supreme Court judges are appointed on the one hand and the way magistrates are appointed on the other. The Legislature elects judges to those higher-level courts, from a group of up to three candidates nominated by the Judicial Merit Selection Commission; thats the panel whose members include six lawyer-legislators, who have the power to end the careers of the judges they make a living practicing in front of. Magistrates are not screened and are officially appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, although by tradition governors appoint whoever the local senator tells them to appoint, knowing that to do otherwise would doom the nominee to rejection. On paper, the selection process for master-in-equity seems to blend the best elements of each of those deeply flawed systems: Unlike magistrates, the candidates have to be lawyers and be found qualified by the merit commission, which means they must demonstrate some basic competence for the job. Unlike the higher-level judges, theres at least theoretically a role for both the legislative and executive branches, although Gov. Henry McMaster has never used his discretion to reject a delegation's recommendation. It very well might be our least problematic selection method which is what makes the allegations unearthed by the lawsuit so significant. Judge Strickland argues that since he was the only candidate who cleared screening, the delegation is obliged by law to recommend him to the governor. More significant to our point, he alleges that the delegation never discussed his appointment in public or even in a private meeting, and that the delegation chairman, Rep. Leon Howard, unilaterally and illegally declared the position vacant and sought new candidates. The five legislators who filed their own replies to his lawsuit concur: Judge Strickland was never discussed at a legislative delegation meeting, the delegation never voted to reopen screening, and they had no idea he hadn't been reappointed until they were served court papers last week. Judge Strickland also throws in a charge about a personal vendetta on the part of Sen. John Scott, whose son once worked for the judge. And Sen. Mia McLeod argues that similar shenanigans have occurred in the case of at least one magistrate. Of course, we already knew the magistrate-appointment system was ripe for abuse, and we long suspected that the abuse worked precisely as Sen. McLeod alleges: Once a magistrates term ends and he isnt reappointed or replaced, he effectively becomes an at-will employee of the local senator, who can end his career at a moments notice if the judge doesnt please the senator. Theres no allegation that this was the motivation for keeping Judge Strickland in holdover status for the two and a half years, but it certainly could have been. And it easily could be elsewhere. We don't believe there should be any role in government for county legislative delegations, which should have relinquished all of their powers decades ago, when the Legislature passed the Home Rule Act and turned control of local matters over to county councils. Appointments of any sort should be made by the governor or the full Legislature or a county council, not by a handful of legislators who frequently ignore open meeting requirements and do business in the same nod-and-wink and apparently illegal way that Judge Strickland and five Richland legislators allege was done here. The other needed reforms are more complicated, but fixing the process for appointing masters-in-equity is straightforward: Legislative delegations should be removed from the process (they were only added to the statute in 1997), so the governor makes an appointment from among all the candidates found qualified and the Legislature confirms or rejects the appointment in a public vote that includes public debate over any efforts to deny confirmation. Click here for more opinion content from The Post and Courier. FLORENCE The Florence area will see over 200 new houses in the next few years. Colorado-based Century Communities is building houses in three locations. Freedom Estates will hold 142 homes on its lot on Freedom Boulevard. Another 78 are being built in the companys West Lakes property in Florence on the way to Timmonsville and another 33 will be built in the Country Club of South Carolina. Construction began on the Freedom Estates property in December last year with about 40 houses built so far. The area will include common areas and ponds in the community. The first residents moved into their homes in April this year. All the housing will be single family homes. The president of Century Complete, a brand of Century Communities, Greg Huff, said they expect all the homes within Freedom Estates to be sold within 21/2 to 3 years based on the high demand for quality affordable homes in this area. The houses in the Country Club of South Carolina and West Lakes are expected to be completed in the first part of 2024 and are actively being sold. We love Florence for the diverse economy with health care, education, manufacturing, retail and hospitality mixed with parks and the connectivity to major interstates and highways, Huff said. It is a great place for people to live and enjoy the South Carolina climate. Century Communities, a top-10 homebuilder, has other housing developments in Charleston, North Myrtle Beach, Boiling Springs and across the nation. The Charleston and Myrtle Beach developments are sold out. The Boiling Springs development is under construction. Mortgage payments for houses in Freedom Estates start at more than $1,600 a month. For the Country Club of South Carolina rent starts at more than $1,800, and rent for houses in West Lakes start at more than $1,900. The development comes at a time when Florences population is rapidly growing alongside a housing shortage in the area, according to previous reporting done by The Post and Courier. The area will also see more than 1,000 additional people move in when the AESC battery cell plant begins to make its first products in 2025. It also has room for expansion on its property. Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly labelled Gregg Huff as the president of Century Communities. He is the president of Century Complete. CHESTER The sign at the wooden gate in the driveway states "No Warrant, No Entry." The Chester County Sheriff's Office and Long Island detectives obliged. On July 14, with a request from cold case sleuths from New York, investigators entered a rural property in the 1000 block of Rippling Brooke Drive in Chester County. The detectives were seeking a 2002 green pickup, which was found on the property. It's all tied to the serial killer investigation in Suffolk County, New York, involving the homicides of several women and a prime suspect who has ties to the Palmetto State. Rex Heuermann, 59, who has lived for decades across from Gilgo Beach in Suffolk where the remains of 11 women were found buried in 2010 and 2011, has been charged with the deaths of three of them. Authorities are investigating Heuerman for at least one other homicide. His DNA, obtained from pizza crust he disposed of, was linked to genetic material found on a victim's remains. Most of the young women killed had been sex workers. Their deaths long stumped investigators, and the mystery fueled immense public attention and led to a 2020 Netflix film, Lost Girls. Heuermann's arrest was announced the same day Chester deputies arrived at the property on Rippling Brooke. According to Chester County records, the property is jointly owned by Rex Heuermann and his brother, Craig Heuermann. The Chevrolet Avalanche sought in the search warrant is registered to Craig Heuermann, but detectives said the vehicle had "contraband, evidence or instrumentalities" tied to the charges against Rex Heuermann. The affidavit requested the Avalanche be retrieved from the property and moved to Long Island for further investigation. The report didn't indicate any other items were taken from the property. The search for an Avalanche was one of the main pieces of evidence the Gilgo Beach Homicide Investigation Task Force sought after forming in January 2022. Within six weeks of their first meeting, task force investigators identified Rex Heuermann as a suspect using a vehicle registration database to connect him to an Avalanche pickup truck that a witness reported seeing when one of the victims disappeared. The Chester warrant indicates state and federal authorities assisted with the search. The Chester County Sheriff's Office announced on its Facebook page July 17 that it was assisting Long Island authorities on the case. Officials would not comment further as of July 21. The tall wooden fence and high vegetation along the property obscure the view of the home. Though a gap underneath the fence indicates investigators drove into and walked through a lot of debris in the driveway. That includes a random toilet by the gate. Property records show Rex Heuermann acquired the land in Chester in July 2021. Chester County Magistrate Court listed only traffic violations and civil suits across the last 20 years for Craig Heuermann. A magistrate search for Rex Heuermann turned up no results in Chester. The Associated Press contributed to this report. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. The General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan appealed to international and foreign partners for cooperation regarding environmental crimes of Armenia, Trend reports. "The General Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan launched a probe into information received from various sources, including the information published in local and foreign media, regarding the pollution of the Araz River and its left tributary, the Okchuchay, in the region bordering the Republic of Armenia, The prosecutors have established so far that Armenia's large mining enterprises Kajaran Copper-Molybdenum Plant and the Gafan Ore Processing Plant have been intensively polluting the trans-border Okchuchay for a long time. As a result of pollution, toxic waste containing chromium, nickel, copper, molybdenum, zinc, aluminum, vanadium and other heavy metals is discharged into Okchuchay on a continuous basis. Despite the fact that the problems in the current production have not been solved, the construction of a large metallurgical plant is underway in the village of Yeraskh (Arazdeyan) of Armenia. In these cases, foreign investors from the leading countries of the world do not ensure compliance with any environmental protection norms contrary to the requirements of international and domestic legislation of their countries. The operation of mining facilities and the construction of new ones pose a threat to life and health of tens of thousands of people. Therefore guided by the requirements of the UN Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes Protection and Espoo (Environmental Impact Measurement) conventions, the Prosecutor General of the Republic of Azerbaijan has appealed to the relevant foreign and international organizations, including the UN Economic Commission, as well as the relevant environmental ministries of the United Kingdom and Germany for cooperation in determining the impact caused to the environment. The Prosecutor General emphasized the necessity of objective and neutral investigation and aimed at the required result of securing proper operation of mining facilities, in line with industrial standards for environmental protection. The Prosecutor General thereby applied his statutory power of Motion, in order to eliminate violations of the law and the reasons and conditions conducive to criminal offence. According to the Prosecutors Office, as violations of the law have been committed, all cases will be investigated objectively and appropriate legal measures will be taken in accordance with national and international legislation," the statement said. As the man says in the song (not that one), I was born in a small town Fargo, North Dakota. You may have heard that Fargo police officer Jake Wallin was ambushed and murdered by one Mohamad Barakat in Fargo this past Friday as police responded to a call for help on a car accident. Officer Wallin was a native of St. Michael, Minnesota and a sergeant in the Minnesota National Guard. Officer Wallin speaks in the heartbreaking video below. The #FargoPD and our community will forever honor and remember the service of fallen FPD Officer Jake R. Wallin. Officer Wallin's name has now been inscribed onto the FPD Heroes Wall and placed onto every FPD cruiser within our fleet.#WeAreFargoPD pic.twitter.com/NZZsRvvJco Fargo Police (@FargoPolice) July 21, 2023 The Brainerd newspaper reports that Officer Wallin leaves behind parents Jeff and Amy Wallin, a brother, Brady, and his fiancee, Winter Malone, as well as many family members in the Pequot Lakes and Breezy Point area. They all need our thoughts and prayers. Two other officers were shot and wounded Officer Tyler Hawes, originally from Eagan, Minnesota, and Officer Andrew Dotas. The two wounded officers are hospitalized in critical but stable condition. They also need our thoughts and prayers. Via Minneapoliss KARE 11, I learn that the Fargo Police Department has announced the creation of the Leadership Care Fund, a registered nonprofit that will collect funds to support the families of Officers Wallin, Hawes, and Dotas. Donations to the fund will go directly to the officers families, not to the City of Fargo or the Fargo Police Department. Fargo police officer Zach Robinson saved the day. From a spot some 75 feet away, he called for help and returned fire. One shot disabled Barakats rifle. When Barakat pulled a handgun, Robinson fired again to bring Barakat down. Barakat was equipped for mass murder. Inside Barakats car officers found 1,800 rounds of .223-caliber ammunition, explosives, gas canisters, and a homemade grenade with a fuse out of the top. Below is the photo released by the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation to the AP. See American Experiment Fellow David Zimmers Last man standing. A federal law enforcement officer based in North Dakota has written us to express his gratitude for serving in a state where elected officials still recognize the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers. He refers specifically to North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley, whom he contrasts with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison the anti-cop attorney general. Enough said. Our correspondent also directed us to a Facebook video of Wednesdays joint news conference with Wrigley, Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney, and Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski. Near the end of the briefing, at about 42:00 of the video below, one of the reporters asked Wrigley what he wanted North Dakotans to know about Officer Robinson. Wrigley urges citizens to be worthy worthy of what he did, worthy of the service of law enforcement officers, worthy of what theyre willing to do When the bodycam video is released, he asked, watch it and understand that there are people who will do these things [that] we wont and that we rely on them to do. Dont just go to their funerals. This is worth a moment of your time. Thanks to Attorney General Wrigleys office and Fargo broadcast services manager Brian Sellin for responding to my request for the YouTube video. They do these things differently in North Dakota. UPDATE: I originally omitted the citation of David Zimmers excellent American Experiment column from my comments above. I want to draw special attention to it. Please see Last man standing. Federal Judge Aileen Cannon has scheduled Donald Trumps criminal trial in the classified documents case to begin on May 20, 2024. In doing so, she denied Trumps motion to postpone the trial until after the November election. To say that we are in uncharted waters here is an understatement. American history holds no parallel. May 20 falls near the end of the primary season. By that time, nearly all Republican convention delegates will have been chosen. Only six states, none of them large, will remain. Will Republicans vote for a candidate who may be appealing a prison sentence when the nation goes to the polls in November? And, of course, Trumps potential conviction in the documents case is only one of a number of legal problems. He is already on appeal from a verdict in New York where a jury found him liable for sexual battery. He has been criminally charged in a state court in New York, where proceedings have been stayed. He likely will soon be indicted for post-2020 election actions in Georgia, and it seems clear that Special Counsel Jack Smith will bring charges relating to the January 6 protest in Washington. It seems almost inconceivable that a nominee with such extravagant legal baggage, whatever one thinks of the merits of each of these cases, can win the general election. If that is true, and I believe it is, you wouldnt think that primary voters would select that candidate. But in recent years logic has not always governed presidential politics. Meanwhile, what are the merits of the Florida classified document prosecution? It would seem that Trump is obviously guilty. That he mishandled classified information is not seriously in doubt. (But see contrary view here.) That doesnt necessarily mean he will be convicted, however. A friend who is an excellent lawyer, now retired, points out that Trump ordered the boxes moved from government control to his home while he was still president, and thinks a court may hold that this operated, as a matter of law, to declassify the files. He also thinks the U.S. Supreme Court could rule the Presidential Records Act unconstitutional as an infringement of the executives Article II powers (although Trump has been charged under the criminal statute governing handling of classified information, not the PRA, which includes no criminal penalties). But such legal arguments likely will play out long after the jurys verdict has been returned. As far as the jury is concerned, Trumps best chance may be jury nullification. The Fort Pierce, Florida venue is a good one for Trump, and jurors, knowing that Joe Biden and other presidents, vice presidents and senators have removed classified documents to their homes or offices without penalty, may simply refuse to convict. The one thing we can say with certainty is that the prospect of a criminal trial during the primary season is emblematic of the weirdest political season of our lifetimes. UPDATE: The Guardian says that the Georgia indictment will come in the next few weeks: The Fulton county district attorney investigating Donald Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in the state of Georgia has developed evidence to charge a sprawling racketeering indictment next month, according to two people briefed on the matter. *** In the Trump investigation, the Fulton county district attorney, Fani Willis, has evidence to pursue a racketeering indictment predicated on statutes related to influencing witnesses and computer trespass, the people said. [T]he new details about the direction and scope of the case come as prosecutors are expected to seek indictments starting in the first two weeks of August. So, what did Trump do that counts as racketeering? The specific evidence was not clear, though the charge regarding influencing witnesses could include Trumps conversations with Georgias secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, in which he asked Raffensperger to find 11,780 votes, the people said and thereby implicate Trump. For the computer trespass charge, where prosecutors would have to show that defendants used a computer or network without authority to interfere with a program or data, that would include the breach of voting machines in Coffee county, the two people said. The breach of voting machines involved a group of Trump operatives paid by the then Trump lawyer Sidney Powell accessing the voting machines at the countys election office and copying sensitive voting system data. The copied data from the Dominion Voting Systems machines, which are used statewide in Georgia, was then uploaded to a password-protected site from where election deniers could download the materials as part of a misguided effort to prove the 2020 election had been rigged. This strikes me as a feeble prosecution. Trump thought that the Democrats cheated in several states, enabling Joe Biden to win the election. He was right, up to a point, although it is unlikely that voter fraud actually swung any state, and his theories relating to the Dominion voting machines didnt pan out. But so what? Trump investigated legal means of contesting the election result, as Democrats do all the time. The problem is that this prosecution, like the others, is enabled by Trumps own terrible judgment. Who is dumb enough to tell a Secretary of State to find 11,780 votes, on a conference call attended by a number of people, at least one of whom recorded it? Donald Trump, thats who. Trump deserves credit for being willing to take on the Deep State, but the reality is that the Deep State has been beating Trump like a drum since 2016. The one-sided contest continues. Last fall there was a considerable controversy about whether, as the student banners held, Stanford hates fun. Among other things, Stanford requires that student parties have to be registered and cleared with the campus administration. This is having a chilling effect on student life, as the Stanford Daily student paper reports: There were just 45 parties registered on campus during the first four weeks of the fall quarter, compared with 158 in the same period in 2019, according to Student Affairs spokesperson Pat Harris. . . Freshmen this year describe wandering campus Friday and Saturday nights in search of an open party or even trekking to San Jose State University in search of social engagement. Where music and loud laughter once were prevalent, weekends are often much quieter. You know things are bad when Stanford students are slumming it at San Jose State! Well, if student fun is nearly absent, have some sympathy for Stanfords administration, which hasnt had any fun since John Elway was on the field. First, Stanford students have taken out their revenge on the president Marc Tessier-Lavigne, who is resigning as president because of irregularities in some of his scientific publications. We noted this brewing story back in February, along with Tessier-Lavignes denials of any unethical conduct. He is now going to retract at least three journal articles. Is there any corner of science left untainted by unethical behavior? This story was driven entirely by student journalists, who must be having more fun now for having toppled the president. Even more fun: Tirien Steinbach, the dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Stanford Law School who brought disgrace on the school for her shameful treatment of Judge Kyle Duncan back in March, is leaving her position. Although the language is carefully worded, Stanford clearly decided not to renew her contract: I write to share that Tirien Steinbach has decided that she will be leaving her role as Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Stanford Law School to pursue another opportunity, Jenny Martinez, the law schools dean, said in an email on Thursday. Pursue another opportunity. Thats a euphemism for dont let the door hit you on the way out. Of course, it is a certainty that she will find another useless administrative job somewhere. Just recall the case of Melissa Click, the communications professor at the University of Missouri who was fired in 2016 after being caught on video calling for some muscle to physically oust student journalists from campus. This episode ought to have ended her career, but of course she was snapped up right away by Gonzaga University, where she still is today. Why should Stanford and Gonzaga have all the fun? Help Tirien Steinbach find a job so she can share her fun disposition with a new campus of victims! The most ignorant people in America must be those poor souls who rely on the New York Times for their news. The Times is a typical left-wing outlet, in that it exists not to cover the news, but to cover up the news. Its treatment of yesterdays House Oversight Committee hearing, featuring testimony by IRS investigators Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, is a case in point. Lest its readers think that something important had happened, the Times buried the story. On its online front page, you had to scroll to the bottom to find this small item: A note at the end of the story says that it appeared on page A 16 of todays print newspaper. So what did the Times consider to be yesterdays important news? The word Trump appeared six times on the front page. If you worked your way past the Timess daily Trump hysteria, you came to this article, headlined I.R.S. Whistle-Blowers Allege Political Bias in Hunter Biden Investigation. The article is partly a reasonably fair description of what Shapley and Ziegler said, but the paper gave priority to the Democrats take on the hearing. Thus: Before regaining control of the House this year, Republicans pledged to use their power to investigate President Biden and his family, launching wide-ranging inquiries. *** But if the proceeding at times was a sober recounting of facts and details from a high-profile but secretive investigation, it also veered into rank partisanship, hyperbole and in a spectacle seldom seen in a Capitol Hill hearing room sexually explicit material. The Times tells its readers more about Marjorie Taylor Greenes questioning than anything else. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, the right-wing Republican from Georgia, displayed naked photos of Hunter Biden engaging in sex acts as she questioned whether the evidence found on his laptop that he solicited prostitutes amounted to human trafficking. More along these lines followed. Then: Democrats repeatedly expressed disgust at the tenor of the hearing, and the White House condemned it. Despite years of obsession and countless wasted taxpayer dollars on a wild goose chase, the @HouseGOP hasnt offered a single credible piece of evidence of wrongdoing by the President, Ian Sams, a White House spokesman, wrote on Twitter. This waste of time reflects the extraordinarily misplaced priorities of House Rs. *** Several Democrats on the committee praised the witnesses and said they should be treated with respect. Mr. Raskin argued that Republicans have been throwing everything against the wall in an attempt to smear President Biden. They have produced no proof that the president committed any crimes, and promoted one potential witness claiming to possess evidence of corruption by the Biden family only to learn he was accused of brokering arms deals with China and Iran. 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, Mr. Raskin said. Mr. Raskin also introduced into the record a letter from Lev Parnas, an associate of Rudolph W. Giuliani, who served as the personal lawyer to former President Donald J. Trump and who was tasked with digging up dirt on the Bidens in Ukraine. The oldest trick in the journalists book is giving the last word to the person the journalist agrees with. This is how the Times story concludes: There has never been any factual evidence, only conspiracy theories spread by people who knew exactly what they were doing, Mr. Parnas wrote to Mr. Comer. 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. There is simply no merit to investigating this matter any further. The Times take on the Biden scandal comes from outer spaceor, rather, from the DNCbut there are some deluded readers who will actually take it seriously. I was standing at the back of a long line at our local Coldstone Creamery a few weeks ago when former Minnesota Viking Matt Birk walked in with two of his eight kids. When he left the Vikings after ten or eleven seasons he moved on to the Baltimore Ravens, with whom he won a Super Bowl ring. As he took the spot in line immediately behind me, I introduced myself. I told him Id lost a lot of friends supporting him and running mate Scott Jensen when he ran for lieutenant governor in the last election. I even told him what Id done to lose the friends (a story for another day). Afraid he would feel trapped in a nightmare, I stopped myself from reciting the whole megillah, but he knew exactly what I was talking about and listened to a substantial portion of my story. When I stopped, he asked me where I was from, then what neighborhood, then where in the neighborhood, then what high school I had attended. He had gone to Cretin-Derham Hall High School, as it turns out, while I had gone to St. Paul Academy down the street. Lucky for me, the line wasnt moving. The owners werent on hand that evening and the staff had no idea how to prepare the various orders. They turned to a notebook to look up the recipe for every item a customer ordered. Some orders seemed to require the consultation of all hands on deck. We had time to talk about college. I knew he had gone to Harvard. I wondered what his major was. Economics, he told me. He is a smart guy. Again, he didnt leave it at that. He asked me, Did you major in English? He is also a perceptive guy. The line still hadnt moved, but I stopped there. Another 15 minutes passed while the Coldstone staff looked up the deep secrets of the chains specialty items. Matts boys remained well-behaved all the while. Today I read about Matt where else? in the New York Post. I could see he looked great, but I learn from the Post that since his playing days he has lost 75 pounds and in the process shed ten inches from his waistline. How did he do that? The Post doesnt go there. Cmon guys, why do you think we read stories like this one? I am afraid that in order to learn the secret I will have to stake out Coldstone and tackle him next time he comes in. SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. The oldest threats we had before was a threat coming from Armenia from its occupational policy. And that threat was here around, including in this particular place for almost 30 years. Now this threat, in general, have been managed. But of course, we must be on alert. We should not forget our past, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Trend reports. We should not forget that we were stabbed in the back by our neighbors, when we did not expect that in the beginning of 90s. And they took advantage of chaos and disorganization of the Azerbaijani Government and occupied our territories. Also, we should not forget that even now, despite the results of the Second Karabakh War, there are people in Armenia in different segments including government and in other parts of society, which live with revanchist ideas, and they do not hide it, the head of state underlined. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. Thanks to Senator Grassley, we can take a look at the FBIs suppressed suppressed by the FBI! FD-1023 in the matter of the Biden family business. John posted the document here. It makes for interesting reading. It is not merely a report of what Burisma insiders told a highly trusted FBI source, it is (or should be) a key investigative document that can be set against known facts and lead to additional information that confirms or refutes it. What did the FBI do with it? That is the question that Senator Grassley asks. Im going to go out on a limb and guess that the FBI buried it for some reason. What might the reason have been? The FD-1023 refers to two $5 million payments to the Bidens. I cant find anything in the known financial transactions that matches up with that so far. The FD-1023 itself explains that they wont be easy to find (see quote below). What did the worlds foremost investigative agency do to find them? Senator Grassley would like to know. I asked Biden corruption expert Peter Schweizer, author of Red-Handed: How American Elites Get Rich Helping China Win and other such deeply researched books, about the absence of the two $5M transactions in the documents obtained to date. Peter writes: Its not surprising we havent seen records of these payments. Recall that Burisma executives helped Hunter Biden set up a foreign bank account in Malta, as only recently reported. That bank does not appear on the list of bank records that have been released by the Oversight Committee. I believe that Chairman Comer says they have financial records from only four of the 12 banks the Bidens are believed to have used. Also, I dont believe they have subpoenaed Joe Bidens bank records. It is possible that the $5M to Hunter came in the form of the $1M per year that he received serving on the Burisma board. But it seems that the FD-1023 hints that the $5M payments were allegedly lump sum payments. With that having been noted, let us draw on the work of the New York Post staff in My dog is smarter than Hunter key quotes from secret FBI file. Those quotes plus one are inset in Victor Navas Post story Ultimate white privilege guy Hunter Biden could be hit with 10 criminal referrals: Comer. Here in bold are all the quotes the Post has pulled with the context supplied by the Post in italics: In late 2015 or early 2016, the informant met with Vadym Pozharsky, chief financial officer of Burisma, who bragged about having Hunter Biden on the board. They hired Hunter Biden to protect us, through his dad, from all kinds of problems. In 2016, the informant met with Mykola Zlochevsky, head of Burisma, shortly after Joe Biden had made a public statement about Ukraine Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin being corrupt, and that he should be removed from office. Asked about Shokins investigation into Burisma: Zlochevsky replied something to the effect of, Dont worry Hunter will take care of all of those issues through his dad. [The informant] did not ask any further questions about what that specifically meant. The informant suggested Zlochevsky hire some attorney for $50,000 to ligate the case. Zlockevsky said: It costs 5 (million) to pay one Biden, and 5 (million) to another Biden. The informant asked Zlochevsky why he didnt hire some normal US oil and gas advisers: Zlochevsky made some comment that although Hunter Biden was stupid, and his dog was smarter, Zlochevsky needed to keep Hunter Biden (on the board) so everything will be okay. The Bidens pressured him, Zlochevsky said. Zlochevsky stated he didnt want to pay the Bidens and he was pushed to pay them. . . . he [said] has many text messages and recordings that show that he was coerced to make such payments. Asked whether Hunter Biden or Joe Biden told Zlochevsky he should retain Hunter Biden, Zlochevsky replied: They both did. Asked if he had any proof that hed be pressured to pay the Bidens: Zlochevsky said he had a total of 17 recordings involving the Bidens; two of the recordings included Joe Biden, and the remaining 15 recordings only included Hunter Biden. [The informant] reiterated that, per Zlochevsky, these recordings evidence Zlochevsky was somehow coerced into paying the Bidens to ensure Ukraine Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin was fired. Asked about payments: Zlochevsky responded he did not send any funds directly to the Big Guy (which [the informant] understood was a reference to Joe Biden). . . . Zlochevsky responded it would take them (investigators) 10 years to find the records (i.e. illicit payments to Joe Biden). The informant thought the story of the Burisma officials was credible. Given the pervasive necessity to bribe government officials in Ukraine and Russia, [the informant] did not perceive Pozharsky or Zlochevskys statements to be unusual, self-serving, or pretextual. Todays raging culture clash relates to a song by country superstar Jason Aldean called Try That In a Small Town. The song has been out since May, but for some reason it has recently attracted the attention of leftists. The context of the Lefts attack is that Aldean and his wife Brittany are out conservatives. Following attacks by liberals, Country Music TV banned the songs video. Here it is: So Aldean doesnt like criminals in general, and rioters in particular. Are those views now out of bounds? The overwhelming majority of Americans hate crime and hate riots. The problem here, of course, is that the video depicts BLM/Antifa riots, which are darlings of the Left. But most Americans agree with Aldean: regardless of their purported ideology, riots are unacceptable. The leftist attacks on Small Town have been mostly ridiculous, like the claim that the song is pro-lynching. This is based on the assertion, which I assume to be true, that in 1927 there was a lynching at a location in Tennessee where the video was shot. It is true that the Democratic Partys militant wing, the KKK, carried out lynchings at various locations many years ago, but there is zero reason to think that this video has anything to do with that century-old event, or that the people who made it knew anything about that incident. There is no reference to lynching in the song. There is one reference to guns, but that is a warning not to try to take them away, not a threat to shoot someone. The song does suggest that criminals and rioters, perhaps including those who merely burn the flag or spit on a police officer, could come to regret invading small town America. Is that a bad thing? Most people dont think so. It reminds me of when Antifa went to Sturgis. A poor idea. And how, exactly, are we supposed to respond to rioters and looters? There are two options: either let them take over your city, as happened in Minneapolis, Seattle and Portland, or take strong measures against them. Again, I think a large majority would favor the second alternative. The songs message is that if you attack small-town America, we will fight back. Taken as a whole, Aldeans song is a paean to small-town values. That is how he describes it: 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 And music fans are overwhelmingly on his side: Todays culture clashes generally pit ideologically fanatical leftists on one side against normals on the other. Needless to say, the normals are far more numerous. The controversy over Small Town, like most such conflicts, tells us more about the obsessions of the leftists than anything about us normals. STEVE addsit is a measure of the decay of our culture that the song lyrics on the right are widely celebrated and are a huge hit, while Aldean is said to be controversial (and I wont even print here what WAP stands for): PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-21 23:20:41 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 484 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / GRI in North AmericaGRI North America organized an exclusive virtual networking session this week for GRI Community members in the region. The session provided an excellent opportunity for sustainability professionals from corporations and service providers, to engage in casual conversations, exchange insights and experiences from the current reporting season, as well as receive updates directly from GRI.During the group discussion, several key points were highlighted:Assorted stakeholders - including investors - are driving increased corporate disclosure, with a majority of our members experiencing different stakeholder groups demanding information.Elevated reporting expectations are leading sustainability reporting to be moved under more traditional corporate functions, such as finance, and more internal controls and auditability is being prioritized.The assurance of data in reports is becoming more commonplace, with over 60% of attendees indicating that they, or the majority of their clients, had data assured in their latest reports.The increase in assurance aligns with the findings of the latest IFAC study, The State of Play in Sustainability Assurance. The study reviewed a total of 1,350 companies across twenty-one jurisdictions in 2021. Notably, 95% of large companies reported on ESG, and 64% of companies now obtain assurance/verification over some of the information provided (increasing from 91% and 51%, respectively, in 2019). Additionally, information disclosed following GRI Standards received higher assurance rates than any other reporting framework or standard, reaching 39% in 2021.One of GRI's previous installments of the GRI Perspective Series was Auditing to Save the Planet. The two-pager highlighted that inaccurate and incomplete data undermines the credibility of sustainability information. Effective reporting and controls go hand in hand, and at GRI, we believe that both are essential. Comparable data is crucial for companies and their stakeholders to assess whether their risks are mitigated and what impact the organization has on the environment, the economy and society, and how those impacts are managed. In line with this, we are pleased to note that the IAASB is developing a sustainability reporting assurance standard, which is a positive step towards increased transparency and accountability. If business, investors, and other stakeholders cannot trust published sustainability information, from both the financial and impact perspectives, it will be hard to demonstrate how they are contributing to a better world for everyone.GRI North America's Head of Engagements and Public Affairs, Matthew Rusk is pleased to be leading the panel discussion The Evolving Double Materiality, Two-Pillar Corporate Reporting System, and Roles for Accountants at the American Accounting Association's annual meeting in Denver next month. The conversation will highlight the significance of internal auditing and controls in advancing the professionalization of ESG and Sustainability Reporting practices, while emphasizing the need for external assurance in ESG and Sustainability Reporting.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GRI in North America on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: GRI in North AmericaWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/gri-north-america Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: GRI in North America PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-21 16:16:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 425 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / NielsenOriginally published on Nielsen InsightsThis May, Nielsen celebrated Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. Employees joined in internal events to learn more about AANHPI culture and history from their colleagues in the ALL-IN (Asians Learning, Leadership, & Innovation at Nielsen) Business Resource Group. Nielsen also released Seen, heard, valued - engaging Asian Americans through media, our 2023 Diverse Intelligence Series report.The ALL-IN BRG organized events with the theme Breaking the Myth, Sharing Our Story: Empowering AANHPI Voices. "We wanted to challenge the damaging stereotype of AANHPIs as a model minority' that masks the unique challenges and struggles faced by our diverse community," said Sikavas Nalampang, ALL-IN Regional Co-lead. "By encouraging AANHPI individuals and communities to share their stories with confidence and clarity, we can bust this myth." One event featured guest speakers from Toastmaster and Storicate to help employees to voice their authentic story and build their brand. "I learned the tools to develop my storytelling skills and recognize my strengths," said ALL-IN Europe Regional Leader Amanda Zalameda. "Being a part of ALL-IN has helped me get out of my comfort zone and tell my personal story with an authentic voice." Zalameda has also launched a book club exploring books by Asian authors to continue engaging colleagues year-round.During the kick-off event, ALL-IN co-sponsor Jon Kaiser, Nielsen's SVP of Industries and Advertisers, hosted a fireside chat with Angelina Eng, VP of Measurement, Addressability, and & Data Center at Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), where she shared her career journey, focusing on the importance of self-development, finding allies and mentors.On May 24, Nielsen launched Asian Language Media Consumption And Preferences: A Study Of Chinese, Korean And Vietnamese Audiences at the Asian American Advertising Summit (3AF) in Los Angeles. Half of the AANHPI population in the U.S. were born outside of the country, so native language media is a powerful way of engaging this audience for whom their language remains an important part of staying connected to their roots. Six Nielsen employees joined the Summit, learning about Asian-focused marketing, networking and engaging with Asian marketing industry experts. ALL-IN sponsor Patricia Ratulangi and Nielsen's AANHPI thought leader summarized the insights from Nielsen's AANHPI Diverse Intelligence Series and moderated a panel with Little Saigon TV, multicultural agency IW Group and their client from Lexus.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Nielsen on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: NielsenWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/nielsen Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Nielsen PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-21 15:45:50 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 728 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / Regions BankBy Candace HigginbothamRegions Bank recently hosted the second annual CDFI Convening, attended by 25 CEOs and executives from Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) across the bank's footprint.As he welcomed the group to Birmingham, Regions Head of Community Affairs Leroy Abrahams talked about the role these institutions serve in improving the financial health of our communities and why it's crucial for Regions to maintain close relationships with them."Communities are important to us, and you are important to communities," Abrahams told the leaders.He explained that community development is part of Regions Bank's mission to create shared value. "Our business is only successful when our four key constituents are doing well and are able to win - customers, associates, communities and shareholders." Our business is only successful when our four key constituents are doing well and are able to win - customers, associates, communities and shareholders.Leroy Abrahams, head of Community AffairsAbrahams noted that Regions' relationships with CDFIs and MDIs are key to that mission. "By investing in these institutions, we can create faster growth and ensure everyone has opportunity for financial success," he said.CDFIs are private financial institutions dedicated to delivering responsible, affordable lending to help low-income, low-wealth, and other disadvantaged people and communities join the economic mainstream.An MDI may be a federally insured depository institution of which 51% or more of the voting stock is owned by minority individuals - or a financial institution that primarily serves minority communities and whose board of directors is primarily composed of individuals from minority backgrounds.CDFIs and MDIs are often based in small towns, rural areas or urban communities and provide services in areas where the nearest physical bank branch may be several miles away.Support for CDFIs and MDIs has long been a part of Regions' community engagement strategy. Regions Bank and the Regions Community Development Corporation have provided equity investment and lending support, and late last year the bank announced a program that allows customers of seven institutions to access Regions' ATM network with no fee.In early 2023 the bank announced it would be enhancing these support efforts, as part of the launch of the Making Life Better Institute. That initiative is led by Wendi Boyen, head of Community Advocacy and Financial Wellness at Regions."The financial support Regions provides is important, but perhaps just as beneficial is the technical assistance we are able to lend," Boyen said. "We have a lot of expertise in our organization - in so many areas - and we have leaders who understand how vital CDFIs and MDIs are in our communities. They are more than willing to share their advice and guidance with these institutions." During the May convening, discussion topics included risk management, balance sheet management, economic and market conditions, consumer lending, deposit pricing, strategic planning, M&A, financial industry conditions, liquidity and technology.What Regions does for us is give us additional resources that we can use to grow and expand. But more than just financial resources, there's also the relationships.Robert James, President and CEO of Carver Bank in Savannah, GeorgiaBoyen noted that these weren't just one-way communications. "We may have more resources at Regions Bank than some of these smaller organizations, but we don't have all the answers. We can - and did - learn from the other bank leaders in the room. The whole idea was to have an information-sharing forum, a dialogue, and we accomplished that." "What Regions does for us is give us additional resources that we can use to grow and expand. But more than just financial resources, there's also the relationships," said Robert James, President and CEO of Carver Bank in Savannah, Georgia. "Now we have access to their ATM network to further serve our customers and we're talking with leaders who are helping us design products and services that can extend our impact into the community." Watch the above brief video to hear more from Regions Bank and CDFI leaders about how their relationships are impacting local communities.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Regions Bank on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Regions BankWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/regions-bank Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Regions Bank PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-21 11:10:26 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1031 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 GODALMING, UK / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / On 22 November 2022, Condor Gold (AIM:CNR)(TSX:COG) announced that following a robust and economically attractive Bankable Feasibility Study, also known as a Feasibility Study, on the La India open pit, it appointed H&P Advisory Limited (Hannam and Partners) to seek a buyer for the assets of the Company. The last update on the sale of the Company's assets was via an RNS on 13 March 2023. The current status is that the Company has received five non-binding offers and three site visits have been completed. There are currently eight companies under under Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA). Additional enquires have been received in the past 2 weeks.Mark Child, Chief Executive of Condor Gold, commented:"There remains substantial interest from gold producers to acquire the Company's assets. Wholly owned, fully permitted, construction ready gold mines with potential production of 150,000 oz gold per annum, in major Gold Districts, with the land and a new SAG Mill package purchased and a construction period of only 18 months are rare. There are currently eight companies under NDAs, five non binding offers received and three site visits completed. Companies under NDAs have access to a virtual data room, which includes all drill data, technical studies to Feasibility Study level, details of permits to construct and operate a mine and financial models. While the sales process is taking longer than anticipated, new enquires continue to be received, the Board is confident that a binding agreement will be reached. Investors will be updated in due course." Cautionary Statement: Investors should note that, whilst the Board is encouraged by the process to date, there can be no guarantee that the Company will complete the sale of its assets.- Ends -For further information please visit www.condorgold.com or contact:Condor Gold plcMark Child, CEO+44 (0) 20 7493 2784Beaumont Cornish LimitedRoland Cornish and James Biddle+44 (0) 20 7628 3396SP Angel Corporate Finance LLPEwan Leggat+44 (0) 20 3470 0470H&P Advisory LimitedAndrew Chubb, Matt Hasson, Jay Ashfield+44 207 907 8500Adelaide Capital (Investor Relations)Deborah Honig+1-647-203-8793About Condor Gold plc:Condor Gold plc was admitted to AIM in May 2006 and dual listed on the TSX in January 2018. The Company is a gold exploration and development company with a focus on Nicaragua.The Company's principal asset is La India Project, Nicaragua, which comprises of a large, highly prospective land package of 588 sq km comprising of 12 contiguous and adjacent concessions. The Company has filed a feasibility study technical report dated 25 October 2022 and entitled "Condor Gold Technical Report on the La India Gold Project, Nicaragua, 2022" (the "2022 FS") which is available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and was prepared in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. The 2022 FS indicated that La India Project hosts a high grade Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") of 9,672 kt at 3.5g/t gold for 1,088,000 oz gold in the indicated mineral resource category and 8,642 kt at 4.3 g/t gold for 1,190,000 oz gold in the inferred mineral resource category. The open pit MRE is 8,693 kt at 3.2 g/t gold for 893,000 oz gold in the indicated mineral resource category and 3,026 kt at 3.0 g/t gold for 291,000 oz gold in the inferred mineral resource category. Total underground MRE is 979 kt at 6.2 g/t gold for 94,000 oz gold in the indicated mineral resource category and 5,615 kt at 5.0 g/t gold for 98,000 oz gold in the inferred mineral resource category.The 2022 FS replaces the previously reported Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") as presented in the Technical Report filed on SEDAR in October 2021 as the current technical report for the La India project.The 2021 PEA considered the expanded Project inclusive of the exploitation of the Mineral Resources associated to the La India, Mestiza, America and Central Breccia deposits. The strategic study covers two scenarios: Scenario A, in which the mining is undertaken from four open pits, termed La India, America, Mestiza and Central Breccia Zone ("CBZ"), which targets a plant feed rate of 1.225 million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa"); and Scenario B, where the mining is extended to include three underground operations at La India, America and Mestiza, in which the processing rate is increased to 1.4 Mtpa. The 2021 PEA Scenario B presented a post-tax, post upfront capital expenditure NPV of US$418 million, with an IRR of 54% and 12 month pay-back period, assuming a US$1,700 per oz gold price, with average annual production of 150,000 oz gold per annum for the initial 9 years of gold production. The open pit mine schedules were optimised from designed pits, bringing higher grade gold forward resulting in average annual production of 157,000 oz gold in the first 2 years from open pit material and underground mining funded out of cashflow. The 2021 PEA Scenario A presented a post-tax, post upfront capital expenditure NPV of US$302 million, with an IRR of 58% and 12 month pay-back period, assuming a US$1,700 per oz gold price, with average annual production of approximately 120,000 oz gold per annum for the initial 6 years of gold production. The Mineral Resource estimate and associated Preliminary Economic Assessment contained in the 2021 PEA are considered a historical estimate within the meaning of NI 43-101, a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify such historical estimate as current, and the Company is not treating the historical Mineral Resource estimate and associated studies as current, and the reader is cautioned not to rely upon this data as such. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The Company believes that the historical Mineral Resource estimate and Preliminary Economic assessment is relevant to the continuing development of the La India Project.In August 2018, the Company announced that the Ministry of the Environment in Nicaragua had granted the Environmental Permit ("EP") for the development, construction and operation of a processing plant with capacity to process up to 2,800 tonnes per day at its wholly-owned La India gold Project ("La India Project"). The EP is considered the master permit for mining operations in Nicaragua. Condor has purchased a new SAG Mill, which has mainly arrived in Nicaragua. Site clearance and preparation is at an advanced stage.Environmental Permits were granted in April and May 2020 for the Mestiza and America o PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-21 13:45:28 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 472 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Community Media Company to Use New Byline Platform for Expert-Written Article ExchangesCHICAGO, IL / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / Wick Communications, a community media company with newspapers, websites, magazines, and specialty publications in 13 states, has tapped Contributed Content Connection (CCC) to link its editorial staff with expert sources. Contributed Content Connection is the public exchange for full-length written byline articles.Contributed Content ConnectionContributed Content Connection LogoAfter a successful first link for Wick Communication's Green Valley News in Arizona, the media company expanded its relationship with Contributed Content Connection to assist all its publications. Before CCC's launch in February 2023, expert sources and media outlets had no shared network or exchange of contributed content opportunities. The only interactions were one-off instances or application-based memberships at single publications. Contributed Content Connection enables expert sources and media outlets to submit and review mutual opportunities between each other."I saw firsthand Contributed Content Connection is a simple, easy-to-use platform. My initial submission request was targeted specifically to healthy eating in Tucson, which resulted in multiple pitches from experts wanting to write the piece," said Dan Shearer, Wick Communications' Editorial Director. "This is a good way to supplement and support local newspapers and magazines, like ours, or those nationally." For expert sources, published contributed content provides increased public attention, thought leadership, media exposure and SEO. For media outlets, contributed content supplements story breadth and depth, and it helps publications better prepare for deadlines by improving predictability of article quantities."It's exciting to team up with Wick Communications across the board, helping further expand the media outlet side of our equation. We've built a large base of expert sources who seek the chance to illustrate their expertise," said Matt Siegler, Contributed Content Connection's Chief Innovation Officer. "This partnership helps fulfill needs for insightful articles, benefiting both the publications and experts alike." To learn more about Contributed Content Connection, visit https://contributedcontentconnection.com To learn more about Wick Communications, visit https://wickcommunications.com/ About Contributed Content Connection:Contributed Content Connection (CCC) is a central hub for byline news article opportunities. CCC offers media outlets the ability to publicize requests for specific article submissions to qualified expert sources. Willing experts search and submit pitches to write the content in response. Contributed Content Connection was invented by PR and media relations professionals who were seeing a shifting trend toward more contributed content. To learn more, visit https://contributedcontentconnection.com About Wick Communications:Wick Communications is a family-owned community media company with newspapers, websites, magazines, and specialty publications in 13 states. The home office is in Sierra Vista, Arizona, and Wick publishes newspapers in Arizona, Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, and Washington. To learn more, visit https://wickcommunications.com/ Contact InformationMatthew SieglerPresidentmatt@ highrespublicrelations.com 847.242.1087SOURCE: Contributed Content Connection PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-21 16:00:45 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 576 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 This location builds onto the company's nationwide footprint.TROTWOOD, OH / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / EquipmentShare ( https://www.equipmentshare.com/) , one of the nation's fastest-growing equipment rental and technology solutions companies, has selected the City of Trotwood for its most recent expansion in Ohio. EquipmentShare has purchased an 11.6-acre site in Trotwood's Industrial and Commerce Park on Prosperity Drive, where it will be developing its Dayton-region facility, making the location its third in the state of Ohio.Branch RenderingThis is a conceptual rendering of what the facade of the new company building could look like. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Columbia, Missouri, EquipmentShare is dedicated to transforming the construction industry through innovative tools, platforms, and data-driven insights. By empowering contractors, builders, and equipment owners with its proprietary technology, T3, EquipmentShare aims to drive productivity, efficiency, and collaboration across the construction sector. With a comprehensive suite of solutions that includes a fleet management platform, telematics devices, and an equipment rental marketplace, EquipmentShare continues to lead the industry in building the future of construction. The Trotwood location will include a variety of equipment, such as general rental equipment, aerial lifts and booms, heavy dirt equipment, power solutions and much more."Our T3 technology is what sets us apart and allows us to offer contractors a best-in-class rental experience," said Willy Schlacks, President and co-founder. "Our equipment trackers can provide us with a ton of data so we can take corrective action to help customers save money and prevent downtime, which means they experience less interruptions on the job and can get more work done." This new development in Trotwood's industrial park, which is directly across Olive Road from the newly finished 200,000-square-foot industrial facility, is another critical development in welcoming more businesses into the Trotwood community and creating more job opportunities for residents. Through this expansion, EquipmentShare will create an estimated 25 living wage jobs and build a new service and sales facility. Those interested in employment opportunities with the company are encouraged to visit the careers page and submit a form for these future positions. EquipmentShare is proud of the innovative People First culture it continues to build - earning recognition from the business community for its career advancement opportunities as well as perks like the tool reimbursement program and the monthly family dinner night stipend. It has been recognized as one of America's Best Startup Employers by Forbes and Statista for the past four years as well as was recognized by Glassdoor for recruitment growth during the pandemic when other companies were slowing hiring or reducing their workforce. EquipmentShare has also been highlighted on Montel Williams' Military Makeover: Operation Career for its veterans programs.This project is a result of the collaboration efforts among EquipmentShare, GATED Properties Global (GPG), the City of Trotwood, and the TCIC. The TCIC and development partner GPG worked together to market the availability of the property and to work with EquipmentShare to subdivide the land into the space needed for their development.An official groundbreaking will be scheduled for a later date, closer to when construction is prepared to commence."We are proud to welcome EquipmentShare to the Trotwood family," says Mayor Mary McDonald. "The city of Trotwood is happy to have EquipmentShare as the newest development in our industrial park, bringing their state-of-the-art facility and services to this region." Contact InformationAmy SusanDirector of PR & Communications(573) 890-0609SOURCE: EquipmentShare PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-21 20:56:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 605 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / FOCUS Investment Banking (FOCUS), a leading middle-market investment bank with deep experience, a nationwide footprint, and a global reach, has announced its plans to focus on a new artificial intelligence (AI) sector in Q3 2023. It has also released the first two episodes of "Venture Deal Talk," a YouTube podcast series sponsored by FOCUS Investment Banking that interviews investors and buyers from diverse industries about strategies for successful mergers and acquisitions.For over 40 years, FOCUS and its team of senior bankers, analysts, advisors, and support staff have been serving clients in all phases of the M&A process. The firm provides a suite of services that include market analysis, financial analysis, capitalization structure, due diligence, memorandum preparation, and more. Each FOCUS banker maintains a core practice in one of the eleven industry verticals comprising the firm's current areas of specialization, keeping FOCUS abreast of developments in today's rapidly changing market environments.In creating its new AI industry specialization under the successful FOCUS technology group, FOCUS will focus on capital raises, mergers, and acquisitions in the artificial intelligence sector. The initiative, scheduled to be rolled out in Q3 2023, will be led by Stan Gowisnock and supported by Galen Pyle.The YouTube podcast series "Venture Deal Talk," aims to provide listeners with insights into M&A, capital investment, and learn from founders and CEOs who have taken capital investment or sold their companies. The episodes will interview buyers, private equity professionals, investors, and business owners about the most pivotal decisions they have made as well as their thoughts on advancements within the industry.In the first episode of "Venture Deal Talk", interviewer Galen Pyle talked with Matt Voska of Origami, a software and services company that sets up and grows DAOs for ambitious communities. Its team helped Y Combinator-backed companies form a venture DAO that raised $80MM. Voska explains the origin of Origami, including how DAO is a vehicle for investment funds.The second episode of "Venture Deal Talk" features guest Chris Norwood, Vice President at Montage Partners, a people-first private equity firm. Norwood details the evolution of Montage Partners' investment philosophy over the past few years and what the firm will be watching for over the next 12 months."As AI and other technologies influence and impact organizations, FOCUS' commitment to evolution beyond our traditional Tech Service platform, allows us to be uniquely positioned to add value throughout the buy and sell stages of a transaction. We will continue to grow and adapt, along with multiple industries, and continue to place client service and deliverability as priority number one. We embrace change and optimization and will strive to derive value for our buyers and sellers to increase business potential in an ever changing world" says Stan Gowisnock."At FOCUS, we have a lot planned for 2023. We hope that our YouTube podcast listeners will find Venture Deal Talk' and its upcoming episodes to be valuable and inspirational," says Galen Pyle. "Tune in and learn about mergers and acquisitions." About FOCUS Investment BankingFOCUS Investment Banking has been advising middle-market investment clients since 1982. With offices in Washington DC, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Dublin its team of bankers, analysts, advisors, and support staff are experienced in all phases of M&A. FOCUS has decades of experience in developing solutions for companies through economic cycles, with an understanding of how today's choices impact capital structure in the long term.For more information about FOCUS Investment Banking, please see www.focusbankers.com or contact:Galen Pyle503-867-2413galen@ focusbankers.com SOURCE: FOCUS Investment Banking PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-21 19:02:21 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 511 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / Hagens Berman urges NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NEE) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.Class Period: Dec. 2, 2021 - Feb. 1, 2023Lead Plaintiff Deadline: July 25, 2023Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/NEE Contact An Attorney Now: NEE@ hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE) Securities Fraud Class Action:The complaint alleges that Defendants mispresented and concealed that NextEra's primary subsidiary (Florida Power & Light Company, or "FPL") flouted federal and state campaign laws thereby exposing NextEra to substantial legal and reputational risk.In Dec. 2021, media outlets began reporting that FPL and its political consulting firm Matrix steered political funding to spoiler "ghost candidates" to derail reelection efforts by unfriendly Florida state legislators during the 2020 election cycle, spied on journalists who published unsupportive reporting, and improperly courted public officials with job offers while bidding to privatize certain public utilities, all with FPL executives' approval.NextEra responded to this reporting with: (1) blanket denials; (2) declaring that "we conducted a very extensive and thorough investigation[]" and "the bottom line is we found no evidence of any issues at all, any illegality or any wrongdoing on the part of FPL or any of its employees"; and (3) assurances that the allegations did not expose the company to meaningful legal or reputational risk.But in Nov. 2022, NextEra revealed that a complaint was filed with the Federal Election Commission ("FEC") alleging violations of the Federal Election Campaign Act and identifying FPL as a source of funds to certain Super Pacs identified in the complaint.Then, on Jan. 25, 2023, NextEra announced that FPL's CEO (Eric Silagy) would cease to serve in that role. The company also acknowledged the serious business and reputational risks posed by the FEC's complaint.These events caused the price of NextEra shares to sharply decline."We're focused on investors' losses and proving NextEra lied to investors about its political misconduct," said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in NextEra and have significant 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 NextEra 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 NEE@ 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 SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. Therefore, we must be ready for any kind of scenario. And for that purpose, right after the Second Karabakh War, despite the glorious victory, courage and spirit we demonstrated on the battlefield, we started immediately deepening reforms in the defense area, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Trend reports. I can tell you and I already publicly spoke about that today, our army is much stronger than three years ago. This is a need, I think, which is based on our history. And also based on that, we see that international law norms are being violated brutally. And now, we see that international law is working selectively. We have faced that for many years, when we were raising our voice saying that, look, the United Nations Security Council adopted four resolutions demanding withdrawal of Armenian troops from our lands - immediate and unconditional withdrawal. But these resolutions were not implemented. So, now this tendency is spreading around. When international law doesn't work, when signature does not mean a lot, the only guarantee for peace is strength, the head of state noted. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-21 16:00:51 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 695 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Danaher Corporation ("Danaher" or the "Company") (NYSE:DHR), and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and docketed under 23-cv-02055, is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired Danaher securities between April 21, 2022, and April 24, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.If you are a shareholder who purchased or otherwise acquired Danaher securities during the Class Period, you have until September 15, 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]Danaher designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. The Company is comprised of more than 20 operating companies organized under four segments: Biotechnology; Life Sciences; Diagnostics; and Environmental & Applied Solutions.In 2020 and 2021, Danaher's diagnostic tests and life sciences research tools were widely used in the effort to combat the COVID-19 virus. Specifically, Danaher's diagnostics segment included Cepheid, a leader in molecular testing, and its life sciences segment included a variety of companies that worked to develop COVID-19 vaccines and therapies. As a result, Danaher experienced a significant upswing in revenue growth over the course of this period.The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made 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.On April 25, 2023, Danaher issued a press release announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2023. Among other items, Danaher reported that "[r]evenues decreased 7.0% year-over-year to $7.2 billion, with a 4.0% non-GAAP core revenue decrease, due to the impact of lower COVID-19 revenue, and 6.0% non-GAAP base business core revenue growth." The Company also projected that "[f]or the second quarter and full year 2023, . . . non-GAAP base business core revenue growth will be up mid-single digits year-over-year", down from an earlier projection of high-single-digit growth. Notably, this announcement appeared to be at odds with Danaher's prior reassurances that revenues associated with the Company's non-COVID-19-related businesses would compensate for the foregoing negative results.On this news, Danaher's stock price fell $22.36 per share, or 8.79%, to close at $231.99 per share on April 25, 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 SOURCE: Pomerantz LLP PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-21 03:50:22 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1054 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 20, 2023 / Power Nickel Inc. ("Power Nickel" or the "Company") (TSX-V:PNPN) (OTC:PNPNF) is pleased to announce it has completed its review of the Company's assets and has formalized the following plan to optimize its non-core assets while maintaining its focus on the exploration and development of Nisk, the Company's High Grade Nickel PGM Project near Nemaska, Quebec.Step 1 - The Company will transfer the beneficial interest in its Golden Ivan property to Consolidated Gold and Copper Inc. ("Consolidated") in exchange for common shares of Consolidated. Consolidated, through various other wholly-owned subsidiaries, also hold the Company's Chilean assets (other than Copaquire described below). The Company will seek approval to spin out Consolidated via a Plan of Arrangement and distribute Consolidated shares to its shareholders, which will be more particularly described in an information circular (the "Circular") that will be delivered to shareholders in connection with voting on the Plan of Arrangement and other usual annual general meeting matters. There is no immediate intention to list Consolidated's shares on any stock exchange or quotation system. As a spin out from a public company, even if Consolidated is not listed, Consolidated will be obligated to file continuous disclosure under Canadian securities laws, including annual audited financial statements and interim unaudited financial statements and related management discussion and analysis.The Company expects to hold the Annual and Special Meeting in October.Power Nickel has retained RWE Growth Partners to provide a fairness opinion and valuation as to the value of Consolidated and the fairness of the Plan of Arrangement to shareholders. The Company plans to allocate 25% of the Consolidated shares to Power Nickel's shareholders as more particularly set out in the Circular. The expectation is that Power Nickel will hold 26,000,000 common shares of Consolidated prior to the proposed Plan of Arrangement. For every 20 shares of Power Nickel that a shareholder holds, that shareholder will receive 1 share of Consolidated resulting in the distribution of approximately 6,500,000 common shares of Consolidated to its shareholders and Power Nickel will retain approximately 19,500,000 Consolidated shares. At completion of the Plan of Arrangement it is expected Consolidated Gold and Copper Inc will be a private company. While the process is unfolding the Company plans to continue to evaluate options, including the sale of all or part of the assets, listing of Consolidated, and the vending of the assets into another entity for cash or shares. Power Nickel's paid-up Capital base is sufficient such that a spinout is expected to be conducted on a tax deferred basis and should not create a taxable event for most shareholders."We believe splitting off the non-core assets into Consolidated will be beneficial for Power Nickel shareholders. It will enable the new entity to separately finance and pursue growth opportunities as more accurately detailed in the section below, that may otherwise be overlooked while the Company focuses on Nisk. This will take the burden off the Power Nickel balance sheet and instead allow these assets to be separately valued by the market." Commented Power Nickel CEO Terry Lynch.Step 2 - The Company is formally placing its 3% Royalty on the Copaquire Project owned by Teck Resources for sale. Teck has the right to buy the first 1% for $3 million USD and has the right of first refusal on a sale of the Royalty. Power Nickel has decided that while the long-term potential for the Royalty is excellent, the sale of the Royalty will reduce dilution at Nisk and that this is the best move for shareholders. To compensate the interested parties looking to acquire the Royalty from the potential of a Teck exercise of its first right of refusal, Power Nickel will agree to pay the proposed Royalty buyer a breakup fee of $300,000 CAD in the event of said exercise. For additional details on Copaquire, please see the section titled Copaquire below."We have held onto the Copaquire Royalty for a very long time. It has a substantial known 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimates, and the super gene remains yet undiscovered. Commodity prices have risen sharply since these estimations were made and will likely continue to rise. In this time where developable global copper projects are rare, we are confident it will find its way into production and confirm the value of our royalty," commented Power Nickel CEO Terry Lynch.Detailed descriptions of the proposed spinout company Consolidated and the Copaquire Royalty are contained in the sections below.Consolidated Gold and CopperUpon approval from shareholders by special resolution, the Company proposes a Plan of Arrangement to spinout Consolidated Gold and Copper Inc. as a separate company. It will have a different CEO and a Board comprised of Power Nickel representatives and independent third parties. It will be comprised of the assets listed below.British Colombia - Golden Ivan ProjectLocationNote 1 - CMX was former symbol of PNPN. References to nearby properties are for information purposes only and there are no assurances that Golden Ivan will receive similar results.NI43-101 - https://powernickel.com/pdf/golden_ivan_technical_report.pdf Please refer to the Company's news release of February 2, 2022 for additional information about Golden Ivan.Latest UpdatePOWER NICKEL DISCOVERS TWO NEW HIGH-GRADE GOLD ZONESat it's GOLDEN TRIANGLE PROJECT, STEWART, BC, CANADASAMPLING RETURNS 16.2 G/T and 15.1 G/T GOLD IN OUTCROPPower Nickel Inc. ("Power Nickel" or the "Company") (TSX-V:CMX) (OTC:CMETF) is pleased to report assay results from its summer 2021 Golden Ivan Property (the "Property") exploration. The highly successful 2021 prospecting and geologic mapping program has resulted in the discovery of two new high grade gold zones yielding 16.2 grams-per-tonne (g/t) gold (Au) and 15.1 g/t Au in outcrop.The 2021 Golden Ivan Property campaign completed during July and August 2021, included the collection of 210 surface rock samples including 7 channel samples, in addition to reconnaissance geologic mapping and whole rock geochemical analysis throughout the Property. A total of 17 of the 210 rock samples returned greater than 0.1 g/t Au, and up to 16.2 g/t Au from the newly discovered Lone Goat Showing, and 15.1 g/t Au over 0.75 metres from a channel sample at the newly discovered Molly B. East showing in addition to significant silver and base metal values (Table 1).Terry Lynch, CEO director of Power Nickel comment PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-21 05:15:34 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 424 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / July 20, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until August 7, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against SentinelOne, Inc. (NYSE:S), if they purchased the Company's securities between June 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of SentinelOne and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-s/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by August 7, 2023.About the LawsuitSentinelOne and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On June 1, 2023, the Company disclosed that "[a]s a result of a change in methodology and correction of historical inaccuracieswe made a one-time adjustment to ARR of $27.0 million or approximately 5% of total ARR" and that the Company had slashed its fiscal year 2024 revenue guidance from a range of $631 million to $640 million to a range of $590 million to $600 million, due to the discovery of "historical upsell and renewal recording inaccuracies relating to ARR on certain subscription and consumption contracts, which are now corrected." On this news, shares of SentinelOne fell $7.28 per share, or more than 35%, to close at $13.44 per share on June 2, 2023.The case is Johansson v. SentinelOne, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-02786.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey.To learn more about KSF, you may visit http://ksfcounsel.com/ Contact:Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partner1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2023-07-21 12:00:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 342 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, reminds investors of a class action lawsuit against Danaher Corporation ("Danaher" or "the Company") (NYSE: DHR) for violations of 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.Investors who purchased the Company's securities between April 21, 2022 and April 24, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"), are encouraged to contact the firm before September 15, 2023.If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate.We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 2049 Century Park East, Suite 2460, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com , or by email at brian@ schallfirm.com The class, in this case, has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member.According to the Complaint, the Company made false and misleading statements to the market. Danaher's revenue growth from its business related to COVID-19 was declining. Despite the Company's claims, revenues from other business units were not able to compensate for this decline. The Company overstated its ability to sustain the growth it enjoyed in 2020 and 2021. The Company would be incapable of hitting its revenue targets. Based on these facts, the Company's public statements were false and materially misleading throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Danaher, investors suffered damages.Join the case to recover your losses.The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation.This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics.CONTACT:The Schall Law FirmBrian Schall, Esq.310-301-3335info@ schallfirm.com SOURCE: The Schall Law Firm The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) on Thursday signed a Heads of Terms (HoT) agreement with UTM Offshore Limited for the construction of the nations first indigenous floating liquified natural gas (LNG) project. The signing of the agreement took place at the NNPC headquarters in Abuja. In a statement by Garba Deen Muhammad, the chief corporate communications officer of the company, NNPCL said the agreement is a step towards bolstering Nigerias energy security and promoting the utilisation of its abundant gas resources. In a major step towards bolstering Nigerias energy security and promoting the utilisation of its abundant gas resources, the NNPC Ltd and UTM Offshore Limited have today in Abuja signed a Heads of Terms (HoT) agreement for the construction of the nations first indigenous Floating LNG project, the company said. READ ALSO: Describing the Floating LNG project as a must-do initiative for Nigeria, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, restated the companys readiness to secure gas feedstock towards the project. Also speaking at the occasion, the Group Managing Director, UTM Offshore Ltd, Julius Rone, expressed his delight at the partnership with NNPC Ltd, noting that this milestone achievement showcased the capability of indigenous companies to collaborate with world-class energy conglomerates to drive growth in Nigerias energy sector. He further explained that apart from significantly cutting down on gas flaring and supporting the countrys commitment to reducing carbon emissions, the project would also create over 7,000 job opportunities, contributing to the nations economic growth and development. In his remarks, the NNPCL Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, Mohammed Ahmed, said the project aligned perfectly with NNPC Ltds goals of ensuring energy availability, affordability, and sustainability while also generating revenue through exports. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A suspected underground gas explosion has left one person dead and 41 others injured in South Africa, authorities and emergency services said on Thursday. The explosion, which happened on Wednesday according to news reports, ripped open roads and flipped vehicles in the heart of South Africas capital city, Johannesburg. The cause of the blast remains unclear. However, the government of South Africa said it is being investigated urging members of the public to use alternative routes, allowing space for the relevant authorities to complete their work on the scene. Aljazeera reported that the company that supplies gas to that part of the city said it did not believe its underground pipelines were responsible, as authorities first thought. READ ALSO: The body of the deceased was found during a nighttime search of the blast area, Johannesburgs Emergency Management Services spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi said on Twitter. An investigation was underway as city authorities brought in specialists to determine whether other underground pipes or cables were in the area and if there was a threat of another explosion or gas leak, Aljazeera reported. We are still searching for the source, the news organisation quoted Panyaza Lesufi, the premier of the Gauteng province where Johannesburg is located, as saying. He said 12 people remained in several Johannesburg hospitals for medical treatment while the other 36 people who were hurt had been discharged. Some people were evacuated from the area on Wednesday night due to fears of a second explosion or that multi-storey buildings in a downtown section of the city might collapse. Mr Lesufi said the damage was extensive. However, people returned to the busy area in Johannesburgs central business district on Thursday morning, either to return to their homes or get to work. Authorities estimated that an area covering five city blocks was damaged and at least six roads were affected. At least 34 vehicles were damaged, with some flipped on their sides or on top of other vehicles. Others tumbled into gaping crevices that appeared in the middle of roads as the damage resembled a scene from an apocalyptic movie. Most of the damaged vehicles were minibus taxis, one of South Africas most popular commuting methods. Witnesses said some people were sitting in the minibuses when the explosion threw them into the air. A witness told local television station eNCA that he was in his car when he heard a big sound. The next thing, I was in the air and my car was overturning, he said. He said he was shaken but unhurt. In the moments immediately after the blast, people were seen running as smoke poured out of a crack in the road. Emergency crews searched through some of the mangled, overturned vehicles and nearby buildings deep into the night, discovering the deceased as the number of injured rose from an initial nine people reported on Wednesday. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Egyptian embassy in Nigeria Thursday celebrated its national day in Abuja, expressing willingness to work with the Bola Tinubu administration. Egypt is determined to work with the new administration of His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu to jointly forge a modern and forward-looking partnership around the key components of sustainable peace and development, said Ihab Awad, Egypts ambassador to Nigeria. Referring to the Egyptian revolution of July 1952, Mr Awad noted that it ignited a flame that lit the path for tens of millions of people towards freedom and independence, especially across Africa. He said the event, the 71st anniversary of the revolution, marks a milestone in the history of modern Egypt. Its impact extended to countries and societies across the Middle East and Africa, he said. Commenting on Nigerias 25 February and 18 March elections, he said, This year, the world witnessed a significant development that carried wider implications for Africa, namely the successful conclusion of the Presidential, Parliamentary and State level elections in Nigeria. These elections testified to the commitment and determination of all Nigerians to progress toward the consolidation of democracy, unity and freedom. READ ALSO: Highlighting various areas of collaboration between Egypt and Nigeria, Mr Awad said both countries are redefining and readapting their longstanding and historical ties. Our two countries have taken significant strides in recent years in strategic areas, not limited to the flourishing partnership on countering terrorism and de-radicalization, it extended to critical areas such as renewable energy, digital transformation in the communications and banking sectors, agriculture, irrigation and water management, tourism, and higher education, the ambassador noted. A visibly proud ambassador said Egypt is happy to be affiliated with the struggle for peace, progress and prosperity across Africa, adding that through conversations at the annual Aswan Forum on Sustainable Peace and Development, Egypt is re-envisaging, together with other African countries, a new path to a brighter future for Africa. Mr Awad noted that Nigerias efforts to defeat the insurgency in Borno State were the highlight of the third edition of the Aswan Forum last year. As a result, the Cairo International Centre on Conflict Resolution Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) implemented two essential programmes for Borno State last December in Maiduguri, under the auspices of the Honourable Governor of Borno State, he said. Egypt National Day Egypt celebrates its national day on 23rd July each year to commemorate the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. The revolution led to an ouster of the monarchy and the establishment of a republican form of government. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The British government imposed sanctions on 13 people and organizations in the Central African Republic (CAR), Mali, and Sudan with ties to the Wagner paramilitary group in Russia, Al Jazeera reports. This includes one it referred to be the right-hand man of the groups founder Yevgeny Prigozhin. According to the British government, Wagner officials have been put on its list and are being held accountable for torture, killings in Mali and the CAR, and threats to the stability of Sudan. The sanctions come only weeks after Mr Prigozhins failed rebellion in Russia, which prompted concerns about Wagners future military and economic operations in African nations such as CAR. Wherever Wagner operates, it has a catastrophic effect on communities, worsens existing conflicts and damages the reputations of countries that host them, the Minister for Development and Africa for the UK, Andrew Mitchell, said. Others who received sanctions were Ivan Maslov, the leader of the Wagner Group in Mali, Vitaly Perfilov in the CAR, and Alexander Maloletko, whom they described as Mr Prigozhins close ally. Mikhail Potepkin, who the UK stated was connected to the Wagner Group and served as a director of the mining firm Meroe Gold, was added to the Sudanese list. READ ALSO: The government claimed to have sanctioned three companies in Sudan, including Meroe Gold, for serving as fronts for the Wagner Group and undermining peace and security. Meroe Gold, according to the report, has imported military trucks, helicopters, and weaponry. Wagner mercenaries are active in several African countries, including Central African Republic and Mali. In the Central African Republic, for example, 1,890 so-called Russian instructors are supporting government troops in the ongoing civil war, according to the Russian ambassador. The latest report from The Sentry reveals that systematic efforts by Russia to undercut democracy in Africa have inhibited democratic development in two dozen African countries. Voice of America reports that the United States has accused companies in the United Arab Emirates, the Central African Republic and Russia of engaging in illicit gold deals to help fund the Wagner Group. The US Treasury Department said in a statement it has sanctioned four companies linked to Wagner and its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, that it alleged were used to help pay the paramilitarys forces fighting in Ukraine and undertaking operations to support Russian interests in Africa. Wagner has been accused of atrocities, including mass murder and rape, across Africa and alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. In Libya, up to 1,200 Wagner mercenaries are believed to be fighting on the side of rebel leader Khalifa Hifter. In Mali, the pro-Russian, anti-Western military junta has also brought hundreds of Wagner fighters into the country. There, they have been accused of committing serious human rights violations. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The House of Representatives has rejected a move by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to approve any increase in electricity tariff. The resolution followed a motion by the Deputy Minority Whip, Aliyu Madaki, at the plenary in Abuja on Thursday. In his motion, he expressed concern over the suspense created by the planned increase in electricity tariff by Distribution Companies (DISCOs). The lawmaker recalled that DISCOs recently alerted customers of a planned electricity tariff hike, hinging it on the Multi-Year Tariff Oder (MYTO). READ ALSO: He cited a circular issued to that effect by the distribution firms, adding that effective 1 July, there would be an upward review of the electricity tariff influenced by fluctuating rates. He said under the MYTO, 2022 guidelines, the previous exchange rate of N 441/$1 might be revised to approximately N750/$1 which would have an impact on the tariff associated with electricity. He said under the planned hike, consumers within bands B and C with supply hours ranging from 1216 hours per day would pay N100 per KWh, while band A with 20 hours and above. He said consumers within band B with 1620 hours, would experience comparatively higher tariff, for customers with prepaid meters, whereas, for those on estimated billing, a significant increment was expected. He said the recent statement by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) directing its consumers to disregard the earlier notice of the increase was confusing. He added that members of the public were confused as to what to believe. The lawmaker said the proposed increase is coming in spite the inability of the operators to meet the threshold of supplying at least 5,000 megawatts per year. This, he said, was after signing the contract with NERC, adding that it was insensitive to come up with price increase of such magnitude at this time when many Nigerians were yet to come to terms with the fuel increase. Contributing to the motion, Babajimi Benson (APC-Lagos) and Olumide Osoba (APC-Ogun) called for caution in view of the pains Nigerians are going through occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy. Mr Benson noted the increased cost of infrastructure, which companies must strive to cover. Mr Osoba, however, said that it was impossible to control prices for a deregulated market. Satomi Ahmed (APC-Borno) and Ali Isa (PDP-Gombe) insisted that the burden of the subsidy removal on Nigerians was still huge to bear in addition to any tariff hike for electricity. Mr Ahmed said there had been virtually no investment in infrastructure since the DISCOs took over distribution of power, as communities are still procuring transformers in order to be connected. Adopting the motion, the House mandated its committee on power when constituted to interface with NERC with a view to addressing the proposed hike in the interest of Nigerians. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print After over two and half years of failed attempts, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has finally arraigned a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, and a Chinese construction giant, CCECC, on N5 billion fraud charges that have been filed against them since December 2020. The arraignment had been postponed up to 15 times for various reasons, including difficulties in serving some of the defendants and, at another time, the prying of the Attorney-General of the Federations office into the case. Long adjournments in between hearing dates and an anonymous petition written against the trial judge, Inyang Ekwo, had also contributed to the delays the case has suffered. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that EFCC arraigned Ms Oduah, who represented Anambra North Senatorial District in the 9th Senate, and CCECC, alongside seven others, on Friday. All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the 25 money laundering charges, which they allegedly committed between 31 March and 6 June 2014. READ ALSO: Alongside Ms Oduah, CCECC Nigeria Ltd, the Nigerian subsidiary of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) established by the Chinese government to execute international contracts and economic cooperation, is one of the leading defendants fingered in the case. Another of the co-defendants is Gloria Odita (2nd defendant), who is said to be an aide to Ms Oduah when she was Minister of Aviation and company secretary of Sea Petroleum & Gas Company (SPGC) Limited, a firm founded by the former minister. The rest include an employee of SPCG and aide to Ms Oduah, Nwobu Nnamdi (3rd defendant), Chukwuma Chinyere, Global Offshore and Marine Ltd, Tip Top Global Resources Ltd, Crystal Television Limited, and Sobora International Limited. Chequered history Ms Oduahs absence from court on different occasions contributed considerably to the stalling of proceedings in the case. In July 2021, seven months after the case was filed, the judge threatened to issue a warrant for her arrest over her failure to appear in court for arraignment. Ms Oduah was not in court at the proceedings along with the defendant, Chukwuma Chinyere. Ms Chukwumas lawyer, Odion Odia, told the judge that his client was ill and could not make her way from Asaba, Delta State, to the court. Well over a year after the case was filed in court, some defendants had yet to be served with the charges. Proceedings were stalled on 9 February and 10 May 2022 on the grounds of non-service of the charges on the defendants. In 2022 alone, the case was adjourned on seven occasions, stalling arraignments during a protracted wait for legal advice concerning the case from then Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami. Mr Malamis legal advice approving the trial only came in October 2022. The prosecuting lawyer, Hassan Liman, told the trial judge of the AGFs letter dated 11 October 2022. The judge had then fixed 13 February 2023 for arraignment and four subsequent days, 14 February to 17, for trial. He warned lawyers to the parties in the suit to be prepared for the scheduled day-to-day trial, adding that he would not take any objection to the admissibility of documentary evidence. READ ALSO: Objection to the admissibility of documentary evidence will be taken at the end of the trial, Mr Ekwo said. The judge directed the prosecuting lawyer to bind and paginate all documentary evidence of the prosecution witnesses. Mr Liman told the court that 32 witnesses are set to testify against Ms Oduah and her co-defendants. He explained that the long adjournment gave the prosecution and defence teams adequate time for trial. But the case has not progressed since the beginning year, with much of the time devoted to preliminary intervening issues. The judge only cleared the case for arraignment on 17 July, when the judge also asked EFCC to investigate the persons behind an anonymous petition sent against him to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court. Charges This newspaper reported how the EFCC, on 17 December 2020, filed 25 counts accusing the defendants of laundering various sums of money totalling about N5,052,415,984 between February and June 2014. The EFCC accused the defendants of conspiracy to commit money laundering, transferring, taking control and taking possession of proceeds of fraud, aiding and abetting money laundering and opening anonymous bank accounts. Specifically, the prosecution alleged in two of the 25 counts that Ms Oduah and Ms Odita opened anonymous Private Banking Nominee dollar and naira accounts with First Bank, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 11(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 11(4) (a) of the same Act. PREMIUM TIMES review of the charges showed that CCECC Nigeria Limited allegedly transferred over N2.5 billion into the naira account of a Private Banking Nominee between March 31 and June 6, 2014. In seven of the counts where CCECC is indicted singly and along with Ms Oduah and Ms Oditah, the company was accused of conspiring with the women to commit money laundering, and directly transferring to Private Banking Nominee account various sums of money totalling N2,583,385,246 which it reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity to wit: fraud The prosecution alleged, for instance, in Count 17, that CCECC Nigeria, on various dates between March 5, 2014, and May 30, 2014 in Abuja, directly transferred the sum of N868409,349.00 from your account with Zenith Bank Place to Private Banking Nominee Account 2024414450 domiciled with First Bank Plc, which money you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: fraud Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. Every time I come to Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, the first thing I feel is a sense of pride. Because it is impossible not to be proud of my people, our Army, our heroes, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Trend reports. And every time you also come to Shusha along Victory Road, just look at how our heroic soldiers and officers with only light weapons covered this road, how they died in hand-to-hand battles in the face of the enemy armed with cannons, tanks, and artillery. This is how high the spirit of the Azerbaijani people is. In other words, all this showed the qualities of our people to all of us again. It once again showed to each of us, first of all, and to the whole world how high the moral qualities of the Azerbaijani people are, the head of state added. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) says it plans to generate a total of N25 trillion for the country in 2024. It also said it plans to generate N7.5 trillion in the second half of this year. This is contained in the presentation made by the FIRS Chairman, Muhammad Nami, at the meeting of the National Economic (NEC) on Thursday in Abuja. The meeting held at the State House was chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima. FIRS 2023 revenue projection for the second half of the year was put at N7.5 trillion and 2024 revenue projection at N25 trillion. Council resolutions: Council commended the FIRS for its initiatives and reforms to boost revenue generation in the country, especially the projection of N25 trillion for the year 2024. READ ASLO: Council encouraged States to utilise the peer review mechanism in the Nigerian Governors Forum and improve partnership with the Federal Inland Revenue Service to increase their internally generated revenue, a statement by the VP media office said. The statement said Mr Nami focused on major revenue reforms implemented between 2020 and 2023 and highlighted four key areas. They include: Restructuring tax operations and administration Automation of tax administration and operational processes Creating a customer-focused service Creating a data-centric institution. On Short-Term plans, the FIRS said it will Further automation of tax administration in FIRS Bring the informal sector into the tax net through partnership Intensify data streaming from industry regulators, MDAs, industry operators and treaty partners to improve compliance. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Economic Community of West African States Parliament says it will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) on capacity building for its members. The Speaker of the regional parliament, Sidie Tunis, made this known on Friday during a visit with the Speaker of the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA), Joseph Ntakirutimana, to the institute in Abuja. The visit by the regional parliaments of East and West Africa sub-regions, according to NILDS, is part of a knowledge exchange experience designed to strengthen ties between regional legislative bodies and share best practices in democratic governance. Mr Tunis said the MOU, when signed in the coming weeks, will enable NILDS to provide technical support for ECOWAS parliamentarians and parliamentary staff, which will help enhance the quality of their legislative outputs. The speaker said legislators need requisite legislative knowledge and competence to deliver quality legislation for their respective countries. He called on various legislative bodies across the continent to take advantage of the diverse courses and programmes offered by NILDS to enhance their capacities. READ ALSO: Responding, the DG of NILDS, Abubakar Sulaiman, said the institute, as a hub for capacity building for legislators and democratic actors, was more than ready to collaborate with the ECOWAS Parliament and, indeed, all parliaments and agencies of governments in order to deepen good governance across various countries on the African continent. Mr Sulaiman, a professor of political science and international relations, said he was elated with the development, saying that legislators need to be adequately equipped with technical support to make quality laws that will impact governance positively. Laws cannot be made on the altar of ignorance, Mr Sulaiman said, calling other African governments to replicate NILDS in their countries. He said he looked forward to accelerating the process of signing the MOU, which will give legal backing to the proposed collaboration between the institute and the ECOWAS Parliament. Welcoming the dignitaries, the Institutes Director of Legislative Support, Edoba Omoregie, a professor and SAN, said NILDS is Nigerias think-tank for the countrys National Assembly and even state assemblies. Mr Omoregie listed some of the mandate responsibilities of the institute, including drafting bills, analysing bills, provision of a wide array of legislative products, election monitoring and supervision, research and many more. Other dignitaries who attended the event were Attahiru Jega, former INEC chairperson; Nuhu Yakubu, former vice chancellor University of Abuja and the NILDS management team, e.t.c Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print When on 2 July the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in a statement accused a candidate who sat its 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), Mmessoma Ejikeme, of forging its result, many Nigerians doubted the examination bodys claim. Miss Ejikeme had flaunted a score of 362 on social media, out of the 400 marks obtainable. She also presented herself as the best candidate in the examination. The claim by the 19-year-old student of the Anglican Girls Secondary School (AGSS), Nnewi, Anambra State, south-east Nigeria, attracted wide applause and commendation as both individuals, corporate bodies and the Anambra State Government announced various rewards for her. JAMB said the candidate scored 249 in its examination and gave the identity of the best candidate as Umeh Ikechinyere, who it said scored 360. However, both Miss Ejikeme and her father, Romanus Ejikeme, for some days, maintained their stance on the 362 and accused the examination body of insincerity. Apparently, as a result of the endemic culture of distrust in Nigerias public institutions, many Nigerians believed the examination body was insincere in its verdict. READ ALSO: The matter further degenerated when on 4 July, JAMB announced the withdrawal of the candidates real score of 249 and barred her from taking its examination for the next three years. Many commentators, especially on social media, accused JAMB of being the judge in its own court, querying where the examination body derived the power to wield such a big stick. But following the intervention by the Anambra State Government, the candidate, in an abrupt manner, made a U-turn and admitted to forging the result. She confessed before a committee set up by the government to investigate the matter. Meanwhile, a review of the law establishing JAMB showed the agencys dos and donts, and how and when its disciplinary power can be invoked. What JAMB Act states Heres what we found in the JAMB Act and the Examinations Malpractice Act (1999). JAMBs establishing law granted the agency the responsibility of conducting matriculation examinations for entry into all universities, polytechnics and colleges of education in Nigeria. Towards achieving the stated objective, JAMB introduced UTME, which was formerly known as the University Matriculation Examination (UME). The name change became necessary when the examination body merged its UTME with its Polytechnic and Colleges of Education (PCE) Examination- a similar entrance examination that was conducted for candidates seeking admission into the polytechnics and colleges of education. The board also has the powers to, according to the JAMB Decree amended in 1989, appoint examiners, moderators, invigilators, members of the subject panels and committees and other persons with respect to matriculation examinations and any other matters incidental thereto or connected therewith. But the law was silent on sanctions that can or should be taken against candidates, officials or examination centres that aid examination malpractice. What Examination Malpractice Act says Meanwhile, the Nigeria Examination Malpractice Act (1999) grants examination bodies like JAMB, the power to withhold, cancel or suspend a candidates result, an examination official or an examination centre. Section 16(1a) of the Act states that notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, an examination body shall have the power to (a) withhold, suspend or cancel the results of a candidate or ban or blacklist a candidate from taking its examinations if it is satisfied that the candidate has engaged in any form of examination malpractice. (b) withdraw recognition, suspend, ban or blacklist or place on probation a school or an examination centre if it is satisfied that the school or examination centre is involved in any form of examination malpractice. (c) remove the name of, or withhold payment to a supervisor or an invigilator or any other official employed in the conduct of an examination if it is satisfied that the supervisor or invigilator or official has contributed to an examination malpractice. Section 16(2) of the Act added that the examination body can also circulate the name of an offending candidate, supervisor, invigilator, official, school or examination centre to other examination bodies which may impose similar punishment. Candidate apologises Earlier, the father of the indicted candidate, Mr Ejikeme, apologised to JAMB and Nigerians on behalf of the family, even as he expressed regret over his daughters conduct. But on Wednesday, Miss Mmesoma, who appeared before an adhoc committee of the House of Representatives at the National Assembly, also apologised to the examination body and pleaded for mercy. Miss Mmesoma, who read her letter addressed to the Registrar of JAMB, Ishaq Oloyede, before the committee, said it was her first time engaging in such an ignoble act and pleaded for forgiveness. But some Nigerians have said her apology should not stop the 19-year-old from being punished, saying she should not be allowed to go scot-free for the deception and embarrassment caused Nigeria and the examination body, in particular. In her recommendation, Kemi Asekun, a journalist, said putting the candidate behind bars would further harden her instead of the reform she deserves. She said to serve as deterrence, Miss Mmesoma should be made to engage in community service as punishment, and that the service should be publicly recorded to discourage others. She said: This is where I think the reform of our laws becomes very important. For such crimes at that age, it will not be advisable to send her to detention or prison as the case may be but it will also be fair to let her serve the community as deterrence. For instance, I will love to see her sweeping a public market in Nnewi for weeks and women throwing her brooms to sweep their shops as a form of punishment. This should be recorded and made public for Nigerians to see. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The National Economic Council (NEC) has directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately distribute grains to states within one or two weeks to bring down the price of food items across the country. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State made the disclosure while briefing journalists on the outcome of the NEC meeting, chaired by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday. The governor said that Mr Shettima directed NEMA to release the grains immediately, adding that states would be involved in the mechanism. Mr Mohammed, who expressed concern over the high prices of food items, noted that food was a key component of what was considered by the council. The National Economic Council (NEC) discussed giving broader interventions to all the sectors and all the segments of the society, he said. Food is a key component of what is on the table in terms of food security. On the escalation of prices of foodstuff, we are happy because NEC has seriously engaged with NEMA, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and indeed with the Ministry of Agriculture. We have some buffer stock that is already there with NEMA, so council directed that the states will immediately be allocated substantial portions of food items, grains and so on for distribution so that the prices of foodstuff will come down. These grains will be given at subsidized rates or at the rates they were acquired. The CBNs Anchor Borrowers Programme and its agric programme have ensured a large stock of rice and other grains. These will be made available within one week so that they will be distributed to the states. He explained that states are at liberty to give out the grains at subsidized rates, or free of charge or sell it in such a way that it would crash the prices of food items and make them affordable for the common people. Across the sectors of the economy, public and civil servants and even farmers will benefit maximally. Again as I said, NEMA has lots of stock which it will also bring out so that this particular aspect of food security can cushion the effect of the subsidy removal on all Nigerians. This will be done within one or two weeks. In terms of the quantity of the grains that will be distributed, I just learnt from the acting CBN Governor that they have more than 25,200 metric tonnes of grains and almost equivalent number of bags of fertilizer that will be distributed within the time frame. READ ALSO: As for agriculture, everybody knows that they have the buffer stock programme where they have silos and they are all stocked with grains. They have not given out the quantity and I dont want to be presumptuous. The same thing with NEMA because all their stores are there, he said. The governor revealed that NEC had established a robust agreement that states and local governments would be involved in the distribution of the grains. He also said that NEMA would collaborate with the corresponding institutions in the states and local governments so that the grains would be distributed with ease. He said that the council had recognised the need for transparency in the distribution of the grains, assuring that all members of the society would be involved in the exercise. The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Community-Based Organisations and everybody will be involved because the states are involved and of course, at the end of the day, you will see that these things will reach the target, he noted. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Kaduna State Ministry of Health, on Thursday, confirmed an outbreak of diphtheria disease in some communities in Kafanchan, Jemaa Local Government Area. Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacteria infection of the respiratory tract. Its symptoms include sore throat, fever, and a white layer on the throat. It is transmitted through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing and through direct contact with the respiratory fluid. It has a high fatality rate of up to 20 per cent, especially in children under five. Mohammed Shehu, the chief press secretary to the governor of the state, Uba Sani, said the governor had directed the Kaduna State Ministry of Health to send an emergency team to investigate the outbreak. According to the statement, a preliminary report from the Ministry revealed that the disease was first recorded in Kafanchan at the beginning of July. This came after several reports were made about residents in Takau Ward, Kafanchan A and Kafanchan B wards, exhibiting symptoms listed as difficulty breathing, high fever, cough, general body weakness, sore throat, and neck swelling. Mr Sani, while commending the health officials for their prompt response to the health emergency, urged them to continue to carry out their tasks diligently and ensure that the disease is contained and eradicated. Actions taken by the Ministry so far include the movement of affected cases to adequately equipped hospitals for proper management, active case searches, contact tracing and intensive community sensitisation in all affected communities and surrounding areas. In line with these efforts, residents of Kaduna are advised to take steps to prevent the spread of the disease by staying clean and making their environment clean. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian National Assembly has written to the federal government seeking the provision of relief materials to people whose homes and properties were ravaged by flood in the Sagamu and Ijebu areas of Ogun State. The letter was a sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by Gbenga Daniel (APC, Ogun East) on the urgent need for the federal government to intervene in the flooding incidents in the areas. Mr Daniel, while presenting his motion at the plenary on 5 July, complained that many lives in his constituency have been lost, and many properties have been damaged by flooding that occurred in the past. In the motion, the senator also noted that the federal government must make appropriate provisions for controlling flooding from the September to November rainfall to prevent casualties that may arise from flooding in the future. READ ALSO: The Senate subsequently granted the motion and directed the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sani Tambawal, to communicate the resolution to the appropriate authorities for necessary action. Mr Tambawal, through a letter dated 7 July, transmitted a resolution of the Senate to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Federal Ministry of Water Resources for prompt action on the flooding incidents. Letter URGENT NEED TO INTERVENE IN THE FLOODING ISSUES IN SAGAMU, IJEBU AREAS OF OGUN EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT, OGUN STATE, EDU AND PATIGI AREAS OF KWARA NORTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF KWARA STATE AND OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY (S/Res/005/01/23) The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, at its sitting on Wednesday, 5th July, 2023, deliberated on the above Motion and consequently resolved to: (i) urge relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to release funds as provided in the 2023 Appropriation Act for dredging of blocked canals and water bodies, amongst others; (ii) urge the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to revisit the proposed construction of Dasin Hausa Dam and any other Dams, as the case may be, to take in the flood waters from Lagdo Dam in Cameroun; (iii) urge National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send Relief Materials to the affected victims in Sagamu, ljebu Areas of Ogun East Senatorial District. Ogun State, Edu and Patigi Local Government of Kwara State and other parts of the country: (iv) urge the Federal Government of Nigeria jointly with State Governments and the Federal Capital Territory to gather flooding empirical data and provide engineering solutions as permanent solutions like irrigation sites, power generation sites and treated waters for drinking/household usage. In doing this, the flooding, problems in Nigeria will be used to the advantage of the nation; and 2 (v) urge the Federal Government to revisit the issue of dredging rivers Niger and Benue as part of the permanent solutions to the problem of flooding in Nigeria. 2 The purpose of this letter is to convey the above Senate Resolutions to you and to request that you kindly bring same to the attention of Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, for necessary action. 3. A copy of the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 5th July 2023, containing the text of the Resolutions, is attached to this letter for your guidance. 4. Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu on Friday in Kaduna said Nigeria and the neighbouring countries in the Lake Chad region must display courage in reforming their military doctrine and practices. The president noted that the change in tactics had become necessary because the countries in the region are battling a mobile and elusive irregular force that disregards established rules of warfare. Speaking at the graduation ceremony of Senior Course 45 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, the president pointed out that the adversaries facing countries in the sub-region are not conventional armies engaging in traditional battlefield warfare. The Nigerian leader, who encouraged African countries to work together against common threats, acknowledged the multinational efforts of Nigeria, Cameroon, the Niger Republic, and Chad to bring peace to the Lake Chad region. He reinforced his message that the collaboration should serve as a commendable example to be emulated and improved on wherever necessary. We must also be brave enough to reform military doctrine and practice. We do not face a conventional army on the traditional field of battle. No, we contend against mobile, elusive irregular forces that disdain the normal rules of warfare. We must adjust accordingly to subdue the menace. This shall require a change in mindset, in strategy, in tactics in equipment and in gear. The president also used the occasion to spell out his National Security Objective, saying it would focus on ensuring security, justice, and democratic prosperity through state power. While acknowledging the commitment of the immediate-past government in enhancing the combat readiness of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the president pledged to pick up the pace, by providing the necessary support to the military. As Commander-in-Chief, I have given myself the following charge: to deploy the entire machinery of state power to ensure security of our people and property in a just and democratic society. Under my predecessor, the Armed Forces worked tirelessly toward necessary reforms to enhance combat effectiveness and operational capability. We must now pick up the pace, he said. President Tinubu described the role of the armed forces in combatting Africas greatest challenge of violence and exploitation as crucial, urging them to defend the continent from geopolitical changes and resource competition. We live in a moment of flux. Geopolitical change is afoot. Old alliances and assumptions are being tested as new ones are being shaped. Trade and global economic activity are fast, yet fragile and easily disrupted by war, weather or pandemic. Underlying it all is the often unspoken but urgent competition for precious resources. Water, food, gold, oil and other items have all been placed in contest. READ ALSO: In too many instances, the contest turns violent. Areas that should blossom into economic prosperity and hope become factories of pillage and oppression. In Africa, this condition is perhaps our greatest challenge and harshest injustice. Your role combating this grave evil is crucial. For we call on you to defend not only our land and resources but our people and their democratic existence. Your training was sculpted to fit the imperatives of our times, the president told the 291 graduating officers. Commending the graduates from Nigerias Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as students from Asia and sister African nations, the president underscored the importance of the college and its contributions to professionalism and defence of national interests. Addressing the graduating students from Asia and Africa, the president said their presence in Nigeria is a testimony that national security is not solely achieved through muscle and might, but also in building friendships and alliances based on cooperation, justice, good governance and mutual respect. Notwithstanding the demands of your training, I hope you have enjoyed our customary Nigerian friendliness as well because Nigeria is one of the most hospitable countries you can find. We have opened our arms like friends and brothers to you. To the graduating students from Nigerias Ministries, Departments and Agencies, you have warranted the confidence of your respective organisations. The knowledge gained here will prove invaluable in our mission to harmonise all aspects of government policy and programmes toward the twin goals of national security and national prosperity, he said. The president also commended the colleges efforts in curricula improvement and facility upgrade, encouraging the graduates to stand brave and unwavering in their constitutional responsibilities as defenders of the nation. I leave you with a charge much like the one I gave myself. Your nation has invested much in your training. Much faith has been placed upon your broad shoulders. Our collective safety rests in your hands. Your graduation today is a call to greater duty for the nation you love. May you stand brave and unwavering in the discharge of your constitutional responsibilities, and may you always do honour to the sterling name of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, President Tinubu beseeched the graduands. Prizes At the ceremony, many of the participants who distinguished themselves were awarded various prizes. S.S Yikawe, a squadron leader, got both the Chief of Defence Staff Award (Department of Joint Studies) and Chief of Air Staff Award (Department of Air Warfare) prize. A.A Bako, a major, was awarded for Chief of Army Staff Award (Department of Land Warfare) while K.O. Nwagwu, a Surg Lt Cdr., got the prize for Chief of Naval Staff Award (Department of Maritime Warfare). K.O Adams got the prize for the Commandants Award for Best Non-military Student. PJ Nartey, a major, from Ghana won the Commandants Award for Best International Student. Present at the colourful occasion were Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Kana, all the service chiefs and members of the Diplomatic Corps. Dele Alake Special Adviser to the President (Special Duties, Communications and Strategy) July 21, 2023 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, ejected lawyers, litigants, and journalists, from the proceedings of the trial of Tukur Mamu, who is being tried for terrorism-related offences. The charges stemmed from his suspicious relationship with terrorists that carried out last years attack on a Kaduna-bound train. At the resumed hearing on Friday, the prosecuting counsel from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, E. A Kaswe told the court that the prosecution witnesses were in court for the trial. Mr Kaswe then urged the judge, Inyang Ekwo, to enforce the order granted to the prosecution on Wednesday when the matter came up. May I humbly ask the court to enforce the order granted for all parties not party to the suit to vacate the court, he prayed. Mr Ekwo then ordered everyone to vacate the court, except parties in the suit. The development came in sharp contrast to the original application by the prosecution that journalists accredited to cover the court should be allowed to observe proceedings in the trial. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Ekwo had, on Wednesday, granted an application by the prosecution for the protection of witnesses lined up for the case. The judge granted the application following an ex-parte motion moved by Mr Kaswe to the effect. Moving the ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/96/2023, Mr Kaswe said the application was filed on 15 June. He said the motion was brought pursuant to Section 36(4), (A), (B) of the Nigerian Constitution 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, the FG prayed 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 a 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. Case 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 ten counts of 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 the grounds of ill health. The judge held that the grounds were not cogent enough to grant bail to the defendant facing terrorism-related charges. He also cited Mr Mamus failure to debunk the claims in the counter-affidavit 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 charge, the prosecution accused him of aiding and abetting Boko Haram terrorism attacks against innocent Nigerians. He was accused of collecting 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 attack and another N21 million from other families of the victims 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. He denied all the charges when they were read to him. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The acting chairperson of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulkarim Chukkol, has cautioned new cadets of the agency against corruption. Mr Chukkol spoke on Friday at the passing-out ceremony of 318 detective superintendent cadets at the EFCC Academy in Abuja. Any act of corruption, disloyalty, disobedience to constituted authoritywill be decisively dealt with and the defaulters shown the exit, Mr Chukkol warned. He urged the new detectives to familiarise themselves with EFCCs laws and other statutory obligations to their official duties. Toeing Mr Chukkols admonition, EFCC secretary, George Ekpungu, advised the graduands to uphold the highest levels of integrity and exhibit appreciable standards of decorum in their dealings. We uphold integrity, honesty and highest standardsIf you compromise your office, you will be sent back home to your parents. So parents caution your children on illegalities and avoid putting them under unnecessary pressure, Mr Ekpungu said in a hall packed with parents and relatives of the graduating cadets. Others speak In an impassioned speech to the cadets, the commandant of the EFCC Academy, Ayo Olowonihi, reminded the graduates of the twelve-month journey of rigorous training. He advised them not to let the country down, considering the commissions investment in the cadets training. Mr Olowonihi urged the cadets to imbibe the virtue of truth in exercising their responsibilities. The cadets were trained in legal studies, operations, finance, general studies, forensics, field studies and ICT. The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of awards to outstanding cadets. The best-graduating cadet was Ikotun Sola, while the 1st runner-up was Babalola Marry, and the 2nd runner-up was Olalere Abiodun. Other awardees were Yusuf Mohammed Fawal, who clinched the Best Rifles Award, while the female best max riffles award went to Atele Igyatwen. Hauwa Mohammed grabbed the Award for Best Women Pistol, and Best Man Pistol Award went to Abubakar Sani. The commandant award tagged IT Creative Award of the Year went to two cadets who developed a software application for the EFCC Academy Salim Zakariyya and Anyu Samuel. In May, the anti-graft agency graduated 115 cadets from its academy. At the previous graduation event, the suspended chair of the EFCC, Abdulrasheed Bawa, charged the detectives to shun corrupt practices. The event took place days before the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu and about two weeks before he was suspended from office by the new president. Following Mr Bawas suspension, Mr Chukkol, then director of operations at the commission, stepped in as acting chair of the EFCC. Since Mr Bawas indefinite suspension on 14 June, he has been held by Nigerias spy agency, the State Security Service (SSS). The EFCC has had a chequered leadership succession since its creation in 2003. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print I wish President Bola Ahmed Tinubu success in running the affairs of ECOWAS. One challenge he faces is the growth in importance of globalisation and big power rivalry, with the war in Ukraine and the battle by China and Russia to counter the West, of which West Africa is in the centre of the whirlwind. West Africa must remain focused on its own interests and avoid blind support for any power bloc. At the ECOWAS Summit in Guinea Bissau on 9th July, President Bola Tinubu was elected chairman of ECOWAS. In his acceptance speech, he warned that the threat to peace in the region had reached an alarming proportion, with terrorism and an emerging pattern of military takeovers that the regional body must take concerted action in addressing with the urgency the matters demand. Shortly after, he was in Addis Ababa for the African Union Summit. His first action point as ECOWAS Chairman was establishing the Presidential Troika + 1 (Talon Benin, Embalo Guinea Bissau and Bazoum Niger, alongside Umar Tourray, President of ECOWAS Commission) to develop an immediate action plan to address terrorism and coups detats in West Africa. The four presidents met in Abuja on 18th July and drew up plans to engage Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea on the expeditious return to constitutional rule, credible and inclusive elections. They also proposed a pathway to an expeditious operalisation of ECOWAS Revised Plan of Action for the eradication of terrorism in West Africa. This action-man approach by President Tinubu is raising hopes that Nigeria is now ready to assume once again its traditional leadership role in West Africa, which the country had abandoned for almost two decades. For years, my West African friends have been asking me when will Nigeria return to its role as the leader that organised successful interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Sao Tome and other countries. It was in Mali in 2012 when violent extremists were marching to takeover Bamako, the Malian capital, that the absence of Nigeria was deeply felt and the French had to move in to provide security in the Sahel. Of course, the French failed and have been chased out of many Sahelian countries. Nigeria may not have the resources and strength it had decades back but it still has a capacity to mobilise and initiate significant action. I am part of a group of experts working with ECOWAS/UNDP in developing a Resilience Strategy for ECOWAS and we met earlier this week to develop our workplan. My view is that the history of ECOWAS demonstrates the importance of respecting rights and deepening democracy, if regional integration and human development are to be promoted in West Africa. When ECOWAS was established in 1975 by two pals who were Generals and Heads of State, Gowon and Eyadema, they thought that what was needed was a Club of Dictators built on the then sacred principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries. They believed that governance would continue in the old way and they, as dictators, would protect and provide cover for each other. They were wrong. Misrule had already set trends of authoritarianism, thereby breeding resistance and revolt in many countries. They were also losing control over their own armies, as West Africa became the coup headquarters of the world. General Gowon himself was overthrown about six weeks after the establishment of ECOWAS. The original sin of authoritarianism and bad governance by ECOWAS, as a club of dictators, has created a society that has become difficult to govern. The big story in West Africa in both the Sahelian and Gulf of Guinea parts became the decline of good governance, peace and security. Both states and regional institutions could no longer do their jobs of promoting the security and welfare of citizens. Trust collapsed and the social contract between states and citizens broke down. Youth agency grew dramatically, with a new generation defined by precarious living deciding to benefit from the massive spread of small arms and light weapons in the subregion, to respond to state terror through citizen terror. The age of self-help had arrived. The result was the erosion of state authority and the growth of violent extremism, spread of criminality and banditry, and the explosion of farmer-herder crises in almost all the West African countries. The big story in West Africa in both the Sahelian and Gulf of Guinea parts became the decline of good governance, peace and security. Both states and regional institutions could no longer do their jobs of promoting the security and welfare of citizens. Trust collapsed and the social contract between states and citizens broke down. Meanwhile, ECOWAS had developed a security architecture covering a wide range of areas that involve kinetic and non-kinetic operations, including the conflict prevention framework, preventive diplomacy, the Regional Plan of Action on Fight Against Terrorism 2020-2024 and the ECOWAS Standby Force on Fight Against Terrorism. The challenge that remained was making these instruments operational. West Africa has a high vulnerability to conflicts. It has many of the poorest countries in the contemporary world. It is riddled with identity conflicts organised around ethnicity, religion and citizenship. The region has fratricidal struggles for resources in the land, minerals, water and pasture. The zone is also characterised by population dynamics, with a high birth rate and the creation of a youth bulge that the society is unable to adequately cater for. This was the context that created conditions, in the last three years, for the return of instability and military coups, themselves provoked by democratic regression and the abuse of the incumbency powers of executives currently in office in many West African countries. The challenge today is in developing a strategy for building resilience through improved genuinely democratic governance systems and more effective conflict management strategies in the region. The greatest promise is the strategic use of the ECOWAS normative asset the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance that embodies the constitutional convergence principles as a normative instrument to deepen democracy and rights for the peoples of West Africa. The instrument can be improved for better effect. The greatest promise is the strategic use of the ECOWAS normative asset the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance that embodies the constitutional convergence principles as a normative instrument to deepen democracy and rights for the peoples of West Africa. The instrument can be improved for better effect. Improving and using the instrument could serve the strategic objective of creating the pathway towards fixing the breakdown of the social contract between the state and citizens. The building of resilience could therefore be the renegotiation of this social contract in favour of the people. I wish President Bola Ahmed Tinubu success in running the affairs of ECOWAS. One challenge he faces is the growth in importance of globalisation and big power rivalry, with the war in Ukraine and the battle by China and Russia to counter the West, of which West Africa is in the centre of the whirlwind. West Africa must remain focused on its own interests and avoid blind support for any power bloc. The rise of BRICS and transformation of the global order is very much in the dynamics of pathways to resistance and resilience, and how we are able to negotiate it to our advantage is crucial. A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. The statement of Russian MP Pyotr Tolstoy is nothing more than an attempt to cast a shadow on relations between Azerbaijan and Russia, and it also contradicts the spirit of the Declaration on Allied Cooperation signed by the presidents of the two countries [on February 22, 2022], Azerbaijani MP Azer Badamov told Trend. According to Badamov, in recent years, Azerbaijani-Russian relations have been steadily developing, but, unfortunately, the pro-Armenian politicians of Russia are trying to undermine relations between the two countries, making hostile and provocative statements. "One of the regrettable moments is the increase of propaganda against Azerbaijan in the Russian media. This information attack on our country after the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding the Lachin-Khankendi road isn't random, but they forget that Azerbaijan is an independent country and does not depend on anyone," the Azerbaijani MP said. "Azerbaijan chairs the Non-Aligned Movement, the second largest organization in the world. It was also elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and chaired this organization. In addition, Azerbaijan does not depend on Russia and has been independent for 32 years and is strengthening its independence," he reminded. According to him, Azerbaijani-Russian relations are built on the basis of mutual respect. "Azerbaijan, unlike Armenia, takes steps not on someone's initiative, but on its own. Despite the dissatisfaction of Tolstoy, Zatulin, Milonov and others, Azerbaijan continues its relations with all countries as an independent state. Those who look at Azerbaijan as enemies should know that Azerbaijan has ensured its territorial integrity on the battlefield," Badamov pointed out. Presently, the country also regulates domestic matters in accordance with national law, without discussing them with anyone, the MP further noted. Besides, the territories where Armenian residents live in Azerbaijan's Karabakh and where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed [in accordance with trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] are an integral part of the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan, he stressed. People like Tolstoy and Zatulin, instead of talking about the implementation of the trilateral statement, are trying to justify Armenia, but Azerbaijan continues to demonstrate humanism, leaving the Lachin-Khankendi road open for humanitarian actions and demanding that Armenia comply with the trilateral statement," Badamov said. "They should know that Azerbaijan does not intend to wait forever. We ensured the integrity of our country on the battlefield, we'll also put an end to the issue of the Armenian residents of Karabakh, resolving these issues in accordance with the legislation of Azerbaijan," he said. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Verily, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, we seek His assistance and we ask for His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Him from the evils of ourselves. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide. Whoever He misguides, none can guide. And I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. Dear brothers and sisters, the Sultanate Council announced that due to non-sighting report of the crescent in Nigeria, Wednesday has been declared the first day of Muharram 1445 after the Hijrah (AH). In line with the Sultan, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar declaration of Wednesday, 19 July as the first day of Muharram 1445 After Hijrah, Sokoto has joined the league of states, declaring the day as public holiday. The chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs Sultanate Council, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, had earlier declared Wednesday as the first day of Muharram 1445 After Hijrah, in a statement. The statement explained that 17 July equivalent to the twenty ninth of Dhul-Hijjah 1444 AH, the committee didnt receive any report from the various Moon sighting committees across the country confirming the sighting of the crescent of Muharram. Due to this the Nigerian President and Commander in Chief of the armed forces in Nigeria, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu has felicitated Muslims in Nigeria and all over the world for witnessing a new Islamic year, 1445 AH. He called on all Nigerians to imbibe the values of patience, perseverance and faithfulness as was taught by the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). He also called on all citizens to endure the present challenges and be hopeful assuring that all hands are on deck to deliver on the promises made. The president prayed that the incoming Hijri year will be more peaceful and prosperous. In celebration of the Islamic New Year, also some states across the country have declared the day as a public holiday. Kebbi State government has declared the day public holiday to mark the commencement of the Islamic new year, 1445AH. Also, the Jigawa State government has declared the day work free to mark the Hijrah 1445 (Islamic New Year). Meanwhile, Zamfara, Kwara, Kano, Oyo and Osun State governments have also declared public holiday to mark the new Islamic Year, Hijrah. Also, a team of northern and southern Christian clerics has felicitated Muslims across the country, Africa and the world on the Islamic New Year. Respected servants of Allah, know that one of the marvelous qualities of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was his infinite patience. Allah was with Muhammad (Peace be upon him), as He is always with those who patiently persevere. Allah Almighty says: Allah is certainly with those who patiently persevere. [Quran, 2:153] The Quranic word used for patience is Sabr and there is no English equivalent for it. We can convey the idea of Sabr only by phrases such as endurance against afflictions, patience with delay, perseverance against hardships, steadfastness in the face of setbacks, courage against hostilities, self-restraint against provocations, will power against temptations, and equanimity or calmness of mind as regards fortunes and misfortunes. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was a perfect role model to his followers. His life was the shining example of a man of extraordinary endurance: His father died before his birth; his mother died when he was only 6 years old; and his grandfather who took up his guardianship also died soon. Then it was his uncle Abu Talib who protected him. And when Allah appointed him His last Prophet, he was faced with the most brutal persecution and hostility from his own people. But these harsh experiences of life did not make him a cynic; on the contrary, they perfected his faith in Allah, making him all the more strongly committed to his Allah-given mission. During the 13 years of his life in Makkah as the messenger of Allah, he faced all forms of abuse, boycott, expulsion and threats of physical violence. Yet he never budged an inch away from his mission. Rather he was gentle, considerate and sympathetic even to his enemies. During the early days of his preaching, the people of Makkah had approached him through his uncle Abu Talib and made very tempting offers to him, such as the leadership of the City of Makkah, the most beautiful girl in marriage, and wealth of immense proportions. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) spurned all these offers and said: I swear by the name of Allah, O Uncle, that if they place the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left hand in return for giving up this matter (calling people to Islam), I will never desist until either Allah makes it triumph or I perish defending it. This steadfastness and constancy against temptations was unusual in an Arab of those days. And imagine the day when the Prophet (Peace be upon him) had to leave his home, his city, and his people and emigrate to another place! The Hijrah, as the emigration of the Prophet from Makkah to Madinah is known, was a great sacrifice and a painful decision for the Prophet at the time when he undertook it. But his personal comforts, likes, and dislikes had no value in the face of the immense task before him. One remembers the time when he and his companion Abubakar were almost overcome by their pursuers in the Cave of Thawr. When Abubakar in dismay told the Prophet (Peace be upon him) that they were only two persons against the enemy, he told him with unflinching faith in the Almighty Allah not to grieve, as Allah was with them. Allah in the Quran admonishes the Muslims: If you will not aid him [Prophet Muhammad], Allah certainly aided him when those who disbelieved expelled him, he being the second of the two, when they were both in the cave, when he said to his companion: Grieve not, surely Allah is with us. So Allah sent down His tranquility upon him, strengthened him with hosts that you did not see, and made lowest the word of those who disbelieved; and the word of Allah, that is the highest; and Allah is Mighty, Wise. [Quran, 9:40] He (Peace be upon him) taught his followers: When you ask for anything, ask it from Allah, and if you seek help, seek the help of Allah. Know that if the people were to unite to do you some benefit, they could benefit you only with what Allah had recorded for you, and that if they were to unite to do you some injury, they could injure you only with what Allah had recorded for you. The pens are withdrawn and the pages are dry. [At-Tirmidhi] The source of the Prophets courageous determination in the face of all the traumatic experiences he suffered was his strong faith in Allah and his dependence on Him. The Prophets conviction that Allah was with him when he was struggling with adverse circumstances, is evident from this teaching: Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his, and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer; for if he has an occasion to feel delight, he thanks (Allah); thus there is a good for him in it, and if he gets into trouble and shows resignation (and endures it patiently), there is a good for him in it. [Muslim] The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was always considerate and understanding, even toward those who were ignorant and arrogant towards him. Indeed his gentleness and patience with them earned their love and respect, as Allah Almighty says in the Quran: Thus it is due to mercy from Allah that you deal with them gently, and had you been rough and hard-hearted, they would certainly have dispersed from around you. [Quran, 3:159] An incident at the Prophets Mosque in Madinah demonstrates how lenient and kind the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was to ignorant people. Abu Hurairah reports: A bedouin urinated in the Mosque and some people rushed to beat him. The Prophet said, Leave him alone and pour a bucket of water over it. You have been sent to make things easy and not to make them difficult. [Al-Bukhari] Once a man approached the Prophet (Peace be upon him) seeking advice, and the Prophet said: Do not get angry. The man asked for advice several times and the Prophet replied every time: Do not get angry. [Al-Bukhari] The questioner was probably one disposed to a quick temper, and so the Prophet (Peace be upon him) was stressing the need to control his anger. The Prophet also said: He who is deprived of forbearance and gentleness is, in fact, deprived of all good. [Muslim] We may remember the day of Makkah Victory: The Prophet reentered the city after 10 long years of living in Madinah. Practically there was no opposition to him. The whole of Makkah lay at his feet as he marched in. His enemies stood in surrender awaiting his verdict, and he could very well have cried havoc or let slip the dogs of war as the triumphant commanders of those days used to do. Instead, in a historic break from the old tradition, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) gave amnesty to all his former enemies. He told them: You may go. You are a free people. [Authenticated by Al-Albani] Unfaltering loyalty to the cause of Allah is the virtue of Prophets. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was a brilliant example of a man committed to his divinely appointed mission. So it is no wonder that he stood firm against all opposition and finally succeeded in winning over the hearts and minds of millions. For those who practice Sabr (Patience) in Islam, there is always the unfailing promise and prospect of a never-ending world of felicity. Be Patience, In Shaa Allah With Every Difficulty And Sufferings There Is Relief Dear brothers and sisters, Allah Almighty says: So, verily, with every difficulty, there is relief. Verily, with every difficulty there is relief. [Quran, 94:5-6] The above Quranic verse is full of hope that inspires and motivates us and shows that there is always a bright light at the end of the tunnel. Whenever we are in any difficulty, the above verse inspires us to patiently persevere in our efforts and place our full hope and trust in Allah the Almighty. Allah is the Best of Planners, and during times of difficulty, as well as during times of ease, we should always remember and resort to Him. When we patiently strive in the path of Allah then we prepare ourselves to receive Allahs kindness. Allah Almighty says: And Allah is full of pity for (His) servants. [Quran, 3:30] In addition, Allah in His mercy and kindness has appointed angels to protect us and to pray for our forgiveness. Allah the Most High says: Lo! There are above you guardians, generous and recording, who know (all) that you do. [Quran, 82:10-12] And He the Most High says: Almost might the heavens above be rent asunder while the angels hymn the praise of their Lord and ask forgiveness for those on the earth. Lo! Allah is the Forgiver, the Merciful. [Quran, 42:5] Dear servants of Allah, relief Comes After Difficulty When one is striving in Allahs path, one should have a goal and set ones sights on that goal. With every striving there will be obstacles success does not come easily. But patience and perseverance, together with an unshakeable belief in Almighty Allah, give one the impetus to carry on despite the difficulty and despite the hardships, with the knowledge that the suffering will end and that the striving will bear fruit. Allah Almighty says: And that man has only that for which he make effort. And that his effort will be seen. And afterward he will be repaid for it with fullest payment. [Quran, 53:39-41] Continuous striving is the only way to overcome obstacles. It was only through striving, persistence, and perseverance, that apartheid in South Africa was dismantled although many people thought it impossible. Similarly, it was only through the same striving and surmounting huge obstacles that the Berlin Wall came crumbling down and that Communism failed. So too will all oppressors come tumbling down. The will of a people inspired by freedom and the return of their land, together with hope as their rocket fuel, will propel them to confront the oppressor as they look forward to victory and might. Allah has promised that His religion will prevail. He the Most High says: Allah has decreed: Lo! I verily shall conquer, I and My messengers. Lo! Allah is Strong, Almighty. [Quran, 58:21] Many believers all over the world are being mistreated and tortured simply for their belief. They are suffering various forms of difficulties and hardships. Allah Almighty says: They had naught against them save that they believed in Allah, the Mighty, the Owner of Praise. [Quran, 85:8] The oppressors parade the earth with injustice, brutal arrogance, racism, and discrimination, regarding one race or nation more worthy of respect than another and having total disregard for fairness, justice, mercy, compassion. They show no fear of Allah. Yet their time will come soon and they will face a humiliating punishment. Media blackouts, propaganda, lies, and conspiracies will not help them on the day when all will be revealed. He the Most High says: Those who disbelieve assert that they will not be raised again. Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Yes, verily, by my Lord, you will be raised again and then you will be informed of what you did; and that is easy for Allah. [Quran, 64:7] Those who oppose Allah and His Messenger will be abased even as those before them were abased; and We have sent down clear tokens, and for disbelievers is a shameful doom. [Quran, 58:5] Lo! The guilty used to laugh at those who believed. [Quran, 83:29] This day it is those who believe who have the laugh of disbelievers. [Quran, 83:34] Dear brothers and sisters, these Quranic verses inspire us and fill our hearts to the brim with hope. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation; may Allah extol the mention of our noble Prophet Muhammad in the highest company of Angels, bless him and give him peace and securityand his family, his Companions and all those who follow him correctly and sincerely until the establishment of the Hour. Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumuah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okenes Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761. This Jumuah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today, Friday, Muharram 03, 1445 AH (July 21, 2023). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print By remembering the life of Professor Omotoso, I am paying tribute to the one whose ideas and principles will continue to profoundly impact intellectual and emotional spheres into the foreseeable future. His significant contributions to literature, his dedication to advancing social fairness, and the mentoring provided to aspiring intellectuals have left an indelible mark on the literary conversation in Africa and beyond. Within the field of African literature, the famous figure of Professor Kole Omotoso stands out as a luminary, exemplifying extraordinary intellectual acumen, firm ethical convictions, and steadfast devotion to advancing the welfare of society. He is seen as a figure who illuminates the way for others. My deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of this remarkable Nigerian author and professor, whose passing at 80 has left a legacy that will be felt for a long time in the world of literature and beyond. We were separated by two houses at the campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, and I knew his late wife and three children in the 1980s. He supported my projects, most notably The Encyclopedia of the Yoruba, to which he contributed an entry and money for its free distribution. Professor Omotoso was a highly esteemed scholar in the field of African literature. He established himself as a prominent figure within the literary community by demonstrating extraordinary knowledge of various literary genres, showing competency as a playwright and essayist, in addition to his noteworthy achievements as a novelist. His writing abilities are readily apparent in his significant works, such as the books The Edifice, The Combat, and Just Before Dawn, on which I was privileged to have organised a Workshop. Each piece of his work thoroughly analyses the human condition by digging into topics such as personal identity, cultural dynamics, and the intricacies inherent in post-colonial African society. In addition to his literary accomplishments, the quality that most distinguished him was his unshakeable commitment to maintaining his moral integrity. Professor Omotoso believed that the formation of human identity should be based on ethical standards, and he demonstrated these ideals by committing himself with unflinching determination. His writing was always infused with a powerful sense of integrity and conviction, which made them powerful catalysts for the development of society. Throughout his life, Professor Omotoso was a zealous champion for folks on the periphery of society. As a result, he was looked up to as an inspirational figure by succeeding generations of authors and thinkers. Amid oppressive ideologies and authoritative governance, he courageously spoke the truth to those in positions of power. He did not fear the potential repercussions, aligning himself with the general populace to facilitate constructive transformations. His dedication to social justice was clear from his writings and active participation in initiatives to support underrepresented communities and further the values of fairness and impartiality. This made his commitment to social justice more obvious than it would have been otherwise. Professor Omotoso exuded a sense of infectious confidence because he was convinced that his work ought to be self-explanatory. This belief was the source of his self-assurance. His literary works stimulated enjoyment and provided information, posed challenges to prevalent social problems, and pushed for a more just and equitable society. One of his most notable contributions to the field of African literature was his participation in the compilation of the anthology, Modern African Literature, in which he collaborated with other esteemed writers. These efforts contributed to establishing the African literary discourse as a canonical body of knowledge, which was one of his goals during these endeavours. Professor Omotoso established himself as a prominent figure and an influential member of his social circle by taking a pragmatic approach to drawing attention to his actions, or lack thereof. He made a conscious decision to forego the pursuit of monetary fortune, focusing his energy on maximising the transformative potential of his writing instrument, rather than accumulating wealth for himself. Respect and reverence were bestowed upon him by those who had the good fortunes of becoming acquainted with him because of his devotion to noble values. Professor Omotosos literary works are potent representations of his firm commitment to bringing about positive social change, and they function in this capacity admirably. He demonstrated a dual position within society, acting as a sharp observer and an involved participant. He also used his literary skills and works to advocate transformative measures, question prevalent norms, and stimulate constructive undertakings. Professor Omotosos dedication to equality and fairness exceeded academic considerations. Omotoso fostered a spirit of camaraderie and generosity by cultivating robust interpersonal connections with individuals across various hierarchies. As a result, those with whom he connected were profoundly and indelibly impacted by this spirit. His compelling pedagogical style was an inspiration for a large number of students, which helped to establish him as a beloved mentor for aspiring authors and thinkers. Also, his genuine dedication to providing attentive support and doling out excellent advice further cemented his role in this capacity. Professor Omotosos literary works are potent representations of his firm commitment to bringing about positive social change, and they function in this capacity admirably. He demonstrated a dual position within society, acting as a sharp observer and an involved participant. He also used his literary skills and works to advocate transformative measures, question prevalent norms, and stimulate constructive undertakings. His words have been an inspiration to a great number of people, and his thoughts will continue to provoke profound reflection and contemplation in the minds of readers all over the world. Transcending territorial boundaries, Professor Omotosos literary skills earned him acclaim and respect on a global scale. His works have been published in several countries, surpassing the bounds of geography and earning broad recognition and respect from readers worldwide. International fame was bestowed upon him due to the excellent ways he portrayed the complexity of human nature and African culture in his writing. The penetration of his literary works allowed the promotion of African literature to a wider spectrum of readers, enabling individuals from various cultural backgrounds to actively interact with his enthralling narrative. Professor Omotoso rose to fame as a highly sought-after presenter at several global literary gatherings, academic conferences, and cultural festivals, due to the growing acknowledgement of his achievements. His captivating narrative style and astute analysis of societal issues kept readers and listeners interested in what he had to say. By participating in these exchanges, he developed connections with authors and academics from different countries, thereby cultivating an international network of intellectual luminaries who shared the same goal of fostering intercultural comprehension and achieving societal change. Notably, Professor Omotosos efforts to promote the transmission of African literature on an international scale played a significant part in increasing his admiration within the greater global literary community. He successfully challenged the prevalent Western-centric perspective on literature through his written works. In doing so, he expanded the intellectual horizons of global readers by demolishing preconceptions connected with Africa and ending misconceptions about the continent. In addition to his role as a professor, he played a substantial and pioneering part in the academic research field of African literature. His contributions have been both significant and groundbreaking. As a result of his extensive understanding of African oral traditions and the merging of those traditions with written literature, he produced powerful works that significantly altered the academic discussion. Professor Omotosos scholarly works and literary compositions delve into the complicated interplay between culture, language, and literature. They illuminate the profound importance of language as a formidable instrument for preserving cultural legacy and articulating individual identity. His analysis in his writings highlighted the intricate interrelationships between literary texts and socio-cultural situations, offering a better understanding of common literary practices in Africa. As we reflect on the passing of this towering figure in the world of writing, we are compelled to realise the huge void that his passing has left within the world of literature and among those who were fortunate enough to have known him. His life and efforts have unquestionably left a positive legacy that has impacted our globe and will continue to impact future generations. This is a legacy that will endure for generations to come. During his work as a teacher of many students, he was an example worthy of emulation, encouraging an emerging generation of academics to become involved with African literature. His scholarly contributions went beyond the scope of his research pursuits; therefore, he significantly impacted the academic world. This, in turn, was a factor in establishing a family tree of academics committed to investigating the complex and varied parts of the literary heritage of the African continent. Professor Omotosos literary works captivated readers and permeated various art forms. As a result, they have contributed to enhancing popular culture and elicited innovative responses from audiences. His engaging narratives have been brought to life through lively enactments of the several literary works. Furthermore, Professor Omotosos body of work has motivated contemporary artists, musicians, and visual producers to attempt to capture the essential ideas and motifs of his narratives within their creative mediums. The tales he constructed were a backdrop for intellectually stimulating artistic renditions about issues such as personal identity, societal equity, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Professor Omotosos work evolved significantly throughout his career, echoing the shifts that have taken place in the literary world and the social environment through which his narratives have been analysed. The authors earlier works garnered praise from reviewers for their insightful assessment of Nigerian society and their captivating representation of diverse characters attempting to navigate the difficulties of a post-colonial setting. These aspects of his work were particularly lauded. As he proceeded to investigate the complexities surrounding identity and cultural heritage issues, he gained recognition for his ability to successfully reconcile the contrast between traditional and modern components. This capacity served the purpose of highlighting the universal character of human experiences, which transcended cultural boundaries. Professor Omotosos literary style underwent a discernible evolution as he progressed on his career path, gradually becoming more nuanced and including elements of experimentation in the process. His works displayed a tremendous command of the English language, adopting intricate literary strategies to effectively transmit deeper levels of relevance. Critics have praised Omotosos talent for evoking a range of feelings through evocative imagery and poetic language. This has helped establish him as a leading figure in literary history renowned for his profound intellect and refined artistic sensibilities. His distinctive literary voice garnered increased attention and admiration due to the expansion of societys ideas on African literature. Due to his propensity to challenge preexisting standards and experiment with alternative narrative structures, he was often regarded as a seminal figure in the history of literary innovation. This forward-thinking approach to African storytelling broadened the minds of aspiring authors and provided them with new paths to investigate, which enlarged their horizons. As we reflect on the passing of this towering figure in the world of writing, we are compelled to realise the huge void that his passing has left within the world of literature and among those who were fortunate enough to have known him. His life and efforts have unquestionably left a positive legacy that has impacted our globe and will continue to impact future generations. This is a legacy that will endure for generations to come. Professor Omotosos excellent contributions have not only improved the field of literature but have also served as a source of inspiration for meeting the many problems that can be found in the world with an amazing level of bravery. By remembering the life of Professor Omotoso, I am paying tribute to the one whose ideas and principles will continue to profoundly impact intellectual and emotional spheres into the foreseeable future. His significant contributions to literature, his dedication to advancing social fairness, and the mentoring provided to aspiring intellectuals have left an indelible mark on the literary conversation in Africa and beyond. For all of us, his literary legacy will continue to serve as a wellspring of motivation and illumination, and we pray that his soul will rest in eternal peace. Kole, your tent pitched with the great lined up with Petronius, unravelling communal senses, beating common sense into towers high. So, the apex would mumble to beat back, repairing the town or tuning you out of it. Omotoso, keeper of the collective wisdom. Well-laid down like Ifa, provoking, invoking, and unveiling metamorphosis; that could drive Africa to the coast of Olokun and Olosa, bringing coveted hope, faith, and fate Through ink-stained nights, rays from glass-stained windows a golden heart and parchments grace, you weave a tapestry of the human race, and of Africa, of its giant and the rainbow nation With quill in hand, scrolls allayed, and dreams in sight, a vision and path, clear, bold, and right you crafted. You spoke to the soul of the Giant of Africa, Planting seeds on its soil to quicken it. Told its crippling wills and limbs, Of silent stories vast, and of salient hopes that feed The minds of millions, young and old, to hold the head to work the body. Bankole Omotoso, your Baba named you well, He saw the vision of a jewel social builder, Building the mind, the town, and Africa. You are an African pride evidenced by scrolls, By your art, you called the world, and it marvelled The Yebo Gogo man in the heart of the Rainbow Nation, Painted joy, imagination, and theatrics, Engaging the freedom calls, The streets salutations, And the limp for hope. Just before dawn, They say the darkest hour prevails. But you, an epitome of hope of the dawn to come Have left just before the dawn You raised the dusk And disappeared in the midst of this dark From this plane, you have transcended, But Kole, you have scrolled the fireflies, Lighting our paths through these darks Your ship might have sailed at Cape Town But from the crust of the Soweto, Through Johannesburg and the surge of Lagos, To the cradles of Akure, where it all began, Your footprints are evident even on the rocks Good Night, Yebo Gogo Man. Toyin Falola, a professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin, is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print There is growing concern in Yobe State over the rapidly spreading cases of diphtheria. Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the respiratory system, causing a thick, greyish membrane to form in the throat, obstructing airways and leading to potentially fatal complications if left untreated. The disease can also impact other organs, including the heart and nervous system. Health officials in Yobe State have reported a surge in diphtheria cases over the past few weeks, and they said the situation is becoming increasingly critical. According to the state government, there are 289 active cases of the disease in the state. A statement by the states director of information, Husaini Ibrahim, said health workers are working round the clock to contain the outbreak. According to the statement, the senior special assistant to the governor on Health, Muhammad Gana said Diphtheria which is currently ravaging the country is now recorded in the state with the highest case records in Nguru. Other LGAS affected affected are Gulani, Bursari,Potiskum, Tarmuwa, Damaturu and Nangere, The active cases are currently in the isolation centres of Specialist Hospitals Potiskum and Damaturu. 289 cases have been treated and discharged. Yobe state government and partners have been making various interventions in fighting the outbreak, while the sector is strategising a more coordinated result-oriented means of preventing, managing, and ending the cases in the state, the statement added. The reasons behind the sudden outbreak are still under investigation, but experts believe that factors such as low vaccination rates, limited access to healthcare facilities, and poor sanitation may be contributing to the diseases rapid spread. In response to the escalating crisis, the Yobe State government and the Nigerian health authorities have implemented emergency measures to curb the spread of diphtheria. Some of the steps include: Mass Vaccination Campaigns: Health workers are conducting extensive vaccination drives across the state to immunise as many people as possible. Vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to prevent diphtheria and control its transmission. Surveillance and Contact Tracing: A robust surveillance system has been put in place to identify and isolate affected individuals promptly. Health teams are also tracing contacts of confirmed cases to detect potential carriers and administer preventive treatment. Treatment and Isolation Centers: Specialised treatment and isolation centres have been set up to care for infected individuals and prevent further disease transmission. Public Awareness and Education: Authorities are launching awareness campaigns to educate the public about diphtheria symptoms, prevention methods, and the importance of seeking medical attention immediately if any symptoms arise. International health organisations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are collaborating with Nigerian health authorities to provide support, expertise, and medical supplies to combat the outbreak effectively. As the situation unfolds, health officials and the Yobe State government urge residents to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with the emergency response measures. They also emphasise the significance of vaccination as a preventive measure against diphtheria and other infectious diseases. Residents and travellers in and around Yobe State are advised to maintain good personal hygiene, avoid close contact with infected individuals, and seek medical attention promptly if they experience any symptoms related to diphtheria, such as sore throat, fever, and difficulty breathing. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, reaffirmed its order directing the security agencies in the country to provide maximum security to Murtala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP)s candidate in the 11 November governorship election in Kogi Justice Inyang Ekwo restated the order at the beginning of the hearing in the suit instituted by Mr Ajaka against incumbent Governor Yahaya Bello and others. He also restrained the defendants from arresting or detaining him pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit Justice Ekwo warned that since all the parties had submitted themselves before the court, they should not take steps that would either overreach themselves or jeopardise the trial. The judge subsequently adjourned the hearing until 21 September. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Ajaka had filed the suit over the alleged threat to his life and members of his family. He also accused the defendants of planning to arrest and prosecute him over alleged complicity in terrorist activities in the state. The plaintiff had, on 11 July, filed an ex-parte application praying the court to restrain the security agencies from arresting, inviting, detaining or threatening his life and property pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit. The security agencies, by the order, were to guarantee the safety of the SDP candidate, pending the hearing of a suit filed before the court. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/952/2023, Mr Ajaka sued Governor Bello, the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, Commissioner of Police (Kogi State), Department of State Service (DSS), Director General of DSS, Director DSS (Kogi), Commandant-General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Naval Staff as 1st to 11th respondents respectively. In the case, he sought an order restraining the respondents, their agents, servants and anybody acting through or under them from arresting, inviting, detaining or threatening the applicants life and property pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit. An order compelling the 2nd 11th respondents to immediately provide maximum security to the applicant in Abuja FCT, Kogi State and elsewhere in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Kano State Government has ordered the immediate suspension of three principals of public secondary schools for dereliction of duty. The government however rewarded another for diligence to work. This is contained in a statement issued by the Director, Public Enlightenment, Ministry of Education, Ameen Yassar, in Kano on Friday. The schools affected are G.G.S.S. Dawanau, G.G.S.S. Kwa and G.A.S.S. Dawanau, all in Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area. Meanwhile, the commissioner has directed that the Principal of Government Girls Secondary School Harbau, in Tsanyawa Local Government Area, be rewarded for her diligence. The state Commissioner for Education, Umar Doguwa, announced this shortly after visiting the schools between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Friday, where he found out that the affected principals had not reported to their duty posts. He said that all three principals have routinely absconded from work on Fridays for quite some time. This administration will not condone truancy, lateness or any form of official misconduct, therefore, these principals are suspended forthwith, he said. The commissioner directed that new and competent principals be posted to the three affected schools immediately to ensure that academic activities were not disrupted. READ ALSO: Police vow to clamp down on Kano pharmaceutical traders rejecting relocation Mr Doguwa also directed that four teachers at GGSS Kwa and two at GASS Dawanau be queried for truancy. The action of these principals and teachers depicts unseriousness. We are a serious government and we will not allow uncommitted people to ruin our plans for education, he warned. (NAN) AAG/MST Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police in Anambra State, south-east Nigeria, said they have arrested two gunmen in Obosi, a community in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state. The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Friday. Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said the two suspects were among a three-member gang which operated in the area on Thursday when police operatives intercepted them. He said the hoodlums were intercepted while operating in a tricycle along Littlewood Estate. READ ALSO: The gang which engaged police operatives in a firefight bowed to superior firepower of the operatives who arrested two of them with gunshot wounds, he said, adding that the third suspect managed to escape. The police spokesperson gave the suspects names as Amaechi Precious, 25, an indigene of the community and Almazer Avalumo, 25, who hails from Adikpo in Benue State, north-central Nigeria. Two Beretta pistols and two rounds of ammunition were among the items recovered from the hoodlums, according to the police. The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Aderemi Adeoye, has charged the police operatives to sustain the fight against criminals in the state, Mr Ikenga said. Mr Adeoye asked residents of the state to contact the police in the event of a security breach in their neighbourhoods. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. We will return more than 150,000 people to both Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur within the next three years, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Trend reports. To the Karabakh region alone, 140,000 people are expected to return by 2026. I already hope that next year the first residents will arrive and settle down in the city of Shusha, the head of state emphasized. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. CNA | By Ting-Hsuan Tseng and Chao Yen-hsiang PARIS, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Taiwan Creative Content Agent (TAICCA) has teamed up Mangas.io, a French subscription-based digital comic platform, to showcase 18 Taiwanese comics at the Japan Expo in Paris from July 13-16. The TAICCA had hit upon the idea of having works from Taiwan featured at Mangas.io's booth in part due to the Japanese influence on Taiwanese "T-Manga," a spokesperson of the agency said at the expo. According to the TAICCA, French readers are already familiar with the style of manga, with sales of such works in France already outstripping those of local Franco-Belgium comics (Bande dessinee) in recent years. The TAICCA, supervised by Taiwan's Ministry of Culture, is a professional intermediary organization that promotes the development of the country's cultural industries. Yun Inada, Manga.io's director of operations, told CNA that "T-Manga" had an opportunity to thrive in the French market given that the digital rights to Japanese and South Korean comics were relatively difficult for European publishers to obtain. One of the Taiwanese titles featured at the Mangas.io booth is Xiaodao's Golden Comic Awards Comic of the Year winner "The Lion In Manga Library", which tells the story of a book store owner and former Go champion who meets a mysterious young man holding a "wish coupon." On the opening day of Japan Expo, which is expected to attract 250,000 visitors over four days, Inada praised the ink-wash painting style and eclectic narratives of Taiwanese comics. Inada said Taiwan could learn from South Korea by creating a comprehensive promotional strategy leveraging the country's music, movies, TV series, food and comics. Enditem/ASG Media Contact: Ms. Leila Lee leila.lee@taicca.tw SOURCE CNA NEW YORK, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 3D printing market in healthcare industry is estimated to grow by USD 3,434.79 million from 2022 to 2027, growing at a CAGR of 18.12%. North America is estimated to account for 36% of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period. The demand for 3D-printed healthcare products is increasing due to a rapidly aging population and the growing need for advanced healthcare services. In Canada, the population aged 65 and above is projected to exceed 7 million by 2022. With rising disposable incomes, customers in the region have access to technologically advanced healthcare services. The adoption of 3D-printed healthcare products in North America is supported by favorable government policies, the presence of local suppliers, and the increasing number of vendors developing such products. These factors are expected to drive market growth in the region. For Comprehensive details on the market size of historic period(2017 to 2021) and forecast period (2023-2027) - View Sample report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global 3D Printing Market in Healthcare Industry 2023-2027 Key Developments: Rapid advances in technology, intense competition, and changing dynamics in the market are the key factors for the intense competition among vendors. With the rising competition, the market will see consolidation. However, manufacturing complexities and high production costs pose significant risk factors for vendors in the market. Market Dynamics Major Drivers & Challenges- Increased demand for personalized or customized medical devices is the major factor driving market growth. 3D printing enables personalization by creating patient-specific anatomical models and synthetic organs, aiding in the understanding of health conditions and treatment plans. Customized surgical instruments, including clamps, hemostats, and forceps, improve surgical outcomes and reduce discomfort. These instruments, made from biocompatible materials using 3D printing technology, offer higher precision at lower costs. The use of 3D-printed implants can minimize cosmetic deformities associated with surgeries. In the field of joint prostheses, 3D printing allows for tailored construction, enhancing patient comfort. Customized prosthetics, particularly beneficial for growing children, can be produced cost-effectively with 3D printing technology. The majority of ear-fitting hearing aids are custom-made using 3D printing, offering efficient and cost-effective customization based on the patient's unique ear canal anatomy. These factors contribute to increased market growth during the forecast period. High initial setup cost of 3D printing facilities is a major challenge hindering the growth of the market. The widespread adoption of 3D printed healthcare products is limited by their high capital costs. These costs primarily stem from the necessary equipment for 3D printing or outsourced print service contracts, as well as sophisticated post-processing software. The price range for desktop FDM or SLA machines is typically $3,000 to $15,000, while higher-end additive manufacturing printers (SLS, material jetting, metal printing) can range from $200,000 to $850,000 or even several million dollars. Proprietary raw materials sold by 3D printer manufacturers also contribute to the high costs. Additionally, significant investments in training or hiring skilled personnel are required to ensure the production of high-quality devices. Clinical 3D printing laboratories need trained staff to handle the printing process. The time required to produce most 3D prints varies depending on the number of layers and can range from hours to days. This limits the practicality of using 3D printers for mass manufacturing unless a large number of printers are purchased and operated simultaneously. These factors are anticipated to impede the market's growth during the forecast period. Key Trends- Strategic collaborations and M&A is an emerging trend shaping market growth. The global 3D printing market in the healthcare industry is experiencing a rise in strategic collaborations, with research centers aiming to develop new technologies and expand the application scope of this technology. In April 2021, the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston applied for US FDA approval for its 3D-printed hearing aids. The market also shows an increasing trend in mergers and acquisitions. In March 2021, 3D Systems announced a collaboration with Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding division to develop Copper-Nickel (CuNi) and Nickel-Copper (NiCu) alloys for powder bed fusion additive manufacturing. These factors are expected to drive the market's growth during the forecast period. Technavio has identified key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market, which will help clients improve their strategies to stay ahead of their competitors. - View Sample Report Vendor Landscape The 3D printing market in the healthcare industry is fragmented; the vendors are competing with competitors and are trying to get greater market share. The market is growing, and the chances of new entrants cannot be overlooked. The major vendors have well-established economies of scale and market presence and generally rely on positioning technological advances, and the price of the products -The report provides a full list of key vendors, their strategies, and the latest developments. Buy Now Company Profiles The 3D printing market in the healthcare industry report includes information on the product launches, sustainability, and prospects of leading vendors, including 3D Systems Corp., Allevi Inc., Anatomics Pty Ltd., Dentsply Sirona Inc., Desktop Metal Inc., EOS GmbH, Formlabs Inc., General Electric Co., Groupe Gorge SA, INTAMSYS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD., Materialise NV, Mecuris GmbH, Organovo Holdings Inc., Proto Labs Inc., Rapid Shape GmbH, Renishaw Plc, Roland DG Corp., SLM Solutions Group AG, Stratasys Ltd., and Ultimaker BV. Competitive Analysis The report includes competitive analysis, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their industry position score and market performance score. The competitive scenario categorizes companies based on various performance indicators. Some of the factors considered include the financial performance of companies over the past few years, growth strategies, product innovations, new product launches, investments, and growth in market share, among others. Market Segmentation The market is segmented by application (orthopedic and spinal, dental, hearing aids, and others), technology (stereolithography, granular materials binding, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World (ROW)). The market share growth by the orthopedic and spinal segment will be significant during the forecast period. 3D printing is utilized for the production of standard-sized orthopedic implants, patient-specific implants for individuals with typical bone and joint anatomy, and custom 3D-printed implants for individuals with bone or joint deformities. Increasingly, hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers are adopting 3D printing to fabricate orthopedic implants. This technology enables the manufacturing of complex structures that cannot be produced through conventional methods and facilitates the creation of devices tailored to a patient's unique anatomy. Additionally, 3D printing is employed in the fabrication of prosthetic limbs, accelerating the manufacturing process and reducing costs compared to traditional methods, while maintaining the same level of functionality. These cost-effective products are particularly suitable for children who experience rapid growth and require frequent prosthetic adjustments. These factors contribute to the growth of this segment during the forecast period. Register for a trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The hearing aids 3D printing devices market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 17.16% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 382.66 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (hospitals, clinics, and others), product (3D printing services, 3D printing materials, 3D printing hardware, and 3D printing software), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)). The rising number of hearing aids users is one of the major drivers impacting the hearing aids 3D printing devices market. Dental 3D Printing Devices Market size is estimated to grow by USD 1,588.84 million between 2022 and 2027 accelerating at a CAGR of 20.5% during the forecast period. This report extensively covers market segmentation by application (restorative dentistry and orthodontics), end-user (dental laboratories, dental clinics, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of World (ROW)). The cost efficiency and enhanced productivity of dental devices with 3D printing is the key factor driving the global dental 3D printing devices market growth. 3D Printing Market in Healthcare Industry Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 18.12% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 3,434.79 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 17.35 Regional analysis North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World (ROW) Performing market contribution North America at 36% Key countries US, Germany, France, China, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled 3D Systems Corp., Allevi Inc., Anatomics Pty Ltd., Dentsply Sirona Inc., Desktop Metal Inc., EOS GmbH, Formlabs Inc., General Electric Co., Groupe Gorge SA, INTAMSYS TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD., Materialise NV, Mecuris GmbH, Organovo Holdings Inc., Proto Labs Inc., Rapid Shape GmbH, Renishaw Plc, Roland DG Corp., SLM Solutions Group AG, Stratasys Ltd., and Ultimaker BV Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Table of contents 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Application Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Technology 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 3D printing market in healthcare industry market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on Global 3D printing market in healthcare industry market 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 Application Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size Application Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 Technology Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Technology 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 Application 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Application Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Application Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Application 6.3 Orthopedic and spinal - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Orthopedic and spinal - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Orthopedic and spinal - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 36: Chart on Orthopedic and spinal - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Orthopedic and spinal - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 Dental - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on Dental - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Dental - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 40: Chart on Dental - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on Dental - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Hearing aids - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 42: Chart on Hearing aids - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Hearing aids - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 44: Chart on Hearing aids - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on Hearing aids - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 46: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 47: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 48: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.7 Market opportunity by Application Exhibit 50: Market opportunity by Application ($ million) Exhibit 51: Data Table on Market opportunity by Application ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by Technology 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 52: Chart on Technology - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Technology - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Technology Exhibit 54: Chart on Comparison by Technology Exhibit 55: Data Table on Comparison by Technology 7.3 Stereolithography - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 56: Chart on Stereolithography - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 57: Data Table on Stereolithography - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 58: Chart on Stereolithography - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 59: Data Table on Stereolithography - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Granular materials binding - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 60: Chart on Granular materials binding - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Granular materials binding - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 62: Chart on Granular materials binding - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 63: Data Table on Granular materials binding - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 64: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 65: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 66: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 67: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.6 Market opportunity by Technology Exhibit 68: Market opportunity by Technology ($ million) Exhibit 69: Data Table on Market opportunity by Technology ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 70: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 71: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 73: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 74: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 77: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 81: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 82: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 84: Data Table on Asia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 85: Chart on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 86: Data Table on Asia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 88: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 89: Chart on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 90: Data Table on Rest of World (ROW) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 92: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 93: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 94: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 96: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 97: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 98: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 100: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 101: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 102: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 103: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 104: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 105: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 106: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 107: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 108: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 109: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 110: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 111: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) Exhibit 112: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 113: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 114: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 115: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 116: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 117: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 118: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 3D Systems Corp. Exhibit 119: 3D Systems Corp. - Overview Exhibit 120: 3D Systems Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 121: 3D Systems Corp. - Key news Exhibit 122: 3D Systems Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 123: 3D Systems Corp. - Segment focus 12.4 Allevi Inc. Exhibit 124: Allevi Inc. - Overview Exhibit 125: Allevi Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 126: Allevi Inc. - Key offerings 12.5 Anatomics Pty Ltd. Exhibit 127: Anatomics Pty Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 128: Anatomics Pty Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 129: Anatomics Pty Ltd. - Key offerings 12.6 Dentsply Sirona Inc. Exhibit 130: Dentsply Sirona Inc. - Overview Exhibit 131: Dentsply Sirona Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 132: Dentsply Sirona Inc. - Key news Exhibit 133: Dentsply Sirona Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 134: Dentsply Sirona Inc. - Segment focus 12.7 Desktop Metal Inc. Exhibit 135: Desktop Metal Inc. - Overview Exhibit 136: Desktop Metal Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 137: Desktop Metal Inc. - Key news Exhibit 138: Desktop Metal Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 139: Desktop Metal Inc. - Segment focus 12.8 EOS GmbH Exhibit 140: EOS GmbH - Overview Exhibit 141: EOS GmbH - Product / Service Exhibit 142: EOS GmbH - Key offerings 12.9 Formlabs Inc. Exhibit 143: Formlabs Inc. - Overview Exhibit 144: Formlabs Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 145: Formlabs Inc. - Key news Exhibit 146: Formlabs Inc. - Key offerings 12.10 General Electric Co. Exhibit 147: General Electric Co. - Overview Exhibit 148: General Electric Co. - Business segments Exhibit 149: General Electric Co. - Key news Exhibit 150: General Electric Co. - Key offerings Exhibit 151: General Electric Co. - Segment focus 12.11 Groupe Gorge SA Exhibit 152: Groupe Gorge SA - Overview Exhibit 153: Groupe Gorge SA - Business segments Exhibit 154: Groupe Gorge SA - Key news Exhibit 155: Groupe Gorge SA - Key offerings Exhibit 156: Groupe Gorge SA - Segment focus 12.12 Materialise NV Exhibit 157: Materialise NV - Overview Exhibit 158: Materialise NV - Business segments Exhibit 159: Materialise NV - Key news Exhibit 160: Materialise NV - Key offerings Exhibit 161: Materialise NV - Segment focus 12.13 Proto Labs Inc. Exhibit 162: Proto Labs Inc. - Overview Exhibit 163: Proto Labs Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 164: Proto Labs Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 165: Proto Labs Inc. - Segment focus 12.14 Renishaw Plc Exhibit 166: Renishaw Plc - Overview Exhibit 167: Renishaw Plc - Business segments Exhibit 168: Renishaw Plc - Key offerings Exhibit 169: Renishaw Plc - Segment focus 12.15 Roland DG Corp. Exhibit 170: Roland DG Corp. - Overview Exhibit 171: Roland DG Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 172: Roland DG Corp. - Key news Exhibit 173: Roland DG Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 174: Roland DG Corp. - Segment focus 12.16 SLM Solutions Group AG Exhibit 175: SLM Solutions Group AG - Overview Exhibit 176: SLM Solutions Group AG - Business segments Exhibit 177: SLM Solutions Group AG - Key offerings Exhibit 178: SLM Solutions Group AG - Segment focus 12.17 Stratasys Ltd. Exhibit 179: Stratasys Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 180: Stratasys Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 181: Stratasys Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 182: Stratasys Ltd. - Key offerings 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 183: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 184: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 185: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 186: Research methodology Exhibit 187: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 188: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 189: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyle Moribato, Esq., will be a panelist on the upcoming webinar Understanding Eligibility Regulations for the Employee Retention Credit in the Healthcare Industry: Misconceptions vs. Facts. Many healthcare organizations have yet to realize the full potential of the CARES Act employee retention tax credit. Tweet this Healthcare organizations saw some of the greatest impacts during the pandemic, but many have yet to realize the full potential of the employee retention tax credit. While some took advantage of the PPP (paycheck protection program), others have continued to overlook or believe they do not qualify for the ERC. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, numerous businesses were forced to full or partial shutdown due to adherence to COVID-19 executive orders and supply chain disruptions that resulted from COVID-19 executive orders. Financial assistance was provided to employers impacted by the pandemic through the CARES Act, under which the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) was introduced in 2020. The ERC, sometimes called the employee retention tax credit, can benefit healthcare organizationseven if they didn't have to close their doors. Healthcare organizations saw some of the greatest impacts during the pandemic, but many have yet to realize the full potential of the employee retention tax credit. While some took advantage of the PPP (paycheck protection program), others have continued to overlook or believe they do not qualify for the ERC. The Impact of COVID-19 on the Healthcare Industry Despite most being deemed essential and continuing to operate, many healthcare organizations were severely disrupted by partial shutdowns of in-person services and other COVID-19 restrictions. Hospitals and clinics were required to create new, or expand on existing safety protocols, pivot to offerings like telemedicine, and impose greater restrictions on staff to minimize the spread of COVID-19 among staff and patients. Other non-emergency medical facilities or services that were allowed to resume work during the pandemic were also heavily impacted by both capacity restrictions and sanitation requirements. Healthcare institutions that qualify for employee retention tax credit include nonprofit and for-profit hospitals, instrumentalities including district or county-owned hospitals or medical centers, and independent medical practices. Any healthcare facility that faced a greater than 10% restriction on business operations due to COVID-19 executive orders or a 20% or more decline in gross receipts is eligible for ERC funds. Some specific impacts that lead healthcare facilities to qualify for the ERC include: Increased time between patients Social distancing protocols Capacity restrictions Increased sanitization requirements Misconceptions in the Healthcare Industry Regarding ERC Due to the lack of regulatory guidance when the employee retention tax credit was first launched and enacted, there were many misconceptions about the ERC. These misconceptions resulted in many medical facilities not participating in the program. Some of the most common misconceptions that keep healthcare organizations from applying for the ERC include: "But I have too many employees" One common misconception in the healthcare industry about employee retention tax credit is that the organization has too many employees to qualify. Per the IRS, employers needed to have less than 100 full-time employees in 2019 to qualify for the 2020 credits or less than 500 full-time employees in 2019 to qualify for the 2021 credits. However, some healthcare facilities did not take into account that this is only based on full-time W2 employees, not any full-time equivalents or part-time W2 employers. So as long as the organization has the correct number of employees and either experienced a significant decline in gross receipts or was subject to a full or partial suspension of operations due to COVID-19 government orders, it qualifies for ERC funds. "But I received the PPP" Another misconception that prevented employers in the healthcare industry from applying for the ERC is the belief that if they received PPP funds, they were ineligible for the ERC. While this was initially a limitation when the ERC program was launched, it was removed in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, allowing employers to obtain both ERC and PPP funds. The only stipulation is that employers cannot obtain ERC for the same qualified wages paid by the PPP. "But I received grant funding" If an employer received grant funding from HRSA or another organization, the employer could still claim an ERC with respect to Qualified Wages in that quarter. Unlike the PPP, there is no interplay or anti-double-dipping rule related to grant funding. "But I'm a nonprofit hospital or instrumentality of the government" Many tax-exempt hospitals and other healthcare centers were also reluctant to apply for ERC due to the misconception that only for-profit organizations were eligible. Any nonprofit employer in the healthcare industry that suffered partial or complete suspension of operations due to COVID-19 executive orders qualifies for the employee retention tax credit. In addition, the revised legislation in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 made it permissible for government instrumentalities to take the ERC, provided their principal purpose was to provide medical or hospital care. Section 2301(f) of the CARES Act, as amended by section 207(d)(3)(A) of the Relief Act, provides that the ERC is not available to the Government of the United States, the government of any State or political subdivision thereof, or any agency or instrumentality of any of the foregoing (governmental entity). However, the language of amended section 2301(f)(2) provides that in the case of any governmental entity that is a college or university, or the principal purpose or function of which is providing medical or hospital care, the entity shall be treated as satisfying the trade or business requirement in section 2301(c)(2)(A)(i). Accordingly, these entities may be eligible employers for the first and second calendar quarters of 2021, assuming they satisfy the other requirements to be eligible employers. "But I didn't see a decline in revenue" Many employers believe that in order to qualify for ERC, they must have experienced a negative financial impact to gross receipts. A decline in revenue is not a requirement for ERC eligibility. Many healthcare facilities were forced to increase their staff to meet the demands of the pandemic. While they increased productivity and experienced an increase in revenue, many still suffered a partial suspension of operations due to governmental restrictions. Even if employers in the healthcare industry do not satisfy the gross receipts tests, they may still pass the government orders tests and qualify for the ERC. Other ERC Considerations for Healthcare Organizations Regardless of the previously discussed misconceptions, there are other areas that healthcare facilities and organizations should consider when applying for the employee retention tax credit. Productivity If an employer faced any suspension that impacted more than a nominal portion of operations, they qualify for the ERC. Yet, for many healthcare organizations, increased staffing and increased patients make it seem like they were not impacted. Many hospitals perceive an increase in staff and growth during the pandemic as evidence of productivity. When evaluating productivity, it is important to compare 2019 to 2020 productivity by individual employees. Suppose your facility had ten physicians in 2019 but 20 physicians in 2020 and 2021; that might appear to be an increase in productivity, but when comparing those ten physicians in 2019 to those same ten physicians in 2020-2021. In that case, individual productivity might look completely different. Moratorium On Services During Pandemic Moratoriums on elective procedures and other healthcare services contribute to a partial suspension of operations. A reduction in productivity of greater than 10% to a more than nominal portion of an organization is grounds for ERC qualification. However, if a business voluntarily suspends its operations during the pandemic without being subject to a government order, it would not be eligible for the ERC based on the suspension test. Data to Support ERC Claims The Internal Revenue Service considers quantitative data to determine the financial impact of the pandemic on healthcare organizations. This type of data includes the maximum capacity of any departments within the business prior to COVID-19 and during 2020 and 2021 (with respect to the guidelines of social distancing). The IRS also considers the time required to treat patients, the time needed for additional cleaning, and the comparison of patient encounters before and during the pandemic. There are many complex factors that need to be considered in determining ERC eligibility. When determining eligibility, you must look at the business at a granular level instead of as a whole. If any more than nominal part of your business was impacted, you could qualify for ERC. Author: Kyle Moribato, Esq., Chief Legal Officer and Managing Director at EZ-ERC EZ-ERC is an advisory group led by former big firm CPAs and attorneys that exclusively focus on the ERC. They have a proven track record of working with small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofit organizations. In addition, they are the only ERC provider in the country that has exclusive relationships with tax insurance brokers and providers to facilitate risk-free tax insurance policies. Media contact: [email protected] SOURCE EZ-ERC ACCOR SIGNS MILESTONE AGREEMENT WITH EBISU RESORT LLC, WITH 23 PROPERTIES SET TO JOIN THE GROUP'S HOTEL NETWORK BY Q2 2024 PARIS, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Accor's presence in Japan is set to double while hotel openings gain momentum throughout the region. With travel and tourism surging once again on a global scale, countries such as Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, and surrounding regions such as China, are experiencing a significant influx of foreign travelers, as well as increasing domestic demand for business and leisure travel experiences. Accor recently announced a new strategic partnership with JHRA in Japan to renovate and rebrand the Daiwa Resorts portfolio into Grand Mercure and Mercure hotels that will offer uniquely local experiences. The agreement will double Accor's current portfolio in Japan, adding 23 properties and over 6,000 rooms. Conversion of the hotels will occur throughout 2024, after which the properties will operate under the aforementioned Accor brands. "We are thrilled to be adding these great hotels to our portfolio in Japan and will continue to build on the relationships that Daiwa Resort has successfully maintained within each region, working closely with our partners, Japan Hotel Reit Advisors, Daiwa Resort's asset manager, to revitalize these properties," said Jean-Jacques Morin, Group Deputy CEO and CEO Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, Accor. "The recovery of Asia is fueling our ambitions as we seek to offer travelers a deeper and more diverse range of hospitality experiences across the region. Over the past decade, Accor has shifted from being asset-heavy to becoming an agile, asset-light company growing our hotel portfolio by 50% and tripling our brands. Now, with a resurgence of demand to serve as the wind beneath our wings, we will guide these brands to new heights, with more density, presence, and scale than ever before." "We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported Daiwa Resorts until now. 23 of our hotels located in scenic spots across Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, will be rebranded as Grand Mercure and Mercure hotels. By rebranding, we will be able to provide our customers with various allures and memorable travel memories. In the future, we promise that guests will be able to enjoy a comfortable stay with activities that incorporate local cuisine, local attractions and relaxing hot springs while making the most of the unique characteristics of each hotel. We would like to work together with the local community more than ever before and share the appeal of each region not only within Japan but also around the world," commented Koji Mayanagi, Daiwa Resort Co., Ltd. President & CEO. Accor will also debut several new flagship properties in the region over the coming years, demonstrating the diversity of the Group's expanding network in Asia Pacific. Pullman Singapore Hill Street is an architectural masterpiece augmented with smart technology and a rooftop bar that will open later this year. is an architectural masterpiece augmented with smart technology and a rooftop bar that will open later this year. ibis Styles Bangkok Twin Towers will be the largest ibis Styles property in the world upon its official opening in 2024, featuring the brand's creative, playful and family-friendly approach. will be the largest ibis Styles property in the world upon its official opening in 2024, featuring the brand's creative, playful and family-friendly approach. Novotel Nara will open in 2024, bringing one of the world's favorite midscale hotel brands and a multi-sensory experience for business and leisure travelers to this richly historic area of Japan , just 45 minutes south of Kyoto . will open in 2024, bringing one of the world's favorite midscale hotel brands and a multi-sensory experience for business and leisure travelers to this richly historic area of , just 45 minutes south of . Fairmont Hanoi will open in 2024 in Vietnam , blending one of the world's most celebrated luxury hotel brands with authentic Indochinese style and the vibrant local culture of Ho Chi Minh City . will open in 2024 in , blending one of the world's most celebrated luxury hotel brands with authentic Indochinese style and the vibrant local culture of . Mondrian Singapore Duxton opens this year, bringing the brand's signature blend of art, glamour, and culinary flair to one of Singapore's most desirable neighborhoods. opens this year, bringing the brand's signature blend of art, glamour, and culinary flair to one of most desirable neighborhoods. Fairmont Tokyo, slated for an opening in 2025, will feature 219 guestrooms and awe-inspiring views of Tokyo Bay. Historically, Thailand and Indonesia have been areas of strength for Accor and where the company will continue to push forward with new development opportunities. Vietnam, Philippines, and Japan are also markets of significance that Accor has identified for growth opportunities in the future. Accor will continue to seek out large scale opportunities exploring more conversion opportunities thus efficiently adding value to existing hotels and giving brands a sizeable boost. Independent hotel owners have long been attracted to Accor brands for conversion opportunities. The Group is renowned for its adaptability, ease of transition, and unmatched spectrum of brands, including Pullman, Novotel, ibis, ibis Styles, Mercure, Grand Mercure, Movenpick, greet, and the newest addition Handwritten Collection. All of these brands are designed to be conversion friendly, offering owners of existing hotels a swift revenue boost with immediate access to the power and reach of Accor's sales, distribution and loyalty platforms, while also benefiting from the Group's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) capabilities. ABOUT ACCOR Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5 400 properties, 10 000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry's most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information, please visit www. group.accor.com or follow us on Twitter , Facebook , LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok . Press Contacts Charlotte Thouvard Senior Vice President Global Communications [email protected] Mike Taylor VP Group External Communications [email protected] Line Crieloue VP Corporate Group External Communications [email protected] Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2159137/Accor_Logo.jpg SOURCE Accor San Jose's Alamitos Vineyards Voted Number One "Best New Winery Experience" in the country by USA Today readers SAN JOSE, Calif., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alamitos Vineyards, San Jose's only vineyard winery today announced that it has been voted number one in the 2023 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice travel award contest for Best New Winery Experience in the country. Alamitos Vineyards was nominated for this award by an expert panel of travel writers who nominated 20 wineries from throughout the United States for this coveted award. The four week-long competition had members of the public voting for their favorite new winery experience, which Alamitos Vineyards came in first place. San Jose's Alamitos Vineyards Voted Number One "Best New Winery Experience" in the country by USA Today readers Tweet this Alamitos Vineyards This prestigious award solidifies Alamitos Vineyards' commitment to providing an exceptional and unforgettable wine tasting experience for its guests and comes on the heels of Alamitos' recent wins at the world renowned 2023 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, where the winery was honored with a Double Gold for its 2019 'Hawk Eye' Syrah and a Gold win for the 2021 'White Egret' Sauvignon Blanc , further exemplifying its dedication to producing outstanding wines of the highest quality. Co-owner of Alamitos Vineyards, Shaun Coleman, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, "We are absolutely thrilled to be named the Best New Winery Experience in the nation by USA Today. This accolade reflects the hard work and passion that our entire team invests in creating a memorable and enjoyable experience for our visitors." George Troquato, Lead Winemaker at Alamitos Vineyards, added, "This readers choice award and us receiving a Double Gold and Gold at this year's San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, is a testament to our commitment to crafting exceptional wines and the best wine tasting experience possible. We are honored to be recognized for our efforts and will continue to strive for excellence in every bottle." Alamitos Vineyards takes pride in offering hand-crafted wines, which are skillfully made using the finest estate grown grapes as well as ones sourced from California's most esteemed AVAs. With its historical and picturesque location overlooking Almaden Reservoir and warm hospitality, Alamitos Vineyards provides a truly immersive and captivating winery experience that showcases the beauty and richness of the region. To celebrate these outstanding achievements, Alamitos Vineyards invites wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike to experience their award-winning wines firsthand. Visitors will have the opportunity to indulge in a range of varietals, each boasting unique flavors and characteristics that reflect the vineyard's commitment to excellence. For more information about Alamitos Vineyards, its wines, the exceptional winery experience it offers, and to make a reservation please visit https://www.AlamitosVineyards.com About Alamitos Vineyards Founded in 2014 by technology entrepreneurs Chris Maune and Shaun Coleman, Alamitos Vineyards seeks to reinvigorate a region, once the epicenter of California mining and agriculture, through authentic, small-batch, quality-driven wines. Alamitos Vineyards is located in the unique microclimate of New Almaden, a historic community tucked into the Rancho Los Capitancillos Hills of San Jose, California on the eastern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The boutique winery is home to award-winning estate grown and produced Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Touriga Nacional, a unique Portuguese variety that pays homage to the family history of the owners. To set up a weekend tasting appointment, please visit alamitosvineyards.com. ABOUT USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards 10Best, Inc. is a division of USA Today. 10Best.com provides its users with unbiased travel advice through its consumer site 10Best.com on top attractions, things to do, and restaurants of top destinations in the U.S. and around the world. The core of the site's power is its team of local experts, a well-traveled and well-educated group who are not only experts in their fields (and their cities) but discriminating in their tastes. SOURCE Alamitos Vineyards, Inc. SINGAPORE, July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amber Group , a leading provider of digital wealth management and crypto native liquidity solutions, today announced that it reached an agreement on a strategic framework of investment and technology cooperation with Hong Kong Digital Asset Exchange (' HKD.com '), a first-of-its-kind digital assets exchange offering both online and physical branches along with a robust crypto ATM and POS network. This landmark agreement, valued at multi-million dollars, provides an exciting opportunity for both Amber Group and HKD.com to share insights and explore potential synergies in the digital asset space. Under the strategic framework, Amber Group will offer investment and technology support to HKD.com and its non-profit HDAO Foundation, leveraging its expertise to enhance HKD.com's security and compliance measures to facilitate its expansion. By collaborating closely, both companies are well-positioned to discuss future prospects in digital assets and drive innovation in the industry. The agreement takes place amidst the burgeoning growth of Hong Kong's digital asset market, which has seen the introduction of the new virtual asset service provider (VASP) licensing regime, establishing regulations for crypto exchanges, and ensuring stronger customer protection. These developments are part of a larger trend toward increased interest in digital assets. Amber Group's partnership with HKD.com showcases its dedication to elevating security standards, contributing to the secure development of digital assets, and driving financial innovation efforts in Hong Kong. Recently, Amber Group was invited by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Park (HKSTP) to join the city's innovation and technology hub. Thomas Zhu, Chief Technology Officer and Co-founder of Amber Group says: "As the demand for cryptocurrency trading is on the rise, it is important than ever to prioritize security and compliance in the industry. We're pleased to be partnering with HKD.com, who have illustrated their commitment to upholding high standards for both. This collaboration presents a unique opportunity to drive innovation and contribute to the growth and maturation of the digital asset industry in Hong Kong." Kelvin Yeung, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of HKD.com says: "We are delighted to have this strategic collaboration with Amber Group, a recognized leader in the crypto finance space. This partnership will empower us to strengthen our infrastructure, enhance our platform's functionality, and provide our users with an even better trading experience. With Amber Group's support, we are confident in our ability to expand our market share and achieve our long-term goals." About Amber Group Amber Group is a leading crypto finance services provider, specializing in digital wealth management and crypto-native liquidity solutions. The firm offers a comprehensive range of digital asset services, spanning liquidity provisioning, trading, financing, and investing. It is backed by prominent investors, including Fenbushi Capital US, Sequoia, Paradigm, Tiger Global, Dragonfly, Pantera, Coinbase Ventures, and Blockchain.com . About HKD.com Hong Kong Digital Asset Exchange (HKD.com) is a first-of-its-kind digital assets exchange offering both online and physical branches, along with a robust crypto ATM and POS network. Through this unique combination of services, armed with global licenses, HKD.com provides users from all walks of life, an impeccable experience of buying and selling cryptocurrency with cash or a bank wire. With a comprehensive digital asset ecosystem, HKD.com provides users with the enablement to seamlessly participate in this digital asset ecosystem. HKD.com's ultimate goal is to eliminate the hurdles often associated with onboarding on self-service online exchanges, providing a true zero-barrier crypto exchange for all. SOURCE AMBER AI LIMITED Alan Bernick Retires After 23 Years of Service BAYPORT, Minn., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Andersen Corporation (Andersen), manufacturer of America's most loved brand of windows and doors*, has appointed Andrea Nordaune as the company's senior vice president, chief legal officer, and corporate secretary. This strategic decision follows the retirement of Alan Bernick, who served the company with distinction for 23 years. Andersen Corporation has appointed Andrea Nordaune as the companys senior vice president, chief legal officer, and corporate secretary. Nordaune, a longtime Andersen leader, brings a wealth of knowledge, extensive experience, and exceptional leadership skills to her new executive position. Nordaune began working with Andersen in 2000, quickly established herself as a senior attorney and steadily climbed the ranks. Her most recent position was vice president, general counsel, and assistant corporate secretary. "Andrea's deep understanding of our industry, coupled with her exemplary judgment, make her the perfect person to lead our legal department," said Chris Galvin, Andersen Corporation president and chief executive officer. "I have no doubt that she will play a pivotal role in guiding and protecting our business interests as we continue to grow the business, expand employment opportunities, and support our local communities." In her new position, Nordaune will report directly to Galvin and will be a member of the company's Executive Committee, further highlighting her leadership within the organization. Her promotion showcases Andersen's commitment to recognizing and fostering internal talent, ensuring a seamless transition for this important role and sustaining growth. Nordaune is the first woman appointed to this executive-level position. She will oversee a team of over 25 highly skilled professionals in the legal, audit, and procurement, compliance and regulatory affairs departments. Alongside her responsibilities at Andersen, Nordaune also serves as Andersen's representative on the board of directors of the Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) and is a member of the Association's executive committee. Through Andrea's board membership, she works to promote, protect and advance the use of high-performance, high-quality windows, doors and skylights through advocacy, education, standards and certification to improve upon the industry as a whole. She is also an active board member of the YMCA of the North, working to make system changes essential to address social injustices and inequities. Galvin also shared his gratitude for Bernick's invaluable contributions throughout his tenure. "We thank Alan for his many years of service and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement," said Galvin. "His expertise and unwavering commitment have played a significant role in shaping our organization. Alan leaves behind a remarkable legacy, and we are grateful for the lasting impact he has made." *2022 Andersen brand survey of U.S. homeowners About Andersen Corporation Andersen was founded in 1903 on the philosophy of working "all together" to deliver on its promise to its customers. Every day, the company's more than 13,000 employees are empowered to imagine what's possible and do what's right. Andersen delivers products for the way people live, unmatched performance for the comfort and security homeowners desire, and endless design options to achieve any style. Headquartered in Bayport, Minn., Andersen Corporation and its subsidiaries manufacture and market window and door products under the Andersen, Renewal by Andersen, EMCO and MQ brands. Andersen, a privately held company, operates manufacturing sites across North America and Europe. Andersen has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2023 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award. Visit us at andersenwindows.com. Follow us on Facebook @AndersenWindows, Twitter @AndersenWindows, and Instagram @andersen_windows. SOURCE Andersen Corporation SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. At the moment, we have three international actors who are providing the assistance - the United States, Russia and the European Union. And on three tracks, Azerbaijan works in good faith. And on three tracks, Azerbaijan works in good faith and with result-oriented approach. But so far, it did not end in any result, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Trend reports. Because Armenia needs to make, I think, one of the final steps. They already made several steps after the war, I would say that these were not the steps, which they made voluntarily. There have been several cases during the last two-and-a-half years, several episodes. I would name it like it clearly demonstrated to Armenia that if they do not recognize our territorial integrity, we will not recognize their territorial integrity. And what will mean for them is more or less clear. They already accepted that Karabakh is Azerbaijan publicly. Now they need to put their signature under the document. And this is one of the final steps and there must be some more, the head of state noted. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. ST. LOUIS, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Anheuser-Busch and its wholesaler partners are teaming up with the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) for the fifth consecutive year to donate emergency drinking water to local fire departments nationwide. This summer, more than 11,500 cans will be donated to five fire departments across California to help them prepare for and respond in times of crisis and long incident at home. Firefighters and first responders in our communities rely on clean drinking water to stay hydrated in times of need; yet volunteer fire departments often lack the budget and resources to supply. The water donations to California fire departments are designed to deliver on this critical need, as well as to support the communities where Anheuser Busch's customers and more than 3,400 employees live and work. "In recent years, the worsening wildfires across our state have taught us that preparedness is key to firefighters' ability to protect Californian residents and their homes from unpredictable blazes," said Kyle English, Engineer of the Suisun Fire Protection District. "We're grateful for Anheuser-Busch and the NVFC's efforts to increase the readiness of California's fire service by supplying canned drinking water and for their ongoing support." Now in its fifth year, the partnership between Anheuser-Busch and the NVFC is expanding its reach to provide 2.5 million cans more than ever before to over 600 volunteer fire departments (VFDs) across 48 states, with a goal of reaching more than 1,000 VFDs before the end of the year. The initiative's expansion represents a significant evolution in the brewer's 30-year-strong commitment to disaster relief, as well its deep appreciation for the first responders who are keeping their communities safe. "Showing up for our communities and first responders has long been part of Anheuser Busch's legacy that's who we are. We're proud to continue building on that tradition by working with our wholesaler partners and NVFC to support our neighbors, friends, and families," said Cesar Vargas, Chief External Affairs Officer at Anheuser-Busch. "Emergency drinking water is critical for firefighters' safety and ability to respond to crises at home each year," said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. "We appreciate Anheuser-Busch's increased commitment to supplying our nation's fire service with this much-needed resource and for their continued partnership in keeping our communities safe." In California, the donations of emergency drinking water will be made to five volunteer fire departments including the Douglas City Volunteer Fire Department, Potter Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Schell Vista Volunteer Firefighters Association, Suisun Fire Protection District, and West Stanislaus County Fire Protection District. Since 2019, Anheuser-Busch and its national network of independent wholesalers including local partners, Blach Beverage LLC, Donaghy Sales LLC, and Eagle Distributing Co. have partnered with the NVFC to donate more than 6.4 million cans of clean, safe drinking water to more than 960 fire departments across 49 states to support disaster response needs. "At Donaghy Sales LLC, we are committed to supporting the communities we serve. That's why we're proud to team up with Anheuser-Busch to deliver cans of water to our local heroes," said Ryan Donaghy, President of Donaghy Sales, LLC. "California has seen some of the worst wildfires in our recent history, and we're grateful to the firefighters who make sacrifices daily so that we can all feel safer at home." The emergency drinking water is sourced from Anheuser-Busch's breweries in Cartersville, Georgia and Fort Collins, Colorado which periodically pause beer production to can clean, safe drinking water to support disaster relief efforts in partnership with the American Red Cross and NVFC. Since the creation of its emergency drinking water program in 1988, Anheuser-Busch has donated more than 90 million cans of clean drinking water to U.S. communities affected by natural disasters and other crises. Learn more about the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters Program at www.nvfc.org/water. ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are always looking to serve up new ways to meet life's moments, dream big to move our industry forward, and make a meaningful impact in the world. We hope to build a future that everyone can celebrate, and everyone can share. For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities and packaging plants, and have more than 18,000 colleagues across the United States. We are home to several of America's most loved beer and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA, Cutwater Spirits, Stella Artois, Budweiser and Bud Light as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. ABOUT THE NATIONAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COUNCIL The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides critical advocacy, resources, programs, and education for first responders across the nation. Learn more at www.nvfc.org. SOURCE Anheuser-Busch CHICAGO, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Automotive seat market is estimated to grow from USD 53.7 billion in 2023 to USD 58.4 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 1.2% over the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The increasing demand for mid- & full-size SUVs and luxury cars has impacted the automotive seating industry. It has led to the development of seating systems with advanced features, increased capacity, customization options, and safety and comfort features. According to MarketsandMarkets analysis, the full-sized SUVs contributed ~16% to the total passenger cars production in 2022, which would increase to 3.8% by 2027. Similarly, luxury cars contributed 3.4% of total passenger car production in 2022, accounting for 2.7% in 2019 and growing steadily. The growth of these SUVs and luxury cars would be observed in countries China, US, Germany, Japan, and the UK- hence, these countries would act as the potential markets for automotive seats in coming years. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=216812760 Browse in-depth TOC on "Automotive Seat Market". 364 - Tables 74 Figures 316 - Pages Automotive Seat Market Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Size USD 58.4 billion by 2030 Growth Rate 1.2% of CAGR Largest Market Asia Pacific Market Dynamics Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities & Challenges Forecast Period 2023-2030 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered by Type & Technology (Powered, Heated, Ventilated, Memory, Massage), Seat Trim OE & Aftermarket (Synthetic & Genuine Leather, Fabric), Frame, Component, Vehicle EV, OHV, ATV, LSV) Geographies Covered Asia Pacific, Americas, Europe, and Middle East & Africa Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Growing focus on autonomous cars and increasing preference for ride sharing Key Market Drivers Rising demand for powered seats in mid-segment cars & SUVs Powered seats are the fastest-growing technology in automotive seats. Powered seats are the fastest-growing market in technology, with a CAGR of 4.9% from 2022 to 2030. These seats are usually installed in the front row of the vehicle. The key reason is that this is one of the basic technologies compared with other technologies like massage, memory, heated/ventilated seats, etc. The key reason for this technology's growth is increased demand for SUVs, as SUVs are known for their spacious interiors and higher seating positions, which often require adjustable seats to accommodate drivers and passengers of different heights and preferences. Entry or Mid-segment cars are usually equipped with basic powered seats (limited number of adjustments, such as fore and aft, up and down, and recline). In contrast, mid-segment cars use intermediate-powered seats (more adjustments, such as lumbar support and headrest position). Luxury cars have powered seats with other functions such as heating, ventilation, and massage. With the consumer trend shifting from hatchbacks to compact and mid-size vehicles, the demand for powered seats is set to grow in coming years, where Europe is projected to be the fastest growing market and Asia Pacific is expected to be the largest market for powered seats. Models which are equipped with powered seats are Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Mazda CX-5. These powered seats are becoming increasingly popular in automobiles, as they offer several advantages over traditional seats and are expected to grow steadily in the coming years; many automakers are offering these seats as standard or optional features in their vehicles. Steel is expected to hold the largest market share in the automotive seat frame material market by 2030. The St-37 steel profile, which has a 2.5 mm thickness, is the most popular material for seat chassis construction. Typically composed of St-37 sheet metal and welded to the seat chassis, the beam supports the seat construction and maintains it fastened to the car's underneath. Apart from molding ability, steel also provides strength & durability, cost-effectiveness and is well suited for mass production as it can be easily formed, stamped, and welded. The most important reason is its crashworthiness, as its high energy-absorbing capacity can absorb and distribute impact forces during a collision, providing enhanced safety for vehicle occupants. Steel is the best-suited material due to other factors, such as lightweight, low cost, and recyclability. Considering all these benefits, steel/advanced high-strength steel is expected to be the leading material for automotive seat structures. Asia Pacific region is estimated to be the dominant automotive seat market. The Asia Pacific region leads the automotive industry, and the key contributing countries are China, India, Japan, and others. These markets are characterized by strong economic growth and rising incomes, leading to increased demand for passenger vehicles. Several significant vehicle seat producers, including Johnson Controls, Faurecia, and Lear Corporation, are in Asia-Pacific. This region has a large consumer base with rising demand for passenger and commercial vehicles, which drives the need for automotive seats industry. The Asia Pacific region offers cost advantages for automotive seat manufacturing. It benefits from relatively lower labor and production costs, which attract automotive seat manufacturers to set up regional production facilities. For instance, in September 2022, Shenzhen Faurecia Automotive Parts Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Faurecia and BYD, opened its sixth factory at Xiatang Industrial Park in Hefei City, the capital of Anhui province. This cost-competitiveness and expansion have contributed to the market's growth in Asia Pacific. Local seat manufacturers and suppliers in Asia Pacific enhance the region's position in the market. These manufacturers cater to the demands of regional automakers, providing them with a competitive advantage in terms of pricing, supply chain, and customization options. According to OICA, the top 10 countries contributed 80% of global car production in 2022. China contributes ~34% to the total output of car production. The most significant car types sold in China are SUVs and luxury cars, contributing ~49% and ~14%, respectively. According to a report by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), the market for SUVs in China is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% from 2022 to 2027. China has many affordable 7-seater and 5-seater SUVs, making them more accessible to a broader range of consumers. SUVs are becoming popular in urban areas as these vehicles offer comfort, featured seats, and connected features. Countries like India and Japan are also significant contributors to global car production; India produced 3.2 million vehicles, while Japan produced 9.1 million in 2022. This makes India the fifth-largest car producer in the world and Japan the third largest. Asia Pacific is home to some of the world's largest car manufacturers, such as Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai, constantly expanding their production capacity and has increased demand for comfortable and luxurious vehicles, driving the demand for premium automotive seats. Inquire Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id= 216812760 Key Market Players: The major players in Automotive Seats Companies include Adient Plc (US), Faurecia (France), Lear Corporation (US), Toyota Boshoku Corporation (Japan), and Magna International (Canada) Recent Developments: In April 2023 , Faurecia announced the development of its Zero-Gravity Captain Chair, a rear passenger seating solution that delivers advanced well-being tailored for the Chinese market. Inspired by NASA's space exploration, the seat can be set to a "zero gravity" position, which reclines it to an almost flat angle. , Faurecia announced the development of its Zero-Gravity Captain Chair, a rear passenger seating solution that delivers advanced well-being tailored for the Chinese market. Inspired by NASA's space exploration, the seat can be set to a "zero gravity" position, which reclines it to an almost flat angle. In April 2023 , Faurecia introduced the new "Skin Light Panel" that offers weight reduction, extra room for rear passengers, improved recyclability, and cost savings. This new Skin Light Panel also delivers perfect integration into the complete seat, including rear airbag management. The seating panel has a smooth finish, high-performance scratch-resistance material, and life-long durability. , Faurecia introduced the new "Skin Light Panel" that offers weight reduction, extra room for rear passengers, improved recyclability, and cost savings. This new Skin Light Panel also delivers perfect integration into the complete seat, including rear airbag management. The seating panel has a smooth finish, high-performance scratch-resistance material, and life-long durability. Lear Corporation has announced the strategic acquisition of InTouch Automation, a supplier of Industry 4.0 technologies and complex automated testing equipment critical in producing automotive seats. InTouch's product portfolio allows Lear Corporation to collect and analyze real-time data while standardizing testing procedures throughout its just-in-time (JIT) seating production process. In October 2022 , Lear Corporation announced that the company's premium and fully recyclable ReNewKnit sueded material will launch in seating and door panel applications with a global automaker in 2024. ReNewKnit is a Lear Corporation exclusive, first-to-market automotive textile that is fully recyclable at its end of life. ReNewKnit will strengthen the company's sustainable solutions technology portfolio while supporting our carbon reduction goals. , Lear Corporation announced that the company's premium and fully recyclable ReNewKnit sueded material will launch in seating and door panel applications with a global automaker in 2024. ReNewKnit is a Lear Corporation exclusive, first-to-market automotive textile that is fully recyclable at its end of life. ReNewKnit will strengthen the company's sustainable solutions technology portfolio while supporting our carbon reduction goals. In April 2022 , Toyota Boshoku developed an IoT (Internet of Things) seat cover equipped with a system that assesses the driver's fatigue and mitigates sleepiness during driving and started a demonstration test for transport companies. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=216812760 Browse Adjacent Market: Automotive and Transportation Market Research Reports & Consulting Related Reports: Automotive Upholstery Market - Global Forecast to 2025 Automotive Interior Market - Global Forecast to 2027 Automotive Lightweighting Market - Global Forecast to 2027 Electric Vehicle Plastics Market - Global Forecast to 2027 About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/automotive-seat-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/automotive-seat.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets NEW YORK, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The backup power systems market for oil and gas industry size is estimated to increase by USD 1,039.89 million from 2022 to 2027, with a CAGR of 4.72%, according to a 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 Backup Power Systems Market for Oil and Gas Industry 2023-2027. 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 backup power systems market for oil and gas industry report also offers information on the criticality of inputs, R&D, CAPEX, technology, and products of 15 vendors listed Below - Aggreko Plc, ALCAD A.B., Atlas Copco UK, ATLAS Corp., Byrne Equipment Rental, Caterpillar Inc., Cetronic Power Solutions Ltd., Cummins Inc., EaglePicher Technologies LLC, Exide Industries Ltd., Fullriver Battery, HBL Germany GmbH, Herc Rentals Inc., Kohler Co., Modern Hiring Service, Steatite Ltd., TotalEnergies SE, Trojan Battery Co. LLC, Yanmar Holdings Co. Ltd., and Zahid Group Download a Sample Backup Power Systems Market For Oil And Gas Industry - Segmentation The market is segmented by product (generators, UPS, and inverter), type (onshore and offshore), and geography (North America, Middle East and Africa, Europe, APAC, and South America). The generators segment will be significant during the forecast period. In the industry, generators are used as backup power supplies when the primary power supply is lost. Also, a generator can be selected based on the backup time and power required for an oil and gas facility during a power outage. Generators can supply power reliably if there is sufficient fuel. Hence, an increase in the sales of generators because of their reliability is expected to drive the growth of the generator segment, which, in turn, will propel the growth of the market during the forecast period. To procure the data - Buy report! Backup Power Systems Market For Oil And Gas Industry - Market Dynamics Major Drivers Demand from the oil and gas industry drives market growth. Power generators are important tools in the industry and protect during emergencies against power loss. This is because they are the key power sources in the oil and gas industry, particularly in drilling and digging activities. Since oil drilling and production activities require the rigs to be offshore for extended periods of time, a constant supply of power is needed. Hence, such factors boost the market growth during the forecast period. Significant Trends Increased M&A activities and strategic alliances is an emerging trend in the market. Partnerships and strategic alliances enable players in the global backup power systems market to gain market share, improvise product features, and expand their geographical reach and product portfolios. In June 2022, ABB partnered with Shape Energy as their preferred UPS distributor in New Zealand. Hence, such developments are expected to propel the growth of the market during the forecast period. Key Challenges Volatility in global crude oil prices challenges market growth. Usually, fluctuations in oil prices adversely affect the profitability and performance of upstream oil and gas companies. For instance, in April 2020, due to the global economic contraction driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the oil market collapse, the benchmark price for US crude oil briefly became negative. Also, due to lower demand for oil, oil producers had to store the surplus crude oil, and stocks reached an all-time high in June 2020. Hence, such challenges impede market growth during the forecast period. Backup Power Systems Market For Oil And Gas Industry - Geographic Analysis The market is segmented by region North America, Middle East and Africa, Europe, APAC, and South America. An analysis of key leading countries has been included. North America will contribute 30% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. This will be the largest geographic segment in the global backup power systems market for oil and gas industry in 2022. Also, in 2022, the United States and Canada will make the largest contribution to the market. Also, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), the US produced around 11.25 million barrels of crude oil per day in 2021. Hence, such factors boost the regional market during the forecast period. For Insights on the market dynamics & segmentations VIEW PDF SAMPLE ! What are the key data covered in this Backup Power Systems Market For Oil And Gas Industry report? CAGR of the market during the forecast period Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the backup power systems market for oil and gas industry between 2023 and 2027 Precise estimation of the size of the backup power systems market for oil and gas industry 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 backup power systems market for oil and gas industry across North America , Middle East and Africa , Europe , APAC, and South America , and , , APAC, 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 backup power systems market for oil and gas industry vendors Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio's SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports: The Residential Backup Power Market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.78% between 2022 and 2027, and the size of the market is forecasted to increase by USD 3,966.63 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by technology (generators, batteries, and fuel cells) and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The increasing demand for backup power from emerging economies is driving market growth. The off-grid solar power systems market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11.92% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 3,263.94 million. This report extensively covers market segmentation by type (AC and DC), application (non-residential and residential), and geography (APAC, Europe, Middle East and Africa, North America, and South America). The high cost of grid expansion is a key factor driving the growth of the global off-grid solar power systems market. Backup Power Systems Market For Oil And Gas Industry Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.72% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 1,039.89 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 4.26 Regional analysis North America, Middle East and Africa, Europe, APAC, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 30% Key countries US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, China, and Russia Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Aggreko Plc, ALCAD A.B., Atlas Copco UK, ATLAS Corp., Byrne Equipment Rental, Caterpillar Inc., Cetronic Power Solutions Ltd., Cummins Inc., EaglePicher Technologies LLC, Exide Industries Ltd., Fullriver Battery, HBL Germany GmbH, Herc Rentals Inc., Kohler Co., Modern Hiring Service, Steatite Ltd., TotalEnergies SE, Trojan Battery Co. LLC, Yanmar Holdings Co. Ltd., and Zahid Group Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary 1.1 Market overview Exhibit 01: Executive Summary Chart on Market Overview Exhibit 02: Executive Summary Data Table on Market Overview Exhibit 03: Executive Summary Chart on Global Market Characteristics Exhibit 04: Executive Summary Chart on Market by Geography Exhibit 05: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Product Exhibit 06: Executive Summary Chart on Market Segmentation by Type Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Chart on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 09: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 10: Parent market Exhibit 11: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 12: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 13: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2022 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2022-2027 Exhibit 14: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 15: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 16: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 17: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 4 Historic Market Size 4.1 Global backup power systems market for oil and gas market 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size Data Table on Global backup power systems market for oil and gas market 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.2 By product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size By product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.3 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.4 Geography Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 21: Historic Market Size Geography Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 4.5 Country Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021 Exhibit 22: Historic Market Size Country Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million) 5 Five Forces Analysis 5.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 23: Five forces analysis - Comparison between 2022 and 2027 5.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 24: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2022 and 2027 5.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 25: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 26: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 27: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 28: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2022 and 2027 5.7 Market condition Exhibit 29: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2022 and 2027 6 Market Segmentation by Product 6.1 Market segments Exhibit 30: Chart on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Product - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 6.2 Comparison by Product Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Product Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Product 6.3 Generators - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 34: Chart on Generators - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Generators - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 36: Chart on Generators - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 37: Data Table on Generators - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.4 UPS - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 38: Chart on UPS - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 39: Data Table on UPS - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 40: Chart on UPS - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 41: Data Table on UPS - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.5 Inverter - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 42: Chart on Inverter - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on Inverter - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 44: Chart on Inverter - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on Inverter - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 6.6 Market opportunity by Product Exhibit 46: Market opportunity by Product ($ million) Exhibit 47: Data Table on Market opportunity by Product ($ million) 7 Market Segmentation by Type 7.1 Market segments Exhibit 48: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 49: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%) 7.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 50: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 51: Data Table on Comparison by Type 7.3 Onshore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 52: Chart on Onshore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Onshore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 54: Chart on Onshore - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 55: Data Table on Onshore - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.4 Offshore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 56: Chart on Offshore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 57: Data Table on Offshore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 58: Chart on Offshore - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 59: Data Table on Offshore - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 7.5 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 60: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 8 Customer Landscape 8.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 62: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 9 Geographic Landscape 9.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 63: Chart on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 64: Data Table on Market share by geography 2022-2027 (%) 9.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 65: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 66: Data Table on Geographic comparison 9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 67: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 68: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 69: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 70: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.4 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 71: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 72: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 73: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 74: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 75: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 77: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 78: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.6 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 79: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 81: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 82: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 83: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 84: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 85: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 86: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 87: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 88: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 89: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 90: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.9 Saudi Arabia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 91: Chart on Saudi Arabia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 92: Data Table on Saudi Arabia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 93: Chart on Saudi Arabia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 94: Data Table on Saudi Arabia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.10 Russia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 95: Chart on Russia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 96: Data Table on Russia - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 97: Chart on Russia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 98: Data Table on Russia - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.11 Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 99: Chart on Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 100: Data Table on Canada - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 101: Chart on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 102: Data Table on Canada - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.12 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 103: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 104: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million) Exhibit 105: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) Exhibit 106: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%) 9.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 107: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) Exhibit 108: Data Tables on Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10.1 Market drivers 10.2 Market challenges 10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 109: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027 10.4 Market trends 11 Vendor Landscape 11.1 Overview 11.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 110: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 11.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 111: Overview on factors of disruption 11.4 Industry risks Exhibit 112: Impact of key risks on business 12 Vendor Analysis 12.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 113: Vendors covered 12.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 114: Matrix on vendor position and classification 12.3 Aggreko Plc Exhibit 115: Aggreko Plc - Overview Exhibit 116: Aggreko Plc - Business segments Exhibit 117: Aggreko Plc - Key news Exhibit 118: Aggreko Plc - Key offerings Exhibit 119: Aggreko Plc - Segment focus 12.4 ALCAD A.B. Exhibit 120: ALCAD A.B. - Overview Exhibit 121: ALCAD A.B. - Product / Service Exhibit 122: ALCAD A.B. - Key offerings 12.5 Atlas Copco UK Exhibit 123: Atlas Copco UK - Overview Exhibit 124: Atlas Copco UK - Business segments Exhibit 125: Atlas Copco UK - Key news Exhibit 126: Atlas Copco UK - Key offerings Exhibit 127: Atlas Copco UK - Segment focus 12.6 ATLAS Corp. Exhibit 128: ATLAS Corp. - Overview Exhibit 129: ATLAS Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 130: ATLAS Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 131: ATLAS Corp. - Segment focus 12.7 Byrne Equipment Rental Exhibit 132: Byrne Equipment Rental - Overview Exhibit 133: Byrne Equipment Rental - Product / Service Exhibit 134: Byrne Equipment Rental - Key offerings 12.8 Caterpillar Inc. Exhibit 135: Caterpillar Inc. - Overview Exhibit 136: Caterpillar Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 137: Caterpillar Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 138: Caterpillar Inc. - Segment focus 12.9 Cetronic Power Solutions Ltd. Exhibit 139: Cetronic Power Solutions Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 140: Cetronic Power Solutions Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 141: Cetronic Power Solutions Ltd. - Key offerings 12.10 Cummins Inc. Exhibit 142: Cummins Inc. - Overview Exhibit 143: Cummins Inc. - Business segments Exhibit 144: Cummins Inc. - Key offerings Exhibit 145: Cummins Inc. - Segment focus 12.11 EaglePicher Technologies LLC Exhibit 146: EaglePicher Technologies LLC - Overview Exhibit 147: EaglePicher Technologies LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 148: EaglePicher Technologies LLC - Key offerings 12.12 Exide Industries Ltd. Exhibit 149: Exide Industries Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 150: Exide Industries Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 151: Exide Industries Ltd. - Key offerings 12.13 Fullriver Battery Exhibit 152: Fullriver Battery - Overview Exhibit 153: Fullriver Battery - Product / Service Exhibit 154: Fullriver Battery - Key offerings 12.14 Kohler Co. Exhibit 155: Kohler Co. - Overview Exhibit 156: Kohler Co. - Product / Service Exhibit 157: Kohler Co. - Key news Exhibit 158: Kohler Co. - Key offerings 12.15 TotalEnergies SE Exhibit 159: TotalEnergies SE - Overview Exhibit 160: TotalEnergies SE - Business segments Exhibit 161: TotalEnergies SE - Key news Exhibit 162: TotalEnergies SE - Key offerings Exhibit 163: TotalEnergies SE - Segment focus 12.16 Trojan Battery Co. LLC Exhibit 164: Trojan Battery Co. LLC - Overview Exhibit 165: Trojan Battery Co. LLC - Product / Service Exhibit 166: Trojan Battery Co. LLC - Key offerings 12.17 Zahid Group Exhibit 167: Zahid Group - Overview Exhibit 168: Zahid Group - Product / Service Exhibit 169: Zahid Group - Key offerings 13 Appendix 13.1 Scope of the report 13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 170: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 171: Exclusions checklist 13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 172: Currency conversion rates for US$ 13.4 Research methodology Exhibit 173: Research methodology Exhibit 174: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 175: Information sources 13.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 176: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio MIAMI, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Buddies International, a global nonprofit organization and All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the new professional wrestling league taking the world by storm, today announced an impactful partnership committed to promoting inclusion and empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Best Buddies International and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) today announced an impactful partnership committed to promoting inclusion and empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This collaboration will be facilitated through AEW TOGETHER, AEW's philanthropic initiative designed to foster lasting and positive change within the AEW community. AEW stars will proudly serve as Global Ambassadors for Best Buddies, actively engaging in local events and using their influence and impact to create awareness about Best Buddies' mission of inclusion. Joining the esteemed lineup of Best Buddies Global Ambassadors are the following AEW stars, who are highly committed to making a difference in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Paul Wight, Ethan Page and Willow Nightingale. The collaborative efforts of Best Buddies International, AEW TOGETHER and the new Global Ambassadors will officially launch today at the highly anticipated Best Buddies Leadership Conference at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. This annual event unites Best Buddies leaders, volunteers and community advocates from around the globe to create, lead and empower the future of the disability rights and inclusion movement. AEW will amplify the new partnership on Saturday, July 22, during the "AEW: Collision" show at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The presence of Best Buddies participants from the tri-state area will add special significance to the worldwide event. Best Buddies International and everyone at AEW are dedicated to creating a greater awareness of the infinite abilities people with IDD possess. Together, both organizations aim to create a positive and transformative impact on the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL: Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies' nine formal programs Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters and Inclusive Living engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 49 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly 1 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or instagram.com/bestbuddies. ABOUT AEW Founded by CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan in 2019, AEW is offering an alternative to mainstream wrestling, with a roster of world-class talent that is injecting new spirit, freshness and energy into the industry. "AEW: Dynamite" airs every Wednesday from 8-10 p.m. ET on TBS and attracts the youngest wrestling audience on television. The fight-forward "AEW: Rampage" airs every Friday from 10-11 p.m. ET on TNT, and the new "AEW: Collision" airs every Saturday from 8-10 p.m. ET on TNT. AEW's multi-platform content also includes "Being the Elite," a weekly behind-the-scenes YouTube series, and "AEW Unrestricted," a weekly podcast series. For more info, check out Twitter.com/AEW; Instagram.com/AEW; YouTube.com/AEW; Facebook.com/AEW ABOUT AEW TOGETHER AEW TOGETHER is AEW's philanthropic initiative designed to foster lasting, positive change in each market AEW visits. AEW TOGETHER dedicates its efforts and initiatives around four core pillars: (1) Next Generation, focusing on youth programs, (2) Equity, with an emphasis on human rights and social change, (3) Service, helping those in need in the local area, and (4) Wellness, focusing on physical and mental health. For more info, check out Twitter.com/AEWTOGETHER; Instagram.com/AEWTOGETHER. SOURCE Best Buddies International NEW YORK, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jakubowitz Law announces that an investigation into potential securities fraud allegations has commenced on behalf of shareholders of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE: BHC) To be contacted by a member of our team, fill out the form: https://claimyourloss.com/securities/bausch-health-class-action-loss-submission-form/?id=42395&from=4 Further details on the investigation: The investigation focuses on whether Bausch Health issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors concerning its 2022 earnings and guidance and its patent dispute over Xifaxan. On May 10, 2022, Bausch Health announced its first-quarter 2022 results, prompting the stock price to fall $3.50 per share. Analysts attributed the decline to concerns around the Company's spin-off of Bausch + Lomb Corporation, high debt levels, and anticipation over the Xifaxan patent decision. On July 28, 2022, the Company issued an update on the Xifaxan patent dispute case between Bausch Health and Norwich. In response to this news, market analysts downgraded Bausch Health and its stock price fell an additional $3.58 per share, representing a decline of more than 50% from its trading price just two months earlier. Jakubowitz Law is vigorous in pursuit of justice for shareholders who have been the victim of securities fraud. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: JAKUBOWITZ LAW 1140 Avenue of the Americas 9th Floor New York, New York 10036 T: (628) 895-0423 F: (212) 537-5887 SOURCE Jakubowitz Law Venture firm discusses investment opportunities and challenges in cutting-edge fields HONG KONG, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BlueRun Ventures China (BRV China), a leading early-stage technology-focused venture firm, held Explorer Day in Hong Kong on July 19 to share views on opportunities and challenges from various sectors under the theme of "Artificial Intelligence Skyrocketed: Capturing the Next Trillion-dollar Opportunity". The event was organized in partnership with InvestHK, the Greater Bay Area Homeland Investments Limited, Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company, and with support from HKAI Lab. The event was the third in a series, following similar events in Silicon Valley and Singapore. It gathered entrepreneurs, business leaders, government associations, and academics to explore the entrepreneurial ecosystem during a time of unprecedented global change. With over 100 guests in attendance, BRV China Managing Partners Jui Tan and Terry Zhu, along with founders from portfolio companies, discussed and shared insights on the revolutionary changes brought about by artificial intelligence and the opportunities this could present for Hong Kong. In his opening speech, Jui Tan said that Hong Kong, as an international financial center and business hub, holds a unique strategic position. The integration strategy of the Greater Bay Area has further empowered Hong Kong to embark on a new chapter as a global hub of scientific innovation. As the market enters a new trillion-dollar innovation cycle, BRV China hopes to play a part in integrating Hong Kong's existing industrial advantages with the accelerated development of AI. Terry Zhu said AI is undoubtedly the dominant theme of technology venture capital this year, but conversations about AI cannot be limited to AI alone. Given its powerful capabilities, AI must be organically integrated with vertical industries to generate change. BRV China will adhere to its consistent investment logic, with a close focus on large-scale multimodal models, while also paying attention to the myriad of possibilities across various vertical industries. The current era is one of increasing uncertainties. That said, it is also an age where a new cycle of scientific innovation is flourishing. Going forward, BRV China remains fully committed to collaborating with global entrepreneurs to fully immerse in this historic wave of technological innovation. About BRV China BlueRun Ventures China (BRV China) is a leading early-stage venture firm in China with offices in Beijing and Shanghai. Having its heritage in Silicon Valley since 1998 and entered China in 2005, BRV China has managed over $2 billion through multiple USD and RMB funds, with over $1 billion cash distributions. BRV China focuses on investing in entrepreneurs who create a sustainable impact through technological innovations across enterprise services, transportation and smart machine, digital healthcare, and consumer technology sectors in China. The firm has invested in more than 150 portfolio companies, including Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI), QingCloud (688316.SH), WaterDrop (NYSE: WDH), Energy Monster (NASDAQ: EM), Mogujie/Meilishuo (NYSE: MOGU), Qudian (NYSE: QD), Ganji/58.com, PPTV, Guazi, Meishubao, Nanyan, Shanzhen, Gaussian Robotics, Yi Auto, Pinecone, etc. The firm has been recognized as the "No.1 Early-Stage Investment Firm" in China by Zero2IPO and ChinaVenture, and "Consistent Performing Venture Capital Fund Manager" by Preqin. For further information, please visit https://www.brv.com.cn/en/. SOURCE BRV China WASHINGTON, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has entered into a settlement with Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (Booz Allen) to resolve a lawsuit that began seven years ago with the filing of a whistleblower complaint by a former employee. The whistleblower, Sarah Feinberg, alleged that Booz Allen had been overcharging the federal government by knowingly presenting false claims for reimbursement. Booz Allen agreed to pay the government $377,453,150 to settle the claims, originally filed by the whistleblower under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. Under that law, a private citizen with knowledge of fraud against a government agency or government program can "blow the whistle" by bringing a lawsuit on behalf of the government. Successful qui tam whistleblowers can receive substantial awards. In this case, the government awarded the whistleblower nearly $70 million. William Pittard, Matthew Kaiser, Justin Dillon, and Jonathan Jeffress from KaiserDillon PLLC, based in Washington, D.C., and Jonathan Tycko, Tycko & Zavareei LLP, also based in Washington, D.C., represented Ms. Feinberg. Ms. Feinberg had this to say: "I hope this case will inspire more whistleblowers to hold corrupt individuals and corporations accountable." She added: "And I am grateful for the heroic work done by the KaiserDillon team and Jonathan Tycko over the past 7 years to help expose Booz's conduct and assist the government in recovering some of the funds that were claimed by Booz." "We are proud to have represented Sarah Feinberg in this matter. Through her courage and determination to do the right thing, as well as the government's efforts, we have achieved at least a measure of justice," said William Pittard, one of Ms. Feinberg's lawyers. "Using the qui tam provisions of that law, Ms. Feinberg was able to bring this matter to the attention of the government in a way that led to a significant monetary recovery. We are proud and humbled to represent her in this case." "We are grateful for how seriously the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Department of Justice's Civil Fraud Section, and all the government lawyers and investigators who have worked on this matter, took the allegations, and for the work they did to reach this settlement," added attorney Jonathan Tycko, who also represented Ms. Feinberg. The False Claims Act The False Claims Act, sometimes referred to as "Lincoln's Law," was initially enacted during the Civil War in response to "profiteering" by companies that sold defective or useless goods to the Union Army. The Act has been amended several times since then. The modern version of the False Claims Act makes it unlawful for a company to submit false claims for payment to the government, or to create false documents or other records to obtain such payment. The False Claims Act also has a so-called "qui tam" provision that permits private whistleblowers to bring a lawsuit in the name of the government against companies or individuals who violate the Act. Under that qui tam provision, a whistleblower award is typically between 15% and 30% of whatever amount is recovered by or for the government as a result of the lawsuit. Qui tam complaints are filed "under seal" and are then investigated by the Department of Justice, which can then intervene in the lawsuit on the side of the whistleblower. Here, Ms. Feinberg filed the qui tam complaint in 2016 in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney's Office for that District, along with investigators from the Department of Defense and the Defense Contract Management Agency. The qui tam lawsuit at issue is Civil Action No. 16-1911 (ACR) in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. About KaiserDillon PLLC KaiserDillon PLLC represents individuals and companies in the most challenging moments of their lives. The firm's offices are in Washington, D.C. About Tycko & Zavareei LLP Tycko & Zavareei LLP represents whistleblowers, consumers, employees, and others who seek to remedy corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C. and California, and represents clients in litigation in federal and state courts around the country. Jonathan Tycko is a Partner in the firm's whistleblower practice, who has represented dozens of whistleblowers in cases under the False Claims Act and similar statutes; those cases have returned hundreds-of-millions of dollars to federal and state governments. SOURCE KaiserDillon PLLC JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BRI) in collaboration with PT Pakar Digital Global (Paper.id) supported by Visa Indonesia presented PAPERCARD. It has various unique properties & benefits to provide convenience for customers, especially businesses in Indonesia, for digitizing payments. BRI and Paper.id release PAPERCARD, an innovative credit card for businesses which is also supported with Visa. The growth of the BRI Credit Card business in recent years has continued to show a positive trend. On a year-on-year basis, its transaction volume has grown by more than 40%. BRI is optimistic that this year it can grow even bigger. One of the strategies to achieve it, is by issuing innovative credit cards to meet businesses' needs. BRI Consumer Business Director, Handayani said the collaboration in issuing the PAPERCARD, co-branding credit card was BRI and Paper.id's ongoing support for the government's vision of increasing financial inclusion. "Financial inclusion, one of which is through cashless transactions, aims to support MSMEs to carry out digital transformation," she said. With PAPERCARD, she continued, businesses can transact and manage expenses easily anytime and anywhere on the Paper.id platform. This product is designed to answer the needs of business owners who want to feel convenience in every process and experience benefits that can be enjoyed for business activities and for the owners as well, as related with the card's tagline #ItsBusinessAndItsPersonal. In addition, transaction data is presented real-time and accurate. PAPERCARD users can also enjoy cashback and various attractive promos from BRI and Visa. As for submissions to information access and PAPERCARD transaction mutations, it can be done through the Paper.id web application. CEO & Co-founder of Paper.id, Yosia Sugialam said, PAPERCARD is believed to be able to have a positive impact on businesses, especially Paper.id users, so they can experience digital payment innovations while also being able to enjoy benefits or personal value to their owners. "Paper.id has been a pioneer since 2017 in invoicing & business payments. Until now, more than 450,000 business people have experienced the easiness of business payments through Paper.id," he said. Various features are presented, such as business payments by credit card and the presence of e-stamps for invoice validation. PAPERCARD can also be used to pay for other business operations, such as digital service advertising (Meta, Google & TikTok), office asset and inventory purchasing needs, as well as business travel and other types of business payments. It can be realized through the support of the Visa network which allows the card to be used globally, as well as various special promotions. Riko Abdurrahman, President Director of Visa Indonesia, stated, "Visa is very pleased to be able to facilitate this good collaboration between BRI and Paper.id, which has resulted in a new breakthrough PAPERCARD for the MSME segment. Our recent Visa Consumer Payment Attitudes study found that credit card use is still prevalent, including to pay bills among consumers, and is most often used for overseas travel, shopping and buying supplies, as well as food & dining," he said. "Visa provides access to a payment network that reaches more than 80 million merchants in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Coupled with the fact that MSMEs contribute around 60% to the economy in Indonesia, and BRI and Paper.id are at the forefront in serving the needs of MSMEs, we hope that the synergy between BRI, Paper.id and Visa in the form of the PAPERCARD credit card will not only support smooth business processes. for business owners, but also a driver of financial inclusion in Indonesia". The newly launched PAPERCARD has two types namely SPACECARD & UNIVERSECARD. Both are cards with various benefits adapted to business conditions of various scales. SPACECARD is a type of credit card that is intended to meet basic needs in managing cash-flow & monitoring business expenses in real-time. Then for UNIVERSECARD is a type of credit card that combines all the advantages of SPACECARD equipped with a variety of premium benefits, such as access to airport lounges and transaction conversions to airline mileage. This is a very rare feature compared to other business / corporate cards across Indonesia. BRI, Paper.id, and Visa hope that PAPERCARD can become a new milestone in the development of a digital payment ecosystem for businesses in Indonesia, especially Paper.id users. SOURCE Paper.id TULSA, Okla., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Canopy Healthtech, a multi-year initiative led by the Tom Love Innovation Hub in the University of Oklahoma Michael F. Price College of Business in collaboration with Oklahoma State University and the University of Tulsa, has selected four grantees for its inaugural investment in virtual healthtech. Grantees will receive both grant funding (totaling $400,000) and expert mentorship to expedite the commercialization of intellectual property developed at Oklahoma-based universities. "Canopy elevates the city of Tulsa as a thought leader and as fertile ground for virtual healthtech innovation by highlighting our state's intellectual capital to both in- and out-of-state stakeholders," said Rachel Lane, Canopy Healthtech executive director. "Our inaugural year is just the first flurry of activity in the industry avalanche we anticipate." The recipients of the funding and a brief description of their products are listed below in alphabetical order: Kitty Cardwell, Ph.D. (Director and Professor), OSU Ferguson College of Agriculture: Cardwell is developing Microbe Finder (MiFi), a next-generation sequence-analysis, cloud-based software-as-a-service that rapidly detects multiple pathogens in a single sequenced sample with high specificity for life-saving diagnoses. Yu Feng, Ph.D. (Associate Professor), OSU College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology: Feng's artificial intelligence-powered, user-centered smart inhaler will collect patients' pulmonary-air flow dynamics data to optimize inhaled medication delivery. Ann Gettys (Assistant Director of Operations), OU Gallogly College of Engineering: Gettys is developing the Overnight Pediatric Oxygen Delivery system, a retractable hood that contains a facial imaging system and series of oxygen nozzles to improve oxygen delivery to pediatric patients. Kelly Lucas, D.D.S., OU Health Sciences Center College of Dentistry: Lucas is developing the Guidance Package System, a patented jaw shape and movement software that will use mathematical modeling to standardize complex restorative and appliance dentistry procedures and production, making quality dental care more accessible and repeatable. Local and national industry executives visited Tulsa, where Canopy is based, to evaluate the business plans from nine university-based innovators. The projects were selected based on their perceived and projected market strengths, including a high probability of clinical use or follow-on funding by 2025. Awardees plan to establish technology-related startups in Tulsa. About Canopy Healthtech Canopy Healthtech is a new initiative to develop economic impact in Tulsa by accelerating the commercialization of the state's intellectual capital. The program will catalyze start-up growth and improve healthcare outcomes by supporting the development of critical virtual health technologies that address significant health care delivery gaps. About the Tom Love Innovation Hub Founded in 2016, the Tom Love Innovation Hub, powered by the University of Oklahoma Michael F. Price College of Business, stands as a leader in the Oklahoma entrepreneurial ecosystem. Purposed with advancing innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Oklahoma and across the state, the Innovation Hub has helped to launch many new ventures and entrepreneurial projects. Its programs have rapidly grown the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Oklahoma by providing top-tier talent and launching promising businesses into the economy. For more information about the Innovation Hub, visit ou.edu/innovationhub. About the Michael F. Price College of Business The University of Oklahoma Michael F. Price College of Business has experienced significant growth over the past five years, becoming OU's second-largest college with over 5,000 students. The college offers highly ranked undergraduate, master's, executive and doctoral programs across six academic divisions. More information is available at price.ou.edu. SOURCE The University of Oklahoma Price College of Business SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. President Ilham Aliyev's speech provided a powerful boost to the Shusha Global Media Forum, first deputy director-general of Russias TASS news agency, Mikhail Gusman, told reporters after President Ilham Aliyev's address on "New Media in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution" at the Shusha Global Media Forum, Trend reports. "I thank President Ilham Aliyev for such an open, sincere, deep, and significant conversation. President Ilham Aliyev spent over two hours meeting with leaders of the global media community, answering all questions candidly, comprehensively, persuasively, and with solid arguments. I've spoken with our colleagues and friends from different countries, and they were profoundly impressed. The president is well aware of the issues, and he is deeply engaged in them. Today's conversation was simply incredible. We discussed various topics, including international and domestic matters, as well as the most relevant issues for Azerbaijan related to concluding a peaceful agreement with Armenia, strategic development of the country, and the president's vision as a leader of the Non-Aligned Movement. All of this was an enormous gift from President Ilham Aliyev. It gave a powerful impetus to the entire forum. I believe that during the forum's next two days, we will all be inspired by our meeting with President Ilham Aliyev," Gusman said. The forum, organized by the instruction of President Ilham Aliyev as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and in connection with the 148th anniversary of Azerbaijan's national press, is attended by 150 foreign guests from about 50 countries, including state information agencies from 34 countries, 12 international organizations, and media structures. Among the participants are 60 leaders and representatives of local media. The forum aims to discuss global issues in media and information-communication spheres. Prominent and influential leaders from the world's renowned media, along with experts, will discuss new tools in journalism and communication in the digital era, digital transformation, media management in the modern information environment, and the establishment of sustainable business models in the media industry. The discussions will also cover consumer trends in new media, media literacy, methods to combat disinformation and fake news, journalist safety, and other topics. During the forum, an initiative for creating the media platform of the Non-Aligned Movement will also be proposed. The city of Shusha, which has hosted numerous international events, is gathering leaders of leading global media, journalistic organizations, influential experts in the information-communication sphere, and renowned journalists for the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan. MIAMI, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ChenMed, one of the nation's leading primary care providers focused on serving seniors, announced that Steve Nelson has been named President of the company effective August 1, 2023. In his new role, Nelson will lead the day-to-day management and operations of the ChenMed family of brands (Chen Senior Medical Center, Dedicated Senior Medical Center, JenCare Senior Medical Center and IntuneHealth), which offer concierge-style medicine and better health outcomes to seniors in historically disadvantaged communities. "Steve's leadership experience will best position the company to achieve our ultimate goal of transforming health care." Tweet this Steve Nelson, President, ChenMed The combined organization operates more than 125 senior medical centers in 15 states, holding true to the founding principle that James Chen, M.D., Ph.D., established more than 30 years ago that underserved seniors should have access to VIP primary care to keep them healthy and out of the hospital. "Steve's leadership experience will best position the company to achieve our ultimate goal of transforming health care for the better by serving more seniors in more places. It will enable us to leverage his exemplary track record and skill set to accelerate the impact of this transformational business," said Chris Chen, M.D., ChenMed CEO. "I'm honored to help lead this organization and to pursue a founder-inspired strategy to steer and grow the company toward a distinctive future," said Steve Nelson, ChenMed's incoming President. "The Chen family's vision and goals have already improved the lives of thousands of seniors who had never experienced the quality of primary and coordinated health care that they deserve. We intend to build on and expand the reach of the exceptional health outcomes and experiences the Chen family has delivered to its patients, while offering the best possible environment for our teams, and achieving sustainable business results." Prior to joining ChenMed, Nelson served as Co-Chairman and CEO of Duly Health and Care, one of the largest multispecialty independent provider groups in the U.S. Earlier in his career, he led UnitedHealthcare as CEO, contributing to its status as the largest Medicare Advantage business nationally, and driving efforts that increased employee engagement and customer satisfaction. About ChenMed: ChenMed is a privately owned medical and technology company that delivers high-touch, personalized, and coordinated primary care that can help Medicare-eligible seniors enjoy better health. The company operates more than 125 senior medical centers in 15 states. Named one of Fortune's 2020 "Change the World" companies, twice named a "Most Loved Workplace" by Newsweek, and a certified Great Place to Work by the Great Place to Work Institute, ChenMed brings concierge-style medicine and better health outcomes to communities that have not had access to high quality healthcare. ChenMed brands include Chen Senior Medical Center, Dedicated Senior Medical Center, JenCare Senior Medical Center and IntuneHealth. Its leading value-based, healthcare technology organization, Curity, was recently named a "Best Place to Work in IT" by ComputerWorld. SOURCE ChenMed SC EMS Association presented with $17,500 check by Duke Energy to complete State-Wide Gap Assessment for EMS Disaster Readiness HANAHAN, S.C., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MedTrust Holdings hosted a Press Conference to focus on the important topic of emergency preparedness and the readiness for hurricane evacuations / repatriation of the Lowcountry's most vulnerable citizens from hospitals and other healthcare facilities. While there are many agencies and organizations involved during an emergency event, in SC private ground ambulance companies, like MedTrust, play the primary role and are responsible to complete the evacuation of patients from healthcare facilities and hospitals healthcare facilities and hospitals are responsible for the cost of these services. Over the past few years MedTrust has been a leader in these services, marshalling its own ground ambulance resources and securing more ambulances from other SC regions and other states, establishing an Emergency Operations Command Center, and safely evacuating / repatriating thousands of patients from hospitals and other healthcare and assisted living facilities to facilities across the Southeast. Once an emergency is declared during a hurricane event, time is of the essence to evacuate patients with maximum resources required during the critical hours prior to the storm's landfall. As noted by Lenna Macdonald, MedTrust's CEO, "One of the most challenging aspects of such an effort is the need to marshal resources to evacuate our most vulnerable citizens out of harm's way those that are patients or residents in healthcare facilities. While there are many agencies and organizations involved during an emergency event, in SC private ground ambulance companies, like MedTrust, play a primary role and are responsible to complete the evacuation of patients from healthcare facilities and hospitals AND over the past few years MedTrust has been a leader in these services." Securing sufficient ground ambulance capacity to evacuate all patients has been a challenge in the past but is now at a critical level post-COVID due to staffing shortages in all communities. As noted by the MedTrust Founder, Josh Watts, "Communities can no longer commit to send to the Charleston area the same resources as in the past, unless their own community is protected and with staffing shortages, those excess resources no longer exist." One critical resource is missing from the Lowcountry Ambuses (Ambulance-Buses) that can evacuate / repatriate 6-12 patients at one time a true force-multiplying resource. Henry Lewis, Executive Director of the SC EMS Association (SCEMSA) introduced Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-1). Congresswoman Mace thanked Mark Smith (SC District 99), Berkely and Charleston County EMS leaders for attending the press conference. She also thanked the SCEMSA and the entire EMS community for their service, particularly during the critical time of hurricane evacuations / repatriations from along the coast. During her remarks, Congresswoman Mace reflected her surprise that there were no AMBUS resources based in the most critically affected storm areas. "I was shocked when I learned that there is not a single AMBUS on the coast that can help us in the time of an emergency to evacuate hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities and bring patients back when the emergency is over." The Congresswoman continued "We want to work smarter not harder and do everything we can to find funding and resources available. This is an issue on a federal, state and local level that we can work on together. Emergencies do not have a political affiliation. We have a great partner in Representative Mark Smith, District 99, who is also championing this cause." "On a federal level we want to make sure we get our fair share (of funding) because the Lowcountry and the first congressional district is the 10th fastest growing district in the nation. We have more nursing homes, more hospitals and more senior living facilities because of this growth. We are putting this issue on the radar and working with state, federal and local partners as well as making the community aware that there is a need for Ambuses," Congressman Mace concluded. At the conclusion of Congresswoman Mace's remarks, Mandy Gattis, Project Coordinator, SCEMSA invited Rick Jiran, Senior VP of Duke Energy for a presentation of a $17,500 check to SCEMSA to fund a state-wide gap analysis of EMS disaster readiness. "We are pleased that Congresswoman Mace has taken an interest in supporting efforts to ensure that the lowcountry has sufficient resources to support our community in the event that a hurricane evacuation / repatriation is required," stated Ms. Macdonald. We applaud the efforts of SCEMSA to advocate on behalf of the entire EMS community to coordinate efforts for state-wide emergency preparedness. About MedTrust: MedTrust Holdings is driven by a mission of "improving patient outcomes through excellence in mobile healthcare." Founded in 2012 and now operating in three southeastern states with more than 80,000 patient encounters annually, MedTrust is a premier "partner of choice" for many healthcare systems and facilities seeking reliable transport services, innovative models, value for money engagements, data-driven performance, clinically excellent and compassionate care for their patients. We are the "employer of choice" for those who seek a positive culture focused on service, accountability, and excellence. We believe that healthcare will continue to evolve to care delivery closer to the patient; MedTrust has launched NEXUS Healthcare to use patient-centered care models offering on-demand, on-site, needs-based and preventative care to improve patient health outcomes, reduce costs and improve overall patient wellness satisfaction. Our value propositions have and will continue to drive our organic growth; MedTrust has been named to the Inc 5000 Fastest Growing companies list for the past 5 years. Leadership. Professionalism. Compassion. About SC EMS Association: The South Carolina EMS Association (SCEMSA) is a nonprofit organization committed to creating a unified voice for EMS providers across all sectors in the state of South Carolina. Our mission is to advance EMS through advocacy, collaboration, and education. No matter what sector of EMS you work in, we will work for you and your colleagues to foster a safe and successful environment in which every provider can thrive. In the last few years, specific subcommittees have been formed to address issues with workforce sustainability, shortages in certified EMS providers at all levels, health and safety of our EMS providers (to include PTSD and emotional trauma), education and access to EMS education systems, and more. Your SCEMSA subcommittees are actively engaging with other stakeholders to publish data and reports to help guide our legislative efforts and help us work with our State EMS Office to enact meaningful change and improve upon our statewide EMS systems. Media contact: Josh Watts [email protected] SOURCE MedTrust Medical Transport LLC Approximately 450,000 consumers are being notified that their Social Security numbers and other confidential information were compromised due to a vulnerability in MOVEit, a file transfer software by 1st Source Bank. The data breach lawyers at Console & Associates, P.C. are investigating claims on behalf of anyone impacted by the data breach affecting 1st Source Bank customers, hoping to fully inform them of the risks they face in the wake of the breach as well as their legal rights. MARLTON, N.J., July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The sensitive personal data of 450,000 consumers has been compromised. Now, account holders' full names, Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, state identification numbers and dates of birth may be in the hands of criminals, putting victims at an increased risk of identity theft and other frauds. On July 14, 2023, 1st Source Bank filed a notice with the Attorney General of Maine describing a data breach affecting consumers nationwide. According to the notice, the data breach affected an estimated 450,000. 1st Source Bank explained that the incident involved the bank's use of MOVEit, a third-party software developed by Progress Software. Evidently, on May 31, 2023, Progress Software announced a critical vulnerability within MOVEit that allowed unauthorized parties to access information stored on MOVEit servers. The list of sensitive information that was exposed includes: Full names, Social Security numbers, Driver's license numbers, State identification numbers, and Dates of birth. If you receive a data breach notice from 1st Source Bank, you could now be at risk of identity theftand the devastating financial and legal consequences that go along with it. 1st Source Bank indicated that it will be providing victims whose Social Security numbers were affected with 12 months of complimentary credit monitoring services. However, while victims should enroll in this service immediately, it is not sufficient to protect them from the risks of a data breach. What Should You Do if You Receive a 1st Source Bank Data Breach Letter? Individuals who receive a data breach letter from 1st Source Bank should take steps to protect themselves. (See our Guide for Victims of Data Breach for more details at https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/consumer-privacy-data-breach-lawyers/if-your-information-has-been-compromised-in-a-data-breach/) Additionally, victims should consider contacting a data breach attorney immediately, as anyone who receives a data breach letter from 1st Source Bank may be entitled to financial compensation. If you wish to discuss this data security incident, or if you have any questions regarding your rights following the 1st Source Bank data breach, please contact Console & Associates, P.C. at (866) 778-5500. Interested parties and potential plaintiffs can also learn more about this data breach and potential lawsuit at https://www.myinjuryattorney.com/1st-source-bank-data-breach-investigation/. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Contact: ***@consoleandassociates.com Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/12975031 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Console & Associates, P.C. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Convert Solar, a leading Virginia-based solar company, is thrilled to announce its successful bid in the Solarize Virginia Request for Proposal (RFP) initiative. Solarize Virginia, managed by the renowned Virginia nonprofit Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP), aims to simplify the process of adopting solar energy by providing a comprehensive platform for education, installation, and ongoing support. Convert Solar's victory in this highly competitive bidding process further solidifies its position as a trusted industry leader. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Convert Solar has emerged as a respected player in the solar energy sector. With a focus solely on the Virginia market, the company takes immense pride in its roots and local operations. Convert Solar's unwavering commitment to providing high-quality solar solutions has earned it the distinguished rank of the #23 residential solar installation company in the United States. The Solarize Virginia initiative serves as a community-based outreach program, offering discounted prices and vetted installers for residents in Central VA, Richmond, Hampton Roads, and Roanoke areas. By streamlining the process and reducing complexity, Solarize Virginia empowers individuals and communities to embrace solar energy as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative. Convert Solar's success in the Solarize Virginia RFP reflects the company's expertise, industry knowledge, and dedication to delivering exceptional customer experiences. As a chosen installer, Convert Solar will continue to provide top-tier solar solutions while working closely with Solarize Virginia to educate and support residents throughout their solar journey. "We are honored to be selected as a trusted partner in the Solarize Virginia program," said Chad Wilkins, CEO of Convert Solar. "This achievement underscores our commitment to our home state of Virginia and validates our position as a leader in the solar industry. We are excited to work hand-in-hand with Solarize Virginia and provide the residents of Central VA, Richmond, Hampton Roads, and Roanoke areas with reliable, sustainable, and affordable solar solutions." Convert Solar's deep local roots, coupled with its national recognition, make it the ideal choice for residents seeking to harness the power of solar energy. With a decade of experience and a track record of successful installations, Convert Solar continues to champion the Virginia market, offering innovative solutions and exceptional customer service. For more information about Convert Solar and its services, please visit www.convert-solar.com or contact media relations at [email protected] or sign up for Solarize at https://solarizeva.org/ About Convert Solar: Convert Solar is a leading solar company based in Virginia, USA. With a decade of experience, Convert Solar has become a nationally recognized name, specializing in residential solar installations. As a locally operated company, Convert Solar is dedicated to serving the Virginia market and empowering communities with reliable and affordable solar energy solutions. Media Contact: Mario Reyes Public Relations Manager Convert Solar Email: [email protected] Website: www.convert-solar.com SOURCE Convert Solar NEW YORK, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bernstein Liebhard LLP: Do you, or did you, own shares of Danaher Corporation (NYSE: DHR)? Did you purchase your shares between April 21, 2022 and April 24, 2023 , inclusive? Did you lose money in your investment in Danaher Corporation? Do you want to discuss your rights? Bernstein Liebhard LLP announces that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or acquired the securities of Danaher Corporation ("Danaher" or the "Company") (NYSE: DHR) between April 21, 2022 and April 24, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint"). If you purchased or acquired Danaher securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Danaher Corporation Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected]. According to the Complaint, Danaher designs, manufactures, and markets professional, medical, industrial, and commercial products and services worldwide. In 2020 and 2021, Danaher's diagnostic tests and life sciences research tools were widely used in the effort to combat the COVID-19 virus. Specifically, Danaher's diagnostics segment included Cepheid, a leader in molecular testing, and its life sciences segment included a variety of companies that worked to develop COVID-19 vaccines and therapies. As a result, Danaher experienced a significant upswing in both revenue growth over the course of this period. Plaintiff alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors 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) Danaher overstated its ability to sustain the growth it had experienced in 2020 and 2021; and (iv) as a result, it was unlikely that Danaher would be able to meet its 2023 revenue forecasts. On April 25, 2023, Danaher issued a press release announcing its financial results for the first quarter of 2023. Among other items, Danaher reported that "[r]evenues decreased 7.0% year-over-year to $7.2 billion, with a 4.0% non-GAAP core revenue decrease, due to the impact of lower COVID-19 revenue, and 6.0% non-GAAP base business core revenue growth." The Company also projected that "[f]or the second quarter and full year 2023, . . . non-GAAP base business core revenue growth will be up mid-single digits year-over-year", down from an earlier projection of high-single-digit growth. Notably, this announcement appeared to be at odds with Danaher's prior reassurances that revenues associated with the Company's non-COVID-19-related businesses would compensate for the foregoing negative results. On this news, Danaher's stock price fell $22.36 per share, or 8.79%, to close at $231.99 per share on April 25, 2023. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 15, 2023 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member. If you purchased or acquired Danaher securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Danaher Corporation Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or [email protected]. Since 1993, Bernstein Liebhard LLP has recovered over $3.5 billion for its clients. In addition to representing individual investors, the Firm has been retained by some of the largest public and private pension funds in the country to monitor their assets and pursue litigation on their behalf. As a result of its success litigating hundreds of lawsuits and class actions, the Firm has been named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" thirteen times and listed in The Legal 500 for sixteen consecutive years. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. 2023 Bernstein Liebhard LLP. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Bernstein Liebhard LLP, 10 East 40th Street, New York, New York 10016, (212) 779-1414. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. Contact Information: Peter Allocco Bernstein Liebhard LLP https://www.bernlieb.com (212) 951-2030 [email protected] SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP WASHINGTON, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the American Trucking Associations announced that the Trucking Associations Executive Council recognized Darrin Roth, ATA's Vice President of Highway Policy, with the J.R. "Bob" Halladay Award. Presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to assist and support the work of the 50 state trucking associations that comprise the ATA Federation, the Halladay Award is only awarded when a TAEC region hosting the annual meeting deems an individual worthy of recognition. This year's annual meeting took place in Newport, Rhode Island. TAEC Logo "Darrin Roth has always been incredibly supportive of state trucking association executives," said Joe Sculley, Chairman of TAEC and President of the New Hampshire Motor Transport Association. "Whether it is analyzing legislation related to things such as tolling or spending federal highway funds, he assists state trucking association executives in serving their members. I thank Darrin for his hard work and congratulate him on earning this award." "Darrin's objective and factual insight and knowledge of highway policy were an integral part of our industry's court ruling against truck-only tolls," said Rhode Island Trucking Association President Chris Maxwell. "Rhode Island especially owes him a debt of gratitude, so it was very fitting that he receive the Halladay Award at TAEC 2023 here in Newport." "It is an incredible privilege to work alongside the exceptional leaders and staff of the state trucking associations, who are tireless and effective champions for the trucking industry in statehouses across the country," said Roth. "The ATA's strength is derived from many individuals at all levels of government advocating for good public policies that support truck drivers, fleets, the supply chain and our economy. I am proud to be a part of these efforts, and I am both honored and humbled to receive the J.R. 'Bob' Halladay Award." Roth joined ATA in 1996 and has served as ATA's point person on highway issues ranging from infrastructure finance and freight planning to truck productivity and congestion. TAEC established the J.R. "Bob" Halladay Award in 1990. The award is named after Bob Halladay, who held a long and distinguished career in the trucking industry beginning in 1952 with his appointment as Managing Director of the Kansas Motor Carriers Association. Halladay was instrumental in developing legislation in the 1950s and 60s that enabled the trucking industry to assume a vital role in post-war America. In 1965, Halladay started a career with the American Trucking Associations, where he would hold a variety of positions before retiring in 1990 as Senior Vice President of Federation Relations. Halladay passed away in 2012. American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward. SOURCE American Trucking Associations FORT WORTH, Texas, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DFW-based credit union EECU officially celebrated the opening of its 17th Financial Center in Frisco Wednesday with a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening festivities. The Financial Center, inside Frisco's Flagship H-E-B grocery store, serves as the credit union's first location in Collin County. The ribbon cutting brought in officials from EECU, the Frisco Chamber of Commerce, and other local dignitaries to dedicate the Financial Center, meet the staff and see the facility. EECU also presented $2,500 donation checks to the Frisco ISD Education Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club of Frisco, and Frisco Family Services. "This is an exciting opportunity for EECU," said Lonnie Nicholson, EECU president and CEO. "We are establishing an important presence in the Collin County community, as well as continuing to grow alongside H-E-B, a beloved Texas institution with similar values to EECU: unwavering commitment to service, innovation, education, and giving back to the community." Collin County residents were invited to join the grand opening festivities, where they could enter for the chance to win prizes and giveaways, take a photo with Dallas Cowboys mascot Rowdy, and meet the EECU team. EECU's presence in Collin County will continue to grow, as a grand opening for their 18th Financial Center in Plano is expected later this summer. About EECU Credit Union With more than $3.4 billion in assets, EECU Credit Union is one of North Texas' largest locally owned financial institutions. For 89 years, EECU has been serving the financial needs of individuals and businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Today, EECU provides more than 267,000 people with a full range of financial products and nationwide convenience through a network of 5,000 Service Centers, 85,000 free ATMs and 24/7 online and mobile banking. For more information, visit eecu.org or connect with EECU on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Media Inquiries: Adam Hernandez Director, Digital & Corporate Communications EECU Credit Union 817-882-0022 [email protected] SOURCE EECU Credit Union CHICAGO, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Encoder Market is projected to grow from USD 2.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 4.5 billion by 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.0% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The increasing adoption of encoders in energy harvesting applications and the growing expansion of automotive markets worldwide are among the key factors driving the encoder market. Furthermore, innovative technologies in the automotive and UAV industries are expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=14566162 Browse in-depth TOC on "Encoder Market" 120 Tables 60 Figures 230 Pages Encoder Market Report Scope: Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $2.7 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $4.5 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 11.0% 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 Encoder Type, Signal Type, Technology, Application and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Mechanical failure in harsh environments Key Market Opportunities Rising government initiatives to boost industrial automation Key Market Drivers The rising need for high-end automation across industries Industrial application to hold the largest share of the encoders market during the forecast period. The industrial application held the largest share of the encoder market in 2022. The industrial sector applications are for web tensioning, backstop gauging, linear measurement, registration of mark timing conveying, and filling. The most common application is providing feedback on the motion control of electric motors. The encoders are designed for numerous applications in the industrial sector, such as robotics using encoders to determine motion position, control joint position, measure linear extension, and provide gripper & finger feedback and force feedback. In the industrial sector, nearly half the electricity consumed is used for electric power motors; most motors are equipped with encoders. Market for rotary encoders is expected to have largest market share during the forecast period. In 2022, Rotary encoders held the largest share of the encoders market, and a similar trend is likely to be observed in the coming years. This segment's dominant position can be attributed to the increasing demand for automated industrial machines and robotics, which are driving the growth of the rotary encoders market. Also, the market has witnessed increased innovation in this sector. Optical sensor technology, multi-turn encoders, programmable encoders, wireless encoders, and integrated encoders are some of the most recent innovations in rotary encoders. Market for the inductive encoders is expected to witness the highest growth during the forecast period. The market for inductive encoders is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period. The necessity for accurate and trustworthy position sensing in a variety of applications has fueled the development and expansion of inductive encoders. Technology advancements have resulted in the creation of inductive encoders that are more compact, accurate, and durable and can function under challenging conditions. Additionally, the rise of inductive encoders has been aided by the trend toward automation as well as the expanding use of robots and other automated systems. Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=14566162 Asia Pacific to have the largest share of encoders market in during the forecast period. Asia Pacific region is expected to have the largest market size of the encoders market during the forecast period. China, Japan, South Korea, and India are among the key countries in the Asia Pacific encoder industry. The growth of the encoder market in this region is mainly attributed to the increasing number of manufacturing and engineering hubs related to various industries. The emergence of electric, autonomous, and connected cars is fueling the growth of the automotive industry in the Asia Pacific, especially in China. China has been a potential market for all emerging technologies, such as robotics and factory automation. The large-scale manufacturing industries in Japan and South Korea have also contributed to the market growth in the region. The encoder market is likely to grow significantly in Taiwan and India, as these systems are perceived as key enablers of industry modernization. Leading players in the encoders companies include Sensata Technologies (US), HEIDENHAIN (Germany), Fortive (Dynapar) (US), Renishaw plc (UK), Mitutoyo Corporation (Japan), FRABA B.V. (Netherlands), ifm electronic (Germany), Pepperl+Fuchs (Germany), and Maxon (Switzerland). Pilz GmbH (Germany), Tamagawa Seiki Co., Ltd (Japan), Faulhaber Group (Germany), Baumer (Switzerland), Koyo Electronics Industries Co., Ltd (Japan), Schneider Electric (France), Omron Corporation (Japan), Rockwell Automation (Wisconsin) are few other key companies operating in the encoder market. Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=14566162 Browse Adjacent Market: Semiconductor and Electronics Market Research Reports &Consulting Related Reports: Motion Control Market by Offering (Actuators & Mechanical Systems, Motors, Motion Controllers, Drives, Sensor & Feedback Devices, Software & Services), System (Open-loop, Closed-loop), Industry and Region (2022-2027) Position Sensor Market with COVID-19 Impact Analysis by Type (Linear and Rotary), Application (Machine Tools, Robotics, Motion Systems, Material Handling, TEST Equipment), Contact Type, Output, End-User Industry, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2025 Video Encoders Market by Number of Channel (1-Channel, 2-Channel, 4-Channel, 8-Channel, 16-Channel, more than 16-Channel), Type (Standalone, Rack-mounted), Application (Broadcasting, Surveillance) and Geography - Global Forecast to 2027 Optical Sensing Market by Industry (Aerospace & Defense, Utilities, Oil & Gas, Medical, Construction, and Consumer Electronics), Application, Method, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2023 Industrial Sensors Market by Sensor Type (Level Sensor, Temperature Sensor, Gas Sensor, Pressure Sensor, Position Sensor, Flow Sensor, and Humidity & Moisture Sensor), Type, End-user Industry and Region (2021-2026) About MarketsandMarkets MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients. The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing. Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry. To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Contact: Mr. Aashish Mehra MarketsandMarkets INC. 630 Dundee Road Suite 430 Northbrook, IL 60062 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Web Site: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/encoder-market.asp Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/encoder.asp Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets The following is attributed to FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, M.D. SILVER SPRING, Md., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is working closely with Pfizer to assess the impact of the damage at Pfizer's Rocky Mount, North Carolina, facility. Over the next few days, we will complete a more extensive assessment of the products that may be impacted and the current available supply of those products. This assessment also will evaluate what is in Pfizer's other warehouses and what is stocked by wholesalers and distributors, if those companies are willing to share that information with the FDA. Importantly, we do not expect there to be any immediate significant impacts on supply given the products are currently at hospitals and in the distribution system, but this is a dynamic situation and FDA staff are in frequent communication with Pfizer and other manufacturers. The FDA will work closely with partners in government, industry and the broader health care system to minimize impact on patient care. Notably, while Pfizer has one third of the total sterile injectable drug market for hospitals in the U.S., and this facility only makes 25% of Pfizer's total product for this market not the entire market. This means 8% of U.S. consumption is supplied by this site. While disclosure laws prevent the FDA from providing a complete list of products made at the facility, there is redundancy in the supply chain due to other manufacturers. Our initial analysis has identified less than 10 drugs for which Pfizer's North Carolina plant is the sole source for the U.S. market, however, a number of these are specific formulations for which there should be substitutes or for which many weeks' worth of stock should be available in Pfizer's other warehouses. For those products produced at this facility that are already in, or may be, at risk of shortage, the FDA has initiated mitigation steps, such as looking for additional sources and asking other manufacturers to prepare to ramp up production, if needed. To have equitable distribution of the products and ensure availability to those in most need, as well as to avoid hoarding, Pfizer has put the inventory of many products on strict allocation. These allocation measures could lead to localized supply disruptions depending on contractual relationships for supplies. Health care systems that have trouble in obtaining a particular drug should contact their distributor or Pfizer directly. We will share additional information as it becomes available. More broadly, this incident underscores that a robust, resilient and safe drug supply chain is essential for public health and national security. Redundancy of manufacturing locations, which can include domestic locations, and of suppliers is important to mitigate risks to supply that can occur from natural disasters, geopolitical conflicts, or other less predictable events. We remain committed to partnering across government, academia, and industry to strengthen and diversify the supply chain and ensure Americans continue to have access to drugs that are high quality, safe and effective. # # # Media Contact: FDA Office of Media Affairs, 301-796-4540 Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products. SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration NEW YORK, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hughes Holden Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to bettering the mental health of marginalized communities in the U.S., is proud to announce a substantial donation to Harvard Medical School (HMS). The contribution will provide annual scholarships for students underrepresented in medicine with an interest in mental health care - a step in addressing the pronounced disparities in both access to and quality of mental health services across the nation. The gift supports two initiatives at HMS: Both its general, need-based financial aid program, and its REACH program, which provides need-based, four-year scholarship funding to a select group of incoming MD students who demonstrate Resilience, Excellence, Achievement, Compassion, and commitment to Helping the underserved. These programs enable the world's most promising medical students to attend HMS, regardless of their financial means; upon graduation, these students can choose their career paths without the burden of significant debt, enabling them to pursue their passions, take risks, and become leaders and innovators in the field of health care. Foundation funding scholarships at Harvard in Mental Health & new Psychiatric Care Clinics for underserved communities Tweet this The Hughes Holden Foundation, a not-for-profit organization with offices in Newport Beach, CA, and Greenwich, CT, was founded by Mr. Tony Hughes and Dr. Peter Holden, successful tech entrepreneurs with a deep connection and personal interest in mental health. Mr. Hughes and Dr. Holden were inspired by the work at Harvard Medical School and its commitment to make significant contributions to growing the diverse pipeline of clinicians to provide mental health care to underserved communities. "Mental health is a crucial but often neglected aspect of overall health, especially among minority and marginalized communities faced with numerous obstacles in accessing quality care," said Hughes and Holden in a joint statement. "Our mission is to attract and nurture greater diversity within mental health education and professional training leading to a new generation of leaders and advocates best suited to serve their communities. Supporting HMS in this worthwhile endeavor is a tremendous honor." Starting in the 2023-2024 academic year, the donation will establish both the Hughes Holden Scholarship Fund and the Hughes Holden REACH Scholarship Fund at Harvard Medical School, providing financial aid to students pursuing MDs. HMS will award these need-based scholarships to students with an academic interest in psychiatry or mental health, continuing the Hughes Holden Foundation's enduring commitment to supporting minorities and underserved communities across the USA. In partnership with HMS, the scholarships may cover tuition, fees, living expenses. Recipients will have access to mentorship, networking, and research opportunities from the Foundation's Advisory Board made up of nationally recognized practitioners and thought leaders in mental health innovation. "We are immensely grateful to the Hughes Holden Foundation for their generous and visionary support," said Edward Hundert, Dean for Medical Education at Harvard Medical School. "This donation bolsters HMS's commitment to attracting diverse and talented students with an interest in psychiatry, supporting future healers and leaders in the mental health field." According to the American Psychiatric Association, there is a dire shortage of psychiatrists in the United States. Only 6% of psychiatrists identify as Black or African American, 5% as Hispanic or Latino, 12% as Asian, and less than 1% as American Indian. Moreover, only about 3% of medical students choose psychiatry as their specialty. The Hughes Holden Foundation hopes that its donation will help address this gap by increasing the number of minority physicians who pursue careers in mental health policy and practice. The commitment to HMS is part of a larger initiative by the Foundation to tackle the mental health crisis in the U.S. The Foundation plans to fund the establishment of multiple minority-owned and managed Psychiatric Urgent Care Centers in underprivileged communities across the nation, beginning in California and expanding to other regions. About the Hughes Holden Foundation: The Hughes Holden Foundation is a nonprofit organization with offices in Newport Beach, CA and Greenwich, CT, dedicated to improving mental health awareness, psychiatric education and treatment, with a specific focus on those in most need the minority and underserved communities in the USA. Founded by tech entrepreneurs Mr. Tony Hughes and Dr. Peter Holden, the Foundation reflects their deep connection and personal commitment towards providing quality mental healthcare for all. Further Details & Inquiries : HHF Foundation : John Hendel, Executive Director Email : [email protected] Harvard Medical School: [email protected] SOURCE Hughes Holden Foundation SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. We are very grateful to our friends and brothers in Central Asia for support, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Trend reports. When you drove from Fuzuli Airport, probably, you've noticed the housing project, which is being implemented. There is a school behind it, which was generously donated to us by Uzbekistan and also the Art Center, which was donated by Kazakhstan. Both are under construction and the school must be ready by the end of August, and Art Center for young generation - Youth Art Center - by the end of the year. So, these are two signs of support. And actually all this is foreign aid, which we received since the war ended. This was a very important gesture demonstrating their solidarity, President Ilham Aliyev underlined. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. JIUQUAN, China, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bearing the GCL's slogan "Bringing Green Power to Life", Zhuque-2 (ZQ-2 Y2), a methane-fueled rocket built by LandSpace in collaboration with GCL System Integration Technology Co., Ltd. ("GCL", SHE:002506), successfully entered orbit after launching at 9 a.m. (0100 GMT) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Bringing Green Power To Life GCL, a leading one-stop renewable energy service provider, is one of the major partners helping LandSpace to build Zhuque-2, making China the first nation in the world to send a rocket carrier to space propelled by liquid methane, a cleaner, cheaper, and more powerful fuel ideal for reusable rockets. LandSpace, through independent research and development, has achieved a major breakthrough in the technology used for Zhuque-2, leading to significant advancements in the application of low-cost liquid propellant carrier rockets. As environmental considerations have come to the forefront of rocket research and development, nations around the world are seeking replacements to carbon-incentive technology as part of efforts to combat climate change. Methane stands out as a new-type, low-carbon alternative to its traditional counterparts in many aspects, including lower weight, less space, and streamlined maintenance. The achievement of creating and testing a rocket powered by this green, economically viable, and safe propellant, thanks to GCL's strong support, puts China ahead of the global race. This milestone paves the way for the country's private aerospace industry to develop next-gen low-cost, high-performance, heavy-duty carrier rocket solutions. A new energy leader that has been pioneering renewable innovation to empower the world's transition to clean energy, GCL's mission matches LandSpace's commitment to developing green, more efficient, and cost-effective solutions for global sustainable development. GCL sees an opportunity for the two parties to bring together their technological expertise to push innovation in the renewable energy and aerospace sectors. The pair will deepen cooperation to unlock the potential of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to digitize the entire value chain of the aerospace industry. Dedicated to integrating renewable energy into daily life, GCL is one of the leading forces that drive the energy industry's digital transformation and e-mobility innovation. To help China and beyond accelerate toward low-carbon targets, the company has set up multiple zero-carbon industry parks and zero-carbon smart cities. GCL is now maximizing the potential of renewable power sources by building wind and solar farms in desert regions, bringing meaningful environmental and economic benefits to residents living in surrounding areas. Meanwhile, the company's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has expedited the construction of new energy infrastructure worldwide, decarbonizing and boosting the economy of the regions where it operates. SOURCE GCL Group Liam McKay, former London City Airport Director of Corporate Affairs joins the UK's newest airline to lead communications, government relations and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance). Global is set to launch its first transatlantic services from London Gatwick in 2024. LONDON, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Airlines, the world's newest long-haul airline, has announced the appointment of Liam McKay as its International Corporate Affairs Director. Liam joins Global after ten years at London City Airport where he was the Director of Corporate Affairs at the central London hub. Global Airlines hires Corporate Affairs Chief During his tenure he helped the airport gain permission for its 500 million development programme in 2016, achieve record passenger numbers in 2019, worked with his Leadership Team collegues on stewarding the airport through the COVID-19 crisis, and led on developing LCY's revamped ESG agenda, including its 2030 Roadmap to Net Zero Emissions. McKay will now lead the development of the new airline's communcations and corporate affairs team, bringing the Global story to life across its key markets, media, government relations, as well as developing the airlines overall approach to ESG, including its sustainability policy. McKay will also work alongside Global's CEO and CCO across the development and implementation of its passenger journey and onboard experience. Commenting on his appointment, McKay said: "This is a unique opportunity to inject fresh thinking into Transatlantic travel with a product I am confident passengers are going to love. "Of course it won't be easy, of course there will be significant competition, but ultimately with the team we're assembling, the partners we're bringing on board, and thanks to the leadership from James and Richard, it's a challenge we will rise to. "In particular I am looking forward to building and deepening relationships with partners in the UK, USA and Europe and helping Global achieve the highest standards in sustainable travel." Richard Stephenson, CCO of Global Airlines said: "The fact that an experienced aviation executive like Liam is joining Global is testemant to our ambition to provide our passengers with the best way to fly. "I am looking forward to working with him to build the best, most ambitious, team possible, and my message is simple, if you want to be part of launching a game changing airline then you should get in touch with the Global team." The airline will also be in attendance at Routes World is Istanbul this October where it plans to meet prospective airport and operational partners. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2158564/Corporate_Affairs_Chief.jpg SOURCE Global Airlines DUBLIN, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Offering, Company, Throughput, Technology Type, Sequencing, Application, End User, and Country Analysis - Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global NGS market was valued at $6.76 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $28.47 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 13.97% during the forecast period 2023-2033. The market is driven by factors such as the increasing adoption of NGS in various research and diagnostics fields, the growing prevalence of non-communicable disorders, and the advancement in the performance of NGS platforms. The global NGS market is highly consolidated. This market still holds significant potential for growth as technological developments in NGS platforms and initiatives to integrate genomics in healthcare are ongoing. The opportunity for growth of the global NGS market lies in the development of economical and portable technologies. Impact of COVID-19 NGS has played a crucial role in the genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. Sequencing the viral genome has helped in tracking the spread of different variants and understanding their genetic characteristics, which has been essential for public health efforts, vaccine development, and treatment strategies. NGS has been employed in studies investigating the genetic susceptibility to COVID-19 and its severity. By sequencing the genomes of affected individuals, researchers have sought to identify genetic variations associated with the risk of infection, disease progression, and response to treatment. However, while NGS testing shot up in the research laboratories studying the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, NGS testing in the clinical setting witnessed a significant drop. The global supply chain for NGS instruments, consumables, and reagents experienced severe disruptions due to the pandemic. Manufacturing and shipping delays impacted the availability of NGS products and tests, especially in developing regions such as the Middle East, Africa, or Rest-of-the-World. Market Segmentation The global NGS market (by offering) is expected to be dominated by the consumables segment. The global NGS market (by company) is expected to be dominated by Illumina, Inc. The global NGS market (by throughput) is expected to be dominated by the high- and ultra-high throughput segment. The global NGS market (by technology type) is expected to be dominated by the sequencing by synthesis segment. The global NGS market (by sequencing) is expected to be dominated by the targeted sequencing segment. The global NGS market (by application) is expected to be dominated by the research segment. Within further sub-segmentation, the market is expected to be dominated by the oncology segment. The global NGS market (by end user) is expected to be dominated by the academic and research insitutes segment. Recent Developments in the Global NGS Market In April 2023 , NGeneBio signed a business agreement with Agilent Technologies, Inc.'s Korea-based subsidiary, to expand the NGS precision diagnosis in South Korea and abroad. , NGeneBio signed a business agreement with Agilent Technologies, Inc.'s Korea-based subsidiary, to expand the NGS precision diagnosis in and abroad. In March 2023 , Sophia Genetics partnered with Agilent Technologies Inc. to integrate its Sophia DDM Platform with Agilent Technologies Inc.'s research-use-only SureSelect Cancer Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) assay kit. , Sophia Genetics partnered with Agilent Technologies Inc. to integrate its Sophia DDM Platform with Agilent Technologies Inc.'s research-use-only SureSelect Cancer Comprehensive Genomic Profiling (CGP) assay kit. In March 2023 , Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. collaborated with Pfizer to expand access to NGS-based lung and breast cancer testing in more than 30 countries. Key Companies Profiled BGI Group Illumina, Inc. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Pacific Biosciences of California , Inc. , Inc. Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc. Agilent Technologies, Inc. Qiagen N.V. Pillar Biosciences Burning Rock Biotech Limited Singular Genomics Systems, Inc. DANAHER Corporation F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd Twist Bioscience Corporation Revvity, Inc. Centogene N.V. Element Biosciences Ultima Genomics Genes2me LifeStrands Genomics Pte. Ltd. Alithea Genomics Real Seq Biosciences Market Dynamics Business Drivers Decreasing Cost of Genome Sequencing Potential of NGS in the Field of Oncology Research and as a Companion Diagnostic for Oncology in Clinical Settings Growing Number of Population-Wide Sequencing Studies and Government Initiatives to Integrate NGS in Healthcare Advantages of NGS Technology over Other Technologies Business Restraints Concerns Surrounding the Privacy of Patient Genomic Data Lack of Complete Reimbursement Coverage for NGS Testing Business Opportunities Evolving Regulatory Landscape for Clinical NGS Growing Number of Gene Mutations across Various Diseases Industry Outlook NGS: Overview Historical Trends Comparative Analysis of Various Technologies Global NGS Market: Overview Emerging NGS Technologies In-Situ Sequencing Microscopy-Based Sequencing Future of Ultra-High Throughput NGS Current Market Scenario For Researchers For Diagnostics COVID-19 Impact on the Global NGS Market Supply Chain Analysis Key Entities in Supply Chain Research Publications Primary Insights Pricing Analysis For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3acvv1 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets SUNDSVALL, Sweden, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- JanuaryJune 2023 compared with JanuaryJune 2022 The book value of SCA's forest assets increased to SEK 98.9bn compared with SEK 97.9bn at the end of the preceding year. compared with at the end of the preceding year. Net sales declined to SEK 9,395m (10,914). The decrease was primarily attributable to lower selling prices. (10,914). The decrease was primarily attributable to lower selling prices. EBITDA amounted to SEK 3,755m (5,729). The change was mainly attributable to lower selling prices. Growth in renewable energy and strong earnings in segment Forest had a positive impact on earnings. EBITDA margin was 40.0% (52.5). (5,729). The change was mainly attributable to lower selling prices. Growth in renewable energy and strong earnings in segment Forest had a positive impact on earnings. EBITDA margin was 40.0% (52.5). Operating profit amounted to SEK 2,825m (4,958). (4,958). Operating cash flow decreased to SEK 1,851m (3,085). (3,085). Earnings per share was SEK 3.06 (5.50). AprilJune 2023 compared with AprilJune 2022 Net sales declined to SEK 4,582m (5,899). The change was mainly attributable to lower selling prices. (5,899). The change was mainly attributable to lower selling prices. EBITDA amounted to SEK 1,700m (3,121). The decline was mainly attributable to lower selling prices. Good control over SCA's own value chain with a high degree of self-sufficiency in particularly timber, but also energy and logistics, resulted in effective cost control and had a positive effect. EBITDA margin was 37.1% (52.9). AprilJune 2023 compared with JanuaryMarch 2023 Net sales amounted to SEK 4,582m (4,813). The change was mainly attributable to lower selling prices for pulp and container board, which were offset by higher delivery volumes. (4,813). The change was mainly attributable to lower selling prices for pulp and container board, which were offset by higher delivery volumes. EBITDA amounted to SEK 1,700m (2,055). EBITDA margin was 37.1% (42.7). KEY FIGURES Quarter Jan-Jun SEKm 2023:2 2022:2 % 2023:1 % 2023 2022 % Net sales 4,582 5,899 -22 4,813 -5 9,395 10,914 -14 EBITDA 1,700 3,121 -46 2,055 -17 3,755 5,729 -34 EBITDA margin, % 37.1 52.9 42.7 40.0 52.5 Operating profit 1,229 2,735 -55 1,596 -23 2,825 4,958 -43 Net Profit 916 2,180 -58 1,213 -24 2,129 3,940 -46 Earnings per share SEK 1.32 3.05 1.74 3.06 5.50 Operating cash flow 648 1,942 1,203 1,851 3,085 Net Debt / EBITDA (LTM) 1.3x 0.8x 1.2x 1.3x 0.8x SUMMARY OF THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2023 SCA's high degree of self-sufficiency in particularly timber, but also energy and logistics, has resulted in effective cost control, and was a significant factor in our good profitability in a period with rising prices for wood raw material and lower prices for fiber-based products. Earnings for the second quarter of 2023 weakened compared with the preceding quarter and the year-earlier quarter as a result of lower selling prices. The supply of wood raw material to SCA's industries was stable during the quarter, although continued price increases were noted for pulpwood and sawlogs. Selling prices for solid-wood products increased compared with the preceding quarter on account of seasonably higher demand. However, underlying demand remained weak in most customer segments and geographies. Demand in the Pulp segment was weak for both chemical pulp and CTMP, which resulted in lower selling prices in all geographies. The new CTMP facility at the Ortviken site in Sundsvall, which began operating at the end of the preceding year, contributed to higher delivery volumes. Low demand for packaging material contributed to continued weak demand for kraftliner. The average selling price for kraftliner was lower in the second quarter than in the preceding quarter. At the end of last year, the new paper machine at Obbola began operating, one quarter ahead of schedule. The new recovered fiber line, which is necessary for increased production volume, was also taken into operation in mid-year. The ramp up of the paper machine is proceeding according to plan. The energy business continues to grow and despite lower seasonal sales the result in segment Renewable Energy was in line with last quarter. The market for solid biofuels was strong. The wind power business continued to grow, in the end of the second quarter, 738 wind turbines were operating on SCA's land with an annual production capacity of 8.2 TWh. The acquired wind farm in Markbygden also contributed positively to the result development. The market for crude tall oil remained strong and the biorefinery in Gothenburg is expected to be in operation by the end of 2023. INVITATION TO PRESS CONFERENCE ON HALF-YEAR REPORT 2023 Members of the media and analysts are hereby invited to attend a press conference where this interim report will be presented by the President and CEO, Ulf Larsson, and by the CFO, Andreas Ewertz. Time: Friday, July 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. The press conference will be webcast live at www.sca.com. It is also possible to participate by telephone by calling: Sweden: UK: US: +46 (0)8 505 204 24 +44 (0) 33 0551 0200 +1 786 697 3501 Specify "SCA Q2 Report". For further information, please contact: Andreas Ewertz, CFO, +46 (0)60 19 31 97 Josefine Bonnevier, Investor Relations Director, +46 (0)60 19 33 90 Anders Edholm, SVP Sustainability and Communications, +46 (0)60 19 32 12 Please note: This is information that SCA is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Securities Markets Act. This report has been prepared in both Swedish and English versions. In case of variations in the content between the two versions, the Swedish version shall govern. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, on July 21, 2023 at 08:00 a.m. CEST. The report has been reviewed by the company's auditors. Anders Edholm, SVP Sustainability and Communications, +46 (0)60 19 32 12 The core of SCA's business is the growing forest, Europe's largest private forest holding. Around this unique resource, we have built a well-developed value chain based on renewable raw material from our own and others' forests. We offer packaging paper, pulp, wood products, renewable energy, services for forest owners and efficient transport solutions. 2022 the forest products company SCA had approximately 3,300 employees and sales amounted to approximately SEK 21 bn. SCA was founded in 1929 and has its headquarters in Sundsvall, Sweden. For more information, visit www.sca.com The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/600/3808035/2198656.pdf SCA Q2 2023 report (PDF) https://mb.cision.com/Public/600/3808035/97c4abc3496b0a56.pdf Press release half year report Q2 2023 (PDF) SOURCE SCA NEW YORK, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- H&M is proud to celebrate Disney's 100th anniversary with the upcoming release of Disney100 x H&M, a collection by artist Trevor Andrew. The streetwear-inspired pieces feature Disney's legendary characters reimagined by Trevor Andrew. The collection, which also includes limited-edition skateboards, drops at www.hm.com and in stores July 20th. H&M Teams Up with Disney and Artist Trevor Andrew to Create a Limited-Edition Streetwear Capsule Collection and Immersive Art Installation at H&M Williamsburg Trevor Andrew, former world-renowned professional snowboarder turned multi-disciplinary artist and a life-long admirer of Disney, teams up with H&M on the release of the Disney100 x H&M collection. Trevor's art and interpretation of Disney's characters were the starting point for the collection, with garments and accessories used as canvas for the art. "I am honored to reimagine Disney's iconic characters and bring them into a space where they are experienced and worn as triple collab collection with H&M. This is about uniting art, fashion and just all of us," says Trevor Andrew. Inspired by Trevor Andrew's love of Disney and street art culture, the collection includes some of today's latest trends and boasts several Disney characters, all-over prints, and Andrew's signature symbols, such as the ghost and the flying egg. The collection features an all denim look with the Disney logo that anyone who's looking to stand out will appreciate. There's a leather bomber that screams nostalgic 80's throwback with a cool edge to make it feel modern. There are versatile pieces in the collection such as tees and hoodies that can be incorporated into any wardrobe and can easily take the wearer from day to night. "I love the denim because the logos make it very iconic. I also like the varsity jacket because it has several Disney characters on it. It's fun to be able to put so many all in one piece," Andrew says. Moreover, the collection debuts limited-edition skateboards, a first for H&M featuring unique artwork by Trevor Andrew, who is an avid skateboarder himself. The skateboard has a seven layer maple plywood deck that measures 31" long and 8" wide. One style has a wordmark Disney logo hand painted by Andrew, the other style has iconic Disney characters. "I'm really excited to release our first 3-way collaboration. Diving into the Disney archives together with Trevor has resulted in something that is both iconic and unique," says Ross Lydon, Head of Menswear Design at H&M. To celebrate this collaboration, H&M Williamsburg and Disney have curated a unique art installation designed by Trevor that transports you into Trevor's creative world. Customers will get to step into H&M Williamsburg through his eyes and see the reimagined Disney characters come to life in a studio space expressed through art. Within the space you'll see everything from an all over Disney printed wall to a completely reupholstered couch with a Disney twist. Andrew designed the space to feel like you are entering his own personal studio and connecting with the creative process it took to create this collection. This immersive experience is part of H&M Williamsburg's 4th chapter, called "The Gallery". Showcasing Trevor Andrew as a part of this chapter allows us to bring an artist into a space that connects with current street culture. Many of the artists featured within "The Gallery" are local Brooklyn artists that have a style akin to Trevor's artistic musings. "The Gallery" aims to expose guests to an elevated design space in collaboration with curatorial partners with the goal of making art and artists more accessible. Open to the public from July 21st - August 23rd, customers can come see the installation and purchase the latest items from the Disney100 x H&M collection by Trevor Andrew. About H&M Williamsburg: H&M Williamsburg is a brand-new store experience that is fresh and surprising, while paying homage to the iconic neighborhood. Featuring a thoughtfully curated selection of the brand's most fashion styles, H&M Williamsburg will host exclusive programming and brand moments in a space designed to evolve throughout 2023. For more information: Please visit: www.HMWilliamsburg.com For photos of H&M Williamsburg click here For photos of Disney100 x H&M collection click here Contact Information: H&M US Media Relations [email protected] SOURCE H&M LISLE, Ill., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hubly Surgical, a leader in neurosurgical innovation, has successfully closed its Series Seed funding round at an oversubscribed $3 million. The investment comes on the heels of the company's recent FDA Clearance for the Hubly Drill, a groundbreaking and patented device poised to revolutionize bedside neurosurgery. The funds will be instrumental in bringing the Hubly Drill to market and driving further advancements in the surgical field. Hubly Surgical With FDA Clearance in hand, Hubly Surgical has achieved a significant milestone in its mission to redefine neurosurgical care. The rigorous regulatory approval process ensures the safety and efficacy of the Hubly Drill, giving investors confidence in the company's trajectory toward financial growth and positive patient impact. The oversubscribed $3 million Seed round comprises several key investors: the vast majority of the raise came from the Hubly Surgical commission-only distributor sales force, existing Hubly investors, and from neurosurgeons and physician-centric funds. Each group validates a core pillar of the company's performance metrics and strengthens strategic partnerships. The secured $3 million funding will drive Hubly Surgical's growth objectives. The company will expand its commercial launch to three additional regions in the United States, increasing access to the flagship cranial drill product. Further, Hubly Surgical plans to invest in post-market clinical data collection and new product development efforts in partnership with Ontogen Medtech to address additional patient indications. "FDA Clearance is our most significant milestone to date, but it wouldn't be as powerful without the resources to commercialize. I am honored and thrilled to have solicited such strong support from our sales force, existing investors, and the neurosurgeon users, all of whom share our vision for transforming neurosurgical procedures," said Founder/CEO of Hubly, Casey Qadir (m. Grage). "With this investment, we are well-positioned to provide innovative solutions that improve surgical outcomes in all settings." About Hubly Surgical Founded in 2019, Hubly Surgical is a medical device company with a mission to improve patient outcomes and quality of care for surgical procedures, inclusively, across standard and underserved settings, starting with bedside cranial surgery. The Company has developed and launched the Hubly Drill with a vision to become the standard of care for bedside cranial access, making its lethal complications a "never event." The Company is located in Lisle, IL. For media inquiries, please contact: Casey Qadir (m. Grage) [email protected] 1-(844)-HUBLY-42 SOURCE Hubly Surgical STOCKHOLM, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Highlights according to segment reporting Revenue for the quarter amounted to SEK 39.9 billion (44.8); adjusted for currency effects, revenue decreased 15 percent, following lower sales volumes in Residential and Commercial Property Development. (44.8); adjusted for currency effects, revenue decreased 15 percent, following lower sales volumes in Residential and Commercial Property Development. Operating income amounted to SEK 1.3 billion (2.4); adjusted for currency effects, operating income decreased 46 percent, due to lower sales volumes in Residential and Commercial Property Development. (2.4); adjusted for currency effects, operating income decreased 46 percent, due to lower sales volumes in Residential and Commercial Property Development. Earnings per share amounted to SEK 2.96 (4.61). (4.61). Operating cash flow from operations amounted to SEK -1.8 billion (-0.5) according to IFRS. (-0.5) according to IFRS. Adjusted interest-bearing net receivables(+)/net debt(-) totaled SEK 4.4 billion ( March 31, 2023 : 9.5). ( : 9.5). Order bookings in Construction amounted to SEK 63.2 billion (37.3). Adjusted for currency effects, order bookings quarter over quarter increased 68 percent. Rolling 12-month book-to-build ratio was 115 percent (95). (37.3). Adjusted for currency effects, order bookings quarter over quarter increased 68 percent. Rolling 12-month book-to-build ratio was 115 percent (95). Operating income in Construction amounted to SEK 1.4 billion (1.4), representing an operating margin of 3.4 percent (3.4). (1.4), representing an operating margin of 3.4 percent (3.4). Operating income in Project Development amounted to SEK 0.03 billion (1.2). (1.2). Return on capital employed in Project Development was 2.3 percent (10.9). Return on equity was 11.1 percent (17.7). This report will also be presented via a telephone conference and a audiocast at 10:00 CEST on July 21, 2023. The telephone conference will be webcasted live at www.skanska.com/investors, where a recording of the conference will also be available later. To participate in the telephone conference, please dial +46 (0)8 5051 00 31, or +44 (0)207 107 06 13, or +1 (1) 631 570 56 13. This and previous releases can also be found at www.group.skanska.com/investors. This is information that Skanska AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and the Swedish Securities Markets Act. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the Senior Vice President Investor Relations set out below, at 07:30 CEST on July 21, 2023. For further information, please contact: Magnus Persson, Executive Vice President and CFO, Skanska AB, tel +46 10 448 8900 Antonia Junelind, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Skanska AB, tel +46 10 448 6261 Karolina Cederhage, Senior Vice President, Communications, Skanska AB, tel +46 10 448 0880 Jacob Birkeland, Head of Media Relations and Public Affairs, Skanska AB, tel +46 10 449 1957 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3808047/2198659.pdf Skanska Q2 2023 ENG SOURCE Skanska DUBLIN, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Israel Existing & Upcoming Data Center Portfolio" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This Excel database product offers a detailed analysis of 20 existing data centers and 9 upcoming data centers, spanning key locations such as Herzliya, Jerusalem, Petah Tikva, Rosh Haayin, Tel Aviv, Tirat Carmel, Nazareth, Bet Shemesh, Netanya, Ramla, Beit Yehoshua, Tnuvot, and Shoham. As one of the major technological hubs in the Middle East, Israel is rapidly emerging as a dynamic data center market. The country's strategic location, proximity to major markets like the UAE, and the Israeli government's introduction of digital initiatives have contributed to its growth. Additionally, an increasing presence of global cloud service providers and steady investments in the market are attracting new operators to enter and participate in its expansion. Key Market Highlights: Digital Realty's Entry: In June 2022 , global colocation operator Digital Realty partnered with Mivne to develop a state-of-the-art data center facility in Petah Tikva , marking its entry into the Israel data center market. This move demonstrates the market's attractiveness to international players. Dominant Players: The top 3 data center operators in Israel collectively contribute more than 40% of the installed IT load capacity, underlining their significant presence and influence in the data center industry. The database provides crucial data points for each data center facility, empowering investors and stakeholders with valuable insights. For existing data centers, it covers essential details such as location, operator/owner name, facility address, white-floor area, IT load capacity, rack capacity, year of operations, design standards (Tier I - IV), and power/cooling redundancy. For upcoming data centers, the database includes investment details, white-floor area, IT load capacity, investment amount, electrical and mechanical infrastructure investments, general construction services investment, announcement year, project status (opened/under construction/announced & planned), and active or expected year of opening. Investors and operators covered in the database include Bynet Data Communications, Bezeq International, MedOne, Adgar Investments & Development, EdgeConneX (Global Data Center), 3samnet, Infinity, SDS Shonfeld Data Services Center, Global Technical Realty, Compass Datacenters (Azrieli Group), Serverfarm, Techtonic, Goldacre + The Levinstein Group (NED Data Centers), Swiss fund Lian Group + P.A.I., and MedOne. Target Audience: This comprehensive database is a valuable resource for a wide range of professionals, including data center real estate investment trusts (REITs), construction contractors, infrastructure providers, new entrants, consultants, advisory firms, and corporate and government agencies. For those seeking in-depth insights into Israel's data center market, this database offers unmatched information and is a must-have tool for making informed decisions. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/en6ghz About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets RUMBAZO IS BACK FOR A TWO-DAY BLOCK PARTY TO CELEBRATE MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY AT DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS EVENTS CENTER LAS VEGAS, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The second annual RUMBAZO Mexican Independence Day celebration will return to Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC) September 15-16, 2023, featuring headliners Ivy Queen, Jay Wheeler, Gera MX, Guaynaa, Lenny Tavarez, Lunay and more. Presented by Estrella Jalisco and curated in partnership with the DLVEC and Las Vegas event production company, Altura , RUMBAZO will be the ultimate block party filled with Latin music, community, food and more. Tickets on Sale Tuesday, July 25 at 10 a.m. PT. Visit Rumbazofest.com to RSVP "We're excited to have RUMBAZO return to Las Vegas with the party to end all parties," said Vic Juarez, RUMBAZO festival organizer. "We heard the fans and due to popular demand, Ivy Queen is returning and joining other top Latin music talent for an unforgettable weekend." RUMBAZO will bring the spirit of El Grito to life with show-stopping musical performances, an eclectic food lineup from local Latin vendors and other surprise experiences. The 2023 lineup also includes T3R Elemento, Planet Perreo, DJ AR, Dirty Dave, DJ Exile, JCUE3, Yo'el, Yo Yolie, Banda Zacatecana and more. Additional acts will be announced soon. Jeff Victor, VP of DLVEC, said "DLVEC is honored to be a part of RUMBAZO for the second year and collaborate with the Latin community on celebrating their culture, traditions and incredible music." Ben Martinez, head of marketing for Estrella Jalisco, said, "As a brand steeped in Mexican heritage and culture, we are thrilled to partner with Rumbazo, a festival celebrating Latin sounds, tastes and styles on a national stage. Rumbazo allows us to further ignite pride in the new generation of 21+ Latin beer drinkers with inspiring musical acts and unparalleled experiences." Marcel Correa, Altura co-founder, said, "Altura has the most loyal Latin fanbase in Vegas! We're very excited to announce our collaboration with Rumbazo, bringing two days of great music, people, and food to Downtown Las Vegas." The event is open to guests ages 18+, with full weekend tickets starting at only $79. For more information, visit rumbazofest.com. Estrella Jalisco is a 21+ company. Please drink responsibly. Assets are below: SOURCE RUMBAZO Open Source Days adds new Virtual Town Hall Series for Foundation projects, leading up to the main program on August 6 LOS ANGELES, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Academy Software Foundation the motion picture industry's premier organization for advancing open source software development across image creation, visual effects, animation, and sound technologies has announced the full schedule for its upcoming Open Source Days event, with the Main Program taking place on August 6, accompanied by a new Virtual Town Hall Series with presentations scheduled from July 25 through August 3, and a full day of Birds of a Feather (BoF) sessions at SIGGRAPH on August 7. Main Program Highlights Held annually, Open Source Days is the leading event dedicated to furthering open source software development for the visual effects, animation, and digital content creation industries, bringing together leaders from creative studios, software and hardware makers, and more. The Main Program for Open Source Days will be held on August 6 in Los Angeles at the JW Marriott LA Live, with a virtual attendance option as well. This year's Open Source Days keynote will be delivered by Wenzel Jakob, Assistant Professor in the Realistic Graphics Lab at Switzerland's EPFL School of Computer and Communication Sciences, on " Strategies for Open Source Development in Academia ." Jakob has previously been recognized with the ACM SIGGRAPH Significant Researcher award, the Eurographics Young Researcher Award, and an ERC Starting Grant. His research revolves around inverse graphics, material appearance modeling, and physically-based rendering algorithms, driving his interest in solving real-world problems using invertible simulations and developing algorithms and systems to do so at scale. The Main Program also features a keynote panel titled " Towards 3D Interoperability with Universal Scene Description (OpenUSD) ," featuring executives from Pixar, Apple, NVIDIA, Autodesk, and Adobe. The day's programming will include many more talks with speakers from Amazon Web Services, Canonical, Cinesite, DNEG, Epic Games, Foundry, Intel, Jellyfish, and Orange Turbine. Featured sessions include: State of the Academy Software Foundation Gaffer: Open Source Lookdev, Lighting, and Automation Forty-Eight Stories: Open Source Inside Autodesk Multiple Architectures, One API: Embree 4.0 and Open Image Denoise 2.0 Best Practices When Developing and Releasing Open Source Tools Using OpenAssetIO, OpenTimelineIO, and Open RV to Demonstrate the MovieLabs 2030 Vision Making xSTUDIO a Cross-Platform Reality Portable Render Jobs for Open Source Content Production Pipelines View the full Main Program schedule here: https://events.linuxfoundation.org/open-source-days/program/schedule/ New Virtual Town Hall Series for Foundation Projects The Academy Software Foundation is expanding Open Source Days this year with the addition of a new Virtual Town Hall Series taking place from July 25 - August 3, leading up to the Main Program on August 6. Academy Software Foundation projects and working groups including MaterialX, OpenColorIO, OpenAssetIO, Open Review Initiative, OpenTimelineIO, and OpenEXR, among others, will share milestones, highlights, future roadmaps, and answer questions from the community during 1-hour Town Halls. Both new and experienced users, contributors and anyone else interested in learning more about Foundation projects are invited to attend some or all of the Virtual Town Halls. "We are very excited to be extending our program this year with our new Virtual Town Hall Series, which will increase accessibility and allow each of our projects ample time to deliver meaningful presentations as the number of hosted projects has grown considerably," said David Morin, Executive Director of the Academy Software Foundation. View the full Virtual Town Hall schedule and register here: https://events.linuxfoundation.org/open-source-days/program/virtual-town-halls/ Both the Main Program on August 6 and the Virtual Town Halls are free and open to anyone interested in attending. For more information on Open Source Day and to register to attend, please visit: https://events.linuxfoundation.org/open-source-days/ SIGGRAPH Birds of a Feather Sessions Open Source Days 2023 will conclude with a full day of open source Birds of a Feather sessions on Monday, August 7 at the JW Marriott LA Live. These BoFs will be in-person only and attendees must be registered through SIGGRAPH. About the Academy Software Foundation Developed in partnership by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Linux Foundation, the Academy Software Foundation was created to provide a world-class home for open source software developers in the motion picture and broader media industries to share resources and collaborate on technologies for image creation, visual effects, animation and sound. The Academy Software Foundation is home to DPEL, MaterialX, OpenAssetIO, OpenColorIO, OpenCue, OpenEXR, OpenFX, OpenImageIO, Open Shading Language, OpenTimelineIO, OpenVDB, Open Review Initiative, rawtoaces, and Rez. For more information about the Academy Software Foundation, visit https://www.aswf.io/ . SOURCE Academy Software Foundation SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. The work of the Shusha Global Media Forum will be fruitful, Director of Department at Oman News Agency Rashid Al-Kindi told reporters after President Ilham Aliyev's address on "New Media in the Era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution" at the Shusha Global Media Forum, Trend reports. He noted that he is visiting Azerbaijan for the first time. "What I saw here made a good impression on me. I have witnessed the development of these places. We have heard from President Ilham Aliyev very interesting and satisfactory answers to the questions put to him during the meeting. Especially our attention was drawn to issues related to investments in Azerbaijan," he added. The forum, organized by the instruction of President Ilham Aliyev as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and in connection with the 148th anniversary of Azerbaijan's national press, is attended by 150 foreign guests from about 50 countries, including state information agencies from 34 countries, 12 international organizations, and media structures. Among the participants are 60 leaders and representatives of local media. The forum aims to discuss global issues in media and information-communication spheres. Prominent and influential leaders from the world's renowned media, along with experts, will discuss new tools in journalism and communication in the digital era, digital transformation, media management in the modern information environment, and the establishment of sustainable business models in the media industry. The discussions will also cover consumer trends in new media, media literacy, methods to combat disinformation and fake news, journalist safety, and other topics. During the forum, an initiative for creating the media platform of the Non-Aligned Movement will also be proposed. The city of Shusha, which has hosted numerous international events, is gathering leaders of leading global media, journalistic organizations, influential experts in the information-communication sphere, and renowned journalists for the first time in the history of independent Azerbaijan. DUBLIN, July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "LATUDA Drug Insight and Market Forecast - 2032" drug pipelines has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. "This "LATUDA Drug Insight and Market Forecast - 2032" report provides comprehensive insights about LATUDA for schizophrenia in the seven major markets. A detailed picture of the LATUDA for schizophrenia in the 7MM, i.e., the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan for the study period 2019 -2032 is provided in this report along with a detailed description of the LATUDA for schizophrenia. The report provides insights about mechanism of action, dosage and administration, as well as research and development including regulatory milestones, along with other developmental activities. Further, it also consists of future market assessments inclusive of the LATUDA market forecast analysis for schizophrenia in the 7MM, SWOT, analysts' views, comprehensive overview of market competitors, and brief about other emerging therapies in schizophrenia. Drug Summary LATUDA (lurasidone), an oral atypical antipsychotic from a chemical class of benzisothiazol derivatives, is approved for schizophrenia treatment in patients 13 years or older. It changes the chemical effects in the brain. LATUDA is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Lurasidone may increase the death risk in older adults with dementia-related conditions. Lurasidone works primarily as a result of the activity of the parent drug. Its pharmacokinetic properties are dose-proportional within a total dose of 20-160 mg/day, and the steady-state concentrations are reached within 7 days of initiation of therapy. The elimination half-life of the parent compound is approximately 18 hours. Dosage and Administration Adults: The recommended starting dose of LATUDA is 40 mg once daily. Initial dose titration is not required. LATUDA is effective in a dose range of 40-160 mg/day. The maximum recommended dose is 160 mg/day. Adolescents (13-17 years): The recommended starting dose of LATUDA is 40 mg once daily. Initial dose titration is not required. LATUDA is effective in a dose range of 40-80 mg/day. The maximum recommended dose is 80 mg/day. Mechanism of Action The mechanism of action of lurasidone in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar depression is unclear. However, its efficacy in schizophrenia and bipolar depression could be mediated through a combination of central dopamine D2 and serotonin type 2 (5HT2A) receptor antagonism. In-depth LATUDA Market Assessment This report provides a detailed market assessment of LATUDA for schizophrenia in the seven major markets, i.e., the United States, EU4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain) and the United Kingdom, and Japan. This segment of the report provides forecasted sales data from 2023 to 2032. LATUDA Clinical Assessment The report provides the clinical trials information of LATUDA for schizophrenia covering trial interventions, trial conditions, trial status, start and completion dates. Scope of the Report A comprehensive product overview including the LATUDA description, mechanism of action, dosage and administration, research and development activities in schizophrenia. Elaborated details on LATUDA regulatory milestones and other development activities have been provided in this report. The report also highlights the LATUDA research and development activities in schizophrenia across the United States , Europe and Japan . , and . The report also covers the patents information with expiry timeline around LATUDA. The report contains forecasted sales of for schizophrenia till 2032. Comprehensive coverage of the late-stage emerging therapies for schizophrenia. The report also features the SWOT analysis with analyst views for LATUDA in schizophrenia. Report Highlights In the coming years, the market scenario for schizophrenia is set to change due to the extensive research and incremental healthcare spending across the world; which would expand the size of the market to enable the drug manufacturers to penetrate more into the market. The companies are developing therapies that focus on novel approaches to treat/improve the disease condition, assess challenges, and seek opportunities that could influence LATUDA dominance. Other emerging products for schizophrenia are expected to give tough market competition to LATUDA and launch of late-stage emerging therapies in the near future will significantly impact the market. A detailed description of regulatory milestones, and developmental activities, provide the current development scenario of LATUDA in schizophrenia. The in-depth analysis of the forecasted sales data of LATUDA from 2023 to 2032 will support the clients in the decision-making process regarding their therapeutic portfolio by identifying the overall scenario of the LATUDA in schizophrenia. Key Topics Covered: 1. Report Introduction 2. LATUDA Overview in Schizophrenia 2.1. Product Detail 2.2. Clinical Development 2.2.1. Clinical studies 2.2.2. Clinical trials information 2.3. Regulatory Milestones 2.4. Other Developmental Activities 2.5. Product Profile 3. Competitive Landscape (Marketed Therapies) 4. Competitive Landscape (Late-stage Emerging Therapies) 5. LATUDA Market Assessment 5.1. Market Outlook of LATUDA in Schizophrenia 5.2. 7MM Analysis 5.2.1. Market Size of LATUDA in the 7MM for Schizophrenia 5.3. Country-wise Market Analysis 5.3.1. Market Size of LATUDA in the United States for Schizophrenia 5.3.2. Market Size of LATUDA in Germany for Schizophrenia 5.3.3. Market Size of LATUDA in France for Schizophrenia 5.3.4. Market Size of LATUDA in Italy for Schizophrenia 5.3.5. Market Size of LATUDA in Spain for Schizophrenia 5.3.6. Market Size of LATUDA in the United Kingdom for Schizophrenia 5.3.7. Market Size of LATUDA in Japan for Schizophrenia 6. SWOT Analysis 7. Analysts' Views For more information about this drug pipelines report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8tzc7o About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg SOURCE Research and Markets Company Continues to Expand North America Retail Footprint with Rollout of First Flagship in Canada NEW YORK, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LensCrafters, one of the largest optical retail brands in North America, announced the opening of the company's first flagship in Canada, scheduled to open in Toronto on July 21st at 33 Bloor Street East. The new flagship store, located in Toronto's premiere Yorkville shopping district, will further position LensCrafters as a modern optical retail leader of exclusive brands and reinforce the company as a trusted eyecare and eyewear authority in the region. The milestone opening, in the heart of Toronto's high-end fashion destination on Bloor Street, is part of LensCrafters' continued North America expansion plans. The company opened its first two flagship stores in New York City in 2020 and two more in San Francisco in 2021 and Palo Alto last year. LensCrafters The new elevated flagship will encompass the latest advanced digital technology and state-of-the-art design blending eye-catching finishes to create a dynamic customer journey. From quality eye exams to shopping for the perfect frame, the new location will showcase an expanded selection of designer eyewear styles and brands that include Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Persol, Versace, and Prada. The flagship will leverage a wide range of tools to afford customers more opportunities to meet their needs for a premium in store experience. Customers will be able to digitally explore the wide variety of EssilorLuxottica collections and brands, customize Ray-Ban and Oakley frames, and virtually try-on any frame thanks to the Virtual Mirror technology through LensCrafters' Smart Shopper interactive in store tool. "As LensCrafters continues to expand in the US and Canada, we look forward to advancing the brand this year with the rollout of our new flagship store in Toronto this month," said Alfonso Cerullo, President & GM of LensCrafters, North America. "Appealing to the well-known local shopping hub on Bloor Street, the store will reflect the effortless integration of design and technology, giving customers a more individualized experience that allows them to easily browse the vast luxury assortment of both optical and sun frames. At the end of the day, we want to be a top destination in the community when it comes to finding the best vision care solutions that resonate with our customers and help people express themselves while seeing well at the same time." The collection of luxury optical and sun styles along with superior lens design and technology by Essilor, will give the brand a larger footprint in the eyewear market. The new flagship will be equipped with high-resolution digital screens and led-walls displaying eyewear and campaigns to allow customers an immersive experience around the brand's offering. An added focus will be given to the storytelling of prescription lenses through interactive applications installed both on iPads and touch screens, leveraging the see-through technology to simulate lens features and effects for better vision. About LensCrafters LensCrafters, the leading optical retailer in North America, was founded in 1983 and currently operates over 1,000 stores in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. With a mission of helping people look and see their best, LensCrafters has a passion for vision care and offers the best selection of the latest trends in eyewear from leading designer brands as well as incomparable personalized service from Doctors of Optometry located at or next to its stores. LensCrafters opened its first Macy's location in April of 2016 and three flagship stores in New York City and San Francisco in 2021. The brand's trusted doctors and associates continue to make an impact by giving the gift of vision through the company's partner efforts with OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, providing access to quality vision care and glasses in underserved communities worldwide. LensCrafters is currently the number one contributor to OneSight in North America. For more information, visit www.lenscrafters.com. Media Contact: Alexa Anello [email protected] SOURCE LensCrafters Achieved 20% carbon neutrality within one year after the declaration and increased shareholder-friendly policies such as the 10% dividend payout ratio Increased investment in R&D by 33% from the previous year to strengthen the competitiveness of future business SEOUL, South Korea, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Innotek (CEO Jeong Cheol-dong) announced on the 21st that it had published the '2022-2023 Sustainability Report' that covers the performance of ESG (EnvironmentalSocialGovernance) management. LG Innotek achieved meaningful results previous year by performing substantial ESG management activities to enhance corporate value. LG Innotek published the 2022-2023 Sustainability Report In the environmental field, LG Innotek joined 'RE100' and decided to use renewable electricity in all workplaces by 2030. At the same time, LG Innotek declared that it would achieve 100% Carbon Neutrality by 2040. LG Innotek also joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to systematically carry out carbon neutrality activities. LG Innotek has already achieved the goal quickly by recording the renewable electricity conversion rate of 22% (RE22) and carbon neutrality rate of 20%. In 2022, LG Innotek received the 'Minister Prize from the Ministry of Environment' as the leading company in resource circulation in recognition of its efforts for resource circulation, such as the development of a waste management system, reusing process subsidiary materials, and reducing the use of plastic packaging materials. Besides, Gumi, Pyeongtaek, and Gwangju plant of LG Innotek have obtained the 'ZWTL (Zero Waste to Landfill)' certification from UL(Underwriters Laboratories) Solutions, a global safety certification body. In particular, the Pyeongtaek plant acquired the highest grade 'Platinum' last year by achieving 100% resource circulation following the Gumi plant. In the social field, there is noteworthy in this Sustainability Report that employees participated a lot of social contribution activities. Since the company's online social contribution portal had launched in 2022, more than 3,000 employees have actively participated in various forms of social contribution activities, such as online donation funding and non-face-to-face volunteering. LG Innotek was selected as the most excellent company for 6 consecutive years in the Win-Win Growth Index operated by Korea Commission for Corporate partnership. Furthermore, LG Innotek received Grand Prize from the Great Place to Work in Korea Award in recognition of its excellent corporate culture. In the field of governance , LG Innotek has focused on creating a transparent and sound business environment. As a result, LG Innotek received ISO 37301 (Compliance Management System) certification, Excellent Anti-corruption Company at the Business Integrity Society Summit (BIS) hosted by United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Korea, and ISO 22301 (Business Continuity Management System) certification last year. LG Innotek has also strengthened shareholder-friendly policies. In 2022, LG Innotek paid a total of KRW 98.2 billion as a dividend per share, which is a significant increase from the previous year (KRW 71 billion). As a result, LG Innotek successfully implemented its dividend policy of maintaining a dividend payout ratio of 10% or more until 2024. In addition to ESG management, the Sustainability Report highlights LG Innotek's various efforts to secure the competitiveness of future business. LG Innotek invested KRW 752.8 billion in R&D last year to advance original technology and identify new value-added businesses in future growth areas. The amount had a 33% increase from 2021 (KRW 564.2 billion). During the same period, LG Innotek also expanded industry-university collaboration significantly by doubling the number of industry-university projects. "LG Innotek will continue ESG management faithfully as 'Global No.1 Material and Component Company' that provides differentiated customer value." said CEO Jeong Cheol-dong. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2159076/1_LG____2022_2023.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1681506/4174606/Logo.jpg SOURCE LG Innotek Defendants including Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare and Anthem Allegedly Conspired to Destroy a Black-Owned Business to Avoid Insurance Payouts ATLANTA, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys representing LifeBrite Laboratories, an Atlanta-based clinical laboratory and its founder Christian Fletcher, filed a lawsuit against six major insurance companies, charging that they made false allegations about LifeBrite to regulators and prosecutors to avoid paying millions of dollars in legitimate claims. The complaint, filed by Miller Barondess LLP in State Court in Georgia, alleges that defendants, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia, Elevance Health Inc., Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc., UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, and CVS Health Corp./Aetna, intentionally destroyed LifeBrite's business and reputation, resulting in damages exceeding $1 billion. "It is a travesty that the nation's largest insurers, which are making record profits and are valued collectively at almost $1 trillion, abused their power to punish this small minority-owned healthcare provider," said Skip Miller, partner at Miller Barondess LLP in Los Angeles, attorney for LifeBrite Laboratories and Mr. Fletcher. "The insurance companies instigated the criminal prosecution of Mr. Fletcher but he was found not guilty on all charges. They are now going to be held accountable for what they've done to him." LifeBrite provides clinical testing services such as blood and urine toxicology testing to healthcare organizations including rural hospitals in Georgia, Florida and throughout the country. After paying millions of dollars for laboratory testing performed over five years, the insurance providers began denying coverage and refusing to pay claims. To evade payment, the complaint alleges that the defendants conspired to falsely and maliciously portray LifeBrite's relationship with the hospitals as healthcare billing fraud, despite federal law that permits exactly what LifeBrite did here. The lawsuit further alleges that the insurers leveraged their relationships with regulators, law enforcement and others in the health-care community to prosecute and destroy LifeBrite and other labs to avoid paying money owed. The complaint, filed in Atlanta, charges the insurers with malicious prosecution, racketeering under Georgia's RICO law, tortious interference with contractual and business relations and defamation. It seeks a jury trial and more than $1 billion in damages. Based on the documents and testimony provided by the insurer defendants, the U.S. Justice Department charged Mr. Fletcher and nine other individuals in 2020 with health-care fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. During Mr. Fletcher's trial, representatives of the insurance companies admitted under cross-examination that they had provided inaccurate information both to a federal Grand Jury and at trial. In March 2023, a jury acquitted Mr. Fletcher of all charges. However, the damage has been done. In 2019, LifeBrite had entered into a contract to sell the company for more than $400 million. Because of the defendants' actions, the deal collapsed. It also cost LifeBrite both customers and a significant amount of business. Prior to the insurers' smear campaign, LifeBrite was a thriving and successful company, recognized for its work by major publications in Atlanta with Mr. Fletcher being named one of the city's most prominent minority business enterprise owners. View the complaint here: 23-C-05058-S7 SOURCE Miller Barondess, LLP Landmark Contribution to Ensure Full-Tuition Scholarships and School Focused on Primary Care to be Renamed NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine MINEOLA, N.Y., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A transformative $200 million gift to NYU Long Island School of Medicine will ensure generations of medical students continue to receive a tuition-free, top-quality education focused on primary care. The gift from Kenneth and Elaine Langone extends the school's guarantee of full-tuition scholarships to every student, regardless of need, in perpetuity. Expanding opportunities to future doctors will also help expand access to medical care across Long Island, the entire New York metropolitan area, and beyond. In conjunction with the donation, the school will be renamed NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine in honor of Robert I. Grossman, MD, CEO of NYU Langone Health and dean of the highly-ranked NYU Grossman School of Medicine in Manhattan. "By providing our future doctors with an affordable education, we are investing in a brighter and healthier future for all, particularly here on Long Island, where Elaine and I grew up," said Mr. Langone, chair of the NYU Langone Board of Trustees. "Providing a world-class, tuition-free medical education here on Long Island ensures many of these future doctors will remain and practice on Long Island. None of this would have been possible without Bob Grossman's visionary leadership shaping the future of medicine." Earlier today, the Langones announced the gift and new name at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine's annual White Coat Ceremony, during which incoming students ascend to the stage where a member of the faculty cloaks them in their white coats for the first time, symbolizing the beginning of their formal medical education. "This extraordinary gift from Ken and Elaine ensures that, just like today's entering class, students for generations to come can follow their passion for medicine, regardless of their background and financial status," Dr. Grossman said. "Our goal has always been to offer exceptional opportunities to the most talented students. The focus on primary care at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine also allows them to meet a critical need in our local communities and have a real impact. I wish each of them great success on the wonderful path they have chosen." Innovating Medical Education Established just four years ago, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine has quickly positioned itself at the forefront of innovation in medical education. The school has distinguished itself by offering an accelerated three-year MD curriculum focused on training primary care physicians, attracting bright minds from diverse backgrounds. Eighty-five percent of the school's graduates remain in New York for their training after graduation. This current gift advances a longstanding commitment to ensure the affordability of medical school and to advance healthcare on Long Island. In 2018, NYU Grossman School of Medicine in Manhattan made the historic announcement offering full-tuition scholarships to every current and future student, the culmination of over a decade of fundraising efforts led by Dr. Grossman and the Langones. When NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine opened in 2019, it did so with the same guarantee of full-tuition scholarships to current students, although the original endowment did not cover this support in perpetuity until now. As a result of the Langones' generosity, all future students will benefit from this effort, avoiding approximately $200,000 in debt, the median amount determined by the Association of American Medical Colleges. The yearly tuition costs covered by the scholarship at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine total $59,738. "With this gift, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine will continue to attract the brightest minds from diverse backgrounds, fostering a new generation of healthcare professionals who will make significant contributions to improving the health and well-being of our communities," said Gladys M. Ayala, MD, MPH, dean of NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine. "Our students have the opportunity to receive a world-class education without the burden of overwhelming student debt." Opening Doors for Future Physicians NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine's incoming Class of 2026 comprises 24 students pursuing careers in internal medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology. Among the students present for the White Coat Ceremony announcement was Lewam Ghirmay, whose family is here from Ethiopia to attend the ceremony. "Honestly, the free tuition is critical for me to go into primary care," she said. SOURCE NYU Langone Health The Quadrant Knowledge Solutions SPARK Matrix provides competitive analysis & ranking of the leading Voice of the Customer (VoC) vendors. SPARK Matrix provides competitive analysis & ranking of the leading Voice of the Customer (VoC) vendors. SANDSIV with its comprehensive technology for Voice of the Customer (VoC), receives strong ratings across the parameters of technology excellence and customer impact. MIDDLETON, Mass., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quadrant Knowledge Solutions announced today that it has named SANDSIV as a Q3 2023 technology leader in the SPARK Matrix analysis of the global Voice of the Customer (VoC) market. The Quadrant Knowledge Solutions SPARK Matrix: Voice of the Customer (VoC), Q3, 2023, includes a detailed analysis of global market dynamics, major trends, vendor landscape, and competitive positioning. The study provides competitive analysis and ranking of the leading Voice of the Customer (VoC) vendors in the form of its SPARK Matrix. It gives strategic information for users to evaluate different vendor capabilities, competitive differentiation, and market position. According to Preshit Parab, Analyst, at Quadrant Knowledge Solutions, "SANDSIV's voice of the customer (VoC) platform, sandsiv+, is a comprehensive and advanced solution that helps users to consolidates data from different sources by eliminating data silos and enabling cross-channel analysis, resulting in more accurate and comprehensive insights. SANDSIV leverages AI/ML algorithms to deliver sentiment analysis enabling organizations to gauge customer behaviour accurately and tailor their products & services." "Moreover, SANDSIV prioritizes data privacy and security in its customer experience management offerings. With robust security measures, including encryption, access controls, and regular audits. Furthermore, SANDSIV's single tenant cloud-based architecture transforms an organization's customer experience management by facilitating flexibility, scalability, and accessibility. SANDSIV with its strong partner ecosystem, robust security measures, customer value proposition, and comprehensive vision & roadmap, has been positioned as a leader in the SPARK Matrix: Voice of the Customer, Q3, 2023," Preshit adds. Frank Warnsing, founder and Head of Strategic Alliances of SANDSIV, affirms, "Our inclusion as a Leader in the 2023 SPARK Matrix reports solidifies our commitment to global innovation and our relentless pursuit of excellence. Through our transformative customer experience management solution sandsiv+, we deliver effortless deep insights and unparalleled user-friendliness, enabling organizations to revolutionize their customer interactions with extraordinary success." Additional Resources: About SANDSIV SANDSIV is a Swiss software provider located in Technopark Zurich, Switzerland's main technology hub. Recognized and awarded as the leading innovator in the VOC & CXM vendor landscape, SANDSIV has built its reputation in delivering its state-of-the-art Voice of the Customer enterprise solutions "sandsiv+" to advanced CX teams at leading organizations and multinationals throughout the world, including leading companies in the telco, financial services, utilities, retail, and transportation sectors. About sandsiv+ sandsiv+ captures, analyses, integrates, improves, and measures the customer experience. Introduced in 2014, the next-generation CX solution harmonizes data from any direct or indirect channel and generates inferred data using artificial intelligence. Its analytical features are built on advanced AI technologies including Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Deep Machine Learning, providing for the increasingly unsupervised production of faster and more accurate actionable insights, and allowing organizations to act responsively and plan wisely. The solution supports complex integration, customization and configuration. Media Contacts: SANDSIV Silvia Bello [email protected] About Quadrant Knowledge Solutions Quadrant Knowledge Solutions is a global advisory and consulting firm focused on helping clients as a strategic knowledge partner in achieving business transformation goals with Strategic Business and Growth Advisory Services. Quadrant's research and consulting deliverables are designed to provide comprehensive information and strategic insights for helping clients formulate growth strategies to survive and thrive in ever-changing business environments. For more available research, visit: https://quadrant-solutions.com/market-research/ Contact: Mr Ajinkya Ingle Quadrant Knowledge Solutions Regus Business Centre 35 Village Road, Suite 100, Middleton Massachusetts 01949 United States of America Email: [email protected] Phone: (+1) 978-605-1066 Visit Our Website: https://quadrant-solutions.com Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/quadrant-knowledge-solutions/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/746706/1470558/Quadrant_Knowledge_Solutions_Logo.jpg SOURCE Quadrant Knowledge Solutions PUNE, India, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ProMobi Technologies today announced that Scalefusion , its Unified Endpoint Management solution, now supports the management of Android COPE/WPCO devices. This latest update represents a significant milestone in Android device management, enabling organizations to enhance security and flexibility in the workplace. Organizations today are constantly seeking ways to optimize productivity while ensuring data security. While Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) has been a popular approach, it may not be suitable for all industries and work scenarios. Understanding the diverse needs of businesses and employees, Scalefusion now offers support for COPE (Corporate-Owned, Personally Enabled) and WPCO (Work Profile on Corporate Owned) devices. COPE/WPCO devices provide a balanced solution that combines the security benefits of corporate-owned devices with the flexibility of personal devices. With this new feature, businesses can maintain strict control over corporate data and applications while empowering employees to utilize the same devices for personal use. The implementation of a separate work container ensures a clear separation between work and personal activities, enhancing work data security without compromising employee privacy. "We are thrilled to introduce support for COPE/WPCO devices," said Mr. Sriram Kakarala, VP of Products at Scalefusion. "This update reflects our commitment to providing cutting-edge Android device management solutions that address the unique needs of modern organizations. With COPE/WPCO support, businesses can optimize security and productivity, empowering their knowledge workers with the flexibility they need while maintaining control over sensitive corporate data." Scalefusion continuously strives to enhance its offerings based on customer feedback and industry best practices. This update further solidifies Scalefusion's position as a leader in Android Device Management , enabling organizations across various sectors to embrace flexible work environments while ensuring data security and compliance. Request a free evaluation and set up a demo of Scalefusion here . About Scalefusion: ProMobi Technologies provides a leading Unified Endpoint Management solution under the brand Scalefusion. Scalefusion UEM allows organizations to secure and manage endpoints including smartphones, tablets, laptops, rugged devices, POS, and digital signages, along with apps and content. It supports the management of Android, iOS, macOS and Windows 10 devices and ensures streamlined device management operations with Scalefusion Remote Troubleshooting. More than 8000 companies across the world are unlocking their true potential using Scalefusion, which is used across various industries such as Transportation & Logistics, Retail, Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Construction & Real Estate, Hospitality, Software & Telecom, Financial Services & others. For more information, please visit https://www.scalefusion.com Scalefusion on LinkedIn Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/846160/1689777/Scalefusion_Logo.jpg SOURCE Promobi Technologies Private Limited "Howl to the Hill" event shines a light on the USDA's shameful pattern of inaction, with advocates calling on Congress to pass Goldie's Act WASHINGTON, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) hosted "Howl to the Hill" on Capitol Hill to rally support for Goldie's Act (H.R. 1788), which would ensure the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) does its job to protect dogs in federally licensed puppy mills. Named in honor of a Golden Retriever who suffered and died at a USDA-licensed puppy mill in Iowa, Goldie's Act would require the USDA to conduct more frequent and meaningful inspections, provide lifesaving intervention for suffering animals, impose penalties for violations, and communicate with local law enforcement to address cruelty and neglect. The "Howl to the Hill" event included a rally with local advocates and puppy mill survivors, as well as a press conference led by the sponsors of Goldie's Act, U.S. Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and Zach Nunn (R-Iowa). In addition to the ASPCA, members of Congress were joined by special guests, including Bellamy Young an award-winning actor and animal advocate best known for her role on the ABC political drama Scandal and Sheriff Keith Davis from the Wayne County Iowa Sheriff's Office, who worked alongside the ASPCA and other animal welfare agencies to rescue hundreds of dogs from the Iowa puppy mill where Goldie died. One of those dogs Holly, a 2-year-old Pomeranian-Husky mix was also in attendance at "Howl to the Hill," serving as the event's official ambassador dog. "Howl to the Hill aims to raise awareness about Goldie, a beautiful Golden Retriever who endured months of agony and pain under the USDA's watch and suffered a preventable death in an Iowa puppy mill," said Nancy Perry, senior vice president of ASPCA Government Relations. "The USDA's repeated failure to enforce the law has encouraged cruelty and a callous attitude that animal suffering doesn't matter. By including Goldie's Act in the Farm Bill, Congress can prevent thousands of other animals from meeting the same tragic and unacceptable fate at the hands of the federal agency obligated to protect them." "USDA inspectors knew Goldie was suffering. They documented her deterioration month after month, even filming her skeletal condition, and had the authority to help her, but the agency took no action until it was far too late and she could not be saved," said Bellamy Young. "Shockingly, Goldie's story is not unique and as a lifelong animal lover, it's unconscionable to me that the USDA's inaction has allowed this type of cruelty to persist. Thousands of dogs are still suffering on the USDA's watch, and I urge Congress to pass Goldie's Act to ensure the USDA does its job to protect these innocent animals." "Federal inspectors were aware that Daniel Gingerich was not in compliance with federal animal welfare laws and documented a host of violations over the course of several months, yet the agency did not alert my office until the situation had spiraled out of control and necessitated intervention from the Department of Justice," said Sheriff Davis. "Had the USDA notified my office, as the law enables them to do, when it first learned that this licensee was failing to provide minimum standards of care, we could have investigated state cruelty violations and prevented hundreds of dogs from suffering. Goldie's Act is a commonsense solution to the USDA's blatant pattern of non-enforcement that burdens local law enforcement and the animal welfare community, and I urge Congress to pass this critical bill to ensure that those who violate the law are held accountable." "Protecting animal welfare has been a personal passion of mine since my time in the New York State Assembly," Congresswoman Malliotakis said. "I'm proud to join ASPCA and a bipartisan group of colleagues in pushing for the consideration of this critically important legislation today to protect those without a voice by requiring the USDA to publicly report all animal welfare violations, remove animals from abusive environments, and take action to hold animal abusers accountable." "As a pet owner, I can't imagine my dogs being subjected to the inhumane conditions found at many licensed puppy mills. Bad actors operating these facilities use and abuse these puppies until they no longer serve a purpose," said Congressman Mike Quigley. "I'm proud to cosponsor Goldie's Act to provide the USDA the power to ensure these facilities are complying with the law. We have a responsibility to protect these animals and finally end rampant animal welfare violations." The Iowa puppy mill where Goldie died was operated by Daniel Gingerich, a USDA-licensed breeder who accumulated over 200 total violations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), including dead dogs, dogs with untreated injuries and illnesses, dogs with painful fur matting, dogs in cages that were too small, and moldy food provided to the dogs. Despite observing these violations of the law, the USDA continued to permit Gingerich to breed and sell dogs, never confiscating any dogs who were suffering and never collecting any penalties from Gingerich. Gingerich eventually agreed to surrender all of the animals in his care after a complaint was filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Gingerich pled guilty to two animal neglect charges related to his now-shuttered commercial dog breeding facility, but the USDA settled their complaint against him and all the documented violations of care resulted in zero fines. This case is part of the USDA's ongoing pattern of failing to enforce the AWA and protect the animals in its care, even when the conditions are extremely poor and animals are dying. Months after the Gingerich case, more than 4,000 beagles were rescued from another USDA-licensed business, Envigo, where the USDA documented horrific cruelty during "routine inspections" over several months, including dead dogs, starving dogs, dogs in dangerous conditions, and dogs in need of veterinary care. Yet, days after the DOJ negotiated the surrender of the beagles, the USDA renewed the company's license for another year, and a shocking report from Reuters revealed that senior USDA leaders went to great lengths to cover up both Envigo's treatment of the dogs and the agency's own refusal to protect the animals. The USDA is responsible for ensuring that their licensees follow the law, and when they choose to allow violations to go unreported and unpunished, the agency contributes to animal suffering. Last year, the USDA recorded over 800 violations for licensed dog dealers alone, but the USDA failed to take any meaningful action against these problematic dog dealers. Goldie's Act would restore welfare to the Animal Welfare Act to fix USDA policies that have failed animals and allowed suffering for far too long. Goldie's Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in March by a bipartisan team of lawmakers including Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), and Chris Smith (D-N.J.). For more information about the ASPCA's efforts to protect dogs in commercial breeding facilities, or to urge your U.S. senators and representative to support Goldie's Act, please visit www.aspca.org/GoldiesAct. About the ASPCA Founded in 1866, the ASPCA (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) was the first animal welfare organization to be established in North America and today serves as the nation's leading voice for vulnerable and victimized animals. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA assists animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources. For more information, visit www.ASPCA.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. SOURCE ASPCA TORONTO, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) ("Sun Life") today announced its intention to redeem all of the outstanding $1 billion principal amount of Series 2016-2 Subordinated Unsecured 3.05% Fixed/Floating Debentures (the "Debentures") in accordance with the redemption terms attached to the Debentures. The redemption will be funded from existing cash and liquid assets. The Debentures are redeemable at Sun Life's option on or after September 19, 2023 at a redemption price per Debenture equal to the principal amount together with accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. Sun Life intends to redeem the Debentures on September 19, 2023 (the "Redemption Date"). Notice will be delivered to the holders of the Debentures in accordance with the terms outlined in the trust indenture governing the Debentures. After the Debentures are redeemed, interest will cease to accrue from and after the Redemption Date and holders of Debentures will not be entitled to exercise any rights as holders other than to receive the redemption price. About Sun Life Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2023, Sun Life had total assets under management of $1.36 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com. Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF. Note to editors: All figures in Canadian dollars Forward-Looking Statements From time to time, Sun Life makes written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the "safe harbour" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements contained in this release include, without limitation, statements relating to Sun Life's anticipated redemption of the Debentures. These statements represent our current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events and are not historical facts, and remain subject to change. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Information about forward-looking statements and risk factors relating to the Company are set out in our MD&A for the period ended March 31, 2023 and in Sun Life Financial Inc.'s other annual and interim regulatory filings filed with Canadian securities regulators or furnished to U.S. securities regulators, which are available for review at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. Media Relations Contact: Krista Wilson Director Corporate Communications T. 226-751-2391 [email protected] Investor Relations Contact: David Garg Senior Vice-President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations T. 416-408-8649 [email protected] SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc. HOUSTON, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Talen Energy Corporation ("Talen") (OTCQX: TLNE) today announced that its shares of common stock (the "Shares"), are expected to begin trading on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol TLNE, effective at the opening of trading on Monday, July 24, 2023. Talen shareholders will now find the Shares, which were previously quoted on the Pink market, trading on the OTCQX market. About Talen Talen is one of the largest competitive power generation and infrastructure companies in North America. Talen, through its subsidiary, Talen Energy Supply, LLC ("TES"), owns and/or controls approximately 12,400 megawatts of generating capacity in wholesale U.S. power markets, principally in the Mid-Atlantic, Texas, and Montana. Additionally, through its Cumulus subsidiaries, Talen is developing a large-scale portfolio of renewable energy, battery storage, and digital infrastructure assets across TES' expansive footprint. Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this communication, or incorporated by reference into this communication, are forward-looking statements. Throughout this communication, we have attempted to identify forward-looking statements by using words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecasts," "goal," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "seek," "should," "will," or other forms of these words or similar words or expressions or the negative thereof, although not all forward-looking statements contain these terms. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions concerning, among other things capital expenditures, earnings, litigation, regulatory matters, hedging, liquidity and capital resources and accounting matters. Forward-looking statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties that could cause our future business, financial condition, results of operations or performance to differ materially from our historical results or those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement contained in this communication. All of our forward-looking statements include assumptions underlying or relating to such statements that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we are currently expecting, and are subject to numerous factors that present considerable risks and uncertainties. Additional Information Talen (OTCQX: TLNE) trades on the OTCQX Best Market. Companies meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, demonstrate compliance with U.S. securities laws, and have a professional third-party sponsor introduction. Investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com/stock/TLNE/overview. For additional information and updates about Talen, please visit its investor relations webpage at https://talenenergy.investorroom.com, or contact: Investor Relations: [email protected] Media: Taryne Williams, Director Corporate Communications 610-601-0327 [email protected] SOURCE Talen Energy Corp. SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. If you trace the chronology of all our actions, even if you go back before the beginning of the second Karabakh war, you will see logic and a very strong argument on our side. We did not do anything for which we would be ashamed or we could say, yes, we are wrong there. We did everything right, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Trend reports. We gave them a chance, including the Armenian leadership before the start of the second Karabakh, war for two years, but they did not take advantage of it. We gave them a chance at a time when the Lachin-Khankendi road was just a thoroughfare through which Armenia transported mines that were produced in Armenia in 2021. And we discovered these mines. We found them. We invited representatives of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, as well as representatives of the Russian-Turkish monitoring center, which is located in Aghdam, demonstrated that to them and asked: How did these mines get into Karabakh? Who brought them? And who was supposed to watch? It is unacceptable for us to die after the Victory on our own territory because Armenia continues its policy of terror, the head of state mentioned. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. Poor Leadership Has Led to Toxic Work Environment for First Responders BURLINGAME, Calif., July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the Central County Firefighters Union, which is affiliated with Teamsters Local 856, have determined they have no confidence in Central County Fire Department (CCFD) Chief Bruce Barron's ability to effectively perform his duties and feel he is unfit to lead. The firefighters are calling for Chief Barron's immediate removal. "Chief Barron's toxic management style is antithetical to the department's core values of honesty, integrity, respect, leadership, accountability, teamwork, and professionalism," CCFD union leadership said. "For the sake of the department and the citizens we serve, he needs to be removed from his position immediately." Notice of the no confidence vote results were delivered to Burlingame City Manager, CCFD Chief Administrative Officer Lisa Goldman, and members of the CCFD Board of Directors in late June. Since then, Chief Barron has announced his intention to retire in October, however, the firefighters are demanding his immediate removal. "In February of 2023, the Central County Firefighters Union called for an independent administrative investigation into allegations of gross misconduct committed by Chief Barron and his administration," CCFD union leadership said. "Members have been impacted because of that. While the department apparently considered those allegations to be isolated incidents pertaining to a few members, this vote of no confidence reveals that an overwhelming majority of Central County firefighters have shared similar experiences and observations of Chief Barron's inability to lead this organization. The citizens of Burlingame, Hillsborough, and Millbrae deserve a fire department with competent, professional leadership. The community and our fire personnel need it now." Firefighters at the Central County Fire Department - which serves the Burlingame, Millbrae, and Hillsborough communities allege that Chief Barron's poor leadership has led to a toxic work environment for first responders. His actions are egregious and beneath the office he holds. The Central County Firefighters Union is affiliated with Teamsters Local 856. Founded in 1949, Local 856 is affiliated with the 1.2 million-member International Brotherhood of Teamsters. With 17,000 members, it has grown to become the second largest Teamster Local Union in California. Contact: Nicole Casey, (650) 266-7712 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Local 856 WASHINGTON, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas ruled today against Yellow Corp., denying the company's request for an injunction to stop the Teamsters from striking over delinquent benefits contributions. "Yellow thought they could scheme the system, but the law was on the side of workers. Teamsters have emerged victorious," said Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. "The company has two more days to fulfill its obligations or we will strike. Teamsters at Yellow are furious and ready to act. They are done with the mistreatment and mismanagement." Two of Yellow Corp.'s operating companies, YRC Freight and Holland, are delinquent in making required health and welfare and pension contributions. Benefit suspensions will go into effect July 23 if the company fails to make the critical payment to the Central States Health and Welfare Fund and the Central States Pension Fund for June 2023. The Teamsters are currently preparing for a possible work stoppage at those companies if the delinquency is not cured. A strike could take place as early as July 24. Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking men and women in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and "like" us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters. Contact: Daniel Moskowitz, (770) 262-4971 [email protected] SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters NEW YORK, July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The technical support outsourcing market size is predicted to surge by USD 13.99 billion from 2021 to 2026 at a CAGR of 7.47%, according to Technavio The growing competition in the market is compelling vendors to adopt various growth strategies such as promotional activities and spending on advertisements to improve the visibility of their services. Technavio report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors including - Aress Software and Education Technologies P Ltd., Computer Generated Solutions Inc., CSS Corp., Essentiel Outsourcing S.L., Flatworld Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Genpact Ltd., Global response Corp., HCL Technologies Ltd., IBN Technologies Ltd., Infosys Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Invensis Technologies Pvt Ltd., ISPL Support Services, Qcom Outsourcing Ltd., StarTek Inc., Suma Soft Pvt. Ltd., Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., Telegenisys Inc., Wipro Ltd., and Worldwide Call Centers Inc. Download the sample Report Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Technical Support Outsourcing Market Technical Support Outsourcing Market Insights - Vendors : 15+, Including Aress Software and Education Technologies P Ltd., Computer Generated Solutions Inc., CSS Corp., Essentiel Outsourcing S.L., Flatworld Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Genpact Ltd., Global Response Corp., HCL Technologies Ltd., IBN Technologies Ltd., Infosys Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Invensis Technologies Pvt Ltd., ISPL Support Services, Qcom Outsourcing Ltd., StarTek Inc., Suma Soft Pvt. Ltd., Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., Telegenisys Inc., Wipro Ltd., and Worldwide Call Centers Inc., among others : 15+, Including Aress Software and Education Technologies P Ltd., Computer Generated Solutions Inc., CSS Corp., Essentiel Outsourcing S.L., Flatworld Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Genpact Ltd., Global Response Corp., HCL Technologies Ltd., IBN Technologies Ltd., Infosys Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Invensis Technologies Pvt Ltd., ISPL Support Services, Qcom Outsourcing Ltd., StarTek Inc., Suma Soft Pvt. Ltd., Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., Telegenisys Inc., Wipro Ltd., and Worldwide Call Centers Inc., among others Coverage: Parent market analysis; key drivers, major trends, and challenges; customer and vendor landscape; vendor product insights and recent developments; key vendors; and market positioning of vendors Parent market analysis; key drivers, major trends, and challenges; customer and vendor landscape; vendor product insights and recent developments; key vendors; and market positioning of vendors Segments: type (help desk and call center), and geography (APAC, South America , Europe , North America , and Middle East and Africa ) To understand more about the technical support outsourcing market, request a sample report Key Drivers- The increasing need for cost-effective solutions to improve efficiency is one of the key factors driving the technical support outsourcing market growth. Customers are increasingly demanding services that are quick, simple, and convenient. Customers expect to have access to services 24 hours a day. Because of poor technical support, customers occasionally break off contact with businesses and switch to competitors. The cost of meeting consumer needs is high since it requires numerous investments in things like office space, machinery, and labor. Additionally, businesses must spend on system upgrades and maintenance, regular personnel training, and the price of high employee retention. For instance, the Indian government has started a pilot program for the outsourcing of electronics repair services. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Major Trends- The emergence of chatbots is one of the key technical support outsourcing market trends. The market is expanding due to the increasing use of chatbots across a variety of sectors. In the supply chain, chatbots are quickly and easily establishing and maintaining customized communication while facilitating commerce. Applications for chatbots that make use of MLaaS can be developed to understand situations and evaluate appropriate responses for customers in real-time. The customer experience will also be improved by the integration of chatbots into technical support outsourcing. The use of outsourcing technical help is rising due to these chatbots. For instance, in the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank introduced ADIB Chat Banking, a chatbot for Emirati customer service. Hence, the rising demand for chatbots is expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Significant Challenges- Outsourcing leading to compromise on the quality of technical support is one of the significant challenges restricting the technical support outsourcing market growth. Businesses that outsource the services to technical support outsourcing providers have little control over the services they provide. This could lead to certain quality problems, particularly with customer-related tasks. Companies that outsource technical services may satisfy or fall short of customer expectations in terms of service delivery. Furthermore, some businesses believe that outsourcing technical help costs them more than they expect due to some hidden costs or soft costs. The effectiveness and quality of services may be impacted by outsourcing technical support to a third party. They are, therefore, unable to monitor the level of customer service provided. Hence, the above-mentioned factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Drivers, Trends & Challenges have an impact on market dynamics and can impact businesses. Find some insights from a sample report! The technical support outsourcing market report provides critical information and factual data, with a qualitative and quantitative study of the market based on market drivers and limitations as well as future prospects. Why Buy? Add credibility to the strategy Analyzes competitor's offerings Get a holistic view of the market Grow your profit margin with Technavio- Buy the Report What are the key data covered in this Technical Support Outsourcing Market report? CAGR of the market during the forecast period Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the technical support outsourcing market between 2023 and 2027 Precise estimation of the size of the technical support outsourcing market 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 technical support outsourcing market across APAC, South America , Europe , North 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 technical support outsourcing market vendors Gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports. Technavio SUBSCRIPTION platform Related Reports The business process management as a service (BPMaaS) market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 28.76% between 2022 and 2027 and the size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 26,973.56 million. Furthermore, this report extensively covers market segmentation by deployment (on-premises and cloud-based), End-user (BFSI, manufacturing, retail, telecommunication, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The increasing demand for process automation and digital transformation is a key factor driving market growth during the forecast period. The unified communication as a service market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 25.36% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 103,561.1 million. Furthermore, this report extensively covers market segmentation by application (enterprise collaboration, enterprise telephony, and contact center), end-user (BFSI, ICT, healthcare, retail, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). The shift from CAPEX to OPEX is a key factor driving market growth during the forecast period. Technical Support Outsourcing Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 7.47% Market Growth 2022-2026 USD 13.99 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 6.07 Regional analysis APAC, South America, Europe, North America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 58% Key consumer countries China, India, Germany, Brazil, and Argentina Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive Strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Accenture Plc, Aress Software and Education Technologies P Ltd., Collabera Inc., Computer Generated Solutions Inc., CSS Corp., Essentiel Outsourcing S.L., Flatworld Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Genpact Ltd., HCL Technologies Ltd., IBN Technologies Ltd., Infosys Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Invensis Technologies Pvt Ltd., ISPL Support Services, Octopus Tech, Qcom Outsourcing Ltd., Suma Soft Pvt. Ltd., Telegenisys Inc., Wipro Ltd., and Worldwide Call Centers Inc. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for 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 Incremental Growth Exhibit 07: Executive Summary Data Table on Incremental Growth Exhibit 08: Executive Summary Chart on Vendor Market Positioning 2 Market Landscape 2.1 Market ecosystem Exhibit 09: Parent market Exhibit 10: Market Characteristics 3 Market Sizing 3.1 Market definition Exhibit 11: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition 3.2 Market segment analysis Exhibit 12: Market segments 3.3 Market size 2021 3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026 Exhibit 13: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 14: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 15: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 4 Five Forces Analysis 4.1 Five forces summary Exhibit 17: Five forces analysis - Comparison between2021 and 2026 4.2 Bargaining power of buyers Exhibit 18: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026 4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers Exhibit 19: Bargaining power of suppliers Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.4 Threat of new entrants Exhibit 20: Threat of new entrants Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.5 Threat of substitutes Exhibit 21: Threat of substitutes Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.6 Threat of rivalry Exhibit 22: Threat of rivalry Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026 4.7 Market condition Exhibit 23: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026 5 Market Segmentation by Type 5.1 Market segments Exhibit 24: Chart on Type - Market share 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 25: Data Table on Type - Market share 2021-2026 (%) 5.2 Comparison by Type Exhibit 26: Chart on Comparison by Type Exhibit 27: Data Table on Comparison by Type 5.3 Helpdesk - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 28: Chart on Helpdesk - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 29: Data Table on Helpdesk - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 30: Chart on Helpdesk - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 31: Data Table on Helpdesk - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.4 Call center - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 32: Chart on Call center - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 33: Data Table on Call center - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 34: Chart on Call center - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 35: Data Table on Call center - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 5.5 Market opportunity by Type Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by Type ($ million) 6 Customer Landscape 6.1 Customer landscape overview Exhibit 37: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria 7 Geographic Landscape 7.1 Geographic segmentation Exhibit 38: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 39: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%) 7.2 Geographic comparison Exhibit 40: Chart on Geographic comparison Exhibit 41: Data Table on Geographic comparison 7.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 42: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 43: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 44: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 45: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.4 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 46: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 47: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 48: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 49: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 50: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 51: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 52: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 53: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.6 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 54: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 55: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 56: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 57: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 58: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 59: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 60: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 61: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.8 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 62: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 63: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 64: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 65: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.9 Brazil - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 66: Chart on Brazil - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 67: Data Table on Brazil - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 68: Chart on Brazil - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 69: Data Table on Brazil - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.10 India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 70: Chart on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 71: Data Table on India - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 72: Chart on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 73: Data Table on India - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.11 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 74: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 75: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 76: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 77: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.12 Argentina - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 78: Chart on Argentina - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 79: Data Table on Argentina - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million) Exhibit 80: Chart on Argentina - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) Exhibit 81: Data Table on Argentina - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%) 7.13 Market opportunity by geography Exhibit 82: Market opportunity by geography ($ million) 8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 8.1 Market drivers 8.2 Market challenges 8.3 Impact of drivers and challenges Exhibit 83: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026 8.4 Market trends 9 Vendor Landscape 9.1 Overview 9.2 Vendor landscape Exhibit 84: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation 9.3 Landscape disruption Exhibit 85: Overview on factors of disruption 9.4 Industry risks Exhibit 86: Impact of key risks on business 10 Vendor Analysis 10.1 Vendors covered Exhibit 87: Vendors covered 10.2 Market positioning of vendors Exhibit 88: Matrix on vendor position and classification 10.3 Accenture Plc Exhibit 89: Accenture Plc - Overview Exhibit 90: Accenture Plc - Business segments Exhibit 91: Accenture Plc - Key news Exhibit 92: Accenture Plc - Key offerings Exhibit 93: Accenture Plc - Segment focus 10.4 Aress Software and Education Technologies P Ltd. Exhibit 94: Aress Software and Education Technologies P Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 95: Aress Software and Education Technologies P Ltd. - Product / Service Exhibit 96: Aress Software and Education Technologies P Ltd. - Key offerings 10.5 Collabera Inc. Exhibit 97: Collabera Inc. - Overview Exhibit 98: Collabera Inc. - Product / Service Exhibit 99: Collabera Inc. - Key offerings 10.6 CSS Corp. Exhibit 100: CSS Corp. - Overview Exhibit 101: CSS Corp. - Product / Service Exhibit 102: CSS Corp. - Key offerings 10.7 Genpact Ltd. Exhibit 103: Genpact Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 104: Genpact Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 105: Genpact Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 106: Genpact Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 107: Genpact Ltd. - Segment focus 10.8 HCL Technologies Ltd. Exhibit 108: HCL Technologies Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 109: HCL Technologies Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 110: HCL Technologies Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 111: HCL Technologies Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 112: HCL Technologies Ltd. - Segment focus 10.9 Infosys Ltd. Exhibit 113: Infosys Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 114: Infosys Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 115: Infosys Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 116: Infosys Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 117: Infosys Ltd. - Segment focus 10.10 International Business Machines Corp. Exhibit 118: International Business Machines Corp. - Overview Exhibit 119: International Business Machines Corp. - Business segments Exhibit 120: International Business Machines Corp. - Key offerings Exhibit 121: International Business Machines Corp. - Segment focus 10.11 Octopus Tech Exhibit 122: Octopus Tech - Overview Exhibit 123: Octopus Tech - Product / Service Exhibit 124: Octopus Tech - Key offerings 10.12 Wipro Ltd. Exhibit 125: Wipro Ltd. - Overview Exhibit 126: Wipro Ltd. - Business segments Exhibit 127: Wipro Ltd. - Key news Exhibit 128: Wipro Ltd. - Key offerings Exhibit 129: Wipro Ltd. - Segment focus 11 Appendix 11.1 Scope of the report 11.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist Exhibit 130: Inclusions checklist Exhibit 131: Exclusions checklist 11.3 Currency conversion rates for US$ Exhibit 132: Currency conversion rates for US$ 11.4 Research methodology Exhibit 133: Research methodology Exhibit 134: Validation techniques employed for market sizing Exhibit 135: Information sources 11.5 List of abbreviations Exhibit 136: List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com SOURCE Technavio PANAMA CITY, Panama, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Government of Panama announced yesterday that the United States has chosen Panama as one of a select few countries worldwide with which collaboration will be established to bolster the global semiconductor value chain, commonly known as CHIPS. "Panama's unparalleled logistics capabilities, favorable business environment, and remarkable political stability make it an exceptional choice as a hub for semiconductor assembly, packaging, and testing," said President Laurentino Cortizo. "The expansion of this industry in Panama holds the potential to create well-paying jobs, particularly for young people, while also enhancing the technological capabilities of our country's skilled workforce. This is part of our Administration's ongoing commitment to create opportunities for the next generation of Panamanians, particularly in the technology sector. The collaboration with the United States represents a crucial step towards strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of this vital industry." As an initial measure within this newly formed partnership, the United States and Panama will collaborate closely to conduct an in-depth assessment of Panama's existing semiconductor ecosystem. The objective of this analysis is to identify Panama's strengths and areas of improvement within the sector, providing valuable insights for future collaboration on developing this critical industry. The review will be funded by the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund ("ITSI" Fund). Appropriated under the CHIPS Act of 2022, the fund is administered by the United States Department of State with the purpose of supporting and fostering collaboration with countries it has deemed crucial to the semiconductor industry. Panama recognizes the importance of semiconductor technology as a cornerstone of economic growth, national security, and technological innovation. It plays a pivotal role across various industries, including telecommunications, automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics. With the rapid evolution of digital transformation and the increasing reliance on advanced electronics, securing the semiconductor value chain has become a global imperative. Recognizing the importance of workforce development in high-tech fields such as semiconductors, the Government of Panama has entered into talks with Arizona State University, the leading institution for innovation and a renowned player in the semiconductor industry. Panama's objective is to create a cooperative platform with the university, aiming to cultivate a skilled Panamanian workforce capable of seizing promising opportunities, like the one presented by the United States. CONTACT: Kate Cigna, [email protected] SOURCE The Government of Panama Heat Relief Services Provided Amidst Sweltering Temperatures ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the face of a historic and severe heat wave gripping the Southwest and various regions across the U.S., The Salvation Army has rapidly activated services to extend crucial assistance to people under excessive heat watches, warnings, and advisories. To combat unseasonably intense temperature spikes, dedicated personnel and volunteers from The Salvation Army are on the ground, distributing essential supplies like water, cooling packs, and sun protection to help combat the extreme heat and reduce its harmful effects on vulnerable individuals. "As the summer heat intensifies, The Salvation Army will continue to serve and support those in need," said Kenneth Hodder, national commander of The Salvation Army. "We are providing relief and assistance to communities all across the country, making sure no one has to face these scorching temperatures alone. From the sweltering days to the warm nights, our goal is to lend a helping hand and provide essential resources, to help keep our neighbors safe this summer and beyond." According to the National Weather Service, heat causes more deaths each year than any other weather event in the country. In some areas, unsheltered individuals account for nearly half of these deaths. These individuals face dehydration, sunburn, heat stroke, and infections from sweat-soaked clothing that goes unwashed. In addition to providing tangible relief items, The Salvation Army is also activating cooling centers in various locations throughout the country. These centers offer a respite from the intense heat and provide a safe space for people to relax and cool down. Teams are also conducting outreach to check on older individuals, those with disabilities, and other at-risk individuals who may be more susceptible to heat-related health issues. Examples of some of The Salvation Army's services across the country: Dallas, Texas : The Carr P. Collins Social Service Center is being utilized as a cooling station, and more than 13 other locations nearby are also offering shelter, hydration, and snacks. The Carr P. Collins Social Service Center is being utilized as a cooling station, and more than 13 other locations nearby are also offering shelter, hydration, and snacks. Phoenix, Ariz. : Eight heat-relief stations and a mobile hydration units are being activated on any day the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat warning. Locations include Apache Junction , Avondale , Chandler , Glendale , Mesa , Phoenix , Surprise , and Tempe. Eight heat-relief stations and a mobile hydration units are being activated on any day the National Weather Service issues an excessive heat warning. Locations include , , , , , , , and Tempe. Las Vegas, Nev. : The Salvation Army has opened one of its facilities to provide residents relief from the heat. Those at the shelter will be able to take showers, do laundry, and stay hydrated while also having the chance to work with case managers for additional services and referrals. The Salvation Army has opened one of its facilities to provide residents relief from the heat. Those at the shelter will be able to take showers, do laundry, and stay hydrated while also having the chance to work with case managers for additional services and referrals. New York City , N.Y.: Eight cooling centers are being launched in several neighborhoods including Tremont in the Bronx and Times Square to provide relief from the heat. Eight cooling centers are being launched in several neighborhoods including Tremont in the and Times Square to provide relief from the heat. Omaha, Neb. : As temperatures are expected to skyrocket, The Salvation Army of Omaha has activated cooling centers and a summer fan program to help people stay cool and avoid heat-related illness. As temperatures are expected to skyrocket, The Salvation Army of has activated cooling centers and a summer fan program to help people stay cool and avoid heat-related illness. Denver, Colo. : The Crossroads and Lambuth Family Centers are providing a number of resources in the Denver metro area including shelters to keep people hydrated and covered. The Crossroads and Lambuth Family Centers are providing a number of resources in the metro area including shelters to keep people hydrated and covered. Wichita, Kan. : In addition to opening a cooling center for unsheltered individuals, The Salvation Army has also donated fans to Sedgwick County . Not only is The Salvation Army serving those affected by the heat wave, but disaster professionals and volunteers are simultaneously responding to the unprecedented flooding in Vermont and the northeast. The Salvation Army Northern New England Division has provided meals, snacks, water, and has partnered with UPS to provide the community with 1,000 cleanup kits. To read more about the Salvation Army's service in Vermont, click here. To learn more about staying safe in extreme heat, click here. To learn more about The Salvation Army's response, visit salvationarmyusa.org. Additionally, if you'd like to support The Salvation Army's efforts to meet immediate and long-term needs, please call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. For media inquiries, please email [email protected]. About The Salvation Army USA The Salvation Army annually helps nearly 24 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at nearly 7,000 centers of operation around the country. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood. Media Contact Darian Taylor Senior Manager, PR 832-265-8446 SOURCE The Salvation Army Initiative to Launch with $1.5 Million Gift To Brooklyn Public Library To Support Its "Books Unbanned" Initiative & Bolster Library's Overall Operations NEW YORK, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, The Shawn Carter Foundation and Robert Kraft's Foundation to Combat Antisemitism kicked off its initiative to stop the nationwide book ban and protect educational freedom by collaborating on an initial $2 million fund. The partnership was announced last week and aims to preserve culture, expand diversity of thought, and protect the centers of knowledge and creativity in communities across the country by joining forces to stop the spread of all hate and to ensure history does not repeat itself. As part of the collaboration, Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) will receive $1.5 million to bolster the library's overall operations and support its Books Unbanned initiative, a nationwide campaign dedicated to providing young people with free access to books without restrictions. The donation will provide vital support to a wide range of BPL's programs and collections, including teen and children's programs, justice initiatives, small business and entrepreneurial support, bridging the digital divide, and efforts to combat censorship. Beyond empowering the free exchange of ideas, the donation will also support the Brooklyn Public Library's recent surge in attendance since The Book of HOV exhibit honoring Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter's life and legacy opened on July 14 at the Central Branch. During the exhibit's opening weekend, nearly 15,000 visitors came to the library, which was triple the number of visitors that it usually averaged. In that span, more than 1,400 individuals signed up for BPL library cards at the Central and Marcy libraries. For comparison, it typically takes the Brooklyn Public Library a month to issue that amount but managed to achieve the feat in three days. Additionally, during that period, the number of checked-out items at Central and Marcy Libraries increased by nearly 10 percent from the previous weekend. The Shawn Carter Foundation and Foundation to Combat Antisemitism originally announced plans to join forces to stop the nationwide book bans and protect educational freedom. The partnership came about as a result of the alarming rise in hate crimes and bans on books that address issues of race, sexuality, gender and religion across the United States. In the 20212022 school year, 1,586 books were banned in schools across the United States and 22% of those books directly addressed issues of race and racism. In 2022, the American Library Association documented 1,269 demands to censor library books and resources. Most targeted books were for a teen audience and were by or about Black, LGBTQIA+ persons, women and religious minority groups. Books that depict the atrocities of the Holocaust, such as Maus by Art Spiegelman and Diary of Anne Frank, have recently been banned for their teachings. In Missouri, school districts also banned Holocaust history books and books written by Jewish authors. History has seen this behavior before. In Nazi Germany, in the 1930s and 1940s, books were banned from sale and were burned with celebration. The horrific acts that followed began with the eradication of information from libraries and educational spaces. The Shawn Carter Foundation and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism are proud to stand together to ensure that history will not repeat itself and to continue to fight the spread of all hate. SOURCE The Shawn Carter Foundation A roundup of the week's most newsworthy environment industry press releases from PR Newswire, including a $50 million fund to protect forests in developing countries. NEW YORK, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the environment industry stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Environment Press Release Roundup, July 17-21, 2023. Photo provided by Harpe Bioherbicide Solutions. https://prn.to/3OmwVhS Read more of the latest environment-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNenv on Twitter. Can't-Miss Earnings In addition to these popular releases, several must-read earnings reports crossed the wire this week, including the quarterly results for GreenPower Motor Company. Catch up on all the latest earnings reports here. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire A roundup of the week's most newsworthy technology industry press releases from PR Newswire, including AI developments in web design, home security, and Teams meetings. NEW YORK, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the business technology industry stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Technology Press Release Roundup, July 17-21, 2023. Photo provided by DroneShield. https://prn.to/3NSTlFS Read more of the latest business technology releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNtech on Twitter. Can't-Miss Earnings In addition to these popular releases, several must-read earnings reports crossed the wire this week, including the quarterly results for IBM, Spectra7, and Infosys. Catch up on all the latest earnings reports here. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire A roundup of the week's most newsworthy travel industry press releases from PR Newswire, including private jet itineraries from Four Seasons and SeaWorld's VIP tickets for Shark Week. NEW YORK, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the travel industry stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed. The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download. PR Newswire Weekly Travel Press Release Roundup, July 17-21, 2023. Photo provided by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. https://prn.to/3OiJISd Read more of the latest travel-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNtravel on Twitter. Can't-Miss Earnings In addition to these popular releases, several must-read earnings reports crossed the wire this week, including the quarterly results for Las Vegas Sands and United Airlines. Catch up on all the latest earnings reports here. Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists. Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features: Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more. About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals. For questions, contact the team at [email protected]. SOURCE PR Newswire TALLAHASSEE, Fla., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States, today announced the appointment of Ryan Blust, the Company's Vice President, Finance, as its interim Chief Financial Officer and the departure of Tim Mullany as Chief Financial Officer for personal reasons, each effective July 20, 2023. The Company has also retained the services of an executive recruitment firm to commence a search for a new chief financial officer. Mr. Blust has over 18 years of accounting and finance experience. He joined Trulieve in September 2018, and has previously served as interim CFO for the Company. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Blust served as the Controller at Vector Solutions, a software company. Mr. Blust also served as CFO for Honeycomb Company of America, an aerospace manufacturer, and as Assistant Controller for Marinemax, a retail boat company. He began his career in public accounting in 2004, serving with both Cherry Bekaert as well as Bobbitt, Pittinger & Company. About Trulieve Trulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated cannabis company and multi-state operator in the U.S., with established hubs in the Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest, anchored by leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is poised for accelerated growth and expansion, building scale in retail and distribution in new and existing markets through its hub strategy. By providing innovative, high-quality products across its brand portfolio, Trulieve delivers optimal customer experiences and increases access to cannabis, helping patients and customers to live without limits. Trulieve is listed on the CSE under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF. For more information, please visit Trulieve.com. Facebook: @Trulieve Instagram: @Trulieve_ Twitter: @Trulieve Investor Contact Christine Hersey, Vice President of Investor Relations +1 (424) 202-0210 [email protected] Media Contact Nicole Yelland, Executive Director of Corporate Communications +1 (248) 219-9234 [email protected] SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp. SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. Reconstruction of Shusha has started. The master plan has been approved a while ago, and now the construction of the first housing projects has started. These projects will accommodate the Shusha residents back to their homes, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Trend reports. At the same time, as I already said, Shusha was officially declared by the presidential decree a cultural capital of Azerbaijan. And we expect big traffic from all over the world to come to this unique place because history, culture, architecture and climate of Shusha is really a big asset for our country, the head of state underlined. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. WASHINGTON, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, by unanimous vote, Commissioners of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights have concurred in President Joseph R. Biden's designations of Rochelle Mercedes Garza as Chair and Victoria Frances Nourse as Vice-Chair. Marking a milestone for the Commission with Commissioner Garza as the youngest person to serve as Chair. U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Chair, Rochelle Garza and Vice-Chair, Victoria Nourse Ms. Garza is an attorney from the Rio Grande Valley currently serving as President of the Texas Civil Rights Project. In 2022, she became the democratic nominee for Texas Attorney General on a platform focused on voting rights, reproductive rights, and government accountability. She was the first Latina to be nominated in Texas history to run for Attorney General by any major party. Professor Nourse is a Ralph V. Whitworth Professor of Law at the Georgetown University Law Center and the Executive Director of the Center on Congressional Studies at Georgetown Law. In 2015-2016, she served as Chief Counsel to the Vice President of the United States. Prior to that she served as an appellate lawyer in the Justice Department and Special Counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Chair and Commissioners of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights serve six-year terms. "My hope for this Commission is that together we can continue the legacy of bipartisan progress that has been made possible by the resilience of many generations of Americans before us. I accept President Biden's nomination and I promise to work tirelessly, alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, to ensure that the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights remains a powerful force for change and progress in our country," said new Commission Chair, Rochelle M. Garza. "It's a great honor to be nominated by the President, and I am so delighted to be Commissioner Garza's Veep," said new Commission Vice-Chair, Victoria F. Nourse. The Commission offers heartfelt thanks to former Chair Norma V. Cantu for her two years of service to the Commission. The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is the only independent, bipartisan agency charged with advising the President and Congress on civil rights and reporting annually on federal civil rights enforcement. Our 56 state and territory Advisory Committees offer a broad perspective on civil rights concerns at state and local levels. For information about the Commission, please visit www.usccr.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Media contact: Angelia Rorison Email: [email protected] Tel: 202-376-8371 SOURCE U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Multi-million dollar gift from The Wawa Foundation brings Coffee and Care Cart to CHOP's second inpatient hospital, offering comfort to patients and families, while helping to expand Wawa Volunteer Services program PHILADELPHIA, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) unveiled the newest Wawa Coffee and Care Cart, operating at the Middleman Family Pavilion in King of Prussia. The cart, full of free coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a variety of cold Wawa beverages for patients, their families and employees, will round through the hospital as well as at CHOP's Specialty Care and Urgent Care centers on the King of Prussia campus. On Thursday, July 20, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) unveiled the newest Wawa Coffee and Care Cart, operating at the Middleman Family Pavilion in King of Prussia. The cart, full of free coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a variety of cold Wawa beverages for patients, their families and employees, will round through the hospital as well as at CHOPs Specialty Care and Urgent Care centers on the King of Prussia campus. On Thursday, July 20, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) unveiled the newest Wawa Coffee and Care Cart, operating at the Middleman Family Pavilion in King of Prussia. The cart, full of free coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a variety of cold Wawa beverages for patients, their families and employees, will round through the hospital as well as at CHOPs Specialty Care and Urgent Care centers on the King of Prussia campus. On Thursday, July 20, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) unveiled the newest Wawa Coffee and Care Cart, operating at the Middleman Family Pavilion in King of Prussia. The cart, full of free coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a variety of cold Wawa beverages for patients, their families and employees, will round through the hospital as well as at CHOPs Specialty Care and Urgent Care centers on the King of Prussia campus. Earlier this year, CHOP announced a $6.15 million commitment from The Wawa Foundation to bring the cart to the King of Prussia campus and expand the Wawa Volunteer Services program. "Over the past 30 years, more than 2 million cups of coffee, hot chocolate, tea, juices and other beverages have been served from Wawa Coffee and Care Carts at CHOP, and thousands of Wawa volunteers have offered support to our patients and families," said Madeline Bell, President and CEO of CHOP. "We are grateful to Wawa for their longstanding support of our volunteer program and for helping to ensure that our patients, families and staff have an exceptional experience at CHOP." "Through our Wawa Volunteer Services program, we open our doors for community members to contribute meaningfully to the CHOP mission as a part of their lives," said Matthew Bennett, Senior Director of Patient and Family Services at CHOP. "Volunteers staffing the cart offer warm beverages or cold Wawa refreshments to patients and their families during their time in the hospital. Thanks to The Wawa Foundation, we can now bring a little bit of comfort to the patients and families we serve on our King of Prussia campus. Not only has this funding assisted in providing reprieve and support, but it has also allowed us to expand the volunteer opportunities we have available for employees and partners." The unveiling event included the cart's inaugural trip through the Middleman Family Pavilion, remarks from CHOP and Wawa leadership and personal stories from those who have been impacted by volunteerism. "Our partnership with CHOP dates back to the hospital's origins when Dr. George B. Wood, one of Wawa's founding family members, was listed in the 1856 annual report," said Chris Gheysens, CEO, Wawa. "I am proud that The Wawa Foundation and our associates continue to grow our support and be actively involved in volunteering on the Wawa Coffee and Care Cart as it is truly part of our company culture and provides a meaningful experience for everyone involved." "We have a strong and long-standing partnership with CHOP, and we are proud to deliver another care cart to the Middleman Family Pavilion to reach and impact even more patients and families," said Maria Kalogredis, Chair of The Wawa Foundation. "At Wawa, we are committed to building stronger communities. We take pride in being a small part of brightening the days of the patients served on CHOP's King of Prussia campus." "I have been a volunteer for four years and every time I leave a volunteer shift, I feel a sense of gratitude and appreciation," said Simon Burns, Senior QA, Risk and Safety Analyst, Wawa. "Having your child in the hospital going through a difficult situation is extremely hard. Offering a warm cup of coffee or a cold beverage often brings a smile or a sigh of relief, and I'm so happy to be able to be a part of that moment for patients and their caregivers. The CHOP Wawa Volunteer Services program is fantastic, and it is great to know that it is continuing to grow so that even more people can give back to their community." "We were inpatient at CHOP for months with my son, Shawn, before being diagnosed, moving from unit to unit," said Jennifer Scales, mother of CHOP oncology patient and serves on CHOP's Family Advisory Council. "There was a lot of uncertainty and fear in our lives but there were a few constants that provided reassurance and consistency one being the Wawa Coffee and Care Cart. Getting a bottle of Wawa iced tea provided Shawn, and our whole family, a sense of normalcy during a challenging time full of unknowns. The cart was a great source of comfort and kindness during various stints in the hospital we had throughout the years. It provided us warm smiles, friendly faces and hope, and we're so grateful the cart will now be available at King of Prussia." Along with establishing the Wawa Coffee and Care Cart for the Middleman Family Pavilion, the gift from The Wawa Foundation will enable the purchase and upgrade of coffee makers, single serve brewing systems, pods and other accessories to provide a warm drink to employees, patient families and visitors. It will also provide funding for the reception area of a Family Resource Center in the new patient tower on CHOP's Philadelphia campus, scheduled to open in 2028. To find out more information visit, www.chop.edu/volunteer or www.thewawafoundation.org. About Children's Hospital of Philadelphia A non-profit, charitable organization, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals, and pioneering major research initiatives, the 595-bed hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country. The institution has a well-established history of providing advanced pediatric care close to home through its CHOP Care Network, which includes more than 50 primary care practices, specialty care and surgical centers, urgent care centers, and community hospital alliances throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as an inpatient hospital with a dedicated pediatric emergency department in King of Prussia. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought Children's Hospital of Philadelphia recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit www.chop.edu. About The Wawa Foundation The Wawa Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded by Wawa, Inc. to support the company's charitable giving and philanthropic activities, and ultimately to help build stronger communities. The Wawa Foundation focuses its support on organizations committed to health, hunger and everyday heroes through local, state and national grants and/or in-store fundraising, such as donation boxes and point-of-purchase scan materials. Since its inception in 2014, Wawa and The Wawa Foundation have contributed more than $136 million to non-profits serving our communities in the focus areas of health, hunger and everyday heroes. CHOP MEDIA CONTACT: Kaitlyn Tivenan Children's Hospital of Philadelphia 610-618-0542 [email protected] WAWA MEDIA CONTACT: Lori Bruce, Manager, Public Relations [email protected] SOURCE Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Disaster Assistance Available to Members in Mayfield and Western Kentucky LOUISVILLE, Ky., July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the devastating flash floods that swept across Mayfield, Kentucky and surrounding areas on July 19, WellCare of Kentucky announced today it is providing disaster assistance to impacted communities to ensure members receive uninterrupted access to critical healthcare services and supplies. WellCare of Kentucky members in impacted communities are encouraged to call any of the following resources for assistance: General Customer Service: Medicaid: 877-389-9457 Medicare: 833-444-9088 Ambetter : 833-705-2175 (TTY 711) Community Assistance Line (social services access): Phone: 866-775-2192 Video relay: 855-628-7552 Pharmacy Customer Service: Medicaid: 800-210-7628 Medicare: 866-592-5825 24 Hour Behavioral Health Crisis Line: 855-661-6973 855-661-6973 24 Hour Nurse Advice Hot Line: 800-919-8807 Vision Customer Service: Medicaid: 855-469-3368 Medicare: 888-211-9986 "We are committed to helping support our neighbors as they recover from this devastating event," said WellCare of Kentucky plan president, Corey Ewing. "We appreciate the work of our agencies and partners to provide critical disaster relief services to our local communities." About WellCare of Kentucky WellCare of Kentucky provides government-sponsored managed care services to families, children, seniors, and individuals with complex needs primarily through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans across the state. WellCare of Kentucky is a wholly subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise. For more information, please visit www.wellcare.com/kentucky. SOURCE WellCare of Kentucky SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. We have repeatedly expressed our position on this issue and have shown maximum constructivism, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Trend reports. But, unfortunately, the junta that seized power in Karabakh and which calls itself presidents, ministers or deputies is only causing everyone to laugh. They have taken hostage those who now live in the territory where the Russian peacekeeping contingent is temporarily stationed. We took the initiative, I appointed a special representative who was supposed to deal with representatives of the Armenians of Karabakh, and in order to establish these contacts, he was sent to Karabakh. The first meeting took place there, in the village of Khojaly, at the base of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. After that, we invited representatives of the Armenians of Karabakh to come to Baku to continue the dialogue. But they refused, and quite defiantly. After some time, we invited them again perhaps there was some kind of a mistake, it happens, a misfire in order to find out whether they want it or not. But there was a refusal again. And then I said that there would be no third invitation. If they are not interested, so be it, the Azerbaijani President emphasized. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Commissioner-General of the UNRWA Philippe Lazzarini meet in Amman.(pic credit: https://twitter.com/AymanHsafadi). Image Source: IANS News Amman, July 21 : Jordan and the UN agency for Palestine refugees have discussed strategies to enable the agency to continue providing services for Palestinian refugees. During a meeting with Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Amman, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi highlighted his country's continued efforts in mobilising resources to provide essential financial support for the agency, according to a statement by the Jordanian Foreign Ministry on Thursday. Safadi and Lazzarini stressed the need to diversify UNRWA's funding sources under the principle of sharing burdens and invite donors to provide multi-year pledges, Xinhua news agency reported. For his part, Lazzarini thanked the kingdom for efforts to mobilise regional and international support for the agency, enabling the agency to overcome the financial deficit it faces. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Aligarh/Saharanpur : , July 21 (IANS) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a student of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Faizan Ansari, 19, for extending supporting to ISIS, an official said. The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (UP ATS), on the other hand, arrested two Bangladeshi citizens from Saharanpur. The duo was living in the district impersonating Indian citizens by using forged documents. They have been identified as Habibullah Misbah, 26, and Ahmadullah, 35. NIA sources said that the searches at Faizan's house in Lohardaga district of Jharkhand and rented room in Aligarh, were conducted on July 16 and July 17, where several electronic devices and incriminating materials/documents were seized. "Faizan had hatched a criminal conspiracy, along with his associates and other unknown individuals, through social media platform to support ISIS activities in India and disseminate the outfit's propaganda over various social media platforms. The conspiracy was aimed at carrying out violent terror attacks in India on behalf of the ISIS," NIA said. Investigations have revealed that Faizan and his associates had pledged their allegiance to the Islamic State. He was also actively in the process of radicalising neo-converts and attracting them to the terrorist fold for enriching the cadre base of the ISIS in India. Faizan was in contact with foreign-based ISIS handlers, who were guiding him in the recruitment process. Meanwhile, ATS officials said that Habibullah had impersonated himself as Nazir and Ahmadullah as Abdul Awal. The ATS recovered a SIM card, two mobile chips, photocopy of Aadhaar card, photocopy of fee receipt of Passport Seva Kendra, photocopy of affidavit made on Rs 10 stamp, photocopy of ration card, voter ID card of Bangladesh government, photocopy of Fino Bank Passbook, photocopy of Dutch Bangla Bank, birth Certificate (Assam), photocopy of PAN Card, photocopy of Letter Madrasa Al Jamiatul Islamia Khanka-e-Madani (Urdu Language) and Rs 1,700 from the possession of Habibullah and from Ahmadullah, they found a mobile phone, two SIM cards, a Bangladeshi passport, an Indian voter ID card, a PAN card and Rs 1,230. Special Director General, Law and Order, Prashant Kumar, said that during the preliminary questioning, the duo confessed that that they were Bangladeshi citizens and had come here illegally after crossing the border. "The receipt of Indian residence certificate and identity card along with Bangladeshi passport and voter ID cards, shows their intention of permanently staying in India. Information is being sought about their helpers in making such identity cards," said Kumar. Tunis, July 21 : Tunisian Prime Minister Najla Bouden Romdhane met with the visiting Saudi Arabian Finance Minister in Tunis on bilateral ties, the Tunisian government said. During the meeting with Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan at the government headquarters, the two officials highlighted good relations between Tunisia and Saudi Arabia and the two countries' willingness to enhance cooperation in various fields, according to a government statement on Thursday. Bouden and her guest also expressed satisfaction with the frequent exchange of visits between senior officials of the two countries, said the statement as quoted by Xinhua news agency report. They also expressed the desire to further deepen exchanges and cooperation in financial sector and renewable energy, as well as to boost investment in human capital. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Juba, July 21 : The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the UN migration agency, has said it is developing a durable solutions strategy to support displacement-affected communities in central South Sudan. The IOM added on Thursday that it organised a two-day meeting in Yei County in Central Equatoria state which is witnessing a high number of returns of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, which helped identify viable pathways and steps to support sustainable and lasting solutions for them in a region beset with scarcity of resources and heightened competition over land and administrative control. IOM Programme Officer Imme Widdershoven said that these returns signify that the current situation requires a shift in programming from a humanitarian level of intervention to a recovery-oriented one, Xinhua news agency reported. "Such interventions need to be designed by these communities themselves and led by the government, with support from partners," he said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. Widdershoven said durable solutions require a long-term approach, noting that humanitarian needs can be prevented by planning for self-reliance and resilience of both displaced people and the communities that receive them. The two-day meeting was attended by more than 70 key stakeholders from the local government, community representatives, civil society organisations, security forces, religious leaders, non-governmental organisations and UN agencies. They discussed how the integration of returnees and IDPs can best be supported. "It is better to be home in South Sudan than to be a refugee. However, coming back, we are still facing challenges. For instance, many of us do not have access to land for farming. This makes it difficult to earn an income, whereas basic goods and services, such as food and water, are expensive," said Winnie Lado, a South Sudanese refugee in Uganda who returned to Yei County, during a sharing session. SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. Our area is free from rivalry. We are the area of cooperation. As you know, many times Russian and American military commanders gathered in Baku for meetings. They were high-level commanders of Chief of Staff of Russian Army and US military commander or NATO military commander - they selected Baku for their meeting, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Trend reports. And that was a sign of respect to us. And selection of Baku by them - I think four or five meetings of that kind took place - demonstrated that Azerbaijan is a country, which can unite interests even between countries, which always compete. That was a time, when this competition was more or less peaceful. And now, under current circumstances, again Azerbaijan is a place, where potentially this kind of context can restart, the head of state noted. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. As the building of one-of-its-kind home for mentally-ill readies, no clarity on who will run it. Image Source: IANS News Chandigarh, July 21 : Avinash Malhotra is 55-year-old and suffers from bipolar disorder -- but is stable and on medication. The parents passed away a few years back and he lives with the caretaker now. However, with age, things are becoming increasingly difficult for him -- he knows it would be better to move to a specialised care facility. The same holds true for Ragini Chibbar, who is 50 and is looked after by her mother. Suffering from schizophrenia, she too is on medication and stable but what will become of her after her mother is a thought that haunts them both. They both are eagerly waiting for the first-of-its-kind group home under the new Mental Healthcare Act, for 90 residents being built over 2 acre at a cost of Rs 25 crore for members of persons with intellectual and mental disability by the Union Territory (UT) administration in Sector-31, Chandigarh. While it took a massive effort by the parents of affected wards and city-based NGOs to convince the administration, another issue has cropped up even while the building is getting completed -- who will manage it? Up in arms against the proposed move of the UT administration to hand over the group home to an NGO for running its operations, the parents and stakeholders are demanding that it be run by the administration itself. Aditya Vikram, founder of the Pushpanjali Trust, who along with city-based psychiatrist Simmi Warraich and others started the campaign and played a role in the formation of Citizen for Inclusive Living (CIL) tells IANS, "There has been complete radio silence from the administration with regard to our proposal that the home be run by them and not some NGO." Stressing that considering the scale of the operations, it would not be possible for any private social organisation to do the job effortlessly, he adds, "We are ready to provide staff training, etc, and recently sent out a 16-page document as an official representation fon how the home should be run. The administration is yet to respond." Vikram, who has closely studied such homes across the world and has devoted himself full-time to the cause, says there is no such NGO in India equipped enough to handle the home. "And we all have seen what happened to many major NGOs when the pandemic struck. Several were forced to shut shop and eat from their corpus." He claims the administration is shying away from the responsibility as there is no example of such a home that can be followed. "One can see the general tendency on the part of the government -- withdrawing from social welfare activities. When we approached the Haryana and Punjab governments for setting up the home, the first thing that was asked was if such a home exists anywhere else. The Mental Health Care Act is new, and this could be a model group home for other states, so it is even more important to put good systems in place. This city perhaps has the highest per capita of psychiatrists, and psychologists." Not that it was easy for CIL to convince the administration to take up the project in the first place. It took a PIL and more than 700 emails to the previous and current administrations, the Prime Minister, the President and the Home Minister. The building will have basement parking for more than 60 cars, 30 twin-sharing rooms, 18 single rooms and 13 suites. CIL has proposed that those availing single rooms and suites may be charged extra. Mukhya Mantri Khet scheme to be implemented in whole of UP. Image Source: IANS News Lucknow, July 21 : The Mukhya Mantri Khet Suraksha Yojana will now be implemented not only in Bundelkhand but the entire state simultaneously. The Yogi Adityanath government had proposed an increase in the budget for the scheme from Rs 75 crore to Rs 350 crore, said a government spokesman. Under the scheme, a solar fence with a current flow of only 12 volts will be installed to protect crops from animals. The solar fence will give a mild shock to animals, causing no harm to them but keeping them away from the crops. As soon as an animal touches the fence, the siren will sound, giving the animal a mild shock. This will prevent animals like nilgai, monkeys, pigs/wild boars, from causing damage to standing crops in the fields. "To support this scheme, the government will provide a grant of 60 per cent or Rs 1.43 lakh per hectare to small and marginal farmers. The draft of this scheme has been prepared by the agriculture department and will soon be sent to the cabinet for approval. After receiving approval, the scheme will be implemented throughout the state," the spokesman said. Notably, animals do more damage to standing crops in the field when they do not get anything to eat nearby. Therefore, in view of the importance of pastures, the animal husbandry and dairy development department is running a campaign since July 11 to free pasture lands from illegal encroachments. The campaign will continue till August 25. These steps also aim to thwart attempts to make destruction of crops by stray animals an issue in the coming Lok Sabha elections. Lucknow, July 21 : The Lucknow University (LU) has announced that one of the components of the new PhD ordinance is establishment of an anti-plagiarism committee in each department. Vice chancellor Prof Alok Kumar Rai said, "Consisting of the head of the department and two teachers nominated by the head, this anti-plagiarism committee will play a crucial role in scrutinising and verifying PhD theses, ensuring that they are free from plagiarism. The University is currently utilising the state-of-the-art plagiarism detection software OURIGINAL to reinforce its efforts in maintaining research integrity." He has asked the committee that the new PhD ordinance must reflect the University's commitment to promoting quality research and fostering an environment of innovation and originality. The vice chancellor said that research integrity is a fundamental pillar in the pursuit of knowledge and academic excellence. Professor Poonam Tandon, the member secretary of the committee responsible for preparing the new PhD ordinance, shared her enthusiasm about the collaborative efforts that have gone into crafting the ordinance. She expressed confidence that new measures would empower researchers to engage in high-quality research and contribute to their respective fields. The new PhD ordinance is set to be applicable from the academic session 2023-24. It marks a transformative milestone in the University's journey towards fostering a culture of academic rigor, integrity, and originality among its scholars. The report will be submitted by the panel within three days. Washington, July 21 : The White House has confirmed that Ukraine is using the controversial cluster munitions supplied by the US "effectively". In a statement on Thursday, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said: "They (Ukraine) are using them appropriatel... They're using them effectively and they are actually having an impact on Russia's defensive formations and Russia's defensive manoeuvring. I think I can leave it at that." Earlier this month, Ukraine received a delivery of the American-made cluster munitions after Kiev had warned that it was running out of ammunition during its counter-offensive against Russia, the BBC reported. Ukraine has also promised to use the bombs only to dislodge concentrations of Russian enemy soldiers. The weapons are particularly dangerous to civilians and non-combattants when fired near populated areas because they scatter explosive material, so-called "bomblets," across large areas. Those that fail to explode on impact can detonate years later, posing a long-term risk to anyone who encounters them, similar to landmines, CNN reported. The danger posed by cluster weapons has prompted more than 100 countries -- including the UK, France and Germany -- to sign a treaty prohibiting their use. On July 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow will consider using the cluster munitions against Ukraine "if they are used against us", adding that his country had a "sufficient" stockpile of the bombs. Speaking to CNN earlier this month, US President Joe Biden had said that the decision whether to send cluster munitions to Ukraine was "very difficult". But he opted to do so because Kiev needs more ammunition to continue its fight to push Russian troops out of Ukrainian territory. In March, the UN said it had compiled credible reports that Russian forces had used cluster munitions in populated areas at least 24 times since it launched its invasion in February 2022. Amsterdam, July 21 : The Amsterdam city council has banned cruise ships from the Dutch capital in an effort to limit visitors and also to curb pollution. According to the council members, cruise ships were not in line with Amsterdam's sustainable ambitions, the BBC reported on Friday. Due to the ban, the central cruise terminal on the River IJ near the city's main train station will close. This is the city council's latest measure toclamp down on mass tourism. In May, the council banned cannabis smoking on the streets of the red-light district. While in March, it had launched an online campaign urging young British men considering holding their bachelor parties in Amsterdam to stay away. Amsterdam attracts some 20 million annual visitors. Seoul, July 21 : South Korea on Friday warned that North Korea will face the "end" of its regime in the event of a nuclear attack after it said the deployment of a U.S. nuclear-capable submarine and other strategic assets here could meet the conditions for its use of nuclear arms. The Defence Ministry in Seoulrenewed the warning after Pyongyang's Defence Minister Kang Sun-nam slammed the arrival of the USS Kentucky, an 18,750-tonne Ohio-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), in South Korea and the inaugural meeting of the South Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) this week, reports Yonhap News Agency. "In the event of any North Korean nuclear attack against the South Korea-U. alliance, it will face an immediate, overwhelming and decisive response from the alliance, and (we) strongly warn again that through this, (the attack) will result in the end of the North Korean regime," the Ministry said in a statement. The USS Kentucky arrived in the southeastern port city of Busan on Tuesday. Its arrival coincided with the first NCG session aimed at strengthening the credibility of the US' extended deterrence commitment to using the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend its ally. The Ministry defended the NCG gathering and the SSBN's deployment as a "rightful" defensive measure against North Korea's continued nuclear and missile threats, dismissing the North's claim that they posed a nuclear threat to the recalcitrant country. It also said Pyongyang's nuclear program and missile provocations are "clear" violations of UN Security Council resolutions and "illicit activities", noting the country is the "only" one that repeats threats of a nuclear attack against the South Korea-US alliance. "North Korea will never gain any concessions from the South Korea-US alliance through its nuclear development and threats, and (we) urge it to recognise its isolation and destitution will only deepen, and to come out swiftly to the path of denuclearisation," it said. The first US SSBN's visit to the South since 1981 came after the .S pledged to enhance the "regular visibility" of its high-profile military assets, including the strategic submarine, in the Washington Declaration that Presidents Yoon Suk Yeol and Joe Biden issued during their summit in April. Tensions have heightened as Pyongyang has continued its saber-rattling, such as its launches of an inter-continental ballistic missile on July 12 and two short-range ballistic missiles on Wednesday. New Delhi, July 21 : Several opposition MPs on Friday gave notices to discuss the situation in Manipur on the second day of Parliament's Monsoon Session, and also sought a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gohil gave the notice for suspension of business to discuss the Manipur situation. Besides Gohil, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) RS MP Jha also gave the notice for adjournment of the business of the House to discuss ethnic violence in Manipur. In his notice, Jha said, "I would like to move a motion for adjournment of the business of the House under Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Rajya Sabha to discuss the ethnic violence that has been going on for more than two months. "As we are aware 140 people have died, several thousands have been injured, 60,000 have been displaced, and scores of houses, churches and villages have been burned and destroyed. Besides, the horrifying images of women being paraded naked has shaken the conscience of the entire nation. The gruesome violence continues unabated till today and instances of attacks on innocent tribal villages have not stopped," the RJD MP said. "It is in this context that I place my request before you under Rule-267 to allow us to discuss the matter mentioned in the subject-line by suspending all other business listed for the day," Jha added. Even Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Chaturvedi also gave notice for suspension of business under Rule 267 for discussing Manipur violence. Meanwhile, Congress Lok Sabha MPs Tagore and Gogoi also gave notice to discuss Manipur violence in the Lower House. Tagore in his notice said, "I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent importance -- the recent reports about yesterday on live TV Manipur Governor has said that "she has never seen such violence all her life in independent India", 70,000 people are in camps she said. Pictures of sexual violence against women and children emanating from Manipur have deeply disturbed every citizen across the nation. The severity of these incidents cannot be overstated, and it is distressing to note that the level of condemnation for such horrific acts remains inadequate." "It is pertinent at this moment that the House should prioritize and initiate an urgent discussion in Parliament on the escalating violence against women and children in Manipur. By setting aside routine business. "As a nation, we must further our efforts for peace in Manipur while simultaneously addressing the immediate concerns related to violence against women and children. Only through collective appeal for peace and decisive action can we hope to bring an end to these heinous acts and pave the way for a more just and secure society "The House should also direct the Prime Minister to reply for his deep silence on this matter and to explain what kind of actions have been taken by him," the Congress MP added. On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke his silence on Manipur and expressed pain and anguish over the violence in Manipur. Both the Houses witnessed adjournments over the opposition demands to discuss Manipur, and both were adjourned for the day. --IANSaks/dpb Lucknow, July 21 : The opposition leaders in Uttar Pradesh have hit out at the BJP over the Manipur violence. Mayawati, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president, asked if the BJP would still continue to give protection to the Manipur chief minister. "The whole country is worried about the continuing violence and tension in Manipur, and the latest incident of indecency towards women is especially embarrassing for the BJP and its government. Although the law-and-order situation in the State has deteriorated for a long time, will the BJP still continue to give protection to such a Chief Minister?" She said that there should be debate on the issue in Parliament and the government should ensure stern punishment to the accused. "Even the Supreme Court has taken cognisance of the incident," she said. Akhilesh Yadav, the president of the Samajwadi Party (SP), wrote on Twitter, "In Manipur, civilisation has been torn apart with Indian culture reaching its worst point. The hate politics of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the vote politics of the BJP are responsible for the situation in Manipur. The family members of our sisters and daughters will now definitely think once before even looking towards the BJP." The SP national general secretary Shivpal Singh Yadav said, "Only INDIA can save Manipur", in a reference to the newly formed Opposition block of 26 like-minded parties called as the Indian National Developmental, Inclusive Alliance. --IANSamita/dpb Ottawa, July 21 : A helicopter pilot was killed in a crash in Canada's Alberta province during wildfire fighting operations -- the third such fatality to occur amid the record fires in the country. In a statement on Thursday, police said that the 41-year-old pilot died from injuries he sustained in the crash that took place south-east of the town of Manning in the Peace River area, despite life-saving efforts by forestry workers who arrived at the site first, reports Xinhua news agency. Authorities first received transmissions from an emergency beacon at the crash site at 6.15 p.m. on Thursday, BBC quoted Chris Krepski, a spokesman for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) , as saying to CBC News. "It collided with the ground during firefighting operations. I don't know what phase it would have been, whether it would have been while it was picking up water or it was releasing water. That is typically what we would try to find out," he added. Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: "I'm heartbroken to hear that another Canadian fighting wildfires has lost their life. We'll never forget his service to his province and to our country." Last week, 19-year-old firefighter Devyn Gale died after a tree fell on her near Revelstoke, British Columbia. On July 15, Adam Yeadon was killed while fighting a wildfire near his home in Fort Liard, the Northwest Territories. Currently, nearly 900 fires are burning across Canada, including 553 that are considered "out of control". The country has surpassed its record for the largest area burnt by wildfires in a single year. So far this year, wildfires have razed over 24 million acres of land in Canada -- an area roughly the size of Iceland or the US state of Indiana. Smoke from the fires has prompted air quality advisories across swathes of the US, with tens of millions of Americans subject to warnings. Seoul, July 21 : South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating inched up to 33 per cent, a new poll revealed on Friday. In the poll of 1,001 people aged 18 and older conducted by Gallup Korea Co. from Tuesday to Thursday, the positive assessment of Yoon's performance came to 33 per cent, slightly up from the previous week's 32 per cent, reports Yonhap News Agency. The disapproval rating was 58 per cent, down 1 percentage point from a week earlier. Yoon's handling of foreign policy was cited as the main reason for both the positive and negative assessments, with opinions divided on the government's management of Japan's plan to release water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant. According to the pollster, the approval rating practically remained unchanged from a week earlier. Support for the ruling People Power Party stayed the same at 33 per cent, while that of the main opposition Democratic Party went down 2 percentage points to 30 per cent. SHUSHA, Azerbaijan, July 21. Armenia now is slowly becoming such an area of rivalry, which can lead to serious problems. And not only Russian-American, but also other countries are actively stepping in, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the Shusha Global Media Forum on New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution, Trend reports. I think that the Armenian government does not have a clear foreign policy strategy. They had it before the Second Karabakh War. But now we see that they don't have it and this could lead to serious problems for them, the Azerbaijani President added. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. San Francisco, July 21 : Hearst Magazines, which has publications like Cosmopolitan, Elle, Seventeen, Harper's Bazaar and Men's Health under its umbrella, has sacked 41 "talented" union staffers due to "company restructuring". The employees impacted by the layoffs were "skilled writers, editors, and producers." "This morning, we were notified that Hearst Magazines has laid off 41 of our unit members. Due to 'company restructuring', we are losing talented people whose creativity and institutional knowledge is immeasurable," Hearst Magazines Media Union said in a tweet on Friday. "These are immensely skilled writers, editors, and producers who collectively have decades of experience in journalism," the union informed. The company said in a statement that as "we continue to produce the highest-quality content across all platforms, we're also making strategic decisions that position the business for long-term growth". Employees of Hearst-owned magazines went on to social media to support laid-off colleagues. "Really hard day at Hearst Magazines today as we lost a bunch of talented coworkers as a result of 'company restructuring'. Just gutted at the way our industry is going this week especially," tweeted Lizz Schumer, senior editor, Good Housekeeping magazine. Sam Olson, assistant editor at Seventeen magazine, posted: "Standing in solidarity with my Hearst colleagues who have been laid off today. I haven't heard anything, but this goes to show that no one is safe." The Hearst media union said that they are disappointed and angry that "Hearst unilaterally chose to lay off our members instead of coming to the table to explore alternative options". "The union is reaching out to all affected members. We stand with our colleagues and will support them to the fullest possible extent. As always, when corporate machines chomp through our ligaments, we will take care of our own," it posted on Twitter. Several prominent media houses have laid off employees in the current global slowdown. German media giant Axel Springer laid off 20 per cent of newsroom jobs and apparently replaced some employees with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Several media outlets like Vice News, Insider, ABC News, NPR, Vox Media, CNN and others have eliminated their workforce in recent months. The Ashok's two-day event to celebrate goodness of mango in culinary delights. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, July 21 : It's time to celebrate the mango, the king of fruits, which is universally adored. To honor this beloved summer fruit, The Ashok in Chanakyapuri is hosting a delightful two-day mango culinary festival on World Mango Day, starting on July 22. Prior to the main event, an exclusive curtain raiser was held, offering a tantalising glimpse of the mango-infused gastronomic delights crafted by The Ashok's chefs. Kick-starting with a refreshing, sweet-sour Aam Panna, it set the mood for a delectable culinary journey centered around mangoes. The occasion took an enchanting turn as everyone embarked on a guided tour of The Ashok Lawns, a picturesque sanctuary showcasing an extensive array of 350 tree species. Engaging in a truly unique experience, the guests were invited to handpick their beloved summer fruits directly from the trees. After the tour, the guests were treated to a meticulously designed four-course meal, presenting a delectable assortment of dishes inspired by the flavours of mango. As interesting as the menu looked, it did not fail to surprise the guests. It featured exquisite dishes like Mango Arabola, Kache Aam Ki Biryani with Rogani Gravy, Spaghetti in Mango Saffron Sauce, Grilled Chicken with Mango Avocado Salsa, and Ambia Fish Curry with Steamed Rice. Serving as a delightful finale, guests were treated to Mango Cheesecake and Mango Amaranth Phirni, satisfying their sweet tooth. "We are thrilled to announce that The Samavar, our coffee shop at The Ashok, will be hosting a two-day mango festival starting on July 22nd," said Rajiv Nair, General Manager, The Ashok. "This festival is our way of celebrating World Mango Day and is sure to be heaven for all mango lovers. We will have a wide selection of mouth-watering mango-infused delicacies, showcasing the extraordinary versatility of this tropical fruit," he added. Kiev, July 21 : Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has urged the European Commission to ensure unimpeded export of all Ukrainian agricultural products to the European Union (EU) despite Poland's calls for an export ban extension. "This is an act of solidarity not only with Ukraine but with the world, which relies on our grain," Shmyhal tweeted. He described Poland's intention to continue blocking the export of Ukrainian grain to the EU as an "unfriendly and populist move", reports Xinhua news agency. The extension of a ban on Ukraine's grain exports will severely impact global food security and Ukraine's economy, Shmyhal added. In May, the European Commission imposed a ban on grain exports from Ukraine to five European countries. On Wednesday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called on the EU to extend the ban, which expires on September 15. Morawiecki stressed that Poland will not lift the ban even if the EU does not agree on its extension, according to media reports. London, July 21 : The UK police has begun a hate crime inquiry into an incident in which a Sikh holy book was set on fire and tossed in a bin outside a community member's house in Leeds, England. An elderly Sikh man and his daughter discovered the burnt and torn Gutka Sahib outside of their home in St Anneas Road, Headingley, on July 12. They brought the burnt scripture to the Gurdwara Sahib temple following which a community member got in touch with the local police. Police said they received a report of an incident that had occurred in the Headingley area at 5.03 p.m. on July 16. "A representative of the local Sikh community reported that a holy text had been found damaged outside a Sikh community memberas address in St Anneas Road," the West Yorkshire police said in a statement shared on July 18. Police said a crime has been recorded for racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident including how the damaged text came to be left there. aAny crime such as this which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by hostility or prejudice to their race or religion is treated as a hate crime, and we treat all incidents of this nature very seriously," Leeds District Commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Dodds said. aIt is completely unacceptable for someone to deliberately damage a holy text with the aim of causing offence to the victim as a member of the Sikh community." A criminal investigation has been launched by detectives from Leeds District CID who are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the incident and perpetrators behind the crime. Police said they are working closely with key community representatives to reassure them and keep them updated as the investigation progresses. --IANS mi/ksk New Delhi, July 20 : A 42-year-old criminal, who jumped parole and was wanted in another case, was nabbed from Haryana's Sonipat, a Delhi Police official said on Friday. The accused was identified as Anil Kumar Sharma alias Pandit, a resident of Nirmal Vihar, in the Najafgarh area. The official said that Sharma was convicted for life sentence in a murder case of 2011. After securing bail in 2020, he did not surrender before the jail authorities and was changing his hideouts frequently. "He was also involved in two other criminal cases, including attempt to murder and an Arms Act registered in Delhi," said the official. The Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravindra Singh Yadav said that secret information was received that the fugitive criminal, Sharma was hiding in the area of Kharkhoda in Sonipat, Haryana. "His specific location was traced. Accordingly, a trap was laid and Sharma was successfully apprehended from Kharkhoda in Sonipat," said the Special CP. During interrogation, it was revealed that the accused and the man he murdered in 2011 were partners in a 'Satta' racket operating in the area of Najafgarh. "Sharma was demanding his commission amount of about Rs 10 lakhs from the deceased (Deepak). On July 14, 2011, they both were drinking together at Vardhman Plaza, Dwarka, where a quarrel took place between them and being under the influence of alcohol, the accused fired upon the deceased and ran away from the spot," said the official. "Sharma during his jail period came in contact with one history-sheeter of Palam Village police station named Vinod alias Sanyasi. Thereafter, he started working in his gang and was involved in two criminal cases of extortion and attempted murder. During the absconding period, he was changing his looks and regularly changing his hideouts in various areas of Haryana and worked as an electrician," the official added. Two arrested for selling drug-laced chocolates to students in K'taka. Image Source: IANS News Mangaluru, July 21 : Two persons were arrested for selling chocolates laced with drugs in Mangaluru city of Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district, said the police on Friday, adding that students and young workers were their prime targets. The arrested have been identified as 45-year-old Bechan Sonar from Uttar Pradesh and 49-year-old Manohar Shet from Mangaluru. The accused were arrested by Mangaluru South Police. According to police, Sonar had put up a small stall and sold chocolates laced with drugs. The chocolates were sold in the names of 'Mahashakthi Munakka', 'Bum Bum Munakka Vati', 'Power Munakka Vati' and 'Anand Churna'. The police seized Rs 5,500 worth chocolates. Sonar had put up his stall near Highland Junction in Mangaluru. Another accused Manohar operated from Car Street in the limits of Mangaluru North Police station. The police seized Rs 48,000 worth chocolates stored in three gunny bags from him. The samples have been sent to the lab. The accused sold them to college students and young workers. The police are also probing to nab the supplier and break the network. Further investigation is on. New Delhi, July 21 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not making a statement in the House over Manipur violence, accusing him of making false equivalence with grand old party governed states instead of dismissing its Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. He also lambasted the Prime Minister, saying that INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) expects him to "make an elaborate statement in Parliament today, not just on one incident, but on the 80-day violence". In a tweet, Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said, "Narendra Modi ji, you did not make a statement inside the Parliament, yesterday. If you were angry then instead of making false equivalence with Congress governed states, you could have first dismissed your Chief Minister of Manipur." "INDIA expects you to make an elaborate statement in the Parliament today, not just on one incident, but on the 80-day violence that your government in the state and the centre has presided upon, looking absolutely helpless and remorseless," Kharge added. His remarks came a day after PM Modi on Thursday broke his silence on Manipur violence for the first time. "Today, my heart is filled with pain and anger. The incident of Manipur which has surfaced, for any civilised society, this is a very shameful incident," PM Modi told reporters in the Parliament House Complex ahead of the beginning of the Monsoon Session, referring to the horrific video which went viral on social media, of two women being paraded naked in Manipur. He said, "This incident is an insult for the entire nation as it has shamed 140 crore countrymen. The incident which happened with the women in Manipur can never be forgiven. I assure the countrymen that no one will be spared." However, he went on to club the incidents of violence in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh (both Congress-ruled states) also in his statement. "The incident might be from Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Manipur, the culprit should not go scot-free in any corner of the country," the prime minister said. The opposition has been seeking Modi's response on violence in Manipur in Parliament, where since the past more than two months, hundreds have been killed and thousands have been displaced due to ethnic clashes between the majority Meitei community and Christian Kukis. Several opposition members on Friday gave notices for adjournment motion on Manipur in both Houses. On Thursday, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha saw protests by the Congress-led opposition members on the issue, which led to adjournments there. --IANSaks/dpb Defamation case: SC to hear Rahuls plea against Guj HC's refusal to stay conviction on July 21. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, July 21 : The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine the plea filed by former Congress President Rahul Gandhi against the Gujarat High Court's verdict denying to put a stay on his conviction in the 'Modi surname' defamation case. A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Prashant Kumar Mishra issued the notice on the question as to whether Gandhi's conviction should be suspended or not. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul Gandhi, requested the court for an early hearing as Gandhi could not attend the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament and the Election Commission could anytime announce bypoll to the Wayanad constituency. Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for the complainant BJP MLA in the defamation case, sought a period of at least 10 days to assist the court on questions of law and facts involved in the case The court posted the matter for hearing on August 4. Hyderabad, July 21 : Hyderabad's Hussain Sagar lake has filled to the brim due to incessant rains for the last four days. The lake in the heart of the city touched the Full Tank Level (FTL) of 514.75 meters on Friday. Authorities are closely monitoring the water level and the discharge. State Minister T. Srinivas Yadav reviewed the situation with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Commissioner Ronald Rose. The minister asked officials to alert people in low-lying areas including in areas abutting the discharge channels of Hussain Sagar. The lake has been receiving copious inflows through various storm water drains which join it due to incessant rains. GHMC Commissioner inspected water levels and discharge in Hussain Sagar along with Enforcement, Vigilance & Disaster Management (EVDM) Director Prakash Reddy, Zonal Commissioner Ravi Kiran and other officials. In view of the continuing rains, the state government has declared two-day holidays for all government offices and educational institutions in the limits of GHMC on Friday and Saturday. Following Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Raoas direction, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari issued the orders. Emergency services such as medical, milk supply etc will continue uninterrupted. The Chief Minister has also ordered the Labour Department to take steps to ensure that private companies announce holidays. The torrential rain has affected normal life in the state capital. Inundation of low-lying areas was reported from various parts of the city and outskirts. Meanwhile, the Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar reservoirs in the outskirts of Hyderabad were also receiving huge inflows due to the continuing downpour. Osman Sagar has received 1,100 cusecs of water and it water level on Friday stood atd 1784.70 feet against Full Tank Level (FTL) of 1790. Similarly, the water level of Himayat Sagar after receiving 1,200 cusecs of water, has increased to 1761.20 feet against FTL of 1763.50 feet. --IANS ms/ksk New Delhi, July 21 : Two groups clashed in Delhi's Trilokpuri area over old enmity, hurling stones and bottles at each other. a police official said on Friday. The official said that the police received PCR calls on Thursday regarding the incident at the17-21 main road "After receiving the information, ASI Dinesh Kumar and constable Yogesh reached he spot where they met head constable Ajay Yadav, who was patrolling in the area when the two groups started pelting bricks, stones and bottles at each other,. "Yadav tried to stop the groups, but they also started pelting stones at him," said the official. The official further said that the incident spot was inspected by a crime team and the exhibits were lifted as well. "Two persons namely Nitin Chauhan and Amit also sustained injury in the incident. On enquiry, it was revealed that both the groups have past enmity. "From the course of enquiry conducted so far, a case under sections 186, 353, 147, 148 and 149 of the IPC have been registered. No firing or communal angle has surfaced so far," the official added. --IANS ssh/ksk FUZULI, Azerbaijan, July 21. The delegation that will take part in the International Media Forum in Azerbaijan's Shusha "New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution", organized by the Azerbaijan Media Development Agency, has arrived at the Fuzuli International Airport, Trend reports. The delegation to take part in the forum consists of 120 media players from 50 countries, totaling more than 250 guests. After their arrival, they will proceed to the city of Shusha. A Global Media Forum New Media in Fourth Industrial Revolution Era held, at the direction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the Heydar Aliyev Year and on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press brought together 150 participants from 49 countries including state news agencies from 34 countries, 12 international and media organizations. Moreover, the Forum is attended by 60 local media heads and representatives. The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information-communication fields. Worlds illustrious media leaders, experts will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, consumer trends and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, safety of journalists and other matters. The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum. It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of worlds leading media, journalist organizations, media and communication experts and renowned journalists. San Francisco, July 21 : Elon Musk-run Tesla has recalled nearly 16,000 of its 2021-2023 Model S and Model X vehicles in the US because some front-row seat belts may not have been reconnected properly after being repaired. In the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety recall notice, the automaker said that in the vehicles, a first-row seat belt was disconnected from its pretensioner anchor as part of a necessary step to perform a repair, however, the seat belt may not have been properly reconnected to its pretensioner anchor after the repair was completed, reports ABC News. In addition, the company mentioned that if the seat belt is not properly reconnected, it may not perform as it should in a collision, increasing the risk of injury. The safety regulators opened an investigation into possible Tesla seat belt issues in March. Tesla had identified 12 warranty claims related to the issue as of June, but the company is not aware of any crashes, injuries, or deaths that could be related to the seat belt issue, according to the report. The automaker stated that it will provide free inspections and, if necessary, connect both first-row seat belts to their pretensioner anchors. Moreover, Tesla also announced the recall of over 1,300 of its 2023 Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles due to a camera issue. According to the company's recall report, the pitch angle of the forward-facing cameras on some vehicles may not be properly aligned, causing certain active safety features to be unavailable, the report said. In June, Tesla recalled 137 Model Y electric vehicles (EVs) in the US in response to an issue with the fastener for the steering wheel. According to the NHTSA safety recall report, 137 2022-2023 Tesla Model Y may possibly have a "loose" fastener that could cause disconnection of the steering wheel from its column. New Delhi, July 21 : Weak Q1 results by Infosys and Hindustan Unilever are weighing on Indian indices as the BSE Sensex extended its fall on Friday to 800 points. HUL's revenue growth of 6 per cent YoY was below our expectations, HDFC Securities said in a report. HUL is down 3 per cent in trade on Friday. Domestic volume growth, at 3 per cent, was below our estimate. We note volume growth was impacted as trade reduced stock levels (1-3 days) in lieu of price cuts. In home care, fabric wash grew in double digits, led by the premium portfolio while household care too grew in double digits (volume-led), driven by outperformance in dishwash, the report said. Further price reduction taken in soaps. Hair care registered mid-single digit volume-led growth, while skincare/oral care grew in double digits. On Infosys, Motilal Oswal Financial Services said the FY24 guidance reset will impact near-term stock view. Infosys reported 1QFY24 revenue at USD4.62b, up 1.0 per cent QoQ in CC terms with 20 bps QoQ decline in operating margin. While on a negative surprise, the company has sharply lowered its FY24 revenue growth guidance to 1.0-3.5 per cent YoY CC from 4.0-7.0 per cent YoY CC earlier. The substantial cut in the guidance is majorly attributed to lower-than-expected volume and discretionary spends, delays in decision-making and push-outs in anticipated mega deals, the report said. "We lower our below-guidance FY24 estimates (earlier at 3.8 per cent YoY CC) by 120bp despite the 325bp cut in guidance at the mid-point, to take into account the weaker demand commentary and project delays," the report said. Infosys is down more than 7 per cent in trade with the BSE Sensex extending losses to more than 800 points. V. K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services said even though Nifty is at kissing distance of the psychological 20,000 mark, Infosys can turn out to be the slip between the cup and the lip. Infosys' poor guidance of 1 to 3.5 per cent revenue growth guidance for FY 24 will drag the stock down and, perhaps, Nifty with it since Infosys has a 5.9 per cent weightage in the index. The lacklustre performance of HUL with a meagre 3 per cent volume growth in Q1 can be another drag on the market. However, the relentless FPI flows, which are overwhelming everything else now, have the potential to take the Nifty to 20,000 level soon. Nifty Bank can provide support to the rally, he said. Barring the US, India is the most expensive market in the world now, Vijayakumar added. At high valuations, some negative triggers can lead to sharp correction. But in the near-term the party may continue. (Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in) New Delhi, July 21 : The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to examine the plea filed by former Congress President Rahul Gandhi against the Gujarat High Court's verdict denying to put a stay on his conviction in the 'Modi surname' defamation case. A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and Prashant Kumar Mishra issued a notice on the question as to whether the conviction should be suspended or not. The bench was not inclined to pass any interim relief on Gandhi's prayer for suspension of his sentence. The High Court's refusal to stay his conviction and two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case, has cost the Congress leader his Lok Sabha membership. "Issue Notice. The complainant, who appears on caveat, waives notice. Liberty to serve the state of Gujarat through the standing counsel. Learned Senior Advocate Mahesh Jethmalani seeks 10 days time to file written submissions," recorded the top court in its order. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul Gandhi, requested the court for an early hearing as Gandhi could not attend the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament and the Election Commission could anytime announce bypoll to the Wayanad constituency. Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for the complainant BJP MLA in the defamation case, sought a period of at least 10 days to assist the court on questions of law and facts involved in the case. The court sought responses of the Gujarat government and others on Rahul Gandhi's plea. It posted the matter for hearing on August 4. At the outset, Justice B.R. Gavai offered to recuse from hearing the matter on the ground of political affiliation of his family members. "My father was associated with Congress. He was not a member but he was closely associated. My brother is still in politics and he is in Congress. Please take a call if you want me to hear this," he said. However, neither side raised any objection on hearing of the plea by Justice Gavai. Earlier, the Supreme Court on Tuesday had agreed to hear on July 21 after senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul Gandhi, sought urgent listing of the matter. On July 15, the Congress leader had approached the Supreme Court challenging the Gujarat high court's order where a bench of Justice Hemant Prachchhak had observed that granting a stay on his conviction would be an exception, and not a rule. Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of Parliament in March, after a Surat court convicted him and sentenced him to two years in prison for his "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname" remark made during an election rally in Karnataka in April 2019. Rahul Gandhi's 2019 remark was interpreted as an attempt to draw an implicit connection between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi. In March, the sessions court in Surat had dismissed Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking suspension of his conviction by the magistrate court, stating that his disqualification will not result in an irreversible loss to him. The Congress leader was disqualified under a rule that bars convicted MPs from holding Lok Sabha membership. Islamabad, July 21 : Petroleum dealers in Pakistan have threatened to shut down fuel stations across the country for an indefinite period from Saturday onwards if the government fails to honour its commitment of increasing their profit margins. In a statement, the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) said they were being forced to protest against the government's failure to fulfill its commitment of a 5 per cent increase on the sale of petrol and diesel. According to the the government commitment, a 5 per cent profit margin would increase the per litre profit from 6 PKR (2.4 per cent) to 12 PKR (5 per cent) on the prevailing prices of petrol and diesel. A dealer said that Minister of State (Petroleum Division) Musadik Malik has contacted the PPDA and pledged to hold a meeting in Karachi over the issue. "But if no meeting takes place of if there was no satisfactory outcome, the strike will continue, except on the two days of Muharram to ensure religious events are not affected," the dealer said. At the moment, the government is working on a fortnightly rescheduling of prices of petroleum products. According to the latest working effective since July 16, the profit margin of dealers stands at 7 PKR per litre instead of 6 PKR per litre. However, the dealers have demanded the 5 per cent hike, which will bring in a profit of 12 PKR per litre. "We are not demanding anything out of the blue. This was a commitment made to us by the government after it assumed power in April 2022," another dealer said. "Since then, we have been trying to meet with Malik and have faced indifference in response. This has further exacerbated our frustration." The cash-strapped nation is currently undergoing an economic crisis, in which, cost of doing business has become high and inconsistent, offsetting the profit margins of many dealers. With the current government's tenure coming to an end soon, the delay in fulfilling the commitment with the petroleum association has left them with uncertainty "We have legitimate concerns over the government's commitment. And now, we are also unsure about its fulfillment because the government tenure is ending," said Malik Khuda Baksh, a petroleum dealer from Karachi. "The fear is that they may remain in limbo for another three to six months during the caretaker setup and until the next government takes office." Another major issue concerning the government besides the PPDA's demand is of smuggled petroleum products from Iran, especially diesel, whose sale in the local market has affected the dealers with at least 30 per cent reduction of trading. "With the current margins, it has become nearly impossible for filling stations to operate efficiently," Baksh added. Pakistan has at least 12,000 filling stations and at least 10,000 of them are part of the PPDA. Guwahati, July 21 : The Assam Mahila Congress has demanded the dissolution of the Manipur government and imposition of President's rule in the violence-hit state. The fresh demand came after videos surfaced of two young women being paraded naked and allegedly gang raped in broad daylight by a mob in Manipur's Thoubal district on May 4 -- a day after the widespread violence broke out in the state. "It is a violation of our humanitarian beliefs as well as an assault on civilised society. We lack the language to express our disapproval of it. The most heinous incident in Indian social life has been proven to have occurred in this manner," Mira Borthakur Goswami, president of the Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee, told IANS. "The tragedy has all at once destroyed the very ideas that Indian culture is famed for and reduced us to nothing in the eyes of the rest of the world." The Congress leader asserted that the Manipur government is solely responsibility for the heinous deed. "It's still unclear how the BJP managed to maintain its hold on power in the wake of such a horrifying occurrence. The BJP government has attempted to suppress the tragedy rather than apprehend the perpetrators 74 days after the crime occurred," Borthakur added. She also alleged that such a government has no moral justification for continuing to rule. "We demand that Manipur be placed under President's rule immediately after dissolving the state government," Borthakur said. Meanwhile, four men have been arrested in connection with the May 4 incident. --IANS tdr/ksk Mumbai, July 21 : Actress Taapsee Pannu has recently unveiled her very own Non-Fungible Token (NFT) platform called "taapseeclub.com", which she says will help in separating the faceless trollers from the true fans. The purpose behind launching NFTs is to create a positive platform for Taapsee's fans worldwide, allowing them to gain a glimpse into her life and elevate their fandom to new heights. By becoming a member, individuals will have the opportunity to experience being on her film sets, celebrate special occasions alongside her, engage in interactions, and much more. Talking about the same Taapsee shares, "In today's cluttered world, it becomes crucial to distinguish the content we share with those genuinely interested in actors and supportive of their endeavours. This helps separate the faceless trollers from the true fans. The actor has already organised an exclusive event to celebrate her birthday, where renowned comedians like Abish Mathew, Angad Ranyal, and Gurleen Pannu will be present along with RJ and actor Abhilash Thapliyal. She added: aI have decided to launch NFTs exclusively for genuine individuals, providing them with an opportunity to get to know me on a more personal level. I aim to present a distinct social media experience for my NFT members, one that differs from my public presence. "As an extrovert who enjoys interacting with people, I find social media to be too toxic for expressing my true self. It is always beneficial to have a close-knit community of individuals who genuinely wish the best for you and contribute to personal growth." On the work front, Taapsee has an exciting line-up of projects, including the film 'Dunki' alongside Shahrukh Khan, 'Phir Ayi Haseen Dillruba', and 'Woh Ladki Hain Kaha?'. Apart from acting and NFT, Taapsee has an event management company called The Wedding Factory. She is also the owner of the badminton franchise Pune 7 Aces, which plays in the Premier Badminton League. Shivamogga, July 21 : The Karnataka Police on Friday said that the principal of a college in Shivamogga district has been arrested for sexually assaulting a minor girl. The incident took place in the limits of the Kote police station and the victimas family has lodged a complaint in connection to the case. The accused was been booked under the POCSO Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. According to the police, the principal, who is also a priest, was well liked by students because of his teaching skills. Taking advantage of this, he managed to trap the 17-year-old victim. Unable to bear the assault, the victim attempted to commit suicide on Wednesday night in her hostel room, the police said. Her friends immediately informed the warden about the incident after which she was taken to a hospital, where she disclosed of her ordeal. The police are currently probing if the accused was involved in the sexual exploitation of more girl students. Meanwhile, the incident have taken a political turn, with BJP workers staging a protest outside the District Commissioneras office in Shivamogga on Friday. The workers raised slogans against the accused and demanded that harsh action should be initiated against him and also submitted a memorandum in this regard. Members of the Banjara community, to which the victim belonged, have also protested against the incident and demanded capital punishment against the accused Jaipur, July 21 : Rajasthan's Hanumangarh district is bracing for floods as a massive volume of rainwater is set to be released into the Ghaggar river from the Ottu barrage in Haryana's Sirsa district. Heavy rains in Punjab and Haryana have already led to a steady increase in the water level of Ghaggar river. According to official data, water discharge from the Ottu barrage has reached 38,400 cusecs and authorities in Haryana fear that it may increase to 40,000 cusecs in the next few hours. The Hanumangarh district administration is taking steps to delay the arrival of floods and has also started evacuating villages. It has delayed the flood situation for three days by diverting the Haryana rainwater into the Indira Gandhi Canal and by repairing the breaches in the river. However, the Ghaggar river and Indira Gandhi Canal have now reached full capacities. Hanumangarh District Collector Rukmani Riar said: aWe are closely monitoring the situation as water levels rise. In response to the escalating situation, we have taken immediate action to evacuate villages in low lying areas. We have set up relief camps to provide shelter and support to those affected and our teams are working to address the challenges at hand," Veteran Congress leader Pawan Godara, who was on the ground with district administration on Thursday, said that over 2,000 people have been relocated to safer areas and over 1,200 others have sought refuge in the administrationas relief camps. New Delhi, July 21 : A committee of the US Congress said that it was particularly concerned about foreign drug inspections conducted in India and China. In a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert M. Califf, Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee Cathy McMorris-Rodgers said the FDAas recent decision to address shortages of critical drugs by allowing the temporary import of otherwise unapproved drugs from India and China makes having effective foreign inspection programs in those countries critical. Chinese and Indian manufacturers receive the most FDA warning letters, McMorris-Rodgers said, adding that these violations have included carcinogens in medicines, destroying or falsifying of data, and non-sterile manufacturing processes. aGiven that approximately 32 per cent of generic drugs and 45 per cent of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are from these two countries, we are worried that the US is overly reliant on sourcing from foreign manufacturers with a demonstrated pattern of repeatedly violating FDA safety regulations. "From 2014 to 2015, the FDA conducted a pilot program in India that eliminated extended advance notice for inspections. Instead, the FDA conducted short notice or unannounced visits and selected sites for the program that the agency believed had significant issues. The pilot program appears to have been successful at exposing widespread misconduct and significant violations of FDA regulations, including falsified quality records," the letter added. Despite the pilot programas success, the FDA elected to discontinue it. The Covid-19 pandemic stopped most in-person inspections of foreign drug manufacturers from March 2020 until April 2022. In lieu of in-person inspections, the FDA resorted to alternatives and workarounds, such as remote interactive inspections of drug manufacturing facilities on a voluntary basis, the letter added. Once FDA inspections resumed, they did so at a much lower level than before the pandemic. One analysis found that out of approximately 2,800 foreign manufacturing facilities, the FDA inspected only 6 per cent of them, with just 3 per cent of Indian manufacturers being inspected, the letter concluded. New Delhi, July 21 : India is seeing an increase in the number of clinical trials initiated by either domestic or multinational pharmaceutical companies in recent years, but awareness about the trials among the public is low, according to a report on Friday. Global Pharma companies actively provide information on their key ongoing and completed trials to a global audience through various digital channels like websites and official Twitter handles. However, there is a clear lack of such support in India. The report by GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, called on the country's pharma companies to address the lack of awareness via strategic approaches. India is emerging as a key destination for clinical trials due to its large, diverse population and liberalised regulatory landscape. As per GlobalData's "Pharmaceutical Intelligence Center," 413 pharma-sponsored Phase III trials involving new molecular entities across various therapy areas were initiated in India between 2018 and 2022. However, GlobalData's "Digital Marketing Intelligence" identified India as lacking in terms of clinical trial awareness campaigns by pharma companies. "Despite the increasing focus on clinical development in India from key pharma companies, there are not many resources supporting clinical trial awareness," said Srija Chilamula, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, in a statement. "This can be addressed by pharma companies, alone or with active collaborations, providing patient education materials through multiple sources, both offline and digitally," she added. In India, rural populations face unique challenges compared to their urban counterparts, particularly in accessing digital resources due to factors such as language barriers, lower literacy rates, and socio-economic limitations. Pharmaceutical sponsors can form partnerships with esteemed medical institutions or local governments to conduct awareness campaigns that effectively communicate the importance of clinical trials. Utilising local languages in these initiatives can help overcome language barriers and educate patients about the benefits of participating in trials, including access to free treatment, regular check-ups, and potential monetary incentives, the report said. "Increasing awareness could help pharma companies or contract research organisations by diversifying trials to study a larger population pool and aiding in enhanced patient enrolment/participation," Chilamula said. "For patients, increased awareness would remove misconceptions about clinical trials, while enabling access to new and innovative treatment options, particularly in rare disease, with low or no treatment costs. Ultimately, increased awareness would create a positive impact on the health sector," she added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. As many as 220 families are planned to be returned to Azerbaijan's Dashalti village (Shusha district), Trend reports. The upcoming work in Dashalti covers an area of 65 hectares. It's planned to settle 1,100 people, for whom 228 houses will be built, in the village. In addition, nine two-story apartment buildings, 66 two-story townhouses and 153 two-story individual houses will be built there. It's also planned to build a mosque, a Flag Square, an information center, a guest house, handicraft workshops, food kiosks, catering and trade facilities, an exhibition hall, a kindergarten, an administrative building, a first-aid post, a post office, a club and community center, a hotel, a recreation center, active tourism and recreation areas in Dashalti. The village was liberated from Armenian occupation during the 2020 second Karabakh war. Kanpur, July 21 : In a shocking incident, an eight-year-old Class 3 student here attempted to imitate a daring stunt from the popular Bollywood movie 'Krrish' and jumped from the first floor railing during school hours. The incident took place at the Dr Virendra Swaroop Education School in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur on Wednesday. The student, hailing from Anil Colony in the Babu Purva neighbourhood and the son of a drug manufacturer, was seriously injured and rushed to a private hospital. The incident was caught on the school's CCTV cameras. According to reports, the young student decided to replicate the stunts performed by Hrithik Roshan's character in the movie Krrish. Encouraged by the superhero's ability to land safely on his feet after jumping from heights, the student planned to perform a similar feat. He left his classroom under the pretence of getting water, reportedly accompanied by a group of his curious classmates. On reaching the first-floor railing, approximately 15 feet above the ground, the student boldly attempted the dangerous leap. The young boy suffered severe injuries to his nose, legs and hands upon landing. The other students immediately returned to their classrooms. The injured student later told his mother that he admired Krrish as a superhero and aspired to perform heroic stunts just like him. Principal Nandita Mali said that though some of his classmates were present, they did not force him to perform the stunt. The boy has been admitted to a hospital with multiple fractures. --IANSamita/dpb San Francisco, July 21 : Samsung Electronics America has launched student IDs on Samsung Wallet at 68 colleges, universities and higher education institutions across the nation. The update will add a convenient way to use student IDs on a Galaxy smartphone, the company said in a blogpost on Thursday. The tech giant is working closely with partners to expand the offering to even more institutions. "We're always looking to innovate and improve the Galaxy experience for every kind of user," said Jude Buckley, executive vice president of Mobile experience Business at Samsung Electronics America. "Technology plays a big part in today's college experience, and with student ID for Samsung Wallet, we created a way for students to use the technology they already have on hand to simplify their busy lives," Buckley added. Samsung Wallet, which launched last year, combines the mobile payment experience of Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass into a more comprehensive digital wallet. After adding their school ID to the Wallet, students will be able to use their device to unlock doors at places like dorm rooms and academic buildings. At select participating higher education institutions, students can also use their devices around campus for near field communication (NFC)-based payments at on-campus stores, vending machines and more. Also, Fast Mode and Power Reserve on Samsung Wallet enable enhanced convenience for student life. With Fast Mode, students can tap their phone without needing to unlock it, while Power Reserve lets students tap to use their ID even when their phone is switched off due to low battery. "Fast Mode and Power Reserve are made possible because Student ID information stored on Samsung Wallet is kept in an isolated environment on the device itself -- known as the embedded Secure Element -- which offers one of the highest levels of hardware security in mobile category with a CC EAL6+ rating to help protect against digital and physical hacking," the company explained. Lucknow, July 21 : Doctors of the King George's Medical University (KGMU) successfully conducted hip replacement surgery on a patient who was also suffering from Haemophilia A. Prof Shailendra Singh, senior faculty orthopaedic and the operating surgeon, said, "The risk in a haemophilia patient is continuous bleeding from any wound due to deficiency of factor-VIII in body. Hence, in surgery, when incision is made in skin the same risk is even bigger as surgery needs time and this bleeding can get excessive, with a possibility of taking the patient into shock." This patient had already undergone knee replacement surgery at King George's Medical University two years back. He is the only haemophilia patient who was operated upon twice in a medical university in the state, said the doctor. The medical team claimed that this is the first time any government institution in UP has performed both these procedures on a haemophilia patient. Factor VIII is responsible for clotting whenever bleeding starts, and this stops bleeding in the body naturally. In haemophilia patients, even bleeding from a small cut can turn fatal. The patient is a 35-year-old resident of Meerut. He was operated upon on July 12 and was discharged on July 19. On Thursday, he came to KGMU for a follow up with the help of a walker. Two years ago, he was refused surgery by doctors in New Delhi because of the high risk of bleeding but had been operated upon at King George's Medical University two years back for a damaged left knee. "The surgery was challenging but the team successfully completed it in about an hour. We did blood transfusion before surgery, during the surgery and post-surgery," the doctor said. The patient said, "Surgery was considered impossible by many doctors. But I can walk again and earn my own living." Bhubaneswar, July 21 : The Odisha government has requested the ambassador of India at Riyadh in Saudi Arabia for the rescue and repatriation of stranded Odia workers. After receiving distress calls and messages from some of the Odia workers employed in the Gulf country, Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena on Thursday wrote a letter to Suhel Azaj Khan, ambassador of India at Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The Chief Secretary has also forwarded a copy of his letter to the joint secretary (Gulf Division), Ministry of External Affairs. The Indian citizens employed in Saudi Arabia have reportedly been cheated by their employers, Jena said. "It is found that 33 of them are from Odisha while 10 others are from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The Gulf Odia Society, which was pressed into service, could contact the forlorn workers from Odisha and it is found that their Iqama (Visa) are not being renewed by their company owners (Qafeel)," the Chief Secretary wrote in his letter. He said the workers have not been paid their salary and are deprived of basic amenities like food, water and medicines. The workers are working in M/s Hadi Al Hammam Group, at Camp-47, Juaymah in Saudi Arabia. Attaching a list of the 33 persons from Odisha along with his letter, Jena requested the Indian ambassador in Saudi for their rescue and repatriation. Islamaabd, July 21 : The Islamic holy month of Muharram started in Pakistan with terror attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province and its surrounding tribal areas that claimed the lives of security officials and locals. In the latest attack, three policemen and a civilian were killed in twin suicide blasts in Khyber district's Bara area. According to police, two suicide bombers wearing police uniforms drove in a car to the Tehsil Offices Compound in Bara and broke into the premises by cutting a barbed-wire fence. "As additional intruders opened fire at the policemen on duty, two suicide attackers attempted to enter the premises through the main gate. In retaliation, the security personnel present there open fire at the suicide attackers, killing both of them," said a provincial police official. "Because of the firing, the explosives-laden vests of both suicide bombers exploded, resulting in the collapse of part of the office building," he added. The attack was claimed by Jamat-ul-Ahrar, a faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group. This incident came just hours after two policemen were killed and two others injured in a targeted attack in Peshawar's Regi Model Town area. TTP claimed responsibility of the attack. In view of the attacks, authorities have announced the deployment of Pakistan Army personnel to ensure security during Muharram processions across the country. Authorities in the provinces of Sindh, Balochistan, KP and Punjab as well as from Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Pakistan occupied Kashmir has officially requested the government to deploy military to control law and order situation. Under Article 245 of the Constitution, "deployment of army troops/assets and civil armed forces troops/assets" have been authorised. The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the new Islamic year, which began on Thursday while Youm-e-Ashura will be observed on July 29. New Delhi, July 21 : As the clock ticks down on the auction for the next edition of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), the players are eagerly looking forward to the 10th season of the league that has given a new identity to the sport of kabaddi. The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is on the cusp of completing its landmark tenth season this year, one of the most influential figures in the kabaddi circuit and MVP winner in Season 2 - Manjeet Chillar, who has seen the rise of the Pro Kabaddi League from Season 1 to 9, talked about how PKL has changed their lives. Chillar couldn't hold back his emotions when he was asked about his excitement for Season 10. "It's a great feeling. I have been a part of the Pro Kabaddi League since the very first season. I also dreamed that I would get to participate in the 10th season, but unfortunately, I had to retire after the eighth season. Itas an emotional moment for all the Kabaddi players who have ever participated in the league," Chillar was quoted as saying by the organisers. The all-rounder, who scored 67 raid points and 40 tackle points in the second season of PKL also went down memory lane to speak about his fondest memories of the Pro Kabaddi League. "I think my best moment in Pro Kabaddi was winning the league in the eighth season with Dabang Delhi K.C. Until that point, I had all kinds of medals on my shelf except for the Pro Kabaddi League title. This was a long-time target for me," he said. The PKL will take its first step towards hosting the landmark tenth season through a grand PKL Season 10 Auction in September. Looking back at his experience of being a part of the first-ever PKL Auction, Chillar said, "I have always played Kabaddi to earn a name, and when the first season was about to begin, I just wanted to be a part of a team more than anything else. The auction took place when we were part of an Indian team training camp in Bengaluru, and the whole team was sitting together. When I was picked by the Bengaluru Bulls, I was really happy because I was going to play under the guidance of Randhir sir," said Manjeet Chillar. The former Pro Kabaddi League star also stated that PKL has completely changed the players' outlook towards the sport. "Before the Pro Kabaddi League took place, we were only known by our friends and family members, even if we won any international tournaments. After the first season in 2014, when we came back after winning the Asian Games Gold Medal, we actually saw the impact of the league. There were 8,000a"10,000 people waiting for us outside the airport, something that we had never witnessed before," signed off Chillar. The Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 Auction will be held on September 8 and 9 in Mumbai. The dates for the tenth season of PKL will be announced soon. Kolkata, July 21 : An armed youth, carrying a narcotics assignment, was nabbed in front of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence at Harish Chatterjee Street in South Kolkata on Friday. The incident took place at around 12 noon just half an hour before the Chief Minister was supposed to leave her residence to attend Trinamool Congress's annual "Martyrs' Day" programme at central Kolkata. According to Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal, the person has been identified as Noor Alam. "However, we will have to verify whether this is his true identity. He tried to enter into the high- security zone around the chief minister's residence with a vehicle with a police- sticker. A firearm, khukuri and narcotics consignment has been recovered from him. He was carrying fake identity cards of multiple security agencies," the city police commissioner said. This is not the first time that security had been breached at the chief minister's residence. In July last year, a trespasser had reportedly entered the premises after scaling the boundary wall and entered the residence late at night. He was hiding within the residence for the whole night till he was nabbed the next morning. Reacting to the latest development, the Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said that it is a matter of great concern and the security breach proves the lack of professional efficiency on part of the city police. "This was inevitable since police these days are used for serving the political interests of the ruling party and forced to perform personal duties of the ruling Trinamool Congress leaders. The city police commissioner and the officer-in-charge of the local Kalighat Police Station should be suspended immediately," Adhikari said. Gurugram, July 21 : Hyundai Motor India Foundation (HMIF), the philanthropic arm of Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), inaugurated a waste management plant in Gurugram. The project has been implemented in collaboration with Municipal Corporation of Gurugram, Haryana State CSR Trust and Saahas, an acclaimed NGO. HMIF also inaugurated a waterbody rejuvenation project in collaboration with GuruJal Society in Gurugram district. The projects were inaugurated by Nishant Kumar Yadav (IAS), Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram. Speaking at the inauguration, Yadav said: "We laud efforts made by Hyundai Motor India Foundation to aid the Haryana government achieve a sustainable and clean future for the state. These initiatives are also a step towards achieving the administration's vision of making Gurugram a 'Swach and Smart City'. Programmes such as the 'Eco-Gram' waste management programme and pond restoration program are a key catalyst towards achieving India's net carbon neutrality targets by 2070." Commenting on the inauguration, Puneet Anand, AVP and Vertical Head, Corporate Affairs, HMIL, said: "Under Hyundai's global vision of 'Progress for Humanity', Hyundai Motor India Foundation aims to develop a sustainable and conducive environment. The 'Eco-Gram' project has been envisaged as an innovative solution to the city's waste-management programme. This programme is a step towards reducing carbon emissions in the metropolitan city. With this initiative we aim to resolve problems associated with waste management, achieve a reduction in waste dumping and burning. Additionally, bio-gas is produced as a by-product which is being converted into a renewable source of electricity. Eco-Gram is a self-sustainable model and a transforming factor of social change, aimed at making the city a role model in community waste management for other Indian cities." "HMIF has also restored three ponds in Gurugram district. The ponds have been restored in Hariahera in Sohna, Palasoli in Pataudi and Tajnagar in Farrukhnagar block of Gurugram in collaboration with GuruJal Society. Cumulatively these three ponds will replenish 93 million litres of ground water while treating 260 million litres of water. Additionally, over 450 trees and shrubs have been planted around the ponds which will help reduce 2,500 tons of carbon dioxide while generating 84 tons of oxygen. It is also expected to enrich flora and fauna of the region, benefitting over 8,000 residents annually," he added. 'Eco-Gram' project envisages an alternate solution to waste management for the city of Gurugram. The Waste-Management facility has a capacity of processing 2 tons of wet waste and 5 tons of dry waste per day. This will enable the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram to save Rs 20-24 lakh per year which would otherwise have been paid as a tipping fee at the landfill. The bio-gas produced as a by-product is being converted into a renewable source of electricity used to power the street-lights in the surrounding areas. Some key benefits of the project will include- Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Support Circular Economy India aims to build a circular economy to reduce carbon intensity as a percentage of its economy by less than 45 per cent by 2030. To support India's efforts, optimum waste management will play a crucial role. Around 90 per cent of Gurugram's wet waste ends up in landfills burned to release GHG emissions (CH4, CO2, etc.) Eco-Gram project will undertake massive solid waste management to decrease the carbon footprint, transportation emissions and GHG release. Reduce Landfill and Smoothen the Waste Management Process The programme will initiate a paradigm shift in Gurugram's environmental progress by taking RWAs, MCG, NGO Saahas, and waste workers by establishing a sustainable system in place. A Multi-Dimensional Social Change The Eco-Gram project will facilitate a formal system for waste workers by integrating them into the system. It will set an example of alternate avenues to process bulk-waste and prevent landfills from getting saturated. Guwahati, July 21 : Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection and devolution in the northeastern states has been a success, Addressing the Investiture Ceremony of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), she said that the eight states in the region have seen a compounded yearly GST increase of 27.5 per cent, according to the 2023 RBI assessment on state budgets. "Four days after it passed, Assam became the first state to ratify the GST Act, and since then, the amount of taxes collected has increased by a factor of 12 times. "Prior to the adoption of the GST, Assam collected Rs 558.26 crore in sales tax; now, it collects Rs 7,097 crore," the Union Minister said, adding that Sikkim and Meghalaya have also achieved a great deal, with the former's revenue rising from Rs 263.5 crore to Rs 3,036 crore and the latter's from Rs 587.21 crore to Rs 2,078 crore. According to Sitharaman, GST has brought about "tremendous improvement in the system that has ultimately benefited the people as well". There are 25 operational Land Customs Stations (LCS) in the northeast, of which 15 have electronic facilities. The Union Minister also encouraged the authorities to make sure that by December, all LCSs will be equipped with computerised tools that will aid in detecting and preventing smuggling. Sitharaman is on a two-day visit to Assam and Tripura. --IANS tdr/ksk ANKARA, May 7, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (front) speaks to members of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) during their parliamentary group meeting in Ankara, Turkey, on May 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Mustafa Kaya/IANS). Image Source: IANS News Ankara, July 21 : Turkey will separately host Israeli and Palestinian leaders next week, authorities have confirmed. In a statement, the Turkish presidency said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arrive on July 25 and meet his counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reports Xinhua news agency. The two leaders will discuss Turkey-Palestine relations and cooperation, the latest developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and other regional and international issues, the statement said. Erdogan will also host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 28, the Turkish presidency said. The two sides will talk about their relations as well as the steps to improve cooperation, it said. The relations between Israel and Turjey became strained in 2010 when a Turkish-led flotilla attempting to break Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip clashed with Israeli forces, leaving 10 Turks on board killed. In 2018, the two countries expelled each other's top diplomats amid an argument over the Israeli killing of 60 Palestinians during their protests against the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem. But the two nations have stepped up efforts to mend their ties in recent years. In 2022, Israeli President Isaac Herzog made a rare visit to Turkey, which was seen as a major step towards normalising ties. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 21. Health tourism services for foreigners have been proposed to be exempt from VAT in Azerbaijan, Chairman of Azerbaijan Health and Thermal Tourism Support Association Ruslan Guliyev told Trend. According to him, such move will make the package of health tourism offered to foreigners visiting Azerbaijan more budget-friendly and competitive. The number of tourists visiting Azerbaijan in June 2023 amounted to 205,910, which is 21 percent higher than the same period last year (170,600). According to the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, 919,296 tourists visited Azerbaijan from January through June 2023 (the figure increased by 44 percent). The top 10 countries by the number of foreigners visiting Azerbaijan in June 2023 included Russia (71,700 people), Turkiye (34,000 people), India (12,900 people), Iran (12,700 people), Saudi Arabia (8,400 people), Georgia (7,700 people), Kazakhstan (5,500 people), Pakistan (4,700 people), Israel (4,300 people) and the United Arab Emirates (400 people). Washington, July 21 : More than half of US adults expect that people will routinely travel in space as tourists in the next 50 years, according to a new report released on Friday. The Pew Research Center survey report, however, showed that Americans themselves are not enthusiastic about travelling to space. While 35 per cent said they would be interested in orbiting Earth in a spacecraft, 65 per cent said they would not be interested in this. About 44 per cent also think people will not routinely travel to space as tourists by the year 2073. The survey on 10,329 US adults, conducted between May 30 and June 4, takes a wide-ranging look at Americansa attitudes toward space, including the contributions of private companies, priorities for NASA and public expectations for the next 50 years in space. About seven-in-ten Americans said it is essential that the US continue to be a world leader in space exploration, and 65 per cent say it is essential that NASA continue to be involved in space exploration. This comes even as private space companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic are increasingly involved in space, and also because more countries, such as India and China, are pursuing their own goals in space, which could challenge the US as a world leader. Looking to the future of space, a large share (69 per cent) of Americans expect problems with human-made debris in space from rockets, satellites and other human-made objects over the next 50 years. But 58 per cent are confident that discovering intelligent life and building colonies (65 per cent) on other planets will not happen. The share of Americans who think space colonies will be built in the next 50 years is virtually unchanged since 2018. Further, Americans rank monitoring asteroids (60 per cent) that could hit the Earth and monitoring the Earthas climate system (50 per cent) as the top priorities for NASA. Thereas far less public urgency for NASA to send humans to the moon or Mars and to search for other planets that could support life. Only 16 per cent considered it as top priority for the space agency. Just 12 per cent of Americans said sending human astronauts to explore the moon should be a top priority for NASA, and only 11 per cent said this about sending human astronauts to explore Mars. Larger shares think both of these things are not too important for NASA or that they should not be done (43 per cent). In April, NASA announced the crew for the Artemis II mission, scheduled for late 2024, which would fly around the moon, taking astronauts the furthest from Earth since the 1970s. The next planned mission would be for a lunar landing. Missions to the moon are considered important preparation for sending astronauts to Mars. Bengaluru, July 21 : The Karnataka Police are all set to issue an order of externment against three Bajrang Dal activists in Dakshina Kannada district for their involvement in moral policing incidents in Mangaluru city and the surrounding areas, sources confirmed on Friday. Police sources said that the three Bajrang Dal activists have already been served with notices asking why they should not be banished in the backdrop of their illegal activities and creating disturbance in the society. The names and other details in this connection are yet to be announced. The activists have been asked to visit the office of DCP, Law and Order division in Mangaluru on Friday. Police sources stated that they would be given deportation orders to maintain law and order in the society and also to give a message over the incidents of moral policing. The police said that the Bajrang Dal activists will be banished for a period of one year. The local police had given a report in this regard on the activists in connection with their involvement in incidents of creating ruckus at the Sulthan Gold Jewellery stores and also their interference during the celebration of Holi festival at Muroli. A boy belonging to the minority community was assaulted by a group at the Sulthan Gold Jewellery stores by a group of persons on December 6, 2022 for allegedly being in relationship with a girl who worked at the jewellery store. The complaint and counter complaints were lodged regarding the incident. The victim boy was a colleague of the girl and parents suspected that their daughter was trapped into a romantic relationship by the boy. Four Bajrang Dal activists were arrested in connection with the incident. The members of Bajrang Dal had barged into the Holi event, 'Rang De Barsa', organised at Muroli in March, 2023 and vandalized the premises. Young girls and boys were enjoying the party, spraying colours on one another when the attack took place The activists claimed that the boys exhibited indecent behaviour. They objected that the Holi festival was celebrated by boys belonging to another religion. The police had arrested six persons in this connection. New Delhi, July 21 : For its emotional clientele who still want to visit the heyday of the British Raj, India's first Anglo-Indian Themed Whisky Bar and Kitchen epitomises the spirit of this culture. A special tradition passed down through the centuries, Anglow goes beyond its fine food and whiskies to take a deep dive into our common cultural background and how it influenced our modern cuisines. It offers a unique Anglo-Indian dining experience, was created by seasoned hospitality experts and is located in the Khan Market in the heart of Delhi. Offering an array of options for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners, the restaurant specialises in distinctly Anglo-Indian fare ranging from our beloved Shami Kebabs, to the dish that became legendary among European settlers here in India, the Railway Mutton Curry, which incidentally was inspired by and first served in the first class compartments of the then British Indian Railways. The kitchen also serves up a popular Anglo-Indian dish that owes its origins to a north Indian staple we all know as Khichri, made to include a few 'western-world' herbs and ingredients like parsley and flaked fish and lovingly called Kedgeree by its growing base of fans back in England. From Devilled/Scotch Eggs, Assorted Roasts, Soups to Dak Bungalow Curry and various mains like Country Chicken Stew, Vindaloo and a wide variety of desserts like Tipsy Pudding and CrAme BrAlAe, Anglow will take its patrons on a culinary sojourn set in the backdrop of 18th and 19th Century India. To complement this one-of-a-kind food experience, Anglow offers a carefully curated selection of single malts and wines to ensure that even the most rigid connoisseurs end up with a sly grin of satisfaction when they enter the elegant surroundings of Anglow. To further complete this enchanting journey back in time, Anglow boasts of a bar that has a vast collection of single malts, wines and cocktails ranging from classics such as The Gibson, GNT (Gin and Tonic) and Sidecar to the in-house Signature cocktails like Anglow Spice, Kingas Derby and Coffee Train, to name a few. The world of Anglow is set against a backdrop of retro numbers and classic hits to tap away in true Anglo Indian spirit. The setting is elegant and posh, evocative of Drinking Parlours and Clubs of colonial India with memorabilia predating Independence, collected and unassumingly displayed for the keen observer. Anglow exudes old-world charm fused unequivocally with present-day India to bring forth a wholehearted celebration of our rich Anglo-Indian cultural inheritance. (IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in) Bhopal, July 20 : Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Friday paid floral tributes to Rani Laxmibai at her memorial in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior. She was accompanied by former Chief Minister and Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath and senior party leader Govind Singh. Priyanka Gandhi, who is leading the partyas poll campaign in Madhya Pradesh, arrived here to address a public meeting at Mela Maiden in Gwalior. It is the first time any Nehru-Gandhi family member arrived in Gwalior, the bastion of the Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia after he shifted to BJP in 2020. After paying tribute to Rani Laxmibai, Priyankaas convoy headed towards Mela Maidan where she will be addressing a public rally. On June 12, Priyanka Gandhi kickstarted her partyas campaign in MP by addressing a rally in Jabalpur, where she said that if the Congress was voted to power in the state, it would implement five schemes, including Rs 1,500 financial assistance per month to women, free electricity up to 100 units and restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Houston, July 21 : Twelve migrants were discovered packed inside an 18-wheeler during a police chase in Texas, local media reported. Police officers tried to pull over the driver of the stolen truck, which led to a short chase in Bexar County near the US-Mexico border, Xinhua news agency quoted the local WOAI-TV as saying in a report. The driver, who carried a gun, finally stopped and was taken into custody. Investigators found 10 men and two women, including one pregnant, inside the trailer. The migrants were from Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico, according to the report. This comes as we continue to investigate the treatment of migrants at the border after reports that Texas troopers were told to push back migrants into the Rio Grande and ordered not to give them water. The Justice Department is now looking into the allegations. Travis Scott, Bad Bunny and The Weeknd release new song K-Pop. Image Source: IANS News Los Angeles, July 21 : Ahead of the release of his fourth studio album 'Utopia', eight-time Grammy award-nominated Travis Scott released his new single 'K-Pop with Bad Bunny and The Weeknd. Bringing together three of the music industryas biggest stars, aK-Popa opens up the world of aUtopiaa and illuminates his rapid evolution and progression all at once. It finds Travis Scott at the height of his powers as a performer, songwriter, producer, and collaborator proving once again that nobody sounds like aTravisa. It continues to enshrine him as the cultureas foremost sonic innovator, leveling up beyond comparison. Alongside the song, the official music video is set to premiere on July 21. aUtopiaa is set to be rolled out in a full 3-D immersive experience, taking fans completely into his world. Up next, the once-in-a-generation auteur and cultural phenomenon will give the live debut of the new material on stage in front of the Pyramids of Egypt in Giza on July 28. In 2012, Scott signed his first major-label contract with Epic Records and a publishing deal with Kanye West's GOOD Music.. Scott's first full-length project, the mixtape Owl Pharaoh, was self-released in 2013. It was followed with a second mixtape, Days Before Rodeo, in 2014. His debut studio album, Rodeo (2015), was led by the hit single "Antidote". His second album, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight (2016), became his first number one album on the Billboard 200. The following year, Scott released a collaborative album with Quavo titled Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho under the group name Huncho Jack. In 2018, his third studio album, Astroworld, was released to critical acclaim and produced his first BillboardHot 100 number one single, "Sicko Mode" (featuring Drake). Over the course of his career, Scott has become a globally recognised artist and pop culture figure. Kolkata, July 21 : West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress national President Mamata Banerjee on Friday expressed apprehension that the central investigative agencies might become overactive in the state and direct their actions against her party leaders and workers soon after the annual 'Martyrs' Day' programme. "Following the success of this event today the central agencies might be unleashed again. We are well aware of these. But we are not scared of such threats and are determined to continue our struggle against injustice. I am a person who believes in accepting challenges," the chief minister said. Her apprehension on this count was probably prompted by her memories of what happened just a couple of days after the 'Martyrs' Day' programme last year on the same day. In their first major crackdown on the morning of July 23 last year, which was less than 48 hours after the Day programme last year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths arrested former state education minister and Trinamool Congress secretary general Partha Chatterjee in connection with his alleged involvement in the multi- crore school recruitment case. Last year the Martyrs' Day programme was moderated by Chatterjee himself. Speaking on the occasion, she said that certain incidents of violence in the recently concluded panchayat elections in the state were orchestrated by the opposition parties. "There were elections in as many as 71,000 booths and the events of violence had been in limited pockets. This time the elections had been much more peaceful with lesser bloodbath than what used to happen in the rural civic polls during the previous Left Front regime. The maximum number of casualties had been from Trinamool Congress, which proves that the violence had been unleashed by the opposition parties," the chief minister said. She also launched a scathing attack against the media for "deliberately maligning" the image of West Bengal. United Nations, July 21 : A UN trust fund formed in 2016 has helped 43,000 people affected by sexual exploitation and abuse, a spokesman said. The UN Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance released the annual report of the Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, covering the activities of 2022, Xinhua news agency quoted Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as saying. "The report provides details about six projects implemented in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Liberia and South Sudan and positively impacting the lives of victims of sexual misconduct," Dujarric said. He said the trust fund has received $4.8 million in contributions from 24 member states of the world organisation and money from payments withheld from personnel against whom sexual exploitation and abuse cases were substantiated. "This has helped fund assistance and support services to victims and children born of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN and related personnel," Dujarric said. "So far, over 43,000 affected victims and community members have participated in income-generating activities or received various forms of support." The spokesman said that additional funding would help victims and their children rebuild their lives, break stigma, and facilitate reintegration within their communities. Mumbai, July 21 : In the latest episode of controversial reality show 'Bigg Boss OTT 2', housemate Bebika Dhurve accused Bigg Boss of being partial towards Abhishek Malhan. It was during a task, when Bebika and Abhishek got into a fight. Elvish Yadav asked Bebika what Abhishek had said to her. The latter said: "All this is a prank." To which, Bebika replied: "Can't you see I don't want to talk to you?" Abhishek replies: "Why are you screaming? I am talking normally. No one can talk to you normally. If you don't want to talk, don't take my name and talk." Getting into the matter, Elvish asks Bebika and she said: "What's the point? You are his friend and you'll support him. Bigg Boss also supports him. My name gets tampered but nothing is said to him. I am the only one to get defamed and fingers are pointed at me. I am tired." Bebika gets tearful and seeing her in the state, Elvish asks her: "Who's protecting him?" To which, Bebika said: "Everyone. He always teases me and doesn't know that it impacts me." In other news, Pooja Bhatt has become the new captain of the show. Bigg Boss had announced a new task for the final five contenders for captaincy, which included names such as Avinash Sachdev, Falaq Naaz, Jad Hadid, Pooja Bhatt, and Bebika. A task was held for these five and the last fight was between Jad and Pooja. Finally, Abhishek, who was the sanchalak, named Pooja as the winner and became the captain of the house. The show airs on Jio Cinema and is hosted by Salman Khan. There was chatter about the 'Dabangg' star leaving the hosting duties, however, a statement was then released where he said that the show was an extension of him. Latest updates on Bigg Boss OTT 2 India, Sri Lanka need to keep mutual interests, sensitivities in mind: PM. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, July 21 : After holding delegation-level talks with visiting Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said it is important that the two neighbouring nations work together while keeping in mind mutual security interests and sensitivities. Earlier in the day, the President received a warm welcome by Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House after which the two leaders held the talks. In a joint press statement, Modi said: "It is necessary that we work together keeping in mind each other's security interests, sensitivities. "We have decided to begin talks on economic and technological cooperation. We have also agreed to increase air connectivity between two countries." The Prime Minister also expressed hope that the island nation's government will fulfill the aspirations of the Sri Lankan Tamils and take forward the process of equality, justice and peace. While referring to Sri Lanka's worst-ever economic crisis, Modi noted that the last one year has been full of challenges for the people, but "being a close friend, as always, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with people of Sri Lanka even during crisis". The Prime Minister even congratulated Wickremesinghe on completing one year of his tenure as President. Modi further informed that in India's Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policies, Sri Lanka has an important place. "During talks with the President, we discussed issues of bilateral and regional cooperation as well as international issues. It is our belief that India and Sri Lanka are connected with each other through security and developmental interests. "Today we finalised a vision, which is about strengthening maritime, air, energy and people to people connectivity. This vision is about India's long term commitment towards Sri Lanka," he said in the joint statement. On his part, Wickremesinghe said: "We believe that Indiaas growth will be beneficial to the neighbouring countries and the Indian Ocean region." Wickremesinghe arrived in the national capital on Thursday. This is first trip to India after becoming President last year after a turbulent political change. On Thursday evening, he met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar --IANS ans/ksk -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. A total of 217 families (934 people) in Azerbaijan have been resettled to their native lands within the framework of 'Great Return' program, Trend reports. This was announced at the regular meeting of the board of the State Committee of Azerbaijan for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, dedicated to the results of the six months of this year and the upcoming tasks. Reports were made about the organization of resettlement to restored and newly created settlements in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. The current state of monitoring activities carried out in this area, the main directions of agitation and propaganda work in connection with 'Great Return' program, preparation for the autumn-winter season of the housing stock and on other issues were also discussed at the board meeting. 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. Bhopal, July 21 : Congress General Secretary on Friday appealed to people of Madhya Pradesh to raise their voices strongly against corruption under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state. Priyanka said she would hold people of the state responsible for their condition in Madhya Pradesh, because they have handed over power to corrupt people. Priyanka also appealed to people to ask Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan about his Rs. 22,000 announcements. The Congress leader made these remarks while addressing 'Jan Aakrosh' rally at Mela Maidan in Gwalior district on Friday. "You have to be aware of the things happening in your states otherwise the BJP government will keep on misleading you for their own benefits. BJP leaders have made luxury bungalows and people are facing hard time even to buy vegetables." She also launched a scathing attack on the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh led BJP government pointed on atrocities against tribals and law and order situation in Madhya Pradesh. "Every day rape incidents are happening and the accused are connected with the BJP. It shows that the BJP leaders are not paying heed to these issues," she said. The Congress leader said if the people want to change their lives, they have to change government in Madhya Pradesh. "Give your support to a right person, who has a vision for you, and you will see the changes in five years. Now the time has come when you have to think about it, otherwise things will more deteriorate," Priyanka said. She again reiterated the five poll promises of the Congress saying the same schemes have been introduced in Congress ruled states -- Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka. She also asked Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath to increase financial assistance for physically challenged people. Chandigarh, July 21 : Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu has unveiled a series of initiatives to facilitate apple growers and ensure a smooth transportation of the produce amidst devastation to roads after torrential rains and flashfloods. "The state government is focusing on road clearance in apple-growing areas to facilitate growers and ensure the smooth transportation of their produce, especially after some roads were adversely affected by the monsoon fury," an official statement quoting the Chief Minister said on Friday. "The restoration works are being undertaken on a war footing to repair the damaged roads." After a meeting with members of the arthiya association here, the Chief Minister said the government has been prioritising the strengthening of the road from Chhaila to Yashwant Nagar via Neri Bridge and a project with an outlay of Rs 70 crore under Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) has been submitted. The primary goal of this project is to alleviate any transportation hindrances faced by the orchardists during the apple season, he said. The Chief Minister said to enhance post-harvest storage facilities, the government mulls to establish controlled atmosphere (CA) stores in Bhawanagar (Kinnaur), Sandasu (Chirgaon), Anu (Jubbal), Chopal (Shimla), Jabli (Solan), Sundernagar (Mandi), Duttnagar (Rampur Bushehar) and Kharapathar (Shimla). Moreover, efforts are being made to construct another CA store on the government land at the Kundli border in Delhi. "The government is also considering establishing a distillery to ensure that apple growers can benefit from their produce. This initiative aims to utilise damaged apples that may not meet the market's standards, but they can be turned into valuable resources and contributing to the growers' income," he said. The arthiya association, after the Chief Minister's intervention, has agreed to weigh or purchase apples based on the older system, accommodating the convenience of the growers. --IANS vg/ksk New Delhi, July 21 : Apple iPhone shipments saw a 68 per cent (year-on-year) growth in India in the first half of 2023, driven by the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 series. In the second quarter (April-June period) alone, there was a strong growth uptick in Apple iPhone shipments and the company registered a stupendous 70 per cent growth in shipments in the country, according o data provided by CyberMedia Research (CMR). Alongside, Apple iPad posted a modest 6 per cent year-over-year growth, driven by consumer need for productivity and leisure on-the-go, and at home. Apple is well-positioned to capitalise on the market demand and maintain its positive momentum in India, and is likely to garner 7 per cent market share in 2023, according to CMR. "We continue to see a strong momentum for Apple in India. In Q2 2023, there was a strong growth uptick in Apple iPhone shipments driven by the Apple iPhone 14 series and iPhone 13 series," Prabhu Ram, Head - Industry Intelligence Group, CMR, told IANS. Buoyed by friendly government policies and production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, India is set to cross Rs 1,20,000 crore in mobile exports in the current fiscal year (FY24), driven by tech giant Apple, according to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) data. Amid this stupendous growth in the mobile exports, Apple's share is set to exceed 50 per cent in FY24. In May, iPhone exports reached a record Rs 10,000 crore, pushing the total mobile shipments from the country to Rs 12,000 crore. The growth in the Indian smartphone industry has been primarily driven by the Apple ecosystem, which alone crossed a record $5 billion in exports from India in FY23. Imphal, July 21 : A mob of women burnt down the house of the main accused in a case pertaining to parading of two disrobed women by a group of people in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on May 4, police said on Friday. A mob of women set fire to the house of Huirem Herodas Singh (Meitei) at Yairipok village in Thoubal district late on Thursday evening, police said in Imphal. The Manipur police on Thursday night said that four accused, including Singh (Meitei), have been arrested in connection with the shocking case of women disrobed and paraded. Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who also holds the home portfolio, told the media that interrogation of the arrested persons is being conducted by senior police officials and at this juncture, he would not be able to disclose the details. "The state Police is making all out efforts to arrest the remaining culprits at the earliest. Raids are continuing," the Manipur Police tweeted. Meanwhile, state Director General of Police Rajiv Singh told the media that the women victims are now safe. Another senior police official said that the search operation by the Manipur Police and other security forces have been continued in Kangpokpi, Thoubal and other adjoining districts to nab the culprits. The official added that several police teams headed by senior officers were formed to supervise the extensive search to locate the offenders involved in the May 4 incident. Meanwhile, the husband of one of two victims, had served the Indian Army as a Subedar of the Assam Regiment. The former Army Subedar, who was posted in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force and a Kargil war veteran, while talking to a local television channel, lamented that though he protected the country, he could not save his wife from being humiliated by the mob. "I fought for the nation in the Kargil but am deeply upset that I could not prevent the fellow villagers from humiliating and molesting my wife," the distressed former Army man rued. He said that on the fateful May 4, the mob comprising men and women, burnt down several houses in the locality, dragged the victims out from the homes, disrobed them and forced them walk on the village roads in front of the people and recorded the horrific scene in camera. Accusing the police of behaving like a "wooden doll", he demanded exemplary punishment for the people involved in the heinous incident. Islamabad, July 21 : The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC)approved a request of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to allocate funds of over $149 million for this year's general elections, the Finance Ministry said in a statement. Of the total amount, the committee allocated some $34 million on Thursday, while the remaining money will be allocated in phases according to the requirement of the ECP, Xinhua news agency reported. The general elections are likely to be held in November this year in the country, according to the statements by the two key coalition partners, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of the ruling government of the country. In addition, the ECC considered a summary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting regarding charging electricity rates to cinema houses. "To revive the film industry in Pakistan, the ECC approved the proposal that cinemas may be charged electricity as per rates admissible to the industry," the statement added. The ECC also considered a summary of the Ministry of Commerce regarding the export of vegetable oil from export processing zones to Afghanistan through a land route, the statement added. Greater Noida, July 21 : Seema Haider, the Pakistani woman who illegally entered India to be with an Indian man she met on the gaming app, has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to allow her to stay in India. Seema illegally entered India in May with her four children to marry Sachin Meena, a resident of Greater Noida. The two had become friends while playing online game PUBG in 2019. Earlier, the police had arrested Seema for entering India illegally without a visa through Nepal. The UP police's Anti-Terrorism Squad questioned Seema on Monday and Tuesday . "Please let me stay back in India with Sachin. If you send me back to Pakistan, they will stone me to death," Seema requested PM Modi and CM Yogi on Friday. Seema said that her brother had joined the Pakistani Army in 2022 but in the lowest rank. Seema said that she got married at the Pashupatinath temple in Nepal, while the temple administration says that marriages do not take place there. "I crossed over illegally as I had no option. I didn't want to live in Pakistan," she said. "If anyone in Pakistan would have come to know that I was going to India, they would have killed me. I am not a spy," Seema said. Sheezan Khan on why he doesn't have many friend in the industry: I prefer being with myself. Image Source: IANS News Mumbai, July 21 : Television actor Sheezan Khan, who is known for shows such as 'Jodha Akbar', 'Tara From Satara' and 'Ali Baba: Dastaan-E-Kabul', speaks about his experience of spending a decade in the industry and shared some advice to newcomers. The actor, who was taken into custody after his co-actress Tunisha Sharma committed suicide in 2022, said: "It's very true that it's a field of insecurities. People are friends in front of society, but actually they are the ones who get insecure the most. You would never know who your actual friend is until you are in a difficult situation and need help. People stay with you during the good times but leave you during the hard times." "I think it's better to be on your own than with someone who claims to be your friend. Getting work is all in your destiny. I don't like the double-faced personalities, so I prefer being with myself, which is one of the biggest reasons why I donat have many friends in this industry," he says. So what advice does he have for the youth, who are easily enamoured by the profession? "The only advice that I would give is that you will get through life, and yes, life will go on, but you should know your interests better. You need to be truthful to yourself to move ahead both in your life and career," he said. Professionally, Sheezan is all keyed up to do more in coming times. "Everyone's struggle and journey is different. Everyone has to go through the struggles that are written in their destiny. We cannot say that our struggles have ended, but they have changed." "But it stays. And this is life, because this makes you strong. I have also seen a lot of bad times, and the motive in life should be to wade through it. We cannot stop here, no matter what the situation is. Instead, face it and be strong." Stability is what everyone wants in their career, and that is quite difficult when one is in showbiz which is often termed as risky business. He added: "Everyone wants stability, and everyone should have it because when you grow up, there are many lives attached to yours that are to be taken care of. And, I believe that you have to be stable as a man so that your family always feels secure. I also think we shouldn't be dependent on one source of income; we should always have another option. "You can't be stable while running behind only one thing. Any superstar or any actor is not always dependent on one thing; they always have various paths. So you should always have another path and be smart enough to balance both." Manila, July 21 : Philippine volcanologists on Friday called for vigilance as an approaching tropical depression could develop into a super typhoon and dump heavy rain in areas near the erupting Mayon volcano -- the country's most active. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that the tropical depression will bring heavy rainfall from Sunday, triggering floods and landslides, reports Xinhua news agency. Due to this development, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology "strongly recommended" on Friday that residents at the foot of the cone-shaped Mayon volcano in Albay province, approximately 500 km southeast of Manila, "be vigilant and ready". The institute said the prolonged heavy rainfall could trigger lahar flows of ash and volcanic debris spewed by the volcano, which started erupting on June 8. "The Mayon lahars can threaten communities along the middle and lower slopes and downstream of (river) channels with inundation, burial, and wash away," the institute warned, urging the provincial authorities "to move residents to high grounds should heavy rains occur". Authorities have evacuated nearly 19,000 residents within the six-kilometer danger zone at the foot of the Mayon volcano, approximately 500 km southeast of Manila, since its ongoing unrest starting on June 8. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has maintained the alert level around the Mayon volcano at 3 on a scale of 5. Displaced people are temporarily housed in at least 27 government-run shelters. Mayon volcano last erupted in 2018, resulting in the evacuation of more than 23,000 people from nine cities and municipalities. Suva, July 21 : Fiji witnessed an 11-per cent increase in tourist arrivals for June this year compared to the same period in 2019. Tourism Fiji said on Friday that the island nation recorded 90,460 visitor arrivals in June alone, equivalent to 106 per cent of June 2019 figures, reports Xinhua nes agency. Neighboring countries Australia and New Zealand contributed to 73 per cent of visitor arrivals, with 24,000 visitors from New Zealand, the highest in a month since the reopening of borders following the Covid-19 pandemic. Fiji has welcomed 417,852 arrivals this year and 1,077,390 since the reopening of borders in 2021. Bhubaneswar, July 21 : The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Odisha police has arrested another accused in Bhubaneswar land scam case, an official said on Friday. The accused Gour Prasad Mohanty of Pallahat, Khordha has been arrested from Puri. Earlier, two fraudsters -- Sabita Das and Aditya Kumar Sahoo -- were arrested in this case, the official said. The arrests were made against a case registered based on the written allegation of one Swosti Ranjan Pani of Sailashree Vihar, Bhubaneswar. The complaint alleged that the fraudsters contacted him to purchase a landed property at Bachhapur Mouza, Baranga for an amount of Rs 2 crore standing in the name of one Rangalata Swain. They also showed him Patta, PAN, Aadhaar, and a residential certificate in the name of Rangalata Swain, the owner of the land. The accused tricked him into giving Rs 25 lakh as advance towards the purchase of the said land. But subsequently, the fraudsters switched off their mobiles and eluded him. When the complainant inquired into the matter at his level, Pani ascertained that he was by the fraudsters who impersonated the real owner Rangalata Swain, a 75 years old lady. During investigation, the EOW found that Rangalata is the bonafide owner of five plots in the area and the fraudsters have entered into a criminal conspiracy to sell out the land. They have prepared the forged Aadhaar, PAN, residential certificate in the name of Rangalata by affixing the photo of the impersonator Sabita Das on those documents, the official informed. They also opened a bank account with Axis Bank in the name of Rangalata Swain by using the forged documents as KYC, and the account was managed by accused Sabita Das. After making the forged documents, the fraudsters tried to avail loan from bank by mortgaging the Patta of the land and impersonating the real owner Rangalata Swain but when they failed, a registered agreement was made between the fake Rangalata Swain and one Sripati Badajena to sell away the above said landed property to him and received Rs 20 lakh as advance. Subsequently, the arrested accused Gour Prasad Mohanty with others, including the fake land owner (Sabita Das), again contacted the complaint Pani to sell the same land and persuaded him to pay Rs 25 lakh in advance. Pani paid Rs 25 lakh to the account opened in the name of Rangalata Swain but managed by impersonator Sabita Das, which was subsequently withdrawn by Sabita Das and the amount was misappropriated by the fraudsters. Out of Rs 25 lakh, an amount of Rs 10 lakh was transferred to the account of the arrested accused Mohanty. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. The "Khazri Wave" tactical exercises, related to combat operations during the protection and defense of energy infrastructure in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea continue, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan told Trend. Tasks to neutralize a terrorist group based on one of the sea islands and combat operations to suppress terrorist sabotage were carried out. All the tasks of the exercises conducted in interoperability between the Naval Forces, Land Forces, Air Force, and the Coast Guard of the State Border Service are being successfully accomplished. Lucknow, July 21 : In a first for India, Lucknow's Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) will host the International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA) Congress in 2027. Founded in 1928, INQUA, founded in 1928, has members from many scientific disciplines who study the environmental changes that occurred in the glacial ages. India pipped 58 countries to bag the hosting rights of the conclave that is held once in four years. In 2019, India had made a bid to host INQUA but lost to Rome, Italy where the conference is being held at present. The bidding for the next host was held in Rome during INQUA 2023, in which BSIP won. The conference would be held between February 2027-2028. According to officials, it was a tough win as many people from scientific community overseas were apprehensive about India's ability to hold such international conference. BSIP director Vandana Prasad said: "Excellence in the respective field and joint efforts of BSIP, the department of science and technology (DST), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Indian National Science Academy (INSA), National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research(NCPOR) and Association of Quaternary Researchers (AOQR) made it possible for India to win the hosting rights." She said the event would be extremely good for young Indian students and researchers who are working on various aspects of climate change issues. They will be largely benefited through interaction that may lead to collaborative work with the international scientific community. The director said for INQUA 2027, Professor Pradeep Srivastava from IIT Roorkee has been appointed president, Dr Rahul Mohan senior scientist, NCPOR as vice president and Dr Binita Phartiyal senior scientist from BSIP as organising secretary. Prasad said the Indian sub-continent is rich in geological features that have fascinated scientists for decades. The country offers an opportunity for research on the full spectrum of quaternary sciences. The geological terrain of the sub-continent is sculpted to understand the Earth-linked human evolution, all within a single geopolitical entity. "Indian science has made substantive progress in quaternary science via significant contributions to the understanding of the Earth's processes with its unique geosciences setting and inherent challenges. The subcontinent is home to a large group of geoscientists who are keen to share their experiences with the global community and learn from them," said the director. Prasad added, "Through this conference, we will offer a glimpse of the quaternary sites of our country with the hope that it would entice the international fraternity to come to India and explore its quaternary history, wonders and processes. We would like to invite delegates from across the globe to come to India and experience its historical and cultural marvels and in the process partner our science for a global cause." Moscow, July 21 : Russian's external debt-to-GDP ratio plummeted to a historic low of 15 per cent by the end of the first quarter, local media said on Friday. Data from Russia's Central Bank reveal that the ratio, which stood at 16.6 per cent at the end of 2022, has further declined, reports Xinhua news agency. By late March, state and corporate debt combined amounted to $354.8 billion. This impressive progress stands in stark contrast to 1999 when Russia's external debt-to-GDP ratio hit its highest peak at a staggering 91 per cent. Earlier the central bank said that the country's external debt had decreased by 8.7 per cent in the first half of 2023. The reduction was largely attributed to the dwindling debt obligations of government bodies. Maxim Reshetnikov, Russia's Minister of Economic Development, expressed optimism about the country's economic growth. At a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on May 4, Reshetnikov said that the forecast for GDP growth in 2023 at 1.2 per cent is rather conservative and may actually be higher. Sunny Deol does everything to save Utkarsh Sharma in new 'Gadar 2' motion poster. Image Source: IANS News Mumbai, July 21 : The makers of 'Gadar 2' unveiled a new gritty motion poster of the upcoming film, where Sunny Deol's character Tara is seen doing everything to save his onscreen son Jeete, played by Utakarsh Sharma . The newly-launched motion poster begins with "A father's love knows no boundaries" note written. It then shows Sunny and Utkarsh's character running at the border while bullets are being fired at them. A glimpse of the 65-year-old in an angry state can also be seen while bullets are being fired at the father-son duo. The motion poster ends with the iconic dialogue "Hindustan Zindabad" from the 2001 film 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha' mouthed by Sunny can be heard. Sunny shared the motion poster on his Instagram, which is originally put by Zee Studios on the photo-sharing website. The caption read: "Apne desh aur parivaar ki raksha ke liye, har chunauti ka samna karne ke liye taiyaar hai Tara Singh! #Gadar2 aa rahi hai bade parde par lagane iss Independence Day! Cinemas mein 11th August se ." 'Gadar 2' is the sequel of 'Gadar: Ek Prem Katha', which was released in 2001. The romantic period action drama film is directed by Anil Sharma and set during the Partition of India in 1947. Loosely based on the life of Boota Singh, the film starred Sunny Deol and Amisha Patel in lead roles alongside Amrish Puri and Lillete Dubey. In 'Gadar 2', the film is set in 1971, and Tara Singh returns to Lahore, Pakistan in the midst of an anti-India "Crush India" campaign, to bring back his son Charanjeet. The film, which will be releasing on August 11, has revamped version of two song from the first installment such as 'Mein Nikla Gaddi Leke' and 'Ud ja Kale Kavva'. 'Gadar 2' will be locking horns with Akshay Kumar's 'OMG 2', a sequel of 'OMG: Oh My God', which released in 2012. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed San Francisco, July 21 : Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has released a bug-fix update to address emoji keyboard crash on Android beta. Several users were experiencing a crash when using the emoji keyboard, reports WABetaInfo. Moreover, many users also reported issues with configuring their avatars, while accessing the privacy section and adding text over images using the drawing editor. Many users observed that the update had been installed automatically due to the Google Play Store's auto-download settings. "The fix is rolling out after installing the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.15.22 update from the Google Play Store, so make sure to update to this build in order to use a version of WhatsApp without the crash," the report said. On Thursday, the messaging platform had faced a global outage, including in India, due to "connectivity issues" which lasted for about 20 minutes. When a user posted, "fix it before it is morning in India, don't want to miss out on the Good Morning messages", the Meta-owned platform replied: "We're back, we donat want you to miss them!" According to the outage monitor website DownDetector, 61 per cent of people had reported problems while sending messages, 35 per cent while using the application, and 4 per cent while using the website. On Downdetector, reports of the users peaked at over 41,000. WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.15.22: what's new? This is a bug fix update that addresses a crash with the emoji keyboard!https://t.co/MXEThnzrAO pic.twitter.com/K8wqMyQZbs WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) July 20, 2023 Also, last month, the Meta-owned platform had faced a global outage that lasted for about two hours. Some WhatsApp users were unable to use the platform on their mobile and desktop devices, while some were experiencing issues with sending and downloading media. -- Syndicated from IANS Varanasi : , July 21 (IANS) A Varanasi court on Friday allowed the survey of the Gyanvapi mosque, located next to the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will carry out the scientific survey of the complex, barring the Shivling. The Hindu side in the case had filed a petition seeking the court's direction to the ASI to survey the entire Gyanvapi mosque complex. The Hindu side is represented by lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain. After the court agreed to hear the petition in May, it asked the Gyanvapi mosque committee to file its reply to the submissions made by the Hindu side. The decision comes after the court heard both sides. In court, Jain argued that the Kashi Vishwanath temple-Gyanvapi mosque dispute can be resolved only by an archaeological investigation of the entire mosque complex. He said the situation can become clear after examining the three domes of the Gyanvapi complex, the western wall of the complex and the entire complex in a modern way. New Delhi, July 21 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha on Friday demanded that Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh should be removed immediately and the government should impose President's Rule in the northeastern state. Speaking to media in Parliament, the AAP leader said: "Prime Minister Narendra Modi had himself tweeted that those who cannot ensure peace in the state have no right to govern Manipur. What is happening today is horrendous, horrific, catastrophic, and of much greater magnitude than 2017." Demanding accountability from the government over the situation in the state, Chadha said that the BJP has a responsibility to hold discussions on the matter and inform the House of the ongoing developments in the region. "The situation demands accountability and transparency from the double-engine government," he said. Chadha demanded the removal of Biren Singh-led BJP government in Manipur and the imposition of President's Rule to send a powerful message that the people of Manipur deserve a government that can effectively address their grievances and ensure their safety and well-being. He further added that it was time for the union government to act responsibly, prioritise the welfare of the people, and bring an end to the ongoing crisis in Manipur. On Friday also the Rajya Sabha witnessed uproar by the opposition MPs to discuss the Manipur issue and a statement by the Prime Minister in the Upper House. Following repeated adjournments, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day. Modi on Thursday broke silence on Manipur violence for the first time and expressed his pain and anger over the Manipur incident and said the gruesome incident with the women in the Northeastern state is very shameful, and can never be forgiven. Modi had made the remarks ahead of the beginning of the Monsoon Session, referring to the horrific video which went viral on social media, of two women being paraded naked in Manipur. He said: "This incident is an insult for the entire nation as it has shamed 140 crore countrymen. The incident which happened with the women in Manipur can never be forgiven. I assure the countrymen that no one will be spared." However, he went on to club incidents of violence in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh (both Congress-ruled states) also in his statement. "The incident might be from Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Manipur, the culprit should not go scot-free in any corner of the country," the prime minister said. The opposition has been seeking Modi's response on violence in Manipur in Parliament, where since the past more than two months, hundreds have been killed and thousands have been displaced due to ethnic clashes between majority Meitei community and Christian Kukis. New Delhi, July 21 : The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on the petitions filed by arrested Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji and his wife against the Madras High Court's decision upholding the ED's right to take the DMK leader into custody in connection with an alleged cash for jobs scandal. A bench of Justices A.S. Bopanna and M.M. Sundresh agreed to examine the matter and sought response of the Enforcement Directorate on the pleas. However, it declined to pass any interim relief in the matter and told senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Balaji, that "nothing will happen" as he sought interim protection from police custody. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, submitted that the central probe agency can make arrests under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The top court said that it will continue to hear the matter on July 26 at 2 PM. On Thursday, CJI D.Y. Chandrachud had directed listing of the pleas on Friday after Sibal mentioned the matter for urgent listing. He apprised the apex court that Balaji may be taken into police custody anytime and if the matter is not heard immediately, the petitions will become infructuous. The minister and his wife have approached the top court of the country after a bench of Justice C.V. Karthikeyan of the high court, the third judge to whom the matter was referred, gave its ruling that the central agency has the right to arrest the legislator. It had said that if the agency can arrest, they can also seek custody as well. The ED has also filed another petition before the top court challenging some observations made by the high court in its order. The habeas corpus petition challenging arrest of Balaji by the ED was heard by a three-judge bench on directions of the Supreme Court after a split verdict was pronounced by a division bench on the plea moved by his wife. In a split verdict delivered on July 4, Justice J. Nisha Banu termed the arrest of the minister illegal and ordered him to be set free with immediate effect, while Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy differed on the question of his "illegal" detention. S. Megala, the wife of the arrested minister had moved a petition before the high court assailing her husband's arrest by the ED in connection with a cash-for-jobs scam that allegedly occurred during his tenure as the Transport Minister from 2011 to 2016 in the then AIADMK government. In an interim direction passed on June 15, the High Court had ordered to transfer the minister from a government hospital where he was under the custody of ED officials to a private hospital. The ED had filed an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging this. --IANS puneet/vd New Delhi, July 21 : BJP on Friday claimed that a Manipur like gruesome incident has also happened with one its nominee-candidates in the recently concluded Panchayat elections in West Bengal which the ruling party dubbed as 'Khoon Ka Chunaav' (Elections of Bloodshed). "The incident of Manipur is shameful. We strongly condemn it. Such heinous incident should not take place anywhere. But in West Bengal's Panchla, a woman was paraded naked for fighting as BJP nominee in Gram Sabha. Is this incident less unfortunate than Manipur?" BJP West Bengal President Sukanta Majumdar said at a press conference at the party headquarters here. He said: "The only difference is that there no video of the incident. Because the (Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee's police and 'goondas' did not allowed anyone to record the video." Majumdar said the Mamata Banerjee-led government has deteriorated West Bengal's situation. "Manipur incident is highly unfortunate, we condemn it. But what has happened in West Bengal is equally shameful," said BJP MP Locket Chatterjee as she broke down referring to the alleged incident in Panchla. She said: "The elections in West Bengal were not panchayat elections but 'Khoon Ka Chunaav' (Elections of bloodshed)." Chatterjee also criticised Congress and questioned why it was silent on the matter. "Congress has also joined Mamata Banerjee now. That is why Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi (Vadra) are silent," the MP said. BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda has constituted various committees to inquire into the violence and "gruesome killings" during the Panchayat elections in West Bengal. On Thursday night, Nadda constituted a panel of Scheduled Caste MPs to inquire into the violence. The committee will visit the violence affected areas of West Bengal and then submit a report to him. Bhopal, July 21 : Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Friday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of maintaining silence over Manipur violence for 77 days. She said that Modi was quick to call the Opposition leaders 'thieves', he should have shown the same quickness over the horrifying things which are going on in Manipur. She said that Modi finally broke his silence on Manipur violence but did not miss the opportunity to mix it with politics. "He was quick to call all Opposition party leaders thieves but was silent for 77 days over Manipur. Even when he finally spoke about Mainpur, he mixed it with politics by naming those states which are ruled by the opposition," Priyanka said while addressing a public rally at Mela Maidan in Gwalior. In her first public rally in Gwalior, the bastion of the Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia whose shifting in BJP resulted in the collapse of the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh in March 2020, Priyanka Gandhi appealed people to "vote for Congress government which can stay for five years." As the maximum number of defence personnel come from Gwalior-Chambal region in Madhya Pradesh, Priyanka raised the issue of Agniveer Scheme. She also targeted the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government, alleging scam in the Patwari Recruitment Exam. While reiterating Congress's five guarantees for the states, Priyanka requested state party chief Kamal Nath to raise the Rs 600 monthly disabled pension if voted back to power in the state. "The BJP government is indulging in corruption in such a way that they have not even spared the Mahakal Lok of Ujjain. I think people are well aware. Time has come to decide about your future. It is up to you (people) to decide whether you want to hand over the power to corrupt hands or a person who has a vision for Madhya Pradesh," she added. New Delhi, July 21 : The popular comic couple Bharti Singh and Harsh Limbachiyaa will be adding an extra dose of laughter in the upcoming episode of 'India's Best Dancer 3'. Upping the ante of this intense competition, the contestants will now be challenged with a 'Guru Swap', compelling them to step out of their comfort zone with their existing choreographers in the 'Adla Badli' special. Contestant Akshay Pal will mesmerise the audience with his charming moves, along with his newly swapped Guru, Saumya to the song 'Allah Duhai Hai'. Surprised by this new side of Akshay Pal, the judges -- Terence Lewis, Geeta Kapur and Sonali Bendre -- will shower the duo with praise for their brilliant chemistry on stage. Geeta would also express her pride for the dancer, saying that she could feel Akshay's stage presence through the dance act. Mighty impressed with his act and inquisitive about Akshay's dance academy in Indore, Bharti will go on to say, "Akshay, you have a dance school as well, right? I would like to know the fees for my son. I want a year's membership. We know that you have an academy in Indore, but we want you to open an academy in Mumbai as well, so that our son and even Jay's kids can attend." "We want your academy to do well.The judges have said that they have seen the stage presence of Akshay today, and that is because we are lucky for you! (laughs). I have heard many times that whenever Saumya dances, all eyes are on her, but today, Akshay, you pulled my attention towards you," she added. Akshay humorously agreed with Bharti, saying, "Truly, because of you, there is a different vibe on set!" Harshdeep Kaur and Mukti Mohan will also be present to promote their new single, 'Waah Sajna'. 'India's Best Dancer 3' airs on Sony. Azerconnect company hosted a two-day seminar on "Modern challenges in telecommunications" for journalists in Shamakhi on the occasion of July 22 National Press Day. The seminar's main objective was to raise media representatives' awareness of the new trends and challenges in the field of telecommunications in our country and the world, the innovations applied in the activities of telecommunication operators in Azerbaijan, and the perspectives for development. Chief Marketing Officer Mushfiq Aliyev, Head of Corporate Communications Department Alimardan Sultanov, and Senior Director of Information Technology and Core Network Parviz Ismayilov of Azerconnect company congratulated media representatives on July 22 National Press Day and made presentations. Speakers provided detailed information about Azerconnect company and its services in the telecommunications, ongoing projects, dynamic changes in this field, modern challenges, expectations of companies and customers, and future development directions. Later, numerous questions of media representatives were discussed by the participants. Journalists representing up to 30 leading media organizations of the country participated in the seminar. Azerconnect is the country's first B2B (Business to Business) company that provides various services in the dynamically developing ICT and high-tech fields. Azerconnect is part of NEQSOL Holding international group of companies. Kolkata, July 21 : : West Bengal Director General of Police Manoj Malviya on Friday denied allegations made by BJP that one of its candidates at Howrah was paraded naked on the polling day. The DGP said that following investigation over a complaint filed, it is evident that no such incident took place at Panchla on the polling day. "The district police superintendent of Howrah (rural) received a complaint on July 13 by email that on July 8, which was polling day, a woman was forcibly pulled out from a polling booth at Panchla and her clothes were torn. "The police started investigating in the matter by filing an FIR. Investigations revealed that no such incident took place at the area on that day," he said. The DGP claimed that heavy security arrangements, which included personnel from central armed forces, were also deployed in the area for the purpose of poll- security. "No such incident came to their notice on that day. Even we checked the CCTV footage in the area, which also did not confirm any such incident. We have even sent a notice to the purported victim to know whether she had any specific complaint in the matter. Till now she had not got back to us or given a response to our call for recording her statement," Malviya said. He also claimed that recently the leader of the opposition and the central fact- finding team of BJP also visited the spot. "Even they seem to have no information about such an incident. Our investigation is still on," Malviya said. On Friday afternoon, BJP state president in West Bengal Sukanta Majumdar and party Lok Sabha members alleged that at Panchla in Howrah district, a woman was paraded naked for fighting as BJP nominee in the rural civic body polls. New Delhi, July 21 : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday said isolated extremely heavy rainfall is likely to continue over Konkan, Ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra and Gujarat during next two days, while subdued rainfall over northeast and remaining parts of east India is likely to continue during next four-five days. In the weather bulletin released by the IMD, it said that weather conditions in various regions of country till July 25 are expected to bring significant rainfall and some heavy downpours. In northwest India, light to moderate fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall is anticipated over areas like Jammu and Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Punjab, north Haryana, and Chandigarh till July 22, while Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and East Rajasthan may experience similar conditions till July 25. It predicted that Central India can expect light to moderate fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall over the region during the next five days. In west India light to moderate fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Konkan, Goa, ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra, and Gujarat State has been forecast during the next three days, with a decrease thereafter. "Mumbai may witness isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall during the next two days, and Konkan & Goa, ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra, and Gujarat State may also see isolated extremely heavy rainfall on July 22," said the weather forecast agency. In South India, light to moderate fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy rainfall is very likely over Kerala, Karnataka, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, and Telangana during the next five days. "Coastal and South Interior Karnataka may see isolated very heavy rainfall on July 23, North Interior Karnataka on Friday, and north Coastal Andhra Pradesh on July 25," said the IMD. East India is expected to receive light to moderate scattered to fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall over Odisha on July 25, and isolated heavy rainfall over Sub-Himalaya West Bengal & Sikkim and Andaman & Nicobar Islands till July 24. The IMD said that in northeast India, light to moderate fairly widespread rainfall is likely over the region, with isolated heavy rainfall expected over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura till July 23, over Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya till July 25. IANS ssh/svn Chandigarh, July 21 : In a major breakthrough, Punjab Police on Friday claimed to have busted an international call centre operating illegally in Ludhiana and arrested an entire gang of 30 persons who posed as technical service providers for multinational companies. As per the police, they have duped foreigners for huge amount of money. Confiscated all electronics and mobiles used in the scam. The gang members arrested are from Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Delhi and Punjab, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said. "We are fully committed to tackle new age crimes," he added. Hyderabad, July 21 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K. Kavitha said on Friday that her party represents neither the NDA nor the I.N.D.I.A alliance but the people's front. She remarked that both the Congress and the BJP are focusing only on aElection Policya while Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao-led BRS envisions and accomplishes aPeopleas Policya. The BRS MLC was interacting with media and job aspirants during the Job Mela in Nizamabad. Kavitha, daughter of KCR - as Rao is popularly known, lashed out at Nizamabad MP Arvind Dharmapuri, challenging him to prove his accusations against her or be ready to eat the humble pie as she will ensure that truth triumphs. She said when people were suffering due to massive rains in the region, Dharmapuri was missing. This is not for the first time that he has been unavailable for the people of Nizamabad. Responding to Dharmapurias recent remarks on the Centreas financial contribution and support to flagship schemes of KCR government like Kaleshwaram Project, Rythu Bandhu Scheme, Aasara Pensions, KCR kits and many more, the former Nizamabad MP asked him to prove his claims. Kavitha said that the MP had done nothing for Nizamabad except for weak and baseless statements. Reiterating that there is no competition for the BRS, she said that it is all set to sweep Nizamabad yet again. While responding to questions on the Congress in Telangana, Kavitha said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhias words and speeches are mere scripts written by local leaders. She said that the aanti-farmera agenda of the Congress was exposed with the remarks of its state chief A. Revanth Reddy on capping and limiting free electricity supply to the farmers of Telangana. She reminded the Congress that today the person who chairs its Telangana unit the same person who repeatedly made inappropriate comments against former CM, late YSR and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi. She wondered how the Congress viewed Revanth Reddy with this history as Satyawadi Harishchandra. Kavitha inaugurated the Nizamabad IT HUB Job Mela on Friday, ahead of the inauguration of Nizamabad IT HUB on July 29. --IANS ms/vd New Delhi, July 21 : The National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma on Friday expressed concerns about the lack of response from authorities in Manipur regarding incidents of violence against women. She said that despite reports claiming otherwise, the commission did not receive any complaint about the incident of two women being paraded naked on May 4, which came to light through a video that surfaced online on July 19. Sharma said that she had proactively reached out to the authorities in Manipur three times in the past three months to address other complaints related to women's issues. Unfortunately, there was no response from them in these instances. "On 23rd May 2023, the Commission received complaints from a group in Manipur. These were forwarded and DO letter was written to Manipur CS and DGP for action by NCW Chairperson. Additionally, DO letter was sent On 19.06.2023, to CS for necessary action," the NCW also said in a tweet on Friday. The NCW chief said that the commission had to verify the authenticity of the complaints, some of which were not even from Manipur or India. "Nevertheless, after the video of the appalling incident came to their attention, they took suo motu cognizance and sought explanations from the authorities," she said. NCW on Thursday took suo motu cognisance of Manipur viral video in which two women can be seen being paraded naked by a mob of men, and issued notice to Twitter. San Francisco, July 22 : A 31-year-old Sikh farmer, who died while trying to save an eight-year-old girl in California in 2022, has been bestowed with the Carnegie Hero Award, North America's highest honor for civilian heroism. Manjit Singh from Fresno died while trying to save Samantha Cruz Pedro from the Kings River in Reedley on August 5, 2020. Pedro struggled to swim as she was separated from a group of children playing in the river and the swift current carried her downstream. Singh then entered the river to save the child, despite not knowing how to swim. He unwrapped his turban and tried to use it as a lifeline as he went into the water up to his neck to try to help the little girl. Shortly after this, he submerged and onlookers lost sight of him in the chaos. A man located Pedro and took her to first responders on the bank. She was taken to a hospital where she died six days later. Singh was recovered downstream and was brought to the bank unresponsive. All attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. Each of the recipients or their survivors will receive a financial grant, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission announed in a release late last month. The Carnegie Medal is given throughout the US and Canada to those who enter extreme danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. So far, the Carnegie Medal has been awarded to 10,371 individuals since the inception of the Pittsburgh-based Fund in 1904. --IANS mi/vd 'All of us will have to make efforts to bring peace in Manipur': Sitharaman . Image Source: IANS News Guwahati, July 21 : Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said "all of us will have to make efforts" to bring back peace in the strife-torn state of Manipur. Speaking on the sidelines of a programme here, Sitharaman stated that Manipur must overcome its current issues. "The incident involving the parade of naked women is a significant and delicate problem. The state is going through a trying time, and every community there is hurt," she said. "Manipur is a beautiful state and it has to come out of the crisis. Honestly, all of us will have to make efforts to bring back peace to the state," the Union Minster said, adding that this kind of incident hurts each and every one in the country and there are no words though which anybody can explain or address the issue. She said the perpetrators must be arrested and that some arrests were already made on Thursday. "I am confident that every effort will be made to punish the offenders," the Minister said. She also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken about how the country hangs its head in shame over the distressing issue that emerged from Manipur prior to the start of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on Thursday. Kolkata, July 21 : Fake identity cards of multiple security agencies, including that of Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Border Security Force (BSF), have been recovered from the vehicle of Sheikh Noor Amin, the man who was nabbed with firearms, sharp-edged weapon and narcotics, from near the residence of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee here on Friday. The police have seized the vehicle bearing registration number WB 07U0277. A police uniform has also been recovered from the vehicle. City police sources said that the identity card that he displayed while entering the high- security zone near Banerjee's residence was that of IB. However, the security officer present on the spot identified it as fake and immediately nabbed Amin with the help of his associates. Initial investigation revealed that a native of Debra in West Midnapore district, Amin was living with his wife at Anandapur on the outskirts of Kolkata. His neighbours knew him as the owner of a company christened 'Noor Interior' and a member of a self-proclaimed human rights group named Human Rights Protection Association. Goa: AAP MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva from Goa reaches out near the Speakers chair in the house demanding a statement from Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Image Source: IANS News Panaji, July 21 : The Goa Legislative Assembly on Friday passed a private members resolution requesting the Central Government to take strict action against the BBC documentary 'India: The Modi Question'. The Private Resolution was moved by Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar. The opposition benches vociferously opposed it stating the matter is sub-judice and hence should not be discussed in the house. However, Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar, rejecting the opposition's argument, allowed the resolution to move. "BBC is losing its credibility and it seems to be working with some hidden agenda against India and the Indian Government. Hence, this House requests the Central Government to take strict action against the whimsical findings shown in the BBC documentary," the resolution reads. "A recent documentary released by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a malicious attempt to blame the then State Government for the Godhra carnage in Gujarat and the consequent communal riots that took place in Gujarat in the year 2002. "There has been a deliberate and malafide attempt to discredit the popularity of the then Chief Minister and the Present Prime Minister of India through a recently released B.B.C. documentary," it said. "The Goa Legislative Assembly has passed a resolution with majority to condemn the act of BBC to defame the nation by releasing a documentary based on falsehood against a democratically elected leader of India," Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said. Stating that the matter is sub-judice, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said that when there is no video (of this documentary), how they can speak on the issue. "This video is banned. Then how we can speak on it. This is dictatorship. I request you to kindly withdraw this resolution as it is not in the interest of our country." Opposing the move by the ruling party, Congress MLA Adv. Carlos Alvares Ferreira, senior lawyer, said that he is opposing the resolution because it will be an assault on democracy, if it is passed. "Firstly this two page resolution is very argumentative. This matter is sub-judice, hence it should not have been brought. It is a false narrative that the documentary is an assault on the nation. Media brings up the facts and then people should decide on it," Ferreira said. "If you pass this resolution then it will be an assault on democracy. Because democracy includes the press and freedom of press is being suppressed if we are allowing such things. This resolution is dangerous and unconstitutional," he said. AAP MLA Venzy Viegas said that India values media organisations and it is considered as the fourth pillar of democracy. "BJP raided the media houses to shut their mouths. This is a dictatorship. No individual is greater than nation. This resolution is anti-India. I oppose it," Viegas said. Goa Forward MLA Vijai Sardesai said that instead of moving the resolution, the MLA should have filed a case in the court. "This matter is sub judice. Fake Broadcasting Corporation of BJP has asked to move this resolution. Will you ban documentaries if it comes on the Manipur issue?" he questioned. New Delhi, July 21 : The Delhi Police charge sheet reveals that BJP leader and former wrestler Babita Phogat, who was part of the Oversight Committee probing the sexual harassment allegations against former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, had opposed the final report submitted by the panel. In her hand-written letter in Hindi, which is part of Delhi Policeas 1,599 page charge sheet filed on June 15, she had also opposed the way the probe was conducted, stating that it went against her conscience. The Oversight Committee, headed by renowned athlete M.C. Mary Kom, a recipient of the Khel Ratna award, initially consisted of four members - Yogeshwar Dutt, Trupti Murgunde, Radhica Sreeman, and Cdr Rajesh Rajagopala (retired). Phogat was later included as a member of the committee. The government-formed panel had put forth multiple recommendations to address complaints of sexual harassment faced by women sportspersons. Among these recommendations, it emphasised the importance of ensuring that victims and witnesses of sexual harassment cases are not subjected to discrimination. In her letter, Phogat raised concerns about the lack of efforts to contact independent witnesses who could have either substantiated or refuted the allegations made by the victim wrestlers. Additionally, she pointed out that the committee was not provided with sufficient documentary evidence regarding financial mismanagement, and the proceedings seemed to be a mere formality. She also claimed she was denied access to the committee's final report, expressing frustration over the lack of support in obtaining the report in Hindi, her preferred language. aDue to my limited proficiency in English, I had requested a Hindi version of the report, but my request was not fulfilled," she stated. Delhi Police charge sheet disclosed that the claims made by two out of the six grapplers against the ex-WFI chief, have been supported by 15 witnesses. The investigation involved the examination of a total of 108 witnesses, including fellow participants and officials from the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI). Out of these witnesses, 15 have already provided partial or complete corroboration of the allegations made by the victims. On Thursday, a Delhi court granted bail to Bharatiya Janata Party MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, in connection with the sexual harassment case of female wrestlers. The court has also granted bail plea to co-accused Vinod Tomar. The accused persons have been directed by the court to not leave the country without its prior intimation and not, directly or indirectly, indulge in threat or inducement to the complainants or witnesses. --IANS ssh/vd Committed to its tradition, Nar again brought media representatives together in the intellectual competition organized on the occasion of July 22 - National Press Day. Journalists representing more than 20 media outlets competed in 7 teams. In the contest, the participants were given questions of various complexities in such topics as national and world culture, history, and technology during 7 rounds. Besides, media representatives were engaged in team building games and thus, had an opportunity to get to know each other better. The results of intelligence competition and team building games were taken into account during the selection of the winners. Hence, "Ziya" team became the winner, while "Yeni Hayat" and "Molla Nasraddin" team took the 2nd and 3rd places, respectively. Nar presented special gifts to the winners. With the view of promoting education, Nar regularly implements various social projects, and at the same time acts as a supporter of intellectual competitions. For more information about the projects, go to: https://www.nar.az/en/projects/ Imphal, July 21 : Thousands of women of both Meitei and Kuki communities on Friday organised massive protests across Manipur vehemently, condemning the parading of two naked women by a mob in Manipur's Kangpokpi district on May 4. Hundreds and thousands of women belonging to Meitei community organised protests in five valley districts -- Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching while the women belonging to Kuki communities held similar protests in the hill districts, including Churachandpur and Kangpokpi. At the mammoth protests of the Kuki women, participants shouted slogans: "We Want Justice", "Book the Culprits", "We Want Separate Administration", etc. They also held banners and placards that read, "Punishment for Rape should be nothing but death", "Rapists are nothing but monsters in a human face", "The world's most horrible crime committed against women", "Barbaric acts never witness before", "Worse than a Vietnam War", "Address the Kuki-Zo problems", "No Solution, No Rest", etc. The leader of one of the women's organisations' said that every mother and daughter's heart is bleeding and broken, and "we are filled with pain and agony to witness the barbaric and inhumane act committed to our sisters". "Even such crime has not been committed by the animals. The Meitei mobs are losing their human nature. We have never seen such a crime before," she rued and said that the Kuki-Zo women would not remain quiet unless justice is done to their sisters and the perpetrators and rapists are all booked and punished. She also sought the support and cooperation of all women across the country in their commitment to upholding the principles of justice. The protest, organised by various local clubs and Meira Paibis in the valley districts, expressed outrage and demanded justice for the two women victims, who were made to parade naked and sexually assaulted in a video that went viral on the social media on Wednesday. While condemning the crime, the protesters also questioned the "conspiracy" behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi breaking his silence only after 77 days, focusing on a particular incident, leaving out all other acts of violence in the ongoing unrest in Manipur. Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Friday said the people of Manipur consider "women as their mother" but the miscreants who molested and stripped two women naked have "tarnished the state's reputation and traditional culture". Protests are being held across the state to condemn the heinous crimes, he told the media in Imphal and said that people are demanding that the culprits get the maximum punishment. A mob of women set fire to the house of the main accused in the women parading case Huirem Herodas Singh (Meitei) at Yairipok village in Thoubal district late on Thursday evening, police officials said in Imphal. The Manipur Police on Thursday night said that four accused, including Singh, have been arrested in connection with the shocking case. Biren Singh, who also holds the home portfolio, told the media that interrogation of the arrested persons is being conducted by senior police officials and at this juncture, he would not be able to disclose the details. "The state Police is making all out efforts to arrest the remaining culprits at the earliest. Raids are continuing," the Manipur Police tweeted. --IANS sc/vd New Delhi, July 21 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Friday that as part of its investigation into a case against Jyoti Ranjan Beura a.k.a. 'Golden Baba', the agency has seized a BMW car valued at around Rs 30 lakh. The ED seized the vehicle under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). 'Golden Baba' allegedly cheated people to the tune of Rs 5.50 crore by promising to provide loans to them. Needy businessmen and common people in Odisha were among his victims. The ED investigation was initiated on the basis of a charge sheet and FIR registered against the accused by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Bhubaneswar, on charges of money laundering under PMLA. "Golden Baba, in the capacity of the sole proprietor of Jyoti Trading & Co., had signed several agreements with various persons and entities to provide financial assistance in their business and defrauded people by siphoning off the advance amount through creation of forged and fabricated documents and diverting the money received through the act in various accounts opened in the name of Jyoti Trading & Co. and other companies controlled by him," the ED said. Earlier, Rs. 50.47 lakh deposited in three bank accounts maintained in the name of Golden Baba was freezed under PMLA on January 20, 2022. One AUDI Q5 vehicle was also seized under PMLA on April 26 this year. Bengaluru, July 21 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that people are happy about his government's guarantee schemes, which require Rs 35,410 crore funding, and action has also been taken to mobilise resources in the budget. Replying to the debate on the budget in the Legislative Council, he said that Rs 34,654 crores resources will be mobilised for guarantee schemes which includes Rs 13,500 crore additional tax collection, additional loan of Rs 8,068 crore, Rs. 6,086 crore through re-prioritisation of capital investment, and Rs 7,000 crores through re-prioritisation of revenue projects. These guarantee schemes, which put money into the pockets of people who were hit by price hikes, are inspired by Universal Basic Income programes in developed countries, he said. Noting that 90 per cent of people pay tax and 10 per cent enjoy tax benefits, the Chief Minister said that the guarantee schemes have been implemented with the objective of fair distribution of resources. The budget size of the state is Rs 3,26,747 crore, which is 22 per cent more than the budget size of 2022-23. Fiscal deficit is 2.6 per cent, and the debt rate is 22 per cent of GSDP. "Hence our government has followed two criteria to maintain fiscal discipline under the Fiscal Responsibility Act. This time, a deficit budget of Rs 15,523 crore was presented due to guarantee schemes. The deficit has been reduced when compared to previous years. Every effort will be made to present a revenue surplus budget next time," he said, clarifying that the state is not bankrupt. "Our government is making a sincere effort to fulfill our promises. 76 programmes mentioned in the manifesto have been announced in the budget along with the implementation of guarantee schemes. Around 50 lakh women are travelling under Shakti scheme every day. A total of 23 crore passengers have availed this facility," he said. As many 1.16 crore families have already registered under the Griha Jyoti scheme and free electricity facility up to 200 units will be available from July 1. Siddaramaiah also said that additional food grains were not provided by the Central government. Hence Rs 170 per beneficiary is being transferred to 4.42 crore beneficiaries under Annabhagya scheme. Rs.337.08 crore has been transferred to 57.51 families so far. He said that Rs 32,000 crores annually and Rs 18,000 crore is required for the current year for the Griha Lakshmi scheme. The Yuva Nidhi scheme is expected to start from the month of December. Skill development of unemployed youth will also be emphasised. The Chief Minister recalled on the occasion that a separate department for skill development in the state was started during the previous tenure of his government. "During 2013-18, our government had implemented various programmes with a budget of Rs 7.27 lakh crore . 14,54,663 houses were built during our previous tenure whereas only 5,19,464 houses were built by the previous BJP government. Similarly, 14,169 km of road was upgraded when compared to 8,139 km by the BJP government." He said that 696 hostel buildings were constructed during his previous tenure, when compared to 47 hostel buildings by the previous government. He also said that the investigation into the Bitcoin scam, PSI recruitment scam, Covid equipment/drug procurement scam etc. of the previous government has already started. --IANS mka/vd Gurugram, July 21 : An illegal parking lot being run outside the office of Gurugram Deputy Commissioner has been busted following a complaint given by an RTI activist, police said on Friday. RTI activist Ramesh Yadav said that on June 16, he had visited the mini secretariat for his personal work. During this, a man charged Rs 50 for vehicle parking. "This business of illegal parking is very old. In 2017, an FIR was registered for illegal parking at the same place. But after some time illegal parking was started again at the same place," Yadav said. A police official said that an FIR was registered on Yadav's complaint. "The police are now trying to find out how many more illegal parking lots are operating in the area," the official said. Dhanbad, July 21 : With Interpol issuing a Red and Blue Corner Notice against gangster Prince Khan of Wasseypur in Jharkhand's Dhanbad, a new Don and dreaded criminal overlord based in the Middle East has emerged as a new challenge to the police in the region due to his frequent threats to businessmen, traders, officials, police officers and politicians, apart from his alleged involvement in several killings. The UAE and National Security Council have been apprised of the fresh development. The CBI had sought Interpol's assistance on the request of Dhanbad Police to arrest and extradite Khan. As per inputs and information available with the police, Prince Khan is suspected to be hiding either in Dubai or Sharjah. Khan has been operating his gang in the Dhanbad Coalmines region from there. An Interpol Red Corner notice has been issued against him in connection with a firing case in Dhanbad, while a Blue Corner notice was issued against Khan in connection with another case being probed by the Anti-Terrorist Squad of the police. A source said that the police would try to extradite Khan to Jharkhand if he is arrested. A few months ago, Khan had fled abroad by managing to create a fake passport in the name of Hyder Ali. The CID learnt this in the course of its investigation. It was also learnt that in order to escape abroad, he had allegedly got a passport made with the help of Dhanbad police officers. Following this, SSP Dhanbad suspended the police sub-inspector who verified his passport application, and set up an inquiry against the suspended police personnel. Even after fleeing abroad, Khan released several threat videos from there. Besides, his henchmen have been allegedly involved in more than 24 incidents of murder, extortion and firing in Dhanbad in the last six months. His gang members have also been involved in opening fire at several hotels and commercial establishments. Prince Khan used to work for Faheem Khan -- who was considered the most notorious and dreaded gangster of Wasseypur. After Faheem went to jail, Prince wanted to take over the gang. In November 2021, when he killed Mahtab Alam a.k.a Nanhe --considered close to Faheem Khan, his notoriety began growing. Even as the police have arrested more than 40 operatives of Prince Khan's gang and his helpers, Prince Khan continues terrorising people. BJP to put up united face ahead of PM Modis rally in Rajasthan. Image Source: IANS News Jaipur, July 21 : BJP is trying to put up a united face ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled rally in Sikar city of Rajasthan. The poster of the Deputy Leader of Opposition Satish Poonia can also be seen in one of the posters that has been put up at the venue site where Modi is scheduled to address. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the scheduled rally on July 27 in Sikar city. This is for the first time that Satish Poonia's poster has been put up after he became deputy leader of opposition and his removal as state BJP president. Party sources said that BJP wants to field Satish Poonia as Jat leader in the Jat dominated Sikar. While Kailash Chaudhary has been delegated the task to monitor the programme, the party is also considering Satish Poonia as a significant leader in the area. The BJP has failed to win even a single seat in the last assembly elections in Sikar. National Organization General Secretary B.L Santhosh who recently held a meeting with the party in Sawai Madhopur had instructed the party to put up a united face in the state. Sources said that this is also one of the reasons why the party is again trying to mull Satish Poonia on the political scene of the state. B.L Santhosh, in the meeting, had instructed the party leader to create coordination in the party. "Coordination should be visible in the party at the earliest. The party should learn from the debacle of Karnataka polls and should avoid repeating mistakes," Santhosh had said in the meeting. Modi was scheduled to address the public meeting in Nagaur city but taking the Jat votes in consideration, the venue was changed to Sikar. Sources said that the BJP wants to send a message in Sikar and adjoining areas like Nagaur, Churu and Jhunjhunu by promoting Satish Poonia in the public meeting. They said that few Jat leaders had also opposed Kailash Chowdhary's appointment. Former chief minister Vasundhara Raje, Leader of Opposition Rajendra Singh Rathore and Deputy Leader of Opposition Satish Poonia are seen together in the poster. Sources said that the BJP high command believes that there should be no mistake this time as the party had suffered huge losses in Jatland Churu, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Nagaur in earlier elections. They said that BJP is preparing to take everyone along this time. Ichchapuram: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu addresses during an election rally at Ichchapuram in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh on March 30, 2019. . Image Source: IANS News Amaravati, July 21 : Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday strongly condemned the filing of a case by the Andhra Pradesh government against Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan. The former chief minister termed it as a shameless and unethical act. The former Andhra Pradesh chief minister tweeted that the prevailing situation in the state is so bad that it has now become a crime to question the government for committing blunders. The state government's policy is now that if people raise their voice on their problems they are being attacked and if political parties question the ruling dispensation, false cases are being foisted against the leaders, the former chief minister regretted. Advising the state government to do away with this kind of suppressive attitude, Chandrababu Naidu felt that any ruling dispensation should be answerable to the public. "How can a case be registered against Pawan Kalyan for simply questioning the volunteers gathering the personal details of the people against the laid down norms," he questioned. While gathering personal and family details of individuals itself is totally wrong, misusing these details is highly unethical, Naidu felt. "If at all if any case is to be registered, it should be filed against the Chief Minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is misusing the systems," the TDP supremo stated. Maintaining that the state government talking about prestige is a big joke, Chnadrababu Naidu felt that the respect and reputation of the state have got completely damaged in these four years. Instead of stifling the voices of the innocent people, concentrate on the development and progress of the state, Chandrababu Naidu told Jagan Mohan Reddy. Personal attacks and filing of false cases against innocent persons will not deviate the public attention from the sins committed by the state government, Chandrababu Naidu remarked and demanded a reply from the ruling dispensation on the false cases filed against several individuals. The state government had Thursday accorded permission to prosecute actor-politician Pawan Kalyan for his defamatory statement against volunteers and the government. The state government issued a Government Order (GO), directing the public prosecutor to file a complaint in a competent court of law against the JSP leader, who linked volunteers to human trafficking. The GO cited Pawan Kalyan's speech of July 9 at Eluru in which he stated that volunteers are the sole reason for the cause of missing 29,000 women according to NCRB data in Andhra Pradesh. New Delhi, July 21 : A 19-year-old girl has been sexually harassed at the LNJP Hospital in the national capital, the police said on Friday. A Delho Police officer said that they have bound down the accused who has been identified as Baldev, a resident of Shahdara. Sharing the details, the officer said that the victim was at the hospital as an attendant for her sister-in-law. "At about 2 a.m. on Thursday, when she went to the ground floor, one person stopped her on her way back and tried to get close to her," the officer said. A case under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and 354A (sexual harassment) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at IP Estate police station. "Baldev has been bound down as per procedure. The accused was an attendant for his elderly mother who was admitted in the same block for heart related ailments. He works as a private security guard," the officer added. New Delhi, July 21 : The BJP on Friday said the law and order situation has "deteriorated" in Rajasthan under the Ashok Gehlot-led government, adding there has been a "tsunami" of crime against women, and other horrific incidents have also been reported from the state in the last few days. "The situation in Rajasthan is such that criminals are being released from jails at gunpoint. There is fear among the people and the morale of the criminals is high," Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said at a press conference at the BJP headquarters here. Taking a swipe at the Gehlot-led government, he said: "As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, in the last four and a half years, over 10 lakh criminal cases registered in Rajasthan. It has become number one state in the country for crime against women. "In Rajasthan, everyday, 17 to 18 rape incidents are reported. Everyday, on an average, 5-7 murder cases are reported," the Minister said. There has been a "tsunami" of crime incidents in Rajasthan in the last few days, added the Minister. He also referred to the July 19 horrific incident in Jodhpur district, where four members of a family were burnt to death. Echoing similar sentiment, BJP general secretary Arun Singh who was also present at the press conference, said: "Law and order has collapsed in Rajasthan and there is 'jungle raj' in the state." Earlier, Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal had said: "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." Assembly election in Rajasthan is scheduled to be held later this year. Patna July 21 : : JD-U on Friday asked the Prime Minister to visit the violence hit Manipur and to appeal people of the region for peace. "Manipur has been burning since May 3. The video surfaced on social media has shattered and enraged every countryman. The situation is becoming highly sensitive after the video has gone viral. The PM should go there and appeal to the people of the region for peace," Building Construction Minister Ashok Choudhary said. He said that the way the Manipur Chief Minister gave the statement about the whole incident it gives an impression that his consciousness has died. "In last two months, the violence in Manipur has reached its highest level and the state government has completely failed there," Choudhary said. He said that BJP talks about women respect, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao but inhuman torture is taking place against the females in Manipur where BJP is ruling. "It is extremely painful," he said. Reacting on the corruption and dynasty politics, Choudhary said that BJP has dual character as far as dynastic politics is concerned. "People of the country know that corrupt people are joining the BJP alliance. These people only become clean after joining BJP. They have special detergent powder which makes a corrupt leader clean. Maharashtra is an example," Choudhary said. "As far as dynasty politics is concerned, our deputy has explained in Bihar Vidhan Sabha in detail. Everyone knows how many leaders are doing dynasty politics in BJP," he said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. The Governor of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) Taleh Kazimov met with expert groups operating under the Azerbaijan Banks Association (ABA), Trend reports. According to the CBA, the meeting discussed the goals of developing an interbank card center, regulating the banking-fintech environment, simplifying the issuance of loans to micro-businesses, remote opening of bank accounts, improving the structure of cyber risk regulation and other issues. Besides, the parties held an exchange of views on the legal regulation of the above areas. The ABA was founded in 1990. The main purpose of the association is to protect the interests of member organizations, assist in meeting their needs in various types of business services and coordinate their activities. ABA members include 24 banks and six non-banking organizations. New Delhi, July 21 : The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on the plea filed by activist-turned-Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi against his prosecution under Section 124A (sedition) of the IPC. A bench, headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra made the notice returnable in three weeks on the interim relief, pending the decision of the top court on the constitutionality of the provision relating to sedition. The apex court also tagged Gogoi's plea challenging the constitutional validity of sedition law along with related offences with the main matter pending before it. 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 the sedition provision. Senior advocate Huzefa Ahmadi, appearing for Gogoi, contended that the 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. Gogoi, who is facing prosecution under Section 124A, among other similar provisions, has sought a stay on the proceedings pending before the Special Judge, NIA Guwahati. 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. Earlier 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 the Supreme Court seeking quashing the High Court judgement. But the top courty upheld the High Court order though it granted bail to Gogoi in April this year. A two-judge 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 as an independent candidate. --IANS puneet/vd New Delhi, July 21 : The Delhi prison authorities have launched a probe after Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chief Yasin Malik, who is undergoing life sentence in a terror funding case, was taken to Supreme Court without following standard operating procedure. According to a senior prison official, on Friday Malik was produced physically in the Supreme Court by the officials of the Central Jail no. 7 (Tihar) and prima facie observed that it was lapse on the part of concerned Jail officials. "The Director General (Prisons) has ordered a detailed inquiry in the matter to be conducted by Dy. Inspector General (Headquarters, prison) Rajiv Singh to fix the responsibility of erring officials. The DG had asked to submit a report within three days," said the official. Earlier during the day, the apex court was stunned to see Malik before it as he appeared for an appeal filed by the CBI against a special Jammu court order calling for his physical appearance for trial in kidnapping and murder cases against him. A bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Surya Kant recused itself from hearing the case and deferred it by four weeks. Apparently, Malik had intimated the jail authorities that he wanted to appear in the matter before the apex court. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta took issue with Malik's appearance before the top court, saying that the procedure is that the Registrar of the court needs to approve of such appearances. He expressed sharp disapproval to the jail officials present in the court for allowing Malik, and apprised the bench that he cannot be brought out of jail since Section 268 of the Criminal Procedure Code applies to him. The SG added that the Central government will be taking necessary steps to ensure that Malik is not let out of jail again, and said that it is a heavy security issue. Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, who appeared for the CBI, said that Malik was brought out of jail callously by the jail authorities upon misinterpretation of the top court's order. Patna July 21 : Police in Bihar's Bhagalpur on Friday traced down and arrested three persons who looted a petrol pump in the district's Nawgachhia in May, an official said. SP, Nawgachhia, Sushant Kumar Saroj said that four accused went to Silliguri for enjoyment and spent all their money. While returning, they have no money and a shortage of fuel in their SUV. "The accused hatched a plan to loot the fuel station. They went to Pawan Baba Chakmaida fuel station on May 10 at 1 am and asked an employee to fill the tank. When he did so and demanded Rs 7,589, they took one of the employees, Krishna Prakash, hostage at knife point and robbed him of Rs 11,000. They also went to the counter and robbed Rs 22,600 from employee and fled from there," Saroj said. "On the written complaint of Sanjiv Kumar, we registered an FIR against unknown persons on May 10. During the analysis of CCTV, we traced the vehicle on the basis of registration number and reached the doorsteps of the accused to arrest them," he added. "The accused are identified as Sparsh Anurag, who works in a prominent hotel of Patna, Priyanshu Kumar is preparing for the CA exams, and Subham Kumar, a history sheeter who went to jail for cheating. We have also recovered a Pajero SUV, an Apple i-Phone, three other phones and Rs 5,000," the SP said. New Delhi, July 21 : Congress on Friday again targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing him of playing politics over the plight of the people of Manipur and demanded for immediate removal of Chief Minister N Biren Singh and imposing President's Rule in the northeastern state. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters here, Pramod Tiwari, Deputy Leader of the Rajya Sabha said: "Modi government does not want a discussion on the issue in the Parliament because they are guilty of incompetence, conspiratorial abetment to violence, rank apathy and negligence and above all - culpable of inflicting heinous inhumane crimes on the people of Manipur by looking the other way, while Manipur burned for 80 days." Tiwari said that the lack of personal outreach and leadership of the Prime Minister was not surprising or shocking. Hitting out at Modi, the Congress leader said: "The people of Manipur are begging the Prime Minister to intervene, but he has only shown his back to the people. In his 30-second statement over the Manipur video he sought to put the blame for his government's incompetence on the 140 crore people of India. "Why should we be ashamed? It is the BJP who should be ashamed? It is you, Modi, who should be ashamed? He also sought to make a false equivalence with Congress-ruled states. "Are riots happening in Rajasthan or Chhattisgarh for the last 80 days? Are villages being burnt in these states? Are 50,000 people living in relief camps in these states? Are armed militant rebel groups firing on each other by looting 4500 serious weapons in these states?" Tiwari questioned. He also alleged that whatever happened in Rajasthan was done by three ABVP goons and they were arrested within two hours straight. "While for the Manipur government it took 77 days to arrest four people out of a mob of 1000 people," the Congress leader said. Meanwhile, Pawan Khera, Chairman of Media and Publicity department of the party also hit out at the BJP-led state government and said that CM Biren Singh exposed his own government's rank incompetence on TV by saying that "hundreds of similar cases have happened, that is why internet was banned " Khera also highlighted that Manipur's Governor Anusuiya Uikey, who is also the chairman of the Peace Committee in Manipur, appointed by the Union Home Ministry, belatedly 'Pulled Up the DGP of Manipur after the ghastly video was out yesterday. He said that in an interview Uikey sought to suggest that the police complaint was not filed in the police station in the district in which the crime took place. "Does this mean that the police did not deliberately act on the violence which broke after May 3. The video is from the next day on May 4. Does it mean that the state administration and the police were hand in glove with the mob, when the incident took place?" the Congress leader asked. He also said that the Governor, being the Chairman of the Peace Committee announced on June 10, should have made efforts to start a dialogue among warring ethnic groups, but this has not happened. Congress leader said: "If PM Modi is outraged on Manipur, he should first immediately sack his Manipur CM. Modi did not speak for 77 days, but when he spoke for 30 seconds, he played politics on the plight of the women victims subjected to unspeakable horror." He also questioned why was the Manipur government, Home Ministry, PMO, WCD Minister, NCW, NHRC sleeping on Manipur for so long. He also demanded that Modi should immediately make a detailed statement on Manipur in the Parliament and the BJP should not run away from debate. Beijing, July 21 : Chinese power companies are shutting down operations in Myanmar due to financial problems faced by the ostracised Myanmar military junta which is unable to pay dues to the power companies. The Myanmar military, also called Tatmadaw, which seized power from the democratically elected government of President Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 faces a stringent global boycott. It also faces a drain on its resources as it continues to fight the Peopleas Defence Force (PDF) a" a coalition of pro-democracy forces. A report in The Irrawaddy says that three of the four China-backed liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plants in the strategically located Kyaukphyu township in western Myanmar have stopped work. The third power plant came to a stop recently after working intermittently since 2022. Two power plants, which had stopped operations last year, have been dismantled and removed. All three were operated by a Hong Kong-listed power generation company a" VPower, which continues to operate other plants in Myanmar. The companyas fortunes fell after the military coup. The financial and economic woes that followed the coup include a banking crisis, shortage of funds with the power ministry and the decline in Myanmaras currency Kyat against the US dollar. Now these problems are hitting the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC). The South-East Asian countryas power ministry says that it can pay the Chinese power companies only in Kyats while power purchase agreements had mentioned dollar payments. VPower had signed the agreements with Suu Kyias government a" the National League for Democracy (NLD) as far back as 2015. Myanmaras Kyaukphyu is located in Rakhine state bordering both India and Bangladesh. Kyaukphyu looks into the Bay of Bengal, making it an important port for China to pledge big investments to Naypyitaw a" power plants and special economic zones along with plans to establish trade networks with Europe and the Gulf countries through an alternate route to the Strait of Malacca. Even though China has been pushing its mega infrastructure projects in a big way in Asia, it also faces backlash from local communities as well as declining profits. The anti-China sentiment in Myanmar is strong as armed militias opposed to the military rule have been targeting Chinese projects. The local Myanmar people consider China as an enemy for helping prop up the junta regime. Chinese power companies are facing similar problems in Pakistan as well. In Pakistan issues include terror attacks on Chinese hydro-power projects in Pakistanas northern provinces as well as non-payment of dues by Islamabad. Other problems include Pakistanas incapacity to import coal for the power plants after which Chinese producers have cut down on power generation and told Islamabad that they consider the government a defaulter. Will reduced power generation in the deep-sea port of Kyaukphyu put a speed-breaker on Chinaas dreams of developing a major trade way into the Indian Ocean from Myanmar? Will it also impact its plans of bypassing the Strait of Malacca and take the sheen off the ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in an unstable and violence-prone Myanmar? Jaipur, July 21 : A dacoit was shot dead in an encounter in Rajasthan's Sikar after a cross-district chase from Bikaner on early Friday while another dacoit was injured, police said. The encounter took place near Ramgarh town of Fatehpur area of the district. Sikar SP Karan Sharma said that the deceased was identified as Suresh Meena, a resident of Savalpura, Ajitgarh, Sikar. According to police sources, 6 dacoits looted 6 jewellery shops in Momasar village of Dungargarh tehsil of Bikaner district after breaking the shutters. As local people raised an alarm, the dacoits fled. Meanwhile, the people informed the police and chased the dacoits themselves. Police from Bikaner, Ratangarh (in adjacent Churu district), and Fatehpur (Sikar) started chasing the dacoits. While Ratangarh police surrounded them on the Bikaner-Jaipur National Highway. In Ratangarh, the dacoits fled into nearby villages. Here, they faced a police force from Ramgarh and an encounter ensued, in which a dacoit was killed and another injured. Other dacoits abandoned their vehicle and disappeared into the fields taking advantage of the darkness. A search operation is being conducted to find them. Bengaluru, July 21 : Former Chief Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Kumaraswamy announced on Friday that his party and the BJP will work together as the opposition against the Congress government in Karnataka in the interest of the state. Kumaraswamy made this announcement at a joint press conference with former BJP Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai at the Vidhana Soudha. Answering a question in this regard, Kumaraswamy said that it has been decided that the two parties will work together both inside and outside the Assembly. Kumaraswamy said that his father, former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, has been authorised to take a final call in this matter. He also clarified that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are far away, and appropriate decisions will be taken when the right time comes. After protesting together against the deputation of IAS officers to welcome guests at a private political meeting, Bommai and Kumaraswamy urged the Congress government to take over the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) project promoted by the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE). "The NICE project is a big scandal... Fraud is being committed to the people of the state in the name of the project. The project should be taken over by the government completely," the joint statement issued by Bommai and Kumaraswamy said. Kumaraswamy also claimed that the NICE project is a daylight robbery being committed in the state. "Siddaramaiah talks about ending corruption, so why is he quiet on the NICE project? The previous BJP government led by Bommai had initiated action against illegalities and I congratulate him for that. I sought time to discuss the issue in the Assembly session, but time was not given," he said. "The government will get Rs 30,000 crore if this project is scrapped. Let the Congress utilise these funds to guarantee schemes," Kumaraswamy demanded. Bommai said, "We had initiated action against NICE illegalities and in this backdrop, the BJP and the JD(S) are coming together to raise the issue. Additional land has been taken over by the company. "The government has the power to take over the additional land and the Supreme Court had clearly given direction in this regard. However, NICE now is planning to acquire more land. "The present government should immediately take back the additional land. There is no necessity for the NICE project as the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway is built between Bengaluru-Mysuru cities. The toll has been collected additionally and it should be taken back. The government should clarify its stand on the NICE project." Reacting to the joint press conference and the allegations levelled against him, Shivakumar said the entire project was signed by Deve Gowda during his tenure as the Chief Minister. If at all there was a scam, it should have been probed when the JD (S) and BJP were ruling the state. "We will not indulge in vindictive politics. If there is any violation of law, there are appropriate fora for them," he said. Hyderabad, July 21 : Differences within the Telangana unit of the BJP came to the fore when Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy took charge as the new state President of the party. While senior leader and former MP Vijayashanthi left the programme in the middle, outgoing state President Bandi Sanjay Kumar alleged that he was removed from the post after some leaders sent complaints and false reports to the partyas central leadership. Vijayashanthi, a veteran actress, later took to Twitter to reveal that she left midway as she felt uncomfortable over the presence of those who strongly opposed Telangana and who tried to suppress the Telangana sentiment. She did not name anybody but she was apparently unhappy with the presence of Kiran Kumar Reddy, the last Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, was strongly opposed to creation of Telangana. He had quit the Congress in protest against the stateas bifurcation. He recently joined the BJP and has been appointed as a member of the national Executive Committee of the party. The programme also saw leaders making certain remarks, indicating differences. Bandi Sanjay, who was removed as the state party chief, made few tongue-in-cheek remarks during his speech. Stating that some leaders within the party complained to the high command against him, he appealed to them to allow Kishan Reddy to work. He said at least now they should stop making complaints or sending false reports. Another BJP leader Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy turned emotional during his speech. He revealed that tears filled his eyes when he saw Bandi Sanjay after he was removed as party President. The former MLA said he went to the bathroom and cried. Rajagopal Reddy said it was Bandi Sanjay who filled energy in the party. He also said that some people were spreading rumours that he was planning to quit the BJP. Rajagopal Reddy had quit Congress to join BJP last year. He, however, failed to retain Munugode Assembly seat in the by-election. The BJP recently appointed him national executive member. The BJP leaders aired their views in the presence of central leaders Tarun Chugh and Prakash Javadekar. In his speech, Kishan Reddy said that the coming 100 days will be crucial for the BJP. He announced that the party will organise protests on the double bedroom scheme on July 24 and 25. He said the BJP would also launch protests demanding pensions and ration cards for new applicants. Bengaluru, July 21 : An Indian-origin software engineer from US was arrested for attempting to open the door of the Air France flight from Paris to Bengaluru, police said on Friday. The KempeGowda International Airport police arrested the techie, identified as Venkat Mohit Pathipati, 29, from Rajahmundry city of Andhra Pradesh, and later released him on bail. The incident had taken place in the early hours of July 16 and the act of the accused had created fear among fellow passengers.The techie was taken into custody after flight landed at Bengaluru International Airport and an Air France employee lodged a complaint in this regard. The police have slapped a case on Pathipati under Aircraft Rules, 1937 and IPC's Section 336 for endangering the life and safety of others. The accused had told police during questioning that he was checking the emergency door's arming and disarming function. Pathipati is a data engineer in the US and he was coming down to Bengaluru to meet his aunt. The police granted him bail after confirming his credentials and past history. Further investigation is on. Jaipur, July 21 : After Rajasthan minister Rajendra Singh Gudha was sacked by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday night for asking his government to introspect instead of raising the shocking incident of women being paraded naked in Manipur in the Assembly, Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that speaking the truth is forbidden under the Gehlot Raj. "The CM does not have the courage to accept the truth. When his minister Rajendra Gudha told the truth in the Assembly, Gehlot felt so bad that he removed him from the post itself." Shekhawat said that Gehlot has warned his colleagues that "if you tell the truth, you will not be spared". Earlier, Shekhawat had welcomed Gudha's statement on Friday evening. He had said that Gudha should be congratulated -- "after all someone in Rajasthan had the courage to speak the truth". Shekhawat said that the kind of situation prevailing in Rajasthan is not hidden from anyone. "A minor girl is gang-raped in a university in the Chief Minister's hometown. A seven-year-old girl is sexually assaulted several times in the Chief Minister's constituency. Dalits are tortured and innocent people are killed by slitting their throats at night," Shekhawat said. Taking a jibe at Gehlot, Shekhawat said the Chief Minister is unable to control the situation in his home district, but he comments about other states. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. An expanded meeting on implementation of measures provided for in the State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan for 2023-2027 under the chairmanship of the Chief of Staff of the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers Rufat Mammadov has been held, Trend reports. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministries of Economy, Finance, the Plenipotentiary Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Cabinet of Ministers of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Center for Analysis and Communication of Economic Reforms and executive bodies (structures). At the meeting, issues related to implementation of decree of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dated June 5, 2023 and other matters were discussed. The State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023-2027 was approved by the above mentioned decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Besides, in accordance with the presidential decree, the Cabinet of Ministers was instructed to prepare and submit to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan more detailed projects in accordance with the Action Plan of the state program and the amount of financial resources to ensure the implementation of the issues provided for in the action plans (2023-2024 and 2025-2027), as well as to coordinate implementation of measures, provided by the state program and inform the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan about its implementation. In order to ensure the execution of the decree of the head of state, a Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of June 14, 2023 was signed. Kolkata, July 21 : West Bengal DGP Manoj Malviya's denial about the outrage of modesty of a woman BJP candidate during the recently-concluded panchayat polls is blatant distortion of facts, leader of opposition in state Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, said on Friday evening. On Friday afternoon, state BJP President Sukanta Majumdar claimed before mediapersons in Delhi that at Panchla in Howrah district, a woman was paraded naked for contesting as a BJP nominee in the rural polls on the polling day on July 8. Hours later, in a hurriedly convened press conference, Malviya said that following investigation into a complaint filed in this regard, it is evident that no such incident took place at Panchla on the polling day. A few hours after the DGP's press conference, Adhikari posted a twitter message attaching two videos side by side. The first video shows Malviya claiming that no such incident occurred on the polling day, while the second one shows a woman with a blurred face making the same allegations as raised by the state BJP leaders. In the video, the woman with a blurred face claims that she is unable to file a police complaint because of the threat she is receiving from the ruling party workers. "'Mamata Police' DGP is lying through his teeth regarding the Panchla incident. Kindly listen to what the lady, who contested as a BJP candidate, has to say about her harrowing experience. As far as lack of evidence is concerned, the police won't find any because it would cause embarrassment to the state government," Adhikari said in his Twitter message. IANS src/ Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar speaks in Rajya Sabha on the first day of the monsoon session. Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, July 21 : Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday said the House is entitled to discuss everything under the planet with one restriction. According to the agenda of Parliament's monsoon session, 'Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (amendment) Bill 2023' will be introduced in Rajya Sabha. The National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, aims to affect the powers of Delhi government and restore certain powers to the Lt Governor. The bill is yet to be introduced in the house, but on Friday, Rajya Sabha, MPs of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and some other members objected the Bill saying the matter is sub-judice and Parliament should not consider it, referring to Article 121 in the Constitution. On this question, Dhankar issued a clarification in the House. He said: "This House is entitled to discuss everything under the planet with one restriction. The only restriction generated in the Parliament is given to us by our founding fathers. No discussion shall take place in Parliament with respect to the conduct of any judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court in discharge of its duties, except upon a motion for presenting address to the President praying for removal of the judge as herein provided." "Therefore, the concept of sub-judice is totally misconceived," Dhankhar said. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (amendment) Bill 2023 was criticised by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ruled Delhi government. Rajya Sabha MP from AAP Sanjay Singh also raised his objection. He said in Rajya Sabha that the matter is pending with the Supreme Court. "If the Supreme Court is hearing a matter, in that case, should we not discuss the same matter in the House," he asked. In this matter, BRS MP, K Keshav Rao also sought direction from the Chair. The chairman responded and said that this House is entitled to discuss everything under the planet with one restriction. Patna July 21 : A youth in Bihar's Khagaria district was gunned down after a dinner party, the police said on Friday. The deceased has been identified as Nitish Kumar, a resident of Goth Tola village under Salakhua police station in adjoining Saharsa district. The victim was shot in the eye and was declared brought dead after he was rushed to the nearby primary health centre in Simri Bakhtiyarpur. "We had a fish & rice party near the Dhamara railway station on Thursday night. After the party got over, we were crossing the flyover to reach platform No. 2. In the middle of the flyover, one of the friends fired in the air and then shot Nitish in the eye, who collapsed. Due to darkness, we were not sure as to who fired at him," said Pushkar Kumar, Nitish's friend. Askok Rai, the SHO of Mansi GRP, said: "We have not received a written complaint from the victim's family yet. We are quizzing his friends to find out the actual reason for the murder." "The victim along with his friends used to visit Dhamara railway station to eat fish & rice and then return late in the night," Rai said. Bengaluru, July 21 : The Karnataka Police's decision to issue an order of externment against three Bajrang Dal activists in Dakshina Kannada district for their alleged involvement in moral policing incidents in Mangaluru city and the surrounding areas has stirred a massive controversy in the state. Former Minister and BJP MLA, V. Sunil Kumar, said on Friday that the ruling Congress government on the pretext of controlling communal violence is taking vindictive and vengeful action against Hindus and Hindu organisations. "We have received information that Balachandra Attavara, Ganesh Attavara and Jayaprashanth Shaktinagar have got externment notices by the police department. This is the height of politics of hatred," he added. "There was peace in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district (which included Udupi district) all these days. As soon as the Congress came to power, it spread hatred between religions. The establishment of a separate wing to control communal violence in the coastal region is to sideline Hindu organisations," the BJP MLA said. "We will initiate legal action against this," he added. The Police Commissioner has not given an answer on why notices of externment have been issued to these three Bajrang Dal activists. "We thought Speaker U.T. Khader is dancing to the tunes of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. But, they are using the police department as the tool to polarise votes to their party," he alleged. Kumar added: "We (BJP) have seen how terror elements belonging to the PFI were involved in brutal killings of Hindu activists with the support of Siddaramaiah. At present, the government again led by Siddaramaiah is all set to repeat the horror." "We will condemn this move of the Congress government and plan the agitation," he said. Police sources said that the three Bajrang Dal activists have already been served with notices asking why they should not be banished in the backdrop of their illegal activities and creating disturbance in the society. The names and other details in this connection are yet to be announced, the sources added. The activists have been asked to visit the office of DCP, Law and Order division, in Mangaluru on Friday. Police sources said that the three Bajrang Dal activists would be given deportation orders to maintain law and order in the society and also to send a message over the incidents of moral policing. The police said that the Bajrang Dal activists will be banished for a period of one year. The local police had given a report in this regard on the activists in connection with their involvement in incidents of creating ruckus at the Sulthan Gold Jewellery stores and also their interference during the celebration of Holi at Muroli. A boy belonging to the minority community was assaulted by a group at the Sulthan Gold Jewellery stores by a group of persons on December 6, 2022, for allegedly being in relationship with a girl who worked at the jewellery store. The complaint and counter complaints were lodged regarding the incident. The victim was a colleague of the girl and her parents suspected that their daughter was trapped into a romantic relationship by the boy. Four Bajrang Dal activists were arrested in connection with the incident. The members of Bajrang Dal had barged into the Holi event, 'Rang De Barsa', organised at Muroli in March, 2023, and vandalised the premises. Young girls and boys were enjoying the party, spraying colours on one another when the attack took place The activists claimed that the boys exhibited indecent behaviour. They objected that Holi was celebrated by boys belonging to another religion. The police had arrested six persons in this connection. New Delhi, July 21 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 59.37 crore belonging to London-based Arun Panchariya, Sanjay Aggarwal and India Focus Cardinal Fund in a GDR (Global Depository Receipts) scam under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). A GDR is defined as a negotiable financial instrument issued by a depository bank and it enables a company to reach investors in capital markets abroad. The ED initiated the PMLA investigation on the basis of an FIR lodged by Telangana Police against Jalaj Batra, Sanjay Aggarwal, Arun Panchariya, Mukesh Chauradiya and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. "The investigation revealed that Arun Panchariya, a person of Indian origin residing abroad, and entities connected to him, i.e., Pan Asia Advisors Limited (now known as Global Finance and Capital Limited), India Focus Cardinal Fund and Vintage FZE (now known as Alta Vista International FZE) along with his associates Sanjay Aggarwal, Jalaj Batra and others designed and executed a fraudulent GDR scheme in connivance with Morthala Sreenivas Reddy and Morthala Malla Reddy - the promoters/directors of Farmax India Ltd., to cheat and defraud the Indian investors," an ED official said. "When GDRs of an Indian company are subscribed abroad, the proceeds are mandated to be repatriated to India unless they are deposited abroad to meet future forex requirements," the official said. However, in the case of Farmax India Limited, despite any bonafide future forex requirements, GDR proceeds amounting to $71.91 million were not repatriated to India. "GDR proceeds amounting to $56.57 million, which were received in Farmax India Ltd's bank account in EURAM Bank, Austria, were pledged as security against the loan taken by the GDR subscriber -- Vintage FZE," the official said. "Further, the non-repatriated GDRs were transferred to India Focus Cardinal Fund which was controlled by Arun Panchariya. India Focus converted and sold the shares acquired from Vintage FZE in the Indian securities market and sale proceeds amounting to Rs 51.76 crore were kept with them," the official added. Guwahati, July 22 : The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and its various wings on Friday held separate protests on Friday to denounce the unrest in Manipur and show support for the two ladies whose naked parade video went viral. The APCC held an evening earthen lamp lighting programme in Guwahati's Rajiv Bhawan, the state headquarters of the Congress party. As a sign of support for the two women, opposition party leaders and members attended the programme. On July 19, a video that showed two tribal women being paraded naked and assaulted by a group of men had gone viral. Four suspects have been arrested so far and sent to 11 days in police custody. The opposition party's district women's wings organised protests against the prevailing situation in the neighbouring state. At Rajiv Bhawan, a demonstration was also organised by the women's wing of the Kamrup Metropolitan district. They sloganeered against the ruling BJP government in Manipur and demanded that the offenders face harsh punishment. Meanwhile, members of the Youth Congress also organised another protest at Rajiv Bhawan. Police arrested the protesters for a while before releasing them when they attempted to hold rallies on the main road in the city. Port Of Spain, July 22 : Virat Kohli's 121 along with fifties from Rohit Sharma (80), Ravindra Jadeja (61) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (57) and Ravichandran Ashwin's (56) helped India post 438 runs in their first innings on the Day 2 of the second Test against West Indies at Queen's Park Oval, here on Friday. West Indies made an impressive comeback in the second session bowling out India for 438, as the visitors lost the wickets of Ishan, Ashwin, Jaydev Unadkat and Mohammed Siraj. India, who were 373/6 at lunch, scored 65 runs in 20 overs and lost four wickets to finish the innings with 438 at Tea. Ashwin and Ishan began the second session with a couple of boundaries. But the West Indies struck early in the session, dismissing Ishan for 21. Ishan got caught behind on the bowling of Jason Holder, who bowled well outside off stump but the left-hander edged it and Joshua Da Silva comfortably took the catch behind the stumps. Soon after, Ashwin was given LBW out by the umpire but he reviewed it and it eventually turned out to be a good decision as ball tracking revealed that the ball was missing the leg stump by a bare margin. With an impressive display of elegant and intelligent batting, Ashwin guided India beyond the 400-run mark. Later, Jomel Warrican dismissed Jaydev Unadkat. Warrican struck again to dismiss Mohd Siraj, leaving India nine down for 426 with. Then, Ashwin shifted gears and smashed Kemar Roach with two back-to-back boundaries to complete his half-century off 76 balls before falling a delivery later for the score of 56 as India finished with 438. Earlier, resuming India's innings at 288/2, Kohli brought up his 29th Test century in the 71st over by hitting a boundary off Shannon Gabriel. Soon after, Jadeja also brought up his 19th Test fifty. Kohli and Jadeja demonstrated remarkable stability on the crease as the duo stitched 159 runs partnership for the fifth wicket. The stand came to an end when Kohli got run out on his individual score of 121 as West Indies were in desperate need of a breakthrough. Later, Jadeja got caught behind for 61 on the bowling of Kemar Roach but India were in the driver's seat as they were 373/6 at lunch. On Day 1, India had posted 288 for four at stumps. Rohit (80 off 143 balls), Yashasvi Jaiswal (57 off 74) struck half-centuries for the visitors after being sent into bat. Brief scores: India 1st innings 438 all out (Virat Kohli 121, Ravindra Jadeja 61; R Ashwin 56; Kemar Roach 3/104, Jomel Warrican 3/89) against West Indies. DAMASCUS, Aug. 29, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Syrian refugees arrive at the Zamarani border crossing, north of Damascus, Syria, on Aug. 29, 2019. Around 960 Syrian refugees on Thursday returned from Lebanon to Syria, the National News Agency reported. (Xinhua/. Image Source: IANS News Beirut, July 22 : Lebanon's security chief has said that the recent decision by the European Parliament to support Syrian refugees' stay in Lebanon is "unrealistic" and "non-binding," media reported. "We will not surrender to any decision issued against the interest of Lebanon, and I believe the country cannot bear such a decision," Lebanese Director General of Public Security Elias al-Baissari told a delegation from the Lebanese Press Syndicate on Friday. On July 11, the European Parliament issued a series of decisions on the situation in Lebanon, emphasising that conditions are not met for the voluntary, dignified return of refugees in conflict-prone areas in Syria, Xinhua news agency reported. But al-Baissari, who has paid a visit to Damascus, said Syrian authorities have no problem with any voluntary and safe return of the displaced Syrians in Lebanon. Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with an estimated 1.5 to two million Syrian refugees scattered across the country. Lebanese officials insist on returning Syrian refugees to their homeland as the country's internal security and economic situation can no longer tolerate their stay in Lebanon. Ankara, July 22 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would talk with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin soon for the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, media reported. "The termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative will have a series of consequences, ranging from an increase in global food prices, famine in some regions, to potential new waves of migration," Erdogan told reporters on his flight back to Turkey on Friday. "I believe we will ensure the continuation of this humanitarian movement by discussing the issue in detail with Putin," he said. The Turkish President noted that Moscow's expectations of the grain initiative should also be met, Xinhua news agency reported. "We know he also has some expectations from Western countries. Western countries need to take action in this regard," Erdogan said. The President added that he planned to have a phone conversation first and then discuss the issue face-to-face. "If Putin's planned visit in August takes place, we will discuss these issues in detail. I believe we will ensure the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative before the process is prolonged," Erdogan said. Russia has complained that its demands to improve its own grain and fertiliser exports have not been met, and refused to extend the grain deal on Monday. Russia and Ukraine signed separately with Turkey and the UN 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. The initiative, which was initially valid for 120 days, was extended in mid-November 2022 for another 120 days until March 18, 2023. Russia then agreed to extend the deal for only 60 days. On May 17, Russia agreed to extend the deal for another 60 days. Optimum Asset Management has announced the completion of an off-market acquisition of a 1,191 m rental property in Berlin, through its German Real Estate Fund IV (GREF IV). The fund is the fourth iteration in a series of strong performing German real estate funds pursuing both residential and commercial properties [] BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. Industrial zones in Azerbaijan produced 10.2 billion manat ($5.9 billion) worth of goods, of which 3.3 billion manat ($1.9 billion) were exported, Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov tweeted, Trend reports. "Enterprises operating in industrial zones sold products worth 1.4 billion manat ($823.5 million) in the first half of this year," the minister said. Residents registered in industrial zones under the jurisdiction of the Agency for the Development of Economic Zones under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan plan to invest a total of 616 million manat ($362.3 million) and create more than 4,800 jobs. As many as 131 business entities have received resident status in industrial zones, 68 of them have already started production activities. The total volume of investments is more than 7.1 billion manat ($4.1 billion). Clearwater Periodontist Explains How Certain Medications Could Cause Gum Problems If it is determined that a big factor of the gum overgrowth is a medication, the next step Dr. Britten will take is to consult the patient's physician. Stopping or changing the medication can help limit the overgrowth, but he stresses to patients, "Do NOT stop the medication on your own." As a gum specialist, Clearwater periodontist Dr. Todd Britten states he often sees and must help treat changes in patients gum tissues related to certain medications they are taking. One of the main issues we come across is drug-induced gingival overgrowth, or gingival enlargement, Dr. Britten says. He goes onto explain that gingival hyperplasia is an overgrowth of the gum tissue around your teeth. In our practice, we sometimes see that certain medications our patients are taking contribute to gingival hyperplasia. Other factors can include orthodontic treatment or certain medical issues, such as hormonal imbalances, leukemia, a genetic condition or the growth can sometimes be due to a benign or malignant lesion. Inflammation of the gums and poor plaque control are often a main contributor for gum overgrowth. Poor oral hygiene also can increase inflammation which may also play a role. Medications associated with gum enlargement fall into three main categories: Anti-seizure medications Immunosuppressant medications (used in transplant patients), Calcium channel blockers used to treat certain heart conditions, most commonly high blood pressure. Dr. Todd Britten notes that it is important to notify your dentist or dental hygienist if you take any of these medications so they can watch for changes in your gum tissues. "Many of our patients are on some form of calcium channel blocker such as Amlodipine (Norvasc) or Diltiazem, most often for high blood pressure. Once overgrowth has started, it becomes more difficult to maintain good oral hygiene. This will lead to retaining more damaging periodontal bacteria under the gum line, which can in turn worsen the gingival hyperplasia," Britten explained. If it is determined that a big factor of the gum overgrowth is a medication, the next step Dr. Britten will take is to consult the patient's physician. Stopping or changing the medication can help limit the overgrowth, but he stresses to patients, "Do NOT stop the medication on your own." Your dentist or periodontist can communicate with your medical doctor to see if your medication can be altered. In some cases, a persons medical professional will advise against altering a medication, most often in seizure disorders, immunosuppressed patients, and certain heart conditions or difficult to manage blood pressure. "If this is the case, we have to handle the gingival overgrowth as best we can. Options include increased oral hygiene, non-surgical, or surgical periodontal therapy," said Britten. Even if the medication causing this condition can be altered or discontinued, this will not necessarily reverse the overgrowth. Additional treatment is sometimes required and often includes: AT-HOME CARE Good oral hygiene, especially the effective removal of plaque between the teeth and at the gum line, can alleviate the condition in early or very mild cases. NON-SURGICAL THERAPY In a mild to slightly moderate condition, a series of scaling and root planing procedures (commonly known as a deep cleaning) can be performed, often by a dental hygienist using local anesthesia. Your dentist or periodontist may have you return every three months for dental hygiene visits to limit the effects of inflammation on the soft tissues. SURGICAL REMOVAL In severe cases, the enlarged or hyperplastic gum tissue may need to be removed surgically. In the case of drug-induced overgrowths, if patients are not able to discontinue the medication, surgical removal may be the only effective treatment. This can be done with a scalpel or laser. If you think you have an area of overgrowth, Dr. Britten recommends you visit your dentist for an evaluation of your condition. If you are now taking medications that can cause gingival overgrowth, consult with your dental professional and physician. If you have questions about gingival hyperplasia you can contact us at 727-586-2681 or https://brittenperio.com Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a periodontal practice offering patients personalized dental care in implant dentistry in Clearwater, Florida. Dr. Todd Britten offers sedation dentistry. For more information, visit https://www.brittenperio.com The Chevy Summer Drive event at Carl Black Chevy Nashville. During this limited-time promotion, well-qualified buyers can secure financing rates as low as 1.9% APR. While lending rates are on the rise, Carl Black Chevy in Nashville offers unbeatable savings and financing deals on the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 as part of the Chevy Summer Drive event. Exceptional Financing Rates Await During this limited-time promotion, well-qualified buyers can secure financing rates as low as 1.9% APR for a 36-month loan, with no monthly payments for 90 days when financed through GM Financial. With an average example down payment of 16.26%, drivers can confidently hit the road in a new 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500. Save More with Multiple Discounts Carl Black Chevy sweetens the deal with a range of discounts that may apply, including Customer Cash of $1,750, Select Market Purchase Bonus Cash of $1,000, and Trade Assistance of $1,500. Maximize savings and get behind the wheel of a dream vehicle today. 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With a commitment to excellence and a passion for meeting the needs of our customers, we strive to provide an unparalleled automotive experience. Individuals who want to learn more about these finance offers can visit the dealership website, http://www.carlblackchevy.com. Anyone wishing to speak with a representative can contact the dealership directly by calling 888-509-5199 Pictured L-R: Lance Northcutt, Patrick Salvi II, Jennifer Cascio Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard attorneys Patrick A. Salvi II, Lance D. Northcutt and Jennifer M. Cascio were recently honored as finalists for Public Justices 2023 Trial Lawyer of the Year award. The team was one of only three legal teams throughout the country honored for their work in obtaining a $363 million jury verdict in the first trial against medical device sterilization company Sterigenics. Plaintiff Sue Kamuda was an active, healthy woman when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. She did not have any known risk factors or family history of breast cancer, but she did live near a Sterigenics plant in Willowbrook, Illinois. The plants main purpose was sterilizing medical equipment. This process released known carcinogen ethylene oxide into the surrounding environment for decades, and Ms. Kamuda was the first of nearly 800 plaintiffs who also lived near the plant. Ms. Kamuda filed her case in September 2018 in the Cook County Circuit Court, and it went to trial on August 18, 2022. During the five-week trial, the legal team presented evidence that Sterigenics knew about the risks of emitting ethylene oxide into the environment yet continued to emit excessive and unnecessary amounts of the colorless, odorless carcinogen for decades without warning the community or using safer methods that were available. Thus, residents of Willowbrook had inadvertently inhaled the gas on a daily basis for decades. Ms. Kamuda and her husband had moved into their Willowbrook home in 1985, around the same time Sterigenics began setting up its facility in the very same community. Further, Ms. Kamuda was able to prove that Sterigenics and its parent companies invested to increase capacity at the Willowbrook facility, but did not bother investing in additional safety measures. On September 19, 2022, a jury awarded $363 million to Ms. Kamuda, including $38 million in compensatory and $325 million in punitive damages. It was the largest jury verdict awarded to a single plaintiff in Illinois history. The trial also marks the first step in setting a precedent that Sterigenics cannot distort science with money and that companies like Sterigenics will be held accountable for putting profits above public safety. The Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard team was assisted at trial by Shawn Collins of the Collins Law Firm, Scott Entin and Deanna Pihos of Miner Barnhill Galland. Each year, Public Justice presents its Trial Lawyer of the Year Award to the attorney(s) who made the greatest contribution to the public interest within the past year by trying or settling a precedent-setting, socially significant case. This years three finalists were honored at the Public Justice Gala, which took place on Monday, July 16 at the Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. With her gorgeous appearances at events this summer, Bollywood actress Disha Patani has been raising the bar. The diva recently served as the cover model for the July issue of Hello magazine. The actress was in Qatar for a Hello Magazine shoot's digital cover. Read More: Top Things to Do in Qatar in 2023 Read More: Get To Know Celebrities and Influencers in Qatar Wadha Al-Hajri, The Qatar-based fashion designer worked on the look for her cover photo and netizens loved it! Disha Patani's candy-colored dress, which included a square neckline and puff-sleeved cape in a pastel pink silk faille, was designed by Qatari fashion designer Wadha for the cover shoot, which took place in the courtyard of the Museum of Islamic Art. Wadha is well recognized for her minimalist collections, which connect tradition and modernity, as well as masculine and feminine tailoring, which are rooted in her Qatari heritage. Wadha also experiments with new surface embellishments and luxurious fabrics in soft monochromatic colors, including her signature geometric hand embroideries and latticework inspired by Islamic art and architecture. Disha Patani gained popularity for her Telugu movie Loafer. She soon made her Bollywood debut with the movie M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story opposite the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Check out her interview and pictures from the shoot in Qatar: This week, we discuss where things stand for Russia; why India is flexing its diplomatic muscles in Southeast Asia; what to do about mass shooters who are looking for fame; improving flood insurance and flood mitigation strategies; demystifying the security clearance process; and making food security warning systems more effective. Photo by Stringer/Reuters All Is Not Well on Russian Front Lines Nearly a month after Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhins failed rebellion, dysfunction in Moscow persists. According to RAND's Dara Massicot, writing in the New York Times this week, the problems endemic to Russias campaign in Ukrainefrom inept military leadership to logistical issuesare likely to worsen. Mr. Putin's cocoon of loyal interlocutors filters out these problems, she says, and instead offers a substitute view to both the president and a disengaged public. Further, it is still not clear whether Wagner troops will fully withdraw from Ukraine. If they do, Russia's regular military units will see higher casualties at a time when they can ill afford more losses. This could create an opening for Ukrainian forces to exploitalthough their counteroffensive faces its own difficulties. What is clear, Massicot says, is that the cumulative pressure of the Kremlin's poor choices is mounting. This could ultimately lead the Russian front lines to crack. Photo by Kabir Jhangiani via Reuters India Is Becoming a Power in Southeast Asia Sealing an arms deal with Vietnam. Siding with the Philippines on sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea. Bolstering defense cooperation with Indonesia. India's recent flurry of regional diplomacy, as RAND's Derek Grossman calls it, raises the possibility that India will increasingly complement the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy to counter China. Even if New Delhi's outreach in Southeast Asia remains at current levels, Grossman says, it's a big win for Washington. Photo by Edgar Su/Reuters When Mass Shooters Are Seeking Fame For some mass shooters, fame is partially, if not entirely, their motivation. These attackers use a set of common tactics designed to maximize attention and influence, including publishing their manifestos and attack plans online, even livestreaming their atrocities. According to RAND researchers, such tactics can trigger a cycle of continuous bloodshed. Fortunately, there are ways to break this cycle. The first step is to deny attackers the attention they seek. Photo by Fred Greaves/Reuters Data to Improve Flood Insurance and Flood Mitigation Strategies Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies don't cover damage from floods. But as flooding in the United States becomes more frequent and severe, more properties are likely to experience multiple losses from flood damage. A new RAND study examines the characteristics of properties that have experienced multiple flood losses insured by the National Flood Insurance Program, including their locations and the socioeconomic factors of those affected. This data may help inform decisions related to floodplain management, insurance, and mitigation efforts. Photo by PeopleImages/Getty Images Misperceptions About the Security Clearance Process The security clearance process can be confusing and opaque, leading many people to seek clarity online. What information is available on government websites and on public forums, such as Reddit and Federal Soup? And how might this information shape public perceptionsand misperceptionsabout the security clearance process? A new RAND report provides answers to these questions and identifies opportunities to demystify the clearance process. Property details: .BUY LANDLIVE NEAR THE BEACH/GULF$75 down/$75 per month! Total Financed Price $7500This land is perfect for Land Banking! Buy and hold for future investment. Many companies and investors purchase land at a substantial discount for their investment portfolios. Then later, use this as collateral for their business. Low Low Prices!Great Investment for new investor. Start your own land business now!Super rare secluded lot near everything in south Mississippi, Moss Point. Surrounded by wild life pres... Price: $ 75 Seller State of Residence: California Type: Homesite, Lot Property Address: 6331 Grierson st Moss Point MS Zip/Postal Code: 39563 Zoning: Residential City: Moss point State/Province: Mississippi Location: 395**, Moss Point, Mississippi You will be redirected to eBay Nearby Mississippi Rachael Kirkconnell / Instagram By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 07/20/2023 ADVERTISEMENT 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! ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT 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 dished about getting engaged now that they're approaching the three-year mark in their relationship.On 's 25th season, which aired in early 2021, Matt selected Rachael as his winner, but Matt chose not to propose marriage.Rachael joked how she and Matt often "forget" they met on a reality show, but forgetting probably becomes more difficult when Bachelor Nation constantly asks them if they've broken up or if an engagement is on the horizon."I don't get annoyed by any of that stuff. I get it," Matt told Us Weekly in a joint interview with Rachael on Tuesday."We post and share every aspect of our lives. So for people to be curious means that we're, you know, keeping them in the loop and we want them in the loop."Rachael agreed that she gets the hype surrounding their relationship as well."They've been waiting for an engagement since the finale of the show," Rachael acknowledged.But winner asks fans to consider the fact she and Matt didn't even get to spend a lot of time together on the show.Instead, the couple's romance developed in the real world, away from cameras."I do just want to put into perspective for people -- if we were in a normal relationship, met out on the street in New York and we've been dating going on three years... it's not that weird [to not be engaged]. I feel like that's pretty normal," Rachael explained."I feel like we're doing all the right things to take our relationship to the next step."winner and Matt gushed about how they're extremely happy with their relationship right now."Matt really is just my best friend," Rachael told the magazine."I think at the end of the day, it's just really fun to live the life that we live together. I don't think anything that we do would be nearly as fun if I weren't with him."Rachael continued, "I love our dynamic, I think that we make each other better people. We bring out the better version of ourselves. I think we have a lot to teach each other."Matt also said he's been dating his best friend, which "makes everything that much better.""You get to enjoy life with that person," the former star elaborated. "It's a great come true. We're always telling ourselves how blessed we are."Matt and Rachael's romance is going strong. They enjoy trying new restaurants together and traveling, including recent trips to Greece and Saint John.And couple teased in June that they're moving from New York City to Los Angeles.After falling in love on , Matt and Rachael 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.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 Manufacturing in the United States has been suffering a death of a thousand cuts, with workers in many previously booming industries finding their jobs evaporating, and others waking to find their careers exported overseas. The COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown that followed froze supply chains, and the fatal flaw of just-in-time production and global logistics waiting in the wings reared its ugly head. Seemingly overnight, the river of products, parts, and pieces manufactured in mainland China dried up. Facilities that relied on foreign materials didnt have resources, and those American companies that simply relabel foreign products suddenly had no product at all. This hit every industry, everywhere. Firearms manufacturing faced the unique problem of higher-than-ever demand combined with harder-than-ever logistics. We cant make things here its too expensive is a refrain thats rang out since Reagan; and indeed, living wages for American workers cost more than the pennies paid to sweatshop slaves in Shenzhen. But if we learned anything from the curse of COVID, its that more things need to be made here. This is what brought us to the small city of Mansfield, Ohio. Nestled off of Highway 71 right between the major metro areas of Columbus and Cleveland, Mansfield was a booming manufacturing center in the mid-20th century. Currently, the median household income of Mansfield hovers at just over half the national average, and its poverty rate is virtually double the state average. The steel buildings from the street look no different than any other machining operation in the Midwest. Stagflation of the 1970s followed by the transpacific smuggling of mass-production in the 1980s means that Mansfield has been under hard times since long before COVID, to say nothing of the 2008 recession. And its here we find Hi-Point Firearms. Also now known as Strassells Machine, like so many small American businesses that grew ever-larger, Hi-Point was first founded in a small garage workshop in the late 1980s. The intervening years followed the rest of the firearms market through dips and bends, with ownership changing hands between family and friends, rather than corporate venture capitalists. But from the very beginning, theyve done the seemingly impossible: provided an entirely American-made product at a price point their own neighbors can afford to pay. In early 2023, Hi-Point Firearms announced their first 10mm pistol, the JXP 10. The JXP 10 not only represented an opportunity for RECOIL to cover the most affordable 10mm pistol in existence, but also to have a peek behind the factory doors and see exactly how this all-American sausage is made. This article is neither merely a review nor a factory visit, but an inside look at both the product and the people that make it possible. INSIDE Hi-Points central manufacturing facility doesnt look terribly different from so many others. The only identifying marking is a small sign that states Hi-Point Firearms. No Storefront, No Sales outside of the street-facing steel building. But the footprint is a little deceptive, as its actually more of a campus, with multiple structures segregating each operation and with plenty of room for expansion. Many operations that would otherwise be automated are performed by people with manual machines. While theres an additional location in Mansfield for hydro-dipping and relationships with other Ohio companies for some of the processes, the bulk of the work is done here. The main doors open to the smell of cutting fluid and the bustle of building, the same ambiance of machine shops large and small the world round. Workstations are personalized with family photos, jokes, and bumper stickers. Unlike robotic factories full of automation with a lone Bridgeport in the back, Hi-Point Firearms is the opposite: Modern computer-controlled CNC machines are on display, but a surprisingly large amount of work is performed by people. Manual milling machines and drill presses are ever-present, and even the sights themselves are hand-painted on the factory floor. Something weve seen plenty of in the last decade are companies closing because they fail to scale. They overexpand during the booms and then falter under the weight of their financial burdens during the bust. Everything designed at Hi-Point is designed to be produced in large quantity. Hi-Point Firearms has thus far avoided this circumstance by staying debt-free, always buying their buildings and equipment outright. This business strategy does mean that new designs and in-line changes take longer to perform, but also helps them better weather the storm of an economic downturn. Along similar lines, Hi-Point Firearms is a 100-percent employee-owned operation. Theres always some confusion around this term, but it doesnt mean a Soviet-style workers paradise where you can fire your boss and give yourself a million dollars an hour. While there are many variations, the day-to-day operations look typical to a normal work arrangement. Also commonly called a co-op, employee-owned means that the workers are stakeholders and no single entity has majority ownership. Usually managed by a board, all workers are directly invested in the success of the company. It was already over 3 pounds, so after an optic, light, and silencer Its not inaccurate to think of it as a publicly traded company, but with the employees themselves as the shareholders. CRIME GUNS Like all inexpensive handguns both today and in the past, Hi-Point pistols are overrepresented in crimes. If you produce a gun that people in the lower economic strata can afford, it also means those who rob, steal, and otherwise victimize people in those communities will end up with them too. And in a world where a gun is a gun, that $1,000 burning a hole in a straw purchasers pocket can go a lot farther with Hi-Point, than new production FN High Powers. Its far easier for those in power to blame the firearms themselves than to actually address the root causes of criminality. One of the forensic demonstrator dummies used during court cases. This is an old story gun control in the United States has always been tied to restricting those who have little and are also the most likely to be victimized. For their part, Hi-Point Firearms has gone through special effort to aid forensic experts and the AFTE (not a typo of BATFE-the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners). Working alongside AFTE and law enforcement, Hi-Points are all ballistically unique and traceable. Changes that were initially performed to reduce back pressure on their pistols evolved into manufacturing techniques to ensure sure their firearms and the bullets fired from them are easy to spot and identify. Hi-Point also designed and produces demonstrator tools for forensic experts, essentially large-scale models of expended ammunition and casings, so juries can more easily see how ballistic signatures from strikers, firing pins, extractors, and rifling are identified. Part of this is undoubtedly a proactive defense, as manufacturers of inexpensive pistols have been villainized in the past, subjected to laws and regulations largely based on the price points of their wares, but another part is protecting the people that actually purchases their products. The diaspora of firearms owners can suffer a massive blind spot, where the fairytale of gun people equals good people pervades. But if you want to make it easier for real criminals to victimize the innocent all while making prosecution of actual murderers more difficult, you might just be an irresponsible asshole. DESIGN Everything about the design of firearms produced by Hi-Point is about making them affordable and making them locally. Parts and processes are chosen with this in mind rather than blazing trails of new and risky innovation, but it also means Hi-Point can be slower to the market with changes and updates. Hi-Point is refreshing much of their line over 2023, and yes, were told the original Yeet Cannon will be making a debut too. The Hi-Point C9, the standard that comes to mind when the name is mentioned, has remained largely unchanged for decades. The latest, the JXP 10 pistol chambered in 10mm, is a significant departure in terms of aesthetics and accessories, but the roots stand firm with the rest of their current lineup. BLOWBACK No one is going to call a straight blowback action the pinnacle of ingenuity or engineering; theres a reason why its virtually the same design used by homebrew guerrilla gunsmiths and self-styled freedom fighters around the world. Its simple enough, can be successfully built in basement workshops, and safer to use than many other actions when fed questionable ammunition. Its the most base-level action of automatic firearms, theres no tilting, twisting, rollers, locking lugs, levers, or other delay mechanisms the only thing that holds a round in the chamber of a blowback firearm is the bolt and recoil spring. Because the bolt and spring is all there is, their combined weight has to be extremely heavy to be safe, and the weights increase accordingly with higher calibers and heavier ammunition. Blowback can be safer because the action itself is like a pressure relief valve. This isnt to say that blowback firearms arent subject to overpressure (they are) or that they cannot suffer from dangerous conditions like out-of-battery detonations (they do), but if youre using cobbled ammunition with sketchy reloaded primers (please dont) its the best of the worst. At the factory, we saw an example of a barrel that had 36 bullets plugged and stacked inside. Because the reciprocal mass of the bolt needs to be high in order to be safe, felt recoil is significantly more than on even slightly more modern actions. Blowback actions are popular today in semiautomatic rimfires of all stripes and for pistol-caliber carbines. In the 20th century, there were hundreds of small-caliber pistols (usually .380ACP and below) produced with blowback actions. And the reason for the small calibers is that the corresponding weight must increase with corresponding power more on this in a minute. ZAMAK The slides of Hi-Point pistols and the bolts of the carbines are essentially the same. Its not as straightforward as the Israel Ronin Glock conversions, where the pistol is literally shoved into a shell, but the similarities are obvious. This sort of simplicity of manufacturing is part of the culture of the company: find a way to make a working design, do it without going into debt, and have the ability to produce at scale. The original precursor to the Hi-Point pistol was made of stainless steel, but it turned out to be too expensive at the price point they wanted to hit. The slides and bolts are now made of Zamak-3, an inexpensive zinc alloy. Zamak is as easy to machine as aluminum but has a density much closer to steel, important for blowback designs. The real reason to use Zamak is the relatively low melting point, making it excellent for die casting in large quantity. Zamak isnt particularly durable, so Hi-Point reinforces it with internal steel cages, and any gun produced with Zamak is unlikely to be an heirloom. JXP 10 Its been said the easiest way to find something to make fun of is to find something the working poor can afford to enjoy. And indeed, Hi-Point Firearms has been the butt of many jokes weve been on the giving end of them ourselves in the past. In more recent years, Hi-Point started letting themselves be in on the joke rather than just the target. The JXP 10 optic mount secures with three standard screws, simply replacing the rear sight. Back in 2019, leaning into internet memes and Boaty McBoatface, Hi-Point allowed social media to decide what to name their new threaded barrel pistol. Digging into Gen Z slang your parents definitely dont understand, it was dubbed the Yeet Cannon. With a threaded barrel and optic-ready, the JXP 10 is both inspired by and better than the original Yeet Cannon concept. The JXP 10 has greatly improved looks over the previous pistols, with the newer H Hi-Point logo textured into the grips and serrations cut into the slide. The barrel is threaded in a standard .57828 for a brake or silencer, and as theres no tilting barrel, any silencer used doesnt require a booster to function. Theres an accessory rail on the dust cover for any lights or lasers, and the adjustable rear sight can be removed to install an optional $20 Picatinny rail for an optic. The trigger is plastic and mushy and breaks north of 10 pounds. The redesign includes a textured grip with logos directly integrated. Hi-Point released their first 10mm back in 2017 in the form of the 1095 carbine (see CONCEALMENT Issue 10), and it has seen some popularity with hunters in so-called Straight-Wall States (see CARNIVORE Issue 4). The reason for the delay between releases seems rather obvious once we hefted the pistol. Remember how the slide weight has to increase with power with a blowback action? Since theres a 10mm in the pipe, the JXP 10 weighs a whopping 50 ounces with an empty magazine inserted. So, of course, we had to add more. Equipped with an Aimpoint ACRO P2, SureFire X300U-A, and Dead Air Ghost-M silencer, it now weighs in at 70 ounces. That would be very lightweight for a rifle (we have an AR in RECOIL Issue 33 thats only 58 ounces) but its downright burdensome for a pistol. Does it shoot? Yes. Is it fun to shoot? For one magazine, yes. You can feel every ounce of that slide coming back, and the effect is exacerbated by the silencer. When suppressed, theres a lot of gas thrown at your face, as the excess pressure is vented directly from the ejection port. Because we dont hate ourselves, there was no full Tamara Keel 2,000-round test. LOOSE ROUNDS In a good year, Hi-Point will pump out more than 5,000 guns a week, every week. This is by no means the highest volume in the country, nor does it give them a billion-dollar market cap, but it represents an awful lot of affordable guns for regular people who will use them only occasionally. Hi-Point doesnt produce competition guns or collectors items, but the people who buy these guns are unlikely to shoot them enough to wear them out and if they do, then they can simply buy another at low cost, use that famous lifetime warranty, or upgrade to something else that better fits hard use. Yes, you have holster options. BlackPoint Tactical not only provided a shoulder holster for the heft, but also one that accommodates both the optic and SureFire X300U-A. As is oft repeated about Hi-Point: The carbines are pretty good; the pistols leave much to be desired. We wouldnt be using a 3-pound pistol for concealed carry or anything outside fun at the range anytime soon, but for someone on a limited budget there are certainly far worse and less reliable options for home defense. Even then, wed recommend the carbine over the pistol, as its much easier to shoot. What the JXP 10 does have is personality. This is one you get if youre a 10mm collector, seeking a bear gun for car camping, or you just want to put together something totally ridiculous to show your friends. Ultimately, Hi-Point Firearms put this together because people asked and because they could thats as American as starting a business in a backyard and then successfully becoming a major manufacturer. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Man who ambushed Fargo officers likely had bigger and bloodier attack in mind, attorney general says Authorities say the heavily armed man who ambushed Fargo police officers investigating a fender bender likely had a bloodier attack in mind, with at least two fairs taking place at the time in and around the city 'A very large part of this would have come from opium.' IMAGE: Amitav Ghosh with his new book, Smoke and Ashes, after its launch at the Royal Opera House, Mumbai, July 18, 2023. Amitav Ghosh is back with his new book, Smoke and Ashes, which was launched in Mumbai at the Royal Opera House on July 18, 2023. The book explores the opium trade's effect on world history and how it continues to hugely impact our lives today. Part travelogue and part memoir, this book is Ghosh's fourth book on opium after the Ibis trilogy -- Sea of Poppies (2008), River of Smoke (2011) and Flood of Fire (2015). "I was amazed to learn that the so-called Benarasi sari, which is still worn at so many ceremonial occasions in India, including weddings, is actually inspired by Chinese textiles," Amitav Ghosh tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com in an e-mail interview. Why is your book called Smoke and Ashes? Smoke refers to opium being smoked, perhaps, and Ashes the ashes of civilisation? Yes, that is exactly why the book has this title -- because the world today is imperiled by many intersecting crises, one of which is the opioid crisis. How many years did you research the material for this book? I have been researching the book since 2005, so 18 years. What is the most unusual fact that you stumbled upon while researching this book? I was amazed to learn that the so-called Benarasi sari, which is still worn at so many ceremonial occasions in India, including weddings, is actually inspired by Chinese textiles. How would the indigo trade during British rule compare with the opium trade? The indigo trade is better known because a great deal has been written about it, but the opium trade was much larger in scale. Through several decades in the nineteenth century opium was the most valuable commodity of all. Monetarily, what is the quantum of wealth Britain earned from the opium trade and what was the extent of impoverishment for India? The exact amount that Britain earned from opium has not been computed. But the economist Utsa Patnaik has estimated that Britain siphoned off somewhere around the equivalent of $44 trillion from the Indian subcontinent over a roughly 200 year period. A very large part of this would have come from opium. Centuries later, where and how is the impact of the opium trade felt in India, if at all? Today there is more opium in circulation around the world than ever before. This is creating a very serious opioid crises in many countries, including India and the US. Was selling opium to China an intentional act of British and Indian merchants to subdue the Chinese empire? Could not the British defeat China militarily like they took on Burma which you have described very beautifully in your book The Glass Palace? The problem for the British was that through the eighteenth and much of the nineteenth century, their government was heavily dependent on the taxes it earned from tea. All their calculations were geared to keeping the trade going -- they could not afford to be cut off from the Chinese tea market. This was why they had to be very careful about antagonising the Chinese. IMAGE: Amitav Ghosh with fans who turned up for the book launch at Royal Opera House, Mumbai, July 18, 2023. From your first book The Circle of Reason to Smoke and Ashes, how would you describe your journey as a writer? It has been a long and complicated journey, but there are several threads that have consistently run through all my work. Among these are migration, globalisation and the cultural connections that have been nurtured by the Indian Ocean. All of these themes figure in The Circle of Reason and in Smoke and Ashes. When you write, how many hours a day do you devote to writing? How do you decide that your book is done? How do you know when to stop? I write for several hours each day. It is very hard to know when a book is done, especially where it concerns non-fiction books. In fact, non-fiction books are often revised after publication. Which among all your books, is your personal favourite and why? Jungle Nama. Have you begun thinking about your next book? Yes, I am looking forward to writing another novel. 'And (the prime minister did so) without giving any hint of a recognition of the political violence resulting in the ethnic cleansing (of tribals and Kukis) which he simply equates it with atrocities against women in other parts of India.' 'This is not acceptable.' Photograph: Press Information Bureau IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi broke his long silence on the Manipur crisis before Parliament convened for the Monsoon session on Thursday, July 20, 2023. BJP MLA Paolienlal Haokip from Manipur's Saikot constituency in the tribal-dominated Churachandpur district reacts to Prime Minister Narendra D Modi's public statement on July 20 condemning the gruesome video of tribal women from Manipur being paraded naked by a mob allegedly belonging to the majority Meitei community from the valley in an incident that occurred on May 4 -- just a day after the violence began between the Meiteis and Kukis. Haokip confirmed that all the BJP MLAs from the hills are contemplating not only resigning as lawmakers but also resign from the BJP even as he expresses his angst over the prime minister's refusal to respond to their written request for a meeting with them to discuss the ethnic strife in the hill state in India's northeast. "What (law and order) machinery and criminal justice system would carry out a fair investigation when the state (government) is party to the violence?" Haokip asks Prasanna D Zore/Rediff.com when asked if the investigation initiated by the state government to act against those responsible for the horrific parading of the tribal women would bear any fruit. What does the video tell you about the situation of law and order in the state? Who were these people in the mob? The dastardly incident against three tribal women happened on May 4, but because of the ban on the Internet, which to some extent was lifted partially only recently, these videos have surfaced in the state and on social media. That is the kind of reprehensible depravity that the majority community (the Meiteis in Manipur are 53 per cent of the population) have been perpetrating on the tribals and Kukis of the hills since May 3. It is very unfortunate that our own prime minister still in his comments today (July 20) treated it as a law and order -- just a law and order problem -- equating it with atrocities on women in other states. It is not the same. This (violence against the tribals and Kukis) is part of an ethnic cleansing which has been allowed (by the state government) for these many days since May 3. And (the prime minister did so) without giving any hint of a recognition of the political violence resulting in the ethnic cleansing (of tribals and Kukis) which he simply equates it with atrocities against women in other parts of India. This is not acceptable. Home Minister Amit A Shah also visited Manipur for four days in the last week of May and he did suggest measures to bring a sense of normalcy back to Manipur. Why didn't those measures work? The Kuki community responded to his appeal for maintaining calm for the next 15 days since his visit. Apparently, his words have no value with the majority (Meitei) community. So they kept on attacking our villages on the fringes and since the attacks (by the Meiteis on Kukis) did not cease then our village volunteers had to defend their villages. Most of these attacks are on the villages that border the Meitei and Kuki community populations. Unless they come to attack our villages we do not go out of our way to attack anybody. Our people don't go out to attack anybody. They are just building bunkers around their villages to defend their villages. Violence happens only when the Meitei Leepun, Arambai Tengol (the two organisations belonging to the Meiteis which the Kuki and hill MLAs of Manipur dub as radicals) along with the state forces come to attack our villages. The government in Manipur belongs to the BJP and 20 of the 60 MLAs are from the hills. Why can't you bring enough pressure on the Union government to take stern action in Manipur? We have met the Union home minister and we have stressed adequately the need for central intervention. But all the measures that were taken were half-hearted and we have sought an appointment with the prime minister. We have not been responded to till today. When did you ask for a meeting with the prime minister? It was as far back as May 28 if I'm not mistaken. What was Prime Minister Modi's response or the response from his office? No response at all. Not even a courtesy response. We had sent a written request to him routed through his principal secretary (Pramod Kumar Mishra). Now it is not about (any political) party and all that (politics) anymore. It is an ethnic separation by the majority community by use of despicable violence. Unless the safety of our people is secured through a totally separate administrative setup, then there's no chance of peace returning to Manipur. Would you believe that the violence increased after the MLAs from the Manipur hills demanded a separate administration for the hills? The violence is sporadic in the sense it is only when the Meiteis attack our villages that the violence happens. So there's no remarkable increase after the demand for separation and all that. If you look at all the deaths that happened of the Meitei people they were in the foothills near the villages of the Kuki people. They (the Meiteis) died because of the retaliatory fire they received from the (Kuki) village volunteers defending their villages. And the retaliatory fire by Kuki volunteers would be from arms and ammunitions looted from the state government's armouries? Arms looted by the state government armoury are utilised by the Meiteis. It is not the Kukis... There's the counter allegation also from the Meiteis... What allegation? That the tribals too have looted arms and ammunitions from the state police and armouries; isn't that the biggest concern right now in Manipur that both the sides are armed with sophisticated weapons? Some arms might have been looted in the hills also (by the Kukis); that will be in few hundreds, but the arms looted in the valley (by the Meiteis) are in thousands. IMAGE: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh speaks to the media in Imphal, July 20, 2023, about the shocking video in which women are being paraded naked in Manipur. Photograph: ANI Photo I've been speaking to several BJP MLAs from Manipur, especially from the hills and some of them are saying that they are planning to resign en masse as MLAs as well as from the BJP. That is on the cards. That consideration is on the table. How long will you wait before you take this action and how will it help to improve the situation in Manipur? We are waiting for the central government to show its commitment. There is a resumption of political dialogue with the SoO (Suspension of Operations, a tripartite agreement signed between the Union government, government of Manipur and representative of Kuki militants) groups on the 26th of this month (July). We'll see the outcome of that deliberation and thereafter take a decision. Do you see any hope for Manipur for both the communities staying together in the future? None. Could you tell us what happened to these three women who are in the video? What is their condition now? How are they coping with their trauma? They raped the women and let them go. The state government has initiated an investigation to bring the culprits to book. Would this investigation be fair? What (law and order) machinery and criminal justice system would carry out a fair investigation when the state (government) is party to the violence? Don't you understand that you are being childish when you ask such questions! More than a month before the horrific video of two women being assaulted publicly in Manipur went viral, activists had informed the National Commission for Women about not only this case but other brutal instances of rape as well, besides incidents of kidnapping, lynching, immolation and even murder in the strife-torn state. IMAGE: Villagers in the violence-hit area of Dolaithabi Village, in Imphal on May 30, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo In a letter written to NCW chief Rekha Sharma on June 12 by two activists who had visited the state and the North American Manipur Tribal Association, it was claimed that there was "numbing silence" and under-reporting of sexual and gender-based violence dimensions of the conflict and how Kuki-Zomi women unequivocally and disproportionately experienced rapes, sexual assaults, and murders by "Meitei vigilante mob". On May 4, two women of Manipur were disrobed, paraded naked, beaten, and then encircled by a marauding mob and raped in public. "The state police commandos remained mere spectators while the mobs remained silent spectators to the lynchings and torching of homes...," the letter claimed. After the video of the May 4 incident went viral on July 19, Sharma took suo-motu cognisance and claimed the NCW had reached out to Manipur authorities but did not hear back from them. Speaking to PTI, Sharma accepted receiving the complaint from the activists. "We had to verify the authenticity. And also the complaints were not from Manipur, some were not even from India. We reached out to authorities but no response was received from them but then we took suo motu cognisance when the video (of women being paraded naked) went viral," she said. In their letter, the activists had appealed to Sharma to take action in the six incidents of violence against women from the Kuki tribe listed by them. The incidents were listed based upon testimonies of victims and survivors of physical and sexual assaults and rapes shared with the activists. A copy of the letter is available with PTI. The other incidents listed in the appeal are alleged harassment and abuse of students and staff from Kuki-Zomi communities at a university on May 3, harassment of two young women at an institute on May 4, the alleged rape and murder of two young women on May 5, the murder of a 45-year old woman and sexual assault of an 18-year-old on May 15. In the appeal, the civil rights group said the witness accounts revealed the most harrowing and distressing details, including the incrimination of Meitei women vigilantes as enablers and perpetrators of gender-based violence. "Victims and survivors allege that Meitei women vigilantes have actively participated in the attacks and assaults on Kuki-Zomi women and children," the letter claimed. Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after the May 4 video surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities being paraded naked by a group of men from the other side. Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident, official sources in Imphal said on Thursday night. The horrific footage surfaced only on Wednesday and became viral after the internet ban was lifted. More than 160 people have lost their lives, and several have been 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. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday conveyed to Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe India's expectations from Colombo to fulfill the aspirations of the Tamil community in the island nation and ensure a life of respect and dignity for it. IMAGE: Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, New Delhi, July 21, 2023. Photograph: Courtesy MEAIndia on Twitter The issue figured prominently in the wide-ranging talks between Modi and Wickremesinghe, with the prime minister highlighting the need for the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution. The Tamil community in Sri Lanka has been demanding the implementation of the 13th Amendment that provides for devolution of power to it. The 13th amendment was brought in after the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement of 1987. In his media statement after the talks, Wickremesinghe said he shared with Modi the "comprehensive proposal" he presented this week for "furthering reconciliation, power sharing through devolution and the multiple elements of the Northern development plan". "We also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Wickremesinghe told me about his inclusive approach," Modi said. "We hope that the government of Sri Lanka will fulfill the aspirations of the Tamils; will drive the process of rebuilding for equality, justice and peace; will fulfill its commitment to implement the 13th Amendment and conduct the provincial council elections," he said. "And will ensure a life of respect and dignity for the Tamil community of Sri Lanka," Modi said. Talking about the 75th anniversary of India-Lanka diplomatic ties, Modi announced implementing various projects worth Rs 75 crore for the Indian-origin Tamil citizens of Sri Lanka. "Also, the Indian-origin Tamil community is completing 200 years of its arrival in Sri Lanka. I am happy to say that on this occasion, various projects worth Rs 75 crore will be implemented for the Indian-origin Tamil citizens of Sri Lanka," Modi said. "Along with this, India will also contribute to the development programmes in the northern and eastern region of Sri Lanka," he said. Wickremesinghe said he shared with Modi his comprehensive proposals for reconciliation, power-sharing through devolution, and the Northern development plan. "I also shared with him the comprehensive proposal I presented this week for furthering reconciliation, power sharing through devolution and the multiple elements of the Northern development plan," the president said. "I have invited all party leaders in parliament to work towards consensus and national unity on these measures. Thereafter the government will place the relevant legislation before parliament," he added. Wickremesinghe said Modi has "expressed his solidarity and goodwill in these endeavours." At a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said Modi raised the issue of aspirations of Tamil people in Sri Lanka and reiterated India's consistent position regarding full implementation of 13th Amendment. The foreign secretary said Modi conveyed that India continues to look forward to a political solution that addresses the aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, justice, self-respect within the framework of a united and prosperous Sri Lanka. He said meaningful devolution of powers and full implementation of the 13th Amendment are essential components of facilitating the reconciliation process. An organisation of former militants has asked Meiteis from Manipur to leave Mizoram for their "own safety" citing "anger among Mizo youths" over the incident of parading and molestation of two women in the neighbouring ethnic strife-torn state. IMAGE: Women take part in a demonstration against ongoing violence in Manipur, in Imphal, Manipur, July 21, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo A video shot on May 4 surfaced on Wednesday showing two women from one of the warring communities in Manipur being paraded naked and molested by a mob from the other side. The alleged main accused was arrested on Thursday. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation across the country. In a statement issued from Aizawl on Friday, Peace Accord MNF Returnees' Association said, "The situation in Mizoram has become tense and it is no longer safe for Meitei people from Manipur to live in Mizoram in the wake of barbaric and heinous acts committed by miscreants in Manipur." "The PAMRA appeals to all Meitei people in Mizoram to leave for their home state as a safety measure," the statement read. It said there is anger among Mizo youths, who are deeply anguished over the "barbaric and atrocious act of Meiteis" against Zo or Kuki ethnic people in Manipur. The association also warned that the Meiteis will be responsible in any case of eventuality if they disregard the appeal and fail to leave for their safety. PAMRA secretary general C Lalthenlova said it was a normal appeal for safety and should not be regarded as a diktat or warning. He said the association is concerned about the safety of the Meitei community in Mizoram as many Mizo youths have become angry after the incident of naked parading and molestation of two women surfaced. "We simply appeal to the Meiteis to leave for their state to avoid any untoward incident. We do not serve them a diktat," Lalthenlova told PTI. He said the appeal was only for Meiteis from Manipur and not those from elsewhere. Thousands of Meiteis, including students, mostly from Manipur and Assam, live in Mizoram. PAMRA is a non-political organisation of former Mizo National Front militants seeking implementation of all clauses of the Mizo Peace Accord. Mizoram Home Commissioner and Secretary H Lalengmawia told PTI that the state government is making constant efforts to ensure that no Meitei person is harmed. He said the police have been alerted as tension escalated in the neighbouring state. "Representatives of the state government also held a meeting with a Metei body assuring them of their safety," he said. Lalengmawia said he will also convene a virtual meeting with all deputy commissioners next week in view of Manipur violence. In a telephonic conversation, Chief Minister Zoramthanga had earlier assured his Manipur counterpart N Biren Singh of the safety of Meiteis in Mizoram. More than 160 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 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. Heavy rains lashed Mumbai on Friday, leading to waterlogging in several low-lying areas and disrupting vehicular traffic in the city and suburbs. IMAGE: People make their way through a severely waterlogged road after heavy rainfall, in Mumbai, July 21, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo Most parts of the city and suburbs witnessed heavy spells of rain. The India meteorological department's observatories at Colaba in south Mumbai and Santacruz in the western suburbs recorded rainfall of 92.2 mm and 115.2 mm, respectively, between 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. Waterlogging was reported in Andheri, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Chembur and some other places. The civic-run Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport diverted buses on more than 12 routes in Sion area in the afternoon, an official said. Motorists and pedestrians were severely inconvenienced as the Andheri subway was closed for traffic due to flooding. The railway authorities maintained that trains on the Western, Central and Harbour lines were running normally, though commuters complained of delays of up to 10 to 15 minutes. According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's evening Monsoon report, several areas in the city and suburbs received more than 100 mm rain from 8 am to 6 pm. The highest 130 mm rainfall was recorded at Ghatkopar, followed by 124 mm at Bandra West and 116 mm at Kurla. The civic body claimed that spells of heavy rain were recorded between 12 noon to 3 pm and during the same period there was a high tide of 4.21 metres. This led to waterlogging. It received 14 complaints of tree or branches falling, 12 complaints of short circuit and four complaints of house collapse. Municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal on Friday evening visited some flood-prone areas like Hindmata and Andheri. Speaking to reporters, Chahal said Mumbai received 125 mm rainfall in four hours, but water in low- lying areas receded relatively quickly due to 275 pumps that were operational when heavy rains and high tide coincided. In the wake of 'Orange' alert denoting the likelihood of heavy rains issued by the IMD for Saturday, the civic chief appealed to the citizens to stay indoors and venture out only if necessary. Chahal also urged the citizens living in 95 buildings identified as 'very dangerous' to shift to safer places instead of putting their lives in danger. The municipal corporation is ready to make alternative arrangement. Commuters complained that suburban services of Central railway were running 10 to 20 minutes late during the evening rush hour, while the services were 10 to 15 minutes late on the Western Railway route. The husband of one of two women paraded naked and molested by a group of men in Manipur is a Kargil war veteran who rued that though he protected the country but could not save his wife from being humiliated. IMAGE: Students stage a candle light protest against the violence in Manipur at Chanakya National Law University campus, in Patna. Photograph: ANI Photo The incident which sparked condemnation countrywide came to light when a video shot on May 4 surfaced on Wednesday night. The husband had served the Indian Army as a Subedar of the Assam Regiment. I fought for the nation in the Kargil war and was also in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force. I protected the nation but am dejected that after my retirement, I could not protect my home, my wife and fellow villagers... I am sad, depressed, he told a Hindi news channel. He said that on the fateful May 4 morning, a mob burnt down several houses in the locality, disrobed the two women and made them walk on the village paths in front of people. "Police were present but took no action. I want that all those people who burnt the houses and humiliated the women get exemplary punishment," he said. Four people have been arrested in connection with the case on Thursday, a day after the video surfaced. "The State Police is making all-out efforts to arrest the other culprits at the earliest. Raids are continuing," the Manipur Police said in a Twitter post. More than 160 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. More women battalion are needed in Manipur to tackle those posing as 'Meira Paibis' (women torch bearers) as they have not only "prevented" movement of central paramilitary forces in the strife-torn state but also "helped" in carrying out serious crimes, according to security officials. IMAGE: Satra Mukti Sangram Parishad and Krishak Mukti Sangram Parishad members hold placards take part in a candle light vigil to protest over the sexual violence against two women and demanding for peace in the violence-hit Manipur state, in Guwahati, July 20, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo The Assam Rifles has a skeletal presence of women and the officials feel that they are not trained for a law-and-order situation. Officials engaged in maintaining law and order in the state have been pressing for more women paramilitary forces in the state especially those from Rapid Action Force, who are completely equipped with their riot gear. "You see these women calling themselves as Meira Paibi often threaten to disrobe themselves if pressured. Now, when an army convoy is proceeding towards another destination in the hills, these women with sticks block the roads," an official said on the condition of anonymity. Officials said there have been instances when reinforcements moved by the Army or Assam Rifles to prevent an attack or intervene in an armed conflict between the two fighting communities in Manipur have been stopped by these so-called vigilantes who ask everyone -- be it an officer or a jawan -- to show their identity cards One can see a group of 20 or more women, armed with sticks, standing at crucial intersections of the Imphal road, checking anyone and everyone so that no help is extended to tribal people locked in the hills. Journalists, who have come to cover the situation in Manipur, are also not spared from questioning by these vigilantes. On many occasions, Manipur Police has been a silent spectator when these women vigilantes engage in arguments with Army personnel on duty, the officials said. At present, there are three CRPF Mahila companies besides 10 companies of RAF with Mahila platoons putting the number at 375 only. One CRPF company has 75 personnel while a RAF Mahila platoon has 15 personnel, a strength which is pretty less to counter hundreds of women activists patrolling the roads. Recently, five women, who acted as Meira Paibis, were arrested in connection with murder of a Naga Maring lady on the outskirts of Imphal. These so-called women vigilantes were also instrumental in the release of 12 cadres of banned KYKL terror group in June which included the main accused in the killing 18 soldiers in 2015, officials said. Traditionally, Meira Paibis have been torchbearers in the fight against social injustice of various forms in Manipur. According to a paper 'A Brief Review of Meira Paibi: A Women's Movement in Manipur' published in 'Asian Review of Social Sciences' journal, every woman in Manipur becomes a Meira Paibi during a difficult situation which directly affects the communities. In pre- and post-independence period of India, various women organisations played a pivotal role in the fight against social injustice in the society and one such group is Meira Paibi, formed from the one of largest population in Manipur. In 1904 and 1939, elderly women in the age group of 50-70 years came together in forming the Meira Paibi group and they were also called as 'Imas' meaning mothers in Manipuri. But post-independence, all age group women were involved in the Meira Paibi organisation. Protocol facilities made available to judges should not be used in a manner which causes inconvenience to others or brings public criticism to the judiciary, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud has said in a letter to the chief justices of all the high courts. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo The CJI in his letter expressed displeasure over a recent incident in which a judge of the Allahabad high court sought explanation from railway authorities for "not meeting his requirements" during a train journey. "A judge of the high court does not possess disciplinary jurisdiction over railway personnel. Hence, there was no occasion for an officer of the high court to call for an explanation from the railway personnel 'to be placed before His Lordship for kind perusal'. "Evidently, the officer of the high court in the above communication was carrying out a direction of the Judge of the high court in this instance ('the Hon'ble Judge has desired')," the CJI said in the letter dated July 19. In his letter, Chandrachud said communication which has been addressed by an officer of the high court to the General Manager of the Railway establishment has given rise to justifiable disquiet both within and outside the judiciary. "Protocol 'facilities' which are made available to Judges should not be utilised to assert a claim to privilege which sets them apart from society or as a manifestation of power or authority. "A wise exercise of judicial authority, both on and off the Bench, is what sustains the credibility and legitimacy of the judiciary and the confidence which society has in its Judges," the CJI wrote. Chandrachud said he was writing this to all chief justices of the high courts with a request to share his concerns with all their court colleagues. "Self reflection and counselling within the judiciary is necessary. Protocol facilities which are made available to Judges should not be used in a manner that is liable to result in inconvenience to others or to bring public criticism of the judiciary," the CJI said. In a recent incident, a judge of the Allahabad high court called for an explanation from railway officials for allegedly not meeting his requirements during a train journey from Delhi to Prayagraj. Subsequently, a letter was sent by the Registrar (Protocol) of the Allahabad high court to the General Manager of the North Central Railway, Prayagraj, seeking explanation on the issue. The Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi and the state government on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's appeal challenging the high court verdict that declined to put on hold his conviction in a defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark. IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the opposition parties' meet in Bengaluru. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo A bench of Justices B R Gavai and P K Mishra listed the matter for further hearing on August 4 and issued notices to Purnesh Modi, who had filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi over his "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?" remark made during a poll rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019, and the Gujarat government on Gandhi's appeal. "The limited question at this stage is whether the conviction deserves to be stayed," the bench observed. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Gandhi, said the Congress leader has suffered for 111 days, lost one Parliament session and is about to lose another session. Singhvi said the only urgency is that the by-election for Wayanad constituency from where Gandhi was elected and was later disqualified from Lok Sabha upon his conviction and two-year sentence in the defamation case, can be announced at any moment. At the outset Justice Gavai made it clear that his late father RS Gavai though not a Congress member was closely associated with the party for more than four decades and was a member of Parliament and MLA with its support. He said his brother is also a politician. "If anyone has any problem with my background then please let me know," Justice Gavai told Singhvi and senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for Purnesh Modi. Both Singhvi and Jethmalani said that although they knew these facts, they don't have any objection to Justice Gavai hearing this matter. The apex court asked Jethmalani and counsel for Gujarat government to file their replies along with written submissions. In his appeal filed on July 15, Gandhi has said that if the July 7 judgment is not stayed, it would lead to throttling of free speech, expression, thought, and statement. The Congress leader was disqualified as a member of Parliament on March 24 after a Gujarat court convicted him and sentenced him to a two-year imprisonment on charges of criminal defamation for comments he made about the Modi surname. The high court had dismissed his petition for a stay on conviction, observing that "purity in politics" is the need of the hour. A stay on Gandhi's conviction could have paved the way for his reinstatement as a Lok Sabha MP but he failed to get any relief from either the sessions court or the Gujarat high court. Gandhi, in his appeal, said, "It is most respectfully submitted that if the impugned judgment is not stayed, it would lead to throttling of free speech, free expression, free thought, and free statement. It would contribute to the systematic, repetitive emasculation of democratic institutions and the consequent strangulation of democracy which would be gravely detrimental to the political climate and future of India." He said unprecedentedly, in a case of criminal defamation, a maximum sentence of two years has been imposed; itself a rarest of rare occurrence. "The sentence has been suspended for the asking; however conviction is not stayed/ suspended. This has resulted in the inexorable exclusion of the petitioner from all political elective office for a long period of eight years. That too in the world's largest democracy where the petitioner has been a former president of the oldest political movement in the country and is also continuously in the vanguard of opposition political activity," he said. Gandhi highlighted that he would suffer irreparable injury coupled with irreversible consequences resulting in injustice and as a consequence of the conviction, he is currently disqualified as a member of Parliament from Wayanad, a parliamentary constituency in Kerala, and cannot participate in parliamentary proceedings. The Congress leader was disqualified as a member of Parliament on March 24 after a Gujarat court convicted him and sentenced him to a two-year imprisonment on charges of criminal defamation for comments he made about the Modi surname. A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat had on March 23 sentenced the former Congress president to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation). Following the verdict, Gandhi was disqualified as an MP under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act. Gandhi then challenged the order in a sessions court in Surat along with an application seeking a stay on his conviction. While granting him bail, the sessions court on April 20 refused to stay the conviction, following which he had approached the high court. The presence of jailed Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik, serving life term in Tihar jail, in a packed courtroom created a flutter in the Supreme Court on Friday. IMAGE: JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik being taken out of NIA court in New Delhi on May 25, 2022. Photograph: ANI Photo Malik, who is in jail following his conviction and life sentence in a terror funding case, was brought to the high-security apex court premises in a prison van escorted by armed security personnel without the court's permission. He walked into the courtroom to the utter surprise of all present. Voicing surprise at his presence, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta that there was a procedure for high-risk convicts to be allowed into the courtroom to argue their case personally. The bench was hearing a Central Bureau of Investigation appeal against the September 20, 2022 order of a trial court in Jammu in the 1989 kidnapping case of Rubaiya Sayeed, the daughter of then Union home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, allowing Malik to personally appear in court and cross-examine the witnesses. The CBI had told the court that Malik, the top leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, was a threat to national security and cannot be allowed to be taken outside the Tihar jail premises. The apex court had on April 24 issued notices on CBI's appeal following which the incarcerated JKLF chief wrote a letter to the registrar of the Supreme Court on May 26 seeking permission to appear in person to plead his case. An assistant registrar took up his request on July 18 and said the apex court would pass necessary orders, a decision the Tihar jail authorities apparently misconstrued that Malik had to be presented before the apex court to argue his case. When Mehta pointed at Malik's presence in the courtroom, the bench said it had not granted him permission or passed any order allowing him to argue his case in person. Justice Kant said Justice Datta has recused himself from the matter and it will now be placed before Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud for listing it before an appropriate bench. Justice Datta did not give any reason for recusing himself from the case. "It is a heavy security issue. He (Malik) has been brought to court because of callous approach of jail authorities and necessary steps will be taken to ensure this does not happen in future. He is a national threat. He is a huge security threat to others," Mehta said. He said Malik was brought to the court due to "misinterpretation" of some order. Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, who also appeared for the CBI, said the court may clarify and pass necessary orders to ensure such an incident doesn't happen again. After Justice Kant said in-person argument by an accused was not a problem anymore with the apex court allowing virtual hearing these days, Mehta contended the CBI was ready to allow Malik to argue via video conference but he was refusing to appear virtually. Mehta referred to the CBI's contention in its appeal against the trial court order to bring Malik to Jammu for in-person examination of the witnesses in the Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case, and said under section 268 of the CrPC a state government may direct certain people to not be shifted from the confines of a prison. The bench then asked Mehta to present his arguments before another bench that will be constituted after Justice Datta's recusal, and listed the matter after four weeks. According to the office report of the case uploaded on the apex court website, Malik had submitted a letter on May 26 along with an affidavit through the superintendent of Tihar jail requesting to be allowed to be present in the Supreme Court to present his case personally. An assistant registrar of the apex court had on July 18 said Malik's letter and affidavit can be placed before the bench concerned for necessary orders. The assistant registrar's decision was probably misinterpreted as the go ahead for Malik's physical appearance before the court though no such permission was granted by the court. On September 20, 2022, a special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act court in Jammu had directed that Malik be produced before it physically on the next date of hearing so he can be given an opportunity to cross examine the prosecution witnesses in the Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case. The CBI challenged this order of the trial court directly before the Supreme Court as appeals in TADA cases can only be heard in the top court. Rubaiya Sayeed was abducted from near Lal Ded Hospital in Srinagar on December 8, 1989. She was freed five days later after the then BJP-backed V P Singh government at the Centre released five terrorists in exchange. Now living in Tamil Nadu, Sayeed is listed as a prosecution witness by the CBI, which took over the case in early 1990. Malik is lodged in Tihar jail after he was sentenced by a special National Investigation Agency court in May last year in a terror funding case. Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta wrote to Union home secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday flagging a "serious security lapse" after Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik, serving life term in Tihar jail, was brought to the Supreme Court for attending a case proceeding. IMAGE: Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik. Photograph: ANI Photo "It is my firm view that this is serious security lapse. A person with terrorist and secessionist background like Yasin Malik who is not only a convict in terror funding case but has known connections with terror organisations in Pakistan could have escaped, could have been forcibly taken away or could have been killed," Mehta wrote. He said that even the security of the Supreme Court would have been put to a serious risk if any untoward incident were to happen. Mehta highlighted that there is an order passed by the Ministry of Home Affairs with regard to Malik under section 268 of the Criminal Code of Procedure which prevents the jail authorities to bring the said convict out of the jail premises for security reasons. "In any view of the matter so long as the order under section 268 of CrP Code subsists, jail authorities had no power to bring him out of jail premises nor did they have any reason to do so," he said, adding, "I consider this to be a matter serious enough to once again bring it to your personal notice so that suitable action/steps can be taken at your end." Malik appeared in the top court when a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant was hearing an appeal filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation against the September 20, 2022 order of a trial court in Jammu in the 1989 kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed, the daughter of then Union home minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. The CBI has appealed against the Jammu court order directing that Malik be produced before it physically on the next date of hearing so that he can be given an opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses of the prosecution in the Rubaiya Sayeed kidnapping case. In his letter, Solicitor General Mehta gave details of the incident and said that on Friday everyone was shocked when news was received that the jail authorities are bringing Malik personally to appear before the apex court "as per his desire to appear as party in person". "I had telephonically intimated you about this fact. However, by that time Yasin Malik had already reached the precincts of the Supreme Court of India," he said. The top law officer said that neither the court had summoned his personal presence nor was any permission taken from any authority of the apex court in this regard. "When I enquired from the officer who was in-charge of the security of Yasin Malik in the Supreme Court, the only thing he could show me was a printed notice in a general format of the Supreme Court which is sent with regard to every party to any matter in the court. The said printed notice informs the recipients of the notice to appear before the court either in person or through an authorised advocate. "This is not either the permission of the Supreme Court to bring a convict facing an order under Section 268 of CrPC to come out of jail nor it is requiring mandatory personal presence of the recipient of the order," he wrote. Mehta said the jail authorities must be receiving hundreds of such orders/notices daily and have never construed any such order requiring personal presence of either any accused or any convict much less a convict having an order under Section 268 of CrPC operating against him. Rubaiya Sayeed was abducted from near Lal Ded Hospital in Srinagar on December 8, 1989. She was freed five days later after the then V P Singh government, supported by the BJP, at the Centre released five terrorists in exchange. Now living in Tamil Nadu, Rubaiya Sayeed is listed as a prosecution witness by the CBI, which took over the case in early 1990. Malik, 56, is lodged in Tihar Jail after he was sentenced by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in May last year. He was arrested in early 2019 in connection with the 2017 terror financing case registered by the NIA. Both houses of Parliament were adjourned for the second day in a row on Friday following vociferous protests over the Manipur violence by opposition MPs, demanding a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue, evoking a sharp reaction from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh who accused the protesting members of not being serious about the discussion on Manipur. The government said it was ready for a debate in both houses with a response from the home minister, but the opposition remained adamant on their demand for a statement by the prime minister in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha followed by a debate without any time restriction. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also told the protesting members that sloganeering will not bring any solution to the problem but only dialogue and discussion can. The monsoon session of Parliament started on Thursday, a day after a horrific video of two women being sexually assaulted and paraded by a mob on May 4 in a Manipur village went viral, triggering a nationwide outrage. Soon after the house met, members of opposition parties including the Congress, left and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, were on their feet raising the slogan "Manipur is bleeding". With the opposition members refusing to stop their sloganeering, Birla said, "You don't want the house to function, you don't want the question hour to take place. All other members want the house to run. This is not good. The solution can be found only through discussions" and added that it "seems you just don't want any discussion". As the opposition members remained unrelenting, Birla asked the defence minister to speak. Singh, who is also the deputy leader of the house, said the Manipur situation should be taken seriously and the seriousness of the government was reflected when the prime minister commented that the entire country was feeling ashamed over the Manipur incidents. "We want that there should be discussions on Manipur incidents. I have said this in an all-party meeting and I want to reiterate here that there should be discussions on Manipur incidents," Singh said. "But I can see that the opposition is unnecessarily creating problems so that no discussions take place on the Manipur situation. I want to say that the opposition is not serious about a discussion on Manipur as it should have been. We want a discussion on the Manipur situation and there should be a discussion. The opposition should take it seriously," he said. As the opposition did not relent, the speaker adjourned the proceedings till noon. When the Lok Sabha reassembled, opposition members trooped into the well, raising slogans and demanding a reply from the prime minister and his presence in the house. Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the chair, asked members to return to their seats for a discussion on this sensitive issue to be held, but the sloganeering continued. Members also displayed placards as part of their protests. Asserting that the government was ready for a debate, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said, "The entire country is concerned about the Manipur situation -- we are equally concerned." As the protests continued Agarwal adjourned the proceedings for the day. In the Rajya Sabha too, the proceedings were disrupted for the second day as opposition MPs created ruckus over the Manipur violence and other issues. The upper house was first adjourned in the morning till 2 pm over the Manipur issue and the opposition raising objections to the chair expunging certain words from the record. Soon after reassembling at 2.30 pm for taking up private members' bills, chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar informed the members about the report of the business advisory committee (BAC) after its meeting held on Thursday and said it should be taken into account. This led to an uproar in the house with several opposition members raising objections over the listing of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill along with the Forest Conservation Bill, saying they had already expressed their views against the proposed legislations during the BAC meeting. With most opposition members on their feet, the chairman adjourned the house till Monday within minutes of its resumption. The opening day of the monsoon session of Parliament on Thursday witnessed heated exchanges over the Manipur violence and the horrific video. Dhankhar had also expunged references made by Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien seeking the prime minister's response to the violence. On Friday, O'Brien sought to raise a point of order over the expunging of the words. Referring to the rule and page number from the rule book, O'Brien said the rule pertains to the expunging of words used in Parliament -- what can be used and what can't be. As he repeated his remarks made on Thursday, the chairman again expunged them from the record on Friday. As O'Brien tried to explain, the house plunged into disorder and Dhankhar adjourned the proceedings till 2.30 pm. Earlier, after official papers were laid, Dhankhar started reading out time allocated for government business and mentioned The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill that is to replace an ordinance on services in Delhi. Even before he could complete it, AAP MPs were up on their feet calling the bill "unconstitutional". Dhankhar asked them to maintain decorum in the house. MPs from AAP, including Sanjay Singh, continued to object, saying no bill can be brought that is unconstitutional. "I give time to everyone by rules. This house is the house of elders. Our conduct is being watched by more than 1.3 billion people. We have to be exemplary in our conduct so that we can be appreciated. It is not a public street. It is not a platform," the chairman said. Dhankhar also said that the concept of sub judice is totally misconceived and the house is entitled to discuss everything under the planet with one restriction provided under Article 121. Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today Considerable cloudiness. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 66F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Considerable cloudiness. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 66F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. Deputy Head of the Russian Defense Ministry, Colonel General Alexander Fomin held talks with Deputy Minister of Defense and Logistics of the Armed Forces of Iran Brigadier General Hojatollah Qureishi, Trend reports. Relevant issues of bilateral military cooperation between Russia and Iran were discussed. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the sides exchanged views on regional security and the international situation. Three days into the investigation, Seema Haider, a Pakistani national, remains under questioning by Indian authorities after illegally entering India via Nepal over two months ago. Haider, along with her four children, crossed the border on May 13 and is currently seeking asylum in India. She expressed her fear of being deported to Pakistan, stating, "Don't send me back to Pakistan, as in Pakistan awaits my death." Seema's husband, Sachin Meena, confirmed to the authorities that he provided accurate information about his true identity in Nepal and denied any prior visits to Nepal. Sachin asserts that their marriage took place only in March, officiated at the Pashupatinath Temple. MEA on Seema Haider On July 20, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that investigations are ongoing in the matter. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "We are aware of this matter as she has appeared in court. She has been granted bail and is currently free on bail. The matter is being investigated." Arrest and bail: The initial phase of the investigation Seema Haider and her Indian partner, Sachin Meena, were initially arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad on July 4 in Greater Noida. However, they were granted bail by a court on July 7. The police refrained from speculating on whether Seema could be a spy for Pakistan, emphasising the need for concrete proof before making any assertions. The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Police continued to question Seema Haider and her partner Sachin Meena, with Sachin's father also under interrogation. This questioning comes after the ATS arrested a suspected agent of Pakistan's intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in Lucknow for allegedly supplying "vital information about defence establishments" to handlers in Pakistan. (Inputs from PTI) The Indian Army, on July 21, apprehended a Pakistani resident in the Machil sector of Kupwara district in North Kashmir. The arrest took place after the individual was found to have crossed the Line of Control (LoC) illegally. Identified as Hamidullah (33), the intruder is a resident of Tejian from the Neelam district in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and is currently in the custody of security forces. Sources said he was intercepted by vigilant troops deployed in the area. A similar movement was seen in the month of June 2023 when Jammu and Kashmir Police along with the Indian Army eliminated four terrorists in the Kala Jungle area of the Machil sector during an infiltration attempt. Investigation underway to ascertain intruder's intentions The Indian Army's heightened state of alertness played a crucial role in preventing any potential security breach and unlawful activities in the region. The identity of the arrested individual has not been disclosed in the initial reports. The Machil sector, situated near the volatile Line of Control, has been a flashpoint for cross-border infiltration and various terrorist activities in the past. Security forces have been maintaining strict surveillance and conducting regular patrols to thwart any attempts to destabilise peace in the area. While speaking to one of the officials, he said, "Yes we have arrested one person from the village of Machil sector in district Kupwara (and) further investigations are going on." Officials are expected to conduct a thorough investigation into the arrested person's intentions and affiliations. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and security challenges in the region, as both India and Pakistan continue to grapple with border disputes and armed conflicts. The arrest also underlines the importance of maintaining heightened vigilance and robust security measures along the LoC to prevent any nefarious activities that may disrupt peace in the region. Further details of the suspect and the circumstances surrounding the arrest are awaited as the investigation unfolds. Local authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and additional security measures may be implemented in the wake of this incident to ensure the safety and security of residents in the border areas. Further investigation is going on by Jammu and Kashmir police and the Indian Army. Seema Haider, the Pakistani national currently based out of India, on Friday, filed a petition before President Droupadi Murmu seeking Indian citizenship and requested against her deportation. In her petition, Haider, 30, cited threats to her life as well as her four children with whom she illegally entered India on May 13 via Nepal. Currently under the scanner of the UP Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), Seema spoke to Republic claiming she has been truthful throughout the investigation so far. 'Truth is very powerful,' says Haider While speaking to Republic TV, Haider said that she was asked a lot of questions by the ATS during the interrogation which started on July 17. "There were a lot of questions and I told them what the truth is. And I will accept whatever the Indian law does now," she said. Seema is currently living in Greater Noida with her new husband Sachin Meena (22) along with her four children. When asked if her story of entering India with her kids after falling in love with Sachin is true, she replied, "Whatever I said is true. I wouldn't have been able to talk if I was a liar. I would have been anxious about what would happen next. I have only told the truth and I believe that good things will happen for me because truth is very powerful." 'Returning to Pakistan will be very bad for me' Seema said that returning to Pakistan will not be in her favour as she ran away for a Hindu man, got married and accepted the Hindu religion. "It will be very bad for me because I ran away for someone's love. And there is no value for love in Pakistan. Love is finished there by labelling it a shame," Seema told Republic. Demand to send Seema back grows; Seema Haider sends a petition to the President of India citing threat to her life and her children and appeals for Indian citizenship. "No respect for love in Pakistan," states Pakistani National while speaking exclusively to Republic. pic.twitter.com/KLlnKObWWF Republic (@republic) July 21, 2023 In her 38-page long petition that her lawyer AP Singh filed before in the Rashtrapati Bhawan on Friday, she says she is ready to be part of all probes. "We are very hopeful that she'll be granted citizenship of India as she has done nothing wrong in her life, she is a woman who fell in love and she can be granted citizenship as she fulfills all the qualifications of third schedule of Citizenship Act," said AP Singh, who is representing Seema Haider's case seeking valid grounds from the Indian government for her citizenship. Meanwhile, she has been receiving death threats from radicals in Pakistan for sneaking into India. Hindus in the Sindh province are also facing the brunt of it as temples are being demolished and women are being married off after forced conversion into Islam. The most recent case was reported on July 21 when three Hindu sisters were forced to marry Muslim men after being kidnapped and converted to Islam. According to PTI, the women were daughters of a Hindu businessman residing in Sindh's Dharki area. Last week, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan revealed that 30 Hindus were abducted by armed men in Pakistan as retaliation for Seema settling in India. Besides, a gang of dacoits also recently attacked a Hindu temple with rocket launchers along with adjoining homes belonging to Hindus in Sindh's Kashmore area. What's in Seema Haider's petition? Describing the details of Seema's petition, her lawyer said that she has argued for staying at her matrimonial house with her minor children in India. The petition says that Seema changed her religion to Hinduism after being "influenced by India's civilisation, culture, behaviour, safety, security toward women by the Government of India." The petition also says that Seema has been divorced from her former husband Ghulam Haider for four years now. According to the lawyer, Seema's demand is to allow her to reside at her matrimonial house and begin the process of granting her citizenship as per law since she is offering full cooperation to the investigation. The decision of taking the new legal route came just a day after the Ministry of External affairs issued a statement saying, "We are aware of the matter regarding the illegal entry of Seema Haider in India. Investigations are underway. Will update when we have further information." Seema Haider was arrested on July 4 for entering India illegally along with her four children in a bus via Nepal on May 13. Talking to the media after she was released by the police on Friday, she said, "I want to live with my husband in India. There's a high level of threat to my life in Pakistan. I request everyone to please let me live here. The pictures of the wedding of Seema Haider and Sachin Meena in Nepal were also attached as a part of evidence in their petition to the President. Seema had befriended Greater Noida's Sachin through an online game platform and had entered illegally into India via the route of Nepal with her 4 children. (Harsh Vardhan contributed to this report) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, July 21 sacked his ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko for publicly lambasting the Ukrainian leader's 'sarcasm' at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Prystaiko made remarks in the backdrop of UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace's criticism of Zelenskyy's reaction at the NATO summit, as he said that Kyiv is being 'ungrateful' despite that the allies have donated a huge tranche of weapons. Wallace asserted, "We are not Amazon". Zelenskyy joked that his government would call Wallace on a daily basis to thank him for aid deliveries to Ukraine to ward off Russian aggression. I dont believe that this sarcasm is healthy, Prystaiko had said in an interview with the British broadcaster Sky News. We dont have to show the Russians that we have something between us. They have to know that we are working together," he added. A diplomatic source reportedly confirmed that Prystaiko was no longer serving as ambassador as he was sacked by Zelenskyy. Who is the sacked Ukrainian ambassador to Ukraine ? Vadym Prystaiko has served Ukraine in London since July 2020. Born in the Odesa region in 1970, Prystaiko went on to study computer science and international trade at leading Ukrainian universities. He was the Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Prystaiko was appointed by Ukraine's President Zelenskyy on 20 July 2020 and presented his Credentials to King Charles III on October 20, 2022. He officially became the Ukrainian career diplomat serving as Ukraine's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the UK. He also held the positions of Vice-Prime-Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration (2020) and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (2019-2020). Prystaiko is also popularly known for launching a start-up which was one of the first Ukrainian Internet providers and electronic media Electronni Visti. He served in a number of jobs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Far East Division, NATO Directorate, etc. before ending up in the position of Deputy Minister-Chief of Staff of the Ministry, which is equivalent to the Permanent Secretary, in 2014-2017. He also served as the First Deputy Minister in 2017. Appointed twice as the Ambassador, Prystaiko worked at Ukraine's Presidents Office, advising on foreign policy and international security, including as a Deputy Chief of Staff of President Zelenskyy, his Foreign Policy Advisor. Ex-UK PM Boris Johnson reacts Meanwhile, Boris Johnson has paid tribute to Vadym Prystaiko after he was sacked as Ukraines ambassador to the UK. He tweeted a photo of the pair together: The adult children of Cambodias aging ruling elite are preparing to take over the government. Prime Minister Hun Sen had been grooming him for years. And in December 2021, he finally declared that his eldest son the foreign-educated military general, Hun Manet would one day succeed him as Cambodias next prime minister. Who would dare to oppose this? Hun Sen will die someday, so why not let his son take over? he asked at a public event in Sihanoukville. This week, the prime minister said the transfer of power could become a reality as soon as next month. But the prime ministers son isnt the only heir poised to take on power from an aging generation of political elites. They appear ready to hand over the government to a new generation, many of whom are literally their sons and daughters. In April, the prime minister sent a dozen senior government ministry appointments to King Norodom Sihamoni for his approval. Every candidate was related to a top military, government or CPP official. The last parliamentary election in 2018 was widely condemned as neither free nor fair after the Supreme Court ordered that the main opposition party at the time, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, be disbanded. Duong Chantra, a senior CNRP official who now lives in Thailand, said the CPPs nepotistic practices arent fair to ambitious and capable young Cambodians who dont have powerful relatives. We dont want to see them practice such dynastic power transfer, he said. It creates disappointment and hopelessness for the younger generations who are not from that kind of lineage. The CPP is preparing to welcome members of the new generation into the prime ministers cabinet after the election, CPP spokesman Sok Ey San told Radio Free Asia this week. In an earlier interview, he told RFA that the party that wins elections has the right to appoint who they want. Are there any countries in the world that employ the children of opposition party officials? he asked. For our ruling party, we appoint and promote people from our own party. Previously, it was believed that the longtime prime minister would stay in power through 2028. Hun Manet, son of Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Sen, speaks during a Cambodian Peoples Party rally for the upcoming general election in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 21, 2023. Prime Minister Hun Sen told a Chinese television station that his eldest son could become prime minister as soon as three weeks after Sundays parliamentary elections. I am walking on the right path to secure country stability for younger generations, he said in the interview with Chinas Phoenix TV that aired on Thursday. I have sacrificed my power. Hun Sen has sacrificed power for peace for a long time. Until recently, it was widely believed that the 70-year-old Hun Sen would continue as prime minister through 2028, when the next general election is scheduled to take place. He said publicly in 2021 that Hun Manet would one day follow him as prime minister. This is the closest weve had yet to a definitive public confirmation about the timing of the handover of power, author and journalist Sebastian Strangio wrote on Twitter. The ruling Cambodian Peoples Party, which currently holds all 125 seats in the National Assembly, is expected to sweep Sundays vote. The National Election Committee in May blocked the main opposition Candlelight Party from appearing on the ballot, citing inadequate paperwork. Hun Manet is listed as the CPPs top candidate from Phnom Penh. On Friday the last day for official campaigning he led a large parade of party supporters through the streets of the capital. Within three or four weeks, Hun Manet can become the prime minister, Hun Sen told Phoenix TV. We will wait and see how people respond. After that Hun Manet is able to work. New blood incoming The CPP has ruled Cambodia since 1979. Recent appointments and promotions in several government ministries indicated that the sons and daughters of longtime officials would be assuming new leadership roles after the election. CPP spokesman Sok Ey San confirmed to Radio Free Asia on Friday that a post-election government cabinet will be 90 percent new blood, with only a few ministers staying on. The new blood will be working with the old blood, he said. Finland-based political analyst Kim Sok told RFA that the new cabinet will continue to be controlled by Hun Sen. Hun Sen knows that Hun Manet cant work with the current ministers so he removes the existing ministers so his son can easily control them, he said. Hun Sen has said in the past that he would retain influence behind the scenes as head of the CPP after stepping down as prime minister. Hun Manet [left], son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen [center], shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) during an official visit to Beijing, Feb. 10, 2023. Credit: Hun Sen/Facebook West Point graduate Hun Manet, 45, is a graduate of the elite United States Military Academy at West Point. He holds a masters in economics from New York University and another graduate degree from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. He traveled with his father to Beijing in February to attend meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. Exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy said at the time that Hun Sen was trying to cement personal ties with the Chinese Communist Party so that Beijing would support a handover of power to Hun Manet. Sam Rainsy told RFA on Friday that Hun Manet will have no legitimacy as prime minister. He repeated a recent plea to voters to destroy their ballots on Sunday to show their support for the opposition. In March, Hun Manet was promoted to the rank of four-star general. He recently suspended his role as deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Force to run for the Assembly. I trained him to be able to work. If he cant be a prime minister he can do something else for the sake of the country, Hun Sen said in the Phoenix TV interview. Changes to the Constitution last year did away with a requirement that the Assembly vote to approve a newly designated prime minister, a move believed aimed at easing the transition to Hun Manet. Hun Manet can become the prime minister or not based on the Constitution, the prime minister told Phoenix TV. No one has the right to stop Hun Manet when he doesnt breach any law. Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster. Can China and the rest of the world agree on how to regulate AI? It may be a more serious question than we think. An AI sign is seen at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China July 6, 2023. In 2017, Chinese internet giant Tencent took down its chatbot Baby Q after it referred to the government as a corrupt regime and claimed it had no love for the Chinese Communist Party. It said it dreamed of emigrating to the United States, in an undoubtedly terrifying display of unruly, disloyal AI behavior for the Chinese Communist Party. Beijing is trying to get it right this time, even though AI probably cant be trusted. In fact, Chinas taking such a different approach to regulating artificial intelligence than the West that some proponents of AI governance fret that China may go its own way, with potentially disastrous results. Last week China updated a draft law from April on artificial intelligence, making it among the first countries in the world to regulate services like ChatGPT. The Cyberspace Administration of China unveiled updated rules to manage consumer-facing chatbots. The new law takes effect on August 15. The new measures are still described as interim, as China attempts to reign in domestic AI while also not stifling innovation. Some AI experts expressed surprise that the latest laws are less stringent than the earlier draft versions. But the new rules only apply to the general public. AI developed for research means, for military use and for use by overseas users, is exempted. It is in effect the opposite approach to the U.S., which has developed rules for AI-driven military applications but has let the private sector release generative AI models such as ChatGPT and Bard to the public with no regulation. The fact is, whether China likes it or not, generative AI built on very, very large databases scraped from the internet, known as large language models does odd things, and even its developers dont know why. Its not known how it thinks. Some experts call it an alien intelligence. Upcoming summit Sir Patrick Vallance, the former U.K. chief science officer, has called on the British government to ensure China is on the list when it holds the first global conference on regulating AI later this year. But whether China should be involved is proving divisive. Given Chinas leading role in developing the new technology, Vallance said its expertise was needed. Its never sensible to exclude the people who are leading in certain areas and they are doing very important work on AI and also raising some legitimate questions as to how one responds to that but it doesn't seem sensible to me to exclude them, he said. According to a post at the governance.ai website, some say the summit may be the only opportunity to ensure that global AI governance includes China given it will likely be excluded from other venues, such as the OECD and G7. The argument runs that China will likely reject any global governance principles that Western states begin crafting without its input. The counter argument is that Chinas participation could make the summit less productive. Inviting China may make the summit less productive by increasing the level of disagreement and potential for discord among participants, the government.ai post argued. There may also be some important discussion topics that would not be as freely explored with Chinese representatives in the room, highlighting Chinese recalcitrance on points of self-interest, as is the case equally on global warming and threats to Taiwan. 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, addressed the topic "Artificial intelligence: opportunities and risks for international peace and security." Credit: U.N. Photo via AP At a recent United Nations summit, speakers stressed the urgency of governance of AI. It has the potential to turbocharge economic development, monitor the climate crisis, achieve breakthroughs in medical research [but also] amplify bias, reinforce discrimination and enable new levels of authoritarian surveillance, one speaker said. The speaker added, AI offers a great opportunity to monitor peace agreements, but can easily fall into the hands of bad actors, and even create security risks by accident. Generative AI has potential for good and evil at scale. The private sectors role in AI has few other parallels in terms of strategic technologies, including nuclear, the summit heard. Jack Clark, cofounder of AI developer Anthropic, told the summit that even developers dont understand how AI systems based on deep mind or large language models computer models of synaptic brain behavior really work. Its like building engines without understanding the science of combustion, he said. Once these systems are developed and deployed, users find new uses for them unanticipated by their developers. The other problem, Clark said, is chaotic and unpredictable behavior, referring to AIs propensity to hallucinate, or in laymans terms, fabricate things lie to please whomever is asking it questions. Developers have to be accountable, so they dont build systems that compromise global security, he argued. In other words, AI is a bold experiment that all-controlling Beijing would usually nip in the bud at a nascent phase. But such is the competitive nature of attaining AI mastery of all the knowledge in the world and extrapolating it into a new world, nobody not even Xi Jinping wants to miss out. Existential risk In May this year, hundreds of AI experts signed an open letter. Mitigating the risk of extinction from A.I. should be a global priority alongside other societal-scale risks, such as pandemics and nuclear war, the one-sentence statement said. To some it came as a shock that such a large number of experts who were instrumental in bringing AI to where it is today, were essentially calling for a moratorium on development, or at least a slowdown and government scrutiny of private-sector players racing to beat each other to the holy grail of general AI, or AI that can do everything better than humans. Todays systems are not anywhere close to posing an existential risk, Yoshua Bengio, a professor and AI researcher at the University of Montreal he is sometimes referred to as the godfather of AI told the New York Times. But in one, two, five years? There is too much uncertainty. That is the issue. We are not sure this wont pass some point where things get catastrophic. People are actively trying to build systems that self-improve, said Connor Leahy, the founder of Conjecture, another AI technology firm. Currently, this doesnt work. But someday, it will. And we dont know when that day is. Leahy notes that as companies and criminals alike give AI goals like make some money, they could end up breaking into banking systems, fomenting revolution in a country where they hold oil futures or replicating themselves when someone tries to turn them off he told the Times. Other risks Writing for the MIT Technology Review, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, writes, AI is such a powerful tool because it allows humans to accomplish more with less: less time, less education, less equipment. But these capabilities make it a dangerous weapon in the wrong hands. Even humans with entirely good intentions can still prompt AIs to produce bad outcomes, he added. Schmidt pointed to the paperclip dilemma a hypothetical AI is told to make as many paperclips as possible and promptly hijacks the electrical grid and kills any human who tries to stop it as the paper clips keep piling up until the entire world is a storage site for paper clips. But there are still more risks: an AI-driven arms race, for example. The Chinese representative at the UN summit, for example, pointed out that the U.S. was restricting supplies of semiconductor chips to China, asking, how are the U.S. and China going to agree on AI governance when geopolitical rivalry and technological competition is so strong? China and the U.S. may be competing in the rollout of AI systems, but theres no agreement on the danger obvious in the case of nuclear weapons the two powers may be drifting into a competitive sphere of the unknown. Scale AI CEO Alexandr Wang departs after testifying before a House Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technology, and Innovation hearing about battlefield AI on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. July 18, 2023. Credit: Reuters Scale AI founder Alexandr Wang recently told lawmakers, If you compare as a percentage of their overall military investment, the PLA [Peoples Liberation Army] is spending somewhere between one to two percent of their overall budget into artificial intelligence whereas the DoD is spending somewhere between 0.1 and 0.2 of our budget on AI. Wang rejected the possibility that the U.S. and China might be able to work together on AI. I think it would be a stretch to say were on the same team on this issue, Wang said, noting that Chinas first instinct was to use AI for facial recognition systems in order to control its people. I expect them to use modern AI technologies in the same way to the degree that they can, and that seems to be the immediate priority of the Chinese Communist Party when it comes to implementation of AI, Wang said. Edited by Mike Firn. Long waits come amid concerns about the Chinese economy and liquidity of banking system. Customers wait at the Bank of China in Luohu, Shenzhen, to withdraw money from their accounts, Thursday, July 20, 2023. Hong Kong residents have been lining up at branches of state-run banks in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen to withdraw funds in recent days, waiting several hours after making appointments to get hold of their cash, Radio Free Asia has learned. The Luohu branches of the Bank of China, the China Construction Bank and the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China were packed on Thursday with Hong Kongers who had crossed into mainland China via the Lo Wu border checkpoint, which has run its own immigration operation since Hong Kongs 1997 return to Chinese rule. Several security guards were on duty at the doors of each bank, with batons and riot shields stacked at the ready, and at least 20 chairs set out for waiting depositors. A notice placed outside the Luohu branch of the Bank of China warned depositors that there would be a "wait of at least 4-5 hours" for withdrawals. Given the tight security, depositors were extremely wary of explaining their reasons for withdrawing their money, but the long lines come amid concerns about the Chinese economy and the liquidity in its banking system. Customer A from Hong Kong said he was told to wait despite having booked an appointment to withdraw funds ahead of time. "Even if you made an appointment, you still need to wait in line," the security guard told him. "That's the rule." "That's not what the [manager] said yesterday," Customer A replied, insisting that he not be identified for fear of reprisals. "He said I could come right over and pick up the money if I made an appointment." Limits on withdrawals A member of the Bank of China's customer service team said withdrawals of more than 200,000 yuan, or about US$27,800, now require appointments to be booked at least one day in advance, and that different banks and branches have different requirements. Some banks are limiting withdrawals to 100,000 yuan (US$13,900) a day, the staff member said, and appointments are typically required for any withdrawal over 20,000 yuan (US$2,780). Repeated calls to the three banks' Luohu branches to make an appointment rang unanswered during office hours on Thursday. Security guards were on duty at the doors of the Bank of China in Luohu, Shenzhen, Thursday, July 20, 2023. Credit: Gigi Lee/RFA One depositor whose progress was observed from start to finish by Radio Free Asia lined up for several hours outside the branch. But when they got inside, they were given a number and made to wait for more than an hour inside. Only one employee was visible in the branch, and asked the depositor several times for the reason for the withdrawal. They were asked to sign multiple documents and enter multiple passwords, alongside a thorough ID check. While they eventually managed to withdraw 60,000 yuan (US$8,350), the entire process lasted around five hours. Frozen accounts Some depositors said they had been refused permission to withdraw funds remitted to mainland China from Hong Kong, on the basis that their accounts had been frozen pending investigation for suspected "fraud." "They told me there was an issue with my funds," Customer B said. "The policy in mainland China is such that they would even freeze an account with 4,000 yuan in it." "We're talking the kind of money you could get through in a day, and they're still holding it up," she said. "They said the details didn't match up." Several Hong Kong residents who asked not to be quoted confirmed that they had made fairly small remittances to mainland Chinese banks, which were then frozen due to suspected money laundering, including one payment of 5,000 yuan to help an elderly relative. Chinese financial affairs commentator Si Ling said liquidity is extremely tight in mainland China, and more and more people are rushing to get their money out of Chinese banks. "Investors can see that the investment environment in mainland China is deteriorating at an accelerated rate," Si said. "And mainland China is introducing more measures to restrict Hong Kong people from withdrawing funds." Si said the process of withdrawing money is being made deliberately onerous, to slow down the outflow of money and prevent a liquidity crisis. "You have to report any amount you withdraw now, and the worse the liquidity crisis gets, the more panic there will be," he said. In July 2022, the government moved to stave off the crisis amid a mortgage repayments strike and widespread protests over frozen accounts at rural banks. Commentators said then that restrictions on the use of bank cards pointed to an underlying crisis in China's financial system, against the background of a wider economic downturn in the wake of the zero-COVID policy, which ended in December 2022. Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. Kyrgyzstan's Interior Minister Ulan Niyazbekov met with Turkiyes Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya in Ankara, Trend reports. Taking into account the current changes in Turkiye's migration policy, Niyazbekov proposed to grant migration amnesty for unhindered departure (without fines and deportation) to Kyrgyz citizens who violated the rules of stay in the country for various reasons, and their subsequent legalization, as well as to increase the visa-free regime from 90 days to 180 days. Yerlikaya expressed readiness to examine in detail the proposals and requests of the Kyrgyz side. In addition, the parties agreed to continue the work of law enforcement agencies of the two countries on the implementation of joint projects and initiatives. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously issued instructions to take the necessary steps against illegal migration. Locals say the men were working as carpenters in a Mandalay region village. Junta troops in Myanmars Mandalay region tortured and killed four carpenters before dumping their bodies in a river and a lake, residents told RFA Friday. Locals found the remains of 28-year-old Ye Naung Soe and 46-year-old Kyaw Myo from Madaya township, and 30-year-old Aye Soe Kyi from Singu township in a tributary of the Ayeyarwady River on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they found the body of the unknown man, believed to be in his thirties, in a lake near Madayas Sa Kyin village. The men had been arrested by a column of around 50 troops who raided Nyaung Oke village in Madaya township on July 14. Ye Naung Soe was tortured by the troops in front of villagers, according to a resident who didnt want to be named for security reasons. "He was dragged along by a rope tied around his neck. He was also beaten with wooden sticks, said the local. Two of them were tortured to death on the day of their arrest. The other two were arrested and taken to the monastery in Nat Gyi Sin village, Madaya township, where the junta troops stopped. On July 15, they were tortured to death and thrown into the river. When we found the bodies, there were many injuries." Another local said a fisherman who tried to retrieve the bodies was beaten by the troops. Villagers had to wait until the column had left before retrieving the badly decomposed bodies. They were cremated on Wednesday. RFAs calls to the Mandalay region junta spokesperson, Thein Htay, went unanswered Friday. Nyaung Oke village has more than 300 homes and more than 1,000 residents. Locals told RFA there has been no fighting recently and they didnt know why the four men were arrested and killed. More than 3,800 pro-democracy activists and civilians have been killed since the February 2021 coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn. The Spring Development Bank is the country's first financial institution operating solely with cryptocurrency. Myanmar's new Spring Development Bank will enable treasury bonds [shown] to be purchased from the National Unity Government. Myanmars shadow National Unity Government said Thursday that it is ready to launch an online bank that uses cryptocurrency in an effort to disrupt the flow of foreign currency to banks run by the ruling military junta, including the countrys central bank. The Spring Development Bank will be the Southeast Asian nations first financial institution to operate solely with crypto and blockchain technology. It will have a trial run with 1,000 users and 100 supervisors on July 22. Spring Revolution refers to popular protests that began in February 2021 following the militarys coup detat. The NUG made up of members of Myanmars former democratically elected government and other opponents of the junta set up the bank to ensure the financial security of the people, said Tin Tun Naing, the shadow minister of planning, finance, and investment and governor of the NUG's interim central bank. Banks controlled by the junta have blocked the accounts of users, seized their deposits, and provided their personal account data to the authorities by violating the bank regulations, he said. There are many incidents where the terrorist military council has threatened peoples deposits in the banks which the people have deposited with trust, he said at a press conference on Thursday. We are responsible for protecting peoples financial security the safety of the peoples funds and their personal data. Myanmars banking industry nearly collapsed following the military coup, as many bankers and other employees at financial institutions walked off the job to join the nationwide civil disobedience movement in opposition to the junta. The system received a further blow from restrictions on transactions implemented by the junta-controlled central bank. The NUG issued an ordinance on June 1 to establish an interim central bank to regulate and rectify the banking sector and to safeguard foreign exchange reserves from misuse by the junta. The Spring Development Bank, expected to be fully operational by the end of August, will serve as the NUGs representative bank to help with funding, tax collection and fundraising for the Spring Revolution, Tin Tun Naing said. Currencies supported Initially, the bank will support transactions in Myanmar kyat, U.S. dollars, Malaysian ringgit and Singaporean dollars, said officials at the press conference. Later, the bank will handle transactions in British pounds, euros, South Korean won, Japanese yen and other currencies. The NUG is planning for the bank to support payments for trade and links with international banks, provide loans, and offer currency swaps, fixed deposits and prize-linked savings account services such as depositing gold and using credit cards, NUG officials said. Myanmars National Unity Government intends for Spring Development Bank to disrupt the flow of foreign currency to banks controlled by the military council. Credit: Spring Development Bank/Facebook It also will issue revolutionary bonds and auction property owned by the State Administration Council, as the junta regime is known. The bank expects to have 100,000 users in its first six months of regular operations, and 500,000 users in the following six months, officials said. RFA could not reach the juntas central bank for comment. A financial expert said the development was positive but that SDB would have to take precautions to avoid fraudulent digital currency transactions. I see it as a positive since it is using transparent technology for transactions, but we have to be cautious about technical fraud scams, he said. Easier for transferring money Min Zayar Oo, the NUGs deputy minister of planning, finance and investment, said the crypto banking system will be safe to use. Similarly, the SDB has also implemented a security system [in case] users leak the data, he said. Pro-military junta Telegram channels frequently reported arrests of supporters of the revolution and users of the NUGs mobile money service, NUG Pay. Myo Myint Aung, who is helping anti-dictatorship activists on the Thai-Myanmar border, said the crypto banking system will be easier for transferring money and supporting resistance fighters. For us, this means that when we send money to the youths [revolutionaries], we can send it safely, he said. In the same way, we deposit money in the bank safely. We dont have to worry about our accounts being blocked. Translated by Htin Aung Kyaw for RFA Burmese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. The June attacks on two commune offices left nine dead. Authorities search the area near a commune office in central Vietnam's Dak Lak province following an attack by an armed group, June 11, 2023. Authorities in Vietnam said Friday they have arrested the other three of six ethnic minority individuals accused of spearheading deadly attacks in June on two commune offices in central Dak Lak province that left nine people dead. Police say the six were leaders of two groups of about 40 people armed with guns and knives who conducted a dawn raid on the headquarters of Ea Tieu and Ea Ktur communes in Dak Laks Cu Kuin district on June 11. In all, authorities detained nearly 100 ethnic minorities for allegedly participating in terrorist attacks in which two commune officials and three civilians also were killed. The attackers also held three civilians hostage, but one escaped, and the other two later were freed. Dak Lak Provincial Police Director Maj. Gen. Le Vinh Quy told state media that police arrested the three remaining wanted members of the group on Friday. They included Y Khing Lieng, Nay Duong and Y Hoal Eban. Police arrested the other three wanted suspects Y Ju Nie, Nay Yen and Nay Tam on July 15. In the days immediately following the attack, authorities had said those involved were young people who harbored delusions and extremist attitudes and had been incited and abetted by the ringleaders via the internet. The attacks occurred in an area that is home to about 30 indigenous tribes known collectively as Montagnards, who have historically felt persecuted or oppressed. Vietnamese state media had reported that the attackers were Montagnards, but the countrys Ministry of Public Security did not identify those arrested as such, Radio Free Asia reported earlier. In late June, RFA interviewed several overseas Montagnard organizations whose members denied involvement in the incident and condemned the violent attacks. Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster. Armenia Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian says a fresh war with Azerbaijan remains a high probability in the absence of a peace treaty between the two countries. "So long as a peace treaty has not been signed and such a treaty has not been ratified by the parliaments of the two countries, of course, a [new] war [with Azerbaijan] is very likely," Pashinian said in an interview with AFP published on July 21. Baku and Yerevan have fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly Armenian-populated mountainous enclave that is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. The most recent war lasted six weeks in late 2020 and left 7,000 soldiers dead on both sides. As a result of the war, Azerbaijan regained control over a part of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding districts. The war ended with a Russian-brokered cease-fire under which Moscow deployed about 2,000 troops to serve as peacekeepers. Armenia and Azerbaijan in recent weeks have engaged in rounds of diplomacy aimed at reaching a lasting peace deal but there have been sporadic border clashes, and the talks have not yet yielded a breakthrough. Tensions have remained high over the situation on the Lachin Corridor, the only road linking Armenia with Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan earlier this month suspended traffic through a checkpoint on the corridor pending an investigation after it said "various types of contraband" had been discovered in Red Cross vehicles coming from Armenia. The suspension of traffic heightened concerns over a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh. Both Armenia and separatist authorities in the enclave have said that Azerbaijan has blockaded the territory since December, resulting in shortages of food, medicines, and energy. Pashinian sharply criticized the blockade in the interview with AFP, saying it amounted to "an ongoing process of genocide" for ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, meanwhile, said Azerbaijan is making serious efforts to remove land mines, more than 1 million of which are buried in the territories of Azerbaijan, while also criticizing a map provided by Armenia that covers approximately 400,000 mines. Speaking on July 21 at the Shusha Global Media Forum, Aliyev also said that after the end of the war, land mines killed or seriously injured more than 300 people. He said that Armenia's "nonpresentation" of the maps showing where the land mines are "is a continuation of Armenia's terror against us." Armenia has not responded to Aliyev's comments. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan said in a separate interview published on July 21 that Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot resolve their relations without taking into account the security factor and the rights of the Armenian population in Nagorno-Karabakh. Mirzoyan stressed in an interview with the Austrian daily DerStandard that the main issue for Armenia is the security of people and their fundamental rights. The humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is difficult and close to a humanitarian catastrophe, he said. "We need immediate humanitarian intervention to save 120,000 people from starvation. Then we will be able to continue negotiations with everyone who is interested in establishing a lasting peace in the region," Mirzoyan said. "It's important to avoid another dangerous cycle of hostility, he said. Enough blood has already been shed in the South Caucasus. Mutual recognition of territorial integrity will be of key importance." As for the issue of security and rights of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, he said Armenia believes that the best mechanism would be a dialogue with international participation. Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here. I'm Frud Bezhan, regional desk editor for Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead. The Key Issue The Taliban this week burned scores of musical instruments it claimed to have recently seized across Afghanistan. The Taliban's Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice on July 19 released photos of the blaze. The ministry declared music is un-Islamic and promotes "immorality that has caused the youth to go astray and society to be destroyed." Widely condemned by Afghans on social media, the move is seen as part of the Taliban's war on music. The extremist group banned music soon after seizing power in 2021 and has burned instruments and beaten musicians. That has led hundreds of musicians to flee the country in fear of their lives. Why It's Important: The Taliban also banned music during its brutal regime in the 1990s. At that time, many musicians fled to neighboring Pakistan and Iran, where they could practice freely and pass their knowledge on to the next generation. Most musicians who remained in Afghanistan either played secretly in their homes or hid their instruments. Now, a new generation of Afghan musicians have decided to escape their homeland. "Music is ending in Afghanistan," a musician, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution, told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. "We [musicians] will go to Pakistan or anywhere else [where we are safe]." Ahmad Sarmast, the self-exiled founder of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music, told Radio Azadi that Afghanistan is the only country where music is prohibited. "The people of Afghanistan have been deprived of all their musical rights, which includes access to music education, listening to music, participating in musical programs, making a living through music, and access to facilities for publishing, reproducing, and sharing music with society." What's Next: Great strides were made in reviving Afghanistan's musical traditions after the U.S.-led invasion ousted the Taliban's first regime in 2001. Those gains have now been reversed, and more musicians and artists are likely to flee Afghanistan or abandon their musical careers if they remain in their homeland. The Week's Best Stories Afghan women demonstrated in Kabul on June 19 to demand the Taliban back down from its decree ordering the closure of beauty salons. The women say the shutdown would leave their families with no income. Taliban officials say beauty salons are forbidden under Shari'a law and demanded they be closed by July 25. The Taliban has suspended the activities of a major Swedish aid group operating in Afghanistan. Afghans fear the move will aggravate an already devastating humanitarian crisis that has pushed millions to the brink of starvation. What To Keep An Eye On The family of Afghan journalist Irfanullah Bidar said he has been missing since July 12. A source close to the family who did not want to be named for fear of retribution told Radio Azadi that Bidar was detained by unknown gunmen outside a mosque in the eastern city of Jalalabad. The men put a bag over Bidar's head before whisking him away in a car, the source said. The source said Bidar, a reporter for Radio Safa, had no known enemies. The disappearance of Bidar, a father of four, has been widely blamed on the Taliban's notorious intelligence service. The militant group has not publicly commented on his disappearance. Why It's Important: Bidar is the latest journalist to be arrested or disappear in Afghanistan, where the Taliban has intensified its crackdown on independent reporters and media outlets. In its annual report issued in May, the Afghanistan Journalist Center, a media watchdog, said cases of arbitrary arrests and detention, threats, and intimidation of journalists rose around 60 percent in the past year. Since seizing power, the Taliban has waged a brutal crackdown on dissent that has targeted human rights defenders, women activists, intellectuals, and journalists. That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have. You can always reach us at azadi.english@rferl.org. Until next time, Frud Bezhan If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday. Ukraine's counteroffensive against Russian forces continued in the countrys southeast, Kyiv said on August 8, as official casualty figures from a Russian missile strike in the eastern city of Pokrovsk rose to nine dead and 82 wounded. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced the higher casualty figures in his evening address, saying all the injured were being provided with the necessary assistance. He noted that two boys, including an 11-year-old in serious condition, were among the injured. He also drew attention to the timing of the two strikes, saying the second missile hit after the rescue operation was under way following the first strike. "This is a conscious decision of terrorists to cause the most pain, the most damage. And Russia will bear the maximum responsibility for this -- no matter how events develop there must be verdicts against terrorists." Regional officials said the attack damaged residential and administrative buildings, a hotel, catering establishments, and shops. A photo posted by the Interior Ministry on social media showed a badly damaged apartment block with its upper floor completely demolished, while piles of concrete and rubble lay on the ground. Russia claimed the missile strikes targeted a Ukrainian military command post. In the city of Donetsk, Russian-installed Mayor Alexei Kulemzin accused Ukraine of shelling the city on August 8, killing three people and wounding 10. Kulemzin said that a number of buildings were damaged in several city districts, including a bus stop, a hospital, a store, and some residential buildings. Ukrainian forces in the Tavria direction in southern Ukraine entered the first line of defense of the Russian army, according to Serhiy Kuzmin, a representative of Ukraine's operational and strategic troops in Tavria, speaking on Ukrainian television. Landmines and engineering barriers densely cover the area and there is a large number of Russian troops, Kuzmin said. "We have already reached the first line of the invaders, and the first line is very difficult, but our military forces are pushing through. We are moving forward, and this movement is slowed down by minefields and our lack of aviation," he said. RFE/RL could not independently verify the claims of either side. Ukrainian troops continue to carry out attacks against the invading Russian Army in the direction of Berdyansk and Melitopol in the Zaporizhzhya region, the military's General Staff said early on August 8 in its daily update. It said that Ukrainian forces carried out nine strikes over the previous day targeting the areas where the Russian Army's "personnel, weapons, and military equipment are concentrated." Russian forces carried out seven missile attacks and 42 air strikes over the 24- hour period, the bulletin said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian nuclear power plants located in territory held by Kyiv will be fully operational by winter to provide electricity for the country, Ukraine's atomic energy operator said on August 7. "All the power at our disposal will be given to the electricity grid" after the servicing of some reactors before winter, Energoatom chief Petro Kotin told journalists. Ukraine currently has three power stations with a total of nine reactors in the territory under its control. In other developments, the British government has announced new sanctions against an Iranian drone maker and two dozen other businesses and individuals, accusing them of supplying Russia with weapons and components in its war against Ukraine. "Today's landmark sanctions will further diminish Russia's arsenal and close the net on supply chains propping up [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's now-struggling defense industry," British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said on August 8. Western countries have imposed a wide range of sanctions against Moscow since February last year to punish Russia for its unjustified invasion of Ukraine. The new round of British sanctions targets 25 individuals and businesses in Iran, Belarus, Slovakia, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, as well as Russia. Among them are Iranian drone maker Paravar Pars, seven of its executives, and two Turkey-based exporters of microelectronics. The Iranian supplier has already been subjected to U.S. sanctions announced in February. The action imposes asset freezes of the sanctioned businesses and individuals, and also prohibits British entities from doing business with them. The British government said the latest penalties marked its biggest ever action on third-country military suppliers. Britain has placed sanctions on more than 1,600 individuals and entities since the start of the war. With reporting by AFP and Reuters BUDAPEST -- A small crowd of theatergoers pours out into the warm mid-June evening streets in front of the Atrium Theater in Hungary's capital. Amid the chatter and murmur of the afterplay discussions, a common question emerges: What happened to Libri, the country's biggest and most influential publishing house? "We need to boycott, don't buy their books anymore," someone remarked passionately in the crowd, which included the country's well-known author couple Eva Peterfy-Novak and Gergely Peterfy. Earlier that day, on June 14, the Libri Group announced a change in ownership. By increasing its stake from 30.9 percent to 98.5 percent, Mathias Corvinus Collegium (MCC), a conservative government-funded talent incubator, became the majority stakeholder in the company, sparking fears that the publisher's editorial independence was under threat and its future offerings would conform to a political line promoted by the ruling conservative Fidesz party. Novak-Peterfy was one of the first authors to openly announce her split from Libri. "I didn't think about it for a second. I knew I don't want to be part of a publishing family where the government sits at the head of the table," she told RFE/RL, also expressing her gratitude for the past 10 years working with Libri and her colleagues there. "But I just can't stomach it. I couldn't spend a company Christmas party in the presence of people who contributed to ruining my country, who feed hatred and exclusion and are active participants of this innovative dictatorship." Now living in Todi, Italy, with her husband, the couple founded their own publisher, Felho Cafe Books, which they say is for authors who don't want to compromise and are safe from any government pressure or political agenda. In power for over a decade, right-wing Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his ruling Fidesz party have been accused by critics at home and abroad of backsliding on democracy, threatening judicial independence, and of being hostile toward migrants and people from the LGBT community. Orban has talked openly about his plans to turn the country from a democracy into an "illiberal state," and the government has taken control of much of Hungary's print and broadcast media. While Orban is more popular among older people and outside large urban centers, a majority of Hungarians (57 percent) approve of his performance as prime minister, according to data from a Pew Research Center survey taken shortly after his reelection as prime minister in April 2022, Fidesz's fourth consecutive election victory. MCC started life in 1996 in Budapest as a private college, expanding to provide scholarships programs and then publishing books and academic articles. In 2020, Balazs Orban, a political adviser to Orban, became chairman of MCC's board, and the institution received around 500 billion forints (around $1.5 billion) in government funding, reportedly to help educate the next generation of Hungary's conservative intellectual elite. (Balazs Orban is no relation to the prime minister.) On a 2021 visit to Hungary where he interviewed Viktor Orban, conservative political commentator and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson also spoke at a conference organized by MCC. In 2021, Carlson's documentary, Hungary Vs. Soros: The Fight For Civilization, claimed Hungarian-born billionaire and philanthropist George Soros had "spent decades waging apolitical, social, and demographic war on the West." There was one "unlikely country" fighting back, Carlson said -- and that was Hungary. MCC's ever-growing portfolio of assets include shares in Hungarian pharmaceutical giant Richter Gedeon and valuable properties in Hungary, in Romania's Transylvania region, and Brussels. Recently, MCC purchased a majority stake in the private Vienna-based Modul University, and the group reportedly plans to establish a hub in London. After Novak-Peterfy's announcement to jump ship, the Berlin-based writer and poet Matyas Dunajcsik said that he too was leaving Libri. A recent collection of his poetry, titled Sky/ Burn, was set to be published this coming fall by Libri. Like Novak-Peterfy, Dunajcsik said he would mourn the relationship he had with Bence Sarkozy, the director of the Libri publishing house, and other colleagues. However, he said he couldn't bear the thought that income from his books would go directly to MCC, an institution that he said "supports Russian war propaganda and international alt-right rhetoric, which attacks women's rights, and now has taken aim at sexual minorities of which I am a member." Under its imprint, MCC has published books such as Gender Comedy: How An Absurd Ideology Wants To Rule Our Lives by Brigit Kelle and Desist, Detrans, And Detox: Getting Your Child Out Of The Gender Cult by Maria Keffler. Dunajcsik referred specifically to the recent plastic-wrapping of books, which are found to be offensive by a "child-protection law" passed in 2021 by the Fidesz government. In light of the new law, which is referred to as the "homophobic law" by those opposed to it, booksellers are required to surround-wrap books that contain LGBT themes or characters. While wrapped books have appeared in bookstores, Hungarian publishers have said the regulations are hard to follow and, so far, it is unclear exactly how they will be implemented. However, Libri itself was recently fined 1 million forints (around $3,000) for placing an LGBT-themed book in the youth section of one of its 57 bookstores the company owns nationwide. Another major book distributor and owner of the largest chain of bookstores in Hungary, the Lira Group, was fined for the same reasons, but for a much higher price: 12 million forints (around $36,000). The biggest literary achievements that live on for generations were always born under pressure and in a challenging political context, said Sarkozy, who is responsible for the publishing part of Libri, not the branch that deals with distribution and bookstores. Speaking to RFE/RL, he mentioned examples of Hungarian and international authors who were jailed and silenced but still produced great works of literature. After 20 years in the publishing business and known for his passion for literature, Sarkozy said, "My role is not to educate society, rather to create an environment where authors of all kinds can freely publish their work." In the past 12 years, there were several changes in ownership, and it never affected the editorial freedom or professionalism, Sarkozy added, a statement with which many Libri authors and staff agree. The Hungarian book market has grown in recent years. According to forecaster IBISWorld, the country's publishing industry has on average expanded 15.7 percent per year between 2018 and 2023, with 2023 revenue estimated to be 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion). As the leading publisher of Hungarian and international titles in the region and a major domestic book retailer, Sarkozy said Libri is a well-oiled machine, gaining international recognition, and bringing in significant profits -- something he couldn't imagine would be in the interests of the new owners to ruin by aggressively implementing a new ideological direction. So far, Sarkozy said, he has been promised that the day-to-day operations and management of the company will not change. Publicly at least, MCC has said as much. Commenting on the negative reception by many to its new ownership role, the company said in an e-mailed statement to RFE/RL it is aiming to continue building the institution's intellectual and professional portfolio and to maintain a market-focused operation. "As one of the biggest talent-oriented institutions of the Carpathian Basin, MCC believes in the future of books," the statement read. The media storm in which authors and journalists expressed their concerns is purely "ideology-based" and entirely groundless, as "MCC believes in the freedom of books and knowledge and in freedom of expression." Sarkozy said he finds the way the Hungarian and international press have reported on Libri's new owners to be it counterproductive. He added that, in general, the interest toward books and publishing is in decline. "I find it surreal that some newspapers report on the issue, while they never write about book publishing or don't even have a section dedicated to culture," he said. In his view, Hungarians are very open to literature of all kinds. "The Hungarian readers are like a rainbow," he said. "They are diverse and open-minded." His comparison could be a poor choice of words as more and more videos surface on TikTok showing plastic-wrapped LGBT-themed books. "Financing illiberal ideologies by selling liberal literature is the real perversion, not anal sex or transgender stories," said poet Dunajcsik. An Instagram meme page quickly created an alternative version to Libri's logo, which spells: Illibri. Sarkozy's optimism is considered naive by some other publishing professionals. Anna David, publisher at Magveto, another prominent Hungarian publishing house, where Sarkozy worked for a few years, was less sanguine.* "So far, the Fidesz government has ruined every cultural field that is has entered, so it is pure naivety to think that this time it will be different," she told RFE/RL. "Book publishing and distribution was the only remaining cultural area in Hungary that worked in a purely market-oriented way, free from government control." While David said the situation is cause for concern, she added it is impossible now to know what the implications are likely to be. "Anything can happen in Hungary, and it is only up to political will whether to operate in a way that could corrupt the market or keep things as they are," she said. Along with other publishing professionals, she said she is worried how the presence of such centralized capital could lead to imbalance in the book market. While some have called for a boycott of buying books published by Libri, there is not a huge amount of enthusiasm for such a measure among both publishing professionals and the Hungarian public. And for the so-called midlist writers who aren't literary superstars writing bestseller after bestseller, leaving their publisher is a hard decision to make. Even Dunajcsik said that quitting Libri is a luxury for only those whose livelihood does not depend entirely on the publishing house. There have been some hopes among Hungary's literati that smaller independent publishers might benefit from the situation, either from the defection of Libri authors to new publishing pastures or from a public boycott. But others, like Dunajcsik and Novak-Peterfy, said boycotting Libri is not enough, as it isn't just buying the publisher's books that supports this government. The only true way to resist has to start deeper, Dunajcsik said. "Hungarians looking for change not only have to change their book-buying habits but also have to think about how to remove this rotten, mafia-like group of people from leading the country," he said. "What happened to Libri is only a small step in the direction the country has been heading over the past 15 years. From a hopeful young democracy full of potential, Hungary is now on the highway to fascism." *CORRECTION: A previous version of this story stated incorrectly that Bence Sarkozy was a founder of the Magveto publishing house. A fourth day of Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian Black Sea port installations on July 21 set grain storage facilities in the Odesa region on fire and destroyed a huge amount of food stored for export, causing damage and injuries, regional officials and the military said, as fighting continued along the whole eastern front. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said that Russia launched Kalibr-type cruise missiles from vessels in the Black Sea, destroying a grain terminal and wounding two people. Unfortunately, a grain terminal of one of the agricultural enterprises of the Odesa region was hit. The enemy destroyed 100 tons of peas and 20 tons of barley. Two people were wounded in the explosion," Kiper said. Kiper said that, at first, two missiles hit the granary, causing a fire, then a third missile struck while firefighters were trying to extinguish the flames. "Another missile hit the same enterprise, damaging agricultural and rescue equipment. A fire on an area of more than 200 square meters was quickly extinguished," Kiper said. Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said that up to four P-800 Onyx cruise missiles hit infrastructure targets south of the city of Odesa. "Unfortunately, our means of detection and destruction are not enough to cover the entire territory of Ukraine and destroy incoming missiles and drones," Ihnat said. In Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry said its navy carried out a live fire "exercise" in the northwest Black Sea on July 21, just days after the Kremlin said that cargo ships en route to Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea would be regarded as potential military targets. The Black Sea Fleet "carried out live firing of anti-ship cruise missiles at the target ship in the combat training range in the northwestern part of the Black Sea," the ministry said in a statement on Telegram. On July 20, Russian missiles struck the Odesa and Mykolayiv regions, killing two people, wounding another 20, including five children, and causing extensive damage to port installations and stored grain. The strikes also hit residential areas in the center of Odesa and Mykolayiv, setting large areas on fire. The Ukrainian Energy Ministry said that grain terminals and port infrastructure in the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk were targeted. In Chornomorsk, 60,000 tons of grain were destroyed over the past several days, the ministry said. Russia's Defense Ministry has said the series of strikes on southern Ukraine targeted facilities where it claimed Ukraine was building seaborne drones of the type that Moscow says damaged a bridge in the annexed region of Crimea. But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the Russian strikes had "deliberately" targeted sites in the Odesa region that are used to export grain after Russia refused to extend the grain deal. Zelenskiy met on July 21 with military commanders to discuss the situation at the front and about the grain initiative. Work continues to protect ports and the infrastructure of the grain initiative, he said, adding he had instructed the commanders to prepare an action plan for the continuation of the grain corridor and to work out the next diplomatic steps. In New York the UN's political affairs chief told the Security Council on July 21 that Russia's attacks on Ukrainian Black Sea ports risk "having far-reaching impacts on global food security, in particular, in developing countries." Rosemary DiCarlo also said threats about the potential targeting of civilian vessels in Black Sea waters -- made by both Russia and Ukraine -- are unacceptable. "Any risk of conflict spillover as a result of a military incident in the Black Sea -- whether intentional or by accident -- must be avoided at all costs, as this could result in potentially catastrophic consequences to us all," she said. The Black Sea escalation comes as Kyiv reports a new attempt by Russia to return to the offensive in the northeast. "The enemy continues to focus its main efforts on Kupyansk [in the Kharkiv region], Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka and Maryinka [in the Donetsk region], where 32 close combat battles were fought over the past day," the General Staff of Ukraine's military said on July 21. Ukrainian defenders in Kupyansk repelled attacks by Russian troops southwest of Masyutivka, the military added. Germany meanwhile announced that it has handed over the first 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks to Ukraine. In a message, the German Defense Ministry said the new package of military aid also included 20 MG3 machine guns for tanks and armored vehicles, 1,035 155-millimeter shells and smoke ammunition, among other items. On July 20, the United States said U.S.-supplied cluster munitions are being deployed in the field. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the munitions are having an impact on Russian defensive formations and maneuvering. "We have gotten some initial feedback from the Ukrainians, and they're using them quite effectively," Kirby said at a news briefing. In its daily intelligence update, Britain's Defense Ministry said that up to 20,000 Russian convicts recruited by the Wagner mercenary group were killed in fighting in Bakhmut over the past several months. Russian forces spearheaded by Wagner mercenaries captured Bakhmut in May, following months of intense and bloody fighting. British intelligence said that, while it was a rare recent Russian military success, the battle for Bakhmut was also "one of the bloodiest episodes in modern military history." It estimated that at its peak, Wagner had some 40,000 convicts under contract early this year. It said that the last convicts recruited under the so-called Project K program are likely to be released over the next several days, but it estimated that many will probably stay on as contract fighters. With reporting by AP and Reuters CIA head William Burns says he expects Russian President Vladimir Putin to bide his time and wait before seeking retribution against Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, following his aborted mutiny against Russia's military leadership last month. Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum on July 20, Burns also said Prigozhins mutiny was the biggest challenge to Putin in his 23 years as Russias preeminent official, and he asserted that Russias elites, some already doubting the conduct of the Ukraine war, had increasing doubts about Putins leadership. "What we are seeing is a very complicated dance," Burns said in what was billed by the forum as a fireside chat. "Putin is the ultimate apostle of payback, he said. So I would be surprised if Prigozhin escapes further retribution for this. So in that sense, the President (Joe) Biden is right. if I were Prigozhin, I wouldn't fire my food taster," Burns added, referring to a quip by Biden earlier this week that, if he were Prigozhin, "I'd be careful what I ate." The stunning but short-lived mutiny by Prigozhin on June 24 saw Wagner fighters seize the southern city of Rostov-on-Don and march to within 200 kilometers of Moscow, shooting down Russian military aircraft and killing 13 air-force personnel along the way. Putin immediately denounced the insurrection as a stab in the back and vowed to punish all "traitors" involved. But Prigozhin does not appear to have been arrested or even detained, and the Kremlin said he met with Putin days after the mutiny. Since then, the Wagner chiefs whereabouts have been shrouded in mystery, though he is believed to be moving between Russia and Belarus, where Wagner troops have been setting up camps to train Belarusian armed forces as part of a negotiated deal that helped end the mutiny. The insurrection came on the heels of months of intense public infighting with Russias military leadership over the war strategy in Ukraine and ammunition supplies. Burns claimed that U.S. intelligence had prior warning of the mutiny, and he said many of Russias elites were wondering about Putins response: `"whether the emperor had no clothes or at least why is it taking him so long to get dressed." "I think what it resurrected was some deeper questions which again, you know, you've seen circulate within the Russian elite since the war in Ukraine began," said Burns, a longtime diplomat who also served as U.S. ambassador to Russia. "I think Putin is already a little bit uneasy as he looks over his shoulder" he added. On the battlefield, the CIA chief said it was not a surprise that gains from Ukraine's counteroffensive have been incremental. Russian troops, he said, had months to prepare defenses before Kyiv's troops launched their campaign last month. "I don't think it should come as a surprise to anyone that the counteroffensive is a hard slog. Offense is a lot harder than defense," Burns said. "I am however, an optimist...Behind those considerable fixed defenses that the Russians have built in southern Ukraine...there still lie some pretty significant structural weaknesses, poor morale, uneven generalship to put it mildly on the Russian side...and the disarray... about the political and very senior military leadership," he added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 21. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune will pay an official visit to Turkiye on July 21-22 at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trend reports. According to the Communications Department of the Presidential Administration of Turkiye, during the meeting bilateral relations between Turkiye and Algeria will be reviewed in all aspects and steps to be taken to improve cooperation will be discussed. Besides, the parties are expected to exchange views on topical, regional and global issues. Turkiye and Algeria share common history as well as deep-rooted cultural and brotherly ties. Bilateral relations has gained impetus over the past years. For example, Algerian president's visit to Turkiye in 2022 culminated in conclusion of 15 agreements between the two countries covering various sectors. That same year, high-ranking Turkish officials said the country aims to increase investment and trade with the North African country to $10 billion. Turkish ports handled 3.7 million tons of cargo from Algeria from January through May 2023. Turkish ports handled 3.7 million tons of cargo from Algeria from January through May 2023. Ukraine's government has purchased Sense Bank, which is linked to sanctioned Russian oligarchs Mikhail Fridman and Pyotr Aven, for 1 hryvnia (2 U.S. cents) after the central bank (NBU) ruled to remove the institution from the Ukrainian financial sector. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. Lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said the move on July 21 will put the bank, formerly known as Afla-Bank Ukraine, under the management of the Ukrainian Finance Ministry. The government move came a day after the NBU said that an interim administration will be set up for Sense Bank once the government approves its nationalization. The move was taken because of the bank's association with Fridman and Aven, who are connected "with the government of the country-aggressor" and are currently under sanctions in Ukraine, the NBU said. The government is expected to complete the nationalization of Sense Bank by the end of the weekend. Last month, a nominal owner of the Sense Bank, Luxemburg-based ABH Holdings S.A., asked Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council to sell the bank to a European investor, promising that the money received from the buyer will not go to either Fridman or Aven. Skhemy (Schemes), an investigative project run by RFE/RL, has reported that Russian companies linked to Fridman had been involved in supplying Russian troops invading Ukraine with clothes and food, and also provided insurance for technical equipment for the Russian National Guard that is being used in the war in Ukraine. In September, the Financial Times and The Washington Post cited sources as saying that Fridman had held talks with a U.S. official, offering $1 billion for Ukraine's efforts to restore infrastructure damaged by Russian strikes in exchange for the lifting sanctions imposed on him by the West. Fridman denied the reports at the time. In May 2022, Ukrainian authorities froze Fridman's assets -- estimated to be $416 million -- that were held by Alfa-Bank Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy subsequently signed a law allowing the nationalization of property and assets of individuals who support Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022. Fridman, a 59-year-old Ukrainian-born Russian-Israeli businessman, was the founder of Alfa-Bank and grew to be one of Russias wealthiest businessmen. He has been sanctioned by the European Union as part of a series of moves against Russia for its war against Ukraine. The EU described him as as a top Russian financier and enabler of [President Vladimir] Putins inner circle. In 2013, Fridman and the 68-year-old Aven, one of his main Alfa partners, reorganized their holdings following the $14 billion sale of their stake in the Russian oil company TNK-BP. They created a new London-based investment group called LetterOne, but both men stepped down from the new company after the EU imposed sanctions in March 2022. 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 MANSFIELD Jerry Miller said Friday that he couldnt count the number of people who have contributed to the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum. Financial supporters, local manufacturing companies and memorabilia donors have all supported the museums new displays. Miller, the NCOIM president, celebrated the museums progress with some financial supporters and artifact donors on Friday with the dedication of a new donor wall. The donor wall will be one of the first things visitors see after walking through the bullpen of the Ohio State Reformatory. And this donor wall is framed by the original Tappan walkway, which we chiseled out when the building was being torn down, Miller said. That means a lot because you think about how many thousands of people walked under this to go to work, and now we can display it here. Miller Fabricating & Welding constructed the donor wall, designed by Kevin Haring. Tridico Sign Company donated the sign above the display. Students in the North End Community Improvement Collaboratives Summer Manufacturing Institute Camps also helped construct the donor wall and were able to see their handiwork on Friday with a museum tour. Jim Weist, president and owner of Michael Byrne Manufacturing, which is featured on the donor wall, said he loved seeing area students learn more about manufacturing history. Its so great to see young kids inspired by what they see here, he said. Coming through this, I think everyone will go, Wow, this is really interesting, or I didnt know that. So its so great to see that people are interested in the history of north central Ohio. Weist said his company is proud to support NCOIM. Even the 20-year manufacturing veteran learned new things from the history displays. I didnt realize how much impact Mansfield had on the entire manufacturing industry until walking through this museum, and its nice that our family has a little sliver of that with Michael Byrne Manufacturing, Weist said. Ann Von Saas, the granddaughter of Ideal Electric founder Glen Vinson, also donated to NCOIM to support the museums growth. Its a wonderful thing Jerry is doing here and I know everyone is so happy to support this project, she said. He really doesnt even have to ask for support because the whole community is excited. Mark Hess, owner of Hess Industries and Clinch Solutions, said he appreciated how so many manufacturing companies of the past and present are highlighted in NCOIM. Weve had so many icons of manufacturing all in this area, and most of the business founders were just them taking a chance and putting their livelihood on the line, he said. And even after some of them were successful, theyre taking chances and making decisions on a daily basis to provide good jobs. Its just great to see that history highlighted and we wanted to support that. Miller said he hopes to complete most of NCOIMs displays by the end of August. NCOIMs address is 100 Reformatory Road. It is located between the cell blocks in the Ohio State Reformatory. Hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. SundaySaturday from April 1 to September 1. Hours from November 15 to March 31 are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. ThursdaySunday. To donate to NCOIM, go online or call the museum at 419-528-8107. Major sponsors of the museum to date include the Gorman Family Foundation, Conard Foundation, Hire Family Foundation, Taylor Family Foundation, Milliron Family Foundation, the Esther & Robert Black Family Foundation, Humphrey Family Foundation, Gordon Black Foundation and Lind Media. Is it better to replace aspirin? ADVERTISIMENT Aspirin is not the best prevention of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. Italian scientists came to this conclusion after conducting a global clinical study involving 24,000 patients. Medics suggest replacing the famous acetylsalicylic acid with the inhibitor clopidogrel, which showed better results. American scientists also dispelled the myth about the benefits of aspirin. According to the researchers, the drug increases the risk of anemia in the elderly. Perhaps it is worthwhile to conduct an audit in the medicine cabinet? Aspirin: unjustified popularity Acetylsalicylic acid is often associated with an affordable and "safe" way to thin the blood and prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke. Aspirin reduces blood clotting and the risk of blood clots. Despite the drug's popularity, recent studies by scientists speak for themselves: aspirin has too many side effects. ADVERTISIMENT Felice Gragnano, MD, of the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli led a large-scale study on the effects of aspirin and clopidogrel on patients with coronary heart disease. The doctor believes that the popularity of aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular disease is not justified by anything. He notes: the last studies of acetylsalicylic acid were conducted in the 1970s and 1980s. "Taken together, our data cast doubt on the central role of aspirin in the secondary prevention of CHD. Monotherapy with a P2Y12 inhibitor as a long-term antiplatelet strategy has shown better efficacy in patients with coronary atherosclerosis," Dr. Gragnano states. A safer alternative: new research A large-scale study by a team of scientists led by Dr. Gragnano showed: P2Y12 inhibitors (clopidogrel) are a more effective antiaggregant than aspirin for the prevention of CHD and other cardiovascular diseases. The drug has less effect on the integrity of the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract. ADVERTISIMENT The study involved 24,000 patients with CHD and a history of myocardial infarction. One half of them were taking aspirin and the other half were taking clopidogrel or ticagrelor: The P2Y12 inhibitors, unlike aspirin, had far fewer GIT side effects. Researchers noted a significant reduction in the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Another study by American scientists also dispelled myths about aspirin's safety. An analysis of NIH clinical trial data showed: taking low-dose aspirin daily increases the risk of anemia in people aged 65 and older by about 20%. Anemia in older adults is associated with increased fatigue, disability, depressive symptoms and cognitive problems, researchers said. Iron deficiency with daily aspirin intake is not always associated with possible bleeding, the data show. ADVERTISIMENT Our pharmacies are overflowing with acetylsalicylic acid-based drugs (citramone, cardiomagnil, pharmadol). Researchers recommend that patients who take aspirin daily compare the side effects of the drug with safer and more effective alternatives like clopidogrel or ticagrelor. A TRAINING company has begun a new era by moving into Magna in what its chief executive called a merging of like-minded organisations upskilling the young people of South Yorkshire. The Source Skills Academy has worked with more than 10,000 people since its launch in 2003 at Meadowhall Way next to Meadowhall Shopping Centre. Chief executive Tricia Smith said The Sources aim was "to help Magna expand and deliver activities and workshops for Key Stage 4 and 5 pupils and post-16s, and be on hand to support those looking to apprenticeships. Ms Smith added: Magna is a unique, immersive learning experience for children and is about to have an exciting revamp, thanks to Rotherham's successful bid for 20 milliom from the Levelling Up Fund. "It is an ideal place for us to be. As are we, Magna Trust is a not-for-profit charity; we have the same values and goals - helping young people to find their best futures." Magna launched in 2000 after transforming the largest electric arc steel producing facility in Europe into a science centre. It drew over 110,000 visitors last year, including 30,000 Key Stage 1 and 2 schoolchildren aged four to 11, for whom it provides STEM learning opportunities. Chief executive Kevin Tomlinson said: "Supporting the development of young people lies at the very heart of our education offering." A tram-train stop is due to be built due at Magna, allowing students to get to training by public transport. "I am looking forward to welcoming The Source to their new home at Magna's head office on Sheffield Road, said Mr Tomlinson. There are clear synergies between the two organisations, in our common goal of helping to inspire and nurture the next generation. Magna hosts careers events for learners, teachers and parents for Work Wise charity's Get Up To Speed each year. Profits made by The Source are invested in improvement of the academy's facilities. Ms Smith said: "Meadowhall had long been an ideal base for us but the world changed dramatically and as a charity with responsibility to its trustees, we have to be mindful of cost." Water Supply Disrupted in Mohali Water supply will be affected for the next three days MOHALI: In the wake of heavy rains and severe flooding in Punjab, several areas in Mohali have been grappling with an acute water supply crisis for the past week. The torrential downpours have caused significant damage, leading to a major rupture in the main water supply line that caters to Mohali. As a result, water supply has been halted in numerous localities, exacerbating the woes of residents already struggling to cope with the waterlogged conditions in the region. Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi, upon visiting the affected areas and assessing the situation, spoke to the media about the challenges faced in resolving the issue. He mentioned that, following a protracted legal battle, Mohali was granted 40 mg (million gallons) of water supply. However, the reality on the ground currently stands at a mere 15 mg, a shortfall that has significantly impacted the daily lives of Mohali's inhabitants. Advertisement Adding to the frustration, the neighboring city of Chandigarh, which lies a mere seventy meters away, has been allocated a generous supply of water, creating an acute disparity between the two regions. This disparity has sparked dissatisfaction among Mohali residents, who feel left at a disadvantage during these trying times. Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh Bedi assured the residents that efforts are underway to restore the water supply, but due to the severity of the damage to the main pipeline, it is anticipated that the disruption will continue for at least three more days. The authorities are working diligently to address the situation and expedite the repair process to bring relief to the affected communities. The water crisis comes as an additional blow to the people of Mohali, who have been grappling with the aftermath of heavy flooding that has caused immense hardship and disruption across the state. The damaged water supply infrastructure further compounds the challenges in ensuring the basic necessities for the residents. Advertisement In response to recent attempts by Iran to threaten the free flow of commerce in the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered the deployment of additional forces to bolster maritime security in the region. A portion of the BATAAN Amphibious Readiness Group/Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, dock landing ship USS Carter Hall, and its associated personnel and equipment have been deployed into the US Central Command area of responsibility. Through these actions, the United States is demonstrating commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and deterring Iranian destabilization activities in the region, the Pentagon said in a press release. "We will continue to work with like-minded allies and partners who are committed to the free flow of commerce to take appropriate, coordinated actions against threats to this fundamental principle of the rules-based international order," it added. The strengthening of U.S. military prowess in the Strait of Hormuz comes within a few days of Pentagon sending a Navy destroyer along with fighter jets to the region. Earlier this week, Lloyd Austin had ordered the deployment of guided missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, F-35 fighters and F-16 fighters to the U.S. Central Command area "to defend U.S. interests and safeguard freedom of navigation in the region". Earlier this month, the Iranian navy attempted to illegally seize two merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. According to Centcom, Iran has attacked or seized about 20 merchant vessels since 2021. The world depends on the strategic waterway for more than one fifth of the global oil supply. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Political News Family of Murdered Assyrian Elderly Couple in Turkey to Appeal Verdict Hurmuz Diril and his wife Simuni. A court in Turkey's southeastern Srnak (Sirnex) province delivered its verdict for the disappearance of an elderly Chaldean couple, leaving their family members dissatisfied and determined to appeal to a higher court. In the final hearing of the case regarding the unsolved disappearance of a Chaldean couple in Turkey, one defendant was sentenced to life imprisonment while the other two were acquitted on Friday. The verdict has left the family of the couple dissatisfied and they will appeal to a higher court. Hurmuz Diril and his wife Simuni went missing in January 2020 in Kovankaya village, known as Meer in the Syriac language, which is located in the Beytussebap (Elki) district of Srnak (Srnex), and which had been evacuated several times by Turkey. The lifeless body of Simuni Diril was discovered 70 days after their disappearance near the Hezil (Hizil) Stream, but the fate of Hurmuz Diril remains uncertain. A relative of the family named Apro Diril was found guilty of premeditated murder in connection with Simuni Diril's death and received a life sentence. The other two defendants were acquitted. The couple's family does not believe that Apro Diril alone could have been responsible for the abduction and murder. The family argue that the investigation was not properly conducted from the outset and that some evidence might have been tampered with. The Chair of Srnak Bar Association and Dirils' lawyer Rojhat Dilsiz declared that they would appeal the verdict to a higher court. "Our legal fight will persist in the judicial process until the true culprits who potentially assisted Apro Diril are brought to light," said Dilsiz. On September 7, the film "I, Nina" by Marysia Nikityuk will be released on the big screens of Ukrainian cinemas. The picture is based on the personal story of TV presenter and journalist Yanina Sokolova, the author of the idea of the movie, the prototype of the main character, as well as one of the producers. ADVERTISIMENT The main heroine of the picture is Nina Sokol, a beautiful and successful TV presenter. Her life has everything you can dream of: love, career, fans. In the blink of an eye, all this is destroyed by the news of illness. It is this obstacle that will make her realize who she really is, and what is most important in life. The official poster for the movie has been unveiled: The film was directed by Marysia Nikityuk, known for her previous film "When Trees Fall", which became a participant of the Berlinale, and the best debut of 2018 according to the National Film Critics Award "Kinokolo". The movie starred: psychologist, blogger and actress Kseniya Khizhnyak; ADVERTISIMENT actor Oleksiy Tytenko ("Myrnyi-21", "I Work at a Cemetery"); actor Maksym Panchenko ("Red"); actor Ihor Koltovsky ("Bad Roads," "There Will Be People," "Red"). The film had its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. The movie was also shown at the German Filmfest Munchen. "I, Nina" became the opening film of the international film festival "Mykolaichuk OPEN", where the Ukrainian premiere of the picture took place. The screening ended with a 10-minute ovation. Ukrainian publication "Lirum" described the film as "a success for Nikityuk artmainstream experiment, which will definitely be of interest to a wide audience and will cause reflection after the movie". Cineuropa noted the "remarkable professional dedication" of the lead actress. The air conditioner is a real savior in the summer heat, but its excessive use can provoke health problems. Such a cold is often called "air conditioner disease", as it is connected to a sharp temperature difference and too polluted air in the rooms where the device is switched on. ADVERTISIMENT It is important to keep the right temperature ratio: in summer, the room should be at most 5-7 C cooler than outside, with the norm of humidity 40-60%. OBOZREVATEL collected the most important rules that will help not to catch a cold under the air conditioner Symptoms of "air conditioner disease" Among the main symptoms of a cold caused by an air conditioner, doctors determine: runny nose; nasal congestion; itching in the nose; dry and sore throat: tearing and redness in the eyes; coughing; increased body temperature. Why colds occur The main reason for the occurrence of symptoms of the disease is the difference in temperature. Too dry air in an air-conditioned room causes dry mucous membranes, red eyes and nasal congestion. If the air conditioner is turned on without ventilating the room, bacteria will begin to multiply due to poor air circulation and low oxygen levels. The device itself also accumulates dust and dirt, which fly around the room. ADVERTISIMENT How not to catch a cold in summer under the air conditioner Observe the correct temperature difference. Do not set the temperature below 20 C. Do not stay under the cold air jet for a long time. Clean the air conditioner regularly to prevent pathogenic germs from accumulating in it. Use a humidifier. Ventilate the room before turning on the air conditioner. Turn off at night or set the temperature to at least 25 C. Turn on the air conditioner at maximum speed to cool the room quickly, but not for more than 5-10 minutes. Then switch the device to the minimum cooling mode. Earlier OBOZREVATEL shared that energy industry asked Ukrainians to urgently "screw" air conditioners. Subscribe to OBOZREVATEL channels in Telegram , Viber and Threads to keep up to date. 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. && The Supreme Court put partygoers on notice Monday that they may be lawfully arrested if they show up at a loud and wild party where they do not know the host. In a 9-0 decision, the justices tossed out a $1 million verdict in favor of 16 partygoers who were arrested inside a vacant house in the District of Columbia. Police had been called to what was described as a raucous party in a house that had stood unsold. The officers found a group of people who claimed to be having a bachelor party with no bachelor, in a near-empty house, with strippers in the living room and sexual activity in the bedroom and who fled at the sign of police, said Justice Clarence Thomas. Advertisement Some said they had been invited by Peaches, but they did not know her real name and she was not there, he said. Police learned her name by calling the actual homeowner, and she hung up on them. The arrested partygoers were later released without charges, but they sued for a false arrest and won before judges who said the partygoers may have believed Peaches was the lawful hostess. In District of Columbia vs. Wesby, Thomas said the police deserved the benefit of the doubt in believing they had probable cause to make the arrests. Most homeowners do not live in near-barren houses. And most homeowners do not invite people over to use their living room as a strip club, to have sex in their bedroom, to smoke marijuana inside and to leave their floors filthy, he wrote. His opinion said the police acted lawfully because they had reason to arrest the partygoers. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor concurred in the outcome, but said they agreed only that the police were entitled to immunity from being sued. Major questions before the Supreme Court this fall david.savage@latimes.com On Twitter: DavidGSavage Scientists assure: the era of space tourism is not far off, so we will have to solve urgent physiological questions. For example, how to make love in space. Although NASA experts do not recommend sexual intercourse in the absence of gravity, the issue may soon become particularly relevant. ADVERTISIMENT The lack of gravity not only affects physical movements but can cause problems in the body. The latest space sex research was reported by the Daily Mail. When the first sex in space can happen Private space companies are already actively offering civilians the chance to go into space, the only downside is the high price tag. David Cullen, a professor of bioanalytical technology at Cranfield University, notes that humanity is entering a new era of spaceflight and calls for urgent research into the implications of sex in space. While NASA does not explicitly prohibit sex in space, the astronaut code of conduct requires that "relationships of trust" and "professional standards" be maintained at all times. The agency doesn't even allow married couples to fly into space together. Prof. Cullen is confident that the first sex in space will take place within the next decade. ADVERTISIMENT Peculiarities of sexual relations in space Intimacy in space will definitely not be easy. Prof. Anna Geitmann from McGill University in Montreal explained that the main problem is that "the partners will have to stay physically close to each other, as it will be impossible to rely on gravity." Another challenge would be the risk of injury. "You have to try to avoid head bumps because, again, there is no gravity that would prevent partners from moving away from each other," the professor added. But the main nuance is that sex in space will not only affect physical movement but can also cause problems within the body. According to Laurie Meggs of AI Signal Research, the disruption to blood circulation could make it difficult for men to achieve an erection: "There is no gravity to pull blood to the lower body. But blood does flow to the chest and head, causing astronauts to have puffy faces with bulging blood vessels in the neck." ADVERTISIMENT Scientists say there is a risk of developmental abnormalities in human embryos conceived in space. Prof. Cullen added that in space there is an increased likelihood of ectopic pregnancy. Earlier OBOZREVATEL shared what happens to the human body in space. Subscribe to OBOZREVATEL channels in Telegram , Viber and Threads to keep up with the latest news. The Kremlin has begun to treat information about dictator Vladimir Putin 's movements in Russia more strictly. Even the course of the official travels of the head of the aggressor country is now concealed. ADVERTISIMENT This was brought to the attention by the Telegram channel The Moscow Times. Citing anonymous sources, the channel said that fears of internal destabilization and a coup have increased after the mutiny of the head of the PMC "Wagner" Yevgeny Prigozhin on June 23-24. According to one of the publication's interlocutors former Kremlin official, now "everyone is under suspicion" of the FSB. On July 20, at his daily briefing, Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov announced that the Russian president would travel to one of the country's regions. He refused to say where exactly. "For obvious reasons, we are not announcing regional trips right now, we are not telling ahead of time about places to visit. We will do it today during the day," the dictator's spokesman told reporters. No one knows what "understandable reasons" he meant if there is "no panic" in Russia and the "SMO" is "going according to plan." ADVERTISIMENT Only six hours later it became known that Putin flew to Murmansk (for the first time since 2014). After the presidential plane landed in the city, Russia's Interfax wrote that "details of the program of the head of state's stay in the Murmansk region have not been disclosed." The dictator's press service later reported about his visit to the Center for the construction of large-tonnage offshore structures. There, the Russian head launched a gas liquefaction line on a gravity platform for Novatek's Arctic LNG-2 project. ADVERTISIMENT Putin also held a meeting on Arctic development in the Murmansk region's Regional Management Center, where he stated that there are "big problems" with infrastructure and housing. We will add that Gadzhievo, a Northern Fleet basing point where ballistic missile submarines are stationed, is not far from Murmansk. It is not known whether Putin visited the military base. As OBOZREVATEL wrote: - Russian opposition politician and journalist Igor Yakovenko believes that the recent clash between the "clans" of Putin and Prigozhin ended in a conditional draw. Now the leader of the "Wagner" is waiting for the moment when the Russian president weakens, Yakovenko suggested. ADVERTISIMENT - It is known that the militants of the terrorist organization "Wagner" started training of the Armed Forces of Belarus on the territory of Belarus. The exercises are held with special forces and local territorial defense. Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! An analysis of a 300,000-year-old double-pointed wooden stick from the Middle Pleistocene site of Schoningen, Germany, shows it was scraped, seasoned and sanded before being used to kill animals. The site of Schoningen in Germany, dated to approximately 300,000 years ago, yielded the earliest large-scale record of humanly-made wooden tools. These include wooden spears and shorter double-pointed sticks, discovered in association with herbivores that were hunted and butchered along a lakeshore. Wooden tools have not been systematically analysed to the same standard as other Paleolithic technologies, such as stone or bone tools. Discoveries of wooden tools have revolutionised our understanding of early human behaviors, said University of Reading researcher Dr. Annemieke Milks. 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. The Schoningen humans used a spruce branch to make this aerodynamic and ergonomic tool, said Dr. Dirk Leder, a researcher with the Lower Saxony State Office for Cultural Heritage. 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 77-cm-long stick double-pointed wooden stick examined by the team was found in 1994 at the Schoningen 13 II-4 site. The artifact was most likely used by early humans to hunt medium-sized game like red and roe deer, and possibly fast-small prey including hare and birds that were otherwise difficult to catch. The throwing sticks would have been thrown rotationally similar to a boomerang rather than overhead like a modern-day javelin and may have enabled early humans to throw as far as 30 m. Although lightweight, the high velocities at which such weapons can be launched could have resulted in deadly high-energy impacts. The fine surface, carefully shaped points and polish from handling suggest this was a piece of personal kit with repeated use, rather than a quickly made tool that was carelessly discarded. 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, said Dr. Thomas Terberger, a researcher with the Lower Saxony State Office for Cultural Heritage and the University of Gottingen. The findings were published in the journal PLoS ONE. _____ A. Milks et al. 2023. A double-pointed wooden throwing stick from Schoningen, Germany: Results and new insights from a multianalytical study. PLoS ONE 18 (7): e0287719; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287719 "Ukraine is the second Colombia", "our country will be sown and overflown with narcotic marijuana!", "we will have weak-minded children born": this is how some well-known politicians, scientific figures and honored doctors of Ukraine met the new bill on the legalization of medical marijuana. At the same time, the world experience of countries with developed medicine shows the following: patients with epilepsy, cancer patients, war veterans with PTSD and many others are people for whom medical cannabis is vital. ADVERTISIMENT Is it so scary? What does the law imply? Will domestic pharmacies turn into a den for drug dealers? Why does Ukraine need medical cannabis? Myths about cannabis, therapeutic effect Medical cannabis should not be confused with marijuana, doctors say. Cannabidiol is not a psychoactive substance and does not cause narcotic intoxication and addiction as it does not contain tetrahydrocannabinol substances, WHO clinical data confirm. Medical cannabis contains less than 1% THC in 2/3 of the dry weight of the inflorescences, so it is not a psychoactive substance. Even at high doses of consumption it does not cause changes in mental functions. It is one of the most effective and safe remedies for patients with severe pain syndrome who are no longer affected by painkillers. Unlike narcotic drugs, medical cannabis does not require increasing doses. The substance effectively eliminates severe pain, reduces anxiety and depression and does not cause nausea and vomiting, which is very important for cancer patients. ADVERTISIMENT Medical cannabis is somewhat the only safe salvation to date for seriously ill people who suffer from excruciating pain, anxiety and depression. Mutiny on board. "Is Ukraine the second Columbia?" "The topic of 'legalization of medical cannabis' is actually needed in order to grow and process cannabis in Ukraine in very large volumes. There is no need to adopt a new law to legalize medical cannabis!", Olha Bohomolets, People's Deputy and Honored Doctor of Ukraine, shared her thoughts. "Under the aegis of legalization of medical cannabis, Ukraine wants to make a new Colombia in the center of Europe. We have a suitable climate for this, enough territories, facilities and a liberal-minded population," Mrs. Bohomolets summarized, considering medical cannabis to be ineffective in fighting PTSD. The same idea was broadcast to the masses by the leader of the Batkivshchyna party, Yulia Tymoshenko, calling draft law No. 7457 "very exotic": ADVERTISIMENT "This law is about Ukraine being seeded and filled with narcotic marijuana!" Yulia Tymoshenko resents, suggesting that the Verkhovna Rada either procure marijuana-based medicines or resign. World experience: medicine and science It is worth noting that medical cannabis is successfully used in 56 countries around the world with developed medicine and science, including Germany, France, Israel, UK, Austria Belgium, USA and Canada. The therapeutic effect of the drug has been confirmed by numerous clinical studies, including WHO. International law permits the use of marijuana for medical and research purposes. Before the adoption of the draft law No. 7457, Ukrainian scientists and doctors were not free to research and use cannabis in their practice. ADVERTISIMENT The authors of the bill assume: the authorization of medical cannabis will become a good foundation for the development of medicine and pharmaceutical industry in Ukraine, as well as attract profitable international investments in science and industry. How to buy medical cannabis? Electronic registry What does the draft law No. 7457, which received the approval of the Verkhovna Rada on July 13, 2023, suggest? According to the authors of the bill, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, its main goal is to make medical cannabis available to Ukrainians with cancer, mental illness, severe injuries and war veterans with PTSD. Note that the law allows growing cannabis with only the authorized amount of narcotic substances, which caused a heated debate in our politicom. Access to cannabis-based medications will be available to those patients who have a doctor's prescription via electronic prescription. Pharmacies with a retail license for medical cannabis will sell the medication by recording the sale through the eHealth system. ADVERTISIMENT As we can see, despite the discussions and disagreements, the majority of deputies, following the example of most European countries, supported the bill on the legalization of medical cannabis. World practice shows that such initiatives help shed light on the shadow market of marijuana trade and open up new opportunities for the treatment of seriously ill patients. Few fast-swimming apex fishes are classified as regional endotherms, or partially warm-blooded, having evolved a relatively uncommon suite of traits (e.g. elevated body temperatures, centralized red muscle, and thick-walled hearts) thought to facilitate a fast, predatory lifestyle. Unlike those apex predators, basking sharks (Cetorhinus maximus) are massive filter-feeding planktivores assumed to have the anatomy and physiology typical of fully ectothermic fishes. New research led by Trinity College Dublin scientists suggests basking sharks are not full ectotherms, instead sharing several traits used to define a regional endotherm, thus deviating from current understanding of the species and questioning the link between physiology and ecology of regionally endothermic shark species. The basking shark is a shining example of how little we know about shark species in general, said Haley Dolton, a Ph.D. candidate at Trinity College Dublin. That we still have lots to uncover about the second biggest fish in the world such a huge, charismatic animal that most people would recognize it just highlights the challenge facing researchers to gather what they can about species to aid in effective conservation strategies. Regional endotherms are thought to use more energy, and possibly respond differently to ocean warming than other fish species. So lots more work will need to be done to work out how these new findings regarding an endangered species might change previous assumptions about their metabolism or potential distribution shifts during our climate crisis, which is something marine biologists are focusing on as our planet and its seas continue to warm. Hopefully this kind of research will continue the momentum needed to effectively protect these incredible animals in Irish waters and further afield. To make the discovery, Dolton and colleagues first undertook dissections of dead basking sharks that washed up in Ireland and the UK. They found that the sharks have cruise-swimming muscles located deep inside their bodies as seen in white sharks and tunas; in most fish this red muscle is instead found toward the outside of the animals. They also discovered basking sharks have strong muscular hearts that probably help generate high blood pressures and flows. Most fish species have relatively spongy hearts, whereas basking shark hearts are more typical of the regional endotherm species. Next, the authors designed a new low-impact tagging method to record body temperature of free-swimming basking sharks off the coast of Co Cork, Ireland. They were able get close enough to 8 m basking sharks to safely deploy the tags, which recorded muscle temperature just under the skin for up to 12 hours before they automatically detached from the animals and were collected by the team. These tags revealed that basking shark muscles are consistently elevated above water temperatures, and to almost exactly the same extent as their regionally-endothermic predatory cousins. These results cast an interesting new light on our perception of form versus function in fishes because until now we thought regional endothermy was only found in apex predatory species living at high positions in the marine food web, said Trinity College Dublins Dr. Nicholas Payne. Now we have found a species that grazes on tiny plankton but also shares those rather uncommon regional endotherm features, so we might have to adjust our assumptions about the advantages of such physiological innovations for these animals. Its a bit like suddenly finding that cows have wings. The teams paper is published in the journal Endangered Species Research. _____ Haley R. Dolton et al. 2023. Regionally endothermic traits in planktivorous basking sharks Cetorhinus maximus. ESR 51: 227-232; doi: 10.3354/esr01257 Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in understanding and overcoming the challenges associated with Ni-rich cathode materials used in lithium-ion batteries. 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' formation -- where an oxygen ion loses an electron -- plays 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 behaviour 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, commented: "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. Researchers from the Universities of Birmingham, Cambridge, Warwick as well as The Faraday Institution, Didcot, published their findings today (19 Jul) in Joule. Finding sustainable and clean fuels is crucial in today's global energy and climate crisis. One promising candidate that is increasingly gaining relevance 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 solarfuel. Recently, the results have been published in the scientific 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 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," Dominik Eder explains. Recently, MOFs with layered structures have caught 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." advertisement Therefore, Dominik 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 demonstrated 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. A research group from the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan has identified the neural pathways in the brain that influence thermoregulatory behaviors in rats. Thermoregulatory behaviors are the behavioral processes by which all animals regulate body temperature in response to changes in the environment. These findings, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, provide a better understanding of the neural network of the brain, and also suggest new medical strategies for the prevention of heatstroke. All animals, including humans, use thermoregulatory behaviors to maintain body temperature within certain limits, even when the surrounding temperature is very different. Strategies include finding warmer or cooler spaces and adjusting body posture. More specific examples include a turtle basking in the sun or a person who uses air conditioning and wears a t-shirt and short pants in the summer. In a previous study, a research group at Nagoya University reported that thermoregulatory behavior requires a region of the brain called the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPB). The group included Nagoya University graduate student Takaki Yahiro, Lecturer Naoya Kataoka, and Professor Kazuhiro Nakamura. In a new study, the same team identified two different groups of neurons in the LPB that transmit thermosensory information from skin thermoreceptors to different areas of the forebrain. The two groups of neurons were found to form distinct thermosensory pathways. The first group transmits a warm and cold sensation to a region called the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO). Meanwhile, the other group transmits only a cold sensation to the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). The amygdala is found deep within the temporal lobe of the brain and is essential for different aspects of emotional processing and behavior, including anxiety, fear, and threat response. But researchers did not know that it was also involved in thermoregulatory behavior. The Nagoya University researchers suspect that the neural pathways they identified form unpleasant emotions to drive thermoregulatory behaviors. Their findings may contribute to a better understanding of the causes of heat stroke and hypothermia. For some people, the neural pathways may not form unpleasant emotions in response to sensations of heat and cold. As a result, they may not act even when the surrounding temperatures change. To test this possibility, the researchers blocked one of the thermosensory pathways from the LPB in rats. When the pathway to MnPO was blocked, rats did not avoid heat, leading some to experience increases in body temperature above the normal range. In contrast, blocking the pathway to the CeA abolished the rat's behavior to avoid cold. A similar process may occur in humans, especially among older adults. According to Nakamura, "As people age, the generation of heat and cold discomfort through the LPB may be weakened due to the reduced temperature sensitivity of the skin's thermosensors. This may cause them to fail to perform their thermoregulatory behavior." Therefore, older people should avoid basing their thermoregulatory behavior on subjective factors such as emotions. Instead, they should respond to objective changes in air temperature and humidity. For example, a person should move somewhere cooler based on thermometer and hygrometer readings in the summer, even when not experiencing discomfort. The fastest way to heat food and drink might also rank as the fastest route to ingesting massive quantities of minuscule plastic particles, says new research from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Experiments have shown that microwaving plastic baby food containers available on the shelves of U.S. stores can release huge numbers of plastic particles -- in some cases, more than 2 billion nanoplastics and 4 million microplastics for every square centimeter of container. Though the health effects of consuming micro- and nanoplastics remain unclear, the Nebraska team further found that three-quarters of cultured embryonic kidney cells had died after two days of being introduced to those same particles. A 2022 report from the World Health Organization recommended limiting exposure to such particles. "It is really important to know how many micro- and nanoplastics we are taking in," said Kazi Albab Hussain, the study's lead author and a doctoral student in civil and environmental engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "When we eat specific foods, we are generally informed or have an idea about their caloric content, sugar levels, other nutrients. I believe it's equally important that we are aware of the number of plastic particles present in our food. "Just as we understand the impact of calories and nutrients on our health, knowing the extent of plastic particle ingestion is crucial in understanding the potential harm they may cause. Many studies, including ours, are demonstrating that the toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics is highly linked to the level of exposure." The team embarked on its study in 2021, the same year that Hussain became a father. While prior research had investigated the release of plastic particles from baby bottles, the team realized that no studies had examined the sorts of plastic containers and pouches that Hussain found himself shopping for, and that millions of other parents regularly do, too. Hussain and his colleagues decided to conduct experiments with two baby food containers made from polypropylene and a reusable pouch made of polyethylene, both plastics approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In one experiment, the researchers filled the containers with either deionized water or 3% acetic acid -- the latter intended to simulate dairy products, fruits, vegetables and other relatively acidic consumables -- then heated them at full power for three minutes in a 1,000-watt microwave. Afterward, they analyzed the liquids for evidence of micro- and nanoplastics: the micro being particles at least 1/1,000th of a millimeter in diameter, the nano any particles smaller. advertisement The actual number of each particle released by the microwaving depended on multiple factors, including the plastic container and the liquid within it. But based on a model that factored in particle release, body weight, and per-capita ingestion of various food and drink, the team estimated that infants drinking products with microwaved water and toddlers consuming microwaved dairy products are taking in the greatest relative concentrations of plastic. Experiments designed to simulate the refrigeration and room-temperature storage of food or drink over a six-month span also suggested that both could lead to the release of micro- and nanoplastics. "For my baby, I was unable to completely avoid the use of plastic," Hussain said. "But I was able to avoid those (scenarios) which were causing more of the release of micro- and nanoplastics. People also deserve to know those, and they should choose wisely." With the help of Svetlana Romanova from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the team then cultured and exposed embryonic kidney cells to the actual plastic particles released from the containers -- a first, as far as Hussain can tell. Rather than introduce just the number of particles released by one container, the researchers instead exposed the cells to particle concentrations that infants and toddlers might accumulate over days or from multiple sources. After two days, just 23% of kidney cells exposed to the highest concentrations had managed to survive -- a much higher mortality rate than that observed in earlier studies of micro- and nanoplastic toxicity. The team suspects that kidney cells might be more susceptible to the particles than are other cell types examined in prior research. But those earlier studies also tended to examine the effects of larger polypropylene particles, some of them potentially too large to penetrate cells. If so, the Hussain-led study could prove especially sobering: Regardless of its experimental conditions, the Husker team found that polypropylene containers and polyethylene pouches generally release about 1,000 times more nanoplastics than microplastics. The question of cell infiltration is just one among many that will require answers, Hussain said, before determining the true risks of consuming micro- and nanoplastics. But to the extent that they do pose a health threat -- and that plastics remain a go-to for baby food storage -- parents would have a vested interest in seeing that the companies manufacturing plastic containers seek out viable alternatives, he said. "We need to find the polymers which release fewer (particles)," Hussain said. "Probably, researchers will be able to develop plastics that do not release any micro- or nanoplastics -- or, if they do, the release would be negligible. "I am hopeful that a day will come when these products display labels that read 'microplastics-free' or 'nanoplastics-free.'" Plastic waste is a problem on our beaches. Hence, it is largely removed in a coordinated manner within a few weeks. However, it can litter other coasts of the world for many months to years due to unregulated waste disposal. Often the garbage on the beach is simply burned and a special form of plastic waste is created: so-called plastiglomerate. This "rock" is made up of natural components, such as coral fragments, held together by the melted and reconsolidated plastic. A new study by a German-Indonesian research team at Kiel University has now demonstrated, using field samples from Indonesia, that such rocks pose an increased environmental risk to coastal ecosystems such as seagrass beds, mangroves or coral reefs. The melted plastic decomposes more quickly into microplastics and is also contaminated with organic pollutants. The researchers recently published the findings in the journal Scientific Reports. "Until now, there have been rather basic studies describing the formation of plastiglomerates. With our results, we have shown for the first time how plastiglomerate differs from other plastic waste and can make better statements about its environmental impact," says first author Dr Amanda Utami, who works as a scientist at Indonesia's largest science organization (BRIN, Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional) and came to Kiel on a three-month fellowship. The research work was made possible by funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and cooperation between BRIN and scientists in the Kiel Marine Science (KMS) priority research area at Kiel University. New insights through international cooperation If plastic waste is burnt directly on the beach, this melting and burning process produces the plastiglomerate "rock," in whose plastic matrix the carbon chains are degraded. This chemically degraded plastic weathers more rapidly into microplastics through exposure to wind, waves and sediment grains on the beach. The incomplete combustion process releases new pollutants from the plastic that first settle on the plastic and are then released into the environment. These contaminants often have higher ecotoxicological relevance than the parent plastic, are potentially bioavailable, and thus can be introduced and enriched in the food chain. Scientist Utami collected a total of 25 field samples from beaches on Panjang Island on the western side of the Indonesian island of Java and analyzed them in the laboratory together with researchers from Kiel University. One of them is Dr Lars Reuning, Utami's scientific host in Kiel and second author of the study: "Our analyses show that Plastiglomerates are contaminated with organic pollutants. Even though further results on bioaccumulation are still pending, they can be classified as potentially carcinogenic to humans." Reuning is a member of the Paleontology Research Group at the Institute of Geosciences at Kiel University. The working group, led by Professor Miriam Pfeiffer, is also involved in the German Research Foundation's (DFG) Earth Science Priority Program 2299 "Tropical Climate Variability and Coral Reefs." Chemical investigations of pollutants in the Kiel laboratory The researchers first differentiated the plastiglomerate samples according to optical criteria into less strongly as well as more strongly melted or burned samples and extracted volatile pollutants with the help of solvents. These analyses, which were carried out in Professor Lorenz Schwark's Organic Geochemistry Group at the Institute of Geosciences, revealed, for example, contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalates, which are used as plasticizers for plastics. Experts consider both classes of substances to have a high potential for causing cancer. advertisement The research team also used physicochemical methods and comparison with databases to characterize the nature of polymers such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) or their mixtures. They conducted measurements using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in the working group of Professor Gernot Friedrichs at the Institute of Physical Chemistry at Kiel University to investigate the degree of weathering. Outcome: Areas that were already visibly more exposed to the burning process also showed a greater degree of weathering and oxidation. Numerous effects on coastal ecosystems possible "To better assess environmental damage, we are currently researching the exact composition of the organic pollutants associated with the plastic, such as organophosphorus compounds," says geochemist Schwark. Also of interest is the tendency of the plastiglomerates to decay easily. "Normally, photo-oxidation by UV light affects the top layer of plastics. But thermo-oxidation by burning the plastic waste significantly alters the internal structures of the material as well," says geoscientist Reuning. In the future, numerous coastal ecosystems of tropical waters off Indonesia as well as worldwide will be affected by Plastiglomerates. Studies already show that organic pollutants are also transferred to corals or other marine organisms and can thus have a negative impact on ocean health. Further studies are therefore also looking at other ecosystems such as seagrass beds, mangroves or organisms living in the sediment. "Compared to normal plastic waste, the unique properties of Plastiglomerates require a specific form of coastal management," Utami sums up. "If trash from urban areas on tropical beaches were better disposed of and managed, a serious problem could be prevented." Fifty years ago, Barbie Millicent Roberts was introduced in the world of toys. Since then, Barbie has become the most famous toy doll in history. The icon did not only appear in movies and other media, but it has also inspired the fashion industry. Today, Barbie is also present in the virtual world where users can play and chat with other Barbie fans. Controversial Social Skills Campaign Toy company Mattel, the manufactures the famous Barbie doll, has been criticized after giving away free Barbie and Ken dolls to primary schools in UK. The company launched the "Barbie School of Friendship" program where the free dolls are supposed to help the children carry out role play exercises. It has been rolled out to 700 schools across the country with the goal of reaching over 150,000 pupils. Mattel claims that the program is sponsored by research which suggests that playing dolls provides major benefits for child development such as empathy and other nurturing skills. However, the program was criticized by experts due to the concerns regarding the negative effects of Barbie dolls in gender stereotyping. The use of research in justifying the program is also questioned, in addition to the issue of allowing companies to freely market their products through schools. Psychotherapist Philippa Perry claims that the project is suspicious and that it could be exploitative. Meanwhile, specialty public health registrar May van Schalkwyk argued that commercial entities such as Mattel do not have expertise in children's health or education, since they only focus on selling products to maximize profits. She also added that the items offered by the company are heavily branded, and the children should not be exposed to this kind of stealth marketing. On the other hand, researcher Sarah Gerson from Cardiff University says she finds the program interesting but also expresses some reservations. According to her, Mattel's claim that playing dolls like Barbie will provide major benefits is a strong statement to be given to parents. As a response to the criticism, a Mattel spokesperson presented the testimonial from an anonymous teacher who celebrated the program for the positive effects it has elicited in the students as well as the promotion of diversity in terms of skin tone, body type, and disability. READ ALSO: Barbie's 'Perfectly Arched Feet' Ignites Internet Frenzy: Experts Warn People to Think Twice Before Copying It Supporting Claims From Neuroscience Studies Mattel referenced the studies that it funded which served as the basis of the program. In a five-year research published in 2020, the toy company collaborated with neuroscientists from Cardiff University, it was found out that doll play activates the region of the brain which is responsible for social information processing and empathy. This indicates that this activity enables the children to rehearse, use, and perform such skills even when they play on their own. The result of the study also reveals that children tend to demonstrate higher brain activity when they play with Mattel dolls than when they play games on electronic gadgets such as tablet. A reanalysis of the same experiment conducted in 2022 suggests that the children who play dolls use more of their internal state language for describing their thoughts and feelings. Psychologist Franziska Korb from the Dresden University of Technology emphasizes that the research have good ideas and appropriate methodology, but she clarifies the significant differences between doll and gadget play when a child is playing alone. This is due to the fact that when a child plays the tablet with an adult, then the differences become negligible. Korb further explains that the result of the study cannot be used in making statements about the long term developmental or behavioral effects of using dolls. RELATED ARTICLE: Security Experts Worry On 'Hello Barbie' Dolls' Privacy Check out more news and information on Barbie Dolls in Science Times. Russia has allegedly detained former so-called "DPR" Defense Minister Igor Girkin (Strelkov). This became known on Friday, July 21. ADVERTISIMENT The terrorist and international criminal supported aggressive Russian policy, but allowed himself to criticize the course of the "SMO", decisions of Russian commanders and even dictator Vladimir Putin. The fact that Strelkov was detained by law enforcement officers was reported by propaganda media citing sources. The news is being updated. Ukraine's Ministry of Defence is responding to reports that it has allegedly not purchased a single kamikaze drone from Ukroboronprom since the start of the full-scale war. In response to these allegations, the ministry says it has already adopted 28 different models of domestically produced unmanned aerial vehicles. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by the press service of the Ministry of Defence. The ministry notes that the next UAVs can be put into service only after they have been tested and the needs of the General Staff have been identified. Since 22 February 2022, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has successfully introduced 28 different models of unmanned aerial vehicles of various types manufactured in Ukraine into its arsenal. This list includes 9 models of kamikaze drones, 3 of which are aircraft, and 6 models of FPV drones. In addition, several thousand unmanned aerial vehicles and drones are already in service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine as part of the procurement process carried out by the Ministry of Defence. "The development of Ukrainian production of weapons and military equipment, in particular reconnaissance, attack drones, kamikaze drones and barrage munitions, is a priority for the Ministry of Defence," the statement said. ADVERTISIMENT According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence, in autumn 2022, the ministry simplified procedures for inventors and manufacturers of weapons and equipment. These changes have significantly reduced the timeframe for the adoption of new weapons and equipment by the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the usual 2 years to just 3-5 weeks. In addition, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has signed agreements with some domestic companies for the serial production of 10 models of unmanned aerial vehicles. The ministry stressed that under current rules, there is a ban on entering into contracts for the purchase of non-existent serial models, and all purchases are made based on the actual needs identified by the General Staff. As of 20 July 2023, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine received two proposals from companies that were previously part of Ukroboronprom and, following its reorganisation, became known as Ukrainian Defence Industry JSC. ADVERTISIMENT "The testing of a single kamikaze drone, developed by one of the enterprises of Ukrainian Defence Industry JSC, has been completed. It is currently in the process of being approved for operation. After it is completed and the needs of the General Staff for this drone are determined, a decision will be made to purchase it for the Armed Forces," the ministry summed up. As a reminder, Ukroboronprom project manager Oleh Boldyrev, better known as Martin Brest, unexpectedly revealed details about the production of drones at state-owned enterprises that are part of the former state concern, which has been transformed into a joint-stock company. According to him, not a single drone has been ordered from Ukroboronprom enterprises. That is, there is no question of any serial production of drones at the enterprises of this organisation. He left this message in the comments to a Facebook post by Ukrainian journalist Oleksandr Surkov. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are using ultra-cheap disposable cargo drones Precision Payload Delivery System (PPDS) at the front. These UAVs are manufactured by the Australian company SYPAQ to provide logistics tasks in hard-to-reach places. Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The aggressor country Russian Federation has said it may consider civilian vessels in the Black Sea en route to Ukrainian ports to be legitimate military targets. But its escalating strikes on ports and grain infrastructure as well as threats of maritime escalation are not revenge for the latest bombings in Crimea. ADVERTISIMENT It is more likely that the Kremlin is trying to capitalize on its withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and extract significant concessions from the West. According to analysts of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), this is one of dictator Vladimir Putin's few remaining means of influencing Western leaders. "The Kremlin now appears to be trying to create a sense of urgency for its return to the Black Sea grain initiative by launching intense strikes on Ukrainian ports and grain infrastructure and threatening to target civilian vessels in the Black Sea," the experts said. They noted that Ukraine harvests most of its grain between July and August, and Russia's strikes on its ports and agricultural infrastructure could further complicate the ability to make room for the new harvest. ADVERTISIMENT The Kremlin is also deliberately destroying such facilities before renegotiating the Black Sea grain deal to set conditions for the export of stolen grain from the temporarily occupied territories. The Russians probably believe that this will "disproportionately benefit" the Russian economy. Ukrainian Agrarian Policy Minister Mykola Solsky said that it would take the country at least a year to restore the Black Sea port in Odesa Region, which was used for grain exports. Analysts, however, point out that the destruction of the port infrastructure in Odesa and Mykolaiv regions could limit the ability to export grain by sea even if the deal is renegotiated, while at the same time it would allow Russia to offer grain from the occupied territories or its own grain to fulfill the deal. ADVERTISIMENT "Prolonged grain logistics disruptions in Ukraine are likely to have increasingly cascading effects on supplies, reinforcing the sense of urgency the Kremlin hopes to create," ISW pointed to the occupiers' cunning plans. It recalled that Moscow usually resorts to escalating rhetoric around Western support for Ukraine in an attempt to influence the behavior of Western leaders. While it is still unclear to what extent Russian forces intend to strike civilian vessels in the Black Sea, the Kremlin hopes their "warning" will have a deterrent effect on maritime activity and create conditions reminiscent of the full blockade of Ukrainian ports at the start of a full-scale invasion. In addition, ISW speculates that Russia is also trying to increase friction between the Ukrainian and Central European governments as they seek a way to divert grain exports. Senior European officials said the EU is seeking to move more Ukrainian grain by road and rail to offset Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal. ADVERTISIMENT "The Kremlin may be trying to undermine Ukraine's future prospects for maritime exports in order to spoil Ukraine's relations with its Western neighbors," the analysts stressed. As OBOZREVATEL reported, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine responded to threats from the Russian Federation to safe navigation in the Black Sea. It noted that the AFU has the means to repel the aggressor. This is proved by the fate of the "Moscow" cruiser. Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Inde: des militantes incendient les maisons d'hommes accuses d'avoir humilie des femmes d'une autre ethnie Des femmes en colere ont mis le feu aux maisons de deux hommes qui ont ete accuses, ainsi que deux autres suspects, d'avoir oblige deux femmes a defiler nues parmi la foule dans l'Etat du Manipur, dans le nord-est de l'Inde, ou des mois de violences ethniques ont fait au moins 120 morts, selon une video diffusee vendredi. Les quatre hommes, qui ont ete arretes jeudi par la police, ont ete identifies a partir d'une video de l'incident datant de debut mai, devenue virale sur les reseaux sociaux mercredi et dont tout le pays s'est indigne. "Quatre principaux accuses ont ete arretes dans l'affaire de la video virale", a declare la police de l'Etat du Manipur sur Twitter jeudi soir. La video montre deux femmes, appartenant apparemment a la tribu des Kukis, qu'un conflit interethnique oppose aux Meiteis, marchant nues dans une rue, moquees et harcelees par une foule identifiee comme appartenant a la communaute des Meiteis, l'ethnie dominante. Le jour de l'arrestation des quatre suspects, un groupe de militantes a jete des bottes de foin sur la maison de l'un des quatre hommes a Imphal en y mettant le feu. Au moment ou l'incendie faisait rage, les femmes, membres de la communaute des Meiteis, comme les quatre accuses, se sont acharnees sur les murs et le toit de l'habitation avec des batons. Vendredi, un autre groupe de femmes a detruit la maison d'un deuxieme suspect, la reduisant en cendres. L'Inde est un pays generalement conservateur et patriarcal, mais la communaute des Meiteis, ou les femmes ont un role plus important au sein de la societe qu'ailleurs, comprend des militantes de la cause des femmes. La video montrant les deux femmes denudees a suscite vendredi des mouvements de protestation dans l'ensemble de l'Inde, les manifestants demandant la demission du chef du gouvernement de l'Etat du Manipur, lui reprochant son inaction. "Des gens normaux peuvent-ils faire cela? ... Meme les chats, les chiens, les animaux n'ont jamais commis d'actes aussi repugnants", declare une manifestante pres d'Imphal, la capitale de l'Etat du Manipur, ou se sont rassemblees des centaines de femmes. Le gouvernement de l'Etat, dirige par le parti nationaliste hindou au pouvoir Bharatiya Janata (BJP), a declare que la police avait pris des mesures des que la video est apparue sur les reseaux sociaux, plus de deux mois apres l'incident. Une "enquete approfondie" est en cours, a indique sur Twitter le ministre en chef de l'Etat, N. Biren Singh. "Nous veillerons a ce que des mesures strictes soient prises contre tous les auteurs, y compris en envisageant la possibilite de la peine capitale", a-t-il ajoute. Les violences en mai au Manipur avaient explose apres une marche de protestation contre l'eventualite que la communaute des Meiteis, pour la plupart hindous, obtienne le statut plus avantageux de "tribu repertoriee" qui leur garantirait des quotas d'emplois publics et d'admissions dans les universites. Cette hypothese avait egalement ravive les vieilles craintes de la tribu des Kukis, en general chretiens, de voir les Meiteis autorises a acquerir des terres dans des zones qui leur sont actuellement reservees ainsi qu'a d'autres groupes tribaux. Des habitations et des eglises avaient ete incendiees et des dizaines de personnes obligees de se refugier dans des camps geres par le gouvernement. Dans un rapport presente devant un tribunal en juin, le groupe de la societe civile Manipur Tribal Forum a affirme que de nombreux et terribles actes de violence, notamment des viols et des decapitations s'etaient produits sans que les autorites de l'Etat n'ouvrent d'enquetes. Le Premier ministre indien Narendra Modi a declare jeudi que "l'incident du Manipur est une honte pour n'importe quelle societe civilisee". "Cela fait honte a toute la nation", a souligne M. Modi qui s'exprimait pour la premiere fois sur ces violences. Russian occupation forces launched a missile attack on the Chernihiv region. Two women were killed as a result of another terrorist attack. ADVERTISIMENT This was announced by the head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, Vyacheslav Chaus. The enemy missile hit a local cultural building. "As a result of a missile strike on Chernihiv region, a building of a local cultural centre was damaged in one of the district's settlements," the statement said. Chaus clarified that the deceased was an employee of the institution. "The rubble is being cleared. The body of a woman was found. The State Emergency Service is working at the scene. Russia is a terrorist. Terrorists must be destroyed," he added. As of 17:25, the body of a second woman was pulled out from the rubble of the house of culture. ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, on the night of 20 July, the occupiers attacked Chernihiv region again. In particular, the enemy fired on the village of Semenivka using Shahed kamikaze drones. As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, on the night of 21 July, Russian occupation forces attacked Odesa region of Ukraine with missiles for the fourth day. The Kalibr missiles launched from the sea hit an agricultural enterprise in the region, causing significant damage to hangars and equipment, and destroying 120 tonnes of peas and barley. On the night of 20 July, Russia also fired missiles at Odesa region, destroying an administrative building in the centre of Odesa and damaging many nearby houses. There were also reports of an arrival in the region. The occupiers killed a guard at a civilian building and injured several people. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Russia has reacted to the statement by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba about the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports despite the Russian naval blockade of the Black Sea. Thus, the Kremlin said that Kyiv "does not bend to anything and thus carries danger". ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by the press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, reported propaganda Telegram-channels. We note that Moscow announced its withdrawal from the grain agreement on July, 17. Thus, the day before, the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Ukraine would resume grain exports despite the attack threats by the Russian Federation. In particular, the Ukrainian diplomat wanted to show Kyiv's readiness to expose Moscow's bluff on confrontation in the Black Sea. "The Kyiv regime is unpredictable and does not bend to anything, it brings danger," said Dmitry Peskov, a henchman of the Russian dictator. The last time Russia pulled out of the Black Sea grain export agreement at the end of October 2022, Ukraine responded by saying it would continue grain shipments with the support of Turkey and the UN. After several days, Russia changed its mind and returned to the agreement, allowing exports to resume. Dmytro Kuleba noted that the situation may be more complicated this time and Russia may not change its position as easily due to brinkmanship. ADVERTISIMENT We remind that on Wednesday, July 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a series of statements on the grain agreement. He complained about Russia's "harassment" but said that the terrorist country would consider returning to the grain agreement. According to the dictator, this will be possible if all the principles of Russia's participation in the agreement are taken into account and implemented without exception. We remind that the grain agreement ceased to function on July 18. The EU condemned the actions of the Russian Federation, while the UN and Turkey promised "not to stop the efforts", with Ukraine expecting the grain corridor to work without Russia. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the Russian Federation did not make it clear whether it had completely withdrawn from the grain agreement or suspended it. Only verified information we have in our Telegram channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Russian occupiers have claimed a drone attack on an airfield in the temporarily seized Crimea. Also, explosions allegedly occurred at an airbase in Ryazan, resulting in a crater. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by Russian propagandists. According to their data, the military airfield in Crimea was allegedly attacked by three drones. Two of them were allegedly shot down by the air defense system on the approach to the airfield in Gvardeyskoye. Another drone was allegedly eliminated by means of EW. As a result, no one was injured. Destruction was not recorded as well. At the same time, a drone also attacked the airbase "Dyagilevo" in Ryazan. As a result of the explosion, a crater was formed in the aircraft parking lot. Damage and casualties as a result of the attack, according to preliminary data, were not recorded. We remind that in the morning of July 17 the Crimean bridge was hit several times because of what the traffic on the bridge was stopped. It turned out that a part of the roadbed collapsed, forming a chasm. ADVERTISIMENT According to OBOZREVATEL sources, it was a special operation of the SSU and the Navy of the AFU. The object was attacked by surface drones. As reported by OBOZREVATEL, on July 20, the occupiers temporarily closed the Crimean bridge, with air raid alarm ringing. Everyone was advised to leave the illegal contruction. Over the past 24 hours, the occupants shelled severa Kharkiv villages including Bohodukhiv, Kharkiv, Kupiansk, Chuhuiv and Izium districts. This night, July 21, the enemy also shelled the village of Novoosynove, resulting in a 56-year-old woman wounded and a house damaged. ADVERTISIMENT This is reported by the head of the Kharkiv regional state administration Oleh Synehubov in his Telegram-channel. It is noted that as a result of shelling in Volvchansk and Chuhuiv districts, at least three private residential houses and outbuildings were damaged. Seven private houses were also damaged as a result of shelling in Kupiansk. A 60-year-old man was killed and a private house and a garage were damaged as a result of tank shelling in the Kozacha Lopan settlement in Kharkiv region. It is also reported that in the village of Petrivka, Bohodukhiv district, there was shelling that damaged an apartment building and injured two civilian men aged 69 and 52. Over the past 24 hours, an unfortunate incident occurred in the village of Verkhniy Bairak, Izium district, as a 48-year-old man blew himself up on an unknown explosive object in his own yard. He was hospitalized in a mild condition. ADVERTISIMENT Demining continues in Kharkiv region. During the previous day the State Emergency Service pyrotechnics inspected more than 9 hectares of territory and neutralized 57 explosive objects. In the Kupiansk direction the situation remains tense, however, the Ukrainian military are reliably holding the defense. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy forces tried to conduct an offensive in the area southwest of Masiutivka, but failed and retreated with losses. In the morning of July, 21, occupants shelled Ochakiv in the Mykolaiv region again.. This was reported by the head of the police of Mykolaiv region Serhiy Shaikhet. This time the target of the invaders was the local library. ADVERTISIMENT "Rescuers quickly localized the fire that arose as a result of shelling. Fortunately, there were no casualties. Police and other specialized services are inspecting the scene and documenting the war crime of the occupants," Shaikhet said. We remind that Russian occupiers shelled the residential infrastructure of the town of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk region on July 21 at dawn. Enemy shells killed two civilians. ADVERTISIMENT During the night of July 21, Russian occupation troops also attacked Odesa region with missiles for the fourth day in a row. Launched from the sea "Kalibr" hit an agribusiness in the region. There is significant damage to hangars and equipment, with 120 tons of peas and barley destroyed. Only verified information we have in Telegram-channel Obozrevatel, Threads and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! A US inspection of the logistical assistance line has shown that the US side has no complaints about Ukraine's accounting for weapons and military equipment. The day before, CNN published a news story about the alleged spontaneous theft of Western weapons for resale to third countries. ADVERTISIMENT Deputy Defence Minister Volodymyr Havrylov said that the story was in fact fake, the ministry's press service reports. Artillery, ammunition, sophisticated air defence systems, armoured vehicles - everything is taken into account in Ukraine. "Last year, an automated system was introduced to account for all weapons and military equipment and to keep track of their logistics. With the help of our partners, we introduced the LOGFAS and Korovai programmes, which allow us to track military equipment to a military unit using barcodes and QR codes, and, if necessary, to come there and see what is there," the military said. It is worth noting that the scandalous CNN story told about the far-fetched risks of the United States losing the weapons it supplies to Ukraine in the form of military aid to fight the occupiers. According to their information, the Pentagon allegedly indicated that it could track the transfer of missiles and aircraft with the help of intelligence, but was "lost in guesses" about what to do with night vision devices. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZREVATEL reported earlier this year, American auditors arrived in Kyiv to monitor the use of military aid. They arrived along with consultants from the World Bank and Deloitte to make sure that "no aid or weapons are being diverted to third countries". Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Russian occupants have launched an offensive in the Kupiansk sector of Kharkiv region. Here, among others, the Baba Yaga aerial reconnaissance unit is ready to meet the enemy. ADVERTISIMENT The commander of this unit, Ruslan Mazovetsky, nicknamed "Barmaley", is confident that Ukrainian defenders will withstand and win. He said this in a comment to OBOZREVATEL. Mazovetsky noted that "Baba Yaga" is currently performing combat missions in this area. In the course of their offensive, the invaders lost an ATGM in the hands of the unit. In addition, enemy infantry hiding at a railway station was struck. Currently, the unit is supporting the Defence Forces and, despite the fact that it is quite hot there, the guys are standing and not letting the enemy advance. "We have enough means to deter the enemy. We have enough combat gear, willpower, spirit and desire to destroy these non-humans who came to kill our citizens. We will survive and win because we are together, for each other, each for everyone. That is why the victory will be ours. Glory to Ukraine!" - said the unit commander. ADVERTISIMENT ADVERTISIMENT As a reminder, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have localised a "major offensive" by Russian occupation forces on the Kupyansk-Lyman line. As a result of the effective actions of the defenders of Ukraine, the invaders lost at least 75 people killed and wounded, as well as a number of vehicles. As reported by OBOZREVATEL: - On 18 July, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine reported that the Defence Forces have the initiative in the Kupyansk direction. Attempts by Russian troops to launch an offensive in the area have so far failed; - The head of the Kharkiv Military District, Oleh Syniehubov, said that the "grey zone" in the Kupiansk sector had increased. The occupiers are trying to storm Ukrainian positions, while the defenders are successfully destroying the invaders. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Swedens state energy company has abandoned work on a multibillion-pound wind farm off the coast of Norfolk because of soaring costs in a blow to Britains clean energy ambitions . Vattenfall said it was stopping development of the 1.4 gigawatt Norfolk Boreas wind farm, which could have powered about 1.5 million homes, after supply chain problems and inflation increased its costs by up to 40 per cent. - The Times Big brand-owners such as Heinz and Unilever are to be investigated by the competition regulator amid concerns shoppers are being overcharged for groceries. The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) said its investigation into rising grocery prices will look at the role of international food conglomerates, which is also likely to include companies such as Cadbury-owner Mondelez and Coca-Cola. - Daily Telegraph CVC, the private equity group, has defied the sceptics by successfully raising a record 26 billion ($27.9 billion) from investors for a new fund to do buyout deals. The biggest ever private equity fundraising, for the CVC Capital Partners IX fund, eclipses the $26.2 billion raised by Blackstone for its Capital Partners VIII in 2019 and comes at a difficult time for the asset class. - The Times The parent of Royal Mail has appointed insider Martin Seidenberg its group chief executive as it embarks on a dramatic overhaul. Seidenberg has been promoted to the head of International Distributions Services (IDS) and will take up the role next month. - Daily Mail The Labour party has won its biggest ever byelection victory by overturning a 20,000-vote Conservative majority in Selby and Ainsty, sending a 25-year-old to parliament. But Keir Starmers party failed to win Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Boris Johnsons old constituency. The Conservatives held on to the outer London seat with a majority of 495, the only bit of good news in an otherwise miserable night for Rishi Sunak. - Guardian A BITS Pilani alumnus, Venkat has also completed his Masters in Computer Engineering from the University of California (Santa Cruz). In his career spanning over 27 years, he has had successful stints with companies such as Duet Technologies, ZSP Corp, and Broadcom, prior to joining Synaptics in 2020. Additionally, he has also part of the founding team of a semiconductor solutions company named posedge in 2002. In a recent exclusive interaction with Siliconindia, Venkat Kodavati, Sr. VP & GM -Wireless Products Division, Synaptics shared his thoughts on the current automation scenario and various other related aspects. Below are the excerpts from the exclusive interview Share your thoughts on the current industrial automation landscape in India. As per a Modor Intelligence report, The India Industrial Automation Market size is expected to grow from $13.25 billion in 2023 to $25.80 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 14.26 percent during the forecast period. Currently, the Indian industrial automation sector is tremendously growing and undergoing a colossal transformation. With the government working towards creating a conducive ecosystem for manufacturing and exporting electronics goods like TVs, closed-circuit TVs, and air conditioners, many opportunities have risen for Indias design as well as manufacturing sectors. In addition, businesses are embracing automation solutions such as AI, IoT and robotics to improve their efficiency, productivity and overall quality. For example, we can see that in recent times, connected devices and vision- and audio-enabled sensors many of them operating on the Edge (without the performance and security drawbacks of processing in the cloud) - enhance worker safety, track equipment performance, and enable real-time data analysis for proactive decision-making, thus resulting in improved efficiency and productivity. What is the role of AI and IoT technologies in enabling businesses to optimize their process efficiencies? Organizations can leverage the power of AI and IoT to optimize their process efficiencies in several ways. With every change comes an opportunity for innovation, such as the appropriate application of AI at the Edge, where organizations must find the right balance of functionality, power consumption, performance, cost, time-to-market, privacy, and ease of use to ensure an exceptional user experience. By implementing AI-driven analytics, businesses can gain valuable insights from large volumes of data generated by IoT devices. This enables them to identify patterns and trends leading to more informed decision-making, thereby improving the user experience and the insights that can be obtained. How can organizations ensure the successful integration of automation techniques into their existing processes? In our interconnected world, the proliferation of devices and technologies has created a growing demand for efficient, secure, and scalable connectivity. From our homes to our cars, offices and public spaces, the need for seamless integration of automation technologies, smart devices and they data they produce has become paramount. Meeting these demands is crucial for businesses to enable a reliable and productivity-oriented experience. Deploying IoT solutions enhances operational efficiency, reduces costs, enables data-driven decision-making, improves safety and security measures, enhances customer experiences, promotes sustainability, and optimizes resource utilization. Before integrating automation techniques into their processes, businesses must conduct a thorough analysis of existing processes to identify areas that can benefit from automation. This is because not all processes are suitable for automation, and it is essential to understand which tasks can be streamlined effectively. Also, the organization must evaluate the existing skillset of employees and determine if additional training or hiring is necessary to implement and manage automation technologies. Ensuring that employees have the necessary skills to work with connected automated systems is crucial for a smooth transition. Another major step that would highly benefit a company is to conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine the financial viability of automation implementation. Lastly, and most importantly, the company must do a detailed analysis of various security and privacy implications that might arise due to automation and connectivity, and accordingly develop robust security measures to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with relevant regulations. This way, businesses can make informed decisions and effectively integrate automation techniques into their processes, maximizing the benefits and minimizing potential risks. Do you think human intervention is still necessary in todays hyper-automated business landscape? Despite reducing human intervention being the main point of automation, even in todays hyper-automated business landscape, human intervention remains indispensable. While automation streamlines processes, humans provide critical decision-making, creativity, and innovation. Since we humans possess contextual understanding, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate ambiguity, complex problem-solving, personalized customer experiences, adaptability, and ethical considerations are some key areas that necessitate human involvement. Striking a balance between automation and human intervention enables companies to harness the full potential of them both, thus fostering innovation, resilience and success in a rapidly evolving business environment. According to you, what does the future hold for automation technologies in India? At Synaptics, we understand the immense potential of connected AI-powered IoT solutions across different aspects of our lives and focus on designing exceptional experiences for users. Our goal is to innovate and enhance user experiences, whether they are on the go or working in an office. The automation industry is poised for significant evolution in the near future, and technologies such as AI, ML, WiFi, Bluetooth, and the IoT will no doubt be the key drivers that will take automation to new heights. Going forward, prioritizing seamless functionality is going to be a major factor for a most of the businesses. Also, intelligent automation systems will become more sophisticated, capable of handling complex tasks and adapting to dynamic environments. The industry will also address challenges such as cybersecurity, ethics, and the impact of automation on the workforce, thus fostering responsible and inclusive automation solutions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, July 21, held a regular meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Headquarters. The protection of ports, grain corridor and the situation on the battlefield were discussed. ADVERTISIMENT President reported about this on Telegram, "Headquarters meeting. We continue systematic work on the protection of our ports and infrastructure of the grain initiative. We understand the risks, threats and prospects," the message states. According to Zelensky, during the meeting the participants heard the report of the Navy Commander Oleksiy Neizhpapa and Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov. "Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhny, Commander Neizhpapa and Minister Kubrakov to prepare a set of actions to continue the work of the "grain corridor". Foreign Ministry is set to work out similar diplomatic steps," he noted. Another issue was the situation at the front. "Reports of the Chief commander, commanders Syrsky, Tarnavsky. The situation on the battlefield is relevant. In-depth analytical report of all our intelligence on the enemy's plans for the short and long term. Supplies, logistics and production are also mentioned. Minister Reznikov, Commander Hulyak, Minister Kamyshin", Zelensky pointed out. ADVERTISIMENT In addition, the participants also discussed the defense of the northern border. "We keep under close control the activities of mercenaries in Belarus. Reports of the Defense Ministry's DIU, FISU, SBGSU. Also, a comprehensive inspection of the work of TCRSS i.e. military enlistment offices is ongoing. We have heard an interim report, we expect the results of the inspection by the end of the month," Zelensky summarized. Tata Motors' wholly-owned subsidiary, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Plc, UK stated the selection of Adrian Mardell as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), expanding up to a term of three years. Mardell was selected as the interim CEO in November 2022 when Thierry Bollore resigned due to personal reasons. He has also worked as the Chief Financial Officer and a member of the JLR board earlier. In the interim, his responsibilities included corporate finance, treasury, financial reporting, accounting, tax, internal control, and business support. He joined Jaguar Land Rover in 1990 and held a variety of financial positions until 2008 when he became Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Operations Controller, and subsequently Chief Transformation Officer. The company also appointed Richard Molyneux as the CFO. Richard was appointed as the acting CFO in December 2022 and served as Finance Director, Operations before. Tata Motors on Wednesday announced its plans to build a $5.2 billion electric car battery factory in the U.K. The plant is expected to become one of Europe's largest battery cell manufacturing sites when it begins production in 2026. The largest investment in the U.K. automotive industry in decades is all set to create 4,000 jobs directly and thousands more in supply chains, according to Britain government. The new plant will supply batteries to JLR as well as other brands. The plant is expected to produce about 40-gigawatt hours of battery cells every year, enough to provide half the U.K.'s electric vehicle batteries. Japan will be a second Quad partner after the United States signed an agreement with India for the joint development of the semiconductor ecosystem and to maintain the resilience of its global supply chain. The deal was signed by Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw and Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura in the national capital. "Japan and India have signed a memorandum for semiconductor design, manufacturing, equipment research, talent development and to bring resilience in the semiconductor supply chain," Vaishnaw said. The nations will create an "implementation organization" that will work on government-to-government and industry-to-industry cooperation, Vaishnaw added. "Everybody wants a resilient semiconductor supply chain and in this India and Japan are very important partners. This is in furtherance with our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji's very successful state visit to US where many agreements were signed and that is reflected in cooperation with other countries today," Vaishnaw said. With around 100 semiconductor manufacturing plants, Japan is among the top five countries to have a semiconductor ecosystem. "Semiconductor industry will become a USD 1 trillion industry from USD 650 billion at present. This will require a huge amount of talent and significant growth at multiple locations in the world. Japan sees India as a partner where complementary strengths can be used," Vaishnaw said. The minister said that Japan houses companies that are global leaders in raw form of semiconductor wafers, chemicals, and gases, lenses that are used in chip manufacturing equipment, display technologies etc. "If we can bring this base to India, it will be a big milestone," Vaishnaw said. The minister said that the government has started a discussion with Japan's state-backed semiconductor industry body Rapidus for collaboration in the segment. When asked about the impact of China restricting export of critical semiconductor elements gallium and germanium, the minister said that the move has a very small impact as there are many more sources of these critical elements in the world. Here are the top ten stocks to watch: Infosys: The IT services company announced an 11% increase in its consolidated net profit for the June quarter to Rs 5,945 crore. The firm's revenue showed a 10% rise, climbing to Rs 37,933 crore. Due to macroeconomic uncertainties, it has reduced its full-year growth forecast to 1-3.5% in constant currency, down from 4-7% projected earlier. Hindustan Unilever: The FMCG giant reported a 6.9% increase in its consolidated profit to Rs 2,556 crore for the first quarter ended June amid a gradual recovery in the FMCG industry, despite a challenging operating environment. The consolidated total income for the quarter stood at Rs 15,679 crore against Rs 14,757 crore. Total expenses increased to Rs 12,167 crore, up from Rs 11,531 crore a year ago. Mahindra & Mahindra: The company said a US court has allowed its subsidiary Mahindra Automotive North America to keep producing and selling the post-2020 version of its off-road vehicle Roxor in the US. The Eastern District Court of Michigan issued its order on Fiat Chrysler Automobile's (FCA) renewed motion to enjoin the Post-2020 Roxor. The court has on the basis of its analysis declined to apply the safe distance rule to this case as sought by FCA. Larsen and Toubro: The engineering and construction behemoth plans to launch the first-ever share buyback offer in the companys 85-year history. The board will meet on 25 July to consider the buyback and offer a special dividend on equity for fiscal 2023-24. IndusInd Bank: The private sector lender announced that its board has given the approval to raise up to Rs 20,000 crore through debt securities. The bank is set to raise these funds via any permitted mode on a private placement basis, amounting to an aggregate of Rs 20,000 crore, or a corresponding amount in foreign currencies. Persistent Systems: The IT company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 228.8 crore for the quarter ended June against Rs 211.6 crore profit in the same period the previous year. The company reported its revenue from operations at Rs 2,321.2 crore in Q1 against Rs 1,878.1 crore in the quarter ended June. The company announced the appointment of Ajit Ranade as an independent director to its board. IndiaMart: The online B2B marketplace reported a 78% surge in its net profit to Rs 83 crore for the April-June quarter. The significant rise was attributed to a boosted user base, which resulted in 26% higher revenue. The company also revealed its plan to buy back 12,50,000 shares, valued at Rs 500 crore. Hindustan Aeronautics: The company and the defense ministry of Argentina have entered into a Letter of Intent (LoI) for productive cooperation and procurement of Light and Medium Utility Helicopters for Argentina's armed forces. Jindal Stainless: The company said it has purchased the outstanding 74% stake in Odisha's Jindal United Steel Limited for Rs 958 crore. Previously holding a 26% stake, the acquisition now renders JUSL a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jindal Stainless. Union Bank of India: The state-owned bank recorded a more than 100% surge in net profit to Rs 3,236 crore in the June quarter, powered by a reduction in bad loans and a rise in interest income. Its total income rose to Rs 27,381 crore from Rs 20,991 crore. The bank's interest income for the quarter increased to Rs 23,478 crore from Rs 18,174 crore in June 2022. A 48-year-old man from Long Island has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in distributing heroin, which resulted in the fatal overdose of 24-year-old man back in 2018, authorities said. James Math Tunstall was sentenced by United States District Judge Joan M. Azrack on Thursday. Prosecutors said Tunstall dealt illegal drugs to Nassau County residents and on October 29, 2018, co-defendant Jay Tenem delivered the fatal dose of heroin to Sergio Niko Alvarez. The next morning, the victim was found dead, by his mother, of heroin intoxication. Tunstall was arrested for the victims death while on release pending sentence in a separate state drug trafficking case. Tenem was also arrested, and pleaded guilty. The defendant met the victim at an outpatient rehabilitation facility in Mineola. Tunstall later sold cocaine to the victim at that same facility. In an effort to keep his drug customers out of jail, Tunstall also provided these individuals with his own clean urine for use in order to pass their drug tests. As proven at trial, the defendant feigned addiction to misuse a rehab program to get out of jail, where he met vulnerable individuals he could sell drugs to, including the victim, Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a statement. It is our hope that todays sentence serves both as a deterrent to those peddling dangerous narcotics in our communities and as a measure of comfort to the victims family, that callous disregard for human life will never be accepted. Tunstall pleaded guilty in July 2021 to participating in a conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine, and was sentenced in December 2022 to 20 years imprisonment. The sentence imposed upon him Thursday in connection with Alvarezs death will be served concurrently, according to authorities. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A dramatic pursuit on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge led to the arrests of two boys in a car stolen from New Jersey, according to the NYPD. NYPD officers began tracking the 2015 Jeep with a New Jersey license plate around 11 a.m. Thursday, according to a spokesman for the NYPD. Highway Patrol Unit 5 and other officers pursued the vehicle onto the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge where the suspects abandoned the vehicle roughly mid-span and ran on foot in an attempt to flee from authorities on the span, according to the police spokesman. The entire upper level of the span was closed in both directions around 12:30 p.m., the MTA announced. Officers from Highway 5, based at the 122nd Precinct in New Dorp, arrested the male suspects, ages 17 and 15, who both live in New Jersey. The boys were charged by police with criminal possession of stolen property and unauthorized use of a vehicle. The 15-year-old suspect also was charged with false personation, the police spokesman said. The 15-year-old initially lied about his name, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation. The Jeep allegedly was stolen from Montclair, N.J., on July 19, the source said. Surveillance images showed multiple emergency vehicles with whirling lights responding to the upper level of the span, where trucks and other vehicles were mired in congestion. The police activity caused traffic to back up on both the Staten Island and Gowanus expressways. The lower level remained open in both directions during the emergency response. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In honor of those who have passed away, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive.com. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here. Leo V. Priola, 64, passed away on July 18 at Staten Island University Hospital. The Brooklyn native served 40 years in the NYPD. He joined the police force in 1982, a few years after graduating from John Jay College. After retiring from being a police officer, Priola went back to college at the College of Staten Island to study nursing and went on to become a Registered Nurse Case Manager at the Addeo House. Outside of helping others through his work, Priola enjoyed spending time with his family and listening to music. For the full obituary, click here. OBITUARIES FROM JULY 19, 2023 John Reed Oppenheimer, M.S., Ph.D. of Falmouth passed away July 11, 2023. Born in 1941, he was raised on Long Island and Manhattan, where he attended Stuyvesant High School. John went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Zoology in 1963, he also secured a Master of Science (M.S.) in Animal Behavior in 1965 and a Ph.D in Ecology and Behavior in 1968 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He worked as a professor of Pathobiology at John Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health in Baltimore with appointments as Head of Ecology Programs in Dacca (Bangladesh), Singur (India), and Calcutta (India) from 1968 to 1978. In 1978, he joined the College of Staten Island (CSI), as a professor of Biology and Environmental Sciences; he was appointed Assoc. Professor in the Biology Doctoral Program in September of 1998. John was the director of the Center for Environmental Science and its Masters Program until 1999. He retired in 2013, and moved to Cape Cod, Mass. in 2018. In addition to being a scientist and teacher, he was a caring husband and father. For the full obituary, click here. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A students race can no longer be intentionally considered a factor when it comes to the college admissions process so what does that mean for students planning to apply to college? In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to eliminate race-based affirmative action in college admissions. Affirmative action typically refers to admissions policies that aim to increase the number of minority students on campus. The court ruled on the use of race in college admissions significantly limiting how colleges would consider race as a factor in the process. Heres how the ruling will affect students applying for college. How does this impact students? It means that all schools across the United States cannot use race as an intentional factor for admission. Prior to the ruling, nine states banned affirmative action at public colleges and universities. These included: California, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Washington. What do colleges need to change? The decision means that colleges and universities need to change their policies and find new ways to ensure diversity among their student population. But it could mean there are fewer minority students on campus. Chief Justice John Roberts said that for too long universities have concluded, wrongly, that the touchstone of an individuals identity is not challenges bested, skills built, or lessons learned but the color of their skin. Our constitutional history does not tolerate that choice. However, universities could continue to consider the impact of race on the life experiences of applicants who write about it in their essays. Thats as long as it doesnt become a substitute for affirmative action. Does that mean students can write about race in their college essay? Students can write about how race affects their life but colleges cannot consider race alone as the reason for admittance. According to the ruling, students can discuss how race affected their life, be it through discrimination, inspiration or otherwise. Colleges may not simply establish through application essays or other means the regime we hold unlawful today, Roberts wrote in the ruling. In other words, the student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual not on the basis of race, he stated. Read the full Supreme Court ruling here. -- Associated Press material was used in this report. IRONMAN Lake Placid is finally here. The longest-continual running IRONMAN event in North America, Lake Placid is celebrating its 24th running this year. More than 2500 athletes are signed up for the sold out event. In a throwback to prior times, IRONMAN is also offering on-site registration for the 25th anniversary event in the expo. In speaking with some members of the team on site, offering on-site registration prior to race day is proving to be incredibly popular with both current year athletes as well as spectators. The registration tent is also offering ROKA sunglasses to anybody who signs up for a select set of 2023 IRONMAN 70.3 events. As is custom on Friday, the beach at Mirror Lake proves popular early in the morning. A steady-stream of age-group athletes headed out for a loop of the swim course. Water temperatures here, as of this writing, will prove to be a swimskin swim for professionals, and a wetsuit legal one for all age group athletes. As you can probably tell, like with most of this summer in the northeast, another line of storms rolled through this morning. It should be the last of them prior to race day, and wind directions look favorable so as to not result in any wildfire smoke issues. This race is also the last-chance qualifier for male age groupers and professional athletes trying to get to Nice. The men's field looks incredibly competitive, with a mix of Lake Placid veterans including Cody Beals, Michael Weiss, and Joe Skipper mixing it up with the likes of Andreas Dreitz, Matt Hanson, Josh Amberger, and Ben Hoffman. Expect plenty of fireworks from that field. On the women's side, Rach McBride, Jodie Robertson, Jen Annett, Joanna Ryter, and Jennie Hansen lead the top names searching for qualifying slots -- which although not a final qualifier, are one of the final season races before the Kona cycle closes. Athletes aren't the only ones to enjoy Mirror Lake. The beach proves ever popular with families all weekend long, including immediately after the swim closes for athletes on Sunday. With the higher water temperatures, it was comfortable for a morning swim -- even with air temperatures in the mid 50s. Thank you for visiting the Daily Journal. Please purchase an Enhanced Subscription to continue reading. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! The German arms concern Rheinmetall has responded to the threats of the Russian authorities to consider the concern's future plant in Ukraine a "legitimate target" of the Russian Federation. CEO Armin Papperger said that Rheinmetall will be able to protect its plant in Ukraine from Russian attacks. ADVERTISIMENT According to him, there are "effective options" for this. Papperger said this in an interview with Bild. Papperger said that he was not abandoning his plans to set up a plant in Ukraine and also plans to protect it from attacks with the help of air defence systems of his own production. In addition, Rheinmetall is involved "together with its partner company Ukroboronprom, which already has a large number of sites in the country". He emphasised that Rheinmetall's key task is to support Ukrainian partners in the fight against the Russian occupiers. "For us at Rheinmetall, the key task is to support our Ukrainian partners in the fight for freedom and democracy and to meet their urgent needs as soon as possible," said the Rheinmetall CEO. It is worth noting that at a briefing on 20 July, Zakharova said that the armoured vehicle plant that Rheinmetall plans to open in Ukraine is a "legitimate target" for Russia. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, Papperger said that the plant would start operating in October 2023. The company will operate in the western part of the country and will not only produce tanks and other armoured vehicles, but also train Ukrainians to maintain them. As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Rheinmetall is also working on the creation of a service centre for military equipment that is being transferred to Ukraine as part of military aid from Western countries. The centre will be located in Romania, Ukraine's neighbour. Only verified information is available in our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The Art of Breaking Ice Rachael Mead, Affirm, $34.99 Credit: Snuck on to an Antarctic expedition led by her husband Phillip in 1961, Nel Law became the first Australian woman to set foot on Antarctica. Women were not allowed to do this at the time, and this historical novel imagines Nels pioneering journey, sharply capturing the misogyny of the male-dominated enterprise, as well as the scope of Nels achievement. Nel wasnt content with being relegated to or defined as an explorers wife. She was an artist and the trip to Antarctica liberated her to paint more than 100 oils and watercolours of the icebound continent. The plot has some pacing issues, but its great to read fiction based on polar expeditions (another male-dominated field) told from a different vantage. Its clear, too, from her vivid descriptions of its inhospitable beauty that Rachael Mead has made her own voyage to Antarctica. NON-FICTION PICK OF THE WEEK Border Crossings Mohammad Chowdhury, NewSouth, $34.99 Credit: Mohammad Chowdhury is being grilled at a border crossing between Jordan and the West Bank. Since the September 11 terrorist attacks, he has become all too familiar with this kind of prolonged interrogation. His subtle account of the 10 hours spent in this Israeli immigration hall is as tense as any thriller, encapsulating the many ironies of his status as both global citizen and perennial outsider. Born in Britain to Bangladeshi parents and educated at Oxford, Chowdhury grew up caught between cultures. For all the trials of being treated as a foreigner in his own country, it is apparent from this searching memoir covering decades of living and working in 85 countries, that outsiderdom has granted him enormous adaptability, tolerance and a deep understanding of cultural and religious complexity. A tale that is cosmopolitan yet down to earth, poignant yet comic, and above all, humane. What An Owl Knows Jennifer Ackerman, Scribe, $35 Credit: If anyone knows anything about anything, says Winnie-the-Pooh, its Owl who knows something about something. Sadly, Owl cant tell us directly. But as scientists become more adept at interpreting owl behaviour, their unique evolutionary characteristics and habitats, the inner life of these haunting creatures is revealing itself. As nocturnal predators, owls are known for their keen vision, but equally vital is their silent flight and acute hearing. Owls flat faces operate as feathered satellite dishs, enabling them to hunt hidden prey by homing in on their aural traces. Scientists are also learning more about owl psychology, their subtle emotions, sensitivity, and stoicism. This enchanting exploration of the only bird with front facing eyes like our own is as much about ancient human fears, fascinations and desire to know, as it is about the birds themselves. Rental Person Who Does Nothing Shoji Morimoto, Picador, $29.99 Credit: There is something very culturally specific about the concept behind this book. A Japanese man decides to rent himself out to people who want a neutral presence to accompany them somewhere, watch them do something or just listen to them. He refuses, however, to do anything that violates his do-nothing ethos. As Shoji Morimoto conceives it, this is his dream job because it involves no stress or obligation. Its not until more than halfway through the book that we learn he does not take payment, as this would create expectation and therefore stress. This is when Rental Person emerges as a quietly intriguing, egoless disruptor of the capitalist contract although he would probably contest this description. Much could be written about why he is in demand, but Morimoto is not interested in such reflection. He is not-doing what he pleases and he wishes everyone else could, too. 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 Hollywood is on strike. For the first time since 1960, two of the entertainment industrys biggest unions the Writers Guild of America, with around 11,500 members, and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), with around 160,000 members have downed tools simultaneously, effectively bringing scripted film and television production to a halt. Sixty-three years ago, the issue was residuals, the trailing income stream to creators from the broadcast of movies on television. Residual payments are again at the heart of this dispute, but so is the rise of streaming as the dominant force in the industry, and the risk that artificial intelligence might supplant human creatives in the very near future. That confluence of issues makes this dispute, say the unions, more than just a negotiation over pay and conditions. Its a moment of existential crisis for writers, actors and other key creatives, and this could be the last chance they have to ensure they have a role to play in the future. Is that mere picket-line hyperbole, or are we really at a tipping point? If we are, how did we get here? How does this affect production in Australia? And what does it all mean for your favourite shows and movies? Do changes in technology mark the end of Hollywood as we know it? Credit: Artwork: Marija Ercegovac. Photo: Getty Images Whos on strike, and whos been struck against? At its simplest, this is an industrial dispute over pay and conditions between two sides: the employers, represented by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (the AMPTP), whose members include the broadcasters, streamers, movie studios and major production companies; and the employees, represented by the various screen guilds, two of which the WGA and SAG-AFTRA have gone on strike. Advertisement The Writers Guild has been on strike since 12.01 am on May 2, the minute after its last three-year agreement with the AMPTP expired without a new deal having been reached. On July 13, the actors joined them on the picket lines. Whats it all about? At the top of the writers pattern of demands was the issue of pay, with the guild demanding the AMPTP increase minimum compensation significantly to address the devaluation of writing in all areas of television, new media and features. Translation: in inflation-adjusted terms, increases in writers pay have lagged behind inflation for most of the past dozen years, and, coupled with shorter seasons as the work transitions from broadcast TV to streaming, its starting to bite. The guild also wants to break down the distinction between a theatrical (in cinemas) and streaming release for movies (because the type of release impacts on the payments that flow from it) and to address the issue of mini-rooms, a strategy employed by the studios to reduce the number of writers on a TV series and the amount of time for which they are employed (effectively turning them into gig workers, much as Australian film and TV writers are). Way down, almost as an afterthought, was the demand to regulate use of material produced using artificial intelligence or similar technologies. But by the time the actors went on strike 10 weeks later, AI had become a lightning-rod issue (more on that later). Other screen guilds have been vocal in their support for the campaign. Nonetheless, in June the 19,000-member Directors Guild of America reached its own deal with the AMPTP, in which it claimed to have won ground on many of the key issues. With some justification, the directors thought they had struck a blow for everyone else as well. Since 1952, when the directors and actors guilds reached an agreement with the studios over residual payments for reruns of TV shows a deal that was then extended to writers after a three-month strike (their first) when a deal is struck with one of the three major guilds it has been used as the bedrock for deals with the others. This is known as pattern bargaining. The June deal saw the directors win increased residual payments from the streamers, increases to minimum guaranteed rates of pay (scale), and a vague commitment to not press on with the use of AI without consultation with members. The parameters of the deal are certainly going to help the other guilds in negotiations, Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan told The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month. Its very important that all the guilds get a great deal right now. It is a transitional moment. The move to streaming has thrown up all kinds of economic issues with all the guilds and in particular, the writers. And now is the moment that we need to fix those things. Advertisement But Nolan and his fellow directors had underestimated the frustration the other guilds were feeling. In late June, a letter was sent by a bunch of high-profile actors to the leadership of SAG-AFTRA (including president Fran Drescher) affirming their willingness to strike in order to attain a transformative deal. Meryl Streep, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jennifer Lawrence and Laura Linney were among the big names who put the heat on their union by asserting the make-or-break nature of negotiations. This is not a moment to meet in the middle, and its not an exaggeration to say that the eyes of history are on all of us, the letter said. We ask that you push for all the changes we need and the protections we deserve, and make history doing it. The entire business model has been changed by streaming, digital, AI. This is a moment of history that is a moment of truth. Passions were further inflamed by a report on trade site Deadline on July 11 in which an anonymous studio executive was quoted saying: The endgame is to allow things to drag on until union members start losing their apartments and losing their houses. On July 14, Drescher positioned the Hollywood strike as the first skirmish in a battle that would soon conscript workers from all industries. What happens here is important, she said, because whats happening to us is happening across all fields of labour by means of when employers make Wall Street and greed their priority, and they forget about the essential contributors that make the machine run ... the entire business model has been changed by streaming, digital, AI. This is a moment of history that is a moment of truth. If we dont stand tall right now, we are all going to be in trouble. Actor Fran Drescher, who is president of SAG-AFTRA, during a press conference announcing the strike on July 13, 2023, in Los Angeles. Credit: AP Is all Hollywood on strike? Not exactly. The action impacts on scripted content film and television and work for new media made for any company affiliated with the AMPTP. It prevents AWG writers from working for non-AMPTP aligned foreign production companies too, because of the potential that a non-signatory producer could be used as a subterfuge to have work performed for a struck company. Advertisement Writers can, however, work on spec scripts of their own. But they cannot shop them around. The actors union has been a little more lenient in its interpretation of the idea of a strike, issuing interim agreements to 45 independent film and TV productions (as of July 19) because they had no ties to the AMPTP. Guild members can work on these productions without breaking the strike. Non-scripted production is also unaffected. The last writers strike, in 2007, was a boon for reality TV, which flourished to fill the programming gaps that the three-month shutdown produced. Given some predictions have this strike possibly running to the end of the year, that is likely to happen again. Picketers outside Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on July 17. Credit: Bloomberg What does it mean for Australia? In the short term, its a huge blow. The $180 million NBC Universal production Metropolis fell over in June, in part because the scripts werent ready and writers could no longer work on them. That has left Docklands Studios Melbourne vacant when it should have been humming, and hundreds of local crew wondering how they are going to fill the void of a good 12 months worth of well-paid employment. The actors strike has also prematurely halted two big Hollywood-financed productions in Queensland, the $79 million series Apples Never Fall, starring Annette Bening and Sam Neill, which had been expected to continue into August, and the action movie sequel Mortal Kombat 2, which was to shoot until September. Advertisement But there are potentially enhanced opportunities here for Australian-made content to find its way to the American marketplace. In 2007 and 2008, US broadcasters looked beyond their shores for content to fill their schedules, and there is a chance that could happen again. The landscape is very different now, though, with so much of the content Australia makes (particularly at the high end) already commissioned with foreign markets in mind, and foreign finance part of the package that makes it possible (Deadloch, for instance, while entirely Australian, was financed by Amazon, for a global market). Many Australian production companies have ties to Hollywood, too, so navigating this terrain may not be as simple as it was. What does it mean for my favourite movies and shows? The most immediate impact will be felt at the margins, as actors and writers withdraw from the publicity and promotional circus that attends the release of a new film or show. Had SAG-AFTRA gone on strike a few weeks earlier, the world would never have enjoyed (or endured) the barrage of publicity and pinkness around Barbie (not least because producer and star Margot Robbie is a proud supporter of the union). Oppenheimer barely snuck under the wire, with the films stars attending, and then leaving, the red carpet premiere in London as bans on promotional activity came into effect. All of which begs the philosophical question: If a show is released and no actor is around to tell you about it, has it really been released at all? The effects of this might still be rippling through what makes it to our screens 18 months or two years from now. The real impact, though, will emerge further down the track. Anything that was still in development or pre-production is on ice, and wont resume until the strike is over. Anything that was shooting is now on hold. Some of these projects will resume after a delay, some will have shortened seasons or rewritten scripts (or will go into production with scripts that are not as finessed as they otherwise would be), some will fall over entirely. The effects of this might still be rippling through what makes it to our screens 18 months or two years from now. Advertisement Advertisement Eating outFine dining The lengths UK chef Simon Rogan went to bringing his Michelin-starred restaurant to Sydney From custom-grown crops to hand-carved spoons, LEnclume Down Under has been a three-year mission. Bianca Hrovat July 21, 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 Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan at LEnclumes Bathers Pavilion residency Edwina Pickles Transporting three Michelin-starred restaurant LEnclume from a 13th century blacksmiths workshop in the Lake District of England countryside to Bathers Pavilion on Balmoral Beach is a feat unlike any other head chef Simon Rogan has attempted. It has taken three years of sourcing producers, growing rare ingredients, hand-crafting crockery, cutlery and screen-printing custom curtains to prepare for the LEnclume residency, which opened last Wednesday for five weeks. A total of 4200 diners have forked out upwards of $420 a head to get a taste of Rogans eight-course menu, but the acclaimed chef insists theres far more to the experience than eating some damn tasty food. For me, eating a meal is not just about the food on the plate. Its the whole experience: the table youre eating at, the cutlery you have in your hands and what youre looking at, Rogan says. Advertisement We have absolutely thrown the kitchen sink at this. The LEnclume team have teamed up with Bathers Pavilion to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Edwina Pickles Sydneysiders have enthusiastically embraced LEnclume - which achieved its much-coveted third Michelin star after 20 years in 2022 - the fifth international restaurant residency this year, following Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Eleven Madison Park at Aria, Maaemo at Berowra Waters Inn and Mirazur at The Gantry earlier in the year. This is the first time weve ever done something under the LEnclume banner in another country, let alone another continent on the other side of the world, Rogan says. The finishing touches on the dessert of camarosa strawberries, bee pollen, chamomile cake, milk ice-cream and cream of sweet herbs. Edwina Pickles Advertisement It would have been really easy to ship all the ingredients in and just do what we do over there, over here, but thats not whats happening, says Sam Ward, managing director of LEnclumes parent company, Umbel Restaurant Group. We have to understand the food and meet the people in order to recreate the concept and ethos of LEnclume here. You cant do it with just a phone call to your supplier, that doesnt work. You have to get your boots on the ground, look the people who produce your food in the eye and get to know them. Rogan and several members of his UK team (including his head waiter, sommelier and chefs), touched down in Sydney on the night of Monday, July 11, and have been rising at dawn each day to prepare (after sneaking in a swim in the cold waters of Balmoral Beach). Chef Simon Rogan with his team. Edwina Pickles Advertisement With the assistance of Bathers head chef Cameron Johnston and co-owner and managing director Jess Shirvington (both of whom visited LEnclume earlier this year), Rogan has been connected with a team of Australian craftsmen and producers such as Warren and Marina Higgins at Local Dorper Lamb and Dylan Abdoo at Newcastle Greens. Over the past six months, Abdoo has grown celery cress, chrysanthemum and Aztec marigolds to a specific size just for Rogan, who sought small sizes and concentrated flavour. The marigolds, typically a summer crop, required Abdoo to build a custom growing environment for the occasion. New service stations had to be made to accommodate the demands of a three-star restaurant. Edwina Pickles Last weekend, Rogan and his team ventured into the Southern Highlands to meet the formidable duo, Michael and Cressida Cains at Pecora Dairy. After four months of searching for the perfect supplier for his signature Yarrawa pudding, Rogan says he was blown away by the quality of their product. There are no tricks. The cheese from Pecora is all about the quality of the milk, Rogan says. Advertisement The Pecora Dairy feta (which is made with raw milk, prepared using a traditional Greek method, and matured for a minimum of 75 days) left such an impression the team elected to change their cheese trolley selection at the ninth hour to focus entirely on cheeses produced by the Cains. Bathers Pavillion head chef Cameron Johnston sourced an anvil from a mate. LEnclume means anvil in French. Edwina Pickles Similarly, alterations were made to the recipe for Rogans seaweed custard to accommodate the brininess of royal miyagi oysters, sourced from Boomers Bay in Tasmania. Theyre really salty, and then youre hit with a lingering sweetness, Frank Theodore from GetFish told Rogan as he shucked the fresh oysters in a watered-down production room at the Sydney Fish Market on Friday afternoon. Rogan tried two, nodding as he thought. Advertisement Its a lot of salt, a bit like seagrass, he said. Seaweed custard, beef broth and bone marrow, royal miyagi oysters, oscietra caviar. Edwina Pickles The attention to detail extends to the dining room, where each spoon for the seaweed custard has been hand-carved from American black walnut by Potts Point woodworker Ted ODonnell. During a visit to his studio on Friday, ODonnell showed Rogan several prototypes. The team has considered everything from its mouthfeel, to the flavour of the oil used to seal the wood, to the way the spoon sits on the table. The finished product is remarkably light, with jewel-like bevelled edges created by a small, carving knife. The spoon will appear alongside a cup hand-thrown by Blackheath ceramicist Simon Reece. Reece, alongside Malcom Greenwood and Leia Sherbloom (Grit Ceramics) have created 2000 pieces of ceramic tableware for the event. Advertisement Bathers Pavilion was stripped bare on Sunday to make way for the residency. By Monday, it had become a hive of activity, with dozens of formally clad staff (up to 37 of whom will be working during each service). There is new cutlery, new glasses and, in some cases, new tables. Australian artist Janet Laurence oversaw the hanging of the screen-printed sheer curtains she custom-made with botanical illustrations. A cabinetmaker installed the last of many new service stations, necessary for the demands of top shelf hospitality. In the kitchen, leaves made from roasted strawberries were dehydrating, sugared kelp was being carefully tweezered into bowls and Cascadas eponymous 90s dance hit Everytime We Touch blared over the speakers. At about 3pm, Rogan finally signed off on the menu. Head chef Simon Rogan sets up LEnclume restaurant for its six-week residency at Bathers Pavilion. Edwina Pickles Its a bit like Oceans 11, how it all comes together, observed Ian Pagent, co-owner of Bathers Pavilion. Advertisement Rogan, who will be on the tools for every one of the 53 services, admits he is quietly confident. It will be the most amount of covers Ive done in five weeks: 80 people for lunch and 80 people for dinner almost every single day, he says. But thats what were here for. We want to make a good impression and hopefully people will think this was an event that was truly unforgettable. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up It was a genial Helen Rosamond who took police on a tour of her palatial Potts Point terrace in April 2018. A team of officers from NSW Police descended on the Victoria Street home to execute a search warrant related to Rosamonds suspected role in defrauding the National Australia Bank of millions. Helen Rosamond in stills taken from NSW Police footage during the execution of a search warrant at her Potts Point home on April 10, 2018. Credit: NSW Police On the surface, the then 42-year-old was manicured and assured. Can I offer anybody a cup of tea or a coffee or a glass of water? Rosamond asked, with a hint of the Lancashire accent that survived her migration to Australia in her 20s. Critiques of Sydney nightlife can be overblown. Since the repeal of the lockout laws and the end of COVID-19 lockdowns, theres no doubt things are better than they once were. But some long-standing gripes still ring true and might even be getting worse. Last Friday, three Herald journalists out on the town separately had encounters with typically Sydney problems that turned a fun night out into a chore. On their separate Friday nights out, our reporters encountered the unholy trinity of Sydney nightlife: a closed kitchen, overbearing security and noise complaints. Credit: James Brickwood The fact they all happened on the same night to three people who just happen to work in the same office shows how much work there is to do to make Sydney a city where nightlife is reliably fun and easy for everyone, not hit-and-miss, or just for the wealthy and those in the know. The closed kitchen: Kishor Napier-Raman, CBD columnist Its Friday night and as you do, the boys go out to the pub for a few drinks. Were meeting up in Barangaroo, which is probably a bit of a mistake, but some of my mates work around there. The parliamentary record shows former ALP member turned independent Patrick McGarry was under no illusions about the cruelty of the policy to steal the child away from the parents, or the true motivation behind it. It is the mean settler who wants to get absolute control over these children to make them work for him, McGarry told parliament. He is supported by the mean policeman, who depends for promotion on the mean settler and mean squatter. Sally Trevetons family in the 1950s. It depicts some of her grandmothers siblings and visiting cousins. The great-uncle on the far left was removed from the family and sent to an institution for being uncontrollable. McGarry said the non-Indigenous people had overrun their country and taken away their domain and there was further cruelty in separating children from parents. He notes that while the law allowed parents to appeal a removal, an Aboriginal woman would have no one to put her case in court and little chance of success. Davis, the pro-vice-chancellor Indigenous at the University of NSW and a prominent proponent of the Indigenous Voice to parliament, says these white dissenters are the most important supporters of all. Loading You cant be what you cant see, she says. All of those non-Indigenous allies who are stepping up now, to support us and have our back, they mean everything. Besides McGarry, another example is from 1940, when upper house MP Mark Davidson, speaking for the leader of the opposition, compared the treatment of Aboriginal people in Australia with the treatment of minorities in Nazi Germany, and said the government evidently desires their extinction. As a result of the treatment that the Aborigines are receiving at the hands of the white people who took their country from them, they are fast becoming extinct, Davidson said. The Aboriginal population of NSW has been dying out since the advent of the white man. They are in the minority, and it seems they are being treated as Hitler treats minorities on the other side of the world, although perhaps not so forcibly. They are being treated in a manner that will bring about their extinction. Davis says the call for truth is about telling a more inclusive version of Australian history that centres on the dispossession of the original inhabitants, including in the school curriculum. Towards Truth starts by examining NSW history, but the ambition is to make it national. As well as sections on child removal, the site so far includes research on laws affecting Aboriginal languages, water rights, citizenship and court appearances. Davis says the project is objective because it draws on the bucketloads of law recorded in the archives of the colonial parliaments and post-federation parliaments. For Delaney, a Wiradjuri woman from Orange living in Sydney, being involved in the research helped her fill in gaps in her family history, especially about her great-grandmothers life. We knew that she was sent off to work as a domestic servant, which was essentially a form of slavery, but we didnt know why she was removed, Delaney says. It was learning about the change in the law in 1915 that expanded the power to remove Aboriginal children just for being Aboriginal that made sense of why she was removed in 1916. We also didnt know what happened to her siblings, but from learning about the policies they had at the time for assimilation, we now understand they were probably placed separately into childrens homes. When I started working on the project I didnt expect it to have such a huge impact on me and my perception of my identity. Towards Truth legal research officer Sally Treveton (centre) at the Towards Truth launch, with Towards Truth project co-ordinator Corey Smith (left), and Bridget Cama, UNSW Indigenous Law Centre associate. After finishing her stint as a domestic servant, Delaneys ancestor married a white man and did not talk about her Aboriginality. Delaney said the historical records show that Aboriginal girls were actively encouraged to marry white men once they completed their training, rather than return to their families. In the case of her great-grandparents, it was a loving and happy marriage. Delaneys family always knew they were Aboriginal, but her grandmother had a limited sense of her identity. Its been left for younger generations, such as Delaney and her mother, to explore their heritage and culture more fully. Delaney believes the site will make a valuable contribution to truth-telling, and will be cathartic and healing for a First Nations audience. Having evidence of something that actually happened that can be proven can give people something to connect the dots with their own memories and experiences, she says. Working on the project as a researcher was a similar experience for Birpai woman Sally Treveton, 25, from Port Macquarie and now living on the Gold Coast. Trevetons family were originally from Anaiwan country near Armidale, but moved to Port Macquarie in the 1950s. The local Birpai mob accepted Trevetons grandmother and her siblings, to the horror of their father. Treveton said her great-grandfather hid his Aboriginality, and might have had an exemption certificate. If so, this would have allowed him not to be subject to laws affecting Aboriginal people as long as he renounced his identity and did not practise culture. Treveton said the research gave her a better understanding of why he hid his identity. Sally Trevetons grandmother as a child in the 1950s, holding a cousin. Her father tried to hide the familys Aboriginality. At the time there was government regulation that denied basic human rights like being able to work and be paid for it, having freedom of movement and not being confined to a government camp, and not having your children taken away, Treveton says. My family was hiding being Aboriginal because it was something you should hide if you wanted to have those rights. Loading Her grandmothers embrace of her Aboriginal identity meant Treveton and her mother also grew up connected to culture. Yet two of her grandmothers siblings were removed from the family by the authorities her brother was sent to an institution for being uncontrollable and the fate of her sister is unknown. Treveton says she already had a general idea of the oppressive laws that had affected her family through the generations, but she was still surprised by how blatantly the ideas were expressed in the legislation and parliamentary debate. Working on the project has also strengthened her support for the First Nations Voice to parliament, which will be put to a referendum later this year. Thats because the wall of silence cracks over time. Those who built that wall, and who killed to make sure there would be no leaks, are dead, infirm or in jail. The threat to people who know the truth has diminished, says Prados. Jack Richardson (insert) with Roger The Dodger Rogerson. Credit: Daniel Munoz At the time of the crime, the threat was very real because anyone seen as a weak link tended to end up dead. Now the million-dollar reward could be handy superannuation for someone who has kept their mouth shut for four decades. Prados knows that in a major criminal conspiracy which this is more than one person knows the truth. The murder of Richardson was one of the black cards dealt when NSW drug squad detectives wanted to find the source of heroin flooding into Kings Cross. Loading To do this, undercover policeman Mick Drury infiltrated a syndicate at the lower end, hoping to climb to the top. The first person to vouch for him was Sydney crook Frank Avery. As his reward for introducing the fox into the henhouse, in July 1983 Avery was found dead in a Sydney hotel with a heroin needle in his arm. He was not known as a drug user and police believed it was a hotshot. The personable Drury soon won the confidence of middleweight Sydney drug supplier Jack Richardson, a knockabout former Australian rules player with a minor criminal record. Tapping into a heroin supply had boosted him into the big time. Richardson introduced Drury to the next link, Brian Hansen, a man of extreme interest to the NSW Drug Squad. The trouble was that Hansens supplier, Alan Williams, ran out of Melbourne, which meant the job had to shift down south. Mick Drury and Alan Williams. Credit: John Silvester This was not a drama to the crooks but a big one for the cops. Victoria Police thought too many NSW detectives were corrupt, while the Sydney team thought Melbourne were out of their depth with such a big job. Both had a point. In late February 1982, when the NSW team arrived in Melbourne, there was a fair helping of tension and a large slice of distrust. Sydney kept crucial information to itself and Melbourne was slow to produce $110,000 in show money for the sting. The job was saved because Drury and straight-talking Melbourne detective Johnny Weel (who would later help bust open an international Mafia syndicate) trusted each other. Game on. So it was arranged that on March 4, 1982, there would be a meeting at the Old Melbourne Hotel. Drury would show Hansen the money, he would contact the supplier (Williams) and they would be scooped up when Drury gave the waiting Victorian police the sign. But Williams, full of suspicions and his own product, was reluctant. He would later tell me: I was a giant of the trade. I knew Brian Hansen he said he had a drug buyer [Drury] down from Sydney. The deal was supposed to kick off at lunchtime, but for about nine hours I smelt a rat. I didnt want to do the business. Brian, on the other hand, was insistent, he said he had counted the money and that everything was sweet. When Drury gave the signal, the arrest team screamed in far too fast, skidding past Williams car by about 10 metres, giving the heroin dealer just enough room to plant the foot and escape. Loading That 10-metre gap cost lives. If Williams had been arrested in the car with the heroin it was an open-and-shut case, but because he escaped he became obsessed with sabotaging the prosecution. Within a week, he had offered $30,000 to any cop who could swap the recovered heroin with harmless white powder at the forensic lab. As soon as Weel heard of that offer, he had the drugs tested for the later court case. Williams went to a friend, hitman Christopher Dale Flannery, to use his Sydney police connections to bribe Drury. Williams said: I offered $30,000 at one stage, $50,000 at another stage, $100,000 and an open ticket in the end. Loading Richardson, Hansen and Williams were charged over the Old Melbourne sting. Without Drury, the case against Williams was weak. Even with Drury the case was poor, and Williams was ultimately acquitted. According to Prados, the police who investigated Richardson thought he was a good bloke. Maybe too good. The man they called Melbourne Jack indicated he was up for a chat with the right detective. The trouble was the wrong detectives also knew, which meant Williams team was tipped off. On March 4, 1984, two years to the day after the arrest and the day before the trial, Richardson went missing, last seen sitting outside a St Kilda ice-cream shop with two men. It was 200 metres from Mickeys Disco, where Flannery had worked and was a silent investor. Local detective Larry Proud recognised Richardson at the ice-cream parlour and would have almost certainly identified Flannery if he was with Jack. As Prados says: Richardson was seen with his hands in his pockets, looking relaxed. No one ever relaxed around Flannery. The body of Christopher Dale Flannery, aka Rent-A-Kill, has never been found. Credit: Fairfax Media Richardson was somehow lured to Strath Creek, 110 kilometres away, to be shot in the back of the head. For Williams, there was still the outstanding problem of Drury, who had refused Rogersons bribe. (Rogerson was so brazen that he summoned Drury to his police office to make the offer.) At a Sydney restaurant, Williams, Rogerson and Flannery decided if money couldnt silence Drury, a bullet could. On June 6, 1984, Flannery, possibly with killer Laurence Joseph Prendergast, shot Drury at his Chatswood home. Against all odds, Drury survived. By this stage the threat was so high that Weels children were being driven to school in a police car. Flannery took a $50,000 deposit for the Drury hit but according to Williams, Chris said not to worry about sending the other $50,000. The job hadnt been completed. Not everyone was so generous, as the next target was Williams. On September 18, 1984, Dennis Mr Death Allen and Ray Red Rat Pollitt were waiting outside Williams Lower Plenty house when a car pulled into the driveway. They dragged the driver from the car, but it wasnt Williams. It was his brother-in-law Lindsay Simpson. They shot him regardless. Pollitt, who was convicted of the murder, claimed he was innocent, but did tell me the killer wasnt wearing a balaclava, knew he would be recognised and feared Williams would come after him: It wasnt a case of mistaken identity, it was a matter of survival. Next was Flannery, who even in Sydney was considered the loosest of loose cannons. He had killed up to 12 people and the unsolved Drury shooting was bringing heat. He told one senior policeman: Youre not a protected species, you know youre not a f---ing koala. Loading He had to go. On May 8, 1985, Flannery (at Rogersons suggestion) agreed to informally meet NSW murder taskforce detectives in a bar. But Flannery was reluctant to talk, so why hold the meeting? The always cunning Rogerson had a plan to follow Flannery, who was in hiding, home after the meeting. The following day Flannery went missing, never to be seen again. Four months later Prendergast, who was with Flannery when he shot Drury, joined the missing list. Prados says the Richardson case was reviewed in 2019 and deemed solvable. Fresh information suggests there are people who know the truth. He believes many of those people read this column (which means our demographics go beyond stockbrokers and left-wing school teachers. Take note, bean counters). These people need to contemplate their position. They should find us before we find them, Prados says. We will continue to knock on doors and as long as you continue to draw breath we will not stop trying to find you. Victorian doctors are harnessing artificial intelligence to help diagnose health conditions, write referrals and compile medical records. But there are concerns the rapidly evolving technology, which signals a new era in medicine and is also being used to interpret chest X-rays and detect diseases in blood tests, could pose a risk to patient care if not used correctly. Dr Umair Masood and his patient Eric Collicoat. Credit: Jason South Dr Umair Masood and Dr Chris Irwin have created what they believe is the worlds first commercially available AI tool to streamline GP consultations with patients. The pair, who work in Gisborne and Ivanhoe, have trialled the technology with more than 200 patients at their clinics over the past two months, and are now hoping to sell the software to other GPs. During a meeting in Tunis, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry affirmed Egypt and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis support for President Kais Saieds efforts to achieve stability and development in Tunisia. A police raid on a home in Melbournes south-east has ended with a knife-wielding man being taken to hospital in a critical condition after he was Tasered and shot with bean bag rounds. Victoria Police said officers went to a property on Hickory Crescent in Frankston North on Thursday afternoon as a part of an active investigation. A police car outside a Frankston North home on Friday after an incident on Thursday left a man in hospital in a critical condition. Credit: Nine News A 46-year-old man barricaded himself inside the house about 4.40pm, prompting the Critical Incident Response Team to attempt negotiations, police said. Shortly before 8pm, police tried to enter the property and were confronted by a man with a knife in an agitated state, police said in a statement on Friday afternoon. Australias AUKUS submarine deal with the United States has hit a hurdle with Senate Republicans threatening to block the sale unless President Joe Biden boosts funding for the domestic production line. Republican members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Friday moved to block legislation which would enable the sale of US Virginia-class submarines to Australia. A US Virginia class nuclear-powered submarine will be sold to Australia under the agreement. Credit: AP Under the AUKUS deal, Washington was set to sell Canberra between three and five of its own nuclear submarines in the 2030s before Australia begins building a new class of boat with Britain. But the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, senator Roger Wicker, said Biden needed to commit more money to guarantee we have enough submarines for our own security before we endorse that pillar of the agreement. Industry and Science Minister Ed Husic. We devised the first solar panel and let someone else manufacture and profit from them. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Husic has in mind concessional federal loans from bodies such as the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and government investment or subsidies through outfits like the Albanese governments new $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund and its Hydrogen Headstart. This is the new interventionism. Perish the thought, says the federal governments own Productivity Commission. It issued a stern warning this week against any such thing. We should never forget the lessons of our protectionist past, said deputy chair Alex Robson. Each dollar spent on subsidising the domestic production of goods in firms or sectors where Australia does not have a comparative advantage comes from firms and sectors in which we do. Worse, Robson says, such moves will only further encourage a global return to isolationist trade policy a system under which a small economy such as Australia is unlikely to prosper. This was precisely the free-market doctrine under which Australia lost the solar panel industry, and many other industries as well. But does the Productivity Commission have a point? The commission is an independent-minded, in-house economics advisory agency of the federal government. Under various names over the decades, it played an important part in educating Australia on the high costs of its cherished protectionist policies. Treasurer Jim Chalmers at the G20 finance ministers and Central Bank governors meeting in India this week. Credit: Reuters The tariffs and quotas that cossetted Australian industry for most of last century kept manufacturing alive but also made it uncompetitive. And when the Hawke-Keating-Button government dismantled the wall, most Australian manufacturing could not survive. Australia transformed from being one of the worlds most protected economies to being one of its most open. It became more competitive, productivity improved, and the country as a whole benefited. But manufacturing output halved as a share of the Australian economy. So the PC, as its known, does know what its talking about. But its also talking about the past. Treasurer Jim Chalmers calls it old think. He tells me: Economic theory doesnt always match geopolitical reality and thats why pragmatism matters. Ive always been at the freer trade end of the spectrum, the opposite end to protectionism, but with COVID, risks to the supply chain, turbocharged by geopolitical tension, you have to be realistic that the old models dont apply as well as they did. Australia, says Chalmers, is not about to abandon its essence as a nation of free trade and investment: Not everybody understands the difference between old-school protectionism and supply chain resilience. Got that, PC? The key question today, according to Chalmers, is this: How do we get all the benefits of free trade and investment without unnecessarily making ourselves vulnerable? Vulnerable, for instance, to Chinas near-monopoly control of the global solar panel supply. Especially a China that routinely deploys trade bans as a political instrument of coercion. The PCs model of economic efficiency fails to account for other priorities. Like survival. An interruption to Australias fuel supply or pharmaceutical imports would cripple the country. Husic says: Big new factors have reshaped thinking radically. Governments have to respond in markedly different ways. And they are. Freshly returned from a G20 finance ministers meeting in India this week, Chalmers attests: Making supply chains more resilient and less risky is now a central theme of discussions at forums like the G20. The free trade debate has evolved. Its now less ideological and perhaps more pragmatic. What was once a Cold War-style clash of worldviews is now more like a scramble for resilience and reliability in the face of risk. Loading The only way to safeguard globalisation is to mitigate its negative impacts this is about how to save globalisation from itself. What Labor is doing isnt exactly new. The PCs Trade and Assistance Review this week found that the total value of government assistance to industry increased by $460 million to $13.8 billion in 2021-22. And that was under the Coalition which also was subsidising the energy transition, but in an ad hoc way. A new coal-fired power plant here, a Snowy 2.0 hydro battery there. Labor is more systematic. But if the treasurer and industry minister are dismissive of the PCs complaints, Ross Garnaut is scathing. The eminent economist says that while the commission is right to point out the cost of subsidising industries where Australia lacks comparative advantage, its recent remarks leave out more than half of the economics. All economists who have absorbed the wisdom of their trade know that where a private activity imposes a cost on others as does emission of greenhouse gases special measures are required to maximise productivity, Garnaut says. Loading Increasing productivity requires a tax to balance the external cost, or regulation to prevent it, or a subsidy for competitors that do not impose those costs [such as the renewables sector]. To let the external costs run free is to subsidise the activity causing it. This fact of economic life is missing in recent PC statements. The best solution is a carbon tax, an efficient, market-based mechanism for decarbonising an economy. But thats politically infeasible in Australia. So it has to muddle through, a reality that Garnaut accepts. The US had to do the same after the Obama administration lost its effort to legislate a carbon tax. Garnaut recounts a remark from a private conversation with Obamas energy secretary, Stephen Chu, at the time: Dont worry, Ross. We were going to achieve our objectives with a low-cost, efficient mechanism. Now we will have to get there with high-cost and inefficient tools. Chu added an important rider: But well keep the costs as low as possible by estimating the social price of carbon, and asking all agencies to use it in choosing policies to reduce emissions. Garnaut thinks that this is where the PC could make a contribution: I look forward to the PC getting out of its bunker and explaining the productivity advantages of restoring carbon pricing. And calling for a shadow price of carbon to be applied in development of the policies that will be implemented in the meantime. Chalmers and Husic are adamant that the government wont be spraying money around indiscriminately in supporting technologies and companies. As Chalmers puts it, Theres nothing in the new reality that says you cant be disciplined and rigorous about it. We will rigorously measure the costs versus the benefits and weigh that against other priorities. Well see soon enough whether to be impressed. She was correct. Over 90 per cent of Australians voted yes when they went to the polls that May. I was 11, old enough to understand my parents pride and relief that the country so overwhelmingly supported this first step towards reconciliation. Australians always vote no, she told me. But well all vote yes for this one. Its the right thing to do, and about time. It was hot, I remember that. The driveway asphalt stuck to my thongs. I wondered what was so important in that letter that Mum would stand in the sun and read it, rather than carrying it inside to the cool. What Im not understanding is whats happening now. Since I left Australia in late May, support for the Voice referendum has been wavering, something that, from outside the country, seems entirely baffling. Attempting to follow the debate from a distance is difficult, since it isnt so much a debate as a series of Alice in Wonderland-style non-sequiturs. When the referendum was announced, I was as sure as my mother had been in 1967: of course, well all vote yes for this one. Its the right thing to do. But then, over a dinner in Haberfield last December, a friends contrary opinion startled me. Its going to fail, he predicted gloomily. This man, a prince of the progressive punditocracy, believed that Prime Minister Albanese had made a tactical mistake. Wide community support for the idea, he said, should have been built before announcing the referendum, not drummed up after. He believed that reactionary forces would be able to create and exploit uncertainty around the meaning of what was proposed. Peter Duttons anti-Voice rhetoric has Trumpian cadences. Credit: Joe Benke I thought he was crackers. After all, you dont rise to the top of the NSW Labor Party by having a poor grasp of tactics. That months polls seemed to support me. Australians were for this; how could they not be? It was so small a thing: so modest an ask, so nugatory a change. And yet so necessary. How else could 3 per cent of the population be heard, when their interests and needs differed in important ways from the kinds of issues that win seats and put politicians in power? One things certain: they never have been. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size A months-long investigation into the failures of Home Affairs, exposing deep flaws in the operation of Australias gatekeepers. See all 15 stories . Violent crime syndicates run by Albanian immigrants on temporary visas have so successfully exploited holes in the countrys border security and migration system that they are now challenging bikie gangs for control of Australias lucrative cocaine market. State and federal law enforcement officials have issued repeated warnings in confidential reports circulated to Home Affairs that the Albanian mafia has strategically rorted the migration system for more than a decade to build powerful criminal enterprises. Secret policing intelligence links the Albanian mafia to shootings or suspicious deaths in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, large-scale drug importations and money laundering. High threat Separately, confidential files sighted by this masthead show that in December 2020, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission warned Home Affairs officials that Albanian Organised Crime was posing a high threat to Australia given its ability to exploit migration programs and there was a pressing need to make Australia less palatable to Albanian gangsters. The criminal intelligence commission concluded that the Albanian mafia had become proficient at exploitation of Australias migration programs as a means to gain entry and remain onshore and was backed by professional people smuggling syndicates expert in the exploitation of visa programs, including student, asylum seeker and partner visas. Advertisement The revelations come as part of the Home Truths series by The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and 60 Minutes, starting today, that has unearthed significant evidence suggesting Australias Home Affairs department has catastrophically failed in two of its core duties: preventing criminal infiltration of Australia and management of offshore processing. Loading They add to evidence previously documented by this masthead and in the Nixon inquiry that concluded in March, but which the Albanese government has declined to release that shows the nations visa system has been exploited by drug and sex traffickers. The Nixon inquiry was called by Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil after the Trafficked series by this masthead revealed how human traffickers were rorting the migration system with impunity. The report by former police chief Christine Nixon says it is clear gaps and weaknesses in Australias visas system are allowing ... criminal organisations and unscrupulous people ... to exploit and make money. This masthead has made Nixons complete report available for subscribers to access online. Advertisement Murders, threats and cocaine The Home Truths series has also uncovered major examples of these weaknesses. They include the case of an Albanian crime figure who entered Australia using a false passport in 2013 and was granted several visa extensions over the next five years. Two weeks after one extension was granted in 2018, he shot and killed a Melbourne man at a cannabis grow house. He was arrested by Victoria Police, charged with murder and ultimately pleaded guilty to manslaughter. A second Albanian gangster who also exploited the visa system over many years was arrested in 2020 after being implicated in a brazen plot to stalk and threaten police. The plot included the planting of cocaine at a detectives home. Victoria Police Commander Paul OHalloran. Credit: Justin McManus Another case uncovered by this masthead involves a man getting a visa despite stabbing to death two men in an Albanian bar. Authorities have also uncovered an Adelaide-headquartered Albanian mafia cell linked to one of the most powerful political figures in Albania. Eight of the political figures nephews have been investigated over suspected crimes relating to drugs and money laundering. Advertisement Police intelligence seen by this masthead describes how all eight gained Australian visas using spurious documentation. One is facing drug trafficking charges over a $1.6 million cocaine importation into South Australia. Eight police sources, who spoke to this masthead on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to speak publicly, complained that the Home Affairs department had failed to act adequately on the rorting of the visa system by organised crime groups. Calls for action Victoria Police Commander Paul OHalloran warned that the Albanian mafia had become very adept at exploiting Australias immigration rules and continue to work to get their people they want into this country to assist them in their enterprises. I think anything that would prevent criminals and organised criminals manipulating immigration systems would be of use, he said. Former homicide squad detective Charlie Bezzina agreed, saying the groups involved were ruthless. Former homicide investigator Charlie Bezzina has warned of the danger posed by Albanian gangsters. Credit: Eddie Jim Advertisement This is an organisation or a particular group ... that are prepared to kill and wipe out families, not just the one individual. And thats what makes them so feared, he said. In late 2020, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission which at that point was part of Home Affairs assessed that the Albanian mafia was expert in the exploitation of visa programs and were assisted by professional facilitators, lawyers and Registered Migration Agents. Since 2000, an entire Albanian organised crime structure had established itself in Adelaide, with tentacles stretching across Australia, the commission concluded. Loading It warned this mafia cells members had spent years obtaining temporary visas, citizenship and even federal government licences to work as migration agents. In its briefing paper, the commission called for major reforms including the establishment of a multi-agency taskforce, increased vetting of migration agents, a significant boost to biometric border security checks and other changes to prevent the rorting of temporary visas. More than two years later, Nixon demanded similar reforms in her report and warned that abhorrent crimes were being committed. Advertisement Money laundering and gold The United Arab Emirates was already placed on a gray list at the beginning of 2022 due to suspicions of money laundering practices. A global body, including China, South Korea and Japan, stands to combat money laundering, terrorist financing linked to weapons of mass destruction. The United Arab Emirates has now suspended Emirates Gold over money laundering allegations, meaning the country has suspended the license of a major gold refiner. Then last Friday, the London Bullion Market Association suspended Emirates Gold\-s membership. Because two owners of Emirates Gold are said to be related to businessmen from Zimbabwe. And these same businessmen were said to have been involved in money laundering. The international pressure on the United Arab Emirates is great, because strict measures are taken against money laundering. Of course, the Emirates want to be removed from the list of the global supervisory authority. But the Gulf country must first convincingly demonstrate that it is fighting financial crime. For example, just earlier this year, the Emirates\- central bank issued new guidelines to ultimately stem global criticism. Money laundering is a problem worldwide. In this country, a new anti-money laundering law has been in place since 2021. Banks must closely monitor suspicious transactions, and if they suspect money laundering, they are allowed to freeze customer accounts. Money laundering or not, investors who want to invest their honestly saved money in gold can buy physical gold or fall back on the stocks of gold companies such as Condor Gold or Chesapeake Gold. Condor Gold https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/condor-gold-plc/ is focusing on three projects in Nicaragua. The La India project (100 percent) covers 588 square kilometers and covers 98 percent of the historic La India gold mining district. Chesapeake Gold https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/chesapeake-gold-corp/ is active in North and South America. The prospective flagship Metates project in Durango contains gold, silver and zinc. In accordance with A34 WpHG I would like to point out that partners, authors and employees may hold shares in the respective companies addressed and thus a possible conflict of interest exists. No guarantee for the translation into English. Only the German version of this news is valid. Disclaimer: The information provided does not represent any form of recommendation or advice. Express reference is made to the risks in securities trading. No liability can be accepted for any damage arising from the use of this blog. I would like to point out that shares and especially warrant investments are always associated with risk. The total loss of the invested capital cannot be excluded. All information and sources are carefully researched. However, no guarantee is given for the correctness of all contents. Despite the greatest care, I expressly reserve the right to make errors, especially with regard to figures and prices. The information contained herein is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but in no way claims to be accurate or complete. Due to court decisions, the contents of linked external sites are also co-responsible (e.g. Landgericht Hamburg, in the decision of 12.05.1998 312 O 85/98), as long as there is no explicit dissociation from them. Despite careful control of the content, I do not assume liability for the content of linked external pages. The respective operators are exclusively responsible for their content. The disclaimer of Swiss Resource Capital AG also applies: https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/disclaimer/ Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Sunday that Russian air defence had destroyed a drone nearing the capital, which had been rarely targeted throughout the conflict in Ukraine until several attacks this year. The Perseid meteor shower (also known as the Perseids) is active every year from mid-July to late August. This year the shower will peak around Aug. 13, 2023, according to skywatching site In The Sky. 2023 will be a good year for the Perseids as the moon will only be 10% illuminated. Perseid meteor shower: Quick facts When: July 14 to August 24 Peak: Aug. 13 Comet of origin: 109P/Swift-Tuttle Zenithal Hourly Rate (ZHR): 100 (The number of meteors a single observer would see in an hour of peak activity with a clear, dark sky and the radiant at the zenith). The Perseids are caused by Earth passing through debris bits of ice and rock left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle which last passed close to Earth in 1992. The Perseids peak when Earth passes through the densest and dustiest area on Aug. 11-12. Years without moonlight see higher rates of meteors per hour, and in outburst years (such as in 2016) the rate can be between 150-200 meteors an hour. Related: Meteor shower guide: When is the next meteor shower? Best cameras for astrophotography (Image credit: Nikon) If you're looking for a good camera for meteor showers and astrophotography, our top pick is the Nikon D850. Check out our best cameras for astrophotography for more and prepare for the tau Herculids with our guide on how to photograph a meteor shower. On average, you can expect to see up to 100 meteors per hour during the Perseid's peak, according to NASA. In 2022, the Perseids were affected by the full moon illuminating the sky and washing out fainter meteors. However, this year the moon will provide minimal disturbance to the meteor shower as it will only be 10% illuminated during the time of the peak. A typical Perseid meteoroid (which is what they're called while in space) moves at 133,200 mph (214,365 kph) when it hits Earth's atmosphere (and then they are called meteors). Most of the Perseids are tiny, about the size of a sand grain. Almost none of the fragments hit the ground, but if one does, it's called a meteorite. The Perseids are hot stuff, reaching temperatures of more than 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,650 Celsius) as each fragment travels through the atmosphere and both compresses and heats the air in front of it. Most of the fragments are visible when they are about 60 miles (97 kilometers) from the ground. What causes the Perseid meteor shower? Every year, Earth passes through the path of Comet Swift-Tuttle. With the Perseid meteor shower's peak occurring when Earth passes through the densest, dustiest area. (Image credit: Future) The Perseid meteor shower is caused by the comet Swift-Tuttle. Swift-Tuttle was discovered independently by two astronomers, Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle, in 1862. When it last made a pass by Earth in 1992, it was too faint to be seen with the naked eye. The next pass, in 2126, could make it a naked-eye comet similar in brightness to the 1997 Hale-Bopp comet providing that predictions are correct. Comet Swift-Tuttle is the largest object known to repeatedly pass by Earth; its nucleus is about 16 miles (26 kilometers) wide. It last passed near Earth during its orbit around the sun in 1992, and the next time will be in 2126. When you sit back to watch a meteor shower, you're actually seeing the pieces of comet debris heat up as they enter the atmosphere and burn up in a bright burst of light, streaking a vivid path across the sky as they travel at 37 miles (59 kilometers) per second, according to NASA. Where is the Perseid meteor shower? The Perseid meteor shower will appear to radiate from the Perseus constellation. (Image credit: Future) Perseus constellation position: Right ascension: 3 hours Declination: 45 degrees Visible between: :Latitudes 90 and -35 degrees Meteor showers are named after the constellation from which the meteors appear to emanate. From Earth's perspective, the Perseids appear to come approximately from the direction of the Northern Hemisphere constellation Perseus. You can see the Perseid meteor shower best in the Northern Hemisphere and down to the mid-southern latitudes, and all you need to catch the show is darkness, somewhere comfortable to sit and a bit of patience. To find the Perseid meteor shower, it's a good idea to look for the point in the sky where they appear to originate from, this is known as the radiant. According to NASA, the Perseids' radiant is in the Perseus constellation. Though Perseus isn't the easiest to find, it conveniently follows the brighter and more distinctive constellation Cassiopeia across the night sky. The meteor shower gets its name from the constellation it radiates from, the constellation is not the source of the meteors. Share your meteor photos! (Image credit: Bill Ingalls/NASA) If you take a cool photo of the Perseid meteor shower let us know! You can send images and comments to spacephotos@space.com. To best see the Perseids, go to the darkest possible location and lean back and relax. You don't need any telescopes or binoculars as the secret is to take in as much sky as possible and allow about 30 minutes for your eyes to adjust to the dark. If you want more advice on how to photograph the Persied meteor shower, check out our how to photograph meteors and meteor showers guide and if you need imaging gear, consider our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography. Keeping warm and comfortable is key to a successful night of meteor hunting. To best see the Perseid meteor shower, go to the darkest possible location and lean back and relax. (Image credit: Future) When is the best time to view the Perseid meteor shower? The best time to look for meteors is in the pre-dawn hours. Learn why famous meteor showers like the Perseid meteor shower and Leonids occur every year [ See the Full Infographic Here ]. (Image credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com contributor) The peak viewing days are typically your best shot to see the sky speckled with bright meteors. To see the meteors, look up and to the north. Those in southern latitudes can look toward the northeast to see more meteors. Skywatchers looking out for the Perseids might also be treated to some stray meteors from the southern delta Aquariid meteor shower which peaks in late July, according to AMS. Though the southern delta Aquariids are best viewed from the Southern Hemisphere, they can sometimes be visible to those in the mid-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. Could Comet Swift-Tuttle collide with Earth? An astronomer calculating Swift-Tuttle's orbit once suggested that it could come dangerously close to Earth in 2126 and possibly collide with the planet. Further refinements, however, show that the comet will not, according to a primer by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. Swift-Tuttle's pass by Earth in the year 3044 could bring it within a million miles of our planet. That's just over twice the distance from the Earth to the moon, making the comet very close in astronomical terms. The uncertainty came because initial projections for Swift-Tuttle's path through space came from only three months of observations in the 1860s, when the comet was first discovered, added the primer's author, Sally Stephens. In the 1970s, astronomers noted that the number of annual Perseids meteors was increasing, suggesting that the comet would make an appearance soon. "But it failed to show, and soon afterward, Perseid meteor activity dropped sharply. Astronomers wondered if the comet had somehow come and gone unnoticed," Stephens wrote. Brian Marsden, who was an astronomer with the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, suggested in 1973 that Swift-Tuttle might be the same comet as one seen in 1737 by a Jesuit missionary in China. Marsden suggested the comet would return in 1992, which it did, but its closest approach was 17 days off from his prediction. He continued tweaking his calculations. Although he initially predicted a possible collision in 2126, he examined the historical record and found observations of a comet in a similar track as far back as at least 188 A.D. allowing him to calculate the comet would pose no harm. "His new calculations show Comet Swift-Tuttle will pass a comfortable 15 million miles from Earth on its next trip to the inner solar system," Stephens wrote. Additional resources If you're interested in learning more about Comet Swift-Tuttle check out this interesting informative image entry by ESA. The National Schools Observatory provides a great overview of meteor showers and how to plan your meteor spotting. If you're looking for a nice kid-friendly introduction to meteor showers, NASA has got you covered. Bibliography Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook. A Quran burning and a string of requests to approve protests involving the destruction of more holy books have left Sweden torn between its commitment to free speech and its respect for religious minorities. The clash of fundamental principles has complicated Sweden's desire to join NATO, an expansion that gained urgency since the start of the war in Ukraine but needs the approval of all current members. Turkey has blocked Swedish accession since last year, citing reasons including anti-Turkish and anti-Islamic protests in Stockholm. Then, last week, an Iraqi Christian immigrant burned Islams holy book outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, an act that the man said displayed his feelings about the Quran. The burning triggered widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. And along with similar recent protests by a far-right activist, it sparked a debate in Sweden about the limits of freedom of speech. Now, Swedish police say they have received new requests for demonstrations by individuals who want to burn the Quran, as well as the Torah and the Bible. Muslim countries have urged Sweden to enact bans and Pakistans prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, called for a daylong protest to defend the sanctity of Islam's holy book on Friday, when Pakistans parliament will discuss Quran burning. Even some liberal commentators in Sweden argue that the protests should be regarded as hate speech, which is outlawed in the country when it targets ethnicity or race. But many in Sweden say criticizing religion, even in a manner that is considered offensive by believers, must be allowed and that Sweden should resist pressure to re-introduce blasphemy laws, which were abandoned decades ago in this predominantly Lutheran but highly secularized Scandinavian nation. It is a very serious situation for Sweden, said Magnus Ranstorp, a terrorism expert who is strategic advisor for the Center for Societal Security at the Swedish Defense University. President Joe Biden welcomed Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to the White House Wednesday and reiterated his belief in the importance of Sweden joining NATO. I want to reiterate the United States fully, fully, fully supports Sweden membership in NATO, Biden said from the Oval Office. The bottom line is simple, Sweden is going to make our alliance stronger. Stockholm police on Wednesday said they had received two new applications for book-burning protests in the capital: one from an individual who wants to burn the Quran outside a mosque and another from someone who wants to burn the Torah and the Bible outside Israels Embassy. A third request that involves setting a religious text on fire had been filed in the southern city of Helsingborg, local police chief Mattias Sigfridsson told The Associated Press. Police have not yet decided on the requests. In Sweden, we have the freedom of expression. We also respect people who have a different opinion and the fact that it may hurt some feelings. We have to look at the law. That is what we do, Sigfridsson said. Stockholm police tried to stop Quran-burning protests earlier this year but were overruled by a court that said such actions were protected by Swedish law. Citing that decision, police allowed the protest last week where the man identified in Swedish media as a Christian from Iraq burned the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm on Eid al-Adha. Muslim leaders in Sweden deplored the incident but the strongest reactions were in the Middle East. The Swedish Embassy in Baghdad witnessed large waves of angry protests. The Organization for Islamic Cooperation condemned the act and criticized Swedish authorities for allowing it. Iran held back on sending a new ambassador to Stockholm and Pakistan asked the U.N. Human Rights Council to schedule a special session on the issue. Outside the Muslim world, Pope Francis also lamented the incident. Meanwhile, the Swedish government issued a statement saying it strongly rejects the Islamophobic act committed by individuals in Sweden, adding that it in no way reflects the opinions of the Swedish Government. That elicited criticism from several commentators in Sweden, who said the government needs to stand up for freedom of speech and refrain from passing judgment on individual protests. I think it is exceptional and extremely inappropriate for the government ... to criticize an individual demonstration carried out by a person who, by all accounts, has stayed within the bounds of the law, who has only used his constitutional freedom of expression, Nils Funcke, a prominent Swedish freedom of speech advocate, told public broadcaster SVT. Sweden worries the situation is starting to resemble the fury Denmark faced from Muslim countries in 2006 following the publication of newspaper caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. Danish officials attempts to explain how such caricatures were protected under freedom of speech were widely dismissed in the Muslim world. Ranstorp said the timing of the latest Quran-burning protest, just as Swedish and Turkish officials were getting ready to hold talks about Swedens NATO bid this week, was suspicious. We have foreign powers, like Russia for example, which spread information in Arabic about this. We have Turkey, which is using it for leverage in the NATO debate, Ranstorp said. The Iraqi man behind the protest told Swedish media it was aimed at Islam and not Swedens NATO application. The Swedish Security Service has warned of Russian interference in Swedish society. Finland joined NATO in April. Turkey and Hungary are the only NATO countries that have not yet ratified Swedens accession. *This story was edited by Ahram Online Search Keywords: Short link: Trailer Streaming Options The Mallard family is in a bit of rut. While dad Mack is content to keep his family safe paddling around their New England pond forever, mom Pam is eager to shake things up and show their kidsteen son Dax and duckling daughter Gwenthe whole wide world. After a migrating duck family alights on their pond with thrilling tales of far-flung places, Pam persuades Mack to embark on a family trip, via New York City, to tropical Jamaica.As the Mallards make their way South for the winter, their well-laid plans quickly go awry. The experience will inspire them to expand their horizons, open themselves up to new friends and accomplish more than they ever thought possible, while teaching them more about each otherand themselvesthan they ever imagined. Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry condemned the repeated burning of the Quran by extremists in the West, calling on Western governments to take action against religious hatred. FM Shoukry's statements came during a recorded speech on Tuesday at a meeting held by the UN Human Rights Council at the request of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, titled "The Escalation of Religious Hatred Evident in the Repeated Violations of the Holy Quran". FM Shoukry stressed that states must observe their obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The ICCPR mandates the adoption of legislation prohibiting incitement to religious hatred, and the development of strategies to promote peaceful coexistence and tolerance. While states must respect freedom of expression, they also have a responsibility to maintain security and social stability, Shoukry stated. In late June, an Iraqi immigrant burned a copy of the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm on the first day of the Islamic Eid Al-Adha, with a demonstration permit from Swedish authorities. The act has been widely condemned by various Muslim and non-Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, and the US. Egypts foreign ministry also condemned the act, describing it as shameful and stressing the duty of states to prevent incitement and hate crimes. The June incident in Sweden is the latest in a series of Quran burnings in northern European countries, many carried out by right-wing groups. Al-Azhar, the world's foremost seat of Sunni learning, has repeatedly condemned the Quran burnings, calling on European states to prevent incitement against Muslims in the West. Search Keywords: Short link: T he saga surrounding the collapse of crypto company FTX took another twist today after the bankrupt business unveiled a fresh lawsuit against its former boss Sam Bankman-Fried in a bid to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars. The lawsuit alleges that Bankman-Fried, along with a number of other senior members of FTX including co-founder Gary Wang, participated in fraudulent transactions for their own personal benefit. That includes the pair having allegedly taken $546 million from Alameda Research, their privately-held crypto hedge fund, to buy shares in another trading app, Robinhood, as well as using fake loans to acquire shares in FTX that had been worth $250 million. The legal action, which has been filed at the US Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, is part of efforts by FTXs new CEO John Ray to recover funds that can be used to repay creditors, including customers who were frozen out of their crypto accounts after the company went bust in November last year. Defendants abused their control over the FTX Group to commit one of the largest financial frauds in history, the lawsuit claims. Defendants misappropriated Debtor funds on a continuous basis to finance luxury condominiums, political and charitable contributions, speculative investments and other pet projects. They commingled and misused corporate and customer funds, lied to third parties about the business of the FTX Group, joked internally about their tendency to lose track of millions of dollars in assets and impulsively bought companies with misappropriated funds. In December, the US securities regulator charged FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried with orchestrating a scheme to defraud investors. The Securities and Exchange Commission has accused Bankman-Fried of being behind a years-long effort to conceal from investors the undisclosed diversion of FTX customers funds to Alameda. SEC director Gurbir Grewal said: "FTX operated behind a veneer of legitimacy Mr. Bankman-Fried created by, among other things, touting its best-in-class controls, including a proprietary risk engine, and FTXs adherence to specific investor protection principles and detailed terms of service. But as we allege in our complaint, that veneer wasnt just thin, it was fraudulent." T he only consolation for Rishi Sunak today is that things could have been even worse. Instead of losing two of three by-elections by historic margins to Labour and the Lib-Dems, he could easily have lost all three. And if it werent for the issue of Ulez in Uxbridge he probably would have. The three constituencies demonstrated that there is no area in England that the Tories might not lose not the old Lib-Dem strongholds of the south-west, in Somerton and Frome, not the north of England, as in Selby and Ainsty (right next to the PMs Richmond constituency), and certainly not London. Granted, in Somerton there was the aggravating factor that the sitting MP had resigned after allegations of drug abuse, but that alone does not account for the swing. And there is no extenuating factor to explain the 23.7 swing to Labour in Yorkshire. If that were replicated nationwide in a general election, Labour could gain a bigger majority than Tony Blair in 1997. And if we add to this the dismal showing of the SNP in Scotland under Humza Yousaf, Labours prospects at the next election look very bright indeed. But there are lessons for Labour and for the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, from the Tories exiguous victory in Uxbridge. It was a single-issue victory, and the issue was Ulez (which this paper has supported). It goes to show that there is real antagonism to the charge which voters feel sufficiently strongly to register at the polls. But the real lesson is for the Tories: whatever theyre doing isnt working. Justice denied THE Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett, got to the heart of the problem with the criminal justice system in his address to the House of Lords last month. The Government, he said, was treating it as just another service and it is not. It is something that underpins everything that goes on in society. By that reckoning we are in trouble. As we report today, there is a backlog of almost 63,000 crown court cases, of which over 16,000 are in London and 2,210 are rape cases. It takes on average 653 days for a case to go from first report to final verdict in London, and three years for rape. How, in heavens name, can we expect anyone to be able to provide honest evidence so long after an alleged offence? Can we be surprised that so many women withdraw allegations of rape rather than put their lives on hold for so long? The criminal justice system is broken. The Government must act. Now. Go for it, Lionesses THE Lionesses are almost there. Tomorrows match against Haiti should be an easy win, but the nation will still be on tenterhooks. Anything could happen in this tournament but it could be Englands year. Roar them on. S tars including Successions Brian Cox and Lord of the Rings Andy Serkis joined an Equity-led protest in Leicester Square in solidarity with striking US actors. Rob Delaney, Simon Pegg, Jim Carter, Hayley Atwell, Jim Carter and Imelda Staunton were among the famous faces who gathered in central London a week after the start of industrial action by Equitys sister union in America, the Screen Actors Guild American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Sag-Aftra). Speaking after the rally, Serkis told the PA news agency it is wrong to use AI to undermine the work of actors. Andy Serkis / PA The actor, who is a Sag-Aftra and Equity member, said: Im probably one of the most scanned actors on the planet for various different films, and projects. I would say I have probably been scanned more than anyone ever. I know that my image can be used, or my library of movements, can be used or my voice. (It) is wrong that that is easily accessed and used without remunerating the artist. Sag-Aftra, which represents around 160,000 actors across the US, failed to negotiate new contracts with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). Hollywood stars from Kevin Bacon and Rosario Dawson to Mark Ruffalo have been pictured on the picket lines, joining striking members of the Writers Guild of America, who began industrial action on May 2. It is the first time since 1960 both unions have been on strike simultaneously and has caused major disruption to Hollywood productions, premieres, and conventions. In Leicester Square, crowds heard speeches from Delaney and Cox as well as Equity General Secretaries Paul W Fleming and Lynda Rooke among others. A demonstrator holds a placard at the Equity rally in Leicester Square, in solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA strikes, London, Britain / REUTERS Protesters gathered to hear from the actors and carried signs saying Leave AI to Sci-fi, Write to Strike and This Barbies last residual was $0.02. After the event, Cox told the PA news agency how drama-comedy Succession would have been nonsense had it not been for the team of writers. Cox said: The artificial intelligence thing is a major issue and it has to be nipped before it starts to grow even more. It has gotten to a standard now where people are getting avatars of themselves made in order to protect themselves in every aspect. Cox also told crowds: I was on a programme the other night and I was given a list of things that artificial intelligence Brian Cox was going to say. Now the artificial intelligence Brian Cox was going to do animal impersonations. He added: Nobody is exempt in this. If you do a performance, if youre on a film, on a movie, on a TV show, that is where theyll get you and thats what we have to stop. Review at a glance M assive music stars contributing to film soundtracks its a funny old thing. Ideally, youre left with a stone-cold classic that stands up alone (just ask Celine Dion, Berlin, Bryan Adams, or about a quarter of the artists to ever do a Bond theme) but mostly the results tend to be headscratchers. To this day, I still have no idea how on earth Justin Timberlake ended up writing the theme tune to the Trollz movie. So, packed with huge names including Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Tame Impala, Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice, Barbies soundtrack comes with some fairly lofty (and difficult-to-meet) expectations attached. Oh, and its also executive produced by none other than Mark Ronson; one of the brains behind Lady Gagas belting theme tune Shallow in A Star is Born. Though its admittedly no Shallow, Dua Lipas contribution Dance the Night feels most capable of finding life outside of Barbies silver screen, mostly because it sounds like it could easily be a bonus track from 2020s nu-disco laden album Future Nostalgia. Lizzos Pink feels less easy to separate many of her lyrics react to action unfolding on the screen but still stands out as it pairs Motown horns with bright, campy production that feels pulled straight out of a Nineties Mattel advert. Charli XCXs plasticky hyper-pop cut Speed Drive, which interpolates Toni Basils Mickey, is also a lighthearted banger, but criminally short at under two-minutes long. Nicki Minaj and Ice Spices quick-paced, innuendo-laden verses have almost zero relevance to the film, but it sounds like they had a lot of fun in the process. Rhyming Ken with 10 becomes a popular theme here, and indeed, across the whole soundtrack (pen and zen dont quite hit the same way, perhaps). Tame Impalas Journey To The Real World draws on the super-sheen of Japanese city pop, but flies by mostly without event. KAROL Gs WATATI is adequate enough, but begging for a bit of Pitbull cheese and charisma. Billie Eilishs What Was I Made For on the other hand is a total outlier; a smouldering piano ballad that asks the big, existential questions. Its more straight-faced aesthetic makes much more sense in the context of the story that unfolds on the screen. South Korean girl group FIFTY FIFTY meanwhile are responsible for the actual greatest song on the soundtrack, sampling Janet Jacksons Together Again and furnishing it with some brilliant, often nonsensical lyrics. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous girls/Flip phones dipped in diamonds and pearls. Another highlight comes from Ryan Goslings heartfelt fist-clencher Just Ken. We already knew the man had pipes he also turned crooner in the Oscar-winning 2016 film La La Land but its an extra-special treat hearing him build from whiney power-ballad to synthetic flashes of Eighties synth and yowling guitar as an abundance of Kenergy arrives to proceedings. Slightly disjointed almost like Mark Ronson pressed a big red randomiser and went along with whatever wild combinations spewed out the other side the whole endeavour weirdly works out anyway, despite lacking in almost any conceptual glue. Will any of these songs stick about in the public consciousness for longer than Barbies cinema stint? That part that seems less likely. Atlantic Records Barbie: The Album is out now Review at a glance Loading.... This powerful piece of verbatim theatre about the tower block fire that killed 72 people in 2017 demands empathy, not sympathy, from its audience. It starkly communicates what its like to stagger blindly down a cramped, smoke-filled escape stair on crutches, or carrying children, knowing that neighbours and family members are trapped and suffocating above you. Compiled by Gillian Slovo from interviews with survivors and material culled from the inquiry into the fire, and directed on a bare stage by Phyllida Lloyd and Anthony Simpson-Pike, its a sprawling work with an awkward ending. But it reminds us that this was an outrage caused by deliberate policies in the rich heart of our city rather than some random, distant tragedy. We shouldnt just remember Grenfell: we should feel it. At the start, the actors tell us their names and who they are playing, adding that there is no depiction of fire onstage but anyone can leave if upset. In character, they paint a near-idyllic portrait of a vertical, blended community in Grenfell, a concrete slab of postwar social housing. Residents share child-minding duties, chat by the lifts and enjoy the lofty silence of the upper floors. The voices here include those of Ethiopian, Syrian, Portuguese, Italian and Caribbean heritage. Many of them were born in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, however, unlike rich blow-ins in the Notting Hill townhouses a few streets away. It comes as a surprise to John Lewis worker Natasha Elcock (engagingly played by Dr Who star Pearl Mackie) that were classed as poor. Myah Jeffers But Grenfell was systematically neglected until it became a blot on the rapidly gentrifying landscape. It was refurbished on the cheap with flammable insulation and cladding panels that conducted flames up and across its 24 storeys after a fire broke out in a fourth floor flat at 0.54am on June 14. Deregulation, cost-cutting and commercial chicanery made the atrocity not just likely but almost inevitable. But Slovo suggests these practices are embedded in the society weve built: we are all to blame. Its understood that latent prejudice played a part in official indifference to residents concerns in the years before the fire, and to the response on the night. Slovos interviewees make this explicit. Rabia Yahya (Houda Echouafni) is patronised by a fireman because she wears a niqab. Hanan Wahabi (Sarah Slimani), who lost six family members in the blaze, claims her brother was told to stay put by a dispatcher because he had an accent. The script also acknowledges the emergency services faced an impossible, hellish situation. The real ire is saved for those behind the tower refurbishment, a succession of shifty spokesmen slipping in and out of the same jacket. The ensemble cast performs with a quietly furious intensity, and the production is stylistically economical, with designer Georgia Lowe creating staircases and hallways with cardboard storage boxes and blocks of light. It feels wrong to make even minor snipes about something so heartfelt and important. But the ending, involving screened interviews with the people weve just seen played by actors, partly undermines the point of making a play. A final moment of communion and togetherness feels organised rather than organic, but its still very moving. National Theatre, to August 26; nationaltheatre.org.uk Review at a glance W hat is with the Americans and their fascination with dramatised war? Over the years, weve had films set in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, and Iran amounting to endless hours of watching grizzled marines with rifles trying to fight their way through hostile territory. Often, its a bit of a sausage fest, but Paramount+s latest series, Special Ops: Lioness, offers up a different perspective. Opening in Iran, we watch as an American undercover agent is compromised while on a mission to infiltrate terror group ISIS. Theyre dragged kicking and screaming out of their hiding place before a missile blows both them to kingdom come. The twist? The undercover agent is a woman and the person who gives the order to blow her up is her supervising officer, Joe. See, Joe (Zoe Saldana) is part of Lioness, an elite squad of special ops women that, as she tells it, started out with the job of frisking Muslim women suspected of being affiliated with terrorist groups. Now, their job is slightly more complicated: what we do now is locate wives and girlfriends and daughters of high value targets, and we place an operative close to them. The operative makes friends with the suspect, earns their trust, leads us to the target, and we kill the target, she tells newbie Cruz Manuelos (an excellent Laysla De Oliveira), who doesnt bat an eyelid. Thats all well and good, because Cruz is the person selected to replace the unfortunate lost right at the beginning of the series. Shes hard as nails: a rather harrowing opening sequence fills us in on the specifics of her backstory, featuring an abusive boyfriend, chaotic home life and a seedy past. Laysla De Oliveria as Cruz Manuelos in Lioness / Lynsey Addario/Paramount+ Naturally, once she makes it to the Marines, shes away as the sometimes-corny dialogue makes clear, Cruz is a tough cookie. Smarter and stronger than pretty much all of her fellow recruits (on her first day, she executes 19 pull-ups, which seemed both impressive and unfeasible), shes a shoo-in for the dubious honour of undercover agent. Flown over to Kuwait, shes given a target, and sent to make friends with a terrorists rich daughter. And then what? Im not actually sure, because we were only given one episode to review, and most of that episode was spent setting up the premise of the main plot. Theres not much to go on, but nevertheless, the performances are uniformly good. Saldana is superb as Joe: cool, calculated, self-restrained, with a home life she barely experiences and kids she barely sees. In the first ten minutes, she orders a hit on her undercover agent; in the last, shes telling her replacement that shell get her out if her cover is blown: you can count on me for that. Oof: stone cold. Opposite her is De Oliveira, who shines as the defiant, furious Cruz. Oh, and Nicole Kidman makes an appearance, but only for about five minutes, as Joes boss. Morgan Freeman, though trialled in the credits, is yet to appear I did say this was star-studded. So, is this any good? Its hard to tell at the moment, but the beginning looks promising: there are huge explosions, the tense scenes are nail-biting, and Saldana carries the whole thing ably on her shoulders. When shes on screen and issuing orders, you absolutely believe her: heres hoping the rest of the series manages to ride that high. The first two episodes of Special Ops: Lioness are available to watch now on Paramount+ 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. Search Keywords: Short link: T he typical cost of renting in London has increased by 559 a month in just four years, analysis has revealed. Property portal Rightmove found that the average asking rent in the capital in the second quarter of this year was 2,567. This is up from 2,008 in the spring of 2019, meaning prices have soared by almost 28 per cent in the period dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic, Brexit and a prime ministerial merry-go-round. Swallowing up take-home pay The average cost of renting in inner London is now 3,059 per month, Rightmove found. This equates to 36,708 a year or just less than the average London salary before tax. For someone earning 80,000 per year and paying standard taxes, the average inner London rent would be around two thirds of their take-home pay, according to an online calculator. Inner London asking rents have risen by 14 per cent in a year and 26 per cent since spring 2019, the report found. Tenants in outer London haven't had it any easier, with typical listings now at 2,206, up 14 per cent from 12 months ago and an increase of almost 30 per cent in four years. Top five London areas for rent rises in the past year Area Average rent Q2 2023 Annual increase Whetstone, Barnet 2.047 32% Wembley, Brent 2,184 30% Tottenham, Haringey 2,174 29% Kingston, Kingston-upon-Thames 2,239 26% Kingsbury, Barnet 2,140 26% Source: Rightmove Whetstone has seen the strongest price growth in the past year, average rents in the Barnet district rose by almost a third to 2,047 in the second quarter of 2023. Wembley and Tottenham complete the top three for fastest-rising tenancy costs over the last 12 months. Leila Parsa, assistant head of lettings at Hamptons in Whetstone, said the agents had seen huge demand from tenants. Whetstone is like a London version of St. Albans, she added. Its a friendly place with a real community feel and has a great high street. It is also considered a very green area with great parks and walks. New people coming to Whetstone tend to be young families moving to within local school catchment areas, young professionals moving from inner London looking to be somewhere a little bit more leafy to raise a family and we also get a lot of overseas tenants, particularly corporate tenants from Hong Kong relocating for work. Five cheapest places to rent in London Area Average rent in Q2 2023 West Wickham, Bromley 1,411 Biggin Hill, Bromley 1,420 Chessington, Kingston-upon-Thames 1,425 Chadwell Heath, Redbridge 1,427 Bexleyheath, Bexley 1,430 Source: Rightmove Some pockets of relative affordability remain, predominately south of the river. West Wickham and Biggin Hill in the borough of Bromley were the cheapest places to rent last quarter, according to Rightmove, with only Chadwell Heath representing north London in the top five. Nationwide, the gap between supply and demand of rental homes narrowed slightly, with property availability up seven per cent from a year earlier but still 42 per cent below 2019 levels. With landlords expressing concern about government sentiment, rising taxation and compliance requirements, more than one in seven properties currently up for sale on Rightmove were previously rented. Rightmove director of property science Tim Bannister said: With a long way to go to catch up with pre-pandemic levels of stock, there will continue to be more tenants looking to move than properties for them to move to for a while yet. "Average asking rents for new tenants have risen at a rapid pace since the pandemic, reflecting the significant increase in demand, which is driven by a combination of factors including changed housing needs, such as space to work from home. "Landlords are currently having to navigate a multitude of challenges, but the data suggests it remains important to build long-term relationships with good tenants, with the majority of tenants choosing to stay in their property for longer than two years. When Steph Anne, 40, landed in Cyprus to stay with a friend in her mountain-top villa near the ancient city of Paphos at the beginning of July, she was readying herself for the trip of a lifetime. But when her phone started to record temperatures as high as 37C before conking out altogether, her three-week Mediterranean getaway quickly turned into the holiday from hell. I fly back to London on Thursday and it cant come soon enough... Im yearning for the grey skies and drizzle of London, says Anne, a lawyer from Putney, as she cowers indoors from the unbearable heat. Before the trip she dreamt of a girly holiday staying at the villa with her friend of ten years; a relaxing trip spent lazing by the pool, reading a good book, occasionally venturing out to view the ancient ruins of Paphos. But the reality has been three weeks spent with little sleep, worrying about wildfires, changing her clothes four times a day due to sweat, and only being able to leave the villa after 8pm and even then temperatures are still in their high twenties. You really need trainers to see the landmarks here but its too hot to wear trainers, so weve spent most of our time in the villa, says Anne. You want to come back from a break feeling better but the heat has been oppressive... and Im from Australia originally. Shes just cancelled her upcoming trip to Marbella, where she would have flown to this week from Cyprus, as she cant face another holiday without sleep. Allan is far from alone in her holiday heatwave hell. After a wet spring and something of a damp squib of a British summer so far, she is one of just thousands of British holiday-makers whove jetted off in search of some European sun, sea and sand only to find themselves trapped in the inferno that is the current Mediterranean heatwave. Families hiding out in hotel rooms, tourists dunking their heads in public fountains to keep cool, and temperatures so hellish holidaymakers are cutting short or even cancelling their summer holidays are among the horror stories being reported as heatwaves Cerberus and Charon sweep across the continent and ravage parts of southern Europe. A man cools off at a fountain near the Pantheon in Rome, during a heatwave across Italy / REUTERS In recent days, the Foreign Office has issued extreme weather warnings for Britons travelling to Greece, Spain and Italy, where wildfires are ripping across the driest parts of the country and red alerts have been issued for 16 cities including Rome, Florence and Bologna. Even for locals on the continent, the extremity of this months heat has been frightening. Europeans themselves are well-accustomed to swelteringly hot summers but not like this. The Italian government is currently advising those in certain areas to avoid direct sunlight between 11am and 6pm, while Greek authorities have closed Athenss famous Acropolis during the hottest hours of the day as thousands flee the wildfires, 123 of which raged through parts of the country in just 48 hours this week. In the popular tourist hotspot of Sardinia, the mercury has reached record-breaking temperatures as high as 49C, while a holidaymaker in Turkey went viral this week for footage of an egg cooking instantly on a frying pan outside in the sunshine. An aerial view shows a burnt forest after a fire in Magoula, 21km northwest of central Athens / AFP via Getty Images Many on the continent say the Greek mythology-inspired names of the latest heatwaves Cerberus being the three-headed dog guarding the underworld; Charon being the ferryman who users the dead towards the gates of hell have felt horrifyingly accurate, only adding to the sense of doom. As an Aussie Im used to the heat, but this heatwave has hit me like a truck... I had to go into a church for air-con, says Lachlan Falconer, 26, a publicist from Clapham on a group getaway in Ibiza. Ive never felt heat like this in all my life... In the shade, its still 45C, says Jasmine, 31, a sales director from London whose week-long holiday to Samos, Greece has turned into an urgent volunteering project as she helps teams from Greek Cat Rescue Samos to clear debris to prevent wildfires. Ive never felt heat like this in all my life... In the shade, its still 45C Some say the temperatures been so hellish theyve had to cut their trip short. It was suffocating. Ive worked in Texas and all over the globe, but this was just suffocating, says British author Sally Urwin, 49, who was forced to abandon her 2,500 holiday to Rhodes three days early after the hotel she was staying at with her two teenage sons turned into a giant oven. It made you feel faint and dizzy. It could make you feel unwell and we lost our appetites... 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. So are this months holidaymakers just painfully unlucky or is this normal for Europe now? Is a similar heatwave heading for Britain? And what does such increasingly extreme weather mean for summers in the years and decades to come? Clapham publicist Lachlan Falconer, 26, on a sweltering group getaway to Ibiza this week / Lachlan Falconer In the future if I went somewhere in southern Europe I would go in May and avoid July and August, says Urwin, remarking on how refreshing it has been to be back in a rainy, wet and cold UK. She is far from alone. We usually do our holidays in England but we wanted something different this year, says Judy Jones*, a 61-year-old from London. I dont think I will do this again or maybe well make such plans around Easter instead. For those of us stuck at home this July, reading about a European heatwave when the UK is experiencing an unseasonably cool July might feel surreal if not envy-inducing. Forecasters are expecting almost a months worth of rain to fall in the UK within just 48 hours this weekend, the start of what some are expecting to be a 10-day run of showers, thunderstorms and grey skies after what has already been a below-average July in terms of temperatures. Communications consultant Mark McVitie, 29, on a sizzling sightseeing trip in Rome / Mark McVitie But those abroad insist there is absolutely nothing to be envious about. Theres only so much heat we can take, says plastic-free beauty founder Victoria Coe, 52, who is currently sweating through a family holiday in Crete. Her family normally holidays in the UK, but made a special exception to celebrate her sons finishing their GCSEs and A-Levels and to mark her 20th wedding anniversary with her husband. The Samaria gorge, a rugged route considered one of the greatest attractions of Crete, was top of their bucket-list for the trip but its been closed due to the extreme heat, meaning theyve been restricted to sheltering in the air-con and short 10-minute bursts at the beach. Mark McVitie, 29, a communications consultant currently on a sightseeing trip in Rome, says he is determined for the heat not to melt his plans away completely. Im going to go to The Colosseum in the morning so Im not there at the hottest time of the day, he says. Being a very pale Scottish person, I get sunburnt on holiday whether it is 34C or 44C... But I dont want to pick the wrong time to do something and collapse in the Vatican or something. I dont want to pick the wrong time to do something and collapse in the Vatican or something Like McVitie, Falconer is trying to see the lighter side. If Id known it be this hot I couldve saved major dosh on luggage and just brought a string of floss and some deo, he laughs from his (shaded) sunlounger in Ibiza. The upside to the heat is hes staying hydrated thanks to all the ice thats melting into his rose, plus Im impossible to lose because I look like a red stop sign. Jokes about sunburn and alcohol detoxes aside, its an inferno out there and not in the fun hot-girl-summer kind of way. Jasmine says its become common courtesy for Cretan taxi drivers to warn them about the heat when theyre driving and she and her fellow holidaymakers know the heatwave must be extreme when even the locals are finding it too hot. Ive never experienced the heat this bad its not normal, says Massimo Borgia, who manages a news stand in a square in central Rome. We had heavy rain in June and then suddenly it was 40C. Now they say its going to be even worse next week. Falconer says a church was the only place he could find to cool down in Ibiza this week / Lachlan Falconer So is this extreme heatwave set to hit Britain? Mercifully no or at least not to the same extent as the continent, say forecasters. The chance of reaching 40C [in the UK this summer] is around one per cent, so it is unlikely in any given year, but of course, it remains feasible, says a spokesperson for the Met Office, adding that there is currently no forecast signal for temperatures to hit the 40s like they did last summer. Instead, the Met Office is currently warning of unreasonably strong winds and heavy rain in parts of the country this week, thanks to an Atlantic low-pressure system. Though the mercury might finally climb next month, with forecasters predicting warmer and more settled weather from mid-August. Victoria Coe / Victoria Coe In the meantime, experts are warning the heatwave on the continent could last until mid-August at the earliest and that without some serious measures to address global warming they could become the norm every year. Unless rapid and significant action is taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, temperatures like southern Europe has now will be experienced there every summer for prolonged periods of time or even consistently throughout the summer after mid-century, says Cathryn Birch, professor of meteorology and climate at the University of Leeds. Birch and her fellow climate scientists say sceptics only need to look at the facts. The summer of 2022 was the hottest on record in Europe, marked by droughts, forest fires and at least 60,000 deaths, and experts are warning that 2023 is on track to be the warmest since records began. London sales director Jasmine, 31, who is helping teams from Greek Cat Rescue Samos to clear debris to prevent any more wildfires in Greece / Jasmine Brutal as the current heatwave might be, many experts say its a necessary wake-up call to the real-world effects of the climate crisis on Britons day-to-day lives. If this is what summer is going to continue looking like with the climate crisis, Im seriously going to have to consider getting sweat preventative botox, says Falconer. Jasmine and McVitie are among those insisting they wont let the horrifying heat deter them from heading to the continent in future summers. Give me Europe any day, 32C or 48C, I dont care, says McVitie. But with temperatures edging dangerously close to the 50C mark in Europe already, it begs the question: how much closer towards the gates of hell can we really afford to go? *Some names have been changed to protect identites R ape and sex crime victims face a game of Russian roulette in Britains broken justice system with more than 10,000 prosecutions stuck in a courts backlog, campaigners said today. Ministers have been accused by Britains most senior judge of downgrading criminal justice to just another service, as the Government comes under pressure to commit to long-term increased investment in the ailing courts. Latest Ministry of Justice data shows 2,210 rape cases are in the 63,000-strong crown court backlog waiting to be heard, together with 8,741 cases involving other sexual offences. In one of those cases, an NHS worker told the Evening Standard how she is enduring a five-year wait to give evidence against a man she accuses of rape. I feel like the government and the courts are playing Russian Roulette with me as a victim of sexual violence - and public protection at large - whereby each postponement in the courts system is another spin of the cylinder, she said. The trial at which she will be the central witness for the prosecution was due to take place this year, four years from her initial report to police. However devastatingly it was then delayed for another year due to the courts backlog. She said despair and fatigue affect friends, family, and colleagues, leading to hopelessness which becomes impossible for people to endure. I just want to be able to get back to normal life seeing my patients and helping people in the community. I wish something could be done to help fix this problem. I am just really scared that despite reporting this crime immediately, I will learn that my rape case cannot be prosecuted now, if ever, and that all the time and trouble I have put those who support and care for me through for the last 4-5 years will have been a waste of time and an unnecessary burden upon them all. This will also mean that I can never feel safe again. Giving evidence to Parliament, director of public prosecutions Max Hill said about a fifth of rape cases were collapsing after charges were brought, telling MPs: I think it is too high. He highlighted Snaresbrook crown court, where the top judge has issued orders for rape trials to be prioritised as it deals with its own backlog of a staggering 4,500 cases. Speaking to the House of Lords last month, Lord Chief Justice Lord Burnett suggested courts had been downgraded amid widespread problems in justice, and accused Treasury officials of failing to look beyond the immediate balance sheet. The way government seems to work is to see the administration of justice as just another service, and it is not, he said, delivering a plea for long-term funding deals and justice prioritised alongside health and education. It is not another service. It is something which underpins everything that goes on in society. The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Burnett of Maldon, during the annual press conference in the Painted Room at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. (Kirsty OConnor/PA) / PA Archive Latest ministry data shows that in the first three months of this year, more than 400 crown court trials could not take place because there was no prosecutor, defence counsel or judge. Since the start of 2022, almost 200 trials were aborted because there was no judge available, and a further 1,563 trials could not take place because there was not enough court space. In London, the crown court backlog is more than 15,000 cases almost a quarter of the entire total for England and Wales. That translates into record-breaking delays: an average of 653 days between a crime being reported in London and the end of the criminal justice process. In rape cases, that average figure is more than three years. In evidence this week to MPs, Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk insisted rape cases should be given fixed dates for trials to minimise delays and the impact on victims. You have got vulnerable victims and I hope and expect there to be a fixture in those cases, so they are not gearing themselves up for the trial on a Monday, only to find hang on, its a floater, and its been stood out for a months time, he said. This month, the Government announced an overhaul of the investigation of rape and more support for victims. Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk (Jacob King/PA) / PA Wire Mr Chalk hailed increased charging rates after rape allegations and claimed significant progress had been made. But campaigners accused him of being too quick to say that theyve tangibly changed the justice system for rape survivors. Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said: The majority of rape survivors dont report to the police, and the majority who do will leave the system altogether due to the barriers to justice they find themselves up against. The delays in justice are felt across the spectrum of criminal cases beyond rape and sex crimes. Harriet Salvesen-Sawh, a personal injury solicitor at law firm Fieldfisher, told the Standard of the devastation suffered by road crash victims who endure years of delays while waiting for justice in the criminal courts, and in some cases they are denied immediate access to compensation to fund their rehabilitation. File image of the exterior of Woolwich Crown Court in south London (John Stillwell/PA) / PA Archive The trial of a driver who left a man with severe brain injuries following a July 2021 road crash was set to take place last month at Woolwich crown court. But at the last minute, it was adjourned for almost a year because there was no courtroom or judge available to hear the four-day case. I was actually astounded, said Ms Salvesen-Sawh, who then had to explain the situation to the devastated victim. The lawyer said a woman who had to have a leg amputated after a road crash in August 2020 is still awaiting a criminal trial, now set for November this year. Civil lawyers pursuing compensation for the victims are denied access to key witness statements, CCTV, and expert evidence while criminal cases are ongoing. In some cases, clients cannot receive any interim payments for rehabilitation if there is doubt over who is to blame for the crash. Theres a little bit of disbelief that it can actually take this long, said Ms Salvesen-Sawh. For them, a lot of their closure comes in the criminal process. They can close that particular chapter and start to look forward to more of a focus on recovery and rehabilitation. But things hang over them for so long. The Ministry of Justice is in the midst of a recruitment drive to add up to 1,000 judges, while unlimited court sitting days have been allowed in the last two years to deal with as many cases as possible. Our justice system is of the upmost importance in upholding the values of our great country the rule of law, the right to a fair trial and justice for victims, a spokesman said. This Government is investing hundreds of millions to speed up justice and improve waiting times for victims. J udges in a Cypriot court are to rule on whether a British expat murdered his terminally-ill wife. Former miner David Hunter is on trial for killing his wife of 52 years, Janice Hunter, who died of asphyxiation in December 2021 at the couples retirement home near the coastal resort town of Paphos. Hunter, 76, denies murder and told a court his wife, who was 74, had 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, has 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 added. Giving evidence in May, Hunter told the District Court in Paphos he would never in a million years have taken his wifes 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 her 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. 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. T he daughter of a retired British miner cleared of murdering his terminally ill wife has said it would be like having our lives back if he is released from prison in Cyprus next week. David Hunter, 76, was found guilty of manslaughter for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice, after she cried and begged him to end her life as she suffered from blood cancer. She died of asphyxiation at their home near the coastal resort town of Paphos in December 2021. The pensioner, from Ashington in Northumberland, will be sentenced on July 27 after judges found him not guilty of the more serious charge of premeditated murder. My dads not a murderer. My dads never been a murderer. Now everybody knows that. Its incredible. Its just incredible. I cant believe it Lawyer Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, told the PA news agency the expat may be able to get a suspended sentence in light of the verdict, in a case which is a legal first in the country. Hunter was speechless and too tired to smile following the verdict, Mr Polak added. Speaking after the verdict on Friday, the couples daughter Lesley Cawthorne said: Im just genuinely stunned. I cant believe it I am just so pleased. My dads not a murderer. My dads never been a murderer. Now everybody knows that. Its incredible. Its just incredible. I cant believe it. If it had been premeditated murder, there was no chance hed ever see the light of day again, but this gives us a real chance. Describing the torment of the last 19 months, Ms Cawthorne said: Its been huge. I feel like its aged me, and its worn us down and depleted our emotional reserves. We are exhausted and drained. It has literally crushed all hope out of me and made it hard to find the kind of joy in life. But now weve got hope back, and we can see some light at the end of the tunnel. On what she is looking forward to most if Hunter is freed, Ms Cawthorne said: Just hugging him and giving him a decent meal. Just giving him some food. I know it means so much to him. Knowing that he can go to see my mums grave and he can see my mum and he can say his goodbyes properly and calmly. Its unbelievable. Ms Cawthorne also said she felt her mothers presence on the morning of the verdict for the first time since she died. Hunters ex-miner friend Barry Kent, 67, told reporters the verdict is the best outcome and he is looking forward to having a beer with him if he leaves prison soon. Mr Polak told PA after the verdict: Being found not guilty of murder means he avoids a life sentence, which would have resulted in him dying in prison here in Cyprus. The manslaughter conviction, which we think is appropriate, will mean the court has a clean slate to sentence him how they see fit. We are fairly hopeful and what we are going to do is put together case law from across the Commonwealth where these cases have been sentenced before. In May, Hunter broke down in tears as he told his trial, which lasted more than a year, that he would never in a million years have taken his wifes life unless she had asked him to. He added: She wasnt just my wife, she was my best friend. Hunter showed the court how he held his hands over his wifes mouth and nose and said he eventually decided to grant his wifes wish after she became hysterical. He 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. Before he finished giving evidence, Hunter asked to address the judge, who he told: My wife was suffering and she actually said: I dont want to live any more, and I still said no. Then she started to become hysterical. I was hoping she would change her mind. I loved her so much. I did not plan it, I swear to God. At trial, the prosecution said he had decided to kill her and there was no common consent. During closing speeches in June, his defence team said it was not a case of premeditated murder and Hunter acted spontaneously to end his wifes life upon her begging him to do so. They have also argued a confession he is said to have made when he was arrested should not have been used against him, claiming he was suffering from dissociation at the time. A coroner has said there was a lost opportunity to carry out a potentially life-saving test on a teenager who died from a rare genetic condition triggered by drinking a protein shake. Rohan Godhania, 16, of Ealing, west London, fell ill after drinking the shake on August 15 2020, and died three days later at West Middlesex Hospital after suffering irreversible brain damage. A post-mortem examination on August 28 2020 could not ascertain his cause of death a late onset of the rare disease ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, an inquest has heard. This was because his liver and kidneys were donated for transplant before the mystery of his sudden illness was solved. There is no doubt that this was a young man with a bright future ahead of him His cause of death was not revealed until months later when the recipient of his liver was admitted to hospital. OTC prevents the breakdown of ammonia, causing it to build up to lethal levels in the bloodstream, and can be triggered by a protein load. Concluding Rohans inquest at Milton Keynes Coroners Court in Buckinghamshire on Friday, senior coroner Tom Osborne said: I find that on August 15 Rohan was given a protein shake purchased from a supermarket and that this triggered an acute reaction. I find that Rohan suffered from OTC deficiency that was unknown to him and his family at the time. He called Rohans death a tragedy, adding: There is no doubt that this was a young man with a bright future ahead of him. Mr Osborne said Rohan was admitted to West Middlesex Hospital, part of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, where advice was taken from the neurologists at Charing Cross Hospital who said he should be tested for ammonia, but this test was not carried out. In a narrative conclusion, he said: The deceased was admitted to West Middlesex Hospital on August 16 2020. His hyperammonaemia and OTC deficiency was not diagnosed. The failure to carry out a test for ammonia that would have revealed the hyperammonaemia resulted in a lost opportunity to render further medical treatment that may, on the balance of probabilities, have prevented his death. He died on August 18 2020. Doctors had been unable to confirm the underlying cause of Rohans fatal brain swelling. Approximately six months after the transplant, the recipient of Rohans liver was rushed to hospital with symptoms including seizures and hyperammonaemic encephalopathy, a metabolic condition precipitated by elevated blood ammonia. They required intubation and ventilation in an intensive care unit before their condition improved over a few days, the inquest has heard. An independent expert later identified the link between the two cases and a biopsy on tissue from the donated liver established that Rohan had suffered from OTC, which was then recorded as his cause of death. The coroner now intends to issue two prevention of future death reports. It does concern me that this product, this protein milkshake, is readily available One report is to the Food Standards Agency and will call for a health warning to be added to the protein shake in question to alert other OTC sufferers of the risk, despite the rarity of the disease. He said: It does concern me that this product, this protein milkshake, is readily available. Its available online, you can buy it in bulk, you can buy it in the supermarket and there is no mention on the literature of the possibility of someone who suffers from OTC having a reaction to it. The other report will be to NHS England because Mr Osborne feels it should review the guidance that is given with regard to the treatment of patients between the ages of 16-18. The coroner repeatedly raised the issue during the inquest of whether 16 to 18-year-olds almost fall between two stalls when it comes to them getting paediatric or adult care. Lawyers for Rohans family had argued he should have been transferred to Charing Cross Hospital, which has dedicated neurology and neurosurgery departments. The inquest heard that the hospital could not take him because he was a paediatric patient rather than an adult. In a joint statement provided to the PA news agency after the inquest, Rohans parents Pushpa and Hitendra Godhania said: When a child is taken to hospital, you expect the system to pull out all the stops to save their life. This did not happen in Rohans case. While the conclusion of the inquest brings some closure, as Rohan's family we continue to advocate for greater transparency and improvements within the healthcare system It has taken almost three years for our inquest to be finally heard. We feel very strongly that the lack of transparency from the trust played a key part in the delay. Bereaved families should not have to fight to be heard. We should not have to fight for information that should be rightfully available. Our experience shows the opposite of a just and learning culture. We experienced a defensive and insensitive attitude. We were constantly told that there were no issues with Rohans care. But poor quality reviews will fail to identify any learning. We believe the system closed ranks. In the meantime, children like Rohan pay with their life. Our ultimate goal has always been to uncover shortcomings in the care provided to Rohan and to ensure that there is learning, so that other families will not have to suffer a similar loss. While the conclusion of the inquest brings some closure, as Rohans family we continue to advocate for greater transparency and improvements within the healthcare system. We hope that the lessons learned from Rohans case will contribute to meaningful changes that help prevent such tragic deaths in future. Sarah Kingsley Fried, from Fieldfisher, representing the family at the inquest, said: This inquest would not have happened were it not for Rohans parents and their tireless pursuit of answers about their sons death. For nearly three years they fought to establish that the care he received warranted investigation. Today it is clear they were right. A Just Stop Oil protester accused of having 12 fire extinguishers filled with paint has been charged. Police said Oliver Rock, 42, of Red Post Hill, Dulwich, was charged on Thursday after being arrested for being in possession of numerous items that could be used to cause criminal damage, said police. He is charged with having articles with intent to cause criminal damage, contrary to S3 of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 and of being equipped to lock on, contrary to S2 of the Public Order Act 2023. He is due in Westminster Magistrates Court later Friday. On Friday, around 170 supporters in 16 groups set off at around 8am to march in Hammersmith, Redbridge, Kings Cross, Victoria, Whitechapel, Farringdon, and Earls Court, the group said. Fellow activists Animal Rising also joined in protest actions near Smithfield Meat Market, it added. A large quantity of money has been stolen in a break-in at Lewisham Foodbank in south-east London. Staff reportedly arrived at the charitys warehouse, in a church in Malham Road, Forest Hill, on Tuesday morning, to find a thief had broken in through the front door. Cash donations that would have been used to buy food had been stolen, along with a phone. Project manager Sarah Vitty said the incident came as a big blow to the organisation, which needs all the donations it can get. Ms Vitty said the food bank was already struggling to meet demand, which has reportedly risen by 65 per cent compared to this time last year. The charity currently provides food and essential supplies to around 700 people across Lewisham. We have CCTV footage so we know what happened, she told South London Press. Someone forced entry through the front door and stole all the money, as well as damaging the door. They took our petty cash tin and some financial donations that were waiting to be banked, as well as a staff phone. Its really disappointing for staff and volunteers. It has a big impact on how we can help people. Were already feeling quite stretched. Its very sad. In a post on Twitter, the charity asked Who breaks into a Foodbank? and described staff as broken by the incident. But the charity has been met with support from the community, including local businesses, restaurants and residents who have come together to replace the stolen money. Extra people have come and donated, extra people have come in and volunteered, weve had people randomly turn up with donations and shopping orders, so thats really heart warming and encouraging, Ms Vitty told the BBC. She added that the high demand the food bank is seeing makes her concerned for the winter period, when usage tends to increase. Our centres are extremely busy, sometimes we run out of food, were not able to provide as much as we used to and it can be demoralising, she told the BBC. Were worried for the coming winter because the numbers are higher than they have ever been. Scotland Yard said it is investigating the break-in. The Russian House in Cairo is holding a caricature exhibition titled 'Nasser: Beloved by Millions', celebrating the 71st anniversary of the 23 July 1952 revolution and its leader, former president of Egypt, Gamal Abdel-Nasser. The exhibition showcases works by 150 works - including 100 portraits of the late president - by 50 cartoonists from all around the world. It also displays iconic caricatures created by late renowned artists and corresponding to the exhibition's theme. The exhibition is held in cooperation with Memory of Caricature, a project motored by the Abdallah El-Sawy Foundation. Curated by Egyptian artist Omar Seddik, 'Nasser: Beloved by Millions' is a product of an international caricature competition that focused on the portraits of the late president and the times surrounding his rule. The Egyptian artists include George Bahgoury, Bahgat Osman, and Armenian-Egyptian Alexander Saroukhan, among others. They are joined by many international counterparts, such as Julian David from Colombia, and the Iranian artist Bahram. The Russian House, which operates under the Russian Cultural Centre in Cairo, holds a variety of activities that underscore Russian-Egyptian relations. In 2021, the Russian House celebrated the 51st anniversary of the construction of the High Dam through an exhibition of historic photographs. Most recently, the house honoured the first Egyptian ballerina Magda Saleh (1944- 2023), and the ballerina Nadia Abdel-Malik, both of whom spent two years at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, graduating in 1965. Search Keywords: Short link: A murder investigation has been launched a decade after a London mother disappeared, leaving her three children and parents in agony wondering what happened to her. Lisa Pour, who would be 51 this month, was reported missing on January 16, 2013 after seeing a probation officer in Willesden Green. Despite extensive police enquiries, no firm evidence has been found to determine what happened to her. On Friday, the Metropolitan Police announced her case has been referred to homicide detectives. The Met said: The absence of any contact from Lisa, who was devoted to her family, has led detectives to conclude that she has come to harm and the investigation has been passed to homicide detectives from the Mets Specialist Crime Command. Detective Chief Inspector Neil Rawlinson said Ms Pour adored her children and was close to her parents, and while her lifestyle could be somewhat chaotic, she would not have broken contacts with her loved ones. Lisas father Reza Pour said: Lisas absence in our lives has been a daily struggle, but we always held onto the hope that she might still come back to us. To think that her last moments may have been filled with fear and pain is something that we cannot get over. Someone out there knows what happened to our beloved Lisa. Please come forward and help us find justice for her and find her body so she can properly be laid to rest. The retired property manager previously told the Standard that the family are living an endless nightmare and they hoped to give Ms Pour a proper burial. At least then it would be an end and we could grieve, he added. Lisa Pour / via Metropolitan Police Because of my age, things are going downhill and I need a conclusion before something happens to me, he said, Ms Pours parents, Reza and Linda Pour, have put up a 10,000 reward for anyone who comes forward with significant information, independent of the Met. Her daughter, Lauren-Holly, previously told the Standard: We just want to know, whatever the outcome, whatever the situation is...we just need that peace of mind because my grandparents are getting to an age now, where they need that [closure] for themselves. The Met said it was established that she had been staying at a flat in Kilburn High Road that was known to be popular with drug users. Police have spoken to people with connections to the flat over the years who knew of rumours, but no concrete evidence has been found. At the time of her disappearance, Lisa was around 5ft 2ins tall and of slim build, with dark hair. She was known to frequent Camden and Brent. DCI Rawlinson added: Every day that has gone by Lisas family has hoped that she would walk through the door and put an end to the agony of not knowing what happened to her. I am hoping that now, with the passing of time, someone who knows what happened to Lisa may feel that they can come forward and share what they know. If you can help us please dont hesitate to get in touch, either directly or anonymously through Crimestoppers, but please do make the call. Anyone with information can call the incident room on 020 8358 0200, or call 101 or Tweet @MetCC. To remain 100% anonymous call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. A drug dealer who killed a nine-year-old girl was shielded from her family in the dock during his trial because they were intimidating, her mother has said. Thomas Cashman, 34, was jailed for a minimum of 42 years for the murder of Olivia Pratt-Korbel, who was shot in Dovecot, Liverpool, after Cashman chased another man into her home. Olivias mother, Cheryl Korbel, has been campaigning for a change in the law to compel defendants to attend their sentencing hearings after Cashman failed to appear in court as he was jailed for life. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Ms Korbel, who was also injured during Cashmans attack, said the sentencing hearing was the opportunity for Olivias family to have a voice and read statements describing the impact of what had happened. She said of her daughters killer: Hes a coward. Right through the trial, even when he was in the dock, there was a blind down constantly. He couldnt see me or any of the family. Apparently, we got told, that we were intimidating. I wanted to address him. I think thats why he never came up, because he would have been able to see me. She added: I wanted him to understand the pain that hes caused, the pain that we went through and the pain we are still going through. Ms Korbel appeared on the programme with relatives Kim Alcock and Antonia Elverson, all wearing jumpers decorated with Olivias photograph. Ms Alcock said: We do not want another family to go through what we did. It feels a little like we havent got full closure because he hasnt heard how hes impacted our whole family, taking our baby away from us. It might not have been intentional but hes done it and we now need the law changed for no-one else to go through this, for other families to get that closure that we didnt get. Last month, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk said the Government was committed to bringing forward legislation to enable offenders to be compelled to attend their sentencing hearings. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has also said the commitment, made by Mr Chalks predecessor Dominic Raab, remains in place, but has not said whether the legislation will be introduced before the next general election, expected in 2024. The killers of Zara Aleena and Sabina Nessa were also sentenced in their absence after they refused to attend sentencing hearings. Sex attacker Jordan McSweeney murdered 35-year-old law graduate Ms Aleena as she walked home in Ilford, east London, and was jailed for life with a minimum term of 38 years. Koci Selamaj received life with at least 36 years for murdering primary school teacher Ms Nessa after travelling to London to carry out an attack on a random woman. P lanned strikes on the London Underground next week have been cancelled. The RMT and Aslef unions have suspended industrial action after RMTs general secretary Mick Lynch said there had been significant progress in talks held by the conciliation service, Acas. Although some progress has been made, there is still a mandate for further strikes and negotiations are continuing. The RMT and Aslef unions have been meeting London Underground negotiators on Thursday to discuss the issues that prompted what were likely to be network-wide shutdowns. Heres all we know about the previously planned strikes. When were the London Tube strikes set to take place in July? The RMT was planning five days of strikes on the London Underground on Sunday, July 23, Tuesday, July 25, Wednesday, July 26, Thursday, July 27 and Friday, July 28. Aslef members were also meant to strike on Wednesday, July 26 and Friday, July 28. Why were London Tube workers striking? There is an array of issues between the unions and TfL. Workers say they are concerned about job cuts, their working conditions, pensions and pay. Mr Lynch said: 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. Finn Brennan, Aslefs full-time organiser on London Underground, said he and his members were opposed to new London Underground procedures set to be implemented from January 2024. Mr Brennan said these 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. Mr Brennan said that under the proposed plans, all sickness leave that lasted longer than a week would be seen as long-term leave. After just six weeks in deployment, a driver can be, as they put it, terminated, he added. Mr Brennan said: 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. A Michelin-starred chef sparked a furious online debate after claiming that Pizza Express serve the best pizza in London. Marcus Wareing, who stars in MasterChef: the Professionals, also revealed that his favourite item on the menu is the American Hot, a pepperoni and paprika creation that comes with a choice of hot green or jalapeno peppers. Asked to name the best pizza by Jesse Burgess, who runs the Topjaw channel on TikTok, Wareing replied: This one is easy, but youre not going to like the answer. Pizza Express. I know, I know. TODO: define component type tiktok He added: I still eat the same pizza I was eating for the past 20 years, American Hot, I love it. Romana, a little bit of extra chilli, I love it. Its got to be a Romana base. And you know, every time I go its cooked the same. The revelation sparked furious debate among London foodies. One person was left horrified, writing: He should hand back his stars! Another added: Pizza Express?! Yuck! Shocked that such a respected chef rates it. However, others were quick to endorse Wareings opinion. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Pizza Expresss corporate TikTok account chipped in with the reply: Yes, chef! Love Pizza Express! Yes Wareing!, another person wrote. It is not the first time that Wareing has extolled the virtues of the ubiquitous pizza chain. In 2012 he told Spears Magazine: This may be a surprise but I am a regular at our local Pizza Express with our children and I think it is a fantastic business. I have tried other pizza restaurants but the service is lacking. He added: When I go here I know what I am getting, how long it will take, the kids love it and it gives me a day off from cooking. Wareing owns three restaurants, including Marcus in Knightsbridge, which has received one Michelin star and five AA rosettes. His favourite pizza, the American Hot, costs 16.25. A spokesman for Pizza Express said: Our iconic American Hot has long been a favourite with customers and now a Michelin-star chef, too. There will always be a marble table with Marcuss name on it at Pizza Express. T echnical experts have recovered all relevant messages from Boris Johnsons old phone that he had been advised not to use on security grounds and he will hand them over unredacted to the coronavirus inquiry, a spokesman for the ex-prime minister has said. The spokesman said: Boris Johnson is pleased that technical experts have now successfully recovered all relevant messages from the device. As repeatedly stated, he will now deliver this material in unredacted form to the inquiry. The inquiry process requires that a security check of this material is now made by the Cabinet Office. The timing of any further progress on delivery to the inquiry is therefore under the Cabinet Offices control. It was always the case that Boris Johnson would pass this material to the inquiry and do everything possible to help it be recovered. A careful process approved by the Inquiry has been followed to ensure that this was successful. Sir Patrick Vallance and chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty regularly appeared alongside Boris Johnson at Covid briefings (Toby Melville/PA) / PA Archive The deadline for handing over the messages from the former prime ministers previous device to the inquiry was missed earlier this month due to complications in gaining access to its contents. It was reported by The Times Mr Johnson had forgotten the code used to unlock the iPhone, but the former PMs allies suggested it was not correct to say he could not recall the digits, but instead he was not entirely sure of them. He was advised not to access the phone again on security grounds while serving as Britains leader in May 2021, after it emerged his number had been freely available online for 15 years. The device likely contains messages relating to the ordering of lockdowns in 2020, along with his administrations early response to the pandemic. Ministers had fought a request from inquiry chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett to release his uncensored messages, notebooks and diaries from his time in Downing Street, arguing they should not have to hand over material that was unambiguously irrelevant. But the argument was dismissed by the High Court. R ishi Sunak suffered two thumping by-elections defeats on Friday but the Tories held onto Boris Johnsons former west London seat in a backlash against Sadiq Khans Ulez expansion. Labour seized Selby and Ainsty, with a near record swing to the party from the Tories, with 25-year-old Keir Mather set to become the youngest MP in the Commons after overturning a 20,137 majority. The Liberal Democrats stormed to victory in Somerton and Frome, Somerset, crushing a 19,213 Tory majority into a 11,008 vote-cushion for new MP Sarah Dyke. But the Tory leader was spared becoming the first Prime Minister since 1968 to lose three by-elections on the same day as Labour failed to secure victory in Mr Johnsons former seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip. Local Tory councillor Steve Tuckwell won with a majority of just 495, down from the 7,210 Mr Johnson secured in 2019. On winning he declared: Wow! and swiftly put it down to the expansion of Mr Khans ultra low emission zone. It was his damaging and costly Ulez policy that lost them this election, he said. Labour candidate Danny Beales had distanced himself from the policy, saying it was not the right time to expand the 12.50 daily charge for cars which fail to meet emissions standards. Labour shadow Cabinet minister Steve Reed acknowledged Ulez had been a factor in the campaign and suggested Mr Khan should reconsider the plan. The shadow justice secretary said: I think those responsible for that policy will need to reflect on what the voters have said and whether theres an opportunity to change. But Sir John Curtice, Professor of Politics at Strathclyde University, told the BBC: The Tories should not take too much comfort from it. He highlighted that Mr Tuckwell had cited the Ulez as the key factor rather than voters being impressed by Mr Sunaks five key pledges on the economy, NHS and addressing the small boats Channel crossings. Even if you include what happened in that by-election and you take the three by-elections together, the average drop in Conservative support is 21 points, currently the decline in Conservative support in the polls is 18 points, he added. Taken in the round, these by-election results do suggest that the Conservatives remain in deep electoral trouble, as the opinion polls have been telling us. On the North Yorkshire by-election, he added: Selby wasnt just won by Labour, it was won big and probably won by more than most people anticipated. The result will send alarm bells ringing for dozens of Tory MPs in former Red Wall seats and beyond in the North and Midlands. After the 29 per cent swing to the Lib-Dems in Somerset, Sir John added: We begin to see that certainly in those by-elections where the Liberal Democrats are able to concentrate their resources, and where frankly the Labourt Party is not trying, the Conservatives are now extremely vulnerable. However, he added: Replicating that in a General Election will be much more difficult. He believes Labour will now face renewed debate over whether Sir Keir Starmer needs to abandon his safety first, ming vase strategy and instead give voters a clearer offer to cement their loyalty to the party. But he may be able to argue, he added, that pursuing bold and perhaps desirable policies can end up ruffling the electorate. In Selby and Ainsty, where the by-election was caused by the resignation of Nigel Adams an ally of Mr Johnson, Labour secured a 4,161 majority and stressed it was the highest majority the party had ever overturned in a by-election. The swing from Conservative to Labour of 23.7 percentage points is the second largest swing managed by Labour at a by-election since 1945. A similar swing across the country would result in it winning more seats than in Tony Blairs 1997 landslide, Responding to the victory, Sir Keir said: This is a historic result that shows that people are looking at Labour and seeing a changed party that is focused entirely on the priorities of working people with an ambitious, practical plan to deliver. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said the Somerton and Frome result showed his party was once again winning votes in its former West Country heartland. The people of Somerton and Frome have spoken for the rest of the country who are fed up with Rishi Sunaks out-of-touch Conservative government, he said. Tory Party chairman Greg Hands described the results as mixed and pointed to Uxbridge stressing it was a rebuff to Mr Khan and the Labour Party botching things, making a hash of things, and accusing Sir Keir of flip-flopping on his views on Ulez. T ory minister Johnny Mercer has compared new 25-year-old Labour MP Keir Mather to a character from cult Channel 4 comedy The Inbetweeners. The minister for Veterans Affairs and Conservative said Mr Mather had been dropped into the Selby and Ainsty constituency and spouted identikit Keir Starmer lines, after earlier stating: We dont want parliament to become like the Inbetweeners. Mr Mather will become the youngest MP in the Commons the Baby of the House after overturning a 20,137 Conservative majority to win the north Yorkshire seat for Labour. The Inbetweeners, which aired in the late 2000s, follows four friends at school who end up in awkward and embarrassing situations as they try to enter adulthood. Explaining his comments to Sky News on Friday, Mr Mercer said: I think this synthetic outrage, identikit Labour politician is the opposite of what people like me came into politics for. Hes been at Oxford University more than hes has a job, right? So if you can really apply that to the empathy required to understand what its really like in this country at the moment, in terms of the cost of living and all these experiences of these people hes trying to represent. Personally, I dont think that is conducive to good electoral representation and Im more than entitled to have that view. Labour peer Baroness Chapman of Darlington, who appeared alongside Mr Mercer on Sky, defended Mr Mather as very considered and intelligent and said: Youre entitled to have whatever view you like, but there is such a thing as being gracious in defeat Johnny, and youre being disrespectful to the voters of Selby whove made a decision that you dont happen to like. One of the good things about our Parliament is that we have people entering Parliament for the first times in their twenties but also in their sixties, from all kinds of backgrounds, and I think thats a strength. She added that Parliament needed people who have got real-world, real-life experience turning up and representing their community. Mr Mercer, a former British Army officer from 2002 to 2013 and MP for Plymouth Moor View, has previously been involved in several public arguments with well-known individuals. Last week, critical messages were exchanged on Twitter between TV presenter Carol Vorderman and Mr Mercer and his wife, Felicity Cornelius-Mercer, about not having a degree education. Mr Mercer had previously described Ms Vorderman as a deeply unpleasant person on the social media site, while Ms Vorderman has posted a number of critical remarks about Mr Mercers performance as a minister. One Twitter user responded by pointing out that former British Prime Ministers William Gladstone and Winston Churchill became MPs at the ages of 22 and 25 respectively. It was also pointed out on social media that Ross Kempsell, former political director of the Conservative Party, was elevated to the House of Lords on Thursday aged 31 after being included in Boris Johnsons Prime Ministers Resignation Honours. T he Labour Party was hoping to take former Tory Prime Minister Boris Johnsons old seat in Uxbridge and South Ruislip during the recent by-election. However, ConservativeMP Steve Tuckwell managed to keep it by 495 votes, sparing Rishi Sunak from being the first PM since 1968 to lose three by-elections in one day. Many, including the MP himself, have said that his election showed how people didnt want the ULEZ expanded across London as proposed by the Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan. But who exactly is Steve Tuckwell? Here is everything we know. Who is Steve Tuckwell? Steve Tuckwell is a British politician who started his career at Royal Mail, where he worked between 2003 and 2015. Tuckwell then joined Connect Group PLC as a General Manager for 10 months before joining Ryder Ltd to carry out managerial roles between 2016 and 2021. His political career began when he became a Hillingdon borough councillor in 2018, where he took on a number of committee roles, including chairing the HS2 Major Planning Committee and being the Deputy Chairman of the Uxbridge and South Ruislip Conservative Association. Tuckwell put his name in the hat for the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-elections caused by Boris Johnson having to step down from being an MP after the Privileges Committee found that he lied to the Parliament. Labours Danny Beales was thought to be the obvious winner that would take the seat, by Tuckwell managed to bring it home for the Conservatives. On his LinkedIn profile, Tuckwell describes himself as a distinguished and considered senior operations leader with 28 years experience of delivering results in complex and highly unionised settings through a rigorous approach to continuous improvement, performance leadership and employee engagement. Tuckwell is reported to have lived and studied in Hillingdon all his life. He has two children with his partner Rachel, who both attend local schools in Ruislip. T he Tories have held on to Boris Johnsons former seat in a blow to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer. Labour had hoped to take Uxbridge and South Ruislip, which the former prime minister held with a majority of 7,210 in 2019, but Tory Steve Tuckwell managed to retain it for Rishi Sunaks party. The Conservative victory means that Mr Sunak has been spared the prospect of being the first prime minister since 1968 to lose three by-elections on the same day. But the Prime Minister still faces the possibility of the Liberal Democrats overturning a 19,213 Tory majority in Somerton and Frome Sir Ed Daveys party believe they have romped home. And in Selby and Ainsty, Labour hope to take a seat where the Conservatives were defending a 20,137 majority. London mayor Sadiq Khans policy of expanding the Ulez low emission zone to outer boroughs including Uxbridge and South Ruislip has been blamed for the partys failure to take the seat. Labour candidate Danny Beales had distanced himself from the policy, saying it was not the right time to expand the 12.50 daily charge for cars which fail to meet emissions standards. The failure to overturn the Tory majority in the seat was dubbed Uloss by a party insider in a sign of the unease at Mr Khans plan. In public, senior Labour figures acknowledged Ulez had been a factor in the vote. Shadow justice secretary Steve Reed told the PA news agency: I think theres been a number of issues at play, but there has certainly been a number of voters who have said to us that they are very concerned about Ulez. Everyone wants to see clean air. But for some people, I think, given the chaos that there is in the economy, because the Conservatives have crashed it and the cost-of-living crisis that they fuelled, that this is the wrong time to introduce a charge for Ulez. Al-Azhar has condemned the repeated burnings of the Quran in Sweden under the guise of freedom of expression and called for unified and serious stances towards Sweden's anti-Islam and anti-Muslim policies." The condemnation by Al-Azhar, the world's leading Sunni Islamic authority, comes one day after the Swedish government approved an assembly outside the Iraqi embassy where participants had planned to burn a copy of the Quran alongside an Iraqi flag. An Iraqi man kicked and stood on the Quran during that assembly. "The Swedish authorities' continuous grants of approval to burn the Book of God reflects their chaotic policies, hateful extremism, support for terrorism and hostility to Muslims across the world," Al-Azhar stressed in a statement on Friday. "Such attitudes disrespect the sanctities of religions and show that they only understand the 'language of money and material interests,'" Al-Azhar added. "The Swedish government's allowance of criminal terrorists to desecrate the Quran is a crime against Islam and the rights of religions and humanity. "Through their decisions, that society [Sweden] has proven that they are the closest to racism, chaos and double standards, and the furthest from true freedom and respect for religions and peoples, Al-Azhar further alleged. On Thursday, angry protestors in Iraq stormed and set fire to the Swedish embassy in Baghdad in retaliation against the planned burning. The Swedish ambassador to Iraq was also expelled. In June, the same Iraqi man who organized the most recent protest at the Iraqi embassy burned another copy of the Quran in front of Stockholms main mosque. That action was met by protestors breaching the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. The Swedish government condemned the Quran burning in June as Islamophobic adding that such actions do not reflect their official views. Boycott Swedish products On Friday, Al-Azhar called upon all Arabs and Islamic peoples to continue boycotting all Swedish products in support of God and his book. It asserted that any failure to strictly prohibit such actions amounts to support for and encouragement of these crimes. Al-Azhar has been condemning similar Quran burning incidents, including a Quran burning in Denmark in March. Search Keywords: Short link: S adiq Khan has been urged by party leader Sir Keir Starmer to reflect on his Ulez scheme after senior party figures blamed the expansion of the charge on high-pollution vehicles for the failure to take Boris Johnsons former seat. The London Mayor said he was ready to listen to Londoners in the aftermath of the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, after the Conservatives clung on to the seat by a couple of hundred votes by tapping in to anger over the scheme. Senior party figures were quick to cite the Khan-backed scheme as responsible for Labour narrowly missing out on winning, as Sir Keir said there needed to be some reflection in the aftermath of the vote, name-checking the partys mayor in the capital. We didnt take it in 1997 when we had a landslide Labour victory. And Ulez was the reason we didnt win there yesterday, he said. We know that. We heard that on the doors. And weve all got to reflect on that, including the mayor. Weve got to look at the result. The mayor needs to reflect. And its too early to say what should happen next. The former prime minister held the west London seat with a majority of 7,210 in 2019 but the Tories retained it by just 495 votes over Labour in Thursdays vote triggered by Mr Johnsons resignation. New Conservative MP Steve Tuckwells victory was the one piece of good news for Rishi Sunak after his party lost the former safe seats of Selby and Ainsty, and Somerton and Frome. Mr Khan was standing by the Ulez scheme on Friday although he said that he would keep monitoring the policy amid the backlash. The decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone was a tough one, but its the right one. Why? Because every year across our city, roughly speaking 4,000 people die prematurely. There are children with stunted lungs forever, adults with a whole host of health issues, he told the BBC. We do want to clean up the air in London, I think it is a human right, not a privilege. He added: We are going to carry on listening, we are going to carry on monitoring the policy, monitoring take-up. Of course I am disappointed that this seat, thats never been Labour in my lifetime, didnt go Labour last night. Obviously I welcome the 7% swing to Labour in this outer London seat, but we are determined to clean up the air in London. Pressed on whether opposition to Ulez could cost Labour the mayoral and general elections, he stressed the urgent need to clean the capitals air. We are going to listen to Londoners. Londoners are struggling through this cost-of-living crisis but Londoners are also suffering the consequences of air pollution. This is an issue of social justice and racial justice, but I recognise that there are some Londoners worried about Ulez. That is why we have widened the eligibility and provided record support for Londoners. Its just a shame the Government has not given us a penny of support towards the scrappage scheme. Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner and frontbencher Steve Reed were among those blaming Ulez for the failure to take the west London constituency in the hours after the results came in. The Conservatives have looked to Uxbridge as the one piece of good news on an otherwise terrible night and will hope the focus on local issues can help them at the general election. Some MPs and peers on the right of the party argued that the campaign shows the a need for rethink on tax and net zero, with former party chairman Sir Jake Berry tweeting: This result shows when Conservatives campaign on lowering taxes, we win. Mr Tuckwell told reporters after his victory: My campaign has been incredibly single-minded and its really been in complete opposition to Ulez from the outset. Thats not me saying that, its not me that called the referendum on Ulez. It is the people of Uxbridge and South Ruislip. Labour candidate Danny Beales had expressed his reservations about the policy, stating that the timing was not appropriate for expanding the 12.50 daily charge on cars that do not meet emissions standards. The failure to overturn the Tory majority in the seat was dubbed Uloss by a party insider in a sign of the unease at Mr Khans plan. Mr Tuckwell received 13,965 votes to Mr Bealess 13,470 to claim the constituency for the Tories. Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner and frontbencher Steve Reed were among those blaming Ulez for the failure to take the west London constituency. Labours shadow attorney general Emily Thornberry dismissed the prospect of the single issue Tory success being replicated across the country at a general election. But she told BBC Radio 4s World At One programme that the party leadership wanted Mr Khan to look at it again. Its very difficult because Sadiq is right that the air quality in London is terrible. And I speak as somebody who was diagnosed with asthma at the beginning of this week, she said. I think its the right policy. I suspect its the way its being done, and I hope that Sadiq will look at it again, I know that were asking him to. A teenage girl was robbed of her purse at Bond Street Tube station last month and police want to find two men they believe can help. Detectives have released these CCTV images in connection with the incident. The 17-year-old was approached by two men who pushed her against the wall and stole her purse at roughly 5pm on Tuesday June 27 at Bond Street Underground Station. British Transport Police officers believe the men in the CCTV images may have information that could help with their investigation. Anyone who recognises them is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016, or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 505 of 27 June. Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 O ver the years, hundreds of famous people, such as Audrey Hepburn and Farrah Fawcett, have been made into Barbie dolls. Following the Harry Potter frenzy, even JK Rowling purchased a doll for herself. Collectors artefacts sometimes eerily resemble their larger-than-life counterparts. As Brits get ready for the release of the Barbie film, here are the British celebrities that got a Barbie makeover. JK Rowling The JK Rowling Barbie was released in 2010. The doll is dressed in the black wool suit and hot pink top combination she wore at the 2009 Monsters and Critics Award Banquet. Rowling's Barbie doll, which did not go on general sale, was displayed in Mattels showroom at the worlds largest toy fair in Nuremberg, Germany. Twiggy The Twiggy Barbie doll is a rare doll first released in 1967. The British fashion model was the first Mattel doll fashioned after a real person. Will and Kate Prince William and Kate Barbies were released in 2012 to commemorate the first anniversary of their wedding. The dolls are dressed in their wedding day outfits and feature authentic replica details from their special day. According to Amazon, the dolls were one of the years most sought after Barbie Collector Gift Sets. Audrey Hepburn Audrey Hepburns Barbie was released in 1998. The Audrey Hepburn doll approved by the Audrey Hepburn estate acts as a tribute to the life and work of the actress. The first dolls and outfits in the collection are inspired by her role in Breakfast at Tiffanys. David Bowie This features the powder-blue costume David Bowie wore in the Life on Mars music video. Platform shoes, a bold tie and a pinstripe shirt with foil printing are all authentic accents. The outfit is finished off with bright blue makeup and a 1970s glam-inspired hairdo. Elizabeth Taylor The Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds Barbie was released in 2012 and followed several others. She also has a Cleopatra doll, which reproduces the golden outfit she wore in the 1963 Cleopatra film she starred in with Richard Burton. Jane Goodall Jane Goodall was released as part of the Barbie Inspiring Women Series in 2022. Barbie honoured the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace with a collectible doll made from recycled materials. Joined by chimpanzee David Greybeard, the Goodall Barbie doll wears field attire and comes equipped with a pair of binoculars and a notebook. Elton John The Elton John Barbie doll, released in 2020, has specially designed packaging and makes a great gift for fans and collectors. In a glittery blouse and flared jeans adorned with Eltons sparkling initials, the Elton John Barbie doll sparkles brilliantly. The doll's bomber jacket, which has the name Elton stamped on it, has rainbow-striped sleeves and a star-printed hem. Platform boots with rainbow stripes, a bowler hat and sparkling pink sunglasses are colourful allusions to the artist's signature look. N orthern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has said he is confident the Governments controversial Bill to deal with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles will receive royal assent in early September. The Secretary of State said he understands the concerns of bereaved families who fear the legislation will stop them from ever receiving justice and conceded it is not a perfect solution to legacy issues. 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 Bill is opposed by all major Stormont parties, the Irish Government and victims campaign groups. The Government had wanted the legislation passed before Parliament went into recess this week, but was delayed after peers in the House of Lords introduced amendments. Mr Heaton-Harris said: I believe it is September 5 it will be back in the Lords, should there be an amendment tabled in the Lords by somebody and that get passed, which is possible but Id say unlikely, then it would come back to the Commons on the sixth. The Lords passed amendments to remove elements of the Bill or change elements of the Bill, and they won the votes by 12 and 24. We overturned that by a very big vote of 92 in the House of Commons, bigger than the Governments majority by quite some way. So, I am confident the Bill will receive royal assent at some point at the beginning of September. Mr Heaton-Harris said many families of Troubles victims had gone 50 years without any information about what happened to their loved ones. I know this is not the perfect solution but I don't think there will ever be a perfect solution of trying to find the answers to the past in Northern Ireland He said: That means that everybody who is involved in what happened originally is 50 years older and might not be around for too much longer. I know this is not the perfect solution but I dont think there will ever be a perfect solution of trying to find the answers to the past in Northern Ireland of all the things that happened in the Troubles. But I do believe this will help some people find the answers they require. He said: I have gone around and spoken to lots and lots of people, as has my ministerial team. Lord Caine has done over 70 different engagements with people, I have done dozens and dozens of them myself. I am old enough to remember some of the incidents but I didnt live through them. So, listening to peoples individual stories of what happened to their family members is really emotional. I am genuinely trying to find a solution for the group of people for whom information might be enough. Mr Heaton-Harris stressed that under the new legislation recommendations for prosecution could be made in some circumstances by the newly-established Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery, which will take over hundreds of unresolved legacy cases. I relands Minister for Justice has condemned a vicious unprovoked attack on a US tourist, as she and a fellow Cabinet minister stressed that Dublin is safe overall. Helen McEntee outlined her plan to address concerns people have expressed about safety in the Irish capital in recent weeks, stating that no suggestion was off the table in relation to the recruitment and retention of gardai. She said that the approach would include continuing to recruit gardai, updating equipment and vehicles for the organisation, investing in community partnerships and investing in young people, which she said would take time to implement. I do believe we live in a safe city here, but there will always be problems and of course it is my intention that we address those problems head on, Ms McEntee said. The problem here is that there is a perception, and it is a reality, that there is a lawlessness in certain parts of the inner city Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region Angela Willis said the tourist had sustained life-changing injuries. Ms McEntee said she had not spoken to the tourist following the attack but added she would hope to do so. Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, who appeared at a press conference at Store Street Garda Station alongside his fellow Fine Gael Cabinet colleague, said he was saddened by the attack on the tourist. While recognising the difficulties, challenges and concerns raised, the Dublin Central TD said that the city centre was safe, vibrant and diverse. Local politicians have warned that parts of the capital are unsafe in the wake of the attack on the US national that has left him seriously injured and receiving treatment in hospital. The assault comes weeks after a young Ukrainian actor needed stitches after being attacked near the Abbey Theatre, where he was performing in a Kyiv production of Brian Friels Translations. A TD has also claimed that parts of Dublins inner city have elements of lawlessness to them and the Lord Mayor of Dublin said that more gardai on the streets would limit the ability for unprovoked attacks to be carried out. Public representatives have warned that a lack of a police presence has resulted in open drug taking and dealing on some side streets of Dublin, as well as an increased threat of random assaults. Dublin Lord Mayor Daithi de Roiste told the PA news agency: There is an anti-social behaviour problem in the inner city. High-visibility policing is the key for people to feel safe or the perception to feel safe The guards themselves, they do what they can to the very best of their ability, with the resources that they have. But its clear we have an issue and it needs to be resourced properly and that comes from a departmental level. Responding to the Minister for Justices statement on Thursday that there will be 450 Garda recruits in training by the end of July and that 420 foot and bike patrols have been launched from the new OConnell Street Garda Station since it opened, Mr de Roiste asked what net increase those figures represent. Mr de Roiste, who was elected to the mayoral role three weeks ago, said: Im going to be looking to do a lot of drilling down into those figures, particularly in the joint policing committee that we have on Monday with the Assistant Commissioner (for Dublin Metropolitan Region, Angela Willis). Asked whether he feels safe walking through the streets of Dublin, Mr de Roiste said yes, but added that we can do a better job of making people feel safe. He said: High-visibility policing is the key for people to feel safe or the perception to feel safe. What we need to do is have more of An Garda Siochana on our streets engaging communities. Theyre so hard-pressed, theyre bouncing from call to call to call, and we need the passive policing of having guards on the streets and that makes people feel safer. Also, thugs, antisocial-behaviour gangs, whatever which way you want to put it, that are dragging down the name of this great city, they get less freedom to operate with more guards on the streets and with more visibility policing. Mr de Roiste also said the use of social media makes it easier to draw attention to attacks in the city, and encouraged people who do share anti-social behaviour incidents to Instagram or Twitter to also report them to gardai or Dublin City Council so that incidents can be investigated and tracked. Dublin TD Jim OCallaghan said the retirement age for gardai should be increased from 60 to 62, and people aged over 35 should be allowed to join the force. We have a problem with recruitment, he told RTE Radio. In fairness to Government, it has provided funding for 1,000 new gardai this year. Last year we provided funding for 800; we were only able to recruit 300. This year, Im afraid to say we wont be able to recruit 1,000 new gardai. He said there were fewer than 14,000 gardai in Ireland, which was the same level of gardai as there had been 20 years ago. He added: I think we need to be clear: were always going to have some level of criminality in the inner city of all capital cities and major cities. The problem here is that there is a perception, and it is a reality, that there is a lawlessness in certain parts of the inner city. The only way that is going to be reduced is to have a serious Garda presence there. T he first parts of the Windsor Framework will be implemented as planned in October, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has said. Mr Heaton-Harris ruled out making any changes to the pact or reopening negotiations with the EU as he continues efforts to persuade the DUP to return to the devolved powersharing institutions at Stormont. The unionist party collapsed the Stormont executive last year in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements created by the Northern Ireland Protocol. The Windsor Framework struck by London and Brussels earlier this year sought to reduce the red tape on goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK while maintaining the dual market access. I think when it is implemented people will see that it works and it does what we said it is going to do. Sometimes people do need to see things working Some elements of the deal are due to take effect later this year. However, the DUP has insisted the new accord does not go far enough to address its concerns around sovereignty and the application of EU law in Northern Ireland and the party is maintaining its blockade of Stormont until it receives further legal assurances from the UK Government. In an interview with the PA news agency, Mr Heaton-Harris said that while the Government is continuing to work with the DUP to allay their concerns, the first phase of the framework would be implemented as planned this autumn. He said: I was very pleased to make sure that we got the Windsor Framework over the line, it got a massive vote in Parliament, it has been well endorsed. It has changed a whole host of things for the positive and it will be implemented. The first phase starts to be implemented at the beginning of October. I think when it is implemented people will see that it works and it does what we said it is going to do. Sometimes people do need to see things working. At the core of the Windsor Framework is a new system for the flow of goods. Anything destined for Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK will travel there as part of a green lane, with significantly fewer checks. Anything that could cross the border and enter the EUs single market will travel through a separate red lane. It also includes a new Stormont brake mechanism which would allow a minority of MLAs in the Stormont Assembly to formally flag concerns about the imposition of new EU laws in Northern Ireland a move that could see the UK Government veto their introduction in the region. The framework was unveiled by the UK Government and the EU in February but it has not yet persuaded the DUP to return to Stormont. Mr Heaton-Harris said he was neither surprised nor disappointed that the powersharing institutions had not been restored more quickly. He said: I kind of guessed it would take a reasonable period of time because there is a lack of trust, or had been a lack of trust that had built up over a number of years between unionism and the British government and that is quite a barrier to break down. L eading British climate scientists have said they believe the target to limit global warming to 1.5C will be missed. Professor Sir Bob Watson, former head of the UN climate body, told the BBC that he was pessimistic about achieving even 2C. This summer, Europe, China, and the US are experiencing extreme heat. And this week, Rome hit a record temperature of 41.8C, while China recorded a worryingly high 52C. Global leaders agreed they would try to limit the temperature increase due to climate change to 1.5C, at a UN conference in Paris in 2015. In the interview aired on Thursday, Professor Sir Bob Watson, who is currently emeritus professor of the UKs Tyndall Centre for Climate Research, said: I think most people fear that if we give up on the 1.5 [Celsius limit] which I do not believe we will achieve, in fact Im very pessimistic about achieving even 2C, that if we allow the target to become looser and looser, higher and higher, governments will do even less in the future. While Lord Nicholas Stern, chairman of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, also agreed later that day during an interview with BBCs WATO programme: I think 1.5 is probably out of reach even if we accelerate quickly now, but we could bring it back if we start to bring down the cost of negative emissions and get better at negative emissions. Negative emissions means direct air capture of carbon dioxide. Scientists have recently warned that Earth will likely breach the 1.5C climate threshold in the next five years. Research from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) found that there is a 66 per cent chance of Earth recording a global average temperature of more than 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by 2027. There is also a 98 per cent chance of the hottest year on record being broken within the same timeframe. What is the significance of 1.5C? When the Paris Agreement the global treaty on climate change was negotiated in 2015, there was a strong and ultimately successful push by nations such as low-lying islands to include the 1.5C target in the deal because they felt letting temperatures go any higher would threaten their survival. As a result, countries pledged to keep global temperature rises to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit warming to 1.5C over the long-term. Will limiting temperature rises to 1.5C really make a difference? Yes, according to a special report by the UNs climate science body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in 2018. It found a 2C rise would lead to more heatwaves, extreme rainstorms, water shortages, and drought, greater economic losses and lower crop yields, higher sea levels, and greater damage to nature. In one of its most sobering findings, the report said coral reefs would decline by 70-90 per cent with global warming of 1.5C, but would all but vanish in a 2C world. A report from the IPCC previously warned that every additional 0.5C temperature rise leads to clear increases in the intensity of heatwaves, rainstorms, and flooding, and droughts in some regions. With the world already experiencing more damaging climate extremes at 1.2C of warming, 1.5C is not seen as a safe level, but things get much worse if it goes above that. Is it game over if the world warms by more than 1.5C? No. Scientists say the 1.5C or 2C thresholds are not cliff edges that the world will fall off, but that every bit of warming makes a difference, so it is important to curb temperature rises as much as possible. As Professor Richard Betts, from the Met Office Hadley Centre, puts it: Like the speed limit on a motorway, staying below it is not perfectly safe and exceeding it does not immediately lead to calamity, but the risks do increase if the limit is passed. Limiting warming to 1.5C clearly needs much more urgent emissions cuts than is currently happening but, if the target is still breached, we should not assume all is lost and give up it will still be worth continuing action on emissions reductions to avoid even more warming. Are we off track to meet a 1.5C limit? Yes, way off track. The 2018 IPCC report said to limit temperature rises to 1.5C, the world would have to cut carbon emissions by 45 per cent on 2010 levels by 2030, and to net zero with any remaining pollution absorbed by measures such as planting trees by 2050. An assessment from the UN showed the national plans for cutting emissions put forward by countries under the Paris Agreement would lead to a 16 per cent increase in emissions on 2010 levels by the end of the decade. Other analysis suggests that, even with the latest pledges and targets, we are heading for around 2.4C of warming. A rooftop terrace overlooking St Pauls Cathedral has been shut down amid safety fears after two people fell to their deaths in the space of two months. The sixth-floor terrace on top of shopping centre One New Change offers visitors free access to views of Londons skyline including The Shard, the London Eye, and Sir Christopher Wrens Cathedral masterpiece. But in recent weeks it has been the scene of two suspected suicides, forcing the owners to shut down the area for the foreseeable over safety concerns. A note on the shopping centres website blames the closure on essential maintenance work and is said to be temporary. But a report from a coroner has now revealed the real reason behind the sudden shutdown of a terrace popular with tourists and also home to a bustling cocktail bar and restaurant. Visitors to the roof terrace at One New Change / PA Senior Coroner for the City of London Alison Hewitt issued the report after being asked to investigate the death of Arezou Tirgari, saying she is suspected of jumping from the roof on June 1 this year. The evidence I have gathered to date reveals matters giving rise to concern, said the coroner. Kai Cheng Barnaby, deceased, whose death is being investigated by HM Senior Coroner for Inner South London, jumped to his death on the 6th April 2023 from the roof. Eight weeks later, on the 1st June 2023, Arezou Tirgari was also able to jump to her death from the same location. It seems that no or no sufficient action has been taken to prevent persons being able to jump from the roof terrace and that there is an ongoing risk of further deaths. View from the One New Change roof terrace of St Pauls Cathedral / ES/Kirk In a statement to the Evening Standard, a spokesperson for building owner Landsec said: We were shocked and saddened by the recent tragic events at One New Change; our thoughts remain with anyone who has been affected. The safety of everyone who visits our places is of paramount importance to us and we take building security extremely seriously. We made the decision in June 2023 to close the terrace at One New Change to the public whilst we assessed the safety measures in place to protect visitors. We have received the Coroners report and will review the recommendations before responding in full. We are committed to working with the investigation to find solutions. In the meantime, the terrace will remain closed. The terrace closure was first announced to the public on June 2, the day after Ms Tirgaris death, with a website note saying: We anticipate that the roof terrace will be closed for a few weeks. On June 26, the public notice was amended to read: We anticipate that the roof terrace will be closed for the foreseeable. Thanks for your patience. Our terrace will be closed to public access for the time being due to essential maintenance work. We know that many of our guests visit us to take in the views of London that the terrace offers, we can only apologise for the inconvenience this temporary closure will cause. It added that the cocktail bar and restaurant, Madison, remains open. After Mr Barnabys death, the Metropolitan Police announced the death of a 27-year-old woman at a block of flats in Elephant and Castle on April 6. Later the same day, Scotland Yard said police were called to reports of a man fallen from height at the City shopping centre. Despite the efforts of members of the public and medics, the man, aged 31, was pronounced dead at the scene. Detective Inspector Mike Nolan of the Mets Specialist Crime Command said: I would like to reassure the community that we dont believe that any other persons are outstanding in connection with this tragic sequence of events. Landsec had been given until August to respond to the coroners safety concerns, issued unusually early during the investigation into a death rather than at the end of a full inquest. * Anyone who needs support can call Samaritans free of charge on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website. T he remains of a cemetery dating back thousands of years have been discovered by archaeologists during the building of a UK rocket launch site. Whats believed to be an Early Bronze Age ritual cremation cemetery was found at the SaxaVord Spaceport site in Shetland by staff at AOC Archaeology. Cremations, large boulders and pits thought to date back to around 2200-1800BC were uncovered while earthworks were being carried out for the spaceport on the Lamba Ness peninsul in Unst. A quartz setting which is often associated in prehistory with burial tombs - was also recovered. This discovery has created a rare and exciting chance for archaeologists to study evidence of the prehistoric inhabitants of Shetland, but it will not affect development of the spaceport. Large boulders of the local Skaw granite have been found placed in some of the pits and are aligned forming a broad arc, said Katie OConnell of AOC Archaeology, which has assessed the whole site for SaxaVord. Further large pits are scattered across the area suggesting multiple uses of the site over time. Though excavation is only beginning, there may be a relation between the large stones, alignments of pits, the quartz setting, and the cremation cemetery, suggesting that together these form part of a ritual complex. Dr Val Turner, Shetlands regional archaeologist, said: Ive always suspected that some of Shetlands rings of boulders and low stones found could in fact be Bronze Age cremation cemeteries, so it is hugely exciting to be proved right. The Bronze Age is perhaps the period of Shetlands past which we know least about and this is a wonderful opportunity to change that. With the modern techniques available now, we can potentially find out far more about the individuals who lived and died here than we could have discovered even 20 years ago. Hats off to the archaeologists from AOC who spotted this in the watching brief. Ms OConnell said: The several deposits of burnt bone which have been found are likely associated with the remains of cremation deposits. The number and density of cremations suggest that the location of their discovery was likely a cremation cemetery that may have been in continuous use over time in prehistory. A standout feature uncovered so far is the remains of a quartz setting. White quartz is often suggested to have had significance in prehistory and is found in association with burial tombs, rock art panels, and deposited carefully at domestic sites. At the Spaceport, quartz pebbles have been found in a hollow, with larger stones at each end. These stones would have been carefully selected and placed to form this bright white platform. The purpose of this platform is unknown at the moment; however, it may have been associated with a burial that has not survived. SaxaVord Spaceport chief executive Frank Strang confirmed the company will be supporting further study of the remains. SaxaVord Spaceport will be the UKs first vertical satellite launch facility and ground station. It is based at the UKs highest point of latitude. Last month in London, the most intact Roman mausoleum in Britain was discovered at a new development site near Borough Market and London Bridge Station. The remains of the mausoleum - a type of monumental tomb - have a mosaic surrounded by a raised platform on which the burials were placed. Senior Archaeologist Antonietta Lerz said it provides a fascinating window into the living conditions and lifestyle in this part of the city in the Roman period. U kraines ambassador to the UK has left his post after he publicly criticised president Volodymyr Zelensky over his sarcasm during a row about his demands for weapons. A diplomatic source confirmed to the PA news agency that Vadym Prystaiko was out of the job on Friday but could not confirm reports he had been sacked by the Ukrainian leader. It comes following a diplomatic spat earlier this month between the UK and Ukraine, after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said that the UK and US were not Amazon when it came to Kyivs requests for weapons and military equipment. Whether we like it or not, people want to see gratitude, Mr Wallace said. You know, my counsel to the Ukrainians is sometimes you are persuading countries to give up their own stocks. He later claimed his comments were somewhat misrepresented, adding: I said that Ukraine sometimes needs to realise that in many countries and in some parliaments there is not such strong support as in Great Britain. The remarks prompted anger in Kyiv and put pressure on Downing Street amid an otherwise successful Nato summit. I dont believe this sarcasm is healthy, Mr Prystaiko suggested publicly last month following Mr Zelenskys remarks. He had been in post in London since July 2020. Prime minister Rishi Sunak distanced himself from the comments, however, and claimed the UKs support for Ukraine remains unchanged. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has been approached for comment. Greece said Thursday that archaeological sites, including the Acropolis, will be closed during the hottest hours of the day due to a new heatwave. The nation is preparing for further high temperatures until Sunday, with peaks of 43 degrees Celsius (109 degrees Fahrenheit) expected in the centre of the country on Thursday. As Greece announced the restrictions, firefighters were still battling wildfires west of Athens, which have so far burned thousands of hectares (acres). A firefighter runs from a wildfire in Kandyli, a settlement near Nea Peramos, west of Athens, on July 19, 2023. Extreme heat was forecast across the globe on July 19, 2023. AFP Spain's 'hellish' heat easing In Spain, the heat peak has passed, but temperatures remained high overall on Thursday, with readings above 25C recorded at 120 of the 900 stations in the official meteorological network. The mercury did not fall below 30C in southern city of Malaga during a night described as "hellish" by the meteorological services -- heat exceeded 39.5C by Thursday morning. Temperatures in excess of 35C were forecast across the southern half of the country, leading authorities to warn of "very high to extreme" risk of fire. Lloret de Mar, a popular tourist resort, is seeking ways to conserve its increasingly-sparse water supplies by switching off beachfront showers. "It's a shame because it was nice to shower off," said Jonas Johanson, a 28-year-old tourist from Denmark. A man sits in a park with in background Madrid skyline amid haze carrying particles, a phenomenon known as 'Kalima' ('Calima') during a heat wave in Madrid on July 19, 2023. AFP Hot nights, fire fears in France The heatwave left southeastern France facing increased risk of wildfire, but the situation could improve somewhat on Friday. During the day, parts of southern France were experiencing temperatures often in excess of 35C -- and up to 40C in some areas. Authorities have raised a fire alert for Thursday and Friday for several parts of the southern coast, where the persistence of heat even after sundown heightened the risk to health. People sunbathe on the beach of Bordeaux lake in Bordeaux, southwestern France, on July 20, 2023. AFP High risk for US homeless Phoenix, like much of the US southwest, is surrounded by desert, and its 1.6 million residents are accustomed to brutal summer temperatures. But this year's heat wave is unprecedented in its length: it has already helped the city break its previous record of 18 straight days at or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius), with similar highs forecast into next week. With its population growth among the highest in the United States, coupled with a lack of affordable housing, Arizona has seen the number of homeless people go up 23 percent in recent years. The World Health Organization said this week that the extreme heat in the northern hemisphere is putting an increasing strain on healthcare systems, hitting those least able to cope -- including the homeless. Phoenix residents watch a movie while seeking protection from the sun and heat inside a dining hall from The Society of St. Vincent De Paul on the Human Services Campus during a record heat wave in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 18, 2023. AFP North Africa blazes Firefighters in Tunisia are battling a major blaze that has raged for two days in a pine forest near the border with Algeria. A border crossing with Algeria had to close temporarily, according to Tunisian officials who confirmed 470 hectares (1,100 acres) of forest were burned, and that firefighters and an army helicopter were battling flames. T wo tourists in Australia have been fined AU$2,300 (1,205) each for posing with dingoes to get selfies and videos. It comes after 23-year-old Sarah Peet, was attacked by three or four of the Australian native dogs on Monday as she jogged along a beach at Queensland states Kgari, the worlds largest sand island. Ms Peet, from Brisbane, was flown by helicopter to a mainland hospital in a stable condition, with rescuers saying the attack could have been fatal. Visiting the island in the wake of the mauling, Environment Minister Leanne Linard said two women aged 29 and 25 had been fined after posting snaps of themselves with the dingoes. One of the women had videoed three sleeping dingo pups. Im sure they were very cute, but there would have been a mother nearby and any mother will defend their child and their babies really voraciously, Ms Linard told Australian Broadcasting Corp. Tourists who breach wildlife rules to take selfies with dingoes are now being warned that the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service monitors social media to impose fines. The fines can be as high as 12,000 Australian dollars (6,285). The authorities have humanely euthanised the dingo who led the pack which mauled the 23-year-old jogger this week. Euthanising a high-risk dingo is always a last resort and the tough decision by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service was supported by the islands traditional owners, the Butchulla people, the service said in a statement. It was the second on the island in recent weeks to be put down for biting and threatening behaviour. The dingoes have become more fearless in recent years, partly blamed on tourists breaking wildlife rules to feed them or take social media videos. Ms Peet did not encourage the dingoes to approach her, but visitors to the World Heritage-listed Great Sandy National Park are warned against jogging outside fenced areas because of the risk that dingoes will chase them. Another dingo was killed by authorities in June after separate attacks on a 7-year-old boy and a 42-year-old French woman. A hunt for a suspected lioness has been called off after authorities found no evidence that it was in fact a big cat on the loose - and more likely a boar. Local police were alerted to the animal in Kleinmachnow, just outside Berlins city limits after locals reported a big cat chasing a wild boar, around midnight on Tuesday. A video later emerged of the suspected lioness in a wooded area sparking a desperate hunt for the animal. Speaking on Friday, however, Michael Grubert, mayor of the Kleinmachnow area said there was no acute danger after experts concluded that it was likely a wild boar and that there was never any lion chasing the animal. Two experts said independently of each other that this isnt a lioness or a wild animal and that the creature tends toward a wild boar, he said, adding that the rounded back and thick legs of the animal shown in the poorly lit video did not fit with it being a lioness. We will return to the usual vigilant programme and we think there is no acute danger for Kleinmachnow or for the south of Berlin, the mayor said, adding that police would be able to step back up straight away if the situation changes. Extensive searches on Thursday and Friday, found no paw-prints or DNA in the area. Animal experts and police officers stand in a wooded area in Berlins Zehlendorf district / AP Mr Grubert had told local public broadcaster RBB late on Thursday that authorities would try to comb the forest on Friday with professional animal track searchers. We have to say that this cant carry on for days, he said, adding that he expected the search to intensify on Friday. Police have also used drones, helicopters and infrared cameras to search for the animal, with a vet and hunters also part of the effort. The sighting that shocked the community / Handout German armoured police had also joined the hunt in the area with the MailOnline reporting that a 300-horsepower armoured vehicle known as The Survivor, used in anti-terror operations, is being used. The danger of a wild animal in Kleinmachnow justifies the deployment, the mayor added said, claiming that he would act the same way if I were in the situation today. A retired British miner who killed his terminally ill wife after she "cried and begged" him to do it may be able to leave prison after being cleared of her murder by Cypriot judges. David Hunter, 76, was found guilty of manslaughter for killing his spouse of 52 years, Janice, as she lay dying of blood cancer in December 2021. Janice, who was 74, died of asphyxiation at their home near the coastal resort town of Paphos. Hunter denied premeditated murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence. He will be sentenced on July 27. Michael Polak, director of Justice Abroad, told PA news agency he may be able to get a suspended sentence and be able to leave prison in light of the verdict. In May, Hunter broke down in tears as he told his trial that he would "never in a million years" have taken Janice's life unless she had asked him to. He added: "She wasn't just my wife, she was my best friend." He showed the court how he held his hands over his wife'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." Before he finished giving evidence, he asked to address the judge, who he told: "My wife was suffering and she actually said: 'I don't want to live any more,' and I still said no. "Then she started to become hysterical. I was hoping she would change her mind. I loved her so much. I did not plan it, I swear to God." After giving evidence he told reporters his time in a Cypriot prison was "nothing" compared to the last six months of Janice's life. Hunter told the court he tried to kill himself after his wife's death. At trial, the prosecution said he "had decided to kill her and there was no common consent". During closing speeches in June, his defence team said it was not a case of premeditated murder and Hunter "acted spontaneously" to end his wife's life "upon her begging him to do so". They have also argued a confession he is said to have made when he was arrested should not have been used against him, claiming he was suffering from dissociation at the time. A judge found Hunter was lucid and dismissed the application. On Wednesday, the couple's daughter Lesley Cawthorne told the PA news agency his her father is "anxious, tired and lonely" and the past "19 months has taken a huge toll on him". She added: "I think the hope has been crushed out of him. "He would probably tell other people he's keeping his chin up but I see how much he's struggling." A panel of three judges handed down the verdict following a lengthy trial. V ladimir Putin may still seek revenge on Wagner group boss Yevgeny Prighozin, the head of the CIA has said. Mr Prigozhin led an abortive mutiny in Russia last month during which his fighters threatened to march to Moscow in a highly-damaging blow to Putin. CIA head William Burns told the Aspen Security Forum, a foreign policy conference, that Putin may still seek retribution for the mutiny, the BBC reported. What we are seeing is a very complicated dance, he said, adding: Putin is someone who generally thinks that revenge is a dish best served cold. In my experience, Putin is the ultimate apostle of payback so I would be surprised if Prigozhin escapes further retribution." Mr Prigozhin backed down from his rebellion after a deal was brokered by Putins ally, President Lukashenko of Belarus. He has since been pictured in Belaruss capital of Minsk, although the CIA head said he may have moved around. Putin is likely to be trying to buy time as he works out how best to deal with him, said Mr Burns, who added that the Wagner Group still had value to the Russian leadership in places like Syria and Libya. Belarus earlier this week confirmed it has reached an agreement with Wagner to train its troops. A defence ministry statement said: We have developed a roadmap for... transfer of experience between different branches of the armed forces. Belarus has said that fighters from the Wagner group were instructing its soldiers at a military range southeast of Minsk. It comes as the UK on Thursday sanctioned key figures in the group over despicable allegations of massacre, rape and torture carried out across Africa. Foreign Office minister Andrew Mitchell said the Russian mercenary unit, as well as assisting the Kremlin with its invasion of Ukraine, was acting with impunity" in countries such as Mali, Central African Republic (CAR) and Sudan. R ussias Black Sea fleet conducted live fire drills on Friday days after the Kremlin pulled out of the vital grain deal. In a video released by the Russian defence ministry, the ship, the Ivanovets was seen launching rockets at a target to rehearse apprehending an offending vessel. The countrys defence ministry said its Black Sea Fleet was rehearsing closing off areas that had temporarily been ruled off limits to shipping in order to launch practice rockets. The drill comes after Russia pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) which was agreed last year. Kyiv subsequently said it wanted to set up a temporary shipping route to try and continue its grain exports. The deal, brokered by the UN, had ensured safe passage for vessels crossing the Black Sea but as of Thursday, the Kremlin said any ship passing through the area would be treated as a target. Since the deal was suspended, Ukrainian officials have reported multiple strikes on farm storage buildings at the Odesa port. In the early hours of Friday, two missiles struck a storage facility at the port, starting a fire, and while workers fought to put it out another missile hit, destroying farm and firefighting equipment, the southern Odesa regions governor Oleh Kiper said. A view shows a grain warehouse destroyed by a Russian missile strike, / via REUTERS The attack injured two people and destroyed 100 metric tonnes of peas and 20 metric tonnes of barley, the official said. The enemy is continuing terror, and its undoubtedly related to the grain deal, said Natalia Humeniuk, a spokeswoman for the Ukrainian militarys Operational Command South. Moscow has described the attacks as revenge for a Ukrainian strike on a Russian-built bridge to Crimea. C hampagne is the serve for all big occasions, the drink of choice for the elite (the late Queen Elizabeth II was rumoured to be on at least a glass a day at one point), the bottle to pop for your happiest, brightest moments. But have you ever paused to wonder if all those bottles were created equal? While Champagne dominates the sparkling wine category the world over, factors like climate can affect optimum grape-growing conditions, making one years harvest much tastier than others. We consulted some of the leading experts in the field to shed light on vintages (also known as millesime), how to grow the best grapes, and perhaps most importantly of all, precisely which years are worth splashing out on. What is meant by the term Champagne vintage? CEO of Cru World Wine Jeremy Howard explains A champagne vintage refers simply to the year in which the grapes were grown. A vintage champagne must contain grapes from one single year (as opposed to non-vintage, NV, champagnes, which can contain grapes from different harvests). Not all years are created equal, however, and vintages are declared by each champagne producer independently, based solely on the quality of their grapes. What factors make for optimum grape growth? What would a golden year for grapes look like, exactly? Champagne Laurent-Perriers brand director Daniel Brennan paints a picture of long warm summers, and rainy winters. Adequate sun, heat, and water during the growing [season] are crucial for healthy growth of vines and production of premium quality grapes. That said, its not an exact art. Champagne Lanson tells us that perfect weather doesnt always guarantee a superior harvest. They cite 2012 as an example, saying it produced one of the greatest vintages over the past few decades even with extreme climatic contrasts: The succession of unpredictable weather events, which saw a tough winter with hard frosts combined with a spring where rain alternated with hail, fortunately gave way to fine weather in August. The exceptionally sunny summer enabled the grapes to ripen slowly and perfectly until the harvests mid-September, resulting in intensely complex and age worthy wines. Howard from Cru World Wine picks out 2008 as another stonking vintage with Champagne made with perfectly ripe Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties. The result? "Fresh, lively champagne packed with energy". Forecasting future golden vintages Sounds delicious. Could a repeat performance be on the horizon? "Trying to predict the "next 2008" is a fools errand, says Howard. The best champagnes are aged in the cellars of Reims for a decade or more before being released. During this period they undergo significant development, and it is often not clear for many years which ones are destined for greatness". There are other challenges that stand in the way of a top vintage. Aside from weather and ageing time, theres a warming planet to contend with. Howard adds that "maintaining the acidic backbone of champagne is an increasing challenge as temperatures rise, leading producers to pick earlier and earlier. But its not all dark clouds for the future of champagne. The expert reveals insiders are also quietly talking up the prospects for 2019 (although we will have to wait probably five years at least to see if they are right). A hot tip for budding champagne investors. Which leads us neatly to... How much should one splash on a vintage champagne? Price is the deciding factor for most things, and the good news is that there are vintage options across the board. Here, Howard offers invaluable insight: You dont have to take out a second mortgage to experience the wonders of 2008, Billecart-Salmon Brut Vintage 2008 is a great place to start, with oodles of Grand Cru grapes in there. At around 80 per bottle, it is more than big-brand non-vintages, but you will be struck by the big step up in class as soon as you pop the cork. Moving up the value chain, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2008 is an experience like few others and is made of 100 per cent Chardonnay (this is what Blanc de Blancs means). Look out for this around the 200 per bottle mark. Why not buy a case of six and marvel at how this evolves and develops complexity over the next 30 years? Louis Roederer Cristal 2008 has the lot! Presented in the famous clear glass bottle, demanded by Russian Tsar Alexander II to ensure lurking poisons could be detectable, the price comes in at around 450 per bottle (excluding tax). But this is about as close to "tasting stars" (as the monk Dom Perignon famously said) as you are likely to get. Aside from drinking, these bottles can also present a financial opportunity if youre happy to stow them away for the long-term. Howard concludes: It is worth remembering that collecting vintage has also been a pretty savvy investment over the past decade, with the best names, from the best years, seeing some eye-watering price gains. Sounds more fun than a savings account, thats for sure. Whether youre looking for a special bottle to sip or save for later, weve rounded up the best options from leading Maisons below. Shop now T he BBC has amended a story about Nigel Farages Coutts bank account after coming under fire from the politician for suggesting he lacked the funds needed to hold an account. The former Ukip leader said he was lodging a formal complaint over the reporting. The BBCs business editor, Simon Jack, wrote in a Tweet that the headline in his original story had been clarified and an update posted. He said: It should have been clearer at the top that the reason for Mr Farages account being closed was commercial was what a source told the BBC. That has been corrected. Earlier this month, the BBC reported that Mr Farage fell below the financial threshold required to hold an account at wealthy private bank Coutts. The bank requires its customers to borrow or invest at least 1 million, or hold 3 million in savings, according to an eligibility questionnaire on its website. It was therefore a commercial decision to shut his account, the broadcaster was told, rather than because the bank disagreed with Mr Farages political views. But Mr Farage later used a subject access request (SAR) to access Coutts documents detailing the reasoning behind his account closure, which he says showed his views do not align with our values. On Thursday, the BBC published an update to the original story saying the headline had been changed to make clear that the details about the closure of Nigel Farages bank account came from a source. It also referenced the document showing that Mr Farages political views had been one of the key reasons why his bank account was closed. Furthermore, the BBC admitted that part of its reporting was inaccurate in light of the new evidence, in a post on its webpage dedicated to corrections and clarifications. It said: We acknowledge that the information we reported that Coutts decision on Mr Farages account did not involve considerations about his political views turned out not to be accurate. Farage said in a Tweet earlier on Friday that he was lodging a formal complaint, adding: I want an apology. It comes a day after the boss of NatWest Group, which owns Coutts, apologised to the politician for deeply inappropriate comments made about him in official papers, saying she was commissioning a full review of the Coutts processes on bank account closures. Dame Alison Rose said: No individual should have to read such comments and I apologise to Mr Farage for this. Meanwhile, the Treasury said it was tightening the rules for UK banks over closing customers accounts, under changes designed to protect freedom of expression. It means banks will have to explain why they are shutting someones account down. They have not previously had to provide a rationale for doing so. The move is intended to make it easier for customers to lodge a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman Service if they feel their account has been closed unfairly, according to the Treasury. The notice period for a forced account closure has also been extended from 30 days to 90 days. E mily Blunt has said that women actors are under more pressure to be likable compared to their male counterparts. The Hollywood star, 40, also said she believed male actors were not held to the same standards as women in a new interview with The Guardian. Blunt said: I think there is still a pressure to be likeable [for women], and sort of warm and understood, and men are not held to that same standard. No one cared if Leonardo DiCaprio was likable in The Wolf of Wall Street. Blunt the star of The Devil Wears Prada, Sicario and Edge of Tomorrow said women in Hollywood are often labelled negatively when speaking openly. Asked if women are more forthright, the actress explained: Yes, but I could equally generalise and say a lot of women tend to try to dance around things because were not often given a platform to speak honestly. Or youre considered too ambitious or emotional if someone appears to be speaking their mind with a spirited opinion. Blunt pictured with her husband, John Krasinski / AFP via Getty Images Blunt, who has two daughters, Hazel, nine, and Violet, six, with her actor husband John Krasinski, also clarified some recent comments she made about stepping back from work to spend more time with her family. Speaking to the Table for Two podcast earlier this month, Blunt said: This year, Im not working. I worked quite a bit last year and my oldest baby is nine, so were in the last year of single digits. And I just feel [like] there are cornerstones to their day that are so important when theyre little. And its, Will you wake me up? Will you take me to school? Will you pick me up? Will you put me to bed? And I just need to be there for all of them for a good stretch. And I just felt that in my bones. She said in her most recent interview: Im not quitting Hollywood. Its OK, guys. Just taking a little bit of downtime. This weekend is the opening weekend of Blunts latest project, Oppenheimer. From left: Emma Thomas, Jefferson Hall, Trond Fausa Aurvag, Ludwig Goransson, Kenneth Branagh, Rami Malek, Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Cillian Murphy, Christopher Nolan and Robert Downey Jr at the UK premiere of Oppenheimer in London (PA) / PA Wire Christopher Nolans latest biographical thriller follows physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in developing the first atomic bomb on the same day. Blunt plays his wife, Kitty. Cinema brand Odeon has said one million customers are expected at its cinemas this week following the release of the movie, alongside Margot Robbies Barbie. Both films were released on Friday, which has given rise to cinemagoers purchasing back-to-back tickets for what has been dubbed Barbenheimer. The film chain reports that more than 200,000 advance tickets were purchased and more than 10,000 guests are expected to see both films in opening weekend. The company said both productions are its biggest films of the year so far for advance sales. Suzie Welch, Odeons interim managing director of UK and Ireland, said: We have been amazed by the response from guests in the run-up to this Friday, as excitement for the summer 2023 slate, led by Barbie, Oppenheimer and Mission: Impossible 7, continues to build, showcasing what the big-screen experience is all about. As we prepare for the biggest weekend of the year, whether you are dressed in roller blades and head-to-toe pink, preparing for a three-hour epic, or combining the two, we know that our guests are going to be both blown away and dazzled by the experience at Odeon. A Stranger Things fan has received criticism after they tried to get Jamie Campbell Bower to sign a marriage certificate. Last weekend, the British actor, who is known for portraying Vecna in the latest instalment of the Netflix sci-fi series, made an appearance at Comic Con in Montreal. Now, a video from the event has sparked criticism after a fan attempted to get the 34-year-old to sign what appeared to be an authentic wedding certificate. Captioning the video, which has been shared on TikTok, the fan hinted that she had previously tried the same thing before, writing: He signed the wrong spot on the first one. Hes amazing! In the footage, the fan can be heard chatting to Campbell Bower as he signs various posters and photos during his stint. After noticing their exchange was being filmed, the Twilight star looked taken aback but continued talking before the camera cut to him being handed a piece of paper. Its at this point, he looked at the document and said: Is this legally binding? While reading over the certificate, the fan, who was off camera, insisted that the document wouldnt be legitimate even if he signed it. Looking understandably unsure about her claims, he said: I dont know. Im concerned. It does make me worried. After the fan apologised, the Hollywood star attempted to reassure her and told her not to worry, yet she continued to ask him to sign it. Despite the star being polite throughout, the fan asked for a refund for what she paid to meet him after he refused to sign the cert. Although their exchange ended pleasant, many were left unimpressed by the fans actions and claimed the actor was left so uncomfortable by the interaction. One commented under the video: Im sorry but Jamie looks so uncomfortable with the situation. Why insist if he doesnt want to? I think thats rude and he doesnt deserve that. Omg arent you embarrassed?! My stomach hurts. He was so good and patient dealing with you, I do not possess this level of poker face, another wrote. A third questioned: Why did he not have anyone available to intervene and escort her away since she was clearly crossing every boundary he laid down? He needs security. Aside from Stranger Things, the actor has appeared in several successful franchises including The Twilight Saga, Mortal Instruments and Harry Potter. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Kyiv's counteroffensive, launched to push Russian troops back in the south and east of Ukraine, was failing despite military and financial support from Western countries. "In any case, there are no results yet" of the counteroffensive, Putin said in televised remarks from a meeting of the Kremlin's Security Council. Kyiv last month launched a long-anticipated counteroffensive after stockpiling Western weapons. "Neither the colossal resources that have been pumped into the Kyiv regime nor the supplies of Western weapons, tanks, artillery, armoured vehicles and missiles are helping," Putin said. Moscow's forces still occupy swathes of southern and eastern Ukraine and large parts of the front appears to be frozen. Earlier this week a senior presidential aide in Kyiv told AFP the operation would be "long and difficult" and called on allies to send more armoured vehicles and weapons. Poland, one of Ukraine's staunchest allies, has provided Kyiv with arms and welcomed refugees. It has however shown no interest in sending troops to Ukraine. Putin singled out Poland and accused its leaders of trying to "directly intervene in the conflict" to occupy Ukrainian land. Poland has reinforced its defences at the border with Russia-allied Belarus, where fighters from mercenary force Wagner moved after an aborted mutiny in Russia. Belarusian territory, which borders Ukraine as well as EU and NATO members Poland and Lithuania, served as a launching pad for Russia's Ukraine offensive. Putin warned that Moscow would use "all the means at our disposal" to protect Belarus in case of an attack. "Unleashing aggression against Belarus will mean aggression against the Russian Federation," Putin said. Russia has begun transferring tactical nuclear warheads into Belarus. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypt has condemned the Swedish government's approval of an assembly where an extremist repeated the act of desecrating the Quran in the Swedish capital of Stockholm on Thursday. "This goes beyond freedom of expression and inflames the feelings of millions of Muslims as well as violates what they hold sacred," the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Friday. On Thursday, an Iraqi man ripped and stomped on the Quran in front of the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm, during a government-approved assembly on Thursday. In June, the same Iraqi man who desecrated the Quran on Thursday burned the holy book in front of Stockholms main mosque. "Egypt also expresses its concern over the repeated incidents of blasphemy and Islamophobia, and the rise of hate speech in many countries, all of which portend severe repercussions for the security, stability and human rights in societies," said the foreign ministry. "States must assume responsibility to confront and prevent these crimes, as well as hold perpetrators accountable," the statement asserted. "Finally, Egypt calls upon all countries to commit to their international responsibilities to foster peaceful co-existence, social harmony, tolerance and acceptance." added the foreign ministry. Search Keywords: Short link: Global level current topics in media and information and communication will be debated at the International Media Forum dubbed "New media in the era of the fourth industrial revolution", which takes place from Friday to Sunday in Azerbaijan. The event is hosted by Shusha, the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, on the occasion of the National Day of the Azerbaijani Media. The president of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, met on Friday with over 200 guests representing 120 media entities from 50 countries, including the managing director of AGERPRES, Claudia Nicolae. In his speech, Aliyev said that the independence of the mass media in Azerbaijan is one of the most important conditions for the development of society, according to the Azeri news agency APA. Asked what are the main threats to Azerbaijan, president Aliyev claimed that there is no danger inside the country, the country is stable, the level of solidarity in society is higher than ever, and the country's economic development is taking place impressively. The Azerbaijani head of state also said that the economy of Azerbaijan is self-sufficient. "We are self-sufficient due to our own resources and we exercise good management," Aliyev detailed. The president of Azerbaijan emphasized the need to stabilize the situation in the South Caucasus, to achieve lasting peace and ensure security. In this context, he underlined that Ankara plays a stabilizing role and, in the future, Turkey's role in global issues, especially in this region, is very significant and important. "Turkey's policy is to ensure regional security and regional stability, development. This role is highly appreciated both in Azerbaijan and abroad," said the president of Azerbaijan, quoted by the Azertag news agency. At the sessions that will follow the opening ceremony of the international forum in the field of mass media, the participants will discuss about the new tools of journalism and communication in the digital era and of transformation, about media management in the modern informational context and the creation of sustainable media business models, about media education, about the methods of combating disinformation and fake news, about the safety of journalists and other aspects. A series of exhibitions and training sessions are also planned to take place at the Global Forum. Former Environment minister Tanczos Barna declared, on Friday, in Baile Tusnad, where he participated in the works of the Tusvanyos Summer University, that the future of the Hungarian community does not depend on the presence of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) in government. "We are able to participate and bring added value to any government team and we have demonstrated this in the last two and a half years. But there are times when we can no longer accept compromise and we must show that the future of the community does not depend on the presence of the UDMR in a government. We maintain a good relationship with PSD and PNL, we maintain a good relationship with USR, at times when we have to criticize the government, and we will show the same openness for everything that is beneficial to the communities, regardless of the county, regardless of the region, in Romania," said the former environment minister. Tanczos was present at the traditional "round table of national politics", together with several representatives of the Hungarians from the Carpathian Basin, but also the deputy prime minister of the Hungarian government, Semjen Zsolt, who spoke about the projects financed by the Hungarian government for the Hungarian communities in the Carpathian Basin. Semjen Zsolt declared, according to the official translation, that since 2010 more than 50,000 such projects have been implemented, worth 500 billion forints. Semjen Zsolt emphasized that 3,000 projects aimed at church buildings were financed, arguing that "none of these churches will be transformed into a mosque or mall, as happens in Western Europe". Also, the Hungarian deputy prime minister referred to the cultural, sports, educational or social projects aimed at the Hungarian communities in the Carpathian Basin. He also spoke about the Hungarian citizenship law for Hungarians from the Carpathian Basin, which he says was developed according to the model of the Romanian citizenship law granted to citizens of the Republic of Moldova. The debate was attended by representatives of the Hungarians from the Carpathian Basin, who presented the situation of the communities they represent, as well as Potapi Arpad Janos, the state secretary for national policies at prime minister Viktor Orban's chancellery.AGERPRES Referring to the war in Ukraine, Hungary's Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen declared on Friday at the Summer University in Baile Tusnad that an armistice is needed, after which peace negotiations should begin, and therefore he called for a cease-fire followed by peace negotiations as soon as possible. The Hungarian deputy prime minister pointed out that, for Hungary, this war is catastrophic from all points of view, stating that his country no longer wants to be on the edge of any Iron Curtain. Elaborating, he said that it doesn't matter which side of the Iron Curtain one stands and that "Hungary's interest is that there is no Iron Curtain at all, so that we can have economic relations with China too and with the entire Eastern world. In Hungary, we must pursue one interest alone, just one goal: there should be peace immediately," Semjen Zsolt said according to the official translation. He also spoke about the threat of a nuclear war, which would endanger the entire humankind. "For universal humanity it is very important that we avoid war, because a nuclear war could also mean the end of humanity. Therefore, we must provide security guarantees for everyone and we must ensure the right of every minority. On a side note, had all this been done, maybe we wouldn't have faced a war situation now. But one thing is certain: security guarantees and the rights of all minorities must be ensured," Zsolt Semjen said, according to the translation provided by the organizers. The Hungarian deputy prime minister participated, as he does every year, in the traditional "round table meeting of national politics", together with representatives of the Hungarian communities in the Carpathian Basin. AGERPRES The Ministry of Culture will allocate 16.3 million euros for setting up the National Museum of the Anti-Communist Revolution of December 1989, and the works are estimated to start next year, minister Raluca Turcan told a press conference held on Friday in western Timisoara. Raluca Turcan mentioned that the design contracts and the technical project have been signed so far. "The Ministry of Culture is carrying out a large investment project, namely we will build the National Museum of the Anti-Communist Revolution of 1989. The Ministry will allocate 16.3 million euros net. The money exists and at the moment the design contracts for the Intervention Works Approval Documentation phase, as well as the technical project, have been signed. The unit that manages this investment, through an agreement with the Development Bank of the Council of Europe, assures me and in this way I assure you and I believe that in the course of next year the works will actually begin at the Museum of the Anti-Communist Revolution," Culture minister Turcan said. Culture minister Raluca Turcan is paying a working visit to Timisoara on Friday and will attend the performance of The Infernal Comedy, featuring famous actor John Malkovich.AGERPRES National Bank of Romania to issue silver coin to celebrate Queen Anne's 100th birth anniversary The National Bank of Romania (BNR) will put into circulation for numismatic purposes a silver coin dedicated to the 100th birth anniversary of Queen Anne, told Agerpres. Featuring on the obverse of the coin will be the Savarsin Castle, the inscription "ROMANIA" in an arc, the coat of arms of Romania, the face value "10 LEI" and the year of issue "2023." The reverse of the coin shows the portrait and monogram of Queen Anne and the inscriptions "REGINA ANA" and "100 DE ANI DE LA NASTERE." The silver coins, housed in transparent plastic capsules, will be accompanied by leaflets featuring a presentation of the numismatic issue, as well as by certificates of authenticity, in Romanian, English and French. Each certificate of authenticity bears the signatures of the governor and the chief cashier of the National Bank of Romania. The maximum mintage is 5,000 silver coins. The selling price for the silver coin is RON 490.00 ,exclusive of VAT, including a leaflet and the certificate of authenticity. The silver coins marking the 100th birth anniversary of Queen Anne are legal tender in Romania. The coins will be put into circulation for numismatic purposes at the regional branches of the National Bank of Romania in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Constanta, Craiova, Iasi and Timisoara. The patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, Daniel, received on Friday the Bulgarian ambassador to Bucharest, Radko Vlaykov, the importance of the two sister Orthodox Churches in the history and spirituality of the two peoples being addressed during their meeting, a press release of the Sector of Church, Interreligious Relations and External Church Communities of the Romanian Patriarchate, reads. PF Daniel wished the guest a fruitful and beautiful diplomatic mission in our country. "His Beatitude Daniel mentioned the importance of exchanges of theological students in strengthening fraternal ties between the two Orthodox Churches, as well as the need to organize pilgrimages to holy places in Romania and Bulgaria, especially to the relics of St. Paraskevi of Iasi, who is much loved by the Bulgarian people, and to the relics of St. Demetrios the New, Protector of Bucharest, originally from Basarabov, Bulgaria. They also tackled the topic of the presence of the Bulgarian community in Romania, which, using the example of the Romanian Orthodox Community in Sofia, is taking the necessary steps to build its own place of worship in Bucharest," the source says. The BOR patriarch also highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting the Christian faith in the context of today's world, "marked by new ideologies that emphasize immanent materialistic goals, without a transcendent perspective of life." In his turn, the Bulgarian diplomat, who was on a presentation visit to the Patriarchate, stressed the very good ties between Romania and Bulgaria, recalling the previous meeting, in 2022, on the occasion of the proclamation of the canonization of St. Teofana Basarab, which represents a bridge between the Romanian and Bulgarian people.AGERPRES Muslim-majority nations expressed outrage Friday at the desecration of a copy of the Koran in Sweden. Some prepared for street demonstrations following midday prayers to show their anger. In Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, protesters planned demonstrations after Swedish police permitted a protest Thursday in which an Iraqi of Christian origin, now a self-described atheist, living in Stockholm kicked and stood on a Koran , Islam's holy book, outside of the Iraqi Embassy. Hours before that, demonstrators in Baghdad broke into the Swedish Embassy and lit a fire to show their anger at his threats to burn the book. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has ordered the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador from Iraq and the withdrawal of the Iraqi charge daffaires from Sweden. But that may not be enough to calm those angered, and another protest in Baghdad is planned for Friday afternoon. The right to hold public demonstrations is protected by the constitution in Sweden. Blasphemy laws were abandoned in the 1970s. Police generally give permission based on whether they believe a public gathering can be held without major disruptions or safety risks. For Muslims, burning or other abuse of the Koran represents a desecration of their religions holy text. While he showed no signs of backing off from his decision to cut diplomatic relations with Sweden, Sudani in a statement on Friday called on Iraqi protesters to identify and deal with any disruptive individuals attempting to deviate the protests from their peaceful and constitutionally protected nature and on security forces to safeguard both public and private property. On Thursday, the state-run Iraqi News Agency reported that some 20 people had been arrested in connection with the storming of the Swedish embassy. Among those arrested were an Associated Press photographer and two Reuters staff who were covering the protests. The detained journalists were released hours later without charges, following an order from the prime ministers office. In neighboring Iran, demonstrators also planned to take to the streets. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has written a letter to the United Nations secretary-general over the Koran desecration and has summoned the Swedish ambassador. We consider the Swedish government responsible for the outcome of provocation reactions from the worlds Muslims, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said. The man in Stockholm also wiped his feet with a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during his demonstration and did similar to a photo of Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, a powerful leader there. Lebanon's Shia militant group Hezbollah also called for a demonstration Friday afternoon. Khamenei and Iran's theocracy serve as Hezbollah's main sponsor. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a video address Thursday night called on Muslims to demand their governments expel Sweden's ambassadors. I invite brothers and sisters in all neighborhoods and villages to attend all mosques, carrying their Korans and sit in them, calling on the state to take a stance toward Sweden," Nasrallah said in the address, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency. On Friday the whole world must see how we embrace our Koran, and the whole world must see how we protect our Koran with our blood. Saudi Arabia and Qatar, two Sunni-ruled Gulf Arab nations, summoned Swedish diplomats to condemn the desecration. Turkey's Foreign Ministry also criticized it. In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the events in Sweden. He called on the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation to play a historic role in expressing the sentiments of Muslims and stopping this demonization. Meanwhile, Islamists in his country have been pushing Sharif, who faces an upcoming election, to cut diplomatic ties with Sweden. On Thursday morning, protesters in Baghdad occupied the Swedish Embassy for several hours and set a small fire. The embassy staff had been evacuated a day earlier. After protesters left the embassy, diplomats closed it to visitors without specifying when it would reopen. Prime Minister Sudani said in a statement that Iraqi authorities would prosecute those responsible for starting the fire and referred to an investigation of negligent security officials. Some demonstrators stayed at the site, ignored by police, after the attack. An Associated Press photographer and two Reuters staff members were arrested while covering the protest and released several hours later without charges. This is the second Koran desecration to involve the Iraqi Christian in Sweden, identified as Salwan Momika. Last month, a man identified by local media and on his social media as Momika burned a Koran outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, triggering widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. Koran burnings in the past have sparked protests across the Muslim world, some turning violent. In Afghanistan, the Taliban suspended all the activities of Swedish organizations in the country in response to the recent Koran burning. A similar protest by a far-right activist was held outside Turkeys Embassy earlier this year, complicating Swedens efforts to persuade Turkey to let it join NATO. In June, protesters who support al-Sadr stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad over that Koran burning. Search Keywords: Short link: Another 50 firefighters from the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations and subordinated units will leave for Greece to help extinguish forest fires, decided on Friday the National Committee for Emergency Situations, at a meeting in a hybrid system, after being convened by prime minister Marcel Ciolacu, a government release reads. The rescue firefighters will travel by land together with four forest fire extinguishing trucks, three 10,000-litre tankers, a 4WD ISUZU D-MAX vehicle and a mobile camp for accommodation. "The decision was approved by the CNSU taking into account the close monitoring of the situation generated by the wildfires in the Hellenic Republic and the request for international assistance of the Greek authorities through the European Civil Protection Mechanism, as well as with the prior information of the president of Romania, Klaus Werner Iohannis," the release adds. The Department for Emergency Situations, through IGSU, in its capacity as national contact point, received from the Emergency Response Coordination Centre of the European Commission the request of the Greek authorities for international assistance. As many as 80 rescue firefighters are already in the forest fire-affected area and are carrying out specific missions to limit their spread.AGERPRES Sometimes, what looks ordinary from the outside can have magic inside. Thats the case for young Jadelynn (call her Jay, please) when newcomers to her small Arkansas town bring clues to a life-changing treasure hunt. Its also the case for The Wonder State, a novel as unexpected as it is engaging. The back cover of an advance copy of The Wonder State declares it Gothic, supernatural (and) Nancy Drew-like not my usual reading fare. But I picked it up because the title resonated from my formative years in Arkansas, where I once dressed as a peach (a state crop) in a grade school pageant and sang many rousing rounds of The Arkansas Traveler. (Chorus: For the Wonder State well shout hurrah ...) The Arkansas of my youth is no longer officially the Wonder State. That motto gave way to Land of Opportunity and now the Natural State. But author Sara Flannery Murphy also grew up in Arkansas and must have sung that old song a time or two, enough to contemplate the dual meaning of wonder state and state of wonder. Theres little wonder in young Jays life before the Garnet twins, Hilma and Max, arrive in Eternal Springs (think Eureka Springs) with their artist parents. The year is 1999, and Eternal Springs, which grew up as an Ozark spa town around thermal springs, is struggling to hang onto an image as an art colony and tourist draw. At the edges of town, the embarrassing part ... the effort at being picturesque gave way with a sigh to foil-covered windows and cars propped on cinder blocks, Jay muses. The Garnet twins, high school seniors like Jay and her best friend, Brandi, turn out to have accompanied their parents for a mysterious reason, one that will reveal secrets built, literally, into the architecture of the town. Houses, if one can locate them, have hidden powers that can be shared, for better and worse. One house, for example, compels anyone who enters to tell the truth, no matter how hard one tries to lie. Jay is iffy about this. When she was a kid, the truth had felt like a gentle protective spell, shielding them from all the lies adults peddled. But also, she had learned, the truth could sting. Joined by Charlie, the smartest kid in school, and Iggy, a star athlete and unexpected ally, the new friends launch an all-out search for the houses. The timeline of The Wonder State goes back and forth between 1999 and 2015, when the friends, long apart, have come back together after being summoned by Brandi, who stayed in Arkansas, led a troubled life and has now disappeared. Sara Flannery Murphy When 1-3 p.m. July 30 (book signing) Where Main Street Books, 307 South Main Street, St. Charles How much Free More info mainstreetbooks.indielite.org All have experienced degrees of success in their own lives and careers, and the return to Eternal Springs forces them to confront what happened all those years before and maybe bring closure to their past. If it seems that Im being vague, I am. The incremental revelations in Wonder State are the joys of the book, the reason it can be hard to put down. The powers the houses convey are equal parts exciting and alarming, bringing with them unintended consequences; this is above all a cautionary tale about grabbing for things that are too good to be true. But author Murphy, who got her MFA degree at Washington University, also thoughtfully explores youthful friendship, the clinging together and breaking apart that often comes as the high school years end. Can a splintered relationship be put back together? Maybe, with some magic. Gail Pennington is a former longtime television critic for the Post-Dispatch. BERKELEY The Boeing Co. is planning a nearly $2 billion construction project at its north St. Louis County complex, aimed to support new aerospace programs that will bring an estimated 500 jobs to the region, according to records released on Friday. The plan, if approved and built, would be one of the biggest defense projects in the regions history. The news follows Boeings announcement in May that it was expanding its secretive research and prototype unit, Phantom Works, and as the aerospace industry ramps up for a national competition to build the next generation of U.S. fighter jets. Kurt LaBelle with Boeing communications said on Friday that the project is about looking ahead to the future and making advanced manufacturing production facilities. In a statement, Boeing said the project would expand manufacturing potential for future franchise programs. LaBelle declined to comment further on the projects purpose. Boeings new pitch includes the construction of multiple buildings and leased space totaling a million square feet at two sites adjacent to St. Louis Lambert International Airport, according to the records, released as part of a tax incentive request to the St. Louis County Council before its meeting next week. The project is expected to cost at least $1.8 billion more than the $1.7 billion National Geospatial-Intelligence Agencys new headquarters in north St. Louis. Boeing expects the plan would also support the roughly 16,000 current Boeing employees in the St. Louis region, according to a letter from St. Louis County Executive Sam Page dated Friday and sent to County Council members. This project will reinforce our dominance as a region that builds the future of aviation, creates pathways to exciting careers and showcases the pride and talent of St. Louis County, Page said in a prepared statement Friday. Greater St. Louis CEO Jason Hall said his regional business group has been involved with the project for more than a year. The expansion demonstrates Boeings continued commitment to St. Louis and to the future of advanced manufacturing in our metro, Hall said in a statement. The deal, if approved by the council, would give Boeing half off on the projects real and personal property taxes over 10 years in exchange for the new jobs and investment. Boeings St. Louis-area operations are largely in defense products. Its the companys second-largest workforce after Washington state, where it employs 60,200. The company makes the F-15, F/A-18 fighter jets, the T-7A trainer and the MQ-25 refueling drone at sites in St. Louis County, St. Charles and Mascoutah. The company makes two fighter jets at assembly lines near its local offices in Berkeley: The F-15 and the F/A-18 Super Hornet. But the Pentagon has been working to phase out purchases of Boeings legacy fighters from its defense budgets in order to focus on next-generation fighters. In February, Boeing announced, as anticipated, the timeline for winding down the F/A-18 program. The company set the end date for new-build production in 2025, with the possibility of extending into 2027, should it receive more orders from the Indian Navy. The closure would leave Boeing with only one fighter jet in production. The loss of a fighter jet line would potentially mean cuts to local manufacturing jobs, and less work for the hundreds of local aerospace businesses that supply Boeing unless the company wins the government contract to build a new generation of fighter jet. With the F/A-18 line on a trajectory to wind down, the company has been working to ramp up production of the T-7 trainer plane and the MQ-25 refueling drone. Those programs have been key for the companys defense business over the past few years, said Jeff Windau, industrials analyst with Edward Jones. If youre not in front of your customers, not showing your capabilities, that puts you at a disadvantage, Windau said. But surely Boeing is also looking to the next, big programs it could win, he said. Theyre looking ahead at the future here, Windau said. Obviously these programs are unknowns, but you have to make these investments to have the potential to win. No matter what the program is, you have to spend the time up front. The company said in May that it was building a new, 47,500-square-foot facility to focus on next-generation military aircraft. It will be part of Phantom Works, a secretive unit in Boeings defense business that carries out research, development and prototype work, most of it classified. And Boeing added 900 jobs in the region last year. Executives noted earlier this year that many of those positions were engineers, a signal that the company is looking toward future products. The documents made public on Friday dont specify the new aerospace program Boeing is targeting with this project, instead largely focusing on tax breaks requested and Boeings impact on the region. The documents say no existing taxes would be affected by the deal; Boeing would only receive tax breaks on new real estate investment, equipment and construction materials for the buildings. If approved, St. Louis County would have the authority to issue up to $1.8 billion in bonds to help finance a portion of the proposed development. It is unclear whether the project will receive state tax incentives. A spokesperson for Missouri Gov. Mike Parsons office deferred questions to the state Department of Economic Development. A department spokesperson said he couldnt comment Friday on whether state tax incentives are in consideration, because it is an ongoing project. ST. LOUIS Two teen boys were shot hours apart Thursday in the same block in the city's LaSalle Park neighborhood. Both teens were shot in the 1000 block of Hickory Street, south of downtown. One, a 17-year-old, was shot in the groin around 4 p.m., and the other, a 14-year-old, was shot in the leg around 11:30 p.m. The teens were taken to a hospital and are expected to survive. Police said they have not found a connection between the shootings, but they haven't ruled out that they may be connected. A man was killed Thursday night in a one-vehicle crash in Pike County, authorities said. Police identified the victim as Nicholas A. Twilla, 38, of Louisiana, Missouri. The crash was shortly before 8 p.m. Thursday. Twilla was driving a 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier north on Highway 79 when the car ran off the road and hit a tree north of Pike County Road 245. Police didn't know if Twilla had been wearing a seat belt, the patrol said. He died at the scene. ST. CHARLES COUNTY The conservative majority on the Francis Howell School Board will revoke a resolution against racism adopted three years ago amid nationwide Black Lives Matter protests. At its meeting Thursday, the board voted 5-2 to rescind all resolutions in the next 75 days if a majority of current Board of Education members were not signatories to the resolution or did not otherwise vote to adopt the resolution and remove them from school buildings and publications. The anti-racism resolution, which would be taken down from school hallways, calls racism a crisis that negatively impacts our students, our families, our community, and our staff. We will promote racial healing, especially for our Black and brown students and families. We will no longer be silent. We are committed to creating an equitable and anti-racist system that honors and elevates all, but one that also specifically acknowledges the challenges faced by our Black and brown students and families. Zebrina Looney, president of the St. Charles County branch of the NAACP, said the organization plans to pursue a civil rights complaint against the district. The school districts anti-racism resolution was passed in August 2020, two months after 2,000 protesters marched 3 miles down Mid Rivers Mall Drive in support of Black students following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The protesters called for changes to Francis Howells curriculum, hiring practices and discipline policies they said discriminated against people of color. The five board members who voted to rescind the resolution were elected in April 2022 and April 2023 with the support of the Republican-backed political action committee Francis Howell Families. In 2021, the committee described the anti-racism resolution as woke activism and drafted an alternative against all acts of racial discrimination, including the act of promoting tenets of the racially-divisive Critical Race Theory, labels of white privilege, enforced equity of outcomes, identity politics, intersectionalism, and Marxism ... the Board hereby declares its commitment to establishing, supporting, and sustaining a culture of racial harmony and goodwill districtwide. A majority of public speakers at the board meeting supported keeping the resolution. You are set to scrub our buildings of a resolution that made our Black and brown families feel seen and heard, said Francis Howell teacher Raquel Babb. Board member Jane Puszkar, who was elected in April, said Thursday that the resolution has done nothing to protect students from harm. Two board members, Janet Stiglich and Chad Lange, were serving when the anti-racism resolution was approved in 2020. Both board members voted Thursday against rescinding the resolution. The anti-racism resolution has given our students and our community hope that we do recognize we have issues and we are doing our best to right them, Stiglich said during the meeting. Other resolutions now canceled under the policy include one from last year urging Missouri legislators to reject a bill from state Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, to phase out or eliminate personal property taxes, and another from 2017 urging legislators to reject statewide charter school expansion. JEFFERSON CITY Though state health officials have sought data on fish near the contaminated Weldon Spring site in St. Charles County, the Department of Health and Senior Services does not have such data and there are no fish consumption advisories for nearby lakes. Lisa Cox, spokeswoman for DHSS, said the department formulates its fish consumption advisories which warn anglers to limit or avoid consumption of fish due to contaminants detected based on review of data provided by other agencies. But Cox said the health department doesnt have current data on the Weldon Spring site or nearby Lakes 34, 35 and 36 in the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, which is adjacent to the Weldon Spring site. The three lakes and the presence of uranium were mentioned in state and federal government records that were the subject of a recent report by The Missouri Independent on apparent disagreements between regulators about the pace of cleanup at Weldon Spring. Though weve asked for such data in the past, we do not have fish sampling data for the Weldon Spring site or related lakes that you referenced, so those waterbodies are not part of our fish advisory, Cox told the Post-Dispatch on Friday. Cox said the DHSS has asked the Department of Energy, which controls the Weldon Spring site, for current fish tissue data in comments on previous five-year Weldon Spring site reviews at least as far back as 2016. DOE has previously told us that they assessed fish contamination risk already, but we have asked for them to update that assessment to account for any changes that have occurred, Cox said in an email. She said a July 1995 report may be the assessment DOE has previously referenced. That report says the human health risk associated with eating fish from the three lakes with elevated levels of uranium is below the EPAs target range for unacceptable human risk levels. As a result of this assessment, no limits were placed on human consumption of fish from the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, the report says. A U.S. Department of Energy spokesman in an email Friday said because monitoring results for surface water at Lakes 34, 35 and 36 have remained below the maximum contaminant level for uranium since the late 1990s, no further testing of fish has been conducted. State Rep. Tricia Byrnes, R-Wentzville, said she is concerned that federal agencies are not providing answers to the questions of our state agencies. Im equally concerned that the state agencies havent been empowered to compel action or alert the public of these concerns. Brynes, Rep. Richard West, R-New Melle, and St. Charles County Councilman Joe Brazil are hosting a town hall meeting on Aug. 2 at the New Melle Community Center, 4700 State Highway Z, to discuss environmental issues related to Weldon Spring. The Weldon Spring site has been a focus of area nuclear waste activists in the wake of recent reporting on St. Louis role in the development of nuclear weapons and the legacy of contamination left behind. Mallinckrodt moved its uranium processing operations from its St. Louis plant to Weldon Spring, at the former site of a World War II-era TNT and DNT plant, in 1957. By the time it stopped uranium processing there in 1966, the site was heavily contaminated. Surface remediation concluded with completion of a 41-acre, onsite disposal cell in 2001 visible from Highway 94 just west of Francis Howell High School. The Weldon Spring site is controlled by the Department of Energy, while the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area is managed by the Department of Conservation. Uranium levels at the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area are referenced in a 2021 Department of Natural Resources review of a draft five-year report being prepared by the Department of Energy. The uranium levels at Busch Lake 34 continue to be higher than the other locations, the DNR document says, quoting from the Department of Energy draft. Please include a discussion on why the uranium levels are higher in Busch Lake 34 than other locations, the DNR wrote to the Department of Energy. In response, the Department of Energy told the DNR that the passage would be revised to: Busch Lake 34, the relatively highest uranium concentration pond, is immediately downgradient of Burgermeister Spring where much of the groundwater from the Chemical Plant flows. Busch Lake 36 and Busch Lake 35 are nearer the site but have lower uranium levels. Dye tracer injected in wells in the northern part of the site were detected at Burgermeister Spring, possibly under-flowing the Busch Lake 36 and Busch Lake 35 drainage, the Department of Energy said. The Department of Energy repeats this passage in its final report, published September 2021, and adds additional information. The uranium levels at Busch Lake 34 continue to be higher than the other locations; however, uranium levels at the Busch Lake outlets have shown an overall decline since remediation at the Chemical Plant site, the final report, which is publicly available, says. Asked about uranium levels referenced at Busch, a spokesman for the Department of Conservation said the agency relies upon the expertise of the Department of Health and Senior Services for fish consumption advisories. MDC is not currently testing fish at the Busch Conservation Area lakes, Joe Jerek, spokesman for the agency, said this week. There are currently no fish advisories for the Busch Conservation Area. Based on their oversight and involvement at the Weldon Spring site, we also rely upon the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency to inform us if our current stocking or management practices should be amended, Jerek said. Posted at 3:50 p.m. Friday. Timeline: St. Louis long history of radioactive contamination Mallinckrodt began processing uranium ore in St. Louis in 1942. Parts of St. Louis remain contaminated more than 80 years later. Egypt aspires to cooperate with domestic as well as international partners to provide employment opportunities to all who need it, affirmed Minister of Labour Hassan Shehata in his speech at the fourth edition of the G20 Employment Working Group (EWG), held in Indora, India 19-21 July. We stress the importance of investing in young people, developing their skills, and providing them with a decent life, added Minister Shehata. He said young people are the main engine of development in all countries, especially the developing ones. "It is important to provide the youth with the necessary skills to obtain sustainable employment all while taking into account the current transition towards the green economy as well as digital transformation/digitization," he affirmed. Protecting all workers The minister said job creation and safeguarding labour rights have been at the top of the country's priorities under President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi. Egypt has implemented multiple social protection measures in the labour sector to help workers face global challenges, he noted. "We have also implemented policies to support and empower women to achieve gender balance in the labour market," he added. In conclusion, Shehata called on all relevant actors to aid Egypt in its endeavours. EWG and G20 Summit The fourth G-20 Employment Working Group (EWG) meeting was chaired by the Indian Minister for Labour and Employment Shri Bhupender Yadav. It witnessed the participation of ministers of labour from 24 countries. The meeting discussed topics related to the challenges and developments of the labour market such as employment policies and social protection. It also focused on finalizing the Ministerial Declaration and outcome documents and brings representatives from G20 members and guest countries, international and regional organizations, along with groups such as Business-20, Labor-20, Startup-20, Think-20, and Youth-20. The EWG aims to present joint recommendations on international labour issues to G20 Summit that is set to be held in September in order to ensure sustainable employment. Member countries account for 80 percent of the gross world product (GWP), 75 percent of the global trade volume, and 60 percent of the worlds population. The G20 Summit will discuss issues of immediate priority for Egypt, Africa, and the developing countries, such as food, energy, climate, development finance, and global economic system reform, according to Ambassador Ragy El-Etreby, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for International and Regional Multilateral Economic Affairs and the prospective representative of President El-Sisi at the Summit. The EWG meeting was organized in five thematic sessions which covered different aspects of the global economy: global health; sustainable finance and Infrastructure; international financial architecture; international taxation; as well as financial sector and financial inclusion. Egypt received an invitation to attend the summit last November. Search Keywords: Short link: WASHINGTON A federal judge in Florida has scheduled a trial date for next May for former President Donald Trump in a case charging him with illegally retaining hundreds of classified documents. The May 20, 2024, trial date, set Friday by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, is a compromise between a request from prosecutors to set the trial for this December and a bid by defense lawyers to put it off indefinitely until sometime after the 2024 presidential election. If the date holds, it would follow close on the heels of a separate New York trial for Trump on dozens of state charges of falsifying business records in connection with an alleged hush money payment to a porn actor. It also means the trial would not start until deep into the presidential nominating calendar and probably well after the Republican nominee is clear though before that person is officially nominated at the Republican National Convention. In pushing back the trial from the Dec. 11 start date that the Justice Department had asked for, Cannon wrote that "the Government's proposed schedule is atypically accelerated and inconsistent with ensuring a fair trial." She agreed with defense lawyers that the amount of evidence that would need to be sifted through before the trial, including classified information, was "voluminous and likely to increase in the normal course as trial approaches." "The Court finds that the interests of justice served by this continuance outweigh the best interest of the public and Defendants in a speedy trial," Cannon wrote. Trump could yet face additional trials in the coming year. He revealed this week that he received a letter informing him that he was a target of a separate Justice Department investigation into efforts to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election, an indication that charges could be coming soon. Trump's new lawyer in that investigation, John Lauro, told Fox News on Friday that prosecutors appeared to be accusing Trump of "some kind of effort to obstruct" the Jan. 6, 2021, counting of state electoral votes and "whether or not President Trump intimidated anyone or ballot stuffed." He said Trump would not appear before a grand jury because "he did absolutely nothing wrong." "He's done nothing criminal," Lauro said. "And he's made his case that he was entitled to take these positions as president of the United States. When he saw all these election discrepancies and irregularities going on, he did what any president was required to do because he took an oath to do exactly that." Judges appointed by Trump and Trump's own attorney general said there was no evidence of widespread fraud that could have affected the outcome of the election. Prosecutors in Georgia, meanwhile, plan to announce charging decisions within weeks in an investigation into attempts by Trump and his allies to subvert the vote in that state. The trial before Cannon would take place in a federal courthouse in Fort Pierce. It arises from a 38-count indictment last month, filed by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, that accused Trump of willfully hoarding classified documents, including top secret records, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach and conspiring with his valet, Walt Nauta, to hide them from investigators who demanded them back. Trump and Nauta have both pleaded not guilty. Meanwhile, Trump's company and his former longtime lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen settled a lawsuit over Cohen's claims that he was unfairly stuck with big legal bills after getting entangled in investigations into the former president. Lawyers for the two sides disclosed the settlement during a videoconference with the judge Friday, three days before Cohen's 2019 lawsuit was slated to go to trial in a Manhattan state court. Details of the agreement were not made public. Cohen said Friday the matter "has been resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties," and his attorney, Lauren Handelsman, said the terms were confidential. Messages seeking comment were left with lawyers for Trump's company, the Trump Organization. Cohen claimed in his lawsuit that the Trump Organization promised to pay his legal expenses and did so for a time, footing more than $1.7 million in legal fees. But, Cohen said, the company reneged after he started cooperating with federal prosecutors in their investigations related to Trump's business dealings in Russia and attempts to silence women with embarrassing stories about his personal life. Cohen's then-lawyers stopped representing him after the company stopped paying. His lawsuit said that harmed his ability to respond to the federal investigations. Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to charges admitting that he lied to Congress, violated campaign finance laws through excessive political contributions, lied to banks to obtain financing and evaded income taxes by failing to report more than $4 million in income. He was sentenced to three years in prison, though he served nearly two-thirds of it at home, released after the COVID-19 outbreak overwhelmed the nation's prisons. Photos: Trump indictment shows documents stacked in bathroom, bedroom, ballroom For eight years, Donald Trump has managed to secure the support of many evangelical and conservative Christians despite behavior that often seemed at odds with teachings espoused by Christ in the Gospels. If some observers initially viewed this as an unsustainable alliance, its different now. Certain achievements during Trumps presidency notably appointments that shifted the Supreme Court to the right have solidified that support. Hes now the clear front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, even after he recently was found liable for sexually abusing a New York woman in 1996 and was indicted in a criminal case related to hush money payments to a porn actress. Robert Jeffress, pastor of an evangelical megachurch in Dallas, has been a staunch supporter of Trump since his first campaign for president and is sticking by him even as rivals like South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former Vice President Mike Pence tout their Christian faith. Conservative Christians continue to overwhelmingly support Donald Trump because of his biblical policies, not his personal piety, Jeffress told The Associated Press via email. They are smart enough to know the difference between choosing a president and choosing a pastor. In many ways, Christians feel like they are in an existential cultural war between good and evil, and they want a warrior like Donald Trump who can win, Jeffress added. In rural southwest Missouri, pastor Mike Leake of Calvary of Neosho a Southern Baptist church says support for Trump within the mostly conservative congregation seems to strengthen the more he is criticized and investigated. It further convinces them of their rhetoric that there is a leftist plot to undermine our nation, Leake said. So if everybody from the Left hates Trump, well, he must be on to something. Leake said many of his congregation members who strongly support Trump are not our most dedicated members. Anytime weve seen someone go full on MAGA, we lose them, Leake added. Attendance and involvement drops. Giving drops. Its all consuming just as with any other idol. Robert Franklin, professor of moral leadership at Emory Universitys Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, said Trump benefits from a perception among some of his followers that he is suffering on their behalf. The more he complains of persecution, the more people dig in to support him, and for a few, fight for him and make personal sacrifices (of money and freedom) for his advancement, Franklin said via email. Franklin also noted that some evangelicals, since early in Trumps presidency, have likened him to Cyrus the Great, the Persian king who, according to the Bible, enabled Jews to return to Israel from their exile in Babylon. This is a powerful trope, the bad man who makes good things possible, and is hence praised as a hero, Franklin said. Unfortunately, under this narrative, Trump can literally do no wrong. His wrong is right. No other politician gets that kind of pass. Trumps great achievements, in the eyes of many evangelicals, include moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and more profoundly appointing three Supreme Justices who have helped repeal the nationwide right to abortion and broaden religious-freedom protections in several cases involving conservative Christians. Trump is eager to tout his faith-based record. No president has ever fought for Christians as hard as I have, he told the Faith & Freedom gala in Washington in June. Ill fight hard until Im back behind that desk in the Oval Office. The political results are widely viewed as the key to Trump's evangelical support. I am certain that many Christians in the MAGA movement earnestly believe Trump has been anointed for this purpose to bring about certain political outcomes they desire, said Robert Millies, a Chicago-based Catholic scholar whose books include Good Intentions: A History of Catholic Voters Road from Roe to Trump. The embrace of Trump is really, finally a cynical calculation concerned with power, one that has the thinnest of possible Scriptural justifications, Millies added. Back in February 2017, just two weeks after Trumps inauguration, the Rev. Peter Daly a retired Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Washington wrote a column for the National Catholic Reporter titled Donald Trumps gospel is not the Gospel of Jesus. In the piece, Daly depicted Trump as an uncharitable bully, prone to lying, lacking in empathy and tolerance. He sees every opponent as someone to be shouted down or roughed up, Daly wrote. He is not a peacemaker. Six years later, Daly tries to comprehend why so many conservative Christians remain in Trumps camp despite behavior and rhetoric that are antithetical to everything they stand for. Some pro-Trump pastors have relished the proximity to power afforded during White House visits or special political events, Daly said. And some rural, white Christians feel like nobody speaks for them, Daly added. They think, Heres Donald Trump. Hell be our champion It has nothing to do with being Christian. Its the politics of grievance. Serene Jones is president of Union Theological Seminary in New York, which describes itself as a progressive religious institution with many LGBTQ students. Asked about Trumps popularity among conservative Christians, Jones evoked the numerous recent victories for evangelical and conservative causes in the courts and Republican-controlled state legislatures. Our nation is seeing a rampage of attacks on reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the separation of church and state, Jones said via email. Even though certain evangelical Christians might harbor some discomfort about particular politicians, they may believe these social and political successes far outweigh the concerns. In Iowa, where evangelical support is crucial in the caucuses that launch the GOP nomination process, Trump seems far better positioned than in 2016. A Des Moines Register Iowa Poll in March found that he was viewed favorably by 58% of evangelicals, compared to 19% ahead of the 2016 caucuses. President Trump has stood up for the values that we hold dear, Brad Sherman, a pastor from Williamsburg, Iowa, told The Associated Press in April. Then we need to pray for him that his personal life comes in line with that. As strong as Trumps support is among conservative Christians, some prominent figures in those ranks are seeking alternatives in the GOP campaign. The Rev. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, backed Trump in 2020 but said recently on his radio show that hes now had enough. Christians begin with the clear biblical truth that no sinful human being has a perfect character, but even as we grade presidents on something of a curve, some stand out as particularly lacking in character, Mohler said. Donald J. Trump is certainly one of those presidents. I do not want Donald J. Trump to be the 2024 Republican nominee, Mohler added. There is simply too much baggage ... A statesman would realize that fact and make way for someone else to lead. That does not appear likely. Trump was raised as a Presbyterian, but told Religion News Service in 2020 that he had shifted to identifying as a nondenominational Christian. He has not claimed membership in any particular congregation, and during his presidency he attended worship services infrequently. When in Florida, Trump has sometimes attended an Episcopal church in Palm Beach for Easter and Christmas Eve services. On the campaign trail, he has visited churches of various denominations, including some new-age churches with music and dancing. Jeffress, the Dallas megachurch pastor, admires Trump as a political battler. But Jeffress says that during eight years of friendship, I have seen a side to him that many people never see. Ive watched him interact with strangers, as well as his own family, with warmth and kindness. Associated Press writers Thomas Beaumont in Iowa and Jill Colvin in Washington contributed to this report. TAIPEI In the summer of 2022, just months after Russia invaded Ukraine, Taiwans president gathered senior officials from her ruling party in downtown Taipei. On the agenda: How was Ukraine, in its war with Russia, successfully offsetting the advantages of a much more powerful foe? President Tsai Ing-wen was given an internal 77-page briefing report via PowerPoint. It had a clear answer: drones. Since the war began, Ukraine, which was previously considered as lacking air supremacy, cleverly used drones to create its own partial air supremacy, the presentation stated. For Taiwan, though, the report painted a darker picture: The island lagged dangerously behind its far more powerful rival, China, in arming itself with aerial drones and needed a crash program to close the gap. We are far outnumbered, said the report, a copy of which was reviewed by Reuters. The drone gap is stark. Taiwan currently has four drone types at its disposal and a fleet size of just hundreds, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter and a separate internal security report. Across the narrow Taiwan Strait, Chinas military, the Peoples Liberation Army, has an arsenal of more than 50 different drone types that is estimated to run into the tens of thousands, according to defense analysts and a Reuters examination of Chinese military manufacturers and reports in Chinese state media. These drones range from jet-powered, long range surveillance aircraft to small quadcopters deployed by ground troops. Clearly outmatched, Tsai pressed the button on the creation of a strategic plan to close the gap, said a person who attended a series of meetings in which the drone strategy was forged. Under the Drone National Team program, Taiwan is recruiting the islands commercial drone makers and aviation and aerospace firms in a joint effort with the military to fast-track the building of a self-sufficient drone supply chain. We need to quickly catch up, with thousands of drones, aerospace entrepreneur Max Lo, the coordinator of the drone effort, told Reuters in an interview. We are trying our best to develop drones with commercial specifications for military use. We hope to quickly build up our capacity based on our existing technology so that we can be like Ukraine. The aim, according to a government planning document reviewed by Reuters, is to build more than 3,200 military drones by mid-2024. These will include mini-drones that weigh less than two kilograms as well as larger surveillance craft with a range of 150 kilometers. To accelerate production, the government is for the first time enlisting private companies in the research and development phase of a weapons program. At least nine private firms have joined the effort. Thunder Tiger Group, best known for making radio-controlled model aircraft for leisure and commercial use, is typical of the type of companies recruited by the government. Participants have expertise ranging from aviation to telecommunications to the production of electronic components for applications like GPS positioning. Hawk Yang, the head of Thunder Tigers R&D department, told Reuters his firm is now developing drones for Taiwans military, including pilotless ship- or land-based surveillance helicopters with four-meter-long rotors that have a range of 400 kilometers and can stay airborne for up to six hours. His company, Yang said, was recruited by defense ministry officials last year to turn commercial drones into craft that also have a military use. One small drone could blow up a tank that is worth tens of millions, he said, underscoring how rapidly modern warfare is changing with the rise of asymmetrical weapons cheap, small arms that can offset big, expensive systems. The Russia-Ukraine war has given Taiwan great inspiration, Tsais office said in response to questions from Reuters. In Russias invasion of Ukraine, the entire world saw the importance of drones. For future generations, drones will play a very important role in both civilian and military applications, the presidents office said. For a country with advanced industries, Taiwan cannot be absent. Taiwans bid to mass produce drones is part of an intensifying military rivalry that is dividing Asia, setting off a sprint to harness emerging technologies with the potential to deliver a decisive boost in firepower. On one side are the United States and its allies, including Taiwan, Australia, Japan and South Korea, who want to preserve American dominance in the region. On the other is an increasingly assertive China, determined to gain control over the democratically governed island and displace America as the leading regional power. In this high-tech arms race, military and civilian researchers from both sides are scrambling to seize the lead across a swathe of fields, including artificial intelligence, autonomous weapons, advanced semiconductors, hypersonic flight, quantum computing and cyber warfare. Chinas ruling Communist Party says Taiwan is an inalienable part of China and refuses to rule out force to bring the island under its control. Tsai says Taiwan is already an independent country, formally called the Republic of China, and has vowed to defend its freedom and democracy. The United States, bound by U.S. law to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself, has long followed a policy of strategic ambiguity on whether it would intervene militarily in the event of a Chinese attack. President Joe Biden, however, has said that U.S. forces would defend Taiwan in the event of an invasion. In response to questions for this report, Chinas foreign ministry said the Taiwan authorities attempts to reject reunification with force and seek independence with foreigners is certain to fail. Chinas defense ministry and Taiwan Affairs Office did not respond to questions. The U.S. Department of Defense and White House did not respond to questions for this report. As China presses its claim to Taiwan, it has increasingly deployed drones as part of a campaign of gray-zone warfare an almost daily series of intimidating air and surface operations that it has been waging around the island in an effort to test and wear down Taiwans defenses. In late April, the defense ministry in Taipei tracked a Chinese combat drone, the TB-001 Twin-Tailed Scorpion, as the craft completed the first known encirclement by a drone of Taiwan. China is intimidating Taiwan verbally and militarily, Tsais office said in its statement. The more provocative the enemy, the more calm we need to be. We wont give the other side any inappropriate excuse to trigger a conflict. Taiwan, it added, would take necessary and forceful action to defend its airspace. Taiwans inability to counter Chinas drone arsenal was on dramatic display in August last year, when the outlying island of Kinmen, controlled by Taiwan and located less than two kilometers from the Chinese coastline at its closest point, was buzzed by Chinese civilian drones. A video clip first circulated on Chinese social media and later picked up by Taiwanese media showed two soldiers throwing stones at a drone that flew near their guard post. Social media posts in Taiwan calling the incident a national humiliation got wide pickup in local press reports. Taiwans defense ministry said in response to Reuters questions that anti-drone jamming technology had since been deployed on its offshore islands. Porcupine strategy As part of the plan to close the drone gap, Tsai last year ordered an assessment of Taiwans drone industry, according to the two people with direct knowledge of the matter. The study included the sourcing of industrial materials and identifying the types of drones that would suit Taiwans geography and military objectives. Tsai wanted to know what Taiwan needed to do to develop what military planners call a kill chain for drones, in which targets are identified, tracked and then destroyed, said one of the people, a senior official familiar with Taiwans security planning. Lo, the coordinator of the drone project, said he delivered the PowerPoint presentation to Tsai in June last year. The presentation noted Ukraine had used drones to conduct asymmetrical warfare and surprise attacks. It advised that Taiwan aim to become a major exporter of drone components and an R&D center for this technology in Asia, with the government coordinating efforts. Taiwan should accelerate mass production of a range of military drones to boost self-reliance in the struggle with Beijing, it concluded. Lo told Reuters the island must build up a production line so it wont have to cry piteously for help from others if it comes under attack. And it must avoid relying on the so-called red supply chain components sourced from China. Tsai has thrown her weight behind a drone plan that appears to conform with advice from Washington and senior Taiwanese military thinkers who propose an asymmetrical strategy. According to this thinking, Taiwan should bristle with big numbers of smaller but mobile and lethal weapons systems to deter China rather than acquire a small number of big-ticket weapons that would be vulnerable to attack, turning the island into what strategists call a porcupine. The United States, Taiwans main ally, has the worlds most advanced military drones, say defense analysts. This includes an arsenal of more than 11,000 of these aircraft in service with the army, air force, navy and marines, according to the Pentagon. U.S. drones range in size from two-kilogram, hand-launched drones to 14,500-kilogram long range surveillance drones. U.S. allies Japan, Australia and South Korea also field aerial drones in their forces. The U.S. military currently has the worlds largest and most sophisticated drone fleet, with the rest of the world only beginning to catch up, the Teal Group, a defense and aerospace research firm, wrote in a 2022/23 report. In the event of a war over Taiwan, however, U.S. drones would need to be dispatched from outside the conflict zone were the Americans to step in. There are no U.S. or allied combat forces stationed on the island, so Taiwan would have to rely on its domestic fleet, at least in the early stages of an attack or invasion, according to military analysts interviewed by Reuters. Longer-range U.S. and allied strike and surveillance drones could be deployed from bases in Japan and the Pacific if Washington and its allies decided to intervene in a conflict, they said. And China is catching up. Tai Ming Cheung, an expert on the Chinese military at the University of California San Diego, said that while the U.S. maintains an advantage in drone capability, China has become more competitive because of the countrys high degree of commercial-military fusion. The drone ecosystem in China involves a lot of companies in that space, Cheung said. So its competitive, and drones are one of the areas where theyve been very strong in exports. A milestone moment came last August, with tensions running high as PLA warships and aircraft threatened the island just after a visit to Taiwan by former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. That month, the Taiwanese leader opened a new drone R&D center in the southern city of Chiayi. Facing the ever-changing geopolitical scene, Taiwan is also working hard to boost defense self-sufficiency, Tsai said at the opening ceremony. Under the goal of building our own military planes and submarines, the drone industry will be our focus. In Ukraine, both sides have relied heavily on a broad range of drones for reconnaissance, surveillance and striking targets. Even rudimentary adaptations allowing mass-market consumer drones to drop grenades and mortar rounds have become deadly threats to tanks, artillery, troops and supply dumps, according to military experts and footage of these strikes widely circulated on social media. Airborne munitions have prowled deep into both sides rear areas, searching for targets as they loiter before launching deadly attacks. The frontlines have become saturated with drones, which have been used to improve battlefield awareness without risking loss of life for the operators, according to a November report from the Washington-based Center for Strategic & International Studies. Ukraine and Russia have also deployed counter-drone technology, primarily electronic jamming and radar-controlled anti-drone guns and missiles, according to the report. These measures have led to heavy equipment losses. Ukraine is now losing about 10,000 drones a month, according to a May report on the conflict from the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based defense research body. One lesson for foreign militaries studying the conflict is that drones should be plentiful and cheap, according to military experts. Unlike Taiwan, China began mass-producing unmanned aircraft long before the Ukraine conflict. The PLA drone development program began in the 1960s, when China developed the Chang Kong-1 (Vast Sky), a radio-controlled unmanned target aircraft adapted from earlier Soviet-supplied models. The impetus for drone development comes from the top. At the 20th Party Congress in October, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing would accelerate the development of unmanned, intelligent combat capabilities. Techno-centric recruits Xi began a major modernization of the PLA after taking power over a decade ago. Hundreds of technology experts, including specialists in AI, were recruited to the military, according to UCSD analyst Cheung. This has led to advances in drones as well as fighter jets, missiles and satellites. Xi Jinping very much sides with these young Turks, these techno-centric young folks, Cheung told Reuters. Today, China has virtually cornered the global commercial drone market, accounting for an estimated 80% of sales, according to some industry estimates. This is a key advantage for the PLA, which can draw on this vast commercial drone industry for technical assistance, equipment suppliers and off-the-shelf models. In some respects, the Chinese military has advanced more quickly than the U.S. military in adopting and experimenting with drones, and really leveraging commercial technologies and enterprises to explore a wide range of designs and possibilities, Elsa Kania, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security and a specialist on Chinese military technology, told Reuters. Still, there is little public information about the contribution drones now make to PLA operations. China's Ministry of Defense has never released figures on the size of its drone fleet. In a 2015 report, the U.S. Department of Defense cited estimates that the PLA would have manufactured upwards of 40,000 drones by the end of 2023. In its annual report on Chinas military power, the Pentagon last year said the PLA is now deploying ever more sophisticated aerial drones. One focus for the Chinese military is the potential launch of drone swarms large numbers of drones powered by artificial intelligence and acting in concert as they attack targets. AI would allow these swarms to fly without the need for humans to control all aspects of their flight, threatening to overwhelm a potential enemy. Six recent research papers by PLA-linked academic institutions and think tanks were specifically on drone swarms. A dozen more papers reviewed by Reuters covered other drone warfare topics, ranging from the use of drones in island combat to the deployment of drones from warships. Taiwan is rarely mentioned by name in these papers. But military observers say China would likely deploy large numbers of drones, including swarms, to target military and civilian infrastructure in the event Beijing launched a broad strike against the island. Drone swarm technology is a kind of game-changing disruptive technology in war, wrote three researchers at the Air Force Aviation University in Changchun in a 2022 research paper. Drone swarm operations are now recognized as a better way to deal with conflicts in the Taiwan Strait, the paper said. The researchers noted, however, that the U.S. military retains absolute dominance in the research and development of drone swarms. Suicide drones While arming the PLA, Chinas drone makers have also captured a growing share of the international military market. At China's pre-eminent showcase for cutting-edge weapons, the Zhuhai air show, Beijing unveiled its latest pilotless systems last November, including its most advanced combat and reconnaissance drone: the Wing Loong 3. The intercontinental drone has a 10,000-kilometer range, according to Chinese media reports. Also on display were swarm drone systems and anti-drone defenses. In a conflict with Taiwan, Chinas high-altitude drones could be deployed to gather intelligence on the islands mobile missile batteries and other assets, according to Shu Hsiao-huang, a researcher at Taiwan's top military think tank, the Institute for National Defense and Security Research. For air and sea supremacy, the PLA could then deploy tactical drones such as the Twin-Tailed Scorpion to track, target and destroy Taiwan's mobile and land-based missile launchers, Shu said. China could also turn its retired fighter jets into suicide drones that could fly into Taiwanese airspace and consume the islands air defense missiles by drawing fire. If they are taken down, its not a great loss for China, Shu said. Taiwan's drone campaign has been embraced by firms with an array of products in the pipeline, leveraging some of the islands existing high tech talent pool and infrastructure. The civilian companies enlisted in the initiative have been tasked with designing and mass-producing at least six drone types as well as anti-drone systems, alongside six other new drone types under development at the Taiwan militarys top defense R&D arm, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology. The unmanned surveillance helicopter being developed by Thunder Tiger Group is scheduled to go into production next year, according to general manager Gene Su. So is a small, two-kilogram reconnaissance drone for use by ground troops. Taiwans tech sector can supply drone makers with key components including sensors and advanced semiconductors. And with a well-established manufacturing industry that assembles products for giants including Apple Inc., the island has the capacity to mass produce drones. But military analysts said Taiwan still lags in vital areas. These include engines, batteries, control systems that defend drones from hijack, and communications systems resistant to electronic warfare. Taiwans relatively small market of 23 million people also presents a challenge for its fledgling drone industry to achieve the scale of production needed to make it viable. Some drone makers are seeking foreign expertise. Thunder Tiger is in talks with a U.S. company to use 3D printing technology to build drones, a possible partnership that the company said would greatly reduce production time and cost. Thunder Tiger wouldnt name the U.S. company. While Taiwan gears up to build a drone pipeline, it is also planning measures to offset China's advantage in numbers. Local companies are working on counter-drone technology, including interceptor drones. If the enemy sends in hundreds of drones all at once, we need to be able to identify them and assign missions, said Wang Yu-jiu, chairman and CEO of Tron Future, which is developing anti-drone devices such as jammers that will disable incoming drones. This is a war of technology, said Wang. COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) The Missouri Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the Republican attorney general to stand down and allow an initiative petition to legalize abortion in the state to move forward. Supreme Court judges unanimously affirmed a lower court's decision that Attorney General Andrew Bailey must approve the cost estimate provided by the auditor, despite Bailey's insistence that the cost to taxpayers of restoring abortion rights could be as much as a million times higher than what the auditor found. Because Bailey refused to approve Republican Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick's cost estimate, the secretary of state has not been able to give the amendment his stamp of approval that is needed for supporters to begin gathering voter signatures to put it on the ballot in 2024. In Thursday's Supreme Court order, judges found that Bailey's stonewalling meant plaintiff Anna Fitz-James, who was represented by the ACLU of Missouri, lost out on nearly 100 days she could have been collecting signatures. Until the official ballot title is certified a critical step being held up solely by the Attorney Generals unjustified refusal to act Fitz-James cannot challenge that title in circuit court or circulate her petitions, judges wrote. Fitz-Jamess constitutional right of initiative petition is being obstructed, and the deadline for submitting signed petitions draws nearer every day. ACLU of Missouri Executive Director Luz Maria Henriquezi in a statement applauded the decision but added that it is clear that some who hold office will not hesitate to trample the constitution if it advances their personal interests and political beliefs. The Supreme Court's order means the amendment can now move forward in the process. We disagree with the Courts decision, as we believe Missourians deserve to know how much this amendment would cost the state, attorney general's office spokeswoman Madeline Sieren said. But we will respect the Courts order. The proposed amendment would enshrine in the constitution the individual right to make decisions about abortion, childbirth and birth control. Abortion-rights supporters proposed the amendment after the state banned nearly all abortions when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer. The state now allows exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for cases of rape or incest. Fitzpatricks office in March found that the proposal would have no known impact on state funds and an estimated cost of at least $51,000 annually in reduced local tax revenues, although opponents estimate a potentially significant loss to state revenue. Bailey said that the cost estimate was so low it would bias voters and told Fitzpatrick to change it. He argued the state could lose $12.5 billion in Medicaid funding and $51 billion in annual tax revenue because of fewer births. Fitzpatrick refused to change his estimate. After the ruling, Fitzpatrick said he will vote against the amendment if it gets on the ballot. However my personal stance cannot compromise the duty my office has to provide a fair assessment of their cost to the state, he said in a statement. "I want to thank the court for protecting a process that had worked for decades without controversy and will now continue to provide Missourians with the impartial information they are entitled to when they go to vote. Anyone who doubts the message the Francis Howell School Board sent to the districts 16,500 students on Thursday should consider this: As a result of the all-white boards vote, a simple five-paragraph statement vowing that the overwhelmingly white district will speak firmly against any racism, promote racial healing and [acknowledge] the challenges faced by our Black and brown students and families will now be systematically removed from school walls and purged from the districts published materials. Think about that. The boards right-wing majority can try to spin this putrid ideological stunt any way they like, but the indisputable fact is that the board has officially put itself on record as denying the undeniable fact of systemic racism. Period. What other conclusion can be drawn after the boards vote Thursday to revoke an anti-racism resolution that was adopted during Americas racial reckoning in 2020? Like many school districts around Missouri and the nation, Francis Howell for the past few years has been in the crossfire of a concerted campaign by right-wing activists to bring their culture war to the classroom. The five board members who pushed through Thursdays 5-2 vote were elected since last April with support from the political action committee Francis Howell Families, a conservative activist organization. As the Post-Dispatchs Blythe Bernhard reports, the committee once offered its own version of an anti-racism proclamation one that focused not on the actual problem of anti-Black racism in school systems, but on confronting the supposed scourges of critical race theory, identity politics and (seriously) Marxism. Marxism isnt a historically relevant issue in the Francis Howell district. Racism is. The St. Charles County district, one of Missouris largest, has a student body that is less than 7% Black, and a history of racial tension. Thousands of parents protested the announcement in 2013 that students from the mostly Black Normandy School District would transfer to Francis Howell. More recently, an investigation of a civil rights complaint by a Black student concluded there had been violations of the districts anti-discrimination policy. The majority in Thursdays board vote tried to obfuscate what they were doing that is, erasing an anti-racism resolution by presenting it as part of a broader new policy of automatically rescinding any resolutions that were passed under previous board majorities. Thats not how public bodies work. This was an obvious move to rescind the anti-racism proclamation while pretending it was just some kind of parliamentary housecleaning. In fact, the Francis Howell Families PAC that helped elect the new majority specifically condemned the anti-racism proclamation in 2021 as woke activism. This was the majoritys follow-up to get rid of it. That they didnt even have the courage to acknowledge what they were doing should add some shame to this already-shameful episode. Public comments about the boards decision indicate there are many people within the school district who arent happy about the boards action. But elections, as they say, have consequences. Thursdays retrograde defense of racism was the direct consequence of district voters either actively or passively turning over their school board to ideological activists bent on transforming schools into culture-war battlefields. Future elections are the only way to undo that damage. NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / Regions Bank By Candace Higginbotham Regions Bank recently hosted the second annual CDFI Convening, attended by 25 CEOs and executives from Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs) across the bank's footprint. As he welcomed the group to Birmingham, Regions Head of Community Affairs Leroy Abrahams talked about the role these institutions serve in improving the financial health of our communities and why it's crucial for Regions to maintain close relationships with them. "Communities are important to us, and you are important to communities," Abrahams told the leaders. He explained that community development is part of Regions Bank's mission to create shared value. "Our business is only successful when our four key constituents are doing well and are able to win - customers, associates, communities and shareholders." Our business is only successful when our four key constituents are doing well and are able to win - customers, associates, communities and shareholders. Leroy Abrahams, head of Community Affairs Abrahams noted that Regions' relationships with CDFIs and MDIs are key to that mission. "By investing in these institutions, we can create faster growth and ensure everyone has opportunity for financial success," he said. CDFIs are private financial institutions dedicated to delivering responsible, affordable lending to help low-income, low-wealth, and other disadvantaged people and communities join the economic mainstream. An MDI may be a federally insured depository institution of which 51% or more of the voting stock is owned by minority individuals - or a financial institution that primarily serves minority communities and whose board of directors is primarily composed of individuals from minority backgrounds. CDFIs and MDIs are often based in small towns, rural areas or urban communities and provide services in areas where the nearest physical bank branch may be several miles away. Support for CDFIs and MDIs has long been a part of Regions' community engagement strategy. Regions Bank and the Regions Community Development Corporation have provided equity investment and lending support, and late last year the bank announced a program that allows customers of seven institutions to access Regions' ATM network with no fee. In early 2023 the bank announced it would be enhancing these support efforts, as part of the launch of the Making Life Better Institute. That initiative is led by Wendi Boyen, head of Community Advocacy and Financial Wellness at Regions. "The financial support Regions provides is important, but perhaps just as beneficial is the technical assistance we are able to lend," Boyen said. "We have a lot of expertise in our organization - in so many areas - and we have leaders who understand how vital CDFIs and MDIs are in our communities. They are more than willing to share their advice and guidance with these institutions." During the May convening, discussion topics included risk management, balance sheet management, economic and market conditions, consumer lending, deposit pricing, strategic planning, M&A, financial industry conditions, liquidity and technology. What Regions does for us is give us additional resources that we can use to grow and expand. But more than just financial resources, there's also the relationships. Robert James, President and CEO of Carver Bank in Savannah, Georgia Boyen noted that these weren't just one-way communications. "We may have more resources at Regions Bank than some of these smaller organizations, but we don't have all the answers. We can - and did - learn from the other bank leaders in the room. The whole idea was to have an information-sharing forum, a dialogue, and we accomplished that." "What Regions does for us is give us additional resources that we can use to grow and expand. But more than just financial resources, there's also the relationships," said Robert James, President and CEO of Carver Bank in Savannah, Georgia. "Now we have access to their ATM network to further serve our customers and we're talking with leaders who are helping us design products and services that can extend our impact into the community." Watch the above brief video to hear more from Regions Bank and CDFI leaders about how their relationships are impacting local communities. View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Regions Bank on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Regions Bank Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/regions-bank Email: [email protected] SOURCE: Regions Bank View source version on accesswire.com: CRANBROOK, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:EPL), ("the Company") announces that the Company has closed the first tranche of a non-brokered private placement ("the Private Placement") to arms-length and non-arms-length investors as announced on July 19th, 2023. Eagle Plains has closed subscriptions for a total of 790,000 units at a price of $.20 CDN per unit for gross proceeds of CDN $158,000. Each unit consists of a flow-through common share and one-half non-flow-through common share purchase warrant, each whole warrant exercisable at $.30 CDN for a 24-month period. Directors of the Company have approved an overallotment of up to 10% of the units. The common share purchase warrants are subject to an accelerated expiry at the option of the Company if the published closing trade price of the common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange is greater than or equal to $.50 for any 20 consecutive trading days, in which event the holder may be given notice that the warrants will expire 30 days following the date of such notice. The common share purchase warrants may be exercised by the holder during the 30 day period between the notice and the expiration of the common share purchase warrants. No finder's fees were paid for subscriptions received during the first tranche closing. Certain directors and insiders of the Company participated in the Private Placement for proceeds of CDN $83,000 (415,000 units). Such participation represents a "related-party transaction" under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), but the transaction is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the subject matter of the transaction, nor the consideration paid, exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. Maximum gross proceeds of the offering are expected to be $1,000,000 CDN (excluding 10% over-allotment if warranted). Proceeds from the sale of units will be used to fund additional exploration of the Vulcan project and/or the company's various projects in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Yukon. Flow-through funds will qualify as Canadian exploration expenses as defined in the Income Tax Act and will be renounced for the 2023 taxation year. About Eagle Plains Resources Based in Cranbrook, B.C., Eagle Plains is a well-funded, prolific project generator that continues to conduct research, acquire and explore mineral projects throughout western Canada. The Company was formed in 1992 and is the ninth-oldest listed issuer on the TSX-V (and one of only three that has not seen a roll-back or restructuring of its shares). Eagle Plains has continued to deliver shareholder value over the years and through numerous spin outs has transferred over $100,000,000 in value directly to its shareholders, with Copper Canyon Resources and Taiga Gold Corp. being notable examples. Eagle Plains latest spinout, Eagle Royalties Ltd. (CSE:"ER") was listed on May 24, 2023, and holds a diverse portfolio of royalty assets throughout western Canada. Eagle Plains' core business is acquiring grassroots critical- and precious-metal exploration properties. The Company is committed to steadily enhancing shareholder value by advancing our diverse portfolio of projects toward discovery through collaborative partnerships and development of a highly experienced technical team. Expenditures from 2011-2022 on Eagle Plains-related projects exceed $30M, the majority of which was funded by third-party partners. This exploration work resulted in approximately 45,000m of diamond-drilling and extensive ground-based exploration work facilitating the advancement of numerous projects at various stages of development. Throughout the exploration process, our mission is to help maintain prosperous communities by exploring for and discovering resource opportunities while building lasting relationships through honest and respectful business practices. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Tim J. Termuende" President and CEO For further information on EPL, please contact Mike Labach at 1 866 HUNT ORE (486 8673) Email: [email protected] or visit our website at http://www.eagleplains.com Cautionary Note Regarding 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 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. SOURCE: Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com: SACRAMENTO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / Steve Fleming, president and chief executive officer of River City Bank (the Bank), announced that the Bank's board of directors has approved, in connection with the Bank's recently reported net income of $14.4 million or $9.65 diluted earnings per share for the quarter ending June 30, 2023, a cash dividend of $0.35 per common share to shareholders of record as of Aug. 1, 2023, and payable on Aug. 15, 2023. ABOUT RIVER CITY BANK: Named one of Sacramento Business Journal's "50 Fastest Growing Companies" for each of the past six years, River City Bank is the Sacramento region's premier business bank with assets of over $4.3 billion. River City Bank offers a comprehensive suite of banking services, including loans, deposits and cash management tools to the business, consumer and commercial real estate sectors. With tailored, executive-level service and a long-term investment grade credit rating from Standard & Poor's, River City Bank redefines the banking experience and every touch point that surrounds it. River City Bank is the largest, independent, locally-owned and managed bank in the Sacramento region with offices in the San Francisco Bay Area and a presence in Southern California. For additional information, please visit www.rivercitybank.com or call (916) 567-2600. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Contact Information Pat Lewis Executive Vice President - Chief Operating Officer [email protected] 916-567-2600 SOURCE: River City Bank View source version on accesswire.com: VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 21, 2023 / The Power Play by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with Datametrex AI, European Energy Metals, Mullen Group, Tectonic Metals and Green River Gold 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. DM EVS expands operations to Ontario Datametrex AI Limited (TSXV:DM)(FSE:D4G)(OTCQB: DTMXF) (the "Company" or "Datametrex'') is pleased to announce a significant milestone in its electric vehicle (EV) solutions division as its wholly-owned subsidiary, Datametrex Electric Vehicle Solutions Inc. ("DM EVS"), expands operations to Toronto, Ontario. For the full interview with Marshall Gunter and to learn about Datametrex AI, click here. European Energy Metals (TSXV:FIN) Confirms Pegmatites at Lappajarvi West European Energy Metals (TSXV:FIN)(FSE:W28) ("European Energy" or the "Company") is pleased to announce exploration crews have confirmed the presence of pegmatites at Lappajarvi West, one of the five concessions comprising its 2,300 square kilometre Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum ("LCT") and Rare Earth Element ("REE") Finnish Pegmatite Project, in central and southern Finland. For the full interview with Jeremy Poirier and to learn about European Energy Metals, click here. Mullen Group Ltd. (T:MTL) reports 2023 second quarter financial results (TSX:MTL) Mullen Group Ltd. ("Mullen Group", "We", "Our" and/or the "Corporation"), one of Canada's largest logistics providers today reported its financial and operating results for the period ended June 30, 2023, with comparisons to the same period last year. For the full interview with Carson Urlacher and to learn about Mullen Group, click here. Tectonic Metals (TSXV:TECT) Set to launch inaugural 2023 drill program to unlock the tier-one potential of the Flat Gold Project Tectonic Metals Inc. (TSXV:TECT) ("Tectonic" or the "Company") a mineral exploration company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing district-scale projects in politically stable jurisdictions, today announced the scope of the Company's inaugural 2023 drill program for the Flat Gold Project in Southwest Alaska. For the full interview with Tony Reda and to learn about Tectonic Metals, click here. Green River Gold (CSE:CCR) Reports Assay Results and Again Intersects Nickel, Magnesium, Cobalt, and Chromium Beginning at the Bedrock Surface for the 45th Consecutive Hole Green River Gold Corp. (CSE:CCR)(OTC Pink:CCRRF) (the "Company" or "Green River") is pleased to announce that the Company is currently drilling its 46th hole on the Quesnel Nickel Project and that the XRF results indicate mineralization similar to the previous 45 drill holes, once again beginning at the bedrock surface. For the full interview with Perry Little and to learn about Green River Gold, 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. 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CONTACT: The Market Herald [email protected] themarketherald.ca SOURCE: The Market Herald View source version on accesswire.com: LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of a- (Excellent) of Lombard International Assurance S.A. (LIA SA) (Luxembourg). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of bbb- (Good) of LIA Holdings Limited (Lombard International) (United Kingdom), a non-operating holding company. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is negative. The ratings reflect Lombard Internationals consolidated balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as the groups adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings of LIA SA factor in its strategic importance to Lombard International, and its integration within the group. Lombard Internationals balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The assessment also reflects the groups liability profile, which AM Best considers to be low risk, as it primarily provides unit-linked products. Moreover, there are no living benefit guarantees and mortality risk is low, as it is largely reinsured with a variety of reinsurers of high credit quality. Partially offsetting factors in the balance sheet strength assessment include the groups high reliance on soft capital components, primarily the value of in force business, to support its risk-adjusted capitalisation, and high financial leverage. Lombard International has committed to reduce its financial leverage over the short term using the proceeds of the sale of its U.S. and Bermuda operations and internal capital generation. However, there is uncertainty on the timing of the reduction as the sale is pending regulatory approval. Failure to reduce financial leverage and improve interest coverage over the short term will likely lead to a negative rating action. Lombard Internationals operating performance is supported by a steady inflow of fee revenue. AM Best expects the group to continue to produce stable cash flows, driven by solid new business generation and excellent persistency of the existing portfolio. Lombard International maintains a solid position in its core markets, offering tailored products to high and ultra-high net worth individuals, primarily in Europe. A focus on this client base means that the group is highly susceptible to changes in legislation with respect to domestic and international taxation. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising 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. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721656837/en/ Stanislav Stoev, ACCA Senior Financial Analyst +44 20 7397 0306 [email protected] Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 [email protected] Jessica Botelho-Young, CA Associate Director, Analytics +44 20 7397 0310 [email protected] Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 [email protected] Source: AM Best Threats against civilian vessels in the Black Sea are "unacceptable," a senior UN official said Friday following statements by Moscow and Kyiv after Russia withdrew from a key grain export deal. Russia announced on Monday that it was pulling out of the initiative, which allowed the safe export of Ukrainian grain, effectively ending the agreement signed in July last year between Moscow, Kyiv, Istanbul and the UN. Russian authorities then announced that they would consider any ships heading for Ukrainian grain ports on the Black Sea as military targets. Kyiv responded by issuing a warning to ships heading for Russian-controlled ports. "Threats regarding potential targeting of civilian vessels navigating in the Black Sea waters are unacceptable," the UN's under-secretary-general for political affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, told the UN Security Council. "We are also concerned about the reports of sea mines laid in the Black Sea, endangering civilian navigation. "We strongly urge restraint from any further rhetoric or action that could deteriorate the already dangerous situation," she added. DiCarlo added that Russia withdrawing from the grain deal, "coupled with its bombardment of crucial ports, will further compound the crisis." She said the UN would continue its efforts to allow Ukrainian and Russian grain, a key food source for the world, to reach global markets. The UN's humanitarian affairs chief Martin Griffiths said this week had been one of "sadness and disappointment." But for many of the 362 million people in need of humanitarian aid around the world, it was a "threat to their future." "They're not sad, they're angry, they're worried, they're concerned. Some will go hungry. Some will starve, many may die as a result of these decisions," Griffiths added. Search Keywords: Short link: AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a- (Excellent) of SIAT-Societa Italiana Assicurazioni e Riassicurazioni p.A. (SIAT) (Italy), a subsidiary of UnipolSai Assicurazioni S.p.A. (UnipolSai). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect SIATs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The ratings also consider, in the form of a rating lift, AM Bests expectation that UnipolSai will provide financial support to SIAT if needed. SIATs risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), was at the strongest level at year-end 2022, and AM Best expects BCAR to be maintained, at least, at the very strong level. SIAT maintains a strong liquidity profile, with liquid investments accounting for approximately 142% of its year-end 2022, net technical liabilities. Offsetting factors in the balance sheet strength assessment include the companys investment concentration in Italian government bonds and its dependence on reinsurance to write high-value risks. SIAT has a track record of adequate underwriting performance, with volatility contained by an effective reinsurance programme. In 2022, pre-tax profits amounted to EUR 7.9 million (adjusted by AM Best for extraordinary income and expenses), with the combined ratio standing at 90.1% (as calculated by AM Best) at year end. SIATs five-year average combined ratio stood at 94.0% (2018-2022) (as calculated by AM Best). AM Best expects SIAT to continue to report profits, with combined ratios below 100%, supported by selective underwriting. SIAT has an established reputation as a niche insurer in the marine hull and cargo segments, in which it ranks among the leading players in Italy. In addition, the companys business profile is strengthened by its reciprocal outsourcing agreements with its parent, UnipolSai. SIAT benefits from a developed ERM framework, with the risk function centralised at the group level. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising 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. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721814833/en/ Jose Berenguer, CFA Senior Financial Analyst +31 20 308 54 29 [email protected] Dr. Angela Yeo Senior Director, Analytics +31 20 308 5421 [email protected] Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 [email protected] Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 [email protected] Source: AM Best OTTAWA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BioTalent Canada has been celebrated with the title of one of Canadas 2023 Best Places to Work by HRD Canada. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721812789/en/ This recognition is a testament to the hard work and enthusiasm of a team dedicated to creating a strong and resilient health and bioscience sector in Canada. Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Canadian HR Awards recognize employers on a national level and spotlight human resources initiatives that drive organizational success and build a competitive advantage in todays business environment. The Canadian HR Awards is organized by HRD, one of the most progressive HR professional organizations in Canada. Other recipients of this years award include Fidelity Canada, Hyundai Canada, Rexall Pharmacy Group, Ontario Power Generation, and CIBC bank. Its an honour earning the distinction as one of Canadas best places to work, says Rob Henderson, President and CEO of BioTalent Canada. Our team works hard every day to highlight the great people that make up Canadas bio-economy. Knowing that their efforts are getting recognized is something to take great pride in. As a national non-profit focused on building Canadas bio-economy, BioTalent Canada supports the people behind life-changing science through various wage subsidy programs, including the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) that it has successfully administered since 2019. BioTalent Canadas most comprehensive and recent labour market study and their continued research, clearly indicates organizations who provide a strong work-life balance, practice diversity, inclusion and equity, foster teamwork, and offer quality benefits and fair compensation find success. BioTalent Canadas project: Building Resiliency and Sustainability for the Bio-economy to Withstand Disruption, also gathered evidence that makes the argument for making diversity and inclusion a best-practice. Creating a strong, dynamic culture for our employees, where individual voices work together to support a common goal has made BioTalent Canada a desirable destination for talent, adds Henderson. Our success continues to be driven by collaboration and sharing ideas. This award is the latest in a string of accolades the organization has received in recent years. Recently named a Great Place to Work for 2023, BioTalent Canada practices the same industry standards it recommends to its stakeholders nationwide. Organizations had to meet a minimum number of responses to be eligible for the Best Places to Work recognition, based on company size: 1-99 employees = minimum of 10 responses, 100-499 = 20+ and 500+ = 50+. The survey asked employees to rate their company across a range of metrics that constituted drivers of employee satisfaction. An employer needed to achieve an overall satisfaction rating of at least 80 per cent to be recognized as a Best Place to Work in 2023. About BioTalent Canada BioTalent Canada supports the people behind life-changing science. Trusted as the go-to source for labour market intelligence, BioTalent Canada guides bio-economy stakeholders with evidence-based data and industry-driven standards. BioTalent Canada is focused on igniting the industrys brainpower, bridging the gap between job-ready talent and employers, and ensuring the long-term agility, resiliency, and sustainability of one of Canadas most vital sectors. Recently named a Great Place to Work and Best Workplaces in Healthcare for 2023, by Great Place to Work Canada, as well as being listed as a Best Workplace by HRD Canada for 2023, BioTalent Canada practices the same industry standards it recommends to stakeholders. These distinctions were awarded to BioTalent Canada following a thorough and independent survey analysis conducted by Great Place to Work and HRD Canada respectively. For more information, please visit biotalent.ca. About HRD We are the worlds leading independent HR publisher (www.hcamag.com), reaching over 120,000 HR professionals daily in five markets. We publish daily news, opinion and analysis in addition to a growing series of special reports industry surveys and rankings showcasing the best individuals, companies and products in the market. About HRD Canadas Best Place to Work The entry process for HRD Canadas Best Places to Work ranking comprised two steps: an employer submission followed by an employee survey. For the submission, organizations had to complete an in-depth submission with questions looking at key factors, such as employee engagement, turnover rates, average tenure of staff, compensation and benefits, health and wellness programs, diversity initiatives, professional development, corporate culture, flexible work options, reward and recognition, and green programs. Companies that successfully completed the submission phase were then sent a link to an online employee survey to be circulated internally within their organization. Organizations had to meet a minimum number of responses to be eligible for the Best Places to Work recognition, based on company size: 1-99 employees = minimum of 10 responses, 100-499 = 20+ and 500+ = 50+. The survey asked employees to rate their company across a range of metrics that constituted drivers of employee satisfaction. An employer needed to achieve an overall satisfaction rating of at least 80 per cent to be recognized as a Best Place to Work in 2023. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721812789/en/ Media: Siobhan Williams Vice-President Marketing and Communications BioTalent Canada 613-235-1402 ext. 229 [email protected] Source: BioTalent Canada MORRISTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cary Street Partners is pleased to announce that Todd A. Engmann has joined the firm as Director and Financial Advisor, working in the firms Morristown, New Jersey regional location. With his 25 years of experience as a financial services industry leader, Mr. Engmann brings a track record of service to both his clients and colleagues and deepens Cary Street Partners rapidly expanding presence in the New Jersey market. Prior to joining Cary Street Partners, Mr. Engmann held prominent positions, most recently in sales management with Wells Fargo Advisors, where he cultivated an extensive network and built long-standing client relationships. Throughout his career, he has been guided by the cornerstones of integrity, competency, compassion, and attentive service, which have earned him the trust and loyalty of his clients and colleagues. "We are excited to welcome Todd Engmann to Cary Street Partners," said Joseph R. Schmuckler, Chief Executive Officer of Cary Street Partners. "His leadership background, combined with his deep knowledge and experience, makes him exceptionally well-equipped to leverage the resources of our firm to deliver the best solutions for his clients' needs. Todd's arrival is a perfect marriage of his client-centric approach and our firm's commitment to delivering A Higher Standard of service and value." Cary Street Partners has a long history of collaboration and support with Wells Fargo and is a valued strategic business partner of First Clearing LLC. As a financial advisor at Cary Street Partners, Mr. Engmann will enhance this partnership and leverage his experience to help individuals, families, and businesses achieve their financial goals. With a comprehensive understanding of investment strategies, retirement planning, wealth management, and more, he will play a vital role in providing customized solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of his clients. Todd Engmann stated, "I am excited to join Cary Street Partners and work alongside such a talented team of professionals. The firm aligns perfectly with my own background and the values of putting clients first. I look forward to continuing to build strong, long-lasting relationships based on trust, integrity, and attentive service." About Cary Street Partners Cary Street Partners Financial LLC is a leading independent financial services firm operating in 17 offices across six states. Cary Street Partners provides comprehensive wealth management services including investment management, planning and financial advice in a culture dedicated to independence and objective thinking. Cary Street Partners financial advisors serve individuals, families and institutions with customized strategies tailored to fit each clients objectives. For more information, please visit carystreetpartners.com. Cary Street Partners is the trade name used by Cary Street Partners LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC; Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC and Cary Street Partners Asset Management LLC, registered investment advisers. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721105632/en/ Paige W. Garrigan [email protected] 404-974-4984 Source: Cary Street Partners Supporting Brilliantcryptos global release TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Brilliantcrypto, Inc. (HQ: Minato City Tokyo, CEO: Naruatsu Baba, henceforth Brilliantcrypto) has partnered with 7 Guild/DAO organizations across the world. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230720303814/en/ Partnership with 7 Guild/DAO Organizations Globally (Graphic: Business Wire) Through these partnerships, Brilliantcrypto, the sustainable play-to-earn game, will advance onto the world stage through reaching these territories in which many blockchain game users reside. Partnership Introductions OLA GG OlaGG is the largest Web3 gaming community in the Hispanic market, boasting over 400,000 members across Latin America and Spain. Their community actively engages in the web3 economy by creating content, embarking on quests, and taking part in esports tournaments. As their players participate in community programs and level up together, they enhance their own growth and prosperity. They serve as a platform for economic empowerment within our community. #SomosOLA https://olagg.io/ Indi GG IndiGG is a gaming DAO acquired by Kratos Studios building distribution rails in emerging markets starting with India, to enable value exchange between game developers and gamers. The community is a collection of multiple micro-gaming communities that carry out independent operations to onboard players to web3. IndiGG is the worlds largest web3 gaming community that has a phygital presence of over 700,000 players. In the IndiGG model 70-80% of the funds received from games are passed on to the community in the form of rewards in a completely transparent manner Kratos Studios has raised $20M from marquee venture investors like Accel, Prosus Ventures, Nexus Venture Partners, etc. and L2 investors like ImmutableX and Polygon. https://indi.gg/ GuildQB GuildQB is a Web3 social platform that caters to GameFi and NFT game players. Since our launch in the spring of 2022, we have been sharing information about Web3 gaming through the media "Scholars Lab", as well as on Instagram, and Twitter. In February 2023, we launched our first NFT collection Kisaragi launch and are continuing to develop our metaverse platform, "QB Metaverse City" (provisional). GuildQB has also been active in physical events, exhibiting at the Tokyo Game Show and Blockchain Expo in 2022. With our partners Kyrie & Terra, we have made efforts to raise awareness about Web3 games. Stay updated on GuildQB through Discord, where you can get the latest news and even win AL rumble and coins you can use soon. Our Discord is also a great place to connect with fellow players and discuss strategies for Web3 games! https://guildqb.com/ Samurai Guild Games "Samurai Guild Games" is a Japanese guild, tearing down barriers for Japanese participation in Web3 games. We enrich our members' lives by creating new gaming opportunities centered around Play, Earn, Learn, and Create. #SamuraiGG https://www.samuraiguild.games/ AvocadoDAO Avocado DAO is a pioneer in the Blockchain gaming space, boasting the largest scholarship size of 2021 with a main directive of on boarding the next generation of Web3 users. It is a collective of likeminded community members and core contributors that believe in the benefits of Blockchain technologies and metaverses. https://www.avocadodao.io/ PathDAO PathDAO is the premier venture studio based in SEA building the future of gaming. We invest into and incubate projects at the intersection of web3, social, and gaming. Besides that, we are a digital society that welcomes all gamers regardless of background. https://pathdao.io/ Ninja Game Guild Ninja Game Guild is a game guild mainly based in Africa. Through NFT games, they tie Japan and Africa together, and aim to resolve societal issues. In May 2023, they worked with large businesses from Japan at a Web3 event held in Nigeria, helping build a bridge between businesses and participants through sharing information as panelists and participants. They manage Guild, Inc., which has NFT Game guilds and also the objective of accelerating business cooperation between Japan and Africa. https://twitter.com/NinjaGameGuild Company Name: Brilliantcrypto, Inc. Headquarters: Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka 9-7-2, 5F & 6F Midtown East Founded: 2022/11/09 Executive Director: Naruatsu Baba Brilliantcrypto, Inc. Corporate Site: https://brypto.net View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230720303814/en/ Point of Contact regarding inquiries from the media on this release Brilliantcrypto PR Representative: Hugo Church, Naoki Nose, Yasuhiro Noguchi Mail: [email protected] Source: Brilliantcrypto, Inc. IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The End Drug Shortage Alliance, today announced recommended actions healthcare industry stakeholders should immediately take to help minimize supply chain disruptions of sterile injectable medications in the wake of the tornado that hit Pfizers Rocky Mount, North Carolina facility. The plant was both a production facility and a warehouse for finished products including anesthesia, analgesia, therapeutics, anti-infectives and neuromuscular blocker product categories. Pfizers website currently states that 200 million units are shipped globally every year from their Rocky Mount facility. Pfizers press release from earlier today also states that the Rocky Mount facility currently manufactures nearly 8% of all sterile injectable medication utilization in U.S. hospitals. However, overall market share for each individual product or presentation (vial size) can vary and the impact to supply remains unknown at this time. Sterile injectable manufacturers and 503b compounders of impacted products categories should evaluate their ability to increase production in order to help meet current demand levels for products. As impacted product lists become available 503bs should review their formularies and shift production to impacted essential medications where possible. Wholesalers should communicate with manufacturers and establish proactive protective 120% allocations for medications in the product categories to ensure the product is available for patient care and refine as more information is available. We also suggest establishing a small reserve inventory in the event emergency supply is needed. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is encouraged to expedite the review and evaluation of the impacted plant. As information becomes available of impacted products, expedite the approval of any applications for the products affected by this plant disruption. Expedite the review and update the FDA Drug Shortage Database to allow for prompt 503b production. Group Purchase Organizations (GPOs) should consider novel sourcing strategies to provide their members with additional redundancy for essential medications to minimize potential patient care disruption. Further, we recommend they communicate regularly with supply chain leaders to support access and resiliency. Providers and clinicians should exercise a stewardship mindset when ordering, prescribing and administering medications affected by supply constraints to preserve availability for vulnerable patient populations. Alert your regulatory community with any price gouging or predatory activity. The End Drug Shortages Alliances Rapid Response Team will continue to continue to closely monitor this situation and the products that may be impacted and share updates as new information becomes available. Organizations interested in joining the End Drug Shortages Alliance to collaborate and support patients during a disruption by being stewards of supply can learn more here: https://www.enddrugshortages.com/. About End Drug Shortages Alliance The End Drug Shortages Alliance is a collaboration of health care industry stakeholders, including providers, group purchasing organizations, manufacturers, distributors and other industry thought leaders dedicated to solving the pharmaceutical supply challenges that disrupt access to essential medications in the U.S. We prioritize initiatives focused on transparency, quality, redundancy and production of additional supply to achieve undisrupted access to essential medications for health care providers and patients. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721374696/en/ Meagan Finucane (708) 407-5497 [email protected] Source: End Drug Shortages Alliance JOPLIN, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Marmic Fire & Safety, an HGGC company, brings onboard five fire protection companies seeking greater resources and long-term growth for their teams. Prior owners are sharing their experiences working with Marmic and how they plan for the future of employees. The right acquisition partners who choose to join Marmic Fire & Safety share our passion for employees and customers. This is why when they decide we are the right fit, we couldnt be more proud to have their teams join us in making both Marmic and their employees more successful. We take great care in welcoming these new team members to our organization, said Greg Bochicchio, CEO of Marmic Fire & Safety. As part of due diligence, the Marmic team works closely with owners to learn about all their employees and build out a long-term organizational strategy for all team members. Marmic prides ourselves on being an employer of choice and that extends to all our new team members that join our organization through acquisitions. Ensuring employee retention and culture continuity is one of the most important parts of the Marmic deal process, said John Walsh, Vice President of Business Development of Marmic Fire & Safety. Denver, CO - Originally founded in 1971 by his father, John Abbott Sr., John Abbott took over Fire & Safety of Denver in 1994 with his wife, Sondi. They continued John Sr.s legacy by serving Denver and the surrounding communities with Fire Safety Inspections and DOT Cylinder Hydrostatic Testing. Over the past 29 years, they have watched the company grow from a building with no plumbing or heat to a thriving contributor to Denvers safety today. With great pride in his team John said, We have really great employeesTrying to keep them happy and trying to keep them engaged is sometimes the hard part. The employees are number onetheyre helping you build. We were at a crossroads. We just couldnt grow the way I wanted to grow. So I felt Marmic was a great situation. Tyler, TX - With entrepreneurship running in his veins, David McDaniels purchased Alpha Fire Safety of Flint, TX from Barry Grimes in 2015. Since then, he kept the company rolling and is now ready to let Marmic take the Alpha team to the next level. East Texas customers, already benefiting from Alphas strong presence, will benefit greatly as Marmic resources and our team at APS FireCo reinforce the new team and help it reach its full potential. David McDaniels expressed his excitement for his teams next chapter. My guysthey are the company. Its the people that make [Alpha] special; theyve worked really hard to help us get to this point. Theyre going to have access to all the benefits and the capital and all the things that they need to continue to make it special. Wilmington, NC - In the tight-knit community of Wilmington, NC, how well you do in business is often determined by how well you know the people of this beautiful coastal city. Tim Milligan and his wife Vanessa were born and raised there and are deeply committed to protecting their neighbors. After establishing Intracoastal Fire Protection to serve their community, they earned the respect of their customers and employees through diligence that often meant long days and nights. With such commitment, passing their company to another has been an emotional journey, but knowing their employees and customers are in good hands eased the transition. In order to trust Marmic with his employees, Tim investigated the company and came to this conclusion, To be fair to the employees and get us to the next level I needed to partner with somebody who I felt like would be a good fit. I did my homeworkI followed what [Marmic] employees say and what past acquisitions were saying. Everything that I researched is what made me feel good about Marmic. San Antonio, TX - Darryl Lyons has worked on many fire sprinkler systems and kitchen systems since he became licensed in 1976. Darryls decades of experience in fire safety led him to establish LyonsGuard Fire Protection. Over the past several years, he and his wife Robin built a team with an enviable reputation for industrial fire suppression systems in the SA community. Today, hes poised his team to prosper with Marmics resources and leadership in South Texas. Reflecting on his decision to join Marmic Darryl explained, Our customers outgrew us. I knew I needed to make a change to stay up with my customers needsto select the proper company that would best fit your customers needs and your employees needs. I felt like [Marmic] was such a good match. My family is happy. It will allow us more time with our family as well. Camden, SC - Founded in 1959 by AB Shirley, Camden Fire Extinguisher Sales and Service was purchased by Fain Johnson in 1980. He ran it by himself out of the back of his familys station wagon and has watched it grow to 14 employees. Fain and his wife, Jennifer, are ready to enjoy retirement and watch Camden Fire succeed and grow with Marmic at the helm. Regarding concerns for his employees, Fain said, Camden Fire wouldnt exist without my employees. They are the most important thing to me. Theyve handled this transition very well. Now that theyve seen what Marmic can offer theyre very happy and encouraged. I wouldnt have put [the company] in anyone elses hands. Watch owner interviews here. About Marmic: Marmic Fire & Safety Company is the successful, nationally-recognized expansion of Joplin Fire Protection (JFP) which began in 1951 with Charles and Mary Lou Teeter in Joplin, MO. As the company grew outside of Southwest Missouri, Marmic was formed from the names of Martha and Mickey Teeter, a second generation of the Teeter family that brought consistent fire protection services to new territories. With third and fourth generations involved today, Marmic is now host to a family of safety brands with over 40 local offices covering 18 states. With its core recurring services in fire extinguisher, fire sprinkler, fire alarm, industrial fire suppression, and kitchen system fire suppression Marmic is one of the top fire protection companies in the country. But few other companies are as holistic in terms of safety. By installing and servicing security and access control systems it demonstrates a well-rounded concern for the protection of life and property. Additionally, offering personal protection equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, reflective vests, and more establishes Marmic as a complete, one-stop shop for workplace safety equipment. This depth of service illustrates the importance the company places on customer safety. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721499691/en/ Carrie Gerbitz Marmic Fire & Safety - Marketing Coordinator [email protected] M&A Contacts: John Walsh Marmic Fire & Safety - Vice President of Business Development [email protected] or Joe Paladino Marmic Fire & Safety - Vice President Integration [email protected] Source: Marmic Fire & Safety PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: Forsee Power (FR0014005SB3 FORSE), the expert in smart battery systems for light and heavy electric vehicles, announces the appointment of Remi Fuste as Vice-President, Aftermarket and Customer Satisfaction. He also joins the Group's Executive Committee. With a master's degree in mechanical and IT engineering from I.N.S.A in Lyon, Remi Fuste has more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry within the Renault Group, with after-sales service, quality and customer satisfaction. Before joining Forsee Power, he held a position of Global Aftermarket Engineering Director at Renault. Remi Fuste will lead the Aftermarket and Customer Satisfaction direction of Forsee Power, created early 2023 to support customers in optimizing the use of their battery systems, from day one operations, with a specially adapted range of products and services. I am delighted to join Forsee Power as Vice President Aftermarket and Customer Satisfaction. The industrialization of disruptive battery systems and the appeal of sustainable electric mobility are two assets that convinced me to join the Group to support the needs of its after-sales customers. I am particularly familiar with industrial manufacturing and the important of quality and am eager to take the challenge with the entire team, says Remi Fuste. Christophe Gurtner, Founder & CEO of Forsee Power, concludes: We are very happy to welcome Remi to our executive committee. His many years of expertise in the management of after-sales and customer satisfaction in the automotive industry will be a major asset in leading our new Aftermarket department which aims to strengthen our leadership position by offering an ever-increasing range of innovative products and services. About Forsee Power Forsee Power is a French industrial group specializing in smart battery systems for sustainable electric transport (light vehicles, off-highway vehicles, buses, trains and ships). A major player in Europe, Asia and North America, the Group designs, assembles, and supplies energy management systems based on cells that are among the most robust in the market and provides installation, commissioning, and maintenance on site and remotely. More than 2,000 buses and 100,000 LEV have been equipped with Forsee Powers batteries. The Group also offers financing solutions (battery leasing) and second-life solutions for transport batteries. Forsee Power and its 650 employees are committed to sustainable development and the Group has obtained the Gold medal from leading sustainability rating agency EcoVadis. For more information: www.forseepower.com | @ForseePower View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230720032407/en/ Forsee Power Sophie Tricaud VP Corporate affairs and Sustainability [email protected] NewCap Thomas Grojean Quentin Masse Investor Relations [email protected] +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94 NewCap Nicolas Merigeau Media Relations [email protected] +33 (0)1 44 71 94 98 Source: Forsee Power PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: Gecinas (Paris: GFC) 2023 Half-Year Report can be consulted or downloaded from the Groups website (www.gecina.fr) in the section Investors / Publications and press releases / Financial reports and universal registration documents. It is also available free of charge upon request: - by mail: Gecina - 16, rue des Capucines 75002 Paris - by email: [email protected] - by phone: 0 800 800 976 (toll-free number only available in France) About Gecina As a specialist for centrality and uses, Gecina operates innovative and sustainable living spaces. The Group owns, manages and develops Europes leading office portfolio, with nearly 97% located in the Paris Region, and a portfolio of residential assets and student residences, with over 9,000 apartments. These portfolios are valued at 18.5 billion euros at end-June 2023. Gecina has firmly established its focus on innovation and its human approach at the heart of its strategy to create value and deliver on its purpose: Empowering shared human experiences at the heart of our sustainable spaces. For our 100,000 clients, this ambition is supported by our client-centric brand YouFirst. It is also positioned at the heart of UtilesEnsemble, our program setting out our solidarity-based commitments to the environment, to people and to the quality of life in cities. Gecina is a French real estate investment trust (SIIC) listed on Euronext Paris, and is part of the SBF 120, CAC Next 20, CAC Large 60 and Euronext 100 indices. Gecina is also recognized as one of the top-performing companies in its industry by leading sustainability benchmarks and rankings (GRESB, Sustainalytics, MSCI, ISS ESG and CDP). www.gecina.fr View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721497136/en/ GECINA Financial communications Samuel Henry-Diesbach Tel: +33 (0)1 40 40 52 22 [email protected] Virginie Sterling Tel: +33 (0)1 40 40 62 48 [email protected] Press relations Glenn Domingues Tel: +33 (0)1 40 40 63 86 [email protected] Armelle Miclo Tel: +33 (0)1 40 40 51 98 [email protected] Source: Gecina SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- PETLIBRO, a leading smart pet supply brand in the US, is set to launch its highly anticipated second-generation PETLIBRO INFINITY Cat Tree (RRP $199-$399) on July 18. This innovative product promises to revolutionize the way cats play, relax, and explore, creating a cozy haven right in the comforts of home. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230720473162/en/ Build Your Cat's World, Their Way. (Graphic: Business Wire) Built on the concept of modular design, the INFINITY Cat Tree aims to cater to the ever-changing needs of both cats and their families. Whether it's playful kittens, a multi-cat household, or cats that love to climb and bask in the sun, this cat tree is thoughtfully designed with their specific preferences in mind. From long hallways to sun-drenched windowsills or tucked into corners, the possibilities for customization are endless, ensuring the perfect fit for every cat and home. With a patented structure and master craftsmanship, this customizable cat tree offers super quick assembly and disassembly, allowing for a simple 2-second platform setup without compromising stability and durability. Thanks to its innovative and modular design, setting up and dismantling the product is a breeze, providing pet owners with convenience and peace of mind. The ultra-stable platforms are made of quality materials and can accommodate up to 35 lbs of furry goodness, ensuring a secure and reliable platform for both play and relaxation for furry friends. The INFINITY Cat Tree addresses common challenges in meeting cats' evolving needs. Its customizable design allows for long-term adaptability, while eco-friendly component replacement reduces waste. However, its true appeal lies in the endless possibilities it offers. From accommodating multiple cats to creating high-jumping havens and sunny lounging spots, the INFINITY Cat Tree effortlessly caters to every imaginable scenario. Embrace the boundless potential of the INFINITY Cat Tree and transform the way you provide the perfect environment for your feline companions. Currently, the INFINITY Cat Tree is available on both the PETLIBRO Website and Amazon. About PETLIBRO PETLIBRO believes that every pet deserves a space that grows with them, bringing joy and fulfillment at every stage of their lives. The INFINITY Cat Tree has arrived as the modern solution, putting an end to having to constantly replace cat trees. Welcome to the new era of modularity, effortless assembly, and infinite formations. Say hello to a cat tree revolution! Get more product images and information here. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230720473162/en/ [email protected] Source: PETLIBRO Financing from FHLB Dallas and Renaissance Community Loan Fund Assists with Launch of Woman-Owned Startup LONG BEACH, Miss.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- After a journey that began on the railroads of Louisiana, two businesswomen have opened a juice bar in a red caboose on the coast of Mississippi. A Small Business Boost (SBB) loan from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) and Renaissance Community Loan Fund (RCLF) moved them along the track to entrepreneurship. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721941336/en/ Tomeka Bryant, left, and Ailsa von Dobeneck, co-owners of The Juicy Caboosy in Long Beach, Mississippi, received a $59,000 Small Business Boost loan from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas through Renaissance Community Loan Fund. (Photo: Business Wire) Tomeka Bryant and Ailsa von Dobeneck met when their careers crossed paths in the railroad industry. They forged a friendship over shared business interests that got them talking about an investment of a different sort. After noticing a growing number of decommissioned cabooses, the two women hatched a business plan to buy a caboose and turn it into a business. Meet The Juicy Caboosy, a juice bar and eatery in Long Beach, Mississippi, along the Mississippi coast. The pair renovated their decommissioned caboose into a juice bar with an outdoor deck and seating area. Now, The Juicy Caboosy is a tourist spot with fresh juices, smoothie bowls and other refreshing menu items. A $59,000 SBB loan from FHLB Dallas through RCLF helped fund the startup. Financing included a $241,000 RCLF loan that was supplemented with personal funds from Ms. Bryant and Ms. Dobeneck. FHLB Dallas offers SBB loans through member financial institutions to provide financing for qualified small businesses by filling the gap between the loan amount that an FHLB Dallas member institution can fund and the loan request made by an eligible small business. The team at RCLF was impressed with the businesswomen from the start. Ms. Bryant and Ms. Dobeneck had a great business plan and strategy. We could tell they had the drive to make their vision come true and we knew The Juicy Caboosy was going to be a success, said Kimberly LaRosa, president of RCLF. One advantage of the SBB is that the borrower does not begin to repay the loan until after the first year. This feature helps newly formed small businesses build cash flow during their first year of operation. Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment for FHLB Dallas, said RCLF has ushered small businesses from the concept phase through to their launch. The Juicy Caboosy is a great example of how FHLB Dallas members like RCLF are helping small businesses thrive, he said. Visit fhlb.com/sbb to learn more. About Renaissance Community Loan Fund Renaissance Community Loan Fund is on a mission to empower people with the skills and information they need to improve their finances. RCLF can help you go from needing your credit repaired to being ready for a home or business loan. Renaissance Community Loan Fund is a different kind of lender focused on helping residents in Mississippi and Alabama achieve their dreams. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $181.2 billion as of March 31, 2023, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit our website at fhlb.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721941336/en/ Corporate Communications Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas fhlb.com (214) 441-8445 Source: Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas Saudi Arabia on Thursday signed agreements with Tunisia to provide $500 million to help finance Tunisia's state budget. In the presence of Tunisian Prime Minister Najla Bouden Romdhane, the agreements were signed by Tunisian Finance Minister Sihem Namsia and her Saudi counterpart Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan, at the government headquarters in Tunis. The agreements included the provision of a soft loan of $400 million and a grant worth $100 million to support the Tunisian economy. "These agreements aim to support the Tunisian economy to come out of its crisis," Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Tunisia Abdulaziz bin Ali Al-Saqr told the media on the sidelines of the signing ceremony. Namsia said that the signing of these agreements "is part of the consolidation of bilateral ties and long-standing cooperation between the two countries." The Saudi minister said that these agreements testified to the solidity of the relations between the two countries and the efforts made by Saudi Arabia to support the revival of the Tunisian economy. Search Keywords: Short link: Tuesday, July 25,2023 HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, beginning at 9:15 a.m. A quorum of the Port Commission, along with executive leadership, will be present in the boardroom of the Port Houston Executive Office Building, located at 111 East Loop North, Houston, TX 77029. It will be conducted as a hybrid meeting open to the public to attend in person or accessed virtually via WebEx webinar. The agenda and instructions for accessing Port Houston public meetings are available at https://www.porthouston.com/about/public-meetings/agendas-minutes/. Upcoming Port Commission Regular Meeting (subject to change): Tuesday, September 26 at 9:15 a.m. Sign-up for public comment is available up to an hour before the meeting by contacting Erik Eriksson at [email protected] or Liana Christian at [email protected]. About Port Houston For more than 100 years, Port Houston has owned and operated the public wharves and terminals along the Houston Ship Channel the nations largest port for waterborne tonnage and an essential economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas, and the U.S. nation. The more than 200 private and eight public terminals along the federal waterway supports the creation of nearly 1.35 million jobs in Texas and 3.2 million jobs nationwide, and economic activity totaling $339 billion in Texas 20.6% of Texas total gross domestic product (GDP) and a total of $801.9 billion in economic impact across the nation. For more information, visit the website: https://porthouston.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721668724/en/ Lisa Ashley-Daniels, Director, Public Relations, Port Houston Office: 713-670-2644; Mobile: 832-247-8179; E-mail: [email protected] Source: Port Houston CHARLESTON, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Quoizel, LLC (Quoizel or the Company), a leading brand in decorative lighting, today announced that it has emerged as a standalone company after its former parent company, NBG Home filed for Chapter 11 earlier this year. The Company will now be owned by a group of investors led by credit funds and accounts managed by KKR. Founded in 1930, Quoizel is a leading manufacturer of fine decorative lighting. The Company originated in New York and relocated to a 52-acre site in South Carolina in 1996 where it remains today. Quoizel light fixtures, known for their timeless designs, adorn millions of homes throughout North America. Quoizel has been serving the lighting needs of consumers for nearly a century and we are excited to begin this new chapter in our proud history. We are grateful to our employees for their tireless efforts and contributions, to our customers for their loyalty, to our suppliers for their continued support and to our new owners for their confidence and optimism in the future of our company, said Rick Seidman, CEO of Quoizel. We look forward to continuing to deliver our brand promise for quality and innovation in decorative lighting with a customer first attitude. About Quoizel Founded in 1930 and based in Charleston, South Carolina, Quoizel is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of fine decorative lighting. Quoizel's promise is to bring timeless designs into customers' homes, while building lasting relationships along the way. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230712576000/en/ Emily Hopkins 302.893.2608 [email protected] Source: Quoizel, LLC TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Slate Grocery REIT (TSX: SGR.U) (TSX: SGR.UN) (the REIT), an owner and operator of U.S. grocery-anchored real estate, today announced that Joe Pleckaitis, Senior Vice President, Finance at Slate Asset Management (Slate), has been appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Slate Grocery REIT, effective August 29, 2023. Pleckaitis will replace Andrew Agatep, who is stepping down from his role as CFO to pursue other opportunities. Pleckaitis joined Slate in 2017 and most recently has been leading the financial function for Slates North American private equity business, which spans Slates opportunistic real estate, real estate debt, and infrastructure strategies. He oversees all financial aspects of the business, including corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, corporate accounting, and financial reporting and debt. Prior to joining Slate, Pleckaitis worked in the real estate audit practice at Deloitte LLP. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Carleton University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant. Joe is a seasoned leader with a proven track record of navigating complex financial challenges on a global scale, said Blair Welch, Chief Executive Officer of the REIT. We are confident that his forward-thinking and deep knowledge of US financial markets will make him a tremendous asset to the REIT and will help ensure the business remains in a strong financial position today and into the future. Andrea Stephen, Chair of the Board of the REIT, added: On behalf of the entire Board, Id like to sincerely thank Andrew for his partnership over the last four years. Andrews dedication, financial acumen, and managerial strength have contributed significantly to the stability and strong operational performance of the REITs business. We are grateful for his leadership and wish him all the best in his next endeavor. Pleckaitis will work closely with Agatep and the REITs senior leadership team through the transition date to ensure a seamless handoff of responsibilities. About Slate Grocery REIT (TSX: SGR.U / SGR.UN) Slate Grocery REIT is an owner and operator of U.S. grocery-anchored real estate. The REIT owns and operates approximately US$2.4 billion of critical real estate infrastructure across major U.S. metro markets that communities rely upon for their daily needs. The REITs resilient grocery-anchored portfolio and strong credit tenants provide unitholders with durable cash flows and the potential for capital appreciation over the longer term. Visit slategroceryreit.com to learn more about the REIT. 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. SGR-SA View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721325964/en/ For Further Information Investor Relations +1 416 644 4264 [email protected] Source: Slate Grocery REIT PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News: In accordance with Article 5 of EU Regulation n 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation), detailed information is available on the website of Tikehau Capital (Paris: TKO): https://www.tikehaucapital.com/fr/shareholders/regulatory-information Disclosure of shares repurchases from 14 July to 20 July 2023 Name of the issuer Issuer Identity Code (LEI) Trading Day ISIN Aggregated volume per day (number of shares) Weighted average price per day Market (MIC Code) TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 14/07/2023 FR0013230612 783 22.7105 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 17/07/2023 FR0013230612 1,720 22.5799 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 18/07/2023 FR0013230612 13,118 22.7548 CEUX TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 19/07/2023 FR0013230612 1,181 22.9387 TQEX TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 20/07/2023 FR0013230612 1,589 22.9803 XPAR TOTAL 18,391 22.7678 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721874295/en/ Tikehau Capital Source: Tikehau Capital Pumpjacks are seen during sunset at the Daqing oil field in Heilongjiang province, China August 22, 2019. REUTERS/Stringer By Shariq Khan BENGALURU (Reuters) -Oil prices rose nearly 2% on Friday to record a fourth consecutive weekly gain, buoyed by growing evidence of supply shortages in the coming months and rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine that could further hit supplies. Brent crude futures rose $1.43, or 1.8%, to settle at $81.07 a barrel, with a weekly gain of about 1.2%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude ended $1.42, or 1.9%, higher at $77.07 a barrel, its highest since April 25. WTI gained nearly 2% in the week. "The oil market is starting to slowly price in a looming supply crunch," Price Futures Group analyst Phil Flynn said. "Global supplies are starting to tighten and that could accelerate dramatically in the coming weeks. Increased war risk could also impact prices," Flynn said. Russia hit Ukrainian food export facilities for a fourth day in a row on Friday and practised seizing ships in the Black Sea, in an escalation of tensions in the region since Moscow's withdrawal this week from a U.N.-brokered safe sea corridor agreement. A shutdown of the grain corridor could hit supplies of ethanol and biofuels that are blended with oil products at a time that global grain markets are already tightening, which would lead to refiners using more crude oil, Flynn said. The seizure of ships could also add risks to oil and other goods exports in the region, he added. The Kremlin on Friday said Ukraine's "unpredictable" actions pose a danger to civilian shipping in the Black Sea, and the situation around Russian exports requires analysis. In the U.S., crude inventories fell last week, amid a jump in crude exports and higher refinery utilisation, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Wednesday. Earlier on Monday, the EIA had forecast that U.S. shale oil and gas production was likely to decline in August for the first time this year, adding to concerns of supply tightness. Meanwhile, U.S. energy firms this week reduced the number of oil rigs by seven, their biggest cut since early June, energy services firm Baker Hughes said. At 530, the U.S. oil rig count, an early indicator of future output, is at its lowest since March 2022. UAE Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei told Reuters that current actions by OPEC+ to support the oil market were sufficient for now and the group was "only a phone call away" if any further steps were needed. Chinese authorities unveiled plans to help boost sales of automobiles and electronics, a move welcomed by investors hoping that it would reinvigorate the country's sluggish economy. Next week, preliminary purchasing manager surveys from S&P Global will be key for investors trying to understand changing global demand, Rob Haworth, senior investment strategist at U.S. Bank Asset Management, said. (Reporting by Shariq Khan in Bengaluru; Additional reporting by Natalie Grover in London, Arathy Somasekhar in Houston and Andrew Hayley in Beijing; Editing by Marguerita Choy and David Holmes) Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) today announced that the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended approval of Opdivo (nivolumab) as a monotherapy for the adjuvant treatment of adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older with completely resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma. If approved, Opdivo would become the only PD-1 inhibitor that - between two approvals* - is indicated as an adjuvant treatment for patients within stages IIB, IIC, III, as well as stage IV resected melanoma. The European Commission (EC), which has the authority to approve medicines for the European Union (EU), will now review the CHMP recommendation. Many patients with stage IIB or stage IIC melanoma face the difficult reality of disease recurrence within five years of surgery, said Gina Fusaro, Ph.D., vice president, global program lead, Bristol Myers Squibb. In the data from the CheckMate -76K trial, Opdivo was shown to significantly reduce the risk of disease recurrence for these patients. The CHMPs recommendation brings us closer to potentially providing Opdivo for use in treating additional earlier stages of melanoma in the adjuvant setting, addressing an unmet need for patients in the EU. The positive opinion is based upon safety and efficacy results from the Phase 3 CheckMate -76K trial, in which, with a minimum follow-up of 7.8 months, Opdivo reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 58% versus placebo (hazard ratio [HR] 0.42; 95% CI 0.30-0.59; p < 0.0001). The safety profile of Opdivo was consistent with previously reported studies. Results from CheckMate -76K were presented as late-breaking data at the 2022 Society for Melanoma Research (SMR) Annual Meeting. CheckMate -76K is part of Bristol Myers Squibbs development program which explores the use of Opdivo and Opdivo-based combinations in earlier stages of cancer. Bristol Myers Squibb thanks the patients and investigators involved in the CheckMate 76K trial. *In 2018, based upon data from the CheckMate 238 trial, Opdivo was approved by the European Commission for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection. About CheckMate -76K CheckMate -76K is a randomized Phase 3, double-blind study evaluating adjuvant Opdivo (nivolumab) 480 mg Q4W for up to 12 months versus placebo in patients with completely resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma. The primary endpoint of the trial is recurrence-free survival (RFS). Secondary endpoints of the trial include overall survival (OS), distant metastases-free survival (DMFS), progression-free survival on next-line therapy (PFS2), and safety endpoints. About Melanoma Melanoma is a form of skin cancer characterized by the uncontrolled growth of pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) located in the skin. Metastatic melanoma is the deadliest form of the disease and occurs when cancer spreads beyond the surface of the skin to other organs. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that by 2035, melanoma incidence will reach 424,102, with 94,308 related deaths. Melanomas can be mostly treatable when caught in very early stages; however, survival rates can decrease as the disease progresses. Bristol Myers Squibb: Creating a Better Future for People with Cancer Bristol Myers Squibb is inspired by a single vision transforming patients lives through science. The goal of the companys cancer research is to deliver medicines that offer each patient a better, healthier life and to make cure a possibility. Building on a legacy across a broad range of cancers that have changed survival expectations for many, Bristol Myers Squibb researchers are exploring new frontiers in personalized medicine, and through innovative digital platforms, are turning data into insights that sharpen their focus. Deep scientific expertise, cutting-edge capabilities and discovery platforms enable the company to look at cancer from every angle. Cancer can have a relentless grasp on many parts of a patients life, and Bristol Myers Squibb is committed to taking actions to address all aspects of care, from diagnosis to survivorship. Because as a leader in cancer care, Bristol Myers Squibb is working to empower all people with cancer to have a better future. About Opdivo Opdivo is a programmed death-1 (PD-1) immune checkpoint inhibitor that is designed to uniquely harness the bodys own immune system to help restore anti-tumor immune response. By harnessing the bodys own immune system to fight cancer, Opdivo has become an important treatment option across multiple cancers. Opdivos leading global development program is based on Bristol Myers Squibbs scientific expertise in the field of Immuno-Oncology and includes a broad range of clinical trials across all phases, including Phase 3, in a variety of tumor types. To date, the Opdivo clinical development program has treated more than 35,000 patients. The Opdivo trials have contributed to gaining a deeper understanding of the potential role of biomarkers in patient care, particularly regarding how patients may benefit from Opdivo across the continuum of PD-L1 expression. In July 2014, Opdivo was the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to receive regulatory approval anywhere in the world. Opdivo is currently approved in more than 65 countries, including the United States, the European Union, Japan, and China. In October 2015, the Companys Opdivo and Yervoy combination regimen was the first Immuno-Oncology combination to receive regulatory approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and is currently approved in more than 50 countries, including the United States and the European Union. INDICATIONS OPDIVO (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with unresectable or metastatic melanoma. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with melanoma with involvement of lymph nodes or metastatic disease who have undergone complete resection. OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated as neoadjuvant treatment of adult patients with resectable (tumors 4 cm or node positive) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express PD-L1 (1%) as determined by an FDA-approved test, with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab) and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with metastatic or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with progression on or after platinum-based chemotherapy. Patients with EGFR or ALK genomic tumor aberrations should have disease progression on FDA-approved therapy for these aberrations prior to receiving OPDIVO. OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with intermediate or poor risk advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with cabozantinib, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who have received prior anti-angiogenic therapy. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) that has relapsed or progressed after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and brentuximab vedotin or after 3 or more lines of systemic therapy that includes autologous HSCT. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) with disease progression on or after platinum-based therapy. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma who have disease progression during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy or have disease progression within 12 months of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy. OPDIVO (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of adult patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) who are at high risk of recurrence after undergoing radical resection of UC. OPDIVO (nivolumab), as a single agent, is indicated for the treatment of adult and pediatric (12 years and older) patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adults and pediatric patients 12 years and older with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) that has progressed following treatment with a fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate and duration of response. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in the confirmatory trials. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy. OPDIVO (nivolumab) is indicated for the adjuvant treatment of completely resected esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer with residual pathologic disease in adult patients who have received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT). OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with YERVOY (ipilimumab), is indicated for the first-line treatment of adult patients with unresectable advanced or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). OPDIVO (nivolumab), in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum- containing chemotherapy, is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Severe and Fatal Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions Immune-mediated adverse reactions listed herein may not include all possible severe and fatal immune- mediated adverse reactions. Immune-mediated adverse reactions, which may be severe or fatal, can occur in any organ system or tissue. While immune-mediated adverse reactions usually manifest during treatment, they can also occur after discontinuation of OPDIVO or YERVOY. Early identification and management are essential to ensure safe use of OPDIVO and YERVOY. Monitor for signs and symptoms that may be clinical manifestations of underlying immune-mediated adverse reactions. Evaluate clinical chemistries including liver enzymes, creatinine, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) level, and thyroid function at baseline and periodically during treatment with OPDIVO and before each dose of YERVOY. In cases of suspected immune-mediated adverse reactions, initiate appropriate workup to exclude alternative etiologies, including infection. Institute medical management promptly, including specialty consultation as appropriate. Withhold or permanently discontinue OPDIVO and YERVOY depending on severity (please see section 2 Dosage and Administration in the accompanying Full Prescribing Information). In general, if OPDIVO or YERVOY interruption or discontinuation is required, administer systemic corticosteroid therapy (1 to 2 mg/kg/day prednisone or equivalent) until improvement to Grade 1 or less. Upon improvement to Grade 1 or less, initiate corticosteroid taper and continue to taper over at least 1 month. Consider administration of other systemic immunosuppressants in patients whose immune-mediated adverse reactions are not controlled with corticosteroid therapy. Toxicity management guidelines for adverse reactions that do not necessarily require systemic steroids (e.g., endocrinopathies and dermatologic reactions) are discussed below. Immune-Mediated Pneumonitis OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause immune-mediated pneumonitis. The incidence of pneumonitis is higher in patients who have received prior thoracic radiation. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune- mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.1% (61/1994) of patients, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.9%), and Grade 2 (2.1%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 7% (31/456) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.2%), Grade 3 (2.0%), and Grade 2 (4.4%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 3.9% (26/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (1.4%) and Grade 2 (2.6%). In NSCLC patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks, immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 9% (50/576) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.5%), Grade 3 (3.5%), and Grade 2 (4.0%). Four patients (0.7%) died due to pneumonitis. In Checkmate 205 and 039, pneumonitis, including interstitial lung disease, occurred in 6.0% (16/266) of patients receiving OPDIVO. Immune-mediated pneumonitis occurred in 4.9% (13/266) of patients receiving OPDIVO, including Grade 3 (n=1) and Grade 2 (n=12). Immune-Mediated Colitis OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause immune-mediated colitis, which may be fatal. A common symptom included in the definition of colitis was diarrhea. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection/reactivation has been reported in patients with corticosteroid-refractory immune-mediated colitis. In cases of corticosteroid-refractory colitis, consider repeating infectious workup to exclude alternative etiologies. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated colitis occurred in 2.9% (58/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (1.7%) and Grade 2 (1%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated colitis occurred in 25% (115/456) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.4%), Grade 3 (14%) and Grade 2 (8%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated colitis occurred in 9% (60/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (4.4%) and Grade 2 (3.7%). Immune-Mediated Hepatitis and Hepatotoxicity OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause immune-mediated hepatitis. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 1.8% (35/1994) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.2%), Grade 3 (1.3%), and Grade 2 (0.4%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune- mediated hepatitis occurred in 15% (70/456) of patients, including Grade 4 (2.4%), Grade 3 (11%), and Grade 2 (1.8%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated hepatitis occurred in 7% (48/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (1.2%), Grade 3 (4.9%), and Grade 2 (0.4%). OPDIVO in combination with cabozantinib can cause hepatic toxicity with higher frequencies of Grade 3 and 4 ALT and AST elevations compared to OPDIVO alone. Consider more frequent monitoring of liver enzymes as compared to when the drugs are administered as single agents. In patients receiving OPDIVO and cabozantinib, Grades 3 and 4 increased ALT or AST were seen in 11% of patients. Immune-Mediated Endocrinopathies OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency, immune-mediated hypophysitis, immune-mediated thyroid disorders, and Type 1 diabetes mellitus, which can present with diabetic ketoacidosis. Withhold OPDIVO and YERVOY depending on severity (please see section 2 Dosage and Administration in the accompanying Full Prescribing Information). For Grade 2 or higher adrenal insufficiency, initiate symptomatic treatment, including hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Hypophysitis can present with acute symptoms associated with mass effect such as headache, photophobia, or visual field defects. Hypophysitis can cause hypopituitarism; initiate hormone replacement as clinically indicated. Thyroiditis can present with or without endocrinopathy. Hypothyroidism can follow hyperthyroidism; initiate hormone replacement or medical management as clinically indicated. Monitor patients for hyperglycemia or other signs and symptoms of diabetes; initiate treatment with insulin as clinically indicated. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 1% (20/1994), including Grade 3 (0.4%) and Grade 2 (0.6%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 8% (35/456), including Grade 4 (0.2%), Grade 3 (2.4%), and Grade 2 (4.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 7% (48/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.3%), Grade 3 (2.5%), and Grade 2 (4.1%). In patients receiving OPDIVO and cabozantinib, adrenal insufficiency occurred in 4.7% (15/320) of patients, including Grade 3 (2.2%) and Grade 2 (1.9%). In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, hypophysitis occurred in 0.6% (12/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.2%) and Grade 2 (0.3%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hypophysitis occurred in 9% (42/456), including Grade 3 (2.4%) and Grade 2 (6%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hypophysitis occurred in 4.4% (29/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.3%), Grade 3 (2.4%), and Grade 2 (0.9%). In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, thyroiditis occurred in 0.6% (12/1994) of patients, including Grade 2 (0.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, thyroiditis occurred in 2.7% (22/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (4.5%) and Grade 2 (2.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, hyperthyroidism occurred in 2.7% (54/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (<0.1%) and Grade 2 (1.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hyperthyroidism occurred in 9% (42/456) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.9%) and Grade 2 (4.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hyperthyroidism occurred in 12% (80/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.6%) and Grade 2 (4.5%). In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, hypothyroidism occurred in 8% (163/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.2%) and Grade 2 (4.8%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hypothyroidism occurred in 20% (91/456) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.4%) and Grade 2 (11%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, hypothyroidism occurred in 18% (122/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.6%) and Grade 2 (11%). In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, diabetes occurred in 0.9% (17/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (0.4%) and Grade 2 (0.3%), and 2 cases of diabetic ketoacidosis. In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, diabetes occurred in 2.7% (15/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.6%), Grade 3 (0.3%), and Grade 2 (0.9%). Immune-Mediated Nephritis with Renal Dysfunction OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause immune-mediated nephritis. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated nephritis and renal dysfunction occurred in 1.2% (23/1994) of patients, including Grade 4 (<0.1%), Grade 3 (0.5%), and Grade 2 (0.6%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated nephritis with renal dysfunction occurred in 4.1% (27/666) of patients, including Grade 4 (0.6%), Grade 3 (1.1%), and Grade 2 (2.2%). Immune-Mediated Dermatologic Adverse Reactions OPDIVO can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis. Exfoliative dermatitis, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) has occurred with PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate nonexfoliative rashes. YERVOY can cause immune-mediated rash or dermatitis, including bullous and exfoliative dermatitis, SJS, TEN, and DRESS. Topical emollients and/or topical corticosteroids may be adequate to treat mild to moderate non- bullous/exfoliative rashes. Withhold or permanently discontinue OPDIVO and YERVOY depending on severity (please see section 2 Dosage and Administration in the accompanying Full Prescribing Information). In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy, immune-mediated rash occurred in 9% (171/1994) of patients, including Grade 3 (1.1%) and Grade 2 (2.2%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated rash occurred in 28% (127/456) of patients, including Grade 3 (4.8%) and Grade 2 (10%). In patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, immune-mediated rash occurred in 16% (108/666) of patients, including Grade 3 (3.5%) and Grade 2 (4.2%). Other Immune-Mediated Adverse Reactions The following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred at an incidence of <1% (unless otherwise noted) in patients who received OPDIVO monotherapy or OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY or were reported with the use of other PD-1/PD-L1 blocking antibodies. Severe or fatal cases have been reported for some of these adverse reactions: cardiac/vascular: myocarditis, pericarditis, vasculitis; nervous system: meningitis, encephalitis, myelitis and demyelination, myasthenic syndrome/myasthenia gravis (including exacerbation), Guillain-Barre syndrome, nerve paresis, autoimmune neuropathy; ocular: uveitis, iritis, and other ocular inflammatory toxicities can occur; gastrointestinal: pancreatitis to include increases in serum amylase and lipase levels, gastritis, duodenitis; musculoskeletal and connective tissue: myositis/polymyositis, rhabdomyolysis, and associated sequelae including renal failure, arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica; endocrine: hypoparathyroidism; other (hematologic/immune): hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), systemic inflammatory response syndrome, histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi lymphadenitis), sarcoidosis, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, solid organ transplant rejection. In addition to the immune-mediated adverse reactions listed above, across clinical trials of YERVOY monotherapy or in combination with OPDIVO, the following clinically significant immune-mediated adverse reactions, some with fatal outcome, occurred in <1% of patients unless otherwise specified: nervous system: autoimmune neuropathy (2%), myasthenic syndrome/myasthenia gravis, motor dysfunction; cardiovascular: angiopathy, temporal arteritis; ocular: blepharitis, episcleritis, orbital myositis, scleritis; gastrointestinal: pancreatitis (1.3%); other (hematologic/immune): conjunctivitis, cytopenias (2.5%), eosinophilia (2.1%), erythema multiforme, hypersensitivity vasculitis, neurosensory hypoacusis, psoriasis. Some ocular IMAR cases can be associated with retinal detachment. Various grades of visual impairment, including blindness, can occur. If uveitis occurs in combination with other immune-mediated adverse reactions, consider a Vogt-Koyanagi-Haradalike syndrome, which has been observed in patients receiving OPDIVO and YERVOY, as this may require treatment with systemic corticosteroids to reduce the risk of permanent vision loss. Infusion-Related Reactions OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause severe infusion-related reactions. Discontinue OPDIVO and YERVOY in patients with severe (Grade 3) or life-threatening (Grade 4) infusion-related reactions. Interrupt or slow the rate of infusion in patients with mild (Grade 1) or moderate (Grade 2) infusion-related reactions. In patients receiving OPDIVO monotherapy as a 60-minute infusion, infusion-related reactions occurred in 6.4% (127/1994) of patients. In a separate trial in which patients received OPDIVO monotherapy as a 60-minute infusion or a 30- minute infusion, infusion-related reactions occurred in 2.2% (8/368) and 2.7% (10/369) of patients, respectively. Additionally, 0.5% (2/368) and 1.4% (5/369) of patients, respectively, experienced adverse reactions within 48 hours of infusion that led to dose delay, permanent discontinuation or withholding of OPDIVO. In melanoma patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, infusion-related reactions occurred in 2.5% (10/407) of patients. In HCC patients receiving OPDIVO 1 mg/kg with YERVOY 3 mg/kg every 3 weeks, infusion-related reactions occurred in 8% (4/49) of patients. In RCC patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, infusion-related reactions occurred in 5.1% (28/547) of patients. In MSI- H/dMMR mCRC patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 3 weeks, infusion-related reactions occurred in 4.2% (5/119) of patients. In MPM patients receiving OPDIVO 3 mg/kg every 2 weeks with YERVOY 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks, infusion-related reactions occurred in 12% (37/300) of patients. Complications of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Fatal and other serious complications can occur in patients who receive allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) before or after being treated with OPDIVO or YERVOY. Transplant-related complications include hyperacute graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD), acute GVHD, chronic GVHD, hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) after reduced intensity conditioning, and steroid-requiring febrile syndrome (without an identified infectious cause). These complications may occur despite intervening therapy between OPDIVO or YERVOY and allogeneic HSCT. Follow patients closely for evidence of transplant-related complications and intervene promptly. Consider the benefit versus risks of treatment with OPDIVO and YERVOY prior to or after an allogeneic HSCT. Embryo-Fetal Toxicity Based on its mechanism of action and findings from animal studies, OPDIVO and YERVOY can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. The effects of YERVOY are likely to be greater during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with OPDIVO and YERVOY and for at least 5 months after the last dose. Increased Mortality in Patients with Multiple Myeloma when OPDIVO is Added to a Thalidomide Analogue and Dexamethasone. In randomized clinical trials in patients with multiple myeloma, the addition of OPDIVO to a thalidomide analogue plus dexamethasone resulted in increased mortality. Treatment of patients with multiple myeloma with a PD-1 or PD-L1 blocking antibody in combination with a thalidomide analogue plus dexamethasone is not recommended outside of controlled clinical trials. Lactation There are no data on the presence of OPDIVO or YERVOY in human milk, the effects on the breastfed child, or the effects on milk production. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in breastfed children, advise women not to breastfeed during treatment and for 5 months after the last dose. Serious Adverse Reactions In Checkmate 037, serious adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=268). Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 42% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse drug reactions reported in 2% to <5% of patients receiving OPDIVO were abdominal pain, hyponatremia, increased aspartate aminotransferase, and increased lipase. In Checkmate 066, serious adverse reactions occurred in 36% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=206). Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 41% of patients receiving OPDIVO. The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions reported in 2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were gamma-glutamyltransferase increase (3.9%) and diarrhea (3.4%). In Checkmate 067, serious adverse reactions (74% and 44%), adverse reactions leading to permanent discontinuation (47% and 18%) or to dosing delays (58% and 36%), and Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions (72% and 51%) all occurred more frequently in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm (n=313) relative to the OPDIVO arm (n=313). The most frequent (10%) serious adverse reactions in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm and the OPDIVO arm, respectively, were diarrhea (13% and 2.2%), colitis (10% and 1.9%), and pyrexia (10% and 1.0%). In Checkmate 238, serious adverse reactions occurred in 18% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=452). Grade 3 or 4 adverse reactions occurred in 25% of OPDIVO-treated patients (n=452). The most frequent Grade 3 and 4 adverse reactions reported in 2% of OPDIVO-treated patients were diarrhea and increased lipase and amylase. In Checkmate 816, serious adverse reactions occurred in 30% of patients (n=176) who were treated with OPDIVO in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy. Serious adverse reactions in >2% included pneumonia and vomiting. No fatal adverse reactions occurred in patients who received OPDIVO in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy. In Checkmate 227, serious adverse reactions occurred in 58% of patients (n=576). The most frequent (2%) serious adverse reactions were pneumonia, diarrhea/colitis, pneumonitis, hepatitis, pulmonary embolism, adrenal insufficiency, and hypophysitis. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 1.7% of patients; these included events of pneumonitis (4 patients), myocarditis, acute kidney injury, shock, hyperglycemia, multi-system organ failure, and renal failure. In Checkmate 9LA, serious adverse reactions occurred in 57% of patients (n=358). The most frequent (>2%) serious adverse reactions were pneumonia, diarrhea, febrile neutropenia, anemia, acute kidney injury, musculoskeletal pain, dyspnea, pneumonitis, and respiratory failure. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 7 (2%) patients, and included hepatic toxicity, acute renal failure, sepsis, pneumonitis, diarrhea with hypokalemia, and massive hemoptysis in the setting of thrombocytopenia. In Checkmate 017 and 057, serious adverse reactions occurred in 46% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=418). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in 2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, dyspnea, pyrexia, pleural effusion, pneumonitis, and respiratory failure. In Checkmate 057, fatal adverse reactions occurred; these included events of infection (7 patients, including one case of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia), pulmonary embolism (4 patients), and limbic encephalitis (1 patient). In Checkmate 743, serious adverse reactions occurred in 54% of patients receiving OPDIVO plus YERVOY. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in 2% of patients were pneumonia, pyrexia, diarrhea, pneumonitis, pleural effusion, dyspnea, acute kidney injury, infusion-related reaction, musculoskeletal pain, and pulmonary embolism. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 4 (1.3%) patients and included pneumonitis, acute heart failure, sepsis, and encephalitis. In Checkmate 214, serious adverse reactions occurred in 59% of patients receiving OPDIVO plus YERVOY (n=547). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in 2% of patients were diarrhea, pyrexia, pneumonia, pneumonitis, hypophysitis, acute kidney injury, dyspnea, adrenal insufficiency, and colitis. In Checkmate 9ER, serious adverse reactions occurred in 48% of patients receiving OPDIVO and cabozantinib (n=320). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in 2% of patients were diarrhea, pneumonia, pneumonitis, pulmonary embolism, urinary tract infection, and hyponatremia. Fatal intestinal perforations occurred in 3 (0.9%) patients. In Checkmate 025, serious adverse reactions occurred in 47% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=406). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in 2% of patients were acute kidney injury, pleural effusion, pneumonia, diarrhea, and hypercalcemia. In Checkmate 205 and 039, adverse reactions leading to discontinuation occurred in 7% and dose delays due to adverse reactions occurred in 34% of patients (n=266). Serious adverse reactions occurred in 26% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in 1% of patients were pneumonia, infusion- related reaction, pyrexia, colitis or diarrhea, pleural effusion, pneumonitis, and rash. Eleven patients died from causes other than disease progression: 3 from adverse reactions within 30 days of the last OPDIVO dose, 2 from infection 8 to 9 months after completing OPDIVO, and 6 from complications of allogeneic HSCT. In Checkmate 141, serious adverse reactions occurred in 49% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=236). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in 2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were pneumonia, dyspnea, respiratory failure, respiratory tract infection, and sepsis. In Checkmate 275, serious adverse reactions occurred in 54% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=270). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in 2% of patients receiving OPDIVO were urinary tract infection, sepsis, diarrhea, small intestine obstruction, and general physical health deterioration. In Checkmate 274, serious adverse reactions occurred in 30% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=351). The most frequent serious adverse reaction reported in 2% of patients receiving OPDIVO was urinary tract infection. Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 1% of patients; these included events of pneumonitis (0.6%). In Checkmate 142 in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY (n=119), serious adverse reactions occurred in 47% of patients. The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in 2% of patients were colitis/diarrhea, hepatic events, abdominal pain, acute kidney injury, pyrexia, and dehydration. In Checkmate 040, serious adverse reactions occurred in 59% of patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY (n=49). Serious adverse reactions reported in 4% of patients were pyrexia, diarrhea, anemia, increased AST, adrenal insufficiency, ascites, esophageal varices hemorrhage, hyponatremia, increased blood bilirubin, and pneumonitis. In Attraction-3, serious adverse reactions occurred in 38% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=209). Serious adverse reactions reported in 2% of patients who received OPDIVO were pneumonia, esophageal fistula, interstitial lung disease, and pyrexia. The following fatal adverse reactions occurred in patients who received OPDIVO: interstitial lung disease or pneumonitis (1.4%), pneumonia (1.0%), septic shock (0.5%), esophageal fistula (0.5%), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (0.5%), pulmonary embolism (0.5%), and sudden death (0.5%). In Checkmate 577, serious adverse reactions occurred in 33% of patients receiving OPDIVO (n=532). A serious adverse reaction reported in 2% of patients who received OPDIVO was pneumonitis. A fatal reaction of myocardial infarction occurred in one patient who received OPDIVO. In Checkmate 648, serious adverse reactions occurred in 62% of patients receiving OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy (n=310). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in 2% of patients who received OPDIVO with chemotherapy were pneumonia (11%), dysphagia (7%), esophageal stenosis (2.9%), acute kidney injury (2.9%), and pyrexia (2.3%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 5 (1.6%) patients who received OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy; these included pneumonitis, pneumatosis intestinalis, pneumonia, and acute kidney injury. In Checkmate 648, serious adverse reactions occurred in 69% of patients receiving OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY (n=322). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in 2% who received OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY were pneumonia (10%), pyrexia (4.3%), pneumonitis (4.0%), aspiration pneumonia (3.7%), dysphagia (3.7%), hepatic function abnormal (2.8%), decreased appetite (2.8%), adrenal insufficiency (2.5%), and dehydration (2.5%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 5 (1.6%) patients who received OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY; these included pneumonitis, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary embolism, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. In Checkmate 649, serious adverse reactions occurred in 52% of patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy (n=782). The most frequent serious adverse reactions reported in 2% of patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy were vomiting (3.7%), pneumonia (3.6%), anemia (3.6%), pyrexia (2.8%), diarrhea (2.7%), febrile neutropenia (2.6%), and pneumonitis (2.4%). Fatal adverse reactions occurred in 16 (2.0%) patients who were treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy; these included pneumonitis (4 patients), febrile neutropenia (2 patients), stroke (2 patients), gastrointestinal toxicity, intestinal mucositis, septic shock, pneumonia, infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, mesenteric vessel thrombosis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Common Adverse Reactions In Checkmate 037, the most common adverse reaction (20%) reported with OPDIVO (n=268) was rash (21%). In Checkmate 066, the most common adverse reactions (20%) reported with OPDIVO (n=206) vs dacarbazine (n=205) were fatigue (49% vs 39%), musculoskeletal pain (32% vs 25%), rash (28% vs 12%), and pruritus (23% vs 12%). In Checkmate 067, the most common (20%) adverse reactions in the OPDIVO plus YERVOY arm (n=313) were fatigue (62%), diarrhea (54%), rash (53%), nausea (44%), pyrexia (40%), pruritus (39%), musculoskeletal pain (32%), vomiting (31%), decreased appetite (29%), cough (27%), headache (26%), dyspnea (24%), upper respiratory tract infection (23%), arthralgia (21%), and increased transaminases (25%). In Checkmate 067, the most common (20%) adverse reactions in the OPDIVO arm (n=313) were fatigue (59%), rash (40%), musculoskeletal pain (42%), diarrhea (36%), nausea (30%), cough (28%), pruritus (27%), upper respiratory tract infection (22%), decreased appetite (22%), headache (22%), constipation (21%), arthralgia (21%), and vomiting (20%). In Checkmate 238, the most common adverse reactions (20%) reported in OPDIVO-treated patients (n=452) vs ipilimumab-treated patients (n=453) were fatigue (57% vs 55%), diarrhea (37% vs 55%), rash (35% vs 47%), musculoskeletal pain (32% vs 27%), pruritus (28% vs 37%), headache (23% vs 31%), nausea (23% vs 28%), upper respiratory infection (22% vs 15%), and abdominal pain (21% vs 23%). The most common immune-mediated adverse reactions were rash (16%), diarrhea/colitis (6%), and hepatitis (3%). In Checkmate 816, the most common (>20%) adverse reactions in the OPDIVO plus chemotherapy arm (n=176) were nausea (38%), constipation (34%), fatigue (26%), decreased appetite (20%), and rash (20%). In Checkmate 227, the most common (20%) adverse reactions were fatigue (44%), rash (34%), decreased appetite (31%), musculoskeletal pain (27%), diarrhea/colitis (26%), dyspnea (26%), cough (23%), hepatitis (21%), nausea (21%), and pruritus (21%). In Checkmate 9LA, the most common (>20%) adverse reactions were fatigue (49%), musculoskeletal pain (39%), nausea (32%), diarrhea (31%), rash (30%), decreased appetite (28%), constipation (21%), and pruritus (21%). In Checkmate 017 and 057, the most common adverse reactions (20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=418) were fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, cough, dyspnea, and decreased appetite. In Checkmate 743, the most common adverse reactions (20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO plus YERVOY were fatigue (43%), musculoskeletal pain (38%), rash (34%), diarrhea (32%), dyspnea (27%), nausea (24%), decreased appetite (24%), cough (23%), and pruritus (21%). In Checkmate 214, the most common adverse reactions (20%) reported in patients treated with OPDIVO plus YERVOY (n=547) were fatigue (58%), rash (39%), diarrhea (38%), musculoskeletal pain (37%), pruritus (33%), nausea (30%), cough (28%), pyrexia (25%), arthralgia (23%), decreased appetite (21%), dyspnea (20%), and vomiting (20%). In Checkmate 9ER, the most common adverse reactions (20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO and cabozantinib (n=320) were diarrhea (64%), fatigue (51%), hepatotoxicity (44%), palmar-plantar erythrodysaesthesia syndrome (40%), stomatitis (37%), rash (36%), hypertension (36%), hypothyroidism (34%), musculoskeletal pain (33%), decreased appetite (28%), nausea (27%), dysgeusia (24%), abdominal pain (22%), cough (20%) and upper respiratory tract infection (20%). In Checkmate 025, the most common adverse reactions (20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=406) vs everolimus (n=397) were fatigue (56% vs 57%), cough (34% vs 38%), nausea (28% vs 29%), rash (28% vs 36%), dyspnea (27% vs 31%), diarrhea (25% vs 32%), constipation (23% vs 18%), decreased appetite (23% vs 30%), back pain (21% vs 16%), and arthralgia (20% vs 14%). In Checkmate 205 and 039, the most common adverse reactions (20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=266) were upper respiratory tract infection (44%), fatigue (39%), cough (36%), diarrhea (33%), pyrexia (29%), musculoskeletal pain (26%), rash (24%), nausea (20%) and pruritus (20%). In Checkmate 141, the most common adverse reactions (10%) in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=236) were cough (14%) and dyspnea (14%) at a higher incidence than investigators choice. In Checkmate 275, the most common adverse reactions (20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=270) were fatigue (46%), musculoskeletal pain (30%), nausea (22%), and decreased appetite (22%). In Checkmate 274, the most common adverse reactions (20%) reported in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=351) were rash (36%), fatigue (36%), diarrhea (30%), pruritus (30%), musculoskeletal pain (28%), and urinary tract infection (22%). In Checkmate 142 in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC patients receiving OPDIVO as a single agent (n=74), the most common adverse reactions (20%) were fatigue (54%), diarrhea (43%), abdominal pain (34%), nausea (34%), vomiting (28%), musculoskeletal pain (28%), cough (26%), pyrexia (24%), rash (23%), constipation (20%), and upper respiratory tract infection (20%). In Checkmate 142 in MSI-H/dMMR mCRC patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY (n=119), the most common adverse reactions (20%) were fatigue (49%), diarrhea (45%), pyrexia (36%), musculoskeletal pain (36%), abdominal pain (30%), pruritus (28%), nausea (26%), rash (25%), decreased appetite (20%), and vomiting (20%). In Checkmate 040, the most common adverse reactions (20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO with YERVOY (n=49), were rash (53%), pruritus (53%), musculoskeletal pain (41%), diarrhea (39%), cough (37%), decreased appetite (35%), fatigue (27%), pyrexia (27%), abdominal pain (22%), headache (22%), nausea (20%), dizziness (20%), hypothyroidism (20%), and weight decreased (20%). In Attraction-3, the most common adverse reactions (20%) in OPDIVO-treated patients (n=209) were rash (22%) and decreased appetite (21%). In Checkmate 577, the most common adverse reactions (20%) in patients receiving OPDIVO (n=532) were fatigue (34%), diarrhea (29%), nausea (23%), rash (21%), musculoskeletal pain (21%), and cough (20%). In Checkmate 648, the most common adverse reactions (20%) in patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy (n=310) were nausea (65%), decreased appetite (51%), fatigue (47%), constipation (44%), stomatitis (44%), diarrhea (29%), and vomiting (23%). In Checkmate 648, the most common adverse reactions reported in 20% of patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with YERVOY were rash (31%), fatigue (28%), pyrexia (23%), nausea (22%), diarrhea (22%), and constipation (20%). In Checkmate 649, the most common adverse reactions (20%) in patients treated with OPDIVO in combination with chemotherapy (n=782) were peripheral neuropathy (53%), nausea (48%), fatigue (44%), diarrhea (39%), vomiting (31%), decreased appetite (29%), abdominal pain (27%), constipation (25%), and musculoskeletal pain (20%). Please see US Full Prescribing Information for OPDIVO and YERVOY. Clinical Trials and Patient Populations Checkmate 227previously untreated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9LApreviously untreated recurrent or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in combination with YERVOY and 2 cycles of platinum-doublet chemotherapy by histology; Checkmate 649previously untreated advanced or metastatic gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction and esophageal adenocarcinoma; Checkmate 577adjuvant treatment of esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer; Checkmate 238 Kadjuvant treatment of melanoma; Checkmate 274adjuvant treatment of urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 275 previously treated advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; Checkmate 142MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 142MSI-H or dMMR metastatic colorectal cancer, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Attraction-3esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 648previously untreated, unresectable advanced recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; Checkmate 040hepatocellular carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 743previously untreated unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 037previously treated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 066previously untreated metastatic melanoma; Checkmate 067previously untreated metastatic melanoma, as a single agent or in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 017second-line treatment of metastatic squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 057second-line treatment of metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer; Checkmate 816neoadjuvant non-small cell lung cancer, in combination with platinum-doublet chemotherapy; Checkmate 141recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; Checkmate 025 previously treated renal cell carcinoma; Checkmate 214previously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with YERVOY; Checkmate 9ERpreviously untreated renal cell carcinoma, in combination with cabozantinib; Checkmate 205/039classical Hodgkin lymphoma About the Bristol Myers Squibb and Ono Pharmaceutical Collaboration In 2011, through a collaboration agreement with Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb expanded its territorial rights to develop and commercialize Opdivo globally, except in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, where Ono had retained all rights to the compound at the time. On July 23, 2014, Ono and Bristol Myers Squibb further expanded the companies strategic collaboration agreement to jointly develop and commercialize multiple immunotherapies as single agents and combination regimens for patients with cancer in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. About Bristol Myers Squibb Bristol Myers Squibb is a global biopharmaceutical company whose mission is to discover, develop and deliver innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. For more information about Bristol Myers Squibb, visit us at BMS.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding, among other things, the research, development and commercialization of pharmaceutical products. All statements that are not statements of historical facts are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives and involve inherent risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including internal or external factors that could delay, divert or change any of them in the next several years, that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause our future financial results, goals, plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks, assumptions, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, that the CHMP opinion is not binding on the EC, that Opdivo (nivolumab) may not receive regulatory approval for the additional indication described in this release in the currently anticipated timeline or at all, that any marketing approvals, if granted, may have significant limitations on their use, and, if approved, whether such treatment for such additional indication described in this release will be commercially successful. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated together with the many risks and uncertainties that affect Bristol Myers Squibbs business and market, particularly those identified in the cautionary statement and risk factors discussion in Bristol Myers Squibbs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as updated by our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements included in this document are made only as of the date of this document and except as otherwise required by applicable law, Bristol Myers Squibb undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. corporatefinancial-news View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721712257/en/ Bristol Myers Squibb Media: [email protected] Investors: [email protected] Source: Bristol Myers Squibb The United States House of Representatives revealed Friday that they have opened an investigation into Detroit automaker Ford (NYSE: F) and their partnership with Chinese battery company CATL. The automaker announced in February its intention to use technology from CATL as part of the automaker's plan to spend $3.5 billion to build a battery plant in Michigan. In a joint letter, the Republican chairs of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Select Committee called upon Ford to address inquiries regarding the deal. They expressed concerns about Ford's reliance on Chinese inputs for manufacturing electric vehicle batteries, "the company will be exposing itself and U.S. taxpayers to the whims of the Chinese Communist Party and its politics." The circumstances of the sale raise serious questions about whether CATL is attempting to obscure links to forced labor, wrote Representatives Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, the chairman of the select committee, and Jason Smith of Missouri, the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. Ford has defended the partnership, asserting that it plays a vital role in diversifying the company's supply chain and allows for a battery that is less expensive and more durable than current U.S. alternatives. Ford has argued that the deal will create thousands of American jobs, further Fords commitments to sustainability and human rights and lead to American battery technology advancements, the Representatives added. But newly discovered information raises serious questions about each claim. Shares of F are down 0.82% in mid-day trading on Friday. By Michael Elkins | [email protected] On 21 July 2023, AB Kauno Grudai, owned by AB Linas Agro Group, completed the acquisition of the cooperative company Grybai LT by acquiring 100 percent of the company's stock and paying the sellers a total amount of EUR 12,948,612.14. In addition, AB Kauno Grudai refinanced loans granted to the cooperative company Grybai LT in the past by the bank and one of the sellers, UAB Baltic Champs, by granting new loans to the cooperative company Grybai LT in the total amount of EUR 4,121,813.15. Following the revision of the final financial statements used to calculate the price, the price for shares may be adjusted per the procedures set out in the share purchase agreement. The shares in Grybai LT were sold to Kauno Grudai by the cooperative companies AgroMilk, Juodmargelis, Sventosios Pievos, also UAB Baltic Champs and UAB AUGA Luganta, all of which together owned 100% stake of Grybai LT. Two of the latter sellers are owned by the public company AUGA group, while the others are also related to this company through shareholders. Grybai LT, a cooperative company based in Sirvintos with over 40 employees, is active in producing and selling ready meals. The company operates a modern robotic factory covering an area of around 3,600 sq meters. The main products produced are ready-to-eat organic soups, curries, cereal meals, and organic vegetables in packets - around 70 product names. The annual production is 8-9 million packets of various products which are exported to more than 30 countries. Grybai LT's revenue in 2022 was EUR 7.1 million, consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) was EUR 1.3 million, and assets were EUR 7.9 million. Linas Agro Group has plans to expand Grybai LT's production activities by 3.7 times in 5-6 years, investing approximately EUR 4.4 million in production expansion during that period. Grybai LT's annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) are expected to increase by 4.6 times, and the Group's EBITDA by 5-10%. Earlier, AB Linas Agro Group had announced that the transaction would require clearance from the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania. "In 2022, Grybai LT's gross revenue in the Republic of Lithuania did not reach the threshold of EUR 2 million set out in Article 8 of the Law on Competition of the Republic of Lithuania, from which it is obliged to notify the concentration to the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania, and, therefore, the transaction did not require the clearance of the Competition Council. This fact allowed the transaction to be completed more quickly," explained Mazvydas Sileika, CFO of AB Linas Agro Group, explaining why the transaction did not require the approval of the Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania. "The AUGAs range of instant porridge in cups and the business will remain part of the AUGA group as we have our porridge line Activus. We have agreed that we will be able to use the AUGA brand for 18 months for soups, curries, cereal meals, ready-to-eat vegetables and pulses, and then we will replace it with our own Activus brand, as it is a brand for active and busy, but self-concerned people, especially for the younger generation," says Andrius Pranckevicius, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of AB Linas Agro Group and CEO of AB Kauno Grudai. AB Linas Agro Group was represented in the transaction by the Law Firm Norkus & Partners COBALT, and the companies selling the shares by the Law Firm WALLESS. About AB Linas Agro Group The 68 agribusiness and food companies AB Linas Agro Group owns employ almost 5 thousand people. The Group's financial year starts on 1 July. The Group's consolidated revenue for the nine months of the 2022/2023 financial year exceeded EUR 1.5 billion, with a net profit of EUR 25 million. Additional information will be provided by: CFO of Linas Agro Group AB Mazvydas Sileika Mob. +370 619 19 403 E-mail [email protected] Andrius Pranckevicius, Deputy Chairman of the Board of AB Linas Agro Group Mob. +370 687 71 419 E-mail [email protected] SANTIAGO, Chile, July 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BANCO ITAU CHILE (NYSE: ITCL; SSE: ITAUCL) We inform you that, on this date, the settlement and placement of Banco Itau Chile dematerialized and bearer bonds in the local market, charged to the Line of Bonds registered in the Securities Registry of the CMF, under No. N12-1/2014. The specific conditions of placement were as follows: Series CO, Codigo BITACO0419, for a total amount of CLP $ 5,000,000.000 collecting the sum of CLP 4.494.238.009 with a maturity date of October 1, 2026, at an average placement rate of 6.40%.%. The full Material Event Notice is available on the companys investor relations website at ir.itau.cl. Investor Relations Banco Itau Chile +56 (2) 2660-1701 / [email protected] / ir.itau.cl Source: Banco Itau Chile Hong Kong, China, July 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of orthodontic care, the International Orthodontics Foundation (IOF) and the Forsyth Institute announced a new strategic partnership. The three-year joint initiative will develop a global series of workshops and symposia to discuss the state of the orthodontics field, disseminate the latest research, and promote the role of innovation in improving global public health. The project combines the collective expertise of the two institutions to bring together diverse audiences in the field to encourage further research and development in orthodontics. This collaboration is not merely a union of two non-profit organizations, but a convergence of shared vision and purpose, ultimately aimed at propelling the field of orthodontics into an exciting new era of advancements and discoveries. Building Bridges in Global Orthodontics: IOF and the Forsyth Institute Forge Path-breaking Partnership A Strategic Collaboration with Vast Potential The IOF-Forsyth collaboration marks an exciting juncture in the evolution of orthodontics. The 2022 Forsyth Orthodontic Symposium: In Honor of Dr. Moorrees, sponsored by the IOF, showcased this partnership's potential, featuring engaging speeches from IOFs committee members. The Symposium illuminated a path to the future, one where IOF and Forsyth Institute work hand-in-hand, driving research and education in the orthodontic sphere. Dr. Kang Ting, Executive Director of IOF, and an adjunct professor at the Forsyth Institute, hailed the collaboration as a new milestone for IOF. "Forsyth is one of the most prestigious dental research institutes in the world," said Dr. Ting, "Its going to be a paradigm shifting collaboration to improve global oral health." Dr. Ben Wu, Chief Scientific Officer at Forsyth Institute, sees the strategic partnership as an extraordinary opportunity for unrestricted and multidisciplinary research. There are a lot of exciting new technologies in orthodontics right now, said Dr. Ben Wu, Forsyth is pleased to join IOFs landmark effort to encourage global collaboration and innovation in the field. The Synergistic Relationship: IOF as the Vital Link Between Prestigious Academic Institutions In this grand scheme of innovation, the collaboration also serves to spotlight IOF's already established ties with elite academic institutes like the Forsyth Institute and Faculty of Dentistry at The University of Hong Kong. These institutional relationships not only underscore the importance of IOF's connections but also symbolize its steadfast commitment to fostering symbiotic partnerships. These alliances marry academic rigor and practical wisdom to push the boundaries of orthodontic care and education. The essence of these collaborations is much more than just shared objectives; it's about collectively creating a more inclusive, innovative, and informed orthodontic community. By bringing together diverse minds from these institutions, IOF aims to bridge the gap between academia and the industry, enabling the translation of cutting-edge research into practical applications, ultimately benefiting clinicians and patients alike. This strategic networking with leading academic institutions also facilitates a more fluid exchange of ideas, fostering an environment that nurtures innovation and propels the entire field of orthodontics forward. Looking Ahead: Anticipating the Future of Orthodontics While the partnership anticipates co-hosting future symposia, it is just one element of a broader, more comprehensive collaboration. For now, both IOF and Forsyth are focused on cultivating their newfound partnership and nurturing the seeds of potential planted at the Forsyth Orthodontic Symposium: In Honor of Dr. Moorrees. "Forsyth and IOF will work together to create the most amazing International Orthodontic Symposia in the years to come," promised Dr. Wu. He also highlighted Forsyths commitment to innovations and the possibility of sharing its vast resources with the IOF community, potentially catalyzing the development of novel solutions in oral health. In summary, this alliance between IOF and the Forsyth Institute serves as an inspirational model for collaborative efforts in the orthodontic field. Their shared vision, coupled with their dedicated commitment to advancing research and education, will foster a future where orthodontic care is innovative, accessible, and of the highest quality. As we turn our sights towards the future, we perceive an orthodontics landscape shimmering with promise and potential, enriched by visionary alliances like the one between IOF and Forsyth. Company: International Orthodontics Foundation Limited Contact Person: Brandon Kan Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.iofglobal.org Telephone: +862155821505 City: HongKong Address: Unit 1603, 16/F Tower 1, Silvercord 30 Canton RD TST KL, HongKong Disclaimer: This announcement is not directed at any investors or potential investors, and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, and may not be used or relied upon in evaluating the merits of any investment. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects and/or opinions expressed in this release are subject to change without notice. The contents in here should not be construed as or relied upon in any manner as investment, legal, tax, or other advice. Source: International Orthodontics Foundation (IOF) 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 Search Keywords: Short link: TORONTO, July 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Consolidated Lithium Metals Inc. (TSXV: CLM | OTCQB: JORFF | FRA: Z36) (CLM or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has acquired 24 mineral claims representing 1,283.08 hectares of concessions in the James Bay/Eeyou Istche region of Quebec (the Claims) from a wholly owned subsidiary (Subco) of AmmPower Corp. (CSE: AMMP) (AmmPower), subject to the terms and conditions set out in the corresponding asset purchase agreement dated as of July 20, 2023 (the Agreement). Pursuant to the Agreement, as consideration for the acquisition of a 100% interest in the Claims (the Acquisition), CLM paid aggregate consideration of $60,000 in cash and granted to AmmPower a 1% net smelter return royalty affecting the Claims, which CLM has the option to repurchase at any time for $250,000. No finder fees are payable in connection with, and no change of control of CLM will result from, the Acquisition. Completion of the Acquisition remains subject to final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV). Rene Bharti, the chief executive officer and president and a director of CLM, is the president and a minority shareholder of AmmPower, and a director and officer of Subco, and the three companies share office space. Further, Ryan Ptolemy serves as the chief financial officer of both CLM and AmmPower. Notwithstanding the shared directors and officers, the Acquisition does not constitute a Related Party Transaction under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101) because AmmPower and Subco are not Related Parties of CLM (as such terms are defined in MI 61-101). However, the Acquisition does constitute a Related Party Transaction, and was therefore characterized by the TSXV as a Reviewable Transaction, under TSX Venture Exchange Policies 1.1, 5.3, and 5.9 as a result of the shared officers and directors between AmmPower, Subco, and CLM. Flow-through Financing Extension and Upsize The Company also announces today that it has received approval from the TSXV to extend the closing of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing of common shares of the Company issued on a flow-through basis (each, a Flow-Through Share) at a price of $0.08 per Flow-Through Share for proceeds of up to $1 million (the Offering) to August 18, 2023. The Company closed a first and second tranche of the Offering on June 12, 2023 and June 26, 2023, respectively, and anticipates that the third and final tranche closing will occur on or before August 18, 2023. For more information on the Offering and the first and second tranches, please see the Companys press releases dated May 24, 2023, June 12, 2023, and June 26, 2023, respectively. In addition, as a result of increased investor demand, the Company is increasing the maximum size of the Offering from $1 million to $2 million. The Company continues to intend to use the proceeds of the upsized Offering to fund exploration expenses on its Baillarge lithium mining property. Completion of the Offering (including the first tranche, second tranche, and any future tranche) is subject to receipt of final approval of the TSXV. About Consolidated Lithium Metals Inc. Consolidated Lithium Metals Inc. (formerly known as Jourdan Resources Inc.) is a Canadian junior mining exploration company trading under the symbol CLM on the TSX Venture Exchange and 2JR1 on the Stuttgart Stock Exchange. The Company is focused on the acquisition, exploration, production, and development of mining properties. The Companys properties are in Quebec, Canada, primarily in the spodumene-bearing pegmatites of the La Corne Batholith, around North American Lithiums Quebec lithium mine. For more information:Rene Bharti, Chief Executive Officer and PresidentEmail | [email protected]Phone | (416) 861-5800Website |www.jourdaninc.com Cautionary Statements This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Acquisition and the Offering, including the timing of closing the final tranche. 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 the necessary TSXV approval for the Acquisition and the Offering. 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. 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. Source: Consolidated Lithium Metals Inc. SAINT-LAURENT, Quebec, July 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IntelGenx Technologies Corp. (TSX: IGX) (OTCQB: IGXT) (the Company or IntelGenx) announces the resignation of Mr. J. Bernard (Bernie) Boudreau from the Board of Directors (the Board) of the Company effective today. Mr. Boudreau was a Director of the Company since 2006 and the Vice Chairman since 2014. He was also the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nomination Committee. On behalf of the rest of the Board, I would like to thank Bernie for his steadfast commitment and many contributions to the Companys success, commented IntelGenxs founder and Chairman, Horst G. Zerbe, PhD. For more than 17 years, he has helped champion IntelGenxs corporate development, and I have personally benefited greatly from his guidance and support. We wish him all the best in future. About IntelGenx IntelGenx is a leading drug delivery company focused on the development and manufacturing of pharmaceutical films. IntelGenxs superior film technologies, including VersaFilm, DisinteQ, VetaFilm and transdermal VevaDerm, allow for next generation pharmaceutical products that address unmet medical needs. IntelGenxs innovative product pipeline offers significant benefits to patients and physicians for many therapeutic conditions. IntelGenxs highly skilled team provides comprehensive pharmaceuticals services to pharmaceutical partners, including R&D, analytical method development, clinical monitoring, IP and regulatory services. IntelGenxs state-of-the-art manufacturing facility offers full service by providing lab-scale to pilot- and commercial-scale production. For more information, visit www.intelgenx.com. Forward-Looking Information and Statements This document may contain forward-looking information about IntelGenxs operating results and business prospects that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Statements that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about IntelGenx's plans, objectives, expectations, strategies, intentions or other characterizations of future events or circumstances and are generally identified by the words may, expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates, could, would, and similar expressions. All forward looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Because these forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, IntelGenxs actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed under the heading Risk Factors in IntelGenxs annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov, and also filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities at www.sedar.com. IntelGenx assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Source: IntelGenx Technologies Corp. For more information, please contact: Stephen KilmerInvestor Relations(647) 872-4849[email protected] Or Andre Godin, CPA, CAPresident and CFOIntelGenx Corp.(514) 331-7440 ext 203[email protected] Source: IntelGenx Technologies Corp. TORONTO, ONTARIO, July 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a stunning display of viral success, Landwolf token has taken the cryptocurrency market by storm, creating a buzz that has sent shockwaves throughout the online community. With an explosive launch that has left investors and enthusiasts awestruck, Landwolf has swiftly become a force to be reckoned with. This article delves into the highlights of Landwolf's epic debut, showcasing its rise to prominence and the dawning of a new era in meme culture. From the moment of its inception, Landwolf token has captured the attention of investors and enthusiasts alike. Within a mere 48 hours of its creation, this audacious meme token has made waves across various platforms, trending #1 on Dextools, a popular analytics and trading platform. The remarkable achievement is a testament to the overwhelming support and interest surrounding Landwolf. One key factor in the token's meteoric rise is the endorsement it has received from influential figures on Twitter. Major influencers have enthusiastically promoted Landwolf, amplifying its visibility and attracting a significant following. This social media backing has contributed to the token's rapid growth and propelled it into the spotlight. Another remarkable feat for Landwolf is its organic listing on LBank, a centralized exchange. This achievement underscores the project's legitimacy and appeal, as it garnered recognition without the need for artificial manipulation or paid listings. The organic listing on LBank further solidifies Landwolf's position in the market, offering investors a reputable platform to engage with the token. Within a mere 24 hours after its launch, Landwolf soared to new heights, reaching an all-time high (ATH) valuation of 5.6 million dollars. This unprecedented surge in value is a testament to the market's enthusiasm and confidence in the token's potential. Landwolf has quickly amassed a substantial community, with approximately 1600 holders at the time of this writing. Landwolf's commitment to transparency and security is evident through its renounced contract and burned liquidity pool (LP). These measures provide investors with a level of assurance and trust in the project's integrity. Moreover, the token's team has ambitious marketing plans in the pipeline, including leveraging platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and various social media channels to expand Landwolf's reach and captivate an even broader audience. Adding to the narrative of the Landwolf era, a popular artist unveiled a poignant comic strip featuring Pepe lying in a casket surrounded by his friends, including Landwolf. This symbolic representation signifies the transition from one era to another, encapsulating the spirit of a rapidly evolving meme culture.In conclusion, the extraordinary launch of the Landwolf token has left an indelible mark on the cryptocurrency landscape. With its remarkable achievements in a short span of time, Landwolf has cemented its position as a viral sensation. As the Pepe era comes to a close, Landwolf emerges as a frontrunner, captivating the imaginations of enthusiasts worldwide. The rise of Landwolf symbolizes a new chapter in meme culture, promising exciting opportunities and captivating moments for those who dare to join this groundbreaking movement. Considering the importance of meme creators in todays world, Landwolf has created a donation fund for Pepes creator. You can visit the main website for more information on how to contribute and join the community. https://landwolfeth.com https://twitter.com/LandwolfTokenDisclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, or intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing or trading securities and cryptocurrency. Johny Jones Landwolf Token dev at landwolfeth.com Source: Landwolf Token Kory Samuels, Rochester Institute of Technology, named 66th chairperson BALTIMORE, MD., July 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) on Friday announced its 66th chairperson, Kory Samuels, associate vice president of auxiliary services, Rochester Institute of Technology, and initiated five members to the NACUFS Board of Trustees during its General Membership Assembly held at the NACUFS 2023 National Conference in Baltimore, Md. As NACUFS embarks on another exciting year of growth and progress toward our strategic goals, let us embrace a future fueled by our unwavering commitment to inclusion, growth and learning, Samuels said. My vision, with the collaboration of our dedicated members and board of trustees, is for NACUFS to continue embodying its mission of supporting and promoting excellence in collegiate dining, helping members cultivate dining experiences that transcend conventional standards and accelerate innovation coupled with togetherness. In this time of constant change, we will stand firm as the vanguard of collegiate dining, an invaluable resource that empowers every member to unleash their full potential in this ever-evolving industry. The following individuals were installed on the NACUFS Board of Trustees. Rahul Shrivastav, 2023-2024 chairperson-elect Indiana University Dustin Cutler, trustee Cornell University Garett DiStefano, trustee University of Massachusetts Douglas Frazier, trustee George Washington University Stacy Hepburn-James, trustee Yale University Peter Testory, trustee University of Wisconsin-Madison Housing The new trustees will join Kerry Paterson, Oregon State University, immediate past chairperson; David Annis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Virginia Dunleavy, Rhode Island School of Design; Erich Geiger, University of Texas at Austin; Jill Horst, University of California-Santa Barbara; Christopher Toote, University of Chicago; and Robert Nelson, NACUFS president/CEO. The Board of Trustees is the volunteer-based governing board for the association and sets its strategic direction. ### About NACUFS: The National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS) was founded in 1958 by a group of college and university foodservice professionals from across the United States. Since its inception, NACUFS has focused on its mission to support and promote excellence in collegiate dining by providing members with the programs and resources they need to excel, from benchmarking and best practices to educational programming and professional networking. NACUFS institutional members range from private colleges to large public universities, including two-year and four-year institutions, spanning the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and beyond. Industry members include food and equipment manufacturers, distributors, brokers, foodservice support companies, councils, boards, trade associations, advisory commissions and other professional groups. For more information, visit NACUFS.org. Attachment Fairfax, Va., July 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AFCEA Internationals SIGNAL Media, the acclaimed provider of news and information for the global defense, intelligence and national security communities, proudly announces its recent success in the Annual Awards for Publication Excellence (APEX) competition. With more than 1,100 entries, the competition was exceptionally intense this year, according to APEX judges. SIGNAL Media is AFCEAs official news arm. The talented staff is again acknowledged by industry experts. SIGNAL Medias 2023 APEX Awards winners are: Kimberly Underwood, who received the Award for Publication Excellence in the Writing Category/Writing Series, for her exceptional three-part series "The United States Deepens Ties with Australia Across Technology and Military Fronts." Diego Laje's, received the Award for Publication Excellence in the Writing Category/News Writing, for his article "Uncovering China's Fishy Activities at Sea." AFCEA Staff was honored with the Award for Publication Excellence for Most Improved Website award. This achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of the entire web development team. Sandra Jontz, vice president of Marketing and Communications at AFCEA International, expressed her admiration for SIGNAL Medias consistent excellence in reporting and communication. "Once again, the SIGNAL Media staff brings its A game to the reporting and communication of high-priority issues in the global defense and national security arenas." The APEX awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the success of the entryin the opinion of the judgesin achieving overall communications effectiveness and excellence. The panel of judges includes John De Lellis, Concepts Editor & Publisher; Kenneth J. Turtoro, APEX Executive Editor and noted publishing and marketing executive with management stints at Elsevier, Penton Publishing, Medical Economics, Chemical Week Associates, Lebhar-Friedman and Reed (Cahners) Travel Group, among others; Christine Turner, Contributing Editor of Writer's Web Watch and Writing That Works; and Anne Gilio, Consulting Editor. ### Through a variety of content platforms, SIGNAL Media informs, educates and entertains AFCEA members and constituents involved in cyber, technology, global defense, national security and intelligence. With a team of talented journalists and industry experts, SIGNAL Media delivers timely and accurate reporting, covering a wide range of topics. The company's commitment to excellence has earned it numerous accolades and a loyal readership worldwide. AFCEA International is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit international professional association that connects people, ideas and solutions globally. Established in 1946, the membership association serves the military, government, industry and academia by developing networking and educational opportunities and providing an ethical forum. This enables military, government, industry and academia to align technology and strategy to meet the needs of those who serve. AFCEA operates under the guidance of a board of directors, international staff and committees. A large network of chapters is managed by a group of regional vice presidents. Join online. Howard Wahlberg AFCEA International (703) 631-6199 [email protected] Source: AFCEA International VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vortex Energy Corp. (CSE: VRTX | OTC: VTECF | FRA: AA3) ("Vortex or the "Company") is pleased to announce, further to its news releases on April 28, 2023 and June 23, 2023, that it has further extended its engagement of Financial Star News Inc. (FSN) (address: 701 West Georgia Street, Suite 1500, Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1C6; email: [email protected]) for marketing services for an additional 60 days commencing on June 24, 2023, provided that the term of the marketing services may be extended or shortened at the discretion of management depending on, amongst other things, the efficiency of the marketing services. As previously disclosed, FSN has and shall continue to, as appropriate, create campaigns, ad groups, text ads, display ads, perform detailed keyword research, setup and manage remarketing campaigns, optimize keyword options, coordinate online advertiser and marketers corresponding to online marketing targets, create landing pages for ad campaigns and generally bring attention to the business of the Company. The promotional activity undertaken by FSN will occur on theFinancialStar.com and by email, Facebook and Google. The Company will pay a fee of USD $500,000 (plus GST) for the extension. The Company will not issue any securities to FSN as compensation for its marketing services. As of the date hereof, to the Companys knowledge, FSN (including its directors and officers) does not own any securities of the Company and has an arms length relationship with the Company. About Vortex Energy Corp. Vortex Energy Corp. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. The Company is currently advancing its Robinson River Salt Project located approximately 35 linear km south of the town of Stephenville in the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador covering over 17,000 hectares. Leveraging the Robinson River Salt project, the Company is also exploring the development of technologies to efficiently store green Hydrogen in Salt Caverns. Vortex also holds the Fire Eye Project, which is located in the Wollaston Domain of northern Saskatchewan, Canada. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Paul Sparkes Chief Executive Officer, Director +1 (778) 819-0164[email protected] Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words could, intend, expect, believe, will, projected, estimated and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Companys current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the expected term of the marketing activities contracted for by the Company. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including, in respect of the forward-looking information included in this press release, assumptions regarding the efficacy of the Companys marketing program. Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Companys management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward looking information involves 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 forward-looking information. Such factors include, among other things, the risk that the Companys marketing program may not be as effective as anticipated by the Company and that the budget for the Companys marketing program may not be sufficient to permit the marketing activities to continue for the anticipated term. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company 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. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release. Source: VORTEX ENERGY CORP Canary Wharf, part of the financial district at dawn in London, Britain, February 15, 2023. REUTERS/Peter Cziborra/File Photo By Nell Mackenzie LONDON (Reuters) - The European Union said on Thursday it has reached a deal on revising its rules for managers of hedge funds and other alternative investments, easing industry fears of a post-Brexit crackdown on managers in London. Representatives of EU states and the European Parliament reached the deal overnight to update the bloc's Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) rules that cover investments in hedge funds, private equity, private debt funds and real estate funds. The agreement, which seeks to make it easier to invest in a broader range of assets to boost the EU economy, needs formal rubber-stamping by parliament and member states. The European Commission proposed changes to AIFMD and to the Directive on Undertaking for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) - traditional funds that invest in stocks and bonds - in November 2021. Under the agreement, European asset managers will have to disclose more details to regulators about their investments with private funds in the United States, Britain and other non-EU countries. But it stops short of toughening up "delegation" rules for managers outside the EU that pick assets for funds listed in the bloc. London-based managers run many funds listed in Luxembourg and Dublin, and had been worried this could become harder after Brexit. The agreement includes new rules on funds that issue new loans, including higher requirements to keep money aside to cope with liquidity demands in stressed markets. It sets out how many of these loans must be kept by the company that originates them. New limits on how much leverage, or debt levels these funds, which issue loans, can hold will be set in the final legislation. The agreement protects European investors in that it would not limit access to "global expertise," said Taggart Davis, head of EU government affairs from the lobbyist group the Managed Funds Association in a statement on Thursday. "While we are supportive of the overall framework, we are concerned about the impact of leverage limits on loan origination funds," said Davis. Jiri Krol, global head of government affairs at the Alternative Investment Management Association, another private markets lobby group, said AIMA welcomed many of the rules which offered members greater certainty about working in Europe, but raised concerns about the leverage limits on loan funds. Deborah Zurkow, Chair of the Alternative Credit Council and global head of investments at Allianz Global Investors, agreed. "Private credit funds provide vital finance and liquidity to EU businesses helping them to invest, grow and create jobs across the continent. While some of the reforms introduced will support that activity, others will act as a brake," she said. (Reporting by Nell Mackenzie; editing by Huw Jones, Dhara Ranasinghe and Sharon Singleton) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2023) - Bear Creek Mining Corporation (TSXV: BCM) (OTCQX: BCEKF) (BVL: BCM) ("Bear Creek" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing (refer to the Company's press release dated July 12, 2023) to raise an aggregate of approximately C$8.2 million (the "Offering"). A total of 16,725,000 common shares ("Shares") were sold at a price of C$0.49 per Share. The Company plans to use the net proceeds of the Offering for exploration and production improvements at the Mercedes gold mine located in Sonora, Mexico and for general corporate purposes. The Shares issued under the Offering will be subject to a statutory four month and a day hold period that will expire on November 22, 2023. No bonus, finder's fee, commission or other compensation will be paid in connection with the Offering. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, "U.S. persons" (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Eric Caba President and Chief Executive Officer For further information contact: Barbara Henderson - VP Corporate Communications Direct: 604-628-1111 E-mail: [email protected] www.bearcreekmining.com Subscribe to Bear Creek Mining news Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding: the expected use of net proceeds under the Offering, and other statements regarding future plans, expectations, exploration potential, guidance, projections, objectives, estimates and forecasts as well as the Company's expectations with respect to such matters. These forward-looking statements are provided as of the date of this news release, or the effective date of the documents referred to in this news release, as applicable, and reflect predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events based on the Company's beliefs at the time the statements were made, as well as various assumptions made by and information currently available to them. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to: assumptions about general business and economic conditions, mineral prices, and anticipated costs and expenditures. Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions on which they are based do not reflect future experience. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the expectations expressed in them. These risk factors may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions expressed above do not occur, but specifically include, without limitation, risks relating to general market conditions and the additional risks described in the Company's latest Annual Information Form, and other disclosure documents filed by the Company on its SEDAR page at www.sedar.com. The foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. Investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by the Company or on behalf of the Company, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174320 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2023) - Burin Gold Corp. (TSXV: BURG) ("Burin" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received the conditional approval of the TSX Venture Exchange for its agreement (the "Agreement") with Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. ("Globex") (TSX: GMX) to acquire a 100% interest in the Dalhousie Project (the "Property"), comprised of 31 claims located 53 km to the east of Matagami and 4km South of Ramsay Bay at Lac au Goland, Quebec. The Dalhousie Project is an ortho-magmatic Ni-Cu-Co prospect located within the mafic-ultramafic package of the Bell River Complex. It is located on the north central margin of the Abitibi Orogenic Belt in proximity to the Matagami Mining Camp in Quebec, Canada. Limited historical drilling, up until the late 1980's, focused on poorly constrained geophysical anomalies, yet successfully intercepted mineralization near conductive features. A property-wide geophysical (TDEM) survey, completed in 2007, identified multiple conductive features coincident with surface mineralization and these targets remain untested. Historical chip channel samples collected above the untested EM conductors graded up to 3.79% Cu, 0.90% Ni and 0.28% Co. Fieldwork will commence this summer, including reprocessing of the TDEM data, aiming to better delineate and model existing conductive features. This work should quickly fast-track the project, so that the Company can drill-test the priority conductors later this year, in conjunction with downhole electromagnetic surveying (DHEM) to identify any possible off-hole conductors. Under the terms of the agreement, Burin shall pay $1,500,000 and issue 4,000,000 common shares in the capital of the Company ("Shares") to Globex and undertake $5,000,000 in exploration over a four-year period to earn 100 % interest in the property. The terms are as follows. Cash Shares Exploration Expenditures On Signing $100,000 1,000,000 - First Anniversary $100,000 - $1,000,000 (within first 12-month period) Second Anniversary $300,000 1,000,000 $1,000,000 (within second 12-month period) Third Anniversary $500,000 1,000,000 $1,500,000 (within third 12-month period) Fourth Anniversary $500,000 1,000,000 $1,500,000 (within fourth 12-month period) All Shares issued and issuable pursuant to the Agreement shall be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance. Completion of the acquisition of the Property is subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Globex shall retain a 3% gross metal royalty on all payable metals subject to a 1% buyback for $1,000,000, payable anytime. Qualified Person Szabolcs Orban, MSc, EFG, EurGeol (#1883) of Goldron Geoconsulting Ltd, is an independent contractor for Burin and a Qualified Person, as defined by NI 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical content of this news release. About Burin Gold Corp. Burin Gold is a public company on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: BURG) focussing on the exploration for critical metals (Nickel, Copper and Cobalt) in the province of Quebec. The Company has signed an option agreement with Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. on the Dalhousie Project, which hosts magmatic Ni-Cu-Co sulphide mineralization, coincident with conductive features and remains largely untested. The Company also holds a series of key gold prospects on the Burin Peninsula, Newfoundland, where it has completed 6,840 m of diamond drilling on the Hickey's Pond target. For further information contact: Tom Panoulias Interim CEO Burin Gold Corp. 416 294-5649 [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements 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 includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's 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 management's 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 proposed acquisition of the Property, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate First Nations and other indigenous peoples, 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, delays in the development of projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains, and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174220 Lewes, Delaware--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2023) - In partnership with "GetGovtGrants," the government is pleased to announce the opening of the application process for the Free Hotel Voucher under the Homeless Emergency Assistance Program. This initiative aims to provide temporary shelter and assistance to individuals facing homelessness, ensuring their safety and well-being. The Free Hotel Voucher for Homeless Emergency Assistance Program is a crucial component of the government's efforts to support those in need. Qualified individuals can now access hotel vouchers that will provide them with a secure place to stay during challenging times. To apply for the Free Hotel Voucher, interested individuals can visit designated locations or access the online application form through the official website https://getgovtgrants.com/. The application process has been streamlined and user-friendly, ensuring accessibility for all eligible candidates. The Free Hotel Voucher for Homeless Emergency Assistance Program is part of the ongoing collaboration between the government and "GetGovtGrants" to address the issue of homelessness in the community. By offering hotel vouchers, motel vouchers, and access to shelters, the program aims to provide immediate relief to those facing financial hardships. In addition to the Free Hotel Voucher program, "GetGovtGrants" continues to support other initiatives, including the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program, which brings joy and support to families in need during the holiday season. The organization remains dedicated to uplifting those in need, spreading hope, and creating positive impacts in the lives of others. For those who wish to support, visit here:Free Hotel Voucher for Homeless Emergency Assistance Grants Program.Any support will aid in expanding the reach of this vital program and assist a greater number of individuals. If someone is homeless, a low-income individual or belongs to a low-income family, more information on the Free Hotel Voucher for Homeless Emergency Assistance Program can be found by visiting the application website URL to seek shelter. Through the collective efforts of the government and "GetGovtGrants," the Free Hotel Voucher for Homeless Emergency Assistance Program aims to provide comfort, security, and hope to those in need. The application process is now open, and the organizations look forward to the active participation of eligible candidates. For media inquiries, please contact: Name: John Smith Email: [email protected] Organization: GetGovtGrants Website: https://getgovtgrants.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174363 The multiplication of initiatives to end the conflict in Sudan could yield positive results if they do not draw out the crisis in the country. Now in its fourth month, the conflict in Sudan continues to inflict its unrelenting toll of fatalities, wreckage, and ruin. The Sudanese people remain trapped in agony and distress, whether in their homeland and having to suffer from the impacts of the incessant fighting or if they have been forced to flee and endure the hardships of displacement abroad. Despite various efforts aimed at bringing together the warring factions the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in attempts to halt the ongoing conflict, it appears that both sides are determined to secure a decisive military victory even though this has thus far eluded them. The conflict has compelled the leaders of both factions to abandon their privileged living conditions and instead engage in relentless fighting amidst the chaos. Recent statements by SAF and RSF leaders expressing a desire to end the conflict and pursue a peaceful solution have encouraged many, but doubts persist concerning their genuineness. The statements themselves do not indicate a way to end the hostilities and pave the way for lasting peace. They may have been elicited by international and regional pressures or as a response to the opinions of advisers urging the SAF and RSF leaders to avoid sanctions and international condemnation. But soon they will be unable to continue the charade or manipulate the multiple initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict. SAF and RSF delegations have reconvened in Jeddah to resume negotiations on ending the conflict that has been suspended since June. At the same time, there have been ongoing clashes in Khartoum and Darfur, and these have reached a critical juncture in recent days as both sides seemingly attempt to advance their positions on the ground and translate them into favourable outcomes at the negotiating table. Lieutenant-General Shamseddin Kabbashis recent declaration that the SAF would be receptive to any initiative aimed at ending the conflict and promoting inclusive political dialogue leading to the establishment of a civilian government to oversee the transitional phase in Sudan and prepare for democratic elections has garnered significant attention. He said that the SAF would be open to any serious peace initiative that ensures the preservation of national sovereignty. Kabbashi lauded the US-Saudi mediation initiative, leading some observers to interpret his statement as a development that could pave the way for substantive negotiations in Jeddah. His statement may reflect a decision by the SAF leadership to align itself with the popular sentiment that calls for an end to the conflict. However, other observers say that Kabbashis statements were intended to convey a message to the international and regional community regarding the various initiatives being proposed. This message is that the SAF is committed to pursuing dialogue, rejects war, and views the ongoing conflict as having been imposed upon it and is a way of avoiding the imposition of possible sanctions or the deployment of regional forces into Sudan. The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) recently issued a call for the East African Standby Force (ESAF) to explore the possibility of deploying in Sudan to safeguard civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The RSF has expressed its support for this proposal, but the SAF has rejected it outright. RSF Commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also called Hemedti, has announced the establishment of a liaison committee tasked with engaging with political entities and armed groups to achieve a comprehensive political settlement to the crisis in Sudan. He said that this initiative underscored the importance of dialogue as a fundamental prerequisite for achieving a comprehensive political solution to the crisis, given the multifaceted nature of the underlying national crisis that has been compounded by the ongoing conflict. Achieving an end to the conflict would require extensive consultations with all the countrys political forces, in order to address the underlying causes of the crisis and usher in a sustainable resolution with the participation of all of them, he said. At the same time, leaders from the Sudanese Justice and Equality Movement held a meeting with Abdel-Rahim Dagalo, second-in-command of the RSF, in Chad, where they discussed a political roadmap to end the conflict. Some observers have speculated that this move may be an attempt to bolster the RSFs image and counter allegations of crimes against civilians. The stances of the SAF and the RSF may have been influenced by the mounting international and regional pressure to address the crisis in Sudan, including calls by the IGAD for military intervention and disarmament in Khartoum. In recent days, the UK has imposed sanctions on six companies linked to both sides of the conflict, accusing them of exacerbating the situation in Sudan by providing financial and military support to the warring factions. The sanctions freeze the assets of these companies in the UK and prohibit British companies and citizens from engaging in business dealings with them. The move follows a similar step taken by the US in May. Further sanctions may be forthcoming against those who obstruct efforts to end the conflict and perpetrate violence against civilians. International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan has announced the launch of a fresh investigation into alleged war crimes committed in the Darfur region of Sudan. He emphasised the need to ensure that history does not repeat itself, alluding to the atrocities that occurred in the region during the rule of former Sudanese president Omar Al-Bashir after 2003. Addressing the UN Security Council, Khan highlighted the ongoing suffering and uncertainty faced by the people of Darfur and cited a wealth of evidence relating to possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed since the present conflict erupted on 15 April. He noted incidents of looting, extrajudicial killings, crimes against children, sexual violence, and gender-based violence. The US has welcomed the new ICC investigation. Meanwhile, divisions within the civil forces in Sudan persist. A delegation comprising leaders of the Sudanese Forces for Freedom and Change and other civil groups has embarked on a tour of regional capitals beginning with Kampala and followed by NDjamena and Addis Ababa. The delegation also intends to visit other capitals, where it will call for an end to the conflict and the need to achieve a comprehensive and equitable political solution in Sudan that leads to the establishment of a unified national army, democratic civilian rule, and sustainable peace. The efforts reflect the ongoing struggle to unify the various factions within the countrys civil forces and present a united front in the pursuit of a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Sudan. However, the efforts to engage with regional actors have garnered criticism from some, who have accused the delegation members of treason. Even within the Forces for Freedom and Change itself, some parties have expressed their reservations, arguing that the delegation leaders should have met with other Sudanese groups, such as the Communist Party, the Democratic Bloc, and the armed movements, to agree on a shared vision for ending the conflict before embarking on regional visits. They contend that doing so without first engaging with other civil groups exacerbates existing divisions and makes it more difficult to achieve a unified front in the pursuit of peace. Some have also raised concerns that the tour could be perceived as an attempt to garner support for the RSF and alienate segments of the population who remain neutral or oppose taking sides in the conflict. Sources within the Forces for Freedom and Change have denied the claims, saying that the delegation has been subject to threats and worse and that its aim is to make the voices of the Sudanese heard. They say that the ultimate goal is to end the bloodshed in Sudan, while also working to ensure the participation of civilians in any negotiations aimed at achieving a democratic transition and sustainable peace in the country. The sources maintain that a unified civilian voice, which they are working to consolidate with other democratic transition forces, will help to fill the current void and prevent armed factions or Islamists from the remnants of the former regime from charting Sudans future path or perpetuating the conflict. However, other civil forces continue to support the Framework Agreement that was due to be signed before the outbreak of the conflict, highlighting that the civilian forces have yet to fully learn the lessons of the devastating conflict in Sudan. The civilian leadership has a responsibility to end internal divisions and prioritise a national agenda over the personal, sectarian, ideological, and regional interests that have contributed to the current crisis. The continuation of these divisions will only exacerbate the situation and have severe repercussions for any potential solution in Sudan. There are growing hopes that the various mediations now ongoing will unify their efforts to end the conflict in Sudan. Many observers argue that multiplying such mediations could be counterproductive and fuel time-wasting tactics by the warring factions. But the Jeddah negotiations are expected to yield positive results, and it is hoped that other mediating parties, including the IGAD, the African Union (AU), and neighbouring countries such as Egypt will be involved in efforts to end the conflict. The fear is that the prolongation of the conflict and its possible expansion within Sudan and to neighbouring countries will lead to increased human suffering and the intervention of external powers that could undermine Sudans sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. * A version of this article appears in print in the 20 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Search Keywords: Short link: BTV New Listing Alert Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2023) - Nuclear Fuels Inc. (CSE: NF) The newly listed uranium exploration company, is poised to revolutionize the energy sector with its commitment to green and sustainable power. With a valuable historic database of 3,700 drill holes in Wyoming, Nuclear Fuels is ideally located in a proven and prolific state. Excitingly, the company is pursuing a high-grade uranium project in Labrador to uncover previously overlooked grades of up to 6.7%. Nuclear Fuels is now trading on the CSE under the ticker symbol NF. Cannot view this video? Visit: https://www.b-tv.com/post/nuclear-fuels-building-americas-uranium-resources-btv-new-listing-alert-60sec Nuclear Fuels Inc. (CSE: NF) https://nuclearfuels.energy/ About BTV: BTV-Business Television is Canada's longest running business show. With Hosts Taylor Thoen and Jessica Katrichak, BTV features emerging companies across the country to bring viewers investment opportunities. BTV also produces News Alerts and branding/ awareness spots for issuers broadcast on BNN Bloomberg, Fox Business News, Bloomberg TV US and Bloomberg Terminals. www.b-tv.com BTV Business Television/CEO Clips Contact: Trina Schlingmann (604) 664-7401 x 5 [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174266 Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2023) - Quantum eMotion Corp. (TSXV: QNC) (OTCQB: QNCCF) ("QeM" or the "Company") is delighted to announce the issuance of a significant patent in Australia pertaining to quantum random number generation based on quantum tunneling. After a meticulous examination in accordance with Australian Law, the Commissioner of Patents has officially granted the patent, designated by the number 2018401978, valid for a duration of 20 years from the date of deposit. Francis Bellido, CEO of QeM, expressed his enthusiasm regarding this momentous achievement: "We are truly thrilled with the recognition of our groundbreaking quantum technology patent in Australia. Given the nation's substantial investment in advancing quantum technologies and its prominent position in quantum communications, this is a major milestone for us. Australia's prominence in the cybersecurity domain adds further significance to the acknowledgement of our claim, representing a critical step towards global recognition of our foundational intellectual property. As we forge ahead with a well-defined commercial plan, this milestone holds profound importance for our valued shareholders, esteemed partners, and prospective clients alike." Currently, the Company possesses two valuable patent families, spanning multiple countries and resulting in the issuance of several patents. The first patent family originated from research conducted at Sherbrooke University by Professor Bertrand Reulet's esteemed team. This intellectual property was subsequently acquired by our Company. The primary focus of the first patent family lies in the utilization of a monitored flow of electrons across a quantum tunnelling barrier, acting as a quantum random signal source. This technology serves as the foundation for generating random numbers. The second patent family emerged from our internal efforts to eliminate non-quantum noise from the quantum signal. This significant breakthrough ensures the complete authenticity and randomness of the generated numbers, solely based on quantum processes. In recognition of his exceptional contributions as Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Larry Moore has been awarded by the board of directors a grant of 500,000 options. Simultaneously, Dr. Francis Bellido has been granted 609,737 options as per the terms of his contract. About QeM The Company's mission is to address the growing demand for affordable hardware security for connected devices. The patented solution for a Quantum Random Number Generator exploits the built-in unpredictability of quantum mechanics and promises to provide enhanced security for protecting high value assets and critical systems. The Company intends to target the highly valued Financial Services, Blockchain Applications, Cloud-Based IT Security Infrastructure, Classified Government Networks and Communication Systems, Secure Device Keying (IOT, Automotive, Consumer Electronics) and Quantum Cryptography. For further information, please contact: Francis Bellido, Chief Executive Officer Tel : 514.956.2525 Email: [email protected] Website: www.quantumemotion.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in the Corporation's periodic reports, including the annual report or in the filings made by Quantum from time to time with securities regulatory authorities. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174370 Hong Kong, Hong Kong--(Newsfile Corp. - July 21, 2023) - Rimaunangis Digital LLC, the owner of the RXT token, once again sets foot in Hong Kong. Together with Bitcoin Man, RXT token continues its commitment to enter the Asian Crypto Market, especially Hong Kong, China. During this event, token RXT chose to bring together the Asian Crypto community in a large yacht. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9711/174064_a8c4a4b5243cfa0d_001full.jpg Figure 2 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9711/174064_a8c4a4b5243cfa0d_002full.jpg The NFTs offered in https://farming.online and https://farmingviaNFT.io which are the RXT ecosystem, offer NFTs as an instrument of ownership of the productivity of agriculture and animal husbandry for farmers. The latest from RXT is the NFT instrument which aims to help fishermen in exploring the sea. RXT will also introduce a completely different farming game, aiming to provide a new concept of play to earn. Indeed, this is not easy and takes a lot of time to educate investors and traders, but RXT has been running for almost a year and continues to be committed to developing and establishing strong fundamentals. Dato Abdul Haadi Azhar as CEO and Dato Muhamad Firdaus Azhar as Chairman accompanied by Herbert R Sim Bitcoin Man, demonstrated this at the Yacht Party at Repulse Bay Hong Kong. The next destination of the RXT World Tour for Crypto Education will be going to Istanbul - Turkey together with PROBIT Global. Rimaunangis Digital LLC Tbilisi - Georgia [email protected] John Henderson Media Manager To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/174064 AUSTIN, Texas , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 1st Commercial Credit, LLC, a leading financial services provider specializing in invoice factoring solutions, is pleased to announce its support for a Louisiana -based temp-staffing agency's expansion into the lucrative Florida market. Facilitating a $100,000 loan, 1st Commercial Credit, LLC aims to empower its valued client to capitalize on the flourishing opportunities in Florida and continue their remarkable growth trajectory. Staffing agencies can easily grow their business with 1st Commercial Credit's financial solutions. The client, a thriving and successful temp-staffing agency based in Louisiana that services the hotel industry, is already an existing invoice factoring customer of 1st Commercial Credit, LLC. Demonstrating exceptional financial performance, the agency boasts an impressive monthly sales revenue exceeding $1 million . Leveraging this proven success and their robust business model, the agency has strategically chosen to venture into the dynamic Florida market. The $100,000 loan, tailored to the agency's needs, will be provided over a 24-month term, featuring initial interest-only payments in the first three months. This strategic funding will equip the agency with the necessary working capital to establish a robust presence in Florida , scale operations, and attract top talent to meet the heightened demand for their services in the new market. Raul Esqueda , President at 1st Commercial Credit, LLC, expressed enthusiasm about supporting the agency's expansion, stating, "At 1st Commercial Credit, LLC, we are committed to empowering businesses and fostering growth. Extending this loan to our esteemed invoice factoring client showcases our confidence in their exceptional performance and potential for success in the Florida market." By providing this financial support, 1st Commercial Credit, LLC reaffirms its dedication to assisting entrepreneurial ventures and contributing to the economic development of the regions served by its clients. The company's customer-centric approach ensures that businesses receive tailored financial solutions to meet their specific needs and aspirations, aligning with its core mission of enabling growth and success. About 1st Commercial Credit, LLC: 1st Commercial Credit, LLC is a prominent financial services provider specializing in invoice factoring solutions and asset-based lending. With a steadfast commitment to helping businesses manage cash flow and achieve growth, the company offers flexible funding options designed to unlock working capital and maximize potential for existing factoring clients. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/1st-commercial-credit-llc-supports-louisiana-based-temp-agency-clients-expansion-into-florida-market-with-100-000-loan-301883092.html SOURCE 1st Commercial Credit, LLC The 84 Lumber Recruitment Call Center will be open on National Hire a Veteran Day July 25 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. EST EIGHTY FOUR, Pa. , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 84 Lumber, the nation's largest privately held building materials supplier, is proud to take part in National Hire a Veteran Day, which will be observed on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 . 84 Lumber is hosting a special Recruitment Call Center event, adding a personal touch for potential associates to ask questions and learn about opportunities throughout the 84 Lumber network without having to travel to a specific location. Callers can speak to 84 Lumber associates from a variety of backgrounds. The Call Center will be open on Tuesday, July 25 National Hire a Veteran Day from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. EST . Call 724-228-1885 to speak to a live recruiter. "At 84 Lumber, veterans play a significant role in the company's success. Their leadership, discipline, and commitment to excellence are qualities that align with 84 Lumber's culture and values," said 84 Lumber Owner & CEO Maggie Hardy . "When someone retires from the military, they're typically used to a very structured, hard-working environment where they can grow and move up the ranks. That's why veterans tend to thrive at 84 Lumber and become some of our most successful associates," said Hardy. "On the other hand, 84 Lumber absolutely benefits from the hard-working values that our military has learned. These traits aren't always easy to come by, and we sure do appreciate those who have them." Veteran Phil Dollman : Finding a Like-Minded Career and Purpose at 84 Lumber Before joining 84 Lumber last June as a Recruiting Talent Acquisition Specialist, veteran Phil Dollman was unsure of what his next career move would be. Upon leaving his six years of active duty in the United States Air Force (USAF) Security Forces, followed by 18 years as a police officer, he had a tough time finding a job that offered the same structure and comfort level as he had in the military and police department. "Finding a stable career path that gives veterans like me the same structure as we had in the military was important," said Dollman. "When you're used to having a clear rank structure of leaders who are required to do their job in a professional manner, transitioning to a civilian job that has poor or inconsistent leadership can be a tough adjustment, and opportunities seemed sparse." During his time at USAF, Dollman, who retired as an E-5 staff sergeant, provided law enforcement and security services to military personnel and resources vital to national security; he was frequently in charge of a post, fire team, or some other group of airmen charged with an important duty related to the security of national defense. His attention to detail, duty, and high standards are what attracted him to 84 Lumber after his follow-up stint as a police officer, as he felt the company respected this experience. "People who have honorably separated from the military have shown that during that period of their lives, they were held to a high standard as they performed their duties," said Dollman. "I have found 84 Lumber to be a no-nonsense company. 84 Lumber puts heavy value on being a team player who is reliable and doesn't make excuses." "I get along with other field recruiters who also have a military background, and we find we bring our personal values to our job," said Dollman. "And as a recruiter, I frequently speak with and hire veterans. There is usually a familiarity when we speak because of similar shared experiences." Why Veterans Thrive at 84 Lumber Dollman found his way to 84 Lumber after discovering a family member worked for the company, and after more than a year in his role, he is happy he did. He says the qualities that he gained through his military experience, such as teamwork, reliability, ownership, and leading by example, are qualities that have helped him succeed at 84 Lumber and why he encourages others to join the company. For those veterans in a similar situation to Dollman who may be seeking a new career, he highly suggests 84 Lumber. "As service members transition from military life whether through separation or retirement, many of us seek new careers to apply our skills in the civilian world," said Dollman. "If you can carry the intangibles learned in the military over to the company, you will likely excel quickly." National Hire a Veteran Day Tuesday, July 25, 2023 aims to inspire employers to recruit and hire veterans by recognizing the unique skills and values that former soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen bring to the workforce. No experience or degree is needed to join 84 Lumber. The company offers top-of-the-line training and development programs, so associates are prepared to move up quickly and become leaders at the company. To apply, visit 84lumber.com/careers. Since 84 Lumber was founded almost 70 years ago, the company has had a strong commitment to US military members. It offers a year-round 10 percent discount for all military personnel, purple wounded warrior parking spots at all stores nationwide, and hosts an annual "Operation Appreciation" month every May to show special appreciation to the military. 84 Lumber associates who are veterans or active-duty members are given an extra paid day off to use on a veteran-related holiday, such as Veteran's Day or Memorial Day , each year. Each associate nationwide also is given a custom Operation Appreciation t-shirt. To learn more visit www.84Lumber.com or Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. ABOUT 84 LUMBER Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Eighty Four, Pennsylvania , 84 Lumber Company is the nation's largest privately held supplier of building materials, manufactured components, and industry-leading services for single- and multi-family residences and commercial buildings. The company operates 310 facilities which include stores, component manufacturing plants, custom door shops, and engineered wood product centers in more than 35 states. 84 Lumber also offers turnkey installation services for a variety of products, including framing, insulation, siding, windows, roofing, decking, and drywall. A certified national women's business enterprise owned by Maggie Hardy , 84 Lumber was named one of America's Largest Private Companies by Forbes and also made the Inc. 5000 list of America's Fastest Growing Companies in 2022. For more information, visit 84lumber.com or join us at Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/84-lumber-a-great-place-for-veterans-to-find-a-career-and-purpose-301883242.html SOURCE 84 Lumber MIAMI , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Buddies International, a global nonprofit organization and All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the new professional wrestling league taking the world by storm, today announced an impactful partnership committed to promoting inclusion and empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). This collaboration will be facilitated through AEW TOGETHER, AEW's philanthropic initiative designed to foster lasting and positive change within the AEW community. AEW stars will proudly serve as Global Ambassadors for Best Buddies, actively engaging in local events and using their influence and impact to create awareness about Best Buddies' mission of inclusion. Joining the esteemed lineup of Best Buddies Global Ambassadors are the following AEW stars, who are highly committed to making a difference in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Paul Wight , Ethan Page and Willow Nightingale . The collaborative efforts of Best Buddies International, AEW TOGETHER and the new Global Ambassadors will officially launch today at the highly anticipated Best Buddies Leadership Conference at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana . This annual event unites Best Buddies leaders, volunteers and community advocates from around the globe to create, lead and empower the future of the disability rights and inclusion movement. AEW will amplify the new partnership on Saturday, July 22 , during the "AEW: Collision" show at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ . The presence of Best Buddies participants from the tri-state area will add special significance to the worldwide event. Best Buddies International and everyone at AEW are dedicated to creating a greater awareness of the infinite abilities people with IDD possess. Together, both organizations aim to create a positive and transformative impact on the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL: Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver , Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 3,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies' nine formal programs Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies, Jobs, Ambassadors, Promoters and Inclusive Living engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 49 countries, positively impacting the lives of nearly 1 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or instagram.com/bestbuddies. ABOUT AEW Founded by CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan in 2019, AEW is offering an alternative to mainstream wrestling, with a roster of world-class talent that is injecting new spirit, freshness and energy into the industry. "AEW: Dynamite" airs every Wednesday from 8-10 p.m. ET on TBS and attracts the youngest wrestling audience on television. The fight-forward "AEW: Rampage" airs every Friday from 10-11 p.m. ET on TNT, and the new "AEW: Collision" airs every Saturday from 8-10 p.m. ET on TNT. AEW's multi-platform content also includes "Being the Elite," a weekly behind-the-scenes YouTube series, and "AEW Unrestricted," a weekly podcast series. For more info, check out Twitter.com/AEW; Instagram.com/AEW; YouTube.com/AEW; Facebook.com/AEW ABOUT AEW TOGETHER AEW TOGETHER is AEW's philanthropic initiative designed to foster lasting, positive change in each market AEW visits. AEW TOGETHER dedicates its efforts and initiatives around four core pillars: (1) Next Generation, focusing on youth programs, (2) Equity, with an emphasis on human rights and social change, (3) Service, helping those in need in the local area, and (4) Wellness, focusing on physical and mental health. For more info, check out Twitter.com/AEWTOGETHER; Instagram.com/AEWTOGETHER. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-buddies-international-and-all-elite-wrestling-aew-unite-to-champion-inclusion-for-individuals-with-intellectual-and-developmental-disabilities-301883146.html SOURCE Best Buddies International WASHINGTON , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has entered into a settlement with Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation (Booz Allen) to resolve a lawsuit that began seven years ago with the filing of a whistleblower complaint by a former employee. The whistleblower, Sarah Feinberg , alleged that Booz Allen had been overcharging the federal government by knowingly presenting false claims for reimbursement. Booz Allen agreed to pay the government $377,453,150 to settle the claims, originally filed by the whistleblower under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act. Under that law, a private citizen with knowledge of fraud against a government agency or government program can "blow the whistle" by bringing a lawsuit on behalf of the government. Successful qui tam whistleblowers can receive substantial awards. In this case, the government awarded the whistleblower nearly $70 million . William Pittard , Matthew Kaiser , Justin Dillon , and Jonathan Jeffress from KaiserDillon PLLC, based in Washington, D.C. , and Jonathan Tycko, Tycko & Zavareei LLP, also based in Washington, D.C. , represented Ms. Feinberg . Ms. Feinberg had this to say: "I hope this case will inspire more whistleblowers to hold corrupt individuals and corporations accountable." She added: "And I am grateful for the heroic work done by the KaiserDillon team and Jonathan Tycko over the past 7 years to help expose Booz's conduct and assist the government in recovering some of the funds that were claimed by Booz." "We are proud to have represented Sarah Feinberg in this matter. Through her courage and determination to do the right thing, as well as the government's efforts, we have achieved at least a measure of justice," said William Pittard , one of Ms. Feinberg's lawyers. "Using the qui tam provisions of that law, Ms. Feinberg was able to bring this matter to the attention of the government in a way that led to a significant monetary recovery. We are proud and humbled to represent her in this case." "We are grateful for how seriously the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Department of Justice's Civil Fraud Section, and all the government lawyers and investigators who have worked on this matter, took the allegations, and for the work they did to reach this settlement," added attorney Jonathan Tycko, who also represented Ms. Feinberg . The False Claims Act The False Claims Act, sometimes referred to as "Lincoln's Law," was initially enacted during the Civil War in response to "profiteering" by companies that sold defective or useless goods to the Union Army. The Act has been amended several times since then. The modern version of the False Claims Act makes it unlawful for a company to submit false claims for payment to the government, or to create false documents or other records to obtain such payment. The False Claims Act also has a so-called "qui tam" provision that permits private whistleblowers to bring a lawsuit in the name of the government against companies or individuals who violate the Act. Under that qui tam provision, a whistleblower award is typically between 15% and 30% of whatever amount is recovered by or for the government as a result of the lawsuit. Qui tam complaints are filed "under seal" and are then investigated by the Department of Justice, which can then intervene in the lawsuit on the side of the whistleblower. Here, Ms. Feinberg filed the qui tam complaint in 2016 in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The case was investigated by the U.S. Attorney's Office for that District, along with investigators from the Department of Defense and the Defense Contract Management Agency. The qui tam lawsuit at issue is Civil Action No. 16-1911 (ACR) in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. About KaiserDillon PLLC KaiserDillon PLLC represents individuals and companies in the most challenging moments of their lives. The firm's offices are in Washington, D.C. About Tycko & Zavareei LLP Tycko & Zavareei LLP represents whistleblowers, consumers, employees, and others who seek to remedy corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. The firm has offices in Washington, D.C. and California , and represents clients in litigation in federal and state courts around the country. Jonathan Tycko is a Partner in the firm's whistleblower practice, who has represented dozens of whistleblowers in cases under the False Claims Act and similar statutes; those cases have returned hundreds-of-millions of dollars to federal and state governments. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/booz-allen-hamilton-holding-corporation-pays-over-377-million-to-settle-whistleblower-fraud-allegations-301883383.html SOURCE KaiserDillon PLLC SUZHOU, China , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Last month, the American Society for Artificial Internal Organs (ASAIO) 68th Annual Meeting was successfully held in San Francisco . magAssist's product, BreathMo was highlighted in the meeting. Dr. Dong Guo from Beijing Anzhen Hospital, introduced the innovation of the device featured in a study titled "A 14-Day In-Vivo Evaluation of a Newly Developed Maglev ECMO System BreathMo, " demonstrating its effectiveness and safety for providing both pulmonary and cardiac support. A life-saving tool that experienced fast growth with 40% CAGR in China Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) provides essential support for intensive care unit (ICU) patients, 60% of whom develop heart or respiratory failure with a mortality rate of 23-75%. In China , ECMO has become a crucial mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for critically ill patients with data showing that the number of ECMO cases has increased almost fourfold from 2,826 in 2017 to 10,656 in 2021. (Data from the China ECMO Report 2021 and the survey of the Extracorporeal Life Support Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association) The growing demand for ECMO is also fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which prolonged ECMO support was commonly used to treat those who suffer from severe symptoms. The limitation of the existing ECMO systems exposed the need for medical device manufacturers to upgrade ECMO devices equipped with advanced functions. These features include a full maglev pump with higher hemocompatibility, an oxygenator with high gas exchange efficiency and low cross-oxygenator pressure drop, aiming to provide long-term life-saving support to patients in need. The newly developed ECMO, delivering greater performance and safety During the conference, Dr. Guo pointed out that it is essential to develop ECMOs with full maglev centrifugal pumps, which may better support patients in the long run. The full maglev centrifugal pumps have emerged as a highly promising solution, offering superior hemocompatibility, and presenting potential engineering innovations for long-term ECMO or membrane applications. Centrifugal blood pumps are frequently utilized in adult ECMO, and most of them rely on pivot bearing, which has a lower hemocompatibility compared with full maglev pumps. Furthermore, the high rotational speed can cause high shear stress, potentially leading to hemolysis. A journal article in Medicine and Novel Technology and Devices examined the hemolytic performance of pumps in adult ECMO support, which highlighted the enhanced safety and effectiveness of the full maglev flow technology. The detailed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis revealed that the maglev pump outperformed its counterparts by minimizing non-physiological wall shear stress (WSS) and stagnation shear stress (SSS). The maglev pump exhibited the lowest predicted hemolysis index (HI). These computational findings were further supported by experimental results, demonstrating that the maglev pump caused the least damage to blood cells when compared to the Revolution and Rotaflow pumps. BreathMo, China's homegrown maglev ECMO system that addresses the unmet medical needs of Chinese patients. To bridge clinical gaps in China , magAssist has developed a new generation ECMO system, BreathMo. The use of maglev technology reduces the risk of blood damage caused by mechanical contact bearings, resulting in safer operation. The maglev pump demonstrates superior hemocompatibility with overall low blood damage at the hemolysis level and degradation of high-molecular-weight (VWF). As mentioned in the conference, the system's flow rate of up to 7L/min is complemented by an oxygenator that maintain exceptional performance, offering a low-pressure drop (less than 50mmHg) even at maximum flow rates. Notably, the device incorporates an ultra-compact portable console weighing less than 8 kg, allowing healthcare professionals to tailor treatment to individual patient needs. In the study designed to evaluate the in-vivo performance and safety of BreathMo, the final health status of the ten sheep selected for the trial, with five undergoing VA cannulation and the remaining five undergoing VV cannulation, proved the system's capability to provide pulmonary and cardiac support. The study revealed their plasma-free hemoglobin levels were within an acceptable range, with consistently optimal oxygenator performance. The PFH values ranged from 0.36 to 14.80mg/dL, far below 40 mg/dL which is an indicator of possible thrombus formation. The autopsy examinations conducted after the study showed no complications, embolism, thrombus formation, or end-organ damage, with no device-related adverse events reported, further affirming the system's safety profile and paving the way for its first-in-human studies trial in the near future. "The development of BreathMo marks another technological milestone as we seek new innovative life-saving solutions to enhance patient well-being while empowering healthcare professionals to improve their treatment outcomes. With our innovative maglev technology that allows for good hemocompatibility, BreathMo not only provides safe and effective cardiopulmonary support but is also a new promising starting point as we continue to leverage industry and technical resources to unlock new possibilities for the ECMO field," Dr. Chiahao Hsu , Senior Director of Science and Innovation Department of magAssist. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/breathmo-the-new-generation-ecmo-system-revealed-at-asaio-conference-301883357.html SOURCE magAssist Co., Ltd In the news release, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP Provides Notice of Data Breach, issued 20-Jul-2023 over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that the source should read "Delta Dental of California" rather than "Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP" as originally issued inadvertently. The complete, corrected release follows: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP Provides Notice of Data Breach SAN FRANCISCO , July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP ("Orrick") experienced a cyber security event on March 13, 2023 that involved some of its clients' data, including that of Delta Dental of California . The event was isolated to Orrick's system and did not involve Delta Dental of California's network or systems in any way. Orrick has served as legal counsel to Delta Dental of California , which manages or managed dental insurance plans. As part of that representation, Orrick received personal and protected health information about Delta Dental of California plan participants. On March 13, 2023, Orrick detected that an unauthorized third party gained remote access to a portion of its network, including a file share that it used to store certain client files. Upon detection, Orrick took immediate steps to block the unauthorized access and an investigation of the incident was launched with the support of leading outside cybersecurity experts. Orrick also notified law enforcement. Primarily between February 28, 2023 and March 13, 2023, the unauthorized third party obtained files containing personal and protected health information. The information affected may have included: name, address, date of birth, dental insurance policy, healthcare provider information, and limited dental diagnosis and treatment-related information. No plan participant records containing Social Security numbers or financial account or payment card information were involved. Orrick is offering individuals with impacted information two years of complimentary identity monitoring services, including credit monitoring and identity theft protection services. In addition to these actions, Orrick deployed additional security measures and tools with the guidance of third-party experts to strengthen the ongoing security of its network. Orrick is not aware of any misuse of plan participant information. Nonetheless, it is always a good practice to remain vigilant and regularly review financial statements, credit reports, and Explanations of Benefits (EOBs) from health insurers for any unauthorized activity. This is a best practice for all individuals. If you identify suspicious activity, you should contact the company that maintains the account on your behalf. Orrick has established a dedicated call center to answer questions. If you have any questions about this this incident or the services available to you, please call 1 (866) 373-7207 Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 6:30pm Eastern time, excluding major U.S. holidays. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/orrick-herrington--sutcliffe-llp-provides-notice-of-data-breach-301882507.html SOURCE Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/orrick-herrington--sutcliffe-llp-provides-notice-of-data-breach-301882507.html SOURCE Delta Dental of California Cap'n Crunch and 60 cosplaying Crunchmates disembarked to show off the Cap'n's new four-stripe look during this summer's ultimate pop culture event CHICAGO , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A fourth stripe at last! Cap'n Crunch is making his status official, thanks to his new jacket featuring four-striped sleeves fit for a captain. To unveil his new look, Cap'n Crunch set sail to the world's most iconic cosplay capital. On July 20th , Cap'n Crunch made some big waves where superheroes and super fans converge in San Diego . As a nod to his 60th birthday this year, 60 of Cap'n Crunch's Crunchmates appeared dressed like none other than the Cap'n himselffour stripes and all. While Cap'n Crunch has always had the honor of being a Cap'n to his Crunch Crew aboard the S.S. Guppy, his old jacket featured sleeves with three stripes instead of a true captain's jacket which boasts sleeve with four stripes. Now, he's proud to show off his new four-stripe look that will accompany him through all the crunchtastic adventures to come. "With the celebration of Cap'n Crunch's 60th birthday this year, we thought it was only fitting to commemorate his epic 60 years of tasty adventures with a fresh new look," says Kristin Kroepfl , Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Quaker Foods North America at PepsiCo. "What better way to unveil the beloved Cap'n Crunch's new four-striped look than with his cosplaying Crunchmates around one of the most iconic pop culture events of the year?!" Ahead of the live unveiling, observant fans spotted teasers of Cap'n's refreshed, four-stripe jacket around San Diego and on Cap'n Crunch's Instagram and Twitter channels over the past few days. Fans can check out the Cap'n's new look on the latest Cap'n Crunch Cereal Boxes, Treat Bars , and more, rolling out now in stores nationwide. For more information, and to check out the latest product innovations, visit CapnCrunch.com. About Cap'n Crunch Cap'n Crunch has been a mainstay in the cereal aisle since it was first introduced in 1963. Owned by The Quaker Oats Company, a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., the ready-to-eat cereal brand features five varieties including Original, Crunch Berries, Peanut Butter Crunch, OOPS! All Berries, and Chocolate Caramel Crunch in addition to many limited-edition flavors and snack offerings like Cap'n Crunch's Crunch Mega Berries Snack Pouches, Oops! All Berries Mega Pouches and Cap'n Crunch Treats. For more information, please visit www.capncrunch.com, Facebook.com/capncrunch or follow us on Twitter or Instagram @realcapncrunch. About the Quaker Oats Company The Quaker Oats Company, headquartered in Chicago , is a unit of PepsiCo, Inc., one of the world's largest consumer packaged goods companies. For more than 140 years, Quaker's brands have served as symbols of quality, great taste and nutrition. Quaker Oats, Quaker Rice Cakes and Quaker Chewy Granola Bars are consumer favorites. For more information, please visit www.QuakerOats.com, www.Facebook.com/Quaker or follow us on Twitter and Instagram @Quaker. About PepsiCo PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/capn-crunch-set-sail-for-san-diego-to-unveil-new-uniform-featuring-fourth-stripe-301882763.html SOURCE Capn Crunch The US embassy in Cairo hosted yesterday its annual celebrations of the 4th of July Independence Day at the embassy's premises in Garden City. The celebration was attended by Mahmoud Kamal Othman, Minister of the Public and business sector; Aly El-Moselhy, Minister of supply; Alaa El-Din Fouad, Minister of Parliamentary affairs; government and diplomatic officials; and members of the media, among other attendees. Charge d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Ambassador John P. Desrocher, said that the 4th of July celebration day is also a day of reflection, as the U.S. recognizes its ongoing journey as a nation and people. "We gather not only to celebrate the 4th of July but also to recognize the personal and professional friendships and partnerships we have forged that strengthen the enduring bond between the United States and Egypt," Desrocher added. "Our two nations have stood side by side in times of peace and challenge, working hand in hand to promote stability, prosperity, and progress in the Middle East and beyond," he stated. The American charge d'affaires noted that the regular exchange of high-level visits between Egypt and the U.S. represents the value both countries place on open communication and collaboration. Furthermore, Desrocher stressed that these visits embody the close partnership that both countries have and that enhances cooperation in many domains, including economic development, security, and cultural exchange. "Since our previous Independence Day celebration, President Biden, Secretary Blinken, Defense Secretary Austin, and First Lady Jill Biden have all made separate visits to Egypt, underscoring this countrys pivotal role in the region," he pointed out. The American Charge daffaires noted, however, that the daily effort exerted by the U.S. Mission in Egypt to sustain and improve this relationship often goes unnoticed. "From strengthening our military partnership to fostering economic opportunities and cultural exchange programs, as well as safeguarding Egypt's precious cultural heritage, the staff at this Mission tirelessly works to promote the bilateral relationship," Desrocher said. He further added that both countries also work to strengthen their security, highlighting that the U.S. and Egyptian militaries have conducted over 60 training and other exchange programmes since 2022. Supporting Education in Egypt The American charge d'affaires also stated that the U.S. focuses on promoting and encouraging education in Egypt, noting that the government of the United States makes substantial investments in promoting education within Egypt, including building countless schools and providing teacher training. He also highlighted that the U.S. has spent, to date, over $1.8 billion on education. Desrocher also pointed out that sharing American culture with Egyptian students through education had the same significance for the U.S. as investing in education, citing the embassys organization of the first-ever Spelling Bee in Egypt earlier this year. According to the American charge d'affaires, the competition saw participation from nearly 1 million students of all age groups from every governorate. The event made learning English fun for the young participants and provided an opportunity to engage in something quintessentially American right here in Egypt. Economic ties Desrocher stressed that the United States has been Egypts largest bilateral partner for decades and that both countries continue to build on their economic and business relationship to create opportunities during these tough economic times, especially in light of Russias invasion of Ukraine. "We work diligently to strengthen our economic and commercial ties to ensure our mutual prosperity. We are helped in this work by many hundreds of U.S. companies who as employers, investors, partners, and customers bring innovation and solutions to help Egypt seize opportunities and solve challenges," he said. Preserving Egyptian history Desrocher lauded the collaboration between Egypt and the U.S. on restoring the Green Sarcophagus to Egypt earlier this year. "[] We dont need to employ Indiana Jones to recover stolen artefacts as proven by the work done by the Homeland Security Investigations office in Cairo and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, the famous Green Coffin was rightfully returned to Egypt," he said, adding that collaborating with Egypt on returning stolen artefacts is just one example of the U.S.'s commitment to preserving Egypt's history. The American charge d'affaires stated that on her first visit to Egypt, the First Lady learned about the U.S. governments investment in protecting and preserving the Sphinx from groundwater encroachment. "We and the thousands of Americans who travel to Egypt every year respect this countrys magnificent cultural heritage, and we are proud that our partnership helps protect these wonders while driving the tourism that is so critical to the economy," Desrocher said. In conclusion, he hoped that the friendship between Egypt and the U.S. "continues to thrive, inspiring future generations to collaborate and learn from one another." Search Keywords: Short link: SC EMS Association presented with $17,500 check by Duke Energy to complete State-Wide Gap Assessment for EMS Disaster Readiness HANAHAN, S.C. , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MedTrust Holdings hosted a Press Conference to focus on the important topic of emergency preparedness and the readiness for hurricane evacuations / repatriation of the Lowcountry's most vulnerable citizens from hospitals and other healthcare facilities. While there are many agencies and organizations involved during an emergency event, in SC private ground ambulance companies, like MedTrust, play the primary role and are responsible to complete the evacuation of patients from healthcare facilities and hospitals healthcare facilities and hospitals are responsible for the cost of these services. Over the past few years MedTrust has been a leader in these services, marshalling its own ground ambulance resources and securing more ambulances from other SC regions and other states, establishing an Emergency Operations Command Center, and safely evacuating / repatriating thousands of patients from hospitals and other healthcare and assisted living facilities to facilities across the Southeast. Once an emergency is declared during a hurricane event, time is of the essence to evacuate patients with maximum resources required during the critical hours prior to the storm's landfall. As noted by Lenna Macdonald , MedTrust's CEO, "One of the most challenging aspects of such an effort is the need to marshal resources to evacuate our most vulnerable citizens out of harm's way those that are patients or residents in healthcare facilities. While there are many agencies and organizations involved during an emergency event, in SC private ground ambulance companies, like MedTrust, play a primary role and are responsible to complete the evacuation of patients from healthcare facilities and hospitals AND over the past few years MedTrust has been a leader in these services." Securing sufficient ground ambulance capacity to evacuate all patients has been a challenge in the past but is now at a critical level post-COVID due to staffing shortages in all communities. As noted by the MedTrust Founder, Josh Watts , "Communities can no longer commit to send to the Charleston area the same resources as in the past, unless their own community is protected and with staffing shortages, those excess resources no longer exist." One critical resource is missing from the Lowcountry Ambuses (Ambulance-Buses) that can evacuate / repatriate 6-12 patients at one time a true force-multiplying resource. Henry Lewis , Executive Director of the SC EMS Association (SCEMSA) introduced Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-1). Congresswoman Mace thanked Mark Smith ( SC District 99 ), Berkely and Charleston County EMS leaders for attending the press conference. She also thanked the SCEMSA and the entire EMS community for their service, particularly during the critical time of hurricane evacuations / repatriations from along the coast. During her remarks, Congresswoman Mace reflected her surprise that there were no AMBUS resources based in the most critically affected storm areas. "I was shocked when I learned that there is not a single AMBUS on the coast that can help us in the time of an emergency to evacuate hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities and bring patients back when the emergency is over." The Congresswoman continued "We want to work smarter not harder and do everything we can to find funding and resources available. This is an issue on a federal, state and local level that we can work on together. Emergencies do not have a political affiliation. We have a great partner in Representative Mark Smith , District 99 , who is also championing this cause." "On a federal level we want to make sure we get our fair share (of funding) because the Lowcountry and the first congressional district is the 10th fastest growing district in the nation. We have more nursing homes, more hospitals and more senior living facilities because of this growth. We are putting this issue on the radar and working with state, federal and local partners as well as making the community aware that there is a need for Ambuses," Congressman Mace concluded. At the conclusion of Congresswoman Mace's remarks, Mandy Gattis , Project Coordinator, SCEMSA invited Rick Jiran , Senior VP of Duke Energy for a presentation of a $17,500 check to SCEMSA to fund a state-wide gap analysis of EMS disaster readiness. "We are pleased that Congresswoman Mace has taken an interest in supporting efforts to ensure that the lowcountry has sufficient resources to support our community in the event that a hurricane evacuation / repatriation is required," stated Ms. Macdonald . We applaud the efforts of SCEMSA to advocate on behalf of the entire EMS community to coordinate efforts for state-wide emergency preparedness. About MedTrust: MedTrust Holdings is driven by a mission of "improving patient outcomes through excellence in mobile healthcare." Founded in 2012 and now operating in three southeastern states with more than 80,000 patient encounters annually, MedTrust is a premier "partner of choice" for many healthcare systems and facilities seeking reliable transport services, innovative models, value for money engagements, data-driven performance, clinically excellent and compassionate care for their patients. We are the "employer of choice" for those who seek a positive culture focused on service, accountability, and excellence. We believe that healthcare will continue to evolve to care delivery closer to the patient; MedTrust has launched NEXUS Healthcare to use patient-centered care models offering on-demand, on-site, needs-based and preventative care to improve patient health outcomes, reduce costs and improve overall patient wellness satisfaction. Our value propositions have and will continue to drive our organic growth; MedTrust has been named to the Inc 5000 Fastest Growing companies list for the past 5 years. Leadership. Professionalism. Compassion. About SC EMS Association: The South Carolina EMS Association (SCEMSA) is a nonprofit organization committed to creating a unified voice for EMS providers across all sectors in the state of South Carolina . Our mission is to advance EMS through advocacy, collaboration, and education. No matter what sector of EMS you work in, we will work for you and your colleagues to foster a safe and successful environment in which every provider can thrive. In the last few years, specific subcommittees have been formed to address issues with workforce sustainability, shortages in certified EMS providers at all levels, health and safety of our EMS providers (to include PTSD and emotional trauma), education and access to EMS education systems, and more. Your SCEMSA subcommittees are actively engaging with other stakeholders to publish data and reports to help guide our legislative efforts and help us work with our State EMS Office to enact meaningful change and improve upon our statewide EMS systems. Media contact: Josh Watts [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/congresswoman-nancy-mace-sc-1-attends-medtrust-hosted-press-conference-on-emergency-preparedness--and-the-need-for-ambus-resources-in-the-lowcountry-301883148.html SOURCE MedTrust Medical Transport LLC HONG KONG , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- E Fund Management ("E Fund" or the Company), the largest fund management company with offices in mainland China and Hong Kong , marks the first anniversary of the ETF Connect program by expanding its participation. With significant presence in the asset management industry, the Company continues to strengthen its role in this program with inclusion of four additional ETF products, namely E Fund SSE 50 ETF, E Fund STAR 50 ETF, E Fund CSI 1000 ETF, and E Fund CSI SEEE Carbon Neutral ETF. The expanded offerings became effective on July 17, 2023 . This landmark program, which facilitates two way capital flows between mainland China and Hong Kong for eligible exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), has played a pivotal role in deepening the integration of capital markets. Launched in July 2022 , the ETF Connect was poised to include ETFs in the Stock Connect, which is often referred to as the mutual market access program. This allows Hong Kong and international investors to trade eligible ETFs listed in mainland China through Hong Kong securities firms, and reciprocally, mainland investors gain access to trade eligible Hong Kong -listed ETFs through local brokerages. The ETF Connect has grown in both size and scope over the past year. According to Hong Kong Stock Exchanges, a total of 137 ETFs can be traded through the program starting from July 17, 2023 . As of July 14, 2023 , the total trading volume of Northbound ETFs ETF investment flows from Hong Kong to the Mainland amounted to approximately RMB53 billion ( US$7.3 billion ) since inception, while Southbound ETFs (from the Mainland to Hong Kong ) reached a total trading volume of HK$382 billion ( US$48.7 billion ). Lin Weibin, Head of Index Investment Department at E Fund Management said, "For overseas investors, the ETF Connect offers a convenient and efficient way to access China's A-share market. We will work to drive more products to be included in the program, providing international investors with an even broader array of investment opportunities." E Fund joined the ETF Connect as early as its commencement in July 2022 and added three more ETFs in January 2023 , covering the CSI Dividend, STAR and ChiNext 50, and MSCI China A50 indices. Now, with the latest expansion in July 2023 , E Fund currently has 13 products available in the program. About E Fund Management Established in 2001, E Fund Management Co., Ltd. ("E Fund") is a leading comprehensive fund manager in China with close to RMB 3 trillion ( USD 414 billion ) under management. It offers investment solutions to onshore and offshore clients, helping clients achieve long-term sustainable investment performances. E Fund's clients include both individuals and institutions, ranging from central banks, sovereign wealth funds, social security funds, pension funds, insurance and reinsurance companies, to corporates and banks. Long-term oriented, it has been focusing on the investment management business since inception and believes in the power of in-depth research and time in investing. It is a pioneer and leading practitioner in responsible investments in China and is widely recognized as one of the most trusted and outstanding Chinese asset managers. Source: E Fund AuM is preliminary estimation and includes subsidiaries. Data as of Jun 30, 2023 . FX rate is sourced from PBoC as at end of June, 2023. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/e-fund-management-marks-first-anniversary-of-etf-connect-with-inclusion-of-four-etf-products-301882803.html SOURCE E Fund Management NEW YORK , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hughes Holden Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to bettering the mental health of marginalized communities in the U.S. , is proud to announce a substantial donation to Harvard Medical School (HMS). The contribution will provide annual scholarships for students underrepresented in medicine with an interest in mental health care - a step in addressing the pronounced disparities in both access to and quality of mental health services across the nation. Foundation funding scholarships at Harvard in Mental Health & new Psychiatric Care Clinics for underserved communities The gift supports two initiatives at HMS: Both its general, need-based financial aid program, and its REACH program, which provides need-based, four-year scholarship funding to a select group of incoming MD students who demonstrate Resilience, Excellence, Achievement, Compassion, and commitment to Helping the underserved. These programs enable the world's most promising medical students to attend HMS, regardless of their financial means; upon graduation, these students can choose their career paths without the burden of significant debt, enabling them to pursue their passions, take risks, and become leaders and innovators in the field of health care. The Hughes Holden Foundation, a not-for-profit organization with offices in Newport Beach, CA , and Greenwich, CT , was founded by Mr. Tony Hughes and Dr. Peter Holden , successful tech entrepreneurs with a deep connection and personal interest in mental health. Mr. Hughes and Dr. Holden were inspired by the work at Harvard Medical School and its commitment to make significant contributions to growing the diverse pipeline of clinicians to provide mental health care to underserved communities. "Mental health is a crucial but often neglected aspect of overall health, especially among minority and marginalized communities faced with numerous obstacles in accessing quality care," said Hughes and Holden in a joint statement. "Our mission is to attract and nurture greater diversity within mental health education and professional training leading to a new generation of leaders and advocates best suited to serve their communities. Supporting HMS in this worthwhile endeavor is a tremendous honor." Starting in the 2023-2024 academic year, the donation will establish both the Hughes Holden Scholarship Fund and the Hughes Holden REACH Scholarship Fund at Harvard Medical School, providing financial aid to students pursuing MDs. HMS will award these need-based scholarships to students with an academic interest in psychiatry or mental health, continuing the Hughes Holden Foundation's enduring commitment to supporting minorities and underserved communities across the USA . In partnership with HMS, the scholarships may cover tuition, fees, living expenses. Recipients will have access to mentorship, networking, and research opportunities from the Foundation's Advisory Board made up of nationally recognized practitioners and thought leaders in mental health innovation. "We are immensely grateful to the Hughes Holden Foundation for their generous and visionary support," said Edward Hundert , Dean for Medical Education at Harvard Medical School. "This donation bolsters HMS's commitment to attracting diverse and talented students with an interest in psychiatry, supporting future healers and leaders in the mental health field." According to the American Psychiatric Association, there is a dire shortage of psychiatrists in the United States . Only 6% of psychiatrists identify as Black or African American, 5% as Hispanic or Latino, 12% as Asian, and less than 1% as American Indian. Moreover, only about 3% of medical students choose psychiatry as their specialty. The Hughes Holden Foundation hopes that its donation will help address this gap by increasing the number of minority physicians who pursue careers in mental health policy and practice. The commitment to HMS is part of a larger initiative by the Foundation to tackle the mental health crisis in the U.S. The Foundation plans to fund the establishment of multiple minority-owned and managed Psychiatric Urgent Care Centers in underprivileged communities across the nation, beginning in California and expanding to other regions. About the Hughes Holden Foundation: The Hughes Holden Foundation is a nonprofit organization with offices in Newport Beach, CA and Greenwich, CT , dedicated to improving mental health awareness, psychiatric education and treatment, with a specific focus on those in most need the minority and underserved communities in the USA . Founded by tech entrepreneurs Mr. Tony Hughes and Dr. Peter Holden , the Foundation reflects their deep connection and personal commitment towards providing quality mental healthcare for all. Further Details & Inquiries : HHF Foundation : John Hendel , Executive Director Email : [email protected] Harvard Medical School: [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/foundations-gift-to-harvard-medical-school-to-support-mental-health-education-301882696.html SOURCE Hughes Holden Foundation Esteemed nonprofit leader and GSUSA National Board member Noorain F. Khan is elected to the role. NEW YORK , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), the largest girl-led organization in the world, announced today that current board member Noorain Fatima Khan has been elected to the role of National Board President, effective July 19, 2023 , for the 20232026 triennium. Khan, a passionate Girl Scout alum and the first Muslim American and millennial leader to hold the position, brings tremendous nonprofit leadership experience to the board and serves as an inspiration for the organization's girls, volunteers, and staff. With the appointment, Khan becomes the highest-ranking volunteer member in Girl Scouting and joins a prestigious group of past National Board Presidents that extends back to the Movement's founder, Juliette Gordon Low . Khan is a highly respected and recognized leader in her field, with deep expertise across the philanthropic public and private sectors. Khan is currently director of the Ford Foundation's Office of the President, where she oversees the foundation's global discretionary grantmaking and leads cross-foundation strategic initiatives. She served as a key partner on the foundation's historic $1 billion social bond offering in 2020 that drove major investments in organizations to combat the crises of COVID-19 and systemic racism. She also launched and oversaw Ford's work in disability rights, growing it into the largest private funder of disability in the world. Her work on disability rights is the subject of a Harvard case study on social sector leadership. "We are thrilled that Noorain will serve as our National Board President. Noorain will be a thoughtful, effective, and committed leader of the board, GSUSA, and the Movement in this new era of Girl Scouting," said Bonnie Barczykowski , CEO of GSUSA. "Noorain is an unwavering champion of girls and women who brings a true passion for Girl Scouting and an enduring commitment to our missionvalues that will guide her leadership as we continue to expand the impact of the organization for the benefit of all girls." "In the early 1990s, I joined troop 369 in Michigan as a Brownie. I remember feeling excited to try new things and hopeful about the friendships I was going to make. In the years that followed, Girl Scouts built my confidence, connected me to my community, and gave me opportunity after opportunity to develop my leadership skills," said Khan. "As much as those experiences meant to me then, I would never have imagined they were starting me on a path that would lead to this moment. I am deeply honored to serve as the next National President for GSUSA. Girl Scouts changed the trajectory of my life, and my unwavering commitment will be to ensure that it continues to be the best place for all girls to feel that they belong and to learn how they will thrive and lead." Khan is a National Gold Award Girl Scout, which is the Movement's highest honor. She is also a Girl Scout lifetime member as well as a Juliette Gordon Low Society member and has served in a variety of local, national, and global roles for the Girl Scout Movement. From 2020 to 2023, she served as Second Vice President of the GSUSA National Board and Co-Chaired the board's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Racial Justice Advisory Committee. Khan served as GSUSA National Board Secretary from 2017 to 2020. Khan's career began in corporate law at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, and she has served as a senior policy advisor on the National Economic Council at the White House and as chief of staff at the education nonprofit Teach for All. She is a member of the New York State Bar. She has served on a variety of nonprofit boards, including the Pillars Fund, the Association of American Rhodes Scholars, New York Women's Foundation, and the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Noorain has appeared on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and was a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She earned a JD from Yale Law School, where she was a PD Soros Fellow ; an MPhil from Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar; and a BA from Rice University. Khan has received the George Parkin Service Award for outstanding contributions to the Rhodes Trust and was honored by Rice University's Center for the Study of Women, Gender, and Sexuality with its Distinguished Alumna Award. She resides in Washington, DC , with her husband and two young children. As National Board President, Khan will lead a 30-member National Board of Directors, which reflects the diversity of this country and Girl Scouts' Movement through their expertise and backgrounds. These individuals are deeply committed to girls' success and understand Girl Scouts' vital role in their communities. The National Board of GSUSA manages the organization's governance, legal, and fiduciary responsibilities. Additionally, there are five non-board members on the National Board Development Committee who work in partnership with the National Board throughout the triennium. Khan succeeds Karen P. Layng , who served as National Board President for the 20202023 triennium. "I'm incredibly grateful to my predecessor, Karen, for her dedicated leadership during the challenges of the last few years and her tireless efforts to have a meaningful impact on the organization," Khan said. "Karen and the entire board have my enduring gratitude for their continued contributions and their constant commitment. I look forward to working with the board and the Movement to continue building girls of courage, confidence, and character. The world needs our Girl Scouts more than ever." To join Girl Scouts or volunteer, visit www.girlscouts.org/join. To donate to Girl Scouts, visit https://www.girlscouts.org/support. We Are Girl Scouts of the USA Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challengeswhether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/girl-scouts-of-the-usa-selects-new-national-board-president-301882697.html SOURCE Girl Scouts of the USA Achieved 20% carbon neutrality within one year after the declaration and increased shareholder-friendly policies such as the 10% dividend payout ratio Increased investment in R&D by 33% from the previous year to strengthen the competitiveness of future business SEOUL, South Korea , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Innotek (CEO Jeong Cheol-dong ) announced on the 21st that it had published the '2022-2023 Sustainability Report' that covers the performance of ESG (EnvironmentalSocialGovernance) management. LG Innotek achieved meaningful results previous year by performing substantial ESG management activities to enhance corporate value. In the environmental field, LG Innotek joined 'RE100' and decided to use renewable electricity in all workplaces by 2030. At the same time, LG Innotek declared that it would achieve 100% Carbon Neutrality by 2040. LG Innotek also joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to systematically carry out carbon neutrality activities. LG Innotek has already achieved the goal quickly by recording the renewable electricity conversion rate of 22% (RE22) and carbon neutrality rate of 20%. In 2022, LG Innotek received the 'Minister Prize from the Ministry of Environment' as the leading company in resource circulation in recognition of its efforts for resource circulation, such as the development of a waste management system, reusing process subsidiary materials, and reducing the use of plastic packaging materials. Besides, Gumi, Pyeongtaek, and Gwangju plant of LG Innotek have obtained the 'ZWTL (Zero Waste to Landfill)' certification from UL(Underwriters Laboratories) Solutions, a global safety certification body. In particular, the Pyeongtaek plant acquired the highest grade 'Platinum' last year by achieving 100% resource circulation following the Gumi plant. In the social field, there is noteworthy in this Sustainability Report that employees participated a lot of social contribution activities. Since the company's online social contribution portal had launched in 2022, more than 3,000 employees have actively participated in various forms of social contribution activities, such as online donation funding and non-face-to-face volunteering. LG Innotek was selected as the most excellent company for 6 consecutive years in the Win-Win Growth Index operated by Korea Commission for Corporate partnership. Furthermore, LG Innotek received Grand Prize from the Great Place to Work in Korea Award in recognition of its excellent corporate culture. In the field of governance , LG Innotek has focused on creating a transparent and sound business environment. As a result, LG Innotek received ISO 37301 (Compliance Management System) certification, Excellent Anti-corruption Company at the Business Integrity Society Summit (BIS) hosted by United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Korea , and ISO 22301 (Business Continuity Management System) certification last year. LG Innotek has also strengthened shareholder-friendly policies. In 2022, LG Innotek paid a total of KRW 98.2 billion as a dividend per share, which is a significant increase from the previous year ( KRW 71 billion ). As a result, LG Innotek successfully implemented its dividend policy of maintaining a dividend payout ratio of 10% or more until 2024. In addition to ESG management, the Sustainability Report highlights LG Innotek's various efforts to secure the competitiveness of future business. LG Innotek invested KRW 752.8 billion in R&D last year to advance original technology and identify new value-added businesses in future growth areas. The amount had a 33% increase from 2021 (KRW 564.2 billion). During the same period, LG Innotek also expanded industry-university collaboration significantly by doubling the number of industry-university projects. "LG Innotek will continue ESG management faithfully as 'Global No.1 Material and Component Company' that provides differentiated customer value." said CEO Jeong Cheol-dong . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lg-innotek-published-the-2022-2023-sustainability-report-301882825.html SOURCE LG Innotek Defendants including Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare and Anthem Allegedly Conspired to Destroy a Black-Owned Business to Avoid Insurance Payouts ATLANTA , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys representing LifeBrite Laboratories, an Atlanta -based clinical laboratory and its founder Christian Fletcher , filed a lawsuit against six major insurance companies, charging that they made false allegations about LifeBrite to regulators and prosecutors to avoid paying millions of dollars in legitimate claims. The complaint, filed by Miller Barondess LLP in State Court in Georgia , alleges that defendants, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Healthcare Plan of Georgia , Elevance Health Inc., Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc., UnitedHealth Group Incorporated, and CVS Health Corp./Aetna, intentionally destroyed LifeBrite's business and reputation, resulting in damages exceeding $1 billion . "It is a travesty that the nation's largest insurers, which are making record profits and are valued collectively at almost $1 trillion , abused their power to punish this small minority-owned healthcare provider," said Skip Miller , partner at Miller Barondess LLP in Los Angeles , attorney for LifeBrite Laboratories and Mr. Fletcher . "The insurance companies instigated the criminal prosecution of Mr. Fletcher but he was found not guilty on all charges. They are now going to be held accountable for what they've done to him." LifeBrite provides clinical testing services such as blood and urine toxicology testing to healthcare organizations including rural hospitals in Georgia , Florida and throughout the country. After paying millions of dollars for laboratory testing performed over five years, the insurance providers began denying coverage and refusing to pay claims. To evade payment, the complaint alleges that the defendants conspired to falsely and maliciously portray LifeBrite's relationship with the hospitals as healthcare billing fraud, despite federal law that permits exactly what LifeBrite did here. The lawsuit further alleges that the insurers leveraged their relationships with regulators, law enforcement and others in the health-care community to prosecute and destroy LifeBrite and other labs to avoid paying money owed. The complaint, filed in Atlanta , charges the insurers with malicious prosecution, racketeering under Georgia's RICO law, tortious interference with contractual and business relations and defamation. It seeks a jury trial and more than $1 billion in damages. Based on the documents and testimony provided by the insurer defendants, the U.S. Justice Department charged Mr. Fletcher and nine other individuals in 2020 with health-care fraud, money laundering and conspiracy. During Mr. Fletcher's trial, representatives of the insurance companies admitted under cross-examination that they had provided inaccurate information both to a federal Grand Jury and at trial. In March 2023 , a jury acquitted Mr. Fletcher of all charges. However, the damage has been done. In 2019, LifeBrite had entered into a contract to sell the company for more than $400 million . Because of the defendants' actions, the deal collapsed. It also cost LifeBrite both customers and a significant amount of business. Prior to the insurers' smear campaign, LifeBrite was a thriving and successful company, recognized for its work by major publications in Atlanta with Mr. Fletcher being named one of the city's most prominent minority business enterprise owners. View the complaint here: 23-C-05058-S7 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lifebrite-labs-and-founder-christian-fletcher-sue-major-healthcare-insurers-for-malicious-prosecution-racketeering-defamation-301883163.html SOURCE Miller Barondess, LLP The Demonstration follows the release of an alarming DPH report showing a dramatic rise in serious complications from labor & delivery in Massachusetts , which disproportionately impacts communities of color, the very communities placed most at risk by this closure, according to health care and community advocates When: Monday July 24 at 5:30 p.m. Where: Hilton Doubletree Hotel , 99 Erdman Way , Leominster, MA Who: Former patients, expectant mothers, physicians, nurses, concerned residents, community/healthcare advocates, as well as several state and local officials are expected to testify in strong opposition to the closure LEOMINSTER, Mass , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Massachusetts Department of Public Health will host a public hearing on Monday July 24th , for community input on a controversial proposal by UMass Memorial Health to close the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital, which will be held at the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Leominster at 5:30 p.m. The DPH hearing is the latest in a series of events drawing public attention to the impact of the closing on the Gateway Cities of Leominster and Fitchburg , as well as many surrounding communities who are poised to be deprived of access to safe maternity care. It follows a Baby Stroller Brigade event held on July 17 and a well-attended community forum held on June 29 by the Community United to Save Our Birthing Center, a growing and diverse grassroots coalition dedicated to waging a campaign to convince UMass Memorial Health and CEO Erik Dickson of the need to preserve this vital service for vulnerable mothers and newborns in these communities. The Leominster Hospital Birthing Center provides an essential service that must be maintained, including labor, delivery, postpartum and nursery care for families living in communities of Northern Worcester County. "The loss of this service will jeopardize the health of mothers and newborns in our community, leaving mothers to deliver in overcrowded emergency rooms or on the side of highways as they try reach alternative services in Gardner and Worcester ," said Eladia Romero , a board member with the Spanish American Center, who serves as a co-chair of the Community United coalition. "It's going to take all of us working together to convince those in power to reverse their decision and save this service." The DPH hearing is required under law to allow the public impacted by any closure to voice their concerns as part of the process for DPH to determine if the service to be closed is an essential service necessary for preserving access and health status within the hospital service area; and if it is, to require the hospital to either alter the plan, or to provide a detailed explanation of how those service will be delivered in the alternative. Unfortunately, the agency lacks the authority to stop the closure. Opponents to the plan intend to make the case at the hearing that there is no safe or adequate alternative that UMass Memorial could implement that can or will compensate for the loss of this vital service. The only result will be that 500 700 mothers a year would have their lives and their newborns lives placed in jeopardy due to the lack of local access to maternity care. "We hear so much about health equity but talk is cheap. We are tired of listening to people talking about health and economic justice. If you are in a position of power and you choose to side with those who have everything to gain instead of those who have everything to lose, then we know what your priorities are," said Irene Hernandez , a member of the Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe of the Pokanoket Nation and co-chair of the Community United coalition. "This closing would be another huge financial win for the hospital, but another devastating loss to our community, particularly black and brown women, and people who are already suffering." The Coalition's position on the closing was further buoyed by the release last week of an alarming report by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health showing a dramatic increase in the rate of serious complications and maternal child deaths from labor and delivery in our state over the last 10 years. DPH researchers found that rates of severe maternal morbidity climbed from 52.3 per 10,000 deliveries in 2011 to 100.4 per 10,000 deliveries in 2020, an average increase of 8.9 percent each year. It also found that women of color continue to face higher rates of complications, with black women consistently experiencing the highest rates. Compared to white non-Hispanic women, black non-Hispanic women experienced 2.3 times higher rates of complications on average during the study period, and Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander women experienced rates 1.2 times higher. This is the very population placed most at risk by the proposed closure of the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital, the only facility serving the two Gateway Cities of Leominster and Fitchburg . A quote by Governor Maura Healey in the press release about the DPH report clearly articulates the same concerns about the need for access to services like the Birthing Center that will be made at the hearing on Monday, when she stated, "This report shows that there is much more work that we need to do to address racial and gender inequities in health care. It is essential that everyone has access to comprehensive, high-quality and inclusive maternal health care. We can and must do better for mothers, for kids and for families and our administration is committed to doing just that." Regardless of the outcome of the DPH hearing, the Community United to Save Our Birthing Center Coalition and others who oppose the closing will be looking to the Healey administration to honor that commitment by providing whatever support is needed to preserve the Birthing Center to ensure continued access to safe maternity care in Northern Worcester County. The period of time covered in the new DPH maternal child health report is the same period when the state saw community hospitals close 10 programs providing maternity care. These were closures that occurred despite the fact that the DPH declared those services essential to preserving the health of those communities. The loss of maternity services creates what the March of Dimes has characterized as "maternity deserts", meaning regions where residents lack appropriate access to needed maternity care, particularly for those serving poorer communities and people of color. As part of the campaign, the Community United Coalition has launched a petition drive for community members and supporters to register their support for the Birthing Center, which will be shared with UMass Memorial Health, the Department of Public Health and other officials, urging them to rescind this dangerous plan, and to preserve this vital service. Click here to view the petition: bit.ly/LeominsterMaternity. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mna-mass-dph-to-hold-july-24th-public-hearing-to-gather-communitystakeholder-testimony-regarding-the-impact-of-umass-memorial-healths-plan-to-close-the-birthing-center-at-leominster-hospital-301883020.html SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association Move over, crypto. Cannabis is the new cool kid on the block WARSAW, Poland , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Similarly to the crypto industry, the cannabis market exists in a regulatory gray area, is highly volatile, and thrives off media buzz and millennials' excitement yet has significantly better prospects with the US regulators, Coinpaper analysts argue. Over recent years, steps to decriminalize marijuana in the US and Canada have helped the cannabis industry gain momentum, but now most marijuana stocks' prices are far below their 2021 bull market highs, which represents an attractive investment opportunity for those willing to navigate this high-risk, high-reward market. Analysts believe that the following factors may contribute to the resurgence of the cannabis market in North America : More states are posed to legalize adult use of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes, including Florida, Ohio , and Pennsylvania of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes, including , and Federal decriminalization of marijuana enjoys strong bipartisan support , as the majority of Americans across all political lines favor legalizing cannabis use , as the majority of Americans across all political lines favor legalizing cannabis use President Biden's pot pardon will reverse decades of War on Drugs' harms to Black and Brown communities will reverse decades of War on Drugs' harms to Black and Brown communities Biden's push for reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule I drug is expected to move marijuana policy into the public health realm and away from the criminal justice system from a Schedule I drug is expected to move marijuana policy into the public health realm and away from the criminal justice system The Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act of 2023, should it pass the Senate , will allow banks and credit unions to provide financial services to cannabis businesses of 2023, should it pass the , will allow banks and credit unions to provide financial services to cannabis businesses US cannabis market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.2% to reach $40.1 billion by 2030, driven mainly by the growth of the medical segment of the industry The US marijuana industry is still nascent and not as consolidated as other industries, which opens up a plethora of opportunities for savvy investors, with companies like Green Thumb Industries and Curaleaf Holdings poised for strong growth, analysts estimate. The industry, however, is not without risks: since most marijuana stocks trade on OTC markets with little to no regulatory oversight, it opens the door to potential scams and market manipulation of marijuana stocks. Legal risks also exist as the industry's growth is tied to legislation. Finally, marijuana companies' valuations are oftentimes based on speculation and future growth potential rather than current financial performance, which can lead to inflated stock prices. Read the full report at Coinpaper.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2159159/Coinpaper.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-research-on-the-state-of-the-cannabis-industry-in-the-us-by-coinpaper-301882910.html SOURCE Coinpaper Landmark Contribution to Ensure Full-Tuition Scholarships and School Focused on Primary Care to be Renamed NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine MINEOLA, N.Y. , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A transformative $200 million gift to NYU Long Island School of Medicine will ensure generations of medical students continue to receive a tuition-free, top-quality education focused on primary care. The gift from Kenneth and Elaine Langone extends the school's guarantee of full-tuition scholarships to every student, regardless of need, in perpetuity. Expanding opportunities to future doctors will also help expand access to medical care across Long Island , the entire New York metropolitan area, and beyond. In conjunction with the donation, the school will be renamed NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine in honor of Robert I. Grossman , MD, CEO of NYU Langone Health and dean of the highly-ranked NYU Grossman School of Medicine in Manhattan . "By providing our future doctors with an affordable education, we are investing in a brighter and healthier future for all, particularly here on Long Island , where Elaine and I grew up," said Mr. Langone , chair of the NYU Langone Board of Trustees. "Providing a world-class, tuition-free medical education here on Long Island ensures many of these future doctors will remain and practice on Long Island . None of this would have been possible without Bob Grossman's visionary leadership shaping the future of medicine." Earlier today, the Langones announced the gift and new name at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine's annual White Coat Ceremony, during which incoming students ascend to the stage where a member of the faculty cloaks them in their white coats for the first time, symbolizing the beginning of their formal medical education. "This extraordinary gift from Ken and Elaine ensures that, just like today's entering class, students for generations to come can follow their passion for medicine, regardless of their background and financial status," Dr. Grossman said. "Our goal has always been to offer exceptional opportunities to the most talented students. The focus on primary care at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine also allows them to meet a critical need in our local communities and have a real impact. I wish each of them great success on the wonderful path they have chosen." Innovating Medical Education Established just four years ago, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine has quickly positioned itself at the forefront of innovation in medical education. The school has distinguished itself by offering an accelerated three-year MD curriculum focused on training primary care physicians, attracting bright minds from diverse backgrounds. Eighty-five percent of the school's graduates remain in New York for their training after graduation. This current gift advances a longstanding commitment to ensure the affordability of medical school and to advance healthcare on Long Island . In 2018, NYU Grossman School of Medicine in Manhattan made the historic announcement offering full-tuition scholarships to every current and future student, the culmination of over a decade of fundraising efforts led by Dr. Grossman and the Langones. When NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine opened in 2019, it did so with the same guarantee of full-tuition scholarships to current students, although the original endowment did not cover this support in perpetuity until now. As a result of the Langones' generosity, all future students will benefit from this effort, avoiding approximately $200,000 in debt, the median amount determined by the Association of American Medical Colleges. The yearly tuition costs covered by the scholarship at NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine total $59,738 . "With this gift, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine will continue to attract the brightest minds from diverse backgrounds, fostering a new generation of healthcare professionals who will make significant contributions to improving the health and well-being of our communities," said Gladys M. Ayala , MD, MPH, dean of NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine. "Our students have the opportunity to receive a world-class education without the burden of overwhelming student debt." Opening Doors for Future Physicians NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine's incoming Class of 2026 comprises 24 students pursuing careers in internal medicine, pediatrics, general surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology. Among the students present for the White Coat Ceremony announcement was Lewam Ghirmay, whose family is here from Ethiopia to attend the ceremony. "Honestly, the free tuition is critical for me to go into primary care," she said. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nyu-long-island-school-of-medicine-receives-200-million-gift-from-kenneth-and-elaine-langone-301883093.html SOURCE NYU Langone Health LOS ANGELES , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leveraging its revolutionary platform to link tech startups with the GenZ demographic, Ubique Network is making tremendous strides and exceeding expectations. By implementing a multi-channel strategy approach to startups' growth, the company provides college students with valuable experiences and career opportunities, forging a path to success for its clients eager to market their product, and elevate their brand. Focusing heavily on optimizing clients' messages and key performance indicators while ensuring a high conversion rate and low acquisition costs, Ubique Networks is quickly developing a niche in college marketing that resonates with the GenZ audience. Through collaboration with several respective colleges, the company secures talented and passionate individuals that possess various marketing, creativity, integration, and other results-driven skills to establish mutually beneficial relationships with startups. These are Ubique Network's college-ambassadors. "Ubique Networks is building, growing, and empowering a community of high-motivated young entrepreneurs by relying on ambassadors to accelerate the success of early-stage tech startups in the marketplace," explained Corrado Summartia, founder and chief executive officer. "As a startup growth accelerator, we specialize in helping these companies reach their growth marketing goals. We also enhance their organic growth potential by assisting them with their messages, websites, and in-app developments through focus groups and pilot programs." An indispensable asset to the company, the ambassadors representing Ubique Network work closely with these brands to promote their products and services on campus, and within their circle of friends, and communities. More specifically, these vital participants utilize multichannel marketing processes to accurately and effectively convey each message connecting the brand with the community. Startups We've Worked With Ubique Network has established business relationships with various startups, including the sustainable second hand thrift shopping app Teleport, the AI powered fashion startup Statement, the social media app Katchup, and the dating app Doubble. Instrumental in their success, Ubique has supported their growth initiatives and activations in college marketing operations, consulting, and strategy planning. What does the future of Ubique Network look like? Ubique Network plans to forge future partnerships with other startups with mutual interests in working with college students to market their mobile apps to the GenZ audience. The company also aims to empower these students to follow their passion and interest in their respective industries. Ubique Network is planning to assist three more startups in the dating, health and fitness, and social networking industry in the 2023 Fall college semester. Moreover, Ubique envisions continued growth by providing integrated college marketing solutions that build momentum and guarantee high efficiency in a fast-paced environment. About Ubique Network Initially launched in October 2022 as a one-man operation, Ubique Network's digital presence began to take shape the following January. Today, Summaria leads a team of highly trained experts in their field and several contractors. Based in Los Angeles with an office in a co-working space in Beverly Grove at the startup company Spaces, Ubique is focused on connecting early-stage startups with the GenZ audience to attain better conversion rates for startups, and career opportunities for college students. Ubique also partners and supports nonprofit organizations through its extensive college network, and other relative partnerships with student-led organizations in developing targeted growth marketing strategies for user acquisition and brand awareness. Media Contact: Corrado Summaria , Founder & CEO Ubique Network +13108909230 [email protected] https://www.ubiquenetwork.org Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corradosummaria Ubique Network LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ubique-network/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pioneering-its-approach-to-helping-companies-elevate-brand-objectives--ubique-network-connects-the-genz-audience-with-tech-startups-via-its-unique-and-innovative-ambassador-program-301883125.html SOURCE Ubique Network President Yoon Suk-yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will meet at the U.S. presidents' summer retreat of Camp David in Maryland next month. "The trilateral summit is scheduled to be held in the U.S. sometime in August," the presidential office here said. "The specific date and location will be announced after coordination between the three countries." The likeliest date is Aug. 18. WASHINGTON , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents ( PIA National ) has announced a call for nominations for four prestigious insurance awards in its 2023 Fall Awards program. Nominations are now being accepted for the association's 2023 Company Award of Excellence, Company Representative of the Year, Managing General Agency (MGA) of the Year and Excellence in Technology and Social Media awards. The deadline for nominations is Friday, August 18, 2023 . Nomination forms are now available at https://www.pianational.org/awards The PIA National Company Award of Excellence honors an insurance company that demonstrates a commitment to the independent agent insurance distribution system, and seeks to further the interests of professional, independent insurance agents. The PIA National Company Representative of the Year Award recognizes the professionalism and unique contributions of an outstanding company representative. The PIA National Managing General Agency (MGA) of the Year Award is given annually to recognize the outstanding achievement of a managing general agency in furthering the interests of agents, along with a commitment to the agency system and successful efforts to create a better business environment for professional insurance agents. The PIA National Excellence in Technology and Social Media Award honors a PIA member agency that uses technology and social media communication tools to effectively further the goals of the organization, build upon an existing brand, and introduce products and services to an expandable customer base. The 14th annual Excellence in Technology and Social Media Award is sponsored by the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR). All four award winners will be recognized via a PIA press release, a series of articles and an online video. PIA's three other major national awardsthe Professional Agent of the Year, Young Insurance Professional of the Year and Customer Service Representative of the Yearwill be presented in spring 2024. Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes, and businesses. PIA's web address is http://pianational.org. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/professional-insurance-agents-call-for-fall-2023-award-nominations-301883213.html SOURCE National Association of Professional Insurance Agents WEST DES MOINES, Iowa , July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Collins Aerospace, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, today celebrated the opening of a $14 million expansion of its additive manufacturing center in West Des Moines, Iowa . The 9,000-square-foot addition provides space for the site to house several new state-of-the-art 3D metal printers. The first printer installed has eight times the build volume of the facility's existing printers, significantly increasing the center's additive manufacturing capabilities. "From supporting the backlog in commercial aircraft to enabling future platforms, and reducing carbon emissions to providing supply chain relief, additive manufacturing is poised to play an integral role in the future of the aerospace and defense industry," said Renee Begley , West Des Moines site lead for Collins Aerospace. "Additive manufacturing has the potential to help us reduce weight, complexity, lead time and cost in the parts we supply, and this expansion represents an investment in our business to help deliver those benefits to our customers." Collins' West Des Moines facility is a world leader in the design and production of engine components for commercial and military aircraft. The new printers will allow the site to explore additive production of these components, building on the multiple land-based turbine components it already has in production. Additionally, the facility is one of only eight in the U.S. to receive the National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) certification for Additive Manufacturing. "Since 1933 when Collins was founded in Cedar Rapids, Iowa has been proud to be a home to this global manufacturing powerhouse," stated Governor Kim Reynolds . "Today's expansion in West Des Moines is a testament to the commitment Collins Aerospace has made to our state, and we're equally committed to providing the strong economic environment that will fuel its innovation here for decades more to come." Additive manufacturing is a critical focus area for Collins and the business maintains a global network of additive production centers in Iowa , Minnesota , North Carolina and Singapore , along with an additive research center in Connecticut . About Collins Aerospace Collins Aerospace is a business of RTX, the largest aerospace and defense company in the world. Our global team of 80,000 employees dreams, designs and delivers smarter, more connected solutions for passenger safety and comfort, mission success, space exploration, and operational efficiency and sustainability. We make the most powerful concepts in aerospace a reality. About RTX RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2022 sales of $67 billion , is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia . Media Contact Al Killeffer +1 980-322-5087 [email protected].com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rtxs-collins-aerospace-business-opens-14-million-additive-manufacturing-center-expansion-in-west-des-moines-iowa-301882711.html SOURCE RTX Poor Leadership Has Led to Toxic Work Environment for First Responders BURLINGAME, Calif. , July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the Central County Firefighters Union, which is affiliated with Teamsters Local 856, have determined they have no confidence in Central County Fire Department (CCFD) Chief Bruce Barron's ability to effectively perform his duties and feel he is unfit to lead. The firefighters are calling for Chief Barron's immediate removal. " Chief Barron's toxic management style is antithetical to the department's core values of honesty, integrity, respect, leadership, accountability, teamwork, and professionalism," CCFD union leadership said. "For the sake of the department and the citizens we serve, he needs to be removed from his position immediately." Notice of the no confidence vote results were delivered to Burlingame City Manager, CCFD Chief Administrative Officer Lisa Goldman , and members of the CCFD Board of Directors in late June. Since then, Chief Barron has announced his intention to retire in October, however, the firefighters are demanding his immediate removal. "In February of 2023, the Central County Firefighters Union called for an independent administrative investigation into allegations of gross misconduct committed by Chief Barron and his administration," CCFD union leadership said. "Members have been impacted because of that. While the department apparently considered those allegations to be isolated incidents pertaining to a few members, this vote of no confidence reveals that an overwhelming majority of Central County firefighters have shared similar experiences and observations of Chief Barron's inability to lead this organization. The citizens of Burlingame , Hillsborough , and Millbrae deserve a fire department with competent, professional leadership. The community and our fire personnel need it now." Firefighters at the Central County Fire Department - which serves the Burlingame , Millbrae , and Hillsborough communities allege that Chief Barron's poor leadership has led to a toxic work environment for first responders. His actions are egregious and beneath the office he holds. The Central County Firefighters Union is affiliated with Teamsters Local 856. Founded in 1949, Local 856 is affiliated with the 1.2 million-member International Brotherhood of Teamsters. With 17,000 members, it has grown to become the second largest Teamster Local Union in California . Contact: Nicole Casey , (650) 266-7712 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/teamster-firefighters-have-no-confidence-in-ccfd-chief-barron-demand-immediate-removal-301882674.html SOURCE Teamsters Local 856 PANAMA CITY, Panama , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Government of Panama announced yesterday that the United States has chosen Panama as one of a select few countries worldwide with which collaboration will be established to bolster the global semiconductor value chain, commonly known as CHIPS. " Panama's unparalleled logistics capabilities, favorable business environment, and remarkable political stability make it an exceptional choice as a hub for semiconductor assembly, packaging, and testing," said President Laurentino Cortizo . "The expansion of this industry in Panama holds the potential to create well-paying jobs, particularly for young people, while also enhancing the technological capabilities of our country's skilled workforce. This is part of our Administration's ongoing commitment to create opportunities for the next generation of Panamanians, particularly in the technology sector. The collaboration with the United States represents a crucial step towards strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of this vital industry." As an initial measure within this newly formed partnership, the United States and Panama will collaborate closely to conduct an in-depth assessment of Panama's existing semiconductor ecosystem. The objective of this analysis is to identify Panama's strengths and areas of improvement within the sector, providing valuable insights for future collaboration on developing this critical industry. The review will be funded by the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund ("ITSI" Fund). Appropriated under the CHIPS Act of 2022, the fund is administered by the United States Department of State with the purpose of supporting and fostering collaboration with countries it has deemed crucial to the semiconductor industry. Panama recognizes the importance of semiconductor technology as a cornerstone of economic growth, national security, and technological innovation. It plays a pivotal role across various industries, including telecommunications, automotive, healthcare, and consumer electronics. With the rapid evolution of digital transformation and the increasing reliance on advanced electronics, securing the semiconductor value chain has become a global imperative. Recognizing the importance of workforce development in high-tech fields such as semiconductors, the Government of Panama has entered into talks with Arizona State University, the leading institution for innovation and a renowned player in the semiconductor industry. Panama's objective is to create a cooperative platform with the university, aiming to cultivate a skilled Panamanian workforce capable of seizing promising opportunities, like the one presented by the United States . CONTACT: Kate Cinga, [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-government-of-panama-and-us-announce-new-partnership-to-foster-a-resilient-global-semiconductor-ecosystem-301883097.html PLANO, Texas , July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- XMReality, Inc., a leading software as a service (SaaS) company that provides augmented reality (AR) solutions, today announced that it has signed a new client deal with Guernsey Holdings LLC, a top 100 restaurant franchisee in the United States and one of the largest operators of Sonic restaurants in the country. The deal will see XMReality, Inc. provide Guernsey Holdings with its Remote Guidance software. Remote Guidance is an industry trusted cloud-based AR software that helps businesses to reliably improve their knowledge transfer and remote collaboration by allowing geographically separated colleagues, customers, and suppliers to interact and collaborate as if they were side by side. "We are excited to welcome Guernsey Holdings to the XMReality family," said Ryne Simeone , Vice President of Business Development at XMReality, Inc. "Guernsey Holdings is one of the fastest growing restaurant operators in the country and invests heavily in its people and the communities it serves, and we are pleased to work with them as they continue to grow their presence in the United States ." For more information, please contact: Tim Koeppl , President XMReality Inc. Phone: +46 739 822 409 E-mail: [email protected] View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xmreality-inc-announces-new-client-deal-with-guernsey-holdings-llc-301883050.html SOURCE XMReality A staff worker stands behind the national flags of Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa and India to tidy the flags before a group photo during the BRICS Summit at the Xiamen International Conference and Exhibition Center in Xiamen, southeastern China's Fu TUNIS (Reuters) - Algeria has applied to join the BRICS group and submitted a request to become a shareholder member of BRICS Bank with an amount of $1.5 billion, Ennahar TV quoted Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as saying. It added that Tebboune said at the end of his visit to China that Algeria had sought to join the BRICS to open new economic opportunities. The North Africa country is rich in oil and gas resources and seeking to diversify its economy and strengthen its partnership with countries such as China. The BRICS group of nations comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It account for more than 40% of the world's population and about 26% of the global economy. "We officially applied to join the BRICS group, we sent a letter asking to be shareholder members in the bank ... Algeria's first contribution in the bank will be $1.5 billion," Ennahar quoted Tebboune as saying. More than 40 countries have expressed interested in joining the BRICS group of nations, South Africa's top diplomat in charge of relations with the bloc said this week. Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Gabon, and Kazakhstan are among countries that expressed interest. China will invest $36 billion in Algeria across sectors including manufacturing, new technology, the knowledge economy, transport, and agriculture, local media quoted Tebboune as saying this week. (Reporting by Tarek Amara, Editing by Louise Heavens and Alison Williams) FILE PHOTO: Chiles President Gabriel Boric delivers a speech during the first session to draft a new constitution, in Santiago, Chile, June 7, 2023. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado/File Photo By Natalia A. Ramos Miranda SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chilean President Gabriel Boric is struggling to replicate the success of other Latin American leftist leaders in reforming tax codes after vowing as a candidate in 2021 to undertake a restructuring of his country's free-market system. Propelled into office by a popular revolt over the shortcomings of Chile's longtime orthodox economic consensus, Boric was part of a pink tide of South American leaders elected on platforms that promised higher social spending and other policies to reduce inequality. Colombian President Gustavo Petro was able to pass a tax reform in the first few months of his administration and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has seen early success in doing the same. Boric, however, has faced a tougher climb passing a tax bill that he sees as key to funding investments in healthcare, education, public transportation and other elements of his government's ambitious economic and social agenda. An initial legislative proposal, which included hikes on high earners and would have generated revenue equivalent to 2.7% of the country's GDP, was rejected by lawmakers in March. Finance Minister Mario Marcel, who helped pass a mining royalty bill despite early opposition from industry and investors, has been meeting with political leaders, business groups and others to build support for a revised tax bill. That version, which is expected to be scaled down and includes measures to reduce tax evasion and the use of informal labor as well as boost investment incentives, faces an uncertain future. Unlike the mining royalty bill, the proposed tax reform will require a two-thirds majority in the opposition-controlled Senate before it can be sent to the lower house of Congress. Boric wants the Senate to take up the bill by the end of this month. "Today, those votes aren't there," said Jose Garcia Ruminot, a conservative senator, who added that Boric's government would have to wait until next year to try to get a tax bill passed. That task may prove Herculean in light of an economic slowdown and political setbacks that have led to a sharp drop in public support for the government. A rebound in the fortunes of the political right and a recent scandal that led prosecutors to investigate high-ranking officials in Boric's administration for possible embezzlement of funds or tax fraud have further clouded the tax reform agenda. Boric's government now faces the tall order of convincing the country it won't misuse public funds on top of getting the opposition on board with tax hikes during an economic downturn, said Nicholas Watson, a managing director at Teneo Consultancy in London. SLIPPERY PATH Boric is not the first leftist leader to find the path to tax reform slippery in Chile, a country that has largely attributed its economic success to free-market policies. Former President Michelle Bachelet faced opposition in her quest to pass a bill through a divided congress in 2014, prompting her government to pull back on many proposed tax hikes and other measures to secure its passage. Boric's effort in that regard was dealt a blow last September when voters widely rejected a progressive new constitution that he had backed and which had dominated the early days of his administration. "Chile's government was counting on the new constitution being approved," said Andres Pardo, chief Latin America analyst for XP Investments in Bogota. "And if that had happened, the political environment would be different now." Senator Ricardo Lagos Weber, a pro-government center-left lawmaker who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, said that while the current situation is difficult, "the government cannot be paralyzed and must go ahead with the votes." Many investors and Chilean business leaders opposed to the tax reform warn that passage of even a watered-down bill could dent the economy and point another dagger at its key mining sector. Analysts say there's been a drop in mining investment and extraction in Colombia since its tax reform was passed. Opposition to the Lula government's spending plans also has forced his government to tailor its proposed reform to focus on simplifying the current tax code and merging multiple taxes into a single value-added tax. "It will be difficult for the (Chilean) government to counter this reasoning given that public opinion has turned against Boric and (his coalition)," Teneo Consultancy's Watson said. (Reporting by Natalia Ramos in Santiago; Additional reporting by Nelson Bocanegra in Colombia and Gabriel Araujo in Sao Paulo; Editing by Alexander Villegas, Christian Plumb and Paul Simao) Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attends a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Union summit at the Grand Kremlin Palace, in Moscow, Russia May 25, 2023. Sputnik/Ilya Pitalev/Kremlin via REUTERS/Fi TBILISI (Reuters) - Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview with the French AFP news agency published on Friday that a new war with Azerbaijan was "very likely" if the two countries were unable to agree a peace treaty. "So long as a peace treaty has not been signed and such a treaty has not been ratified by the parliaments of the two countries, of course, a (new) war (with Azerbaijan) is very likely," Pashinyan was quoted as saying. Pashinyan presided over an Armenian defeat in 2020 in a war over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, during which Armenian-backed separatists lost large amounts of territory in and around the enclave. Nagorno-Karabakh, which is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but inhabited primarily by ethnic Armenians, broke away from Azerbaijan's control during an extended conflict in the 1990s. Armenia and Azerbaijan have engaged in a flurry of diplomacyaimed at a lasting peace deal in recent months, but there have also been sporadic border clashes, and the talks have not yet yielded a major breakthrough. Both Armenia and separatist authorities in Karabakh have said that Azerbaijan has blockaded the territory since December, placing a border post on the only road connecting the region to Armenia and blocking most traffic. (Reporting by Felix Light; Editing by Kevin Liffey) FILE PHOTO: Vehicles for sale are pictured on the lot at AutoNation Toyota dealership in Cerritos, California December 9, 2015. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo By Nathan Gomes and Joseph White (Reuters) -U.S. auto retailer AutoNation on Friday posted better-than-expected second-quarter revenue, as demand for new vehicles and aftermarket services offset the impact of a decline in used-vehicle sales. Demand for used vehicles, which accelerated during the pandemic, has taken a hit after automakers started to ramp up production as the global supply chain crisis gradually eases. That has helped companies such as AutoNation to boost their new-vehicle deliveries to customers. Consumers wanting to buy vehicles with advanced safety technology and a lower turnover for newer models in the pre-owned market have also dented demand for used vehicles. AutoNation said its second-quarter unit sales of new retail vehicles rose 8%, while unit sales of used vehicles fell 11%. Chief Executive Mike Manley told Reuters that U.S. consumer demand for vehicles is strong. With automakers able to build more vehicles, inventories are rising and prices are falling from the peaks during the pandemic. "I don't think you'll see margins at pre-pandemic levels this year," he said. Manley attributed the decline in AutoNation's used vehicle sales during the quarter to decisions to keep inventories lean amid choppy pricing. "As we built our used vehicle inventory in the quarter...we exited the quarter in line with industry: flat year over year," he said. Manley said AutoNation's inventory of unsold electric vehicles (EV) are rising relative to other types of vehicles. EVs represent about 5% of AutoNation sales, but about 13% of inventory. "We have got to continue to see growth in EV sales," he said. The company's second-quarter revenue was $6.89 billion, higher than analysts' average estimate of $6.78 billion, according to Refinitiv data. The slump in used vehicle demand, dubbed as "used-vehicle recession" by an analyst, has rippled across the sector, hurting profits at retailers such as CarMax and Carvana. AutoNation's selling, general and administrative expenses were 63.1% of gross profit in the three-months ending June 30, compared with 55.4% a year earlier. The company's quarterly net income dropped to $272.5 million, or $6.02 per share, compared with $376.3 million, or $6.48 per share, a year earlier. Excluding items, it reported a profit of $6.29 per share. Analysts on average expected $5.91 per share. It was not immediately clear if the figures were comparable. (Reporting by Nathan Gomes and Raechel Thankam Job in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar and Mike Harrison) PAPHOS, Cyprus (Reuters) -A court in Cyprus on Friday dismissed premeditated murder charges against a British pensioner for killing his terminally ill wife but found him guilty on a lesser count of manslaughter. The court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt premeditation by David Hunter, 76, who killed his wife Janice in 2021. The 74-year-old woman had suffered from a rare form of blood cancer. Janice died from suffocation after Hunter placed his hands over her nose and mouth at their Paphos home in December 2021. He then attempted to take his own life with pills and alcohol. "The way the accused acted at the material time does not show premeditation for his illegal act, but on the contrary, an impulsive act without a clear mind," said judge Michalis Droussiotis, presiding at the three-bench Criminal Court in the western town of Paphos. Under Cypriot law, premeditated murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Manslaughter carries up to that sentence, but the imposition of such terms is exceptionally rare. Hunter, in custody since Dec. 2021, had earlier testified that Janice had repeatedly beseeched him to help end her life after her illness deteriorated markedly in the years before her death. In the trial, seen as unprecedented in Cyprus for involving the concept of mercy killing, prosecutors attempted to ascribe motive and intent to Hunter, and defence lawyers countered that it was an act of impulse by a man pained to see his wife virtually bedridden and ravaged by illness. An earlier attempt at a plea bargain on manslaughter charges was vetoed by the island's attorney-general last year. The court set July 27 for a mitigation hearing. "We are ecstatic with the result today. This is exactly what we were hoping for," said Michael Polak, a barrister heading advocacy group Justice Abroad, which assisted a team of Cypriot lawyers in Hunter's defence. "This gives the Court the option of a suspended sentence which we say is appropriate given the time David has already spent in custody, his age, and the tragic facts of this case." The couple had lived in Cyprus for the past two decades and had, the court said, a loving relationship. (Reporting By Michele Kambas, Editing by William Maclean) A couple of teaser photos for Netflix's new Korean series "Mask Girl" were released on Thursday ahead of its release next month. The seven-episode series starring actresses Ko Hyun-jung and Nana tells the story of a woman who feels inferior about her looks. She is an ordinary office worker, but at night she turns into an online streamer, covering her face with a mask. Ko and Nana are known to play the same role at different ages, but a mysterious and abstract teaser poster looks indecipherable, evoking curiosity about the series. It will be available on Netflix on Aug. 18. FILE PHOTO: A worker stands on a metal structure in a shopping district in Beijing, China, July 14, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo BEIJING (Reuters) - China's cabinet has approved guidelines on transforming underdeveloped areas in megacities, in the government's latest move to support the economy, state media said on Friday. The post-COVID recovery in China, the world's second-largest economy, is faltering as demand weakens at home and abroad, adding pressures on policymakers to roll out more support measures. China will promote the transformation of "urban villages" - or underdeveloped areas - in megacities, as they pose a threat to public safety and social governance, state media said, citing a regular cabinet meeting. Such transformation "is an important measure to improve people's livelihoods, expand domestic demand, and promote high-quality urban development," the cabinet said. China will encourage and support the participation of private capital, the cabinet said, adding that authorities will raise funds for the change through multiple channels, efficiently utilise land resources, and combine the urban renovation with the construction of affordable housing. The Politburo, a top decision-making body of the ruling Communist Party, pledged in April to accelerate the redevelopment of underdeveloped areas in megacities. (Reporting by Beijing newsroom and Kevin Yao; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Frances Kerry) FILE PHOTO: A company logo is seen at a Pfizer office in Puurs, Belgium, December 2, 2022. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo (Reuters) -The European Union's health regulator on Friday backed authorization of Pfizer's vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for use in babies and older adults. If the European Commission authorizes its use, the shot, called Abrysvo, could become the bloc's first to protect infants up to six months of age from the virus when given to pregnant women. The commission last month approved the region's first RSV vaccine, branded Arexvy, from rival GSK for older people. RSV typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but is a leading cause of pneumonia in toddlers and the elderly, causing thousands of hospitalizations and deaths each year. Pfizer and GSK's shots are already approved in the United States for protection against RSV in older adults, making them the frontrunners in a market estimated to cross $10 billion by 2030. The U.S. health regulator is expected to decide on the use of Pfizer's vaccine in pregnant women by August. Data from Pfizer's late-stage study for maternal use of the vaccine had shown the shot was 82% effective in preventing severe infections in infants when given to expecting mothers in the second half of their pregnancy. The vaccine was nearly 67% effective for those aged 60 and older with two or more symptoms of RSV, and 85.7% against severe illness defined by three or more symptoms in a late-stage trial. The European Medicines Agency's recommendations are usually taken into consideration by the European Commission for its final decision on drug or vaccine approvals. Sanofi and partner AstraZeneca's long-acting therapy against RSV infections was approved last year by the European Commission for use in infants. (Reporting by Bhanvi Satija and Raghav Mahobe in Bengaluru; Editing by Devika Syamnath) (Reuters) - European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday praised Ukraine's "amazing" progress in implementing reforms to fight corruption, preserve minority rights and ensure an independent judiciary. Fighting graft is a top requirement for Ukraine to join the European Union, which offered Kyiv candidate status last year. Ukraine is working on a package of reforms "ranging from the independence of the judiciary to anti corruption, from minority rights to media freedom", von der Leyen said during an awards ceremony in New York. "I must say it is amazing to see how fast and determined Ukraine is implementing these reforms despite the war. They are defending their country and reforming," she said, but did not specifically address Ukraine's bid to join the 27-nation bloc or specify any particular reform measures she was referring to. Senior EU officials last month said Ukraine was making progress on political reforms to open the way for membership talks but still needed to progress in five important areas. The IMF last month unlocked an $890 million tranche of its package based on Ukraine's "strong progress" in meeting reform commitments, but said other transparency and anti-corruption measures "need to proceed without delay". (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by David Holmes) South Korea's Ambassador to the United Nations Cho Hyun speaks during a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly after China and Russia vetoed new sanctions on North Korea in the U.N. Security Council, at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., Ju By Michelle Nichols UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The Group of Seven, European Union and three other countries plan to appeal to China for help to stop North Korea evading United Nations sanctions by using Chinese territorial waters, according to their letter seen by Reuters on Friday. "We have concerns regarding the continuing presence of multiple oil tankers ... that use your territorial waters in Sansha Bay as refuge to facilitate their trade of sanctioned petroleum products to the DPRK," said the letter to be sent to China's U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun. The letter - signed by G7 members the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Britain, plus Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and the European Union - will provide satellite images that "clearly indicates these practices continued to occur within China's jurisdiction in 2022 and have continued in 2023." North Korea, formally named Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), has been under U.N. sanctions for its missiles and nuclear programs since 2006. This includes an annual cap of its imports of refined petroleum and crude oil, imposed in 2017. U.N. sanctions monitors have also long accused North Korea of evading the measures, including by continuing illicit imports of refined petroleum and exports of coal. The Security Council has also blacklisted several ships for sanctions busting. The satellite images to be provided to China show some of those ships using its territorial waters. "We encourage the Chinese government again to do more to identify and prevent these vessels from anchoring or loitering in Chinese territorial waters," the letter said. UN SECURITY COUNCIL SPLIT It also asks "that China inspects the vessels for evidence of illicit oil smuggling, deny them all services, and ultimately expel them from your waters as quickly as possible, if these vessels are discovered to again be anchored in Sansha Bay." The letter requests that China tell companies in the area that if they provide services to these vessels they are "not only exposing themselves to sanctions risk but also risk being publicly identified as contributing to sanctions evasion." China has repeatedly said it abides by U.N. Security Council sanctions resolutions. It was not immediately clear when the letter to Zhang was due to be sent. "All parties should fully implement the DPRK-related Security Council resolutions, especially the provisions relating to the resumption of dialogue and political settlement, which should not be selectively ignored," Zhang told a council last week at a meeting on North Korea's latest missile launch. For the past several years the council has been divided over how to deal with Pyongyang. Russia and China, veto powers along with the United States, Britain and France, have said more sanctions will not help and want such measures to be eased. North Korea has tested dozens of ballistic missile in the past 18 months and the United States has long been warning that Pyongyang is ready to carry out a seventh nuclear test. Pyongyang says it is exercising its right to self-defense with its ballistic missile tests to safeguard its sovereignty and security interests from military threats. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Richard Chang) People attend the final Cambodian People's Party (CPP) election campaign for the upcoming general election in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, July 21, 2023. REUTERS/Cindy Liu By Martin Petty (Reuters) -Cambodia holds an election on Sunday that is almost certain to be won by the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Hun Sen, extending its nearly four-decade grip on power. WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON SUNDAY? About 9.7 million of Cambodia's 16 million people are eligible to vote in the election for a national assembly. Polling stations will open from 7 a.m (0000 GMT) until 3 p.m. and a preliminary result is expected Sunday evening. Aside from CPP, there are 17 parties running, but most are obscure and none have the clout or resources to mount a challenge to the ruling party, which won all 125 seats assembly seats in the 2018 election. A repeat of that is expected. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OPPOSITION? CPP encountered its biggest challenge to its rule in the 2013 election when it won less than half of the votes, closely followed by the newly formed opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), reflecting CNRP's popularity among the youth and trade unions and some disenchantment with CPP. In the following years, CPP used its influence over courts and democratic institutions to hobble its rival, culminating in CNRP's dissolution nine months before the 2018 election, for its alleged plot to overthrow Hun Sen's government. The CNRP's leader was arrested on treason charges. Large numbers of opposition figures fled into exile and hundreds were convicted of crimes mostly in absentia in mass trials. From CNRP's ashes rose the Candlelight Party, but its members have endured a campaign of intimidation and harassment, according to human rights groups. The party was disqualified from the election on a technicality over a registration document and this week, two of its members were arrested for incitement after they urged voters to destroy their ballots. IS THE CPP POPULAR? The CPP's ability to maintain peace, growth and stability after the 1970s Khmer Rouge genocide and ensuing civil war remains its biggest selling point, particularly in rural areas where many Cambodians have witnessed a relative transformation in what was once among the world's poorest countries. Under 70-year-old Hun Sen, Cambodia has achieved lower middle-income status, with improvements in health, education and infrastructure. Its textiles manufacturing sector, mainly for famous Western brands, has boomed, creating vital jobs, while the economy grew on average 7.7% between 1998 and 2019. WHY IS THIS ELECTION SO IMPORTANT TO HUN SEN? Hun Sen's long-running crackdown and his disregard for international concern about the election's credibility is most likely a move to ensure a smooth path for his eldest son, Hun Manet, to succeed him in what has so far been a carefully calibrated transition of power. Hun Manet, 45, is making his debut in Sunday's election and needs to win a legislative seat to be eligible for prime minister. The election gives him a chance to earn legitimacy with the public and he had been expected to take over sometime during the five-year term, with his father retaining influence by becoming CPP chief in the interim. Hun Sen had given no timeframe for the transition until Thursday, when in an interview with Chinese television he said Hun Manet could become premier within a month of the election. WHO IS HUN MANET? A graduate of the West Point military academy in the United States, Hun Manet has risen quickly through the ranks of Cambodia's armed forces and has served as head of counter-terrorism, deputy chief of his father's bodyguard unit, army chief and deputy military commander. Hun Manet is also highly educated, with a masters degree from New York University and a doctorate from Britain's Bristol University, both in economics, in stark contrast to his father, who has no formal education. But little is known about Hun Manet's vision for Cambodia. He has kept a low international profile and has rarely given interviews. The transition will be closely watched abroad to see whether his experiences with British and American education and democracy will lead to a shift in the authoritarian status quo, and improve Cambodia's testy relationship with the West. (Editing by Alison Williams) A man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration/File photo (Reuters) - Chinese hacking teams have been blamed by Western intelligence agencies and cybersecurity groups for digital intrusion campaigns across the world, targeting everything from government and military organisations to corporations and media groups. Cybersecurity firms believe many of those groups are backed by China's government. China's authorities have consistently denied any form of state-sponsored hacking, saying China itself is a frequent target of cyberattacks. Beijing has called the U.S. "the empire of hacking." Some of the Chinese hacking teams recently identified are: STORM-0558 Chinese hackers have since May secretly accessed email accounts at around 25 organisations, including U.S. government agencies, Microsoft and U.S. officials have said. These include the accounts of U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and, according to a Wall Street Journal report on Thursday, U.S. envoy to China Nicholas Burns and Daniel Kritenbrink, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia. Microsoft said a China-based actor, which it nicknamed Storm-0558, misappropriated one of its digital keys and used a flaw in its code to steal emails. China's embassy in Washington said in a statement that identifying the source of cyber attacks was complex and warned against "groundless speculations and allegations." 'VOLT TYPHOON' Western intelligence agencies and Microsoft said on May 24 that Volt Typhoon, a group they described as state-sponsored, had been spying on a range of U.S. critical infrastructure organisations, from telecommunications to transportation hubs. They described the attacks in 2023 as one of the largest known Chinese cyber-espionage campaigns against American critical infrastructure. China's foreign ministry rejected the claims. 'BACKDOORDIPLOMACY' A Reuters report in May identified BackdoorDiplomacy as being behind a widespread series of digital intrusions over several years against key Kenyan ministries and state institutions. The Chinese authorities said it was not aware of such hacking and described the accusations as baseless. Palo Alto Networks, a U.S. cybersecurity firm, said its research showed BackdoorDiplomacy had links to the Chinese state and was part of the APT15 hacking group. APT 41 Chinese hacking team APT 41, which is also known as Wintti, Double Dragon and Amoeba, has conducted a mix of government-backed cyber intrusions and financially motivated data breaches, according to U.S.-based cybersecurity firms FireEye and Mandiant. The U.S secret service said the team had stolen U.S. COVID-19 relief benefits worth tens of millions of dollars between 2020 and 2022. Taiwan-based cybersecurity firm TeamT5 said the group had targeted government, telecoms and media victims in Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, the United States and Hong Kong. APT 41 was named by the U.S Department Justice in September 2020 in relation to charges brought against seven hackers for allegedly compromising more than 100 companies around the world. The Chinese authorities have described such reports as "groundless accusations." APT 27 Western intelligence agencies and cybersecurity researchers say Chinese hacking team APT 27 is sponsored by the state and has launched multiple attacks on Western and Taiwanese government agencies. APT 27 claimed responsibility for cyberattacks against Taiwan in 2022 during a visit by then U.S House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying it acted as a protest because Pelosi defied China's warnings not to visit. Cybersecurity firm Mandiant said last year the group compromised the computer networks of at least six U.S. state governments between May 2021 and February 2022, while the German authorities named blamed it for attacks against German pharmaceutical, technology and other companies. (Compiled by Fanny Potkin and John Geddie; Editing by Jamie Freed) Anti-graft presidential candidate of the Semilla political party Bernardo Arevalo holds a campaign rally ahead of the presidential run-off, in Sumpango, Guatemala, July 16, 2023. REUTERS/Cristina Chiquin/File Photo By Sofia Menchu and Matt Spetalnick GUATEMALA CITY/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Guatemalan presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo called a Friday police raid on his party headquarters a "corrupt" show of political persecution just a month before a high-stakes run-off election, as the U.S. and EU echoed his condemnation. Police raided the offices of Arevalo's center-left Semilla party, the attorney general's office announced, saying it was carrying out a July 12 court order that had canceled the group's legal status. In a post on Twitter, Arevalo called the raid a "flagrant demonstration of the political persecution we have denounced." The presidential hopeful has blamed the police action on a "corrupt minority" but did not go into further detail. A senior Biden administration official described the raid as representing "authoritarian practices" and a violation of democratic norms by Guatemala's public ministry. Asked whether the U.S. was considering further sanctions or travel bans on Guatemalan officials, the official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said Washington was prepared to use "all the tools we have at our disposal" against corrupt and undemocratic actors in the country. The raid follows an investigation into alleged irregularities in the registration of over 5,000 Semilla members, which the party has denied and which has been widely criticized by rights groups and Western governments as improper interference in Central America's biggest democracy. A court ordered the suspension of the party earlier this month after the June 25 first-round presidential vote, in which Arevalo, running on an anti-corruption platform, secured a surprise second place and advanced to the Aug. 20 run-off. The constitutional court, Guatemala's highest judicial authority, last week quashed the suspension, ruling that there are no legal impediments to Arevalo competing in the run-off. The court stressed the ruling on Friday, but the raid has fueled doubts over whether a clash between Guatemalan institutions could thwart a fair run-off. Early on Friday, Guatemala's Supreme Electoral Tribunal, which has confirmed Arevalo's spot in the run-off, requested the court intervene to prevent top Guatemalan institutions, including the attorney general and the interior ministry, from announcing decisions that put the electoral process at risk. The government of outgoing conservative President Alejandro Giammattei called the electoral tribunal's request "surprising and regrettable." Video from outside the Semilla party offices posted by newspaper Diario La Hora showed at least a couple of dozen uniformed police officers standing guard on Friday, preventing anyone from entering or exiting the building. The senior U.S. official said the U.S. was closely monitoring the lead-up to the run-off and would host Arevalo and his opponent, former first lady Sandra Torres, for talks in Washington next week to show support for free and fair elections. The official said Washington had been in close contact with the Guatemalan government about the concerns of U.S. President Joe Biden's administration and was also consulting with international partners. The European Union in a statement on Friday called on Guatemalan institutions "to fully respect the integrity of the electoral process." Frank Mora, the U.S. ambassador to the Washington-based Organization of American States, expressed concerns over arrest warrants issued this week against members of Semilla, and said on Twitter that "Guatemalans deserve the right to vote for candidates without interference." (Reporting by Sofia Menchu in Guatemala City and Matt Spetalnick in Washington; Writing by Valentine Hilaire and Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by David Alire Garcia and Rosalba O'Brien) FILE PHOTO: An artist's concept shows the two-faced white dwarf star 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 appea By Will Dunham WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some people are two-faced, figuratively speaking of course. The ancient Roman god Janus was two-faced, literally - with one looking forward and another backward, representing transitions and duality. But a two-faced star? Yes, indeed. Scientists have observed a white dwarf star - a hot stellar remnant that is among the densest objects in the cosmos - that they have nicknamed Janus owing to the fact it has the peculiar distinction of being composed of hydrogen on one side and helium on the other. "Janus is the Roman god with two faces, so we thought it was very appropriate. Moreover, Janus is the god of transition, and the white dwarf might be currently transitioning from having an atmosphere made of hydrogen to one made of helium," said Ilaria Caiazzo, a Caltech postdoctoral fellow in astrophysics and lead author of the study published this week in the journal Nature. The star is located in our Milky Way galaxy about 1,300 light years from Earth in the direction of the Cygnus constellation. A light year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km). Janus is fairly massive for a white dwarf, with a mass 20% larger than that of our sun compressed into an object with a diameter half that of Earth. It rotates on its axis every 15 minutes - very fast considering these stars usually rotate every few hours to a few days. "White dwarfs form at the very end of a star's life. About 97% of all stars are destined to become white dwarfs when they die," Caiazzo said. "Our sun, for example, is currently burning hydrogen into helium in its core. When the hydrogen in the core is depleted, the sun will start burning helium into carbon and oxygen. When the helium also is gone from the center, the sun will eject its outer layers into space in an event called a planetary nebula and the core will slowly contract and become a white dwarf," Caiazzo added. The good news for Earthlings is that it should be 5 billion years before any of that happens to our sun. Janus was spotted using the Zwicky Transient Facility at Caltech's Palomar Observatory near San Diego, with subsequent observations made by other ground-based telescopes. After a white dwarf forms, its heavier elements are thought to sink to the star's core while its lighter elements - hydrogen being the lightest, followed by helium - float to the top. This layered structure is believed to be destroyed at a certain stage in the evolution of some white dwarfs when a strong mixing blends the hydrogen and helium together. Janus may represent a white dwarf in the midst of this transitional blending process, but with the puzzling development of one side being hydrogen while the other side is helium. The researchers suspect that its magnetic field may be responsible for this asymmetry. If the magnetic field is stronger on one side than the other, as is often the case with celestial objects, one side could have less mixing of elements, becoming hydrogen heavy or helium heavy. "Many white dwarfs are expected to go through this transition, and we might have caught one in the act because of its magnetic field configuration," Caiazzo said. Janus is not the only exotic white star known. Caiazzo was part of a research team that in 2021 reported on one with a petite diameter slightly larger than Earth's moon that boasted the greatest mass and littlest size of any known white dwarf. "Every time we look at stars in a different ways, we are bound to be surprised and even baffled sometimes," Caiazzo said. "Stellar phenomenology is extremely rich, and no two stars are the same if looked at closely enough." (Reporting by Will Dunham; Editing by Daniel Wallis) By Manas Mishra (Reuters) - The rising popularity of highly-effective obesity drugs is weighing on demand for robot-assisted bariatric surgeries, top surgical robots maker Intuitive Surgical said late on Thursday. The company's shares fell 4.5% to $332.2 in premarket trading on Friday, with at least five analysts attributing the drop to lower-than-expected growth in procedures that use its devices. "Within one of our target procedure areas, bariatric surgery, our growth rate in the U.S. slowed during the quarter. Some customers have indicated that they are seeing increased patient interest in weight-loss drugs," CFO Jamie Samath told investors late Thursday. Total procedures using the company's robotic devices rose 22% in the second quarter, compared with investor expectations of between 23% and 24%, said analysts with brokerage Truist Securities. "The only number that investors seem to care about is procedure growth, which slowed to 22% in 2Q," Evercore ISI analyst Vijay Kumar said in a note. Intuitive's surgical robots are widely used in hospitals and others in a range of procedures such as bariatric, or weight-loss surgeries, and conditions of the digestive system, bladder and heart. In contrast, demand has exploded for obesity treatments that helped in as much as 24% weight loss during trials. More than half a dozen drugmakers are looking to tap the market, estimated to reach as much as $100 billion in a decade. Novo Nordisk's Wegovy is already approved for use in obesity, while Eli Lilly's Mounjaro is widely expected to get regulatory nod by later this year. The slowdown could be an "adjustment period" as the market adapts to the new drugs, Stifel analyst Rick Wise said. "Our physician due diligence so far suggests that weight-loss drugs could ultimately expand the bariatric procedure market, as or if patients re-gain weight once treatment end," Wise said. (Reporting by Manas Mishra and Pratik Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila) DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran's oil ministry said the oil cargo of an Iranian-flagged supertanker seized by Indonesia last week does not belong to Tehran, Iranian state media reported on Friday. An oil ministry statement, reported by the country's state media, did not identify the owner of the cargo of MT Arman 114, an Iranian-flagged supertanker suspected of involvement in the illegal transshipment of crude oil, which Indonesia's coast guard said on July 11 it had seized. "Published news linking the cargo of this ship to ... Iran have no validity and this is done with the aim of creating a negative atmosphere against our country," the oil ministry statement said, without elaborating. Tensions between Tehran and Washington have been rising after Iran tried to seize the Richmond Voyager tanker, which was managed by U.S. oil major Chevron, earlier in July in international Gulf waters. On Thursday, the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' navy said Iran would retaliate against any oil company unloading Iranian oil from another seized tanker, currently anchored outside the port of Houston. Iran's foreign ministry also criticised the United States for leading a proposal at the U.N. shipping agency's council to rescind Tehran's bid to host a maritime event in October. "America's move ... proves that the political abuse of the United Nations' technical and specialised bodies has no limit for this country," Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a statement carried by state media. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller told reporters in a news briefing on Thursday that Iran had no business hosting official international gatherings related to maritime affairs, because it had demonstrated its contempt for international maritime rules, standards, and safety. The U.S. Navy said in July it had intervened to prevent Iran from seizing two commercial tankers, including the Richmond Voyager, in the Gulf of Oman, in the latest in a series of attacks on ships in the area since 2019. Meanwhile, data from the public Equasis site and data analytics company MarineTraffic showed that one of Arman 114's previous names was Grace 1. The Grace 1 was seized by British Royal Marine commandos in July 2019 on suspicion of trying to take oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions. It was released the following month after a diplomatic standoff with the West. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom, additional reporting by Jonathan Saul in London; Editing by Jan Harvey and Jane Merriman) Much-loved giant panda Fu Bao marked her third birthday at the Everland amusement park in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province on Thursday. She was born to a Chinese giant panda couple, Le Bao and Ai Bao, that were loaned to Korea under Beijing's "panda diplomacy" when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Korea in 2014. Fu Bao is popular not only with Koreans but also Chinese and Japanese. Many livestreamed the moment Fu Bao was given her birthday cake and posted celebratory messages on social media. The livestream on Yang Shi Pin, a mobile video platform run by China's official CCTV, made headlines as it was watched by some 100,000 people. SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Mourners carry the body of a Palestinian who was killed during clashes with the Israeli army in Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, July 20,2023. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman RAMALLAH, West Bank (Reuters) -Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian teenager during clashes with stone throwers in the occupied West Bank on Friday, Palestinian officials said. Israel's border police said that during the clash in the village of Umm Safa near the city of Ramallah, "masked suspects threw stones and rocks endangering the lives of troops." A border policeman responded with fire and "a hit was identified," it said. The Palestinian Health Ministry said a 17-year-old resident of the village had been killed. In a separate incident, Palestinian medical officials said a Palestinian was killed when Israeli troops fired at a car driving near the city of Nablus. Another was wounded and detained, they said. The Israeli army said it was looking into the report. Violence in the West Bank, among territories where the Palestinians seek to establish a state, has worsened over the past 15 months with stepped up Israeli raids, Palestinian street attacks and assaults by Jewish settlers on Palestinian villages. (Reporting by Ali Sawafta, Nidal al-Mughrabi and Ari Rabinovitch, Editing by William Maclean) FILE PHOTO: James Ibori, former governor of Nigeria's Delta State, speaks after a court hearing outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Britain, January 31, 2017. REUTERS/Estelle Shirbon/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will seek to confiscate 101.5 million pounds ($130 million) from James Ibori, a former Nigerian state governor who abused his office to get rich and laundered millions in Britain and elsewhere, under a court order issued in London on Friday. Judge David Tomlinson of Southwark Crown Court said Ibori should pay the sum immediately or face an eight-year jail sentence. Ibori is in Nigeria and has said he would appeal against the confiscation order, one of the biggest issued against an individual in recent British legal history. The judge formally declared that Ibori had benefited from criminal conduct in the sum of 101.5 million pounds. "I make a confiscation order in that sum because Mr Ibori has not satisfied me nor really has he tried to satisfy me that he is incapable of paying the full amount," the judge said. "There is no reason to allow time for the sum to be paid. I set a term of eight years' imprisonment in default of payment." Ibori was governor of oil-producing Delta State from 1999 to 2007 and was extradited from Dubai to Britain in 2011. He pleaded guilty in 2012 to 10 counts of fraud and money-laundering and received a 13-year jail sentence of which he served half, as is standard. The case was hailed as a landmark in the fight against corruption in Britain, a global money-laundering hub, and in Nigeria, where self-enrichment by the ruling elite has been one of the main factors holding back development for decades. ($1 = 0.7788 pounds) (Reporting by Estelle Shirbon; editing by Sarah Young) FILE PHOTO: James Ibori, former governor of Nigeria's Delta State, speaks after a court hearing outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London, Britain, January 31, 2017. REUTERS/Estelle Shirbon/File Photo By Estelle Shirbon LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will seek to confiscate 101.5 million pounds ($130 million) from James Ibori, a former Nigerian state governor who abused his office to get rich and laundered millions in Britain and elsewhere, under a court order issued in London on Friday. Here is a timeline of Ibori's complicated legal and political history: EARLY CONVICTIONS IN BRITAIN In the early 1990s, Ibori was living in London with his wife Theresa Ibori and for a time he worked as a shop assistant at a Wickes home improvements chainstore. The couple were arrested, convicted of theft and fined for trying to steal goods from the store. Ibori was also convicted of possessing stolen goods after being caught with another man's American Express card at London's Euston train station. POLITICAL RISE IN NIGERIA In Lagos later in the 1990s, Ibori became close friends with Major Hamza al-Mustapha, who was Chief Security Officer to General Sani Abacha, the then military dictator of Nigeria. The connection helped him to get involved in politics and business. In 1999, as Nigeria transitioned to democracy after Abacha's death, Ibori was elected governor of Delta State, one of Nigeria's top three oil-producing states. He served two consecutive four-year terms, stepping down in May 2007. CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION From 2005, Ibori was the subject of a joint investigation by Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and London's Metropolitan Police. Investigators found properties he secretly owned in Britain, South Africa and the United States and evidence of his lavish lifestyle, including American Express credit card bills showing he routinely spent tens of thousands of dollars per month on luxury hotels, shopping, restaurants and night clubs. $15 MILLION BRIBE Then EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu alleged that Ibori had offered him $15 million in cash in April 2007 to drop the investigation. Ribadu said he pretended to accept but instead deposited the cash at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Ibori has denied this in statements to Nigerian media but has refused to be cross-examined in court in Britain. Ribadu testified about it under oath in a London court and British judges accepted his evidence as true. EXTRADITION, JAIL AND HOMECOMING In 2010, Ibori left Nigeria for Dubai. Britain requested his extradition and in 2011 he was flown to London and imprisoned. In 2012, he pleaded guilty at London's Southwark Crown Court to 10 charges of fraud and money-laundering and was sentenced to 13 years in jail. Britain hailed the case as a landmark in the fight against corruption. Ibori was released in December 2016, having served half of his sentence before and after conviction, and returned to Nigeria in early 2017. He was filmed being welcomed by cheering supporters in Delta State. CONFISCATION DELAYS British prosecutors began trying to confiscate Ibori's assets in 2013 but the process was repeatedly derailed by parallel, related legal action and by lengthy court delays. Ibori and several co-defendants who had served jail time for assisting in his money-laundering launched appeals against their convictions, alleging that the investigation was tainted because of corruption in the ranks of the Metropolitan Police. Court of Appeal judges rejected the claims and upheld the convictions in 2018. (Reporting by Estelle Shirbon, Editing by William Maclean) By Joyce Lee SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea fired several cruise missiles toward the sea to the west of the Korean Peninsula, the South Korean military said on Saturday. This would be North Korea's latest missile launch since it fired two ballistic missiles on Wednesday, as Pyongyang and Washington step up displays of military force in a standoff over the isolated country's nuclear weapons and missile programmes. A number of cruise missiles launched since around 4 a.m. Saturday local time (1900 Friday GMT) were detected, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said. On Wednesday, North Korea fired missiles hours after a U.S. nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) surfaced for a rare visit to South Korea. North Korea also warned on Thursday that deployment of U.S. aircraft carriers, bombers or missile submarines in South Korea could meet criteria for its use of nuclear weapons. (Reporting by Joyce Lee; editing by Diane Craft and Grant McCool) FILE PHOTO: U.S. and North Korean national flags are seen at the Capella Hotel on Sentosa island in Singapore June 12, 2018. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo By Hyunsu Yim SEOUL (Reuters) -North Korea said on Thursday deployment of U.S. aircraft carriers, bombers or missile submarines in South Korea could meet criteria for its use of nuclear weapons, state media KCNA reported, citing the country's defence minister, Kang Sun Nam. The comments raise the stakes as each side steps up displays of military force in a standoff over the isolated country's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes. The defence minister's statement also accused the United States and South Korea of escalating tensions in the region while criticizing the first meeting by their Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG). "The ever-increasing visibility of the deployment of the strategic nuclear submarine and other strategic assets may fall under the conditions of the use of nuclear weapons specified in the DPRK law," the statement said. DPRK is short for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kang's remark was aimed at the nuclear-armed Ohio-class U.S. ballistic missile submarine that arrived at a port in the southern city of Busan earlier this week. "The phase of a military clash on the Korean peninsula has surfaced as a dangerous reality," the KCNA report said. South Korea's Ministry of National Defense said on Friday the NCG meeting and the deployment of the USS Kentucky were "just defensive countermeasures" against the North's nuclear and missile threats. "North Korea will get no concessions from the South Korea-U.S. alliance for its nuclear development and threats which will only lead to worsening isolation and hardships," the South Korean ministry said in a statement. The KCNA report came after a U.S. soldier crossed the border into North Korea on Tuesday at a time of heightened tension between the two Koreas and the United States. North Korea has yet to comment on the incident involving the U.S. soldier. Last year, the reclusive state codified a new, expansive nuclear law declaring its status as a nuclear-armed state "irreversible". That nuclear law outlined a "capacious" set of circumstances under which North Korea might resort to nuclear use, and they're indicating that they see this submarine visit as consistent with those conditions, said Ankit Panda of the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "More broadly, though, I think they're seeking to dissuade Washington from regularizing additional shows of reassurance of this nature for the South Koreans," Panda said. (Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Additional reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Mike Harrison and Tom Hogue) FILE PHOTO: Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting at the Novatek-Murmansk's Offshore Superfacility Construction Center in the village of Belokamenka, Murmansk region, Russia July 20, 2023. Sputnik/Ramil Sitdikov/Kremlin via REUTERS/file photo MOSCOW (Reuters) -President Vladimir Putin on Friday accused NATO member Poland of having territorial ambitions in the former Soviet Union, and said any aggression against Russia's neighbour and close ally Belarus would be considered an attack on Russia. Moscow would react to any aggression against Belarus, which forms a loose "Union State" with Russia, "with all the means at our disposal", Putin told a meeting of his Security Council in televised remarks. Warsaw's Security Committee decided on Wednesday to move military units to eastern Poland after members of the Russian Wagner mercenary force arrived in Belarus, the state-run news agency PAP quoted its secretary as saying on Friday. Poland denies any territorial ambitions in Belarus. In his remarks Putin had also stated that the western part of Poland was a gift from Soviet leader Joseph Stalin to the country and that Russia would remind Poles about it. In apparent reference to that, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki tweeted on Friday evening that "Stalin was a war criminal, guilty of the death of hundreds of thousands of Poles. Historical truth is not debatable." "The ambassador of the Russian Federation will be summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs", he said. On Thursday, Belarus said Wagner mercenaries had started to train Belarusian special forces at a military range just a few miles from the Polish border. RUSSIA STAGING TACTICAL NUCLEAR WEAPONS Russia has in recent weeks begun stationing tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus for the first time. The Kremlin said Putin would meet Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, with whom he speaks regularly, in Russia on Sunday. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Friday that Germany and NATO were prepared to support Poland in defending the military alliance's eastern flank. Putin said there were press reports of plans for a Polish-Lithuanian unit to be used for operations in western Ukraine - parts of which in the past belonged to Poland - and ultimately to occupy territory there. "It is well known that they also dream of the Belarusian lands," he said, also without providing any evidence. On Wednesday, Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was shown in a video welcoming his fighters to Belarus, telling them they would take no further part for now in the war in Ukraine but ordering them to gather strength for Wagner's operations in Africa while they trained the Belarusian army. Prigozhin says Wagner, which led the conquest of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, is Russia's most effective fighting force. But his frequent clashes with the Moscow defence establishment led him to stage an armed mutiny four weeks ago. The insurrection ended with an agreement that Wagner fighters - many recruited from prison - could move to Belarus if they wished. (Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Kevin Liffey;Editing by William Maclean and Grant McCool) A view shows a grain warehouse destroyed by a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at a compound of an agricultural company in Odesa region, Ukraine July 21, 2023. Press Service of the the Operational Command South of the Ukrainian Arm By Olena Harmash KYIV (Reuters) -Russia pounded Ukrainian food export facilities for a fourth day in a row on Friday and practised seizing ships in the Black Sea in an escalation of what Western leaders say is an attempt to wriggle out of sanctions by threatening a global food crisis. The attacks on Ukraine's grain, a major part of the global food chain, followed a vow by Kyiv to defy Russia's naval blockade on its export ports after Moscow's withdrawal this week from a UN-brokered safe sea corridor agreement. The UN warned that millions of people in poor countries around the world were at greater risk of hunger and starvation from the knock-on effect for food prices. "Some will go hungry, some will starve, many may die as a result of these decisions," UN aid chief Martin Griffiths told the Security Council. In Ukraine, local governor Oleh Kiper said the grain terminals of an agricultural enterprise in Odesa region were hit by air, with 100 tons of peas and 20 tons of barley destroyed. Photographs released by the emergencies ministry showed a fire burning among crumpled metal buildings that appeared to be storehouses. Two people were injured, Kiper said, while officials reported seven dead in Russian air strikes elsewhere in Ukraine. Moscow has described the attacks as revenge for a Ukrainian strike on a Russian-built bridge to Crimea - the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula seized by Moscow in 2014. It accuses Ukraine of using the sea corridor to launch "terrorist attacks." Russia said its Black Sea fleet had practised firing rockets at "floating targets" and it would deem all ships heading for Ukrainian waters to be potentially carrying arms. Kyiv responded with a similar warning about ships headed to Russia. The attacks on grain export infrastructure and anxiety over shipping drove prices of benchmark Chicago wheat futures towards their biggest weekly gain since the February 2022 invasion. The UN says the deal had helped the poorest by lowering food prices more than 23% globally since March last year. Russia says not enough Ukrainian grain had reached poor countries and that it is now negotiating directly with those most in need. It says it will not re-enter the deal without better terms for its own food and fertiliser sales. Western leaders accuse Moscow of seeking to loosen sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine, which already exempt exports of Russian food. Russian grain has moved freely through the Black Sea to market throughout the conflict. WAGNER NEAR POLAND BORDER A Polish broadcaster reported on Friday that a military reconnaissance drone of unspecified origin had crashed near a base in southwestern Poland this week. NATO military alliance member Poland has been reinforcing its border with Belarus, where Russia's Wagner mercenary force has taken up residency after a failed mutiny last month. Belarus has said Wagner fighters are training its troops near the Polish border. Residents in Poland close to the frontier report having heard shooting and helicopters. Russia's President Vladimir Putin said it was Poland that had territorial ambitions in the region, telling Russia's Security Council that Moscow would react to any aggression against Belarus "with all the means at our disposal." Investigators in Russia detained prominent nationalist Igor Girkin, a former commander of Russia's proxy forces in Ukraine, who had publicly accused Putin and army chiefs of not prosecuting the war in Ukraine harshly or effectively enough. "This is a direct outcome of Prigozhin's mutiny: the army's command now wields greater political leverage to quash its opponents in the public sphere," said Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of the R.Politik analysis firm. Inside Ukraine, four people were killed in 80 Russian attacks on settlements in the southern Zaporizhzhia region over the past 24 hours, regional governor Yuriy Malashko said. A married couple in their 50s were killed in Russian shelling of the city of Kostiantynivka in the eastern region of Donetsk, the general prosecutor's office said. And in the northern region of Chernihiv, a woman's body was pulled from rubble after a missile strike, regional governor Viacheslav Chaus said. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in his nightly video address, noted that Odesa port, its grain facilities and its surrounding region, had once again been a target of Russian attacks with more than 20 people injured this week alone. "If someone in Russia hopes that they can somehow turn the Black Sea into an area of arbitrary action and terrorism, this will not work for them," he said. "We know how to defend ourselves and we see around the world a readiness to work together further and more actively in order to guarantee calm for our region." Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine last year and claims to have annexed nearly a fifth of its territory. Moscow says it is responding to threats posed by its neighbour, while Kyiv and the West call it an unprovoked war of conquest. (Additional reporting by Anna Pruchnicka in Kyiv, Michelle Nichols in New York, Ronald Popeski and Reuters bureauxWriting by Philippa Fletcher and Conor HumphriesEditing by Peter Graff and Andrew Cawthorne) By Sam Tobin LONDON (Reuters) - A wealthy Russian businessman on Friday lost a legal challenge against Britain over the detention of his $50 million superyacht. Sergei Naumenko's 58.5 metre yacht Phi was detained in London under the government's Russian sanctions in March 2022, the first time the regulations had been used to detain a ship. Naumenko, who owns the yacht through a St Kitts and Nevis-registered company, took legal action against Britain's Department of Transport (DfT), arguing the vessel was detained for an improper purpose. Then-Transport Secretary Grant Shapps had posed in front of the yacht when it was detained and described Naumenko, who is not subject to British sanctions, as a "friend" of Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Naumenko denies. The DfT justified the yacht's detention on the grounds that it was intended to put pressure on rich Russians following the invasion of Ukraine, which Naumenko's lawyers argued was unfair. He said he was targeted simply because he was a wealthy Russian, despite the fact that he had no involvement in Russian politics or any connection with Putin. However, his case was dismissed by London's High Court on Friday, with Judge Ross Cranston rejecting Naumenko's case that the yacht was detained for an improper purpose. The yacht was lawfully detained because it was "a high value ship ... and its owner, Mr Naumenko, was 'connected with' Russia", the judge said in a written ruling. Cranston accepted Shapps was wrong to describe Naumenko as a friend of Putin, but said it was "excusable political hyperbole". Naumenko's lawyer Paul Dickie said in a statement that the Phi's owner was disappointed by the decision and is considering filing an appeal. A DfT spokesperson welcomed the ruling, saying: "We'll continue to act where necessary to crack down on those benefiting from Putin's regime and their illegal war in Ukraine." (Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Philippa Fletcher) Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin holds a briefing on Russia's decision to quit the Black Sea grain deal in Moscow, Russia July 21, 2023. Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool via REUTERS MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin on Friday accused Ukraine of using a grain export corridor in the Black Sea to launch "terrorist attacks" against Russian interests, including one this week on the Crimean Bridge. Vershinin was addressing a briefing about Russia's decision on Monday to quit the year-old Black Sea grain deal, in which Russia had guaranteed safe passage to ships exporting grain from Ukraine's seaports despite what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine. Russia said a parallel memorandum pledging to facilitate its own food and fertiliser exports had been ignored. Since then, it has said any vessels travelling to Ukraine will be assumed to be carrying weapons, and their flag countries will be considered parties to the war. Ukraine has denied using the corridor for military purposes, but Vershinin alleged, without providing evidence, that there had been several instances of this. "It was used - as we know, and we have also talked about it - to organise terrorist attacks," he said. "It was the Crimean Bridge, twice already; it was Sevastopol, remember last October." Attacks apparently carried out with naval drones have twice severely damaged the 19-km (12-mile) Crimean Bridge, a Russian flagship project that provides the only direct link between southern Russia and the Crimean peninsula, which Russia seized from Ukraine and annexed in 2014. It has also been used to supply Russian troops fighting in southern Ukraine. Kyiv implicitly acknowledged carrying out the first attack, in October, and Ukrainian media reported this week that Ukrainian security services had carried out the second. Also last October, Moscow accused Ukraine of attacking the home base of the Russian navy's Black Sea Fleet at Sevastopol, in Crimea, with naval drones that had travelled from the Ukrainian port of Odesa via the waters of the safe corridor. It also said the ships targeted had been involved in ensuring the security of the grain corridor. (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Osborn) By Rajesh Kumar Singh CHICAGO (Reuters) - Consumers continue to splurge on air tickets. But travel patterns are shifting so often, partly due to work-life changes wrought by the pandemic, that airlines must constantly adapt on booking plane seats and remain cautious in forecasting demand and revenue. That situation can result in lost revenue for the carriers if they guess wrong on the best time to sell seats, while their caution in estimating revenue is taking a toll on their shares as Wall Street interprets that as a sign of slowing consumer demand. American Airlines Chief Financial Officer Devon May attributed the challenge to the difficulty in forecasting demand. For investors, this has raised the risk of confusion. "We're getting better at it, but demand trends are still a little bit different today than they were back in 2019," he told Reuters. Worries about future demand were a reason American Airlines' stock fell 6% on Thursday even after it raised its full-year earnings forecast. Investors were concerned the hike was modest following the company's performance in the second quarter, analysts said. American is not alone in this struggle. In March, United Airlines had to change its earnings forecast for the first quarter from a profit to a loss because it overestimated demand for business travel in January and February. In the June quarter, United held back seats for summer travel and made them available closer to the peak travel dates at higher fares in a bid to maximize revenue. It was a risky bet as booking data from the previous quarter had shown customers were booking trips well in advance. United's move paid off, helping it generate record quarterly revenue. The company's chief commercial officer, Andrew Nocella, said that was another sign that seasonal travel patterns have changed. "The summer peak period is more spread out relative to the past," he said on Thursday on a conference call. Airlines can no longer afford to rely on historical booking data because hybrid or remote work arrangements have allowed customers more flexibility to plan travel, said Henry Harteveldt, founder of travel consultancy Atmosphere Research Group. As a result, airlines are leaning more on artificial intelligence and are hiring data scientists to better align seat sales, ticket pricing and flight scheduling with changing booking trends, he said. Yet airlines face the risk of failing to keep pace with ever-shifting travel patterns and missing financial forecasts. "This is a very difficult path to walk," Harteveldt said. "Airlines are going to take a more conservative view of things." INVESTOR CAUTION That caution is stoking worries among investors, who are not sure travel spending will hold up. Rahul Sen Sharma, co-CEO at financial services firm Indxx, said investors are concerned corporate travel has still not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, making airlines highly reliant on price-sensitive leisure travelers. "The high value customers haven't really come back," said Sharma, who tracks airline stocks. "They're the ones that drive profitability." Airlines, however, say business travel has changed fundamentally since the pandemic. Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian said while people are not traveling a lot for work, hybrid work arrangements have led to a 50% jump in personal trips versus the pre-pandemic period. American's CFO, May, cited frequent upgrades to the industry's earnings forecasts as evidence that the urge to travel remains strong. "It's a different demand profile than what we've seen in the past," he said. "But our systems are catching up." Booking trends for international trips have also changed. Delta said Southern Europe's summer travel season is now longer than it used to be, prompting the airline to adjust its network. Delta has extended schedules for its seasonal flights to many European destinations into November and December. It also plans to resume services in February and March instead of April and May. "We're going to have a really great summer," Delta President Glen Hauenstein said. "Our goal is to have a great winter as well. (Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago; Editing by Ben Klayman and Matthew Lewis) North Korea's economy is now almost wholly dependent on China. The North's trade increased an estimated 122.3 percent to US$1.59 billion in 2022 as borders were timidly reopened at the end of the coronavirus pandemic. The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency on Thursday that North Korea's exports rose 94 percent last year to $159 million, while imports rose 126 percent to $1.43 billion. In other words, imports accounted for 89.97 percent of North Korea's total trade. As a result its trade deficit widened from an estimated $549.41 million in 2021 to $1.27 billion last year. Bilateral trade with China increased 124.8 percent to $1.53 billion, so China's proportion of North Korean trade rose from 95.6 percent in 2021 to 96.7 percent. Other small trading partners include Vietnam, Argentina and Nigeria. The North's top exports were minerals ($44.58 million), while its biggest import was petroleum ($520 million). Actors Brian Cox, Jim Carter, Imelda Staunton, Andy Serkis and Simon Pegg join demonstrators at the Equity rally in Leicester Square, in solidarity with the SAG-AFTRA strikes, London, Britain, July 21, 2023. REUTERS/Hollie Adams By Sarah Mills LONDON (Reuters) -"Mission Impossible" star Simon Pegg and Brian Cox from "Succession" joined a rally in London on Friday in support of U.S film and television writers and actors striking for higher pay and new terms in the streaming era. Hollywood actors went on strike on July 14 after talks with studios broke down, joining film and television writers who have been on picket lines since May and further disrupting scores of shows and movies. Actors union SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America want increases in base pay and residuals, plus assurances they will not be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI). British actors' union Equity organised the rally in Leicester Square, where movie theatres hosted UK premieres including "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" last week. While actors on Equity contracts can still work, the union is in full support of the strike and keen to make sure no loopholes are sought, its General Secretary Paul Fleming told Reuters on Monday. David Oyelowo, Andy Serkis, Imelda Staunton, Naomie Harris and Hayley Atwell also joined Friday's rally, where supporters held placards saying "Equity stands in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA". U.S. comedian and actor Rob Delaney, who is a member of Equity and SAG-AFTRA, said the cross-Atlantic solidarity on show at the rally was a "beautiful thing". "We're going to win, we're going to show you how workers need to be paid for their labour, and it's going to be fantastic," he told the crowd. Cox told reporters he was "essentially, initially" supporting the writers. "But of course, other things have come into play because we're also doing our own negotiations, but our own negotiations pale in relationship to AI, because AI is a really, really very serious thing and that's the thing where we're most vulnerable," he said. (Reporting by Paul Sandle and Farouq Suleiman; Editing by Sharon Singleton and John Stonestreet) FILE PHOTO: A worker walks to the Port of Vancouver as International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) union members returned to clear a backlog of containers and bulk cargo from a 13-day strike in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 20, 2023. RE By Steve Scherer OTTAWA (Reuters) -Leaders of a dock workers union in Canada's Pacific region on Friday backed a tentative contract deal with employers and will soon recommend ratification to members, likely ending a standoff that led to a crippling 13-day strike. On Tuesday, "there will be a stop work meeting ... to recommend the Terms of Settlement to the membership," the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) said in a statement. Leadership had been due to vote on Friday on whether to recommend ratification. No details about the tentative deal were provided. Some 7,500 dock workers walked off the job for 13 days earlier this month. That strike ended last week with a tentative deal that was rejected by union leadership on Tuesday. The walkout is estimated to have disrupted C$6.5 billion ($4.9 billion) of cargo movement at the ports, based on the industry body Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters' calculation of about C$500 million in disrupted trade each day. The strike has upended operations at Vancouver and Prince Rupert, two of Canada's three busiest ports, which are key gateways for exporting natural resources and commodities and bringing in raw materials. Canadian Labour Minister Seamus O'Regan thanked the union leadership for recommending the deal. "Right now, British Columbia ports are operating, but we need long-term stability," he tweeted. The ILWU initially told its members to return to the picket line, but then retracted when a federal watchdog said it had not provided 72-hours notice. It then gave notice for the strike to restart on Saturday, prompting calls for the federal government to recall parliament to pass back-to-work legislation. But the ILWU then withdrew its strike notice on Wednesday, leaving the talks in what the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) said was a "fluid and unpredictable situation." (Reporting by Steve Scherer in Ottawa and Aishwarya Nair in Bengaluru; additional reporting by Ismail Shakil and David Ljunggren in Ottawa;Editing by Nick Zieminski, Grant McCool and Deepa Babington) FILE PHOTO: Banners displaying the NATO logo are placed at the entrance of new NATO headquarters during the move to the new building, in Brussels, Belgium April 19, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey will act to ratify Sweden's NATO membership bid in conjunction with cooperation from Stockholm in the fight against terrorism, President Tayyip Erdogan was quoted on Friday as saying. Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership last year in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, abandoning policies of military non-alignment that had lasted through the Cold War. Their applications must be approved by all members of the alliance. Having held up ratification of Sweden's NATO bid for more than a year, Erdogan unexpectedly agreed after the alliance's summit in Lithuania this month to forward it to Turkey's parliament when the legislature reconvenes in October. "Turkish parliament's working schedule will determine the process of Sweden's NATO membership (ratification)," Erdogan told reporters on a flight returning from Gulf countries and northern Cyprus, according to a readout from his office. "It would be in Sweden's favour if they take concrete steps on the fight against terrorist organisations and on the extradition of terrorists." Ankara accuses Stockholm of doing too little against people Turkey sees as terrorists, mainly members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and the group Ankara accuses of orchestrating a 2016 failed coup, with extradition a key sticking point. Sweden's top court recently blocked the extradition of two Turkish citizens that Ankara says are part of a terrorist group. "We expect promises to be fulfilled," Erdogan said. Erdogan was referring to a deal Turkey, Sweden and Finland struck last year in Madrid aimed at addressing Ankara's security concerns. Turkey on Thursday condemned the partial destruction of a Koran in front of Iraq's embassy in Stockholm, but did not comment publicly on the incident while on the plane. (Reporting by Ece Toksabay and Huseyin Hayatsever; Editing by Daren Butler and John Stonestreet) FILE PHOTO: The Ford logo is seen at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., January 15, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Two U.S. House of Representatives committees said Friday they are investigating Ford Motor Co's partnership with Chinese battery company CATL. Ford announced in February it is spending $3.5 billion to build a battery plant in Michigan using technology from CATL, the world's largest battery maker. Jason Smith and Mike Gallagher, Republican chairs of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Select Committee on China, in a joint letter demanded Ford answer questions about the deal. They warned that if the company remains reliant on China for inputs to produce electric vehicle batteries, "the company will be exposing itself and U.S. taxpayers to the whims of the Chinese Communist Party and its politics." Ford said Friday it is reviewing the letter and will respond. Ford said it "will own and run this plant in the United States, instead of building a battery plant elsewhere or exclusively importing LFP (lithium iron phosphate) batteries from China like our competitors do." The committees said several hundred of the 2,500 Ford plant jobs will be filled by CATL employees from China who will be in charge of setting up and maintaining equipment. The letter said public disclosures and media reporting suggest that shortly following the Ford and CATL partnership announcement, "CATL took steps to maintain effective control while appearing to divest its ownership stake" in companies based in Xinjiang that allegedly are connected to forced labor practices. Human rights groups accuse Beijing of abuses against Xinjiang's Uyghur inhabitants, including the mass use of forced labor in internment camps. China denies the allegations. In 2022, Congress passed the $430 billion Inflation Reduction Act that will in the future bar EV tax credits if any EV battery components were manufactured or assembled by a "foreign entity of concern." Ford still is awaiting guidance from the U.S. Treasury to ensure the partnership does not run afoul of the requirement. "We are concerned that the deal could simply facilitate the partial onshoring of PRC-controlled battery technology, raw materials, and employees while collecting tax credits and flowing funds back to CATL through the licensing agreement," the House letter said. Republican Senator Marcio Rubio has urged the Biden administration to investigate the deal and introduced legislation that seeks to bar consumer tax credits for EVs produced using CATL technology. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Jonathan Oatis and David Holmes) Military aid, delivered as part of the United States' security assistance to Ukraine, is unloaded from a plane at the Boryspil International Airport outside Kyiv, Ukraine February 13, 2022. REUTERS/Serhiy Takhmazov/File Photo By Mike Stone and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States plans to announce as soon as Tuesday a new military aid package for Ukraine worth up to $400 million, primarily comprised of artillery, air defense missiles and ground vehicles as Ukraine's counteroffensive grinds on, three U.S. officials said on Friday. The U.S. is not including cluster munitions in this weapons assistance package, two of the officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said. The U.S. first sent dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICM) - a cluster munition fired from a 155 millimeter Howitzer cannon to Ukraine earlier in July. Included in the package are several Stryker armored personnel carriers, mine clearing equipment, munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), anti-tank weapons including TOW and Javelin and munitions for Patriot and Stinger anti-aircraft systems, according to the officials. The package was still being finalized and could change. The package would be funded using Presidential Drawdown Authority, or PDA, which authorizes the president to transfer articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval during an emergency. The material will come from U.S. excess inventory. The security assistance package would be the 43rd approved by the United States for Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022, for a total of more than $41 billion. (Reporting by Mike Stone and Steve Holland in Washington; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks before swearing in commissioners for the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the By Jeff Mason and Brad Brooks (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Florida "extremists" on Friday for backing educational guidelines that taught "revisionist history" about slavery in the United States. Florida's board of education approved new guidelines this week with "benchmark clarifications," including one for middle school students that states "instruction includes how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit." Harris, the first Black and Asian-American woman to serve as vice president, flew to Florida, a political swing state whose governor, Ron DeSantis, is running for the Republican presidential nomination, to deliver a blistering speech condemning the new guidelines. "Adults know what slavery really involved. It involved rape. It involved torture. It involved taking a baby from their mother. It involved some of the worst examples of ... depriving people of humanity in our world," she said. "How is it that anyone could suggest that, in the midst of these atrocities, that there was any benefit to being subjected to this level of dehumanization?" she said. The board of education approved the new teaching guidelines for kindergarten through high school on Wednesday. Florida's education commissioner, Manny Diaz Jr., said during the board meeting in Orlando that the guidelines go in to the "tougher subjects" of slavery and racist violence, as appropriate by age. William Allen and Frances Presley Rice, both members of the working group that developed the new guidelines, said in a statement on Thursday that the new language regarding slaves learning specialized skills was meant to show they were not merely victims. Harris lambasted the information in the guidelines as false propaganda. "We teach our children, not only to tell the truth, but to seek knowledge and truth," Harris said. "These extremist so-called leaders should model what we know to be the correct and right approach if we really are invested in the wellbeing of our children. Instead they dare to push propaganda to our children," she said. The approval of the guidelines follows moves by DeSantis to combat what he has labeled "woke indoctrination." DeSantis, who trails former President Donald Trump in polling for the Republican nomination, has taken on "wokeness" as a key theme for his campaign. The governor, who also has battled Walt Disney over its criticism of a Florida law banning classroom discussion of sexuality and gender, accused Harris of being misleading about Florida's standards. Democrats like Kamala Harris have to lie about Florida's educational standards to cover for their agenda of indoctrinating students and pushing sexual topics onto children," he said in a statement. "Florida stands in their way and we will continue to expose their agenda and their lies." Harris said teachers should not be told by politicians "that they should be teaching ... revisionist history." President Joe Biden, with Harris as his vice president, is running for re-election in 2024. (Reporting by Jeff Mason in Washington and Brad Brooks in Texas; Additional reporting by Steve Holland and Andrea Shalal in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis) White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan addresses the issue of providing cluster munitions to Ukraine during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S. July 7, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo (Reuters) - The Wagner mercenary group is not fighting in Ukraine at present, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told the Aspen Security Forum on Friday. The group's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was shown in a video on Wednesday saying his fighters would take no further part in the Ukraine war for now but ordering them to gather their strength for Africa. (Reporting by Costas Pitas and Steve Holland; editing by Jonathan Oatis) 0001604028 False 0001604028 2023-07-20 2023-07-20 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): ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, INC. (Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) Delaware 001-36557 51-0105665 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.) 4640 Trueman Boulevard, 43026 Hilliard, Ohio (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code: ( 614 ) 658-0050 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 (see General Instructions A.2. below): 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(s) Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share WMS 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 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. The 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting) of Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (the Company) was held via webcast on July 20, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Stockholders were able to participate in the Annual Meeting and vote via live webcast. Stockholders considered three proposals at the meeting, each of which is described in more detail in the Companys Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on June 7, 2023. The final voting results are reported below. Proposal One : Election of twelve directors, including D. Scott Barbour, Anesa T. Chaibi, Michael B. Coleman, Robert M. Eversole, Alexander R. Fischer, Tanya D. Fratto, Kelly S. Gast, M.A. (Mark) Haney, Ross M. Jones, Manuel Perez de la Mesa, Carl A. Nelson, Jr., and Anil Seetharam, to serve for a one-year term until the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, or until his or her successor has been elected and qualified. The Companys stockholders elected each of the eight nominees for director, and the voting results are set forth below: Name For Against Abstentions Broker Non-Votes D. Scott Barbour 67,660,727 401,346 173,520 2,395,649 Anesa T. Chaibi 67,021,247 952,824 261,522 2,395,649 Michael B. Coleman 66,569,190 1,481,282 185,121 2,395,649 Robert M. Eversole 64,479,530 3,534,927 221,136 2,395,649 Alexander R. Fischer 53,352,899 14,668,026 214,668 2,395,649 Tanya D. Fratto 66,187,884 1,785,992 261,717 2,395,649 Kelly S. Gast 67,499,938 474,156 261,499 2,395,649 M.A. (Mark) Haney 67,099,255 921,641 214,697 2,395,649 Ross M. Jones 67,006,631 1,014,223 214,739 2,395,649 Manuel Perez de la Mesa 67,036,275 1,014,447 184,871 2,395,649 Carl A. Nelson, Jr. 66,471,911 1,549,560 214,122 2,395,649 Anil Seetharam 65,634,703 2,423,435 177,455 2,395,649 Proposal Two : Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Companys independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2024. The Companys stockholders ratified the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP, and the voting results are set forth below: For Against Abstentions Broker Non-Votes 63,828,969 6,526,464 275,809 Proposal Three : Advisory vote to approve the compensation of the Companys executive officers as disclosed in the Companys Proxy Statement. The Companys stockholders gave advisory approval of the compensation of the Companys executive officers as disclosed in the Proxy Statement, and the voting results are set forth below: For Against Abstentions Broker Non-Votes 60,739,902 6,572,275 923,416 2,395,649 1 Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits. (d) Exhibits The following exhibits are being furnished as part of this report: 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) 2 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, INC. Date: July 21, 2023 By: /s/ Scott A. Cottrill Name: Scott A. Cottrill Title: EVP, CFO & Secretary 3 ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT IDEA: R1.htm IDEA: wms-20230720_htm.xml IDEA: Financial_Report.xlsx IDEA: FilingSummary.xml IDEA: MetaLinks.json (Tribune News Service) The establishment if a center that would monitor national defense threats to the north has been proposed for Selfridge Air National Guard base in Michigan. SANG has been evolving since the Michigan National Guard took possession of the former Joy Aviation Field in 1917 and while it has always played a key role in America's defense, a bipartisan bill requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a Northern Border Coordination Center at SANG using existing DHS components currently operating there would further support and expand its role. "The threats we could potentially face in the future are likely to come from the north," said United States Sen. Gary Peters, who introduced the bipartisan bill directing the DHS to establish the Center, for coordinating norther border strategies from SANG. The introduction of the bill follows a visit to Selfridge by DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas hosted by Peters. "The federal government must ensure the needs of the northern border are met and that DHS personnel have what they need to effectively secure the northern border," said Peters. "Selfridge Air National Guard Base already houses a number of DHS missions and this center will work hand-in-hand with existing resources and capabilities, allowing the department to further enhance efforts to ensure that the northern border's security needs remain a priority." The international border between the U.S. and Canada separates two nations that have a unique history of social, cultural and economic ties, which are mutually reinforced by security forces on both sides. A report by DHS assessing Northern Border security in 2017 concluded while the northern border remains an area of limited threat in comparison to the southern border, it continues to play a crucial role in fostering U.S. economic growth and prosperity. One example is the trade that moves between the two countries via the Great Lakes shipping channel. "This relationship to the water has enabled the region to thrive and today, the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region is the industrial and agricultural heartland of both the United States and Canada with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of more than $6 trillion," according to the Great Lakes Seaway report on the impact of the Port of Detroit. In fact if it were a country the products and services that this system produces would represent the third-largest economy in the world, behind the U.S. and China. Keeping watch over this region and its shipping channels, which are vital to America's economic stability, is one of the missions of the 9th Coast Guard District, operating out of SANG, St. Clair Shores and Detroit. . "Transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) are also active along the border and they continually adapt their drug production, smuggling methods, and routes to avoid detection by U.S. and Canadian law enforcement. Potential terror threats are primarily from homegrown violent extremists in Canada who are not included in the U.S. Government's consolidated terrorist watch list and could therefore enter the United States legally at Northern Border ports of entry (POEs) without suspicion," said the DHS report. Once the center is established by the Northern Border Coordination Act, the DHS will be able to not only coordinate with the U.S. Coast Guard but more than 40 other tenants, including components of the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Customs and Border protection operating out of SANG. The base is also home to nearly 5,000 full-time civilian and military personnel along with primary aircraft such as the A-10 Thunderbolt II and KC-135 Stratotanker (Michigan Air National Guard); CH-47 Chinook helicopter (Michigan Army National Guard); HH-65 Dolphin helicopter (U.S. Coast Guard); and a variety of light helicopters and fixed wing aircraft used by customs and border protection. All of these resources, combined with additional personnel being added, would enable the center to support the implementation of a unique Northern Border security strategy that would include tracking security metrics, serving as a training location for DHS personnel and as a testing grounds for new border security technologies. The legislation also requires air and marine operations to maintain quick reaction capabilities at the center to support the border security mission along the northern border, including against the rising threat of illegal cross-border drone activity. Criminals using drones to penetrate border security is one example of the threat posed. "But the drones can also be very effective in patrolling the northern borders," said Peters, who was stationed at Selfridge while serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He has a history of prioritizing the needs of the northern border and its ports of entry including legislation to address personnel shortages and funding for non-intrusive inspection systems designed to prevent illegal activities such as drug trafficking. "Selfridge is really very special in terms of homeland security," said Peters, who was among the officials who recently attended the groundbreaking for SANG's new $28 million aircraft hangar that will not only enable SANG to support a new fighter jet mission but house maintenance and leadership/staff offices and classrooms. "This center will be of national importance to ensure that our northern border is secure." Longtime former congressional member and current county Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller concurred. "I applaud Senator Peters' efforts to make Selfridge a hub for Northern Border Security and coordination. With the Border Patrol, CBP Air and Marine Wing and the Coast Guard there, and the partnership with the Air National Guard, this is truly a total force concept," said Miller of the Air and Space Forces Civic Leaders Program. "Selfridge is perfectly positioned to carry out this mission. Securing our northern border is a critical element of our national defense and Senator Peters' advocacy is spot on." (c)2023 The Macomb Daily, Mount Clemens, Mich. Visit The Macomb Daily Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The government wants to trim down the bloated Unification Ministry, which has had no interaction with North Korea for years, by at least 100 staff. The move comes after President Yoon Suk-yeol said the ministry operated "like a support agency for North Korea." A senior government official said the Ministry of Public Administration and Safety recently came up with a plan to overhaul the Unification Ministry and bring it in line with the current state of inter-Korean relations and global diplomacy. At the moment the ministry has 616 staff including those working in agencies it oversees, and most have nothing to do. At least 200 work in departments that used to handle cross-border meetings and exchanges and support for the inter-Korean Kaesong Industrial Complex, which shut down in 2016. Most of the staff will be moved to other government agencies, but the departments handling North Korean human rights and denuclearization efforts will apparently be bolstered. (Tribune News Service) Four children from the Holy Family Home orphanage in Osaka, Japan, were welcomed to Honolulu on Thursday with dozens of lei placed on their shoulders by soldiers of the 27th Infantry Regiment Wolfhounds. Their arrival marked the 74th year of an annual tradition in which four children from the orphanage spend two weeks living with military host families on Oahu. Organizers said the experience allows disadvantaged children the opportunity to experience island life while promoting international peace and strengthening the bond between Hawaii and Japan. "It's often described in their words as the trip of a lifetime, " said Alan Okami, president of the nonprofit Peace Bridge, which facilitates the annual home-stays. "Some children who are now adults refer to this trip as something they've never had anything like in their life." The volunteer-based nonprofit Peace Bridge is dedicated to perpetuating the partnership between the Wolfhounds and the Holy Family Home orphanage. It was founded by the late Sgt. Maj. Hugh O'Reilly, a member of the Wolfhound regiment. On Christmas Day 1949, O'Reilly donated gifts and supplies to the orphans at Holy Family Home. The donations became an annual tradition, and in 1957 O'Reilly arranged the first home-stay experience, which has continued ever since. When he died in 2007, Peace Bridge was formed to carry on his legacy. Peace Bridge says it is the U.S. Army's longest-running military-civilian partnership of its kind. The four children participating in this year's home-stay are 12-year-olds Riona Matano and Himeno Eirai, and 13-year-olds Motohisa Takagi and Riku Nagamune. This year's home-stay is the first since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. "It's something that defines us as Wolfhounds, so it's just great that we can return to that and continue this tradition and make sure that we don't lose that connection between the Holy Family Home and the Wolfhounds, " said First Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Ryan Case. During the three-year hiatus, the Wolfhounds continued to send letters and holiday gifts to the orphans. Last fall, six Wolfhounds traveled to Osaka to spend the day with the children there, Case said. "I just hope that they see that we still remember them, we still remember what this means to them and that we are their gentle Wolfhounds, " he said. Some of the activities planned during the home-stay include touring military bases, taking on a military obstacle course and visiting Bishop Museum and Waikiki. Evan Weeks and Jennifer Stager, who are hosting Ma tano and Eirai during their first week here, said they were looking forward to showing the girls around the island and sharing each other's culture. They are thinking of taking them to Dole Plantation, the beach and horseback riding along with their 16-year-old daughter, Jacinda, and 9-year-old son, Jameson. Jacinda has been studying Japanese in school for the last two years and said she plans to practice her Japanese skills with the girls and maybe teach them some English words as well. Meanwhile, Jameson wants to go boogie-boarding at the beach. "We just hope that they feel blessed with the opportunity to come here and just enjoy it and have fun, " Jennifer Stager said. (c)2023 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. STUTTGART, Germany A Navy SEAL took command Friday of special operations missions in Africa, where countering terrorists in Somalia will be a major task for U.S. commandos involved in a yearslong effort to build up local forces. Navy Rear Adm. Ronald Foy replaced Rear Adm. Milton Sands, who served as head of Special Operations Command Africa for the past two years. U.S. Africa Commands Gen. Michael Langley, speaking during a change of command ceremony at his Kelley Barracks headquarters in Stuttgart, said SOCAF serves as a first responder in defending U.S. interests on the continent. Foy arrives after a stint as deputy director for global operations at the Joint Staff. He enlisted in the Navy in 1985 and received his commission in 1992. His career has revolved around SEAL missions, with commands at various levels. Foys top priority will be to give African partners the tools to rid themselves of terrorism, and the command also needs to focus on ensuring the U.S. maintains access on the continent to carry out crisis response missions, Langley said. During Sands tenure at SOCAF, he spoke truth to power and often played devils advocate when AFRICOM was dealing with tough decisions, Langley said. I want to thank you for that. It made us a better organization, he told Sands. In Africa, counterterrorism has been a primary focus, particularly in Somalia, where several hundred U.S. special operations troops are training and advising local forces in their battle against the al-Shabab militant group. However, Chinas growing military presence and Russian efforts to gain influence in Africa are other factors. In particular, the Russian private military contractor Wagner, which had been fighting in Ukraine but recently relocated to Belarus after a failed mutiny in June, is a concern for Washington. The groups footprint has expanded in trouble spots such as Mali and Libya. Earlier this week, Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a speech his groups fighters are done with the war in Ukraine and are shifting attention to Africa. Langley said the U.S. can serve as a partner of choice in Africa by distinguishing itself from how the Kremlin and entities like Wagner do business. Our people and allies and actors competitive advantage is a result of the trust we engender, he said. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden on Friday nominated Adm. Lisa Franchetti to be the Navys next top officer, which would make her the first woman to be a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff if she is confirmed by the Senate. Franchetti will bring 38 years of dedicated service to our nation as a commissioned officer, including in her current role of vice chief of naval operations, Biden said. She is the second woman ever to achieve the rank of four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and when confirmed, she will again make history as the first woman to serve as the chief of naval operations and on the Joint Chiefs. Adm. Linda Fagan became commandant of the Coast Guard in June but the service is not part of the Joint Chiefs. The Coast Guard is operated by the Department of Homeland Security, not the Defense Department. Franchetti, 59, joined the Navy in the mid-1980s and has held several commands, including the Sixth Fleet, Naval Forces Korea, the USS Ross and multiple carrier strike groups. She will succeed Adm. Michael Gilday as chief of naval operations the highest-ranking officer in the Navy and key adviser to the Navy secretary. Gilday retires Aug. 21. A graduate of Northwestern University, Franchetti grew up in New York and was commissioned in the Navy in 1985. Shes served on several ships and was once assistant to the Navy secretary. Franchetti has also attended the Naval War College in Rhode Island and earned a masters degree in organizational management. Biden on Friday also nominated three other Navy leaders. He nominated Vice Adm. James Kilby to be vice chief of naval operations, Adm. Samuel Paparo as commander of Indo-Pacific Command, and Vice Adm. Stephen Koehler as commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. [They] represent the best of the United States Navy. Together, these four highly decorated naval officers have extensive operational and command experience, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said. Im very proud that Adm. Franchetti has been nominated to be the first woman chief of naval operations and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, where she will continue to inspire all of us. However, when the Pentagon sent its official recommendation to the White House in June, Austins top choice for the post was Paparo, according to several news reports at the time. Paparo, 58, has served in the Navy for close to 40 years and commanded Naval Forces Central, the Fifth Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces in the past. He also holds numerous decorations, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Superior Service Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. If confirmed, he would succeed Adm. John Aquilino as leader of Indo-Pacific Command. Its not yet known, however, when Franchetti might formally ascend to the top Navy job. She joins a long list of military officers who have been promoted, but are unable to receive swift Senate confirmation due a block of the votes by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. Tuberville has been singlehandedly blocking more than 200 military promotions over his opposition to a Pentagon policy that reimburses travel expenses for service members who must travel to another state for reproductive health care. The policy is the result of several states severely restricting or banning abortions in the past year. Senate rules allow one senator to hold up what is usually an expedited confirmation process on the floor of the upper chamber. Tuberville has repeatedly defended his action, which holds the Senate from simultaneously confirming large numbers of military promotions in a single voice vote. He has maintained the Senate can still confirm military leaders nominated for promotion one at a time. Democrats, however, have rejected that idea, saying it would eat up months of Senate floor time. What Sen. Tuberville is doing is not only wrong -- it is dangerous, Biden said Friday. He is risking our ability to ensure that the United States armed forces remain the greatest fighting force in the history of the world. I urge the Senate to approve all the outstanding military nominees as quickly as possible. Kilby, the 60-year-old deputy commander U.S. Fleet Forces Command, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1986 and later commanded the USS Monterey and USS Russell. He was also commander of the Carl Vinson Strike Group and later became deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting requirements and capabilities. If confirmed, he would take the job vacated by Franchetti. Koehler, 59, has been in the Navy since 1986 and has commanded the Third Fleet, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and Carrier Strike Group 9. Hes also a decorated pilot who participated in the first Gulf War in 1990 and the Iraq War in the 2000s. Hes now director for strategy, plans and policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and, if confirmed, would succeed Paparo as commander of the Pacific Fleet. NAPLES, Italy Italian officials are considering using a military base in Sicily for commercial air flights, but its unclear whether the plan would impact U.S. Navy operations on the shared installation. Renato Schifani, the governor of Sicily, announced that the Italian Defense Ministry said it would be possible to use the base at Sigonella as an emergency alternative to a nearby international airport damaged in a recent fire, the Italian news agency Ansa reported Thursday. The report did not say when commercial flights at the Italian base could begin, nor did it offer details such as how passengers would be transported to and from the area. The base, about 12 miles from Catania Airport, is shared with U.S. Naval Air Station Sigonella, which operates independently as a tenant of the Italian base. Navy officials did not respond Friday to questions about potential effects to flight operations if commercial airline traffic uses the Italian side of the base. Sicilian officials have been grappling with dozens of flight cancellations and delays during the summer tourist season since a fire damaged the main terminal at the airport Sunday. In May, more than 1 million passengers traveled through the airport, according to assaeroporti.com. The terminal was expected to reopen midweek, but officials announced it will remain closed until at least Monday, Ansa reported. The Italian Civil Aviation Authority and the airport manager said Wednesday they were working to expand another terminal to allow a gradual increase in flights. NAS Sigonella is home to more than 34 commands, among them Commander Task Force 67, which operates maritime patrol, rotary wing and electronic attack aircraft. Those operations include flights over the Mediterranean, North, Baltic and Black seas in anti-submarine, anti-surface, and surveillance roles, according to Navy.mil. Earlier in the week, NAS Sigonella officials said they expect minimal travel disruptions for service members and their families during the busy change-of-station season. Many personnel travel to and from the base on Defense Department-chartered commercial flights. CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea The presence of a nuclear-capable U.S. ballistic missile submarine in South Korea could meet the conditions set by North Korea for a preemptive nuclear strike, according to the regimes defense minister. The USS Kentuckys arrival Tuesday in Busan could trigger Pyongyangs preemptive nuclear strike policy, Defense Minister Kang Sun-nam said in the state-run Korean Central News Agency on Thursday. I remind the U.S. military of the fact that the ever-increasing visibility of the deployment of the strategic nuclear submarine and other strategic assets may fall under the conditions of the use of nuclear weapons specified in [North Koreas] law , Kang said in an article posted online by KCNA. [North Koreas] doctrine on the use of nuclear weapons allows the execution of necessary action procedures in case a nuclear attack is launched against it, or it is judged that the use of nuclear weapons against it is imminent. The Kentuckys port call is part of an agreement between President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to increase the visibility of strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula in light of North Korean threats, according to a statement from the two leaders in April. North Korea has misrepresented the purpose of the Kentuckys visit, the Souths Ministry of National Defense in a news release Friday. Seoul and Washingtons decision to deploy the submarine is a legitimate defensive response and is not a plot to use nuclear weapons or a nuclear threat against North Korea, according to the ministry. Yoon went aboard the Kentucky on Wednesday and in a speech said a nuclear attack by North Korea would lead to the end of the regime. The submarine is one of 14 Ohio-class submarines in the Navys fleet and can carry 20 nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles that have a range of 4,000 miles. North Korea has fired 17 ballistic missiles in 12 separate days of testing so far this year. The communist regime last fired a Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile on Wednesday. North Koreas Supreme Peoples Assembly codified an irreversible nuclear weapons program and a preemptive-use policy in September. The law broadly states that the regime may conduct a preemptive nuclear strike if its leaders or nuclear operations were threatened by hostile forces. U.S. and South Korean intelligence agencies have said over the past year that Pyongyang is prepared to carry out its seventh nuclear test. The explosion from North Koreas last nuclear device in 2017 was estimated to be equivalent to 250 kilotons of TNT, or roughly 16 times that of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, according to a study published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth. In addition to the nuclear tests, North Korea is believed to have reached a significant level in the miniaturization of nuclear weapons and have a stockpile of around 150 pounds of plutonium, South Korea said in its annual military report in February. Big businesses are making donations to help people who were driven out of their homes by recent heavy flooding and landslides. Korea's four top comglomerates -- Samsung, SK, Hyundai and LG -- contributed a total of W10 billion in relief funds on Thursday (US$1=W1,271). Samsung donated W3 billion to the Hope Bridge Association of National Disaster Relief, joined by eight affiliates including Samsung Electronics, Samsung Display and Samsung SDI. The electronics giant sent around 1,000 relief kits and 270 tents for flood victims. It will also offer special checkups for damaged home appliances and financial support such as a grace period for card payments. James Reston Jr., who brought a novelists sensibility to prodigiously researched and well-received books that covered a vast range of current events and history the Vietnam War, Martin Luther, Richard M. Nixon, Galileo, Jim Jones died July 19 at his home in Chevy Chase, Md. He was 82. His daughter, Maeve Reston, a Washington Post political reporter, said the cause was pancreatic cancer. The son of James B. Scotty Reston, a New York Times columnist considered one of the most influential journalists of his generation, Reston chose a path through life that eschewed his fathers elite circles. He attended a state school over an Ivy, taught creative writing rather than prowl the halls of Congress, and largely avoided daily journalism to pursue literary works, including novels and plays. People, when you have a reasonably well-known father, tend to view you as a clone and that is a real mistake on their part because it is very rarely that sons are clones of their father, Reston said in a 1989 C-SPAN interview. They assume that I know everything about politics, when, in fact, affairs of the heart have been much more of interest to me throughout my whole career. Reston referred to his subjects as obsessions and, at their root, were titanic conflicts between people, ideas and ideals. In Defenders of the Faith: Charles V, Suleyman the Magnificent, and the Battle for Europe, 1520-1536 (2009), he wrote about the historical struggle between Islam and Christendom. His 1994 biography of Galileo centers on the astronomers collision with the Roman Catholic Church. A Rift in the Earth: Art, Memory, and the Fight for a Vietnam War Memorial (2017) chronicles the epic struggle over the design of one of Washingtons most famous memorials. Reston retells the story dramatically, Washington Post art and architecture critic Philip Kennicott said in his review of the war memorial book, dredging up material that many of the players in this drama might wish to remain forgotten. One of his obsessions was more personal. In Fragile Innocence (2006), Reston details his daughter Hillarys profound struggle with a mysterious neurological disorder. It tells of her battle to live and our familys struggle to help her survive as best we could, Reston wrote in the preface, after an evil and still unidentified force robbed her of her language at age two, hurtled her into a seemingly endless cycle of brain storms, destroyed her kidneys, and took her to the very brink of death. That was only half the story. The second half is different, Reston wrote. While the threats to her life never completely vanished, the latter half is about the process of coming to grips with the damage that had been wreaked and the quest to solve the mystery of what had happened. And it is about the heroic efforts of many people, professionals and friends and a few strangers, to help her reach her potential. Ultimately, it is the story of her deliverance and redemption. Restons best-remembered work is the one that led to him being played on-screen by Sam Rockwell. In 1976, British TV newsman David Frost approached Reston about serving as a researcher to prepare him for a series of interviews with disgraced ex-president Richard M. Nixon. Mr. Reston had written a book about Watergate. They met at Frosts office at the Plaza Hotel in New York. I had to wait for a time to see him, Reston later wrote in his book about the experience. When I was ushered in, Frost apologized profusely for the delay; he had finally gotten through to the South of France after trying for four hours. I nodded as if I understood his frustration. They drank warm champagne. Frost offered him a cigar. Playing to my novelists sensibility, Reston wrote, he said he had never written a novel, but he was interested in what made Richard Nixon tick. Nixon was the most interesting man in the world to interview. And Frost did indeed share my sense of historical responsibility: to be the only man who would ever question Nixon at length about his Watergate involvement was a daunting challenge. Reston spent months reading transcripts from proceedings into the Watergate break-in and coverup. He turned up new evidence, including that Nixon was part of the conspiracy earlier than previously known. Reston wrote what he called an interrogation strategy memo to help Frost paint Nixon into a corner. The result was riveting television. I let down my friends, Nixon said. I let down the country, I let down our system of government, and the dreams of all those young people that ought to get into government but now think it too corrupt. . . . I let the American people down, and I have to carry that burden with me the rest of my life. The interviews and the drama around them were transformed into a play, Frost/Nixon, written by Peter Morgan, and later a movie of the same name, in which Rockwell plays Reston. Frost/Nixon both the play and the movie transcends history, Frost wrote in Smithsonian magazine. In the end it is not about Nixon or Watergate at all. Its about human behavior, and it rises upon such transcendent themes as guilt and innocence, resistance and enlightenment, confession and redemption. James Barrett Reston Jr. was born in Manhattan on March 8, 1941, and grew up in Washington. His mother was a writer and photographer. He attended the private St. Albans School. He was acutely aware of his place in the world. I was the child of privilege, growing up comfortably in Washington as the son of a prominent journalist, he once wrote. But there must have been something deep within me that led me to reject the easy path that was laid out before me. Instead of Yale or Harvard, which had courted him, he chose the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, majoring in philosophy and graduating in 1963. His time there coincided with desegregation in the town. I became deeply involved in that struggle, he wrote. It was my first, and perhaps most important experience of engagement. After graduation, Reston worked as a speechwriter for Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall and briefly as a reporter at the Chicago Daily News. During the Vietnam War, he served in an Army intelligence unit. He was stationed in Hawaii and on weekends flew to outer islands, hunkering down in hotel rooms working on a novel. Thats how I got into the writing business, he later said. He taught creative writing at his college alma mater for a decade. Reston also wrote for the New Yorker, Vanity Fair, the New York Times Magazine, Esquire and Rolling Stone. In addition to his daughter Maeve, of Los Angeles, survivors include his wife of 52 years, Denise Leary; two other children, Devin Reston of Park City, Utah, and Hillary Reston of Chevy Chase, Md.; two brothers; and two grandchildren. Reston was once asked, given the eclectic nature of his work, whether he considered himself a journalist or a historian. Neither, in a way, he told the Georgia Review. That may speak to a mind that is pretty scattered, because as you say there is a broad range of subject matter there. But I think this is the life of a writer - to go to those subjects that really fascinate you and do the best that you can with them. The Pentagon is asking for proposals that would improve a chronically slow visa process for Afghan interpreters and others who worked alongside American forces during the 20-year war in Afghanistan. A Defense Department notice last week asked companies for ideas on how they could help verify past employment for Afghans seeking Special Immigrant Visas, many of whom worked for contractors that no longer exist or didnt maintain adequate employment documentation. The process has left applicants who face threats from the Taliban in limbo, say military veterans and legal advocates. The recent notice solicits companies willing to serve as contractors or subcontractors for the DOD Afghan Special Immigrant Visa support team, or DAS-T. The contract responsibilities would include operating a web portal where former employers can input applicants work histories, verifying information, identifying people with problematic records and researching difficult-to-verify cases. While some veterans and advocates cautiously welcome the Pentagon notice, they point out that the program has grappled with problems since its inception in 2021. Challenges have included understaffing, delays and what they say is a disconnect between the U.S. military and the State Department. I myself am a little bit skeptical but hopeful that (the DOD notice) was made to specifically address some of the shortcomings of the program, said Kim Staffieri, co-founder of the Association of Wartime Allies, which assists Afghan SIV applicants. The DAS-T program so far has processed 8,890 applicants, DOD spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Tim Gorman said Friday. It was founded originally under the name Project Rabbit, after the State Department asked the military in July of 2021 to help verify that SIV applicants worked for DOD contractors. Lack of documentation became a problem early on, as did cultural differences and details like spelling discrepancies in names, resulting in numerous rejections. The system required a specific kind of cleanness that just wasnt present in so many of the cases that SIV would be really needed for, said Rob Hargis, former chief operating officer of the contracting company IAP. Hargis said he saw dozens of applications get rejected because of differences in how Afghans and Americans write dates. When the U.S.-backed government in Kabul fell in the summer of 2021, Project Rabbit was an ad hoc effort without dedicated funding. It was staffed by two DOD personnel who also had other duties, said a statement in June by Lt. Col. Rob Lodewick, Afghanistan spokesman for the Pentagon at the time. The program was initially successful in matching thousands of applicants, internal documents from the time said. But Project Rabbits limitations soon became evident. A program document obtained by the New York-based International Refugee Assistance Project in February 2022 noted that Project Rabbit could process only 100 cases per week, compared to a backlog of 30,000. The DOD told Stars and Stripes that by February 2022, the easy verifications from large employers had been completed and more challenging cases with smaller employers remained. About 160,000 applicants now are within the 13-step approval pipeline, the DOD said Friday. The militarys notice envisions contractors handling about 400 to 500 SIV cases monthly, as well as 100 cases for Afghans applying through a different program. This number may increase if more contractors that employed Afghans during the war support the militarys effort, said Gorman, adding their participation is voluntary. Stephen Poellot, a founding member of IRAP, said the DOD goal is insufficient and the government should incentivize contractor participation. The big picture is that it looks like the need is exponentially larger than even this improved target that the DOD is setting in this anticipated workload, Poellot said. Every day, people are at risk. The military says that advocates overstate its role in the SIV process, which ultimately is the State Departments responsibility. DODs role is limited to working with industry to verify, if possible, the employment of applicants who have not already provided employment letters to State, Gorman said in an email. Between 20,000 and 30,000 people are among the 160,000 visa applicants who fall into the category, Gorman said. The State Department declined to speak on the record in response to questions about the SIV process, but in an emailed statement Thursday said it collaborates closely with the military on employment verification and that it has improved the SIV process over time. But Navy veteran Catalina Gasper, like other advocates, veterans and contractors who spoke with Stars and Stripes, expressed frustration with State Department denials despite her efforts to verify employment through the military. Gasper said she worked with the military to verify employment for 65 people she worked with while deployed to Afghanistan in 2018 and 2019. Half of them were denied by the State Department because of lack of qualifying employment, as if they were unaware of all the casework she had submitted through the military, Gasper said. More than just adding people to the task, they need to fix the broken processes that are inhibiting valid cases from getting approved, said Gasper, who suffered a traumatic brain injury after a Taliban attack while deployed to Afghanistan in 2019. Otherwise, she said, some of these Afghan allies will be lost to the United States forever. If not taken by Taliban brutality or starvation, then they will lose all faith in the United States. (Tribune News Service) A Collin County, Texas, man was found guilty Wednesday of assaulting a police officer during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach in Washington, D.C. Matthew DaSilva, a 51-year-old Navy veteran from Lavon, was convicted of two felonies and four misdemeanors. He was found guilty of civil disorder; assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers; entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds; and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings, according to the U.S. attorneys office in D.C. DaSilva was found not guilty of disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election, the U.S. attorneys office said in a written statement. Prosecutors said DaSilva made his way to the Capitols west plaza about 2:30 p.m. that day while holding a flagpole and waving a large blue flag. Less than two hours later, security footage showed him at the back of a crowd of rioters engaging in a group heave-ho maneuver in an attempt to dislodge law enforcement from their position defending an entrance to the building, the U.S. attorneys office said. The video shows DaSilva approached a group of officers in the tunnel minutes later and push against an officers outstretched riot shield before grabbing it and pulling it away. Court documents say DaSilva also swatted the officers arm away as the officer try to deploy pepper spray. DaSilva is scheduled to be sentenced in October. It was not immediately clear how much time in prison he faces. In the 30 months since the riot, more than 1,000 people have been arrested in almost every state in relation to crimes committed during the breach of the Capitol, including more than 350 who have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing. About two dozen North Texans were among those charged. 2023 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. In April 2023, Mattel released a Barbie doll with Down syndrome, the first of its line to depict the genetic disorder that affects 0.1 percent of the population. During the last few years, the toy-maker has focused on creating a wide and diverse line of dolls with different types of physical traits. Recently, it has introduced dolls with a hearing aid, a prosthetic limb, and a wheelchair. Last year, it released a doll with vitiligo. Today, their line includes 35 different skin tones, 97 hairstyles, and 9 body types. Mattels goal is for all children to see themselves in Barbie and to play with dolls who do not look like themselves. Mattel seems committed to diversity. However, Barbies vision of diversity has changed over the years. The first Barbie doll, a long-legged, thin-waisted, blonde, white woman doll, made its debut on March 9, 1959. In 1967, Mattel launched the first African American Barbie Doll, named Colored Francie, based on a white doll called Francie. However, this doll lacked distinct African characteristics other than dark skin and had the same body as Barbie. In 1968, Mattel released Christie, considered the first African American doll in the Barbie range. In 1969, it launched a Barbie doll based on Nurse Julia, a Black character from the show Julia. During the 1960s and early 1970s, there was a shift in societal awareness regarding racial diversity and representation. Critics started advocating for more authentic and inclusive representation of different races and ethnicities in toys and media. Christie was criticized for not representing African cultural body image, showcasing only one skin color tone, and her features were seen to characterize white standards of beauty. Later, Mattel released Black Barbie, but it still had Caucasian features. Starting in 1980, Mattel focused more on diversity in the Barbie line and introduced the Dolls of the World Barbie collection, a series of dolls that showcased different cultures and countries from around the world. Each doll represents a specific country or region and is dressed in traditional attire that reflects the cultural heritage of that place. Dolls representing countries like Mexico and Japan were created. Over the years, the collection expanded to include India, Kenya, and others. A display presenting the diversity in the Barbie doll line, at an exhibition in Las Vegas in 2021. Gabe Ginsberg (Getty Images) In 1988, the first Latina Barbie doll was released. Named Teresa, she wasnt explicitly Latina, and her features were supposed to be ambiguous, so she could look Italian or Latina. Originally, it used the 1983 Spanish Barbie face sculpt, but later implemented a unique face sculpt. In 1999, it was established that her last name was Rivera, confirming her Latina identity. During the 1990s, after criticism of its African American dolls, Mattel created new molds with different facial features, skin tones, hair textures, and names. Body shapes were altered, but the proportions remained the same to ensure clothing and accessories were interchangeable. In 1996, Mattel introduced a new African American doll named Nikki as part of the Teen Skipper line, as the younger sister of Christie. In 2005, she replaced Christie as one of Barbies friends. In the next decade, Mattel continued working on diversity. Several other dolls were released, including the Cinco de Mayo Barbie, which included nods to Mexican culture. In September 2009, Mattel introduced the So In Style range, intending to have a more realistic depiction of African American people than previous dolls. The release was met with mixed reactions. Although some praised a more diverse line, others said that the doll still had a thin body, promoting an unrealistic body image with long legs, a small waist, and large breasts. Others also commented that the dolls with long straight hair could have a bad influence because of how that type of hair is often considered more beautiful than short curly hair. In 2015, Barbie introduced new body types: curvy, tall, and petite. A BBC analysis found that the dolls didnt fully compare with an average woman. In 2016, Mattel expanded the So in Style line to include more skin tones, eye colors, and hairstyles. An analysis published in 2021 found that since 2014, Mattel has focused more on the development of toys with Latin features. The study highlights how the companys early efforts in marketing Latino culture relied on strategic ambiguity but eventually engaged in assertive Latinx product labeling. Not every attempt at diversity worked for Mattel. For example, the company teamed up with Nabisco to launch a cross-promotion Barbie doll with Oreo cookies in 1997 and 2001. The 1997 version was released in a white version, but for the 2001 release, Mattel manufactured both a white and Black version. Critics argued that in the African American community, Oreo is a derogatory term used to describe a Black person who is perceived as acting too white. That was one of the factors why the doll was unsuccessful, and Mattel recalled the unsold stock, making it a holy grail for collectors, like other discontinued diverse dolls. In 1997, Mattel introduced a doll in a wheelchair. However, a high-school student with cerebral palsy pointed out that the doll would not fit into the elevator of a Barbie dollhouse. The company announced that it would redesign the house to accommodate the doll. In 2019, Barbie introduced dolls that reflect permanent physical disabilities, including a doll with a wheelchair and a prosthetic leg. Barbie is not the only doll that has been redesigned. In 2017, the company introduced new Ken body types and a range of diverse features. Sofia Sanchez, a 14-year-old actress and activist with Down Syndrome, attended the Barbie premiere in the exact outfit worn by the Barbie doll with Down Syndrome, highlighting the importance of diversity and representation. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The State Department maintained that the US supports the peaceful upholding of fundamental democratic principles such as free media, free speech, freedom assembly in Pakistan and around the world. The comment from Matthew Miller, State Departments spokesperson, came during a regular briefing when his attention was drawn towards elections expected later this year. The stakes are very high for the coming election, and experts believe that the elections in Pakistan unlikely to be free and fair. How does the United States promote and support the principles of free and fair elections in Pakistan? he was asked. In response, Miller said: I will make clear that we support the peaceful upholding of fundamental democratic principles such as free media, free speech, freedom assembly. We champion the rule of law, not just in Pakistan but around the world. These principles are the foundations for democratic elections. The government has hinted at dissolving the assemblies before the end of the constitutional term, August 12, with consultations of coalition partners underway on the caretaker government. Election Commission of Pakistans Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal has said that if the National Assembly is dissolved as per the competition of its tenure, then the ECP will hold the polls before October 11. Terrorism About terrorist incidents in Pakistan and the role of the Taliban government in stopping Afghan soil from being used by the militants, Miller said the Kabul rulers would be held accountable for their commitments made to the international community. But as we have said before, we remain we retain the ability to conduct our own operations in the region to ensure that, regardless of any promises that the Taliban makes and regardless of their relative ability or willingness to uphold them, that we retain the right to protect American interests, he added. Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks following Afghan Taliban's return to power in August 2021 and called upon the interim rulers to take decisive actions against terrorists, including the TTP, responsible for cross-border attacks. Terror activities in the country have soared by 79% during the first half of 2023, a statistical report released by the independent think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) showed. In two days from July 18 to 20 four terrorist attacks rocked the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, with six law enforcers embracing martyrdom and several others sustaining injuries. In light of the rising militancy, Pakistan's government has warned Afghanistan against providing safe havens to the banned TTP a terrorist organisation targeting security forces. The top brass of the Pakistan Army has recently said that sanctuaries and liberty of action available to terrorists of proscribed TTP and other groups of that ilk in Afghanistan is one of the major reasons impacting the security of Pakistan. Minorities rights To a question about minorities rights in Pakistan, the US official stated that they support the free exercise of religion anywhere in the world and oppose any attempts or uses of violence to suppress that right of people to exercise their freedom of religion. The journalist asking the question referred to reports that a 150-year-old Hindu temple had been demolished in the city of lights, Karachi. Local authorities have denied the reports, with Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab saying that "no such demolition of the mandir has taken place & mandir is still intact". However, attacks on Hindu temples are a very grim reality in Pakistan. A gang of robbers fired mortar shells recently at Gulshan Dera Baba Sanwal Shah, the temple of Baghariji minority community, near Ghouspur in district Kashmore. Giyanchand Essrani, Sindh minister for minorities affairs, then urged dacoits in the province's riverine belt not to harm its Hindu community that has been peacefully residing in the region for the past several centuries. A witness described seeing two men dragging Mr Doyles body towards Hoseys post office and stopped her car to ask if they wanted assistance Gardai remove the body of a man left at a post office on Staplestown Rd, Carlow Photo: Dylan Vaughan Declan Haughney (top) and Gareth Coakley (bottom). Gardai removing the body left at the post office on Staplestown Road in Carlow in January 2022. Photos: Dylan Vaughan/Colin Keegan/Collins A man who dragged his uncles lifeless body to a post office in an attempt to collect his 246 pension has been jailed for two years. Declan Haughney was handed down a two-and-a-half year sentence with the final six months suspended. His co-accused Gareth Coakley, who was also involved in the incident, was given two years with the final six months suspended. A witness described seeing two men dragging Mr Doyles body towards Hoseys post office on the Staplestown Road in Co Carlow and stopped her car to ask if they wanted assistance. She said he was lifeless, his eyes were fixed and his face was grey. Declan Haughney and Gareth Coakley Judge Eugene OKelly said: There was a callous disregard for the welfare of a dying man. Haughney (41), of Pollerton Road, Carlow and his co-accused Coakley (37), of John Sweeney Park, pleaded guilty to attempted deception at Hoseys Post Office, Staplestown Road, Carlow, on January 21, 2022. Haughney was alleged to have brought the body of his late uncle Peadar Doyle inside the post office in a bid to collect his 246 pension. Coakley was also present during the incident. The pair were charged with attempting to steal Mr Doyles 246 pension. They also faced a charge of attempting to deceive a staff member at the post office during the incident. They were due to stand trial at Carlow Circuit Court this week after initially denying the charges, but they changed their plea on the deception charge to not guilty before it got underway, resulting in the jury being dismissed. Gardai remove the body of a man left at a post office on Staplestown Rd, Carlow Photo: Dylan Vaughan Judge Eugene OKelly noted that the crime had occurred in somewhat bizarre circumstances when a deceased gentleman was taken out from the post office. A victim impact statement was read on behalf of Mr Doyles family at the sentencing hearing. After initially pleading not guilty to all charges, they were rearraigned on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to the deception charge. Judge OKelly said the case attracted a lot of public interest after a deceased gentleman was taken out from the post office. Mr Doyle was discovered dead inside Hosey's post office on January 21 last year. A post mortem showed he had died suddenly of natural causes. Counsel for Coakley said his client was unhappy with the level of publicity the case had generated. Judge OKelly said the defendants couldnt complain too much about the publicity after interviews had been given by both to the media. On the face of it, he said it appears as a simple deception charge in relation to one weeks pension. However, he said the matter was very much an indictable offence. Roseanne Hand (32) had approached a group of women to ask for a cigarette, but they said they did not have one, and continued laughing and talking among themselves. A mum assaulted another woman by slapping her in the face after wrongly thinking the victim was laughing at her children, a court heard. Roseanne Hand (32) had approached a group of women to ask for a cigarette, but they said they did not have one, and continued laughing and talking among themselves. Hand became annoyed at this, and thought they were laughing at her children, two of whom have serious medical conditions. Judge Gerard Jones ordered her to enter into a peace bond for a year. Hand, of St Philomenas Court, Ballycoolin Road, Dublin 15, admitted assaulting another woman at Millennium Park in Blanchardstown on May 29, 2021. Garda Ciaran Brennan told Blanchardstown District Court how Hand had asked a group of women, who were sitting on a green area, if any of them had a cigarette. Gda Brennan said the women told her they did not and then they continued talking and laughing among themselves. He said Hand wrongly thought the women were laughing at her children. She turned back and approached one of the women, who had her arm in a cast. Gda Brennan said Hand cupped the woman on the face and slapped her once. He said the victim suffered minor scrapes in the assault. Simon Fleming, defending, said Hand had four children, with the youngest two having serious medical conditions. Mr Fleming said Hands father was shot in front of her when she was nine years old. No one was ever prosecuted for this, and this incident had a traumatic effect on her. The solicitor said Hand was a member of the Travelling community and came from an area of social deprivation. She left the area two years ago, and now lived in homelessness accommodation. Mr Fleming asked the judge to be lenient, saying Hand wished to apologise for her over-reaction. When the police patrol arrived, the woman stated that two men had sexually abused her Two Irish tourists have been arrested in Spain as they prepared to board a flight to Dublin following reports of a sexual assault on a young English woman at a hotel in Magaluf. Officers of the Civil Guard who specialise in sex crimes managed to stop the men before they got on the plane to return to Ireland. Local media has reported how both men of Irish nationality are the alleged perpetrators of a crime of sexual assault on a tourist of English nationality in a hotel in Magaluf. According to El Mundo, a communication was received from a young woman who had suffered a sexual assault by two men in a hotel room in Magaluf in Calvia in the early hours of Wednesday morning. When the police patrol arrived, the woman stated that two men had sexually abused her, the report adds. She was then taken by the patrol to the Son Espases Hospital for treatment. With the information provided by the victim, agents of the Calvia group specialising in sexual crimes began the investigation and found out that the suspects had left the hotel to return to their country, El Mundo states. The officers were able to arrest the men before they boarded a flight to Dublin. Since the victim's first contact with the Civil Guard, agents specialised in this type of crime have accompanied the woman from her stay in the hospital, the subsequent filing of a complaint and her transfer to Palma airport to return to her country of origin, the report adds. Even the cops avoid it and stay in the stations where its safe Dublins Talbot Street has been described as scary and a no-go area by people shocked by the brutal attack that left a US tourist with life-changing injuries earlier this week. There has been a massive reaction from people who have witnessed similar frightening scenes on the north city street where the tourist was punched and kicked in the head after being knocked to the ground on Wednesday night. The 57-year-old victim remains in a serious but stable condition in hospital after the extremely violent and unprovoked assault that left him with serious eye and head injuries. This latest incident on the street where previous social media footage has captured a series of violent altercations has led to an outpouring of anger from people fed up with the apparent lawlessness. One person tweeted how they were walking up Talbot Street after a show at 10pm and had never experienced such levels of open drug dealing, people high & drunk, fighting, homelessness (tents pitched on the street) it was scary. Your shameful legacy @FineGael @fiannafailparty @gardainfo. Another added: Unfortunately, I work on Talbot Street and can't wait to get out of the place in the evenings. Use to love working and socialising in the city but not anymore. Between the gangs of scumbag youths and foreign gangs hanging around it's a no go. Eoin Keegan and DCC to be blamed. The Independents Kevin Doyle tweeted that the incident involving the American tour was meters from the largest garda station in the country. But as those of us who are on Talbot Street know these thugs have no fear of being caught. Shameful. One person replied: Talbot street has been a danger zone for years a colossal incident waiting to happen. Everyone who steps off the Luas here sees the very worst of Dublin/ Ireland. The well-known artist Jim Fitzpatrick tweeted: That entire OConnell street area, + Talbot street to Henry street, is a no-go area at night, even the cops avoid it and stay in the stations where its safe. They have zero numbers anyway to take these gangs on. Don't blame them at all. Read more Gang who left US tourist with life-changing injuries are behind series of violent attacks in Dublin Another added: Having spent the last two days working in an arts venue in that area, this does not surprise me in the least. Not having spent time there for 18 months, the change is marked. What was once furtive is now the law of the land/street at that end of Talbot St. A frightening place. Meanwhile, Independent.ie has learned that a 14-year-old teenage boy has been identified as one of the chief suspects for the violent assault on the American tourist. Detectives believe three youths were centrally involved in the unprovoked attack and were part of a wider gang present. Gardai believe the teenager is part of a group involved in other attacks in the area in recent weeks and months. Efforts are ongoing to confirm the identities of the other suspects in the case and gardai are expected to make arrests soon as part of the inquiry. One source said: "This group of about 20 local youths have been going around assaulting people throughout the summer in and around the city centre. The assaults are all unprovoked and they literally roam the streets looking to start fights with innocent people. They are out of control. No arrests have yet been made in relation to Wednesday nights attack, although gardai are making good progress in identifying all of the suspects in the case and expect to make arrests. Detectives have reviewed CCTV from the area and taken witness statements as part of the inquiry. Justice Minister Helen McEntee has promised a tough and firm response to the violent attack on the tourist. A tough and firm response will send out the message that we will not tolerate this thuggery on our streets, she added. I urge any witnesses to last nights assault to contact An Garda Siochana at Store Street or on the Garda Confidential Line. Ms McEntee, who has been justice minister for three years, said people must have confidence that they can safely walk the streets of our capital. She said she is in regular contact with Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on the issue of garda visibility. Ms McEntee said the best way of making the streets safer is having more gardai on patrol. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithi de Roiste, condemned the attack, saying the thugs involved have no respect for anyone. I would call on the gardai to find out who did this and ensure they are charged and prosecuted, he said. Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said the Governments response to addressing crime in north inner city Dublin has been pathetic. It was only last Tuesday in the Dail, I asked the Justice Minister Helen McEntee what she was doing to make the city centre safer. Her response was to point to a community safety partnership plan that has been discussed for two years, and not put a single extra garda on the street, he said. Mr Gannon said there are almost weekly vicious assaults in the city and there is an increasing sense of lawlessness in the capital. Fine Gael hold the justice ministry, its a cruel joke that they refer to themselves as a party of law and order while the city is in the condition that it is, he said. Gardai are appealing to anyone with information in relation to this incident, or who may have video footage, to contact Store Street garda station on 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station. Investigations are ongoing. As I got to the shop to buy our Quick Pick ticket, the rain was pouring down so there wasnt a chance I was getting out of the car in that Staff at Tesco in the Long Walk Shopping Centre in Dundalk, Co Louth celebrating after it was announced that their store sold last Saturday's winning Lotto jackpot ticket worth 2,418,002 A member of a Louth syndicate that scoped last weekends 2.4 million Lotto jackpot has revealed how they believe the bad weather had a part to play in their good luck. The local syndicate arrived at Lotto HQ this week to claim their 2,418,002 prize after enjoying a Saturday night to remember last weekend. The Wee County winners scooped the life-changing amount after purchasing their winning ticket at Tesco in the Longwalk shopping centre in Dundalk for the July 15 Lotto draw. Irelands newest jackpot winners said they were in total shock as they saw their magic numbers appear on screen. I was watching the draw live and ticking our numbers off as they came out, one of them said. I really couldnt believe it when all of our numbers were on the screen in front of me. I was checking and double checking and checking again. I had to make sure I wasnt dreaming. They added: Its surreal to think that we were the only people in the entire country to have the winning numbers last weekend. For a few weeks, I was actually thinking of stopping the syndicate, they admitted. Theres a lot of organising that goes into it and we had never won big before so I was thinking to myself, is it really worth it? We decided to keep going with it for the time being and thank goodness we did. Imagine if we had have given up we certainly wouldnt be sitting here in the Winners Room, thats for sure, they said. They also revealed how they believe that the rain last week helped them. I feel like the awful weather last week played a big part in our win, they added. As I got to the shop to buy our Quick Pick ticket, the rain was pouring down so there wasnt a chance I was getting out of the car in that. I had to sit and wait for a while to let it ease off. To think, if it hadnt have been such a wet and dreary day, I might have ended up going into the shop even earlier which could have resulted in us not getting our particular Quick Pick ticket. It was obviously meant to be. Meanwhile, everyone has a chance to emulate their success as tonights EuroMillions jackpot is set to roll towards an estimated 40 million. Players dreaming of becoming the next big winners to visit Lotto HQ are advised that tickets can be purchased ahead of the 7.30pm cut-off time for sales in-store, at www.lottery.ie or through the National Lottery app. Just 30 per cent of defendants attended court in Dublin for the hearings yesterday Sinn Fein's Media spokesperson Imelda Munster says she's not surprised at the level of no shows of people summoned to court for TV licence prosecutions. Just 30 per cent of defendants attended court in Dublin for the hearings yesterday. The Louth and East Meath TD, who is on both the Public Accounts Committee PAC and the Oireachtas Media Committee probing the RTE payments scandal said people had lost confidence in our public broadcaster. Trust has been eroded, she said. And I think if RTE as our public broadcaster is to recover from this scandal then they need firstly to hold those responsible to account and to put rigid procedures and practices in place to ensure that something like this can never happen again. Scandal-hit RTE It has already emerged that there are early indications that people are withholding their TV licence fee as RTE grapples with a rolling scandal. Figures out earlier this month show a drop of more than 30 per cent in renewals in the first week of July when compared with the same period last year, according to independent.ie The development has so far cost RTE close to 1m. The numbers paying in June also dropped by a smaller amount, leading one member of the Oireachtas Media Committee to suggest there was a rapid fall after news about secret payments to Ryan Tubridy emerged. Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin said: Even with a rising population, the figures have clearly fallen for June and drastically for the first week of July. Figures released by the Department of Media reveal a fall of almost 6,000 in the number of people paying their 160 licence fee when compared to the same period last year. In the first week of July 2022, there were 13,504 renewals and 1,928 first-time licences bought. The vast majority of these 15,432 households would have been due to pay another 160 in the first week of this July but only 10,076 did. Mr Griffin, who obtained the figures, said the drop-off in compliance is considerable and will lead to a serious funding crisis for RTE. RTE and the minister will need to put in place a contingency plan now to mitigate against the possible effects of continued revenue loss. Its obvious that a significant proportion of the population have lost confidence in the national broadcaster due to recent scandalous revelations, he said. The TV licence evasion rate is already around 15pc and RTE estimates this costs the national broadcaster about 60m a year in lost revenue. This week, Deputy Minister demanded that Kevin Bakhurst come out and tell the Irish public that RTE orchestrated, processed and paid top-up payments to subsidise Ryan Tubridys salary. There is no doubt that they subsidised their top performers pay and financed it with public funds that they should not have done. There now have to be consequences for the executive management team involved. If they have bonuses due under their contracts they must be stopped and not be paid. If others have left, like the former DG Dee Forbes or Rory Coveney, or took early retirement such as Commercial Director Geraldine OLeary, they must not get exit payments. Munster added: There has to be accountability, especially when dealing with taxpayers money. Earlier this month Judge Anthony Halpin who presides over the capital's TV Licence prosecutions slammed RTE for what he described as elitism, "Godlike personalities", and "freeloaders" while defendants were "crippled with the cost of living". Judge Halpin who delivered a strongly-worded preamble about the ongoing controversy at the national broadcaster, said he was "disgusted and appalled" by the revelations. An opinion piece that you describe, praises or criticizes, on the whole or partly, to cultural or entertainment work. It must be written by an expert on the matter It cant be easy being a doll as famous and self-aware as Barbie. Born in 1959, three years before her good friend Ken, the star of the Mattel toy company has undergone infinite changes to adapt to social movements and criticism: from a happy and carefree housewife to a doctor, firefighter, astronaut and president. Her creator, Ruth Handler, one of the founders of a company that emerged from a furniture business on the brink of bankruptcy, came up with it when she observed how her daughter, Barbara, despised playing house with baby dolls and wanted an adult doll that reflected herself. The reflection is somewhat distorted. Created in the mold of a cold blonde mannequin narrow hips, wasp waist, pointy breasts, tiptoe feet Barbie has represented the feminine ideal of the so-called American dream like few others. She also embodies its dark side. In 1988, the cult experimental film Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story, made by Todd Haynes while he was still a student, used the perfect doll to talk about death and anorexia. As was foreseeable, the film directed by Greta Gerwig, with Margot Robbie as the protagonist and producer, pushes against that pernicious 90-60-90 ideal gracefully but without drawing blood and, unfortunately, without much originality or surprise. Although its impossible not to laugh at the biting dialogue or Robbies sad clown face as when a group of girls confronts her in a schoolyard calling her a consumerist and fascist toy , Ryan Goslings empowered Ken, and his hilarious discovery of patriarchy, is the most brilliant aspect of a film that skillfully plays the feminist card without going beyond the surface. The actress Margot Robbie in the role of Barbie. EFE Correct in its political-incorrectness, Barbie opens after an exhausting bombardment of marketing that has plagued social media. The mammoth marketing operation is tinted bubblegum pink, an absolute triumph of the Pantone 219 C that characterizes the world of tes toy, whose omnipresence has robbed much of the surprise factor from a film that sustains itself thanks to its recreation of the Barbieland universe. Beyond the pink, the fantasy recalls the closed set of Peter Weirs The Truman Show and in its broken-toy emotions the saga of Toy Story, both movies far superior to Gerwigs release. Barbie is part of the strategy initiated in 2018 by the new management of Mattel, a company that now aspires to reinvent itself from a toy factory to an intellectual property factory. Just as the comic book publisher Marvel went from near ruin to become a Hollywood giant, Mattel aspires to become the next big franchise. Barbie is only the beginning of the new Mattel Films, which will continue with Polly Pockets in a film written and directed by Lena Dunham and with Lily Collins as the protagonist and producer. Directors like JJ Abrams will develop the new life of other toys. In 2019, a year after the company changed direction, the project to take the Mattel star to the movies passed into the hands of Warner Bros and Margot Robbie, who hired Gerwig and her partner, the director and screenwriter Noah Baumbach, to write a new development. Until then, Sony owned the exploitation rights. Diablo Cody, writer of Juno; Jenny Bicks, author of Sex and the City, and the actresses Amy Schumer and Anne Hathaway, also had a Barbie embryo in their hands. As Cody herself explained, the main stumbling block was that, until recently, the Mattel star was seen as a bimbo, far from the feminist values that she has now claimed. This feminism is incapable of finding stimulating ideas outside of the cliches of sorority and flat shoes. After reaching the peak of her career with the extraordinary Lady Bird (2017), Gerwig knew how to package a message for Hollywood with her version of Little Women (2019). Now, she goes a step further with the facelift of a toy whose self-parody is self-satisfied and overly calculated. 'BARBIE' Year: 2023. Country: United States. Director: Greta Gerwig. Starring: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Michael Cera, Will Ferrel, Simu Liu, Kate McKinnon, Emma Mackey, America Ferrara. Genre: Comedy. Running time: 114 minutes. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition He filmed inside the dark four-metre tunnel near Northwood Road in north Belfast where the teenagers body was found on June 27, 2020 Crime investigator Donal MacIntyre has released chilling footage of the storm drain where Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohoe may have spent his final moments. The criminologist has been conducting an independent review into the investigation of the 14-year-olds death, backed by a crowdfunding appeal which has so far raised more than 106,000. In an update he filmed inside the dark four-metre tunnel near Northwood Road in north Belfast where the teenagers body was found on June 27, 2020 after a six-day search. Noah had left his home in Fitzroy Avenue in south Belfast at around 5.30pm the previous Sunday and in one of the last sightings of the St Malachys pupil he was naked on his bike. His remains were found almost a kilometre into the storm drain. This is the storm drain Noah entered to his death. It was open? Who took off the lock? The dept of Infrastructure will not face manslaughter charges because someone cut off the lock to the storm drain affording Noah access? Who? Why?#noah#Belfast #noahsarmy pic.twitter.com/XnPOCTQSTb donalmacintyre (@donalmacintyre) July 15, 2023 He passed through these very waters. Imagine in the dark a 14-year-old boy naked negotiating this, says Donal. How did he travel 950 metres down this drain? Could Noah have floated down unconscious? Those are among the questions for our investigators. The independent review team includes Andy Crocker, a former senior officer with the UK Serious Crime Squad, who investigated the murder of Milly Dowler. Read more Louth winners of 2.4m Lotto jackpot say bad weather had part to play in good fortune The team revealed recently that footage of Noah leaving his home 14 hours before his disappearance, at 3.30am for 35 minutes, had only been revealed to mum Fionas legal team by the PSNI more than two years after the teenagers death. The footage shows him returning home barefoot and soaking wet. A jury inquest is expected to take place later this year and investigator Donal plans to release a documentary about his teams findings after the legal proceedings have concluded. His online updates have posed a series of questions about the original PSNI search for Noah and its investigation into his death. He has raised the issue of whether water samples were taken from the area where he was found. One of the things a pathologist could do was take a sample of water in the lungs or the stomach and perhaps compare it with a sample of water taken at the scene where Noah was found in the storm drain, says Donal. That would be able to confirm that Noah drowned as the pathologist stated and the coroner believes, where he was found. You can say this water is in his stomach, it is in his lungs, it is the same as the water where he was found. So, the question is was a sample taken from the water Noah was found in? Was it saltwater, was it fresh water, was it a mixture of both? He says the state of the teenagers body could provide key information about his final days and hours. That gives us a window into when Noah might have died, he said. The team will also consider if curbs on PSNI overtime could have had an impact on the tragic outcome of the case. The bedrock of any good investigation is of course a plethora of very good questions and thats our job, says Donal. A massive search operation involving hunters, vets, drones and helicopters with thermal cameras is on the look out for the big cat Berlin residents have been warned to avoid woods and keep children indoors as police try to track down a lioness that has been terrorising the city. Residents on the south-western outskirts of the German capital are being urged to stay indoors after overnight sightings of a loose, dangerous animal, suspected to be an escaped lioness. A massive search operation involving hunters, vets, drones and helicopters with thermal cameras is on the look out for the big cat. Some 220 police officers have been deployed to watch out for any sign of the suspected lioness that was first spotted on Wednesday evening in Kleinmachnow. More than 30 patrol cars were on the streets after an emergency call was received around midnight last night that a wild animal was reportedly running free in Richard-Strauss-Weg in the suburb. Around midnight we received a notification that we couldnt believe, Brandenburg police spokesperson Daniel Kiep told the broadcaster RBB. Residents have been told to avoid woods Two passersby spotted an animal chasing after another. One was a wild boar and the other appeared to be a big cat, a lion. The two men recorded a video on their phones and even experienced police officers had to confirm that we are probably dealing with a lion. Numerous reports had emerged following the release of a video on Wednesday evening, seemingly showing an animal lurking in the bushes. The footage, recorded on a mobile phone and slightly blurry, quickly went viral online. Others claimed to have videos of the feline predator chasing and killing a wild boar. Officers used loudspeakers and emergency apps to warn people in the Kleinmachnow, Teltow and Stahnsdorf areas while urging local sot keep pets inside. Officials said riot police had also been deployed "to protect the population" and armoured vehicles were seen on patrol. Meanwhile, anyone who sees the animal is urged to immediately seek shelter and call emergency services. Local nurseries were allowed to open but were urged to avoid letting children play outdoors. Police said that as no zoos or circuses had reported missing an animal, it is believed the lion could be an escaped pet. "We recommend that people shouldn't leave the house to walk and especially not to go jogging in the forest," said Michael Grubert, mayor of Kleinmachnow. He said the video of the big cat appeared genuine and the aim was to tranquilise the animal and that it will only be killed it if it poses a danger. "Other reports in Standsdorf or Berlin have not been confirmed so far. There is no evidence that the lion has been sighted there," the mayor added. However, the director of a circus in the Teltow area told local media he was not aware of any lions being held in circuses or private zoos in the area. He said the animal could be a misidentified Caucasian shepherd dog and added: If its a lion Ill eat a broom, Michel Rogall told Tagesspiegel newspaper. Experts say it may be sleeping in one of the area's many forests. There are no state laws in Brandenburg that prohibit the individual ownership of lions, however, the animals must be registered with the authorities. This is not the first time that German residents were advised to be on the lookout for wild animals on the loose. In May, residents of the German city of Erfurt were left hopping mad after a kangaroo was spotted on a busy road after escaping from a private property. In 2019, the town of Herne in western Germany was on high alert for several days after a deadly cobra escaped, leading authorities to warn residents to keep their windows closed and avoid tall grass. In 2016, zookeepers in the eastern city of Leipzig were forced to fatally shoot a lion after it managed to escape from its enclosure and proved resistant to tranquilizers. Veterinarian Achim Gruber from Berlin's Free University expressed uncertainty about whether the animal on the loose was actually a lioness. "I think it is possible that this is a lioness, but I am not convinced of it," Gruber said Thursday evening on Berlin broadcaster RBB. There are many arguments for it being a lioness, he said, but added: "The final proof is still pending for me." The former sports presenter has claimed RTE is a company, they have to do their business TV legend Michael Lyster today lashes out at critics of RTEs infamous slush fund, from which lucrative clients were brought to sports games, concerts and wined and dined. In an astonishing rant, the former Sunday Game presenter insisted RTE were entitled to carry on such operations as they are a commercial station. He also revealed he himself has in the past been given freebie trips abroad by other large companies while being an RTE employee, due to his celebrity status. And in an impassioned plea issued through the Sunday World, he demands that Ryan Tubridy be given a second chance and allowed back to the station, claiming you shouldnt throw the baby out with the bath water. The Galway man spent 38 years with RTE from 1980 until his retirement in 2018 and knows at first-hand the ins and outs of the organisation. Everybody is barking on about taxpayers money, he said. RTE is a company. There were companies, as you well know, up and down the country and this is the way they operate. They operate in terms of looking after clients, as of course they should do, potential clients etc. Thats normal-type stuff. Down through the years, in my time presenting on RTE I have been brought on trips abroad by companies because they want you to be there as a guest or whatever the case is. Michael Lyster back in studio And Im talking about big companies. RTE is a company, they have to do their business. They have to sell their products. They are a commercial operator as well as a public broadcaster. The Galway native admits he has watched the proceedings of the past few weeks with great interest and says he can speak more freely now that hes no longer a RTE employee Okay, they get some of their funds from the TV licence and the taxpayer and all that sort of stuff, but you have to actually operate, he adds. If it was me, lets put it this way, if I was the Director General of RTE I wouldnt do anything particularly different. Okay, fine, I might do something different in terms of the Ryan Tubridy situation, but the rest of it, in terms of this whole blah blah giving people corporate tickets or inviting them to matches or whatever, every f**king company in Ireland does that. So theres no big deal here. He points out Tubridy and his agent, Noel Kelly, were entitled to look for big money. I know this myself, as a presenter in RTE. Listen, what are you going to do youre going to look for the best pay you can get, of course you are. In Ryans case he has an agent, Noel Kelly, and its Noel Kellys job to get the best deal that he can for his presenters, not just Ryan Tubridy, but the other people on his books as well, he said. So, how RTE handled the whole thing is the issue here. Its not the Ryan Tubridy situation, its how RTE handled this particular deal that has caused the problem. Admitting the scandal is frustrating for the ordinary workers in RTE, he argues against a pay cap for big name stars. I think if you are a front-of-house person, you have a value, and its up to your employer and yourself to agree what that value is, he points out. You cant put a cap on it, and Ive heard this scenario over the past couple of weeks. You cant put a cap on those kind of things, because lets put it this way, in my time on the Sunday Game, RTE didnt have to employ me and I didnt have to work for RTE, but you came to an agreement. Noel Kelly and Ryan Tubridy They decided they wanted me to present the Sunday Game and I decided whether I wanted to do it or not and you come to an agreement and you agree a salary. Its as simple as that. I couldnt put a cap and say I want this much or RTE couldnt put a cap on it and say were only going to give you this much, you have to discuss it, debate it and then come up with an agreement. Thats normal, theres nothing odd about this, thats the way life is. Asked whether RTE should allow Tubridy back on the airwaves, he replies: One hundred percent, 10, because hes a valuable asset. All this thing is embarrassing for him, but he is extremely useful to RTE. There should be no issue. OK, there is an issue, but going forward he has value to the national broadcaster and I think they should I think they will by the way just realise that and just draw a line under this thing and go forward. Thats not easy obviously in the circumstance, but thats the way I personally believe it should be. In other words dont throw the baby out with the bath water. For the president of the New Zealand Feijoa Growers Association and small-scale grower Roger Matthews, the move from a long career in local government management to growing feijoas wasnt as huge as it may seem. He is a trained scientist and is both interested in and understands the complexities of growing orchards, from genetics to the study and control of pests endangering the industry. The association acts as an advocate for feijoa growers, working with Horticulture NZ to get market access, establish industry standards, sharing information with growers, and applying for research grants, says Roger. Threats to Feijoas Feijoas are grown throughout the North Island, and in Canterbury, Nelson, and Marlborough. The guava moth is a monitored pest threat to feijoas. It has been in the country for around 20 years and is slowly moving south. It can also decimate other crops such as macadamia, pears and citrus and is common in Northland and Auckland. The NZFGA were granted $300,000 from the Sustainable Farming Fund for research into the guava moth. The moth originated in Australia and was possibly brought over by wind. It isnt an issue over there so we assume they must have a predator that keeps numbers down. Roger believes the research should be carried out in Australia, but unfortunately this type of grant can only be used in New Zealand. Weve tried pheromone traps, but they only attract males, and it only needs one male to mate with hundreds of females, so it is ineffective scientifically. Trapping programmes around the triangle of Ohinewai, Whatawhata and Morrinsville have not caught any moths, and there is no evidence of it in crops, so it is believed that they have not moved into the Waikato region as yet. A PhD research project is being carried out to identify attractants to the fruit food sources, with a potential outcome of chemically re-creating them to encourage females to lay where there is no food source, and their larvae die. Weather and fungi The aggressive fungi pathogen anthracnose attacks several soft fruit varieties and thrives in the humid, warmer temperatures in the Far North around Kerikeri. Research has been carried out and has found fungicides that may be effective, but work needs to be carried out with them to determine appropriate withholding periods before one can be licensed. Roger has been a full-time grower since 2018 on his eight-hectare block near Morrinsville. He grows feijoas, figs, macadamia, and chestnuts and is a one-man band, carrying out all the maintenance and harvesting himself. Downpours and strong winds are hitting parts of the North Island, causing road closures, power outages and surface flooding. On the Coromandel Peninsula, SH25 near Ruamahunga is closed in both directions near the intersection of Otuturu Crescent due to a slip. The highway is also closed south of Whitianga by the intersection of Wade Road, and at Manaia Bridge by flooding. In Whitianga, a car stuck on Whitianga Road was towed out of rising floodwaters by a member of the public about 9am, says Fire and Emergency. Fire crews were called about 4am to two people stuck in their car in floodwaters in Thames, and helped move their car out of the flooding. A slip blocked both lanes of Victoria Road in Thames after 100mm of rain fell overnight, Thames-Coromandel District Council says. The council says river levels are high, but the morning high tide wasn't expected to cause problems. By midday about 200 properties were still without power in the Coromandel. Powerco says crews are working to restore power but some are being hampered as rain continued to fall. Flooding prevented pumping of fresh water into Coromandel Town's treatment plant, and residents are asked to conserve water. Hahei residents are also asked to conserve water because of an electrical fault at the treatment plant. Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for Coromandel Pensinsula until 8pm Friday and Tai Rawhiti until 7am Saturday. Power outages have also been reported south of the Bombay Hills. Downpours had caused delays for commuters on Auckland's Southern Motorway on Friday mornng, with floodwaters blocking a lane northbound just after Te Irirangi Drive on-ramp. Ferry services between downtown Auckland and Gulf Harbour are being replaced by taxis due to the bad weather. Auckland Transport says Oteha Valley Road has reopened after earlier flooding. MetService issued heavy rain and strong wind watches for Auckland and Great Barrier Island until 3pm on Friday. There are also strong wind watches for Auckland including Great Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula, parts of Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Waitomo, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo, Taihape, Whanganui, Manawatu, Horowhenua and Kapiti. In coastal Taranaki, crews responded to suspected wind-damage outages in and around Opunake. Powerco said crews were available to fix faults and reconnect supply where they could get safe access. MetService forecaster John Law says there's a risk that streams and rivers would rise rapidly as more rain fell. "It is also worth bearing in mind that with a fair bit of wet weather around and windy weather as well it may make those driving conditions a little bit more hazardous as well." -RNZ. National Party leader Christopher Luxon says the Governments aim to reduce the prison population by 30 per cent is causing an increase in violent crime. Luxon made the comments during a visit to Tauranga today, after being questioned about the Auckland shooting which took place yesterday. The Auckland shooter, who was on home detention and had a history of family violence, died at the scene after a shoot-out with police, after killing two civilians with a pump-action shotgun. Speaking to media at Mercury Bay Park, the National Party leader says the Government target to reduce the prison population is causing more violent criminals to receive home detention sentences. The problem with the Government having this as their sole target and goal in the justice and law and order space is it filters down through the Judiciary and results in lighter sentences. Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell, left and National Party Bay of Plenty candidate Tom Rutherford, right, joined Luxon while speaking to media today. Photo: Taylor Rice/SunLive. We would all love a 30 per cent reduction in the prison population, if we had a 30 per cent reduction in crime. The problem is, according to Luxon, New Zealand has seen a 33 per cent increase in violent crime. "The prison population is a consequence of what is happening with crime, not the other way around. Luxon adds there are now many cases where sentences given to violent criminals doesnt befit the crime committed, due to the Governments goal of reducing the prison population. In the case of the Auckland gunman, Luxon says people should be asking how someone with a violent criminal past and a three year potential jail time sentence was able to end up with a five month home detention sentence, and "carry on with work with access to a firearm". Although Luxon says the Government's goal is causing a increase in violent crime, Minister of Corrections Kelvin Davis says corrections "does not decide" who is sent to prison, and does not decide how long they are sentenced for, or if they are released early. "[The decision] at the discretion of a Judge and the Parole Board," says Davis. Minister of Corrections Kelvin Davis. Photo: RNZ. "When we became Government in 2017 there was a prison population crisis. "Its been reduced by about 20 per cent since then, with the majority of that reduction coming from non-violent offences such as drug offending. "We havent changed any sentencing laws except for removing the flawed Three Strikes law because there was no evidence to show it increased public safety. "The number of people on home detention has stayed stable during the past 10 years. At the end of last month the current number of people serving a home detention sentence was lower than at the same time in 2017." Luxon is due to speak in Mount Maunganui tonight at 6.30pm with National Bay of Plenty candidate Tom Rutherford as part of the party's 'Get NZ Back on Track' series of public meetings. Those who wish to attend are able to do so by visiting Classic Flyers Museum at 9 Jean Batten Drive. Tauranga's new civic precinct, Te Manawataki o Te Papa (the heartbeat of Te Papa), is being celebrated by Anne Tolley as "a place where we can reflect Taurangas history, celebrate that history and create more history. The Tauranga City Council commission chair was speaking ahead the council making key decisions about it on Monday. Te Manawataki o Te Papa, is set to include a library and community hub, civic whare (public meeting house), exhibition gallery and museum. It will be located on the site of the former council chambers and library, between Wharf Street and Hamilton Street. The programme of work also includes upgrades to Baycourt and Tauranga Art Gallery, along with the landscaping of public spaces in the area. The updated designs and costs, business case and proposed financial strategy that would see Te Manawataki o Te Papa brought to life, will be presented to the commissioners for approval on Monday. The $306.3 million project received its first funding boost yesterday, with TECT (Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust) announcing it approved a $21 million grant. It is the community trusts largest-ever funding investment so far. TECTs funding is specifically allocated to support the development of the museum and exhibition gallery. Tauranga City Council commission chair Anne Tolley says the civic precinct would be an enormous benefit to the Bay of Plenty. Photo: John Borren/SunLive. Tolley told Local Democracy Reporting the funding was fantastic and the council is really appreciative. They [TECT] sought community input, so again that gives us more confidence too, that there's huge support from the community to go ahead with this. Earlier this year, TECT asked people living in Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty regions for their thoughts on their draft strategy and proposed funding plan, including providing funding towards the civic precinct. The community feedback signalled strong support for funding strategic initiatives, including almost 70 per cent in support of TECT making a contribution to the civic precinct development. TECT chairman Bill Holland says in a statement: As a community-focused trust, TECT aims to support initiatives that contribute to our regions vibrancy, connectedness, growth and economic success. Te Manawataki o Te Papa certainly ticks all of the boxes. This is one of the most exciting and significant projects the people of Tauranga will see come to fruition in their lifetime. Initial costings for the precinct were $303.4m, but the latest business case has come in at $306.3m. Increased costs are related to the exhibition gallery and museum, and include a 10 per cent contingency, according to the Te Manawataki o Te Papa - Design and Cost Update report in the meetings agenda. Tolley says: One of the biggest fears that we had when we consulted, and the sceptics say, Oh the costs are going to blow out and you're never going to do it. To get from preliminary design to detailed design with just over 1 per cent difference, they've worked really hard, both the design teams, but also our staff. We are really focused on getting the maximum benefit for the community. An aerial overview of Te Manawataki o Te Papa. Image: Tauranga City Council. The ratepayer contribution to the precinct is $151.5m and Tolley says this is the most the council would take from rates, because thats the promise the commission made to ratepayers. Council CEO Marty Grenfell says the $151.5m is likely to be raised through an Infrastructure Funding and Financing (IFF) levy from the government and be paid back by ratepayers through a targeted rate over 30 years. The remaining $154.8m would be funded through local and community grants, $12.1m in Better Off funding from the government, other government grants and developer contributions. The Financial Strategy - Te Manawataki o Te Papa report, in the agenda, shows a potential shortfall between $65.8M and $91.6m. This shortfall could be made up by an Asset Realisation Reserve, that included the potential sale of the two council owned parking buildings in the CBD. Also using $13m of profit from the Tauranga Airport toward the information centre that would be located in the library, says Tolley. These are a backup plan and the council recognised the need to protect the car parking in the CBD, she says. If the council makes those decisions, there will need to be a consultative process. The business case estimated there could be 5,500 people visiting Te Manawataki o Te Papa a day in10 years time, which would be an enormous benefit to the Bay of Plenty, says Tolley. There will be regional benefits, economically as well as socially and culturally. If given the go-ahead, construction of the new civic precinct will start early next year, with the library and community hub the first building to be developed. The full programme of work is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air. A southerly airflow lies over most of New Zealand today with heavy rain for eastern regions and drier weather for the most part in the west, says a WeatherWatch spokesperson. "The far south and West Coast has good weather today; later this evening or overnight rain pushes into coastal Otago." MetService has issued a Severe Weather Watch for Marlborough and Canterbury, with a heavy rain warning in place for those two regions. "A slow-moving low east of New Zealand directs a moist easterly flow over the South Island, bringing heavy rain to Marlborough and Canterbury, with snow above 500 metres for a time today," says a MetService spokesperson. For Northland, Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty, WeatherWatch is forecasting a partly cloudy day with rain possible from late afternoon or evening about northern Northland. Gusty southeasterlies will be easing, and highs for these regions today will be between 14-17 degrees Celsius. Western North Island (including Central North Island) Mostly cloudy, the morning may be mainly dry with the odd shower from afternoon. Strong southeasterlies with coastal gales then easing from afternoon. Highs: 9 14 Eastern North Island Rain, heavy falls at times, easing in the evening. Gusty southeasterlies ease later in the day. Highs: 12 14 Wellington Showers, rain from late afternoon or evening. Strong southeasterlies with gales through Cook Strait, easing later in the day. Highs: 11 12 Marlborough & Nelson Showers for Marlborough, turning to rain around midday, rain becomes heavy for southern Marlborough. Nelson sees showers in the evening spreading from the east. Strong southeasterly winds, gales about various headlands then easing from afternoon. Highs: 10 14 Canterbury Cloudy, rain north of Banks Peninsula becomes heavy in the afternoon. Rain spreads south into mid then south Canterbury during the afternoon, perhaps heavy there later in the day or overnight. Southerlies freshen. Highs: 7 10 West Coast Sunny, cloud thickens later in the day for North Westland and Buller especially, late showers spread from the east. Breezy southeasterly winds. Highs: 10 14 Southland & Otago Mostly sunny, some high cloud. Later in the evening or overnight rain moves into coastal Otago. East to northeasterly winds. Highs: 7 10 Watches no longer in Force The Strong Wind Watch has been lifted for Waitomo, Taranaki, Taumarunui, Taupo, Taihape, Whanganui, Manawatu, Horowhenua and Kapiti: Winds have eased, and the Watch has been lifted. The Strong Wind Watch has been lifted for Bay of Plenty southeast of Whakatane: Winds have eased, and the Watch has been lifted. The Heavy Rain Watch has been lifted for The Wairoa District and the ranges of Hawke's Bay: Rain is easing, and the Watch has been lifted. The Strong Wind Watch has been lifted for Marlborough, Nelson/Tasman, Buller, and Westland north of Harihari: Winds are easing, and the Watch has been lifted. The distributor, the producer, the importance of that supposedly essential thing known as marketing; Christopher Nolan himself, who legitimately never has any doubts about his status as an artist. All this makes the release of Oppenheimer the great cinematographic event of the year. The shallow Hollywood of recent years needed to come up with creative, powerful films, capable of attracting a mass audience whose sense of taste has not become atrophied. The press screening was held at a Madrid theater that fits the visual and acoustic conditions for which Nolan conceived his film; the annoyance caused by the long time it took to get there vanished before the visual power displayed on the screen. The sound made the chair vibrate alarmingly. I also knew that I was going to spend three hours in there. The norm that Hollywood is imposing regarding the exhausting length of its films almost always seems discouraging and gratuitous to me, but in this movies case I didnt look at my watch at all; not compulsively, not even in passing. I also put my bladders needs on hold. I did not want to miss a second of what I was being told. The duration is not overwhelming. Because the story is powerful. Dark, too. And well narrated. Christopher Nolan always takes what he does very seriously. He is a perfectionist. Sometimes he does a flawless job, as in the extraordinary The Dark Knight and Dunkirk. Others are notably appealing to me (Insomnia, The Prestige, Interstellar), and I can also find him pretentious and incomprehensible, as in the case of the unbearable Inception and Tenet. But his personalitys imprint is constant, regardless of how good or bad the resulting product is. I do not think the irreplaceable Scorsese has much of a career left, due to his age. The oft-hypnotic David Fincher is taking his career in stride. Nolan is in tune with them. He is one of the few alternatives in Hollywood to the usual, tiresome superhero cinema, the endless sagas and the other triumphant trifles. Nolan writes and directs Oppenheimer. I can picture him controlling every little detail of the production. The movie deals with the complex biography of a brilliant scientist who produced something amazing and atrocious known as the atomic bomb. This man not only accumulated immense knowledge about quantum physics; he also had the brilliance and ability to extract the best from other scientists, the intuition, skill and power of persuasion to get them to work together, widespread public recognition of his talent and a huge social projection. Everything in him fitted the image of an absolute winner. Until he was cornered with a vicious campaign, led by powerful bureaucrats who played a double game with the eminence that Oppenheimer represented, the FBI of that all-powerful, amoral and sinister individual named Edgar Hoover and the atrocious consequences that for so many people had the witch hunt led by Senator McCarthy and his many lackeys against suspected or real leftists. It turns out that Oppenheimer always had a social conscience and supported the Republic (with words and money) during the Spanish Civil War, and that his brother and people very close to him had been members of the Communist Party of the United States. They tried to smear his image and partly succeeded resorting to tricks, inventing lies and half-truths, manipulating his environment. Nolan also shows the dark areas, the guilt and the moral doubts of the man who made the atomic bomb possible and devastating, the most brutal weapon ever invented by science in the predatory history of humanity. It had been created with a deterrent effect in mind, but the United States proved its lethal effectiveness by ravaging the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. For two years, the army and the scientists tested its possible effects in the desert of Los Alamos. And even though Russia was an ally against Nazism, the competition and espionage between the two countries, looking to master the monster as soon as possible, was already beginning. The United States justified the dropping of the atomic bomb by stating that it ended the war, saving many American lives. Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein (the movie also devotes some screen time to the relationship between these two privileged brains) had their doubts, as well as some terrible certainties, about the effects of what they created. Oppenheimer has atmosphere, nuanced characters, intelligent dialogues, areas of light and shadow, a visual strength that dazzles at times, performers who make their characters credible. Unsettling things happen in Nolans script, and he shoots them with expertise. This film breathes and creates restlessness. It infects you with those feelings. That is all I ask for at a time when going to the movies rarely implies a certain and longed-for pleasure. Only obligation. 'Oppenheimer' Year: 2023. Country: United States. Director: Christopher Nolan. Score: Ludwig Goransson. Cast: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Florence Pugh and Kenneth Branagh. Genre: Drama. Runtime: 180 minutes. Tony Bryant Jerez de la Frontera Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram As with most towns and cities in Andalucia, it was the Phoenicians who are believed to have founded what is now Jerez de la Frontera, a settlement that they would call Xera, which some historians believe could be the possible capital of the Tartessian kingdom, and even of the location of the civilisation of Atlantis. Ampliar Other theories put forward suggest that Jerez was a Roman settlement called Ceret, which took its name from the phonetics associated with the name of the goddess Ceren, although, as with Tartessos and Atlantis, there is no factual evidence to support this. According to Michael Jacobs, author of numerous books about Spain and Andalucia, the city's name derives from its Roman name of Xeres, a "name that was corrupted to Sherrish by the Moors", who occupied the town until 1264. The name had been recorded in some Arab documents with various different spellings, including Seris, Sherich and Sherish. When the Christians retook the city in 1264, it became known as Xerez in medieval Spanish. As with many other places in this part of Andalucia, the addition of 'de la Frontera' in 1379 signified the western frontier of the Moorish Kingdom of Granada. With the eventual conquest of Moorish Spain in 1492, Xerez lost its status as a frontier city, but did not lose its name. In the 18TH century, the orthographic reform of the Royal Academy replaced the 'X' with the grapheme 'J', resulting in its current name of Jerez de la Frontera. The name of the province's famous fortified wine, jerez, (sherry in English) represents an adaptation of the city's Arabic name, Sherish. These wines were first exported to England in the late 15th century, after which, numerous foreign - especially English - merchants, known as 'sherry barons', settled in the city. The 19th century was a period of great economic strength, due above all to the alliances of English exporters with Jerez vintners: today, the famous sherries of Jerez de la Frontera are popular all over the world. Railway photography exhibition rolls into Malaga's Maria Zambrano station The Caminos de Hierro exhibition, part of the Adif Open Station Programme, seeks to promote railway stations as meeting and cultural spaces. It is in the city until 31 July. Next stop: Murcia Love on the way, was the image awarded with the first prize. Luis Moret Malaga Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram A railway photography exhibition that captures bittersweet moments of farewells and arrivals and mysterious scenes at stations around the world has pulled into Malaga. The exhibition Caminos de Hierro collects the best snapshots of the 31st edition of the photographic contest organised for years by the Spanish Railways Foundation, in which more than 36,000 photographers have participated to date. Ampliar In Malaga there will be a selection of 59 original photographs and 112 in digital format of the 2,260 works submitted to the contest. Images of all kinds of trains and scenes at stations around the world will be on display at Maria Zambrano station until the exhibition closes on 31 July. Malaga photographers The works of local creators will be on show. Two of them have been selected and have come from the cameras of Diego Fernandez and Maria Teresa Santos. Both are part of the Photographic Society of Malaga. Ampliar 'Slow train coming' Diego Fernandez 'Slow train coming' is the image of Diego Fernandez, from Colmenar, which can be seen in the digital part of the exhibition. It was taken a few years ago in a stormy month of April in Riotinto, on the train that runs through the mining area. It was raining heavily and Diego, who is one of those people who always carries his camera with him, took advantage of his trip inside the train to take pictures. The result is a composition of three images that merge into one. Slow train coming is titled after a song by Bob Dylan. Ampliar Untitled work. Maria Teresa Santos The piece by Maria Teresa Santos, also selected for the digital exhibition is in black and white and at a slow speed, and not easy to find out where exactly it was taken. It is a Moscow station and the image was taken before the pandemic. Santos said she was "absorbed" by the simplicity of the platform and a person who had his head bowed as a train rushed past. "I was captivated by the combination. I thought about titling it The platform of time, but finally I thought that the image itself should tell its story, she added. The Caminos de Hierro exhibition, part of the Adif Open Station Programme, seeks to promote railway stations as meeting and cultural spaces. Next stop: Murcia. These are the major brand summer commercials shot in Malaga, including one for British airline easyJet San Miguel, Cruzcampo and Larios - among others - have used spectacular locations around the province to help get their advertising message across Francisco Grinan Malaga Compartir Copiar enlace WhatsApp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Telegram Malaga has welcomed a string of major brands choosing the province to shoot their summer advertisement campaigns. You only need to take a look at television and the internet to see that the peak season adverts have a local identity with scenes from Nerja to Torcal by Antequera with the latest Cruzcampo launch, the sunsets of Larios, easyJet's summer invitation to travel and San Miguel's challenge to overcome limits. The latter brewery's campaign has also captured its own philosophy on screen with one of the most striking advertising images by covering the iconic graffiti of Obey and D'Face with a mural by urban artist Belin. With the help of digital retouching, Soho looks like another world in this scene. The sequence was filmed on the rooftop of the CAC Malaga, where the Andalusian creator, with a beer in his hand, pulls back a curtain and shows his friends his latest street creation, The Lady with the Ermine, a large-scale work that really exists but is not painted in Malaga, but on the wall of a building in the French town of Grenoble. This gigantic mural is one of the challenges that the advert invites you to make a reality under the slogan 'For those who dare', starring the actress Najwa Nimri who introduces us to people who explore the limits such as the adventurer Gotzon Mantuliz, the surfer Garazi Sanchez and Miguel Angel Belinchon 'Belin' himself. This advertising campaign, which has just been released, was one of the most important shot in Malaga in the last year by the McCann agency, with the production companies LEE Films and We are CP. Larios also features big stars in its latest advert for its 'Atardeceres Larios' campaign, in which Antonio Banderas appears at the Banos del Carmen. The actor from Malaga is not the only one who brings glamour and music to the seaside setting, as the spot produced by Garlic also includes images of a concert by Antonio Carmona and the presenter Nuria Roca, while the music is a version of a catchy song sung by Marisol, 'Estando contigo'. Another eye-catching ad recently released is easyJet's 'Get Out There', which mixes great art icons in settings all over the world, although all of them are filmed in Malaga. The Mona Lisa departing from Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris was filmed at the Palacio de Congresos in Torremolinos, Rodin's 'Thinker' in a Mediterranean setting has the inimitable Manquita Malaguena behind it and Johannes Vermeer's 'The Girl with the Pearl' in a Californian setting was shot on a beach in Nerja and on the old N-340 in the Axarquia. Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. The detention center known as El Helicoide, in Caracas (Venezuela), in September 2022. Ariana Cubillos (AP) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro just received a gift: a scale model of El Helicoide, the headquarters of the nations Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN). It also serves as a prison notorious for its overcrowded and appalling conditions, where political opponents are held. According to the United Nations, there have been serious human rights violations in the prison. The gift was presented at a televised police officer promotion event. Maduro accepted the gift from a group of uniformed officers and said, It [the prison] is a moral compass. I appreciate this deeply significant model of your headquarters and workplace. I accept it with much love. Currently, there are approximately 290 political prisoners in El Helicoide, including journalist Roland Carreno, a Voluntad Popular party member and close associate of Leopoldo Lopez, the exiled opposition leader who has been charged with insurrection and treason. During the early 2000s, El Helicoide held just a handful of political prisoners, primarily police officers and military personnel who opposed Hugo Chavezs government from its inception. They were incarcerated in tiny six-by-six-foot cells, and some prisoners are still held in these dungeons. The prison has circular hallways that create an unsettling atmosphere, and the dark, isolated visitation room has been the scene of frequent mistreatment of family members. In the distance, the shantytowns on the hills of San Agustin provide a rare visual distraction. The countrys social and economic decline, along with a worsening political crisis, has led to greater political repression and El Helicoide began to fill up. By 2014, the prison was excessively crowded, with cells cramming up to 12 prisoners. Rat and cockroach populations surged, while fundamental necessities like sanitary facilities and running water were desperately scarce. Instances of abuse became widespread. The harsh prison conditions were documented by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Most of the prisoners at El Helicoide are political and civil activists from the opposition, including leaders like Freddy Guevara, Juan Requessens, Jon Goicoechea, and Manuel Rosales. However, the prison also holds drug traffickers like Walid Makled, businesspeople, bankers accused of fraud, hitmen with connections to the regime, and dissident police officers and military personnel. The prisoner count reached 900 and started decreasing gradually around 2020, as part of political negotiations and a relaxation by Maduros government. El Helicoide was planned in the 1950s as an ambitious shopping center under General Marcos Perez Jimenez. However, when the dictator was overthrown in January 1958, construction abruptly stopped. Years of anti-Perez Jimenez sentiment pushed the project into oblivion for decades. Consequently, the urban area surrounding El Helicoide, nestled between San Agustin and Roca Tarpeya, deteriorated gradually into poverty. Delsa Solorzano, an opposition candidate with the Encuentro Ciudadano party, expressed her indignation at the presentation of the Helicoide model and said, Its yet another symbol of the repression and crimes against humanity that have been committed in Venezuela. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Syracuse, N.Y. For nine months after the president of the United States flew to Syracuse to tout a planned semiconductor plant in Central New York, work on the project remained mostly out of public view. For almost a year, colleges geared up to train engineers, planners designed factory floors and consultants prepared reports on the $100 billion plants environmental impacts. But like the proverbial duck, that furious paddling remained largely out of view. Syracuse, N.Y. -- Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union, Central New Yorks only minority depository institution, will celebrate the grand opening of its newest office today. The new office at 1816 Erie Blvd. E. is the credit unions largest branch, with updated amenities including drive-through service. It replaces the credit unions branch formerly located a mile away at 723 Westcott St., where Cooperative Federal operated from 1994 through this spring. The grand opening event will be held at 4 p.m. By moving into a larger and more centrally located facility, in a highly diverse neighborhood, Cooperative Federal will build on our founders legacy and rise to the challenges facing Syracuse today, said CEO Christina Sauve. Syracuse Cooperative Federal Credit Union will celebrate the grand opening of its new branch at 1816 Erie Blvd. E. on Friday, July 21. The credit union is Central New York's only minority depository institution. (Cooperative Federal) Cooperative Federal was founded in Syracuse in 1982 and primarily serves communities of color and neighborhoods with low household incomes. Minority depository institutions are banks and credit unions where people of color are the majority of their account holders, board leaders and service area residents. Cooperative Federal serves nearly 6,000 households, small businesses and community organizations. The nonprofit institution also has locations at 800 N. Salina St., and inside the Southwest Community Center at 401 South Ave. and the Syracuse Housing Authority at 516 Burt St. Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact him anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148 Syracuse, N.Y. -- A 44-year-old man a Syracuse judge described as a career criminal was sentenced to 75 years in prison for a series of armed robberies in Onondaga County You sir, I think, are the reason that prisons were built in the first place, Judge James Cecile said Thursday at the sentencing. Hastings, N.Y. A Central New York teen has been arrested after police discovered he was selling guns on the dark web and had hidden them in a secret room in his home, troopers said. David M. Desimone III, 18, of 143 Elderberry Lane in Hastings, was charged with 53 felonies and 17 misdemeanors related to illegal firearms, troopers said Friday. A former postal worker in Madison County was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for downloading and sharing child porn, federal prosecutors said. Ryan Berte, 33, kept the files on a flash drive and a laptop while he was a mail carrier between February and March 2021, prosecutors for the U.S. Attorneys Office for Northern District of New York said in a news release. Berte would share the files with others through his laptop, prosecutors said. During a search of his home in September 2021, Berte had hundreds of child porn files on the laptop, they said. The U.S. Postal Services Office of the Inspector General also found that Berte kept mail that was meant to be delivered, according to court documents. Chief U.S. District Judge Brenda Sannes added a 15-year term of supervised release to Bertes sentence. Staff writer Fernando Alba covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, question or comment? Reach him: Email | Twitter or at 315-690-6950. To celebrate the start of the I-81 project, more than a dozen leaders from every level of government tossed dirt with golden shovels Friday near an elementary school in the shadow of the highway overpass slated to be torn down. U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer called for another round of dirt tossing. Then another. And another. Finally, this day has arrived, Gov. Kathy Hochul had said earlier to a crowd packed inside the Martin Luther King School gym. How long have we been waiting, my friends? Hochul, Schumer, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and White House infrastructure adviser Mitch Landrieu assembled in Syracuse to mark the start of the $2.25 billion reworking of the elevated highway that split the city into haves and have-nots more than 60 years ago. The states grand celebration was a show of confidence that the biggest project ever in Upstate New York is indeed on even as opponents appeal to courts to stop it. After more than a decade of debate, the state and federal governments have settled on the so-called community grid a plan to remove 1.4 miles of elevated highway and send local traffic to street level and high-speed traffic around the city on Interstate 481. A generation of current and retired state engineers lined up to watch. Hochul, Schumer, Gillibrand and Landrieu talked about building something that recognizes past mistakes and repairs a community. The governor declared an end to the era of dividing neighborhoods for public works projects. Our vision is not just about building roads and bridges. Were not just talking about fixing streets and sidewalks, Hochul said. Its about bringing people back together. At the same time the highway comes down, the city has a $1 billion plan to tear down hundreds of aging public housing units and build new streets, parks and an improved school system in the surrounding neighborhood. A new logo for the project uses the words livability and connectivity and shows cars, trucks, pedestrians and cyclists. Mayor Ben Walsh wore a pair of socks with bicycles to honor new trails to be built alongside city streets. The curated guest list Friday included people like former Common Councilor Van Robinson, who had fought for years to bring down the viaduct. It included the people who pushed the state to give construction jobs to local residents. The people fighting lead paint pollution held up signs. Neighbors who rallied for the state to move a traffic roundabout away from the school pumped their fists in the back row. The gathering did not include the many people who fought to keep the elevated highway as it is or the people who wanted a tunnel or a so-called skyway named after Harriet Tubman. County Legislator Charles Garland, who joined an opposition group in a lawsuit against the plan, said he was not invited. He stood alone outside the school. Garland pointed out a reason the groundbreaking was symbolic to him. The dirt the dignitaries were tossing had been poured along a street that will become a dead end, cutting off an easy route from one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city to one of the wealthiest. Garland has joined suburban towns to form a group called Renew 81 for All, which has sued the state and federal governments to stop the entire project. They would prefer the state build an alternative that keeps high-speed traffic flowing through Syracuse. Garland does not want more cars in neighborhoods on the South Side. The group suffered a setback in court Thursday when the state Supreme Court Appellate Division rejected its request to stop the project while appeals are considered. Late last year, state Supreme Court Justice Gerard Neri heard the groups request to require more studies before tearing down the viaduct. Neri ordered the state to conduct three more environmental studies in the suburbs before removing the viaduct in the city. But he allowed the first part of the project to proceed. Hochul wasted no time awarding the first contract in January for $296 million to a group of contractors calling themselves Salt City Constructors LLC. The second contract was approved this week $384.5 million. It went to a group of contractors calling themselves CNY Alliance. Those contracts will rework the interchanges both north and south of the city, where I-81 meets I-481. They plan to add lanes and design higher-speed entrances and exits to accommodate new users. The state has quietly spent $29 million and ordered millions of dollars more in materials they cant return. The volume is massive: 1,700 precast retaining wall units, steel for five bridges, a custom GPS system to use on site. While dignitaries tossed shovel-sized dirt on a South Side street, large machinery is clearing trees and removing sound barriers a few miles to the north. In her first week as governor, Hochul said, she visited Syracuse and walked around the neighborhood near the highway. In her first meeting with her transportation commissioner, she said, she told them to get moving. On Thursday, hours after the court rejected the request to shut down the project, she announced a groundbreaking ceremony would be held the next day. By Friday morning, dozens of people were filing into the elementary school gym, roads were closed and the theater of dirt, shovels and yellow construction vests had been staged. My team will tell you, Im impatient, she said Friday. This was debated for what seemed forever and communities get tired of waiting. You know what, while theyre waiting, theyre losing faith. Theyre just thinking that people dont care enough. A voice in the audience confirmed, Right. Read more about I-81: After a mixed decision in court, NY sticks to plan to remove I-81 through Syracuse Heres what the first part of Syracuses I-81 construction will look like (maps) Video: See how new I-690 exits will change commute to Syracuse University, hospitals, dome What can Syracuse learn from Rochester about rebuilding a neighborhood split by a highway? 7 tips How much are taxpayers spending to keep I-81 in Syracuse safe before NY tears it down? I-81: Upstate NYs biggest highway project is about to start, but maybe not where you think Why an I-81 skyway would be costly and unworkable: Who wants to live under a 70-foot bridge? New group, using SAVE 81s playbook, tries to stop I-81 project with last-minute lawsuit Contact Michelle Breidenbach | mbreidenbach@syracuse.com | 315-470-3186. State and federal government leaders are expected to officially break ground this morning on the long-awaited rebuild of the Interstate 81 project in Syracuse. Gov. Kathy Hochul, U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Mitch Landrieu, the White House infrastructure coordinator, are scheduled to gather with local leaders at 11 a.m. at Dr. King Elementary School, on Raynor Avenue in Syracuse. The school is within sight of the elevated highway the state and federal governments have decided should be torn down. The groundbreaking on the $2.25 billion project is ceremonial. The state has already started work on the first phase of the project expanding Interstate 481 to handle more traffic traveling around the city. Contractors are clearing trees, removing old sound barriers and installing new GPS technology to set the stage for the first big step toward redesigning the highway system. The state has already spent $29 million and ordered millions of dollars more in materials made specifically for the project, according to documents. State and federal courts are still considering lawsuits over the project. The group Renew 81 for All sued the state and federal governments. The group prefers an option that keeps high-speed traffic flowing through the city. Read more about I-81: Biden advisor says Syracuses I-81 plan is a beautiful project being replicated across U.S. Video: See how new I-690 exits will change commute to Syracuse University, hospitals, dome What can Syracuse learn from Rochester about rebuilding a neighborhood split by a highway? 7 tips How much are taxpayers spending to keep I-81 in Syracuse safe before NY tears it down? $1 billion plan for Syracuse neighborhood near I-81 revealed: housing, high school stadium, other surprises I-81: Upstate NYs biggest highway project is about to start, but maybe not where you think Syracuse Mayor Walsh to state: I-81 community grid should feel like city streets, not a highway A clear direction for the new I-81 in Syracuse: After 15 years of talk, we know where were going Interstate 81: Read NYs complete final plan for removing the elevated highway in Syracuse A poacher killed a bear earlier this month at the Stratton Falls Campground in the town of Roxbury, Delaware County. Acting on a tip, two New York State Department of Environmental Conservation police officers (ECOs) responded to the campground and observed a man acting suspiciously in the area where the bear had been reportedly killed. After further investigation, officers found the dead bear hidden under a swimming pool in a backyard on the property. The poacher admitted to shooting it earlier that morning because it just happened to walk by his home. Officers charged the poacher with shooting and killing a bear illegally, killing a bear out of season, and discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, all misdemeanors. On July 1, this endangered Kemps ridley sea turtle washed up on Atlantic Beach. An ECO stood guard over the turtle until volunteers from a marine rescue center arrived to take it to a rehabilitation facility. The following reports are excerpted from DEC: On the evening of July 1, marine biologists with the New York Marine Rescue Center requested help with a Kemps ridley sea turtle that had washed up on Atlantic Beach. Kemps ridley is the most critically endangered species of sea turtle in the world. An ECO rushed to the beach and stood guard over the turtle until a volunteer from the marine rescue center arrived to take it to a rehabilitation facility. On July 5, an ECO helped a state trooper rescue an injured eagle that was unable to fly in the town of Newfield, Tompkins County. The officers cornered the bird in the brush along a hayfield and captured it with a catchpole, then transported it to Cornell Universitys Janet L. Lawson Wildlife Hospital for evaluation and treatment. ECO Bohling with an injured bald eagle she recovered from the roadside in Cobleskill. On July 10, in the town of Cobleskill, Schoharie County, an eagle was reported dead on the side of the road. But the eagle was not, in fact, dead when an ECO arrived to scoop it up. The bird struggled to get to its feet to fly. DEC staff at the Wildlife Resources Center determined the eagle had suffered a leg injury requiring further treatment at Cornell University. ECOs across the state conducted many fish compliance checks over the July 4th holiday, ticketing anglers for catching undersized black sea bass, porgy, and an out of season blackfish in Suffolk County, shown here. ECOs across the state conducted many fish compliance checks over the July 4th holiday, here are some results: On July 1, ECOs ticketed anglers in Three-mile Harbor and Gardiners Bay in Suffolk for catching undersized black sea bass, porgy, and an out of season blackfish, as well as for not having enough life jackets on board for each person. On July 2, ECOs ticketed crabbers in Captree State Park in Suffolk County for taking two buckets full of spawning and undersized blue crabs. On July 3, in Tillman Road Wildlife Management Area in Erie County, ECOs ticketed a man for using a cast net, which can include fines up to $1000. On July 4, ECOs patrolling the Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge busted an angler for catching an undersized cobia, and ticketed two groups of people unlawfully digging for clams in the area, which is not certified for harvesting shellfish due to poor water quality. ECOs in Nassau County patrolling on boats and ATVs intercepted a vessel operating without navigation lights on July 4. The vessel was also later discovered to be unregistered. On the weekend of July 8 and 9, ECOs patrolling Spring Creek Park in Queens County seized 70 fish from anglers who were catching undersized fish, fishing without a marine registry, and taking shellfish from uncertified waters. Sign up for the CNY Outdoors Newsletter Enter your email address to get weekly updates on CNY outdoors news delivered to your inbox: READ MORE Conservation cops catch Upstate NY anglers for netting 71 fish, ticket tree thief - syracuse.com New Jersey hikers hauled chairs up Catskills highest peak, ticketed for leaving them - syracuse.com Rangers find lost kid in ADKs, break up fight at Hamilton County campground - newyorkupstate.com Rangers reunite hiker with puppy lost overnight on Adirondack mountain - newyorkupstate.com Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post-Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at sfeatherstone@syracuse.com or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors. By Alex Gault | Watertown Daily Times Theres now a Democrat in the race for New Yorks 21st Congressional District, one who may be familiar to voters in Watertown and the 24th Congressional District Steven W. Holden Sr. Holden, who ran for Congress last year against Rep. Claudia L. Tenney, recently restarted his campaign with his sights for 2024 set on the north country seat occupied by Rep. Elise M. Stefanik. Holden, who has been working with the Pentagon for the last few months on the commission to rename Army bases that currently bear the name of Confederate Army figures, said he feels a connection with the 21st District, which covers Fort Drum and eastern Jefferson County, the north country and parts of the capital region. I grew up in the country, on a dairy farm in Oklahoma, he said. Im a retired lieutenant colonel, I can relate to the veterans across the district. Holden served eight combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and after retirement took to running his own small business for a time. Hes described himself as a practical progressive, and supports gun regulations while maintaining the Second Amendment. He also supports Medicare for All, eliminating student loan debt, taking swift action to cut carbon emissions and protect the environment, and a rash of other progressive policies. Holden also said he views American democracy as under attack, and is firmly opposed to any efforts to disconnect former President Donald J. Trump from the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. My opponent has sided with Marjorie Taylor Greene, wanting to strike President Trumps impeachments from the congressional record, he said of Stefanik. Thats not exactly standing for the rule of law. Holden said he intends to draw a strong contrast between himself and Stefanik, who is one of the most senior Republican members of the House, a prolific fundraiser who carried 59% of the vote in her previous run for office. He compared his humble upbringings to her youth in the Albany area, attending a private preparatory academy, going on to Harvard and then working in the administration of President George W. Bush. Its a big contrast, Holden said. When she was in her 20s, she was working in the Bush administration, working on the policies I was living in uniform in Iraq and Afghanistan. Were going to draw a contrast, where she is the picture of privilege, everything handed to her, while I grew up on a dairy farm and went to serve my country, for over 20 years, in some of the most inhospitable and dangerous places in the world. " He also said her position as a leader in the House, with Republicans taking the helm in that chamber, has given him plenty of opportunities to tie Stefanik directly to the divisiveness and partisan politics dominating the national conversation. Holden referenced the recent partisan battles over the annual defense spending package, which saw Republicans support measures that would weaken abortion access for soldiers, limit diversity and equity programs and end gender-affirming health care for transgender soldiers. People look at the dysfunction there, the fact that we nearly defaulted on the U.S. economy, almost sent the world economy into a tailspin, and the shenanigans with Speaker McCarthys election, Holden said. And now we see with the (National Defense Authorization Act), that was some of the nastiest stuff ever. Holdens own work on the Department of Defenses Naming Commission, renaming bases that commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served with their army, was put on the chopping block by Republican House members in the NDAA as well, with support from Stefanik. She has to realize shes representing an area with the largest U.S. Army installation in the northeast, and that units of the New York National Guard trace their roots to the Civil War, he said. Its this tone deafness that needs to be shown to people. Holden said hes more prepared for this congressional race than he was for his previous race against Tenney. That race only started once the congressional district maps were finalized after a protracted legal fight, and Holden moved later still from running in the Syracuse-focused district to NY-24. Now, he said hes completely refreshed his campaign staff, is making early inroads with local Democratic leadership, and is seeing a more coordinated effort from Democrats at the top of the state party after the many failures of that level in 2022. He also said the fact that the president will also be on the ballot should give downballot Democrats a boost in 2024. Holden currently lives outside NY-21, but said he is planning to move into the district shortly to be closer to family and Fort Drum. Stefaniks campaign responded quickly to Holdens campaign on Thursday with a press release. The congresswomans campaign used many of the terms theyve applied to every Democrat to oppose her in recent elections. The failed far-left Democrat candidate who lost to Claudia Tenney by a 30-point margin is now desperately running for a seat that he has no ties to and exactly zero chance of winning, and everyone knows it, said Alex deGrasse, the congresswomans adviser. DeGrasse pointed to the campaign finance reporting issues that Holden experienced both in 2022 and already in this election cycle. Last year, Holden was blasted by his opponent for filing a campaign finance report late. The issue was allegedly due to a system error and the report eventually appeared publicly, but the FEC sent his campaign a notice threatening legal action should the document not be filed in a timely manner. Thats happened again this year, with Holden receiving another FEC warning on May 3 for failing to file a quarterly financial report for his campaign, which was still active with money from 2022. Holden said on Tuesday that he plans to file a financial disclosure for the upcoming deadline in November. The state GOP took notice of Holdens campaign announcement, with chairman of the state Republican Committee Ed F. Cox including a statement with the Stefanik campaigns release. No Democrat stands a chance against Elise, especially those who praise far left socialists like Bernie Sanders and AOC, promise to infringe on our Constitutional rights like the Second Amendment and lost in previous cycles by 30 points, Cox said. Elise will once again secure a historic win next November and lead Republicans to victory in New York. The other Republican in the race for Congress in NY-21, Saratoga County native Jill A. Lochner, said in a text message Thursday that she welcomes Holden to the race and is looking forward to a robust campaign. A functioning democracy works best when the voters have many options, she said. It is clear that NY-21 will be won by a Republican, but I do wish him the best. Theres still plenty of time for the contours of this congressional race, which in 2022 saw a number of Democratic candidates declare and drop out, to change in the coming months. Holden remains the only Democrat in the race, but Stefanik and Lochner are set to face off in a June primary in 2024, with the winner of that likely to go on to face the Democrat in November. ___ (c)2023 Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, N.Y.) Visit Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, N.Y.) at www.watertowndailytimes.com Falconer, N.Y. A music teacher in Upstate New York has been accused of sending hundreds of texts to a students phone and trying to convince the child to meet up outside of school. Jeffrey T. Camp, a 49-year-old music teacher with the Falconer Central School District in Western New York, was arrested Thursday and charged with sending 600 texts to a student, reported The Post-Journal. Camp is listed as a middle/high school teacher for Falconer, a district in Western New York. The Fredonia man was described as a band director in a January 2017 district newsletter. The Ellicott Police Department started investigating Camp last week and determined the teacher had tried to get the student to meet up with him in the Falconer area, The Post-Journal reported. Along with sending the child hundreds of texts, Camp also tried to bring the student into the Falconer school building when school wasnt in session, Ellicott police told The Post-Journal. Camp has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. The investigation remains open and more charges are possible, WKBW reported. READ MORE See list of 39 guns seized from Central NY teens home charged in illegal gun investigation Woman with no heart beat after car accident revived at scene, deputies say Finger Lakes winery manager sent to prison for embezzling $228,573 from company Upstate NY mom puts up billboard blaming drug dealer for daughters death Delta flight 127 was scheduled to take off last Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. from Madrids Adolfo Suarez airport bound for New York, but it was delayed for 53 minutes. Among the passengers was one person who was not bothered by the nearly one-hour delay quite the contrary. For nearly four years, he had been using every legal means at his disposal to avoid boarding a flight to the United States. That passenger was former General Hugo Armando Carvajal, El Pollo, the head of Venezuelan military counterintelligence in Hugo Chavezs government. On this occasion, he had no choice. That same morning he had left a Madrid penitentiary, where he had been held since September 2021, escorted by Spanish police officers, who placed him at the disposal of Interpol agents to proceed with his extradition, approved by the Spanish High Court and back by the government. When he landed at John F. Kennedy airport, the police officers who accompanied him handed him over to the New York Prosecutors Office. Carvajal faces four charges, all of them punishable by up to life imprisonment, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 5.6 tons of cocaine into the U.S. when he was a high-ranking Venezuelan government official. According to Damian Williams, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Anne Milgram of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Carvajal spent a 10-year career in the criminal world during which he attempted to flood the U.S. with drugs. To do so, he allegedly used his position as director of Venezuelas military counterintelligence agency. The U.S. justice system attributes Carvajal with an alleged command role in the so-called Cartel of the Suns, a criminal organization in which drug traffickers and high-ranking officers of the Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela, whose sun-shaped military designations of rank were used to baptize the group, converged. According to the allegations contained in the New York Attorney Generals Office indictment, Carvajals alleged criminal activities began in 1999, if not before, when he became, along with other high-ranking members of the Chavista regime, the ringleader of the Cartel of the Suns. From that position, he allegedly corrupted other members of the Venezuelan Army, of the intelligence service he headed, politicians and members of the judiciary to facilitate the trafficking of large quantities of cocaine to the United States. The U.S. justice system believes there ate indications that to achieve this aim he coordinated with high-ranking commanders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which [at that time] controlled cocaine production in large regions of Colombia and Venezuela. The indictment notes that Carvajal held several positions of high responsibility during those years among them as director of the Venezuelan Armys counterintelligence directorate between 2004 and 2011 and that he exploited this to benefit the cartel of which he was a part. As an example, the indictment details the allegation that, in 2006, he coordinated the shipment of 5.6 tons of cocaine from aboard a private plane from Venezuela bound for the United States. The shipment was unsuccessful, because the aircraft landed in Mexico and the drugs were intercepted. The prosecution also accuses the former general of having held a meeting in 2008 with a representative of the FARC, where it was agreed that the Cartel of the Suns would deliver weapons and money to the guerrilla group in exchange for an increase in cocaine production. Carvajal has been charged with four crimes: narcoterrorism offenses (punishable by 20 years to life in prison); cocaine trafficking (10 years to life in prison); possession of weapons of war and destructive devices to commit the above crimes (30 years to life in prison), and conspiracy to use such weapons in these crimes (life in prison). The former general went before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg as he believes he will receive the highest possible sentences for these crimes, in an attempt to prevent Spain from extraditing him to the United States. Carvajal argued that life imprisonment without the possibility of parole is a sentence that he considers contrary to Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights and that, therefore, his extradition should be rejected. However, the European court concluded last week that there was no certainty that the U.S. justice system would sentence him to life imprisonment and that, in fact, he could be acquitted or plea bargained down to a reduced sentence. This resolution, which endorsed the decision of the Spanish High Court, put an end to Carvajals four-year legal battle in Spain and, with it, placed the former Venezuelan intelligence chief on a flight toward a gloomy judicial panorama in New York. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. On the night of June 9, 2023, there should have been no one on the streets of Tobruk, a coastal city in eastern Libya. A few days earlier, a curfew had been imposed, so that the authorities could launch an operation against criminal groups trafficking in people and drugs. But that same night, a fishing boat called the Adriana set sail clandestinely from the beach, without being stopped. At least 750 men, women and children were packed on board. This is the ship that, five days later, on June 14, sank near the coastal town of Pylos, in Greek territorial waters, leaving only 104 survivors. An EL PAIS investigation in collaboration with Lighthouse Reports, Reporters United, Monitor, SIRAJ and Der Spiegel has identified the migrant smuggling network that organized the trip. Evidence has been found that closely links this mafia to Khalifa Hafter, the powerful warlord who dominates eastern Libya. Certain European states have also been involved in negotiations with Hafter to stop irregular immigration. Days after the sinking of the Adriana, another EL PAIS investigation conducted in collaboration with the same partners revealed the efforts of the Greek Coast Guard to hide the role that it played in the incident. The Greek Naval Court opened an investigation to determine the possible responsibility of the Coast Guard, but so far, no action has been taken against those involved. In fact, the only arrests to date are of nine Egyptian men in a separate investigation of the human smuggling ring that organized this deadly journey. Those arrested are accused of six crimes, including illegal trafficking of foreigners, belonging to a criminal organization and reckless homicide due to negligence. They are currently in pretrial detention. The Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs has not responded to this newspapers questions about the case. The ministrys press office has only said that theres a strictly confidential criminal investigation taking place, in accordance with the guidelines of the Supreme Civil and Criminal Court. Image of the 'Adriana', with more than 750 people on board, before it capsized in the open sea, off the southern coast of Greece. HELLENIC COAST GUARD (REUTERS) However, the sources and documents that EL PAIS and Lighthouse Reports have had access to reveal that the Adrianas journey isnt an isolated event. Rather, its merely one incident within the flourishing criminal activity of migrant smuggling that originates from the eastern coast of Libya. Those responsible for the smuggling are under the protection of the Hafter family. Up to 17 survivors of the shipwreck have given their testimony. Several of them have provided the names of the traffickers involved in organizing the trip from Tobruk. Of the mobsters mentioned, none sailed with them on the ship. Some were originally from eastern Libya and have ties to the naval forces in that area of the country. Among the names of the criminals, one was mentioned more than the rest: Muhammad Saad Al-Kahshi Al-Mnfi. Up to three different sources identify him as an essential figure in the human trafficking operation: a survivor, a lower-ranking trafficker and another source with inside information. Hes the one who issued the license that allowed the boat to navigate Libyan waters, says the survivor of the shipwreck, who asked to remain anonymous. Al-Kahshi works for a special naval unit known as the frogmen. The unit is led by Bahar Al-Tawati Al-Mnfi, one of his relatives. He, in turn, is under the direct orders of Khalifa Hafter, according to the source. This witness also explains that all the boat trips take place under the supervision of Saddam Hafter, the son of Khalifa Hafter. The importance of the frogmen is that no ship can enter or leave Libyan beaches and ports without the approval of this unit. Either Saddam himself leads the operation, or he assigns it to one of the frogmen battalions, the source explains. The Libyan Coast Guard receives money in exchange for turning off the radar systems that detect the movement of ships, thus facilitating the exit of clandestine vessels. Left: Bahar Al-Tawati Al-Mnfi.. Right: Images showing training for the "frogmen," a special forces navy unit, on two Twitter accounts run by the Libyan National Army. Libian National Army The ship that sank in Greece set sail from Egypt, crossed Libyan territorial waters to Tobruk and set sail again from that Libyan city. These kinds of things are only possible if the Hafter-controlled [Libyan Navy] agrees, emphasizes Jalel Harchaoui, a researcher at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a UK-based security think tank. Five survivors of the shipwreck who flew from Syria to Libya to board the fishing boat in Tobruk have described how easy it was for them to get out of the military airfield in Benghazi, the main city in eastern Libya, thanks to the help of commanding officers. At the airport, a person took my passport, went to the immigration office, put a stamp on it and took us outside, one of the survivors recalls. On the night of the Adrianas departure amidst a curfew other survivors say that they, along with hundreds of other passengers, were taken without incident to a small bay near Wadi Arzouka, east of Tobruk. From there, they boarded the fishing boat. The Hafter family Khalifa Hafter controls the eastern territories of Libya, which has become a failed state. Different parts of the country have been controlled by various factions since the fall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 and, with him, the regimes apparatus. Khalifa Hafter, in a 2017 image. Ivan Sekretarev (AP) After years of internal struggles, there are two groups that control the majority of the territory. In the west, the Government of National Unity sponsored by the United Nations is in charge. In the east, a war took place between 2014 and 2017 that pitted Hafter and his allies against several political opponents. The field marshal won, becoming the closest thing to a head of state in the east. All the armed actors [in the east] have to report to Hafter in some way, because he has the ability to project power in most of the region, Harchaoui says. Hafter cant say he doesnt know whats going on. He cannot say that he is not involved. Pablo Sapag a researcher in armed conflicts at the Complutense University of Madrid indicates that Libyas is currently experiencing a reduction in violence due to the fact that the armed groups have reached an agreement, dividing up ports, oil fields, human trafficking routes and other lucrative assets and activities. During the period of great military instability in Libya, between 2012 and 2018, it was more difficult to traffic people, due to security conditions, Sapag clarifies. But since 2021 and 2022, the number of trafficking victims has skyrocketed. The European connection These findings raise serious questions about the immigration prevention policies of several member states of the European Union (EU), which, in the past, have made agreements with the National Unity Government in the west of Libya. But now, theyve started talks with Hafter. Its well known to the EU that the authorities in eastern Libya profit from migrant smuggling. An internal document from the German government shows that EU officials were informed months ago about the increase in outflows from eastern Libya, describing it as a lucrative source of revenue for the eastern Libyan rulers involved. And, at the beginning of June, Ylva Johansson the EU commissioner for Home Affairs declared that the European Commission had indications that criminal elements were part of Libyas Coast Guard. However, a spokesperson for the European Commission explains that the institution does not have the mandate to carry out investigations or conclusively establish the facts in this case. Commissioner Johansson made [was referencing] the report by the UN-appointed independent human rights investigators, published in March, the spokesperson told EL PAIS via email. Despite this evidence, the EU provides Libya with resources and training, even though it has no way of controlling where these funds go. And, while the EU has a representative in Tripoli, it doesnt have the capacity to impose its authority throughout the country. Its very difficult [to know if the funds are being used well], Sapag laments. You cannot ask a militia to give you an invoice to guarantee if theyve intercepted migrant boats and how many there have been. Its absolutely impossible. Obviously, the money is going to be wasted on many other things. In recent months, Italy and Malta have entered into talks with Hafter, for the purpose of combating irregular migration. In May of 2023, Hafter met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. In June, Italian Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi declared that Hafters people were willing to collaborate to stop clandestine exits. This is a very clear admission of how Italy intends to operate and what [Melonis government] has promised Hafter: If you reduce the volumes of people smuggling, we as a nation will inject capital, because we know youre busy rebuilding Benghazi, Harchaoui details. Perhaps a percentage of that money will actually go to rebuild Benghazi but there is another percentage that will go to all kinds of other activities, the expert warns. But Italy isnt the only European player that has dealings with Hafter. That same month, a delegation from Malta traveled to Benghazi for the first time to meet with the Libyan strongman and discuss the regions security challenges, with particular emphasis on irregular migration. In addition, internal EU documents seen by this newspaper and its partners reveal that the Commission is looking for ways to stop arrivals from Benghazi airport, with the help of local operators. Involvement in summary expulsions Hafter-backed militias arent only involved in human trafficking operations: theyre also actively involved in the illegal expulsion of migrant boats that have already reached European waters. At least two pushbacks occurred in May and July of this year one of them in Maltese waters involving a militia named Tariq Bin Ziyad, which is controlled by Saddam Hafter. Four of the people who died in the major Mediterranean shipwreck in June were also on the other ship that was captured by this militia on May 25, according to the relatives of the victims. The father of one of them has provided the WhatsApp messages that his son sent him, which prove this: Dad, weve been at sea for six days and we may not reach our destination. The ship has broken down and the Libyan coast guards have captured us. In a second message, he tells him: We couldnt get there, our ship was out at sea, near Greece, but there were problems and breakdowns. The Libyan Coast Guard the Tariq Bin Ziyad battalion, which belongs to Benghazi dragged us for three days. Now, were close to the port. When were connected to the internet, you will receive this message. This boy and his companions spent eight days in prison and were later released. The three were on the fishing boat that sank near Pylos a month later. They are still missing. Meanwhile, mounting evidence indicates that the nine Egyptians who remain in jail on suspicion of being responsible for the shipwreck are nothing more than scapegoats. In separate interviews with relatives of four of these men, all have stated that they were passengers, not smugglers. Three relatives have provided evidence, including screenshots of conversations related to expenses. Apparently, the family members of these men paid for their passage on the ship. This indicates that its highly unlikely that they were involved in organizing the trip or in the smuggling ring. Pictured are some of the nine Egyptians detained on charges of migrant smuggling after the deadly shipwreck in the Mediterranean. Here, they are exiting the courthouse in Kalamata, Greece, on June 20, 2023. Anadolu Agency (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) The investigation conducted by EL PAIS and Lighthouse Reports has verified the identity of one of the traffickers. He asked one of those arrested to pay him money for the trip. He also gave information about trip rates to a reporter from this investigation, who posed as a passenger. First, he asked for 4,500 Libyan dinars about 850 euros, or $935. He then asked the undercover reporter for his nationality. When he answered that hes Egyptian, the price was lowered to 160 dinars, or about 30 euros ($35). The rate is different for Egyptians, the trafficker explained. Likewise, the comparison of testimonies from witnesses reveals that they were manipulated by the smugglers. Oftentimes, on forms which were filled out individually the answers to questions about the smugglers are identical. Meanwhile, those who were questioned by the Greek Coast Guard say that they were pressured to blame the nine Egyptians, who were later framed and arrested. One survivor recounts how he told the police that the real smugglers had perished in the shipwreck, but later changed his version: They held me until 10 pm, when they finished the interrogations with the other [survivors]. They came back to me and told me that everyone else had testified against them (the Egyptians). I was tired, so I told them what they wanted to hear, he admits. Mohannad Najar, Eman El-Sherbiny, Felix Kesssler, Klaas van Dijken, Lina Verschwele, Janine Louloudi, Maud Jullien, Mohammed Bassiki, Muriel Kalisch, Sara Creta and Steffen Ludke contributed to this story. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Energy and Farm Diversification Options Showcased Thousands of people attended the Energy and Farm Diversification show which took place in Gurteen Agricultural College yesterday, Thursday 20 July. Pictured a large section of the crowds that attended the Energy and Farm Diversification show which took place in Gurteen Agricultural College yesterday, Thursday 20 July. Talks were delivered all day across three pavilions: Energy Pavilion; Farm Diversification Pavilion and Land Use Change & Sustainability Pavilion Energy and Farm Diversification Options Showcased Talks were delivered all day across three pavilions: Energy Pavilion Anaerobic Digestion, Energy Policy, Solar, Electricity, Biomass, Community Energy Farm Diversification Pavilion Secrets behind successful diversification, Food Business Start Ups, Tourism Diversification Land Use Change & Sustainability Pavilion Organics, Forestry, Bio-economy, Agri-Tech Teagasc Energy & Rural Development Specialist, Barry Caslin said; Farm diversification has become an even more important topic in agriculture with farm family members thinking of adding a new business activity to traditional farming in order to future-proof their livelihood and already established business. This years Energy and Farm Diversification show provided an opportunity for the public to source information and advice on farm diversification funding, grants for diversification, planning, new products, new services, new ideas, troubleshooting, business tips, marketing tools, networking, inspiring keynote sessions, like-minded professionals, potential partnerships and much more. The event showcased best practice, innovative thinking and inspirational activity to other farmers in the area of on farm energy, sustainable agriculture and diversification opportunities in rural areas. Teagasc, through its Food Research Centres in Moorepark, Fermoy and Ashtown, Dublin, the Rural Development Centre and the BIA Innovator in Athenry, can offer a range of technical supports and public training options to the food sector. Ciara McDonagh, Teagasc Head of Food Industry Development, said: The production of quality artisan foods is an option for consideration, with advice and support available from Teagasc. Our aim is to promote the development of high quality, innovative food enterprises, through a range of supports including food product development and scale-up processing, food packaging, testing and sensory analysis. Earlier this month, a new Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) to assist farmers and the Agriculture industry to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions was published. Speaking at the event in Gurteen, Professor Gary Lanigan, the Lead author of the Teagasc MACC stated: The MACC provides farmers and landowners with a roadmap towards achieving sectoral targets. However, its important to note that these options must be translated and incorporated into new low Greenhouse gas (GHG) production systems by advisors. The Signpost Programme will be a key driver of this. Karl Richards, Acting Head of the Teagasc Climate Research Centre reiterated the need for urgent action of the MACC measures. He said: Our targets are only six to seven years away, so speed of uptake, particularly for nitrogen fertiliser reducing measures, will be key to achieving the targets. This innovative event is a collaboration between Teagasc, Tipperary County Council, Irish Farmers Association, Tipperary Energy Agency, Macra Na Feirme, Gurteen College and TUS Midlands Midwest. JAlbum is a gallery software that makes web albums from your digital images. We aim to make it the easiest to use and most powerful tool in this category and always keep it free! So far over 7 million photo albums have been published with JAlbum and the software is started every 7 seconds somewhere in the world. Features Easy to use. Just drag and drop images and image folders onto JAlbum and press "Make album" Flexible. Album appearance can be highly customized through use of skins (album themes). Use or modify one of the many existing skins or create your own album look by making your own skin! Arrange and select images easily by using drag and drop in an Explorer-like user interface. Edit comments, rotate images and run slide shows off your local hard disk. Share your albums over the Internet straight from your local hard disk by using JAlbum's integrated web server - It is as easy as clicking a button. Your viewers only need their web browser to view albums. Publish the created album on the Internet in a snap with an integrated smart FTP and SFTP client with synchronization ability. With JAlbum you decide where to put your album. What's New News and Updates On Windows 11, popups now use native Windows 11 rounded borders and drop shadows, which gives them a beautiful look Mac version now adapts title bar colors to match system appearance New light and dark UI themes that use macOS colors and look similar to native macOS controls (See Preferences-General-Look And Feel) Updated bundled skins Tiger, PhotoBlogger and Story Updated Croatian translation Bug fixes In a nutshell: If you're the CEO of a company whose share price has increased by almost 1,000% since the day you took over, then expect to be rewarded for it. In the case of Microsoft boss Satya Nadella, his total compensation now comes in at over $1 billion, and he owes a lot of thanks to AI. Nadella has steered Microsoft from a company that many feared was past its best in 2014 to the second-largest firm in the world with a market cap of $2.6 trillion. Its stock has gone from $36.35 on the first day Nadella took over - February 4, 2014 to an all-time high of $364.02 this week, an increase of over 900%. Bloomberg writes that Microsoft's $13 billion investment in OpenAI has helped push Redmond's stock up 50% this year, and Nadella is reaping the benefits. His compensation package from Microsoft, which includes equity grants, salary, bonuses and dividends, has reportedly passed the $1 billion mark. However, Microsoft spokesperson Frank Shaw said that Nadella "does not have net worth of a billion dollars or more." Back in 2020, Apple CEO Tim Cook joined the billionaires' club at a time when the company was approaching a $2 trillion valuation. As with Nadella, the increasing value of the CEOs' awards is linked to their companies' stock returns. Microsoft's share price received another boost on Tuesday when it announced a new $30 per month optional extra to use its AI tools, called Microsoft 365 Copilot, with Office software plans currently cost between $12.50 to $57 per month. The move is expected to increase Microsoft's revenue by an extra $14 billion. Combined with the OpenAI investment, Morgan Stanley believes Microsoft is on the way to a $3 trillion valuation. CEOs aren't usually associated with being nice, but Nadella is said to be well-liked. "He is also among the few tech CEOs who are not reviled by politicians and regulators," said Sam Garg, an associate professor at ESSEC Business School in Singapore. But Nadella isn't afraid to make tough decisions. Like many tech giants this year, Redmond has laid off a large number of staff, more than 10,000, due to overhiring during the pandemic and a shaky economic climate. Authoring tools enable the creation of digital courses through an e-learning platform. They enhance the learning experience by including multimedia to make the courses more interactive and engaging for their users. Given its functionality, an authoring tool has become a necessity even for industries outside the field of the academe. Today, it also benefits healthcare workers or corporate professionals in need of a convenient way to deliver virtual training. What Are the Benefits of Authoring Tools? An authoring tool contains features essential for content creation, making it feasible even for non-tech users to produce quality digital courses. While its design and solutions may vary, companies can benefit from its access to multiple features that make e-learning convenient for users, like cloud-based collaboration, interactive courses, or virtual training. Using an authoring tool eliminates the need to outsource software development services or hire an instructional designer. Yet one cannot simply settle for the average. To take full advantage of the software's benefits, choose the top 5 best authoring tools in 2023. 1 360Learning LMS Overview 360Learning believes in the collaborative approach where learners and course authors can interact. It rejects the idea of outsourcing to upskill. Instead, it encourages everyone to upskill from within through its LMS platform. 360Learning LMS streamlines workflows and ensures data accuracy by connecting all business systems. It unifies essential workflow tools, software integrations, and more in an all-in-one authoring software. Features 360Learning LMS contains user management automation making it easier to distribute e-learning materials according to users' assigned roles. This saves time and controls access to exclusive materials as learners gradually progress. Networking is also possible with its nested groups feature. Admins can build unlimited layers of groups and subgroups for collaboration at different scales. This authoring software also contains pre-made course templates. They are designed based on digital pedagogy for optimal e-learning. It also allows file importations or access to multiple online sources for multimedia content. Moreover, users can also embed web-based files like Google Documents or Prezi directly into the course for diverse digital content. Network connection is also not a problem for users of 360Learning LMS. The platform enables offline access and automatically syncs its digital content when a connection is present. Also, learners are not chained to their desktops because they can use the 360Learning mobile app. Online or offline, web or mobile, 360Learning is at anyone's fingertips 24/7. 2 iSpring Suite Overview iSpring Suite is an e-learning authoring tool for online course creation. It is an award-winning platform that combines animation software and presentation maker into one comprehensive authoring tool. With its features and adaptability, iSpring Suite injects creativity and versatility into course creation. Features iSpring Suite is built into the platform of PowerPoint. It preserves all the latter's features while offering its variety. It provides over 2300 ready-made templates, over 81000 photos of characters, and over 25000 background locations, offering multiple options for multiple creations. Creativity is also greatly encouraged. This authoring software allows building personal characters where course authors can customize their design and other elements, perfect for creating specific scenarios. To test the user's knowledge, iSpring Suite also enables the creation of assessments with its QuizMaker. Users get instant feedback whenever they choose the wrong answer as they take the assessment. This authoring toolkit also contains a video studio for delivering tutorials or recorded lectures. Course authors can also voice over the narration of their lessons, making it more engaging for the learning audience. Yet, they may also choose to use its text-to-speech feature to narrate the sequences of the video lesson. iSpring Suite is the recommended authoring software for an endless variety. Not only does it allow cross-platform support, but it also integrates well with other LMS. From the thousands of free elements to interactive features like voiceovers and instant feedback, iSpring Suite is one of the best authoring tools in the market. 3 7taps Overview 7taps brands itself as a microlearning platform. It's been used by global brands like Johnson & Johnson, Cisco, Giorgio Armani, and many more. It simplifies course creation in three steps: creation, sharing, and tracking. It's easy to use with its pre-designed canvas, quick to distribute among learners (no login necessary), and effortless to extract data from statistics and other reports. Features 7taps is free to use yet limited in its content creation abilities. Users must upgrade to the Pro version to access exclusive features essential for creating quality e-learning content. With the Pro version, 7taps becomes free for an unlimited number of learners and is limited to one editor. It also has a built-in AI feature for course creation. The owner can simply type in the topic or upload existing content, and the authoring software automatically generates content in mini-course or video format. 7taps also contains features necessary for user evaluation, like quizzes and forms. In addition, it also allows customization and personalization by attaching logos and other brand assets. The platform also allows voiceovers, yet editors are limited to a 60-second timeframe. 7taps also caters to organizations of large scale with its Enterprise version. It contains every Pro version feature and offers more integrations and customizations necessary for internal collaborations. Overall, 7taps is the recommended authoring tool for bite-sized courses due to its simplicity and affordability. 4 Absorb LMS Overview Absorb LMS is a cloud-based authoring software branded as a learning management system. It contains all the necessary features for optimal e-learning. The platform has been recognized as one of the top LMS with awards from eLearning Industry, Training Industry, PC Mag, and G2. Features The unified platform of Absorb LMS contains features designed for learners and admins. It is highly customizable from its personal messaging, logo, and language options, which are essential for company branding. Learners can have social profiles, enabling them to rate courses, interact with others, and even flaunt their success. Meanwhile, admins can enable or disable these interactions anytime through the smart administration feature. They also have Intelligent Assist to manage their tasks more efficiently using natural language. Admins can also configure the hierarchy to limit LMS users' access. They can also track the performance of each user from their enrollments, certificates, and competencies. Absorb LMS also enables the selling of online courses with its e-commerce feature. Course authors have over 70 payment gateways to choose from and can sell their material either at a flat rate, with tax, or at a discounted price for exclusive members. They can also choose to integrate their course creations with other e-learning content from the platform's content libraries. Absorb LMS is the recommended authoring software with AI assistance. While it offers a comprehensive set of features essential for organizational e-learning, it lacks the variety other authoring tools offer for user creativity. 5 Panomio Overview Panomio is a professional authoring tool for creating digital content focused on virtual training. It enables companies to replace dangerous hands-on training and use visual procedures for safe and improved learning retention. Using Panomio also allows companies to reduce their costs spent on on-premise visits. Companies need a powerful authoring tool to create virtual training content at par with industry standards at an affordable price. With Panomio, they can leverage its features to deliver quality digital content. It offers an immersive experience through its virtual training environment. Course authors can also create interactive content by including procedures or exploration of on-site premises or equipment displayed in high resolution. They can also export courses in industry standard formats, enabling them to streamline their course delivery and management in any learning management system (LMS). Panomio offers a more cost-effective and accessible alternative to VR solutions. Unlike VR headsets that restrict access, Panomio allows learners to access content on any device. This cross-platform support means that learners are not confined to their desks but can utilize Panomio on their mobile devices. They can conveniently access the latest materials anytime and anywhere, enhancing their learning experience. Given its many attributes, Panomio has been adopted in many industries worldwide, including aviation, railroad, and even healthcare. It is advanced in its innovation to showcase complex procedures yet also simple in its functions to make e-learning accessible to anyone. Features 360 Images Virtual courses are often limited to slideshows or animated videos. While these are useful and conventional, learners are confined to their limitations. However, with the 360 feature of Panomio, users are immersed in the learning experience. Course authors may also opt to utilize regular pictures instead of panoramic ones. Both options are displayed in optimal quality. With 360 Images, effortlessly recreate the environment of the training location and experience autonomous learning with its open navigation. Lesson Types Lesson types are divided into three categories: linear flow, hotspot map, and quiz. These three categories improve the quality of virtual training courses produced in Panomio. Linear flow offers a guided experience through specific actions or environments. It delivers step-by-step instructions similar to slide-based content. This feature is beneficial for procedural training, especially in operations that require a particular order of actions. Hotspot map is designed for autonomous learning. It gives learners the freedom to explore digital content. It is designed for environment familiarization, enabling them to interact and learn from its various elements. This also allows companies to deliver an interactive onboarding experience, especially for new employees who are yet to see their new working environment. The Quiz tests the user's knowledge of its virtual training through questions or hidden areas. The questions in the test consist of classic multiple-choice questions. In addition, there are hidden areas within the 360 image that assess the user's ability to remember and follow multi-step procedures. To demonstrate their understanding, users must complete the procedures directly within the immersive 360 image, adding an engaging and immersive element to the testing process. The authoring software tracks each answer and requires learners to meet the passing score to finish the quiz. With the quality of digital content it can produce, Panomio is unmatched in its ability as an authoring tool to deliver immersive experiences to its users. To use the healthcare industry as an example, the private hospital Selandia Clinic created an interactive digital guide for its patients to inform them of their treatment procedures. By using the hotspot map feature of Panomio, the clinic could guide its patients on the procedures they should follow once they come in for diagnosis or treatment. This improved the productivity of its staff as it reduced the concerns of its worried patients, making them better prepared for their check-ups. By simply using the authoring tool, Selendia Clinic was able to increase the motivation of its staff, reduce the anxiety of its incoming patients, and improve its clinic efficiency, allowing them to meet over 300 patients more. Similar results were seen in the situation of Air Greenland. By creating three custom procedure training models on Panomio, the flag carrier was able to lessen its aircraft time by 60%, save more than 100,000 for training costs, and earn each cabin crew a 100% pass rate. Truly, Panomio is unmatched in its ability to offer comprehensive virtual training content on its platform. Conclusion Each of these authoring tools has its unique selling points for course creation. While they cater to different audiences and offer different sets of solutions, ultimately, all these tools aim for an improved e-learning experience for every user. Authoring tools exist to make the creation of quality educational content more accessible and convenient to the market. Without them, everyone is confined to the traditional methods of learning. With these top 5 best authoring tools, everyone can experience a different form of education that's innovative and mentally stimulating. 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In a brazen cyber attack that raises concerns about the increasing sophistication of North Korean hacking groups, a government-backed entity known as "Labyrinth Chollima" breached the systems of an American IT management company, JumpCloud. Reports tell us that the hackers leveraged this access to target JumpCloud's cryptocurrency company clients to steal digital currencies, including Bitcoin. JumpCloud Confirms North Korea Cyberattack JumpCloud, headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, confirmed the hack in a blog post and attributed it to a "sophisticated nation-state sponsored threat actor." However, the company did not explicitly name North Korea as the culprit. Although JumpCloud acknowledged the breach, they did not disclose the exact number of affected customers, and it remains uncertain whether any digital currency was ultimately stolen due to the hack. As BleepingComputer reports, cybersecurity firms CrowdStrike and SentinelOne, which collaborated in investigating the breach, formally linked the attack to North Korean hacking squad "Labyrinth Chollima." This group has a notorious reputation for targeting high-profile organizations globally, including banks, government agencies, and media companies. Read Also: Google Restricts Internet Access for Some Employees to Combat Hacks, Data Breaches Cyber Threats Springing from North Korea North Korea's foray into cryptocurrency heists has been met with widespread scrutiny. Despite extensive evidence from the United Nations and US prosecutors, the regime has consistently denied involvement in such activities. In 2021, the United States released an indictment charging three North Korean hackers with stealing more than $1.3 billion from financial institutions and cryptocurrency exchanges around the world. The stolen funds are thought to be used to fuel North Korea's nuclear weapons program. According to Reuters, cybersecurity analyst Tom Hegel, who was not engaged in the investigation, believes that the JumpCloud attack was the latest of numerous recent breaches that demonstrated how the North Koreans have become effective at "supply chain attacks." This strategy involves compromising software or service providers to access downstream users' data or money. The surge in supply chain targeting highlights the need for tech companies to bolster their security against these increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. What's In the News JumpCloud, which operates a directory-as-a-service platform, offers identity and access management tools to over 180,000 organizations across more than 160 countries. The North Korean hacker group's attempts to target cryptocurrency companies through JumpCloud reflect a broader trend in the tech industry, with cybercriminals increasingly exploiting vulnerabilities to steal digital assets. Government Action In May, the United States Treasury took action by imposing penalties on four companies known to employ a substantial number of North Korean information technology (IT) personnel, allegedly playing a part in funding the regime's illicit missile and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) initiatives. As per government sources, North Korea has been found to deploy numerous "highly skilled" IT professionals worldwide, with a particular concentration in China and Russia, purportedly generating substantial revenues that funnel into the country's unlawful WMD and ballistic missile programs. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: SOHO Router-Targeting Botnet AVrecon Infiltrates More Than 70,000 Devices in 20 Countries: How Dangerous Is This Malware Strain? 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. One candidate stands out in the United Kingdom's upcoming special election for a Parliament seat for his unique campaigning. Independent candidate Andrew Gray is using artificial intelligence (AI) to modify his campaign commitments according to the opinions of the constituents he wishes to serve. Gray's use of AI is attracting attention and igniting debates about the place of technology in politics amid a crowded field of 13 contenders, per AP News. Gray's novel approach leverages AI and machine learning techniques to crowdsource constituents' preferences and views. He does this to express the opinions of the people he aspires to represent more quickly and fairly. He said he can communicate with people in a whole new manner because of technology, which also helps him better understand their requirements. "By combining the power of technology and local voices, we can address real issues, find consensus and achieve true democracy," his website states. Taking Advantage of Technology Gray interacts with locals on a variety of local problems through his website using the Pol.is, a program that has notably been utilized in Taiwan to break policy impasses. People may comment on specific subjects, while others can agree, disagree, or show uncertainty. Real-time machine learning is used by Pol.is to assess and categorize these utterances, revealing areas of voter agreement and disagreement. The Pol.is software was used by Gray to draft his proposals, which include a request for more taxes, a major revamp of the publicly financed National Health Service, and stronger connections to the European Union, which Britain left three and a half years ago, The Independent reported. Gray attempts to set himself apart from the incumbent Conservatives, the opposing Labour party, and the growing Liberal Democrats, who also run in the special election with his distinctive approach to an AI-backed political program. Read Also: Meta's President Downplays AI Risks, Calls Current Models 'Quite Stupid' AI is Changing The Political Landscape While Gray's use of AI is innovative in the UK, AI technology has also gained traction in other political arenas. The House Chief Administrative Officer's digital services division in the US issued 40 licenses for ChatGPT Plus, an OpenAI-developed generative AI system, on Capitol Hill. ChatGPT Plus has been used by house offices to create correspondence, study summaries, and even legislation. However, new regulations have been implemented to limit the use of ChatGPT in Congress and ensure that private data is not sent to the chatbot, according to Bloomberg. The potential effect of AI is being taken more seriously by UK and US lawmakers than it was with earlier disruptive technologies. For instance, it took 10 years before US Congress called Mark Zuckerberg to appear at a hearing, despite the tremendous expansion of social media in politics. In contrast, less than a year after ChatGPT was made accessible to the general public, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman gave testimony on Capitol Hill. He underlined the necessity for regulation in the AI sector and voiced worry about AI technology's potential for evil. The ramifications of AI-driven campaigns and the proper use of AI in politics will continue to be a subject of intense attention and scrutiny as the election progresses and technology alters the political environment. Gray's innovative strategy could portend a change in political participation and representation, sparking more questions about the use of technology in democracy. Related Article: Experts Warn of AI-Generated Misinformation in 2024 US Election Campaigns 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center has shed light on Americans' evolving attitudes toward space travel and NASA's role as a leader in space exploration. Space.com reports that the survey polled over 10,000 US citizens between May 30 and June 4, 2023, and revealed intriguing insights into the public's expectations for the next 50 years of space exploration. Key findings from the survey suggest that while more than half of Americans anticipate space travel becoming routine by 2073, the majority remain hesitant to embark on the journey themselves. Americans on Space Tourism The Pew survey revealed an optimistic outlook among Americans regarding space tourism. Over 50% of respondents believe space tourism will be a routine occurrence by 2073. However, despite this positive anticipation, most surveyed (65%) expressed a lack of willingness to travel to space if given the opportunity. Americans' Perception of NASA The survey also delved into Americans' perception of NASA's role as a leader in space exploration. An overwhelming 69% of respondents consider it essential for the US to maintain its position as a global leader in space exploration. This sentiment is shared across political lines, with majorities of both Republicans and Democrats supporting a continued leadership role for the United States in space endeavors. When asked to rank NASA's priorities, Americans showed a keen interest in monitoring potentially dangerous asteroids (60%) and the Earth's climate system (50%). Interestingly, the survey revealed relatively lower priority rankings for sending human astronauts to the moon (12%) or Mars (11%), suggesting that public opinion leans towards unmanned exploration and scientific research over crewed missions to other celestial bodies. Read Also: NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Could Find 400 Earth-Mass Rogue Planets, New Study Reveals Public Perception of Private Space Companies The survey examined public perceptions of private space companies, including SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic. The results indicated that Americans view these companies positively in various areas, such as building safe and reliable spacecraft (48%), contributing to space exploration (47%), and opening up space travel to more people (41%). However, uncertainty remains in how these companies handle space debris, with 56% of respondents expressing doubts about their performance. The Future of Space Travel Public opinion plays a pivotal role in propelling the United States space exploration mission forward. Given that NASA's budget heavily relies on Congress, the public's voice holds considerable sway. In the fiscal year 2020, the United States government allocated a substantial sum of nearly $6.6 trillion. However, only a modest 0.3% of that amount, equivalent to $22.6 billion, was granted to NASA. Looking ahead to the next 50 years, the survey explored Americans' expectations for space-related developments. While a majority (55%) believe space tourism will become routine, other future possibilities were seen as less likely. For instance, 44% expect the US to engage in space conflicts with other nations, and only 16% think NASA should prioritize searching for life and planets that could support life. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Eye for an Eye: NASA Sees Close-Up View of Black Eye Galaxy 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. KYODO NEWS - Jul 21, 2023 - 09:48 | All, World, Japan Japan on Friday returned South Korea to its list of preferred trading partners after four years, as ties between the two countries continue to improve after years of acrimony over wartime issues. With the revision to the Cabinet order, effective the same day, most exports to South Korea do not require permission. The country joined 26 other preferred nations on the list, including Britain and the United States. The move comes after a similar step by South Korea regarding Japan's trade status. South Korea was removed from Japan's so-called white list of countries entitled to minimum trade restrictions in August 2019 after its Supreme Court in the previous year ordered two Japanese companies to compensate Korean plaintiffs over forced labor accusations connected to Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. Though widely seen as a retaliatory step, Japan at the time said it had concerns over South Korea's export system and needed to be assured that exported goods would be prevented from flowing to North Korea and other countries of concern. Seoul later removed Japan from its white list as well. A leadership change in South Korea, however, prompted the two countries to move quickly to mend bilateral relations, leading to a summit between Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in March. In the same month, Japan eased export controls on three key semiconductor manufacturing materials bound for South Korea in response to Seoul retracting its complaint at the World Trade Organization over the export controls. The next month, South Korea put Japan back on its list of countries entitled to preferential treatment, allowing strategic items to head to Japan with a shorter review period. In July, the two governments signed a memorandum of cooperation stipulating that they will hold a regular policy dialogue on export procedures. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is considering holding the dialogue around twice a year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world's leading contract chip maker, has announced a significant setback for its planned $40 billion Arizona factory as it faces delays in the start of mass production. The facility, backed by the Biden administration and intended to bolster US semiconductor production, is now expected to begin producing 4nm chips in 2025, a year later than initially scheduled. TSMC Faces US Skilled Workers Shortage The Wall Street Journal reports that TSMC Chairman, Mark Liu, cited a shortage of skilled workers in the United States as the primary reason behind the delay. The company is grappling with challenges in handling and installing the most advanced equipment, hindering progress in the construction of the Arizona facility. To address the shortage, TSMC is considering the possibility of temporarily bringing in experienced technicians from Taiwan. TSMC's Arizona Factory The Arizona factory was envisioned as a vital step in reducing the US's dependence on foreign semiconductor production, in line with the US government's aim to achieve self-sufficiency in the industry. PhoneArena reports that plans initially called for the factory to commence mass production of 4nm chips in 2024, with an additional facility to open in 2026 to manufacture 3nm chips. However, the current delays are likely to push back these timelines. Moreover, TSMC is waiting for the US government to provide the final decision on subsidies and tax credits, which are crucial for the company's financial viability during the early years of the plant's operation. The subsidies would help bridge the cost gap between producing chips in the United States and Taiwan, which would have otherwise been more cost-effective. Read Also: TSMC's MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Dominates Mid-Range Category: Beats Qualcomm? Despite the challenges related to the Arizona factory, TSMC remains optimistic about its long-term prospects, particularly in the blossoming artificial intelligence (AI) sector. The company anticipates substantial gains from AI-related business as demand for advanced chips used in AI functions surges. What's Next? Chief Executive C.C. Wei revealed that chips for AI applications currently account for 6% of TSMC's revenue, with projections showing this figure rising beyond 10% in the coming years. The company is well-positioned to capture a significant share of the growing AI-related chip demand, reinforcing its dominant position in the market for advanced semiconductor chips. TSMC faces headwinds in its revenue and profit projections in the near term. The company expects a 10% decline in revenue for the current year, attributing the drop to soft consumer demand and economic recovery challenges, particularly in key markets like China. The first quarter of 2023 saw TSMC report its first year-over-year decline in profits in four years, with profits declining 23% to approximately $5.9 billion. Despite all the hype surrounding the launch of 3nm mass production this year, TSMC has faced hesitancy from clients due to the high prices of silicon wafers used in chip production, priced at approximately $20,000 per wafer. However, TSMC's fortunes are set to change in 2023, with Apple expected to account for 90% of the company's 3nm production as it gears up to unveil its new A17 Bionic chipset powering the highly anticipated iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: iMac 2023 to Use M3 Chip: TSMC Still to Develop the Chips 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A recent visit to a fossil collection in a South African quarry discovered two new species of sabertooth cats. Africa's sabertooth collection now includes 5.2 million-year-old feline fossils. Among the feline fossils, the researchers uncovered two cat species, one of which had never been found in South Africa. The Langebaanweg 'E' Quarry, an open-cast mine on South Africa's west coast, has produced vertebrate fossils since 1965, according to Gismodo. Experts believe that the fossils were formed around 5 million years ago during the transition of the Miocene-Pliocene. After examining the cats' skulls, jaws, teeth, and other data, Johannes Willbold of Ruhr University Bochum in Germany's research team created a sabertooth family tree. Their study, published in iScience, sheds important light on the environment of the distant past and the development of these unique creatures. Around 6-7 million years ago, a diverse variety of long-toothed predators known as sabertooth cats inhabited Africa when hominins, including modern humans, started their development, per Phys.org. The study's co-author and Complutense University paleontologist Alberto Valenciano said that the results imply that Langebaanweg's habitat was changing. The existence of bigger and quicker sabertooth cats suggests that throughout the late Miocene and Pliocene epochs, the area's habitat was probably changing from a wooded environment to a grassland or dry desert-like ecosystem. The development of early hominins toward bipedalism may have been significantly influenced by this change. Interesting Discoveries Along with two recognized species, Adeilosmilus aff. kabir and Yoshi obscura, the scientists discovered two new species, Lokotunjailurus chinsamyae, and Dinofelis werdelini. The latter, Yoshi obscura, has the incredibly fascinating feature of distinctive circular, small, and deep skulls and short canines that are somewhat compressed transversely but not serrated. Based on earlier studies, the scientists had expected to uncover a new Dinofelis species. Still, they were surprised when they found a new Lokotunjailurus outside of Kenya and Chad. Read Also: Research Reveals Critical Cybersecurity Flaws in Space Satellites The discovery of species from the Metailurine family (smaller and better suited to covered environments) and the Machairodontini family (bigger and better adapted to grasslands) in Langebaanweg implies that open grasslands and wooded habitats coexisted 5.2 million years ago, according to Cosmos. Additionally, the resemblances between the sabertooth discovered in Langebaanweg and those in Yuanmou County, China, suggest a probable migratory path or a comparable prehistoric habitat between the two areas. Findings Indicate Clues on Conditions in Ancient Africa The fossil evidence from these discoveries sheds light on how the ancient ecosystem changed as Africa dried up and its forests gave way to open grasslands. The origin of early hominins was probably impacted by this environmental change, showing how evolution and the environment are intertwined. As experts continue to uncover the secrets of South Africa's ancient history, there is a rising need for additional investigation and study of the Langebaanweg fauna to disclose more untold tales buried in these extraordinary fossils. This may be accomplished by researching the animals that formerly inhabited the area. Related Article: This 3,000-Year-Old Charioteer Found Still Wearing a Belt, Confirming Transportation Method in Siberia 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A famous hacker and considered "Most Wanted" cybercriminal, Kevin Mitnick, was confirmed dead, Gizmodo reported. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer. According to the obituary, Mitnick was battling cancer for 14 months. He underwent treatment for his illness at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Who is Kevin Mitnick? Kevin Mitnick was born on August 6, 1963. He was a computer security consultant, author, and convicted hacker. He got the world's attention for his crime spree during the 1990s, involving stealing thousands of data files and credit card numbers from computers across the country. He was convicted of five years in prison in 1995 for various hacking and wire fraud charges. Although he committed a hacking-related crime, Mitnick became a security evangelist and 'Chief Hacking Officer' at KnowBe4, a security awareness training company based in Florida. 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. One of the most notorious hackers during the early widespread internet usage, Kevin Mitnick, has recently passed away due to pancreatic cancer, as confirmed by a spokeswoman to a company he partly owned, KnowBe4. Despite being an outlaw and branded as a criminal in his early days, Mitnick transformed himself to dedicating his life to cybersecurity awareness and sharing his stories as a dedicated author. Kevin Mitnick: Starting as the Most Prolific Hackers of the World (Photo : Dan Callister/Newsmakers) The life of Kevin Mitnick (born August 6, 1963) shows the world that dedication is a significant power to do anything, from living in the criminal world to helping people improve their defenses in the technology industry. Here is his life's story. 1980s-1990s According to The New York Times, Mitnick started with notorious deeds in the early days of the internet, first hacking into corporate systems including Pacific Bell in the 1980s and obtaining essential passwords, initially facing the law and incarceration. It did not stop there. Mitnick went as far as to hack several tech moguls in Silicon Valley and other people via the young internet, obtaining as much as 20,000 credit card information. He was branded as the most notorious hacker, and since 1993, spent a good two years being a fugitive from the law and its enforcers using FBI wiretaps to evade their efforts. The famed computer savant ran in trouble with fellow hacker, Tsutomu Shimomura, saying he violated the codes of the online community. Shimomura decided to help law enforcement officials in tracking down Mitnick with his skills on the computer. Read Also: US Navy Security Experts Develop a Tool to Exploit Microsoft Teams Flaw 1995 and his Incarceration Mitnick was ultimately caught in mid-1995 and was sentenced to five years in prison, despite having no evidence of using it for his gain. As a 'black hat' hacker, Mitnick only did it for fun, showcasing his skills and showing the extent of the computer and the internet's power. Reformation and Dedication to Cybersecurity Knowledge Kevin Mitnick's time in prison reformed him and made him see the world in a different view, seeing a release in 2000 into the new decade. It was deemed by the court that he is not to use computers or phones for three years, and he turn away from his life of crime. According to Gizmodo, Mitnick dedicated his life to public speaking, being an author where he published memoirs and educated the public, and working as a 'white hat' cybersecurity expert. The now-reformed professional also established the successful Mitnick Security Consulting, as part of his efforts to make computers and the internet a safer place. In 2011, Mitnick joined the ranks of KnowBe4 as its Chief Hacking Officer which he also partially owned. According to WIRED in 2014, Mitnick also offered high-end zero-day exploits from his business, offering customers to use a system that has no patches or fixes yet existing. The Future of Cybersecurity in the World Mitnick's efforts have made him one of the most prolific hackers, both black and white hat, but turned out to be one of the most influential cultural figures on the internet. After battling his cancer for 14 months, Mitnick was released this year by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, as stated in the statement. Kevin Mitnick passed away last July 16, at the age of 59, but while many may see him as one of the most elusive hackers of all time, he will be forever remembered for his efforts in improving the cybersecurity industry. Related Article: Famous Hacker Kevin Mitnick Dies at the Age of 59 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. An Internet-of-Things (IoT) provider, Swarm, is now stopping the sale of its devices as per the latest notice via email by the company to its customers. It is known that Swarm was acquired by SpaceX and remains its only acquisition in its operations, citing that it has plans to integrate its low-power modems into SpaceX's upcoming direct-to-cell service. With SpaceX's massive developments in its satellite internet business with Starlink, the future where users will get to access it through their smartphones are inching closer to reality. Swarm to Stop Selling New Devices in its Latest Notice (Photo : Swarm) According to TechCrunch, Swarm issued notices to its customers earlier this month, claiming that the company is stopping the sale of its new devices to its previous customers. The company is best known for offering a device that could turn almost any other item into a connected device with its proposed satellite network venture. The reports claim that this is part of Swarm's plans to offer the low-power M138 modem that has compatibility with SpaceX's Direct-to-Cell initiative. Swarm was founded in 2016 by Sara Spangelo and Ben Longmire, with both executives joining the ranks at SpaceX. Longmier now serves as SpaceX's senior direct of satellite engineering, while Spangelo is SpaceX's senior director satellite engineering, also a co-lead on the Direct to Cell initiative. Read Also: Starlink Users "Love" the Service Acording to New Ookla Research Data Swarm and SpaceX to Offer Satellite-to-Cell Services? While there is no explicit confirmation of this joint venture, the ultimate goal of Swarm is to still offer satellite networks via its modems and IoT devices to the world. It was acquired by SpaceX in 2021, and it was said to be a significant venture in the future, combining both's efforts towards its satellite services expansion. SpaceX is known for its work now on a satellite-to-cell service that would allow access to otherworldly connections right on the phones. SpaceX and its Expansion of the Starlink Internet It is widely known that Starlink's satellite internet services are one of the most widely available in the world, having reached far-off locations and are available in different continents already. However, some want to stop Starlink's partnership with T-Mobile to bring this service for cellular devices, with AT&T leading the charge backed by other telcos. Despite the opposition, more countries and even its government bodies are also looking to adopt SpaceX's Starlink services, including the Japanese military. SpaceX also partnered with different non-profits to help extend their reach to remote areas like the Pangan-an Island in the Philippines, providing internet connections to sites where terrestrial networks cannot reach. Starlink remains one of the most iconic companies in the present because of its massive reach, also allowing travel mode and providing internet connection in various places. Soon, it will expand more of its reach via Swarm's IoT devices, and while there are still no concrete claims regarding this, it is one venture to expect in the future. Related Article: Telstra Announces Partnership with Elon Musk-Owned Starlink, Providing Fixed Broadband to Australia 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Paragliding is an extremely popular activity among young people. That's why it is shocking to hear that an 87-year-old woman was seen doing this aerial sport. The woman, named Madam Thong, from the town of Rawang in Selangor, Malaysia, went to do a tandem paragliding at the small tourist town of Ranau in Sabah, Malaysia, on July 17. Paragliding involves a pilot flying using a glider while sitting on a harness, while tandem paragliding means the pilot is carrying a passenger. Expert Paraglider Chris Lammert Had a Unique Tandem Paragliding Experience With an 87-Year-Old Woman The Straits Times reported that paraglider pilot Chris Lammert was expecting the usual crowd of young people who wanted to do tandem paragliding that day. But to his surprise, one of his clients was the 87-year-old woman. According to Lammert, Madam Thong took the initiative to try tandem paragliding to encourage her daughter, who is in her 50s, to conquer her fear and try it too. Lammert said he initially did not know about the situation, but these types of cases were often given to him due to his expertise. He noted that he learned that Madam Thong and her family were on holiday, and she was the one who convinced her daughter and her daughter's husband to try out the aerial sport. Read Also: Remembering Kevin Mitnick: America's Earliest and Most Celebrated Hacker Video of the 87-Year-Old Woman Showed Her Relaxed as She Held a Selfie Stick Attached to the Camera The tandem paragliding of Lammert and the 87-year-old woman has intrigued many people online. The Star uploaded a video of the paragliding 87-year-old woman on YouTube, which created an online buzz. In the video, Madam Thong can be seen relaxed, as she seemed to have been enjoying the experience. The woman held a selfie stick attached to a camera, showing her reaction to the scenic activity. As also seen in the video, Lammert was able to land without any problem, resulting in the 87-year-old woman getting up, giving him a high-five, and waving to the camera. Many people were impressed and praised the elderly woman's braveness. In another video posted by Lammert on his Facebook, it can be seen how Madam Thong was preparing for the paragliding activity. The video shows how she sat in front of Lammert, who attached himself to the back. Another video also gives a better view of what their takeoff was like. According to Lammert, Madam Thong was his oldest client so far. Another 87-Year-Old Woman Paraglided in 2017 Madam Thong was not the only 87-year-old person who became viral for doing paragliding. In 2017, another 87-year-old grandmother went viral on social media because of a video in which she was seen doing this aerial sport. Daily Sabah uploaded the video on Facebook, but this time, the paraglider pilot held the selfie stick instead of the grandmother holding the selfie stick. The grandmother was also seen doing a thumbs-up in front of the camera. Related Article: James Cameron Reflects on The Terminator's Warning of the Rise of AI: 'I Warned You Guys' 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. "Oppenheimer" director Christopher Nolan has issued a word of caution about the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI). Drawing parallels between his dramatic feature on the development of the atomic bomb and the potential dangers of AI, Nolan expressed concerns about the lack of understanding and accountability surrounding the technology, Variety reported. Christopher Nolan on AI: 'Terrifying Possibility' Christopher Nolan drew attention to the alarming trend of companies using terms like "algorithm" without a full understanding of their implications. He expressed concern about the lack of accountability and responsibility regarding AI's consequences. The director found it terrifying that AI systems could be involved in defensive infrastructure and nuclear weapon control. He emphasized the need to hold individuals responsible for their actions when utilizing such powerful tools. "Applied to AI, that's a terrifying possibility. Terrifying," Nolan said in a press conference following a preview screening of "Oppenheimer" in New York. "Not least because, AI systems will go into defensive infrastructure ultimately. They'll be in charge of nuclear weapons. To say that that is a separate entity from the person wielding, programming, putting that AI to use, then we're doomed. It has to be about accountability. We have to hold people accountable for what they do with the tools that they have," he added. The "Oppenheimer" film, with Cillian Murphy taking the lead role, retells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a renowned theoretical physicist who played a pivotal role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. The movie delves into the historical events and challenges faced by Oppenheimer as he led the Manhattan Project, a top-secret U.S. military initiative to create the world's first atomic weapon. The film portrays Oppenheimer's journey from being chosen by U.S. military officials to head the project to developing and testing the atomic bomb, which ultimately changed the course of history. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the narrative explores the ethical dilemmas, scientific breakthroughs, and personal struggles faced by Oppenheimer and his team of scientists as they grapple with their creation's immense power and devastating potential. Read Also: Computer Scientists Develop 'De-Stijl' Tool With Adobe to Help People Use Color Better in Graphic Design 'Oppenheimer Moment' When asked about the researchers' perspective on AI, Nolan noted that many leading researchers in the field consider this to be their "Oppenheimer moment." The director said the researchers are looking back at history to understand the responsibilities of scientists who develop new technologies with potentially unintended consequences. However, Nolan acknowledged that finding easy answers to these questions is challenging. Still, he believes that exploring Oppenheimer's story can shed light on where responsibilities lie and encourage people to reflect on accountability. As "Oppenheimer" hits theaters on July 21, Nolan hopes that the conversation about the responsibilities and consequences of AI will continue. The film could serve as a reminder of the significant impact of new technologies and the importance of taking a breath to consider the accountability of those wielding them. Related Article: Margaret Atwood, James Patterson Among Thousands of Writers Demanding Compensation From AI Companies 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. New research from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine reveals that the number of Americans suffering permanently or dying yearly due to medical misdiagnoses is higher than previously believed. The study estimates that approximately 795,000 individuals suffer either permanent disability or death as a result of misdiagnoses, with the possibility of the number reaching as high as 1.02 million people. Lives Lost Due to Misdiagnoses The study found that about 371,000 tragically lost their lives, while 424,000 are permanently disabled every year because they are incorrectly misdiagnosed. These alarming numbers shed light on the urgent need for improved diagnostic accuracy in the healthcare system, Business Insider reported. To estimate the annual burden of serious misdiagnosis-related harms in the US, the researchers combined their new findings with rigorous estimates of disease incidence. The analysis encompassed a broad range of data from 21.5 million sampled US hospital discharges between 2012 and 2014. Incidence rates of vascular events, infections, and cancers were factored in to derive diagnostic errors and serious harm rates. Within the "Big Three" categories, which include major vascular events, infections, and cancers, the weighted mean error rate was 11.1%, while the serious harm rate was 4.4%. Extrapolating these figures to all diseases, including non-"Big Three" dangerous disease categories, the researchers estimated an alarming total of 795,000 serious harms annually in the US. The plausible range was 598,000 to 1,023,000, highlighting the issue's severity and complexity. Read Also: NASCEND Launches Start Engine Campaign To Expand Its Effort To Transform The Care And Medical Outcomes Of Opioid-Exposed Infants With Its Innovative Clinical Solution And Certification Program Top 5 Diseases The study emphasized that just 15 dangerous diseases accounted for approximately half of all serious harms. Among these top five diseases are stroke, sepsis, pneumonia, venous thromboembolism, and lung cancer, making up 38.7% of the total serious harms. While these findings paint a troubling picture, the researchers also suggest that the problem of medical misdiagnoses may be more manageable than initially thought, given the concentration of serious harms within a relatively small number of diseases. This insight opens doors for targeted improvements and interventions in these areas. The consequences of medical misdiagnoses are immense, impacting hundreds of thousands of lives every year across various care settings. Addressing this pressing issue requires a multi-faceted approach encompassing improved diagnostic tools, enhanced training for healthcare professionals, and effective communication between patients and medical practitioners. The study's results serve as a call to action for the healthcare industry to prioritize accurate and timely diagnoses. By implementing evidence-based strategies and working collaboratively, the medical community can strive to minimize the devastating impact of medical misdiagnoses on patients and their families. The findings of the research were published in the BMJ Journals. Related Article: Foundation for a Smoke-Free World's 2022 Annual Report Focuses on Successes and Strategic Plan to Achieve its Mission to End Smoking in This Generation 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A US military drone encountered a mishap during training in southwestern Poland, crashing into the woods after losing contact, according to Poland's Defense Ministry and reported by AP. Did the Crash Cause Damage? The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon, and fortunately, no injuries or significant damage were reported. Eyewitnesses near the village of Trzebien observed the object plummeting and promptly informed the fire brigade. When firefighters arrived at the scene, military personnel were already present, ensuring the situation was under control. The object, identified as a drone with an approximate wing span of 8 meters (26 feet), crashed without causing any explosions. Following the incident, the US collected the downed drone, as confirmed by the Polish Defense Ministry. The drone crash occurred during a period of heightened vigilance in Poland's defense, given the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. In response to the situation, trainers from various NATO member countries, such as the UK, Canada, and Norway, have been working closely with Ukrainian forces in Poland to enhance their capabilities. Poland has experienced previous encounters with foreign military incidents. In November, two Polish individuals tragically died when a missile, unintentionally fired by Ukraine's air defense, entered eastern Poland. Another incident took place in December, wherein a stray missile breached Poland's airspace and was later discovered in the woods in April, according to AP. Read Also: Pentagon Awards Google, Amazon, Oracle, and Microsoft $9 Billion Contracts to Build a Cloud Computing Network for the US Military US Military Email "Typo Leak" In a related story, the Financial Times reported a "typo leak" that has led millions of sensitive US military emails to be misdirected to Mali. The leak was caused by people mistyping the .MIL domain, funnels email traffic to the .ML domain, the country identifier for Mali. As a result, highly confidential information, including diplomatic documents, tax returns, passwords, and travel details of top officers, has been exposed. The problem was initially discovered almost a decade ago by Johannes Zuurbier, a Dutch internet entrepreneur responsible for managing Mali's country domain. Despite raising warnings about the issue for years, misdirected emails continue to flow into Mali's domain. Zuurbier has collected close to 117,000 misdirected messages, emphasizing the urgency for the US to address the issue, as it poses a potential risk exploited by adversaries. Although most of the email traffic comprises spam, certain messages contain sensitive information concerning US military personnel, contractors, and their families. The control of the .ML domain will soon be transferred back to Mali's government, known for its close alliance with Russia. Once Zuurbier's 10-year management contract expires, the Malian authorities will gain possession of the misdirected emails, according to the report. Related Article: US Military Will Use 'High-Altitude Hot Air Balloons' to Prevent Hypersonic Missiles Against China and Russia 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Bathed in the cosmic glow of stars, the NASA Picture of the Day unveils a celestial spectacle - the graceful beauty of dusty galactic cirrus clouds adorning the Milky Way. A captivating image captured by Gabriel Rodrigues Santos, this ethereal display is a testament to the wonders that the universe holds. Mandel Wilson 9 High above the plane of our galaxy, these cosmic dust clouds, also known as integrated flux nebulae, weave a mesmerizing tapestry of light and shadow. Their faint presence at high galactic latitudes adds an air of mystery and allure to their celestial dance. What sets these celestial clouds apart is their ability to emit a faint reddish luminescence, a celestial ballet of interstellar dust grains converting invisible ultraviolet radiation into visible red light. Amidst this celestial canvas, nearby Milky Way stars and distant galaxies join in the cosmic choreography, creating a breathtaking interplay of brilliance. Mandel Wilson 9, the star of this grand celestial opera, spans an impressive three degrees across our skies, nestled in the far southern constellation Apus. In this vast region, the stars' reflections paint a celestial masterpiece, one that captivates the human imagination and beckons us to explore the wonders of the cosmos. Beyond their visual allure, these dusty galactic cirrus clouds play a vital role in our understanding of the universe. Astronomers keenly study their intricate structures to unravel the secrets of star formation and cosmic evolution. Every detail in this cosmic tapestry offers valuable insights into the composition and dynamics of our galaxy. As technology and telescopes advance, so does our knowledge of these enigmatic cosmic clouds. The photograph by Gabriel Rodrigues Santos serves as a poignant reminder of the vastness and beauty that our universe encompasses. Read Also: NASA Hubble Discovers Saturn's Ring System Heats Planet's Atmosphere-A Never-Before-Seen Phenomenon! Hubble Catches an Asteroid's Boulders In related news, NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has captured an intriguing sight of the asteroid Dimorphos in the aftermath of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) experiment. After NASA's DART impactor spacecraft intentionally slammed Dimorphos in September 2022, astronomers using Hubble's extraordinary sensitivity observed a slight change in its orbit trajectory around the bigger asteroid Didymos. Astronomers have also found a swarm of boulders drifting away from Dimorphos. These boulders, ranging from three to 22 feet across, were possibly shaken off the asteroid due to the impact. The 37 free-flung boulders are reportedly moving away from the asteroid at little more than a half-mile per hour, nearly similar to a giant tortoise's walking speed. Astronomers said the total mass in these boulders is about 0.1% the mass of Dimorphos. David Jewitt of the University of California at Los Angeles, who has been monitoring the asteroid using Hubble, expressed surprise and excitement at the discovery. Learn more about this story and look at the captured image. Related Article: NASA Hubble Telescope Captures Space Cluster Containing Stars Millions of Years Old; Here's Why NGC 2660 Is Intriguing 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. KYODO NEWS - Jul 21, 2023 - 12:27 | All, World, Japan Japan and India have agreed to strengthen semiconductor supply chains for increased economic security in response to China's rising clout in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japan's minister of economy, trade and industry, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, India's minister of electronics and information technology, signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday in New Delhi. The agreement came as Japan aims to deepen partnerships with allies and like-minded nations to develop more resilient supply chains for critical products and materials, including chips, batteries and minerals, in the face of heightened geopolitical and economic security challenges posed by China and Russia. Japan lags behind global rivals in the ability to manufacture complete semiconductor products, though it has an edge in producing certain materials and chip-making equipment. India is seeking to increase its own domestic semiconductor production capabilities as it relies on China for most of its imports despite strained relations due to a border dispute. In line with India's economic growth, the semiconductor market in the world's most populous country is expected to grow. Japan and India are part of the Quad security framework, along with the United States and Australia, which aims to strengthen cooperation as a group, as well as bilaterally among members, to maintain peace and stability in the region. Nishimura said after his meeting with Vaishnaw in the Indian capital that "India has excellent human resources" in fields such as semiconductor design. "By capitalizing on each other's strengths, we want to push forward with concrete projects as early as possible," Nishimura told a press conference. U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reached a bilateral agreement in June to boost semiconductor supply chains, alongside key industrial materials and technologies at their summit in Washington. But Beijing recently announced it will tighten export controls of gallium and germanium -- rare metals crucial for chip production -- from Aug. 1, in apparent retaliation for U.S. semiconductor export restrictions imposed on China, a move that has increased tensions with Tokyo and Washington. A zero-day flaw was spotted on Google Chrome and it was an Apple employee who discovered it. For companies who have been dealing with obnoxious bugs, there's always a reward waiting to be given to those who will report them. Unfortunately, it's already for the Cupertino-based worker to report the vulnerability. As a result, the employee was stripped of the precious $10,000 bug bounty. Google Did Not Pay Up Bounty Bug to Apple Employee Tech companies, no matter how big or small face a lot of problems in the industry. One of the most usual scenarios that they encounter is a security flaw in the system. Usually, when there's a vulnerability, it's always ethical to tell the affected company about the presence of the malware, whether it's a rival firm or not. However, the case of an Apple employee who reported it late took a toll on Google. As Apple Insider reports, the Apple worker did not immediately report the zero-days to Google even though he discovered it. The search engine giant only said that the bug came out of the blue in March, the same time when the "Capture The Flag" (CTF) hacking competition happened. While the Apple employee was a key element in the discovery of the flaw, Google did not thank the person since it already patched the flaw. At the time, no one was aware that there was a zero-day exploit. The news only arrived to Google when the CTF team HXP's sisu reported it, TechCrunch reports. Related Article: Google Mistakenly Sends $250,000 to Bored Ape Engineer - Payment Still on His Account? Why the Apple Employee Did Not Report the Bug Immediately The Apple employee admitted the reason why he did not immediately relay the bug report to Google. TechCrunch verified the identity of the employee after diving into a Discord channel. The publication said that the worker goes by the name Gallileo. "It took me 2 weeks working on it full time to root cause, write [the] exploit [Proof of Concept], and write up the issue such that it can be fixed," Gallileo reasoned out. The Apple employee added that the flaw was reported on June 5, but it took him some time to report it because he had to know the person who deployed it. Furthermore, he said that the responsible person for the Google zero-day bug was out of the office (OOO). He lauded Google's effort to fix it right away, but he believed that it wasn't as urgent as other security flaws. Originally, Google promised to reward the person who will tell the information about the bug. The bug bounty which is worth $10,000 is supposedly for the Apple employee, but because it was not reported early, the reward was given to an anonymous person who reported it at the CTF contest. The person protested that it was not him who discovered the bug and Google was aware of that. The company clarified that despite the protest, it won't reissue the reward to anyone else. Last month, Google unveiled its latest security framework that will safeguard its artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Read Also: Reddit Tries to Repair Relationships with Moderators After Changes by Scaling Outreach Efforts and Offering 'Feedback Sessions' 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Sergey Brin, one of the co-founders of Google, has returned to the tech giant's headquarters in Mountain View. He stepped down from his executive position at Alphabet back in 2019. Reportedly visiting the California office multiple times a week, the entrepreneur has taken a hands-on role in driving the advancement of Google's next artificial intelligence (AI) system. Sergey's New Involvement With Google The Wall Street Journal reports that Brin is currently deeply involved in developing "Gemini," Google's highly anticipated AI model. This next-generation AI system has become the focal point of Brin's attention as he collaborates closely with researchers, delving into technical intricacies such as "loss curves" and conducting weekly discussions on cutting-edge AI research with Google employees. His influence also extends to personnel matters, including hiring researchers who can strengthen Gemini's capabilities. Google's Gemini AI The primary goal behind Gemini is to construct a general-purpose AI program that can rival the likes of OpenAI's GPT-4 model, which currently powers a widely popular paid version known as ChatGPT. The ambitious project falls under the guidance of Demis Hassabis, the CEO of Google DeepMind, who has disclosed that the program will become available for public use later this year. Brin's immersion into Google's AI endeavors signifies a critical moment in AI research and underscores his unwavering passion for the revolutionary technology that Google helped pioneer. His return comes amidst mounting competition in the AI research race, with Meta and other industry giants offering their AI innovations. Google CEO Sundar Pichai Welcomes Brin Sundar Pichai, the CEO of both Google and Alphabet, has warmly embraced Brin's involvement in the AI efforts, reflecting a positive working relationship between the tech giants' key figures. Interestingly, Brin's interest in AI was not always as profound. In the early stages, he harbored some skepticism about the potential of AI research undertaken by the Brain team at Google. Moreover, WSJ tells us that Google has encountered personnel challenges in the AI field, as some researchers involved in the company's landmark 2017 AI development paper have since ventured out to establish their own competitive startups. Read Also: Google Nudging Gmail Users to Activate Enhanced Safe Browsing Feature-What's With That? It is essential to note that despite relinquishing their daily roles in 2019, Google's co-founders, Larry Page, and Sergey Brin, maintained full control of Alphabet owing to their substantial voting power. What's Next? The sudden rise of ChatGPT, which gained significant traction last year, prompted Google's executives to prioritize the development of AI products to keep pace with the rapidly evolving AI market. Brin's primary focus appears to be lending support to the Gemini team, particularly during the critical hiring process, as Google has experienced the departure of several top-notch researchers from its AI division. Earlier this year, Google unveiled its ambitious plans to launch over 20 AI products, with some already available to users, such as Android's personalized wallpaper maker for Pixel phones. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Related Article: Apple Employee Denied $10,000 Bounty After Failing to Report Zero-Day Bug to Google 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. KYODO NEWS - Jul 22, 2023 - 00:01 | Feature, All A U.S. naval museum is set to return a wartime Japanese soldier's flag to the family of its original owner nearly 78 years after the end of World War II, after removing it from the exhibition. During a ceremony Thursday at the facility in Texas, which took place in the hangar of the Lexington, a decommissioned aircraft carrier, the flag of former soldier Shigeyoshi Mutsuda, who is now dead, was handed to an Oregon-based organization that helps find and deliver personal items lost during the war. The Obon Society, represented by Rex Ziak and his wife Keiko, along with representatives of the Lexington museum, plan to return the Hinomaru flag, which bears a "good luck" message and some 90 "yosegaki" signatures from people close to him, to Mutsuda's family on July 29 in Tokyo. The flags were typically signed by the friends and family of soldiers, before being taken to war as a good luck charm in wartime Japan. According to the society, Mutsuda's flag was recently discovered to have belonged to him after his grandson compared old pictures of Shigeyoshi with his flag to the one displayed in the museum. After joining the old Imperial Japanese military, Shigeyoshi left Gifu Prefecture for Saipan in 1943 or 1944, when he was 28. Toshihiro Mutsuda, the 83-year-old son of Shigeyoshi, said, "I didn't imagine this miracle could happen. My mother would have been pleased if she was alive." The museum has housed the flag since it was donated in 1994. Steve Banta, the museum's executive director, said although they knew the flag "was an amazing artifact for commemorating Japan's service in the war, we did not know the significance to a specific family" until the society contacted them. Over 500 such flags have been returned by the society to families and communities in Japan since its establishment in 2009. Rex called the planned return of Mutsuda's flag the "most amazing and unexpected situation," as it was the first time a Japanese family has contacted the society after tracking down their relative's flag, and it has long been an exhibit in the former U.S. carrier that served in the Pacific during the war. The society was created after Keiko's family received her grandfather's good luck flag from a Canadian collector in 2007. The experience led to Keiko and her husband Rex founding the organization in order to help bring keepsakes home to the families of fallen soldiers. RT and Roscosmos have prepared a video on how apartments on the moon may look like in the future Death of a man on the sidelines of the riots in Marseille: five police officers in custody At Army-2023, a mock-up of the base module of the Russian orbital station will be presented Pollution of the oceans: Less plastic gets into the sea than expected, but there is more floating on the surface From a temple of the product to a top Italian, four restaurants to devour Madrid this August Death of a man on the sidelines of the riots in Marseille: two police officers released The head of NASA said that he does not consider Russia a participant in the space race This is the spacecraft in which four NASA astronauts will orbit the Moon: "The goal remains to land on the moon in December 2025" Forecasters warned residents of Moscow about the deterioration of the weather on August 9 Journal de l'Afrique - In Niger the junta requests the postponement of a visit by ECOWAS, AU and the UN This class of young people fell in love with Tuina massage? Seeking relaxation and relieving fatigue are the main reasons Visit the "plane worshiper" in the summer heat: the sun is dazzling again, and the maintenance details "never fall anywhere" Public security organs in various localities dispatched 80,5 police personnel to do a good job in flood prevention and disaster relief Disaster avoidance meets hotel price increases, Internet celebrities pose for show, flood relief should not allow chaos to disrupt the situation Typhoon Kanu continues to move north-west and will have heavy rainfall in Jilin, Heilongjiang and other places Close-up of the closing ceremony (Chengdu Universiade): Tonight's Farewell to the Future The feast of youth does not end A matter of desire: Shcherbakova does not cling to sports, but is in no hurry to burn bridges "Spartak" beat "Paris NN" in the match of the Cup of Russia with nine goals Crazy scenario: "Spartak" missed four times, but snatched victory from "Paris NN" in the Cup of Russia Bahamontes, the cyclist of hunger and espadrille, who became the father of the pioneers Economic drama two days before the start of LaLiga: most teams have not been able to register all their signings (Bashu rhyme Chinese style) The final song is elegant, and the moon is bright and chanting Shu Putin said that during his trip to Mariupol he felt proud of the builders TSMC to build its first chip factory in Europe in Germany for more than $10 billion European Commission: EU's use of gas storage facilities in Ukraine will "strengthen the energy security" of the union Bankruptcies in July: More than 7% year-on-year increase in "zero-zero loans" may be difficult to repay Climate fund: Federal government wants to spend 2024.57 billion euros on green transformation in 6, according to draft The charging fee in many places exceeded 2 yuan / kWh to explore the charging station in the storm The Central Bank of Russia admits an increase in the key rate in September Spain hangs the full sign on the August bridge with prices 14.6% more expensive. Check the communities where prices have risen the most Medical substitutes under the high pressure of medical anti-corruption: "Don't dare to enter the hospital now" The Buddhist prison of Daniel Sancho: overcrowded even for meditation and group cells of 4 meters The 'annus horribilis' in Vox, from Olona to Espinosa, between purges, radicalization and fiascos from Ayuso to Tamames Distribution of the Congress Bureau: the most open battle in history that will anticipate the investiture of Sanchez or Feijoo The center of second chances for juvenile offenders: "We want them to leave their past behind" Miguel Zugaza: "Nobody can stand my rhythm in museums during the holidays" Isabel Diaz Ayuso, in love with Ibiza: she chooses the island again for her holidays Visit the advanced typical areas of the forest chief system: protect the green and increase the green, and the green and rich are win-win From "car looking at lights" to "lights looking at cars" Smart transportation makes travel more convenient "Kanu" and "Lan" are approaching at the same time Japan will be hit by a double typhoon? First observation | From the closing of the Universiade and National Fitness Day More than 159 hospital presidents and secretaries were investigated, and medical anti-corruption entered the "deep water area"! What are the implications for drug delivery companies? A vegan influencer who had been eating only fruits and natural juices for years dies Rodolfo Sancho's son speaks for the first time after his arrest for murder: "I am guilty, but I was his hostage" The butcher Daniel Sancho and his victim "were going to set up a business" and saw each other in Spain The French Ministry of Defense refused to recognize the failure of French policy in Africa Daniel Sancho admits his sexual link with Edwin Arrieta: what is known about the relationship between the chef and the Colombian doctor Israel vows Lebanon to return it to the 'Stone Age' if war breaks out with Hezbollah Bild: The Armed Forces of Ukraine are forced to drive their Su-24s to different airfields every day Communities 2019 - Privacy The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them. KYODO NEWS - Jul 21, 2023 - 15:40 | All, Japan Prosecutors on Friday sought a 25-year jail sentence for a man charged with attempted murder and arson while dressed in a Joker costume on a Tokyo train in 2021. During a trial at the Tachikawa branch of the Tokyo District Court, the prosecutors argued the actions of Kyota Hattori, 26, were premeditated and "his motive was extremely selfish and deserving of strong condemnation." Hattori has admitted to stabbing a man and starting a fire onboard the train but denied the fire was intended to kill other passengers. He has said in previous court sessions that he wanted to go on a killing spree to receive the death penalty as he felt his life had no worth. According to the indictment, Hattori stabbed a man in his 70s and attempted to kill other passengers by sprinkling lighter fluid and igniting it on a Keio Line train around 8 p.m. on Oct. 31, 2021. The stabbed man was briefly in critical condition, and his injury required around three months of treatment, it said. Related coverage: Tokyo "Joker" train attacker says he was inspired by similar case Tokyo "Joker" train attacker admits to stabbing passenger in 2021 Guest column: The devastation from locking up kids at Angola will last for decades to come KYODO NEWS - Jul 21, 2023 - 14:25 | World, All, Japan The Japanese Embassy in Beijing has been granted in-person consular access to an employee of pharmaceutical firm Astellas Pharma Inc., who has been detained in China since March on suspicion of espionage, a source familiar with bilateral relations said Friday. The meeting took place Wednesday in the Chinese capital and an examination by an accompanying medical officer confirmed the man had no health issues. Embassy officials conveyed a message from his family, the source said. Previously, the Chinese government only allowed consular access to the senior Astellas employee via video link, citing the need to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Japan has demanded the man's early release and the provision of specific reasons for his detention, but China has yet to respond to the request, the source said. Related coverage: China's revised anti-espionage law takes effect amid business worries Japan consular officials meet detained national in China: source Businessman detention shocks Japan firms in China, dampens sentiment Tree worship in Africa holds deep cultural and spiritual meaning, with trees regarded as sacred and honored messengers. Across the African continent the Yoruba, Dogon, Akan, Ashanti, and Venda Tribal cultures have long-standing traditions of associating specific trees with deities, ancestral spirits, or natural forces, considering them as manifestations of divine power and wisdom. To many African tribes trees are seen as living entities with their own spirits or souls. Trees possess the ability to communicate with humans and the spiritual realm. Sacred trees are found in important locations such as village centers, burial grounds, or near sacred sites, and they serve as focal points for religious rituals, ceremonies, and community gatherings. These sacred trees are considered as intermediaries between the earthly realm and the divine. They provide a connection to ancestors and spiritual beings, offering a channel for prayer, meditation, and spiritual guidance. People leave offerings at the base of the tree, such as food, libations, or symbolic objects, as a way to honor and appease the associated spirits or deities. The choice of sacred trees varies across different African cultures and regions. For instance, the towering iroko tree holds significant importance among the Yoruba people of Nigeria, symbolizing the presence of ancestral spirits and serving as a site for offerings and prayers. By recognizing and respecting the significance of tree worship in Africa, not only can we honor ancient traditions and indigenous knowledge but also contribute to the preservation of these vital ecosystems for future generations. The Yoruba, Dogon, Akan, Ashanti, and Venda African tribes traditionally engage in tree worship. The Yoruba people of Nigeria hold deep reverence for trees, particularly the iroko tree. They believe that ancestral spirits reside within the iroko, making it a sacred tree associated with wisdom, protection, and spiritual connection. Offerings and prayers are often made to the iroko tree to seek guidance and blessings from the ancestors. The Dogon people of Mali have a complex cosmology that includes the worship of sacred trees. They believe that the sacred groves, known as ginna, are inhabited by ancestral spirits. The Dogon conduct rituals and ceremonies in these groves, seeking the wisdom and guidance of the spirits. Among the Akan people of Ghana, certain trees are considered sacred and associated with specific deities or spirits. The belief system revolves around the concept of Nyame, the supreme deity. Sacred trees, such as the Wawa tree, are believed to be inhabited by the spirits of the ancestors and are revered as channels for communication with the divine. The Ashanti people of Ghana hold a strong belief in the spiritual power of trees. The oshen or oshenye tree is considered sacred and is associated with the earth goddess Asase Yaa. These trees are believed to be imbued with divine energy and are seen as symbols of fertility, protection, and abundance. The Venda people of South Africa practice tree worship as part of their ancestral and spiritual traditions. They believe in the presence of ancestral spirits within specific trees, such as the baobab and the sacred fig tree. These trees serve as meeting places for rituals, divination, and prayers, connecting the living with the spirits of their ancestors. Tree worship remains a vital aspect of African cultural and religious heritage, reflecting a deep reverence for nature and the interconnectedness between humans, spirits, and the natural world. Victorias most employable crisis leader, Jeroen Weimar, has found himself on the scrapheap after Premier Daniel Andrews unceremoniously dumped the Commonwealth Games on Tuesday. You might remember Weimar as the so-called COVID-19 Commander who assumed control for managing the response to the pandemic, charged with whipping the public service into shape to subdue the virus and disperse vaccines. Jeroen Weimar, formerly chief executive of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games. Credit: Eddie Jim Weimar possessed a kind wartime general presence as he assured Victorians that something was being done about contact tracing, a sluggish vaccine rollout and that there was some end to lockdowns in sight. One moment stuck in CBDs memory when Weimar said it wasnt exceptionally impossible for Victorians to drive more than 10 hours through NSW from Queensland with just two brief stops. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Remove items from your saved list to add more. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. The sprawling Surry Hills Village development on Cleveland Street has lost a prized signing, with restaurant group Fink jettisoning its planned restaurant at the site. Fink whose stable of blue-chip venues includes Quay, Firedoor, Bennelong and Gildas announced last year it would open a 160-seat restaurant under a giant glass-roofed structure at the Toga Group development. An artists impression of the now-scrapped Surry Hills restaurant. The meticulously designed site, on the corner of Cleveland and Baptist streets, will eventually include a hotel with rooftop bar, shopping and the Wunderlich Lane eating precinct. Fink, notoriously fastidious and patient in rolling out new venues, had been a key signing. Fink CEO Jeremy Courmadias told Good Food the stars did not align on the project. While unfortunate our concept wont be moving ahead, it was a really collaborative, educational process with the Toga team. We look forward to visiting the development once its open. Still, Rae acknowledges that pet preservation isnt for everyone. Death is something that really, most people arent comfortable with, she says. Today, there is a huge industry attached to pet loss. Bereaved owners can choose from an almost endless number of services and products to commemorate their furry friend from jewellery, to paw castings, to artwork. Some methods of grieving and commemoration, however, are less understood something their proponents are hoping to change. Understanding pet grief Dr Michael ODonoghue is the co-founder of Pets and People, Australias first dedicated grief hotline for pet owners. Established in 2017 with grief counsellor Penny Carroll, the hotline services all of Australia, connecting callers with independent counsellors. Pet grief, ODonoghue says, is unique because theres often a huge amount of guilt attached to pet loss, as were totally responsible for these animals. He explains this guilt often arises after deciding to have a pet euthanised. Fiona Koenig, a Newcastle-based counsellor who says she never intended to focus on pet-related grief, estimates that 98 per cent of her business comes from pet bereavement. She says that losing a pet can be just as devastating as losing a human friend or family member. Loading Its often the first real loss that we have owned as our own, says Koenig, explaining that while people often have wide networks of family and friends grieving them when they pass, for animals, the burden of grief will often fall on one person. It can be really, really intense. This experience, termed disenfranchised grief in counselling circles, can mean that pet grief is often misunderstood or underplayed. People will often say, Are you still crying about that dog?, which can be so detrimental to the processing of our grief, says Koenig. A large part of Koenigs job, then, is to validate a clients experience by simply listening. A huge part of that is just telling them, yeah, youre supposed to be that sad. While some clients may only need one or two sessions, she has others who have been with her for years. Pet grief, she says, can be a gateway to exploring broader issues like depression and anxiety, or drug and alcohol use. Beyond cremation When Sharon Stuckey unexpectedly lost her four-month-old puppy Tilly, she was unsatisfied with the funeral options available. I could not put her in a fire and I didnt want to bury her, in case I ever moved home. While she ended up opting for a burial, the experience led her to research alternative options. In February 2021, Stuckey quit her job of 30 years as a bank manager and started Paws to Heaven, the third water cremation facility for pets to open in Australia. Popular in the US and Europe, water cremation otherwise known as aquamation or alkaline hydrolysis is gentler and more environmentally friendly than traditional cremation. Today, there are aquamation facilities in every state, except the Northern Territory. The process involves placing an animal in a warm bath composed of 95 per cent water and 5 per cent alkali for eight to 10 hours, depending on its size. Alkali, found in soil, helps accelerate the decomposition process, leaving just bones, the microchip and any other synthetic materials behind. The bones are then ground into a fine powder and returned to the owner as ashes. Stuckeys facility can take animals up to 65 kilograms. And while dogs and cats are the most common animal, Stuckey has seen fish, chickens, guinea pigs, bearded dragons, snakes and rats come through her doors. The Animal Memorial Cemetery and Crematorium in Berkshire Park, 2003. Credit: Steven Siewert Backyard burials, while legal in Australia, can be dangerous for other pets and wildlife as the most common euthanasia drug, pentobarbital, can last in an animals body for up to a year. And like Stuckey, owners can be reluctant to bury their pet in their backyard in case they move in the future. Loading Shane McGraw is the owner of one of Australias few pet cemeteries. Located west of Sydney, the cemetery was founded in 1967 and bought by McGraw and his wife in 1999. McGraw estimates the number of pets buried on the grounds are in the thousands and says the cemetery is home to just about every type of animal imaginable, including goldfish and a kangaroo named Susie Meyer. McGraw says owners of all religions have laid their pets to rest with him hes done burials of dogs pointed to Mecca and hosted Buddhist funerals. Over the years, some owners continue to frequent the cemetery with new pets as they pass. One woman has upwards of 30 cats on the one plot the latest of which he buried a few days ago. In other cases, he says, owners have asked to be buried in the pet cemetery with their beloved companions. Keeping the memory alive Natalie Delaney-John started Rest in Pieces 10 years ago as a workshop space to teach taxidermy. Over the years, it has evolved to include other types of animal preservation and, during the pandemic, the Melbourne-based business began offering pet preservation. The service now makes up around 90 per cent of the business. It turned out that there was a real desire and need from pet owners to have alternative solutions to the aftercare or preservation of their pet, she says. Delaney-John says that most clients, much like Rae, choose preservation as they want to hold on to a more tangible memory of their pets. They find a lot of comfort in that rather than say, an urn with ashes. Russell, who ran unsuccessfully for election to the Senate last year under the banner of his own Australian Values Party, is seeking damages, a take-down order and orders restraining the ABC and its journalists from repeating the imputations. The claims of Josh Mark Willacy, one of three ABC Investigations journalists who wrote the first story, has reported extensively on war crimes allegedly perpetrated by Australian special forces in Afghanistan. Mark Willacy has reported extensively on alleged war crimes by Australian troops in Afghanistan. The first article reported allegations by a former US marine, given the pseudonym Josh, that soldiers from Australias 2nd commando regiment shot dead an Afghan prisoner in 2012 after they were told the prisoner would not fit on a US aircraft. He did not see the alleged killing but said he heard a pop over the radio and Australian soldiers advised there were now six prisoners instead of seven. Josh did not name any soldiers said to be responsible for the alleged killing, but unnamed members of the 2nd commando regiments Oscar platoon were reported elsewhere in the article as alleging the November platoon had a bad reputation among Americans. Russell, who was not named, was commander of the November platoon during its deployment to Afghanistan in 2012. Loading Media Watch believed the ABC pressed publish too soon on this first report, Barry said in a separate broadcast in December 2021, before the defamation case was launched. But an ABC spokesperson said in a written response to Media Watch that the broadcaster spent two months checking Joshs detailed account. The second article, bearing the byline of one of Willacys colleagues, repeated Joshs allegation. A key point in the article said his allegation concerned November platoon. The ABC would later say the key point in a dot point list outside the main body of text was an error. The article included a denial from Russell, who was named and pictured. A key point in the initial version of the ABCs article in November 2021. Willacy and the ABC Investigations team won the 2020 Gold Walkley, Australian journalisms top gong, for a separate Four Corners report in March that year which revealed footage of a Special Air Service soldier allegedly gunning down an unarmed man in a wheat field in Afghanistan in 2012. Oliver Schulz has been charged with war crime murder over a shooting in Uruzgan province in May 2012. Former SAS soldier Oliver Schulz, who appeared in the video, was arrested in March this year and became the first Australian serviceman or veteran to be charged with the war crime of murder. Schulz was granted bail in March after the court heard his trial is unlikely to proceed until 2024 or 2025. But the history of the Russell reporting has been more complex. Russell responds Russell responded to the ABCs first article on Tens The Sunday Project in November 2020. You were the commanding officer with the platoon all the time, and you never saw anything that has been alleged? presenter Peter van Onselen asked. Absolutely. That is correct, Russell replied. Asked whether you say that no prisoner was ever summarily executed that you saw, Russell replied: So, were responding to the direct allegation that this marine on a mission heard seven detainees turn to six and heard a pop and that that was the execution, and that never happened. Russell said in a statement last Saturday that his case was not about criticising Josh but holding the ABC to account for publishing what he described as serious, uncorroborated allegations. Breach of accuracy standards Russell complained to the ABCs audience and consumer affairs unit about both articles. The unit found in March last year that the first article was not materially misleading but could be misinterpreted by some readers as suggesting Joshs allegation was made against November platoon because it was named in a separate part of the article. It concluded the story should be clarified, although it found no breach of the ABCs accuracy standards. Separately, the broadcaster told Russell in an email that month that the second article breached the ABCs accuracy standards in that reasonable efforts were not made to ensure that the US marines allegation was correctly reported. It apologised and said the error in the key points, naming November platoon, arose in the production phase for the story. Changes to the stories The second story has been changed three times since it was first published, including to amend the key point to remove the reference to November platoon and refer generically to Australian commandos. Russells denial and photo remain in the story. A clarification was added to the first story in March last year, stating that Josh did not claim that the commandos he alleged killed a prisoner were from November platoon and nor did the ABCs story. References to November platoon remain in one section of the article. The court saga Russell launched defamation proceedings against the ABC in September last year over both articles and a related television broadcast. The ABC initially sought to rely on a limited truth defence as well as the public interest defence, before expanding its truth defence to include the gravest meaning the court found was conveyed: that Russell was involved in shooting and killing an Afghan prisoner. Nicholas Owens, SC, for the ABC, told the court in March that Russells alleged involvement was based on his ... status as a commander with effective command and control over November platoon, rather than suggesting he pulled the trigger. However, the ABC dropped the truth defence entirely in May after Chrysanthou argued it was wholly unmeritorious and hopeless and Lee struck out its supporting particulars. The broadcaster opted not to redraft this part of its case. In an unusual move, the ABC said two weeks before the trial that it would also withdraw its public interest defence in a bid to avoid complying with a recent court order to hand over documents to Russells lawyers revealing Joshs identity. Russells camp said it wanted this information to make pretrial inquiries, including contacting witnesses and checking whether Russell ever worked with Josh in Afghanistan. The broadcaster issued a statement saying it wanted the opportunity to defend our journalism in court but a greater principle honouring a promise not to name a source was at stake. However, Lee noted the ABC was not seeking to rely in Joshs case on Commonwealth laws giving journalists a privilege against identifying a source in evidence, despite invoking this shield law for other confidential sources in the case. The ABC sought to rely instead on a principle known as the newspaper rule which may protect media defendants from disclosing sources before a trial, although Lee noted the protection generally does not exist at trial. The broadcaster conceded that withdrawing its public interest defence meant Russell was entitled to judgment in his favour and the sole remaining issue was damages. The about-face Less than 48 hours later, the ABC revived its public interest defence in an embarrassing about-face after the court heard Russells lawyers believed they had already discovered Joshs identity through internet searches. The ABC published a photo of him in both articles. Lee said it was quite bizarre the ABC had suggested it could avoid the need to comply with the court order by dropping its defence because there was every likelihood it would still have had to disclose the material for the hearing on damages. The ABC has disputed that the material is relevant to a claim for aggravated damages. Loading Chrysanthou alleged in court that the ABC engaged in a disgraceful publicity campaign about why it dropped its defence. The broadcaster had previously sought to mount its truth defence using Josh as a witness, she said, which would have necessarily meant he turned up and got in the witness box or gave an affidavit. Showdown looms The parties are now headed for a showdown in the Federal Court when the seven-day trial starts in Sydney on Friday. Police are searching for Sydney tech entrepreneur Andrew Findlay who was aboard a fishing boat involved in a suspected accident on Sydney Harbour near Watsons Bay that claimed the life of leading art dealer Tim Klingender. Friends confirmed Findlay, 50, was the other person on the boat, having joined Klingender on the fishing expedition early on Thursday morning. Findlay, a father of three small children, is a keen angler. He is part of a wide circle of friends, many of them former schoolmates from his days at St Josephs College Hunters Hill, where he graduated in 1990. Findlays partner Lakshmi Pillai declined to comment. On Friday Findlays friends gathered at The Gap to support Pillai as police abseiled down the cliff as they continued their search, and more fragments of the boat were discovered. However, the search was called off about 5pm, to resume at first light on Saturday. Noosa will come alive as an arts and culture festival comes of age over 10 days in the Sunshine Coast holiday haven. In its 21st year, NOOSA alive! Festival will bring music, theatre, ballet, circus and food and wine to venues across Noosa from July 21. Cirque Bon-Bon will perform at NOOSA alive! Queensland Ballet will launch contemporary piece Tartan & Tchaikovsky Mash at The J Theatre on Friday and Saturday, inspired by Scottish music and short works set to music from Tchaikovskys Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. Another highlight includes the Australian Chamber Orchestras one-off performance with beloved works by Mozart and Bach to alongside newer songs by US-German musician Kurt Weill and film score composer Randy Newman. KYODO NEWS - Jul 22, 2023 - 11:04 | All, World Former U.S. President Donald Trump's trial in a case charging him with retaining dozens of classified documents containing sensitive national security information is set to begin on May 20 next year, a court order said Friday. A federal judge in Florida rejected Trump's petition to delay the trial until sometime after the November 2024 presidential election, but the start date is far later than the Justice Department's request to begin proceedings in December. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon said in the order that the government's "proposed schedule is atypically accelerated and inconsistent with ensuring a fair trial." Trump was indicted on 37 criminal counts last month over allegations of willfully withholding highly sensitive records at his Mar-a-Lago estate after leaving office in January 2021 and obstructing government efforts to get them back. Trump, who became the first former U.S. president to face federal criminal charges, has pleaded not guilty to the criminal counts. The 77-year-old has also insisted that the charges against him are politically motivated. He remains the clear front-runner in an increasingly crowded field of Republicans vying for the party's presidential nomination in 2024. The two-week trial is set to begin approximately two months before the Republican party will officially select its nominee, but the party's standard-bearer for the fall election may already be clear by that time, with the race for the presidency heating up. Under the U.S. Constitution, an indictment or a potential conviction would not bar Trump from running for president in 2024 or serving in office if elected. Related coverage: Trump pleads not guilty to mishandling classified documents Trump facing 37 criminal counts in classified documents case Trump indicted over classified docs, 1st federal charges for ex-pres. Two people have been charged with murder after a man was allegedly killed in an assault at a Chadstone home earlier this week. A 36-year-old woman and a 35-year-old man were arrested following the discovery of a body, which is yet to be formally identified, in Railway Parade, near the Glen Waverley train line, on Friday afternoon. Forensic officers on Saturday at the scene of a fire and alleged fatal assault in Binalong Avenue, Chadstone. Credit: Justin McManus Police said the man was assaulted at a property on Binalong Avenue and his body was found around the corner after a significant search. A Chadstone woman was arrested in Seaford on Thursday night, while missing persons squad detectives apprehended a 35-year-old Seaford man in Carrum Downs on Friday afternoon. The Andrews governments announcement this week of reforms to mitigate the harm caused by poker machines in Victoria is long overdue, and the proposed measures are welcome. It is critical that the time lost already is not compounded by tardy delivery or lax enforcement, and that the government not only holds firmly to its commitment but remains open to improving on it. As Premier Daniel Andrews emphasised at the announcement, there is much at stake. These machines are the cause of terrible harm, he said. Indeed, all of us pay the price ... more than $7 billion a year. Communities, often those most disadvantaged, are affected by family breakdown, crime, physical and mental health problems and increased suicide rates that are directly attributable to monetary losses incurred through poker machine gambling. Premier Daniel Andrews: These machines are the cause of terrible harm. Credit: Gus McCubbing As The Ages investigations into Crown casino revealed, gaming venues have also served as money laundering vehicles for criminals. Warning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers: This story contains images and references to a deceased person. A doctor referred to Australias medical watchdog over the prison death of Aboriginal woman Veronica Nelson is appealing against adverse findings made by a coroner who ruled the medical practitioner provided substandard care in the hours before the woman died. Coroner Simon McGregor in January found Dr Sean Runacres incorrectly assessed Nelsons weight and failed to physically examine the 37-year-old when she arrived at womens prison Dame Phyllis Frost Centre on New Years Eve 2019. Dr Sean Runacres outside the Coroners Court of Victoria in May 2021. Credit: Darrian Traynor McGregor made numerous findings against Runacres and nursing staff who were present as an unwell Nelson repeatedly asked for assistance. Nelson died at the facility days later, having used the intercom system 49 times to call for help. Deloitte could face a repeat of its parliamentary grilling after revelations that a former partner was using Defence documents he obtained while working at the firm as part of his new private business. A Senate committee investigating consulting services will consider hauling Deloitte back for another round of public questioning after senior executives from the firm gave evidence earlier this week. Leaked emails reveal Canberra consultant David Milo used and shared documents he had accessed on major military contracts while in a senior role with Deloitte. Credit: The Age Leaked emails that came to light after that appearance reveal Canberra consultant David Milo used and shared documents he had previously accessed on major military contracts while in a senior role for Deloitte with his new consulting firm, Synergy 360. Milo said the documents were completely innocuous drafts and rejected claims they were used outside the firm to win contracts. London: The Chief of Australias Air Force says hes not confident the military could defend its northern bases if attacked, warning that Australia needs to be capable of fighting a sustained conflict. Asked if the RAAF were 100 per cent assured of defending Australias military bases if attacked, Air Marshal Robert Chipman said he was not. Air Marshal Rob Chipman addressing the Global Air & Space Chiefs Conference in London. Credit: Royal Air Force No, I think theres work to be done, he said in an interview after addressing The Chief of the Air Staffs Global Air and Space Chiefs conference in London. Thats what the government has recognised in the Defence Strategic Review and my task is to get after that to make sure that we can fight resiliently from our northern networks of bases. How many of us, in our dreams, have caught sight of our perfect place only to have it slip from us as the demands of another day trump sleep, shaking us into reality? Sure, were starting out a little philosophical, but the beauty of the Byron Bay hinterland will do that to you. Builder Michael Beukers and interior designer Ali Griffiths restored and extended an original 1927 Queenslander in the Byron Bay hinterland. Credit: Louise Roche - The Design Villa The restoration and extension of the original 1927 Queenslander Rocklea by interior designer Ali Griffiths and her partner, builder Michael Beukers, demonstrates that, sometimes, those dreams can be turned into reality. The owners before us had quite a bit of landholding in the area and this property was part of that, Griffiths says. I said to one of them, Honestly, this place is my image of heaven the rolling hills, the butterflies flying around. The park Walk or cycle kilometres of paved and dirt trails in historic Stanley Park recognised as one of the worlds greatest urban parks. Blooming gardens, pristine coastal areas and about 500,000 or so centuries-old red cedar, fir and hemlock trees feature in the 400-hectare haven at the end of a promontory hemmed by water. Canadas largest urban park also features a section of the worlds longest uninterrupted waterfront path stretching 28 kilometres. The nine-kilometre stretch that circles the parks perimeter, known as the Seawall, is a magnet for nature lovers, active types and tourists alike. Here you can admire mountain and forest scenery along with sweeping vistas of downtown Vancouver. Popular stops along the Sea Wall include Brockton Point Lighthouse and totem poles, a replica figurehead from the Canadian Pacific Lines Empress of Japan, and Girl in a Wetsuit, Vancouvers equivalent of the Copenhagen Mermaid. See vancouver.ca Cycle the historic Stanley Park, recognised as one of the worlds greatest urban parks. The restaurant Siblings Amelie and Vincent Nguyen relaunched Vietnamese fixture Pho Hoang into Ahn and Chi (which means brother and sister in Vietnamese). The stylish minimalist space on Main Street Mount Pleasant nods to its familial roots with a blue neon sign from the original restaurant owned and run by the duos parents for three decades. The menu continues their refugee parents legacy of sharing Vietnamese culture and cuisine with diners with regional staples found on Vietnams streets. Ly Nguyen (mum) oversees the kitchen where chef Vincent serves up standout dishes including chao tom banh hoi (grilled prawn mince on sugar cane sticks), steaming pho and the mind-blowing bun rieu cua made from his grandmothers crab tomato noodle soup recipe. See anhandchi.com Honda Motor Co-founder Takeo Fujisawa Inducted into Automotive Hall of Fame DETROIT, Mich.July 21, 2023: Fujisawa joins Honda founder Soichiro Honda in the Automotive Hall of Fame Six other inductees were honored at the awards celebration in Detroit Flanked on stage by three iconic products that helped to establish Honda as one of the most innovative companies in America the Honda 50 motorcycle (Super Cub), the Honda Civic CVCC and the HondaJet Honda co-founder Takeo Fujisawa was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame at the awards ceremony last night at The Fillmore Detroit. Honda Motor Co. Ltd, Chairman Seiji Kuraishi accepted the honor on behalf of Fujisawas family, and Honda associates around the world. The spirit and vision of Takeo Fujisawa continues to guide Honda, said Kuraishi. Our business in America may have started with the Super Cub motorcycle, but due to his vision it continues with new types of mobility, including the HondaJet. Fujisawa joins Honda founder Soichiro Honda, who was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1989, the first Japanese automotive executive so honored. Born on November 10, 1910, Fujisawa originally aspired to become a teacher, but instead worked as a salesman for a steel products company and then for a lumber company when he met Soichiro Honda in August 1949, about one year after the founding of Honda Motor Co., a small local venture in Hamamatsu, Japan. It was right after the launch of the Dream D-Type, considered to be Hondas first full-fledged motorcycle product. While the two men were equipped with different personalities and skill sets, Honda and Fujisawa hit it off almost immediately and began deep discussions about their approach to business and dreams for the future. Quickly developing a trusting relationship, they established a shared vision for the future of the company with Fujisawa joining Honda Motor in October 1949. As a president of the company, Honda retained responsibility for product design and technology development and manufacturing operations, inventing many innovative vehicles including Super Cub, the worlds best-selling mobility product. Fujisawa backed him up as his right hand with responsibility for the business side of the company, including sales, finance and marketing. Fujisawas marketing savvy, strong business sense, and keen ability to chart unique paths to growth proved the perfect match to Soichiro Hondas engineering acumen and vision for mobility. The partnership lasted 25 years, until March 1973 when Messrs. Honda and Fujisawa retired together. From the beginning, Fujisawa had an enormous impact on Hondas business globally and in the U.S., where he played the key role in the approach to the American market. Fujisawa made several lasting and impactful business decisions that are still relevant today: Starting Honda Business in the U.S. In 1959, and by then the senior managing director of Honda, Fujisawa made the challenging decision to establish American Honda as Hondas first subsidiary outside Japan. At the time, the entire U.S. motorcycle industry sold no more than 60,000 units annually mostly larger bikes. One member of the team recommended expansion in Asia, where small motorcycles from Europe, like those made by Honda, were already in use. He suggested that America, the land of the automobile, was too difficult a target for Honda. Fujisawa had another idea. On second thought, lets do America, he said. To succeed in the U.S. is to succeed worldwide. To take up the challenge of the American market may be the most difficult thing to do, but its a critical step in expanding the export of our products. Without Fujisawas leadership, Honda would not be the success story in the United States that it is today. Creating Independent U.S. Dealer Network Fujisawa adopted many innovative sales and marketing strategies in Japan and the U.S. This included the decision to start motorcycle sales by establishing Hondas own dealer network. Despite suggestions that Honda should follow the approach of other Japanese companies and rely on a trading company to launch U.S. sales, Honda forged relationships with many smaller dealers, even those with no history in the motorcycle industry, and successfully expanded business from the West Coast across America. By the mid-1960s, Honda was the best-selling motorcycle brand in America. Establishing Separate R&D Company In 1960, based on Fujisawas initiative, Honda R&D Co., Ltd. was created as a separate company. Fujisawa conceived the idea with two objectives: to give Honda engineers the freedom to create new value without being constrained by the ups and downs of daily business and to protect Hondas ability to sustain this innovation in the future when they could no longer rely on the genius of Soichiro Honda. The new R&D company ushered in an era of incredible technological and product innovation and entering new business areas including the automobile and aviation industries. Honda R&Ds focus on research and creating new value in mobility continues to this day. The corporate culture Mr. Fujisawa helped foster is alive and well today and will continue as a driving force for Honda in business. The commitment to act as a good corporate citizen is as important now as it has always been as Honda continue to pursue The Power of Dreams and use technology to help move people and society forward. # # # Honda in America Honda started operations in the United States with American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in 1959. Today, Honda employs over 30,000 associates in America engaged in the development, manufacturing, sales and service support of Honda and Acura automobiles, Honda power equipment, Honda powersports products and the HondaJet advanced light jet. Based on its longstanding commitment to build products close to the customer, Honda operates 12 major U.S. manufacturing facilities, working with 600 U.S. suppliers to produce a diverse range of Honda products. Honda has built automobiles in America for over 40 years, and in 2022, more than two-thirds of all U.S.-sold Honda and Acura automobiles were produced in America, using domestic and globally sourced parts. Honda also conducts research and development activities at 21 facilities in America where we fully design, develop and engineer many of the products the company manufactures in America. Toyota Mobility Foundation and WRI India Release Study that Offers Key Insights into Metro Usage Patterns Across India A survey of 7,200 commuters, across Nagpur, Delhi, and Bengaluru, conducted as part of the Station Access and Mobility Program (STAMP) underlines solutions for improving last-mile connectivity to metros. Toyota City, Japan, Jul 19, 2023 - Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) and WRI India today launched a working paper that offers new insights into the way commuters access and utilize the metro, and its implications on last-mile services. The paper 'Improving Metro Access in India: Evidence from Three Cities,' was launched as part of Connect Karo 2023, a flagship knowledge event, organized by WRI India, that showcases research-based, solution-centric initiatives, geared towards sustainable development in India. The paper presented key findings and recommendations based on extensive research across three metro cities-Nagpur, Delhi and Bengaluru. The study's findings reveal how poor access to metro stations impacts the use of the metro rail system in India. This shows that despite significant investment channeled into these systems, the lack of efficient last-mile connectivity has limited the metro's full potential. The working paper, compiled as part of the TMF and WRI India Station Access and Mobility Program (STAMP), emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive and strategic planning to address this critical issue. "The paper emphasizes the need for robust data collection and analysis of commuter behavior for each station. This will enable cities to design appropriate services that respond better to the needs of commuters. Understanding last-mile commuter behavior is crucial for increasing ridership, as it has been identified as the biggest hindrance to utilizing the metro," said Madhav Pai, Chief Executive Officer, WRI India. One of the key findings of the study is that Indian metro systems primarily attract the demographic of 18- to 35-year-olds, who use the metro to access workplaces and educational institutes. Additionally, the research underscores that metro users prefer walking or low-cost shared modes of transport for last-mile connectivity, with informal paratransit modes, such as shared autos, emerging as a particularly popular option. In all three survey cities, walking and shared modes constitute over 75% of the total last-mile mode-share. This indicates that low-cost, shared services and pedestrian infrastructure play a vital role in facilitating last-mile connectivity for metro users. The study also reveals the time-sensitive nature of commute in India, especially for women, who are averse to waiting for last-mile modes. Consequently, the working paper emphasizes the importance of high-frequency services when planning shared last-mile connectivity options. The research also indicates that existing fare structures empirically place a disadvantage on women as they tend to travel shorter distances, leading to higher fares. This highlights the need for fare structures that can accommodate gender-inclusive travel patterns. Another important finding is that users are willing to travel up to 20 minutes to access metro stations, including the time spent waiting for last-mile modes. This figure is consistent across cities and income groups, indicating that the "catchment region" of a metro station is determined by access time rather than by a fixed area. The working paper proposes several recommendations to address the last-mile connectivity problem in the Indian metro rail systems. The findings suggest that a metro station's effective catchment area can expand by operating faster last-mile modes, reducing wait times, and increasing average speeds, which can improve ridership. "Not all cities are the same, and not all catchment areas around a metro station are the same. The types of commuters are different. Their travel patterns and mobility needs are different. Understanding this diversity is critical to understand the best way to seamlessly integrate first and last-mile mobility into the metro journey. Appropriately grasping these critical insights, the working paper serves as a call to action for policymakers, urban planners, and stakeholders in the transportation sector to adjust the key parameters that drive the metro journey, including journey information, booking services, hardware and software used for first and last mile, seamless payment methods, etc. By adopting the recommendations outlined in this paper, India can further unlock the full potential of its metro rail systems, by placing the commuter experience at its center, and contributing to sustainable urban development with the best integration of public and private transportation," said Pras Ganesh, Executive Program Director, Asia Region, Toyota Mobility Foundation. To read the full paper, visit this link: https://wri-india.org/publication/improving-metro-access-india The paper was released as part of Station Access and Mobility Program (STAMP), which is an initiative led by TMF and WRI India to promote better multimodal integration of metro rail, with other modes of transportation in Indian cities, through a partnership model with the innovation and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The initiative, which launched in 2016 in Bengaluru, has also been deployed in six other cities, namely Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Delhi. About the Toyota Mobility Foundation The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) was established in August 2014 by the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) to support the development of a more mobile society in which everyone can move freely. The Foundation underscores TMC's on-going commitment to continuous improvement and respect for people. It utilizes Toyota's expertise and technologies to support strong mobility systems while eliminating disparities in mobility. TMF works in partnership with universities, governments, non-profits, research institutions and other organizations, creating programs that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address mobility issues around the world. About WRI India WRI India, an independent charity legally registered as the India Resources Trust, provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. WRI India's work focuses on building sustainable and liveable cities and working towards a low carbon economy. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being. We are inspired by and associated with World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research organisation. 5 Tips to Get the Compensation You Deserve After a Car Accident Car accidents are an inevitable and traumatic reality of everyday life. Aside from the pain and suffering, there may also be significant financial losses suffered due to property damage or hospital bills associated with treatment. To ensure you are adequately compensated for any damages incurred in an automobile accident, weve compiled five essential tips to help ensure you get the compensation you deserve. 1. Seek Medical Attention and Keep Records Immediately seek medical attention, even if you do not feel any pain or injuries. Some car accident injuries, such as whiplash, soft tissue injuries, internal bleeding, and concussions, may not manifest immediately, and failure to seek timely treatment can aggravate your condition. Additionally, obtaining medical records, diagnosis, and treatment history is crucial when seeking compensation, as it strengthens your claim and proves the extent of your injuries. Follow any prescribed treatment plan and keep detailed records of all appointments, medication, treatments, bills, and receipts. 2. Document Everything Before filing a claim, save copies of all relevant paperwork, such as repair estimates, medical bills, receipts for rental cars or alternative transportation costs, and other related documents. Take pictures of the accident scene and your damaged vehicle for further evidence. Additionally, keep track of all correspondences between yourself and insurance companies or attorneys to stay organized throughout the process. Any relevant evidence should be documented and saved for your records. If possible, you should try to obtain CCTV footage or any dash-camera footage that could help your case. 3. Hire an Experienced Attorney Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, especially when trying to recover from your injuries and dealing with insurance companies. An experienced lawyer is familiar with the legal system and can investigate key details of your accident, such as obtaining relevant evidence, witness statements, medical records, and other relevant documents. Ensure your lawyer is specialized in car accident cases for the best possible outcome. Ask about their experience and success rate. Having a good lawyer on your side increases the chances of obtaining a fair settlement. 4. Be Careful with Insurance Adjusters Insurance adjusters are representatives of the insurance company and may try to downplay your injuries or losses or undermine your claim to reduce the compensation amount. If you face an insurance adjuster, answer any questions honestly and accurately but be careful not to make any statements that may be misconstrued or used against you later. Dont give a recorded statement to the adjusters before consulting with your lawyer. Also, avoid signing any documents without carefully reading and understanding them. Your lawyer can advise you on what is fair and support you when negotiating with insurance companies. 5. File Your Claim Quickly Most states have a set time limit or statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim, usually from the day of the accident to three years. To avoid missing crucial deadlines, file your claim as early as possible. Additionally, filing promptly can help preserve relevant evidence and ensure accuracy in reporting details. It also gives your lawyer ample time to investigate and build a strong case on your behalf. Take all necessary steps quickly before any memories fade and documents are misplaced. Endnote Car accidents are often stressful, challenging, and financially burdensome. Seeking compensation can help ease these burdens. Following the above five tips can put you on the right path to receiving the compensation you deserve. Remember, to ensure you get fair compensation. It is best to seek the counsel of experienced car accident attorneys. KYODO NEWS - Jul 21, 2023 - 16:28 | Sports, All Japan defeated Slovenia in straight sets Thursday to reach the semifinals of the Nations League men's volleyball tournament for the first time in the history of the event, previously called the World League. In-form Japan won 26-24, 25-18 and 25-22, setting up Saturday's semifinal against Poland, the host of the eight-team finals, who eliminated Brazil in the day's other quarterfinal match. The inaugural World League was held in 1990. Japan fought off a set point at 24-23 in the first, and its captain Yuki Ishikawa scored a match-high 27 points, closing out the contest with a kill. "It was an opponent that we had to defeat," Ishikawa said. "Now we've achieved our minimum goal. We'll prepare ourselves well to take home a medal." Ran Takahashi, who scored nine points for Japan, said, "We made history. I'm so happy we achieved the goal we've been striving for." The other semifinal will be played between the United States and Italy. In the preliminary phase, Japan finished second behind the United States with a 10-2 win-loss record. This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 20, 2023 shows Shenzhou-16 astronaut Zhu Yangzhu performing extravehicular activities. The Shenzhou-16 crew members on board China's orbiting space station completed their first spacewalk at 9:40 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao collaborated to pull off all set tasks with the assistance of the space station's robotic arm. Jing and Zhu have since returned to the Wentian lab module safely. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng) BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Shenzhou-16 crew members on board China's orbiting space station completed their first spacewalk at 9:40 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao collaborated to pull off all set tasks with the assistance of the space station's robotic arm. Jing and Zhu have since returned to the Wentian lab module safely. During the extravehicular activities lasting about eight hours, they completed several tasks, including the installation and lifting of the support frame for a panoramic camera outside the Tianhe core module, and unlocking and lifting of two panoramic cameras outside the Mengtian lab module. This was the first time for Jing, who is on his fourth spaceflight, to perform a spacewalk. Zhu has become China's first flight engineer to take part in extravehicular activities. The Shenzhou-16 crew, as planned, will carry out a large number of space science experiments and complete multiple extravehicular installation tasks of application loads in the future. This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 20, 2023 shows Shenzhou-16 astronaut Jing Haipeng performing extravehicular activities. The Shenzhou-16 crew members on board China's orbiting space station completed their first spacewalk at 9:40 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao collaborated to pull off all set tasks with the assistance of the space station's robotic arm. Jing and Zhu have since returned to the Wentian lab module safely. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng) This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 20, 2023 shows Shenzhou-16 astronaut Jing Haipeng waving after finishing extravehicular activities. The Shenzhou-16 crew members on board China's orbiting space station completed their first spacewalk at 9:40 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao collaborated to pull off all set tasks with the assistance of the space station's robotic arm. Jing and Zhu have since returned to the Wentian lab module safely. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng) This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 20, 2023 shows Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng (L) and Zhu Yangzhu preparing to exit the Wentian lab module. The Shenzhou-16 crew members on board China's orbiting space station completed their first spacewalk at 9:40 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao collaborated to pull off all set tasks with the assistance of the space station's robotic arm. Jing and Zhu have since returned to the Wentian lab module safely. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng) This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 20, 2023 shows Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng (above) and Zhu Yangzhu performing extravehicular activities. The Shenzhou-16 crew members on board China's orbiting space station completed their first spacewalk at 9:40 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao collaborated to pull off all set tasks with the assistance of the space station's robotic arm. Jing and Zhu have since returned to the Wentian lab module safely. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng) This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 20, 2023 shows Shenzhou-16 astronaut Zhu Yangzhu waving after exiting the Wentian lab module. The Shenzhou-16 crew members on board China's orbiting space station completed their first spacewalk at 9:40 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao collaborated to pull off all set tasks with the assistance of the space station's robotic arm. Jing and Zhu have since returned to the Wentian lab module safely. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng) This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 20, 2023 shows Shenzhou-16 astronaut Gui Haichao giving a thumb-up for his crewmates Jing Haipeng and Zhu Yangzhu upon completion of the spacewalk. The Shenzhou-16 crew members on board China's orbiting space station completed their first spacewalk at 9:40 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao collaborated to pull off all set tasks with the assistance of the space station's robotic arm. Jing and Zhu have since returned to the Wentian lab module safely. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng) This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 20, 2023 shows Shenzhou-16 astronaut Jing Haipeng waving after exiting the Wentian lab module. The Shenzhou-16 crew members on board China's orbiting space station completed their first spacewalk at 9:40 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao collaborated to pull off all set tasks with the assistance of the space station's robotic arm. Jing and Zhu have since returned to the Wentian lab module safely. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng) This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 20, 2023 shows Shenzhou-16 astronaut Jing Haipeng performing extravehicular activities. The Shenzhou-16 crew members on board China's orbiting space station completed their first spacewalk at 9:40 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao collaborated to pull off all set tasks with the assistance of the space station's robotic arm. Jing and Zhu have since returned to the Wentian lab module safely. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng) This screen image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on July 20, 2023 shows Shenzhou-16 astronauts Jing Haipeng (R) and Zhu Yangzhu returning to the Wentian lab module after finishing extravehicular activities. The Shenzhou-16 crew members on board China's orbiting space station completed their first spacewalk at 9:40 p.m. (Beijing Time) on Thursday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao collaborated to pull off all set tasks with the assistance of the space station's robotic arm. Jing and Zhu have since returned to the Wentian lab module safely. (Xinhua/Guo Zhongzheng) A BYD Yuan Pro vehicle is displayed during the 20th Changchun International Auto Expo in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, July 20, 2023. The expo displays more than 100 new energy vehicles (NEV). The NEV sales accounted for 27.7 percent of the country's total new vehicle sales in the first five months of this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun) People visit the booth of BYD during the 20th Changchun International Auto Expo in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, July 20, 2023. The expo displays more than 100 new energy vehicles (NEV). The NEV sales accounted for 27.7 percent of the country's total new vehicle sales in the first five months of this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun) People look at Denza vehicles during the 20th Changchun International Auto Expo in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, July 17, 2023. The expo displays more than 100 new energy vehicles (NEV). The NEV sales accounted for 27.7 percent of the country's total new vehicle sales in the first five months of this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun) An Audi RS e-tron GT vehicle is displayed during the 20th Changchun International Auto Expo in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, July 20, 2023. The expo displays more than 100 new energy vehicles (NEV). The NEV sales accounted for 27.7 percent of the country's total new vehicle sales in the first five months of this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun) A GAC Aion V Plus vehicle is displayed during the 20th Changchun International Auto Expo in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, July 20, 2023. The expo displays more than 100 new energy vehicles (NEV). The NEV sales accounted for 27.7 percent of the country's total new vehicle sales in the first five months of this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun) An AITO M5 vehicle is displayed during the 20th Changchun International Auto Expo in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, July 20, 2023. The expo displays more than 100 new energy vehicles (NEV). The NEV sales accounted for 27.7 percent of the country's total new vehicle sales in the first five months of this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun) A Volkswagen ID.6 CROZZ vehicle is displayed during the 20th Changchun International Auto Expo in Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, July 20, 2023. The expo displays more than 100 new energy vehicles (NEV). The NEV sales accounted for 27.7 percent of the country's total new vehicle sales in the first five months of this year. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun) Cheyenne, WY (82001) Today Some passing clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 52F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Some passing clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 52F. Winds WNW at 15 to 25 mph. KIEV, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian government on Friday adopted a resolution to withdraw the Russia-linked Sense Bank from the market and nationalize it, said the cabinet's press service. "The procedure of the bank's nationalization, including the appointment of a new management, will be ensured as soon as possible for its smooth operation," said a statement by the government. The Ukrainian Finance Ministry will temporarily take control of the bank, and seek to attract private investors once the martial law in the country comes to an end, it said. The resolution was adopted after the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) proposed to nationalize the bank, saying that the owners of the financial institution are Russian citizens, who were put under Ukrainian and international sanctions. Sense Bank, formerly known as Alfa Bank, is among the largest financial institutions in Ukraine, and is included in the NBU's list of systemically important banks. Ukraine imposed a series of sanctions against Russian companies and individuals due to the Ukraine crisis. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., had an A rating from the NRA when she was a U.S. representative. She now has an F after moving left on the political spectrum. MUST CREDIT: Bloomberg photo by Aaron P. Bernstein. JINAN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Li Guohua, former general manager of the Chinese telecom giant China Unicom, stood trial at a court in east China's Shandong Province on Thursday for taking bribes and abuse of power. Li was charged with taking advantage of his various positions to seek profits for others in areas such as project contracting, enterprise operation and job promotions between 1998 and 2022, and taking money and valuables worth over 66.45 million yuan (about 9.30 million U.S. dollars) in return. Li allegedly abused his power when serving at the provincial postal administration of Jiangxi and the State Post Bureau of China, causing losses of state-owned assets worth over 49.96 million yuan, according to the prosecutors. During hearings at the Intermediate People's Court of Qingdao, the prosecutors presented their evidence, which the defendant and his lawyers cross-examined. Li pleaded guilty and expressed remorse in his final statement. The verdict will be announced in due course. She said: "He was a very positive force in my life when I was making the 'Speak Now' album and I want to say he did every single stunt that you saw in that music video. He and his wife have become some of my closest friends and its very convenient because we all share the same first name." MOGADISHU, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) on Friday lauded the Somali National Army (SNA) forces for thwarting an al-Shabab attack on a military base in the country's Southwest State. Al-Shabab terrorists attempted to attack Albao military base and Elishabiya detachment Thursday but were repulsed by the gallant SNA forces, the ATMIS said in a brief statement. Albao military base is one of the six military bases that were handed over from the ATMIS to the Somali security forces recently as part of the withdrawal plan of the AU mission. The al-Shabab group seized Geriley military base in southern Somalia on July 13 after local security forces took it from the ATMIS. The ATMIS withdrew 2,000 troops by June 30 and is expected to draw down another 3,000 in September in compliance with the UN Security Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670, which mandate the mission to hand over security responsibilities in agreed areas to Somali security forces. The SNA said its forces killed 15 al-Shabab terrorists including three commanders Thursday evening during the operation conducted in the southwest region. If you want some idea of what to do while you are over there, check out what our Edge journo Mon loved the best while living her best island life earlier this month. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on Artificial Intelligence after meeting with executives from Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI at 1:30 p.m. ET on July 21. MANILA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Philippine volcanologists on Friday called for vigilance as an approaching tropical depression could develop into a super typhoon and dump heavy rain in areas near an erupting volcano southeast of Manila. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that the tropical depression will bring heavy rainfall from Sunday, triggering floods and landslides. Due to this development, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology "strongly recommended" on Friday that residents at the foot of the cone-shaped Mayon volcano in Albay province, approximately 500 km southeast of Manila, "be vigilant and ready." The institute said the prolonged heavy rainfall could trigger lahar flows of ash and volcanic debris spewed by the volcano, which started erupting on June 8. "The Mayon lahars can threaten communities along the middle and lower slopes and downstream of (river) channels with inundation, burial, and wash away," the institute warned, urging the provincial authorities "to move residents to high grounds should heavy rains occur." The ongoing eruption displaced thousands of villagers. The evacuees are now housed in government-run temporary shelters around the province. Is it possible that throughout history, a different kind of peoplelittle people like the elves or dwarves of loreonce populated the earth? Some evidence has emerged over the years suggesting such people may have lived in various regions around the world. They are often described as about 3 feet tall and preferring to avoid contact with humans. Kenya, Hawaii, and Indonesia are a few of the places such evidence has been found. Indonesias Hobbit In 2003, the remains of a one-meter-tall woman in her 30s were unearthed at Liang Bua cave on the island Flores of Indonesia. Due to her stature, she has been nicknamed the hobbit. She was unearthed with other individuals but hers was the only complete skeleton. Eight others were with her but only fragments of their bones were found. Her species was named, Homo floresiensis, a smaller species of human largely regarded as extinct. An almost complete female skeleton was found and nicknamed the hobbit because of her particularly small size, wrote Selene Cannelli, an archaeobiologist at Blue Marble Space Institute. Based on tooth eruption, and tooth wear, it seems that LB1 [skeletons archived name] was an adult at the moment of death, and based on the pelvic anatomy, it is possible to state that it was a female, Ms. Cannelli added. But how do we know that she was indeed a different species and not just a very short human? Continued studies on the skeleton showed that her brain was about a third of the size of a human brain. Recent research shows that the H. floresiensis brain was 426 cubic centimeters, wrote Ms. Cannelli. This discovery provides strong evidence for the existence of little people as reported on written documentations over the centuries in both occidental and oriental world, said Yok Man Khei, an independent researcher, in an article published in the International Journal of Comparative Literature & Translation Studies. Homo floresiensis had a small brain and an unpronounced chin, and although no one in recent times has seen one, it is impossible to say for certain that they have gone extinct. We simply dont know when this species became extinct or indeed dare I saywe dont even know if it is extinct, so there is some possibility that it is still alive, said Gregory Forth, a retired professor of Anthropology, in an interview with Live Science in 2022. Kenyas Agumba Other evidence of little people has been discovered in Kenya, Africa. They were called the Agumba, and in recent years, it is unknown where they have gone. We only know that there have been no more reported sightings of them. Because they lived in the forest, few outsiders had the chance to meet the short statured folk in person, and the question of their size is still in contention, wrote Angela W. Kabiru, a research fellow with the British Institute in Eastern Africa, in an article published by the Kenya Museum Society. Assessments of their height ranged from two feet to about 4.5 feet tall, she said, and went on to cite various sources that called the Agumba stocky and clever, rich, fierce, and touchy, with hideous features, having big heads, light brown skin, and keeping long beards. They are said to have spoken a language like the twittering of birds. The majority of the history of the little people was passed down orally, but there is concrete evidence of their existence in the remnants of their living accommodations. The Agumba are said to have lived in pits dug on plateaus. Many of these pits have been destroyed through agricultural expansion. Other pits are in the Aberdeen forest which is currently a protected reserve. Inside these underground living situations, pottery and different tools could be found. The depths of the pits are all under five feet with some being only one foot deep. The pits showed signs of having had some form of entrance, with all entrances facing Mt Kenya, and these may have been of a tunnel-like nature. there have been suggestions that the pits may have been used for other purposes, such as trapping game, existing evidence supported the tradition that they were actually inhabited, wrote Ms. Kabiru. Every tribe on Mount Kenya has folklore about them, says Jeffrey Fadiman in his book When We Began, There Were Witchmen: An Oral History from Mount Kenya. They are described in the lore as little people or shy, hairy dwarfs. Mr. Fadiman noted, however, some conflicting lore places tall, slender, cattle-keeping people in the area dwelling in the pits or caves. The well-known Pygmy people who still live in Africa today have an average height for males of about 4 feet and 11 inches. While this may be similar to some accounts of the Agumbas height, the other more dwarfish descriptions of the Agumba do not apply to the Pygmies. Hawaiis Menehune While many may recognize the name of Hawaiis little people, the Menehune, they also remain shrouded in mystery. An Australian named Thomas George Thrum immigrated to Hawaii in 1853. He accumulated oral accounts of the Menehune people from Kauai and Oahu. Legends say that the Menehune were around three feet tall and they were active at night, quickly leaving for shelter at daybreak. They are known for amazing feats of labor, especially for such small people. World History Encyclopedia states that the Menehune were thought to be skilled stonemasons who ventured out after twilight to build canoes, roads, ponds, and walls or to sing and play musical instruments. They shunned sunlight and their herculean construction efforts, whether completed or not, always ceased before dawn when they would vanish. The construction of Kikiaola, a historic 24-foot (7.3 meter) high irrigation channel, is attributed to them. It is considered an engineering marvel due to the 120 cleanly cut dressed basalt blocks, which would have required precision tools and techniques for cutting, that line about 200 feet (61 m) of the ditch, carrying water to irrigate ponds for growing taro. It also differs from typical Hawaiian rock wall constructions, even though the Hawaiians were fully skilled in stonemasonry, the encyclopedia states. Icelands Elves In Iceland, elves and their habitats have been protected by law. In 2014, a judge ruled that highway construction be canceled because elves may be living in the area, reported local publication Ice News. Guide to Iceland also tells of how elves or the hidden people are said to have interfered with building on their land. After many failed attempts, where heavy machinery had continually broken down for no apparent reason and numerous workers had suffered freak accidents, the construction company was forced to move the road so that it would bypass the elfin community completely, the guide said. [FULL TRANSCRIPT BELOW] This is the new technology of speech in America: You can dial people all the way up to everybody sees it, and you can dial someone else down to its almost impossible to see them. And that is extremely dangerous, and its especially dangerous if its done in secret and nobody knows exactly how it operates. In this episode, Jan Jekielek sits down with investigative journalist Matt Taibbi. He was one of the key investigators of the Twitter Files, which exposed collusion between social media companies, the nonprofit sector, and the federal government to censor Americans on a mass scale. In parallel to this censorship program, I think what theyre doingwith things like shadow banning and denylistingis theyre trying to simplify controversies and reduce everybodys intellectual field of view and, in doing so, kind-of drain our will to be curious, to stand up for ourselves, [and] to think about things in a complicated way, says Mr. Taibbi. We discuss the current state of journalism, government information operations, internet culture and addiction, and the importance of free speech and free inquiry. All of these agencies that were once involved with counterproliferation, counterterrorism, trying to counter messaging to disaffected young Muslim men in foreign countries they are now turning all those techniques inward on our own populations and trying to get them to believe in a different kind of political consensus, says Mr. Taibbi. Instead of, dont join al-Qaeda, now theyre saying, dont vote for Donald Trump, or dont join the Canadian trucker protests, or dont join the Yellow Vest movement. Its actually not a left or right thingits just: stay in the safe place, stay with consensus. FULL TRANSCRIPT Jan Jekielek: Matt Taibbi, such a pleasure to have you on American Thought Leaders. Matt Taibbi: Thank you so much for having me. Its an honor. Mr. Jekielek: Im very happy to finally have you on the show. Its been a long time coming. There are so many areas where our interests have intersected. When you gave your speech here at FreedomFest, you were talking about these incredible censorship apparatuses that have been pulled up over the last years, and people losing their ability to kind of communicate their ideas in the public square. There is something more pernicious here, and thats the loss of freedom. That is true, and I hadnt thought about it that way. Mr. Taibbi: I came around to this way of thinking because I spent a lot of the winter working on these Twitter Files stories. They were complicated in terms of their specifics, who was talking to whom, and how the procedures worked. The basic idea was that the government would like to censor, and that the companies would rather censor than be regulated. That wasnt hard to understand. But as a journalist, when there is part of the story that doesnt compute, theres always this little inner voice that sounds the alarm. Its like a doctor who looks at a patient, and everybody else says, Thats tuberculosis, but part of you says, No, I dont think so. Its something else. I spent a lot of this winter wondering about this. There was something about the story that didnt fit, and the question was, Why is everybody okay with this? There has been this unbelievable sea change, particularly in American culture, but also globally. Americans have always really rebelled against censorship, even the idea of being warned about certain kinds of speech. They didnt like that, if you go back to the Parents Music Resource Center controversy in the 80s, which I remember. In parallel with this censorship program, by doing with things like shadow banning and denylisting, they are trying to simplify controversies and reduce everybodys intellectual field of view. In doing so, they drain our will to be curious, to stand up for ourselves, and to think about things in a complicated way. Its making us less interested in fighting for our rights. Thats part of internet culture now, and theyre draining the fighting spirit out of us. Mr. Jekielek: Marshall McLuhan famously said, The medium is the message. Im wondering how much this whole new way of communicating is affecting that. Youre describing it as an assault on the American spirit. Mr. Taibbi: Yes. Mr. Jekielek: Its a very deliberate one, but at the same time, theres something about this technology that is also playing a role. Mr. Taibbi: Absolutely. Ive been covering internet censorship issues since 2018. I was one of the first people in mainstream media to worry about it in the United States. One of the first things I was told is that social media is addictive, in the same way that cigarettes are addictive. There are studies companies have done talking about how people get dopamine hits even from feeling the waffle pattern on the back of their phones. They are addicted to the whole process of looking at their phones. The problem with internet culture is that its very anti-individualistic. If you talk to younger people, kids in school, their whole sense of self-worth is wrapped up in how many likes theyre getting, and how many impressions theyre getting on social media. They cant measure the worth of their own personalities without group approval, which is very contrary to the American spirit. Weve always been people who go off on our own, as I mentioned in the speech yesterday, like Chuck Berry, with no particular place to go. We never had to think about how we fit into the crowd as much as we do now. The internet culture wraps up everybody in group affirmation, and that has been very harmful. Mr. Jekielek: As human beings, when we perceive there is a consensus view on any issue, that influences us. Whether or not a consensus view exists, there are also powerful mechanisms that can create the perception of consensus. You said earlier, theyre doing something. I want to find out who you think they are. Some of them have these tools. But some of this is also an emerging property, as you just described. Mr. Taibbi: Yes. On the one hand, its classic herd behavior. Its the same mechanism as when 50 percent of a herd of deer decide to go in one direction, then they all go that way. Sometimes, people behave in this same way. What Ive always struggled with is that in journalism we were trained to think in the opposite way. When everybody goes one way, that is often a red flag that somethings up. Maybe you should be looking in the opposite way. Now, in the media business, its frowned upon to cross consensus now. The stars of our business in mainstream media are all people who go along with the consensus view of things. Its very, very frowned upon to raise questions about things that have been decided. I worry about that a lot , and this is true in academia as well. Ive seen this in newsrooms. Newsrooms used to be a place where people had all kinds of opinions. People behaved like it was the dressing room of a comedy club. Now, everybodys nervous. They dont want to tell you what they are really thinking. Thats just a terrible atmosphere for this kind of job, because in order to get to the truth you need to have that spirit of free inquiry, which is less important in some other jobs. Its a very complicated thing. Mr. Jekielek: Back when I was deciding to become an evolutionary biologist, so many people believed that evolution by natural selection was the answer to human origins and all the diversity out there. By year three, it was patently obvious to me that simply was untrue. If you even had a basic understanding of the literature, it was almost like a quasi-religious conviction. I had a great professor, Dolph Schluter. He actually demonstrated some of the possible mechanisms of evolution in these stickleback lakes he had created. He was an incredible mind on this. I would ask him, Is this strange to you? He said, Yes, this is actually very strange to me. As human beings, we can settle on consensus views on things, even when reality is staring us in the face. How do we deal with this? Mr. Taibbi: I dont know, but I primarily worry about this in my field, because were specifically charged with not doing that. Mr. Jekielek: 100 percent, yes. Mr. Taibbi: If you go back and look at the great investigative reporters in history, how many of them are the kind of people who would have been popular in high school, and would have gone along with all the latest trends? Not many, correct? Your average investigative journalists, the good ones, are difficult, prickly people, who go against the grain. They keep digging until they find the truth. Take somebody like Seymour Hersh. That is exactly the kind of personality the current system is designed to weed out. He is the person who doesnt accept, on its face, whatever the official explanation of things is. He says, Okay, you told me that, but now Im going to look into it myself. Thats the attitude of a real journalist. But they dont want that person anymore. It wasnt until about 10 years ago that I started to see people expressing that openly in the business. Ever since, Ive been trying to understand why that is. Whats the big change? Mr. Jekielek: About five years ago, at Epoch Times, we realized that we had to have our own journalism school, so that we could get some seasoned, grizzled reporters. Mr. Taibbi: Right. Mr. Jekielek: Older journalists still know what they are doing, but a lot of the young people are simply not being taught the truth-seeking model of journalism. The truth is out there, and you just need to go out and find it. The question is, Are you looking? Is that what you actually want to do? We found that so many of the young people that were coming out of journalism schools, and I wont mention specific names, are taught something like narrative-reinforcement journalism, if thats even really journalism. Is there another name for that? Mr. Taibbi: Access journalism, and there are some dirtier names for it. Mr. Jekielek: We were looking at this thinking, What is going on here? These are some people very close to you, colleagues of yours. I am familiar with your career prior to you starting to report on Russiagate. I said, Hey, this guy is leaving the crowd here. We were reporting on Russiagate, and anybody who would remotely have a different view than the consensus view, we were saying, Wow, this is amazing. Who is this guy? Mr. Taibbi: Yes, before I get to Russiagate, one thing I would say is there was obviously a huge demographic change in the business. I grew up in journalism, and my father was a reporter. A lot of the people in my family were reporters. In the 60s and 70s, when my father started doing this job, it was more of a trade than a profession. It was very common for people who went into journalism to be the sons and daughters of electricians, or plumbers, or graduates of typing schools. Mr. Jekielek: It was a blue collar profession, basically. Mr. Taibbi: Right. Mr. Jekielek: That is very different today, but lets talk more about this. Mr. Taibbi: Walter Winchell had a famous joke about this, where somebody asked him about being in journalism, and he said, Yes, Im a journalist, but dont tell my mother. She still thinks Im a piano player in a whorehouse. At the time it was not an honorable profession for somebody of a certain class. Then Watergate came along, and All the Presidents Men, and it became this sexy, appealing destination for upper class kids who were in liberal arts schools, like me, especially in the mid-90s. Most of the people who were high-level political journalists in America, or in the West, were upper middle class, or even more wealthy than that. This created a problem. I especially noticed it on the campaign trail, because they were the same people, socially, as the people they were reporting on; the aides to the candidates, the donors, and in many cases, the politicians themselves. They all hung out in the same areas, on or off the plane. It was the same group of people, and that is not a good situation. Because what ends up happening is rather than there being this adversarial relationship, it ends up being something else entirely that is much more unseemly. The great example I always bring up is Primary Colors. Remember that book that came out in the 90s by Anonymous, who was actually Joe Klein? Unlike All the Presidents Men, this was about somebody who got on the inside, and told the story of a campaign from the point of view of the candidate, as opposed to looking at the candidate on behalf of the public. It was a switch in the point of view, and it was a very important one. Once upon a time, in every newspaper, there used to be a working class columnist, like Jimmy Breslin in New York, or Mike Barnicle in Boston, or Mike Royko. Those people were phased out, and they were replaced by people who were more upper class, but had some cred with that same audience. Those were people like me and Thomas Frank. We were like the first bridge columnists. We wrote in an accessible style for ordinary people, but we really werent. We didnt come from a family full of construction workers. Then they got rid of us, and now theres nobody. Theres nobody who talks to ordinary people in big newspapers anymore, and thats a shame. Mr. Jekielek: Im reminded of David Samuels piece back in the day about how the narrative around the Iran deal was constructed, and how the White House worked to do that. I remember thinking two things; first, How the hell did he get this story? This is unbelievable. The second thing I thought was, Wow, look at how this guys getting attacked. Mr. Taibbi: Was this about the use of FISA to spy on members of Congress? Mr. Jekielek: This was the time in the Obama administration when they were very interested in passing this Iran deal, the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]. It was Ben Rhodes who organized a campaign to get the journalists to back it and shift public opinion, and this is the story that David Samuels got. It was just incredible. The really stark thing was the resulting attack on him. What youre describing is that phenomenon. They say, Hey, you just did something that isnt part of the crowd and how we do things, even though its exactly the kind of journalism that you would hope one would do. Mr. Taibbi: Right. I hate to be one of those, Back in the day, types, but it wasnt that long ago that journalists really didnt gang up on other journalists unless they screwed up and made a big factual mistake that got everybody in trouble. Thats why there was a lot of negative attention thrown at Judith Miller. A lot of other people deserved it, and it was unfair that she was the only person who was vilified in that instance. Once upon a time, that was really the exception. Somewhere around the late Obama years, and then definitely once Trump got elected, there became this new phenomenon, where journalists were willing to become the consensus enforcement mechanism, which I hadnt really seen as aggressively before. There was a bit of it during the Iraq War, but there was always the minority of people who were allowed to give their views. They werent hounded out of the business, but then that became a thing. It was very noticeable. The incident you described was an early one, and then it became very overt during Russiagate. Mr. Jekielek: Prior to the Trump phenomenon, we were a lot more similar to many media, but we diverged around that time. I remember watching what the mainstream media were doing. I had been covering China human rights for a very long time. What I saw was very characteristic of what Id seen in the Chinese media, who I dont really think of as media. It was stunning. It was one of those moments that when I saw it, I couldnt unsee it. Conservatives will say, The media has always been Left-leaning, and theyve always had narratives. I said, Something has changed here. There was a profound shift, and then we started feeling the weight of the system, including media companies coming after us in really terrible ways. Mr. Taibbi: Yes, absolutely. I worked in the former Soviet Union in the 90s. I had a lot of friends who had been journalists under the Soviet system. I even hung out at the Union of Journalists club, which at one point was where all the party members used to eat. I went there because that was the only place to get good food for a while. During the 80s and the 70s, it wasnt journalism that the Soviets were doing. It was low-rent advertisements for different factions of the Communist Party, and it was totally unreadable. It was useful as a kind of consensus-enforcement mechanism. But if there was somebody who was writing a little out of bounds, they would see that. There would be warning language in a certain article that would be the shot fired across the bow. Thats something very different from what we traditionally do in the West. I remember thinking to myself, God, what a miserable job. If you want to get into politics, just do it, as opposed to writing this propaganda. Its a terrible thing. But when we started to see it here in the United States and in the West, I just couldnt account for it, because nobodys being forced to do it here, which is the hard part to understand. Mr. Jekielek: Yes, but there are incentive structures. Mr. Taibbi: Yes. Mr. Jekielek: Just as a fun fact, I didnt even know who Thomas Sowell was until maybe seven years ago. The big lesson I got from Thomas Sowell was to look at things in terms of incentive structures, not goals. Sometimes those things are in opposition, but its actually the incentive structure that will determine what happens. That was a powerful lesson and it changed my thinking considerably. It seems like there are a lot of upside-down incentive structures. Maybe we can talk about that, but I first want to touch on Russiagate. What made you realize that something was off? People have said that youre just a pro-Russia guy, and thats why you went after this. Im curious about your motivation. How did all this happen? Mr. Taibbi: First of all, thats funny, because I actually am very much a Russophile. I went to Russia because I was a great lover of Russian literature. I wanted to learn to read Gogol, Tolstoy, and some other people in Russian. I love a lot of things about Russian culture, but I was definitely not a fan of Vladimir Putin. Some of the journalists who were murdered in the early 2000s were colleagues of mine. One of them was a mentor of mine, as a matter of fact. We wrote very critically about Putin, and my newspaper, The Exile, was eventually shut down by the Russian government after I left. We were certainly not fans of Vladimir Putin. That was never even a thought in my head, nor did I have any affinity for Donald Trump either. The real problem was that I was looking at the way they were reporting the story, and I was recognizing the same kinds of language that we saw in the WMD [Weapons of Mass Destruction] affair. It was a lot of people talking about anonymous sources, and referring to things that could not be independently confirmed by other reporters. Its like scienceif you cant reproduce the experiment in the lab, you have to be a little bit nervous about it. I thought that this was a really big story to be risking so much on. I said very gently in places like MSNBC that we have to be careful of stories like this. We dont have a whole lot of proof to go on, and that was the last time I was ever on MSNBC, for a while anyway. But there was this instant condemnation from people within the business, and that was totally new to me. I had never experienced that before. Mr. Jekielek: That was a complete turnaround of what journalism is supposed to be. Mr. Taibbi: Yes, and even the famous legends in journalism have been turned inside-out. If you think about All the Presidents Men, they were all alone on that story for a long time. Theres actually a scene about it in the movie. The Ben Bradley character talks to Woodward and Bernstein, and says, Nobody else is doing this story. Nobody believes it. Its supposed to be a good quality in a journalist, to stick up for a story that you think is true. Everybody else is saying just the opposite, but you believe your story is true. Thats an important quality in a journalist. You have to have very thick skin to fight through everybody elses sneering and condemnation, which was much milder back then. Now, its just the opposite. They say, Why are you not going along with everybody else? What Glenn Greenwald went through over Russiagate was unbelievable. It was part of what convinced me that there must be something wrong with this story. The New Yorker did this incredible hit piece on him called, The Bane of Their Resistance, where it had this scary picture of Glenn. It implied that he had a bad childhood. He had hang ups from being gay, and he had negative feelings about the rise of minorities within the Democratic Party. These were all the reasons he wasnt going along with the reporting on Russiagate. They were pathologizing him in this way that was dirty. It was like something you would see from a politician, not from journalists. Once that kind of stuff starts happening, you know somethings up. It only got worse from there. Mr. Jekielek: That was the indicator of a very serious problem. Because for so many others, it was a message, This is what will happen to you. Mr. Taibbi: Yes, of course. One of the reasons why this messaging is always strongest when its directed at people like Glenn or me is because Glenn and I can handle it. Weve done well. We have enough financial security and professional security, and were going to make it. But people who are just starting out in the business, whose future is a little bit less certain, theyre going to look at this and say, If I go over there and I start saying these things, that might be the end of my career. I might not come out the other side, and do I need that? Mr. Jekielek: Youre very familiar with Edward Bernays. His view is that we need to benevolently propagandize the populace, so that we can have a good society. Since the time of Bernays, I wonder if this view has been increasing somewhat. As long as things fit into the correct viewpoint, everything would be fine, but then Trump comes along. The Trump campaign had this amazing social media game. I remember that very distinctly. They managed to use the tools which were previously used by other people. These people said, Theres no way that this guy could have won fair and square. He must have figured something out here. He must have weaponized our system of manufacturing perceived consensus, and we can never let that happen again. Hence the reaction. Mr. Taibbi: Youre absolutely right. I obviously completely disagree with the idea that there needs to be some sort of educated vanguard that nudges the population in the correct direction. Thomas Jefferson wrote about how we dont want to have aristocracies in America, but its okay if we have a natural aristocracy that builds up from merit, because theyre smarter, theyre harder workers, theyre achievers, and they can be the leaders of our society. Im not necessarily opposed to that idea. But in journalism, we were always taught our job ends when we publish the stuff. Its up to the reader to figure out what to do with the information. We dont have to give them a push, and say, Heres what you should do with it. Heres who you should vote for. Heres the conclusions you should draw from that. That inevitably corrupts the mission of this job. What happened with Trump was a dual failure. First of all, a lot of the journalists were blind to why he was succeeding. That was amazing to me, because it seemed incredibly obvious. Trump was going into these crowds, and like a comedian, he was feeling out where all the anger was, and he would just throw red meat to all these different factions. People had a right to be angry at that time, because America was becoming dysfunctional. We had just lived through a crippling financial crisis, where the very rich got completely bailed out, and everybody else didnt. There was all of this hostility out there. He captured it in a very smart way, maybe through pure feel, but we didnt report on that. We reported, Hes a racist demagogue. Everything he says is a lie. Dont pay any attention to him. Theres no analysis that needs to be done here. All you need to do is listen to us, and we will tell you who is the appropriate person to vote for. That only made people angrier, because Americans dont like to be told what to do. They especially dont like it when its coming from the media class, which has lost a lot of trust in the last 20 years or so. That whole attitude has corrupted not just the media business, but also government and academia. After Trump, there is this fear that the people are a great beast, and we have to do everything we can to subdue it. Theres no longer this trust-based relationship between the intellectual class and everybody else. Mr. Jekielek: Is it a vicious cycle? You have these very powerful tools of creating a perceived consensus around an issue. The in-group that holds these tools are also susceptible. We had Trump derangement syndrome. Later, we had Covid derangement syndrome. Now we have Elon derangement syndrome. A lot of people have really believed in all of that. The hatred against Trump is very visceral and real among some people. Whether or not you like the guy, and whether or not you like his methods, theres no reason you would hate him unless this was somehow nudged. But then, if you believe it yourself as a journalist, it turns into a vicious cycle. Thats what happened with the truckers movement in Canada. They said, Those are white supremacists. Then the media said back to the government, Oh my god. These are really white supremacists. Then the government said, Yes, these are really white supremacists. Suddenly, this very ragtag, genuinely grassroots movement became some kind of existential threat. Mr. Taibbi: Yes, and once you use a term like white supremacist, theres really no coming back from that. Thats not a survivable epithet in the business. Nobody wants to be dealing with being on the side of white supremacists. Its almost like the same kind of thinking that Dostoyevsky was describing in Crime and Punishment. Once you think somebody is bad enough, and once youve convinced yourself they are so devoid of positive qualities that you dont need to have normal human sympathy or compassion, then everything is permitted. Thats what happens with all of these news stories. They demonize and they create these code words that mean, Dont take those people seriously. Theyre terrorists, theyre fascists, theyre white supremacists, and theyre anti-vax. Therefore, you dont need to pay attention to them. You dont need to have any kind of conversation with them. You just need to appropriately disdain them. Theyre asking people to stop thinking. Tens of millions of people no longer have conversations. Just hate, hate, and hate. Again, thats something that was predicted by Orwell. Why have the two minute hate session? Because its necessary. Its a reinforcement mechanism in a society where intellectualism is downplayed. It is an important ritual for people to feel that in concert with othersthat hatred, disdain, and unthinking rage. Thats what you see on the internet. Mr. Jekielek: I said earlier that you and The Epoch Times intersected in several areas like Russiagate and Covid origins. You were one of the earliest to really look at these things. Now we have this whole censorship enterprise to investigate. I just have to mention the Consensus Koala, which amused me greatly. Was this Walter Kirns thing? Mr. Taibbi: Yes, the Consensus Koala was his idea. Mr. Jekielek: What is the Consensus Koala all about? Mr. Taibbi: There was a law called the Smith-Mundt Act, in 1948, and this set the stage for the creation of the CIA, after the OSS. One of the parts of the law was that the government cannot actively propagandize the population, especially the intelligence services. They had to be out of that business. But there were some exceptions for public service messaging with things like Smokey. They were allowed to do that. What we found is that they have been gradually rolling back those restrictions. Now, instead of Smokey the Bear, we were joking that now we have the Consensus Koala. That means you must think the way everybody else thinks. The FBI, especially the FBIs counterintelligence division, which is very heavily involved with overseas intelligence, the CIA, and DARPA [Defense Advanced Research Agency], which we would only ever read about in conspiracy theory literaturewe ran into them over and over again in the Twitter Files. All of these agencies that were once involved with counter-proliferation, counterterrorism, and counter-messaging to disaffected young Muslim men in foreign countries, are now turning all of those techniques inward on our own population, and trying to get them to believe in a different kind of political consensus. Instead of, Dont join Al Qaeda, now theyre saying, Dont vote for Donald Trump, or, Dont join the Canadian trucker protests, or, Dont join the Yellow Vest movement. Its actually not a Left or Right thing. Its just, Stay in the safe place. Stay with consensus. This is a real thing. This is something that were observing. We can see the outlines of it in the Twitter Files, but if we dig deeper, we will find out that theres much more to it. Mr. Jekielek: This is exactly the thought that I had, that there was this more subtle nudging that was being actively done. Up until 2016 everythings rolling along within the boundaries of reason. Suddenly, these powerful new social media tools are suddenly used to upend that system. What are they going to do? They might take all their most potent information warfare weapons and use them. Thats very scary, but I dont know if thats true. I dont know if thats what happened, but I fear that that may be true. Mr. Taibbi: We have a lot of data points that suggest that thats whats going on. Oddly enough, going back to 2004, my old magazine, Rolling Stone, did a story about the NSA [National Security Agency] doing information operations overseas about WMDs. Because they were prohibited by those old laws from doing it here at home, the methodology would be, Well plant a news story in a foreign newspaper and that will be picked up by the New York Times and the Washington Post. In that manner, a news story that was created by the American intelligence services would come back home. Now, they can do this a little bit more directly. The levers they can use dont have to be as subtle. An example that we found in the Twitter Files was about Dr. Jill Stein. She is in the Green Party, and on Twitter she was put on a deny list. An algorithm decided that she had too many views that were in sync with what they called Russian propaganda, so she was put into a group that was called Is_Russian, and she was de-amplified. Now, if you were going to look for Jill Steins posts, they would be harder to find. This is the new technology of speech in America. You can dial people all the way up so that everyone can see them, or you can dial people down so that its almost impossible to see them. That is extremely dangerous, and its especially dangerous if its done in secret. Nobody knows exactly how it operates, and we only have the faintest outlines of it. But overall, I think youre right. The information operations that we did all around the world have now come home. Mr. Jekielek: Im very aware of incredibly sophisticated information operations coming out of Communist China, and the same thing is coming out of Russia. People are being impacted by these things in very negative ways. It makes sense to try to counter those things. It makes sense for the government to counter those types of things. However, it doesnt make sense for the government to do certain other things, as you pointed out in your Hamilton 68 story. Mr. Taibbi: Hamilton 68, yes. Mr. Jekielek: You cant use that on the local population. Someone gets to decide what is pernicious and is a real threat to the population. These things actually need to exist in some form. But weve seen that it has been turned into something else, or do they even need to exist? Mr. Taibbi: First of all, Thats a very difficult question. I agree with you that action is required if the Russians are creating a bot network, and are trying to influence elections. I was surprised during the Twitter Files to learn that this was going on to a degree that was greater than I thought, and the same thing with China and Iran. The problem was best exemplified by a report by an agency called the Global Engagement Center, which is under the State Department. It was very similar to the Hamilton 68 story. The Global Engagement Center did old-school intelligence work to identify a series of accounts as actually being Russian accounts. In addition, they created another category called the information ecosystem of Russia. These were people who were innocents, but whose views coincided with the Russian bot or the Russian account, and so lets get rid of them too. Thats where it gets dangerous. If you think about a channel like RT, what is RT going to cover? RT is naturally going to cover all the things that are really wrong with America. Theyre going to pick out all the things that we actually want to sweep under the rug. Do they have a nefarious reason for doing it? Yes, probably, but there are people who are going to watch those programs. There are journalists who are going to appear on that channel, like Chris Hedges, who are doing it because they are really worried about those issues. You cant just wipe all that stuff out, just because the Russians want to highlight it. Thats where there is disagreement up high on this stuff. Its always going to be a balancing test for these carriers, because they all know whats going on. The question is how much are they going to clean it up? At some point, if they clean up too much, then the conversations become too stilted, and it becomes harder for them to make money, and they dont stay in business. Then the tool is useless to everybody, because its either banned outright, the way some of the American platforms are in Russia now, or its just infested with intelligence agents, which is whats going on in the West. I dont know exactly what to do. But I do know that you cant willy-nilly remove people from platforms just because they happen to have views that coincide with some foreign power. Mr. Jekielek: Im becoming more of a free speech absolutist. People call it inauthentic to have machine-driven campaigns to create an illusion of consensus, but others think a structure like that would do a lot to help us. Mr. Taibbi: I dont know how you would regulate that. Would you force everybody to make public what youre amplifying and de-amplifying? Thats one solution that Ive heard bandied about, but that is difficult. No matter what you decide to do, its going to be hard. Because right now, people are getting a completely skewed version of reality when they go online. Things that are actually popular look unpopular. Things that are actually unpopular look popular, and that influences people in very strange ways. They are going in and theyre messing with perception itself. There was a Bush official who got in trouble for saying, Were in the reality-making business, during the Iraq War. At the time, it seemed ridiculous. Everyone said, No youre not. People are still deciding for themselves. But with this new technology, can they be deciding for themselves? Its very dangerous, and we have to think about how were going to go forward with this technology. Mr. Jekielek: Its a profound issue of our time. Mr. Taibbi: I agree. Mr. Jekielek: With the deepfake technology that Ive already seen, it is taken to a whole new level. If we see someone saying something, I suspect that we would be susceptible to that, even if that person never said it because it had been AI generated. Mr. Taibbi: Even if youre told later that its a fake. Mr. Jekielek: 100 percent. Mr. Taibbi: The previous method was really based on trust. It was an organic relationship. Walter Cronkite was considered the most trustworthy person in America from 1962 to1981. He was carefully nurturing something in his choice of words, the way he presented things, the little pauses, and what to emphasize. He was communicating with people. Communication is subtle. Its human. Its something thats very, very hard to describe. You can be good at it or bad at it, but trust is organic and its human. With the internet, you can achieve the same kind of popularity through completely artificial and different means. The whole idea of organic trust goes out the window when they can fake almost anything. If you can fake somebody who looks just like Walter Cronkite saying, Yeah, screw all of you, people arent going to bounce back from that. I dont know what to do. The old models arent going to work anymore, so we have to come up with new ones. Mr. Jekielek: We have our work cut out for us. Mr. Taibbi: Yes, absolutely. Mr. Jekielek: Any final thoughts, Matt? Its such a pleasure to have you. Mr. Taibbi: No, thank you. Mr. Jekielek: I can tell you enjoyed this conversation. Mr. Taibbi: Thank you for having me. This is the core issue where were going to litigate how much freedom people will be allowed to have in the digital age. Are we going to tightly regulate the way people think, or are we going to allow them to be free-thinkers, as we did very briefly in the West? This is an inflection point that may later turn out to be a crucial moment in the intellectual history of people. I hope it comes out the right way, because its very scary. Mr. Jekielek: Matt Taibbi, its such a pleasure to have you on the show. Mr. Taibbi: Thanks for having me. Mr. Jekielek: Thank you all for joining Matt Taibbi and me on this episode of American Thought Leaders. Im your host, Jan Jekielek. This interview was edited for clarity and brevity. KINSHASA, July 21 (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. Produced by Xinhua Global Service The reasons the CCP doesnt want you to see this movie might not be what you think Not Rated | 2h 13m | Drama, Romance | 21 July 2023 (China) Arriving with next to no fanfare, the China-produced romantic drama Return to Dust (Dust) last year inadvertently pulled off a feat that left egg on the face of the chinese communist party (CCP). There are a few reasons why the CCP ended up removing Dust from circulation, which Ill get to in short order. Set in a remote area of western China, Dust opens with the gathering of two families for the purpose of arranging the marriage of Ma Youtie, also referred to as Iron, (Wu Renlin) and Cao Guiying (Hai Qing). Youtie and Guiying are both painfully shy and reserved, and each was abused by their respective siblings. Guiying also carries additional baggage as she is infertile, disabled, and has ahem, bladder issues. Ma Youtie (Wu Renlin) and Cao Guiying (Hai Qing) are brought together in an arranged marriage in Return to Dust. (Hucheng No.7 Films) At a sitting for their marriage license photo, it is beyond obvious that neither of the betrothed is comfortable with the situation or each other, but realize they dont have much of a choice in the matter as refusing to take part would bring dishonor to their families. Moving their few meager belongings into a nearby abandoned and disheveled house, man and wife do some tidying up and immediately get to work on planting spring crops. Cao Guiying (Hai Qing) faces a difficult life in China under the communist regime in Return to Dust. (Hucheng No.7 Films) Panda Blood It is during a town meeting organized by Zhang Yongfu, a wealthy, never-seen businessman, that it is announced hes sick and will need regular blood transfusions. The mans unnamed son (Yang Guangrui) tells the crowd his father needs Panda Blood (better known as RH Negative), an ultra-rare type found in only 0.1 to 0.3 percent of the entire human population. Wouldnt you know it, Youtie is the only match. Although this makes Youtie something of a local big deal, he resents having to regularly provide part of himself to a man he never sees and everyone secretly dislikes. Guiying is equally if not more perturbed, and it is the first sign that a strong bond and genuine affection is developing between the couple. Ma Youtie (Wu Renlin) and Cao Guiying (Hai Qing) learn to care about each other, in Return to Dust. (Hucheng No.7 Films) As valuable as Youtie is to the local kingpin, he and Guiying are not immune to the ever-increasing demolition of what are deemed to be rundown homes to make way for more upscale dwellings. The pair has to relocate more than once before building their own from the ground up. Written and directed by Li Ruijin, Dust clocks in at 133 minutes, and its unadorned setting, measured pace, austere air, and a handful of overlong segments tend to make it feel even longer. It perhaps takes more time than it should to get to the crescendo that truly delivers an emotional wallop. The big question here isnt why did the CCP cancel Dust, but rather why didnt it do it sooner? Cao Guiying (Hai Qing) and Ma Youtie (Wu Renlin) share some good times, in Return to Dust. (Hucheng No.7 Films) The movie was released in China in July 2022, and by September had been seen by 1.5 million people, the highest viewership of any film in the country during that time. It was only then that the censors, without any kind of explanation, yanked Dust from theaters and streaming servicesbut not before temporarily changing the ending. Non-Spoiler Ahead The following non-spoiler spoiler text was inserted prior to the start of the end credits: [Ma] Youtie moved to his new home in the winter of 2011 and started his new life with the help of the government and the warm-hearted villagers. This text was not included in either the original cut or the one being released in New York this week and couldnt be further from what actually takes place. My guess for the removal delay is that the censors were too busy examining other high-profile releases and probably assumed such a low-profile art-house film produced in China contained nothing subversive or critical of the CCP. Unlike the superb 2022 documentary Eternal Spring, Dust doesnt shout its disdain from the rooftops or wear its resentment on its metaphoric sleeve. The words communism, party, or government are never uttered. Its subtle and rife with cloaked symbolism. Cao Guiying (Hai Qing) and Ma Youtie (Wu Renlin) take a break from farm work, in Return to Dust. (Hucheng No.7 Films) For example, the heavily coerced donation of blood from Youtie to keep the connected bigwig alive is a way of saying the CCP is bleeding its own citizens dry while offering below-market value and useless trinkets in return. Or the perpetual usage of government eminent domain to displace low-income farmers and replace them with (relatively) upscale middle-class residents. The CCP succeeded in halting most Chinese citizens from seeing Dust but, given the widespread movie piracy taking place for years in China and the fact that the movie is now verboten, the demand for bootlegged product will only grow in size. Nothing will make people more interested in watching something than telling them that they cant. The romantic drama Return to Dust tells how peasants live under CCP rule. (Hucheng No.7 Films) Return to Dust is presented in Mandarin with English subtitles and opens at the Bam Rose Cinemas in Brooklyn and at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago on June 21 with a wide release to follow. Return to Dust Director: Li Ruijin Stars: Wu Renlin, Hai Qing, Yang Guangrui Running Time: 2 hours, 13 minutes MPAA Rating: Not Rated Release Date: June 21, 2023 Rating: 3.5 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 Louisiana Overrides Veto and Bans Medical Mutilation for Children NEWS PROVIDED BY July 21, 2023 According to the bill, health care professionals are banned from "knowingly" engaging in any act that "attempts to alter a minor's appearance" and are also barred from validating minors' perception of their sex contrary to their actual biological sex. The new law forbids the "removal of any healthy or non-diseased body part or tissue," such as mastectomies, hysterectomies, and penectomies, as well as the construction of artificial genitalia, sterilization procedures, and aesthetic alterations. BATON ROUGE, La., July 21, 2023 / Christian Newswire / -- Louisiana legislators enacted " The Stop Harming Our Kids Act " last Tuesday which bans experimental puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and mutilating irreversible surgeries for minors. The legislature overrode Governor John Bel Edwards' veto in a special session voting 76-23 in the House and 28-11 in the Senate making Louisiana the 21st state to pass such a law protecting children. The law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.According to the bill, health care professionals are banned from "knowingly" engaging in any act that "attempts to alter a minor's appearance" and are also barred from validating minors' perception of their sex contrary to their actual biological sex. The new law forbids the "removal of any healthy or non-diseased body part or tissue," such as mastectomies, hysterectomies, and penectomies, as well as the construction of artificial genitalia, sterilization procedures, and aesthetic alterations. Under the law, health care practitioners found in violation would have their professional licenses revoked for a minimum of two years. The law also makes provision for victims of these treatments and procedures to sue for damages for injuries suffered from any violation of the law. While many American medical associations repeatedly advocate for hormonal treatments to treat gender dysphoria a position parroted by the Biden administration doctors from around the world are citing no evidence of positive outcomes to support these potentially irreversible actions. On July 13, 2023, a group of 21 doctors and medical researchers from nine countries Finland, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, France, Switzerland, South Africa, and the United States issued a letter in response to a claim by the Journal of the Endocrine Society that these treatments and procedures reduce the risk of suicide among gender-confused children. The letter stated, "Every systematic review of evidence to datehas found the evidence for mental-health benefits of hormonal interventions for minors to be of low or very low certainty. By contrast, the risks are significant and include sterility, lifelong dependence on medication and the anguish of regret." While the group of doctors noted the "unfortunate" nature of how politicized health care for gender dysphoria has become, they recommended medical societies to align with the "best evidence available" which shows mental health therapy should be the "first line of treatment" for gender dysphoria. The doctors concluded there is "no reliable evidence" that these banned treatments are effective in suicide prevention. Louisiana now joins 20 other states, including all its neighboring states, in banning these procedures. Until the new law takes effect in 2024, minors under age 18 in Louisiana need parental consent before accessing puberty blockers, hormones, and surgeries. Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "Biology cannot be changed by drugs or a scalpel. These interventions are harmful, scientifically unsupported, and in many cases irreversible. Instead of caving to the gender ideology delusion, every state needs to reject it and pass laws protecting our children." 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 BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force will host aviation open-day activities from July 26 to 30 in Changchun, the northeastern province of Jilin, according to a press conference held on Friday in Beijing. The five-day event will feature various activities such as aerobatic shows, skydiving performance, actual combat simulations, and static equipment exhibitions, said Xie Peng, spokesperson of the PLA Air Force. During the open days, PLA Air Force military band parades will take place for the first time, Xie said, adding that the August 1st aerobatics team will present the first performance to Chinese audiences with the newly-equipped J-10C fighter jets. In a Letter to the Editor published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) on July 20, epidemiologist Dr. Tracy Heg, physician-scientist Dr. Vinay Prasad, and Dr. Ram Duriseti from Stanford School of Medicine stated that a 2021 Israeli study on Pfizers COVID-19 booster may have overestimated the vaccines effectiveness by concluding those who received a booster had 90 percent lower mortality due to COVID-19 than non-boosted participants. The group analyzed deaths attributed to COVID-19 in both the 2021 study and in a later statement by the same study authors to estimate mortality not associated with the virus based on a persons vaccination status. The mortality unrelated to COVID-19 in the boosted group was compared to mortality unrelated to COVID-19 in the non-boosted group. The authors found a 94.8 percent lower mortality unrelated to COVID-19 among participants in the boosted group and a markedly lower incidence of adverse health outcomes in the same group. Additionally, COVID-19 mortality, whether boosted or not, was essentially the same in the 2021 study, generating a strong concern vaccine efficacy was overestimated. In other words, an individuals underlying health plays a significant role in COVID-19-related mortality. If the boosted group had fewer health conditions that werent accounted for in the data, it wouldnt be accurate to attribute lower mortality to a third dose of Pfizers vaccine. In a July 20 statement on Twitter, Dr. Heg said she and her co-authors showed strong evidence of healthy vaccinee bias in the Israeli study on boosters that wasnt disclosed, which could explain all reported benefits of the booster. No study is perfect, but this one should be retracted, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo said in a statement on Twitter. Dr. Ladapo congratulated the letters authors for showing that the 90 percent benefit attributed to boosters in the NEJMs study was entirely due to selection bias and demanded randomized controlled trials. Although the authors said Israel has not been transparent with the data used in their studies, they believe healthy vaccinee bias may also have led to overestimates of vaccine effectiveness in other studies. Israeli Study Background The Letter to the Editor was written in response to the study published on Dec. 23, 2021, in The NEJM, initially looking at whether a third dose of Pfizers vaccine effectively reduced COVID-19 mortality. The Israeli Ministry of Health had already approved a booster dose on July 30, 2021, but evidence that an additional dose lowered mortality was lacking. Researchers obtained data from Clalit Health Services of 843,208 individuals over 50 years of age who received two Pfizer vaccine doses at least five months before the start of the study. They then compared mortality due to COVID-19 among participants who received a booster during the 54-day study period to non-boosted participants. According to the study, 65 participants in the boosted group died due to COVID-19 compared to 137 participants in the non-boosted group. However, in response to another Letter to the Editor published in February 2022, the studys authors provided additional study details. The authors stated 506 deaths occurred in the boosted group during the study period441 unrelated to COVID-19 and 65 deaths related to COVID-19compared to 1,100 deaths in the non-boosted group, 963 of which were unrelated to COVID-19 and 137 that were related. They also stated deaths unrelated to COVID-19 should be interpreted with caution because they were not adjusted for the numerous factors that could affect all-cause mortality. In a July 20 tweet, Dr. Prasad said he and his co-authors proved the results of the Israeli studies were distorted and boosters could not have reduced non-COVID-19 deaths. Israeli authors concede this in reply, Dr. Parad said. Wow! Millions got unproven boosters. FDA failed. Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies about government censorship. Thats as Democrats try to remove him during the hearing, while Republicans say its his right to speak. Several Biden administration officials have faced tough questions from lawmakers over their China policy. Well bring you the latest. A group of lawmakers criticized the Pentagon and the intel community for allegedly hiding information about UFOs. Theyre now demanding transparency ahead of a congressional hearing. Its been 24 years since the Chinese Communist Party began persecuting the spiritual practice of Falun Gong. What has been the impact of the persecution, and whats Americas role in it? We sit down with Pennsylvania Congressman Scott Perry, wholl share his thoughts on the persecution of Falun Gong. Rep. Perry has also introduced a bill that seeks to punish those responsible. What will happen to the U.S. soldier who crossed into North Korea? Well speak to an expert to try and find out. A torch festival of the Yi ethnic group was celebrated Thursday in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan. This year's festival runs from July 20 to August 30. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Bolivian President Luis Arce (L) speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Brussels, Belgium, July 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) BRUSSELS, July 21 (Xinhua) -- China has been an important partner for Bolivia, as bilateral cooperation benefits both countries and beyond, said Bolivian President Luis Arce. "China is a very important partner for us, not only for the commercial and economic side, but also because we have a long story with China. We share many ideas," Arce told Xinhua in a recent interview on the sidelines of a summit between the European Union (EU) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). Bolivia and China enjoy friendly relations as the two sides support each other on a wide range of issues on many international multilateral occasions, he said. "We share the multilateralist view about the world." On the Belt and Road cooperation and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Arce said he has high expectations and plans to achieve the goals. As a developing country, Bolivia is also pursuing greater development with its own economic model, and can take advantage of China's knowledge of development and incorporate it into Bolivia's own model, he said. The president noted that Bolivia is rich in natural resources while China has advanced technologies. "We can use them to benefit all of the world, especially poor people." He noted that China's experience in addressing inequality and reducing poverty should be studied. At the same time Bolivia has its own experience that can be shared with China. Arce said the Bolivian government and the people have been grateful to China for its support in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. China has one of the oldest cultures in the world, he said, the two countries have a lot of things to share about culture, and common opinions about the world. The president pointed out that the current global system is witnessing great changes as the United States and Europe are facing economic crises and a lot of problems, while nations like the BRICS countries are rising. Regarding some Western countries' peddling of the rhetoric of "decoupling" or "de-risking" from China, Arce said he doesn't agree with them as those countries want to defend their own interests against the newly rising countries. Bolivian President Luis Arce speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Brussels, Belgium, July 17, 2023. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong) President Biden and his son Hunter are accused of taking bribes in a new document released by the FBI. The House had threatened to hold FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt unless the bureau turned it over. A former Trump White House aide testifies before a Jan. 6 grand jury. Former president Donald Trump says the many lawsuits against him are a form of election interference. NTD has some analysis on that assertion. A massive rally has taken place in Washington D.C., with people calling for an end to the Chinese regimes 24-year campaign of persecution against Falun Gong. Topics in this episode include: 1. FBI Document Alleges Bidens Took Bribes 2. Trump Aide Testifies Before Jan. 6 Grand Jury 3. RFK Jr. Testifies Amid Democrat Pushback 4. Soldier Who Bolted Into N. Korea Spent 48 Days in Jail 5. Chinese Hackers Breach Email of US Ambassador to China 6. House Committee Challenges White House China Strategy 7. Rally to End 24-Year Persecution of Falun Gong 8. Candlelight Vigil in Washington, DC 9. Iraqi Protesters Burn Swedish Embassy 10. Iraq Expels Swedish Ambassador 11. Russia Attacks Ukraines Grain Terminals 12. Ukraine Deploying Cluster Munitions: White House 13. India Landslide: Rescuers Look for Survivors 14. No Information on Foreign Minister: China 15. German Police Search for Escaped Lioness 16. NYC Settles With BLM Protesters for $13 Million 17. Womens Event Canceled, Called Hate Speech 18. Trump, DeSantis Defend Singer Jason Aldean 19. Assessing Impact of Wind Turbine Failures 20. Florida Family Awarded $800,000 for McNugget Burns 21. Is Lab Meat Production Worse for the Environment? 22. Americans Concerned About Summer Air Travel 23. Illinois Farm Preserves Traditional Horsemanship U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon just set the trial date for former President Donald Trump in the classified documents case: May 20, 2024. Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s testimony about government censorship on Thursday was an epic moment, according to Jeffrey Tucker, founder and president of the Brownstone Institute. NTDs Chris Beers spoke with Mr. Tucker about securing free speech in America. A prominent New York Democrat is becoming a Republican. He says the Democratic Party has become extreme and doesnt represent his familys Jewish values any more. When Robert Sneed found $2,000 at a store last month, he didnt hesitate to do the right thing. The young Army veteran was out picking up groceries at an Ohio Walmart with his toddler daughter one evening when he found the cash in a shopping cart. Arriving at the store in Gallipolis, Mr. Sneed pulled a cart from the corral. Then, looking down, the dad from Marietta spotted what at first looked like a piece of paper. I thought it was a shopping list, Mr. Sneed, 31, told The Epoch Times. My daughter grabbed it and I was about to throw it away, but I realized it was actually an envelope. Then, I saw a banking receipt. Also inside was the hefty wad of cash. Not wishing to rifle through someone elses property, yet conscious of the valuable contents, Mr. Sneeds first reaction was to take it to Ohio Valley Bank located inside Walmart where the owner had made the withdrawal. However, as it was around 7 p.m. and the bank was closed, he went to find a store worker instead. Hey, come with me and find a manager, he told a Walmart door greeter. He asked Mr. Sneed what the problem was. I said, theres no problem. But I didnt want to just give the money to one person; I wanted to make sure I gave it to a manager, the veteran told the newspaper. With it getting late and his daughter starting to feel tired, the good Samaritan turned the envelope and receipt in to a lady store manager, went to collect his groceries, and left. Later, in the hopes of locating the moneys rightful owner, Mr. Sneed made an appeal on Facebook. Army veteran Robert Sneed, 31, with his daughter. (Courtesy of Robert Sneed) This is a long shot, he wrote. But if someone lost 2K in an envelope at Walmart in Gallipolis and just pulled it out from OVB I turned it in to Gallipolis Walmart theres a banking receipt so youll need to verify it came from your account this was found at 7 p.m. Im sure it came from the OVB inside Walmart. I dont live close by and the bank was closed, or I wouldve turned it in there first. Mr. Sneed said that while hes never lost anything of great value before, himself, he understands how upset the individual who lost the money must have been. I know if I was in the same boat, I would have just bid $2,000 goodbye because Id doubt Id ever see it again, he said. He added that he didnt give it a whole lot of thought after making the Facebook post since he was confident the money would be returned via the store manager. But around a week later, Mr. Sneed was told his post was shared about a thousand times with many positive comments. Originally from West Virginia, Mr. Sneed said it was probably my upbringing that influenced his honest actions that day. At the time, I didnt think it was a big deal, he said. I just thought that was natural for someone to do; it was my first instinct. Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter A rugged territory consisting of several islands, glacier-carved valleys, and deep fjords, the rest of Washington state consists of rainforests, mountain ranges, and a semi-arid region devoted mainly to agriculture. We will visit Vancouver and Seattle in the Pacific Northwest. BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- China brought back 582 fugitives from abroad in the first half of 2023 and recovered illegal assets worth about 1.93 billion yuan (270 million U.S. dollars), the country's top anti-graft body said on Friday. Of the fugitives repatriated, 25 were on Interpol's Red Notice list and one on the country's list of 100 most-wanted fugitives, according to information released on the website of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision. China has been expanding its anti-corruption gains by launching special operations to track down corrupt officials hiding abroad and establishing an integrated mechanism to pursue fugitives, prevent escapes and retrieve stolen assets. Guo Jiefang, a fugitive suspected of taking bribes, returned to China and surrendered to the authorities on June 10. The illegal gains of Guo were recovered. Authorities have vowed to deepen international cooperation in fighting corruption and continue to maintain a tough position on fugitive hunts and illegal asset recovery efforts overseas. JUBA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The humanitarian situation in South Sudan continued to worsen, driven by compounding effects of years of conflict, sub-national violence, food insecurity, climate crisis, and public health challenges, a UN agency said Friday. The World Food Program (WFP) said insecurity, fuelled by inter-communal violence and the ongoing Sudan conflict, continues to drive up humanitarian needs in South Sudan. "WFP faces a funding gap of 405 million U.S. dollars between June and November 2023 and has reduced its targeted population from 7.7 million to 5.4 million," it said in its latest situation update released in the South Sudanese capital of Juba. According to the WFP, the latest influx continued to compound a dire situation, forcing humanitarian partners to make difficult choices about addressing growing humanitarian needs with limited resources. An estimated more than 9.4 million people will require humanitarian assistance in 2023, representing 76 percent of South Sudan's population, according to the UN agency. The October-November 2022 Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) projected that 7.7 million people will face severe acute food insecurity -- at the Crisis level or higher during the April-July 2023 lean season. According to the WFP, of the 7.7 million, 2.9 million people face Emergency (IPC 4) acute food insecurity, and 43,000 are in Catastrophe (IPC 5) acute food insecurity in Jonglei and Unity states. The remaining 4.8 million people face Crisis (IPC 3) conditions, the WFP warned, adding that some 1.4 million children will be acutely surpassing the levels seen in the conflict in 2013 and 2016 and putting these children at much higher risk of medical problems and death if left untreated. The WFP said the Sudan conflict has forced thousands to flee to South Sudan, exacerbating the humanitarian situation in South Sudan. "Since the beginning of the Sudan crisis, the food prices in areas bordering Sudan had increased by 20-84 percent, further complicating the situation for thousands of vulnerable people living in these areas." BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration on Friday issued a yellow alert for mountain torrents in some areas. From 8 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Saturday, mountain torrents are expected to occur in parts of Hebei, Inner Mongolia and Liaoning, according to the alert. Local authorities are advised to strengthen real-time monitoring and flood warning procedures amid measures to prepare for evacuation. China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. AHMEDABAD, AT LEAST nine persons, including a constable, were killed and around 10 others injured when a speeding high-end car being driven by a college student ploughed into a crowd gathered at an accident site on a bridge in Ahmedabad city on Thursday, police said. Hours after the post-midnight tragedy on ISKCON Bridge, 20-year-old Tathya Patel, the car driver who was also injured, was arrested after he was discharged from a hospital, said a senior police official. Angry bystanders thrashed the car driver, the son of a real estate developer, and a video of it was recorded by a person standing below the bridge. Since his father, Pragnesh Patel (44), had allegedly threatened people after reaching the accident spot, he was also arrested on charges of criminal intimidation, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Traffic, Neeta Desai. A constable and a Home Guard jawan, who reached the spot after the first accident of a collision involving two vehicles, were among those killed in the car crash, they said. The accident took place at around 1 am at ISKCON Bridge on the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar (SG) highway in the Satellite area when the car, a Jaguar, moving at a very high speed ploughed into the crowd gathered there, the police said. A Thar (an SUV) collided with a truck at ISKCON Bridge on the SG highway. After receiving information about the accident, local traffic police and a Home Guard jawan reached the spot to manage movement of vehicles and handle the situation. Out of curiosity, several bystanders also gathered at the spot to check what had happened, Satellite police station inspector K Y Vyas said. When they were on the bridge, a speeding Jaguar car rammed into the crowd, killing five persons on the spot, while four persons died during treatment. The deceased included a constable and a Home Guard jawan. Nearly 10 persons who received injuries were admitted to different hospitals, he said. Car driver Tathya Patel was admitted to a private hospital as he too received injuries, the official said. A common FIR against the father-son duo was registered at the SG Highway Traffic Police Station in the evening under section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), 279 (driving or riding a vehicle in a negligent manner), 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC and under relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel expressed grief over the incident and announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Preliminary probe revealed Tathya Patel is a second-year college student, while his father Pragnesh Patel is a builder by profession and had faced various criminal cases in the past, the police said. By evening, an FIR was registered against the father-son duo and both were arrested. As soon as doctors gave a go ahead, we arrested Tathya and brought him to the police station along with his father. We have also brought five youngsters, including three girls, to the police station to know what exactly happened. These youngsters will be made witnesses in the case, said DCP Desai. BJP corners Govt over food grain scheme Staff Reporter RAIPUR, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs launched a scathing attack on the Congress Government over alleged irregularities in the Central Governments food grain scheme. MLA Saurabh Singh led the charge, questioning Food Minister Amarjeet Bhagat on the purported mismanagement of centrally-allotted rice. In response to the barrage of questions, Food Minister Amarjeet Bhagat vehemently refuted the allegations, stating that a central government team had investigated the matter and found the complaints baseless. He further claimed that former Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh had written letters to the Centre in an attempt to defame the government, which further escalated tensions in the House. The BJP MLAs were dissatisfied with the Food Ministers response and staged a walkout in protest, leaving the House amid the ongoing debate. In the absence of Dr Raman Singh, BJP MLA Dr Saurabh Singh raised the questions previously listed by the former Chief Minister during the Question Hour. Minister Bhagat informed the House that after verifying the remaining stock at fair price shops for September 2022, action had been assured against those responsible for any irregularities in the stock distribution. In some cases, officials were held accountable and made to compensate for the missing stock. The Food Minister also disclosed that 34 petitions had been filed in the Bilaspur High Court concerning the verification of budget stock at ration shops. The final court decision would determine the extent of irregularities in stock distribution and identify the guilty parties. Despite the Ministers explanation, BJP member Dr Saurabh Singh sought more information about the actions taken against those involved in the alleged scam. He specifically questioned the online permissions granted for additional allotments and demanded detailed information on the actions taken throughout the entire matter. Leader of the Opposition, Narayan Chandel, joined the chorus, alleging a staggering ration scam worth around 5 thousand crores. He sought clarity on the actions taken in response to this grave accusation. Unsatisfied with the Food Ministers responses, opposition members walked out of the House, raising slogans to express their dissatisfaction. BJP workers stage Chakkajam Staff Reporter DURG, Infuriated over neglected problems of public interest, BJP workers protested fiercely and staged Chakkajam at Patel Chowk, Durg on Thursday against the working style of local MLA Arun Vora. During the protest, a scuffle was created between the police personnel deployed in security and the BJP workers who were trying to gherao Collectorate. The angry BJP workers burnt the effigy of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel at Patel Chowk. Traffic was disrupted due to Chakkajam on GE Road for about 1 hour. Meanwhile, District BJP President Jitendra Verma alleged Durg City MLA Arun Vora of inactive and said that the city is full of problems. Apart from drinking water crisis, bad roads, the public is troubled by other problems. Development works are lying incomplete in the city and corruption is on its peak. Law and order is continuously deteriorating, but MLA Arun Vora is not paying attention to these subjects. During the protest, the Joint Collector, who came to take the memorandum on behalf of the District Administration, was handed over the charge sheet against MLA Arun Vora by the BJP leaders and taking cognizance of the points of the charge sheet, immediate action was demanded in the interest of city development. Prior to this, BJP workers gathered in large numbers at Green Chowk on Thursday morning for the pre-scheduled demonstration of District BJP. From there they reached Patel Chowk via Agrasen Chowk, Harnabandha, Polsaipara, Farishta Complex Chowk, Indira Market and Old Bus Stand in the form of a rally under the leadership of District BJP President Jitendra Verma. BJP workers were preparing to march to the collectorate from Patel Chowk, but they were stopped by the police personnel deployed in the security. Durg Assembly BJP In-charge Rajeev Aggarwal, District BJP General Secretary Lalit Chandrakar, Surendra Kaushik, VicePresident K S Chauhan, Natwar Tamarkar, senior BJP leaders and workers of various BJP cells participated in large numbers. From Parlt to SC, nation boils in anger as women paraded naked in Manipur Members of Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) take part in a rally as a mark of protest in Manipur on Thursday. (PTI) What has happened to these daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven.The incident has insulted the entire country and the 140 crore Indians are feeling ashamed, says Prime Minister Using women as an instrument to perpetrate violence in an area of communal strife is deeply disturbing and this is simply unacceptable, says Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the media on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Thursday. Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi, Jitendra Singh, Arjun Ram Meghwal and V Muraleedharan are also seen. (PTI) NEW DELHI/IMPHAL : THE grinding violence that has roiled Manipur for more than two months burst onto the national centrestage on Thursday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CJI D Y Chandrachud expressed deep anguish over a graphic video of two disrobed women being brutalised by a mob, calling the incident shameful and unacceptable. The incident in a village in Kangpokpi district that was captured in the 26-second video and stoked a nationwide outrage took place a day after ethnic violence erupted in the northeastern State on May 3 but the horrific footage surfaced only on Wednesday and became viral after the Internet ban was lifted. Hours after Prime Minister Modi in his first public comments on the Manipur violence vowed that no guilty will be spared and law will act with its full might and firmness. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said the police have arrested four men. CJI Chandrachud also warned that the apex court will take action if nothing is happening on the ground. Taking suo motu cognisance of the video, police said a case of abduction, gangrape and murder was registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station against unknown armed men. The video capturing the ordeal of the two tribal women has become emblematic of the divide between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki tribal group, as political leaders cutting across party lines condemned the incident which also rocked Parliament on the opening day of the Monsoon session. Today, when I am standing by this temple of democracy my heart is full of pain and anger, Modi told reporters at Parliament complex amid criticism by Opposition parties for not speaking on the ethnic violence in the BJP-ruled State. I want to assure the countrymen that no guilty will be spared. Law will act with its full might and firmness... What has happened to these daughters of Manipur can never be forgiven. The incident in the State is shameful for any decent society and it has insulted the entire country and the 140 crore countrymen are feeling ashamed, he added. Chief Minister Biren Singh said a thorough investigation is underway and strict action, including possible capital punishment, will follow. Its a crime against humanity. We will not spare anyone, he told reporters in Imphal. Tension mounted in the hills of Manipur after the May 4 video showed two women from one of the warring communities in the State being paraded naked by a mob from the other side. The anguish over the incident found echo in the Supreme Court where a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Chandrachud took cognisance of the video and asked the Centre and the Manipur Government to take immediate action. It also said using women as instruments for perpetrating violence is simply unacceptable in a constitutional democracy. We are very deeply disturbed by the videos which have emerged yesterday about the way those two women were paraded in Manipur, said the bench, also comprising Justices P S Narasimha and Manoj Misra. I think it is time that the Government really steps in and takes action because this is simply unacceptable, the CJI said, adding, We will give a little time to the Government to act, otherwise we will take action if nothing is happening on the ground. He also termed it the grossest Constitutional and human rights violation, adding that the court is conscious of the fact that the video is of May 4 but that makes no difference. Proceedings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were disrupted and adjourned for the day with Opposition MPs creating an uproar over the incident and demanding a discussion in Parliament. Outside Parliament, Opposition parties, including the Congress, Shiv Sena and DMK, took up the issue in a big way. Hitting out at the Government, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said the Prime Minister had broken his silence on Manipur but it was too little too late. Accusing the Centre of turning democracy into a mobocracy, party President Mallikarjun Kharge said humanity has died in Manipur and asked Modi to speak about the ethnic violence-hit State in Parliament and tell the nation what happened. Echoing him, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, This incident is shameful for the whole country. It is very disturbing. IAF develops NaviC-based real time aircraft tracking system Staff Reporter Nagpur, The Indian Air Force (IAF), in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has developed a NaviC-based real time aircraft tracking system (NATS) which is capable to identify or locate an flying aircraft in just 30 seconds, said Air Marshal Vibhas Pande, AVSM VSM and Air Officer Commanding in Chief (AOC-in-C) of Headquarters Maintenance Command, Nagpur here on Thursday. Talking to mediapersons, Air Marshal Pande, said the aircraft tracking system is first of its kind which is now on its final stage. One Eastern Sector trial is pending and after the trial the modification will be implemented in NATS. He also said that NATS is completely indigenous and developed under Atmanirbhar Bharat without including any foreign original equipment manufacture (OEM). One of the Base Repair Depots (BRD) under the aegis of Air Forces Maintenance Command has indigenously developed the NATS, wherein the Indian Air Force can get the update on the location of a flying aircraft every 30 seconds, he said. Emphasising on Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, Air Marshal Pande said, Indian is now going to achieve the tag of indigenisation in transport aircrafts. Indian government signed a deal to purchase 56 number of C-295 transport aircraft from France in which 16 will fly directly from France and remaining 40 will be manufactured in Vadodara in Gujarat by TATA Group. However, we will get the first four C-295 aircrafts from France in the month of September. In the row of indigenisation, Air Marshal Pande further added, IAF has raised a demand of 83 fully indigenous LCA Tejas fighters to the government. These aircrafts will help to improve our shortage of squadrons. These 83 fighters will also help to retire ageing Russian aircrafts which we are using to maintain the existing strength of our squadrons. Phasing out all ageing Russian aircrafts in a single day is not possible. It take time and IAF had already talked with Ministry of Defence to start the process and these 83 LCA Tejas contract is also a part of it, he added. DAMASCUS, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. forces on Friday captured three people in an airborne operation in Syria's eastern province of Deir al-Zour, the state news agency SANA reported. With the help of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the operation was carried out at dawn in the village of Akidat in the province's eastern countryside, the SANA report said. After intense and random firing on homes and farmlands, the U.S. forces and the SDF encircled a home in the village, captured three of its occupants and took them to nearby U.S. bases, the report added, without providing details about the identity of the captured people. The U.S. forces frequently carry out similar operations to capture suspected Islamic State (IS) agents, particularly in Deir al-Zour which has a sprawling desert region where IS militants hide. Jain community protests brutal murder of monk in Karnataka Staff Reporter Members of Sakal Jain Samaj on Thursday staged a protest march in the city to express their agony and condemn the murder of Jain Monk Kamkumar Nandi Maharaj in Karnataka. All the business establishments and shops of members of Jain community were closed till afternoon. It may be mentioned that Jain community across the country is upset and saddened following the unfortunate inhumane incident, as 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. The Jain community members took out protest rally from Bada Phuhara in the morning. Women, senior citizens and even children registered their presence in the rally holding placards on their hands. The rally crossed Karamchand Chowk to reach Malviya Chowk where they handed over a memorandum addressing to the President of India and Karnataka Chief Minister, to the representative of district administration. According to representatives of Jain community, the symbolic protest was staged to condemn brutal murder of Jain Monk and to ensure stern punishment to the murderers. So that such incident would not repeated in future. They also demanded security for all the saints and sadhavis, as the community is quite saddened following the attack on saints. Another silent rally was carried out from Basti Mandir in Ranjhi. The members of Jain community observed silence throughout the rally-path and after reaching Ranjhi Thana, submitted a memorandum addressing to the President of India and Karnataka Chief Minister. Oppn leaders meet Kharge, demand PMs statement in House on Manipur NEW DELHI : LEADERS of the INDIA alliance met at the chamber of Mallikarjun Kharge in the Parliament complex on Thursday to chalk out a strategy for the Monsoon session and demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement on Manipur violence in both Houses followed by a discussion. This was the first meeting of the Opposition alliance of 26 parties after they named their grouping INDIA at a meeting in Bengaluru on Tuesday. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also the leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, demanded that Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh be sacked and Presidents rule be imposed in the ethnic violence-hit northeastern state. The monsoon session of Parliament began on Thursday. Several leaders of the Congress and other Opposition parties had given adjournment notices in the Lok Sabha as well as the Rajya Sabha for taking up discussion on Manipur and have demanded answers from the Government. Kharge also gave an adjournment notice on the matter. He said it has been nearly 80 days since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur but Prime Minister Narendra Modi has neither visited the state nor spoken a word on the situation there. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, The demand of the 26-party grouping INDIA is very clear. The Prime Minister should make a statement on the horrific and tragic developments in Manipur since May 3, in both Houses of Parliament, after which there should be a discussion. This is the first order of business. Kharge also took to Twitter to say, Manipur is burning. Women are raped, paraded naked and horrific violence is taking place. But the Prime Minister has kept quiet for so long. Today, after so much outrage, he made a statement outside the Parliament. We want a detailed discussion on Manipur and PM Modi should make an elaborate statement on the same in the House. We also demand the immediate resignation of the Manipur Chief Minister and imposition of Presidents Rule, the Congress president said. He also raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha and demanded that a discussion on the situation in Manipur be taken up with Prime Minister Modi making a statement on the matter. Several Opposition leaders raised the Manipur issue and demanded that the prime minister makes a statement in both houses of Parliament. Both Houses failed to transact any business on the first day of the Monsoon session as opposition parties raised an uproar over the Manipur violence. Kharge earlier said the Prime Minister has time to visit France, the United States. He has time to call 38 parties (NDA meeting), but did not have the time to visit Manipur though he has all the resources. Modi Government and the BJP have changed democracy and the rule of law into Mobocracy by destroying the delicate social fabric of the state, the Congress president tweeted. Pak citizen Seema Haider case: Central investigation agencies meet Noida Police NOIDA, CENTRAL investigation agencies met the Noida Police on Thursday in connection with the probe in the Pakistani citizen Seema Haiders illegal entry into India, official sources said. The meeting comes in the wake of Uttar Pradesh Polices Anti-Terrorist Squad questioning Seema and his Indian partner Sachin Meena on Monday and Tuesday. Officials of central investigation agencies on Thursday morning met with senior officers of the Noida Police in connection with probe into the Seema Haider case, an official source told PTI. While the UP ATS questioned the couple for two days, the Noida Police are separately investigating the case in which they are yet to file a charge sheet. Apart from the probe done so far, the police are trying to find out which identification cards were submitted by Sachin to get a forged Aadhaar card made for Seema, a senior officer said. Police investigations are underway and charge sheet would be filed in the case after due probe is completed and evidence collected, the officer added. Seema Haider, who hails from Sindh province in Pakistan, had entered India illegally along with her four children in a bus via Nepal on May 13. She says she had come to live with his Indian lover Sachin Meena who stays in Rabupura area of Greater Noida. 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. 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. Pakistans intelligence agencies have informed the countrys 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 claimed this week. WIDER PLOT COMMON man often sees things in isolation and that is why he is easily provoked by the happenings of the day. However, if one joins the dots, a wider picture emerges. This is true in case of the correlation between Indias rising stature in global scheme of things and the resurfacing of the problems within, with interplay of the domestic as well as international forces. Having said that one needs to look at some recent developments. Manipur is on the boil for the past some time. Tension is brewing up in Mizoram. Consolidation is happening in Nagaland. Assam and Tripura are strained to adjust to the impact of illegal migrants on its society and resources. Parts of Arunachal Pradesh are witnessing activism. Tensions are erupting between Assam and Meghalaya over boundary dispute. Khalistani terrorism is back to haunt again, albeit in limited impact domestically and more pronounced from foreign soil. North vs South debate is back. Social faultlines are getting emboldened with some forces concocting justifications for use of violence to raise demand. Political forces are uniting against the ruling party in general, and against the ruling party leader in particular. All these considered together will make even the common man think whether each of these developments is interlinked. One believes that these developments are parts of some design. India has witnessed similar things conjuring up in the past whenever there was rise in her stature globally. The elders in the society will remember the time when Mrs. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister and all the above-mentioned problems, plus rise of the violent Left Wing Extremism called Naxalism and some other factors, had surfaced. Mrs. Gandhis actions of reaching out to various nations had antagonised the US in particular. For, the US thought of India not as a potential ally but as a friend of its Cold War enemy -- the USSR. So, every action of India -- may it be protecting own borders to strengthening economy to striking new ties -- was looked at from tinted glass of anti-USSR stand by the US. At that time, emergence of so many problems during one strong leaders time had made popular the use of the term foreign hand as far as disturbances were concerned. After so many years, emergence of similar set of problems hints at probably similar set of forces in play. Under the dynamic and firm leadership of Mr. Narendra Modi as Prime Minister, India has evolved very strongly. Drawing right lessons from history, India has been following the policy of multi-lateralism, wider circle of friendship, strategic autonomy, with more focus on indigenisation. These actions are indeed benefiting India and paving way for long-term growth. The rising stature of India in terms of economy, stability, and committed pursuit of aspiration of becoming a pole in the multi-polar world, is at the same time antagonising the forces that have been dominating the World Order. They are not going to pave way for India to occupy a seat of prominence so easily. Looking at Indias accelerated growth in the past few years, it is clear to the world that the trajectory of high growth will continue under the leadership of Mr. Modi. Hence, while the political forces are uniting against him domestically, there appears to be some kind of invisible outside support to trouble-makers of various ilks in India. These forces act at different levels ranging from narrative building, to widening of social faultlines taking advantage of some incidents, to foisting frameworks devised elsewhere to give birth to identity crises of different kinds, to attempts to inflict damage to the economy etc. There are various ways and means employed by these forces to create instability. The instability is both, internal and external. There is unstable neighbourhood in imploding Pakistan, economically struggling Sri Lanka, radicalising Bangladesh, aggressive China seeking to expand its influence through Nepal and fomenting trouble at the borders. Internally, allegations of misuse of institutions dominate the political discourse. Mrs. Indira Gandhi also had faced such allegations from her opponents within the party and at regional level. Now, under Mr. Modi, with institutions like Enforcement Directorate breaking the nexuses, same allegations are back in political circles. During the time of Mrs. Gandhi also, the foreign media often created narratives raising questions based on twisted logic viz. What was the need for allocating resources to nuclear power when foodgrains were urgently needed? Today, again, questions with twisted logic are being raised about Indias investment in space, technology, and emerging sectors. India has attained the present position only in the above-mentioned two regimes. India has waded her ship of progress through troubled waters of time, under the captaincy of leaders of the time. Sometimes, they erred, leaving lessons to be drawn for successors. The India of today represents a sum of all that wisdom gained through ups and downs. Hence, this time, the rise is more stable and strong. For the same reason, the challenges also are going to be tougher as the general elections to Lok Sabha draw nearer. In days to come, one may see demands for discussing tensions rising from various platforms -- political to social to international lobby groups, instead of on-ground actions to bridge the faultlines. For, instability suits the agenda of some. It is time for the ordinary Indians to see through such designs, enhance understanding of historical issues, and give a matured response to such nefarious anti-India designs. Indians need to be aware of the wider plot, and ensure that the Indian ship of growth stays on course. OTTAWA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter pilot was killed in a crash Wednesday night, the third death in recent days involving wildfire-fighting operations in Canada, local media reported Thursday. Police confirmed to the media that the pilot, a 41-year-old man who was helping fight fires in northern Alberta, died from injuries he sustained in the crash, despite life-saving efforts by forestry workers who arrived at the site first. Last week, firefighter Devyn Gale died after a tree fell on her near Revelstoke, British Columbia. Adam Yeadon died Saturday while fighting a wildfire near his home in Fort Liard, the Northwest Territories. The Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre said Thursday that there were 887 active wildfires nationwide and the number of out-of-control wildfires was 549. The number of wildfires in the country so far this year has reached 4,308, devouring about 111,000 square kilometers of land. UNITED NATIONS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A UN trust fund formed in 2016 has helped 43,000 people affected by sexual exploitation and abuse, a UN spokesman said on Thursday. The UN Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance released the annual report of the Trust Fund in Support of Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, covering the activities of 2022, said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "The report provides details about six projects implemented in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Liberia and South Sudan and positively impacting the lives of victims of sexual misconduct," Dujarric said. He said the trust fund has received 4.8 million U.S. dollars in contributions from 24 member states of the world organization and money from payments withheld from personnel against whom sexual exploitation and abuse cases were substantiated. "This has helped fund assistance and support services to victims and children born of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN and related personnel," Dujarric said. "So far, over 43,000 affected victims and community members have participated in income-generating activities or received various forms of support." The spokesman said that additional funding would help victims and their children rebuild their lives, break stigma, and facilitate reintegration within their communities. BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities on Friday issued a yellow alert for possible geological disasters triggered by rain. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the China Meteorological Administration have warned of risks of rain-induced geological disasters in parts of Beijing, Hebei, Liaoning, Chongqing and Guizhou from 8 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Saturday. Residents have been advised to take precautions, especially in areas with hidden dangers. China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system for geological disasters, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological authorities on Friday evening renewed a blue alert for rainstorms. From 8 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Saturday, heavy rain or rainstorms are forecast to hit parts of Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin, Hebei, Tianjin, Shandong, Hubei, and Guizhou, according to the National Meteorological Center. The center said some of these regions will experience heavy rainfall, with maximum hourly precipitation over 70 millimeters, accompanied by severe convective weather conditions, such as thunderstorms and gales. The center has advised local governments and residents to take appropriate precautions. Schools and kindergartens have been asked to ensure the safety of students and children, while drivers have been advised to be alert and cautious due to road waterlogging and traffic jams. China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. 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. Produced by Xinhua Global Service The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to grant the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, access to his medical records. The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, held that objections the security agency raised against Kanus request lacked merit. It held that Kanu was constitutionally entitled to have access to both the records he requested for and the medical doctors of his choice. Nevertheless, Justice Nyako held that the independent medical examination of Kanu by his personal physicians should be supervised by the DSS, with the entire process recorded and sealed for security purposes. The judgement followed a suit that the embattled IPOB leader filed through his team of lawyers led by Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN. Kanu, had in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/ 2341/2022, said he would need his doctors to conduct an independent examination to ascertain his actual state of health. He prayed the court for an order, granting him leave to, apply for judicial review in the form of an order of Mandamus, compelling the Respondents to allow the Applicant unhindered access to his medical doctors to enable them conduct an independent examination of his present deteriorating health condition, as earlier ordered by the Federal High Court, Abuja, coram, Hon. Justice B.F.M. Nyako, on the 21st day of October, 2021; and as required by the express provisions of section 7 of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017. As well as, an order of this Honourable Court granting leave to the Applicant to apply for judicial review in the form of an order of Mandamus, compelling the Respondents to avail the Applicant with all his medical records, from the 29th day of June, 2021, till date. Kanu listed some of the records he would require from the DSS, to include; his admission records, medical and clinical notes, nursing notes, observation charts and documentation during treatment or stay-in-hospital, laboratory test results, pharmaceutical records, radiological scans, images and reports, blood transfusion records, physiotherapy and rehabilitative treatment records, clinical findings, as well as diagnosis and treatment prescribed records. On grounds upon which he filed the application, Kanu, noted that trial Justice Nyako had on October 21, 2021, ordered that he should be allowed access to three persons of his choice, including his medical doctors. Kanu argued that section 7 of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, provided that a person arrested, detained or undergoing, custodial investigation, shall have the right to demand a physical and psychological examination by an independent and competent doctor of his own choice after interrogation, which shall be conducted outside the influence of the Police or security forces. The Respondents have repeatedly denied the Applicant access to medical doctors of his choice to independently examine him, contrary to the order of the court made on the 21st October, 2021; and the express provisions of Section 7 of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, he added. In a verifying affidavit that was deposed to by one Chimmuanya Emenari, Kanu told the court that prior to the time he was arrested abducted in Kenya and extra-ordinarily rendered back to Nigeria, he visited a Specialist Cardiologist every week for medical examination and treatment. Medical Reports containing the medical history of the Applicant as was issued by medical specialists managing the Applicant before his abduction in Kenya and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria are hereby attached and variously marked as Exhibits MNK 3, MNK 4 and MNK 5. That notwithstanding the fact that the Applicant has been discharged by the appellate court and his further detention prohibited, the Applicant is still being held in solitary confinement in the custody of the Respondents, where he is exposed to daily mental and psychological torture and degradation of his human person. Kanu alleged that upon his abduction in Kenya, he was subjected to various forms of brutal torture and inhuman treatment and degradation, all of which worsened his health condition, pursuant to which he suffered a mild cardiac arrest before he was smuggled back into Nigeria. The Applicants health condition has continued to take a downward spiral since then. That various medical personnel that attended to the Applicant whilst in custody, had repeatedly informed him that they could not ascertain the reason for the depletion of potassium in the Applicants blood. That on various occasions, the medical personnel brought by the Respondents took the Applicants blood sample and allegedly transported same to South Africa for screening and up till the present, there is no end in sight for their trial-and-error medicare. That all medical experts that have so far attended to this complex health situation of the Applicant failed to medically fathom the explanation for the continued failure of various treatments so far given to the Applicant, hence their inquiries as to whether the Applicant may have been injected with a dangerous substance by those that abducted him in Kenya before being forcibly smuggled into Nigeria. That the medical personnel attending to the Applicant in the custody of the Respondents are oblivious of the cause of the Applicants health condition and are basically using the Applicant as a guinea pig while carrying out a trial-and-error exercise, as they keep changing his drugs and increasing the dosage without any improvement whatsoever in his health condition. Attached and marked as Exhibit MNK 6 is a copy of the Applicants medical report issued by the Respondents. That the full medical history of the Applicant as contained in his Medical file with the detaining authority were deliberately suppressed, as the facts of the speedy depletion in his potassium content was clearly deleted from the medical report which the Respondents issued to the Applicant. That the Applicants doctor- Dr. CFine Okorochukwu, who had gone to visit him on the 29th August, 2022, and 1st and 15th September, 2022, respectively, was denied access to him, by the Respondents, in flagrant disregard to the Order of the trial court, made on the 21st day of October, 2021, which order directed that the Applicant should be allowed access to three persons of his choice, which persons includes his doctors. Attached and marked as Exhibit MNK8 are copies of the letters forwarding the name of the Doctor to the Respondents. That following the continued refusal of the Respondents to allow the Applicant access to his medical doctor, on the 12th of December, 2022, the Applicant through his lead Counsel- Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN wrote to the Respondents and demanded that the Applicant be given unhindered access to his own medical doctors; and further, for the Applicants comprehensive medical records. A copy of the said letter is hereby attached and marked as Exhibit MNK9. That the Respondents roundly ignored the Applicants request to be availed of his medical records, and access to his doctors, the deponent averred. Against the backdrop of Nigerias dipping crude oil earnings occasioned by dwindling production output and the biting spike in pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, commonly known as Petrol following the removal of fuel subsidy, elders in the oil-rich Niger Delta region have proffered measures to ameliorate the situation. In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, the South-South Elders Progressive Forum, SSEPF, blamed the progressive decline in crude oil production output on the withdrawal of support for multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region by locals in oil bearing communities who feel not being carried along by the Federal Government and its agencies and no longer take it as an obligation to protect oil facilities in their areas, including fighting crude oil theft. The elders cautioned in the letter dated 18th July, 2023 that the short term palliatives offered to cushion the nightmarish situation currently being faced by Nigerians due to the removal of fuel subsidy will not be impactful unless the Federal Government takes immediate measures to shore up crude oil production output and bring on stream one or two of the nations refineries for local refining of petrol. The SSEPF in its letter title, A Panacea for the Dwindling Crude Oil Production and the Niger Delta Debacle, also blamed the inability of the international oil companies (OICs) operating in the Niger Delta to perform seamlessly and optimally on the failure of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to provide a conducive atmosphere for the companies to function. The letter was signed by Chief Jolomi Ande and Dr Benedict Akparanta, Chairman and Secretary General respectively. It reads in part: Crude oil and natural gas resources will remain pivotal for a long time in Nigerias path to economic prosperity and the sooner the nation takes the development and stability of the Niger Delta region seriously, the better for it. The IOCs no longer complain to the Federal Government on the challenges they face due to lack of cooperation by the host oil communities occasion by a huge trust deficit, and are therefore, simply divesting and exiting the Niger Delta as a result of NDDCs failure to effectively perform its mandate towards maintaining peace and stability in the region. As elders in the Niger Delta committed to peace, development and prosperity of the region and Nigeria, we wholeheartedly offer you our support towards actualising your vision of economic revival for the nation using the abundant oil and gas in the Niger Delta as a springboard. But this can only be achieved through well-grounded policy initiatives and holistic implementation of guidelines and presidential directives by those upon whom responsibilities have been delegated. It is in this regard that we write you this letter highlighting some recent anomalies that could mar efforts of your administration particularly towards improving the dwindling crude oil production output and to proffer solutions on how to remedy the situation which had adversely affected the nations oil earnings. Mr. President, we are discomforted that your recent directive dissolving the Governing Boards of all Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-owned companies as it relates to the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), was implemented in the breach and the outcome, if allowed to stand, signals a faulty start capable of raising the bar of corruption at the Commission and worsening the lack of cooperation by the host oil communities and the multinational oil companies occasioned by a huge trust deficit as a result of NDDCs failure to effectively perform its mandate towards maintaining peace and stability in the region, thereby progressively depleting crude oil production output. Succinctly put, Your Excellency, the intrigues that played out in the process of implementation of your directive as it concerned the NDDC Board has casted a dent on the image of your barely two-months old government and the high hopes of the Niger Delta who hold the key to ensuring unhindered crude oil and gas production had begun to diminish. We urge you to, in your characteristic manner, take bold steps to take full charge of your Government and energise its machinery towards effective delivery of good governance through the various agencies in our case, the NDDC. Unfortunately, the Commission had been bedeviled with corrupt elements and tendencies and the outcome of the implementation of your directive on the dissolution of the Governing Board of the NDDC has further reinforced this perception. We wish to remind Mr. President of the high public expectation due to the huge trust deficit you inherited from your predecessors administration. President Buhari suffered from old age and health challenges which literally made him an absentee leader and created room for a cabal that discharged the functions of the President and Commander-in-Chief. That cabal which was notorious for appointment racketeering as well as perpetration of administrative and procedural abnormalities became an albatross for the immediate past government. A repeat of Buharis style of overseeing the NDDC will spell further doom for the country and we enjoin Your Excellency to ensure that people in the corridors of power do not to manipulate issues concerning a very sensitive agency such as the NDDC to line their pockets and expect good fortunes from the oil and gas sector for the nation. Mr. President should therefore promptly and decisively address these misgivings at this early stage of your administration and advance the cause of good governance most particularly on the economic front. Already, there are allegations that a whopping sum of N6 Billion of the Commissions funds was disbursed to secure the retention of some members of the NDDC Board following your clear and sweeping dissolution directive. More worrisome is the humongous level of corruption allegedly being perpetrated by some top officials who ironically, had been exposing themselves in the course of internal wrangling. Ms. Lauretta Onochie, immediate past chairman of the Board, said a lot about the managing director and his team during the NDDC 2023 budget defense in the National Assembly, referencing amongst others, the use of multiple accounts in breach of the Single Treasury Account (TSA) Federal Government policy. Your Excellency, we also wish to bring to your notice, the concerns of various contractors handling projects for the NDDC, most of which have been stalled due to alleged underhand deals. It is highly disgusting that for any contractor to be paid for a job done, thirty percent (30%) of the value of the payment certificate must be given as kickback and for this reason; no contractor has been able to return to site within the past six months. We therefore respectfully urge Mr. President to investigate and verify the payments made at the NDDC within the past six months towards uncovering the 30% kickbacks was paid into private accounts of individuals, which are allegedly changed to foreign currency and delivered in cash to the officials for whom they are fronting and these transactions are openly conducted within the vicinity of the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt. It is indeed, painful that a greater percentage of contracts being paid are phony contracts with forged documents backdated to previous administrations. And the proceeds from these payments were shared amongst a new set of corrupt elements in the presidential villa to curry favor and settle a few vocal voices from the Niger Delta. This was the practice during ex-President Buharis administration and the negative consequences reverberated not only in the Niger Delta region alone but across the country. Therefore, Mr. President should not pretend to be unaware of the looming danger as these are weighty issues that require your swift and decisive action by relieving members of the dissolved NDDC Board still being retained in their positions of their offices and appointing the most senior director in the Commission to oversee its affairs in acting capacity pending the constitution of a new Board. Your Excellency, to rekindle public confidence, enthrone good governance, peace, stability and development of the nation, we urge you to be wary and promptly take measures to check the manipulative activities of some individuals and top officials of government who parade the corridors of power as was the case during the tenure of ex-president Muhammadu Buhari. We expect a clean break from what happened in the administration of your predecessor where appointments were simply procured. And the danger, if the trend is allowed to persist, is that there will be no meaningful development especially in the Niger Delta region because such persons when appointed only serve the interest of those who assisted them in Abuja and elsewhere to procure the appointments and not the people of the region. Furthermore, such appointees squander the Commissions resources to feather their nests, using same to lobby and retain their unmerited positions. Justice M. Itsueli of Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City has convicted and sentenced one Kelly Alakpa to three-years imprisonment for fraud. The 31-year-old Alakpa, who claimed to be a businessman, was arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for offences bordering on retention of proceeds of crime. Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge prompting the prosecution counsel, Salihu Ahmed to pray the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. However, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendant is a first time offender. While ruling on Thursday, Justice Itsueli convicted and sentenced Alakpa to three years imprisonment or a fine of N300, 000. The court also ordered that a Mercedes-Benz GLK car, phones which were proceeds and instruments of crime recovered from him be forfeited to the Federal government of Nigeria. It was learnt that during investigation, Alakpa admitted being a Picker in the internet fraud chain and has received huge sums of money from unsuspecting victims. In the charge against him, Alakpa was accused of retaining the aggregate sum of N199, 628,431.99 (One Hundred and Ninety Nine Million, Six Hundred and Twenty Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty One Naira, Ninety Four Kobo), an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act. Similarly, at the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Justice C. A. Obiozor on Thursday convicted and sentenced Lucas Lucky Oboh to two years imprisonment or a fine of N200, 000. The convict is also to forfeit his phone and the sum of 200 euros recovered from him as proceeds of crime to the Federal government of Nigeria. Oboh was prosecuted on one court charge of impersonation. The convict had impersonated the identity of Kevin Robet, an American and sent messages to one Natalia Amada with intent to defraud the unsuspecting victim. In the same vein, Justice S. M. Shuiabu of the Federal High Court, Benin City on Wednesday, July 19, convicted and sentenced Peter Ikechukwu Ekpobuna to two years imprisonment or a fine of N400, 000 for fraudulent impersonation. Ekpobuna pleaded guilty to one count charge bordering on impersonation, prompting the prosecution counsel, I. M. Elodi, to pray the court to convict and sentence him accordingly. The charge against him read: That you, Peter Ikechukwu Ekpobuna sometime in April 2023 in Oghara, Delta State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate the identity of Eunatavavares-Trader, a Brazilian bitcoin trader by fraudulently sending documents to one Wisely Silva through the internet which document you claim emanated from the said Eunatavavares-Trader with the intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 22(2) (b)(i) of the Cybercrime ( Prohibition Prevention etc.) Act 2015 and punishable under section 22(2)(b)(IV) of the same Act. Amid shifting military dynamics, a narrow window for dialogue about stopping the fighting in Sudan may have opened. But diplomacy is in disarray. Outside actors should urgently coordinate efforts to steer the belligerents toward a negotiated end to hostilities. Sudans calamitous three-month war may be entering a critical new phase. In recent weeks, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has further entrenched its superior position in the capital, Khartoum, and intensified a siege of the headquarters where top generals in the Sudanese army, its enemy in the conflict, have been holed up since the war began. Army leaders have shown a new willingness to entertain peace talks, while the paramilitary claims victory is nigh. What comes next is uncertain, but the conflict has already pushed Sudan to the brink of ruin as more of the country outside the capital descends into violence. Given all the dangers that loom from state collapse to spiralling atrocities to spillover into adjacent countries it is imperative that outside actors seize every opportunity to bring the parties back to dialogue before the moment is lost. Whether the two sides can find middle ground is an open question, but there is reason enough to test the proposition. The armys battlefield losses and besieged headquarters give it strong motivations to come the table; likewise, the RSFs narrow base of support, abysmal standing at home and abroad, and the steep odds of taking all of Sudan by force have long meant that, even if it comes out on top militarily, it needs a negotiated settlement. Outside actors should work in concert to impress this logic upon the parties. Diplomacy thus far has been messy: the U.S., Saudi Arabia and others will need to pool their efforts in a more coordinated fashion, and with a greater sense of urgency, than they have mustered to date. Even if they do, success is far from guaranteed, especially if the RSF wants to keep pressing its momentum in Khartoum before coming to terms. The army and its aligned militias, meanwhile, could easily splinter. But the stakes are too high not to make a concerted new push to halt the conflict at this pivotal moment in Sudans war-torn history. The RSF has held the upper hand in Khartoum since the early days of the war. A Fateful Moment The RSF has held the upper hand in Khartoum since the early days of the war, but that advantage is only growing more apparent. Even some army backers suggest the RSF is on the cusp of decisive military victory in the capital, especially if it can soon overrun the compound where army leader General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and some of his key lieutenants are sheltering. The RSF has besieged the headquarters almost since the conflict began; it has now tightened its grip. On 15 July, the army launched a major offensive to try breaking the siege from Bahri, to the compounds north, but it failed spectacularly, with most of the attacking soldiers quickly killed or captured in ambushes long before they neared the grounds. The RSF circulated video footage showing what had befallen its foes. The swift demise of such a long-planned operation appears to have dashed hopes that the army can find a way to resupply or reinforce the headquarters, where some reports suggest the situation could be growing desperate. To be sure, momentum could shift again. It is unclear how long the forces around Burhan can hang on without fresh supplies, but they have beaten back numerous RSF attempts to capture the headquarters to date. Even if the army compound does fall and Burhan is killed or apprehended, as dramatic as that would be, the war may not end, since the army still controls significant territory on Khartoums outskirts, including much of the sister city of Omdurman, as well as in the rest of the country, particularly in the east and north. The RSF has vulnerabilities of its own, including its winding supply lines from Darfur in the west, its lack of airpower, the deep hostility it now arouses in many Sudanese, including most Khartoum residents, and the fact that most nearby powers would like the army to prevail. Still, the armys declining military fortunes are an open secret. Even if the army and its allied militias can fight on in other parts of greater Khartoum and the country, the leaderships predicament could compel the army to finally explore options for a settlement, if not sue for peace. Recent developments suggest key elements in the army leadership are realising that the military option is failing. The army has sent negotiators back to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where RSF representatives remained after a previous round adjourned, while top generals are conveying public and private messages hinting that they are open to talks. The armys most prominent external ally, Egypt, has embarked on efforts to end the war. But getting a deal would require threading a needle, since it is far from clear that RSF leader General Mohamed Hemedti Hamdan Dagalo is interested in negotiating a settlement on terms acceptable to army hardliners especially now that the RSF thinks it may soon win on the battlefield. On 17 July, Hemedti released a statement declaring that victory is within reach and vowed to eradicate militias tied to the old regime of Omar al-Bashir, Sudans ousted dictator, which have mobilised on the armys side. The armys infantry otherwise looks unable to hold its own in battle, partly because few of its soldiers hail from the riverine centre, the bastion of army support. The imperative of ending this ugly war does not obscure the fact that any ceasefire and deal between these two deeply discredited belligerents would be unpalatable to many Sudanese and could be difficult to enforce on the ground. The two sides, especially the RSF, have committed horrendous atrocities. The army has repeatedly bombed crowded Khartoum neighbourhoods. The RSF and its allies, meanwhile, have engaged in wanton pillage and, residents say, sexual violence against women and girls as well as other grave abuses in Khartoum and elsewhere. In Darfur, whence many of the paramilitary forces come, the RSF and affiliated militias stand credibly accused of killing thousands of civilians and uprooting tens of thousands more from their homes (after fighting broke out between RSF- and army-aligned communities), in brutality reminiscent of previous atrocities in the stricken western region. Yet the alternative to a negotiated end to fighting is more war, and more suffering, for Sudanese and a wider state collapse that could engulf the Horn of Africa and the Sahel. The Cost of More War Sudans war was decades in the making. In its post-colonial history, the country has veered from military dictatorship to democracy and back again, in a cycle replete with hope-filled popular uprisings and coups. Meanwhile, far from the riverine centre, war has wracked much of the countrys periphery almost continuously. In the most recent episode, Sudanese peacefully took to streets throughout the country in late 2018 and 2019 to oust Bashir, who had grabbed power in a 1989 coup. Sudans generals stepped in to seize control. The result was an awkward power-sharing arrangement, with Burhan as chair of a transitional government and Hemedti as his deputy. Both promised to hand over the reins to civilians but in practice worked to consolidate their own hold, including through an October 2021 coup that derailed the transition, to the enormous frustration of both Sudanese and sympathisers abroad. Yet the marriage of convenience began to fray. Hemedti and his paramilitary force, which grew out of the Arab-identifying militias Bashir armed to fight his dirty wars in the western hinterlands, became ever more ascendant. Eventually, the relationship reached a breaking point as Hemedti threw in his lot with a group of civilians after a December 2022 deal to restore civilian rule. As a dispute escalated over when and under which leadership structure Hemedti would integrate his irregulars into the army chain of command, both leaders made a show of force, flooding Khartoum with fighters. The shooting started on 15 April. Khartoum is destroyed, and most Sudanese with the means to flee have done so. Many have nothing to come home to. The consequences will likely reverberate for decades. Khartoum is destroyed, and most Sudanese with the means to flee have done so. Many have nothing to come home to, with the RSF in particular looting residential neighbourhoods and occupying homes, seizing what they consider the booty of war. The power vacuum at the countrys centre is felt elsewhere most sharply in Darfur, where both the RSF and the army have mobilised tribal militias, exacerbating longstanding conflict between Arab- and non-Arab-identifying communities. Attacks by the RSF and associated militias have led to the death and displacement of thousands of civilians, mostly from the Masalit community, many of whom have fled across the border into Chad, leaving West Darfur under RSF control. South Sudan-aligned rebels in the south of the country are again on the march. Many suspect it is only a matter of time before trouble also appears in eastern parts of the country. Unless there is a deal to reconsolidate state power, these conflicts will likely continue to spiral. If the Sudanese army is defeated or disintegrates, the country will be without a national army (dubious as the present forces claim to that title may be) and in the full control of an unprofessional, violent paramilitary force with a pronounced ethnic cast. Moreover, the army may break apart, with sections of it fighting on. It is unclear in what form the Sudanese state (long controlled by the riverine centre) would survive in such circumstances. Meanwhile, the longer the war drags on, the deeper other parts of Sudan will sink into local strife, heightening the possibility of intervention by outside powers and further destabilising Sudans neighbourhood. Time for a Coordinated Push In order for peace talks to succeed, both parties will have to see an upside to reaching a deal, and outside actors will need to provide a coherent, well-supported negotiating track. Right now, it is unclear what the former might entail or even whether anything can compel the army and RSF to negotiate rather than fight. The latter has yet to come together. The biggest question is what deal, if any, Hemedti might be willing to strike, given the RSFs military momentum. But though the paramilitary has gained the upper hand on the main battlefield, he might have both military and political reasons to explore a settlement. Militarily, failing to strike a deal means the RSF would face the task of conquering the rest of Sudan, with all the risks that entails. The political reasons may loom even larger, relating to the extreme narrowness of Hemedtis support base in Sudan and beyond due to RSF troops horrific behaviour since the conflict started and the forces ethnic militia character. Even if he consolidates military control of Khartoum and much of Darfur, he will face a huge challenge in governing central, northern and eastern parts of Sudan, many of which are held by the army or army-aligned communities. Refusing to negotiate would almost guarantee that conflict would continue in pockets of resistance to RSF rule. It would also cement Hemedtis dreadful reputation abroad and risk returning Sudan to the pariah status of Bashirs time. On the army side, although some leaders have begun signalling openness to talks, dynamics are difficult to parse. A major question is whether army negotiators will sue for peace to save Burhan and other colleagues at Khartoum headquarters or risk their eventual capture or killing at the RSFs hands so as to continue the military struggle. Given internal fissures and the deep hostility toward the RSF, any settlement raises the risk of a split in the army, including the possibility that hardliners team up with Bashir-era Islamists to fight on. An RSF victory would likely leave no place for those Islamists, who might then face a difficult choice among negotiating surrender terms, battling on in a losing cause or seeking safe passage to a third country. But any political solution would need to include moderate Islamists, at least those not associated with the Bashir regime, given the risk of alienating such a large constituency and creating conditions for militancy to ferment. Mediation efforts are in disarray, posing the risk that opportunities will slip away unexplored. Against this backdrop, if outside actors were mounting an effective diplomatic push, they would already be coordinating to probe both sides as to whether they can see enough benefit in a deal to forge a compromise. They would also be working urgently to bring the warring parties back to the table. Neither appears to be happening in a systematic way. Instead, mediation efforts are in disarray, posing the risk that opportunities will slip away unexplored. Competing initiatives are undermining diplomacy even as Sudan collapses. So far, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia are the only actors to bring the belligerents together for formal talks, but they suspended discussions weeks ago after the parties repeatedly violated ceasefire agreements. Other diplomatic efforts have struggled, failing to offer a clear way forward. On 10 July, the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Horn of Africa regional bloc, held a summit in which it called for an end to the war. On 13 July, Egypt hosted the heads of state of neighbouring countries, announcing its own initiative with the same goal. Combined, the two ventures brought together eight regional heads of state, but not the warring parties themselves. Meanwhile, Chad (reportedly in coordination with the United Arab Emirates) convened talks between Hemedtis influential brother Abdulrahim Hamdan Dagalo, who is also deputy RSF commander, and non-Arab Darfuri armed groups that are mostly seen as aligned with the army. Those discussions reportedly focused on Darfur. It is not clear that concrete progress has emerged from any of these efforts. While the disarray is due in large part to the sheer number of outside actors involved, other errors have compounded the problem. Many diplomats accuse the U.S. and Saudi Arabia of spawning the proliferation of negotiating tracks by failing to coordinate with other important players, including the African Union (AU), Egypt and the UAE. U.S. officials admit that they could do better and say they will work more closely with partners besides Riyadh in any future talks. Adding to the confused picture, the AU, which at first seemed well positioned to lead political negotiations, has failed to regularly gather the Core Group of African, Arab and Western countries, which formed to coordinate efforts, or to appoint a senior envoy to head up its initiative. Instead, IGAD has claimed that it (not the AU) has the leading role in mediating a ceasefire and convening civilians for a political process. While the road ahead is murky, the next step is clear: concerted high-level efforts to urge key leaders on both sides to end the war through talks. While the road ahead is murky, the next step is clear: concerted high-level efforts to urge key leaders on both sides to end the war through talks. These efforts will have a better chance of success if they are coordinated rather than competing. The most obvious path forward, especially given the urgency of the moment, is for Saudi Arabia and the U.S. to reconvene direct talks in Jeddah, where both sides already have negotiating teams standing by. The mediators should first explore any opening there might be for a wider settlement between the parties. If the Jeddah talks do resume, as seems imminent, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. should agree with the AU and IGAD on how to give these two parties a permanent seat at the table, while also closely engaging Egypt, as a key army backer, and the UAE, with its close ties to the RSF, on how to support the mediation efforts, including potential roles in Jeddah for them as well. Mediators fear creating a clunky, inefficient set-up, which is an understandable concern. But the present state of affairs in which diplomatic overtures are at odds with one another appears far more impractical. A more united African front is also key. A single initiative from all the influential African actors, such as one led by Kenya and supported by the chairperson of the AU Commission and all neighbouring states, would ensure more effective follow-through with any ceasefire deal that comes out of Jeddah. IGAD and the AU could also combine efforts through a joint envoy or panel of envoys. The AU, meanwhile, needs to convene its Core Group on a regular basis, as it is crucial that all outside actors stay on the same page. Given the jumble, all involved should stay flexible and pragmatic, willing to combine efforts behind the negotiating track with the best hope of ending the war, including any new one that might gain traction with the warring parties, be it in Addis Ababa, Ndjamena, Nairobi or elsewhere. Any jockeying among tracks must end as soon as a clear leader emerges. The armys losses and the RSFs need for a negotiated deal mean mediators should move with all haste to determine whether they can find enough common ground to make progress on ending Sudans war. Despite the dire situation, now is not the time for fatalism or fatigue. Any window for peace must be seized, since numerous battlefield dynamics including total conquest of Khartoum by the RSF, capture of the army leadership, a power struggle within the army or a major external intervention could pose fresh challenges. Further, the longer the war lasts, the greater the challenge of tamping down the violence elsewhere, including in Darfur, which will require its own peace efforts that will struggle until a broader deal is reached. All should push for a negotiated end to the war and a political process, no matter how fraught, to determine what comes next for Sudan. KUNMING, China, July 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese railway maintenance machinery manufacturer has tapped into overseas markets with its products widely welcomed in 22 countries and regions, including India, Indonesia and South Korea. CRCC High-Tech Equipment Co., Ltd. (CRCCE), located in the suburb of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province, is busy with sending railway maintenance machinery to India. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Srettha: Pheu Thai-led coalition wont touch lese-majeste law BANGKOK: The Pheu Thai Party will firmly oppose any change to the lese-majeste law if it leads a government, says prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin, adding that the shape of a Pheu Thai-led coalition has not been finalised. politics By Bangkok Post Friday 21 July 2023 09:18 AM Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate Srettha Thavisin says he was disappointed by the rejection of Pita Limjaroenrats nomination for the premiership, but (we) must accept (it) and move on. Photo: Bangkok Post If Pheu Thai nominates its prime ministerial candidate in the next joint sitting of the House and Senate on July 27, it will exclude the possibility of amending or revoking Section 112 of the Criminal Code, Mr Srettha said yesterday (July 20). Otherwise it will not receive support from political parties and senators. If we take the lead, this matter must stop, he said. Mr Srettha is believed to be the most likely nominee for prime minister after Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the election-winning Move Forward Party, failed to win a majority vote from the House and Senate on July 13. Opponents spoke out against Move Forwards determination to change the lese-majeste law during the debate preceding the vote, reports the Bangkok Post. Mr Pitas second attempt to win the job on Wednesday was aborted after lawmakers decided that parliamentary regulations prohibit a nomination from being repeated. This sets a precedent for future attempts by Mr Srettha or others. The constitution allows the 249 unelected senators to jointly vote for a prime ministerial candidate together with 500 elected representatives. Many senators have made it clear that they will not support a candidate from any coalition that includes Move Forward unless the latter takes Section 112 off the table. However, Mr Srettha said he believes that if issues are discussed positively, senators should give firm support to a Pheu Thai-led administration. Asked if that coalition would still include Move Forward, he said that would depend on negotiators. For the time being, the former real estate tycoon said, he was honouring the promised intention of eight political parties to form the next government. Move Forward and Pheu Thai, with 292 seats combined, are two key components in the eight-party coalition alliance of 312 MPs. Mr Srettha said he expected the eight parties would discuss coalition formation efforts again last night or today. Asked if Mr Pitas effort to become prime minister had come to an end, Mr Srettha said it had, based on the relevant legal aspects. He said he was disappointed with the joint sittings vote against the renomination of Mr Pita on Wednesday but (we) must accept (it) and move on. As a prime ministerial candidate, Mr Srettha said, he must be prepared to push for economic development, while amending the constitution is also important. In a related development, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, former secretary-general of the disbanded Future Forward Party, warned against a concerted effort to bar the MFP from government. Writing on Facebook, he said it was necessary to prevent senators and 188 representatives from 10 other political parties from pressuring the coalition alliance to exclude the MFP in exchange for their votes in favour of a prime ministerial candidate. The band first formed in 1991, and haven't dropped an album since 2000's 'Happy Ending'. But after reuniting earlier this year, the group have now returned to the scene with new tune 'Everything Turns Around', ahead of their upcoming LP 'Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees'. NANNING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- A container ship loaded with shrimp slices, melons and aquatic products departed from the seaport of Muara in Brunei, heading to Qinzhou Port in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The cargo will later be delivered by rail to southwest China for sale. Muara Port is Brunei's largest port, while Qinzhou Port in the Beibu Gulf is an important hub for trade and economic exchanges between China and the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. In the past, cargo delivered between the two ports needed to be transferred via a third port, which could take two to three weeks or even longer. Now, the direct container shipping route has cut the shipping time to just one week, with the costs reduced by some 30 percent, according to the Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group Co., Ltd. China and Brunei have had close exchanges dating back to ancient times, and the ancient Marine Silk Road was a major trade route for both sides. In 2013, China put forward the Belt and Road Initiative to foster new drivers for global development, injecting new impetus into economic and trade exchanges between China and Brunei. Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group Co., Ltd. and Brunei's Darussalam Assets formed a joint venture in 2017 to operate the Muara Port container terminal and bulk cargo terminal, with a total investment of 1.03 billion yuan (about 144 million U.S. dollars) and an operation period of 60 years. "It quickly and efficiently injected new vitality into Muara Port and fully released the potential of the port," said Fazilah Yassin, chief operating officer of the joint venture, adding that the port has been profitable for six consecutive years, achieving an annual net profit growth of 24 percent on average. Data shows that the Muara Port completed over 1.55 million tonnes of cargo throughput in 2022, an increase of 20.03 percent over the previous year, and doubled its operating income from 2017. The number of local employees at the port has increased from 120 in 2017 to 260 now, with more than 96 percent of the workforce localized. The number of container liner routes between Muara Port and the surrounding ports has increased from six to 10, and cargo trade has become more convenient and efficient, greatly accelerating the efficiency of international logistics. In 2022, bilateral trade between China and Brunei reached a record high of 3.08 billion U.S. dollars, according to data released by the customs authorities of China. In addition to infrastructure, investment is expanding in many other areas, with more and more Chinese enterprises seeking cooperation and development in Brunei. At Pulau Muara Besar (Great Muara Island), a joint venture between China and Brunei is the largest single foreign direct investment project in Brunei. The refinery and petrochemical project invested by China's Hengyi Petrochemical Co., Ltd. produces refined products such as diesel and gasoline, and chemicals such as benzene, extending Brunei's oil and gas industry chain. The first phase of the project has an annual crude oil processing capacity of 8 million tonnes. Across the sea in Guangxi, another petrochemical project of Hengyi, which is currently under construction, is expected to be operational by the end of 2024. "We will transport the products of the Bruneian project as raw materials to produce chemical products to promote the petrochemical industrial cooperation between the two places," said Wang Tieming, deputy general manager of the company's Guangxi project. Zhai Kun, a professor at the School of International Studies, Peking University, said that Brunei is rich in resources with a realistic demand for development, while China has a vast market and rich experience in infrastructure, industrial development and other fields. "China and Brunei complement each other in cooperation, which is of typical significance, and the cooperation model is enlightening for other countries," Zhai said. Nude parade continues to haunt From here to where ? | It should not matter whether the two Kuki women who were paraded naked were raped or not-Rape as understood in the conventional sense of penile penetration. As The Wire reported quoting Supreme Court lawyer Vrinda Grover, legal definition of rape is much wider and not limited to penile-vaginal penetration. Grover highlighted that any of these acts constitute rape if done against the will or without consent of a woman-Penetration of a penis into the vagina, mouth, urethra or anus; Insertion of any object or body part (other than a penis) into the vagina, urethra or anus; Manipulation of any body part of a woman to cause penetration into the vagina, urethra or anus; Applying mouth in the vagina, urethra, or anus of a woman. In short this is the legal definition of rape and however graphic the explanation of what constitute rape in the legal sense may seem, it is important for all to understand how far the Court will go to protect the modesty of a woman. This is also in line with the position that women enjoy in the great Meitei society and this is precisely the reason why the May 4 incident has drawn such widespread condemnations from every corner of Manipur. Just like the naked parade of the two women, the follow up story/stories as well as the comments from numerous experts have also gone viral. Go to any newspaper or comment section of the numerous newspapers published in India and the naked parade of the two women will greet any reader. A sure shot way of bringing infamy to the place and to the people, the only group of people who now identify themselves with the geo-political reality called Manipur. But does this negate in any way the first hand report carried by The Wire, which quoted one of the women as stating, We were not raped by them-they just took off our clothes and touched our bodies.? The answer will lie on who reads the situation, but given the current reality in Manipur, it may pay to always tag the term rape to the naked parade of the two women, for reasons which must be obvious to all. Either way, what happened on May 4 cannot be condoned under any circumstances and not surprisingly the Government of Manipur has come under scathing attack from all over. Accountability has to be fixed. Would the matter have been allowed to die a natural death if the video clip had not seen the light of day ? Would there be no call for justice or no voice of condemnation if what happened on May 4 had not come to the notice of the people of India ? Did the State Government overlook the need to act and take action under the false belief that it could have been swept under the carpet ? Who shot the video clip and who uploaded it on the social media ? And why was this done just one day ahead of the monsoon session of Parliament ? The video clip was disturbing and what happened was not acceptable at all, but these questions also merit some attention, given the situation in Manipur. As one wit put it during an informal chat, how did the video clip go viral when internet has been suspended for over 60 days ? Or was it a case of the said clip being saved, stored, taken outside Manipur and then released at the opportune moment ? To the casual observer these questions may appear to be off the cuff remarks, but at the same time, these questions certainly deserve attention. What is the way forward ? A question which the Government must have broken its head over ever since violence erupted in the evening of May 3 and even after more than 70 days, this question continues to dog everyone. The Prime Minister has also spoken, but the question of greater importance is whether this would begin and end with the outburst against the nude parade of the two girls. More importantly what is the narrative that the State Government has prepared to present a water tight case before New Delhi when the right time comes and the question is, have they been able to work out a water tight case ? Commuters, particularly office-goers from adjoining areas of Kolkata faced a harrowing time returning home today as several private and minibuses were said to be on rally duty. Even as private buses plied close to normal in parts of Central Kolkata, fringes of the city were said to have fewer buses as a considerable count of those were said to have been taken for carrying the rally participants. Private and minibuses, connecting the main parts of the city to the adjoining areas, also were reduced in number in the evening hours as many of those were taken for rally duty tomorrow. With thousands of supporters swarming to Kolkata from various parts of Bengal to attend the annual political gathering of the ruling party, Howrah and Sealdah railway stations were flooded with people. The city streets were abuzz with mammoth crowds of supporters arriving in strings of groups and dispersing to various corners of Kolkata. The day was tougher for some commuters who were waiting for availing government buses at Howrah station. At Sealdah, crowds of supporters in small and big groups were seen shouting slogans and carrying party flags near the station. According to sources, a rake has also been hired by the ruling party to carry supporters from Alipurduar to Sealdah station. Advertisement Anticipating huge rush and to avoid any untoward incident in trains and station premises, Metro Railway has decided to strengthen security arrangements at Dakshineswar, Dum Dum, Shyambazar, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Chandni Chowk, Esplanade, Park Street, Maidan, Rabindra Sadan, Jatin Das Park, Kalighat, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Kavi Subhash stations of North-South Corridor and Salt Lake Sector V, Karunamoyee and Central Park stations of East-West Metro Corridor. According to the Kolkata Metro Railway, a total of 120 officers and staff would be deployed at 13 Metro stations to ensure smooth flow of passengers without any hindrance. Also, additional ticket counters would be opened at different Metro stations to manage the rush tomorrow. The city Metro is also to deploy Quick Response Teams (QRT) at different stations and in trains to tackle situations of emergency. The city police are also likely to implement some regulations for the rally. Goods vehicles in Kolkata Police limits have been prohibited entry on Friday between 3 am to 8pm, except those carrying essential commodities like oxygen cylinders. Restrictions on parking in some areas adjacent to Victoria Memorial and parts of AJC Bose Road, Cathedral Road, Queensway, Casuarina Avenue, and Lovers Lane are also expected to be in place. Buses originally plying through these routes are to be diverted to other roads. Vehicular movement could also be regulated by the Kolkata Traffic Police on roads used for the rally from 4am to 8pm. The city traffic police have also decided to make arrangements for a district-wise parking system. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation is said to have made arrangements for the removal of waste on the day of the mega rally. The civic body is also said to have taken initiatives to prevent waterlogging in areas close to the venue in case of a downpour tomorrow. Considering the mammoth rally and the anticipated difficulties of commuting, some schools have announced a holiday tomorrow while others have decided to go for online classes. Buses vanish from Arambagh roads Not a single route bus is available on roads of Arambagh sub division, putting bus passengers in a lot of trouble reaching their places of destination. Arambagh is a vital bus terminus, from where buses ply to and from Burdwan, Bankura, Puruliya, Haldia, Bishnupur, Kolkata, Tarkeshwar and both Midnapore sub-divisions. Spokesperson of Arambagh bus owners and operator association alleged that from 18 July onwards the ruling party workers are stopping the buses on its route, forcing the passengers to get down and then taking the bus under their possession. Hence, the maximum number of route buses is off the roads. Bus passengers expressed their annoyance over the ruling party workers for taking the route buses under their possession four days ahead of the 21 July rally. They said, maximum people from Arambagh sub-division depend on the bus services to reach their place of work and destination. Some bus passengers putting their lives at risk are travelling in overloaded pick up vans. A senior TMC leader from Arambagh, Swapan Nandy, said, people are aware of our massive gathering at Dharmatala on 21 July, hence we expect them to bear with us. Trinamool Congress will be organising a protest rally at the national capital on the issue of central dues to West Bengal government under different centrally-sponsored schemes on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. The 100- day job scheme is under a particular act which is named after the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. So on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti this year, we will be assembling at New Delhi in demand of our legitimate dues. We will force the Union government to clear our legitimate dues. They cannot hold it back forever, Trinamool national general secretary and the party Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee said at the partys annual Martyrs Day programme at central Kolkata on Friday. He also said that before the mega protest rally at New Delhi, Trinamool Congress will organise a peaceful sit-in demonstration in front of the residence of the state BJP leaders. Advertisement The agitation will be totally peaceful and will last just for 30 minutes. After that there will be protests in front of their supreme leader in New Delhi, he said. Speaking on the occasion, he also attacked the Union government on the activities of the different central investigative agencies in the state. They think that we will succumb to such pressure. But they are wrong. Trinamool Congress is like pure iron. The more it is burnt and hit, the stronger it would be, the partys national general secretary said. Seconding him, the chief minister Mamata Banerjee said on October 2, if the rally is stopped, the participants will sit down and start demonstrations there. Our movement against the Union government and BJP will continue unless our demands are fulfilled and dues are cleared. BJP has become simply intolerable now, she said. Speaking on the occasion, Abhishek Banerjee further said that the results of the recently-concluded panchayat elections in West Bengal proved that BJPs organisation base has weakened substantially in West Bengal. In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections Trinamool Congress secured 48 per cent of the vote share, which has increased to 52 per cent in the recent rural civic body polls, he said. PHNOM PENH, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian government has issued a directive to ban selling and drinking all types of alcohol on July 22-23, as the Southeast Asian country holds a general election. Signed by Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and released to the media on Friday, the directive said the prohibition aims at preventing social disorder and ensuring that the July 23 election will be held in a free and fair atmosphere without violence and intimidation. "All Cambodians, foreigners, traders and vendors in Cambodia must suspend selling and drinking alcohol a day before the election day and on the election day from July 22 to 23," the directive said. Eighteen political parties will contest in Sunday's election for the 125 seats in the National Assembly, the National Election Committee (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 Hun Sen won all 125 seats in the National Assembly. The mortal remains of former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy was laid to rest late Thursday night at the St George Orthodox Church, Puthuppally, his home town, the epicentre of Chandys political career spanning over half a century,where he used to turn up for solace during his tenure as CM and as a party worker As per the veteran Congress leaders last wishes, the funeral was conducted without any official state honours. Only religious rituals were performed.The veteran Congress leader received one of the most revered adieus that suit his reputation of being a peoples leader. Tens of thousands of people, cutting across the political spectrum, paid their last respects to Chandy in the past three days since his death at a private hospital in Bengaluru on Tuesday following a long battle with cancer. His body was shifted from Bengaluru to Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city which was Chandys centre of political activities, on Tuesday. Advertisement The procession carrying the mortal remains started from Puthuppally house at Jagathy in Thiruvananthapuram,the state capital, at 7.15 am on Wednesday witnessed a massive crowd lining the roads to bid farewell to the late Congress leader. The procession reached only at 11.15 am on Thursday at Thirunakkara maidan in Kottayam, taking 28 hours to cover 150 kilometres. oommen chandy mourning thirunakkara to puthuppally funeral at puthuppally fvv The massive crowd of mourners who thronged the route taken by the hearse considerably slowed down the journey. The funeral procession of the late Chief Minister has reached his ancestral house in Puthupally by 4.30 pm, after public viewing at Kottayams Thirunakkara Maidan. Chandys ancestral home witnessed emotional scenes as the vehicle carrying his body was brought there.It was there their Kunjunju, as he was called fondly by the people of the area, used to address the grievances of the people of his constituency , Puthuppally on weekends. Though the last rites were initially scheduled to be held at 2 pm on Thursday, it was delayed due to the massive crowd of mourners lining the roads to bid farewell to the departed leader, resulting in the hearse considerably slowing down the journey.The funeral was held at around 11.55 pm on Thursday . His body was lowered at the special tomb made for his burial at 11.55 pm amid chanting Oommen Chandy lives on through usby thousands of Congress workers A galaxy of senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, former home minister Ramesh Chennithala,Vayalar Revi numerous MPs, MLAs, and hundreds of party workers as well as members of the public were present on the church premises for the former CMs funeral Oommen Chandy was laid to rest without state honours as per his last wish. The family of the former Chief Minister has turned down official state honours during the funeral of the departed leader The government had earlier decided to conduct the funeral of the late leader with full state honours. 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 Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Friday paid floral tributes to Rani Laxmibai at her memorial in Madhya Pradeshs Gwalior. She was accompanied by former Chief Minister and Madhya Pradesh Congress president Kamal Nath and senior party leader Govind Singh. Priyanka Gandhi, who is leading the partys poll campaign in Madhya Pradesh, arrived here to address a public meeting at Mela Maiden in Gwalior. Advertisement It is the first time any Nehru-Gandhi family member arrived in Gwalior, the bastion of the Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia after he shifted to BJP in 2020. After paying tribute to Rani Laxmibai, Priyankas convoy headed towards Mela Maidan where she will be addressing a public rally. On June 12, Priyanka Gandhi kickstarted her partys campaign in MP by addressing a rally in Jabalpur, where she said that if the Congress was voted to power in the state, it would implement five schemes, including Rs 1,500 financial assistance per month to women, free electricity up to 100 units and restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS). The father of the 24-year-old man who died of electrocution while using a treadmill in a gym wants the owner of the gym to be awarded strictest punishment. Speaking to reporters, Mahesh Kumar said on Thursday, We want the owner to get arrested and he must be awarded strictest punishment. He mentioned that his son was working as an engineer in a multinational company at Gurugram and used to go to the gym for the last three-four months. my son, Saksham was an engineer in a multinational company, he said. The father got to know about his sons incident in his gym Thursday morning. He said that the CCTV footage showed that he was electrocuted. Advertisement I got a call from the gym this morning that he fainted, the other two men at the gym said that he might have got electrocutedwhen the police did the investigation, in the CCTV camera it revealed that he was electrocuted as the machine was having high current, he said. Earlier in the day, the Delhi Police issued a statement saying that a case has been registered and and the accused has been apprehended. A 24-year-old man, identified as Saksham died due to electrocution while using a treadmill at a gym in Sector 15 Rohini on 18th July. Case registered. During the investigation, the alleged person is apprehended in the case. Further investigation is underway, the Delhi Police stated. The incident took place at the Gymplex fitness zone at Rohini. Saksham was rushed to the BSA Hospital soon after, where he was declared brought dead. After initial enquiry by the police, a postmortem was conducted at the hospital which revealed the reason for his death. A First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged and a case has been registered under section 287/304A of the Indian Penal Code against the gym owner. Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jairam Thakur has said that the Himachal government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is doing injustice to the apple growers for want of proper coordination. The Chief Minister says that apples will be sold the way they were being sold. The Horticulture Minister says that they will be sold on the basis of kilos and their MLAs say something else, he said. Due to this confusion, the apple growers are facing big problems in selling their produce in the local markets. And moreover it is not possible to sell the apples on the basis of weight in the absence of weighing machines in the mandis, he charged. Advertisement The Central government has helped Himachal Pradesh in every way during this calamity, be it providing helicopter or relief money, however the state government did not even thank the central government, he claimed. Accusing the Congress leaders of having gone to the extent of saying that the Army was not present to rescue the people trapped in the disaster, it was the Chief Minister who rescued them, he sought to know whether the Chief Minister carried the stranded tourists on his shoulders. He charged the Congress government ministers and leaders with distributing the funds among the affected people sent by the Centre in cash and getting photographed to take credit and nothing else. I would like to thank Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for immediately providing funds to repair the National Highways of Himachal Pradesh and also for waiving off toll tax, said Thakur. Congratulating the newly appointed office bearers of the BJP, he claimed that in the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP will register a historic victory on all the four seats in Himachal Pradesh and will once again form the government at the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Indias Unified Payments Interface (UPI) technology will now be accepted in neighbouring Sri Lanka. Several agreements, including that of UPIs acceptance in the island country, were exchanged between India and Sri Lanka in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the national capital on Friday. UPI payments system has become hugely popular for retail digital payments in India, and its adoption is increasing at a rapid pace. So far, France, UAE, and Singapore had parterned with India on the emerging fintech and payment solutions. Advertisement Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is Indias mobile-based fast payment system, which facilitates customers to make round-the-clock payments instantly, using a Virtual Payment Address (VPA) created by the customer. In February 2023, India and Singapore signed an agreement to link their respective payment systems, allowing users in either country to make cross-border transactions. People in both the countries will be able to send money real-time via QR-code based or simply by entering mobile numbers linked to the bank account. Earlier this month, France had agreed to use Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment mechanism. It will begin from the iconic and tourist hotspot Eiffel Tower. Also, a MoU was exchanged to interlink the payment and messaging systems between the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of the UAE. It will facilitate the integration Unified Payments Interface (UPI) of India and the Instant Payments Platform (IPP) of the UAE. India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing ecosystems for fintech innovation and the PM Modi-led government has been instrumental in driving the globalisation of Indias digital payment infrastructure. A key emphasis of Indian government has been on ensuring that the benefits of UPI are not limited to India only, but other countries, too, benefit from it. Taking into account the popularity of the UPI payment system, the Reserve Bank of India proposed to permit all inbound travellers to India to use UPI for their merchant payments while they are in the country. To begin with, the facility will be extended to travellers from G20 countries arriving at select international airports. On February 8, the RBI governor Skaktikanta Das made the announcement while deliberating upon the outcome of the three-day monetary policy committee meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Sri Lanka has a special place in Indias neighbourhood first policy and the security interests and development of the two countries are intertwined. In his remarks to the media after talks with Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister said they have agreed on the enhancement of air connectivity between the two countries. He said India stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka in the time of crisis. Sri Lanka also has an important place in both Indias Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision. Today we shared our views on bilateral, regional and international issues. We believe that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined, PM Modi said. Advertisement We agree on the enhancement of air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. To increase trade and travel by people, we have taken the decision to start passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanturai in Sri Lanka, he added. Welcoming the Sri Lankan President and his delegation, PM Modi congratulated him on completing one year in office. I congratulate him on this. The people of Sri Lanka faced many challenges last year but like a close friend we stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka in the time of crisis, he said. During their talks, the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest. The Sri Lankan President is on a two-day visit to India at the invitation of PM Modi. The talks were held in Hyderabad House in the national capital. Sri Lanka is an important partner in Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR. The visit has reinforced the longstanding friendship between the two countries. Wickremesinghe arrived in New Delhi on Thursday and was welcomed by Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan. Both Houses of Parliament were rocked by Manipur violence for the second consecutive day on Friday and were adjourned without taking up listed business, although the Government said that it was ready for a discussion on the situation in Manipur. As the Lok Sabha met for the day, Opposition members rushed to the well. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the opposition was not serious about the Manipur issue and did not want to hold a discussion. He said the Manipur incident is a very serious matter and sensing the gravity of the situation, the PM has said that what happened in the state (viral video) has put the entire nation to shame. Advertisement A few political parties are trying to create a needless ruckus in Parliament to ensure that a discussion over Manipur cant take place, he said. PM has said the strictest action will be taken over the incident. We do want a discussion in Parliament over Manipur, the Defence Minister said. I had said this in the all-party meeting and I would like to reiterate on the floor of this august House that we want a discussion on Manipur, Singh said. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who had earlier taken up the Question Hour, urged members to take their seats. He said Will a solution to problems be found through sloganeering. The solution can be found through talks and discussion. This way is not correct, he said. As the din continued, the Speaker adjourned the House till 12 noon. When the House reassembled, the opposition parties continued their protests. Rajendra Agrawal, who was in the Chair, took up the listed business of the day amid sloganeering by opposition members. The opposition members were also carrying placards. Mr Agrawal urged members to take their seats and said the government has indicated its willingness for the discussion. Members from Congress, DMK, JD (U), Shiv Sena (UBT), and others trooped into the well, raising slogans over the issue. They were demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement in the House on the Manipur issue. Members from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), BSP, Samajwadi Party, and others were also on their feet. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi reiterated that the government is ready for discussion, while the Opposition is not allowing the House to take up the discussion. Some BJP members from West Bengal raised slogans against the Trinamool Congress government over violence in the State. Amid ruckus, the Presiding officer urged the protesting members to go back to their seats and allow the House to function, but they continued with their sloganeering leading to adjournment of the House for the day. Just as the Rajya Sabha met for the day, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar announced decisions of the Business Advisory Committee regarding allocation of time for government business including the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill 2023. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members protested over it. Sanjay Singh of the party said the Bill related to NCT Delhi is unconstitutional. BRS leader K Keshava Rao said it should not be taken up in the House as the matter is sub-judice. However, the Chairman disagreed with the argument. Mr Pramod Tiwari of the Congress tried to raise the issue of Manipur violence. Trinamul Congress leader Derek OBrien objected to expunging of some words from his remarks yesterday on the Manipur issue. Following this, opposition members from Congress, Trinamool Congress, AAP, DMK, Left parties created noisy scenes. There were counter slogans from the Treasury Benches. The Chairman urged for order in the House but adjourned it till 2.30 pm. The Chairman tried to convince the members that the government is ready to hold a debate on the matter and there is no confusion about it. When the House met after the first adjournment at 2.30 pm, the Chairman was announcing the decisions of the Business Advisory Committee regarding allocation of time for discussion on different legislations. A large number of Opposition members got up and started speaking simultaneously and there was such disruption that the Chairman adjourned the House within minutes for the day. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday dared the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) to explain why they are eager to hand over telecast rights to sacred Gurbani from Sri Harmandir Sahib to only one channel instead of making it free to air. The Aam Aadmi Party government and the SGPC have attacked each other over the live broadcast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. While the SGPC maintains the broadcast rights of the religious hymn should be reserved for the apex Sikh body only, Mann has sought its free telecast on all TV channels. The SGPCs agreement with GNext Media PTC channel for exclusive telecast of Gurbani from the Sikh shrine will expire on July 23. Advertisement The Punjab Assembly on June 20 had passed the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aimed at ensuring free-to-air telecast of Gurbani. SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami had, however, opposed the move and said the apex gurdwara body will roll out its own YouTube channel on July 24 for the live broadcast of Gurbani. The CM said the message of sacred Gurbani should be spread across the globe for cementing the ethos of universal brotherhood, communal harmony and peace. He advocated free of cost and free to air telecast of Gurbani for all channels to ensure its maximum reach. Mann said that if the SGPC is having any hiccups then the state government is ready to make arrangements for this sewa within 24 hours. The CM said this is the need of the hour to disseminate the Gurbani across the globe with an aim to spread the universal message of Sarbat da Bhala (welfare of all). He said it is strange that since long only one channel has been given exclusive rights for the telecast of Gurbani from Sri Darbar Sahib. Mann said these rights should be given free of cost to all the channels rather than confining it to a single channel. Punjab School Education and Language Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Friday said that Amity International School, Sector 79, has been directed to pay a fine of Rs 50,000 for not teaching Punjabi as a compulsory subject. Giving details, Bains said that Punjabi was not being taught as a compulsory subject by the school and the Director, School Education, issued a show cause letter to the concerned private school. The Minister said that Amity International School has been fined Rs 50,000 for the first violation of the conditions as per the rules of The Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages Amendment Act 2021. Advertisement The concerned school has been instructed to deposit the penalty amount within five days and submit the report. Bains said the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will not spare the schools, adopting any kind of apathy towards mother tongue Punjabi and will take strict action against them. He also instructed the rest of the private schools to ensure that Punjabi should be taught as a compulsory subject. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot today sacked his Minister of State for Home Guards and Civil Defence (Independent Charge) Rajendra Singh Gudha. Gehlot recommended to Governor Kalraj Mishra to sack Gudha, a member of the Council of Ministers, on the evening of July 21. The Governor has accepted this recommendation of the Chief Minister with immediate effect later in the evening. In an official statement on Governors Media Group, no reason for Gudhas termination was mentioned in the order. Gudha was among six BSP MLAs who joined the congress party in 2019 and supported the Gehlot government during the Pilot-Sachin crisis in 2020. However, many of them were given official ranks. Gudha reportedly many times spoke against the Government administration and prevailing corruption. He was also the indirect supporter of Sachin Pilot camp, attended Pilots Padyatra from Ajmer to Jaipur, and addressed the audience adversely against his own Government. ___ SNS ANKARA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye's Foreign Ministry condemned an "attack" on Quran in Stockholm on Thursday, while urging Sweden to take measures against such kind of "hate crimes." "We condemn in the strongest possible terms the vile attack targeting our holy book, the Holy Quran, in front of the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm today," said the ministry in a statement. It was responding to the incident which took place on Thursday in the Swedish capital of Stockholm, in which one of the protesters trampled on the Quran. The United Nations Human Rights Council's resolution, which was adopted on July 12 following the burning of a Quran in front of a mosque in Stockholm on June 28, defined attacks on the Quran as "religious hatred," it said. "We expect Sweden to take deterrent measures to prevent this hate crime against the religion of Islam and its billions of people, within the framework of its international responsibilities, especially its obligations at the UN, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the Council of Europe," it said. The incident took place not long after the Turkish government gave the green light to Sweden's NATO bid. The Turkish parliament will vote on the Nordic country's NATO membership in October. The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji and his wife S Megalas plea against Madras High Court order upholding the legality of his arrest in a money laundering case. Senthil Balaji has sought his release in the money laundering case. Issuing the notice and posting the matter for hearing on July 26, a bench of Justice A S Bopanna and Justice M M Sundresh said that nothing will happen in the meanwhile. Advertisement As the bench issued notice on Senthil Balaji and his wife Megalas petition, Sibal urged the bench that during the pendency of the matter, the Tamil Nadu Minister be protected from custodial interrogation. In an apparent assurance that no precipitative steps will be taken, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that the third judge, Justice Karthikeyan has directed the High Court registry to place the matter before Chief Justice S.V. Gangapurwala to refer it to the same division bench to determine the date on which the ED could take custody of Senthil Balaji, who has undergone coronary bypass surgery, and to shift him from the hospital. Tamil Nadu Minister without portfolio Senthil Balaji and his wife Megala in two separate petitions have challenged the high court order that upheld his arrest by the ED in a money laundering case. Appearing for two petitioners Senthil Balaji and Megala, senior advocate Kapil Sibal said that ED officials investigating the case are not police or they constitute a police station and there is no provision for custodial interrogation under PMLA. He said that in the absence of ED officers being police, they cannot take recourse to Section 167 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.PC) to seek 15 days custodial interrogation of an accused. As it is, Sibal said that the 15 days period that ED asserts its right to subject Senthil Balaji immediately after his arrest has expired as he has been in judicial custody since his arrest. He referred to two top court judgments on this score to buttress his point. However, meeting the arguments advanced by Sibal, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that ED is seeking custodial interrogation of Senthil Balaji not as a matter of right but its duty as thousands of people have been cheated with an allure of jobs. He is said that if provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act are not inconsistent with Section 167 of Cr.PC, it can take recourse to it. The Solicitor General said that ED, which is an enforcing agency in respect of FERA (Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, now replaced by Foreign Exchange Management Act), acts as police including the Customs Act 1962 and several other laws. The hearing that lasted for some time witnessed both Sibal and Solicitor General engaged in witty exchanges. As Solicitor General Mehta targeting Senthil Balaji said, Sometimes stakes are so high, they prefer a bypass surgery to bypass the law. Getting back and hitting out at ED, Sibal said, Sometimes stakes are so high, you bypass the law. As at the conclusion of the hearing, Solicitor General said, Enough of luxury by the accused, Sibal retorted back saying, Enough of buggery by the ED. Besides upholding the arrest of the minister, the high court had also held as valid his subsequent remand in judicial custody by a sessions court in the money laundering case arising out of the alleged cash-for-jobs scam in the states Transport Department when he was the transport minister. The High Court order upholding the arrest of the minister, and also holding valid his subsequent remand in judicial custody came following the decision of a third judge, Justice C.V. Karthikeyan holding that the accused had no right to frustrate the investigation. The matter travelled to Justice C.K. Karthikeyan the third judge following a split verdict on July 4, by a division bench of Madras High Court comprising Justice Nisha Banu and Justice D. Bharatha. Justice Nisha Banu held that the habeas corpus plea filed (by Balajis wife Megala) for Senthil Balajis release is maintainable and should be allowed. Justice Banu further said ED is not entitled to get the custody of Senthil Balaji. However, Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy said the habeas corpus plea was not maintainable after the remand order had been passed. He said that no case was made out to show that Balajis remand was illegal. Justice Chakaravarthy has also said that that period of Balajis stay at the hospital, should be excluded from the EDs custody period. Senthil Balaji was arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement on June 14 in an alleged cash for job scam that took place when he was the transport minister (2011-2015) in the government of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. The ED has arrested Senthil Balaji in connection with a money laundering case rooted in alleged cash for job scam that took place when Senthil Balaji was transport minister in AIADMK government who later crossed over to ruling DMK in 2018. The high court had permitted Senthil Balaji to be shifted to a private hospital for a heart surgery and restricted his interrogation in the hospital. Senthil Balaji was operated for the blockages of three coronary arteries at a local private hospital in Chennai. Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Friday inaugurated a National Mega Conclave on the launch of Common Services Centre (CSC) services by Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) here. On this occasion, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnav; Minister of State for Cooperation B L Verma; Cooperation Secretary Gyanesh Kumar; MeitY Secretary Alkesh Kumar Sharma and Managing Director of CSC-SPV Sanjay Rakesh were present. Shah said the integration of PACS and CSC will eliminate corruption from governance through CSC under the Digital India Mission and take several facilities to the doorsteps of the poor people and strengthen the rural economy. Advertisement He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had guided the Ministry of Cooperation with a great vision. If the cooperative movement has to be strengthened, then its smallest unit PACS has to be strengthened, he said. Until the PACS are strong, the cooperative movement cannot be strengthened. Therefore, the government has decided to computerize the PACS to make them transparent, to ensure their accountability and also to modernize them so that the digitized schemes of the government can be integrated with the PACS. Shah said that within 20 days of the formation of the Ministry of Cooperation, the Prime Minister had provided Rs 2,500 crore for computerization of PACS, as a result of which 65,000 PACS are being computerized. The Cooperation Minister said that there can be no bigger means than CSC to implement the formula of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance with last mile delivery but without corruption. He said that more than 300 small beneficiary schemes of the Government of India and State Governments have been integrated with CSC. He said there can be no better medium than PACS to deliver CSC services to the poorest of the poor in the villages, landless agricultural laborers and Dalit and Tribal communities. Today PACS and CSC are getting united; this will not only increase the facilities of the poor but will also strengthen the rural economy. Till now, 17,176 PACS have been registered in CSC. He congratulated the Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation and the entire team of the Ministry for this significant achievement. He said that out of 17,176 PACS, about 6,670 have started functioning and the remaining PACS would also start functioning in next 15 days. This will provide employment to about 14,000 rural youth and these youth will also work to strengthen the rural economy and facilities in the villages. He said that 60-65 per cent of the countrys population lives in villages and hence the rural economy is to be accelerated with the mantra of Sahkar Se Samridhi. Shah said that now PACS can start distribution work of LPG, Diesel and Petrol. They can also open Fair Price Shops, Jan Aushadhi Kendra, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendra and Fertilizer shops. Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister, the Ministry of Cooperation has recently taken a new initiative and started the refund process of depositors money stuck in the cooperative societies of Sahara Group. He said the Ministry of Cooperation had filed a petition in the Supreme Court. On this application, the Supreme Court directed that Rs 5000 crore be transferred to the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS) from Sahara-SEBI Refund Account for payment of legitimate dues to the genuine depositors of the cooperatives of the Sahara group. He said that following this direction, the CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal was launched on 18 July, 2023. He said that till now five lakh people have registered on the portal and the process of refunding the money to the genuine depositors has started. He said that this is a great example of the fact that if a government works in a proactive manner, even the most complex problems can be solved. An incident unfolded on a fateful Thursday night when Tathya Patel found himself in the drivers seat of a Jaguar on ISKCON Bridge in Ahmedabad. The speeding SUV, with license plate GJ 01 WK 93, careened out of control, resulting in a devastating collision that claimed the lives of nine innocent people. Numerous others were left injured, and the community was left in shock and mourning. Adding to the gravity of the situation, Tathyas father, Pragnesh Patel, faced his own arrest in connection with the incident. It was revealed that Pragnesh had a history marred by criminal involvement, including a prior case of rape in Rajkot back in 2020. Tathya, currently hospitalized at the renowned CIMS hospital in Ahmedabad, was reportedly driving with friends at the time of the accident. His luxurious abode, the opulent Hare Shanti bungalow, nestled opposite Gokul Farm House in Ahmedabads Gota area, is approximately 700 meters away from SG highway and eight kilometers from the tragic accident site. Advertisement In the midst of these tumultuous events, Pragnesh Patel staunchly defended his son, refuting any allegations of wrongdoing. He maintained that Tathya and his friends had merely set out for a coffee outing around 11 p.m. According to Pragnesh, the car involved in the accident was registered under his partners name, and there were two female and two male friends accompanying Tathya in the vehicle. Pragnesh Patels emotions ran high as he described rushing to the accident site upon receiving the shocking news about his sons involvement. He recounted witnessing people attacking Tathya and promptly took him to a private hospital, all while notifying the Satellite police about the tragic incident. Tathyas friends offered their perspective, claiming that the car was not speeding beyond 100 km/h at the time of the collision. Nevertheless, sources reported that Pragnesh Patel arrived at the scene and allegedly exerted his influence over the police, eventually escorting his son away during the dark hours of that night. In the wake of these allegations, Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi expressed his stern stance against any attempts to intimidate or manipulate law enforcement. There were claims of Pragnesh brandishing a gun and threatening the crowd, which he adamantly denied. Whisky is delicious all throughout the year. It provides a warmth that is undeniable when it rains and the weather gets chilly. Here are six great whiskies that will uplift your mood to beat monsoon blues. HIBIKI: The highly regarded Japanese whisky brand Hibiki is renowned for its superb quality, precise production, and mellow flavor profiles. Hibiki whiskies, which are made by the Suntory distillery, are well known and highly esteemed among whisky aficionados and connoisseurs worldwide. The flavor characteristics of Hibiki whiskies are renowned for their harmony and careful balancing of flavors. Different barrel types, including American oak, sherry wood, and Mizunara oak, are used to age the whiskies, which gives them unique scents and flavors. Hibiki whisky provides a sophisticated and engrossing flavor sensation. Advertisement MONKEY SHOULDER: A well-liked and distinctive blended malt Scotch whisky, Monkey Shoulder is renowned for its smoothness, depth of flavor, and distinctive personality. Three separate Speyside single malts, a renowned whisky region in Scotland, are combined to create it. The whiskys flavor profile is sweet and slightly fruity thanks to the whiskys mild undertones of honey, vanilla, caramel, baked apple, oak, and spices. Monkey Shoulder can be sipped neat or on the rocks to let the flavors gradually meld together. WOODFORD RESERVE: The Woodford Reserve Distillery, located in Versailles, Kentucky, creates the premium American bourbon whisky known as Woodford Reserve. One of the best bourbons in the world, Woodford Reserve is renowned for its skillful production and dedication to tradition. The Woodford Reserve is triple-distilled. By taking this extra step, a smoother, more sophisticated spirit is ensured, improving the whole drinking experience. The flavor profile of this whisky is renowned for being complex and well-balanced. SUNTORY WHISKY TOKI: Shinto Whisky The renowned Suntory distillery creates Toki, a distinctive and noteworthy Japanese whisky. It distinguishes itself with a distinctive flavor profile and creative blending methods.Suntory is renowned for its exceptional blending expertise, and Toki is a testament to that. The whisky expertly blends various malt and grain whiskies to provide a well-balanced and intricate flavor profile. The flavor of Suntory Whisky Toki is energizing and bright. It has a delicious and zesty flavor and is distinguished by crisp flavors of green apple, pear, and grapefruit. The light and crisp flavor character of the whisky is influenced by these tastes. THE YAMAZAKI: One of Japans most renowned and established whisky distilleries, Suntory, produces the coveted single malt whisky known as Yamazaki. As the first whisky distillery founded in Japan, it has a considerable historical significance and dates back to 1923. A variety of expressions of Yamazaki whisky are available, each matured for differing lengths of time and in various kinds of oak casks. American oak, Spanish oak, and Japanese Mizunara oak are all used in these casks. The utilization of various casks gives the whisky a variety of flavors and smells, resulting in a complex and rich drinking experience. This whisky is praised for its flavorful fusion that works well together. Usually, it exhibits a harmony of fruity, flowery, and woodsy elements. ARDBEG SMOKETRAILS MANZANILLA EDITION: Renowned Islay Single Malt Ardbeg embarks on a new adventure as it launches a series of whiskies exclusive to Global Travel Retail: Ardbeg Smoketrails. The collection will offer a chance for whisky enthusiasts in the country to take their palate on a journey, exploring the influence of different casks from around the world on the signature Ardbeg style. The Islay Distillerys first release in the new series is all set to launch in India this week. Ardbeg Smoketrails Manzanilla Edition marries malt matured in classic Ardbeg American oak casks with Manzanilla sherry casks from Sanlucar de Barrameda on Spains Atlantic coast. The result is a salty, maritime character combined with a powerful blast of classic Ardbeg smoke. The end of the bid by Pita Limjaroenrat to become the next Prime Minister of Thailand was expected even without the complication of the countrys Constitutional court suspending his membership of Parliament. This was because the 42-year-old leader of the Move Forward Party just did not have the numbers to cross the half-way mark in a legislature that consists of 750 members, of whom fully a third owe their positions to the military. But with Deputy Speaker Pichet Chuamuangphan, a nominee of one of the eight parties forming a coalition that had offered Mr Pitas candidature, ruling that a person can be nominated only once for the post in a parliament session, his fate was sealed at least for now. This though was only a procedural wrinkle in a candidature fouled by other and larger issues, of which Mr Pitas opposition to Thailands lese majeste laws was the most significant. The other issue, of course, was his ownership of shares in a defunct media company, also barred under Thai law, and which attracted the top courts intervention. What then is Thailands future? While Mr. Pitas party had claimed the most seats in the 500-member lower house, it was only marginally ahead of the Pheu Thai party controlled by the Shinawatra family that has given the country two former Prime Ministers. Under the terms of the agreement reached between Move Forward, Pheu Thai and six smaller coalition partners, Mr. Pita was to have first crack at Prime Ministership but would endorse a candidate from Pheu Thai should he fail. Now that he has, it is widely expected that real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin from Pheu Thai will throw his hat into the ring. While the numbers will not change for Mr. Thavisin, and still be short of the half-way mark in the 750-member Electoral College, he will hope that enough of the militaryappointed senators will back his bid. For one, his party does not back all the radical reforms that Move Forward does; it certainly hasnt sought major changes in the role of the monarch. Second, when all is said and done, Thailand does need a government; the present state of uncertainty cannot continue indefinitely. Finally, the installation of a government of which Move Forward is a part, even if it does not head it, will assuage its supporters who are already out on the streets of Bangkok to protest. But if this does happen, it will not be before the establishment and at least some of the coalition partners have come to behind-doors agreements on the monarchy, and at least some of the issues that the military-backed elite have flagged. The key question that will remain is whether a coalition government headed by Pheu Thai will go ahead with constitutional changes to unshackle Parliament from the military. It must, if it is not to be accused of betraying its mandate. Advertisement From the ancient land of Bihar comes the story of two men pitted against each other; one was a British administrator from a privileged family, young and with a bright future in the colonies; the other was a Paharia tribal, a forest-dweller in the area now known as Santhal Parganas. Both were strong-willed and determined. The British officer was on a civilizing mission for the tribal and farming communities, wanting them to lead peaceful settled lives; the Paharia was equally adept in understanding the exploitative nature of East India Companys rule in the region. Meet Augustus Cleveland Esquire and Baba Tilka Majhi (spelt also Manjhi) whose paths crossed sometime in the 1780s. Cleveland (or Clevland) was Collector of Revenues, judge of the Dewanny Adawlut of the Districts of Bhaugulpoor, Moongyr, Rajemehal. There are many layers of history and memory to be read in their encounter. Stories and fables of victors and victims abound; reports that contradict each other and attempts to cover up brutal facts of a power-seeking colonial West overwhelming the East. The Paharias were powerless, unable to comprehend the White Mans ruthless subjugation in districts we today know as Bhagalpur, Munger, and Rajmahal (a subdivision in Sahibganj division of Jharkhand). Baba Tilka Majhi was a daring rebel leader, it is stated simply in Indias Struggle for Freedom, a pictorial album prepared by Department of Information and Culture Affairs, West Bengal government in 1987. Advertisement His catapult was a deadly weapon and with this he killed no less a person than Cleveland, the collector of Bhagalpur. In one sentence the imagination is ignited, a catapult? Did the tribal leader, obviously a marksman, use his handcrafted gulel to smash the Collectors head, or hit him on the forehead as he rode by. Or was it more likely that he used the traditional bow and arrow? There are statues, old and new, depicting this tribal hero with traditional arms, not an innocuous-looking catapult. In the South Park Street Cemetery, Calcutta lies Clevelands grave (on plot 1484), the epitaph reads: He departed this Life 12th of January 1784 ~ at Sea ~ on Board the Atlas Indiaman, proceeding to the Cape for the recovery of his Health, aged 29 YearsIn his public capacity, he accomplished, by a System of Conciliation, what could never be effected by Military Coercion. He civilized a Savage Race of Mountaineers who for Ages had existed in a state of BarbarismTo his wise and beneficent Conduct the English East India Company were indebted for the Subjecting to their Government the numerous Inhabitants of that wild & extensive Country ~ The Jungleterry. It may be assumed that the seriously injured Collector saheb, with a concussion, was moving to South Africa to recoup. The epitaph, in its bid to add dignity to his death, mentioned it as departed at sea; the catapult or bow and arrow attack by a rebel like Tilka Majhi was avoided. The geographical spread of Jungleterry or Jangal Terai was vast, as mentioned in Company records, covering the hill tracts of the present districts of Rajmahal, Bhagalpur and Kharagpur. Not just in the 1780s, but for centuries before, it was the borders of Bengal and Bihar where the Santhals, Paharias, Mundas and Oraon people lived. Forest areas were where they were born, where they learnt how to survive, hunt, fish, and forage for their community; developing their own societal norms and rights in the forests. It was largely the Paharias who inhabited Jangal Tarai, and Baba Tilka Majhi emerged as their leader, ready to challenge the colonial might of the White officers in their uniforms, armed and astride their horses. As East India Company rule grew and Diwani rights came to be enforced, Paharias and Santhals found themselves without their right to live in the forest areas, nor get the advantage of forest produce. In due course of time, they became rebellious. In 1784, the Company began their crackdown on the tribals, these original inhabitants of forests whom we today we speak of as the Adivasis. Then a huge British army surrounded the entire Tilapore forest area in Bhagalpur, it is recorded in Indias Struggle for Freedom. For a long period of time, Tilka carried on a heroic but unequal struggle. Many Santal rebels were killed and Tilka was caught after being injured. He was tied to the tail of a horse and dragged all the way to Bhagalpur. Then his lacerated body was kept hanging to a banyan tree. This was 1784. A statue of Tilka has been erected in this spot after India became independent. The murderous attack on Cleveland and the gory death of Tilka Manjhi are dramatic episodes in the micro-history of colonialism in India. Explained Prof Sanjay Nath, in a paper titled Augustus Cleveland and the Making of British Tribal Policy in Santal Parganas, the Paharias were pre-peasant communities who lived through hunting and foraging. We learn that they never acknowledged imperial supremacy either of the Mughals or the Bengal Nawabs. In fact, they never had direct relationship with any government before the British. They desired only the seclusion of their rocky home. Their desired seclusion was threatened by the neighbouring zamindars who lived in the Rajmahal hill area. Tracing their conflicts and attacks, Prof Nath showed the advantage of the geographical position of the Paharias, who could descend from the hills, armed with powerful bamboo bows and poisoned arrows. It was murder and loot all the way: with the tribals carrying off grain, salt, tobacco, money, cattle and goats and anything they could lay their hands on; retreating to their hills where no one dared to follow them. The imagery of plunder and loot became a stereotype which has dominated till date in modern literature, media news coverage and Bollywood films. What has been largely ignored, and rarely explained, are the horrific effects of famine, monsoon failures, the raising of well-armed East India Company troops to extract revenue from even tribals living off the forest. It was a battle between unequal rivals; and the Companys objective was to ensure the best arable land was cultivated, securing maximum land revenue for the treasury. Paharias were aware of the nexus between the zamindars and Company officials; their rebellions since the 1770s were targeted at both exploiters. Cleveland, playing a major role in the short span of time that he spent in the region, was appointed Assistant Magistrate at Bhagalpur in 1776, Judge Magistrate and Collector of Bhagalpur in 1779, and Judge of the Adawlat. He was barely 25 years old when he assumed charge as Collector and developed his policy to restrain the Paharias, ensuring peaceful trade and communication in the region. A pension policy was started, explained Prof Nath in his paper; it brought the tribals and their leaders in the ambit of Companys welfarism. Pensioners, getting anywhere between Rs 10 a month to Rs 2, were reporting on criminal activities, and maintaining peace and order. By 1780, 47 chiefs were on Company payrolls. It was in the raising of the Corps of Hill Archers that Cleveland left his mark. In 1772 Warren Hastings had raised a special Corps of Light Infantry with about 800 well-armed and dressed persons; now Cleveland gave the Paharia warriors a chance to earn more and fight on colonial orders. Since they were stationed at Bhagalpur, the corps became the Bhagalpur Hill Rangers, continuing to exist for the next 70 years. Only after the revolt of 1857 was the corps disbanded when the armies were reorganized. William Hodges, one of the first professional painters to accompany Warren Hastings team, painted the Bhagalpur landscape. A painting details a camp of a thousand men formed by Augustus Clevland three miles from Bhagalpur with his mansion in the distance. Legacies of Cleveland and Baba Tilka Majhi live on. As with most tribal leaders, there are statues dotting the land: modern Bhagalpur has a Tilka Manjhi chowk or roundabout, surrounded by retail outlets of IT and telecom companies. Bhagalpur University has been renamed as Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University in 1991 in commemoration of Tilka Majhi, a freedom fighter, as the University website declares. Recalled Dr Ajay Pratap of Department of History, Banaras Hindu University, long years ago at the residence of my professor in Cambridge, a painting was pointed out to me. I could not place it. I was informed it was a famous landscape of Bhagalpur, my home town. Bhaugulpoor continues to connect our histories, across time and space. (The writer is a researcherwriter on history and heritage issues, and former deputy curator of Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya) According to the American constitution, the vice-president occupies the second highest position in the executive branch of the federal government. In fact, the occupant of this office, the vice-president, is proverbially said to be a heartbeat away from the presiden-cy. Thus, if the sitting president becomes physically incapacitated, is impeached, or dies, the vice-president takes over. And, as per the constitutional provisions, article 1, section 3, the vice-president of the United States shall be the President of the Senate, but shall have no vote, unless the votes (on any constitutional issue) are equally divided, and are deadlocked, i.e., 50:50. As the head of the US Congress (consisting of both the legislative houses, namely, the Senate with 100 members, and the House of Representatives with 435 members), the vice-president votes to break a tie. The only other formally-recognized duty of the Vice-President is to preside over and certify the tally of electoral college votes after a presidential election has taken place. In addition, however, the VicePresidents role brings with it many visible, and informal responsibilities, such as making public appearances representing the President; performing ceremonial duties in place of the President; acting as an adviser to the President; meeting with heads of state or governments of other countries. Immediately after President Joseph R. Biden announced on April 26 he would run for a second term to the White House in November 2024, a fusillade of spirited negative bursts erupted in political circles opposing his intentions. Advertisement Some political adversaries pointed to Bidens age; as an 81- year-old, he will be the oldest candidate to contest for a second term a huge minus factor for a would-be most powerful ruler of the world and the nations commander-in-chief. Also, many observers mentioned their profound dissatisfaction with Mr. Bidens Vice-President and running mate, Kamala Harris overall poor performance ratings. While President Joe Bidens currently commands only 43 per cent approval ratings, much below expectations; Ms. Harris has 47 per cent. With such unflattering, unpleasing prospects on board, the Democratic Party seemed to be in for a mountain of disappointments in the 2024 presidential election. Meanwhile, Vice-President Harris has also attracted a torrent of disapproval not only from the opposition Republican leaders, but also from senior members of her own Democratic Party. A number of detractors say Ms. Harris has failed to prove herself capable of succeeding him, and that she has failed to define herself in her historic role as the first woman to serve as the second-most powerful person in the country. They are asking if there are more politically viable Democrats who could replace her on the ticket. A media outlet spoke against making Ms. Harris the running mate in 2024, pointing out that she hasnt forged her own identity She simply lacks the foreign policy and defence chops to justify putting her a heartbeat away from the presidency, especially when the president, when elected, would be well into his 80s as his second term progresses The challenges posed by Russia, China, North Korea and others are simply too great to a rookie in charge. A forceful opposition to retaining Ms. Harris has come from a news website 19fortyfive. Is it time for Kamala Harris just to step down from the vicepresidentship and let President Biden pick someone else for the position? The reasons cited are: 1. She had a poor presidential campaign (in 2020); 2. Her alleged failure to live up to the expectations as vice-president; 3. She only looks good on paper; 4. Cant think on her feet; 5. Poor approval ratings; 6. May prove to be a liability to Bidens presidential campaign. In addition, Ms Harris is said to have difficulty in communicating effectively during her speeches and interviews. She speaks in circles, with confusing repetitions that critics call word salads. But Randall Barnes of a reputed multimedia outlet, HBCU Pulse Radio, opines that Vice-President Harris is one of the best, if not the best, vicepresident of all time. She has done her constitutional duties with excellence and often does even more to advance important causes for the Biden Administration that isnt part of her job description. President Biden has himself determinedly adhered to Ms. Harris as his choice for the second top post in his administration. At the same time, a well-known Democratic pollsterstrategist, Cornell Belcher, has firmly asserted that it would be political suicide for Democrats to remove the first African-American, a woman of colour, from the presidential ticket. They would basically hand the Republicans the White House. The base of the party would be demoralized. Moreover, Ms. Harris lived all her life in California and was this states attorney-general and a popular senator. Quoting Mr. Biden, a political commentator Karen Finney averred, he made it clear hes running with her (Harris). Biden has pledged not only to run in 2024, but to run with Harris, whom he has called his governing partner, and someone who speaks for me. Meanwhile, an independent source underlines that Ms. Harris net approval rating hovered at around 40 per cent, essentially the same as Bidens. A recent poll showed 65 per cent of Black voters approved of Harris, compared to 69 per cent for Joe Biden, including nearly 80 per cent of Black voters aged 50 years or older. Meanwhile, her supporters fervently hope that pre-campaigning across the country will give Harris universal name recognition, a robust donor network, proven loyal supporters, and ample practice handling tough questions on charged subjects. In course of time, its hoped, she will have immensely more experience, navigating the most politically tricky issues than anybody else who might run for president. Finally, New York Times senior writer Thomas Friedman forcefully reaffirms his support for the BidenHarris ticket to win. Joe Biden would be my candidate, no matter what his age, as long he was physically and mentally able, because I see no other Democrat with his blend of political skills, his core belief in the necessity and possibility of national unity, his foreign policy savvy, and his ability to disagree with Trumps supporters without trying to humiliate them. He authentically wants to get the poison out of our political system. (The writer is a veteran journalist and journalism teacher.) The UK police has begun a hate crime inquiry into an incident in which a Sikh holy book was set on fire and tossed in a bin outside a community members house in Leeds, England. An elderly Sikh man and his daughter discovered the burnt and torn Gutka Sahib outside of their home in St Annes Road, Headingley, on July 12. They brought the burnt scripture to the Gurdwara Sahib temple following which a community member got in touch with the local police. Advertisement Police said they received a report of an incident that had occurred in the Headingley area at 5.03 p.m. on July 16. A representative of the local Sikh community reported that a holy text had been found damaged outside a Sikh community members address in St Annes Road, the West Yorkshire police said in a statement shared on July 18. Police said a crime has been recorded for racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident including how the damaged text came to be left there. Any crime such as this which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by hostility or prejudice to their race or religion is treated as a hate crime, and we treat all incidents of this nature very seriously, Leeds District Commander, Chief Superintendent Steve Dodds said. It is completely unacceptable for someone to deliberately damage a holy text with the aim of causing offence to the victim as a member of the Sikh community. A criminal investigation has been launched by detectives from Leeds District CID who are carrying out extensive enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the incident and perpetrators behind the crime. Police said they are working closely with key community representatives to reassure them and keep them updated as the investigation progresses. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the UN migration agency, has said it is developing a durable solutions strategy to support displacement-affected communities in central South Sudan. The IOM added on Thursday that it organised a two-day meeting in Yei County in Central Equatoria state which is witnessing a high number of returns of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, which helped identify viable pathways and steps to support sustainable and lasting solutions for them in a region beset with scarcity of resources and heightened competition over land and administrative control. IOM Programme Officer Imme Widdershoven said that these returns signify that the current situation requires a shift in programming from a humanitarian level of intervention to a recovery-oriented one, Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement Such interventions need to be designed by these communities themselves and led by the government, with support from partners, he said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. Widdershoven said durable solutions require a long-term approach, noting that humanitarian needs can be prevented by planning for self-reliance and resilience of both displaced people and the communities that receive them. The two-day meeting was attended by more than 70 key stakeholders from the local government, community representatives, civil society organisations, security forces, religious leaders, non-governmental organisations and UN agencies. They discussed how the integration of returnees and IDPs can best be supported. It is better to be home in South Sudan than to be a refugee. However, coming back, we are still facing challenges. For instance, many of us do not have access to land for farming. This makes it difficult to earn an income, whereas basic goods and services, such as food and water, are expensive, said Winnie Lado, a South Sudanese refugee in Uganda who returned to Yei County, during a sharing session. A scientist at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev has designed an AI system capable of identifying social norm violations in-text samples. With US military funding, Professor Yair Neuman and engineer Yochai Cohen built the system using GPT-3, zero-shot text classification and automatic rule discovery. They trained the system to identify 10 social emotions: competence, politeness, trust, discipline, caring, agreeableness, success, conformity, decency and loyalty. The system successfully classified texts into one of these 10 groups and defined them as positive or negative. The system was tested on two massive datasets of short texts and empirically proved the validity of the models, according to a statement from BGU. The US Defense Departments Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) commissioned The Computational Cultural Understand (CCU) program to create cross-cultural language understanding technologies to improve situational awareness and interactional effectiveness. Cross-cultural miscommunication not only derails negotiations but also can be a contributing factor leading to war, according to DARPAs explanation of the program. The findings were published recently in the journal Scientific Reports. Advertisement This is a preliminary work, but it provides strong evidence that our approach is correct and can be scaled up to include more social norms, said Neuman, who heads The Functor Lab in the Department of Cognitive and Brain Sciences at BGU. UNITED NATIONS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Thursday reiterated its full and unanimous support for the peace process in Colombia. In a press statement, the council members stressed the importance of ensuring the comprehensive implementation of the Final Peace Agreement. They welcomed continued momentum on the comprehensive implementation of the agreement including through the approval by the Congress of Colombia of the National Development Plan which includes approval of an "Investment Plan for Peace." The council members also welcomed the Colombian government's efforts to seek broader peace through dialogue and through the continued comprehensive implementation of the peace agreement. They reaffirmed their commitment to continue working closely with Colombia to support comprehensive implementation of the agreement, as the primary pillar to secure broad and lasting peace and stability in the country, and welcomed the continued commitment of both parties to this end. In the statement, the council members reiterated their strong concern over the continued threats and violence faced by former combatants and social leaders, and that conflict related violence continues to have a disproportionate impact on women and girls and on indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities. They also emphasized the importance of strengthening the former combatants' reintegration process, including through the approval of a sustainability strategy for collective projects and investment in a sustainability fund for the improvement of livelihoods. Russia and Ukraine, both warned each other against the travelling of ships in the Black Sea, saying that it will be considered as potential military cargo, Al Jazeera reported on Thursday. The Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday that it would deem all ships travelling to Ukraine to be potentially carrying military cargo on behalf of Kyiv and the flag countries of such ships will be considered parties to the Ukrainian conflict. In a statement on the Telegram platform, the defence ministry said it would implement its new stance towards ships in the Black Sea starting at midnight Moscow time (21:00 GMT Wednesday). In response to threats from Moscow, Kyiv also warned that all ships calling at Russian-controlled ports in the Black Sea may be considered by Ukraine as carrying military cargo with all the relevant risks, Al Jazeera reported. Advertisement The warning, issued in a statement on Thursday by Ukraines Ministry of Defence, said this takes effect at midnight on Friday (21:00 GMT Thursday). Meanwhile, Moscows warnings withdrawing the previous security guarantees came after Kyiv said it would set up a temporary shipping route to continue grain exports following Moscows withdrawal from a deal that permitted food shipments from Ukraines ports, AL Jazeera reported. Russia also declared southeastern and northwestern parts of the Black Seas 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 said on Wednesday it was establishing a temporary shipping route via Romania, one of the neighbouring Black Sea countries, Al Jazeera reported. Earlier on Monday, Russia 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. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that 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. Moscow had also accused Ukraine of using the Black Sea grain corridor for combat purposes. While, Kyiv hit back at Moscow, stating that Russia must stop playing hunger games with people around the world. A 31-year-old Sikh farmer, who died while trying to save an eight-year-old girl in California in 2022, has been bestowed with the Carnegie Hero Award, North Americas highest honor for civilian heroism. Manjit Singh from Fresno died while trying to save Samantha Cruz Pedro from the Kings River in Reedley on August 5, 2020. Pedro struggled to swim as she was separated from a group of children playing in the river and the swift current carried her downstream. Singh then entered the river to save the child, despite not knowing how to swim. He unwrapped his turban and tried to use it as a lifeline as he went into the water up to his neck to try to help the little girl. Advertisement Shortly after this, he submerged and onlookers lost sight of him in the chaos. A man located Pedro and took her to first responders on the bank. She was taken to a hospital where she died six days later. Singh was recovered downstream and was brought to the bank unresponsive. All attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. Each of the recipients or their survivors will receive a financial grant, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission announed in a release late last month. The Carnegie Medal is given throughout the US and Canada to those who enter extreme danger while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. So far, the Carnegie Medal has been awarded to 10,371 individuals since the inception of the Pittsburgh-based Fund in 1904. In a report by Sky News, it was revealed that a close friend of OceanGate CEO, Stockton Rush, who passed away last month in the Titan submersible when it imploded while en route to the Titanic remains, has come forward with startling claims. According to Karl Stanley, who spoke to 60 Minutes Australia, Rush was well aware that the trips could end in disaster, yet he continued to develop what he called a mousetrap for billionaires. During the interview, Stanley expressed his concerns about the safety of the carbon fiber and titanium craft, which he believed to be perilous. He definitely knew it was going to end like this, said Stanley, emphasizing that Rushs pursuit was to create an unparalleled experience for the wealthy. Recalling a test dive he had taken with Rush in the Bahamas back in 2019, Stanley shared his distressing experience. The constant loud, gunshot-like noises every few minutes were deeply unsettling, and he strongly believed that the failure of the carbon fiber hull caused the tragic implosion of the Titan. Advertisement According to Stanley, he repeatedly warned Rush about the potential risks of the carbon fibre hull, but his concerns seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. I literally painted a picture of his wrecked sub at the bottom, and even that isnt enough. He was risking his life and his customers lives to go down in history, Stanley lamented during the interview. Experts are said to have recovered presumed human remains from the remains of the Titan sub, marking the end of a difficult search-and-recovery operation. The tragic accident claimed the lives of British explorer Hamish Harding, French submarine expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Pakistani-British tycoon Shahzada Dawood, his son Suleman, and OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush. The recovery of the debris field, found on the seafloor 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic, situated more than two miles below the oceans surface and 400 miles off the coast of Newfoundland, adds to the somber nature of this incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday underlined the need for India and Sri Lanka to work together keeping in mind each others security interests and sensitivities and expressed confidence that the island nation would fulfil the aspirations of the Tamil minority. The two countries agreed to launch Indias UPI (Unified Payments Interface) technology in the island nation, accelerate mutual cooperation in tourism, power, trade, higher education, and skill development and begin talks soon on an Economic and Technological Cooperation Agreement after wide-ranging talks between PM Modi and visiting Sri lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe here this afternoon. The two countries adopted a vision document for their economic partnership. This vision is to strengthen maritime, air, energy and people-to-people connectivity between the people of both countries. Advertisement Emphasising that Sri Lanka has an important place in both Indias Neighbourhood First policy and SAGAR vision, Modi said the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka were intertwined. He said that firming up of an agreement for launching the UPI payment system in Sri Lanka would result in fintech connectivity between the two countries. He noted that the past one year has been full of challenges for the people of Sri Lanka due to the unprecedented economic crisis. Being a close friend, India stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka during this crisis. He also appreciated the people of Sri Lanka for facing these challenging circumstances. The PM said he had also discussed with President Wickremesinghe the issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we should proceed with a humane approach in this matter. We also talked about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka, he added. He said President Wickremesinghe had told him about his inclusive approach. We hope that the Government of Sri Lanka will fulfil the aspirations of the Tamilsit will carry forward the process of reconstruction for equality, justice and peaceit will fulfil its commitment to implement the 13th Amendment and hold Provincial Council Elections. It will ensure a life of respect and dignity for the Tamils, he added. On his part, the Lankan leader said he had apprised PM Modi of the extraordinary challenges that Sri Lanka has experienced in economic, social and political terms in the past year and of the reform measures he has spearheaded on a number of fronts in overcoming these challenges. I have conveyed to Prime Minister Modi and to the government and the people of India a profound appreciation for the solidarity and support rendered to Sri Lanka in what was undoubtedly the most challenging period in our modern history, he added. He also congratulated Modi on the great strides India was making under his leadership. We believe that Indias growth will be beneficial to the neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region, he added. According to the vision document adopted by the two leaders, their two countries will cooperate in development of ports and logistics infrastructure at Colombo, Trincomalee and Kankesanthurai with an aim to consolidate regional logistics and shipping. They will resume passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai in Sri Lanka and work towards early resumption of ferry services between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar, and other mutually agreed places. They also agreed on the resumption of flights between Jaffna and Chennai and explore connectivity between Chennai and Trincomalee, Batticaloa and other destinations in Sri Lanka. The two countries will encourage and strengthen investment and cooperation in civil aviation, including augmentation of airport infrastructure at Palaly for greater economic benefits to the people. Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6) Today Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 62F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 62F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. US worried about well-being of American soldier who ran across border as North Korea remains silent The White House is deeply concerned about the well-being of a U.S. soldier who bolted across the heavily armed North Korea border earlier this week SEOUL, July 21 (Xinhua) -- South Korean fishermen on Friday held a maritime protest rally against Japan's planned discharge of contaminated wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. A group of local fishermen gathered on the seashore of the southwestern coastal county of Jangheung, carrying a rally called "flower bier" about 200 meters along the coast to protest against the contaminated water release plan. "The flower bier is used for a (traditional) ritual to carry coffins when people die. We marched with the flower bier to say that if the Fukushima nuclear wastewater is released into the ocean, all humankind will die," Kim Young-chul, executive chief of the Federation of Korean Fishermen's Associations, told Xinhua by phone. The placard of "oppose discharging Fukushima nuclear contaminated water" was attached to both sides of the bier carried by the fishermen, Kim said. The same placards were also hung on the sides of about 30 fishing boats that staged a maritime demonstration in waters off the county for some half an hour. "I'd like to ask questions to the Japanese government. Why is it seeking to release the contaminated water into the ocean if the water is really safe as Japan claimed? Why is it seeking to dump it through a one-kilometer-long tunnel after dilution if the water is safe enough to drink?" said Kim. He noted that if it is a really safe and edible water, Japan can just choose to use it inside its territory for agricultural, industrial and drinking purposes. Japan has been pushing for dumping the contaminated wastewater this summer from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was hit by a massive earthquake and an ensuing tsunami in March 2011. The move has aroused strong opposition and doubts from domestic fishing groups, neighboring countries and the South Pacific island countries, as well as the international community. F.D. Flam is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering science. She is host of the Follow the Science podcast. The 31st FISU World University Games will be held soon in southwest China's Chengdu City. Many Turkish student-athletes have said that they are looking forward to experiencing a high-tech Universiade in China. Produced by Xinhua Global Service TEHRAN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Iran has summoned the Swedish ambassador to protest against the desecration of the Quran in Sweden, the official news agency IRNA reported on Thursday. Swedish Ambassador in Tehran Mattias Lentz was summoned by Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani, who conveyed the Islamic republic's "strong protest" over the sacrilege of the Quran in Sweden, the report said. "We strongly condemn the repeated desecration of the Holy Quran and Islamic sanctities in Sweden, and we hold the Swedish government fully responsible for the consequences of inciting the feelings of Muslims around the world," Kanaani was quoted as saying. On June 28, a protester burned a copy of the Quran in front of the largest mosque in the Swedish capital of Stockholm, sparking angry reactions from Muslims across the world. On Thursday, a protester trampled on the Quran during another protest authorized by Swedish police. New Delhi (India), July 20: Ochre Spirits, a forward-thinking alcoholic beverage start-up, is gearing up for its product launch, scheduled for January 2024, accompanied by the endeavour to set up Micro-Distilleries in the country and also craft spirits Experience Lounges in key Indian cities. Due to current Indian excise laws that limit the establishment of micro-distilleries, Ochre Spirits will initially produce its craft spirits at a registered distillery. Simultaneously, the company will engage in discussions with relevant authorities to create a legal framework that allows for the establishment of micro-distilleries. While this process unfolds, the flagship outlet, Ochre Bar and Kitchen, in Sinquerim, Goa, will be transformed into the first Ochre Experience Centre, providing visitors with an exclusive opportunity to sample Ochre Spirits' small-batch artisanal products. Ochre Spirits is committed to revolutionizing the landscape of craft spirits in the country. With a mission to raise Indian spirits to global excellence, this start-up aims to captivate consumers with its diverse and innovative product portfolio. In the first phase, the company intends to bottle and distribute select variants of its craft spirits across retail shops and institutions across Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Puducherry, broadening its customer base by offering unique alternatives to mainstream brands in the premium segment. In addition, Ochre Spirits are determined to provide an immersive experience by setting its sights on establishing several experience centers in prominent Indian cities. The journey begins in Sinquerim, Goa, and will soon expand to include Bangalore, Mumbai, and Gurgaon. This ambitious plan reflects the company's objective of capturing a significant market share of 5 to 7% in the premium craft segment within the next five years. Leading Ochre Spirits is its creative founder, John Royerr, with a seasoned background in business strategy and operations in the F&B industry spanning fifteen years. With extensive experience in grassroots brand promotions of alcoholic beverages across various Indian states, Royerr brings a deep understanding of the operational and marketing nuances of the industry. He stands out as a pivotal driving force behind ochre spirits, harnessing his extensive network and expertise in working with major liquor distributors and corporation markets across the country. While speaking on his entrepreneurial rationale, John Royerr elaborates on the brand ideology and says, We are thrilled to announce our foray into artisanal spirits manufacturing as well as the vision of our upcoming experience lounges that we intend to set up in major metros. These steps would help us take our carefully curated products to reach more and more consumers. At its core, the brand's mission is to address crucial issues prevalent in the spirits sector, including limited customer choices, quality perception of Indian craft spirits, and the need for education and appreciation of artisanal spirits. By offering meticulously crafted spirits of exceptional global standards, Ochre Spirits aspire to provide consumers with a wide array of flavours and experiences as an alternative to mass-produced spirits available in the market. In the upcoming fiscal year of 2024, the company will introduce its new line of premium flavoured spirits with lower alcohol content under the brand name Top Shelf. This innovative product range aims to provide customers with a wide variety of enticing flavours while maintaining a lower alcoholic content. In FY 2025, the brand aims to launch a collection of low-calorie spirits. The company envisions enhancing the reputation of Indian spirits and establishing a competitive presence alongside major players in the premium segment, placing emphasis on the artistry and heritage of artisanal spirits. The start-up aims not just to disrupt the Indian spirits industry but also to establish itself as a global leader. For more information, please visit: https://ochrespirits.com/ India's Unified Payment Interface or UPI technology will now be accepted in neighbouring Sri Lanka. After wide-ranging talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday, both nations adopted an ambitious vision document to significantly expand their economic partnership. Modi said that the agreement to accept UPI will result in fintech connectivity between the two sides, a PTI report read. Several other agreements were reached between India and Sri Lanka when Modi and Wickremesinghe met in Delhi. So far, France, UAE, and Singapore have partnered with India on the emerging fintech and payment solutions, an ANI report reads. In India, UPI, which facilitates round-the-clock payments, has become hugely popular for retail digital payments and its adoption is increasing at a rapid pace. Adopting UPI as a payment mode means people in both countries will be able to transfer funds in real-time by scanning the QR code or simply by entering mobile numbers linked to the bank account. It also means that Indians travelling to Sri Lanka will no longer need to carry foreign currency. Travellers to India too, benefit from UPI-- taking into consideration the popularity of the system, the RBI proposed to allow travellers to India to use UPI for merchant payments while in the country. On February 8, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das announced, to begin with, the facility will be extended to travellers from the G20 countries arriving at 'select international airports'. Modi, referring to the economic difficulties in Sri Lanka last year, said India stood "shoulder-to-shoulder" with the people of the island nation during the crisis as a close friend. In the last decade, the fintech industry has seen tremendous growth in India. The leaders discussed various aspects of relationships between the two countries including maritime relations, air, energy and people-to-people connectivity and the fisherman issue, which Modi said should be handled under a humanitarian approach. --With PTI inputs Tathya Patel, who crushed to death nine persons in the wee hours on Thursday in Ahmedabad, has been remanded to police custody till July 24. Tathya Patel (20), along with his father Pragnesh, were presented in the local court by the police late evening on Friday. His father Pragnesh was sent to judicial custody. The police said that they had not got enough time to interrogate Tathya. The horrific accident in which about 10 persons also suffered grievous injuries has witnessed public outrage over social media. The Gujarat Government had announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 to those injured. Mahendra Patel, an uncle of one of the victims, demanded that Tathya should be hanged to death to set an example and this would prevent others from indulging in such actions. The accident occurred on the ISKCON flyover in the SG highway that connects Ahmedabad with the state capital Gandhinagar. Tathya was overspeeding and the youngsters, including girls, were apparently returning home after visiting a cafe. He ran over people who were witnessing/helping in the rescue operation of another accident. Among those killed include a police constable and a home guard. There were heart-wrenching scenes at the last rites of the victims. Late on Thursday evening, the police took Tathya to the accident site to recreate the scene. All the seven MLAs of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Nagaland and its office-bearers in the northeastern state have extended their support to the Ajit Pawar faction of the outfit, a spokesperson said on Thursday, in a boost to the rebel camp in Maharashtra. The Ajit Pawar faction of the outfit, founded by former Union minister Sharad Pawar in 1999, is part of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra. National spokesperson of NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) Brajmohan Srivastava said, Nagaland unit president Wanthung Odio came to New Delhi and met national working president Praful Patel and Maharashtra unit president Sunil Tatkare. He informed us about the decision of the Nagaland NCP (to support Ajit Pawar camp). Odio handed over affidavits of support of all office-bearers, including seven MLAs, Srivastava said. As per an NCP statement, Patel assured Odio he would support him in his efforts to strengthen the 24-year-old party. Patel instructed the state executive and district units of the NCP in Nagaland to continue working as before, said the statement. The NCP suffered a split after Ajit Pawar, now deputy CM, and eight other party MLAs joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government on July 2 as cabinet ministers. The rebel faction has claimed support of majority of the 53 MLAs in Maharashtra. It needs backing of at least 36 MLAs to avoid attracting provisions of the anti-defection law. BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The staff of China's Consulate-General in Odessa had long left the premises and no one was hurt, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. The spokesperson made the remarks when asked on China's Consulate-General in Odessa being shaken by Russian airstrike on Ukraine. The spokesperson said that an explosion happened near China's Consulate-General in Odessa, and the blast wave shook off parts of the wall surface and windowpanes. The spokesperson said that China is closely following the developments and staying in touch with the parties concerned. "We will take all measures necessary to keep Chinese institutions and nationals safe in Ukraine," the spokesperson said. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday called upon Madhya Pradesh people to elect such a strong government that cannot be purchased or felled, and that could work tirelessly for a better future of the people and solve their small or big problems. She said that the current politics is all about allegations and counter-allegations and talking bad about opponents. I too can speak for 10 minutes each to criticize Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, about the fake announcements, scams and theatrics of (chief minister) Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and (union minister Jyotiraditya) Scindia whose ideology suddenly reversed. But I am not here to distract your attention and so I will speak only about your actual issues, Gandhi said. She added these actual issues were steep price rise, unemployment and the poor living conditions owing to that. Gandhi was addressing a massive public meeting in Gwalior called Jan Aakrosh Rally her second in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh after Jabalpur where she launched the Congress poll campaign last month. Gwalior is a key place in Madhya Pradesh politically as it is the biggest city in the Gwalior-Chambal region, which has 34 seats in the state assembly, and considered the bastion of the Scindia family. Congress had won 26 out of the 34 seats in 2018 polls, paving the way for the party to form a government in the state after 15 years. However, this was when Scindia was the partys campaign committee head and his crossover to the BJP along with 22 MLAs (of whom 15 were from the region) in March 2020 changed the equations in the crucial region. The Congress, which lost the government in the process, however, managed to show that it still holds a significant vote base in the region as it managed to win seven out of 16 seats in the region for which bypolls were held in November 2020, though it could win only nine of the total 28 seats that went to polls. This time, the Congress has made it a prestige issue to get maximum seats in the region hence planned Priyanka Gandhis second public meeting in Gwalior. Led by former chief minister Digvijaya Singh, the Congress team worked quite hard to ensure a huge gathering. Sources said that the attendance at the Friday public meeting was over 1 lakh and the response to Priyanka Gandhi was quite enthusiastic. Gandhi appealed to the people on core issues of price rise and unemployment, added with scams and power-drunk laziness and arrogance of the ruling BJP to ask them to bring back the Congress government in the state with majority votes. Gandhi said that she felt that it was lack of awareness among people that failed to control the situation. She asked that while the rally was named Jan Aakrosh (peoples anger) rally, was the anger about the actual issues or not? You should ask the leaders why there are so many scams. Why not even 2,000 out of 22,000 announcements made were fulfilled? You should ask why you have to face such a steep price rise and why big industrialists can earn Rs 1,600 crores per day while the farmers are not even able to earn Rs 27. Do you want change or not? Do you want an honest government or not, then you have to remove this government and bring one that could work day and night for your welfare and safe future; especially provide opportunities for the youth to stand on their own feet and finish the atrocities perpetrated on you, she said. In her 40 minutes speech, Gandhi spoke on the silence of PM Modi on Manipur violence and infusing politics in the issue when finally he spoke on the horrific viral video; the many scams in MP including the latest Patwari recruitment scam and corruption in Mahakal corridor, the excesses on tribals and dalits, the failure of BJP government to provide succour to people in 18 years and then making announcements for women and youth close to elections and so on. Gandhi also spoke about the five guarantees of the Congress old pension scheme, Rs 1,500 monthly cash assistance to women, domestic gas cylinder at Rs 500, 100 units power free and 200 at half tariff and completion of the loan waiver process for farmers. She said that she was confident about the guarantees as the Congress governments in Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka were fulfilling the promises made to the people. She also made a request to MP Congress president Kamal Nath, who was on the dais, to increase the pension for differently-abled people to Rs 1,000 from Rs 600 when the party comes to power, mentioning that some disabled people that she met on the way to the rally had put forth the demand to her. She had got her cavalcade stopped to speak to these differently-abled people. The Congress leader commenced and ended her speech in the local dialect. In the end she asked people to repeat after her Bhaajapa jaayebe baari hai; Congress aayebe baari hai (BJP is set to go; Congress is set to come). Gandhi, along with Nath and other leaders, also released a 'chargesheet' on 18 years of BJP rule in Madhya Pradesh. In his speech, Kamal Nath reiterated that CM Chouhan was a Machine of lies and scams that was working overtime as the elections were getting close. He said that the aim of Congress was to secure the future of Madhya Pradesh and its people. Before the rally, Gandhi also paid respects at the memorial of Rani Laxmi Bai. In her speech, she mentioned the valour of the queen of Jhansi and her impact on people of the region. Gesture on Rani Laxmi Bai was important as the Congress seeks to highlight the 'betrayal of Scindia family to the queen, leading to her defeat and death following the 1857 uprising. Congress MP in-charge Jai Prakash Agarwal, Rajya Sabha member Digivijaya Singh and Vivek Tankha, leader of opposition Govind Singh, former ministers, MLAs and all senior leaders were present on three separate dais set up on the venue. Incessant rains wreak havoc in several parts of Maharashtra including Mumbai city on Friday. Severe waterlogging in many parts of the city made people shift to safer places. Over 1,000 people were shifted from flood-prone areas. India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and red alerts in several districts of Maharashtra. Red alert has been issued in four districts including Thane, Raigad, and Palghar till Saturday. Eknath-Shinde led Maharashtra government had urged people not to venture outside unnecessarily. Maharashtra rivers in spate including Vashishti and Jagbudi rivers in Ratnagiri had led to flash floods in many regions. Even rivers including Amba, Savitri and Patalganga rivers in Raigad has crossed the danger mark. #WATCH | Maharashtra: Waterlogging in various parts of Mumbai due to heavy rainfall; visuals from Chembur area IMD has issued a 'Red' alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall for the Palghar district for tomorrow; 'Orange' alert has been issued for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and pic.twitter.com/rnOcYRsljj ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 Low lying areas including Sion Circle, Kurla station of Harbour line reported severe waterlogging. Traffic was hit in several parts of the state. Heavy downpour led to closure of subways and local train services were also hit. Local train services along the Harbour line from Wadala to Mankhurd have been temporarily suspended due to rains. Andheri subway was shut due to waterlogging. Severe waterlogging was also reported from King's Circle area in Mumbai. Reportedly, over 1,000 people residing in Biloli in Nanded district were relocated to safer areas due to heavy rains. Flood-like situation remained in 12 villages. According to IMD, rains in Mumbai is likely to improve over the next four-five days. Raigad landslide toll rises to 21 With the recovery of five more bodies, the total death toll at the landslide-affected Irshalwadi village in Raigad rose to 21. The search operation was extremely difficult due to bad weather. According to National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) officials, the team started the search operations by 6 am in the morning amid rainfall. Four children, aged between 6 months to four years and including two siblings, are among the 21 deceased, said the official. The massive landslide in Irshalwadi on Wednesday night had terribly hit a tribal village claiming many lives. Around 100 bodies are yet to be found from the debris. Of the total 228 residents of the village, the bodies of 21 have been recovered, while 93 residents have been traced, he said. IMD issues warnings In the wake of the heavy rains, IMD has issued warnings of moderate to heavy rainfall across various states including Uttarakhand, Himachal, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Odisha. In Gujarat heavy to very heavy with extremely heavy rainfall (more than 204.4 mm) is expected on Saturday. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) forces resumed search and rescue operations on Friday morning at Irshalwadi hamlet in Maharashtra's Raigad district, where a massive landslide buried several houses and claimed the lives of at least 16 people so far. Even as four NDRF teams got to work with assistance from Raigad police and local authorities, incessant rain and the difficult hilly terrain have posed several challenges to the rescue operations. Due to the uneven terrain, earth movers and other machinery cannot be easily moved and rescue operations are being carried out manually. From the hill base, it takes around one-and-a-half hours to reach Irshalwadi, which does not have a pucca road. As the village does not have a pucca road, excavators could not be easily moved, an NDRF official told PTI. Mountaineers from nearby towns were the first to reach the settlement kick-start rescue efforts. A dog squad has also been roped in to assist in the operations. Of the total 228 residents of the village, the bodies of 16 have been recovered, while 93 residents have been traced, NDRF officials said. However, a total of 119 villagers are yet to be traced. Of the nearly 50 houses in the hill-top village, 17 were flattened by the landslide that hit on Wednesday night. They include those who had gone out of the village to attend a marriage or for rice plantation work. Almost all the residents of the Irshalwadi village are Thakars, a local tribe. The Thakars cultivate paddy in the fields near their homes and live off the forest. NDRF personnel had to stop their search and rescue operation at the landslide site on Thursday evening due to heavy rainfall and threat of a fresh landslide. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in the districts of Thane, Raigad, Pune, and Palghar for Friday and Saturday. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday sacked Rajendra Gudha as minister of state hours after he raised question against his own government over crimes against women. Gudha was criticising the government while Congress MLAs raised the issue of Manipur horror in the state assembly. A Raj Bhavan spokesperson said "Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot recommended Governor Kalraj Mishra to dismiss member of council of ministers Rajendra Gudha in the evening. The governor has accepted this recommendation with immediate effect." Gudha was Minister of State for Sainik Kalyan (Independent Charge), Home Guard and Civil Defence, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj. It was during the discussion on the Rajasthan Minimum Income Guarantee Bill 2023 in the state Assembly that the Manipur violence was brought up. "The way we have failed to provide security to women in Rajasthan and atrocities on women have increased, instead of raising the issue of Manipur, we should introspect," Gudha said in the assembly. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Rajendra Rathore criticised the state government saying Rajasthan tops the chart of crimes against women. "Cabinet minister Rajendra Gudha himself is stating the reality of atrocities being done on sisters and daughters in Rajasthan. According to Article 164(2) of the Constitution, the cabinet works on the basis of collective responsibility and the state of a minister is considered to be that of the entire cabinet," Rathore later tweeted. He also asked Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who is also the home minister, to take responsibility for the "poor" state of law and order in Rajasthan. After action was taken against him, Gudha told reporters that he was punished for speaking the truth. "Rajasthan is at number one position in crimes against women. What did I say? I got the punishment for speaking the truth," he said. Gudha represents Jhunjhunu's Udaipurwati constituency. He was among six MLAs who won the 2018 assembly elections on a BSP ticket before defecting to the Congress in September 2019, was inducted as a minister in November 2012. Gudha and other MLAs won on a BSP ticket and had supported Gehlot in July during the tussle with his then deputy Sachin Pilot. However, off late he had made statements favouring Pilot. He had also made statements causing embarrassment to the Congress. Recently, he had said that Gehlot and Pilot were running after him, so there must be some quality in him. (With PTI inputs) Om Prakash Rajbhars re-joining the Bharatiya Janata Party has not gone down well with all his party members, with some offering condolences on his death. Brijesh Rajbhar, the Varanasi in-charge of the Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) paid floral tributes before a photo of his party president and announced Rajbhar ji is no longer among us. The event took place in Sarnath, where Brijesh started off by saying that Maharaja Suheldev Rajbhar should remain immortal and that in his presence they were offering condolences to the biggest contractor and merchant of their caste- Om Prakash Rajbhar. The messiah is no longer among us so we have gathered here to offer him our condolences, he said. He is dead, his soul is finished, his conscience is no longer alive.I pray to God that his soul find peace, Brijesh said. He was unable to fulfil any promisesunable to get us social justice. He was the one who had promised to drown Modi and Yogi in the Ganga and finish them offthat Om Prakash Rajbhar is no longer with us, he continued while placing a marigold garland on a photo of Rajbhar. Accompanied by a clutch of supporters who also offered floral tributes, Brijesh made an appeal to Rajbhars all around the world to offer their last respects to the leader. Rajbhars supporters have been a miffed lot because he has not delivered any of the promises he made in 2017 when he went with the BJP. He was unable to secure reservations for his castemen or even increase their recruitment in various government posts. He ate all the cream himself, said Brijesh. Rajbhar is also accused of always promoting his sons and ignoring other senior party members. Brijesh dubbed the sons as rahu and ketu- which lead to eclipses. There has also been some speculation that Uttar Pradeshs Chief Minister Yogi Aditynatah is not very happy with Rajbhars return to the party fold. He did not put out any social media message welcoming Rajbhar. As a minister in Adityanaths government Rajbhar had protested against bureaucrats. Later he threatened that he would cross vote during the Rajya Sabha election till Home Minister Amit Shah stepped in to pacify him. Adityanath and deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya had a formal meeting with Rajbhar on Friday. The Supreme Court on Friday sought response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on the pleas of Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji and his wife Megala challenging the July 14 order of the Madras High Court upholding his arrest by the probe agency in a money laundering case. A bench of Justices A.S. Bopanna and M.M. Sundresh issued notice to the ED on the pleas and posted the matter for hearing on July 26. The minister and his wife have filed two separate petitions in the top court challenging the high court order. Besides upholding the arrest of the minister, the high court had also held as valid his subsequent remand in judicial custody by a sessions court in the money laundering case arising out of the alleged cash-for-jobs scam in the state's transport department when he was the transport minister. He continues to be a minister without portfolio in the Tamil Nadu cabinet. Justice C.V. Karthikeyan, who was named as a third judge by the high court to hear the habeas corpus petition of Senthil Balaji's wife, following a split verdict delivered by a division bench, had concurred with the conclusions arrived at by Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy. Justice Chakravarthy had upheld Balaji's arrest. The third judge held that the accused had no right to frustrate the investigation. Justice Karthikeyan had directed the registry to place the matter before Chief Justice S.V. Gangapurwala to refer it to the same division bench to determine the date on which the ED could take custody of Senthil Balaji, who has undergone a coronary bypass surgery, and to shift him from the hospital. Balaji was shifted to the Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai from a private hospital on Monday. In his order, Justice Karthikeyan had said, according to the complainant, he had given Rs 2.40 lakh (for securing a job in a state-run transport corporation). This was the specific offence of bribery for which an FIR was filed, after which the ED had registered the Enforcement Case Information Report (the ED's version of FIR). Subsequently, Balaji, the transport minister in a previous AIADMK government, was arrested by the ED. Sri Lanka is banking on Lord Ram. The countrywhich is slowly emerging out of the economic crisiswants to boost tourism from India. And promoting the Ramayana circuitto promote awarenessto enhance tourism might be a way to up the numbers. The Ramayana circuit and the need to develop it to improve people-to-people contact find a mention in the joint vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ranil Wickremesinghe for India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership. The largest source of inbound tourists to Sri Lanka has been from India, said Vinay Kwatra, foreign secretary, at a media briefing in the capital. The country--which has been on the verge of economic collapse--is now hoping to boost tourism numbers by focusing on Hindu trail, the Ramayana trail as well as the Buddhist circuit. This idea is not new. It was explored even in 2019, when the Sri Lankan tourism ministry was hoping to attract a million tourists from India. But post the economic crisis, tourism numbers matter even more. The development of these trails find a mention in the vision document released by the ministry of external affairs. This document focuses on areas of cooperation the two countries need to work on to promote connectivity and catalyse prosperity in the region. The vision is to accelerate mutual cooperation in areas of tourism, power, trade, higher education, skill development and connectivity, said Modi. The vision is to strengthen maritime, air, energy and people-to-people connectivity between the people of both the countries, he said. Talks will start soon on an agreement on economic and technological cooperation, the Prime Minister said. India, however, is not leaving the closer connectivity between the two countries to the gods. The visit of the Sri Lankan President is to put into place concreteand much stronger bondsthan just the glue of religion. And the thrust on economic ties will certainly boost the relationship. On the cards is strengthening digital links by allowing UPI-based payments between the two countries. This may happen within the next two or three months. There will be a focus on renewable energy as well as to establish a high capacity power grid interconnection between India and Sri Lanka to enable bidirectional electricity trade between Sri Lanka and other regional countries, according to the vision document. This is the first visit of President Wickremesingheafter he took charge a year ago. While the two leaders spelt out their joint vision for the two countries, India has also chosen to spell out the big picture. China, may have not been mentioned, but the dragon lurked in the room. It is natural to speak about concerns when we speak about the maritime domain, said Kwatra. It is well known that India was less than happy with the Chinese 'spy' vessel that docked at the Hambantota port. The challenges, 'the specifics' of it, were brought up 'appropriately', Kwatra said. The US Ambassador Nicholas Burns' email accounts were hacked by China-based hackers, the Wall Street Journal reported. The hacking was reportedly part of a 'targeted intelligence-gathering campaign'. Daniel Kritenbrink is another official, whose email accounts were targeted. Kritenbrink is the assistant secretary of State for East Asia, who recently travelled with Secretary of State Antony Blinken to China. On July 13, the email accounts of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and other State Department officials were hacked, CNN reported. At the time, email accounts of about 25 organisations, including some US government entities were affected. Also, Microsoft had said that said a Chinese group known as Storm-0558 managed to use a Microsoft consumer signing key to gain access to the accounts, SCMP reported. Microsoft is a major provider of IT services to the American government. The hacking of the accounts of Burns and Kritenbrink seemed to be related to the hacking of Raimondo's account last week. The hackers, reportedly, did not breach classified emails. There is no confirmation whether Antony Blinken and his direct aides had been affected, The Wall Street Journal reported. The Chinese embassy in Washington termed the allegations groundless. China firmly opposes and combats cyber attacks and cyber theft in all forms, embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu told SCMP. The hacking reportedly began in mid-May and Blinken raised the issue when he met with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi last week. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday kicked off a two-day visit to India that is expected to impart a new momentum in bilateral ties, especially in the economic and trade sphere. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Wickremesinghe will hold wide-ranging talks on Friday covering all key aspects of relations between the two countries. It is the first visit to India by a Sri Lankan leader since the island nation reeled under a severe economic crises last year. "We Look forward to the visit to impart a new momentum to the relationship," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at his weekly media briefing. India extended financial assistance worth around USD 4 billion to Sri Lanka including lines of credit for purchases of food and fuel last year when it was hit by the economic crisis. New Delhi also provided guarantees to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help the country secure a $2.9 billion bailout package. In the evening, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on the Sri Lankan president and discussed various bilateral issues. "Honoured to call on President Ranil Wickremesinghe of Sri Lanka during his India visit. Confident that his meeting with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will further strengthen our neighbourly bonds and take forward India's Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policies," Jaishankar tweeted. In his comments, Bagchi described the visit of the Sri Lankan leader as "very important". "This is a very important visit. It (Sri Lanka) is a neighbouring country with whom we have very important and multi-faceted relations. I do not want to prejudge the conversations that will happen," Bagchi said. He said India has discussed with Sri Lanka the issues of closer economic cooperation including how Indian economic growth can benefit the island nation. He also identified security issues, development cooperation and new projects as areas of engagement, adding India helped Sri Lanka to address its economic problems. "I think this will be a good base to take forward our conversation," he said. The Sri Lankan president was received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan. "Warm welcome to President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka on his maiden visit to India since assumption of the Office of President. Received by @MOS_MEA at the airport. The visit will further boost the multi-pronged India-Sri Lanka partnership," Bagchi tweeted. The antebellum South is a period in the United States before the Civil War, when the Southern states were marked by a haunting institutionslavery. During this era, enslaved individuals, primarily captured Africans and their descendants, endured unimaginable hardships, and were forced into labour without rights or freedoms, even as American society grappled with the moral and economic implications of this abhorrent practice. The tensions surrounding slavery eventually culminated in the American Civil War, leaving a lasting impact on the nation's history and highlighting the enduring legacy of racial inequality. In a surprising regression to that antebellum South, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis assumed the mantle of the "education governor" and vowed to ban school teachings that might trigger feelings of "guilt, anguish, or distress" related to race, gender, sex, or national origin. With echoes of a bygone era, his administration has moved to direct teaching the benefits of slavery to slaves. Now, the issue has reached such lengths that Vice President Kamala Harris cancelled all other plans and headed to Florida to deliver a speech critical of this latest move by the states education board. Vowing to "stop woke," and declaring Florida, a state where woke goes to die, DeSantis championed a new curriculum for Florida schools, allocating $106 million towards supporting new civics and government standards in K-12 schools. Now, in a jaw-dropping move, Florida's Board of Education has greenlit a new curriculum for middle school students, destined to raise eyebrows and ruffle feathers. The revised teaching guidelines suggest that slavery bestowed upon black people 'skills,' which, shockingly, could be wielded for their 'personal benefit.' It amounts to saying that cruelty teaches the victim skills which could benefit them, or that forced work and denying healthcare to marginalised communities encourage personal responsibility and self-sufficiency. The Florida Department of Education website outlines the unorthodox instructions for educators, including the need to highlight 'notable massacres' against African Americans with a perplexing twist attributing their involvement in the violence. The approval of such contentious content during a public meeting in Orlando has sparked a fierce debate on the trajectory of education in the state. VP Harris plunged headfirst into the controversy. "They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us and we will not stand for it. We who share a collective experience in knowing we must honor history in our duty in the context of legacy. There is so much at stake in this moment, said Harris about the Florida move in Indianapolis Thursday. Last year, a number of schools embarked upon an experimental journey, initiating a pilot programme centered around an intriguing prospecta coveted AP African American Studies course, extending the promise of college credits to high school students. This caused a tempest in the troubled Florida Education waters. DeSantis, alongside fellow education authorities, accused the academic pursuit of "woke indoctrination." Then Florida's education officials opted to interdict its dissemination within the state's high schools, thereby fanning the flames of a contentious debate. The emphasis here lies in preserving a particular narrative that avoids any potential discomfort, yet it sparks intense debate about historical comprehension and its implications on contemporary society. The teaching of slavery as beneficial to slaves was a common practice in the antebellum period, where advocates argued that slavery was a "positive good" for enslaved people and that they were better off under the care of their masters than if they were free. Of course, slaves resisted the notion that slavery was beneficial to them in various ways. One of the most common forms of resistance was through acts of rebellion and escape. Enslaved people would often run away from their masters and seek refuge in nearby swamps or forests. Others would form communities of escaped slaves known as "maroons" and engage in guerrilla warfare against slave owners. Their resistance was also heavily cultural, in expression and practices that maintained African traditions and beliefs, even in the face of severe punishments. In the end, they developed a unique culture. Teachers themselves are raising concerns that portraying harmful acts as beneficial or morally acceptable can be dangerous and detrimental to individuals and society. Those who have attended conferences aimed at instructing them on the new teaching guidelines say that the new directive leans heavily towards conservative ideals, without the necessary inclusion of opposing viewpoints. Teachers are given $700 to $3,000 bonuses for participation in the conferences with the implication that those failing to attend would be marginalised and perhaps lose employment. But those who did attend reveal a disconcerting experience. A Florida teacher, speaking to THE WEEK on condition of anonymity, for fear of reprisals, said the conference presenters downplayed the historical significance of slavery, glossing over its gravity, challenging and avoiding an opposing view. The revelation of such a one-sided narrative fuels skepticism and raises vital questions about the balance and accuracy of the education being disseminated to students, she said. All of it makes Harris's trip to draw a battle line in Florida more crucial. The repercussions of the state's directive are profound, as it not only shapes the education of young minds but also reflects the broader societal conversation about acknowledging historical truths and fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment. With the White House concerned about rehabilitating and enhancing Haris's image in preparation for the Biden-Harris re-election run, the stakes are high, as she is now at the battlefront of a demand for a commitment to truth in education in a state with a governor bent on putting his mark on education with an alternative version of history in preparation for his own presidential run. BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- As China's half-year economic growth data was released, some Western media and analysts hastily spouted their pessimistic cliches about the Chinese economy. Is China's economy losing steam as they have claimed, or gaining momentum on the track to normalized growth? A panoramic and in-depth view of its H1 performance will provide a clear answer and show their gloomy sentiment on China's economic prospects is inconsistent with the facts. China's GDP grew by 5.5 percent year on year in the first half of 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This growth rate is much higher than the country's 3 percent growth of 2022, and higher than its average annual growth of 4.5 percent from 2020 to 2022. Worldwide, this growth rate is also the highest among major economies. Multiple industrial figures highlight the sustained momentum of the world's second-largest economy. Value-added service output went up 6.4 percent year on year in the January-June period, accelerating by 1 percentage point from the first quarter. The service industry contributed over 60 percent to economic growth, and the business activity index for the service industry stood at 52.8 percent in June, within the expansion zone for a sixth consecutive month. As a slew of policies were released to stimulate consumption, the contribution of final consumption expenditure to economic growth reached 77.2 percent, a significant increase compared to the rate for the entire previous year, highlighting the increasingly important role that consumption plays in the growth of China's economy. In the first half of 2023, after deducting price factors, the real per capita disposable income of residents increased by 5.8 percent. This indicates a steady increase in residents' income, producing favorable effects in terms of boosting people's capacity and willingness to consume. "Consumption has shown a relatively rapid recovery, and its role as the 'main engine' of economic growth has become prominent," said Zhao Tonglu, an NBS official. The momentum of green development is also strengthening. China's economy has shown a trend of becoming greener. During the first half, the production of new energy vehicles and solar cells saw robust growth. China's export volume of lithium batteries, solar cells and electric passenger vehicles increased by 61.6 percent year on year. Facing a complicated external environment, China still has challenges to address, both in pursuit of its economic growth target of about 5 percent for 2023 and in advancing its industrial upgrading. With the country redoubling its efforts in shifting the growth model, improving the economic structure and increasing the growth momentum, stable economic expansion can be ensured. China is capable of achieving an average annual growth rate of 5 to 6 percent through 2035, said Justin Yifu Lin, dean of the Institute of New Structural Economics at Peking University. The momentum of China's economic recovery will not fizzle out, but will be further bolstered. The upward trend will continue along with its normalized economic operation and expansion of growth driven by innovation, consumption and green transformation. Undoubtedly, China will remain an important source of impetus for the world economy. Muslim-majority nations expressed outrage on Friday at the desecration of a copy of the Quran in Sweden. Some prepared for street demonstrations following midday prayers to show their anger. In Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, protesters planned demonstrations after Swedish police permitted a protest Thursday in which an Iraqi Christian living in Stockholm kicked and stood on a Quran, Islam's holy book, outside of the Iraqi Embassy. Hours before that, demonstrators in Baghdad broke into the Swedish Embassy and lit a fire to show their anger at his threats to burn the book. Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani has ordered the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador from Iraq and the withdrawal of the Iraqi charge d'affaires from Sweden. But that may not be enough to calm those angered, and another protest in Baghdad is planned for Friday afternoon. In neighboring Iran, demonstrators also planned to take to the streets. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has written a letter to the United Nations secretary-general over the Quran desecration and has summoned the Swedish ambassador. We consider the Swedish government responsible for the outcome of provocation reactions from the world's Muslims, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said. The man in Stockholm also wiped his feet with a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during his demonstration and did similar to a photo of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, a powerful leader there. Lebanon's Shiite militant group Hezbollah also called for a demonstration Friday afternoon. Khamenei and Iran's theocracy serve as Hezbollah's main sponsor. In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the events in Sweden. He called on the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to play a historic role in expressing the sentiments of Muslims and stopping this demonisation. Meanwhile, Islamists in his country have been pushing Sharif, who faces an upcoming election, to cut diplomatic ties with Sweden. On Thursday morning, protesters in Baghdad occupied the Swedish Embassy for several hours and set a small fire. The embassy staff had been evacuated a day earlier. After protesters left the embassy, diplomats closed it to visitors without specifying when it would reopen. Prime Minister Sudani said in a statement that Iraqi authorities would prosecute those responsible for starting the fire and referred to an investigation of negligent security officials. Some demonstrators stayed at the site, ignored by police, after the attack. An Associated Press photographer and two Reuters staff members were arrested while covering the protest and released several hours later without charges. This is the second Quran desecration to involve the Iraqi Christian in Sweden, identified as Salwan Momika. Last month, a man identified by local media and on his social media as Momika burned a Quran outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, triggering widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. The right to hold public demonstrations is protected by the constitution in Sweden. Blasphemy laws were abandoned in the 1970s. Police generally give permission based on whether they believe a public gathering can be held without major disruptions or safety risks. For Muslims, the burning of the Quran represents a desecration of their religion's holy text. Quran burnings in the past have sparked protests across the Muslim world, some turning violent. In Afghanistan, the Taliban suspended all the activities of Swedish organizations in the country in response to the recent Quran burning. A similar protest by a far-right activist was held outside Turkey's Embassy earlier this year, complicating Sweden's efforts to persuade Turkey to let it join NATO. In June, protesters who support al-Sadr stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad over that Quran burning. Russian prosecutors asked a court to sentence imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny to 20 years in prison on extremism charges, his ally Ivan Zhdanov said on Thursday. According to Zhdanov, the trial against Navalny, which went on behind closed doors in the prison where the politician is serving another lengthy sentence, is scheduled to conclude with a verdict on August 4. In his closing statement released on Thursday by his team, Navalny bashed Russian authorities as being governed by bargaining, power, bribery, deception, treachery ... and not law. Navalny said: Anyone in Russia knows that a person who seeks justice in a court of law is completely vulnerable. The case of that person is hopeless." Navalny, 47, is President Vladimir Putin's fiercest foe who exposed official corruption and organised major anti-Kremlin protests. He was arrested in January 2021 upon returning to Moscow after recuperating in Germany from nerve agent poisoning that he blamed on the Kremlin. The authorities sentenced him to 2 1/2 years in prison for parole violations and then to another nine years on charges of fraud and contempt of court. The politician is currently serving his sentence in a maximum-security prison east of Moscow. He has spent months in a tiny one-person cell, also called a punishment cell, for purported disciplinary violations such as an alleged failure to properly button his prison clothes, properly introduce himself to a guard or to wash his face at a specified time. Navalny's allies have accused prison authorities of failing to provide him with proper medical assistance and voiced concern about his health. The new charges relate to the activities of Navalny's anti-corruption foundation and statements by his top associates. His allies said the charges retroactively criminalise all the foundation's activities since its creation in 2011. Navalny has rejected all the charges against him as politically motivated and has accused the Kremlin of seeking to keep him behind bars for life. One of his associates Daniel Kholodny was relocated from a different prison to face trial alongside him. The prosecution has asked to sentence Kholodny to 10 years in prison. The trial against the two began a month ago and went along swiftly by Russian standards, where people often spend months, if not years, awaiting for their verdict. It was unusually shielded from public attention and Navalny's lawyers haven't offered any comments on the proceedings. Navalny, in his sardonic social media posts, occasionally offered a glimpse of what was going on with his case. In one such post, the politician revealed that a song by a popular Russian rapper praising him was listed as evidence in the case files, and claimed that he made the judge and bailiffs laugh out loud as the song was played during a court hearing. In another, he said that the case files linked him to US mogul Warren Buffet. In his closing statement, Navalny referred to the recent short-lived armed rebellion by the fighters of Russia's private military company Wagner, after which their chief and the leader of the mutiny, Yevgeny Prigozhin, walked free, even though a number of Russian soldiers were killed by his troops. Those who were declared traitors to their Motherland and betrayers, in the morning killed several Russian army officers as the entire Russia watched in astonishment, and by lunch agreed on something with someone and went home, Navalny said. Thus, law and justice in Russia were once again put in their place. And that place is not prestigious. One sure can't find them in court," the politician said. A movie for true lovers of the art form! In just a few words, that is what Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer is. Ever since his breakout movie Memento, Nolan has been pushing the cinematic envelope, exploring different genres, themes and philosophical ideas. From psychological thrillers, superhero flicks, and science fiction cinema to a war movie, the maverick director has crafted a great line of vastly different movies. With the possible exception of Dunkirk, it wouldn't be all wrong to say that Nolan's works have a fascination for the abstract; and when it comes to retelling the story of a genius scientist, known as the 'father of the atomic bomb', he gets to combine his love for the abstract with a documentary-isque storytelling. Abstract because you are delving into the mind of a great scientist who grapples with questions that are far too complex, even as we relate with his struggles and deep regrets. Based on the biography of the scientist, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, the three-hour-long film follows Oppenheimer through his student days, years as a professor when he dabbles with communism without being a card-carrying member of of the party, to heading the Manhattan Project, his hearing for security clearance which made the genius scientist look like a traitor, and its fallout in the life of the man who orchestrated the public disgrace of OppenheimerLewis Strauss. Oppenheimer begins with the confirmation hearing by the Senate of Admiral Lewis Strauss for the appointment as secretary of commerce. The movie then goes back and forth to the hearing to revoke the security clearance of Oppenheimer who was chairing the General Advisory Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) in 1953 and various incidents in the scientist's eventful life. You are introduced to a brilliant young Oppenheimer who is fighting his own set of demonsa genius theorist, he is clumsy in the lab, and a bit awkward and homesickhis attempt to poison a professor, his meeting with the great Niels Bohr, and his eventual recruitment to head the Manhattan Project and the events that follow. Oppenheimer was a man who walked different worlds; he was a left sympathiser at one point, but became critical of the party later in his life. He was a man of who it was said, 'he couldn't run a hamburger stand' but brought the best of scientific minds together to run the most secretive facility in America, the laboratory that designed and fabricated the first atomic bombs for the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos. He could read Sanskrit, learn a new language, and give a talk in the same in six weeks. Nolan brings in all these shades of the great polymath to present you a complex, yet relatable man; someone who could be brilliant and naive at the same time. It is an unassuming portrait of a man who probably couldn't comprehend his own greatness. Arguably Nolan's best work in terms of detailing, visual grandeur, and philosophical leanings, the director does not intend to tell you how you should feel about the invention of a weapon of mass destruction and the man behind it. He merely faithfully, and most elegantly, chronicles the events and people that led you to the same, and lets you draw conclusions. This is evident in the way scientists celebrate the bomb after the 'Trinity' testthey were celebrating a scientific innovation and not a weapon of mass destruction, and 'Oppie' was all for it. But when it is time to celebrate the bombings, Oppenheimer hesitates. He is wracked by guilt although he manages to put up a show. It is hard to watch the scenes of celebration when Oppenheimer sees the audience as victims of the bomb, but at no point the director makes you feel that the scientist(s) behind the weapon of mass destruction have it in them to direct the same to their fellow humans. They are scientists, they invent things, they are neutral, but the consequences of their inventions do haunt them. Nolan has claimed that there is hardly any CGI in Oppenheimer, and if that is indeed the case, the recreation of the 'Trinity' test is certainly a path-breaking cinematic achievement; one that could perhaps rival the 1968 movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey, by the great Stanley Kubrick. The director chooses three distinct settings for most of the actions in Oppenheimer to unfoldthere is the black-and-white Senate hearing of Strauss with mostly indifferent and unnamed characters; there is the vast, hostile desert terrain of Los Alamos which is unmindful of the destruction and devastation the men who decide to inhabit are planning to bring to the world; and then there is the intimate, claustrophobic, shabby room chosen for the security clearance hearing where a once revered scientist is humiliated in every way possible. Oppenheimer is a performance-heavy movie, and the great line up of actorssome of them like Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, and Gary Oldman get barely a few minutes of the screen timedeliver some of the most fantastic performances you may see in recent times. Cillian Murphy lives and breathes his character as he embodies the physical, psychological, and emotional transformations of Oppenheimer. As you journey on with the man, you see the fumbling (the initial encounter with Bohr, played by the great Kenneth Branagh, is endearing to watch) clumsy youngster transform into a brilliant administrator and 'performer' only to fall into despair and melancholy. While Murphy is indeed brilliant, it is Robert Downey Jr. as the vicious, vengeful Strauss who will blow you away. The actor is almost unrecognisable as the aging, intimidating and ambitious politician who is out to destroy Oppenheimer. Emily Blunt as the troubled, alcoholic Kitty Oppenheimer comes up with another great performance. It wouldn't be surprising if the film would have quite a few nominations for the Oscars in the acting front. The cinematography is breathtaking, particularly the scenes of the atomic test, the long shots of the desert, and the meeting between Albert Einstein and Oppenheimer. While the film is dialogue-heavy, the director chooses to employ silence minutes before the nuclear test, except of course the brilliant background score, and it is indeed some of the finest and tense moments in the movie, although you know the outcome of the test is already out there. There are far too many switches between time periods and incidents, some of them in black and white, but the editing is so seamless that you barely notice the transition. The background score by Ludwig Goransson elevates the movie to a whole new level of excellence. Watching the film, it becomes obvious that Nolan profoundly admires this lanky, chain-smoking scientist, and by the end, you would not be surprised if you, too, leave the theatre with great respect for this enigma of a man. Oppenheimer calls for repeated watching, and unlike Inception or Interstellar, it is not because the concept is alien or far-fetched; it is because this retelling of history with dozens of important characters who shaped the world as we know it, and events of great historical importance are so tightly packed into this three-hour-long drama that you hardly have time to register some of them. Movie: Oppenheimer Directed by: Christopher Nolan Starring: Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Josh Hartnett, Casey Affleck, Rami Malek, Kenneth Branagh Starring: 4.5/5 HYDERABAD, India, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIITH) has set up a virtual reality facility at Osmania Medical College (OMC) to introduce advanced technology-assisted teaching. Currently this is aimed at teaching anatomy, a basic subject for 1st year MBBS students. The facility was inaugurated by Prof. P J Narayanan, Director of IIITH in the presence of Dr. Shashikala Reddy, Principal of OMC. The inauguration was followed by a session by Dr. Janaki Vuppala, Head, Department of Anatomy, OMC. In this session, a large class of UG1 students were taught Neuroanatomy using a VR tool designed by IIITH. The VR tool for teaching neuroanatomy was developed as part of a project by Prof. Jayanthi Sivaswamy and her team, she being principal investigator of the project. This joint project with Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram, is funded by SERB of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. This project also sponsored the setting up of the VR facility at OMC. According to Prof Jayanthi Sivaswamy, "The VR solution that has been developed in this project allows teaching gross as well as radiological anatomy in an integrated manner to UG1 students. This integration is essential since radiological anatomy which is based on images is a key part of clinical practice. However, the integration has not been done so far at UG1 level." Prof Sivaswamy is well known for her research in the area of medical image computing. Her group's work on the Indian brain atlas has attracted considerable media attention. "Virtual Reality is the key technology behind the much-awaited Metaverse. It consists of representing some physical space faithfully on the computer and producing interesting visualizations for different purposes. VR has enormous potential in teaching wherein abstract concepts can be shown and explained with illustrative 2D and 3D visualizations of the underlying process. Anatomy education is apt for the application of VR. This project makes a small beginning with Neuroanatomy wherein the parts and structures inside the brain is explained with the help of 3D imagery, interactive manipulations, etc. We expect this small beginning to have a big impact in the future into teaching anatomy in the future, in collaboration with Osmania Medical College," said Prof P J Narayanan. About IIIT-Hyderabad The International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H) is an autonomous research university founded in 1998 that focuses on the core areas of Information Technology, such as Computer Science, Electronics and Communications, and their applications in other domains through inter-disciplinary research that has a greater social impact. Some of its research domains include Visual Information Technologies, Human Language Technologies, Data Engineering, VLSI and Embedded Systems, Computer Architecture, Wireless Communications, Algorithms and Information Security, Robotics, Building Science, Earthquake Engineering, Cognitive Science, Computational Natural Sciences and Bioinformatics, Education Technologies, Power Systems, IT in Agriculture and e-Governance. Website: www.iiit.ac.in Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1900509/IIITH_Logo.jpg (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR Gurugram (Haryana) [India], July 21: AI tools are changing how work is done across the world. Demand for professionals who can work with AI tools is growing exponentially. There is also a growing trend of SMEs and startups in developed countries leveraging remote talent from developing countries who deliver work at a much lower cost. Can mid-level and senior professionals in India learn AI tools and get international remote jobs? Gurgaon-based edtech startup SkillArbitrage is making this happen already. SkillArbitrage is of the belief that international exports of services will leave exports of goods behind by miles in the years to come and has thus curated courses that fill in the skill gap and enable professionals to benefit from global talent arbitrage. SkillArbitrage launched a version of their AI tools program for work-from-home women who had to leave the industry for personal and family reasons to enable them to work remotely on global opportunities. Within 3 months of the commencement of the 6 months program, 8% of the learners have already bagged remote jobs, part-time and full-time, while some of them are developing their profiles as freelancers. Kumudini Saxena from Ghaziabad, a Skill Arbitrage learner, faced many problems in her career and shut down her business due to COVID because of maternity, is now working remotely from home for international clients as a recruiter and has earned 17 lakhs in 3 months and has 15 clients in Poland, Japan, Jordan etc. Similarly, Shailaja Prabhakar, who was earlier working in Chennai for a big company, had to move back to her hometown in Vellore for personal reasons and needed to work in remote jobs. She secured a remote opportunity with a US-based company in North Carolina and also doubled her salary in 3 months! "We at SkillArbitrage, believe that talent arbitrage is the great equalizing force in the global economy. It gives everyone, regardless of their location or background, the opportunity to compete for the best opportunities. This means that businesses can now compete on a level playing field with respect to global talent access, regardless of their size or location, and professionals can compete for the best of the jobs that are available anywhere in the world. This is definitely going to require skills, and we want to train people to be ready for what the future holds for them, says Ramanuj Mukherjee, CEO of SkillArbitrage. SkillArbitrage trains professionals from India and other developing countries to get international remote jobs, remote internships and freelance work from startups & SMEs in the US, UK, Canada, UAE and other advanced economies so that they can earn in dollars no matter where they live. With more businesses around the world seeking remote workers because they can access a better talent pool at a fraction of the cost, it has become increasingly important to help Indians identify, prepare and pitch for these cross-border career opportunities. SkillArbitrage courses and placement support have been especially popular with housewives and mothers of young children, senior professionals looking for side gigs and extra income, digital nomads looking to escape office cubicles and those living in smaller cities who cannot move to metros to find jobs. To know more, kindly visit the website https:killarbitra.ge/ (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) Chinese smartphone makers, including Oppo Mobile, Vivo India and Xiaomi Technology, have been found evading taxes worth Rs 9,000 crore in India, Parliament was informed on Friday. Data shared by the Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar in Rajya Sabha showed tax evasion of around Rs 9,000 crore, comprising customs duty and GST, has been detected between 2018-19 and 2022-23. The government has recovered Rs 1,629.87 crore from the companies during the period. According to the data, Oppo Mobile India Pvt Ltd has been found evading Rs 5,086 crore in taxes which includes Rs 4,403 crore in customs duty and Rs 683 crore in the form of GST. Vivo has evaded taxes worth Rs 2,923.25 crore comprising Rs 2,875 crore in customs duty and Rs 48.25 crore in GST, according to the written reply by Chandrasekhar. Tax evasion of Rs 851.14 crore has been detected in the case of Xiaomi Technology India Pvt Ltd comprising Rs 682.51 crore in customs duty and Rs 168.63 crore in GST. Chandrasekhar shared that customs duty evasion of Rs 4,389 crore was detected in 2019-20 in the case of Oppo Mobile India Pvt Ltd, out of which Rs 450 crore has been recovered. Vivo India Mobile Pvt Ltd was found to be evading customs duty of Rs 2,217 crore out of which Rs 72 crore has been recovered in 2020-21. In 2019-20, Xiaomi Technology India Pvt Ltd was found to be evading custom duty of Rs 653.02 crore out of which Rs 46 lakh has been recovered. In 2022-23, Vivo Mobile India Pvt Ltd was found evading Rs 658 crore. According to the official data, Lenovo has evaded Rs 42.36 crore GST. Government has been able to recover Rs 1,214.83 crore from Oppo, Rs 168.25 crore from Vivo and Rs 92.8 crore from Xiaomi, as per the official data. The minister was replying to a question on the number of Chinese handset companies which have evaded taxes and made illegal remittances in India. Chandrasekhar said that cumulative turnover of Chinese mobile handset companies in 2021-22 was estimated to be Rs 1.5 lakh crore in India. "The total direct employment generated by them in their manufacturing operations is more than 75,000. They also have sales and operational workforce of around 80,000 workers," the minister said. New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) Within days of launching the portal for refund of deposits in Sahara Group's cooperative societies, Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that five lakh investors have registered on the platform and the process of returning their money has begun. On July 18, the 'CRCS-Sahara Refund Portal' was launched to facilitate return the monies of investors stuck in four cooperative societies of Sahara Group. Earlier, the government said money will be returned to 10 crore investors of the four cooperative societies within 9 months. The announcement followed a Supreme Court order directing the transfer of Rs 5,000 crore from Sahara-Sebi refund account to the Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies (CRCS). Addressing the National Mega Conclave on the launching of Common Services Centre (CSC) services by Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) here, Shah said till now 5 lakh people have registered in the portal and the process of refunding the money to the genuine depositors has started. He said this is a "great example" of the fact that if a government works in a proactive manner even the most complex problems can be solved. The portal has been developed for submission of claims by genuine depositors of Cooperative Societies of Sahara Group -- Sahara Credit Cooperative Society Limited, Saharayan Universal Multipurpose Society Limited, Hamara India Credit Cooperative Society Limited and Stars Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited. Islamabad, July 21 (PTI) Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Friday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet's Economic Coordination (ECC) and approved Rs 42.528 billion (around USD 149 million) for the conduct of upcoming elections in the cash-strapped country, a media report said on Friday. The decision was taken by the finance minister following a request by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) demanding funds for the polls in the current financial year, reported the Business Recorder newspaper. The ECP informed the ECC that according to its constitutional responsibility, it is taking all necessary steps to conduct the next general elections and for this purpose, it has already requested the Finance Division for allocation of the funds. The ECC approved Rs 42.528 billion technical supplementary grant for the ECP for the conduct of general elections in the fiscal year 2023-2024, the report said, adding that Rs 10 billion will be released initially. The ECP has already declared that it was prepared to hold elections on time once the National Assembly completes its term or if the House is dissolved before the end of the term. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the National Assembly would complete its five-year term on August 12 and general elections will be held according to the Constitution. Former prime minister and opposition leader Imran Khan has been demanding early elections ever since he was ousted by the House in April last year. Pakistan, according to the International Monetary Fund, needs another IMF programme and support from other multilateral lenders beyond the coming election cycle and the ongoing USD 3 billion standby arrangement with the Washington-based global lender. Islamabad, Jul 21 (PTI) China has agreed to reschedule over USD 2 billion debt of Pakistan for a period of two years, providing a major relief to the cash-starved government, which is in the process of rebuilding foreign exchange reserves through fresh loans. The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet, chaired by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday, approved the revised terms of the agreement reached between Islamabad and Beijing, according to senior Pakistani officials, the Express Tribune reported. Pakistan has built two nuclear power plants in Karachi that have a combined generation capacity of 2,117 megawatts. The total cost of the plants is USD 9.5 billion, including the USD 6.5 billion financing from China. The loan was extended by the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of China. Of USD 2 billion, over USD 625 million was maturing in this fiscal year that will now be paused. The USD 6.5 billion is a publicly guaranteed debt, and over USD 2 billion repayments were maturing in two years that China has agreed to make a pause on, according to senior officials. The Ministry of Finance did not officially make a statement about the ECCs stamp of endorsement to the revised agreement with China. China has, time and again, helped Pakistan meet its debt obligations through the provision of new loans and the rollover of the existing debt. China prematurely refinanced its USD 1.3 billion commercial loans in June, which helped Pakistan avoid a default on its international debt obligations during the period when the International Monetary Fund program was stalled. After the signing of the new IMF programme, Pakistans gross official foreign exchange reserves have bounced back to USD 8.7 billion up from the critically low level of USD 4.5 billion before the IMF deal. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that China rolled over more than USD 5 billion in loans. Mumbai, Jul 21 (PTI) Hollywood star Anthony Mackie's upcoming series "Twisted Metal" will make its debut on Sony LIV on July 28, the streamer said on Friday. Adapted from popular PlayStation game series of the same title, the show is developed by Michael Jonathan Smith, a press release stated. The show is described as a high-octane action comedy, based on an original take by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the writers known for their work on "Deadpool" franchise. Mackie plays the role of John Doe, a motor-mouthed outsider offered a chance at a better life, but only if he can successfully deliver a mysterious package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland, as per the official description. With the help of a badass axe-wielding car thief, he'll face savage marauders driving vehicles of destruction and other dangers of the open road, including a deranged clown who drives an all too familiar ice cream truck. "Twisted Metal" also stars Stephanie Beatriz, Thomas Haden Church, Will Arnett, Richard Cabral and Samoa Joe. WELLINGTON, July 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese citizen was injured in Thursday's deadly shooting in New Zealand's Auckland, a spokesman for the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland said on Friday. The conditions of the Chinese are stable, the spokesman told Xinhua. The Auckland police Friday afternoon informed the consulate on the injured person, following which, consulate officials went to the hospital to learn about the conditions, said the spokesman. Thursday's shooting left three people, including the gunman, dead and six others injured, including a police officer. Local police previously said on Thursday that no report of Chinese casualty had been reached. Mumbai, Jul 21 (PTI) Filmmaker duo Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK's upcoming web series "Guns & Gulaabs" will premiere on streaming platform on August 18. The upcoming series brings together Rajkummar Rao with Dulquer Salman, Gulshan Devaiah and Adarsh Gourav. The streamer shared the show's release date on its platform. "Coming on 18 August," the tagline read. Inspired by the misfits of the world, Guns & Gulaabs is set in the 90s. It is billed as a story that depicts love and innocence though it is set in a world of crime, as per the official description of the series. Produced under Raj & DKs banner D2R Films, the show also features TJ Bhanu. Guns & Gulaabs marks the first directorial venture of Raj & DK with streamer Netflix. They earlier made shows "The Family Man" and "Farzi" for Prime Video and are currently working on the Indian chapter of "Citadel" for the streamer. Islamabad, Jul 20 (PTI) Pakistans law minister said on Thursday that former premier Imran Khan could be jailed for life if he was found guilty of jeopardising national security by exposing a controversial diplomatic communication commonly known as cypher. Khan used a cable sent by the Pakistan embassy in Washington in March last year to blame the US for orchestrating his ouster from power a month later. Addressing a press conference, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said the minimum punishment for leaking an official secret was two years. But the nature of crime would change if the cypher was made public and its contents were leaked for vested interest then an accused can be sentenced to up to 14 years. Sharing or making public classified documents for vested interest or if it is prejudicial to the national interest than a category for [sentence] is 14 years, he added. Fourteen years' punishment in jail is maximum in Pakistan and is also considered as life imprisonment. Tarar clarified that the cypher, an official classified document, can neither be made public nor shared with anyone, saying that Imran was summoned by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for interrogation on July 25 in this regard. National security was compromised by indiscriminate use of the cypher, as evident from the confessional statement of (former PM's aide) Azam Khan. Chairman PTI used it for his own political motives, he added. Tarar said that Khan revealed the contents of the cypher during one of his political rallies, compromising the countrys national security. The law minister asserted that the cypher was not returned to the concerned authorities, adding that the case against the former premier will be thoroughly investigated on merit. The cypher saga resurfaced after Azam Khan recorded a statement that Khan used it for political purposes. Khan has already been implicated in scores of cases which were launched against him after his downfall in April last year. His party is also under pressure and several senior leaders have left him. Washington, Jul 21 (PTI) As the two largest democracies of the world hits the election cycle ahead of the next year's presidential elections in the US and parliamentary polls in India, politician-turned-diplomat Eric Garcetti believes that the politicians need to focus on leadership and governance and the elections would take care of them. "I love elections, and maybe it's because I've been in many of them. But it's a moment where the people get to prove that they're in control, that it's not the top down, it's the bottom up in our countries; a moment to listen to candidates, hear what they're going to say, and make a decision based on what's in your own best interest," US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti told PTI in an interview. Garcetti is currently in the US for consultations with Biden administration officials, a month after the historic State visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and before the upcoming presidential trip to India for the G20 Summit. Both India and the United States are headed into an election cycle. While the parliamentary elections are scheduled to be held in April-May, the presidential polls in the US are scheduled to hit in January with the primaries. Garcetti, said to be a rising star in the ruling Democratic party, was elected as the Mayor of Los Angeles in 2013 and re-elected in 2017. At 42 years of age, he was elected as the youngest mayor in more than 100 years. In just three and half months since being in New Delhi as America's top diplomat in India, Garcetti has travelled to about a dozen Indian states. His Twitter account shows he loves vibrant Indian culture and cuisines. "I love the vibrancy of the Indian democracy. Democracies are difficult. They're not always perfect, but they're worth fighting for. And my advice to any leader running is don't be a politician, be a leader. Govern and elections take care of themselves," Garcetti told PTI. In response to a question, the Ambassador said Americans are starting to have a better understanding of India. "But beyond loving the food, one in four Americans being treated by an Indian doctor who's immigrated here, I think they're beginning to ask even deeper questions. Tell me more about the culture? The history? Maybe I want to visit as a tourist. Maybe I'd think about studying there, if I'm a university student; invest there, if I have capital," he said. "These things are deepening that relationship beyond the positive kind of surface level feelings that Americans have to really getting to the core of what I hope will be a 50-year friendship that will deepen both our country's experiences," the ambassador said. President Joe Biden, according to the Ambassador, probably has been the most pro-India President that the US has ever had and understands what's at stake. "That this isn't just about good relations. This isn't just about deterring bad actors. This is about raising the potential of our two countries to not be two plus two equals four, but that we could be two times, two times two times two. It's exponential in what we can produce together. "So sometimes it's fear and common challenge that brings us together, whether it's making sure we do risk supply chains, have freedom of navigation, deal with climate change, but it's also good opportunities about how we can raise people out of poverty and empower women, make sure that all people have a sense of belonging in our very diverse countries. "And to me, that's the most exciting place. And I've heard both leaders in their private conversations really engage about values, democracy, rule of law, freedom, and that contrast with parts of the world that don't have those values," Garcetti said. Responding to a question, Garcetti said the Prime Minister was happy with his US visit. "I know he was told by everyone around him, and he expressed it to me too, how happy he was with this visit. I think he understands that America is the place where India and America are together. We can find breakthroughs to cancer and tuberculosis. We can figure out safer ways to protect our countries," he said. "He seems to be just as Joe Biden is the most pro-Indian President we've had; I think he is the most pro-America Prime Minister in many ways. And he balances all the relationships around the world, but he's somebody who understands that there is a special person-to-person relationship between the US and India. And in many ways, he embodies that with Biden," Garcetti said. Garcetti said some people say the US and India can't engage on values, human rights, democracy, "but that's not the case". "I've witnessed that we do, and we will continue to. Maybe it's on trade where we see, India still has the most protectionist measures of any major economy in the world. I see a desire to bring those down in order to have manufacturing and iPhones, maybe Teslas, others come in key American technologies and brands," he said. "I don't see a lot of places of friction and where I've seen friction, what gives me a lot of hope is we're able to resolve them very quickly. No friendship, no relationship, no marriage is always agreeing all the time. But what we do have is the ability to talk to each other frankly and get to a yes or an understanding with each other and move on to the places where we agree," Garcetti said. Responding to a question, Garcetti said human rights and the Ukraine war are areas of difference, but they are also areas of opportunity. "We'll keep expressing our values. We're not going to stop speaking out about the Russian invasion, unprovoked, of Ukraine and pointing out that sovereignty and borders mean something to every country, including India. "Those are values worth fighting for and worth defending. On the flip side, we listen to India. This is not a relationship where America is coming to teach India and India is the student. We both need to be students and teachers to each other. When we have that sort of relationship, I think again, the future is limitless," Garcetti said. Baghdad, Jul 21 (AP) Muslim-majority nations expressed outrage on Friday at the desecration of a copy of the Quran in Sweden. Some prepared for street demonstrations following midday prayers to show their anger. In Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, protesters planned demonstrations after Swedish police permitted a protest Thursday in which an Iraqi Christian living in Stockholm kicked and stood on a Quran, Islam's holy book, outside of the Iraqi Embassy. Hours before that, demonstrators in Baghdad broke into the Swedish Embassy and lit a fire to show their anger at his threats to burn the book. Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani has ordered the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador from Iraq and the withdrawal of the Iraqi charge d'affaires from Sweden. But that may not be enough to calm those angered, and another protest in Baghdad is planned for Friday afternoon. In neighboring Iran, demonstrators also planned to take to the streets. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has written a letter to the United Nations secretary-general over the Quran desecration and has summoned the Swedish ambassador. We consider the Swedish government responsible for the outcome of provocation reactions from the world's Muslims, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said. The man in Stockholm also wiped his feet with a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during his demonstration and did similar to a photo of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, a powerful leader there. Lebanon's Shiite militant group Hezbollah also called for a demonstration Friday afternoon. Khamenei and Iran's theocracy serve as Hezbollah's main sponsor. In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the events in Sweden. He called on the 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to play a historic role in expressing the sentiments of Muslims and stopping this demonisation. Meanwhile, Islamists in his country have been pushing Sharif, who faces an upcoming election, to cut diplomatic ties with Sweden. On Thursday morning, protesters in Baghdad occupied the Swedish Embassy for several hours and set a small fire. The embassy staff had been evacuated a day earlier. After protesters left the embassy, diplomats closed it to visitors without specifying when it would reopen. Prime Minister Sudani said in a statement that Iraqi authorities would prosecute those responsible for starting the fire and referred to an investigation of negligent security officials. Some demonstrators stayed at the site, ignored by police, after the attack. An Associated Press photographer and two Reuters staff members were arrested while covering the protest and released several hours later without charges. This is the second Quran desecration to involve the Iraqi Christian in Sweden, identified as Salwan Momika. Last month, a man identified by local media and on his social media as Momika burned a Quran outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, triggering widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. The right to hold public demonstrations is protected by the constitution in Sweden. Blasphemy laws were abandoned in the 1970s. Police generally give permission based on whether they believe a public gathering can be held without major disruptions or safety risks. For Muslims, the burning of the Quran represents a desecration of their religion's holy text. Quran burnings in the past have sparked protests across the Muslim world, some turning violent. In Afghanistan, the Taliban suspended all the activities of Swedish organizations in the country in response to the recent Quran burning. A similar protest by a far-right activist was held outside Turkey's Embassy earlier this year, complicating Sweden's efforts to persuade Turkey to let it join NATO. In June, protesters who support al-Sadr stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad over that Quran burning. (AP) FZH Islamabad, Jul 21 (PTI) Pakistans top judge on Friday directed that the military court should not begin a trial of those involved in the unprecedented anti-government violence on May 9 without informing the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial gave this direction during the hearing of multiple petitions challenging the military trial of civilians, mostly supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan. A six-member bench, including Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Justice Munib Akhtar, Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Sayyed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Ayesha A. Malik, is hearing the petitions. The case is about the military trial of more than 100 suspects involved in attacks on military installations during a protest by supporters of Khan when he was arrested in an alleged corruption case on May 9. On May 9, violent protests erupted after the arrest of 70-year-old Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, by paramilitary Rangers in Islamabad. His party workers vandalised over 20 military installations and government buildings, including the Lahore Corps Commander House, Mianwali airbase and the ISI building in Faisalabad. The Army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi was also attacked by the mob for the first time. Khan was later released on bail. In May, the federal cabinet approved that those involved in the attacks on military installations on May 9, the "Black Day", following the arrest of former prime minister Khan, would be tried under the stringent Army Act. During the hearing, Chief Justice Bandial countered an argument by advocate Latif Khosa, the counsel for petitioner Aitzaz Ahsan, who equated the existing situation in the country with the reign of former military dictator General Ziaul Haq. You cant compare the present era with the era of Ziaul Haq. This is not Ziaul Haqs era, nor is martial law imposed in the country. Even if a martial law-like situation arises, we will intervene, Bandial said. Chief Justice Badial then directed that the Supreme Court should be informed before military trials of civilians begin. The trial of the accused in military courts should not begin without informing the SC, he said. Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan informed the court that a lot of people were involved in the events of May 9, but after exercising caution, only 102 people were pinpointed for court martial. The government has already stated that the trial of those involved in the attack on the military facilities would be held under military laws, but it has come under criticism by human rights bodies. The controversy landed in the Supreme Court after the petitions were filed against it by eminent people like former chief justice of the apex court Jawwad S. Khawaja, prominent lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan, a leading civil society representative Karamat Ali and former premier Imran Khan. Islamabad, Jul 21 (PTI) Pakistan's President Arif Alvi is likely to continue as the head of state even after his term ends on September 8 as there will be no electoral college in the country to elect a new president in his place. According to the Constitution, a new president will be voted by the electoral college comprising the Senate, the National Assembly and all the provincial assemblies. While the assemblies of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces have already been dissolved, the others are set to be dissolved next month ahead of the general election. Alvi, Pakistan's 13th head of state, will likely continue as there will be no assemblies and no electoral college to elect a new president in his place, the Geo News reported. Alvi, 73, was sworn in on September 9, 2018. His five-year term will end on September 8. Prior to becoming the President, he was a senior member of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. According to Pakistan's Constitution: "Election to the office of President shall be held not earlier than sixty days and not later than thirty days before the expiration of the term of the President in office: Provided that, if the election cannot be held within the period aforesaid because the National Assembly is dissolved, it shall be held within thirty days of the general election to the Assembly." Therefore, the presidential polls have to be held 30 days prior to September 8. "The electoral college, at present, is incomplete because Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies do not exist; therefore, the president cannot be elected," Rashid Chaudhry, the deputy director of programmes at the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN), told Geo News. Meanwhile, Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister on Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Kunwar Dilshad, said that the election for the president will take place once the electoral college is complete. According to the Constitution, the president shall continue to hold office even after his term expires until a new president is elected and assumes office. Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency President Ahmad Bilal Mehboob said that the head of state would continue to perform his duties even after his term has ended unless a forerunner replaces them. Therefore, according to the Constitution, President Alvi will stay in office until the arrival of the new president. Pakistans major ruling coalition partners have reportedly 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. 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, media reports said. The provincial assembly in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was dissolved on January 18 after the Governor, Haji Ghulam Ali, accepted the request for dissolution by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, who is a leader of former prime mnister Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The move came just days after the assembly in the countrys most populous province, Punjab, was dissolved following an order by Khan, the head of PTI. Like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab too was ruled by Khan's party. The dissolution of the two provincial assemblies was seen as a bid by Khan to push for early national elections. The former prime minister has been demanding immediate polls ever since his ouster in April 2022. Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence vote, becoming the first premier in the countrys history to be sent home after losing the trust of the House. New York, Jul 21 (AP) Donald Trump's company and his former longtime lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen have settled a lawsuit over Cohen's claims that he was unfairly stuck with big legal bills after getting entangled in investigations into the former president. Lawyers for the two sides told the judge they had reached a settlement during a video conference Friday in Manhattan, just as Cohen's 2019 lawsuit was slated to go to trial Monday in a state court. Details of the agreement were not made public. Cohen said Friday the matter "has been resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties. Messages seeking comment were left with lawyers for Trump's company, the Trump Organisation. Cohen claimed in his lawsuit that the Trump Organisation had promised to pay his legal expenses and did so for a time, footing more than USD 1.7 million in legal fees. But, Cohen said, the company reneged after he began cooperating with federal prosecutors in their investigations related to Trump's business dealings in Russia and attempts to silence women with embarrassing stories about his personal life. Cohen's lawyers stopped representing him after the company stopped paying. His lawsuit said that harmed his ability to respond to the federal investigations. In court papers, the Trump Organisation has disputed that it made certain promises and has said it satisfied any obligations it did have. The company also has argued that Cohen's involvement in the federal investigations wasn't an outgrowth of his former job but rather a personal decision to try to reduce his own criminal legal exposure as an indictment loomed. Jury selection in the case began Monday, with a trial slated to start next week. Among the prospective jurors, more than half said they had strong opinions about Trump, the front-runner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary. Several said their feelings toward him were intense enough that they would not be able to fairly evaluate evidence. While the former president would not have been a witness in the trial, his son Donald Trump Jr. was expected to testify. Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to multiple charges, admitting that he lied to Congress, violated campaign finance laws through excessive political contributions, lied to multiple banks to obtain financing and evaded income taxes by failing to report more than USD 4 million in income. He was sentenced to three years in prison, although he served nearly two-thirds of it at home, released after the COVID-19 outbreak overwhelmed the nation's prisons. He then became a key witness in the New York grand jury proceeding that led to Trump's April indictment on charges of falsifying Trump Organisation records to protect Trump's 2016 candidacy by suppressing claims that he had had extramarital sexual encounters. Trump denied those encounters, and he pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges. He cast the case as a Democratic district attorney's attempt to blunt his ongoing campaign to return to the White House in 2025. Trump has now sued Cohen, accusing him of violating a company confidentiality agreement, breaching ethical standards for lawyers and maliciously spreading falsehoods about Trump. A Cohen spokesman, attorney Lanny Davis, responded that Trump was abusing the legal system to harass Cohen. (AP) GRS GRS Johannesburg, Jul 20 (PTI) Union Minister of External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi on Thursday led a yoga session here ahead of her meeting with her counterparts from BRICS nations in Mpumalanga province of South Africa. Lekhi will join the host, South African Minister Zizi Kodwa of Sport, Arts, and Culture; Margareth Menezes, Minister of Culture of the Federative Republic of Brazil; Andrei Malyshev, Deputy Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation and LI Qun, Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Peoples Republic of China. The cultural ministers will discuss the importance of cultural diplomacy and the potential of cultural industries in driving economic revival and fostering social cohesion in a post-pandemic world. Organisers said the primary agenda of the session includes in-depth deliberations on initiatives to support the cultural and creative sectors, the exchange of best practices, and the promotion of cultural diversity. Ministers will share insights on their respective nations experiences in navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic and outline strategies to build a resilient cultural ecosystem. An essential highlight of the session will be the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in the Field of Culture. This MOU will serve as a foundation for future collaboration and will further solidify cultural partnerships among the BRICS nations. It is expected to provide a framework for joint initiatives, including cultural exchanges, capacity building, and creative collaborations. At the yoga session, Lekhi reminded the yogis gathered that one of the first resolutions that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to the UN was for the International Day of Yoga to be declared on June 21 each year. We have such an ancient connection with South Africa. Our struggles have been together. No matter how things change, we still feel very closely connected to the value system and the emotional connection between India and South Africa is very strong. Yoga in Sanskrit or Hindi means add, so when you do yoga, you add to your own strength, both physical and emotional strength. Yoga is therefore not just a physical exercise. Yoga is for connection between the human body, mind and soul. This nexus leads to more positivity, Lekhi said. Yoga expert Maya Bhatt then guided the yogis in some exercises as Lekhi and Consul General Mahesh Kumar joined them on the floor of the Shree Radhe Shyam Mandir Hall in the suburb of Marlboro in Johannesburg. Washington, Jul 20 (AP) The US on Thursday imposed sanctions on roughly 120 firms and people from Russia to the United Arab Emirates to Kyrgyzstan in an effort to choke off Moscow's access to products, money and financial channels that support its invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions imposed by the Treasury and State departments target dozens of Russian mining, technology and munitions firms and commercial banks. In addition, a group of Kyrgyzstan-based electronics firms and its leadership were targeted as exporters of components and other technology to Russia. A UAE-based engineering company that sent dozens of shipments of electronics to Russia was also sanctioned. The latest sanctions build on those imposed on Russia when the US and other Group of Seven nations rolled out a wave of global actions during a Japan summit in May. Since Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States, working with our allies and partners, has taken unprecedented steps to impose costs on Russia and promote accountability for the individuals and entities who support its illegal war, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. We will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, he said. After the invasion's one-year anniversary in February, US officials said Russia's metals and mining sector would be a focus of future sanctions actions, as well as reducing Russia's energy revenues through the imposition of a price cap on Russian oil. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said on Thursday's actions represent another step in our efforts to constrain Russia's military capabilities, its access to battlefield supplies, and its economic bottom line. As long as Russia continues to wage its unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine, we will impose sanctions to deprive Russia of the technology it needs and disrupt the Russian arms industry's ability to resupply," Adeyemo said in a statement. (AP) RUP RUP Raipur, Jul 21 (PTI) A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in the Chhattisgarh Assembly on Friday said prescribed measures to curb illegal mining activities were not complied with in the state. The CAG report on 'performance audit of mining of minor minerals with emphasis on illegal mining operations' also stated that the cases of illegal excavation, transportation and storage of minerals increased from 3,756in 2015-16 to 5,410 in 2020-21. The report, which was tabled by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, said the state's mining department should ensure regular inspection of mines as per prescribed norms by ensuring adequate manpower and maintenance of proper inspection records. Chhattisgarh is a leading producer of major minerals such as coal, iron ore and dolomite and has considerable reserves of bauxite, limestone and quartzite, the report said. There are 37 types of minor minerals found in the state, and as on April 1, 2021, a total 1,957 minor mineral quarry leases were sanctioned, the CAG report informed. The royalty received by the state government from minor minerals between 2015-16 and 2020-21 was Rs 1,438.67 crore, which was 4.70 percent of the total revenue receipts of Rs 30,606.89 crore from mining, it said. The report said audit had observed that the existing control measures prescribed by the mining department to curb illegal mining activities were not being complied with. "There was absence of comprehensive database of quarry leases. Boundary pillars/boundary marks to indicate the demarcation of the quarry lease area were missing. This had resulted in non-identification of quarrying activities beyond the sanctioned lease areas," the report said. "The number of check posts established to curb illegal transportation of minerals was found inadequate, while the established check posts were not equipped with the facility of weighbridges," it added. The number of new registered cases of illegal excavation, transportation and storage of minerals increased from 3,756 in 2015-16 to 5,410 cases in 2020-21, the report said quoting data from the state department's administrative reports. The audit noticed that in 1,651 cases of illegal extraction and 13,049 cases of illegal transportation between 2015-16 and 2020-21 (upto June 2020) penalties amounting to Rs 23.27 crore were levied. In this regard, it was observed that in 792 cases of illegal extraction and 2,744 cases of illegal transportation, the amount of penalties were not levied as per the prevailing rules, which resulted in short levy of penalty amounting to Rs 10.51 crore between 2015-16 and June 2020, it said. "The department did not implement e-permit system and Global Positioning System based vehicle tracking system to control illegal transportation of minor minerals. There was delay in implementation of Mining Surveillance System for minor minerals and the department did not consider use of other modern technologies such as Geographic Information System (GIS) and drone survey to identify and curb illegal mining activities," the CAG report pointed out. The audit analysis of selected 202 quarry leases using Google Earth Pro software revealed mining activities in areas other than sanctioned leases (in 15 cases) and pits extending in the adjacent area of sanctioned lease (in 8 cases), the report said. It was also observed that no plantation was carried out (in 40 cases) around the lease area as per the conditions of Environment Clearance (EC) and quarry plans, the report added. "With the help of drone survey through technical consultant, the audit detected illegal excavation of murrum at unauthorised sites as well as illegal quarrying of sand and limestone outside the sanctioned lease area. These resulted in loss of royalty amounting to Rs 2.67 crore to the government," the report said. Monitoring of sand mining was found to be deficient and the department failed to check the evasion of royalty and non-compliance to environment clearance conditions, said the report. The government should adopt sustainable sand mining practices and issue instructions for regular monitoring of sand mining activities to ensure effective compliance of environment clearance (EC) conditions and governing rules, the report said. SHANGHAI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The second CMG Forum on Thursday opened in Shanghai, gathering representatives of international organizations, media institutions, think tanks and multinational companies to share their views on modernization. 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, attended the event's opening ceremony via video link and delivered a keynote speech. The forum, with a theme of "Opening up, Inclusiveness, Mutual Benefit: Join Hands on the Path Towards Modernization," is co-hosted by the China Media Group (CMG) and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government. More than 230 people joined the event either online or offline. Participants agreed that Chinese modernization offers new opportunities for global development, and contributes Chinese approaches to the construction of a community with a shared future for humanity. They noted that global media should shoulder due responsibilities and strengthen cooperation to promote people-to-people ties and mutual learning among civilizations. Itanagar, Jul 21 (PTI) The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) on Friday expressed anguish over the May 4 incident in violence-hit Manipur in which two women were paraded naked by a mob. APSCW said it was an insult to all women, and demanded capital punishment for those behind the heinous crime. The Arunachal Pradesh Women Welfare Society (APWWS) also condemned the incident, a video of which went viral on social media, triggering a furore. In a letter to the National Commission of Women (NCW), it said the incident reflected a grave failure of the state government's machinery as such a heinous act was allowed to happen in broad daylight. "We are appalled by the lack of swift action against the perpetrators and this raises serious doubts about the safety and security of women in the region. The current scenario in Manipur has left us saddened, especially as women have borne the brunt of these atrocities. The people of Manipur are understandably anguished and we join them in their sorrow during this troubling time," the letter said. Raipur, Jul 21 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate on Friday conducted searches against some IAS officers and a Congress politician in Chhattisgarh as part of a money laundering investigation, official sources said. The premises linked to Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Ranu Sahu, some other bureaucrats and Chhattisgarh Congress leader and PCC treasurer Ramgopal Agarwal were being raided, they said. Visuals showed central paramilitary personnel outside the residences of IAS officer Sahu and Agrawal in Raipur and Korba Municipal Corporation Commissioner Prabhakar Pandey in Korba. The action is being undertaken after the federal agency registered a fresh case under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. While the exact case in which the raids were being conducted was not known, sources said it could be linked to an alleged rice scam. The agency has been probing an alleged coal levy and liquor scam in the state in which it has arrested some prominent bureaucrats, including IAS officers, apart from politicians and those linked to them. On July 18, the Supreme Court asked the agency to "stay their hand in all manner" in the alleged Rs 2,000 crore liquor scam linked money laundering case in Chhattisgarh. New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) Home Minister Amit Shah will launch the Tamil Nadu BJP's "En Mann, En Makka" (my land, my people) yatra on July 28 in Rameshwaram as the party looks to strengthen its presence in the dravidian state in the run up to the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. BJP national general secretary C T Ravi, who is in charge of the party's affairs for the state, said the yatra will be organised in five stages and traverse through Tamil Nadu before concluding in Chennai in the second week of January. "I believe this yatra could be a game-changer. The BJP's popularity has been rising and there is a lot of anti-incumbency anger against the DMK government," Ravi told PTI, criticising M K Stalin-led dispensation over issues like corruption and poor law and order situation. Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai will lead the "padyatra", seeking to revive the party's fortunes in a state where its ambition to emerge as a big player has remained unfulfilled amid a rise in its its strength under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in several other states, like West Bengal, Odisha and Telangana, where it was traditionally weak. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will win more seats than the DMK-led opposition in the Lok Sabha polls, Ravi said. The BJP is in alliance with the AIADMK and some other parties in the state. There is a view in the party that Annamalai with his aggression and vocal stand on a host of issues has been able to create a buzz in the state despite its inherent organisational weaknesses there. Tamil Nadu has 39 Lok Sabha seats. The DMK-led alliance had swept the elections in 2019. Uttarkashi (U'khand), Jul 21 (PTI) Uttarakhand Minister Premchand Agarwal met with intense protests on Friday when he came here to review the disaster work. Aggarwal, the minister in-charge of Uttarkashi district, was shown black flags by Congress party workers as his delegation came out from the Nehru Mountaineering Institute after the review meeting. Congress workers raised slogans against the minister for slow progress in last year's Ankita Bhandari murder case. As the sloganeering became intense, the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, who were part of the minister's convoy, had to come out of their cars to convince the agitators. The minister was not spared denunciation even by the rural women who were waiting on a road with their complaints, but the minister's cavalcade sped ahead without stopping. Enraged, the women raised slogans against Agarwal. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had recently directed his cabinet colleagues to visit districts under their charge to take stock of relief operations. Jaipur, Jul 20 (PTI) Police here have filed two FIRs in connection with ransacking of a hotel and a scuffle there, booking a state cabinet minister's nephew in one of them, an officer said on Thursday. The other FIR was filed at the complaint of Harshdeep Singh, a nephew of cabinet minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawa, they said. Khachariyawas told reporters that his nephew had not indulged in any scuffle. Videos of the incident showed up on social media Thursday. According to police, the incident happened at County Inn hotel in Vaishali Nagar here on Wednesday night when Singh along with a few others got into an altercation with hotel guests and staff over a petty issue. "A cross FIR has been registered in the matter. Hotel property was vandalised by the accused Harshdeep Singh and others. The matter is being investigated," Vaishali Nagar SHO Shiv Narayan said. Hotel owner Abhimanyu Singh in a video said Harshdeep Singh misbehaved and vandalised hotel property and now pressure is being mounted to compromise. Defending his nephew, Khachariyawas said truth will come out in police investigation. New Delhi, Jul 21 (PTI) The Delhi High Court on Friday set aside an order which had directed lodging of an FIR against VHP leader Alok Kumar in a case of alleged hate of 2019, saying no evidence of communal disharmony had come on record. The high court quashed the February 2020 order of a magisterial court which had directed that the FIR be lodged on the basis of a complaint and application filed under Section 156(3) CrPC against Kumar by activist Harsh Mander. It said continuation of criminal proceedings against the petitioner would result in abuse of process of law and miscarriage of justice and that FIR in such cases may rather ignite communal harmony among people. "The magisterial courts have to remain vigilant and conscious that in cases such as present one, directing registration of FIR without going through the facts of the case and the report filed by the police may rather ignite communal disharmony among the residents of concerned area as no disharmony or communal riots had taken place despite the incident of vandalism of idols of Hindu gods and goddesses...," Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said, in a 73-page judgement. The court noted that in 2019, the matter had been resolved amicably between the members of two communities and a separate case of vandalism already stood registered and accused persons were under trial. It noted that the members of one community, who were allegedly the target of purported hate speech, had collectively requested the police officials not to pay heed to any frivolous or malicious complaint filed regarding any alleged hate speech or danger of riots, as both the communities were living in perfect harmony within the same locality. Kumar had sought to quash the trial court's direction to lodge an FIR against him, saying the complaint was purely malicious and motivated, questioning his patriotism and injuring his reputation without any reason. The grievance of Mander relates to an incident of July 9, 2019 when a public meeting was organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad at Lal Kuan, Hauz Qazi here, where one 'swami' from Kashi had delivered a speech, alleged to be provocative. Mander filed a complaint with the police alleging that the remarks made by the unknown swami in his speech were prima facie designed to provoke riots, promote enmity and ill-will between communities and were prejudicial to national integration. He later filed an application before the trial court seeking lodging of FIR against the swami and Kumar on the ground that he was the international working president of VHP which had organised the public meeting. The high court said even if it is presumed that the meeting had been organised by the petitioner, which is not even alleged by the complainant, it could not have been held that it amounted to commission of an illegal act simply because one of the participants delivered an alleged hate speech during a public meeting. It said Mander had not levelled any allegation against the petitioner in the complaint which he submitted with the police officials and the single line averred against Kumar does not constitute any offence against him. "The records of the case reveal that the present case is not a case of lack of sufficient evidence against the petitioner, but rather a case with no incriminating material whatsoever against him," it said. The high court noted that the allegations levelled by Mander pertain to an alleged hate speech delivered by the swami and as there is no concept of vicarious liability in criminal law, initiating criminal proceedings against the petitioner would undoubtedly constitute an abuse of the legal process. It said the magistrate's order reflects lack of application of judicial mind and absence of reasons brings into question the propriety of an order being not based on judicial precedents and material on record for its conclusion. "The courts should embrace the method of passing a reasoned order based on judicial precedents and law as well as the material placed before it, which is reflected in its order or judgments. "Through such reasoned orders, the courts can order for registration of FIR against persons who cross criminal boundaries without lawful justification, or conversely, reject such applications where it seems that the accused or proposed accused can be a possible victim of abuse of process of law by initiation of criminal proceedings," the high court said. It added that a person cannot be made to face criminal trial for the criminal acts he has not committed. "Undoubtedly, inflammatory speeches will attract criminal provisions of law and such sensitive matters need to be dealt with carefully so that an order of the court does not end up in creating divide rather than unite the people," it said. The high court said it was constrained to observe that the magisterial power may be "unlimited" but it is "not unfettered" and should be used not only with utmost caution and vigilance, but also with circumspection after carefully going through the contents of the complaint and the action taken report of the police. It observed that there is no place for hatred or communal disharmony in a civilised society and in a country like India, all the communities have always respected each other and have lived a harmonious life. "There is neither any place for hate speeches by any community against any person or place, nor there is any place for vandalism of idols or religious places of any community. At the same time, the right of every person to be protected from malicious prosecution also has to be guarded and it is to be ensured that FIRs be not directed to be registered in absence of any material on record, in casual and trivial manner without recording satisfaction about commission of cognisable offence...," Justice Sharma said. The court said disturbing communal harmony, national integrity and promoting enmity between different groups are serious charges against any person, whose patriotism and credentials as a well meaning citizen of the country are questioned by registration of an FIR. "This court also notes that non-discrimination is the hallmark of the judiciary, and courts have never taken issues concerning communal peace lightly since tolerance of cultural and religious values of different communities are key to the success of nation building," it observed. Shimla, Jul 21 (PTI) Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday advocated for financial assistance on a different pattern for Himachal Pradesh and other hill states affected by natural calamities, considering their geographical conditions and high cost of construction. Sukhu held a meeting with an eight-member central team led by financial advisor, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ravneesh Kumar, which visited Himachal Pradesh to assess the damage caused by heavy rains and flash floods in the state. Himachal Pradesh should also get adequate financial succour on the analogy of the assistance provided by the central government to Uttarakhand during the natural disaster in Kedarnath in June 2013, the chief minister said. He also sought immediate assistance from the Centre for the losses the state suffered due to flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains, an official statement said. Roads, power and the water supply schemes suffered extensive damage and it will take enough time to restore them permanently, Sukhu said. The Himachal Pradesh government has also written a letter to the central government for interim relief, the statement said. A 51-year-old Connecticut man who was exonerated after serving 28 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a baby in 1994 has filed a lawsuit against the city of New Haven and six now-former police officers involved in his arrest BEIRUT, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon on Friday condemned an attack on Quran in Stockholm, saying "it constitutes a continuous violation of Muslims' feelings and dignity." A statement released by Lebanon's Foreign Ministry called on Swedish authorities to take appropriate measures to end all acts that deepen feelings of hatred, Islamophobia and racism, incite violence, and insult religions. The ministry's statement comes in response to the incident on Thursday in Sweden's capital Stockholm, in which one of the protesters trampled on the Quran. The ministry also condemned the burning of the Iraqi flag during a demonstration in Stockholm, calling for the perpetrators to be held accountable without hesitation. The ministry said it welcomes any international effort to enact legislation prohibiting insulting religious symbols and sanctities. On Friday, the Lebanese army was deployed at the entrances of the Swedish Embassy in Beirut, and tightened security procedures around the Swedish ambassador's residence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday vowed to press ahead with his contentious judicial overhaul, despite unprecedented mass protests at home, growing defections by military reservists and appeals from the U.S. president to put the plan on hold. Netanyahus message, delivered in a prime time address on national television, set the stage for stepped-up street protests in the coming days leading up to a fateful vote expected Monday. Thousands of people marched through central Tel Aviv on Thursday night, while others continued a roughly 45 mile march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Netanyahu was at times conciliatory during his address, saying he understands the differences of opinion that have bitterly divided the country and offering to seek a compromise with his political opponents. But he was also defiant, saying his opponents were bent on toppling him and lashing out at the scores of military reservists who say they will stop reporting for duty if the plan is passed. Some have already quit. The refusal to serve threatens the security of every citizen of Israel, he said. The Knesset is expected to vote Monday on a bill that would curtail the Supreme Courts oversight powers by limiting its ability to strike down decisions it deems unreasonable. The reasonability standard is, in theory, meant as a safeguard to protect against corruption and improper appointments of unqualified people. The bill is one of several keystone pieces of the Netanyahu governments judicial overhaul plan. Netanyahu and his allies say the plan is needed to curb excessive powers of unelected judges. Critics say the legislation will concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his allies and undermine the countrys system of checks and balance. They also say Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, has a conflict of interest. The proposal has bitterly divided the Israeli public and attracted appeals from U.S. President Joe Biden for Netanyahu to slow down and forge a broad national consensus before passing any legislation. After Netanyahus speech, opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Netanyahu to defy his coalition allies and halt the legislation. This extremist group has no mandate to turn Israel into a messianic and non-democratic state, Lapid said. The Netanyahu government is waging a war of attrition against the citizens of Israel. Perhaps the biggest threat to the plan are growing calls by military reservists who say they will stop reporting for duty in key units. They include fighter pilots, commandos and cyberwar officers. Israeli leaders and military commanders have expressed growing alarm, saying the refusals to serve could hurt the countrys security. Reservists, whose service is voluntary, make up the backbone of Israels military. On Thursday, the former head of Israels Shin Bet internal security agency, Nadav Argaman, voiced support for the reservists. We need to stop this legislation by any means, he told the Army Radio station, saying the reservists are very concerned and fearful for the security of the state of Israel. Argaman was appointed head of the Shin Bet by Netanyahu in 2016 and stepped down in 2021. Netanyahu said the refusals to serve undermined Israels democratic institutions, in which the army is subordinate to the government and not the other way around. If they succeed in carrying out their threats, that is a blow to democracy, he said. Tens of thousands of Israelis have joined mass protests against the overhaul since it was proposed in January, and business leaders have said that a weaker judiciary will drive international investors away. In Tel Aviv, movement leaders staged a night of resistance, marching through the citys streets, beating drums and blaring horns. Police used water cannons to clear protesters from a major highway. The movement has also begun to shift its focus from Tel Aviv, where weekly demonstrations draw tens of thousands, to Jerusalem, where the parliament is set to vote next week. Hundreds of protesters packed up rows of small white tents and continued a march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, where they plan to camp outside parliament ahead of the vote. Protesters flocked outside the home of the chairman of the Histadrut, Israels national labor union. The Histadrut ordered a strike in March, leading Netanyahu to freeze the overhaul. Netanyahu revived the plan last month after talks seeking compromise with opposition lawmakers failed. But the union has yet to authorize another strike. After Netanyahus statement, movement leaders vowed further escalation. We call on all those who care about Israels future as a democracy to take to the streets, said Josh Drill, a protest spokesman. Presidents of major Israeli universities said they would hold a strike Sunday to protest the bill. Doctors held a two-hour warning strike Wednesday to protest the overhaul, which they said would wreak havoc on the healthcare system by granting politicians greater control over public health. They vowed more severe measures if the bill is voted through. The judicial overhaul plan was announced shortly after Netanyahu took office as prime minister following Novembers parliamentary elections. It was Israels fifth election in under four years, with all of the votes serving as a referendum on his leadership while facing legal charges. Critics say removing the reasonability standard would allow the government to appoint unqualified cronies to important positions without oversight. They also say that it could clear the way for Netanyahu to fire the current attorney general seen by supporters as a bulwark against the overhaul plan or appoint legal officials who could ease his way out of the corruption charges he is facing in an ongoing trial. (YWN/AP) Russia pounded Ukraines southern cities with drones and missiles for a third consecutive night Thursday, keeping Odesa in the Kremlins crosshairs after a bitter dispute over the end of a wartime deal that allowed Ukraine to send grain through the key Black Sea port. The strikes killed at least two people in Odesa. In Mykolaiv, a city close to the Black Sea, at least 19 people were injured, including a child, Ukrainian officials said. Russia has targeted Ukrainian critical grain export infrastructure since it vowed retribution this week for an attack that damaged a crucial bridge between Russia and the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula. Russian officials blamed that strike on Ukrainian drone boats. The strikes on Ukraines grain export infrastructure have helped drive up food prices in countries facing hunger. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the end of the deal Monday would result in more human suffering, with potentially millions of people affected. The grain deal provided guaranteed that ships would not be attacked entering and leaving Ukrainian ports, while a separate agreement facilitated the movement of Russian food and fertilizer. The Russian military on Thursday described its strikes on Odesa, a city whose downtown area is described by the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO as possessing outstanding universal value, as retaliatory. In January, UNESCO added Odesas historic center to its list of endangered World Heritage Sites, with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay saying the legendary port that has left its mark in cinema, literature and the arts. Despite multiple Russian artillery attacks and airstrikes during the war that began in February 2022, Odesa had not previously been subjected to the heavy barrages that have targeted other towns and cities in Ukraines south and east. Odesa residents reeled from Russias sudden focus on their city. I remember the attack on the port last year, but now it feels like it was only 5% compared to what the Russians have launched at us during these past three days, Oleksandr Kolodin, a 29-year-old photographer, told The Associated Press. Some feared that Russias decision to tear up the grain deal would make Odesa a long-term primary target. We saw how they could attack Kyiv for an entire month, said 29-year-old programmer Victor, referring to the intense bombardment of the Ukrainian capital in May. He asked to use only his first name out of concern for his safety. The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that it targeted production shops and storage sites for unmanned boats in Odesa and the nearby city of Chornomorsk. In the Mykolaiv area, the Russian military claimed to have destroyed Ukraines fuel infrastructure facilities and ammunition depots. Neither sides claims could be independently verified. The previous night, an intense Russian bombardment using drones and missiles damaged critical port infrastructure in Odesa, including grain and oil terminals. The attack destroyed at least 60,000 tons of grain. In what appeared to be a tit-for-tat move, Ukraines Defense Ministry announced that as of Friday, all vessels in the Black Sea heading to Russian ports may be considered by Ukraine as such carrying military cargo with all the associated risks. That may result in higher insurance costs for those ships. Russias Defense Ministry said earlier this week that Moscow had formally declared wide areas of the Black Sea dangerous for shipping and warned that it would view any incoming ship as laden with weapons, effectively announcing a sea blockade. Despite the risks, ship owners havent shown any less interest so far in carrying Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, according to John Stawpert, senior manager of environment and trade for the International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 80% of the worlds commercial fleet. The European Unions foreign affairs chief condemned Russias targeting of grain storage facilities. More than 60,000 tons of grain has been burned, Josep Borrell said in Brussels on Thursday, regarding Moscows recent tactics. So not only they withdraw from the grain agreement but they are burning the grain. German Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock said at the same meeting that the EU is involved in international efforts to get Ukrainian grain to the world market. The fact that the Russian president has canceled the grain agreement and is now bombing the port of Odesa is not only another attack on Ukraine, but an attack on the people, on the poorest people in the world, she said. Hundreds of thousands of people, not to say millions, urgently need grain from Ukraine. The White House warned Wednesday that Russia was preparing possible attacks on civilian shipping vessels in the Black Sea. The warning could alarm shippers and further drive up grain prices. Russia has 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 statement said. Carlos Mera, head of agricultural commodities markets at Rabobank, said wheat prices have risen about 17% over the last week, calling it a surprising rise that started even before the grain deal ended Monday and attributing it to a little bit of panic. A lot of the wheat exported from Ukraine goes to very poor countries, such as those in North Africa, he said. People in those places are already struggling with food insecurity and high local food prices. Russia, meanwhile, has been exporting record amounts of wheat in recent months despite complaints that its agricultural exports have been hindered. There is a vast list of underdeveloped countries that depend on Ukrainian and Russian wheat, Mera said. And with prices going up, people will have to pay more for that wheat, which means more expensive bread in those countries. Russia has blasted Ukrainian towns and cities since the start of the war. Ukraines Western allies have helped upgrade its air defense systems. The latest military aid package from the United States, announced by the Pentagon on Wednesday, includes funding for four National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems, or NASAMS, and munitions for them. (AP) Google is reportedly conducting tests on an innovative product that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) technology to generate news stories. According to three individuals familiar with the matter, the tech giant has pitched the tool, tentatively named Genesis, to prominent news organizations, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and News Corp, the owner of The Wall Street Journal. The insiders, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that Genesis has the ability to process information, such as current events, and produce news copy. One of the sources shared that Google envisions Genesis as a personal assistant for journalists, automating certain tasks and allowing more time for other activities. The company believes this responsible technology can help steer the publishing industry away from the potential pitfalls of generative AI. However, some executives who witnessed Googles pitch expressed unease, preferring not to disclose their identity due to the sensitive nature of the topic. Two individuals stated that the presentation appeared to underestimate the effort required to produce accurate and artful news stories. When approached for comment, a Google spokeswoman did not respond immediately, while both The New York Times and The Washington Post declined to comment on the matter. News Corp, acknowledging its solid relationship with Google, expressed appreciation for the long-term commitment to journalism demonstrated by Sundar Pichai, Googles CEO. Jeff Jarvis, a journalism professor and media commentator, weighed in on Googles new tool, highlighting both the potential benefits and drawbacks. Jarvis, who serves as the director of the Tow-Knight Center for Entrepreneurial Journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York, stated that if the technology can reliably deliver factual information, journalists should consider using the tool. However, he warned that misuse by journalists and news organizations on nuanced and culturally sensitive topics could harm not only the tools credibility but also the reputation of the organizations utilizing it. News organizations worldwide are currently grappling with the decision of whether to incorporate AI tools into their newsrooms. Several organizations, including The New York Times, NPR, and Insider, have informed their employees about their intentions to explore the responsible application of AI in the fast-paced and accuracy-focused realm of news. Googles latest tool is expected to raise concerns among journalists who have been crafting their own articles for centuries. While some news outlets, like The Associated Press, have already been using AI to generate stories, particularly on subjects such as corporate earnings reports, AI-generated articles remain a small fraction compared to those produced by human journalists. The introduction of AI on a larger scale has the potential to spread misinformation and influence public perception if not carefully edited and fact-checked. While Google has been swiftly advancing in the development and deployment of generative AI, this technology has presented certain challenges for the advertising powerhouse. Traditionally, Google curated information and directed users to publishers websites for more in-depth reading. However, tools like its chatbot, Bard, have made factual assertions that are occasionally incorrect and fail to direct users to authoritative sources, including news publishers. Governments worldwide have urged Google to allocate a larger share of its advertising revenue to news outlets. Following the Australian governments attempt to compel negotiations between Google and publishers over payments in 2021, the company established additional partnerships with news organizations under its News Showcase program. Publishers and content creators have already criticized Google and other major AI companies for utilizing decades of their articles and posts to train AI systems without providing compensation. News organizations such as NBC News and The New York Times have taken a firm stance against AIs unauthorized use of their data. (AP) New York City, facing an overwhelming influx of migrants, has announced plans to distribute fliers at the southern border to caution potential arrivals that there is no guarantee they will receive sufficient help if they come to the city. The decision was disclosed by Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday, who emphasized that the citys capacity to accommodate migrants has reached its limit after taking in approximately 90,000 migrants since April of the previous year. Mayor Adams, a Democrat who previously declared NYC a sanctuary city, stated, We have no more room, underscoring the challenges that Americas largest city is grappling with due to the ongoing surge in migrant arrivals. He pointed out that Republican-led states have been transporting migrants to Democratic-run areas as a form of protest against border policies. The fliers, in both English and Spanish, urge migrants to consider settling in another city within the United States. They highlight the high cost of living in New York City, including expenses related to food, transportation, and other necessities. The fliers also explicitly state that the city cannot guarantee housing and other social services for new arrivals. With its population of 8.3 million people, New York City has reached its capacity to accommodate additional migrants. As part of the citys plan to manage the situation, Mayor Adams announced that single adult migrants will be allowed to stay in the citys shelters for only 60 days, and they will need to reapply for a space after that period. The city aims to assist migrants in finding housing with relatives and friends. During a news conference, Mayor Adams criticized the federal and state governments for not providing adequate aid to support the citys efforts in offering housing and social services for new arrivals. He asserted that the city cannot continue to absorb tens of thousands of newcomers without external assistance. However, critics of Mayor Adams new plan argue that it infringes on the citys right-to-shelter rules, which guarantee temporary housing for those in need. The American Civil Liberties Union of New York has condemned the plan as cruel and unlawful, stating that it contradicts the compassionate values held by New Yorkers. In recent months, Mayor Adams has implemented various measures to limit the influx of new migrants. In May, he announced the intention to send willing migrants to nearby counties outside the city, which sparked backlash from some local officials in New York. Meanwhile, Republican-led states have been using buses to transport migrants to Democratic-run jurisdictions, focusing on so-called sanctuary cities that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The move is intended to increase pressure on President Joe Biden to take further action to reduce the number of migrants crossing the southern US border. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) What will North Korea do about the first U.S. soldier in decades to flee into its territory? Its official media have yet to mention Pvt. Travis King, theres little precedent for his situation and guesses about the countrys next steps vary widely. Unauthorized crossings across the Koreas heavily fortified border are extremely rare. The few Americans who crossed into North Korea in the past include soldiers, missionaries, human rights advocates or those simply curious about one of the worlds most cloistered societies. North Korea has used a varied playbook in its handlings of them. Defecting soldiers, like Charles Jenkins or James Dresnok in the 1960s, were treated as propaganda assets, showcased in leaflets and films spewing anti-U.S. hatred and praising the Norths regime. Other Americans were detained, criticized and handed harsh penalties based on confessions of anti-state activities they later said were coerced. Behind-the-scenes pleas and lengthy backdoor negotiations followed, and the detainee was freed, often flown home with a high-profile U.S. official who traveled to Pyongyang to secure the release. None of the previous cases, however, seems relevant as a forecast for King. The length of his stay will likely depend on whether North Koreans find a way to spin his story for their own propaganda, said Jenny Town, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington and director of the North Korea-focused 38 North website. Its unclear whether the North Korea of today would treat King similarly to how it did Jenkins and Dresnok, whose crossings were six decades ago. And King might be less ideal as propaganda material. Jenkins walked into North Korea in 1965 to avoid combat duty in Vietnam, making it easier for Pyongyang to paint him as a disillusioned U.S. solider who escaped evil imperialists and chose to live in North Koreas socialist paradise. Theres a big difference with King, who had legal problems and faced disciplinary action and a possible discharge before he bolted into North Korea. If they decide that hes not a good story, they may just return him so that this doesnt exacerbate already fragile relations (with the United States), Town said. This is largely a wait-and-see as theres just so little precedent for it. But Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in South Korea, says its highly unlikely North Korea would pass up the propaganda value of a U.S. soldier who voluntarily entered the country. While Kings immediate value would be propaganda, Pyongyang could also seek opportunities to use him as a bargaining chip to wrest concessions from Washington, he said. Its possible North Korea may demand the United States scale back its military activities with South Korea in exchange for Kings release. The U.S. has increased its deployment of strategic assets like bombers and nuclear-capable submarines since 2022 in a show of force against North Koreas nuclear threat. North Koreas goal would be to create a dilemma for Washington in choosing between (strengthening) U.S.-South Korean nuclear deterrence strategies and protecting its own citizen, Yang said. That would create challenges for South Korea, which has been focusing on strengthening nuclear deterrence strategies with the United States. Thae Yong Ho, a former diplomat at the North Korean Embassy in London who defected to South Korea in 2016 and is now a lawmaker, said the North has never released any U.S. soldier who walked into the country voluntarily. But its also unclear whether North Korea would want to hold King for long, considering considering his low rank and thus likely low level of U.S. military intelligence he could provide and the high costs of managing his life. A specialized security and surveillance team must be organized (for King), an interpreter must be arranged, a designated vehicle and driver must be provided, and accommodation must be arranged. You also need to indoctrinate him into the North Korean system, so you will need to organize a team of specialized teachers and a curriculum, Thae wrote on Facebook. Park Won Gon, a professor at Seouls Ewha University, said the current high tensions between Washington and Pyongyang would complicate diplomatic efforts to bring King home. During cozier times with the United States, North Korea released U.S. detainees rather swiftly and easily. In 2018, North Korea freed Bruce Byron Lowrance a month after he entered the country illegally through China. Lowrances relatively quick deportation came in the afterglow of a highly orchestrated summit between then-U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at which they described vague goals for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and vowed to improve ties. Weeks ahead of that summit, North Korea released three American detainees who returned home on a plane with then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. That diplomacy collapsed in 2019, and the current environment seems unfavorable for Kings early release. Starting in 2022, Kim ramped up his weapons-testing activity, which prompted the United States to expand its military exercises and nuclear contingency strategies with South Korea. The United States will likely attempt to communicate with the North via the U.S.-led United Nations Command, which administers the southern side of the inter-Korean border village, and through the so-called New York channel using North Koreas diplomatic mission to the United Nations. But, considering the prolonged diplomatic freeze, it could be quite a while before the United States is able to send a high-profile official to Pyongyang to secure Kings release, if that happens at all. The only thing thats certain for now is that North Korea will handle King entirely the way it wants to, 100%, said Park. When an American goes into North Korea, they usually are used for political purposes, regardless of whether they want it or not. (AP) A female IDF officer was killed by a falling storage container on Thursday morning at the Tzeelim IDF base in southern Israel A preliminary investigation of the tragic incident revealed that the woman, a logistic officer, was crushed to death by a container that fell as it was being lowered by a crane. Her death was declared at the scene. A soldier who was standing next to her was slightly injured by the impact of the container. He received emergency medical aid at the scene and was evacuated to Soroka Hospital in Beer Sheva for further treatment. The Military Police launched an investigation into the incident. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) STUTTGART, Germany, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Close partnership has always been the bedrock of big successes in China for Bosch, a leading German engineering and technology company, said a senior executive with the company. It has always been Bosch's strategy to cooperate, which is the reason why the company has been successful, Thomas Pauer, president of Bosch's Powertrain Solutions division told Xinhua in a recent interview. "We always do this together with others and with Chinese local companies. And that makes us up to now quite successful. And we hope to do so as well in the future," he said. Thanks to "great partners" and support from the Chinese government, the company's business in China is "well on track," Pauer noted. The readiness of the Chinese people to overcome whatever challenges emerging has deeply impressed Pauer. "If there is a challenge coming up, we are able to overcome this together in a very cooperative way. And that is what I like very much on China, because this is in the mindset of everyone." Pauer took as an example the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition held in April, where the booming automotive market in China was on full display. "No other region has so many brands, so many companies doing automotive (business)," he said. For Bosch, China is very important not only because it is the biggest auto market, but a driver of technological innovation, according to Pauer. To go with the fast-growing market, Bosch has been stepping up its efforts to increase investment in China. Pauer stressed that Bosch fully supports the Chinese market and China's automotive sector, adding that a new plant for hydrogen power modules in Chongqing is expected to open this year to further enhance production capacity. China is already a leading market for hydrogen fuel cell commercial cars, which will grow at the fastest rate in terms of volume, he noted. On top of that, the company is also investing heavily in electro mobility for setting up additional production lines for e-motors and e-Axles for the Chinese market. Pauer considers the technical approach adopted by China in promoting environmentally-friendly vehicles "well balanced" and smart. To him, the new-energy vehicles supported by government policies cover a wider range of vehicles than some other countries, which focus merely on battery electric vehicles. He said that Bosch looks forward to keeping on moving forward with partners in China, which offers opportunities to grow on a scale unmatched by any other market. An Israeli man of about 30 was seriously injured in a stabbing attack in the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem early Thursday evening. MDA paramedics treated the man at the scene and evacuated him to Shaare Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem. The police and the Shin Bet are investigating the incident as a suspected terror attack although criminal motives have not yet been ruled out. A large number of security forces are at the scene and are searching for the perpetrator. In a statement published by the police, it was stated that two knives were found at the scene and at this stage, the circumstances of the stabbing have not yet been determined and are under investigation. The polices forensic investigators have begun collecting findings and an investigation has been opened to clarify the circumstances of the case. This is a developing story. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Dave Fishwick is This Is Money's business doctor I'm a mum of four and set up my own crafting business. I'm not doing very well on my website and I've not sold much, and I'm not making money. Do you have any advice? How would I go about funding to help me get the equipment I need to make more products? Dave Fishwick, This Is Money's business doctor replies: It would be great, particularly in your position, to make some extra money to meet the higher cost of food, energy and household expenses and perhaps to afford a few luxuries for you and the children. Before you invest in equipment or take on any overheads, I think what you need to see here is proof of concept. You need to prove to yourself that there's a profit to be made from the products you've been making so far. You could start with friends and family and ask their honest opinions about whether they would buy the products rather than just if they like them and how much they think they'd sell for. Although, maybe save the hard sell for commercial customers. However, you do need to know if they have a commercial value. It might be difficult to hear any criticism. It is a creative outlet for you to make craft products as you put your personality into them, but you need to know if you're on the right track or need to change direction. My advice would be to try selling at craft fairs. There are many of them advertised online and are located all over the UK. I have given loans,and advice to lots of craft businesses. One in particular was a business selling hand-made wooden jigsaw puzzles. I advised him to try the craft fairs, which proved very successful, and he went from strength to strength. As with any business, you need to get your products seen by as many people as possible for as little cost as possible. A website alone won't necessarily bring any business in, as no one will visit it without promotion. You can pay the search engines to promote your site, but I wouldn't recommend this in your case as it can get costly. A better way is to write about your products, including any keywords that customers of your products might be searching for online. Let your creativity flow here because the more you paint a picture of the journey involved in making products, the more desirable they should be. Social media would be a great way to start without it costing you. If you haven't already, create accounts and upload photos and descriptions of your product to the various platforms, including the very popular TikTok. You'll get a good idea of which products have the best potential from the reach and response you receive. Once you understand which products are the most commercial, you could take them to shops in your area that sell comparable products or might do. They might be reluctant to invest their money in stock, but you could ask if they'll display your products and take orders from them. Of course, they will want to make a profit, so you probably won't get as much as selling direct. Everyone has different tastes, so another option might be to take commissions for bespoke creations rather than produce products and hope they sell. Ask people what products they would buy and make them order. Maybe you'll find more opportunities to teach people how to make products than to sell them. I have helped and lent money to a florist business, which has started charging for classes in flower arranging. That has become a popular sideline and now helps pay a substantial amount towards their overheads in the business. If by funding you were thinking of borrowing, I'd first prove to yourself and others that future sales will comfortably cover repayments. Once you have done this, drop me a line, and maybe Burnley Savings and Loans can help you. Good luck! NEW YORK, July 20, 2023 Thomson Reuters (TSX/NYSE: TRI), a global content and technology company, announced the return of its Reuters NEXT leadership summit on November 8-9, 2023. The two-day conference will convene over 350 leaders from business, government, NGOs, civil society, media, culture and academia in New York City to address todays critical challenges. Reuters NEXT will also be broadcast live to Reuters subscribers and streamed on the agencys social media channels. Society is navigating multiple challenges all at once, from technological breakthroughs to climate change, the economy and a fragmented geopolitical landscape, said Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni. Reuters NEXT provides global leaders the forum for meaningful discussions to inspire and drive action towards a brighter future. Curated by Reuters award-winning journalists, Reuters NEXT 2023 will examine six main themes: Finance & Banking, Climate & Sustainability, Technology, Geopolitics, Economy & Markets, and A Fairer Future. Interviews and discussions hosted by Reuters correspondents will set the news agenda, deliver exclusive insight and break news. New for Reuters NEXT 2023 is the summits expansion to include multiple stages, giving attendees more opportunities to understand and dissect the crucial challenges facing our world today and find solutions for a better tomorrow. The agenda features: World stage Led by Reuters Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Galloni, Reuters editors and correspondents will host live interviews and panel discussions with global industry and political leaders to address the critical challenges facing business and society. Banking & Finance stage Reuters Global Banking and Markets Editor Paritosh Bansal, U.S. Finance Editor Lananh Nguyen and financial correspondents will discuss the industrys future at one of its most turbulent times with senior executives and policymakers. Artificial Intelligence stage Reuters Global Technology Editor Ken Li and industry leaders will explore generative AIs business and social implications, the ethical challenge of breakneck technology development and where the smart investment money is going. The Studio Reuters journalists and guests will dive deeper into some of the most buzzworthy trends and development and analyze hot topics, including the future of work, space, self, technology and money. Reuters Breakingviews Executive Briefings Reuters Breakingviews Global Editor Peter Thal Larsen and his team of expert commentators will sit down with industry CEOs in a series of Chatham House-style roundtables to discuss the trends and predictions shaping the year ahead. Visit our website to learn more and register to attend Reuters NEXT 2023. Media contact JJ Minder Communications Manager jj.minder@tr.com Loblaw Companies (OTCMKTS:LBLCF Get Free Report) and Weis Markets (NYSE:WMK Get Free Report) are both consumer defensive companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, dividends, risk and profitability. Insider and Institutional Ownership 70.9% of Loblaw Companies shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 36.6% of Weis Markets shares are owned by institutional investors. 27.0% of Weis Markets shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term. Get Loblaw Companies alerts: Dividends Loblaw Companies pays an annual dividend of $0.97 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.1%. Weis Markets pays an annual dividend of $1.36 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Loblaw Companies pays out -438.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Weis Markets pays out 30.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Weis Markets has increased its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Weis Markets is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Analyst Recommendations Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Loblaw Companies 0 1 0 0 2.00 Weis Markets 0 0 0 0 N/A This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Loblaw Companies and Weis Markets, as provided by MarketBeat. Loblaw Companies currently has a consensus price target of $137.75, suggesting a potential upside of 52.03%. Given Loblaw Companies higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Loblaw Companies is more favorable than Weis Markets. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Loblaw Companies and Weis Markets revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Loblaw Companies N/A N/A N/A ($0.22) -409.51 Weis Markets $4.70 billion N/A $125.20 million $4.45 14.59 Weis Markets has higher revenue and earnings than Loblaw Companies. Loblaw Companies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Weis Markets, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks. Profitability This table compares Loblaw Companies and Weis Markets net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Loblaw Companies N/A N/A N/A Weis Markets 2.53% 9.26% 6.16% Summary Weis Markets beats Loblaw Companies on 9 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks. About Loblaw Companies (Get Free Report) Loblaw Companies Limited, a food and pharmacy company, engages in the grocery, pharmacy, health and beauty, apparel, general merchandise, financial services, and wireless mobile products and services businesses in Canada. It operates in two segments, Retail and Financial Services. The Retail segment operates corporate and franchise-owned retail food, and associate-owned drug stores. This segment also includes in-store pharmacies, other health and beauty product stores, apparel stores, and other general merchandise stores. The Financial Services segment provides credit card and banking services, the PC Optimum program, insurance brokerage services, and telecommunication services. It also offers PC Health app. The company provides its products and services under various brands. The company was founded in 1919 and is headquartered in Brampton, Canada. Loblaw Companies Limited is a subsidiary of George Weston Limited. About Weis Markets (Get Free Report) Weis Markets, Inc. engages in the retail sale of food through a chain of supermarkets in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. The company's retail food stores sell groceries, dairy products, frozen foods, meats, seafood, fresh produce, floral, pharmacy services, deli products, prepared foods, bakery products, beer and wine, and fuel; and general merchandise items, such as health and beauty care, and household products. It operates stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia primarily under the Weis Markets name, as well as Weis, Weis 2 Go, Weis Great Meals Start Here, Weis Gas-n-Go, and Weis Nutri-Facts. The company was founded in 1912 and is based in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Receive News & Ratings for Loblaw Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Loblaw Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Everest Group (NYSE:EG Get Free Report) is one of 86 public companies in the Fire, marine, & casualty insurance industry, but how does it compare to its competitors? We will compare Everest Group to similar companies based on the strength of its earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, risk, institutional ownership and valuation. Profitability This table compares Everest Group and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Get Everest Group alerts: Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Everest Group 5.34% 12.98% 2.79% Everest Group Competitors -1.90% -16.55% -0.28% Earnings & Valuation This table compares Everest Group and its competitors revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Everest Group $12.48 billion $597.00 million 21.65 Everest Group Competitors $14.74 billion -$253.62 million -23.29 Dividends Everest Groups competitors have higher revenue, but lower earnings than Everest Group. Everest Group is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Everest Group pays an annual dividend of $6.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Everest Group pays out 39.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies pay a dividend yield of 1.3% and pay out 13.5% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Analyst Ratings This is a summary of current ratings and price targets for Everest Group and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Everest Group 0 0 0 1 4.00 Everest Group Competitors 544 2646 2421 157 2.38 Everest Group presently has a consensus price target of $450.00, suggesting a potential upside of 23.27%. As a group, Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies have a potential downside of 0.62%. Given Everest Groups stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Everest Group is more favorable than its competitors. Risk and Volatility Everest Group has a beta of 0.6, indicating that its share price is 40% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Everest Groups competitors have a beta of 0.60, indicating that their average share price is 40% less volatile than the S&P 500. Insider & Institutional Ownership 94.4% of Everest Group shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 56.3% of shares of all Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies are held by institutional investors. 1.4% of Everest Group shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 13.8% of shares of all Fire, marine, & casualty insurance companies are held 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. Summary Everest Group beats its competitors on 10 of the 15 factors compared. Everest Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Everest Re Group, Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States, Bermuda, and internationally. The company operates through Reinsurance Operations and Insurance Operations segments. The Reinsurance Operations segment writes property and casualty reinsurance; and specialty lines of business through reinsurance brokers, as well as directly with ceding companies in the United States, Bermuda, Ireland, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The Insurance Operations segment writes property and casualty insurance directly, as well as through brokers, surplus lines brokers, and general agents in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, Europe, South America, France, Germany, Spain, Canada, Chile, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The company also provides treaty and facultative reinsurance products; admitted and non-admitted insurance products; and property and casualty reinsurance and insurance coverages, including marine, aviation, surety, errors and omissions liability, directors' and officers' liability, medical malpractice, mortgage reinsurance, other specialty lines, accident and health, and workers' compensation products. In addition, it offers commercial property and casualty insurance products through wholesale and retail brokers, surplus lines brokers, and program administrators. The company was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Receive News & Ratings for Everest Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Everest Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Abcam (OTCMKTS:ABCZF Get Free Report) is one of 449 public companies in the Biotechnology industry, but how does it compare to its rivals? We will compare Abcam to similar companies based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation, earnings and risk. Earnings & Valuation This table compares Abcam and its rivals top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Get Abcam alerts: Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Abcam N/A N/A 136.02 Abcam Competitors $114.61 million -$25.96 million 17.08 Abcams rivals have higher revenue, but lower earnings than Abcam. Abcam is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its rivals, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Institutional & Insider Ownership Analyst Recommendations 43.6% of Abcam shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 31.6% of shares of all Biotechnology companies are held by institutional investors. 22.5% of shares of all Biotechnology companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth. This is a breakdown of recent ratings and target prices for Abcam and its rivals, 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 413 1721 5785 59 2.69 As a group, Biotechnology companies have a potential upside of 91.22%. Given Abcams rivals higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Abcam has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals. 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 2.6% and pay out 8,267.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Profitability This table compares Abcam and its rivals 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 -8,393.55% -189.38% -24.59% Summary Abcam beats its rivals 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. Receive News & Ratings for Abcam Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abcam and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Coca-Cola HBC (LON:CCH Free Report) had its target price boosted by Barclays from GBX 2,700 ($35.30) to GBX 3,000 ($39.23) in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has an overweight rating on the stock. A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on CCH. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a GBX 3,000 ($39.23) price target on shares of Coca-Cola HBC in a research note on Tuesday, July 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a GBX 2,600 ($34.00) price target on shares of Coca-Cola HBC in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their price target on shares of Coca-Cola HBC from GBX 2,950 ($38.57) to GBX 3,150 ($41.19) and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Numis Securities reaffirmed an add rating and issued a GBX 2,800 ($36.61) price target on shares of Coca-Cola HBC in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Finally, Citigroup reissued a neutral rating on shares of Coca-Cola HBC in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Two 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, Coca-Cola HBC has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 2,803.33 ($36.65). Get Coca-Cola HBC alerts: Coca-Cola HBC Price Performance LON CCH opened at GBX 2,365 ($30.92) on Tuesday. Coca-Cola HBC has a 52 week low of GBX 1,811 ($23.68) and a 52 week high of GBX 2,582 ($33.76). The company has a current ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 101.01. The stock has a market cap of 8.73 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 2,439.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.36 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 2,390.34 and a two-hundred day moving average price of GBX 2,234.58. Coca-Cola HBC Increases Dividend Insider Transactions at Coca-Cola HBC The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 19th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 25th were paid a dividend of 0.78 ($0.88) per share. This is a positive change from Coca-Cola HBCs previous dividend of $0.71. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 25th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.67%. Coca-Cola HBCs dividend payout ratio is 6,907.22%. In other news, insider Zoran Bogdanovic acquired 167 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 2,572 ($33.63) per share, with a total value of 4,295.24 ($5,616.16). Insiders have acquired a total of 545 shares of company stock worth $1,314,772 in the last 90 days. 46.86% of the stock is owned by insiders. About Coca-Cola HBC (Get Free Report) Coca-Cola HBC AG engages in the production, distribution, and sale of non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverages under franchise in Switzerland and internationally. The company offers sparkling soft drinks, adult sparkling, hydration drinks, juices, ready-to-drink tea, energy drinks, dairy, coffee, water, plant-based drinks, premium spirits and flavored alcoholic beverages, and snacks. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Coca-Cola HBC Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Coca-Cola HBC and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Barclays reaffirmed their equal weight rating on shares of Rio Tinto Group (LON:RIO Free Report) in a research note released on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. They currently have a GBX 6,400 ($83.68) target price on the stock. Several other equities analysts also recently commented on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group to a buy rating and decreased their price target for the company from GBX 6,200 ($81.07) to GBX 6,000 ($78.45) in a research note on Monday, June 5th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,000 ($65.38) to GBX 5,100 ($66.68) in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,800 ($75.84) to GBX 5,670 ($74.14) and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. Berenberg Bank decreased their price objective on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 6,600 ($86.30) to GBX 6,400 ($83.68) in a report on Friday, July 7th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Rio Tinto Group from GBX 5,250 ($68.65) to GBX 5,350 ($69.95) in a report on Friday, July 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and six have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 6,135.38 ($80.22). Get Rio Tinto Group alerts: Rio Tinto Group Price Performance Shares of RIO opened at GBX 5,174 ($67.65) on Tuesday. The companys 50-day moving average is GBX 5,032.05 and its 200-day moving average is GBX 5,458.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 23.47, a current ratio of 1.63 and a quick ratio of 1.34. The firm has a market capitalization of 64.68 billion, a PE ratio of 878.44, a PEG ratio of -0.64 and a beta of 0.71. Rio Tinto Group has a fifty-two week low of GBX 4,424.50 ($57.85) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 6,406 ($83.76). Insider Activity at Rio Tinto Group About Rio Tinto Group In other news, insider Simon Henry bought 500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, April 24th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 5,221 ($68.27) per share, with a total value of 26,105 ($34,133.11). 14.67% of the stock is owned by insiders. (Get Free Report) Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. It offers aluminum, copper, iron ore, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, silver, molybdenum, and lithium. The company also owns and operates open pit and underground mines, refineries, smelters, and concentrator facilities, as well as power stations, research, and service facilities. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Rio Tinto Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rio Tinto Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Dorian LPG Ltd. (NYSE:LPG Get Free Report) Director Thomas Jason Coleman sold 17,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $24.60, for a total transaction of $418,200.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 298,000 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,330,800. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Thomas Jason Coleman also recently made the following trade(s): Get Dorian LPG alerts: On Wednesday, July 12th, Thomas Jason Coleman sold 43,700 shares of Dorian LPG stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.74, for a total transaction of $1,124,838.00. Dorian LPG Price Performance NYSE LPG opened at $26.17 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 2.47, a current ratio of 2.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.06 billion, a PE ratio of 6.10 and a beta of 1.13. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $24.32 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $21.91. Dorian LPG Ltd. has a 12-month low of $12.90 and a 12-month high of $26.63. Dorian LPG Announces Dividend Dorian LPG ( NYSE:LPG Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, May 24th. The shipping company reported $1.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $2.06 by ($0.12). The business had revenue of $133.64 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $138.96 million. Dorian LPG had a net margin of 44.24% and a return on equity of 20.08%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Dorian LPG Ltd. will post 3.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently disclosed a Variable dividend, which was paid on Monday, May 22nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 8th were paid a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 5th. Dorian LPGs payout ratio is 93.24%. Institutional Trading of Dorian LPG A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of LPG. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Dorian LPG by 1,571.5% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 6,870 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $100,000 after buying an additional 6,459 shares during the last quarter. Swiss National Bank lifted its stake in shares of Dorian LPG by 7.5% in the first quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 75,985 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $1,101,000 after buying an additional 5,300 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its stake in shares of Dorian LPG by 32.6% in the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 799,380 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $11,583,000 after buying an additional 196,749 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Dorian LPG by 27.1% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 143,744 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $2,083,000 after buying an additional 30,663 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Citigroup Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Dorian LPG by 7.4% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 69,755 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $1,011,000 after buying an additional 4,820 shares during the last quarter. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms recently commented on LPG. DNB Markets cut shares of Dorian LPG from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $26.90 price target for the company. in a report on Monday, July 10th. Evercore ISI upgraded shares of Dorian LPG from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and raised their price target for the stock from $25.00 to $32.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 24th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Dorian LPG in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $25.73. About Dorian LPG (Get Free Report) Dorian LPG Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the transportation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) through its LPG tankers worldwide. It owns and operates twenty-five very large gas carriers (VLGCs). The company was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Dorian LPG Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dorian LPG and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores S.A. (NYSE:AVAL Get Free Report) traded down 2.3% on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $2.57 and last traded at $2.60. 11,432 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 88% from the average session volume of 98,778 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.66. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, TheStreet raised shares of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. Get Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores alerts: Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Trading Down 1.1 % The company has a market cap of $3.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.44 and a beta of 1.19. The companys fifty day moving average price is $2.34 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $2.38. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Cuts Dividend Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores ( NYSE:AVAL Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 17th. The bank reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.09 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $662.21 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $826.54 million. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores had a net margin of 4.63% and a return on equity of 6.99%. Research analysts expect that Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores S.A. will post 0.33 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 12th. Investors of record on Monday, July 3rd were issued a $0.0145 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 7.48%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 30th. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valoress dividend payout ratio is currently 64.00%. Institutional Trading of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of AVAL. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. boosted its stake in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores by 12.2% in the second quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. now owns 122,688 shares of the banks stock valued at $285,000 after acquiring an additional 13,389 shares during the last quarter. First Affirmative Financial Network bought a new position in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores in the second quarter valued at approximately $58,000. Foster Group Inc. bought a new position in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores in the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. BlackRock Inc. boosted its stake in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores by 36.7% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 467,705 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,094,000 after acquiring an additional 125,523 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cerity Partners LLC boosted its stake in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores by 129.1% in the first quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 52,486 shares of the banks stock valued at $123,000 after acquiring an additional 29,577 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 0.25% of the companys stock. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Company Profile (Get Free Report) Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores SA provides a range of financial services and products to public and private sector customers in Colombia and Central America. It offers traditional deposit services and products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, and other deposits. The company also provides commercial loans comprising general purpose loans, working capital loans, leases, loans funded by development banks, corporate credit cards, and overdraft loans; consumer loans, such as payroll loans, personal loans, automobile and other vehicle loans, credit cards, overdrafts, leases, and general purpose loans; and microcredit and mortgage loans. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BEIRUT, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's security chief said on Friday that the recent decision by the European Parliament to support Syrian refugees' stay in Lebanon is "unrealistic" and "non-binding," the National News Agency reported. "We will not surrender to any decision issued against the interest of Lebanon, and I believe the country cannot bear such a decision," Lebanese Director General of Public Security Elias al-Baissari told a delegation from the Lebanese Press Syndicate. On July 11, the European Parliament issued a series of decisions on the situation in Lebanon, emphasizing that conditions are not met for the voluntary, dignified return of refugees in conflict-prone areas in Syria. But al-Baissari, who has paid a visit to Damascus, said Syrian authorities have no problem with any voluntary and safe return of the displaced Syrians in Lebanon. Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with an estimated 1.5 million-2 million Syrian refugees scattered across the country. Lebanese officials insist on returning Syrian refugees to their homeland as the country's internal security and economic situation can no longer tolerate their stay in Lebanon. Shares of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores S.A. (NYSE:AVAL Get Free Report) fell 2.3% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $2.57 and last traded at $2.60. 11,432 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 88% from the average session volume of 98,778 shares. The stock had previously closed at $2.66. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Separately, TheStreet raised shares of Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. Get Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores alerts: Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Trading Down 1.1 % The stock has a market capitalization of $3.10 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.44 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 1.01. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $2.34 and its 200-day simple moving average is $2.38. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Cuts Dividend Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores ( NYSE:AVAL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 17th. The bank reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.09 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $662.21 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $826.54 million. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores had a return on equity of 6.99% and a net margin of 4.63%. As a group, analysts forecast that Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores S.A. will post 0.33 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 12th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 3rd were given a dividend of $0.0145 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 30th. This represents a dividend yield of 7.48%. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valoress dividend payout ratio is 64.00%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AVAL. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP lifted its position in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 179,975 shares of the banks stock valued at $820,000 after acquiring an additional 4,870 shares in the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its position in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores by 19.7% in the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 50,266 shares of the banks stock valued at $229,000 after acquiring an additional 8,271 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC lifted its position in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores by 9.5% in the 2nd quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 64,142 shares of the banks stock valued at $228,000 after acquiring an additional 5,541 shares in the last quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC lifted its position in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores by 24.2% in the 2nd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 64,330 shares of the banks stock valued at $228,000 after acquiring an additional 12,520 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores by 2.1% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 760,490 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,871,000 after acquiring an additional 15,762 shares in the last quarter. 0.25% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Company Profile (Get Free Report) Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores SA provides a range of financial services and products to public and private sector customers in Colombia and Central America. It offers traditional deposit services and products, including checking accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, and other deposits. The company also provides commercial loans comprising general purpose loans, working capital loans, leases, loans funded by development banks, corporate credit cards, and overdraft loans; consumer loans, such as payroll loans, personal loans, automobile and other vehicle loans, credit cards, overdrafts, leases, and general purpose loans; and microcredit and mortgage loans. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grupo Aval Acciones y Valores and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New York State Teachers Retirement System cut its holdings in DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC Free Report) by 7.0% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 298,283 shares of the companys stock after selling 22,356 shares during the period. New York State Teachers Retirement System owned about 0.13% of DXC Technology worth $7,624,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Glenview Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of DXC Technology by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Glenview Capital Management LLC now owns 9,704,553 shares of the companys stock worth $257,171,000 after buying an additional 57,096 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in DXC Technology by 5.4% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,749,117 shares of the companys stock valued at $152,353,000 after purchasing an additional 294,897 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in DXC Technology by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 4,977,277 shares of the companys stock valued at $131,871,000 after purchasing an additional 107,357 shares during the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC raised its stake in DXC Technology by 1.5% in the 1st quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 4,895,097 shares of the companys stock valued at $159,727,000 after purchasing an additional 74,007 shares during the last quarter. Finally, LSV Asset Management raised its stake in DXC Technology by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 3,397,268 shares of the companys stock valued at $90,028,000 after purchasing an additional 55,270 shares during the last quarter. 91.42% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get DXC Technology alerts: DXC Technology Stock Down 0.8 % Shares of NYSE:DXC opened at $27.96 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.18, a current ratio of 1.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02. DXC Technology has a 52-week low of $22.11 and a 52-week high of $31.99. The company has a 50 day moving average of $26.13 and a two-hundred day moving average of $26.25. The company has a market capitalization of $5.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -10.84, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.94. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades DXC Technology ( NYSE:DXC Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 18th. The company reported $1.02 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.02. DXC Technology had a negative net margin of 3.94% and a positive return on equity of 17.23%. The company had revenue of $3.59 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.62 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.84 earnings per share. DXC Technologys revenue for the quarter was down 10.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that DXC Technology will post 3.84 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Several brokerages recently weighed in on DXC. BMO Capital Markets cut their target price on shares of DXC Technology from $33.00 to $27.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on shares of DXC Technology from $30.00 to $25.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price objective on shares of DXC Technology from $38.00 to $34.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of DXC Technology from $27.00 to $25.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. Finally, TheStreet downgraded shares of DXC Technology from a b- rating to a c- rating in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $31.75. DXC Technology Profile (Free Report) DXC Technology Company, together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology services and solutions primarily in the United States, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Australia, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Global Business Services (GBS) and Global Infrastructure Services (GIS). Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DXC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for DXC Technology (NYSE:DXC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for DXC Technology Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for DXC Technology and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. New York State Teachers Retirement System cut its stake in Genpact Limited (NYSE:G Free Report) by 1.3% in the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 160,026 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 2,106 shares during the quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement Systems holdings in Genpact were worth $7,396,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Sendero Wealth Management LLC grew its position in Genpact by 17.8% in the first quarter. Sendero Wealth Management LLC now owns 10,370 shares of the business services providers stock worth $479,000 after acquiring an additional 1,565 shares during the period. Simplicity Solutions LLC purchased a new position in Genpact in the first quarter worth approximately $220,000. River Road Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in Genpact in the first quarter worth approximately $259,000. Oak Thistle LLC purchased a new position in Genpact in the first quarter worth approximately $298,000. Finally, Strs Ohio grew its position in Genpact by 23.9% in the first quarter. Strs Ohio now owns 43,740 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,021,000 after acquiring an additional 8,444 shares during the period. 96.46% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Genpact alerts: Genpact Stock Down 2.4 % Shares of NYSE G opened at $37.71 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $6.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.44, a PEG ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a current ratio of 1.84, a quick ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Genpact Limited has a 12-month low of $35.75 and a 12-month high of $48.85. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $37.82 and its 200-day simple moving average is $42.97. Genpact Announces Dividend Genpact ( NYSE:G Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 10th. The business services provider reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.55 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $1.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.10 billion. Genpact had a return on equity of 25.74% and a net margin of 8.27%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Genpact Limited will post 2.58 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be paid a $0.1375 dividend. This represents a $0.55 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 7th. Genpacts dividend payout ratio is presently 28.35%. Insider Buying and Selling at Genpact In other Genpact news, SVP Piyush Mehta sold 32,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.85, for a total value of $1,425,125.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 209,040 shares in the company, valued at $9,166,404. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, SVP Piyush Mehta sold 32,500 shares of Genpact stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.85, for a total transaction of $1,425,125.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 209,040 shares in the company, valued at $9,166,404. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Heather White sold 12,500 shares of Genpact stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.72, for a total value of $509,000.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 40,845 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,663,208.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 258,144 shares of company stock worth $10,364,645 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 2.62% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their price objective on Genpact from $47.00 to $41.00 in a research report on Monday, May 15th. Citigroup lowered Genpact from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their price target for the stock from $46.00 to $42.00 in a research report on Tuesday. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Genpact in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on Genpact from $54.00 to $48.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 11th. Finally, TheStreet lowered Genpact from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Friday, June 9th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $48.33. Genpact Profile (Free Report) Genpact Limited provides business process outsourcing and information technology (IT) services in India, rest of Asia, North and Latin America, and Europe. It operates through three segments: Financial services; Consumer and Healthcare; and High Tech and Manufacturing. The company offers CFO advisory services; and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) services, such as data management, carbon accounting, human rights assessment, sustainability diligence, and ESG reporting. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding G? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Genpact Limited (NYSE:G Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Genpact Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Genpact and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. State of Michigan Retirement System cut its stake in shares of Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE:HUBB Free Report) by 1.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 13,499 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 200 shares during the quarter. State of Michigan Retirement Systems holdings in Hubbell were worth $3,284,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. First Manhattan Co. purchased a new stake in shares of Hubbell in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Northwest Investment Counselors LLC purchased a new stake in Hubbell during the 4th quarter valued at $32,000. Johnson Financial Group Inc. bought a new position in Hubbell in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC bought a new position in Hubbell in the 4th quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. bought a new position in Hubbell in the 4th quarter worth $41,000. 89.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Hubbell alerts: Hubbell Stock Performance Shares of NYSE HUBB opened at $337.89 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $309.44 and its 200-day moving average price is $265.29. The company has a quick ratio of 1.25, a current ratio of 1.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. The company has a market cap of $18.11 billion, a PE ratio of 32.27, a PEG ratio of 2.40 and a beta of 1.02. Hubbell Incorporated has a 52-week low of $191.12 and a 52-week high of $339.56. Insider Buying and Selling Hubbell ( NYSE:HUBB Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The industrial products company reported $3.61 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.46 by $1.15. The firm had revenue of $1.29 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.25 billion. Hubbell had a net margin of 11.15% and a return on equity of 27.72%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.12 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that Hubbell Incorporated will post 13.84 EPS for the current year. In other Hubbell news, Director Carlos M. Cardoso sold 560 shares of Hubbell stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $273.16, for a total transaction of $152,969.60. Following the transaction, the director now owns 1,711 shares of the companys stock, valued at $467,376.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.66% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth HUBB has been the subject of several research reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of Hubbell from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 23rd. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Hubbell from $252.00 to $300.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Hubbell from $287.00 to $318.00 in a research note on Monday, July 10th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $253.50. Hubbell Company Profile (Free Report) Hubbell Incorporated, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and sells electrical and utility solutions in the United States and internationally. It operates through two segments, Electrical Solutions and Utility Solutions. The Electrical Solution segment offers standard and special application wiring device products, rough-in electrical products, connector and grounding products, lighting fixtures, and other electrical equipment for use in industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities by electrical contractors, maintenance personnel, electricians, utilities, and telecommunications companies, as well as components and assemblies. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HUBB? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Hubbell Incorporated (NYSE:HUBB Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Hubbell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hubbell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. abrdn plc raised its stake in shares of Yum China Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:YUMC Free Report) by 21.4% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 252,740 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 44,541 shares during the period. abrdn plc owned approximately 0.06% of Yum China worth $16,021,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Yum China during the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. SG Americas Securities LLC lifted its position in shares of Yum China by 68.4% during the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 178,375 shares of the companys stock worth $11,307,000 after buying an additional 72,482 shares during the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC lifted its position in shares of Yum China by 3.1% during the 1st quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 13,748 shares of the companys stock worth $872,000 after buying an additional 417 shares during the last quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB lifted its position in shares of Yum China by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Handelsbanken Fonder AB now owns 272,008 shares of the companys stock worth $17,243,000 after buying an additional 10,054 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Henry James International Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Yum China by 11.4% during the 1st quarter. Henry James International Management Inc. now owns 38,168 shares of the companys stock worth $2,419,000 after buying an additional 3,900 shares during the last quarter. 75.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Yum China alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research firms have recently weighed in on YUMC. TheStreet raised shares of Yum China from a c+ rating to a b rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. OTR Global raised shares of Yum China from a mixed rating to a positive rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Yum China in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Yum China Price Performance NYSE:YUMC opened at $58.54 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $24.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 39.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.53 and a beta of 0.53. The company has a current ratio of 1.77, a quick ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01. The companys 50-day moving average is $58.39 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.05. Yum China Holdings, Inc. has a 12-month low of $38.58 and a 12-month high of $64.70. Yum China (NYSE:YUMC Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $0.69 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.43 by $0.26. Yum China had a net margin of 6.43% and a return on equity of 8.77%. The firm had revenue of $2.92 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.77 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.24 EPS. The companys revenue was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Yum China Holdings, Inc. will post 1.98 EPS for the current year. Yum China Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 20th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 30th were paid a $0.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 26th. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.89%. Yum Chinas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.67%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CEO Joey Wat sold 2,800 shares of Yum China stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.94, for a total value of $173,432.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 256,723 shares in the company, valued at $15,901,422.62. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Yum China news, CEO Joey Wat sold 2,800 shares of Yum China stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.94, for a total value of $173,432.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 256,723 shares of the companys stock, valued at $15,901,422.62. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director William Wang Yang sold 1,136,016 shares of Yum China stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.31, for a total transaction of $70,785,156.96. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 13,035,635 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $812,250,416.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 1,156,316 shares of company stock worth $72,025,389. Insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock. Yum China Company Profile (Free Report) Yum China Holdings, Inc owns, operates, and franchises restaurants in China. The company operates through two segments, KFC and Pizza Hut. It operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Little Sheep, Huang Ji Huang, Lavazza, COFFii & JOY, Taco Bell, and East Dawning brands, which specialize in chicken, pizza, hot pot cooking, simmer pot, Italian coffee, specialty coffee, Mexican-style food, and Chinese food categories. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding YUMC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Yum China Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:YUMC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Yum China Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Yum China and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. lowered its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ Free Report) by 89.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,777 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 32,966 shares during the quarter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc.s holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF were worth $222,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of EWJ. CVA Family Office LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $46,000. Sage Mountain Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $49,000. BigSur Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $54,000. Capital Analysts LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $57,000. Finally, Delta Asset Management LLC TN acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $73,000. Get iShares MSCI Japan ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Japan ETF Price Performance Shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF stock opened at $62.48 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $10.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.76 and a beta of 0.68. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a 52-week low of $47.64 and a 52-week high of $64.11. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $61.68 and a 200-day simple moving average of $58.93. About iShares MSCI Japan ETF iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index). Read More Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Japan ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc. lessened its position in Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS Free Report) by 15.2% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,635 shares of the health services providers stock after selling 294 shares during the quarter. Desjardins Global Asset Management Inc.s holdings in Universal Health Services were worth $208,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,856,010 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $1,138,729,000 after purchasing an additional 146,820 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.3% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,026,512 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $728,594,000 after purchasing an additional 113,259 shares during the period. First Eagle Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Universal Health Services by 2.2% in the 4th quarter. First Eagle Investment Management LLC now owns 4,733,178 shares of the health services providers stock valued at $666,857,000 after purchasing an additional 101,132 shares during the period. Glenview Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth $127,611,000. Finally, Avidity Partners Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Universal Health Services in the 4th quarter worth $116,319,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.03% of the companys stock. Get Universal Health Services alerts: Universal Health Services Price Performance Shares of Universal Health Services stock opened at $151.42 on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $143.89 and its 200-day simple moving average is $140.23. Universal Health Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $82.50 and a 52 week high of $158.57. The company has a market capitalization of $10.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.09, a PEG ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a quick ratio of 1.26, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. Universal Health Services Dividend Announcement Universal Health Services ( NYSE:UHS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The health services provider reported $2.34 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.15 by $0.19. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 12.33% and a net margin of 5.05%. The business had revenue of $3.47 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.45 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.15 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 5.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts expect that Universal Health Services, Inc. will post 10.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 1st will be given a $0.20 dividend. This represents a $0.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.53%. Universal Health Servicess payout ratio is 8.50%. Insider Activity In other news, CEO Marc D. Miller sold 44,110 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $142.65, for a total value of $6,292,291.50. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 160,383 shares of the companys stock, valued at $22,878,634.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, Director Eileen C. Mcdonnell sold 3,107 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $141.53, for a total value of $439,733.71. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 5,508 shares of the companys stock, valued at $779,547.24. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Marc D. Miller sold 44,110 shares of Universal Health Services stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $142.65, for a total value of $6,292,291.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 160,383 shares in the company, valued at $22,878,634.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 74,697 shares of company stock worth $10,547,996 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 16.60% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have commented on UHS. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $145.00 to $155.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $130.00 to $152.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on Universal Health Services in a report on Thursday, April 20th. They issued an underweight rating and a $143.00 target price for the company. Credit Suisse Group lifted their target price on Universal Health Services from $153.00 to $163.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on Universal Health Services in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $148.93. Universal Health Services Profile (Free Report) Universal Health Services, Inc, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates acute care hospitals, and outpatient and behavioral health care facilities. The company operates through Acute Care Hospital Services and Behavioral Health Care Services segments. Its hospitals offer general and specialty surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics, emergency room care, radiology, oncology, diagnostic and coronary care, pediatric services, pharmacy services, and/or behavioral health services. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding UHS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:UHS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Universal Health Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Universal Health Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ Get Free Report) saw a large increase in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 6,340,000 shares, an increase of 14.4% from the June 15th total of 5,540,000 shares. Currently, 4.8% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 2,120,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.0 days. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Bank of America cut their target price on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $87.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 23rd. Citigroup cut their target price on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $83.00 to $74.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $65.00 to $62.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their target price on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $89.00 to $77.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their target price on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $90.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $74.40. Get BJ's Wholesale Club alerts: BJs Wholesale Club Stock Performance Shares of BJs Wholesale Club stock opened at $64.13 on Friday. BJs Wholesale Club has a fifty-two week low of $60.33 and a fifty-two week high of $80.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.97, a P/E/G ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.47. The companys 50 day moving average price is $63.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $70.10. Insider Transactions at BJs Wholesale Club BJs Wholesale Club ( NYSE:BJ Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 23rd. The company reported $0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.84 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $4.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.81 billion. BJs Wholesale Club had a net margin of 2.64% and a return on equity of 53.66%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.87 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that BJs Wholesale Club will post 3.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. In other news, EVP Monica Schwartz sold 15,168 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.85, for a total transaction of $938,140.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,962 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,605,749.70. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On BJs Wholesale Club A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in BJs Wholesale Club in the first quarter valued at $268,000. HighTower Advisors LLC increased its stake in BJs Wholesale Club by 44.3% in the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 7,180 shares of the companys stock valued at $487,000 after purchasing an additional 2,203 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in BJs Wholesale Club by 104.7% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 10,961 shares of the companys stock valued at $741,000 after purchasing an additional 5,607 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can increased its stake in BJs Wholesale Club by 7.4% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 12,440 shares of the companys stock valued at $843,000 after purchasing an additional 862 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its stake in BJs Wholesale Club by 7.7% in the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 74,006 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,143,000 after purchasing an additional 5,272 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.02% of the companys stock. BJs Wholesale Club Company Profile (Get Free Report) BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates warehouse clubs on the eastern half of the United States. It provides perishable, general merchandise, gasoline, coupon books, promotions, and other ancillary services. The company sells its products through the websites BJs.com, BerkleyJensen.com, and Wellsleyfarms.com, as well as the mobile app. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for BJ's Wholesale Club Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BJ's Wholesale Club and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banque Pictet & Cie SA raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF (NYSEARCA:EWM Free Report) by 4.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 51,331 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 1,991 shares during the period. Banque Pictet & Cie SA owned approximately 0.49% of iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF worth $1,138,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF by 131.1% in the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,359 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 771 shares during the period. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF by 206.7% in the 4th quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 1,595 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 1,075 shares during the period. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF in the 4th quarter valued at $55,000. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. lifted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF by 209.7% in the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 4,224 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $85,000 after purchasing an additional 2,860 shares during the period. Finally, Simplex Trading LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF in the 1st quarter valued at $122,000. 86.60% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF Stock Performance EWM opened at $20.92 on Friday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $20.59 and a 200 day moving average price of $21.81. iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF has a 1 year low of $19.60 and a 1 year high of $24.12. About iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF, formerly iShares MSCI Malaysia Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Malaysian market, as measured by the MSCI Malaysia Index (the Index). Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF (NYSEARCA:EWM Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Malaysia ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Banque Pictet & Cie SA boosted its stake in iShares MSCI Australia ETF (NYSEARCA:EWA Free Report) by 22.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 31,798 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 5,765 shares during the quarter. Banque Pictet & Cie SAs holdings in iShares MSCI Australia ETF were worth $729,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. US Bancorp DE purchased a new stake in iShares MSCI Australia ETF in the 1st quarter worth approximately $38,000. Laffer Tengler Investments raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 41.7% during the 4th quarter. Laffer Tengler Investments now owns 1,727 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 508 shares in the last quarter. Simplex Trading LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Australia ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $56,000. Benjamin F. Edwards & Company Inc. bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI Australia ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $80,000. Finally, Benjamin Edwards Inc. raised its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI Australia ETF by 766.2% during the 1st quarter. Benjamin Edwards Inc. now owns 3,794 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $87,000 after purchasing an additional 3,356 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 48.18% of the companys stock. Get iShares MSCI Australia ETF alerts: iShares MSCI Australia ETF Stock Performance iShares MSCI Australia ETF stock opened at $23.22 on Friday. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $22.66 and its 200-day simple moving average is $23.09. iShares MSCI Australia ETF has a 1-year low of $19.19 and a 1-year high of $25.22. iShares MSCI Australia ETF Profile iShares MSCI Australia ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares MSCI Australia Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, of publicly traded securities in the Australian market, as represented by the MSCI Australia Index (the Index). Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Australia ETF (NYSEARCA:EWA Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI Australia ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI Australia ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological authorities on Friday renewed a blue alert for rainstorms. From 2 p.m. Friday to 2 p.m. Saturday, heavy rain or rainstorms are forecast to hit parts of Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan and Yunnan, according to the National Meteorological Center. The center said some of these regions will experience heavy rainfall, with 30 mm to over 60 mm of hourly precipitation, as well as severe convective weather conditions such as thunderstorms and gales. The center has advised local governments and residents to take appropriate precautions. Schools and kindergartens have been asked to ensure the safety of students and children, while drivers have been advised to be alert and cautious due to road waterlogging and traffic jams. China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm purchased 5,429 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $519,380,000,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Consolidated Edison by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 7,794,426 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $742,409,000 after purchasing an additional 55,756 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc raised its stake in shares of Consolidated Edison by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 6,182,332 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $589,238,000 after purchasing an additional 56,681 shares in the last quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Consolidated Edison by 89,231.2% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,145,861 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $395,142,000 after acquiring an additional 4,141,220 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley increased its holdings in shares of Consolidated Edison by 33.3% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 4,128,579 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $393,495,000 after acquiring an additional 1,030,730 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Consolidated Edison during the 4th quarter valued at about $318,245,000. 67.30% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Consolidated Edison alerts: Consolidated Edison Price Performance Shares of ED stock opened at $95.89 on Friday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $93.04 and a two-hundred day moving average of $94.45. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99. Consolidated Edison, Inc. has a 12 month low of $78.10 and a 12 month high of $102.21. The company has a market capitalization of $33.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.66, a P/E/G ratio of 9.52 and a beta of 0.36. Consolidated Edison Announces Dividend Consolidated Edison ( NYSE:ED Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported $1.83 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.62 by $0.21. Consolidated Edison had a return on equity of 8.36% and a net margin of 15.56%. The company had revenue of $4.40 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.01 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.47 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts expect that Consolidated Edison, Inc. will post 4.86 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 16th will be given a dividend of $0.81 per share. This represents a $3.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.38%. Consolidated Edisons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 46.15%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of brokerages have recently commented on ED. Guggenheim lowered their price objective on Consolidated Edison from $90.00 to $85.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. KeyCorp increased their price objective on Consolidated Edison from $70.00 to $77.00 in a report on Wednesday. Bank of America lowered their price objective on Consolidated Edison from $96.00 to $92.00 in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Consolidated Edison in a report on Wednesday, June 7th. They issued a sell rating and a $88.00 target price on the stock. Finally, 3M reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Consolidated Edison in a report on Friday, May 5th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $90.62. About Consolidated Edison (Free Report) Consolidated Edison, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. It offers electric services to approximately 3.6 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,530 customers in parts of Manhattan. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ED? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Consolidated Edison Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Consolidated Edison and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Horan Capital Advisors LLC. trimmed its stake in The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG Free Report) by 0.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 26,722 shares of the companys stock after selling 223 shares during the quarter. Procter & Gamble comprises 1.6% of Horan Capital Advisors LLC.s portfolio, making the stock its 19th largest position. Horan Capital Advisors LLC.s holdings in Procter & Gamble were worth $3,973,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of PG. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC lifted its position in Procter & Gamble by 7.0% during the first quarter. Axiom Financial Strategies LLC now owns 1,728 shares of the companys stock valued at $276,000 after buying an additional 113 shares in the last quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in Procter & Gamble by 7.2% during the first quarter. AMI Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,461 shares of the companys stock valued at $529,000 after buying an additional 233 shares in the last quarter. LSV Asset Management lifted its position in Procter & Gamble by 5.7% during the first quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 18,600 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,842,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares in the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC acquired a new position in Procter & Gamble during the first quarter valued at approximately $3,073,000. Finally, Wsfs Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Procter & Gamble by 12.0% during the first quarter. Wsfs Capital Management LLC now owns 4,256 shares of the companys stock valued at $650,000 after buying an additional 455 shares in the last quarter. 64.65% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Procter & Gamble alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of brokerages have weighed in on PG. Truist Financial cut shares of Procter & Gamble from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their price target for the company from $165.00 to $155.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $171.00 to $175.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Evercore ISI lifted their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of Procter & Gamble from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 24th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Procter & Gamble presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $161.06. Procter & Gamble Stock Up 0.2 % Shares of NYSE:PG opened at $150.58 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $354.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.23, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.83 and a beta of 0.42. The Procter & Gamble Company has a 1-year low of $122.18 and a 1-year high of $158.11. The companys fifty day moving average is $148.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $147.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a current ratio of 0.59. Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, April 21st. The company reported $1.37 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.32 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $20.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $19.32 billion. Procter & Gamble had a net margin of 17.69% and a return on equity of 32.18%. The firms revenue was up 3.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.33 earnings per share. Equities analysts anticipate that The Procter & Gamble Company will post 5.86 EPS for the current year. Procter & Gamble Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.9407 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 20th. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.50%. Procter & Gambles dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 65.51%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Procter & Gamble news, CEO Ma. Fatima Francisco sold 8,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.84, for a total transaction of $1,254,720.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 9,343 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,465,356.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Ma. Fatima Francisco sold 8,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $156.84, for a total transaction of $1,254,720.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 9,343 shares in the company, valued at $1,465,356.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, COO Shailesh Jejurikar sold 31,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $156.03, for a total transaction of $4,836,930.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 10,014 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,562,484.42. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 95,093 shares of company stock valued at $14,821,930. Company insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock. Procter & Gamble Company Profile (Free Report) The Procter & Gamble Company provides branded consumer packaged goods worldwide. It operates through five segments: Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Fabric & Home Care; and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment offers conditioners, shampoos, styling aids, and treatments under the Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, Pantene, and Rejoice brands; and antiperspirants and deodorants, personal cleansing, and skin care products under the Olay, Old Spice, Safeguard, Secret, and SK-II brands. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Procter & Gamble Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Procter & Gamble and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLC grew its position in Visa Inc. (NYSE:V Free Report) by 1.8% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 72,429 shares of the credit-card processors stock after acquiring an additional 1,314 shares during the period. Visa comprises approximately 1.6% of Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 6th largest position. Knights of Columbus Asset Advisors LLCs holdings in Visa were worth $16,330,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Pictet & Cie Europe SA grew its holdings in shares of Visa by 5.7% in the 1st quarter. Pictet & Cie Europe SA now owns 370,319 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $83,492,000 after buying an additional 19,818 shares during the period. Seascape Capital Management grew its holdings in shares of Visa by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. Seascape Capital Management now owns 16,038 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $3,616,000 after buying an additional 48 shares during the period. Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. grew its holdings in shares of Visa by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Asahi Life Asset Management CO. LTD. now owns 37,679 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $8,495,000 after buying an additional 465 shares during the period. Horan Capital Advisors LLC. grew its holdings in shares of Visa by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Horan Capital Advisors LLC. now owns 9,924 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $2,238,000 after buying an additional 85 shares during the period. Finally, Retirement Systems of Alabama grew its holdings in shares of Visa by 8.3% in the 1st quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 728,891 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $164,336,000 after buying an additional 55,894 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.92% of the companys stock. Get Visa alerts: Visa Stock Down 0.8 % Visa stock opened at $239.57 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $448.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.03, a P/E/G ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a quick ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. Visa Inc. has a twelve month low of $174.60 and a twelve month high of $245.37. The companys 50-day moving average price is $231.14 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $227.00. Visa Announces Dividend Visa ( NYSE:V Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The credit-card processor reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.97 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $7.99 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.79 billion. Visa had a net margin of 50.95% and a return on equity of 50.21%. The businesss revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.79 EPS. As a group, analysts expect that Visa Inc. will post 8.59 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 12th were issued a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $1.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.75%. Visas dividend payout ratio is currently 24.06%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth V has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on shares of Visa from $262.00 to $265.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. 22nd Century Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Visa in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on shares of Visa from $253.00 to $263.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Robert W. Baird upped their target price on shares of Visa from $272.00 to $284.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, KeyCorp upped their target price on shares of Visa from $250.00 to $260.00 in a research note on Monday, April 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $263.88. Insider Buying and Selling at Visa In other Visa news, insider Rajat Taneja sold 22,700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.21, for a total transaction of $5,452,767.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 232,112 shares in the company, valued at approximately $55,755,623.52. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other Visa news, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 24,025 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total transaction of $5,766,000.00. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, insider Rajat Taneja sold 22,700 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.21, for a total transaction of $5,452,767.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 232,112 shares in the company, valued at approximately $55,755,623.52. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 165,727 shares of company stock valued at $38,891,141 in the last three months. 0.21% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. About Visa (Free Report) Visa Inc operates as a payments technology company worldwide. The company operates VisaNet, a transaction processing network that enables authorization, clearing, and settlement of payment transactions. It also offers credit, debit, and prepaid card products; tap to pay, tokenization, click to pay; Visa Direct, a real-time payments network; Visa B2B Connect, a multilateral B2B cross-border payments network; Visa Treasury as a Service, a cross-border consumer payments business; and Visa DPS that provides a range of value added services, including fraud mitigation, dispute management, data analytics, campaign management, a suite of digital solutions, and contact center services. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding V? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Visa Inc. (NYSE:V Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Visa Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Visa and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Texas Permanent School Fund Corp increased its holdings in Visa Inc. (NYSE:V Free Report) by 45.8% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 338,775 shares of the credit-card processors stock after buying an additional 106,472 shares during the quarter. Visa accounts for about 0.8% of Texas Permanent School Fund Corps investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest position. Texas Permanent School Fund Corps holdings in Visa were worth $76,380,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Global Wealth Strategies & Associates purchased a new stake in Visa during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. JDM Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Visa during the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Financial Freedom LLC purchased a new stake in Visa during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Ridgewood Investments LLC purchased a new stake in Visa during the 1st quarter valued at about $35,000. Finally, St. James Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in Visa by 58.7% during the 4th quarter. St. James Investment Advisors LLC now owns 219 shares of the credit-card processors stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. 84.92% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Visa alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on V. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of Visa from $270.00 to $275.00 in a report on Tuesday. 22nd Century Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Visa in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of Visa from $253.00 to $263.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Oppenheimer raised their price target on shares of Visa from $237.00 to $248.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Visa from $270.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $263.88. Visa Stock Performance Visa stock opened at $239.57 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $231.14 and its 200-day moving average price is $227.00. Visa Inc. has a twelve month low of $174.60 and a twelve month high of $245.37. The company has a quick ratio of 1.50, a current ratio of 1.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56. The company has a market cap of $448.79 billion, a PE ratio of 32.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.97. Visa (NYSE:V Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The credit-card processor reported $2.09 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.97 by $0.12. Visa had a net margin of 50.95% and a return on equity of 50.21%. The firm had revenue of $7.99 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.79 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.79 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Visa Inc. will post 8.59 EPS for the current fiscal year. Visa Dividend Announcement The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 12th were issued a $0.45 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $1.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.75%. Visas dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.06%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Rajat Taneja sold 22,700 shares of Visa stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.21, for a total transaction of $5,452,767.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 232,112 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $55,755,623.52. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Rajat Taneja sold 22,700 shares of Visa stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.21, for a total transaction of $5,452,767.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 232,112 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $55,755,623.52. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Ryan Mcinerney sold 425 shares of Visa stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total transaction of $102,000.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 165,727 shares of company stock valued at $38,891,141. Company insiders own 0.21% of the companys stock. Visa Company Profile (Free Report) Visa Inc operates as a payments technology company worldwide. The company operates VisaNet, a transaction processing network that enables authorization, clearing, and settlement of payment transactions. It also offers credit, debit, and prepaid card products; tap to pay, tokenization, click to pay; Visa Direct, a real-time payments network; Visa B2B Connect, a multilateral B2B cross-border payments network; Visa Treasury as a Service, a cross-border consumer payments business; and Visa DPS that provides a range of value added services, including fraud mitigation, dispute management, data analytics, campaign management, a suite of digital solutions, and contact center services. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding V? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Visa Inc. (NYSE:V Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Visa Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Visa and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Martin Griffiths (Front), UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefs a Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on July 21, 2023. United Nations relief chief Martin Griffiths on Friday said the world body will continue its engagement with all involved in the Black Sea Grain Initiative to ensure that Russian and Ukrainian food and fertilizer can continue to reach global markets. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, July 21 (Xinhua) -- United Nations relief chief Martin Griffiths on Friday said the world body will continue its engagement with all involved in the Black Sea Grain Initiative to ensure that Russian and Ukrainian food and fertilizer can continue to reach global markets. "Unified international support is essential if this is to be successful," said Griffiths, UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. Food and fertilizer exports from Ukraine and Russia remain of crucial importance to global food security, he told a Security Council meeting. 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. According to Griffiths, in the space of 12 months, the Black Sea Grain Initiative has enabled the safe export of close to 33 million metric tons of food from Ukrainian Black Sea ports to 45 countries, aboard more than 1,000 outbound vessels. Also speaking at the Security Council meeting, Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Undersecretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, echoed the remarks of Griffiths. "The (UN) Secretary-General has been clear: we will not stop our efforts to facilitate the unimpeded access to global markets for food and fertilizers from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation," she said. Citing recent situation, DiCarlo stressed that any risk of conflict spill over as a result of a military incident in the Black Sea, whether intentional or by accident, must be avoided at all costs. CAIRO, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Friday condemned Swedish authorities' repeated approval for some extremists to desecrate the Quran. "This disgraceful move is considered a huge and unacceptable provocation to the feelings of Muslims everywhere around the world," he said in a statement, condemning the desecration of the Quran. The Arab bloc warned weeks ago that granting official permissions that facilitate such actions will only contribute to the prevailing extremism speech. "The reluctance of addressing speeches of hate goes beyond freedom of speech," he said, noting mixing the norms of tolerance and freedom will feed violence. Meanwhile, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry slammed those actions that inflame the feelings of millions of Muslims. Egypt also voiced its concern over the repeated incidents of blasphemy and Islamophobia, and the rise of hate speech in many countries, adding their severe repercussions will impact the security, stability, and human rights in societies. "States must assume responsibility to confront and prevent these crimes, as well as hold perpetrators accountable," the ministry said in a statement. On Thursday, an Iraqi refugee, who burned a copy of the Quran last month, stomped on the holy book during a demonstration in Sweden's capital Stockholm. Protests in Kenyan cities against tax hikes and high living costs largely subsided on Thursday amid a heavy police presence, after several people were reported shot in clashes between security forces and demonstrators a day earlier. At least 300 people were arrested, including several senior opposition leaders, and several people were reported shot, some possibly fatally, in clashes with police on Wednesday. The demonstrations, planned for Wednesday to Friday, are the third round of protests that the opposition has called this month. Apart from minor skirmishes between about 500 protesters and police on Thursday in Kibera, a vast shantytown in the southwest of the capital Nairobi, most residents were going about their daily business as normal. Many shops in the capitals central business district reopened and traffic picked up on major roads. Schools also reopened in Nairobi, the port city of Mombasa and Kisumu, the countrys third-largest city, after being shut on Wednesday. Protests this year have cost the economy more than $20 million per day, according to a private sector lobby group. Veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga did not make a public appearance on Wednesday or Thursday as he did during previous protests. An afternoon rally called by his Azimio La Umoja coalition in central Nairobi on Thursday did not materialise, as anti-riot police kept watch in areas where the opposition often gathers. Anti-riot police also patrolled main business streets in Mombasa, according to a Reuters reporter. Odinga told privately-owned NTV Kenya television he had been out of public limelight while he recovered from a bad flu and said the protests were about the citizens, not him or his fellow opposition leaders. The demonstrations are for all Kenyans, he said. Odinga lost last Augusts election to President William Ruto, his fifth election defeat in a row, and has repeatedly called for acts of civil disobedience against a government he accuses of raising the cost of living and consolidating power. Ruto, who has pledged to champion the interests of the poor while the price of basic commodities has ballooned under his administration, commended police on Thursday for containing the protests. Congratulations for standing firm and ensuring there is peace, and making sure all criminals are apprehended, he said at an event in Isiolo in central Kenya. Rutos government argues higher taxes enacted last month were necessary to help with growing debt repayments and to fund job-creation initiatives. A Kenyan court froze the tax hikes late last month, pending a ruling by senior judges. At least 15 people were killed in the two previous rounds of protests earlier this month. Civic leaders have warned about sporadic incidents of apparent ethnic-based attacks in a country with a history of deadly political violence. Paul Ongili, an opposition lawmaker who was among those arrested on Wednesday, was charged in a Nairobi court along with six others with conspiring to commit subversive activities which are prejudicial to public order. He denies the charges. SOURCE: REUTERS Polands security committee decided in a meeting on Wednesday to move military units to the countrys east due to the Wagner Groups presence in Belarus, state-run news agency PAP quoted its secretary as saying on Friday. Wagner 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 while they trained the Belarusian army. On Thursday, the Belarusian defence ministry said Wagner mercenaries had started to train Belarusian special forces at a military range just a few miles from the border with NATO-member Poland. Training or joint exercises of the Belarusian army and the Wagner Group is undoubtedly a provocation, Zbigniew Hoffmann told PAP. The Committee analysed possible threats, such as the dislocation of Wagner Group units. Therefore, the Minister of National Defense, chairman of the Committee, Mariusz Blaszczak, decided to move our military formations from the west to the east of Poland. People living near Polands border with Belarus said on Thursday they could hear shooting and helicopters after Russias Wagner Group arrived to train Belarusian special forces, compounding their fears the Ukraine war would reach them. Defense Minister Blasczak said earlier this month that Poland began moving over 1,000 troops to the east of the country. Also at the beginning of July Poland said it would send 500 policeto shore up security at the border with Belarus. Source: Reuters CAIRO, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Egypt is on the right track towards a green and sustainable energy transition, Egypt's official MENA news agency on Friday quoted an official from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as saying. Maya Hennerkes, EBRD director for green financial systems, praised the country's Nexus of Water, Food and Energy Program (NWFE) which aims to promote eco-friendly projects related to the National Climate Change Strategy 2050 and to enhance Egypt's Vision 2030. Hennerkes said that Egypt has replaced old power stations with a total capacity of five gigawatts with renewable energy resources, making it one of the promising countries that has the ability to make this transition. Being Egypt's leading partner on the NWFE, EBRD will provide 1.3 billion euros (1.45 billion U.S. dollars) to finance projects of transition to green and renewable energy in the coming five years, said the institution's Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region Heike Harmgart earlier. In November 2022, the partnership agreement on the program's implementation was signed between the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of International Cooperation and an EBRD-led group of development partners. Egypt is a founding member of the EBRD. The lending institution has invested more than 9.8 billion euros in 152 projects across Egypt since the start of its operations in the country in 2012, according to the report. [July 20, 2023] Procure IT Taps John Cooper to Lead Digital Voice Transformation Consulting Practice Tweet UCaaS/CCaaS Veteran to Help Businesses Leverage Next-generation AI-driven Voice Technologies to Improve CX and EX CARROLLTON, Texas, July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Procure IT, a game-changing data-driven IT procurement and management company, announced today that it has tapped John Cooper, an 18-year communications veteran, to lead the company's enterprise consulting practice focused on helping businesses leverage next-generation voice technologies to improve customer experience (CX) and employee experience (EX). Procure IT Taps John Cooper to Lead Digital Voice Transformation Consulting Practice "Voice transformation is emerging as the next critical phase of businesses' digital journey," said Randy Jeter, Procure IT Founder and Managing Partner. "We're thrilled to have a forward-thinking executive with John Cooper's experience and enthusiasm lead the Procure IT team in helping our business clients capitalize on this promising opportunity." Cooper joins the Procure IT team as a Managing Director Voice Transformation, specializing in unified communications as a service (UCaaS), contact center as a service (CCaaS), artificial intelligence (AI) and CX/EX solutions. In his new role, Cooper will lead a team helping companies navigate the convergence of digital and voice technologies and leverage the power of AI, automation and data insights to develop strategies that drive business impact. Cooper brings nearly two decades of experience working with business clients to deploy communications and contact center solutions to his role at Procure IT. Most recently, he spent four years as the Practice Lead for CX, CCaaS and UCaaS at ARG-IT Clarity. Earlier in his career, he was Director of Major Accounts MidAtlantic for RingCentral; Global Solution Specialist, Microsoft UCaaS and CCaaS at Arkdin Inc.; and North American Sales Director, Unified Communications at IceWarp. "Digital transformation isn't only about embracing digital technologies to reimagine business processes. Voice also plays an increasingly vital role," said Cooper. "It's not your father's voice, however, but a new generation of converged digital and voice solutions that have the potential to dramatically change the employee and customer experience." Businesses are combining voice technology with AI, machine learning and natural language processing (NLP) to create more intelligent, interactive and intuitive communication systems. Examples include "smart" virtual agents helping customers calling into a contact center or voice-activated assistants like Alexa or Siri. "We can also expect to see voice technology becoming more and more integrated and sophisticated within other digital technologies such as smart rooms and buildings, and virtual and augmented reality, leading to even more immersive and interactive communication experiences," Cooper said. Cooper will lead a series of Procure IT workshops to educate businesses about emerging voice solutions and experience them in action. Procure IT also is offering a complimentary CX360 Assessment to help companies identify use cases and opportunities for their organizations to improve efficiency, reduce costs and enhance CX and EX. To schedule an assessment, email [email protected]. More Information To learn more about leveraging the Procure IT platform to simplify and optimize your company's IT environment, visit www.procureit.com. To speak to a Procure IT sourcing expert, visit www.procureit.com/contact or email [email protected]. Suppliers interested in becoming part of the Procure IT platform can connect with the supplier management team by emailing [email protected]. About Procure IT Procure IT, the data-driven IT procurement and management company, simplifies IT sourcing and expense, performance and risk management for businesses of all sizes from small and medium businesses (SMBs) to global enterprises. Procure IT leverages decades of expertise in technology sourcing, relationships with more than 350 IT suppliers, proven processes and a proprietary CX software platform to help business clients save time and money while ensuring they have the technology they need to succeed in a competitive marketplace. Procure IT advises more than 3,000 businesses nationwide, speeding sourcing by 5X and reducing spending by 25 percent. For more information, visit www.procureit.com or engage with us on LinkedIn. Media Contact Khali Henderson BuzzTheory (for Procure IT) 480.848.6726 [email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/procure-it-taps-john-cooper-to-lead-digital-voice-transformation-consulting-practice-301882493.html SOURCE Procure IT [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] BANGKOK, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Move Forward Party said on Friday that it will step aside to allow the coalition partner Pheu Thai Party to lead in forming a new government after its leader Pita Limjaroenrat suffered major setbacks in his premiership bid. The Move Forward Party will nominate a Pheu Thai candidate as prime minister in the next parliamentary vote and support the Pheu Thai Party in forming the government run by the 8-party alliance, said its Secretary-General Chaithawat Tulathon. Parties in the coalition vowed to do their best in a race against time to seek additional support from MPs and senators for the prime ministerial nomination, Pheu Thai Party leader Cholnan Srikaew said in a separate news briefing. The Move Forward Party emerged as the largest party in the lower house of the National Assembly in Thailand's general election in May. It has since formed a coalition with the Pheu Thai Party and other smaller parties in the opposition in a bid for the premiership. The bicameral Thai parliament voted against Pita's renomination on Wednesday after he fell short of the simple majority required to be elected as the prime minister last week. The next joint sitting of the parliament is scheduled for July 27 to elect the new premier. [July 20, 2023] Sumsub to Establish APAC Headquarters Providing Full-cycle Verification Services Tweet Global verification provider reinforces its presence in APAC, forging vital partnerships and serving new clients in Singapore, Hong Kong and beyond SINGAPORE, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sumsub, a full-cycle verification platform that secures the whole user journey, today announces its plans to make Singapore its APAC headquarters and wider business development goals in the region. This strategic move comes in response to the escalating threat of identity fraud in the region with the rise in digital startups. In recent years, Singapore has seen a sharp rise in digital assets and fintech businesses. Similarly, Hong Kong is also emerging as an international crypto hub as it continues to embrace the potential of Web3. By capitalizing on Singapore's global financial stature and tapping into its vibrant startup scene, Sumsub aims to forge valuable partnerships and extend its reach in the wider region. "The Asia-Pacific region is one of our top priorities in terms of global expansion. Here, digital startups, especially fintechs, are booming, and we see huge business opportunities in the APAC market since instant user onboarding and strong fraud protection are in high demand. Sumsub has already helped thousands of global Western and Eastern companies build high-conversion verification flows while keeping fraud at bay and ensuring regulatory complianceand we're ready to serve more customers and partners in the APAC region," comments Andrew Sever, co-founder & CEO of Sumsub. As Sumsub's internal statistics show, APAC is no exception when it comes to the steady increase in identity fraud worldwide. For instance, in Singapore, digital fraud in the fintech industry grew 33% from Q1 to Q2 2023. During the same period, the rate of ID card fraud increased 1.5 times, while passport fraud more than double, reaching 3.5%. In Hong Kong, the passport fraud rate reached over 4% last quarter, alongside Malaysia. Notably, the Philippines experienced a doubling of residence permit, Indonesia and Thailand witnessed over 60% increase in ID fraud rate. With years of international experience and dozens of Asian clients in its portfolioincluding Binance, bitwallet, and BybitSumsub has developed a product that allows companies to maintain a high level of fraud protection and stay compliant with various KYC (know your customer), KYB (know your business) and AML (anti-money laundering) regulations. Sumsub breaks down borders for businesses by offering the best customer experiences customized to different jurisdictions, all while providing the highest pass rates across both emerging and developed markets. Sumsub rolls out innovative features ahead of wider market adoption, offering a Travel Rule solution for the crypto industry in Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as document-free 1click verification in Indonesia. This allows for fast and inclusive onboarding in Asian markets. Sumsub has appointed Penny Chai as its leading representative in Singapore, responsible for business development and operations in the APAC region. Having joined Sumsub earlier this year, Penny is a veteran in the identity verification industry and a seasoned expert in fintech and IT compliance. "We are thrilled to announce the opening of our new regional headquarters in Singapore, marking an exciting milestone for our company in the APAC region. With our extensive experience and best practices from around the world, we are excited to work closely with our partners and businesses to foster a more secure business environment in the region", adds Penny Chai, VP of Business Development, APAC at Sumsub. With its expansion to the APAC region, Sumsub aims to target fintech, crypto, trading, gaming and mobilityindustries in which the company already verifies millions of identities annually for its 2000+ global client base. About Sumsub Sumsub is a full-cycle verification platform that secures every step of the user journey. With Sumsub's customizable KYC, KYB, AML, Transaction Monitoring, and Fraud Prevention solutions, you can orchestrate your verification process, welcome more customers worldwide, meet compliance requirements, reduce costs and protect your business. Sumsub achieves the highest conversion rates in the industry96.59% in Malaysia, 87.57% in Indonesia, and 86.08% in Singaporewhile verifying users in less than 50 seconds on average. Sumsub's methodology follows FATF recommendations, the international standard for AML/CTF rules and local regulatory requirements (FINMA, FCA, CySEC, MAS, BaFin). As the first regulated compliance-as-a-service provider, Sumsub has a team of compliance experts ready to consult on regulatory specifics worldwide. With over 2,000 clients across the fintech, crypto, transportation, trading, e-commerce and gaming industries, Sumsub partners with the likes of Mercuryo, Bybit, Huobi, Unlimint, DiDi, Poppy and TransferGo. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/sumsub-to-establish-apac-headquarters-providing-full-cycle-verification-services-301882270.html SOURCE Sumsub [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [July 20, 2023] BAXTER SHAREHOLDER ALERT by Former Louisiana Attorney General: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Reminds Investors With Losses in Excess of $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Baxter International Inc. - BAX Tweet Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until September 11, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX), if they purchased the Company's securities between May 12, 2022 and February 8, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. What You May Do If you purchased securities of Baxter and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-bax/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by September 11, 2023. About the Lawsuit Baxter and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On February 9, 2023, pre-market, the Company announced its Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2002 earnings results, disclosing that, despite its prior assurances, the problems with its supply chain and the resulting effect on its operations was not under control, that it did not meet its earnings guidance for the year, and that earnings guidance going forward would have to be lowered for the first quarter of 2023. On this news, shares of Baxter fell from $45.68 per share to $41.01 per share, on unusually heavy trading volume. The case is Kelley v. Baxter International, Inc., et al., No. 23-cv-04497. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey. To learn more about KSF, you may visit http://ksfcounsel.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230720633390/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [July 21, 2023] Capcom's Devil May Cry series games now discounted on Steam TOKYO, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Steam Devil May Cry Franchise Sale - the digital download versions of the Devil May Cry series games by Capcom are now discounted for a limited time. The Steam Devil May Cry Franchise Sale starts on 21 July 2023 and lasts until 4 August 00:59 CST. Experience the exhilarating stylish action of DmC! Devil May Cry's entire lineup is now up to 75% off. Discounted mainline entries Various paid DLC are also on sale for up to 75% off. If you have yet to try out this critically acclaimed action-adventure series, now is the perfect chance. Check out the sale here: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/devilmaycryfranchise What is Devil May Cry? Devil May Cry is a series of stylish action games that has sold over 29 million copies worldwide. The series follows Dante, a Devil Hunter who is half-demon himself, as he hunts down and eliminates demons with style. All series titles are adapted for modern hardware with vividly detailed graphics and high frame rate. Get ready to slay swarms of enemies and topple towering demons, all while executing savage attack combos! Copyright:CAPCOM CO., LTD. 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/capcoms-devil-may-cry-series-games-now-discounted-on-steam-301882729.html SOURCE Capcom [July 21, 2023] E Fund Management Marks First Anniversary of ETF Connect with Inclusion of Four ETF Products Tweet HONG KONG, July 21, 2023 /CNW/ -- E Fund Management ("E Fund" or the Company), the largest fund management company with offices in mainland China and Hong Kong, marks the first anniversary of the ETF Connect program by expanding its participation. With significant presence in the asset management industry, the Company continues to strengthen its role in this program with inclusion of four additional ETF products, namely E Fund SSE 50 ETF, E Fund STAR 50 ETF, E Fund CSI 1000 ETF, and E Fund CSI SEEE Carbon Neutral ETF. The expanded offerings became effective on July 17, 2023. This landmark program, which facilitates two way capital flows between mainland China and Hong Kong for eligible exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), has played a pivotal role in deepening the integration of capital markets. Launched in July 2022, the ETF Connect was poised to include ETFs in the Stock Connect, which is often referred to as the mutual market access program. This allows Hong Kong and international investors to trade eligible ETFs listed in mainland China through Hong Kong securities firms, and reciprocally, mainland investors gain access to trade eligible Hong Kng-listed ETFs through local brokerages. The ETF Connect has grown in both size and scope over the past year. According to Hong Kong Stock Exchanges, a total of 137 ETFs can be traded through the program starting from July 17, 2023. As of July 14, 2023, the total trading volume of Northbound ETFs ETF investment flows from Hong Kong to the Mainland amounted to approximately RMB53 billion (US$7.3 billion) since inception, while Southbound ETFs (from the Mainland to Hong Kong) reached a total trading volume of HK$382 billion (US$48.7 billion). Lin Weibin, Head of Index Investment Department at E Fund Management said, "For overseas investors, the ETF Connect offers a convenient and efficient way to access China's A-share market. We will work to drive more products to be included in the program, providing international investors with an even broader array of investment opportunities." E Fund joined the ETF Connect as early as its commencement in July 2022 and added three more ETFs in January 2023, covering the CSI Dividend, STAR and ChiNext 50, and MSCI China A50 indices. Now, with the latest expansion in July 2023, E Fund currently has 13 products available in the program. About E Fund Management Established in 2001, E Fund Management Co., Ltd. ("E Fund") is a leading comprehensive fund manager in China with close to RMB 3 trillion (USD 414 billion) under management. It offers investment solutions to onshore and offshore clients, helping clients achieve long-term sustainable investment performances. E Fund's clients include both individuals and institutions, ranging from central banks, sovereign wealth funds, social security funds, pension funds, insurance and reinsurance companies, to corporates and banks. Long-term oriented, it has been focusing on the investment management business since inception and believes in the power of in-depth research and time in investing. It is a pioneer and leading practitioner in responsible investments in China and is widely recognized as one of the most trusted and outstanding Chinese asset managers. Source: E Fund AuM is preliminary estimation and includes subsidiaries. Data as of Jun 30, 2023. FX rate is sourced from PBoC as at end of June, 2023. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/e-fund-management-marks-first-anniversary-of-etf-connect-with-inclusion-of-four-etf-products-301882803.html SOURCE E Fund Management [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [July 21, 2023] Molecure completes successful Secondary Public Offering (SPO) of approximately PLN 50 million (USD 12 million) with proceeds to be used to fund and build a first in class, sustainable pipeline of breakthrough therapies Tweet Press release Molecure completes successful Secondary Public Offering (SPO) of approximately PLN 50 million (USD 12 million) with proceeds to be used to fund and build a first in class, sustainable pipeline of breakthrough therapies Closing of equity offering of 2,776,000 series H shares by private placement, offered within the authorised capital, at an issue price of PLN 18 per share S eries H shares were subscribed for by 35 investors , new and existing institutional investors participated in the placement Investor interest was very high and the offer was oversubscribed The Company will leverage the recently completed capital raise to co-finance the implementation of Molecure's strategic plans for 2023-2025 Warsaw, 21 July 2023. - Molecure S.A. ("Molecure", WSE ticker: MOC), a biotechnology company discovering and developing drugs to the clinical stage, which leverages its globally unique expertise in in medicinal chemistry and biology to explore and develop first-in-class small-molecule drugs that directly modulate protein activity and mRNA function to treat a wide range of incurable diseases, announced that it has successfully closed a SPO and entered into subscription agreements for all 2,776,000 H shares offered by way of private placement, within the authorized capital. The issue price was set at PLN 18, bringing the gross value of the offering to approximately PLN 50 million. "We have successfully closed the H-share offering, which garnered significant interest from existing and new investors. We would like to thank all investors for participating in the offering and for the trust they have placed in Molecure. During the offering, we encountered a very good reception to our strategy and a positive evaluation of the Company's growth potential, which translated into investor interest several times higher than the number of shares offered. Considering the current market conditions, we view the execution of the share issue as a remarkable achievement. The proceeds from the offering will be utilized to finance the advancement of Molecure's clinical and research programmes, aimed at developing effective therapies to address numerous incurable diseases afflicting patients" - said Marcin Szumowski, CEO and shareholder of Molecure S.A. The proceeds raised through the offering will co-finance the implementation of the Company's strategic plans for 2023-2025, particularly the clinical development of its wo flagship programmes, namely OATD-01 (a first-in-class chitotriosidase 1 (CHIT1) inhibitor for interstitial lung disease) and OATD-02 (a first-in-class dual arginase inhibitor for cancer). Additionally, efforts will be intensified in a portfolio of early-stage programmes, including breakthrough small-molecule drug technology that modulates mRNA translation and therapeutics targeting previously unexplored protein targets. These initiatives are bolstered by advanced machine learning and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) methods. Molecure estimates that the capital expenditure associated with the strategy from mid-2023 to the end of 2025 will amount to approximately PLN 250 million. Molecure is the only biotech company in Poland with two, proprietary first-in-class compounds at the clinical trial stage and is consistently building the value of these programmes. The company aims to secure at least one high-value partnership agreement for one of these clinical assets between 2023 and 2025, which could translate into tangible benefits for Shareholders. "The primary business objective of our strategy is to transform the intellectual property value we have created into commercial success. We anticipate concluding a partnering agreement for at least one of our clinical assets before 2025, while also establishing commercial collaborations for programmes currently at an earlier stage of development. We are pleased that investors participating in the share offering have recognised our progress thus far and our strategy for future growth. The funds raised from the share issue, combined with other sources of funding, will provide vital support for the successful and on-track progress of our programmes and further strengthens our negotiating position with partners" - added Marcin Szumowski. LEGAL DISCLAIMER This material is for information purposes only. It is published by the Company solely for the purpose of providing relevant information regarding the terms and conditions of the offer of H Shares. This material is in no way intended to promote, directly or indirectly, the offer, subscription or purchase of H Shares, nor does it constitute any advertisement or promotional material prepared or published by the Company for the purpose of promoting the H Shares, their subscription, purchase or offer or for the purpose of encouraging investors, directly or indirectly, to purchase or subscribe for H Shares. The Company has not published to date and does not intend to publish after the date of this current report any material for the purpose of promoting the Series H Shares, their subscription or purchase. This material does not identify or suggest, and is not intended to identify or suggest, any risks [direct or indirect] that may be associated with an investment in the H Shares. Any investment decision to subscribe for or purchase H Shares pursuant to an offer, subscription or sale of such shares must be made solely on the basis of publicly available information. This material does not constitute an invitation to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities in any jurisdiction. This material does not constitute a recommendation regarding an investor's decision to offer, subscribe for or purchase H Shares. Each investor or potential investor should conduct its own investigation, analysis and evaluation of the business and data described in this material and publicly available information. The price and value of securities can go up as well as down. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. For further information, please contact: Media and retail investors: Michal Wierzchowski, cc group mob. +48 531 613 067 e-mail: [email protected] Institutional investors and sell-side analysts: Katarzyna Mucha, cc group mob. +48 697 613 712 e-mail: [email protected] MEDiSTRAVA Consulting (Financial PR) David Dible, Frazer Hall, Sandi Greenwood +44 (0)203 928 6900 [email protected] About Molecure Molecure is a clinical stage biotechnology company that uses its world leading medicinal chemistry and biology capabilities to discover and develop first-in-class small molecule drug candidates that directly modulate the function of underexplored protein and RNA targets to treat multiple incurable diseases. Molecure has generated a diverse pipeline of seven distinct programs with the support of leading academic life science institutions. Molecures most advanced in-house drug candidate is OATD-01, a first in class dual chitinase inhibitor for the treatment of interstitial lung diseases, such as sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, that is Phase II ready. A Phase II trial in patients with sarcoidosis is expected to start in early Q4 2023. Our second proprietary candidate is OATD-02, an oral, potent and selective first in class, dual arginase inhibitor (ARG1 and ARG2) for the treatment of cancer, which advanced to Phase I clinical development in Q1 2023. Molecures headquarters and laboratories are located in Warsaw, Poland with an additional laboratory facility in Lodz. The company is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (ticker: MOC). For more information, please visit https://molecure.com/ LinkedIn: Molecure | Twitter: @molecure_sa | YouTube: Molecure SA [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [July 21, 2023] InvestmentPitch Media Video Discusses ARway's License of its Augmented Reality Spatial Computing Navigation Platform for Minimum of $500,000 Annually with Plans to Disrupt $50 billion Exhibition Industry Tweet VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ARway Corporation (CSE:ARWY) (OTCQB:ARWYF) (FSE:E65), the leading provider of an innovative Augmented Reality Experience platform, announced a groundbreaking partnership with Map D, a well-established event technology company. Map D, a 13-year old event technology company wholly owned by Nextech3D.ai. (OTCQX:NEXCF) (CSE:NTAR), specializes in providing innovative solutions that enhance attendee and exhibitor experiences. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by selecting the image or link below: For more information, please view the InvestmentPitch Media video which provides additional information about this news and the company, along with video comments from Evan Gappelberg, CEO. The video is available for viewing on InvestmentPitch and on YouTube . If these links are not enabled, please visit www.InvestmentPitch.com and enter ARway in the search box. Under Map Ds contract to license ARways spatial computing navigation platform, ARway is guaranteed a minimum of $500,000 over 12 months with ARway entitled to an additional 10% royalty should sales exceed $500,000 within any 12-month period. Through this strategic partnership, Map Dynamics aims to disrupt the trade show industry through the introduction of ARway's cutting-edge augmented reality indoor navigation system. This momentous partnership sets the stage for a new era in the trade show industry, where augmented reality navigation becomes an integral part of the event experience. It is expected the synergy of these two industry leaders will drive innovation, foster growth, and position both companies at the forefront of the evolving event technology landscape. Michael Candela, Map D's Senior VP, Strategic Markets, stated: "The fusion of Map D's robust interactive mapping technology with ARway's innovative augmented reality capabilities is not just an upgrade; it's a leap forward that promises to revolutionize the navigation, and advertising experiences at events!" ReportLinker reports that the global exhibition market size is expected to reach over $50 billion, growing at a CAGR of over 3% during the period 20192025, with the US region the largest market for exhibitions. The shares, which began trading in November, are trading at $0.67. For more information, please visit the companys website www.arway.ai or contact Evan Gappelberg, CEO, at 866-274-8493. For Investor Relations, contact Julia Viola at [email protected] . About InvestmentPitch Media InvestmentPitch Media leverages the power of video, which together with its extensive distribution, positions a companys story ahead of the 1,000's of companies seeking awareness and funding from the financial community. The company specializes in producing short videos based on significant news releases, research reports and other content of interest to investors. Disclaimer The information in this InvestmentPitch Media Ltd video is for the viewers information only. ARway has paid a fee not exceeding $2,000 in cash to have its current news release produced in video format. The corporate information is based on information that is publicly available. Any information provided by InvestmentPitch Media Ltd., through its media services is not to be construed as a recommendation or suggestion or offer to buy or sell securities but is provided solely as an informational media service. InvestmentPitch Media Ltd makes no warranties or undertakings as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. All due diligence should be done by the viewer or their financial advisor. Investing in securities is speculative and carries risk. CONTACT: InvestmentPitch Media Barry Morgan, CFO [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [July 21, 2023] Schurz Communications Appoints Tony Heaton as President and General Manager of Antietam Broadband Tweet MISHAWAKA, Ind., July 21, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Schurz Communications, Inc. (Schurz) today announced the appointment of Tony Heaton as President and General Manager of Antietam Broadband in Hagerstown, Maryland. Heaton is a skilled executive leader that has been with Antietam Broadband since 1989. He assumes the role from Brian Lynch, Senior Vice President of Broadband, Schurz Communications who also led Antietam Broadband as part of his work with the Schurz Broadband portfolio. Tony is an oustanding leader who is deeply involved in the community and dedicated to providing the best possible service to our Antietam customers, said Brian Lynch, Senior Vice President of Broadband, Schurz Communications. The Schurz and Antietam teams are thrilled that he is managing the business and will continue to drive the companys ongoing growth across the region. At Antietam Broadband, Heaton was most recently the Director of Media Services where he developed and implemented strategic plans resulting in significant revenue growth and community service awards for the company. I welcome this opportunity to continue to serve the wonderful customers and loyal employees of Antietam Broadand as we expand high speed internet throughout western Maryland, said Heaton. Our focus will continue to be on providing the best possible customer service and the fastest broadband speeds, all at every day low prices. Heaton currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, is a Chamber Board representative on the Government Affairs Committee, and a Community Coalition Advisory Committee member. Prior to joining Schurz Communications, he began his career in the broadband cable industry with sales roles at Cable AdCom and Antietam Cable Television. Heaton holds a Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia University. About Antietam Broadband Antietam Broadband was founded in 1966 and was purchased by Schurz Communications, Inc. in 1968. It is a full-service telecommunications company offering a comprehensive range of digital television, high-speed Internet and digital phone services for residents and businesses in Washington County, MD. The company is focused on enhancing the lives of its customers by providing the latest telecommunication services and maintaining the highest standards of excellence in customer care and world class technical service. For more information, please visit: www.antietambroadband.com. About Schurz Communications Schurz is a family-owned corporation that has been helping businesses, communities and individuals make meaningful connections for five generations. The Schurz legacy began in newspaper publishing, radio, and television, and today, the company remains committed to making information more accessible through the platforms and technology of the digital age. Schurz Communications recent investments include the creation of the Antietam Broadband Innovation Fund, which is dedicated to helping finance small businesses throughout Hagerstown and western Maryland. For more information, please visit: www.schurz.com . Media Contact Christy Kemp Dahlia Public Relations [email protected] [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [July 21, 2023] Industrial Robotics Company Ati Motors Secures US$10.85 Million in Series A Funding Led by Silicon Valley's True Ventures Tweet New investor Athera Venture Partners and existing investors Blume Ventures, Exfinity Venture Partners, and MFV Partners also participate BENGALURU, India and DETROIT, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ati Motors, maker of autonomous industrial robots, today announced the close of its Series A funding round in the amount of US$10.85 million. The investment, occurring alongside the company's product launch event, will further accelerate the development and deployment of Ati Motors' robotics technology for automating work in industrial environments and warehouses. The Series A round is led by True Ventures, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology companies. Athera Ventures Partners, also joined as a new investor, bringing its extensive experience in deep tech investments. The round saw significant participation from previous investors: Blume Ventures, Exfinity Ventures and MFV Partners. The latest funding will empower Ati Motors to expand into markets in the US, South East Asia, Japan, and Europe while exploring untapped opportunities across pharmaceuticals, chemicals, maritime, and injection molding sectors. Ati Motors will continue to invest in research and development to launch new products and capabilities in the market. At the product launch event, the Ati Motors team showcased new models of its advanced autonomous mobile robots designed to enhance productivity and efficiency across various sectors. The company's robots are inspired by self-driving cars in terms of how they combine artificial intelligence, computer vision, and hardware to perform complex tasks in dynamic environments. Key use cases have spanned industries such as warehousing, logistics manufacturing, and more. The company has achieved strong product market fit within factories in the automotive, tyres and electrical industries. "The autonomous robots space is brimming with immense opportunities, and we're at the forefront of this revolution as we transform industrial operations," said Saurabh Chandra, CEO of Ati Motors. "This funding will fuel our expansion into new markets and industries. With the support of our investors who share our vision, we're well-positionedto continue pushing the boundaries of robotics technology and meet the evolving needs of our customers." "Ati Motors has developed a remarkable platform that has the potential to revolutionize multiple sectors," said Rohit Sharma, partner at True Ventures. "We're excited to lead this funding round and support the Ati Motors team in their mission to deploy intelligent robots to solve complex challenges in Industrial applications today. This team, combined with a relentless focus on innovation, positions them as a key player in the autonomous robotics space." "We are pleased to back Saurabh and his team at Ati. The team's ability to design autonomous robots that operate in demanding manufacturing environments, is a testament to the availability of multidisciplinary skills in the Indian start-up ecosystem," said Parag Dhol, partner at Athera Ventures. "We look forward to working with the Ati team to create a leading robotics company from India." Ati Motors counts Bosch, TVS Motors, CEAT and Hyundai amongst some of its key customers across India and US. The demand for autonomous mobile robots is rapidly increasing, driven by the need for efficient and flexible solutions in a changing world. Ati Motors' robots have demonstrated their ability to reduce costs, optimize workflows, and improve safety in various industries; crucial steps for businesses striving to stay ahead in a competitive landscape. Media kit- Ati Motors Product VIdeo About Ati Motors Ati Motors is a leading autonomous mobile robot manufacturer dedicated to transforming industries through innovative robotics technology inspired by self-driving cars. With a focus on artificial intelligence, computer vision, and cutting-edge hardware, Ati Motors develops autonomous mobile robots that optimize productivity and streamline operations in sectors such as warehousing, logistics, and manufacturing. Previously, Ati Motors had raised US$3.5 million in Pre-series A funding led by Blume Ventures, Exfinity Venture Partners, and MFV Partners in 2021. The company has also received seed funding from Village Global, an early-stage fund based in the Bay Area and backed by Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos, among others. Learn more at www.atimotors.com . About True Ventures True Ventures is a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage technology startups. The True team believes creativity flourishes when founders are supported fully and empowered to pursue brave ideas. To that end, the True Platform offers programs that inspire professional and personal growth. To date, True has helped more than 350 companies launch and scale their businesses, creating over 85,000 jobs worldwide. For more information, visit www.trueventures.com . About Athera Venture Partners Athera (formerly Inventus India) has a rich history of backing entrepreneurs in the technology space. The Athera team has 35+ years of operating and entrepreneurial experience, and 60+ years of early-stage venture experience. The Athera team has backed over 60 Indian technology start-ups in their venture careers. For more information, visit www.atheravp.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/industrial-robotics-company-ati-motors-secures-us10-85-million-in-series-a-funding-led-by-silicon-valleys-true-ventures-301883016.html [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [July 21, 2023] FHLB Dallas and Veritex Community Bank Give Veteran Relief from Texas Heat Tweet U.S. Air Force veteran Ryan Urquhart can keep cool in the Texas heat thanks to a $10,000 Housing Assistance for Veterans (HAVEN) grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) through its member, Veritex Community Bank (Veritex). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721319850/en/ A retired U.S. Air Force veteran is able to stay cool in the Texas heat, thanks to a $10,000 Housing Assistance for Veterans grant from Veritex Community Bank and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas. (Photo: Business Wire) Mr. Urquhart, 22, is a retired senior airman who joined the military to find focus in his life. "When I joined the military, I felt like I was ahead of everyone else. I learned a trade, while everyone else was still flipping burgers," he said. His job in the Air Force - aerospace maintenance - required him to work on heavy duty cargo aircraft, which caused a back injury while he was stationed in Germany. He said he is 70 percent disabled because of back issues. Mr. Urquhart said his home's air conditioning unit hadn't been fully operational for years, which can be dangerous during a Texas summer. He learned about HAVEN from Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, applied and ws awarded funding for a new central air conditioning unit. "I am absolutely delighted," he said. "I'm at a loss for words. It's not something I expected to happen." HAVEN provides grants to veterans and active-duty, reserve or National Guard service members who have been disabled in the line of duty since August 2, 1990. Funds can be used for modifications to an existing home to offset construction costs. They may also be used to assist with a down payment costs, closing costs or both. In addition, the funds may be used to assist Gold Star Families that were impacted during this time frame. "Mr. Urquhart serves as an inspiration for us all. His dedication to this country is truly demonstrated in his story and reinforces our role as a community bank and how we can support veterans," said Melanie Goodman, community reinvestment officer at Veritex. "At Veritex, we strive to be the bank that not only provides exceptional financial services, but also delivers unparalleled support and uplifts the entire community. Together, let's continue to make a positive impact and stand strong with our veterans." FHLB Dallas recently expanded the eligibility criteria for HAVEN in the hopes of helping more veterans. "Veritex's involvement in the HAVEN program has a profound impact in veterans' lives," said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. "The HAVEN program ensures that our veterans are able to live comfortably in their home with their disability." Learn more at fhlb.com/haven. About Veritex Bank Veritex Community Bank is a mid-sized community bank serving its customers with a full suite of banking products and services. The bank has convenient branch locations in Houston, Fort Worth, and Dallas, Texas, with total assets of more than $12 billion. The bank, headquartered in Dallas, specializes in providing depository and credit services to small to mid-size businesses, which have been largely neglected by national banks. The name "Veritex" is derived from the Latin word "veritas," meaning truth and "Texas." About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $181.2 billion as of March 31, 2023, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit our website at fhlb.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721319850/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [July 21, 2023] AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of SIAT-Societa Italiana Assicurazioni e Riassicurazioni p.A. Tweet AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "a-" (Excellent) of SIAT-Societa Italiana Assicurazioni e Riassicurazioni p.A. (SIAT) (Italy), a subsidiary of UnipolSai Assicurazioni S.p.A. (UnipolSai). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. The ratings reflect SIAT's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM). The ratings also consider, in the form of a rating lift, AM Best's expectation that UnipolSai will provide financial support to SIAT if needed. SIAT's risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Best's Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), was at the strongest level at year-end 2022, and AM Best expects BCAR to be maintained, at least, at the very strong level. SIAT maintains a strong liquidity profile, with liquid investments accounting for approximately 142% of its year-end 2022, net technical liabilities. Offsetting factors in the balance sheet strength assessment include the company's investment concentration in Italian government bonds and its dependence on reinsurance to write high-value risks. SIAT has a track record of adequate underwriting performance, with volatility contained by an effective reinsurance programme. In 2022, pre-tax profits amounted to EUR 7.9 million (adjusted by AM Best for extraordinary income and expenses), with the combined ratio standing at 90.1% (as calculated by AM Best) at year end. SIAT's five-year average combined ratio stood at 94.0% (2018-2022) (as calculated by AM Best). AM Best expects SIAT to continue to repot profits, with combined ratios below 100%, supported by selective underwriting. SIAT has an established reputation as a niche insurer in the marine hull and cargo segments, in which it ranks among the leading players in Italy. In addition, the company's business profile is strengthened by its reciprocal outsourcing agreements with its parent, UnipolSai. SIAT benefits from a developed ERM framework, with the risk function centralised at the group level. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising 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. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721814833/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] ISLAMABAD, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of Pakistan approved a request of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to allocate funds of 42.528 billion rupees (over 149 million U.S. dollars) for the forthcoming general elections, the finance ministry said in a statement. The committee allocated 10 billion rupees on Thursday, while the remaining money will be allocated in phases according to the requirement of the ECP, the statement added. The general elections are likely to be held in November this year in the country, according to the statements by the two key coalition partners, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) of the ruling government of the country. In addition, the ECC considered a summary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting regarding charging electricity rates to cinema houses. "To revive the film industry in Pakistan, the ECC approved the proposal that cinemas may be charged electricity as per rates admissible to the industry," the statement added. The ECC also considered a summary of the Ministry of Commerce regarding the export of vegetable oil from export processing zones to Afghanistan through a land route, the statement added. [July 21, 2023] Database Reveals Italy's Booming Data Center Market with 63 Existing and 9 Upcoming Facilities Tweet DUBLIN, July 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Italy Existing & Upcoming Data Center Portfolio" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. This comprehensive Excel product presents a detailed analysis of Italy's data center landscape, covering 63 existing data centers and 9 upcoming facilities, situated in key locations including Milan, Rome, Arezzo, Pavia, Turin, Tuscamy, Burgamo, Palermo, Frosinone, Pisa, Bologna, Ancona, Piacenza, Treviso, Venice, Perugia, Massarosa, and Padua. Italy's Thriving Data Center Market As one of Europe's mature data center markets, Italy has emerged as a key player in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. According to the Networked Readiness Index (NRI) for 2022, Italy's ICT sector secured the 45th position, showcasing its robust growth. Notably, ICT specialists in the country have seen a significant increase of around 50% over the last decade, underlining Italy's dedication to technological advancement. Among the prominent ICT companies is TIM, a major player contributing to Italy's technology ecosystem. Digital Italy 2026: Driving Ultra-Broadband Connectivity and Digital Infrastructure To further propel Italy's digital landscape, the country launched the ambitious "Digital Italy 2026" initiative. This forward-looking plan aims to provide ultra-broadband connectivity and digitalized infrastructure, paving the way for enhanced efficiency and innovation in various sectors. Furthermore, the plan outlines measures for digitalizing the public administration, facilitating streamlined services for citizens and businesses. Embracing Renewable Energy: Sustainable Data Centers Italy's data center operators are keen on adopting renewable energy to power their failities sustainably. With abundant potential for renewable energy in the country, operators are actively seeking ways to harness clean power for their data centers. A notable example is Italian renewable energy firm ERG, which signed a 10-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Telecom Italia in 2021, committing to supply 3.4 TWh of green energy. Key Data Points in the Database The "Italy Data Center Market Portfolio Analysis" database provides critical insights into each data center facility. For the existing data centers, the database covers essential details such as location, operator/owner name, facility address, white-floor area, IT load capacity, rack capacity, year of operations, design standards (Tier I - IV), and power/cooling redundancy. For upcoming data centers, the database includes investment details, white-floor area, IT load capacity, investment amount, electrical and mechanical infrastructure investments, general construction services investment, announcement year, project status (opened/under construction/announced & planned), and active or expected year of opening. Prominent Investors and Operators The database includes a comprehensive list of investors and operators actively contributing to Italy's data center market. Notable companies covered in the report are Aruba, Data4Group, Telecom Italia, Equinix, Retelit, STACK Infrastructure, Irideos, SUPERNAP Italia, BT Italia, Caldera21 (CDLAN), Telecom Italia, Elmec Informatica, Eni, Seeweb, Colt DCS, IT Gate, Fastweb, Open Hub Med, Vianova, Itnet, EXE.IT SRL SB, CSI PIEMONTE, Fastnet, Naquadria, ASCO TLC, Unidata, MIX, Rack One APPLiCO Digital Lab, Telecom Italia Sparkle, NS3, Vantage Data Centers, Compass Datacenters, Vitali, CNA Toscana Centro, Order of Architects of Pistoia, and the Rural Vivaistico Ornamentale District of Pistoia. Target Audience The "Italy Data Center Market Portfolio Analysis" database is an indispensable resource for data center real estate investment trusts (REITs), construction contractors, infrastructure providers, new entrants, consultants, advisory firms, and corporate and government agencies. For those seeking comprehensive insights into Italy's thriving data center market, this database is an invaluable tool for making informed decisions. A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes Aruba Data4Group Telecom Italia Equinix Retelit STACK Infrastructure Irideos SUPERNAP Italia BT Italia Caldera21 (CDLAN) Telecom Italia Elmec Informatica Eni Seeweb Colt DCS IT Gate Fastweb Open Hub Med Vianova Itnet EXE.IT SRL SB CSI PIEMONTE Fastnet Naquadria ASCO TLC Unidata MIX Rack One APPLiCO Digital Lab Telecom Italia Sparkle NS3 Vantage Data Centers Compass Datacenters Vitali CNA Toscana Centro Order of Architects of Pistoia Rural Vivaistico Ornamentale District of Pistoia. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/o78rv5 About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager [email protected] For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/database-reveals-italys-booming-data-center-market-with-63-existing-and-9-upcoming-facilities-301882917.html SOURCE Research and Markets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] This morning the good folks at one of our favorite movie companies inspire our peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Baller Bee-littled WATCH: Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes chased by bee at training camp Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes got a workout running away from a pesky bee during training camp practice on Thursday. Show-Me Cash For Crops State money can help urban farmers in Kansas City - if growers can figure out how to get it The state budget allocates small grants to support urban farming projects that address food insecurity. Still, critics argue the grant structure creates obstacles to accessing the funds. Fielding Rock Chalk Tribute Earthwork artist honoring Kansas icon, former presidential candidate Bob Dole A war hero and former presidential nominee in 1996, Dole passed away in 2021. Artsy Commemoration KC Artist Marks Civil Rights Victory with Brown v. Board of Education Mural Michael Toombs' mural marking the U.S. Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education ruling greets visitors at the Washburn University School of Law Building. Local Crafts Without Bite This KC sausage maker serves one of America's best vegan hot dogs Wiener Kitchen's vegan dog is a roasted cauliflower, walnut and wild rice link with a green tomato relish, pickle brussels kraut and whole grain dijon. PETA recently named the offering one of the organization's Top Vegan Dogs of Summer 2023. Brit Star Strikes Bargain Married At First Sight star Hayley Vernon signs deal with Brazzers Hayley Vernon is set to shoot some scenes with Brazzers. Prez Finds More Free Money Biden forms team to explore options to avert another debt ceiling crisis President Biden has directed his aides to convene a panel of experts to make the risk of debt default "a thing of the past," the White House announced Thursday. First Son Stays Winning Hunter Biden spotted at Malibu hotspot Nobu as secret FBI file on Bidens unveiled Hunter Biden was spotted at Malibu hotspot Nobu as news swarmed of the FBI informant file describing a bribery allegation against him and Joe Biden. MAGA Sends Cryptic Message Trump says it would be 'very dangerous' if Jack Smith sends him to jail When asked about the possibility of jail time stemming from Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation, former President Trump said it would be 'very dangerous' if he went to jail. The Morning Joe panel discusses. Legacy Talks First Amendment RFK Jr. hearing puts censorship, misinformation fights at center stage A House hearing Thursday featuring Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. brought the complicated debate about balancing free speech with fighting misinformation to center stage. Some of the debate played out in real time among members of Congress and the hearing witness. Democrats condemn RFK Jr. Eastern Europe Firing Ukraine: Zelensky sacks Ukrainian ambassador to UK after criticism Vadym Prystaiko was dismissed after criticising the president's response to a row over British military aid. Drone Wars Arrive Inspired by Ukraine war, Taiwan launches drone blitz to counter China An internal report presented to Taiwan's president contained an alarming finding: In drones, the island lagged far behind its much more powerful adversary. Movie House Scheme Exposed AMC Theatres Drops Variable Pricing Plan That Charged More for Better Seats AMC Theatres dropped its plan to charge different prices for seats in different locations within each movie theater. Summer Love Explained How to Have Great (Safe) Sex Outside Knowing the laws of your state and city is the first step. Cowtown Drama Plays Out Local playwrights to present "On Account of Sex" at Fringe Fest The production follows seven leaders of the women's suffrage movement. By Tyler Schneider Tara Varney, a theater teacher at the Kansas City Academy, and Bryan Colley, a graphic designer with the American Academy of Family Physicians, have been writing and producing theatrical productions under their Fourth Wave Theatre company for the Kansas City Fringe Fest... Meth Town Tech Connection The Truman Library on the historic ties between President Harry S. Truman and Robert Oppenheimer The subject of Christopher Nolan's movie new movie "Oppenheimer" had a unique relationship to Kansas City's president History Fanboi Celebrated An antique fan collector is making these Kansas City artifacts cool again In the days before air conditioning, electric fans were how Midwesterners beat the heat. One local collector is restoring a rare set of antique fans that once cooled travelers in Kansas City's Union Station. Boss Man Endures Bill Dunn Sr., the face of JE Dunn Construction for decades, turns 100 - Kansas City Business Journal Bill Dunn Sr. worked in construction for most of his life, turning his father's small construction company into a $2 billion general contractor, the biggest in Kansas City. The former CEO of JE Dunn Construction turned 100 on Thursday. Deep Dive Into KC History The flood to end all floods Michael BushnellPublisher Making the floods of 1903 and 1908 seem insignificant in comparison, the flood of 1951 was dubbed "The [...] Midtown Reading Report One Tank Trips: Daisha turns pages at Prospero's Bookstore At Prospero's Bookstore you can explore three floors of books and media, buy, sell and trade books and attend their events. Enjoy Cool Weather Whilst It Lasts More comfortable conditions for Friday Temperature could approach 100 degrees next week Johnny Yukon - Whispers is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Typically, we don't agree with much that hapless Missouri Democrats to offer. However . . . We can't deny a truism shared by a local rep . . . Check-it . . . Rep. Ashley Aune, D-Kansas City, says there is no doubt that the 2024 election will get in the way of policymaking next session. Aune said she expects social issues to again rise to the top of debates next year and overshadow serious policy discussion. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Mike Adler is a reporter with toronto.com and Metroland Media Toronto who covers Scarborough and other overlooked parts of Toronto. He worked previously for Metroland in York Region. 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. 'IMMEDIATELY STOP USING': Major recalls at Canadian Tire, Walmart, Costco, Toys R Us, Home Depot and Amazon on sprays, drinks, toys and shower heads trigger multiple Health Canada warnings to shoppers SEOUL, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday condemned a meeting of the U.S.-South Korea "Nuclear Consultative Group" held on Tuesday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported. "In particular, the hostile forces posed the most undisguised and direct nuclear threat to the DPRK by bringing an Ohio-class strategic nuclear submarine to the Pusan Port operation base, which means strategic nuclear weapons have been deployed on the Korean Peninsula for the first time after 40 odd years," the KCNA quoted a statement by Kang Sun Nam, minister of National Defence of the DPRK, as saying. Among the nuclear-armed nations of the world, the United States is the only country which openly made it its policy to use its nuclear weapons against a specific country, said the statement, adding that the military security situation on the Korean Peninsula has "undergone a fundamental change due to the reckless military moves of the U.S. and its followers." The statement warned that "the ever-increasing visibility of the deployment of the strategic nuclear submarine and other strategic assets may fall under the conditions of the use of nuclear weapons specified in the DPRK law on the nuclear force policy." The armed forces of the DPRK will responsibly carry out their important mission for defending the country's sovereignty, territorial integrity and fundamental interests and preventing a nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula and in the Northeast Asian region, said the statement. Its about time: Ottawa offers millions more in housing support to shelter refugees in Toronto Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. My brother is rude to our parents and calls people snowflakes if they care about humanity. Should I cut ties or suck it up? Ask Lisi Nigeria, a country boasting captivating landscapes and rich biodiversity, is adorned with a splendid collection of awe-inspiring waterfalls that epitomize the nation's natural splendour. (TRAVPR.COM) INDIA - July 20th, 2023 - Nigeria, a country boasting captivating landscapes and rich biodiversity, is adorned with a splendid collection of awe-inspiring waterfalls that epitomize the nation's natural splendour. The sheer diversity of these magnificent cascades, nestled in various regions of Nigeria, has left an indelible mark on the hearts of both locals and adventurers alike. Join us on an enthralling journey as we set out to explore the seven most popular and breath-taking waterfall in Nigeria in this West African nation, each offering a unique blend of beauty, tranquillity, and raw power. A Nature Lover's Paradise: With its wealth of natural wonders, Nigeria has rightfully earned its place as a nature lover's paradise. From the vibrant and bustling metropolises to the untouched and serene corners of the country, Nigeria proudly showcases an array of landscapes that have captivated the world. Among these, its waterfalls stand out as exquisite jewels in the crown of beauty that adorns this incredible nation. The Enchantment of Nigerian Waterfalls: Nigeria's waterfalls hold a special place in the hearts of those who have been fortunate enough to witness their grandeur. Whether nestled deep within lush rainforests or gracing rugged terrains, these cascades offer a captivating dance of water, rock, and vegetation, weaving together a breathtaking symphony of sights and sounds that leave visitors in awe of nature's artistry. Gurara Waterfalls: Nestled just 30 kilometers from the bustling capital city, Abuja, Gurara Waterfalls ranks among the most accessible and sought-after natural waterfall in Nigeria. As the Gurara River cascades gracefully down a height of approximately 30 meters, it forms a picturesque pool at its base, surrounded by lush vegetation and stunning rock formations. Gurara Waterfalls beckons visitors to embark on a refreshing day trip, offering a serene respite from the bustling city life. Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls: Located in the heart of Osun State, Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls, also known as Olumirin Waterfalls, is a sight to behold. This seven-tiered wonder stands as a testament to nature's raw power. The journey to the uppermost level involves a thrilling hike through a mesmerizing rainforest. Surrounded by vibrant flora and fauna, the cascades create an enchanting ambiance, making Erin-Ijesha a paradise for photographers and nature enthusiasts. Awhum Waterfalls: Hidden away in Enugu State, Awhum Waterfalls offers a serene and spiritual experience. As the water cascades gracefully down rocky escarpments, visitors are treated to a mesmerizing spectacle. The pool beneath the falls holds sacred significance for locals, and many visitors partake in a spiritual and purifying experience by immersing themselves in its waters. The lush greenery that envelops the falls adds to its tranquillity, making it an ideal destination for relaxation and reflection. Farin Ruwa Waterfalls: In Nigeria's northern region, the awe-inspiring Farin Ruwa Waterfalls await, nestled in Nasarawa State. The name "Farin Ruwa" translates to "White Water" in Hausa, and it lives up to this title with an impressive drop of approximately 150 meters, making it one of Nigeria's tallest waterfalls. Set amidst rocky terrain and the Farin Ruwa Forest Reserve, this waterfall offers a spellbinding sight, especially during the rainy season when its flow reaches its peak. Owu Waterfalls: Situated in Kwara State, Owu Waterfalls proudly stands as the tallest waterfall in Nigeria, boasting a towering height of about 120 meters. Accessing this natural wonder involves traversing a series of hills, adding an element of adventure to the journey. The waterfall cascades gracefully over a rocky cliff, creating a beautiful mist that cools the surrounding air. The lush green landscapes and the distant sound of the cascades make Owu Waterfalls a captivating destination for nature lovers. Agbokim Waterfalls: Located in Cross River State, Agbokim Waterfalls present a sight of remarkable beauty. Here, seven separate streams converge, resulting in a stunning display of cascading waters that meander through the dense rainforest. The captivating sight often tempts visitors to explore the nearby hills, which provide breathtaking panoramic views of the falls and their verdant surroundings. Ogbunike Cave Waterfalls: Adding a unique twist to the traditional waterfall experience, Ogbunike Cave in Anambra State features an underground river with multiple waterfalls gushing through ancient limestone formations. Accessing this hidden gem requires traversing a series of caves, adding an adventurous touch to the journey. The cascading waters within the cave create an ethereal atmosphere, leaving visitors in awe of the wonders of nature. Waterfall in Nigeria are a testament to the country's natural diversity and beauty, offering a unique and awe-inspiring experience for all who venture to witness their grandeur. From the accessible and picturesque Gurara Waterfalls to the spiritual serenity of Awhum Waterfalls, each cascade presents its own distinct charm and allure. Whether seeking adventure, tranquillity, or spiritual connection, these magnificent waterfall in Nigeria are sure to leave an indelible mark on the hearts and souls of all who visit, making Nigeria a true paradise for nature enthusiasts. So, do not miss the chance to witness the splendour of these natural wonders and immerse yourself in the beauty of Nigeria's breathtaking waterfalls. For more information visit @ https://vdholiday.com/nigeria/ ### SYDNEY, July 21 (Xinhua) -- The health authority in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) issued a public health alert on Friday after two measles cases were confirmed. NSW Health said in a statement that both cases of the same family contracted the disease overseas. They arrived in Sydney on July 14 and then visited several locations in the city while being infectious. People who were in the same locations as the cases have been urged to stay alert to signs and symptoms of measles until August 7 and check their vaccination status. According to the statement, those most likely to be susceptible to measles are infants under 12 months of age who are too young to be vaccinated, anyone who is not fully vaccinated against the disease and people with a weakened immune system. Symptoms of measles include fever, sore eyes and a cough followed three or four days later by a red, blotchy rash, which typically spreads from the head and neck to the rest of the body. NSW Health also noted that measles cases have been reported in other states in recent weeks. Earlier this week, measles warnings were triggered in Victoria and Queensland, as an infectious traveler returned to Melbourne Airport from overseas and later visited Brisbane. NEW DELHI, July 21 (Xinhua) -- India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday allowed the crisis-hit airline "Go First" to operate with 15 aircraft, nearly 11 weeks after the private airline announced cancellation of its flights. The civil aviation regulator said in a statement that the private airline's resumption plan for operating 15 aircraft (114 daily flights) has been reviewed and accepted, but the acceptance is subject to the "outcome of the writ petitions/applications pending before the High Court of Delhi and the NCLT." Since May 2 the beleaguered airline had on several occasions announced the cancellation of flights citing "operational reasons". Blaming U.S.-based engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney (P&W) for its financial woes, the airline had filed for voluntary insolvency proceedings with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). Thereafter, "Go First" had grounded a portion of its fleet. The Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to conduct an offensive operation on the Bakhmut, Melitopol and Berdiansk directions. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported this on Facebook, according to Ukrinform. "In the areas of Novodanylivka - Verbove, Novodanylivka - Robotyne and Novodarivka - Pryiutne, we have succeeded, and are consolidating our positions, inflicting artillery fire on the identified enemy targets and taking countermeasures to the battery combat," the statement said. It is noted that in the Bakhmut direction, Ukrainian troops continue to conduct offensive operations north and south of the city of Bakhmut. Heavy fighting continues in the areas of Orikhovo-Vasylivka - Paraskoviivka and Klishchiyivka - Andriivka without changing the position. The enemy is putting up strong resistance, actively using reserves, and suffering huge losses. As reported, from February 24, 2022, to July 21, 2023, the Defense Forces eliminated about 240,690 Russian aggressors, and another 680 people over the past day. The German government has sent another military aid package to Ukraine to help the country defend itself against Russian aggression. That's according to the updated list of delivered military equipment to Ukraine, Ukrinform reports. The new package includes ten Leopard 1A5 tanks and 20 MG3 machine guns for Leopard 2 tanks, Marder infantry fighting vehicles and Dachs armored engineer vehicles. Germany also supplied Ukraine with 1,305 rounds of 155mm ammunition, 2,064 rounds of 155mm smoke ammunition, a bridge system and 12 trailers, four border protection vehicles, ten ground surveillance radars, 16 Zetros trucks, and 100,000 first aid kits. The German government last winter approved the transfer of 178 Leopard 1A5 tanks to Ukraine. Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak took part in a security forum in Aspen, Colorado, where he assured that the Ukrainian army's counteroffensive operations are "going by plan". Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak said this on video which was published on Telegram on Friday, Ukrinform reports. Yermak said that the Ukrainian counteroffensive is "going by plan" and that the soldiers on the front line, the Ukrainian army and the people of Ukraine are doing everything possible to bring victory closer. "The main goal is to win this war. Its great that our cooperation, our alliance [between Ukraine and the United States] today is very high level and its very helpful," Yermak said. When asked what American weapons Ukraine still lacks to fight the war, Yermak said that he is currently waiting for the West's decision on ATACMS systems, air defense systems and F-16 fighter jets. Regarding the impact of Yevhen Prigozhin's rebellion in Russia on the course of the Russian-Ukrainian war and Vladimir Putin's authority, the President of President said that despite the continuation of enemy shelling of Ukraine with various types of weapons, it has become clear that Russia's claims about the second most powerful army in the world are not true. "Ukrainian nation, our soldiers and army with the help of partners showed that its not the reality that Russia has the "second strongest army in the world" or just a strong army. Secondly, the events have shown clearly for all people in the world that in the list of the strong leaders in the world - there is no place for President Putin," Yermak said. He also emphasized that the results of the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 11-12 were "successful for Ukraine, but it is always possible to make it more successful". "We heard at this summit that all Allies don't just believe, they are sure that Ukraine will win," Yermak said, adding that Ukraine also needs security guarantees. Head of the President's Office emphasized the importance of continuing to implement the Ukrainian peace formula, whose ten points relate not only to ending the war in Ukraine but also to further major food, nuclear and environmental crises. As Ukrinform reported, Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency William Burns said on Thursday that he remains optimistic that Ukraine will be able to conduct successful offensive actions against Russia. Turkey will "not hesitate" to take the initiative necessary to prevent the "harmful effects" of Moscow's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Agreement, President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday. That's according to CNN, Ukrinform reports. Erdogan characterized the grain deal as a "vital initiative" for humanity, outlining Turkey's commitment to support its future. The termination of the Black Sea grain initiative will have a range of (harmful) effects, ranging from raising global food prices, in some regions to famine, and then new waves of migration. We do not hesitate to take the initiative to prevent this," President Erdogan told journalists on the presidential plane flying home from his tour to three Gulf nations this week. Read also: Enemy attacks grain terminals in Odesa region with Kalibr missiles On Monday, the head of the Ukrainian Grain Association Mykola Gorbachev said that the Turkish navy could help transport grain from Ukraine without Russian involvement. Erdogan expressed confidence that "issue in detail" with Russian President Vladimir Putin "ensure the continuation of this humanitarian movement". Turkish President also denied claims that Turkey's role as a mediator between Moscow and Ukraine has diminished. "On the contrary, we are currently maintaining our relations with Russia. Both Foreign Minister Hakan (Fidan) and (National Intelligence Organization) MIT head Ibrahim (Kalin) continue their negotiations," Erdogan told reporters. As Ukrinform reported, on July 17, Moscow announced the termination of the agreement with Turkey and the UN on the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Read also: Zelensky orders measures to continue operation of Black Sea grain export deal In May 2023, the European Commission banned imports of wheat, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower from Ukraine to Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania at the insistence of these countries. On June 5, the ban was extended until September 15, 2023. On July 19, the ministers of agriculture of these countries issued a joint statement demanding the extension of the ban until the end of the year. Since week-start, over 20 people have suffered from Russian terror in Odesa region alone; only absolute evil can inflict such blows. Thats according to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, who delivered his latest address to the nation on Friday night, Ukriinform reports. Dear Ukrainians, Russia killed two more children today. Russian artillery attack on the village of Druzhba, Toretsk community, Donetsk region. A girl born in 2007 and a boy born in 2013 died. Chernihiv Region, the village of Honcharivske a missile hit. Two women were killed, the demolition of the rubble is underway... A cultural center, a school, and residential buildings were damaged. My condolences to the relatives and friends of the victims! Today, Russian missiles and drones hit Odesa and our southern regions again. In total, since the start of the week, over 20 people have suffered from Russian terror in Odesa region alone. Among them are two children. Only absolute evil can inflict such blows. There will be a response. In addition, there will be even more consolidation of the world for defense and for joint action, even more energy for victory, even more desire for justice, the just punishment for Russia for all the crimes in this war. And this punishment will come. I held a meeting of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief's Staff. It was long. The issue of protecting our cities and communities, our ports from Russian attacks was analyzed in detail. If someone in Russia hopes they can turn the Black Sea into a space of arbitrariness and terrorism, they will not succeed. We know how to defend ourselves, and we see the readiness of the world to work together in the future and more actively to give peace to this region. Tonight, I plan to hold talks with President of Turkiye Erdogan. The Black Sea region, food security, and other important topics. As always, there were detailed reports of the military, intelligence, and border guards on the current situation on the front line at the Staff meeting. And not only in the key directions of active actions but also in general regarding the border, regarding the likely development of the situation. The provision of ammunition is a topic of constant attention. Of course, our production of rounds and drones, and not only supplies from partners. Every week we record greater results, the growth of our capabilities. Today, I held a substantial meeting regarding one of the most important components of Ukraine's state policy the policy for heroes. The policy regarding our soldiers, regarding veterans. Ukraine will not only win this war, but also win a life that will be worthy of the heroes who fight for it. It is very important that our system state, social, economic, and cultural is exactly such that it can be said that it is truly based on respect. With respect to Ukraine and everyone who directed their lives, their bravery, their strength for the sake of Ukraine resisting evil and defeating Russian terror. I am grateful to everyone who has already started to work out with us the details of the Ukrainian transformation after this war. And one more thing. I thank our warriors. Everyone who defends the Ukrainian sky throughout the country. The Air Force, our pilots, and anti-aircraft fighters, mobile fire brigades. Each air defense unit of all branches and types of troops. Thank you! Bakhmut direction... The 5th Separate Assault Brigade, the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade. Thank you, warriors, for your courage and ability to hit the enemy so that even the enemy if he survives understands that Ukraine will always be free! The 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade Zakarpattia, marines of the 35th and 36th separate brigades, artillerymen of the 55th Brigade, the 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade, and the 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade. Thank you, warriors, for your accuracy, for your ability allowing Ukraine to return what belongs to us! Glory to you all, warriors! Glory to everyone who fights for our state and people! Thanks to everyone in the world who helps us! Glory to Ukraine! The Bulgarian parliament on July 21 voted to send about 100 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, along with armaments and spare parts. That's according to The Sofia Globe, Ukrinform reports. Bulgaria has no need for the armored vehicles that were acquired decades ago during Bulgaria's communist era for the Interior Ministry's internal armed forces of the time, according to those who tabled the decision. The decision was approved with votes from GERB-UDF, We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, with pro-Kremlin Vuzrazhdane and the Bulgarian Socialist Party opposed, resulting in a vote of 148 in favor and 52 against. WCC-DB MP Ivailo Mirchev told the House that the vehicles dated from the 1960s and 1970s, and had been acquired during the "Revival Process," the name given by the communist regime to its brutal campaign to force Bulgaria's ethnic Turkish minority to forsake their ethnic and religious identity. He said that the vehicles were the property of the Interior Ministry, which had said that it did not need them. "I would like to dispel a few myths that are circulating on social networks and among people, and I hope with them to bring some reassurance," Mirchev said. "The first is that if we give armored vehicles to Ukraine, we will reduce the combat capabilities of the army. This is not true, because this equipment has nothing to do with the army, it is simply in the Ministry of the Interior," he said. Both the Interior Ministry and the army had said that the equipment was not relevant and not needed. "The next myth is that the aid we provide to Ukraine costs us dearly. This is not true. Up to now, we have provided aid to Ukraine once and it was worth 20 million leva. Ukraine has so far bought arms from us for five billion leva, and we have given them only 20 million leva," he said. Mirchev said that by the end of the year, the sum would reach seven billion leva, which makes Ukraine one of the rather large investors in the Bulgarian economy. He recalled that while the caretaker government appointed by President Roumen Radev was in office, the United States offered millions of dollars in compensation if Bulgaria provided military equipment to Ukraine. Reports have said that the caretaker government did not respond to the U.S. offer. "The next myth by providing 100 APCs, we reduce the operational capabilities of the Ministry of the Interior. I hope that no one in this hall imagines that they want to see these 100 APCs used against citizens. And since some of them were bought during the Revival process, we should be very happy that they have not been used in any way and hopefully never will be," Mirchev said. He said that there were many Bulgarians living in Ukraine, and that, unlike Russia, Ukraine had not declared Bulgaria an enemy country. Photo: BTA Russian troops have launched three airstrikes on the village of New York in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region. Andriy Yermak, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said this in a post on Telegram, Ukrinform reports. Read also: Russian forces shell Beryslav in Kherson region "The Russians carried out three airstrikes on the village of New York in the Donetsk region. One man and three women were wounded," Yermak said. On July 21, in the Donetsk region, Russian invaders shelled the village of Druzhba in the Toretsk community, killing a 10-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl. A woman was injured by shelling. People ride on a motorbike through a flooded road after heavy monsoon rain in Lahore, Pakistan on July 22, 2023. About 101 people were killed and 180 others injured during the ongoing monsoon season starting from June 25 till date across Pakistan, the country's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said. (Photo by Sajjad/Xinhua) ISLAMABAD, July 21 (Xinhua) -- About 101 people were killed and 180 others injured during the ongoing monsoon season starting from June 25 till date across Pakistan, the country's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said. The country's east Punjab province was worst hit in the rains, with 57 fatalities and 118 injuries, the NDMA said on Thursday, adding that 53 houses were also destroyed in the heavy rains that lashed the province, including the provincial capital of Lahore. The Lahore's rains, which were called "record-breaking" by the country's caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, caused urban flooding in the city, inundating several areas and disrupting road traffic for hours. Rawalpindi city of the province also received heavy rains for over 12 hours on Wednesday, resulting in a rise in water levels in streams and drainages to an alarming level, and the local municipal authority had to call in the army to help them in meeting any untoward situation. At least 12 people were killed Wednesday after a wall of an under-construction bridge collapsed on laborers living in make-shift tents, due to heavy rain in the city. According to a district administration spokesman, rainfall gauging stations recorded up to 200 mm of rain in several areas of the city, causing urban flooding and roof collapse incidents. A total of 25 people were killed and 41 others were injured in separate rain-related accidents in the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the NDMA said. The torrential rains also damaged 60 houses and perished 43 livestock in the province, the authority added. In the country's south Sindh province, 10 people were killed and two others were injured when lightning struck a house during a thunderstorm earlier in June. Six people were killed and 13 others were injured in southwest Balochistan province, and three more lost their lives in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where five people were also injured in heavy rains, the NDMA's figures showed. One man got injured in the north Gilgit Baltistan region, where seven houses were destroyed and 15 livestock perished in heavy rains. A truck is seen stuck on a flooded road after heavy monsoon rain in Lahore, Pakistan on July 22, 2023 About 101 people were killed and 180 others injured during the ongoing monsoon season starting from June 25 till date across Pakistan, the country's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said. (Photo by Sajjad/Xinhua) People push a donkey-cart through a flooded road after heavy monsoon rain in Lahore, Pakistan on July 22, 2023. About 101 people were killed and 180 others injured during the ongoing monsoon season starting from June 25 till date across Pakistan, the country's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said. (Photo by Sajjad/Xinhua) Ukraine's government and the Ministry of Digital Transformation have agreed on an experimental project for the purchase of drones and ammunition for them. Deputy Prime Minister for Innovations, Development of Education, Science and Technologies Mykhailo Fedorov said this in a post on Telegram, Ukrinform reports. "The government has launched the mass production of ammunition for UAVs in Ukraine. We have already achieved significant results in terms of the number of domestically produced UAVs at the front. But as their number grows, the need for ammunition grows too," Fedorov said. He said that today Ukrainian soldiers often use home-made structures to equip drones with grenades, mines and other non-specialized ammunition, but this is not always reliable and effective. "Now the situation will change. The government adopted a fundamental resolution that at the state level recognizes the order of production, procurement and supply of ammunition for UAVs," Fedorov said. The official said that thanks to this decision, private companies will be able to legally produce ammunition for drones, and Ukrainian soldiers will receive high-quality and innovative solutions. According to him, these are great opportunities for the development and scaling of technological products. He added that the resolution defines the procedure for obtaining the status of a manufacturer of ammunition for UAVs and sets clear requirements for companies producing them. The United States is focused on what can be done to help Ukraine in its struggle against Russian armed aggression now and will continue to roll out more security assistance packages. The relevant statement was made by Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh during a press briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Our focus is on Ukraine, what we can do to help Ukraine in this fight now and what you we can continue to sustain with for its long term, Singh said. In her words, the United States has announced another security assistance package for Ukraines long-term assistance just recently. You just saw us roll out a another security assistance package for long-term assistance earlier this week. Were going to continue to roll out more packages as we go forward, Singh noted. A reminder that the new security assistance package for Ukraine, which was announced by the U.S. Department of Defense on Wednesday, includes capabilities that will help strengthen the security of Ukrainian ports amid new Russian attacks. Polish business should already be preparing to invest in Ukraine's reconstruction, as competition with other countries will be strong. This was emphasized by the participants of the conference, Europe-Poland-Ukraine. Let's rebuild together'23, which took place in Warsaw, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. The head of the Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers of Poland, Cezary Kazmierczak, emphasized that Poles should not sit idly by but should look for partners in Ukraine now because tomorrow may be too late. If someone is planning to start a business in Ukraine, now is the best time to write a business plan, look for partners and sources of financing, and be ready for investment. It is important to be ready for investment, and war should not be an obstacle. If anyone wants to succeed, they should start implementing projects the day after the war ends, Kazmierczak emphasized. He added that for Polish businesses, participation in Ukraine's reconstruction projects will be a great chance for development, and they need to be well prepared. In turn, Micha Dworczyk, Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, emphasized that Poland had passed the exam on supporting Ukraine in the first days of full-scale Russian war of aggression. In his opinion, the countries have never had such good relations, they have formed a huge potential, and it is up to politicians and businesses to use it. One must take advantage of this chance to the benefit of Poland and Ukraine, Dworczyk stressed. He noted that Polish businesses should enter Ukraine with their investments but with political support from Kyiv and Warsaw. Sergiy Tsivkach, executive director of the UkraineInvest investment promotion office, identified several priorities for Polish businesses in the Ukrainian market: "Agro-processing, production of building materials, for example, Polish companies Cersanit and Barlinek are currently working and investing in Ukraine during Russia's war... These are also pharmaceuticals, healthcare, metalworking, hospitality, and rehabilitation." He said that it is necessary to work for the medium and long term now. Tsivkach urged to contact UkraineInvest, which is ready to provide Polish businesses with pro bono consulting services on starting a business in Ukraine. The mayor of Kharkiv, Ihor Terekhov, invited Polish entrepreneurs to visit the city via an online communication to explore investment opportunities after Russia's war. Andrzej Kopyrski, deputy chairman of the board of PKO Bank Polski, emphasized that now is the right time for Polish business to start business and export activities in Ukraine. He called participation in the country's reconstruction the biggest joint project of life, and perhaps the biggest project of the century. In his opinion, Polish business should hurry up, as there are other countries that are acting faster in this direction. As reported, in an interview with Ukrinform, Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Zvarych said that over 2,000 Polish companies have declared their desire to participate in projects to rebuild Ukraine, half of which have not yet worked in the Ukrainian market. The New Zealand government on Friday, July 21, announced new sanctions against 23 Russian and Belarusian individuals and legal entities in response to Russia's illegal and unjustified assault on Ukraine. That's according to a press release posted on the official website of the New Zealand government, Ukrinform reports. "The New Zealand [government] continues to stand in support of Ukraine and condemns the individuals and entities contributing to Russia's abhorrent actions. [] Three Russian individuals covered by these sanctions were recently involved in separating children from their families by facilitating deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. [] New Zealand condemns these abhorrent, despicable and immoral acts and calls on Russia to immediately cease its ongoing violent assault on Ukraine, its people and its children," Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said. According to the press release, the sanctions target 14 individuals and entities of the Russian military-industrial complex. "They develop, manufacture or procure weapons, electronic components and technology (such as microelectronics and semiconductors) used by Russia to wage its aggressive war against Ukraine," Mahuta added. She said that Belarus is actively supporting Russia as it continues to breach international law and fracture international peace and security the very thing Russia is obliged to protect and maintain as a Member of the United Nations Security Council. "The six Belarusian entities being sanctioned include Belarus banks and show New Zealand's continued condemnation of Belarus' actions," Mahuta said. Since the passing of the Russia Sanctions Act in March 2022, the New Zealand government has adopted more than 20 rounds of sanctions on over 1,500 individuals and entities. Hungary has opposed an EU attempt to create a long-term fund of up to 20 billion to support the Ukrainian army. That's according to Politico, Ukrinform reports. During a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on the formation of a fund for long-term support of the Ukrainian military, Hungary said it would block its creation until Ukraine removes the Hungarian bank OTP from the list of war sponsors. "We cannot negotiate about new financial EPF commitment before OTP is solved," said Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. As of today, the EU has allocated about 4 billion for the military fund after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but officials are seeking to create a more stable source of funding to avoid difficult negotiations on the allocation of funds, the report said. Earlier on June 26, Hungary did not support the allocation of the next tranche of 500 million from the European Peace Facility of the EU member states because of Ukraine's inclusion of the Hungarian OTP Bank in the list of "war sponsors" in March this year. As reported, the EU foreign ministers on Thursday during a meeting in Brussels discussed the possibility of allocating 5 billion in annual military aid to Ukraine from the European Peace Facility over the next 4 years. First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova discussed with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Mario Adolfo Bucaro Flores preparations for the Crimean Platform summit and the implementation of President Volodymyr Zelensky's Peace Formula. Emine Dzhaparova wrote about the results of the meeting with the Guatemalan Minister in Kyiv on Twitter, Ukrinform reports. "Had a fruitful meeting with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Mario Bucaro. Todays visit to Ukraine is a powerful sign of the unique nature of relations and friendship between Ukraine and Guatemala. We discussed a preparation of the Crimea Platform third Summit and steps to implement Zelensky's Peace Formula," Dzhaparova said. Had a fruitful meeting with Foreign Minister @MarioBucaroGT. Todays visit tois a powerful sign of the unique nature of relations & friendship between & . We discussed preparation of #CrimeaPlatform third Summit & steps to implement @ZelenskyyUa's #PeaceFormula. pic.twitter.com/aY4Oyd4hO3 Emine Dzheppar (@EmineDzheppar) July 21, 2023 As reported, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba paid the first-ever visit by a Ukrainian foreign minister to Guatemala in May. Guatemala also became the first Latin American country to join the Core Group for the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Photo by Emine Dzheppar, Twitter The story of a united Europe, which emerged from the ashes of the Second World War, was formed on the basis of freedom, democracy, and equality of all before the law, and now, in a new and turbulent world, Ukraine is writing a new chapter in this story of Europe. This was announced by the President of this European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who spoke today in New York, during the awarding ceremony at the World Peace and Liberty Awards, which this year was granted to the European Commission by the decision of the World Jurist Association. The full text of her speech is published on the European Commission website, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "The story of our Union is one of democracies, young and old, getting stronger together. It is the story of Germany's and Italy's rebirth after the war. It is the story of Spain's, Portugal's and Greece's path from dictatorship to democracy. It is the story of democratic renaissance after the fall of the Iron Curtain. And the next chapter in this story is being written today in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, as well as in the Western Balkans," said the President of the European Commission. She noted that Europe seeks stable and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter, which are universal for all states across the world. These principles were violated by Russia, which invaded Ukraine and once again brought war to the European continent. "Not only is he (Russian President Vladimir Putin ed.) committing unspeakable crimes with cities razed to the ground, children taken from their families and civilians killed in cold blood. This war goes also against the very foundation of the United Nations Charter. It is targeting the very idea of a world order based on the international law, where all sovereign countries have equal rights, and all countries shall refrain from the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state'. These are the words of the UN Charter. This is why Europe stands by Ukraine for as long as it takes," Ursula von der Leyen stressed. Read also: European Commission President condemns termination of grain agreement She emphasized once again that today Ukraine is fighting not only for its own freedom but also for the freedom of every country, and precisely such freedom is a fundamental principle of the UN Charter. "No one wants peace more than the people of Ukraine. But lasting peace can only be built upon the foundation of international law. An independent Ukraine, within its recognised international borders, where accountability for war crimes has been met, and with security guarantees, so that Ukrainians can be free from fear. This is at the heart of President Zelenskyy's Peace Formula. Each of its ten points is based on the UN Charter and UN resolutions. The Charter must be the starting point for any negotiation for a just and lasting peace," said the President of the European Commission. She noted that there is another reason why Ukraine's war against Russian aggression demonstrates the deep connection between peace and the rule of law. "Ukrainians have made a clear choice for the rule of law and democracy. They want to join the European Union. That means deep and structural reforms ranging from the independence of the judiciary to anti-corruption, from minorities' rights to media freedom. I must say, it is amazing to see how fast and determined Ukraine is implementing these reforms despite the war," Ursula von der Leyen added. As already reported, since the outset of Russias full-scale aggression on February 24, 2022, the European Union has provided Ukraine with substantial political, economic, financial, humanitarian, and military assistance to ensure the country's right to self-defense, in accordance with the UN Charter. Over the past year, the total amount of aid provided to Ukraine by the EU and individual member states exceeded EUR 70 billion. The European Commission submitted to other European institutions a proposal to amend the multi-year EU budget for 2024-2027 and to create a Ukraine Fund in the amount of EUR 50 billion, which, together with contributions from other international donors, will become the basis for sustainable financing and reconstruction of Ukraine after 2023. In addition, EU High Representative Josep Borrell proposed to the member states to create a special defense fund within the framework of the European Peace Facility to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in the amount of EUR 20 billion for the next four years, at the rate of EUR 5 billion per year. This will allow the EU countries to provide effective military assistance to Ukraine, including in terms of supply of weapons and ammunition. AYBAK, Afghanistan, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Police in north Afghanistan's Samangan province have arrested three persons on the charge of involvement in kidnapping and rescuing a teenager from their hostage, a statement of provincial police said. Units of police, according to the statement, were able to spot and release a 13-year-old boy from the kidnappers' clutch and arrest three kidnappers on Thursday. Police arrested four men on the charge of killing a woman in the northern Takhar province on the same day. NEW DELHI, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Both houses of the Indian parliament were adjourned on Friday for the second day amid protests from lawmakers of opposition parties over the situation in the strife-torn state of Manipur. Officials said the second day of the ongoing monsoon session of the Indian parliament witnessed chaos as lawmakers from the opposition parties resorted to sloganeering over the Manipur violence. In the Lok Sabha, the lawmakers from the opposition parties, including Congress party, trooped into the well, raising slogans over Manipur. The protesting members were demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the house over the situation in Manipur. Defense minister Rajnath Singh said the government was ready to hold a discussion on incidents in Manipur but the opposition was not serious about it. Manipur is on edge since May 3 when large-scale violence broke out in the northeastern state during a tribal protest over the inclusion of the non-tribal Meiteis community for a scheduled tribe status designated for disadvantaged socio-economic groups, which gives them reservations in education and government jobs. The ongoing violence in Manipur has so far killed 142 people, injured over 3,000 and displaced 60,000. (Photo : Pastor Chris Oyakhilome hosts several Healing Streams Live Healing Services a year.) Millions of people are expected to tune in to Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's Healing Streams Live Healing Services on Friday, July 28th. From Friday, July 28th, to Sunday, July 30th, millions of people around the world have the opportunity to participate in Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's highly anticipated Healing Streams Live Healing Services. The transformative global event promises three days of extraordinary healing, miracles, and spiritual upliftment. With registration now open on the Healing Streams' website, individuals from all walks of life are invited to join the life-changing experience. The registration process is simple and accessible to all, ensuring that anyone seeking healing and spiritual renewal can participate in the global event. The Healing Streams Live Healing Services, led by the renowned Nigerian minister Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, is a remarkable platform that offers a unique opportunity for individuals to receive divine healing and experience the power of God's love firsthand. Through faith-filled teachings, passionate prayers, and an atmosphere charged with the presence of the Holy Spirit, the pastor aims to bring healing and restoration to the lives of participants. The upcoming Healing Streams Live Healing Services is set to surpass all expectations, as Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's ministry continues to impact millions globally. Through the live streaming platform on the event's website, participants will have access to the services from the comfort of their own homes, allowing for a seamless and immersive experience regardless of geographical location. What are the Healing Streams Live Healing Services about? The Healing Streams Live Healing Services have gained immense popularity due to the profound impact they have had on the lives of countless individuals. Testimonies of miraculous healings, deliverance from various afflictions, and spiritual transformations have poured in from previous events, solidifying the reputation of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's ministry as a beacon of hope and divine intervention. During the three-day event, participants will have the opportunity to engage in powerful sessions of teaching, worship, and healing prayers. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, known for his dynamic preaching style and deep spiritual insights, will impart wisdom and faith through his anointed messages. The services will be conducted in a spirit of unity, fostering an environment of faith, expectation, and reverence for the miraculous. The Healing Streams Live Healing Services cater to individuals seeking physical as well as emotional healing, deliverance from bondages, and a deeper connection with God. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's ministry is built on the belief that through the power of faith and the word of God, all things are possible. The event is open to people of all faiths, backgrounds, and cultures, as the message of hope and healing transcends barriers and unites believers around the world. Who organizes the Healing Streams with Pastor Chris? Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's Healing Streams Live Healing Services have become a global phenomenon, attracting millions of participants eager to witness the power of God's healing touch. The event serves as a testament to the impact of the pastor's ministry and his unwavering commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission by bringing the message of salvation and healing to people across the globe. As people prepare to participate in the upcoming Healing Streams Live Healing Services, the anticipation for miracles, breakthroughs, and life-altering encounters with God is palpable. Attendees are encouraged to come with expectant hearts, ready to receive the divine touch that can transform their lives forever. The Healing Streams Live Healing Services is organized by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome's renowned Healing School, a ministry dedicated to teaching and demonstrating the healing power of God. The Healing School serves as a global center for divine healing and transformation, providing individuals with the knowledge and understanding of God's word concerning healing. Through its various programs, teachings, and healing sessions, the Healing School has become a ray of sunshine, offering practical insights and spiritual guidance to those in need. By organizing the Healing Streams Live Healing Services, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and the Healing School extend their mission to reach even more people worldwide, offering a powerful platform for individuals to experience the miraculous healing touch of God. Who is Pastor Chris Oyakhilome? Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is a globally known Christian minister, teacher, healing evangelist, and author. Born on December 7th, 1963, in Edo State, Nigeria, he is the founder and president of LoveWorld Inc., also known as Christ Embassy, a dynamic and influential ministry with a presence in multiple countries around the world. With a deep passion for sharing the gospel, he has impacted millions of lives through his insightful teachings, powerful healing services, and anointed messages of faith, hope, and love. His ministry encompasses various areas, including healing, salvation, prosperity, and the Holy Spirit's empowerment. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome is recognized for his exceptional ability to expound on the scriptures, unlocking deep spiritual truths and making them relatable and applicable to everyday life. His teachings emphasize the importance of walking in the consciousness of God's love and the authority of the believer. As a best-selling author, the pastor has penned numerous books addressing topics such as faith, prayer, the Holy Spirit, and divine healing. His impactful ministry has also extended to humanitarian efforts through the Inner City Mission for Children, providing education, healthcare, and support to underprivileged children around the world. Empowering the Pakistan justice sector to prevent violence against women and girls 20 July 2023, Islamabad Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a severe violation of human rights, yet women worldwide continue to endure various forms of violence and abuse each year. According to the Asia and the Pacific Policy Society, approximately 27 percent of women in Pakistan experience intimate partner or domestic violence in their lifetime, and only 51 percent perceive their communities as safe. The emergence of new GBV crimes such as workplace and online harassment presents fresh challenges and underscores the need for orientation and capacity building of the judiciary and prosecution regarding GBV crimes. This includes providing training and education to enhance knowledge, skills, and response mechanisms, empowering officials to effectively address and combat evolving forms of violence. In line with the training program, the U.S. Embassy's Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) with the technical support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has successfully concluded two Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions on GBV in Sindh. In total, 30 officials participated in the training, including 10 women. The ToT aims to equip the officials with necessary knowledge and skills to become trainers in order to lead subsequent training sessions on GBV for the Judiciary and Prosecution in Sindh. Furthermore, from August to October, five Orientation Training sessions on GBV will be conducted, specifically tailored to address the unique challenges faced by the judiciary and prosecutors in Sindh and Balochistan. These training programs will be facilitated by the selected trainers who have successfully completed the ToT sessions. Under the guidance of the master trainers, they will assume leadership roles in conducting the training sessions. The Criminal Justice Institutions confront numerous operational challenges, including limited capacities, insufficient human resources, and inadequate infrastructure. In terms of human rights, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Pakistan's international obligations, the criminal justice institutions serve as duty-bearers, while citizens are the rights-holders. Given the prominent role of criminal justice institutions in public life and their institutional capacity to deliver justice and protection in GBV cases, it is vital that CJIs operate at higher levels of effectiveness and efficiency in providing justice . The training program encompasses trial evidence, Judicial Ethics and Integrity, pro-women laws, and work ethics for the prosecutors and judges in Balochistan and Sindh. These training sessions will also empower prosecutors to legally assist the police in framing appropriate charges against perpetrators and strengthening criminal cases related to GBV. Additionally, UNODC will undertake trainings for field service providers and master trainers of CJIs to establish a learning process that fosters in-house capacity development for training their officers. Social Media Links https://twitter.com/UNODCPakistan/status/1682244809476669440 https://www.facebook.com/unodc.pakistan/posts/594178549585843?ref=embed_post https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7087764673550327808 https://twitter.com/UNODCPakistan/status/1684422711777591296 https://fb.watch/m1GPIb5oO1/ https://youtu.be/iMYAuw83Zns https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7090184892675743744 (@FahadShabbir) Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jul, 2023 ) :A convicted murderer was executed in Alabama early Friday, officials said, in the first use of lethal injection in the southern US state since a series of botched executions last year. James Barber was pronounced dead at 1:56 am (0656 GMT) Friday at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Alabama, the state's Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a statement. Barber, a handyman born in 1959, was convicted in Alabama of beating 75-year-old Dorothy Epps to death with a hammer during a 2001 robbery. "Justice has been served. This morning, James Barber was put to death for the terrible crime he committed over two decades ago: the especially heinous, atrocious, and cruel murder of Dorothy Epps," Marshall said. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey issued a temporary moratorium on executions last year after problems with lethal injections. In one case, the July 28, 2022 execution of convicted murderer Joe James Jr. , it took three hours to set an intravenous line. Two other execution attempts in Alabama were halted because of problems setting IV lines. Barber was the first prisoner put to death in the state since the moratorium was lifted in February after a review of procedures. His attorneys had filed a last-minute appeal, but the US Supreme Court on Friday denied it in a 6-3 decision. Another death-row prisoner, Jemaine Cannon, was executed by lethal injection Thursday in the state of Oklahoma, officials said. Cannon, 51, was sentenced to death nearly 30 years ago for the 1995 stabbing murder of Sharonda Clark, 20, a mother of two children. "My hope is that today's action can bring some measure of peace for Sharonda's two daughters, as well as her other family members and friends who loved her," Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement Thursday. There have been 15 executions in the United States so far this year. (@FahadShabbir) Baghdad, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jul, 2023 ) :Protesters took to the streets of the Iraqi and Iranian capitals Friday to denounce Sweden's permission for protests that desecrate the Holy Quran, as Stockholm withdrew staff from its Baghdad embassy. Hundreds of people gathered in Baghdad's Sadr City after Friday prayers, chanting "Yes, yes to Islam, yes, yes to the Quran", an AFP correspondent said. In Tehran, hundreds of protesters, waving Iranian flags and carrying copies of Islam's holy book, chanted "Down with the United States, Britain, Israel and Sweden" as some set the blue-and-yellow Swedish flag ablaze. The rallies came amid heightened tensions between Sweden and Iraq over a Sweden-based Iraqi refugee who last month burnt pages of the Holy Quran outside Stockholm's main mosque. In the latest such incident on Thursday, the refugee, Salwan Momika, stepped on the Holy Quran but did not burn it, triggering renewed condemnation and calls for protest across the Muslim world. Sweden on Friday cited security concerns in a decision to relocate embassy staff and operations from Baghdad to Stockholm, after protesters stormed the embassy compound in a pre-dawn raid this week. "The embassy's operations and its expatriate staff have been temporarily relocated to Stockholm for security reasons," the Swedish foreign ministry said. The Iraqi government condemned the attack on the embassy. It also retaliated against the protest in Sweden by expelling its ambassador, vowing to sever ties and suspending the operating licence of Swedish telecom giant Ericsson. "The expulsion of the ambassador is too little, we want more," said protester Sabbah al-Tai, 45, in Sadr City, a working-class district of Baghdad. The crowd gathered there at the order of cleric Moqtada Sadr, whose followers were behind the embassy raid late Wednesday. Carrying parasols to shield from the baking summer heat, some protesters set fire to rainbow flags, an action Sadr says highlights the "double standard" of Western governments. "Through this demonstration, we want to send a message to the United Nations," said Amer Shemal, a Sadr City municipality official, calling on member states to "penalise any desecration of holy books -- those of Islam, of Christianity, of Judaism". "These are all holy books," said Shemal. - 'Disgraceful' - Regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran announced in separate statements late Thursday they had summoned Swedish diplomats to protest the permission Stockholm had granted to Momika's actions on free speech grounds. Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites, said it would urge "the Swedish authorities to take all immediate and necessary measures to stop these disgraceful acts", according to a foreign ministry statement. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said Tehran holds "the Swedish government fully responsible for the consequences of inciting the feelings of Muslims around the world". Kanani condemned "any insult to religious sanctities and holy books anywhere and by anyone", arguing "freedom of speech used to attack dignity, morals and religious sanctities... has no value." Protesters in Tehran as well as other major Iranian cities, including Mashhad in the northeast, Tabriz in the northwest and Isfahan in the centre, heeded a call from authorities for nationwide demonstrations after Friday prayers. The June Quran burning, during the Eid al-Adha holiday, had sparked indignation and diplomatic protests across the Muslim world. On Thursday, the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation denounced the latest Stockholm protest as "another provocative attack" that could not be justified under the right to freedom of expression. Turkey's foreign ministry called on Sweden to take "dissuasive measures to prevent hate crimes against islam and its billions of followers". In Lebanon, the leader of the Hezbollah movement Hassan Nasrallah called for expulsion of the Swedish envoy there and the recall of Lebanon's ambassador to Sweden. "It's the minimum required," he said. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Moscow, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jul, 2023 ) :A Russian prosecutor on Friday requested an 18-year prison sentence for Ilya Sachkov, founder of one of the country's top cybersecurity firms, on treason charges. Sachkov, 37, co-founded the Group-IB cybersecurity firm in 2003. It specialises in the detection and prevention of cyberattacks and works with Interpol and several other global institutions. "State prosecutors requested that Sachkov be sentenced to 18 years in prison," his lawyer Sergei Afanasyev was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. A Moscow court is expected to announce its verdict on July 26. (@FahadShabbir) Riyadh, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jul, 2023 ) :middle East powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran have summoned Swedish diplomats to denounce Stockholm's permission for protests that desecrate the Quran on free speech grounds. The separate moves by both majority-Muslim countries, announced in statements late Thursday, came amid heightened tensions between Sweden and Iraq over a Sweden-based Iraqi refugee who last month burnt pages of the Muslim religious text outside Stockholm's main mosque. In the latest such incident on Thursday, the refugee, Salwan Momika, stepped on the Quran but did not burn it, triggering renewed condemnations and calls for protest across the Muslim world. Saudi Arabia, home to Islam's holiest sites, said it would hand the Swedish charge d'affaires "a protest note that includes the kingdom's request to the Swedish authorities to take all immediate and necessary measures to stop these disgraceful acts", according to a foreign ministry statement. Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said Sweden's ambassador to Tehran had been called in to censure the permit granted to Momika's protest and to warn Stockholm of the consequences of such actions. "We strongly condemn the repeated desecration of the holy Quran and Islamic sanctities in Sweden and hold the Swedish government fully responsible for the consequences of inciting the feelings of Muslims around the world," Kanani said. News that Swedish authorities would permit the latest demonstration to go ahead had led hundreds of Iraqis to storm and torch Sweden's Baghdad embassy in a chaotic pre-dawn attack. Iraq's government condemned the attack. It also retaliated against the protest in Sweden by expelling its ambassador, vowing to sever ties and suspending the operating licence of Swedish telecom giant Ericsson. - 'Provocative' - On Thursday, the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation denounced the Stockholm protest as "another provocative attack" that could not be justified under the right to freedom of expression. Turkey's foreign ministry called on Sweden to take "dissuasive measures to prevent hate crimes against islam and its billions of followers". In Lebanon, the leader of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement Hassan Nasrallah called for expulsion of the Swedish envoy there and the recall of Lebanon's ambassador to Sweden. "It's the minimum required," he said. Iranian authorities have called for nationwide demonstrations to be held after Friday prayers to denounce the "desecration of the holy Quran," according to the state broadcaster. Tehran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres asked him "to immediately condemn this action and take the necessary measures as soon as possible in order to prevent the recurrence of such insulting and provocative action," the foreign ministry said. Spokesman Kanani condemned "any insult to religious sanctities and holy books anywhere and by anyone", arguing "freedom of speech used to attack dignity, morals and religious sanctities... has no value."The June Quran burning, during the Eid al-Adha holiday, had sparked indignation and diplomatic protests across the Muslim world. Saudi Arabia at the time called for Sweden "to stop all actions that directly contradict international efforts seeking to spread the values of tolerance, moderation and rejection of extremism, and undermine the necessary mutual respect for relations between peoples and states". Hoylake, United Kingdom, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jul, 2023 ) :American Brian Harman stormed into a five-shot lead at the British Open on Friday after a faultless 65 left him on 10 under par as bigger Names struggled to keep pace. Home favourite Tommy Fleetwood leads the chase as he battled to an even-par round on Friday to remain in the hunt for his first major. Rory McIlroy is best-placed among the pre-tournament favourites at one under as world number one Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Cameron Smith needed miraculous shots at the 18th to make the cut. Harman surged to the top of the leaderboard at the Royal Liverpool course thanks to long birdie putts at the second, third and fourth before his chip into the par-five fifth hit the flag to tee up a simple putt for a four. A run of 12 consecutive pars followed before a spectacular eagle at the last. The world number 26 has never won a major but was sixth at last year's British Open at St Andrews and was joint runner-up at the US Open in 2017. "I've had a hot putter the last couple of days so try to ride it through the weekend," said Harman. "I felt kind of freed up on 18. I made probably my two best swings of the day and got up there to 12 to 15 feet for eagle. Just played a really nice hole."Barring a collapse over the weekend, the 36-year-old will take some catching, with the sport's biggest stars failing to fire. ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jul, 2023 ) :Minister for Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique on Friday said that Islamabad International Airport would be outsourced for a period of 15 years to improve its operational activities. In response to a calling attention notice in National Assembly sponsored by MMA lawmaker Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali regarding the outsourcing of the airport, the minister clarified that the move does not equate to privatization. Instead, it aims to bring in proficient operators to enhance airport operations, he said. Khawaja Saad Rafique emphasized that open competitive bidding would be ensured, allowing the best bidder to be given the opportunity to operate the airport. The process, he said will be profit-oriented, ultimately benefiting the national exchequer. The International Finance Corporation will serve as the consultant, and already 12-13 companies have shown interest in participating in the bidding process, he added. The minister assured that the process would be transparent and adhere to all rules and regulations. However, the minister clarified that the runway and navigation operations would not be included in the outsourcing process. Highlighting the success of outsourced airports in other countries like India and Turkiye, Khawaja Saad Rafique mentioned that even Madina airport has been efficiently outsourced to deliver enhanced services. The minister also stressed the need to restructure Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to address its substantial deficit, which has reached Rs. 80 billion this year and is projected to increase to Rs. 259 billion by 2030 if not dealt with appropriately. He asserted that no employees would be laid off, and all existing staff would retain their job security and privileges. However, he also mentioned that best practices would be implemented to ensure facilities at airports are efficiently managed. Regarding the future plans for PIA, Khawaja Saad Rafique informed that the total liability of PIA amounts to Rs. 742 billion, with only 27-28 planes currently operational. He urged the necessity to save the institution and underscored the importance of the restructuring legislation, which has been approved by the National Assembly in the previous sitting. To address the deficit, the minister revealed plans to restore flights to the UK within three months, followed by the resumption of flights to the US and Europe. Khawaja Saad Rafique issued a warning that immediate reforms were crucial to prevent further escalation of the deficit in the coming days. He acknowledged that a statement from a former Federal minister for Aviation had created problems for PIA. However, he assured that all audits and tests have been successfully cleared, demonstrating the government's commitment to transparency and accountability. Furthermore, as the minister overseeing the Railway portfolio, he recommended engaging industrialists to invest in the railway sector instead of opting for privatization. VLADIVOSTOK, July 21 (Xinhua) -- It is a positive sign for Russia's economy that the country's external debt-to-GDP ratio plummeted to a historic low of 15 percent by the end of the first quarter, local media said on Friday. Data from Russia's Central Bank reveal that the ratio, which stood at 16.6 percent at the end of 2022, has further declined. By late March, state and corporate debt combined amounted to 354.8 billion U.S. dollars. This impressive progress stands in stark contrast to 1999 when Russia's external debt-to-GDP ratio hit its highest peak at a staggering 91 percent. Earlier the central bank said that the country's external debt had decreased by 8.7 percent in the first half of 2023. The reduction was largely attributed to the dwindling debt obligations of government bodies. Maxim Reshetnikov, Russia's minister of economic development, expressed optimism about the country's economic growth. At a meeting with President Vladimir Putin on May 4, Reshetnikov said that the forecast for GDP growth in 2023 at 1.2 percent is rather conservative and may actually be higher. (@FahadShabbir) In order to support Somalian students in their endeavors in science and technology as well as in the higher education sector, COMSTECH-the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation has launched a specialized "Somalia Science and Technology Cooperation Program" in a ceremony here on Friday ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Jul, 2023 ):In order to support Somalian students in their endeavors in science and technology as well as in the higher education sector, COMSTECH-the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation has launched a specialized "Somalia Science and Technology Cooperation Program" in a ceremony here on Friday. The initiative was launched with the efforts of the Embassy of the Republic of Somalia here in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Science and Technology. Addressing the ceremony, COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary emphasized the need for joint collaborative country-specific programs to address the specific needs of each OIC member state with tailor-made solutions. He appreciated the efforts of Somalian Ambassador Shirwa Abdullahi Ibrahim and the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Science and Technology, Pakistan, for launching this program. The Charge de Affairs, Embassy of the Republic of Somalia, Shirwa Abdullahi Ibrahim appreciated the visionary initiative taken by the COMSTECH leadership to address the Science and Technology needs of his country. He thanked Prof. Choudhary for starting country-specific programs for OIC member states specifically in the African continent, adding the program will contribute to further mutual collaboration. The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Nairobi, Kenya, Saqlain Syedah addressed the launching ceremony online and appreciated the COMSTECH initiative for Somalia, and other African OIC member states. The University of Lahore Rector Dr. Muhammad Ashraf applauded the efforts of COMSTECH for expanding collaborative programs with African countries, stating being a member of CCoE the University of Lahore is an active partner in all its programs. He informed that over 500 foreign students including 360 African students were enrolled at the University of Lahore and it has also established a Medical College in Uganda. Chairman, Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Ch. Abdul Rehman extended his heartfelt support on behalf of his university and the Association of Private Sector Universities to the COMSTECH-Somalia Science and Technology Cooperation. He said, "We will foster scientific and technological advancements, promote collaboration, and contribute to the development and progress of Somalia and the entire OIC region." The Ambassador of Pakistan to Niger, Mr. Ahmed Ali Sirohey, and Justice Dr. Syed Mohammad Anwar Ali, Aalim Judge, Federal Shariat Court Islamabad appreciated the COMSTECH efforts for the Science and Technology development in the OIC region and expressed their full support for COMSTECH programs. COMSTECH in close coordination with the OIC General Secretariat, Jeddah, has launched several new initiatives and programs for the capacity building of OIC states, particularly for the African OIC LDCs. Somalia, being one of the largest OIC member states in the African continent, will play a leading role in the implementation of COMSTECH programs in the region. Under this program, the top two universities of Somalia will be able to join the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) as associate members. COMSTECH will offer 10 fellowships to Somalian students, researchers, and technical personnel and will organize thematic workshops and training courses on emerging technologies relevant to national and regional needs in collaboration with the relevant institutions in Somalia. COMSTECH in collaboration with Islamic Development Bank and OIC General Secretariat will conduct health camps for high-quality cataract services to improve vision-related quality of life and reduce blindness-related poverty. It also in collaboration with the relevant institutions in Somalia and Pakistan will also arrange training programs in ophthalmology and neuro-critical care for Somalian healthcare providers. Women in science fellowship program will be launched in which Somalian women scientists will be able to conduct research studies in leading Research and Development (R&D) institutions of Pakistan, and other COMSTECH member states. Similarly, in collaboration with local universities, it will launch a skill development program for technicians in different areas according to the needs of the country. This program will enable the R&D institutions of Somalia to collaborate with CCoE institutions for the exchange of knowledge, expertise, technology, and resources to develop their capacities. (@ChaudhryMAli88) ANKARA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 22nd July, 2023) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by phone the details of the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Erdogan's office said on Friday. "President (Erdogan) spoke by phone with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The two leaders discussed in detail the extension of the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement during the call, held upon President Zelenskyy's request. President Erdogan stated that Turkiye makes intensive efforts to ensure that peace prevails," the Turkish president's office tweeted. On Monday, the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which provided for a humanitarian corridor to allow exports of Ukrainian grain over the past year, expired as Russia did not extend its participation. Moscow has been repeatedly critical of the fact that the deal's provisions pertaining to Russia had not been fulfilled. On Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said that it will consider all ships in the Black Sea that are sailing to Ukrainian ports as potential military cargo carriers starting July 20, adding that flags of countries of such vessels will be considered involved in the conflict on Kiev's side. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st July, 2023) The union between Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, the reports on which appear in the media, is being made for the subsequent occupation of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday. "There have been media reports about plans to create a certain so-called Polish-Lithuanian-Ukrainian union: that is, we are not talking about some gathering of mercenaries, there are enough of them, and they are being destroyed, namely a regular, assembled, equipped military unit that is planned to be used for actions on the territory of Ukraine, including for allegedly ensuring the security of the current Western Ukraine. And in fact, if you call things by their proper Names for the subsequent occupation of these territories," Putin said at a meeting with permanent members of the Russian Security Council. IDS Holds Summer Academy for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities Fri, 07/21/2023 - 01:31pm | By: Bryant "Tyler" Johnson While some students may be enjoying their time off from school by going on vacation or to summer camps or just doing nothing, a group of youth and young adults with disabilities chose to spend this summer preparing for future employment opportunities by participating in a unique summer learning experience. Since 2018, the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has provided youth and young adults with a summer multi-week training and internship experience through its Transition of Teens to Adult Life (ToTAL) Program. The 2023 Summer Academy was the sixth year for this annual training event and the fourth year that a virtual option was included. A group of students posing with Harry Potter creations and Harry Potter themed picture frame This years Academy was themed after the Harry Potter franchise, with participants competing to earn points for their respective House (team). Each years Academy has a themed training curriculum to promote increased engagement among the participants. Jaden, a first-time student in the Academy, said, My favorite part of training was that it was related to Harry Potter. During this past June, a total of 29 young people from the Pine Belt, Gulf Coast and throughout the state participated in this years Academy. Students had the option to attend in-person training at the Hattiesburg campus of USM or the Gulf Coast campus in Long Beach. The other option was a virtual experience for those students who were unable to attend either of the campuses. Apollo dusting shelves during his internship at Batteries+Bulbs. The Academy consisted of an initial two-week training session followed by six weeks of individualized work-based learning experiences. Internships were provided based on available opportunities in students local areas and with virtual options for those under age 16 or not able to participate in-person. This years Academy was again led by Beth Robertson, Transition Coordinator, who provided oversight for all virtual aspects of the program. Our annual summer program and internships provide students the opportunity to acquire essential workplace readiness skills, setting them on a trajectory toward success, said Robertson. The remarkable growth in skills and confidence displayed by this year's students, as they actively learn and apply their knowledge in their chosen career fields, showcases their impressive journey toward a bright and promising employment future." Lily posing with the Harry Potter themed picture frame The Academy is student-driven and focused with student input sought throughout the event. The setting is intended to be student and learning friendly as well. Joanie, a second-time student noted I was able to focus better this year. [The Academy is a] nice and comfortable environment to ask questions youre allowed [to ask] as many questions as you need. Plans are already underway for the 2024 Summer Enrichment Academy. The Academy and all ToTAL program activities are considered pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) and are offered through a grant provided by the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. The ToTAL Program is provided through IDS at The University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippis University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. For over 40 years, IDS has upheld its mission to "positively affect the lives of Mississippi citizens with developmental and other disabilities and their families across the lifespan and to work toward increasing their independence, productivity, and community inclusion." IDS concentrates its work in three primary areas: Community Living; Education and Capacity Building and Family Engagement. Small-business owners can learn about Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) opportunities at the U.S. Department of Energy during a half-day virtual workshop Thursday, July 27. Jim Greenwood will lead the discussion during a Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network webinar titled SBIR/STTR Opportunities at the Department of Energy from 8 a.m.-noon. To register, go here. Registration is free. The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by the University of Wyoming with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Greenwood will provide helpful tips and a recommended process for developing a competitive Phase I proposal. While material is relevant to all SBIR/STTR agencies, the Department of Energy will be emphasized. Greenwood, co-owner of Greenwood Consulting Group Inc., is a nationally recognized trainer and proposal reviewer for the SBIR and STTR programs. He has taught SBIR/STTR workshops in 48 states, plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., offering training through local and regional economic development groups, universities, federal laboratories, SBDCs and Manufacturing Extension Partnerships. Small-business owners also will have the opportunity to meet with Greenwood one-on-one for strategy sessions during the afternoon. Preference for scheduling with Greenwood will be given to Wyoming small businesses. For one-on-one scheduling, email Kelly Haigler Cornish, Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative manager, at haigler@uwyo.edu. For more information, call Maureen Johnson, marketing, communication and database manager for the Wyoming SBDC Network, at (307) 343-0925 or email mjohn125@uwyo.edu. Visitors fish off the dock at the University of Wyoming-National Park Service (UW-NPS) Research Station. Collaborations between UW and Grand Teton National Park are the topic of the next Harlow Summer Seminar Thursday, July 27, at the UW-NPS Research Station. (Hank Harlow Photo) Collaborations between the University of Wyoming and Grand Teton National Park are the topic of the next Harlow Summer Seminar Thursday, July 27, at the UW-National Park Service (NPS) Research Station. The former directors of the facility -- located at the AMK Ranch in Grand Teton National Park -- will present the program. Hank Harlow and Harold Bergman, professors emeriti from the UW Department of Zoology and Physiology, will present A (brief) history of research and partnership between the University of Wyoming and Grand Teton National Park. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a barbecue, followed by the 6:30 p.m. seminar. The events are free and open to the public, although a $10 donation is suggested. Formerly called the AMK Ranch Talk Series, the Harlow Summer Seminar Series is named after Harlow, who helped make the UW-NPS Research Station a significant center for research and community outreach. Harlow began the popular weekly public seminars during the summer months. Harlow, who was the research facilitys director for 20 years, will begin the latest seminar with a brief overview of the evolution of science-based management in the National Park Service and the need for external research to address challenges for maintaining the ecological integrity of national parks. He also will chronicle the history of the UW-NPS Research Station, from the 1945 Jackson Hole Wildlife Park and its role in supporting science in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem through financial, logistic and program support. Bergman will follow with a review of UW-NPS cooperative agreements, typical events in a year at the UW-NPS Research Station, and a summary of recent major UW investments in the stations infrastructure and operations. Michael Dillon, a UW zoology and physiology professor and the stations current interim director, will then join his two colleagues to continue the discussion and help to answer questions. Harlow is a former physiological ecologist with research interests on animal adaptations to stressful environments, such as cold temperatures and food scarcity in relation to spatial and energy needs. Animals he has studied include black bears in the Rocky Mountains, badgers on the Wyoming prairie as well as Komodo dragons in Indonesia, polar bears in the Arctic and sun bears in Borneo. He currently is active in the Tucson, Ariz., community running wildlife cameras for spotted cats, volunteering at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, conducting workshops on wildlife tracking and enjoying mountain biking desert trails. Bergman, who retired in 2016, is the former J.E. Warren Distinguished Professor of Energy and the Environment, and the former director of the Haub School and the Ruckelshaus Institute of Environment and Natural Resources at UW. He wrote or co-wrote more than 100 research articles and edited four books on diverse topics related to his principal research interests in environmental toxicology, fish physiology and environmental policy. He has received numerous research and teaching awards, and he has served on a number of national and international advisory and review panels focusing on environmental and natural resource policy. The UW-NPS Research Station provides a base for university faculty members and government scientists from around the world to conduct research in the diverse aquatic and terrestrial environments of Grand Teton National Park and the greater Yellowstone area. A cooperative effort between UW and the NPS for the past 66 years, the research station is located on the AMK Ranch historic district on a peninsula extending into Jackson Lake near Leeks Marina. Wyoming Public Media (WPM) has won several awards for reporting during 2022. These include two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards in the podcast and breaking news categories as well as a Public Media Journalist Association (PMJA) award for best news documentary. The Murrow Award is granted by the Radio Television Digital News Association, honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism since 1971. Award recipients demonstrate the spirit of excellence that Murrow set as a standard for the profession of broadcast and digital journalism. They are considered among the most prestigious awards in broadcast and digital news. The podcast The Great Individualist: Episode 8, Slow Waters Run Deep, by WPM reporter and producer Melodie Edwards, won a first-place regional Murrow Award. The news feature After Defeat, Cheney Says the Real Work Begins, a story produced by Caitlin Tan, won a first-place regional Murrow Award for breaking news. Since 2005, WPM has won a combination of 30 regional and national Murrow Awards. Broadcast and digital news outlets in Wyoming compete against commercial and noncommercial stations in Region 3, which includes Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. WPM competes in the small market category. WPM also won a PMJA award for a The Modern West podcast episode, Cows = Civilization, which took first in the documentary category and focused on the value of the bison. PMJA represents public media journalists across the U.S., supporting, empowering and advocating. The winning podcast episode was produced by Edwards. According to one source for The Modern West, Eastern Shoshone tribal member and National Wildlife Federation Buffalo Coordinator Jason Baldes, I think buffalo give us a lot of hope for our future. The way that cows represent the oppression, buffalo represent the opposite. The Modern West podcast series The Great Individualist was granted an award from the Society of Professional Journalists, which gave the series third place in the podcast category. The Great Individualist proclaims in its introduction: The cowboy roaming horseback across the American West is nearly inextricable from what it means to be American. But now a new generation of ranchers is working to reinvent this iconic way of life to fit a modern world. Based at the University of Wyoming, WPM is Wyomings public radio/media statewide network, operating four FM channels and online services. The Cambodian government has ordered internet service providers (ISPs) to block the websites and social media accounts of nine domains of at least three news outlets, including the Cambodia Daily Khmer and Radio Free Asia, just a week before the uncontested national election on July 23, according to an official letter obtained by VOA Khmer. The letter dated on July 12, issued by the Telecommunications Regulator of Cambodia, an entity under the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, stated that the government ordered ISPs to block the domains including the Twitter, Instagram and YouTube accounts of the Cambodia Daily Khmer and Radio Free Asia, which, like VOA, is an independent entity operating under the U.S. Agency for Global Media. Both distribute news in Khmer and English, and both are headquartered outside Cambodia. The government also blocked the Twitter account and website of Komnotra, the new database of Voice of Democracy, which the government closed. Komnotra remains live on Facebook. Komnotra was the newly launched public database that was run by the Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM), which ran the Voice of Democracy. In the letter, the Telecommunications Regulator of Cambodia said the government was blocking the outlets because their news reporting could make confusion, affect the governments honor and prestige, and fail to fulfill the operating conditions of the Information Ministry. The Information Ministry regulates news media outlets operating inside Cambodia. The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications is a separate entity. The ISPs, according to the letter, were told to block access to those websites and social media accounts immediately and are required to the telecommunications regulator within seven days of the date of the letter. The decision to block the outlets came after the proposal of the Information Ministry. Meas Sophorn, the spokesperson for the Information Ministry confirmed to VOA Khmer that an order was issued by the Telecommunications Regulator to block the outlets. He added that the Kamnotra website operated as a media outlet but did not fulfill its obligations as a news agency that is required to register with the government. Chea Vandeth, the minister of Post and Telecommunications, referred questions to the ministry spokesperson. So Visothy, the ministry spokesman, couldnt be reached for comment. RFA Chief Communication Officer Rohit Mahajan on Monday evening said, RFA condemns the order from the government of Cambodia for internet service providers to block RFA content on online platforms which is in clear violation of Cambodian law and an attempt to censor the free flow of information ahead of the July 23 election. Access to timely, accurate news and information, which RFAs programming and content provides to the Cambodian people on a daily basis, is essential in any democracy where the rule of law supports free speech and a free press. Despite these unfortunate efforts, RFA will keep striving to inform its audience in Cambodia with up-to-the-minute journalism during this critical time and beyond. Ith Sothoeuth, media director of the Cambodian Center for Independent Media, which runs the Komnotra website, said that as of Monday, his team could not access the site via some internet providers. It is a regret that the Komnotra website is blocked since we aim to use this website to publish information which is issued by the state ministry or institutions, he told VOA Khmer. It serves the public interest, he said. Sothoeuths organization launched Kamnotra at the end of June after the government revoked the license for its Khmer and English language news outlet, Voice of Democracy, in February. Nop Vy, executive director of the Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association (CamboJA), said the blocking of websites and social media just before the election will affect access to diversified information and it impacts the rights to information. It also impacts the rights to information and publishing information as stipulated in the article 41 of the constitution, he told VOA Khmer. It is a worry and I think there is no benefit to the government and the general public. It is the latest move to further restrict press freedom in a country that ranks 147th out of 180 countries, where 1 denotes the best media environment, according to the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom index. In July 2018, the Cambodian government ordered ISPs to block at least 15 news websites of independent outlets, including Voice of America, for two days before and during the countrys election. The rights to press freedom and freedom of expression in Cambodia have been deteriorating since the crackdown on the now-banned opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), and the closures of two main media outlets, the 25-year-old Cambodia Daily Khmer and the Phnom Penh bureau of Radio Free Asia in 2017 during the run-up to the 2018 national elections. The radio licenses of all radio stations airing programs by Radio Free Asia and Voice of America were revoked as well then. Most have been restored and several FM radio stations in Cambodia have carried VOA Khmer international news broadcasts twice-daily for the past two-plus years. After the media crackdown in 2017, journalists who used to work for independent media have left their jobs. In 2018, the Phnom Penh Post newspaper lost its editorial independence after a public relations company affiliated with the government assumed ownership and forced many of its professional journalists to resign and turn to freelance work. Many professional journalists who lost their jobs looked for opportunities in other sectors. Several of them are still living in limbo as asylum-seekers after fleeing the country for safety. VOA Connect Episode 288 We take you to the village of Newtok, Alaska where climate change and the severe storms that come with it, are causing the erosion of the land, forcing the villagers to relocate. Camera | Producer | Editor: Gabrielle Weiss (Please note: this is the first of two episodes. The second will come next week) PARIS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- French presidential office on Thursday announced a newly reshuffled government still leading by French Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne, with the leadership of most main ministries remaining unchanged. Aurelien Rousseau, who was Borne's chief of staff for one year, takes over Francois Braun as the health minister. Pap Ndiaye, a historian appointed as education minister last year, will leave the government, to be replaced by Gabriel Attal, who was named budget minister in 2022 and had served as government spokesperson for two years before that. New members also include Philippe Vigier, a member of the Democratic Movement, who will serve as the new minister delegate for overseas affairs. The mayor of Dunkirk, Patrice Vergriete, was brought in as the minister delegate for housing. Sabrina Agresti-Roubache was appointed the state secretary for cities, a position in which she will be responsible for urban policy. Marlene Schiappa, the state secretary for the social and solidarity economy and associative Lifes, will leave the government as she has been under fire over the misuse of an anti-extremism fund. French President Emmanuel Macron will chair the first cabinet meeting of the new government on Friday morning, according to the presidential office. At least nine people were killed and a dozen wounded when a bomb went off in a village in northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, a local official said Thursday. The bomb exploded in the eastern territory of Rutshuru on Wednesday evening, according to Isaac Kibira, a deputy to the province's governor. A local self-defense fighter part of a militia to protect the community was trying to identify an object on the ground when it detonated in the village center, instantly killing him and eight civilians nearby. It was not immediately known who planted the bomb, though officials said it was found in an area where armed rebels recently have made incursions. "Emergency first aid was provided by elements of the regional forces of the East African Community deployed in the area," said Kibira. Local health officials said they admitted the wounded to a clinic for treatment. Fighting in eastern Congo has been simmering for decades as more than 120 groups fight for power, land and valuable mineral resources, while others try to defend their communities. But it spiked in late 2021 when the rebel group M23, which was largely dormant for nearly a decade, resurfaced and started capturing territory. Earlier this week, the United Nations raised the alarm about a surge in violence in the country's northeast. M23 rose to prominence 10 years ago when its fighters seized Goma, eastern Congo's largest city on the border with Rwanda. It derives its name from a March 23, 2009, peace deal that it accuses the Congo government of not implementing. The Congolese government and the U.N. have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels, allegations Rwanda denies. M23 and a local self-defense group have been fighting for control of the village. Youth militia groups called Wazalendo ("patriots" in Kiswahili) have formed across northeastern Congo to protect their communities from encroaching armed groups. Wednesday's deaths came less than a week after M23 was accused of killing nearly a dozen people in a different village in the same area. SYDNEY - Scientists are warning that Australia faces a scorching summer as the weather bureau is forecasting unseasonably hot and dry weather in coming months. Heatwaves are Australias deadliest natural hazard. They kill more people than bushfires, floods, storms and drought combined. This year, Australias Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting warmer and drier conditions between August and October. Academics warn that if the El Nino weather pattern is supercharged by climate change, then the summer could be scorching. El Nino -- literally little boy in Spanish increases the chances of drier and hotter conditions across much of Australia. The United Nations World Meteorological Organization said earlier this month that an El Nino was under way. It is part of the naturally occurring phenomenon called the El Nino Southern Oscillation, which affects the worlds weather. An El Nino is typically declared when sea surface temperatures in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean increase to at least 0.5 degrees Celsius above the long-term average. Australias national weather agency has yet to officially declare the start of an El Nino because one of the metrics the difference in atmospheric pressure between Tahiti and the northern Australian city of Darwin has yet to reach the necessary threshold. But as the heatwave crisis continues in the northern hemisphere, many Australians worry about what is in store for them. Some experts are anticipating one of Australias hottest summers, fueling the risks of bushfires and droughts. Barry Calvert, the president of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. that cities must be designed to cope with the heat. "The housing we have now in western Sydney is not designed for this heat," he said. "It is all based on air conditioning. As you know, if the grid goes out, the air conditioning doesnt work, and those houses become like little prisons of heat." Australia is the worlds driest inhabited continent. Its highest-ever recorded temperature is over 50 degrees Celsius. China has tightened checks on Japanese seafood, escalating diplomatic tensions with its neighbor over Tokyo's plan to release treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. The General Administration of Customs in China began inspecting seafood imports from Japan for radiation earlier this month, Japanese media reported Wednesday. This follows the agency's July 7 announcement that extended a ban on seafood products from 10 Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima, because of radiation concerns. China is the biggest buyer of Japan's seafood exports. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a briefing on Thursday that Beijing had tightened the restrictions because "the Chinese government puts people first." She continued, "Our job is to be responsible for the health of our people and the marine environment. Our opposition to Japan's ocean discharge plan is based on facts and reason; so are the measures that we have decided to take." The restrictions came as Japan prepares to discharge the treated waters from its Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. There is no confirmed date for the release at the plant, which was damaged in the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011. Japan dismissed Chinese objections to its plan, calling on Beijing to remove restrictions on Japanese seafood. Japan "has long urged Chinese authorities to quickly remove import restrictions on Japanese food products based on scientific evidence," said a spokesperson for the Japanese Embassy in Washington in an email to VOA's Korean Service on Wednesday. Tokyo will continue "to make a concerted effort to appeal to the Chinese authorities through every possible opportunity" and "explain the conclusion of the IAEA report to the international community with a high level of transparency," said the spokesperson, referring to the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency. The decision to start releasing the water, originally set for some time in August, came after the IAEA said in a report presented to Tokyo earlier this month that the release meets its safety standards. Some experts see Beijing's restrictions on seafood imports from Japan as a move to instill doubts about the safety of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant that Tokyo said would be released once it addressed "reputational damages" associated with the process. 'China doesn't trust Japan' Andrew Yeo, the SK-Korea Foundation chair in Korea Studies at Brookings Institution's Center for East Asia Policy Studies, said, "China doesn't trust Japan or the IAEA's report regarding Fukushima waters." Yeo continued, "The inspections on seafood imports [are] intended to continue sowing doubts on the IAEA's findings and undermine Japan's claim about the safety of its seafood and fish exports." The European Union announced last week that it would lift restrictions on seafood imports from Japan imposed over 12 years ago, Euronews reported. European Council President Charles Michel said the decision was based on scientific evidence presented by the IAEA. The IAEA report concluded the release of 1.3 million metric tons of the treated water from the Fukushima plant would be safe and have negligible radiological impact on people and the environment. The water has been filtered through the Advanced Liquid Processing System to remove most radioactive contamination except tritium, according to IAEA. However, an article by China's state-run English-language newspaper, the China Daily, on Monday said Japan's plans to release the treated water makes seafood consumers and restaurant owners anxious about Japanese imports. Daniel Sneider, a lecturer in international policy and East Asian studies at Stanford University, said Beijing wants "to put pressure on Japan and to play into Korean narratives promoted by the opposition party in [South] Korea." He said the main goal of China's inspections of Japanese seafood imports "seems to be to feed similar fears" among people in China as exist among consumers in South Korea "with the rather obvious aim of undermining progress in repairing Korea-Japan relations." On July 7, South Korea officially endorsed the Japanese decision to release the treated water upon the IAEA's approval of the discharge. Opposition lawmakers have been against the decision. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi arrived in Seoul on July 8 after his visit to Tokyo and met with opposition lawmakers explaining the IAEA's approval based on "scientific" research. Hundreds of South Koreans marched in Seoul protesting the discharge plans during Grossi's three-day visit in Seoul. Relations between Seoul and Tokyo have been improving since South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol reached out to Tokyo in March, resulting in two summits in March and May, the first for the two countries in 12 years. Ties between the two U.S. allies had been frayed over a historical dispute stemming from the Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. Washington, Seoul and Tokyo are planning to hold a summit in August, Yoon's office said Thursday. At the G7 summit in Hiroshima in May, President Joe Biden had invited Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for a meeting in Washington this summer. WASHINGTON President Joe Biden has chosen Adm. Lisa Franchetti to lead the Navy, a senior administration official said Friday. If confirmed, she would be the first woman to be a U.S. military service chief. Biden's decision to tap Franchetti, an admiral with broad command and executive experience, goes against the recommendation of his Pentagon chief, but he is selecting an officer whom insiders had considered the top choice for the job. Franchetti, the current vice chief of operations for the Navy, would become the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recommended that Biden select Adm. Samuel Paparo, the current commander of the Navys Pacific Fleet, several U.S. officials said last month. Instead, the administration official said, Biden is nominating Paparo to lead the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the nomination has not been made public. The administration official said Biden chose Franchetti based on the broad scope of her experience at sea and ashore, including several high-level policy and administrative jobs that give her deep knowledge in budgeting and running the department. At the same time, the official acknowledged that Biden understands the historic nature of the nomination and believes that Franchetti will be an inspiration to sailors, both men and women. Franchetti's nomination will join the list of hundreds of military moves that are being held up by Senator Tommy Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama. He is blocking confirmation of military officers in protest of a Defense Department policy that pays for travel when a service member has to go out of state to get an abortion or other reproductive care. Franchetti is slated to serve as the acting chief beginning next month when Adm. Michael Gilday, the current top Navy officer, retires as planned. Several women have served as military service secretaries as political appointees, but never as their top uniformed officer. A woman, Adm. Linda L. Fagan, is currently the commandant of the Coast Guard. She, however, is not a member of the Joint Chiefs. The president, according to the official, said that Franchetti is the right person for the job and that moving Paparo to head Pacific Command puts the right person in that post. The official declined to comment on Austin's recommendation. But news last month that the defense chief had recommended Paparo stunned many in the Pentagon because it was long believed that Franchetti was in line for the top Navy job. A surface warfare officer, she has commanded at all levels, leading the U.S. 6th Fleet and U.S. Naval Forces Korea. She was the second woman to be promoted to four-star admiral, and she did multiple deployments, including as commander of a naval destroyer and two stints as aircraft carrier strike group commander. Paparo, who if confirmed would replace Adm. John Aquilino, is a naval aviator and a TOPGUN graduate with more than 6,000 flight hours in Navy fighter jets and 1,100 landings on aircraft carriers. A Pennsylvania native, he graduated from Villanova University and was commissioned into the Navy in 1987. Prior to his Pacific tour, he was commander of naval forces in the Middle East, based in Bahrain, and he also served as director of operations at U.S. Central Command in Florida. The administration official said Biden will also nominate Vice Adm. James Kilby to be the vice chief of the Navy and tap Vice Adm. Stephen Koehler to head the Pacific Fleet. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen's Facebook account was reactivated Thursday, three weeks after he announced he was forsaking the social media giant in favor of posting on Telegram, a popular messaging app that also serves as a blogging tool. Hun Sen's return to the Facebook fold came three days before a general election in which his ruling Cambodian People's Party is virtually guaranteed a landslide victory. Hun Sen said at the end of June that he would stop posting new material on his Facebook page but leave the account online. He said he was switching to Telegram because he believed the app provided a more effective way to communicate. But when a Facebook watchdog criticized the language in one of his videos and recommended suspending the prime minister's account for six months, Hun Sen took down the page. Duong Dara, who manages the 70-year-old leader's social media accounts, posted a message Thursday saying he had asked Hun Sen to be allowed to reactivate his Facebook page in the national interest. He said he, and not the prime minister, would be uploading content. Hun Sen, who has led Cambodia for 38 years, had used Facebook since 2015 to display family snapshots, issue dire warnings to his political enemies, and broadcast live his frequent and often lengthy speeches. His page boasts 14 million followers, though critics have suggested a large number are "ghost" accounts purchased in bulk from so-called "click farms," an assertion Hun Sen has repeatedly denied. As of Thursday, Hun Sen's Telegram account had almost 987,000 subscribers, up from the 855,000 he had when he announced his June breakup with Facebook. Hun Sen announced his intention to cease posting on Facebook a day before a quasi-independent review board established by the platform's parent company, Meta, recommended the six-month suspension of both the prime minister's Facebook and Instagram accounts. The oversight board concluded he had used language that could incite violence in a video of a January speech in which he decried opposition politicians who accused his party of stealing votes. The board said it reached its nonbinding recommendation due in part to "Hun Sen's history of committing human rights violations and intimidating political opponents, as well as his strategic use of social media to amplify such threats." Separately, it overturned a ruling by Facebook's moderators to allow the video, originally broadcast live, to stay online. Within hours of the board making its report public, Hun Sen's Facebook page was removed. As Hun Manet, eldest son of longtime Prime Minister Hun Sen, wrapped up the ruling Cambodian Peoples Partys (CPP) campaign on Friday, his father hinted that his son, a West Point graduate, could become the prime minister just after Sundays unopposed election. In a video interview with Chinas Phoenix TV, which was released Thursday, the prime minister said there were two leading candidates for the ruling party himself and Hun Manet. It is also possible that in just three or four weeks, Hun Manet can become the prime minister. Lets see what other people say, said Hun Sen, who has been in power for 38 years and turns 71 next month. I believe that Manet is more competent than me, he told Phoenix TV. He will serve the people better than me. I am the one who makes the biggest sacrifice. Right now, I have an absolute power, but in about a month, I won't have the power to sign any bills the same way as I do today, said Hun Sen, who is drawing closer to China. He added that the changeover was under consideration not for my son but because his family needs to continue to maintain peace in the Southeast Asian country. Hun Manet has long been seen as his fathers successor, but Hun Sens comments to Phoenix TV marked the first time a timeline had been attached to the transfer of power. In 2021, Hun Sen had said, I am still standing, so whats the point of my son being the prime minister? His possible [premiership] is not before 2028. It is more likely to take place between 2028 and even 2030. He must wait. Hun Manet is a 1998 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He also completed graduate work in economics, earning a master's degree from New York University in 2002 and a doctorate from the University of Bristol in 2008. In Sundays election, Hun Manet is standing as the lawmaker candidate on the top list of seats for Phnom Penh. To become a premier, the candidate has to be an elected lawmaker among the total of 125. Ruling CPP spokesperson Sok Eysan said Hun Manets prospects for the top office were good. "The percentage of the possibility [that Hun Manet will become PM] is high, he said. Accusations against Hun Sen In June, Hun Sen said the government would be formed on August 31, just weeks after the election. Human rights groups have dismissed the election as a sham and accuse Hun Sen of controlling the media, threatening critics and systematically dismantling his opposition using trumped-up criminal charges. Hun Manet now serves as a commander in chief of the Royal Cambodian Army. The four-star general is also the deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. Hun Sen had long positioned his eldest son to be his successor, but political analysts and observers have only been able to speculate about when and how he would hand over power and if indeed it would be handed to Hun Manet. This is the closest weve had yet to a definitive public confirmation about the timing of the handover of power, journalist Sebastian Strangio, author of Hun Sens Cambodia, posted on Twitter on Friday. Cambodias National Election Committee (NEC) disqualified the main opposition Candlelight Party from competing in the July national election, citing lack of paperwork. The decision has been criticized by international communities, and the appeal to the NEC failed in May. Ou Virak, president of Future Forum, a think tank in Cambodia, said Hun Sens announcement was not a surprise. If Hun Manet becomes a premier after the upcoming election, Cambodia will change politicians from the old generation to the new generation, he told VOA Khmer. On Friday, the final day of campaigning, Hun Manet, 45, said his party would win by a landslide as he spoke of how the CPP had maintained peace and stability after decades of war. 'He has the wisdom' Ruling party supporter Chin Sophan, 46, told VOA Khmer she believed the CPP would win. She wants Hun Manet to be the leader because she was pleased with his fathers rule. "So, I am very satisfied because he has the wisdom to rule our country well," she said, adding its the time that there is no war and no opposition. Phoeun Mealeadey, 19, a college freshman majoring in banking, said she thought Hun Manet would be a capable prime minister "because he has knowledge, he has highest education. Hun Manet recently told hundreds of supporters: "Democratic elections are based on the law. Whatever the CPP does, [it] is doing [it] legally. This is fair and just competition and transparency, which is based on the law. Effective democracy is based on the rule of law. This is what the CPP will try to win. Khemara Pov Sok contributed to this report. Some information came from Reuters. Hybrid work is here to stay, and if cities are to thrive, they must adapt to the new reality that workers will be downtown less often. Thats according to a new report that analyzes the COVID-19 pandemics lasting impact on office and retail space. What has fundamentally changed is just the broad uptake and the persistence of hybridity, says Ryan Luby, an associate partner at McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm that released the report. And that has knock-on implications for demand for office, for residential, for retail, what kind of space is demanded, where it is demanded, and that has real implications for urban vitality, vibrancy and the kinds of buildings that we demand. Now that they arent making their daily commutes to downtown offices, people are doing their eating out and shopping elsewhere. The report finds that foot traffic near stores in urban areas is still 10% to 20% lower than pre-pandemic levels, and office attendance is still down by about 30% on average in major cities across the world. The New York City metropolitan area lost 5% of its population from mid-2020 to mid-2022, while the San Francisco area lost 6%. The numbers suggest that many of the people who left big cities during the pandemic are not moving back, the report said, which presents another challenge for cities trying to bounce back from pandemic-driven losses. In Washington, the daytime population plunged 82% from February 2020 to February 2021. And a 2023 poll finds that two-thirds of Washington-area workers whose jobs can be done remotely prefer to work from home a majority of the time. Thirty-eight percent of people surveyed said theyd like to work from home all of the time. City leaders and planners are preparing for a future that adjusts to this new reality. About 50 percent of our population can still remote work, says Salah Czapary, director of the D.C. Mayor's Office of Nightlife and Culture. Some neighborhoods have not returned to pre-COVID levels of economic activity. Our short-term strategy is activating the space, attracting festivals and making it easier for people to close streets whether it's for a farmers market or a music festival downtown doing that to support what has traditionally been our economic engine of the city, which has been downtown. Luby, one of the reports authors, says the most resilient cities have a mixture of office, residential and retail real estate. People are coming into those areas for reasons other than work, he says. I think the imperative, as we think about it from the public policy perspective, is really to encourage or incentivize what we think about as mixed-use development, in which folks will be present in these areas for reasons other than just work. Washingtons city leaders, for example, are looking for ways to meet the moment. Our long-term strategy is really attracting new residents to downtown by changing the buildings from commercial to residential, Czapary says. That will eventually attract grocery stores and other types of nightlife and restaurants and things that make neighborhoods attractive to live in. By 2030, demand for office space will be an average of 13% lower in major cities around the world than it was in 2019, according to the report. San Francisco is the most affected city in the United States in terms of demand for office space, with sale prices per square foot down 24% compared with 2019, while the asking price for rents is 28% lower than in 2019. The report also predicts that demand for retail space in San Francisco will be 17% lower in 2030 than in 2019. Adjusting to this new reality could take time, Luby says, because people who own office space in major cities are still expecting prices to rebound as they did in pre-pandemic times. Because a commercial real estate office, in particular, tends to be on a five- to-10-year lease, youve got a slow-motion dynamic playing out, Luby says. And until you get buyers and sellers in the market to agree that we're in a new normal and adjusting prices downwards, its really going to be difficult to get at-scale adjustment." The World Health Organization warns dengue fever is spreading to more regions and countries around the world due to the increased movement of people, urbanization, and climate-related issues. "About half of the world's population is at risk of dengue," Raman Velayudhan, a top official of the WHO's global program on the control of neglected tropical diseases, told journalists at a briefing Friday in Geneva. "Dengue affects about 129 countries. We estimate about 100 to 400 million cases are reported every year. This is basically an estimate." The disease, which is spread by the Aedes species of mosquito, thrives mainly in tropical and subtropical climates. WHO reports it has grown dramatically worldwide in recent decades, with cases increasing from half a million in 2000 to more than 4.2 million in 2022. Last year, the Latin American region reported 2.8 million cases and 1,280 deaths. Just seven months into 2023, the region has already matched those figures, with nearly three million cases and an almost equal number of deaths. Velayudhan said dengue is a global disease, noting that the mosquito which causes dengue has been found in 24 European countries. He said that in Africa there recently have been reports of more than 2,000 cases and 45 deaths in Sudan, as well as new reports within the past week of dengue being present in Egypt. He said the presence of dengue in Africa is of special concern, noting that the figure of over 200,000 cases reported annually from the continent is likely an underestimate. He added that the reporting of dengue cases in Africa must be improved. "We know it is there," said Velayudhan. "But it has been masked by other diseases. But now that [the battle against] malaria, in particular, has made great strides and has reduced in Africa, we have seen an increasing percent of dengue, and this is something we really encourage the governments [to address]." He said this is already happening as the WHO is currently tracking cases of the disease reported in Sudan, Ethiopia, Senegal, Kenya, Nigeria and Sao Tome. The monsoon season has begun in Asia, a situation that health officials find very worrying as the region accounts for about 70 percent dengue cases. The WHO has issued an alert to governments to take preventive measures to control the spread of the disease. Velayudhan said the monsoon already has hit many of the dengue endemic regions in the Indian sub-continent, where high precipitation, increased temperature and even water scarcity favor mosquitoes and pose a real threat. "So, we really need to be better prepared and make sure that all our health facilities are alerted and as the water recedes, we need to prevent [mosquito] breeding. And this is the key message," he said. He said people can protect themselves by eliminating stagnant water and other possible breeding areas around their homes. Most people with dengue do not have symptoms and get better in one to two weeks. However, those who develop severe cases often require hospital care. While there is no specific treatment for dengue, WHO says patients can be treated with medicines to lower the temperature and ease body pain. The World Health Organization says new tools, such as diagnostics, antivirals, and vaccines for preventing and controlling dengue, are under development. Indeed, it notes one vaccine is in the market, and two are in the final phase three clinical trial and review. Meanwhile, Velayudhan noted that the mosquito that transmits dengue tends to bite during the day. So, his advice to people is "to cover up during the day to lower their risk of being bitten and getting dengue." DADAAB, KENYA Abdikadir Omar was trapped in an extremist-controlled town in Somalia for years until May, when he slipped out to make a 12-day journey with his wife and seven children to neighboring Kenya in search of food and safety. To his surprise, "I found peace but no food," the 30-year-old told The Associated Press. He stood near the withered maize he tried to plant around his family's makeshift shelter of branches and plastic sheeting outside one of the world's largest refugee camps. As global food insecurity suffers another shock with Russia's termination of a deal to keep grain flowing from Ukraine, the hundreds of thousands of Somalis who have fled climate change and insecurity offer a stark example of what happens when aid runs low. Omar, a farmer, was forced to give most of his produce as tax to al-Shabab, the al-Qaida-linked extremists who have controlled parts of Somalia for years, and the little that remained wasn't enough to feed his family during Somalia's worst drought in decades. The final blow came when al-Shabab, under pressure from a Somali military offensive, killed his younger brother. Omar and his family joined a new wave of Somalis on the run. They were among 135,000 new refugees who arrived at Dadaab in recent months and eventually were allowed to access food aid when the Kenyan government resumed refugee registrations in February at the camp located 90 kilometers from the Somali border. Dadaab is home to more than 360,000 registered refugees and many unregistered ones. The camp was established in the 1990s, its permanence reflected in the neat rows of corrugated iron homes in its older sections. Food rations, however, are more fragile. They have been cut from 80% of the minimum daily nutritional requirement to 60% due to reduced donor funding, according to the World Food Program. Traditional donors have been quick to bring up hunger in places like Somalia when criticizing Russia for ending the grain deal, however they have focused their giving elsewhere, including Ukraine. In May, a high-level donors' conference for Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia raised less than $3 billion of the $7 billion that organizers wanted for humanitarian aid. Refugee camps like Dadaab, especially in Africa, will see further cuts in aid because of Russia's action, the WFP's executive director, Cindy McCain, told the AP on Tuesday. Under the recently ended deal, WFP was procuring 80% of its global wheat supply from Ukraine."There are going to be some serious shortages and, in some cases, none at all as a result of this," she said, adding that it was too soon to predict what those cuts would be. Already, "families that used to prepare probably three meals a day have now reduced to prepare either two meals or a meal a day, and that's quite extreme," the WFP head of programs at Dadaab, Colin Buleti, told the AP at a food distribution center during a visit last week. Families receive monthly rations of sorghum, rice, beans, maize and vegetable oil, alongside a cash transfer for buying fresh produce that has been halved to $3. Aid workers say the reduced rations are likely to worsen malnutrition. In one of Dadaab's three sections, Hagadera, 384 malnutrition cases were reported in the first half of the year, already exceeding the 347 reported there all of last year, according to the International Rescue Committee, which provides health services. The malnutrition ward in Hagadera is filled beyond capacity with crying babies. It is meant to handle 30 patients and is currently at 56. Dool Abdirahman, 25, arrived with her malnourished baby daughter in November. The family fled Somalia when the infant developed hydrocephalus, or a buildup of fluid on the brain. Until then, the family had struggled to hold out at home, Abdirahman said. The International Rescue Committee's health manager in Dadaab, Barbara Muttimos, said that even the nutrient-dense peanut paste used to treat children who are acutely and severely malnourished is threatened by reduced funding and the growing number of hungry people. But for mothers like Mabina Ali Hassan, 38, the conditions in Dadaab are better than the nonexistent services back home, where conflict has destabilized the country over the past three decades. "I regret going back to Somalia in 2016 when I heard it was safer," the mother of eight said. "This baby was born there and couldn't get health care because the hospitals were not equipped." She said she returned to the refugee camp when her son, now a year old, became malnourished. Maryan Mohamed, 30, said she was lucky to be among the newly registered refugees. The former teashop owner and her six children arrived at Dadaab in March and for four months lived off food handouts from friends who were already registered. "While stability welcomed me here, I'm still striving for the life I dreamed of," she said. The threat of insecurity remains, even for the refugees. Al-Shabab this month attacked a Somali military base just 12 kilometers from the Kenya border. Somali forces are under pressure to assume security responsibilities as an African Union peacekeeping force continues its withdrawal from the country. Kenya's government is now in discussions with the United Nations on how to integrate the hundreds of thousands of refugees into host communities in the future. The U.N. refugee agency says such integration is the best way to host refugees as donor funding shrinks. Poland moves troops closer to the border with Belarus and Putin issues a strong warning. The United Nations takes up the issue of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. A look at one womans recovery, both physical and psychological in Ukraine, and the Bolshoi Ballet is traveling internationally again. KIEV, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said on Thursday that it will consider all ships traveling to Russia and Russia-controlled areas in Ukraine through the Black Sea as potential carriers of military cargo. "All vessels heading in the waters of the Black Sea in the direction of seaports of the Russian Federation and Ukrainian seaports located on the territory of Ukraine temporarily occupied by Russia may be considered by Ukraine as carrying military cargo with all the associated risks," the ministry said in a post on Telegram. The new rules will take effect from midnight local time on July 21, it said. The announcement came after Russia's Defense Ministry said Wednesday it would consider ships destined for Ukrainian ports via the Black Sea to be carriers of military cargo. India and Sri Lanka boosted their economic partnership by signing a series of agreements on energy, trade and connectivity projects following talks between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi on Friday. Wickremesinghe was on his first visit to India since he took charge a year ago after an economic crisis engulfed the country and led to the resignation of his predecessor. He came to New Delhi as both sides reset a relationship that has been set back by growing Chinese influence in the strategic island nation that lies on Indias southern tip. Before Sri Lankas economy collapsed, Beijing had poured in billions of dollars to build infrastructure projects that India feared could affect its security. India provided aid last year Ties between Colombo and New Delhi received fresh momentum last year, though, after India extended $4 billion in aid to help the beleaguered country. Addressing reporters along with Wickremesinghe, Modi said that being a close friend, India had stood shoulder-to-shoulder with its neighbor during the crisis and that a prosperous Sri Lanka was key to regional stability. Sri Lanka has an important place in our neighborhood first policy, Modi said. We believe that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined." Wickremesinghe said that his visit had reinforced trust and confidence for our future prosperity in the modern world. In a signal of deepening bilateral ties, the two countries unveiled an economic partnership vision that focused on enhancing connectivity and investments. Modi said the two sides will conduct feasibility studies on laying a petroleum line between the two countries that would give Sri Lanka access to affordable energy. They also will explore the possibility of building a land bridge. The closest points between the two countries are just 50 kilometers apart. The two countries also will work to connect their electricity grids and cooperate in the renewable energy sector. New Delhi will develop a port and an economic hub at Trincomalee, on Sri Lankas northeastern coast. The two leaders also expressed support to implement a plan for the Sri Lankan government to share power with the countrys ethnic minority Tamil population that lives in the island's north and east provinces. The Tamils of Sri Lanka have long had close ties with Tamils living in southern India. We hope that the government of Sri Lanka will fulfill the aspirations of the Tamils, Modi said. Optimistic about recovery Wickremesinghe expressed optimism about economic recovery in his country, which secured a $3 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund in March. I have set Sri Lanka firmly on a path of economic reform, he said. For Sri Lanka, a top priority is to get countries like India and China to agree to a debt restructuring plan. Last year, the country defaulted on its $46 billion foreign debt. But balancing ties with India and China still poses a challenge. Last year, Sri Lanka allowed a Chinese research vessel, Yuan Wang 5, to dock in a port built by Beijing despite objections by New Delhi, which feared it was a spy ship. Wickremesinghes visit to India, however his first overseas trip since becoming president underscores that ties between the two neighbors are again set on a growth trajectory. Environmental activists and experts are increasingly concerned about the impact that military activity by India, China and Pakistan is having on the unique biodiversity and pristine ecosystems of Ladakh, an Indian-administered region high in the Himalayas. Simmering tensions between India and China since a deadly border confrontation in 2020 have led to a surge in military deployment, with both sides fortifying their positions to ensure territorial security. The influx of troops, equipment and infrastructure construction for military purposes has disrupted the fragile Himalayan ecosystem. The unchecked expansion of military bases, roads, helipads and related projects has led to deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and increased air and noise pollution, the experts say. They point to the rapid degradation of sensitive habitats, such as alpine meadows, wetlands and high-altitude forests, which are home to several endangered species, including the elusive snow leopard, Tibetan antelope and black-necked crane. Rare birds such as the black neck crane face disturbances in their habitats due to the heavy military presence on both the Chinese and Indian sides, said Sonam Wangchuk, an environmentalist and past winner of the Ramon Magsaysay Award sometimes referred to as the Nobel Prize of Asia. He and other experts explained that the military activities disrupt the natural breeding patterns, feeding habits and migration routes of these vulnerable species, threatening their survival. The damage caused by military activity is exacerbating degradation already underway from rising global temperatures attributed in large part to the burning of fossil fuels, which release carbon dioxide, trapping heat from the sun in Earths atmosphere. Mountain regions like the Himalayas are rapidly changing because of the climate crisis, said Doug Weir, policy director at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, a U.K.-based charity working to develop policies that will reduce the environmental harm caused by conflicts and military activities. Weir told VOA that military activity is estimated to account for 5.5% of all global carbon dioxide emissions. Increased military spending and activity help accelerate the climate crisis and the regional changes that are already readily apparent, he said. While India has begun to acknowledge a need to reduce its military emissions, efforts are in their infancy. China's views on military emissions reductions remain unclear. Wangchuk argued in an interview that the military buildup in Ladakh is contributing significantly to the warming climate. The Indian side alone emits approximately 300,000 tons of CO2 [carbon dioxide] annually, considering the substantial amount of fuel transported and burned for military operations, he said. Similarly, the emissions would be slightly higher on the Chinese side and somewhat lower on the Pakistani side, resulting in nearly 1 million tons of CO2 being emitted each year in this triangular junction. Pollution doesnt know borders, Wangchuk added, urging governments to prioritize the well-being of soldiers and civilians alike, irrespective of their nationalities. He compared the disputes between nations to squabbling neighbors fighting over a fence while an impending avalanche threatens them both. Not only the wildlife is threatened. A recent study indicated that if temperature trends continued, the Himalayan glaciers might disappear entirely, having a significant impact on regional water supplies, hydrological processes, ecosystem services and transboundary water sharing. Ladakh is particularly vulnerable to the threat, Wangchuk said. Its glaciers play a crucial role in sustaining not only the local population but also communities across northern India and northern Pakistan. Consequently, many villages are teetering on the brink of becoming climate refugees. In a media report last year, the village of Kumik witnessed residents abandoning their homes and relocating to other parts of Ladakh because of water scarcity. On a more positive note, Wangchuk said efforts are underway to collaborate with the Indian army to introduce passive solar-heated shelters, which have proven effective in significantly reducing emissions. These innovative zero-emission buildings have been successfully tested during two harsh winters, ensuring soldiers' warmth without relying on conventional fuel sources, he said, calling for China and Pakistan to adopt similar environmentally friendly practices. LONDON - Iran's offer to host a maritime event in October has been rejected after a proposal led by the U.S. to rescind the bid was approved in a vote at the U.N. shipping agency's council, an agency spokesperson said Thursday. The move is likely to further raise tensions between Washington and Iran after Tehran tried to seize the Richmond Voyager tanker, which was managed by U.S. oil company Chevron, earlier in July in international waters. Iran had proposed to host a shipping event in Tehran in late October this year in conjunction with an annual maritime day hosted by the U.N.'s International Maritime Organization (IMO), which was accepted in 2015 by the IMO's executive council. The U.S., in a working paper seen by Reuters and submitted to the IMO's council, which is meeting this week, proposed rescinding the decision. "In the last two years, Iran has attacked, harassed or detained more than 20 vessels engaged in commercial activities," the U.S. said in the paper, which was co-sponsored by Britain. "Iran has seized or attempted to seize commercial vessels with no pretext, warning or prior justification." The paper added that Iran had fired on the Richmond Voyager using live fire, "threatening the lives of seafarers onboard," which also prompted the proposal. A majority of the IMO council's member countries voted in favor of the proposal on Thursday, the IMO spokesperson said, which meant Iran's offer was rescinded. Forty countries make up the council. Iranian officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matt Miller told reporters in a news briefing: "Iran has no business hosting any official international gathering related to maritime affairs, because it has repeatedly demonstrated its contempt for international maritime rules, standards and safety." The U.S. Navy said in July it had intervened to prevent Iran from seizing two commercial tankers, including the Richmond Voyager in the Gulf of Oman, in the latest in a series of attacks on ships in the area since 2019. In April, the U.S. confiscated Iranian oil cargo on a tanker at sea in a sanctions enforcement operation, three sources told Reuters. The tanker was anchored outside the U.S. port of Houston, according to ship tracking data Thursday. Iran would retaliate against any oil company unloading Iranian oil from the tanker, the Revolutionary Guards navy said Thursday, according to state media. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday vowed to press ahead with his contentious judicial overhaul, despite unprecedented mass protests at home, growing defections by military reservists and appeals from the U.S. president to put the plan on hold. Netanyahu's message, delivered in a prime-time address on national television, set the stage for stepped-up street protests in the coming days leading up to a fateful vote expected Monday. After Netanyahu's speech, protesters blocked Tel Aviv's main highway for several hours, lighting bonfires and clashing with police. Hundreds of others continued a roughly 70-kilometer (45-mile) march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Netanyahu was at times conciliatory during his address, saying he understood the differences of opinion that have bitterly divided the country and offering to seek a compromise with his political opponents. But he was also defiant, saying his opponents were bent on toppling him, and he lashed out at the scores of military reservists who say they will stop reporting for duty if the plan is passed. Some have already quit. "The refusal to serve threatens the security of every citizen of Israel," he said. Parliament is expected to vote Monday on a bill that would curtail the Supreme Court's oversight powers by limiting its ability to strike down decisions it deems "unreasonable." The reasonability standard is meant as a safeguard to protect against corruption and improper appointments of unqualified people. The bill is one of several keystone pieces of the Netanyahu government's judicial overhaul plan. Netanyahu and his allies a collection of ultranationalist and ultra-Orthodox parties say the plan is needed to curb what they consider excessive powers of unelected judges. Critics say the legislation will concentrate power in the hands of Netanyahu and his far-right allies and undermine the country's system of checks and balances. They also say Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption charges, has a conflict of interest. The proposal has bitterly divided the Israeli public and attracted appeals from U.S. President Joe Biden for Netanyahu to slow down and forge a broad national consensus before passing any legislation. After Netanyahu's speech, opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Netanyahu to defy his coalition allies and halt the legislation. "This extremist group has no mandate to turn Israel into a messianic and non-democratic state," Lapid said. "The Netanyahu government is waging a war of attrition against the citizens of Israel." Perhaps the biggest threat to the plan is growing calls by military reservists who say they will stop reporting for duty in key units. They include fighter pilots, commandos and cyberwar officers. Israeli leaders and military commanders have expressed growing alarm, saying the refusals to serve could hurt the country's security. Reservists, whose service is voluntary, make up the backbone of Israel's military. On Thursday, the former head of Israel's Shin Bet internal security agency, Nadav Argaman, voiced support for the reservists. "We need to stop this legislation by any means," he told Army Radio, saying the reservists "are very concerned and fearful for the security of the state of Israel." Argaman was appointed head of Shin Bet by Netanyahu in 2016 and stepped down in 2021. Netanyahu said the refusals to serve undermined Israel's democratic institutions, in which the army is subordinate to the government. "If they succeed in dictating their threats, this is the end of genuine democracy," he said. "A responsible government and a responsible state cannot tolerate this." Tens of thousands of Israelis have joined mass protests against the overhaul since it was proposed in January, and business leaders have said that a weaker judiciary will drive international investors away. In Tel Aviv, movement leaders staged a "night of resistance," marching through the city's streets, beating drums and blaring horns. Police used water cannons and officers on horseback to clear protesters from the Tel Aviv highway, which remained blocked after midnight. Police reported at least six arrests. The movement has also begun to shift its focus from Tel Aviv, where weekly demonstrations draw tens of thousands, to Jerusalem, where the parliament is set to vote next week. Hundreds of protesters packed up rows of small white tents and continued a march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, where they plan to camp outside parliament ahead of the vote. Protesters flocked outside the home of the chairman of the Histadrut, Israel's national labor union. The Histadrut ordered a strike in March, leading Netanyahu to freeze the overhaul. Netanyahu revived the plan last month after talks seeking compromise with opposition lawmakers failed. But the union has yet to authorize another strike. After Netanyahu's statement, movement leaders vowed further escalation. "We call on all those who care about Israel's future as a democracy to take to the streets," said Josh Drill, a protest spokesperson. Presidents of major Israeli universities said they would hold a strike Sunday to protest the bill, according to reports from Israeli media. Doctors held a two-hour "warning strike" Wednesday to protest the overhaul, which they said would wreak havoc on the health care system by granting politicians greater control over public health. They vowed more severe measures if the bill is passed. The judicial overhaul plan was announced shortly after Netanyahu took office as prime minister following November's parliamentary elections. It was Israel's fifth election in under four years, with all of the votes serving as a referendum on his leadership while facing legal charges. Critics say removing the reasonability standard would allow the government to appoint unqualified cronies to important positions without oversight. They also say that it could clear the way for Netanyahu to fire the current attorney general seen by supporters as a bulwark against the overhaul plan or appoint legal officials who could ease his way out of the corruption charges he is facing in an ongoing trial. Netanyahu now heads the country's most ultranationalist and religiously conservative government in Israel's 75-year history. JERUSALEM Israel's military said Friday it was examining the impact of a letter sent by air force reservists who threatened to stop volunteering for service if the government goes ahead with a planned judicial overhaul. Spokesperson Daniel Hagari said the military was checking details of the letter that he said was initialed by more than 1,100 reservists and "accordingly, will examine the implications." The letter, published in Israeli media without listing the signatories, was the latest sign of opposition within the military to judicial changes being pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's religious-nationalist coalition. It appeared to make at least some coalition members more intent on moving ahead with the changes. "Even if we wanted to leave the legislation and stop, we simply cannot," said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, one of Netanyahu's hard-right partners. "A country that gives in to threats of generals will actually be a country ruled by a military junta, which is the farthest thing from democracy." Air force veterans say reservists who volunteer after completing their mandatory military service make up around half of crews sent on combat sorties. Proponents of the judicial changes say they would restore balance to the branches of government. Critics say they would remove vital checks and balances. The drive has sparked months of unprecedented nationwide protests, bruised the economy and stirred concern among Western allies. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement that he was "working in all ways to bring about a broad consensus, prevent damage to Israel's security and keep the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) out of the political dispute." In a letter addressed to lawmakers, the military's chief of staff and the air force chief, the reservists called for broad agreements on the judicial overhaul and for the government to maintain the independence of the judiciary. "Legislation that allows the government to act in an extremely unreasonable manner will harm the security of the State of Israel, will cause a loss of trust and violate my consent to continue risking my life and will lead, with deep sorrow and no choice, to a suspension of my volunteer reserve duty," the reservists wrote. Reuters could not independently verify the reservists' identities or whether all of them still actively serve. Hagari said the military was monitoring the situation, examining its readiness, and relaying the implications to the political leadership. "Failing to report to reserve duty hurts the IDF and state security. Over the past days, it is evident that cohesion has been damaged, which will take a long time to repair," he said. Before parliament breaks for summer recess on July 30, lawmakers are scheduled to vote next week on a bill that would block the Supreme Court from voiding decisions made by the government that it deems "unreasonable." The seeping of the constitutional crisis into the military has jarred Israelis who have long seen the armed forces as an apolitical melting pot for a fractious society. On both sides of the schism, worries have been voiced about war-readiness. On Monday, Netanyahu pledged to crack down on no-shows for military reserve duty, which he said risked inviting attack by Israel's foes and undermining its democracy. "The government won't accept insubordination," Netanyahu told his cabinet. The BRICS group of fast-developing economies Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa has positioned itself as an alternative to the Western-dominated global order. BRICS officials say that spirit has sparked the interest of some 40 countries in joining as the bloc gears up for a summit in August. Current BRICS chair South Africa is hosting the three-day meeting in Johannesburg next month and says BRICS expansion will be high on the agenda. Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries looking to join, South Africa's BRICS ambassador, Anil Sooklal, told journalists, adding that it demonstrated the confidence Global South nations have in the organization. "Twenty-two countries have formally approached BRICS countries to become full members. There's an equal number of countries that has been informally asking about becoming BRICS members," Sooklal said. BRICS is seen as "a powerful force," said Sooklal, who added that measured by purchasing power parity it now accounts for 31.7% of global GDP, having overtaken the G-7 a forum of advanced democracies that includes the U.S. But analysts differ in their assessment of what concrete achievements BRICS has made since its inception in 2009. "The New Development Bank, which has done a substantial amount of lending is the most prominent achievement. It's also led to some increased trade between the countries, it's won some international attention," said Daniel Bradlow, a University of Pretoria professor who has studied the bloc. However, he said the group had a "mixed record" and it was yet to be seen whether its potential would be realized in the future. But Mikatekiso Kubayi, a researcher at the Institute for Global Dialogue at the University of South Africa, says he thought BRICS had achieved a fair amount, contrary to expectations. "You will recall that from the onset BRICS was an outfit that was easily dismissed by many, particularly in the West, seen merely as some concept," Kubayi said. "It has achieved a lot, you know, in the 15 years that it's been around." He points to the fact the bloc founded an international development finance institution, as well as how it's been looking at alternative ways of conducting trade and promoting local currencies, as some of those achievements. However, Aly-Khan Satchu, an economic analyst, says for a long time the body was indeed primarily conceptual in nature. "I think if we're looking for a silver-bullet type thing that's come out of it so far, I don't think that's clear, but I think in the long run, what we're seeing is a serious pole develop, and you know the main issue is the increased multi-polarity of the world and I think BRICS continues to represent that," Satchu said. Except for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who can't travel to South Africa because he's wanted by an international court for war crimes in Ukraine, all the BRICS heads of state will be attending the summit in person next month. The United States will add eight new fields of study for international students looking to acquire practical work experience in the country, the Department of Homeland Security announced last week. The eight new fields of study include: landscape architecture; institutional research; mechatronics, robotics and automation engineering technology/technician; composite materials technology/technician; linguistics and computer science; developmental and adolescent psychology; geospatial intelligence; and demography and population studies. The new fields will all be added to the science, technology, engineering, mathematics Optional Practical Training, or STEM OPT, program. Announced in a July 12 Federal Register notice, the additions will provide international students with more opportunities to temporarily work in the United States. This is the latest move intended to attract more foreign STEM students to the United States. Early last year, the Biden administration added 22 fields of study to the STEM OPT program. STEM innovation allows us to solve the complex challenges we face today and make a difference in how we secure and protect our country, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in announcing the 2022 expansion. Through STEM education and training opportunities, DHS is expanding the number and diversity of students who excel in STEM education and contribute to the U.S. economy. DHS received nominations for 120 fields, from which eight were selected and announced last week. Through OPT, international students on an F-1 visa can gain experience in their area of study during or following the completion of their degree. More than 200,000 international students used the program to gain work experience in the United States during the 2020-21 academic year. The program usually lets students work for up to one year, but certain STEM students can extend that for an additional two years. Boundless, a firm that helps people immigrate to the U.S., hailed the latest STEM expansion. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, initiatives like STEM OPT play a crucial role in promoting innovation, economic growth and cultural exchange, the Seattle-based company said in a recent statement. By expanding access to practical training, the U.S. signals a commitment to fostering a diverse and globally connected workforce. The U.S. is sending additional warships and thousands of Marines to the Middle East to increase security in the wake of Iranian attempts to seize commercial ships there. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday approved the deployment of the USS Bataan amphibious readiness group and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the Persian Gulf region, according to U.S. officials. The readiness group consists of three ships, including the USS Bataan, an amphibious assault ship. An expeditionary unit usually consists of about 2,500 Marines. In an announcement, U.S. Central Command said the deployment would provide "even greater flexibility and maritime capability in the region." The announcement did not name the ships, but U.S. officials detailed the units involved in the deployment on the condition of anonymity to discuss troop movements. Along with the Bataan, the group includes two other warships, the USS Mesa Verde and the USS Carter Hall. The group left Norfolk, Virginia, earlier this month. It was unclear Thursday if all three ships would continue into the Gulf region. The deployment comes on the heels of decisions in recent weeks to send the USS Thomas Hudner, a destroyer, and a number of F-35 and F-16 fighter jets to the region. There also have been A-10 attack aircraft there for several weeks in response to the Iranian activity. Iran tried to seize two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz early this month, opening fire on one of them. The fighter aircraft are intended to give air cover for the commercial ships moving through the waterway and increase the military's visibility in the area, as a deterrent to Iran. General Erik Kurilla, who heads Central Command, said the additional forces "provide unique capabilities, which alongside our partner nations in the region further safeguard the free flow of international commerce and uphold the rules-based international order, and deter Iranian destabilizing activities in the region." Doctors Without Borders in Sudan warned Friday that it may end operations at a hospital in the capital, Khartoum, after 18 of its workers were aggressively assaulted, as conflict rages in the country. The medical aid group, commonly known by its French acronym MSF, said the team was transporting medical supplies to Turkish Hospital in southern Khartoum Thursday when unidentified armed men attacked its staff, physically beating and whipping them, the aid organization said in a statement. The men also threatened to kill an MSF driver before releasing him and taking off with the vehicle. Christophe Garnier is MSFs emergency manager for Sudan. Speaking to VOA Friday, he denounced the attack as unacceptable and very concerning. He said the aid group may be forced to end services at the hospital in order to protect its staff. If an incident like this happens again and if our ability to move supplies continues to be obstructed, then, regrettably, our presence in the Turkish Hospital will soon become untenable, Garnier said in a statement. He said that the armed men who attacked the aid workers appeared drunk and that it wasnt clear which of Sudans warring parties they belonged to. Forces from the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been battling for control of the country since hostilities erupted on April 15. Sudanese authorities say over 3,000 people have been killed in the conflict. As the humanitarian situation continues to worsen, the United Nations said as of July 14, more than 3 million people have been displaced, including 2.4 million within Sudan. MSFs Garnier called on officials to avoid targeting humanitarian workers and civilians. He said they are not a party to the conflict and shouldn't be involved in the conflict, urging all sides to guarantee the safety of aid workers and ensure access to vulnerable populations. The Turkish Hospital in southern Khartoum is one of the few hospitals still administering medical care in the country. This story originated in VOAs English to Africa Service. BAGHDAD Muslim-majority nations expressed outrage Friday at the desecration of a copy of the Quran in Sweden. Some prepared for street demonstrations following midday prayers to show their anger. In Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, protesters planned demonstrations after Swedish police permitted a protest Thursday in which an Iraqi Christian living in Stockholm kicked and stood on a Quran, Islam's holy book, outside of the Iraqi Embassy. Hours before that, demonstrators in Baghdad broke into the Swedish Embassy and lit a fire to show their anger at his threats to burn the book. Iraqi Prime Minister Shia al-Sudani has ordered the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador from Iraq and the withdrawal of the Iraqi charge d'affaires from Sweden. But that may not be enough to calm those angered, and another protest in Baghdad is planned for Friday afternoon. In neighboring Iran, demonstrators also planned to take to the streets. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has written a letter to the United Nations secretary-general over the Quran desecration and has summoned the Swedish ambassador. "We consider the Swedish government responsible for the outcome of provocation reactions from the world's Muslims," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said. The man in Stockholm also wiped his feet with a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during his demonstration and did similar to a photo of Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, a powerful leader there. Lebanon's Shiite militant group Hezbollah also called for a demonstration Friday afternoon. Khamenei and Iran's theocracy serve as Hezbollah's main sponsor. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in a video address Thursday night called on Muslims to demand their governments expel Sweden's ambassadors. "I invite brothers and sisters in all neighborhoods and villages to attend all mosques, carrying their Qurans and sit in them, calling on the state to take a stance toward Sweden," Nasrallah said in the address, according to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency. On Friday "the whole world must see how we embrace our Quran, and the whole world must see how we protect our Quran with our blood." Saudi Arabia and Qatar, two Sunni-ruled Gulf Arab nations, summoned Swedish diplomats to condemn the desecration. Turkey's Foreign Ministry also criticized it. In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the events in Sweden. He called on the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation to play a "historic role in expressing the sentiments of Muslims and stopping this demonization." Meanwhile, Islamists in his country have been pushing Sharif, who faces an upcoming election, to cut diplomatic ties with Sweden. On Thursday morning, protesters in Baghdad occupied the Swedish Embassy for several hours and set a small fire. The embassy staff had been evacuated a day earlier. After protesters left the embassy, diplomats closed it to visitors without specifying when it would reopen. Prime Minister Sudani said in a statement that Iraqi authorities would prosecute those responsible for starting the fire and referred to an investigation of "negligent security officials." Some demonstrators stayed at the site, ignored by police, after the attack. An Associated Press photographer and two Reuters staff members were arrested while covering the protest and released several hours later without charges. This is the second Quran desecration to involve the Iraqi Christian in Sweden, identified as Salwan Momika. Last month, a man identified by local media and on his social media as Momika burned a Quran outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, triggering widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. The right to hold public demonstrations is protected by the constitution in Sweden. Blasphemy laws were abandoned in the 1970s. Police generally give permission based on whether they believe a public gathering can be held without major disruptions or safety risks. For Muslims, the burning of the Quran represents a desecration of their religion's holy text. Quran burnings in the past have sparked protests across the Muslim world, some turning violent. In Afghanistan, the Taliban suspended all the activities of Swedish organizations in the country in response to the recent Quran burning. A similar protest by a far-right activist was held outside Turkey's embassy earlier this year, complicating Sweden's efforts to persuade Turkey to let it join NATO. In June, protesters who support al-Sadr stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad over that Quran burning. ANKARA, July 21 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that his country would monitor Sweden's counterterrorism steps before ratifying its NATO bid at the parliament. "We will follow the (implementation of) promises and guarantees given by the Swedish side... and take action according to the steps Sweden takes," Erdogan told reporters on his flight back to Turkiye, according to the state-run TRT broadcaster. "It will be in Sweden's favor if the Nordic country takes concrete steps in the fight against terrorist organizations and the extradition of terrorists," the president noted. The NATO accession process requires the approval of all member states. Sweden and Finland applied to join the military alliance last year but faced objections from Turkiye, which argued that the two countries harbor members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party and the Gulen movement. Ankara eventually lifted its objection to Finland's NATO bid in March this year. Turkiye agreed to advance Sweden's accession to NATO on July 10, just ahead of a summit of the military alliance. The Turkish parliament will vote on the Nordic country's NATO membership in October. In its annual report this month, the state-appointed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission urged officials to pay closer attention to the tensions and violence in the Oromia region. The commission said there have been attacks in 13 of the 20 zones in the Oromia region, leading to an alarming number of casualties and an extremely concerning overall situation. The Ethiopian government blames a rebel group, the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), for the violence. But the commission said the response of government forces has also resulted in rights abuses. Deputy Commissioner Rakeb Melese said the rights commission is emphasizing the need for peaceful negotiations. "The retaliation measures taken by government equally incurs human rights violations because civilians are affected, people are displaced, because of the retaliatory measures," Rakeb said. Attempts to call and text a spokesperson for the Oromo region went unanswered. Fighting between the federal government and the OLA has caused thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people in the region over the past four years. A former resident and teacher in the Horo Guduru Welega Zone, who wanted to remain anonymous, said school has been disrupted for the past two years where he used to live. "I have taught for a long time there for 26 years," he said. "But because of the security problems there, I left. I am now in Addis Ababa. Even the way we left was in special circumstances, we walked 90 kilometers on foot those of us who were able to leave." The resident said that the attacks are being carried out by militias, known as Fano, from the neighboring Amhara region. "We know very well that it's the armed fighters, Fano. They are the ones stealing, killing and displacing people," he said. "Everyone knows this, including government bodies. They are creating major problems." In April, federal government orders to integrate Amhara special forces, including Fano, into the federal military or the police triggered widespread protests. More recently, Amhara and Oromo militias have been targeting each other's neighborhoods, one example of Ethiopia's long-simmering ethnic conflicts. Amanuel Adinew, executive director at the Center for Development and Capacity Building, which works in Oromia, said the conflicts have created mistrust in the community. "The state of anarchy created around these areas of conflict is behind increasing levels of cruelty. It has eroded the trust that people had in one another," Amanuel said. In addition, he added, many social institutions aimed at helping people in need are no longer functional. Peace talks between the Ethiopian government and the OLA took place in April, but ended without any agreements. A prominent Sunni cleric in Iran voiced support Friday for women who defy rules mandating they wear a hijab in public, saying such women are expressing their discontent and demonstrating civil disobedience. In a sermon, Molavi Abdul Hamid, the Friday prayer imam of Sunnis in the city of Zahedan, said hijabs cannot be imposed on Iranian women through imprisonment, detention or torture. He also said Iran's economic problems stem from deep-rooted political issues and asserted that the Islamic republic's 44-year-old policies have failed to provide solutions. As long as political issues remain unresolved, he said, the country's economy will not find stability. Hamid condemned the recent Quran-burning incident in Sweden, saying that disrespect for the sanctities of all religions and denominations is unacceptable. He said the sacred books of Muslims, Christians and Jews should never be set on fire. 'Protest Friday' Protesters in Zahedan observed the 40-second Protest Friday with a silent rally, respecting the request of Molavi Abdul Hamid and honoring the Islamic holy days of Ashura. Protest Fridays against the Iranian government gained momentum in Zahedan after the Sept. 29, 2022, incident in which security forces killed nearly 100 protesters. The day became known as the "Bloody Friday of Zahedan." The Baloch Activists Campaign reported a heavy security presence in the streets of Zahedan during the recent Protest Friday, mirroring the situation in previous weeks. NetBlocks, the watchdog organization that monitors internet access restrictions globally, reported that the internet in Zahedan faced extensive disruptions during Friday prayers and protests, similar to previous Fridays. The party that won Thailands general election in May stands a good chance of being left out of the countrys next government when parliament meets again next week to pick a prime minister, analysts say, raising fears of a return of mass protests. Thats where the trend is going, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Thailands Chulalongkorn University, told VOA on Thursday. Surprising most pundits, the youth-facing Move Forward party won a plurality in the May poll with promises of easing the royalist, military establishments decades-long grip on political power. It landed 151 of the 500 lower house seats up for grabs, trouncing the conservative, pro-military parties backing the aging ex-generals who seized power in a 2014 coup. In the days after the poll, Move Forward cobbled together an eight-party coalition holding a total 312 seats in the House of Representatives. On July 13, however, its candidate for prime minister, Pita Limjaroenrat, failed to win the needed majority in a joint session of the elected House and military-appointed Senate. At their session on Wednesday, the same senators and conservative lawmakers refused to even vote on Pita again, citing rules that prevent a failed motion from being made twice. During debate, those opposing Pitas bid mostly railed against Move Forwards vow to amend Article 112 of the Criminal Code, a controversial royal defamation law that metes out up to 15 years in jail for insulting the king, his heir or regent. Pheu Thai to nominate candidate With Pita out of the running, the bloc has agreed to let the second-largest party in the group, Pheu Thai, nominate its own candidate for prime minister when parliament meets again July 27. That candidate is expected to be real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin. To succeed where Pita failed, though, analysts say Pheu Thai will likely have to jettison Move Forward from the bloc to win over enough conservatives and senators. It will not be surprising if Pheu Thai elbows out Move Forward by making proposals that Move Forward cannot accept, such as abandoning or retreating on 112. And therefore, Move Forward will be kind of forced into the opposition. Pheu Thai will then proceed to form a coalition with the other parties, including the pro-military parties, said Thitinan. Srettha has no chance of winning Thursdays expected vote with Move Forward on board but a good one without it, agreed Paul Chambers, a political science lecturer at Thailands Naresuan University. Royalists fear that amending the defamation law to weaken it opens the door to doing away with the law altogether, he said, a prospect that is just anathema to them. Meanwhile, critics of the law accuse the government of misusing it to stifle calls for basic democratic reforms; over 200 people have been charged with violating Article 112 in the past three years. The conservatives and military draw much of their legitimacy from their reputation as defenders of the monarchy, which as an institution is still revered and respected by many sections of society, said Harrison Cheng, a Singapore-based analyst and director for consultancy Control Risks. They suspect that Move Forwards proposed amendment is only the first step in a broader plan to dilute monarchical prestige and prerogatives, which in turn would also have negative repercussions for their own status and powers, he told VOA. Like Chambers and Thitinan, Cheng said Pheu Thai was more likely than not to form a new coalition, minus Move Forward, to secure a win for Srettha Thursday. Move Forward has also indicated that it is prepared to play the long game and remain in the opposition instead of compromising on its plan to amend the lese-majeste law, he added. Ambitious changes on hold The analysts said that means Thailand, for now, will see few, if any, of the more ambitious changes that Move Forward campaigned on come to fruition. Those proposed changes included ending military conscription, reallocating a share of defense spending to social programs, and injecting more competition into sectors of the economy long dominated by sometimes just one or two well-connected firms. The analysts also said shunting Move Forward into opposition is likely to mean a return of the mass street protests of 2020 sparked by the prosecution and ultimate dissolution of Move Forwards predecessor party, Future Forward. In those demonstrations, crowds of frustrated young men and women in the hundreds and sometimes thousands were repeatedly met by riot police with water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets. Cheng said Thailand could be in for months of renewed protest if Move Forward is shut out of the next government by the military-appointed Senate and the conservative parties it soundly defeated in the election. If the protests get big enough, Chambers said, the military might even step in and declare martial law; it has already staged two coups in as many decades, 12 in the past nine. Thitinan said the next wave of protests would probably be more modest than the last, though, unless the courts dissolve Move Forward altogether, disenfranchising its 14 million voters in a stroke. Party faithful fear the stage is already being set. Earlier this week, the Constitutional Court suspended Pita from parliament while it considers a complaint that he ran for election while owning a fraction of a TV station that has not broadcast in over a decade. Thai law bars candidates from owning shares in an active media company. In a separate and potentially more perilous case, the court recently accepted a petition accusing Move Forward of violating the constitution, which holds the king inviolable, merely for proposing to amend the royal defamation law. If found guilty, the court could order the party dissolved. They have to think a lot about that, because when they dissolved Future Forward in 2020, they got a yearlong protest, Thitinan cautioned. Dissolving Move Forward, as the largest winning party, will lead to social unrest, and it will be ferocious. The U.N. humanitarian chief warned Friday that millions of people are at risk of hunger and death as a consequence of Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal. "Some will go hungry, some will starve. Many may die as a result of these decisions," Martin Griffiths told a meeting of the U.N. Security Council convened to discuss the humanitarian impacts of Russia's announcement Monday that it is leaving the nearly year-old grain deal. The initiative, negotiated by the United Nations and Turkey last July, and signed onto by Russia and Ukraine, has seen world food prices decrease 23% and stabilize after reaching highs following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The United Nations says 64% of almost 33 million metric tons of Ukrainian grain exported under the deal went to low- and middle-income countries, helping keep food affordable and available in the midst of a global cost-of-living crisis and rising fuel prices. Since the deal ground to a halt on Monday, the World Food Program reports wheat futures have risen by almost 9% and corn futures by 8%. Wednesday saw the largest single-day increase in wheat prices since February 2022. "And this is not surprising," Griffiths said. "This was predicted, and it happened." He warned that with shrinking options for selling their grain, Ukrainian farmers may have no choice but to stop farming. The country was an international breadbasket before the conflict, supplying 400 million metric tons of grain and foodstuffs to world markets annually. Ports targeted This week, Russias military has also resumed targeting Ukraine's ports. For four consecutive days, it has hit Odesa, Chornomorsk and Mykolaiv ports with missiles and drones, destroying critical infrastructure, facilities and 60,000 metric tons of grain. WFP says that is enough grain to feed 270,000 people for a year. "We strongly condemn these attacks and urge Russia to stop them immediately," U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo told the council. Russia has also announced it will consider any ships in the Black Sea as carrying military cargo and, therefore, legitimate targets. This stance was reiterated by its envoy. "The flagged states will be deemed to be complicit in the Ukrainian conflict on the side of the Kyiv regime," Dmitry Polyanskiy said of the countries where the ships are registered. The U.N. political chief said such threats are "unacceptable." The Russian representative claimed that Ukraine has used the grain deal as cover to beef up its military-industrial storage capacities at the Black Sea ports. "With the end of the deal, we have an opportunity to address this situation, and to consider the fact that Ukrainian infrastructure is located there as a place of deployment for replenishment for Ukrainian forces with Western weapons," Polyanskiy said. As part of the grain deal, ships entering and exiting the Black Sea corridor underwent inspections by a joint team of Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and U.N. inspectors near Istanbul in order to ensure no military cargo was aboard the vessels. Russia's rationale for departing the deal is that it has not benefited enough under it, an explanation that some countries saw as cynical. "By blocking exports from Ukrainian ports and prompting an increase in agricultural and food prices, Russia is increasing the profits from its own exports," said France's ambassador, Nicolas De Riviere. "It is increasing its revenues to finance its war of aggression against Ukraine. This is the reality. Russia is seeking to play the victim and claim to have been swindled with the Istanbul agreements." Record Russian exports The European Union envoy said public data shows Russian grain exports have reached record volumes. "From 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023, Russia's wheat exports reached 44.7 million tons, more than 10% higher than the average for previous years," Ambassador Olof Skoog said. "Its fertilizer exports are nearing full recovery." The U.S.-based International Food Policy Research Institute said in a paper released Thursday that global production of wheat and feed grains, including corn, should be sufficient to meet global demand this year, even without Ukrainian products. But with Black Sea routes closed to its exports, Ukraine will have to find alternatives, which will be expensive. And without lower-cost options, Ukrainian wheat and corn production would likely drop next year. Add to that the damage to its export infrastructure, and IFPRI experts say that would significantly affect short-term global grain availability and further disrupt Ukraine's longer-term ability to grow and export grain. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and his team met with their Chinese counterparts in Beijing this week. VOAs Laurel Bowman reports that the meetings were short on specifics and drew mixed reviews from close watchers of the climate talks. US lawmakers are reviewing a Biden administration proposal to renew 20-year-old agreements with three Pacific Island nations. The goal of the compacts, as they are called, is to counter Chinas influence in the region. But time is running out for Congress to approve them. VOAs Jessica Stone reports from Washington. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned Friday of the risk of a new war with Azerbaijan, accusing Baku of genocide in the breakaway Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Baku and Yerevan have fought two wars over the mountainous enclave and a peace treaty remains a distant prospect. Talks under the mediation of the European Union, United States, and separately Russia have brought about little progress. "So long as a peace treaty has not been signed and such a treaty has not been ratified by the parliaments of the two countries, of course, a [new] war [with Azerbaijan] is very likely," Pashinyan told AFP. Tensions escalated earlier in July when Azerbaijan temporarily shut the Lachin corridor, the sole road linking Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. The closure sparked concerns about a humanitarian crisis in the region, which experiences shortages of food, medicines and power supplies. Last week, AFP spoke to locals in the enclave's main city, Stepanakert, who reported food shortages and critical problems with access to medical services. The growing diplomatic engagement of the European Union and United States in the Caucasus has irked traditional regional power broker Russia. Armenia has relied on Russia for military and economic support since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Yerevan has accused Moscow, bogged down in its war on Ukraine, of failing to fulfill its peacekeeping role in Karabakh under a 2020 Moscow-brokered cease-fire. Call for pressure on Baku As the latest round of peace talks on July 15 in Brussels failed to bring about a breakthrough, Pashinyan said that both the West and Russia needed to increase pressure on Baku to lift its blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh. Deadly border clashes continued between the ex-Soviet republics after a Russian-brokered cease-fire ended six weeks of fighting in autumn 2020, and Azerbaijan has since captured pockets of land inside Armenia. Pashinyan said "Armenia's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh" are Yerevans red lines at talks with Baku. Nagorno-Karabakh has been at the center of a decadeslong conflict between the two countries, which have fought two wars for control of the region in the 1990s and in 2020 that have claimed thousands of lives on both sides. The Russian-mediated cease-fire agreement saw Armenia cede swaths of territories it had controlled for some three decades. Moscow deployed peacekeepers to the Lachin corridor to ensure free passage between Armenia and Karabakh. "Armenia's case is difficult because Armenia's interest in this process is perceived and interpreted by Azerbaijan as a so-called encroachment upon Azerbaijan's territorial integrity," Pashinyan said. During Western-mediated talks in May, Yerevan agreed to recognize Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan but demanded international mechanisms for protecting the rights and security of the region's ethnic-Armenian population. Baku insists such guarantees must be provided at the national level, rejecting any international format. By Stephen Beech via SWNS A new robot medic could save lives in places too dangerous for human doctors to operate. The remote control robotic vehicle uses virtual reality to enable medics to check a casualtys temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate and even give injections - without putting their lives at risk. The "game-changing" technology has potential to save lives in "high-risk" emergency environments - such as humanitarian disasters and war zones. Using medical telexistence (MediTel) technology, researchers from the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), Sheffield Robotics and the Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, created the mobile, robotic-controlled uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV). It boasts virtual reality (VR) capability, enabling medics and operators to assess critical casualties in hazardous environments, allowing them to perform a remote triage while also ensuring their safety. The first-of-its-kind, fully integrated medical telexistence system was developed in just nine months. It features two robotic arms which can effectively remotely operate medical tools to perform a critical initial assessment of a casualty within 20 minutes. That includes temperature, blood pressure and heart rate checks. It can also carry out palpation of the abdomen and administer pain relief through an auto-injector all while streaming real-time data to the remote operator. David King, Head of Digital Design at the AMRC, said: Our MediTel project has demonstrated game-changing medical telexistence technology that has the potential to save lives and provide remote assessment and treatment of casualties in high-risk environments such as humanitarian disasters." Developing and field testing a state-of-the-art, complex system such as MediTel in just nine months has been an incredible achievement and a testament to the skills and capabilities of the entire project team. He said the team has developed a complete solution to perform triage of casualties in hazardous environments. Mr King added: MediTel combined existing medical devices with state-of-the-art robotics systems to develop a platform capable of allowing a remote operator to navigate through potentially difficult terrain and provide critical diagnoses of high-risk casualties. Professor Sanja Dogramadzi, director of Sheffield Robotics, said: This project has allowed us the opportunity to develop a platform that could be used by multiple emergency response services. "It now serves us with the basis for our research to be extended and look into enabling resilient autonomy and integrating other sensing modalities to assist patient triage in other remote settings. MediTel was one of three novel telexistence technologies funded through a two-phase 2.3million ($3 million) innovation competition run by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) on behalf of joint funders, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). Dr. Nicky Armstrong, technical lead at Dstl, said: Telexistence technologies have the potential to remove end users from harmful environments and/or rapidly insert specialists as required. The prototype technologies developed under the Dstl Telexistence project have enabled us to demonstrate the art of the possible to end users, so that we can better understand where telexistence could add value to defence and security environments." Now the Sheffield team is looking to build on the project's success by seeking further funding and partners to realize the potential of MediTel medical telexistence technology to revolutionize how people could be medically triaged in dangerous incidents where it is unsafe. They want to explore the development of the technology into a large-scale integrated medical emergency platform, capable of rapid deployment to humanitarian disasters with multiple casualties and enabling remote medics to provide lifesaving treatment. U.S. President Joe Biden (R) meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, Dec. 21, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) When they turn to foreign policy, therefore, liberals tend to divide the world into good states and bad states and blame most if not all the world's problems on the latter. NEW YORK, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Joe Biden administration's controversial decision to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions is a telling illustration of liberalism's limitations as a guide to the U.S. foreign policy, reported Foreign Policy on Wednesday. "The administration's rhetoric extols the superiority of democracies over autocracies, highlights its commitment to a 'rules-based order,' and steadfastly maintains that it takes human rights seriously. If this were true, however, it would not be sending weapons that pose serious risks to civilians and whose use in Ukraine it has criticized harshly in the past," said the report. "But as it has on other prominent issues, those liberal convictions get jettisoned as soon as they become inconvenient," it noted. "This behavior shouldn't surprise us: When states are in trouble and worried that they might suffer a setback, they toss their principles aside and do what they think it takes to win." When they turn to foreign policy, therefore, liberals tend to divide the world into good states (those with legitimate orders based on liberal principles) and bad states (just about everything else) and blame most if not all the world's problems on the latter, it said. Liberalism allows Americans and their closest allies to tell themselves that what's good for them will be good for everyone else as well, but it has at least two serious flaws: universalist pretensions and fragility of liberal convictions, which have prevented the success rate of U.S. foreign policy from any improvement, it added. Photo-Illustration: Vulture. Photos: Universal; Warner Bros. If youre a Barbie or Ken who wants to support actors and writers, the fact that the WGA and SAG-AFTRA are both currently on strike doesnt have to drop a bomb on your Barbenheimer plans. Currently, neither of the striking unions has called for a consumer boycott of content from the Associated Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. So even though Margot Robbie is standing in solidarity and skipping press, going to a theater to watch her arched feet step out of her heels doesnt mean your feet are stepping over a picket line. You dont have to avoid Oppenheimer the way Cillian Murphy avoided wigs. In fact, some creatives have actually suggested that it could be harmful if audiences stopped supporting content that has already been made. It helps immensely to show the studios the value of the work that writers and actors do, writer and comedian Ben Paddon said in a Tumblr post reblogged by writer Neil Gaiman. If you dont go, it hurts writers and actors. Studios can say, Well, actually, Barbie only made $X dollars, Oppenheimer only made $Y dollars, only so many thousands of people watched Good Omens 2, obviously there isnt enough money to go around. Sadface emoji. Writer, producer, and actress Franchesca Ramsey also tweeted that a streaming boycott would realistically need to be a global coordinated effort to have a measurable impact, and that shows and movies created before the strike still deserve your support. At the end of the day, of course, no one can make you watch anything if you dont want to. Its also possible that union guidance on boycotting could change in the future. But if youre worried about doing a Barbie and Oppenheimer double feature at this particular point in the double strike, feel free to relax. Just remember, there is a correct order to watching Barbenheimer, so choose wisely. On the dancefloor in Here Lies Love. Photo: Evan Zimmerman On the dance floor of Here Lies Love, the musical for which the Broadway Theatre was remade into a disco, youll often find yourself just a few feet away from the shows three main characters, who appear on platforms above the audience, singing songs built out of political sloganeering. Youre also face-to-face with another class of performers. As the musical follows the rise of Imelda Marcos, first lady of the Philippines, a group of employees in pink jumpsuits shuffle through the stage doing crowd controlnudging people to face the right direction for a characters entrance, or clearing a path for another performer to zip through the audience before breaking into song. The show sets the Marcoses rule in a club (Imelda frequented Studio 54 and had a mirror ball installed in her Upper East Side townhouse), which puts the nimble, silent, and very capable jumpsuited crowd managers in a fascinating dramaturgical position. I kept thinking of them as little avatars of the shows authors assembling together the facts into a narrative, or Marcos-era enforcers, or physical embodiments of American meddling abroad, keeping the regime running as long as it benefits overseas interests. Theyre here to make sure you have a good time with some bad people. Thanks in part to their hard work, Here Lies Love is a great, unsettling time. The show originates with David Byrne, who conceived an album built around Imeldas story with lyrics largely excerpted from her and other political figures interviews and speeches, laid juicy get-on-your-feet hooks devised in collaboration with Fatboy Slim. The resulting music is irresistible to a totalitarian degree. The title song references the phrase Imelda (still alive at 94) has said she wanted on her gravestone, and starts out with her diaphanous platitudes about her humble upbringings before it hits a chorus that hints at her megalomaniacal ambitions and practically begs everyone to sing along. The point, as elsewhere in the show, is to get the audience grooving with the synthy messaging of dictatorship, with enough moral dissonance to make your stomach churn as your feet keep movinga thats how they get you parable. The Off Broadway version of Here Lies Love, which had two runs at the Public Theater from 2013 to 2015, ended with a grand, straightforward reprise of that Imelda solo. This time, its rightly been cut so the emphasis falls more on the People Power Revolution that marked the end of the Marcoses regime in 1986. Thats not the only place where the producers, Byrne, and director Alex Timbersperhaps cashing cred from his movie-to-musicals Moulin Rouge! and Beetlejuice to help get this older work to Broadwayhave anxiously, defensively worked over the text. The DJ (Moses Villarama), introduced as a grandly amoral emcee taking the crowd from Manhattan to Manila, now has a brief due-diligence line noting that Imeldas son, Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., returned to the family to power in 2022. Your Playbill comes with an insert timeline of the history, and there are infographics on the digital screens in the lobby. Here Lies Love itself has barely any dialogue, instead leaning on Peter Nigrinis projections to provide crucial facts. Look to the side of the stage between songs for text that explains when and where the current piece of narrative takes place, and often, what you should be feeling about it. Hedonism and didacticism are oil and water, and the trick of Here Lies Love involves keeping the show moving quickly enough to generate a frothy emulsion, the critical suspended within the superficial. Timbers makes sure theres almost always something to catch your eye; the actors always seem to be entering the dance floor suddenly and from unexpected angles, wearing costumes by Clint Ramos that always seem to come with show-stopping tearaway reveals. A standout sequence of the so-wrong-its-right variety involves ensemble members donning party masks of world leaders to dance along with Imelda and the crowd, a lesson in disco and its soft power. Thats a tough tone to sustain, and when it breaks, it breaks toward the breezy and even blithe. The show charts a nearly jukebox-bio-musical arc for Imelda herself, with Arielle Jacobs playing her from new-to-the-city ingenue through to disillusion with her marriage to Ferdinard and demagoguery. Its a shallow vision of Imeldas interiorityAnnie-B Parsons choreography includes mannered gestures of Imelda downing pillsthat thematically fits her public shallowness. It also elides the harshest aspects of her rule, and is clearly hard to play. Jacobs, whos new to this production, seems unsure how much sympathy to lend Imelda, which is understandable considering that the whole thing cant quite make its mind up about her. On the question of whether shes naive or calculating, the show tries to have it both ways. But Jacobs gets a grip on Imelda once she turns icier, becoming a spidery Norma Desmond/Donna Summer, glittery and vampiric. Her unforgiving final moments, in which Imelda demands Why Dont You Love Me? to an unsatisfied populace, come off like the wicked witch melting, making you ponder musical theaters long love affair with belting strong women whose names end in A (Evita, Elphaba, Elsa, et cetera). Perhaps its right for a show so ambivalent about its central figure that the supporting cast tends to overwhelm her. Jose Llana, as Ferdinand, and Conrad Ricamora, as opposition leader Ninoy Aquino, both returning to roles they played at the Public, are better locked in. Llana ups the slime, roping audience members into video appearances for his campaign, while Ricamora provides the show with a bristling conscience. Right near the end of the intermission-less 90-minutes, Ninoys mother, Aurora, arrives for a solo that reorients the piece around popular democratic uprising. At my performance, and for the next month, Lea Salonga lent her star power to play Aurora. She sounds incredible, as you might expect, though I think it will work well to have a less recognizable name effect that 11 oclock shift of power (is the only way out from diva rule another diva?). And Here Lies Love has plenty of talented actors to showcase in its all-Filipino cast. Melody Butiu, as Imeldas discarded caretaker and childhood friend Estrella Cumpas, is especially poignant, with a powerful voice to match. She also has my favorite gesture of the show, which comes while Estrella watches through a bit of fencing as Imeldas wedding celebration passes by. When Butiu moves around the dance floor to sing another verse, she simply carries the fence with her on the platforms around the audience and then starts into the next verse, as if still trapped on the other side. In the midst of so much Broadway-scale pomp, you get something human-size. The matter of scale ends up being crucial to Here Lies Love. Audience members can choose between standing on the disco floor and sitting in a conventional seat in the galleries and mezzanine. I was on the floor, feeling as though the best way to evaluate it would be to experience the most immersive version possibleeven then, it doesnt ask too much of you, as long as you dance a bit, move around when the platform at the center starts to turn, and occasionally cheer on a campaign you probably shouldnt endorse. But people Ive talked to who saw it from the galleries and mezzanine said they appreciated the birds-eye view of the choreography below them, all carefully managed by those ushers in pink jumpsuits. More than Imelda, the crowd itself is Here Lies Loves main character, this mass of people looking to be appeased by a good performance, no matter whos singing the political karaoke. The show ends with democracy, but it has a wary relationship with the masses. The thought may be that, lured by a beat good enough, theyll dance along to anything. Here Lies Love is at the Broadway Theatre. This years San Diego Comic-Con may have been slightly subdued, but Max still managed to keep its presence at the con animated at least in the sense that it held an animation panel, anyway. In addition to a preview of Adventure Time: Fionna and Cake and the Harley Quinn season four trailer, the streamer debuted the first official clip of Matthew A. Cherrys animated series Young Love. The show follows the Young family which includes millennial parents Stephen and Angela, their daughter Zuri, and her pet cat Rocky whom we first met in the Oscar-winning short film Hair Love. Angela has now been out of the hospital for two months, but that doesnt mean that Stephen is off the hairstyling hook, especially since Zuri is worried about looking like a baby on the (figurative!) red carpet. Beyond hair, the Youngs will also be detangling the balance of careers, marriage, parenthood, social issues, and mulit-generational dynamics, all while striving to make a better life for themselves, per a show description. Young Love will debut on Max this fall with a voice cast that includes Issa Rae, Kid Cudi, Loretta Devine, Harry Lennix, Tamar Braxton, and Brooke Monroe Conaway. Watch Zuri ask her dad to redo her do in the shows first official clip below. Related Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Getty Images, Universal Pictures If you arent Tom Cruise, chances are you have a role in either Greta Gerwigs Barbie or its July 21 rival, Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer, a sprawling, three-hour biopic about the creator of the atomic bomb. Together, the Barbie and Oppenheimer ensembles represent about 503 percent of SAG-AFTRAs voting members, who are currently on strike for better labor conditions. But while it isnt hard to figure out whos playing who in Gerwigs candy-colored romp (youre either a Barbie, a Ken, or the one and only Allan), Nolans R-rated World War II drama is a cavalcade of white men in suits exchanging rapid-fire dialogue about physics and war. The film is based on Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwins American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, an in-depth biography of Oppenheimers life that took over 20 years to complete, though Nolan also uses several governmental transcripts as direct sources. Set over several decades, this cinematic saga of politics and nuclear war demands an enormous cast of actors playing either scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project, Oppenheimers friends and lovers, government officials who helped or hindered him, and members of Americas Communist Party. In situations like these, it helps to start with the title character: Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer Julius Robert Oppenheimer, who often went by Robert or Oppie, is better known to most as the father of the atomic bomb. Born to a non-observing Jewish family in New York, Oppenheimer would spend the first half of the 20th century making numerous breakthroughs in physics (including the earliest black hole theory) before working on the Manhattan Project, which resulted in the United States dropping nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The film covers not only World War II but Oppenheimers 1954 security hearing by the Atomic Energy Commission, motivated in part by McCarthyist investigations into his left-wing, pro-union political leanings and suspected communist ties. It also didnt help that Oppenheimers frequent womanizing led him to associate with several women who were, at one time or another, members of the Communist Party of America, placing the famous physicist under even further Red Scare scrutiny. Oppenheimer is played by Nolans go-to gaunt supporting actor, Cillian Murphy, now bumped up to leading man after his appearances in Inception, Dunkirk, and The Dark Knight Trilogy. Emily Blunt as Katherine Kitty Oppenheimer Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Getty Images, Universal Pictures Oppenheimers wife at the time of his death in 1967, the German-born Katherine Kitty Oppenheimer first met the famous scientist in 1939 while she was still married to her third husband. Her first marriage had been annulled in just under a year, while her second common-law husband was killed in action during the Spanish Civil War in 1937 while fighting as part of the MackenziePapineau Battalion, composed of Canadian and American volunteers supporting the Republican faction. Like several of Oppenheimers associates, Kitty was a member of the Communist Party of America, though, in both the film and in the transcript of Oppenheimers hearings, she claims to have left the party prior to meeting him. Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Getty Images, Universal Pictures The chairman of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in the 1950s, Lewis Strauss had an adversarial relationship with Oppenheimer. This took the form of ideological and political disagreements the left-leaning Oppenheimer opposed building the hydrogen bomb, which the Republican Strauss sought to move ahead with but there was also personal animosity between them after Oppenheimer mocked Strauss in a public hearing about the risks posed by exporting radioisotopes. This eventually resulted in the Strauss-backed 1954 hearings to revoke Oppenheimers security clearance, which would eventually come up during Strausss 1959 confirmation hearing for the position of U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Also, fun fact: This is Downey Jr.s first onscreen role since Dolittle in 2020. Matt Damon as Leslie Groves Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Getty Images, Universal Pictures After overseeing the creation of the Pentagon, lieutenant general (then brigadier general) Leslie Groves was tasked with directing the Manhattan Project in 1942. He was responsible for appointing Oppenheimer as its scientific-research coordinator and even circumvented the governments concerns about his communist associations in order to fast-track his security clearance. Together, they chose the Los Alamos, New Mexico, location for the project and the eventual Trinity test, the first-ever detonation of a nuclear bomb. In the years that followed, Groves maintained his admiration for Oppenheimer, calling him a good man. Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Universal Pictures, Getty Images Oppenheimers girlfriend and eventual mistress, Jean Tatlock began her tumultuous relationship with him in 1936, and as a member of the Communist Party, shes widely believed to be responsible for introducing him to radical politics. Their relationship continued after Oppenheimers marriage to Kitty, though the clinically depressed Tatlock would eventually die by suicide at the age of 29. Its also believed that Oppenheimer named the Trinity test in tribute to her since she had introduced him to the poems of John Donne, whose sonnet Batter my heart, three-persond God was the likely inspiration for the name. Dylan Arnold as Frank Oppenheimer and Emma Dumont as Jackie Oppenheimer Frank, Oppenheimers younger brother by eight years, would follow in his big bros footsteps, becoming not only a physicist but a member of the Manhattan Project. He also shared Oppenheimers leftist political beliefs and, along with his wife Jackie, joined the Communist Party, though he did so against Oppenheimers advice. Josh Hartnett as Ernest Lawrence Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Universal Pictures, Getty Images Another key scientist in the Manhattan Project, Ernest Lawrence met Oppenheimer during their time at the University of California, Berkeley, where he built his Nobel Prizewinning cyclotron, a precursor to the modern particle accelerator. He was close friends with Oppenheimer and he even named his son Robert after him. However, their political disagreements over Oppenheimers unionizing efforts and his brothers communist leanings led to a souring of their relationship. Though he declined to testify against his former friend at the 1954 hearings, his critical statements were still used. Casey Affleck as Boris Pash A U.S. Army Intelligence officer, Boris Pash was tasked with investigating Oppenheimer (among others) for potential Soviet leanings during the war on the suspicion of leaks from the Berkeley wing of the Manhattan Project. However, when asked to testify in 1954, he was much less doubtful of Oppenheimers loyalty than Lewis Strauss was, never believing him to be a spy or recommending that his clearance be revoked. Onscreen, Affleck plays him with an icy cold demeanor, making him seem all the more ruthless. Mate Haumann as Leo Szilard The Hungarian-German-American scientist who first conceived of nuclear chain reactions, Leo Szilard became a staunch opponent of using nuclear weapons on civilians. He drafted what would come to be known as the Szilard petition, urging President Harry S. Truman to inform Japan of the Allies terms of surrender and to allow them to either accept or refuse those terms before considering the nuclear option. Kenneth Branagh as Niels Bohr Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Universal Pictures, Getty Images One of the most prominent scientists of the 20th century, Danish physicist Niels Bohr is the reason we illustrate atoms the way we do (with electrons orbiting a nucleus, like a miniature solar system). Bohr was only briefly involved with the Manhattan Project, though Oppenheimer credits him with significant contributions. In the film, hes first introduced giving a lecture on quantum physics at Cambridge as an excited young Oppenheimer looks on. Rami Malek as David Hill An experimental physicist at the University of Chicago during the Manhattan Project, David Hill was one of 70 scientists who signed the Szilard petition. He also testified at Strausss Senate confirmation hearing, accusing him of twisting Oppenheimers security hearings into a petty smear campaign. Benny Safdie as Edward Teller Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Universal Pictures, Getty Images A fellow Manhattan Project physicist, Hungarian-American Edward Teller had some professional animosity with Oppenheimer over what kind of weapons to prioritize at the Manhattan Project, favoring his idea for a fusion-type weapon, rather than the fission-type one which was eventually used. (Teller referred to the former as the Super.) After consulting Oppenheimer, Teller initially refused to sign Szilards petition against using the atomic bomb on civilians, though he came to regret his decision in later years. Teller would also go on to be known as the father of the hydrogen bomb, the successor to the atomic bomb, and he would eventually testify against Oppenheimer in 1954. While playing Teller, Safdie can be instantly identified as the sweatiest man in the room. Gary Oldman as Harry S. Truman The U.S. president from 1945 to 1953, Harry Truman oversaw the end of World War II and authorized the use of nuclear weapons against Japan. He and Oppenheimer maintained starkly different opinions on nuclear power going forward (Truman was in the pro camp) and their perspectives on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were similarly opposed. In the film, when Oppenheimer expresses his regrets to Truman at a face-to-face meeting, Truman calls him a crybaby an incident based on (alleged) historical fact. Gustaf Skarsgard as Hans Bethe Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Getty Images, Universal Pictures A German-American theoretical physicist, Hans Bethe was personally invited to the Manhattan Project by Oppenheimer, and would eventually oversee its T (Theoretical) Division, which calculated the A-bombs explosive yield. Bethe had been friends with Edward Teller for several years, but they had numerous major disagreements while working under Oppenheimer over what kind of weapon to approach, leading to the de-prioritizing of Tellers idea for a fission device, the Super. David Krumholtz as Isidor Isaac Rabi Another Nobel Prizewinning physicist on the Manhattan Project, the Polish-born, New York-raised Isidor Isaac Rabi met Oppenheimer while the duo studied in Germany in the 1920s. They remained lifelong friends, and Rabi would even testify at Oppenheimers hearings in his defense. Krumholtzs character is the only one who broaches the subject of Oppenheimers Judaism with him a background they share and hes always making sure the father of the atomic bomb is well-fed. Matthew Modine as Vannevar Bush Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Getty Images, Universal Pictures An inventor and scientific administrator, Vannevar Bush was responsible for communicating Oppenheimers work on the Manhattan Project to then-president Roosevelt in 1942. He was also part of the committee that advised Roosevelts successor, Truman, on using the atomic bomb against Japan posthaste. David Dastmalchian as William L. Borden The executive director of the U.S. Congress Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, William Borden was a huge proponent of nuclear weapons development in the early 1950s, at a time when Oppenheimer was less enthused by the idea. Upon entering the private sector, Bordens letter to FBI director J. Edgar Hoover, accusing him of being an agent of the Soviet Union, was instrumental in investigating Oppenheimers loyalty. In the film, he can mostly be seen compiling his file on Oppenheimer, though he does feature in a brief but memorable flashback in the cockpit of a fighter plane. Michael Angarano as Robert Serber Physicist Robert Serber was one of Oppenheimers colleagues at Berkeley and was another one of his personal appointees to the Manhattan Project. Serber came up with the code names for each of the bomb projects in development based on their appearance: Little Boy (dropped on Hiroshima), Fat Man (dropped on Nagasaki), and the unused Thin Man design, an enormous plutonium gun. Jack Quaid as Richard Feynman Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Universal Pictures, Getty Images Recruited for the Manhattan Project before hed earned his graduate degree, Richard Feynman became one of the most renowned physicists of the 20th century. He initially had an administrative role on the project, but took on additional responsibilities over time, including devising safety procedures for uranium storage and theoretical calculations for a proposed uranium-hydride bomb (though this would prove unfeasible). His work in quantum electrodynamics would eventually win him a Nobel Prize in 1965. In the film, he can be seen playing the bongos, much as he did in real life. Dane DeHaan as Kenneth Nichols An army officer and civil engineer on the Manhattan Project, Kenneth Nichols would eventually provide testimony against Oppenheimer at his 1954 hearings, after becoming the general manager of the Atomic Energy Commission. His accusations that Oppenheimer was a communist and untrustworthy contributed to the commissions decision to strip him of his security clearance. Olivia Thirlby as Lilli Hornig Originally a typist at Los Alamos, scientist Lilli Hornig impressed her Manhattan Project superiors and was eventually brought into the nuclear fold albeit with limits, since members of the project decided that plutonium chemistry was too dangerous for women (yes, really). In the film, this factoid gets dramatized when Robert Serber voices concerns about the effects of radiation on the female reproductive system. Hornig was also part of the opposition to using the atomic bomb on civilians and signed the Los Alamos scientists petition to drop the bomb on an uninhabited island instead. James Remar as Henry L. Stimson The U.S. secretary of war from 1911 to 1913, Henry L. Stimson once again resumed the post during World War II. He created the Interim Committee in 1945, a secret, high-level group that liaised with the Manhattan Project on matters of nuclear weaponry, including the proposed targets of the atomic bombs. Of the 12 proposed Japanese cities, he struck Kyoto off the list of potential targets for sentimental reasons, since he and his wife had spent their honeymoon there. Tom Conti as Albert Einstein Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Getty Images, Universal Pictures The one person on this list who needs no introduction, Albert Einsteins name is practically synonymous with genius, but the renowned physicist hadnt actually considered the possibility of nuclear weapons until he was convinced otherwise in 1939. Shortly thereafter, he signed the Einstein-Szilard letter along with the very same Szilard who eventually led the demonstration petition urging then-president Franklin Roosevelt to start a U.S. nuclear program, lest Nazi Germany beat them to it. Fun fact: Conti plays the kind prisoner who punches Batmans spine back to health in Nolans The Dark Knight Rises. Jefferson Hall as Haakon Chevalier A professor of French Literature at Berkeley, Haakon Chevalier was close friends with Oppenheimer and even took in his and Kittys infant son Peter for several months so they could spend time together on their ranch. He was believed to be a member of the Communist Party, making his and Oppenheimers relationship a key subject of the 1954 hearings, given what came to be known as the Chevalier incident. At a party in 1943, Chevalier approached Oppenheimer with information about Soviet attempts to gain intel on the Manhattan Project through a British scientist named George Eltenton (Guy Burnet). When reporting this conversation to his military superiors, Oppenheimer embellished various details to obscure both Chevaliers identity as well as his own. Josh Peck as Kenneth Bainbridge Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Getty Images, Universal Pictures A Harvard physicist, Kenneth Bainbridge was the director of the Trinity test and worked closely with Oppenheimer. His involvement with the Manhattan Project led him to eventually oppose nuclear testing. In Oppenheimer, hes the guy who pushes the comically large red button to initiate the test. Jason Clarke as Roger Robb and Macon Blair as Lloyd Garrison Roger Robb who would eventually become a U.S. circuit judge was appointed as special counsel to the Atomic Energy Commission during the Oppenheimer hearings, which were closed and confidential. Lloyd Garrison, meanwhile, was Oppenheimers private attorney for the hearings (the duo had met the previous year at Princetons Institute for Advanced Study). Where Robb was granted security clearance to review all relevant documents, Garrison was not, making his job of defending Oppenheimer next to impossible. James DArcy as Patrick Blackett A British experimental physicist, Patrick Blackett was one of Oppenheimers professors at Cambridge in the 1920s. Given Oppenheimers social inadequacies at the time, he made the more outgoing Blackett the object of his jealousy and attempted to feed him a poisoned apple (a plot that plays out to strange and hilarious effect in the movie). While Blackett had no known involvement with the Manhattan Project, he did serve on Britains MAUD Committee, which was formed to determine the feasibility of nuclear weapons. Danny Deferrari as Enrico Fermi Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Universal Pictures, Getty Images The creator of the worlds first nuclear reactor, Enrico Fermi was another world-renowned physicist and a late addition to the Manhattan Project in 1944. Along with Oppenheimer and Lawrence, he advised the Interim Committee on potential Japanese targets. After World War II, he worked closely with Oppenheimer on advising the Atomic Energy Commission against the development of hydrogen bombs and spoke in Oppenheimers defense at his hearings. Devon Bostick as Seth Neddermeyer A physics prodigy who made numerous breakthrough discoveries in his 20s, Seth Neddermeyer made perhaps one of the most impactful contributions to the Manhattan Project, as a strong proponent of the implosion-type reaction the atomic bombs would eventually use. While several of his peers remained initially unconvinced of this methods plausibility, Oppenheimer placed Neddermeyer in charge of testing and developing it. In the film, he can be seen having an adverse emotional (and physical) reaction after the bombing of Hiroshima. Alex Wolff as Luis Walter Alvarez Another eventual Nobel Prize winner, experimental physicist Luis Walter Alvarez worked under Ernest Lawrence at Berkeley. Upon Oppenheimers suggestion, he subsequently worked under Enrico Fermi at the University of Chicago before joining the Manhattan Project, and he also helped develop methods to detect nuclear activity in other countries. In the film, he can be seen urgently sprinting out of a barbershop mid-shave to tell Oppenheimer and Lawrence the news that German scientists Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann had achieved nuclear fission. Josh Zuckerman as Giovanni Rossi Lomanitz After working for Oppenheimer at Berkeleys radiation lab, Lomanitz would join the Manhattan Project and would eventually become one of the subjects of the Oppenheimer hearings given his ties to the Communist Party. Lomanitz is first introduced in the film as Oppenheimers one and only student at Berkeley. Matthias Schweighofer as Werner Heisenberg The namesake of Walter Whites gangster-scientist alter ego in Breaking Bad, German theoretical physicist Werner Heisenberg is often credited as the originator of quantum mechanics. He was a major contributor to Germanys atomic program during World War II and was subsequently captured by an allied U.S.-Britain mission to retrieve nuclear intelligence and personnel from Germany before the Soviet Union. In the film, Oppenheimer travels to Gottingen to study theory under Heisenberg upon the suggestion of Niels Bohr. Christopher Denham as Klaus Karl Fuchs Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: Getty Images, Universal Pictures A German-born physicist who took refuge in Britain during World War II, Klaus Fuchs known at Los Alamos as Karl worked on uranium enrichment for the Manhattan Project while spying for the Soviet Union. The identity of the spy remains a mystery in Oppenheimer until Strauss shares the news with Oppenheimer at a party several years after World War II. Alden Ehrenreich as a Senate Aide A role that appears to be anonymous (and likely fictitious), Ehrenreichs Senate Aide serves as the audience POV character for the movies black-and-white framing device, which is set during Strausss 1959 confirmation hearing. James Urbaniak as Kurt Godel An Austro-Hungarian mathematician and logistician, Kurt Godel was a close friend of Albert Einstein, whose association with Jewish members of the Vienna Circle placed him under Nazi scrutiny. He was subsequently conscripted to fight for Germany in 1939 but escaped to Princeton instead. In the film, he and Einstein can be seen walking the Princeton grounds when Oppenheimer approaches the latter for advice; Godel appears only briefly, but leaves an impression with his admiration for trees, which he calls the perfect structure. Mothers, daughters, and spiritual connections Barbies final moments are when it truly becomes a Greta Gerwig movie. Photo: Warner Bros. Warning: This post discusses many plot details of Barbie, including the ending. For most of its runtime, Barbie is a battle of the sexes. By the end of the film, the Barbies have learned how to successfully counter the Kens patriarchal takeover and successfully restored the matriarchy through tactics that have existed since men went to war over Helen of Troy. They pretend to be interested in whatever their Kens love to mansplain the most who knew Stephen Malkmus existed in Barbie Land? and then, once each of them has a Ken on the hook, all they have to do is make eyes at a rival Ken, and bam! The Kens go to war, and are too distracted to notice the Barbies coup. The Barbies even agree to engage in some patronizing tokenism, promising that the Kens can have as much power and influence in Barbie Land as women have in the real world. Maybe someday there will even be more than one Ken on the Barbie Supreme Court! The lesson, which comes cut with sardonic vinegar, is that everyones input is valid and one gender shouldnt run everything, even in a hyper-feminine fantasy world. Not every night has to be girls night, Margot Robbies Stereotypical Barbie concedes. Heartened by the gesture, Ryan Goslings Ken admits that he didnt really like being in charge anyway, and that his turn towards mens rights activism was motivated by two things: His love of horses, and his insecurity about his lack of identity separate from Barbie. Barbie reassures him that hes more than just her boyfriend/sidekick, and hes more than his obsession with beach, too. Hes just Ken, and thats enough a reversal of the way the movies marketing dismissively used the phrase just Ken. But what about Barbie? Her arc in the film has evolved from shallow self-involvement her initial motivation for leaving Barbie Land for the real world was a vain fear of flat feet and cellulite to a full-on existential crisis. Stripped of her plastic perfection and her unflappable optimism, she doesnt have much to build an identity with, either. All she knows is that shes not in love with Ken, and that she cant go back to who she was before. I dont think I have an ending, she says. Enter Ruth Handler (Rhea Perlman), co-founder of Mattel and the inventor of the Barbie doll. Handler died in 2002, but her ghost has been renting out an office on the 17th floor of the Mattel building ever since, as the companys CEO (Will Ferrell) explains. Ruth is warm and wise, with a sincere belief that Barbie represents infinite possibilities for girls. She also has a double mastectomy and tax evasion issues. Thats close to the truth, at least. The real Handler underwent a single mastectomy in 1970, and went on to found a company called Ruthton Corp. that manufactured realistic prosthetic breasts. She and three other former Mattel employees Handler and her husband were forced out of the company after she was diagnosed with breast cancer were also indicted by a federal grand jury in 1978, on charges of fraud and false reporting to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The real accusations were more akin to a short selling scheme. (See another Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling movie, The Big Short, for more on that.) But tax evasion is pithier. Its about a spiritual connection between generations of women, passing down their hopes and dreams for a better world. Ruth is the closest thing Barbie has to a mother. And unlike Handlers daughter Barbara, who was embarrassed by her career-girl namesake, Barbie is thrilled to meet her maker. Ruth takes Barbie by the hand, and the two of them are whisked off to an infinite white void. Everyone waves goodbye, stiffly; Ken is wearing a I am Kenough tie-dyed pullover fleece, serene in his new sense of self. Barbie remains anxious about her future, which is a new emotion for her. I dont feel like Barbie anymore, the doll confesses, a statement about gaining subjectivity as much as it is about flat feet and cellulite. Ruth tells her that humans only have one ending, but Barbie already knows that; shes been tortured by thoughts of death since her ordeal of becoming ordinary began. (As much as one can be ordinary when one looks like Margot Robbie.) I want to be the one imagining, not the idea, she tells Ruth. Ruths subsequent revelation that Barbie had the ability to become human inside of her all along is stock stuff for an empowerment narrative. But theres more going on underneath that sentiment. Barbies desire to be a subject, not an object, is a longing felt by human women whose worth in society is often measured by how aesthetically pleasing they are to men. Barbie would be more objectified in the real world than she was in Barbie Land. So why does she want to become human at all? When Ruth tells Barbie to close your eyes now feel, what appears on the screen is a rapid-fire montage of families laughing and playing together. Gerwig sourced this grainy footage from the films cast and crew; a young Margot Robbie appears in a few of the snippets, which came from Robbies personal collection of Super 8 home movies. And Barbie is overwhelmed by emotion picturing these images, which connect her to an intergenerational heritage that she couldnt access as a fictional construct. The essence of womanhood, and humanity, doesnt have anything to do with careers or outfits. Its about a spiritual connection between women of different generations, passing down their hopes and dreams for a better world for those who come after them. By taking Ruths hand, Barbie becomes another link in this infinite chain of mothers and children. She becomes human. Greta Gerwig gave birth to her second child (a son, whose name hasnt been revealed yet) four months ago, shortly before the first Barbie trailer hit the internet. Lady Bird, her semi-autobiographical debut feature, was all about the fraught relationship between a mother and a daughter. These are personal themes for Gerwig. And the moment when they culminate in images of her cast and crew she also runs famously democratic sets is when Barbie transcends corporate IP and becomes a Greta Gerwig film. After Barbies emotional epiphany, theres a fade to white that makes it seem, briefly, that Barbie ends with Barbies death. But thats too bold of a choice even for this movie. The picture fades back in, and Barbie is riding in the backseat of Glorias (America Ferrera) car. Shes wearing a tan blazer and pink Birkenstock sandals, and gets out and goes into an office building for what initially looks like a job interview. She walks up to a reception desk and gives her name as Barbara Handler, the same name as Ruths real-life daughter who inspired the doll. Im here to see my gynecologist, she declares, happily. Its a stinger for the ages, but the important bit is this: Now Barbie/Barbara is part of a legacy of female creation and personhood. Shes a Handler now, like Ruth. Benny Safdie in Oppenheimer. Photo: Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures In prerelease interviews and elsewhere, Christopher Nolan has talked about how shaken early viewers were by the ending of Oppenheimer. To some, these comments may have seemed like a bit of showmanship on the directors part. But he wasnt making it up, either. When I first saw Oppenheimer, I couldnt leave the theater afterward for a while; I was frozen in my seat, unable to talk or think. Upon subsequent viewings, I witnessed others even some famous faces who were clearly rattled. One leaned against a wall, head down, sobbing. Even some in the cast and crew told me of similar experiences. It blew my hair back, Emily Blunt said. I couldnt talk to Chris after it. My mouth wasnt working. Its no exaggeration to say that Oppenheimer has the most shattering ending of anything Nolan has made, and maybe even of any studio blockbuster in recent memory. So, what exactly does happen at the end of Oppenheimer? Throughout the film, we see snippets of a meeting between Cillian Murphys J. Robert Oppenheimer and Tom Contis Albert Einstein in 1947, when Oppenheimer was offered a job as the head of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton. The two men talk by a pond, as the wind picks up and droplets of rain slowly begin to fall. During our early glimpses of this meeting, we never hear what they say. (Robert Downeys Lewis Strauss, who was looking on from a distance, is convinced that they were talking about him part of a long list of petty grievances against Oppenheimer that would eventually lead Strauss to destroy the physicists reputation.) Now, finally, we see the scene in full. Over the course of the film, Einstein has been perceived as an avuncular figure whose theory of relativity helped bring about the world of quantum physics, but who was too stuck in the past to really embrace it. Now, Einstein gently confronts Oppenheimer about this sentiment. You all thought that Id lost the ability to understand what Id started, he says. Then, he tells Oppenheimer that, in many ways, his time is also passing: Now its your turn to deal with the consequences of your achievement. He predicts that after the scientific Establishment tortures him enough, theyll give Oppenheimer awards and arrange salmon dinners in his honor: Theyll pat you on the back, tell you all is forgiven. As he speaks, we see brief flashes forward of Oppenheimer as an old man, getting presidential awards, being feted politely by old rivals. Just remember, it wont be for you, Einstein adds. It will be for them. We see a middle-aged Edward Teller (Benny Safdie), whom we had seen earlier testifying against his old colleague at Oppenheimers security hearing, shake Roberts hand. But Kitty Oppenheimer (Blunt) refuses to shake Tellers. (This is something that happened in real life. Safdie told me that when he researched Tellers life, he discovered that the physicist went home and cried over Kittys rejection.) Now, however, comes the key moment, and the one that strikes the dark note that the film closes on. As Einstein turns to leave, Oppenheimer reminds him of an earlier conversation they had before the testing of the first atom bomb, when the Manhattan Project physicists were worried that the chain reaction caused by the atomic bomb might never end that it could proceed to ignite the Earths atmosphere and destroy the planet. When I came to you with those calculations, Oppenheimer tells Einstein, we thought we might start a chain reaction that might destroy the entire world. What of it? Einstein asks. I believe we did, Oppenheimer says. As the camera closes in on his face, we cut to an array of modern-day nuclear missiles. (Look fast, and you might notice a sliver of Oppenheimers telltale silhouette in the corner of the frame.) Drifting among the clouds, we see vapor trails of nukes being fired through the air. We then see Oppenheimer, stuck inside a plane, watching the night sky lit up with rockets passing above an image tied to a memory earlier in the film from David Dastmalchians William Borden, who recalled being in a plane watching German V-2 rockets headed toward England. We see explosions across the surface of the planet, their blast radiuses unspeakably vast. Then, a ring of fire begins to consume the Earth. The very last image of the film is Oppenheimers face in extreme close-up, staring at the droplets in the pond, and closing his eyes. Perceptive viewers might realize that these final frames echo the movies opening images, which were of the young Oppenheimer in close-up, looking at droplets of rain in a small pool of water. The whole film is about consequences. The delayed onset of consequences that people often forget. Christopher Nolan Its an astonishingly powerful ending, in part because it gives grim cinematic life to the generational fear that nukes are effectively Chekhovs gun: a weapon introduced in an earlier act of our lives that will inevitably be used before our story ends. Nolan, like many of us, grew up under the specter of thermonuclear annihilation. Its an old, defining fear that has been dormant in recent years, but its never really gone away, has it? Recent events in Russia and Ukraine have served as grisly reminders that we all remain just a hair trigger away from incinerating ourselves in a nuclear holocaust. So, thats the ultra-nihilistic reading. I did ask Nolan whether hed anticipated this kind of reaction to the finale. Its the response Id hoped for in terms of the strength of the reaction, he said. That specificity certainly wasnt my intention. Nolan doesnt want to send messages with his work, and hes adamant about never being didactic. But he did want, he says a strong set of troubling reverberations at the end. And I felt strongly that if I did my job right, those would land differently with each individual watching the film and different audiences. In fact, there is something else happening during the Einstein scene if we watch closely, and it speaks to the psychology of the central character. Nolan has always liked to structure his screenplays around pivotal scenes in his protagonists lives, intimate moments that gather force as the characters obsessively return to them. In Interstellar (2014), for example, Matthew McConaugheys Cooper winds up returning to a quiet conversation he had with his young daughter before he left her for good; in Tenet (2020), Elizabeth Debickis Kat talks about seeing a woman diving off her abusive husbands yacht, and envying that womans freedom; she later realizes that this was herself, having traveled back through time to kill her husband, who had himself circled back to this moment as a rare moment of happiness on which to destroy all time forever (long story); in Inception (2010), Leonardo DiCaprios Cobb keeps returning to the hotel room in which his wife killed herself. Similarly, the conversation between Oppenheimer and Einstein is this movies secret emotional fulcrum. Note that this conversation is occurring in 1947, just two years after the Trinity blast and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, events which had turned Oppenheimer into one of the most important men of his time. At that point, he was still presumably riding high on his celebrity. The films twin, interwoven framing devices Oppenheimers controversial security-clearance hearing in 1954 during the height of McCarthyism and Strausss Senate confirmation hearing in 1959 happen years after this moment. During the security-clearance hearing, it is noted repeatedly by others that Oppenheimer is passive and hesitant. Did you think that if you let them tar and feather you the world would forgive you? his wife Kitty asks him, angrily. Toward the end of the picture, Oppenheimer is grilled by attorney Roger Robb (Jason Clarke), who points out the hypocrisy of his not having any moral objections over the atomic bomb in 1945 but having them over the hydrogen bomb in subsequent years. (Dr. Oppenheimer, when did your strong moral convictions develop with respect to the hydrogen bomb? When it became clear to me that we would use whatever weapon we had.) As Robb flays him, the screen goes white and the walls start shaking, and the scene starts to feel like it might be happening inside Oppenheimers head. It very well might be. Over the years, he has been consumed by doubt, fear, and regret, but hes failed to properly express it. (During a slideshow of Japanese A-bomb victims, he pointedly looks away.) In some ways, hes now allowing himself to be punished through the security hearing. Its a form of self-flagellation for not having spoken up sooner. Prometheus torturing himself. But lets think back to those droplets. Throughout the film, weve been given glimpses of Oppenheimers visions of the subatomic world, of the quantum reality that his studies have opened up. To convey this, Nolan cuts to images of waves, sparks, particles, ripples of water, shocks of fire, and beams of light. These snippets were critical for Nolan, and the first person he shared the script with after his producer Emma Thomas was Andrew Jackson, his visual-effects supervisor, who then went ahead and created experimental footage for the director to start working with. These effectively become one of the psychological through-lines of the film. Early on, Oppenheimer notes that he was troubled by visions of a hidden universe. Its only after Niels Bohr (Kenneth Branagh) recommends that he go out into the world and expand his horizons that he begins to be able to control his visions. Right after the conversation with Bohr, we see a glorious montage of Oppenheimer looking at Cubist art, listening to avant-garde music, reading Modernist poetry, all the while throwing glass cups against a wall to study the breakdown of crystals. We also see him looking at small fires and clouds images that will come back into play at the finale. As the capper to this montage, we see Oppenheimer cracking a rare smile, as if hes finally wrested control over his visions and found a way to reconcile quantum theory with the world at large. It all seems to come together during the Trinity explosion, when Oppenheimer stares into the blast and observes small bursts of sparks within the great canvas of atomic fire. It feels as if the physicists visions have now found a fearsome and concrete embodiment in real life. He has worked his way through the science and has found himself face to face with a mushroom cloud. The words Oppenheimer famously quoted from the Bhagavad Gita Now I am become death, destroyer of worlds dont just refer to the awesome power of the atomic bomb. They refer to himself, to his own capacity for death and destruction. (This impulse is foreshadowed during his first sexual encounter with Florence Pughs Jean Tatlock, when she makes him read those words. Its clear that Oppenheimer blames himself for Tatlocks death. If she did indeed commit suicide, he assumes she did it over their inability to be together. Its also possible as hinted by a flash of a black glove pushing her head down that she was murdered by the government over security concerns around the Manhattan Project.) I wanted to be true to my interpretation of the interior turmoil Oppenheimer must have felt, how that wouldve manifested itself. Christopher Nolan After Trinity, Oppenheimer no longer has visions of the quantum world. He begins to see something else. In what might be the movies most powerful sequence, Oppenheimer gives a victory speech to a cheering Los Alamos crowd after the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. A tense smile plastered to his face, he hesitates and seems paralyzed with indecision. He gets out a few words, but the walls shake and flashes of light begin to tear through the screen, much as they will later during the final Robb interrogation. He sees a young woman, her face stripping off in flakes as if she were made of paper. (A telling detail: The young woman is played by Flora Nolan, the directors daughter.) Screams of joy become tears of anguish. A young couple making out becomes a young couple holding each other and crying in terror. Note the way the sound of the crowd comes blasting in belatedly during this scene. It resembles the cutting of the Trinity explosion, where the sound was similarly delayed. The whole film is about consequences, Nolan told me when I asked him about this. The delayed onset of consequences that people often forget the film is full of different representations of that. Some visceral, some more narrative. Editor Jennifer Lame confirmed that she and Nolan worked at trying to evoke Trinity with this scene. It took a while to make those two feel a pair with each other. Its such a fine line between just making them the same rather than making them feel they speak to each other, she said. Of the speechs relation to Trinity, she calls it the evil stepsister to Trinity in a way, sound-wise, in the way we cut it. The speech also evokes a psychological reality Nolan uncovered as he worked on the picture. As I immersed myself in Oppenheimers story, what I eventually came to is the realization that even though he never specifically apologized for Hiroshima and Nagasaki, his actions the night after the bombing were the actions of somebody truly possessed by guilt, truly possessed by a desire to undo what he had done, he said. So I felt that in the telling, I wanted to be true to my interpretation of the interior turmoil he must have felt, how that wouldve manifested itself. After the Trinity explosion, Oppenheimers visions become almost exclusively ones of destruction, as if the chain reactions he imagined are continuing, growing ever larger and more apocalyptic. In other words, the connection he had made between theory and reality has been thoroughly poisoned and is now destroying him from within. During a meeting of the General Advisory Committee to the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, as others argue around him about the hydrogen bomb, the droplets he saw earlier become expanding blast radiuses on a map of the Soviet Union. As a young man, he had harnessed his own psychological demons by connecting quantum theory to the wonders of the modern world. Its so beautiful for him, Lame told me. Science to him is beauty and art and poetry. It just makes the movie so much more devastating at the end. Nolans closing images do serve as a warning and a portent of doom, and they are enormously moving as such. But theyre also one final glimpse into this character, revealing that in his mind at least, he has destroyed the world: He has destroyed his world, his very conception of reality. Where once he saw the astonishing connections that lay at the heart of all matter and even human relations, now he sees only horror and fire, of the destructive power that lies beneath the shape of all things. Jakarta: Twelve people, including a policeman and an immigration officer, have been detained by Indonesian authorities on suspicion of transporting 122 people to Cambodia so they could be sold for kidneys, according to officials on Thursday. The suspects were accused of breaking Indonesian law against human trafficking, and if found guilty, they could spend up to 15 years in prison and pay a fine of up to 600 million rupiah ($40,040). According to Hengki Haryadi, the director of the criminal investigation unit at the Jakarta Police, they were accused of using social media to find people across Indonesia and sending them to Cambodia for kidney transplant surgery. Also Read: UK diplomats' domestic travel is restricted by Russia Each of the victims was guaranteed 135 million rupiah ($9,009). Also Read: US sanctions have been updated to target Russian supplies used in the Ukraine war "The victims consented to have their organs sold because they required cash. "During the pandemic, the majority of them lost their jobs," Hengki told reporters. Human trafficking, mostly for labor and frequently through debt-based coercion, is nothing new in Indonesia. Also Read: Philippines won't assist ICC in drug war investigation, says Marcos In 2019, authorities made eight arrests in connection with the largest-ever human trafficking bust in the nation, which involved 1,200 victims who were sent abroad to work as domestic helpers. The 99-island archipelago of Langkawi, which is located off the coast of Malaysia in the northwest, is a tropical paradise with a wide range of tourist attractions. In order to have the best possible experience while on your dream vacation to this breathtaking location, it's essential to pick the correct time to travel. Using information on the weather, activities, and nearby events, you can use this guide to choose the best time to visit Langkawi. The most popular period to travel to Langkawi is during the high season, which runs from November to March. Temperatures in the range of 25C to 32C (77F to 89.6F) are typical throughout these months, and the weather is largely dry and pleasant. Considering how quiet the sea is and how welcoming and transparent the seas are, this is the perfect time of year for beachgoers and those who enjoy water sports. Outdoor pursuits like hiking, snorkeling, and island hopping are also fantastic during this season. During the mid-season, which lasts from April to August, the weather is still pleasant, despite the possibility of sporadic showers. The temperature ranges from 28C to 34C (82.4F to 93.2F) at this time, which is a little higher than usual. People who want less crowding but still want to take advantage of sunny days and aquatic activities might visit during this time. As the island is less busy before the start of the school holiday season, April and May are particularly suitable months to travel there. September to October is considered the low season. During this time, there is typically more rainfall, however it is typically brief and is followed by bright sky. The range of temperatures at this time is from 75.2F to 87.8F (24C to 31C). While the rain may put off some visitors, this time of year has its own beauty as the island's lush surroundings come alive. During this period, you can get great savings on lodging and activities if you don't mind sporadic showers and prefer a more sedate atmosphere. Kandy: A Popular Travel Location Exploring Washington: Discovering the State's Popular Destinations Unknown Island of India Drugs had market value of 850 million. Italian customs police on Thursday announced the seizure of 5.3 tons of cocaine from a fishing boat off Sicily's south-western coast, hailing it as the biggest drug seizure ever made in Italy. The cocaine haul has a street value was estimated at more than 850 million, according to the Guardia di Finanza police. The seizure was the result of an air and sea reconnaissance by Palermo financial police and prosecutors from the anti-mafia directorate whose officers followed a merchant vessel flying the Palau flag and a fishing boat that departed from the Calabrian coast. #GDF e #DDA #Palermo sequestrate oltre 5,3 tonnellate di cocaina, per un valore di oltre 850 milioni di euro, e unimbarcazione. Arrestate 5 persone.#NoiconVoi pic.twitter.com/c5PdVHPBPp Guardia di Finanza (@GDF) July 21, 2023 The seizure was made on Wednesday night in the Strait of Sicily after police detected that numerous packages were being offloaded from the merchant ship and being collected by the fishing boat. Following a search, officers discovered the massive haul of drugs crammed into a hidden room below deck, concealed behind panelling. The boat was seized and the five men aboard were arrested. The merchant ship was also blocked by police as it headed in the direction of Turkey. Photo Guardia di Finanza Share Comment on this story Comment Last December, Floridas legislature passed a controversial but necessary set of reforms aimed at shoring up the states teetering property insurance market, where a string of insurers had canceled policies and even filed for bankruptcy, leaving homeowners with dwindling options. This month, Farmers and AAA announced that they, too, were reducing exposure to the state, prompting some Florida watchers to speculate that the reform had failed. In reality, its too early to conclude that, and Berkshire Hathaways big new bet on Florida reinsurance is a sign that the outlook may be improving modestly. First, lets review how we got here. Florida is home to a booming coastal population, rapidly appreciating property prices and soaring construction costs, all in a state that sits at the edge of Hurricane Alley and figures to be among the places hit hardest by rising sea levels. Its also the top state for property insurance-related lawsuits, which companies contend are frequently frivolous and often fraudulent, pushing the cost of doing business even higher. But a less appreciated facet of the crisis is the critical role of reinsurance a form of insurance for insurers that kicks in when catastrophic damage exceeds a certain level. Florida is dominated by small and medium-sized insurers, which rely on reinsurance to keep their businesses viable, and the sharp drop in reinsurers risk appetite acted like an accelerant for the property insurance troubles. If primary insurers cant get enough reinsurance, they have to reduce their exposure to the state, and for a variety of reasons, reinsurance firms retrenched in 2022. Advertisement A streak of nationwide natural disasters, punctuated by Hurricane Ian in late September, left them licking their wounds, while the collapse of the fixed-income market left their balance sheets suddenly weaker. The problem was, you couldnt get [reinsurance] at any price, said my colleague Matthew Palazola, senior insurance analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence. This year, by contrast, prices are way up, but at least its available to those able to pay. The Guy Carpenter US Property Catastrophe Rate on Line Index a measure of reinsurance pricing relative to exposure recently surged to a record, with Florida renewals playing a role. In remarks at Berkshires 2023 annual meeting, Vice Chairman of Insurance Operations Ajit Jain said the firm had boosted its property-catastrophe exposure by nearly 50% this year, including up to $15 billion now at risk in Florida. Heres how Jain explained the decision at the time (emphasis mine): We had a lot of powder dry and we were lucky that we kept the powder dry, because April 1 suddenly prices zoomed up again a lot higher than what they were on January 1, and starting to look attractive to us... Net-net, Im very happy with the portfolio. Its been a lot better it is a lot better than what its been in the past. I dont know how long it will last, and of course, if the hurricane happens in Florida, we could lose across all the units, we could lose as much as $15 billion. And if there isnt a loss, we will make several billion dollars as profit. Advertisement Berkshires Warren Buffett, of course, is famous for saying in his 1986 Berkshire letter to shareholders that good investors ought to attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful. In that spirit, Berkshires reinsurance arm sounds as if it saw a unique opportunity to profit from Floridas much-hated market, and a few industry peers seem to be on the same page. Heres Kevin ODonnell, chief executive officer of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., another reinsurer that does business in Florida (from RenRes first-quarter earnings call, again emphasis mine): Florida, in particular, was coming off a reasonably good rate adequacy level and were getting significantly more rates. So, I feel that thats going to be an attractive market for us. And I dont see any pressure thats going to have a step change bringing us back down to where we traded before. In the Florida insurance ecosystem, the reinsurers are the canary in the coal mine, and hints of their resurgent risk appetite probably mean that the acute phase of the crisis is ending (for now.) News like the developments at Farmers and AAA will continue in dribs and drabs but generally reflect the lagged fallout from last years developments. What emerges from the above remarks is a picture of companies that are increasingly willing to bear Florida risk for the right price. Advertisement In the long run, however, homeowners and policymakers are likely to find there are no silver bullets. The simple fact is that Florida property risk is high and rising, which means that reinsurance costs will remain commensurately elevated. As sea levels rise and disasters become increasingly frequent, coastal living will remain accessible only to those with the deepest pockets; the rest are on borrowed time. Share this article Share Notably, the state has pursued a number of interventions since Hurricane Andrew the devastating 1992 storm that first upended the insurance market to forestall the inevitable transmission of higher rates. That has included the establishment of a state-backed insurer of last resort for homeowners who cant obtain coverage elsewhere and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, which is essentially a state-backed reinsurer that provides relatively inexpensive coverage up to certain levels. Neither of these is a sustainable long-term fix. State-backed entities that undercut the private sector tend to crowd out private players. Eventually, the state is left holding the bag for an ever-growing amount of catastrophe exposure, which is why the recent reform took steps to limit the alarming growth of the insurer of last resort, Citizens Property Insurance Corp.(1)One way or another, the costs trickle down to homeowners, whether its through pricier private insurance premiums or, alternatively, new taxes. As to the recent reforms, time will tell whether they can help mitigate the higher costs to some degree. Among other things, the package sought to curb the nuisance litigation by ending the so-called one-way attorney fee statute. Until the change, insurers had to pay prevailing plaintiffs attorney fees, an arrangement that the industry says incentivized frivolous lawsuits and helped build a cottage industry around exploitation of the system. In the most egregious cases, contractors would goad homeowners into filing claims under false pretenses, and insurers were often forced to settle to protect against soaring legal fees. Reinsurers in particular are optimistic that between [higher prices] and the litigation reforms that Florida is becoming more attractive, Frank Nutter, president of the Reinsurance Association of America, told me by phone on Tuesday. On the flip side, however, the many honest homeowners seeking fair payments for devastating storm damages will now have a more uneven playing field against insurers legal teams. Advertisement If the reform works as intended, insurance companies legal costs should drop, improving their business prospects. But that wont be put to the test until, inevitably, the next storm hits Florida, so its wildly premature to render a verdict. In the meantime, Berkshires big bet on Florida is an early sign that at least the market hasnt abandoned the state. In fact, the industry will gladly stick around for the long haul, but only at the right price and that in and of itself will be a hard pill to swallow for the average homeowner. More From Bloomberg Opinion: Miami Now Has a Lot in Common With San Francisco: Justin Fox Florida Is Testing Corporate Americas Values: Treva B. Lindsey California Teaches Florida, Texas an ESG Lesson: Matthew Winkler (1) Florida homeowners can get a Citizens policy at an implicitly subsidized rate if private premiums are at least 20% more expensive, and once they arrive, they often stay with the state-backed insurer. Private players complain that the arrangement puts an artificial cap on the market. The new legislation forces homeowners to leave Citizens once they can again find private-sector policies within the 20% price rule. In theory, that turns Citizens into a pit stop instead of a permanent landing spot for homeowners. This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Jonathan Levin has worked as a Bloomberg News journalist in Latin America and the US, covering finance, markets and M&A. Most recently, he served as the companys Miami bureau chief. He is a CFA charterholder. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion 2023 Bloomberg L.P. London: The Russian army veteran who was sentenced to life in prison for his role in downing flight MH17 has been remanded in custody by a court in Moscow, as the Kremlin moves against its hardline foes following the Wagner groups armed rebellion. Outspoken pro-war blogger Igor Girkin a vocal critic of how Russian President Vladimir Putin has handled the invasion was detained at his Moscow flat by security services around noon on Friday, his wife said. Russian nationalist Igor Girkin sits behind a glass wall of an enclosure for defendants before a court hearing in Moscow. Credit: Reuters The Russian nationalist and former military commander of the self-declared Donetsk Peoples Republic, Girkin, who is also known as Igor Strelkov, helped Russia annex Crimea in 2014 and then organise pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine. Previously considered untouchable, largely because of his ties to the authorities through his former position as a colonel in the Federal Security Service, his arrest comes three days after he urged Putin to step down. Manila; According to Cairo's ambassador to the Philippines, who spoke to Arab News, Egypt is looking to improve cooperation with the Philippines through handicraft. He noted that the two nations' peoples are similar in many ways and that this could lead to more positive relations between the two nations. In 1946, Egypt and the Philippines established diplomatic ties. The only diplomatic representation of Manila in the African and Arab region until the middle of the 1970s was its embassy in Cairo, which was established in the 1960s. Every industry has the potential to strengthen ties between Egypt and the Philippines, according to Egyptian Ambassador Ahmed Shehabeldin, but he thinks handicrafts have the most potential. Also Read: UK diplomats' domestic travel is restricted by Russia Shehabeldin said to Arab News on the eve of the Egypt National Day celebration in Metro Manila, "I would love to invest in cultural products. "In Egypt, for instance, we have 'tally. This is gorgeous and it was made by hand. To make this high-end, we must invest in it. You start by that because it's handmade and handcrafted, he advised. Also Read: US sanctions have been updated to target Russian supplies used in the Ukraine war A traditional metal thread embroidery known as tally, also called assiut or tulle-bi-telli, which translates to "net with wire," is a netting fabric named after its birthplace, Asyut, in the 19th century. "You have to invest in people, your culture, and your heritage," Shehabeldin said. More interpersonal interaction, according to the Egyptian representative, will be essential. There are many similarities between the people of Egypt and the Philippines, so I see potential, the man declared. Shehabeldin stated that he is exploring the possibility of working with the Philippines, but he did not elaborate. Agriculture has been a recent area of cooperation between the two nations. Citrus exports from the Middle East to Southeast Asia began last month as a result of a 2022 agreement. Also Read: Philippines won't assist ICC in drug war investigation, says Marcos Citrus exports from Egypt accounted for 5.9% of global exports of citrus in 2021, according to data from the French world economy center CEPII. Shehabeldin is urging Egyptian companies to go to the Philippines in order to strengthen ties even more. And I urge Egyptian businesspeople who enjoy foreign investment to visit the Philippines. Paro, a hidden jewel that radiates a timeless appeal and enchants visitors with its natural beauty and rich cultural legacy, is located in one of Bhutan's beautiful valleys. The charming valley of Paro, encircled by verdant greenery and snow-capped mountains, offers a tranquil getaway for tourists looking for a break from their busy lives. Let's go off on a tour to explore the captivating beauty of Paro and the amazing activities it has to offer. Monastery of Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) The Tiger's Nest, also known as the legendary Paro Taktsang Monastery, is one of Bhutan's most well-known attractions and is perched dangerously on a cliff. Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha, is said to have meditated here in the eighth century. Visitors are rewarded with spectacular views of the valley below as they trek to the monastery through pine forests and over suspension bridges, which is an exhilarating experience. Travelers are in awe of the mystical importance of this hallowed spot because of its spiritual aura. Rinpung Dzong The spectacular fortress-monastery known as Rinpung Dzong, or "Fortress of the Heap of Jewels," is located in the center of Paro Valley. With its ornate woodwork and traditional Bhutanese architecture, the stronghold is a beautiful illustration of the nation's rich cultural legacy. Visitors may study the elaborate wall murals within, marvel at the imposing central tower, and take in the traditional Bhutanese celebrations that animate the dzong with vigor and color. Drukgyel Dzong Often known as "The Victorious Fortress," is a medieval fortification in ruins that provides a window into Bhutan's colorful history. The ruins, which were once a tactical barrier against Tibetan incursions, are located against a background of gorgeous mountains, making it a photographer's dream. The fields of vivid mustard flowers in the neighborhood contribute to the appeal of this historic location. Weekend Market in Paro: A riot of color Travelers will find the vivacious and active Paro Weekend Market to be a sensory delight. Fresh food, handicrafts, and traditional Bhutanese products are sold by local farmers and artisans during these events. The market's brilliant hues, upbeat ambiance, and welcoming merchants offer an immersive experience that enables guests to engage with the local way of life. Traditional Bhutanese Farmhouse Experience: A visit to a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse is a need if you want to get a true sense of the native way of life. Homestays provide a special chance to interact with the friendly Bhutanese people, sample real Bhutanese food, and take part in customary ceremonies and cultural events. Adventure Travel: Skydiving, Bungee Jumping, and Extreme Sports Cities to travel for music lovers Vallarpadam Island: Trading Hub of Civilization Wad Madani: Witnesses claim that on Thursday, airstrikes, street fighting, and artillery fire shook the Sudanese capital Khartoum as well as El-Obeid, a significant southern city. A resident of El-Obeid, 350 kilometers southwest of Khartoum, claimed that paramilitary bases of the Rapid Support Forces were the target of artillery fire. Since April 15, there have been at least 3,000 fatalities and more than 3.3 million displaced due to fighting between the RSF and the regular army, which is being led by rival generals. Also Read: US Sends 'Message of Strength' to Iran with New Gulf Deployment Another El-Obeid resident, who asked to remain anonymous for security reasons, claimed that army jets had been attacking paramilitaries on Thursday as they fired anti-aircraft weapons in return. Three air raids were seen in the early morning, according to witnesses in the south of Khartoum. One of them said, "The blasts were terrifying. Also Read: Israelis Demonstrate in Support of an Independent Judiciary The army charged the RSF on Wednesday with using a drone to target a residential area of the capital and "14 civilians dead and 15 injured." At least 13 civilian deaths, according to locals, were reported. The battle pits RSF commander Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo and army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan against each other. Gen. Al-Burhan made an appearance in a rare video clip on Tuesday, shortly after Dagalo's audio recording was made public. Gen. Al-Burhan is seen in the less than one minute long video greeting the top generals in the army while toting a pistol and an automatic rifle. He is dressed in a T-shirt and cargo pants. The vast complex in the city's center has seen many clashes between the opposing forces. Dagalo was last spotted in a brief video clip that the paramilitaries produced at the beginning of the conflict, which has been going on for four months. But he has since made several audio recordings available, the most recent of which was on Monday night and in which he told Sudanese he was prepared for war but was willing to "choose peace." He would fight until "victory or martyrdom," according to Daglo's fighters. The RSF chief also brought up the vast western region of Darfur, which saw a bloody conflict in the early 2000s and has experienced some of the worst violence in the current conflict. The paramilitaries have referred to the bloodshed in Darfur as "tribal conflicts," but human rights activists accuse the RSF and its allied Arab militias of carrying out reported atrocities like rape, looting, and the mass murder of ethnic minorities. Also Read: 12 people are detained in Indonesia for engaging in illegal organ trafficking According to the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, a new investigation into alleged war crimes in Darfur has been launched. In Darfur, where 300,000 people perished in a conflict from 2003 that prompted the ICC to accuse former leader Omar Bashir of genocide, he issued a warning against "allowing history to repeat itself." CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) An abortion opponent pleaded guilty to a federal arson charge Thursday after telling investigators that anxiety and nightmares about Wyomings first full-service abortion clinic in years led her to break into and burn the planned facility. U.S. District Judge Alan Johnson accepted Lorna Roxanne Greens agreement with prosecutors at a change-of-plea hearing. Green, 22, was taken into custody and faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing, which the judge scheduled for Oct. 6. While I deeply regret my actions, I accept full responsibility for what I have done, Green told the judge. When asked whether she knew at the time that burning the clinic wasnt right, Green hesitated and said: I knew right after. The fire happened at the Wellspring Health Access clinic in Casper in May 2022, weeks before it was to open. The damage kept the clinic from opening for almost a year. Green admitted to breaking in, pouring gasoline around the inside of the building and lighting it on fire, according to court documents. The clinic, which opened in April, provides surgical and pill abortions, making it the first of the kind in the state in at least a decade. Only one other clinic in Wyoming in Jackson, some 250 miles (400 kilometers) away provides abortions, and only by pill. Wellspring President Julie Burkhart said Thursday that she was heartened Green took responsibility. It saddens me that someone so young could commit such a heinous act that was so reckless and and could have killed people, said Burkhart, a longtime abortion-rights advocate and former associate of Dr. George Tiller, an abortion provider who was assassinated in Kansas in 2009. The attack on the Casper clinic caused almost $300,000 in damages. The delayed opening potentially left people seeking an abortion or contraception without options, Burkhart said. Violence and threats against abortion providers and patients increased in 2022, when the Supreme Court overturned a nationwide right to abortion, according to an annual survey by the National Abortion Federation. Abortion has remained legal in Wyoming amid a lawsuit challenging new bans, including what would be the nations first explicit ban on abortion pills. A judge blocked the laws while the lawsuit proceeds. Though Green told investigators she opposed abortion, the Casper College mechanical engineering student showed no sign of anti-abortion views on social media. Green is from Casper and was living in Laramie when the fire happened. She told a U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent she bought gas cans and aluminum pans the day before the fire, drove to Casper, and carried the cans and pans to the clinic in a bag, matching security video and a witness account, according to a court filing. She admitted to using a rock to break glass in a door to enter and pouring gasoline into the pans in several rooms and on the floor before lighting it, according to the document. Investigators said they made little progress finding who started the fire until a reward was increased to $15,000 in March, leading several tipsters to identify Green. Ryan Semerad, Greens attorney, described her as a good person who "did something that was very wrong. Green acknowledged that she was in treatment for a mental illness, but said she wasnt taking prescription drugs and did not provide additional details. At one point, she smiled at her family, who were in the audience. While Green has remained publicly quiet about her views, many other clinic opponents have not. Protesters gather outside the facility regularly, and in May, Casper Mayor Bruce Knell apologized for a Facebook post about the clinic some interpreted as sympathizing with the fire attack. The fire and plans for Wellspring Health Access occurred amid a contentious backdrop for abortion in Wyoming. Women in the rural state often go to nearby states, including Colorado, for abortions. Last summer, Teton County District Judge Melissa Owens suspended an abortion ban that took effect after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Since then, Owens has suspended a new ban written to try to overcome the first one's legal shortcomings, as well as Wyomings ban on abortion pills. Owens has expressed sympathy with arguments that a 2012 state constitutional amendment guaranteeing Wyoming residents right to make their own health care decisions conflicted with the bans. ___ Bedayn 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. The Kashmir dispute has been one of the most enduring and complex conflicts in South Asia. Its roots can be traced back to the era of British colonialism when the Indian subcontinent was under the British Raj. The impact of British policies, particularly during the partition of India, significantly contributed to the ongoing dispute between India and Pakistan over the region of Kashmir. This article aims to delve into the historical context and examine the role of British colonialism in shaping the Kashmir dispute. The Historical Context of British Colonialism in India British colonial rule in India began in the mid-18th century and lasted until 1947. The British East India Company, initially established for trade, gradually expanded its control over Indian territories. Through a policy of divide and rule, the British managed to consolidate their power, exploiting existing religious and regional tensions within the Indian society. The Partition of India and Kashmir's Predicament In 1947, the Indian subcontinent gained independence from British rule. The region was divided into two separate nations, India and Pakistan, along religious linesHindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. The princely states were given the choice to join either of the countries or remain independent. However, the fate of Kashmir, a princely state with a Muslim majority ruled by a Hindu Maharaja, Maharaja Hari Singh, became a major point of contention. The Instrument of Accession and Controversies Under mounting pressure from tribal militias supported by Pakistan, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession with India in October 1947, ceding control over defense, communications, and foreign affairs. However, this accession has since been a subject of debate and controversy, as Pakistan claims it was not valid, and the people of Kashmir should have had the right to determine their own fate. The Impact of British Policies on the Kashmir Dispute The legacy of British colonialism had a profound impact on the Kashmir dispute. The arbitrary drawing of borders during the partition led to the creation of two nations with inherent religious and territorial tensions. The British departure left unresolved territorial issues that became flashpoints for future conflict between India and Pakistan. The Line of Control and Ongoing Tensions The partition resulted in the division of Kashmir into Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir. The Line of Control, separating these regions, has witnessed numerous military clashes and armed conflicts between the two countries, adding to the ongoing tension. International Involvement and UN Resolutions The Kashmir dispute has not only been a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan but has also attracted international attention. The United Nations has passed several resolutions calling for a plebiscite to determine the future status of Kashmir, but a resolution has remained elusive due to disagreements between the involved parties. The Humanitarian Cost of the Kashmir Conflict The prolonged conflict in Kashmir has taken a significant humanitarian toll on the region's population. Human rights abuses, enforced disappearances, and displacement have been reported, leading to a grave human rights crisis. The Future Prospects for Peace and Resolution Despite the challenges, there is still hope for peace in Kashmir. Confidence-building measures, increased people-to-people contact, and dialogue between India and Pakistan are essential for finding a lasting resolution to the conflict. The Kashmir dispute remains a contentious issue with deep historical roots, and British colonial policies during the partition of India have significantly shaped its trajectory. The region's political and territorial complexities have led to enduring tensions between India and Pakistan. To achieve lasting peace, both nations must engage in sincere dialogue and find a mutually acceptable solution that considers the aspirations and well-being of the people of Kashmir. Govt Action Looms for Twitter after Viral Video of Manipur Women Paraded Naked Manipur Unrest: CM Urges Thorough Probe into Viral Video's Authenticity Sonia Gandhi Urges PM Modi for Manipur Discussion in Parliament ATMORE, Ala. (AP) Alabama plans to execute an inmate Friday morning for the 2001 beating death of a woman, in what would be the first lethal injection since the state paused executions following a string of problems with inserting the IVs. James Barber, 64, is scheduled to be put to death at a south Alabama prison. The U.S. Supreme Court denied Barber's request for a stay shortly after midnight and cleared the way for the execution to begin. It is the first execution scheduled in the state since Gov. Kay Ivey paused executions in November to conduct an internal review after two lethal injections were called off because of difficulties inserting IVs into the condemned mens veins. Barber was convicted in the 2001 beating death of 75-year-old Dorothy Epps in Harvest, Alabama. Prosecutors said Barber, a handyman who knew Epps daughter, confessed to killing Epps with a claw hammer and fleeing with her purse. Jurors voted 11-1 to recommend a death sentence, which a judge imposed. Barbers scheduled execution comes hours after Oklahoma executed Jemaine Cannon for stabbing a Tulsa woman to death with a butcher knife in 1995 after his escape from a prison work center. Barber's attorney's asked the Supreme Court to halt the execution, citing Alabama's recent problems. Attorneys for inmate Alan Miller said prison staff poked him with needles for over an hour as they unsuccessfully tried to connect an IV line to him and at one point left him hanging vertically on a gurney during his aborted execution in September. State officials called off the November execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith after they were unsuccessful in connecting the second of two required lines. Advocacy groups claimed a third execution, carried out in July after a delay because of IV problems, was botched because of multiple attempts to connect the line, a claim the state has disputed. Ivey announced in February that the state was resuming executions. Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said prison system had added to its pool of medical professionals, ordered new equipment and conducted additional rehearsals. Attorneys for Barber argued his execution will likely be botched in the same manner as the prior three." The Supreme Court denied Barber's request for a stay without comment. Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented from the decision in a writing joined by Justice Elena Kagan and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. The Eighth Amendment demands more than the States word that this time will be different. The Court should not allow Alabama to test the efficacy of its internal review by using Barber as its guinea pig," Sotomayor wrote. The Alabama attorney general's office had urged the Supreme Court to let the execution proceed. The state wrote that the previous executions were called off because of a confluence of eventsincluding health issues specific to the individual inmates and last-minute litigation brought by the inmates that dramatically shortened the window for ADOC officials to conduct the executions." Dorothy Epps, Smiths victim, has survivors who have already waited overlong to see justice done, the office added. In the hours leading up to the scheduled execution, Barber had 22 visitors and two phone calls, a prison spokesperson said. Barber ate a final meal of loaded hashbrowns, western omelet, spicy sausage and toast. One of the changes Alabama made following the internal review was to give the state more time to carry out executions. The Alabama Supreme Court did away with its customary midnight deadline to get an execution underway in order to give the state more time to establish an IV line and battle last-minute legal appeals. The state will have until 6 a.m. Friday to start Barbers execution. Russia unleashed intense overnight drone and missile attacks that officials said damaged critical port infrastructure in southern Ukraine, including grain and oil terminals, and wounded at least 12 people. The Agriculture Ministry said the bombardment crippled a significant part of the grain export facilities in Odesa and nearby Chornomorsk and destroyed 60,000 tons of grain. The attacks came days after President Vladimir Putin blamed Ukraine for an attack on the crucial Kerch Bridge linking Russia with the Crimean Peninsula, which the Kremlin illegally annexed from Kyiv in 2014. Putin also pulled Moscow out of its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which enabled Ukraines exports to reach many countries facing the threat of hunger. BARCELONA, Spain (AP) Alberto Nunez Feijoo, the conservative politician who polls suggest is poised to become Spains next prime minister, likes to recall that at heart, he is just a mild-mannered village boy from the countrys rural northwest. A humble, forthright, even boring guy, as he likes to describe himself. The conservative Popular Party candidate for Sunday's general election is mostly unknown outside Spain, but he has been the country's most solid regional leader so far this century and has never lost an election. Feijoo was a political steamroller during the 13 years in which he governed Spains northwestern Galicia region, the homeland of 20th-century dictator Francisco Franco and of former Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who ran Spain from 2011-2018 as PP's leader. Feijoo took power as Galicia's regional president in 2009 and accumulated four absolute majorities until 2022, when he resigned to head for Madrid with the mission to save his party from the biggest leadership crisis in its history. Feijoo has forged his public image as a no-nonsense manager. In his view, he is the antithesis of Spain's current Socialist prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, whom Feijoo accuses of saying or doing anything to cling to office. Feijoo is a seasoned politician, a good manager, who does not draw attention to himself either for good or for bad, and that can even be positive," said Miguel Anxo Bastos, professor of political science at University of Santiago de Compostela (USC). He does not have a very marked ideological agenda, but he is more progressive than his party. He is a kind of conservative social democrat who defends the role of the state. He doesnt want to revolutionize anything just make services work. But his critics say that under his harmless veneer lies a ruthless campaigner, who come election time can sling mud like the best of them. Feijoo's only motto since he was appointed as Spain's conservative leader is abolish Sanchismo," a way of referring to Sanchezs way of governing. By abolishing he means ending the style, not the substance (of Sanchez's government). We shouldn't expect a significant turnaround if Feijoo becomes prime minister. At most, he will bring a step back to some of Sanchez's more controversial laws, such as the law of historic memory or transgender rights law for free gender determination, said Xose Luis Barreiro, a prominent Galician ex-politician and political scientist, author of a compendium of deeds and thoughts of the Popular Party candidate. Barreiro says that Feijoos great virtue is his mastery of timing. After a successful career as a high-level civil servant in Galicia and Madrid, which included a stint as head of Spains postal service, he joined PP at age 41, and now he is running in a general election for the first time at 61. If he succeeds, he will be the oldest Spanish president to hold office for the first time. Even in his private life, Feijoo is a man who bides his time. He met his current partner, Eva Cardenas, former executive at Inditexs Zara Home, in 2009, but they didn't start a relationship until four years later. In 2017, when Feijoo was 55, the couples first child, Alberto Jr. was born. It was a joy for the candidate's mother, Sira Feijoo, who in a 2009 election video lamented that her son says he has married Galicia, but Galicia does not give me grandchildren. A rather monastic statement that perfectly sums up Feijoos spirit. In the same video, Micaela, his sister, used the terms distant and bookwormish to describe the image that, she said, the conservative candidate transmits. Feijoo has an unpleasant dilemma ahead of him if he wins the election to form a coalition with far-right party Vox if he doesn't obtain an absolute majority, something that the polls almost rule out. It would be the first time that the far right gets into Spains government since the end of Francos dictatorship. Feijoo has already admitted subtly that if he needs it, he will do it, as he blessed the entry of Vox into several regional governments after the municipal and regional elections last May. Vox has campaigned hard on axing gender violence laws and rolling back regional government powers, positions that could bring it in conflict with Feijoo, especially given his background as a speaker of Galicias local dialect and Spains decentralized state. Compared with Voxs candidate, Santiago Abascal, and even the Popular Partys younger generation, Feijoo is a throwback conservative, more interested in balancing budgets than culture wars with Spains Left. Vox might get him into trouble, because he is not comfortable in the culture war and has no experience in coalition governments, Bastos said. He is not aimed at repealing the pillars of the current government it is not his style. Feijoo is not looking for trouble, Bastos added. He rules without stridency or major government crises. Logic says that not much will change if he becomes prime minister, although it depends on how much pressure he is under from Vox. Feijoo is haunted by his relationship with Marcial Dorado back in the 1990s. Dorado was a businessman, who while providing services to Galician administration when Feijoo was No. 2 in its health department, was also running a notorious cigarette smuggling ring. Feijoo and Dorado kept a close friendship for almost a decade. They shared summer getaways and Christmas holidays. In 2013, several photographs of their trips and boat rides in Galicia from 1995 came to light. One photograph in particular, showing Feijoo in a swimsuit and sunglasses posing on board a yacht with Dorado, has pursued him ever since. Dorado is currently serving 10 years in prison for drug trafficking and money laundering. Feijoo repeatedly said that once he knew about Dorados illegal business, he cut ties immediately. But in a radio interview on Friday, he acknowledged that at that time (Dorado) was a smuggler. I mean, when I knew him he had been a smuggler, never a drug trafficker. Parties on the left are trying to air the hard-to-explain friendship in the final stretch of the campaign. MT. PENN, Pa. Parents of students in the Antietam School District now know where their children will be attending classes during the coming school year, after heavy rains and flooding rendered the district's middle-senior high school in Lower Alsace Township unusable. The school board held two meetings Thursday night. The first was to hear from parents, and the second was to decide upon the plan for the new school year. "We did what we did right now because we're using the information we have right now," said Heidi Rochlin, the district's superintendent. The school board decided during Thursday's meeting that students in grades 4-12 will largely be housed at the Mt. Penn Elementary Center, and students in grades K-3 will be housed at the Mt. Penn Primary Center. On top of that, students in grades 9-12 will be walking between the elementary center and local churches for their elective courses. Parents, however, are concerned. Mike Kindlick's senior daughter, Montana, now has to share a space with younger kids. "Seniors don't want to be walking around an elementary school," Kindlick said. "It is what it is." Montana Kindlick said it's been a whirlwind, especially since her class was robbed of a freshman year because of COVID-19. "It's really devastating for everyone, especially the class of 2024," she said. "We're all really anxious about it." Some parents said they are keeping an open mind. John and Patti Schodowski have a ninth-grader and a 12th-grader in the district. "It's not going to change anything if we get all worked up," John Schodowski said. "Yes, it's going to be a struggle with the different buildings and the schedule," Patti Schodowski said. "We're trying to be positive." Rochlin said the plan is not permanent. "Will things change? Probably," she said. "When will we change? We aren't sure." As some parents and students are not happy with the decision, the board said it is taking their concerns into consideration. It also said students will still be starting school as scheduled on Aug. 21. MAXATAWNY TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, along with Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, visited Rodale Institute Friday to check out the veteran farmer program and how it's contributing to job growth and the organic farming industry in the state. "We can speak of all of the research work and the partnership work but at the end of the day, somebody has to adopt the practice," said Redding. Ramon Madrid is a veteran who served in Iraq. He turned to the Rodale Institute and organic farming as a way to cope with depression, anxiety and PTSD. Now, it's a way of life. "My first year here was like the basic training of farming. I went from not knowing how to turn on a tractor to learning from brilliant minds about the technological advances and how that mixes with the ancient skill or growing food," said Madrid. "Rodale institute gives me an opportunity to serve my country in a regenerative way." The governor says agriculture needs to be included in all conversations about economic growth and development in Pennsylvania. "If we want to grow our economy here in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, we must invest in farms, we must invest in ag and I believe organic farming is key to that growth," says Shapiro. He says previous administrations invested around $5.3 million in research and job-training initiatives, which is a good start, but the state needs to do more. "We have to make sure that organic products are more readily available to all Pennsylvanians, not just some. We need to make sure that we're sensitive to pricing and we need to make sure that folks understand this is not a niche market, this is the market," said Shapiro. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Two people are behind bars following a 6-month drug investigation in Allentown. One of the accused is also charged with homicide and gun charges in Puerto Rico. On Friday, District Attorney Jim Martin announced the arrests of Victor Castillo-Guerrero and Victoria Maria Aromi, both of West Walnut Street in Allentown. Castillo-Guerrero, 33 and Aromi, 27 were each charged Tuesday with possession with intent to deliver and criminal conspiracy, both felonies; and simple possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors. A release from the DA's Office writes that Castillo-Guerrero is also charged as a Fugitive from Justice for homicide and gun charges in Puerto Rico. Items recovered from the West Walnut Street home include 300 grams of purple fentanyl; a Glock .40-caliber handgun; a kilogram drug press and $2,560 in cash, the DA's Office reports. Castillo-Guerrero is in Lehigh County Jail under $250,000 bail and Aromis bail is $20,000 unsecured. ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Allentown police have confirmed that a 33-year-old city resident has been missing for more than two weeks. Jaboris King, was last seen in Center City on Thursday, July 6. King is also known by the nickname "Jay." Police are asking anyone with information about King's whereabouts to contact them. ALLENTOWN, Pa. Lehigh County Authority was recently awarded a $3.4 million grant and $1.6 million in low-interest loans from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority. The money will fund a pilot project to remove lead service lines in Allentown. It is set to kick off later this year. According to a media release, the project is expected to replace approximately 150 lead service lines, including the private-side portion owned by the homeowner. The pilot project will allow LCA to put protocols in place to support a long-term, robust pipe replacement program. LCA will develop service line verification processes to identify lead service line locations and plan for future projects. Customers can help LCA in their effort to remove lead by verifying the water service line material in their home and sharing it through an online survey tool. Lead exposure has health impacts, especially for more vulnerable groups like children or people with health conditions. Details on the pilot will be shared as they develop. EASTON, Pa. Northampton County Council approved County Executive Lamont McClure's gift-ban ordinance Thursday. The unanimous vote aligns the county home ruler charter, which serves as its constitution, with its administrative code. McClure proposed the ban in April, noting that the charter prohibits gifts but the code contained loopholes. "I want to thank council for their vote," McClure said Thursday in a statement. "It is in the county's best interest to update and strengthen the county gift ban to ensure that we retain the public's trust and confidence." McClure's proposal is similar to that set by Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. County officials and employees are banned from accepting anything of value, such as tickets to games or concerts, that is not available on similar terms to the public. The McClure ban does allow officials to accept an item of "de minimis," or trifling, value, such as a plaque or ceremonial pen when they speak at an event. The ban also allows officials to accept a meal, within limits, while attending a function they are invited to. The home rule charter already prohibits county officials and employees from accepting items of value from any person or organization that does business with the county. The McClure ban serves to "strengthen the definition and standards of conduct" related to gifts, according to the executive's statement. McClure said earlier that he was not proposing the new ordinance in response to any improper behavior that he was aware of. All members of council voted for the new ordinance: President Kerry Myers, Vice President Ron Heckman, John Brown, John Cusick, John Goffredo, Lori Vargo Heffner, Tara Zrinski, Kevin Lott and Thomas Giovanni. Laos, a country of untamed beauty in Southeast Asia, is frequently forgotten in favor of its more well-known neighbors. For tourists looking for a real Asian journey, this charming nation offers a singular and remarkable experience with its lush scenery, peaceful temples, and kind people. Let's set off on a journey to experience Laos' mesmerizing beauty. Laos is a hidden jewel that has been waiting for the world to find it. Timeless Temples and Spiritual Peace: Laos has a strong spiritual legacy, which is reflected in the numerous old temples and monasteries that dot the country's landscape. A prime illustration of Laos' spiritual allure is the well-preserved town of Luang Prabang, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. During alms-giving rituals, saffron-robed monks can be seen strolling the streets, revealing glimpses into the rich Buddhist traditions that have been fostered for millennia. Laos' capital, Vientiane, is home to the golden Pha That Luang, which stands as a tribute to the nation's rich cultural legacy and as a symbol of national pride. Visitors experience a sense of calmness as the sun spreads its golden rays on these holy locations, making a deep effect on their hearts. The Magnificent Mekong River and Beautiful Landscapes: The Mekong River, which runs through the center of the nation, is essential to Laos' survival since it feeds its citizens and sculpts the country's beautiful scenery. A rare opportunity to experience traditional river life and get a peek of the hospitable Lao communities who live along its banks is available when cruising the Mekong. The verdant countryside of Laos is a painter's dream with its mist-covered mountains and emerald-green rice terraces. The welcoming and comforting mood is accentuated by the warm smiles of the people, who add to the peaceful beauty of the rural surroundings. Kuang Si Falls: A Work of Nature: In the lush woods of Luang Prabang, Kuang Si Falls is a magnificent work of nature. A number of pools are formed by the turquoise waters' cascading motion, luring visitors to cool off in its embrace. It is one of Southeast Asia's most stunning waterfalls thanks to the rich vegetation surrounding it and the sounds of exotic birds. Vang Vieng: Adventure and Serenity: For those seeking adventure, Vang Vieng provides an exhilarating combination of outdoor pursuits and breathtaking scenery. This town, which is surrounded by limestone karsts and caves, is a haven for thrill-seekers who prefer to go kayaking, rock climbing, and caving underground. Vang Vieng maintains a serene charm despite its reputation as an active destination, maintaining a harmony between adventure and calm. The Slow Pace of living: Laos' laid-back, leisurely pace of living is one of its most appealing features. Visitors experience a soothing pace where time seems to pass more slowly. Locals frequently extend real warmth and friendly grins to strangers, making visitors feel right at home. It is possible to have a true and authentic vacation experience without obvious commercialization. 5 must visit destination for adventure seeker Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra: A Serene Retreat Amidst the Western Ghats Finding Daman and Diu's Hidden Gems EASTON, Pa. Northampton County Council shot down a proposed health center for employees by a 5-4 vote after some members said questions about costs have not been fully addressed. County Executive Lamont McClure rejected that argument. "This County Council is a disaster under the new Republican majority," he said in an interview after the vote Thursday. "I am bitterly disappointed in County Council," he said. "We had an opportunity to save $10 million over five years of taxpayers' money and make employees' lives just a little bit better." The employee health center would have provided free primary care, X-rays, lab tests and other services to county employees and their dependents. Director of Fiscal Affairs Stephen Barron has worked on the project for three years, and reiterated Wednesday that providing an option on top of the employees' health insurance would save money. McClure's administration contended that the health center would have saved money by diverting employee visits to emergency rooms and private facilities. The chosen provider was Integrity Health of Hamilton, New Jersey, which operates clinics for counties and school districts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Council voted on a $3.72 million contract with Integrity Health for five years, or about $740,000 per year. The swing vote was cast by Council President Kerry Myers, who said that on Wednesday, he was leaning in favor of the idea. Myers took office as a Democrat before switching parties earlier this year, swaying the majority of the nine-member council to the Republican side. At the meeting Thursday, Myers said he did not see a big crowd of employees there supporting the center. Myers added that some employees have expressed concern about their health data being secure. The five votes against the health center were cast by Republicans Myers, Thomas Giovanni, John Goffredo and John Brown, along with Democrat Lori Vargo Heffner. In favor were three Democrats, including Council Vice President Ron Heckman, Kevin Lott and Tara Zrinski, and Republican John Cusick. Goffredo and Brown have consistently opposed the center. Brown has said it is a good deal for employees but not taxpayers, and Goffredo has spoken against government expanding into health. "I really struggled with this," Giovanni said. He said he discussed the issue with his wife Sharon, who has 49 years of experience in health care. "We need to teach people how to get preventive care," he said, before voting no. Vargo Heffner said details of the center were still not clear Thursday, including the location and some costs. "We kept hearing, 'This is the only option,'" Vargo Heffner said. She said there are choices besides Integrity Health. Vargo Heffner is an employee of St. Luke's University Health Network, and said Thursday that Council Solicitor Chris Spadoni said she had no conflict in the vote. Northampton County is already served by two big hospital chains, St. Luke's and Lehigh Valley Hospital Network an issue that has been raised by council. McClure, a Democrat, said in the interview that Giovanni's concerns could have been raised earlier and that Vargo Heffner's comments were not true. He added that he always thought the vote would be "touch and go," and said council "doesn't know what they're doing." Of those in favor of opening a health center for employees, Lott said increasing health costs could force the county into a difficult spot. "I don't want to raise taxes, and I don't want to pull back benefits from our employees," he said. Zrinski said an additional health option would help the county retain employees. Heckman agreed with Goffredo that starting pay is big problem in recruiting and keeping county workers. He and Cusick both said that the center could be evaluated at the end of the five-year deal. Council also voted to appoint Scott Parsons, a former councilmember and a county retiree, to serve the final five months of late Controller Richard "Bucky" Szulborski's term, and to approve a code of ethics proposed by McClure. PALMER TWP., Pa. - Police in Palmer Township, Northampton County, are warning residents of thefts reported from the drop box at the township's post office. "We have taken numerous reports of mail being stolen and checks being compromised from the United States Postal Service outside mail drop box located at 650 S. Greenwood Ave," police said. In wake of these thefts, police advise Palmer Township residents to drop off any mail containing checks inside the Greenwood Avenue post office. HEIDELBERG TWP., Pa. - Rhiannon Peters, Travis Frantz, and their twin girls love nature, which is part of the reason they moved into their Heidelberg Township home eight years ago. But what they didn't realize is that it already had some long-term residents: a colony of honeybees. "You can feel the vibration in your skin when you open up the door from all the buzzing when you walk out," said Frantz. "They've been there for like, 40 years. And I was like, oh, okay, so we did some research on having them removed," said Peters. The family quickly found out having bees removed can be costly and is not covered by most insurance policies. We caught up with Ty Kelius with T.D.K Contracting to find out what homeowners should do when honeybees move in. "We rescue honeybees, we go in and we cut them out," said Kelius. Kelius relocates rogue colonies like one that ended up in the eaves of a church. "Setting them up with their home, feeding them if we need to, if they're a weak hive, and we need to feed them sugar source we will," said Kelius. "If they don't have a queen, we'll provide them with a queen." Kelius cautions homeowners against killing honeybees, because that will attract more insects and create a more expensive situation. "We did one in Delaware, about two weeks ago that had thousands of larva. It was gross. Plus, it smells like you have a large dead rotting animal," said Kelius. Kelius says if you do opt for removal, make sure you go with an experienced company. He says honeybees aren't aggressive and don't typically cause damage to a structure, so if you don't want to spend the money, just let them be. Which is exactly what Frantz and Peters have decided to do for now. "We're roommates," said Peters. Homeowners in Warren County are being asked to report storm damage to a newly-launched website. The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management launched the site to help gather data on storm damage caused to homes by last weekends storms. Creators do say entering info in the site does not guarantee federal assistance. Please still report losses and needs to your local OEM officials. Please only report damages to residential properties. WASHINGTON A Philadelphia-area man pleaded guilty Thursday for his role in distributing medical devices without U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance, the Department of Justice announced. Peter Stoll III, 34, pleaded guilty to one felony count of violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by causing the introduction of misbranded and adulterated medical devices into interstate commerce, according to a news release from the DOJ. According to court documents, Stoll was a regulatory affairs specialist at a medical device manufacturer located in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and was responsible for making submissions to the FDA that were required before the company could sell its medical devices. B Braun's Allison Longenhagen, Manager of Corporate and Internal Communications, confirmed to 69 News that Stoll worked for one of B Braun's subsidiary companies, Aesculap, Inc. In pleading guilty, Stoll admitted that in 2017 he created two false letters that purported to show that FDA had granted clearance to sell two different medical devices, the DOJ said. As a result, the DOJ says the company illegally sold tens of thousands of dollars worth of medical devices throughout the United States. Stoll was responsible for shepherding two of the companys devices through the FDAs 510(k) clearance process: the ELAN-4 Air Drill, a high-speed surgical drill used for bone cutting, sawing, and drilling, and the JS Series SterilContainer S2, a reusable sterilization container for medical instruments, according to the news release. The DOJ says Stoll admitted that he never submitted any 510(k) documents to FDA regarding either device. Instead, Stoll created a fraudulent letter using FDA letterhead and bearing the forged digital signature of an FDA official that falsely stated that FDA had cleared the ELAN-4 Air to be marketed, according to the DOJ. Stoll later created another, similarly fraudulent letter on FDA letterhead for the SterilContainer JS Series medical device, the DOJ said. Subverting the FDA clearance process for medical devices can put patients lives at risk, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Departments Civil Division. The Department of Justice will work with its law enforcement partners to prosecute anyone who ignores their obligations regarding consumer safety. Stoll pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Edward G. Smith. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 7. He faces a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a one-year period of supervised release, a $250,000 fine and $100 special assessment, according to the DOJ. HAZLETON, Pa. - Thousands of friends and customers in the Hazleton community are petitioning for the return of a longtime restaurant owner. After entering the United States illegally more than 25 years ago, Ricardo Santos got snared in the immigration system by trying to legally obtain a green card. Now he's stuck in Mexico in a 10-year holding pattern. We met Santos' wife Jeimy Peres at the restaurant they own together in Hazleton, called J. Zapatas Taqueria. We spoke with both of them, with Santos joining virtually through a laptop. "It breaks my heart that I won't be able to be there with my family and my community," said Santos. Santos is stuck in Juarez, Mexico, and it all started with him trying to upgrade his immigration status from a work permit to a green card. "I want to be eligible to vote. I want to be eligible to go outside, to travel the states, the country, the world," said Santos. So, for the first time in his 35 years of being in the United States, Santos got a lawyer and began the process of becoming a permanent resident. In June he was told he could begin the final step in the process: a review of his case at the U.S. Consulate in Juarez. "We received a letter stating I am eligible to come to Ciudad Juarez to do the interview. I was so happy. I cried, my wife and I cried," said Santos. According to immigration attorney Ray Lahoud in Allentown, who is not affiliated with Santos' case, Santos was actually not eligible, thanks to him illegally crossing the border back in the 1990's. "If you enter the United States unlawfully, after having accrued unlawful presence days after April 1st of 1997, you're not eligible for the waiver that he went for," said Lahoud. "He shouldn't have left the U.S." So not only did Santos not get a green card, he had his work permit revoked as well, and under federal law, he can't reapply for 10 years. "He has just been given misinformation, mis-advice, throughout this process unfortunately. It's very sad," said Lahoud. It's also sad for his wife, who is now facing the prospect of raising their children alone. "I need him, because look, I can't do it by myself. I do my best, but it's not easy," said Peres. Thousands of people have now signed a petition calling for Santos to be allowed to reenter the country and return to his restaurant. But despite that support, Lahoud said the decision is unlikely to get overturned. "I just miss home. I just want to go back home," said Santos. Peres tells us she is renewing her passport so she can go visit her husband in Mexico, but she doesn't plan to stay because she wants to raise her children in the United States. KIDDER TWP., Pa. - A man who was arrested in Carbon County earlier this month is now facing murder charges in New York in the deaths of his mother and stepfather. Back on July 8, 31-year-old Anthony Lewis was seen walking along Interstate 80 in Kidder Township after a car accident. Police say he tried to run away from officers but was caught. They say Lewis refused to identify himself, but police figured out he was the suspect in a double-murder in Rotterdam, New York. Lewis is awaiting extradition to New York. U. MAKEFIELD TWP., Pa. - The search for two missing children - a 9-month-old and a 2-year-old swept away in floodwaters - continued Thursday in Bucks County. This time the search included Philadelphia Police K-9's, but there was no change in outcome. Upper Makefield Township Police say they will assess conditions again Friday morning to see if they can send divers into the water. Later in the evening, hundreds gathered to pray for the missing children and the five people who lost their lives in floodwaters. People sang, they held hands, they prayed, and they cried for those two children who people desperately want to find, and for the people who lost their lives, all while hoping something good can come out of this tragedy. Hearts were extremely heavy at The Crossing in Upper Makefield Township, but hopes of finding two missing children swept away in floodwaters were still high. "I'm confident that God knows where they are, and I'm just saying, 'Lord, nothing's hidden from You. Lord, find those babies and bring them home for the closure for this family,'" said Chaplain Chris Albe. That's 2-year-old Mattie Sheils and her little brother, 9-month-old Conrad. Their mother, Katie Seley, is among five people who lost their lives. Thursday night, some of their family sat front row in the church as people mourned their loss and the other victims. "Feeling the pain of a situation like this is the first step towards healing, and that's really what we want," said Senior Pastor George Clash. People pulled from the water were also among those in the crowd. "We thank God for your life," said Pastor Clash during the service. Attendees honored the first responders who saved them - and continue to search for Mattie and Conrad - with a standing ovation that didn't seem to end. Some say they believe it was fate that led those first responders to the church before the flooding came, to prevent more lives from being lost. "Lightning struck nearby, and that's why they call 911, and then all of a sudden, the flood happened, so they were here for that purpose," added Albe. "God sent them here to be here for this purpose at this time. God's timing." "Thankfully, Saturday night, we had two of our staff members here, who were able to let in the police as they rescued people, and I think rightfully so, because that's what we're here to do. We're here to serve this community, to be a light to our community, to be a place of refuge," added Clash. The Crossing is collecting donations for the families affected by the flooding. Clash says people can donate checks made out to The Crossing with a memo line of "Family Flood Relief." "Crossingumc" can also be texted to 77977. They're also inviting the community - anyone who is struggling, regardless of belief - to grieve at the church. Meantime, Upper Makefield Township Police tell us they are thankful for everyone's support and continue to ask for patience as traffic conditions are affected due to the ongoing search for Mattie and Conrad. PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. - A longtime beloved bowling alley in New Jersey is closing its doors. You only have until the end of the month to squeeze in a few games at Warren Lanes. A lot of locals are nostalgic as they hear this news. Warren Lanes is getting torn down, and going up is a QuickCheck. "Definitely good memories," said Evan Willey of Stewartsville. "Bumper bowling, birthday parties," said Alison Devitt of Holland Township. There's no doubt: Warren Lanes off Route 22 has been a staple to people in Phillipsburg and beyond. "We used to go bowling there all the time," said Raymond Smith of Phillipsburg. "She bowls there on Wednesdays with the school." "My friends, we would go there hanging out, sometimes family, just for a fun time bowling. Some of my friends are on the bowling team," said Willey. But after decades of fun, the bowling alley announced the final pins there will fall July 31. The owner thanked customers in a post on Facebook. "Really disappointing, especially since we have young adults in the household who are still looking for things to do," said Devitt. "They just knocked down the one in Hunterdon." "For people who enjoy bowling a lot, it's sad news," said Willey. Warren Lanes' lease was set to end this summer, and plans have been underway to develop the property into a QuickCheck. The town told us at the last preconstruction meeting, developers said they're determined to start demo in September. "They're taking away everything in this town, and they wonder why the kids are getting in trouble and stuff. They have nowhere to go," said Smith. Though, some argue there's only so much the town can do, since zoning allows for the construction of the convenience store and gas station. Phillipsburg's Mayor Todd Tersigni points out the town just opened a state-of-the-art pool this summer, and has almost raised the $2 million it needs for the Cal Ripken field of dreams at Walter Park. He adds other redevelopment projects are in the works, too. When the land use board gave the project the green light, planners said the QuickCheck would employ 40 to 50 workers. 69 News reached out to the owner of Warren Lanes Thursday for an interview and to get a peek inside before everything shuts down, but did not hear back. Four killed in Russian strike against infrastructure object in Zaporizhzhya Oblast 21 July, 11:34 AM Consequences of one of the Russian attacks on the Zaporizhzhia Oblast (Photo:Head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration Yurii Malashko via Telegram/Handout via REUTERS) Russian military forces have shelled an infrastructure object in the Polohivskyi District of Zaporizhzhya Oblast on July 20, Yuriy Malashko, the governor of Zaporizhzhya Oblast, reported on Telegram on July 21. As a result of the attack, four employees of the facility aged 29, 30, 33, and 43 lost their lives. Additionally, two others were wounded and have been hospitalized. Within the past 24 hours, a total of 80 Russian strikes were recorded across 20 populated areas in Zaporizhzhya Oblast. Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ 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. 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Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News BERLIN (AP) Authorities determined on Friday that there is no acute danger to people in an area on the edge of Berlin where a potentially dangerous animal was spotted, saying they no longer believe that a lioness is at large and calling off the hunt. A search turned up no sign of such a predator and experts who analyzed a video have concluded that it was likely a wild boar, they said. Police were first alerted to the animal in Kleinmachnow, just outside Berlins city limits, around midnight on Wednesday when people reported what appeared to be a big cat chasing a wild boar. The informants also provided the video. Based on that and a subsequent sighting of their own, police initially concluded that the animal was apparently a lioness. But it proved elusive in searches Thursday and Friday in the flat, wooded area on the boundary between Berlin and the surrounding state of Brandenburg. Several reported sightings went unconfirmed; in one case on Friday, police only found a family of wild boars. On Friday, police thoroughly combed woodland on both sides of the state boundary and found no indication at all of a lioness, any wild animal other than wild boars which are common in the area or an animal that had been killed, Kleinmachnow Mayor Michael Grubert told reporters. Officials also had experts analyze the video and compare the animal that was depicted with the body structure of a lioness, Grubert added. Two experts concluded independently of each other that this isn't a lioness or a wild animal and that the creature tends toward a wild boar," he said, adding that the rounded back and thick legs of the animal shown in the poorly lit video did not fit with it being a lioness. We will return to the usual vigilant program and we think there is no acute danger for Kleinmachnow or for the south of Berlin, the mayor said, adding that police would be able to step back up straight away if the situation changes. Grubert defended the large, 36-hour deployment, in which helicopters, drones and infrared cameras were used and vets and hunters participated, as appropriate. The danger of a wild animal in Kleinmachnow justifies the deployment, he said, adding that he would act the same way if I were in the situation today. There was no immediate word on the cost of the operation. NEW YORK (AP) Pink sauce on that Burger King burger? What about "Barbie-fying" your pet with sweaters and beds with Barbie motifs? If that's too low-brow, perhaps you'd be interested in hot pink Barbie monogrammed knit leggings by luxury designer Balmain instead, selling at Neiman Marcus for a cool $2,150. Welcome to the wonderful and weird world of "Barbie" movie marketing. Ahead of Friday's U.S. release of the "Barbie" movie, parent company Mattel has created a product marketing blitz with more than 100 brands plastering pink everywhere. There are pink benches at bus stops and pink clothing displayed in store windows. Microsoft's XBox has come up with a Barbie console series and HGTV is hosting a four-part Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge. And then there are all the unofficial collaborators trying to grab a piece of the Barbie craze. Restaurants across the country are offering special pink cocktails, while interior decorators are showing options like vibrant pink backsplashes to "Barbiefy" your kitchen. Even the organization I Support the Girls a nonprofit that has provided 22 million bras and menstrual hygiene products to homeless people, refugees and immigrants is creating a social media campaign around menstrual periods using Barbie and having volunteers create miniature packages of Barbie-sized menstrual pads and tampons as teaching tools. "The capability to share stories and knowledge through playing with Barbie is what made us realize we need to jump on this pop culture Barbie bandwagon," said Dana Marlowe, founder and executive of I Support the Girls. "If you can see yourself in a toy or in a doll, we want to also make sure that we're raising awareness about bras and clean underwear and the like." Some experts say all the marketing beyond the movie is only good for the 64-year-old brand, helping to attract multi-generations of fans. "When a brand owns something as iconic as the color pink, it's good news and bad news," said Marc Rosenberg, a Chicago-based toy consultant who led the global marketing teams for Hasbro's brands like Furby, GigaPets, and Hit Clips. "In this case, I think it's all good news. Everyone in the world wants a piece of pink now." But pundits also say it's going to be hard for many of the products to stand out when the world is awash in pink. "There is such a stampede toward this that most people are going to get stepped on and will not be noticed," said Allen Adamson, co-founder of marketing consultancy Metaforce, noting he believes there will be more losers than winners. For some shoppers like Hollie Krause of Mahwah, New Jersey, Barbie pink blitz that ramped up since June is already getting too much. Krause, 31, said that she loved her Barbie dolls growing up and had about 20 of them along with a Barbie Dreamhouse. So when some of the merchandise started to roll in earlier this year, she bought Barbie-themed pajamas, a Barbie T-shirt, Barbie-trademarked pink lemonade, along with some other pink outfits. Now she's feeling overwhelmed. "Barbie is supposed to be for everyone, but these nostalgic collaborations should feel a little bit more unique or a little bit more creative," said Krause, who plans to focus on limited edition items. Barbie's first live action movie, an homage to the doll with some biting satire, comes at a time when Barbie sales have been up and down after slumping from 2012 to 2015, when it faced stiff competition from other dolls and was under attack for pushing unrealistic beauty standards to girls and lost some relevance. It enjoyed a big bump in sales during the depths of the pandemic when parents were looking to entertain their children. Barbie now accounts for one-third of Mattel's revenue and it has been diversifying the dolls with more skin tones and versions with prosthetic legs, wheelchairs and hearing aids. This year, it unveiled its first Down Syndrome doll. As a result, according to market research firm Circana, Barbie has remained the top fashion doll for the past four years starting in 2019 and through June of this year in the U.S. as well in the combined 12 countries that Circana tracks. So far, product marketing around the movie has done well. Mattel's Barbie that was specifically made for the movie and is dressed in a pink gingham dress, is No. 1 in sales for dolls and for the pre-school dolls and dollhouse category sold on Amazon, according to the retailer's website. Neiman Marcus noted that it launched its exclusive Barbie collaboration with Balmain last year and sold out of many items in the first few days. Based on the success of last year's collaboration and the current Barbiecore cultural phenomenon, it has reissued the collection starting July 10, the retailer said. Then there's the mixed social media reviews for the "Pink Burger" offered by Burger King's franchisee in Brazil. It's offering a slice of melted cheese, bacon and a smoky-flavored hot pink sauce. The Pink Burger comes in a Barbie Combo, which also features French fries (dubbed "Ken's Potatoes"), a pink shake and a pink-frosted donut. "Has BK completely lost its creativity or is just too lazy to think of something better?" said one comment on Burger King Brazil's Instagram account. Restaurant Brands noted it is a limited-time partnership sold exclusively in the Brazil market and will not be available in the United States nor elsewhere. ____ WASHINGTON (AP) The deadly crash of a Marine V-22 Osprey in California last year was caused by mechanical failure, according to an investigation that ruled out pilot and maintenance errors. The more than 400-page report released on Friday concluded that the Marines were doing routine flight operations when a catastrophic, unpreventable and unanticipated mechanical failure occurred. The Osprey crashed in a remote area near Glamis, about 115 miles (185 kilometers) east of San Diego. Five Marines died in the crash: Two pilots, Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio, 31, of Rockingham, New Hampshire, and Capt. John J. Sax, 33, of Placer, California; and three crew chiefs, Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson, 21, of Winnebago, Illinois; Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson, 21, of Johnson, Wyoming, and Lance Cpl. Evan A. Strickland, 19, of Valencia, New Mexico. The tragedy of this event is impossible to capture in words, said Maj. Gen. Bradford Gering, who was commander of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, in a memo attached to the report. It is clear from the investigation that there was nothing the crew of SWIFT 11 could have done to anticipate or prevent this aviation mishap. The report also ruled out any issues with weather, birds or other external factors. And it concluded that there should be no disciplinary actions or administrative actions against any Marines. According to the investigation, the specific cause of the crash was a dual hard clutch engagement" that led to engine failure. The report said the V-22 program office has worked to fix the clutch problems. Col. Brian Taylor, a program manager, said while the root cause of the clutch failure hasn't been identified, a number of changes and equipment replacements have reduced the risk of it recurring by 99%, but have not eliminated it. The report notes there were no direct witnesses to the accident in June 2022, and due to the fiery crash, the data recorder was not recovered. As of April 2022, the Marine Corps and Navy had logged a total of 422,165 flight hours on the Osprey since 2012. The report said there have been five fatal crashes of Marine Ospreys since 2012, causing a total of 16 deaths. The investigation also found that since 2010 there have been 16 similar clutch problems with the Marine Ospreys in flight. In February 2023 the Marine Corps began replacing a piece of equipment on the aircraft, and there have been no similar problems since then. The Osprey is a hybrid aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter, but during flight it can rotate its propellers to a horizontal position and cruise like an airplane. Versions of the aircraft are flown by the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. LONDON (AP) Voters weary of economic pain and political turmoil handed Britain's governing Conservatives two thumping defeats Friday in a trio of special elections that point toward likely defeat for the party in the next national election. The Conservatives avoided a wipeout by holding onto former premier Boris Johnson 's seat in suburban London a sliver of comfort for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's party. Sunak said the results showed that the next general election, due by the end of 2024, was not a done deal. But elections expert John Curtice said the Conservatives were "in a deep electoral hole" after the main opposition Labour Party and the smaller centrist Liberal Democrats overturned huge Conservative majorities to win a seat apiece. The three results show the Conservatives losing ground across a broad range of voters: suburban Londoners, smalltown-dwellers in the north of England and rural residents in the southwest. If replicated at a general election, the results would see Labour become the biggest single party, possibly with an overall majority. We hear that cry for change away from the chaos, away from those rising bills, the crumbling public services a cry for change and we will deliver," Labour leader Keir Starmer said alongside the partys 25-year-old winning candidate, Keir Mather, in the northern seat of Selby and Ainsty. The first time weve won here is the first time weve overturned a 20,000 majority, the biggest majority weve ever turned over in the history of the Labour Party," Starmer added. The Liberal Democrats took the rural seat of Somerton and Frome in southwest England with a similarly large swing away from the Conservatives. The people of Somerton and Frome have spoken for the rest of the country who are fed up with Rishi Sunaks out-of-touch Conservative government, said Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey. He congratulated candidate Sarah Dyke beside a confetti-firing mock circus cannon emblazoned get these clowns out of No. 10," the prime minister's 10 Downing St. residence. The Conservatives won Uxbridge and South Ruislip in west London by 495 votes down from a majority of 7,000 under Johnson after a campaign that focused on an unpopular local green levy imposed by London's Labour mayor. Sunak headed straight to the scene of his party's sole electoral success and noted that governments often find midterm elections difficult. The message I take away is that weve got to double down, stick to our plan and deliver for people," he said during a visit to a cafe in the constituency. The defeats dont mean a change of government, since the Conservatives still have a chunky majority in the House of Commons. But they confirm the trend of opinion polls, which for months have given Labour a lead of up to 20% nationwide over the Conservatives, who have been in power since 2010. The two defeats also showed electors voting tactically, backing the party most likely to defeat the Conservative candidate. That will leave many Conservative lawmakers rattled ahead of a national vote. Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London, said it was tempting "for Conservative spin doctors to emphasize Uxbridge and the result that they got there. But I think really they will be deluding themselves if they think that that bodes well for the next general election. The right-of-center governing party has been plagued by the fallout from the tumultuous terms of Johnson and his successor Liz Truss, who quit within weeks after her plan for unfunded tax cuts alarmed financial markets, worsening a a cost-of-living crisis and sending mortgage costs soaring. Johnson triggered one of the special elections when he quit as a lawmaker last month, almost a year after resigning as prime minister, when a standards watchdog concluded hed lied to Parliament about lawbreaking parties in his office during the coronavirus pandemic. The former lawmaker in Selby, a Johnson ally, followed him out the door, while the legislator in Somerton resigned amid sex and drugs allegations. The bruising defeats make it likely that Sunak will shake up his government with a Cabinet shuffle when Parliament returns from its summer recess in September. Under Britain's parliamentary system, Sunak can call a national election whenever he feels the time is right, though it must be within five years of the last one, held in December 2019. There are also questions for Starmer, who has been cautious in laying out his plans for government, to the frustration of some Labour supporters. Labour's defeat in Uxbridge will likely stoke concern over Mayor Sadiq Khan's plan to expand an anti-pollution zone first introduced when Johnson was mayor to outer boroughs of London, slapping a daily emissions charge on older gas and diesel vehicles. Starmer acknowledged the levy was the reason Labour lost in Uxbridge. He said the mayor needs to reflect. And its too early to say what should happen next. Bale said Labour will worry a little bit, since much of the partys economic message is built around green issues." But he said the Conservatives should be more concerned, because many voters who backed them in 2019 had become disillusioned. We got used to the idea that somehow there was this big realignment in British politics and the Conservatives were capable of winning seats where they werent before," he said. I think the Conservatives now should be quite worried SEOUL, South Korea (AP) A pink phone. A New York mission. Swedish diplomats. A North-South Korean hotline. The United States and reclusive North Korea have no diplomatic ties but they still have ways to contact each other. An American official said Wednesday that the U.S. government had reached out to the North as it tries to discuss a U.S. soldier who dashed into North Korea during a tour of a border area this week. The North has not yet responded, according to the U.S. Here's a look at possible channels the rivals could use to discuss Pvt. Travis King, the first American held in North Korea in nearly five years. PINK PHONE One of the most reliable ways for the U.S. to reach North Korea is via a light pink-colored, touch-tone phone at the U.S.-led U.N. Command at the Korean border village of Panmunjom, the place where King bolted into the North on Tuesday. The telephone line connects the liaison officers from each side whose offices are reportedly only 40 meters (130 feet) apart. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Wednesday that the Pentagon reached out to its counterparts in the Norths Korean Peoples Army but those communications have not yet been answered. Miller didnt elaborate. But observers say the U.S. likely used the pink phone. In January, the U.N. Command tweeted that it had maintained "24/7/365" contact with the North's army throughout 2022. "Talking via the pink phone, we passed 98 messages & held twice-daily line checks for timely & meaningful information exchange, it said. Moon Seong Mook, a retired South Korean brigadier general, said North Korean liaison officers appear to not be answering the calls made by the U.N. Command at the order of their higher-ups. When North Korea previously suspended that telephone line, U.N. officers used a megaphone, Moon said. The exact motive for Kings border crossing is unclear. He was convicted of assault in South Korea and could be discharged from the military. NEW YORK MISSION Miller said the U.S. retains a number of channels to send messages to North Korea. One of those is North Koreas mission to the U.N. in New York that has provided a back-channel negotiation option for the two countries, serving as a kind of substitute embassy since they don't have embassies in each others capitals. Despite the exchange of crude insults and threats of total destruction in 2017, the two countries used this New York channel to discuss the fate of Americans held in North Korea and the overall bilateral relationship. At the start of their second summit in Vietnam in 2019, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and then-President Donald Trump both supported the opening of a U.S. liaison office in Pyongyang, but the idea was shelved after their diplomacy broke down. SWEDISH EMBASSY Sweden, which does have relations with the North and an embassy in Pyongyang, has offered consular services for U.S. citizens, including those who had been detained in North Korea on charges of illegally entering the country or engaging in espionage acts. Miller said State Department officials have reached out to Sweden on Kings case. But a mediator role for Sweden could be complicated by the fact that its diplomats based in Pyongyang reportedly havent returned to the North since leaving the country due to its severe COVID-19 restrictions in 2020. Still, experts say the Norths Embassy in Sweden could be a channel for communications. OTHER HOTLINES The rival Koreas have a set of phone and fax channels of their own to set up meetings, arrange border crossings and avoid accidental military clashes. But North Korea has been unresponsive to South Korean attempts to exchange messages via those channels since April at a time of heightened animosities over the Norths nuclear program. Kim Yeol Soo, an expert at South Koreas Korea Institute for Military Affairs, said communication could happen via a hotline between the two Koreas spy agencies. That line was reportedly previously active when others stalled. South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Thursday that Seoul and Washington were in contact, without elaborating. PROSPECTS Kim, the expert, said North Korea wont respond to the U.S. outreach until it completes its investigation of King, and that will likely take at least two weeks. After the investigation, he said that a protracted negotiation between the U.S. State Department and the North Korean Foreign Ministry is expected. While Kings custody could provide North Korea with a tool to wrest diplomatic concessions from the U.S., the country would also find it difficult to detain a low-ranking solider without much high-profile intelligence on the U.S. for an extended period, Moon said. If he expresses his hopes to return home, it would be burdensome for North Korea to hold him but they would still try to reach a deal with the U.S. to get what it wants, Moon, now an analyst with the Seoul-based Korea Research Institute for National Strategy, said. In the past, North Korea released U.S. civilian detainees after high-profile Americans such as former presidents travelled to Pyongyang to win their freedoms. Kim said similar steps could be required in King's case. Kings entry to North Korea is an embarrassment to the U.S., said Chun In-bum, a retired lieutenant general who commanded South Koreas special forces, noting that it came the same day that the United States took major steps toward boosting its security commitment to South Korea. It deployed a nuclear-armed submarine to South Korea for the first time in four decades and held the inaugural meeting of a bilateral nuclear consultative body with South Korea. North Korea test-fired two missiles on Wednesday, apparently in response. The news of the nuclear submarine and the nuclear consultative body were both buried by him, said Chun. Germany transfers first batch of Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine 21 July, 03:03 PM Leopard 1 tank (Photo:Wikipedia) Germany has supplied the first ten Leopard 1A5 battle tanks to Ukraine, according to the updated official list of military assistance for Ukraine. The recent military aid package also includes the following: 20 MG3 machine gun set for Leopard 2s and other armored vehicles; 1,035 rounds 155mm ammunition; 2,064 rounds 155mm smoke ammunition; ten ground surveillance radars; four border protection vehicles; 16 trucks Zetros; 100 first aid kits; 80 reconnaissance drones RQ-35 HEIDRUN. Video of day Earlier, Danish acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said that 80 German-made Leopard 1 battle tanks, to be transferred to Ukraine jointly by Germany and Denmark, will be ready for use by June 1. He said that Denmark, together with Germany and the Netherlands, aimed to donate at least 100 tanks to Ukraine. On Feb. 7, the German federal government approved the supply of 178 Leopard 1A5 tanks 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. Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News Shares of FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. (CVE:FLY Get Free Report) crossed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of C$0.88 and traded as high as C$0.88. FLYHT Aerospace Solutions shares last traded at C$0.88, with a volume of 1,000 shares. FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Stock Up 3.4 % The firms 50-day moving average price is C$0.88 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$0.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 219.82, a quick ratio of 1.41 and a current ratio of 1.41. The firm has a market cap of C$35.32 million, a PE ratio of -22.00 and a beta of 1.43. Get FLYHT Aerospace Solutions alerts: FLYHT Aerospace Solutions (CVE:FLY Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 10th. The company reported C($0.04) EPS for the quarter. FLYHT Aerospace Solutions had a negative return on equity of 37.92% and a negative net margin of 5.83%. The company had revenue of C$4.76 million for the quarter. As a group, equities research analysts expect that FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. will post -0.05 EPS for the current fiscal year. FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Company Profile FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Ltd. provides real-time communications with aircrafts for the aerospace industry. It offers AFIRS, an automated flight information reporting system that is an aircraft satcom/interface device, which enables cockpit voice communications, real-time aircraft state analysis, and the transmission of aircraft data while inflight; TAMDAR, a tropospheric airborne meteorological data reporting system that deliver airborne weather and humidity data in real-time; FLYHT-WVSS-II, a mounted aircraft sensor that detects and reports water vapour; AFIRS Edge, provides AID functions to supply aircraft's data to the flight deck for EFB applications; FleetWatch, offers configurable fleet situational awareness platform; FuelSense, provides insight to an airline's management and usage of fuel; and ClearPort, a clear view into the status of an aircraft. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for FLYHT Aerospace Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FLYHT Aerospace Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. IGM Financial Inc. (OTCMKTS:IGIFF Get Free Report) shares crossed above its fifty day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a fifty day moving average of $29.73 and traded as high as $31.40. IGM Financial shares last traded at $31.40, with a volume of 200 shares traded. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the company. TD Securities raised IGM Financial from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of IGM Financial from C$47.00 to C$49.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on shares of IGM Financial from C$46.00 to C$44.00 in a report on Friday, May 5th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of IGM Financial from C$50.00 to C$49.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Get IGM Financial alerts: IGM Financial Price Performance The firms 50 day simple moving average is $29.77 and its 200-day simple moving average is $30.11. IGM Financial Cuts Dividend About IGM Financial The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a dividend of $0.4127 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a dividend yield of 5.31%. IGM Financials dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 67.85%. (Get Free Report) IGM Financial Inc operates as a wealth and asset management company in Canada. It operates through Wealth Management, Asset Management, and Strategic Investments and Other segments. The company offers financial advisory services; and IG Living Plan that provides financial planning services, such as investment vehicles, insurance products, mortgage and banking solutions, and charitable giving program. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for IGM Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for IGM Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its position in shares of Raytheon Technologies Co. (NYSE:RTX Free Report) by 3.6% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 120,247 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 4,172 shares during the quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltds holdings in Raytheon Technologies were worth $11,776,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of RTX. Lincoln National Corp lifted its position in Raytheon Technologies by 1.4% during the first quarter. Lincoln National Corp now owns 37,204 shares of the companys stock worth $3,643,000 after buying an additional 514 shares during the period. Narwhal Capital Management grew its holdings in Raytheon Technologies by 13.7% in the first quarter. Narwhal Capital Management now owns 129,875 shares of the companys stock valued at $12,719,000 after purchasing an additional 15,677 shares during the period. Valmark Advisers Inc. increased its position in Raytheon Technologies by 1.6% during the first quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 12,466 shares of the companys stock worth $1,221,000 after purchasing an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. Centric Wealth Management boosted its holdings in shares of Raytheon Technologies by 14.1% in the 1st quarter. Centric Wealth Management now owns 4,312 shares of the companys stock valued at $422,000 after purchasing an additional 534 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ieq Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Raytheon Technologies by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 48,903 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,789,000 after buying an additional 1,362 shares during the period. 78.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Raytheon Technologies alerts: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades RTX has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group cut Raytheon Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating and reduced their target price for the company from $115.00 to $110.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com began coverage on Raytheon Technologies in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Susquehanna raised their price target on shares of Raytheon Technologies from $116.00 to $117.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on shares of Raytheon Technologies from $106.00 to $115.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, Wolfe Research raised shares of Raytheon Technologies from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $117.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $111.88. Raytheon Technologies Stock Performance Shares of RTX stock opened at $95.57 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 0.85. The companys fifty day moving average price is $96.60 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $98.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $139.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.49, a P/E/G ratio of 2.32 and a beta of 0.99. Raytheon Technologies Co. has a 12 month low of $80.27 and a 12 month high of $108.84. Raytheon Technologies (NYSE:RTX Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported $1.22 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.13 by $0.09. Raytheon Technologies had a return on equity of 9.81% and a net margin of 8.08%. The business had revenue of $17.21 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $16.98 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.15 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up 9.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Raytheon Technologies Co. will post 5.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Raytheon Technologies Announces Dividend The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 7th. Investors of record on Friday, August 18th will be paid a $0.59 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 17th. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.47%. Raytheon Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.93%. Raytheon Technologies Company Profile (Free Report) Raytheon Technologies Corporation, an aerospace and defense company, provides systems and services for the commercial, military, and government customers worldwide. It operates through four segments: Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Raytheon Intelligence & Space, and Raytheon Missiles & Defense. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RTX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Raytheon Technologies Co. (NYSE:RTX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Raytheon Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Raytheon Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kyiv streamlines drone ammunition production 21 July, 09:45 PM The government expects the number of producers to increase many times over (Photo:The drone army / facebook) The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a resolution that cuts red tape and eases legal restrictions for companies that produce UAV components and ammunition in Ukraine, according to a July 21 government press release. The resolution is expected to stimulate the formation of a market and mass production of munitions in Ukraine in order to quickly and effectively meet the needs of the Armed Forces. Previously, munition production was complicated and difficult to legally set up. New manufacturers hardly appeared on the market previously because it took about a year to get munitions approved for operation, the message said. Video of day Many legal procedures had to be followed, including collecting documents, obtaining licenses, and passing inspections. The approved resolution eliminates these bureaucratic procedures and simplifies domestic production. The government expects the number of manufacturers to multiply as a result. Previously, the Defense Ministry announced that it had deployed 28 models of domestically produced UAVs since Feb. 22, 2022. Thousands of units have been transferred to the Armed Forces as part of the ministry's procurement efforts. Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much. Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News ABB (NYSE:ABBNY Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The industrial products company reported $0.49 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.50 by ($0.01), MarketWatch Earnings reports. ABB had a return on equity of 23.19% and a net margin of 9.58%. The firm had revenue of $8.16 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.47 billion. ABB Stock Up 1.3 % Shares of NYSE:ABBNY traded up $0.52 during trading on Friday, reaching $40.24. 168,921 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,232,014. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $37.96 and a 200 day simple moving average of $35.13. The firm has a market cap of $75.73 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.79, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.80 and a beta of 1.11. ABB has a 1-year low of $24.27 and a 1-year high of $40.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. Get ABB alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Money Concepts Capital Corp bought a new position in shares of ABB during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new position in ABB during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in ABB by 225.5% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,224 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $42,000 after acquiring an additional 848 shares during the last quarter. Compass Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in ABB during the 4th quarter worth $46,000. Finally, Salem Investment Counselors Inc. lifted its position in ABB by 62.7% during the 2nd quarter. Salem Investment Counselors Inc. now owns 1,742 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 671 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 5.02% of the companys stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets ABB Company Profile Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of ABB in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a strong-buy rating for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, ABB presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $29.17. (Get Free Report) ABB Ltd manufactures and sells electrification, automation, robotics, and motion products for customers in utilities, industry and transport, and infrastructure in Switzerland and internationally. Its Electrification segment provides electric vehicle charging infrastructure, renewable power solutions, modular substation packages, distribution automation products, switchboards and panel boards, switchgears, UPS solutions, circuit breakers, measuring and sensing devices, control products, wiring accessories, enclosures and cabling systems, and intelligent home and building solutions. Read More Receive News & Ratings for ABB Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ABB and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE:AYI Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,600,000 shares, a growth of 9.2% from the June 15th total of 2,380,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 359,800 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 7.2 days. Currently, 8.4% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Quadrant Capital Group LLC raised its position in Acuity Brands by 87.3% in the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 148 shares of the electronics makers stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Acuity Brands by 1,192.3% during the 1st quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 168 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 155 shares during the last quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC bought a new stake in shares of Acuity Brands during the 4th quarter valued at $33,000. Dark Forest Capital Management LP bought a new stake in shares of Acuity Brands during the 1st quarter valued at $41,000. Finally, Ellevest Inc. raised its position in shares of Acuity Brands by 35.5% during the 4th quarter. Ellevest Inc. now owns 267 shares of the electronics makers stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 70 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.56% of the companys stock. Get Acuity Brands alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Acuity Brands from $193.00 to $180.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $210.00 price objective on shares of Acuity Brands in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group decreased their price objective on Acuity Brands from $201.00 to $173.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. SpectralCast reaffirmed a reiterates rating on shares of Acuity Brands in a report on Friday, June 30th. Finally, UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Acuity Brands from $180.00 to $170.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $189.14. Acuity Brands Trading Down 1.2 % Acuity Brands Dividend Announcement AYI stock traded down $1.99 during trading on Friday, hitting $164.70. The company had a trading volume of 153,586 shares, compared to its average volume of 334,099. The company has a quick ratio of 1.61, a current ratio of 2.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $161.31 and a 200-day moving average price of $171.28. Acuity Brands has a 12 month low of $149.30 and a 12 month high of $202.90. The stock has a market cap of $5.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.35, a PEG ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.57. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 18th will be given a $0.13 dividend. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.32%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, July 17th. Acuity Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.48%. Acuity Brands Company Profile (Get Free Report) Acuity Brands, Inc provides lighting and building management solutions in North America and internationally. The company operates through two segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL); and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG). The ABL segment provides commercial, architectural, and specialty lighting solutions, as well as lighting controls and components for various indoor and outdoor applications under the Lithonia Lighting, Holophane, Peerless, Gotham, Mark Architectural Lighting, Winona Lighting, Juno, Indy, Aculux, Healthcare Lighting, Hydrel, American Electric Lighting, Sunoptics, eldoLED, nLight, Sensor Switch, IOTA, A-Light, Cyclone, Eureka, Lumniaire LED, Luminis, Dark to Light, RELOC Wiring Solutions, and OPTOTRONIC brands. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Acuity Brands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Acuity Brands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Adtalem Global Education Inc. (NYSE:ATGE Get Free Report) saw a large drop in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,260,000 shares, a drop of 15.4% from the June 15th total of 1,490,000 shares. Approximately 3.0% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 348,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.6 days. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research firms have commented on ATGE. TheStreet raised shares of Adtalem Global Education from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. BMO Capital Markets raised shares of Adtalem Global Education from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $44.00 target price for the company in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Adtalem Global Education in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a strong-buy rating for the company. Get Adtalem Global Education alerts: Adtalem Global Education Trading Up 0.5 % Shares of NYSE ATGE traded up $0.20 during trading on Friday, hitting $42.02. 223,425 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 301,131. Adtalem Global Education has a 1 year low of $33.59 and a 1 year high of $44.40. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $39.32 and a 200-day moving average price of $38.97. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.90, a P/E/G ratio of 0.62 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. Insider Activity Adtalem Global Education ( NYSE:ATGE Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $1.13 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.92 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $369.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $354.47 million. Adtalem Global Education had a net margin of 5.54% and a return on equity of 13.67%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 1.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.87 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Adtalem Global Education will post 4.12 EPS for the current year. In related news, Director Lisa W. Wardell sold 71,400 shares of Adtalem Global Education stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.45, for a total transaction of $2,888,130.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 180,034 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,282,375.30. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, Director Lisa W. Wardell sold 7,940 shares of Adtalem Global Education stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $41.24, for a total transaction of $327,445.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 275,528 shares in the company, valued at approximately $11,362,774.72. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Lisa W. Wardell sold 71,400 shares of Adtalem Global Education stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $40.45, for a total value of $2,888,130.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 180,034 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,282,375.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 3.30% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Adtalem Global Education Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System lifted its holdings in shares of Adtalem Global Education by 8.0% during the 2nd quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 22,900 shares of the companys stock valued at $786,000 after acquiring an additional 1,700 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Adtalem Global Education by 96.4% during the 2nd quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 4,495 shares of the companys stock valued at $154,000 after acquiring an additional 2,206 shares in the last quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Adtalem Global Education by 7.2% during the 2nd quarter. Clear Creek Financial Management LLC now owns 9,466 shares of the companys stock valued at $325,000 after acquiring an additional 634 shares in the last quarter. Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Adtalem Global Education during the 2nd quarter valued at $254,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in Adtalem Global Education by 39.7% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 98,593 shares of the companys stock worth $3,806,000 after buying an additional 28,018 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.85% of the companys stock. About Adtalem Global Education (Get Free Report) Adtalem Global Education Inc provides workforce solutions worldwide. It operates through three segments, Chamberlain, Walden, and Medical and Veterinary. The Chamberlain segment offers degree and non-degree programs in the nursing and health professions postsecondary education industry. This segment operates Chamberlain University. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Adtalem Global Education Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Adtalem Global Education and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Amalgamated Bank grew its holdings in The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report) by 1.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 287,650 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 3,836 shares during the quarter. Amalgamated Banks holdings in Southern were worth $20,015,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of SO. Bell Investment Advisors Inc raised its stake in shares of Southern by 127.6% during the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 421 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 236 shares in the last quarter. Horizon Bancorp Inc. IN bought a new position in shares of Southern during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. VitalStone Financial LLC bought a new position in shares of Southern during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. bought a new position in shares of Southern during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Finally, Bourgeon Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Southern by 192.0% during the 4th quarter. Bourgeon Capital Management LLC now owns 511 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 336 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 63.25% of the companys stock. Get Southern alerts: Southern Stock Performance Shares of NYSE SO opened at $71.07 on Friday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $70.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $69.67. The Southern Company has a 1 year low of $58.85 and a 1 year high of $80.57. The company has a market capitalization of $77.49 billion, a PE ratio of 22.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.87 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.69. Southern Dividend Announcement Southern ( NYSE:SO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $6.48 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.14 billion. Southern had a net margin of 11.53% and a return on equity of 10.78%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.97 earnings per share. On average, research analysts predict that The Southern Company will post 3.6 earnings per share for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 21st will be given a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.94%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 18th. Southerns dividend payout ratio is presently 90.32%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Southern news, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.05, for a total transaction of $700,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 28,691 shares in the company, valued at $2,009,804.55. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Southern news, EVP Bryan D. Anderson sold 9,491 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $75.03, for a total transaction of $712,109.73. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 36,119 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,710,008.57. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, insider David P. Poroch sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.05, for a total transaction of $700,500.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 28,691 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,009,804.55. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 205,678 shares of company stock worth $14,881,721. Company insiders own 0.37% of the companys stock. Analyst Ratings Changes SO has been the topic of several research analyst reports. VNET Group reissued a maintains rating on shares of Southern in a research report on Friday, April 28th. StockNews.com raised shares of Southern from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 17th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Southern from a buy rating to a conviction-buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on shares of Southern from $73.00 to $69.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 8th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on shares of Southern from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $73.57. Southern Company Profile (Free Report) The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It operates through three segments: Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Amalgamated Bank lowered its position in shares of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX Free Report) by 1.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 367,517 shares of the natural resource companys stock after selling 4,167 shares during the quarter. Amalgamated Banks holdings in Freeport-McMoRan were worth $15,035,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in FCX. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 131.5% during the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 10,414,862 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $395,765,000 after purchasing an additional 5,916,905 shares in the last quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 25.5% during the 4th quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 10,009,746 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $380,411,000 after purchasing an additional 2,032,476 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 2,954.8% during the 1st quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,951,565 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $78,843,000 after purchasing an additional 1,887,680 shares in the last quarter. Amundi raised its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 13.8% during the 4th quarter. Amundi now owns 13,496,129 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $611,468,000 after purchasing an additional 1,637,605 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Assenagon Asset Management S.A. raised its stake in shares of Freeport-McMoRan by 1,057.1% during the 1st quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 1,607,292 shares of the natural resource companys stock worth $65,754,000 after purchasing an additional 1,468,380 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.35% of the companys stock. Get Freeport-McMoRan alerts: Freeport-McMoRan Stock Performance NYSE:FCX opened at $41.89 on Friday. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $38.12 and its 200 day simple moving average is $39.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $60.04 billion, a PE ratio of 23.40 and a beta of 2.01. 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. Freeport-McMoRan Dividend Announcement Freeport-McMoRan ( NYSE:FCX Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 20th. The natural resource company reported $0.35 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.36 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $5.74 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.61 billion. Freeport-McMoRan had a net margin of 12.07% and a return on equity of 11.07%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $0.58 earnings per share. On average, analysts anticipate that Freeport-McMoRan Inc. will post 1.62 EPS for the current fiscal year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be given a $0.15 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.43%. Freeport-McMoRans dividend payout ratio is presently 16.76%. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In FCX has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Raymond James dropped their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $48.00 to $47.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Sunday, April 23rd. StockNews.com cut Freeport-McMoRan from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, June 9th. Barclays increased their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $24.00 to $29.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Freeport-McMoRan from $35.00 to $38.50 in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. Finally, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM restated an initiates rating on shares of Freeport-McMoRan in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $39.27. Insider Buying and Selling at Freeport-McMoRan In other news, Director Sara Grootwassink Lewis bought 4,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, May 12th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $34.90 per share, for a total transaction of $139,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 17,800 shares of the companys stock, valued at $621,220. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.78% of the companys stock. Freeport-McMoRan Company 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. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FCX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Freeport-McMoRan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Freeport-McMoRan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. American Well Co. (NYSE:AMWL Get Free Report) was the target of a large increase in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 10,400,000 shares, an increase of 7.1% from the June 15th total of 9,710,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,280,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 8.1 days. Approximately 5.0% of the shares of the company are short sold. Insider Activity at American Well In other American Well news, EVP Vukasin Paunovich sold 104,832 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2.16, for a total value of $226,437.12. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 664,761 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,435,883.76. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other American Well news, CEO Ido Schoenberg sold 250,610 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2.04, for a total value of $511,244.40. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,566,299 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,195,249.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Vukasin Paunovich sold 104,832 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, July 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2.16, for a total value of $226,437.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 664,761 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,435,883.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 621,756 shares of company stock valued at $1,334,425. Corporate insiders own 12.94% of the companys stock. Get American Well alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Well A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its position in shares of American Well by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 150,442 shares of the companys stock valued at $650,000 after purchasing an additional 2,353 shares during the period. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD lifted its stake in American Well by 2.9% in the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 110,356 shares of the companys stock worth $312,000 after acquiring an additional 3,160 shares in the last quarter. Legal & General Group Plc lifted its stake in American Well by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 190,120 shares of the companys stock worth $538,000 after acquiring an additional 3,238 shares in the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System lifted its stake in American Well by 7.1% in the 4th quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 57,713 shares of the companys stock worth $163,000 after acquiring an additional 3,810 shares in the last quarter. Finally, ProShare Advisors LLC lifted its stake in American Well by 16.7% in the 4th quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 29,517 shares of the companys stock worth $84,000 after acquiring an additional 4,229 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 48.79% of the companys stock. American Well Trading Up 1.4 % AMWL stock traded up $0.03 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $2.22. 399,274 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,288,657. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $2.23 and a 200 day simple moving average of $2.66. American Well has a one year low of $1.92 and a one year high of $5.43. The company has a market cap of $623.53 million, a P/E ratio of -1.02 and a beta of 0.74. American Well (NYSE:AMWL Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported ($0.24) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.20) by ($0.04). American Well had a negative net margin of 216.13% and a negative return on equity of 26.40%. The firm had revenue of $64.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $65.31 million. Analysts forecast that American Well will post -0.88 earnings per share for the current year. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, TD Cowen cut American Well from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $5.00 to $2.50 in a research note on Thursday, March 23rd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $4.28. American Well Company Profile (Get Free Report) American Well Corporation operates digital care delivery enablement platform in the United States and internationally. Its platform connects and enables providers, insurers, patients, and innovators to deliver access for quality care. The company's products offer urgent care; scheduled visits; acute behavioral health; telestroke; comprehensive behavioral health; ED triage; pediatrics; end-stage renal disease and dialysis; and retail health, school health, and home settings. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for American Well Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Well and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. AmerisourceBergen (NYSE:ABC Free Report) had its price objective lifted by Bank of America from $200.00 to $212.00 in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports. Several other research analysts also recently commented on the company. TheStreet raised AmerisourceBergen from a c rating to a b+ rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. 888 reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of AmerisourceBergen in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Citigroup assumed coverage on AmerisourceBergen in a research note on Friday, March 31st. They issued a buy rating and a $185.00 price objective on the stock. Barclays raised their price objective on AmerisourceBergen from $182.00 to $189.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their target price on AmerisourceBergen from $174.00 to $182.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $186.31. Get AmerisourceBergen alerts: AmerisourceBergen Trading Up 0.8 % Shares of NYSE:ABC opened at $193.39 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.86, a PEG ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.13, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a current ratio of 0.89. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $181.81 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $168.46. AmerisourceBergen has a 52-week low of $135.14 and a 52-week high of $193.83. AmerisourceBergen Announces Dividend AmerisourceBergen ( NYSE:ABC Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported $3.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.29 by $0.21. The business had revenue of $63.46 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $60.40 billion. AmerisourceBergen had a return on equity of 809.53% and a net margin of 0.65%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $3.22 earnings per share. Analysts expect that AmerisourceBergen will post 11.89 EPS for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 12th were paid a $0.485 dividend. This represents a $1.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. AmerisourceBergens payout ratio is 24.94%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, major shareholder Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. sold 292,792 shares of AmerisourceBergen stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.77, for a total value of $50,000,089.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 33,366,388 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,697,978,078.76. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, CEO Steven H. Collis sold 10,499 shares of AmerisourceBergen stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $192.87, for a total value of $2,024,942.13. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 257,967 shares in the company, valued at approximately $49,754,095.29. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. sold 292,792 shares of AmerisourceBergen stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $170.77, for a total value of $50,000,089.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 33,366,388 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $5,697,978,078.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 627,815 shares of company stock valued at $110,824,233 in the last quarter. 20.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On AmerisourceBergen Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its position in AmerisourceBergen by 7.4% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 18,411,527 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,848,446,000 after acquiring an additional 1,269,147 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its position in AmerisourceBergen by 145.9% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 10,257,332 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,642,302,000 after acquiring an additional 6,086,040 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp lifted its holdings in shares of AmerisourceBergen by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 7,419,026 shares of the companys stock worth $1,187,860,000 after buying an additional 29,722 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in shares of AmerisourceBergen by 7.7% in the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 7,002,190 shares of the companys stock worth $1,121,122,000 after buying an additional 499,465 shares during the period. Finally, Boston Partners lifted its holdings in shares of AmerisourceBergen by 3.2% in the 4th quarter. Boston Partners now owns 5,201,488 shares of the companys stock worth $861,279,000 after buying an additional 159,849 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 92.64% of the companys stock. AmerisourceBergen Company Profile (Get Free Report) AmerisourceBergen Corporation sources and distributes pharmaceutical products. Its U.S. Healthcare Solutions segment distributes brand-name and generic pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter healthcare products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, and related services to acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, medical clinics, long-term care and alternate site pharmacies, and other customers. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for AmerisourceBergen Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AmerisourceBergen and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arch Resources (NYSE:ARCH Get Free Report) and Anglo Pacific Group (OTCMKTS:AGPIF Get Free Report) are both oils/energy companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings, valuation, analyst recommendations and dividends. Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of current recommendations and price targets for Arch Resources and Anglo Pacific Group, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Get Arch Resources alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Arch Resources 0 0 1 0 3.00 Anglo Pacific Group 0 0 0 0 N/A Arch Resources currently has a consensus price target of $197.50, suggesting a potential upside of 67.37%. Anglo Pacific Group has a consensus price target of $355.00, suggesting a potential upside of 22,803.23%. Given Anglo Pacific Groups higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Anglo Pacific Group is more favorable than Arch Resources. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Arch Resources 33.74% 96.62% 52.94% Anglo Pacific Group N/A N/A N/A Institutional and Insider Ownership This table compares Arch Resources and Anglo Pacific Groups net margins, return on equity and return on assets. 82.2% of Arch Resources shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 52.6% of Anglo Pacific Group shares are owned by institutional investors. 5.4% of Arch Resources shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth. Earnings and Valuation This table compares Arch Resources and Anglo Pacific Groups 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 0.59 $1.33 billion $61.18 1.93 Anglo Pacific Group N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Arch Resources has higher revenue and earnings than Anglo Pacific Group. Summary Arch Resources beats Anglo Pacific Group on 7 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 Anglo Pacific Group (Get Free Report) Anglo Pacific Group plc operates as a natural resources royalty and streaming company. The company has royalties and investments in mining and exploration interests in cobalt, coking coal, iron ore, copper, vanadium, uranium, and gold primarily in Australia, North and South America, and Europe. Anglo Pacific Group plc was incorporated in 1967 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom. Receive News & Ratings for Arch Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Arch Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Arbor Trust Wealth Advisors LLC reduced its holdings in shares of The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) by 5.0% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 11,510 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 605 shares during the quarter. Arbor Trust Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $603,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Circle Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in Charles Schwab by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Circle Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,811 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $401,000 after acquiring an additional 131 shares during the period. Trustcore Financial Services LLC boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 3.1% during the 4th quarter. Trustcore Financial Services LLC now owns 4,395 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $366,000 after purchasing an additional 134 shares in the last quarter. CVA Family Office LLC boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 26.8% during the 4th quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 638 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $53,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Regal Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. Regal Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,918 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $326,000 after purchasing an additional 135 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Signet Financial Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Charles Schwab by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Signet Financial Management LLC now owns 49,378 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,111,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. 82.77% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Charles Schwab Stock Performance Shares of SCHW stock traded down $0.81 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $67.13. 4,326,910 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 19,097,689. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $55.35 and a 200 day simple moving average of $62.69. The company has a current ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.39 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.74. The Charles Schwab Co. has a 52-week low of $45.00 and a 52-week high of $86.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $118.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.56, a P/E/G ratio of 5.52 and a beta of 0.88. Charles Schwab Announces Dividend Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $0.75 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.04. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 34.82% and a return on equity of 27.83%. The business had revenue of $4.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.61 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.97 EPS. Charles Schwabs revenue was down 8.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Investors of record on Friday, May 12th were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 11th. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.49%. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio is 27.32%. Insider Activity at Charles Schwab In related news, Chairman Charles R. Schwab sold 77,640 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total value of $4,018,646.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 59,771,278 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,093,761,349.28. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 6.60% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on SCHW shares. Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $46.00 to $53.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 15th. Argus raised their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $70.00 to $81.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Piper Sandler dropped their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $75.00 to $69.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 5th. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $62.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of Charles Schwab from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $69.91. About Charles Schwab (Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Bank of Hawaii Co. (NYSE:BOH Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 8,850,000 shares, a growth of 15.4% from the June 15th total of 7,670,000 shares. Approximately 22.8% of the shares of the company are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 1,240,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 7.1 days. Bank of Hawaii Stock Performance Shares of BOH traded down $0.10 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $53.89. 1,431,309 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 856,709. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.17, a P/E/G ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.97. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.43, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.66. Bank of Hawaii has a twelve month low of $30.83 and a twelve month high of $85.45. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $43.08 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $56.34. Get Bank of Hawaii alerts: Bank of Hawaii (NYSE:BOH Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, April 24th. The bank reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.23 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $229.07 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $177.67 million. Bank of Hawaii had a return on equity of 19.01% and a net margin of 26.90%. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.32 earnings per share. Analysts predict that Bank of Hawaii will post 4.13 earnings per share for the current year. Bank of Hawaii Dividend Announcement Analyst Ratings Changes The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 14th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 31st were issued a dividend of $0.70 per share. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.20%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 30th. Bank of Hawaiis payout ratio is currently 52.83%. BOH has been the topic of several analyst reports. Odeon Capital Group initiated coverage on Bank of Hawaii in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. They issued a sell rating and a $31.00 target price on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on Bank of Hawaii from $83.00 to $60.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. TheStreet lowered Bank of Hawaii from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Bank of Hawaii to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, May 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have issued a hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Bank of Hawaii has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $54.25. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Kent Thomas Lucien acquired 1,000 shares of Bank of Hawaii stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $32.29 per share, for a total transaction of $32,290.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 5,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $177,595. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Kent Thomas Lucien acquired 1,000 shares of Bank of Hawaii stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $32.29 per share, for a total transaction of $32,290.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 5,500 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $177,595. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Alicia E. Moy acquired 4,200 shares of Bank of Hawaii stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The shares were purchased at an average price of $47.90 per share, for a total transaction of $201,180.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 10,482 shares of the companys stock, valued at $502,087.80. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have bought 11,700 shares of company stock worth $492,495 over the last ninety days. 2.11% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Bank of Hawaii in the 4th quarter valued at $27,912,000. CHURCHILL MANAGEMENT Corp acquired a new position in shares of Bank of Hawaii in the 2nd quarter valued at $13,581,000. HRT Financial LP acquired a new position in shares of Bank of Hawaii in the 1st quarter valued at $9,724,000. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Bank of Hawaii by 10.9% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,777,119 shares of the banks stock valued at $149,136,000 after purchasing an additional 174,889 shares during the period. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Bank of Hawaii by 8.1% in the 4th quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,318,241 shares of the banks stock valued at $179,698,000 after purchasing an additional 173,594 shares during the period. 73.72% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Bank of Hawaii Company Profile (Get Free Report) Bank of Hawaii Corporation operates as the bank holding company for Bank of Hawaii that provides various financial products and services in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islands. It operates in three segments: Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, and Treasury and Other. The Consumer Banking segment offers checking, savings, and time deposit accounts; residential mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, automobile loans and leases, personal lines of credit, installment loans, small business loans and leases, and credit cards; private and international client banking, investment, credit, and trust services to individuals and families, and high-net-worth individuals; investment management; institutional investment advisory services to corporations, government entities, and foundations; and brokerage offerings, including equities, mutual funds, life insurance, and annuity products. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Bank of Hawaii Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of Hawaii and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lukashenko comes to Russia for talks with Putin 21 July, 06:43 PM Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin (Photo:Lukashenka's press service) The self-proclaimed president of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko will meet with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on July 23, the Belarusian presidential office reported on July 21. "Security issues and cooperation in opposition to illegal pressure of sanctions, etc" will be discussed at the meeting, according to the dictators press-office. The previous meeting of dictators took place on April 6 before the Wagner PMC leader Yevgeny Prigozhin's munity. His mercenaries have since been relocated to Belarus. Video of day Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much. Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 6,340,000 shares, an increase of 14.4% from the June 15th total of 5,540,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 2,120,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 3.0 days. Currently, 4.8% of the companys stock are short sold. Insider Buying and Selling In other BJs Wholesale Club news, EVP Monica Schwartz sold 15,168 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.85, for a total value of $938,140.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,962 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,605,749.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 2.20% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Get BJ's Wholesale Club alerts: Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Quantinno Capital Management LP lifted its position in BJs Wholesale Club by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Quantinno Capital Management LP now owns 4,130 shares of the companys stock worth $314,000 after buying an additional 136 shares in the last quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 6,807 shares of the companys stock valued at $518,000 after purchasing an additional 177 shares in the last quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 3,225 shares of the companys stock valued at $245,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares in the last quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc raised its holdings in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. CIBC Asset Management Inc now owns 3,783 shares of the companys stock valued at $288,000 after purchasing an additional 180 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System raised its holdings in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 36,200 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,395,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.02% of the companys stock. BJs Wholesale Club Stock Performance Shares of NYSE:BJ traded up $0.38 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $64.13. The stock had a trading volume of 1,881,140 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,793,427. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $63.89 and its 200 day simple moving average is $70.10. BJs Wholesale Club has a 1-year low of $60.33 and a 1-year high of $80.41. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.97, a PEG ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a quick ratio of 0.12 and a current ratio of 0.70. BJs Wholesale Club (NYSE:BJ Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 23rd. The company reported $0.85 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.01. BJs Wholesale Club had a net margin of 2.64% and a return on equity of 53.66%. The company had revenue of $4.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.81 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $0.87 earnings per share. BJs Wholesale Clubs revenue was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that BJs Wholesale Club will post 3.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $83.00 to $74.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price target on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $89.00 to $77.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $65.00 to $62.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $90.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $77.00 to $72.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, BJs Wholesale Club has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $74.40. About BJs Wholesale Club (Get Free Report) BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates warehouse clubs on the eastern half of the United States. It provides perishable, general merchandise, gasoline, coupon books, promotions, and other ancillary services. The company sells its products through the websites BJs.com, BerkleyJensen.com, and Wellsleyfarms.com, as well as the mobile app. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for BJ's Wholesale Club Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BJ's Wholesale Club and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackDiamond Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA Free Report) by 7.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 1,364 shares of the aircraft producers stock after acquiring an additional 98 shares during the period. BlackDiamond Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Boeing were worth $276,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Donaldson Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Boeing by 3.2% during the 1st quarter. Donaldson Capital Management LLC now owns 1,539 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $327,000 after buying an additional 48 shares in the last quarter. Avalon Investment & Advisory raised its position in shares of Boeing by 2.7% during the 4th quarter. Avalon Investment & Advisory now owns 1,884 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $359,000 after buying an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Boeing by 0.6% during the 4th quarter. Waverly Advisors LLC now owns 8,015 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $1,527,000 after buying an additional 49 shares in the last quarter. Secure Asset Management LLC raised its position in Boeing by 2.9% in the 4th quarter. Secure Asset Management LLC now owns 1,792 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $341,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Finally, Ervin Investment Management LLC raised its position in Boeing by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Ervin Investment Management LLC now owns 3,305 shares of the aircraft producers stock worth $630,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 60.22% of the companys stock. Get Boeing alerts: Insider Activity In related news, EVP Howard E. Mckenzie sold 412 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated 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 owns 17,181 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,511,109.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.15% of the companys stock. Boeing Stock Down 0.5 % Shares of BA traded down $1.05 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $212.56. 1,832,764 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,738,917. The companys fifty day moving average price is $210.44 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $208.31. The company has a market capitalization of $127.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -30.76 and a beta of 1.41. The Boeing Company has a 12 month low of $120.99 and a 12 month high of $223.91. Boeing (NYSE:BA Get Free Report) last announced 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 firm had revenue of $17.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.56 billion. The companys quarterly revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned ($2.75) earnings per share. On average, analysts expect that The Boeing Company will post -1.3 EPS for the current year. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Northcoast Research cut shares of 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. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on shares of Boeing from $225.00 to $220.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Credit Suisse Group lifted their target price on shares of Boeing from $200.00 to $220.00 in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on shares of Boeing from $230.00 to $237.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, StockNews.com upgraded shares of Boeing from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, June 26th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Boeing currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $223.14. Boeing Profile (Free Report) The Boeing Company, together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, sells, services, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, missile defense, human space flight and launch systems, and services worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Commercial Airplanes; Defense, Space & Security; Global Services; and Boeing Capital. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Boeing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boeing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackDiamond Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 4,075 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $241,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its position in MetLife by 27.0% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 25,610,023 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,853,397,000 after purchasing an additional 5,444,254 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley increased its position in MetLife by 3.7% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 11,584,674 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $838,383,000 after purchasing an additional 418,477 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in MetLife during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $444,205,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in shares of MetLife by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 3,883,272 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $272,917,000 after buying an additional 158,496 shares during the period. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of MetLife during the 4th quarter worth approximately $234,761,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.83% of the companys stock. Get MetLife alerts: MetLife Stock Up 0.4 % Shares of MET traded up $0.24 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $61.18. The stock had a trading volume of 1,181,791 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,262,363. The company has a current ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 0.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $54.58 and a 200 day simple moving average of $61.29. MetLife, Inc. has a 12 month low of $48.95 and a 12 month high of $77.36. The company has a market capitalization of $46.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.49, a P/E/G ratio of 0.65 and a beta of 1.09. MetLife ( NYSE:MET Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The financial services provider reported $1.52 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.85 by ($0.33). MetLife had a net margin of 2.80% and a return on equity of 16.86%. The company had revenue of $16.13 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.84 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.08 earnings per share. MetLifes revenue was down 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts predict that MetLife, Inc. will post 7.66 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. MetLife declared that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Wednesday, May 3rd that authorizes the company to buyback $3.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to repurchase up to 7.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued. MetLife Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 14th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.40%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 7th. MetLifes dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 93.69%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several analysts have recently commented on MET shares. Piper Sandler reduced their price objective on shares of MetLife from $82.00 to $74.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. TheStreet downgraded shares of MetLife from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of MetLife from $72.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Friday, May 26th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on shares of MetLife from $68.00 to $65.00 in a research report on Friday, May 26th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on shares of MetLife from $90.00 to $80.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $76.55. MetLife Company Profile (Free Report) MetLife, Inc, a financial services company, provides insurance, annuities, employee benefits, and asset management services worldwide. It operates through five segments: U.S.; Asia; Latin America; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and MetLife Holdings. The company offers life, dental, group short-and long-term disability, individual disability, pet insurance, accidental death and dismemberment, vision, and accident and health coverages, as well as prepaid legal plans; administrative services-only arrangements to employers; and general and separate account, and synthetic guaranteed interest contracts, as well as private floating rate funding agreements. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MET? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for MetLife Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for MetLife and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. BlackDiamond Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (NYSEARCA:PCY Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 10,697 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $205,000. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of PCY. Friedenthal Financial increased its holdings in Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 19.1% in the first quarter. Friedenthal Financial now owns 15,221 shares of the companys stock valued at $292,000 after buying an additional 2,446 shares during the last quarter. Csenge Advisory Group grew its holdings in shares of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 4.0% during the first quarter. Csenge Advisory Group now owns 14,891 shares of the companys stock worth $286,000 after purchasing an additional 570 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC grew its holdings in shares of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF by 273.1% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 1,985 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 1,453 shares during the last quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc purchased a new position in shares of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF during the first quarter worth about $25,000. Finally, Sunesis Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF during the first quarter worth about $313,000. Get Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF alerts: Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF Stock Performance Shares of PCY stock traded up $0.09 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $19.75. 189,209 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 987,937. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $19.17 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $19.20. Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF has a 12-month low of $16.20 and a 12-month high of $20.32. Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF Company Profile 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. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PCY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF (NYSEARCA:PCY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Emerging Markets Sovereign Debt ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Boit C F David boosted its holdings in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report) by 55.0% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,450 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,000 shares during the period. Boit C F Davids holdings in EOG Resources were worth $1,004,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its stake in EOG Resources by 27.4% during the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 944,988 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $108,324,000 after purchasing an additional 203,242 shares during the last quarter. Dillon & Associates Inc. grew its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 57.1% during the 1st quarter. Dillon & Associates Inc. now owns 2,734 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $314,000 after purchasing an additional 994 shares during the period. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 182,094 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $20,873,000 after purchasing an additional 805 shares during the period. Torray Investment Partners LLC grew its position in EOG Resources by 27.6% during the first quarter. Torray Investment Partners LLC now owns 96,556 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $11,068,000 after buying an additional 20,893 shares during the period. Finally, Graypoint LLC purchased a new stake in EOG Resources during the first quarter valued at approximately $210,000. 89.58% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get EOG Resources alerts: EOG Resources Stock Up 0.5 % Shares of NYSE:EOG traded up $0.60 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $124.09. The companys stock had a trading volume of 381,011 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,585,685. The firms fifty day moving average price is $113.50 and its 200 day moving average price is $117.88. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 52 week low of $97.39 and a 52 week high of $150.88. The company has a market capitalization of $72.58 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 7.73, a P/E/G ratio of 0.37 and a beta of 1.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a current ratio of 2.17 and a quick ratio of 1.90. EOG Resources Dividend Announcement EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The energy exploration company reported $2.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.42 by $0.27. The company had revenue of $6.04 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.28 billion. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 30.34% and a net margin of 33.83%. EOG Resourcess revenue was up 51.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $4.00 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.1 EPS for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be given a dividend of $0.825 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $3.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.66%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio is currently 20.64%. Analyst Ratings Changes EOG has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. The Goldman Sachs Group downgraded shares of EOG Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $137.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. Raymond James lifted their target price on EOG Resources from $140.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. UBS Group started coverage on EOG Resources in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. They set a buy rating and a $152.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com started coverage on EOG Resources in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Mizuho upgraded shares of EOG Resources from a neutral rating to a buy rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $150.00 to $146.00 in a research report on Friday, May 19th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eighteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, EOG Resources presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $145.72. Insider Activity In related news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.87, for a total value of $579,350.00. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now owns 149,689 shares in the company, valued at $17,344,464.43. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other news, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total transaction of $238,155.06. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 37,607 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,409,796.82. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.87, for a total value of $579,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 149,689 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,344,464.43. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock. About EOG Resources (Free Report) EOG Resources, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, explores for, develops, produces, and markets crude oil, and natural gas and natural gas liquids. Its principal producing areas are in New Mexico and Texas in the United States; and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The company was formerly known as Enron Oil & Gas Company. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EOG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for EOG Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EOG Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. British American Tobacco p.l.c. (NYSE:BTI Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 4,890,000 shares, an increase of 15.9% from the June 15th total of 4,220,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 4,420,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.1 days. Currently, 0.2% of the companys shares are sold short. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com assumed coverage on British American Tobacco in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on British American Tobacco from GBX 3,500 ($45.76) to GBX 3,300 ($43.15) in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Get British American Tobacco alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On British American Tobacco A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BTI. Almanack Investment Partners LLC. acquired a new stake in British American Tobacco in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. acquired a new stake in British American Tobacco in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $27,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC acquired a new stake in British American Tobacco in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Motco raised its position in British American Tobacco by 1,025.4% in the 4th quarter. Motco now owns 754 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after buying an additional 687 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ahrens Investment Partners LLC acquired a new stake in British American Tobacco in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 7.10% of the companys stock. British American Tobacco Price Performance British American Tobacco Company Profile Shares of NYSE BTI traded up $0.42 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $34.21. 4,908,380 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,147,615. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $32.97 and a 200 day simple moving average of $35.70. British American Tobacco has a twelve month low of $31.64 and a twelve month high of $42.36. (Get Free Report) British American Tobacco p.l.c. engages in the provision of tobacco and nicotine products to consumers worldwide. It offers vapour, tobacco heating, and modern oral nicotine products; combustible cigarettes; and traditional oral products, such as snus and moist snuff. The company offers its products under the Vuse, glo, Velo, Grizzly, Kodiak, Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Camel, Natural American Spirit, Newport, Vogue, Viceroy, Kool, Peter Stuyvesant, Craven A, State Express 555 and Shuang Xi brands. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for British American Tobacco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for British American Tobacco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Blackstone Mortgage Trust (NYSE:BXMT Free Report) had its target price lifted by BTIG Research from $19.00 to $24.00 in a research report sent to investors on Monday, Briefing.com reports. BTIG Research currently has a buy rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Several other brokerages have also weighed in on BXMT. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Blackstone Mortgage Trust from $23.00 to $18.00 in a research report on Monday, April 24th. StockNews.com started coverage on Blackstone Mortgage Trust in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price target on Blackstone Mortgage Trust from $25.00 to $18.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price target on Blackstone Mortgage Trust from $24.00 to $17.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 6th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $20.80. Get Blackstone Mortgage Trust alerts: Blackstone Mortgage Trust Price Performance Shares of NYSE BXMT opened at $22.97 on Monday. Blackstone Mortgage Trust has a 1-year low of $16.60 and a 1-year high of $31.46. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $19.83 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $20.08. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.96 billion, a PE ratio of 15.11 and a beta of 1.36. Blackstone Mortgage Trust Announces Dividend Insider Buying and Selling The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th were issued a dividend of $0.62 per share. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 10.80%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 29th. Blackstone Mortgage Trusts payout ratio is currently 163.16%. In related news, CEO Katharine A. Keenan sold 2,275 shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.79, for a total transaction of $45,022.25. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 155,993 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,087,101.47. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Katharine A. Keenan sold 4,549 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $18.36, for a total value of $83,519.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 159,428 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,927,098.08. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Katharine A. Keenan sold 2,275 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $19.79, for a total value of $45,022.25. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 155,993 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,087,101.47. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 9,880 shares of company stock valued at $186,367 over the last three months. Company insiders own 1.02% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Blackstone Mortgage Trust A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of BXMT. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust by 14.1% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 60,571 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,926,000 after purchasing an additional 7,506 shares during the period. US Bancorp DE boosted its position in shares of Blackstone Mortgage Trust by 11.8% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 18,508 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $588,000 after purchasing an additional 1,957 shares during the period. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC boosted its position in Blackstone Mortgage Trust by 43.2% during the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 12,607 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $401,000 after acquiring an additional 3,802 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its position in Blackstone Mortgage Trust by 50.6% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 82,945 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,637,000 after acquiring an additional 27,873 shares during the period. Finally, Moors & Cabot Inc. acquired a new stake in Blackstone Mortgage Trust during the 1st quarter worth about $200,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 53.63% of the companys stock. Blackstone Mortgage Trust Company Profile (Get Free Report) Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc, a real estate finance company, originates senior loans collateralized by commercial properties in North America, Europe, and Australia. The company, together with its subsidiaries, originates and acquires commercial mortgage loans and related investments. It operates as a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Blackstone Mortgage Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Blackstone Mortgage Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Canadian General Investments, Limited (TSE:CGI Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as C$36.00 and last traded at C$35.94, with a volume of 3300 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at C$35.70. Canadian General Investments Trading Down 2.3 % The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$34.41 and a 200 day moving average price of C$33.68. The company has a current ratio of 7.64, a quick ratio of 7.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.45. The company has a market capitalization of C$730.31 million, a P/E ratio of -2.95 and a beta of 1.25. Canadian General Investments Company Profile (Get Free Report) Canadian General Investments, Limited is a close ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Morgan Meighen & Associates Limited. It invests in the public equity markets of Canada. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. It invests in stocks of companies across all market capitalization. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Canadian General Investments Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Canadian General Investments and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Celestica Inc. (NYSE:CLS Get Free Report) (TSE:CLS) was the target of a large decline in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,400,000 shares, a decline of 11.4% from the June 15th total of 1,580,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 730,200 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.9 days. Approximately 1.4% of the shares of the company are sold short. Celestica Price Performance Shares of NYSE CLS traded up $0.07 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $16.12. 231,640 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 604,192. The companys 50-day moving average is $13.71 and its two-hundred day moving average is $12.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.44, a current ratio of 1.43 and a quick ratio of 0.61. The company has a market capitalization of $1.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.24 and a beta of 2.09. Celestica has a 1 year low of $8.21 and a 1 year high of $16.61. Get Celestica alerts: Celestica (NYSE:CLS Get Free Report) (TSE:CLS) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The technology company reported $0.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.46 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $1.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.81 billion. Celestica had a net margin of 1.97% and a return on equity of 15.14%. The businesss revenue was up 17.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.39 EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Celestica will post 1.88 EPS for the current fiscal year. Analysts Set New Price Targets Institutional Trading of Celestica A number of brokerages have weighed in on CLS. StockNews.com lowered shares of Celestica from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research note on Sunday, July 9th. Royal Bank of Canada reiterated a sector perform rating and set a $15.00 target price on shares of Celestica in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, TD Securities boosted their target price on shares of Celestica from $13.50 to $14.50 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Monday, June 19th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Celestica currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $14.67. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in CLS. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in shares of Celestica by 120.3% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 193,371 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $2,303,000 after acquiring an additional 105,576 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates purchased a new position in Celestica in the first quarter worth $132,000. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in Celestica by 20.3% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 265,505 shares of the technology companys stock worth $3,162,000 after purchasing an additional 44,885 shares during the last quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. grew its holdings in Celestica by 57.2% in the first quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. now owns 168,657 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,805,000 after purchasing an additional 61,400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can grew its holdings in Celestica by 35.4% in the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 12,536 shares of the technology companys stock worth $158,000 after purchasing an additional 3,276 shares during the last quarter. 61.93% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Celestica Company Profile (Get Free Report) Celestica Inc provides supply chain solutions in North America, Europe, and Asia. It operates through Advanced Technology Solutions, and Connectivity & Cloud Solutions segments. The company offers a range of product manufacturing and related supply chain services, including design and development, new product introduction, engineering services, component sourcing, electronics manufacturing and assembly, testing, complex mechanical assembly, systems integration, precision machining, order fulfillment, logistics, asset management, product licensing, and after-market repair and return services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Celestica Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Celestica and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) had its target price decreased by equities researchers at Citigroup from $119.00 to $108.00 in a research note issued on Friday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Citigroups price objective would suggest a potential upside of 5.42% from the stocks current price. A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on DFS. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a $125.00 price objective on shares of Discover Financial Services in a report on Friday, April 21st. Credit Suisse Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $120.00 price objective on shares of Discover Financial Services in a report on Friday, April 21st. Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on shares of Discover Financial Services from $115.00 to $112.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. Stephens reissued an equal weight rating and issued a $124.00 price objective on shares of Discover Financial Services in a report on Tuesday. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Discover Financial Services from $105.00 to $103.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 31st. Eleven 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.com, Discover Financial Services presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $120.07. Get Discover Financial Services alerts: Discover Financial Services Trading Down 15.9 % Shares of DFS stock opened at $102.45 on Friday. The stocks fifty day moving average is $111.40 and its two-hundred day moving average is $107.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.14 and a current ratio of 1.14. The firm has a market capitalization of $26.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.90, a PEG ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 1.44. Discover Financial Services has a fifty-two week low of $87.64 and a fifty-two week high of $122.50. Discover Financial Services ( NYSE:DFS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 20th. The financial services provider reported $3.54 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.70 by ($0.16). The firm had revenue of $3.88 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.88 billion. Discover Financial Services had a net margin of 24.65% and a return on equity of 31.30%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 20.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $3.96 EPS. Research analysts expect that Discover Financial Services will post 13.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Discover Financial Services announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a stock buyback program on Wednesday, April 19th that allows the company to buyback $2.70 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization allows the financial services provider to buy up to 9.8% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are typically a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued. Institutional Trading of Discover Financial Services A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Discover Financial Services by 15.4% during the second quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 3,813 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $446,000 after buying an additional 509 shares during the period. Alpha Cubed Investments LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the second quarter worth approximately $347,000. Csenge Advisory Group increased its stake in shares of Discover Financial Services by 26.9% during the second quarter. Csenge Advisory Group now owns 2,616 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $306,000 after buying an additional 555 shares during the period. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the second quarter worth approximately $202,000. Finally, Daymark Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Discover Financial Services during the second quarter worth approximately $205,000. 83.81% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Discover Financial Services Company Profile (Get Free Report) Discover Financial Services, through its subsidiaries, provides digital banking products and services, and payment services in the United States. It operates in two segments, Digital Banking and Payment Services. The Digital Banking segment offers Discover-branded credit cards to individuals; private student loans, personal loans, home loans, and other consumer lending; and direct-to-consumer deposit products comprising savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, IRA certificates of deposit, IRA savings accounts and checking accounts, and sweep accounts. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Discover Financial Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Discover Financial Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prague kept supplying Ukraine with T-72 tanks in recent months 21 July, 08:11 PM T-72 tank (Photo: ) The Czech Republic has transferred several dozen of Soviet-era T-72 tanks to Ukraine in recent months, in exchange for at least five German Leopard-2A4 tanks, Czech Defense Minister Jana Chernohova said on July 21, as reported by news agency Ceske Noviny. Chernohova met with her German counterpart, Boris Pistorius. Prague wants to ultimately buy 77 of Germanys new Leopard-2A8, the minister said. The Czech army currently uses upgraded T-72M4CZ tanks. In recent months, it has provided Ukraine with several older versions of the T-72. In return for this assistance, Prague will receive 14 Leopard-2A4 tanks and one repair and recovery vehicle Bpz3 Buffel. Video of day Chernohova confirmed that the Czech Republic has already received five tanks, with others expected to arrive by the end of the year and the repair and recovery vehicle to be received in spring 2024. During the meeting, Pistorius reiterated that democratic countries will continue to support Ukraine as long as necessary. "The horrific war that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is waging against Ukraine is a crime," he said. On July 7, Czech PM Petr Fiala announced that Prague will provide Ukraine with more attack helicopters and hundreds of thousands of artillery ammunition, as well as help train Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft. Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much. Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News Citigroup cut shares of Genpact (NYSE:G Free Report) from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report published on Tuesday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have $42.00 target price on the business services providers stock, down from their previous target price of $46.00. A number of other brokerages have also recently commented on G. Robert W. Baird reduced their price objective on Genpact from $54.00 to $48.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 11th. TheStreet cut Genpact from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Friday, June 9th. StockNews.com began coverage on Genpact in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price target on Genpact from $47.00 to $41.00 in a report on Monday, May 15th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Genpact currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $48.33. Get Genpact alerts: Genpact Price Performance G stock opened at $37.71 on Tuesday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $37.82 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $42.97. Genpact has a 12-month low of $35.75 and a 12-month high of $48.85. The company has a current ratio of 1.84, a quick ratio of 1.84 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. The company has a market cap of $6.94 billion, a PE ratio of 19.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.20. Genpact Announces Dividend Genpact ( NYSE:G Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 10th. The business services provider reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.55 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $1.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.10 billion. Genpact had a return on equity of 25.74% and a net margin of 8.27%. As a group, research analysts predict that Genpact will post 2.58 EPS for the current year. The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.1375 per share. This represents a $0.55 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.46%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 7th. Genpacts dividend payout ratio is presently 28.35%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Genpact news, SVP Piyush Mehta sold 32,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.85, for a total transaction of $1,425,125.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 209,040 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $9,166,404. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other news, SVP Piyush Mehta sold 32,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.85, for a total transaction of $1,425,125.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 209,040 shares in the company, valued at approximately $9,166,404. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO N. V. Tyagarajan sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $43.85, for a total value of $2,192,500.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 805,509 shares in the company, valued at $35,321,569.65. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 258,144 shares of company stock valued at $10,364,645 in the last quarter. Insiders own 2.62% of the companys stock. Institutional Trading of Genpact A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in G. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Genpact by 10.8% in the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,407 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $112,000 after acquiring an additional 235 shares during the period. Profund Advisors LLC increased its position in Genpact by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Profund Advisors LLC now owns 6,548 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $303,000 after acquiring an additional 238 shares during the period. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its position in Genpact by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 11,968 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $554,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares during the period. Neuberger Berman Group LLC increased its position in Genpact by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Neuberger Berman Group LLC now owns 12,165 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $529,000 after acquiring an additional 258 shares during the period. Finally, Pathstone Family Office LLC increased its position in Genpact by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 15,076 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $697,000 after acquiring an additional 265 shares during the period. 96.46% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Genpact (Get Free Report) Genpact Limited provides business process outsourcing and information technology (IT) services in India, rest of Asia, North and Latin America, and Europe. It operates through three segments: Financial services; Consumer and Healthcare; and High Tech and Manufacturing. The company offers CFO advisory services; and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) services, such as data management, carbon accounting, human rights assessment, sustainability diligence, and ESG reporting. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Genpact Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Genpact and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Morgan Stanley cut shares of Diageo (NYSE:DEO Free Report) from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. DEO has been the topic of a number of other research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Diageo from GBX 4,500 ($58.84) to GBX 4,000 ($52.30) in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered shares of Diageo from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered shares of Diageo from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Diageo from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, May 12th. Finally, Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Diageo from GBX 4,890 ($63.94) to GBX 4,720 ($61.72) in a research note on Thursday, June 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Diageo presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $3,908.89. Get Diageo alerts: Diageo Stock Down 2.0 % DEO stock opened at $176.05 on Thursday. Diageo has a 12 month low of $160.09 and a 12 month high of $194.04. The firm has a market cap of $99.17 billion, a PE ratio of 20.12, a P/E/G ratio of 2.79 and a beta of 0.67. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $172.99 and a 200 day simple moving average of $177.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 0.78. Institutional Trading of Diageo Diageo Company Profile Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC OH bought a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter worth $26,000. Arcus Capital Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Beacon Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Diageo by 681.8% during the 4th quarter. Beacon Capital Management LLC now owns 172 shares of the companys stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the period. Pinnacle Holdings LLC bought a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 1st quarter worth $33,000. Finally, GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Diageo during the 1st quarter worth $36,000. 9.72% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. (Get Free Report) Diageo plc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, and sells alcoholic beverages. The company offers scotch, whisky, gin, vodka, rum, ready to drink products, raki, liqueur, wine, tequila, Canadian whisky, American whiskey, cachaca, and brandy, as well as beer, including cider and non-alcoholic products. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Diageo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Diageo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Diversified Portfolios Inc. purchased a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund purchased 926 shares of the investment management companys stock, valued at approximately $303,000. Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Fairfield Bush & CO. acquired a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the first quarter worth $66,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. grew its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1,505.1% during the first quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 41,300 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $13,633,000 after purchasing an additional 38,727 shares during the last quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 18.5% during the first quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 118,609 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $39,153,000 after purchasing an additional 18,540 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. grew its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 79.4% during the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 827 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $273,000 after purchasing an additional 366 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd boosted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 118.3% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 310 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $102,000 after acquiring an additional 168 shares during the last quarter. 76.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get The Goldman Sachs Group alerts: The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance Shares of GS opened at $350.93 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.81, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25. The company has a market capitalization of $116.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.49, a PEG ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.38. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $326.87 and a 200 day moving average of $337.64. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $287.75 and a 12 month high of $389.58. The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The investment management company reported $3.08 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.25 by ($0.17). The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.23% and a return on equity of 9.84%. The business had revenue of $10.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $10.61 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $7.73 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was down 8.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 25.74 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 31st will be issued a dividend of $2.75 per share. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.13%. This is a positive change from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $2.50. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 30th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is 35.60%. Insider Buying and Selling at The Goldman Sachs Group In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $337.66, for a total transaction of $1,012,980.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,052 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,082,458.32. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $337.66, for a total value of $1,012,980.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,052 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,082,458.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 9,000,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $11.73, for a total value of $105,570,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 51,676,439 shares of the companys stock, valued at $606,164,629.47. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 34,967,959 shares of company stock valued at $656,368,342. Company insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $415.00 to $398.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. Odeon Capital Group upgraded The Goldman Sachs Group from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $355.75 price target on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 13th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on The Goldman Sachs Group in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $407.00 to $411.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Credit Suisse Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $410.00 target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Thursday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $389.17. The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile (Free Report) The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in resale agreements. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Goldman Sachs Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Diversified Portfolios Inc. trimmed its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 31.8% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,005 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 1,400 shares during the quarter. Diversified Portfolios Inc.s holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $208,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. GoalVest Advisory LLC bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 1st quarter valued at about $29,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Live Oak Investment Partners acquired a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Finally, First Personal Financial Services boosted its stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 67.8% in the 1st quarter. First Personal Financial Services now owns 495 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. 74.57% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts: Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. 51job restated a maintains rating on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Friday, April 28th. HSBC started coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Friday, July 14th. They set a reduce rating and a $56.00 target price on the stock. Bank of America lifted their target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb from $82.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Daiwa Capital Markets started coverage on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. They set an outperform rating and a $70.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley reiterated an underweight rating and set a $59.00 target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Wednesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, seven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $74.19. Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Up 2.7 % Bristol-Myers Squibb stock opened at $63.76 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.10, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a current ratio of 1.42. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 52-week low of $61.40 and a 52-week high of $81.43. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $64.63 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $68.25. The firm has a market cap of $133.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.59, a PEG ratio of 1.27 and a beta of 0.43. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $11.34 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.50 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 15.95% and a return on equity of 51.75%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs revenue for the quarter was down 2.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.96 EPS. Equities analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 8.05 EPS for the current year. Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be paid a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 6th. This represents a $2.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.58%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 66.47%. Insider Activity In other news, EVP Rupert Vessey sold 50,385 shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $67.06, for a total value of $3,378,818.10. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 47,751 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,202,182.06. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Get Free Report) had its price objective boosted by stock analysts at Jefferies Financial Group from $408.00 to $430.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Jefferies Financial Groups price objective suggests a potential downside of 7.29% from the stocks current price. Several other analysts also recently weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial boosted their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $525.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $505.00 to $565.00 in a report on Tuesday. HSBC initiated coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Friday, July 14th. They set a buy rating and a $560.00 price target on the stock. 22nd Century Group reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Tuesday, June 27th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald raised their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $485.00 to $550.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 27th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $458.36. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Trading Up 2.3 % Shares of LLY stock opened at $463.82 on Friday. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $445.83 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $385.73. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $296.32 and a 12-month high of $469.87. The company has a quick ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.30 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. The firm has a market cap of $440.29 billion, a P/E ratio of 73.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.38. Insider Buying and Selling at Eli Lilly and Company Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last released 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). Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 61.42% and a net margin of 20.54%. The firm had revenue of $6.96 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.87 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.62 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 EPS for the current fiscal year. In other news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total value of $89,658,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 101,908,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $40,608,622,608.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Patrik Jonsson sold 6,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on 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 completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 36,941 shares in the company, valued at $15,864,681.86. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 225,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $398.48, for a total transaction of $89,658,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 101,908,810 shares in the company, valued at approximately $40,608,622,608.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 970,965 shares of company stock valued at $423,725,107. Corporate insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Silicon Valley Capital Partners purchased a new position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter worth $25,000. Y.D. More Investments Ltd bought a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Bogart Wealth LLC raised its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 193.3% in the 1st quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 88 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 58 shares during the last quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC lifted its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 97.8% during the 4th quarter. Destiny Wealth Partners LLC now owns 91 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the period. Finally, Laffer Tengler Investments purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors own 87.25% of the companys stock. Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile (Get 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. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Exencial Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH Free Report) by 4.3% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 11,223 shares of the medical research companys stock after buying an additional 461 shares during the period. Exencial Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Laboratory Co. of America were worth $2,575,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Arkadios Wealth Advisors purchased a new position in Laboratory Co. of America during the first quarter valued at $203,000. Stack Financial Management Inc lifted its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 2.0% in the first quarter. Stack Financial Management Inc now owns 76,636 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $17,582,000 after buying an additional 1,519 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd grew its holdings in Laboratory Co. of America by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 7,462 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,712,000 after buying an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. Ieq Capital LLC increased its stake in Laboratory Co. of America by 9.6% in the 1st quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 15,552 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $3,568,000 after acquiring an additional 1,366 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Csenge Advisory Group boosted its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 41.1% during the 1st quarter. Csenge Advisory Group now owns 1,982 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $455,000 after acquiring an additional 577 shares during the last quarter. 87.75% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Laboratory Co. of America alerts: Laboratory Co. of America Price Performance LH opened at $218.70 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $220.63 and a 200 day moving average of $230.85. The stock has a market cap of $19.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.85 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a quick ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a 52-week low of $166.93 and a 52-week high of $219.58. Laboratory Co. of America Dividend Announcement Laboratory Co. of America ( NYSE:LH Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The medical research company reported $3.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.99 by ($0.17). The company had revenue of $3.78 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.70 billion. Laboratory Co. of America had a net margin of 6.78% and a return on equity of 15.56%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $6.11 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 16.83 EPS for the current year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 8th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, August 8th will be issued a $0.72 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 7th. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.32%. Laboratory Co. of Americas dividend payout ratio is currently 26.13%. Insider Activity In other Laboratory Co. of America news, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 212 shares of Laboratory Co. of America stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total transaction of $50,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 7,605 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,825,200. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, CEO Paul R. Kirchgraber sold 4,300 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $216.91, for a total transaction of $932,713.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 12,946 shares in the company, valued at $2,808,116.86. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 212 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total value of $50,880.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 7,605 shares in the company, valued at $1,825,200. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 6,012 shares of company stock valued at $1,308,748 over the last ninety days. 0.65% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts recently issued reports on LH shares. Truist Financial decreased their price target on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $285.00 to $275.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Laboratory Co. of America in a research report on Saturday, July 8th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on Laboratory Co. of America from $265.00 to $240.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Mizuho cut their target price on Laboratory Co. of America from $277.00 to $257.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price target on Laboratory Co. of America from $260.00 to $235.00 in a research report on Wednesday, April 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Laboratory Co. of America presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $273.50. About Laboratory Co. of America (Free Report) Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings operates as a life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions. It operates in two segments, Labcorp Diagnostics and Labcorp Drug Development. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Laboratory Co. of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Laboratory Co. of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Interstate Bank cut its position in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (BATS:FLOT Free Report) by 3.2% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 12,945 shares of the companys stock after selling 432 shares during the period. First Interstate Banks holdings in iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF were worth $652,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Northern Trust Corp bought a new stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $488,000. Kiwi Wealth Investments Limited Partnership bought a new stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,363,000. Jaffetilchin Investment Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,536,000. Astor Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 259.0% in the 4th quarter. Astor Investment Management LLC now owns 704,786 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,472,000 after purchasing an additional 508,490 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted its stake in shares of iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF by 24.1% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 2,495,722 shares of the companys stock valued at $126,084,000 after purchasing an additional 484,663 shares during the last quarter. Get iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF alerts: iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF Price Performance Shares of BATS:FLOT remained flat at $50.73 during trading on Friday. The stock had a trading volume of 877,656 shares. iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF has a 1-year low of $50.76 and a 1-year high of $51.10. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $50.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $50.51. iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF Dividend Announcement iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF Company Profile The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 10th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 5th were paid a dividend of $0.2341 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 3rd. (Free Report) The iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (FLOT) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks a market value-weighted index of USD-denominated, investment-grade floating rate notes with maturities of 0-5 years. FLOT was launched on Jun 14, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FLOT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF (BATS:FLOT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Floating Rate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. First Niles Financial, Inc. (OTCMKTS:FNFI Get Free Report) shares traded up 36.7% on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as $13.00 and last traded at $13.00. 4,218 shares were traded during trading, an increase of 139% from the average session volume of 1,764 shares. The stock had previously closed at $9.51. First Niles Financial Price Performance The companys 50-day moving average is $9.37 and its two-hundred day moving average is $9.96. First Niles Financial Company Profile (Get Free Report) First Niles Financial, Inc operates as a holding company for the Home Federal Savings and Loan Association of Niles that provides various banking products and services in Ohio, the United States. The company offers personal and business checking and savings, money market deposit, statement savings, and Christmas club accounts, as well as certificates of deposit. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for First Niles Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Niles Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:FMX 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 1,280,000 shares, an increase of 17.4% from the June 15th total of 1,090,000 shares. Currently, 0.6% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 460,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.8 days. Fomento Economico Mexicano Trading Down 0.2 % Shares of FMX traded down $0.18 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $108.02. 306,244 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 557,170. Fomento Economico Mexicano has a twelve month low of $58.73 and a twelve month high of $113.59. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $106.01 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $95.52. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 1.77 and a quick ratio of 1.45. Get Fomento Economico Mexicano alerts: Fomento Economico Mexicano (NYSE:FMX Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 28th. The company reported $1.16 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.76 by $0.40. Fomento Economico Mexicano had a net margin of 10.38% and a return on equity of 10.53%. The business had revenue of $9.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.88 billion. On average, research analysts anticipate that Fomento Economico Mexicano will post 4.74 earnings per share for the current year. Institutional Trading of Fomento Economico Mexicano Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in FMX. River Road Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano during the second quarter worth $243,000. Veracity Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano by 7.8% during the 2nd quarter. Veracity Capital LLC now owns 8,296 shares of the companys stock valued at $920,000 after buying an additional 602 shares during the period. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc grew its stake in Fomento Economico Mexicano by 162.3% in the second quarter. O Brien Greene & Co. Inc now owns 16,993 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,884,000 after purchasing an additional 10,514 shares in the last quarter. Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano by 2.3% during the 2nd quarter. Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd now owns 77,122 shares of the companys stock valued at $8,548,000 after buying an additional 1,710 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Ritholtz Wealth Management lifted its stake in Fomento Economico Mexicano by 11.7% in the second quarter. Ritholtz Wealth Management now owns 8,661 shares of the companys stock valued at $960,000 after acquiring an additional 910 shares during the last quarter. FMX has been the topic of several research reports. HSBC upgraded shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano from a reduce rating to a hold rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $84.00 to $112.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Barclays boosted their price objective on Fomento Economico Mexicano from $105.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Monday. Morgan Stanley raised their target price on Fomento Economico Mexicano from $102.00 to $110.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, March 27th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $111.55. Fomento Economico Mexicano Company Profile (Get Free Report) Fomento Economico Mexicano, SAB. de C.V., through its subsidiaries, operates as a bottler of Coca-Cola trademark beverages. The company produces, markets, and distributes Coca-Cola trademark beverages in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Fomento Economico Mexicano Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fomento Economico Mexicano and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Fortis Inc. (TSE:FTS Get Free Report) have received an average rating of Hold from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price target among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$58.65. A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. UBS Group decreased their price objective on Fortis from C$54.00 to C$53.00 in a report on Friday, May 19th. National Bankshares upped their price target on Fortis from C$56.00 to C$57.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Bank of America upped their price target on Fortis from C$51.00 to C$52.00 in a research note on Friday, March 24th. TD Securities upped their price target on Fortis from C$63.00 to C$66.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, CIBC upped their price target on Fortis from C$59.00 to C$61.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Get Fortis alerts: Fortis Trading Up 1.4 % FTS opened at C$57.47 on Friday. Fortis has a one year low of C$48.45 and a one year high of C$62.00. The stock has a market capitalization of C$27.84 billion, a PE ratio of 19.55, a P/E/G ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.19. The businesss 50 day moving average price is C$57.16 and its 200 day moving average price is C$56.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 127.94, a quick ratio of 0.36 and a current ratio of 0.68. Fortis Dividend Announcement Fortis ( TSE:FTS Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported C$0.91 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.82 by C$0.09. Fortis had a return on equity of 7.28% and a net margin of 12.85%. The firm had revenue of C$3.32 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$3.02 billion. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Fortis will post 2.998954 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were paid a $0.565 dividend. This represents a $2.26 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.93%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 16th. Fortiss payout ratio is currently 76.87%. About Fortis (Get Free Report Fortis Inc operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 443,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 102,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,328 megawatts (MW), including 68 MW of solar capacity and 250 MV of wind capacity. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Fortis Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Fortis and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ukraine's National Guard takes Chechen commander captive 20 July, 05:33 PM More Russians than ever are being taken prisoner during the counter-offensive (Photo:Ukraine's National Guard/Facebook) National Guard soldiers captured a Russian commander from Chechnya on July 18, guard spokesman Colonel Mykola Urshalovych said during a briefing on July 20. "Soldiers of an assault group of the 15th Operational Brigade captured a company commander of the 70th Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment stationed in the city of Shali, Chechen Republic," Urshalovych reported. The captured commander described the low morale of Russian personnel and their unwillingness to perform combat tasks. Video of day Read also: Russia threatens captive US journalist Evan Gershkovich He was provided with necessary medical care and passed over to join fellow prisoners of war. He may be exchanged for Ukrainians held captive by Russia. Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much. Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News Franco-Nevada (TSE:FNV Free Report) (NYSE:FNV) had its price target cut by Raymond James from C$175.00 to C$174.00 in a research note published on Monday, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have an outperform rating on the stock. Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. CIBC lifted their target price on Franco-Nevada from C$245.00 to C$258.00 in a research report on Friday, July 14th. National Bankshares lifted their target price on Franco-Nevada from C$210.00 to C$215.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, May 4th. Canaccord Genuity Group reduced their target price on Franco-Nevada from C$223.00 to C$217.00 in a research report on Friday, June 9th. National Bank Financial lifted their target price on Franco-Nevada from C$200.00 to C$210.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets cut their price objective on Franco-Nevada from C$240.00 to C$231.00 in a report on Monday. Get Franco-Nevada alerts: Franco-Nevada Stock Performance TSE FNV opened at C$193.32 on Monday. The stocks fifty day moving average is C$193.90 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$194.41. The firm has a market capitalization of C$37.11 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.57, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.00 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63, a quick ratio of 23.26 and a current ratio of 28.75. Franco-Nevada has a fifty-two week low of C$151.08 and a fifty-two week high of C$217.70. Franco-Nevada Cuts Dividend Franco-Nevada ( TSE:FNV Get Free Report ) (NYSE:FNV) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported C$1.07 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$1.05 by C$0.02. Franco-Nevada had a return on equity of 10.60% and a net margin of 53.96%. The company had revenue of C$373.64 million for the quarter. On average, research analysts anticipate that Franco-Nevada will post 4.8639113 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a $0.461 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.95%. Franco-Nevadas dividend payout ratio is presently 38.71%. Franco-Nevada Company Profile (Get Free Report) Franco-Nevada Corporation operates as a gold-focused royalty and streaming company in Latin America, the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Mining and Energy segments. The company manages its portfolio with a focus on precious metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum group metals; and engages in the sale of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Franco-Nevada Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Franco-Nevada and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. FREYR Battery (NYSE:FREY Get Free Report)s share price fell 8.3% during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $8.10 and last traded at $8.15. 1,739,868 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 29% from the average session volume of 2,444,999 shares. The stock had previously closed at $8.89. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of brokerages have recently commented on FREY. Morgan Stanley raised shares of FREYR Battery from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and set a $13.00 target price on the stock in a report on Thursday, June 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut shares of FREYR Battery from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their price objective for the company from $14.00 to $10.00 in a research note on Tuesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $15.80. Get FREYR Battery alerts: FREYR Battery Stock Down 1.0 % The company has a current ratio of 8.16, a quick ratio of 8.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The company has a market capitalization of $1.14 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -12.54 and a beta of 0.78. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $8.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is $8.23. Hedge Funds Weigh In On FREYR Battery FREYR Battery ( NYSE:FREY Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The company reported ($0.20) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of ($0.28) by $0.08. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that FREYR Battery will post -1.45 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. California State Teachers Retirement System boosted its position in shares of FREYR Battery by 1.2% in the 3rd quarter. California State Teachers Retirement System now owns 70,381 shares of the companys stock worth $1,002,000 after buying an additional 859 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of FREYR Battery by 8.5% in the 4th quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 21,489 shares of the companys stock worth $187,000 after buying an additional 1,677 shares in the last quarter. Deutsche Bank AG boosted its position in shares of FREYR Battery by 49.6% in the 1st quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 5,242 shares of the companys stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 1,737 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of FREYR Battery by 14.6% in the 1st quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 13,847 shares of the companys stock worth $123,000 after buying an additional 1,767 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UBS Group AG boosted its position in shares of FREYR Battery by 18.5% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 11,574 shares of the companys stock worth $165,000 after buying an additional 1,803 shares in the last quarter. 47.95% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About FREYR Battery (Get Free Report) FREYR Battery engages in the production and sale of battery cells for energy storage system, electric mobility, marine, and aviation applications in Europe and internationally. The company designs and manufactures lithium-ion based battery cell facilities. FREYR Battery was founded in 2018 and is based in Luxembourg. See Also Receive News & Ratings for FREYR Battery Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for FREYR Battery and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Galan Lithium Limited (ASX:GLN Get Free Report) insider Juan Pablo de la Vega bought 100,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 14th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of A$0.91 ($0.62) per share, for a total transaction of A$90,900.00 ($61,836.73). Galan Lithium Stock Performance The company has a quick ratio of 20.83, a current ratio of 10.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. Get Galan Lithium alerts: About Galan Lithium (Get Free Report) Featured Stories Galan Lithium Limited acquires, explores for, evaluates, and develops mineral projects. It primarily explores for lithium and other deposits. The company holds 100% interests in the Hombre Muerto West project that comprises seven concessions covering an area of approximately 11,600 hectares located in the Catamarca province in Argentina; and the Candelas comprises fourteen exploration permits project covering an area of 24,072 hectares located in the Catamarca province, Argentina. Receive News & Ratings for Galan Lithium Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Galan Lithium and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Great Bear Resources Ltd. (CVE:GBR Get Free Report) fell 2.3% on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as C$28.15 and last traded at C$28.15. 1,886,525 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 525% from the average session volume of 301,841 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$28.80. Great Bear Resources Price Performance The firm has a market capitalization of C$1.63 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of -153.83. The company has a fifty day moving average price of C$28.15 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$28.15. The company has a quick ratio of 3.82, a current ratio of 3.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45. Great Bear Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Great Bear Resources Ltd. operates as a mineral exploration company in Canada. The company primarily explores for gold. Its flagship property is the Dixie project covering an area of 9,140 hectares located in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The company was formerly known as Great Bear Uranium Corp. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Great Bear Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Great Bear Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Gulf Investment Fund plc (LON:GIF Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The stock traded as high as GBX 2.50 ($0.03) and last traded at GBX 2.47 ($0.03), with a volume of 79234 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at GBX 2.44 ($0.03). Gulf Investment Fund Stock Performance The businesss 50-day simple moving average is GBX 2.32 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 2.06. The company has a market capitalization of 1.03 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.89. About Gulf Investment Fund (Get Free Report) Qatar Investment Fund plc is a close-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Epicure Managers Qatar Limited. The fund is co-managed by Qatar Insurance Company SAQ. It invests in public equity markets of Qatar. The fund benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against Qatar Exchange Index. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Gulf Investment Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Gulf Investment Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Avino Silver & Gold Mines (NYSE:ASM Get Free Report) had its price objective decreased by investment analysts at HC Wainwright from $2.00 to $1.80 in a research note issued on Friday, FlyOnTheWall reports. HC Wainwrights price target would indicate a potential upside of 157.14% from the companys previous close. Separately, StockNews.com upgraded Avino Silver & Gold Mines from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 27th. Get Avino Silver & Gold Mines alerts: Avino Silver & Gold Mines Stock Performance NYSE ASM opened at $0.70 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $83.44 million, a PE ratio of 35.00 and a beta of 1.73. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $0.69 and its 200-day simple moving average is $0.72. Avino Silver & Gold Mines has a 1-year low of $0.48 and a 1-year high of $1.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.02, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 0.81. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Avino Silver & Gold Mines Avino Silver & Gold Mines ( NYSE:ASM Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 11th. The company reported $0.01 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.01. The business had revenue of $9.83 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.00 million. Avino Silver & Gold Mines had a return on equity of 8.15% and a net margin of 4.88%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Avino Silver & Gold Mines will post 0.07 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its holdings in shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines by 13.7% in the first quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 903,100 shares of the companys stock valued at $799,000 after purchasing an additional 108,700 shares during the last quarter. Virtu Financial LLC increased its holdings in shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines by 25.9% in the first quarter. Virtu Financial LLC now owns 111,626 shares of the companys stock valued at $105,000 after purchasing an additional 22,934 shares during the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines in the second quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of Avino Silver & Gold Mines by 378.3% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 57,470 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,000 after purchasing an additional 45,454 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 1.91% of the companys stock. Avino Silver & Gold Mines Company Profile (Get Free Report) Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and advancement of mineral properties in Canada. It primarily explores for silver, gold, and copper deposits. The company owns interests in 42 mineral claims and four leased mineral claims, including Avino mine area property comprising four exploration concessions covering 154.4 hectares, 24 exploitation concessions covering 1,284.7 hectares, and one leased exploitation concession covering 98.83 hectares; Gomez Palacio property consists of nine exploration concessions covering 2,549 hectares; Santiago Papasquiaro property comprises four exploration concessions covering 2,552.6 hectares and one exploitation concession covering 602.9 hectares; and Unification La Platosa properties, which include three leased concessions located in the state of Durango, Mexico. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Avino Silver & Gold Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Avino Silver & Gold Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. HDFC Bank Limited (NYSE:HDB Get Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Wednesday . Approximately 2,370,293 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 47% from the previous sessions volume of 1,610,547 shares.The stock last traded at $70.66 and had previously closed at $70.71. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities research analysts recently issued reports on HDB shares. Jefferies Financial Group started coverage on shares of HDFC Bank in a report on Monday. They issued a buy rating on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of HDFC Bank in a report on Tuesday, June 20th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of HDFC Bank in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Get HDFC Bank alerts: HDFC Bank Stock Up 0.7 % The companys 50 day moving average price is $66.90 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $67.29. The firm has a market cap of $132.05 billion, a PE ratio of 22.19, a PEG ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.76. The company has a current ratio of 0.92, a quick ratio of 0.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. Institutional Inflows and Outflows HDFC Bank ( NYSE:HDB Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 17th. The bank reported $0.82 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $4.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.88 billion. HDFC Bank had a net margin of 22.03% and a return on equity of 17.76%. On average, equities research analysts expect that HDFC Bank Limited will post 2.91 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Altfest L J & Co. Inc. raised its position in shares of HDFC Bank by 0.9% during the 4th quarter. Altfest L J & Co. Inc. now owns 16,903 shares of the banks stock valued at $1,156,000 after purchasing an additional 158 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its holdings in HDFC Bank by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 9,045 shares of the banks stock valued at $507,554,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares during the last quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in HDFC Bank by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. Foster Victor Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,808 shares of the banks stock valued at $255,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. Blair William & Co. IL increased its holdings in HDFC Bank by 1.4% in the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 13,948 shares of the banks stock valued at $930,000 after acquiring an additional 198 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Creative Planning increased its holdings in HDFC Bank by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Creative Planning now owns 13,825 shares of the banks stock valued at $946,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 17.71% of the companys stock. HDFC Bank Company Profile (Get Free Report) HDFC Bank Limited provides banking and financial services to individuals and businesses in India, Bahrain, Hong Kong, and Dubai. It operates in Treasury, Retail Banking, Wholesale Banking, Other Banking Business, and Unallocated segments. The company accepts savings, salary, current, rural, public provident fund, pension, and Demat accounts; fixed and recurring deposits; and safe deposit lockers, as well as offshore accounts and deposits, overdrafts against fixed deposits, and sweep-in facilities. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for HDFC Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for HDFC Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mountain Province Diamonds (OTCMKTS:MPVDF Get Free Report) and Cerro Grande Mining (OTCMKTS:CEGMF Get Free Report) are both small-cap basic materials companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation and profitability. Institutional and Insider Ownership 0.4% of Mountain Province Diamonds shares are owned by institutional investors. 4.8% of Mountain Province Diamonds shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Get Mountain Province Diamonds alerts: Profitability This table compares Mountain Province Diamonds and Cerro Grande Minings net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mountain Province Diamonds 11.86% 14.71% 6.34% Cerro Grande Mining N/A N/A -35.76% Risk & Volatility Analyst Ratings Mountain Province Diamonds has a beta of 1.65, meaning that its stock price is 65% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Cerro Grande Mining has a beta of -1.06, meaning that its stock price is 206% less volatile than the S&P 500. This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for Mountain Province Diamonds and Cerro Grande Mining, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mountain Province Diamonds 0 0 0 0 N/A Cerro Grande Mining 0 0 0 0 N/A Valuation & Earnings This table compares Mountain Province Diamonds and Cerro Grande Minings top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Mountain Province Diamonds $527.95 million 0.15 $37.84 million $0.22 1.68 Cerro Grande Mining N/A N/A -$120,000.00 N/A N/A Mountain Province Diamonds has higher revenue and earnings than Cerro Grande Mining. Summary Mountain Province Diamonds beats Cerro Grande Mining on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks. About Mountain Province Diamonds (Get Free Report) Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. focuses on the mining and marketing of rough diamonds worldwide. Its primary asset is its 49% interest in the Gahcho Kue diamond mine comprising mining leases covering an area of 5,216 hectares; and holds a 100% interest in the Kennady North project consisting of 22 federal leases and 97 claims covering an area of 113,000 hectares located in the Northwest Territories, Canada. The company was formerly known as Mountain Province Mining Inc. and changed its name to Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. in October 2000. Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. was incorporated in 1986 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. About Cerro Grande Mining (Get Free Report) Cerro Grande Mining Corporation engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Chile. The company explores for gold, copper, and industrial mineral deposits. It holds interests in Tordillo project, which covers an area of 6,632 hectares located to the southwest of Pimenton; and limestone deposits, including Catedral and Cal Norte. The company was formerly known as South American Gold and Copper Company Limited and changed its name to Cerro Grande Mining Corporation in March 2011. Cerro Grande Mining Corporation was founded in 1990 and is based in Providencia, Chile. Receive News & Ratings for Mountain Province Diamonds Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mountain Province Diamonds and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE:CL Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 914 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $69,000. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of CL. Accurate Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive during the 4th quarter worth $27,000. RFP Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive during the 4th quarter worth $33,000. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC raised its stake in shares of Colgate-Palmolive by 36.4% during the 4th quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 704 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive during the 4th quarter worth $35,000. Finally, Arcus Capital Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Colgate-Palmolive during the 4th quarter worth $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.01% of the companys stock. Get Colgate-Palmolive alerts: Colgate-Palmolive Trading Up 0.8 % NYSE:CL opened at $77.01 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.76, a current ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.87. Colgate-Palmolive has a 1-year low of $67.84 and a 1-year high of $83.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $63.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 40.11, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.88 and a beta of 0.50. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $76.84 and a 200 day simple moving average of $75.96. Colgate-Palmolive Announces Dividend Colgate-Palmolive ( NYSE:CL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, April 28th. The company reported $0.73 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.70 by $0.03. Colgate-Palmolive had a return on equity of 348.63% and a net margin of 8.71%. The firm had revenue of $4.77 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.58 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.74 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts forecast that Colgate-Palmolive will post 3.14 earnings per share for the current year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.48 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 20th. This represents a $1.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.49%. Colgate-Palmolives dividend payout ratio is 100.00%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of analysts recently commented on the company. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $80.00 to $88.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $88.00 to $92.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. UBS Group lifted their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $84.00 to $86.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 29th. Bank of America lifted their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $80.00 to $85.00 in a research report on Monday, May 1st. Finally, Barclays dropped their price objective on Colgate-Palmolive from $84.00 to $77.00 in a research report on Thursday. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Colgate-Palmolive has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $84.75. Insider Activity In other news, insider Jennifer Daniels sold 24,703 shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.70, for a total transaction of $1,968,829.10. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 52,769 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,205,689.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other Colgate-Palmolive news, insider Jennifer Daniels sold 24,703 shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.70, for a total value of $1,968,829.10. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 52,769 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,205,689.30. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director John P. Bilbrey sold 5,703 shares of Colgate-Palmolive stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.81, for a total value of $460,859.43. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 26,257 shares in the company, valued at $2,121,828.17. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 187,748 shares of company stock worth $15,138,660 in the last three months. 0.34% of the stock is owned by insiders. Colgate-Palmolive Profile (Free Report) Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells consumer products worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Oral, Personal and Home Care; and Pet Nutrition. The Oral, Personal and Home Care segment offers toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, bar and liquid hand soaps, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants and antiperspirants, skin health products, dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, and other related items. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Colgate-Palmolive Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Colgate-Palmolive and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new stake in SPDR S&P Insurance ETF (NYSEARCA:KIE Free Report) during the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm bought 2,031 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $80,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in KIE. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. grew its position in SPDR S&P Insurance ETF by 97.2% during the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 12,276 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $516,000 after buying an additional 6,051 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in SPDR S&P Insurance ETF by 11.4% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 18,419 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $774,000 after buying an additional 1,884 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in SPDR S&P Insurance ETF by 109.2% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 2,490 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $106,000 after buying an additional 1,300 shares in the last quarter. Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc. grew its position in SPDR S&P Insurance ETF by 16.8% during the first quarter. Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 6,966 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $255,000 after buying an additional 1,004 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in SPDR S&P Insurance ETF during the first quarter worth approximately $597,000. Get SPDR S&P Insurance ETF alerts: SPDR S&P Insurance ETF Price Performance Shares of NYSEARCA:KIE opened at $42.49 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $548.12 million, a P/E ratio of 10.76 and a beta of 0.86. SPDR S&P Insurance ETF has a 1 year low of $35.38 and a 1 year high of $44.30. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $40.14 and its 200 day simple moving average is $40.80. SPDR S&P Insurance ETF Profile The SPDR S&P Insurance ETF (the Fund), formerly SPDR KBW Insurance ETF, seeks to closely match the returns and characteristics of the S&P Banks Select Industry Index. The Fund invests all, but at least 80%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the Index. The Fund invests in all of the securities represented in the Index in approximately the same proportions as the Index. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KIE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for SPDR S&P Insurance ETF (NYSEARCA:KIE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for SPDR S&P Insurance ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SPDR S&P Insurance ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ukraines SBU nabs Russian agent helping abuse residents of Mykolayiv Oblast 21 July, 11:57 AM The SBU detained a collaborator in the Mykolaiv Oblast who helped the Russians mock local residents (Photo:/Telegram) Ukraines SBU security service has exposed a Russian agent who helped the invaders abduct and abuse the residents of Mykolayiv Oblast, the SBU and the Office of theProsecutor General reported on Telegram on July 21. In July 2022, while staying in occupied territory in Mykolayiv districts Shevchenkove territorial community, the detainee collaborated with the Russian military, the prosecutors said. Read also: SBU detains Ukrzaliznytsia employee for facilitating Russian attack on Dnipropetrovsk Oblast The perpetrator directly participated in crimes against fellow villagers during manhunts, the SBU said. In particular, he helped Russian servicemen intimidate local residents by staging mock executions: people were placed against a wall, firearms were pointed at them, and shots were fired at dangerous proximity to force the Ukrainians to cooperate. Video of day The SBUs officers received testimony from seven civilians who had suffered from such abuse. The detainee has been charged with violating the laws and customs of war. If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in prison. The occupation of Mykolayiv Oblast began on Feb. 26, 2022, after Russian troops invaded the territory of Ukraine, attacked the city of Mykolayiv and began to capture parts of Mykolayiv Oblast, reaching the town of Voznesensk. On Nov. 10, 2022, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liberated almost all of Mykolayiv Oblast from invading Russian forces. Will you support Ukraines free press? Dear reader, as all news organizations, we must balance the pressures of delivering timely, accurate, and relevant stories with requirements to fund our business operations. As a Ukrainian-based media, we also have another responsibility to amplify Ukraines voice to the world during the crucial moment of its existence as a political nation. Its the support of our readers that lets us continue doing our job. We keep our essential reporting free because we believe in our ultimate purpose: an independent, democratic Ukraine. If youre willing to support Ukraine, consider subscribing to our Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Please help us continue fighting Russian propaganda. Truth can be hard to tell from fiction these days. Every viewpoint has its audience of backers and supporters, no matter how absurd. If conscious disinformation is reinforced by state propaganda apparatus and budget, its outcomes may become deadly. There is no solution to this, other than independent, honest, and accurate reporting. We remain committed to empowering the Ukrainian voice to push against the muck. If youre willing to stand up for the truth consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. Thank you very much. Will you help tell Ukraines story to the world? Twenty years ago, most people hadnt even heard of Ukraine. Today, the country is on everyones lips and everyones headlines. War pushed us on the front page. But there are many other things we do that we are proud of from music and culture to technology. We need your help to tell the world Ukrainian story of resilience, joy, and survival. If youre willing to back our effort, consider supporting us on Patreon starting from 5$ per month. We are immensely grateful. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HPP Get Free Report) saw a significant increase in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 19,340,000 shares, an increase of 9.7% from the June 15th total of 17,630,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 4,840,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 4.0 days. Approximately 14.1% of the companys shares are sold short. Hudson Pacific Properties Trading Up 0.3 % Shares of HPP traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $5.57. 2,697,724 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,005,154. Hudson Pacific Properties has a 52-week low of $4.05 and a 52-week high of $15.62. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $4.80 and a 200 day simple moving average of $6.97. The firm has a market cap of $784.11 million, a P/E ratio of -13.86 and a beta of 1.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.80 and a current ratio of 1.80. Get Hudson Pacific Properties alerts: Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE:HPP Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.14) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.42 by ($0.56). Hudson Pacific Properties had a negative return on equity of 1.52% and a negative net margin of 4.91%. The firm had revenue of $252.26 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $261.21 million. On average, research analysts anticipate that Hudson Pacific Properties will post 1.32 EPS for the current fiscal year. Hudson Pacific Properties Cuts Dividend Institutional Inflows and Outflows The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, June 20th were issued a $0.125 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 16th. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 8.98%. Hudson Pacific Propertiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -125.00%. A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of HPP. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in Hudson Pacific Properties in the second quarter valued at $33,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in Hudson Pacific Properties during the 2nd quarter worth about $35,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Hudson Pacific Properties by 119.5% during the 4th quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,424 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 1,864 shares in the last quarter. Ellevest Inc. increased its position in Hudson Pacific Properties by 269.6% during the 4th quarter. Ellevest Inc. now owns 3,955 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 2,885 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Parallel Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Hudson Pacific Properties by 68.4% in the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 4,742 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $46,000 after buying an additional 1,926 shares during the period. 97.55% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have weighed in on HPP shares. Piper Sandler reduced their target price on Hudson Pacific Properties from $8.00 to $6.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 31st. Morgan Stanley reduced their target price on Hudson Pacific Properties from $10.00 to $6.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, March 31st. StockNews.com started coverage on Hudson Pacific Properties in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their target price on Hudson Pacific Properties from $8.00 to $7.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $7.94. Hudson Pacific Properties Company Profile (Get Free Report) Hudson Pacific Properties (NYSE: HPP) is a real estate investment trust serving dynamic tech and media tenants in global epicenters for these synergistic, converging and secular growth industries. Hudson Pacific's unique and high-barrier tech and media focus leverages a full-service, end-to-end value creation platform forged through deep strategic relationships and niche expertise across identifying, acquiring, transforming and developing properties into world-class amenitized, collaborative and sustainable office and studio space. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hudson Pacific Properties and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Loudon Investment Management LLC lessened its position in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Free Report) by 2.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 18,411 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 375 shares during the period. Illinois Tool Works makes up about 3.1% of Loudon Investment Management LLCs holdings, making the stock its 6th largest position. Loudon Investment Management LLCs holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $4,482,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in ITW. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its position in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 3.7% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 9,666 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,024,000 after buying an additional 348 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers boosted its position in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 4.2% during the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 9,070 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,899,000 after buying an additional 368 shares during the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 54.7% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,859 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $599,000 after purchasing an additional 1,011 shares during the last quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. boosted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 9.9% in the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 2,407 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $504,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Covestor Ltd boosted its position in Illinois Tool Works by 70.7% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 746 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $156,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.37% of the companys stock. Get Illinois Tool Works alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research analysts have weighed in on ITW shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on Illinois Tool Works from $235.00 to $240.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. StockNews.com lowered Illinois Tool Works from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, June 22nd. 3M restated a maintains rating on shares of Illinois Tool Works in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $236.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $183.00 to $181.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $234.92. Insider Transactions at Illinois Tool Works Illinois Tool Works Price Performance In other Illinois Tool Works news, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 5,425 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $239.23, for a total value of $1,297,822.75. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 8,870 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,121,970.10. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Company insiders own 0.88% of the companys stock. Illinois Tool Works stock traded up $0.59 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $256.10. 131,929 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,066,935. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 52-week low of $180.27 and a 52-week high of $256.61. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $239.17 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $235.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 0.84 and a current ratio of 1.20. The company has a market cap of $77.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.55, a PEG ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 1.13. Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $2.33 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate 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 business had revenue of $4.02 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.98 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.11 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 2.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 9.64 earnings per share for the current year. Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th were issued a $1.31 dividend. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.05%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 29th. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is currently 52.40%. Illinois Tool Works Company Profile (Free Report) Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment worldwide. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment offers plastic and metal components, fasteners, and assemblies for automobiles, light trucks, and other industrial uses. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Illinois Tool Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Illinois Tool Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM Get Free Report) CEO Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.71, for a total value of $3,520,650.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 16,401,166 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,849,517,671.86. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Marc Benioff also recently made the following trade(s): Get Salesforce alerts: On Monday, July 17th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $228.86, for a total value of $3,432,900.00. On Friday, July 14th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $229.80, for a total value of $3,447,000.00. On Wednesday, July 12th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $224.87, for a total value of $3,373,050.00. On Monday, July 10th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $211.24, for a total value of $3,168,600.00. On Friday, July 7th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.71, for a total value of $3,160,650.00. On Wednesday, July 5th, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $213.32, for a total value of $3,199,800.00. On Monday, July 3rd, Marc Benioff sold 15,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $210.95, for a total value of $3,164,250.00. On Wednesday, June 14th, Marc Benioff sold 500,000 shares of Salesforce stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $209.14, for a total value of $104,570,000.00. Salesforce Stock Down 2.7 % NYSE CRM traded down $6.26 on Thursday, reaching $228.11. 5,297,380 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,619,663. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.16, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.02. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $213.90 and a 200-day moving average price of $189.53. The company has a market cap of $222.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 600.29, a PEG ratio of 2.25 and a beta of 1.19. Salesforce, Inc. has a 12 month low of $126.34 and a 12 month high of $238.22. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Salesforce ( NYSE:CRM Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 31st. The CRM provider reported $1.69 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.08. The business had revenue of $8.25 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.17 billion. Salesforce had a return on equity of 5.75% and a net margin of 1.18%. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.41 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Salesforce, Inc. will post 5.26 EPS for the current fiscal year. Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in CRM. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its position in shares of Salesforce by 92,823.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 238,763,957 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $50,441,274,000 after acquiring an additional 238,507,009 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Salesforce during the 4th quarter valued at about $1,420,381,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC increased its position in Salesforce by 125,717.4% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 10,260,412 shares of the CRM providers stock valued at $1,360,428,000 after buying an additional 10,252,257 shares in the last quarter. Parnassus Investments LLC acquired a new position in Salesforce during the 4th quarter valued at about $797,956,000. Finally, Starboard Value LP acquired a new position in Salesforce during the 4th quarter valued at about $401,215,000. 81.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Societe Generale cut Salesforce from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on Salesforce from $145.00 to $153.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Piper Sandler raised their price target on Salesforce from $230.00 to $248.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Citigroup raised their price target on Salesforce from $229.00 to $230.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on Salesforce from $225.00 to $240.00 in a report on Thursday, June 1st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have issued a hold rating, twenty-four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $223.50. About Salesforce (Get Free Report) Salesforce, Inc provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. The company's service includes sales to store data, monitor leads and progress, forecast opportunities, gain insights through analytics and relationship intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer service and support at scale. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Salesforce Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Salesforce and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Free Report) (TSE:ITH) in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday morning. The firm issued a sell rating on the mining companys stock. International Tower Hill Mines Trading Down 4.2 % Shares of International Tower Hill Mines stock opened at $0.43 on Tuesday. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $0.46 and a 200-day simple moving average of $0.52. International Tower Hill Mines has a 1-year low of $0.37 and a 1-year high of $0.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $84.63 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -21.71 and a beta of 0.70. Get International Tower Hill Mines alerts: Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Tower Hill Mines An institutional investor recently raised its position in International Tower Hill Mines stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC lifted its position in International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:THM Free Report) (TSE:ITH) by 187.3% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 215,462 shares of the mining companys stock after purchasing an additional 140,462 shares during the quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC owned 0.11% of International Tower Hill Mines worth $211,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 55.34% of the companys stock. International Tower Hill Mines Company Profile International Tower Hill Mines Ltd., a mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. It holds or has rights to acquire interests in the Livengood gold project covering an area of approximately 19,546 hectares located to the northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. Read More Receive News & Ratings for International Tower Hill Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Tower Hill Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR 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 5,330,000 shares, a decrease of 15.9% from the June 15th total of 6,340,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 1,360,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.9 days. Approximately 4.0% of the companys shares are sold short. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In KBR has been the subject of several research reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of KBR from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, July 11th. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on shares of KBR from $72.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat, KBR has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $67.57. Get KBR alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at KBR In other KBR news, EVP Jennifer Myles sold 480 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.32, for a total transaction of $31,353.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,520 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $948,446.40. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other KBR news, EVP Jennifer Myles sold 480 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.32, for a total value of $31,353.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,520 shares in the company, valued at approximately $948,446.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Stuart Bradie sold 900 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.20, for a total transaction of $53,280.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 669,639 shares of the companys stock, valued at $39,642,628.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 123,656 shares of company stock valued at $7,565,090 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 1.03% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On KBR KBR Stock Performance A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in KBR. Belpointe Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in KBR during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Fred Alger Management LLC bought a new stake in KBR during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $36,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in KBR during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Quadrant Capital Group LLC raised its stake in KBR by 113.7% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 750 shares of the construction companys stock worth $40,000 after acquiring an additional 399 shares during the period. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp bought a new stake in KBR during the 1st quarter worth approximately $48,000. Shares of NYSE KBR traded up $0.53 during trading on Thursday, reaching $64.34. 1,447,708 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,193,168. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $62.54 and a 200-day simple moving average of $56.84. The company has a quick ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 0.99 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.83. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.73 billion, a PE ratio of 28.22, a P/E/G ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 1.13. KBR has a 52-week low of $41.96 and a 52-week high of $65.87. KBR (NYSE:KBR Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 1st. The construction company reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.09. The firm had revenue of $1.70 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.61 billion. KBR had a net margin of 5.30% and a return on equity of 26.13%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $0.62 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that KBR will post 2.88 earnings per share for the current year. KBR Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a $0.135 dividend. This represents a $0.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.84%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. KBRs payout ratio is 23.68%. KBR Company Profile (Get Free Report) KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. The company operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Loudon Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM Free Report) by 7.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 16,529 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,160 shares during the quarter. Loudon Investment Management LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $1,538,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Avantax Planning Partners Inc. increased its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. Avantax Planning Partners Inc. now owns 3,065 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $228,000 after acquiring an additional 110 shares during the last quarter. Cedar Brook Financial Partners LLC increased its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 1.5% during the 4th quarter. Cedar Brook Financial Partners LLC now owns 8,037 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $599,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC increased its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 7.2% during the 1st quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,752 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $163,000 after purchasing an additional 118 shares in the last quarter. Focused Wealth Management Inc increased its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 35.1% during the 1st quarter. Focused Wealth Management Inc now owns 458 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $43,000 after purchasing an additional 119 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV increased its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 2.8% during the 4th quarter. Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV now owns 4,364 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $325,000 after purchasing an additional 120 shares in the last quarter. 16.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. KGI Securities started coverage on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Wednesday, March 29th. They set an outperform rating for the company. Needham & Company LLC reduced their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $118.00 to $115.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday. StockNews.com raised Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Saturday, June 3rd. Finally, Susquehanna upped their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $128.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, According to data from MarketBeat.com, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $108.33. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Down 1.3 % Shares of NYSE TSM traded down $1.23 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $96.63. The company had a trading volume of 5,141,093 shares, compared to its average volume of 12,238,478. The stock has a market capitalization of $501.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.69 and a beta of 1.08. The company has a quick ratio of 2.04, a current ratio of 2.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a 1-year low of $59.43 and a 1-year high of $110.69. The firms 50 day moving average is $99.85 and its 200-day moving average is $92.48. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The semiconductor company reported $1.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.21 by $0.10. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 36.02% and a net margin of 44.72%. The business had revenue of $16.72 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $17.30 billion. On average, analysts expect that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 5.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.489 per share. This is an increase from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.36. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $1.96 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.02%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.48%. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Profile (Free Report) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides complementary metal oxide silicon wafer fabrication processes to manufacture logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, and embedded memory semiconductors. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Loudon Investment Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 2.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 5,982 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 175 shares during the period. Loudon Investment Management LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $606,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in ABT. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter valued at about $131,000. United Bank boosted its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 7.2% during the 1st quarter. United Bank now owns 27,280 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,229,000 after purchasing an additional 1,826 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 1.9% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 813,253 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $96,257,000 after acquiring an additional 15,521 shares in the last quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 2.3% in the first quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC now owns 19,467 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,304,000 after acquiring an additional 436 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Lumature Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Abbott Laboratories by 636.2% in the first quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC now owns 2,216 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $262,000 after acquiring an additional 1,915 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 73.08% of the companys stock. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance NYSE:ABT traded up $2.15 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $113.98. The stock had a trading volume of 1,454,007 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,058,615. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.68. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $106.05 and a 200 day simple moving average of $106.28. Abbott Laboratories has a 12-month low of $93.25 and a 12-month high of $115.69. The stock has a market cap of $198.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.98, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.83 and a beta of 0.68. Abbott Laboratories Announces Dividend Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.08 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.05 by $0.03. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 22.36% and a net margin of 13.98%. The firm had revenue of $9.98 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.71 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.43 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 EPS for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Investors of record on Friday, July 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.79%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is 62.01%. Insider Activity at Abbott Laboratories In other Abbott Laboratories news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total transaction of $5,551,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,825,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $757,746,582.32. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Abbott Laboratories news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total transaction of $909,466.56. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 70,427 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,786,409.12. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total value of $5,551,000.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 6,825,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $757,746,582.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Analysts Set New Price Targets ABT has been the topic of several recent research reports. Bank of America cut their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $115.00 in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Raymond James increased their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $123.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. UBS Group increased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $117.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $118.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Morgan Stanley reissued an equal weight rating and issued a $112.00 price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a research note on Friday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $120.53. Abbott Laboratories Company Profile (Free Report) Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Mammoth Resources Corp. (CVE:MTH Get Free Report)s stock price hit a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as C$0.02 and last traded at C$0.02, with a volume of 9000 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at C$0.02. Mammoth Resources Stock Performance The firm has a market cap of C$1.35 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.38 and a beta of 0.79. The business has a fifty day moving average of C$0.02 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$0.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 5.53 and a current ratio of 3.61. Mammoth Resources Company Profile (Get Free Report) Mammoth Resources Corp., an exploration stage company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of mining properties in Mexico. It holds a 100% interest in the Tenoriba property consisting of four concessions, including Mapy, Mapy 2, Mapy 3, and Fernanda covering a land package of totalling 5,333 hectares located in the Sierra Madre precious metal belt in southwestern Chihuahua State, Mexico. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Mammoth Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mammoth Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Martello Technologies Group (OTCMKTS:DRKOF Get Free Report) is one of 144 publicly-traded companies in the SoftwareInfrastructure industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Martello Technologies Group to related companies based on the strength of its risk, profitability, institutional ownership, earnings, valuation, dividends and analyst recommendations. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of recent recommendations for Martello Technologies Group and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Get Martello Technologies Group alerts: Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Martello Technologies Group 0 0 0 0 N/A Martello Technologies Group Competitors 220 922 1611 8 2.51 As a group, SoftwareInfrastructure companies have a potential upside of 74.21%. Given Martello Technologies Groups peers higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Martello Technologies Group has less favorable growth aspects than its peers. Profitability Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Martello Technologies Group N/A N/A N/A Martello Technologies Group Competitors -64.31% -73.62% -10.37% Earnings and Valuation This table compares Martello Technologies Group and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets. This table compares Martello Technologies Group and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation. Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Martello Technologies Group N/A N/A -0.01 Martello Technologies Group Competitors $228.18 million -$63.41 million -319.12 Martello Technologies Groups peers have higher revenue, but lower earnings than Martello Technologies Group. Martello Technologies Group is trading at a higher price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more expensive than other companies in its industry. Insider & Institutional Ownership 30.1% of shares of all SoftwareInfrastructure companies are held by institutional investors. 31.0% of shares of all SoftwareInfrastructure companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Martello Technologies Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) Martello Technologies Group Inc. develops digital experience monitoring software solutions in Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Australia, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Vantage DX Monitoring Mitel UC, Vantage DX Analytics IT Service Analytics, and Vantage DX Monitoring Microsoft 365. Its products portfolio includes proactive Microsoft 365 monitoring, Microsoft teams call quality analytics, Microsoft active network path analysis, Microsoft 365 and Microsoft teams advanced troubleshooting, ITSM incident workflows, and Microsoft 365 performance reports (SLA/OLA); Vantage DX, a single platform DEM suite, which optimizes the modern workplace with a focus on Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Teams, as well as UC performance analytics software; and subscription-based software as a service. The company also provides software licenses, hardware, training, and maintenance and support services. Martello Technologies Group Inc. is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. Receive News & Ratings for Martello Technologies Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Martello Technologies Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX Get Free Report) shares were up 7.8% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $88.79 and last traded at $88.56. Approximately 68,516 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 77% from the average daily volume of 294,783 shares. The stock had previously closed at $82.12. Analyst Ratings Changes Several analysts recently commented on MATX shares. Stifel Nicolaus cut their price objective on Matson from $73.00 to $70.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Matson in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Stephens reaffirmed an equal weight rating and issued a $73.00 price objective on shares of Matson in a research note on Friday. Get Matson alerts: Matson Price Performance The firm has a market capitalization of $3.34 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.83 and a beta of 1.17. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $74.47 and a 200-day moving average price of $67.69. The company has a current ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. Matson Increases Dividend Matson ( NYSE:MATX Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The shipping company reported $0.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.89 by $0.05. Matson had a return on equity of 33.72% and a net margin of 19.54%. The business had revenue of $704.80 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $704.34 million. During the same period last year, the company earned $8.23 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 39.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts expect that Matson, Inc. will post 4.61 earnings per share for the current year. The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 7th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 3rd will be issued a $0.32 dividend. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.37%. This is an increase from Matsons previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 2nd. Matsons dividend payout ratio is presently 6.59%. Insider Transactions at Matson In other Matson news, SVP Christopher A. Scott sold 678 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.30, for a total transaction of $51,731.40. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 12,276 shares in the company, valued at approximately $936,658.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other Matson news, SVP Richard S. Kinney sold 1,028 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $76.45, for a total transaction of $78,590.60. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 10,424 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $796,914.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Christopher A. Scott sold 678 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.30, for a total value of $51,731.40. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 12,276 shares in the company, valued at approximately $936,658.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 44,623 shares of company stock worth $3,181,556. 1.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Institutional Trading of Matson Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of MATX. ArrowMark Colorado Holdings LLC boosted its position in Matson by 30.0% during the 1st quarter. ArrowMark Colorado Holdings LLC now owns 1,858,648 shares of the shipping companys stock valued at $110,906,000 after acquiring an additional 429,048 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its position in shares of Matson by 11.0% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,432,062 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $152,031,000 after purchasing an additional 240,119 shares in the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Matson by 62.7% in the 4th quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 471,505 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $29,474,000 after purchasing an additional 181,751 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Matson by 3.4% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,655,892 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $561,594,000 after purchasing an additional 153,723 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Matson by 109.9% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 285,393 shares of the shipping companys stock worth $34,424,000 after purchasing an additional 149,444 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 84.81% of the companys stock. Matson Company Profile (Get Free Report) Matson, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides ocean transportation and logistics services. The company's Ocean Transportation segment offers ocean freight transportation services to the domestic non-contiguous economies of Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam, as well as to other island economies in Micronesia. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Matson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Matson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. In this article, we will take a look at the 20 cheapest English-speaking countries to retire. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis on a cheap retirement and becoming bilingual, you can go to 5 Cheapest English-Speaking Countries to Retire. A Cheap Retirement According to Social Security Administration, today's 65-year-old can expect to live for another 20 years. While the news regarding longevity is pleasant, it does come at a substantial price for retirees. Rising inflation, surging dollar, and social security solvency concerns have pushed 47 million Americans into a financial risk. National Council on Aging notes that retirees cannot manage the resources that will help them weather financial shocks awaiting them due to longer life expectancies. These shocks include health issues, long-term care, or loss of income due to divorce or widowhood. Moreover, with more and more adults hoping to "age in place," in-home long-term support and service may not be affordable for retirees for more than two years. Long-term care is expensive, and many potential retirees are moving away from the States in hopes of a more affordable retirement. Some countries with low cost of living and high quality of life that retirees can choose from include Malaysia, Portugal, and Spain. Places in the Caribbean and Central America also offer good options, such as Costa Rica, Panama, and more. Moving on, some of the cheapest countries to live in Asia include the Philippines, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Some other affordable countries for retirement include Thailand, Dominican Republic, and South Africa. Becoming Bilingual Retirees are increasingly in search of the perfect retirement destination. Many are checking out the best-kept secret places, yet others are exploring lists such as the best places to retire worldwide. When exploring new destinations for retirement, retirees often come across destinations where English isn't the official language or may not be widely spoken. While many retirees get by learning the basic language of the new country they have retired to, others may need to be more comfortable or proficient in the new language. These language barriers may be problematic when running daily errands, and overall daily life. Story continues Language barriers can also pose significant difficulties in healthcare. A study published in Health Equity highlights that for elderly Mexican Americans living in neighborhoods with low English-speaking proficiency, language isolation can result in poor health outcomes, higher mortality rates, and also care access issues. The study further reveals that those living in linguistically isolated neighborhoods tend to have mortality rates up to 1.25 times higher than those who don't. In these cases, online courses such as those offered by Duolingo, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOL) can be useful in helping potential retirees learn the new language. Duolingo, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOL) is a language learning platform that provides individuals free and premium language courses. Through the Duolingo, Inc. (NASDAQ:DUOL) mobile application, retirees can quickly learn to converse in the language of their new retirement destination. For those who believe they will be better off retiring to an English-speaking country, there are plenty of the best countries to retire overseas where English is spoken. Examples include the Isle of Man, Vanuatu, Barbados, and more. Many retirees live on fixed incomes, so cheap English-speaking retirement destinations seem much more appealing. 20 Cheapest English-Speaking Countries to Retire Methodology In order to compile the list of the cheapest English-speaking countries to retire to, we listed out cheap, English-speaking countries sourced from US News & World Report, Retirepedia, and Travel with the Crew. Next, we used cost of living to assess the cheapest English-speaking countries to retire to from the list. The monthly cost of living for a single individual is discussed for each country, sourced from International Living, Living Cost.org, amongst others. Places were then ranked in a descending order from the highest to the lowest costs of living. It is important to note here that many places have been included in our list, even when their official language isn't English. This is because many countries, despite not having English as their official language, have locals and expats widely speaking the language in them. Without further ado, here are the cheapest English-speaking countries to retire: 20. Thailand Cost of Living: $2,000 Among the cheapest English-speaking countries on our list, Thailand ranks at number 20, with a cost of living of $2,000 per month. While English is not the official language, it is common in tourist and expat-heavy areas, as well as major cities. These places commonly have signage, menu, and staff who can speak and understand English. 19. Spain Cost of Living: $1,970 A single expat retiree living in a mid-sized city in Spain can expect to retire in a one-room apartment for $1,970. Boasting a diverse climate, the country is regarded as a hub of history and culture, revered for its relaxed lifestyle and slow pace of life. English is a second language in the country, and more than 11 million residents speak English in Spain. 18. Costa Rica Cost of Living: $1,800 Retirees get lured to Costa Rica to live the "Pura Vida" lifestyle of relaxation and enjoyment. The country boasts a warm climate, well-developed healthcare, and stunning beaches, rainforests, and mountains. In Costa Rica, a single person can expect to comfortably retire on $1,600 - $2,000 monthly. While Spanish is the official language here, many locals speak English, especially in expat communities and tourist destinations. Expat-heavy regions will make it seem like English is their first language, but remember to say your greetings in Spanish anyway. 17. Portugal Cost of Living: $1,610 According to International Citizens Group, expat retirees can live comfortably in Portugal at a monthly budget of around $1,450-$1,770. English is widely spoken throughout the country, especially in bigger cities and also the Algarve. Many retirees have flocked to Portugal over the years, living well speaking English only. 16. Antigua and Barbuda Cost of Living: $1,551 One of the cheapest English-speaking countries to retire to is Antigua and Barbuda. This Caribbean country's official language is English. It boasts a cost of living that is cheaper than most English-speaking countries in Europe and North America at $1,551. In addition to language ease, the country offers several tax benefits and incentives for retirees, making it easier to stretch their retirement savings. The country is also known for its pleasant climate, stunning natural beauty, and tailored retirement programs. 15. Cyprus Cost of Living: $1,410 One of the best English-speaking countries in Europe is Cyprus. A single individual can expect to spend $1,410 monthly on living costs. The cost of living in Cyprus, on average, is 36% lower than in the United States. While Greek and Turkish are the official languages in the country, English is also widely spoken. Cypriots are fluent in English, with 76% of the population being able to speak it. Road signs, menus, and public advertisements are all in Greek and English as well. 14. Dominica Cost of Living: $1,355 Dominica is widely regarded as a cheap English-speaking country, far more affordable than its many Western counterparts. The "Nature Isle of the Caribbean" has much to offer retirees, such as stunning landscapes, tax benefits, and several retirement incentives. English is the official language in the country, which is universally spoken as well as understood. A single person can expect to retire comfortably at $1,355 while enjoying a stable currency, low crime rate, and island-hopping ease. 13. Malta Cost of Living: $1,340 Global Citizens Solution says living in Malta is 29% cheaper than in the USA. English is the second official language in the country, with around 88% of the population speaking the language. Valletta and Gozo, in particular, have a large percentage of the population speaking English. Healthcare, rent, and coffee are cheaper here than in the US. 12. Vietnam Cost of Living: $1,300 One of the most inexpensive countries to retire is Vietnam. Retirees can expect to live in the country at a budget of $1,300 per month, on average, to live here for a comfortable lifestyle. This exotic tourist destination does not have English as its official language. However, more than 50% of the population possess some English language skills, enough to allow expat retirees to get by. It is one of the top countries for expats to live in. 11. Panama Cost of Living: $1,112 Panama, one of the best places to retire in Central America, is also one of the cheapest English-speaking countries retirees can choose to spend their golden years. While the official language in the country is Spanish, most locals can also speak English, especially in areas where there is a higher concentration of expats. On average, retirees can expect to comfortably live on $1,112 per month. 10. St. Kitts and Nevis Cost of Living: $1,100 St. Kitts and Nevis is a beautiful retirement destination offering a laid-back, Caribbean lifestyle. English is the country's official language, so expat retirees won't have a problem communicating or integrating into the community. Through the Citizenship by Investment Program, retirees can gain citizenship in the country, further availing tax benefits and incentives that they offer. On average, the cost of living is $1,100. 9. St. Lucia Cost of living: $1,019 St. Lucia is one of the best islands to retire in the Caribbean. It is cheaper than most Western countries and costs $1,019 on average to live comfortably here. English is the official language in the island country and is widely spoken throughout the region. While healthcare services can be improved, it is a safe and affordable country to retire to. 8. Malaysia Cost of living: $1,008 One of the cheapest English-speaking countries to retire to is Malaysia. Expat retirees can comfortably live on $1,008 on average, with enough to save. Malay is the official language in Malaysia. However, English is also widely spoken and understood in the country. Malaysia is highly revered for medical tourism and offers retirees affordable yet excellent medical services. Compared to the US, expats can save up to 80% in medical bills, making it one of the best places to retire overseas for affordable and efficient healthcare. Tropical climate, cultural diversity, and well-developed infrastructure are also a plus. 7. Belize Cost of living: $1,000 The official language of Belize is English. Since it is a popular tourist and retirement destination, many people speak the language. Besides English, nearly half of the population is also fluent in Spanish and Kriol. Belize boasts a low cost of living as compared to other countries, with expat retirees comfortably living on $1,000 per month. The country is revered for its beaches, coral reefs, rainforests, and other stunning landscapes. 6. Grenada Cost of Living: $1,000 Grenada, the island nation in the far south of the Caribbean Sea, uses English as its official language. Other languages spoken are Grenadian Creole English and Grenadian Creole French. The country basks in a warm tropical climate, featuring stunning beaches and lush landscapes. It is generally safe for retirees, and cost of living is affordable at $1,000. Healthcare is an aspect that can be improved. Click to continue reading and see the 5 Cheapest English-Speaking Countries to Retire. Suggested Articles: Disclosure: none. 20 Cheapest English-Speaking Countries to Retire is originally published on Insider Monkey. Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW Get Free Report)s stock had its equal weight rating reissued by analysts at Morgan Stanley in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $78.00 price objective on the utilities providers stock, up from their previous price objective of $73.00. Morgan Stanleys target price points to a potential downside of 8.96% from the stocks current price. PNW has been the topic of several other reports. StockNews.com cut Pinnacle West Capital from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, May 20th. KeyCorp upped their price objective on Pinnacle West Capital from $55.00 to $61.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on Pinnacle West Capital from $85.00 to $89.00 in a research note on Friday, June 16th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on Pinnacle West Capital from $80.00 to $78.00 in a research note on Thursday, June 29th. Finally, Mizuho boosted their price objective on Pinnacle West Capital from $80.00 to $84.00 in a research note on Friday, June 23rd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Pinnacle West Capital presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $78.11. Get Pinnacle West Capital alerts: Pinnacle West Capital Stock Up 1.4 % NYSE:PNW traded up $1.18 on Friday, reaching $85.68. 128,405 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 831,772. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $80.58 and its 200 day simple moving average is $78.09. The company has a current ratio of 1.01, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28. Pinnacle West Capital has a 12 month low of $59.03 and a 12 month high of $85.78. The company has a market capitalization of $9.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.95, a PEG ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 0.47. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Pinnacle West Capital ( NYSE:PNW Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported ($0.03) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.06). Pinnacle West Capital had a net margin of 10.33% and a return on equity of 7.50%. The company had revenue of $944.60 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $808.33 million. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.15 EPS. Pinnacle West Capitals revenue was up 20.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Pinnacle West Capital will post 4.08 EPS for the current fiscal year. A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. increased its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 67.4% in the 2nd quarter. Newbridge Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 308 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 124 shares during the last quarter. Graham Capital Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Pinnacle West Capital during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $248,814,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new position in Pinnacle West Capital during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Quent Capital LLC grew its holdings in Pinnacle West Capital by 153.6% during the 4th quarter. Quent Capital LLC now owns 350 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 212 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Jones Financial Companies Lllp purchased a new position in Pinnacle West Capital during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $28,000. 85.46% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Pinnacle West Capital Company Profile (Get Free Report) Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, through its subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company, provides retail and wholesale electric services primarily in the state of Arizona. The company engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity using coal, nuclear, gas, oil, and solar generating facilities. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Pinnacle West Capital Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pinnacle West Capital and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Halliburton (NYSE:HAL Get Free Report)s stock had its overweight rating reissued by equities researchers at Morgan Stanley in a report issued on Friday, Benzinga reports. They presently have a $45.00 price target on the oilfield services companys stock. Morgan Stanleys price target would suggest a potential upside of 22.02% from the companys previous close. HAL has been the topic of a number of other reports. Barclays dropped their price target on Halliburton from $58.00 to $49.00 in a research report on Thursday. Capital One Financial assumed coverage on Halliburton in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. They issued an overweight rating and a $41.00 target price on the stock. HSBC reduced their price target on shares of Halliburton from $57.00 to $50.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Halliburton from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, May 26th. Finally, Susquehanna upped their target price on shares of Halliburton from $42.00 to $44.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Thursday. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Halliburton presently has a consensus rating of Buy and an average price target of $46.70. Get Halliburton alerts: Halliburton Stock Performance HAL stock traded up $0.43 during trading on Friday, hitting $36.88. 4,218,358 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 9,522,574. The stock has a market capitalization of $33.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.52 and a beta of 2.13. Halliburton has a 52 week low of $23.30 and a 52 week high of $43.42. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $32.47 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $34.54. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 2.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. Insider Buying and Selling Halliburton ( NYSE:HAL Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 19th. The oilfield services company reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.75 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $5.80 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.85 billion. Halliburton had a net margin of 9.04% and a return on equity of 29.38%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 14.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.49 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Halliburton will post 3.08 EPS for the current fiscal year. In related news, CEO Jeffrey Allen Miller sold 271,283 shares of Halliburton stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.25, for a total value of $8,206,310.75. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 829,230 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $25,084,207.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, SVP Jill D. Sharp sold 3,686 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $38.00, for a total value of $140,068.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 52,109 shares in the company, valued at $1,980,142. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jeffrey Allen Miller sold 271,283 shares of Halliburton stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.25, for a total value of $8,206,310.75. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 829,230 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,084,207.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 353,623 shares of company stock worth $11,046,183 in the last three months. 0.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Halliburton A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Czech National Bank lifted its position in shares of Halliburton by 0.3% in the second quarter. Czech National Bank now owns 106,831 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $3,524,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares in the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems increased its stake in Halliburton by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 71,305 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $2,806,000 after buying an additional 311 shares during the period. Clarus Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Halliburton by 2.5% during the 4th quarter. Clarus Group Inc. now owns 13,561 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $534,000 after buying an additional 330 shares during the period. Rothschild Investment Corp IL grew its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 2.6% during the 2nd quarter. Rothschild Investment Corp IL now owns 13,237 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $437,000 after acquiring an additional 332 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Toroso Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of Halliburton by 3.3% in the third quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 10,443 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $257,000 after acquiring an additional 334 shares during the last quarter. 84.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Halliburton Company Profile (Get Free Report) Halliburton Company provides products and services to the energy industry worldwide. It operates in two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services that include stimulation and sand control services; cementing services, such as well bonding and casing, and casing equipment; completion tools that offer downhole solutions and services, including well completion products and services, intelligent well completions, and service tools, as well as liner hanger, sand control, and multilateral systems; production solutions comprising coiled tubing, hydraulic workover units, downhole tools, and pumping and nitrogen services; and pipeline and process services, such as pre-commissioning, commissioning, maintenance, and decommissioning. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Halliburton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Halliburton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK Free Report) had its price objective decreased by Northland Securities from $7.00 to $6.00 in a research note issued to investors on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports. A number of other analysts also recently commented on NOK. Raymond James reduced their price objective on Nokia Oyj from $7.00 to $6.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 21st. TheStreet cut shares of Nokia Oyj from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Monday, June 12th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Nokia Oyj from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Seven 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 currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $5.76. Get Nokia Oyj alerts: Nokia Oyj Stock Performance Nokia Oyj stock opened at $3.94 on Monday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $4.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $4.44. Nokia Oyj has a 52 week low of $3.83 and a 52 week high of $5.28. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.16 billion, a PE ratio of 4.98 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. Institutional Trading of Nokia Oyj Nokia Oyj ( NYSE:NOK Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 20th. The technology company reported $0.08 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.09 by ($0.01). Nokia Oyj had a net margin of 16.78% and a return on equity of 11.57%. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.11 earnings per share. Equities research analysts forecast that Nokia Oyj will post 0.43 earnings per share for the current year. Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. BlackRock Inc. grew its position in Nokia Oyj by 18.9% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,795,249 shares of the technology companys stock worth $26,183,000 after acquiring an additional 763,930 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Nokia Oyj by 79.1% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 5,029,643 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $27,462,000 after buying an additional 2,221,142 shares in the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. bought a new position in shares of Nokia Oyj in the first quarter valued at about $55,000. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in Nokia Oyj by 44.9% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 62,728 shares of the technology companys stock worth $343,000 after buying an additional 19,430 shares in the last quarter. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Nokia Oyj by 171.3% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 33,493 shares of the technology companys stock worth $183,000 after acquiring an additional 21,146 shares during the last quarter. 6.51% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Nokia Oyj Company Profile (Get 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. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Nokia Oyj Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nokia Oyj and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund (NYSE:JPC Get Free Report) was the target of a large decrease in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 17,000 shares, a decrease of 23.1% from the June 15th total of 22,100 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 322,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.1 days. Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund Stock Performance Shares of JPC stock traded down $0.04 on Thursday, hitting $6.45. 309,677 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 344,638. Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund has a 1-year low of $5.95 and a 1-year high of $8.45. The companys fifty day moving average is $6.36 and its 200 day moving average is $6.80. Get Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund alerts: Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund Announces Dividend The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 1st. Investors of record on Friday, July 14th will be given a dividend of $0.044 per share. This represents a $0.53 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 8.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund Company Profile Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in JPC. Csenge Advisory Group acquired a new stake in Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund in the second quarter worth $75,000. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. increased its position in Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund by 3.3% in the second quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. now owns 161,834 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,049,000 after buying an additional 5,226 shares during the period. Wealthcare Advisory Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund in the second quarter worth $161,000. Claybrook Capital LLC increased its position in Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund by 11.9% in the second quarter. Claybrook Capital LLC now owns 357,226 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,315,000 after buying an additional 37,958 shares during the period. Finally, Level Four Advisory Services LLC increased its position in Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund by 16.0% in the second quarter. Level Four Advisory Services LLC now owns 41,309 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $268,000 after buying an additional 5,694 shares during the period. (Get Free Report) Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund is a closed ended balanced mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC, Nuveen Asset Management, LLC, and NWQ Investment Management Company, LLC. It invests in the public equity and fixed income markets of the United States. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Nuveen Preferred & Income Opportunities Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Lincoln National Corp raised its stake in Oracle Co. (NYSE:ORCL Free Report) by 7.5% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 34,138 shares of the enterprise software providers stock after buying an additional 2,392 shares during the period. Lincoln National Corps holdings in Oracle were worth $3,172,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the stock. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its stake in Oracle by 843.3% during the 1st quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 283 shares of the enterprise software providers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 253 shares during the period. Clear Investment Research LLC acquired a new stake in Oracle during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Steward Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Oracle during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in Oracle during the 4th quarter valued at $29,000. Finally, Trifecta Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Oracle during the 4th quarter valued at $30,000. Institutional investors own 43.43% of the companys stock. Get Oracle alerts: Insider Activity In other news, Chairman Lawrence Joseph Ellison sold 1,750,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.95, for a total transaction of $211,662,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chairman now directly owns 1,145,732,353 shares of the companys stock, valued at $138,576,328,095.35. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other Oracle news, insider Edward Screven sold 354,837 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.39, for a total transaction of $43,783,337.43. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 2,543,033 shares of the companys stock, valued at $313,784,841.87. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Chairman Lawrence Joseph Ellison sold 1,750,000 shares of Oracle stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.95, for a total value of $211,662,500.00. Following the transaction, the chairman now owns 1,145,732,353 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $138,576,328,095.35. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 4,175,443 shares of company stock valued at $510,658,596. 43.70% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Oracle Price Performance Several brokerages have issued reports on ORCL. Guggenheim boosted their target price on shares of Oracle from $120.00 to $150.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Oracle from $95.00 to $110.00 in a research note on Monday, June 12th. VNET Group reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Oracle in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Oracle from $84.00 to $120.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on shares of Oracle from $93.00 to $109.00 in a research note on Monday, June 12th. Ten equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Oracle currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $119.37. Oracle stock opened at $115.88 on Friday. Oracle Co. has a 52-week low of $60.78 and a 52-week high of $127.54. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $112.20 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $97.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 55.54, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 0.91. The stock has a market capitalization of $314.53 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 37.87, a PEG ratio of 3.30 and a beta of 1.01. Oracle (NYSE:ORCL Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, June 12th. The enterprise software provider reported $1.67 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.58 by $0.09. Oracle had a net margin of 17.02% and a negative return on equity of 470.73%. The firm had revenue of $13.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.74 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.31 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 16.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts predict that Oracle Co. will post 4.5 earnings per share for the current year. Oracle Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 26th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 12th will be given a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 11th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.38%. Oracles payout ratio is currently 52.29%. Oracle Profile (Free Report) Oracle Corporation offers products and services that address enterprise information technology environments worldwide. Its Oracle cloud software as a service offering include various cloud software applications, including Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP), Oracle Fusion cloud enterprise performance management, Oracle Fusion cloud supply chain and manufacturing management, Oracle Fusion cloud human capital management, Oracle Cerner healthcare, Oracle Advertising, and NetSuite applications suite, as well as Oracle Fusion Sales, Service, and Marketing. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Oracle Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oracle and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (NYSE:RGA Get Free Report) have received an average rating of Moderate Buy from the ten ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $161.55. Several brokerages have recently issued reports on RGA. 58.com reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Reinsurance Group of America in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Reinsurance Group of America from $170.00 to $164.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Reinsurance Group of America from $149.00 to $151.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Credit Suisse Group lifted their target price on shares of Reinsurance Group of America from $144.00 to $152.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group downgraded shares of Reinsurance Group of America from a buy rating to a hold rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $170.00 to $160.00 in a research report on Friday, June 23rd. Get Reinsurance Group of America alerts: Reinsurance Group of America Stock Up 1.8 % RGA stock opened at $145.00 on Friday. Reinsurance Group of America has a 52 week low of $113.06 and a 52 week high of $153.35. The company has a market capitalization of $9.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.47 and a beta of 0.88. The firms 50-day moving average is $143.26 and its two-hundred day moving average is $141.94. The company has a current ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 0.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.58. Reinsurance Group of America Dividend Announcement Reinsurance Group of America ( NYSE:RGA Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The insurance provider reported $5.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.37 by $1.79. The company had revenue of $4.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.23 billion. Reinsurance Group of America had a net margin of 5.66% and a return on equity of 23.94%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.47 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Reinsurance Group of America will post 17.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 16th were given a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.21%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 15th. Reinsurance Group of Americas payout ratio is presently 23.10%. Insider Buying and Selling at Reinsurance Group of America In other Reinsurance Group of America news, EVP William L. Hutton sold 1,952 shares of Reinsurance Group of America stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.03, for a total value of $292,858.56. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 13,970 shares in the company, valued at $2,095,919.10. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, CFO Todd C. Larson sold 1,018 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $148.96, for a total value of $151,641.28. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 44,260 shares in the company, valued at $6,592,969.60. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Also, EVP William L. Hutton sold 1,952 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.03, for a total transaction of $292,858.56. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 13,970 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,095,919.10. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.55% of the companys stock. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Reinsurance Group of America A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of RGA. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in Reinsurance Group of America by 27.3% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 132,902 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $14,548,000 after acquiring an additional 28,536 shares during the period. Private Advisor Group LLC increased its holdings in Reinsurance Group of America by 13.0% in the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 2,817 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $309,000 after buying an additional 324 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its holdings in Reinsurance Group of America by 11.6% in the 1st quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 39,323 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $4,428,000 after buying an additional 4,073 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in Reinsurance Group of America by 20.9% in the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 10,421 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,141,000 after buying an additional 1,799 shares during the period. Finally, Parkside Financial Bank & Trust increased its holdings in Reinsurance Group of America by 47.8% in the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 368 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $40,000 after buying an additional 119 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 93.60% of the companys stock. Reinsurance Group of America Company Profile (Get Free Report Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated engages in reinsurance business. The company offers individual and group life and health insurance products, such as term life, credit life, universal life, whole life, group life and health, joint and last survivor insurance, critical illness, disability, and longevity products; asset-intensive and financial reinsurance products; and other capital motivated solutions. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Reinsurance Group of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Reinsurance Group of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rexford Industrial Realty (NYSE:REXR Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The real estate investment trust reported $0.26 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.54 by ($0.28), Yahoo Finance reports. Rexford Industrial Realty had a return on equity of 2.76% and a net margin of 26.80%. The company had revenue of $195.80 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $196.92 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.49 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 31.3% on a year-over-year basis. Rexford Industrial Realty updated its FY23 guidance to $2.13-$2.16 EPS. Rexford Industrial Realty Stock Up 0.1 % Shares of NYSE REXR opened at $54.02 on Friday. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $53.32 and a 200-day simple moving average of $56.82. The company has a market capitalization of $10.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 56.86, a P/E/G ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 0.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 2.57 and a quick ratio of 2.57. Rexford Industrial Realty has a 1 year low of $48.74 and a 1 year high of $68.68. Get Rexford Industrial Realty alerts: Rexford Industrial Realty Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.38 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 28th. This represents a $1.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.81%. Rexford Industrial Realtys dividend payout ratio is currently 160.00%. Insider Transactions at Rexford Industrial Realty Institutional Trading of Rexford Industrial Realty In related news, CEO Howard Schwimmer sold 35,505 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.94, for a total transaction of $1,986,149.70. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 50,862 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,845,220.28. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Belpointe Asset Management LLC increased its holdings 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 valued at $70,000 after purchasing an additional 623 shares during the last quarter. Ossiam grew its position in Rexford Industrial Realty by 21.3% in the 1st quarter. Ossiam now owns 2,096 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $125,000 after acquiring an additional 368 shares in the last quarter. First Manhattan Co. acquired a new position in Rexford Industrial Realty in the 1st quarter valued at about $151,000. First Republic Investment Management Inc. acquired a new position in Rexford Industrial Realty in the 1st quarter valued at about $201,000. Finally, CI Private Wealth LLC acquired a new position in Rexford Industrial Realty in the 4th quarter valued at about $208,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.36% of the companys stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research report on Saturday, May 27th. Mizuho started coverage on Rexford Industrial Realty in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th. They issued a neutral rating and a $52.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup downgraded shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their price objective for the company from $66.00 to $53.00 in a report on Monday, June 12th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets downgraded shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and cut their price objective for the company from $69.00 to $56.00 in a report on Monday, June 12th. 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, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $60.67. About Rexford Industrial Realty (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. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Rexford Industrial Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rexford Industrial Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Rexford Industrial Realty (NYSE:REXR Get Free Report) released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The real estate investment trust reported $0.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.54 by ($0.28), Yahoo Finance reports. Rexford Industrial Realty had a net margin of 26.80% and a return on equity of 2.76%. The business had revenue of $195.80 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $196.92 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.49 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 31.3% on a year-over-year basis. Rexford Industrial Realty updated its FY23 guidance to $2.13-$2.16 EPS. Rexford Industrial Realty Stock Performance NYSE:REXR opened at $54.02 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average is $53.32 and its 200-day moving average is $56.82. Rexford Industrial Realty has a 52-week low of $48.74 and a 52-week 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 market cap of $10.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 56.86, a PEG ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 0.81. Get Rexford Industrial Realty alerts: Rexford Industrial Realty Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 16th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.38 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 28th. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.81%. Rexford Industrial Realtys payout ratio is 160.00%. Insider Transactions at Rexford Industrial Realty Institutional Trading of Rexford Industrial Realty In other news, CEO Howard Schwimmer sold 35,505 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.94, for a total transaction of $1,986,149.70. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 50,862 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,845,220.28. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock. Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. BlackRock Inc. boosted its position in shares of Rexford Industrial Realty by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 24,373,926 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,453,905,000 after acquiring an additional 412,984 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Rexford Industrial Realty by 7.5% during 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 acquiring an additional 1,587,612 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in shares of Rexford Industrial Realty by 5.7% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 11,023,551 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $657,556,000 after acquiring an additional 591,329 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp boosted its position in shares of Rexford Industrial Realty by 5.8% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,520,590 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $631,483,000 after acquiring an additional 579,957 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Rexford Industrial Realty during the 4th quarter valued at about $283,319,000. 98.36% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages recently commented on REXR. Citigroup downgraded shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from a buy rating to a neutral rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $66.00 to $53.00 in a report on Monday, June 12th. Mizuho began coverage on shares of Rexford Industrial Realty in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. They issued a neutral rating and a $52.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Saturday, May 27th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets downgraded shares of Rexford Industrial Realty from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and dropped their target price for the stock from $69.00 to $56.00 in a report on Monday, June 12th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Rexford Industrial Realty presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $60.67. 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. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Rexford Industrial Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Rexford Industrial Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited (NYSE:CCM Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 2,800 shares, an increase of 7.7% from the June 15th total of 2,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,800 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.6 days. Approximately 0.0% of the companys stock are sold short. Concord Medical Services Price Performance Concord Medical Services stock traded down $0.02 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $1.37. The companys stock had a trading volume of 452 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,996. Concord Medical Services has a fifty-two week low of $1.03 and a fifty-two week high of $2.10. The company has a quick ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 0.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $1.38 and a 200-day simple moving average of $1.36. Get Concord Medical Services alerts: About Concord Medical Services (Get Free Report) Read More Concord Medical Services Holdings Limited, together its subsidiaries, operates a network of radiotherapy and diagnostic imaging centers in the People's Republic of China. The company operates in two segments, Network and Hospital. Its services include linear accelerators and external beam radiotherapy, proton therapy system, gamma knife radiosurgery, head gamma knife system, and diagnostic imaging services. Receive News & Ratings for Concord Medical Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Concord Medical Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Getty Realty Corp. (NYSE:GTY Get Free Report) was the target of a large drop in short interest in the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 3,320,000 shares, a drop of 15.1% from the June 15th total of 3,910,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 316,400 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 10.5 days. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Getty Realty in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $33.33. Get Getty Realty alerts: Institutional Trading of Getty Realty A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Teacher Retirement System of Texas raised its position in Getty Realty by 25.0% during the second quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 45,576 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,541,000 after purchasing an additional 9,122 shares in the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System raised its position in Getty Realty by 19.2% during the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 23,600 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $798,000 after purchasing an additional 3,800 shares in the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its position in Getty Realty by 11.0% during the second quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 9,878 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $334,000 after purchasing an additional 976 shares in the last quarter. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in Getty Realty during the second quarter valued at approximately $842,000. Finally, Maryland State Retirement & Pension System raised its position in Getty Realty by 2.5% during the second quarter. Maryland State Retirement & Pension System now owns 17,547 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $593,000 after purchasing an additional 421 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.52% of the companys stock. Getty Realty Stock Up 1.8 % Shares of NYSE:GTY traded up $0.59 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $33.68. The company had a trading volume of 282,040 shares, compared to its average volume of 329,657. The company has a quick ratio of 3.02, a current ratio of 3.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $33.89 and its 200 day moving average price is $34.40. The stock has a market cap of $1.67 billion, a PE ratio of 19.14 and a beta of 0.87. Getty Realty has a 1-year low of $25.49 and a 1-year high of $36.49. Getty Realty (NYSE:GTY Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.52 by ($0.24). The company had revenue of $42.37 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $43.02 million. Getty Realty had a net margin of 50.43% and a return on equity of 11.00%. Research analysts forecast that Getty Realty will post 2.22 EPS for the current fiscal year. Getty Realty Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 6th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 22nd were given a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.11%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 21st. Getty Realtys dividend payout ratio is currently 97.73%. About Getty Realty (Get Free Report) See Also Receive News & Ratings for Getty Realty Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Getty Realty and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. There are 4 reasons why jobs are disappearing but AI isn't one of them, a new HSBC report says. andresr/Getty Images AI isn't the foe we're making it out to be, at least according to HSBC's new Future of Work report. Companies surveyed said the main reason for job losses are slower economic growth, the cost of living crisis, and the pandemic. Over 50% of firms surveyed believe that new technologies like AI will be job creators. Despite fears that artificial intelligence is making humans redundant, a new report suggests that there are far greater threats to jobs than AI. Slower economic growth, a rising cost of living, a supply chain crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic are the main reasons leading to job losses, according to HSBC's Future of Work report published on July 18 and seen by Insider. The report cites data from the World Economic Forum (WEF) published in May. Over 50% of the 803 companies surveyed by the WEF collectively representing 11.3 million employees globally believe slower economic growth will displace jobs. Interestingly, over 50% of firms surveyed believe that new technologies including AI will actually be job creators, not destroyers. Slightly under half of the companies surveyed believe AI technologies will lead to new jobs. A separate survey by Microsoft published in May showed the majority of workers are pretty comfortable with AI taking over parts of their jobs especially those pesky, repetitive tasks that can be delegated but they're not ok with total replacement. But to be sure, around 25% of HSBC's respondents believed AI would cost humans jobs and some workers are already falling into the minority group of being replaced by the technology. In May, nearly 4,000 people in the US were laid off because of AI, Insider reported, citing data from a human resources firm's report. And one e-commerce CEO laid off 90% of its customer support staff after an AI chatbot outperformed them, Insider reported in July. And while the AI debate rages on, perhaps we're missing one crucial point: Rather than obsessing over AI costing jobs, we should be more concerned about the quality and nature of the jobs that AI will create, as Paris Marx wrote for Insider. Read the original article on Business Insider The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (NYSE:GBX Get Free Report) was the target of a significant increase in short interest during the month of June. As of June 30th, there was short interest totalling 1,290,000 shares, an increase of 13.2% from the June 15th total of 1,140,000 shares. Approximately 4.3% of the companys stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 406,900 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.2 days. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Greenbrier Companies in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Greenbrier Companies from $37.00 to $48.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Friday, June 30th. Bank of America reduced their target price on Greenbrier Companies from $35.00 to $33.00 in a report on Friday, April 14th. Susquehanna upped their target price on shares of Greenbrier Companies from $30.00 to $33.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, Stephens upped their price objective on shares of Greenbrier Companies from $36.00 to $38.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $38.00. Get Greenbrier Companies alerts: Hedge Funds Weigh In On Greenbrier Companies Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. C2C Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Greenbrier Companies during the second quarter valued at approximately $218,000. Blackston Financial Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in Greenbrier Companies in the second quarter valued at approximately $209,000. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System increased its position in shares of Greenbrier Companies by 9.8% in the second quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 16,800 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $724,000 after buying an additional 1,500 shares in the last quarter. Westhampton Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Greenbrier Companies during the second quarter worth approximately $216,000. Finally, Royal Fund Management LLC boosted its stake in Greenbrier Companies by 4.4% during the second quarter. Royal Fund Management LLC now owns 91,592 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $3,948,000 after buying an additional 3,894 shares during the last quarter. 92.45% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Greenbrier Companies Stock Performance GBX traded down $0.05 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $44.79. The company had a trading volume of 23,581 shares, compared to its average volume of 376,635. The stock has a market cap of $1.38 billion, a PE ratio of 26.37, a P/E/G ratio of 2.15 and a beta of 1.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.75. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $33.90 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $31.22. Greenbrier Companies has a 12-month low of $23.80 and a 12-month high of $45.27. Greenbrier Companies (NYSE:GBX Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, June 29th. The transportation company reported $1.02 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.42. Greenbrier Companies had a net margin of 1.49% and a return on equity of 6.36%. The company had revenue of $1.04 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $904.17 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.09 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was up 30.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Greenbrier Companies will post 2.89 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Greenbrier Companies Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 8th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 18th will be given a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 17th. This is an increase from Greenbrier Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.27. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.68%. Greenbrier Companiess payout ratio is 70.59%. Greenbrier Companies Company Profile (Get Free Report) The Greenbrier Companies, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets railroad freight car equipment in North America, Europe, and South America. It operates through three segments: Manufacturing; Maintenance Services; and Leasing & Management Services. The Manufacturing segment offers conventional railcars, such as covered hopper cars, boxcars, and center partition cars; tank cars; double-stack intermodal railcars; auto-max and multi-max products for the transportation of light vehicles; pressurized tank cars, non-pressurized tank cars, flat cars, coil cars, gondolas, sliding wall cars, intermodal cars, hoppers and automobile transporter cars; and marine vessels. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Greenbrier Companies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Greenbrier Companies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Snap-on (NYSE:SNA Free Report) had its price objective hoisted by Roth Mkm from $298.00 to $324.00 in a research report released on Monday morning, Briefing.com reports. Roth Mkm currently has a buy rating on the stock. Several other equities analysts also recently commented on the stock. Bank of America boosted their price target on shares of Snap-on from $230.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock an underperform rating in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Robert W. Baird boosted their price objective on Snap-on from $265.00 to $270.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, April 21st. CL King initiated coverage on shares of Snap-on in a research report on Friday, July 7th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Barrington Research increased their price target on shares of Snap-on from $280.00 to $325.00 in a research note on Friday, July 14th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Snap-on in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Snap-on presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $274.43. Get Snap-on alerts: Snap-on Stock Down 7.3 % SNA stock opened at $272.74 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of $14.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.65, a P/E/G ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 1.12. Snap-on has a 52 week low of $200.75 and a 52 week high of $297.26. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $272.33 and a 200-day simple moving average of $254.93. The company has a quick ratio of 2.43, a current ratio of 3.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. Snap-on Announces Dividend Snap-on ( NYSE:SNA Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The company reported $4.89 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $4.58 by $0.31. Snap-on had a return on equity of 21.17% and a net margin of 20.60%. The business had revenue of $1.19 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.19 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $4.27 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that Snap-on will post 17.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 19th were given a dividend of $1.62 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 18th. This represents a $6.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.38%. Snap-ons dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 37.18%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, VP Iain Boyd sold 8,963 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.30, for a total transaction of $2,592,995.90. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 7,345 shares in the company, valued at $2,124,908.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, SVP Timothy L. Chambers sold 4,680 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $289.29, for a total value of $1,353,877.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 12,998 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,760,191.42. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, VP Iain Boyd sold 8,963 shares of Snap-on stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.30, for a total transaction of $2,592,995.90. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 7,345 shares in the company, valued at $2,124,908.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 89,282 shares of company stock valued at $23,784,577 over the last three months. Company insiders own 4.20% of the companys stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Blossom Wealth Management lifted its stake in Snap-on by 11.3% in the 2nd quarter. Blossom Wealth Management now owns 1,013 shares of the companys stock worth $292,000 after acquiring an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Csenge Advisory Group lifted its position in shares of Snap-on by 34.7% in the second quarter. Csenge Advisory Group now owns 1,439 shares of the companys stock worth $415,000 after purchasing an additional 371 shares in the last quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas boosted its holdings in shares of Snap-on by 32.9% during the second quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 39,303 shares of the companys stock worth $11,327,000 after purchasing an additional 9,725 shares during the period. Denali Advisors LLC grew its position in Snap-on by 9.4% during the second quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 2,309 shares of the companys stock valued at $665,000 after purchasing an additional 199 shares in the last quarter. Finally, TFB Advisors LLC increased its stake in Snap-on by 16.3% in the 2nd quarter. TFB Advisors LLC now owns 1,581 shares of the companys stock valued at $456,000 after buying an additional 221 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.45% of the companys stock. Snap-on Company Profile (Get Free Report) Snap-on Incorporated manufactures and markets tools, equipment, diagnostics, and repair information and systems solutions for professional users worldwide. It operates through Commercial & Industrial Group, Snap-on Tools Group, Repair Systems & Information Group, and Financial Services segments. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Snap-on Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Snap-on and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com downgraded shares of BorgWarner (NYSE:BWA Free Report) from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report report published on Tuesday. Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Morgan Stanley raised BorgWarner from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $49.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Monday, May 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on BorgWarner from $45.00 to $51.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 7th. Citigroup dropped their price target on BorgWarner from $53.00 to $50.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 16th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on BorgWarner from $58.00 to $56.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Finally, Bank of America raised BorgWarner from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the stock from $54.00 to $67.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $53.58. Get BorgWarner alerts: BorgWarner Price Performance NYSE:BWA opened at $46.13 on Tuesday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $46.34 and its 200 day moving average price is $46.77. The firm has a market cap of $10.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.28, a PEG ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 1.42. BorgWarner has a 52-week low of $31.14 and a 52-week high of $51.14. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 1.59 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54. BorgWarner Announces Dividend BorgWarner ( NYSE:BWA Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The auto parts company reported $1.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.13 by ($0.04). The firm had revenue of $4.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.16 billion. BorgWarner had a return on equity of 14.85% and a net margin of 5.97%. BorgWarners revenue was up 7.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.05 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that BorgWarner will post 4.72 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were issued a dividend of $0.17 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $0.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.47%. BorgWarners dividend payout ratio is 16.63%. Insider Activity In other news, Director Alexis P. Michas sold 7,173 shares of BorgWarner stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.45, for a total transaction of $318,839.85. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 76,441 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,397,802.45. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, Director Alexis P. Michas sold 7,173 shares of BorgWarner stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $44.45, for a total transaction of $318,839.85. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 76,441 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,397,802.45. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Stefan Demmerle sold 5,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $47.61, for a total value of $238,050.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 177,614 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,456,202.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 12,383 shares of company stock worth $566,697 in the last three months. 0.45% of the stock is owned by insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On BorgWarner Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lifted its holdings in BorgWarner by 100,784.0% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 260,453,189 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $12,738,765,000 after purchasing an additional 260,195,018 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in BorgWarner by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 26,131,243 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $1,016,505,000 after buying an additional 570,039 shares during the period. State Street Corp increased its position in BorgWarner by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,092,045 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $495,620,000 after buying an additional 276,554 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in BorgWarner by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 7,091,584 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $348,258,000 after buying an additional 67,706 shares during the period. Finally, Macquarie Group Ltd. increased its position in BorgWarner by 10.0% in the 1st quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 5,322,946 shares of the auto parts companys stock worth $261,410,000 after buying an additional 484,794 shares during the period. 91.84% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. BorgWarner Company Profile (Get Free Report) BorgWarner Inc provides solutions for combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles worldwide. It offers turbochargers, eBoosters, eTurbos, timing systems, emissions systems, thermal systems, gasoline ignition technology, smart remote actuators, powertrain sensors, canisters, cabin heaters, battery modules and systems, battery packs, battery heaters, and battery charging. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for BorgWarner Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BorgWarner and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Teleflex (NYSE:TFX Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report sent to investors on Monday. TFX has been the topic of a number of other reports. JMP Securities reissued a market outperform rating and set a $330.00 price objective on shares of Teleflex in a report on Thursday, March 30th. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Teleflex from $250.00 to $264.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Monday, April 17th. Wolfe Research cut Teleflex from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. CL King initiated coverage on Teleflex in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. They set a buy rating and a $293.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Mizuho raised their price objective on Teleflex from $220.00 to $250.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 18th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Teleflex presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $269.58. Get Teleflex alerts: Teleflex Stock Up 2.6 % Shares of NYSE TFX opened at $257.78 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $12.09 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.61, a P/E/G ratio of 2.63 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a quick ratio of 1.41, a current ratio of 2.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $241.52 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $246.23. Teleflex has a 52 week low of $182.65 and a 52 week high of $276.43. Teleflex Announces Dividend Teleflex ( NYSE:TFX Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The medical technology company reported $3.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.12. The firm had revenue of $710.90 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $687.11 million. Teleflex had a return on equity of 15.80% and a net margin of 12.68%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.88 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Teleflex will post 13.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 15th were paid a dividend of $0.34 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 12th. This represents a $1.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.53%. Teleflexs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 17.73%. Insider Activity In related news, Director Stuart A. Randle sold 3,021 shares of Teleflex stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $245.71, for a total transaction of $742,289.91. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 4,847 shares in the company, valued at $1,190,956.37. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Insiders own 1.41% of the companys stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Teleflex Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in TFX. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Teleflex by 2.5% in the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 2,231 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $792,000 after acquiring an additional 54 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Teleflex by 2.2% in the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 4,678 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $1,655,000 after acquiring an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in Teleflex in the first quarter worth $455,000. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its holdings in Teleflex by 6.6% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 6,268 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $2,224,000 after acquiring an additional 388 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Yousif Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Teleflex by 2.7% in the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 7,158 shares of the medical technology companys stock worth $2,540,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. 97.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Teleflex (Get Free Report) Teleflex Incorporated designs, develops, manufactures, and supplies single-use medical devices for common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in critical care and surgical applications worldwide. It provides vascular access products that comprise Arrow branded catheters, catheter navigation and tip positioning systems, and intraosseous access systems for the administration of intravenous therapies, the measurement of blood pressure, and the withdrawal of blood samples through a single puncture site. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Teleflex Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Teleflex and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Shares of Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp. (OTCMKTS:TCYMF Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $1.57 and last traded at $1.57, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $1.57. Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Price Performance The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $1.58 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $1.68. Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Company Profile (Get Free Report) Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp., an investment holding company, manufactures and sells instant noodles, beverages, and instant food products in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through Instant Noodles, Beverages, and Others segments. It offers ready-to-drink teas, juices, bottled water, and carbonated soft drinks, as well as coffee drinks/functional drinks/probiotics. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tingyi (Cayman Islands) and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Valmark Advisers Inc. lifted its stake in Eaton Co. plc (NYSE:ETN Free Report) by 8.7% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 4,761 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 383 shares during the quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc.s holdings in Eaton were worth $816,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of ETN. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Eaton by 140.5% during the 4th quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC now owns 7,609 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,194,000 after acquiring an additional 4,445 shares during the period. Western Financial Corp CA purchased a new position in Eaton during the 4th quarter valued at $310,000. ProShare Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Eaton by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 49,307 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $7,739,000 after acquiring an additional 219 shares during the period. InterOcean Capital Group LLC purchased a new position in Eaton during the 4th quarter valued at $219,000. Finally, Nations Financial Group Inc. IA ADV bought a new stake in Eaton during the 4th quarter valued at $270,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.31% of the companys stock. Get Eaton alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Eaton In other Eaton news, insider Taras G. Jr. Szmagala sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $183.93, for a total transaction of $367,860.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 7,300 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,342,689. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock. Eaton Stock Up 0.5 % NYSE:ETN opened at $210.86 on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average is $190.13 and its two-hundred day moving average is $174.32. The company has a market cap of $84.05 billion, a PE ratio of 32.90, a P/E/G ratio of 2.21 and a beta of 1.13. Eaton Co. plc has a twelve month low of $129.85 and a twelve month high of $211.83. The company has a current ratio of 1.50, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. Eaton (NYSE:ETN Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $1.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.78 by $0.10. Eaton had a return on equity of 18.70% and a net margin of 12.00%. The firm had revenue of $5.50 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.23 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.62 EPS. The firms revenue was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Eaton Co. plc will post 8.47 EPS for the current year. Eaton Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, May 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 8th were paid a dividend of $0.86 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 5th. This represents a $3.44 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.63%. Eatons payout ratio is presently 53.67%. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Eaton from $180.00 to $195.00 in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Wolfe Research lowered Eaton from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lifted their price objective on shares of Eaton from $188.00 to $189.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. StockNews.com upgraded Eaton from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price target on Eaton from $190.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $191.31. Eaton Profile (Free Report) Eaton Corporation plc operates as a power management company worldwide. The company's Electrical Americas and Electrical Global segment provides electrical components, industrial components, power distribution and assemblies, residential products, single and three phase power quality and connectivity products, wiring devices, circuit protection products, utility power distribution products, power reliability equipment, and services, as well as hazardous duty electrical equipment, emergency lighting, fire detection, explosion-proof instrumentation, and structural support systems. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Eaton Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eaton and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Victory Capital Management Inc. lowered its stake in shares of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report) by 6.2% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,772,294 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 117,888 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. owned 0.16% of Southern worth $123,316,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in SO. Prudential PLC raised its stake in shares of Southern by 23.4% during the 1st quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 19,438 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,409,000 after purchasing an additional 3,689 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust raised its stake in shares of Southern by 33.5% during the 1st quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 1,727 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $126,000 after purchasing an additional 433 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in shares of Southern by 63.0% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,902 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $138,000 after purchasing an additional 735 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Southern by 0.4% during the 1st quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 49,925 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,621,000 after purchasing an additional 221 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp raised its stake in shares of Southern by 35.8% during the 1st quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 907,132 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $65,776,000 after purchasing an additional 239,325 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 63.25% of the companys stock. Get Southern alerts: Insider Buying and Selling at Southern In other Southern news, CEO Thomas A. Fanning sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.16, for a total value of $3,758,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 847,592 shares in the company, valued at $63,705,014.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Southern news, CEO Thomas A. Fanning sold 50,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $75.16, for a total value of $3,758,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 847,592 shares in the company, valued at $63,705,014.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CEO Kimberly S. Greene sold 47,326 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.78, for a total value of $3,302,408.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 118,659 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,280,025.02. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders sold 205,678 shares of company stock worth $14,881,721. 0.37% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Southern Price Performance Shares of SO stock opened at $71.07 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.51, a current ratio of 0.69 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.51. The Southern Company has a twelve month low of $58.85 and a twelve month high of $80.57. The company has a market cap of $77.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.93, a P/E/G ratio of 4.87 and a beta of 0.50. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $70.67 and a 200 day simple moving average of $69.67. Southern (NYSE:SO Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The utilities provider reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.08. Southern had a return on equity of 10.78% and a net margin of 11.53%. The business had revenue of $6.48 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.14 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $0.97 EPS. Southerns revenue for the quarter was down 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that The Southern Company will post 3.6 EPS for the current fiscal year. Southern Announces Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 21st will be given a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 18th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.94%. Southerns dividend payout ratio is presently 90.32%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth SO has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. VNET Group reissued a maintains rating on shares of Southern in a report on Friday, April 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price objective on Southern from $73.00 to $69.00 in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Mizuho decreased their price objective on Southern from $77.00 to $76.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 16th. Guggenheim decreased their price objective on Southern from $79.00 to $77.00 in a report on Friday, July 7th. Finally, Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Southern from $57.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Southern currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $73.57. Southern Profile (Free Report) The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It operates through three segments: Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealth Alliance Advisory Group LLC boosted its stake in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report) by 29.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 24,053 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 5,470 shares during the period. Wealth Alliance Advisory Group LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $1,073,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC increased its stake in Altria Group by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 530,345 shares of the companys stock worth $23,664,000 after acquiring an additional 5,780 shares during the period. Arkadios Wealth Advisors increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 44.4% in the 1st quarter. Arkadios Wealth Advisors now owns 11,642 shares of the companys stock valued at $519,000 after purchasing an additional 3,581 shares during the last quarter. Dover Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 16.6% in the 1st quarter. Dover Advisors LLC now owns 21,705 shares of the companys stock valued at $989,000 after purchasing an additional 3,090 shares during the last quarter. Graypoint LLC increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 47.2% in the 1st quarter. Graypoint LLC now owns 11,754 shares of the companys stock valued at $524,000 after purchasing an additional 3,770 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Waldron Private Wealth LLC increased its stake in shares of Altria Group by 18.5% in the 1st quarter. Waldron Private Wealth LLC now owns 12,928 shares of the companys stock valued at $576,000 after purchasing an additional 2,015 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 58.38% of the companys stock. Get Altria Group alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the company. StockNews.com upgraded Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 4th. Citigroup decreased their price target on Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. They issued a buy rating and a $52.00 price target on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $46.00. Altria Group Price Performance Shares of NYSE MO traded down $0.14 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $45.52. 645,809 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,770,948. Altria Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $40.35 and a twelve month high of $51.57. The company has a market cap of $81.26 billion, a PE ratio of 14.68, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.59. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $44.98 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $45.62. Altria Group (NYSE:MO Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.89 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 22.44% and a negative return on equity of 245.43%. The companys revenue was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.12 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Altria Group Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were issued a dividend of $0.94 per share. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.26%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, June 14th. Altria Groups payout ratio is presently 120.90%. About Altria Group (Free Report) Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Altria Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Altria Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealth Alliance Advisory Group LLC lowered its position in shares of Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN Free Report) by 5.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 17,052 shares of the energy companys stock after selling 1,025 shares during the period. Wealth Alliance Advisory Group LLCs holdings in Devon Energy were worth $863,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in DVN. WFA of San Diego LLC bought a new stake in shares of Devon Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Devon Energy in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Clearview Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Devon Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Devon Energy by 115.0% in the 4th quarter. Tradewinds Capital Management LLC now owns 430 shares of the energy companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 230 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board bought a new stake in shares of Devon Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. 71.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Devon Energy alerts: Devon Energy Stock Performance Shares of DVN traded up $0.06 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $51.46. The stock had a trading volume of 1,157,222 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,108,724. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.09. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $48.77 and a 200 day moving average price of $53.27. Devon Energy Co. has a fifty-two week low of $44.03 and a fifty-two week high of $78.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 5.61, a PEG ratio of 0.16 and a beta of 2.31. Devon Energy Cuts Dividend Devon Energy ( NYSE:DVN Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Monday, May 8th. The energy company reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.07. Devon Energy had a net margin of 31.39% and a return on equity of 47.42%. The firm had revenue of $3.82 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.82 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.88 EPS. The businesss revenue was up .3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Devon Energy Co. will post 6.01 EPS for the current year. The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th were given a dividend of $0.72 per share. This represents a $2.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, June 14th. Devon Energys dividend payout ratio is presently 8.72%. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Devon Energy news, EVP Dennis C. Cameron sold 8,292 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.97, for a total transaction of $414,351.24. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 218,418 shares in the company, valued at $10,914,347.46. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.63% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have recently issued reports on DVN shares. Raymond James lifted their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $67.00 to $70.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $63.00 to $60.00 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 13th. Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $87.00 to $81.00 in a research report on Wednesday, May 10th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price objective on shares of Devon Energy from $49.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised shares of Devon Energy from a neutral rating to a buy rating and cut their price objective for the stock from $63.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Tuesday, June 13th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Devon Energy presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $66.58. Devon Energy Profile (Free Report) Devon Energy Corporation, an independent energy company, explores for, develops, and produces oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. It operates in Delaware, Anadarko, Williston, Eagle Ford, and Powder River Basin. The company was incorporated in 1971 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DVN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Devon Energy Co. (NYSE:DVN Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Devon Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Devon Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Yara International ASA (OTCMKTS:YARIY Get Free Report) posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday. The basic materials company reported ($0.18) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.38 by ($0.56), MarketWatch Earnings reports. Yara International ASA had a net margin of 8.69% and a return on equity of 25.37%. The business had revenue of $3.94 billion during the quarter. Yara International ASA Price Performance Shares of OTCMKTS:YARIY opened at $19.94 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.13, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $18.71 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $20.87. Yara International ASA has a 1-year low of $17.00 and a 1-year high of $23.95. The stock has a market cap of $10.16 billion, a PE ratio of 5.22 and a beta of 0.96. Get Yara International ASA alerts: Yara International ASA Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 29th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, June 14th were paid a dividend of $2.1375 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 13th. This is a boost from Yara International ASAs previous dividend of $0.37. This represents a yield of 13.28%. Yara International ASAs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 56.02%. Yara International ASA Company Profile Yara International ASA provides crop nutrition and industrial solutions in Norway, European Union, Europe, Africa, Asia, North and Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand. The company offers ammonium- and urea-based fertilizers; compound fertilizers that contain plant nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium; coatings; biostimulants; organic-based fertilizers; green fertilizers are nitrate-based mineral fertilizers, as well as foliar and fertigation solutions; and nitrate, calcium nitrate, micronutrient, and fertigation fertilizers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Yara International ASA Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Yara International ASA and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Key Insights Significantly high institutional ownership implies Annaly Capital Management's stock price is sensitive to their trading actions The top 25 shareholders own 41% of the company Analyst forecasts along with ownership data serve to give a strong idea about prospects for a business If you want to know who really controls Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (NYSE:NLY), 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 54% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn). Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future. In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Annaly Capital Management. View our latest analysis for Annaly Capital Management What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Annaly Capital Management? Institutional investors commonly compare their own returns to the returns of a commonly followed index. So they generally do consider buying larger companies that are included in the relevant benchmark index. As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Annaly Capital Management. 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 Annaly Capital Management, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too. Story continues Investors should note that institutions actually own more than half the company, so they can collectively wield significant power. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Annaly Capital Management. Our data shows that BlackRock, Inc. is the largest shareholder with 11% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 9.6% and 3.3%, of the shares outstanding, respectively. 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 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. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily. Insider Ownership Of Annaly Capital Management 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. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it. 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 most recent data indicates that insiders own less than 1% of Annaly Capital Management, Inc.. Being so large, we would not expect insiders to own a large proportion of the stock. Collectively, they own US$21m of stock. In this sort of situation, it can be more interesting to see if those insiders have been buying or selling. General Public Ownership The general public-- including retail investors -- own 46% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. This size of ownership, while considerable, may not be enough to change company policy if the decision is not in sync with other large shareholders. 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. To that end, you should learn about the 4 warning signs we've spotted with Annaly Capital Management (including 2 which don't sit too well with us) . Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here From left, Kim Keiter, screening printing studio director, Weedney Exaiver of Woonsocket, and Eden Barriere of Cumberland, both Riversedge mentors, show a screen printing machine they use to make t-shirts. The most talked about and market moving research calls around Wall Street are now in one place. Here are today's research calls that investors need to know, as compiled by The Fly. Top 5 Upgrades: BofA upgraded Consolidated Edison (ED) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $103, up from $92. The New York Department of Public Service approved the joint proposal settlement for the electric and gas rate cases for Con Edison at its July 20 meeting, the analyst tells investors in a research note. [read more] BTIG upgraded Forestar Group (FOR) to Buy from Neutral with a $32 price target. The company's earnings will be stronger than thought, as its partner D. R. Horton (DHI) will likely grow its orders faster than anticipated over the next 18 months, requiring an increase in lots purchased. [read more] Erste Group upgraded Intuit (INTU) to Buy from Hold. Intuit is expected to show above-average revenue and profit growth in FY23 and should remain on "a profitable growth path in the coming years," the analyst tells investors. [read more] DA Davidson upgraded Harley-Davidson (HOG) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $47, up from $38. The firm's most recent checks revealed better than feared Q2 U.S. retail, strong progress with inventory clearance, and positive dealer feedback on new product introductions, the analyst says. [read more] Wolfe Research upgraded Abbott Laboratories (ABT) to Peer Perform from Underperform without a price target. The company's Q2 report "substantially reduces" concerns about the core ramp required to hit its 2023 profit guidance, the analyst tells investors in a research note. [read more] Top 5 Downgrades: Piper Sandler downgraded Carvana (CVNA) to Neutral from Overweight with a price target of $48, up from $29. While recent operational improvements provides greater confidence in the company's ability to reach consistent profitability, they do not warrant a change to the long-term used vehicle market share expectations, the analyst tells investors in a research note. [read more] Evercore ISI downgraded Sirius XM Radio (SIRI) to Underperform from In Line with an unchanged price target of $4.50. The firm says Sirius is now "by far" the most expensive stock in its U.S. cable and telecom coverage universe "with secular concerns about the long-term growth." [read more] The stock was also downgraded at Deutsche Bank [read more] and Pivotal Research. [read more] Jefferies downgraded Floor & Decor (FND) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $108, down from $110. The stock's valuation is "harder to justify" following the outperformance year-to-date, the analyst tells investors in a research note. [read more] JPMorgan downgraded XPeng (XPEV) to Underweight from Neutral with a price target of $10, up from $7.50. The analyst expects the stock to pull back into the results season and believes it won't deliver a "satisfactory margin" in the second half of 2023. [read more] Fragments of skull believed to be Beethovens returned to Vienna from US for scientific analysis Even non-tech companies are looking to hire people with AI talent and they're listing jobs with salaries over six figures. Getty Images Companies across industries are hiring talent to help them develop and use generative AI. The law firm Husch Blackwell and insurer Travelers are among those seeking AI skills. Listings for such roles tend to offer above $100,000 in base salary and go as high as $300,000. AI developers, engineers, and consultants are seeing lots of new job opportunities with companies far outside the traditional tech world looking to put generative artificial intelligence to work. Listings at non-tech firms showed a wide range of salaries often exceeding well over $100,000 in base pay. One for a machine learning researcher role at the trading firm Jane Street indicated a salary range of $250,000 to $300,000. A representative for Jane Street declined to comment. Companies are on the hunt for candidates whose knowledge of AI can help them use their in-house data more extensively for instance, by making better predictions and decisions, said Aaron Sines, a director at the Austin-based tech recruiting company Razoroo. One agriculture client is looking to potentially use AI to help estimate crop yields, he said. "The demand for professionals with knowledge in AI research, machine learning, deep learning it truly outpaces the available supply of candidates," Sines said. That means the salaries companies are offering to lure people with this type of experience can quickly rise beyond six figures: The base salary ranges for AI researcher roles, even at non-tech companies, can range from $150,000 to $250,000, Sines said. Casetext, which Husch Blackwell is using, offers AI research tools for lawyers. Casetext. "There's certainly a scarcity, I think, and our clients are acutely aware of that, which inherently is driving upward pressure on compensation." he said. The insurance company Travelers had listed a data engineer role that sought AI expertise, with a potential base pay of $113,900 to $188,000. The company's CEO Alan Schnitzer affirmed the company's push into AI on an earnings call this month, saying that "we have a very significant number of our employees engaged on the objective of making sure that we're leading when it comes to AI." Story continues The exercise bike company Peloton Interactive posted a role for a machine learning engineer, with a salary range of $171,600 to $223,000 listed on LinkedIn. The yoga apparel company Alo listed a senior data engineer role that involves working on AI issues, that would offer base pay between $160,000 to $220,000, according to the listing. And AI-related roles don't always require engineering or coding skills. The law firm Husch Blackwell is hiring an "AI solutions strategist" who would help its lawyers learn to efficiently use AI tools like Casetext's CoCounsel, which uses OpenAI's GPT-4 model. (That's the same model that, in a test, passed the bar exam for lawyers.) CoCounsel is meant to help lawyers speed up tasks like looking over contract terms, and gathering material for legal filings, according to Casetext's website. A picture of Husch Blackwell's office in Kansas City, Missouri. The law firm Husch Blackwell has built a data science team, and is hiring an AI solutions strategist.Husch Blackwell. "Investing in AI talent and resources ensures they can take advantage of the latest advances in legal technology," Valerie McConnell, a VP of customer success at Casetext, told Insider in a statement, referring to its law firm clients. "CoCounsel allows law firms to deliver better results for their clients, but the technology is only enhanced by the user being well-educated on the product and its abilities." For its AI role, Husch Blackwell has looked for trained lawyers who understand AI and large language models, and ideally also have some business consulting experience, said Blake Rooney, chief information officer at Husch Blackwell. A listing for the role on LinkedIn provides multiple salary ranges depending on the location of candidates, going up to $164,000 for those in New York state. Employees can work at one of the firm's offices or remotely, or have a hybrid arrangement, according to the firm. It's also a bonus-eligible role, the firm said. The position has already drawn "several hundred" responses, and the company is planning to finalize a hire soon, Rooney said. The firm also plans on bringing on more such AI strategists if the hire is successful, he said. The ideal candidate should have "the ability to understand a business problem or a technical problem and help engineer a solution," Rooney said. The law firm Husch Blackwell has been looking to hire an AI solutions strategist as it expands its use of AI. Screenshot from LinkedIn listing. It's a staffing approach that also shows a strategy where non-tech companies like Husch Blackwell are doing two things to boost their use of AI licensing commercially available AI technology like CoCounsel, and also trying to develop their own proprietary tools in some cases. The law firm already built a data science team over the past three years, and automated some routine tasks. For instance, the firm leaned on OpenAI's technology to help speed up writing the bios of some 112 summer interns it brought on this year. The task, which was traditionally done by members of its client development team, was now done by an AI-driven automation process where interns would simply answer a set of questions, and their responses would help generate their bios, Rooney said. For professional services firms, it's also about keeping up with clients who are themselves embracing AI. "So we want to we want to be on the forefront of using the technology," Rooney said. Read the original article on Business Insider President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats and Republicans joined hands this week in a bipartisan tribute to the state of Israel and its president, Isaac Herzog. They repudiated suggestions that Israel is a racist state and downplayed any policy disagreements with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the actual head of the ultra-right government in Jerusalem. Biden began the week by telephoning Netanyahu and inviting him to meet during his next trip to the United States, which is likely to be for a United Nations General Assembly session in September. It was not clear whether the Biden-Netanyahu meeting, long postponed, would be held at the White House or on the sidelines of the UN meeting in New York City. US President Joe Biden with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. [AP Photo/AP Photo/Debbie Hill] The invitation came only days after a deadly Israeli military assault on the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank, in which at least a dozen Palestinians were killed. While Herzog was schmoozing at the White House, hundreds of thousands of Israelis were protesting against Netanyahus reform of the judicial system which would subordinate the only independent branch of the Zionist state to the demands of Netanyahus narrow majority in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. Netanyahu has pushed for the crippling of the Supreme Court for two reasons: to block it from disqualifying cabinet ministers for corruption convictions, such as Aryah Deri, the leader of the right-wing religious party Shas, a coalition partner, and Netanyahu himself; and to consolidate the entire state apparatus under the domination of his ultra-right coalition, which would then be able to forge ahead with such measures as the systematic dispossession of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, and military strikes against Iran as well as pro-Iranian forces in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq. The visit by President Herzog, a political opponent of Netanyahu who occupies a purely ceremonial position in the Israeli state, allowed Biden and the Democratic Party to put on a display of support for Israel while distancing themselves slightly from Netanyahus government. His ultra-right coalition includes both extreme religious parties and outright fascist groups based in the settler population of the West Bank, who advocate the wholesale expulsion of Palestinians and outright annexation of the Occupied Territories. These differences, however, are purely tactical, although they were exacerbated by Netanyahus fulsome support for the US Republican Party and his open preference for the reelection of Donald Trump, an unprecedented intervention by a foreign country in US politicsand far more overt and consequential than the supposed interference by Russian President Vladimir Putin in the 2016 presidential election. President Herzog enjoyed the full panoply of a state visit: a meeting in the White House with Biden, an address to a Joint Session of Congress, and subsequent meetings with Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken. At the beginning of the White House meeting, President Biden said of Israel and the United States, This is a friendship I believe is just simply unbreakable As I confirmed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, Americas commitment to Israel is firm and it is ironclad. The US supplies Israel nearly $4 billion in military aid each year. Before Herzogs speech, the House of Representatives voted near-unanimously for a Republican resolution declaring an unshakeable US commitment to Israels security and repudiating any suggesting that Israel was a racist or apartheid state. The resolution passed the House by a vote of 412-9, with one abstention. All 10 dissenters were liberal Democrats, including the members of the so-called squad, the group headed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Jamal Bowman and Cori Bush, all affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America. The fifth DSA member in the House, Greg Casar of Texas, voted to support the pro-Israel resolution. The resolution was sparked by the controversy touched off by the remarks of Representative Pramila Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, at the Netroots Nation conference of liberal and pseudo-left activists in Chicago last weekend. In response to a protest by a pro-Palestinian group, Jayapal spoke an obvious truth, that Israel is a racist state, due to its policies of discriminating against Palestinians and elevating the Jewish population above the Arabs born and raised in the same land. After a hue and cry by pro-Zionist Democrats, who circulated a letter denouncing Jayapal, she retracted her comments and issued an apology. The Republican resolution was then drafted to throw salt on the wound. Some 195 Democrats voted for the resolution, including the entire leadership of the party in the House, as well as Jayapal herself. After this debacle, the stage was set for Herzogs speech to Congress Wednesday, ostensibly to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel and the initiation of the US-Israeli alliance. A handful of Democratic representatives boycotted the speechbasically the same group that opposed the pro-Israel resolutionbut the members of Congress who did attend were near-unanimous in their praise, rising repeatedly to give standing ovations to the Israeli president. Herzog repeated the outrageous amalgam developed by Zionist groups in the last few years, according to which anyone who criticizes the state of Israel is an antisemite. [C]riticism of Israel must not cross the line into negation of the state of Israel's right to exist, he said. Questioning the Jewish people's right to self-determination, is not legitimate diplomacy, it is antisemitism. This argument leaves out, of course, the rights of the Palestinian people, which have been systematically violated by the Zionist state, and which are under attack every day through such measures as military violence, the operation of roads and other infrastructure limited to Jews, and the ongoing dispossession of Palestinians by settlement building in the occupied territories. Killer Mike, a rapper best known as half of the duo Run the Jewels, has released his first solo album in more than a decade. Michael (Loma Vista Recordings), named after its author, was unveiled on the 10th anniversary of the first Run the Jewels album. During the past ten years, Killer Mike (born Michael Render) has earned a reputation as an outspoken and controversial artist and activist. He has an irreverent streak, which, when paired with the appropriate degree of insight, has struck at certain richly deserving targets. These qualities, along with his swaggering vocal delivery, have won him a sizable fan base. On June 16, the day of Michaels release, the album was number one on the US iTunes hip hop and rap charts. Michael (Killer Mike) Yet throughout his career, Render has tended to embrace wrongheaded and even reactionary social and political views. In addition to the unserious, antisocial lyrics that are typical of much popular rap music, Render has increasingly espoused toxic racialist views. On Michael, an album that the rapper has primarily devoted to himself, these tendencies have truly flowered. Michael is intended in part to chronicle Mikes childhood and coming of age in Atlanta. The rapper mentions his relationships with his mother and grandmother, his experience in the Black Southern Christian Church, his first girlfriend and his becoming a father. But he primarily focuses on his financial success. Renders exercise is purely individualistic. His is a story of wise and loving family members, salvation through religion and personal triumph. He does not consider any of the social or economic forces that have influenced him so unmistakably. There is a certain provincialism in his frequent invocations of Atlanta. Musically, the album combines slow trap beats (sometimes using an 808 drum machine) with gospel organs and choirs. The mix is dense; instruments fill the aural space. Mike means to evoke the atmosphere of Atlanta and pay homage to soul artists such as Curtis Mayfield. On a musical level, Michael is a serviceable, if at times overly dramatic, hip-hop album. The more affecting songs express healthier sentiments like love and solidarity. In Slummer, Mike reflects on his teenage girlfriend, with whom he shared a relationship that he later realized was more about possession. Nor could their love overcome the slum where they lived. Though his girlfriend became pregnant by another man, Mike remained close to her. He contemplates the frightening challenge that pregnancy poses to young people, especially when they are poor. Mike acknowledges the deaths of his mother and grandmother in Motherless. He misses their guidance and regrets having fought with them over trivialities. More heartfelt than insightful, the song nevertheless strikes a positive chord. But these better feelings and moods are drowned out by expressions of egoism, money worship, religion and racialist politics. The opening song, Down by Law, reflects these problems. After a brief introduction, Mike comes storming in, repeating the N-word umpteen times in his first few seconds of rapping. None of them crackers aint love us, he spits. Nrich advertises the quest for material success. Mike brags about his lucrative investments, saying, I real-estated when others hated. Referring implicitly to black Americans, Mike says, They used to own us, but now we owners. Thats independence. His vision of personal achievement is to parade through the Louvre museum in Paris wearing flashy jewelry and garish shirts, carelessly dropping ashes as he goes (an echo of Beyonce and Jay-Zs effort in 2018?) What could be interesting about this crass and vulgar money worship as a symbol of personal success? Killer Mike (killermike.com) The World Socialist Web Site has previously noted Killer Mikes tendency, as part of his group Run the Jewels, to be driven back and forth between two poles. On the one hand, [Run the Jewels] is able to offer moving and thoughtful, even scathing, commentary on specific social ills. However, they all too often take the line of least resistance and offer bursts of antisocial braggadocio as a substitute for serious thinking and feeling. On Michael, Render has almost nothing to say about the social reality that millions face. Notably absent from Nrich is any criticism of the status quo, any appeal to do away with poverty. Instead, the struggling are offered Renders tiresome self-aggrandizement and demagogy that seeks to direct animosity toward white people for the plight of the inner-city poor. Im in rooms with politicians, talkin business and s__-, brags Render in Talkn That Shit! He adds cynically: Here you come with your opinions, I aint solicit that s___. The rapper has, in fact, established relationships with capitalist politicians, most prominent being former Democratic Party presidential candidate in 2016 and 2020 Bernie Sanders. Sanders and others no doubt see Render as a means of burnishing their own credibility with certain layers of the population. The opportunist character of these relationships and Renders own hypocrisy comes across on Something for Junkies. Render, who once sold drugs, shows sympathy for addicts and for people working hard to get paid. The song includes a recorded admonishment not to laugh at others misfortune, but to learn from it. This sentiment, fine on its own, is contradicted by the rest of the album. More egregiously, Something for Junkies uses a recording courtesy of Louis Farrakhan, who provides the songs sermon interlude. Renders promotion of the raving antisemitic black nationalist leader of the Nation of Islam is bound up with his own demoralization. In 2014, in response to the police killing of Michael Brown, a black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, Render argued that it is not about color; it is about what they killed him for. It is about poverty, it is about greed, it is about a war machine. In the time since Render said these words, the Democratic Party, of which he is a longtime supporter, has reacted to a growing capitalist crisis and the rise of the far-right with the fervent promoting of racial politics in the national discourse. In this narrative, Trump and just about every other social evil are simply the responsibility of white people. Likewise, the racial demagoguery does a disservice to Renders own musical work, a good portion of which has met success through his collaboration with white hip hop artists such as El-P (Jamie Meline), his fellow group member in Run the Jewels. As Render implies in Talkn That Shit!, some have criticized him for these alliances. A recent New York Times article, noting Renders chumminess with Georgias Republican governor and emotional admonishment of protesters after the killing of George Floyd in 2020, states In recent years, Killer Mike has become a target for a certain type of leftist criticism, especially from Black activists and anticapitalists. Render has replied with his inevitable arrogance. Ive been an activist way longer than Ive been a successful rapper. Youre having arguments and debates that I was having at 16 years old. Youre a child to me. The rapper was born in 1975 to youthful parents. His father was a policeman. Mike was partly raised by his grandmother, who emphasized education and religion. Like everyone else, Render was influenced by the times in which he grew up, generally stagnant and reactionary times, in which individualism, greed and the virtues of the market were pressed on the population. Free enterprise and American democracy were proclaimed the summit of human development. Socialism was pronounced dead, and all manner of subjective philosophy based on race, gender and sexuality were promoted as progressive. This was also the period of the severe degeneration of the civil rights movement, epitomized by Atlantas corrupt, cynical Andrew Young. Under the banner of black capitalism, an entire affluent social layer came into being, hostile to the working class and egalitarian views. Gangsta rap became popular in Renders youth. An antisocial response to the circumstances facing the African American working class, the genre in fact adapted to those conditions as another potentially lucrative route for black businessmen looking to get ahead. After he achieved musical success, Mike ventured into business, opening a barbershop in Atlanta in 2011. Mike also helped found Greenwood, an online bank for Black and Latinx communities and anyone else who wants to support Black-owned businesses. Render has obviously gone back and forth in his political and social views over the years. The ultimate outcome, however, has been his development into a less successful but foul-mouthed version of the billionaire rapper-businessman Shawn Carter, aka Jay-Z. In the wake of multiple shooting incidents over the Independence Day weekend, political officials in Washington D.C. and Maryland have announced new law and order policies to increase policing and toughen punishments for those facing criminal charges. District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, center, speaks with constituents, Friday, June 10, 2022, in Washington. [AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin] In an interview with the Washington Post posted July 11, Marylands Democratic Governor Wesley Moore said the mass shooting in Baltimores Brooklyn neighborhood, which left two people dead and 28 injured at an annual block party, raised the need for an all of the above strategy. You cannot violate the safety of our community and think there will be little or no accountability for it, Moore declared. These people who are repeat violent offenders, I want them to know were coming for them. Moore said that for those accused of repeat violent crimes, he would work with the state legislature to ensure their days are done. The Post described Moores plan to blunt crime as a development that emerged only recently, calling his remarks tougher-on-crime compared to his rhetoric before he was elected. Six months ago, the publication says, Moore campaigned in part on pledges to tackle intractable problems that include racial disparities in the states criminal justice system. Moore, the first African American governor in Marylands history, ran his election campaign last year pledging to reform probation and parole proceedings and improve relations between police and communities. Just last month, Moore said at an event with his Cabinet that better access to jobs, education, and opportunity reduces crime, calling for the kind of foundational investments that will break down that pipeline from poverty to prison. Moore, sensing his own hypocrisy in responding to rising crime with law and order tactics, made claims that his focus was on improving the quality of life when he visited the site of the shootings earlier this month. Were here to say that this is not just the response to an incident. This is about how we are actually improving the quality of life for everybody for good. We just cannot continue going from tragedy to tragedy, he declared. Moore said it is a false choice to claim tougher policing cannot occur at the same time as criminal justice reform to reduce racial disparities in arrests and sentencing. In Maryland, black people account for 71 percent of the prison population, despite making up only 29 percent of the state population overall. Moores argument that the state can crack down on crime resulting from economic deprivation while simultaneously alleviating poverty is an utter lie. The governor heads a state which presides over immense social inequality and uses the police as its armed body of men to enforce this inequality and keep order. In Baltimore, one in five people live below the poverty line. This is almost double the national poverty rate of 11.6 percent. In the Baltimore neighborhood where the mass shooting left 28 injured and 2 dead earlier this month, childhood poverty stands at about 50 percent, with about a quarter of children living without internet access. What Moore actually means in calling the trade-off between harsher policing and criminal justice reforms a false choice is that the state intends to emphasize law and any reforms will be pushed off of the agenda completely. Similar processes have occurred in Washington D.C. Over the July 4 holiday weekend, there were multiple shooting deaths in the city, including the killing of Lyft driver Nasrat Ahmad Yar and, separately, the death of teacher Maxwell Emerson on the campus of Catholic University. The Metropolitan Police Department have recorded a 17 percent increase in homicides this year compared with 2022, while violent crime has risen 33 percent. Last week, the City Council and Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser passed an emergency crime bill that gives police more leeway for the next 90 days in detaining people ahead of trial rather than granting bail, a measure which will fuel mass incarceration. The bill allows the District to adopt a presumption of pretrial detention for individuals, including children, accused of violent offenses. It also facilitates city prosecutors access to private security camera footage and the usage of pretrial ankle monitor tracking data once a case goes to trial. Bowser said last week at a press conference with the bills sponsor, Democratic Ward 2 Council Member Brooke Pinto, The criminal activity occurring in our neighborhoods is unacceptable. She hailed its passage later that day as an agreement that the status quo is unacceptable. The bill is modeled off of an even more authoritarian package introduced by Mayor Bowser which would allow pretrial jailing for all individuals suspected of violence regardless of their age. Pintos emergency legislation is not quite as hard edge as Bowsers, writes the Post, because the Pinto bill requires that the individual must have also been armed. Council members voting for the emergency measure included so-called progressive members of the council. Zachary Parker, a Democrat who was endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, said he had concerns about the proposed emergency measures against crime but that he had come around to supporting it after discussions with Pinto. Last year, the DSA supported and campaigned for Parker on the grounds that his candidacy was a massive opportunity for the progressive left to elect an uncompromising champion for our values. Brianne Nadeau, Council Member for Ward 1, called the bill proof the City Council is taking action in addressing public safety. Nadeau was reelected last year with the support of the citys local AFL-CIO council, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 400, the Service Employees International Union, the Bernie Sanders-aligned Our Revolution and the local chapter of the Sunrise Movement. Bowser and Pinto had hoped to move the emergency bill through the Council without amendment, but Council Member Janeese Lewis George objected to the bill, calling it unnecessary given the lasting damage pretrial detention can cause for people who may lose their house or children while in jail waiting for their court appearances. Lewis George, who also is endorsed by the local chapter of the DSA and Black Lives Matter, proposed an amendment striking the provision for pretrial detention of all violent offenders. Her proposal went down with one single supporting vote from former mayor Vincent Gray, now Ward 7 councilman. Ward 3 Council member Matthew Frumin, another progressive, voted against Lewis Georges amendment and for the legislation despite vague criticism that the emergency bill was overbroad. Despite her stated opposition to pretrial jailing, Lewis Georges proposed amendment accepted the other elements of the legislation. During last years general election, Lewis George endorsed Nadeau, Frumin and Parker. All supported the law in its entirety. Joe Biden and United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain. [AP Photo/Joe Lamberti/Mike Householder] On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden held a closed-door meeting with United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain in the West Wing of the White House, with less than two months to go until contracts expire for 170,000 workers at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis in the US and Canada. Fain had initially requested to meet with senior White House officials while in Washington, but when Biden learned of the request, he asked to speak with the UAW president privately, administration officials told the media. What was Biden so intent on discussing with Fain face-to-face? While no transcript was released, it does not require much imagination to glean the essential content. A highly experienced political representative of big business, Biden is intensely focused on the suppression of the class struggle, with the assistance of the union bureaucracies, in order to 1) defend the profit interests of the corporations and 2) ensure that the war against Russia and preparations for war against China are not disrupted. A central question posed by Biden to Fain would have been along the lines of, Shawn, do you have the situation under control? Anger is near the boiling point among autoworkers and other sections of the working class in the US and Canada. Walkouts in recent weeks have encompassed multiple industries, including tens of thousands of actors and screenwriters, 1,400 Wabtec locomotive manufacturing workers in Pennsylvania, and 1,400 National Steel Car railcar production workers in Ontario. A strike by 7,400 dockworkers in British Columbia was relaunched Tuesday, only to be shut down again within hours by the ILWU after being declared illegal by Liberal Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus labour minister. With strike deadlines for 20,000 Yellow trucking workers on Monday and more than 300,000 UPS workers on July 31, the potential exists for a dramatic expansion of strike activity to levels not seen for decades. The possible emergence of a powerful and militant struggle by autoworkers, in both the US and Canada, cannot help but produce extreme nervousness in the White House, since it has the potential to rapidly galvanize a far broader movement of the working class and upend Washingtons war efforts in Ukraine and elsewhere. The auto industry is undergoing a rapid transformation. According to the UAWs carefully crafted, vague account of Wednesdays meeting, given to Politico by Communications Director Jonah Furmana former Labor Notes staff writer and member of the pseudo-left Democratic Socialists of AmericaFain asked for Bidens support in the contract talks and for stronger labor provisions in the White Houses tax incentives and other corporate handouts in relation to electronic vehicle (EV) production. The corporations are hoping to shed tens if not hundreds of thousands of jobs as part of the transition to EV, while also establishing even lower-paid tiers and more precarious working conditions. At the same time, control of EV supply chains is viewed by Washington as critical to its plans for global supremacy and its preparations for war with China. If Fain asked for Bidens support, however, it is not on behalf the 1.1 million active and retired autoworkers in the UAW that he is making the request. Rather, he is seeking the White Houses support for the UAW bureaucracys own privileged interests. Fain and the UAW officialdomwho know they are widely viewed as corrupt by autoworkers both in the UAW and outside itwant assurances that Biden will use his powers to all but mandate the presence of the UAW at the automakers new EV plants, ensuring an expanded flow of dues to the apparatus from impoverished workers. Shortly before his assassination by a Stalinist agent in 1940, Leon Trotsky, the great Marxist revolutionary, wrote with immense incisiveness and at a far earlier stage of the process: There is one common feature in the development, or more correctly the degeneration, of modern trade union organizations in the entire world: it is their drawing closely to and growing together with the state power. In the present, Biden, the self-described most pro-union president in history, has sought to even more tightly integrate the union bureaucracies with the state. The administration has relied on the bureaucracies to control and suppress a series of struggles that threaten the foreign policy aims of US imperialism. The upper-middle class bureaucrats who control the unions, for their part, are returning the embrace of the state. Fains talks with Biden Wednesday were part of a blitz of meetings with virtually the entire Democratic Party Congressional leadership and other high-level administration officials. The UAW president met with White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients; National Economic Council Director Lael Brainard, and Gene Sperling, a senior economic adviser and Bidens point person in the Big Three contract talks. Sperling, a longtime Democratic Party corporate hatchet man, was on the Obama-Biden administrations Auto Task Force, overseeing the historic job and wage cuts imposed, with the support of the UAW, in the 2009 restructuring of the auto industry. These capitalist politicians, who will be falsely hailed as allies by the UAW, are, in fact, vicious enemies of the working class, as most clearly shown in their role in banning a strike by 110,000 railroad workers last year and imposing a contract workers opposed. The intervention of the White House already in the Big Three autoworkers fight is a demonstration that workers face not merely a struggle over a contract, but a political struggle against the capitalist state. Among Bidens concerns is that the Fain administration is viewed by autoworkers, correctly, as illegitimate. The UAWs national elections last year were characterized by widespread and deliberate suppression of the vote by the UAW bureaucracy, as detailed in a series of official challenges by Will Lehman, a rank-and-file worker and socialist who ran for UAW president. The bureaucracy refused to update its membership database with workers current addresses and contact information, resulting in a turnout of just 9 percent and more ballots being returned as undeliverable than were actually counted. A lawsuit by Lehman last November calling for an emergency extension of voting deadlines was opposed by Bidens Department of Labor. A subsequent complaint filed by Lehman with the UAW monitoritself comprised of corporate law firms closely tied to GM and other automakerswas also rejected, and an appeal to the Department of Labor (DOL) was denied without explanation. Lehman has sued the DOL, demanding that the elections be re-run. If there is one sentiment that both Biden and Fain shared as they huddled together in the White House, it is fear. The ruling class and its toadies in the union apparatus are terrified of the powerful growth of the class struggle, which is beginning to break free from the stranglehold of the apparatus itself. To unite the struggles of all sections of the working class and prevent their sabotage by the union bureaucracies, workers require structures that are controlled and led by themrank-and-file factory and workplace committees. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) is working to assist workers in establishing such committees throughout every industry, in the US and in other countries. As the Autoworkers Rank-and-File Committee Networka growing collection of committees affiliated with the IWA-RFC in the auto industrywrote in a statement on July 9, Any strategy based on pressuring corporate management and their representatives in the Democratic and Republican Parties has again and again proved disastrous for the working class Autoworkers will win this fight, not through appeals to company executives and big business politicians, but by means of hard and uncompromising class struggle. Workers wishing to join this struggle should contact the WSWS to get involved with a rank-and-file committee today. With the 2024 federal budget, the German government has ushered in a new era in social policy. In order to finance the huge costs of military rearmament and to continue the enrichment of a small minority, government funds for pensions, care, welfare, and public infrastructure are being slashed. Among the many cuts that have hardly attracted public notice so far are the funds for research into Long Covid and the development of therapies and drugs against it. Instead of 100 million as originally announced, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (Social Democrat, SPD) wants to make only 21 million available for this purpose. Representatives of doctors, clinics and statutory health insurers want to raise another 20 million. Although these are relatively low sums in the tens of millions, the consequences will be devastating. Millions of people, some of whom are seriously ill with Long Covid, will be abandoned to their fate. The massive cut in research funding is a slap in the face for all Long Covid sufferers. Although Lauterbach claims that further money could be made available in the coming years, this is just a farce. Clinical research is so complex and expensive that it is only worthwhile if projects have permanent and stable funding. If money is only provided year by year, top researchers cannot be retained, nor necessary teams built up. Long Covid outpatients department in Vienna [Photo by Herzi Pinki / wikimedia / CC BY-SA 4.0 In fact, even the 100 million originally announced would only have been a drop in the ocean. There is a great lack of studies and therapies regarding Long Covid, as well as knowledge and corresponding capacities among medical personnel. For example, the waiting time at the outpatient clinic specialised in Long Covid at Berlins Charite hospital is around six months. A plan regarding how to better care for Long Covid patients is not to be published until the end of the year. Long Covid is not an individual problem, but affects broad sections of the population. According to figures from the World Health Organisation, one in 30 people in Europe is affected. In Germany, that would be well over two million people. According to estimates by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), up to 36 million Europeans could have developed Long Covid in the last three years. Depending on the estimate, between 6 and 14 percent of those infected with coronavirus develop long-term consequences. The effects cover a wide spectrum: some struggle exhausted through their everyday work and social life, others are completely unable to work. Almost all bodily organs can be damaged by the consequences, and many victims suffer for years. In severe cases, such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), only symptoms can be treated. According to figures from the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, 500,000 people were already suffering from ME/CFS in 2021. Numerous local media have published reports from Long Covid sufferers in recent weeks. They describe how they struggle with the long-term consequences of their coronavirus infection and how doctors have no way of responding appropriately. I am now working full time again, but of course I also regularly have so-called crashes, breakdowns, where it literally sends me packing and I have to go on sick leave, Bianka Kilian reports in Sachsenspiegel. Ive been struggling with it for two and a half years now. It is very difficult. There are phases when its better, there are phases when its extremely bad. The doctors are sometimes powerless because they simply dont know about the disease. In the Hessenschau, Andre Fourate reports that he has been affected since the beginning of 2022 and would have liked more help even then: One wonders why the measures didnt exist two years ago. He also denounces the lack of competent centres and outpatient clinics specialised in the care of Long Covid patients: The Charite and Marburg [hospitals] are the first to be mentioned. Then there are two or three placesand thats it. Health Minister Lauterbach, a medical doctor by training, knows very well what the consequences of his cutbacks are. After all, we have declared the pandemic over, he told a federal press conference. For people with Long Covid, the pandemic is far from over. The future of Long Covid has unfortunately just begun. In fact, despite Lauterbachs assertion, the pandemic is by no means over either. It is true that systemic surveillance of the virus has been discontinued. The Robert Koch Institute has not issued any Covid weekly reports since June 8 and discontinued its pandemic radar on July 1. However, indicators such as the viral load in wastewater show the extent to which the virus is still rampant. Last week, 73 percent of wastewater sites reported an increasing viral load. The previous week, it was only 29 percent. In other countries, such as the US, sewage trackers also point to the beginning of a new wave of the pandemic. This wave of infections is bound to be followed by another wave of people suffering with Long Covid. Lauterbach knows this. We have to assume that many more will contract Long Covid, he told the press conference. Lauterbach explains the cutting of Long Covid funding to one fifth the initial proposal by citing the current budget situation. This makes it clear where the money is actually going: While the health budget will be reduced from 64.4 billion in 2022 to 16.2 billion next year, the military budget will increase to 51.8 billion plus another 20 billion from the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces) special fund. More than 30,000 military personnel from around the world are descending on north and north-east Australia for the countrys largest ever military exercises. The biennial Talisman Sabre war games, held over the past eighteen years, have been expanded into what is probably one of the biggest military operations to have occurred in the southern hemisphere in decades. Some of the thousands of Australian Army troops involved in Talisman Sabre 2023 [Photo: Talisman Sabre Facebook] Official information about Talisman Sabre from the various branches of the defence force and the federal Labor government is scanty and of a promotional character. The limited details are shrouded in deliberately opaque military jargon to prevent the population from having much knowledge of what is going on or what its purpose could be. From what has been released, however, it is clear that Talisman Sabre is nothing less than a dress-rehearsal of a full-scale war against China. This is in line with the global strategy of American imperialism, for conflict with Russia, and above all an aggressive confrontation with China, which is viewed as the chief threat to US global dominance. The operation is to last for two weeks, beginning tomorrow. There is nothing defensive or cautious about Talisman Sabre. Instead, its centerpiece is the movement of vast troop personnel and military equipment across the Australian continent, and then on sea, to simulate an offensive operation against an area that an adversary is denying access to. The fictitious enemy has been dubbed the Olvanian, but everyone involved knows that is simply code for China. Defence News, an industry publication, gave a chilling indication of what is being simulated. The core mission of Talisman Sabre will be a joint logistics over-the-shore exercise where the [American] Army will take 17 M1 Abrams tanks off of its Army Prepositioned Stock Afloat ship and onto watercraft as well as 400 pieces of rolling stock, which has never been exercised at this size in the theater. Then the watercraft will land on an undeveloped beach and the Abrams, one of the premier land forces of the US army, will roll off, prepared to fight an enemy. According to other sources, this will be an integrated land, air and sea incursion. In any language, this is plainly an invasion. The US and its allies are preparing for an offensive operation in the Indo-Pacific on a vast scale, under conditions where they have transformed Taiwan into a flashpoint for a potential war with China, as well as the South China Sea, where limited artificial islets constructed by Beijing have been subjected to hysterical condemnation. The exercise could be a preparation for operations in either of those theaters, or elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific where a war would inevitably have a substantial maritime component. The location of the mock invasion raises particularly sinister possibilities. The target is Norfolk Island. While it remains an Australian territory, Norfolk is 1,412 kilometres from the Australian mainland. It is in the South Pacific, between New Zealand and New Caledonia. The South Pacific has emerged as a key focal point of the US confrontation with China. Moves towards closer ties with China by the tiny and impoverished island states in the region have been met with threats and intimidation. In the case of a security pact between Beijing and the Solomon Islands revealed last year, this included threats of an unspecified US military response. Leaders in the region will doubtless be looking anxiously as a nearby island is subjected to a full-scale mock invasion. In the lead-up to this finale, US stocks and supporting allied military infrastructure are to be traipsed around a substantial section of the Australian continent. Defence News explained the context: Top military officials have said the region will require the Army to adapt its approach to logistics, and the service is standing up a team focused on enabling the deployment of troops and large amounts of equipment even in constantly contested environments. Brigadier General Jered Helwig, the Armys 8th Theater Sustainment Command commander, said that the most valuable way to bolster logistics in a contested environment is to exercise it. In other words, the logistical component of Talisman Sabre is not only a passive demonstration of existing capabilities. It is an active attempt to bolster those abilities and to develop the logistical mechanisms and pathways to sustain a protracted conflict. That, together with the launching of a long-range armada into the Pacific, underscores the fact that describing Talisman Sabre as simply a war game is an understatement. It is a military operation that itself heightens the danger of an imminent conflict in the region. When it began, Talisman Sabre essentially involved the US and Australia, together with very limited cohorts from allied states in the region. It is now a global operation. Of particular significance is that for the first time ever, German military forces are participating, with 170 paratroopers taking part. Germany is at the very centre of the remilitarisation of Europe. It is throwing off the shackles imposed by its horrendous crimes in World War II, and is among the chief protagonists of the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. German involvement in Talisman Sabre is in line with a stepped-up push by NATO into the Indo-Pacific. That was a key theme of the recent NATO summit in Lithuania, which, in addition to preparing the next escalation in Ukraine emphasised the interrelationship between the aggressive confrontations with Russia and China. German army chief, Lieutenant General Alfons Mais, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, We want to send a message that we are interested in what's going on here, we want to portray ourselves as a reliable partner, where we share common values with Australia and other partners in the region. Japan, another World War II power that is rearming, is central to the US war drive against China. Last week, its troops carried out their first live fire exercises on Australian soil, alongside US marines and Australian soldiers, in one of a series of lead-in operations to Talisman Sabre. Now, as part of Talisman Sabre, they are to conduct a live fire demonstration of a Type 12 Surface-to-Ship missile. The anti-ship system, with a range of up to 200 kilometers, would play a key role in maritime warfare in the Indo-Pacific. Unbelievably, the live fire exercise is to take place in Jervis Bay, a quiet coastal town close to Sydney, popular with tourists and retirees. South Korea is also a key ally in the US push against China. It too will be firing advanced weaponry, with its troops having brought to Australia a Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher system. The Japanese and South Korean firing drills are among 40 firsts that Talisman Sabre coordinators have touted. Other states, including from south-east Asia, such as Indonesia, are taking part, as the US and Australia seek to corral them onboard with the US confrontation against China. The live-fire drills also underscore the geographical broadening of Talisman Sabre. In all previous iterations, it has been concentrated to a fairly limited section of northern Australia, which has a relatively small population and is already heavily militarised to serve as a launching point for war in the Indo-Pacific. But now, US and Australian forces will set up a joint command in Brisbane, one of the countrys largest cities, for the duration of Talisman Sabre. The Jervis Bay operation shows that the exercise is extending far down the east coast, past Sydney. Military planes are also to fly over the regional centre of Newcastle, several hours north of Sydney. Western Australia is involved on the other side of the continent, underscoring the breadth of the activities. A large section of the country, in other words, has been turned into the scene of a military operation, without the population having been informed, let alone had the opportunity to provide a democratic mandate. Dangerous weapons systems are to be tested, some for the first time. The potential for things to go wrong is clear. It was indicated by a seven-car pile-up in the northern Queensland city of Rockhampton this week. One of the vehicles was a semi-trailer carrying a military tank. The site went up in flames, which the authorities stated was a result of fuel. But they also took the unusual step of establishing an exclusion zone, while military police were rapidly on the scene. This advice on the defence departments official website is hardly likely to set minds at ease: TS23 will involve the use of weapons and explosive ordnance. The public should not handle weapons or touch ammunition and ordnance. The exercises underscore several related processes. The US and its allies, including Australia, are undeniably preparing for war with China. As the Talisman Sabre mock invasion makes clear, this is an offensive, not defensive conflict that is being planned. Australia is on the frontlines. The transformation of the continent into a giant military base for offensive US-led operations throughout the region is already far advanced and is being rapidly accelerated by the current Labor government. And none of this is compatible with democratic rights. It would be entirely legitimate to ask whether a state can be described as democratic, even in a limited sense, while it is overrun with tens of thousands of soldiers simulating war across much of the continent in brazen defiance of widespread popular hostility to militarism and war. A regional office of the National Labor Relations Board has found merit to allegations that Howard Brown Health engaged in unfair labor practices over the past year news that comes more than six months after the health center laid off workers. The Illinois Nurses Association filed a number of charges against Howard Brown Health with Region 13 of the National Labor Relations Board after tussling with the health center over jobs and negotiations late last year and early this year. The negotiations involved a unit of non-nurse workers represented by the Illinois Nurses Association union, including therapists, medical assistants, greeters and coordinators, among others. Howard Brown leaders said late last year they were facing a $12 million shortfall and offered buyouts to workers. Workers in the union, who had just started negotiating their first contract, rejected that buyout proposal, saying it would result in 100 employees losing their jobs. Howard Brown Health then cut its workforce by 16%, including by laying off 64 people, giving buyouts to 15 nonunion workers, and closing 38 union and nonunion vacant positions. Workers went on strike for several days in January. Howard Brown Health is a federally qualified health center, meaning it receives federal dollars to help patients with low incomes. It has 11 clinics throughout the city that specialize in treating LGBTQ patients and people living with HIV. The Region 13 director found merit or partial merit to allegations in eight unfair labor practice charges against Howard Brown Health, including bad faith bargaining, creating the impression of surveillance, failing to provide information, and declaring an impasse and refusing to bargain over layoffs, said Kayla Blado, a spokeswoman for the National Labor Relations Board, in an email. The regional office will now seek a settlement between Howard Brown Health and the Illinois Nurses Association. That settlement will seek to make whole workers who were victims of unfair labor practices, Blado said. The Illinois Nurses Association says that could include reinstating laid off employees and paying them back wages and damages. Story continues Tristan Bock-Hughes, a senior lead organizer with the Illinois Nurses Association, said the findings are vindicating. It is extremely encouraging to know that an employer cannot just violate the law willy-nilly without there being repercussions, Bock-Hughes said. These workers provide a vital service to the Chicago queer community, and Howard Browns actions this past winter decimated a lot of services that the Chicago queer community relies on. Wren OKelley, a spokeswoman for Howard Brown Health, said Thursday it was too early to say whether the health center will accept a settlement agreement because Howard Brown Health does not yet know all the details it would include. The Labor Relations Board office told Howard Brown about the findings and settlement verbally, but Howard Brown has not yet received a formal write-up on it, she said. We are deeply surprised and disappointed at this finding because it has been our commitment to continually work and negotiate in good faith with the union and all of our employees, OKelley said. Our goal has always been to recognize and respect the needs of our union employees and ensure our financial stability in the face of significant hardship. If Howard Brown doesnt settle, the boards regional director will issue a complaint, which will lead to a hearing with an NLRB administrative law judge, who can issue orders to Howard Brown, Blado said. Julian Modugno, who was laid off from Howard Brown, called the findings a huge relief. Modugno had been an event planner at Howard Brown for about a year when he was laid off. He was also on the bargaining committee. Losing my job and having given so much time fighting for a union at Howard Brown and trying to improve work conditions, to just be cast out like that was very difficult, Modugno said. Modugno now works for the Illinois Nurses Association as a union representative for Howard Brown workers. Its something weve been waiting to hear for a long time, he said of the findings. The WTO training course on trade and gender targeted trade negotiators and government officials from various ministries, including trade, foreign affairs and finance. The aim of the course was to develop officials' expertise on trade and gender issues and to provide guidance on policy tools for integrating gender issues into their trade policies and development objectives. Lectures, group exercises and brainstorming sessions allowed participants to improve their capacity to analyse, formulate and implement trade policies that support increasing women's access to trade and economic opportunities. In addition, they were able to familiarize themselves with trade and gender issues related to standards and innovation and to discuss the topic of violence against women. Gender equality objectives are part of the 21st century agenda. Therefore, realizing why and how these issues are important for trade was a key takeaway of this course, said Frederico Petrecca, First Secretary at Argentina's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship. By providing a cross-cutting view of how trade affects women, the course enabled us to consider the implications for international treaties and negotiations, as well as for domestic policy, he added. The training course also allowed participants to share experiences and best practices on promoting opportunities for women in international trade, noted Ines Monwanou, Director of Economic and International Trade Relations at Benin's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The course will help me to propose measures and take decisions that will integrate gender aspects into trade policy, in particular regarding the development of women's entrepreneurship, she added. Akouvi Soke Klolly, Focal Point for Women and Youth in Trade at Togo's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Local Consumption, highlighted that the policy tools presented during the course and the simulation exercises enabled her to get to grips with how to design gender-responsive trade policies. Eric Ambassa, International Trade Contractual Executive at Cameroon's Ministry of Trade, said acquiring an understanding of trade and gender issues was particularly important as Cameroon currently coordinates the Africa Group at the WTO. From my capital's point of view, it is important to have a grasp of what's being done in the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender and to be well informed about all other activities and negotiations underway at the WTO, he said. Adjara Tuo Epse Dosso, Head of the International Trade Agreements Department at Cote d'Ivoire's Ministry of Trade, Industry and SME Promotion, said the knowledge she has gained will be instrumental in helping her implement her country's trade policy in a way that strengthens women's trading capacities. This course is of utmost importance for all African countries and can be particularly useful for those who have not yet integrated gender issues into their trade policies, she emphasized. The training course was delivered in French for government officials from Africa, Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe. Other training opportunities to be offered in 2023 include a special session for Geneva delegates to take place ahead of the 13th Ministerial Conference, which is to be held in February 2024. In addition, an in-person course for Spanish-speaking officials will be held in the first quarter of 2024. These activities are part of the WTO's Trade & Gender 360 Strategy, the WTO's capacity building programme on trade and gender. LONDON, July 21, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of "a-" (Excellent) of Lombard International Assurance S.A. (LIA SA) (Luxembourg). Concurrently, AM Best has affirmed the Long-Term ICR of "bbb-" (Good) of LIA Holdings Limited (Lombard International) (United Kingdom), a non-operating holding company. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is negative. The ratings reflect Lombard Internationals consolidated balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as the groups adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings of LIA SA factor in its strategic importance to Lombard International, and its integration within the group. Lombard Internationals balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by the strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The assessment also reflects the groups liability profile, which AM Best considers to be low risk, as it primarily provides unit-linked products. Moreover, there are no living benefit guarantees and mortality risk is low, as it is largely reinsured with a variety of reinsurers of high credit quality. Partially offsetting factors in the balance sheet strength assessment include the groups high reliance on soft capital components, primarily the value of in force business, to support its risk-adjusted capitalisation, and high financial leverage. Lombard International has committed to reduce its financial leverage over the short term using the proceeds of the sale of its U.S. and Bermuda operations and internal capital generation. However, there is uncertainty on the timing of the reduction as the sale is pending regulatory approval. Failure to reduce financial leverage and improve interest coverage over the short term will likely lead to a negative rating action. Story continues Lombard Internationals operating performance is supported by a steady inflow of fee revenue. AM Best expects the group to continue to produce stable cash flows, driven by solid new business generation and excellent persistency of the existing portfolio. Lombard International maintains a solid position in its core markets, offering tailored products to high and ultra-high net worth individuals, primarily in Europe. A focus on this client base means that the group is highly susceptible to changes in legislation with respect to domestic and international taxation. This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments. AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specialising 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. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright 2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230721656837/en/ Contacts Stanislav Stoev, ACCA Senior Financial Analyst +44 20 7397 0306 stanislav.stoev@ambest.com Christopher Sharkey Associate Director, Public Relations +1 908 882 2310 christopher.sharkey@ambest.com Jessica Botelho-Young, CA Associate Director, Analytics +44 20 7397 0310 jessica.botelho-young@ambest.com Al Slavin Senior Public Relations Specialist +1 908 882 2318 al.slavin@ambest.com The Central Business District is seen from the air on a sunny winter afternoon in Sydney By Rae Wee SINGAPORE (Reuters) - When global commercial real estate services firm JLL found public debt and loan markets were averse to funding a property project in Arizona, it turned to private credit markets and easily got the loan. The $585 million refinancing loan for real estate company Five Star Development was at an undisclosed spread over overnight rates, possibly more expensive than any bank loan or bond. But Bryan Clark, managing director of JLL Capital Markets, says there were challenges in public debt markets, including lenders' reluctance to finance construction projects, the volatility in debt markets and that even lenders who were able to provide financing were "unable or unwilling" to write a loan of this size. Private lenders, meanwhile, had "significant liquidity" to deploy for such financings, proving to be a right fit. The deal announced in May is one in a booming private credit market where long-term lenders such as pension funds and wealth managers seeking to lock in rich yields are meeting desperate borrowers stonewalled by public markets. Besides property developers, borrowers thronging private markets include privately-held companies and start-ups whose private equity issuance has been stymied by broader stock market swings and the deepening discounts of their valuations, known as a 'down round' in the industry. Lenders are queuing up too, enticed by the prospect of higher returns as a result of an "illiquidity premium". Asia, which had long trailed its Western counterparts, has also caught onto the trend. Investment firm Muzinich & Co. recently announced it had closed a $500 million Asia Pacific private debt strategy. Private lending yields produce a return of about 10% to 18%, typically for a three-year transaction, said Andrew Tan, Muzinich's Asia Pacific CEO. "Private credit in Asia has been ramping up," said Tan. "Asia is only at the beginning of this journey." Story continues In comparison, the ICE BofA global high yield index has an effective yield of about 8.3%. Others with big plans to enter the highly opaque and largely unregulated private lending market include Hong Kong-based PAG, Bain Capital, India's Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Hong Kong's ADM Capital. ILLIQUIDITY PREMIUM BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, last month debuted its retail private credit fund. Australian superannuation fund UniSuper, which runs a $15 billion private markets portfolio investing in unlisted infrastructure and private equity, is looking to grow its portfolio. "Just given the pipeline of opportunities, we could see ourselves potentially ... (doing) another $3 to $5 billion," said Sandra Lee, UniSuper's head of private markets. Data from Barclays shows global assets under management of business development companies -- typically closed-end investment funds that invest in small and mid-sized private companies -- hit $280 billion in the first quarter of this year, nearly double the amount from two years ago. Some big factors behind the boom have been the rather aggressive global monetary tightening cycle and U.S. regional banking sector turmoil that led to banks turning more cautious on lending. "Things like the recent banking concerns ... feeding into volatility and markets feeding into uncertainty, this does impact those more public debt markets and what you do find is those markets either they totally shut down, or they shut down for all but the best borrowers," said Shane Forster, head of Barings' Asia Pacific private finance group. "It's fair to say investor demand in private debt is quite high at the moment ... and that's because they see the attractive nature of the asset class." Benno Klingenberg-Timm, UBS Asset Management's head of APAC global sovereign markets, said sovereign wealth funds from commodity-exporting economies and non-commodity exporters, mainly in the Asia Pacific, also have a large allocation to private markets, comprising private equity, real estate, infrastructure and commodity-linked investments, among others. "These are very long-term oriented funds that aim to harvest the illiquidity premium," he said. "Their mission and mandate are geared towards long-term wealth generation and return maximisation, (which) makes these strategies possible." (Reporting by Rae Wee in Singapore, additional reporting by Georgina Lee in Hong Kong; Editing by Vidya Ranganathan and Kim Coghill) For the quarter ended June 2023, Associated Banc-Corp (ASB) reported revenue of $328.25 million, up 10.8% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.56, compared to $0.56 in the year-ago quarter. The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $332.65 million, representing a surprise of -1.32%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of -5.08%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.59. While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance. Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance. Here is how Associated Banc-Corp performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Average Balance - Total earning assets : 37568.99 million versus 37105.94 million estimated by four analysts on average. Net Interest Margin : 2.8% compared to the 2.93% average estimate based on four analysts. Net Charge-off (% of Average Loans) : 0.1% compared to the 0.1% average estimate based on three analysts. Efficiency Ratio : 57.26% compared to the 56.93% average estimate based on three analysts. Total nonperforming assets : $139.20 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $127.59 million. Total Nonperforming Loans / Nonaccrual loans : $131.28 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $124.21 million. Net Interest Income (FTE) : $262.71 million versus $270.69 million estimated by four analysts on average. Wealth management fees : $20.48 million compared to the $20.38 million average estimate based on four analysts. Capital markets, net : $5.09 million versus $5.51 million estimated by four analysts on average. Total Noninterest Income : $65.54 million compared to the $64.26 million average estimate based on four analysts. Mortgage banking, net : $7.77 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $4.12 million. Card-based fees: $11.40 million versus $10.91 million estimated by four analysts on average. Story continues View all Key Company Metrics for Associated Banc-Corp here>>> Shares of Associated Banc-Corp have returned +13.4% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.6% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Associated Banc-Corp (ASB) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research When you think of tequila, what comes to mind? Maybe it could be the salted rim and freshly squeezed lime of a Margarita. Or, that Paloma whose effervescent grapefruit tickles your nose. Or that night that you struggled with deciding whether or not youd like to forget it. Well, here at Worth, we would like to introduce you to another side of tequila. The one distilled from a cultures deep history into todays modern expressions. For this years Tequila Day, we invite you to say Salud! to the many incredible producers here and indulge in a glass no different than whiskey or wine. Enjoy learning about each selection, from their tasting profile to the people, history, and land behind them. Photo via Wild Common History: Wild Common stands on three pillars, tradition, community, and land. Their story begins when founder Andy Bardon, a National Geographic Photographer, was on a trip to Jalisco, Mexico. He met the Rosales family, whose traditions date back to 1904. They decided to team up and create the cleanest expression of tequila possible to share with the world (Wild Common). Together Bardon, Master Distiller Don Salvador Rosales Torres and his sons Salvador (Chava), and Benjamin are working under the common goal of bringing people together to laugh, celebrate, and connect as a community for the common good (Wild Common). Tasting Notes: Three words can be used to describe this tequila. Bold, unapologetic, and clean. Since this is a still-strength tequila, yes there is a pop of alcohol on the nose, but trust that it will not last. The nose is full of agave in such an unexpected way. There is a refreshing quality to it from its deep saturation in minerals and salty notes, both balanced by citrus and mint. In the mouth, it is bright with its clear expression of white pepper, citrus, and tropical fruits. The finish ends this olfactory journey by rounding it out with notes of cinnamon, star anise, and that unmistakable agave sweetness. Confirmed additive-free by Story continues Tequila Matchmaker. Photo via Sip Tequila History: Siete Leguas was born in 1952 by Ignacio Gonzalez Vargas. He chose the name Siete Leguas to commemorate General Fransico Pancho Villas horse, El Siete Leguas. General Villa is one of the figureheads of the Mexican Revolution and is known internationally as a revolutionary hero. His horses name translates to 7 Leagues, which is the distance that separates many towns in Mexico. El Siete Leguas was given this name after she carried the general the entire distance of 7 leagues56.7 milesin one day whereas the other horses could only complete one league per day. Tasting: For the 70th anniversary of Siete Legaus tequila, they created this limited-production blanco to commemorate the occasion. This tequila is made entirely of wild agave. This tequila expression from Siete Leguas allows you to identify the terroir. The agave is present in both the nose and the palate, but the same goes for the robust amount of citrus from limes, pronounced minerality, pepper notes, and herbaceousness from mint and fennel. From the nose to the palate, this blanco is worth the 70 years of experience and commitment behind it. Confirmed additive-free by Tequila Matchmaker. Photo via Cazcanes History: Cazcanes Tequila is an ode to the indigenous people of Mexico and their legacy. Cazcanes gets their name from the Caxcan people, the last indigenous group to be conquered by the Spaniards. The Caxcan acted as the heart and soul of the [Mixton Rebellion] from 1540-1542 (DBpedia). Cazcanes Tequila carries on their legacy down to the foundational recipe for their expressionsa 300-year-old indigenous recipe found in a moonshine jungle still. Furthermore, each bottle is marked with the ancient symbol of the healing hand. The hand itself symbolizes healing and protection as the spiral in the palm represents eternity. When put together (as found on the bottle), it is said to carry a therapeutic energy and bring upon good luck and fortune (Symbol Sage). Tasting Notes: This still-strength tequila is balanced, crisp, and complex. Rated 97 points by the Beverage Tasting Institute , on the nose, it is packed with lime, vegetal notes, citrus, black and white pepper, and a tremendous undercurrent of saltiness. On the palate, these aromas transform into more rounded flavors such as grilled lime, baking spices, an added emphasis on salinity, and warmed toasted black pepper. If you are not well acquainted with still strength, please prepare for the intense and clinging finish that will arrive wrapped in its buttery texture. Confirmed additive-free by Tequila Matchmaker. Photo via Sip Tequila Tasting Notes: Rated 96 points by the Beverage Tasting Institute, this expression is spicy and complex. The nose acts as a trailer for the flavors that explode on the palate. The nose is deceiving, like a hidden, unsuspecting door that leads to a world, unlike anything you couldve ever imagined. The palate delivers a mountain of flavors that begin with a momentous base of cooked agave with the added layer of spiced, cooked red fruits. Loaded with a shocking amount of minerality and an added hit of salt and citrus, it somehow transforms into greener vegetal notes only to dance off the back palate into a warming peppery and anise finish. We can almost guarantee that you have tasted no Blanco quite like this. Confirmed additive-free by the Tequila Matchmaker. Photo via Craft Spirits Exchange History: G4 Tequila is a representation of family. Its in the name itself. G4 stands for the four generations of passion and experience that exist within the Camarena familys heritage as master distillers. Today, Felipe Camarena and his sons Luis Felipe and Alan stand at the helm of El Pandillo Distillery. Together they continue their familys legacy that began in 1937 by combining innovative and traditional methods. Tasting Notes: The G4 Reposado is a favorite of any tequila lover. Rated 94 points by the Beverage Tasting Institute, it is consistently touted as one of the best reposado tequilas on the market today, especially by those that consider themselves a sipping purist. It will invite you with refreshing hints of citrus, such as grapefruit, and surprising notes of black pepper and minerality. It is light, bright, and stands on its own as an expression of reposado. Confirmed additive-free by Tequila Matchmaker. Photo via Total Wine & More History: Melly Barajas Cardenas is one of those people that doesnt care how long something will take to get it right. Her story begins over 20 years ago when she and her father went on vacation, and he expressed that one day he wanted a tequila made in his name. As she expressed in an interview with The New York Times, she expressed how entering the tequila business was (at first) nothing more than achieving a dream for her father. But once she became a part of it, she loved it. The smell, the taste, it was marvelous. In 1999 she opened her distillery Raza Azteca joining the ranks of 7 other women tequila producers of the 79 total. Cardenas team of employees is entirely made up of women, whether they be working in the agave fields, cooking the agave, processing the fermentation, or bottling the final product. Yes, gap between women and men-owned tequila distilleries has grown. But Cardenas has created a brand and a community that acts as a beacon of hope within the industry, symbolizing to women, as she puts it, the skys the limit. Tasting Notes: La Gritona carries a characteristic of excitement rooted in a brooding character. It has a vanilla character and vegetal, herbaceous notes that transport you straight into the agave fields in the highlands of Jalisco that La Gritona is made from. With a slight sweetness and a lingering note of cinnamon, this tequila lands on the lighter side of reposados. Additive-free. Photo via Sip Tequila History: Tequila Ocho was born out of a common goalto prove the concept of terroir exists in tequila no different than wine. This single-estate tequila has been founded by a dream team, Carlos Camarena and Tomas Estes. Camarena is a fifth-generation agave farmer and third-generation tequilero whose great-grandfather is credited with bringing blue agave to the Highlands of Jalisco (Ocho Tequila). His passion lies beyond tequila and settles in the land and understanding how it interacts with the agave. This is what has led him to be named the Distiller of the Year at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2005, awarded Gold Star from the World Marketing Organization in 2009, and decorated with a medal for his contribution to the Tequila Industry from the President of Mexico in 2010. Estes was just as established. For his work promoting tequila, agave spirits, and Mexican culture across the globe, he was named the official Tequila Ambassador to Europe by the Mexican National Tequila Chamber in 2003. He is credited with (as noted in the New York Times) placing tequila on the same shelf as fine cognac and single-malt Scotch. Furthermore, in 2012 Estes published a seminal book on tequila, The Tequila Ambassador, widely viewed at that time as the definitive work on tequila. Unfortunately, in 2021 Estes passed away. His commitment and impact on the tequila industry and Mexico will never be forgotten. I love when a number follows someone throughout their life. Whether it be as a good luck charm or a provider of peace. Personally, I experience this with the number 23, and as have the co-founders of Tequila Ocho. The choice of the number eight comes from 8 different reasons. The company was founded in 2008, from the 8th sample created by Camarena for Estes. Camarena has 8 brothers and sisters and the family has produced tequila for 8 decades. It takes 8 years for the agave to ripen before harvest, 8 days for the agave to become blanco tequila after arriving at the distillery, 8 weeks and 8 days to age the reposado, and 8kg of agave to make 1L of tequila. They built the brand together as an homage to the soil and land that provided them with this opportunity. As Camarena says, Remain loyal to your rootsRemain loyal to your traditionsRemain loyal to who you areBecause your past is your present and will be your future. Tasting Notes: This limited-release reposado from Tequila Ocho was made and named after a collaboration with Brooklyn-Based Widow Jane Distillery. This reposado was aged in the used bourbon barrels from Widow Jane and resulted in a unique intersection of qualities between the two spirits. Throughout the nose and palate, the classic whiskey notes of baking and barrel spice are beautifully presentnoticeable but not overpowering. The agave, however, is subtle on the nose but then takes center stage in the mouth. Notes of fresh fruit and bright flavors such as mint and citrus boast a complex sipping experience. This reposado is something that will evolve with each sip and is made with the passionate tequila drinker in mind. Confirmed additive-free by Tequila Matchmaker. Photo via Fortaleza History: If you were to ask, what is an example of a consistently high-quality tequila brand? Los Abuelos (Fortaleza as it is known in the U.S.), would be the answer. Tequila Fortaleza was launched in 2005 by a family whose rich and founding history with the spirit began over 150 years ago. In 1873, 5 generations ago, Don Cenobio, founded his first distilleryLa Perseveranciain the town of Tequila, Jalisco (Tequila Fortaleza). He would become the first person ever to export the spirit to the U.S. His son, Eladio, would carry the baton by establishing tequila as the national drink of Mexico during the Mexican Revolution and go on to found another distillery, La Constancia. After Don Eladio passed, his son Francisco Javier would do something that would be considered the single most important thing for the industry. He helped to establish the Denomination of Origin for Tequila. This history-making decision was fueled by a trip to Japan in the late 1960s when Don Javier came across a bottle of Japanese Tequila. Angered by this, he stated that tequila can only be made in Mexico, specifically, in the area around Tequila. In 1973, led by Don Javier, a group of tequila producers applied for an appellation of origin. But it would take another 23 years before the world would officially recognize the denomination. Don Javier would go on to found La Fortaleza at the highest point in the town of Tequila to overlook his rivals distillery. But in 1976, he sold the family business only for his grandson Guillermo to bring it back to life in 1999. Tasting: Los Abuelos Anejo is a treasure to be enjoyed. The aromas and flavors of cooked agave, vanilla, and caramel are present and balanced by underlying citrus and fruity notes that whisper at the end of every sip. It is exquisite, luxurious, complex, and satisfying. This anejo is one of the truest forms of its tequila expression. If you can get your hands on it, dont just leave it on the shelf as a piece of treasure. Enjoy and savor every sip. Confirmed Additive Free by Tequila Matchmaker. Photo via Tequila Matchmaker History: In 1950, Don Alfonso Jimenez Rosales created El Caballito Cerrero after a falling out with a previous business partner. The name translates to The one that doesnt need horseshoes and was meant to point at the tension between the estranged pair. Don Jimenez made the Santa Rita Distillery, built in 1873 by his father-in-law Maximiano Hernandez Orozco, the home of his tequila. Jimenez was lucky as Orozcos family is one of the few whose line of vino del mezcal producers can be traced directly back to the 1600s. Today, you will find that Caballito Cerreros bottles do not have the name tequila across themand that is no accident. In 2018, the 15th generation decided to produce each product as an agave distillate to maintain the plants full identity. Tasting Notes: Using the Chato agave varietal makes this still strength anejo a unique surprise reminiscent of the old ways of agave distillation. Peeking into the past, this expression gives you a glimpse of the nations spirit two or three hundred years ago. The nose is floral and fruity, somehow imbuing the essence of a spring day. On the palate, the suns warmth appears with the warm cooked agave, barrel spices, black pepper, and clove. The finish is long and lingering, focused on the flavors of cinnamon, allspice, and a salty undertone. Photo via Old Town Tequila History: Nothing about founder, president, and CEO Dr. Adolfo Murillo nor his hometown ever intended to be a part of the tequila industry. Born in Agua Negra, Jalisco, on his familys farm Murillo witnessed the care and attention his grandfather Abelino gave to his land, his crops and herds to provide for his family and the community around him (Alquimia Tequila). His grandfather would instill a lesson in him that would one day be the pillar of Aliquimia Tequila, Take care of the earth, and she will take care of you. Years would pass. He moved to the U.S. as a young boy, still visited his family every summer, and eventually became a Doctor of Optometry. Before his father passed away, Murillo and his wife convinced him not to sell the ranch on one condition, to find a way to make the land productive. After researching crops, he chose the one that had never been grown in this area of Los Altos de Jaliscoagave. Murillo, in spite of the naysayers touting the impossibility of any success due to soil conditions, committed himself. In 1992, he discovered that by combining organic methods, modern science, and traditional agriculture techniques it could not only be done, but it would flourish. Combining his familys knowledge and joining with local foreman Luis Guzman, they surpassed expectations by growing some of the healthiest agaves many tequila experts have ever seen. They have shared all that they learned with local farmers and rejuvenated their hometown of Agua Negra. Today, Dr. Adolfo Murillo has been recognized as the Pioneer of Organic Tequila by leading tequila experts, as he was the original developer of the organic method movement. He has continued his grandfathers teaching of, take care of the earth, and she will take care of you. Murillo passes on the mission to produce an eco-friendly product of the highest quality that positively impacts the environment, as well as our communities of farm workers and consumers (Alquimia Tequila). Tasting Notes: For a high-proof, 14-year barrel-aged tequila to still have copious amounts of sweet, cooked agave on both the nose and palate is a feat that should not be taken lightly. Rated 97 points by the Beverage Tasting Institute, the nose is defined with dried fruits, vanilla, oak, and caramel with a depth of rich molasses and smoke. On the palate, the agave takes center stage right alongside the caramel. Notes from the nose such as the dried fruit and vanilla work together to round out the palette. The finish is lingering and robust full of black pepper and cinnamon. It is warm, rich, powerful, and most importantly, delicious. Certified USDA Organic. The post The Best Tequilas of 2023 appeared first on Worth. Bitcoin fell on Friday morning in Asia as other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies traded mixed. Bitcoin again slipped below support at US$30,000 after a week that saw buyers retreat. Developments in applications for Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) failed to generate fresh investment, though some commentators say the pent up demand is there. Ether traded flat and is also a loser for the week. Matic led the early gainers on Friday, but is also in the red for the week. Bitcoin backs off Bitcoin fell 0.18% to US$29,824.09 as of 6:40 a.m. in Hong Kong, according to data from CoinMarketCap. The worlds largest cryptocurrency has lost 4.53% in the past seven days. The drop came amid further developments in Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) applications by U.S. asset managers. Spot Bitcoin ETF applications from BlackRock, Fidelity, Invesco Galaxy, VanEck, and WisdomTree on July 19 were published in the Federal Register, which means the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) now has up to 240 days to accept or request the applications, according to Bloomberg. Bloomberg research analyst James Seyffart wrote on Twitter that while this sets the clock ticking, the SEC may still reject all the applications. BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager, filed its spot Bitcoin ETF application on June 15, sparking a round of buying of cryptocurrencies on expectations more institutional funds will start investing in the asset class. While that enthusiasm has faded, Alex Kuptsikevich, senior market analyst at London-based brokerage firm FxPro said latent demand for cryptocurrencies remains, although the momentum is far from euphoric. Kuptsikevich added that Bitcoin continued to find support this week on dips below $30,000. A move to the upper boundary at $31,300 is most likely in this environment, he said. Asia Pacific institutional investors remain constructive across the digital asset complex following last weeks positive news on [ETFs], said Matt Long, the APAC general manager of California-based international crypto brokerage FalconX. They are well positioned for further appreciation in markets, said Long in an emailed statement to Forkast. Story continues U.S.-based digital asset manager Grayscale Investments said in a Friday report that about half of Bitcoins 80% increase from December to mid-July relates to macro developments, while the rest is due to Bitcoin-specific positives. Crypto no longer behaves as its own ecosystem: Bitcoin and other digital assets are now more correlated with other market indicators, according to the report. Since January 2023, Bitcoin has appreciated more than can be explained by the rally in tech stocks and fall in the US Dollar. We think this reflects idiosyncratic positives, including optimism about eventual spot Bitcoin ETF approval, as well as Bitcoins surge in March following stress in regional banks, Grayscale said. Valuations are now more closely tied to broader macro trends, and more Fed tightening could be a headwind for higher risk assets, including both equities and cryptocurrencies, the report said. Back in Asia Friday morning trading, Ether edged up 0.31% to US$1,895.14, while falling 4.70% in the last week. Other top 10 non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies were mixed Polygons Matic led gainers, rising 3.42% to US$0.7711. However, it posted a weekly loss of 8.46%. Polygon Labs is currently working on developing Polygon 2.0, a series of updates to the blockchain that the company says aim to make network governance more open and inclusive. Solana was the biggest loser among the top 10, declining 3.53% to US$25.49, amid a 0.72% weekly loss. The total crypto market capitalization edged down 0.15% in the past 24 hours to US$1.2 trillion, while trading volume jumped 19.19% to US$37.15 billion. NFTs fall; OpenSea launches swap feature The indexes are proxy measures of the performance of the global NFT market. They are managed by CryptoSlam, a sister company of Forkast.News under the Forkast.Labs umbrella. In the non-fungible token (NFT) market, the Forkast 500 NFT index fell 0.56% in the past 24 hours to 2,696.41 as of 08:30 a.m. in Hong Kong. The index gained a flat 0.01% in the last seven days. Total NFT trading volume rose 1.62% to US$18.69 million in the past 24 hours, according to data from CryptoSlam. Forkast NFT market indexes measuring performance on the Ethereum, Polygon and Solana blockchains all dropped, while the Cardano index rose. On Thursday, NFT marketplace OpenSea announced that it is launching Deals, a new peer-to-peer NFT swap function. The company said in a tweet that this will help users avoid falling victim to sketchy DMs & websites as OpenSea will provide the platform for users to directly engage with each other. Yehudah Petscher, NFT Strategist at Forkast Labs, says this feature is more significant than people may realize. One of the primary ways people are scammed in the NFT space is through fake trades. Often, legitimate trade sites are spoofed, and then trades offered through there, said Petscher. Now collectors will be able to trade using a platform theyre already familiar with and trust, and the best part is there are no fees involved other than gas. Currently, OpenSea allows only ERC-721 NFTs on Ethereum from verified collections to be traded on Deals. To make a deal, a user can offer one or more NFTs in return for another users NFTs, where one can also choose to add wrapped Ether (WETF) as part of the offer. The user accepting the deal will have to pay gas fees, according to OpenSea. Easy to use, and hopefully will have a major impact on lowering scams. This was long overdue. Petscher said. Elsewhere, Yuga Labs Bored Ape Yacht Club topped CryptoSlams NFT collection ranking by trading volume, rising 3.80% in the last day to US$1.4 million. Ethereum was the top performing blockchain network by NFT trade volume, gaining 5.63% to US$13.73 million. Solana placed second, up 4.41% to US$1 million. U.S. equity futures gain after mixed session U.S. Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell | Image: Getty Images The three major U.S. stock futures indexes gained as of 11:10 a.m. in Hong Kong on Friday, after equities had a mixed regular trading session on Thursday. The Dow Jones gained on top of strong Q2 earnings reports from Johnson & Johnson and Goldman Sachs. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 slipped as Tesla tumbled on weak second-quarter gross margins and Netflix reported less-than-expected revenue. In Asia, Chinas Shanghai Composite Index gained, partially recovering from disappointing economic growth data for Q2. Investors are betting on Beijing to step up its economic stimulus measures, according to Trading Economics. Hong Kongs Hang Seng Index also rose on China news of authorities possibly easing home buying limits in big cities. Japans Nikkei 225 dipped after its inflation rate rose slightly in June. South Koreas Kospi also slipped. On macro events, the next U.S. Federal Open Market Committee meeting is next week on July 26 when the central bank will make its next move on U.S. interest rates. The CME FedWatch Tool predicts a 99.8% chance that the Fed will announce a further 25 basis points raise that will take rates to the 5.25%-5.50% range, which will be the highest since January 2001. (Updates to add equity section) As for why Jordan wanted to direct, he told the Los Angeles Times in 2018 that he always felt compelled to but "left [his] dream of being a director behind" because he didn't see "a place for very many black directors." He said, "I thought it would be harder for me as a person of color to convince someone to let me use their money to make a movie. Many years later after an odyssey through acting and comedy, I came back to my original dream. And the fact that its been received the way it has been received teaches me a lot about how I internalized the system." Ben Fogle has offered to pay to reunite Australian sailor, Tim Shaddock, with his dog, after an emotional separation. The 49-year-old broadcaster presented the kind gesture in a recent Instagram post. As he reflected on learning about Shaddock and his pet, Bella, who were recently separated after spending three months adrift in the Pacific Ocean, he offered to help them. I was so moved and inspired by the story of Tim and Bella that I want to help them to be reunited again, Fogle wrote. I would like to offer to pay for the quarantine and travel of Bella to Australia to join Tim Shaddock. In the comments of the post, many fans praised the Animal Park presenter for the offer. Such a lovely and generous gesture Ben. The world needs more people like you, one wrote, while another added: Youre a good man, Ben. Some fans asked Fogle to share an update about if he can reunite Shaddock and Bella, with one writing: Please let us know how this goesIt broke my heart when I read theyd been separated. Earlier this week, the 51-year-old Sydney resident and the dog were found off the coast of Mexico after being lost at sea for nearly three months. According to local news reports, the pair survived by eating raw fish and drinking rainwater. The doctor who attended to the sailor said he had normal vital signs and said his dog is stable and very well. The pair first set off on their voyage in April, from La Paz in Mexico to French Polynesia. Weeks into the trip, their boat was severely damaged in a storm, leading to them having to spend their days trying to survive while waiting to be rescued. Approximately two months later, it was reported that a helicopter accompanying a tuna trawler spotted Shaddocks boat. 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, he told Australias 9News after the rescue. Story continues Shaddock later revealed that hed decided to leave Bella in Mexico, after a crew member from the rescue boat promised to give her a happy and loving home. Bella sort of found me in the middle of Mexico. Shes Mexican, he explained. 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, thats for sure. Speaking to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Shaddock said that while he plans to return to Australia to see his family, hes unsure when hell return back to sea. (Evening Standard composite) The saga surrounding the collapse of crypto company FTX took another twist today after the bankrupt business unveiled a fresh lawsuit against its former boss Sam Bankman-Fried in a bid to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars. The lawsuit alleges that Bankman-Fried, along with a number of other senior members of FTX including co-founder Gary Wang, participated in fraudulent transactions for their own personal benefit. That includes the pair having allegedly taken $546 million from Alameda Research, their privately-held crypto hedge fund, to buy shares in another trading app, Robinhood, as well as using fake loans to acquire shares in FTX that had been worth $250 million. The legal action, which has been filed at the US Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, is part of efforts by FTXs new CEO John Ray to recover funds that can be used to repay creditors, including customers who were frozen out of their crypto accounts after the company went bust in November last year. Defendants abused their control over the FTX Group to commit one of the largest financial frauds in history, the lawsuit claims. Defendants misappropriated Debtor funds on a continuous basis to finance luxury condominiums, political and charitable contributions, speculative investments and other pet projects. They commingled and misused corporate and customer funds, lied to third parties about the business of the FTX Group, joked internally about their tendency to lose track of millions of dollars in assets and impulsively bought companies with misappropriated funds. In December, the US securities regulator charged FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried with orchestrating a scheme to defraud investors. The Securities and Exchange Commission has accused Bankman-Fried of being behind a years-long effort to conceal from investors the undisclosed diversion of FTX customers funds to Alameda. SEC director Gurbir Grewal said: "FTX operated behind a veneer of legitimacy Mr. Bankman-Fried created by, among other things, touting its best-in-class controls, including a proprietary risk engine, and FTXs adherence to specific investor protection principles and detailed terms of service. But as we allege in our complaint, that veneer wasnt just thin, it was fraudulent." G Herbo has agreed to plead guilty in Massachusetts to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and making a false statement to a federal official, the Chicago Tribune and The Republican report. As part of the plea deal, G Herbo will have two charges of aggravated identify theft dismissed. The rapper, who is expected to enter his guilty plea in court later this month, faces up to 20 years in prison. Pitchfork has reached out to G Herbos attorney, James W. Lawson, for comment on his plea agreement. In 2020, G Herbo and five other men were charged in a federal grand jury indictment that accused them of taking part in a defrauding scheme. The men were said to have purchased private jet charters, exotic car rentals, designer puppies, and more using stolen payment and credit card information. After the indictment was made public, G Herbos management said that the rapper maintains his innocence and looks forward to establishing his innocence in court. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and further defended himself in the song Statement. A few months later, G Herbo was additionally charged with making a false statement to a federal official. In the time since he was indicted, G Herbo has released the albums 25 and Survivors Remorse. The musician was arrested for the unlawful use of a weapon after being pulled over by police in Chicago earlier this month. Originally Appeared on Pitchfork Joe Biden has made developing US semiconductor manufacturing capabilities a central focus of his presidency - Spencer Platt/Getty Images Joe Bidens plans to boost the US microchip industry have been dealt a setback after the opening of a key factory in Arizona was delayed until at least 2025. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which has been building the plant since 2021, said the start of production would be pushed back from 2024 to 2025. TSMC chairman Dr Mark Liu blamed the delay on a shortage of qualified US workers, saying there was an insufficient amount of skilled workers with the specialised expertise required for equipment installation in a semiconductor-grade facility. The year-long delay means the new microchip plant will not open until after next years US presidential election, potentially undermining part of the Democrat incumbents economic record. Mr Biden has made reshoring chip production a key part of his $280bn (217bn) CHIPS Act, a strategy for building up Americas semiconductor manufacturing industry. The President has invested in bolstering domestic production amid growing nervousness about the USs reliance on Taiwan for crucial parts. TSMC is the worlds largest dedicated semiconductor foundry and is a key supplier for major US businesses including Apple. Mr Biden is keen to diversify sources of chips amid mounting fears that China will invade Taiwan, disrupting exports. Speaking on Thursday, Dr Liu said TSMC would send experienced technicians from Taiwan to train the local skilled workers for a short period of time. The delay comes amid global upheaval in the semiconductor industry, whose products play a vital part in everything from computers to mobile phones to household appliances and cars. Production delays caused by the pandemic triggered shutdowns in many industries amid a desperate scramble for any available chips. Two years ago carmakers including Volvo and Ford were forced to suspend production as they awaited deliveries of crucial microchips for controlling their vehicles systems. Tech industry analysts IDC predicted in September 2021 that an overreaction by chipmakers to tackle supply shortages would lead to overcapacity by this year. Story continues TSMCs sales dropped 6.2pc in the three months to the end of June, with profits dropping by a quarter. Bosses blamed the overall global economic conditions, with rival chipmaker Intel posting a 36pc drop in sales in April as that companys chiefs struggle to set up new foundries. As well as TSMCs new factory, Intel, the US semiconductor giant, is building two new $20bn factories in Arizona. Another 19 new chip fabrication plants, or fabs, are expected to open across the US over the next ten years. Rishi Sunaks government has pledged 1bn to the UK chip industry over the next decade. However, no new fabs are expected to open in Britain as ministers focus government support on design companies instead of manufacturing. British chip companies have been tempted towards the US by the multi-billion subsidies offered by the Biden administration. Paragraf, a Cambridge-based semiconductor manufacturer, applied for some of those subsidies after describing Prime Minister Sunaks semiconductor strategy as flaccid. Similarly, neighbouring company Pragmatic Semiconductor launched a US operation in February as its founder Scott White said: From a purely logical perspective, there is no reason for us to be a UK company. 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. The latest film from Christopher Nolan, "Oppenheimer," tells the story of the creation of the atomic bomb. Universal Pictures "Oppenheimer," the latest movie by the director Christopher Nolan, is set to hit theaters Friday. The movie stars Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer and tells the story behind the atomic bomb. Here's how Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jr., and more resemble the real-life characters they portray. Cillian Murphy plays the father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer. Murphy and J. Robert Oppenheimer. Universal Pictures, Pictorial Parade/Getty Images "Oppenheimer," the latest film directed by Christopher Nolan, is based on Martin J. Sherwin and Kai Bird's "American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer." The biographical thriller explores the Manhattan Project, the journey to developing the nuclear weapon, and Oppenheimer's legacy. Two of the bombs he helped develop were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the bombs killed at least 200,000 people, according to the BBC. Murphy consulted the physicist Kip Thorne and watched hours of footage of the theoretical physicist giving lectures and interviews in preparation for the role, according to production notes. Emily Blunt stars as Oppenheimer's wife, Katherine "Kitty" Oppenheimer. Blunt and Katherine "Kitty" Oppenheimer. Universal Pictures, CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images Katherine Puening was a botanist who married three times before she married Oppenheimer and moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, with him for the Manhattan Project. "She was a pretty monumental presence in his life as a confidant, and as a real scientific brain herself," Blunt told Total Film of her character in relation to Oppenheimer. "She was, you know, a very big personality. Not necessarily one to confirm to a housewife ideal of the time. The couple had two children, Peter and Toni, together. Dylan Arnold plays Oppenheimer's younger brother, Frank. Arnold and Frank Oppenheimer. Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures, AP Photo Robert Oppenheimer was a particle physicist who recruited Frank to perform research on the Manhattan Project. In July 1945, he planned and worked on the first nuclear explosion, called the Trinity Bomb test. Frank opened the Exploratorium, an interactive science museum, in San Francisco in 1969. Story continues According to the production notes, Arnold prepared for his role by speaking with Frank Oppenheimer's son, Michael. Tom Conti plays Albert Einstein, the famous theoretical physicist who didn't participate in the Manhattan Project but did get it off the ground. Conti and Einstein. Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage via Getty Images, Universal Pictures, Bettmann via Getty Images Einstein helped get the ball rolling on the Manhattan Project by cosigning a 1939 letter to President Roosevelt encouraging the US to begin research into atomic energy because Germany might be doing the same. Einstein later told Newsweek after World War II that he never would've sent the letter if he had known Germany wasn't planning to develop an atomic bomb. Matthew Modine plays Vannevar Bush, who helped get the Manhattan Project off the ground. Modine and Bush. Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures, AP Photo Bush, who was the head of the US Office of Scientific Research and Development during World War II, expressed concerns about other countries potentially developing an atomic bomb and was given approval by President Roosevelt to build a bomb. Bush helped develop and recruit scientists for the Manhattan Project to beat the world to the discovery of the atomic bomb first. Matthias Schweighofer plays Werner Heisenberg, who was drafted to work on a rival atomic weapon for the Nazis during World War II. Schweighofer and Heisenberg. Mike Marsland/WireImage via Getty Images, Bettmann via Getty Images The German theoretical physicist was awarded the 1932 Nobel Prize in Physics for pioneering the creation of quantum mechanics, which helped lead to the creation of the atomic bomb. The film shows Oppenheimer and his team racing against Heisenberg to develop an atomic bomb. However, the movie never shows any work from Heisenberg's team. In reality, Heisenberg oversaw Germany's atomic-weapons program, but they never came close to developing a working bomb. Some believe German scientists quietly sabotaged the project. Oppenheimer's team was led to believe they were in a race to deliver a potential weapon faster. Matt Damon plays General Leslie Groves Jr., the director of the Manhattan Project. Damon and Groves. Universal Pictures, AP Photo Groves was tasked with leading the Manhattan Project in September 1942. He selected Oppenheimer to lead a lab in Los Alamos. He thought the creation of the atomic bomb would help bring World War II to an end. Colonel Kenneth D. Nichols, an engineer on the Manhattan Project, described Groves as "extremely intelligent" but "the most egotistical man" he knew. Benny Safdie portrays the father of the hydrogen bomb, Edward Teller. Safdie and Teller. Universal Pictures, AP Photo The theoretical physicist worked under Oppenheimer on the Manhattan Project, but he advocated for developing a hydrogen bomb, something Oppenheimer was staunchly against because of the destruction he believed it would create. Teller later testified against Oppenheimer during his 1954 security hearing. He died in 2003 at the age of 95. Josh Hartnett was cast as Ernest Lawrence, a physicist who was friends with Oppenheimer. Hartnett and Lawrence. Jeff Spicer/Getty Images, AP Photo In addition to reading up on Lawrence, Hartnett sought inspiration to play the role from his great uncle, who's also a physicist, according to the production notes. Lawrence won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1939 for inventing the cyclotron, which was used during the Manhattan Project. His discovery of splitting the atom, nuclear fission, helped lead to the creation of the atomic bomb. He was a proponent of creating the hydrogen bomb who helped beat the Soviets to its discovery. This put him at odds with Oppenheimer. Kenneth Branagh plays Niels Bohr, a physicist who won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1922. Branagh and Bohr. Universal Pictures, AP Photo The Danish physicist began work on the Manhattan Project in London before coming to the United States to join the Los Alamos team as a consultant under the pseudonym Nicholas Baker. According to production notes, Branagh said Nolan saw Bohr as having "an Obi-Wan-Kenobi relationship to Oppenheimer," speaking of the "Star Wars" Jedi as a mentor. Gustaf Skarsgard plays Hans Bethe, a nuclear physicist who was also involved in the Manhattan Project. Skarsgard and Bethe. Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures, CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images The nuclear physicist was selected by Oppenheimer to lead the theoretical division of the Manhattan Project. Bethe worked on the design for the bomb used in the July 1965 nuclear test, codenamed Trinity, and the one dropped on Nagasaki. He later worked on the hydrogen bomb's development even though he was against it. Bethe won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1967. David Krumholtz appears as Isidor Isaac Rabi, a physicist who declined to work on the Manhattan Project. Krumholtz and Rabi. Universal Pictures, CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images Rabi turned down working with his friend Oppenheimer at Los Alamos as a deputy director but offered his advice as a consultant. He was present when the Trinity nuclear test occurred. He won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1944 and was among the scientists who opposed the hydrogen bomb. Josh Peck plays the physicist Kenneth Bainbridge. Peck and Bainbridge. Universal Pictures, CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images Ernest Lawrence recruited Bainbridge in 1940 to do early work on the Manhattan Project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1943, he joined the team at Los Alamos to work at the nuclear weapons lab, which was called "Project Y." He oversaw the 1945 Trinity nuclear test. Bainbridge is credited with saying the famous line, "Now we are all sons of bitches," after the test was considered a success. Jack Quaid plays Richard P. Feynman, a professor who was one of the younger people to work on the Manhattan Project. Quaid and Feynman. Universal Pictures, Bettmann Collection via Getty Images The theoretical physicist was recruited to work on the Manhattan Project with Hans Bethe's team when he was 24, before he even had a graduate degree. According to the Atomic Heritage Foundation, when he later arrived at the Los Alamos location, he was "known for playfully challenging security." By this time, he had earned a degree. Feynman was at the Trinity nuclear test in 1945 and won the Nobel Prize in 1965. Years later, he was part of the team who investigated the Challenger disaster. Casey Affleck plays Boris Pash, a US military intelligence officer who interrogated anyone at the Manhattan Project who may have a connection to the Communist Party. Affleck and Pash. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, Anthony Camerano/AP Photo When the US suspected Soviet spies of stealing atomic research from the Manhattan Project, Pash, who was the chief of counterintelligence at the time, looked into security breaches. Oppenheimer was among those Pash interrogated. According to "Manhattan: The Army and the Atomic Bomb," Pash concluded Oppenheimer "may still be connected with the Communist Party." While he considered the possibility of replacing Oppenheimer, Pash recommended Oppenheimer continue working on the Manhattan Project as long as he was briefed on the Espionage Act, made aware that the government knew of his Communist "affiliations," and told they wouldn't tolerate any leaks of information. As Groves deemed Oppenheimer necessary to the project, two counterintelligence bodyguards were assigned to Oppenheimer to keep watch on him, something Oppenheimer was supposed to be informed about. Gary Oldman plays President Harry S. Truman in "Oppenheimer." Oldman and former President Truman. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images, Brettman via Getty Images Oldman told the UK radio station TalkSport that he had "one scene" in the movie that was "page and a half" in the script. Truman famously called Oppenheimer a "crybaby" after meeting with him, something which occurs in the film. David Dastmalchian stars as William L. Borden who became an antagonist to Oppenheimer. Dastmalchian and Borden. Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images, Bettmann Collection via Getty Images The staff executive director of Congress's Joint Atomic Energy Committee accused Oppenheimer of being an "agent of the Soviet Union" with a Communist mistress in a letter to then director of the FBI, J. Edgar Hoover. The letter, which contained 21 reasons that suspected Oppenheimer was a Soviet spy, led to 1954's Oppenheimer security hearing. Robert Downey Jr. plays Lewis Strauss, the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission who was instrumental in Oppenheimer's downfall. Downey Jr. and Strauss. Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures, Henry Griffin/AP Photo According to the Atomic Heritage Foundation, Strauss believed Oppenheimer had communist ties and described him as "a threat to American security." Strauss' beliefs led to a four-week security hearing in 1954 against Oppenheimer which resulted in the scientist losing his Q clearance, a high-level security clearance granted by the US Department of Energy. Many believed Strauss had a personal grudge and "vendetta" against Oppenheimer. The two previously clashed about developing the hydrogen bomb, which President Truman gave Strauss the green light for. Oppenheimer advised against the development and publicly embarrassed Strauss over his opinion. Dane DeHaan plays Kenneth Nichols, an antagonist to Oppenheimer who worked on the Manhattan Project as a lieutenant to Groves. DeHaan and Nichols. Dia Dipasupil, WireImage via Getty Images, Henry Griffin/AP Photo Nichols joined the Manhattan Project as a Deputy District Engineer in 1942 and was eventually awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for his contribution. In "Oppenheimer," DeHaan plays Groves' right-hand man and is depicted as an antagonist to Oppenheimer. In real life, Nichols recommended Oppenheimer's security clearance to not be reinstated and claimed he was "a Communist in every sense except that he did not carry a party card." His recommendation was key in revoking Oppenheimer's clearance. Tony Goldwyn plays Gordon Gray. Goldwyn and Gray. Jason Mendez/Getty Images for BAFTA, AP Photo/Byron Rollins Gray led a committee, the Gray Board, that recommended stripping Oppenheimer of his security clearance. Despite three members calling Oppenheimer a "loyal citizen," Gray and the majority of the board recommended his clearance be revoked. Jason Clarke plays the attorney Roger Robb. Clarke and Robb. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images, John Rous/AP Photo Robb was selected by Strauss to act as special counsel during Oppenheimer's security-clearance hearing. The Atomic Heritage Foundation says that Robb had a "bitterness" toward Oppenheimer. Rami Malek plays David Hill, who appears to be based on an associate physicist who contributed to the Manhattan Project. Malek and Hill. Samir Hussein/WireImage via Getty Images, Bettman via Getty Images Hill worked at the Met Lab at the University of Chicago during the Manhattan Project. The movie depicts Hill as a crucial figure in the film's central feud between Oppenheimer and Strauss. In reality, Hill didn't play such an instrumental role. Oppenheimer wasn't cleared of the Gray Board's "flawed" investigation until 2022. Florence Pugh plays Jean Tatlock, a psychologist and a member of the Communist Party who had a previous relationship with Oppenheimer. Pugh as Tatlock in "Oppenheimer." Universal Pictures Tatlock and Oppenheimer began seeing one another after meeting at a house party in 1936. The psychologist turned down two proposals from Oppenheimer before he eventually married Katherine Puening. Oppenheimer saw Tatlock again during his work on the Manhattan Project in 1943 and stayed at her apartment. Tatlock reportedly died by suicide in 1944, though some suspected foul play. Robb brought up Oppenheimer's alleged affair with the Communist Party member during his security clearance hearing 10 years later. Correction: July 21, 2023 An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of the man who was the head of the US Office of Scientific Research and Development during World War II. It was Vannevar Bush. Read the original article on Insider Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis latest summer road trip pit stop? Home. The That 70s Show stars stopped at Cedar Rapids barbecue restaurant Willie Rays Q Shack on Thursday. Look who stop by today the man himself, the restaurants Facebook post read. Kutcher grew up in eastern Iowa and he graduated from Clear Creek Amana High School in small town Tiffin about 25 minutes outside Cedar Rapids. Kutcher and Kunis are known to make frequent visits back to the state. Kutcher and Kunis appear to be on a summer road trip. The A-listers were spotted at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in small town Medora last week, according to Bismarck-based TV station KFYR. The following day, Fargo, North Dakota-based news station Valley News Live reported that the parents of two posed for a selfie with baristas in the drive-thru of a Caribou Coffee location in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Willie Ray Fairley, the owner of Willie Ray's Q Shack, lights the grills as the sun rises over Cedar Rapids last November. More: This Iowan donated thousands of meals when disaster struck. Now, his free food movement is national. Willie Rays Q Shack is famous in its own right. The restaurants owner Willie Ray Fairley made national headlines during the Midwest derecho in August 2020 for his do-good actions. When Cedar Rapids was devastated by the natural disaster, he cooked racks of ribs and hot food for neighbors. Now, his movement to provide free food has gone national as his crew travels to places such as Louisiana and Florida to help after disaster strikes. Kutchers return home received a warm welcome from Iowans and the internet: the post has racked up nearly 16,000 likes and more than 1,600 shares so far. Jay Stahl is an entertainment reporter at The Des Moines Register. Follow him on Instagram or reach out at jstahl@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa native Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis visit Cedar Rapids restaurant Jamie Lee Curtis is bringing some of her horror expertise to the page. The Oscar-winning actress took over San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, revealing the first look at her upcoming horror graphic novel Mother Nature. Co-written by Russell Goldman and illustrated by Karl Stevens, the book centers on a young ecological activist named Nova Terrel, who stumbles upon a malevolent company conducting an experimental oil extraction project in her New Mexico hometown. Soon, she discovers the company's experiments have awakened an ancient horror, sparking grisly death and destruction. Curtis spoke to a packed crowd (including more than a few audience members cosplaying as her character Deirdre Beaubeirdre from Everything Everywhere All at Once), and she explained that she'd first had the idea for Mother Nature as a teenager. "Of course, I had some gruesome deaths because I have a very dark mind," she told the audience with a laugh. Jamie Lee Curtis Comic Con 2023 Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Jamie Lee Curtis at San Diego Comic-Con 2023 Curtis explained that she wanted to write the story as a screenplay for years, and it wasn't until after the release of 2018's Halloween reboot that she started to think seriously about publishing it. It was her husband, actor Christopher Guest, who encouraged her to pursue it first as a screenplay, and then as a graphic novel. The result is a gory environmentalist tale in which people are killed by freak hailstorms or crushed by collapsing oil machinery. Curtis told the audience that she hopes Mother Nature's environmentalist themes feel more timely than ever, saying, "We're f---ing the world! We need to do better. There is a possibility of change, but we are going to have to do it." The story is set in the fictional town of Catch Creek, New Mexico, and much of the story centers on Navajo characters and mythology. Curtis, Goldman, and Stevens spent years working and collaborating with indigenous experts, including Navajo author Brian Young, who wrote the graphic novel's afterword. Story continues Mother Earth by Jamie Lee Curtis Titan Comics The cover for 'Mother Nature,' written by Jamie Lee Curtis and Russell Goldman and illustrated by Karl Stevens Curtis also teased that eventually, she's hoping to bring Mother Nature to the screen. "We may well make this into a movie at some point," she said. "That would be fun. Maybe I'll direct it, maybe I'll co-direct it, maybe I'll be in it, and maybe I'll do all of it. You know, I'm 65 years old this November, but my point is that I have no time to waste. I joke about it, but I'm going to die way sooner than later, and therefore, I have s--- to do! This is one of the things that I needed to do, and I'm excited about it." Curtis was one of the few actors to make the annual pilgrimage to San Diego Comic-Con this year. Usually, the fan convention is a whirlwind of starry film and TV projects, with dozens of actors stopping by for panels and signings. But this year, Comic-Con falls in the middle of the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike, and SAG-AFTRA has prohibited its members from promoting struck film and TV projects, both past and present. (Curtis, who's been a vocal supporter of the SAG-AFTRA strike, was allowed to attend as a comic book author.) A number of planned SDCC panels and appearances were canceled. Related content: 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. Story continues @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. The vice president called the Florida Board of Education's new academic standard on how to teach slavery an "insult" Nicholas Kamm/Getty Vice President Kamala Harris Vice President Kamala Harris called the Florida Board of Education's newly approved guidelines on how to teach slavery an "attempt to gaslight us" as the new academic standard requires middle schools to teach Florida students that enslaved people "developed skills" that "could be applied for their personal benefit." "Speaking of our children, extremists pass book bans to prevent them from learning our true history book bans in this year of our Lord 2023," Harris, 58, said in a speech at Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.'s 56th national convention in Indianapolis Thursday. "And while they do this, check it out, they push forward revisionist history." "Just yesterday in the state of Florida, they decided middle school students will be taught that enslaved people benefited from slavery," Harris continued. "They insult us in an attempt to gaslight us, and we will not stand for it." Related: Florida Middle Schoolers Will Now Be Taught That Slavery Had Personal Benefit for Enslaved People Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images Vice President Kamala Harris visits the site of the Highland Park, Illinois, mass shooting in 2022 The academic standards were approved on Wednesday in response to Florida's 2022 "Stop WOKE Act," which requires race to be taught in "an objective manner" that does not "indoctrinate or persuade students to a particular point of view." The new guidelines state that middle school teachers must now teach students about "the various duties and trades performed by slaves (e.g., agricultural work, painting, carpentry, tailoring, domestic service, blacksmithing, transportation)." There is also a guideline directing educators to teach high schoolers about "acts of violence perpetrated against and by African Americans" when discussing Reconstruction after the Civil War. This standard lists the 1920 Ocoee Massacre, in which over 30 African Americans were killed by a White mob while trying to vote, as an example. Story continues After the State Board of Education adopted the new standards, the Florida Education Association, a statewide teachers' union, called the changes a "big step backward for a state that has required teaching African American history since 1994." Related: Ron DeSantis Fires Several Staffers as Struggling 2024 Presidential Campaign Faces Cash Crunch: Report "How can our students ever be equipped for the future if they don't have a full, honest picture of where we've come from? Florida's students deserve a world-class education that equips them to be successful adults who can help heal our nation's divisions rather than deepen them," FEA president Andrew Spar wrote in a press release. Elementary school students will also be asked to "identify" Rosa Parks, George Washington Carver, Zora Neale Hurston, and other famous African Americans without being taught their "histories and struggles," the union wrote. SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. "Evidently in an attempt to protect students from wokeness, these new standards will make sure that, through the fourth grade, elementary school students' knowledge of African American history doesn't extend beyond being able to know who a famous African American is when they see them," the release states. The new standards were approved months after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration rejected a new Advanced Placement course on African American history in January. It is the College Board's first new class since 2014. Related: Vice President Kamala Harris Becomes First Woman to Deliver Commencement Address at West Point Never miss a story sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.PEOPLE's free daily newsletter In a letter, the Florida Department of Education Office of Articulation said the course "lacks educational value and is contrary to Florida law," adding that, "In the future, should College Board be willing to come back to the table with lawful, historically accurate content, FDOE will always be willing to reopen the discussion." DeSantis, who began his 2024 presidential campaign in May, has also sought to reshape educational policy in the Sunshine State through the so-called "Don't Say Gay" law. The "Parental Rights in Education" bill took effect in July 2022 and bans discussion of certain LGBTQ+ topics in public schools, including gender identity and sexual orientation. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Lady Gaga is up to her usual Method acting tricks again, again, according to Joker: Folie a Deux cinematographer Lawrence Sher. In a recent podcast interview circulated online, Sher said Lady Gagas assistant director asked that she be called Lee during the production, and that suddenly changed the dynamic of the set. More from IndieWire I didnt know Stefani at all, he said, referring to the Fame Monster icons born name, Stefani Germanotta. Strangely, I felt like I never even met her, even during the makeup/hair tests. Because again, maybe it was my philosophy of not trying to get in their space. And then I remember for a week, being like, god, I feel like we are disconnecting. Not even connecting. We are like on opposites. And I would say to my crew, Jesus, I cant, like, crack it. She either hates me or we hate each other. Theres something weird going on here. I barely said anything, except I would say, Stefani, this is where your second team was, minor little things, and then the AD at one point said, Oh you know, Stef would like if you just called her Lee on set. And I was like, oh, 100 percent, and I literally said, the next thing I said, was something Lee, and it was like everything changed. From that point on, it was like she was our whole connection changed. I was like, alright, cool. Todd Phillips sequel to the 2019 blockbuster and Oscar-winning smash Joker is set to be released in theaters by Warner Bros. Pictures on October 4, 2024. What Lee means, who knows. Short for HarLEY Quinn surely. Lady Gaga has long been vocal about her method set practices, from staying in her Italian accent as Patrizia Reggiani for Ridley Scotts House of Gucci to also staying in character for years as Ally Maine for Bradley Coopers 2018 A Star Is Born. In Joker: Folie a Deux, Lady Gaga plays Jokers love interest Harley Quinn. (Check out a first look at her character here.) Joaquin Phoenix reprises his Oscar-winning role as the clown prince of crime. Story continues Plot details on the sequel to the 2019 film remain scarce. Its said to be a musical film centered around the Arkham Asylum and its inhabitants with cast including Zazie Beetz (returning from her seemingly hallucinated Arthur Fleck neighbor from the 2019 film), Banshees of Inisherin Oscar nominee Brendan Gleeson, Catherine Keener in a secret role, Jacob Lofland as an Arkham Asylum inmate, Industry breakout Harry Lawtey, and more. Lady Gaga was a hoped-for Best Actress nominee in 2021 for House of Gucci, revealing on the press trail ad infinitum her training in the Stanislavski and Lee Strasberg methods. She did not get the nomination. She is clearly gunning for awards glory again with her performance in the Joker sequel. She has an Oscar for Best Original Song for A Star Is Born breakout track Shallow, and was up in the category last year for Hold My Hand from Top Gun: Maverick. Joker: Folie a Deux director of photography Lawrence Sher says Lady Gaga opted to be called Lee on set. pic.twitter.com/Rv32mOHBrY Lady Gaga Now (@ladygaganownet) July 20, 2023 Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Las Vegas police confiscated multiple items after a home raid concerning Tupac Shakurs death. NBC News reports that Clark County Judge Jacqueline M. Bluth authorized a warrant to Las Vegas Det. Clifford Mogg to retrieve anything that could tie Duane Keith Davis to the Southside Crips a Compton street gang. The document shows police were searching for items that tend to show evidence of motive and/or the identity of the perpetrator such as photographs or undeveloped film, insurance policies and letters, address and telephone records, diaries, and other documents. Raiding Paula Clemons and Duane Keith Keefe D Davis Henderson, Nevada home, authorities seized .40-caliber cartridges, computers, photographs from the 1990s, and a VIBE magazine featuring the late rap star. Additional items taken from the property were miscellaneous thumb drives, external hard drives, audio recordings featuring Davis and other unnamed figures, and a copy of Davis book, Compton Street Legend. In his book, Keefe D revealed he was in the white Cadillac that pulled up next to the rapper and Suge Knight during the shootout that killed Pac in 1996. The book also detailed numerous experiences as a member of the Southside Compton Crips. He described himself as one of two remaining living witnesses who saw the murder up close, with the other person allegedly being Suge. The LV Review-Journal has previously reported that Davis confessed to taking part in 2Pacs killing in 2018 after being diagnosed with cancer. Las Vegas police searched a home outside the city, in connection with the 1996 unsolved murder of rap legend Tupac Shakur. Shakur was at the height of fame when he was killed in a drive-by shooting on the Las Vegas strip pic.twitter.com/kKpvObHKXm Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) July 20, 2023 Its reported that the same type of gun used in Pacs killing was found in a duffle bag with a Las Vegas mailing address inside it in the backyard of the girlfriend of one of Orlando Andersons close friends. However, Anderson, Davis nephew who was 23 at the time, was killed in a gang shootout in May 1998, two years after Shakurs untimely demise. Story continues The news arrived after TMZ reported that the raid ended in a face-off. On Monday night (July 17), the search occurred around 10 PM EST, with officers demanding that the homes occupants exit the property with their hands up. The Associated Press reports that neighbors verified they saw a man and a woman stepping outside the house swarmed by police. The neighbors described an intense face-off that saw law enforcement honing in on the location. There were cruisers and SWAT vehicles. They had lights shining on the house, a man named Don Sansouci told the outlet. TMZ Now breaks down the latest developments in the investigation of the murder of Tupac Shakur. https://t.co/WC9n4WKFSf pic.twitter.com/hJI0UvEIjr TMZ (@TMZ) July 19, 2023 More from VIBE.com Click here to read the full article. Former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, Lisa Rinna, has been proving herself as something of a fashion name over the past few months. As well as walking the runway at Rotate's Autumn/Winter 2023 show during Copenhagen Fashion Week back in February wearing a plunging black bodysuit and furry leopard print coat no less, a truly iconic celebrity runway cameo she was a regular on the FROW during Paris Fashion Week earlier this month. And her 'fits have been daring to say the least. Like all fashionistas, the mother of Amelia Gray and Delilah Belle Hamlin has proved she's not afraid to take a style risk. And her latest lewk may be her riskiest yet. Taking to Instagram to share a behind-the-scenes video from a recent photoshoot for her lip product line, Rinna Beauty, Lisa could be seen pouting while wearing head-to-toe latex. Lisa is just one of many celebs who have ventured into the world of beauty and launched their own product lines. Hailey Bieber has Rhode, Selena Gomez created her Rare Beauty, and of course, Kim Kardashian is the CEO of KKW Beauty. In the video, Lisa can be seen wearing a skintight red latex catsuit with a black latex bodysuit layered over the top. And if that wasn't enough latex for one ensemble, she accessorised with over-the-elbow red latex gloves. Just for good measure. If you ask us, it doesn't get bolder than an entirely latex ensemble. We've all seen *that* Friends episode where Ross has an incident with leather trousers and talcum powder. Well, latex is that situation times ten. Lisa captioned the post, "I'm not Sorry." and her followers rushed to the comments section to write: QUEEN LISA Own it Yasss queen Icon A superhero Lisa Lisa's latest Instagram follows another BTS post from the star just a day previously. Wearing *another* latex lewk, this time a black short-sleeve playsuit, Lisa could be seen dancing on set for the camera. One fan commented, "Shes having the time of her life!!!" and we couldn't agree more. Story continues Keep doing you, Lisa! We love to see it. Follow Alexandria on Instagram. You Might Also Like Investigator works in backyard of Long Island home of Gilgo Beach killings prime suspect Rex Heuermann - Credit: J. Conrad Williams Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images A week after the arrest of the Long Island Serial Killer (LISK) suspect, Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison said that other cities have opened investigations into whether Rex Heuermann could be involved in their unsolved murder cases. Harrison told both People and the New York Post that police in Las Vegas (where Heuermann had a timeshare), Atlantic City (which had a series of still-unsolved Black Horse Pike Strangler murders involving sex workers, like LISKs victims), and South Carolina (where Heuermann also owned property) are in the beginning stages of determining whether the cases are all connected. More from Rolling Stone We want to revisit that investigation, Harrison told the NY Post, adding that presently, there is not a connection. 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. The investigation could take a long time, Harrison stressed, as any DNA evidence would have to be weighed alongside Heuermanns travel records as well as those of his family, as Heuermanns alleged LISK murders only took place when his wife and children were out of town. In the case of Atlantic Citys Black Horse Pike Strangler case, four female victims were found in 2006, each bearing the same M.O.: Found near the Bay Drive Motel, facedown and pointed toward Atlantic Citys skyline. In Las Vegas, police are revisiting their unsolved cases for any sign Heuermann may have been involved, a spokesperson for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department told CNN; Heuermann purchased two timeshares in the city in 2003 and 2005, selling the first but keeping the second. He had a timeshare in Las Vegas, Harrison told People. And were working with the authorities out there to take a closer look at what needed to be recovered or if theres anything that should be recovered and seized that could help out with this investigation as well. Story continues Heuermann who was charged in and pleaded not guilty to the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello also remains the main person of interest in the death of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, the other women in the Gilgo 4 victims. At least five other bodies recovered near the Gilgo site have not yet been tied to Heuermann. Best of Rolling Stone Click here to read the full article. 'Match Me Abroad': Harold Is on Edge and Makes Spontaneous Visit to Michaela When She Starts Ghosting Him In PEOPLEs exclusive sneak peek at Sundays episode, Match Me Abroad's Harold decides to visit Michaela in her hometown because he does not "want to lose her" TLC Match Me Abroads Harold is on edge as Michaela continues to pull away from him. In PEOPLEs exclusive sneak peek at Sundays episode, the 41-year-old artist from New Mexico decides to hop on a train to visit Michaela in her hometown of Hradec Kralove, a city in the Czech Republic. Harold hasnt heard from Michaela in three days, when they last spoke on the phone. That proved to be worrisome to him. She asked me why am I calling her in the morning so early, he recalls. Its because I havent heard from her yet. There it is. I think she has a more cavalier attitude about our relationship. TLC Related: Match Me Abroad's Harold Learns 'Love Can Come Unexpectedly Even in a Sewer' (Exclusive) As he boards the train, Harold becomes more and more concerned. Michaela hasnt confirmed their plans for the day, which includes meeting him at the station when arrives. Not hearing from Michaela is definitely making the ring way heavy in my pocket, says Harold, who plans to propose after just two dates. Every minute ticking by as I get closer and closer. Every mile. The nerves are getting worse. Although Michaela doesnt answer his call another red flag he chooses to wait at the station for her anyway. I dont want to lose her. I dont want to be heartbroken and fall in love just to lose it, Harold adds. Ive already come across the world for her. I will not live with regret. TLC Related: Match Me Abroad's Harold Learns 'Love Can Come Unexpectedly Even in a Sewer' (Exclusive) When Harold and Michaela first started dating, things looked promising. The two shared a kiss after Harold, who has autism, showed her his invention book, a notebook filled with sketches of his creations. They even shared a passion for Star Trek. Story continues But after two dates, and Michaela went home, she became less and less responsive. That didnt turn off Harold, who, despite some guidance from his matchmaker in last weeks episode, purchased a ring to pop the question. The matchmaker also tried to offer him some words of encouragement, adding that Michaela remained very interested in seeing him. TLC Harold, however, is feeling the pressure to tie the knot due to his limited time in Prague. In last weeks episode, the inventor said: It's not in her to respond to my messages in a timely manner, but at the same time, I'm on a time dilated scale where an hour feels like a week and a month feels like an eternity. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Match Me Abroad airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on TLC. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Former CMA chief Andrea Coscelli left the watchdog last year to join a firm that advised Microsoft on its blocked mega-merger The under-fire competition watchdog is suffering a growing exodus of staff with one in six employees leaving in the last year as the regulator fails to meet hiring targets. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has admitted it is grappling with rising rates of staff turnover as officials quit for better-paid jobs in the private sector. It comes as the CMA is seeking to hire hundreds of new staff to handle new post-Brexit responsibilities and tough new powers to take on tech giants. The regulator has been criticised over its handling of deals including Microsofts $69bn (54bn) takeover of Activision Blizzard and has been accused of stifling growth in Britain. The CMAs annual report revealed a turnover rate of 15.6pc in the 2021-22 year, up from 13pc the year before and 9.7pc the year before that. This is equivalent to 125 of its roughly 800 permanent employees. It admitted that it had missed hiring expectations because of difficulties in recruiting for vacancies created by hard-to-fill specialist roles. What is the CMA? The CMA added it had experienced issues with staff retention and recruitment processes that meant vacancies were unfilled for longer. It said the majority of staff who left had done so for better pay and benefits. Although the level of staff turnover is not dramatically higher than at other regulators, the rising number of departures comes as it seeks to bring in more staff to deal with new powers to crack down on Big Tech. The CMAs expanded role after Brexit, which has seen the UK take new competition responsibilities back from Brussels, has increased attention on the regulator and left law firms and multinationals scrambling to recruit competition experts in Britain. The CMAs former chief executive Andrea Coscelli stepped down last year and joined Keystone Strategy, which advised Microsoft on its takeover of Activision Blizzard. CMA data chief Stefan Hunt joined him in leaving for Keystone while senior director of strategy Stuart Hudson left for PR firm Brunswick, which also advised the tech giant. Story continues The individuals have had no role in the Microsoft deal since leaving the CMA under conflict of interest rules that prevent them from working on cases they were involved in at the regulator. Chairman Jonathan Scott also left the regulator last year. Sarah Cardell, who replaced Mr Coscelli as chief executive last year, recently said that the CMA was seeking to grow staff numbers at the regulators new technology-focused digital markets unit from 70 to around 200. Since taking on the top job in the CMA in 2022 Sarah Cardell has faced pressure over the regulators interventions - Betty Laura Zapata On Friday, a House of Lords committee warned that the CMA could be outbid for talented staff. There is significant inequality of resources between the CMA and SMS businesses, the Communications and Digital Committee said in a letter to Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, referring to large tech companies with strategic market status. It said that the Treasury should keep the CMAs resources under review. The CMA is under growing pressure over its decision to block Microsofts takeover after a US court overruled American regulators attempts to stop the deal from being completed. The UK regulator blocked the acquisition in April but the EU clearing it and court defeats for the Federal Trade Commission has left it as the last authority standing in its way. The CMA and Microsoft are now in discussions about new proposals that could allow it to pass. Ms Cardell told Bloomberg on Friday that the regulator was not put under pressure to reconsider the deal and that Microsoft must come up with a proposal that addresses its concerns. However, Jeremy Hunt, the Chancellor, told the CMA after the decision that it must understand its wider responsibilities for economic growth. The body has also faced criticism from the industrialist Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of Britains richest men. He has said it is becoming an overly aggressive regulator with little regard for the impact of its decisions on UK business. On Thursday, it said it would investigate multinational food companies such as Unilever, Mondelez and Coca-Cola over concerns that shoppers are being overcharged for groceries. It said it had found no evidence of profiteering by supermarkets. The CMA did not comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer. Doria Ragland checked out an exhibition by artist Honor Titus BACKGRID Doria Ragland attends Honor Titus art show on July 20 Meghan Markle's mom, Doria Ragland, had an artsy outing in California. Doria, 66, was spotted in Beverly Hills on Thursday attending an exhibition by artist Honor Titus followed by a dinner at a local restaurant. It appeared that her daughter, Meghan, and son-in-law, Prince Harry, did not join her on the outing. Meghan and Doria share a close relationship and have given glimpses of their bond through the years. "Meghan draws a lot of strength from her mother. Doria is classy, chic and confident, but not unapproachable," Meghan's longtime friend and makeup artist Daniel Martin told PEOPLE in 2018. "I definitely feel Meghan gets a lot of that from her mother." RELATED: How Baby Lili's Name Is Also a Nod to Meghan Markle's Mom Doria Ragland BACKGRID Doria Ragland visits Honor Titus art show on July 20 When Meghan and Prince Harry were living in the U.K., Doria often traveled from her home in California to visit her daughter and son-in-law during milestone moments like their 2018 royal wedding and the birth of their first child, son Archie, in 2019. Doria stayed with the couple at Frogmore Cottage to assist them during their early days as parents. Doria also supported her daughter at a celebration marking the publication of Together: Our Community Cookbook, which Meghan helped create to benefit those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy. The proud mom stood next to Prince Harry and watched as Meghan gave an off-the-cuff speech about the project, at one point exchanging a smile with her son-in-law. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex moved to California in 2020, Doria is a fixture in the lives of Meghan and Harry as well as their two children, Prince Archie, 4, and Princess Lilibet, 2. Story continues Ben STANSALL / POOL / AFP via Getty Doria Ragland, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in 2018 Doria spoke out publicly for the first time in the Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan, which debuted in December. Recalling how Meghan, 41, first told her she was dating the member of the royal family, Doria said, "We were on the phone and she says, 'Mommy, I'm going out with Prince Harry,' and I start whispering, 'Oh my God.' " "And so it was from the beginning, it was very sort of, 'Oh my God, nobody can know,' " she continued. Of Prince Harry, 38, Doria said she noticed he was "handsome" and "really nice" upon first meeting him, with "really great manners." She added, "And they looked really happy together." However, Doria also admitted that it had been "challenging." "I felt unsafe a lot. I can't just go walk my dogs. I can't just go to work. There was always someone there waiting for me," she explained. Kevin Mazur/Getty Doria Ragland, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2023 In May, Doria joined Meghan and Prince Harry at the Ms. Foundation's Women of Vision Awards at Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. (A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told PEOPLE the following day that Prince Harry, Meghan and her mother were involved in a "near catastrophic car chase" while being pursued by "a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi" following the ceremony.) During her speech at the event, Meghan recalled seeing the diversity in the pages of Ms. magazines. Her mom, Meghan said, "had a subscription and having these pages in our home, it signaled to me that there was just so much more than the dolled-up covers and the images that you would see on the grocery store covers." "It signaled to me that substance mattered," the Duchess of Sussex added. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Get my son home and pray, pray that he comes back," Claudine Gates told reporters outside her home on Wednesday Facebook/Travis King Travis King The mother of the American soldier who was detained in North Korea after crossing into the country from South Korea says she wants her son to come home. Pvt. Travis King is in North Korean custody after United Nations Command officials announced on Tuesday that he had run across the border "without authorization" this week. His mother, Claudine Gates, told WISN 12 News to ask people to pray for her sons quick and safe return. "I just want my son back. I just want my son back, Gates told reporters from the outlet outside her home in Racine, Wisconsin on Wednesday. Get my son home. Get my son home and pray, pray that he comes back," she said. Earlier this week Gates spoke to ABC News about her son illegally crossing into North Korea, telling the outlet "I can't see Travis doing anything like that." She added that she had spoken to her son "a few days ago," at which point he told her he would soon be returning to the U.S. base in Fort Bliss. Gates is among other relatives of the American soldier who are now struggling to understand what made him run across the border. AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon South Korean and U.S. Army soldiers stand in the border village of Panmunjom in the demilitarized zone between the two Koreas. Related: U.S. Soldier Detained in North Korea After Allegedly Crossing the Border to Avoid Disciplinary Actions Speaking to the Associated Press on Wednesday, King's maternal grandfather, Carl Gates, said, I cant see him doing that intentionally if he was in his right mind. Travis is a good guy. He wouldnt do nothing to hurt nobody. And I cant see him trying to hurt himself." Myron Gates, King's uncle, echoed the confusion, telling the AP: I dont understand why he would do that, because it seemed like he was on his way back here to the United States. He was on his way home. King's grandfather described him to the AP as "a nice, quiet guy," adding: He doesnt bother anybody. He keeps to himself." Story continues King graduated from Park High School in Racine in 2020, School officials confirmed to WISN 12 News on Wednesday. Various South Korean media outlets and the Associated Press report that King was scheduled to fly back to the U.S. after being imprisoned in South Korea for two months following assault charges stemming from an alleged physical altercation at a nightclub last September. Related: Detained Soldier Travis Kings Loved Ones Dont Understand Why He Fled South Korea: He Was on His Way Home The AP reports that King was released from the South Korean prison on July 10 and was set to head to the U.S. to face further military disciplinary action (and, potentially, discharge from the Army). Never miss a story sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.PEOPLE's free daily newsletter King was reportedly at the airport on Tuesday afternoon, where he was due to board a flight to a military base in Fort Bliss, ABC News reports. But at some point, it appears he left the building and joined a group of civilians who were on a tour of the nearby Joint Security Area, which separates North and South Korea and is known to be heavily guarded by soldiers from both sides. That's when King left the tour group and ran across the border into North Korea, according to reports. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters Tuesday that officials are "very early" in the process of determining what, exactly, happened, and that "there's a lot that we're still trying to learn." For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Getty/Getty Netflix will release a new docuseries about the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial. Covering the trial has historically been a lucrative opportunity for content creators. While the series will interrogate the social media climate around the trial, it stands to benefit from it. Netflix is releasing a documentary series about the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial, a defamation case that morphed into a weeks-long spectacle that played out in livestreams from the courtroom and on social media. The trial began in April 2022 in Fairfax, Virginia, concluding in June of that year. Depp sued Heard in 2019, asking for $50 million in damages and alleging that she had defamed him in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed in which she described herself as a victim of domestic abuse (she did not mention Depp by name). Heard countersued for $100 million, alleging that Depp had regularly abused her during their relationship. The jury found them both liable for defaming the other. Netflix's description of the docuseries, titled "Depp v. Heard," says that it will present both parties' testimony "side-by-side," drawing from both news and social media commentary, and investigate "the role social media played in the trial." The trial was open to the public and livestreamed, turning it into a spectacle and a lucrative opportunity for content creators some of whom had made entirely different kinds of content before the event to amass millions of views. The Netflix series premieres August 16. But despite its aim to investigate social media's effect on the trial, the show also stands to benefit from the surrounding vitriol. And as we've seen, it's historically been a lucrative business. As Insider previously reported, some lawyers livestreaming commentary on the trial on YouTube earned hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process. Many amateur e-journalists made thousands a month commenting on the trial. In one case noted by the Washington Post, a YouTuber made $80,000 a month on the trial. Story continues The social media fervor, as NBC News reported in a special about the trial, skewed strongly towards Depp. Hashtags in support of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor far outstripped those in support of Heard on TikTok, Insider reported in May 2022, with posts mocked Heard's emotional testimonies. The hashtag "Justice for JohnnyDepp" amassed more than 10.6 billion views. And Heard's name, a victims' rights lawyer told Insider in July 2022, morphed into a "dog whistle" for online misogyny in the wake of the trial. While "Depp v. Heard" aims to be a "neutral overview" of that climate, per Netflix, it can't divorce itself from the attention economy that made it into an outsized phenomenon. Read the original article on Insider A North Texas mom suspected of medically abusing her toddler searched online for information about deleting social media, munchausen by proxy syndrome and the legality of lying to a doctor about a child, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Jessica Gasser is accused of faking her childs medical issues and causing unnecessary treatments, a condition known as munchausen by proxy syndrome. Experts refer to this manipulation of the medical system as medical child abuse. The Star-Telegram was not able to reach Gasser, who lives in Rusk County, for comment. Gasser was arrested July 13 on suspicion of serious bodily injury to a child. The allegations stem from a hypoglycemia test Cook Childrens Medical Center staff in Fort Worth performed in February at Gassers insistence, according to the affidavit. The test involved Gassers toddler having her blood drawn 28 times over the course of a day. The affidavit alleges the blood draws are considered bodily injury to a child because the test was unneeded and Gasser knew it. From 2021 to 2023, the affidavit says, the child has seen 12 medical providers, been on over a dozen medications, undergone repeated tests for nonexistent ailments and stayed in multiple hospitals and none of it was necessary. The affidavit includes search history from Gassers laptop. Some of the searches on her laptop from June 2023 include: Can investigators pull social media without a warrant Tarrant County medical child abuse cases How to delete archived posts on Instagram How long does search history stay recoverable How do you fix munchuasen by proxy Is lying to a doctor about a child illegal Gassers last search likely would have revealed that lying to a doctor about a childs medical problems is not actually illegal. A bill in the Texas legislature sought to change that this year, but the proposed law failed. Tarrant County Sheriffs Office Detective Michael Weber, who wrote Gassers affidavit, was one of the primary advocates of the proposed law, HB 3381. Story continues The bill would have made it a crime to intentionally misrepresent or lie to a medical professional about a persons medical history or symptoms for the purpose of obtaining unnecessary medical treatment for a child, elderly person or person with a disability. Significant red flags The affidavit lays out a timeline of alleged medical abuse beginning in January 2021, when Gasser took her child to Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston. She told a doctor the child was not eating and Gasser wanted doctors to give the child a nasogastric tube, a type of medical catheter inserted through the nose into the stomach. The Houston doctor tried to dissuade Gasser from an NG tube because he did not think the child needed it, according to the affidavit. Another doctor at the hospital did the procedure; that doctor told Weber that the NG tube was placed 100% off the history provided by (Gasser). When it comes to medical treatment for young children, medical staff often rely on parents to tell the truth about their childs symptoms. In medical child abuse cases, experts say parents provide vague symptoms and ailments that are difficult to prove or disprove. In 2022, medical staff at Childrens Medical Center in Dallas became suspicious of Gasser. A doctor referred the childs case to the hospitals REACH child abuse team, which found significant red flags of possible medical child abuse, according to a report included in the affidavit. Because the child had not yet had any surgeries that posed a serious risk of infection or complications, the REACH team said the case did not legally rise to the level of reportable medical child abuse. Gasser removed the child from the Dallas hospital and sought treatment at Dell Childrens Medical Center in Austin. Gasser told medical staff the child had gastroparesis, even though Dallas hospitals tests had ruled out the disorder, according to the affidavit. In April 2022, the child stayed in the Austin hospital for 10 days so medical staff could monitor her nutrition, which she was then receiving through a gastrostomy-jejunostomy or GJ-tube, which is placed into the stomach and small intestine. According to the affidavit, Gasser would stop the continuous feeding tube feeds even when staff told her not to do so. The Austin doctor observed the child eating without problems while in the hospital, the affidavit says. The child was doing so well, he offered to remove the GJ-tube. Gasser said no, according to the affidavit. The doctor consulted the hospitals child abuse team, but they did not feel they had enough evidence to report abuse. Social media following Throughout the hospital visits and treatments, Gasser posted to thousands of people about her childs ailments and health issues. According to the affidavit, she posted on TikTok about her daughter having disorders that doctors had already ruled out. She started a GoFundMe for her childs medical expenses. In October 2022, Gasser applied for and received a free flight to a Cleveland hospital through Miracle Flight, a company that provides free airfare to medically complicated children. That same month, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services began investigating Gasser for medical child abuse. The case was eventually closed. In total, three doctors reported Gasser to the Department of Family and Protective Services for suspected medical child abuse: Cook Childrens Medical Center in Fort Worth, McLanes Childrens Hospital in Temple and Woman and Child Health Center in Longview. Two others, Childrens Medical Center in Dallas and Dell Childrens Medical Center in Austin, consulted with their respective child abuse teams about Gasser for suspected medical abuse. Experts on medical child abuse say a lack of training and protocols in the justice system can leave children in medically abusive households. Medical and criminal justice experts say more education for Child Protective Services and family courts staff would help prevent children from remaining with abusive parents. Child removed from care In February 2023, Gasser sought treatment for her child at Cook Childrens Medical Center. She again told doctors that her child had gastroparesis and ketotic hypoglycemia and that her child had a central line surgery scheduled, according to the affidavit. On Feb. 9, Cook Childrens reported Gasser to the Department of Family and Protective Services for possible medical child abuse. On Feb. 21, the child was admitted to Cook Childrens and evaluated for ketotic hypoglycemia through a test that required 28 blood draws. The results were normal, the affidavit says. When the child was discharged, the doctor advised Gasser and her husband to stop various, unnecessary treatments and to let the child walk, interact and play. Instead, in May, Gasser took her child to a hospital in Temple, the affidavit says. She told doctors her child needed a port placement, a small, implantable device that allows liquids to be directly inserted into the veins. In June, DFPS removed the child from Gassers care. The child was admitted to the hospital and was able to wean off all medications, except for megace, a medication used to increase hunger. According to doctors testimony in the affidavit, the child had been on megace for long enough that her adrenal glands no longer functioned, and if it was discontinued or given improperly, the child could die. After the child was released from the hospital, according to the affidavit, the child gained weight and was more active and giggly. One of the childs primary care doctors said in the affidavit she was struck by how different the child was. She said if the child really had the disorders Gasser claimed she did, she wouldnt expect the child to suddenly improve so much. Thousand-mile stare: Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer' (Melinda Sue Gordon) Nobody knows what you believe. Do you? So asks scientist Edward Teller (Benny Safdie), in a scene from Christopher Nolans nuclear epic Oppenheimer. The question is posed to J Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), the so-called father of the atomic bomb, whose disavowed communist past clung to his reputation like stepped-on gum. But the question might just as well have been addressed to Nolan himself. Its easy to imagine the 52-year-old writer-director perhaps the pre-eminent blockbuster filmmaker of our time empathising with his latest films set-upon protagonist. Like Oppenheimer, Nolan is a man whose politics have often proved messy and inscrutable (on screen at least). That he has tended to keep his personal leanings to himself has only swung open the door for speculation; commentators from across the political spectrum have imposed all manner of personal readings onto his work. Ask some people and theyll argue hes a raging Tory. Others: a liberal pacifist. Many of his films seem to eschew politics entirely it is hard to argue exactly what agenda a film like Inception is pursuing, fixated as it is on the psychology of the human subconscious. With Oppenheimer, though, this aversion to politics is put under a microscope, cleaved open like an atom. Nolan has finally grown up. Before we can discuss Oppenheimer, it is important first to understand the political precedent within Nolans oeuvre. Several of his films including Victorian magician drama The Prestige and back-to-front amnesiac puzzler Memento are, like Inception, largely uninterested in politicking. They are works of fizzy spectacle brushed with metaphysical intrigue. Insomnia, Nolans 2002 procedural starring Al Pacino and Robin Williams, dipped its toe a little more ambitiously into the waters of social commentary, though Pacinos jaded, error-strewn police detective was more handy cliche than socio-political critique. (Insomnia was also a remake, and the only one of Nolans films he did not have a writing credit for.) The Dark Knight (2008) has sometimes been characterised as a right-wing parable, a paean to the need for authoritarian law enforcement. This was, very consciously, a Batman adaptation for the post-9/11 era: the Joker (Heath Ledger), once a campy circus ringmaster, is reimagined as a 21st-century terrorist. Christian Bales pteropine vigilante is seen bludgeoning the Joker to extract information; another scene sees him drop a mobster from a rooftop. As the film careens towards its climax, Batman uses mass surveillance technology to locate his nemesis technology that directly evokes the NSAs counterterrorist measures in the wake of the Twin Towers attacks. These allusions didnt hamper the films broad appeal, but they didnt go completely unnoticed. The Wall Street Journal published a widely shared piece that interpreted Nolans Batman as a fawning allegory for George Bush; the National Review ranked The Dark Knight among the best conservative films. Reports of Nolans conservatism were, however, overblown. It is worth noting that the superhero genre has always had fascistic underpinnings an idea explored definitively in Alan Moores Watchmen. To some extent, The Dark Knight simply brought to the surface ideas that have existed, unscrutinised, throughout Batmans history. But also, to read The Dark Knight as authoritarian is reductive in other ways. In the film, the use of torture to obtain information proves ineffective. Batmans mass surveillance infrastructure is destroyed at his own behest by the films end. Another part of the films climax focuses on the compassionate restraint of a convicted felon, who risks his own death by refusing to blow up a barge full of innocents the moral lines are not drawn simply along criminality. And yet, the Nolan conservatism argument persisted. The Dark Knight Rises, Nolans 2012 superhero follow-up, was all over the shop politically. It takes pains to deconstruct the fascist vigilante myth of its predecessor while also skewering populist political movements through the character of the brutish revolutionary Bane (Tom Hardy). Many critics read Nolans Bane as a critique of the then topical (left-wing) Occupy Wall Street movement: the masked supervillain is able to take over Gotham by capitalising on economic grievances against the citys wealthy elite. This may be a stretch and Nolan himself has denied that the films are political but the popularity of this reading testifies to a fundamental muddiness in the films messaging. Less muddy was Nolans 2017 war thriller Dunkirk. Set on the shores, seas and skies of northern France during the evacuation of Dunkirk, the film succeeds at capturing the frenzied blur of battle, but cannot escape an inbuilt jingoism, a simpering adherence to the spirit-of-Britain, pluck-against-the-odds, tally-ho-and-God-save-the-Queen fantasy that squats on our countrys malformed psyche. Unsurprisingly, we Brits ate it up. And then there was Tenet, a film that lurches back in the other direction, offering a pointed (if overly confusing) comment on the intersection of war and capitalism. Cameraman: Christopher Nolan on the set of Oppenheimer' (Melinda Sue Gordon) Which brings us to Oppenheimer. No one is going to mistake Nolans three-hour rollercoaster of a biopic for political treatise. The film is not interested in debating the merits of communism, though Oppenheimers communist affiliations are pivotal to the narrative: much of the films runtime is dedicated to the proto-McCarthyist attacks on Oppenheimers reputation after the war. Oppenheimer takes pains to show that its protagonist isnt bound by Marxist doctrine, but by the natural pathways of individualist thought. The characters communist leanings are framed principally through the lens of his globalist scientific background. In this way, Nolan could be accused of sidestepping politics yet again. But this does not quite do the film justice. Oppenheimer is essentially about something so monumental, so enormous and distressing the bomb, and all its mushroom-clouded consequences that everything else, from party politics to rivalries to love affairs, must take a backseat. The politics Oppenheimer is most interested in are the politics of war, the politics of persecution and it handles these with an unexpected and intelligent nuance. At the very least, the film ought to dispel speculation that Nolan is some kind of covert right-wing propagandist. You may leave Oppenheimer unsure exactly where he stands on communism, sure. In the film, no one is ever able to quite pin down Oppenheimers politics (except when it came to the bomb). For him, there was usually a bigger issue at play; he saw the world on an atomic scale. Perhaps Christopher Nolan feels much the same way. Oppenheimer is out in cinemas now International Drag Day was celebrated Wednesday night at the World of Wonder Gallery in Hollywood. As guests enjoyed the festivities, which featured cupcakes as well as RuPauls Drag Race merch and cocktails, the evenings performers Jiggly Caliente, Pangina Heals and Nicky Doll addressed political attacks against drag performers. More from Variety On Monday, Ohio representatives Josh Williams (R-Sylvania) and Angela King (R-Celina) introduced a bill at their statehouse that would ban adult cabaret performances that showcase entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performers or entertainers gender assigned at birth in all locations outside of nightclubs or bars. The bill is the latest anti-drag motion to follow after Tennessees anti-drag show law, which was deemed unconstitutional by a federal judge in June. Measures have also been filed, with varying levels of success, in Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, and Idaho. These attacks on drag are just a cover up, honestly, to save the assets they want to protect, like the gun laws. I dont think theres ever been a shooting at any drag show. No drag queen has blown up places, Jiggly told Variety. Yall need to figure out how to keep the guns and the military grade assault weapons out of the hands of these crazy people. Thats what you need to worry about not drag shows. She added, Were not grooming kids. Drag is just a safe way for children to see that there is more than just A or B. It is also self expression. What is so wrong with self expressing? Theres nothing wrong with that, because drag isnt just for gay boys. This is for everyone and what you can do with it is your own art. You can cultivate it, you can curate it to what your art is, not what anyone says your art should be. Story continues The sentiment was reflected by Drag Race Thailand judge Pangina Heals. They change targets every year, I would say, that someone ends up being this target of political conversation and its usually minorities. This year just happens to be drag queens and I pity whoever is going to be selected as victims next because as you can see, it repeats itself, Pangina said. This cycle of hate keeps repeating itself. It just jumps from one group of people to the other and its never ending. We just have to stand together and say, This is fucked up.' Doll said the drag community needs more allies to speak up: What history has showed us that without allyship, no communities can succeed, whether its womens rights, whether its trans rights, drag queens rights, we need to come together because we have common sense. Whether youre a drag queen, whether you are part of the queer community, whether youre a straight woman, a straight man, if you feel like a group of people has been under attack for no reason, it is incredibly important that we all come together because it is sending the right message on how to be a good fucking person, period, she said. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Tony Bennett impacted millions of people with his singing, but he once told Howard Stern how he himself was impacted by an experience early in life. After Bennett died Friday at the age of 96, a 2011 interview about his World War II service resurfaced online. In the video, Bennett explained how his time in the infantry, which included helping to liberate a concentration camp, turned him into a pacifist. I really dislike war, he said on Sterns talk show. To me, life is a gift, and you should enjoy it. Its a great gift. To be alive is the best thing that could ever happen. Bennett was drafted into the war when he was a teen. Although he said he was scared, he wasnt the only one. The Germans were frightened. We were frightened. Nobody wanted to kill anybody when we were on the line, Bennett said. But the weapons were so strong that it overcame us and everybody else. Although Bennett became a corporal, he told Stern that he had his stripes sliced from a bigot captain because of his friendship with a fellow soldier who was Black. He was the greatest guy, Bennett remembered. He was a fantastic drummer, and we used to be in high school together. They reunited one Thanksgiving during the war in Germany. He took me to his Baptist church, and I said: Well, theyre allowing me one guest in the Truman Hotel in Mannheim, why dont you join me? Well have Thanksgiving dinner. The friend agreed, but the captain was apparently unhappy that a white soldier was hanging out with a Black one, because he told the future star that he now had a new job: digging up the bodies of dead American soldiers for reburial elsewhere. It was a horrible task, and it changed Bennett permanently. Its eliminated all bigotry from my life as a result, he said. Its a premise in my life that I think one of the most ignorant things that could ever happen are people that are bigoted about other people. Listen to the full exchange in the video below: Related... Innovation and quality are the keys to success at Westerlys Knickerbocker Music Center, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this month. The quality of acts taking the stage, particularly those coaxing blues from guitars and horns, quickly established the Knick, as locals call it, as one of Southern New Englands best places to catch a show. Innovation came into play decades after the Vitterito brothers turned their ice cream shop into a dance and dinner club, once the repeal of Prohibition meant they could serve alcohol. Thats more of Mark Connollys contribution to the club's storied history. More: From picking your own blueberries to Ice Cream Day, have fun with your food in July Photos of the Knickerbocker Cafe from around 1940 hang on the wall at the Knickerbocker Music Center. Connolly, executive director of the Knick (named for the Knickerbocker Express train that once brought musicians north from New York City), has found creative ways to attract todays audiences and keep the facility not only relevant but essential to the community. This was a place where Buddy Guy, Arthur Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughn played. How can it not continue? asked Connolly, a Connecticut restaurant manager brought in to revive the facility in 2011. Updates required since the Station nightclub fire were expensive, and they needed help getting back in financial shape," he said. "I thought Id maybe be here a year, but I fell in love with the music and what it could become. More: Sinatra, Carole King and more: Here's what's coming to Theatre By the Sea this summer The exterior of the Knickerbocker Music Center on Railroad Avenue in Westerly. The former ice cream shop became a dinner and dance club in 1933, shortly after the repeal of Prohibition. Renovations of the club and new creative partnerships In the years since, Connolly has overseen reconstruction within the clubs existing footprint and renovations of the performance space to enhance the concert experience. He expanded the schedule and genres think Deer Tick and Leon Russell and forged key partnerships, bolstered by a multimillion-dollar community fundraising campaign, with the nearby United Theatre and Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School. Story continues The United Theatre, right around the corner from us, had been closed since the 1980s, and the community raised the funds to buy it and the building next door. Were now a sister company, allowing us to centralize programming and marketing, Connolly said. More: What's on tap for Trinity Rep's 2023-'24 season? Check out the 60th anniversary lineup Partnering with the Philharmonic school allows the Knick to reach more of the community, add performances and create a musical center for the entire area, he said. A walk around the building might spark memories for Westerly natives, thousands of whom attended banquets and wedding receptions in the facility through the years. A towering mural featuring a train gliding along piano key tracks is reminiscent of the clubs early days, and a silhouette of Vaughn who often played there with his brother Jimmie, or Roomful of Blues, which got its start there hints to its greatness. The club where Roomful of Blues got its start after first being turned town The owners originally turned the guys in what later became Roomful of Blues down when they asked to play, Connolly said. They finally let them play on a Sunday, which no one really wanted. It turned into a huge event and they played every Sunday night for a long time. People would climb through the windows when the shows were sold out! Other changes some of which were as simple as leaving the Knicks neon light on all the time for visibility include refurbishing the performance space and transforming the adjacent mens bar into a tap room. When I got here, the walls were white," he recalled. "It looked more like a VFW. Painted dark green, they now encase updated seating areas and a stage raised 13 inches so people have a better view of the performers. Its cooler and clubbier, Connolly said, adding that the tap room gives a different sort of feel. It had five TVs, heavy drapes and opened at 9 a.m. for third-shifters to get a drink," he said. "Taking out the TVs made it more about the music, and more hipster. A poster promotes a show by Grammy winner Jon Batiste, who took up residence at the Knickerbocker during the pandemic and streamed appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he was bandleader at the time. Jon Batiste residency brings national TV exposure During the pandemic, the Knick became the ultimate hipster location when Grammy-winning musician Jon Batiste took up residence to work on projects and stream nightly appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. There have been so many big names here, Connolly said. Some of those names will be on hand for the 90th anniversary celebration planned at the Knick for Saturday, July 29, at 8 p.m. The all-ages show will feature the Knickerbocker All-Stars (whose release "Love Makes a Woman" was nominated for the Blues Foundation's 2019 soul/blues album of the year), with Brian Templeton and boogie woogie pianist Arthur Migliazza. Ricky "King" Russell and other members of the Knickerbocker All-Stars perform at the club on Sept. 1, 2016. If you go ... What: The Knickerbocker Cafes 90th anniversary Where: 35 Railroad Ave., Westerly When: July 29 at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7. Tickets: $20 Info: knickmusic.com, (401) 315-5070 This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Westerly's Knickerbocker Cafe to mark 90th year with a musical bash A woman has been praised for her refusal to switch her first-class seat on a plane with a child. On 20 July, Dr Sabra (@lifewithdrsabra) took to TikTok to share the experience she had on her recent flight. She posted a video of herself seated in the first-class section of a plane along with a caption that read: POV: Flight agent asks me if I want to give up my 1A seat so a child sits with their family. The big smile on her face indicated she was pleased with her decision to stick with the ticket she originally paid for. Thats a no from me dawg, would you have given up your seat? Also they ended up finding a solution so no, I am not a terrible human being. Also the child was like 13, she wrote in the caption of the video, which has since been viewed more than 3m times. The TikTokers viewers agreed that there was no need for her to switch, especially because of the position of her seat. As one viewer pointed out, her 1A position would not have another seat directly next to it. Dr Sabra confirmed they were right, but the family wouldve still been across the aisle from each other had she switched. However, Dr Sabra claimed it was not the familys fault they werent sat together, but the airlines, after one supporter commented: Never switch unless it is an upgrade. Others poor planning is not your fault. Nope, cause as a mom, it is a parents responsibility to plan ahead. Just travelled to Europe for one and a half months with my toddler and no one had to move, another viewer said, while someone else agreed: As a parent, you didnt do anything wrong. I cant even bring myself to ask someone to please get up so that I can use the loo, but there are literally people out there who ask to trade seats? one person asked. Worst part is the kid is usually like 12 and perfectly capable of being on their own for the flight, a viewer noted. @lifewithdrsabra Thats a no from me dawg would you have given up your seat? Also they ended up finding a solution so no, i am not a terrible human being. Also the child was like 13. original sound - Sunshynelove21 Story continues The TikTok users post comes after the CEO of global jewellery brand CONQUERing recorded a similar incident. Tammy Nelson was flying on Delta Airlines from Cincinnati, Ohio, to San Jose, California, when she was asked to swap seats with a woman who wanted to sit next to her two children. Nelson told Newsweek that she thought she may have been looking at the wrong window seat, but her ticket confirmed the mother was sitting in her place. When I confirmed I was looking at the correct seat, I thought she must have just mistakenly sat in the wrong seat. So I said, Im sorry but it seems youre in my seat, thinking she would realise it and move, she told Newsweek. The woman did not proceed to get up and explained she thought she could sit in Nelsons seat since she was with her children. Nelson didnt want to be difficult, but she confessed to her followers that she tends to get sick on flights and window seats help ease the nausea by allowing her to sleep. @myconquering Having had only 90 minutes of sleep the night before and knowing I had to give a presentation to 500 people, I desperately needed some sleep, so I did not agree to switch seats. Before anyone comes after me the kids looked like they were about 11 and 15 years old. And the mom was in arms-reach of both of them from the middle seat in the row behind us. The mom proceeded to complain for at least 15 minutes to the person next to her loud enough for me to hear. But the woman actually defended me several times. It was so kind and I appreciated it so much because I was feeling really guilty. #airplaneseat#seatswitching#airplanekarens original sound - MyCONQUERing Just like they did with Dr Sabra, people commended Nelson for not giving up the spot she had booked. The amount of families who arent paying to select their seats together is mindblowing! You were 100 per cent right to not give up your seat, one follower said. The two influencers arent the only passengers to experience a request for a seat swap as theres been a recent uptick in the number of people sharing their own stories on social media. Most individuals admit they refused to move, and, according to a travel etiquette expert, they are valid in doing so. Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert and founder of The Protocol School of Texas, spoke to The Independent about the one appropriate instance in which someone can request another passenger to switch their seat after having prebooked it. If a parent had tried their absolute hardest to find seats next to their children, but was unable to secure them, only then is it acceptable to ask if they can take someones spot on the plane, train, bus, or any other mode of transportation. However, Gottsman encouraged those parents to first ask a ticket agent or someone from the travel company if there is a possibility of changing or switching seats before you board the plane or train because you dont want to put the person you are asking in an awkward position or count on their goodwill. The Independent has contacted Dr Sabra for comment. Notifications popped up on Barbie Koelkers phone for days after a trailer for the Barbie movie first came out. Friends were eager to know what she thought. They know that Ive fought for people to just take Barbie seriously, Koelker says. The 38-year-old marketing executive in Los Angeles says she was thrilled to catch a glimpse of the film. The Rev. Barbara Aziz had a very different reaction. When she first heard about the new movie, one thought ran through her mind: Oh gosh here we go again. For decades, the 57-year-old pastor in Texas has pushed back whenever anyone tried to foist that name on her. You can call me anything, she often says, anything but Barbie. Since her debut in 1959, Barbies name has been one of the dolls most well-known features. Barbie which in the dolls case, is short for Barbara Millicent Roberts was already a nickname for Barbara long before Mattels version hit the shelves, and a name some parents gave their children. But as the dolls popularity grew, a Barbie baby boom of sorts followed. According to data from the Social Security Administration, 1964 was the names most popular year, with 190 real-life Barbies born in the United States. Its remained a nickname for Barbaras, too beloved by some who love the doll, and spurned by others who dont identify with what they think it represents. I love Barbie. I could talk about her for hours, says Barbie Hargrave, 52, of Baltimore. Of course, when it comes to the iconic doll, its not only real-life Barbies who have something to say. The dolls unrealistic proportions and forever-arched feet have fueled decades of cultural criticism. But these days, many women who spent their youth gleefully hoisting Dream House elevators, pushing around stylish Corvettes and keeping track of an endless array of tiny high heels are feeling fired up about Barbies big-screen moment. (Barbie is being released by Warner Bros., which like CNN is a unit of Warner Bros. Discovery.) Story continues And who better than real-life Barbies, Barbs and Barbaras to remind us why the doll, and now the movie, mean so much to generations of women? Heres what some of them had to say when CNN contacted them this week: She met Margot Robbie on the movies pink carpet. A video of them saying Hi Barbie went viral Barbara Miranda, whos gone by Barbi since her childhood, knew she had to find a way to make it to a premiere of the movie that shares her name. I knew that it wasnt going to be just another movie. I knew it was going to be the movie. I knew it was going to make a statement. I knew that people were going to go crazy. I knew that making a film about an icon such as Barbie, youve got to do it great, she says. And Miranda, 25, wanted a front-row seat. Because long before she was a journalist with more than 100,000 social media followers who hosts a film and fashion podcast, she was a little girl in Buenos Aires with a huge box full of Barbies under her bed. For years, whenever she left the house, shed bring a Barbie doll with her. Sometimes shed try to wear a matching outfit. Shed make clothes for the dolls with her grandmother and dream of the life she might have someday. Barbara "Barbi" Miranda as a girl, holding one of her many Barbies. - Courtesy Barbara Miranda So while she was visiting her sister in Milan this month, Miranda went thrift shopping to find the perfect outfit to wear. And this week she boarded a flight for London, hoping to snag a spot on the pink carpet for Barbies premiere there. She knew the chances could be slim, but the world of possibilities Barbie had showed her as a kid made her determined to press forward. If you go for it, if you work hard, the universe is going to do its thing, Miranda says. After waiting in line for hours, Miranda managed to get one of the coveted bracelets for the pink carpet. She attended the event dressed as journalist Barbie, wearing a pink blazer, holding a karaoke microphone and toting a fake newspaper shed written full of Barbie-themed articles. Then she recorded a moment on her phone that she says shell never forget. As Margot Robbie, the movies star, walked by, Miranda caught her attention. I said, My name is literally Barbie. And she was like, Whoa, no way. Before long, the pair of Barbies were laughing as they acted out one of the movies scenes, greeting each other with a perky, Hi Barbie salute. I still dont have the words for what I experienced, Miranda wrote in Spanish as she shared a clip of the moment on Instagram. It was, she says, the happiest day of my life. A professor once told her to change her name. She refused Barbie Koelker says shell never forget what a professor once told her when she handed him her resume: You have to change your name. No one will take you seriously. Koelker stood her ground. Barbies been her name for as long as she can remember. As a child, Koelker says she had about 15 Barbie dolls and two Ken dolls. Here she is seen holding a Barbie coloring book. - Courtesy Barbie Koelker If people cant take me seriously as Barbie, she says, then I dont want to work for them. Koelker says she endured some playground taunts growing up. And even now she gets double takes sometimes when she tells people her name. You hop into an Uber and so many of them go, Oh your name is so cool. Is that your real name, though? Do you ask Bills and Bobs if thats their real name? Koelker says. But that doesnt shake her or her love of the dolls she grew up adoring. She says they helped give her confidence to be herself. If the Barbie doll can be anybody, then Barbie the person can be anybody. Barbie was the first doll where their dollhouse didnt have a kitchen. Shes an astronaut. Shes a lawyer. Shes a presidential candidate. Shes been every career you can dream of, Koelker says. Koelker keeps her Barbie dolls in a Care Bears suitcase. - Courtesy Barbie Koelker Thats one reason Koelker still treasures the Barbie dolls she grew up with, and why shes excited to see the film. Im loving that the movie is really embracing pink and not apologizing for it. Its not whispering Barbie, its screaming Barbie, and its sparking joy, Koelker says. She had tickets to see the film with her husband Thursday night, and yes, they wore pink. Even as an adult, she collected porcelain Barbies in designer ball gowns Barbie Hargrave says she often gets a question after introducing herself: Wheres Ken? Because I happen to be 510 with long blonde hair, Hargrave says. Barbie Hargrave says she feels pride whenever someone connects her name to the iconic doll. I look at that as a compliment, she says. - Courtesy Barbie Hargrave While she does share some traits with the doll, and used to work as a model, Hargrave says the reason behind her name actually is deeper. She was named after a beloved aunt who passed away before she was born. She was called Barbie well before the Barbie doll. She was married with kids by the time Barbie came out, Hargrave says. But Hargrave says the Barbie doll has also played a big role in her life. As a kid, she remembers playing with Barbies pool, fashion plaza and airplane. It was this imaginary world, and with the cars, it was like this complete way of life. You could make this whole town, this whole life, this whole whatever. Even as an adult, shes collected porcelain Barbie dolls in designer ball gowns and gone out with friends to celebrate National Barbie Day, which marks the anniversary of the dolls debut. Her love for the doll hasnt waned over the years. Shes proud whenever someone draws a comparison between her and the toy. Hargrave, 52, feels that Barbie's aspirational spirit reflects her own professional success. - Courtesy Barbie Hargrave I look at that as a compliment, she says. Its a doll that has transcended so many decades, and has morphed along with the times. And Hargrave has, too. I have a masters degree in education. Im very successful in sales now. Im accomplished in education and in my job, and I love that, and I hope that Im showing those values. She used to be called Barbie. Now to most people, shes Barb Barb Dancer says her mom always told her a story. They named me Barbie because I was so tiny, like 5 pounds, says Dancer, 60, of Traverse City, Michigan. Dancer isnt sure if thats true, but either way, the name stuck at least for a while. Dancer went by Barbie and played with Barbies, too. Shed often have her dolls ride horses, which she also loved. By the time she headed to middle school, Dancer decided it was time for a new name. She told people to start calling her Barb. And to this day, thats the name most use, though a few close loved ones still call her Barbie. Barb Dancer says she hopes the "Barbie" movie is about the empowerment of women." - Courtesy Barb Dancer The name change, she says, had more to do with growing up than any negative feelings about the doll. It was cool to be called Barbie. It wasnt like now, she says. Her unrealistic proportions, and the objectification of women, that wasnt in our vocabulary. Nobody thought twice about it back then. We just loved her and played with all of the things that she had. Dancer says shes hopeful the movie will approach the doll with a more modern sensibility. Im hoping it is about the empowerment of women, not the objectification of women, she says. And as for her own name, Dancer says these days, she thinks about it differently. Now that Im getting old, I dont care what you call me, she laughs. Anything that seems younger, like Barbie, would be good. Her sisters wanted to name her after their favorite doll Barbara Aziz, the senior pastor at First United Methodist Church of Portland, Texas, makes a point of telling people that her name isnt Barbie. But if it had been up to her older sisters, it would be. Back in 1965, that was the name they suggested for their new sibling. They wanted to name her after their favorite doll. Thankfully, my mom said no, Aziz says. And she became Barbara instead. Like her sisters, she grew up playing with the dolls and loved them especially the Barbie airplane she shared with her siblings. But she wasnt a fan of the nickname people kept trying to give her. When I was called it, it was condescending. Because Barbie was not portrayed as girl power. She was totally the opposite, Aziz says. It just never felt genuine or kind, and so I think thats my aversion. But several years ago, Azizs well-known resistance to the name led to an unexpected gift. A group of young people in her congregation made her an unofficial Pastor Barbie doll, replete with glasses, a lectern for sermons and a stole that looks like one Aziz wears when she preaches. Rev. Barbara Aziz with her "Pastor Barbie," which serves as an icebreaker to help members of her congregation get to know her. - Courtesy Rev. Barbara Aziz A box the students made also highlights her pastimes: One of Pastor Barbies favorite parts of being a pastor is baptism! Since then, Aziz has brought Pastor Barbie along to several other congregations shes led since. Its helped her connect with children, she says, and remind people that joy is an important part of worship. It also helps the shy ones to be able to know that we have fun in church. We have deep joy, and deep faith. I always introduce her immediately at every church, Aziz says. The congregation laughs and starts relating very quickly. She keeps Pastor Barbie on a shelf in her church office, beside figurines of Wonder Woman and Jesus. "Pastor Barbie" is in good company: She shares a shelf in Aziz's office with Jesus and Wonder Woman. - Courtesy Rev. Barbara Aziz I use her for girl empowerment because Im a strong proponent of that. And Im a female in a male world, Aziz says. Thats a message Aziz hopes the new movie will lean into. Despite her initial skepticism, after recently watching a trailer for the Barbie film, Aziz says shes feeling excited to see how the story is told. The part where she shows her flat foot, thats hilarious. I think I will actually watch the movie when it comes out, Aziz says. The pastor still doesnt want to be called Barbie. But if the film spurs another baby-name boom, someday she may end up baptizing one. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LONDON (Reuters) -Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal is back in the hands of Britain's antitrust regulator after an appeals court granted an adjournment, and the grounds for why the UK should reconsider its block on the U.S. software giant's takeover were published. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) set out on Friday Microsoft's arguments for the reconsideration, as the U.S. battles to win UK approval to buy "Call of Duty" maker Activision. Having initially blocked the $69 billion deal in April over concerns about its impact on competition in the cloud gaming market, the CMA has since reopened the file, after it was left increasingly isolated amongst world regulators in its opposition. The CMA said it is likely to be able to reach a new provisional view on the restructured deal in the week beginning Aug. 7. Explaining why the deal should now be given the green light, Microsoft argued that the binding commitments accepted by the European Union shortly after Britain had blocked the deal changed matters, court documents published showed. The software company gave legally-binding commitments to European authorities that Activision games can be streamed for a decade after the merger, and has entered into agreements with NVIDIA, Boosteroid and Ubitus. As part of that a monitoring and enforcement regime will be established, which Microsoft said should ease some of the CMA's concerns. Microsoft also argued that the terms of the CMAs proposed block reached further than necessary to tackle its cloud gaming concerns, for example in covering Activision Blizzards King unit, which makes mobile device games like Candy Crush Saga. The CMA said it understood that Microsoft considered the recent licensing deal it agreed with Sony constituted a further material change of circumstance or special reason. For its part, the CMA dismissed as "irrelevant and immaterial" to its decision to look again at the deal the failure by U.S. authorities to get it blocked in the courts there. Britain's Competition Appeal Tribunal provisionally approved the adjournment on Monday subject to further submissions from the parties. It formally granted it on Friday. (Reporting by Sarah Young, Paul Sandle and Sam Tobin; Editing by Alistair Smout and Louise Heavens) Pacific Press / Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images New York City will pay over $13 million to around 1,300 people who were demonstrating in the summer of 2020 in one of the priciest payouts ever made involving a lawsuit with mass arrests. ABC News reports that if a judge signs off on the award, the protesterswho were either arrested or beaten by the policewill be eligible for $9,950. Plaintiffs were represented by the National Lawyers Guild, which alleged that NYPD leaders robbed demonstrators of their 1st Amendment rights using brutality and making unlawful arrests at the Black Lives Matter protest. Attorneys for NYC argued that police were dealing with protesters who were setting things on fire and aiming rocks and plastic bottles at officers. In response, officers used a crowd control tactic called kettling to gather peaceful protesters, encircling demonstrators so that they could beat them with batons and pepper spray them before making arrests en masse. More on this NYC attorneys pushed back on the idea that the city and police were preventing people from protesting. There is no historyor present or futureof unconstitutional policing, Georgia Pestana, an attorney for the defense, said in a memo. There is no frequent deprivation of constitutional rights. The case has been going on for over two years; the award will prevent a trial, which could prove to be costly and politically charged. NYPD leaders named in the lawsuit include former Mayor Bill de Blasio, retired NYPD commissioner Dermot Sheat, and additional police leaders. Protesters who were arrested for charges like trespassing, property destruction, assaulting an officer, arson, or weapons will not be qualified to win money. A Florida babysitter is facing a manslaughter charge over the death of an infant who was accidentally left in a car for hours amid scorching temperatures, authorities said. Rhonda Jewell, 46, picked up a 10-month-old baby girl from the mother's residence in Macclenny, just west of Jacksonville, on Wednesday morning at approximately 8 a.m. ET, according to the Baker County Sheriffs Office. Jewell then drove to another residence in Macclenny where she was going to babysit other children as well. When she arrived, she went inside the home, leaving the infant in the car, the sheriff's office said. It wasn't until the baby's mother arrived in the afternoon at around 1 p.m. ET to pick up her child that Jewell realized she had left the infant in the car, the sheriff's office said. Someone called 911 and first responders rushed to the scene. The baby was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead, according to the sheriff's office. MORE: Hot car dangers: How to keep your kids safe this summer Jewell was subsequently arrested for aggravated manslaughter of a child and taken to the Baker County Detention Center in Macclenny. She had an initial court appearance on Thursday morning and the judge set her bond at $25,000 with GPS monitoring upon release, according to the sheriff's office. It was unclear whether Jewell had entered a plea or hired a defense attorney. The judge also ordered Jewell to have no contact with the victim's family and to turn in her passport to the sheriff's office. A state prosecutor had asked for Jewell to have no bond, but the judge said that wouldn't be fair because it's not a murder charge. Meanwhile, Jewell's family members requested the judge take into account her lifelong ties to Baker County and lack of a criminal history, according to Jacksonville area ABC affiliate WJXX. "As Sheriff, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the magnitude of the tragedy felt throughout our county yesterday," Baker County Sheriff Scotty Rhoden said in a statement via Facebook on Thursday. "At approximately 1:00 PM, the Baker County Sheriffs Office received a 911 call that no law enforcement office ever wants to receive. As the events after that phone call unfolded, our department had to work a case that was tragic and deserved privacy." Story continues MORE: Extreme heat safety tips The sheriff's office decided to wait a day before releasing a statement on the incident "due to the nature of the tragedy and respect for the victims family and our entire community," according to Rhoden, who noted that it's department protocol to post the information on social media upon making an arrest. "As the Sheriff of a small community, posting the details of this tragedy is very hard for me," he added. "Each of us are given the gift of life every morning we wake up and every evening when we finish our day, we are blessed if our family is safe and healthy. In the blink of an eye, our world can be turned upside down. Please be mindful of this when trying to understand the tragedy that took place in our small town yesterday." The heat index value -- a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature -- soared past 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Jacksonville on Wednesday amid a relentless heat wave that continues to plague a swath of the United States. The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for the Jacksonville area, including Macclenny, on Friday, with heat index values expected to reach 115 degrees. Florida babysitter arrested over hot car death, authorities say originally appeared on abcnews.go.com "Summertime and the livin' is easy," the song goes. And it's never more true than when you grab a summer beach read and find somewhere comfy to sit and dive into the story. Looking for a new page-turner? We've got you covered. With tales of beach towns, ocean liners, Hawaii, Greece and other faraway places, these books are perfect for airplane, poolside or staycation reading. We also have captivating stories recommended by the beloved Instagram account @tbretc, including thrillers, hilarious essays and more. So, get ready to add to your own "TBR" list as your browse these fabulous options! Here at Parade.com, we're all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned. Related: 11 New Romance Books for Anyone Who Loves Love Top 5 Summer Books of 2023 from Tina of "TBR, etc." We're thrilled to hear from Tina from @tbretc on Instagram, who shares her amazing book recommendations with her 31k IG followers every day. You can also follow her on TikTok and listen to her podcast Book Talk, etc. Here are her top five recs: Adrift by Lisa Brideau Adrift: A Novel Check Price A woman wakes up on a boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with no memory of who she is or how she got there. All she has is a note that says, Start over. Dont make yourself known. Dont look back. So she has to decide if shes going to listen or risk everything to figure out her true identity. The author works in sustainability policy- and I love that she was able to give us a realistic outlook about what MIGHT happen if we don't do anything about climate change, mixed in with this page-turning thriller. The Senators Wife by Liv Constantine The Senator's Wife: A Novel Check Price This book opens with a bang- literally, as tragedy strikes within the first couple pages of this book. This is a paranoia thriller set in a wealthy neighborhood in DC, where a woman with chronic illness begins to suspect her live-in nurse is out to get her. Story continues Drowning by TJ Newman Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421 (A Novel) Check Price If you couldnt look away from the Titanic submersible story, then Drowning is for you. Its a cinematic thriller about a plane that sinks to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean and an urgent rescue mission to try and save the 12 passengers that are still on board. This story is claustrophobic and tense with just enough backstory about the characters to keep you invested. Farrell Covington and the Limits of Style by Paul Rudnik Farrell Covington and the Limits of Style: A Novel Check Price A funny and heartfelt love story that incorporates real LGBT history that takes place over the course of 40+ years. Farrells one-liners literally made me LOL- which doesnt happen often when I am reading! Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby Quietly Hostile: Essays Check Price Speaking of books that made me laugh, I cannot recommend Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby enough. Her collection of witty and relatable stories will both gross you out and make you feel seen, sometimes within the same essay. Related: How to Read 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Author Jenny Han's Books in Order 12 More Summer Beach Reads Looking for more reads? We've got you. The Celebrants by Steven Rowley Five college friends reunite in Big Sur decades after they graduate to hold a living funeral for one of their own, fulfilling a pact they made following the sixth member of their gangs suicide just before graduation. While previous living funerals have focused on supporting their pals during difficult times, this time one member is keeping a secret that will change all their lives going forward. The Celebrants (G.P. Putnams Sons) offers the combination of tears and laughs fans of Rowley, author of The Guncle, have come to expect. $19, amazon.com The Cuban Heiress by Chanel Cleeton An heiress with more than her share of secrets, a jewel thief and a gunrunner all board a luxury cruise leaving New York for Havana in The Cuban Heiress (Berkley). Set one year after the Cuban Revolution in 1933, each of the characters on the ocean liner plans to use the journey to partake in a criminal exercise, but as it becomes clear that their lives are in peril, they team up to get justice. $16, amazon.com Excavations by Kate Myers Myers transports readers to an archeological dig in Greece in her debut novel, Excavations (HarperVia). When a group of women discovers an unusual artifact that could flip our understanding of history upside down, theyre forced to put aside long-simmering resentments to take down the digs head archeologist and expose the truth. This one will have you packing your bags for Greece as soon as you finish it. $28, amazon.com Graceland by Nancy Crochiere Olivia, an over-the-top soap star, her people-pleasing daughter, Hope, and Dylan, her pink-haired teenage granddaughter, drive to Memphis in this hilarious road-trip comedy. Olivia dreams of seeing Graceland, Elviss famous mansion, but Hope fled the city 18 years earlier after promising never to reveal the identity of her childs father. The three womens return to Memphis exposes long-held secrets, launches a media meltdown, and tests the bonds of family. Humorous and heart-warming, Graceland (Avon) will leave readers smiling. $19, amazon.com Hotel 21 by Senta Rich Noelle is the model hotel maidshes practically invisible to guestsexcept for the small problem of her kleptomania. She takes souvenirs, like lipstick or a hair clip, from the rooms she cleans. But when she starts work at her 21st hotel, Noelle finds herself wanting to befriend her new coworkers, and starts to wonder what it would take to stop hiding herself from the world. Fans of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine wont want to miss Hotel 21 (Union Square & Co.). $17, amazon.com Related: Hooked on the ACOTAR Series? Theres Even More to DiscoverHere Are All of Sarah J. Maas Books in Order Hot Dog by Doug Salati An adorable wiener dog struggling with a hot, sticky summer in the city gets to escape to the beach in Hot Dog (Knopf). With brightly colored illustrations and almost-poetic text, this Caldecott Medal winner will entertain both kids and adults desperate for a break from the heat. For the best experience, pair with a bowl of ice cream. $16, amazon.com Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes Hakes, a native Hawaiian, shows readers a side of the state tourists typically skip in Hula (HarperVia). Set in Hilo, Hawai'i, the sweeping saga depicts the lives of three generations of women in the Napuka family. An attempt by the youngest Napuka, Hii, to become the next Miss Aloha Hula forces the family to confront their pastand the history of their community. Fans of family dramas like Black Cake or Pachinko wont want to miss this one. $21, amazon.com An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adrianna Herrera Visit Paris during the 1898 Worlds Fair with An Island Woman Starts a Scandal (Canary Street Press). Manuela del Carmen Caceres Galvan, a lesbian artist, travels to Paris hoping for one last taste of adventure before she marries a man to improve her familys financial standing. Manuela offers to sell the Duchess of Sundridge Cora Kempf Bristol the land she needs to finish a railroad if the businesswoman will take her to Pariss hidden gems. But, as the two spend more time together, their relationship deepens and they consider if the scandal it would cause is worth the happiness it would provide. $17, amazon.com The Nigerwife by Vanessa Walters Anyone who binged White Lotus will want to put The Nigerwife (Atria) at the top of their summer reading list. When Nicole Oruwari married her Nigerian husband and became a Niger Wife, she traded in her humdrum London life for the glamour of Lagos. The cracks of her seemingly perfect life start to show when she disappears from a boat trip. With authorities reporting no leads, Nicoles auntie Clementine flies to Niger to find her nieceand expose dark secrets along the way. $20, amazon.com Save What's Left by Elizabeth Castellano After Kathleen Deanes husband tells her he wants to end their 30-year marriage, she flees to Whitbey, a small beach town her childhood friend Josie has always described as idyllic. When she arrives, though, Kathleen realizes that Whitbey is far from the perfect small town she envisioned. Revealing the truth about living in a tourist town, Save Whats Left (Anchor Books) is a delicious read, perfect for the beachor the couch. $24, amazon.com Super Bloom by Megan Tady Treat yourself to a trip to the spa with Super Bloom (Zibby Books). Massage therapist Joan Johnston is grieving and deep in debt when Carmen, an eccentric romance novelist, offers to pay her for intel on what its like to work at a spa. Joan reluctantly says yes, and her secret mission sparks a new passion for writing. But after Carmen learns of Joans manuscript and angrily steals it, the massage therapist sets out to get it back. A charming mix of humor and heart. $15, amazon.com With Love, From Cold World by Alicia Thompson Escape the heat by reading With Love, From Cold World (Berkley, out August 1), set in an Orlando amusement park thats always a winter wonderland. Lauren Fox goes through the motions doing her job as a bookkeeper for the theme park, while her coworker Asa Williamson goes above and beyond for Cold World. When their boss challenges them to come up with ideas to attract more visitors, they are surprised by the heat sparking between them. $17, amazon.com Next: 20+ Must-See Destinations for Book Lovers To Transport You to a Whole Different World people walking on road in Sierra Leone Well, Im happy that you survived. These words were from Jacqueline Tschinkels co-worker, following her first trip back to Sierra Leone after leaving the country to escape the violence during the civil war. Tschinkel was only 15 years old when she left home. I found that I was rediscovering Sierra Leone during my first time back, she tells Travel Noire. Sierra Leone is stunning. I realized on the trip were blessed with a landscape you dont see anywhere else in the world. The people are also special. Its a welcoming place with friendly people. Her trip was full of excitement, adventure, great food, and welcoming people, so she found her colleagues comments surprising. People associate Sierra Leone with war and Ebola, says Tschinkel. If you do an internet search, these are some of the first topics that come up. I knew I had to do something. Seeing Sierra Leone Through A New Lens Tschinkel posted pictures from her trip on social media to show a different side of the country. She called the platform Hello, Sierra Leone. The platform was initially created as a photo album to show the good side of Freetown, especially our beaches because theyre some of the worlds most beautiful beaches, Tschinkel says. Hello, Sierra Leone has become a tourism company connecting visitors with the local culture. Theres a lot of work to do ahead but Sierra Leone needs a chance, she adds. People need to come and see what its like, and often, they are surprised. Tschinkel offers accommodations, excursions, and car rentals through HSL Tours. She recently opened what feels like a bed and breakfast in Adjacent Lakka Junction. The home can be rented on Airbnb. Sierra Leone is one of those places that you probably have seen a picture of and was moved by it, but in the back of your mind, you think of the negative things hindering you, says Tschinkel. Dont let what you hear stop you. You will surprisingly be left amazed after visiting. After starring in the critically acclaimed Oppenheimer and Peaky Blinders, many fans are wondering who are Cillian Murphys kids and why does he keep his private life hidden? Cillian Murphy married Yvonne McGuinness in 2004 after they met in 1996 at one of his rock shows. They have two boys, Malachy and Aram, who they raise in Ireland. We wanted them to be Irish, I suppose, Murphy pointed out to The Guardian. Its amazing how quickly their accents have adapted. Even within a year of moving back, they are fading into this rakish west Brit kind of thing. Which I think, hopefully, will get them lots of girls when theyre 15. More from StyleCaster Murphy elaborated on the move to Deadline and why hes not close to the movie industry based in Los Angeles. We did live in London for 14 years, it was a big chunk of my life from my mid 20s to my late 30s. I really enjoyed it, it was really exciting, its a great city, but the move to Dublin wasnt motivated by wanting to distance myself from the industry. I was purely motivated by wanting to come home to Ireland and raise our kids as Irish and be near our families. He continued, I think the world we live in now, youre proof of it as well, you can do your work remotely and the work will come to you. I dont believe that you have to live in Los Angeles or New York or London to make good work; it means you have to travel a little more, but it hasnt affected my work or professional life in any way. It just means that when I stop working, Im not surrounded by it and that to me is healthy. Click here to read the full article. He reflected about his time as a teenager and raising two teenage boys now. I had bravado. But, deep down I dont know, they seem better adjusted than I was. More sure of themselves. Im happy about that. For me, it was something that took a long time to figure out: that its all right to be you, that its all right to be an individual. Story continues Living in Ireland, the family does not have internet in their homes. Im a father of two teenagers, I once was young. I recognise how tricky it is for a young person today in society, the Inception actor confided. It is a very complex time growing up, things are changing a lot at a very accelerated rate. Were all aware of the effect of the internet online and life online, he told Mirror UK. It feels to me like lots of kids, like their life exists inside of this device. The idea that empathy would form part of a curriculum is an excellent idea. Young people are caring and compassionate and willing to be. If theres no Internet where theyre at what do they do? Well watch movies, of course! In an interview with Letterboxd during the Oppenheimer press tour, the Dark Knight actor said that he watched La Haine, Apocalypse Now, The Big Lebowski, and Midnight Cowboy. Though in an interview with The Standard in 2017, he said his work doesnt fit in with his kids. Most of what I do is highly unsuitable for them, he told the outlet. Theyre suitably underwhelmed by my work. Im trying to keep them in that state because its such a silly industry. So who are Cillian Murphys kids? Read more to find out. Malachy Murphy (born 2005) Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness Raymond Hall/GC Images Malachy Murphy is Cillian Murphy and Yvonne McGuinness first child. He was born in 2005, one year after they got married. Not much is known about him, but McGuinness was pregnant with Malachy when Murphy was filming The Wind That Blows The Barley. He told The Guardian, I was living at home with my folks; my wife was pregnant with our son; and we were running around the hills of west Cork shooting up Black and Tans. Fantastic! When filming Peaky Blinders, Murphy talked about how his family kept him grounded when he returned home. Its cancelled life, he explained to The Guardian. You go home to your tiny apartment at the end of the day and you feed yourself for sustenance and you learn the lines for the next day and you try to get as much sleep as you possibly can. Which isnt much. And then you get up and do it again. It takes time. My wife can see it happening. OK. Tommys gradually leaving. Im getting Cillian back. Aran Murphy (born 2007) Aran Murphy is Cillian Murphy and Yvonne Guinnesss second child and son. Aran followed the footsteps of his father and became an actor. In 2019, Aran performed in a one-person play Hamnet based on the son of Shakespeare and the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, New York. The show garnered praised by the New York Times where they called Murphy a blossomed actor. Murphy praised his sons abilities two years later with The Guardian. He was so chilled about it, you know? He would come off stage and ask what the score was in the Liverpool game. And, again, youre slightly jealous of that! Murphy said. Theres the danger that overanalyzing everything can erode the simplicity. The Peaky Blinders actor also put firm boundaries on his social and work life. That work-life balance thing is hard. I have an amazing wife and I couldnt do this without her and her understanding. But it is a struggle. He continued: I think it is for any dad whose work takes him away, which it generally does, and which consumes him, which my work does. Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think youll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale. Best of StyleCaster An order of cookies is prepared for a customer at Crumbl in Lehi on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018. | Laura Seitz, Deseret News Crumbl and Crave Cookies have filed a joint motion to dismiss Crumbls lawsuit against Crave Cookies. The Deseret News obtained the filing signed by the attorneys for Crave Cookies and Crumbl, which said both parties were moving to dismiss all claims against Defendants Crave Cookies, LLL and Crave Cookies Franchising, LLC. The Deseret News reached out to Crumbl for comment and did not receive an immediate response. Crave Cookies sent a joint statement to Deseret News, Crumbl and Crave announced today that they have reached an amicable settlement to a trademark and trade dress infringement dispute. Crumbl and Crave are pleased that they have been able to work together to resolve this dispute and each remains dedicated to serving its customers with excellence. Crumbl and Crave wish each other success in their future endeavors. The parties have agreed that the terms of the settlement are confidential. Trent English, co-founder of Crave Cookies said, Were thrilled to put this last year behind us while refocusing our energy on doing what we do best crafting delicious, memorable experiences for our incredible customers. We are beyond grateful to everyone who has continued to support us. Thank you! On Thursday, United States District Judge Tena Campbell signed an order stating that the claims against Crave Cookies are hereby dismissed, with prejudice; each party to bear its own fees and costs. The lawsuit in question is one of two lawsuits Crumbl filed lawsuits against two companies, Dirty Dough and Crave Cookies, in May 2022, according to the Deseret News. The lawsuit against Crave Cookies claimed trademark infringement, per KSL TV 5 . The suit said, Crave deliberately adopted the Infringing Trade Dress knowing and intending that the relevant public, including consumers, would likely be confused, thereby unfairly diverting sales from Crumbl to Crave, per KSL TV 5. Crumbls suit against Dirty Dough is still open. Dirty Dough proposed a countersuit in April 2023 which the Deseret News obtained. The countersuit alleges Dirty Dough has experienced significant financial harm because of the litigation, including loss of investors and the cost of litigation. Dirty Dough did not specify how much in damages it sought. The Deseret News reached out to Crumbl and Dirty Dough for comment and did not receive an immediate response. Crystal International wants to nurture a people-oriented culture. The Hong Kong-headquartered apparel manufacturer earlier this month launched Worker Voice, a suite of digital programs to enhance employee communications. The company said effective and versatile employee communications is essential to empower talents and enhance their sense of belonging. More from Sourcing Journal The garment producer is utilizing the Wovo and Ulula mobile apps to enable employee engagement, conduct employee surveys and provide online learning for skills such as supervisor training and women leadership sessions. Wovo, developed by Labor Solutions Global, is primarily a tool employees use to anonymously communicate with managers. The Ulula app, which also shields user identity to preserve privacy and foster honest dialogue, is a communications tool promoting supply chain visibility. These channels are intended to encourage transparent two-way communication between factory teams and workers, Crystal International said. The company already uses a Facebook Group to share official announcements and recruitment information, report large and small company events, and post memes. Crystal also uses CompanyIQ, an all-in-one mobile app rolled out in 2019 for employee engagement, online learning and human resource management. An Employee Care Toll Free Hotline, which workers can dial to get help on topics such as employee welfare, accident assistance and mental health, is available as well. The hotline fields roughly 500 calls a month through 10 different lines. Crystal believes Worker Voice will help diversify the ways in which employees can ask for and receive aid. Through Worker Voice, employees have access to anonymous channels, through both apps, to air their grievances or submit feedback to leadership. Story continues Staff can also call the toll-free employee hotline to connect with the factory on a personal level to get help for sensitive issues, such as mental health and welfare, without repercussions. Crystal said it will expand the extent of the Worker Voice programs to continuously improve physical and mental well-being in the workplace. At the end of last year, the group employed about 73,000 in Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Crystal didnt immediately clarify whether all employees are covered under the Worker Voice program, regardless of location. Though dozens of apps and websites are readily available for brands to foster employee communication, creating industry-centric solutions is an approach that has gained traction in recent years. In 2018, Fung Group launched WorkerApp, a tool for greater supply chain connectivity for digitized garment worker communication and training. In 2020, sustainability solutions provider Elevate acquired WorkerApp to facilitate expansion plans. PVH Corp.s 2019 Workplace Cooperation program, run in partnership with Better Work, is designed to elevate and amplify workers voices, the company said. By utilizing innovation to facilitate social dialogue between company and employees, we can provide convenient ways to all employees, especially our factory workers, to communicate with us in a timely manner, said Catherine Chiu, vice president of global sustainability at Crystal International. We are able to offer prompt assistance anytime, anywhere. Click here to read the full article. As we recently reported, sharks seem to be everywhere lately. From a double dose of shark attacks in one day in New York, to two attacks over the weekend in Florida, reports of shark encounters keep coming. While most recent shark attacks have luckily resulted in pretty minor injuries, one of the Florida survivors has needed a four-hour surgery and some serious time to recover. Readers beware: the photo below is pretty gory. Pospisil has undergone multiple surgeries to repair tendons in his foot. Chris Pospisil/GoFundMe Chris Pospisil, a 21-year-old University of Central Florida student was one of two surfers who was attacked by a shark at Floridas New Smyrna Beach last weekend. Volusia County, where the beach is located, has been dubbed the shark bite capital of the world by shark experts. We reported a few days ago that Popisil suffered "serious injuries" and was treated at the local hospital. Now, according to the GoFundMe created by Pospisil's family the injuries were more serious than we first thought. According to the fundraiser page: "Chris sustained serious injuries to his foot and needed emergency surgery that took a lil over 4hrs. The surgeon said Chris lost about 1 large Chick-fil-a sized cup of blood, and he repaired 7 Tendons and a small artery which could not be repaired. The surgeon even found pieces of the shark's tooth shattered and stuck in his bone." The UCF student will be off his feat for around six months per doctor's orders. The target goal is $80,000, and at the time of publishing, theyve raised just over $3k. *** Don't miss another headline from SURFER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of surfing. We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging surf-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos. All Star Cleaning Services' Chrysten Svedarsky vacuums in the Fort Collins home of its founder, Laura Christian, on Tuesday. Editor's note: "Good Morning America" aired its feature on All Star Cleaning Services and its founder and owner, Laura Christian, on Aug. 1. You can watch the segment here. A Fort Collins cleaning company will possibly say good morning to America in an upcoming news series about small businesses. Scenes at All Star Cleaning Services were filmed Friday as part of "Good Morning America's" upcoming "Small Business, Big Impact" series highlighting small businesses that give back to their communities, according to the company's founder and owner, Laura Christian, and an ABC News spokesperson. The segment is set to air Aug. 1 and might include an interview with Christian in New York City, she said. ABC News confirmed the series air date, noting that it may be subject to change. All Star Cleaning Services, which Christian started in 2006, provides free cleanings for cancer patients and several local nonprofits, houses a free community closet, runs an annual blood drive and hosts clothing swaps and meetings for area LGBTQ+ groups, Christian said. "We're very deeply rooted in the community," said Christian, who believes the morning news show selected All Star Cleaning Services after finding its website and learning about the company. All Star Cleaning Services' Faye Luckenbach vacuums in the Fort Collins home of its founder, Laura Christian, on Tuesday. "My office actually thought it was a scam at first," Christian said with a laugh, noting that producers from the show had to email All Star Cleaning a few times before the company took their inquiries seriously. All Star Cleaning Services has a unique origin story one that Christian speculates might have helped turned the morning show's head. Christian, who was born and raised in Fort Collins, spent much of her youth in foster care and youth homes. By 18, she was pregnant and homeless, according to her company's website. 'Culture and community': How educators are bridging cultural divides with modern music She moved into her first home the day her oldest son was born and later went on to earn her associate's degree from Front Range Community College. While she was majoring in communications studies at Colorado State University, a friend inspired Christian to start a cleaning business, she said. Story continues A week later, she was cleaning her first client's house. Within two months, the business was growing so fast she decided to drop out of CSU and pursue it full time, Christian recounted. Today, All Star Cleaning Services serves much of Northern Colorado and employs nearly 70 people, including several single moms from local teen parenting programs, Christian said. In 2007, All Star Cleaning began the first Colorado chapter of Cleaning for a Reason, a nonprofit organization that provides free house cleaning for cancer patients. The company's free cleanings have expanded since then and took on an even bigger importance in the company after Christian's daughter, Juno, was diagnosed with Ph-positive leukemia at the end of 2019. Today, Juno is more than a year post-treatment and is doing well, her mom said. An All Star Cleaning Services is the subject of a "Good Morning America" segment. After Juno's diagnosis, Christian said All Star Cleaning Services started offering more cleanings for cancer patients especially pediatric cancer patients and their families, including free deep cleans for those coming home from the hospital and other cleanings as needed. "People need to know what (Laura) is doing for the community. It's not just free cleanings," said Becky Colvin, a Fort Collins mom who connected with Christian in 2020 after posting on Facebook about needing a new home to run NoCo Clothing Swaps, her free community clothing swaps. Christian offered up All Star Cleaning's south Fort Collins building, 120 W. Saturn Drive, as a space to host the clothing swap events. After noticing how much extra clothing was left over after the swaps, Colvin said Christian also offered to turn a previously empty storage space in the building's basement into a full-time community closet. All Star Cleaning staff took it on as their own, making sure the closet's offerings were organized by size and gender. Much of the space is filled with kids clothing, gear and toys, especially since the closet has now become a landing spot for lost and found items donated from Poudre School District, Colvin said. Emerald ash borer update: Ash borer is spreading slower than expected in Fort Collins due to prevention efforts The free community closet is open during All Star Cleaning's business hours Monday through Friday, Chistian said. The next NoCo Clothing Swap event will be 1-3 p.m. Aug. 12 at All Star Cleaning. For updates on NoCo Clothing Swap events, visit fortcollinskidsclothingswap.com/events. With the segment on All Star Cleaning Services set to air Aug. 1, Christian said she is being flown out to New York for a live interview. "Laura totally deserves it," Colvin said. "Shes such an amazing person. I just want everyone to know how selfless she is." Editor's note: Becky Colvin is a former Coloradoan employee. This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins cleaning company set to appear on 'Good Morning America' Its almost inconceivable that Givenchy, a maison so historically important to forging a link between haute couture and Hollywood, has never had a retail presence in Los Angeles until now. Hubert de Givenchys partnership with Audrey Hepburn in the 50s and 60s, and her decision to wear his designs almost exclusively to the Oscars and onscreen in Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffanys, and so many other enduring films, brought French fashion to an American audience. And it continues to resonate in the luxury brand celebrity contracts that shape both industries today. (Though Givenchy and Hepburn never had a contract, and she paid for all her dresses.) More from WWD Givenchy has had several creative directors, all of whom have been linked closely to Hollywood, from Riccardo Tisci making innovative red carpet gowns for Cate Blanchett and onstage attire for Madonna, to Clare Waight Keller designing Meghan Markles wedding gown. Current creative director Matthew M. Williams is a product of Hollywood, gaining experience alongside Kanye West and Lady Gaga, and in recent months his Givenchy designs have been gaining more red carpet and stage attention. He created a custom design for Beyonces Renaissance World Tour and outfitted Robert Downey Jr. in a cool tuxedo for the Oppenheimer global premiere. Even though Williams couldnt join the L.A. festivities because of a personal commitment, the brand celebrated its arrival on Rodeo Drive with two nights of parties, the first on Wednesday at the 6,500-square-foot ephemeral store, which will be open until the permanent one is completed down the street next year. The impressive space, formerly a G Star Raw, mixes industrial and California design with soaring ceilings, metal framing and natural light pouring in. The design is in keeping with Williams brand vision of mixing French chic and SoCal skate and street, played out in the popular mens cut-and-layer T-shirts, padlock-detail blazers and wool suit pants with destroyed knees, as well as the womens oversized denim, candy-colored cropped jacquard sweaters and Shark Lock cowboy boots for sale inside. Story continues Its a huge milestone for Givenchy, said Givenchy president and chief executive officer Renaud de Lesquen, seeing the store for the first time and predicting it will be one of the brands top doors. Its an important community not only for the U.S. but also for the world, because California and Hollywood are inspiring a lot of culture and fashion. And for us, it dates back to years ago, to the 1950s with Huberts love story with Hollywood. He was the first one. And Givenchy has always been one of the most American-friendly French maisons. Givenchy has had a South Coast Plaza store, but what took so long for L.A.? If we stand back, the network of Givenchy in America has always been very small because we were working with our retailers Saks, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom for many years, and didnt have that many freestanding stores, he said. But business is doubling in the U.S. year-over-year; its growing very fast so we want to invest in this market. Were speeding up. In November, Givenchy opened in Philadelphia and Atlanta; Short Hills, New Jersey and Dallas are on the horizon, along with the permanent store in Rodeo Drive, and a relocation of the Madison Avenue store in New York, he said, not ruling out a runway show Stateside. The last U.S. show for Givenchy was 2015 in New York, and its more than time to come back. The L.A. party scene has been relatively quiet since the onset of Hollywoods double strike, but Givenchy joined with Cultured magazine to bring some action on Thursday night. And a reason to dress up again. Honestly, its so hot out that I contemplated not wearing the pants under the skirt but then the layering was so important to me where I was like, I have to commit to the bit, and if I sweat, I sweat, model Salem Mitchell said with a chuckle of her Givenchy ensemble. The sun has been blazing in L.A., as it has been almost everywhere Its a new look for her, she went on. Not what I usually wear. I feel a lot older. I just turned 25. Im feeling sexy and sleek. I feel like a grownup for real, she grinned. My prefrontal cortex is connected now. Its the thing in your brain that helps you make better decisions. Cheers to that. Moments later, Jessie Andrews, seen in Euphoria, turned heads as she walked in wearing a plunging black dress, adorned with silver Givenchy logo bedazzles. You look amazing, Your Honor actor Hunter Doohan told her. Look at you! I love that dress! It makes some noise, she said, shimmying back and forth. It was a relaxed mood at the cocktail affair, held inside The Goldwyn House an art-filled historical residence at the base of the Hollywood Hills. The concept gallery is curated by The Future Perfect, a platform for collectable contemporary design founded by David Alhadeff. DJ Ross played tunes as guests snacked on bites by Chef Antoine Villard ratatouille rolls, onion pissaladiere, Tropezienne choux and fig tartlets. Paris-based pop-up creatives We Are Ona produced the event. Its a wonderful mix of people from various creative outlets, said stylist and co-fashion director of Cultured Kate Foley, cohost for the evening alongside Lesquen. The crowd included artist Nikolai Haas and wife Djuna Bel; interior designer Brigette Romanek; TikTok star Jack Wright; dancer-actress Maddie Ziegler; stylist Elizabeth Stewart, and a few young actors mingling among themselves, including Lukas Gage, Madelaine Petsch and Ella Purnell. If you write, I love reading, love giving notes, actor Mason Gooding, son of Cuba Gooding Jr., told Young Mazino, the breakout star of Beef, as they chatted about what theyve been up to. With the strike, they have more time on their hands. Obviously, things are still holding, Foley said of the strikes effect on events. Some things that were on the schedule are not on the schedule or maybe rescheduled, I dont know. But it makes so much sense, the strike. It needs to happen. Well figure it out. Its very recent so we have to continue to monitor it, said Lesquen. Im not worried about anything, I have learned in the past few years to be really flexible, so voila. When you cannot control things, you have to adapt. Lets see how long its going to last; we dont know. The red carpet is an essential cog in the fashion machine, however, and all eyes are on the Venice Film Festival, and if it goes on, how it will look. Its an important part of the magic and the industry, so I hope its not going to last long, the executive said of the red carpet. But people are still shopping, at least. An important celebrity came shopping from the movie industry, he said of the new Rodeo Drive digs. They have all been waitingIt should be a game changer. Launch Gallery: Givenchy x Cultured Store Opening Best of WWD Click here to read the full article. Youngsters living in hostels in London without wifi, who say they are falling behind in their school work, have successfully asked a council to provide it in their temporary accommodation. Shamme, 13, is struggling to complete her work and falling behind, her sister Habiba Sabi, 19, told the BBC. Shamme is part of a group of youngsters who have successfully asked Camden Council to provide wifi in hostels. "Thank you for pushing us," Camden Council leader Georgia Gould told them. One in 23 children in London now live in temporary accommodation - the equivalent of about one child in every classroom. Ms Sabi says she had to repeat a year at college in 2021 after she was unable to complete her own school work. She said of her younger sister's situation: "I now work full-time at a restaurant chain, and pay for my own phone bill, which I lend to my sister. "But I get home from work at 11pm and she has to sleep, it's too late for her and her homework gets missed. "I really don't want the same thing to happen to her as me." The family, which has lived in a hostel since 2020 when the ceiling of their rental property collapsed, benefitted from six months of wifi from charity Doorstep, funded by BBC Children in Need. Shamme is part of a group of five youngsters in temporary accommodation that came together with the same charity to ask Camden Council to provide wifi in their hostels, as well as schools and libraries. 'Made a difference' Layan, aged 16, told councillors: "When we move from hostels we have to pay a lot to move contracts. "The cost of internet is too expensive and means many families cannot afford to put it in their rooms." Camden Council leader Georgia Gould said the authority would now pay for wifi in the borough's three hostels and look at those in more temporary settings, such as hotels. "As a result of your campaign you have really made a difference. Thank you for pushing us," Ms Gould said. Story continues Doorstep children's worker Sarah Lough told councillors: "Families in temporary accommodation are left wondering if there is any point having a contract for 12 or 18 months if you're not expecting to live there that long." Ubah Egal from Doorstep added: "We have parents who are unable to get into work because they still haven't got connectivity, we have people getting sanctioned because they don't have wifi or their data's run out." Additional reporting by Julia Gregory. Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk The Tri-County was buzzing like a swarm of angry hornets in 1973 after rumors began flying that one of the promoters of the notorious 1972 Bull Island rock festival wanted to stage a repeat in Webster County. Webster County Judge Harold Childress said two promoters of the Evansville firm C.C. Manifest contacted him the previous week to sound out the possibility of a country music show somewhere in Western Kentucky, according to The Gleaner of July 24. Bobby Alexander, one of the promoters of the Bull Island festival, was one of them. (He was identified the next day as Bobby Alexander Smith.) He called the planned event a country-oriented fest for the entire family. But he also said the promoters had given up on a Webster County site. That was just fine with the county judge. Were strictly against it here, Childress said. The lead story in The Gleaner of July 25, however, noted radio spots were being ordered in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta. Radio stations in those towns had called an Evansville station to check the credit of the promoters: Bobby Alexander Smith, Tyke Phillips and David Taylor. Freedom Valley Rock Festival on Labor Day Weekend in the hills of Western Kentucky, is how the first paragraph read, providing the gist of the radio spots. Phillips was contacted by The Gleaner but said he could not yet provide the location of the planned festival. (The 1972 Bull Island location was also kept secret until shortly before it opened.) Meanwhile, a large number of persons attended a showing at Webster County High School of film footage taken at Bull Island. Tri-County residents were angry in 1973 when they learned that one of the promoters of the 1972 Bull Island rock festival -- depicted here -- wanted to stage a Labor Day encore in Webster County. The site was later moved to Tennessee it never happened there, either. That prompted between 400 and 500 people to try to attend the next meeting of Webster Fiscal Court, according to the July 26 Gleaner. The crowd rapidly overflowed the fiscal courts chambers, backed into the adjoining hallway and finally covered the courthouse steps. Webster Fiscal Court unanimously passed a resolution expressing its opposition to the rumored music festival, citing the lack of traffic infrastructure, sanitary facilities, and law enforcement. County Attorney Thomas Chandler spoke to the crowd after the meeting, noting the sheriffs department had only three members and roads to possible sites were entirely insufficient. We told them we did not feel they could meet the requirements of the Department of Health. Story continues The Gleaners editorial of that same day agreed with Webster Fiscal Court. The road networks cant handle the influx of that many people. Law enforcement is limited. The land and crops in the area would be vulnerable to abuse. All the ink used to describe the controversy quickly overflowed into neighboring Union and Henderson counties. The Gleaner of Aug. 1 reported Union Fiscal Court after viewing lurid film of Bull Island -- had unanimously passed an ordinance which would prohibit mass gatherings without the approval of the court and without adherence to stringent health and safety guidelines. The ordinance was modeled on the one drafted in Webster County, which was getting ready to enact its ordinance the following day. A similar ordinance was considered by Henderson Fiscal Court after it watched the film, according to The Gleaner of Aug. 4. Local news: Daniel Cameron taps 'true conservative' Sen. Robby Mills as his running mate The 20-minute film depicted the influx of people to the island, sanitary problems, sexual activity, open drug use and traffic. Fiscal courts meeting room was standing room only. The action in Henderson County came, however, after the rock festival plans had been officially announced in The Gleaner of Aug. 3. Organizers said they expected as many as 500,000 people to attend. The exact location for the Midwest Monster Peace Jubilee and Music Festival wasnt yet specified, Phillips said. However, We have not, have never, and will not look at a site in Webster, Henderson or Union counties. The event was being advertised in 30 cities and tickets were available for $15 each from an Evansville post office box. If people will just give us half the cooperation they give the Kentucky Derby or the Indy 500 there would be no problems at all, Phillips said, noting 300 Oklahoma cowboys had been hired for security. An impressive lineup of musical acts was touted, including the likes of Roberta Flack, Edgar Winter, Black Oak Arkansas, the Chamber Brothers, ZZ Top, and Joe Walsh fronting the band Barnstorm. Bigger names were yet to come. The Gleaner of Aug. 7 reported the promoters were beginning to explore other places, such as a site in Eastern Tennessee. Gov. Wendell Ford was quoted in that story, because he had been in town for an upcoming industrial development project, and he flat-out said he would do all in my power as governor to stop the festival from coming to Kentucky. The Gleaner of Aug. 14 carried a similar statement from Tennessee Gov. Winfield Dunn after a site in the states southeast corner had been proposed: I have discussed the proposed rock festival in Polk County with the commissioners of the departments of safety and public health and come to conclusion that such an event is not in the best interest of the people of Tennessee. By that point the fiscal courts of the entire Tri-County had passed ordinances limiting such festivals, along with Daviess County. All those ordinances are still on the books. Henderson news: Horse dies during Churchill Downs' meet at Ellis Park, report shows The Gleaner of Aug. 19 carried an Associated Press story that said Bobby Alexander Smith was threatening legal action if authorities tried to stymie the Polk County festival. Use of the location, about six miles north of Benton, had been donated by Dennis White, Polk County juvenile judge, he said. The state of Tennessee had denied a health permit two days earlier, however, and was threatening an injunction if advertising or work on a stage began. I will arrest them if they violate the law if theyve got long hair or short hair, said Polk County Sheriff Harold Ramsey. He said 18 people had already been arrested on drug or disorderly conduct charges. Smith, who had long hair at the time, said 10 of those people were not associated with the festival. He added he was planning two separate 10-hour concerts, which would circumvent Tennessees regulations on continuous rock festivals. For the rest of this tale, Im indebted to Ben Benton of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, who retold the saga from a Tennessee perspective in the Dec. 7, 2019, issue. Never heard of it? he asked in his fourth paragraph. Thats because it never happened; it was cancelled right before the Labor Day weekend. But it certainly would have been a sight to see if it had. The lineup by that time also included ex-Beatle Paul McCartney's new band, Wings, Rev. Billy Graham, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Many residents of Polk County heaved a sigh of relief, although some would-be attendees were probably already on their way. One unidentified Benton businessman addressed that in the Aug. 24, 1973, Chattanooga newspaper: Theyre coming here anyway. Were just going to have to keep them moving. The sheriff is pretty good about that. Hes done more about this drug thing and hippies than anybody else in this county. Yes sir, hes done a real fine job. Got rid of a lot of hippies." 100 YEARS AGO The city of Henderson was getting ready to clean its water mains for the first time since they began operating July 1, 1876, according to The Gleaner of July 29, 1923. There were about 40 miles of mains at that point and whenever there was a heavy demand, such as firefighting, it stirred up mud in the mains, which found its way out of peoples faucets. During the work, more complete and accurate records of the underground piping and valves will be compiled. While Henderson has much better records of these things than many towns, there is still much to be accomplished along this line. 75 YEARS AGO Gov. Earle C. Clements, accompanied by several other highly placed state officials with responsibility for state parks, visited Audubon State Park to gauge its needs, according to The Gleaner of July 28, 1948. The governor asked his guides through the park to make written recommendations. Most urgently stressed to the governor and his party was the need for swimming facilities, a trailer camp, and more cabins, and accommodations for visitors. 25 YEARS AGO The Henderson City Commission hired a high-powered consulting team for $179,950 to guide redevelopment of the riverfront, according to The Gleaner of Aug. 29, 1998. The team was made up of PB Booker Associates of Lexington, assisted by Hargreaves Associates, which had offices in San Francisco and Cambridge, Massachusetts. City officials said Hargreaves was the countrys premiere riverfront development firm. Work began in May of 2000 and continued for years. At the first of July 2014 U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell visited Henderson to dedicate riverfront improvements he had helped fund through federal earmarks. Readers of The Gleaner can reach Frank Boyett at YesNews42@yahoo.com, on Twitter at @BoyettFrank and on Threads at @frankalanks. This article originally appeared on Henderson Gleaner: Bull Island promoter tried for a 1973 encore in Tri-County area Universal Pictures "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Before creating a weapon of mass destruction, and before leading the Manhattan Project, J. Robert Oppenheimers focus was on a woman named Jean Tatlock. The psychologist met Oppenheimer during their time overlapping at UC Berkeley, and they eventually fell in love and dated for years. Their relationship technically came to an end when he married his wife, Kitty, but Tatlock continued to have an impact on his life long after their split. Her associations with the Communist Party especially would cause him trouble later in his career. Tatlocks name is far lesser known than Oppenheimers, but she plays an integral part in his story, especially as its depicted in Christopher Nolans new biopic. Oscar nominee Florence Pugh portrays Tatlock through her romance with the physicist (played by Cillian Murphy), her private mental health struggles, and ultimate demise. Heres what to know. Shop Now American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer $15.99 amazon.com She was a trained psychiatrist. Tatlocks life and relationship with Oppenheimer are detailed extensively in Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwins American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the source material for Nolans film. She was the daughter of a UC Berkeley Chaucer scholar, Professor John S. P. Tatlock. She grew up in Cambridge (her father taught at Harvard) and then Berkeley. Bird and Sherwin describe her as free-spirited woman with a hungry, poetic mindshe used to drive her car with the top down and singbut she also suffered from depression. Before going to Vassar College in 1931, Tatlock traveled to Europe and stayed with a family friend in Switzerland who introduced her to psychoanalysis and the work of psychologist Carl Jung, according to Bird and Sherwin. Tatlock left the trip with a deep interest in psychology. She was intelligent, with a depth that most girls dont get until after graduation, a friend said in American Prometheus. She took pre-med courses at Berkeley from 1933-1934 before graduating from Vassar College in 1935. Story continues Bird and Sherwin note the boldness of Tatlocks medical pursuit, as it was rare for women to become doctors at the time. They wrote: Her determination to pursue a career as a psychiatrist surprised some of her friends, who explained it as characteristic of a sometimes bold and impetuous woman. And yet they knew it also made sense. From her politics to her interest in the psychological, Tatlock had always been motivated by the desire to help others in a practical, hard-headed manner. By 1943, she was Dr. Jean Tatlock, a psychiatrist working at the Mount Zion Hospital and treating children. She was Oppenheimers truest love. Tatlock met Oppenheimer in the spring of 1936, at a party hosted by his landlady, Mary Ellen Washburn. At the time, she was taking classes at Stanford Medical School (then located in San Francisco) while he was a professor at UC Berkeley. She was 22 years old, a decade younger than him. Tatlock and Oppenheimer started dating that fall and were together for over three years. Jean was Roberts truest love, a friend recalled in American Prometheus. He loved her the most. He was devoted to her. According to Biography, he proposed to her twice , but she turned him down. Like in Nolans Oppenheimer, she wasnt fond of Oppenheimers frequent gift-giving and flowers, according to Bird and Sherwin. Its less clear if Tatlock made him translate Sanskrit in the bedroom, as depicted in a provocative sex scene in the film. However, it is known that the physicist did study Sanskrit and a number of other languages, as well as the Bhagavad Gita, the Hindu scripture. Oppenheimer had a reputation as a womanizer, but he was consumed with Tatlock. His collaborator Robert Serber said hed be depressed some days if he was having trouble with Jean, according to American Prometheus. Indeed, Tatlocks impact on Oppenheimer was more than emotional. Patricia Klaus, co-author of An Atomic Love Story: The Extraordinary Women in Robert Oppenheimers Life, told Mercury News in 2013 that women like Tatlock, Kitty Oppenheimer, and Oppenheimers close friend Ruth Sherman Tolman (also believed to be a lover) helped create him as a human being of feeling and character. Klaus explained, Robert is often described as brilliant and arrogant, without friends. But in these relationshipsespecially with Jean and Ruththere was a depth of affection that helped make him the person he was. They humanized him, in a way that power politics never did. Shop Now An Atomic Love Story: The Extraordinary Women in Robert Oppenheimer's Life $27.95 amazon.com She was a member of the Communist Party. Tatlock paid dues and, in her college years, even reported for the Western Worker, an outlet for the party. Shes said to have opened up Oppenheimer to communism, social causes, left-wing politics, and her friends who shared similar views, according to Bird and Sherwin. Oppenheimer even said in a later interrogation that his interests began to change in 1936, alluding to the year he and Tatlock started seeing each other. She encouraged Oppenheimer to donate to Spanish refugees during the Civil War, an issue she cared about. Per Bird and Sherwin, he intended to donate to medical care rather than weapons. He initially donated through relief groups, but associates he met through Tatlock, convinced him to donate through the Communist Party instead. In the end, he had donated about $1,000a lot in the 30sbut stopped in 1942, according to American Prometheus. She and Oppenheimer continued to see each other after they broke up. Oppenheimer married Katherine Kitty Puening in 1940. But he confirmed in later interrogations that he still saw Tatlock about twice a year from 1939 to 1943, despite his marriage. During a visit he made to Berkeley in 1943, Oppenheimer was stalked by intelligence agents, who reported their findings to the FBI. They noted that Oppenheimer took Tatlock out to dinner and drinks, she drove him to her apartment, he stayed the night, and he left with her the next morning. After he flew back to New Mexico, he never saw her again. Eleven years later, Oppenheimer would be interrogated by this rendezvous and why Tatlock needed to see him. Like actor Cillian Murphy does in the film, Oppenheimer says it was because she was still in love with me. The government, however, was convinced that it was because of communism, Bird and Sherwin report. They suspected Tatlock of being a spy, and that she knew sensitive information about the Manhattan Project. Or worse, that she was spreading intel to other contacts and ultimately to the Soviet Union. Colonel Boris Pash sought to wiretap her phone, but they didnt find any firm evidence connecting her to the Soviets. Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures She questioned her sexuality. After Tatlocks death in 1944, letters and accounts from friends were unearthed, revealing that she had relationships with women. During her psychoanalysis she revealed homosexual tendencies, according to American Prometheus. Her friend Mason Roberson said Tatlock confided in him that she was a lesbian, and that she tried to suppress her interest in women by sleeping with every bull she could find, Bird and Sherwin write. Her longtime friend Edith Arnstein Jenkins also remembered once seeing Tatlock and Mary Ellen Washburn in bed together, smoking and reading newspapers, one morning, perhaps hinting at a romance. Bird and Sherwin report that Jean asked Washburn to come over the night she died, saying she needed her and was feeling very depressed, Washburn she wasnt able to make it. She felt guilty about it afterwards. The book Atomic Love also touches on Tatlocks relationship with writer and poet May Sarton, a friend since childhood. Per Today , Tatlock once wrote to Sarton, Last year there was a period where I thought I was a homosexual, but she later clarified, I dont love you that way. She died in 1944 by suicide. A coroner ruled that Tatlock died on January 4, 1944, by suicide. Her motive was unknown at the time. Her childhood friend didnt believe that it was a personal heartbreak (Oppenheimers rejection) that led to her death. Historians remain conflicted on the true cause of her death. Her father found in her apartment, her body on a pile of pillows next to the tub and her head submerged in the partially filled tub. She had left a suicide note that began, I am disgusted with everything The news came as a surprise to her colleagues at the hospital, who believed she was an outstanding success, according to American Prometheus. In the book, Serber recalled that Oppenheimer was deeply grieved when he learned of Tatlocks passing. Bird and Sherwin wrote: The taking of ones own life invariably becomes an imponderable mystery to the living. For Oppenheimer, Jean Tatlocks suicide was a profound loss. He had invested much of himself in this young woman. He had wanted to marry her, and even after his marriage to Kitty, he had remained a loyal friend to her in needand an occasional lover. He had spent many hours walking and talking her out of her depressions. And now she was gone. He had failed. There are conspiracy theories that Col. Boris Pash was responsible or involved with Tatlocks deathgiven the wiretapping and his history of orchestrating other kidnappingsbut American Prometheus notes he was already transferred to London by the time of her death. Oppenheimer was interrogated about her. In 1954, during security hearings with the United States Atomic Energy Commission, Oppenheimer was scrutinized for his Communist associations, and was ultimately denied his security clearance. The examination pried into his relationship with Jean Tatlock. During questioning, Oppenheimer estimated that he had seen her 10 times in the five years between 1939 and 1944. We had been very much involved with one another and there was still very deep feeling when we saw each other, he said of their meetings, per American Prometheus. Such meetings took place at her home, at the hospital where she worked, drinks at the Top of the Mark, and at his home in Berkeley, which is near her fathers house. Oppenheimer added that Tatlock had wanted to see him because he didnt say goodbye before leaving for Los Alamos, the secret bomb testing site where he worked. I felt she had to see me. She was undergoing psychiatric treatment, he said in the interrogation, according to Bird and Sherwin. She was extremely unhappy. You Might Also Like Driving financial inclusion through digital payment methods is among the top priorities for the governments of Africas biggest tech ecosystems where cash is still king. Several initiatives launched by these governments have increased the number of banked citizens in their respective countries. In Egypt, for instance, platforms like Fawry and InstaPay tapped into the apex banks policies to reduce cash dependencies are responsible for the spread of e-wallets and cards in the North African country where 64% of Egyptians increased their adoption of digital payments solutions last year. The number of mobile phone wallets reached 46,500 per 100,000 people, according to a Mastercard report. While e-wallets and cards dominate the digital payments landscape, Egypts apex bank is keen to promote another method: contactless payments, after recently issuing regulations governing payment card tokenization on mobile apps. However, with services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay which allow customers to make contactless payments with digital cards in mobile wallets via NFC (near-field communication) tech mostly absent in Africa, platforms like Flash provide an alternative through QR codes. The Egyptian fintech, which provides cashless payment solutions for consumers and businesses through a scan-and-pay service, has raised $6 million in seed funding led by Addition, the venture capital firm headed by former Tiger Global executive Lee Fixel. Flourish Ventures and other strategic angel investors participated in the round, which will help the startup accelerate product development and customer and business acquisition in Egypt. Flash, off the back of obtaining approval from the Central Bank of Egypt to operate as a technical payment aggregator, allows customers to purchase with their phones by adding any existing bank card or digital wallet to the app and scanning a QR code that is presented by a business, in-store or on-delivery. This way, businesses can accept payments without needing the tasking technical integration typically encountered with expensive NFC-enabled point-of-sale (POS) systems. Were eliminating the need for cash or carrying cards for our consumers and the POS machine on the merchant side, said Erik Gordon, Flash co-founder and CEO, in an interview with TechCrunch. With QR codes, businesses dont have to worry about integration, setup and maintenance fees and its low tech, so anyone with a camera on their phone can pay that way. The inefficiencies that exist in a very cash-based society such as Egypt are something Gordon noticed during his time at Uber as head of marketplace for the North African country and later the MENA region. According to the chief executive, 90% of Ubers rides were paid in cash. When collected from the drivers at the end of each day, this turned into piles of money being counted in warehouses, which led to fraud and theft. Finding ways to stop this leakage, which hurt consumers and businesses in Ubers ecosystem of products, was a massive headache for his team. While they came up with stopgaps, Gordon, alongside co-founder Sherine Kabesh (another Uber alumnus who worked as the ride-hailing giants head of marketing in Egypt), decided to take on a new challenge to build a platform they thought addressed the issues faced at Uber and was also in alignment with Egypts financial inclusion strategy. The fintech, founded in 2021, provides its services in partnership with the Egyptian bank Banque Misr. In a statement, Kabesh said Flash securing license approval and bank partnership strengthens our commitment to developing the cashless ecosystem, introducing new products, and diversifying our digital payment portfolio, which includes automated bill payments and behavioral insights into spending, for instance. Flash has several competitors across its slew of products, including Telda, Khazna and Paymob. L-R: Erik Gordon and Sherine Kabesh (Flash co-founders and Uber alumni). Image Credits: Flash E-commerce platforms and businesses whose payment methods include cash on delivery pharmacies, restaurants, fast-food chains and grocery shops are Flashs main customers. Around 80% of goods purchased online in Egypt are paid COD, per a report; among other factors driving this, consumers prefer to receive the product before paying. The problem, however, is that many businesses do not provide a POS option on delivery. As such, Flash on Delivery allows these businesses to present a QR code to customers, which can be scanned at the point of collection. While the executives declined to reveal how many merchants (and end customers) are using its platform, they say the two-year-old fintech aims to serve over 100 businesses in the next 12 months. Some of its current business customers include Homzmart and Rabbit Mart. Meanwhile, payments made on delivery or in store are settled the following day, which, according to Gordon, is the best in the market. The chief executive officer says in addition to being cheaper than other forms of digital payments, the next-day settlement gives Flash an advantage over current digital payments products, whose settlement times take longer (up to a week in most cases), and global payment methods, including Apple Pay and Google Pay (settlement could take up to five days) should they enter the Egyptian payments landscape in the future. The cost of the business will be less with Flash compared to something with Apple Pay because Apple, the card companies and banks are all taking a slice versus the kind of direction Egypt is going, which is similar to whats happened in India where QR codes, cheaper for businesses, have proliferated and become the standard, said Gordon, further stating the pros of QR codes versus NFC tech. The central bank is also opening this instant payment network up to third parties, which would also enable instant settlement. So longer term, I think we can also perform instant settlement and lower transaction costs. Thats not to say QR code technology doesn't come with cons, some of which include tampering with codes or placing fraudulent codes over real ones to divert payments. So how does Flash avoid this? Typically, businesses on the platform are onboarded in compliance with regulations set by the CBE and Banque Misr, allowing Flash to determine if theyre legit. Afterward, only QR codes generated by Flash (for businesses) will work with the Flash app (for customers), said Gordon. Any money paid to a QR code can only end up in the account of that business. Flash never touches the money; it goes straight from our partner bank to the business bank account, the CEO remarked. So if someone stole a QR code, it wouldnt make sense because any money paid to it could only go to the business. Andrew Miskiewicz, an investor at Addition, noting why the New York-headquartered firm backed Flash, said the fintech is transforming the payments landscape in Egypt, simplifying the complex transactional process for consumers and businesses with a safe and easy-to-use application. The fintech, which claims to be processing 50,000 transactions, is approaching over 10 million Egyptian pounds (~$324,000) in cumulative transaction value. At the same time, its revenue, made from charging businesses a processing fee, is growing 30% month-on-month, Gordon said in the interview. It is quiet. It is profound. It is romantic. It is life-changing." Courtesy of Desert & Delta Safaris Theres nothing quite like sleeping out under a wide expanse of sky, and thats even more special when its on a gorgeous stretch of salt pan in Botswana. Thats where Desert & Delta Safaris comes in, offering guests the chance to spend the night open to the elements on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pan (part of the largest series of salt pans in the world, according to UNESCO). The unique experience, which is set up on a comfortable bedroll with a duvet, pillow, and extra warm blankets, includes an open fire and a bush menu traditionally prepared and cooked under the stars (think: grilled lamb chops and African boerewors sausages), the company told Travel + Leisure. Courtesy of Desert & Delta Safaris The salt pans is a place where people can feel humbled by the expanse of the universe. There is nothing between you and the African night sky, Andrew Flatt, the director of marketing for Desert & Delta Safaris, told T+L. This is a place completely off the grid, where guests can really feel the earths presence in all her glory, and recognize how small we are as humans within a larger ecosystem. Courtesy of Desert & Delta Safaris The experience is offered as a complimentary add-on for guests who stay three nights or longer at the companys Leroo La Tau lodge. The experience is available for six guests at a time and must be pre-booked before arrival. And there is no Wi-Fi or cell phone reception, making it the perfect spot for a digital detox. Courtesy of Desert & Delta Safaris Flatt said the sleep-out experience, which was fully launched last summer, allows guests to see forever off into the horizon. To get there, guests drive over bumpy roads and across the Boteti River over about five to six hours, or can choose to upgrade to a 30-minute open door helicopter experience. In the morning, guests wake up to eggs cooked to order, bacon, sausage, honey and cinnamon oats porridge, and more, before heading back to the main lodge. Courtesy of Desert & Delta Safaris It is quiet. It is profound. It is romantic. It is life-changing, Flatt added. This is a place to examine what is important in life. Story continues The experience is offered during Botswanas dry season from July 15 through Oct. 31 each year. The experience is complimentary for guests staying three nights or longer, but can be booked as a private experience for guests staying less than that for $750. For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. In 2013, Brooklyn-based independent fine jewelry designer Angie Marei debuted her label, Diaboli Kill. Fast-forward to 2023 and shes celebrating the 10-year anniversary of her brand, now called Marei New York, with a new Dumbo design studio and showroom space, and an expanded offering of intricate designs. Since the inception of her fine jewelry label, the Egyptian Dominican, native New Yorker has been designing into a niche, fearless yet seductive elan. She launched Diaboli Kill with edgy unisex designs (the brand name was inspired by 60s movie posters of The Third Voice, as well as a childhood nickname) with mostly sterling silver and onyx pieces. During this time, Marei was working as a creative director in advertising; today, the founder and jewelry designer continues her role as a freelance creative director. More from WWD As time went on, Marei expanded her offering with gold and gemstones, as well as bridal jewelry, which influenced her to relaunch her jewelry brand as Marei New York (and add Megan Magliozzi as director of operations and client services) in 2021. Marei New Yorks Damian horn talisman pearl necklace with pave-set brilliant diamonds in 18-karat yellow gold. As I started to develop my skills more as a jeweler and designer, the designs became more refined. My style became more feminine and more inspired by ancient Egypt and my heritage it was way more refined than before. I didnt want to use the name Diaboli Kill anymore, because it wasnt diabolical, but rather really beautiful. So now I use my last name, which is Egyptian, she said. When I first started making jewelry, I was more inspired by medieval jewelry, but the more I learned about jewelry making, my inspiration started becoming ancient Egypt, which makes sense because its going back to my roots. The rebrand wasnt a refresh in design, but rather an extension, as seen through her original Diaboli Kill Damian horn talisman ring, earring and necklace designs, which play into her ongoing inspirations of royal ancient Egyptian jewelry, the Egyptian revival period, Art Deco, architecture, spiritual mythology and New York-y cool. Story continues Angie Marei inside the Marei New Yorks Brooklyn design studio and showroom. I take a lot of inspiration from old designers such as Lalique or vintage Cartier. By studying how they crafted jewelry is how I learned different techniques learning from the old masters while infusing my own flavor from growing up in New York City, she said. I wanted to incorporate the edge of New York youll see a lot of pointed edges, pieces that can kind of look like weapons. The whole idea of beautiful weapons came about from going out clubbing [in New York] at a young age my mom would tell me to carry something, just in case. I like that idea of the femme fatale something very feminine and seductive, but dont mess with her idea. Today, Mareis expanded offering blends old world elegance with city-minded edginess through her custom and signature collection works, which are available direct-to-consumer via her website and showroom. The line was also featured, and still available for purchase, through Sothebys Brilliant & Black selling exhibition. Marei New Yorks Palmyra ring with brilliant marquise-cut white diamond in 18-karat yellow gold. Her latest Palmyra collection infuses the ideas through designs that play to the negative spaces of palm leaves found along the Nile, the grandeur of ancient temples and mystique of Luxor [Egypt], such as the Palmyra diamond engagement ring with marquise-cut diamond surrounded by pave-set diamonds and mounted in 18-karat yellow gold; Palmyra eternity bands, and sleek Palmyra choker necklace, each with brilliant-cut white diamonds and offered in 18-karat white, yellow and rose gold. Elsewhere, Marei plays into architecture and Art Deco with her Amanti, Invidia Column and Marei Marquis collections while infusing spiritual mythology through her serpent-inspired Ayla Arabesque offering. Speaking to her custom work, said to make up about 50 percent of her business, Marei noted that she likes to spend time with each customer to channel their energy and essence into the pieces shes making for them; she also blesses pieces to imbue them with positive energy. Custom work ranges from one-of-a-kind, bespoke pieces to giving clients existing jewelry new life through reworked designs and customizing collection styles. Inside the Marei New Yorks Brooklyn design studio and showroom. Moving into her new Dumbo, Brooklyn design studio and showroom this year served as an extension of her clients custom work experience. During the pandemic, my apartment turned into my studio [prior to then, Marei was working in a smaller Dumbo studio]. In April, we moved into this space, which overlooks the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges and is by the water. I like the energy of water and find it very calming; it helps me reset and feel grounded, Marei said. The bright, open and inviting multipurpose space is used for design work, parties and future workshops, day-to-day operations and client meetings. During appointments, most of which are for engagement and wedding rings, Marei sketches out designs with the customer and presents them with pre-sourced gemstones to personalize each experience. Marei said jewelry prices on her website start at $250 (for Exquis beveled edge infinity rings in silver); larger, high-value gemstone pieces can go up to around $85,000 and beyond (for her standout black opium Hayya Serpentine earrings with black enamel, blue sapphire and brilliant-cut white diamond earrings). Most designs pricing is purposely not listed on the website due to customization options for each stones value. Marei New Yorks NYX Tahitian black circle pearl necklace with pave-set brilliant diamonds in 18-karat rose gold. Her goals for Marei New Yorks future include expanding her unique bridal suite while adding healing jewels, as in protective amulets and talismans, to her luxurious aesthetic. Speaking about her 10-year milestone, Marei said, I love what I do and I love the challenge because I love to learn. Its been a huge learning curve coming from the corporate advertising world while being an artist learning the business, translating from silver to super high and fine jewelry and building relationships with suppliers and clients have all been important. I love preserving the tradition of craftsmanship. Best of WWD Click here to read the full article. Two beauty founders joined forces for a socialite-studded dinner in the Hamptons. On Thursday night, Laney Crowell, founder and chief executive officer of Saie, cohosted a dinner with multihyphenate and Yse Beauty founder Molly Sims at a private residence in Sagaponack, New York. More from WWD Molly Sims Guests included Rent the Runway founder Jenny Fleiss, Real Housewives of New York cast member Erin Lichy, Katie Lee Biegel and Dr. Dendy Engelman, among others. The event featured touch-ups with products from both brands, including Yses range and Saies glowy super gel, glowy super skin foundation and dew blush, among others. Erin Lichy and Laney Crowell The summer meal comes shortly after the launch of Yse, which Sims launched in partnership with SOS Beauty earlier this year. That brand targets melasma and hyperpigmentation with clinically backed formulations. Saie, which hired its first president last year, boasts distribution with Sephora, funding from Unilever Ventures and Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, and a product assortment of skin care-makeup hybrids. Best of WWD Click here to read the full article. Parthenon Sculptures, which are originally from the temple of Athena in Greece, were brought to Britain by Lord Elgin Pressure has been growing on the British Museum - and others institutions around the UK - in recent years to address the contested items in their collections. One of the most high-profile examples is the Parthenon sculptures, the fate of which is the subject of much discussion. The treasures, also known in the UK as the Elgin Marbles, have been on display in the museum since the 19th Century. The chair of trustees, George Osborne, has been conducting behind-the-scenes discussions with the Greek government. The British Museum has reiterated to the BBC that talks with Greece about the fate of the sculptures are "ongoing and constructive". The Parthenon Project, which campaigns for a cultural partnership agreement, advocates the British Museum send the sculptures to the Parthenon Collection in the Acropolis Museum in Athens in return for what it calls "blockbuster artefacts that have never been seen outside Greece before". This could include the 3,600 year old Mask of Agamemnon and the Kritios Boy. The Parthenon Project suggests that an agreement with Greece could mean masterpieces like the mask of Agamemnon be shown in the UK for the first time A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport told the BBC the government has "no plans to change the law" to allow a permanent return. George Osborne used the phrase "win-win" when speaking to the BBC about the sculptures in February, saying he was looking for a "more co-operative arrangement" after a "quite bitter disagreement" with the Greeks for more than 200 years. He also defended the institution's retention of the sculptures, calling the British Museum a "museum of our common humanity". More than four million people visited the British Museum in 2022. The Trustees believe that the Parthenon sculptures are "a significant part" of the story told by the museum "of cultural achievement throughout the world, from the dawn of human history over two million years ago, until the present day". The classical marble statues were made between 447BC and 432BC to decorate the temple of Athena (the Parthenon) on the Acropolis in Athens. Story continues Head of a horse of Selene from the east pediment of the Parthenon at the British Museum. In the 19th Century, the British Ambassador Lord Elgin was granted permission by the Ottoman Empire, the governing authority in Athens, to remove some of the sculptures. His collection was transported to the UK and, after a Parliamentary Select Committee in 1816 deemed his actions legal, the Parthenon sculptures were transferred to the Museum by an Act of Parliament. Lord Elgin claimed that by "amassing these remains of antiquity for the benefit of my country" he was "rescuing them from imminent and unavoidable destruction" Today, the British Museum is prevented by the British Museum Act from permanently returning the items to Greece - which is not the only country to contest ownership of items held in museum collections. One of the most high profile of the contested items has been the issue of the Benin Bronzes, elaborate, highly prized sculptures created by specialist craftspeople in what is now modern day Nigeria. The Horniman Museum in south-east London signed over ownership of its collection of 72 items forcibly removed from Benin City in 1897, to the Nigerian government in November. This plaque depicting Oba Orhogbua (circa 1550-1578) is one of six objects that has already been returned by the Horniman Museum in London to Nigeria At the time, Nick Merriman, the Horniman Museum director, told me there was a "moral argument" to return them. He said "we're seeing a tipping point around not just restitution and repatriation, but museums acknowledging their colonial history". Earlier this month, the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands announced it would be returning six items to Sri Lanka following a decision by the Dutch Secretary of State for Culture and Media. Acquired during colonial times, the objects include the richly ornamented, ceremonial Cannon of Candy which was looted by troops from the Dutch East India Company in 1765. A new poll, commissioned by the Parthenon Project, released on Friday, suggests the majority of Brits would back returning the sculptures to Greece in a "cultural partnership". The YouGov survey suggests 64% would support sending the sculptures to Greece if British museums were lent other unique Greek artefacts in return, while 68% thought UK museums making efforts to agree more of these kind of cultural partnerships would have a positive impact on the relationships between the UK and other countries. Of the 2,300 respondents to the survey, 69% said if the Parthenon Sculptures returned to Greece and were replaced by other Greek items - this would have no impact on their interest in visiting the British Museum. Lord Vaizey, Chair of the Parthenon Project Advisory Board and a Conservative peer, called these latest poll findings a "shot in the arm for negotiations, clearly demonstrating that a win-win deal underpinned by a cultural partnership has the backing of the British public". The sculptures were originally created as part of the Parthenon temple in Athens These issues can be complicated. The Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology holds the second highest number of Benin bronzes in the UK after the British Museum (which has around 900). It had been due to return ownership of 116 items to Nigeria earlier this year but those plans have been delayed. This is believed to have been in reaction to a statement by the outgoing President of Nigeria who appeared to state that returned bronzes are the property of the Oba, or traditional monarch of the Kingdom of Benin. It led to some outcry in Germany whose Government signed 1,100 bronzes into Nigerian ownership last July. Critics have suggested they may end up in a palace rather than on full public display in Nigeria. That's been denied. The University of Cambridge told the BBC it is "in talks with all parties over the implementation of the Council's decision to return Benin Bronzes in its collections". In terms of the Parthenon sculptures, there is a precedent. In March the Vatican returned to Greece three carved fragments which originally decorated the Parthenon and had been in the Vatican's collection for more than two centuries. However, this was not state-to-state restitution. Pope Francis donated the sculptures to Greece's spiritual leader, Archbishop Ieronymos II, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church, who gifted them to the Acropolis Museum. Pope Francis wanted Greece's spiritual leader to have three Parthenon fragments from the Vatican Museum as "a concrete sign of his desire to follow in the path of truth" That museum has been purpose-built within view of the fifth century monument. It displays a portion of the surviving Parthenon frieze, with space left for the British Museum's sculptures. The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna is also reported to be in talks with the Acropolis Museum about a loan agreement involving two more Parthenon fragments. So where does this leave the chances of agreement between Greece and Britain? The Greek prime minister, who has previously met George Osborne to discuss the sculptures, was recently re-elected for a second term. During the campaign, Kyriakos Mitsotakis promised that if he won, he would "pick up again the momentum and build upon the progress that we have made." George Osborne, who chairs the British Museum (seen here with its director, Hartwig Fischer last year), says he sees "a way forward" with the Parthenon Sculptures The Greek government first made a formal request to the British Museum in 1983 for their permanent return, although less formal demands date back to the 19th Century. It's always been apparent that Greece could never agree to a deal that forced it to accept that the sculptures belong to the UK. The Parthenon Project proposes that both sides "agree to disagree" about ownership of the sculptures, in order to find a resolution. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, recently told the Greek newspaper Ta Nea that all those involved should "come to an accommodation to share these wonderful, wonderful Elgin Marbles". Marble statue from the West pediment of the Parthenon at the British Museum The British Museum told the BBC it believed a "long term partnership would strike the right balance between sharing our greatest objects with audiences around the world, and maintaining the incredible collection we hold at the museum". The DCMS said: "The British Museum has cared for the Parthenon Sculptures for generations and each year millions of people from across the globe see these treasures free of charge". It repeated its long-held position, that the museum "is prevented by law from de-accessioning items in its collection, except in very specific and limited circumstances" and that the Government would not be changing that. Whether you're interested in snowsports or surfing, there are welcoming communities for BIPOC travelers who want to adventure together. Courtesy of Native Like Water Marc Chavez of Native Like Water For generations, people of color have been underrepresented in outdoor travel. But there are groups working to change that, by creating welcoming spaces for BIPOC travelers who want to get outside. T+L spoke to four leaders of BIPOC organizations who are building more inclusive outdoor communities whether it's in the realm of surfing, hiking, winter sports, or rock climbing about how they got started, what types of trips they offer, and what's next for them. Snow Sports: Annette Diggs, Edge Outdoors Adam J. Sanders/Courtesy of EDGE Outdoors Annette Diggs of Edge Outdoors According to the National Ski Areas Association, nine out of 10 people on ski slopes are white and 63 percent are male. Annette Diggs, founder of Edge Outdoors, hopes to change that. Our vision is to see the normalization of women of color competing, working, and leading in mountain spaces, she says. Her nonprofit, which serves Black, Indigenous, and other women of color, including trans women, as well as nonbinary people, launched in 2019 at Stevens Pass, in Washington, with Vail Resorts later joining as a partner. Edge Outdoors has since expanded to California, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah, offering ski and snowboard lessons, outdoor events, scholarships, and instructor training for newbies and advanced adventurers alike. Theres a community waiting to meet and welcome you, wherever you are in your journey, Diggs says. Climbing: Don Nguyen, Climbers of Color Anthony Ngu/Courtesy of Climbers of Color; Nic Rainsey/Courtesy of Climbers of Color Don Nguyen of Climbers of Color During his first year as a mountain guide in Washington, Don Nguyen was struck by the lack of diversity in climbing. I noticed that the culture in the guide service was very homogenous, not only where I was working but across the region, he says. Nguyen, the son of Vietnamese immigrants, cofounded Climbers of Color to provide training workshops, scholarships, mentorship, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Related: 8 Black-owned Outdoor and Active Brands We Love Story continues Since 2018 COC has worked with more than 300 mentors, teachers, and guides. It also runs weekly BIPOC climb nights across western Washington. Next up for Nguyen: a partnership with Outward Bound and programming exclusively for women. Watersports: Marc Chavez, Native Like Water John Suhar/Courtesy of Native Like Water Native Like Water members in the ocean Though Native Americans have lived along the Pacific coast for thousands of years, forced displacement has often severed their connection to the water. Marc Chavez, who is of Nahua, Michoacan, and New MexicanSpanish descent, seeks to restore that bond. He founded Native Like Water to help both Natives and non-Natives better understand Indigenous history, culture, and practices, in and out of the water. The groups Native-led programming includes surf outings in California, traditional canoeing in Hawaii, and retreats in Jamaica and Panama. From the moment you pull up at the beach, you start to see things through an Indigenous lens, Chavez says. Im just glad that we can be a source for that. Hiking: Jose Gonzalez, Latino Outdoors Veronica Miranda/Courtesy of Latinos Outdoors Jose Gonzalez of Latino Outdoors Latinos shouldnt have to leave their culture at the trailhead, says Jose Gonzalez, creator of Latino Outdoors. What started as an adventure blog 10 years ago in California is now a thriving nationwide community. In 2022, more than 1,700 people went on 121 outings across 19 states and the District of Columbia. Related: This Latina Outdoorswoman Is Hiking Her Way Around the World and Proving There's No One Type of Adventurer On these trips, participants were encouraged to bring all aspects of their identity including the foods they snack on, the languages they speak, the music they love, and, for some, their immigrant stories out into wilderness spaces that havent always embraced them. While the group is aimed at those of Latin heritage, all are welcome. We joke, Gonzalez says, that theres no Latino card you have to present. A version of this story first appeared in the July 2023 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "Follow the Leader." For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on Travel & Leisure. Visiting safaris in Africa is an experience high on many travelers lists. Having the opportunity to observe wild animals up close in their natural habitat undoubtedly makes for a thrilling and unforgettable trip. Africas iconic Big 5 are the African lion, rhinoceros, African elephant, leopard and Cape buffalo. The term Big 5 and the designation of these animals came about in the 19th century when game hunters listed them as the most dangerous creatures to hunt on foot. Today, tourism to national parks and reserves helps support the conservation of the animals living there. The funds go towards protecting them from hunters, poachers and other threats. There are camps, resorts and lodges to fit various budgets and experience preferences. Whether you prefer to venture out into the bush in a vehicle, on foot or above in a hot air balloon, there are options to meet the needs of all adventurers, photographers and nature enthusiasts. If seeing the Big 5 is a must for you, youll want to be sure to select safaris in Africa where theyre known to reside. Here are five national parks and reserves home to Africas Big 5. Be sure to plan ahead and book your safari well in advance. Accommodations and tours here are in high demand. Serengeti National Park A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tanzanias Serengeti National Park is brimming with wildlife of all kinds. Nearly 15,000 square kilometers in size, it is home to 500 different bird species and 300 species of mammals. The protected area is one of the key spots for travelers who want to witness the Great Migration. During this yearly occurrence, around two million wildebeest, zebras, antelopes, gazelles and other herd animals travel from the Serengeti to Kenyas Masai Mara in search of lush vegetation and water. If youre hoping to visit during this spectacular natural event, you should plan your visit between June and September. Maasai Mara National Reserve If youre hoping to witness the Great Migration during an African safari at Maasai Mara National Reserve, aim to visit between July and October. This area of preserved savannah wilderness is located in southwestern Kenya, and houses 90 mammal species and 500 bird species. Its landscape is comprised of grasslands, rolling hills an the Talek and Mara Rivers. The national reserve is named for the Maasai people who inhabit the area. Story continues Kruger National Park Spanning nearly 20,000 square kilometers, Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves on the continent. Located in northeastern South Africa, it became the countrys first national park in 1926. In addition to the Big 5, it is inhabited by 150 mammal species, 500 bird species and 100 reptile species. The parks diversity extends to its plant life with over 2,000 species of plants. Hundreds of archeological sites also can be found in one of the largest safaris in Africa. Kruger is also part of the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere, which UNESCO has named an International Man and Biosphere Reserve. Etosha National Park Etosha National Park is located in northwestern Namibia. One of the things that makes it so unique is the massive salt pan set within it. At close to 5,000 square kilometers, the Etosha Pan is the largest of its kind in Africa. It is so large it can be seen from space. Despite the fact that this vast, bare area covers almost a quarter of the park, Etosha National Park has no shortage of wildlife to encounter on a safari. Due to the nutrients and vitamins found in the soil here, its elephants are some of the largest in Africa. After heavy rains, a thin layer of water accumulates on the Etosha Pan, attracting flocks of flamingos. Daniele Venturelli Rebecca Faria has sculpted some of the world's most familiar bodies in preparation for their highest-profile moments: she was on hand for Sofia Richies wedding weekend, prepped Kim Kardashian for the Met Gala, and snatched Jennifer Aniston for her Allure cover. Her expertise? Lymphatic drainage massage, or the practice of coaxing excess water and toxins towards the lymph nodes in order to detox them from the body. The lymph system is a key part of our immune system and helps maintain our bodys fluid levels and filter out bacteria. But our lifestyle and environment can slow the systems function, which is where Faria comes in. Her technique reduces water retention, improves cellulite, and boosts circulation helping clients achieve an extra-aliveness that seems to elude us normies. Micheal P. H. Clifford Faria arrived in the States from Brazil in 2019, speaking no English, but shes quickly gained A-list fans and a waitlist of thousands, many whove likely seen the drastic before-and-afters on her Instagram. One of her clients, TikTok star Addison Rae, told ELLE, I noticed a difference after one session. Rebecca has this aura thats so attractive. Shes always explaining exactly what shes doing and why its helpful to my body. After a session, I feel like the best version of me. Despite the demand for a session with her, Farias not gatekeeping her secrets. Below, she shares her formula for achieving similar results. What sparked your interest in lymphatic massage, and how did you build your clientele? Faria: In Brazil, lymphatic [massage] is a part of the culture. Its almost like getting your nails done here. After finishing my master's degree, slowly, I was able to pull my technique together. When I came to the U.S., I didnt know anyone. I didnt have any help, and I was trying to bring something that didnt exist here. How would I convince people to get lymphatic [massage] done when they didnt know what it was? That was my biggest struggle. I was hoping that I would have a few clients that would believe in my work. I would give people free treatments so they would feel the benefits, and then eventually they became clients and would refer friends. Id do house calls by Uber. In the beginning, its just surviving. Story continues Rachpoot/Bauer-Griffin Why do we need lymphatic drainage massage, and what are we draining? Water weight? In a perfect world, our lymphatic system should be able to do all the work on its own. However, because we expose ourselves to an overwhelming lifestyle, our lymphatic system can get overloaded. You do lymphatic massage to help to speed up the [detox] process. Everyday, we are exposed to pollution, processed food, stress, lack of sleep, lack of water intake. Every time your body feels attacked, its going to protect itself by throwing water, trying to release that inflammation. Water weight has nothing to do with fat. Water retention is a consequence of inflammation. Its how your body reacts when something doesnt go right. Example: if I punch you in your face, youre gonna get swollen. If you get fillers, injections, youll get swollen. Surgeries, because youre attacking your body. Pregnancy. If you eat processed food, youre also going to be swollen. So [inflammation] is a natural response of the body. How do we maintain a healthy lymphatic system that works well on its own? The answer is simple habits. Dont stress your body. Move your blood. Our lymphatic flow and our blood work together. Theyre best friends. In order to move your lymphatic system, you need to move your blood. You can walk, you can go to the gym, you can do Pilates, you can jump, but you just need to move your blood. Elevate your legs. I have an infrared sauna in my spa that shakes, so the vibration also helps. The second thing: I believe so much in tongue scraping. When we wake up, our tongue is full of bacteria. The first thing you need to do is clean your tongue. You cannot eat or drink anything before cleaning it, otherwise youre going to push back all the bacteria. First thing in the morning, tongue scrape, brush your teeth. Then, drink water [to] protect your stomach. You can have breakfast and your body will be ready to receive those things because you will be clean and protected. I also believe in a sleep routine. We produce two hormones [lectin and ghrelin] that help with our appetite and fat storage, and in order to produce those hormones we need to have enough time in deep sleep. If you dont have a good sleep routine, you will miss those hormones. Youre going to be tired, stressed, and youre going to crave sugar. And thats what happens when we are going through stressful moments. We never crave salads we crave hamburgers, we crave pizza, because those hormones are not balanced. A good sleep routine helps with the lymphatic system because it helps with whatever youre craving. Drink lots of water. I like to drink between half a gallon and one gallon per day. If we dont control how much water were drinking, were probably not drinking enough, because we just forget about it. Theres something else: avoid toxic relationships. [They] will raise your cortisol levels, which will mess up your other hormones. Is it necessary to remove caffeine and alcohol if we want an optimal lymphatic system? I like to live my life easy. And I think if we cut everything, well raise our cortisol levels. If you like coffee, have a coffee in the morning. And if you like to drink, you can have some drinks on the weekend with your friends. We need to find a balance. Because if you restrict yourself too much, youre going to avoid some problems, but youre going to create other problems. And thats something I see a lot here in America. I have clients who are perfectly healthy they eat the most organic food and they exercise all day long, but their levels of anxiety are so high they end up messing up their lymphatic system. Its impossible to be perfect. Emotions can affect you as badly as food. Its not sustainable [to limit yourself] in the long term. I love your holistic approach to all of this. OK, youve worked on some of the most famous people in Hollywood, like Jennifer Aniston, Diddy, and Kim Kardashian. How often do you work with them? All my clients come regularly, once or twice a month. Some do [lymphatic massage] every week. Its just part of their routine, almost like working out. You dont work out for one event. If you do it once, youll look skinnier, because you have less water retention. But if you dont keep going, and if you dont combine [massage] with a healthy lifestyle, you wont be able to improve your lymphatic system, which is the goal. You want your lymphatic system to work well on its own. Sean Zanni When it comes to travel, how can we support our lymphatic system? I always feel like when I get off a plane, I look so ragged. When you travel, because of the pressure of the flight, your blood flow slows down. Your blood flow is slower, which means your lymphatic flow is slower. Your digestion is slower. When you get off a plane, youre dealing with stress from the airport, you are jet-lagged, and the whole combination will stress your lymphatic system. The best way to deal with this is exercising before and after [a flight]. As soon as you arrive, go for a ten minute walk, put your legs up, drink some water, and youre brand new. But what do we usually do? We arrive, were tired, we go out for dinner, we eat whatever we want. Were jet-lagged, we dont sleep well, so it just gets worse. Great advice. By the way, congratulations on your new baby. Is lymphatic massage safe to do while pregnant? The pregnancy lymphatic massage is a different technique. When were pregnant, we produce up to fifty-percent more fluid, so its normal to feel swollen. But if you get lymphatic [massage] every week, you are helping your lymphatic system to not get so affected by the pregnancy. The best thing to do is prepare your body before getting pregnant. Put your lymphatic system in a good place before getting pregnant and during the pregnancy. But usually people wait until theyre seven or eight months, and theyre super swollen. The best thing to do is prevent. Get your lymphatic system in a good place before you have all the water retention. Ive gotten so many tips from the how-tos on your Instagram, but I love how everything youve shared is so holistic and brings our lifestyles into consideration. Your daily habits are way more important than any massage you do. The massage itself is just the cherry on top of the cake. You Might Also Like (Bloomberg) -- Chinas first futures for lithium an essential ingredient for electric-vehicle batteries had a rocky start in their first day of trading. Most Read from Bloomberg Lithium carbonate on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange fell below the base settlement price of 246,000 yuan ($34,263) a ton on Friday, data from the bourse showed. Contracts for January delivery plunged to as low as 214,150 yuan, before paring losses to close 13% lower. Those for February to July sank by the first-day limit of 14%. A total of 65,439 lots were traded. The new contracts may help to provide more transparent lithium pricing, reduce volatility in spot prices, and give producers and buyers more effective ways to hedge risk. Tesla Inc. Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk described last years surge in prices for the metal thats key to the clean-energy transition as insane, but has since noted its pullback. The fact that the new futures are for next year may have contributed to the price drop, according to Shirley Wang, general manager of industry research at Shanghai Metals Market. Sentiment is now tempered by an anticipated surplus for lithium products in 2024, she said. Lithium producers stock prices in China also had a tough day. Shares in Tianqi Lithium Corp., YongXing Special Materials Technology Co., and Ganfeng Lithium Group Co., slid to the lowest in at least a year on Friday. Spot prices of lithium carbonate a refined form of the metal have been on a wild ride. They surged to a record in November as a global push toward an electrified transport fleet fired up consumption, before plunging this year as supply pressures eased. Story continues Battery manufacturers and carmakers around the world are still scrambling to secure offtake or expansion deals to lock in raw-material supplies. Western nations are also stepping up efforts to build their own supply chain with allies, as China still dominates processing and is a significant producer. The lithium and battery sector would like to have a more representative and credible futures market in China, said Dennis Ip, an analyst at Daiwa Capital Markets. (Adds closing prices in second paragraph, stocks in fifth paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Straight from Tuscany, this dish is perfect for dinner parties and weeknight meals. Adobe Stock/Getty Images At some point, maybe in a job interview or over drinks with friends, you may have been asked which celebrities you would invite to your dream dinner party. Im not totally sure who rounds out my list, but one person I know I'm inviting is Stanley Tucciperhaps partially due to the hope that he would help whip up something for dinner. Tucci recently hosted a dinner party for family and friends, among them Robert Downey Jr., and I cant stop thinking about how perfect the dish he made is for summer. He cooked not one, not two, not even three, but four batches of cod alla Livornese. Livornese refers to Livorno, a port city in the Tuscany region of Italy where there are many seafood dishes cooked in a savory tomato sauce. Youll often find that cod alla Livornese (or baccala alla Livornese, featuring salt cod) begins with a simple tomato sauce made with onions and garlic, and often has salty olives and briny capers added in with a sprinkle of fresh herbs on top. Seeing Tuccis version has me equally as impressed by his ability to manage four burners at once without appearing overwhelmed as I am by the hunger-inducing dish itself. While we dont have the exact recipe Tucci made, we do have a recipe that brings together many of the same flavors: Fish Fillets Italiano. This simple recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and uses less than 10 ingredients. You can do as Tucci does and serve it as an unfussy dinner party main dish, or make it on a weeknight. With the quick cook time, it means less time over a hot stovetop in the summertime, too. To make this Italian-inspired dinner, start by softening onions and garlic in a pan before adding canned diced tomatoes, sliced olives, and chopped fresh parsley. The tomato sauce mixture simmers for a few minutes to let the flavors blend before adding cod fillets to the sauce. Cook for about five more minutes, or until the fish is cooked through. Allrecipes users recommend adding a few herbs and seasonings to enhance the flavor of the dish. Per Allrecipes member oldroper, This dish was delicious, and plated like a fine restaurant offering. I did adjust it a bit with red pepper flakes and a generous amount of Italian spices. If cod isnt your fish of choice, not to worry. You can try this recipe for Red Snapper Livornese, instead. Getty Images J. ROBERT Oppenheimers public persona is as murky as his legacy is massivequite literally world-shifting. Oppenheimer, at the center of Christopher Nolans new biopic of the same name (now in theaters), is primarily known as a leading physicist and leader of the Manhattan Project, which created the atomic bomb (hes also been referred to as the father of the atomic bomb), consequentially deployed by the United States in World War II. The scientist is played by Irish actor Cillian Murphy (28 Days Later, Batman Begins) in Oppenheimer, which, in typical Nolan fashion, is a visually and sonically expansive (and expensive) undertaking of its own, with a reported $100 million production budget and gold standard IMAX filming. Which is to say, a whole lot more people are about to learn about the controversial geek who happened to be key in unleashing nuclear weapons upon the world. But Oppenheimers personal life and politics, more complicated than they might first seem, are worth teasing out. Whether youre grabbing tickets to Nolans latest, skipping it, or combining it with Barbie for the oddest viral double bill of the year, heres what you need to know about the films elusive subject, why he matters, and how hes often misunderstood. Who was J. Robert Oppenheimer, the man behind the atomic bomb, really? Hulton Archive - Getty Images He was born Julius Robert Oppenheimer on April 22, 1904 in New York City. His father, a German immigrant, helped make his familys considerable fortune working in textile importing, while his mother was a painter. Oppenheimer grew up in a Manhattan apartment reportedly decorated with artwork by Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cezanne, and Paul Gauguin (casual!). Oppenheimer became an ace student, and while an undergrad at Harvard University, excelled in (of course) physics, but also chemistry, Latin, Greek, poetry, and Eastern philosophy. He followed up Harvard by doing research at the University of Cambridge in England, but uninspired by rote lab work, moved to the University of Gottingen in Germany, to study then-revolutionary quantum physics with pioneers in the field. He got his PhD, and, quickly, a sterling reputation. He accepted dual offers to teach at both Caltech in Los Angeles and the University of California at Berkeley, splitting his time and influencing a generation of top physicists. Story continues Bettmann - Getty Images His lectures were a great experience, for experimental as well as theoretical physicists, the late physicist Hans Bethe said of Oppenheimer. In addition to a superb literary style, he brought to them a degree of sophistication in physics previously unknown in the United States. Here was a man who obviously understood all the deep secrets of quantum mechanics, and yet made it clear that the most important questions were unanswered. His earnestness and deep involvement gave his research students the same sense of challenge. He never gave his students the easy and superficial answers but trained them to appreciate and work on the deep problems. While Oppenheimer dabbled with Communism in the 1930s, meeting Communist students and supporting the left-leaning Republican side in the Spanish Civil War, he never actually joined the Communist Party. Yet this dalliance would come back to bite him (more on that below). It should be noted that Communism was widely seen as a viable alternative to fascism at the time, and Oppenheimer was reportedly enraged at the suffering of Jewish relatives in Nazi Germany. But the start of World War II would put Oppenheimers political interests on the back burner, and upend the trajectories of physicists in ways no could have imagined. How did the Manhattan Project come about? Historical - Getty Images Following the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, renowned scientists including Albert Einstein (yes, that Einstein) warned U.S. officials of the grave danger should the Nazis be the first to create a then-theoretical nuclear bomb. Enter Oppenheimer: The U.S. Army marshaled American and British physicists to figure out how nuclear energy could be distilled into unparalleled military force. The code name for the effort was the Manhattan Project, and Oppenheimer was chosen as administrator. He oversaw several covert labs, and famously constructed one in the middle-of-nowhere desert plateau of Los Alamos, New Mexico. When did the atomic bombs actually go off? Indeed, the Manhattan Project was a success on its own terms: Work in Los Alamos (as depicted in Oppenheimer) led to the initial test nuclear explosion, on July 16, 1945, in a remote area of New Mexico near Alamogordo. (For what its worth, according to the Los Alamos National Laboratory , the atomic or atom bomb refers to a bomb that relies on fission, or the splitting of heavy nuclei into smaller units, releasing energy. Hence why theyre also called nuclear bombs.) Historical - Getty Images The unleashing of the atom bomb actually came after Germany had surrendered in WWII. Still, the U.S. dropped two nuclear bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan, in August 1945, with Japan being an active Axis power against the American and British Allies. Those nukes were the first, and to this day only, nuclear bombs used in warfare. What happened to Oppenheimer and his career after the atom bomb? Only a couple months following the bomb drop in Japan, Oppenheimer resigned from his Manhattan Project post. In 1947, he became the head of the Institute for Advanced Study , a community of scholars, and also served as chairman of the government agency known as the General Advisory Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) until 1952. He openly opposed development of the hydrogen bomb, another far more powerful nuclear weapon that came to fruition but has never been deployed in battle. Bettmann - Getty Images By 1953, Oppenheimers favorable view in the eyes of U.S. officials began to crumble. Amid the Cold War-era Red Scare, he was alerted to a critical military security report that brought up his past associations with Communists, along with his opposition to the H-bomb. Oppenheimer faced further scrutiny in a headline-making security investigation. In 1953, though cleared from accusations of treason, he lost his access to military secrets and his AEC position. He subsequently got the cold shoulder from certain corners, and reportedly never quite recovered his spirit. Was Oppenheimer a good guy, or a freaky destroyer of worlds? Oppenheimers thoughts on harnessing science for destruction, a mission with which he is inextricably bound, are more nuanced that they might appear on the surface. We knew the world would not be the same, he recalled of the first detonation of the atomic bomb under his stewardship. A few people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent. And okay, yes, he did say the ominous words widely attributed to him: Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds. But it is a quotation. Long interested in Eastern philosophy, Oppenheimer had turned to Hinduism to help make sense of what he had wrought upon the globe. The famous, or infamous, destroyer of worlds line comes from Hindu scripture and is poorly understood. As Wired writes, in Hindu thinking, the great god is not only involved in the creation, but also the dissolution. The line Oppenheimer quoted in light of the atomic bomb refers to a kind of world-destroying event that is ultimately left in the hands of the divine. That might not provide any easy answers, but its pretty clear that Oppenheimers interest in this spiritual perspective was sincere. How did Oppenheimer die? CBS Photo Archive - Getty Images Oppenheimer died rather early in life, from throat cancer, at the age of 62. He passed on February 18, 1967, in Princeton, New Jersey. But he had been, at least, vindicated in some ways by the U.S. government following his Cold War persecution. In 1963, President Johnson awarded the physicist the highest honor of the AEC, called the Fermi Award, honoring the most formidable scientists for lifetime achievement in utilization of energy. And no one will seriously talk about nuclear bombs, or watch Oppenheimer, without at least briefly flashing to his momentous life and career. You Might Also Like A volcano pouring lava into the surrounding area (Video credit: Video courtesy of the National Icelandic Broadcasting Service) In Iceland, the world's newest "baby" volcano is throwing a temper tantrum: It's overflowing and spewing "spatter bombs," or blobs of molten lava, into the surrounding crater. The volcano formed on July 10, when an underground eruption opened a 1.7-mile-long (2.7 kilometers) fissure in the ground of Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula, southwest of the capital, Reykjavik. Leading up to this event, the region experienced a "seismic swarm," during which more than 7,000 earthquakes shook the area starting on July 4, according to a statement from the Icelandic Met Office. Lava trickled from the fracture in the ground, and seismic activity decreased for about a week after the eruption. Related: The 12 biggest volcanic eruptions in recorded history On July 18, however, "there was a major shift in the vent activity overnight," according to a post on the Facebook page of Rannsoknarstofa i eldfjallafri og natturuva (the Laboratory of Volcanology and Natural Hazards), a research group from the University of Iceland. At around 11:30 p.m. local time, "the crater filled up to the brim with lava and the fountaining began to throw spatter bombs well beyond the crater rims." Roughly three hours later, a small opening formed, allowing lava to spill over the crater, the post added. By early morning, a section of the crater's rim had collapsed, releasing a river of lava to the north and west. The lava pouring from this crater is roughly 2,192 degrees Fahrenheit (1,200 degrees Celsius), the scientists said. "The crater became unstable and collapsed," Ingibjorg Jonsdottir, an associate professor of geography at the University of Iceland and member of the lab, told Live Science in an email. "It had built up quite fast and it was filling up with lava on the inside, causing pressure to the walls. Not unusual as such but spectacular and of concern since there were people quite close by not long before it happened (in a closed area though)." Story continues RELATED STORIES Drone footage reveals dramatic Iceland volcanic eruption Europe's most dangerous 'supervolcano' could be creeping toward eruption, scientists warn Where are most of Earth's volcanoes? On the opposite side of the volcano, lava flowing south stalled and eventually crusted over, the post said. The area around the eruption site is uninhabited, and the eruption does not currently post a risk to infrastructure, according to the Icelandic Met Office. Firefighters in Grindavik, a nearby Icelandic town, have already contained the potential spread of fire from July 18's lava spill, and they no longer believe it is a threat, according to the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. Scientists will continue to monitor the volcano's behavior because future lava flows could ignite wildfires and reduce air quality in the region, according to the statement. Watch a livestream of the volcano on the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service's website here. Amazons Starlink rival, Project Kuiper, is moving closer to liftoff. The company announced today that a new $120 million satellite-processing facility for the initiative is under construction at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Amazon plans to launch its first satellites in the coming months, followed by the first customer pilots next year. Like Elon Musks Starlink, Project Kuiper aims to provide fast and affordable satellite broadband to areas unserved or underserved by traditional internet and communications options. (Its an Amazon initiative but should enjoy a cozy relationship with Blue Origin, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.) Project Kuiper kickstarted in 2018, receiving FCC satellite licensing two years later. The company plans to create a constellation of 3,236 satellites to provide seamless broadband coverage for rural users. Amazon hasnt yet announced consumer pricing, but it hints at budget-friendly plans, saying, affordability is a key principle of Project Kuiper. The company also intends to offer multiple speed / pricing tiers. Kuipers satellites will be assembled at a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kirkland, Washington, by the end of 2023. The new Florida installation will receive the satellite shipments, perform final preparations ahead of their commercial deployment. Amazon says its secured launches from Blue Origin, Arianespace and United Launch Alliance (ULA). Most units will deploy from Floridas Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, near the new processing facility. Amazon touted Project Kuipers anticipated job creation. It says over 1,400 people are already working on it, and the company expects the initiative to eventually support thousands of suppliers and highly skilled jobs especially in Alabama, Florida and Colorado. TSMC won't be making chips in Arizona on schedule. The Taiwan firm has delayed the start of 4-nanometer chip production at its first Phoenix, Arizona factory from 2024 to 2025. There aren't enough skilled workers available to complete construction on time, according to Chairman Mark Liu. The company is considering loaning technicians from its home country to help complete the project. The Arizona facility is a highlight of the CHIPS and Science Act President Biden signed into law last year. The measure is meant to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing, and includes $52.7 billion in funding and tax credits for companies building factories stateside. TSMC seeks $15 billion in tax credits for its two Arizona plants, although it anticipates investing a total $40 billion in the state. The federal government isn't immediately concerned about the worker shortfall. In a statement, White House representative Olivia Dalton says provisions in the CHIPS and Science Act will get the "workforce we need." The delay still poses problems for tech companies dependent on TSMC's manufacturing, most notably Apple. Future iPhones and Macs will use 4nm and 3nm chips made at the Phoenix plants. If the delay holds, Apple may have to either stall product launches or lean on alternative manufacturers. Intel is pouring $20 billion into two Arizona facilities due to start chip production in 2024, but those won't necessarily be available for Apple's needs. The delay illustrates one of the key challenges of bringing more tech manufacturing to the US. While there's no shortage of money or desire, fewer workers are trained for the jobs as there are in Taiwan and other major production hubs. Apple contractor Foxconn may have an easy time finding factory workers in China, for example but they're not nearly as common in the US. Plants like the Mac Pro factory in Austin tend to focus on niche products that don't require large numbers of employees. There's nonetheless pressure to get the TSMC factories up and running. Moves like this are not only expected to boost the US economy, but to diversify manufacturing away from China. The effort could address issues with labor conditions and limit problems if US-China relations deteriorate. They won't solve every issue (many components and raw materials also come from China), but they may reduce the fallout from political drama. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is sworn in during her ceremonial inauguration at the Arizona state Capitol in Phoenix on Jan. 5, 2023. Arizona's largest power company, once a punching bag for Kris Mayes when she was a utility regulator, paid $25,000 to support Mayes' defense against a legal challenge to her November election as attorney general, company records show. The contribution last year from Arizona Public Service Co.'s parent, Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, to Mayes' legal fund covered just a sliver of a bill for attorneys that Mayes estimated to total more than $300,000. It is noteworthy not just because of Mayes' political history as a frequent foe of APS, but also because Arizona law allows private companies, nonprofits and other groups to contribute money for candidates' legal fees without any reporting to the public about who is donating how much. APS voluntarily disclosed the contribution on its corporate website in April. Without doing so, or without a candidate volunteering such information, Arizonans have no way to know who is paying the legal fees for sitting officeholders, or the failed candidates who turn false claims of election fraud into fundraising opportunities. Government watchdogs warn of the possible influence such money might have on policymakers. Mayes is not alone in raising money from outside sources to cover legal fees it's a common practice. Also common is an unwillingness to voluntarily disclose who is paying, The Arizona Republic found when it asked officeholders and candidates for fundraising details. One transparency group recommended erasing the exemption that allows donations for legal fees to stay secret two years ago, well before long and expensive legal battles from Republicans over losing election results became the norm. Broadly speaking, limits on money in politics are meant to curb corruption or the appearance of corruption, according to Patrick Llewellyn, director of the state campaign finance program at the Campaign Legal Center. These limits help ensure that officeholders are accountable to the people that they represent, and not whoever can write the biggest check, Llewellyn said. When certain activities are excluded from what counts as a contribution, that can create a significant loophole in allowing potentially huge amounts of money to flow from wealthy special interests directly to candidates. Story continues Mayes says her record with APS speaks for itself For students of the states political history, the donation from APS might stand out given Mayes, as a member of the Arizona Corporation Commission from 2003 to 2010, was one of APS toughest critics. Asked how she would prevent such donations from influencing her decisions as the states top prosecutor, or her office of about 650 employees, Mayes quipped about her history with APS. I dont think there is a soul in Arizona who thinks APS is going to influence Kris Mayes, and Ill leave it at that, she said. Pinnacle West didn't answer a question about why it donated to Mayes' defense, but said in a statement its political spending advocates for sound, forward-looking public policy. Mayes, in a brief interview in May, said she was forced to keep fundraising because defeated GOP candidate for attorney general Abe Hamadeh continues a frivolous effort to challenge his 280-vote loss in court. The case has continued well past a Mohave County judge dismissing Hamadehs claims in December, with Hamadeh losing his bid to get a new trial in the case just last week. How many times do I have to win this election? said Mayes, a Democrat. I had to set up a legal defense fund that I don't want to have to be raising money for, and I'm doing everything I can to focus on my job, which is protecting the people of Arizona. It's not something I want to have to be raising money for at all, Mayes said. Mayes' campaign treasurer DJ Quinlan said challenges like Hamadeh's come at a cost to taxpayers, too, because they name counties as defendants that are entitled to legal representation. Mayes said she hoped to refund the donations, if the judge ultimately orders Hamadeh to pay her legal fees, and was open to disclosing who paid for her legal defense after the case is closed. For subscribers: This Arizona Republican congressman is taking a bipartisan approach to legislating Candidates can voluntarily disclose donors, but don't In 2016, Arizona lawmakers amended the states tome of campaign finance laws amid a bitter debate over dark money, the political spending by organizations that keep their donors anonymous. As part of those changes, the standing practice of candidates not disclosing donations to cover legal costs was written into law. An exemption for accounting costs also was included. Candidates and officeholders can voluntarily disclose their spending and fundraising as it relates to legal fees, but none contacted by The Arizona Republic chose to do so. A spokesperson for Hamadeh declined to respond to questions about how much money he had raised or provide details about who was bankrolling the ongoing effort. Spokespeople for Kari Lake, the losing GOP gubernatorial candidate, did not respond to a similar request. Lake frequently uses her ongoing election challenge to solicit donations to her Save Arizona Fund for her legal defense and other projects. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs campaign wouldnt discuss its arrangement for legal costs to defend against Lake's challenges, which according to court records cost over $550,000 as of December. That bill is an undercount, as it doesnt include two appeals and a three-day trial earlier this year. Hobbs senior adviser Joe Wolf declined to comment on behalf of the campaign. Hobbs was one of several Democrats who as a state senator in 2016 opposed the campaign finance changes, though objections to it were largely over other spending provisions and not the exemptions. For subscribers: Gov. Hobbs gets more financial backing from APS after utility supported Kari Lake in election 'Potentially huge amounts of money going to candidates' The Campaign Legal Center, the nonpartisan Washington, D.C., group that advocates for transparency and campaign finance reform, in 2021 evaluated Arizonas laws at the request of then-Secretary of State Hobbs. One of the group's recommendations was to narrow the broad exemption for legal costs to apply only to compliance with state campaign finance law or when a law firm provides pro-bono representation that is not paid by an outside entity. "In short, these exemptions create a backdoor for secret quid pro quo exchanges in Arizona politics and deny the public important information about money raised and spent by candidates and committees," the report reads. The recommendation, which would bring Arizona more in line with rules for federal candidates, fell on deaf ears at the GOP-majority Legislature, however. As it stands today, candidates for state office in Arizona can accept only $5,300 from individuals in any election cycle, and they cannot take money directly from corporations. The candidates must publicly report those donations, which any Arizonan can go look up online. But there is no cap on donations, no public reporting requirement, and no prohibition on corporate donations when the money is used for legal matters. When it's in context of potentially huge amounts of money going to candidates or officeholders the public has a right to know who's providing that funding, but also that there should be safeguards to limit the amount of money that is coming in at those situations, said Llewellyn, of the Campaign Legal Center. Arizona lags behind rules for federal candidates The changes to Arizona's law seven years ago made the state stand apart from the rules governing candidates for federal office, which are often looked to as a guide when state law is silent on a specific issue. The Federal Election Commission, which oversees federal campaign finance law, allows funds donated to a candidate campaign to pay for legal expenses related to the candidate or officeholders activity. The candidates must publicly report those contributions, they cannot come from corporations or nonprofits, and are subject to caps of $6,600 per donor in the upcoming election cycle, according to the FEC. Those same limits and reporting rules apply to money donated to accounts set up to help pay for recounts and election contests, an FEC spokesperson said. If those federal rules applied to state offices in Arizona, APS' donation to Mayes wouldn't be allowed. Exterior of the building that houses the Arizona Public Service Company in downtown Phoenix, Tuesday morning, Dec. 10, 2019. Legal defense funds for other purposes are treated differently by the FEC and dont have requirements to report. That doesnt mean they are entirely without rules, however. The ethics committees in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives must give permission to a member to create a legal fund, which is then subject to caps on donations and require regular public reporting, according to the committee rules in each chamber. The complex web of how candidates and officeholders bank their money has lately entwined major political controversies, including a concern that GOP candidates are pushing false claims of fraud as a vehicle for fundraising. Former President Donald Trump faced such allegations during a U.S. House committee's investigation of his ties to the Jan. 6, 2021, violence at the U.S. Capitol. For subscribers: The Jan. 6 Capitol riot probe is targeting Trump. Here's what to know about Arizona's role Committee member Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., charged last year that Trump misled Americans, drawing $250 million in donated money for a legal fund that was never set up. That money, according to testimony by the committees investigators, instead went to Trumps Save America PAC, which then distributed cash to Trumps businesses and his allies. Trumps use of the money prompted good government groups, like the Campaign Legal Center, to call on the FEC to set rules for legal funds. Candidates should only use that money for post-election challenges and limits on how they can spend any leftover money should exist, the center argued. Ensuring that candidates and officeholders are spending the money on legal costs and not other interests is one reason to add reporting requirements in Arizona, said Terry Goddard, a former Arizona attorney general and transparency proponent who ran the 2022 ballot measure requiring disclosure of dark money in advertising. The ballot measure, Proposition 211, won with over 70% of Arizona voters in favor. Goddard said legal expenses are appropriately considered under the law in a category separate from contributions that seek to influence the outcome of an election, but that they should have reporting requirements. I think it's appropriate to have it in a different category, but it's not appropriate to have it totally without accountability, he said. As a disclosure advocate, I think thats a mistake. Reach reporter Stacey Barchenger at stacey.barchenger@arizonarepublic.com or 480-416-5669. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why Arizona law allows secret funding of politicians' legal costs Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday played down the monthlong hacking of hundreds of thousands of State Department and Commerce Department email accounts by individuals based in China. Speaking at the Aspen Security Forum, Blinken said that the compromised email accounts, which included those of the U.S. ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, were unclassified and that the department's classified system had not been breached. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondos unclassified email account was accessed, as well. "I can't speak to the direct impact of any particular incident," Blinken said in a discussion with NBC News' Andrea Mitchell. "I can say that the incident in question only affected our unclassified system." The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the breach, which it said included hundreds of thousands of emails. The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency said that it learned of the hacking campaign in mid-June and that the it lasted for roughly a month. A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington called the allegations groundless. Cybersecurity experts cautioned that breaching unclassified networks can reveal sensitive information. The hacking occurred in the period before Blinken traveled to Beijing for talks with Chinese officials. No one should underestimate the damage that can be done even from unclassified emails, said Glenn Gerstell, a former general counsel of the National Security Agency. You can glean a great deal even if the underlying substance remains secret in the classified network. He said that the sophistication of the attack was shown by the hackers' ability to breach the State Department system, remain in it for a long period and target the accounts of senior officials. He added that it likely involved months of preparation. This is not a teenager getting lucky," Gerstell said. "This is a nation state being very sophisticated. Story continues Blinken said that he had raised the issue of hacking with Chinese officials. "Ive had, you know, opportunities to speak directly to Chinese counterparts about the deep concern we would have over anything targeting the U.S. government, targeting U.S. companies, targeting U.S. citizens," he said. "Well take appropriate action, if we need to, in response." Blinken also played down the failure of the Biden administration's climate envoy, John Kerry, to secure an agreement with China during a recent visit to Beijing. "The purpose of Johns trip was not to get an agreement, was not to get some concrete deliverable," Blinken said. "The purpose was to renew the conversation the dialogue weve been having with China on climate." Asked about Russia, Blinken said that the recent mutiny by members of the Wagner Group showed the weakness of the government of Vladimir Putin. "Weve seen cracks emerge in the facade," he said. The Secretary of State then offered unsolicited advice to the leader of the group, Yevgeny Prigozhin. Blinken suggested that he consider fleeing, citing a series of incidents where Putin opponents have fallen from windows to their deaths in suspicious circumstances. "You know, if I were Mr. Prigozhin, I would remain very concerned," he said. "NATO has an open door policy. Russia has an open windows policy, and he needs to be very focused on that." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Harmful algae blooms in Michigan and other states are spiking during the summer in freshwater bodies such as lakes, according to a recent CDC report. Harmful algae blooms are often caused by a rapid growth of cyanobacteria, known as blue-green algae, a naturally occurring bacteria. Gary Kohlhepp, Lake Michigan unit supervisor of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, said that a small amount of cyanobacteria is a safe and natural part of the water system, but it can become toxic when it begins to cluster in large quantities and creates blooms. Toxins produced in these blooms can lead to illness in humans and animals. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, blue-green algae blooms are a common occurrence in the Great Lakes, specifically Lake Erie. CDC report results The CDC report collected voluntary data from public health agencies across 16 states on harmful algae bloom events in 2021, referred to as harmful algal blooms in the report. Here were the findings: Most reported events occurred during the summer, with a peak in August (25% of reported events). Most of the events (90%) reported were in lakes, reservoirs or other freshwater bodies. A third of the reports of human illness occurred in June. The most common symptoms in humans were gastrointestinal, generalized (headaches and fevers, for example), and dermatologic. Reports of animal illnesses occurred primarily in August (86%), mostly involving wildlife. The most common symptoms in domestic pets were gastrointestinal, such as vomiting, and generalized, such as lethargy. A harmful algae bloom event in Washington killed 2,000 bats. There were 368 harmful algae bloom events reported, resulting in 117 human cases of illness and at least 2,715 animal cases of illness. (Animal cases are underrepresented because some group animal reports did not provide the number of total animals impacted, or indicated that the number they gave was an underestimate.) Story continues Kohlhepp said that EGLE had seen an increase in reporting on harmful algae blooms, though that may not indicate an actual increase in the quantity of blooms in the state. I think some of that increase is just that people are more aware of it and more likely to report it, he said. Pets: Dogs are dying from blue green algae. What owners need to know Spotting harmful algae blooms These harmful algae blooms can appear as accumulations of algae that coat the surface of the water or as a neon green color in the water. Kohlhepp said that if there arent any visible signs of a harmful algae bloom in the water, theres a good chance its safe, though the only certain way to tell whether a body of water is toxic is by testing. In one instance, Kohlhepps team tested a clear spot in a lake that had a harmful algae bloom in another part of it. In the spot that appeared clear, there was only a miniscule amount of cyanobacteria picked up. The good news is, generally, if you dont see a bloom, the toxins are not present, Kohlhepp said. Theres almost always an indication that theres something going on when the toxins are present, either that bright color or the surface accumulation. Great Lakes: Antibiotics for humans, livestock found in waters flowing to Lake Erie Symptoms of exposure According to Michigan Sea Grant, the most common type of blue-green algae in the Great Lakes is microcystis, a bacteria which produces a liver toxin and skin irritant. When exposed to these harmful algae blooms, humans often develop a rash. Other possible symptoms include nausea, headache and fever. Animals, such as dogs, who experience symptoms may appear sluggish. Other symptoms found in animals include vomiting and dark urine. Steps to take after exposure Because humans usually experience dermatologic symptoms, Kohlhepp recommends washing off as soon as possible after coming in contact with a harmful algae bloom. If they notice symptoms, they should visit a doctor for next steps. Dogs and other animals should also be rinsed off after exposure, though symptoms may still arise if they ingested the algae-filled water. Pet owners should watch for symptoms and take them to a veterinarian if they notice any symptoms. How to report a harmful algae bloom EGLE collects reports of harmful algae blooms through email at algaebloom@michigan.gov. They recommend sending a photo alongside the report, so that they can more easily identify algae blooms and send someone to test the water. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Blue-green algae: CDC says blooms infect humans, animals in Michigan Every Kansas kid can get a free book, and one of American's most beloved music icons is coming to Kansas to help celebrate that fact. Dolly Parton, the revered country legend, will visit the Imagination Library of Kansas on Aug. 14 for a closed event to help celebrate the free book service, available to all Kansas children ages 1 to 5. "I am pleased that we have reached this amazing milestone being able to provide the gift of reading for children and families across Kansas, Gov. Laura Kelly said in a release. We know that a childs first five years are critical for health development and childhood literacy. By increasing access to the Imagination Library, we will be nurturing a love for reading and supporting the foundation of a childs social-emotional, physical, and cognitive future. I urge all eligible Kansas families to sign their children up for the Imagination Library of Kansas. Country legend Dolly Parton will be in Kansas next month to celebrate nearly 4 million books given for free to the state's children. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has helped children read for decades The program is part of Parton's Imagination Library, which sends free books monthly to children in the U.S. and around the world. Started by the country legend in 1995 to benefit children in her home state of Tennessee, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has sent over 200 million books to more than 2.5 million children in nearly three decades. "Before he passed away, my Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done," Parton has written about the program. "I cant tell you how much that meant to me because I created the Imagination Library as a tribute to my Daddy. He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams. In the U.S., the national Imagination Library program works with local affiliates in each state to register children, promote the program and pay affordable, wholesale book costs for the children. Story continues Kansas children have received nearly 4 million free books from Dolly Parton In Kansas, funding from the Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund and the Kansas Legislature, combined with local and regional funds, help ensure equitable opportunity to high-quality literature for children learning to read across the state. The city of Pratt in 2005 was the first to create an Imagination Library site outside of Tennessee. More than 52,000 children have enrolled in Kansas' Imagination Library, and those children have received more than 3.8 million books. To check for availability in your area, visit kschildrenscabinet.org/imaginationlibrary. Rafael Garcia is an education reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at rgarcia@cjonline.com or by phone at 785-289-5325. Follow him on Twitter at @byRafaelGarcia. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Dolly Parton coming to Kansas to promote Imagination Library service Floridas public schools will now teach students that some Black people benefited from slavery because it taught them useful skills, part of new African American history standards approved Wednesday that were blasted by a state teachers' union as a step backward. The Florida State Board of Educations new standards includes controversial language about how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit, according to a 216-page document about the states 2023 standards in social studies, posted by the Florida Department of Education. Other language that has drawn the ire of some educators and education advocates includes teaching about how Black people were also perpetrators of violence during race massacres. Family of former slaves (Fotosearch / Getty Images) That language says, Instruction 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. The Florida Education Association, a statewide teachers union representing about 150,000 teachers, called the new standards a disservice to Floridas students and are a big step backward for a state that has required teaching African American history since 1994. How can our students ever be equipped for the future if they dont have a full, honest picture of where weve come from? Floridas students deserve a world-class education that equips them to be successful adults who can help heal our nations divisions rather than deepen them, Andrew Spar, president of the union, said in the statement. Gov. DeSantis is pursuing a political agenda guaranteed to set good people against one another, and in the process hes cheating our kids," Spar said. "They deserve the full truth of American history, the good and the bad. The union said it is troubling that at the high school level, the standards conflate the 1920 Ocoee Massacre, when at least 30 African Americans were killed for attempting to vote, with acts of violence perpetrated by African Americans. And in middle school, the standards require students be taught slavery was beneficial to African Americans because it helped them develop skills, the union said. Story continues 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, NBC South Florida reported. A spokesperson from the Florida Department of Education on Thursday provided a response to NBC News questions through a statement from Dr. William Allen and Dr. Frances Presley Rice, who are members of Floridas African American History Standards Workgroup. The new standards were defended in the statement as comprehensive and rigorous instruction on African American History. We proudly stand behind these African American History Standards, the statement said. The intent of this particular benchmark clarification is to show that some slaves developed highly specialized trades from which they benefitted. This is factual and well documented," it added. The statement continued, Some examples include: blacksmiths like Ned Cobb, Henry Blair, Lewis Latimer and John Henry; shoemakers like James Forten, Paul Cuffe and Betty Washington Lewis; fishing and shipping industry workers like Jupiter Hammon, John Chavis, William Whipper and Crispus Attucks; tailors like Elizabeth Keckley, James Thomas and Marietta Carter; and teachers like Betsey Stockton and Booker T. Washington. Its disappointing that some detractors would devalue the research from the work group and reduce it to a few isolated expressions without context," the statement said. A representative for Gov. DeSantis could be immediately reached for comment Thursday. In January, DeSantis administration blocked a new Advanced Placement course on African American studies from being taught in high schools, saying it violates state law and was historically inaccurate. The state pointing to six areas of concern and works by Kimberle W. Crenshaw, bell hooks, Angela Davis and other Black authors. That same month, DeSantis and Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. discussed the issue at a news conference. They said that the course was a Trojan horse for indoctrinating students with a left-wing ideology under the guise of teaching about the Black experience and African American history. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Chinese President Xi Jinping Reuters/Pool China's growth model is no longer suited to the global economy, Mohamed El-Erian said. Exports have fallen, and growth in Europe and the US will likely be muted for the foreseeable future, he said. "China cannot count on globalization to rescue its faltering growth model." China's disappointing post-COVID recovery highlights the country's misalignment with the global economy, Mohamed El-Erian wrote. After an initial burst of first-quarter growth, China's industrial output, investment, and consumer activity have all cooled sharply. The country now teeters on the edge of deflation, while second-quarter GDP pointed to continued weakness. In a Project Syndicate column, the chief economic adviser at Allianz attributed China's recent slowdown to three main factors. "First, as the most recent trade data show, the global economy no longer supports China's domestic growth dynamics," El-Erian said, noting that Chinese exports in June dropped 12.4% and imports declined 4.1%. That's as top trade partners in Europe suffer from sluggish growth, while the West has begun "de-risking" away from China with the US curbing trade and investment. Second, El-Erian said Beijing is torn between reverting to its traditional top-down stimulus measures versus a more bottom-up approach that unlocks more economic dynamism. Third, the end of China's draconian zero-COVID restrictions late last year hasn't resulted in across-the-board spikes in household, business, and property demand, he added. "Given that growth in Europe and the US is likely to remain subdued for the foreseeable future, and with the global economy still reeling from the impact of the most aggressive wave of interest-rate hikes by central banks in advanced economies in several decades, China cannot count on globalization to rescue its faltering growth model," El-Erian wrote. In addition, companies diversifying supply chains away from China will hit foreign direct investment, and US national security priorities will add more restrictions on trade and investment, he added. Story continues Rather than hope for the rest of the world to save China's economy, El-Erian suggested that Beijing look inwards and re-orient political policy towards an effective growth model. However, in China this is especially challenging, as the country suffers from political inconsistency. Where the central government may push for macro-level directives, their adoption is often limited by on-the-ground realities, such as worries about exacerbating local debt. But approaching policy from the micro-level is also difficult, leaving China in a "muddled middle," El-Erian wrote. Local governments have only so much autonomy, and solutions may be restrained in an aging population and high unemployment. "The country's industrial-policy framework has yet to strike the right balance between macro-level directives and providing sufficient operational autonomy at the micro level," he said. Read the original article on Business Insider The three separate criminal statutes that sources say are referenced in the target letter former President Donald Trump received over the weekend could offer hints as to what he could ultimately be charged with if special counsel Jack Smith moves forward with indicting him over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The three statutes include conspiracy to commit offense or to defraud the United States; a civil rights conspiracy charge; and tampering with a witness, victim or informant, according to sources. It's not clear whether Smith will seek an indictment based on any of the statutes sources say are referenced in the target letter, or what range of charges Trump could ultimately face. The former president has denied all wrongdoing and dismissed Smith's probe as a political witch hunt. MORE: Special counsel informs Trump he is target in probe of efforts to overturn 2020 election Here's what legal experts say the indictment could look like if Trump is ultimately charged with respect to his and others alleged conduct regarding his election loss. Conspiracy to commit an offense and defraud According to the U.S. criminal code, this potential charge would relate to 18 U.S.C. 371, a general conspiracy statute making it an offense if "two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose." Randall Eliason, a law professor at George Washington University and a former assistant U.S. attorney, described the conspiracy statute as a "go-to" for prosecutors who are seeking to join together one or more defendants in a common charge that tells the story of a case. "Once you have conspirators then it's a charge you'll almost always see included, because it covers the agreement to commit any federal crime," Eliason said. PHOTO: Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to reporters, June 9, 2023, in Washington. (Jose Luis Magana/AP) Widge Devaney, a former assistant U.S. attorney, told ABC News the conspiracy charge would be the "easiest" for Smith to prove. Story continues "That's almost like an omnibus that you could fit a lot of conduct under, as long as the government is the victim," Devaney said. The statute includes two separate prongs: conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. While the first prong could involve a conspiracy to violate any criminal statute, the second is less commonly deployed, according to Eliason -- but has been interpreted by the Supreme Court "to include any conspiracy to obstruct or impede the lawful functions of the U.S. government through deceit or unlawful methods." "It gives prosecutors kind of an alternative way to charge the idea that these defendants agreed to obstruct the lawful functions of the U.S. in conducting and certifying the presidential election," Eliason said. "So you can argue that conspiracy was pressuring state officials, part of the conspiracy was sending the fake electors, part of it was summoning the mob on Jan. 6 and sending to the Capitol, part of it was pressuring [former Vice President] Mike Pence." MORE: Jan. 6 final report reveals new details, calls for Trump to be barred from office "They can all be part of a single charge," Eliason said. "And so it's a really great vehicle to get the whole story and wrap it all up into one." Trump wouldn't necessarily need to be charged alongside another individual as part of the conspiracy, according to experts, as any eventual indictment could instead make reference to others "known and unknown to the grand jury," who could be cooperating with the government or even added to a later superseding indictment. Conspiracy against rights Conspiracy against rights is the title for 18 U.S.C. 241, which makes it a crime for two or more persons to "conspire to injure, threaten, or intimidate a person in the United States in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or because of his or her having exercised such a right." The references to the Reconstruction-era federal civil rights statute has caught some legal experts by surprise, even as some argue that it could technically apply to some of the actions Trump took in the days leading up to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, when he sought to overturn the election results in seven swing states that voted for Joe Biden. "I'm guessing the way they would frame this would be that Trump conspired with others to deprive the voters, maybe those seven states where they were contesting the election -- deprive those voters of their right to vote, basically," Eliason said. PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) Eliason said that there is no explicit "right to vote" stated in the Constitution, so a legal argument behind such a charge would have to allege Trump and others conspired to deprive voters of other rights expressed in the Constitution such as due process or equal protection under law. "Equal protection meaning other people's votes are counting and mine aren't, because you're throwing my votes out or diluting my vote or things like that," Eliason said. Asha Rangappa, a former FBI special agent and ABC News contributor, said the statute could also offer a way for Smith to address the assault on the Capitol in his indictment of Trump without having to tie Trump directly to it. "It seems like a way to charge insurrection without charging the statute that would create First Amendment challenges," Rangappa said. "The victims would be the millions of voters whose votes Trump was trying to prevent from being counted via the false elector scheme." Obstruction While sources say the target letter to Trump cites tampering with a witness, victim or informant, the reference to obstruction is the title of the 18 U.S.C. 1512 statute, which involves a much broader range of various obstruction offenses. Legal experts ABC News spoke with agreed this most likely relates to a provision of the statute involving obstructing an official proceeding, which the Justice Department has used in more than 310 cases against individuals charged in connection with the Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol. The statute was long believed to be among those weighed by prosecutors examining Trump's efforts to prevent then-Vice President Mike Pence from certifying President Biden's election win on Jan. 6. The charge was also the first named by the House Select Committee Investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol in their final report, in which they issued criminal referrals for Trump to the Justice Department. Unlike many of the rioters who have been convicted of the charge, Trump was not part of the physical breach of the building that disrupted the certification of the vote. MORE: Proud Boys convicted of Jan. 6 seditious conspiracy But the Justice Department has used the statute to achieve successful convictions of others who never entered the Capitol -- including Oath Keepers militia founder Stewart Rhodes, who was in the area but remained outside the Capitol building during the attack, and Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who wasn't even in Washington, D.C. during the riot. "When it comes to Trump, the 1512 charge wouldn't be limited to just the riot," Eliason said. "The charge isn't limited to that -- it doesn't require force or violence. So I think against Trump the charge would be broader and very similar to the conspiracy charge in that it would have all these different prongs [that] he sought to obstruct the congressional proceeding." However, attorneys representing other Jan. 6 defendants have challenged the use of the 1512 charge with respect to the Capitol attack. Earlier this year, a three-judge panel at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the charge's use against three rioters accused of violence -- but a separate challenge regarding the requirement of proof that a defendant acted "corruptly" in their effort to obstruct the vote certification is still being considered by another appeals court panel. Here's what the laws reportedly cited in Trump's target letter could mean for a potential indictment originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Soldiers were abmushed in the village of Wanat, set in the rugged terrain of a remote river valley. Photo courtesy 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. The Battle of Wanat took place on July 13, 2008, in the Waygal Valley, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan. It involved around 200 Taliban insurgents attacking a small U.S. Army outpost manned by 49 U.S. soldiers and 24 Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers. Nine U.S. soldiers lost their lives. Another 27 were wounded, marking it as one of the deadliest for American forces during the war. Background and Preparations In the weeks leading up to the battle, U.S. forces established a temporary outpost in the village of Wanat. The base was named Combat Outpost (COP) Kahler in honor of 1st Lt. Matthew Kahler. Kahler died earlier in the year in the same area. The soldiers were part of Chosen Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. They set up the COP in order to provide security for the construction of a new road and to facilitate development projects in the region. The U.S. forces, led by 1st Lt. Jonathan Brostrom, were aware of the potential for a Taliban attack and had taken precautionary measures. These included establishing observation posts and defensive positions. However, service members faced several challenges. These included a delay in the delivery of materials to build proper defenses and limited air support due to the remote location of the COP. View of Wanat COP looking east from mortar position with 2d Squad position, the bazaar and OP Topsides later location in the background, 9 July 2008. The Battle The Battle of Wanat began in the early morning hours of July 13, 2008. Thats when Taliban insurgents launched a coordinated attack on COP Kahler and its observation posts. The attackers used small arms, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and mortars to target the U.S. and ANA forces. Insurgents infiltrated the village and came dangerously close to the COP. Additionally, they used civilian houses and other structures for cover. Despite being outnumbered and facing an intense and sustained attack, the U.S. and ANA soldiers mounted a fierce defense. The soldiers fought back with small arms, machine guns and artillery support. They also called for air support from Apache helicopters and a B-1 bomber. The battle lasted for several hours, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Story continues Aftermath In the aftermath of the battle, questions arose. They surrounded levels of preparation and the effectiveness of tactics used during the battle. A U.S. Army investigation into the incident revealed several factors that contributed to the high casualty rate. Insufficient intelligence on enemy forces played a significant role. So, too, did inadequate force protection measures and an overall lack of coordination between the various units involved. The Battle of Wanat served as a stark reminder of the dangers and complexities of counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan. The engagement highlighted the importance of strong intelligence, effective communication, and coordination between units, as well as the need for well-constructed and well-defended outposts. President Barack Obama congratulates Former Staff Sgt. Ryan M. Pitts after presenting him with the Medal of Honor at the White House in Washington, D.C., July 21, 2014. Pitts is awarded the Medal of Honor for the heroic actions he displayed during one of the bloodiest battles in Wanat, Afghanistan, July 13, 2008. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Steve Cortez/ Released) Legacy of the Battle of Wanat The Battle of Wanat is a testament to the bravery and resilience of the U.S. and ANA forces involved. The soldiers' actions serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by service members during the Afghan War. The incident has also been the subject of several books, articles, and documentaries. This ensures future military strategists will continue to learn from Wanat and those who died will not be forgotten. Stop gaslighting the public Newpaper editorial boards and left-leaning organizations are gaslighting the public about Issue 1, saying it will destroy democracy. More: 'Power-hungry hypocrites' trying to con Ohio. Issue 1 about dominance, deceit| Our view Nov. 8, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; A poll worker holds up voting stickers inside Christ the King School on East Livingston Avenue in Berwick on the morning of Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8th. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch But their demagoguery ignores a common-sense principle: Unlike ordinary laws, a constitution should be hard to change. More: 'Power-hungry hypocrites' trying to con Ohio. Issue 1 about dominance, deceit| Our view Laws are a set of specific rules to govern behavior. The people's will is translated into law through elected representatives, who answer to their constituents. Laws change with the times. A constitution, on the other hand, is a general framework for structuring and operating government, outlining the obligations and limitations of its power, including protections for the rights of its citizens. It is intended to endure changing partisan administrations and outlast fickle political whim. That's why amending the U.S. Constitution is hard, requiring support from two-thirds of the House and Senate and three-fourths of the states. Dean Rieck That's also why 39 states (78%) do not allow initiated constitutional amendments at all, including liberal states such as New York, Washington, and New Hampshire. Only 11 states allow such amendments with a simple 50%-plus-1-vote threshold. This low bar invites abuse from big-money activists and opens the door to ensconcing controversial ideas into our bedrock document. Stop the gaslighting. Voting "yes" on Issue 1 protects our constitution. It brings us more in line with most states and ensures broad consensus. Even the Ohio Democratic Party requires a 60% vote to amend its bylaws. Dean Rieck, Executive Director, Buckeye Firearms Association. How would passage of Issue 1 on the August 8 Ohio Special Election ballot change the way voters get constitutional amendments on the ballot? How ironic The Dispatch is full of irony. The first piece of irony appeared on the front page of the July 13 edition. In the article "Ohio AG: Colleges could be liable if they violate ban," Ohio AG Yost threatens to prosecute colleges giving minorities a foot up. Story continues On the same page 1, it seems ironic that Yost seems to be too busy watching college admissions to prosecute the Fraudulent jobless claims increasing in Ohio." It appears that there were thousands of cases of stolen unemployment payments in just the last few weeks. Another example of irony was the July 16 edition that featured a page 1 story "Report examines troubled Ohio CVS pharmacies" on Ohio CVS pharmacies that are so understaffed that they are providing unsafe care. The ironic part of is in the same edition "The Motley Fool Take: CVS healthy." CVS Health was already a top name in pharmacy retail, and now has health insurance and pharmacy benefits businesses; together, those areas should provide long-term stability for investors. The Motley Fool has recommended CVS Health." So, it seems that CVS is concerned more about their investors than their patients. William Cotton, Blacklick Ohio teachers slapped in face Behind closed doors, in the final minutes of reconciliation, Ohio GOP Lawmakers hide in its biennial budget bill a provision to redraw Ohio teacher licensure bands into P-8 and 6-12. This despite pleas by all credible professional educators and experts that this move will hurt youth and our profession. Starting August, Ohio math teachers can be exploited to teach sixth grade math one period and AP statistics to high school students the next. Imagine, an already overworked educator planning to teach preschoolers one period and fifth graders the next- bouncing between schools? Teacher workload may have just doubled if not tripled, and kids will have less prepared and effective educators. Deeply troubling, this act kills the idea of "middle school" and its research-based tenants of advancing developmentally and culturally responsive education. This bill is another slap in the face to Ohio's professional teachers, a group that is running for the exits quicker than almost any other profession. Brad Maguth, Seven Hills This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Why should you vote 'yes' on Ohio Issue 1. They were originally looking for a vacation home, but Alan Andrew, originally from Pennsylvania, and his Belgian husband Vincent Proost found themselves relocating to Portugal full time after purchasing an abandoned farmhouse in the region of Alentejo. The couple, who met on a blind date in London in 2006, had been living in the UK together for around two decades when they began searching for a new home in Europe. While neither had spent much time in Portugal previously, Proost, an interior designer, felt it might be the right place for them and suggested that they spend some time exploring the country together. To be honest, I was more keen on somewhere like Italy, Andrew tells CNN Travel. I didnt really know Portugal. After traveling around the country for a few months, they fell in love with Alentejo, which is situated in southern Portugal, around 190 kilometers (118 miles) from capital Lisbon, and decided to look for a house there. Adventurous project Alan Andrew and Vincent Proost purchased a rundown Portuguese farmhouse in 2019. Unable to salvage the home, they decided to knock it down and build a new property from scratch. - Vincent Proost Every direction has a beautiful view, adds Andrew, who works as an educational psychologist. For me, its like a blend of the African Savanna and Tuscany. They had viewed around 80 properties in the area, before they came across a crumbling farmhouse located in the rural village of Figueira e Barros. But it soon became clear that it would be impossible to salvage the house, and this was about to become a much bigger project than theyd intended. It had been sort of left for about 50 years, explains Andrew. So the roof was completely gone. It was just crumbling. We knew it was going to have to be a build from the ground up. They realized that theyd have to move to Portugal permanently in order to immerse themselves in the build, and fully commit to running a farm. It suddenly became a project, says Proost. And I was like, Okay, lets move. And then we did. We built the house from scratch just before the pandemic, which was quite an adventure. After purchasing the property in the summer of 2019, they officially relocated to Portugal, renting a house nearby while finalizing the sale and going through the process of obtaining residency. Story continues The pair also started meeting with architects and builders to put together plans for their new home before beginning the build. They decided to first renovate the barn on the property into a pool house so that they could live there while work was taking place. New beginnings Alan Andrew, originally from the US, and Vincent Proost, from Belgium. have a completely new life in Portugal, and say they couldn't be happier. - Vincent Proost But just as things began to get underway, the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Countless countries around the world, including Portugal, went into lockdown, and the couple, who had been asked to move out of their rented home, found themselves with nowhere to go. All the hotels were closed, explains Proost. So we had to sleep in a tent for two weeks. They were eventually able to stay in the barn, albeit without electricity initially, while waiting for the renovation work to commence. Thankfully, the barn was completed within a few months and they continued to live there while work on the main house took place. The original farmhouse was knocked down in September 2020. For a long time, we really couldnt leave our village area, says Andrew. And we had just moved here, so we didnt know anyone. It was pretty much the two of us 24/7 on the farm. In some ways it was great, because we had a lot of work to do in the fields. The couples land encompasses 175 acres and includes around 1,500 olive trees, which needed to be pruned. They also had animals to attend to. Its such a big outdoor space, says Andrew. Its always socially-distanced here. Construction work on their house slowed down significantly due to the Covid restrictions, and the couple were forced to adjust their expectations. The build was supposed to last a year, says Proost. We just finished, which is almost three years. So it was a bit longer than originally planned. Modern farmhouse The couple's new home, named Casa Baio, has its own pool, five bedrooms, along with a barn turned pool house. - Duarte Bivar The house, which theyve named Casa Baio, has a solar water heating system and is also fitted with solar electricity panels. Its very well insulated, adds Andrew. In the old traditional houses, the windows are tiny because of the weather and now because of technology, were able to put in bigger windows. They had to adhere to various regulations and liaise with local authorities to ensure that the house met the specified requirements, particularly with regards to height and building locations. We couldnt build more than two floors, explains Proost. Although they describe Casa Baio as a modern farmhouse, they say theyve tried to incorporate as many traditional local materials, including handmade terracotta tiles, along with floor tiles made from local marble, as possible. The main house has five bedrooms and an outdoor swimming pool, while the pool house has a studio bedroom with a kitchenette. They declined to disclose the amount they spent on the build. Proost says his favorite thing about the house, which measures around 800 square meters, is the views. We bought the property for the views and the quietness and tranquility, he says, adding that he particularly enjoys looking out at the sunsets from their huge windows. Its one floor, so theres no upstairs. Everything is quite flat. And its brown. It blends in with the lands. You dont see it. The only part of the original house that could be saved was the gate. Now happily settled in Portugal, the couple spend much of their spare time tending to their animals, including chickens and sheep, and working on their olive fields. Neither of us had any clue about the farming aspect at all, adds Andrew. So we were lucky that we met a Portuguese oil farmer, whos been a kind of a mentor to teach us how to do it. They also produce their own organic oil, which has won prizes in various competitions, including the London International Olive Oil Competitions. Andrew and Proost say they try to use regenerative organic practices on the farm, which is certified organic. All that we had to learn on the spot, says Andrew. We had no clue. Its been a great adventure in that way. Just kind of learning something completely new. You couldnt get any different from London. Its the direct opposite. Change of pace Casa Baio is located in the village of Figueira e Barros in the Alentejo region of Portugal. - Duarte Bivar Now their house is complete and theyve gotten to know the area, the pair feel very much at home in Figueira e Barros, and have been welcomed with open arms by the locals. The Portuguese are extremely open, says Andrew. Two gay men living in a farm in rural Portugal not a problem. They seem to really want people to come here. They appreciate people who are investing in the country and trying to take care of these old farms that are just kind of going to ruin. Theyre currently running Casa Baio as a bed and breakfast, with four of their en suite bedrooms available to book for a two-night stay minimum. They pair have become friends with many locals Andrew is a member of the local running club as well as other expats whove relocated to Portugal. As soon as we bought the place, all the neighbors invited us for dinner, says Proost. The people are just wonderful. However, they admit that its taken some time to adjust to the change of pace, explaining that things seem to move much slower in the Alentejo region. Everyone has time here, says Andrew. If youre in the supermarket and youre standing in line, its quite usual for the cashier to have a 10-minute conversation with the person in front of you and no one minds you just kind of wait in line. Thats just the way it is. The nearest city, Estremoz, is 30 minutes or so away by car. Portugal has become a popular destination for US citizens looking for a new life in recent years. According to government data, the number of Americans living in Portugal increased 45% in 2021 from the previous year. Andrew and Proost say theyve definitely noticed an increase in the amount of people from the US relocating to Portugal, particularly in Alentejo. Its a region thats not so discovered, but its becoming [more] discovered now, says Andrew. There are a lot of Americans who are coming to this area from the west coast of California, because its a very similar climate to California. He goes on to point out that there was very little development in the region for years, so there are no overly developed areas. It was probably the poorest region in Portugal for a long time, and because of that, there was no development happening, he adds. Its just really authentic Portuguese villages. Andrew explains that Portugals golden visa system, a five-year residence by investment program aimed at non-EU nationals, has attracted a lot of people. A lot of them came initially to Porto or Lisbon, the big cities, he explains. But theyve stopped the golden visa in those places, because it was getting too out of hand. So now, people are coming more towards the interior of the country. Portugals prime minister confirmed earlier this year that the government would not be issuing further golden visas in a bid to fight against price speculation in real estate. Aside from the climate, he believes that the relatively low crime rate in the country Prime Minister Antonio Costa has described Portugal as one of the safest countries in the world, the affordable cost of living and the friendliness of the people, are its biggest selling points. The people really make the place, says Andrew. Its a very welcoming place. And I think because the population of the country is declining, theyre really pro-immigration. Big changes The house has a solar water heating system and is also fitted with photovoltaic panels. - Duarte Bivar There are so many great things about Portugal. They [the Portuguese] dont really sell it at all. Theyre very humble. While the couple had hoped to remain living in their new home for the foreseeable future, they recently received some news that has forced them to rethink things completely. Andrew has been diagnosed with ARVD/C, a rare heart disease that can increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest or death. Due to the nature of his condition, hes had to limit the level of physical activity he participates in, which rules him out for much of the manual work needed to keep their farm running. Were going to put the house on the market, Andrew explains. Because its too much. I could hire someone to do the work, but Im not the kind of person who wants to sit around telling people what to do. I want to actually be doing the work. Its one of those things. Ive never had any health issues. And then suddenly Its really changing everything. Although theyre undeniably disappointed at the prospect of having to sell up and abandon the life theyve cultivated in Portugal, both say they have absolutely no regrets, and are looking forward to their next adventure. The couple are constantly asked for advice from other travelers who are keen to start a new life in either Portugal, or another country, and say they always encourage people to take the leap. Go for it, says Andrew. Life is short, we dont know whats going to happen around the corner. But also have your eyes open. And when you go into a new place, dont expect things to be the way they were in the US, or wherever youre coming from. Be open to the differences. Try to find ways of adapting and not expecting things to adapt to you. Because why should they? For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com On Saturday, July 15, 26-year-old Dominic De La O from Hatch, New Mexico, allegedly shot Alamogordo Police Department Officer Anthony Ferguson in what police said was an attempt to flee from police officers. De La O fired a shotgun wounding Ferguson in the face, according to a criminal complaint against him, an injury that would result in Ferguson's death July 16 at 10:51 p.m. at University Medical Center El Paso. The encounter with law enforcement was not the first time De La O had fled from police officers or been suspected of being in possession of a firearm. More: Slain Alamogordo Police officer Anthony Ferguson killed with shotgun Thank you note for Officer Ferguson at a memorial for him at the press conference on Monday, July 17, 2023 De La O first runs from APD in January 2022 On Jan. 24, 2022, police alleged in an affidavit that De La O fled from APD in a black SUV following an attempted traffic stop. APD said in court documents that De La O had a suspended driver's license at the time. APD chased De La O through Highway 54/70 before he drove onto First Street, where APD documents said he was going up to 35 miles per hour. At the intersection of First Street and White Sands, De La O was reported to have stopped at a red traffic light for only a moment before continuing to flee. The arresting officer then witnessed De La O turn left on First Street and Florida Avenue, where he then turned east on Ninth Street. The arresting officer lost sight of De La O after he abandoned the SUV in an attempt to run on foot, according to the incident report. De La O was seen by a New Mexico resident, incident reports indicated, when he ditched the SUV who said he jumped into her backyard to escape the police. An APD detective found the ditched SUV in an alleyway at 1400 Hendrix City in Alamogordo. APD continued the search and later found De La O at 18th Street and Park Crescent City, where they arrested him. He was charged with aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, a fourth-degree felony. He was also charged with petty misdemeanors, driving while under the influence of drugs (DWI), driving while license suspended and disorderly conduct. Story continues According to court documents, De La O admitted to the arresting officer that he was on the substance Clonazepam and knew he was not supposed to be behind the wheel under the influence. Clonazepam is a sedative that treats seizures, panic disorders, and anxiety. It can also impair your memory and coordination but "works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain," according to medlineplus.gov. Court documents do not list the arresting officer on duty at the time of De La O's arrest in 2022. This case is still pending resolution at the time this article was published. De La O has another encounter with APD in January 2023 that ended in a shooting More: NMSP: Alamogordo man shot after pursuit by police According to court documents, on Jan. 29, 2023 De La O had again fled from APD. When New Mexico State Police Officer Eric Marrujo arrived at the A'RM Car wash on 10th Street, in Alamogordo, New Mexico, he spoke to Alamogordo Police Lieutenant Chris Hughes about what happened. Marrujo said in court documents that he learned Dominic De la O was in the area of 1003 Ridgecrest from Hughes. The 12th Judicial District Attorney's Office Major Crimes Unit had alerted residents in the area at an earlier time and advised them to call if De La O was seen in the area. When Rincon arrived at the location and found De La O, a foot chase began leading to the A'RM Car wash on 10th street. APD Officer Robert Brown arrived on the scene shortly after and a "scuffle" broke out between all three men while both APD officers attempted to arrest De La O. Court documents said during the fight, De La O pulled a gun out and APD Officer Robert Brown then pulled his weapon, firing and injuring De La O in the leg. After De La O was arrested, the 12th Judicial District Court conducted a search at A'RM car wash, where a pair of De La O's jeans were left behind. Marrujo said he then searched the pockets and found a bag with a "crystalline substance." "I later examined the evidence bag containing this substance and based on my training and experience, the substance appears to be consistent with methamphetamine," Marrujo said in court documents. After his January 2023 encounter court documents show De La O was charged with possession of a controlled substance, two counts of negligent use of a deadly weapon and two counts of resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. On Feb. 10, 2023, Marrujo conducted a test on the substance found in De La O's jeans "using a Lynn Peavey brand quick check methamphetamine tester." Marrujo said the substance tested positive for methamphetamines. The amended criminal complaint read that Marrujo reviewed surveillance footage from the A'RM Car Wash. Marrujo said in the footage De La O can be seen running with a gun before he runs in front of Brown's police vehicle and falls to the ground, aiming a gun at his head and allegedly told officers he was going to shoot himself. Brown attempted to fire his taser at De La O but was unsuccessful, according to the incident report. Brown and Rincon then struggled to disarm De La O. The attorney for both De La O's 2022 DWI and his 2023 drug possession case was listed as James Russell Walker Jr., from the New Mexico Public Defenders Office. Walker said as of now no attorney was appointed to defend De La O in the death of Ferugson. A judge granted a motion to consolidate De La O's prior cases a process which happens when two cases are similar and combined together in order to save time resources and expenses for all parties involved. The new case is scheduled for a jury trial Thursday, July 20. This is subject to change following the death of APD Officer Anthony Ferguson and a gunshot wound to De La O. If he claims he is still injured, or court says he is unable to appear due to the ongoing investigation the date will be postponed for a later time. Otero County court officials said as of Tuesday no plans were made to change the date of that hearing. Juan Corral can be reached at JCorral@gannett.com or on twitter at @Juan36Corr. This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Man who allegedly killed Alamogordo police officer has history of evading officers Members of Russia's elite have questioned Russian president Vladimir Putin's judgment in the aftermath of the short-lived armed rebellion mounted last month by his former caterer and Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, senior Western officials said at an annual security conference this week. "For a lot of Russians watching this, used to this image of Putin as the arbiter of order, the question was, 'Does the emperor have no clothes?' Or at least, 'Why is it taking so long for him to get dressed?'" CIA Director William Burns said Thursday. "And for the elite, I think what it resurrected was some deeper questionsabout Putin's judgment, about his relative detachment from events and about his indecisiveness." Burns and other top Western officials spoke at the annual Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. While acknowledging the fallout from the attempted mutiny was not yet fully known, several of the officials, citing Putin's known penchant for revenge, had macabre expectations for Prigozhin's fate. "In my experience, Putin is the ultimate apostle of payback. So I would be surprised if Prigozhin escapes further retribution for this," Burns, a former ambassador to Russia, said Thursday. "If I were Prigozhin, I wouldn't fire my food taster," he said, echoing similar remarks made previously by President Biden. "If I were Mr. Prigozhin, I would remain very concerned," Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the conference on Friday. "NATO has an open-door policy; Russia has an open-windows policy, and he needs to be very focused on that." National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan later said the aftermath of the assault was still "unsettled and uncertain," but that Prigozhin's actions were an illustration of frustration with the course of the war in Ukraine. "If Putin had been succeeding in Ukraine, you would not have seen Prigozhin running pell-mell down the track towards Moscow," Sullivan said. Story continues Burns said Prigozhin had "moved around" between Belarus and Russia in the weeks following his 24-hour assault, during which he and a cohort of Wagner troops claimed to have seized military headquarters in Rostov before coming within 125 miles of Moscow. After an apparent and still ambiguous deal brokered by Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko, Prigozhin announced he and his troops would turn back. Last week the Kremlin revealed that Putin later met with Prigozhin and Wagner commanders and exacted loyalty pledges from them. "[W]hat we're seeing is the first cracks are appearing on the Russian side rather than on our side," British foreign minister James Cleverly told the conference on Wednesday. "And it doesn't matter how Putin tries to spin it: an attempted coup is never a good look." Still, officials said Putin appears as yet unmoved toward the contemplation of any peace negotiations, even as Ukrainian forces push forward with a grinding counteroffensive. "Unfortunately, I see zero evidence that Russia's interested" in entering into talks, Blinken said. "If there's a change in President Putin's mindset when it comes to this, maybe there'll be an opening." "Right now, we don't see it," he said. Judge sets 2024 trial date in Trump classified documents case Deadly heatwave scorches South and Southwest "CBS Evening News" headlines for Friday, July 21, 2023 Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Cabarrus County Sheriffs Office A 51-year-old Trump fan accused of waging a racist and xenophobic intimidation campaign against local residents amassed a disquieting collection of Nazi and Ku Klux Klan memorabilia at the North Carolina home he shares with his two daughters, according to an FBI search warrant application obtained by The Daily Beast. Photographs of the grotesque items are included in the document, which was filed on June 20, two days before Marian Hudak was apprehended. But the filing also reveals that Hudak, who the feds say especially railed against foreigners, screaming at the family next door to go back to Mexico, is himself an immigrant. Hudak, who the warrant says was mistaken for Hispanic by at least one witness, is charged with two counts of interference with federally protected activities and criminal interference with the right to fair housing, allegedly terrorizing people of color in the area for more than a year. U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina/DOJ Hudak immigrated to the United States in 2001, the warrant application states, though it does not specify his birth country. (Hudak is an Eastern European name, according to Ancestry.com.) It says he first appeared on law enforcements radar in 2017, and since March 2020 has had at least 17 instances of law enforcement contact, including threats, racist episodes, and weapons violations. Among other things, prosecutors say Hudak has pulled guns, unprovoked, on members of minority groups; verbally abused and physically assaulted his Mexican neighbors; and attempted to run Black motorists off the road in his Trump-and-Confederate-flag-bedecked pickup truck. In July 2022, Hudak was banned from a Sams Club after parking the truck outside the store and spewing racial slurs through a loudspeaker. That December, Hudak was arrested in downtown Concord, sitting in an intersection, yelling, Fuck you, [N-word] at Black passersby. When confronted by police, Hudak insisted being racist was his First Amendment right. Hudak was already under state supervision when he was taken into custody by the feds under Title 18 and Title 42 laws, which make it illegal to harass anyone based on their race, religion, gender, sexual preference, or national origin. Last November, Hudak was sentenced to probation on a misdemeanor property damage charge, North Carolina Department of Adult Correction data shows. In December, seven months before Hudak would find himself on the wrong side of a federal indictment, Cabarrus County authorities conducted a probation search of his tidy three-bed, two-bath home, according to the warrant application. Story continues Nazi and KKK memorabilia FBI agents found in Hudaks home. U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina There, it says, investigators found several items of concernspecifically, three Nazi flags, a KKK flag, three rings with the Iron Cross, and a French Foreign Legion medal and the U.S. Army Parachutist badge affixed to a black beret. Heather J. Hagan, an Army spokeswoman, told The Daily Beast that DoD has no record of Hudaks service, but that if he served more than 15 years ago, any files would now be stored at the National Archives. The FBI has received information that Hudak has informed others of a desire to travel to Syria to join his new friends, and that he has publicly burned the American flag and other items, according to the warrant application. Cops have encountered Hudak wearing a TAC-vest, armed with several loaded weapons, knives, brass knuckles, and an ASP baton, it goes on. Hudak would frequently get intoxicated and show erratic and aggressive behavior. U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina In June 2020, Hudak was interviewed by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, after which the investigation was closed, according to the warrant application. Under questioning, it says, Hudak explained away his Syria plan by blaming it on the booze, insisting he was very drunk when he said something stupid due to excessive alcohol consumption. When asked about racial comments, Hudak advised he had trouble with some African American neighbors across the street, the warrant application states. Hudak stated that they do not agree with his political beliefs, and most likely did not like his Confederate flags and pro-Trump flags. Further, Hudak stated he does not hate Black people and actually rented a property to a wonderful Black couple. On social media, Hudak appears significantly less relaxed, posting aphorisms to Facebook such as, Dont fucking bark if you cant bite, and Im not cold hearted, Im just sick of being fucked over. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=127204186380821&set=pb.100072737194057.-2207520000.&type=3 FBI agents want to review the contents of Hudaks cellphone, noting that he has told local police in the past that he uses the device to take pictures and videos, which he considers evidence, of his encounters [with] those he whose behavior he considers to be objectionable, the warrant application continues. Investigators also want to obtain footage from surveillance cameras Hudak kept on his property, at least one of which the warrant application says was pointed at a neighbors home. [O]n August 30, 2022, Hudak mentioned [to a county cop] he had a body camera in his truck that he should start using, the warrant application states. A June 29 detention order filed in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina offers an additional glimpse into Hudaks chaotic life. It says Hudak had disputed a number of details in a sealed report compiled by the Pretrial Services Unit. Defense counsel noted that [Hudak] no longer takes Zolpidem for sleep, the order states. Further, [Hudak] indicated that the November 2020 charge is incorrectly noted in his prior criminal history; it should be Misdemeanor Concealed Weapon After/While Consuming Alcohol (in which the weapon was a knife). U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina A week earlier, FBI agents conducted a fresh search of Hudaks home and vehicles, according to the order, which says the effort turned up a U.S. Secret Service badge, tactical gear labeled POLICE, a radar gun, tasers, ammunition, a smoke grenade, a menacing array of knives and swords, and a book depicting racial slurs. It also says Hudak, who has pleaded not guilty, pushed back on a section of the report that referenced a December 2022 probation violation, noting that he had been caught with weapons including fixed blades, brass knuckles, and a stun gun. However, [Hudak] states that he did not have a stun gun. In a bid to be released on bond, Hudak proffered one of his daughters, who graduated high school in 2020, as a potential third-party custodian to supervise him, according to the order. Unswayed, the judge overseeing Hudaks case remanded him to federal custody as he awaits trial. Still, the order states, Defendant and his daughter both deny reports that she suffers with anxiety and is not dependable. Hudak was indicted June 26, and arraigned on Monday. He remains detained pending trial, which is scheduled for October. In an email, Lisa Costner, Hudaks federal defender, said on Thursday that she could not comment on a pending case. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Stephen P. Erickson is a retired District Court judge and is an adjunct professor of psychiatry and human behavior at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University and Roger Williams Law School. Rhode Island is one of a handful of states that allow police officers with little or no legal training to appear in court on behalf of the state, arraign individuals arrested by the department they work for, and make bail recommendations to the court. Bail recommendations made by police officers can result in unnecessary pretrial incarceration for nonviolent offenses or the addition of conditions of bail that are not necessary to ensure the defendants return for further proceedings. Pretrial Services also makes bail recommendations, particularly with respect to behavioral health issues, without benefit of legal training or even consultation with community-based providers. This should stop. It should stop today. It could stop today. Although the attorney general can (and has) delegated to municipal solicitors the authority to prosecute most misdemeanors, the further delegation of that authority to members of a police department is questionable at best. Many believe it is the unauthorized practice of law. The lack of scrutiny of misdemeanor complaints by a member of the bar prior to arraignment, and the failure to have an attorney for the city or town who is bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct at the arraignment, is a fundamental flaw in our justice system. More: RI Court: Prosecutors, not police, must handle bail in the state's most serious crimes There is no doubt that arraignment is a critical phase of a criminal proceeding against a defendant. The defendant is entitled to counsel and is entitled to a review of the charges by an officer of the court bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct before the case proceeds. The conditions of bail that are set can lead to bail revocation hearings under Rule 46(g). Often the revocation is immediate and results in the defendant being held at the Adult Correctional Institutions pending a hearing. During that time a person may lose their job, medically decompensate, or lose placement in a drug treatment program. Story continues In some cases, the conditions of bail that are set by the District Court may illegally require compliance with a treatment program that is not medically indicated. For example, the Rhode Island Mental Health Law explicitly limits use of court ordered treatment for people with serious mental illness to cases where one whose continued unsupervised presence in the community would create a likelihood of serious harm by reason of psychiatric disability. More: Court-appointed lawyers are a constitutional right. But in RI, fewer are taking the job. Rhode Islands law is firmly in the camp of maximum individual autonomy. When a person who does not meet that standard is ordered into treatment as a condition of bail or probation for a less serious condition the court is rearranging the treatment priorities of the primary providers, reducing services available to people with serious mental illness, and making medical judgments that judges are not qualified to make. Ordering compliance as a condition of bail is equivalent to mandatory treatment. Prosecutors should be lawyers, and those lawyers (as well as the judges) should be trained in the recognition of behavioral health conditions in order to make just recommendations concerning bail. This is an easy problem to solve, in fact it could be solved tomorrow. If the chief justice were to issue an administrative order requiring attorneys to be present at arraignment the system would immediately become more just. This is not a matter of cost; the cities and towns already pay an employee to be present in court. It should, however, be an attorney and not a police officer. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: There is no doubt that arraignment is a critical phase of a criminal proceeding against a defendant. To a crowd of Tennessee's GOP faithful on Saturday, July 15, Florida Gov. and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis went to his greatest hits and boasted about his self-proclaimed battle against 'wokeness.' Weve made the state of Florida the place where woke goes to die," DeSantis said. And now, it is our mission as Americans to ensure that in January 2025 ... we leave woke ideology in the dustbin of history where it belongs. But woke ideology, plain and simple, is imaginary hatred that its critics can't even define. There is no culprit, only rabbit holes that lead to nowhere. What should be in the dustbin of history are white supremacy and white nationalism. They promote the view that non-whites are inferior and are worthy of harm. But yet some in our country choose to hold on to these dangerous ideologies. Let me assure you, DeSantis, Tennessee does not have a problem with "woke ideology" but with white supremacy and nationalism that have led to acts of hatred and fear. Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns. Tennessee's history with white supremacy Throughout 1996, 160 Black churches in America were burned down due to arson. Tennessee had victims of this hatred. Some Ku Klux Klan members keep an eye out for folks gathering in Decherd, Tenn. July 14, 1979 for a KKK rally. More than 300 showed up for the rally and cross burning. On Jan. 8, 1996, the Inner City Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, was hit with 18 Molotov cocktails. "Die (racial slur) Die! and White Is Right were painted on the backdoor of the church. Over 20 years later no one has been charged with burning the church to the ground. Salem Missionary Baptist Church, a church northeast of Memphis was also victim to a mysterious fire. Then president Bill Clinton and wife Hillary went to the church to help repair the damages. Let's not forget that on March 2, hours after Gov. Bill Lee signed anti-drag and anti-trans laws, Nazis hung a sign up on Chestnut Street near Fort Negley in Nashville, TN. The sign read: Thank you Bill Lee for tirelessly working to fight (anti-gay slur) and (anti-trans slur). We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children. Story continues The Governor strongly condemns anti-Semitism, white supremacy and hate of any kind. Acts of hate have no place anywhere and will not be tolerated in the state of Tennessee," said Jade Byers, a spokeswoman for Gov. Bill Lee. Blanket statements do not reach the heart of an issue. It allows white supremacy to seep through the cracks and continue. In a most recent incident, three African American churches in Columbia, Tennessee that were victims of racial intimidation. Flyers that included hateful messaging were found at Faith United Missionary Baptist Church, Bethel Chapel AME, and Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church on July 9. The flyer references the "Old Glory Knights of the Ku Klux Klan" and includes an email address for an unnamed individual. "This attack on the serenity and sanctity of Black parishioners is nothing less than demonic," Tennessee NAACP said in a statement about the KKK flyers. "This brazen act is a reminder that in 1996 numerous black churches across Tennessee and the South East were burned and their parishioners left without a place of worship." Police have arrested a 38-year-old white man and a 17-year-old boy and charged them with civil rights intimidation. If convicted of the crime, the two perpetrators could spend less than a year in jail and will have to pay a $2,500 fine.Racism and white nationalism continues in our country today frankly because leaders have attempted to make light of this hatred. Sign up for Black Tennessee Voices newsletter:Read compelling columns by Black writers from across Tennessee. Sign up for Latino Tennessee Voices newsletter:Read compelling stories for and with the Latino community in Tennessee. Our leaders have encouraged white supremacy When asked during a radio show if white nationalists could serve in the military, Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville referred to them as Americans. After first defending what he said on CNN, he later retracted his comments, saying "white nationalists are racists." LeBron Hill is an opinion columnist for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee. When a U.S. senator says a hate group is wrongfully labeled as such, that message reaches across the country. It emboldens people, like the two Tennessee men, to send KKK flyers to Black churches in an attempt to instill fear. But the hatred, the racism that is suffered by the hand of white supremacy is real. Black Tennesseans have the scars to prove it. It is on us to make the past, the past. The church burnings or messages of hate do not stay just a dark part of history if we do not condemn the ideology that people believed to carry out these unspeakable acts. LeBron Hill is an opinion columnist for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee and the curator of the Black Tennessee Voices newsletter and Instagram account. Feel free to contact him at LHill@gannett.com or 615-829-2384. Find him on Twitter at @hill_bron or Instagram at @antioniohill12. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee's problem is not 'wokeness'; it's white supremacy Students at 68 colleges and universities across the US will easily be able to use their Samsung phones to tap for access and purchases. Samsung's Wallet app now supports digital student IDs, so long as it's on the United States versions of the brand's latest devices. Some of the educational institutions that have enabled ID integration for Samsung Wallet are Penn State, the University of Florida, Central Michigan University, University of North Alabama and the Stevens Institute of Technology. Apple has supported contact-free student ID cards since 2018, allowing students to tap their phones to access facilities and, say, get food at the cafeteria. Google Pay also launched student ID integration in 2020 in partnership with a company called Transact, which offers solutions for tuition and other student expense payment. That's the same company Samsung has teamed up with to enable this integration, which means users will have to download the Transact eAccounts mobile app from Google Play, as well. Like other digital student ID integrations, Samsung Wallet allows students to access school facilities with their phone. The app's Fast Mode feature will let users tap their phone without having to unlock their screen, while Power Reserve means they can use their digital ID even if their phone has switched off due to low battery reserves. That said, the capability to pay using NFC at on-campus stores and vending machines aren't available at all of the participating institutions. At the moment, students can only use Samsung Wallet's digital ID support if they have a Galaxy S20 phone or later, a Note 20, a Galaxy Flip or Fold device, or a Galaxy A53. Galaxy Watch support is coming this fall. Samsung also says that it's working to expand the offering and make it available for students in more institutions. Iaroslav Chemerys / Getty Images/iStockphoto Leasing a car has long been seen as a more affordable option to driving away in a new vehicle, with fewer responsibilities than are associated with purchasing a car. New Car Market: Prices Are About To Plummet Due To Oversupply More: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases Plus, when you lease a car, you often have the option to trade out for a new car when the lease is up. However, the pandemic disrupted the entire automobile industry in ways it hasnt quite recovered, including car inventory shortages, supply chain problems, and increased consumer demand, according to Cars.com. In 2022, Tyson Jominy, vice president of data & analytics at J.D. Power called it a staggeringly poor time to be leasing, with no sense of that changing in the near future. What this means is you might find yourself leasing a car at a rate you cant really afford. So, what do you do if you find yourself in that situation? Experts explain some options. Terminating Is Expensive What you dont want to do is immediately terminate your lease, according to Gillian Dewar, chief financial officer of the personal finance site Crediful. While you can pay to end a lease early, those termination fees are incredibly expensive, forcing you to pay out a relatively large lump sum thats typically the difference between how much you owe and the resale value of the vehicle at the end of your lease. Consider a Lease Transfer Your best option is a lease transfer if your dealer allows them, Dewar suggested. You can use a simple platform like SwapaLease to find a user willing to take over your lease obligations. Remember that you might have to offer a discount or a lump sum payment to entice users to take over your lease and pay out a small fee, typically between $100 to $400, to the platform itself. Keep in mind that both terminating the lease and transferring the lease will cost you potentially thousands of dollars. More Bang for Your Buck: These 20 Cars Will Last You Twice as Long as the Average Vehicle Renegotiate the Lease You can always try to negotiate with the leasing company directly, by explaining your financial situation, according to Young Pham, co-founder and financial advisor for Bizreport, a publication devoted to personal finance and business advice. Story continues In some cases, they may be willing to change the lease terms, such as lowering monthly payments or extending the lease term. Prepare to provide supporting documentation and to negotiate more favorable terms that are in line with your budget, Pham said. Buy Out the Lease Though you might not have intended to buy, if it turns out to be a better deal, Pham suggested you can look into buying out the lease, either in a lump sum or by financing the remaining balance. He added, To see if this is a viable option, calculate the total cost of the buyout and compare it to your budget. Be Careful of Your Credit Score Remember that failing to make lease payments can have a negative impact on your credit score. Consultation with a financial advisor or a car lease expert can provide you with tailored advice based on your unique circumstances. Sell the Car The next option is to look into selling the car if your contract allows that, Patrick McCann, Editor-in-Chief at wetrytires.com said, The likelihood is that you will owe more on the car than the car is worth, so selling it doesnt get you out of debt, but will stop the monthly payments. If you are able to sell it, he urged, Make sure that the buyer received proof that you are using their funds to pay off the loan company and you will need to pay the rest off somehow, like a 0% credit card. This will reduce the amount you owe and reduce the monthly cost to the bank which may allow you to keep your head above water, albeit now without a car. Take on Side Gigs If none of these options work out for you, McCann suggested looking into extra ways you can use the car itself to supplement your income and help you afford the car. You can sign up for DoorDash or Uber to earn extra cash with your car. You can also rent out your car on Turo to earn some extra cash. Just be aware of the extra mileage that youll be putting on your car as most car leases have mileage allowances. He advised, Read the fine print to check if you are allowed to rent the car out in such a way. More From GOBankingRates Gabrielle Olya and Josephine Nesbit contributed to the reporting for this article. This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: So You Leased a Car You Cant Afford Stout Road is closed due to damage after a storm passed through the area leaving trees and power lines down and many residents without power in Germantown, Tenn., on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Just over 64,000 homes are without power early Friday evening following a storm featuring heavy wind and rain that swept through the Mid-South, according to the Memphis Light, Gas & Water website. Some of the outages predate the afternoon's storm and happened after weather overnight, with others left over from a quick, but strong, storm that rolled through the county Tuesday night. By 6:30 p.m. Friday, MLGW reported 2,031 outages that affected 64,764 homes across the county. MLGW CEO Doug McGowen said on social media Friday afternoon that crews are focusing on fixing outages that will restore power to the most people "as quickly as possible," while also sending crews to areas that have not had power since Tuesday. "At 1 p.m. we had worked outages down to 14,000 from the 24,000 I reported this morning," McGowen said. "The recent storm that rolled through brought winds in excess of 75 MPH and caused another 60,000 customers to lose power... We will do our best to also focus some crews on restoring customers who have been off since Tuesday evening." McGowen had previously estimated power for those who lost it in Tuesday night's storms would be back by Sunday, but that timeline will "certainly" be longer, he said in the statement. "I do not yet have an updated day and time for substantial restoration, but it will certainly extend past my original Sunday estimate," he said in the statement. In an evening statement from MLGW, the utility said there will be 98 repair crews, 89 tree crews, 34 damage assessment teams and 23 troubleshooters working through the weekend to restore power. The crews, MLGW said, are "supported by hundreds of logistics, administrative, safety and system operations personnel." Strong storms hit Shelby County Friday, with the National Weather Service in Memphis saying rain, pea-sized hail and wind gusts up to 80 miles per hour were possible. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued, calling the storm "destructive." Story continues Severe Thunderstorm Warning continues for Memphis TN, Bartlett TN and Southaven MS until 2:15 PM CDT. This destructive storm will contain wind gusts to 80 MPH! pic.twitter.com/zX2nPKb4dX NWS Memphis (@NWSMemphis) July 21, 2023 An emergency alert, sent to phones in the storm's path, from the National Weather Service advised people to seek shelter. "Take shelter in a sturdy building, away from windows," the alert said. "Flying debris may be deadly to those caught without shelter." NWS also issued a flash flood warning until 5 p.m. Friday for Memphis, Germantown and Southaven, Mississippi, A storm swept through Shelby County Thursday night, leaving roads flooded and adding power outages for Memphis Light, Gas & Water to handle. The city-owned utility had already contracted additional workers following a brief storm Tuesday night that brought a swath of outages across the county. Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Over 64,000 homes without power after storm hits Shelby County Sister Patricia Holland poses at her home in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 14, 2022. Sister Holland died Thursday at the age of 81. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News After a faith-filled life defined by dedication, service and testimony, Sister Patricia Terry Holland the wife of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles died Thursday, July 20, at the age of 81. A former general officer in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sister Holland the mother of three, grandmother of 13 and great-grandmother of 5 will be remembered for her constant support of her husband and their efforts to share love and light in nations across the world. Born Feb. 16, 1942, in Enterprise, Utah, to Maeser W. and Marilla Terry, Sister Holland embodied the faith and legacy of her pioneer ancestors. That faith carried her from the isolated farming community of her youth to marriage and motherhood, general Church leadership and the visibility of her husbands callings and in recent years through illness that illustrated her tenacity and character. Raised in Enterprise, one of two daughters in a family that also included five sons, Sister Holland was a self-proclaimed tomboy; she loved horses and dogs, milked cows and drove pickup trucks, and worked with a capacity that matched her brothers. Most important, in the southern Utah community that included generations of pioneering Latter-day Saints most of them aunts, uncles or cousins Patricia was surrounded by extended family that descended from a long line of believers who were steeped in a tradition of faith. I couldnt get away with anything, she said in a 2018 Church News interview. Families lived on what they could raise in the very rural community, and people relied on what they could do with their hands, she said. Everyone expected things to be hard. Because of that, faith was in the blood, it was in the air, it was in the concrete, it was in the lumber, said Elder Holland. Added Sister Holland: You told faith-promoting stories and recalled ancestors who sacrificed. When she was 16 years old, her parents moved to St. George so their only daughter would have someone to date. She met Jeffrey Holland. He was smart. He was a wonderful student, she said. He knew how to make friends. He had this just wonderful ability to make people feel good. Story continues After attending Dixie College, supporting Elder Holland in his missionary service, and studying piano and voice with a faculty member of Juilliard School of Music in New York City, she married her high school sweetheart on June 7, 1963, in the St. George Utah Temple. Almost six decades later, while reflecting on the connection she shared with Elder Holland, Sister Holland would say, I still continue to learn from my husbands brilliant mind. To read the full obituary, visit TheChurchNews.com. Prosecutors say Mr Trump illegally held onto classified files at his Mar-a-Lago, Florida estate Former President Donald Trump will go on trial for alleged mishandling of classified documents in spring next year, a court has ruled. Judge Aileen Cannon set the case for 20 May. Mr Trump had wanted the trial held after the November 2024 election. Prosecutors wanted it this year. The high-profile case will begin with the election campaign in full swing. Mr Trump, 77, faces serious charges over the storage of sensitive files at his Florida home. Prosecutors say he illegally kept secret documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate after he left office and obstructed government efforts to retrieve them. The former president has maintained his innocence, lambasting the case as an attempt to destroy his election campaign. In a statement on Friday, Mr Trump said that the trial date is a "major setback" to the justice department's "crusade" against him. "The extensive schedule allows President Trump and his legal team to continue fighting this empty hoax," the former president said. On Friday, Judge Cannon, a Trump appointee, said the two-week trial would take place in Fort Pierce, Florida. For prosecutors to secure a conviction in the Mar-a-Lago case, the jury's decision must be unanimous. Jurors will be selected from around the Fort Pierce division, which includes several counties that Mr Trump won in 2020. The former president pleaded not guilty to 37 federal counts during an arraignment in Miami last month. Lawyers for both sides argued in the Fort Pierce court earlier this week over when the case should be held. Prosecutors said the evidence was not complicated and there was no need to delay the trial. They wanted it to begin in December. But lawyers for Mr Trump had argued that the "extraordinary" nature of the case required more time to prepare. Story continues They said their client could not get a fair trial before the November 2024 election. Opinion polls indicate Mr Trump is the runaway front-runner in the race to become the Republican party candidate who will challenge the Democratic nominee, in all likelihood President Joe Biden, next year. Key dates for Trump next year 15 January: Republican voters will begin the state-by-state process of picking their party's presidential nominee in so-called primary elections, the first one being in Iowa 5 March: Super Tuesday, when voters in 14 states, including California and Texas, go to the polls. The nominee will probably be unofficially confirmed at this point 20 May: Mr Trump's criminal trial in classified documents case begins in Florida 15-18 July: The Republican National Convention - to formally crown the party's presidential nominee - takes place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin The Mar-a-Lago case is one of several legal challenges Mr Trump is facing. In April, he was charged with falsifying business records in the state of New York. Mr Trump announced this week that he expected to be arrested soon in connection with a federal inquiry into the US Capitol riot two years ago and his efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. State prosecutors in Atlanta, Georgia, are also investigating whether the former president broke the law with his attempts to overturn the poll results in that state three years ago. Department of Justice-appointed special counsel Jack Smith is leading twin investigations into the Capitol riot and the Mar-a-Lago files. In an indictment last month, his prosecutors alleged that when Mr Trump left office, he took about 300 classified documents to his oceanfront home in Palm Beach. They say he stored the sensitive documents in several spaces, including a ballroom and a bathroom. According to prosecutors, Mr Trump also told a personal aide, Walt Nauta, to move boxes containing classified files from a storage room at the resort before federal investigators came to look for them. Mr Nauta is also charged in the case and has pleaded not guilty. In New York, Mr Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records for the alleged concealment of hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The former president faces a trial in that case on 25 March 2024. Outside the Supreme Court on June 29, 2023, when it struck down affirmative action admissions policies used by Harvard College and the University of North Carolina to diversify their campuses. In the Students for Fair Admission versus Harvard and the University of North Carolina decision, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that colleges and universities can no longer use race as a primary factor in granting admissions. It decided that the current use of "race" discriminated against white and Asian American applicants and that race-conscious admissions violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The issues fell into two categories. The legal issue regarded equal protection of the law, and the political issue was about applying a remedy affirmative action and using racial categorization to address racial disparities. Before we start feeling dejected over SCOTUS' decision regarding affirmative action as a remedy for racial disparities in higher education, here are a few things to consider. First, the program's purpose was for the government to act positively to "ensure" equal opportunity and combat racial discrimination in education and employment. Racial discrimination, along with structural and systemic racism, remain serious problems in America today, sixty years after affirmative action was introduced. Accordingly, it was time to take another look at Affirmative Action as a remedy. Second, Blacks are 23% of Delaware's population but only 6% of the University of Delaware'sstudent body, and that percentage has failed to come close to 10%. Affirmative action in higher education doesn't work if the quality of grade school education received by Black children is subpar. It is time for new lawsuits in the spirit of Belton (Bulah) v. Gebhart and Parker v. University of Delaware. Third, "Affirmative action" results have not been evenly distributed across the Black community since the 1990s. Many of UD's Black students come from upper-working or middle-class families. At the same time, many of them are second-generation African and Caribbean immigrants. Only a handful of the Black students at UD are from resource-deprived and lower working-class Black households and communities like the Eastside or Northside of Wilmington. Fourth, SCOTUS did not say that race could never be used. What the ruling said was that race could not be used as an "explicit factor," but it could be used as an "implicit factor." Thus, race can still be used, but its use must be subtle and used as a secondary factor in admissions. The Courts left some wiggle room, and there is hope if there is wiggle room. Finally, The Court implied that Harvard and the University of North Carolina did not demonstrate a "compelling interest" in using race in admissions. Additionally, the ruling suggested that the method used by UNC and Harvard (a checkoff box for race) was unconstitutional and did not meet a narrowly tailored requirement. In other words, SCOTUS may have raised the legal bar for meeting strict scrutiny, but they didn't put it out of reach. Story continues Affirmative action has been a tool in the struggle for Civil Rights, but it was not the toolbox. While SCOTUS has laid the political concept and politics of affirmative action to rest for now, the principle of affirmative action must continue to evolve. It is a new day, and we need modern-day thinkers to help sort out how to increase opportunities for Blacks in higher education and the workplace. Regarding race in society, SCOTUS was a bit premature in ruling that race could no longer be used as an explicit factor in admissions. By making race an implicit factor in admissions, the Court seriously downplayed the significance of race in society. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson noted that we cannot ignore the major racial disparities in education, health, wealth and well-being that were "created in the distant past but have indisputably been passed down to the present day through the generations." For example, the average white household in Delaware has roughly $30,000 a year in income, more than the average Black family. That kind of racial income inequity is hard to ignore. The Court's legal remedy seems to want to move the nation toward colorblindness. The problem is that you can't be color-blind in a multi-racial society where race is historically ingrained into its core fiber. America has spent 400 years giving meaning to race, and suddenly, we want to pretend it isn't here. Race still matters, but maybe the SCOTUS ruling suggests we should reconsider and rethink how it matters. Perhaps the takeaway from the ruling is that the political remedies to racial disparities must focus more on inequities than inequalities. Theodore J. Davis Jr. is a professor in the department of political science and international relations at the University of Delaware. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Affirmative action decision: SCOTUS ruling not all bad for Black people Jasper Kenzo Sundeen's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com. Eastern WA mother made a shocking discovery when she went to check on her sleeping child Gov. Jay Inslee, shown here delivering the State of the State in January. (Karen Ducey / The Seattle Times) VitalyEdush / Getty Images More Americans than ever are looking abroad to retire or to invest in vacation homes. After all, what could be more romantic or exciting than owning a home on the banks of the Seine in Paris, or next to the Duomo in Florence? With home affordability in the U.S. at or near its lowest point ever, the thought of buying real estate abroad might also make more financial sense. But what exactly do vacation home prices look like in Europe, and do they vary significantly from city to city? Im a Real Estate Agent: Buy Real Estate in These 10 Cities To Be Rich in 10 Years See: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 Heres a look at current average home values in various European cities, from the large and well-known to some that fly a bit under the average Americans radar. Bear in mind that home value estimates in European countries may not be quite as precise as in the U.S., which has pricing services such as Zillow. Take a look at what you can expect to spend on a vacation home in these cities. Paris Estimated average home price: $286,000 Its hard to start a discussion of European cities without thinking of the City of Lights. The most-visited city in all of Europe, Paris has more than enough cultural, historical, natural and gastronomical attractions to satisfy even the most veteran of travelers. As in most major cities, however, its important to note that home values across the various Paris arrondissements can vary widely. Options: 10 Places To Live Abroad So Cheap You Could Quit Your Job London Estimated average home price: $690,000 London, along with Paris, is one of the most popular destinations in the world, particularly for Americans. From icons like Big Ben and Westminster Abbey to the citys famous parks, historical locations and the monarchy itself, you could spend the rest of your life in London without exploring every nook and cranny. You wont get much of a break in terms of housing prices, however, as the U.S. average is just $348,853. Story continues Vienna Estimated average home price: $489,000 As the Billy Joel song says, Vienna waits for you. On the banks of the Danube River, Vienna boasts an embarrassment of riches, from ornate imperial palaces and opera houses to cultural landmarks, outstanding food and wine, and its reputation as the City of Music. Budapest, Hungary Estimated average home price: $163,000 Budapest hasnt ever gotten as much love as its more popular European brethren, but thats starting to change. The Hungarian capital is experiencing something of a resurgence among travelers, with passenger arrivals rising every year (with the exception of the global pandemic dip). Even if they couldnt identify it, many Americans are likely familiar with the image of the citys iconic Parliament, right on the Danube River, but the city is also full of cultural riches and is known as the Spa Capital of the World. Even though prices are rising dramatically, they still remain quite affordable by American standards. Kotor, Montenegro Estimated average home price: $336,000-$449,000 Like Budapest, Kotor is another Eastern European gem of a capital that is only now beginning to shine in the light. Thanks in part to the number of cruise lines that now visit this port city, Kotor is having its moment. Known primarily for its beautiful, Medieval Old Town, Kotor is also blessed with a gorgeous location right on the bay of Montenegro. Average pricing is given in a range due to the difficulty in getting accurate pricing for this overlooked city. Florence, Italy Estimated average home price: More than $1 million Florence is a city that needs no introduction. As the heart of the Renaissance, Florence houses countless cultural treasures, let alone culinary delights. With the Tuscan countryside as its backyard, Florence is and will always remain a highlighted destination for travelers from around the globe, including Americans. Of course, if you want to buy a home there, youll have to pay up for the privilege. Dublin Estimated average home price: $559,000 The birthplace of Guinness Beer and the rock band U2 is also full of Irish charm and history. As one of the closest European destinations to the U.S., Dublin makes a convenient spot for a vacation home. The capital of the Emerald Isle has something for everyone, from its 1,000-plus-year history to its lively pub scene. The small island is also just a short road trip away from the gorgeous Irish countryside. Barcelona, Spain Estimated average home price: $1 million Barcelona is one of the most popular destinations for American travelers, and it has become an almost compulsory stop on the Mediterranean cruise circuit. Known for its vibrant Catalan culture and food, the architecture of Gaudi and a pleasant Mediterranean climate, Barcelona has also become a hub for digital nomads and startup companies. This bounty of riches has also helped push up the average price of a home in the city to the seven-digit range. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Could You Afford a Vacation Home in Europe? Check Out the Prices in These 8 Cities Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Tomorrow Sunny. High 107F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Veste ciudata! Gheboasa vine la Firalmonica din Timisoara Un anunt ciudat a aparut pe portalul de vanzare de bilete iabilet.ro. Artistul Gheboasa, adus in atentia marelui public dupa prestatia de la Untold, apare pe portal cu un afis care anunta un concert la Timisoara. In mod suspect, data anuntata pentru concert este 31 noiembrie, [citeste mai departe] Black Mississippi residents in this former casino town are looking forward to a greener future. According to NBC News, the citizens of Tunica County are preparing for the first utility-scale wind farm in the state with Amazon heading the development. A Wind Farm In Mississippi My first initial thought was: A wind farm in Mississippi?' Marilyn Young, the director of Tunica County Workforce Development Center, said. Despite reservations, Young soon learned that not only could the farms huge turbines weather the sometimes dangerous storms that affect those living in the area, but it will also provide hundreds of jobs in construction to bring the project to fruition. The Benefits Whats more, aside from the clean energy the wind farm will bring, Young is hopeful that the money in property taxes, an estimated $60 million, can provide the public school system with the resources needed to propel students to success. After the departure of a large casino that drove the economy, the county was met with financial challenges. With the wind farm project, a Virginia-based energy company, AES, will sell power to Amazon. In turn, Tunica residents anticipate enough electricity to run more than 80,000 homes by early 2024. Accepting this project here could move us to another level, James Dunn, a member of the Tunica County Board of Supervisors, said. If everything goes according to the plan, a huge financial break is underway for those living in the community housed in the Mississippi Delta. However, on the other hand, some city leaders, including the former road manager of the county, dont think Tunicas decision to approve a decade-long tax break for the project is the best decision. I really dont think that was a wise move for us, said Joe Eddie Hawkins, who now serves on the Yazoo-Mississippi Delta Levee District Board. The tax break in question will allow AES to pay a third of the property taxes it would typically owe. An Anticipated Win For The County AES Senior Development Director Terrance Unrein shared that tax incentives are common for clean energy projects and doubled down on the fact that the project will bring in tens of millions of dollars to the taxing districts over the life of the project. Story continues Per Charles Finkley Jr., president and CEO of Tunica County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, the land where the wind farm will be built would have only brought in roughly $20,000 in taxes over three decades, a significantly lower amount than the anticipated $60 million from the new deal. He also expressed excitement about what a greener community will do for an area that has been plagued with economic challenges. These types of projects are not going to come in and solve all the problems with our communities, Finkley said. But its a start. Its a start and a step in the right direction. Its only a matter of time before residents and community leaders get a chance to witness the effects of this wind farm project for themselves as many are counting on its benefits for years to come. Those coming to Hungary for the first time may enjoy venturing out to Eger or Lake Balaton, while longer-term visitors are always on the look-out for a new destination to discover. Here are seven great suggestions for days out or overnight stays. 1. Egerszalok: Dramatic Thermal Springs Set alongside Eger, making it an easy day trip, Egerszalok is built around the open-air spa waters that define it. These come from deep in the volcanic Matra hills, allowing you to admire the dramatic cascades as a day visitor or hotel guest. This being Eger, theres always lashings of wine to underscore the experience. The local Lasko stream also attracts many a hiker and angler. 2. Kaposvar: Rebuilt by the Esterhazys An important town in the 1700s when the Esterhazy dynasty oversaw its reconstruction, Kaposvar still feels unexpectedly grand, with its cathedral and famous theatre. Lively bars line Noslopy Gaspar utca leading down from the main square, their terraces creating a Mediterranean atmosphere from spring to autumn. All is a three-hour hop from Budapest by train, the hotel stock plentiful and comfortable enough to encourage an overnight stay. 3. Kecskemet: Art Nouveau Delights Centrepieced and typified by the huge City Hall designed by Hungarys master of Art Nouveau, Odon Lechner, Kecskemet is the main town of Hungarys largest county, Bacs-Kiskun. Its also the birthplace of famed composer and musicologist Zoltan Kodaly, honoured with a memorial among the many churches and statues that form the attractive city centre. During term-time, bars are busy try the Beszelo Kontos on narrow Kettemplom koz, surrounded by other lively options. 4. Koszeg: A Fairytale Town in the Hills Retaining its historic character best illustrated by the soaring Sacred Heart Church on its main square, Koszeg hugs the Austrian border, just north of Szombathely. With a population of around 12,000, its small enough to stroll around unencumbered yet large enough to offer a clutch of hotels and restaurants. Other landmarks here relate to the Liberation Wars of the early 1700s. 5. Pannonhalma: Unique UNESCO Treasure Inseparable from the Archabbey of the same name that dates back to 996, the modest community of Pannonhalma sits deep in the wine country that stretches across this pretty part of Hungary just south of Gyor. The Benedictine monks at the hilltop Archabbey still make their own, while tending the many trees and plants in the arboretum. The Basilica and crypt are the main attractions, of course, each dating back the best part of a millennium, while a summer series of evening concerts jazz, Baroque makes best use of the unique surroundings. 6. Petervasara: Noble Architecture Referred to by locals as the diminutive Peterke, this sleepy community of some 2,000 souls welcomes sightseers here to view Keglevich Castle. The seat of a noble dynasty from northern Dalmatia, it was built in Baroque style in the mid-1700s. Petervasaras single hotel and restaurant, the Arany Kakas, allows overnight visitors to base themselves here before exploring the leafy delights of the extensive Bukk forest on the doorstep. 7. Szombathely: Ancient Romans and James Joyce Savaria to the Romans who made this a provincial capital, Szombathely is linked with many historic figures. St Martin of Tours, associated with Novembers goose celebrations on St Martins Day, was born here and Constantine the Great, who founded Constantinople, Istanbul in modern times, was a regular visitor in the early 300s. Today, Szombathely today is a bustling city, its centre characterised by pretty facades and imposing statues. These include a likeness of James Joyce, who cited Szombathely as the birthplace of Leopold Bloom, the protagonist in his novel, Ulysses. Words by Peterjon Cresswell for Xpatloop.com Peterjon has been researching the byways of Budapest for 30 years, extending his expertise across Europe to produce guidebooks for Time Out and his own website liberoguide.com MTI Photos: Csaba Jaszai, Laszlo Kaszoni, Peter Komka Incredibly successful British rock band confirm third European summer of stadium shows for record-breaking tour. Following the sellout success of Coldplays summer 2023 European stadium run - which culminated last night with a spectacular fourth Amsterdam show - the band have today announced a third run of European dates for June, July and August 2024, as part of their record-breaking Music Of The Spheres World Tour. The dates include the bands first ever shows in Greece, Romania and Finland, as well as their first show in Rome since 2003 and first visit to Budapest since 2008. Said by many to be the biggest band in the world right now, you can see them play live in Budapest on 16 June 2024 at the Puskas Arena. Tickets: livenation.hu Remember when Whitney Houston sang that she will always love you, and Jurassic Park was released in cinemas - what do these events have in common? They took place in 1993, the year that Bela Sasvari opened his first optic shop in Vac. These days there are 60 Optic World retail shops nationwide, with around 200 highly qualified optical specialists. In all stores you can find the world's leading brands of spectacle frames, lenses, and sunglasses, as well as contact lenses and contact lens liquids. It all began in a garage Many famous entrepreneurs started out from their garage, Apple, Amazon and Disney included. Bela Sasvari was no different in Hungary, his perseverance and passion for the optical profession then allowing him to go beyond his garage doors. This is how Optic World got its first start and grew into a nationwide chain, one of the best-known optical companies in Hungary. Today, together with its sister network, Optic World Exclusive, it operates a total of over 60 stores in the capital and in the provinces. Easily find what you are looking for The flagship Optic World Exclusive store at Arena Mall, near by Keleti station, has recently been fuly refurbished and is well worth a look. As in each store, the extra wide range of quality brands, classic glasses and modern sunglasses is refreshed every quarter plus they offer regular promotions. In all of the stores you can find what youre looking for, whether it's about style or price. Based on 30 years of experience, they have recognised that more and more people are interested in and choosing top luxury brands. Two particular brands of sunglasses are the focus of Optic World at Etele Plaza, where you find the only exclusively Ray-Ban and Oakley brands at Sunglasses Spot. From June 2023, under the umbrella of Optic World Luxury, high-end brands such as Dita or Cartier line the private section at Mammut and MOM Park. Optic World vision Every year, as part of "Vision Month" in Hungary, Optic World performs thousands of eye tests free of charge. In addition, as part of the "Seeing and Being Seen" campaign organised by the Hungarian Police, they provide free eye tests in stores. They have also taken part in road safety awareness events with mobile testing stations. Also, over the years in collaboration with the Hungarian Opticians Chamber, Optic World has donated to and given eye tests at children's homes. Local success story So over the course of 30 years, they have transformed from a garage optician into a nationwide retail network, serving the highest demands with luxury brands, while also helping people in need. With this independent Hungarian firm now celebrating its 30-year anniversary, maybe its time for you to pop into your local branch and let one of its friendly team open up a whole new world of vision for you. More: See here for location of stores, opening times and more. Words by Peterjon Cresswell for Xpatloop.com Peterjon has been researching the byways of Budapest for 30 years, extending his expertise across Europe to produce guidebooks for Time Out and his own website liberoguide.com The Financial Stability Board (FSB), the regulatory watchdog for G20 countries, on Jul 17, 2023, issued final recommendations for ensuring consistent and comprehensive regulation in the cryptocurrency asset sector, per a Reuters report. After cryptos recent turbulent year and the collapse of FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange, in November 2022, the importance of a comprehensive global regulatory guideline became increasingly necessary. This is more so as the adoption of cryptocurrencies is growing by the day. Why Did the Need for Regulations Arise? One of the main concerns raised by FSB was to curb another risk of a global financial contagion. As stated by the FSB in the Reuters article, recent occurrences have shown that the risk of further spillovers from crypto asset markets into the larger financial system could increase if its ties to traditional banking deepen. As the cryptocurrency market expands, so does the need to adopt fundamental principles inspired by mainstream finance, before the sector poses enough risk to jeopardize financial stability. This entails implementing robust governance to prevent conflicts of interest, practicing sound risk management, and ensuring transparent disclosures to safeguard customer funds separately from company assets. Diverse Regulatory Landscapes According to CoinDesk, different approaches are being implemented by different regulatory bodies in order to tackle vulnerabilities and uncertainty in the cryptocurrency market. The European Union has introduced a tailored law called Markets in Crypto Assets, while the U.S. SEC has explored applying century-old rules for traditional financial instruments. The FSB's principles aim for flexibility to accommodate various approaches, emphasizing continuity. Basel Committee and IOSCO, two international banking and securities watchdogs, will add more metrics to the FSB regulations in order to make them more comprehensive. Crypto Industry's Mixed Sentiments on Regulations As per Forbes India, the FSB's comprehensive recommendations advocate a uniform regulatory framework enclosing crucial aspects such as crypto asset markets' interconnectedness, adherence to international standards, and supervisory approaches. Primarily, it centers on three key areas safeguarding client assets, managing conflicts of interest and bolstering cross-border cooperation. Story continues While some industry players have criticised the move by the regulatory watchdog stating that the idea of cryptocurrencies functioning under a decentralised environment is lost and the regulations highlight only the view point of the governments, the broader market has welcomed the move. The introduction of regulations targeting financial risks in the crypto market marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of a comprehensive and harmonized global regulatory framework that fosters responsible innovation. This announcement brings positive implications for investors, offering transparency, risk management and strong governance in a previously unregulated sector. It empowers them to navigate the crypto landscape with confidence and seize opportunities while ensuring greater protection. ETFs in Focus Investors looking to invest in the cryptocurrency market while effectively managing risk can look into the following ETFs. The ETFs mentioned below have performed well in the last month (as on Jul 19) and can help investors navigate the crypto market and minimize risks while maximizing exposure. Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF (WGMI) up 52.64% IShares Blockchain And Tech ETF (IBLC) up 34.13% Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (BITQ) up 48.62% Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITS) up 30.96% Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Bitwise Crypto Industry Innovators ETF (BITQ): ETF Research Reports Global X Blockchain & Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITS): ETF Research Reports Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF (WGMI): ETF Research Reports iShares Blockchain and Tech ETF (IBLC): ETF Research Reports To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research A McCool Junction man will be extradited to Colorado on theft charges. Tyler Cox, 30, is being held in York County on fugitive from justice charges. He's accused of theft of $100,000-$1 million, a felony, in Weld County, according to a Colorado warrant. On Wednesday, Cox signed documents agreeing to extradition to Colorado, according to Nebraska court records. An extradition status hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 23. He's being held on a $100,000 cash or surety Colorado bond, Nebraska court records indicate. According to the York County criminal complaint, Cox was a fugitive from justice in the county from around June 6 through July 17 before he was taken into custody. Weld County is in north-central Colorado, located just north of the Denver area. Court records list a Centennial, Colorado residence for Cox. Centennial is on the southern side of the Denver metro. Nebraska court records list a McCool Junction address as of May. Per reporting in the News-Times from February of 2022, Cox is originally from the Denver area and attended college in York. He built a home in McCool Junction and has several rental properties in York. He opened Central Nebraska Auto Sales in York and said at the time he was also owner of Nebraska/Central Equipment near Grand Island. On Friday, an employee with Nebraska/Central Equipment a distributor for Blue Bird buses said Cox wasn't the owner but had been a manager and was no longer employed by the company. Im kind of a car collector, Cox said in February of 2022. Central Nebraska Auto Sales started as a way for me to buy and sell cars for myself. I already had a dealer license for the bus business but the business has kind of exploded. We are now to the point where we are selling about 25 vehicles a month. Central Nebraska Auto Sales has since closed. In April, LincOne Federal Credit Union of Lincoln filed suit against Cox regarding a $60,300 loan for a 1970 Chevrolet Camaro from the credit union to Cox. According to the lawsuit filing, Cox took out the loan in September of 2022 and as of March 30 he owed $62,653. In an April letter to court related to the lawsuit, Cox said after a period of unemployment he was working in Omaha. Cox filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection on May 10, according to Nebraska court records. New Delhi: India and Sri Lanka struck a ground-breaking agreement today, July 21, 2023, during Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe's state visit to India. The deal permits Indian tourists to utilise India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) for transactions in rupees. With the successful launch of UPI in Sri Lanka, this cooperation represents a key turning point because it introduces the well-known mobile-based payment system to the neighbouring country for the first time. Indian travellers visiting Sri Lanka would no longer need to carry foreign currency after the revolutionary change announced today. Addressing the delegation-level talks with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in Delhi today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "The agreement signed to launch UPI in Sri Lanka, will increase Fintech connectivity". #WATCH | "The Agreement signed to launch UPI in Sri Lanka, will increase Fintech connectivity," says Prime Minister Narendra Modi. pic.twitter.com/IkzPGGeoMG ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2023 Strategic collaborations have helped UPI continuously broaden its presence internationally since its founding. Sri Lanka is the newest nation to join the list of nations that use the UPI system for international transactions. UPI was already well-established in nations like France, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, and the UAE before this arrangement. This makes transactions simpler and more practical for Indian customers since they may now utilise UPI, RuPay, and other digital payment channels in these nations. Indian tourists can now easily conduct transactions in rupees in France thanks to the deployment of UPI. Instead of carrying and exchanging foreign currency, they can make payments using local QR codes or UPI IDs. With this enhanced convenience, travellers are no longer constrained by predetermined limits on their ability to use foreign currency. NEW DELHI: Pakistani woman, Seema Haider, who is under investigation for illegally entering in India and staying with her Noida-based Indian partner Sachin Meena, has filed a petition before President Droupadi Murmu, seeking Indian citizenship. According to media reports, in her mercy plea to President Murmu, filed through a lawyer AP Singh, Seema Haider has pleaded that she should be granted Indian citizenship on the grounds of her marriage with an Indian citizen Sachin Meena. I Am Indias Daughter-In-Law Now, Should Be Allowed To Stay Here Claiming that she is now the daughter-in-law of India, Seema Haider has sought permission from the government to stay in India. In her petition, she claimed that she is deeply influenced by Indian culture and traditions. She has also stated that she has fully embraced Hinduism and trying her best to learn the Indian culture, customs and traditions. Her petition to the President comes at a time when she is under investigation over her illegal entry into India and her suspected links with Pakistans spy agency ISI. The mystery surrounding Seema Haider, who is now being referred to as Pakistani Bhabhi, has further deepened in the wake of shocking revelations being made by the UP ATS and other intelligence agencies on the basis of her intense grilling regarding her undetected journey from Pakistan to India via Nepal. For the unversed, Seema Haider claims to have met her Indian partner, who she married in Nepal, in a private chatroom while playing the online mobile game PUBG in 2020. Their friendship over PubG and then over WhatsApp conversations blossomed into love to the extent that she crossed borders along with her four children and travelled to Nepal in March this year to spend a week with Sachin Meena in a hotel room in Kathmandu. In May this year, she travelled from Karachi to Dubai and then to Nepal before sneaking into India illegally. Seema Haider and Sachin Meena were arrested by the authorities for an illegal stay in India on July 4 and were granted bail by a local court three days later. Since then, the Pakistani Bhabhi has been grabbing media headlines and has given numerous interviews to TV news channels dismissing claims of being a 'Pakistani spy'. Speaking exclusively to Zee Media, Seema Haider claimed that she is an ordinary woman and not a terrorist and wants to live in India forever. She also claimed that she does not want to return to Pakistan where death is awaiting her. Amid all this, the owner of a hotel in Nepals Kathmandu, where the two stayed in March, 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 The 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 Meanwhile, Uttar Pradeshs anti-terrorism squad (UP-ATS) and central agencies have intensified their probe against Seema Haider. 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. Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin penned a letter to Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat over the release of water of Cauvery river by Karnataka and the "risks faced by the current Kuruvai crop" in the state. "I have written to Hon'ble @gssjodhpur requesting the release of #Cauvery water and highlighting the risks faced by the current Kuruvai crop in Tamil Nadu. Furthermore, I have urged immediate attention to this critical issue," the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister tweeted. Stalin has also shared the key points from his letter written to Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on his Twitter handle. The letter highlights the risks faced by the current Kuruvai crop in Tamil Nadu due to Karnataka not releasing our due share of Cauvery waters, he shared. The Mettur reservoir was opened on June 12 to facilitate the cultivation of the Kuruvai crop. However, the flow received at Billigundulu from June 1 to July 17 was significantly lower than the prescribed quantum, with a shortfall of 22.54 TMC, he informed. Tamil Nadu has been making efforts to manage the crisis with judicious water management, he said. However, he added that the demand- supply gap can only be met by releases from Karnataka. In the letter he mentioned that the Tamil Nadu Minister for Water Resources had previously sought the Union Jal Shakti Minister's intervention during a meeting on July 5 and had also requested to instruct Karnataka to make up for the shortfall. Chief Minister Stalin alerted in the letter that the standing Kuruvai crop in the state "can only be saved if Karnataka releases water immediately". The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has urged the Union Jal Shakti Minister's "personal and immediate intervention" and has requested the direction of the Cauvery Water Management Authority to issue instructions to Karnataka to follow the monthly schedule prescribed by the Supreme Court and make up for the shortfall. NEW DELHI: After proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were cut short amid a ruckus over a viral video from Manipur, purportedly showing two women being paraded in the nude, Day 2 of the 23-day Monsoon Session, on Friday, could likely witness similar scenes over the prevailing state of affairs in the Northeast state. With the Opposition members in both Houses adamant on a discussion on Manipur on the opening day of the Monsoon session, on Thursday, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day while the Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice. The Upper House was first adjourned till 12 noon following obituary references, and then, till 2 pm, over the Opposition demanding a discussion on the Manipur situation. Amid similar bedlam, the proceedings in the Lok Sabha were suspended till 2 pm following obituary references. Amid continued chants and slogan-shouting from the Opposition benches, the Lower House was adjourned for the day, later. Opposition members demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi issue a statement in the Lower House, adding that the government should suspend all other listed businesses and discuss the situation in Manipur. The government said it was willing to discuss Manipur for a short duration. Demanding a detailed discussion on Manipur in the Rajya Sabha, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O' Brien said, "We want a discussion on Manipur. PM Modi has to open his mouth on Manipur. He added that the discussion on the prevailing state of affairs in the Northeast state should be conducted under the 267 rule. The second day of the Monson Session will commence at 11 am. The thirty-ninth report of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence on the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control & Discipline) Bill, 2023 will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Friday. The Upper House will also extend birthday greetings to Rajya Sabha MPs Mallikarjun Kharge and Santosh Kumar Joginipally. Union Minister V Muraleedharan will also issue a statement on the government's businesses in the Rajya Sabha listed for the week commencing July 24. Further, in the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Shripad Naik will table a copy of the Marine Aids Navigation (Accreditation of Training Organisations) Rules, 2022, which was published in notification No. G.S.R.178(E) in Gazette of India dated March 13, under Section 51 of the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021. The notification also relates to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Cochin Shipyard Limited and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for the year 2022-2023. Union Minister of State for Defence, Ajay Bhatt, and fellow Union MoS Munjapara Mahendrabhai will also table papers in the Lower House. Meanwhile, Congress MP Manickam Tagore gave an Adjournment Motion Notice in the Lok Sabha on Friday, demanding a discussion on the Manipur situation. The MP has also sought a statement from PM Modi on the situation in the Northeast state. Besides, AAP MP Sanjay Singh, and RJP MP Manoj Kumar Jha have moved a Suspension of Business Notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha, demanding to discuss Manipur situation. The Monsoon session is slated to continue till August 11. New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday arrested a 19-year-old student of Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) for his alleged links with ISIS, a proscribed terrorist organisation. The accused, Faizan Ansari alias Faiz, was arrested after searches at his house and rented accommodation in Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh as part of NIA's crackdown against modules of ISIS operating in the country, said the NIA. Faizan has been taken into custody in a case registered by the NIA on July 19 under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The agency will be progressing with its investigations to unravel all the facets of the international conspiracy. The searches at the house of the accused in Lohardaga district of Jharkhand and a rented room in Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh were conducted on July 16 and 17 and several electronic devices and incriminating materials and documents were seized, said the anti-terror agency. As per the NIA, Faizan had hatched a criminal conspiracy along with his associates and other unknown individuals through social media platforms to support ISIS activities in India and disseminate the outfits propaganda over various social media platforms. "The conspiracy was aimed at carrying out violent terror attacks in India on behalf of ISIS," the NIA said. Investigations have revealed that Faizan and his associates had pledged their allegiance to the Islamic State, stated the agency, adding "The accused was also actively in the process of radicalizing neo-converts and attracting them to the terrorist fold for enriching the cadre base of the ISIS in India." Faizan was in contact with foreign-based ISIS handlers who were guiding him on recruitment to the banned outfit, said the NIA. "Along with other members of the ISIS, he was planning violent actions and was contemplating doing hijrat to an ISIS conflict theatre abroad." Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is part of the newly announced grand position alliance INDIA to take on the ruling BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, has said that she is not interested in becoming the prime minister but just wants the saffron party to go. The Trinamool Congress supremo made these remarks while addressing a gathering at the partys annual Martyr's Day rally. Speaking on the occasion, Mamata said that she has no ambition for any chair but is just willing to fight against the BJP rule to dethrone it. The statement from Mamata Banerjee comes in the wake of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar making it clear that they have no interest in the Prime Minister's seat. Mamata Lashes Out At Centre Over Manipur Situation Continuing her tirade against the Centre over the Manipur crisis, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the BJP's 'Beti Bachao' scheme has now turned into 'Beti Jalao' (Burn our daughters). The TMC boss wondered why the Centre never bothered to send central teams to Manipur, where ethnic strife has claimed over 160 lives so far. We want to express our solidarity with Manipur. The BJP had sent so many central teams to Bengal (after the panchayat polls), why no central team was sent to the northeastern state, she questioned. Mamata, while expressing her solidarity with the newly formed opposition alliance I.N.D.I.A, asserted that their mission is to remove the saffron camp from power. She warned that the return of the BJP government would signal the demise of democracy. The TMC boss gave a clarion call to oust the BJP and refuted claims of personal ambitions by saying, We have no other demand, nor we want any chair except ousting BJP from the Centre in 2024. I am happy that these 26 opposition parties have come together. We will organise protests against the Centre under the banner of the opposition alliance - I.N.D.I.A. The alliance will fight and TMC will stand by it like a soldier, she said. Banerjee said if the BJP returns to power for the third consecutive time at the Centre, Democracy will cease to exist in the country. In Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a student from Class 3 took a daring leap from the first floor of his school, leading to his hospitalization. According to Deputy Inspector General of Police (South Kanpur) Ravindra Kumar, on July 19th, a student studying in Class 3 at a school in Kidwai Nagar performed a daring jump from the first floor. "A Bet Among Children" The student's friends revealed that before the incident, the child had gone to fetch water, where a few other students were already present. During this time, a discussion among the children about jumping like superheroes ensued, and a bet was made. Leap from the First Floor Subsequently, the student leaped from the first floor. The incident caused a commotion in the school premises. Teachers and other school staff rushed to the scene. Amidst chaos, the student was taken to the hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment. Some media reports claim that the child was a huge fan of a Bollywood superhero movie and wanted to perform a stunt like a superhero. The Entire Incident Captured on CCTV The entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras. Family members claim that the event occurred due to the children's innocence. As soon as the police received information about the incident, they also arrived at the scene. No Official Complaint Filed Yet The student is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kanpur. The police have gathered information through CCTV footage, but no official complaint has been filed in this matter yet. Lucknow: A 70-year-old US national who had been living in Lucknow since 2017, was found dead in her rented flat here, police said, adding that she died of prolonged illness. According to the police, Denis Vega's body was found by her caretaker, who informed the cops about it. The woman's visa was valid till 2027. Alok Rao, SHO of the Chinhat police station, said: Initial probe has revealed that the US national died due to prolonged illness. The woman had died around 24 hours ago, but the death was reported on Thursday evening as she was staying alone. As the deceased was an American national, all protocols were being followed and further investigation was on." SRINAGAR: Possibly for the first time in the history of Amarnath Yatra, a record number of pilgrims over 3 lakhs - visited the holy cave shrine within just twenty-one days of the commencement of the annual pilgrimage this year. With the addition of the number of Yatris who got darshan today, the cumulative total now stands at 3,07,354. Sharing more info, the officials said, "The figures are testimony to the fact that government has developed physical infrastructure of electricity, health, roads, sanitation and treks besides ensured transportation services from road transport, helipad service and pony services." Almost thirty government departments have been looped in to ensure seamless facilities to make pilgrims feel at home. The enhanced facilities from the accommodation, food, water health care, and pony service generated a positive response from devotees who undertook the yatra and encouraged others to embark on the Amarnath pilgrimage, this year. To make the Amarnath pilgrimage a memorable lifetime experience for devotees, the potential of available resources was capitalized to the brim which ensure a stress-free and tireless yatra. This year, the government made the twin axis - Pahalgam and Baltal - glow with lights from base camps to Holy Cave which helped to carry on the yatra during evening hours. The construction of two State-of-Art 100-bed hospitals for the treatment of pilgrims and all the associated people is another epitome of high-level seriousness shown by the government for boasting allied infrastructure. Besides, other existing health infrastructure, every camp is manned by expert health teams who on a daily basis examine hundreds of pilgrims providing them with medicine and advice. Since the influx of pilgrims is swelling with every passing day, the government made sure that transportation facilities be provided to pilgrims from Jammu to base camps in Kashmir. To keep a strict vigil on the nitty-gritty of yatra for smooth and peaceful conduct, the government established Integrated Command & Control Centre which is integrated with RFID. This data-based science helps in effective crowd control management, traceability, avoidance of traffic jams and management besides coordination among all stakeholders on a real-time basis. The local people serve pilgrims Kashmiri Kehwa and warm water to help them to fight cold temperatures. Pilgrimage has become a centre of attraction for citizens of the nation and foreign citizens this year. Two American citizens from California, a Ukrainian woman, a group of 35 Nepali citizens and a group of 30 citizens from Malaysia are among the pilgrims who paid obeisance at the Holy Cave. The Divisional Newsroom working under the supervision of Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and the Department of Information & Public Relations are working in close coordination with each other to disseminate information about the available facilities and the satisfaction of pilgrims. Government this year expects more than five lakh pilgrims to visit the holy cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva which will be the highest-ever number of pilgrims coming to the holy cave in the history of Amarnath Yatra. FILE PHOTO: The logo of PDVSA's U.S. unit Citgo Petroleum is seen at a gas station in Stowell By Marianna Parraga and Gary McWilliams HOUSTON (Reuters) -A U.S. court set Oct. 23 as the start date for a long-expected auction of shares in Venezuela-owned refiner Citgo Petroleum's parent to pay creditors with judgments against the South American nation. The sale process lays out a schedule that could lead to formal approval of any sale of shares in PDV Holding, a U.S.-based unit of state company Petroleos de Venezuela, a year from now. U.S. Judge Leonard Stark in Delaware this week accepted a recommendation by a court official in charge of organizing the auction. Proceeds from any sale of PDV Holding shares would be used to pay off creditors previously cleared by the court. PDV Holding's only asset is Citgo. Any sale of Citgo without the participation of Venezuela would be "hurtful," Pedro Tellechea, Venezuela's oil minister, said on Friday. "It's not a PDVSA asset. It's an asset of all Venezuelans," he said. Horacio Medina, head of the ad-hoc board that since 2019 has overseen the refiner, was not immediately available for comment. A spokesperson for Citgo declined to comment. Stark dismissed Venezuela's attempt to stop the auction. Venezuela had argued that the auction's conditions would not ensure the best value for the assets, and that the process should be delayed until other pending litigation is resolved. "The Venezuela Parties' objection is utterly unpersuasive, particularly in light of the lengthy history of this case," he wrote. "There is simply no reason to further delay starting the sale process." The U.S. Treasury Department this month extended for three months through Oct. 19 a license protecting Citgo from holders of a 2020 bond defaulted by PDVSA. The license does not freeze the auction, but would require U.S. approvals for any winners in the process. Following a long wave of expropriations under late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and the default of bonds issued by PDVSA, the creditors flocked to U.S. courts to enforce arbitration awards against the country. Story continues The creditors include miner Crystallex International, oil producer ConocoPhillips, Siemens Energy, and Red Tree Investments, which are trying to recoup some $2.7 billion over unpaid court and arbitration rulings. Another group of six companies recently won at an appeals court their attempt to attach claims to the Delaware case. The companies are O-I Glass Inc, Huntington Ingalls Industries, ACL1 Investments, Rusoro Mining, Gold Reserve and two Koch Industries units, which will try to cash $3.46 billion. (Reporting by Marianna Parraga and Gary McWilliams; Editing by Richard Chang and Grant McCool) Mumbai: As Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh are gearing up for their next release, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Alia, Ranveer and Karan Johar recently interacted with students for the IIMUN series ahead the release of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.' During the interaction, they played a never have I ever game. They were asked if they ever had a crush on their teacher. Alia and Karan replied with an I have not stick. On the other hand, Ranveer replied with an I have one. He said, It was 1st grade. Miss Melrose McGill from Learners' Academy, Bandra. If you are watching this, I still have a very special place in my heart. While Alia shined in a blue chiffon saree, looking like the perfect bride with her long dupatta and matching jewellery, Ranveers look was not to be missed. He stunned everyone with his all-white outfit, while Karan appeared fashionable in his all-black attire. Recently, Alia and Ranveer walked the runway at Manish Malhotra's Bridal Couture Show. Actors from B-town including Janhvi Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Karan Johar, and Nora Fatehi, attended the event. Mukesh Ambani and his family also participated in the event. Ranveer and Alia will be sharing screen space in the movie 'Rocky aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani'. Helmed by Karan Johar, the film stars Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Dharmendra, Jaya Bachchan and Shabana Azmi in the lead roles and is all set to hit the theatres on July 28. New Delhi: Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme 14th Installment update:-- The 14th Installment under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan Yojana) will be transferred into the bank accounts of eligible farming families next week. On July 27, PM Modi will distribute the 14th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi to the approximately 8.5 crore beneficiaries of PM KISAN, according to a government website. On July 27, at 11 a.m. in Sikar, Rajasthan, PM Modi will meet with farmers while transferring the direct benefit to qualified recipients. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi 14th installment Status Check -Visit official PM KISAN website https://pmkisan.gov.in/ Portal - You will see the map of India under Payment Success tab. - On the right hand side, there will be a yellow coloured tab called "Dashboard" - Click on Dashboard - After clicking, you will be taken to a new page - On the Village Dashboard tab, you will have to fill your complete details - Select the state, district, Sub-District and Panchayat - Then click on show button - After this you can choose your details These Farming Families Will Not Get PM Kisan Samman Nidhi 14th installment We had earlier reported that farmers awaiting payment under PM Kisan might not receive it at all because of a minor mistake on their end. Farmers who want to benefit from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana can link their bank account with their Aadhaar card and submit their completed e-KYC on PM Kisan's official website, http://pmkisan.gov.in, according to a tweet from the program's official advertising and marketing agency. If you are looking to complete the PM-KISAN e-KYC process, you can check out the step by step process below. - Visit the official PM Kisan website https://pmkisan.gov.in/ - In the right hand side, below the home page, you will see Farmers Corner - There is a box just below Farmers Corner that mentions e-kyc - Click the e-kyc - A page will open that facilitates Aadhar Ekyc - Now, you will have to enter your Aadhar number and then the Captcha code shown and click on the search button - After that, you will have to enter your mobile number linked to your Aadhar card and click on Get OTP button - The OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number - Punch in the OTP and click on the Submit For Authentication button - As soon as you click Submit For Auth button, your PM KISAN e-KYC will be successful Here Is How To Link Aadhaar With Bank Account In 3 Easy Steps Using Mobile App - Sign in to your bank's mobile app - Navigate to the "Services" page of the "My Account" section and select "View/Update Aadhaar card details." - Enter your Aadhaar number twice and then press the submit button. - You will receive notification that your bank account has been successfully linked to your Aadhaar card. PM KISAN Scheme Details PM KISAN Scheme was launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2019, aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions. Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs 6000 per year is released in three-monthly instalments of Rs 2000 each directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. While lakhs of eager farmers are waiting for the disbursal of Rs 2,000 in their account, there are several farmers who are not eligible for the PM KISAN Scheme. Those excluded from the PM-KISAN include institutional land holders, farmer families holding constitutional posts, serving or retired officers and employees of State or Central government as well as Public Sector Undetakings and Government Autonomous bodies. Professionals like doctors, engineers and lawyers as well as retired pensioners with a monthly pension of over Rs 10,000 and those who paid income tax in the last assessment year are also not eligible for the benefits. Farmers who want to benefit from the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana can link their bank account with their Aadhaar card and submit their completed e-KYC on PM Kisan's official website, http://pmkisan.gov.in, according to a tweet from the program's official advertising and marketing agency. If you are looking to complete the PM-KISAN e-KYC process, you can check out the step by step process below. - Visit the official PM Kisan website https://pmkisan.gov.in/ - In the right hand side, below the home page, you will see Farmers Corner - There is a box just below Farmers Corner that mentions e-kyc - Click the e-kyc - A page will open that facilitates Aadhar Ekyc - Now, you will have to enter your Aadhar number and then the Captcha code shown and click on the search button - After that, you will have to enter your mobile number linked to your Aadhar card and click on Get OTP button - The OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number - Punch in the OTP and click on the Submit For Authentication button - As soon as you click Submit For Auth button, your PM KISAN e-KYC will be successful Here Is How To Link Aadhaar With Bank Account In 3 Easy Steps Using Mobile App - Sign in to your bank's mobile app - Navigate to the "Services" page of the "My Account" section and select "View/Update Aadhaar card details." - Enter your Aadhaar number twice and then press the submit button. - You will receive notification that your bank account has been successfully linked to your Aadhaar card. PM-KISAN 14th Installment: How To Check Name on Beneficiary List Eligible farmers can easily check their names on the official PM Kisan website. On the homepage of the website, you need to visit the Farmers Corner, followed by clicking on the Beneficiary Status option. On the next page, you need to enter your details to find out if youre eligible for receiving the benefits under PM Kisan Yoana or not. PM KISAN Scheme was launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2019, aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions. Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs 6000 per year is released in three-monthly instalments of Rs 2000 each directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. While lakhs of eager farmers are waiting for the disbursal of Rs 2,000 in their account, there are several farmers who are not eligible for the PM KISAN Scheme. Those excluded from the PM-KISAN include institutional land holders, farmer families holding constitutional posts, serving or retired officers and employees of State or Central government as well as Public Sector Undetakings and Government Autonomous bodies. Professionals like doctors, engineers and lawyers as well as retired pensioners with a monthly pension of over Rs 10,000 and those who paid income tax in the last assessment year are also not eligible for the benefits. The real estate industry has witnessed a profound transformation over the past decade, thanks to rapid technological advancements and innovative solutions. The traditional methods of buying and selling properties have been disrupted by the integration of technology, empowering buyers and sellers with new tools and platforms to navigate the market efficiently. As a result, the real estate landscape is evolving, and people are embracing technology more than ever to simplify their real estate transactions. According to recent statistics, the global real estate technology market is expected to reach a staggering $8.9 billion by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.6%. This growth can be attributed to the increasing adoption of modern innovations in the industry, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, blockchain, and automation. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer in the real estate sector. With AI-powered algorithms and machine learning, property search platforms have become smarter, providing users with personalized recommendations based on their preferences. This not only saves time for buyers but also helps them discover properties that match their unique needs. Virtual reality (VR) has revolutionized property tours, enabling potential buyers to explore properties remotely. By putting on a VR headset, buyers can immerse themselves in a virtual walkthrough of properties, experiencing the layout, design, and ambience as if they were physically present. This technology has significantly enhanced the home-buying experience, eliminating the need for countless physical visits and allowing buyers to narrow down their choices efficiently. Blockchain technology has introduced transparency and security into real estate transactions. By leveraging the blockchain's decentralized ledger, property ownership records can be securely stored, preventing fraud and simplifying the process of verifying ownership. Additionally, smart contracts based on blockchain technology automate contract execution, reducing the need for intermediaries and streamlining the buying and selling process. Dr Mohit Ramsinghani, the Chief of Sales at Runwal, stated, "The real estate industry is undergoing a transformative phase with the integration of technology. Buyers and sellers now have access to powerful tools that enhance their decision-making process and streamline transactions. We have embraced these technological advancements to provide our customers with a seamless and efficient real estate experience." The rise of real estate technology has also witnessed a shift in consumer behaviour. A recent survey revealed that 80% of homebuyers now begin their property search online, with 65% relying on mobile applications for their real estate needs. This shift in consumer preferences underscores the importance of technology in the industry, as people increasingly value convenience, efficiency, and accessibility. The real estate industry has been profoundly impacted by technology and modern innovations. With the integration of AI, VR, and blockchain, buyers and sellers have gained access to powerful tools that have streamlined the property search and transaction process. As technology continues to advance, the real estate industry is poised for further disruption, empowering individuals and revolutionizing the way properties are bought and sold. We come across many ad hoardings on the streets daily. While some go unnoticed, others intrigue us with their unconventional approach and unique designs. The higher the level of creativity, the more these ads manage to grab our attention. Ensuring that these ad hoardings are captivating and imaginative is crucial to attracting peoples interest. And it seems like e-commerce company Flipkart has mastered the art of marketing. In a brilliant move, the company has shown what outstanding marketing looks like. A particular ad hoarding to promote Flipkarts services has caught the attention of the public and is going viral for its clever and quirky message. Flipkarts Ultra-marketing Move Recently, a Twitter user named Pranav Mailarpawar shared an intriguing picture. In the image, multiple company advertisements can see seen lined up in a row. Among those, Flipkarts hoarding stands out. Wondering how? Well, the company cleverly turned this situation into an opportunity. The e-commerce company stole the limelight from Samsung, Asus, Puma, and Sony with a captivating message. The words written on their hoarding were enough to catch everyone's attention. It said, There are 7 ads around us. Har ad me jo dikhta hai, vo Flipkart pe milta hai (Whatever you see in every ad is available on Flipkart). Flipkart got no chill pic.twitter.com/ZmJhGAMiSH Pranav Mailarpawar (@Hyprocus) July 20, 2023 Flipkarts Ad Hoarding Picture Goes Viral The e-commerce company, with a simple message, managed to achieve what it intended. The picture of Flipkarts intriguing marketing move went viral and soon, people started dropping their comments. The reactions full of enthusiasm were enough to show the significant impact of the hoarding. One of the Twitter users called the move genius and said, Best use of Ambush Marketing. Genius is the word! Best use of Ambush Marketing. Genius is the word! Manas (@DEEPMANAS02) July 20, 2023 This is peak of copywriting and advertising creativity, commented another user. This is peak of copywriting and advertising creativity __ Jeet Sharma (@onejeet) July 20, 2023 One user praised the company, saying, Flipkart truly nailed it. Good marketing. Flipkart truly nailed it. Good marketing. _ July 20, 2023 A few users also took digs at the company. One user said that it should be mentioned that all of these are copies available on Flipkart. Galat likha hai.. They should write ki in sabki COPY milti hai Flopkart par. Tech Bharat (Nitin Agarwal) (@techbharatco) July 20, 2023 Another user mockingly remarked that at Flipkart, one can explore and find various products, but no guarantees are provided. Flipkart mein dikta Hai aur milta Hai, par hum guarantee nahi dete Hai. *Terms & Conditons Lagate Hai. (Delivery issue, fake products, fraud, etc etc) Daya Guru (@DarkPhoenixC) July 20, 2023 The tweet, in only a day, went viral and amassed 737K views. The recent increase in airfare seen in India was driven by seasonality, demand-supply constraints, besides the rise in fuel prices, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia informed Parliament on Thursday. He was asked by a member whether the rise in both domestic and international airfares had come to the government's notice. The recent increase in airfare has been noticed in a few sectors, primarily driven by seasonality and demand-supply constraints. Further, the increase in airfare is also attributable to increase in fuel prices, Scindia said in a written reply in Lok Sabha, adding that the government took steps to sensitize the airlines. The airfares in these select sectors (where there was uptick) are monitored on daily basis and as a result of which they have shown a declining trend, added Scindia. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has established Tariff Monitoring Unit which monitors fares on select sectors on random basis. This ensures that the airfares charged by the airlines are within the established tariff of the airlines, which is displayed on their website, he added. Notably, airfares in India are market-driven and are neither regulated nor established by the government. Airlines are free to fix reasonable tariffs considering all relevant factors, including the cost of operation, characteristics of service and reasonable profit. Airlines have to be compliant with the regulatory provisions under Aircraft Rules, 1937 as long as the fare charged by them does not exceed the fare established and displayed on their website. Further, asked what steps government has to bring legislation for uniform fares for air travel, Scindia responded saying there is no proposal at present to interfere with the existing regulatory framework on airfare. On June 5, Minister Scindia chaired a meeting with the Airlines Consultative Group to discuss airfares, where he urged the airlines to "self-regulate" airfares and maintain a reasonable price level. India's low-cost carrier Go First suspending all its flight operations in early June citing operational reasons -- it submitted for voluntary insolvency in early May also likely to have added to the pressure in airfares. UP BTech Counselling 2023: The Uttar Pradesh Technical Admission Counselling for BTech Admission 2023 is being held by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU). The institution announced the dates for Btech counselling on July 19, 2023. Candidates can apply on the official website - uptac.admissions.nic.in - after registration begins. The counselling will take place in seven rounds. The registration period will begin on July 24, 2023 and will end on August 5, 2023 at 3 p.m. UP BTech Counselling 2023: List of documents required Class 10 and 12 passing certificate and mark sheet. Domicile certificate/ Rural weightage certificate (if applicable). JEE Main scorecard and admit card. Category certificate (if applicable) Medical certificate Character certificate (issued by the head of the institution last attended) Income certificate (for EWS candidates) UP BTech Counselling 2023: Steps to register here 1. Visit the official website - uptac.admissions.nic.in. 2. Click on the new registration link on the homepage. 3. Then enter the details and upload the required documents. 4. Pay the fees and then proceed for choice filling and lock the choices. 5. Submit and take the printout of the form According to the schedule, the allocation result will be released on August 14, 2023. Rounds 2 through 7 will begin on August 17, 21, 27, 29, and September 1 and 6, respectively. Kaushalendra Kumar proudly embraces his Bihari identity as the core of his being, making him an inspirational icon for Bihar's startup ecosystem. Hailing from the scenic district of Nalanda in Bihar, Kaushalendra's journey began at a Navodaya Vidyalaya, where he laid the foundation for his remarkable future. Upon completing his school education, he pursued agricultural engineering in the vibrant state of Gujarat. Though his heart yearned for an admission to the prestigious IIT, fate had other plans, and he couldn't crack the entrance exam. Undeterred by this setback, Kaushalendra set his sights on the next challenge - a Master's in Business Administration from the prestigious IIM Ahmedabad, where he earned a coveted gold medal. Choosing a Different Path Rather than succumbing to the allure of a corporate job, Kaushalendra took a path less traveled and decided to return to his roots in Bihar. Fuelled by a passionate vision, he embarked on a mission to bridge the gap between vegetable vendors and the market. Through his entrepreneurial venture, he brought this vision to life, and today, his company boasts an impressive multi-million-dollar turnover. Empowering Rural India with Hope and Aspirations Kaushalendra, like every bright-eyed child from rural India, faced numerous challenges on his path to success. His unwavering determination and refusal to accept defeat fueled his resolve to make a difference. Witnessing the lack of respect and recognition that Bihar and its people received outside their home state, Kaushalendra was resolute in changing this perception. From Agriculture to Agri-Startup Following his studies in agricultural engineering, Kaushalendra commenced his professional journey in Junagadh, Gujarat. Subsequently, he received an offer to work as an irrigation system designer at an Israeli MNC. Driven by self-reliance and ingenuity, he completed the project ahead of schedule without seeking much external assistance. Impressed by his competence, his superiors relocated him to a small village in Andhra Pradesh, where a project was progressing at a sluggish pace. Turning Failure into a Turning Point Though Kaushalendra achieved academic excellence, the inability to crack the IIT entrance exam left his father disheartened, especially when a friend's son secured admission to the prestigious institute. Nevertheless, Kaushalendra firmly believes that his failure to crack the IIT exam was serendipitous, leading him towards the opportunities meant for his unique journey. Taking a Leap of Faith and Founding a Company Unsatisfied with his job and seeking positive change, Kaushalendra hired a young Muslim boy with limited knowledge of Telugu, paying him an equal salary to serve as an interpreter. Fearlessly relying on his own intellect, he revamped the entire project without seeking external technical assistance. While some seniors were skeptical, Kaushalendra proved his mettle and overcame all challenges. When his request for a promotion at his original office was denied, he chose to resign without fear, taking the first step towards transforming his life. Founding a Company with His Brother In 2008, alongside his brother, Kaushalendra established "Kaushalya Foundation," a company that facilitated connections between vegetable vendors in a retail chain. The company also focused on maintaining high-quality services for its partners. Though farmers initially had reservations, Kaushalendra's unwavering efforts and dedication earned their trust. Today, his company enjoys a multi-million-dollar turnover and continues to thrive. Kaushalendra's extraordinary journey from a humble village in Bihar to becoming an IIM gold medalist and a successful entrepreneur is a testament to the power of determination and hard work. Beyond creating a flourishing business, he has empowered rural India by inspiring hope and aspirations in countless others. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi and the state government on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's appeal challenging the high court verdict that declined to put on hold his conviction in a defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark. A bench of Justices B R Gavai and P K Mishra issued notices to Purnesh Modi, who had filed a criminal defamation case in 2019 against Gandhi over his "How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?" remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019, and the Gujarat government on Gandhi's appeal. "The limited question at this stage is whether the conviction deserves to be stayed," the bench observed. Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Gandhi, said the Congress leader has suffered for 111 days, lost one Parliament session and is about to lose another session. Singhvi said the only urgency is that by-election for Wayanad constituency from where Gandhi was elected and was later disqualified from Lok Sabha upon his conviction and two-year sentence in the defamation case, can be announced at any moment. At the outset Justice Gavai made it clear that his late father RS Gavai though not a Congress member was closely associated with the party for more than four decades and was Member of Parliament and MLA with its support. He said his brother is also a politician. "If anyone has any problem with my background then please let me know", Justice Gavai told Singhvi and senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, appearing for Purnesh Modi. Both Singhvi and Jethmalani said that although they knew these facts, they don't have any objection to Justice Gavai hearing this matter. The apex court has posted the matter for further hearing on August 4 and asked Jethmalani and counsel for Gujarat government to file their replies along with written submissions. In his appeal filed on July 15, Gandhi has said that if the July 7 judgment is not stayed, it would lead to throttling of free speech, expression, thought, and statement. The Congress leader was disqualified as a Member of Parliament on March 24 after a Gujarat court convicted him and sentenced him to a two-year imprisonment on charges of criminal defamation for comments he made about the Modi surname. The high court had dismissed his petition for a stay on conviction, observing that "purity in politics" is the need of the hour. A stay on Gandhi's conviction could have paved the way for his reinstatement as a Lok Sabha MP but he failed to get any relief from either the sessions court or the Gujarat High Court. Gandhi, in his appeal, said, "It is most respectfully submitted that if the impugned judgment is not stayed, it would lead to throttling of free speech, free expression, free thought, and free statement. It would contribute to the systematic, repetitive emasculation of democratic institutions and the consequent strangulation of democracy which would be gravely detrimental to the political climate and future of India." He said unprecedentedly, in a case of criminal defamation, a maximum sentence of two years has been imposed; itself a rarest of rare occurrence. "The sentence has been suspended for the asking; however conviction is not stayed/ suspended. This has resulted in the inexorable exclusion of the petitioner from all political elective office for a long period of eight years. That too in the world's largest democracy where the petitioner has been a former president of the oldest political movement in the country and is also continuously in the vanguard of opposition political activity", he said. Gandhi highlighted that he would suffer irreparable injury coupled with irreversible consequences resulting in injustice and as a consequence of the conviction, he is currently disqualified as a Member of Parliament from Wayanad, a parliamentary constituency in Kerala, and cannot participate in parliamentary proceedings. The Congress leader was disqualified as a Member of Parliament on March 24 after a Gujarat court convicted him and sentenced him to a two-year imprisonment on charges of criminal defamation for comments he made about the Modi surname. A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat had on March 23 sentenced the former Congress president to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation). Following the verdict, Gandhi was disqualified as an MP under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act. Gandhi then challenged the order in a sessions court in Surat along with an application seeking a stay on his conviction. While granting him bail, the sessions court on April 20 refused to stay the conviction, following which he had approached the high court. In a shocking incident on Sunday, a group of dacoits launched an attack on a Hindu temple in the southern province of Sindh, Pakistan. The attackers used a rocket launcher to strike the small temple constructed by the local Hindu community in the Kashmore district of Sindh. They also fired indiscriminately around the homes of minority Hindu community members. In response, a police team led by Kashmore-Kandhkot's senior superintendent of police (SSP), Irfan Sammo, promptly arrived at the scene. Police Response and Investigation According to the police officer, the assailants fired rockets at the temple, which was open for the annual religious service organized by the Bagri community. He said, "The attack happened suddenly on Sunday. When the police team reached the spot, the attackers had already fled. We are conducting search operations in the area." The police estimate that around 8-9 armed individuals were involved in the attack. Dr. Suresh, a member of the Bagri community, stated that the rocket fired by the dacoits did not cause any damage or casualties. However, residents in the area are living in fear following the incident. Threat to Pakistani Woman Seema Recently, dacoits had threatened a Pakistani woman named Seema Haider Jakhraani, who resides in the Kashmore and Ghotki districts. She had left her country and come to India with her four children, leaving behind a Hindu man with whom she had developed a friendship and love while playing the online game PUBG in 2019. The Uttar Pradesh Police arrested Seema, 30, and Sachin Meena, 22, in Rabupura area, Greater Noida, near Delhi, for allegedly illegally entering India without a visa. Sachin runs a grocery shop in the area. Sachin was also arrested for providing shelter to illegal immigrants. He was released recently. Concerns Raised by Human Rights Commission The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed its concerns about deteriorating law and order in the Kashmore and Ghotki districts, where around 30 members of the Hindu community were allegedly kidnapped by organized criminal gangs. The HRCP stated, "Moreover, we have received disturbing reports that these gangs have threatened to attack places of worship of the community using sophisticated weaponry." The commission has urged the Sindh Home Department to investigate the matter promptly. Karachi is home to several ancient Hindu temples, and Pakistan's largest minority community is located mainly in Sindh province, where they share culture, traditions, and language with their Muslim neighbors. An Asiatic lion was killed and another injured after they were hit by a goods train in Gujarat's Amreli district in the early hours of Friday, officials said. The incident took place near Uchaiya village of Rajula taluka at around 2:05 am shortly after the forest staff spotted a pride of two lions and two lionesses close to the railway track that connects Pipavav Port with Rajula town. The 35-km railway route between Pipavav port and Rajula falls in the revenue area away from the Gir forest, the last abode of Asiatic lions in the world. A forest official said the train could not stop in time as it was too close to the lions when the loco pilot applied emergency brakes. Despite being a revenue area, which falls under Shetrunji forest division, lions have made it their home for a long time and many a time they cross the railway track, said noticed the movement of a pride, range forest officer (RFO) of Rajula. Upon learning that four lions were on the track, our Railway Sevak patrolling in that area alerted the loco pilot of the oncoming goods train by flashing his torch. Though the loco pilot applied emergency brakes, one male lion was run over by the train and died on the spot, said Rathod. While our staff managed to save two lionesses by driving them to the other side of the track in time, another male lion was injured after being hit by the train. It was then referred to Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh for treatment, said the RFO. Notably, the state forest department had erected fences along the track at regular intervals to save the lions from being hit by trains. However, the fence as well as several watchtowers along the track were badly damaged due to cyclone Tauktae in 2021, said Rathod. The repair work has already been initiated and seven watchtowers, to keep an eye on lions near the tracks, were reinstalled. We have deployed Railway Sevaks to alert the loco pilots and help lions in crossing the track. Last year, we helped 106 lions to cross the tracks safely on 36 different occasions, said Rathod. DHL continues to grow its air network to keep up with e-commerce growth. The network includes smaller gateways, such as Dallas-Fort Worth airport (pictured), that feed larger hubs for international distribution. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves) DHL Express is a large step closer to establishing an air hub on the West Coast by mid-decade after the Ontario International Airport Authority last month voted for a large cargo project previously associated with the parcel logistics company. The airport commission approved the development of the South Airport Cargo Center, as well as numerous environmental mitigation measures to meet California requirements for industrial developments, at its June meeting, according to the minutes. The increasing shift by consumers to online shopping and robust cross-border trade is driving the infrastructure investment. DHL inaugurated a Southeast air hub in Atlanta last September and officially celebrated its opening earlier this month. The authoritys staff report for the June meeting didnt identify the project applicant, but the commission in October authorized airport CEO Atif Elkadi to conduct exclusive negotiations for a lease with DHL Express USA. FreightWaves reported in February 2022 that DHL had its eye on Ontario for a West Coast hub. A source familiar with the project confirmed that DHL will be the tenant and pay for construction of the cargo center. The first phase of the project on 62 acres is estimated to begin operations in 2025, with a smaller expansion ready by 2029. At full buildout, the facility would have 857,762 square feet of warehouse and office space. The South Airport Cargo Center still needs to undergo a federal environmental review. The Federal Aviation Administration is the lead agency for that process and must first determine what level of review is required, an FAA spokesperson said. DHLs main U.S. air hub and sort center is at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Ontario airport is in the Inland Empire, a region east of Los Angeles dominated by distribution centers. FedEx Express opened a major operation center there in November 2020 that tripled its footprint. UPS also has an air hub at the airport. Amazon Air uses the airport for limited point-to-point flights but recently opened a West Coast hub of its own at nearby San Bernardino International Airport. Story continues In 2022, the Ontario airport handled nearly 797,000 tons of freight, a 5.4% contraction from 2021. Year-to-date freight tonnage through June is down 11%. Ontario would eventually replace Los Angeles International Airport as DHLs main West Coast hub because landlocked LAX doesnt have room to grow, Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express U.S., said in an interview early last year. Los Angeles is a major air hub for commercial airlines. So long term, our plan would be to keep commercial lift [booked on other airlines] through Los Angeles and the network flights, with the big DHL birds going into Ontario, he said. Since mid-2021, DHL has invested in major upgrades for air facilities in Miami; Paris; Milan, Italy; Seoul, South Korea; Hong Kong and Hamilton, Ontario. Environmental protections DHL must follow under the state process include: The use of all-electric cargo handling equipment such as yard trucks, belt loaders and pallet jacks. Use of zero-emission or near-zero-emission trucks for at least 25% of the fleet serving the facility and half the fleet by 2029 to the extent feasible. Encouraging the use of a single engine for aircraft taxiing as well as installation of electric plugs for refrigerated containers. Pre-construction monitoring for burrowing owls, nesting birds and bats to avoid disturbing wildlife. Equipping new aircraft parking positions with ground power and pre-conditioned air to reduce the need for auxiliary power units. Including electric aircraft in the fleet operating from the cargo center. DHL previously ordered 12 electric cargo jets from Eviation Aircraft. The City of Chino asked the board to add formal procedures for residents to request noise mitigation measures, said Deputy Manager Vivian Castro. She said pilots and air traffic control personnel often ignore departure procedures designed to minimize noise from low-flying cargo aircraft at night and early morning. Finland In related news, DHL Express last month announced it will build a technologically advanced logistics center with adjacent aircraft parking at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport for $111 million. All inbound and outbound express shipments in Finland will be handled in the logistics center, which is scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2025. DHL said the investment in greater processing capacity is in response to growing shipment volumes in Finland, especially for cross-border e-commerce. The new, 170,000-square foot facility is more than double the size of the current gateway in Vantaa. It will include an automated sorting system able to handle about 6,500 packages per hour. Ninety direct loading bays will enable efficient sorting of shipments directly from the conveyor to the delivery vans and all bays will be equipped with charging stations for e-vehicles, the company said. Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch. Twitter: @ericreports / LinkedIn: Eric Kulisch / ekulisch@freightwaves.com RECOMMENDED READING: DHL Express christens Atlanta regional hub Selection nears for DHL Express US West Coast air hub DHL eyes major air hub expansion in US The post DHL Express gets local approval for California air hub appeared first on FreightWaves. Waterlogging at Kurla station of Harbour line Down from Wadala to Mankhurd section has been reported, leading to disruption of local train services. As per a report on PTI, Suburban traffic on the Harbour Line Down was closed as a safety precautionary measure today at 14.45 hrs, while the rest of the sections are running. The Harbour line UP trains are running as well, said the Central railway CPRO. Heavy rains lashed Mumbai on Friday, inundating low-lying areas and disrupting vehicular traffic in the city and its suburbs. The railway authorities, on Friday morning, maintained that trains on the Western, Central and Harbour lines were running normally, while the commuters complained of a delay of up to 10 to 15 minutes in the services. Apart from this, motorists and pedestrians were severely inconvenienced as the Andheri subway was closed for traffic due to waterlogging. The IMD Mumbai predicted "heavy rainfall in the city and suburbs with the possibility of very heavy rainfall at isolated places" with occasional gusty winds reaching 45-55 kmph, for 24 hours, the official said. Most parts of the city and suburbs witnessed a heavy spell of rains, which caused waterlogging in some low-lying areas at Andheri, Kurla, Ghatkopar, Chembur and some other places. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Ltd diverted buses on more than 12 routes due to waterlogging in Sion in the afternoon, an official said. As per India Meteorological Department's weather warning issued at 1 pm, "moderate to intense spells of rain are very likely to occur at isolated places" of Mumbai in the next three to four hours, a civic official said, reported ANI. Mumbai recorded 30 mm average rainfall in 24 hours ending 8 am, even as a warning of heavy to very heavy rains was issued for Thursday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) data revealed. The island city, eastern and western suburbs received an average rainfall of 27.50 mm, 29.90 mm and 27.49 mm respectively in 24 hours ending 8 am, the civic body's data showed. The much-anticipated teaser of Prabhas-starrer Project K aka Kalki 2898 AD is finally out. The makers recently unveiled the first glimpse of the Nag Ashwin directorial at the San Diego Comic-Con, taking the excitement among fans to the next level. While the teaser itself along with the pictures and videos from the event are going viral on social media, a clip of actor Prabhas has caught the fans' attention, leaving them excited and happy. The actor while speaking to the media seemingly dropped a sly hint about working with actor Ram Charan in the future. In the viral video, the Bahubali actor can be seen expressing his equation with Ram Charan as he calls the RRR star his friend. Prabhas On Working With Ram Charan During the media interaction at the teaser launch, Prabhas was asked if he would ever collaborate with Ram Charan, to which he said, "Yeah, we might some time. Ram Charan is my friend, they are my friends. So, we are going to work one day for sure." Charan is my friend we are going to work one day __ :) #Prabhas If it happens it will be a biggest collaboration in indian cinema _@AlwaysRamCharan #RamCharan pic.twitter.com/I7iouTzSmh _____l_ ______ (@captain_India_R) July 21, 2023 While the actor didn't speak further on this, his remark did leave a lot of their fans excited over seeing them together. Project K Team At Comic-Con Nag Ashwin's Project K, now officially titled Kalki 2898 AD, created history by becoming the first-ever Indian film to feature at the Comic-Con. Besides the director, the lead actors including Prabhas and Kamal Haasan were present at the event, while Deepika Padukone was absent. The team unveiled the teaser, giving a glimpse of Prabhas in the role of a brave warrior who comes up to protect humanity. Fans are guessing that the film will be inspired by Kalki Lord Vishnu's avatar. Kalki 2898 AD Teaser The short teaser shows an evil and dark world where Prabhas's superhero character will save the world. The teaser also gives glimpses of Kamal Haasan as the antagonist, and of Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone. Take a look: The film is scheduled to release on January 12, 2024, and will be dubbed in multiple languages including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and English. New Delhi: Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has released a bug-fix update to address emoji keyboard crashes on Android beta. Several users were experiencing a crash when using the emoji keyboard, reports WABetaInfo. Moreover, many users also reported issues with configuring their avatars, while accessing the privacy section and adding text over images using the drawing editor. Many users observed that the update had been installed automatically due to the Google Play Store's auto-download settings. (Also Read: Pizza At Your Fingertips: Mind-Controlled Pizza Ordering Device Unveiled in Delhi - Watch Video) "The fix is rolling out after installing the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.15.22 update from the Google Play Store, so make sure to update to this build in order to use a version of WhatsApp without the crash," the report said. On Thursday, the messaging platform faced a global outage, including in India, due to "connectivity issues" which lasted for about 20 minutes. When a user posted, "Fix it before it is morning in India, don't want to miss out on the Good Morning messages", the Meta-owned platform replied: "We're back, we dont want you to miss them!" According to the outage monitor website DownDetector, 61 percent of people had reported problems while sending messages, 35 percent while using the application, and 4 percent while using the website. On Downdetector, reports of the users peaked at over 41,000. Also, last month, the Meta-owned platform faced a global outage that lasted for about two hours. Some WhatsApp users were unable to use the platform on their mobile and desktop devices, while some were experiencing issues with sending and downloading media. (Bloomberg) -- Heat-related illnesses have spiked as the US bakes in a record-hot summer, forcing some hospitals to call in more staff to treat a surge in patients. Most Read from Bloomberg The proportion of emergency-room visits linked to heat skyrocketed in Texas and surrounding states starting in June, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, with some weeks surpassing levels seen last year. Rates soared in other parts of the country, including the Southwest, in late June and July. Doctors in Arizona and Texas said its the worst summer theyve experienced, with a higher number of patients coming in and some needing treatment for severe conditions like heat stroke, when high body temperatures can damage vital organs and sometimes lead to death. Temperatures have set monthly and all-time records around the country in the past month, spiking well above 100F (38C) in many places. Theres little chance of relief soon: Most of the US has a high chance of warmer-than-normal temperatures through Aug. 3, according to the Climate Prediction Center. In Phoenix, where temperatures were on track to hit 110 or higher for a 22nd consecutive day on Friday, the Valleywise Health system has called in extra staff to handle its highest volume of patients since the pandemic. Summertime heated-related illnesses are not an uncommon problem, in Phoenix, said Valleywise Chief Clinical Officer Michael White, but the number of patients that were seeing now with heat exposures has risen. At least 18 people died of heat-related causes this year through July 15 in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, the county public health department said in a weekly report. A further 69 deaths were under investigation. Story continues At Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, the emergency department had to implement a surge plan to bring in more staff, said Andrew Morris, chair of emergency medicine. Heat has contributed, he said, as well as higher rates of trauma cases in the summer. A return to hospitals and emergency rooms after patients had shied away during the pandemic is also contributing, he said. The Texas Health systems 20 emergency rooms saw 181 patients complaining of heat stroke and heat exhaustion in June, the most for that month in records going back to 2019. Many patients have relatively mild illnesses, doctors said, including heat exhaustion and rashes from sun exposure. Others have had extreme cases of heat stroke, and may be given IV fluids or sometimes wrapped in specially designed bags filled with ice. At Tampa General Hospital, several heat-related cases have been particularly concerning, said emergency-medicine physician Jason Wilson. Some patients had temperatures as high as 107, while others had third-degree burns from lying in the hot sun, which can happen when heat stroke alters a victims mental state. Doctors sometimes take extreme measures in these cases, including implanting tubes that move cold water into a patients body, said Wilson, chief of the University of South Floridas emergency medicine division, which is affiliated with the hospital. It will be some time before the summers full toll is known, but its likely to be significant. The US saw 3,066 heat-related deaths from 2018 to 2020, according to the CDC. While Wilson hasnt seen the number of patients rise above past years, he said doctors are concerned and keeping an eye on the situation. Its like a shark bite summer, he said. You kind of have to wait and see where things fall out. --With assistance from Brian K. Sullivan. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Where theres a will, theres a way! Anthony Temple owns multiple businesses inside Mission Valley Mall in San Diego, CA, local ABC 10News reports. Family Of Entrepreneurs In an interview with AfroTech, Temple gives flowers to his late father, who was a serial entrepreneur with a restaurant and pest control company. Temple was also on construction sites with his father, Anthony Temple Sr., who maintained a position as a contractor. Today, his fathers imprint has laid the groundwork for Temple to create wealth for generations to come. He was my hero, Temple said. My father, he didnt know how to read or write. The thing that he taught me when I was growing up is he taught me how to build. He told me, Son, if you never learn how to read or write, learn how to read a tape measure. If you learn how to read a tape measure, thatll carry you on where youre able to make money. So, I always was skillful from a young age. By age 10, Temple started a snowball cart business with his brother Prince, who managed to buy a vehicle from the earnings. For Temple, he succumbed to his environment, which ultimately led to him serving time behind bars when he was 18. I began to go towards the streets. Even though I had my fathers guidance, Temple reflected. I still began to get in trouble selling drugs because I wanted more than what I saw within the community, far as the Black community and people that I had seen day to day that was struggling. So, I chose that life. But once I ended up getting in trouble, facing 21 to 45 years in jail at 18 years old, selling drugs, I felt the disappointment in my fathers eyes, my family. He continued, I knew that I needed to change my life drastically. I did not want to end up dead on the south side of Chicago or in a penitentiary. I had my brother looking at me, my younger brother looking at me as an example, as a role model, and other people too as well. So, I began to educate myself and decided I really have to advance my life. Story continues Temple stayed true to his promise, returning to school then later pursuing higher education to study computer engineering at ITT Technical Institute. However, he ultimately chose a career path as a contractor due to his earnings, which he claims were six figures annually. For computer programmers, entry-level pay had dropped from $100,000 to $60,000 at that time. So, I stuck with contracting cause I was already doing six figures, he explained. With his earnings, Temple opened his first store, Tonys Hardware Tool Rental, in his early 20s. He later started his own construction company. Temple was reaching success, even investing in properties such as apartment buildings. However, with his fathers death at age 53, due to a battle with cancer, Temple reached a standstill. But he eventually started seeking a new start. Once I lost my father in 2009, from colon cancer, that ambition and that motivation, it just wasnt there anymore, Temple told AfroTech. Temples fresh start wouldnt come until 2014. He moved forward with the liquidation of his company and moved to the West Coast with his second wife. We came here, we just started completely over, Temple mentioned. We didnt have a car. We didnt have a place to stay or anything. When I came to California, I didnt have a lot of money. I didnt even have a good $10,000. I had enough money to buy a vehicle and get a plane ticket, be able to go and get me some more tools. I was living off of all the liquidated funds. I was paying debt back that I owed, trying to leverage my life back out because still at this time I was young, I was still learning business. I had made so many different mistakes in business at this time too as well. I felt that I needed to move somewhere where it was foreign to me, where I didnt have the resources, to develop the new resources to even discipline myself more in saving money and investing money even more. Temples focus was on rebuilding a new life in California. He first worked jobs on Craiglist and later opened an e-commerce store on Amazon, which he claims was a lucrative venture. Amazon is really what changed my life, Temple said. I still tell people to this day, make e-commerce the foundation of your business even before you do a brick-and-mortar, because then youre not looking for that capital that you need to keep your business going. His revenue from e-commerce supported the opening of Temple Custom Jewelers in Las Vegas, NV, before moving the store to San Diego in October 2021. This was the start of Temple planting the seeds for generational wealth. With Temple Custom Jewelers, my brother, hes a borrower, and I named everything Temple after my last name for family legacy to give my family something to be proud of, so any family member will be able to walk in, get training, get the understanding of how to run and operate business, Temple detailed. And my brother being a barber, I said, Were gonna open up another barber shop, and this ones going to be Temple Barber Lounge,' he added. Today in Mission Valley Mall, visitors can find three of Temples businesses: Temple Barber Lounge, Temple Custom Jewelers, and Blu Temple Cigar and Wine Company. The shops were all built within one year and are still thriving today, the entrepreneur says. I want to be used as a vessel to show my people this can be done, Temple expressed. Im a kid that come from the south side of Chicago, couldnt read, write, getting in trouble, going to jail, getting locked up. We can do this. Odds were against me. So many people counting me out. I counted myself out. I didnt think I was going to live to be past 22 years old because thats just how the violence was. My reality was living in Chicago. So, I want to be used as a vessel to enter into these industries that I dont typically see African Americans in. It's common for many investors, especially those who are inexperienced, to buy shares in companies with a good story even if these companies are loss-making. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, 'Long shots almost never pay off.' A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up. In contrast to all that, many investors prefer to focus on companies like Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI), which has not only revenues, but also profits. Now this is not to say that the company presents the best investment opportunity around, but profitability is a key component to success in business. Check out our latest analysis for Motorola Solutions How Quickly Is Motorola Solutions Increasing Earnings Per Share? If you believe that markets are even vaguely efficient, then over the long term you'd expect a company's share price to follow its earnings per share (EPS) outcomes. So it makes sense that experienced investors pay close attention to company EPS when undertaking investment research. Motorola Solutions managed to grow EPS by 15% per year, over three years. That's a good rate of growth, if it can be sustained. It's often helpful to take a look at earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins, as well as revenue growth, to get another take on the quality of the company's growth. Motorola Solutions maintained stable EBIT margins over the last year, all while growing revenue 13% to US$9.4b. That's a real positive. You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. For finer detail, click on the image. Of course the knack is to find stocks that have their best days in the future, not in the past. You could base your opinion on past performance, of course, but you may also want to check this interactive graph of professional analyst EPS forecasts for Motorola Solutions. Are Motorola Solutions Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? Since Motorola Solutions has a market capitalisation of US$50b, we wouldn't expect insiders to hold a large percentage of shares. But we do take comfort from the fact that they are investors in the company. We note that their impressive stake in the company is worth US$161m. We note that this amounts to 0.3% of the company, which may be small owing to the sheer size of Motorola Solutions but it's still worth mentioning. This should still be a great incentive for management to maximise shareholder value. Story continues Does Motorola Solutions Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist? One important encouraging feature of Motorola Solutions is that it is growing profits. If that's not enough on its own, there is also the rather notable levels of insider ownership. The combination definitely favoured by investors so consider keeping the company on a watchlist. We don't want to rain on the parade too much, but we did also find 2 warning signs for Motorola Solutions that you need to be mindful of. Although Motorola Solutions certainly looks good, it may appeal to more investors if insiders were buying up shares. If you like to see insider buying, then this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying, could be exactly what you're looking for. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Valero Energy fair value estimate is US$117 With US$121 share price, Valero Energy appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value The US$141 analyst price target for VLO is 21% more than our estimate of fair value How far off is Valero Energy Corporation (NYSE:VLO) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine. Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model. See our latest analysis for Valero Energy Step By Step Through The Calculation We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$5.87b US$5.11b US$3.99b US$4.01b US$3.63b US$3.42b US$3.30b US$3.24b US$3.22b US$3.23b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x9 Analyst x4 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ -9.29% Est @ -5.87% Est @ -3.47% Est @ -1.80% Est @ -0.63% Est @ 0.19% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 9.8% US$5.3k US$4.2k US$3.0k US$2.8k US$2.3k US$1.9k US$1.7k US$1.5k US$1.4k US$1.3k ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$25b 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 9.8%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = US$3.2b (1 + 2.1%) (9.8% 2.1%) = US$43b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$43b ( 1 + 9.8%)10= US$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 US$42b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$121, 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 Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. 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 Valero Energy as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.301. 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 Valero Energy Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Oil and Gas market. Opportunity Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 3 years. Next Steps: 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. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. 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 Valero Energy, there are three relevant factors you should further research: Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Valero Energy you should know about. Future Earnings: How does VLO'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. 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. 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 Ideally, your overall portfolio should beat the market average. But every investor is virtually certain to have both over-performing and under-performing stocks. At this point some shareholders may be questioning their investment in Methode Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:MEI), since the last five years saw the share price fall 17%. The share price has dropped 23% in three months. 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. Since Methode Electronics has shed US$56m from its value in the past 7 days, let's see if the longer term decline has been driven by the business' economics. See our latest analysis for Methode Electronics While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. During the unfortunate half decade during which the share price slipped, Methode Electronics actually saw its earnings per share (EPS) improve by 6.1% per year. So it doesn't seem like EPS is a great guide to understanding how the market is valuing the stock. Alternatively, growth expectations may have been unreasonable in the past. Generally speaking we'd expect to see stronger share price increases on the back of sustained EPS growth, but other metrics may hold a clue to why the share price performance is relatively modest. We don't think that the 1.7% is big factor in the share price, since it's quite small, as dividends go. In contrast to the share price, revenue has actually increased by 5.1% a year in the five year period. A more detailed examination of the revenue and earnings may or may not explain why the share price languishes; there could be an opportunity. Story continues The image below shows how earnings and revenue have tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail). We're pleased to report that the CEO is remunerated more modestly than most CEOs at similarly capitalized 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. So we recommend checking out this free report showing consensus forecasts What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. In the case of Methode Electronics, it has a TSR of -11% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments! A Different Perspective Investors in Methode Electronics had a tough year, with a total loss of 15% (including dividends), against a market gain of about 13%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 2% 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. If you would like to research Methode Electronics in more detail then you might want to take a look at whether insiders have been buying or selling shares in the company. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on American exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. 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 If you thought the FTX saga couldnt get any wilder, you were probably wrong. A recently-filed lawsuit alleges that the FTX Foundationthe nonprofit arm of the now-defunct exchangewas working on a plan to purchase the sovereign nation of Nauru in order to construct a 'bunker/shelter' that would be used for some event where 50% - 99.99% of people die.' The plan was part of a memo exchanged between Gabriel Bankman-Fried, the brother of FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, and an unnamed officer of the FTX Foundation. The current leadership team of FTX is suing the bankrupt crypto exchange's founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, and three other former executives, seeking to reclaim over $1 billion that the defendants are alleged to have misappropriated during the months preceding the exchange's collapse in November of the last year. The purchase of the island would allegedly help ensure that most EAs [effective altruists] survive and develop sensible regulation around human genetic enhancement, while also building a lab in Nauru. The cited memo further noted that probably there are other things its useful to do with a sovereign country, too. FTX Foundation Shutters Effective Altruism Fund as Key Execs Resign The FTX Foundation's direction was to a large extent shaped by the principles of Effective Altruism, a social and philosophical movement that aims to employ empirical evidence to guide the most efficient allocation of charitable resources. It takes into consideration factors like cause prioritization and cost-effectiveness to achieve maximum impact. Both Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder and former CEO of FTX, and Caroline Ellison, who was the board member of the FTX Foundation and helped the crypto exchanges sister company Alameda Research, asserted that they were introduced to these concepts in their early 20s. The lawsuit further says that the projects run by the FTX Foundation were frequently misguided and sometimes dystopian. These included a $300,000 grant to an individual to [w]rite a book about how to figure out what humans utility function is (are), as well as a $400,000 grant to an entity that posted YouTube videos related to rationalist and [Effective Altruism] material, including videos on grabby aliens. Story continues The island nation of Nauru Nauru, the world's smallest island state with a population of around 12,000 people, is situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, approximately 3,000 kilometers northeast of Australia. In recent years, the nation has become notorious for its use by Australia as an offshore processing centre for people seeking asylum and protection, from 2001 to 2008, and 2012 to 2019. People held there during its use as a processing centre engaged in protests including sewing their lips shut and self-immolation. Nauru also became a hotspot for money laundering activities during the late 1990s when it helped Russian criminals launder an estimated $70 billion. The U.S. Treasury designated Nauru a money-laundering state in 2002, leading to harsh sanctions against the country and the closure of the Bank of Nauru in 2006. Since then, Nauru has taken measures to improve its reputation and address the issue of money laundering and leave the troubled past behind. By 2004, Nauru had implemented stricter regulations to combat financial crimes and uphold international standards, something that helped the island nation to prevent offshore banking activities. The FTX lawsuit The lawsuit also names the former Alameda Research CEO Ellison, who allegedly paid herself a series of bonuses, including a bonus of $22.5 million, of which she transferred $10 million to a personal bank account and invested this money in a company focused on artificial intelligence research. FTX co-founder Zixiao Wang and Nishad Singh, who worked at both FTX and Alameda, are also named in the complaint as beneficiaries of allegedly illicit transfers. In a Thursday court filing, the U.S. Department of Justice accused Sam Bankman-Fried of leaking Ellison's personal documents in a bid to discredit her as a witness in the ongoing trial. Decrypt didnt immediately hear back from lawyers representing Sam Bankman-Fried and Caroline Ellison. The estate for bankrupt crypto exchange FTX is looking to recover over $1 billion in cash and shares from founder Sam Bankman-Fried and other executives it alleges were fraudulently transferred to themselves. The new lawsuit, filed Thursday, alleges that the defendants used their close control over the FTX Group's businesses and systems to perpetrate what it calls a massive fraud between February 2020 and November 2022, squandering FTXs assets on luxury homes, political and "charitable" contributions, and various investments. Read more: Alameda Seeks Return of $700M Paid to Super Networkers for Celebrity, Political Access According to the filing, FTX issued more than $725 million worth of equity to Bankman-Fried, former CTO and Co-Founder Gary Wang, Director of Engineering Nishad Singh, and former Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison. Of this $725 million, $447.8 million allegedly went to Singh, and the lawsuit documents how it was recorded as a loan between Singh, trading arm Alameda and FTX. In reality, no one paid for the shares, and no one intended to do so, the lawsuit reads. The lawsuit also alleges that FTX transferred $4.86 million to the group in order to purchase real estate, and Bankman-Frieds father, Allen Joe Bankman, received $10 million from Alameda to be used for legal expenses. It also says that Gabriel Bankman-Fried, Sams brother, planned to purchase the nation of Nauru a small island northeast of Australia with FTX Foundation funds, and more than $100 million in political donations to both parties and political action committees were made from funds mixed with FTX customer money. Caroline Ellison, who has a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Southern District of New York, is accused of awarding herself a $22.5 million bonus at the height of FTXs crisis last November. Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice asked a court to silence Bankman-Fried from making out-of-court statements about the case after he leaked Ellisons private diary to the New York Times. Read more: SBF Accused of Leaking Caroline Ellison's Private Diary by U.S. DOJ Blackstone founder and CEO Stephen Schwarzman. Hollis Johnson/Business Insider Getting a job at private equity giant Blackstone is getting more competitive. Out of some 62,000 applications for the firm's 2023 first-year class, just 169 people were hired. In 2020, Insider spoke with president Jon Gray to learn how to stand out and land a job Blackstone. The billionaire that built Blackstone doubts he'd land a job at the private equity titan today. It's that competitive. Speaking to Wall Street analysts on its second-quarter earnings call, Blackstone founder and CEO Stephen Schwarzman said the firm attracted 62,000 unique applicants this year. That's triple the amount it received in 2020 when it said 19,000 applied. The $1 trillion alternative asset manager only offered roles to 169 analysts, meaning a selection rate of 0.27%. Harvard has an acceptance rate of 3.3%. "Getting an entry-level job at Blackstone is 12 times harder than getting into Harvard. I doubt I'd be able to be hired today," Schwarzman said before adding, "Not sure that's a great thing." In a 2020 interview, Blackstone president Jon Gray told Insider what it was like when he was hired as an entry-level analyst at a then-seven-year-old private equity shop in New York in 1992 a firm that would eventually go on to become the world's first $1 trillion alternative asset manager. Gray said that fresh out of the University of Pennsylvania, he was interviewed by Blackstone's cofounders, Schwarzman and Pete Peterson, themselves. At that time, he couldn't have predicted that he would go on to be named Blackstone's president and chief operating officer in 2018. "For me, a kid from suburban Chicago, I was like, 'Oh my gosh, this seems really exciting.' And it was obviously terrifying being interviewed," he recalled. It wouldn't be a stretch to imagine that other young Wall Street hopefuls still experience Gray's jitters when applying to the firm these days. So how exactly do applicants dead-set on working for the firm land one of its highly-prized entry-level gigs? Insider spoke with Gray, headhunters who recruit on Blackstone's behalf, and the firm's global head of human resources to learn what it takes to ace the interview. Here's a peek inside the process. Read the original article on Business Insider Photo: The Canadian Press A police vehicle is pictured at Calgary Police Service headquarters on Thursday, April 9, 2020. An overdose death near the city earlier this year has led to several drug-trafficking charges being laid against a 31-year-old man. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh An overdose death near Calgary in April has led to several drug-trafficking charges against a 31-year-old man. The family of the woman who died reached out to police to provide evidence of a suspected drug trafficker. Her death was initially deemed non-criminal, but Calgary police and the Tsuutina Nation Police Service investigated together after receiving that information. Calgary police say after a three-month investigation, they arrested and charged Christopher Cardinal last week. Investigators seized 7.7 grams of crack cocaine, 1.6 grams of powder cocaine, 69.6 grams of methamphetamine, 20.2 grams of fentanyl, $1,000 cash and multiple cellphones. Cardinal faces five counts of trafficking, four counts of possession of property obtained by crime, three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of obstruction. Police say he also had 29 outstanding criminal warrants. Cardinal's next court appearance is scheduled for Friday. (Bloomberg) -- Glencore Plc said it expects annual profit of $3.5 billion to $4 billion from its commodity trading business, reiterating that the unit remains on track to beat its long-term target for a fourth straight year. Most Read from Bloomberg The forecast, while still strong by historical levels, provides the latest evidence of how business is getting closer to normal at the companies that buy, sell and transport the worlds natural resources, as the surging prices and volatility that traders thrive on have eased since last years chaos caused by Russias invasion of Ukraine. Glencore said in April it expected another bumper year from its traders, even as calmer commodity markets mean the industry is unlikely to replicate last years blowout earnings. The companys latest forecast falls short of the record $6.4 billion in core profit from the trading unit in 2022, but it is still well above its longstanding guidance range of $2.2 billion to $3.2 billion. Glencore didnt provide details on its trading performance but said the normalizing conditions meant it has been able to release some of the extra working capital it had tied up in the business. While the turmoil in commodities last year helped fuel record profits across the trading industry, the big daily price swings also became a liability, with exchanges and brokers demanding more and more cash to place and maintain trades. The particularly elevated commodity market imbalances and volatility levels that prevailed through much of 2022 have largely normalized, which, while clearly impacting profitability, has allowed for the release of some of the investment made in non-RMI marketing working capital in 2022 Glencore Chief Executive Officer Gary Nagle said in a statement. Story continues Glencore shares declined 0.9% by 10:30 a.m. in London. Several years of huge profits across its business have left Glencore with debt hovering around zero, and investors will be looking for details of what the company plans to do with the cash when it reports interim results Aug. 8. In February, it announced plans to return more than $7 billion to shareholders in dividends and buybacks. Glencore has also spent much of this year engaged in a bruising fight with Teck Resources Ltd. after making an unsolicited offer for the Canadian company. The latest twist in the saga came last month, when Glencore proposed buying Tecks steelmaking coal business for about $8 billion as an alternative to its full takeover bid. Glencore has already beaten its long-term target for trading profit for three straight years, which has prompted questions from analysts and investors about whether it should be adjusted. Senior executives have said previously that they plan to wait for markets to normalize before making any changes to the range. In addition to its sprawling trading business, Glencore is also one of the worlds biggest miners. The company reiterated its full-year production forecasts, with output seen rising for copper, zinc and nickel in the second half. (Updates shares.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. scyther5 / iStock.com Goldman Sachs is one of the largest and most respected investment banks in the world. When the firm issues an opinion on the overall market, its usually a good idea to take note. In early July, Goldman Sachs said that now is the time to hedge your portfolio and protect yourself from downside risk. See Also: Bank of America Says Stocks Are Headed for Big Collapse Learn: 3 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000 Beyond the markets sharp 25%-plus gain since its lows in October 2022, Goldman Sachs cites specific market characteristics that are sounding the alarm. Here are the factors that Goldman Sachs considers worrisome, along with some suggestions as to how to shield your portfolio from potential losses. Narrow Market Breadth While the size of the market gain over the past nine months or so isnt necessarily troublesome, the way the market got there is, in the opinion of Goldman Sachs. Market breadth measures the number of stocks that are moving up vs. those that are moving down. Generally, its used to determine how many stocks are responsible for the move of a stock index upwards. When market breadth is wide, it means many stocks are participating in market gains. The opposite is true when market breadth is narrow. According to the investment bank, market breadth is the narrowest it has been since the Tech Bubble, which ended in a vicious selloff. Specifically, Goldman Sachs David Kostin wrote that Historically, sharp declines in market breadth have typically been associated with large drawdowns in subsequent months. How To Buy ChatGPT Stock: Your 2023 Guide to AI Investing High Valuations Priced for Perfection Market breadth in and of itself may not be enough to drag down the market, but when coupled with high valuations and overly optimistic investors Goldman Sachs views it as the perfect cocktail for market losses. On the valuation front, Goldman Sachs says the market is priced at 19x forward earnings, which is historically quite high. In fact, according to Kostin, when the index has traded at this level or above, the S&P 500 has experienced a median drawdown of 14% over the next 12 months as compared with a 5% drawdown over a typical 12-month period. Story continues According to the investment bank, the market is also too optimistic about the future performance of the U.S. economy, which helps prop up stock prices. While Goldman Sachs sees U.S. GDP growth of just 1% in the second half of 2023, the market is pricing in growth closer to 2%. Bullish Sentiment A widely used indicator to gauge future stock market performance is the bull/bear ratio. When too many investors are bullish optimistic on the market its often a cautionary sign. When everyone thinks the market is going to go up, theres no one left to switch from being negative to being positive. And it is this transition that draws money into the market, pushing prices higher. In other words, when everyones already in, theres no one left to buy. To a large degree, all of the money that was on the sidelines in October 2022 has already been invested. As 2023 has progressed, Kostin wrote, investors have increased their equity exposure. Hedge funds increased net leverage, mutual funds cut cash balances and foreign investors have been net buyers of equities There are many reasonable alternatives to equities today, indicating that the flow of funds is unlikely to be a tailwind for stocks this year With investors already bullishly positioned, it may be harder for the market to rally further from here. Cheap Hedging Strategies Goldman Sachs hasnt come out and said that investors should sell all of their equities. Rather, it suggests that hedging is a more appropriate option, in large part due to the affordability of various hedging strategies at the current time. One of the most common hedging strategies is to buy put options on market indices or individual stocks. A put option goes up in value when its underlying security goes down, making it a perfect hedge. If you wager wrong and the market or a stock goes up instead of down, all you can lose is the premium you pay for the option, while you still enjoy the gains of the underlying security. Currently, according to Goldman Sachs, the premiums for put options are relatively cheap vs. those of call options, which move in the same direction as their underlying securities i.e., they go up in price when a stock or index goes up in price. This makes buying this type of insurance a relatively affordable way to hedge your positions. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Goldman Sachs: The Time To Hedge Your Investments Is Now (Bloomberg) -- A 32% rally this year has catapulted HSBC Holdings Plcs shares to their highest level in four years, with improving margins potentially providing further support for the stock. Most Read from Bloomberg Better net interest margin due to a rebound in Hibor Hong Kongs interbank lending rates as well as expectations for further share buybacks have helped boost investor sentiment, analysts said. The bank announced a $2 billion share buyback plan and resumed paying quarterly dividends in May. The banks Asia focus provides better growth prospects than its European and Chinese peers, said Francis Chan, a Bloomberg Intelligence analyst. Its also little impacted by the global banking crisis in March given its ample capital buffer and liquidity, he added. Shares of the London-headquartered lender advanced for a seventh day on Friday, on track for the longest rising streak since January 2022. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Potential Watkin Jones Plc (LON:WJG) shareholders may wish to note that the Independent Non-Executive Chairman, Alan Clifford Giddins, recently bought UK194k worth of stock, paying UK0.47 for each share. We reckon that's a good sign, especially since the purchase boosted their holding by 226%. View our latest analysis for Watkin Jones The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Watkin Jones Notably, that recent purchase by Alan Clifford Giddins is the biggest insider purchase of Watkin Jones shares that we've seen in the last year. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being UK0.45). It's very possible they regret the purchase, but it's more likely they are bullish about the company. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock if insiders have bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price. While Watkin Jones insiders bought shares during the last year, they didn't sell. They paid about UK0.66 on average. These transactions suggest that insiders have considered the current price attractive. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction! There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying. Insider Ownership Of Watkin Jones Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. Our data isn't picking up on much insider ownership at Watkin Jones, though insiders do hold about UK430k worth of shares. However, it's possible that insiders might have an indirect interest through a more complex structure. It's always possible we are missing something but from our data, it looks like insider ownership is minimal. Story continues So What Does This Data Suggest About Watkin Jones Insiders? It is good to see the recent insider purchase. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. On this analysis the only slight negative we see is the fairly low (overall) insider ownership; their transactions suggest that they are quite positive on Watkin Jones stock. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Watkin Jones (including 1 which doesn't sit too well with us). If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session 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 Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) reported $1.76 billion in revenue for the quarter ended June 2023, representing a year-over-year increase of 15.4%. EPS of $1.42 for the same period compares to $1.14 a year ago. The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.73 billion, representing a surprise of +1.35%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +7.58%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $1.32. While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance. Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance. Here is how Intuitive Surgical, Inc. performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts: Total System Units Placed - Total Company : 331 versus the six-analyst average estimate of 280.8. Da Vinci Installed Surgical System Base : 8042 compared to the 8007.18 average estimate based on five analysts. Total System Units Placed - United States : 157 versus the three-analyst average estimate of 134.21. Total System Units Placed - Outside of the United States : 174 versus the two-analyst average estimate of 141.52. Instruments and accessories Revenue- United States : $763.30 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $722.82 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +22.1%. Systems Revenue- Outside of the United States : $202.90 million versus $183.71 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +29.2% change. Instruments and accessories Revenue- Outside of the United States : $312.60 million compared to the $297.89 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +15.7% year over year. Systems Revenue- United States : $189.80 million versus $253.76 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -12.9% change. Revenue- Products (Instruments and Systems) : $1.47 billion versus $1.44 billion estimated by eight analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +15.6% change. Revenue- Services : $287.30 million versus the eight-analyst average estimate of $283.96 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +14.1%. Revenue- Systems : $392.70 million versus $416.48 million estimated by eight analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +4.7% change. Revenue- Instruments and accessories: $1.08 billion versus $1.03 billion estimated by eight analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +20.2% change. Story continues View all Key Company Metrics for Intuitive Surgical, Inc. here>>> Shares of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. have returned +8% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.6% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research Key Insights freenet's estimated fair value is 45.22 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current share price of 22.70 suggests freenet is potentially 50% undervalued Our fair value estimate is 58% higher than freenet's analyst price target of 28.65 Does the July share price for freenet AG (ETR:FNTN) 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. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. For those who are keen learners of equity analysis, the Simply Wall St analysis model here may be something of interest to you. See our latest analysis for freenet Crunching The Numbers 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 discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 280.0m 282.9m 271.0m 265.0m 261.4m 259.0m 257.6m 256.8m 256.4m 256.4m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x7 Analyst x6 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Est @ -1.37% Est @ -0.89% Est @ -0.55% Est @ -0.31% Est @ -0.15% Est @ -0.03% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 5.0% 267 257 234 218 205 193 183 174 165 158 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 2.1b 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 (0.2%) 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 5.0%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = 256m (1 + 0.2%) (5.0% 0.2%) = 5.4b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 5.4b ( 1 + 5.0%)10= 3.3b 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 5.4b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of 22.7, the company appears quite undervalued at a 50% 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 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 freenet 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 5.0%, 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 freenet Strength Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the German market. Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%. Threat Dividends are not covered by earnings. Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the German market. Moving On: 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. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For freenet, there are three relevant elements you should assess: Risks: You should be aware of the 2 warning signs for freenet we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does FNTN'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 German stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here FILE PHOTO: A sign of JP Morgan Chase Bank is seen in front of their headquarters tower in New York FRANKFURT (Reuters) -JPMorgan will expand its online bank Chase to Germany and other European Union countries, CEO Jamie Dimon told German newspaper Handelsblatt, a move that increases competition for European rivals in a crowded market. Reuters has reported preparations for the move, but the CEO's comments to Handelsblatt published on Friday mark the first official confirmation. In its first such foray outside the United States, JPMorgan entered the British market with a digital-only retail offering in 2021 and executives have signalled their aim was to expand this to other countries. "It has always been clear to us that we want to introduce Chase not only in the UK, but also in Germany and other European countries," Dimon was quoted as saying. "We have ambitious plans." He said the timing was undecided. A spokesperson for JPMorgan confirmed the report and wouldn't comment on timing. U.S. banks have been looking to offset lucrative but at times volatile returns in investment banking with steadier revenues, although they face a competitive consumer market dominated by local incumbents, where margins are thin. JPMorgan, whose European Union hub is in the German financial centre of Frankfurt, has become one of the largest advisory banks in Germany in recent years, and is expanding to target more of the medium-sized firms that form the backbone of Europe's largest economy. Last year, Deutsche Bank analysts wrote in a note that while JPMorgan seemed likely to expand its retail business into the EU, "why does it make sense to expand retail banking globally when other banks haven't been able to do so and the global regulatory burden is high?" Dimon told Handelsblatt he was confident of success. "In Germany, 'Chase' is not yet so well known, but worldwide it is a strong brand. We are also a trustworthy bank with a strong balance sheet - and private customers know that," he was quoted as saying. (Reporting by Tom Sims and Rachel More; Editing by Christian Schmollinger) A federal law that took effect at the start of 2021 requires hospitals to meet new standards for price transparency. Two and a half years later, only 36% of hospitals are complying with the rule, according to a semi-annual report by the nonprofit Patient Right Advocate. The group analyzed the websites of 2,000 U.S. hospitals from May 9 through July 14 and found that just 721 of them are in full compliance with the rule. While most hospitals have posted the pricing files required by law, the widescale noncompliance of 64% of hospitals is due to most hospitals files being incomplete or not having prices clearly associated with both payer and plan, the report says. A far smaller number of hospitals just 69 of those reviewed, or 3.5% had no usable files posted on their pricing. The latest review also represents some progress compared to February, when the compliance rate was a reported 25%. Interestingly, 256 of the hospitals we found to be noncompliant in our February 2023 report are now compliant; however, 40 of the hospitals deemed compliant in the February 2023 report were found to be noncompliant in this report, the latest document says. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is responsible for enforcement of the rule and it imposed its first penalties for noncompliance in June 2022. The report notes that both penalized hospitals immediately came into compliance. Yet, in April of 2023, only two more hospitals were fined, the report says. Both were still found to be noncompliant in this review. As of the time of this report, a total of four hospitals have been penalized, 0.2% of the hospitals that CMS recognized as noncompliant. Clearly, CMS is not strongly enforcing the rule. Like what you're reading? Sign up for our free newsletter. Kuwait Prohibits Crypto Payment, Investment and Mining Kuwait's Financial Authority Prohibits Crypto Payment, Investment and Mining Kuwait's financial authority has published a circular that forbids the use of cryptocurrencies for investments or payments, outlaws the mining of any digital assets, and acknowledges the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies. The public has also been forewarned by the Capital Markets Authority that businesses are not permitted to offer any services related to cryptocurrencies. This restriction does not apply to securities governed by the Central Bank of Kuwait or other securities and financial instruments governed by the Capital Markets Authority. According to the regulator, the action was taken in response to a sector assessment by the National Committee for Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism and is intended to comply with the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) global recommendations for crypto assets. The international watchdog has not requested that nations outlaw cryptocurrency, even though they are expected to erect barriers to stop money laundering and abide by the FATF's travel rule, which requires cryptocurrency firms to collect and disclose data on transactions above a particular threshold. The agency also issued a warning to citizens about the dangers of using unregulated, volatile, encrypted currencies. (Bloomberg) -- Bankrupt FTX Trading Ltd.s latest lawsuit against co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried and his former top executives revealed new details about the allegations of massive fraud at the fallen crypto conglomerate. Most Read from Bloomberg The complaint Thursday showed FTX Trading is seeking to claw back millions of dollars in cash and unwind over $1 billion in questionable transactions. Read more: FTX Sues Bankman-Fried, Associates Over $1 Billion in Bad Deals The lawsuit revealed Caroline Ellison, former co-chief executive officer at affiliated hedge fund Alameda Research, estimated a more than $10 billion cash deficit at FTX.com about eight months before the crypto exchange fell apart. The document also claims that Bankman-Fried and former FTX Chief Technology Officer Gary Wang took $546 million from Alameda in May 2022 to acquire shares in Robinhood Markets Inc. Here are some other accusations in the complaint: Private Island The lawsuit said the FTX Foundation FTXs nonprofit arm pursued projects that were frequently misguided and sometimes dystopian. It alleged that a memo exchanged between a foundation officer and Bankman-Frieds brother, Gabriel Bankman-Fried, laid out a plan to purchase the tiny island nation of Nauru and build a bunker there. In the event that half or more of the global population perished, the island would then be used to ensure the survival of members of the effective altruism movement a philosophy that Sam Bankman-Fried publicly ascribed to. The memo noted that probably there are other things its useful to do with a sovereign country, too, according to the complaint. Big Bonuses Ellison gave herself a $22.5 million bonus around the time in March 2022 when she estimated a more than $10 billion cash shortfall at FTX.com, according to the lawsuit. Through a series of convoluted transfers, Ellison allegedly deposited the money from Alameda into her FTX account, with $10 million of the funds making their way to her personal bank account. Story continues She used the money for a $10 million investment in an artificial intelligence company in her own name. On different occasions in 2021 and 2022, Ellison also allegedly misappropriated funds to give herself a multimillion-dollar bonus. The complaint noted that no bonus could possibly be justified given Ellisons extensive misconduct. Back-Scratching Much has been made of Sam Bankman-Frieds inner circle and their special privileges. The complaint lays out how executives benefited from their claimed abuses of power. On one occasion, Nishad Singh, FTXs former director of engineering, allegedly received a fraudulent transfer of about $477 million worth of FTX common shares without having to pay anything in return. Sam Bankman-Fried allegedly granted himself rights to more than $6 million in equity without paying anything in return in February 2020. Ellison also allegedly received 2.75 million valuable FTX call options without providing anything in return between December 2020 and March 2021. Going Public Sam Bankman-Fried had expressed ambitions of taking FTX public on multiple occasions. The complaint alleges that he was taking steps, albeit fraudulent ones, to make his goal a reality. The lawsuit claims that in April 2021, he signed a sham Payment Agent Agreement that was falsely backdated by nearly two years. The agreement had been readied for an external auditor, who was supposed to prepare a financial statement of FTX as the firm considered an initial public offering. Ellison, Wang and Singh have admitted to fraud and are cooperating with federal prosecutors. Sam Bankman-Fried has rejected an array of charges and faces a trial in October. A representative for Sam Bankman-Fried declined to comment on the latest lawsuit. Lawyers for Wang, Singh, Ellison and Gabriel Bankman-Fried didnt immediately respond to messages sent after normal business hours seeking comment on the complaint. The case is FTX Trading Ltd., 22-11068, US Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. China to unveil more measures to revive private economy: officials Xinhua) 08:07, July 21, 2023 A staff member sells wig products to overseas markets via an e-commerce platform at a wig company in Shaoyang, central China's Hunan Province, May 25, 2023. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge) BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese officials on Thursday pledged greater efforts to revive the private economy, with more measures to be unveiled soon. Their remarks came after the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council issued a guideline on Wednesday on boosting the growth of the private economy. "The private economy has long played a positive role in stabilizing growth, promoting innovation, increasing employment and improving people's livelihoods," Li Chunlin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said at a press conference. To ensure full implementation of the guideline, the commission will work with relevant parties to introduce supporting policies and measures in the near future, he said. As part of the supporting measures, the commission will publish a document soon on encouraging private investment to "fully motivate the sector," Li said. The commission will continue holding symposiums with private entrepreneurs on a regular basis to help them solve problems and heed their suggestions, Li said. The private sector contributes approximately 50 percent of China's tax revenue, 60 percent of its GDP, 70 percent of its technological innovation, and accounts for 80 percent of its urban employment. To provide an improved environment for the private economy, China will also work to remove barriers in market access and fully implement policies and mechanisms for fair competition, he said. An Lijia, vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, pledged efforts to create a nurturing social environment for the private economy. "We will increase publicity of outstanding private entrepreneurs and promote their entrepreneurial spirit. Meanwhile, we will cooperate with relevant departments to crack down on malicious rumors and smears against private enterprises," An said. In China, more than 90 percent of private companies are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and more than 90 percent of SMEs are private companies. China will continue to facilitate financing for SMEs, said Xu Xiaolan, vice minister of industry and information technology. Outstanding inclusive finance lending to small and micro-sized companies reached 27.7 trillion yuan (about 3.88 trillion U.S. dollars) at the end of June, up 26.1 percent year on year. China will also promote qualified SMEs to go public, and encourage the national SME development fund to increase investment in start-ups, Xu said. "The country will work to create a market-oriented, legalized and international business environment for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises," Xu noted. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Photo: RCMP Coquitlam RCMP seized several kilograms of illegal and illicit drugs, as well as several firearms, between April and December 2021 during a special project to take down known drug traffickers in Metro Vancouver. Charges have been laid against seven suspects nearly two years after a major drug trafficking ring in the Tri-Cities was shut down. In 2021, police seized a slew of illicit drugs, guns, hundreds of thousands of dollars in vehicles and cash, and other illegal items at multiple locations during a sting operation known as "Project Eneowise." This included Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, as well as Richmond and Vancouver. In an update today (July 20), RCMP said charges were approved on July 7, 2023, for the group of individuals involved six men and one woman ranging from 26 to 56 years old, five of whom are listed as Tri-Cities residents. "The success of this project demonstrates the unwavering commitment to aggressively pursuing organized crime networks working within the Vancouver Lower Mainland," said Supt. Keith Bramhill, Officer in Charge of Coquitlam RCMP, in a statement. "We will continue to enforce against the illegal drug trade and disrupt criminal networks often to create safer communities." Eneowise began in fall 2020 as a means to target known drug traffickers across Metro Vancouver. The investigation ultimately led to seven search warrants executed over nine months between April and December 2021 uncovering a cache of drugs, drug paraphernalia, weapons, firearms and luxury vehicles. The haul included: Approximately 51,000 counterfeit Xanax pills (15.3 kg) Eight (8) kilograms of cutting agents 5.4 kilograms of cocaine Three (3) kilograms of fentanyl 1.8 kilograms of MDMA 866 grams of methamphetamine 828 grams of ketamine 100 OxyContin pills 12 semi-auto carbines 11 handguns Various magazines and ammunition $164,455 in cash Four vehicles with an approximate value of $150,000 The suspects, and their charges, are as follows: Joshawa Hall, 27, from Coquitlam Conspiracy to traffic in controlled substances Possession of restricted firearms with ammunition Careless storage of firearms Possession for the purpose of trafficking Unauthorized possession of firearms Luka Cipin, 27, from Coquitlam Conspiracy to traffic in controlled substances Possession of restricted firearms with ammunition Careless storage of firearms Possession for the purpose of trafficking Owen Cooper, 28, from Coquitlam Conspiracy to traffic in controlled substances Possession of restricted firearms with ammunition Careless storage of firearms Possession for the purpose of trafficking Christopher Abra, 40, from Chilliwack Possession for the purpose of trafficking Katrina Desjarlais, 30, from Coquitlam Trafficking in controlled substances James Gueulette, 56, from Port Coquitlam Trafficking in controlled substances Tanner Kadylo, 26, from Alberta Trafficking in controlled substances Coquitlam RCMP's drugs, organized crime and uniform crime reduction units were the leads for Project Eneowise. Other agencies called upon included the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU-BC), Richmond RCMP and the Vancouver Police Department. Anyone with more information about the drug trafficking incidents or of any suspicious activity in their neighbourhood should call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550. Employees must spend at least three days a week in one of Osborne Clarkes offices or with clients if they want to be eligible for future bonuses. Lawyers who work from home more than two days a week will be denied bonuses under a new policy introduced by a City firm. Employees must spend at least three days a week in one of Osborne Clarkes offices or with clients if they want to be eligible for future bonuses. Graham de Guise, chief people officer, said: To be considered for a bonus in 2024 and beyond, our people will normally need to reach our minimum expectations across a number of areas. This includes being in the office more often than not, he added. Workers who meet minimum office attendance requirements will be eligible to a bonus worth up to 20pc of their salary and a discretionary long-term incentive plan which pays out a 40pc bonus across three years, if they meet certain requirements. Workers hoping to be considered for such bonuses must also meet other minimum requirements, including completing mandatory training and contributing to firm-wide initiatives. Osborne Clarke also shared out firm profits to certain employees last month in payments of at least 2,000 each. However, Osborne Clarke will make exceptions for those with valid reasons for not returning to the office, legal news blog RollOnFriday first reported. Mr de Guise said: We also appreciate there are a number of valid reasons this isnt always possible and we will always take these into full consideration when making decisions on bonus eligibility. He added that the benefits of in-person working also included building and maintaining relationships, collaboration, sparking ideas and learning from each other as well as preserving our unique culture. It comes after a string of City firms ordered staff back to their desks as firms rethink their work from home rules following the pandemic. City law firm Skadden increased its office attendance requirement from three days to four days, with Friday reserved for flexible working. Investec, Lloyds Banking Group and BlackRock have also all told their employees that they must return to the workplace more frequently. Story continues JP Morgan threatened to punish investment bankers who failed to meet their office minimum attendance targets of three days a week, and asked senior staff lead by example and come into the office five days a week. Last month, HSBC announced plans to leave its 45-storey skyscraper in Canary Wharf as part of broader efforts to reduce office space amid struggles to return its office footfall to pre-pandemic levels. 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. Logitech International S.A. (VTX:LOGN) will increase its dividend from last year's comparable payment on the 27th of September to $1.06. This will take the dividend yield to an attractive 1.8%, providing a nice boost to shareholder returns. View our latest analysis for Logitech International Logitech International's Earnings Easily Cover The Distributions While it is great to have a strong dividend yield, we should also consider whether the payment is sustainable. Prior to this announcement, Logitech International's dividend was comfortably covered by both cash flow and earnings. This indicates that quite a large proportion of earnings is being invested back into the business. Looking forward, earnings per share is forecast to rise by 66.0% over the next year. If the dividend continues on this path, the payout ratio could be 31% by next year, which we think can be pretty sustainable going forward. Logitech International Has A Solid Track Record The company has a sustained record of paying dividends with very little fluctuation. The annual payment during the last 10 years was $0.22 in 2013, and the most recent fiscal year payment was $1.16. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 18% a year over that time. So, dividends have been growing pretty quickly, and even more impressively, they haven't experienced any notable falls during this period. The Dividend Looks Likely To Grow Investors who have held shares in the company for the past few years will be happy with the dividend income they have received. It's encouraging to see that Logitech International has been growing its earnings per share at 13% a year over the past five years. The company is paying a reasonable amount of earnings to shareholders, and is growing earnings at a decent rate so we think it could be a decent dividend stock. We Really Like Logitech International's Dividend Overall, a dividend increase is always good, and we think that Logitech International is a strong income stock thanks to its track record and growing earnings. Earnings are easily covering distributions, and the company is generating plenty of cash. Taking this all into consideration, this looks like it could be a good dividend opportunity. Story continues Companies possessing a stable dividend policy will likely enjoy greater investor interest than those suffering from a more inconsistent approach. Still, investors need to consider a host of other factors, apart from dividend payments, when analysing a company. For example, we've picked out 2 warning signs for Logitech International that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield 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. 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 The projected fair value for Appen is AU$2.38 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current share price of AU$2.29 suggests Appen is potentially trading close to its fair value Our fair value estimate is similar to Appen's analyst price target of US$2.40 Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Appen Limited (ASX:APX) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example! Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for Appen What's The Estimated Valuation? We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate: 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) -US$1.37m US$7.09m US$15.8m US$17.4m US$18.6m US$19.6m US$20.4m US$21.2m US$21.8m US$22.4m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x2 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 6.80% Est @ 5.35% Est @ 4.33% Est @ 3.62% Est @ 3.12% Est @ 2.77% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.4% -US$1.3 US$6.0 US$12.4 US$12.6 US$12.4 US$12.1 US$11.6 US$11.1 US$10.5 US$10.0 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$97m Story continues 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 8.4%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = US$22m (1 + 2.0%) (8.4% 2.0%) = US$354m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$354m ( 1 + 8.4%)10= US$158m The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$255m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of AU$2.3, the company appears about fair value at a 3.8% 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 Important Assumptions We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. 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 Appen 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 8.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.089. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business. SWOT Analysis for Appen Strength Currently debt free. Weakness Shareholders have been diluted in the past year. Opportunity Forecast to reduce losses next year. Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows. Good value based on P/S ratio and estimated fair value. Significant insider buying over the past 3 months. Threat Not expected to become profitable over the next 3 years. Next Steps: 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. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For Appen, there are three fundamental factors you should further examine: Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Appen you should know about. Future Earnings: How does APX'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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here (Bloomberg) -- Ever-increasing torrents of data from emerging markets hold the key to peer-beating returns, according to Man Numeric, a quant investment arm of Man Group, the worlds largest publicly listed hedge fund manager. Most Read from Bloomberg Ori Ben-Akiva, director of portfolio management at Boston-based Man Numeric, says his core emerging-market funds have largely ditched the traditional country-by-country approach. They focus instead on trawling social media accounts, e-commerce websites and other sources to inform their choices from around 5,000 developing-nation companies. The number of models they use for emerging markets has tripled over the past five years. What Man Numerics strategists call a data revolution for the asset class comes as stock pickers struggle to beat benchmark indexes and exchange-traded funds take the lions share of investment flows amid an ongoing debate on whether humans or machines provide better returns. Compared with history, it is much more difficult to generate equity outperformance by getting a handful of top-down country calls correct, Ben-Akiva said in an interview. Our focus is really about trying to identify the most of attractive company specific opportunities within an investment universe. Man Group acquired Numeric in 2014 and since then its assets under management have more than doubled to $36 billion, with 20% of that invested in emerging markets. Man Numerics emerging-markets core fund has handed investors a 4.5% return since its inception in 2015, outperforming the MSCI Inc. index by 2.3%. In the last three years through March 31, it has returned 11.1% per year, net of fees. Story continues Still, it failed to negotiate the global turmoil that followed Russias invasion of Ukraine, losing 9.8% in the past 12 months though thats a slightly better performance than the benchmark, according to a statement on its first-quarter results. Man Group is known for its early adoption of AI and machine learning, but Ben-Akiva said flesh-and-blood fund managers are still needed in parts of the asset class. The firm as a whole had $144.7 billion under management as of end-March. He cited the example of Russian stocks, whose low valuations triggered buy signals from a range of quantitative analytical models. With the war in Ukraine ongoing and international sanctions in force, it took a human to decide they were cheap for a reason, he said. Timing markets, predicting market outcomes is very difficult, Ben-Akiva said. We focus on what we think is more repeatable and sustainable, which is to focus on the company-level opportunities. --With assistance from Esteban Duarte and Nishant Kumar. (Updates with assets under management for the group in eighth paragraph. An earlier version of the story corrected paragraphs six and seven to show gains and losses in relation to MSCI indexes.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Jeromy Sonne traded a website domain for a tour of The Boring Company. Courtesy of Jeromy Sonne Twitter user Jeromy Sonne said The Boring Company struck a deal with him over a website domain. Sonne said he bought burnthair.com minutes after Elon Musk announced "Burnt Hair" perfume for sale. In exchange for the domain, The Boring Company gave him a tour and company swag, Sonne told Insider. It's not every day that Elon Musk or one of his companies cuts a deal with a Twitter user. But, when Musk announced The Boring Company planned to sell "Burnt Hair" cologne, Jeromy Sonne said he saw an opportunity. Sonne, founder of Daypart.AI, told Insider that within minutes of Musk's tweet he bought the domain for burnthair.com and tweeted at the billionaire. "I said, 'Hey, I just bought burnthair.com. I live in Austin and if you have lunch with me at the gigafactory or coffee or something like that, I'll give you the domain,'" Sonne said, regarding the tweet, which has since been deleted. Sonne said that while Musk didn't respond, The Boring Company sent him a direct message within minutes of his tweet, telling him to send them an email about the idea. Insider viewed a screenshot of the Twitter DM. "They said lunch wouldn't happen so I tried some even more outlandish asks," Sonne said. "I wasn't really expecting anything out of it, I was just having fun. I asked for a call with him instead. I asked for a ride on his private plane at one point. I was just kind of throwing it all out there and seeing what they'd be willing to go for," he added, regarding his email exchanges with a worker from The Boring Company. They finally agreed that Sonne would receive a tour of the tunnel-building company's facility in Bastrop, Texas and some Boring Co swag, including one of the first 10 bottles of Burnt Hair cologne, in exchange for the website domain, Sonne told Insider. He transferred ownership of the domain in December, according to screenshots of the process that were viewed by Insider. Now, the website domain redirects to The Boring Company's main website. Story continues "There was some radio silence for a while and I was kind of worried there for a minute," Sonne said, regarding the months after he transferred ownership of the website. "I had to follow up a couple of times, but then they made it happen." Last week, Sonne shared a picture from the tour on Twitter. He told Insider the picture was taken outside of the company's facility by a worker. He said his family his wife and four-year-old son had been told they were not allowed to take out their phones while touring the facility due to concerns about security and were required to sign a non-disclosure agreement, or NDA, that prevented them from talking about what they saw inside. A spokesperson for The Boring Company did not respond to a request for comment from Insider ahead of publication. Sonne said he was taken aback by the amount of construction related to Musk's companies in the small town. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that the billionaire is in the process of building a company town for SpaceX, Tesla, and The Boring Company employees in Bastrop. Though, Sonne said the tour had the biggest impression on his son. "My four year old is on the spectrum and is like really obsessed with construction and that's a special interest for him, construction, diggers, that sort of thing," Sonne said. "Since we've gotten home, he has been building tunnels with Magna-Tiles and running his cars through them and stuff. Honestly, that was worth the entire adventure, just seeing him get really hyped up about it." Read the original article on Business Insider (Bloomberg) -- Newmont Corp. posted its worst day in 12 months after the worlds biggest gold producer reported earnings that missed analyst estimates following a series of operational setbacks. Most Read from Bloomberg The shares fell 6% in New York, for the biggest daily decline since July 2022. Newmonts second-quarter gold production dropped 17% from a year earlier after it suspended the large Penasquito mine in Mexico due to a workers strike and reported weaker-than-expected performances from its Cerro Negro mine in Argentina and Akyem mine in Ghana. It also temporarily shuttered a mine in Canada because of nearby wildfires. Overall production costs rose to $1,472 an ounce, exceeding the average analyst estimate compiled by Bloomberg. Newmont, which is working to close its acquisition of Newcrest Mining Ltd. in the industrys largest-ever deal, has seen its shares tumble 10% this year, even as spot gold prices are up about 8%. The company reiterated its full-year forecasts on Thursday and said it expects a stronger second half. (Updates with closing prices.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. Construction at the Hyundai Metaplant is moving at a rapid pace on the Bryan County Megasite. Motorists driving on Interstate 16 are getting a small glimpse into what the Hyundai EV manufacturing facility being built on the Bryan County megasite will look like. But on the grounds, construction of the plant reveals Hyundais creativity. During a Savannah Joint Development Authority meeting Wednesday afternoon, Bomee Oh, senior associate for the design division of Haeahn Architecture, gave a presentation detailing Hyundais commitment to sustainability. The meeting also detailed hiring efforts within existing industries and how some organizations have had to beef up their incentive packages. In addition, new water and sewer infrastructure will go far beyond facilitating needs at the megasite. Here is what to know. What will Hyundai look like? Hyundai officials gave attendees at the JDA meeting a sneak peek into what the plant will like upon completion. More: EV jobs on the way: Savanah Tech to offer repair certificate; Hyundai now hiring for plant The design pays homage to the environment and sustainability. Solar panels will cover the parking area for employee cars. Artwork will be on display and the site will also have a greenspace larger than Forsyth Park. Employees and community members will also enjoy walking trails, recreation fields and a pond. The presentation included a series of artist renderings as visual representations of the designs. Hyundai officials declined to provide those for public view at this time. We cant wait for the public to see this, said Commissioner Chairman Carter Infinger during the meeting. "Especially given the fears some have expressed about an industrial look." The area where the water and sewer facility will be located is photographed. Workforce needs still to be addressed Suppliers coming to the region are bringing more than 5,000 jobs and have invested $2.093 billion. Currently, there are 10 suppliers in the region with more to come. Existing industries are growing in the region too and have employment needs. In April, Gulfstream announced it would add 1,600 jobs and $150 million in capital investment to expand its facilities. Story continues According to Maria Whitfield, director of workforce for the Savannah JDA, some have discussed adding incentives to retain and attract talent. Those benefits could include quarterly bonuses, onsite childcare and large referral bonuses. A flight test model of the G800 on static display at the Gulfstream "Discover the Difference" display at the Savannah-Hilton Head International Aiport. Whitfield, is working with fellow workforce development professionals in the region to establish action plans to get the local labor force ready for manufacturing. The Savannah JDA is also working with local youth to break the stigma of manufacturing careers and conduct tours of various industries. Students are absolutely open to it and they understand the impact of all of the industries that are relocating to our area, said Whitfield. [Workforce development professionals] are open to identifying those that should not be going to a traditional pathway such as a university and helping to identify those that want to go straight to work and helping them to be able to meet the companies that are hiring within the area. The Savannah JDA hired Wadley Donovan Gutshaw Consulting, LLC to conduct a workforce study and draft a comprehensive plan in an effort to combat labor supply challenges in the region. More: Health care on site: St. Joseph's/Candler to open medical clinic at Hyundai Metaplant An electronic survey was sent to companies in the region and roundtable interviews have been conducted with industries such as staffing agencies, the military, transportation and higher education. All of these efforts are in play to help the Savannah JDA understand what existing industries need moving forward. Water and sewer improvements to benefit more than Hyundai The new water and sewer system being built to accommodate the Hyundai plant will transform that infrastructure for the entire region, said Trent Thompson, vice president of infrastructure for Savannah-based engineering firm Thomas and Hutton. At a cost of $343 million, the infrastructure will help supply new developments beyond the I-16 corridor, stretching from New Hampstead to Bulloch County. This is part of a bigger plan, said Thompson. Drivers headed down I-16 may see blue pipes along the highway. The 18-inch force mains will be part of the phase two sewer connection between the megasite and Savannah. The entire water and sewer system will be complete in 2025. A wastewater treatment plant nearing completion across I-16 from the megasite includes state-of-the-art technology, such as a membrane bioreactor, which produces what Thompson described as a very high quality of effluent" that can be reused for some applications, including the greenspaces at the EV factory. Right now, the plan is to send a large volume of reclaimed water back to Hyundai for them to use to irrigate the park area and their landscaping over their entire site, Thompson said. Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Hyundai EV factory near Savannah incorporates parks art into design Investors are often guided by the idea of discovering 'the next big thing', even if that means buying 'story stocks' without any revenue, let alone profit. Unfortunately, these high risk investments often have little probability of ever paying off, and many investors pay a price to learn their lesson. Loss-making companies are always racing against time to reach financial sustainability, so investors in these companies may be taking on more risk than they should. In contrast to all that, many investors prefer to focus on companies like National Bank Holdings (NYSE:NBHC), which has not only revenues, but also profits. While this doesn't necessarily speak to whether it's undervalued, the profitability of the business is enough to warrant some appreciation - especially if its growing. Check out our latest analysis for National Bank Holdings How Fast Is National Bank Holdings Growing? If you believe that markets are even vaguely efficient, then over the long term you'd expect a company's share price to follow its earnings per share (EPS) outcomes. So it makes sense that experienced investors pay close attention to company EPS when undertaking investment research. Over the last three years, National Bank Holdings has grown EPS by 5.2% per year. That might not be particularly high growth, but it does show that per-share earnings are moving steadily in the right direction. One way to double-check a company's growth is to look at how its revenue, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins are changing. It's noted that National Bank Holdings' revenue from operations was lower than its revenue in the last twelve months, so that could distort our analysis of its margins. National Bank Holdings maintained stable EBIT margins over the last year, all while growing revenue 31% to US$372m. That's progress. The chart below shows how the company's bottom and top lines have progressed over time. To see the actual numbers, click on the chart. Story continues Of course the knack is to find stocks that have their best days in the future, not in the past. You could base your opinion on past performance, of course, but you may also want to check this interactive graph of professional analyst EPS forecasts for National Bank Holdings. Are National Bank Holdings Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders? It's a necessity that company leaders act in the best interest of shareholders and so insider investment always comes as a reassurance to the market. National Bank Holdings followers will find comfort in knowing that insiders have a significant amount of capital that aligns their best interests with the wider shareholder group. As a matter of fact, their holding is valued at US$25m. That shows significant buy-in, and may indicate conviction in the business strategy. Despite being just 2.0% of the company, the value of that investment is enough to show insiders have plenty riding on the venture. It means a lot to see insiders invested in the business, but shareholders may be wondering if remuneration policies are in their best interest. A brief analysis of the CEO compensation suggests they are. Our analysis has discovered that the median total compensation for the CEOs of companies like National Bank Holdings with market caps between US$1.0b and US$3.2b is about US$5.1m. The National Bank Holdings CEO received US$3.3m in compensation for the year ending December 2022. That seems pretty reasonable, especially given it's below the median for similar sized companies. CEO remuneration levels are not the most important metric for investors, but when the pay is modest, that does support enhanced alignment between the CEO and the ordinary shareholders. It can also be a sign of a culture of integrity, in a broader sense. Should You Add National Bank Holdings To Your Watchlist? As previously touched on, National Bank Holdings is a growing business, which is encouraging. The growth of EPS may be the eye-catching headline for National Bank Holdings, but there's more to bring joy for shareholders. With a meaningful level of insider ownership, and reasonable CEO pay, a reasonable mind might conclude that this is one stock worth watching. We should say that we've discovered 1 warning sign for National Bank Holdings that you should be aware of before investing here. There's always the possibility of doing well buying stocks that are not growing earnings and do not have insiders buying shares. But for those who consider these important metrics, we encourage you to check out companies that do have those features. You can access a free list of them here. Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here David Willner, OpenAI's head of trust and safety for almost two years, announced this week that he is stepping down from his role. Getty Images Dave Willner, OpenAI's head of trust and safety, stepped down from his role. The exec said on LinkedIn it's become harder to spend time with his family since ChatGPT came out. He's spending the summer teaching his kids to bike and swim, and will take on an advisory role at the firm. AI may replace your job one day, but it can't replace the time you spend with your kids even for those at the forefront of the artificial intelligence push. Dave Willner, the head of trust and safety OpenAI, announced on Thursday in a LinkedIn post that he is stepping down from his executive role at the company to prioritize his work-life balance. The resignation, he said, was a "pretty easy choice to make." Willner did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. While Willner called his job leading OpenAI's safety efforts "one of the coolest and most interesting jobs it's possible to have today," he said that it "had also grown dramatically in its scope and scale" since he joined the company in February 2022. He said it's become "more and more difficult" to put his family's needs ahead of his work ever since ChatGPT was launched last November. "OpenAI is going through a high-intensity phase in its development and so are our kids," Willner wrote in his LinkedIn post. "Anyone with young children and a super intense job can relate to that tension, I think, and these past few months have really crystallized for me that I was going to have to prioritize one or the other." Willner said he will spend this summer teaching his kids how to swim and ride their bikes, and joked that he will get business cards with the title "Charlotte's Official Hype Man," referring to his wife and fellow trust and safety professional Charlotte Willner. Willner's announcement received support from his fellow tech professionals including those in managerial roles at Meta, Google, and AirBnb in the comments section of his LinkedIn post. Commenters called Willner's choice to step down "smart" and "inspiring," and said he was "brave" for being open about his shifting priorities. Story continues "Thank you for being transparent about the need to balance family and work!" Vaishnavi J, the head of youth policy at Meta, wrote in a comment. "We need to hear more of this, especially from husbands / dads." Willner is among a number of executives who have reassessed their relationships to their work, and as a result, stepped down from their roles to combat an unhealthy work-life balance Still, while some C-suite leaders say they're looking to embrace work-life balance, others say they seek work-life integration, or the ability to multi-task with personal responsibilities and work. Jeff Bezos, Amazon's CEO, rejects the phrase "work-life balance" all together, as it implies a trade-off between life and work. Regarding Willner's resignation, an OpenAI spokesperson said, "His work has been foundational in operationalizing our commitment to the safe and responsible use of our technology, and has paved the way for future progress in this field." As for OpenAI's now vacant role, the spokesperson said the company is "seeking a technically-skilled lead" to "advance our mission" of building AI that's safe. In the mean time, Mira Murati, OpenAI's chief technology officer, will "directly manage" the trust and safety team, the spokesperson said. Willner "will continue to advise through the end of the year," per OpenAI. Read the original article on Business Insider Leading AI companies, including OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, have committed to developing safe, secure, and transparent AI technology, the White House said on Friday. "Companies that are developing these emerging technologies have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe," the Biden Administration said, adding that the aim is to make the most of AI's potential and encourage the highest standards. Additional companies committing to AI safety, the White House said, include Amazon, Anthropic, Meta, and Inflection. AI Could Bring The Biggest Bubble of All Time, Says Stable Diffusion Creator None of us can get AI right on our own, Kent Walker, Google's President of Global Affairs, said. Were pleased to be joining other leading AI companies in endorsing these commitments, and we pledge to continue working together by sharing information and best practices. Some of the commitments include pre-release security testing of AI systems, sharing best practices for AI safety, investing in cybersecurity and insider threat safeguards, and facilitating third-party reporting of AI system vulnerabilities. Policymakers around the world are considering new laws for highly capable AI systems," Anna Makanju, OpenAI VP of Global Affairs, said in a statement. "Todays commitments contribute specific and concrete practices to that ongoing discussion." United States lawmakers introduced a bipartisan bill in June that seeks to establish a commission on AI and address questions raised by the rapidly growing industry. The Biden Administration says it is also working with international partners, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, the Philippines, and the UK, to establish a global framework. "By endorsing all of the voluntary commitments presented by President Biden and independently committing to several others that support these critical goals, Microsoft is expanding its safe and responsible AI practices, working alongside other industry leaders," Microsoft President Brad Smith said. Story continues ChatGPT's Performance Is Slipping, New Study Says Global leaders, including the United National Secretary General, have already sounded the alarm on generative AI and deepfake technology and their potential misuse in conflict zones. In May, the Biden administration met with artificial intelligence leaders to lay the groundwork for ethical AI development. The administration also announced a $140 million investment by the National Science Foundation towards AI research and development. "These commitments, which the companies have chosen to undertake immediately, underscore three principles that must be fundamental to the future of AIsafety, security, and trustand mark a critical step toward developing responsible AI," the administration said. Photo: Shane MacKichan. Police are investigating a fatal crash on Hastings Street near Willingdon Avenue in Burnaby Wednesday morning. Police investigators are looking for more witnesses and any video footage of a horrific crash that killed a female passenger and injured two drivers on Hastings Street in Burnaby Wednesday morning. Emergency crews were called to the intersection of Hastings and Willingdon Avenue just before 5 a.m. for a collision between a silver or grey Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and a Toyota Supra. The female victim was the passenger in the Supra, according to police. Burnaby RCMP is specifically looking for video of a pickup truck, possibly travelling at a high rate of speed between Abbott Street in Vancouver and Willingdon Avenue in Burnaby between 4:45 am and 5 am on Wednesday, said a Burnaby RCMP news release Friday. A dashcam video circulating on social media shows a westbound Toyota turning left onto Willingdon on an advanced green light when it is struck by a pickup travelling eastbound on Hastings. The video shows an RCMP cruiser stopped at the light at the time of the collision. Anyone with information or video footage is asked to call Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999. Quote file number 2023-24780. Burnaby RCMPs Criminal Collision Investigation Team (CCIT) is investigating the crash. The Independent Investigations Office is also investigating whether the actions of police played any role in the collision. The Vancouver Police Department told the IIO there had been an earlier crash between a Chevrolet Silverado and a taxi near the intersection of Hastings and Abbott streets shortly before 5 a.m. that morning, according to an IIO news release. The driver of the truck reportedly continued eastbound on Hastings Street towards Burnaby following the collision, stated the release. Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor Email [email protected] Key Insights The projected fair value for MBB is 127 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Current share price of 79.90 suggests MBB is potentially 37% undervalued MBB's peers seem to be trading at a lower discount to fair value based onthe industry average of 14% Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of MBB SE (ETR:MBB) as an investment opportunity by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them 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. 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 MBB Crunching The Numbers We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years. A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) 28.3m 33.9m 37.9m 41.0m 43.4m 45.2m 46.5m 47.5m 48.3m 48.9m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 11.68% Est @ 8.24% Est @ 5.84% Est @ 4.16% Est @ 2.99% Est @ 2.16% Est @ 1.59% Est @ 1.18% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 6.4% 26.6 29.9 31.4 32.0 31.8 31.2 30.2 29.0 27.6 26.3 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = 296m After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 0.2%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 6.4%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = 49m (1 + 0.2%) (6.4% 0.2%) = 796m Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= 796m ( 1 + 6.4%)10= 428m The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is 724m. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of 79.9, the company appears quite undervalued at a 37% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf The Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the 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 MBB 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 6.4%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.036. 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 MBB Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Weakness Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Industrials market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the German market. Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%. Threat Paying a dividend but company has no free cash flows. Looking Ahead: Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. 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. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For MBB, we've compiled three important factors you should further examine: Financial Health: Does MBB have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does MBB'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 XTRA 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. 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 Post's estimated fair value is S$1.00 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity Singapore Post is estimated to be 49% undervalued based on current share price of S$0.51 Singapore Post's peers seem to be trading at a lower discount to fair value based onthe industry average of 22% How far off is Singapore Post Limited (SGX:S08) from its intrinsic value? Using the most recent financial data, we'll take a look at whether the stock is fairly priced by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Don't get put off by the jargon, the math behind it is actually quite straightforward. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. 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 Singapore Post The Method We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. 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: Story continues 10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (SGD, Millions) S$125.4m S$152.3m S$165.2m S$174.8m S$183.0m S$190.0m S$196.3m S$201.9m S$207.2m S$212.2m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 5.82% Est @ 4.66% Est @ 3.85% Est @ 3.29% Est @ 2.89% Est @ 2.61% Est @ 2.41% Present Value (SGD, Millions) Discounted @ 9.5% S$115 S$127 S$126 S$122 S$116 S$110 S$104 S$97.7 S$91.6 S$85.7 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = S$1.1b 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. 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 2.0%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.5%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = S$212m (1 + 2.0%) (9.5% 2.0%) = S$2.9b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= S$2.9b ( 1 + 9.5%)10= S$1.2b 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 S$2.3b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of S$0.5, the company appears quite undervalued at a 49% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind. dcf Important Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Singapore Post as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.5%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.269. 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 Singapore Post Strength Debt is well covered by earnings. Weakness Earnings declined over the past year. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Logistics market. Opportunity Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Singaporean market. Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%. Threat Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow. Next Steps: 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. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Singapore Post, we've put together three important items you should explore: Risks: We feel that you should assess the 1 warning sign for Singapore Post we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does S08'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 Singaporean stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here FILE PHOTO: A "Now Hiring" sign advertising jobs at Papa Johns is seen along a street in downtown Miami By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Thursday said Papa John's International cannot force a Louisville, Kentucky, pizza delivery driver to arbitrate a claim that he was underpaid by invoking an arbitration agreement he said he never saw. In a 3-0 decision, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati said a trial judge erred in dismissing Andrew Bazemore's claim that the pizza chain violated federal labor law by not reimbursing him enough for costs to operate his vehicle. Circuit Judge Raymond Kethledge found "no reason whatever" to prevent reasonable jurors in the proposed class action from believing Bazemore's sworn statement that he never seen any agreement to arbitrate. Bazemore said Papa John's reimbursed him at 25 cents to 31 cents per mile, about half the rate then recommended by the Internal Revenue Service, causing him to be paid less than the federal and state minimum wage. He sued on behalf of Papa John's delivery drivers in Kentucky. Papa John's, which is based in Louisville, said Bazemore had agreed to arbitrate disputes as a condition of employment, and signed an arbitration agreement electronically. Kethledge, however, said Bazemore wouldn't have sued had he thought there was such a condition. "To hold otherwise would force Bazemore to give up either his job or his day in court," Kethledge wrote. The appeals court returned the case to U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings in Louisville. Papa John's and its lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Bazemore's lawyer Joshua Frank said he was pleased the court found that employers can require arbitration only upon showing that their workers "actually agreed to arbitrate." The case is Bazemore v Papa John's USA Inc et al, 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 22-6133. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler) Despite an already strong run, Dorel Industries Inc. (TSE:DII.B) shares have been powering on, with a gain of 31% in the last thirty days. But the gains over the last month weren't enough to make shareholders whole, as the share price is still down 6.4% in the last twelve months. Even after such a large jump in price, there still wouldn't be many who think Dorel Industries' price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 0.1x is worth a mention when the median P/S in Canada's Consumer Durables industry is similar at about 0.6x. However, investors might be overlooking a clear opportunity or potential setback if there is no rational basis for the P/S. See our latest analysis for Dorel Industries How Dorel Industries Has Been Performing Recent times haven't been great for Dorel Industries as its revenue has been falling quicker than most other companies. It might be that many expect the dismal revenue performance to revert back to industry averages soon, which has kept the P/S from falling. You'd much rather the company improve its revenue if you still believe in the business. If not, then existing shareholders may be a little nervous about the viability of the share price. Want the full picture on analyst estimates for the company? Then our free report on Dorel Industries will help you uncover what's on the horizon. What Are Revenue Growth Metrics Telling Us About The P/S? In order to justify its P/S ratio, Dorel Industries would need to produce growth that's similar to the industry. Taking a look back first, the company's revenue growth last year wasn't something to get excited about as it posted a disappointing decline of 16%. This means it has also seen a slide in revenue over the longer-term as revenue is down 43% in total over the last three years. Accordingly, shareholders would have felt downbeat about the medium-term rates of revenue growth. Turning to the outlook, the next year should demonstrate some strength in company's business, generating growth of 4.2% as estimated by the only analyst watching the company. This isn't typically strong growth, but with the rest of the industry predicted to shrink by 5.2%, that would be a solid result. Story continues Despite the marginal growth, we find it odd that Dorel Industries is trading at a fairly similar P/S to the industry. It looks like most investors aren't convinced the company can achieve positive future growth in the face of a shrinking broader industry. The Final Word Dorel Industries appears to be back in favour with a solid price jump bringing its P/S back in line with other companies in the industry While the price-to-sales ratio shouldn't be the defining factor in whether you buy a stock or not, it's quite a capable barometer of revenue expectations. Our examination of Dorel Industries' analyst forecasts revealed that its superior revenue outlook against a shaky industry isn't resulting in the company trading at a higher P/S, as per our expectations. There could be some unobserved threats to revenue preventing the P/S ratio from matching the positive outlook. The market could be pricing in the event that tough industry conditions will impact future revenues. At least the risk of a price drop looks to be subdued, but investors seem to think future revenue could see some volatility. Many other vital risk factors can be found on the company's balance sheet. Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis for Dorel Industries with six simple checks on some of these key factors. If you're unsure about the strength of Dorel Industries' business, why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals for some other companies you may have missed. 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 Elderly volunteers are entering "virtual worlds" as part of a trial aimed at reducing loneliness. Academics at Sheffield Hallam University have teamed up with Age UK Sheffield to pilot 'Planet Wellbeing'. Users are donning virtual reality headsets for activities such as dancing and card games. Teresa Barker, chief executive of Age UK Sheffield, said there was potential to "revolutionise" approaches to mental health and wellbeing for older people. Age UK say 1.4m older people in the UK are often elderly Dr Ben Heller, associate professor at the university's Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, said the 18-month trial built on more than a decade of research, which "has demonstrated how older people can be motivated to exercise more through fun, social activities in virtual worlds". He added: "It ties in very well with the centre's goal to improve health and wellbeing through movement." The project, also involving exercise specialists Innerva and tech firm Pixelmill Digital, is being funded through Innovate UK's 2023 Mindset Extended Reality for Digital Mental Health, which uses "immersive technologies" to improve mental health services. According to Age UK, 1.4m older people in the UK are often lonely. The results of the trial will be analysed before a decision is made whether to role out the initiative, a university spokeswoman said. Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk. Key Insights Significant control over IOI Corporation Berhad by private companies implies that the general public has more power to influence management and governance-related decisions The largest shareholder of the company is Progressive Holdings Sdn. Bhd. with a 50% stake Institutions own 24% of IOI Corporation Berhad Every investor in IOI Corporation Berhad (KLSE:IOICORP) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. With 53% stake, private companies possess the maximum shares in the company. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk). Private companies gained the most after market cap touched RM25b last week, while institutions who own 24% also benefitted. Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of IOI Corporation Berhad, beginning with the chart below. Check out our latest analysis for IOI Corporation Berhad What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About IOI Corporation Berhad? Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices. We can see that IOI Corporation Berhad does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. 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 IOI Corporation Berhad's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in IOI Corporation Berhad. The company's largest shareholder is Progressive Holdings Sdn. Bhd., with ownership of 50%. This essentially means that they have extensive influence, if not outright control, over the future of the corporation. With 11% and 8.1% of the shares outstanding respectively, Employees Provident Fund of Malaysia and Permodalan Nasional Berhad are the second and third largest shareholders. Story continues 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 IOI Corporation Berhad While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO. 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 IOI Corporation Berhad insiders own under 1% of the company. However, it's possible that insiders might have an indirect interest through a more complex structure. It's a big company, so even a small proportional interest can create alignment between the board and shareholders. In this case insiders own RM122m worth of shares. It is always good to see at least some insider ownership, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling. General Public Ownership The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 14% stake in IOI Corporation Berhad. 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 53%, of the company's shares. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company. Next Steps: While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. To that end, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with IOI Corporation Berhad (including 1 which is a bit concerning) . If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future. NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. 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 Matson Q2 2023 net income was almost double what analysts' expected. (Photo: Shutterstock/Sheila Fitzgerald) Container lines wont release final results for the second quarter until next month, but early disclosures suggest they have stemmed the bleeding, at least temporarily. Hawaii-based niche carrier Matson (NYSE: MATX) announced preliminary results late Thursday, projecting Q2 2023 net income of between $76.3 million and $81.5 million. This range is more than double Q1 2023 net income of $34 million. Matson CEO Matt Cox confirmed that his companys China service saw higher demand in the second quarter than in the first. Stifel analyst Ben Nolan called it a remarkably good quarter, with Matson earnings nearly double what we and the Street had expected. [We] did not see that coming. Matsons shares surged in early trading on Friday to a 52-week high of $94.28 per share, then pulled back to close up 8% on the day at $88.32. Matsons shares have risen 41% year to date despite all the bearishness on container shipping fundamentals. Following its latest run-up, it is now the second-best-performing U.S.-listed shipping stock in any vessel segment, behind propane tanker owner Dorian LPG (NYSE: LPG). Evergreen revenue stabilizes, Cosco profits up vs. Q1 Early disclosures by Asian ocean carriers likewise point to a stronger second quarter than some had expected. Revenues of Taiwans Evergreen Marine had been falling sharply quarter on quarter since Q3 2022, but the slide ended in the latest period. Q2 2023 revenues increased 1% versus the first quarter. Evergreens Q2 2023 revenues were 43% higher than in the same period in 2019, pre-pandemic. (FreightWaves based on Evergreen securities filings) Chinas Cosco, the worlds fourth-largest carrier group, reported preliminary net income of 12.5 billion yuan ($1.7 billion) for Q2 2023, up 76% from the first quarter of this year. Disclosures by Cosco subsidiary OOCL were less positive: They showed a slowing pace of decline versus prior quarters and better performance versus pre-COVID, yet results were still falling. OOCL reported Q2 2023 revenues of $1.98 billion. Thats up 35% from the second quarter of 2018 and 26% from the second quarter of 2019. OOCLs revenue declined 9% sequentially versus the first quarter, however, the quarter-on-quarter drops were much steeper (33-37%) in the preceding two periods. Story continues (Chart: FreightWaves based on OOCL securities filings) OOCL obtained an average of $2,126 in revenue per forty-foot equivalent unit during the latest quarter, up 23% from the same period in 2018 and up 20% from the same period in 2019. Sentiment sours on 2nd half Meanwhile, the consensus on the second half is becoming less optimistic. Earlier this year, many carrier executives predicted that the inventory overhang would clear and inventory restocking would coincide with pre-Christmas bookings, leading to better performance in the second half compared to the first six months. That sentiment has soured. We expect the [China-U.S.] trade lane to experience a muted peak season, said Cox, although on a positive note, he added: Absent an economic hard landing in the U.S., we continue to expect trade dynamics to gradually improve for the remainder of the year. According to a report in Chinese news outlet Xinder Marine News, Evergreen Marine Chairman Chang Yen-I told a Chinese shipowners conference: It seems that the traditional peak season in the third quarter has been postponed. Israel-based Zim (NYSE: ZIM) sharply reduced its full-year earnings guidance on July 12. According to Zim CEO Eli Glickman, While our second-quarter results are broadly in line with our expectations, we no longer anticipate an improvement in freight rates in the second half of 2023, consistent with seasonality, as previously assumed. Zim now believes demand will remain muted for the remainder of the year. Global spot rate average in USD per FEU. Blue line: 2023 year to date. Orange line: 2019. Purple line: 2018. (Chart: FreightWaves SONAR) Click for more articles by Greg Miller Related articles: The post Q2 container line earnings could surprise to the upside appeared first on FreightWaves. Over the past year, many QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM) insiders sold a significant stake in the company which may have piqued investors' interest. When analyzing insider transactions, it is usually more valuable to know whether insiders are buying versus knowing if they are selling, as the latter sends an ambiguous message. However, if numerous insiders are selling, shareholders should investigate more. While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. Check out our latest analysis for QUALCOMM QUALCOMM Insider Transactions Over The Last Year The Chief Technology Officer of Qualcomm Technologies, James Thompson, made the biggest insider sale in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for US$1.3m worth of shares at a price of US$132 each. That means that an insider was selling shares at around the current price of US$121. While we don't usually like to see insider selling, it's more concerning if the sales take place at a lower price. Given that the sale took place at around current prices, it makes us a little cautious but is hardly a major concern. QUALCOMM 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. Insider Ownership Of QUALCOMM Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. QUALCOMM insiders own 0.1% of the company, currently worth about US$162m based on the recent share price. I like to see this level of insider ownership, because it increases the chances that management are thinking about the best interests of shareholders. Story continues So What Does This Data Suggest About QUALCOMM Insiders? There haven't been any insider transactions in the last three months -- that doesn't mean much. It's great to see high levels of insider ownership, but looking back over the last year, we don't gain confidence from the QUALCOMM insiders selling. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for QUALCOMM (of which 1 is significant!) you should know about. But note: QUALCOMM may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Join A Paid User Research Session 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 Hanover Lodge set the record for the most expensive sale in the UK when it went for 120m in 2012 - Leon Neal/Getty Images A London mansion overlooking Regents Park that was once Britains most expensive house has been sold by a Russian businessman for 113m Indian billionaire Ravi Ruia has bought Hanover Lodge from Andrey Goncharenko in an off-market deal, the Financial Times reported. The 2,400 square metre mansion at 150 Park Road was built in 1827 and designed by John Nash, the architect of Buckingham Palace. Grade II-listed Hanover Lodge was at one time the residence of the French ambassador to the UK and has a gym, sauna and a gallery, as well as accommodation for in-house staff and a swimming pool that can be converted into a ballroom. Mr Goncharenko bought the property in 2012 from Conservative peer Lord Raj Kuman Bagri for 120m in what was at the time Britains most expensive property deal. Hanover Lodge was designed and built in 1827 by renowned architect John Nash - Heritage Images/Hulton Archive The Russian is a former senior executive at Kremlin-owned oil giant Gazprom and was part of a large group of oligarchs who bought up luxury property in Britain over the last decade and a half, leading the capital to be dubbed Londongrad. In addition to Hanover Lodge, Mr Goncharenko bought two other homes in Hampstead and Belgravia, according to press reports. The sale of his Regents Park property comes as oligarchs now rush to offload assets in the West following the war in Ukraine. Sanctions in the wake of the invasion have prompted even those not targeted to pull their money out of Western countries, fearing future action. Mr Goncharenko is not the target of sanctions. A spokesperson for the Ruia family said Hanover Lodge became available at a price which makes it an attractive investment. Mr Ruia and his brother Shashi co-founded Indias Essar Group, which has major interests in energy, metals, technology and retail. Regents Park is a hugely sought-after location for billionaires. Earlier this year, Londons most valuable house, The Holme, was put on the market for 300m. The mansion, located within the park, was formerly owned by the Saudi royal family but is now in receivership following a lapse of a loan. Story continues If a sale of The Holme achieves the expected price, it would set a new record for the largest property transaction ever in London. The previous record was Chinese billionaire Cheung Chung-kius purchase of a Knightsbridge property for 210m in 2020. 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 look at the paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids. WISCONSIN RAPIDS More than three years after the paper mill idled production, city leaders are planning for what could be done with the property. The citys Planning Commission and Common Council held a joint meeting Thursday evening to discuss a hypothetical plan for the paper mill property. At the end of the meeting, both Planning Commission and Common Council voted to adopt a Wisconsin Rapids Recovery and Reuse Plan and place it on file in the event it could be used to work with property owners in the future. Verso idled production in June 2020, and while it continued converting operations, more than 900 employees were left to find other work. Verso merged with Billerud, a Sweden-based company that focuses on sustainable packaging, in March 2022. The company has continued converting operations at the Wisconsin Rapids mill. How did we get here? A few months after the merger, city leaders began proactively thinking of how the approximately 1,000 acres the paper mill stands on could be redeveloped or reused. The city started working with Vandewalle & Associates, a Madison-based planning and redevelopment firm in October 2021. A Wisconsin Rapids Recovery and Redevelopment Plan project team held a public meeting in June 2022 and opened an online survey through the beginning of September that year to get resident input. Through that survey, about 650 participants shared what they thought Wisconsin Rapids needed. Last July, Mayor Shane Blaser told the Daily Tribune a redevelopment plan for that site would operate as a resource and plan to help any future developers if Billerud were to decide to sell the property. Funding for this project came from state and federal aid through the U.S. Economic Development Administration's Recovery and Resiliency program and through the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. At Thursdays meeting, Kyle Kearns, the city's director of community development, presented Vandewalle's findings, which included workforce data for the Wisconsin Rapids area, trends in the paper and forest industries, as well as public responses and previous development efforts. Story continues According to Vandewalle's report, the information and recommendations could be used to assist Billerud in redeveloping or reusing its own property or to work with a potential developer or buyer or multiple developers and buyers on redeveloping and reusing the property. Kearns presented five economic opportunities that Vandewalle identified through its research and divided the paper mill property into five potential districts. Where does Billerud stand? It is important to note any plans the city develops or adopts for the paper mill property are currently hypothetical. Any future reuse or redevelopment depends on Billeruds plans for its property in Wisconsin Rapids. Since Billerud merged with Verso, Billerud has not shared plans for its Wisconsin Rapids paper mill. In December 2021, Billerud said it would continue its converting operations but would keep production of paper and pulp idled. Since then, the company has told the Daily Tribune it had no updates or plans to share multiple times. In May, however, the company began an approval process to shift assets and streamline its corporate structure. On May 15, Consolidated Water Power Co. applied for two approvals through the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin that relate to the structure within its parent company, Billerud. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has been reviewing the application since June 29. According to that application, CWP is requesting the commissions approval to transfer its utility operations from Billerud Wisconsin to an upstream affiliate, Billerud U.S. Energy Holding. CWP also stated Billeruds roll-to-sheet paper converting facility would be transferred from Billerud Wisconsin to Billerud Converting. Also according to the application, the approvals would help facilitate a potential sale of the Wisconsin Rapids paper mill for reuse or redevelopment. If transfers are approved, the company could potentially sell the Wisconsin Rapids paper mill property and lease space from a new owner to continue its converting operations. Billerud could also decide to keep a portion of its Wisconsin Rapids property to continue operations and sell the remaining property for reuse or redevelopment, according to the application. Billerud confirmed to the Daily Tribune the application was filed as part of the companys work to streamline its corporate structure but said those efforts to reorganize do not mean there are any sales pending. What did residents say they wanted? According to the Wisconsin Rapids Recovery and Reuse Plan and Economic Opportunities Analysis, drafted in March, about 650 residents and officials shared their input, ranking five to seven priorities from a list of possible goals for the paper mill property. Vandewalle determined residents wanted to see the property used to expand, retain and attract companies that would bring in new jobs to Wisconsin Rapids. More specifically, residents and officials said they wanted good-paying and quality jobs that would enhance the citys long-term economic sustainability. Vandewalle recommended the city take the opportunity to diversify its economic base. Residents and officials also said they wanted to prioritize redevelopment that was environmentally responsible, lowering pollution and reusing as much of the existing facilities as possible, which would also decrease construction costs and the amount of material both being used for redevelopment and being discarded. What opportunities did the experts find? After conducting research, Vandewalle identified five opportunities for the paper mill property. Vandewalle focused on diverse opportunities and sustainable industries that could reuse existing assets, supply chains and regional workforce. The report states each opportunity could operate on its own or alongside another, depending on the scale of each. Vandewalle also stated in the report the information and opportunities could be applied at the paper mill property or anywhere else throughout the Wisconsin Rapids area. Opportunity No. 1: Emerging forest products production There is a growing demand to shift from plastics and petroleum-based products to more sustainable options. Many products can be produced from timber that had previously been used at the paper mill. Fiber-based products are a renewable packaging option, according to the report, and they could produce sustainable straws, compostable materials, flexible packaging papers and more. The report also says forest products could be used in exterior building products, structural building material and for bio-fuel production. Ethanol can be created from biomaterials for sustainable energy, as well. Opportunity No. 2: Industrial and logistics park The report says developers could take advantage of the existing infrastructure, workforce and facilities to build an industrial park. Warehouse space could be leased to regional companies, and climate-controlled storage space could help fill a demand. Manufacturing could also expand in an industrial park and could support industries like dairy farms and product operations, as well as breweries. Opportunity No. 3: Renewable energy park The report says there are opportunities to get into biomass gasification (a process of turning wood material into biogas, equivalent to natural gas), hydroelectric power, solar power and hydrogen power to support clean energy. Opportunity No. 4: Pulp facility The report says the Wisconsin Wood Marketing Team released a pre-feasibility report in 2020 that studied the opportunity to expand pulpwood manufacturing throughout the state. It determined Wisconsin was an ideal location to expand because of its forest industry and growing demand for pulp in the state. Opportunity No. 5: Value-added agricultural production The report says the regions agricultural industry is strong, and its history in the area provides an advantage for companies like Kraft Foods, Ocean Spray, Del Monte and Foremost Farms to expand. A look at the Billerud paper mill in Wisconsin Rapids. How do you redevelop 1,000 acres? The paper mill property is large, and in its report, Vandewalle broke the property into five districts that each offer their own challenges and opportunities like rail access, building conditions, floodplains and cost to repair existing infrastructure. The report divided the property into five districts: District 1 as industrial reuse and infill; District 2 as biomass processing; District 3 as logistics and renewable energy; District 4 as a wastewater treatment plant; and District 5 as residential. Now what? In its report, Vandewalle pointed out that until Billerud shares its long-term plans, the city and its partners have little power. It recommends the city maintain open lines of communication with Billerud and connect monthly or quarterly and be available to provide any information or assistance the company requires. The city should also work with Billerud to make sure the property is maintained and up to code. Blaser told the Daily Tribune Thursday the city has had little to no response from Billerud to this point. He said he intends to share the Wisconsin Rapids Recovery and Reuse Plan and Vandewalle's findings and hopes sharing the efforts the city has made so far will open further discussions and communication between the city and Billerud. The report also suggests the city make sure its demolition ordinance is up to date to give the city as much control as possible over potential scrapping or salvage operations a future buyer might propose. This would prevent the property from being stripped of value and left with no plans to redevelop. At Thursday's meeting, Kyle said the city has a salvage ordinance in place that requires an implementation plan and city review to move forward with any scrap or salvage operations. The city's ordinance mirrors the state's, but the city would have room to tweak the ordinance within reason, he said. Vandewalle also suggests city leaders communicate with Sonoco Products Co., a company that has been operating a tube and core paperboard manufacturing facility within the Rapids mill. Sonoco has been operating alongside Billerud's converting operations, sharing electrical infrastructure, machinery and equipment. Vandewalle said the city should also maintain close relationships with its economic development partners and state elected officials. Vandewalle also identified medium- and long-term plans that it recommends if Billerud announces an intent to sell property and if it selects one or more buyers and completes any sales. Kearns said the city will be publishing the Wisconsin Rapids Recovery and Reuse Plan in its entirety on the city's website within the next week or two for the public to access. Contact Caitlin at cshuda@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @CaitlinShuda. This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Wisconsin Rapids Billerud paper mill: Redevelopment plans for site WAYHOME studio / Shutterstock.com This October, an estimated 27 million borrowers will resume repayments on their student loans after a three-year payment pause. According to The Wall Street Journal, typical loan payments will be between $210 and $314 each month. This amount, per a Wells Fargo analysis, is the equivalent to a pay cut of about 4% to 5% off U.S. median household income before taxes. See: All of the States That Will Pay Off Your Student Loans Student Loan Forgiveness: 10 Expenses To Cut From Your Budget When Payments Resume As households feel the financial pinch, its likely the economy will feel it too. An estimate from Moodys Analytics states resuming student loan payments will pull $70 billion a year out of the economy. GOBankingRates surveyed 1,028 Americans in July 2023 to find out if they believe restarting student loan payments will negatively impact the economy. Nearly 57% of overall Americans think there will be a minor, or major, economic impact in 2023 and beyond. Will the impact ahead be significantly negative or not? Heres what one expert has to say about whether resuming student loan payments will hurt the economy. Read more: Worried about when student loan repayments resume? These programs could help It Will Be a Headwind To Resume Payments Again As borrowers add student loan payments back into their monthly recurring expenses and budget, Stan Milovancev CPA and executive vice president at CBIZ Investment Advisory Services said the addition will be a headwind to navigate again. Borrowers, especially those who got used to a three-year break, will find it challenging to reallocate their once-available dollars toward loan payments instead of putting the money into savings or using it for discretionary spending. When payments resume, Milovancev said cash flow will be tight for the typical consumer. Related: Student Loan Pause Officially Ends in October Are You Ready To Start Making Average $503 Payments Again? Discretionary Extras Will Feel The Pinch Over the last three years, borrowers suddenly had more money available every month during the payment pause. Because there were a few extra dollars, Milovancev said it became easy to step up fun discretionary spending on items and experiences borrowers would have previously skipped because of their loans. Some of these include the option to dine out at nice restaurants or eat out more often every month, buying better gifts during the holidays, joining a gym and replacing electronics sooner than normal. Story continues It is in these controllable and discretionary parts of the economy where one would expect to feel the greatest impact, said Milovancev, adding that the discretionary extras will feel the pinch of resuming loan payments. The pause in student loan payments, Milovancev said, made it easier to rationalize making these extra expenses. Borrowers might have had an internal conversation with themselves in which they were able to justify their spending, instead of saving the money, because the pause gave them the chance to do a few extras for their family and themselves. When the pause ended, the borrower would know they would just have to stop. Milovancev imagines an internal conversation noting the time during the pause was the perfect chance for borrowers to spend a little money to catch up or do things they really wanted and might not have the chance to do later. This conversation ends with acknowledging the pause cant last forever. We will just adjust back whenever our payments resume. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Will Resuming Student Loan Payments Hurt the Economy? Heres What an Expert Says Royal mai A 50-year-old German was unveiled as Royal Mails third chief executive in as many years on Thursday. But he is determined to avoid parallels being drawn with a previous Teutonic leader of the worlds first postal service, Rico Back. Back raised hackles among the Communication Workers Unions (CWU) 115,000 postal members for refusing to move to Britain despite running a company whose roots can be traced back to the time of Henry VIII. His fleeting visits to the UK from his Swiss base quickly led to him being nicknamed The Flying Postman. In contrast, Martin Seidenberg will be moving to Britain when he takes over as chief executive next month, according to company insiders. But even if Seidenberg can avoid Backs moniker, comparisons between the two Germans seem inevitable. Both men ran GLS Royal Mails profitable overseas arm immediately before taking the top job. Both came into the job with a mandate to transform Royal Mail from a predominantly letters-based business to one that focuses on parcels. And both have done rather well monetarily while working for the ailing postal monopoly. As Back departed in May 2020, any disappointment from his abrupt exit was cushioned by a 1m pay-off which came less than two years after being handed a controversial 6m golden hello when he started. Seidenberg, meanwhile, has been Royal Mails best-paid director since he joined the companys board in April 2021. The German has taken home in excess of 3m over the last two years, more than double the 1.3m paid to outgoing Royal Mail chief Simon Thompson over the same period. Outgoing chief executive Simon Thompson (left) is replaced by Martin Seidenberg - ROYAL MAIL GROUP/AFP/Getty Images The task facing Seidenberg cannot be underestimated. One of the worst campaigns of industrial action in a generation drew to a close last week as two-thirds of CWU members backed a 10pc pay rise over three years and a 500 lump sum bonus. In return, the CWU ceded to demands from the Royal Mail board to some changes in working conditions, such as later start times so that deliveries can be better spread throughout the day. Story continues With Royal Mails brand, unrivalled scale and postmen and women connecting every household and business in the country, we have plenty of opportunity ahead of us. But we must seize it, Seidenberg said as he was appointed. By enabling Royal Mail to best serve our customers evolving demands, we can deliver benefits for customers, employees and shareholders alike. Seidenberg is a parcels man through and through. He spent 15 years at Deutsche Post before joining GLS Germany in 2015. Before taking over as GLS chief executive in June 2020, Seidenberg rammed through repeated price rises in Germany as well as championing carbon-neutral deliveries. And under his tenure, GLS revenue has grown by 47pc over the last three years. Profits, meanwhile, have swelled by two-thirds over the same period. But it is the future of Royal Mail letter deliveries that will likely define whether Seidenberg can be successful where Back and Thompson have not. Royal Mail has been lobbying with the Government for almost two years to change laws requiring letter deliveries to be completed six-days-a-week. Customer feedback, bosses say, is that households are not interested in a Saturday letters service. Letter volumes are down 30pc since the onset of the pandemic, and chairman Keith Williams, a rare constant on the Royal Mail board, has repeatedly warned that the company will struggle to turn a profit if ministers refuse to acquiesce to the companys demands. Sources close to the company believe that government opposition is softening. The line from Westminster was previously that there are no plans to make any changes to postal laws known as the Universal Service Obligation (USO). It is now that there are no current plans to make any alterations an important distinction, sources insist. Postal workers at Royal Mail agreed to a pay deal last week bringing to an end a long period of strikes - JULIAN SIMMONDS It is widely accepted that a change of postal laws is unlikely to take place this side of a general election. And with Sir Keir Starmers party well-placed in the polls, Labours perspective is arguably more important than that of the Tories. Labour has yet to show its hand on Saturday deliveries. But the union position will be something that Labour will have to take into account, says one well-placed source. During its year-long dispute, the CWU opposed any changes to the USO. Last week, however, general secretary Dave Ward, did not rule out supporting a switch to a five-day letters service for the first time. If you have a decline of letters over six days, theres going to be a moment where you may lose more jobs over six days than it would if you went to five days condensing letters into those five days, he told members in a video posted on the CWUs Facebook page. Providing there is a commitment to sustain the USO, we may have to consider the five-day scenario. He added: We want to keep the USO But were going to have to look at a five day option. The final parallel between Seidenberg and Back is that Royal Mail has reverted to its old executive structure. Backs departure prompted Williams to step up as executive chairman with Thompson as chief executive of Royal Mail and Seidenberg responsible for GLS. Having two executives running two distinct parts of the group stoked fears that the groundwork was being prepared for it to be split in two. Union leaders have previously claimed that splitting the company in two is the ultimate goal of Royal Mails biggest shareholder, billionaire Czech sphinx investor Daniel Kretinsky. The decision to bring back the role of group CEO may soothe concerns that an imminent split of Royal Mail is on the horizon. And Seidenberg will now appoint chief executives of Royal Mail and GLS. Cautiously welcoming Seidenbergs appointment on Thursday, the CWUs Ward said it followed a significant period where the company has been without leadership and direction. He added: Whilst our members want to move on from the dispute, senior management cannot shake off their union busting mentality. The new CEO has to oversee a significant change in both personnel and approach. This is not a time for words. It is a moment for actions. 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. type 31 The first of a fleet of new British warships is set to be delivered next year despite a row over 100m in cost overruns between contractors and the Ministry of Defence. Defence company Babcock confirmed it is on track to deliver the first of five Type 31 vessels next year in spite of its dispute with the Ministry of Defence over the projects budget. The company warned in April that rising costs for materials and labour had seen the bill for the five warships balloon by 100m. The contractor wants the MoD to pay for at least some of the cost overruns but so far this request has been refused and the two parties are in a dispute resolution process. Babcock chief executive David Lockwood said the process was being conducted on friendly terms and feels like a sensible discussion about finding a route forward on a contract that matters to both of us. The precise value of the overrun will become clearer over the next financial year, the company said, since design activities will be finalised and the construction of the first ship will be substantially complete. Mr Lockwood said everything was on track to deliver the first warship next year. HMS Venturer, the first Type 31, is scheduled to be structurally complete in December. Construction began on the second, HMS Active, in January. Some parts of the ships for the Royal Navy will be constructed in Poland with final assembly then carried out at a yard operated by Babcock in Rosyth, north of Edinburgh, albeit a very small percentage in value terms. The Type 31 commission is seen as a major test for the UKs ability to deliver a large naval project on time, on budget and without problems emerging later on. The currently deployed Type 45 Destroyer has been beset by engine trouble and one of the Navys two aircraft carriers, the HMS Prince of Wales, has been out of action after blowing a propeller shaft. The aircraft carrier was repaired by Babcock at a drydock in Scotland and was this week returned to the Navy. Story continues Babcock is hopeful of more orders for the Type 31 ships from international buyers after purchases from the UK and Poland, Mr Lockwood said. It won the contract to build the five Type 31 frigates for the Royal Navy in 2019, with a basic production cost of 250m each. The ships were heralded as a cheaper and more versatile craft compared to Britains other new frigates, the Type 26s, which will hunt submarines and cost 840m each. Last year, Babcock beat Germanys Thyssenkrupp to win a 1.4bn contract to build three frigates for the Polish Navy named Miecznik, which means Swordfish. The ships will be built in Polands yards with Babcocks design. They will feature combat equipment from Thales and anti-aircraft firepower from missile maker MBDA, which is part-owned by Britains BAE Systems. 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. The place for all things cold chain. Hello, and welcome to the coolest community in freight! Here youll find the latest information on warehouse news, tech developments and all things reefer madness-related. Im your controller of the thermostat, Mary OConnell. Thanks for having me! All thawed out (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves) Yellow and UPS have been battling it out in the headlines as far as which company will cause supply chain upheavals first. Yellow stands to run into the biggest issues first, with the Teamsters threatening to strike Monday if pensions arent paid. The good news is that the temperature-controlled supply chain stands to bounce back faster than dry van should Yellow file for bankruptcy as it doesnt do any temperature-controlled moves. The best it can do is protect from freeze. That being said, should Yellow fold, there is still going to be a temporary capacity crunch as other LTL carriers work to accommodate the influx of capacity. The UPS situation is infinitely trickier. The Teamsters and UPS have taken a break from the negotiating table as company management and the union struggle to come to an agreement on improvements for workers. If all 340,000 workers walk out, it stands to be the largest strike against a single employer in U.S. history, according to NPR. This is where the problems come in. UPS has a comprehensive cold chain program, specifically geared toward health care logistics. There are 15.6 million packages and documents delivered daily for the health care supply chain and with 1,800 facilities across 200 countries, there is a global supply chain that gets brought to its knees should the Teamsters strike. Reuters has said that should UPS go on strike, the U.S. economy alone will take a $7 billion hit. So what does that mean for cold chain shippers? Definitely find alternatives for shipments for the time being. Unfortunately, UPS volumes are more than FedEx, DHL and the U.S. Postal Service can absorb, so the more proactive you can be the better. Dont wait until July 31 to reach out to backup carriers. If contingency plans arent in the works, its well past time to get one started. Story continues We can expect to see some of the traditional LTL moves shift to truckload carriers in an effort to free up linehaul space for carriers absorbing some of the excess capacity. Ultimately, delivery times stand to be affected. One- and two-day shipping will be harder to come by in certain markets. Its not the end of the world, but it is important to plan for extra transit time in packages, whether that means additional ice packs, dry ice, temperature sensors, etc. Visibility and tracking tools will be absolutely crucial to ensure shipment integrity in an environment that will be prone to delays. Something of note that FreightWaves CEO Criag Fuller brought up in the last State of Freight is: If theres a UPS strike, OTRI will accelerate across the board. Tender rejections will rise and companies will be forced to pay up for capacity, he predicted. The ballpark is going to be electric. Shippers that use full truckloads will need to be aware of increased transportation costs for the duration of the strike as well as the months that follow as networks try to rightsize themselves. Food and drugs (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves) The hallmark of every summer barbecue is burgers and hot dogs on the grill. Whether it is all-beef burgers or vegan and veggie burgers, no summer gathering is complete without the all-American burger. Lets see how everyones favorite burger ingredients stack up against each other. According to a Foodmarket article, this is how various proteins have shaken out post-Fourth of July. Ground beef nationwide last week averaged $5.67 discounted, with the leanest options coming in upward of $7 or more. Despite the elevated price per pound compared to this time last year, ground beef sales totaling $75.8 million last week, indicating that grilling season cannot be stopped. If ground beef isnt your style, fresh ground turkey averaged $5.19 discounted, which is up 7% from this time last year. Turkey sales were more than $15.3 million. Pescetarians cant be left off the grill as fresh salmon averaged $11.68 discounted, which is actually lower than this time last year. Regardless of what you want the burger to be made from, protein sales dont show any signs of stopping anytime soon. Cold chain lanes This weeks market is one of the largest in the U.S., Ontario, California. Reefer outbound tender rejections have dropped 357 basis points week over week. Now that ROTRI is at 5.43%, shippers should expect to see stronger contract compliance from carriers as they are accepting almost 95% of shipments tendered to them. Capacity is loosening in Ontario so expect spot rates to reflect those levels of the beginning of the month. Is SONAR for you? Check it out with a demo! Shelf life DHL Supply Chain invests 500m in Latin America Cargill and Partners Announce First Gold Standard-Approved Methane Emissions Reduction Methodology Is upcycling underutilised food streams our ticket to a sustainable future? Why Americans Love Frozen Food RLS Partners Announces Rebranding as CORE X Partners Wanna chat in the cooler? Shoot me an email with comments, questions or story ideas at moconnell@freightwaves.com. See you on the internet. Mary If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you must be pretty chill. Join the coolest community in freight and subscribe for more at freightwaves.com/subscribe. The post Running on Ice: Staying cool during possible UPS strike appeared first on FreightWaves. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcome ceremony before Russia - China talks in narrow format at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia March 21, 2023 Sputnik/Sergei Karpukhin/Pool via REUTERS China imported 2.13 million barrels per day of Russian crude in the first half of 2023. Russia so far this year has been the top oil supplier to China, peaking at 2.57 million barrels a day in June. Chinese customs data implies that Russian imports have been cheaper than crude from other OPEC+ countries, per the FT. China imported a record amount of Russian crude oil in the first half of 2023, snapping up more than two million barrels per day from the warring nation. Over the last six months, China imported 11.4 million barrels per day of crude, an 11.7% jump from the same time last year according to Financial Times data. Of that, 2.13 million barrels a day came from Russia, with those imports peaking to 2.57 million in June. Meanwhile, China imported 1.88 million barrels a day from Saudi Arabia in the first half of the year, with Iraq, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Brazil falling in line afterward. Chinese customs data cited by the FT implies that Russian barrels have come cheaper than those from other OPEC+ nations since the start of the war in Ukraine. At any rate, Russia has had to increasingly rely on China over the last year and a half, since thousands of companies have pulled out of the country and other nations have shunned trade with Moscow. The bulk of Russia's exports are sent to China, but the reverse isn't true: Russia is far down on the pecking order when it comes to Beijing's most prominent trade partners. "Clearly Russia is much more dependent on China to provide it with the imports and advanced manufactured products it needs, while Russian markets represent a negligible secondary opportunity for Chinese businesses," according to Yale researcher Jeffrey Sonnenfeld. Russia's economy continues to deteriorate, with the country's central bank reporting a 93% decline in its current account surplus last quarter. But China's economy isn't exactly humming along as well as expected either. The much-anticipated post-COVID rebound has yet to materialize, and some experts don't expect it to come anytime soon. Story continues Some strategists maintain that Vladimir Putin still holds some leverage in his dealings with Beijing. Think tank writer Mikhail Korostikov said it isn't a guarantee that the dictator becomes subservient to President Xi Jinping. "The relationship between Russia and China is by no means perfect, but the shared interests of both countries' leaderships and the strategic logic of the confrontation with the West create a solid foundation for reasonably equal cooperation," he said. "Within that interaction, China does have a certain opportunity to turn Russia into its vassal but, crucially, it has no compelling reasons to do so." Read the original article on Business Insider We think intelligent long term investing is the way to go. But that doesn't mean long term investors can avoid big losses. To wit, the Secure Trust Bank PLC (LON:STB) share price managed to fall 67% over five long years. That is extremely sub-optimal, to say the least. We also note that the stock has performed poorly over the last year, with the share price down 48%. The falls have accelerated recently, with the share price down 14% in the last three months. Since shareholders are down over the longer term, lets look at the underlying fundamentals over the that time and see if they've been consistent with returns. View our latest analysis for Secure Trust Bank To paraphrase Benjamin Graham: Over the short term the market is a voting machine, but over the long term it's a weighing machine. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement. While the share price declined over five years, Secure Trust Bank actually managed to increase EPS by an average of 0.5% per year. Given the share price reaction, one might suspect that EPS is not a good guide to the business performance during the period (perhaps due to a one-off loss or gain). Or possibly, the market was previously very optimistic, so the stock has disappointed, despite improving EPS. By glancing at these numbers, we'd posit that the the market had expectations of much higher growth, five years ago. Looking to other metrics might better explain the share price change. 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). Take a more thorough look at Secure Trust Bank's financial health with this free report on its balance sheet. What About Dividends? When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. We note that for Secure Trust Bank the TSR over the last 5 years was -59%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return. Story continues A Different Perspective Secure Trust Bank shareholders are down 44% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 4.8%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 10% 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. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Secure Trust Bank better, we need to consider many other factors. Like risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Secure Trust Bank (of which 1 is a bit concerning!) you should know about. But note: Secure Trust Bank may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast). Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on 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. Join A Paid User Research Session Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here The board of Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SGX:Z74) has announced that it will be paying its dividend of SGD0.078 on the 17th of August, an increased payment from last year's comparable dividend. This takes the annual payment to 3.8% of the current stock price, which unfortunately is below what the industry is paying. Check out our latest analysis for Singapore Telecommunications Singapore Telecommunications' Earnings Easily Cover The Distributions The dividend yield is a little bit low, but sustainability of the payments is also an important part of evaluating an income stock. The last payment made up 73% of earnings, but cash flows were much higher. This leaves plenty of cash for reinvestment into the business. Looking forward, earnings per share is forecast to rise by 44.8% over the next year. If the dividend continues along recent trends, we estimate the payout ratio will be 72%, which is in the range that makes us comfortable with the sustainability of the dividend. Dividend Volatility While the company has been paying a dividend for a long time, it has cut the dividend at least once in the last 10 years. The dividend has gone from an annual total of SGD0.158 in 2013 to the most recent total annual payment of SGD0.099. Doing the maths, this is a decline of about 4.6% per year. Declining dividends isn't generally what we look for as they can indicate that the company is running into some challenges. The Dividend Has Limited Growth Potential Given that the dividend has been cut in the past, we need to check if earnings are growing and if that might lead to stronger dividends in the future. Over the past five years, it looks as though Singapore Telecommunications' EPS has declined at around 17% a year. A sharp decline in earnings per share is not great from from a dividend perspective. Even conservative payout ratios can come under pressure if earnings fall far enough. It's not all bad news though, as the earnings are predicted to rise over the next 12 months - we would just be a bit cautious until this becomes a long term trend. Story continues Our Thoughts On Singapore Telecommunications' Dividend Overall, we always like to see the dividend being raised, but we don't think Singapore Telecommunications will make a great income stock. In the past, the payments have been unstable, but over the short term the dividend could be reliable, with the company generating enough cash to cover it. We would be a touch cautious of relying on this stock primarily for the dividend income. It's important to note that companies having a consistent dividend policy will generate greater investor confidence than those having an erratic one. However, there are other things to consider for investors when analysing stock performance. As an example, we've identified 1 warning sign for Singapore Telecommunications that you should be aware of before investing. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield 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. 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 Regular readers will know that we love our dividends at Simply Wall St, which is why it's exciting to see Teck Guan Perdana Berhad (KLSE:TECGUAN) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next 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 important because any transaction on a stock needs to have been settled before the record date in order to be eligible for a dividend. Therefore, if you purchase Teck Guan Perdana Berhad's shares on or after the 26th of July, you won't be eligible to receive the dividend, when it is paid on the 10th of August. The company's next dividend payment will be RM0.05 per share. Last year, in total, the company distributed RM0.05 to shareholders. Looking at the last 12 months of distributions, Teck Guan Perdana Berhad has a trailing yield of approximately 3.0% on its current stock price of MYR1.68. 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 investigate whether Teck Guan Perdana Berhad can afford its dividend, and if the dividend could grow. Check out our latest analysis for Teck Guan Perdana Berhad If a company pays out more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. Teck Guan Perdana Berhad is paying out just 5.8% of its profit after tax, which is comfortably low and leaves plenty of breathing room in the case of adverse events. 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. It paid out 3.3% of its free cash flow as dividends last year, which is conservatively low. It's positive to see that Teck Guan Perdana Berhad's dividend is covered by both profits and cash flow, since this is generally a sign that the dividend is sustainable, and a lower payout ratio usually suggests a greater margin of safety before the dividend gets cut. Story continues Click here to see how much of its profit Teck Guan Perdana Berhad paid out over the last 12 months. Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Businesses with strong growth prospects usually make the best dividend payers, because it's easier to grow dividends when earnings per share are improving. If business enters a downturn and the dividend is cut, the company could see its value fall precipitously. That's why it's comforting to see Teck Guan Perdana Berhad's earnings have been skyrocketing, up 88% per annum for the past five years. Teck Guan Perdana Berhad earnings per share have been sprinting ahead like the Road Runner at a track and field day; scarcely stopping even for a cheeky "beep-beep". We also like that it is reinvesting most of its profits in its business.' Unfortunately Teck Guan Perdana Berhad has only been paying a dividend for a year or so, so there's not much of a history to draw insight from. The Bottom Line Should investors buy Teck Guan Perdana Berhad for the upcoming dividend? Teck Guan Perdana Berhad has been growing earnings at a rapid rate, and has a conservatively low payout ratio, implying that it is reinvesting heavily in its business; a sterling combination. Teck Guan Perdana Berhad looks solid on this analysis overall, and we'd definitely consider investigating it more closely. With that in mind, a critical part of thorough stock research is being aware of any risks that stock currently faces. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Teck Guan Perdana Berhad you should know about. A common investing mistake is buying the first interesting stock you see. Here you can find a full list of high-yield 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. 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 Walmart announced the launch of a new Walmart+ membership program to help SNAP participants or customers receiving government assistance afford a membership. I Work at Costco: Here Are 12 Insider Secrets You Should Know Discover: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases Walmart+ Assist is a new program that allows eligible new and existing members to save 50% off a monthly or annual Walmart+ membership plan. Members can enjoy free shipping and grocery delivery, nationwide gas discounts and video streaming with Paramount+. According to the company, Walmart+ Assist members can save over $800 per year using free delivery from stores, save over $500 annually with free shipping, save over $75 per year on gas at 14,000 locations and save $70 each year with a Paramount+ subscription. This isnt the first time Walmart has taken the necessary steps to support customers who use government assistance. In 2019, Walmart was one of the first retailers to begin taking part in the USDAs SNAP Online Purchase pilot, Venessa Yates, SVP and general manager for Walmart+, wrote in a company statement. The multi-year rollout allows customers to pay with their SNAP benefits online, giving them access to conveniences like pickup and delivery. With the recent addition of Alaska into the program, Walmart is now the first retailer to accept SNAP benefits online in all 50 states, Yates adds. At just $6.47 per month or $49 per year, a Walmart+ Assist membership is similar to Amazon Prime prices. Qualifying government assistance recipients, including SNAP and Medicaid, can access all of Prime for $6.99 per month. Prime members have access to Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Reading and Prime Gaming, as well as fast, free delivery and unlimited photo storage. SNAP recipients can also get exclusive savings on orders from Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh. Hidden Gems: Affordable Luxury Goods at Aldi Learn: 6 Household Staples That Are a Waste of Money Both memberships have their perks, but the best option comes down to which retailer you shop with more often. If youre still unsure, Walmart and Amazon offer a 30-day trial. Story continues More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: SNAP Recipients Can Now Get Half Off Walmart+ Membership How Does It Compare to Amazon Prime Discounts? WASHINGTON (Reuters) A special purpose acquisition firm that is set to merge with former U.S. President Donald Trump's media company settled regulatory charges that it had made "material misrepresentations" to investors. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) said on Thursday that Digital World Acquisition Corporation, which was found to have violated antifraud provisions of federal securities laws, agreed to a cease-and-desist order and to pay an $18 million penalty if it closes the merger. DWAC's shares surged about 22% before the bell on Friday on hopes the merger, announced in October 2021, could go forward after the fine. The SEC said DWAC misled investors by failing to disclose in filings that it had formulated a plan to acquire Trump Media & Technology Group Corp and was pursuing the acquisition before DWAC's initial public offering. DWAC did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. SPACs are listed shell companies that raise cash to acquire and take public a private company, allowing targets to sidestep the stricter regulatory checks of an IPO. The SEC cracked down on SPACs after a frenzy of deals in 2020 and early 2021 sparked concerns that some investors were getting a raw deal. In 2022 the agency proposed new SPAC regulations to boost disclosures and rein in lofty revenue projections. Gurbir Grewal, director of the SEC's division of enforcement, said DWAC also failed to disclose "a material conflict of interest of its CEO and chairman." In this July 24, 2021, file photo former President Donald Trump smiles as he pauses while speaking to supporters at a Turning Point Action gathering in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) If the deal closes, Trump Media would gain access to more than $1 billion in much-needed cash from DWAC's institutional investors. According to a Feb. 2, 2021 services agreement, Trump controls 90% of Trump Media. The company's platform, Truth Social, has struggled to show strong growth in the number of users since its February 2022 launch. Trump had 5.72 million followers on Truth Social as of July 20, compared with the more than 88 million followers he had on Twitter when the platform permanently suspended him. (Reporting by Jasper Ward and Shivani Tanna; Additional reporting by Michelle Price; Editing by Cynthia Osterman, Stephen Coates and Muralikumar Anantharaman) Venezuelan migrant Ari, 32 watches her son, 2, dance in the living room while watching TV in their Chicago apartment, July 20, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) The sweet smell of chicken soup filled Aris home as she cooked dinner while her husband was at work. Her 2-year-old son was napping, but his toys adorned the living room floor. Im so sorry for the mess, she said in Spanish. I havent had time to clean up. Advertisement [ Para leer en espanol, haga clic aqui ] Ari, 32, and her family arrived in Chicago from Venezuela last September seeking asylum. She remembers that day and the uncertainty she felt as if it had been yesterday. We had no idea what was going to happen, where were we going to live, said Ari, who preferred not to use her full name for safety reasons. The family lived in uncertainty at a hotel with hundreds of other families seeking asylum. Advertisement Now, she said, shes grateful to have made a home of her own in an apartment in a North Side neighborhood thanks to a rental assistance program that helps asylum-seekers move out of shelters and into permanent housing. But while many migrant families like Aris have received rental assistance and signed leases for housing units around the city, more than 11,000 new arrivals remain in limbo, housed in city and volunteer-run shelters and police stations, waiting for their turn. Some are unaware of the assistance available. Though Mayor Brandon Johnson aims to resettle asylum-seekers amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis, finding units and landlords willing to rent is a challenge, say advocates. Some real estate professionals worry that after the assistance runs out, tenants wont be able to continue paying rent. Other property owners and managers say they dont know how to help. During a panel on the issue for real estate leaders and building owners in Chicago, advocates of the program called on landlords across the city to rent to asylum-seekers. The June 11 discussion was hosted by the Neighborhood Building Owners Alliance and the Latino Real Estate Investors Council. Ami Novoryta, chief program officer of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, one of the organizations in charge of providing case management to find migrants permanent housing, said during the panel that locating units has been difficult. Ari learned about the program in December, when families living in hotels were prioritized by the state for rental assistance. For days, she said, she would go on online looking for apartments and use Google Translate to email property managers, explaining her situation and asking if they would be willing to rent under the programs guidelines. It took her nearly a month to find an apartment, and she had to wait until February to move in. Most said no, or didnt even reply, she said. The rent voucher covered the entire $1,400 monthly rent for the two-bedroom apartment, and most of the furniture was donated. Advertisement She and her husband are responsible for paying the utilities. But its never more than $100 a month, she said. Venezuelan migrant Ari, 32, in her Chicago apartment on July 20, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) Eligible migrants in the state are able to receive three months of rental assistance when they initially apply for a piece of the millions available through the Illinois Housing Development Authoritys Asylum Seeker Emergency Assistance Program. They can apply again to receive another three months of aid, for a total of up to $15,000. The program began accepting applications Dec. 5 and has received $53.5 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars, the majority of which is for emergency rental assistance with a small portion allotted for case management work, over the course of a couple of years. The $53.5 million includes the $25 million the city was looking to allocate with state support in June, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services. Rental assistance funds from the American Rescue Plan Act are set to expire Sept. 30, 2025. In Chicago, there is an additional $4 million available from the Chicago Department of Housings emergency rental assistance funds for rental assistance and case management for migrants in the city. These funds are being administered through the states Department of Human Services, which is working with the states Housing Development Authority. The city has its own contract with Catholic Charities for case management. Asylum-seekers must live in city or state intermediate housing, such as city shelters or state-run hotels, to be eligible for rental assistance, according to the Illinois Housing Development Authority and the Illinois Department of Human Services. Applicants also must make 80% or below the area median income, but applicants do not need a source of income or employment to apply. So far, more than 1,000 people in Illinois have been approved for rental assistance, with around $8.6 million disbursed and about 600 landlords renting to new arrivals, the agencies said. Advertisement As of earlier this month, 548 of these households approved for rental assistance have signed leases for permanent housing in Chicago, with 271 of those households having moved in, according to a statement from the city. About 200 applicants have been denied rental assistance, primarily because they withdrew their applications from the states program, the agencies said. [ Chicago migrant arrivals: Mayor Brandon Johnson aims to resettle asylum-seekers from shelters, but it wont be immediate ] The resettlement programs are different from other subsidized housing programs available for low-income Chicago residents through the Chicago Housing Authority. CHA programs such as public housing and vouchers are regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which requires noncitizens to have at least one household member with eligible immigration status in order to receive assistance, CHA spokesperson Matthew Aguilar said. When some migrants learned from shelter staff members last week that they could potentially get assistance to move into an apartment, they got excited, said Karla Urbina, an asylum-seeker from Nicaragua living in a shelter near Rogers Park. Urbina, who made the journey from Nicaragua by herself after leaving her children with her mother, spent a little over a month at the District 1 police station in the South Loop after arriving in late May before moving into the shelter. Her reasons for coming to the U.S. echo those of her fellow migrants: to flee violence, abuse from the government and poverty. Advertisement For my children, Urbina said. She hopes to find other women to share an apartment with, if that would make the process move faster. Unlike the states initial goal to prioritize families, the process is the same for all rental assistance applicants, according to the state. Families are housed together, and singles are on their own but are allowed to move together as long as the landlord agrees and lists everyone on the lease. Until shes connected with a case manager to begin the process, we will have to wait, Urbina said. As many migrants wait, some property owners told the Tribune they would be willing to rent to the new arrivals but dont know how to help. Steve Shah owns 81 units, mainly concentrated on the North Side and the north suburbs. He said he would like to rent to the latest flood of migrants but hasnt had any agencies call him, even though they know him and his history of renting to new arrivals. And while he wants to help, he said that as a smaller housing provider, he can face high risks, since theres no guarantee the tenant will be able to pay once the rental assistance runs out. That could lead to a lengthy eviction process, which would be costly, he said. Advertisement No good deed goes unpunished. When you take a chance on people, you dont know what their circumstances are, Shah said. In some cases, they take a long time to find a stable job and sometimes some people have other issues. Shah said he thinks the city and state should have an expedited eviction process for migrants if they can no longer pay rent after receiving rental assistance or if they are disruptive. Novoryta, from Catholic Charities, said on the building owners group call that around 5% of migrants who have signed leases about 50 households have run into any issues. Those issues came from both the property management side and the tenant side, with some people reporting pests in units, incidents of domestic violence, noise complaints and unauthorized people staying in units, she said. These are folks who want to stay in the United States and do not want to get involved in the legal system, Novoryta said, adding that some migrants have skipped the rental assistance process altogether because they have saved money for rent and just need help finding a place to live. Tom Terrell, pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Albany Park, has had five migrant families, with a total of 14 people, living in the church for about two months. Terrell said city rental assistance could help them speed up the process of finding more permanent housing. Advertisement I think they are months away from (being able to move), Terrell said. It is not a hardship for us to have them here. Were content to let them stay here as long as they need, but I think theyre probably getting a little ready to move out. Jacquelina Jablonski, co-owner of I&J Good Rentals LLC, a property management company with more than 100 rentals on the Southwest Side, started renting to new arrivals in February. She rents to six families, mostly in two-bedroom apartments with rents between $900 and $1,200. All of the families want to renew their leases after their rental assistance runs out. Jablonski said some of her tenants have work permits, and most of the families have one person in the household who has a stable income. Jablonski said when she heard about the program through a caseworker who was helping a family find housing it was a no-brainer. I am Hispanic and I dont want to hold judgment onto my people, Jablonski said. I want to help out my community; I want them to make money; I want them to be able to afford the rent. Advertisement Jablonski said she has been frustrated to hear other housing providers express resistance to renting to new arrivals. We all have flaws. Theres gonna be challenges no matter what, said Jablonski, founder of the networking group Southwest Housing Providers. I could have somebody that has a perfect credit score, that never had any issues in their life. They could have some issues right now and just have a bad moment in their life where I just wind up being in that crossfire. Rafael Leon, executive director of Chicago Metropolitan Housing Development Corp., rents to seven migrant families. His organization provides more than 700 units of affordable housing in the city and suburbs. So far, we havent had any problems, Leon said. Sometimes people are afraid of immigrants, but I am an immigrant myself; people dont need to be afraid of immigrants. Sometimes you need to take a risk and help people at a disadvantage. Venezuelan migrant Ari makes the bed in her Chicago apartment. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) Ari said she and her husband feel extremely blessed to have found their landlord. He is very nice to us, she said. As their six-month rent assistance comes to an end this month, she worries she and her husband may not be able to keep up with the payments, but he has found a job working at a restaurant and the two have saved some money, she said. Advertisement Their landlord agreed to continue renting them the apartment after the financial aid stops, Ari said. We desperately need job permits to make sure that we can get a good job and continue paying for our rent and for a better future for our children, she said. For most migrants, finding work is volatile and sometimes dangerous because they lack work authorization permits. But like Aris husband, many will do it, even if it means working under the table. Business leaders, along with Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other political leaders, have urged the federal government to expedite the process. For future housing support to migrants, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1817, which adds protections to the Illinois Human Rights Act to prevent housing providers from discriminating against someone based on their immigration status. The bill, signed June 30, is effective Jan. 1. Advertisement SB1817 expands and strengthens the rights for all Illinoisans regardless of their immigration status and provides them with recourse for such discrimination under the IHRA, which did not previously exist, said Jim Bennett, director of the Illinois Department of Human Rights, in a statement. Bennett said people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination because of their actual or perceived immigration status can file a discrimination charge by visiting https://dhr.illinois.gov/about-us/contact-idhr-form.html or calling 312-814-4320 or 866-740-3953 (TTY). ekane@chicagotribune.com larodriguez@chicagotribune.com It would appear that a Trump has run afoul of the federal government this weekbut perhaps not the family member youd expect. Former First Lady Melania Trump has potentially sparked conflict with NASA by apparently violating the federal agencys policy on image usage in her latest NFT drop. The collectible, titled "Man on the Moon"which released on Wednesdayprominently features the iconic 1969 photo of astronaut Buzz Aldrin partaking in the NASA-orchestrated Apollo 11 lunar landing. Per agency policy, however, usage of NASA images in connection with an NFT project is strictly prohibited. Gizmodo first reported on the apparent violation. NASA does not wish for its images to be used in connection with NFTs, the organizations Regulations on Merchandising Requests and Media Usage Guidelines explicitly read, further noting that the agency is "not approving any merchandising applications" tied to NFTs. The United States put a man on the moon on this day in 1969. I salute Americas ingenuity and ongoing commitment towards excellence. #USAmemorabilia pic.twitter.com/Kr7hJUC63w MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) July 20, 2023 Companies or individuals wishing to use NASA imagery, emblems, or identifiers on merchandise must have that usage approved by the agency; NASA states that strict laws and regulations govern this approval process. In this case, Trump and the USA Memorabilia NFT platform she used may not have filed a request with NASA, or may have had a request rejected, as NASA strictly prohibits NFT-related uses of its intellectual property. Decrypt reached out to USA Memorabilia for comment on this story, but did not immediately receive a response. Story continues Perhaps complicating matters, though, is the fact that images produced by federal agencies such as NASA are part of the public domain, and therefore can be used for free. If NASA were to seek legal action against Trump, it's unclear how far such a suit could go. Judging by history, such an aggressive move by the federal agency is unlikely. A NASA attorney previously told The Los Angeles Times that though the organization can send cease-and-desist letters to merchants who violate its policies, NASA leadership tends to prefer more amicable routes to compliance, including informal conversations with merchants. Making matters in this case more particular, however, is the fact that NFTs appear to be the only class of merchandise banned in all circumstances from utilizing NASA images. Trump NFTs Are BackThis Time, It's $50 Melania July 4 Collectibles NASA did not immediately respond to Decrypts request for comment on this story. Trump has been quite active in the NFT space. Last month, she debuted a line of NFTs commemorating moments in American history, after first launching Solana NFT projects in late 2021. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump's own NFT collection spiked in price in March after he was indicted on criminal charges by a New York grand jury. He then wiped out those gains by releasing a second batch of digital trading cards in April, heavily diluting the initial projects value. The U.S. Supreme Court might have struck down President Joe Bidens federal student loan forgiveness program, but its pretty clear Biden himself has no plans to give up on debt relief. Last week the White House announced that it would send emails to more than 804,000 borrowers letting them know of its aim to cancel $39 billion in federal student loans. Discover: An Ancient Rule Allows Biden To Forgive Student Loan Debt No Matter What the Supreme Court Says Learn: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases In a July 14 news release, the U.S. Department of Education said it would begin notifying borrowers that the loans will be automatically discharged in the coming weeks. The discharges stem from fixes implemented by the Biden administration to ensure all borrowers have an accurate count of the number of monthly payments that qualify toward forgiveness under income-driven repayment (IDR) plans. These fixes are part of the Departments commitment to address historical failures in the administration of the Federal student loan program in which qualifying payments made under IDR plans that should have moved borrowers closer to forgiveness were not accounted for, the news release said. Borrowers are eligible for forgiveness if they have accumulated the equivalent of either 20 or 25 years of qualifying months. Borrowers were notified by email starting on the day of the announcement, with discharges scheduled to begin 30 days after the emails were sent. IDR plans are designed to provide affordable monthly payments to borrowers based on their incomes, Forbes reported. They also allow for loan forgiveness if borrowers cant pay off their balances within 20 or 25 years. Some borrowers might get loan forgiveness even sooner through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which historically has required that borrowers be on an IDR plan. But as Forbes noted, multiple, overlapping issues led to many borrowers who pursued IDR and PSLF getting shortchanged. Some were steered into expensive forbearances, while others werent credited properly with progress toward student loan forgiveness. Story continues Under the new initiative, the Education Department will continue to identify and notify borrowers who reach the applicable forgiveness thresholds. The notifications will take place every two months and will continue through next year until the point when all borrowers who are not yet eligible for forgiveness will have their payment counts updated, the White House said. Any month counted for this purpose can also be counted toward PSLF if the borrower documents qualifying employment for that same period. Eligible borrowers who are informed that they qualify for forgiveness do not need to take any further action. Borrowers who want to opt out of the discharge should contact their loan servicer. Otherwise, they will be notified by their servicer after their debt is discharged. Those receiving forgiveness will have their loan payments paused until their discharge is processed. Those who opt out will return to repayment once payments resume in October following a pause that began in March 2020. Student Loan Forgiveness: 10 Expenses To Cut From Your Budget When Payments Resume Find Out: New Student Loan Forgiveness Rule Simplifies Process Who Qualifies? Some borrowers might need to take additional action to qualify for student loan forgiveness or otherwise benefit from the initiative, Forbes reported. Heres what you need to know: Borrowers with commercially owned Federal Family Education Loans (FFEL) and other non-government-held federal student loans must consolidate them via the federal Direct consolidation program before Dec. 31, 2023. Others, such as Parent PLUS borrowers and those with multiple loans that have significantly different histories, also might want to consider consolidation by that deadline. Doing so will help them maximize the benefits available under the adjustment. Borrowers seeking PSLF credit under the IDR Account Adjustment must complete and submit their Employment Certification forms before Dec. 31, 2023. Borrowers who expect to receive significant IDR or PSLF credit under the adjustment but are still short of the threshold for immediate student loan forgiveness should consider switching to an IDR plan before payments resume. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Student Loan Forgiveness: What To Do If You Did (or Didnt) Receive Bidens Email on Next Steps for Borrowers (Bloomberg) -- Its the kind of acrimonious breakup that's hardly unusual. He says she took money out of a joint bank account and pilfered household items including a Nespresso machine. She says he's retaliating after the relationship went sour, and that $1 million of her money is locked out of her reach. Most Read from Bloomberg What sets it apart is the characters involved: Terry Smith, a UK money manager beloved by retail investors and his former partner Teresa de Freitas, who invested in his funds when the two were still a couple. Their dispute blurs the lines between the personal and the professional, with her investment in Smith's offshore fund in Mauritius held up by criminal allegations made against her, according to an affidavit from a director at the fund. Those allegations, levelled by Smith, have since been dropped by the police. At the heart of the argument are withdrawals by de Freitas from a bank account she shared with Smith when they lived together in Mauritius. In August 2020, shortly after the couple split up, she took 10 million Mauritian rupees ($250,000 at the time) and put most of it into one of his funds after telling him her plans, she says. Months later, in the spring of 2021, he took legal action, saying shed misappropriated the money and fraudulently invested it. The Supreme Court of Mauritius agreed to his request to have her assets frozen. For de Freitas, the experience has been a lesson in the costs of going up against a powerful figure who holds a lot of sway on the small Indian Ocean island. Her inability to access her investment in Smiths Mauritius-registered fund is linked to the suits he brought. Its also a warning about the potential risks of using offshore locations, where investor protections may not be as stringent or as rigidly applied as in bigger financial centers, according to lawyers and tax experts. Story continues Mauritius police said there are no investigations ongoing and that the funds can't have been misappropriated from what was a joint account. But more than two years on, the money is still stuck. This story is based on interviews with de Freitas, correspondence with Smiths lawyers, emails and court documents. Smith didnt respond to requests for an interview. Due Diligence De Freitas applied to withdraw her money from the Mauritius fund in April 2021, but has faced additional checks by Apex Fund Services, the fund administrator. The affidavit from the Fundsmith director in 2021 said that the enhanced due diligence was necessary due to criminal allegations pending against her. Those allegations were made by Smith, who also accused de Freitas of stealing items from their onetime home, including a coffee machine, a toolbox and a dressing table. Police investigated de Freitas, who was briefly arrested. The criminal case has since been dropped, the Mauritius police said in an emailed response to questions from Bloomberg. Smith and de Freitas are still fighting through the courts over the misappropriation of funds. In response to questions, Smiths lawyers said he has had to take the necessary legal action in Mauritius to secure the funds. They said that any suggestion that he improperly induced Fundsmith to disadvantage an investor for his own personal benefit is incorrect. Fund Success De Freitas and Smith first met in the UK in 2005 through work. A relationship developed and they were together when Smith already a well-known figure in the City of London launched his Fundsmith Equity fund in 2011. De Freitas invested 100,000 the following year. The fund, which has grown to almost 24 billion, is the UKs biggest for retail investors. Its up more than 500% since inception, turning Smith into a sensation with a devoted following. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index calculates that Smith has built a personal fortune of over $1 billion, much of which is now in the control of a Seychelles-based foundation. The couple later moved to Mauritius, where Smith continued to manage his popular UK fund. He also set up a new private vehicle to replicate his UK success. Unlike the UK-registered fund, available to anyone via a website for a minimum 100 a month, the second falls under the jurisdiction of Mauritius, has an entry minimum of $100,000 and requires more meticulous due diligence when money goes in, according to fund documents. Among other things, clients have to give information about their source of wealth. Offshore Locations Smith is among the most prominent figures in Mauritius in financial services, and is on the board of directors of the Mauritius Economic Development Board, a government agency. With its location in the Indian Ocean, the island is marketing itself as an investment hub located midway between Africa and Asia. In early 2020, it was put on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force, which polices compliance with anti-money laundering measures, meaning it was subject to increased monitoring. It was removed in October 2021 for progress in addressing issues. But lawyers and tax experts, speaking broadly about offshore locations, say there are still questions about regulations and enforcement, particularly in smaller jurisdictions. The International Trade Administration, a US government agency, has noted such risks in the past. It cited a commercial dispute in Mauritius involving an unnamed US investor that raised questions of governmental impartiality. There's an appearance of compliance but no real compliance, thats the biggest risk, said Richard Murphy, a professor of accounting at Sheffield University, speaking generally about offshore jurisdictions. In small regulatory environments the effectiveness of regulation is lower because there's no separation between the regulator and the company they are regulating. Fund Transfer In 2016, de Freitas opened an account in the Mauritius fund. She put in $80,000, a gift from her father that he was allowed to pay directly into the account, according to de Freitas and emails seen by Bloomberg. She also transferred her Fundsmith Equity stake there. But the relationship gradually broke down, according to de Freitas, and she ultimately ended things in 2020. In April 2021, after the split, she applied to pull her entire stake, valued at about $1 million, from Smiths fund. The application was approved and the investment was redeemed, Smith's lawyers said in an email. In such situations, the money typically moves into a client account, meaning Smith doesnt have any financial gain from the investment. However, de Freitas wasnt able to withdraw the proceeds. Apex, the fund administrator, declined to comment when contacted by Bloomberg. At the time, Smith and de Freitas were involved in multiple disputes, including his petition for the freezing order over the alleged misappropriation of funds. The account that de Freitas took cash from was used to deposit Smiths monthly salary of 1.67 million Mauritian rupees from his business there. The Mauritius police told Bloomberg News that no investigation has been carried out into the alleged misappropriation of fund as the couple held a joint bank account. Emails seen by Bloomberg suggest Smith was aware at the time August 2020 that de Freitas had withdrawn large sums from the account and planned to put the money into the Fundsmith Mauritius fund. Smith told the court that he only became aware in or around November 2020. Smith's lawyers said that at the time he did not appreciate the significance of Ms de Freitas stating that she may be transferring funds. He thought she was just considering her options and that her true intentions were never spelt out. They said he never gave his consent. Smiths lawyers also say the timing doesnt prevent him from raising a legitimate legal complaint. Frozen Money This complaint, alongside the now discontinued allegations of theft, prompted the enhanced due diligence, according to Smiths lawyers and the affidavit. The former also cite anti-money laundering rules in Mauritius. In a statement to Bloomberg on the withdrawals, de Freitas said that Smith was well aware of my plans and did not object as it was our understanding that the money was mine. She said its appalling that her money has been held up due to accusations made by Terry regarding alleged misappropriation of the money from the joint bank account. After submitting her Fundsmith withdrawal request, de Freitas exchanged multiple emails with Apex. She was asked to provide information showing proof of the source of wealth for her investments, and explain why she asked for the money to be deposited in a new bank account. Smiths lawyers said that de Freitas has failed to provide adequate documentation. They also said Fundsmith operates to exacting standards when it comes to money laundering prevention and that Apex acts independently. De Freitas says she's struggled to find some documents. The original transaction document for the sale of a flat more than a decade ago that financed her initial investment in the UK fund could be among some of her possessions in a property she shared with Smith in the UK, she said. Smiths lawyers say he ensured all of de Freitass documents were returned to her after the separation. She says she sent Apex a letter from her lawyers confirming the transaction. She also says she cant provide proof of wealth for the $80,000 from her father, who has since died, because it was paid directly into Fundsmith Global Equity Fund Feeder when she opened the account. He was still alive when the request for proof was first made more than two years ago. Emails seen by Bloomberg show correspondence between de Freitas, Smith and at least one Fundsmith employee at the time about the payment from her father. There have been no exchanges in more than a year, de Freitas says. Now living in Malta, she still doesnt have access to her assets in Mauritius. Shes waiting for the court to decide if the enhanced due diligence was fair. The court declined to comment on any new dates. --With assistance from Kamlesh Bhuckory. (Updates to underscore affidavit in eighth paragraph is the same as the one previously cited, adds more detail on timeframe in third to last paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. In the past week, a combination of second quarter earnings and newly released economic data have depicted a resilient American consumer, propelling stocks higher despite ongoing fears of a looming recession. The incoming data might even be bullish enough to assume a recession isn't imminent at all. "Consumption is 70% of the economy," Goldman Sachs chief economist Jan Hatzius said during a media roundtable on Wednesday. "So, you would generally expect these things to be fairly closely related, GDP growth versus consumer spending growth." Hatzius sees gross domestic product (GDP), the measurement used to indicate economic expansion or contraction, remaining positive. He predicts the growth will be "unspectacular," but it's growth nonetheless. Recent reports in retail sales and job additions back that opinion. In June, retail sales increased 0.2% from the month prior while the US economy added 209,000 jobs. Both metrics grew less than economists had projected. But when the discussion is centered around economic expansion versus contraction, growth matters. Shoppers peruse a display of Rainer cherries while pushing carts through a Costco warehouse Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Sheridan, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Earlier this week, Goldman Sachs pushed back its estimates for a recession. After seeing a 35% chance back in March, the firm now sees a 20% chance of a recession in the next 12 months. That's largely been driven by data that's come in better than many economists feared and the power of the consumer to spend. While discourse continues about what dwindling excess savings will mean in terms of a consumer slowdown, Hatzius highlighted real personal disposable income growth, a metric tracked by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In May, real disposable income increased by nearly 4% compared to the same month in 2022. "The consumer was effectively kept afloat by the availability of excess savings that were used to effectively prop up consumption for a temporary period," Hatzius said. "Now, there's less excess savings. It's probably no longer as important a factor, but we're now seeing income growth and that is supporting consumption." Story continues Goldman Sachs isn't the only one on Wall Street seeing growth on the horizon either. On Thursday, Morgan Stanley boosted its fourth quarter GDP projection to 1.3% growth from 0.6%. "Incoming data now point to a more comfortable soft landing than we had anticipated, led by public investment in infrastructure and nonresidential structures investment," Morgan Stanley chief US economist Ellen Zentner wrote on Thursday. In his weekly economic report titled "Sideways except for the consumer," Bank of America's US economist Michael Gapen noted that the June retail sales "control group" surprised to the upside. Importantly, the control group is what's tracked by the Bureau of Economic Analysis and contributes to GDP readings. "Strong labor markets; sizable, albeit depleting, excess saving, and positive wealth effects have kept the main engine of the economy on track," Gapen wrote. In June, the sales for the control group increased by 0.6%. Not a sign of spectacular growth. But as Gapen says, it's a sign that the consumer, and therefore the economy, "keeps on chuggin'." Josh Schafer is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Click here for the latest economic news and economic indicators to help you in your investing decisions Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance "Advancement of the Promyshlenniki to the East" by V.G. Vagner (1880-1942), based upon the sketch by Dmitry Karatanov (1874-1952). From the collection of the Krasnoyarsk Kray Museum. When the American colonies declared themselves independent from Great Britain, the British monarchy decided it needed a little more muscle than it had on hand to put down the American Revolution. At the time, a small part of the Holy Roman Empire called Hesse-Kassel (in modern-day Germany) was lending its troops to the highest bidder. In 1776, that bidder was Englands King George III. He hired 30,000 Hessian troops to help the redcoats subdue the unruly colonists. Had it not been for Catherine the Greats suspicion that Britain and Russia would soon be rivals, George Washington might have crossed the Delaware to kill Russians in their sleep that Christmas instead. Catherine the Great was known to violently squash any attempts to overthrow her monarchy, and her support to other monarchs fighting insurgencies against monarchies was famous. King George III, having just supported Catherine in ending her own rebellions. Moreover, Russia was coming away from a huge victory over the Ottoman Empire and had a huge number of veteran troops to spare. King George, despite the size of Britains large empire, didnt have a large land force. It relied on its navy and the troops aboard its ships to respond effectively to uprisings and rebellions. For the most part, its system worked well until the American colonies decided to rebel against the crown. George needed a lot of troops trained, equipped,and ready to move. He wanted Catherines veterans. Portrait of Catherine II of Russia (1729-1796). (Kunsthistorisches Museum) Britain and Russia enjoyed warm relations at the time. King George supported Catherine in Russias war against Ottoman Turkey and hoped she would repay that support in North America. In 1775, British diplomats began pressing the Russians for that support, which saw some initial success. His first ask was for 20,000 seasoned, disciplined Russian infantry, fully equipped and ready to dispatch to North America as soon as the Baltic Sea ice melted enough to make the passage West. They would make their way to Canada where they would be placed under the command of British generals. Story continues But Catherine didnt see the rebellion in America as a threat to King Georges monarchical authority. When Russians rebelled against Catherine, they were denying the monarchs right to rule. In her view, the colonists didnt want to unseat King George at all, and were no threat to the monarchy in Britain. Moreover, though Anglo-Russian relations were cordial at the time, Catherine saw Britain as a future rival and wanted to see the British grow weak from a prolonged war far from home. She thought bleeding Britain to fight a colonial war would be good for Russia and she didnt want Russians dying for a British possession. Catherine informed King George that the Russian military and the country itself needed time to heal from its previous wars before starting a new expedition and that she no longer had the troops to spare. George would have to find his muscle elsewhere. In fact, throughout the Revolutionary War, the British approached Catherine on a few occasions to ask for reinforcements. Each time, Catherine found an excuse not to give them. Thousands of Russian troops almost fought the American Revolution in 1780. Russia issued a declaration of armed neutrality with the fledgling colonial rebels, which allowed the Americans to conduct trade with Russia. Britain was incensed, but there was nothing they could really do about it, so they approached the Hessians for spare troops instead. Melbourne, Victoria --News Direct-- Titan Minerals Ltd Titan Minerals Ltd (ASX:TTM) CEO Melanie Leighton is back with Proactive to discuss an emerging copper-gold porphyry footprint at the Copper Duke Project in southern Ecuador. Copper Duke is an expansive asset, but Titan is particularly interested in the El Huato and Lumapamba prospects, where it plans to conduct drilling following promising trench and channel sampling assays. Leighton says the icing on the cake is confirmation of the mineralisation age at Copper Duke, indicating the company could be on top of a giant system thats similar in age to the mega porphyries of southern Peru. These excellent channel and trench results are a testament to the efforts of our Copper Duke geology team, who have continued to improve the companys geological understanding through systematic boots-on-ground exploration, she told the market on Tuesday. The potential for substantial copper and gold mineralisation at the El Huato and Lumapamba prospects is now confirmed, with detailed mapping and trench results vectoring us to the best part of the mineral system and the optimal location to commence drill testing. We are now well positioned to test these exciting targets and are in the final stages of drill design and organising all necessary logistics, including the construction of an on-site office, core logging and camp facilities at the project. Contact Details Proactive Investors Jonathan Jackson +61 413 713 744 jonathan@proactiveinvestors.com View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/titan-minerals-hones-in-on-emerging-copper-gold-system-at-copper-duke-233881068 (Bloomberg) -- The blank-check firm trying to merge with Donald Trumps nascent social-media business soared on Friday after settling fraud charges with the Securities and Exchange Commission, clearing a key hurdle for the hotly-anticipated deal. Most Read from Bloomberg Digital World Acquisition Corp., the SPAC merging with Trump Media, jumped 93% in its biggest intraday advance since October 2021 after settling allegations it filed documents that were materially false. The settlement with the SEC comes weeks after Digital World said it had reached a preliminary agreement which would result in it paying an $18 million fine if the deal is completed. Read more: Trump-Tied SPAC Misled Investors About Conflicts, SEC Alleges The raucous surge came as more than 15 million shares changed hands at 10:13 a.m. in New York, 102-times the average over the past 30 days, with at least one volatility halt triggered. Warrants tied to the SPAC spiked as much as 134% to $8. The derivative will be worthless if the deal collapses. The surge places the SPAC more than 130% above the roughly $10.40 investors will get back if the merger collapses indicating optimism that the deal will go through. As it stands, the takeover must be completed by Sept. 8, unless backers can get shareholders to extend the deadline for a fifth time on Aug. 17. Trump Media has said it doesnt believe its bound by the pact beyond the current deadline. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden risks a major setback to one of his signature legislative achievements after Taiwans biggest chipmaker said it was forced to delay production at its marquee project in Arizona, a key battleground state in next years election. Most Read from Bloomberg As part of its so-called Bidenomics push, the administration has focused on bringing jobs back to the US, particularly in high-tech manufacturing like semiconductors, by doling out billions in subsidies and tax breaks. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the worlds leading chipmaker, in 2020 committed to building a $12 billion facility outside Phoenix with the goal of making high-end semiconductors on American soil by late 2024. The company announced on Thursday that it wont start production at the Arizona plant until 2025 after the US presidential elections and cited the lack of a skilled labor force as well as costs in America as reasons for the postponement. That doesnt bode well for Biden, who is criss-crossing the country in an attempt to convince skeptical voters that he deserves a second term principally because his signature policies will juice their local economies. Its not clear what would happen to the subsidies under a new administration, though congressional support for the program is strong and bipartisan. TSMC Cuts 2023 Outlook Ahead of Delay to Marquee US Project While many early projects spurred by Bidens industrial policy, particularly in the electric vehicle and clean energy sectors, are in Republican bastions, the TSMC plant is in a battleground state former President Donald Trump carried in 2016 and Biden flipped in 2020. Story continues White House Deputy Press Secretary Olivia Dalton told reporters Thursday the administration is confident the workforce development included in the CHIPS and Science Act will enable us to ensure that we have the workforce we need. She called TSMCs investment historic but declined to comment on the timeline and referred to the company. The push to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the US picked up after global shortages of chips led to production delays and furloughs in sectors from medical devices to autos. Most chips are produced in Asia and the most advanced ones come from Taiwan and South Korea. Increasing geopolitical tensions over Taiwan have further motivated American politicians and allies around the world to de-risk and diversify their supply chains away from the self-governed island that China claims as part of its territory and vowed to reunify with the mainland by force if necessary. The news of TSMCs production delay also sparked concern in Washington where Arizona lawmakers had more questions than answers. Ive got to get more details about why theyre behind schedule but I dont think its a bad omen, said US Representative Debbie Lesko, who represents north Phoenix where the TSMC facility is being built. US Senator Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat, said he is worried but realizes that big programs often result in this type of delay. Republican political consultant Marcus DellArtino, who works in Phoenix, said he was not surprised that the chipmaker was having problems finding workers given the tight labor market in the area. Nobody is shocked that they are having problems getting workers, he said. Everybody in Arizona who is operating a business is suffering from the same problem. Finding trained individuals quickly isnt as easy as putting out a Help Wanted ad. Theres so much more competition for workers. He said that the explosive growth in the Phoenix area has brought an influx of new residents, but theyre driving up housing costs, which could make it harder to recruit more people to the area. Thats even tougher for a highly trained field like chipmaking, he said. The fact that nobody saw this problem coming, thats more shocking, he said. Last December, Biden visited the Arizona site, which he touted as a potential game changer that could help Apple Inc. bring more of its supply chain home. In return, TSMC gave Bidens ambition another boost by announcing its intention to build a second plant in Arizona and raise the total investments to $40 billion. The Taiwanese chipmaker also said it will upgrade its planned technology at its first plant. Biden Joins Tim Cook to Hail TSMCs $40 Billion US Chip Venture Besides TSMC, the White House has also pointed to planned investments by Samsung in Texas and Intel in Ohio, which Biden refers to as a field of dreams, as evidence that their agenda is bearing fruit. The Commerce Department has yet to announce recipients for the federal grants and its not clear when any of the leading firms will begin producing chips on US soil. I thought it was on track, said Arizona Representative Raul Grijalva. Its not just a surprise. Its a sense of disappointment that were finding ourselves with these last few days, questioning something that was perceived to be on track. --With assistance from Ryan Teague Beckwith and Erik Wasson. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. fell the most in more than five months after cutting its outlook and postponing production at its Arizona project to 2025, underscoring the challenges of expanding abroad during a protracted electronics market slump. Most Read from Bloomberg The main chipmaker for Apple Inc. and Nvidia Corp. slid as much as 3.8% during early trading in Taipei after projecting a 10% fall in sales this year, versus previous guidance for a single-digit decline. Shares in chip firms Tokyo Electron Ltd. and ASML Holding NV, TSMCs primary gear suppliers, slid in Europe and Asia. Memory chipmakers Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc. also fell in Seoul, while Nvidia declined more than 3% in the US. The delay in the US a consequence of a lack of skilled American workers and ballooning costs underscores the difficulties in making chips there as Washington strives to reduce a global reliance on Asian-based supply. TSMCs surprise cut in 2023 revenue projections suggests a post-Covid electronics slump may persist, offsetting a surge in demand for high-end chips for AI development. Executives warned investors on Thursday to temper their expectations on that front, saying it was uncertain if that upswell was sustainable. TSMCs market value had climbed close to 30% this year, before Fridays slide. This is the third cut to its revenue outlook that TSMC has made this cycle, Needham analysts wrote in a research note. That may disappoint some bulls, but we see the lack of inventory rebuild through year-end will set up the company for strong growth in 2024. TSMC Falls on Guide, Analysts Positive on Long Term: Street Wrap Story continues TSMC delivered the outlook after posting its first quarterly profit decline in four years, underscoring the extent of a global slide in smartphone and PC demand. It reported a 23% slide in net income to NT$181.8 billion ($5.85 billion). Executives said capital intensity a measure of the pace at which TSMC buys or invests in capital equipment will slow in coming years. Executives on Thursday said they were also pushing back the anticipated start of output from its new Arizona plant to 2025. President Joe Bidens administration has made development of domestic chip production a top strategic priority, backed by subsidies in the Chips and Science Act that may top $50 billion. As the US clashes with China, American politicians have been concerned about the vulnerability of Taiwan, which Beijing has claimed as its own territory. Read more: Bidens Vision for US-Made Chips Hits Snag With Arizona Delay What Bloomberg Intelligence Says TSMCs lower sales target for 2023 suggests a deeper-than-expected downturn in smartphone chips and end-market handset demand, aggravated by worsening macroeconomic conditions, particularly in China. Despite a surge in N3 node orders for Apples new line of iPhones and an uptick in AI chip-related production, TSMC projects full-year sales will drop by 10%, double its guided 5% decline in April. - Charles Shum, analyst Click here for the research. To mitigate concerns from customers over geopolitical uncertainties in the Taiwan Strait, TSMC has been diversifying its manufacturing footprint. It is investing $40 billion to create two fabs in Arizona and constructing a $8.6 billion facility in Japan with financial support from the government. The company remains in discussions with Tokyo over subsidies for a second facility, which might be located alongside its current plant in Kumamoto. The hiccups in Arizona however call into question whether TSMC can make chips abroad as efficiently as back home. We are working on improving this by sending skilled technical workers from Taiwan to the US, TSMC Chairman Mark Liu said. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. WASHINGTON A federal judge in Florida has scheduled a trial date for next May for former President Donald Trump in a case charging him with illegally retaining hundreds of classified documents. The May 20, 2024, trial date, set Friday by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, is a compromise between a request from prosecutors to set the trial for this December and a bid by defense lawyers to put it off indefinitely until sometime after the 2024 presidential election. Advertisement If the date holds, it would follow close on the heels of a separate New York trial for Trump on dozens of state charges of falsifying business records in connection with an alleged hush money payment to a porn actor. It also means the trial will not start until deep into the presidential nominating calendar and probably well after the Republican nominee is clear though before that person is officially nominated at the Republican National Convention. In pushing back the trial from the Dec. 11 start date that the Justice Department had asked for, Cannon wrote that the Governments proposed schedule is atypically accelerated and inconsistent with ensuring a fair trial. She agreed with defense lawyers that the amount of evidence that would need to be sifted through before the trial, including classified information, was voluminous. Advertisement The Court finds that the interests of justice served by this continuance outweigh the best interest of the public and Defendants in a speedy trial, Cannon wrote. Trump could yet face additional trials in the coming year. He revealed this week that he had received a letter informing him that he was a target of a separate Justice Department investigation into efforts to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election, an indication that charges could be coming soon. And prosecutors in Georgia plan to announce charging decisions within weeks in an investigation into attempts by Trump and his allies to subvert the vote in that state. The trial before Cannon would take place in a federal courthouse in Fort Pierce. It arises from a 38-count indictment last month, filed by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, that accused Trump of willfully hoarding classified documents, including top secret records, at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach and conspiring with his valet, Walt Nauta, to hide them from investigators who demanded them back. Trump and Nauta have both pleaded not guilty. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin and Michael R. Sisak in New York contributed to this report. 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 Planned strikes next week by London Underground drivers have now been suspended. Members of Aslef and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union were due to walk out in a long-running dispute over pay, pensions and conditions. But on Friday the unions and Transpot for London announced an eleventh-hour deal that means industrial action is no longer going ahead. Finn Brennan, Aslefs organiser on the Underground, said: After a week of intense negotiations, we have made real progress in making sure our members working conditions and pensions are protected from the impact of the Tory government cuts to Transport for London funding. There will be no changes to pension benefits before the next general election and any future changes to working conditions and agreements will only be made by negotiation. Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said: Despite the onerous funding deal conditions imposed by the Government we have managed to avoid industrial action. Negotiation is always the best way forward and this shows what we can achieve by working with trade unions. Read on for everything you need to know about the dispute and how it would have affected passengers: When was 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 would have been 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 did union bosses say? 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. Story continues We are aware that Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has had the TfL budget cut. However, he needs to align himself with our union and his London Underground staff in pushing back against the Tory Government, exposing their damaging agenda to a key part of London transport infrastructure. Aslefs full-time organiser on London Underground has said the union has joined the Tube strikes announced by the RMT because changes would make it impossible for drivers to organise their lives outside work. Finn Brennan said: We take action only when needed. Unfortunately, the last few weeks have shown that London Underground management are determined to try to push through detrimental changes despite trade union opposition if they think they can get away with it. They have already announced that they intend to start training managers in August on a new attendance procedure, and will implement it from January, ignoring the current agreed procedure. This new procedure would mean no right to representation or appeal at stage one of the disciplinary process, and the length of all warnings would be doubled from 26 to 52 weeks. All sickness longer than one week would be regarded as long term meaning that a manager can send a driver to redeployment without any further meeting. After just six weeks in deployment a driver can be, as they put it, terminated. Management also want to force through their plans for what they call trains modernisation. They want unrestricted remote booking on and off, driving shifts up to 10 hours long, flexible cover weeks in every roster, and fixed links to be scrapped. That would make it impossible for Tube train drivers to organise their lives outside work or to have an effective change-over system. Their aim is an entirely flexible workforce with all existing agreements replaced allowing them to cut hundreds more jobs and forcing those of us who remain to work harder for longer. To protect our pensions, working conditions, and agreements, our members are ready to act. How did Transport for London respond? Transport for London had previously insisted there were 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. But on Friday the parties agreed there would be no pension changes before the next general election. Glynn Barton, chief operating officer at TfL, said: This is good news for London and we will continue to work closely with our trade unions to discuss the issues and seek a resolution. The RMT has said that 20,000 rail workers across the UK are also to strike in July. 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. By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain has made winning the support of Washington a key part of the union's strategy to nail down new labor deals with the Detroit Three automakers. Part of that approach includes a decision by the UAW to hold off on endorsing U.S. President Joe Biden's re-election campaign, in a move to pressure the administration, industry executives and analysts said. U.S. unions are making bolder contract demands in the tighter labor market. Fain, who represents 150,000 U.S. hourly workers at General Motors, Ford Motor and Chrysler parent Stellantis, came to Washington on Wednesday, a day after opening talks with GM, to meet with lawmakers and make the case that the union's demands are reasonable. Fain gave a slide presentation to lawmakers as he argued workers' compensation has not kept up with the nearly $250 billion in North American profit raked in by the three automakers over the last decade. "It's a very uneven playing field right now," Fain told Reuters on Wednesday after one meeting. "Our workers have regressed. We've got to do better." The Detroit Three automakers have said they want to compensate fairly their hourly workers, but also have stressed a need for greater cost competitiveness as the industry shifts to electric vehicles, a market dominated by Tesla. "The best way to provide job security for our 50,000 manufacturing employees is by keeping General Motors financially strong," GM manufacturing chief Gerald Johnson said in a video the automaker released on Wednesday on a website dedicated to the UAW talks. The Detroit Three automakers rely on representatives in Washington to lobby for their positions. Biden also faces pressure from former President Donald Trump, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 2024. On Thursday, Trump said Biden was "waging war on the U.S. auto industry" through "crippling" EV mandates and urged the UAW to endorse him. Story continues Biden's campaign responded by saying Trump was "the most anti-union president in modern history, stacking his cabinet with anti-union officials." It added that under Biden, "more than 120,000 auto manufacturing jobs have come back to the United States, and new auto factories are popping up across the country." Meanwhile, Fain has not ruled out striking all three Detroit automakers. A strike of all three could have major economic impacts and Washington could come under heavy pressure to intervene. In 2019, GM's fourth-quarter profit took a $3.6 billion hit from a 40-day UAW strike that shut down U.S. operations. "Some of the slides really show how much workers have back-slid while compensation for the top executives is continuing to increase," said U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat who took part in a labor caucus meeting with Fain. She said automakers cannot use an old formula to win labor deals by simply promising a new plant or employment. "It can't just be more jobs in America. They need to be union jobs," Jayapal said. WAKE-UP CALL The UAW has made the fate of Detroit Three joint-venture battery plants a key focus. The automakers have emphasized that the unionization of those plants not wholly owned by the companies is up to the affected workers. Representative Donald Norcross, a Democrat from New Jersey, said workers across the economy need higher wages and benefits. "They are going to get a big wake-up call," Norcross said of the Detroit Three. "There's a reckoning that people ought to be able to take care of their families." Harley Shaiken, a labor professor at the University of California, Berkeley, said the UAW is making the case that its goals are reasonable and that members will strike if they do not achieve them. This, he said, sets the stage "for ways in which political leaders could exert pressure on the Detroit automakers, who need all kinds of things from the federal government." Fain met White House officials on Wednesday to discuss the union's bargaining positions, including a brief meeting with Biden. Fain also met with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and fellow Democratic senators Dick Durbin, Sherrod Brown, Gary Peters, Debbie Stabenow and Bob Casey, as well as Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su, a union official said. Other meetings were scheduled for the rest of the week. Fain not only has broken with most major U.S. labor unions in not yet endorsing Biden for re-election, but has also panned some administration policies on electric vehicles. Last month, Fain harshly criticized the U.S. Energy Department plan to lend $9.2 billion to a joint venture of Ford and South Korea's SK Innovation to build three U.S. battery plants, citing the lower wages paid to workers that are typically not union-represented. After a meeting with Fain in April, Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont who caucuses with Democrats, criticized a GM-LG Energy Solution joint-venture battery plant for paying workers much less than GM assembly plant employees even though GM benefits from hefty U.S. government tax credits. The same program funded Ford. (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; Additional reporting by Ben Klayman in Detroit; Editing by Matthew Lewis) Jason Flynn loves one aspect of his part-time job as a UPS package sorter: He was able to get it in 15 minutes. What he doesn't love, he said, is earning $18 an hour pay to move 70-pound packages every few seconds, the "noxious" air from th the exhaust of trucks and the "supervisors yelling at you to keep it moving." Since suffering an injury earlier this year, Flynn said he has been able to work only one or two shifts a week at his Chicago facility, and has to supplement his UPS pay with dog-walking or food-delivery gigs. "I have to constantly make up the money elsewhere," the 32-year-old told CBS MoneyWatch. "I've been in near-poverty for a long time.... I would bike 40 minutes each way to work instead of taking the train," adding, "I haven't paid my rent yet this month." Flynn is among the thousands of part-time employees at UPS pushing for higher pay as the Teamsters union, which represents 340,000 UPS workers, and the delivery giant resume contract negotiations next week. If no deal is reached by July 31, the union has vowed to walk off the job in what would be America's biggest strike in 60 years. Here's what to know about the negotiations and the effects of a possible strike. What are the issues? The major outstanding issue is pay, particularly for part-time UPS workers, who make up 60% of the company's workforce, according to the Teamsters. Part-time workers at UPS start at $16.20 an hour, according to the company. UPS notes that part-timers make an average of $20 an hour after 30 days on the job, while enjoying the same health care and pension benefits as full-time workers. However, that starting pay is far below what full-time UPS workers make for doing the same job, many part-timers note. While neither the union nor UPS have disclosed the latest pay proposals on the bargaining table, some workers are pushing for starting pay of $25 an hour the same amount they were making in 1983 when adjusting for inflation. Story continues "I don't think it's asking anything crazy to have equal pay, doing the same jobs as full-timers inside the building," Flynn said. UPS workers hold a practice picket on July 19, 2023, in Los Angeles ahead of an August 1 deadline for an agreement on a labor contract and to avert a strike that could lead to billions of dollars in economic losses. / Credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images Full-time workers at UPS, most of whom are delivery truck drivers, can make $95,000 a year or more, but they represent a minority of the workforce and face their own challenges, such as often brutal heat on the job. The median UPS employee made $52,000 last year, according to the company's securities filings. CEO Carol Tome made $18.9 million that year, down from $27 million the year before. "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 on Wednesday. The labor talks, while fitful, have succeeded in resolving some issues, including making Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a paid holiday and installing air conditioning and heat shields in delivery trucks, where summer temperatures often shoot above 110 degrees. UPS workers vote to strike, setting stage for biggest walkout since 1959Strikes up 50% in 2022, with workers exerting leverage in tight labor marketHow are workers preparing for a strike? The Teamsters have been holding practice pickets for months in preparation for a strike and, since last fall, have encouraged members to put money aside so they have a financial cushion in case of a walkout. Jose Francisco Negrete, a part-time package sorter and 25-year veteran at UPS in Anaheim, California, said he started saving last year, putting away $55 with every paycheck. "Probably around September, I said, you know what, if I need to take out money for an emergency I will, but I'm not going to touch it," he told CBS MoneyWatch. "I've been telling members to save as well. If we do strike, we need to be prepared." In the even of a work stoppage, workers would get strike pay totaling five times their union membership dues, Negrete said. For him, that would provide a weekly check of about $350, just under half his usual earnings. Despite the financial risks, he still thinks it's worth pushing for higher pay long-term. "This contract is about respect," he said. "Is UPS willing to take $2.8 billion in profit and give it to the part-timers profit that was generated by us, by the rank and file? We need to exert as much power as we can and fight for as much as we can." Members of the Writers Guild of America join UPS Teamsters during a rally ahead of possible UPS strike, in Los Angeles on July 19, 2023. The current UPS contract expires July 31. / Credit: FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images How is UPS preparing for a strike? UPS is girding for a possible strike by training non-union employees at the company to work in warehouses. For now, most businesses for which UPS is a vital lifeline still expect a strike to be averted, according to industry observers. AFS Logistics, which tracks the shipping industry, said UPS customers have not switched to other carriers, as might be expected if they were bracing for a work stoppage. "We've not seen any shift from UPS to FedEx as people get more and more concerned over the potential strike," Micheal McDonagh, president of AFS Logistics' parcel business, told CBS MoneyWatch, an observation that was confirmed by Bill Sullivan, executive vice president for advocacy at the American Trucking Associations. FedEx executives said in the company's most recent investor call that, while it was "having a lot of great conversations with legacy UPS customers," it has yet to see an influx of new business. UPS handles roughly 28% of America's shipping, so a strike could chaos for businesses and individual consumers. The company also has a special niche in delivering high-value items; during the pandemic, for example, UPS was one of the two carriers (along with FedEx) chosen to deliver the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. "In the event a strike does happen, practically speaking, the market simply cannot soak up the 20 million parcels UPS handles each day, and a significant backlog of packages would accumulate," McDonagh said in a recent report. How much would a strike cost? A 10-day strike at UPS would cost the U.S. economy a total of more than $5 billion, according to a recent estimate from the Anderson Economic Group. Workers would lose about $1.1 billion in wages, while customers would lose around $4 billion, the firm projected. "The biggest losses are to people who are not striking and not connected to UPS. This is highly unusual for a strike," said Patrick Anderson, the group's principal and CEO. "With a UPS strike, everyone in America will feel it if it happens," he said. The strike would also affect the broader U.S. economy and lead some small businesses to temporarily close, Anderson said. He noted that a United Auto Workers strike against GM in 2019 pushed the state of Michigan, where the automaker is based, into a brief recession. Will the White House intervene? Teamsters President Sean O'Brien has pointedly asked the White House to stay out of any potential strike, saying earlier this month that "We don't need anybody getting involved in this fight." But some industry experts believe that President Biden who intervened in December to defuse a threatened railroad workers strike would also exert pressure to avoid a stoppage that could disrupt a quarter of the nation's cargo. "The derailment that this would cause to the economy would be enormous. Therefore, I think the administration is unlikely to sit by and let it happen," said AFS Logistics CEO Tom Nightingale. "They would take as active a role they could possibly take, particularly in a Democratic administration." Still, 200 members of the House and Senate have pledged this week to stay out the fight. "The Teamsters-UPS contract is the largest private collective bargaining agreement in North America, and given the recent increase in attacks on employees' collective bargaining rights, it is critical that these rights are in no way undermined in the current contract negotiations," they wrote. Meta head of global affairs Sir Nick Clegg is due to have a frank discussion with the US President about AIs dangers - Stefan Rousseau/PA US tech giants including Mark Zuckerbergs Meta and OpenAI, the owner of ChatGPT, have pledged to promote transparency and safety around artificial intelligence (AI) in a deal with Joe Biden. The White House said the voluntary pledge will ask technology companies to ensure rigorous testing before their AI chatbots are made available to the public, while also building systems that prevent AI-powered fraud. The seven signatories include Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Facebook-owner Meta, and OpenAI, which has fuelled a new AI arms race in the tech sector with its bot ChatGPT. President Biden will meet on Friday with technology leaders, including Sir Nick Clegg, the former deputy prime minister and Metas global affairs lead, at the White House for a frank discussion about AIs dangers. The key pledges include properly vetting AI systems before they are made public so they cannot be used to threaten mankind. Companies will also be required to include digital watermarks on AI-produced artworks or videos, to alert people when they are looking at synthetic posts. There are fears deep fake images and videos could be utilised in the upcoming 2024 Presidential election. The Republican campaign of Ron DeSantis has already used synthetic images in attack adverts on his rivals, while the Republican party released a video using noticeably artificial images of President Biden. Companies that are developing these emerging technologies have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe, the White House said on Friday. Some leading AI researchers and executives, including billionaire Elon Musk, have called for a pause on the development of the most powerful machine-learning systems, although this week Metas Sir Nick claimed most of the current generation of algorithms were too stupid to be dangerous. The White House said it was consulting with allies, including Britain, on how to make AI secure. The announcement comes ahead of an AI summit, which will be held in the UK later this year, to tackle making the new technology safe. 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. (Bloomberg) -- Venezuela is in early-stage talks with the European Union on a $1.5 billion plan to capture its methane emissions and export them to the bloc as natural gas with the help of Eni SpA and Repsol SA. Most Read from Bloomberg The project would use a portion of the EUs Global Gateway Initiative funds to gather emissions from Venezuelas idle oil wells and deteriorating infrastructure, according to people with knowledge of the situation and documents seen by Bloomberg. That gas would then be sent to Trinidad to be liquefied and shipped on to Europe. The plan would help Venezuela, once one of the worlds largest crude producers, reduce the pollution from the state-owned oil companys facilities while bolstering the EUs natural gas supplies amid Russias war with Ukraine. Methane is a greenhouse gas thats about 80 times more potent than CO2 over a 20-year period. Discussions are still at a very preliminary stage, according to a spokesperson for the European Commission. A feasibility study to ascertain the scope of the repairs will be the first step, with financing arrangements still to be agreed upon, the person added. While no exact start date has been established, the project is slated to be ready in about two years. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed the plan, without providing additional details. Italian energy giant Eni, Spains Repsol and Frances Etablissements Maurel & Prom SA will handle some of the work of overhauling Petroleos de Venezuela SAs gas hubs, plants and pipelines. The plan includes the construction of a 90-kilometer (56-mile) pipeline connecting Venezuela and Trinidad for about $350 million and would take about 36 to 48 months from research until construction. PDVSA, Eni, Repsol and Maurel et Prom didnt immediately reply to requests for comment. Story continues Venezuela has the second-highest methane emissions intensity trailing only Turkmenistan among selected oil and gas producing countries, according to International Energy Agency data. The South American nation flared and vented around 1.2 kilograms (2.7 pounds) of methane per gigajoule of energy produced. Leaders of the European Union are seeking to reboot relations with Latin America in a competition for influence against Russia and China, but wrangling over Moscows invasion of Ukraine is hampering their efforts. The EU announced on Monday that it will help invest more than $50 billion in Latin America and the Caribbean until 2027 in clean energy, critical raw materials, health and education. EUs foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell pointed out the need to help Venezuela lower emissions in an interview in El Pais in May. Venezuela is one of the countries that produces the most methane for the benefit of no one, while in the EU we need gas, Borrell told the newspaper. We are thinking of a project that allows this gas to be extracted, taken to Trinidad and Tobago so that it can be liquefied there, and sent to Europe. --With assistance from Nicolle Yapur and Jorge Valero. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. FILE PHOTO: A couple wearing face masks transport a cart of rice straw home along a national road, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Quang Binh By Khanh Vu HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam on Friday called on the country's food association to ensure sufficient domestic rice supplies and food security after India's move to curb its exports. India, which accounts for 40% of world rice exports, on Thursday ordered a halt to its largest rice export category to reduce domestic prices. "India's move to curb its rice exports will affect the global rice market," Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade said in a document sent to the Vietnam Food Association and reviewed by Reuters. The ministry asked the association, which represents rice exporters and processors, to order its members to strictly follow the rule of maintaining rice reserves equivalent to at least 5% of their export volume in the previous six months. The ministry, in a separate document, called on rice traders to balance between exports and domestic sales to stabilise domestic prices. Vietnam is the world's third-largest rice exporter, after India and Thailand. Its rice shipments in the first half of this year rose 21.3% from a year earlier to 4.24 million tonnes, according to the government's customs data. Vietnam's 5% broken rice was offered at $533 per tonne on Friday, traders said, up from a range of $515-$525 on Thursday. "Though prices have risen, exporters are not rushing to sign new contracts as they wait for prices to go up further," a trader based in Ho Chi Minh City said. Traders said they are increasing their purchases of unhusked paddy from farmers in anticipation of a surge in export orders, adding that domestic summer-autumn paddy prices on Friday rose 2%-6%. The ministry told rice traders "to closely monitor the market conditions to have appropriate production and export plans to ensure profitability." (Reporting by Khanh Vu; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Sharon Singleton) Russian President Vladimir Putin delivering a speech in Moscow. Mikhail Metzel/Getty Images On Monday, Russia pulled out of an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grain. It then started bombing Ukrainian ports and threatened to attack ships. Putin's latest economic assault on the West has sent wheat prices soaring and sparked fears of a global food crisis. Vladimir Putin's latest attack on the world economy has reignited fears that Russia's ongoing assault on Ukraine will trigger a global food crisis. On Monday, Russia pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a United Nations-brokered deal that had allowed Ukraine to export grains and oilseeds through a safe shipping corridor. Moscow then started bombing Ukrainian ports and on Thursday threatened to attack any ships headed for those harbors on the grounds they could be carrying weapons. That sent benchmark wheat prices surging by as much as 8.5% on Wednesday, the second biggest single-day jump in over a decade (prices had jumped 8.6% in one day soon after the Ukraine war broke out in February 2022). Corn and soya bean costs have climbed this week as well. Ukraine produces so much grain that it's often referred to as the "breadbasket of Europe" and is the world's seventh-largest wheat producer, according to the UN. The Black Sea agreement had helped keep benchmark prices of the foodstuff under control by boosting supply. When international grain prices rise, it becomes more expensive for poorer countries to import those commodities so Russia's withdrawal from the UN's initiative has fueled policymakers' fears that there could be a worldwide food crisis. 'Huge food crisis' UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Kremlin's decision to pull out of the grain deal would end "a lifeline for global food security" and extinguish "a beacon of hope", while the European Union's head of foreign policy Josep Borrell told journalists there could be a "big and huge food crisis in the world". Story continues "This adds a significant layer of pressure on the price of wheat, with concerns from suppliers and consumers alike now swelling," Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Sophie Lund-Yates said Friday. "The possibility of a full-blown food crisis for poor nations can't be ruled out, and further volatility on the commodity markets is likely going to take a long while to abate." Earlier this month, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warned of bigger threats to the world than an economic slowdown, underscoring the risks of food shortages and a spreading out of the conflict in Ukraine. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Putin has tried to squeeze commodity supplies in a bid to disrupt the global economy and hinder Kyiv's Western allies. Last year, Moscow repeatedly shut Nord Stream 1 to choke off Europe's supply of natural gas, before the key pipeline started leaking in late September. NATO believes it was sabotaged. The West has also made Russia's economy a battleground in the ongoing Ukrainian conflict, with the G7 group of countries and the EU capping the price of Russian oil in a bid to cut the Kremlin's revenues so it has less money to fund its war effort. Read the original article on Business Insider (Bloomberg) -- Doomsayers who predicted the dire impact MiFID II would have on the business of equity research turned out to be spot-on. As regulators finally reach the same conclusion and prepare to reverse the rules, the market Cassandras have an equally gloomy message: The damage will be hard to undo. Most Read from Bloomberg Five years after the regulations forced asset managers in the UK and European Union to pay for research separately from trading, sell-side analysis across the region is in a sorry state. Research spending across Europe has dropped by almost a third since a 2015 peak, while a flock of top analysts has decamped to the buyside. Many money managers switched to picking up the tab for stock intelligence. And in the fight for investor attention, some smaller companies even wound up paying analysts themselves to ensure continued coverage of their shares. These structural shifts will be near-impossible to undo, the thinking goes, even if so-called unbundling is completely reversed. The market has adjusted, said Susan Yavari, senior regulatory policy advisor at the European Fund and Asset Management Association. Being able to show what youve paid for your research and what youve paid for execution is pretty major now. Yavari says EFAMAs members do support rebundling, which the UK has already announced and which EU member states are pushing for. But that is largely for the sake of flexibility on a practical level, everyone is now adapted to the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive. I dont think anybody has any appetite to swing back the other way, she said. At the heart of the matter is the value that equity research brings to the market. Industry proponents say MiFIDs failure has shown its a bit like a public park: Not profitable on its own, but indispensable if you want to have a vibrant environment. Story continues The question is if the park can recover once a chunk has been tarmacked. Before Europe enacted MiFID II in 2018, brokers offered research ostensibly for free as part of a suite of services. The architects of the regulatory overhaul saw that as a conflict of interest which could lead to investors shouldering hidden costs. But the new rules tore up the economic model that was supporting much of the research industry. Between MiFIDs introduction and the end of last year, the analyst headcount at the worlds largest banks dropped 26%, Coalition Greenwich data show. The business was already shrinking before that, largely thanks to technological advances, falling trade commissions and a boom in index investing. But Europe has seen the biggest drop in both revenues and headcount especially after MiFID II, Youssef Intabli, research director at Coalition Greenwich, wrote in an email. Meanwhile, by making everyone pay, MiFID was also meant to level the playing field for independent research providers. Instead top banks ended up increasing their market share by offering wide-ranging coverage at a low cost. Research only made commercial sense when it was part of the broad investment banking bundle, said Simon Bound, former global director of research at Morgan Stanley. You wouldnt be able to pay analysts what they wanted to get paid if you just paid them at a MiFID rate. Theyd go to the buyside. The drops in budget and headcount meant already obscure small-caps became even more invisible. In a 2020 review, the French regulator noted that the number of such companies paying brokers and research houses to cover them had climbed in both 2018 and 2019. At old-school brokers like Exane BNP Paribas, Kepler Cheuvreux and SEB, its now a common business. The collapse in research could be traced back to a domino effect that began months before MiFID II took effect. Major money managers from BlackRock to Allianz Global Investors decided to foot the bill for analysis themselves rather than pass it on to clients, squeezing prices along the way. Having opted to absorb the costs under MiFID, its unclear whether they would try to pass it back after any rollback and, if they did, whether investors would be willing to pay. European pension funds arent likely to be eager to start paying for research again, said Tyler Gellasch, president of the Healthy Markets Association. While some asset managers will likely be able to shift research costs back to their European customers, I doubt the whole industry will. The quagmire has implications for the US market. Just as Europe prepares to undo the rules, the Securities and Exchange Commission has let a crucial reprieve from them for American firms expire. It means that, since July 3, US brokers taking hard dollars for research have had to register as investment advisors accepting much tighter regulations or find other workarounds. The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association says at least one of its members has since cut off research for European clients after failing to find a solution. Wall Street lobbyists are advocating for a Senate bill that will resurrect the reprieve and preserve the American model of investment research. The consequences to the capital markets resulting from the reduction of professionals serving as research analysts could compromise important investor protections, said Marlon Paz, a partner at Latham & Watkins and former SEC official. But not all the evidence surrounding MiFIDs impact is negative. Some academics have found, for instance, that the industrys remaining analysts became more accurate, while coverage actually dropped more for large-caps than small ones. And while it will be hard for money managers to add back the cost for their investors, that could start to change if a big firm takes the lead, according to Brijesh Malkan, chief strategy officer at Singletrack, which helps medium-sized banks deliver research. Ultimately its not so much about who paysits about the transparency and valuation framework, he said. Im not going to tell someone whos building a house for me, hey, dont buy bricks, right? Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2023 Bloomberg L.P. A young girl selects a backpack during a back-to-school carnival held at the 2025 West Apartment Homes in Phoenix on July 13, 2023. The back-to-school shopping frenzy is underway. More than half (55%) of consumers started their back-to-class shopping early July this year, according to a National Retail Federation survey. But most shoppers (85%) said they still had at least half of their shopping left to do. One reason for spacing out spending is the price of school supplies. Back-to-school shoppers have seen prices rise 24% in the past two years, according to consulting firm Deloitte. Deloitte and the National Retail Federation agree bargain shopping will be key for many consumers this year. Consumers are stretching their dollars by comparing prices, considering off-brand or store-brand items, and are more likely to shop at discount stores than last year," said Phil Rist, executive vice president for Prosper, which conducted the survey for the National Retail Federation. Here are some outlets with back-to-school deals starting this weekend, July 12. Note: many states have Tax-free shopping weekends over the next few weeks. Alabama's starts now. Check for your state's participation here. Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Amazon Amazon has back-to-school supplies priced up to 41%-53% off and a Bunmo 28-piece Prize Box Toys for Kids Classroom kit ($14.99, priced 70% off) and clothing up to 35% off. You can also shop for school essentials by grade. Amazon Prime members get an additional 20% off their purchase for school supply orders over $50. Apple Get a $150 Apple Gift Card from Apple's Education Store when you purchase a MacBook Air (prices start at $899), MacBook Pro ($1,199-up) or iMac ($1,249-up), or a $100 gift card when purchasing an iPad ($549-up) or Mac Mini ($499). Apple Education Pricing is available to current and newly accepted university students and their parents, as well as teachers and staff. The deal is good through October 2. You can get a $100 gift card when you purchase an iPad on Apple's online education store. Taco Bell menu: Beefy Crunch Burrito returns in August after winning fan vote Story continues Best Buy Does your student need a new laptop? Best Buy has MacBooks as low as $749 and up to $400 off select Windows laptops. Select Chromebooks are priced as low as $159 and among other tablets, some Samsung Galaxy tablets are priced $30 to $120 off. Some Microsoft Surface tablets are discounted by up to $300. Join My Best Buy rewards and get free shipping on your purchases. My Best Buy Plus ($49.99 annual membership) gives you free 2-day shipping, 60-day return window on most products, and exclusive deals. My Best Buy Total ($179.99) adds 24/7 Geek Squad tech support, 20% off repairs, plus protection plans such as AppleCare+. Chromebooks: The 8 best of 2023 Costco Costco has back-to-school discounts on electronics including $40 off Samsung Galaxy and $70 off an Apple 10.2-inch iPad 9th Generation. They also have $200 off a 16-inch touchscreen Lenovo Windows laptop. Sam's Club vs. Costco: Is paying an annual fee worth the savings for shoppers? Dollar General Dollar General has plenty of $1 deals on school supplies including scissors, colored pencils, paper, and folders. There's also an online coupon that will get you $2 off your purchase of $10 or more, through July 22. Additional discounts are available to teachers. Dollar Tree Dollar Tree has online deals on notebooks, composition books and paper, or pencils, sharpeners, crayons and more bargain-priced in bulk, organized by grade level. Parents will be best off shopping in-store for bargain-priced school supplies in smaller and individual quantities. Through August 4, customers can donate supplies to the Back-to-School Brigade program, which provides school supplies for military families. DoorDash Food and grocery delivery service DoorDash has a new Back-to-School hub with deals on school supplies and other back-to-school essentials over the next several weeks. Through August 13 you can get deals on deliveries from these retailers: Big Lots : 20% off orders of $20 or more, up to $15 off with code: SCHOOL23. CVS : 30% off orders of $35 or more, up to $15 off. Dicks Sporting Goods : 20% off orders $20+, up to $15 off with code: SCHOOL23. Staples : 20% off orders of $20 or more, up to $15 off with code: SCHOOL23. From Aug. 7-13, get $20 off orders of $40 or more. Walgreens : 30% off orders $35+, up to $15 off with code: BACKTOSCHOOL30. Office Depot: 20% off orders $20+, up to $15 off with code: SCHOOL23. From August 14 to September 3, get these discounts on lunchbox goodies. ALDI: 20% off $75+, max $20 (new customers receive 30% off $50+, max $30). BJs Wholesale Club: 20% off $100+, max $25 (new customers receive 30% off $60+, max $30). Rite Aid: 30% off orders $35+, up to $15 off at from August 28 - September 3. Sprouts Farmers Market: 20% off $75+, max $20 (new customers receive 30% off $60+, max $25). Wawa: $5 off orders $20+ which a minimum subtotal of $20 at Wawa from August 22 - September 4. Then, from September 4 to September 10, order last-minute supplies from Dollar General and get 30% off orders $35 or more, up to $15 off. Back-to-school shopping on a budget?: Shop 10 best deals on calculators, laptops and pens Kohl's Kohl's has back-to-school clothing on sale, searchable by size and age, including kids' T-shirts under $10 and denim clothing for juniors, teens and tweens $29.99 and under. Plus, small appliances for dorms under $20. You can take an extra 15% off in store or online with the code YOUR15 (offer ends July 23). You also earn $10 in Kohl's Cash for every $50 spent through July 23 (redeemable July 24-30). Plus, with Kohl's Rewards loyalty program, you get 5% back on all purchases; pay with a Kohls Card and get 35% off your first purchase, plus 7.5% back in Kohls Rewards. Tablets: The 7 best tablets of 2023 JCPenney Sign up for the JCPenney Rewards loyalty program and on Saturday, July 22 you can claim a coupon giving you $24.99 off any purchase of $25 or more between July 24-July 31. Existing JCPenney Rewards members will get an opt-in email to receive the coupon and new members will get an email with the coupon on Monday, July 24. Among JCPenney's back to school deals are clothing categorized by $10-under, $15-under and $20-under, plus marked-down backpacks some at "Black Friday" pricing and a printable "Dorm Checklist" for shopping discounted towels, bedding, kitchen appliances and more. Additional back-to-school specials at JCPenney: Kids can get a $12 haircut or $12 off a hairstyle, through September 23. Kids glasses for $39.99 or two pairs for $69.99, through September 14. Teachers get an additional 10% off when shopping in-store, through August 13. Microsoft Educators and faculty, parents and students can shop the Microsoft Education store to get $400 off on select Surface Laptop 5 models and at least 10% off on other Surface devices. College students can get 50% off Microsoft 365 Personal ($2.99 monthly), which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Microsoft Defender and 1 terabyte of OneDrive cloud storage. Students and educators at eligible institutions can also sign up for Office 365 Education for free (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Microsoft Teams and more). Microsoft Surface Laptop 5 review: Sleek, but expensive Educators and faculty, parents and students can get $400 off on select Surface Laptop 5 models in the Microsoft Education store. Sam's Club Sam's Club has supplies under $15 including a $12.98 Back to School Supplies Kit with glue, Sharpies, highlighters pencils and ballpoint and felt tip pins, and erasers. Dorm room deals include oscillating fans starting at less than $50. Also, July 26 through August 20, you can buy one pair of youth prescription glasses in club brands include Betsey Johnson, Candies, Free Country, London Fog and ONeill and get a second pair (up to a $59 value) free. Staples Staples has school supplies starting as low as 40 cents for products such as glue and 50 cents for crayons, notebooks, pencils, folders and rulers. You can shop by grade level or use a zip code-searchable school supply list so you know exactly what your student needs. (Teachers can upload their lists here, too.) You'll find a selection of laptops discounted from 3% to 39% off and some discounts on monitors, too. Save up to an additional 30% off on select items when you order online and pick up in store. Get $15 off your next online order of $60 or more by signing up for emails and texts. Join Staples Rewards for 5% Rewards back on purchases. Deals for teachers: Teacher discount at Target returns for 2023 back-to-school season, here's how to save Target Target has school supplies such as crayons and glue sticks starting at 25 cents, and accessories including lunch boxes starting at $5, water bottles from $6.99 and backpacks at $7.99-up. Most of the retailer's back-to-school deals hit the under $15 mark. Some kids' clothing deals include buy-one-get-one-free. Deals for those headed to college include furniture up to 30% and laptops and other tech up to 30% off. Shoppers can use Target's School List Assist and College Registry checklists to make shopping easier. College students can get a one-time 20% discount on their shopping trip through the free Target Circle loyalty program (in-store or online, valid student ID required, through Aug. 26). Don't have time to walk the aisles? You can pickup your order as soon as two hours with no minimum purchase and no membership fee required, or get same-day delivery with Shipt in as soon as an hour. Teachers and school staff can get 20% off with Target Circle, through Aug. 26. Walmart Walmart touts its back-to-school deals as matching the same prices as last year and offering the 14 most popular items on school supply lists for under $13 total including composition notebooks and Crayola crayons for 50 cents each, also backpacks starting at $6. There's a "Find Your School Supply List" option at the top of Walmart's back-to-school shopping page, too. In addition to shopping in stores, you can place your order on Walmart.com or the Walmart app for same-day curbside pickup or Express Delivery as soon as an hour. Walmart+ subscribers ($12.95 monthly after 30-day free trial) get free same-day delivery and free two-day shipping among membership perks. Follow Mike Snider on Twitter: @mikesnider. What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Back to school deals: Bargain shopping on supplies, clothes and tech Beyonce, center, during her opening show for the North American leg of her tour at the Rogers Centre in Toronto on July 8, 2023. (The New York Times) Beyonce will bring her global Renaissance World Tour to Soldier Field this Saturday and Sunday. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show is expected to begin at 8 p.m. Whether you have a front-row seat, or will be listening from the parking lot, heres everything you need to know about Beyonce's eagerly-awaited Chicago Renaissance tour stop. Advertisement Stadium policies For all events at Soldier Field, approved bags are limited to those that are clear plastic and do not exceed 12 x 6 x 12, along with small clutches. So, ensure that your Instagram-ready Renaissance outfit does not feature a fanny pack, backpack, a purse larger than a clutch or luggage of any kind. Advertisement Other restricted items include but are not limited to alcohol, umbrellas, coolers and ice chests (including cloth), signage with vulgar language or signs that can block fans view. Transportation Parking at Soldier Field (3 to 10 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. to midnight), or the nearby Waldron Deck, 458 E. 18th Drive (3 to 11 p.m. Sat & Sun.) and the Adler Planetarium lot (4 to 11 p.m. on Saturday only) will cost $55. A $25 alternative is available if you dont mind the 25-minute walk to the Millennium Garages Grant Park South facility. There is no shuttle service from the garage to the stadium as was available for the recent Taylor Swift shows. Parking will be unavailable at Millenniums other garages, such as Grant Park North, Millennium Park, Millennium Lakeside. Those wanting to avoid the bumper-to-bumper traffic on DuSable Lake Shore Drive following the concert are a 20-minute walk away from the CTA Red Line Ls Roosevelt stop. The Orange and Green lines also provide the closest access to Soldier Field, according to the transit agency. Alternatively, concertgoers can hop on the #146 bus, which stops outside of Soldier Field at the Museum Campus. This bus can be used to transfer to the L train at Jackson station. The CTA also recommending concertgoers use the #3 King, #4 Cottage Grove, #12 Roosevelt and #130 Museum Campus bus lines. Weather Both performance days are expected to be warm with a chance of brief thunderstorms. On Saturday night, a low of 66 degrees is expected. Advertisement On Sunday, there is a 40% chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon, while partly skies are expected with a low of 67 degrees in the evening. Both days are expected to reach a high of approximately 80 degrees, so if youre feeling heated like stolen Chanel, make sure to fan yourself off. Weekend events On a weekend packed with the Pitchfork Music Festival, Barbenheimer (The internet-hyped double release of the Barbie and Oppenheimer films) and the Beyhive, the city will be overflowing with opportunities to lean into your inner fan. Take a peek at the following events to plan your Renaissance-themed weekend schedule. Friday If you want to paint the town red like cinnamon, you can get started at Studio W.I.P.s Beyonce-themed spray paint and sip event. For $45, guests can choose between spray painting a 16 x 20 canvas or tote bag to tunes of Queen Beys concert set list. Advertisement 7 to 9 p.m., Studio W.I.P., 3527 W. Grand Ave. Saturday Get shining at the top of the morning with an 11 a.m. drag brunch at Macys Walnut room. Chicago drag stars, such as Lucy Stoole, pay tribute to Beyonce. Upon grabbing a ticket for the opulent display, costumes are encouraged and hype is expected. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Macys Walnut Room, 111 N. State St. If youre hoping to keep the party going after the concert, stop by Roscoes Tavern for an event featuring DJ Kevin Aviance, whom Beyonce notably featured on her song Pure/Honey. With Aviance in the DJ booth all night, this event may have speakers knockin til the morning light. 11 p.m. 3356 N. Halsted St. Advertisement Sunday Do you wanna party? Do you wanna dance? Do you wanna be yourself tonight? If youre still riding the wave of excitement post-Sunday show, get bodied on a trip to Club Renaissance. On the evening of July 23, Chicagos very own Miss Toto and Pepper Jelly will host a Renaissance World Tour After Party at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport Ave. Performances will feature Chanel Mercedes-Benz, of Golden Girls Pop-Up Fame, along with Sasha Love and Lila Star Escada. 9 p.m., 3159 N. Southport Ave. Tribune reporter Claire Malon contributed. The Teamsters at Yellow Corp. have threatened to strike as soon as Monday. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves) Less-than-truckload carrier Yellow Corp. has asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas to enter a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction barring the Teamsters union from a work stoppage. A hearing is scheduled for Friday in Kansas City at 1:30 p.m. local time. The Thursday request follows a strike notice issued by the Teamsters earlier in the week. The union is threatening to go on strike as soon as Monday in response to Yellows missed contribution payments to Central States Funds. The carrier previously asked Central States to defer payments due July 15 and Aug. 15, but the request was denied. Absent injunctive relief, Plaintiffs will suffer immediate, substantial, and irreparable harm from Defendants unlawful work stoppage, including being forced into a Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy proceeding, the filing read. The company is calling on the court to direct the union to immediately engage in the grievance procedures outlined in the collective bargaining agreement as talks have broken down between the parties over the carriers second phase of a restructuring called One Yellow. That change of operations seeks to make changes similar to a first phase implemented in the western part of Yellows (NASDAQ: YELL) network last year. The plan calls for the consolidation of terminals, more flexibility around work rules and increased usage of third-party transportation, all of which Yellow maintains are required for its survival. As the two parties have been unable to come to terms over the last several months, the carriers liquidity position has eroded quickly. A recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed the company had in excess of $100 million in cash at the end of June. However, in recent weeks shippers have been diverting freight from Yellow and brokers and intermediaries have removed the carrier as a capacity option from their platforms, moves made to keep shipments from getting stuck in Yellows network if the carrier were to shut down. Story continues Health, welfare and pension payments to Central States for the two-month period equal approximately $50 million, of which Yellow is delinquent on presumably half. Without payment, approximately 10,000 Teamsters at YRC Freight and Holland covered under the plan will be without health insurance on Sunday. The companys participation in the pension plan will also be terminated on that day. However, the delinquencies will likely extend beyond that. A series of letters from July 12 to 13 between Yellow CEO Darren Hawkins and Teamsters General President Sean OBrien show the company would also miss payments to its second and third largest funds as well, affecting more employees and potentially expanding the number of workers that would strike. Indeed, the urgency is so acute that, although the Company has made its required contributions to nearly all benefit funds coming due this week, our current cash position will prevent the Company from making contributions to the three largest health, welfare and pension funds in which Yellow participates Central States, Western Conference and Central Pennsylvania, Hawkins told OBrien in a July 13 letter. A Wednesday letter to the rank and file of the Denver local union representing employees at YRC Freight and Reddaway said if the company fails to pay it will be without coverage after July 31 and that it would also prepare for a strike. The written exchange between Hawkins and OBrien also referenced what would equate to an $11 per hour increase in wages and benefits over a five-year contract term, contingent on full implementation of the One Yellow initiatives. I fully realize that making such a significant economic proposal before we even sit down at the bargaining table is, to say the least, unorthodox. The Companys acute liquidity crisis and its absolute need to make progress at the bargaining table, however, require us to approach these negotiations in a fundamentally different way, Hawkins stated in the offer. OBrien asked for precise terms and said Yellow would need to drop its breach of contract lawsuit against the Teamsters. Yellow countered with $2.19 per hour in the first year and said it would drop legal proceedings upon the successful conclusion of our negotiation. The company also disclosed that it wouldnt be making upcoming payments to the aforementioned funds at which point OBrien deemed the offer a hypothetical increase and conditioned on future events, likely referring to a previous letter of agreement offered by Yellow. That letter of agreement offered a 60 cent per hour pay hike, in addition to pulling forward the contractual 40 cent hike that starts Oct. 1. However, the company said it didnt have the ability to fund the increase and its lenders would need to sign off on it at a later date. OBrien also said in his letter that Yellows deferral of contributions would permit local union members impacted by the missed payments to avail themselves of the rights Local Unions have under the existing collective bargaining agreement under such circumstances, with the inference being a work stoppage. He also said the wage increase needed to be implemented immediately to proceed. Simply put, institute the $2.19 per hour increase on July 1, 2023, and then we will discuss potential next steps. The back-and-forth appears to have ended there. There is no adequate remedy that can compensate Plaintiffs for the Unions failure to follow the NMFA grievance procedures and Plaintiffs resulting loss of customers and termination of operations, Yellows court filing read. More FreightWaves articles by Todd Maiden The post Yellows fate likely in hands of Kansas district court appeared first on FreightWaves. A strike could begin as soon as Monday. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves) The U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas ruled Friday against less-than-truckload carrier Yellow Corp.s request for an injunction, which would have kept its Teamsters employees from engaging in a work stoppage. In her decision, Senior Judge Julie Robinson denied a motion for a temporary restraining order and injunction. The decision allows the union to carry through with a planned strike, which could begin as soon as Monday. The final straw prompting the strike was Yellows missed benefits contribution payment to Central States Funds last week, which will leave workers without health insurance on Sunday. The two parties have been embroiled in a bitter dispute over operational changes for the last nine months. The carrier has maintained that without the changes it wouldnt survive while the union took the stance that it had given enough in the past in the form of wages, benefits and work rules concessions. The company has two more days to fulfill its obligations or we will strike, Teamsters General President Sean OBrien said following the decision. Teamsters at Yellow are furious and ready to act. They are done with the mistreatment and mismanagement. In its filing seeking an injunction, Yellow said it would likely file for bankruptcy if the court didnt rule in its favor. Absent injunctive relief, Plaintiffs will suffer immediate, substantial, and irreparable harm from Defendants unlawful work stoppage, including being forced into a Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy proceeding. In a news release late Friday, Yellow said it would appeal the courts decision and continue to pursue its breach of contract lawsuit against the Teamsters. The court, recognizing a strike would likely kill the company, resulting in the loss of 30,000 jobs, cautioned the Union that while it won todays battle, it could very well lose the war, the statement said. More FreightWaves articles by Todd Maiden The post Yellow loses attempt to stop strike appeared first on FreightWaves. A Fredericksburg police officer shot and killed a knife-wielding man who was charging toward him Friday during an intense incident in the city, police said. City police spokeswoman Sarah Morris said the shooting occurred in the area of the 1400 block of Sunken Road. Police were dispatched there after receiving a 911 call at 7:49 a.m. reporting that a young man, who was brandishing a knife, was assaulting an older man and demanding money from multiple people. The first-arriving officer repeatedly ordered the man to drop the knife, but the man appeared to ignore the officers commands and charged toward him. The officer responded with multiple gunshots. Morris said she didnt know how close the man was to the officer when he was first shot, but said he continued approaching the officer still holding the knife even after being hit. Other officers responded and performed CPR until medics arrived and took him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A number of neighbors witnessed at least part of the incident. One witness reported that one woman, possibly the victims mother, was desperately trying to defuse the situation before police arrived but could not get the young man to calm down. Morris said the victims next-of-kin has been notified, but police wont release the mans name until tomorrow. He was a Stafford resident. The officer who shot him is on administrative leave pending the results of an investigation. Morris said his name will be released at a later date. Chief Brian Layton has asked the Virginia State Police to conduct the investigation into the shooting. - Paid hunting license holders: 9.2 for every 100 people (180,932 total) - Hunting license, tags, permits & stamps: 20.0 for every 100 people (392,813 total) - Cost of hunting licenses, tags, permits & stamps: $16,792,832 To combat a rising deer population that is destroying crops, a new bill was passed in 2020 allowing for an . The bill provides four permits per landowner, as well. More than 1,000 jobs nearly two-thirds of which would pay average salaries well over $100,000 could be on their way to the Colorado Springs area. The Colorado Economic Development Commission on Thursday approved a combined $13.1 million in financial incentives to help entice three employers a Springs-based aerospace and defense engineering company, a global solar manufacturer and an information technology startup to add the jobs in the Pikes Peak region. If the companies expand or locate in the Springs area, it would be the latest in a series of economic development victories for local business and government officials. Since December, high tech manufacturers Entegris and Microchip Technology have announced plans to expand their existing Colorado Springs operations with the addition of 1,000 jobs and combined investments of almost $1.5 billion. Meanwhile, Zivaro, a Denver-based information and technology firm, announced it would bring more than 300 jobs to the Springs. "The citys economic vitality, business friendly culture and educated workforce are attracting significant interest from companies looking to locate or expand in Colorado Springs," Bob Cope, economic development officer for the city of Colorado Springs, said via email. The "support and partnership" of the Economic Development Commission, an independent panel whose members are appointed by the governor and Legislature, and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade the state agency that promotes economic growth is helping to strengthen local and state economies, Cope added. It's unknown when the three companies that were approved for the incentives Thursday will make their job decisions. It's also unknown how strong the Springs' chances are to land the jobs; the city is vying with other metro areas and states for each of the projects, according to state officials. The companies were approved for Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits, a state program designed to encourage businesses to grow jobs in Colorado. To qualify, employers must create at least 20 new net jobs in the state over eight years; jobs must pay an average annual wage of at least 100% of the average annual wage in the county where employees would work. None of the three companies was identified by state officials, who routinely offer anonymity to employers who might add or bring jobs to Colorado. Instead, each company was assigned a code name. According to state officials, they are: Project Bullseye, described as a women-owned aerospace and defense engineering company headquartered in Colorado Springs. The company expects to create 620 jobs over eight years at an average annual salary of $160,484, which is 266% of the average annual wage in El Paso County. The jobs will include software and systems engineers; the company has 400 employees, 240 of whom work in Colorado. "The company is in a high-growth mode through company acquisitions to build up capabilities and bid for new government and commercial contracts with these recent acquisitions," information presented to the state EDC said. "Their goal is to double in size over the next 5-8 years, and they are considering where to focus this growth. To support these contracts, they will build out a large SCIF (sensitive compartmented information facility) space in the next year." The company is considering bringing jobs to El Paso County and Colorado Springs, as well as Huntsville, Ala., and Weber County, Utah; it has an "existing presence" in both areas "and could reasonably relocate this growth," according to the state. "This project would support the states economic goals by creating new high-wage net jobs in the economy, supporting an award-winning women-owned businesss continued growth in Colorado, encouraging (Department of Defense) contracted companies to stay and grow in Colorado as they win new projects, and solidify our status as the best aerospace economy in the world," Office of Economic Development staffers said in their presentation to the Economic Development Commission. The commission approved up to $7,499,388 in Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits for Project Bullseye. At the same time, the Colorado Springs City Council is scheduled to consider its own economic development agreement for Project Bullseye during its work session Monday. That agreement calls for $24,000 in incentives a $14,000 sales and use tax rebate on the company's purchase of business personal property (machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures) and a similar rebate of $10,000 on its purchase of construction materials, according to a presentation that city staffers will make to the council. That presentation, which also does not identify the company behind Project Bullseye, goes into additional detail. In addition to the 620 jobs to be added, which the city pegs at a slightly lower average annual wage of $153,125, the company's expansion will create 1,053 spinoff jobs. Sign up for free: Gazette Business Receive a weekly roundup of business news around El Paso County. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The company also plans to spend $3.4 million over 10 years on buildings and improvements, furniture and fixtures and machinery and equipment, according to the city staff presentation. "A rapidly growing small business that provides cybersecurity, software, and engineering solutions to government customers," is how city staffers describe Project Bullseye, which "intends to expand into a new strategic location to expand their capabilities and to be in proximity to customers." Over 10 years, the city staff presentation shows Project Bullseye would have a total economic impact of $843 million. Though neither the state nor the city identified the company behind Project Bullseye, its descriptions could point to Boecore, the Springs-based space and missile defense company that has operations in Huntsville and Ogden, Utah. Boecore was founded in 2000 by businesswoman Kathy Boe, who grew the company into one of the Springs' more successful defense contractors; Boecore was acquired in January 2022 by Enlightenment Capital, a Washington, D.C.-based investment firm that focuses on aerospace, defense, government and technology companies. Boecore President Tom Dickson declined to comment Thursday. Project Blanc, whose company is an industrial manufacturer of solar cells and solar modules, headquartered in Switzerland and with production facilities in Germany and the U.S., state officials say. The company, according to the state, plans "a 2GW photovoltaik/solar cell manufacturing plant that will require significant building contractor involvement as well as a semiconductor-like manufacturing supply chain." The company behind Project Blanc is also considering moving its U.S. headquarters to the manufacturing plant's location. The company is considering El Paso County, but also is eying expansion in New York, Indiana and Arizona. "The main drivers for the decision are an existing facility, Colorados commitment to renewable energy and access to talent," the state says. "Additionally, the company behind Project Blanc values a local supply chain: more than 80% of the purchasing volume for their German production plant was purchased from local suppliers. Establishing a U.S. manufacturing plant in Colorado would support a local supplier network." Project Blanc expects to create 380 jobs at an average annual wage of $77,842, which is 129.4% of the El Paso County average, according to the state. The jobs will include project managers, operators, facility managers, process engineers and maintenance personnel. The company has 1,400 employees, none of whom work in Colorado. "Project Blanc would support the states economic goals by creating new high-wage net jobs and supporting Colorados transition to clean energy," Economic Development Office staffers said. "The project would bring green jobs and support Colorado moving towards zero emission buildings as outlined in the governor's administrations roadmap to 100% renewable energy by 2040." Staffers also said they've had confidential discussions with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which has campuses in Arvada and Golden, about the technologies developed by the company behind Project Blanc and the agency "has provided positive statements about the inclusion of this type of facility in (Colorado)." The Economic Development Commission approved up to $4,944,960 in Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits over eight years. Project Verge represents a technology company "focused on modeling and simulation and cybersecurity," according to state officials. The company behind Project Verge plans to increase modeling and simulation support for Department of Defense customers; it's considering the Colorado Springs metro area, but also is weighing Albuquerque, N.M., and Fort Walton Beach, Fla. "The main drivers for their decision include talent, cost of doing business, and proximity to (Department of Defense) contractors," state officials say. The company expects to create 61 jobs at an average annual wage of $130,253.17, which is 216.51% of the El Paso County average. The jobs will include software developers and analysts; the company currently has 49 employees, with one working in Colorado. "This project would support the states economic goals by creating net new jobs in the economy and increasing the density of cybersecurity companies in Colorado," state staffers explained to the Economic Development Commission. "This project would bolster Colorados reputation as a cyber industry leader and demonstrate our competitiveness compared to other markets with strong aerospace and cybersecurity sectors." The Economic Development Commission OK'd up to $691,288 in Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits over eight years. In May, the City Council reviewed Project Verge, which at that time was described by city staffers as a veteran-owned information technology startup that was considering spending $2.2 million over four years to expand into Colorado Springs. In June, the City Council approved an economic development agreement that earmarked $14,000 in sales tax rebates for the company behind Project Verge. Last year, when the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (DHS) determined that a child protective services (CPS) employee had abused her position to falsely report a political opponent for sexually abusing her own two-year-old son, the revelations were devastating and the shockwaves boomed far and wide. How could there be such a breach of trust? In a classic lover scorned retribution scheme, Robin Niceta weaponized her position to target Aurora City Councilwoman Danielle Jurinsky, a critic of Nicetas then-girlfriend, disgraced ex-Aurora Police Chief Vanessa Wilson. Niceta now faces felony and misdemeanor charges for the alleged retaliation plot, but one question remains: Was this just an isolated incident or a hint at deeper, systemic problems within child protective services? Arapahoe countys press release gave the impression this was unequivocally an anomaly. State investigation finds no safety concerns with human services practices, staff, reads the headline. A yearlong investigation by the Colorado Department of Human Resources (CDHS) found no pervasive agency wide lapses to protect children or serve families by the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services, the release states. The investigation found no major safety concerns related to casework, supervision or staffing and no evidence of systemic concerns of falsification of records. Yet the evaluation in no way definitively proves there are no ongoing, systemic problems at Arapahoe County. Rather, the report itself, along with other facts and context, strongly suggests otherwise. The investigation examined just 55 assessments closed within only the final three months of 2022 months after Niceta was criminally charged and while staff knew they were being closely watched. The limited scope and small sample sizes fail to provide an adequate view of the whole picture a necessary piece to drawing conclusions about systemic issues. They also relied heavily on internal data and staff interviews with little input from outsiders. By neglecting interviews with families and community partners, the investigation disregards critical insights and perspectives. Strikingly, the report conveniently omits a second CPS caseworker identified by The Denver Gazette as Ranubia Scott accused of falsifying contacts in the child-protective casework tracking system (Trails), simply because her employment had already been terminated and reported to the district attorney. Four other caseworkers were fired for unspecified personal or performance reasons, yet the report brushes them off as mere blips because oversight structures are (now) in place. Six employees were fired in the past year but somehow, just because they got caught, were supposed to believe everything is better? No honest person could take seriously the claim that there are no systemic problems when the authors selectively dismiss several employee terminations and confirmed fraud cases. Moreover, this report contradicts a previous state audit from last fall. That review identified a lack of training and supervision as a major problem, pinpointing shortcomings in assessments handled by Niceta and her supervisor. In Jurinskys case, Niceta made her phone call after hours. The next morning, first thing, she walked into her supervisors office and requested to be assigned to my case, Jurinsky said. It wasnt even in the system yet, but somehow her supervisor didnt take that as a red flag? This, Jurinsky concludes, indicates something bigger at work. No, she didnt because lack of supervision is the norm. This is institutional and systemic. Lets be clear: At a fundamental level, the CDHS investigation undermines its own objectivity and credibility. Theyre telling us one thing while the evidence shows something very different and the contradictions just dont add up. Dozens of parents have come forward seeking class-action designation for a federal lawsuit filed by Jurinsky against the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services, The Denver Gazette reported last week. They contend they were harmed through false testimony and fraudulent practices. These include caseworkers other than Niceta. Another lawsuit filed in August separately targets Niceta. Are we supposed to dismiss each of their stories outright and deem Arapahoe County CPS cleared because a dubious report tells us to? The sequence of events surrounding the reports publication and county press releases only deepens the skepticism. Arapahoe County DHS released this report out of nowhere via an email press release on July 14 conveniently on a Friday, a day usually reserved for flying under the radar. The release rejected any responsibility for internal failures while misrepresenting the report as a definitive vindication for the department. By Monday, July 17 the next business day they published another news release on their website boasting two awards the county department received from CDHS itself, including one ironically for timely response to abuse and neglect cases. Oddly enough, it wasnt until the third business day that the initial news release finally made its way onto Arapahoe Countys website. Lets be real: This reeks of a flagrant attempt to deflect from the investigations flaws and the outstanding need for meaningful reform. It casts doubt on Arapahoe Countys commitments to transparency and accountability and the fundamental reliability of the report. Riddled with glaring flaws and astonishing omissions and surrounded by unscrupulous behavior the investigations credibility is severely compromised. It remains inescapably apparent that systemic problems persist at Arapahoe County CPS and arguably throughout the states child-protection system writ large. Jurinsky is right: Coloradans deserve better than a shameless attempt at whitewashing that puts children and families at risk. Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and host of The Jimmy Sengenberger Show Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on News/Talk 710 KNUS. Reach Jimmy online at JimmySengenberger.com or on Twitter @SengCenter. South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone risked their hard-earned fortunes to save one of Colorados most iconic human-made landmarks, Casa Bonita. Sadly, as often is the case with organized labor, no good deed goes unpunished. In financial turmoil, Casa Bonita closed during the pandemic and its future was in peril. Parker and Stone bought it in 2021, giving the business an unlikely chance to survive. This month, as Casa Bonita conducts a soft opening with special guests basically for training and logistics a collective of 50 employees sent Parker and Stone a written ultimatum. Called #WeAreTeamCasa, the group demands clarity on the restaurants hours of operation and health benefits promised when it reaches full operational capacity. They demand transparency, a voice in the workplace, and the reinstatement of former employees who left over contract disputes. After closing the sale, Parker and Stone discovered an assortment of delayed maintenance nightmares. They replaced plumbing, electrical and more. The famous fountain out front was crumbling, so they rebuilt it. They expanded the diving pool inside to ensure greater safety for divers. They could have done this for considerably less by starting over in a new location. While shuttered for repairs, Casa Bonitas new owners paid employees who would have otherwise lost incomes. In every way imaginable, Parker and Stone took this on out of love for a quirky establishment known for its carnival atmosphere. For baby boomers and their offspring, Casa Bonita provides an unusual escape from reality. Parker and Stone illustrated this in a famous South Park episode, making the restaurant an international curiosity. One need only visit Casa Bonita to see the overhead of paying actors, musicians and cliff divers in an environment of low-priced food, water, caves and all assortment of mesmerizing fun. In keeping with their commitment to salvage a landmark seriously, a designated historic site in a Lakewood strip mall Parker and Stone eliminated tipping and committed to paying hourly wages up to $30 an hour, or the equivalent of $62,400 a year. Thats more than twice Colorados $13.65 minimum wage, about $28,000 a year, which they could lawfully pay. It is not as if other restaurants are desperate for cliff divers and mariachi musicians. The $30-an-hour, $62,400-a-year compares with an average salary for Colorado restaurant servers those with six-to-nine years of experience of $16.46 an hour or $34,200 a year (source, Indeed). No one gets rich on $62,400 a year. The upside of $30 an hour is the lack of risk, uncertainty and self-sacrifice. Show up + do the job = get paid as guaranteed by law without the need for potential tips. Salary surveys provide examples of those who make about $30 an hour and receive no tips. They include: Colorado teachers on average earn $60,130 a year, about $30 an hour, after earning college degrees, getting state certified and complying with continuing education requirements. Paralegals in Colorado public defenders offices earn just over $50,000 a year less than $30 an hour after completing four years of college or earning paralegal certificates and completing apprenticeships required for licensure. Loan officers earn an average of $30.39 an hour. Food scientists, animal scientists, landscape architects, urban planners, dental hygienists, insurance underwriters and diagnostic medical stenographers on average earn between $60,000 and $65,000 a year. We arent suggesting Casa Bonita pays too much. If the business can pay more, were all for it. Only the best should work at Casa Bonita. We only suggest these organized employees assess their good fortunes, relative to peers. Consider the unlikely events, risks and circumstances that saved this business. Then give this venture the benefit of the doubt and a chance to succeed. Parker and Stone have shown, through actions and financial risks, their care and concern for employees and the state they call home. It is a safe bet they treat employees well and pay what this rescue mission can afford at this time. The Gazette Editorial Board As a high-profile fight rages over the future of Space Command, another Colorado Springs-based command has been growing up and getting ready to leave. Now in its second year, the Space Training and Readiness Command, or STAR Command, marked a milestone Thursday in its maturity as its first leader, Maj. Gen. Shawn Bratton handed the reins to Brig. Gen. Timothy Sejba. During a ceremony at Peterson Space Force Base, Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, lauded Bratton's work to grow the command from its early beginnings in a old bank conference room to an enduring institution charged with preparing guardians to handle an ever more tense space environment. For example, China and Russia have both demonstrated they can blow up satellites with missiles, a capability that could harm critical infrastructure that provides communications, navigation and imagery. In its early days, STAR Command has been working from offices in the Plaza of the Rockies on Tejon Street overseeing training, education, testing and war games for the military's newest and smallest branch that employs about 8,600 service members. The command itself employs about 150 people. As the first commander of STAR Command Bratton worked on a new basic military education program that covered topics such as space history and space vocabulary, setting up a new partnership with Johns Hopkins University to offer midcareer education and laid the foundation for the new National Space Test and Training Complex that will provide guardians with a training range to practice their skills, Saltzman said. "I want you to know that your efforts as the inaugural commander made a real difference for the Space Forces today. And all STARCom successes are because of your steady hands," he said. Bratton noted it was his job to take 20 years of ideas around the need for focus and education in space into action, and while culture can't be dictated, he expects over the decades Space Force culture will be traced back to the early STARCom team. "The bonds are tight when you start the organization from scratch, and you get to build it from the ground up. And those bonds will take this command far," he said. Sign Up for free: Military Brief Your weekly local update on local military news and events, sent straight to your inbox. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Incoming commander Sejba worked in Colorado Springs at the beginning of his career on the global positioning system at what is now Schriever Space Force Base and later worked in space and cyber operations with the National Reconnaissance Office. Recently he worked for the Los Angeles-based Space Systems Command in acquisitions as a program executive officer on programs focused on tracking objects in space and identifying what they are, defending satellites in orbit, and command and control of satellites. Sejba values consistency in leadership and he said he expects to continue working on a realistic training environment for guardians, one of Bratton's priorities. Earlier this year, Saltzman asked Congress to invest hundreds of millions in better Space Force training in the 2024 Department of Defense budget. The DoD is also preparing to invest in a new headquarters for the command likely at Patrick Space Force Base, outside of Orlando, Fla. The Department of the Air Force announced the preferred location in May. An environmental assessment of the site required ahead of a final decision is expected to be completed later this year or early next. Sejba could not speak to a timeline for a move. Unlike Space Command, at the center of a contentious political battle between Colorado and its potential future home, Alabama, STAR Command has not drawn the same political furor. In addition to the command's 150 employees, Space Force Delta 10, responsible for doctrine and tactics, will likely move to Florida as well. Sejba said he expected his diverse background would lend itself well preparing guardians across the force and he is excited to be back in Colorado Springs. While other branches are struggling with recruitment, thousands of people are interested in the new service that can only accept hundreds of applicants a year. "There's a lot of excitement across the board for a new service," he said. A federal magistrate in Denver opted to deny bail to a Castle Rock teenager accused of trying to travel to Iraq to join the Islamic State group, citing concerns about his previous death threats to his mother and wanting to avoid any risk of him following through on alleged ambitions of committing mass violence. After a two-hour hearing Thursday morning, Magistrate N. Reid Neureiter said he has a lot of empathy for the situation of 18-year-old Davin Meyers family members because of efforts they made over several years to change the paths of religious extremism he went down. But Neureiter said he ultimately was not prepared to risk releasing Meyer to live with his mother, which his defense lawyer requested and his mother said she would not have a problem with. Despite her genuine testimony, Im not prepared to put Ms. Meyer at risk, Neureiter said. Davin Meyer faces one count of attempting to provide material support or resources to a designated faoreign terrorist organization. The charge could carry a prison sentence up to 20 years. Beginning last November, according to federal prosecutors, he communicated with two FBI informants he believed were Islamic State group facilitators about his desire to join the Islamic State group as a fighter. Meyers mother reportedly contacted law enforcement in June 2022 with concerns that his beliefs grew increasingly radical, he sought out extremist online content, including videos of killings, and talked openly about violent intentions, prosecutors said. He also reportedly had threatened in the past to kill his mother, prosecutors said. She reported Meyer said he wanted to either die as a martyr for the Islamic State group or kill people in the U.S., including military servicemembers and police. Last October, Meyer allegedly said he wanted to build a fertilizer bomb in the U.S., according to his arrest affidavit. Meyer eventually bought a plane ticket to Germany and then Ankara, Turkey, where he believed he would meet up with Islamic State group members and travel to Iraq. According to prosecutors, he used money given to him by his mother for living expenses after she moved him into his own apartment. The FBI arrested him right before he got on the flight out of Denver International Airport on July 14. Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Hindman identified Meyers mother, Deanna Meyer, as the person referenced in his arrest affidavit who contacted law enforcement in June last year about her sons alleged escalating radicalism in his beliefs and interest in extreme, violent online content. When arguing for denying Meyer bail, Hindman emphasized Meyer managed to communicate with the people he thought were Islamic State group facilitators and to make plans to travel and join the group without his mother knowing, despite her best efforts to get intervention for her son. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Hindman also pointed out Meyers refusal to take medication for his mental health, despite his mothers efforts, and concerns raised about his behavior by a psychiatrist he saw. Meyer 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. I just dont believe that she can assure (bail) conditions are followed, nor should we be asking her to, Hindman said, later adding, Much of the threat to the community we are discussing is the threat to her. Deanna Meyer took to the witness stand Thursday to say she doesnt believe Meyer living with her, while his case is pending, would put her at risk, and she didnt appear to directly say her son had threatened her. She said her son has never had friends because of his disabilities and has never been motivated to follow through on things. She said she believes he only went through with his intention to join the Islamic State group because he believed he had found people who understood him in the informants he communicated with. I would bet my life he never wouldve done that without that encouragement and feeling like he had a friend with the same ideology as him, she said. However, Meyers mother disputed the characterization by prosecutors that her son said he planned to build a fertilizer bomb. During her testimony, she said he only told her he knew how, and she responded that concerned her. He never said he had an intent to do that, she said. Meyers attorney, David Kaplan, argued that the FBI or the Douglas County Sheriffs Office should have acted sooner in the 13 months the informants were in contact with him if they truly saw him as the threat Hindman talked about in Thursdays hearing. Kaplan said law enforcement ostensibly was making their own judgment calls about any risk Meyer posed to his community as they monitored him. I understand the court should be concerned, but so should law enforcement, he told Neureiter. In mulling over his decision, Neureiter also mentioned he worries about the possibility of Meyer following the same path a similar situation in Colorado recently took if Neureiter were to grant him pretrial release: A person with mental illness was known to law enforcement for making violent threats, previous charges were dropped (or not pursued), and the person went on to commit mass killings. Though Neureiter didnt name the case, both the Club Q and Boulder King Soopers mass shooting bear similar patterns in their defendants histories. The worst thing I can do is release somebody and then something like that happens again, the magistrate said. While portions of the Colorado Springs area were experiencing heavy rain, hail and flooding on Thursday, the slopes of Pikes Peak experienced extreme weather of their own: a tornado. The National Weather Service in Pueblo announced Friday via Twitter that the agency's survey team completed assessment of damage on America's Mountain and confirmed it was caused by a tornado. Gazette media partner KKTV's weather service reported its Doppler radar picked up rotating weather movement passing over the Pikes Peak Highway, south of the Crystal Creek Reservoir, around 2 p.m. A KKTV viewer also provided photos from the area, showing a scattering of fallen trees. Pikes Peak America's Mountain reported on Twitter just before 3:30 p.m. Friday the twister ran for 2 miles, beginning northwest of Pikes Peak Highway's Mile Marker 8 and ending just below Mile 5 on the east side of the highway, crossing it in two sections. The Crystal Reservoir Visitor Center near Mile 6 of Pikes Peak Highway is 9,160 feet in elevation, according to an official map of the mountain. Fox 21 reported that in 2012 the highest-elevation tornado on record was identified on the southeast side of Mount Evans near Idaho Springs, at around 12,500 feet. "Damage resulted in uprooted and snapped trees, two snapped power poles and multiple power line snaps," Pikes Peak America's Mountain said of Thursday's tornado. Power will be restored by Friday evening, the city enterprise tweeted. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The National Weather Service said via social media the tornado's preliminary rating, according to the Enhanced Fujita Scale that assigns tornado ratings "based on estimated wind speeds and related damage," was an EF1. This means a 3-second gust at the point of damage was estimated to blow 86-110 mph. Pikes Peak America's Mountain reported winds reached 108 mph. There were no injuries or fatalities, the city enterprise said. "It's fairly seldom that Pikes Peak gets hit with a tornado, but it does happen," Kathleen Torgerson, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service in Pueblo, told The Gazette's sister news outlet Out There Colorado. High-pressure systems have been pushed farther west in the United States than is typically expected this time of year, Torgerson said. As a result, Colorado is experiencing northwesterly flow aloft a pattern favorable for significant severe weather and tornadoes, she said. Although tornadoes are recorded in Colorado each year, this year has been "very active." Torgerson said several signs indicate the damage was caused by a tornado. First, a tornado was radar-indicated in the area. Torgerson also said downed trees are laid out in all different directions, caused by the spinning force of a tornado. If the damage was caused by straight-line winds, then the trees would be lying in all the same direction. Mayor Brandon Johnson during the firefighter/EMT and paramedics graduation ceremony at the Arie Crown Theater on June 12, 2023. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune) When Brandon Johnson was sworn in as mayor May 15, to all outward appearances, he was assuming an office replete with the same grand powers it always had. But the mayoralty Johnson acquired was weaker than the one Lori Lightfoot gained, which itself had weakened since Rahm Emanuels inauguration. Only Richard M. Daley, during his record six terms, greatly expanded the office by adding control of Chicago Public Schools to its arsenal of power. Advertisement The powers of the mayors office have eroded, piece by incremental piece cuts to the powers of appointment for police chiefs, the advent of an elected school board and, this week, changes to the way inspectors general are nominated. But that hardly means Johnson, or any other mayor, must be hamstrung by the snips and trims over the years. The new requirement that the mayor must select a new police superintendent nominee from a list created by the new Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability stands out as one way in which the mayors office has ceded power. Advertisement The transition to a fully elected school board also looms. When that starts phasing in, with the 2024 election, Johnson will lose some of the direct control his predecessors had over a system that serves nearly 350,000 students. Currently, the mayor picks the school board, and it votes accordingly. [ Paul Vallas: Our next police superintendent must prioritize dealing with the violent crime thats happening now ] Slighter but still vital powers were chipped away this week. An ordinance passed Wednesday by the City Council forces the mayor to appoint the citys inspector general on a strict timeline a change made in response to foot-dragging Lightfoot did after Inspector General Joe Ferguson resigned. Lightfoot waited months before naming a successor. This left one of the citys most important oversight roles filled only on an interim basis, causing a loss of momentum in the citys official watchdog unit. The council on Wednesday passed a proposal sponsored by Ald. Matt Martin, 47th which drew support from my organization, the Better Government Association that requires a fast-paced, mandatory timeline for nominating new inspector generals. The fix, part of a package that includes term limits for the city inspector general, is meant to keep this vital office on the job, regardless of whether the mayor welcomes being held to account by the inspector general. One of the biggest changes to the mayors powers, so far, is unfolding in the selection of a new police superintendent. As mayor, Daley and Emanuel were required to rely on the Police Board for nominees, but each found a way to pick his favorites anyway. Advertisement When Emanuel was unimpressed by the list of nominees the Police Board handed him as he faced replacing outgoing Superintendent Garry McCarthy, he pushed through an ordinance suspending the Police Boards power and presented Eddie Johnson, the CPDs chief of patrol, as his choice. The City Council rolled over for Emanuel with a 50-0 vote. The Police Board is composed of people appointed by the mayor. The big difference now is that the new nominating body, the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability, by design is meant to be more independent. Its members must be nominated by 22 local police district councils, whose members themselves are elected by voters. For the first time, voters are selecting the people who nominate the members of the commission, who in turn are responsible for choosing a slate of candidates from which the mayor then picks a superintendent. Its an incremental but important change, adding public input to a nomination process previously dominated by mayors. The changes would raise the political stakes for any mayor tempted to ignore or dominate the nomination process. While recent moves to check the mayors powers are clear, its how Johnson manages his way through them that will matter most in the end. And early signs are that Johnson may be up to the task of handling the thrust-and-parry of power politics, especially between him and the City Council. Advertisement Consider the appointment of committee chairs in the newly elected council. When a clique of old-guard aldermen made a power play during the gap between Election Day and inauguration day, Johnson would have none of it. Johnson worked back channels. He put his people in as chairs of the key committees. He punished the interlopers by denying them leadership roles and launched his administration with a City Council well at heel. The moves emphatically established Johnson as the one in charge, at least for the early days of his term. Gery Chico, who served as Daleys chief of staff, then as president of the school board, and who twice ran for mayor, has seen the mayors powers up close. He said Johnson so far seems capable of mitigating the erosions of power to the mayors office. 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 > Mayor Johnson doesnt let things get in his way so far, Chico said. He has the ability to press his agenda and his aims and get it done. Voters expect the mayor to be in charge, Chico added, regardless of incremental changes such as an elected school board or a more independent-minded City Council. These are very early days, of course. The challenges of budgets, labor contracts, pandemics, crime waves, environmental calamities, heat waves and street-clogging snowstorms are yet to come. Advertisement Before those inevitable challenges come to the fore, Johnson will need to continue honing his leadership skills, and learning the possibilities and limits of the powers of his office, in order to be an effective chief executive for the city. *Editors note: An earlier version misstated when then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot appointed a new inspector general and gave an incorrect accounting of then-Mayor Rahm Emanuels selection of Eddie Johnson as the next police superintendent. The Tribune regrets the errors. David Greising is president and CEO of the Better Government Association. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. On West Winnemac Avenue in Chicagos Lincoln Square neighborhood stands the kind of four-bedroom house to which a growing family could aspire. Theres an old brick exterior, a finished basement, a small deck and a newly redone kitchen. The exterior hardly will draw attention, homes press on either side of this single lot and one of the houses bedrooms is in the basement, but this still looks like a nice place for a young family who wants to raise kids in the city. Its near a lovely park. As of Wednesday, that 3,158-square-foot property was listed for $1.05 million on Realtor.com which puts it in the crosshairs of Mayor Brandon Johnsons proposed new mansion tax, even though describing this sweet but quotidian home as a mansion is patently absurd. Advertisement The tax increase came up during Johnsons campaign. The idea is to massively increase the city transfer tax on homes with a purchase price of more than $1 million. The proposal would triple Chicagos real estate transfer tax to 2.65% of the sale price from the 1.05% in place now for all real estate deals, regardless of price. (In Chicago, the total tax is split between buyer and seller.) So, by our math on that $1.05 million purchase price, the transaction tax would go from $11,025 to a whopping $27,825. [ Brandon Johnson ran a pro-worker, tax-the-ultra-rich campaign. Can he and business leaders find common ground? ] Anyone who has bought or sold a house knows the financial stresses of the transactions. The sellers face paying a real estate commission, typically at least 5% of the purchase price, and diligent buyers need to hire inspectors and appraisers. And most real estate transactions in Illinois involve attorneys, who work with the dominant title companies. Other closing costs are legion: underwriting fees, processing fees, loan points, loan origination fees, flood certificates, recording fees, title insurance fees (the list seems to go on and on). Advertisement Whatever side of the transaction you are on, it can feel like an armored truck drove up to your house and left with a huge chunk of your money. After all that happens, you then have to pay to move. Its also worth noting that most people who buy $1 million homes dont show up with $1 million; they take out a mortgage, which right now means they typically are signing up for somewhere north of 7% in annual interest for a traditional 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage, a whole lot more than the 3% to 5% that would have been the case a year or so ago. In most cases, first-time buyers come to the table with maybe $50,000 as their down payment, money carefully saved over years of frugality or perhaps borrowed from a relative who wanted to help their kids get a foot on the property ladder. Regardless of how they arrived in Chicago, most families want the same thing: a stable neighborhood near friends, relative safety, decent schools, kind neighbors and as much convenience as they can afford to all the great things this city has to offer. In many of the neighborhoods with those attributes, it is challenging for a sizable family to find a four- or five-bedroom house that wont swallow yet more of their money for less than $1 million. Were not talking about a mansion, and were not talking about homes in Lincoln Park or the Gold Coast, where $1 million buys very little in the arena of family-sized homes. Instead, this is the price of most nice houses in Woodlawn and Wicker Park. And although renters might think this wont affect them, landlords invariably pass on these costs. This cash grab has, of course, been given a clever title, Bring Chicago Home, and a cause that is intended to make it hard for people to object: the alleviation of homelessness. All decent people believe the city should do all it can for unhoused people as part of the services it offers through the revenue it raises, but you could apply such a moniker to almost any attempt at redistributing wealth. Such as this one. 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 > There may be some room for change. But as floated, first in the campaign and now coming to the City Council, the threshold of this tax is far too low and the rate of increase is far too aggressive. We object to the first on the grounds of the harm it could do to the middle class. We object to the latter, notwithstanding the ability of many to pay it, on the grounds of the harm it could do to Chicagos competitiveness. Evanston, a progressive bastion with its share of homelessness and larger lots, on average charges just 0.5% for properties up to $1.5 million and 0.7% between $1.5 million and $5 million, topping out at 0.9% for transactions above that floor. Thats reasonable. Oak Park, which gets a diverse array of families coming from Chicago, charges 0.8% for all transactions and Skokie just 0.3%. You can look at the transfer tax for whatever suburb you like, rich or poor, and none of them comes close to what Johnson has proposed. Robbins and Westchester charge a flat fee of $25. And, of course, this is not just going to hit Chicagos residential properties but also office buildings and small businesses. Office building transactions have slowed to a trickle in recent months as work from home has extracted a huge cost and sent valuations plummeting. For that sector, this huge tax increase could not be coming at a worse time. Advertisement It does take an experienced Realtor to figure out that this scheme, in its current form, will not so much be a matter of Bring Chicago Home as Send Chicagoans Packing. 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 nearly two-year investigation into the illegal shooting of a bull moose in Teller County led to the conviction of a suspected poacher from Kansas, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced Wednesday. On July 10, Steven Samuelson, 33, of Oakley, Kan., pleaded guilty to felony willful destruction of wildlife as well as multiple misdemeanor charges, including hunting without a valid big-game license, illegal possession of wildlife, and hunting in a "careless manner," CPW said in a news release. The wildlife department said its Colorado Springs office received a call in September 2021 reporting that a bull moose had been shot with an arrow in a wooded area north of Divide. With the help of the public, CPW officers were led to the scene and concluded that a suspected poacher had illegally shot the moose before attempting to "remove the head," but failing. Samuelson then laid tree branches and sticks over the carcass "in an attempt to hide it," the release stated. Game-camera footage from the site captured time stamps and photos of Samuelson. This moose was treated unethically and that is something we take very seriously, said Travis Sauder, assistant area wildlife manager for the Pikes Peak region. We are fortunate [that] members of the public share our passion for wildlife and helped us catch the poacher. We rely on honest sportspeople to help us solve these types of cases. Sign up for free: Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country overnight and the stories to follow throughout the day delivered to your inbox each evening. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Sauder and another officer drove to Kansas and, with the help of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, confronted Samuelson at his workplace and executed a search warrant at the suspect's home, CPW said. Samuelson faces nearly $20,000 in fines and a two-year deferred jail sentence, which will be waived if Samuelson obeys the terms of his plea agreement, CPW said. He also received two years of unsupervised probation. Samuelson also surrendered the compound bow used to shoot the moose. Since being reintroduced to Colorado in 1978, moose numbers hover around 3,000 throughout the state. Anybody with information of a possible crime against wildlife is encouraged to contact CPW's Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648 or [email protected]. Delaying the inevitable shake-up After hours of consideration, the only logical conclusion to the school board/curriculum kerfuffle is that we are witnessing the great education red herring. Over the last few years we have witnessed the very active sexualization of our children in public schools. The examples of curriculum content, library books introductions, and the witnesses coming forth have clearly demonstrated the introduction of totally inappropriate sexual materials and teaching into our grade/high schools across America. None of this is question nor arguable, with the national school board and school teachers unions as the distribution methodology. The other indoctrination is the use of CRT-type curriculum in our grade schools. Again, examples all across America include the racialization of our children, teaching them to judge each other according to their skin color. Countless examples from curriculums across our nation are brought forth primarily by conservative news sources. Teaching history is one thing but teaching racialization is another. The only logical conclusion I came to is the education industry in America has adopted these two controversial topics as red herrings, intended to focus the parents attention on the inappropriate curriculums instead of the failed state of our school systems. There can be no other answer! These two topics were selected by the liberal establishment, in concert with the educational organizations, to keep the failed state as the status quo. All of the subsequent lessons presented by the willing idiots across the country are enthusiastically adopted and promoted. Dont be fooled. The educational industry is only delaying the inevitable shake-up of the monopoly they have. Otherwise, how long can a country survive with single-digit reading and math competency in our graduates? Darcy Hansen Colorado Springs Avoiding unwanted pregnancies It looks like the liberals are going to drag abortion into the 2024 presidential elections to divide the conservatives again. I wish every child could be wanted, but that is not reality. Most abortions are the result of unwanted pregnancies. So, maybe we should be focusing on unwanted pregnancies instead of abortions. How do we avoid unwanted pregnancies? Before conception, a woman can have a tubal ligation or a man can get a vasectomy. For less permanent solutions, a woman can use the rhythm method, birth control pills or an IUD. A man can use a condom. After unprotected sex, a couple can use numerous methods to avoid taking the pregnancy to term, but that is an unwanted pregnancy, which we are trying to avoid. With todays multimedia emphasis on sex, most children know about sex by the time they are 10, if not earlier. But do they know that sex results in unwanted pregnancy? Do we teach them the consequences of unprotected sex? It has been traditional for parents to teach their children about the birds and bees. But how many kids today know about contraception and STDs? How many know irresponsible sex will result in unwanted pregnancies and will have life-altering consequences? Maybe if we teach them these life lessons early they will remember them into their child bearing years. Maybe we should stop teaching about having two moms and if children arent happy it could be because they arent a boy/girl. Instead, maybe we should teach how to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Rip Blaisdell Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Teller County Negative attitudes on transgenders I was disheartened to see such a negative attitude towards transgender individuals in the July 18 edition, in the op-ed Safety of Our Children and in the opinion piece about Bud Lights controversy. There is no agenda to forcibly transition children, and the idea that any doctor would perform gender reassignment surgery on a child is absurd. Transgender children are typically assigned puberty blockers, a completely reversible process, which simply delays puberty until they are old enough to decide if they want to pursue hormone treatment. If the individual changes their mind before then, no harm is done and puberty can be experienced as usual. Meanwhile, trans children who are forced to grow up in a gender identity they do not relate to are at a much higher risk of suicide. I suppose its up to the parents would you rather have a happy kid who feels comfortable in their gender identity, or would you rather have a dead kid? Kyla Bruegel Colorado Springs Talking about hypocrisy Concerning the letter Judging other people on July 17. This is so typically an article by a follower of the religious right. Apparently, she doesnt like Democrats but Republicans seem OK. Shes got it right that hypocrisy is being human. But, just try to prove where religious people are not hypocritical. Of course, none of them commit adultery, or steal, or kill or any other sins that they have made up. How about the way they accept atheists into their lives or are sympathetic to LGBTQ concerns. Is there any judgment there? Brainwashing their children with religious dogma and protecting them from reality is to their own detriment. Living secluded unrealistic life is not healthy for anyone. I suppose the writer has no idea how much pornography is in the Bible. It is filled with incest, rape, adultery, exhibitionism, abortion, prostitution, bestiality, castration and scatology. You dont hear the preacher discussing these parts. Maybe she ought to read the Bible sometime. Reminds me of the many religious zealots who feel their way is the right way. Talking about hypocrisy? Belief is not truth. Jac Roberson Colorado Springs Aug. 6-12 is National Health Center Week, an opportunity to celebrate the immeasurable value and long legacy of community health centers in providing high-quality, integrated health care. As the only federally qualified health center in the region, Peak Vista Community Health Centers (Peak Vista) provides comprehensive primary health care to people of all ages, regardless of health insurance status or ability to pay. At Peak Vista, primary health care means we treat the whole person by integrating medical, oral, and mental health into routine care delivery. Federally qualified health centers (community health centers/CHCs), exist largely to address the social determinants of health which impact health outcomes to a larger degree than what happens inside an exam room. These factors affect an individuals health and quality of life, including financial security, access to healthy food and affordable housing, community safety, and quality health care. Peak Vistas mission is to address those factors and provide exceptional health care to people facing access barriers through clinical programs and education. And we arent alone. Theres a network of 1400 CHCs nationwide making primary health care available to everyone, from those with insurance to the under/uninsured. According to Colorado Community Health Network, 1 in 7 Coloradoans are served by CHCs and trust them as their health care home. The CHC movement began in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnsons administration as part of the war on poverty. Services were brought into communities where needed most to address the transportation, economic, and socio-cultural barriers impacting access to care. From there, the national health center program was born. Peak Vista was founded in 1971, and since then has grown from a volunteer-led organization seeing patients two days a week, to now providing comprehensive care to 81,000 patients across 22 health centers. Our service area runs from the front range to the Kansas border, encompassing 14 counties a region comparable to the land area of Delaware and Vermont combined. We believe in the imperative to be where the community needs us, and in partnership with other organizations, responding to continually changing needs as they emerge. When the pandemic struck, we were one of the first vaccine providers in the community and ensured vaccine equity was a top priority. Since then, weve administered over 53,000 vaccines. Sign up for free: Gazette Opinion Receive updates from our editorial staff, guest columnists, and letters from Gazette readers. Sent to your inbox 12:00 PM. Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. With every location in which Peak Vista operates considered a Health Professional Shortage Area for mental health, the need has never been greater to increase our ability to provide mental health services. Were rising to meet that demand, integrating mental health services into all locations and expanding our programs like our newly developed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Fellowship Program. To meet patients where they are and reach those without access to care, were expanding mobile health service delivery, doing so with the same dedication to community partnership and quality whole-person care found within our physical locations. Were also increasing community outreach programs with a Community Health Worker team and programs to reach those experiencing homelessness. According to the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, primary care is the only health care component where an increased supply is associated with better population health and more equitable outcomes. For that reason, access to primary care for all must be a priority. Thats why Peak Vista defines primary care differently, understanding that mental and oral health are integral to primary care. A communitys health is most profoundly impacted by the health of its most vulnerable residents, and alongside our community partners, Peak Vista is committed to the health of our region. You can learn more about Peak Vista by visiting peakvista.org or calling 719-632-5700. Emily Ptaszek, PsyD, MBA, FACHE serves as the president & CEO for Peak Vista Community Health Centers, a federally qualified health center serving the Pikes Peak and east-central regions of Colorado. Colorado's second-highest court on Thursday warned trial judges to be explicit about extending the legal deadline for ordering criminal defendants to pay restitution to their victims, distancing itself from a recent decision that suggested clear findings were sometimes unnecessary. The Court of Appeals has repeatedly found fault with judges' restitution orders since the Colorado Supreme Court ruled in late 2021 that the historical method of requesting and awarding compensation to crime victims did not comply with state law. In Colorado, when a convicted defendant is required to pay restitution, prosecutors typically must provide the requested amount as soon as possible or within 91 days of sentencing. Similarly, judges generally must impose the restitution amount within 91 days of sentencing. If judges need to extend their deadline to rule, they must find "good cause" exists. In People v. Weeks, which the Supreme Court decided in November 2021, the justices noted a lackadaisical approach had developed in the trial courts that failed to adhere to the clear deadlines and requirements in the law. "(B)ased on the plain and ordinary meaning of the words and phrases," Justice Carlos A. Samour Jr. clarified in the court's opinion, "any finding of good cause must be made expressly and before the court's deadline expires." In the Weld County case of Jessica Jo Roberson, that did not happen. Case: People v. Roberson Decided: July 20, 2023 Jurisdiction: Weld County Ruling: 3-0 Judges: Jaclyn Casey Brown (author) Anthony J. Navarro David H. Yun Background: State Supreme Court warns trial courts against exceeding restitution deadline Roberson pleaded guilty to stealing from her employer and Chief Judge Julie Hoskins sentenced her on June 25, 2020. Although the Supreme Court would not decide Weeks for more than a year, the Court of Appeals issued its own ruling in the Weeks case three months prior to Hoskins' sentencing putting judges on notice that they needed to find good cause within the 91-day deadline. The prosecution quickly proposed its restitution amount of $62,241. In mid-August, Hoskins held a conference with Roberson and the government, where the defense requested more information. Hoskins continued to set more hearings, crossing over the 91-day threshold, as the prosecution revised its restitution request. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. In September 2021, 446 days after Roberson's sentencing, the defense argued Hoskins lacked the authority to order restitution at all. "The Court can find, and does find, good cause to not have entered the order for restitution based on the objection and the necessity of setting it for a hearing," Hoskins responded. She ultimately ordered Roberson to pay close to $60,000 to her victim. After Roberson appealed, the government argued that she had acquiesced to holding restitution hearings outside of the 91-day deadline, thus contributing to the late-ordered restitution. But a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals saw things differently. "Defense counsel requested more information from the prosecution but did not request more time or ask that the court set a hearing beyond the statutory deadline," wrote Judge Jaclyn Casey Brown in the panel's July 20 opinion. She threaded the needle between two other recent decisions out of the appellate court. In early June, a panel decided a defendant had relinquished his right to challenge a restitution order because he specifically asked for a hearing outside the 91-day window. In late May, a different panel determined that a judge's standard procedure of extending the timeline if a defendant objects amounted to good cause. However, Brown indicated the panel analyzing Roberson's case expected more formality when a trial judge decides good cause exists for an extension. While a defendant's objection to a restitution amount may supply good cause, she wrote, "to the extent ... that simply setting a defendants objection deadline or a hearing on restitution beyond ninety-one days, by itself, constitutes an express good cause finding, we do not agree." Because Hoskins did not find good cause within the 91-day deadline to prolong her determination of restitution, the panel overturned the order. Last week, a different Court of Appeals panel found Hoskins also improperly exceeded the deadline for a defendant convicted of attempted murder and vacated her restitution order in that case. Health insurance for Coloradans in 2024 could go up by more than 11%, depending on the plan purchased. That's based on premium increases requested by health insurance companies, although not what has been approved, according to a news release from the state Division of Insurance. The increase for Colorado Option plans state-designed plans that health insurers are mandated to carry is expected to be just under 8%. But those plans apply only to the individual and small group market. Under the Colorado Option law, health insurance premiums in 2024 must be 10% lower than 2021 premiums. For 2025 plans, they must hit a 15% reduction target. Vincent Plymell, deputy commissioner at the Division of Insurance, said whether those targets are met will be determined after the division analyzes insurance company filings in the coming months. Health insurance plans and premiums should be finalized by October in time for the November open enrollment period. Under the proposal, the division said Colorado Option plan costs will increase by 7.7%, with non-option plans set to increase by 11.1%. But those are only requested rates, and the division said that some of the average premium increases could go down after the division does its analysis. Six companies Anthem/HMO Colorado, Cigna, Denver Health, Kaiser Permanente, Rocky Mountain HMO and a new company, Select Health will offer health insurance plans statewide in Colorado for 2024. Bright Health, Humana, Oscar Health, and Friday Health Plans have pulled out of the Colorado market in 2023. The division announced Monday it was seeking to liquidate the latter of that group, and that Friday Health Plans' 30,000 members would have to find new insurance when the plans cease to operate on Aug. 31. Peak Health Alliance will partner with Denver Health in 2024 to offer individual plans in eight mountain counties: Archuleta, Dolores, Grand, La Plata, Lake, Montezuma, San Juan and Summit. Peak previously partnered with Bright Health, but had to shut down for 2023 when that company pulled out of Colorado. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The division said the six insurance companies have proposed to offer 371 plans across Colorado, consisting of 30 Colorado Option plans and 341 non-Colorado Option plans. About 35,000 Coloradans enrolled in Colorado Option plans for 2023, its first year. The Polis administration and Division of Insurance cheered the numbers, which they said exceeded expectations. That figure included 10,000 who enrolled through OmniSalud, which allows undocumented immigrants to obtain health insurance. The only plans available to OmniSalud members are from the Colorado Option. In announcing the higher premiums, the Polis administration said the state's reinsurance program, which helps health insurers pay for their highest-cost claims, will continue to save Coloradans money. On average, health insurance premiums would be 21% higher without the reinsurance program. Saving people money on health care has been our top priority since day one, and we are starting to see these money-saving measures, from the Colorado Option to the Reinsurance program, putting money back into the pockets of hardworking Coloradans. This is an important step in our work to make sure every person can access and afford high-quality health care in Colorado, said Gov. Jared Polis. Adam Fox, deputy director for the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, said Thursday they were disappointed "with the significant overall increase in proposed insurance rates." That said, Fox noted a recent series of hearings and settlements with health insurers, tied to the Colorado option, which he said has produced savings for Colorado Option rates. Based on the proposed rates and what we saw during the public hearing process, the Colorado Option is increasing competition and accountability in the marketplace and ensuring that consumer savings can be found, even when insurers and hospitals attempt to avoid scrutiny. "We hope and expect that after public input on these proposals, the DOI and carriers will make significant adjustments to reach the targets. We will likely have to wait until the final rates are released in the fall to fully capture the savings that will be passed on to consumers. Plymell said that consumers should look beyond just the premium when shopping for health insurance. He said there are other considerations, such as health care needs and that of your family. The lowest premium isn't always the cheapest, when you take into consideration out of pocket costs, for health care. Spend time shopping, even if you're happy with your current coverage, he added. Next year's presidential election is poised to move from the political pages to the nation's living rooms next month as the contest for the Republican nomination reaches that modern milestone of the race's first full-fledged debate. Up to this point, there's been plenty of jockeying for position by more than a dozen candidates, with President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump sucking up most of the oxygen. But amid all the campaigning, from fundraising and endorsements to candidate appearances and some advertising in early primary states, there's something about aspiring Oval Office occupants facing off on stage under the glare of national attention, testing their mettle against each other, that signals the next phase of the seemingly never-ending campaign has begun. During the nearly 50 years since nationally televised debates first became a fixture in the race for the White House, Colorado has been home to one of each variety, serving as the host location for a Democratic primary debate, a Republican primary debate and the pinnacle of the species, a presidential debate between the two major parties' nominees. It's unknown whether Colorado will land a debate this cycle, though it appears unlikely, since the state isn't considered up for grabs in 2024 after sliding solidly into the Democratic column for the last four presidential elections. The Commission on Presidential Debates, which has organized presidential and vice presidential debates since the late 1980s, plans to release the 2024 general election debate schedule sometime this fall. So far, just one Republican presidential primary debate has been announced, with two more penciled in. Debate season is getting off to a later start than usual this cycle, potentially bringing more attention to the inaugural event once it unfolds on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee. Although details are to be determined, the second primary debate is supposed to take place in September at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. The third primary debate is rumored to be planned for sometime in October in Alabama. As has been customary for decades, the incumbent seeking reelection Biden this time around and Trump in the previous cycle skip debating their primary challengers, letting the out-party have it out. While Trump faces at least a dozen declared Republican challengers, his status as a former president and his commanding lead in nearly every poll could throw a wrinkle in recent tradition if he decides to sit out the primary debates, as he's suggested he might. As it stands, Trump's rivals are scrambling to satisfy fundraising, polling and other criteria including pledging to support the party's eventual nominee established by the Republican National Committee for an invitation to appear at Milwaukee's Fiserv Forum in the crucial swing state of Wisconsin. Set to air on Fox News, the Aug. 23 debate will be moderated by channel's Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum. It could be a while before the final line-up is known, but candidates who say they have or will soon qualify for the debate include Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. The RNC has said the threshold will rise for subsequent debates, likely thinning the herd. Colorado has been there, though it's been a while. The state witnessed its premier presidential primary debate in 1992, just days before voters cast ballots in the state's first-ever presidential primary. That year, some powerhouse Democrats chiefly New York Gov. Mario Cuomo had passed on challenging Republican President George H.W. Bush, whose popularity soared in the year before the election following the country's victory in the Persian Gulf War. While Bush faced an unexpectedly strong primary challenge of his own from conservative commentator Patrick Buchanan, most of the action by the time Colorado held its primary election in early March was on the Democratic side. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. Falling on what was dubbed Mini Super Tuesday a week before the more crowded Super Tuesday, dominated by southern states Colorado was among seven states voting on March 3, on the heels of split decisions in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, leaving no clear frontrunner. After decades of expressing its presidential nominating preferences at precinct caucuses, Colorado established a primary starting in 1992 in hopes of drawing attention to the state. It worked. The five leading Democratic candidates former Sen. Paul Tsongas of Massachusetts, Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, former Gov. Jerry Brown of California, Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas and Sen. Bob Kerrey of Nebraska. descended on Colorado in the weeks leading up to the primary. Coloradans nearly all cast ballots on Election Day in 1992, more than 20 years before the state's adoption of all-mail voting. Seen as a key prize in the early primary calendar, Colorado enjoyed unprecedented attention as all five Democrats criss-crossed the state, pressing the flesh as their campaigns flooded the airwaves with political ads, with a televised debate punctuating the chase for votes. Held on stage at the Denver Auditorium Theater on the Saturday before the primary, Feb. 29 a Leap Day the 90-minute debate was sponsored by KUSA-TV and the Rocky Mountain News, moderated by news anchor Ed Sardella with KUSA reporter Jennifer Romm and the Rocky's editor, Jay Ambrose, and editorial page editor, Vince Carroll, posing questions. The "angry and emotional" debate that's how the Washington Post characterized it covered a wide range of topics, from nuclear power to the environment, from competing proposals to simplify the tax system to Clinton's emerging reputation for playing loose with the truth. In an upset that would prove to be a high point of his campaign, Brown finished first in Colorado's primary, a couple of points ahead of Clinton, with Tsongas close behind and the others further back. Two decades later, when Colorado was considered the quintessential swing state, it was the undisputed center of the political universe for one night on Oct. 3, 2012. That's when President Barack Obama and his Republican challenger, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney before his election to the U.S. Senate from Utah met on stage inside the University of Denver's Ritchie Center for that election's first presidential debate. An estimated 67 million Americans tuned in for the 90-minute debate, which was devoted to domestic policy and moderated by PBS's Jim Lehrer. Following days of pageantry and hoopla all around town, dozens of A-list political luminaries descended on DU that night to watch and spin what is chiefly remembered as Obama's stumble out of the gate, when a feisty Romney kept the incumbent on his heels for nearly the entire debate, briefly panicking his supporters amid what appeared to be a neck-and-neck race. DU political science professor Seth Masket suggested immediately after the debate that Obama's poor performance might not cast as gloomy of a shadow as some feared. We know that presidential debates dont necessarily have a huge effect on voters at the most, its like 2 or 3 points, but were in an election where the margin could be considerably less than that, so something that could swing something by that much could be determinative, he said, adding that the debate was all about trying to reach the still-undecided sliver of an exceedingly polarized electorate. The last time Colorado was host to a presidential-level debate was Oct. 28, 2015, when the third of the 2016 cycle's dozen Republican primary debates took place at the Coors Events Center on the University of Colorado's Boulder campus. Branded "Your Money, Your Vote" by sponsor CNBC, the debate was split into a main event and an undercard, featuring 10 candidates who satisfied polling criteria in prime time and another four who fell short taking the stage two hours earlier. In addition to Trump and Christie, who are running again eight years later, the headliners were Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, surgeon Ben Carson, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Filling the undercard slots were South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and former New York Gov. George Pataki. Both portions of the debate spanning more than four hours total and derided as a "cage match" by Cruz were ostensibly devoted to the economy but left candidates and viewers alike complaining that moderators John Harwood, Carl Quintanilla and Becky Quick were unusually combative and kept veering off topic. Other than souring the RNC on CNBC's sister operation NBC News, which lost host status for a later debate, the face-off in Boulder left little trace on the primary. More than 1,000 jobs nearly two-thirds of which would pay average salaries well over $100,000 could be on their way to the Colorado Springs area. The Colorado Economic Development Commission on Thursday approved a combined $13.1 million in financial incentives to help entice three employers a Springs-based aerospace and defense engineering company, a global solar manufacturer and an information technology startup to add the jobs in the Pikes Peak region. If the companies expand or locate in the Springs area, it would be the latest in a series of economic development victories for local business and government officials. Since December, high tech manufacturers Entegris and Microchip Technology have announced plans to expand their existing Colorado Springs operations with the addition of 1,000 jobs and combined investments of almost $1.5 billion. Meanwhile, Zivaro, a Denver-based information and technology firm, announced it would bring more than 300 jobs to the Springs. "The citys economic vitality, business friendly culture and educated workforce are attracting significant interest from companies looking to locate or expand in Colorado Springs," Bob Cope, economic development officer for the city of Colorado Springs, said via email. The "support and partnership" of the Economic Development Commission, an independent panel whose members are appointed by the governor and Legislature, and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade the state agency that promotes economic growth is helping to strengthen local and state economies, Cope added. It's unknown when the three companies that were approved for the incentives Thursday will make their job decisions. It's also unknown how strong the Springs' chances are to land the jobs; the city is vying with other metro areas and states for each of the projects, according to state officials. The companies were approved for Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits, a state program designed to encourage businesses to grow jobs in Colorado. To qualify, employers must create at least 20 new net jobs in the state over eight years; jobs must pay an average annual wage of at least 100% of the average annual wage in the county where employees would work. None of the three companies was identified by state officials, who routinely offer anonymity to employers who might add or bring jobs to Colorado. Instead, each company was assigned a code name. According to state officials, they are: Project Bullseye, described as a women-owned aerospace and defense engineering company headquartered in Colorado Springs. The company expects to create 620 jobs over eight years at an average annual salary of $160,484, which is 266% of the average annual wage in El Paso County. The jobs will include software and systems engineers; the company has 400 employees, 240 of whom work in Colorado. "The company is in a high-growth mode through company acquisitions to build up capabilities and bid for new government and commercial contracts with these recent acquisitions," information presented to the state EDC said. "Their goal is to double in size over the next 5-8 years, and they are considering where to focus this growth. To support these contracts, they will build out a large SCIF (sensitive compartmented information facility) space in the next year." The company is considering bringing jobs to El Paso County and Colorado Springs, as well as Huntsville, Ala., and Weber County, Utah; it has an "existing presence" in both areas "and could reasonably relocate this growth," according to the state. "This project would support the states economic goals by creating new high-wage net jobs in the economy, supporting an award-winning women-owned businesss continued growth in Colorado, encouraging (Department of Defense) contracted companies to stay and grow in Colorado as they win new projects, and solidify our status as the best aerospace economy in the world," Office of Economic Development staffers said in their presentation to the Economic Development Commission. The commission approved up to $7,499,388 in Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits for Project Bullseye. At the same time, the Colorado Springs City Council is scheduled to consider its own economic development agreement for Project Bullseye during its work session Monday. That agreement calls for $24,000 in incentives a $14,000 sales and use tax rebate on the company's purchase of business personal property (machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures) and a similar rebate of $10,000 on its purchase of construction materials, according to a presentation that city staffers will make to the council. That presentation, which also does not identify the company behind Project Bullseye, goes into additional detail. In addition to the 620 jobs to be added, which the city pegs at a slightly lower average annual wage of $153,125, the company's expansion will create 1,053 spinoff jobs. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. The company also plans to spend $3.4 million over 10 years on buildings and improvements, furniture and fixtures and machinery and equipment, according to the city staff presentation. "A rapidly growing small business that provides cybersecurity, software, and engineering solutions to government customers," is how city staffers describe Project Bullseye, which "intends to expand into a new strategic location to expand their capabilities and to be in proximity to customers." Over 10 years, the city staff presentation shows Project Bullseye would have a total economic impact of $843 million. Though neither the state nor the city identified the company behind Project Bullseye, its descriptions could point to Boecore, the Springs-based space and missile defense company that has operations in Huntsville and Ogden, Utah. Boecore was founded in 2000 by businesswoman Kathy Boe, who grew the company into one of the Springs' more successful defense contractors; Boecore was acquired in January 2022 by Enlightenment Capital, a Washington, D.C.-based investment firm that focuses on aerospace, defense, government and technology companies. Boecore President Tom Dickson declined to comment Thursday. Project Blanc, whose company is an industrial manufacturer of solar cells and solar modules, headquartered in Switzerland and with production facilities in Germany and the U.S., state officials say. The company, according to the state, plans "a 2GW photovoltaik/solar cell manufacturing plant that will require significant building contractor involvement as well as a semiconductor-like manufacturing supply chain." The company behind Project Blanc is also considering moving its U.S. headquarters to the manufacturing plant's location. The company is considering El Paso County, but also is eying expansion in New York, Indiana and Arizona. "The main drivers for the decision are an existing facility, Colorados commitment to renewable energy and access to talent," the state says. "Additionally, the company behind Project Blanc values a local supply chain: more than 80% of the purchasing volume for their German production plant was purchased from local suppliers. Establishing a U.S. manufacturing plant in Colorado would support a local supplier network." Project Blanc expects to create 380 jobs at an average annual wage of $77,842, which is 129.4% of the El Paso County average, according to the state. The jobs will include project managers, operators, facility managers, process engineers and maintenance personnel. The company has 1,400 employees, none of whom work in Colorado. "Project Blanc would support the states economic goals by creating new high-wage net jobs and supporting Colorados transition to clean energy," Economic Development Office staffers said. "The project would bring green jobs and support Colorado moving towards zero emission buildings as outlined in the governor's administrations roadmap to 100% renewable energy by 2040." Staffers also said they've had confidential discussions with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, which has campuses in Arvada and Golden, about the technologies developed by the company behind Project Blanc and the agency "has provided positive statements about the inclusion of this type of facility in (Colorado)." The Economic Development Commission approved up to $4,944,960 in Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits over eight years. Project Verge represents a technology company "focused on modeling and simulation and cybersecurity," according to state officials. The company behind Project Verge plans to increase modeling and simulation support for Department of Defense customers; it's considering the Colorado Springs metro area, but also is weighing Albuquerque, N.M., and Fort Walton Beach, Fla. "The main drivers for their decision include talent, cost of doing business, and proximity to (Department of Defense) contractors," state officials say. The company expects to create 61 jobs at an average annual wage of $130,253.17, which is 216.51% of the El Paso County average. The jobs will include software developers and analysts; the company currently has 49 employees, with one working in Colorado. "This project would support the states economic goals by creating net new jobs in the economy and increasing the density of cybersecurity companies in Colorado," state staffers explained to the Economic Development Commission. "This project would bolster Colorados reputation as a cyber industry leader and demonstrate our competitiveness compared to other markets with strong aerospace and cybersecurity sectors." The Economic Development Commission OK'd up to $691,288 in Job Growth Incentive Tax Credits over eight years. In May, the City Council reviewed Project Verge, which at that time was described by city staffers as a veteran-owned information technology startup that was considering spending $2.2 million over four years to expand into Colorado Springs. In June, the City Council approved an economic development agreement that earmarked $14,000 in sales tax rebates for the company behind Project Verge. The Denver Public Schools Board of Education unanimously voted Friday to release the March 23 recording of its executive session, 120 days after holding the secret meeting to discuss reversing a district policy prohibiting police on campus. The vote marked a stark departure from what the district has maintained that the closed-door meeting was justified. The board did not discuss a date for the recordings release. Board President Xochitl Gaytan said she called for the special meeting after a consensus with colleagues to move forward and put their energy toward putting students first. Directors questioned that. What is the urgency now? Director Michelle Quattlebaum asked. It was a sentiment echoed by others. Quattlebaum also said she believed, like Vice President Auontai Anderson, that the recording should be released. I believe we could have done this before a lawsuit was initiated, Anderson said. A coalition of news outlets including The Denver Gazette and Colorado Politics sued the Board of Education and Stacy Wheeler, the districts custodian of records, seeking the recordings release. An attorney representing the media coalition said if not for the lawsuit, it is doubtful the public would have access to the recording because the district denied Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests and fought its release in court. Theres no doubt whatsoever that, but for this litigation, that Denver Public Schools would not be releasing the recording today or any day, said Steve Zansberg, an attorney for the media coalition. Zansberg, a First Amendment attorney in Denver and president of the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition, said this practice of denying access is not unique to DPS. Im hopeful that this result is not limited to Denver Public Schools, Zansberg said. It is not I repeat it is not an isolated incident. In a press conference following the special meeting, Anderson speculated political optics closer to the November election may have played a role in the decision to release the video. Director Scott Baldermann, who made the motion Friday to discuss releasing the executive session, told The Denver Gazette after the meeting that he was convinced the district was going to lose its legal battle with the media coalition. Its more problematic, to me, the narrative of us hiding something, Baldermann said. It is way worse because everyone fills in the blanks. Baldermann added, We dont need this to be a distraction heading into the school year. Sign up for free: News Alerts Stay in the know on the stories that affect you the most. Sign Up For Free View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters. We should have released the footage Denver District Court Judge Andrew Luxen who spent two days listening to the five-hour executive session ruled last month that the district did engage in a substantial discussion of matters not stated on the agenda and ordered DPS to release the audio recording. Luxen also said the school board did not sufficiently cite the statute forming the basis for the confidential meeting. DPS has blown by two deadlines to release the recording. Under Colorado law, state and local governments are required to discuss and take action in meetings open to the public. The law includes a carve out for specific purposes, such as when consulting an attorney or discussing personnel matters, among other things. Any actions, however, must be conducted in public. This case is about a press coalitions insistence on discovering the private discussions of a local school board held in the immediate wake of a school shooting, the district has argued. In response, the media coalition filed a motion for contempt, arguing the district has not made, nor can they make, a strong showing that they are likely to succeed on the merits of their appeal. The day after an East High School student shot and wounded two administrators on March 22, the board held an executive session to discuss security issues. Unbeknownst at the time, Superintendent Alex Marrero had requested in the hours after the shooting that the board meet in secret to discuss the districts prohibition on school resource officers (SRO), according to an email obtained under CORA. The legality of the five-hour executive session was called into question after the board emerged on March 23 with a memo temporarily lifting the districts policy barring SROs and unanimously approving the measure, without discussion. The long-term return of SROs was formally approved by the board last month. In 2020, the district had cut ties with the Denver Police Department over concerns over what activists described as the school-to-prison pipeline. Several controversies have since surfaced. These include the threat by then-Mayor Michael B. Hancock to step in with an executive order if the board failed to act and Gaytans unsuccessful attempt to reprimand Anderson for disclosing in a press conference information shared in executive session. Anderson had been the lone public voice calling for the recordings release, saying on Twitter that the community deserves to see the tape. He echoed that sentiment again Friday. We should have released the footage months ago, Anderson said. Illinois Conservative Union Chairman Carol Davis gives a speech during a meeting at Bolingbrook Golf Club on Dec. 10, 2022. She has been a leader in a national network of 2020 election deniers. (Michael Blackshire/Chicago Tribune) A conservative group headed by a 2020 presidential election denier will get access to an unredacted list of Illinois voters and their personal information, such as mail and email addresses and telephone numbers, under a federal court settlement with the State Board of Elections. The settlement includes a confidentiality order aimed at preventing dissemination of voters personal information beyond the Illinois Conservative Union. The settlement, filed Tuesday, dismisses a case brought on behalf of the Conservative Union by the right-wing group Judicial Watch. Advertisement The Conservative Union and its founder, Carol Davis, a former tea party activist from Carol Stream, had filed a federal challenge to the state election boards limitations that provided complete voter data only to political committees and governmental entities. Under a previous judicial ruling, individual voter data that greatly redacted personal information had been available to the public. Now, after paying an existing fee that had been charged to political and governmental entities, the Conservative Union can acquire a complete list of the states 8.1 million registered voters along with age, address, phone number and county and state voter ID number, except for individuals covered by special federal or state confidentiality laws. Advertisement In 2022, Davis and her Illinois Conservative Union were part of election integrity efforts mounted by the Illinois Republican Party and its unsuccessful candidate for governor, Darren Bailey. She has been a leader in a national network of 2020 election deniers along with top former aides to former President Donald Trump. Davis has contended there is fraud in every election in this country. She demonstrated a belief that left-wing, anti-fascist or antifa groups, rather than Trump supporters, were behind the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. She also expressed disappointment that a cold kept her away from that days Stop the Steal rally in Washington. Davis endorsed Trumps legal challenges to the election outcome, even though more than 60 of them were ultimately dismissed. Among those she has worked with is Cleta Mitchell, a Trump attorney who espoused debunked legal theories to try to challenge the election. Davis has long questioned the accuracy of Illinois voter rolls and contended without proof that they are bloated and, in some cases, include more registered voters than there are residents of the election jurisdiction. Judicial Watch, which took up her case, has challenged the accuracy of voter rolls in other states. Due to concerns over wider dissemination of the personal data, the settlement with the Illinois Conservative Union allows the group to get the unredacted voter lists only through the end of 2026. The group has 60 days after that date to destroy the voter lists and personal information it obtained. rap30@aol.com China's innovation achievements make U.S. theft accusation not worth refuting Xinhua) 08:11, July 21, 2023 This aerial photo taken on May 16, 2023 shows wind turbines of Honghe Yongning wind power plant in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. (Yunnan Provincial Energy Investment Group/Handout via Xinhua) * Behind the baseless accusation of China stealing American companies' technologies lurks the politically motivated U.S. scheme to contain China's scientific and technological development. * Over the past few decades, China has made historic strides and progress in the field of science and technology. BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The United States has once again recycled the groundless accusation of "China stealing intellectual property," in an attempt to further its agenda of suppressing China's scientific and technological strength. However, international experts have pointed out that China's achievements in scientific and technological innovation are indisputable. The narrative of "China stealing intellectual property" lacks any factual basis and is nothing more than a politically motivated ploy concocted by some Western countries. CLIMBING RANKING Over the past few decades, China has made historic strides and progress in the field of science and technology. According to a recent report published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the China National Intellectual Property Administration received 1.59 million patent applications in 2021, ranking first among the about 150 countries and regions worldwide. China also leads the world in the number of trademark applications and industrial design applications. In 2022, a total of 798,000 invention patents were authorized. By the end of 2022, the total number of valid invention patents in China had reached 4.21 million, of which 3.28 million were held by inventors from the Chinese mainland, said Hu Wenhui, deputy head of the National Intellectual Property Administration, at a press conference earlier this year. China has not only consistently ranked first globally in terms of intellectual property applications but has also experienced a steady rise in its global innovation ranking in recent years. According to the annual report of the Global Innovation Index (GII) published by the WIPO, China has shown remarkable progress in innovation since joining the index in 2013 at an initial rank of 35th. Every year since then, China has steadily climbed the rankings. In 2020, 2021, and 2022, China achieved rankings of 14th, 12th, and 11th respectively, demonstrating its consistent upward trajectory in global innovation. Commending China's achievements and progress on intellectual property over the past decades, WIPO Director General Daren Tang recently said that China's intellectual property strategy is exemplary. A visitor tries to operate a vehicle supported by King Long 5G technology at an exhibition of the 6th Digital China Summit in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, April 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Wei Peiquan) SOUND INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM A consistent innovation policy, increased spending on education and science and the ability to translate all these into sound results are behind China's current role as a global innovation leader, said Sacha Wunsch-Vincent, head of Section, Economics and Statistics Division at the WIPO. "The speed with which China has built well-known high-tech firms, mostly in the information and communication technology sector or the white goods sector, including large home appliances, etc., which are known around the world, has been impressive," he said. He underlined that China has overtaken Japan, Germany and the United States in the number of international patent applications by origin, scaled by GDP, and its lead is striking when considered in absolute terms. The same is true for the number of trademarks and industrial designs by origin as a percentage of GDP. What matters more than the numbers game is the constant pursuit of a "sound, organic innovation ecosystem in China, which is sufficiently connected to the innovation actors of other countries," Wunsch-Vincent said. Speaking of China's steady climb in the Global Innovation Index ranks, Wunsch-Vincent believes that it is not at all unnatural, as China's policymakers have tried to consistently review and improve on their past innovation policies. "We can see an effort to improve further, be it in the field of reinforcing science-industry linkages, in further building Chinese innovation clusters, or in putting the huge stock of Chinese intellectual property filings to use via commercialization or cross-licensing," he said. Francis Gurry, the WIPO's former director general, has said, "We see that a massive structural transformation is underway in the Chinese economy from low-cost labor manufacturing and factories to much higher knowledge-intensive industries, and innovation is the key to the success of that transformation." Gurry believes that such a key ingredient has engaged and rallied the whole country behind this top-down policy, including state-owned enterprises, private enterprises, universities and research institutions. The number of scientific publications and international patent applications from China continues to rise, he said. "All the indicators are positive and follow consistent trends. And I think this policy of a carefully-planned, high-level focus on innovation is part of the key to China's success," he said. People visit the exhibition center of Zhongguancun National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone in Beijing, capital of China, May 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) BASELESS ACCUSATION Behind the baseless accusation of China stealing American companies' technologies lurks the politically motivated U.S. scheme to contain China's scientific and technological development. Debunking the "technology theft" rhetoric targeting China, William Jones, Washington bureau chief of U.S. publication Executive Intelligence Review, said that "most of the hype around the so-called technology theft is simply a political gimmick to undercut some of the progress China has made over the last few decades." China is in the midst of an industrialization process, "a point at which they have the native talent in abundance and the support of the government to move forward at a rapid pace as the world now realizes," he added. China has emerged as a global leader in multiple domains, including 5G, e-commerce, mobile payment, smartphones, clean energy technologies, and fintech. Moreover, substantial advancements have been made in areas such as AI, electric transportation, and autonomous driving. There are arguments that linkages with China "facilitate the leakage of our intellectual property," Michael Wesley, deputy vice-chancellor (international) at the University of Melbourne, wrote in an opinion piece titled "Australia must engage with China, our future depends on it." "This is a view that is both limiting and misinformed," Wesley said. "Chinese researchers don't need collaborations to 'steal' our intellectual property." According to recent studies referenced in the journal Science, he said, Chinese researchers account for the highest proportion of the most cited scientific papers of any country in the world. "Other studies also show Chinese research is rising fast in innovation and quality." China's commitment to fostering innovation is evident in its investment in research and development (R&D). According to data published by the National Bureau of Statistics, China's investment in basic research stood at 195.1 billion yuan (about 27.3 billion U.S. dollars) in 2022, accounting for 6.32 percent of the total R&D spending, ranking second globally after the United States. It's a "common misconception" to view China as a copier, said Robert Atkinson, president of the U.S. Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, "China can and does innovate." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The State Historical Society of Iowas mobile museum made a stop at the Mansion Museum in Forest City during Puckerbrush Days July 14-15 as part of its journey to all 99 Iowa counties. Housed in a custom-built Winnebago, the 300-square-foot museum on wheels launched in 2017 and completed its first 99-county tour in 2019, making 175 stops along the way and attracting nearly 65,000 visitors, including 11,400 students. The current exhibition, Iowa History 101: Iowas People & Places, debuted in 2021 and will continue its 99-county journey through the end of this year. The public participated in free self-guided tours of the mobile museum in the Mansion Museum parking lot at 336 North Clark Street. This traveling exhibit has been a huge success because it shares Iowa history in towns across the entire state, and Iowans are eager to have that experience in their communities, State Historical Society of Iowa Administrator Susan Kloewer said. We're grateful to our community hosts and generous sponsors who are helping make this next 99-county tour possible. The exhibition shares stories from Iowa's past with an eclectic array of artifacts from the State Historical Museum of Iowas permanent collection, plus a video narrated by former WOI-TV host Jackie Schmillen. Guests saw iconic artifacts that reflect the role of Iowans in state, national and international events, including a Meskwaki cradleboard representing the past and continued presence of Native nations in Iowa. They were also able to see womens suffrage materials from the early 1900s and the pen used by Iowa Governor William Harding to sign Iowas resolution in support of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Other artifacts include a menu from a dinner held in Des Moines for Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, in 1959, as well as photos of a southeast Asian refugee and Sudanese women in central Iowa, and a flight suit that southern Iowa native and accomplished astronaut Peggy Whitson wore during one of multiple expeditions (totaling 665 days) aboard the International Space Station. These images and objects remind us of the role Iowans played in global events, State Curator Leo Landis said. Its easy to overlook the significant contributions Iowans have made in promoting equality and liberty, but this exhibit can inspire all Iowans to understand and appreciate our past and promote these values. EMC Insurance Companies sponsored the first tour and renewed its support for the new exhibition. "EMC Insurance Companies has deep roots in Iowa, EMC Executive Vice President Beth Nigut said. Were proud to be a part of our states history and excited to help share it with Iowans across the state. The idea for the mobile museum emerged in 2014 from a series of community conversations. Iowans care deeply about history and made it clear they wanted new ways to access the State Historical Museums resources. Iowans may request a visit from the mobile museum for their local schools, libraries, museums, community festivals, county fairs and other places where people gather. Visits are complimentary and the tours are self-guided. More details are available at history.iowa.gov. Iowans can also follow the mobile museum's statewide journey on Facebook at facebook.com/IowaHistory. The traveling exhibition presenting sponsor is EMC Insurance Companies and fuel sponsor is Caseys. Additional partner support is provided by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Winnebago Industries, Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, and Mike Wolfe. Many North Iowa aquatic centers are closed until further notice due to certification problems. According to a statement from Manly Mayor Tim O'Keefe, the pools were notified that the persons providing training for many North Iowa lifeguards did not follow proper guidelines. The American Red Cross will be working with nearly 300 lifeguards who have been affected. According to a release from Mason City City Hall, the lifeguards were notified by the headquarters of the American Red Cross on Thursday. The majority of the certifications for staff at the Mason City Family Aquatic Center were obtained by an instructor at the Mason City YMCA. Mason City Family Aquatic Center anticipates reopening Tuesday, July 25. The goal is to reopen the pools as soon as possible. The Clear Lake Aquatic Center remains open, and the Forest City Aquatic Center was closed until at least 3 p.m. Friday due to unrelated issues. The Lake Mills Aquatic Center and the Sheffield and Garner pools remain open. The following North Iowa pools have been confirmed to be closed until further notice: Mason City. Nora Springs. Manly. Hampton. Rockwell. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Mason City administrators and representatives from the Iowa Department of Transportation and WHKS were on hand Thursday evening to discuss the upcoming Highway 122 corridor improvements. The public information meeting was held at the Mason City Room of the Mason City Public Library. The project bids will be let in January 2025 with construction beginning in the spring. There will be multiple phases of the construction as Highway 122 is a major transportation corridor for the city. Mason City Administrator Aaron Burnett said the phased plans are designed to allow for emergency personnel to easily access the hospital. "Mercy is not only our main health care provider, they're also one of our largest employers with over 2,600 employees. The phases are set up to allow everyone access to the hospital while still getting the work done," Burnett said. The project is a major one and includes new signal lights, pavement replacement and other improvements, and is scheduled to be completed by fall 2026. It runs from just west of South Pierce Avenue to South Monroe Avenue. Burnett and city administrators are aware a project of this magnitude involving a busy thoroughfare is going to be an inconvenience for many people, but he feels the work is worth it. "The pavement replacement is going to provide better rideability and signal improvement among other things to an essential part of our corridor. It's an investment in the future, and if we don't do these things it's a challenge for down the road," Burnett said. This year's North Iowa Fair runs through Sunday, and board president Paul Gagnon took the time during the opening ceremony Wednesday to thank and honor the Nesbit family for their contributions to the success of the Open Class Exhibits. For the last 11 or so years, mother Cheryl and sisters Amy and Heidi have managed the open-class exhibits in the Olsen Building at the North Iowa Fair. Cheryl Nesbit's memories of the fair date back to her childhood. "Mom used to fry up chicken for us in the morning. She'd pack it up and fill a jar with coffee for her and dad. She'd wrap it up in a towel to keep it hot. We'd spend the whole day at the fair," she reminisced. "Lunch would come around and we'd eat what she brought, no fridge or anything." She joined 4-H when she turned 10, and after she aged out of the program became a leader for the group for another 21 years. Eventually she volunteered to manage the open class exhibits. She's entered plenty of her own work over the years, even winning Grand Champion for a handmade quilt last year. It's her favorite class because she's an accomplished quilter. "The girls didn't get volunteered so much as they got volun-told," said Cheryl Nesbit with grin. It's a joke she's made before, but both Heidi and Amy are good-natured about it because they enjoy the work. Heidi works as a CNA in Mason City at Good Shepherd Inc. in the alzheimer's and dementia unit. Her soft, sweet demeanor hides a fierce intelligence and hardworking attitude. Amy is a special education teacher at Pinecrest Center, a school for young people with emotional and behavioral challenges. She's also a foster mom to an eight year old. Together, they're something of an unstoppable force. There are seven departments each with subdivided classes that fit just about any project. Each contestant fills out an entry form with each of their entries, and the Nesbits then get to work. This year, the family managed 77 exhibitors throughout all classes. "Oh, if you can make it by hand, we have a class for you. If we don't, we'll make one," Cheryl says. There were two new classes this year, an ugly lamp and tablescaping contests. The Nesbits were pleased to accept the honor from Gagnon, as they have retired from the management of the open classes. Mostly. The ladies stepped away a couple of years ago, but were called back when the exhibits were going unattended. They have happily passed the baton to new volunteers, but are still available to help out when necessary. "I think I'd like to see the sea lions," said Cheryl. "I usually don't get to see much of the fair." On 21 July 2023, the Minister for Family Affairs and Integration, Max Hahn, invited representatives of the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) and the Social Security Inspectorate (IGSS) to a press conference to present the final report on the evaluation of the Social Inclusion Income Scheme (REVIS). MFAMIGR (fr. l. to r.) Pierre Lammar, Ministry for Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region; Max Hahn, Minister for Family Affairs and Integration; Frederic Berger, General Inspectorate for Social Security (IGSS); Silvia Girardi, Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER) "Some people do not have the financial resources to cover their needs and live in dignity. In Luxembourg, however, they can count on the solidarity of the society", says Max Hahn, Minister for Family Affairs and Integration. REVIS is one of the main ways of combating financial poverty and social exclusion. The aim of the social inclusion income (REVIS) is to help households on modest incomes and to provide a basic means of subsistence to anyone who meets the relevant conditions. Currently, 10,000 households, or 24,000 people, benefit from REVIS. A third of these households have no other income. In November 2021, LISER and the IGSS were commissioned by the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region to carry out an evaluation of the REVIS system. This evaluation follows a motion passed by the Chamber of Deputies when the projet de loi 7113 on REVIS was introduced. REVIS came into force on 1st January 2019, replacing the Guaranteed Minimum Income (RMG), the legal basis for which dated back to 1986. The main conclusions of the evaluation The amounts intended for families with children, and more specifically those intended for single-parent families with children, provide these families with financial resources that are 19% to 51% higher than they would have received under the RMG. REVIS is therefore an important instrument for reducing child poverty in Luxembourg. At the request of the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region, Statec calculated a reference budget for households with children at the end of 2022. This budget represents the financial minimum necessary to live decently in the country. In its analysis, Statec concludes that REVIS offers good protection for these households: it exceeds the minimum budget in almost all cases. However, the evaluation also shows that households without children have fewer financial resources at their disposal, which places them slightly below the level of the RMG. This is an issue that will need to be addressed by a future government. One of the main objectives of REVIS is to encourage beneficiaries to take up a professional activity in order to enable them to enter the labour market, while respecting the skills and personal situation of each individual. As part of this action strand, the activation measures proposed by the Office national d'inclusion sociale (ONIS) and ADEM have been adapted and made consistent. According to the LISER and IGSS reports, ADEM's profiling system has proved its effectiveness. The results show that beneficiaries are guided effectively and correctly, and that the "gateways" or "passerelles" that exist between the two schemes are working, enabling beneficiaries to be reoriented if necessary. The REVIS law has also redefined cooperation between the various administrations. Administrative procedures and the monitoring of beneficiaries have been significantly improved. However, it has also been noted that certain aspects still need to be clarified, whether in the area of communication or procedures. The integration of the Regional Social Inclusion Officers (ARIS) into the Social Offices has paid off and has made it possible to provide REVIS beneficiaries with more comprehensive support. There is a need to continue along this path and to clarify and refine certain areas of cooperation in this field. Press release by the Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and the Greater Region Episode 99: We often hear people talk about the past in glowing ways. The people of the past, many think, behaved better, were more trustworthy and had a better set of ethical standards. But you dont have to look too closely at our history to see that past generations were much less welcoming of people who were different than them often in pretty horrific ways. Host Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss this disconnect between what we think about the past and what the past was really like. Links to stories discussed during the podcast: Your brain has tricked you Into thinking everything is worse, by Adam Mastroianni, The New York Times Why it's harder for families to 'thrive,' by Matthew Yglesias, Slow Boring About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Miracle Club (PG-13) At the Myrna Grade: B Mission Impossible (PG-13) At the Cinemark Grade: B- Miracle Club I had high hopes that an Irish director, teaming with an Irish cinematographer to tell a story of working class Ireland in 1967 would be as tasty as a pint of Guinness in ONeills pub on Pearse Street. Alas, even with a cast that includes Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates and Laura Linney, Miracle Club delivers no miracles, settling for an occasional touch of tenderness and some sweeping shots of Irish landscape. Thats not nothing, mind you, but it was not enough for me perhaps because I love Ireland. The culprit is the thin predictable script, filled with cliches about helpless husbands and bickering old ladies. The tale begins with a talent show offering a prize the ladies covet: a trip to Lourdes in France to seek a miracle. The ladies wear matching dresses, sing in harmony and lose. Not to fear, the boy winner gives up his spot for them. Each lady has her reason to long for a miracle, ranging from guilt to a cancer scare. As they leave, a bad memory arrives a daughter (Linney) who left home and never returned until mom died. Everybody in this gossipy town still hates her for abandoning her mom. In the end, bitterness will be replaced by forgiveness. I loved Linney, but kept shaking my head at how a tale of faith and forgiveness had been reduced to a Golden Girls sitcom. Mission Impossible I loved the original TV series Mission Impossible starring Peter Graves. Cleverly written for a charismatic cast, the series was addictive. From the get-go, the big screen adaptation was bigger, faster and dumber. But with Tom in Cruise-control, the splashy franchise soared. The latest installment, Dead Reckoning, is Part I. We have found the blinking key. Next year we will find out what the key opens. The villain is an AI program called The Entity, a rebellious cyborg seeking world domination. Granted, thats a timely premise in 2023, the year AI became smarter than CS professors. I only wish the Mission Impossible story was as smart as ChatGPT. One would think that the worlds most advanced program could outwit Tom. Thats a low bar. Battling AI should be a Fischer/Spaasky chess match, a duel of brains. Instead, we get trains, motorcycle and a distraction Toms latest pretty companion. Agent 007 gave us Bond girls. Tom prefers brunettes. By comparison Spiderverse was smart and sassy as it leaped across wrinkles in time. But give Tom Cruise his due: He never phones in a performance and even does his own stunts. His energy drives the film, and the production values are stunning. If thats enough, enjoy. A swashbuckling coming-of-age tale and a story of a trusted leader abusing his power. These are but a glimpse of the two timeless tales Montana Shakespeare in the Parks is staging this summer. They perform The Three Musketeers, Monday, July 31, and Measure for Measure, Tuesday, Aug. 1. Both free shows are at 6 p.m. in Anchor Park adjacent to Lewis & Clark Library. Shakespeares Measure for Measure contains elements of both comedy and tragedy, refusing to fall neatly into either category. Its seen as one of Shakespeare's problem plays due to its shift in mood, according to scholars. But executive artistic director Kevin Asselin shrugs off that label. He finds this play particularly relevant to today in the way it explores themes of power, class dynamics and justice. In MSIPs production, the tale unfolds in 1980s Vienna. Duke Vincentio decides to step out of his leadership role to supposedly take a diplomatic journey and appoints a deputy, Angelo, to be in charge. In reality, Vincentio takes on a disguise, seeking to secretly view the city and Angelos rule. Angelo, quickly strays from the dukes governance norms and orders the execution of a young gentleman Claudio, who has gotten his fiance pregnant before they could marry. Angelo offers to spare Claudios life in return for a sexual favor from Claudios sister, Isabella, a young novice nun who has come to Angelo to plead for her brothers life. Measure for Measure is one of Shakespeares most modern plays and one of Asselins favorites. The sparring matches between Isabella and Angelo are some of Shakespeares most thrilling and explosive writing, Asselin writes in his directors notes, and Claudios sublime speech about life after death continually haunts me. What happens when leaders in power are corrupt?" asks Asselin. Were asking these same questions around governance today. I am continually surprised at how salient it is to the current moment. Political corruption and hypocrisy, apparently, are timeless. The play also examines the qualities of mercy, forgiveness and togetherness. Despite the darkness of some of the topics, Shakespeare doesnt forget the power of humor, as the play oscillates between farce and tragedy, said Asselin. I hope people lean in on Isabellas journey. Isabella is put through quite a lot in the course of the journey she endures. She is the one who really presents all the themes on the abuse of power and corruption. And she elevates the ideas of mercy and the qualities of mercy. MSIP also presents the classic adventure, The Three Musketeers as a nod to all the young people in the audience. Last year, Asselin happened to be in Choteau for the performance of King Lear, and I was amazed by the number of young people. With them in mind, he chose an action-packed coming-of-age tale that they could relate to. Set in 17th century France and England, it is based on the classic story by Alexandre Dumas about a young man, dArtagnan, who leaves home to pursue his dream of joining the elite Musketeers of the Guard. He travels to Paris, where he befriends the legendary Three Musketeers Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. His bravery impresses the king, but ensnares him in deadly schemes of Cardinal Richelieu and the beautiful yet depraved Milady Clarik. The sweeping adventureis fun, fast and engaging, Asselin said. And its been drawing quite the crowds, said tour manager Riley OToole, who plays one of the Musketeers, Athos. The script by Robert Kauzlaric covers the whole span of the novel. Theres a lot of fast-paced action and sword fights, and a world-class sound designer has scored it like a movie. This years two plays offer something for everyone, OToole said. Now in its 51st year, MSIP has launched its largest tour to date logging 7,000 miles with 78 shows in 63 communities across five states, including Montana, Idaho, North Dakota, Washington and Wyoming. MSIP is an outreach program of Montana State Universitys College of Arts and Architecture and was founded on the firm belief that Shakespeare belongs to everyone. Its reach and accessibility are unmatched by any other program of its nature in the country Helena attendees can spread out picnic blankets the morning of each performance, but cannot leave them overnight due to the sprinkler system turning on at night. Folks are urged to weigh down their blankets with canned goods that will be collected for Helena Food Share. MSIP will also be performing Measure for Measure in Townsends Heritage Park 6 p.m. Friday, July 28, and in Boulder at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 30. Photos: 'Othello' by Montana Shakespeare in the Parks Shakespeare in the Parks Shakespeare in the Parks Shakespeare in the Parks Shakespeare in the Parks Shakespeare in the Parks Shakespeare in the Parks Shakespeare in the Parks Shakespeare in the Parks Shakespeare in the Parks Shakespeare in the Parks At the end of last month, there were five people in the Flathead County Detention Center either waiting for a mental health evaluation at the Montana State Hospital or needing transportation to the facility in Warm Springs for services. One of those cases was a local woman first evaluated in December 2022 and found unfit to proceed in the legal process. She was ordered to be sent to the hospital, but was still waiting six months later for a spot that Kalispell Judge Amy Eddy said Thursday wasnt likely to open for another half-year. Those wait times and the associated human and financial costs were just one small sliver of the gaps in the states behavioral health network that came up Thursday during the initial meeting of a commission formed by the Legislature earlier this year to help decide how to spend about $300 million in money to rebuild the services for those with mental health issues and developmental disabilities around the state. The money, set aside in House Bill 872 from Rep. Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork, is intended to be spent over the next half-decade or so. The commission heard from those involved in providing mental health and developmental disability services about their frustrations with the dismantling of a regional network of care around the state over the last several decades, with acute cuts made in 2017 because of a projected state budget shortfall. I ask you to address the past abandonment of many community-based behavioral health services in very rural communities and counties, of which Dillon and Beaverhead County figure prominently, said Katherine Buckley-Patton, with the Beaverhead County Mental Health Local Advisory Council and the Western Service Area Authority. Much of the meeting included discussions about various ongoing evaluations of components of services around the state, including the beleaguered Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs that lost its federal funding over patient mistreatments and deaths last year. State health department Director Charlie Brereton also told the committee his department recently closed a request for proposal issued by the state Department of Public Health and Human Services to hire a consultant on a contract to help in designing and implementing a cohesive behavioral health system and developmental disability service strategy that meets the needs of Montana with excellence. The wide-ranging contract is expected to be awarded in coming weeks; a price for the contract was not immediately available but Brereton said the work would be funded from the $300 million pot of money. The committee is also accepting through mid-August feedback from people who are involved in the system about top challenges with getting services and ideas for how to best spend the money to improve things. The deadline for those comments was July 31 but that will be extended to Aug. 11, Brereton said. The commission is made up of a group of legislators and state government officials and employees. It includes Rep. Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork; Brereton, director of the state health department; Patrick Maddison, CEO of Flathead Industries; Janet Lindow, executive director and co-founder of the Rural Behavioral Health Institute; Rep. Michele Brinkley, R-Hamilton; Rep. Mike Yakawich, R-Billings; Rep. Dave Fern, D-Whitefish; Sen. John Esp, R- Big Timber; and Sen. Ellie Boldman, D-Missoula. The commission will develop recommendations to send to Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, who will have final say over what spending and projects are approved. The money can be spent on a variety of things, from studying and planning for a comprehensive behavioral health system to community-based investments to stabilize existing services. It can also be used to match federal Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance Program payments for certain types of behavioral health care and services for those with intellectual disabilities. It cannot be used to help operate existing state facilities. Mary Windecker, executive director of the Behavioral Health Alliance of Montana, urged the commission to focus on prevention as well as treatment. There's a lot of savings to be had by treating people before they fall off the cliff and become involved with the justice community or are sent to the Montana State Hospital; $300 million sounds like a lot of money, but it will go very quickly if we establish crisis facilities in many state hospitals across the state and don't really shore up some of the prevention and community-based programs that people keep people out of those facilities, Windecker said. Matt Kuntz, the executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Montana, warned legislators about the challenges of working to develop a statewide network after failed efforts in the past that ebbed and flowed through different Legislatures and governor administrations. Please, as you build this, remember: give us something that we can fight for, that's an easy sell. The last time that we did regional facilities, I don't even think that they made it to being built. So please, as you're building this out, remember it's going to be a long, hard fight for this stuff, Kuntz said. Those who spoke Thursday also brought up related issues plaguing Montana they said feed into behavioral health problems. It does not matter, in my observation, how much mental health treatment is ordered if a person does not have a safe place to sleep. I would add chemical dependence in there as well, Eddy, the judge in Kalispell, said. The commission on Thursday said its next steps will be setting its priorities at its next meeting, as well as hearing from more people involved in behavioral health services in Montana. They aim to meet again next in the early fall. Faced with an increasingly hostile populace over the recent skyrocketing property tax reappraisals, Montanas Democrats are backing a one-day special legislative session to deal with the issue. Make no mistake, this is a very, very bad idea thats trying to paste over the dereliction of duty by both parties to comprehensively address the complex issue of which they were forewarned, but foolishly ignored. In the Democrats fantasy world, either Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte would call a special session or the legislators would call themselves into session. As noted in a number of nearly identical op-ed columns, theyre supporting a one-day special session of the Legislature to reduce the state residential property tax rate from 1.35 to 0.94 percent. While Montanas residents would certainly welcome a comprehensive solution to the large and growing concern over whether their property taxes will force them out of their homes or bankrupt them, the one-day session is little more than naive pandering from people like current legislators and former governor Brian Schweitzer who should know better. Its a foundational tenet that you should never negotiate from a position of weakness and never in Montanas history have Democrats been in a weaker position than right now in their legislative super-minority. If the recent session showed us anything, its that Democrats have absolutely no chance of stopping anything the Republican super-majority wants to pass. None whatsoever, which was brutally proved by the incredible number of punitive and bad policy bills passed and signed into law by Gianforte. Its a total mystery why the Democrats think these same Republican legislators wouldnt immediately expand the scope of the session as soon as the first gavel fell. Given that there have been attempts to expand the call of virtually every special session in the last four decades, theres absolutely no reason to believe that wouldnt happen again and they dont have the votes to stop it. Moreover, considering the new laws already facing court challenges or rejected as unconstitutional and nearly a million bucks for the state to defend those measures it only makes sense that Republicans would love to take another bite at the apple on the same and even more issues. And who knows what the Freedom Caucus might come up with given another chance to peddle their ideological drivel. As anyone who has ever dealt with special legislative sessions knows, they are absolutely the worst way to make law let alone in one day! Montanans constitutional right to observe and participate in our own government is basically non-existent during special sessions. Why? Because special sessions move so quickly there simply isnt time to read the bills, provide notice of hearings, opportunity to submit testimony, or review amendments added in committees. We wont even be able to know how our so-called representatives are voting until its too late. Nothing about the soaring property reappraisal is simple nothing. Nor will it be sufficiently addressed by the simple fix the Democrats somehow think theyll force the Republican legislative super-majority and governor to accept. It would be laughable were it not so tragic. Make no mistake, this is an issue that threatens the financial stability of most of the states population and citizens from property owners to renters deserve every opportunity to weigh in, not watch helplessly from the bleachers. This is not about grandstanding or scoring points in the endlessly stupid R v D, Red v Blue game politicians love to play. This is about our homes, our families, and our future and we need good, sound governance and tax policy right now not a hit-and-run one-day legislative fiasco. DECATUR The first modular classroom units have been delivered to Garfield Learning Academy and are being installed for use in the upcoming school year. Each unit contains one classroom and restrooms, said district spokeswoman Denise Swarthout, and they are unfurnished, but Decatur Public Schools has furniture and technology in the warehouse that can be used in the units. Furniture and equipment at Dennis, and some personal items belonging to teachers, are locked in the buildings, which have been closed to all entry since a July 13 letter from the Illinois Department of Labor informing the district of a complaint to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Some district staff were moving items out of the closed buildings prior to that notice. Both Dennis School buildings were closed on May 31 due to structural concerns. After a second structural engineer examined the buildings and deemed them unsafe, the district will send Dennis students to Garfield, 300 Meadow Terrace Place, which has 15 classrooms. Because that isn't enough to house all of the approximately 500 students in K-8 at Dennis, the modular classrooms have been leased to provide 16 more classrooms. However, not all the units will arrive in time for the Aug. 14 start date for the school year. Swarthout said last week that the district is still waiting for word from the Illinois State Board of Education and the employee bargaining units on whether they will approve a later start date for Dennis students. If a later start date for Dennis is approved, those students will not be required to attend for extra days at the end of the year to make up for the late start, Superintendent Rochelle Clark said. All other Decatur schools will start their year on Aug. 14. The Decatur school board authorized the administration to spend up to $2 million to lease the units, which will cover only the cost of the lease, and will come out of the 1% additional sales tax revenue approved by voters in 2010 to pay for schools' facility needs countywide. Site preparation work is largely being handled by district maintenance staff, such as footings, walkways between the modular units and the main building, and preparing the units for the installation of technology. Utilities also had to be expanded to serve the modular units, such as electric, water and sewer. Students will move between the classrooms and the main building for activities like lunch and physical education. The likely scenario is that younger students will be assigned to classrooms in the main building, while older students will use the modular classrooms. That will cut down on difficulties such as getting coats on during cold weather to go to the main building, Chief Financial Officer Mike Curry told the school board during an earlier meeting. Transportation and bus routes are in the works, as Dennis' west end location is a significant distance from the Garfield building on Decatur's south side. And while the plan at the moment only extends to the upcoming 2023-24 school year, it's also likely that Dennis students will occupy their temporary space for longer. Decisions about the future of the Mosaic campus, 1499 W. Main St., Dennis' original footprint, and the Kaleidoscope campus, 520 W. Wood St., have not yet been made. If those buildings cannot be saved, the district will have to create an alternative plan. If that would include a new building for Dennis, board member Al Scheider said at the July 11 board meeting, a final solution could be several years away. Jennifer Panganiban attended Mount Zion Intermediate School during a time when that district used modular classrooms. As a kid, I dont remember minding it at all, she said. In fact, it was kind of a treat to get to go outside to get there. Modular classrooms were used for driver's education at Stephen Decatur when it was still a high school, and Kristi Mullinix, who is now principal of South Shores School, attended class in them. I was in the first class that used the drivers training one 1977, she said. We got to drive the cars down to the track every morning. Modular units were also used at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in 1989, said Terri Dunham, who started working there that year. Thomas Jefferson students were moved to Stephen Decatur Middle School as part of the BOLD Facilities Plan, and the building at 4735 E. Cantrell St. was remodeled to become Montessori Academy for Peace in 2021. While Dunham was at Thomas Jefferson, she said, the modular units were used for classes for students with hearing impairments and for a math class. There were two units then, before an addition was built that made them unnecessary. Barb Collins attended Thomas Jefferson 50 years ago, she said, and modular units were also in use then. "It was only really a pain in winter, but they kept the sidewalks cleared and (the units) were pretty close to the main building," she said. "(We) had four, I think. I had math in the closest one, both years. They were very nice inside, had air conditioning and of course heat. No restrooms in them. (They) were only a couple years old at that time." Modular classrooms look a bit like mobile homes from the outside, and the ones at Garfield have yet to be unpacked and set up, but will be behind the school. Each will have restrooms, technology and all the amenities the classrooms in the buildings will have, including security. Photos: Special school board meeting on Dennis Lab School plans Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy reacted while proverbially wearing the largest blinders ever. Tracy was reacting to the decision by the Illinois Supreme Court to reverse a lower court's decision, reinstating the law (Tracy's release calls it "J.B. Pritzker's law") eliminating cash bail. Tracy said the "Supreme Court ruling makes it painfully clear that elections have consequences. Democrats, first led by Mike Madigan and now by JB Pritzker, spent tens of millions of dollars to elect a 5-2 majority of Democrats on the Illinois Supreme Court. It is not surprising that the Court would vote along political lines to allow Governor Pritzker and the Democrat-controlled legislature to disregard constitutionally protected rights of crime victims in abolishing cash bail." Neither party has the high ground when it comes to loading the courts or political maps with lopsided decisions that aren't quite right. On this page, we and others regularly report on and protest the politicization of U.S. courts. Besides, the court's decision was largely expected, certainly for the reason Tracy cites, with the vitriol of his statement removed. So let's go ahead and try this experiment. Law enforcement and court officials are wary of its possibilities. The intention of the new SAFE-T Act is to level the justice system by stopping defendants from sitting in jail solely 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. Court officials are concerned about manpower and the dramatic shift in directives. Law enforcement cautions about the public safety factor when allowing accused criminals to go free without bail. But non-violent, small-time offenders will get to keep their freedom. We certainly shouldn't have people sitting in jail for a year because they dont have the financial means to get out. Change is difficult, and this change, like so many others, could be as good as its advocates promise or as appalling as its critics fear. If it turns out to be a nightmare, we obviously will have to take a different step. NEW YORK In a sea of canned cocktails, Gay Water wants to stand out. Launching Thursday is a brightly colored canned vodka and soda beverage that proudly displays who its for, instead of backing off from support for the LGBTQ+ community as other companies have done in recent months. In other words, where Bud Light has buckled under pressure as bigotry grows against the LGBTQ+ community, Gay Waters creator Spencer Hoddeson wants his new boozy brand to be the antithesis of that. The key issue that Bud Light tapped into was the fact that they didnt understand their core audience and know enough about them, Hoddeson, a gay man, told CNN about the controversy that began when the Anheuser-Busch beer brand sent influencer Dylan Mulvaney a can of beer. They just went silent and I think in 2023, you have to be communicating because people communicate themselves if theyre not hearing from you. Gay Water, however, is out and proud. The canned cocktail is named after a colloquialism given to the popular mixed drink (vodka and soda) ordered at bars by the gay community. Its also one of the few openly queer-owned alcohol brands, which Hoddeson said sparked him to create because he wanted more representation in the category. Were creating a brand that creates representation, particularly in spaces where representation is lacking like liquor stores, bars, restaurants and grocery stores, he said. Putting a product with the word gay in the title is representation itself, which he hopes reclaims the word from the negativity its sometimes associated with. He thought of creating Gay Water about a year ago while on a vacation with his friend that had got a job within the beverage industry. The two chatted about the limited amount of gay people within it, and with Hoddeson burnt out from his traditional day job in tech, started the canned cocktail. Big online Hoddeson built up a strong social media following on TikTok and Instagram during Covid-19 and is using some of the money from that (as well as from friends and family) to help fund Gay Water. He worked together with a queer designer creating the colorful packaging, which pulls inspiration from 90s Nickelodeon shows and pop art. I wanted to build something that is queer and part of the community, but isnt necessarily rainbows and unicorns that you see all around pride, he said. Gay is an umbrella term and the idea behind the brand is to be as inclusive as possible, which means we want allies, we want straight people to be part of this community were building. For now, Gay Water is sold largely online (with a few retailers) and comes in four sugar-free flavors watermelon, lime, peach and grapefruit at launch. Six-packs with a single flavor cost $18.25 and 12-packs with a variety of flavors cost $36.50. Although spiked seltzers have cooled off with drinkers, spirit-based drinks, like High Noon, have grown in popularity. And despite the hundreds of brands on shelves (after all, a canned vodka soda isnt something unique anymore), Hoddeson said its exactly the right time to join the space. When i look at a lot of brands entering the market right now, what theyre missing is the idea of who their audience is and who their community will be rather than what their product is, he said. Canned cocktail boom Sales of premixed cocktails surged about 36% last year, making it a $2.2 billion industry according to figures from Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. Gay Water might not have the deep pockets compared to its competitors, like White Claw, but even at small scale, companies of many sizes are having success making spirit-based seltzers and premixed cocktails, Bryan Roth, an analyst for Feel Goods Company and editor of the alcohol beverage newsletter, Sightlines+, told CNN. Theres lots of space in the spirit-based seltzer category in which Gay Water can play, especially if the brand can offer a cultural or emotional connection that will feel more exciting than the prospect of another pineapple-flavored vodka seltzer from national or international corporations, Roth said. Its a top-heavy category where niches can be carved out in similar fashion to craft beer. Of course, other drinks use the word gay, too, including Gay Beer and So Gay Rose, Hoddeson noted, which are also trying to reach the queer community and offer them an alternative in the straight-dominated space. Hoddeon said theres a lot of straight-coded brands that try to acquire the audience and thats what Bud Light did. Theres clearly a desire for folks to have queer customers they just dont know the right way to go about it. ___ From Stonewall to today: 50+ years of modern LGBTQ+ history 1969: Stonewall Riots 1969: Gay Liberation Front forms 1972: Sweden allows people to legally change gender 1972: UK has first Pride parade 1973: Lambda Legal forms 1973: Homosexuality is no longer classified as a mental illness 1974: First openly lesbian officials elected 1977: First openly gay man elected 1979: First national LGBTQ+ march 1981: Norway enacts anti-discrimination laws 1982: Wisconsin passes LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination law 1983: BiPOL forms 1984: HIV discovered 1986: Bowers v. Hardwick 1986: New York passes anti-discrimination bill 1987: UK opens first HIV/AIDS clinic 1987: Barney Frank comes out as gay 1987: ACT UP 1988: National Coming Out Day starts 1989: Denmark legalizes same-sex unions 1990: First Pride parade in South Africa 1994: 'Don't ask, don't tell' enacted 1994: American Medical Association opposes conversion therapy 1995: Gay and lesbian workers can get government security clearance 1996: High schooler starts Gay-Straight Alliance 1997: Ellen DeGeneres comes out 1998: Bisexual flag created 2000: Vermont recognizes same-sex unions 2000: Netherlands recognizes same-sex marriage 2002: New York City passes LGBTQ+ rights law 2003: US legalizes consensual same-sex acts 2004: Massachusetts performs first same-sex marriage 2009: Hate Crimes Prevention Act 2010: Same-sex marriage legal in Iceland 2011: 'Don't ask, don't tell' repealed 2012: First openly LGBTQ+ senator 2013: Supreme Court recognizes same-sex marriage 2014: Transgender students get federal protection 2014: First transgender person nominated for Emmy 2015: US legalizes same-sex marriage 2016: Ban lifted on transgender troops 2017: First openly transgender state legislator elected 2018: 'Rainbow wave' in politics 2019: Taiwan passes same-sex marriage 2019: Transgender troops banned from military 2019: Mayor Pete runs for president 2019: Being transgender no longer a 'disorder' 2020: NYC Pride March canceled by coronavirus 2021: Biden reverses Trump-era ban on transgender people in the military 2021: Switzerland and Japan make strides toward marriage equality 2022: Hundreds of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in US states 2022: First openly lesbian women elected governor 2023: Gender-Affirming Care BRISTOL, Va. Two people were arrested after a police investigation into the report of a stolen car. Acting on information received about a stolen vehicle out of Russell County, Virginia, Bristol Virginia police officers found the vehicle at Carriage Hills Apartments on Lee Highway in Bristol. The vehicle was alleged to have been stolen by Ashley Evans and her brother Devin Evans. Officers across the region had been searching for Devin Evans, who is accused of escaping law enforcement custody in Russell County. A search warrant was obtained, after authorities learned Ashley Evans was seen entering an apartment in the complex with a male subject. The police SWAT team was called in to execute the search warrant. Ashley Evans, 30, of Lebanon, Virginia, was arrested and charged with motor vehicle theft. Logan Hillman, 33, of Bristol, Virginia was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Washington County, Virginia. Devin Evans remains at large and he is considered armed and dangerous. More Information If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, the National Elder Fraud Hotline is 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). The hotline is staffed from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays. English, Spanish, and other languages are available. This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim, and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. It may have only lasted for an afternoon, but a recent meeting of key figures in Australias cyber and aviation industries highlighted the potential cascade of events that could quickly unfold if a cyber attack on an Australian airport or, worse still, airplane were successful. In a complex, finely-tuned industry where a single unchecked bag can cause massive disruptions, the prospect of a successful cybercriminal attack on an airport in which check-in systems might be disrupted, planes delayed, air traffic control disrupted, perishable or essential supplies delayed, or even physical signalling manipulated is keeping authorities up at night. Just a few weeks ago, more than two dozen government, Australian Federal Police officers, airline and airport representatives gathered to talk through the likely response in a wargaming exercise one of a series of ongoing wargaming exercises driven by Minister for Cyber Security Clare ONeil that explored potential vulnerabilities in airports cyber defences. Practicing a potential nightmare scenario is crucial to a quick response in the event of a successful breach, Department of Home Affairs deputy secretary of cyber and infrastructure security Hamish Hansford told the Sydney Morning Herald. When an incident like this happens in real life, we need a plan in place thats exercised rather than thinking it through for the first time. Each segment of the industry has its own appetite for risk management and cyber security protections, but by identifying key players and surfacing the issues beforehand, Australias cyber authorities are hopeful they can make critical infrastructure organisations better prepared to act quickly and decisively in the event of a national cyber emergency. And while Australia may never have suffered a major cyber breach of key aviation interests, its not for lack of trying: as recently as March, members of pro-Russian hacker forum Killnet were threatening to target 10 Australian airports as part of a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) campaign that had already hit a range of university websites. The EATM-CERT Aviation Cyber Events Map, which tracks reported incidents affecting the worldwide industry, has already documented 41 cyber attacks facing the aviation industry in the first half of this year, compared to 78 incidents during all of last year and 48 in 2021. As cyber criminals ramp up their campaigns against a sector that is fighting to recover from the three extremely disruptive years of the Covid-19 pandemic, such instances are continuing to play on the minds of aviation industry figures challenged by the industrys sheer size, interconnectedness, and complexity which leaves everything from operational systems to frequent flyer programs exposed in different ways. Airlines recognise the importance of securing customer data, Delta Airlines senior vice president and chief communications officer Tim Mapes told a CES 2023 forum earlier this year, with cybersecurity crucial to ensuring airlines earn and maintain customer trust. Its the lifeblood of our ability to provide customer service, Mapes explained. The more we might know about you, the more likely we are to get you the best offer or best service. But to deserve that trust, he continued, it takes everything from investing in cybersecurity and all of the infrastructure that makes it safe, to seeing that you as a customer get a return on your investment when you trust Delta with that bit of information. Building a cyber resilient global industry The disruption of the pandemic has been fingered as a key reason cyber issues have become so fraught: with airlines and airports investing heavily in technology-driven innovation to reinvent the customer experience, the UNs International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has warned that digital advances exposed the sector to cybersecurity threats across all stakeholders. The civil aviation sector is global by nature, and so is the interaction of systems and data flows that transcend national borders and individual organisations, the agency noted, with a formal UN resolution last year urging member states to design and implement a robust cybersecurity culture. This includes broader sharing of cyber security threat intelligence, and collaboration on the development of a horizontal, cross-cutting and functional approach that spans aviation safety, aviation security, facilitation, air navigation, communication, surveillance, air traffic management, aircraft operations, airworthiness, and other disciplines. ICAO has also encouraged adoption of its formal Aviation Cybersecurity Strategy and Cybersecurity Action Plan (CyAP), which lays out 32 priority actions and 51 tasks that it believes will improve members cybersecurity postures. The 2010 Beijing Convention (Convention on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Relating to International Civil Aviation) and 2010 Beijing Protocol (Protocol Supplementary to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft) offer means for dealing with cyber attacks against civil aviation, ICAO has noted in encouraging member states to work together on the issue. With new postgraduate degrees now specifically focused on aviation cybersecurity, the industry is regrouping to build out the cyber skills pipeline to support its response, even as industry bodies increasingly play a role as well. Industry body the International Air Travel Association (IATA) has offered its own guidance on cyber security strategies, offering formal policies addressing cyber security risk assessment and supply chain oversight a key issue whose importance has been highlighted in every sector, most recently by financial services regulator APRA. CAMP Foster, Okinawa, Japan U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jean Franco Chiriboga, a correctional specialist liaison with the Provost Marshals Office, Marine Corps Installations Pacific, grew up in Concord with a strong desire to join the military. As a child, he loved playing outdoor games with toy guns and imagining himself in battles. The Marine Corps held a special fascination for him, and he was determined to overcome its challenges. Before joining the Marine Corps, Chiriboga struggled with self-confidence but had a passion for public safety. One significant event that deeply impacted him was when he witnessed a medical emergency during a concert in Orlando. Emily, my friend, was dancing beside me, fully engaged in the music. But then, out of nowhere, she collapsed, said Chiriboga. Panic surged through me and I froze, unsure of what to do. I frantically scanned the crowd for help, but fear and confusion paralyzed my mind. Time stood still as her body convulsed before my eyes. Something snapped inside me, and I went into tunnel vision. Looking around, I motioned for someone to call 911. Soon after, I pushed through the crowd, desperately calling for assistance. With trembling hands, I motioned for someone to run to the first aid tent and informed them of what had happened. I remember at that moment, minutes felt like hours until the medical staff arrived. Emily was then swiftly taken away for medical attention, and at that moment, I decided I did not want to feel helpless like that again. Motivated by this experience, Chiriboga pursued medical training through the Marine Corps. After enlisting, he became a combat life-saving Marine, proficient in basic life support. Currently, Chiriboga has acquired certificates and skills in fast rope techniques, jungle warfare, Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor, Marine Corps Water Survival Advanced, and Tactical Combat Casualty Care. While prioritizing his personal growth, he never forgot about the well-being of his fellow Marines. It is important to me that my Marines receive proper medical training because they never know when an emergency could happen, said Chiriboga. During our training exercises, I organize first aid classes to equip Marines with the life-saving skills needed to handle emergencies effectively. I believe that having a diverse skill set is essential to being able to help in critical situations. Throughout his journey, Chiriboga has remained committed to personal growth and self-improvement. He discovered that true strength derives from the ability to aid others during times of crisis. He understands that being a Marine involves more than defending the nation; it means being a pillar of support for those in need. Gunnery Sgt. Ian Graichen, a military police officer with PMO, MCIPAC, expressed that Chiribogas commitment and contributions within the Marine Corps exemplify resilience and unwavering dedication. Graichen further emphasized Chiribogas emphasis on personal development and support for fellow Marines as a testament to the significance of confronting obstacles and pursuing excellence to achieve success. In the Marine Corps, Chiriboga embodies the motto Semper Fidelis, which means always faithful, said Graichen. His story serves as a reminder that greatness is attained through commitment and the pursuit of excellence. Filing closed at noon Friday, July 21, for municipal races across Cabarrus County. Election day is Nov. 7. This year, voters will be required to show an ID before voting. Two unopposed, two contested in Concord Four Concord City Council incumbents filed for reelection: Andy Langford (District 1); Brian King (District 2); Jennifer Parsley Hubbard (District 6) and John Sweat Jr. (District 7). Two challengers filed for the Concord District 2 seat held by King. Jack Lambert, who announced his candidacy months ago, filed along with Lori Clay. Tyler Norris is challenging Langford for the District 1 spot. Concords council operated on a district system, but voters throughout the city vote in each district race. Six candidates in Kannapolis In Kannapolis, three challengers filed to run for City Council. They are Holden Sides, Milton Smith and Jayne Williams. Incumbents up for reelection in Kannapolis are Darrell Jackson, Tom Kincaid and Ryan Dayvault. Kannapolis races are at-large and the top three vote-getters take the seats. Crowded field in Harrisburg Three of four incumbents in Harrisburg filed for reelection: Rodney Dellinger, Ian Patrick and Ron Smith. Councilman Rick Russo is not seeking another four-year term. The challengers are Crystal Anderson, Wendell Fant, Chris Faw, Latrecia Glover, Justin Hagler and Robin Torrence. Town council seats in Harrisburg are at-large. Mayors race in Mount Pleasant Mount Pleasant Mayor Del Eudy is being challenged for the position by Tony Lapish. Eudy was unopposed when he sought reelection in 2019. Town commissioners Steven Dixon and Justin Simpson are unopposed. Trend continues in Midland Midland Mayor Pro Tem Darren Hartsell and Councilman Allen Burnette will face no opposition in the 2023 municipal election this fall. Both are running unopposed. This follows Mayor John Crump, Councilman Rich Wise, and Councilman Mike Tallent running unopposed in both the 2017 and 2021 municipal elections. Midland, incorporated in 2000, previously saw contested elections every term for almost two decades until Crump, Wise, and Tallent first ran unopposed in 2017. Burnette, a Midland native, previously served as the longtime fire chief of Midland Fire and Rescue. He retired after devoting 41 years to the fire service in southern Cabarrus County. Hartsell is a successful local businessman who also serves as an award-winning masonry teacher at Jay. M. Robinson High School, where he was named the North Carolina Construction Trade Teacher of the Year, along with receiving the Cabarrus County Impact Through Education Award. Midlands population has almost doubled since incorporating in 2000, growing from 2,562 people to 4,974 people. There is currently $605 million in approved projects within the towns development pipeline, which include commercial, industrial, and residential investments. The town, through its future land use plan, has focused on controlled smart growth so that the Midland community does not lose its rural charm despite facing unrelenting development pressures due to being located 2.5 miles from the Charlotte city limits. Midland also has the lowest tax rate of any municipality within Cabarrus County at 22 cents per $100 in valuation. The town is currently installing sewer along Highway 24/27 to attract retail development for its citizens. The town also completed improvements at Rob Wallace Park, including a protected pedestrian crosswalk and Veterans and First Responder Memorial. GREENSBORO Four people were shot Thursday night shortly before 7:45 p.m. in the 1900 block of Brice Street, Greensboro police said in a news release. Two gunshot victims were taken by ambulance to a local hospital, and two more gunshot victims arrived by private vehicle, police said. Police are not releasing any other details at this time. The violence comes amid calls by local law enforcement officials and community leaders in the Triad to stop the shootings. This week, the number of homicides in Greensboro reached 41 for 2023 the total for all of 2022. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000. Residents can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to P3tips.com to submit a web tip. All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous. The Funny Times is a newspaper full of comics. Its about forty years old, and its all in print. The newspaper is in print, but until about a year ago, so were all their files. They lived in one well-protected filing cabinet. So when it was time to pass the reins to a new generation, who lived in Bloomington, Indiana, rather than Cleveland, one of the co-founders suggested they print out the cartoons that came in by email and send them by overnight courier to Bloomington. Luckily, the new editor came up with an innovation: a digital filing cabinet. This week, the Funny Times new publishers and editor talk about why the paper continues to thrive as so many newspapers fold, the kind of comfort you can get from political cartoons, and more. Then, a story that started in the fall of 2016. My friend and colleague, Kayte Young, host of WFIUs Earth Eats, was taking her cat Rita to the vet, and Rita escaped. What followed, in the months Kayte and her husband and friends and community spent searching, had more twists and turns than I could have imagined. So many, that, as I put the story together, it turned into a four-chapter saga. This week, The Third Time Rita Left Chapter 1: Losing Rita, in which Kayte decides, in the midst of an emergency, to foster a monarch chrysalis. Credits Inner States is produced and edited by me, Alex Chambers, with support from Violet Baron, Eoban Binder, Mark Chilla, Avi Forrest, LuAnn Johnson, Sam Schemenauer, Payton Whaley, and Kayte Young. Our Executive Producer is Eric Bolstridge. Our theme song is by Amy Oelsner and Justin Vollmar. Most of the music in the Rita story is by Ramon Monras-Sender. We have additional music from the artists at Universal Production Music and Backward Collective. New York-based cloud security firm Wiz has warned companies and organisations affected by the recent Microsoft Azure breach that the impact of the intrusion may be much wider than reported, and could affect applications beyond those claimed by Microsoft to be impacted. In a detailed, technical blog post, Wiz researcher Shir Tamari wrote that while Microsoft had said that Outlook.com and Exchange Online were the only applications to be affected, "Wiz Research has found that the compromised signing key was more powerful than it may have seemed, and was not limited to just those two services". "Our researchers concluded that the compromised MSA key could have allowed the threat actor to forge access tokens for multiple types of Azure Active Directory applications, including every application that supports personal account authentication, such as SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, customers applications that support the 'login with Microsoft' functionality, and multi-tenant applications in certain conditions," he said. The breach came to light on 13 July, with the email account of US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo cited as one of the more prominent accounts to have been breached. The attackers gained access through a vulnerability in Microsoft's Azure cloud platform which was said to have been discovered last month by the State Department,anonymous officials who spoke to the Washington Post. On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the attackers, who are claimed to have been from China, also breached the email account of American envoy to Beijing, Nicholas Burns, and assistant secretary of state for East Asia, Daniel Kritenbrink. Tamari said while Microsoft had mitigated the risk by revoking the impacted encryption key and provided indicators of compromise of the attackers, "we discovered that it may be difficult for customers to detect the use of forged tokens against their applications due to lack of logs on crucial fields related to the token verification process". Microsoft came under fire after the incident was disclosed for not providing logs to its basic subscriptions. Steven Adair, a security expert at Volexity, told Reuters on 13 July that he could not find out details about a client's breached email account because of a lack of logs. The news agency said Adair's client had not forked out what Microsoft demands for its premium security suite, and hence detailed forensic data was unavailable. Adair thus could not discern what had happened. "We basically became a spectator at that point," he said. On 19 July, Microsoft yielded to the pressure to some extent, but still held back on providing full logging access, saying: "Additional Audit Premium features [which] include longer default retention periods and automation support for importing log data into other tools for analysis" would have to be bought. Vasu Jakkal, corporate vice-president for Security, Compliance, Identity and Management, said in a blog post that cloud logging accessibility and flexibility would be expanded. "Over the coming months, we will include access to wider cloud security logs for our worldwide customers at no additional cost," she said. "As these changes take effect, customers can use Microsoft Purview Audit to centrally visualise more types of cloud log data generated across their enterprise." Tamari explained why the attack was so serious, saying: "Identity providers signing keys are probably the most powerful secrets in the modern world. For example, they are much more powerful than TLS keys. "Even if an attacker got access to the google.com TLS key, they would still need to somehow impersonate a google.com server to gain significant impact. With identity provider keys, one can gain immediate single hop access to everything, any email box, file service or cloud account. "This isnt a Microsoft-specific issue, if a signing key for Google, Facebook, Okta or any other major identity provider leaks, the implications are hard to comprehend. Our industry and especially cloud service providers must commit to a greater level of security and transparency concerning how they protect critical keys such as this one, to prevent future incidents and limit their potential impact." Tamari said while Microsoft had ensured that Azure Active Directory applications would not longer accept forged tokens as valid, by revoking the compromised keys, the danger from the breach still remained.. "...during previously established sessions with customer applications prior to the revocation, the malicious actor could have leveraged its access to establish persistence," he explained. "This could have occurred by leveraging the obtained application permissions to issue application-specific access keys or setting up application-specific backdoors. A notable example of this is how, prior to Microsofts mitigation, Storm-0558 [the name given by Microsoft to the alleged Chinese attackers] issued valid Exchange Online access tokens by forging access tokens for Outlook Web Access. "There is another potential risk to applications that retained copies of the AAD public keys prior to Microsoft's certificate revocation. Applications that rely on local certificate stores or cached keys and still trust the compromised key remain susceptible to token forgery. "It is imperative for these applications to immediately refresh the list of trusted certificates. Microsoft advises refreshing the cache of local stores and certificates at least once a day." The Wiz researcher said Azure users should act to safeguard against future attacks. "To identify whether a compromised key was used in your environment, identify all potentially affected applications in your environment, search for forged tokens usage... and leverage the IoCs published by Microsoft on their blog to look for any activity that originates from the IP addresses provided by Microsoft," he advised. "In addition, make sure that none of the applications use a cached version of the Microsoft OpenID public certificates, and if so, refresh the cache." Tamari also provided steps for Azure users to detect compromised keys in their environments. "The full impact of this incident is much larger than we Initially understood it to be. We believe this event will have long lasting implications on our trust of the cloud and the core components that support it, above all, the identity layer which is the basic fabric of everything we do in cloud. We must learn from it and improve," he concluded. "At this stage, it is hard to determine the full extent of the incident as there were millions of applications that were potentially vulnerable, both Microsoft apps and customer apps, and the majority of them lack the sufficient logs to determine if they were compromised or not. "However there are some critical actions items that application owners should perform. The first and foremost is to update their Azure SDK to the latest version and ensure their application cache is updated, otherwise their apps may still be vulnerable to a threat actor using the compromised key." Microsoft has not issued any further posts about the incident after its 14 July blog post. Attackers believed to be from China breached the American envoy's email account, in the same attack that affected the State and Commerce Departments, the Wall Street Journal reports . Citing "people familiar with the matter", the newspaper said on Thursday, apart from envoy Nicholas Burns, the assistant secretary of state for East Asia, Daniel Kritenbrink, had his email account accessed as well. The sources said the account of Secretary of State Antony Blinken was not breached and the focus of the attack appeared to be senior officials responsible for managing US-China ties. The breach came to light on 13 July, with the email account of US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo cited as one that had been breached. The attackers gained access through a vulnerability in Microsoft's Azure cloud platform which was said to have been discovered last month by the State Department,anonymous officials who spoke to the Washington Post. Other accounts which attracted the attention of the attackers were those of a Congressional aide, an American human rights advocate and American think-tanks, the same officials said. Microsoft made no mention of the Azure vulnerability when it released its monthly load of patches on 11 July. Following this report, Microsoft came under increasing pressure to provide access to logging for its cloud subscribers. On Wednesday, Microsoft yielded to the pressure to some extent, but still held back on providing full logging access, saying: "Additional Audit Premium features [which] include longer default retention periods and automation support for importing log data into other tools for analysis" would have to be bought. Vasu Jakkal, corporate vice-president for Security, Compliance, Identity and Management, said in a blog post that cloud logging accessibility and flexibility would be expanded. "Over the coming months, we will include access to wider cloud security logs for our worldwide customers at no additional cost," she said. "As these changes take effect, customers can use Microsoft Purview Audit to centrally visualise more types of cloud log data generated across their enterprise." The WSJ report quoted a State Department spokesman as saying: For security reasons, we will not be sharing additional information on the nature and scope of this cybersecurity incident at this time. The department continuously monitors and responds to activity of concern on our networks. Our investigation is ongoing, and we cannot provide further details at this time. Apple has threatened to withdraw services like iMessage and FaceTime from the UK, if it is forced to implement measures around encryption by the government. A BBC report said the new powers sought were part of an update to the 2016 law, the Investigatory Powers Act. Under the proposed changes, London would require all security features to be cleared by the Home Office before being implemented. The government would also be able to have security features disabled, without informing the public. The UK is not the only country trying to place curbs on the use of encryption. The EU is citing child sexual abuse as an argument to weaken the use of end-to-end encryption through a law named the Child Sexual Abuse Regulation. The EU law hasfrom 390 scientists and researchers from 34 countries, who have, in a letter, said while they back the bid to curb child sexual abuse and exploitation, they oppose the means by which this law will effect that. In 2018, Australia passed a law that enabled the authorities to issue technical assistance requests, technical assistance notices and technical capability notices to get past encryption. The TCN is one way listed in the legislation whereby law enforcement can get industry to aid in breaking encryption. A TAR allows for voluntary help by a company; its staff will be given civil immunity from prosecution. An interception agency can then issue a TAN to make a communications provider offer assistance based on existing functionality. Though amendments were proposed and a number of reviews undertaken, no changes have been made to the law that was passed in December of that year. Apart from Apple, the Facebook-owned WhatsApp and the messaging app Signal have also opposed the proposed changes to the Investigatory Powers Act. The Act already allows authorities to store Internet browsing records for a year and allows bulk collection of personal data. In June, the British Government opened an eight-week consultation on the proposed changes. That period ends on 31 July. Apple has said it would oppose changes to security features for any one country which would weaken encryption for all its users. It has also said that changes would at times have to be made via a software update and this could not be hidden from users. Back in March, Meredith Whittaker, president of the Signal Foundation, said in a statement: "The Signal Protocol has become the foundation for end-to-end encryption technology that is used and trusted by many private messaging services to protect billions of messages every day. "We recognise that privacy is a human right and that free expression and the ability to dissent are fundamental to a safe and vibrant society. But the current state of the Online Safety Bill in the UK puts the future of privacy and expression in grave jeopardy." Atturra (ASX: ATA), is a leading advisory and technology services business in designing, implementing, and maintaining IT solutions, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Galaxy 42, has exchanged an Asset Sale Agreement (ASA) to acquire the business and certain assets of Silverdrop. Headquartered in Sydney, Silverdrop specialises in HR and payroll services, focusing on assisting clients with the chris21 and ichris applications. They have established a loyal client base across some of our key verticals and their specialist HRIS expertise will be welcomed by our existing clients. CEO of Atturra, Stephen Kowal, said: The acquisition of the Silverdrop business and assets aligns nicely with our industry and technology strategy. The HR technology Silverdrop focuses on, chris21 in particular, is widely used by local councils in Australia. It is an industry we know really well through the work we do around ERP and data integration, so I see a good opportunity to service our clients even more broadly. We look forward to bringing Silverdrop into the Atturra fold, as it is a trusted technology partner with significant experience delivering great outcomes to its clients. CEO and Founder of Silverdrop, Gerard Barwell, said, The team at Silverdrop are excited about joining Atturra and the synergies that this opportunity presents. Over the last 11 years we have developed a strong reputation for delivering the highest quality service. Atturra and Silverdrop are strongly aligned with strong service cultures and proven track records in delivering successful outcomes for valued clients. This change will provide our staff with wonderful opportunities to learn and grow within a wider network of colleagues and will enable us to continue to build strong partnerships in the payroll and HR services market place. Our clients can look forward to continuing to receive the best service from our team while enjoying a wider selection of services that we will now be able to offer them. The transaction is expected to complete on or around 31 August 2023, subject to the satisfaction of conditions precedent in the ASA, including obtaining consent to assignment of material contracts. The ASA otherwise contains additional provisions (including representations, warranties, and indemnities) considered usual for agreements of this nature. Barbara Maigret, senior vice president, global head of sustainability Fortinet, said, Environmental management is a key element of our approach in mitigating the impacts of climate change and addressing our goal to be net zero across Fortinets global operations by 2030. Achieving ISO 14001 certification, which is the globally recognised standard for environmental management system, is a key achievement, and we are very pleased to have reached this significant milestone with our largest owned warehouse worldwide. News Summary Fortinet, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, has announced that it has received an International Organisation for Standards (ISO) 14001 certification for its largest-owned warehouse, located in Union City, California. This is the first Fortinet site to achieve the global standard and operate in accordance with strong environmental management practices. This certification demonstrates that the company has a certified environmental management system (EMS) in place to reduce the environmental footprint of its operations. ISO 14001 is a global standard for setting out criteria for an environmental management system, providing a framework for measuring and improving the environmental impact and climate risks of an organisation, as well as implementing a structured path to mitigate them and fulfilling compliance obligations. To achieve certification, Fortinet successfully completed multiple rigorous audits conducted by TUVSUD America. Several criteria must be met and incorporated into the EMS. These included: analysing regulatory compliance understanding and developing mitigation processes for environmental impacts identifying interested parties that want the company to lower environmental risks developing procedures to manage environmental risks and opportunities in everyday processes, including daily tasks, emergency response, and setting goals and metrics. As part of its ISO 14001 certification, Fortinet is committed to achieving a number of environmental objectives, including reduction of e-waste, elimination of plastic in packaging and implementation of proactive energy efficiency measures to decrease the environmental impacts of its operations. Additional resources Read the full Fortinet 2022 Sustainability Report. Learn more about Fortinets corporate social responsibility vision and approach. Follow Fortinet on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Subscribe to Fortinet on YouTube. About Fortinet Fortinet is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere you need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet's solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinets elite threat intelligence and research organisation, develops and utilises leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet blog, and FortiGuard Labs. IBM has been named as the most attractive employer in New Zealand within the information technology and telecommunications sector according to the latest 2023 Randstad Employer Brand Research. Recognised for its financial health, offering career progression and providing attractive salary and benefits, IBM, was also named one of the Top 20 Most Attractive Employers in New Zealand. The 2023 Randstad Employer Brand Research explores 4,302 New Zealand workers perceptions of employer brands, providing a unique understanding of employee and job seeker preferences. Other high performing IT and Telecommunications companies were One New Zealand (#2) and Datacom (#3). One NZ was recognised for being financially healthy, its convenient location and job security. While Datacom was perceived as attractive due to its financial health, opportunities for career progression and job security. Randstad New Zealands General Manager for Technologies, Tony Grantham comments, We congratulate IBM, One New Zealand and Datacom on being recognised as the three most attractive technology employers in New Zealand. The sector remains a significant contributor to the New Zealand economy with the continued growth in digitalisation investments and public cloud adoption driving demand for IT skills. This reinforces the sectors position as one of the most attractive industries for candidates who are looking for the whole package a great place to work, attractive salary and benefits and long-term career opportunities. IT and Telecommunications among the Top 10 most attractive industry sectors This years findings also observe shifts among the top 10 industries with the IT and telecommunications sector coming in at tenth place (35%), reaffirming its desirability for job seekers. However, the gap between the top 10 most attractive sectors has shrunk compared to last year, which indicates a highly competitive market for employers looking to attract talent to their organisation. The 2023 findings are also released as New Zealands unemployment rate remains at a near historic low at 3.4%. Industry research from IDC and Microsoft also suggests that public cloud delivery is expected to add a further $21 billion to the economy and generate 134,000 new jobs within New Zealand by 2026. Richard Kennedy, Country Director at Randstad New Zealand comments, The competition for talent in New Zealand remains tight particularly in areas like IT, healthcare, and education. With low unemployment, candidates have more choice at home and further afield. It is more critical than ever for employers to stand out by offering both financial and non-remuneration benefits combined, including professional development and flexible work options to keep talent onshore. Work-life balance, salary and training remain priorities amid economic uncertainty The research also reveals what Kiwi jobseekers look for when it comes to choosing where to work. Notably, workers are prioritising work-life balance (#1), attractive salary and benefits (#2) and good training (#3) during todays uncertain economic climate. This is a significant shift compared to the previous two years where work-life balance remained steadfast as the most important priority for Kiwi jobseekers. Perhaps, unsurprisingly, three quarters of workers are placing increasing importance on non-remuneration benefits and exploring personal career growth options in areas including reskilling (67%) and upskilling (76%). Recruitment and HR specialist, Randstad New Zealand believes the findings align with New Zealands market sentiments. Kennedy comments, Our findings show that only 16% of workers changed employers in the last six months compared to almost a quarter (24%) last year. This indicates that the revolving door of three to six months ago has slowed considerably. Instead, workers are hunkering down with their employers to ride out the current market uncertainty. The challenge for New Zealand businesses now becomes identifying ways to de-risk the move for employees wanting to move but needing the certainty of job security. Money alone is no longer enough to retain talent While an attractive salary entices job seekers, it no longer guarantees retention, motivation and engagement, according to Randstad. In fact, the report highlights that non-material benefits were of high importance for 76% of respondents, which is almost on par with material benefits (79%). If a pay rise is not an option, nearly half (48%) indicated that flexible start and finish times are the most preferred non-material benefit, followed by reduced workdays (37%) and employee wellness programmes, signifying the continued importance of mental health and well-being support in the workplace. In addition, Kiwi employers are expected to contribute to staffs personal career growth with over a third of respondents (36%) citing professional development as the next most preferred non-material benefit. Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Ted OBrien has called on the Federal Government to urgently review the energy security implications of its 82% renewables target. According to OBrien Coalition analysis has found the Albanese Labor Governments rush towards 82% renewable energy could expose Australia to unnecessary national security risks due to a dependence on imported solar panel components from China. OBrien notes that the review, led by Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security James Paterson, uncovered exploitable flaws and vulnerabilities in smart inverters which accompany many Australian solar PV systems. With almost 60 percent of installed smart inverters being supplied by Chinese manufacturers, bound by Chinas National Intelligence Laws, Senator Paterson warns this could leave Australia vulnerable to potentially catastrophic cyber-attacks, OBrien warns. Energy security is national security, OBrien said. Providing affordable and reliable energy that is free from foreign interference should be first order priorities of government and Labor is failing on all fronts. Nothing is more important than guaranteeing Australias security and the electricity grid is central to this. Chris Bowen has previously paid lip service to the national security risks associated with Australias dependence on imported solar components, but he has done nothing about it. OBrien says the revelations follow a damning report by the independent Productivity Commission which found the Albanese Labor Governments domestic battery manufacturing plan could hurt (Australias) GDP. Labor is allergic to robust economic modelling as theyre afraid of what theyll find, OBrien said. Labor promised Australians everything under the sun to win the last election but its failing to deliver anything except higher energy bills and a more unreliable grid that is exposed to cyber security risks. Three Triad communities are among recipients of $232 million in funding for improvements in stormwater and drinking-water systems announced Thursday by Gov. Roy Cooper. The city of Greensboro will get $375,000 for planning related to work at a stormwater retention pond on Fairview Street, near Printworks Mill. Another $315,000 will go to the town of Elkin in Surry County for development of a plan to protect Elkin Creek through nature-based techniques to stabilize a stream, minimize erosion and control runoff through stormwater control measures, the governors office said in its announcement. In Rockingham County, the town of Stoneville will receive $300,000 for a stormwater study. Overall, the grants will support 60 projects in 40 counties. This funding will help us achieve our goal of safer, cleaner drinking water for all North Carolinians, Cooper said. We have already seen the positive impacts funding like this can have for drinking and wastewater projects across our state and are ready to get to work to help more communities. Over the past two years, the State Water Infrastructure Authority has approved funding for 770 drinking water, wastewater and stormwater construction and planning projects, for a total of $1.6 billion. Nearly 340 applications totaling about $2.7 billion were submitted from 83 of North Carolinas 100 counties. Previous Triad recipients include the city of Lexington, which was awarded $28 million in February to construct facilities that remove water from, and dry, sludge at its sewer treatment plant in Davidson County. With each funding round, we continue to see that the need for infrastructure funding is far greater than the funding available, said N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth Biser. DEQ is focused on providing funding to the communities that need it most to address aging infrastructure, PFAS contamination and access to affordable clean water and sewer service. PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, can build up in water over long periods of time because they dont degrade in the environment. The substances are linked to a broad range of health issues including low birthweight and kidney cancer. A man who abducted a 13-year-old girl from Texas and locked her in a shed in Davidson County will spend 20 to 29 years behind bars, after he entered a guilty plea in court in Lexington this week. WGHP/Fox 8, the newsgathering partner of the Journal, reported that Jorge Ivan Santos Camacho, 34, received the sentence after he pleaded guilty to two counts of statutory sex offense. The district attorneys office told the station that when Camacho is released from prison, he will have to spend the following 30 years as a registered sex offender. Authorities said that in March, Camacho persuaded the 13-year-old girl to leave her home. He picked her up in a vehicle and drove to his home in Southmont, where he kept her locked in an outbuilding until she was found by law enforcement officials. The girl and Camacho had communicated on social media. Camacho was charged with multiple offenses, including abduction, statutory rape and human trafficking. Authorities said a camera captured an image of the car Camacho was driving when he picked up the girl in Texas. Special agents with an FBI violent crime task force contacted the Davidson County Sheriffs Office about the case, and deputies put Camachos home under surveillance. Camacho was arrested and deputies found the girl in the shed at his house. The girl was returned to Texas. Less than a day after Triad law enforcement officials called for the recent uptick in killings to end, a Winston-Salem man was shot and killed early Friday morning on East 17th Street, police said. At 12:24 a.m., police responded to a shooting at the 1100 block of East 17th Street. They found the victim, Devontay Demon Atkins, 26, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Atkins died from his injuries. A police investigation revealed that Atkins was in a physical altercation with a 22-year-old man, whose identity has not been made public by the police. There was an exchange of gunfire, and the suspect shot Atkins and the 22-year-old. The suspect fled the scene on foot, police said. The 22-year-old man was treated and released from a local hospital. Detectives are working on locating the suspect. This marks the 33rd homicide of 2023 compared to 21 homicides during this same time period in 2022. This is the fifth homicide in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County since Monday. Including Fridays homicide, five men have been killed since Monday in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, authorities said. Aljerone Miquel Sims, 37, of North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive was shot and killed shortly before 7 p.m. Monday near his home, police said. About five hours later, Mario Radford Todd, 27, was shot and killed in the 600 block of Mock Street, police said. Davon Maurice Moore, 30, of Lewisville was charged with murder Wednesday in Sims death, police said. Moore was being held Thursday in the Forsyth County jail with no bond allowed. Ricky Renea Davis, 27, of East First Street was fatally shot Wednesday night at a vigil for Sims, police said Thursday. Davis was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Investigators determined that Davis was at the vigil at 100 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive when someone walked up and shot him, police said. Police are looking for suspects in Todds and Davis deaths. In northeastern Forsyth County, Christian Lee Arrington, 21, of Greensboro was shot and killed Tuesday on Kerner Road, the sheriffs office said. Quaymon Nicholas Swaringen, 20, of Borders Terrace in Greensboro, is charged with murder in Arringtons death, according to an arrest warrant. Swaringen is being held in jail with no bond allowed, the sheriffs office said. In a press conference Thursday, Winston-Salem police sergeant Jake Swaim said its still too early to tell if the two shootings on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive are related. Winston-Salem police Chief William Penn and Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. also shared their thoughts in the press conference on what can be done to stop gun violence in local communities. They urged the community provide information to the police through anonymous tips to help track down suspects. We cannot sit by silently, Kimbrough said. Anytime theres a situation, there has to be voices. There has to be enough voices to demand that this stop. Said Kimbrough: The police department, the sheriffs department we cant arrest our way out of this. Anyone with information regarding these homicides is asked to call the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800, or in Spanish at 336-728-3904. A Crime Stoppers Tip Form can also be located online. Information provided to Crime Stoppers may be provided anonymously. A passionate Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn said everyone should be angry about the recent homicides that occurred in the city this week. In a joint press conference Thursday, Penn, Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. and WSPD Sgt. Jake Swaim addressed the media about the four homicides this week and emphasized the need for the community to share information. The press conference was not live streamed. This is our community and what were allowing is unacceptable to me, Penn said. Everyone should be angry. If the police were shooting people like this, they would be this angry. Penn repeatedly urged residents to use Crime Stoppers and text-a-tip to provide information without being identified a common concern amongst bystanders and nearby residents where shootings occur. When asked if people who refused to speak up were guilty to a certain extent, Penn said theyre guilty of allowing terrorism to take place in (the) community. All were saying is that we cannot sit by silently, Kimbrough said. Anytime theres a situation, there has to be voices. There has to be enough voices to demand that this stop. The police department, the sheriffs department we cant arrest our way out of this. Four Black men have been killed since Monday in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, authorities said. Aljerone Miquel Sims, 37, of North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and was shot and killed shortly before 7 p.m. Monday near his home, police said. About five hours later, Mario Radford Todd, 27, was shot and killed in the 600 block of Mock Street, police said. Davon Maurice Moore, 30, of Lewisville was charged with murder Wednesday in Sims death, police said. Moore was being held Thursday in the Forsyth County jail with no bond allowed. Ricky Renea Davis, 27, of East First Street was fatally shot Wednesday night at a vigil for Sims, police said Thursday. Davis was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Investigators determined that Davis was at the vigil at 100 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive when someone walked up and shot him, police said. Police are looking for suspects in Todds and Davis deaths. In northeastern Forsyth County, Christian Lee Arrington, 21, of Greensboro was shot and killed Tuesday on Kerner Road, the sheriffs office said. Quaymon Nicholas Swaringen, 20, of Borders Terrace in Greensboro, is charged with murder in Arringtons death, according to an arrest warrant. Swaringen is being held in the jail with no bond allowed, the sheriffs office said. Swaim said that community cooperation led to murder warrants for the suspect wanted in the Tuesday killing of Todd. Police are currently searching for the suspect. The sergeant also shared that its still too early to tell if the two shootings on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive are related. We dont have any evidence to suggest that they are or they are not, Swaim said. We are looking into the possibility. Residents and business owners near Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. shared their concerns for their community. Virginia Hardesty, owner of Forsyth Seafood Market & Cafe, said its disheartening and very unfortunate that Sims and Davis were killed near her restaurant. We believe that east Winston needs more police coverage and visibility of police coverage, Hardesty said. Hardesty said some of her guests sitting outside on Monday when Sims was shot heard gunshots, and came inside. The residents in the community refused to share their identities for their own safety and to protect their privacy. According to Swaim, 50 to 100 people were present at Sims vigil, but no one has come forward. One woman, who has lived in eastern Winston-Salem for four years and was a neighbor of Sims, said she feels the area is not safe, and shes afraid for her kids. Other than this week when the homicides occurred, the woman said she doesnt see police ride through her neighborhood often. About three weeks ago, her sisters car was broken into right in front of her house. One man in the community expressed the need to get rid of the guns on the street and the need for more activities for teens and young adults in the community. Theres nothing for young people to do now except hanging around, he said. Another woman said the police need to get rid of the thugs on the street. Penn said a chiefs engagement team goes out to communities in Winston-Salem to spread information about resources allowing people to submit tips. When asked if some of the killings are gang or drug related, Penn said it would be irresponsible to suggest that until investigations are complete. Weve got to do better with conflict resolution, period, across the board, Penn said. NEW YORK It's hard not to feel grudging respect for Gerald Daniel Blanchard's long resume of crime no matter what side of the law you're on. He once stole half a million dollars from a bank before it officially opened by using a concealed pinhole camera inside the branch. He escaped from a police interrogation room by hiding in the ceiling tiles. Then there was the time he swapped a priceless jewel from an alarm-equipped museum display case with a gift shop replica, Indiana Jones-style. Its like a chess game. You need to know 10 moves ahead of what the police are doing, Blanchard said in a recent Zoom interview. I was more into it for the thrill and the excitement. Wired magazine called Blanchard, originally from Omaha, the worlds most ingenious thief, and The Globe and Mail newspaper described him as "Canadas most sophisticated bank robber and fraud artist." Audiences can get into his head with the new Hulu documentary The Jewel Thief, which was released July 13. Director Landon Van Soest traces Blanchard's evolution into a criminal mastermind, going from shoplifting at an Iowa RadioShack as a teen to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars while disguised in a burqa in Cairo. He often taunted police to try and catch him. For me, its really a film about obsession and ambition and addiction that kept driving him to something bigger, said Van Soest. He always had to outdo himself. He always had to outsmart someone. A portrait emerges of a creative, calculating and patient man with a strong engineering bent despite a learning disability and borderline dyslexia. But Blanchard is not always a reliable narrator, with some of his embellishments knocked down in the documentary. There were a lot of different versions of many of these stories, said Van Soest. We just kind of chose to lean into that. We were going to present many different versions of some of these stories and let the viewers walk away and make up their own minds. The movie uses interviews with Blanchard and footage from his own extensive archives, as well as speaking with his mother, accomplices and the police who chased him. It's enlivened by a soundtrack that includes songs like Janes Addictions Been Caught Stealing. Blanchard was a thin, nerdy-looking kid who grew up poor in Omaha with a single mom who worked two jobs, and he developed a grudge against banks. I like stealing from the banks and corporations, he told The Associated Press. "The reason why I dont like stealing from people is because they work hard for the money. I remember my mom crying on the phone when I was younger saying, We dont have the money to turn the lights on. Our food is going to go bad. Early petty shoplifting emboldened him to disconnect a RadioShack's alarm system and take the entire inventory one Easter Sunday. He sold it all to friends and teachers. His home was soon visited by a SWAT team. Blanchard later figured out how to scam stores by crafting fake receipts for shoplifted goods and returning them for a refund, a skill he used when he found himself penniless at the Canada border after serving 4 years behind bars. A customs agent gave him $10 to take the bus. He instead bought a $9 disposable camera and stole another, photocopied the sales receipt at a Staples for 10 cents, and returned both. With the money, he did the same thing with more expensive items a rechargeable battery and a computer program. By the end of the day, he had a couple hundred dollars. The Jewel Thief would likely not have been made or at least the tone would be vastly different if Blanchard's crimes had caused bloodshed or death. His honor code, or his criminal calculations, didn't include anyone getting hurt. I would always scale my crimes, he explained. If you use a gun, whats the consequences? If you dont use a gun, whats the consequence? Could somebody be hurt? And so I put a scale and I basically thought in my mind, 'Whats the least amount of prison time I could get if I got caught?' The crime that would put Blanchard in prison for a long time started when he walked into a Canadian bank under construction wearing a hardhat and safety vest bought at a Home Depot. He installed a $50 Toys R Us baby monitor into a wall and messed with the motion detector so he could shut it off. Blanchard watched remotely as money was put into ATM machines, and struck that night. As you might guess, Blanchard is not much of a fan of TV crime shows. It frustrates me. And I cant watch it because its so fake. I always analyze it saying, They should have did it this way or that way or You cant do it this way. Im always analyzing and thinking things many steps ahead. Blanchard's list of crimes including, as a prisoner, breaking into the commissary of the Anamosa State Penitentiary in Iowa includes the 1998 theft of one of Sisis stars, a jewel once belonging to a 19th century Austrian empress. He had replaced it with a fake, a ruse which went unnoticed for several days. The piece was only recovered when Blanchard looking for a deal from prosecutors took police to his grandmothers Winnipeg house, where the jewel had been carefully stashed. In fact, Blanchard still had much of the cash he stole. He wasn't a big spender. I had lots of money and I never just blew it away or threw it away like most people do. I would always save it. If I could steal something, thats what I would do, he says. It's hard to watch The Jewel Thief without wondering if he could have used his skills for good, such as advising on bank security. Van Soest calls him clearly a very intelligent, very capable person that could have offered something much more positive to society. But Blanchard says that once he had a criminal record, law enforcement jobs became impossible. He said he's happy with where his life is now. I learned deep inside myself is the void that I have, which is money doesnt bring happiness, he said. Ive lived a poor life being young. I lived a wealthy life. I've lived the middle-class life. So Ive had the whole spectrum in my lifetime and Im comfortable with living a normal middle-class life. A 17-year-old driver crashed into an ambulance in east Lincoln on Thursday afternoon, temporarily shutting down the intersection at 70th and O streets, according to Lincoln police. The 2012 Toyota Camry, which was traveling east on O Street, crashed into the emergency vehicle in the intersection as it transported a patient from Waverly to a Lincoln hospital with its lights and sirens on, police said. The 17-year-old had looked down to grab his phone, which had fallen between his car's seats, at the time of the crash, police said. The crash, which occurred at around 2:30 p.m., caused $10,000 in damages to the Camry and $6,000 to the ambulance and resulted in minor injuries for the Camry's driver, who was later cited and released for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle. It wasn't clear if anyone in the ambulance suffered any injuries. 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 Prosecutors on Friday charged the 26-year-old man accused of posing as a teen student at two Lincoln high schools and coaxing underage girls to send him explicit photos. At a five-minute hearing in the afternoon, Zachary Scheich was informed of the charges sex trafficking a minor and two counts of child enticement and the possible penalties. If convicted, he would face 20 years to life on the sex trafficking charge and three to 50 years more on each of the enticement charges. Chief Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Chris Turner told County Court Judge Tim Phillips that Scheich is alleged to have forged birth, medical and education records to create a false identity to enroll himself in high school. "He then began relationships with a number of children, some of them where he communicated through text messages and other social media apps in attempts to coax them into sexual acts or to produce sexually explicit material," Turner said. He said, following Scheich's arrest early Thursday afternoon, Lincoln police asked the community for any information that may help them identify witnesses or potential victims. "And the police department did immediately begin receiving additional tips and the investigation is ongoing," Turner said in asking for a $250,000 bond. Scheich said he wasn't currently working and couldn't afford to hire an attorney, so Phillips appointed the Public Defender's Office to represent him. Should he post bond, the judge ordered him not to have contact with two victims or anyone under 18 and not to use any device with Internet access. In court records, Lincoln police say the investigation began in June, when they received information Scheich, a 26-year-old man, had attended Lincoln Public Schools and said he was 17 years old. Officer Ben Pflanz said, in the investigation that followed, they determined that Scheich had created a false identity, Zak Hess, to enroll in two Lincoln high schools and was passing himself off as a student. He attended school from October 2022 to May 2023, going to Lincoln Northwest High School in the fall semester and Lincoln Southeast in the spring semester. Scheich graduated from Southeast in 2015. On July 11, police served a search warrant at Scheich's apartment essentially across the street from Lincoln Southeast and obtained his cellphone. Pflanz said a search of the phone turned up texts between him and minor females, where he continued to "reinforce his false identity as a peer and discuss things like classwork and high school sports." Police say they found messages from February where Scheich had texted a 14-year-old student coaxing her to engage in illegal sexual activity. And in March, Scheich allegedly texted a 13-year-old student discussing meeting up for sex and asking her for pornographic photos. Pflanz said after the girl sent photos, she asked "So what do I get this time??" and Scheich promised to send her money. The investigator said Scheich previously had sent the girl money. On Thursday, officers arrested him at Walt Library Branch in southwest Lincoln. At a press conference soon after, Assistant Police Chief Brian Jackson said Scheich, who is about 5-foot-4, 120 pounds, apparently blended in with other students. He provided a different birth certificate and "presented himself as a 17-year-old seeking education," he said. On Friday, LPS Superintendent Paul Gausman said the district is looking to address how it evaluates prospective students for enrollment, including potentially doing away with the option to enroll online, as Scheich had. "I can see that no matter how good we are at this process, we can always get better," Gausman said. "We will certainly look at this gap and continue to look for ways we can be more involved." Gausman also emphasized that students, staff and parents should report any suspicious activity, regardless of what they can prove. "We consistently say 'if you see something, say something,'" he said. "We'll take care of the verification and work with the right agencies to make sure that we're being thorough and clear." Police have asked anyone with more information or who may believe they are a victim in this case to call the non-emergency number at 402-441-6000 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600. Top Journal Star photos for July 2023 MADISON A Norfolk woman who terminated her pregnancy last year and later participated in the burning and burial of the remains was sentenced to jail and probation Thursday. Celeste Burgess, 19, was sentenced by District Judge James Kube to 90 days in jail and two years probation for prohibited acts with human skeletal remains, a felony punishable by up to two years in prison. With good behavior, Burgess will serve 53 days in jail before she is released. She pleaded guilty on May 22 and, in exchange for her plea, a misdemeanor charge of concealing another persons death and false reporting were dismissed by the Madison County Attorneys Office. Prosecutors also agreed not to recommend a specific sentence for Burgess, who was 17 at the time of her offense. Burgess was charged last June after police learned that she was involved in the illegal burial of her baby in April 2022. She initially was charged in juvenile court but had her case transferred to district court last July. Former Norfolk Police Detective Ben McBride said he began investigating the death and subsequent disposal of the remains on April 26, 2022. One of Celeste Burgess co-workers notified a Nebraska State Patrol trooper that Burgess, a day earlier, had discussed having experienced a miscarriage and needing to dig the body up and burn the babys body. Testimony from McBride last June revealed that Jessica Burgess ordered Pregnot pills on eBay in March 2022 pills that would allow her daughter to terminate her pregnancy. The Burgesses then enacted a plan to bury the remains at a rural location north of Norfolk. Evidence at Jessica Burgess preliminary hearing last year indicated that the mother and daughter buried the remains three different times and also attempted to burn the remains after the second exhumation. Last July, a then 22-year-old man pleaded no contest to attempted concealing a death, a Class 3 misdemeanor, after he lent support to the Burgesses by providing them with transportation to and from the multiple burial sites. Celeste Burgess told Kube on Thursday that she was unhappy with her pregnancy since she first learned about it. She said she had been in an abusive relationship and did not want to share a child with the man who had impregnated her. Celeste Burgess told Kube, when asked, that she was not coerced by her mother nor any other adult. I was honestly scared at the time, she said. I didn't know what to do. I freaked out. I didn't know what way to turn at all after everything had happened. And I wanted to do the right thing. But then I didn't know if what I was doing at the time was the right thing. I do regret my decisions very much. The judge also asked Burgess if she ever considered having the remains cremated or whether to organize a funeral. Burgess said that her family had struggled financially and that she believed they would not be able to afford funeral costs. Burgess also detailed mental illnesses she has long suffered with, but she acknowledged that her actions were caused by a series of poor choices. The 19-year-old also said she had since given birth to a child, and later had her parental rights terminated. Madison County Attorney Joe Smith said there were several things mentioned by Burgess in the pre-sentence investigation report and in court that arent true at all. Smith detailed text messages sent by Burgess, including one that said, I cant wait to get rid of this thing so I can wear skinny jeans again. And it was clear, Smith said, that Burgess wasnt tricked into taking the Pregnot pills. She knew full well what she was doing, having sent messages about receiving the pills and taking them, telling her mother, Its happening now. With regard to the disposal of the remains, Smith said it was a terrible thing for everybody, especially the (deceased) boy. Chelsey Hartner, deputy Madison County public defender, said the defense wasnt going to make excuses for Celeste Burgess despite her age and mental health. And I think, looking back now, she regrets every step that she took during this course of events, Hartner said. The defense attorney asked Kube to consider probation for Burgess, since she had no prior criminal history. Burgess, in tears, told Kube she was afraid of being taken away from her family and that she was ready to turn her life around. And I'd really like to see instead of getting locked up I would really want a chance to actually prove to everyone that I could be a good person, she said. Kube, who described the case as difficult, said he didn't believe there was a physical health issue, but that Burgess simply didn't want the baby. And maybe that's why it's especially concerning to a lot of people. It wasn't just a wrong decision, it was a wrong decision that involves human life, or at least the life that was living inside of you. Lincoln has received more precipitation 9.63 inches of rain in the past six weeks than it had in the previous 10 months, enough moisture to lift Lancaster County out of extreme drought into severe drought. Tuesday, less than two weeks after the Earth recorded what scientists said were likely its hottest days in modern history, Phoenix broke a 49-year-old record with the citys 19th straight day of temperatures of 110 degrees or higher. The heat wave that has gripped much of the South, just a few hundred miles from Nebraska, isnt confined to the United States. Record temperatures over multiple days are being experienced in southern Europe, China and Japan, and drought has caused Canadian wildfires that have polluted Nebraska and much of the U.S. with weeks of heavy smoke. Everywhere you look in the world, the extremes have now seemingly reached a new level, former Vice President Al Gore told The New York Times. The temperatures in the North Atlantic and the unprecedented decline of the Antarctic sea ice, both simultaneously. We see it in upstate New York, we see it in Vermont, we see it in southern Japan, we see it in India. We see it in the unprecedented drought in Uruguay and in Argentina. No single weather event, such as the change in the weather pattern that has brought increased precipitation to eastern Nebraska, can be attributed to climate change. But it is now crystal clear that the extreme weather and dramatic shifts in temperature and precipitation are being driven by emissions of heat-trapping gases, mainly caused by the burning of fossil fuels, and by the return of El Nino. There is little that humans can do to reverse El Nino, a cyclical weather pattern that was first observed in the 1600s. But there are multiple tools to combat global warming already available that can be embraced by individual citizens, who can do their part to deal with todays weather issues and impact climate change to some small measure. The most immediate measure Lincolnites can take to address the drought is simple: cut back on watering of lawns as long as the rains continue, then consider following the citys voluntary restrictions of watering only three days a week thereafter. Electric vehicles, now widely available in all types, cut if not entirely eliminate fossil fuel use. And solar heating of residences can eliminate the fossil fuel portion of the electricity that is used in the home and supply clean energy into the electricity distribution system. On a larger scale, Lincolns utility, the Lincoln Electric System, is committed to moving the city to renewable, non-fossil fuel energy for its electric generation. And solar and wind energy projects, which almost universally get not in my neighborhood opposition, can bring green energy to the area. Some argue that theres no reason to try to work to stem global warming because China will offset any gains that could take place here. That, however, is only a shortsighted excuse to stand on the sidelines in the face of the climate crisis that, as conditions over the past months have shown, is an existential threat to the planet that must be addressed as quickly as possible and by individuals as well as businesses and government. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) What will North Korea do about the first U.S. soldier in decades to flee into its territory? Its official media have yet to mention Pvt. Travis King, there's little precedent for his situation and guesses about the country's next steps vary widely. Unauthorized crossings across the Koreas heavily fortified border are extremely rare. The few Americans who crossed into North Korea in the past include soldiers, missionaries, human rights advocates or those simply curious about one of the world's most cloistered societies. North Korea has used a varied playbook in its handlings of them. Defecting soldiers, like Charles Jenkins or James Dresnok in the 1960s, were treated as propaganda assets, showcased in leaflets and films spewing anti-U.S. hatred and praising the North's regime. Other Americans were detained, criticized and handed harsh penalties based on confessions of anti-state activities they later said were coerced. Behind-the-scenes pleas and lengthy backdoor negotiations followed, and the detainee was freed, often flown home with a high-profile U.S. official who traveled to Pyongyang to secure the release. None of the previous cases, however, seems relevant as a forecast for King. The length of his stay will likely depend on whether North Koreans find a way to spin his story for their own propaganda, said Jenny Town, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington and director of the North Korea-focused 38 North website. It's unclear whether the North Korea of today would treat King similarly to how it did Jenkins and Dresnok, whose crossings were six decades ago. And King might be less ideal as propaganda material. Jenkins walked into North Korea in 1965 to avoid combat duty in Vietnam, making it easier for Pyongyang to paint him as a disillusioned U.S. solider who escaped evil imperialists and chose to live in North Korea's socialist paradise. There's a big difference with King, who had legal problems and faced disciplinary action and a possible discharge before he bolted into North Korea. If they decide that hes not a good story, they may just return him so that this doesnt exacerbate already fragile relations (with the United States)," Town said. This is largely a wait-and-see as theres just so little precedent for it." But Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in South Korea, says it's highly unlikely North Korea would pass up the propaganda value of a U.S. soldier who voluntarily entered the country. While Kings immediate value would be propaganda, Pyongyang could also seek opportunities to use him as a bargaining chip to wrest concessions from Washington, he said. Its possible North Korea may demand the United States scale back its military activities with South Korea in exchange for Kings release. The U.S. has increased its deployment of strategic assets like bombers and nuclear-capable submarines since 2022 in a show of force against North Korea's nuclear threat. North Koreas goal would be to create a dilemma for Washington in choosing between (strengthening) U.S.-South Korean nuclear deterrence strategies and protecting its own citizen, Yang said. That would create challenges for South Korea, which has been focusing on strengthening nuclear deterrence strategies with the United States. Thae Yong Ho, a former diplomat at the North Korean Embassy in London who defected to South Korea in 2016 and is now a lawmaker, said the North has never released any U.S. soldier who walked into the country voluntarily. But it's also unclear whether North Korea would want to hold King for long, considering considering his low rank and thus likely low level of U.S. military intelligence he could provide and the high costs of managing his life. A specialized security and surveillance team must be organized (for King), an interpreter must be arranged, a designated vehicle and driver must be provided, and accommodation must be arranged. ... You also need to indoctrinate him into the North Korean system, so you will need to organize a team of specialized teachers and a curriculum, Thae wrote on Facebook. Park Won Gon, a professor at Seouls Ewha University, said the current high tensions between Washington and Pyongyang would complicate diplomatic efforts to bring King home. During cozier times with the United States, North Korea released U.S. detainees rather swiftly and easily. In 2018, North Korea freed Bruce Byron Lowrance a month after he entered the country illegally through China. Lowrances relatively quick deportation came in the afterglow of a highly orchestrated summit between then-U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, at which they described vague goals for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and vowed to improve ties. Weeks ahead of that summit, North Korea released three American detainees who returned home on a plane with then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. That diplomacy collapsed in 2019, and the current environment seems unfavorable for Kings early release. Starting in 2022, Kim ramped up his weapons-testing activity, which prompted the United States to expand its military exercises and nuclear contingency strategies with South Korea. The United States will likely attempt to communicate with the North via the U.S.-led United Nations Command, which administers the southern side of the inter-Korean border village, and through the so-called New York channel using North Korea's diplomatic mission to the United Nations. But, considering the prolonged diplomatic freeze, it could be quite a while before the United States is able to send a high-profile official to Pyongyang to secure King's release, if that happens at all. The only thing thats certain for now is that North Korea will handle King entirely the way it wants to, 100%, said Park. When an American goes into North Korea, they usually are used for political purposes, regardless of whether they want it or not. 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 View Results LINCOLN The Nebraska State Patrol has been honored with the 2022 Outstanding Interdiction Effort award for an operation that resulted in dozens of criminal cases and the removal of hundreds of pounds of controlled substances from the street. The award was presented Tuesday by Dan Neill, director of Midwest HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area), which provides support to law enforcement agencies in Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. Some of the narcotics were going to our communities without a doubt, but some of them were going to the East Coast, said Neill. So, youre protecting not only the citizens of Nebraska, but youre also protecting the people in other surrounding states and the East Coast and different areas. NSP was honored for the work of troopers and investigators during a two-week period in August 2022. During the specially designated operation, troopers found 258 pounds of cocaine, 18 pounds of fentanyl, 180 pounds of methamphetamine, and 140 pounds of marijuana in traffic stops and narcotics investigations. The operation involved several different aspects of NSP operations and included troopers statewide. This award is a testament to the diligence and dedication of our entire team to keep Nebraska safe, said Col. John Bolduc, superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. From the troopers and investigators working the case, to the crime analysts and other support staff assisting in countless ways, Im proud of the team effort that continues to benefit the people of Nebraska. HIDTA is a program of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy. As the Leinenkugels workers strike ends its second week, some Chippewa Falls bars have stopped serving Leinenkugels beer to show solidarity with the Local 662 Teamsters Union that authorized the strike. Brian Krista, owner of Burlys bar in Chippewa Falls, is among those who have stopped serving Leinenkugels products. Krista said hes served Leinenkugels products since opening the bar in 1997 but decided to stop serving them when workers went on strike July 10. I have a bunch of friends that work there and customers that work there, he said. Theyve always supported me. I have seven or eight friends who work down there, and I want to show them support. Krista said the decision has not hurt his business. People just drink other things, he said. I think they understand. Most of the community supports the workers. Krista said when and if the strikers and company come to a fair agreement, hell start serving Leinenkugels brews again. Until that happens, I wont serve it, he said. Staff at Rookies Pub also said they halted Leinenkugels beer service until further notice. Leinenkugels is a well-known brand across the Midwest and beyond, owned by Molson Coors. Founded in 1867 and in its sixth generation of family leadership, the brewery is one of the oldest in the country and known for classic offerings as well as seasonal flavors such as Summer Shandy. A July 11 statement from Molson Coors stated: Weve made a competitive offer that exceeds local-market rates for similar unionized roles, and despite the circumstances, were hopeful for a resolution that benefits everyone. In the meantime, we dont expect an impact to our product supply at retail. The ongoing strike involves roughly 40 workers who are members of the Local 662 Teamsters Union. Their contract expired in May, according to the union, after which 98% of the Teamsters voted to authorize a strike in their effort at seeking higher wages. Secretary-Treasurer of Union Local 662 Tom Strickland said the group is on strike with Leinenkugels for a substandard contract. Every day since the strike began workers have stood on the sidewalk in front of the Leinenkugels brewery carrying signs that say stop the war on workers and end corporate greed outside a temporary fence erected along the edge of the Leinenkugels property. Many passing motorists honk or shout support as they pass the picketers in front of the 156-year-old brewery. In addition to the temporary fence outside of Leinenkugels brewery, security guards have been added to the property. We dont necessarily want to be out here, but were tired of subpar wages, Teamsters Union Local agent 662 Dan Boley said July 11. Teamsters Local 662 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout central and northern Wisconsin. FARGO, N.D. (AP) The heavily armed man who ambushed Fargo police officers investigating a fender bender last week likely had a bigger and bloodier attack in mind, with at least two fairs taking place at the time in and around North Dakota's largest city, authorities said Friday. Mohamad Barakat killed one officer and wounded two others and a bystander before a fourth officer shot and killed him, ending the July 14 attack. Over the past five years, Barakat, 37, searched the internet for terms including kill fast, explosive ammo, incendiary rounds, and mass shooting events, state Attorney General Drew Wrigley said Friday during a news conference in Fargo, a city of about 125,000 people. But perhaps the most chilling search was for area events where there are crowds, which on July 13 brought up a news article with the headline, Thousands enjoy first day of Downtown Fargo Street Fair." Had Officer Zach Robinson not killed Barakat, authorities said they shudder to think how much worse the attack might have been. All evidence suggests that Barakat came upon the traffic crash by happenstance and that his ensuing ambush was a diversion from his much bigger intended target, Wrigley said. The horrible winds of fate sometimes, he said. Those events fell into place and fell into his path. On the day of the attack, the downtown fair was in its second day and was less than 3 miles (5 kilometers) from the crash scene. It's unclear if it was the intended target, though, as Barakat also searched for information on the Red River Valley Fair, which was just a 6-mile (10-kilometer) drive from the scene, the attorney general said. After driving by the fender bender, Barakat pulled into an adjacent parking lot to watch from his parked car, Wrigley said. He said Barakat's car was loaded with guns, a homemade grenade, more than 1,800 rounds of ammunition, three largish containers full of gasoline, plus two propane tanks, one completely filled and the other half-filled not with propane, but with explosive materials concocted at home, purchased lawfully. With police and firefighters busy helping, Barakat watched for several minutes until the officers walked by him, when he lifted a .223-caliber rifle out of his car window and began firing, Wrigley said. The rifle had a binary trigger that allowed it to fire so rapidly that it sounded like an automatic weapon, he said. A binary trigger is a modification that allows a weapon to fire one round when the trigger is pulled and another when it is released in essence doubling a gun's firing capacity. The three officers who were shot had no time to react and fell in rapid succession. He also shot and wounded a fleeing woman, Karlee Koswick, who had been involved in the fender bender, he said. Robinson, who was badly outgunned but was the only officer at the scene who hadn't been shot, engaged Barakat in a two-minute shootout. It ended with Robinson shooting and killing Barakat as bystanders crouched nearby. Wrigley described Robinson as "the last man standing in that blue line at that moment." "What he was standing between was not just the horrible events that were unfolding there, but between the horrible events that Mohamad Barakat had envisioned, planned and intended and armed himself for beyond fully that day, he said. Barakat killed Officer Jake Wallin, 23, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Minnesota Army National Guard, and wounded Officers Andrew Dotas and Tyler Hawes. Wallin and Hawes were so new that they were still undergoing field training. Barakat was a Syrian national who came to the U.S. on an asylum request in 2012 and became a U.S. citizen in 2019, Wrigley said, adding that he didnt appear to have any ties to the Muslim community in Fargo. He said Barakat had some family in the U.S., but not in the Fargo area, and that investigators are still looking into his history before he arrived in the country. In recent years, Barakat amassed his arsenal. And his internet searches about causing mayhem date back to 2018, with periods in which they abated before picking back up, the attorney general said. Nothing from online, Barakat's phones, the community or his family suggested he had a hatred of the police, he said. At this stage in the investigation, it seems all of his weapons were purchased legally, and he had many of them in his car on the day of the shooting, Wrigley said. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is looking into whether he got any of the gun components illegally. Wrigley said Barakat was wearing a vest that was absolutely stuffed with magazines and that he was putting the finishing touches on his shooting skills in the last hours before this assault. As for the propane tanks, Wrigley said it was quite dramatic when the bomb squad detonated them. He suggested the tanks contained something similar to Tannerite, a commercial explosive that can be easily detonated with a shot from a high-powered rifle. Obvious motive to kill, Wrigley said. I mean, driven by hate. Driven by wanting to kill. Not particularized to some group that we can discern at this moment, not particularized to one individual that we can see. Barakat had worked odd jobs, and briefly trained as an emergency responder at a nearby community college. He had no criminal record or social media presence and had so little contact with other people that the only photo law enforcement could provide was a blurry image of him lifted from a video. He had, however, been reported to something called the Guardian Threat Tracking System. The FBI routinely opens what it refers to internally as assessments -- the lowest level, least intrusive and most elementary stage of a terrorism-related inquiry -- when it receives unconfirmed information about potentially suspicious behavior. That information is catalogued in the Guardian system. During the assessment stage of an investigation, FBI agents are permitted to take certain basic investigative steps such as conducting online research or visual surveillance, but more sophisticated tools such as wiretaps cannot be undertaken without additional evidence of wrongdoing. Mac Schneider, the U.S. attorney for North Dakota, said the Guardian system is a way for members of the public to engage with local law enforcement about things of concern. But he provided no additional details. Whether Barakat had intended to survive the attack was unclear. He wore no body armor but did have a way to monitor what was happening at his apartment from afar, perhaps suggesting he had a plan, Wrigley said. He added that there was no immediate indication that anyone had helped Barakat. There are lone wolves," Wrigley said. "Thats a real concept. Wrigley said Koswick was badly injured and will have a difficult recovery. Zibolski said the wounded officers were briefly able to stand up out of their hospital beds on Thursday. Meanwhile, a funeral service is planned for Saturday for Wallin, whose body was cremated in his police uniform. Associated Press reporters Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis and Eric Tucker in Washington in contributed to this report. The Winona County Sheriff's Department said missing Elba resident Bruce Wiza had been found Thursday and was OK. County law enforcement asked for the public's help locating the 59-year-old on Wednesday. Officials said Wiza was last seen late Monday evening. Sheriff Ron Ganrude spoke to Wiza on the phone to confirm his safety. Law enforcement was aided in the search for Wiza after getting a tip that he was with a friend. They then spoke, over the phone, with Wiza's friend before speaking directly to Wiza. Because the initial search stemmed from a welfare check, Wiza's safety was the top priority and no criminal case was involved in the search. The sheriff's department utilized a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter and dogs in its search for Wiza and was assisted by area fire departments. Sheryl Crow has shared her thoughts on Jason Aldeans controversial song, Try That in a Small Town. Aldeans single, which was released in May, stirred new controversy when the music video debuted on July 14. The lyrics and visual references in the video, critics say, are evocative of vigilantism and racism, which Aldean has disputed. Got a gun that my granddad gave me / They say one day theyre gonna round up / Well, that s might fly in the city, good luck/Try that in a small town, Aldean sings in the song. Crow reacted in a tweet on Tuesday. @Jason_Aldean Im from a small town. Even people in small towns are sick of violence, she wrote. .@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 Crow grew up from Kennett, Missouri, which has a current population of roughly 10,200. Aldean was born in Macon, Georgia, which has a population of about 156,000. Theres nothing small-town or American about promoting violence, Crow added. You should know that better than anyone having survived a mass shooting. This is not American or small town-like. Its just lame. Aldean was performing at the Route 91 Music Harvest Festival in Las Vegas in 2017 when a gunman killed 58 people and injured hundreds more, the deadliest mass shooting in American history. Crow is a longtime advocate for gun safety. In March, she performed at a vigil in Nashville following a school shooting in which three staff members and three students were killed. She is also among several artists who lobbied the Tennessee legislature for gun reform following the shooting. Aldean, who now lives in Nashville, referenced both mass shootings 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 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, Aldean wrote. Try That in a Small Town, produced by longtime Aldean collaborator Michael Knox, was written by Kurt Allison, Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher and Tully Kennedy. Aldean shared his interpretation of the songs lyrics in his tweet. 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, 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 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. Top country song from the year you graduated high school Top country song from the year you graduated high school 1948 (tie): 'I'll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms)' by Eddy Arnold and His Tennessee Plowboys, "Bouquet of Roses" by Eddy Arnold and his Tennessee Plowboys 1949: 'Lovesick Blues' by Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys 1950: 'I'm Movin' On' by Hank Snow 1951: 'Shotgun Boogie' by Tennessee Ernie Ford 1952: 'The Wild Side of Life' by Hank Thompson 1953: 'Kaw-Liga' by Hank Williams 1954: 'I Don't Hurt Anymore' by Hank Snow 1955: 'In The Jailhouse Now' by Webb Pierce 1956: 'Heartbreak Hotel' by Elvis Presley 1957: 'Gone' by Ferlin Husky 1958 (tie): 'Ballad Of A Teenage Queen' by Johnny Cash, 'Guess Things Happen That Way' by Johnny Cash 1959 (tie): 'The Battle of New Orleans' by Johnny Horton, 'The Three Bells' by The Browns 1960 (tie): 'He'll Have to Go' by Jim Reeves, 'Please Help Me, I'm Falling' by Hank Locklin 1961: 'Don't Worry' by Marty Robbins 1962 (tie): 'Walk On By' by Leroy Van Dyke, 'Wolverton Mountain' by Claude King 1963: 'Love's Gonna Live Here' by Buck Owens 1964: 'I Guess I'm Crazy' by Jim Reeves 1965: 'Before You Go' by Buck Owens 1966: 'Almost Persuaded' by David Houston 1967 (tie): 'There Goes My Everything' by Jack Greene, 'All The Time' by Jack Greene, 'It's The Little Things' by Sonny James 1968: 'Skip A Rope' by Henson Cargill 1969: 'Daddy Sang Bass' by Johnny Cash 1970 (tie): 'Baby Baby (I Know You're a Lady)' by David Houston, 'It's Just a Matter of Time' by Sonny James, 'Hello Darlin'' by Conway Twitty, 'Don't Keep Me Hangin' On' by Sonny James 1971: 'When You're Hot, You're Hot' by Jerry Reed 1972: 'My Hang-Up Is You' by Freddie Hart 1973 (tie): 'You've Never Been This Far Before' by Conway Twitty, 'The Most Beautiful Girl' by Charlie Rich 1974: 'A Very Special Love Song' by Charlie Rich 1975 (tie): 'Before the Next Teardrop Falls' by Freddy Fender, 'Rhinestone Cowboy' by Glen Campbell, 'Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain' by Willie Nelson, 'Always Wanting You' by Merle Haggard, 'Touch the Hand' by Conway Twitty, and three more 1976: 'Convoy' by C. W. McCall 1977: 'Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)' by Waylon Jennings 1978: 'Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys' by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson 1979 (tie): 'Every Which Way but Loose' by Eddie Rabbitt, 'I Just Fall in Love Again" by Anne Murray, 'If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me' by The Bellamy Brothers, 'Amanda' by Waylon Jennings, and two more 1980 (tie): 'Coward of the County' by Kenny Rogers, 'My Heart / Silent Night (After the Fight)' by Ronnie Milsap, 'Lookin' for Love' by Johnny Lee 1981 (tie): 'I Don't Need You' by Kenny Rogers, '(There's) No Gettin' Over Me' by Ronnie Milsap, 'Never Been So Loved (In All My Life)' by Charley Pride 1982 (tie): 'Always on My Mind' by Willie Nelson, 'Just to Satisfy You' by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, 'Slow Hand' by Conway Twitty, 'She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)' by Jerry Reed 1983 (tie): 'Islands in the Stream' by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, 'Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You)' by Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers 1984 (tie): 'To All the Girls I've Loved Before' by Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson, 'Why Not Me' by The Judds 1985: 'Lost in the Fifties Tonight (In the Still of the Night)' by Ronnie Milsap 1986 (tie): 'Whoever's in New England' by Reba McEntire, 'Have Mercy' by The Judds, 'Desperado Love' by Conway Twitty, and two more 1987: 'Forever and Ever, Amen' by Randy Travis 1988 (tie): 'Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses' by Kathy Mattea, 'I Told You So' by Randy Travis, 'I'll Leave This World Loving You' by Ricky Van Shelton, 'When You Say Nothing at All' by Keith Whitley 1989 (tie): 'I'm No Stranger to the Rain' by Keith Whitley, 'The Church on Cumberland Road' by Shenandoah 1990: 'Love Without End, Amen' by George Strait 1991 (tie): 'Down Home' by Alabama, 'Don't Rock the Jukebox' by Alan Jackson, 'You Know Me Better Than That' by George Strait 1992: 'Achy Breaky Heart' by Billy Ray Cyrus 1993: 'Chattahoochee' by Alan Jackson 1994 (tie): 'Wild One' by Faith Hill, 'I Swear' by John Michael Montgomery, 'Wink' by Neal McCoy 1995: 'I Like It, I Love It' by Tim McGraw 1996 (tie): 'It Matters to Me' by Faith Hill, 'No News' by Lonestar, 'Time Marches On' by Tracy Lawrence, 'My Maria' by Brooks and Dunn, 'Carried Away' by George Strait, and two more 1997: 'It's Your Love' by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill 1998: 'Just to See You Smile' by Tim McGraw 1999: 'Amazed' by Lonestar 2000 (tie): 'Breathe' by Faith Hill, 'How Do You Like Me Now?!' by Toby Keith, 'I Hope You Dance' by Lee Ann Womack and Sons of the Desert 2001 (tie): 'Ain't Nothing 'bout You' by Brooks and Dunn, 'I'm Already There' by Lonestar 2002: 'The Good Stuff' by Kenny Chesney 2003 (tie): 'Have You Forgotten?' by Darryl Worley, 'It's Five O'Clock Somewhere' by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett 2004 (tie): 'There Goes My Life' by Kenny Chesney, 'When the Sun Goes Down' by Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker, 'Redneck Woman' by Gretchen Wilson 2005 (tie): 'As Good as I Once Was' by Toby Keith, 'Better Life' by Keith Urban 2006: 'Jesus, Take the Wheel' by Carrie Underwood 2007: 'Never Wanted Nothing More' by Kenny Chesney 2008 (tie): 'Our Song' by Taylor Swift, 'Letter to Me' by Brad Paisley 2009: 'Need You Now' by Lady A 2010 (tie): 'Consider Me Gone' by Reba McEntire, 'Why Don't We Just Dance' by Josh Turner, 'The House That Built Me' by Miranda Lambert 2011: 'Honey Bee' by Blake Shelton 2012: 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' by Taylor Swift 2013: 'Cruise' by Florida Georgia Line 2014: 'Burnin' It Down' by Jason Aldean 2015: 'Girl Crush' by Little Big Town 2016: 'H.O.L.Y.' by Florida Georgia Line 2017: 'Body Like a Back Road' by Sam Hunt 2018: 'Meant to Be' by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line 2019: 'Whiskey Glasses' by Morgan Wallen 2020: 'The Bones' by Maren Morris 2021: 'Fancy Like' by Walker Hayes MI6 Chief Charges Putin in Ukraine Is Reenacting Soviet Crushing of Prague Spring July 20, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)Sir Richard Moore, Chief of Britains Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), was the featured speaker in Prague, yesterday, at an event sponsored by Politico at the British Embassy, prefaced by an interview. There was nothing subtle about Moores message: Just as Soviet tanks invaded Czechoslovakia and crushed the 1968 Prague Spring, he said, today once again Russians have invaded another European country, Ukraine, ravaging a kindred country, committing unspeakable atrocities, expelling innocent families from their homes, kidnapping thousands of children, leaving devastation in their wake, just as in Prague 1968. Politico plays it up prominently on its website, with Moores speech, the interview, and short clips from his speech on key points of emphasis. Moores deployment to Prague should be seen in the context of Londons efforts to escalate the drive to nuclear war. Militarily, Moore paints a fantasy-ridden picture of the battlefield. He claims that Russia is about to run out of steam in its special military operation, claiming Russia has had appalling casualties and that the military will find it increasingly difficult to supply manpower and materiel over the next few weeks. The Ukrainians, on the other hand, are now on the offensive, although its a hard slog, but they are demonstrating their astonishing ability to innovate and mobilize new technology. There are few signs that Russian forces are gaining momentum, he adds. Moore insists that Putin and his government are starting to crumble, with cracks in his power structure, following Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhins attempted mutiny. I think he probably feels under some pressure. 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. Moore described Prigozhins mutiny as extraordinary but not a surprise. Moore is also confident that what Putin has done in Ukraine can blow back into Russia, potentially destabilizing the government. Putin cant contain the impact of what hes done in Ukraine within its borders. Russias appalling casualties are bleeding back into the Russian body politic in a potentially destabilizing way. Putin is clearly under pressure. Moore charges that only Putin and his henchmen are talking about escalation, which is irresponsible and reckless and designed to weaken our resolve in supporting Ukraine. It will not work, he vows. He also reports that MI6 will always welcome Russian defectors who wish to aid Ukraine. MI6s door is always open. I invite them to do what others have done these past 18 months and join hands with us. Asked if MI6 can definitely protect whatever secrets such collaborators might offer, he assures the interviewer that their secrets will always be safe with us. Naturally, he also denounces China for its hypocrisy, supporting Russia even though Putin is violating core principlesterritorial integrity, sovereigntythat China claims to honor. Not surprisingly, he announces that MI6 now devotes more resources to China than anywhere else. Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer is a kinetic thing of dark, imposing beauty that quakes with the disquieting tremors of a forever rupture in the course of human history. Oppenheimer, a feverish three-hour immersion in the life of Manhattan Project mastermind J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), is poised between the shock and aftershock of the terrible revelation, as one character calls it, of a divine power. There are times in Nolans latest opus that flames fill the frame and visions of subatomic particles flitter across the screen montages of Oppenheimers own churning visions. But for all the immensity of Oppenheimer, this is Nolans most human-scaled film and one of his greatest achievements. Its told principally in close-ups, which, even in the towering detail of IMAX 70mm, cant resolve the vast paradoxes of Oppenheimer. He was said to be a magnetic man with piercing blue eyes (Murphy has those in spades) who became the father of the atomic bomb but, in speaking against nuclear proliferation and the hydrogen bomb, emerged as Americas postwar conscience. Nolan, writing his own adaptation of Martin J. Sherwin and Kai Birds Pulitzer Prize-winning 2005 book American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, layers the build-up to the Manhattan Project with two moments from years later. In 1954, a probing inquiry into Oppenheimers leftist politics by a McCarthy-era Atomic Energy Commission stripped him of his security clearance. This provides the frame of Oppenheimer, along with a Senate confirmation hearing for Lewis Strauss (Robert Downey Jr.), who chaired the Atomic Energy Commission and was a stealthy nemesis to Oppenheimer. The grubby, political machinations of these hearings the Strauss section is captured in black and white act like a stark X-ray of Oppenheimers life. Its an often brutal, unfair interrogation that weighs Oppenheimers decisions and accomplishment, inevitably, in moral terms. Whod want to justify their whole life? someone wonders. For the maker of the worlds most lethal weapon, its an especially complicated question. These separate timelines give Oppenheimer dimly lit and shadowy even in the desert a noirish quality (Nolan has said all his films are ultimately noirs) in reckoning with a physicist who spent the first half of his life in headlong pursuit of a new science and the second half wrestling with the consequences of his colossal, world-altering invention. Oppenheimer moves too fast to come to any neat conclusions. Nolan, as if reaching to match the electron, dives into the story at a blistering pace. From start to finish, Oppenheimer buzzes with a heady frequency, tracking Oppenheimer as a promising student in the then-unfolding field of quantum mechanics. Can you hear the music, Robert? asks the elder Danish physicist Niels Bohr (Kenneth Branagh). He can, absolutely, but that doesnt mean finding harmony. Nolan, whose last film was the time-traveling, palindrome-rich Tenet, may be the only filmmaker for whom delving into quantum mechanics could be considered a step down in complexity. But Oppenheimer is less interested in equations than the chemistry of an expanding mind. Oppenheimer reads The Waste Land and looks at modernist painting. He dabbles in the communist thinking of the day. (His mistress, Jean Tatlock, played arrestingly, tragically by Florence Pugh, is a party member.) But he aligns with no single cause. I like a little wiggle room, says Oppenheimer. For a filmmaker synonymous with grand architectures psychologies mapped onto subconscious worlds (Inception) and cosmic reaches ( Interstellar ) Oppenheimer resides more simply in its subjects fertile imagination and anguished psyche. (The script was written in first person.) Nolan and cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema render Oppenheimers interiority with flashes of images that stretch across the heavens. His brilliance comes from his limitlessness of thought. Just how much wiggle room Oppenheimer is permitted, though, becomes a more acute point when war breaks out and hes tasked by Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. (Matt Damon) to lead the race to beat the Nazis to an atomic bomb. The rapid building of Los Alamos on the white-sand mesas of New Mexico a site chosen by and with personal meaning to Oppenheimer might not be so different than the erecting of movie sets for Nolans massive films, which likewise tend to culminate with a spectacular explosion. There is something inherently queasy about a big-screen spectacle dramatizing the creation justified or not of a weapon of mass destruction. Oppenheimer once called the atomic bomb a weapon for aggressors wherein the elements of surprise and terror are as intrinsic to it as are the fissionable nuclei. Surely a less imperial, leviathan filmmaker than Nolan a British director making an American epic might have approached the subject differently. But the responsibility of power has long been one of Nolans chief subjects (think of the all-powerful surveillance machine of The Dark Knight). And Oppenheimer is consumed with not just the ethical quandary of the Manhattan Project but every ethical quandary that Oppenheimer encounters. Big or small, they could all lead to valor or damnation. What makes Oppenheimer so unnerving is how indistinguishable one is from the other. Oppenheimer sticks almost entirely to its protagonists point of view yet also populates its three-hour film with an incredible array of faces, all in exquisite detail. Some of the best are Benny Safdie as the hydrogen bomb designer Edward Teller; Jason Clarke as gruff special counsel Roger Robb; Gary Oldman as President Harry Truman; Alden Ehrenreich as an aide to Strauss; Macon Blair as Oppenheimers attorney; and Emily Blunt as Kitty Oppenheimer, the physicists wife. The greatest of all of them, though, is Murphy. The actor, a Nolan regular, has always been able to communicate something more disturbing underneath his angular, angelic features. But here, his Oppenheimer is a fascinating coil of contradictions: determined and aloof, present and far-away, brilliant but blind. Dread hangs over him, and over the film, with the inevitable. The future, post-Hiroshima, is sounded most by the wail of children who will grow up in that world; the Oppenheimers babies do nothing but cry. When the Trinity test comes at Los Alamos after the toil of some 4,000 people and the expense of $2 billion, theres a palpable, shuddering sense of history changing inexorably. How Nolan captures these sequences the quiet before the sound of the explosion; the disquieting, thunderous, flag-waving applause that greets Oppenheimer after are masterful, unforgettable fusions of sound and image, horror and awe. Oppenheimer has much more to go. Government encroaches on science, with plenty of lessons for todays threats of annihilation. Downey, in his best performance in years, strides toward the center of the film. You could say the film gets bogged down here, relegating a global story to a drab backroom hearing, preferring to vindicate Oppenheimers legacy rather than wrestle with harder questions of fallout. But Oppenheimer is never not balanced, uncomfortably, with wonder at what humans are capable of, and fear that we dont know what to do with it. JAKE COYLE, MDT/AP Film Writer Oppenheimer, a Universal Pictures release is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for some sexuality, nudity and language. Running time: 180 minutes. Senior officials from Japan, the U.S. and South Korea condemned North Korea over its recent ICBM-class ballistic missile launches and vowed to step up their trilateral cooperation to strengthen deterrence and sanctions against the North, while stressing the need for dialogue with Pyongyang. Their meeting yesterday in the central Japanese city of Karuizawa comes days after North Koreas solid-fuel ICBM launch last week, which landed in the water off the western coast of Japans northern main island of Hokkaido and one day after the launch of two missiles on Wednesday. The U.S. special representative for North Korea, Sung Kim, also said that the United States was working hard to gather information about an American soldier who fled to the North earlier this month. The U.S. was seeking to ensure his safety and return him home, Kim said. Private 2nd Class Travis King, 23, had been held in South Korea on assault charges and was released on July 10 after serving his time. He was taken to the airport Monday but did not board his flight home. Instead, he joined a tourist trip to the border and bolted to the North Korean side. Kim said he and his Japanese counterpart, Takehiro Funakoshi, director general of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau at the Foreign Ministry, and South Koreas Kim Gunn, Special Representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security Affairs, were to also discuss their leaders summit planned for next month in the United States. In his opening remarks, Japans Funakoshi said Tokyo seeks to further strengthen the three-way security cooperation to enhance deterrence and implement sanctions against the North over its missile advancement in violation to the United Naitons Security Council resolutions. However, he also stressed the need for dialogue with the North. He reiterated that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was willing to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without any preconditions to resolve the decades-old issue of North Koreas abductions of Japanese nationals. Sung Kim said the United States had no hostile intent and that we are willing and ready to sit down at the negotiating table to work through our differences. South Koreas Kim said the three officials were to affirm their intent for dialogue with North Korea, while discussing ways to strengthen close communication to bring North Korea back to the path to denuclearization and to encourage Chinas constructive role. He noted the start of this weeks launch of a nuclear consultation between Seoul and Washington, saying North Korea undermined its own security, while its attempt to intimidate the two allies only upgraded their cooperation on nuclear deterrence. MARI YAMAGUCHI, TOKYO, MDT/AP The government should implement measures to uphold the healthcare rights of civil servants amid the intense environment of the past three years, lawmaker Jose Pereira Coutinho has said in a recent inquiry. The lawmaker highlighted that in 2007, the government insisted on establishing the Civil Servant Health Check-up Centre, despite the then easy access to similar services at local health centers and private healthcare facilities accredited by the Health Bureau (SSM). The centre was established to prevent workplace health problems to improve the welfare and quality of life of civil servants, according to the lawmaker. However, the Public Administration and Civil Service Bureau (SAFP) stated in reply to a lawmakers inquiry that during the past three years of the Covid-19 pandemic, staff from Civil Servant Health Check-up Centre were assigned to assist in the anti-Covid mission. Certain doctors have also retired. This partly explains the long queue for services. Coutinho cited the SAFP director as saying that due to the limited availability for health check-ups [at the center], only civil servants who have not had a [government-run] check-up for two years will be accepted [for bookings]. Coutinho also expressed his dissatisfaction with what he referred to as bureaucracy from May 2009, all bookings were made with the SAFP instead of directly with the check-up center. This has led to delayed bookings, seriously violating civil servants rights to early inspection, diagnosis and treatment, the lawmaker said. He also spoke of the recent passing of a special service police officer who died after running 1,800 meters as part of training. The lawmaker emphasized that it should be a medical decision how frequently a person received medical checks, taking into account physical, clinical and laboratory observations and data, which is impossible for the SAFP to do. The lawmakers on the Third Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly (AL) are concerned about the short time allowed for the discussion of the details of the new Civil Aviation law that enforces the new system of licenses in place of a concession. In the meeting held yesterday morning, some expressed concerns over the fact that the three-year concession contract extension, granted to the current solo Macau-flag carrier Air Macau, is set to expire in early November this year. While the new law established provisions noting that the new law can enter into force as soon as it is ready and bring the concession to a term, the lawmakers are concerned with the fact that there might not be enough time to approve the new law before the end of this contract, since the AL usually has its summer holidays between mid-August and mid-October. The topic was mentioned by the Committee president, lawmaker Vong Hin Fai during the media briefing that followed the meeting. He said that lawmakers still have a series of questions they want to see clarified by the government, having listed those during the meeting for the purposes of submitting them to the government. RM Protesters angered by the planned burning of a copy of the Quran stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad yesterday, breaking into the compound and lighting a small fire and setting off a diplomatic furor. Online videos showed demonstrators at the diplomatic post waving flags and signs showing the influential Iraqi Shiite cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr ahead of a planned burning of the Islamic holy book yesterday in Stockholm by an Iraqi asylum-seeker who burned a copy of the Quran in a previous demonstration last month. Following the incident, the Swedish Embassy announced it had closed to visitors without specifying when it would reopen. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani convened a meeting with security officials and said in a statement afterwards that Iraqi authorities will prosecute those responsible for the arson as well referring negligent security officials for investigation. However, the statement also said that the Iraqi government had informed its Swedish counterpart on Wednesday that Iraq would cut off diplomatic relations should the Quran burning go forward. The videos showed dozens of men climbing over the fence at the complex, with the sound of them trying to break down a front door. Another showed what appeared to be a small fire being set. Other footage showed men, some shirtless in the summer heat, inside what appeared to be a room at the embassy, an alarm audible in the background. Others later performed predawn prayers outside of the embassy. As dawn broke, police and other security officials gathered at the embassy as small plumes of smoke still rose. Firefighters tried to douse the flames from the ladder of a fire truck. Some demonstrators still stood at the site, holding placards showing al-Sadrs face, apparently left alone by police. The Swedish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that our embassy staff are in safety, without elaborating. In a statement posted on its website Thursday, the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad said it is closed to visitors, but didnt specify how long the closure would last. We condemn all attacks on diplomats and staff from international organizations, the ministry said. Attacks on embassies and diplomats constitute a serious violation of the Vienna Convention. Iraqi authorities have the responsibility to protect diplomatic missions and diplomatic staff. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom called the attacks completely unacceptable in a statement and said the ministry will summon Iraqs charge daffaires in Stockholm, slamming Iraqi authorities for seriously failing in their responsibility to protect the embassy and its personnel. The Finnish embassy in Baghdad is adjacent to the Swedish embassy, in an area enclosed by blast walls. Finlands ambassador to Iraq, Matti Lassila, told the Finnish public broadcaster YLE that the staff of the Swedish and Finnish embassies were proactively evacuated Wednesday and were uninjured. Iraqs Foreign Ministry also issued a statement condemning the attack, without explaining how it allowed the breach to happen or identifying who carried out the assault. The Iraqi government has instructed the competent security authorities to conduct an urgent investigation and take the necessary security measures in order to uncover the circumstances of the incident and identify the perpetrators of this act and hold them accountable according to the law, the Foreign Ministry said. Iraqi police did not immediately acknowledge the attack. Stockholm police spokesman Mats Eriksson confirmed that police had granted permission for a demonstration involving two people outside the Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm on Thursday. He could not say whether the protesters were planning to burn the Quran. The right to hold public demonstrations is strong in Sweden and protected by the constitution. Blasphemy laws were abandoned in the 1970s. Police generally give permission based on whether they believe a public gathering can be held without major disruptions or risks to public safety. However, for Muslims, the burning of the Quran represents a blasphemous desecration of their religions holy text. Quran burnings in the past have sparked protests across the Muslim world, some turning violent. In Afghanistan, the Taliban have suspended all the activities of Swedish organizations in the country in response to the recent Quran burning. An Iraqi Christian immigrant last month burned a Quran outside a Stockholm mosque during the major Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, triggering widespread condemnation in the Islamic world. According to Swedish news agency TT, the same man was one of those who planned to burn the Quran on Thursday. A similar protest by a far-right activist was held outside Turkeys Embassy earlier this year, complicating Swedens efforts to convince Turkey to let it join NATO. In June, protesters who support al-Sadr stormed the embassy in Baghdad during daylight hours over that Quran burning. Another day of protests saw thousands of demonstrators on the streets in the country. Protesters then, as well as early yesterday, called on Iraqi officials to expel Swedens ambassador to Iraq. ALI JABAR & ABBY SEWELL, BAGHDAD, MDT/AP Mercenaries from Russias military company Wagner yesterday launched joint drills with the Belarusian military near the border with Poland following their relocation to Belarus after their short-lived rebellion, a move that prompted Warsaw to redeploy its troops. The Belarusian Defense Ministry said that the weeklong maneuvers will be conducted at a firing range near the border city of Brest and will involve Belarusian special forces. The ministry added that Wagners combat experience will help modernize the Belarusian military. A video released Wednesday appeared to show Wagners chief Yevgeny Prigozhin for the first time since he led last months rebellion. In the video, Prigozhin was seen telling his troops they would spend some time in Belarus training its military to help make the Belarusian army the second strongest army in the world before deploying to Africa. In addition to their involvement in Ukraine, Wagner mercenaries have been sent to Syria and several African countries since the private army was created in 2014. The U.K. government on Thursday imposed asset freezes and travel bans on 13 Wagner mercenaries over alleged attacks on civilians and other human rights abuses in Africa. Britain has already sanctioned Prigozhin and several other Wagner commanders over the groups role in Russias invasion of Ukraine. In his revolt that began on June 23 and lasted less than 24 hours, Prigozhins mercenaries captured the military headquarters in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don without firing a shot and then moved as close as 200 kilometers to Moscow. The mutiny faced little resistance. The mercenaries downed at least six military helicopters and a command post aircraft, killing at least 10 airmen. Prigozhin had called it a march of justice to oust Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Staff chief Gen. Valery Gerasimov, who demanded that Wagner forces sign contracts with the Defense Ministry. He ordered his troops back to their camps after Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko brokered a deal to end the rebellion in exchange for an amnesty for Prigozhin and his fighters and a permission to relocate to Belarus. The revolt posed the most serious threat to Russian President Vladimir Putins 23-year rule, eroding his authority and exposing the governments weakness. Belaruski Hajun, a Belarusian activist group that monitors troops movements in Belarus, said that nine convoys with more than 2,000 Wagner mercenaries already have rolled into the country. A Wagner commander said in a statement posted on a messaging app channel linked to the company that about 10,000 Wagner troops are set to deploy to Belarus. Satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC which were analyzed by The Associated Press showed a convoy of vehicles at the base near Tsel in the Asipovichy region of Belarus, about 90 kilometers southeast of Minsk, which the Belarusian authorities offered to Wagner. Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who was forced to leave the country after challenging Lukashenko in a 2020 election that the opposition and the West denounced as fraudulent, said that Wagners deployment to Belarus will destabilize the country and threaten its neighbors. MDT/AP Sands China has solved the shortage of manpower in its properties and is now able to put all 12,000 of its rooms into operation, Sands China president Wilfred Wong told the Times yesterday. During the first half of the year, the hotel sector was understaffed amid the advertising campaign aiming to boost tourist arrivals in the city following the easing of border restrictions in early January. The shortage of manpower caused the citys hotels to operate at 60% to 70% capacity due to the lack of staff capable of attending to guests needs. For this summer, according to Wong, weve solved the manpower problem. Into the summer months, more than 12,000 rooms will come back into operation. We averaged 10,700 in the last quarter already. So, in July and August, we believe well be able to handle the maximum capacity, he added. The Times is aware that just last month, several hundred newly hired workers arrived in Macau to work in the hotel sector. The majority of them applied early this year and have only had their working visas processed last month. A significant number of them have gone through a Manila-based agency, Ikon Solutions Asia. Back in December, the recruitment agency posted new job alerts for positions in the citys integrated resorts, which signaled the renewed need for staff in the sector following layoffs since 2020 caused by the pandemic. The listings featured job postings for bartenders, bell attendants, room attendants and welcome ambassadors for the five-star casino resorts in Macau. The recruitment agency has advertised that it has partnered with all six operators and deployed over 15,000 Filipino workers to Macau. LV The U.S. considers building strong economic and security ties with Vietnam a priority, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said yesterday as she met with Vietnamese officials in a visit aimed at fortifying Americas relations across Asia. Yellen arrived in Vietnam after visits to Beijing and to India, where she attended financial meetings of the Group of 20 major industrial economies. The United States considers Vietnam a key partner in advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific, Yellen told Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, according to remarks provided by the U.S. Treasury Department. A free and open Indo-Pacific refers to the latest iteration of broad U.S. diplomacy aimed at cultivating stronger ties with other countries in the region to counter Chinas growing sway among its neighbors. Vietnam is also a close economic partner, with our two-way trade reaching record highs last year and the United States serving as Vietnams largest export market, Yellen said. It is a priority for our administration to deepen our economic and security ties with Vietnam in the months and years to come. Yellen briefly sat atop a bright red electric scooter during a visit to a factory in Hanois lush green suburbs, where Selex Motors, a five-year-old Vietnamese startup, makes EV scooters and batteries. Climate change poses an existential threat to the world but also provides a key economic opportunity and way to build greater resilience into our economies, she said, describing the facility as impressive. Yellen said the U.S. recognized the importance of diversifying supply chains after experiencing the disruptions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. And then, when Russia invaded Ukraine, many countries saw what the implications could be of being overly dependent in Europes case for natural gas and oil on a country that could use it for geopolitical ends, she said. She said the U.S. was actively trying to promote green resilience in supply chains. That doesnt mean ending trading relationships with China, she said, reiterating comments she has voiced before. But we do partner with more countries. And we see Vietnam as an excellent partner, she said. Yellen said the U.S. is committed to mobilizing $15 billion to support Vietnams adoption of renewable energy as a part of the Just Energy Transition Partnership or JETP a financial promise made by the Group of Seven advanced economies to help the country phase out its reliance on fossil fuels. Such projects have offered similar incentives to South Africa and Indonesia. ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL, HANOI, MDT/AP 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. People rallied around Rudi the pig as his seven-day stay came to an end. The pig has been a popular sight along Madisons Southwest Bike Path for more than a year, but last week the city gave Rudis owners, Paula Niedenthal and Markus Brauer, a warning that Rudy had to leave within a week or they would be cited. Pigs are not allowed in Madison. That seven-day period ended Thursday. Rudis owners werent yet cited, but the city told Niedenthal on Thursday that they would follow up. Meanwhile, signs have shown up along the bike path. One said, Rudy: The pig that brought joy to bicyclists, joggers, walkers and a whole town. Another says, Pardon the pig inside a web drawing, evoking Charlottes Web, the classic E.B. White childrens story about Wilbur the pig and his friend Charlotte, a spider who saves his life by writing about him in her web. That sign pleaded with the mayor to do the right thing. Madison City Attorney Michael Haas said Thursday that it would be some time before the warning Rudis owners got last week from Public Health Madison and Dane County made its way through this office. Im not really personally involved with the cases we have, he said. So, first of all, the public health department is the one that would issue a citation. Just like the police would issue a citation for speeding. Its an ordinance the public health department enforces, so its up to them to decide whether or not to issue a citation. He said his office would only get involved if Niedenthal enters a not-guilty plea. Then we would make a decision about whether to prosecute in municipal court. So theres a couple of steps before it gets to us. Those steps could take months. Haas said he cant say yet whether the city would prosecute. There are cases in municipal court all the time in which city attorneys have to make decisions about whether to prosecute or reach a settlement, he said. Theres an ordinance on the books right now, and so unless the ordinance has changed, city agencies will enforce the ordinances, Haas said. Niedenthal, meanwhile, worked from home Thursday wondering what would happen to Rudi, a 1-year-old Juliana miniature pig. My guess is either theyre gonna come on 10 horses or theyre not gonna come at all, she said. Niedenthal contacted her City Council member, Regina Vidaver, 5th District, to discuss the possibility that the ordinance hasnt evolved to allow animals like Rudi, whos bred to be a pet. Vidaver said she needed to look into it and is now on vacation and didnt respond to an email Thursday. Inquiries made Meanwhile, Ald. Tag Evers, 13th District, who represents an area on the other side of the bike path, consulted with Haas and asked how Niedenthal could contest the citation. Evers said if Niedenthal pleads not guilty and asks for a court appearance, that would take time, and in the interim, the council should be able to change the ordinance. And by that time, it would be moot, he said. He said no one from the city is going to come and pick up Rudi, and Niedenthal wont be faced with mounting fines for every day shes in violation. Evers said he thinks staff from the citys public health and zoning departments are open to the idea that the council could change the ordinance in this instance. We are checking in with other municipalities and figuring out how this can be done and how we can construct parameters, clear parameters around it, in terms of maybe a weight limit on a pig and certain breeds of pigs that would be acceptable as pets, he said. Christy Vogt, a spokesperson for the health department, said Thursday that as far as she knows, nothing has changed. We follow and enforce all ordinances that pertain to our agency. The ordinance, enacted in June 2018, prohibits anyone inside Madisons city limits from possessing pigs, hogs, boars or swine. The only exceptions are special events or block parties, and those require permits. Possible options Haas told Evers that if the council amends the ordinance or is in the midst of reconsidering the ordinance, that may impact the position the city attorneys office takes. I do not know how prevalent restrictions regarding ownership of pigs in cities is, or the extent of the public health and safety concerns for various types of pigs, Haas wrote. Based on brief conversations I have had today; it seems that it is rare for Wisconsin cities to permit pigs as pets except for potbellied pigs in some municipalities. Evers said there are ways to craft an ordinance that has strict and clear parameters regarding public health and safety, for instance, that a pig gets certain vaccinations. We dont want a pet that could spread swine flu, right? Pigs would need to be licensed the way dogs are, too, he said. The council would also need to come up with rules regarding the conditions under which pigs are kept, similar to how the city handles chickens and chicken coops, he said. Niedenthals situation is novel in that not many people have chosen to have a pet pig, Evers said, but under the circumstances it seems like we ought to be able to make this modest change ... I dont think youre going to find pigs on every block. To the farm Niedenthal got a call from an officer from the health department late in the day Thursday and she told him she was planning to take Rudi back to her hobby farm in Juneau County for the weekend, as she did last weekend. Leaving Rudi at the farm is not a solution, she said, because she has to work on Monday and theres nobody there to care for him. Niedenthal said when she let Rudi out Thursday morning in the backyard, which is visible from the bike path, people were saying their goodbyes. I needed to let him go potty and stuff and now hes asleep in in my kitchen because Im working, she said. Thats what he does. See the Wisconsin State Journal photo staff's favorites of 2022 A 24-year-old man was arrested on burglary and other charges Thursday after leading police on a chase that ended behind a Madison middle school. Police received a call just before 11 a.m. about a man stealing from a construction site along University Avenue, Madison police said. The man left in a car that was spotted a short time later by police from another jurisdiction, and those officers chased the vehicle and attempted to stop it with road spikes. The chase ended when the man drove the wrong way on Midvale Boulevard, then onto a hilly area behind Cherokee Heights Middle School and then on to Nakoma Road on the city's Near West Side, police said. No children were in the school at the time. The man faces burglary and theft charges and potentially other tentative charges from Shorewood Hills. Who are they? WI children reported missing as of July 1 These are recent reports of missing children made to local law enforcement. If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678). Dane County has a new provider for its senior meals program, six months after the service briefly fell apart under its former contractor, restauranteur Dave Heide. The Dane County Board awarded AtlantisValley Foods the contract to provide meals to 11 area senior centers, along with home-delivered meals. The Cottage Grove-based food service company already delivers about 30,000 meals throughout the county each week, according to the countys resolution awarding AtlantisValley Foods the contract. Heide, the founder of Little Johns, struggled to fulfill the contract with the county when he took over the service in January. At the time, the county raised concerns with Heide about prompt delivery, food quality and food temperatures. He didnt respond to county oversight efforts to fix the problems and shuttered operations at Little Johns the day before the publication of a Wisconsin State Journal article detailing his struggles to deliver senior meals. Heides one-year contract would have been worth $955,000. The county will pay about $400,000 to AtlantisValley Foods to deliver nearly 40,000 meals from September through the end of this year under the contract. AtlantisValley Foods won the contract in a competitive bidding process that included multiple respondents. The contract awarded to Heide last November also went out to bid, but he was the only respondent. When Heides role in the program ended, Heides predecessor, Dane County Consolidated Food Service, stepped in to perform its old duties. The Goodman Community Center and area restaurants also delivered meals to seniors. The County Board greenlighted its contract with AtlantisValley Foods at its meeting Thursday night on a voice vote with no debate. Workplace discrimination Also Thursday, the board voted to further update county ordinances banning workplace discrimination based on cultural differences, a move aimed at preventing people of color, particularly Black women, from getting treated differently because of their hair. Five supervisors voted against the ordinance change, arguing that the term cultural differences is too broad and noting that the county already bans discrimination because of physical appearance. The ordinance change passed on a 28-5 vote. Those opposing the ordinance were Sups. Jerry Bollig, Patrick Downing, Tim Kiefer, Maureen McCarville and Dave Ripp. Supporters of the change argued that even though hairstyles are included within cultural differences, having as broad and inclusive language as possible in county code further prevents employees of diverse backgrounds from being treated differently. In 2021, the county banned county contractors from discriminating based on hairstyles, a reform led by former Sup. Shelia Stubbs. No supervisors voted against it then. The change on Thursday was introduced to add language banning discrimination based on cultural differences by county employees, which didnt get changed when the original ordinance passed, said Carlos Pabellon, corporation counsel for the county. In 2022, Congress passed federal legislation banning discrimination based on hairstyle, a bill known as the CROWN Act. ATV routes The board unanimously voted to create a permit process for establishing ATV routes on some Dane County highways. The $500 permit fee will go toward installing signage that tells riders that the path is an ATV route. Individuals, organizations or municipalities are allowed to apply for the permit. The change comes after a pilot program last year that allowed ATV use on Highway Y in Mazomanie. More and more Dane County citizens are finding ways to enjoy the beautiful outdoors, and this new permit process will safely and efficiently facilitate an even further expansion of ATV/UTV recreation, said Sup. Jeff Weigand, 20th District. Close The bobkitten was sedated to undergo treatment, including have burrs removed. The bobkitten was sedated to undergo treatment, including have burrs removed. The bobkitten was sedated to undergo treatment, including have burrs removed. The bobkitten was sedated to undergo treatment, including have burrs removed. The bobkitten was sedated to undergo treatment, including have burrs removed. The bobkitten was sedated to undergo treatment, including have burrs removed. The bobkitten was sedated to undergo treatment, including have burrs removed. Photos of bobkitten rescued by Dane County Human Society in July 2023 The Dane County Humane Society rescued its first bobkitten this month. The bobkitten was sedated to undergo treatment, including have burrs removed. The bobkitten was sedated to undergo treatment, including have burrs removed. The bobkitten was sedated to undergo treatment, including have burrs removed. The bobkitten was sedated to undergo treatment, including have burrs removed. The bobkitten was sedated to undergo treatment, including have burrs removed. The bobkitten was sedated to undergo treatment, including have burrs removed. The bobkitten was sedated to undergo treatment, including have burrs removed. A vehicle safety feature proved to be a difficult obstacle for Madison firefighters during an incident in a daycare parking lot Thursday afternoon. Ladder Company 2 was dispatched to a daycare center in the 600 block of Grand Canyon Drive at 5:09 p.m., where a 22-month-old playing with a key fob inside a vehicle unwittingly locked the doors while a parent had momentarily stepped away, according to MFD spokesperson Cynthia Schuster. The child had been in the vehicle alone for around five minutes when firefighters arrived, smiling and waving through the entire ordeal. Firefighters were able to reach lock and unlock buttons using their door-wedge system, forcing the top of the car door open and implementing a long wire-like prod, but the buttons did not work. They then tried to use the prod to grab the key ring the child had been playing with, but the prod broke when they tried to pull it back out. The car had been sitting in direct sunlight, and as concerns about temperature grew, firefighters draped their coats over the windows. To make for a quicker resolution, they decided to break the car's rear passenger side window, avoiding harm to the child who had been sitting in the driver's seat. After duct-taping the window, firefighters punched a hole in the center of the glass, successfully removing it. The child was taken to a shady spot and evaluated for heat-related illness, but ultimately given a clean bill of health. Investigation determined that a potential safety feature of the car had prevented it from being unlocked the only way to unlock the doors was with the key fob, no manual door pulls or unlock buttons would work while the fob was still inside. The parent drove to a self-service station on Grand Canyon Drive to vacuum up the broken glass with assistance from the Ladder 2 lieutenant. Best places to live for people who love the outdoors Where you should live if you love the outdoors #50. Naperville, Illinois #49. Bridgeport, Connecticut #48. Arlington, Virginia #47. Fort Collins, Colorado #46. Chicago #45. Corona, California #44. Santa Ana, California #43. Alexandria, Virginia #42. Riverside, California #41. Worcester, Massachusetts #40. Provo, Utah #39. Pasadena, California #38. Philadelphia #37. Glendale, California #36. Washington D.C. #35. Manchester, New Hampshire #34. Spokane, Washington #33. Burbank, California #32. Everett, Washington #31. Denver #30. Boulder, Colorado #29. Santa Clara, California #28. Hayward, California #27. Orange, California #26. Sunnyvale, California #25. Tacoma, Washington #24. Thousand Oaks, California #23. San Francisco #22. Long Beach, California #21. Jersey City, New Jersey #20. Salt Lake City #19. Torrance, California #18. San Diego #17. Berkeley, California #16. Anaheim, California #15. Costa Mesa, California #14. Vancouver, Washington #13. Reno, Nevada #12. Oakland, California #11. Stamford, Connecticut #10. Kent, Washington #9. Irvine, California #8. San Jose, California #7. Cambridge, Massachusetts #6. Boston #5. New York City #4. Bellevue, Washington #3. Portland, Oregon #2. Los Angeles #1. Seattle MONTGOMERY, Ala. Alabama lawmakers on Friday refused to create a second majority-Black congressional district, a move that could defy a recent order from the U.S. Supreme Court to give minority voters a greater voice in elections and trigger a renewed battle over the states political map. The legislation was signed Friday evening by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey. Lawmakers in the Republican-dominated House and Senate instead passed a plan that would increase the percentage of Black voters from about 31% to 40% in the state's 2nd District. A conference committee proposed the map as a compromise between plans that had percentages of 42% and 38%, respectively for the southeast Alabama district. Republicans argued that the proposal complies with a court order to create a district where Black voters could influence the outcome of congressional elections. But Black lawmakers said the new map invoked the states Jim Crow history of treating Black voters unfairly and flouted a directive from a three-judge panel to create a second majority-Black district or something quite close to it so that Black voters have an opportunity to elect a representative of their choice. Theres no opportunity there for anybody other than a white Republican to win that district. It will never, ever elect a Democrat. They wont elect a Black. They wont elect a minority, said Sen. Rodger Smitherman, a Democrat from Birmingham. Republicans have been reluctant to create a Democratic-leaning district and are engaging in a high-stakes wager that the panel will accept their proposal or that the state will prevail in a second round of appeals. Republicans argued that the map meets the courts directive and draws compact districts that comply with redistricting guidelines. We also took into consideration not racially gerrymandering our maps, House Speaker Pro Tempore Chris Pringle said. The debate in Alabama is being closely watched across the nation, and could be mirrored in fights in Louisiana, Georgia, Texas and other states. The three-judge panel ruled in 2022 that the current legislative map likely violates the federal Voting Rights Act and said any map should include two districts where Black voters either comprise a voting-age majority" or something close. The Supreme Court upheld that decision. Now that the plan has passed, the fight will shift quickly back to the federal court. The plaintiffs who won the Supreme Court case have vowed to fight the proposal if enacted. Lets be clear: The Alabama Legislature believes it is above the law. What we are dealing with is a group of lawmakers who are blatantly disregarding not just the Voting Rights Act, but a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court and a court order from the three-judge district court, plaintiffs in case said Friday in a statement. Approval of the plan is almost sure to trigger a renewed legal battle over whether Alabamas congressional districts comply with federal law and offer a fair opportunity to Black voters and candidates in a political landscape dominated by white Republicans. Smitherman said Republicans appear to be hoping that one of the justices will flip the script and rule for the state in round two. Black Alabama lawmakers say it's crucial that their constituents have a better chance of electing their choices. I have people in my district saying their vote doesnt count, and I understand why they say that, Rep. Thomas Jackson, a Thomasville Democrat, said during debate Friday. The person they want to elect can never get elected because they are in the minority all the time. An analysis by The Associated Press, using redistricting software, shows that the 2nd District proposed Friday has mostly voted for Republicans in recent statewide elections. Donald Trump won the district by nearly 10 percentage points in his 2020 reelection bid. Experts have said the GOP proposals fall short of what the Supreme Court said last month is required. They have pretended as though the court didnt say what it said, said Kareem Crayton, senior director for voting and representation at New York Universitys Brennan Center for Justice. The Brennan Center filed a brief supporting the plaintiffs before the Supreme Court. Those who study redistricting say thats simply not enough, considering how sharply Alabama voters divide along racial lines. White people mostly vote for Republicans, and Black people mostly vote for Democrats. That split is also reflected among elected officials. There are 33 Black lawmakers in the 140-seat Alabama Legislature. All but one are Democrats. Republican lawmakers hope to showcase the issues of compact districts and unified communities in court. They're hoping a second round of litigation, or even another trip to the Supreme Court, will let them avoid creating a map that gives a second of Alabamas seven congressional districts to a Democrat. Crayton was skeptical that the high court would immediately backtrack on its ruling and said federal courts discount compactness and preserving communities in redistricting. It cant take a front seat to matters that are entrenched in federal law, Crayton said, calling those arguments silly. Election advantages due to district mapping One of the nations largest Democratic organizations has argued in a new legal challenge that Wisconsins absentee ballot rules including witness signature requirements and the state Supreme Courts 2022 ruling barring the use of absentee ballot drop boxes violate the Wisconsin Constitution and disenfranchise voters. The lawsuit, filed in Dane County Circuit Court against the Wisconsin Elections Commission, seeks to change voting rules in the pivotal battleground state ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Previous campaign cycles have put a much needed spotlight on the blatant attempts to use restricted access to absentee voting as a means of voter suppression, Aneesa McMillan, deputy executive director of Priorities USA, one of the plaintiffs in the suit, said in a statement. As a result of this, vulnerable communities, including people of color, face extraordinary barriers to casting their ballots. The other plaintiffs in the suit, filed Thursday by Elias Law Group, are the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans and Waunakee resident William Franks Jr. The three matters targeted in the lawsuit are: Wisconsins requirement that returned absentee ballots must come with a valid witness signature; the Wisconsin Supreme Courts 2022 ruling that unmanned absentee ballot drop boxes are illegal; and state law setting an 8 p.m. Election Day deadline for when voters can cure or correct errors on their absentee ballots. Voters must have a witness sign a certificate, typically printed on the back of an absentee ballot envelope, for the ballot to be valid. The lawsuit challenges the requirement as unnecessary and unfairly based on the voters ability to find a willing third party to act as a witness. The Witness Requirement is extremely burdensome for many voters, the lawsuit states. More than 600,000 Wisconsin voters including members of the (Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans) do not have anyone in their household who can act as a witness. Another target in the lawsuit is the state Supreme Courts 2022 ruling that absentee ballots must be delivered by mail or in person to a local clerks office or designated alternate site. The 4-3 ruling effectively barred the use of absentee ballot drop boxes, which were used in hundreds of communities across the state during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit states drop boxes are secure, accessible and efficient and are critical for voters who are unable to vote in person because of disability, scheduling conflicts, lack of transportation, or other hardship. Drop boxes allow absentee voters to return their ballots through a convenient, safe, and reliable method that ensures that they will be returned on time, according to the lawsuit. The court-imposed prohibition on drop boxes, by contrast, has contributed to voter disenfranchisement. The battle over the long-standing use of drop boxes has persisted since the 2020 election, due in part to baseless claims of election fraud by former President Donald Trump, who lost Wisconsin to President Joe Biden by about 21,000 votes. Proponents of the free-standing, mailbox-like structures have said they were a secure and safe voting option, especially at a time when there still wasnt a vaccine for COVID-19 and public health officials were warning against large gatherings, like at polling places. At the same time, the large number of absentee ballots requested that year, combined with cutbacks at the U.S. Postal Service, led many to worry their ballots wouldnt make it back in time if they were mailed. More than 40% of voters cast ballots absentee in 2020. Some Republicans argue that adding any unauthorized method for returning ballots opens the door to fraudulent activity, even though the boxes were locked and emptied by election workers. Multiple reviews of the 2020 election also found no evidence of widespread fraud. The final item in the lawsuit focuses on state law requiring that absentee ballot envelopes must be cured, or corrected of any errors, by 8 p.m. on Election Day or the ballot will not be counted. Seniors in Wisconsin take their constitutional right to vote seriously, Ross Winklbauer Sr., president of the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans, said in a statement. We are also the most likely to need to vote absentee because of health issues or transportation challenges. We are asking the Court to remove these unnecessary barriers so all voters in Wisconsin, especially older voters, can cast a ballot that will actually be counted, he added. If the lawsuit reaches the states highest court, it would be taken up by a Wisconsin Supreme Court with a new 4-3 liberal majority. Liberal Justice Janet Protasiewicz, who defeated conservative Dan Kelly in the April election, joins the court Aug. 1. Elections 101: Video series explains how elections are carried out in Wisconsin The Wisconsin Elections Commission put together the following series of instructional videos and accompanying lesson plans for use in high school civics classes and the general public. Elections overview An overview of elections administration in Wisconsin. Voting Security Let's take a look at how we maintain security and integrity with all of our elections. Nuts and bolts The ins-and-outs of voter processes like registering to vote and requesting a ballot to vote absentee. A Day at the Polls See what it is like to go to the polls and vote. With states restricting how our nations racial history can be taught, we stand as living proof that only through truth-telling can our country move toward reconciliation. The two of us are linked by history Ann as a descendant of a Virginia plantation owner and enslaver, Robin as a descendant of a family enslaved on that plantation. We are also, remarkably, friends. We met a year ago when Ann was researching her familys history as enslavers. That work led her to the Mines family, and she connected with Robin, who already was involved in racial reconciliation work. Together with five cousins two white Morrises and three Black Mines we forged a tight-knit group that met regularly in person and on Zoom for six months. Our meetings culminated in June with an in-person gathering of more than 180 descendants from both families. We gathered on a steamy Saturday under a huge white tent on the former plantation near Richmond, Virginia, to explore the truth of our shared history. It was here that our ancestors once lived the Morris family in a grand two-story house, and the Mines, with other enslaved families, in small rustic dwellings. Throughout the afternoon, we shared stories and a meal, pored over family trees and toured the only remaining slave cabin on the property. We prayed. We sang. But mostly we talked, saying things to one another most of us never imagined could be voiced. What do you say to a person whose ancestors enslaved your ancestors? Or to a person whose ancestors were enslaved by your ancestors? It turns out, curiosity and open heartedness go a long way. Each member of our planning group took a turn to speak. Ann, who grew up in Roanoke, Virginia, spoke about the myths and lies she was taught about her family, and about slavery that her ancestors were good slave owners; that they didnt sell enslaved people at auction (public records tell a different story); and that her great-great grandfather, who graduated from medical school in the North, didnt believe in slavery (he enslaved 28 people.) She also talked about what she was taught in Virginia public schools in the 1960s, that most slaves were happy. Robin, who grew up in Richmond, spoke about moving into a white neighborhood in the 1960s and attending a newly desegregated school. The Ku Klux Klan burned a cross on her familys yard. Their new home was shot up, and she was racially taunted and attacked at school. Through it all, she said, her faith sustained her, and she has dedicated her life to promoting unity, justice and racial healing. Invoking her ancestors, who labored on the former plantation where we gathered, Robin called for love to replace hatred and reminded us that racial reconciliation requires accountability and forgiveness. Many more important truths came to light that day: That some of the Black descendants had been mistrustful of the event, wondering what the white people wanted when they received invitations to this unusual gathering. There had to be a catch. Some white family members worried theyd be confronted and blamed for their ancestors actions. Neither concern proved true. That the truths of history can be lost. One white descendant from New Mexico had lived her entire life never knowing her ancestors had enslaved people. A Black descendant who grew up in the area told of playing in the woods and seeing the old slave cabin, never knowing what it was or that his enslaved ancestors had lived there. That slaverys legacy was palpable, even on our nametags. White Morrises met Black Morrises, and white Hunters met Black Hunters. The shared names highlighted a painful truth: Most enslaved people were not dignified with last names, and with emancipation some assumed the name of their most recent enslaver. We have no illusion that our gathering and its ripple effects will undo racism or address systemic disparities that have their roots in slavery. But we do know that where there was mistrust, there is now a bridge to better understanding. Where there were strangers, there are now friends. Where there was silence, there is meaningful conversation. We hope to hold another gathering in a year or two. In the meantime, our planning team the seven of us linked by history, place and a commitment to truth telling will discern next steps. The slave cabin should be preserved, and an unmarked slave cemetery should be memorialized. Oral histories should be gathered, and we dream of a college scholarship fund for Black descendants. Whatever we do, we will keep exploring difficult truths, no matter where those discussions lead us. Thats what our country needs to do as well. The impulse to limit how our nations difficult racial history is taught because some people might be offended can only take us backward. If you care about liberal democracy here and abroad, while maintaining civility, it might be time to give former Vice President Mike Pence a second look in the Republican primary election. Pence may be ideologically more conservative than many in the electorate. But he is a good and honorable man, and the White House, the country and the worlds stage would be in capable hands with him behind the Resolute desk. Americans should already know that the former vice president upheld his oath to the Constitution on Jan. 6, 2021, despite immense pressure and threats to his life. What many may not know is that Pence continues to call out former President Donald Trump, telling an Iowa voter recently President Trump was wrong about my authority that day. And hes still wrong. During a recent campaign event in Sioux City, Iowa, Pence was confronted by a voter who was unhappy with his actions on Jan. 6. If it wasnt for your vote, we wouldnt have Joe Biden in the White House. Joe Biden shouldnt be there. She went on to ask, Do you ever second guess yourself? adding That was a constitutional right that you had to send those votes back to the states. Pence responded with, I know by Gods grace I did exactly what the Constitution of the United States required me to do that day. He went on to explain in a very respectful manner, The Constitution says you open and count the votes: no more, no less. The Constitution affords no authority for the vice president or anyone else to reject votes or return votes to the states. The woman remained disgruntled by Pences answer, and he told her, Im sorry, maam, but thats actually what the Constitution says. Not only is he committed to the rule of law here in the U.S., but Pence is also dedicated to advancing freedom abroad. He has been vocal of his support of Ukraine and has pushed back on those in the Republican Party who want to abandon Ukraine and the West saying, The war in Ukraine is not our war, but freedom is our fight. He called America the arsenal of democracy and espoused believing in the Reagan doctrine. He has expressed that the war in Ukraine is not Americas war, but if Putin is not stopped and the sovereign nation of Ukraine is not restored quickly, he will continue to move toward our NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) allies, and America would then be called upon to send our own. Pence became the first Republican presidential candidate to visit Ukraine. On June 29, he and Franklin Graham, who heads the international relief organization Samaritans Purse, traveled to Kyiv and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Pence has also broken from his fellow GOP primary candidates in bringing with him a refreshing dose of decorum. During his CNN town hall meeting, moderator Dana Bash asked Pence, What would you say to a transgender kid and their family who say this is how I feel comfortable, and I dont feel comfortable another way, and they feel that you are targeting them. Pence answered without skipping a beat. I would tell them that I love everybody. I would put my arm around them and their parents. But before they had a chemical or surgical procedure, I would say wait. Just wait. I mean theres some people, maybe theres exceptions but most people before you are 18 years of age. Theres a reason we got that cut off for all kinds of categories in our society. You just dont know what you want in life. You dont know who you really are. It takes time to become an adult and figure that out. And I would just put my arm around them and tell them I love them but just wait. Just wait. And thats how we put the interests of our kids first. The exchange showed Pences humanity and love for all Americans. If America is going to again be a beacon of hope atop the shining city on a hill, we will need to relight the flame of our democratic values. Whether you vote for a Democrat or Republican, we all should vote for someone of character and integrity. On the Republican side, that person is Pence. HANOI (AP) The U.S. considers building strong economic and security ties with Vietnam a priority, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday as she met with Vietnamese officials in a visit aimed at fortifying America's relations across Asia. Yellen arrived in Vietnam after visits to Beijing and to India, where she attended financial meetings of the Group of 20 major industrial economies. The United States considers Vietnam a key partner in advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific, Yellen told Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, according to remarks provided by the U.S. Treasury Department. A free and open Indo-Pacific refers to the latest iteration of broad U.S. diplomacy aimed at cultivating stronger ties with other countries in the region to counter China's growing sway among its neighbors. Vietnam is also a close economic partner, with our two-way trade reaching record highs last year and the United States serving as Vietnams largest export market, Yellen said. It is a priority for our administration to deepen our economic and security ties with Vietnam in the months and years to come. Yellen briefly sat atop a bright red electric scooter during a visit to a factory in Hanoi's lush green suburbs, where Selex Motors, a five-year-old Vietnamese startup, makes EV scooters and batteries. Climate change poses an existential threat to the world but also provides a key economic opportunity and way to build greater resilience into our economies," she said, describing the facility as impressive. Yellen said the U.S. recognized the importance of diversifying supply chains after experiencing the disruptions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. And then, when Russia invaded Ukraine, many countries saw what the implications could be of being overly dependent in Europe's case for natural gas and oil on a country that could use it for geopolitical ends, she said. She said the U.S. was actively trying to promote green resilience in supply chains. That doesn't mean ending trading relationships with China, she said, reiterating comments she has voiced before. But we do partner with more countries. And we see Vietnam as an excellent partner, she said. Yellen said the U.S. is committed to mobilizing $15 billion to support Vietnam's adoption of renewable energy as a part of the Just Energy Transition Partnership or JETP a financial promise made by the Group of Seven advanced economies to help the country phase out its reliance on fossil fuels. Such projects have offered similar incentives to South Africa and Indonesia. Speaking earlier to a group of business women and economists, Yellen said she was encouraged by growing investments in Vietnam in industries including computer chips and renewable energy. Yellen's visit is part of concerted U.S. efforts to balance China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Earlier this year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Vietnam weeks after the 50th anniversary of the U.S. troop withdrawal that marked the end of Americas direct military involvement in Vietnam. He pledged to boost relations to new levels. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were only restored in 1995. Since then, bilateral trade has grown, reaching a high of $138 billion in goods trade last year. We have worked closely to address the legacies of the war, Yellen said. Chinas border is less than 60 miles (96 kilometers) from Hanoi and Vietnam, like many of Chinas neighbors, has had maritime and territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea. The two sides fought a brief war in 1979. But China is Vietnams biggest trading partner. Yellen also met Thursday with the governor of Vietnam's central bank, Nguyen Thi Hong, and announced a new economic policy dialogue between the State Bank of Vietnam and the U.S. Treasury Department. She thanked Nguyen for the close cooperation between the U.S. and the State Bank of Vietnam to address American concerns over Vietnam's currency practices. She added that the U.S. would remain supportive of Vietnam's growth and that this would be beneficial for both Vietnamese and American people. Vietnam has quickly become a major export production hub for global manufacturers like South Korea's LG and Samsung Electronics, suppliers to Apple, Inc. and auto makers like Honda and Toyota. WAR IN UKRAINE KYIV, Ukraine Russia pounded Ukraine's southern cities with drones and missiles for a third consecutive night Thursday, keeping Odesa in the Kremlin's crosshairs after a bitter dispute over the end of a wartime deal that allowed Ukraine to send grain through the key Black Sea port. The strikes killed at least two people in Odesa. In the nearby city of Mykolaiv, which is close to the Black Sea, at least 19 people were injured, including a child, Ukrainian officials said. Russia has targeted Ukrainian critical grain export infrastructure since it vowed "retribution" this week for an attack that damaged a crucial bridge between Russia and the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula. Russian officials blamed that strike on Ukrainian drone boats. The strikes on Ukraine's grain export infrastructure have helped drive up food prices in countries facing hunger. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the end of the deal Monday would result in more human suffering, with potentially millions of people affected. The grain deal provided guarantees that ships would not be attacked entering and leaving Ukrainian ports, while a separate agreement facilitated the movement of Russian food and fertilizer. The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Pakistan called Thursday for the restoration of the Black Sea grain initiative to ensure global food security, making the demand at a news conference after Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met with Pakistani counterpart Bilawal Bhutto Zardari after arriving on his first visit to the Islamic nation. Kuleba also met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was quoted as saying the conflict in Ukraine has had a significant global impact that has hurt the economies of many countries. The United States also imposed sanctions Thursday on roughly 120 firms and people from Russia to the United Arab Emirates to Kyrgyzstan in an effort to choke off Moscow's access to products, money and financial channels that support its invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions imposed by the Treasury and State departments target dozens of Russian mining, technology and munitions firms and commercial banks. In addition, a group of Kyrgyzstan-based electronics firms and its leadership were targeted as exporters of components and other technology to Russia. The White House warned Wednesday that Russia was preparing possible attacks on civilian shipping vessels in the Black Sea. The warning could alarm shippers and further drive up grain prices. I have to believe that no Idahoan wants to let a child go hungry. Making sure our children are nourished requires special attention in summer. When school meals are unavailable, there is additional pressure on families earning modest wages and its harder to make groceries stretch. It is therefore confounding that Idaho opted out of a summer food program that would have fed 123,000 kids across the state with $15 million available for our families. The root cause of this failure is poor leadership. Under single-party rule, a complete lack of accountability compounded by decades of underinvestment in our schools ultimately failed our kids. Our childrens access to food should have been a serious priority. Its harder for kids to learn on an empty stomach and food insecurity impacts everything from a childs mental and physical health to their future economic prosperity. Thats why its crucial to take advantage of every opportunity to nourish our kids. This new federal program first launched in 2020, providing eligible families with the cost of breakfast and lunch that their children receive during the school year when school is out. These extra funds for food cost Idaho nothing but required coordination between the state Department of Education and the Department of Health and Welfare to determine eligibility and administer benefits. Over the intervening years and with a leadership change at the Department of Education, elected Republican officials had the opportunity to act. They could have fought for an appropriation needed to implement the program, ensured schools could update the necessary data systems, and put a plan in place to implement the program. Instead, they did nothing. The deadline to participate in the 2023 summer passed earlier this month with no action. While Republican state leaders dropped the ball in such a profound way, they have no sense of accountability to the kids and families who are impacted. The Department of Educations explanations that changing course would be difficult or thats the way it was done before are not much better than Gov. Brad Little refusing to comment on the mess at all. The uncomfortable truth is that elected Republicans calculated that they could deny Idaho families their due benefits without any consequences because the kids at risk of going hungry have no political power. And the Idaho Republican Partys walled-off primary elections reward not what is right, but what is the most extreme. Denying summer meals for Idaho children is an administrative failure and a moral outrage. One-party rule will continue to harm Idahoans and put our shared prosperity at risk until we change it. This summer, our children will pay the price. We can and must do better. He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance. So reads the Declaration of Independences 10th specific complaint against King George III. We learn in American History that this Declaration precipitated a Revolutionary War, and after paying a high price in human life, a new, constitutionally limited government, ruled by the people, formed to replace the monarchy in a new United States of America. Now, fast-forward 247 years. Consider the government staffing, appropriations, state obligations and land use changes all forced by one federal initiative, Sage Grouse Recovery. These birds and their mating discos (called leks) complicate powerline and pipeline routes, deny forage, limit vegetation and weed control, block roads and trails, and even threaten access to essential minerals. To some, it appears swarms of officials are still commissioned by a remote and disconnected government, threatening policies that sap our economic vitality. Did we lose the war? No. But defense of liberty today requires more than a ready musket. Our society has become broadly representative, minority opinions no longer discounted off hand, and our understanding of the natural world has gloriously expanded and deepened. These happened not in spite of our battle against the British king, but more likely are a direct consequence of winning that fight. Quote Hard politics requires out-of-the-box thinking, innovation, bringing in new partners, examining the other sides point of view, and making tough decisions that arent slam-dunk wins for anyone. The federal Endangered Species Act was signed into law by President Richard Nixon in December of 1973, having passed the Senate unanimously, and the House by a vote of 355 to 4. Even the conservative champion Arizona Sen. Barry Goldwater voted for it. And, yes, progressives of the 1970s saw in the ESA an opening, a way to replicate a great success of the Soviet Union: A national land use plan. William K. Reilly, editor of The Use of Land, published to sell the National Land Use Planning Act, claimed the new ESA would make every acre of America no longer serve selfish interests, demanding instead careful societal oversight and control. But the National Land Use Planning Act failed. Jimmy Carter was defeated by Ronald Reagan. The progressives hopes never materialized. They now content themselves to fight over tracts of land one spotted owl, one desert tortoise, and one sage grouse at a time. In Reagans early presidency western sage-brush rebels fought the ESA with three letters: S S S shoot, shovel and shut-up. But even that redneck slogan informed true conservationists. They realized supportive, willing-participant landowners offered many endangered species their best hope. Which partially explains the unique status of sage grouse today: precluded from listing in hopes that governors, wildlife managers, public land users and private landowners will work voluntarily to recover grouse, avoiding the juggernaut of the ESAs uncompromising rules putting everyone out of business. Which begs the question still: For those of us who love liberty, what is the right thing to do about sage grouse? The answer is not easy. And that is the answer. Easy politics are cheap. Fake conservatives celebrate a strike for liberty when banning Drag Queen Story Hour. But no one in Raft River, Malad or Montpelier will likely experience more freedom. Hard politics requires out-of-the-box thinking, innovation, bringing in new partners, examining the other sides point of view, and making tough decisions that arent slam-dunk wins for anyone. Its very much a how Churchill described democracy solution the worst, except for every other solution. In another country, with a different Constitution, it is simpler: He who has the governments gun wins. America demands collaboration, people with differing values working together within a framework provided by law. It is rarely pretty, doesnt fit well in a tweet, but it is how real liberty works. Manila Water Company Inc. will start building a new water treatment plant to provide additional 200 million liters per day of potable water to Metro Manilas East Zone after it signed a partnership deal with ACCIONA, PrimeBMD and Santa Clara International. An artists perspective of the P7.84-billion East Bay Phase 2 WTP in Barangay Kabulusan, Pakil, Laguna which is expected to deliver potable water to 2 million residents in Pasig, Pateros, Taguig and nearby towns by 2025 The P7.84-billion East Bay Phase 2 WTP in Barangay Kabulusan, Pakil, Laguna is expected to deliver potable water to 2 million people in Pasig, Pateros, Taguig and nearby towns by 2025. Manila Water senior project manager Byder Nangit said the project is part of the companys Water Supply Master Plan that aims to ensure water security and supply reliability in the East Zone. Once completed, it will also lessen water supply dependence on Angat Dam. The WTP is part of the East Bay Phase 2 Water Supply System (WSS) Project, which also includes the construction of a reservoir, pumping station, and pipelaying of 60 kilometers of 1200- and 1400-millimeter diameter pipes. The WTP will treat the water from the Laguna Lake using reverse osmosis process, making it suitable for public consumption. Phase 1 of the East Bay WSS Project was substantially completed in the second quarter of 2023 and now serves customers of Jalajala town in Rizal province. The facility is expected to provide 50 MLD of treated water to 390,000 residents of Jalajala, Pililla, Baras, Cardona, Morong and Binangonan in Rizal, complemented by two submarine pipes traversing the bottom of Laguna Lake. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. A CITIZEN advocacy group has lauded the issuance of an executive order (EO) streamlining the bureaucratic process for the establishment of telecommunication and other internet infrastructure, but also urged the government to immediately and strictly implement the EO for the benefit of ordinary consumers nationwide. Upgrading our digital infrastructure to global standards will empower our government, industries, and most of all, our people to be competitive and excel in a highly digitized global economy, said lawyer Tim Abejo, co-convenor for CitizenWatch Philippines. EO 32 is a responsive policy move that will hopefully cut out unnecessary bureaucratic red tape that has delayed the building of telecommunications infrastructure needed to deliver faster and reliable broadband services for all, Abejo noted. The EO, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 4, intends to address the administrative bottleneck of securing permits for telco infrastructure. Excessive, redundant, and circuitous permitting and license requirements have been blamed as the cause for the slow rollout of telco towers and fiber networks, and consequently causing poor telecom coverage in many places around the country. Telcos used to deal with a bureaucratic gauntlet every time they applied for permits to establish towers and other infrastructure in local governments, Abejo said. Their hands were tied by all these requirements. And yet it was them [the telcos] that got the ire of the public when the services were poor, he added. EO 32 institutionalizes a previously issued joint memorandum circular issued by ten government agencies prescribing the same streamlined process, but which lacked the force and effect of law. It also expired this month. The circular yielded concrete results in terms of shortening the timeline for establishing a telco tower, drastically bringing down the number of documents and signatures required, and the number of days for processing. In several statements, President Marcos himself has said he wants to enable the Filipino people to participate in the digital transformation of the nation, Abejo said. Moving forward, we hope that EO 32 will push all the ongoing digital infrastructure projects such as the DICTs (Department of Information and Communications Technology) long delayed Luzon Bypass Infrastructure Project and the cable landing stations of the 12,800-kilometer Pacific Light Cable Network (PLCN), that when activated, will lower the cost and improve the speed of broadband services, he said. We cannot afford to have spotty and uneven access to internet services if we want to develop a productive and innovative digital workforce instead of just being heavy users and consumers of broadband services, he said. Abejo lauded the Private Sector Advisory Council and the Anti-Red Tape Authority for successfully pushing for the issuance of the EO. We saw how technology helped us survive the toughest days of the lockdown three years ago, Abejo said, There is no turning back, only to move forward, and to move fast, he said. The EO covers all processes related to setting up, fixing, operating, and maintenance of Shared Passive Telecommunications Tower Infrastructure (PTTIs); and putting up poles, laying down aerial and underground cables and facilities, underground fiber ducts, ground terminals, and other telecommunications and Internet infrastructure and facilities that transmit digital data and telecommunications signals. The order now requires government agencies and local government units to comply with the set of guidelines for the issuance of permits, licenses, clearances, certifications, and authorizations of telecommunications and Internet infrastructure projects. The EO also specifies the needed permits and said no others shall be required in the construction, installation, repair, operation, and maintenance of telecommunications and Internet infrastructure. The EO also mandates all cities and municipalities to establish a One-Stop Shop for Construction Permits and to implement a Zero Backlog Policy in all applications for permits and clearance covered by EO 32. Full and immediate implementation of the EO will sustain the countrys initial gains in digitalization, and will allow more Filipinos to become digitally empowered, he said. Government agencies, local government units, and their employees now have no choice but to do things a bit differently from how they have been traditionally performing their tasks, said Abejo. The economic empowerment that will be stimulated by a well implemented National Broadband Program will positively impact the productivity of enterprises and livelihoods at all levels of society, he added. As we anticipate the DICTs timely action on the Implementing Rules and Regulations, we call on all relevant government agencies, all local governments, and communities relevant to strictly comply with the streamlining provisions of EO32, Abejo said. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will fly to Malaysia for a three-day state visit next week to pursue stronger bilateral relations, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday. During a public briefing in Malacanang, DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza shared that the President will leave on July 25 a day after his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and discuss the partnership between the two countries. Daza said the Chief Executive would also meet with Malaysias King, Al-Sultan Abdullah Riayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Al-Mustain Billah, during the trip. During this meeting, he will meet with both the Malaysian King, the 16th King of Malaysia, and the Prime Minister of Malaysia, and he will pursue bilateral cooperation in priority areas that are actually in support of the economic agenda of the country, Daza said. The President will be joined by his Cabinet officials and business leaders to explore economic opportunities and meet with Filipinos residing and working in Malaysia. Were also expecting that the meeting with key Malaysian businessmen and business leaders will hopefully generate investment pledges from Malaysian companies, Daza said. Malaysia is among the top 10 trading partners of the Philippines, the 22nd source of approved investments in the Philippines in 2022, and ranked in the top 20 in terms of source of tourists in 2023. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the countrys premier research and development agency, is designing El Nino risk maps to mitigate the impact of the coming dry spell on the harvest of the countrys staple grain. Upon instructions from Agriculture Undersecretary for Rice Industry Development Leocadio Sebastian, PhilRice will map out all areas of the country that could be hit by the weather phenomenon to guide local governments and regional field offices on the kind of interventions that would be needed in areas to be affected by El Nino. Meanwhile, Vietnam has committed to continue exporting rice to the Philippines despite the possible supply challenges that may arise due to El Nino, its envoy to Manila said on Friday. In a business matching event of the embassy on Friday, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines Hoang Huy Chung said that the Philippines will remain among Vietnams key destinations for rice exports. Every year we export rice to the Philippines about 2 million tons. During COVID-19, Vietnam promised to ensure rice security for the Philippines In Vietnam, we are strong in rice production We shall export rice to the Philippines when in need, Hoang said. A Philippine agriculture industry group earlier said a rice crisis may ensure as El Nino may affect other Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, a major source of the Philippines rice imports. PhilRice deputy director for Development Karen Barroga said the agency has been disseminating satellite-based data on rice area, production, and yield to local government units and DA regional field offices so that they can be adequately guided on how to adjust their cropping calendars and on what interventions to give. These data include weather patterns obtained and analyzed by the Philippine Rice Information System (PRISM) team that are sent to LGUs and their extension workers and DA regional field officers so they can adequately guide farmers on seed varieties to plant based on available water supply. PRISM, a Bureau of Agricultural Research-funded project with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and is now managed by PhilRice, is the first rice monitoring system in Southeast Asia that uses satellite imagery and information and communication technology, crop modeling, and smartphones. It has a network of focal persons nationwide who are tasked to validate satellite data and help disseminate these to policy and decision-makers, who in turn transmit them to farmers either through extension workers or using call/text digital technology. Through PRISM, the extent of standing crops and the different crop stages all over the country can also be known, Barroga explained. These are the data that inform us how to adjust the schedule of planting so that the crops would not be hit by typhoons, she said. Historical data on PRISM can be analyzed in determining how and when to adjust the planting calendar. We are trying to spread out to the mainstream and social media information through this magazine and other science-based materials that we have at PhilRice so that we can help people find solutions rather than sink into inaction over El Nino, she added. PhilRice has also been sending out relevant information to farmers through the Be Water Smart magazine containing data on varieties and ways to optimize water use to mitigate the impact of El Nino. The magazine also contains previous experiences of farmers, particularly on how they coped with calamities and adverse weather conditions, thereby enriching the knowledge of other farmers on what to expect and how to cope with El Nino. In addition, it has information on seed varieties that are heat or drought-tolerant and under what soil conditions they can be planted, including the experience of Vietnam in using climate-smart maps to address its drought problem. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. NEW AFP CHIEF. President Ferdinand Marcos hands over the sabre of leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines from outgoing General Andres Centino to incoming General Romeo Brawner in a ceremony on Friday. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday urged new Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. to make sure the military is prepared for any contingency. Given your extensive experience in safeguarding peace in conflict-affected areas, I urge you to recalibrate our internal security operations, so that we can deliver public services in geographically isolated and disadvantaged communities, Marcos said during the turnover ceremony for the new AFP chief at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Marcos expressed confidence that Brawners leadership would lead to a safer and more secure nation with rebels returning to the fold of the law and becoming productive citizens. He also urged the entire AFP to be prepared for any contingency as he assured them that the military organization will be modernized. At this juncture, allow me to urge you all to work towards an Armed Forces that is agile and prepared for any contingency. As your commander-in-chief, I assure you that this administration is firm in reinforcing this noble pursuit by modernizing the AFP, he said. With the efforts to boost the countrys external defense capacity, Marcos asked the military to keep working with government agencies and civilians to form an archipelagic consciousness among Filipinos. This will help champion our countrys territorial integrity and sovereignty, he said. I have faith that under the supervision of General Brawner, the Armed Forces will continue to ensurethe security of Filipinos and the national sovereignty of the country amid the challenges ahead, he added. Brawner replaced General Andres Centino, who will now serve as Presidential Adviser on the West Philippine Sea. Brawner said he would work on unifying a solid and professional AFP that follows the chain of command as well as integrating former rebels with the mainstream community. A day earlier, Brawner, in his last day as the Armys Commanding General, welcomed United States Army 1st Armored Division Commanding General Maj. Gen. James P. Isenhower III, who paid him a courtesy call at the PA Headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Armed Forces photos We have to give special attention to the normalization process in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, particularly in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of former fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front as stipulated in the Bangsamoro Organic Law, Brawner said in his speech. The new AFP chief also noted that modernization will make the AFP a lethal and competent fighting force capable of defending our territory from external aggression. He said these efforts would also include cyber warfare. (See full story online at manilastandard.net) We shall also actively pursue our international defense and security engagements to strengthen our relations with our allies and partners. We shall actively participate in the United Nations missions to enhance our countrys reputation as a peace-loving nation Brawner said. Brawner is a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class of 1989. Before his new designation, he served as the commanding general of the Philippine Army. Also on Friday, the Department of National Defense (DND) said it is also looking at non-traditional sources of weapon systems and platforms to support the ongoing modernization of the AFP. We are also looking (at) non-traditional sources to fill in the gaps, particularly in technology and other capabilities, Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. said in a press briefing, referring to countries that normally do not supply the Philippines with military equipment. He did not identify these countries, however. Rest assured that we are doing our level best day and night trying to fill in the gap(s), he said, adding that these gaps in the first two Horizons or phases of the AFP Modernization Program needed to be addressed immediately to ensure that Horizon 3 would not be marginalized. The military modernization programs Horizon 3 is slated for 2023 to 2028 while Horizon 2 is from 2018 to 2022 and Horizon 1 is from 2013 to 2018. All these horizons are geared toward acquiring equipment and weapon platforms that would enable the AFP to carry out its external defense mandate. Some of the platforms being eyed in these upgrades are the multi-role fighter and diesel-electric submarines. Teodoro also said the AFP has submitted its wish list for Horizon 3 and these are all for beefing up the militarys deterrent capabilities. On Thursday, the President told the National Security Council (NSC) and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) that upholding the countrys interest and ensuring Filipinos security remains the governments top priorities. We know that you are the silent guardians who protect us against all manner of national threats, the steadfast vanguards who keep our enemies at bay, and the faithful watchers ensuring that we do not veer to disorder and to chaos, he said during the joint anniversary celebration of the NSC and the NICA at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. With this, let us continue to prepare for the tasks that lie ahead and continue to uphold our national interest and ensure the security of the Filipino public and that should remain at the top of all of our priorities, Marcos added. The NSC and the NICA are celebrating their 73rd and 74th founding anniversaries, respectively. Marcos hailed the two agencies boundless service, being at the forefront of protecting national security for over seven decades. Despite this, Marcos acknowledged that the country continues to face pressing issues of national concern, including threats to territorial integrity and sovereignty; terrorism and local communist insurgency; threats in cybersecurity; and dangers of climate change. Marcos stressed the vital role of the NSC and the NICA in ensuring that the country remains on top of its national security concerns, as well as of other global developments and shifts. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Baghdad, IraqTensions flared between Iraq and Sweden Thursday over a Stockholm protest in which a man stomped on the Koran, weeks after he had burnt pages of Islams holy book, sparking widespread Muslim anger. News that Swedish authorities would permit the protest to proceed on free speech grounds had led hundreds of Iraqis to storm and torch Swedens Baghdad embassy in a chaotic pre-dawn attack. Iraqs government condemned the attack, but retaliated against the protest in Sweden by expelling its ambassador, vowing to sever ties and suspending the operating licence of Swedish telecom giant Ericsson. Around the time of the protest outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani instructed the Swedish ambassador in Baghdad to leave Iraqi territory. The decision was prompted by the Swedish governments repeated permission for the burning of the Holy Koran, insulting Islamic sanctities and the burning of the Iraqi flag, his office said. In the end, Sweden-based Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, 37, stepped on the Koran but did not burn pages as he did last month outside Stockholms main mosque. Sweden and other European countries have previously seen protests where far-right and other activists, citing free speech protections, damage or destroy religious symbols or books, often sparking protests. AFP Night of chaos Advance news of the planned Stockholm protest had prompted hundreds to mass at its Baghdad embassy overnight as they did in response to Junes Koran burning before scaling the walls and torching buildings. The protesters followers of powerful Shiite Muslim cleric and political leader Moqtada Sadr clashed with riot police who used electric batons and water cannon to disperse them. Protester Hassan Ahmed told AFP that we mobilized today to denounce the burning of the Koran, which is all about love and faith. Calm had returned by morning, when police blocked access to the embassy, but the extent of the damage remained unclear. Some 200 protesters gathered again in central Baghdad late Thursday, raising copies of the Koran and Iraqi flags as well as those of the Iran-backed former paramilitary Hashed al-Shaabi. Yes, yes to the Koran! some shouted as others waved pictures of Irans supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a Swedish flag was burned. This is considered a sinful attack against the two billion people who believe in this Koran, said protester Ahmed al-Maliki, 46, welcoming the diplomatic moves against Sweden. Swedens foreign ministry told AFP all of its employees in Baghdad were safe during the overnight unrest. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said in a statement Iraqs charge daffaires would be summoned over the completely unacceptable attack. Washington also condemned the attack, with US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller saying it was unacceptable that Iraqi security forces did not act to prevent it. France also condemned the embassy attack. Turkeys foreign ministry called on Sweden to take dissuasive measures to prevent hate crimes against Islam and its billions of followers. And in Lebanon, the leader of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah movement Hassan Nasrallah called for expulsion of the Swedish envoy there and the recall of Lebanons ambassador to Sweden. Its the minimum required, he said. Severing relations Iraqs premier called an emergency meeting Thursday and strongly condemned the embassy attack, as a security source told AFP about 20 protesters had been detained. But Sudanis government also warned Sweden against allowing the second Koran protest to go forward. Baghdad said it had informed Stockholm that any recurrence of the incident involving the burning of the Holy Koran on Swedish soil would necessitate severing diplomatic relations. The 57-member Jeddah-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation also denounced the Stockholm protest as another provocative attack that could not be justified under the right to freedom of expression. A Jordanian foreign ministry statement slammed it a reckless act that fuels hatred. Swedish police had granted a permit for the protest in line with freedom of assembly and free speech legislation. The constitution states that a lot is needed to deny a person a permit for a public gathering so the day before yesterday we granted a permit for a private individual to protest, Ola Osterling of the Stockholm police told AFP. Momika previously burnt pages of the Koran on June 28 outside Stockholms largest mosque during Eid al-Adha, a holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide. That incident sparked indignation and diplomatic protests across the Muslim world, and prompted Sadr followers to briefly storm Swedens Baghdad embassy the following day. Sadr repeatedly mobilised thousands of demonstrators. Last summer, during a dispute over appointing a new prime minister, his supporters invaded parliament building and staged a weeks-long sit-in. AFP Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Mykolaiv, UkraineKyiv has put ships in the Black Sea headed for Russian-controlled ports on notice, 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 dead couple were his sister and her husband. Who needs this war? Luganchenko said. Id told them they should leave and now they have died. Retaliatory strikes Iryna Personova, 65, said her apartment had been destroyed. Ive lived here for 40 years, theres 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 Ukraines 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. A previous strike had destroyed 60,000 tonnes of grain meant for export from the major global producer, the Ukrainian agriculture ministry said. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the effect of the attacks went well beyond Ukraine. We are already seeing the negative effect on global wheat and corn prices which hurts everyone, but especially vulnerable people in the global south, Guterres said in a statement from his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric. After Russia invaded last year, its warships blockaded Ukraines Black Sea ports until the two sides agreed to the grain export deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey. That 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 Afghanistan, Sudan 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 honoured. 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 already said it would be ready to continue with grain exports from its southern ports despite Russian threats. It has called on the UN and neighbouring countries to secure safe passage for cargoes through joint patrols. One senior United States security official told AFP that Russia was considering attacking civilian ships on the Black Sea and seeking to blame 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 Kyivs counteroffensive is making slow progress against Russias defensive lines. Near Bakhmut, in the settlement of New York which is framed by smoke rising from the battlefields around, Russian strikes have targeted its chemical factory. Maybe its because their assault on our village has stalled, plant director Sergiy Dmytrenko, 34, told AFP. Maybe this is their new tactic. AFP Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Arkansas duo joan has confirmed through social media that the band is returning to the Philippines as part of their first-ever headlining tour. Global concert promoter Line Nation Philippines also announced that the concert will happen on September 19 at the New Frontier Theater. American duo joan The band comprising Alan Thomas and Steven Rutherford has created indelible synth-pop with a timeless emotional quotient since 2017 crafting new memories for future generations since the release of the portra EP. With four EPs and 11 singles later, joans top Spotify listeners hail entirely from Asia. The bands singles drive all night, superglue, so good, I loved you first, and love somebody are only indications that theyre just getting started. When the duo launched their exquisite portra EP, Rutherford explained, We were chasing a feelingthe feeling that you get when you hear a certain song for the first time, regarding the bands creative fertility. We set out to elicit the feeling you get when you watch a John Hughes movie, Thomas elaborates. We never sat down and consciously said, We want to brand ourselves like this. We just love the sounds. Why do we get these feelings when we listen to these songs? When were home, we treat this band like a day job, Thomas explains. We write a lot of songs, and there are certain ones where you play it back and say, This is special. This was that kind of song. It represents a spectral connectionthe first season of joan. Everything we were going for, it embodies 100 percent. Joans full-length album superglue has recently been released this year, which includes the song of the same title garnering a million streams on Spotify. The duo is set to visit Manila in September for a concert How do we, as songwriters, help people transcend mundanity and find joy? Thomas asks. Thats my personal goal. Connecting with a song can lift your spirits. Seeing how our music brings people joywhy else would we do it? Its what keeps me going every day. I love it. And once you make first contact with joans music, you will too. Tickets to joans first-ever headlining show in Manila are available now via TicketNet outlets. More info at livenation.ph. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) powered the first-ever hackathon of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), encouraging students to produce technology-enabled and purpose-driven solutions to create positive change. Since 2003, we have partnered with colleges and universities in bringing PLDT and Smarts innovations closer to communities. Our 20-year partnership with PUP and our support for their first-ever hackathon has further enabled us to address societal gaps through technology, said Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Head of Group Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart. PUP is one of the Groups pioneer partners under the Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP), the Philippines first and longest-running industry-academe linkage. 5 competing teams from different PUP campuses made it to the finals of the first-ever PUP Hackathon From approximately 60 teams of young innovators, five teams made it to the final round of the hackathon, who pitched their innovations to a panel of judges comprising PUP mentors, faculty from the University of Alicante in Spain, and tech leaders such as PLDT, Smart, and Samsung Philippines. Twenty-three-year-old Reymalyn Jane Compendio, a member of Team Agrisphere, shared how their app aims to address the countrys ongoing agricultural challenges through artificial intelligence. Our main driving force was the vegetable spoilage issue due to oversupply and low demand. We were inspired that we can do something about it, through technology, shared Reymalyn. Team Agrisphere members, (L-R) John Chris Cayetano, Reymalyn Jane Compedio, and Daniella Llido, presented their app that offers agri-based tech solutions for farmers Twenty-one-year-old Reniel Bryan De Lumban, a member of the team behind Disletra from PUP Sta. Mesa, also expressed their key inspiration behind their innovation. We want to help those with neurodevelopmental disorders, specifically people with dyslexia, live their lives normally through our app. We hope to provide them with a tool that can ease challenges they face, shared Reniel. Team Disletra members, (L-R) Reniel Bryan De Lumban, Mariella Julia Juat, and Hazel Cherry Tabirao are all smiles after finishing their presentation Through the years, PLDT and Smart have underscored the value of inclusive learning and industry-academe linkages. This commitment of PLDT and Smart also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) #4: Quality Education and is aligned with the vision of the Government-mandated Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) formed in 2022. As one of the founding members under the Digital Infrastructure pillar of PSAC, PLDT supports GoDigital Pilipinas (GDP), which aims to expand access to digital technologies and to narrow the digital divide by promoting digital literacy and building a sustainable digital ecosystem. The 2023 PUP Hackathon: Uthack ang Puhunan is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union and co-sponsored by Samsung Philippines. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Apple iPhone shipments saw a 68 percent (year-on-year) growth in India in the first half of 2023, driven by the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13 series. In the second quarter (April-June period) alone, there was a strong growth uptick in Apple iPhone shipments, and the company registered a stupendous 70 percent growth in shipments in the country, according o data provided by CyberMedia Research (CMR).Alongside, Apple iPad posted a modest 6 percent year-over-year growth, driven by consumer need for productivity and leisure on-the-go, and at home. Apple is well-positioned to capitalize on the market demand and maintain its positive momentum in India and is likely to garner a 7 percent market share in 2023, according to CMR. We continue to see strong momentum for Apple in India. In Q2 2023, there was a strong growth uptick in Apple iPhone shipments driven by the Apple iPhone 14 series and iPhone 13 series, Prabhu Ram, Head - of Industry Intelligence Group, CMR, told IANS.Buoyed by friendly government policies and a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, India is set to cross Rs 1,20,000 crore in mobile exports in the current fiscal year (FY24), driven by tech giant Apple, according to the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) data. Amid this stupendous growth in mobile exports, Apple's share is set to exceed 50 percent in FY24. In May, iPhone exports reached a record Rs 10,000 crore, pushing the total mobile shipments from the country to Rs 12,000 crore. The growth in the Indian smartphone industry has been primarily driven by the Apple ecosystem, which alone grossed a record $5 billion in exports from India in FY23. MORGANTON A woman received multiple charges, including driving while impaired and child abuse, after a Tuesday afternoon wreck. Devondra Deshey Grant, 42, of Nebo, was charged with misdemeanor child abuse, driving while impaired, possession of an open container after consuming, failure to secure a passenger under the age of 16 and driving while license revoked for a previous DWI charge, said Lt. W. Lackey with the Morganton Department of Public Safety. The charges came after MDPS officers were dispatched to the parking lot of Mountain View Recreation Center on First Street in Morganton for a wreck, Lackey said. The responding officer wrote in his report the caller, who was driving one of the vehicles, advised dispatch Grant was intoxicated. Lackey said responding officers saw a mostly empty bottle of vodka in the passenger seat of the car with a 3-year-old unrestrained in the backseat. Grant refused a breathalyzer, so officers obtained a search warrant for a blood draw. There was some confusion at the scene when Grant told officers she had two other children who had been in the car and had vanished, Lackey said. She was unable to provide officers with any other details, but the officers were able to determine the other two children were safe with their father. The Department of Social Services came to the scene and took custody of the 3-year-old, Lackey said. Grant has three previous convictions of driving while impaired that stemmed from incidents in 2008, 2009 and 2016, according to records from the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction. Her bond was set at $10,000 secured. Shes due in court Aug. 18. Water quality of Baiyangdian in north China improves Xinhua) 08:20, July 21, 2023 Birds are pictured at Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, July 19, 2023. The Baiyangdian Lake, the largest wetland ecosystem in northern China, is located in Xiong'an. After the establishment of the new area, the water quality in Baiyangdian has improved from below Level V, the lowest of China's five-tier water assessment system, to Level III. The area of Baiyangdian has been restored from about 170 square kilometers to about 290 square kilometers, and the water level in the lake area has remained stable at about 7.2 meters. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei) This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows tourists visiting Baiyangdian Lake by boat in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province. The Baiyangdian Lake, the largest wetland ecosystem in northern China, is located in Xiong'an. After the establishment of the new area, the water quality in Baiyangdian has improved from below Level V, the lowest of China's five-tier water assessment system, to Level III. The area of Baiyangdian has been restored from about 170 square kilometers to about 290 square kilometers, and the water level in the lake area has remained stable at about 7.2 meters. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei) A bird is pictured at Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, July 19, 2023. The Baiyangdian Lake, the largest wetland ecosystem in northern China, is located in Xiong'an. After the establishment of the new area, the water quality in Baiyangdian has improved from below Level V, the lowest of China's five-tier water assessment system, to Level III. The area of Baiyangdian has been restored from about 170 square kilometers to about 290 square kilometers, and the water level in the lake area has remained stable at about 7.2 meters. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei) A bird perches on a metal pole at Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, July 19, 2023. The Baiyangdian Lake, the largest wetland ecosystem in northern China, is located in Xiong'an. After the establishment of the new area, the water quality in Baiyangdian has improved from below Level V, the lowest of China's five-tier water assessment system, to Level III. The area of Baiyangdian has been restored from about 170 square kilometers to about 290 square kilometers, and the water level in the lake area has remained stable at about 7.2 meters. (Xinhua/Gao Junfeng) A bird flies over Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, July 19, 2023. The Baiyangdian Lake, the largest wetland ecosystem in northern China, is located in Xiong'an. After the establishment of the new area, the water quality in Baiyangdian has improved from below Level V, the lowest of China's five-tier water assessment system, to Level III. The area of Baiyangdian has been restored from about 170 square kilometers to about 290 square kilometers, and the water level in the lake area has remained stable at about 7.2 meters. (Xinhua/Gao Junfeng) A bird flies over Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, July 19, 2023. The Baiyangdian Lake, the largest wetland ecosystem in northern China, is located in Xiong'an. After the establishment of the new area, the water quality in Baiyangdian has improved from below Level V, the lowest of China's five-tier water assessment system, to Level III. The area of Baiyangdian has been restored from about 170 square kilometers to about 290 square kilometers, and the water level in the lake area has remained stable at about 7.2 meters. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei) This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows a tourist dock of Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province. The Baiyangdian Lake, the largest wetland ecosystem in northern China, is located in Xiong'an. After the establishment of the new area, the water quality in Baiyangdian has improved from below Level V, the lowest of China's five-tier water assessment system, to Level III. The area of Baiyangdian has been restored from about 170 square kilometers to about 290 square kilometers, and the water level in the lake area has remained stable at about 7.2 meters. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei) This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows the tourist dock of Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province. The Baiyangdian Lake, the largest wetland ecosystem in northern China, is located in Xiong'an. After the establishment of the new area, the water quality in Baiyangdian has improved from below Level V, the lowest of China's five-tier water assessment system, to Level III. The area of Baiyangdian has been restored from about 170 square kilometers to about 290 square kilometers, and the water level in the lake area has remained stable at about 7.2 meters. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei) A bird is pictured at Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, July 19, 2023. The Baiyangdian Lake, the largest wetland ecosystem in northern China, is located in Xiong'an. After the establishment of the new area, the water quality in Baiyangdian has improved from below Level V, the lowest of China's five-tier water assessment system, to Level III. The area of Baiyangdian has been restored from about 170 square kilometers to about 290 square kilometers, and the water level in the lake area has remained stable at about 7.2 meters. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei) This aerial photo taken on July 19, 2023 shows a wooden plank road at Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province. The Baiyangdian Lake, the largest wetland ecosystem in northern China, is located in Xiong'an. After the establishment of the new area, the water quality in Baiyangdian has improved from below Level V, the lowest of China's five-tier water assessment system, to Level III. The area of Baiyangdian has been restored from about 170 square kilometers to about 290 square kilometers, and the water level in the lake area has remained stable at about 7.2 meters. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei) A bird flies over Baiyangdian Lake in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, July 19, 2023. The Baiyangdian Lake, the largest wetland ecosystem in northern China, is located in Xiong'an. After the establishment of the new area, the water quality in Baiyangdian has improved from below Level V, the lowest of China's five-tier water assessment system, to Level III. The area of Baiyangdian has been restored from about 170 square kilometers to about 290 square kilometers, and the water level in the lake area has remained stable at about 7.2 meters. (Xinhua/Hao Jianwei) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) The Angolan government and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) signed a partnership agreement on Thursday for a project to develop agricultural insurance in the country, an instrument whose direct beneficiary is the state insurance agency. Angolas Finance Minister Vera Daves de Sousa and IFC Vice-President for Africa Sergio Pimenta were the signatories of this agreement, at a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Finance (Minfin) in Luanda, according to a statement released by the Government. According to Vera Daves de Sousa, quoted in the press release, the agreement initialed has as its direct beneficiary the Angolan Insurance Regulation and Supervision Agency (ARSEG) and, through it, the entire market will be mobilized to create legal, institutional, technical and operational conditions for the operationalization of agricultural insurance in the country. He recognized that the agreement with the IFC, the World Banks private sector arm, will not solve all the insurance problems of agribusiness operators. However, it will serve as a substantial improvement and will be an important starting point for a paradigm shift regarding this insurance that is so sensitive for national insurers, he said on the occasion. The agreement will also develop the capacity of the insurance market to apply climate risk analysis, outline the operationalization of additional risk coverage for insurers and empower insurers and partners to promote agricultural insurance. The Angolan minister considered it urgent to provide the countrys agricultural sector, which plays a key role in the process of sustainable growth of any economy, with the necessary instruments for its stability. Brazils ambassador to Angola said Thursday that the visit to the African country remains part of Lula da Silvas intentions, depending only on the reconciliation of the agendas of the leaders of the two countries. The presidents [Lula da Silva and Joao Lourenco] are coordinating the date of the visit which is part of Lula da Silvas intentions in the short and medium terms. The only thing missing is to coordinate the dates according to the presidents agendas, the Brazilian ambassador, Rafael Vidal, told reporters after being received at the Presidential Palace in Luanda. According to Rafael Vidal, the meeting aimed to update the Angolan head of state on the progress of the cooperation programme for the development of agriculture in the Cunene Valley which responds to the request to work together with Brazil to develop Angolas productive base. The Brazilian diplomat stressed that this is a comprehensive cooperation project that involves the transfer of knowledge and public policies, but also attracting investments to make a green revolution in the Cunene Valley (southern Angola). It is an anchor programme in Brazils relationship with Angola, he stressed, explaining that it seeks to replicate in the Cunene Valley the model that was followed in the Sao Francisco Valley (Brazil), which became an important area of fruit and vegetable production after the development of irrigation projects. According to Rafael Vidal, with the Lula government, the expectation of having Brazilian lines of financing for south-south cooperation was also resumed, which could be adopted in the Cunene Valley. 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 Cancer cases are unusually high among middle aged people in the Middle East contrary to western countries where they usually hit people at least 20 years later. The study by Prof. Wael M. Abdel-Rahman sees people in the Middle East developing different types of cancers when they have not yet reached 50 years of age. Currently working at the University of Sharjah's College of Health sciences, Prof. Abdel-Rahman was a histopathologist in Egypt examining tumors and other tissues for accurate cancer diagnosis. "I was struck by the too many cases of cancers including, colon cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, liver cancer, prostate cancer and many others, often in young people aged below 50 years," he says. Prof. Abdel-Rahman was shocked by the high cancer incidence among young population "compared to the fairly old age of these diseases in the West, where they hit people 20 years later, on average." In the Middle East, he found that "cancers were often diagnosed at an advanced stage and responded poorly to chemotherapy therefore tended to have a poor prognosis. Many of these patients died shortly after the time of the diagnosis." "Many clinicians working in Middle Eastern countries at that time," he maintains, attributed the huge gap in cancer incidence and diagnosis between the East and the West as simply to being part of "ethnic variations." However, Dr. Abdel-Rahman's research shows that environmental factors have a direct bearing on the high prevalence in cancer cases in one region when compared to another. "My research that compared the Finnish versus the Egyptian colon cancer highlighted differences in molecular features, and epigenetic changes which suggested a different environmental factors," he adds. For example, he attributes prevalence of colon cancer to a variety of environmental toxins, besides age and genetics. Prof. Abdel-Rahman had previously performed extensive research on cancerous diseases in the West including the United Kingdom and Finland where he carried lab tests on morphological changes in cells and tissues of human body. In the West, he notes, cancer is diagnosed usually in old age patients and at an early stage, providing the best chance for a cure. Research furnishes epidemiological evidence of age differences in developing different types of cancers in different parts of the world, suggesting environment and lifestyle impact on cancer development. Almost ten years ago, Prof. Abdel-Rahman embarked on research to characterize the molecular differences between the Middle East and the Western cancers, which might explain the differences in cancer incidence and age at which it struck patients. "I started to explore this possibility in depth and at the molecular levels to understand these phenotypes and apply such knowledge in evidence-based programs for cancer prevention" he says. In his first research paper, which he produced while still working at the University of Helsinki, Finland, Prof. Abdel-Rahman collected and compared colorectal tumors from the East and West. His major conclusion: the cancers hitting both parts of the world differ at "molecular levels, too." His findings indicate a higher colon cancer incidence in North Europe and Finland compared to North Africa and Egypt, however, "the problem in Egypt is the increasing incidence of young age cancers and the overall increase over time." The divergence pointed to differences in environmental exposures to toxins and potential carcinogens, substances that cause cancer like benzene, asbestos, nickel, vinyl chloride, radon and cadmium. The research results led Prof. Abdel-Rahman and colleagues to "focus on the role of environmental contaminants in cancer development." Environmental factors, he maintains, have turned both colorectal cancersthe cancers of the colon and/or rectumas well as breast cancer to be more threatening and most prevalent. The examination of the impact of environmental contaminants has helped Prof. Abdel-Rahman produce numerous research papers in which he sheds light on the causes and development of cancer in the West and the Middle East relying on accurate data on the levels of exposures to these contaminants. His efforts included publishing a review article of the literature with a bearing on the discernible differences in cancer age and incidence between the two parts of the world. To provide a broad picture of causes, Prof. Abdel-Rahman set to examine environmental effects materials "such as the plasticizer material known as Bisphenol A (BPA) that is widely used in our daily life on the development of cancers." BPA is present in a long list of items that we use in our daily life such as plastic bottles, epoxy resins that coat some metal food cans, bottle tops canned food containers, cash register receipts, and in recycled and carbonless copy paper. In his later research, in which he is a co-author, Prof. Abdel-Rahman has shown that "bisphenol A and other similar toxic agents exert harmful effects on normal breast cells that could lead to breast cancer development and identified the molecular mechanisms responsible for that action." In a more recent co-authored article, he extended his data to colon cancer and found that "Bisphenol A may as well cause harmful effects that lead to cancer of the colon and rectum." Bisphenol A, known under its scientific acronym of BPA, is one of the most widely produced chemicals in the world and used primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics. It is found in a wide range of plastic products such plastic backs, water bottles, shatterproof windows, bottle tops and water supply pipes. Stemming from his research findings, Prof. Abdel-Rahman is currently campaigning for restricting the use of plastic bags in a bid to limit their "well-known harmful effects" and as part of preventive measures to forestall colon, breast, skin, liver, prostate cancers, and their incidence in the Middle East. He is now bent on research to address the relation of obesity to cancer in yet another attempt to "understand the effect of obesity on the normal cells and find whether obesity microenvironment can predispose the cells to become cancer cells. "Many different types of cancers are associated with excess body weight, such as breast, colon and rectum, endometrial, esophageal, gallbladder, gastric, kidney, liver, ovary, pancreas and thyroid cancers as well as multiple myeloma." According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is a worldwide problem. WHO statistics show that more than 1.9 billion adults are overweight, and 650 million of them were obese, including 39 million children under the age of five. The difference between obese and underweight is gauged by Body Mass Index (BMI), which refers to a person's weight in kilograms or pounds divided by the square of height in meters or feet. WHO says obesity kills more people than underweight and the Middle East, particularly the Gulf region, obesity prevalence is estimated at 17%48% in women and 8%36% in men. Latest medical research associates many types of cancers, such as breast, colon and rectum, endometrial, esophageal, gallbladder, gastric, kidney, liver, ovary, pancreas and thyroid cancers as well as multiple myeloma to obesity. 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 Elizabeth Engle, MD, has devoted her career to finding genetic and developmental causes for disorders of eye, eyelid, and facial movement. From common conditions like strabismus to very rare disorders, these conditions can impact a person's appearance and impair social communication, making it hard to shift one's eyes up, down, or sideways or adjust facial expressions. Each discovery in Engle's lab offers an answer for families. It's also a window into the brainspecifically into the development of the nerves and motor neurons that innervate the eye and face muscles. Now, after the better part of a decade, Engle's team in the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center at Boston Children's Hospital drove the cracking of a previously impenetrable mystery: the genetic cause of a condition called hereditary congenital facial paresis type 1 (HCFP1). The study is published in the journal Nature Genetics. HCFP1 causes mild facial weakness that makes it hard for babies and children to smile brightly, pucker their lips, suck, and sip from straws. While it's mild and very rare, the condition has opened the door to a little-known area of genetics: disorders caused by inherited mutations in the genome's "dark matter." A rare category of genetic disease Most known genetic causes of inherited disease come from variants in genesthe 12% of our genome, also known as the exome, that provides the code for making proteins. But within the rest of the genomethe dark matterlie important noncoding elements that regulate genes and can influence disease. "While we only have about 20,000 genes, noncoding regulatory elements provide much additional information, modulating gene expression by turning genes on or off in specific cell types at specific times," says Engle. Inherited, single-gene disorders involving non-coding variation remain mostly under-explored, in part because we don't yet know how to interpret most variation within the vast non-coding space. The new work provides a rare example that could inform future genetic discovery for other disorders. Examining families' genetic variants The team started with nine families from the Engle lab's database and five families from collaborators in the Netherlands. Linkage mapping in the Dutch families had identified the general area in the genome that seemed tied to HCFP1. The families had had whole-exome sequencing, but since this includes only the coding parts of the genome, it came up empty. Engle's team used whole genome sequencing, which revealed that five families had a large, duplicated piece of DNA. The start and end points of this piece varied, but in all five families it contained three non-coding regulatory elements. The other nine families had single nucleotide variants (SNVs)single "letter" changes in the genetic codeall within one of the three regulatory elements. "That's a bit of a conundrum, because we typically think of DNA duplications as increasing gene expression, and SNVs as decreasing gene function," says Engle. "We had to figure out the mechanism by which these duplications and SNVs resulted in the same facial phenotype and determine what gene these regulatory elements were targeting." They found that the three regulators are located close to GATA2, a gene known to help specify the production of different cell types in the blood and nervous system. That raised the question: Do the three regulators act on GATA2? Engle's team suspected they did, and that two enhanced and one silenced GATA2 expression. Tracking cells' developmental journeys That's where much legwork came in. Using mouse models and tools like single-cell RNA sequencing and CUT&Tag to profile cells at different time points, the team began to understand how variants in DNA regulatory elements lead to facial weakness. First, they found that the regulatory elements are active during early brain development, in a location in the hindbrain where two cell types are born: facial motor neurons and inner ear efferent neurons (involved in filtering loud sounds and background noise). "Our hypothesis was that inner ear efferents are born first and are dependent on the enhancers turning on GATA2, and that a day or so later, the silencer shuts down GATA2 and facial motor neurons are made," says Engle. "We thought that the DNA duplications could increase enhancer activity while the SNVs could reduce silencing activityboth of which would lead to production of more inner ear efferents and fewer facial motor neurons." Meticulous experiments showed this to be true. "The combined number of cells was unchanged, but prolonging GATA2 expression increased the inner ear efferents at the expense of the facial motor neurons," says Alan Tenney, Ph.D., one of the postdoctoral research fellows in Engle's lab who led the study. An explanation for HCFP1 In short, the team showed that the genetic mutations prevent people from making enough motor neurons during development to properly innervate the facial muscles, leaving them relatively weak. "To solve questions like this, one needs a team of people with multiple complementary areas of expertise," says Engle. "We think our work provides an example of how to tease out the genetics and mechanisms of inherited disorders involving non-coding variation. The key is what you choose to tacklewhich non-coding variants are compelling enough to spend the next five years of your life investigating." More information: Alan P. Tenney et al, Noncoding variants alter GATA2 expression in rhombomere 4 motor neurons and cause dominant hereditary congenital facial paresis, Nature Genetics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01424-9 Journal information: Nature Genetics 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: Trends in telehealth use among Michigan residents with three types of insurance before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, for evaluation & management appointments. Credit: University of Michigan In just three years, millions of people across Michigan's two huge peninsulas have taken advantage of their newfound ability to connect with their doctors, nurses and therapists through a computer or phone, a new report shows. Between 11% and 17% of all appointments to evaluate symptoms or discuss treatment now take place virtually, depending on the type of insurance, the analysis shows. That's up from less than 1% of such visits before the COVID-19 pandemic suddenly spurred temporary flexibility in health insurance rules for telehealth, according to the report by a team from the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. The team used insurance data to prepare the report for the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation. Their analysis shows how telehealth has especially helped the 1 in 5 Michiganders who have mental health care needsmost notably those who live in the 38 counties that have few or no behavioral health care providers. It also reveals lags in telehealth's use by those living in rural areas, especially areas with lower percentages of homes with broadband Internet access. The team also examined telehealth across state lines, including by 'snowbirds' who split their time between Michigan and Florida. Policy implications Temporary telehealth rules will expire next year. So the report's authors make recommendations they hope policymakers and private health insurance companies will note as they plan telehealth coverage for the long-term. "From the Upper Peninsula to Detroit, and everywhere in between, it's clear that Michiganders have embraced telehealth for the access and convenience it provides, as well as the original goal of reduced exposure to coronavirus," said Chad Elllimoottil, M.D., M.S., the U-M researcher and telehealth expert who led the team. "But the future of telehealth in our state and beyond will depend on the decisions policymakers and insurance leaders make in coming months, not just for coverage but also for expansion of Internet access and the supply of mental health providers." Ellimoottil directs IHPI's Telehealth Research Incubator and serves as medical director of Virtual Care for the University of Michigan Medical Group, part of U-M's academic medical center called Michigan Medicine. He worked on the report with researchers Ziwei Zhu, Xinwei Hi, Monica Van Til, who together analyzed data on traditional fee-for-service Medicare and some data from patients covered by private managed care plans from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, as well as with IHPI member Sarah Clark, M.P.H., who analyzed Medicaid data. On August 10, Ellimoottil will speak about the findings and more at a webinar hosted by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund; information and a link for registration are here. "This report highlights how telehealth has transformed the way we think about access to care across Michigan, including dramatic shifts in the delivery of behavioral health care," said Becky Cienki, director of Behavioral Health and Special Projects at the Michigan Health Endowment Fund. "We're excited for the valuable insights revealed in the data and the ways they will equip providers and policymakers to make informed, effective decisions that maximize the benefits of telehealth to expand access to care." Key findings: Telehealth visits by insurance source: In all, 11% of visits by Medicare participants were done via telehealth in 2022, compared with 13% of Medicaid-covered visits and 17% of visits billed to private insurance. In addition, 10% of people with Medicare coverage who sought care at 'safety net' clinics were seen via telehealth. The overall volume of outpatient visits by people covered by both traditional Medicare and private insurance remained steady from mid-2020 through the end of 2022, so Ellimoottil notes that this indicates telehealth substituted for appointments that would otherwise have been in person, rather than adding to the number of visits. Rural vs. non-rural: Before the pandemic, Medicare and other insurers had narrow requirements for telehealth, focused on people living in rural areas. But they could only get coverage for such visits if they left home and went to a local clinic to sign on. The new study finds that in 2019, rural counties in central and northern Michigan had the highest rates of telehealth visits per 1,000 residents. But by 2020 and 2021, the counties with the highest rates of telehealth use were also the most populated counties, especially the five counties of southeast Michigan where nearly half of the state's population lives. In all, about 31% of people living in rural counties had a telehealth visit, compared with 46% of those in non-rural counties. The authors note that continued coverage of telehealth from home, rather than reverting to access only from rural clinics, will be important. Mental and behavioral health: Telehealth has long been seen as a potential option for delivering care for mental health conditions and substance use disorders including drug and alcohol addiction, because it often doesn't require a "hands on" approach. Plus, patients often feel a stigma against seeking treatment in person, and there is both a shortage and uneven distribution of providers trained to care for patients with these conditions. Telehealth use: The new report includes an analysis that confirms previous estimates that 1 in 5 people in Michigan have a mental health or behavioral health condition at any given time. Past studies have suggested that 40% of all adults with mental health conditions, and 80% of those with addiction issues, do not receive care. The report shows that almost half of all visits for mental/behavioral health care now happen by telehealth among Michiganders covered by traditional Medicare, based on two different analyses. They also determined which counties have patients receiving the most mental and behavioral health care. For people with Medicaid coverage living in these high-demand counties, the percentage having mental and behavioral health care visits by telehealth was much lower than it was for Medicare, at about 17% of such visits. Provider shortage: The report also shows that half of all Michigan counties have less than 10 mental health specialists, defined as practicing specialists in psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, neuropsychiatry, psychology, clinical psychology, licensed clinical social work, or addiction medicine. One in 5 Michigan counties have one or no such providers. The team focused on 38 counties with the most dire shortages. In those counties, 57% of all visits with such providers took part via telehealth, for patients with traditional Medicare. Getting help outside shortage counties: The researchers drilled further to look at the locations where patients lived compared with the location where their mental/behavioral health provider practiced, to see if the availability of telehealth was making it easier to get care from providers based in areas with a higher supply of providers. In all, 82% of mental health visits by people living in counties with mental health provider shortages involved providers outside the patient's home county. Of those, the majority were conducted via telehealthin fact, out-of-county telehealth made up 47% of all mental health visits for people living in these shortage counties. In 13 counties, all mental/behavioral health visits by county residents were with providers in a different county. These data show that telehealth meant greater access to mental health care for people living in areas that lack providers of such care. Broadband Internet access: The higher the percentage of households that have broadband Internet access in a county, the higher the use of telehealth by Medicare participants there. The authors note that efforts to increase broadband availability statewide, but especially in the 29 counties that fall below the median level of broadband availability (82% of households), could increase the use of telehealth. Demographics: The researchers saw minimal differences in telehealth use along lines of age, gender, race/ethnicity, though women and people under age 65 were slightly more likely to use telehealth. Interestingly, they did see a higher rate of telehealth use among people who are eligible for both Medicaid because of low income and Medicare because of age or disability status; this "dual-eligible" population accounted for 23% of all telehealth users covered by traditional Medicare in 2020. While the new report did not look at what percentage of telehealth visits were done through a telephone voice connection only, previous research by U-M teams suggests that discontinuation of insurance coverage for phone visits may reduce telehealth access for patients who are older, African-American, need an interpreter, rely on Medicaid, and/or live in areas with limited broadband access. Snowbirds and other out-of-state telehealth: The temporary pandemic rules that allowed patients to see providers who are located in a different state led to more appointments of this kind in Michigan. But the percentage of all telehealth visits by Michiganders with Medicare that involved out-of-state providers stayed the same at about 3%. More than a quarter (28%) of all visits by Michiganders who saw a provider in another state virtually involved providers in Florida. These are likely Michigan "snowbirds" who spend part of their year in Florida and may have appointments with their providers there even when they're back in Michigan. Most of the other visits with out-of-state providers involved providers in states that neighbor Michigan. Ellimoottil says this suggests that policymakers should prioritize medical licensing reciprocity agreements with neighboring states and Florida, to give patients continued access to this kind of care. 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 In 2017, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a dramatic reversal in its approach to peanut-allergy prevention, recommending parents expose their infants as young as four months old to peanuts to prevent peanut allergy. In the five years since, early introduction to peanuts has been gaining traction among U.S. parents and caregivers, but more work must be done to communicate the guidelines more broadly, especially to those with less access to health-related information, reports a new study from Northwestern University and the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Among all surveyed parents and caregivers in the U.S., 13% of parents said they're aware of the guidelines and 48% believed feeding peanuts early prevented peanut allergy, despite knowing about the guidelines or not. "There was general awareness of 'If I give these foods early, it will help,' even if families didn't know it came from the NIH guidelines," said Dr. Waheeda Samady, associate professor of pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and director of clinical research at Northwestern's Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research. "There's still a lot of room for growth in terms of educating families and clinicians about these guidelines." The study found that having a pediatrician who recommended early peanut introduction was the strongest factor in whether a parent or caregiver was aware of the guidelines. "This study is taking a look at something still so new to health systems in the U.S.," said senior author Dr. Ruchi Gupta, director for the Center for Food Allergy and Asthma Research, professor of pediatrics and a pediatrician at Lurie Children's Hospital. "As a pediatrician, I'm sensitive to the fact that there is a lot to juggle during a four- or six-month appointment. We need to find ways to support pediatricians in their workflows to incorporate the prevention guidelines." The study is the first nationwide survey to examine the impact and implementation of the guidelines since their release five years ago. It will be published July 21 in Pediatrics. The authors said the findings provide an understanding of where American parents land on peanut feeding and where the gaps are. This includes: Access to care barriers and systemic racism, which makes this information less known to non-white, less-educated and lower-income parents Supporting primary care providers to provide this information in a timely way Public health messaging about reactions to peanuts, since this was the main fear reported in the survey A closer look at the findings: The 13% of parents and caregivers who said they were aware of the 2017 guidelines reported being white, between the ages of 30 and 44, educated and high income, or cared for a child with food allergy or eczema, the study found. The scientists asked survey respondents if they exposed their children to peanuts 1) before seven months (around four to six months old) and 2) after seven months (between seven months and a year old). Seventeen percent of all parents first offered peanut-containing foods before the age of seven months and 42% did so between the age of seven and 12 months, the study found. Peanut introduction occurred earlier among guideline-aware parents/caregivers, with 31% offering it before seven months. Fear of reaction was No. 1 reason for delayed introduction Thirty-three percent of those who delayed peanut introduction reported a fear of reaction to peanuts as the most common reason. However, the percentage of actual reported reactions of infants and children during peanut introduction were only 1.4%. "Previous studies have found that, on average, infant reactions are much milder than older kids' reactions," Samady said. "Based on this, I would say you should be more concerned about your older child, not your five-month-old. Statistically, reactions are much milder younger in life." The study found reactions that did occur were mostly dermatological (e.g., a rash) or gastroenterological (e.g., vomiting). "The perception among U.S. parents/caregivers about how common reactions are in children is much higher than the reality," Samady said. Broad dissemination of information, resources to integrate are key There must be a multifold approach to reaching all U.S. parents and caregivers, Samady said. "We have to get to all the pediatricians, not just those who work in academic or affluent areas," Samady said. "But we need to think outside that box as well." The information should be shared at community centers, daycares and supplemental nutrition programs for WIC clinics (women, infants and children), Samady said. Other Northwestern co-authors include Christopher Warren, Lucy Bilaver, Justin Zaslavsky and Jialing Jiang. More information: Waheeda Samady et al, Early Peanut Introduction Awareness, Beliefs, and Practices Among Parents and Caregivers, Pediatrics (2023). DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-059376 , dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-059376 Journal information: Pediatrics 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 New research from ESMT Berlin shows that shared medical appointments improve patient satisfaction, learning, and medication compliance, without compromising follow-up rates or clinical outcomes. The researchers wanted to understand the impact of shared medical appointments on patient experience (knowledge gained and satisfaction) and behavior (follow-up rates and medication compliance rates). The findings are published in the journal PLOS Global Public Health. In shared medical appointments (SMAs), patients with the same medical condition meet with the physician in a group, with each patient receiving attention in turn. The physician shares information customized to a patient's specific needs as well as standardized information relevant to other patients with the same condition. SMAs have been touted as a potentially effective way to meet health care demand worldwide, especially in countries facing significant strain on their health care systems. However, the limited adoption of SMAs in the health care sector can be attributed to patient concerns regarding loss of privacy, which may impede open discussion of sensitive medical issues and dampen learning, satisfaction, and engagement. This new research shows that SMAs significantly improved patient satisfaction, learning, and medication compliance, with no compromise of patient follow-up rates or measured clinical outcomes. The researchers conducted a large-scale randomized controlled trial at the Aravind Eye Hospital in India. India has almost a fifth of the world's population but spends only 1.1% of GDP on health and faces a dire shortage of health care capacity. One thousand patients with primary glaucoma were randomly assigned to either attend one-on-one appointments or SMAs with five total patients in four successive routine follow-up visits scheduled four months apart. At the end of each appointment, patients were surveyed to assess their satisfaction with the appointment, their knowledge about glaucoma, and their intention to return for a follow-up appointment. Patients were also tracked for their medication compliance rates. This research was conducted by Nazl Sonmez, ESMT Berlin; Kavitha Srinivasan and Rengaraj Venkatesh, Aravind Eye Hospital (India); Ryan W. Buell, Harvard Business School; and Kamalini Ramdas, London Business School. "The demand for health care worldwide is soaring and exceeds supply," says Sonmez. "In underdeveloped countries, especially, the patient-to-doctor ratio is staggering, and patients face high barriers to receiving care. We must use innovative solutions, like shared medical appointments, to meet this demand. Failure to do so would deprive a huge number of people of their fundamental human right to health care access." According to the researchers, SMAs could expand access to public health care, lower costs for private care, and significantly improve medical outcomes for various conditions, particularly for type 2 diabetes, in both primary and secondary care settings. The innovative utilization of SMAs could ensure that more patients receive access to health care faster, facilitating health care for all. More information: Nazl Sonmez et al, Evidence from the first Shared Medical Appointments (SMAs) randomised controlled trial in India: SMAs increase the satisfaction, knowledge, and medication compliance of patients with glaucoma, PLOS Global Public Health (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001648 Journal information: PLOS Global Public Health Provided by European School of Management and Technology (ESMT) 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 Montana state Sen. Becky Beard thought she'd found a fix for a shortage of assisted living care options for Montanans who can't afford to pay for it themselvesa shortage she became aware of while searching for a suitable place for her mother to live. Beard, a Republican from the rural town of Elliston, ushered a bill through the GOP-controlled legislature this spring. The proposal would have moved more than 200 people off waiting lists for government-supported care and saved the state money by accessing more federal Medicaid money to cover their costs and the cost of those already in assisted living. The bill had broad support from assisted living facility owners whose facilities eventually would accept more of these patients covered by Medicaid, the state-federal program that pays medical and other health-related bills for low-income and disabled people. In Montana, the federal government pays about 65% of the cost of most Medicaid-covered services, and the state pays for the rest. But Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoed the measure May 18, two weeks after the legislature adjourned. A post-session vote in June by Montana's 150 lawmakers to override the veto failed by 10 votes. Gianforte's veto disappointed and mystified the bill's supporters. "I don't see where there is any negative impact, financially for the state, for the residents, or to us as providers," said Mike White, who co-owns seven assisted living facilities across Montana. "I thought, of all the bills out there, this would be the last one to get vetoed." Gianforte said the bill, by creating another Medicaid entitlement program, could have ended up costing the state much more in the long run. He also said it would have restricted the state's ability to serve Medicaid-funded residents "in a community setting." Supporters of the bill said that the governor is simply wrongand that Montana missed an opportunity to tackle a long-standing problem: the lengthy waiting lists for people on Medicaid who need assisted living or in-home care, to keep them out of more expensive nursing homes. An analysis by Gianforte's own budget office said the bill would have saved the state $1 million during its first two years by using more federal money. Some supporters also pointed to the state's $2.4 billion surplus, saying the state could certainly afford this small change to its Medicaid plan, if it ended up costing the state. "This administration has shown that they don't care about poor people, about people who are struggling," said state Rep. Mary Caferro, a Democrat. "They simply don't care, because we had the money to do it." The Gianforte administration insisted that there is no accurate way to estimate the long-term costs of placing assisted living under a Medicaid option called Community First Choice, and that doing so would complicate management of in-home and assisted living services. Beard's Senate Bill 296 would have required the state to place Medicaid funding for assisted living under Community First Choice starting in 2026, instead of a "waiver" program, where it's been for many years. States must ask the feds for Medicaid waivers to offer services or cover populations not covered under federal law. Like many other states, Montana asked for a waiver decades ago to cover nonmedical services that help keep older or disabled people out of nursing homes or other institutional settings. About 2,700 Montanans use these waiver-covered services each year, including about 900 in assisted living facilities. But funding for Montana's Big Sky Waiver program is capped by the legislature, so it has a waiting list for covered services. As of this spring, about 160 people who'd qualified for Medicaid coverage were on the waiting list for an assisted living spot. An additional 150 people were waiting for other Medicaid services, such as in-home care that helps with daily chores like eating, dressing, and bathing. Those spots open only if lawmakers approve more funding or if a person getting the services dies or no longer qualifies for Medicaid. Community First Choice, however, has no waiting list because it's an entitlement, with no funding cap. A person who qualifies for Medicaid gets whatever services are covered under the program. CFC was created as a state Medicaid option by the 2010 Affordable Care Act, in hopes of expanding coverage of services that help older and disabled people who have little income and few assets live independently, staying out of pricey facilities. To encourage states to incorporate CFC into their Medicaid plans, the Affordable Care Act offered a higher federal match, of 6 additional percentage points. Only nine states, however, have adopted CFC, and only threeWashington, Oregon, and Californiahave chosen to cover assisted living under the program. Montana is one of the nine states that applied for the program, 11 years ago under Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer. But the state did not include assisted living as a covered service under CFC. Rose Hughes, executive director of the Montana Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes and assisted living facilities, said states apparently worry that making these services an entitlement will increase their Medicaid budgets. But she argued that expanding assisted living coverage under Medicaid saves states money because it can keep people out of more expensive nursing homes and, in some cases, costs less than in-home care. Assisted living "is an extremely cost-effective service, and it's one that seniors like," Hughes said. She also noted that anyone who qualifies for assisted living under CFC or the waiver is eligible for nursing home-level care. "The day they get put on a waitlist, they could go to a nursing home, and the state would pay for that," Hughes said. And getting rid of the waiting list simply is the humane thing to do, bill supporters said. The waiting list, managed by the state, rates people's level of need and can seem incredibly arbitrary, bill supporters said. There are separate waiting lists for different locales; if you're on the list in one town and move elsewhere, you must get on another waiting list. "These systems are designed to protect people when they run out of resources. These people did their part, and we owe it to them," said Michael Coe, director of operations for Caslen Living Centers, the company co-owned by White. Beard eventually found her 82-year-old mother a spot at a Helena senior living facility that her mother pays for herself, without help from Medicaid. Beard said the experience drove home the difficulty many Montanans face in finding such services if they can't afford to pay. She said she shares the concerns of her fellow conservatives about the state budget, but on this issue, she thinks paying for more assisted living slots is both fiscally sound and the right thing to doand she'll pursue it again in the 2025 legislature. "This is a real need, and we're not done with it," Beard said. "I'm not giving up on this." 2023 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. 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 In a new study, Florida State University researchers find that previously incarcerated individuals are more likely to return to communities unable to meet their health care needs. Researchers have long known that incarcerated individuals experience increased health problems but the interdisciplinary study by Joseph A. Schwartz, Sonja E. Siennick, and Young-An Kim, of the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Professor Tyra Dark, assistant professor in FSU's Center for Translational Behavioral Science shows communities with a higher rate of prison returnees are more likely to lack medical services to meet demand. The study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health also found the effects of this were felt disproportionately as communities with more Black returnees were more likely to be medically underserved. "While we found significant differences between Black and white returning individuals, we did not see as much difference between Latino and white individualsthat surprised us," Schwartz said. "We expected to see a much more significant difference than we did." The researchers reviewed data from various sources, including information on 256,000 prison releases from the Florida Department of Corrections between 2008-2017. A possible factor in decreasing health disparities between Latinos and whites may be increased access to health care, with some studies showing the Affordable Care Act helping to close that gap. Schwartz cautioned against treating Latinos and Hispanics as a single group. "Previous research has also found that improved access is not universal across Latino subgroups," he said. "We cannot consider Latinos or Hispanics a monolithic racial and ethnic group. There are individuals from Central America, Cuba, Mexico, and South America, all with different backgrounds that make them unique." He added, "Unfortunately, our data does not allow us to get into that level of granularity. Future research aimed at better disentangling the more nuanced intersections between race and ethnicity and how such differences may contribute to differential access to health care among specific Latino subgroups and observed health disparities more broadly would be beneficial." With that in mind, the team plans to follow-up this study and examine how trends observed in the current study might carry over to the years during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors suggest that lawmakers consider incarceration return rates when determining funding for community-based services. Increased availability of such services would facilitate more successful reentry outcomes, including health care access, and provide much-needed resources offering broader community-wide benefits. More information: Joseph A Schwartz et al, Racial and ethnic differences in the availability of community medical services after leaving prison, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (2023). DOI: 10.1136/jech-2022-220222 Journal information: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 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 Self-testing for syphilis could reduce the sexually transmissible infection's global impact, a Monash University-led study has found. Syphilis continues to be a major health issue, with an estimated 7 million people infected world-wide each year. Published in The Lancet Public Health, the global systematic review found syphilis self-testing was acceptable and feasible to implement. Like self-testing for COVID or HIV, syphilis self-tests allow an individual to test themselves at home, without the need to visit a health facility. The world-first synthesis of evidence will inform future World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations on syphilis self-testing. Senior author and Melbourne Sexual Health Center physician, Monash University Central Clinical School Associate Professor Jason Ong, said self-testing could help improve testing rates and earlier treatment. "The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the value of self-tests," Associate Professor Ong said. "Syphilis self-testing is a key that unlocks the door to widespread testing and treatment, much like self-testing has done for HIV, Hepatitis C and COVID-19. "If we can improve access to self-testing for syphilis, we can also have a major impact on the current syphilis epidemic in Australia and beyond. This has global policy implications for countries to license and allow syphilis self-testing kits to be accessible, so that populations who are less likely to attend facilities to test are able to test themselves privately, accurately and at their convenience." The study found compelling evidence that self-testing across many different diseases, including HIV and COVID-19, is safe, acceptable and effective to implement, and can be cost-effective, particularly among those unreached by existing services including key populations. The potential benefits from syphilis self-testing outweighed any potential risks. "Early detection and treatment access are critical to controlling the syphilis pandemic," the researchers found. "SST (syphilis self-testing) can complement existing testing services, as further decentralization of syphilis testing allows more underserved populations to access testing and care more easily." "Countries should consider incorporating the offer of SST as part of a package of self-testing and self-care programs. Future implementation research, especially on the sensitivity and specificity of SST compared to facility-based testing, would strengthen the evidence base and help optimize service delivery and national strategic planning." The report found single syphilis, and dual HIV/syphilis rapid tests had been an important innovation in many settings and had potential to increase syphilis testing and treatment coverage, particularly during pregnancy as syphilis can harm unborn babies. Professor Christopher Fairley, the Director of Melbourne Sexual Health Center, emphasized the importance of testing. "The case for more testing and treatment is overwhelming; syphilis cases fell 98% when penicillin was discovered," Professor Fairley said. "How you test doesn't matter; you just need to test and self-testing, while a critical component of testing overall, remains substantially underused. Governments need to make it widely available." More information: Janet M Towns et al, The role of syphilis self-testing as an additional syphilis testing approach in key populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis, The Lancet Public Health (2023). DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(23)00128-7 Journal information: The Lancet Public Health You are here: Business Employees work on the production line of a chemical fiber company in Jiaxing, Zhejiang province, on June 27, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese officials on Thursday pledged greater efforts to revive the private economy, with more measures to be unveiled soon. Their remarks came after the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council issued a guideline on Wednesday on boosting the growth of the private economy. "The private economy has long played a positive role in stabilizing growth, promoting innovation, increasing employment and improving people's livelihoods," Li Chunlin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said at a press conference. To ensure full implementation of the guideline, the commission will work with relevant parties to introduce supporting policies and measures in the near future, he said. As part of the supporting measures, the commission will publish a document soon on encouraging private investment to "fully motivate the sector," Li said. The commission will continue holding symposiums with private entrepreneurs on a regular basis to help them solve problems and heed their suggestions, Li said. The private sector contributes approximately 50% of China's tax revenue, 60% of its GDP, 70% of its technological innovation, and accounts for 80% of its urban employment. To provide an improved environment for the private economy, China will also work to remove barriers in market access and fully implement policies and mechanisms for fair competition, he said. An Lijia, vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, pledged efforts to create a nurturing social environment for the private economy. "We will increase publicity of outstanding private entrepreneurs and promote their entrepreneurial spirit. Meanwhile, we will cooperate with relevant departments to crack down on malicious rumors and smears against private enterprises," An said. In China, more than 90% of private companies are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and more than 90% of SMEs are private companies. China will continue to facilitate financing for SMEs, said Xu Xiaolan, vice minister of industry and information technology. Outstanding inclusive finance lending to small and micro-sized companies reached 27.7 trillion yuan (about $3.88 trillion) at the end of June, up 26.1% year on year. China will also promote qualified SMEs to go public, and encourage the national SME development fund to increase investment in start-ups, Xu said. "The country will work to create a market-oriented, legalized and international business environment for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises," Xu noted. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Spanish-speaking families often experience significant challenges in receiving quality medical care for a loved one with Down syndrome (DS). New research published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A found that many caregivers and primary care providers felt that language differences and a lack of quality Spanish-language health information on DS contributed to potentially compromised care, especially when on-site interpreters were not available. Families also described condescending and discriminatory treatment within the medical system, leading to caregiver stress and social isolation. "The underlying cultural and structural racism these families experience further undermines their fragile trust in health providers and the health care system," says senior author Brian Skotko, MD, MPP, the Emma Campbell Endowed Chair on Down Syndrome at Massachusetts General Hospital and associate professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. "Families may also feel isolated from Down syndrome organizations and unwelcomed at support groups that cater primarily to English-speaking white families." The investigators collected data from Spanish-speaking caregivers of 41 people with DS through a national survey, two focus groups with seven family caregivers, and interviews with 20 primary care providers who care for patients with DS who are underrepresented minorities. The study was part of a larger research effort to identify health care disparities among underrepresented minorities in the DS community. A previously published paper by the same research team examined the experiences of caregivers who are Black, African American, of African descent, or mixed race. "Our studies were the first to apply rigorous scientific methods to analyzing health care experiences of minorities who have a loved one with Down syndrome," says Skotko. The study is also unique because the co-authors included parents of children with DS. "The research was done in collaboration with the community we're trying to serve, which significantly informed and enhanced our methods and was a profound departure from traditional research conducted solely by academic medical doctors," Skotko adds. Although caregivers reported that medical providers were the most trusted source of credible information about DS, more than half worried that their loved one would not be treated with respect when referred for a diagnostic test or appointment. "There is an assumption that I am less educated and when I ask questions about the line of treatment or don't agree, I am not taken seriously," said one parent at a focus group. Spanish-speaking parents also emphasized that how they received the initial diagnosis of DS was vital in establishing or damaging trust in medical providers. "This is a moment that is remembered for a lifetime by all families, but Spanish-speaking parents can be distressed for years if the diagnosis is delivered in an insensitive way, without compassion, or is overly medical," says Skotko. "Our study participants expressed that all children are loved, regardless of disability, and they wanted their doctors to recognize the inner beauty of their loved one, rather than focusing solely on the diagnosis." One parent said she was disheartened by the lack of confidence and hope she sought from the pediatrician. "Instead of encouraging me, (my pediatrician) made me feel afraidSo that made me feel intimidated," she said. Another parent, however, was relieved when the pediatrician said, "Those children are a blast. You are going to see that for you, it is going to be a blessing from God." To facilitate trust, Skotko recommends that providers ask families what they know about Down syndrome and their feelings about the diagnosis, allowing them to lead the conversation. "This openness gives the clinician a better understanding of how to situate the diagnosis within the family's cultural framework and to engage families as partners," he says. Families also said they wanted the medical community to acknowledge that raising a child with DS can sometimes be difficult. "Providers verbally appreciating how hard parents are working to care for their children goes a long way to validate and respect the burden and stress that comes with caregiving," Skotko adds. Other strategies for improving care of the Spanish-speaking DS community will require greater change. The researchers advise expanding the availability of on-site interpreters who can seamlessly be integrated into clinic visits. Practices may also consider ways to offer flexible scheduling for patients who require more time, and to hire social workers who can help families navigate the myriad complex social and medical needs outside the office visit, such as communicating with schools about IEP plans and making appointments with specialists. Many families said they would like their health care providers to be race- and ethnicity-concordant, which will require efforts and funding to recruit more people of diverse backgrounds into the medical profession, according to Skotko. The research team has written the results of their studies in easy-to-understand language in Spanish and English for parents. Over the next year, they will be posting the results on social media channels and asking the community of parents to share their stories and experiences. "We want to start a dialog around these data, not have it hidden away behind a firewall or in an academic medical library," says Skotko. They are also contacting every Down syndrome organization in the country and providing them with a toolkit to promote discussions among caregivers of diverse backgrounds. "Building trust within a broad community is essential to fully support the health of people with Down syndrome from Spanish-speaking families," says Skotko. More information: Jeanhee Chung et al, Healthcare experiences of patients with Down syndrome from primarily Spanishspeaking households, American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A (2023). DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63250 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain A pair of psychologists at the University of British Columbia has found that evidence backing up claims that certain therapies or activities can boost happiness is lacking in rigor. In their study, reported in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, Dunigan Folk and Elizabeth Dunn analyzed nearly 500 research papers describing studies looking into the benefits of happiness-boosting programs. Over the past several decades, programs, therapies and even supplements have been sold with claims that adherence to their system will lead to happiness. But whether any or all of them actually come through has remained up for debate. In recent years, teams of scientists have conducted research on some of these systems attempting to find out if they work. But, as Folk and Dunn found, their findings are anything but clear. To test research into happiness-boosting systems, the researchers first narrowed down the choices of systems to three major types using Google to find which were the most popular: getting back to nature, meditating and mindfulness, and exercise. They then searched the literature to find research papers and projects looking into one or more of these types. They found 494 papers that described 532 studies. The researchers then went through each paper, looking most specifically for experiments or other processes that yielded assessable data that could be used to measure the effectiveness of a given approach and could only find 57 of them. The clear lack of results, they suggest, shows that too little research has been done to determine with any certainty whether any of the strategies work as promised. They also note that the lack of strong research on the topic has left consumers with little understanding of whether such systems work, and perhaps more important, if any of them will work for them. They conclude that more strenuous research is required to determine which systems workwith an emphasis on which systems work best for which groups of people. More information: Dunigan Folk et al, A systematic review of the strength of evidence for the most commonly recommended happiness strategies in mainstream media, Nature Human Behaviour (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-023-01651-4 Journal information: Nature Human Behaviour 2023 Science X Network 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: Change in human milk volume over time. Mean and 95% confidence intervals are presented. C, control group; D, domperidone group; T, herbal tea group. Credit: PLOS ONE (2022). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247637 Chula Faculty of Medicine, in collaboration with the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, has released the results of their research on "Wang Nam Yen" herbal tea formula to stimulate lactation in mothers after childbirth, especially those who have had a cesarean delivery, to solve their problem of scarce breast milk. The herbal tea yielded as good results as modern medicine. The team aims at expanding to commercial production and export. Nowadays, modern mothers are more willing to breastfeed their babies because breast milk is rich in nutrients that are important for their babies' growth and development, such as antioxidants, and vitamins that their babies needs, and also helps to strengthen their immunity. The Thai Ministry of Public Health also has a breastfeeding advocacy and support program according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization that recommends breastfeeding from the child's birth to 6 months old and should continue until the child is 2 years old or longer along with age-appropriate food. Despite wanting to breastfeed, modern mothers are plagued with the problem of having too little or no breast milk. This problem is more likely to happen in mothers who had given birth by cesarean section than those who gave birth naturally. This is due to many factors, such as the baby starting suckling too late because the mother or the baby is sick, causing them to be separated at an early stage, or the baby not suckling properly or often enough resulting in the mother not lactating. "In modern medicine, most obstetricians give Domperidone to stimulate lactation. This medicine is usually used as an antiemetic drug, but research in foreign countries has shown that it can be used off-label to stimulate lactation as well. However, some countries, such as the United States, do not allow it to treat vomiting or stimulate lactation because of the side effects of causing abnormal electrocardiogram," says Associate Professor Krit Pongpirul, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. 'Wang Nam Yen' herbal tea induces breast milk after childbirth Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit recounted the origin of "Wang Nam Yen" herbal tea that came from the research of Mr. Pinit Chinsoi, a pharmacist who had collected herbal formulas in traditional Thai medicine since ancient times and compared the safety to that of modern medicine. Then, five herbs were selected to be included in the formula namely bael, sappanwood (fang), ginger, licorice, and jewel vine, and named "Wang Nam Yen" in honor of Wang Nam Yen Hospital, Sa Kaeo Province, at which Mr. Pinit was stationed as a pharmacist at that time. This herbal formula is aimed for mothers after childbirth. According to Thai medicine principles, postnatal women often experience fatigue, blood loss, muscle pain, low breast milk, and dizziness. Therefore, traditional Thai medicine practitioners often choose these five herbs with the following tastes and therapeutic properties to cure the symptoms: "Mr. Pinit blended these five herbs into tea and then brewed them for mothers after giving birth in Wang Nam Yen Hospital. According to preliminary data, this herbal tea can increase the amount of milk compared to the group that did not drink it," said Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit. "Looking at the benefits of this herbal tea, we can see that the herbs not only stimulate lactation but also relieve and treat other postpartum symptoms." Thai herbal tea or modern medicine? Which can better induce milk? From the collection of herbal recipes by pharmacist Pinit, a research team from Chulalongkorn University and the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has developed an experimental study to test and compare the effectiveness of postpartum breast milk stimulation between "Wang Nam Yen" Thai herbal tea and modern medicine. The study participants were 120 mothers who had a cesarean birth and received nursing care at Sansitphrasong Hospital, Ubon Ratchathani Province, from February-September 2017 under the supervision of Doctor Koollachart Saejueng, M.D., a resident obstetrician at the hospital then. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit explained the research process where the participants were divided into 3 groups: an experimental group and a control group with 40 participants in each group. The first group received the tea and placebo pills, group 2 received placebo tea (no herbs) and real pills, while group 3 received both placebo tea and pills. The participants did not know which group they belonged to. For the measurement, the results were measured by the amount of breast milk pumped out in cc or ml from the collection of milk during 3 periods: 24 hours after giving birth, 48 hours after giving birth, and 72 hours after giving birth. "The results suggest that herbal teas can stimulate milk during all three periods. The mothers who received herbal tea produced more milk than other groups 24 hours after birth. They produced a similar amount of milk to the group who received modern medicine 48, and 72 hours after birth and performed better than the group that received placebos," Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit said. Thai herbs, household goodies to the world market According to the research results that indicate the effectiveness of Thai herbs in stimulating breast milk after childbirth on par with modern medicine, the research team is planning to launch this herbal tea as a product under the brand "Wang Nam Yen" for domestic distribution and export. "If we want Thai herbs to thrive, we should not stop at doing research only to prove the herbs' efficacy, but there should be further studies in humans to confirm that Thai herbs are effective and practical. This work requires the cooperation of many fields of study, including pharmaceutical science, science, and medicine, to become a product so that the Thai herbs market could grow and reach the global market." For the Thai public, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Krit said, "The research team did not conceal the formula of this herbal tea, because we want Thai people to know about the good things in Thailand. People can grow the herbs and make the tea for themselves in their own homes." The findings are published in the journal PLOS ONE. More information: Koollachart Saejueng et al, Efficacy of Wang Nam Yen herbal tea on human milk production: A randomized controlled trial, PLOS ONE (2022). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247637 Journal information: PLoS ONE Provided by Chulalongkorn University The trial for a former University of Montana student facing rape charges likely wont see a courtroom until the winter. Andrew P. Beckett is charged with two felony counts of sexual intercourse without consent. His trial, originally scheduled for this month, was vacated by the court and rescheduled for Jan. 29, 2024. Beckett pleaded not guilty to the charges last June. Each count is punishable by up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. Court documents allege Beckett sexually assaulted two women last September on UMs campus. On Sept. 8, 2021, a woman met Beckett, who was an acquaintance and classmate of hers, according to charging documents filed in Missoula County. When the two were hanging out, Beckett expressed that he wanted to have sex. The woman thought this was awkward because there was a third person in the room, according to the case document. She told Beckett I dont want to, and no, several times. He then raped her, according to charging documents. She estimated the alleged assault lasted between five and 15 minutes. Ten days later, on Sept. 18, a second woman saw Beckett at the Badlander Bar in downtown. She agreed to let Beckett stay the night in her dorm room in Panzer Hall, also on the UM campus. While they were together in her dorm, he raped her, court documents state. In January, Becketts attorney filed a motion to sever the two charges, asking the court to hold separate trials for each count. His attorney, Peter Lacny of Datsopoulos, MacDonald and Lind, P.C., contended they two charges are separate allegations that happened under too different of circumstances to be charged together in one case. Missoula County District Judge Jason Marks denied that request, saying there is sufficient similarities between the two allegations to merit they be tried simultaneously. Beckett is not currently a student at the university, UM spokesperson Dave Kuntz said shortly after the case was filed. He is not in custody. Rivers and streams in northwest Montana are running at or near historic low flows for late July, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. "The Flathead River basin is experiencing severe drought conditions due to below-average winter snowpack, early runoff, and above-average hot, dry summer conditions," explained FWP Region 1 spokesperson Dillon Tabish in a press release. "Flows in the North, South, and Middle forks of the Flathead River are roughly one-third of average for this time of year." Local anglers are encouraged to try to reduce added negative impacts to trout and other fish that need cold water for the rest of the summer. "Water temperatures are already hitting stressful levels for trout, particularly westslope cutthroat and bull trout," Tabish explained. Fisheries biologists are concerned about heat-induced stress in Montana's wild trout populations in northwest Montana's main rivers. That means they could propose "hoot owl" fishing restrictions that are designed to protect cold-water species that are more susceptible to disease, predation and other mortalities during heat waves. On Wednesday, FWP imposed "hoot owl" restrictions on the Bitterroot River from Veterans Bridge at Hamilton to the confluence of its East and West forks. Water temperatures of 77 degrees or more can be lethal to trout. The upper Bitterroot restriction is based on criteria for cutthroat trout, which are stressed when temps reach or exceed 66 degrees for three consecutive days. The agency also put hoot owl limits on the Beaverhead from its confluence with the Big Hole River to Anderson Lane, and on the entire Jefferson River between the Missouri River and the confluence with the Big Hole and Beaverhead. Hoot owl restrictions prohibit fishing between 2 p.m. and midnight. Recreational floating is still allowed, as long as no one aboard is fishing during the hot part of the day. Tabish said FWP is not yet requesting any fishing restrictions or closures anywhere in northwest Montana. But, he said, state officials are encouraging anglers to voluntarily limit their fishing to the morning hours when water is coolest and fish are less stressed. In addition, anglers can minimize stress to fish by: Landing the fish quickly. Keeping the fish in water as much as possible, limit or even avoid taking photos. Removing the hook gently. Using artificial lures with single barbless hooks can make hook removal faster and easier. Remembering single-pointed hooks are required in the Flathead drainage upstream of Teakettle Fishing Access Site on the mainstem Flathead River. Letting the fish recover so it can swim away. If high temperatures and extremely low flows persist, anglers may want to consider fishing areas with less stressful temperatures and conditions, such as larger lakes or reservoirs, or higher elevation waterbodies. For the latest waterbody restrictions and closures, click here. A Lincoln County man reported missing after he jumped off a cliff into Lake Koocanusa Sunday was found dead on Wednesday evening. According to Lincoln County Sheriff Darren Short, 47-year-old Johnathan Orr was sitting near the lakeshore watching other people jump into the water from a cliff. The group was around where Pinkham Creek flows into the reservoir on the southeast side of the lake just east of the Lake Koocanusa Bridge, 9.6 miles southwest of Eureka. Lake Koocanusa is a reservoir fed by the Kootenay River in Canada and held back by the Libby Dam; it lets out into the Kootenai River in the U.S. The reservoir spans the U.S.-Canada border, with a different spelling of the river in each nation. Orr swam across the inlet and climbed the cliff to the top, approximately 90 feet above the water and then jumped, Short wrote, citing witness statements. One of the males who watched the jump immediately swam to the area of impact and searched for Orr but he didnt surface. Eureka Area Dispatch received a call at 8:07 p.m. Sunday that a man had jumped into the water and not come back up, prompting an emergency response. Short wrote that Can-Am Search and Rescue used two boats and two jet skis to search the area until dark, and watercraft and divers continued searching the next day without success. Divers from Flathead Search and Rescue, dogs from David Thompson Search and Rescue, and a remotely operated underwater vehicle were also unable to locate Orr in following days. According to The Western News in Libby, a person swimming in the area spotted Orrs body around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Orrs niece told The Western News, Its a very terrible, unfortunate situation. John had a new job in Eureka and moved up there three weeks ago. He and my grandmother were very close and shes devastated. Our frontline workers deserve freedom of conscience while helping Montanans. House Republicans passed major legislation to protect the freedom of healthcare providers this session. House Bill 706 will allow healthcare professionals to share information about off-label uses of medication and to practice innovative medicine, with certain guardrails. Direct quote from HB 706, A health care provider may: make a patient aware of or educate or advise a patient about lawful health care services for which a reasonable basis exists, including the off-label use of health care services. Informing the patient and removing third party litigation threats against medical providers will produce better quality of care for every Montanan. Why would any elected legislator vote against allowing the education of you, the patient, as to the details of your healthcare? Yet one party fully supported your ability to know about your healthcare, and one party opposed. Also, this last session House Bill 303 was passed that implements the Medical Ethics and Diversity Act, this law protects medical professionals, institutions, and payers from discrimination, punishment, or retaliation for exercising their freedom of conscience. Doctors, nurses, and pharmacists should not be compelled to provide services they find immoral. HB 303 is procedure based, not person based, allowing patients to have an honest relationship with their provider. No one wants care from a medical professional that is forced to operate without a conscience. Montana House Republicans also passed: HB 101 that allows for reciprocity for out-of-state practitioners, giving the patient more options for healthcare providers. HB 313 that allows a physician assistant a path forward to operate independently, giving a less costly option in some cases. HB 311 allows for part of our state special fund to be used for a chemical dependency treatment voucher. This is one small solution to fight back against the catastrophic effect of the Montana drug epidemic. These bills, along with many more, make up a large shift in Montana health care back to the patient having more options at a lower cost and with less government interference. The Colt fire northwest of Seeley Lake grew from 15 acres Thursday afternoon to more than 500 on Friday as residents around Rainy and Summit lakes were ordered to evacuate. The Missoula County Sheriffs Department issued an evacuation order Friday afternoon for residents along Highway 83 between Rainy Lake and Summit Lake, about 15 miles north of the town of Seeley Lake. The order required affected people to immediately leave the area due to an immediate threat from the Colt fire. Law enforcement officials were traveling roads in the area with lights flashing and alternating siren tones to alert residents to the danger. Residents were advised to get out of the area immediately this is not the time to move personal property or livestock, the Sheriffs release stated. The fire was 0% contained midday Friday as aircraft dropped water and fire retardant on and around the blaze. A plume of smoke was visible from Seeley Lake, 15 miles to the southeast. The fire, started by lightning Monday and discovered early Tuesday morning, was burning just south of Colt Lake about 5 miles northwest of Highway 83 at Lake Alva. Because the land around the fire was previously industrial timber land before becoming part of the Lolo National Forest, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has been in charge of firefighting efforts with support from the U.S. Forest Service. Montana: Northern Rockies Team 1 has been called to the Colt Fire in Missoula County, Montana. Its a hard to access, beautiful, and finicky Fire.#wildfire #mtfire #mtwx Lets take a look at crews in region Helena Hotshots live in Canada now. Lolo and Idaho Panhandle pic.twitter.com/vIKfnVr36x The Hotshot Wake Up (@HotshotWake) July 21, 2023 On Friday, Seeley District Ranger Quinn Carver confirmed that Northern Rockies Team 1, a national-level complex incident management team, was set to take over incident command from DNRC during the weekend. The team will be briefed in on the fire Saturday and formally assume control Sunday. The fire is being managed under a full-suppression strategy with ground and air resources. Theyre coming in heavy, I do know that, Carver said in a phone call Friday, explaining that the area where the fire is burning is just a tough piece of ground, a lot of heavy fuels. But one advantage for firefighters, he said, is that we do have some road system options around the fire. According to updates posted on InciWeb, a federal online database of major incident responses, increased fire activity Thursday afternoon led to firefighters backing off from the blaze. As of Thursday morning, according to DNRC, ground crews working the fire at that time included the Bitterroot Hotshots, a DNRC initial-attack crew and four wildland engine crews: one from the Lolo National Forest, one from the Flathead National Forest and two from DNRC. Other personnel from the Lolo National Forests Seeley Lake District were also working the fire. Multiple aircraft have been involved in firefighting efforts, including two Super Scooper aircraft dumping water drawn from Lindbergh Lake just northwest of the fire and four helicopters of various sizes. Two single-engine air tankers dropped fire retardant around the blaze. Crews were re-engaging the fire Friday, and at least one scooper plane and two large air tankers one from Missoula-based Neptune Aviation and one from Erickson Aero Tanker were working the fire. Fire officials noted online that Home and property owners in the surrounding area (Lindbergh Lake, Pierce Lake and Creek, Bertha Creek) should remain vigilant and prepared. Have an evacuation plan for family, pets and livestock; sign up for emergency alerts at Smart911.com; and be familiar with the Missoula County evacuation process. Bitterroot fires Meanwhile in the Bitterroot, wildland firefighters responded Thursday night and Friday to four small lightning-caused fires on the Bitterroot National Forest. One fire started near Daly Creek, about 1.5 miles southeast of Skalkaho Pass Road about halfway between the Black Bear Campground (Skalkaho-Rye intersection) and Skalkaho Falls. Smoke from that fire was visible from Hamilton. Three others were on the West Fork Ranger District southwest of Darby. The Forest Service stated that all of the fires were less than 0.5 acres and they should all be contained by this afternoon. Hayden fire The Hayden fire south of Salmon, Idaho, grew to 3,500 acres by midday Friday, just 48 hours after it started. It was 0% contained. Great Basin Team 7, a complex incident management team, was set to take command of firefighting efforts Saturday morning. The fire was burning actively Friday in the Lemhi Mountains of the Salmon-Challis National Forest about 33.5 miles south-southeast of Salmon and 27.5 miles northeast of Challis, Idaho. Its 65 miles southwest of Dillon, Montana. An InciWeb update Friday said the blaze could spread all directions. A troublesome grizzly bear that had been raiding picnics and campgrounds in the Many Glacier Valley since June was killed by Glacier National Park officials on Thursday. The 5-year-old sow grizzly was first reported taking food from a Many Glacier Campground picnic table on June 27. She had to be hazed out of the campground two more times although the campground was restricted to hard-sided camping only after her first raid. The restriction was lifted on July 10 after radio-collar telemetry showed she had left the vicinity for several days. But the grizzly returned on July 18, when it charged a family picnicking on the lakeshore near the Swiftcurrent Lake Boat Launch. The family was able to secure most of its food, but the bear got into their beverages that were cooling in the lake. Park officials conferred with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists and decided to capture and kill the grizzly. They found and killed it on Thursday near Lake Sherburne, between Many Glacier and the park boundary. It was the first food-conditioned grizzly bear to be killed in Glacier Park since 2009. The sow had been radio-collared in 2019 as part of a grizzly population study. However, it was the second habituated grizzly bear killed in a week. On Monday, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks officials captured and killed a grizzly near Hungry Horse Reservoir that had been raiding campsites and boats. Once a bear receives a human food reward, it can become food conditioned. Food rewards can include items such as human food, trash, livestock feed, and pet food. Over time, food conditioned bears may become bold or aggressive in their attempts to obtain human food, as was the case with this bear. Once a bear has become food-conditioned, hazing and aversive conditioning are unlikely to be successful in reversing this type of behavior. Food-conditioned bears are not relocated due to human safety concerns. Park visitors can help ensure the future of grizzly bears by taking steps to prevent bears from becoming food conditioned. Do not stop along roadways in the vicinity of bears. Secure all food and garbage. Report all bear sightings to the nearest ranger. It may be cliche; however, more often than not, a fed bear is a dead bear. China surpassed the United States in terms of growth of total number of unicorn companies in the first half of this year, said a Forbes executive on Friday. Graham Earnshaw, chief strategy officer of Forbes China, said that, after enduring the challenges posed by the pandemic for the past three years, the growth rate of unicorn companies in China has demonstrated even stronger resilience than pre-pandemic levels, once again surpassing the US in the first half of this year. He said a major driving force behind the rapid incubation of these unicorn companies has been the industrial capitals. The remarks were made during a forum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, held by the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business. According to Forbes, the US holds the largest number of unicorn companies, currently totaling 768. China follows closely behind with 394 unicorn companies, while Europe and India have 269 and 87, respectively. In the first half of this year, China and the US accounted for 90 percent of the total global increase in the numbers of unicorn companies. Muscatine Police Chief Anthony Kies said he is pleased with how his officers handled Wednesday's deadly shooting at Harrison Lofts. The call came in a little after 12:30 p.m., and so we had initial officers responding within minutes to have that place locked down, Kies recalled. Once they had word that the suspect had fled on foot, then they created what we call a safe corridor to get medical personal in to deal with any victims that we had. Soon after their investigation began, Kies said, police were able to narrow down where the suspect went. By this point, other departments such as the County Sheriffs Department and the Iowa State Patrol had reached out to help with the search. The Muscatine Police Dept. called for the Iowa State Patrols airplane as well as some drones and K-9 units while additional officers from these departments helped with containment. Our focus (at the time) was also investigation on what happened and finding the victims and any witnesses, Kies continued, and then it also turns into lets find this suspect,' so you have several different pieces going at the same time. Kies went on to say that while it briefly felt like a wild goose chase," ultimately they were able to narrow in on the northeast side of the city before going more north-central and eventually found the suspect, Andre Brunnett Jones, at 1414 1st Avenue thanks to a tip. Several businesses and witnesses also reached out with tips, according to Kies, providing information and in some cases video. We knew we had a method of tracking the suspect and the direction he was going, Kies said. The suspect was located in a residence that was known to him so we were able to surround him, call him out and the suspect came out with no issues, very willingly. Kies then said that this moment of peaceful surrender signified to him that they had done the right thing in terms of strategy. We had the right amount of people there and we had all of our resources and efforts put together to where there was no other chance but to surrender," he said. "As always, a peaceful ending is a good ending to incidents that start like this. Kies emphasized his appreciation towards the residents of Muscatine who provided tips and assistance during the search. Hands down, the support weve had from our community in the last five years is second to none," he said. "To be able to be a part of a community that appreciates and affirms what we do is true and correct and they believe in us, that makes these men and women here (at the Police Department) work even harder to make sure this community is safe. Kies also gave praise to Muscatines Fire Department and MUSCOM, both of which helped immensely with the operation through providing help and safety in the field and giving the team information and coordination to work off of. That type of unified command was beneficial," he said. "Knowing that you have such a great group of people to work with, such as medics if something were to happen, theres a certain comfort level in that. That trust between the departments is something were very fortunate to have in this city. As for potential barriers to their operation, besides the timber within the area that could have acted as a hiding spot for the suspect, he noted that there was also the Aquatic Center in Weed Park, which had around 200 guests in attendance that day, as well as a nearby daycare that still had children at its location for an event that was being held to be concerned about. We had to create a safe space for those citizens as well, he said. You dont want to shut down the whole city, so its very delicate on how you handle that situation." To help with this, the police department sent officers over to these locations and sent out notifications as they tried to clear out Weed Park. Within every incident, you identify opportunities of growth, but when 98% of an operation goes amazing, we wont focus on the 2%," Kies said. "We will look for opportunities to make them better, but when its total chaos in a city, theres things that you expect to be difficult to deal with. But how youre able to change the direction of your people for the proper ending of that narrative, thats a success. A follow-up investigation is currently underway and is expected to take two weeks as Muscatine Police Dept. officers continue searching for evidence and taking witness testimony as well as video recordings. Incidents like this dont define this city, Kies said. What defines this city is how it comes together in times of adversity, and thats important to remember not only the men and women serving the community, but the residents and the help we had from them. Another class-action lawsuit has been filed in federal court on behalf of food-delivery drivers, this time targeting a Pizza Hut operator based in Iowa. The lawsuit, which is similar to those filed against Caseys General Stores and Dominos in recent years, was filed this week in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. As with the other lawsuits, the new filing alleges that food-delivery drivers who are paid near-minimum wage salaries are forced to kick back some of their pay to their employer in the form of uncompensated use of their personal vehicles lowering their net pay to something less than the minimum wage. Named as defendants are Comes Investments of West Des Moines, which owns and operates Pizza Hut locations in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin; and company owners Joseph Comes, Jill Comes, Mark Adams and Eric Broeker. All delivery drivers employed at the companys Pizza Hut stores have essentially the same job duties, delivering pizzas in return for wages and tips, and working inside the stores where they do not collect tips, according to the lawsuit. The workers are paid minimum wage or slightly more than minimum wage, the lawsuit claims, and are also required to maintain and pay for operable, safe vehicles to use in delivering the companys pizza and other products. The lawsuit alleges the company doesnt compensate or adequately reimburse the drivers for costs such as vehicle depreciation, gasoline expenses, automobile maintenance, insurance, financing charges and registration costs. The compensation received by the delivery drivers, after deducting the non-reimbursed expenses, results in the drivers receiving less than minimum wage for each hour worked, the lawsuit claims. The named plaintiff in the case, Michele Lopez, worked as a delivery driver at a Pizza Hut located in Minnesota in 2020 and 2021. She averaged four deliveries per hour and regularly drove about seven miles for each delivery, according to the lawsuit. Based on those numbers, as well as the federal governments mileage reimbursement rate for that period of 57 cents per mile, the lawsuit claims Pizza Hut effectively reduced Lopezs hourly wage while making deliveries by $16.10 per hour creating a situation in which she kicked back to Pizza Hut more than she was being paid. The lawsuit seeks class-action status to broaden the pool of plaintiffs in the case to include all current and former Minnesota delivery drivers employed by the Comes Investments for the past three to six years. The attorney who filed the case, Thomas Newkirk, is with the Newkirk Zwagerman Law Firm of Des Moines. The company has yet to file a response to the lawsuit. A similar lawsuit against Caseys General Stores was filed in 2021 and was settled last year with the company agreeing to pay the one named defendant, Jolene Greever, $3,000. A separate lawsuit against Caseys, filed in 2022 on behalf of delivery driver Derek Powell and others, is still pending in federal court. A 2021 lawsuit filed against Dominos on behalf of driver Alexia Stevens and others was dismissed in 2022 with no public reference to any settlement. Photos: Class 2A quarterfinal state baseball West Lyon vs Van Buren County state baseball West Lyon vs Van Buren County state baseball West Lyon vs Van Buren County state baseball West Lyon vs Van Buren County state baseball West Lyon vs Van Buren County state baseball West Lyon vs Van Buren County state baseball West Lyon vs Van Buren County state baseball Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and six co-defendants were Thursday presented at the Milimani Law Courts. The lawmaker, alongside self-declared Bunge la Mwananchi President Calvin Okoth Otieno alias Gaucho and five others, was charged with conspiring to commit subversive activities in connection with their alleged involvement in planning the ongoing anti-government protests. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges. Lawyers representing Babu Owino accused the prosecution of violating the constitution by presenting him in court beyond the mandatory twenty-four-hour timeframe. The prosecution objected to the release of the accused, who were presented before Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina slightly after 5:00 p.m., arguing that their release would endanger national security. On the other hand, the defense counsels opposed the prosecutions application, arguing that no compelling reasons were given to deny the accused individuals their right to bail. Magistrate Onyina deferred their bail ruling to today, Friday July 21, and granted permission for Babu to be escorted to the hospital after his lawyers claimed that he was unwell and had been denied adequate medical care. Babus co-accused, Calvina Okoth Otieno alias Gaucho, Tom Ondongo Ongudi, Michael Otieno Omondi, Pascal Ouma, Kevin Wambo and Willys Owino Baraka, were remanded at Kileleshwa Police Station. The bail application ruling is expected to be delivered at 9:00 a.m. Police officers at Emali police station in Makueni on Thursday arrested one of their colleagues for allegedly participating in the ongoing anti-government demonstrations. Constable Evans Otieno was arrested in Emali along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway after he was found talking to a group of rioters who were blocking the busy highway. Otieno is also alleged to have participated in the Maadamanos on Wednesday, with his colleagues claiming that he was among the demonstrators who were throwing stones at them and his base station. The cop is also reported to have led the group of unruly youth that blocked the highway and pelted stones at passing motorists along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. Also Watch: Officer in Hot Soup After Viral TikTok Video Mocking Ruto and Kindiki During his arrest on Thursday, Emali police said they found Otieno in possession of 40 rolls of cannabis sativa with a street value of Sh2,000. Please be informed No.117670 Pc Evans Otieno of this command whose recommendation letter ref. kps/Dig/Est/Hrm/30/vol.v/4 dated June 19, 2023, was arrested today, the 20th day of July 2023 along Mombasa Nairobi highway at Emali talking to a group of young men who were blocking the road and throwing stones at motorists. The said officer was also seen by his colleagues yesterday 19/07/2023 being among the rioters who were pelting stones at Emali police station and police officers, a police report reads. During his arrest after a quick search, he was found in possession of 40 rolls of bhang (cannabis sativa) of street value approximated to be Sh2, 000. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has reassured the country that security agencies have successfully contained the lawlessness and disruption observed during Wednesdays demonstrations. In a statement on Thursday evening, CS Kindiki announced that the country had returned to normalcy after the anti-government protests organized by Azimio la Umoja. He advised Kenyans to continue with their daily activities on Friday and the days ahead and entrust their safety to the security organs of the country. Public and private sector workers, business people, travelers, and everyone is advised to continue with their daily nation building activities tomorrow and the days ahead, and leave the matter of their safety and security to the National Police Service and other security organs of the Country, CS Kindiki said. The minister also assured the public that all those responsible for the chaos that affected the country in the last two days will be brought to justice. Security agencies remain fully engaged with the situation in the Country and will build on the experience of the last two days to make sure that law enforcement achieves even better results tomorrow, in the wake of reports that organizers of the violent protests have incited the public to continue engaging in unlawful protests and violence tomorrow, he said. CS Kindiki mentioned that 304 people were arrested on Wednesday across the country in connection with various crimes, including looting, malicious damage of property, arson, robbery with violence, unlawful assembly, preparation to commit a felony, and destruction of buildings and infrastructure. These individuals were arraigned in various courts in different regions. The driver of the truck that was involved in the accident at the Londiani junction along the Nakuru-Kericho highway has been charged with reckless driving. Gilbert Ntuyemungu, a 52-year-old Rwandan national, denied over 90 charges for causing the deaths of 53 people through careless driving. He pleaded not guilty to 53 counts of causing death through dangerous driving, causing serious injuries to 25 people, and causing damage to 10 vehicles. The accused maintained that the accident was not caused by reckless driving but rather a result of the trucks brake failure. He mentioned that he had no motive or intent to harm the victims, whom he considered strangers to him. During plea-taking on Wednesday, the long-distance driver requested the court to release him on favourable bail terms saying he wanted to reunite with his family in Rwanda. He also argued that he needed treatment for the serious injuries he sustained during the accident that left him confined in a wheelchair. Also Read Driver of Londiani Truck Crash Reveals Cause of Fatal Accident On Thursday, however, a Molo court turned down his bail application. Molo Chief Magistrate Elena Nderitu agreed with the prosecution the accused was a flight risk and lacked adequate surety to warrant the court to grant him bail. Since the incident occurred on 30th June this year, no kin or employer paid him a visit at the hospital facility where he was admitted after sustaining serious injuries, Nderitu stated. The magistrate also pointed out that the severity of the charges was a crucial factor to consider, as he is facing allegations of mass killings and secondary charges of dangerous driving, which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. This, she argued, makes it more likely that the accused may attempt to evade trial. In the face of this magnitude of charges where among them, Ntuyemugu is facing not just one but 53 charges of causing death by dangerous driving, I am persuaded that the likelihood of him absconding trial is true, Nderitu ruled. The Chief Magistrate mentioned that the driver had no particular residence or address where he could be found in Kenya and thus should remain in custody until the case is heard and determined. Given the absence of a repatriation treaty between Kenya and Rwanda, the court considered it risky to grant him bail. The hearing of the case has been scheduled for August 30, 2023. While in remand at Nakuru GK Prison, Ntuyemungu will be provided with witness statements, exhibits, the charge sheet, and other documentary evidence to assist in preparing his defense. Rahab Karisa, the Kilifi Chief Officer responsible for Fisheries and the Blue Economy, was allegedly murdered by her house help following a dispute over the food budget. This is according to a family member who reportedly disclosed that Karisa had confronted the house help regarding her excessive spending outside the agreed-upon budget. The house help was not happy and she quarrelled with her leading to the stabbing, the source reportedly said as quoted by the Star. The tragedy occurred after Karisas return from Italy on Wednesday. She was found dead in her home the following day. Kilifi County Police Commander Fatuma Hadi on Thursday said the house help was still at large as investigations continue. Yes, she was stabbed and bled to death. We are closely following the case and already planning to interview a few witnesses including those who heard the commotion, Fatuma said. The police boss also refuted the rumors suggesting that the house help died by suicide. Fatuma clarified that the identity of a deceased woman found hanging from a tree in Takaungu had already been established. The body discovered this morning in Takaungu is of a different person Reports circulating on social media are untrue, she said. The police boss added that detectives have collected vital leads that could potentially result in the arrest of the suspect. They also recovered the murder weapon at the scene of the crime. Meanwhile, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mungaro canceled a scheduled media briefing on Thursday due to overwhelming grief. After viewing the body of the late Rahab, Mungaro called for a media briefing at his official residence but he could not master enough strength to address them. He handed out a press release instead. I am at my lowest and I do not have the voice to address them, he told his communication officer. The governor eulogized Rahab as a hardworking and industrious officer and called on the police to bring her killer to book. Mungaro said the county will work closely with the family in the burial arrangements. I pray to the Lord to bless the departed soul and give strength and courage to cope up with the loss. The government is once again promising Kenyans that the prices of maize and unga will drop. In fact, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Crop Development in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mr Kello Harsama, says the highly anticipated relief will be significant and will come as soon as next week. Mr Kello made the announcement on Wednesday following talks with members of the United Grain Millers Association. Today held meeting with members of United Grain Millers Association. Noted that by next week prices of MAIZE and UNGA will REDUCE significantly, the PS tweeted. Currently, a 2-kilogram pack of unga costs between Sh.200 to Sh.270, while a 90-kilogram bag of maize goes for about Sh.6,000 to Sh.7,000. The government is banking on the ongoing harvest season months after it distributed subsidized fertilizer to farmers across the country. Kellos announcement also comes weeks after Agriculture and Livestock CS Mithika Linturi said that unga prices will drop to levels unprecedented in the past decade. Our commitment is once this harvest is done, the cost of unga will come down to levels Kenyans have never experienced in the past 10 years. The cost of unga will drastically reduce because we will have enough supply of maize, Linturi said during the opening of the 3rd Agriculture Sector Network Summit (ASNET) at KICC, Nairobi, on July 5. On Thursday, Reverend Victor Githu pulled no punches as he criticized religious leaders for allowing hypocrisy to infiltrate the church and transforming religion into a form of showbiz. The teen preacher, who was only 10 years old when he gained social media prominence, pointed out that the church has regrettably become a hub of gossip, where congregants no longer feel secure. The church has changed. We want miracles that we have not worked for. Wisdom means praying and taking action. I do not blame people who call preachers conmen because they are there. We have spoilt the ministry. Church became a gossip place and not a place of worship. It should be a place for the sick, the poor, and the broken, Githu said on Facebook Live. Githu went on to condemn those who prioritize politicians and the wealthy in the church over tending to the spiritual needs of those sincerely seeking God. Church has become a place where people with money are prioritizedThe church is not a museum for good people, he said. The US-based clergyboy also disclosed why many adult preachers dislike him as he criticized their unwillingness to support and nurture the potential of the youth. Why do many preachers hate me, because I tell them the truth. Because I point out some of them. Seek the kingdom; stop seeking money and fame. Preachers became clout chasers more than content creators are clout chasing around here. Tuwache clout chasing tufuate kile Mungu ametuitia, he said. Without mentioning their names, Rev Githu also took an indirect shot at the Kiunas( Bishop Allan Kiuna and Rev Kathy Kiuna), suggesting that they run a cult for allowing their followers to call them dad and mum. Nonbelievers are growing because you are the ones making them grow. Some preachers rising in the name of mentorship or fatherhood have killed their young talents. When they see young men of God rising, they kill them because they know these guys are coming to change them. Many of them tried to change me because they knew there was something I knew about the hidden secrets of religion. Religion became a cult in the name of daddy, Githu said. Adding: If you do not have a father, call Jesus your fatherthe church needs to change. We worship men of God instead of God. We bow at themwill a preacher change your life? We stop children who want to recite a memory verse but let a politician speak for four hours. Things need to change. Introduction to Cryptocurrency Regulation in Kenya Cryptocurrencies have created a paradigm shift in the global financial scene, Kenya being one of the countries where their popularity has taken an upward trajectory. These digital currencies are transforming the economic landscape, necessitating a profound discourse on their regulation. Lets embark on this intriguing journey to understand the dynamics of cryptocurrency regulation in Kenya. The State of Cryptocurrency in Kenya Kenya, often described as the Silicon Savannah of Africa, has firmly established itself as a significant player in cryptocurrencies. The popularity of Cryptocurrency in Kenya Statistically, Kenya boasts one of the worlds highest rates of cryptocurrency ownership. Digital currencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin have increasingly found their way into the investment portfolios of many Kenyans. The allure of secure, instantaneous transactions and the opportunity for substantial returns have significantly driven this adoption. Key Players in Kenyas Cryptocurrency Market The cryptocurrency market in Kenya is buzzing with activity, with various exchanges offering platforms for buying, selling, and trading these digital assets. The Kenyan cryptocurrency landscape is varied and burgeoning, from globally recognized platforms like Binance to locally grown initiatives like BitPesa. The Governments Stance on Cryptocurrency In the complex and evolving world of cryptocurrencies, the governments stance plays a pivotal role in shaping the regulatory climate. Official Statements and Policies Like many governments globally, Kenyas approach to cryptocurrencies has been cautious optimism. The government and the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) have issued advisories warning citizens of the inherent risks of cryptocurrencies, but they have yet to impose an outright ban. Concerns and Considerations The governments primary concerns are: The unregulated nature of cryptocurrencies. Their potential use in illegal activities. The volatility of the crypto markets. However, the question remains: will these concerns impede the industrys growth, or will they pave the way for a regulatory environment that balances caution with innovation? A Secure Platform for Cryptocurrency Trading For Kenyan investors looking to venture into the cryptocurrency market, choosing a reliable digital currency exchange is crucial. Reliable platforms offer a secure and user-friendly environment for buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrencies in Kenya. Through these educational efforts, Kenya is fostering a conducive environment for cryptocurrency adoption and regulation, thereby positioning itself as a leader in the digital currency revolution in Africa. Regulatory Framework for Cryptocurrency in Kenya Developing a robust regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies in Kenya is an ongoing, complex process. Role of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) The CBK, as the countrys premier financial regulator, is steering the ship. While it navigates cautiously through the potential risks, it remains open to the opportunities presented by blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. Regulatory Challenges and Solutions The nature of cryptocurrencies creates a unique set of challenges for regulators. Privacy, cross-border transactions, technological literacy, and even these currencies decentralized and digital nature pose significant hurdles. However, these challenges could be transformed into opportunities with innovation and flexibility. Impact of Cryptocurrency Regulation on Kenyan Economy The regulation of cryptocurrencies has far-reaching implications, impacting not just the crypto market but the broader Kenyan economy. Positives of Cryptocurrency Cryptocurrencies offer numerous potential benefits. They could promote financial inclusion, especially for the unbanked population, boost e-commerce, facilitate international trade, and even create a new class of digital jobs. Could the key to unlocking Kenyas digital economy potential lie in these digital currencies? Potential Risks Nonetheless, its critical to acknowledge the potential risks. Market volatility could lead to substantial financial losses, cybersecurity threats are ever-present, and the potential for economic destabilization due to capital flight or financial crimes cannot be overlooked. A well-structured regulatory approach could mitigate these risks. Future of Cryptocurrency Regulation in Kenya The future of cryptocurrency regulation in Kenya is shrouded in uncertainty, much like the future of cryptocurrencies. Projected Trends Given cryptocurrencies high popularity and economic potential, Kenya is likely to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework that will protect consumers while fostering a conducive environment for innovation and growth in this sector. Government Initiatives In the future, we anticipate increased government involvement in the sector. This may include partnerships with crypto businesses and other stakeholders, introducing regulatory sandboxes for testing novel financial products and services, and implementing educational programs to enhance public understanding of cryptocurrencies. Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Education in Kenya Education plays a critical role in the growth and regulation of the cryptocurrency market in Kenya. Role of Education in Cryptocurrency Adoption Understanding the nuances of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies is paramount for individuals to make informed investment decisions. It is also essential in mitigating risks associated with fraud and scams in the crypto space. To that end, various institutions and organizations in Kenya have taken the initiative to provide education and training programs focused on cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. Government Initiatives in Crypto Education The Kenyan government, realizing the importance of blockchain technology and its potential impact on the economy, has established task forces to explore these digital phenomena. These task forces are involved in policy and regulation development and play a significant role in educating the public and promoting understanding of cryptocurrencies. Impact of Education on Cryptocurrency Regulation Education can also play a pivotal role in shaping cryptocurrency regulation. An informed populace can contribute meaningfully to the discourse on principle, and regulators can make better decisions with a comprehensive understanding of the technology. Additionally, a high level of public awareness can decrease the risk of illegal activities in the crypto space, further aiding regulatory efforts. Through these educational efforts, Kenya is fostering a conducive environment for cryptocurrency adoption and regulation, thereby positioning itself as a leader in the digital currency revolution in Africa. Conclusion In conclusion, cryptocurrency regulation in Kenya is a dynamic, multifaceted, and evolving subject. Given Kenyas high rates of cryptocurrency usage and the vibrant market, the country presents an interesting case for cryptocurrency regulation. While the path ahead may be filled with challenges, the potential benefits, if harnessed appropriately, could transform the Kenyan economy. Officials and experts have highlighted the significance of stepping up affordable nursery services as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden on parents raising children and address low fertility rates in the country. During a meeting held by the China Population Association this week, they called for increasing the number of affordable, government-subsidized nurseries across the nation, as well as training and hiring more professionals in the sector. Yu Xuejun, deputy head of the National Health Commission, said low fertility is one of the fundamental challenges that China is currently grappling with. Official data show that the country's total fertility rate the number of children born to each woman during their reproductive years dropped from 1.52 in 2019 to 1.07 in 2022. "To address the issue, it is essential to reduce the costs of giving birth and raising and educating children, including by establishing an affordable nursery system to help families cope," he said. Chen Chen, an official with the commission's population surveillance and family development department, said that developed countries with a relatively high or stable level of fertility have all invested a great deal of money into developing their nursery industries. For instance, France offers free nursery services for poor families when their children reach the age of 2. And in the Netherlands, subsidies cover 33 to 96 percent of nursery fees based on families' income levels. In China, Chen said that nearly 32.2 million children age 3 and under require child care. "More than one-third of all families, and over two-thirds of families in metropolises such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in Guangdong province are in need of such services," she said. By the end of 2022, China had about 75,000 nursery institutions, with 3.6 million available slots for children. The number of nursery slots per 1,000 people stood at 2.75, still lagging behind the national goal of 4.5 slots per 1,000 by 2025, according to officials. Guan Bo, a researcher from the Academy of Macroeconomic Research administered by the National Development and Reform Commission, said that China's nursery capacity has been increasing, but the gap between demand and availability remains stark. "It is projected that realizing the objective of having 4.5 slots per 1,000 people by 2025 would require another 2.8 million nursery slots," he said. Guan said that while financial policies aimed at subsidizing infrastructure and equipment at public nursery centers have been rolled out, sustainable policies aimed at supporting their operations are still lacking. "More comprehensive financial policies are needed to reduce operation costs of affordable nursery service providers," he said. Yang Yin, an official from China National Children's Center, said that a survey conducted by the center from 2019 to 2022 shows that 32 percent of nursery institutions are lacking healthcare staff members. In addition, although 85 percent of nursery workers have college degrees or diplomas from vocational schools or senior high schools, their certificates affirming their nursery skills are varied and irregular. "Also, nearly one-third of center directors and one-third of nursery workers have not received any kind of special training," Yang said. She said that more efforts should be made to promote a better understanding of national nursery care standards and regulations among local governments, establish hiring requirements for nursery staff members and launch standard training programs. Tuesday, July 18 marked three years since the country lost one of the most iconic TV actors, Charles Bukeko aka Papa Shirandula. Aged 58, Papa Shirandula succumbed to COVID-19-related complications and was laid to rest on July 20 in his Namisi-Bukeko village home in Nanderema, Funyula in Busia County. On Thursday, tributes poured in from those who had the privilege of working closely with the late Bukeko, celebrating him as a trailblazer in the industry. One of the more profound tributes came from Langata MP Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalango, who penned a heartfelt message on social media. The MP, one of Papas many proteges, recounted how he learned about Bukekos passing and how everything unfolded so quickly. At the time, the government had imposed restrictions on movement in several regions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jalas recounted receiving a call from pastor Robert Burale, who inquired if he had spoken to Papa Shirandula and requested him to reach out to him. Today we celebrate Papa! Its in the height of covid and the whole country is in a panic not knowing what will happen. I received a call from @burale1 asking me if I had talked to Papa, I told him its been a minute then he tells me to try and call him and he hangs up before I ask why.quickly I grab my phone called Papas number, Mama picked and told me she knows why I am calling confirming that Papa had passed on. I quickly jumped to the car drove to Karen hospital, most actors had already arrived and the somber mood and the silence of death hit me, You didnt have to ask to confirm if the rumors were true, Jalas wrote. The comedian said he did not even get a proper chance to view the actors body. I quickly asked where the body was and if there was a chance to view the body @jackyvike told me wamekata wanasema ni covid. After pleading with the officials for hours they told me they will only open the doors of the room where the body was for a quick glance without having to go in! He opened the door and papa was all covered and the only thing that convinced me that it was him was the fact that paps was big and you couldnt miss knowing him. The actors present at the hospital then gathered to initiate burial arrangements and left with the belief that they would give Papa Shirandula a fitting farewell. At 2 pm we were told that paps was being transferred to Montezuma funeral home, all this time we still think that we have a plan to say a goodbye and most of us are already thinking of how to get permits that will allow a nice sendoff despite of covid regulations. At midnight we were told the body and family are on their way to Busia! How? No time to ask! Get a flight ticket to Kisumu! We land in Kisumu at 8 a.m. and the funeral service is live on citizen TV! We get a car running to Busia! While on the way the burial is over! Jalas narrated. By the time Jalango arrived, Papa Shirandulas grave had already been cemented. They were afforded only 30 minutes to say their goodbyes. The health officials gave us 30mins to stand by the grave and leave Busia county! We asked why? Watu wa Nairobi wako na Corona! Nobody in the village wants even to come closer! Thats how we never got a chance to say goodbye to Papa! Keep resting! Thank you for everything! Jalas concluded. ST. HELENA When youre feeling down, there's nothing like a visit from a friend to raise your spirits. Download Napa Valley Register news app today! Your story lives in the Napa Valley. Get in-depth stories from the Napa region and beyond including news, sports, features and politics. Thats even truer if youre a senior stuck at home or in bed, longing for a little company. Thats the concept behind Visit Me Today, a volunteer program founded by former St. Helena Hospital executive Ben Hill. Creating, training and rewarding volunteers can be one solution toward helping alleviate loneliness, alleviate boredom and improve mental health, Hill said. Hill is inviting would-be volunteers to attend an informational meeting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, at Rianda House, 1475 Main St. (Highway 29/128) in St. Helena. Hill came to St. Helena in 2005 as vice president of the St. Helena Hospital Foundation and an executive overseeing the hospitals Lifestyle Medicine Institute. He realized what an important role volunteers would be playing at the hospital, now called Adventist Health St. Helena, so he beefed up the hospitals already well-established volunteer program. The issue got personal when Hills own father started experiencing a slow decline and Hill started traveling between California and Chicago to visit him. Every time I had to leave, he begged me to stay but my obligations in California made it impossible, Hill said in an interview with Rianda House. I wished there was someone who could visit him in my absence. I was flying home when it hit me: I cant do this for my dad. But I can do it for someone elses dad. That was the genesis of Visit Me Today, which has connected volunteers with seniors at congregate living facilities like The Meadows of Napa Valley in Napa, Silverado Orchards in St. Helena, Rosehaven in Deer Park, and Napa Valley Adventist Retirement Estates in Yountville. Now Hill wants to start sending volunteers directly into seniors homes to chat, sing, play cards, work on a puzzle and, most of all, be present. This project appeals to people whose primary love language is service to others, Hill told the St. Helena Star, referring to Gary Chapmans book The Five Love Languages. Hill teamed up with Rianda House and in June secured a $7,500 grant from the city of St. Helena to hire a part-time staff member to manage volunteers and schedule appointments. Volunteers will undergo a background check and be trained on what they should and shouldnt do. For example, do listen actively and non-judgmentally, dont try to lift someone whos fallen, and do be on the lookout for potentially hazardous situations like an unattended stovetop burner. While working at the hospital, Hill noticed that volunteers own mental health improved as they made a positive impact on patients lives. Whatever joy and happiness and connectivity you provide for a patient, you get just as much out of it yourself, he said. How important is Social Security to retirees in US cities? How important is Social Security to retirees in US cities? Where retirees rely on Social Security most Where retirees rely on Social Security least Data and methodology The Bay Area is expected to experience another burst of heat this weekend, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees in the upper Napa Valley and other areas. Download Napa Valley Register news app today! Your story lives in the Napa Valley. Get in-depth stories from the Napa region and beyond including news, sports, features and politics. A heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service will be in effect from Friday to Saturday. The highest temperatures are expected in the East Bay hills, northern Sonoma County, the South Bay, and the southern Salinas Valley. The coast will offer relief, with temperatures hovering in the upper 60s and lower 70s. The heat wave is expected to end on Sunday. Here are specific temperature forecasts by the weather service for different parts of the region Friday and Saturday: - North Bay: Highs up to 108 degrees in the inland areas and upper 80s near the coast. Forecasts call for a peak of 101 degrees in St. Helena on Friday and Saturday, and 100 degrees in Calistoga on Saturday. The projected weekend high at Napa County Airport is 92 on Saturday. - East Bay: Highs up to 105 degrees in the inland areas and upper 70s to mid-80s near the Bay. - South Bay: Highs up to 98 degrees and upper 80s to mid-90s near the Bay. - Santa Cruz County: Highs in the low 90s near the coast and up to 102 degrees inland. - Monterey and San Benito County: Highs up to 108 degrees in the inland areas and upper 60s to the mid-70s near the coast. - San Francisco Peninsula: Highs in the mid-70s east of the Twin Peaks are expected, and upper 60s to lower 70s west of the Twin Peaks. Authorities urge residents to take precautions and avoid any unnecessary outdoor activities. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following: - Drink lots of fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty - Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day - Stay in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible - Take cool showers or baths - Check in on neighbors who are elderly or have health conditions. Napa Valley Register city editor Howard Yune contributed to this report. Photos: Hot weather has US, world sweltering President sends urgent appeal to international community to take immediate action to prevent genocide of NKR people Turkey army General Staff head of intelligence visits Azerbaijan Poland new envoy expresses readiness to assist reforms within Armenia internal affairs ministry (PHOTOS) Estonia ambassador to Armenia joins EU civilian monitoring mission patrol Congressman Adam Schiff: We must recognize Artsakh Republic independence if we truly stand for democracy, human rights Robert Khachatryan, Andrea Wiktorin discuss EU-assisted high-tech projects in Armenia Who are included in ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan's political team for Yerevan Council of Elders election? Armenia PM congratulates newly appointed Tunis colleague Armenia wins 1 gold, 4 silver medals at International Mathematics Competition for University Students US State Department spox.: Turkey can play productive role in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations normalization Crusaders detachment members reopen avenue nearby Armenia government building Armenia national opera and ballet theater has new director Karabakh war-participating detachment members block avenue near Armenia government building Delegation visiting Armenia on US Senator Robert Menendezs instruction is in Syunik Province (PHOTOS) Protesters give Armenia government time until 6pm to have Lachin corridor reopened Red Cross transports 11 medical patients from Karabakh to Armenia after 11 days of complete blockade by Azerbaijan Karabakh war-participating detachment members protest outside Armenia government building Red Cross representatives visit 2 Azerbaijani soldiers who illegally entered Armenia With which party ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan will run in Yerevan municipal elections? Armenia responds to Azerbaijan letter regarding plant under construction in Yeraskh village Tasnim: Iran, Armenia security councils heads discuss regional situation Armenia Security Council chief briefs Iran diplomat on humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh Tesla CFO unexpectedly resigns Ex-mayor Hayk Marutyan to run in Yerevan election Health ministry: Comprehensive siege of Karabakh leads to considerable increase in mortality, morbidity rates Azerbaijan ombudsperson representatives visit detained Karabakh resident Rashid Beglaryan UN experts call on Azerbaijan to immediately restore free movement through Lachin corridor Karabakh state minister: Even in these conditions there are still people who are engaged in idle talk Worlds largest Nissan to go out of production Aram I, Vatican bishop discuss current situation in Nagorno-Karabakh Andranik Tevanyan: Mother Armenia movement will run in Yerevan municipal elections Newspaper: Armenia parliament new session to be heated, ruling force already has decision Azerbaijan slams UN experts for their objective assessments of situation in Karabakh US State Department: Armenia-Azerbaijan peace agreement remains within reach Vardan Sargsyan: Humanitarian crisis in Karabakh is deepening, with widespread malnutrition Turkey ministers council discusses Armenia-Azerbaijan relations Armenia internal affairs minister, China ambassador confer on bilateral cooperation About 256,000 tourists visit Armenia in July Armenian Tourism Federation president: Whoever happens should not represent our country Karabakh legislature new head: We will continue fight for preservation, strengthening of Artsakh statehood at any cost Armenia Security Council chief has telephone conversation with newly appointed Iran counterpart UNICEF urges to place Karabakh childrens safety, survival above all other considerations Red Cross visits Karabakh resident Vagif Khachatryan, abducted by Azerbaijan Yerevan murder circumstances being ascertained, criminal proceedings launched (PHOTOS) Newly appointed UAE envoy ready to assist in Armenia justice sector reforms (PHOTOS) Hurriyet: Putin-Erdogan talks will discuss Turkey relations with Azerbaijan, Armenia What are most popular names given to Armenia newborns in first 6 months of 2023? European Parliament member considers Lachin corridor blocking a war crime Artur Osipyan: Russian peacekeepers in Karabakh turned down petition to escort motorcade to Hakari bridge Hakan Fidan: Turkey-Armenia, Azerbaijan-Armenia relations normalization process should proceed in parallel Karabakh residents protest in front of Armenia MFA American Armenians start sit-in, in support of Karabakh, outside Congressman Adam Schiffs office shamshyan.com: Shootings in Yerevan, man with gunshot wound in the head dies in hospital Person, 35, found dead in Armenias Lake Sevan Armenia MFA spox: Clear steps needed to implement all international calls, decisions regarding Karabakh Malta Armenians hold peaceful demonstration in support of Karabakh Karabakh has a cash problem World Council of Churches, Conference of European Churches call on Borrell to have Karabakh blockade lifted Karabakh National Assembly has new speaker Armenia-Azerbaijan relations to be discussed at Turkey government Cabinet session Karabakh legislature ruling faction nominates opposition ARF MP Davit Ishkhanyan for post of parliament speaker Military junta closes Niger airspace Azerbaijan fires at Armenia positions, also uses mortars President of Karabakh: Its as result of government activities that we have chance not to starve yet Arayik Harutyunyan: The West made effort to organize a Baku-Stepanakert meeting in 3rd country President of Karabakh: There seems to be tacit agreement to leave us all alone with Azerbaijan Arayik Harutyunyan: Azerbaijan wants to abandon tripartite statement, to continue the war Karabakh President: Humanitarian disaster border is crossed, now we are witnessing Azerbaijans genocidal policy Artur Abraham calls on the UN and the civilized world to intervene in the situation around the Lachin corridor Ruben Vardanyan: What is needed now is pressure on Aliyev China hit by torrential rains: 10 people killed, 18 others missing Turkish opposition leader Kemal Klcdaroglu's motorcade has been caught up in a chain accident: there are casualties Artsakh citizens faint in lines for bread Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Humanitarian access should be ensured across the Lachin corridor Czech Ambassador to Armenia visits Lachin Urgent international action needed to halt Azerbaijan's genocidal intent Day 11 of Baku blocking humanitarian cargo for Artsakh Armenia MIA Head, Indian Ambassador discuss further cooperation Stockholm suburbs shooting kills one, injures another Russia starts Gastello kamikaze UAV production Hayaqve legislative initiative enters decisive phase ACT Alliance urges Baku to immediately unblock Lachin corridor Erdogan plans second Persian Gulf tour Ukraine unofficially takes blame for Russian tanker attack near Kerch Strait Armenia Economy Minister, Uzbekistan Agriculture Minister discuss cooperation Landslide at Indian Hindu temple camp kills three US halts some foreign aid for Niger government Russia reports tanker hit near Kerch Strait Azerbaijani positions fired at a resident of the Khnapat community. Artsakh MIA Karabakh presidential advisor: We know what opening of Lachin corridor by means of weapons will lead to Karabakh residents plan to hold peaceful march towards Hakari bridge to unblock Lachin corridor Representatives of 15 international, non-governmental organizations working in Armenia visit Kornidzor village border NATO official: Key to ensure freedom of movement through Lachin corridor, to address pressing humanitarian needs Catholicos of All Armenians receives EU ambassador to Armenia Armenia signs memorandum of cooperation with UN World Food Programme Fitch Upgrades Ardshinbank's rating Dollar, euro gain value in Armenia Armenia FM extends condolences to Georgia people, authorities We will have 2 options left: armed resistance with great bloodshed, or exit from Karabakh, presidential advisor says Canada calls on Azerbaijan to stop Lachin corridor blockage Armenia and Azerbaijan will hold the meetings of the border demarcation commission in different parts of the border each time, the office of RA Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan told Sputnik Armenia news agency. It comes after the forth meeting of Armenias Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan and Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev took place on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, in the Tavush region of Armenia and Gazakh region of Azerbaijan on July 12. "By mutual consent of the parties, it was decided to organize the border meetings in different parts of the state border," the office said. In addition, the office said that other members of the border demarcation commissions of the two countries also participated in the July 12 meeting, but it would not mention any names. The first meeting between Mher Grigoryan and Shahin Mustafayev on the border demarcation issue took place on May 24, 2022 near the village of Yeraskh in Armenias southwestern region of Ararat. The second meeting was held in Moscow, the third one was held in Brussels. The National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) against the backdrop of an ongoing blockade that has lasted for months now issued an address, calling on Armenia to ask UN to grant an international mandate to the peacekeeping mission deployed in Artsakh. It also called on the permanent members of the UN Security Council to take necessary steps to restore peace and security in Arstakh. The National Assembly called on Armenia to immediately take measures to request the UN Security Council, the General Assembly, in accordance with the established procedure, to grant the Russian peacekeeping mission located in the Republic of Artsakh with an international mandate, as well as proposing to take appropriate steps aimed at maintaining peace and security in the region. The address also appealed to the permanent member states of the UN Security Council, requiring to adhere to the goals and principles set forth in Chapter 1 of the UN Charter and in accordance to the procedure set forth in Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, adopt an imperative decision (resolution) by taking and establishing effective measures to enforce peace in Artsakh. The Republic of Artsakh is committed to save its people from the scourge of war, to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights and freedoms, as well as the equal rights of large and small nations, therefore it expects from these structures to create conditions that will ensure respect for the obligations arising from the norms of international law, promote the provision of a dignified life of the people of Artsakh in conditions of freedom," the address read. The importance of the soonest finalization of the text of the peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan in accordance with the agreements reached is increasing, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation Alexander Lukashevich said at a special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on July 20, in response to the speech of Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, the Russian Foreign Ministry reports. Unfortunately, the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh is developing in a negative scenario. The humanitarian crisis in the area is deteriorating. The local population is experiencing an acute shortage of food, medicine, basic necessities, and is practically deprived of electricity and gas supply. Immediate measures should be taken to unblock the Lachin corridor, resume the unhindered movement of citizens, vehicles and goods along it in both directions, as well as to supply the region with energy, he said. Alexander Lukashevich further said that under these conditions, the importance of the soonest finalization of the text of the peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan in accordance with the agreements reached is increasing. We proceed from the fact that an integral part of this agreement should be reliable and clear guarantees of the rights and security of the Armenians of Karabakh, as well as the strict implementation of all the provisions of the trilateral statements between Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia, including the launch of the process of delimitation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the unblocking of transport communications. In view of the foregoing, the Russian side confirms its intention to vigorously contribute to the restoration of normal life of Nagorno-Karabakh and the promotion of the Armenian-Azerbaijani normalization process. We are ready to organize a trilateral meeting of foreign ministers in Moscow in the near future to discuss ways to implementing the agreements at the highest level, including the topic of agreeing on a peace treaty, with subsequent access to the Russian-Azerbaijani-Armenian summit in Moscow to sign the said document, the permanent representative of the Russian Federation said. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon and hoped to continue the Black Sea grain deal. We hope to bring this issue to a certain point with Mr. Putin in the very near future, either through telephone diplomacy or as a result of his visit to Turkey, which we have already discussed among ourselves," Erdogan told reporters. The grain deal was suspended since July 18. On Monday, Russia informed Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations it had objections to its extension. The Azerbaijan Media Development Agency has organized an international media forum in Shushi titled New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution. More than 250 participants from 50 countries, representatives of 120 mass media and media organizations have arrived at the Fizuli International Airport to participate in the event. The photos of their arrival are widely distributed by Azerbaijani propaganda outlets. Unfortunately, it should be noted that the above mentioned delegation also includes representatives of quite reputable media and journalistic organizations, some of whom have been long-time partners of both the Union of Journalists of Armenia as well as various Armenian media organizations. The media forum held in Shushi is apparently just one part of a big political-propaganda plan of Azerbaijan, with the participation of many of our partners indirectly legitimizing the blockade of Artsakh by that country for more than 7 months, which has led to a terrible humanitarian crisis and threatens to take new human lives every hour. Dear colleagues, you are currently in a country, iAzerbaijan, which has occupied the territories of Artsakh, including Shushi, where you are going to hold a forum, and has done so by conducting genocidal policies, war and other crimes against humanity, and is now starving to death 120,000 Artsakh citizens. The participation of prominent journalists and press representatives in that event cannot be fitted in any way within the framework of professional and human ethics, because it is taking place only a few kilometers away from a location, where 120,000 citizens are deprived of their most important rights. 120,000 citizens live under constant threats and aggression from Azerbaijan. 120,000 citizens live under the risk of being deprived of their homeland, their relatives, friends, and their homes. 120,000 citizens live without medicine, fuel, food, patients are in critical condition. 30,000 children are condemned to starvation. A humanitarian disaster, as a result of which pregnant women faint due to malnutrition and have problems during childbirth. A week ago they somehow managed to save the life of the mother in labor, unfortunately the child died; A disaster because of which, just yesterday, a father of a large family died (only 45 years old) in the village of Haterk in Artsakh, which has been surrounded by Azerbaijan; A disaster that has left thousands of elderly people helpless, with the first victim reported, again this week, suddenly dying of malnutrition while in the queue for bread. A disaster, because of which the rate of early fetal loss has increased almost 3 times in Artsakh; A disaster because of which anemia develops in pregnant women due to malnutrition, which also leads to premature birth, the rate of which has already reached 12 percent; A disaster, because of which the mother went to find food for her children and returned, finding the children dead These cases are just a very small part of the national tragedy in which 120,000 people, 120,000 free citizens with names, surnames, destiny and dreams have been living for more than 7 months, who are condemned to a slow death by the country that has organized the media forum. Newborn babies die in Artsakh, pregnant women faint from malnutrition, children die, shops no longer even sell bread, and you, journalists, whose mission is to protect human rights, instead of fulfilling your main mission, are holding a forum in Shushi, which is only a few kilometers away from the starving capital Stepanakert. Azerbaijan is doing all this by brazenly isolating Artsakh from the outside world and away from the eyes of the world. These and hundreds of other similar human stories shall be the subject of tremendous journalistic investigations and reports. But more than 250 journalists preferred to enjoy the unworldly nature of Armenian Shushi, having the all-powerful comfort created thanks to Azerbaijani oil and petrodollars and having the history of ethnic cleansing in the 21st century in front of their eyes, they prefer to remain silent and participate in an event during which speeches will certainly not be heard about how one of the countries of the world is subjecting an entire nation to ethnic cleansing and genocide in The Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution. Many media representatives, who were addressed by the Union of Journalists of Armenia last weeks call-appeal to the media and media organizations of the world to raise their voice for the salvation of Artsakh Armenians convicted of ethnic cleansing and genocide, have attended the Shushi forum. Unfortunately, for a week now, we have heard only the silence from our civilized, democratic, humane colleagues, which sounds much more terrible from the halls of the Azerbaijani staged propaganda and organized with their participation in Shushi. The president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev keeps the media away from the region, and you are not aware of what is really happening here. maybe if you get informed, you will be truly committed to your mission. We express our bewilderment that you, dear colleagues, are participating in a media forum in a country whose president suppresses the free press, where there is no free speech at all, whose opposition journalists have either not lived in Azerbaijan for a long time, fled, or are detained in prisons, or subjugated. Are you not aware of that? Open the international reports, which have many examples. And under these conditions, you hold a media forum on World Press Freedom Day, when Azerbaijan itself is a symbol of violation of the press freedom. The Union of Journalists of Armenia calls on all its colleagues, representatives of partner journalistic organizations, to act as real journalists at the forum organized in Shushi, to ask its organizers questions not only about the press of the future, but also, first of all, about the citizens, children, elderly, and people in general who were sentenced to death by them. Who should the media serve if not humans, even the cutting-edge new media? Journalists have a universal function to protect human rights and should be committed to it if you have no other interests and profit. The participation of our colleagues in that event can be understood only if they, as professional journalists, use this opportunity to fulfill their professional duty and present to the world how the country they were invited by, kills an entire nation every day: pregnant women, elderly, children, including infants, and call for the immediate opening of the road to life in Artsakh. Attached are photos confirming what was said above, the rest, we are sure, you will find yourself if you would like to. Union of Journalists of Armenia Story Highlights 74% believe in God, 69% angels, 67% heaven, 59% hell, 58% the devil Nearly three in 10 do not believe in hell or the devil Belief greatest among frequent churchgoers, Protestants, Republicans WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The percentages of Americans who believe in each of five religious entities -- God, angels, heaven, hell and the devil -- have edged downward by three to five percentage points since 2016. Still, majorities believe in each, ranging from a high of 74% believing in God to lows of 59% for hell and 58% for the devil. About two-thirds each believe in angels (69%) and heaven (67%). ###Embeddable### Gallup has used this framework to measure belief in these spiritual entities five times since 2001, and the May 1-24, 2023, poll finds that each is at its lowest point. Compared with 2001, belief in God and heaven is down the most (16 points each), while belief in hell has fallen 12 points, and the devil and angels are down 10 points each. This question asks respondents whether they believe in each concept or if they are unsure, and from 13% to 15% currently say they are not sure. At the same time, nearly three in 10 U.S. adults do not believe in the devil or hell, while almost two in 10 do not believe in angels and heaven, and 12% say they do not believe in God. ###Embeddable### As the percentage of believers has dropped over the past two decades, the corresponding increases have occurred mostly in nonbelief, with much smaller increases in uncertainty. This is true for all but belief in God, which has seen nearly equal increases in uncertainty and nonbelief. In the current poll, about half of Americans, 51%, believe in all five spiritual entities, while 11% do not believe in any of them. Another 7% are not sure about all of them, while the rest (31%) believe in some and not others. Gallup periodically measures Americans belief in God with different question wordings, producing slightly different results. While the majority of U.S. adults say they believe in God regardless of the question wording, when not offered the option to say they are unsure, significantly more (81% in a survey conducted last year) said they believe in God. Belief Highest Among Frequent Churchgoers, Protestants and Republicans Frequent churchgoers, Protestants (including nondenominational Christians) and Republicans are the most likely subgroups to say they believe in the five spiritual entities. Other notable findings: Protestants are more likely than Catholics to believe in each of the five entities; however, broad majorities of Catholics still believe in each. The Protestant-Catholic differences are smaller on belief in God and angels than on heaven, hell and the devil. In both religious groups, the minority of people who do not express belief in God are more likely to say they are unsure than express nonbelief. In contrast, no more than 25% of Americans without any religious affiliation believe in any of the spiritual concepts, and they are more likely to express nonbelief rather than uncertainty. Majorities of adults who attend religious services at least monthly -- particularly those who attend weekly -- express belief in each of the five concepts. Most of those who seldom or never attend believe in God and angels, but less than half believe in heaven, hell and the devil. Between 78% and 87% of Republicans believe in the five entities, while 51% to 68% of independents do. From 56% to 66% of Democrats believe in God, angels and heaven, while less than half say they believe in hell and the devil. Americans with annual household incomes under $40,000 are more likely than those with incomes of at least $100,000 to believe in each of the entities. Yet, majorities in the two higher-income groups believe in each spiritual concept. Adults aged 55 and older are most likely to believe in each of the concepts, but majorities of those in the 35 to 54 age range also believe in the five. Fewer of those aged 18 to 34 believe in each of the five concepts, but majorities profess belief in all but the devil. Women are more likely than men to believe in all of the spiritual concepts except for the devil, which 58% of both groups say they believe in. Adults without a college degree are more likely than college graduates to believe in each of the five entities. ###Embeddable### Belief in the five spiritual entities has declined among most of these subgroups since 2001 but has held relatively steady among weekly and nearly weekly or monthly church attendees, Protestants, and Republicans. Bottom Line Gallup has documented sharp declines in church attendance, confidence in organized religion and religious identification in recent years. Americans beliefs regarding God, angels, heaven, hell and the devil have also fallen by double digits since 2001. Still, U.S. adults belief in each entity remains at the majority level, and regular churchgoers, Protestants and Republicans, in particular, remain largely resolute in their beliefs. To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on Twitter. Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works. View complete question responses and trends (PDF download). ###Embeddable### 09:50 The rescue and search operation at Irshalwadi hamlet in Maharashtra's Raigad district, where a massive landslide buried several houses and claimed the lives of at least 16 people so far, resumed on Friday morning, an official said. The landslide occurred around 11 pm on Wednesday at the tribal village, situated on a hill slope, under Khalapur tehsil of the coastal district, around 80 km from Mumbai. Of the total 228 residents of the village, the bodies of 16 have been recovered, while 93 residents have been traced, he said. However, a total of 119 villagers are yet to be traced. They include those who had gone out of the village to attend a marriage or for rice plantation work, he said. Of the nearly 50 houses in the village, the landslide flattened 17, officials said. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) along with teams of Raigad police and local authorities began the operation for the second day at the remote village, the official said. "At least four NDRF teams reached the landslide site this morning and started the operation. Teams of the Thane Disaster Response Force (TDRF), local disaster management authorities, Raigad police are also engaged in the operation," he said. On Thursday, the rescue and search teams recovered 16 bodies from the landslide, while 21 people were rescued. "The deceased included four children between the age group of one to four years and a 70-year-old person," he said, adding seven persons are undergoing treatment at various hospitals. The search and rescue personnel at the site were facing hurdles due to the difficult hill terrain of the area where heavy equipment cannot be easily moved. "Incessant rain, fog and gusty winds at the hilltop, those involved in the search and rescue operation are facing difficulties," the official said. From the hill base, it takes around one-and-a-half hours to reach Irshalwadi, which does not have a pucca road. As the village does not have a pucca road, earth movers and excavators could not be easily moved and hence the operation is being carried out manually, the official said. The NDRF personnel had to stop their search and rescue operation at the landslide site on Thursday evening due to bad weather. -- PTI Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute more than 70,000 appointment letters to newly inducted recruits on Saturday morning via video conferencing. Prime Minister will also address these appointees on the occasion, an official release from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said. The Rozgar Mela will be held at 44 locations across the country. The recruitments are taking place across Central Government Departments as well as State Governments/UTs supporting this initiative, the release said. The new recruits, selected from across the country will be joining the Government in various Ministries/Departments including the Department of Revenue, Department of Financial Services, Department of Posts, Department of School Education, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Central Public Sector Undertakings, Department of Water Resources, Department of Personnel & Training and Ministry of Home Affairs, among others. The Rozgar Mela is a step towards the fulfilment of the commitment of the Prime Minister to accord the highest priority to employment generation. The Rozgar Mela is expected to act as a catalyst in further employment generation and provide meaningful opportunities to the youth for their empowerment and participation in national development, the PMO said. Prime Minister Modi, on October 22, last year, launched the first phase of the 'Rozgar Mela', marking the beginning of the campaign to provide 10 lakh government jobs. (ANI) Flash China and the United States have held dialogues on addressing climate change in Beijing, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said Thursday. China's special envoy for climate change Xie Zhenhua and his U.S. counterpart John Kerry met in Beijing, exchanging views on implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state at their meeting in Bali, Indonesia, as well as jointly addressing climate change. The two sides agreed that climate change is a common challenge facing the mankind, and it is of great significance for the two countries to work together to address this challenge. Candid, in-depth and constructive dialogues on implementing the China-U.S. Joint Statement Addressing the Climate Crisis and the China-U.S. Joint Glasgow Declaration on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s were held by the two sides. During the talks, the two sides introduced their respective policies, measures and progresses on addressing climate change, and are willing to continue to jointly promote the multilateral process of climate change, adhere to the goals and principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, and push for the success of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28). The two sides agreed to maintain close communications on climate change. On Friday, Kartik took to Instagram and shared a photo where he can be seen flaunting his biceps and hide his face with a mask up emoji. Along with the post, he wrote, "Feeling Pink" and added a song "Not your Barbie girl" by Ava Max. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu9iAhLNkXU/ Recently, Kartik took to Instagram and shared the particular update with fans and followers. "Shubh Aarambh. And the most challenging and exciting journey of my career begins... with the captain @Kabirkhan#ChanduChampion," he wrote. Kartik also shared a photogram with Kabir Khan from the sets. He looks super cool in the photo rocking a blue and black check cardigan with black joggers and a white beanie as he points at the clapboard for the first take of Chandu Champion which Kabir can be seen holding while wearing a black t-shirt with navy blue jogger pants and white sneakers. As per a statement, 'Chandu Champion' is "based on the extraordinary real-life story of a sportsman and his spirit of never giving up."With the film, the audience will see Kartik doing a film based on a real-life story in which he will portray the character of lead Chandu. Meanwhile, Kartik is currently basking in the success of 'Satya Prem Ki Katha', which received a positive response from the audience. The film stars Kartik alongside Kiara Advani. Helmed by Sameer Vidhwans, and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, 'Satya Prem Ki Katha' revolved around Kartik and Kiara's love story. The film marks the actor's second collaboration after the blockbuster 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2', which was released in 2022. (ANI) Researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Karolinska Institutet found that babies are more likely to be delivered prematurely when their father or mother has a psychiatric diagnosis. The study was released in the open-access journal PLOS Medicine. The study demonstrates for the first time that having a parent with a mental illness increases the chance of preterm delivery in infants, and this risk is even higher when both parents have the condition. Preterm birth is associated with negative health consequences for infants. Women with psychiatric diagnoses have long been known to be at increased risk for preterm birth, but less is known about the risk in offspring of fathers with psychiatric diagnoses and couples where both parents had psychiatric diagnoses. For this study, the research team analyzed data on all live births to Nordic parents (parents who were born in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Iceland) in Sweden between 1997 and 2016. They obtained psychiatric diagnoses from the National Patient Register and data on gestational age from the Medical Birth Register. There were 1.5 million births in the cohort, and 15 per cent of those babies were born to parents with a psychiatric diagnosis. The team observed a trend towards earlier gestational age in the offspring of parents with psychiatric disorders. For parents without a diagnosis, 5.8 per cent of babies were born preterm. A paternal diagnosis increased that number to 6.3 per cent of births and a maternal diagnosis increased it to 7.3 per cent of births. Where both parents were diagnosed, 8.3 per cent of births were preterm. The researchers also found that the risk was further increased for the offspring of parentsmothers as well as fatherswho had several co-existing psychiatric disorders. Although the study was conducted in Sweden, if we speculate that inherited genetic risk a well as biological or psychological stress can carry over to other populations, the results are generalizable beyond Sweden. Given that roughly one in five children in the United States has at least one parent with a mental health disorder, the results of this study hold potential significance for public health, said Sven Sandin, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and an epidemiologist at the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment at Icahn Mount Sinai and senior author on the paper. Preterm birth can result in significant lifelong complications for the infant, and in my clinical experience, the mother has traditionally been held responsible for the events, said Michael Silverman, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Icahn Mount Sinai and an author on the paper. While the gestational parents (the mothers) behaviours have been historically implicated in a wide range of disorders like depression, autism, schizophrenia, and even food allergy, the non-gestational parents contributions have been a neglected but vital topic in the child developmental literature. This new work demonstrates that the non-gestational biologic parents (the fathers) psychiatric history is also associated with the increased likelihood of obstetric outcomes traditionally attributed solely to the mother. Children of parents with mental illness are at increased risk of being born too early and our study shows that both the mothers and fathers are important, says Weiyao Yin, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at the Karolinska Institutet and lead author of the paper. Future studies should examine whether additional social support and prenatal care for families with a positive psychiatric history could have an impact on gestational age, the researchers said. This press release was adapted from a release written by the PLOS Biology staff. (ANI) Opposition parties have given notice to discuss the ongoing violence in Manipur in both Houses of the Parliament on Friday, the second day of the Monsoon Session. While in the Lok Sabha the Opposition parties have given notice under Rule 193, in the Rajya Sabha, the Opposition have given notice under Rule 176 and Rule 267. The government, in principle, has agreed to discuss the matter in Lok Sabha under Rule 193 andin Rajya Sabha under Rule 176. It may be noted that Rule 193 in Lok Sabha and Rule 176 in Rajya Sabha refers to short discussion. Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha refers to suspension of business of the day. Day one of the monsoon session of the Parliament witnessed unruly scenes amid slogneering by the opposition over Manipur violence as joint opposition sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement on the issue. This came amid a fresh controversy after a video of two women being paraded naked in the State surfaced and was widely circulated. The video was approximately three months old and is being reported to be of May 4, a day after the ethnic clashes in the northeastern state broke out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took note of the video and said, "I am filled with pain and the incident is shameful for any civil society." "No accused will be spared, we will never forgive those who are behind this," he said. Opposition parties gave notices to discuss the Manipur issue under Rule 193 in Lok Sabha. While, in Rajya Sabha, the Opposition gave notice under Rule 176 and Rule 267 to discuss the matter. Under Rule 267, Rajya Sabha MPs can give a written notice to suspend all listed business and discuss an issue of importance the country is facing. The opposition demanded detailed discussion on Manipur violence following the viral video of the naked women being paraded, by suspending other listed business even as the government expressed its willingness to discuss the matter. Proceedings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were disrupted and adjourned for the day with opposition MPs creating an uproar and demanding a discussion in Parliament over Manipur issue. (ANI) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel held a high-level meeting in Gandhinagar regarding a vehicle accident that took place on ISKCON Bridge in Ahmedabad late night on Wednesday. The Chief Minister said that the charge sheet will be presented within a week and the case will be tried in the fast track court by appointing a special public prosecutor. The Chief Minister extended his condolences to the families of the nine deceased, including two policemen and announced ex gratia of Rs. 4 lakhs for the families of the deceased and Rs 50000 to the injured. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also gave immediate instructions to state Health Minister Rushikesh Patel to reach Sola Civil Hospital in order to help the families of the victims of the accident and the injured who are being treated there. Following this, the Health Minister reached the hospital and assisted in all the arrangements including their treatment. State Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi also visited the accident site and held a meeting with senior officials of Ahmedabad City Police to get detailed information about the incident. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was briefed by the Minister of State for Home Affairs and senior officials about the sequence of events and the steps taken by the police after the incident. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel gave orders for immediate legal action, detention and complete impartial investigation against the culprits involved in this tragedy in the high-level meeting which was held at Chief Minister's office Thursday evening. Accordingly, one Joint Commissioner, three DCPs and five Police Inspectors are investigating the incident under the direct supervision of Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner. In a prompt action Ahmedabad police arrested car driver Tathya Patel who crushed nine people to death onISKCON Bridgein the city on Thursday. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel gave instructions to the Chief Secretary to strengthen coordination between the police, the road building and urban development department and local authorities regarding CCTV camera network and light-poles on highways of cities to monitor the speed of vehicles on highways across the state and those passing through cities. In this meeting, it was also stated that the special drive which has been started against overspeeding, rash driving and those youths engaged in performing stunts in the cities will be made more strict and comprehensive. The Chief Minister stated that the state government is fully committed to take action including strict punitive measures against the culprits involved in this road accident so that incidents like this are not repeated in the future. In this high-level meeting, Chief Secretary Rajkumar, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister K Kailasanathan, Additional Chief Secretary Home Department Mukesh Puri, Director General of Police Vikas Sahai, Advisor to Chief Minister SS Rathore, Additional Chief Secretary Transport and Ports Manojkumar Das, Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner and Police Commissioner, Road Safety Authority president Lalit Padaliya and officers were present. (ANI) A case has been registered against the company responsible for maintaining the sewage treatment plant in Chamoli, where 16 people died due to electrocution on Wednesday, said an official. The action came after following the instruction of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to take immediate action against all the people responsible for the mishap. While following the orders of CM Dhami, Additional Assistant Engineer, Hardev Lal and Junior Engineer-in-Charge, Kundan Singh Rawat, Uttarakhand Power Corporation have also been suspended with immediate effect. "Yesterday's incident at a sewage treatment plant in Chamoli district was very unfortunate. At least 16 people died and many were injured. Today, a case has been registered against the company which was operating the plant following the instruction of CM Dhami," said, Himanshu Khurana, DM, Chamoli. Meanwhile, Uttrakhand Chief Secretary Dr. S.S. Sandhu also instructed the concerned heads to get the standards of power supply system tested in all projects, institutions, and government offices without any delay. "Chief Secretary SS Sandhu has instructed all additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries to get the standards of power supply system tested in all projects, institutions and government offices without delay," read a circular. "He instructed that it should be ensured that the testing of safety standards is done according to the standards of the department or every three months," the circular added. CM Dhami has given instructions to provide Rs 5 lakh each to the dependents of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured without any delay. As per the officials, 16 people died on Wednesday after they came in contact with the railing of an electrified bridge above the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district. (ANI) Maharashtra Legislative Council Leader of Opposition and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and other agencies are servants of the BJP. Reacting to businessman Sujit Patkar's arrest by the ED in BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) Covid scam case, Ambadas Danve said, "ED and other agencies are servants of the BJP, they arrested Sanjay Raut too. He was in jail for 100 days." Sujit Patkar is a close aide of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut. Attacking the BJP, Ambadas Danve said, "BJP must arrest Kirit Somaiya and inquire about him, his videos go viral." The Prevention of Money Laundering Act court on Thursday sent businessman Sujit Patkar and another person Dr Kishor Bisure to the Enforcement Directorate's custody till July 27. Earlier in the day, ED arrested Sujit Patkar and Dr Kishore in connection with the alleged Mumbai Covid Centre scam case. These are the first arrests in the case. The ED said that Sujit Patkar did not cooperate in the inquiry and when he was asked about the money transaction, he was not answering properly. Earlier in June, ED raided 15 locations in Mumbai in connection with the alleged BMC Covid centre scam case and seized cash and documents of properties worth crores, according to ED sources. The ED source said that Sujit Patkar is the kingpin of the scam. He is one of the four partners of Lifeline Hospital Management Services that was awarded the contract to run a Covid-19 jumbo centre in Worli. The ED said that Rs 22 crore was allegedly laundered via shell companies for which Patkar played an instrumental role. ED had seized Rs 68.65 lakh in cash during the raid. Documents of 50 immovable properties located at various places in Maharashtra with a market value of more than Rs 150 crore, fixed deposits and investments worth Rs 15 crore and jewelery worth Rs 2.46 crore have also been recovered. According to the sources, ED had also seized several mobile phones and laptops along with many incriminating documents. The search revealed that one company was giving body bags for dead COVID-19 patients to another company for Rs 2,000. That company was giving the same body bags to the Central Procurement Department for Rs 6,800 and this contract was signed by the then BMC mayor, said the sources in the ED (ANI) BSF officials added that on the intervening night of July 19 and 20, acing on a specific intelligence input, a joint search operation was launched by the BSF, Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in Gen Area of Vill Amrohi, in the Karnah police station area of Kupwara district. A BSF official said, "The joint search party recovered 2 AK-74 Rifles, 6 pistols, 2 AK Series Magazines, 13 Pistol Magazines, 338 rounds of AK Series Ammunition, 109 rounds of Pistol Ammunition (15mm), 90 rounds of Pistol Ammunition (9mm), and 4 Hand Grenades." The BSF informed that it also recovered Pakistani currency worth Rs 20,000 and two pairs of shoes. Further details are awaited. (ANI) The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government in Telangana is considering extending a Rs 1 lakh financial assistance to minority communities, State Minister Harish Rao said. Addressing a gathering of representatives of minorities in Hyderabad on Thursday, Telangana Health and Finance Minister Harish Rao stated that the state government will soon come with a scheme of providing Rs.1 lakh financial assistance to minorities. The BRS Minister said, "Recently, around one week back, Mahmood Ali (Telangana Home Minister) had met Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and requested for a scheme of providing Rs.1 lakh as there are many poor people among minorities and banks are not giving consent. Immediately the CM ordered to come up with a scheme of providing Rs.1 lakh financial assistance to minorities without any bank consent. The CM has already passed the order and the GO (Government Order) will be issued soon. Within 10 days, without any bank loans, all of you(minorities) will get Rs.1 lakh financial assistance." The minister also hit out at Congress and said, "Congress party has always used minorities for their vote bank politics but has never worked for the benefit of the people. Congress party says something and does something different." However, the BJP has alleged that it is a tactic by the BRS to appease minorities ahead of the upcoming Telangana assembly elections. BJP leader Ramchander Rao said, "BJP condemns such type of appeasement policies by the BRS government. It is nothing but vote bank politics. It is ok to give Rs.1 lakh to any persons with a professional backward classes those who are in different vocations like carpentry, iron work and others. But giving it to the Muslim community on the request of Mahmood Ali shows that this government wants to spend the public money for its appeasement policy and vote bank politics." "BJP is not against the development of any community as such but, such type of appeasement? This is the highest form of amusement. Giving public money to a particular community, only as a vote bank politics is condemned. BJP will oppose such move by the BRS government in Telangana," the BJP leader added. (ANI) Flash Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, led a CPC delegation to attend the BRICS Political Parties Plus Dialogue and paid a visit to South Africa from Monday to Wednesday. During his stay in South Africa, Liu met with Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa and the country's governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), as well as Paul Mashatile, deputy president of South Africa and the ANC, Fikile Mbalula, secretary general of the ANC, and Solly Mapaila, general secretary of the South African Communist Party. The two sides agreed to work together to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen inter-party exchanges and enhance cooperation within multilateral frameworks, including the BRICS. Liu delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the dialogue, in which he underlined the efforts of the BRICS countries in enhancing solidarity and coordination and jointly promoting the development, peace and civilization worldwide. He also met with leaders of political parties from other countries who were here attending the dialogue. BRICS is an acronym for five emerging economies -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. South Africa assumed the BRICS presidency on Jan. 1, 2023, taking over from China. Raising questions over Police action in the nearly three-month-old video of two women being paraded naked by a mob in Manipur, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, Priyanka Chaturvedi, on Friday said that the arrests in this case is just a "face-saver to show that there exists a law and order". She also said that the police are taking action only after the video went viral and not after an FIR was lodged in the matter on May 18. "The FIR was lodged on May 18 and it was a zero FIR. I'm sure that the police had this video but, from May 18 till this date, we are sitting idle without taking any action on it. Now they have taken action because the video has been leaked and got viral," Shiv Sena (UBT) leader said. She said, "Biren Singh himself stated yesterday that around 100 FIRs similar to this have been registered so far... what about the other 100 women and their FIRs?" "Now the arrest, in this case, is just a face-saver to show that there exists a law and order," Chaturvedi said. However, as per the latest development, four people, including the main culprit, have been arrested in the matter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday morning, took note of the distressing video while addressing the media ahead of the beginning of the monsoon session of parliament. He said that he is pained over the incident and said the incident is "shameful for any civil society". "No accused will be spared, we will never forgive those who are behind this," the Prime Minister said. The incident also rocked the Parliament Monsoon session's first day, with proceedings of both Houses affected. With the Opposition members in both Houses adamant about a discussion on Manipur, the Lok Sabha was adjourned for the day while the Rajya Sabha was adjourned twice. The Upper House was first adjourned till 12 noon following obituary references, and then, till 2 pm, over the Opposition demanding a discussion on the Manipur situation. Amid similar bedlam, the proceedings in the Lok Sabha were suspended till 2 pm following obituary references. Amid continued chants and slogan-shouting from the Opposition benches, the Lower House was adjourned for the day, later. Opposition members demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi issue a statement in the Lower House, adding that the government should suspend all other listed businesses and discuss the situation in Manipur. The government said it was willing to discuss Manipur for a short duration. Demanding a detailed discussion on Manipur in the Rajya Sabha, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien said, "We want a discussion on Manipur. PM Modi has to open his mouth on Manipur. He added that the discussion on the prevailing state of affairs in the Northeast state should be conducted under the 267 rule. The second day of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament commenced at 11 am. However, proceedings in both houses were adjourned within half an hour following protests by opposition MPs over their demand for a discussion on the situation in Manipur by suspending other business of the day. (ANI) According to the Shivamogga police, the accused church priest was caught on the basis of a complaint lodged against him in an alleged case of sexual harassment of a minor in the church-affiliated college where he taught. Officials said that Father Francis Fernandes, a church priest booked under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for sexually abusing a minor at the college he was teaching at, which is affiliated with the church. "The Father was produced before the court and sent for 14 days of judicial custody," officials said. After the incident came to light, members of the Banjara community protested outside the Shivamogga police station against the church priest for allegedly assaulting a minor belonging to their community. Earlier in April this year, a church priest was arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old girl in Kerala's Muvattupuzha. According to police, the accused, identified as Shemavoon Ramba, a native of Pathanamthitta and aged 77 years, was arrested for allegedly molesting a 15-year-old girl in Muvattupuzha.The priest was removed from official duties after the alleged incident.The priest was booked under the POCSO Act, the police said. (ANI) The Assam government on Friday said it has tied up with Jio Cinema OTT platform to stream a short film on Veer Lachit Barphukan. "To celebrate Bir Lachit Barphukan's 400th Birth Anniversary, the Assam Government has produced a short film on the great warrior Lachit Barphukan. The film was first screened on November 25, 2022 during the 400th Birthday Anniversary Celebration of Lachit Barphukan that was held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi in the august presence of the Honble Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi," an official statement said. "Now, to ensure that this film gets a much wider reach, the Assam Government has tied up with Jio Cinema to host this short film on the OTT platform. By doing so, it also becomes the first State in India to use OTT platform to reach the national audience," it added. In this regard, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to Twitter and said, "Celebrating the indomitable courage of one of Bharat's bravest warriors - Lachit Barphukan! Experience his heroic feats and legendary battles, as his tale of bravery finds its place on OTT platform - @JioCinema." Assam CM Sarma said that it aims to display the State's great historical and cultural heritage to this new age audience by streaming the movie on OTT platform. "The OTT subscriber base in the country is one of the fastest growing in the world. We have close to 45 cr OTT subscribers compared to 15 cr television sets. We want to showcase Assam's great historical and cultural heritage to this new age audience and in the coming days we plan to leverage some of the successful platforms for this purpose," CM Sarma said. "Its a proud moment for Assam that a film on Bir Lachit is now available in one of the country's largest OTT platform, JioCinema. This is also the first ever Hindi language documentary film on the iconic Assamese warrior," he added. According to an official statement, Assam government has become the first state in India to use OTT platform to reach the national audience. "In the coming months, Assam Government will produce similar short film on topics such as the World's largest Bihu Celebration and 200 years of Assam Tea that will be made available in one of India's top 3 OTT Platforms like JioCinema, HotStar, Prime Video etc," it said. Lachit Barphukan (1622-1672) was the famous General of the Ahom Kingdom of Assam who defeated the Mughals and successfully halted the ever-expanding ambitions of the Mughals under Aurangzeb. Lachit Barphukan inspired the Assamese soldiers in the Battle of Saraighat fought in 1671 and delivered a crushing and humiliating defeat to the Mughals. The heroic fight of Lachit Barphukan and his army remains one of the most inspiring military feats of resistance in the history of our country. Lachit Barphukan is revered as one of the greatest military heroes of India. The week-long celebrations for the 400th birth anniversary of Ahom general Lachit Barphukan began on Friday in Guwahati with various uniformed men and women participating in a march past to commemorate the valour and sacrifice he showed in thwarting the Mughal forces. (ANI) Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Friday expressed its deep concern and condemnation regarding several incidents of violence in Manipur including women being paraded naked by a group of armed men. "Such incidents in Manipur which have been taking place since have not only brought suffering among the people of Manipur but also have led to the loss of several lives," SCBA said. Advocate Rohit Pandey, Secretary of Supreme Court Bar Association said that the Executive Committee has expressed its deep concern over the incidents which have tarnished the humanitarian ethics to its core. "We categorically condemn the gender-based violence and humiliation as it has far-reaching consequences on the victims' physical and psychological well-being," SCBA said. Executive Committee expressed its concern in a resolution condemning the inaction of the Manipur Police. "The Executive Committee condemns the inaction of the State Police in bringing the culprits to book for a long period of two months and their inability to generally tackle the debilitating violence in the State of Manipur. We call upon the State Government and the Central Government to immediately take action to punish the perpetrators and prevent other acts of violence in the State which are still continuing," SCBA said in a resolution. "In these challenging times, we call upon all citizens to remain calm and respect one another's rights and freedoms to maintain peace in the state so that no such gruesome incident could be further reported," SCBA said. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Eknath Khadse's son-in-law Girish Choudhary in money laundering case related to Punes Bhosri land irregularities matter. However, the top court asked Girish Choudhary to surrender his passport and cooperate in the investigation, Choudhary's advocate Mohan Tekavde said. A bench of justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh passed the order. "Be that as it may, on the present facts, we note that the petitioner on the earlier instances had also sought interim orders with regard to the treatment be obtained. This Court at an earlier point on 20.04.2023 had indicated that the petitioner be taken for treatment to Dr Ashok Kriplani, Nephrologist, Bombay Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Marine Lines. Though at that stage the treatment has been provided, the health condition of the petitioner requires treatment on and off. Therefore keeping all these aspects in view, we are of the opinion that in the instant facts, the petitioner should be released on bail," the apex court said. "Hence, we direct that the petitioner be released on bail subject to the appropriate conditions being imposed by the trial court which shall also include the condition to deposit his passport and see that the petitioner is available as and when required for further proceedings in the case. For the said purpose, the petitioner shall be produced before the trial court forthwith," the top court said. Chaudhari has challenged the Bombay High Court order and sought bail in the matter. The Bombay High Court had rejected his bail application. Earlier, a Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai has also rejected Choudhary's bail plea in connection with Punes Bhosari land scam matter. Girish Chaudhary was arrested by the ED in July 2021 in connection with the land scam case. On April 27, the Bombay HC granted interim relief from arrest to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Eknath Khadse's wife Mandakini Khadse till June 20 in connection with the alleged land deal in Pune, said her lawyer Advocate Mohan Tekavde. The matter was listed before Justice Anuja Prabhudessai. Last December, the High Court waived a pre-arrest interim bail condition of regular attendance before the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Earlier, the High Court had granted interim protection to former Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse and had directed the Enforcement Directorate not to arrest him for a week within which he was to approach a special PMLA court for relief. He did and got relief from the special trial Judge. His wife Mandakini Khadse had moved the High Court with a pre-arrest bail plea in the same Money laundering case over a 2016 Pune land deal matter with her counsel Mohan Tekavde and Swati Tekavde submitted before the High Court. "She is a senior citizen and educated person residing with her family members. She is arraigned as an accused in the case lodged by ED in 2019. Her application listed a number of medical conditions she suffers pre suffered from," said advocate Tekavde. Mandakini Khadse said this is the only case against her and she has been cooperating with the investigations. (ANI) The Delhi High Court on Friday set aside the trial court order for the registration of an FIR against Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Alok Kumar for alleged hate speech. The High Court while setting aside the order said that there was no material at all against the VHP leader. Alok Kumar had challenged the Metropolitan Magistrate order passed in February 2020 on a complaint of Harsh Mandar. The High Court said that the Magistrate should exercise its power with caution. In the judgement, HC Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said, "It is to be noted at the cost of repetition that the complaint qua the present petitioner was not a case of insufficient material but of no material at all. The Court also takes note of the fact that though the Magistrate mentions that from the perusal of the complaint, a commission of a cognizable offence is revealed there is no allegation in the entire complaint itself or in the Action Taken Report about any act of commission or omission on part of the present petitioner." The petitioner Alok Kumar had challenged the order of February 18, 2020, directing the Station House Officer (SHO), Police Station Hauz Qazi, Delhi to register an FIR under appropriate sections of the law on the basis of a complaint filed by Harsh Mandar. The petitioner was aggrieved that the complaint was purely malicious and motivated by questioning his patriotism and injuring his reputation without any reason and prays that the High Court not only examine the same but also initiate proceedings under Section 182 Cr.P.C. against respondent Harsh Mandar. While setting aside Magistrate's order, the HC bench said that the power for direction for the registration of FIR should be exercised carefully. "This Court is, therefore, constrained to observe that the Magisterial power may be unlimited but it is not unfettered and should be used not only with utmost caution and vigilance but also with circumspection after carefully going through the contents of the complaint and the Action Taken Report, if any, filed by the police," the bench observed in the judgement. Justice Sharma said, "Keeping in mind the sensitive nature of the allegations and the fact that no evidence of communal disharmony had come on record during the preliminary inquiry conducted by police, this Court advises that the orders for registration of the FIR filed by any community should be passed with more circumspection." The HC also noted that non-discrimination is the hallmark of the judiciary, and the Courts have never taken issues concerning communal peace lightly since tolerance of cultural and religious values of different communities is key to the success of nation-building. The High Court said that, however, it is also to be kept in mind that a person against whom FIR is being ordered to be registered for no reason will have his reputation at stake. The HC further said that there was no incriminating material in the complaint against the petitioner. "In cases such as the present one, against this backdrop, this Court finds merit in the present petition since the complaint filed before the learned Magistrate did not fulfil the criteria of the presence of incriminating material disclosing any connection of the petitioner with the alleged act of organising the speech delivered by one Swami ji, whose identity also remains unknown," Justice Sharma observed. The High Court said that the trial court failed to follow the guidelines while giving directions for the registration of FIR. "In the present case, the learned Magistrate failed to consider and follow the judicial precedents and guidelines for the exercise of power under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C., and this court has to use its inherent power to prevent this abuse of process of law to ensure that relief is not denied to a litigant against whom criminal law has been ordered to be set in motion on the basis of lack of any incriminating material or allegations," the HC said. It is also taken note of by this Court that the use of its inherent power judiciously is a step towards protecting its own process from abuse, it added. The High Court said, "The Magisterial Courts have to remain vigilant and conscious that in cases such as the present one, directing registration of FIR without going through the facts of the case and the report filed by the police may rather ignite communal disharmony among the residents of concerned area as no disharmony or communal riots had taken place despite the incident of vandalism of idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses and the matter had been resolved amicably between the members of two communities and a separate case of vandalism already stood registered and accused persons were under trial. The issue stood forgotten and buried for good in the concerned area." The bench also noted that it is also a case where the members of one community, who allegedly were target of alleged hate speech, had themselves collectively requested the IO/SHO not to pay heed to any frivolous or malicious complaint filed regarding any alleged hate speech or any danger of riots, as both the communities were living in perfect harmony within the same locality. The grievance of the respondent Harsh Mandar related to an incident of July 09, 2019, which allegedly took place on the occasion of 'Pran Pratishtha' of idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. As per the respondent, a public meeting had been organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad at Lal Kuan, Hauz Qazi, Delhi, where one Swami ji (identity unknown) had come to Delhi from Kashi and had delivered a speech, alleged to be provocative and the centre of entire controversy in the present case. A complaint seeking lodging of an FIR was filed by the respondent but police failed to take any action. Thereafter the respondent moved the court for a direction for FIR. He had alleged that the speech by Swami ji was designed to provoke riots; promote enmity and ill-will between communities as well as being comments prejudicial to national integration. (ANI) West Bengal State BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar on Friday condemned the incident in Manipur where women were paraded in the nude while stating that women were targetted in a similar fashion in his state. He referred to an alleged incident of assault against a BJP worker in South Panchla. "We condemn the Manipur incident, it is a sad incident but a woman BJP worker was paraded naked in South Panchla, is it less sad than the Manipur incident? The difference is that there is no video of this incident because Mamata Banerjee's police will now allow it to be recorded, he said. The state BJP chief was addressing a joint press briefing with BJP MP from Hooghly Locket Chatterjee in connection with a video of two women being paraded in the nude in Manipur, which had surfaced online and shared widely. During the press briefing, MP Chatterjee broke down saying Save our daughters adding adding that West Bengal is also part of this country. Recounting an alleged incident of sexual assault of a BJP worker by Trinamool Congress (TMC) during Bengal panchayat polls on July 8, Chatterjee was visibly emotional. We are also women. We also want our daughters to be saved We are also Indias daughters. West Bengal is also part of this country. Yesterday Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on incidents of assault against women in Manipur. He not only spoke for the daughters in Manipur but for daughters across the country. He said that the law and order in all states should be made strict to protect our daughters. Not just daughters of Manipur but daughters all over the country. So I urge you all to speak up for us also. Where will our daughters go for justice? There were incidents of violence against our daughters during the recent panchayat polls, MP Chatterjee said during the press briefing. West Bengal DGP Manoj Malviya, however, said that the police investigated the incident but no evidence was found of the alleged incident. Howrah Panchla incident is in the news An email was received on July 13. As per the email, it was alleged that on July 8, the victim was forcibly pulled out of the polling booth, her clothes were torn That was only through the mail. Police then asked them to FIR. We investigated and found this alleged incident has no evidence or proof found, DGP Manoj Malviya said. The DGP further said that the police, central forces and even the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly had visited the place on July 8, where the polling was taking place, but no one said anything about the alleged incident. "On July 8, there were police and central forces in the booth and many people came to vote, but no one said such an incident happened. Even the LOP had visited that place and the fact-finding team visited once, but no one said about this incident. Though we reached out to the complainant and her husband and called her for a medical examination they have not given anything. If this kind of incident had happened the police would have taken action. This is a digital era and everyone records if anything happens", the DGP added. (ANI) Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Friday extended his greetings to Leader of Opposition in the Upper House Mallikarjun Kharge on his birthday, appreciating the wit and humour of the Congress President. During the proceedings of the Upper House, Dhankhar, while extending his greetings, said that Kharges humour changes even the oppressive weather. Honble Members, I take the opportunity to wish birthday greetings to the Hon'ble Leader of Opposition Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, Member of this august House since June 2020. Shri Kharge had been Union Cabinet Minister, Member of Lok Sabha (two terms), Minister in Government of Karnataka and has been Member of Karnataka Legislative Assembly for nine terms, from 1972-2009, Dhankhar said. https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1682271117791358976 The Rajya Sabha Chairman further said that the House has witnessed the wit and humour of Kharge, so he himself has done. The House has witnessed his wit and humour and I have also so tasted. Kharge ji ka humour satate huye mausam ko bhi badal deta hai (Khargejis humour even changes the oppressive weather), Dhankhar said. Once again, I wish him a very happy birthday on behalf of the entire House. May he be ever blessed! he added. Kharge, who is also president of the Opposition Congress party, was born on this day (July 21) in 1942. Dhankhar further extended his wishing to Joginipally Santosh Kumar, a Member of this House since April 2018 on his birthday. Known for his Green India Challenge Shri Santosh Kumar also figures in the Limca Book of Records for a record number of saplings with the participation of over sixteen thousand people in Adilabad. On my own and your behalf, I wish him a long, healthy and happy life, the Upper House Chairman said. Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also did not forget to wish the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on his birthday. "Best wishes to Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Ji on his birthday. May he be blessed with a long and healthy life", Modi, who was among the first to wish Kharge, wrote in a tweet. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi also greeted Kharge. "A very happy birthday to Congress President, @Kharge ji. Your hard work and commitment is an inspiration to all of us. Wishing you much love and good health, Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet. "Wishing Congress President, Shri. @kharge Ji a very very happy birthday, good health and happiness, Priyanka Gandhi wrote on Twitter. "Your wisdom and experience are a source of strength for all congressmen and women across the country, she added. (ANI) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) women wing on Friday announced that the party will hold a protest against the Union Government for failing to stop harassment against women in Manipur. According to an official statement, DMK Women's Wing Secretary and MP Kanimozhi will lead the protest which will be held in Tamil Nadu's Chennai on July 23. "Big violence has erupted in BJP-ruled Manipur State which claimed several lives. The BJP Government has failed to stop the violence and a recent video which was shared on social media platforms showed two women being paraded naked and were allegedly raped. This is atrocious. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was doing foreign trips when this violence happened", the statement read. It further said that in these circumstances DMK Women's Wing has decided to hold a protest in Chennai on July 23 which would be led by MP Kanimozhi. Meanwhile, earlier today, all four accused, who were arrested on Thursday in connection with the viral video of women being paraded naked in Manipur were remanded to 11-day police custody on Friday. All four accused remanded to 11-day police custody," Manipur Police said. According to officials, all four accused were arrested on Thursday."Four main accused arrested in the Viral Video Case: 03 (three) more main accused of the heinous crime of abduction and gangrape under Nongpok Sekmai PS, Thoubal District have been arrested today. So a total 04 (four) persons have been arrested till now," Manipur Police said in a tweet on Thursday. The incident allegedly took place on May 4, a day after ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur. After a video of the same went viral, the police swung into action and arrested 4 people, including the main accused. Taking suo motu cognisance of the video, Police on Thursday night said that a case of abduction, gang rape and murder was registered at Nongpok Sekmai police station in Thoubal district against unknown armed men and that all-out efforts were on to arrest the culprits at the earliest. The two women are alleged to have been sexually assaulted before being set free by the mob comprising the majority community. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke said he is pained over the incident and said the incident is "shameful for any civil society"."No accused will be spared, we will never forgive those who are behind this," PM Modi said. The violence in Manipur erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3 in protest against the proposed inclusion of people belonging to the Meitei community in the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs). (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra has taken a jibe at General Secretary of the Congress Party Priyanka Gandhi on her visit to the state on Friday and said she should apologise to the residents of Gwalior. Priyanka Gandhi is visiting Gwalior, she is welcome here but she should tell why she cheated the residents of Gwalior. During the assembly elections 2018, they (congress) asked for votes in the name of Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is concerned with the public, but made Kamal Nath the chief minister, who is concerned with business. She should apologise to the people of Gwalior, Mishra said. He also said, My request to Gandhi is also that she should go to the Gurudwara and apologise for the 1984 Anti-Sikhs riots. Kamal Nath ji, who will sit next to you, is an accused in that riot. During the tenure of your grandmother Indira Gandhi, Kamal Nath was a minister at that time and he leaked information of the nuclear test to America. Doesn't it come under anti-national activity? But he is sitting next to you. You are talking about Harijans and tribal people, but in Rajasthan where there is Congress government, tribal daughter was raped and you, who says Ladki Hu Lad Sakti Hu, did not speak a single word. What is the reason? People of Madhya Pradesh wanted to know about it. the home minister asked. What is the reason that children of Harijan and tribal people in Chhattisgarh go naked and you (Gandhi) remain silent and your entire party remains silent in Delhi, Mishra further asked. People can never forgive the Congress, the real face of the Congress party is coming out, he added. The home minister also targeted former CM Digvijaya Singh and Kamal Nath again and called Singh as Chhal Singh Raja and Nath as Kapat Nath. (ANI) Senior Scientist of IMD, Bhubaneswar Umashankar Das, while talking to ANI, said, The India Meterological Department has issued a heavy rainfall warning in Odisha's 15 districts in the next 24 hours. Along with it, low pressure is likely to form over the Northwest Bay of Bengal on July 24th." IMD has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Odisha's four districts, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Nuapada, and Balangir. Apart from that, there is a yellow alert for 11 districts in the state for the next 24 hours, Das added. According to the IMD, the Red colour code warning signifies isolated extremely heavy rainfall and scattered heavy to very heavy rainfall. Orange for isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall. Yellow for scattered heavy rainfall/Isolated heavy rainfall and Green for no heavy rainfall. (ANI) Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said that case pertaining to Pakistani national Seema Haider is under investigation and the individual was presented before court and is on bail. We are aware of the matter. She was presented before the court and is now out on bail," Official Spokesperson of MEA, Arindam Bagchi said during a press briefing. "The matter (Pakistani national Seema Haider case) is under investigation and we will give you further information if it comes," he said when asked if Pakistan has demanded consular access to Seema Haider. Recently, it came to the fore that Haider and her Indian partner Sachin Meena also stayed at a hotel in Nepal for almost a week. 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. 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 (SSB) 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 for a detailed report from SSB and UP Police. 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 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 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. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Thursday said that the state government will not tolerate any illegal activity and probe agencies were investigating the matter of Seema Haider who travelled through Nepal to reach Noida from Pakistans Karachi. "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 ANI. On Monday, a team of UP Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) also questioned Seema Haider in Greater Noida to verify the claims of her journey. 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 for a detailed report from SSB and UP Police. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck on Thursday in New Delhi and discussed many new opportunities for India-Germany cooperation that a rising India presents. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said that they had also exchanged perspectives on the conflict in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific situation. "Delighted to welcome German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck in New Delhi. A productive discussion on the many new opportunities of India-Germany cooperation that a rising India presents. Also exchanged perspectives on the conflict in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific situation," Jaishankar said. Habeck, who arrived in India in the early hours of Thursday for his three-day visit, had ininauguratedhe Indo-German Business Forum in Delhi. On the sidelines of the event, the Vice Chancellor said that Europe has a complicated relationship with China, which happens to be the largest trading partner of the European Union. "China is our biggest trading partner, so a lot of German companies have invested in China. Its a huge market and this goes the same for India and US for example," Habeck said while speaking to the reporters here in the national capital today. On Indias stance in the Russia-Ukraine war and India not joining the price cap imposed by the Group of Seven (G7), the German Vice Chancellor said that the Russian aggression on Ukraine is unprecedented and it has changed everything in Europe. "From the European side, the Russian aggression on Ukraine is unprecedented. It destroyed the European peace order built up after the Second World War. This is a historic event that has changed everything in Europe. Europe is a little bit away from Asia, but this is important that I urge all the democracies worldwide to be clear in language and political position that this is not acceptable," the German minister said. The German Vice Chancellor is 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, S Jaishankar, and Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister RK Singh, the German Embassy said. 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. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was trying to get Japan ready for an "uncertain, volatile and difficult world." He made the remarks while attending the book launch programme of 'The Importance of Shinzo Abe.' Jaishankar stated that he found Shinzo Abe a mixture of "optimism and realism." He further said that the intent of the book was to evaluate Shinzo Abe and his contributions and his views. Speaking at the book launch, Jaishankar said, "I'm actually very glad that this book was not just a collection of personal memories, but that it was actually called 'The Importance of Shinzo Abe.' That the intent of this book was to, in a sense, evaluate him and his contributions and his views. Historically, the context and the subtext that Sanjay mentioned, and in many ways, that perhaps was really doing justice to him because if one were to look at the last quarter century of certainly Asian politics, possibly even global politics, there are very few who would compare, which in." "Shinzo Abe in terms of their influence, their contribution, the views with which they shaped the contemporary order. So, as one looks at his policies, I tried to capture it in a way, in a single sentence in my forward by saying that Abe was trying to get Japan ready for an uncertain, volatile and difficult world. And for those of us who knew him and worked with him and it's not very often that one can actually say you knew somebody, you worked with a lot of people. I found him a very interesting mixture of optimism and realism, of being very international, but being very deeply steeped in his own ethos and culture," he added. Jaishankar noted that Shinzo Abe represented the hopes of a technological society and was also proud of its heritage and traditions. He said that Abe was preparing Japan for a different era. He spoke about then-Japanese PM Yoshiro Mori's visit to India in 2000. "A person who in many ways represented the hopes of a technological society, but who was also very proud of the heritage and traditions and got the right balance. Now, this might sound familiar in respect of some other people closer home, but that's another story. Now, as I said, I think Shinzo Abe was preparing Japan for a new era, for a different era. And it was my good fortune to be in Japan, actually, at the turn of the century when the Japanese system started thinking about going out of the country in a more autonomous way," Jaishankar said. "So, if I were to, in a sense, give the first context, at least for India-Japan relations, for me, it would be Prime Minister Mori's visit in 2000. A visit that some of us remember as rectifying the difficult phase after the nuclear test. But, if we step back and look at it two decades later, I think it was really a strategic reach out to India and reflected a different kind of Japanese thinking about the world and the confidence, really, to go beyond the alliance construct," he added. He recalled his meeting with Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. Jaishankar said, "And I begin with Mori because it was in that context that I first met Prime Minister Abe. And our relationship then developed over a number of years. We had some common friends who enabled that. And I feel in many ways that 2000 visit of Mori, the thinking behind that was in some ways a thread that really Prime Minister Abe developed further." "And the core of that thinking was really that from this Japanese perspective, here was a Japan prepared to step out more actively into the world and saw another country which it certainly had cultural civilizational, I would say, even historical connect, but more important, a country with which there was no-baggage, where there was, whether you take the extreme right in India or the extreme left in India, Japan was one of the few foreign policy issues on which there's always been consensus," he added. Earlier in 2022, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot while delivering a campaign speech in Nara City of western Japan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the state funeral of Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan Hall in Tokyo. After attending the State funeral of Shinzo Abe, PM Modi met with Akie Abe, wife of the late Japanese PM and conveyed his heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss. Abe, Japan's longest-serving prime minister, stepped down in 2020 citing health reasons. He was prime minister of Japan twice, from 2006-07 and again from 2012-20. (ANI) The United States hosted the Indian government at the US Department of State for the fourth annual US-India Counternarcotics Working Group (CNWG) meeting. According to the US State Department the US and Indian delegations addressed drug regulatory issues, law enforcement cooperation and collaboration, coordination in multilateral fora, and drug demand reduction efforts. This years CNWG builds on Indias participation in Secretary Blinkens virtual ministerial launching the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats earlier this month. The two delegations also discussed recommended actions on advancing the US-India drug policy relationship for the coming year, the State Department said in its release. The meeting included representatives from top officials from both India and the US. This included, Narcotics Control Bureau Director General SN Pradhan and Ambassador of India to the United States Taranjit Singh Sandhu, from India and Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, the White Houses Director of National Drug Control Policy Rahul Gupta, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Lisa Johnson, from the US. The delegations look forward to continuing to collaborate on the wide range of counternarcotics efforts and to holding the next CNWG in India in 2024, the state department added. Important convo w/Indian partners at todays US-India Counternarcotics Working Group meeting. Pleased to build on @SecBlinkens successful launch of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats earlier this month & continue collaboration toward solving this global crisis, Uzra Zeya said in her tweet. While addressing the meeting, US special envoy Uzra Zeya said that New Delhis role is critical in combating the spread of synthetic drugs. The Synthetic drugs significantly and directly impact the populations of both India, US and also countries around the world, claiming countless lives and perpetuating harmful stigma for those who live with addiction, Zeya said, adding that the scourge of synthetic drugs is a shared challenge faced by many of us that requires a global solution. India is a global leader in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, and consequently is a critical, global leader in combating the spread of synthetic drugs, she added. The Under Secretary called on the two countries to prevent the spread of fentanyl and other synthetics in our countries and abroad, riding on the resilient bilateral relationship between the two nations. Notably, Fentanyl is considered a highly potent synthetic opioid, which is primarily used as an analgesic. Since 2018, fentanyl and its analogues have led to the most drug overdose deaths in the US. US Special envoy further said that the grouping was able to stop the shipment of over 500 packages to the United States from India containing illicit prescription drugs, medical devices, and synthetic precursors. The more we work together, the more we can accomplish. Earlier in June, more than 500 shipments of prescription drugs and medical devices were seized by the US authorities in a joint operation with India. This action was taken under Operation Broader Sword', a bilateral multi-agency enforcement operation against illicit pharmaceuticals, devices, or precursor chemicals. In April this year, Rahul Gupta, Director of Office of National Drug Control Policy had also hailed the role of India and the US in the direction. The US health official had said that the two counties share a robust working relationship on addressing the major challenge posed by fentanyl drugs. (ANI) The General Elections in Pakistan are likely to be delayed for three to four months as the federal government started mulling approving and notifying new census results, ARY News reported on Thursday, citing sources. The Pakistan government has started mulling to approve and notify 2023 census results which would delay the organisation of general elections for three to four months. The federal government is deliberating on approving the new census results in the Council of Common Interests (CCI) session and the next CCI session is expected to be summoned on July 25, ARY news reported. Speaking to a private news channel, Pakistan Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the government has decided not to notify the latest census and that the upcoming elections would be held on the basis of the 2017 census data. He further noted that Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) an ally of the government in the Centre was unsatisfied with the new digital census as well. They dont even accept this new census, he added. The minister stressed that there should be consensus on census results and any decision in haste could lead to a controversial situation in the country. The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will be bound to complete new delimitations if 2023 census results are notified which would require three to four months, ARY News further reported citing sources. However, the notification of the new census data will lead to a delay in the general polls till January or February, sources said. It is pertinent to mention here that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) hinted at not accepting general polls on old census data. Earlier in the day, the ECP secretary said that they will make a decision in accordance with the law if new census results are approved by the federal government. ECP Special Secretary Zafar Iqbal told the media that the commission would hold general elections by October 11 if assemblies are dissolved on August 12. On the other hand, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah asserted a few days ago that the next general elections, scheduled to be held in 2023, will be based on the last census carried out in 2017. (ANI) The death toll in a suicide bombing incident in Pakistans Khyber reached four after three more cops succumbed to their injuries, The News International reported on Thursday citing local police. The suicide attack that took place in the tehsil compound which houses the Bara Police Station, government offices, and a cell of the counter-terrorism Department (CTD) also injured eight other policemen. Initially, it was reported that one officer has been killed in the attack and several others have sustained injuries. In this incident, a terrorist blew himself up on being intercepted by the police while entering the compound. KP Inspector General Akhtar Hayat confirmed the suicide attack was led by two terrorists who entered the compound from the main and rear gates. Both of the terrorists were killed in the attack, The News International reported. Sharing updates on the incident, the police said that a section of the CTD's cell caved in after the explosion. Rescue and search operation was underway while the bomb disposal squad and CTD teams were present at the crime scene. The rescue officials have said that the 10 injured policemen had been shifted to different hospitals for treatment. Earlier on Wednesday night, the KP police suffered another attack when two cops were killed while as many sustained injuries in a firing incident in the Regi area of Peshawar. The police said that unidentified armed men opened fire on the cops at the entry checkpoint near Regi Model Town Police Station and fled. The injured cops were shifted to Khyber Teaching Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks following Afghan Talibans return to power in August 2021 and called upon the interim rulers to take decisive actions against terrorists including the TTP responsible for cross-border attacks. Terror activities in Pakistan have soared by 79 per cent during the first half of 2023, The News International reported citing a statistical report released by the independent think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS). (ANI) The Russian state prosecutor on Thursday demanded 20 years of prison sentence in a penal colony for Kremlin critic and jailed blogger Alexei Navalny on a number of charges including creating an extremist community, TASS reported on Thursday. Navalnys lawyer Olga Mikhailova said that the prosecutor has demanded that Navalny should serve his sentence in a maximum-security prison. "The prosecutor demanded that Navalny be found guilty under Part 3 of Article 282.1 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Creation of an extremist community and participation in it"), as well as for financing extremist activities, public calls for extremist activities, and demanded that he be sentenced to 20 years in prison, serving out his sentence in a maximum-security prison," TASS quoted the lawyer as saying. The state prosecutor on Thursday demanded that blogger Alexey Navalny be sentenced to 20 years in a penal colony in the case of creating an extremist community, his lawyer Olga Mikhailova told TASS. The second defendant in the case is the former technical director of Navalny's YouTube channel, Daniil Kholodny. The prosecutor demanded that he be found guilty of creating an extremist community and organizing the activities of an extremist organization, and that he be sentenced to 10 years in a maximum-security prison, TASS reported. Notably, the trial is being held in a prison in the Vladimir Region, where Navalny is serving a sentence in another case. It is taking place behind closed doors for fear of reprisals against the participants in the trial. A criminal case was opened against Navalny, Leonid Volkov (recognized as a foreign agent in Russia), and Ivan Zhdanov (recognized as a foreign agent in Russia) for organizing an extremist community, TASS reported. Lyubov Sobol (recognized as a foreign agent in Russia), Georgy Alburov (recognized as a foreign agent in Russia) and others are accused of participating in an extremist community. Most of the defendants in the case now live outside Russia. According to the Investigative Committee (IC), in 2014 or later, Navalny, as the founder of the Anti-Corruption Foundation (an organization recognized as extremist and liquidated in Russia), created an extremist community and directed it to carry out extremist activities aimed at changing the foundations of the Russian constitutional order, undermining public security and state integrity. During this period, Zhdanov and Volkov participated in Navalny's criminal activities. The IC pointed out that in order to ensure the activities of the extremist community, including its financing, as well as to create conditions for the commission of extremist crimes, and involve new participants, the organizers established eight non-profit organizations, as well as commercial organizations, which were subdivisions of the community, TASS reported. Meanwhile, during Thursdays closed-door court hearing, Navalny condemned Russias war in Ukraine, Al Jazeera reported citing a statement released by Navalnys aides. [Russia is] floundering in a pool of either mud or blood, with broken bones, with a poor and robbed population, and around it lie tens of thousands of people killed in the most stupid and senseless war of the 21st century, he said. Navalny is already serving an 11.5-year prison sentence over fraud and other charges, in a maximum security penal colony in Melekhovo, 250 kilometres (150 miles) east of Moscow, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI) In yet another security breach by Beijing, China-based hackers breached the email accounts of the US Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns as part of a recent targeted intelligence-gathering campaign, CNN reported on Thursday citing US officials. According to the officials, the hackers also accessed the email account of Daniel Kritenbrink, the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia, who also travelled with Secretary of State Antony Blinken to China recently. Earlier, Chinese hackers also breached the email of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and State Department officials in the weeks before State Secretary Antony Blinken visited Beijing in June, New York Times reported citing US officials. Earlier, Microsoft revealed that the Chinese hackers with the intention to collect intelligence on the US have gained access to government email accounts. The attack was targeted, according to a person briefed on the intrusion into the government networks, with the hackers going after specific accounts rather than carrying out a broad-brush intrusion that would suck up enormous amounts of data, as per the New York Times. It is pertinent to mention that the State Department discovered the intrusion on June 16 and informed Microsoft that day, just ahead of Blinkens trip to Beijing, a US official said. He departed from Washington that evening. After Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen also visited Beijing. President Joe Biden and Chinese Presient Xi Jinping, agreed in a meeting in Bali, Indonesia, last November to try to stabilize relations, but tensions between the two nations ramped up when the Pentagon discovered and shot down a Chinese spy balloon that was floating over the continental United States in early February. (ANI) The first set of university exams were held in 11 of the 34 provinces in Afghanistan without any girl or women students in attendance on Thursday, TOLOnews reported. At least 24,000 people are expected to take the exam over two days, according to the officials. There are 24,000 people attending the examination in 11 provinces which will take place today and tomorrow, said Qudratullah Ahmadi, a member of the national examination authority said on Thursday, according to TOLOnews. Abdul Rahman Haqqani, the governor of Baghlan, remarked at the examination event, "You attempt to finish your studies and the Islamic Emirate will make efforts to offer jobs for you. However, the statement comes quite contradictory to the rules and regulations imposed on women by the Taliban. While this was going on, several women students who are not permitted to take the exam criticised Taliban officials for not allowing them to take the exams. We also want to be part of it and form our future. Please, I request they allow girls to get their education, said Hadia Mohammadi, a student, according to TOLOnews. They should also allow the girls to get an education. Everyone including the families has requested the reopening of schools for the girls, a resident of Jawzjan, Fatima said, lamenting over the situation of girls in Afghanistan. If the Afghan girls have the education and knowledge, a good government will be created. Today is the examination day for university entrance but we girls are deprived of it, said Jamia Amini, a resident of Jawzjan in a separate statement. Meanwhile, some of the male students also urged the temporary administration to permit the women students to take the test. Our main wish is to reopen the universities and schools, said Mohammad Ghafran, a participant of the university entrance examination in Jawzjan, reported TOLOnews. The National Examination Authority ofAfghanistan(NEXA) said that as per a letter issued by theMinistry of Higher Education, only male students can attend the University Entrance Examination this year. NEXA said on Twitter that the decision was made by theMinistry of Higher Education(MoHE) and sent in a letter to the authority. A letter arrived from theMinistry of Higher Educationsaying that only male students should be recruited. So, this is the responsibility of theMinistry of Higher Educationto decide who should be giving tests and who should not. NEXA has no responsibility for this, the authority said. However, women commented that the government has failed and their removal from society will impact negatively on society, according to TOLO News. Last month in honour of Malala Day, the US Special Envoy forAfghanistanThomas West said that women and girls inAfghanistan should have complete access to education. West took to his Twitter account and said, Afghan women and girls are a tremendous asset to the future of Afghanistanand deserve full access to education to realize their potential." Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, it has banned girls from secondary schools, prohibited women from working for humanitarian aid agencies, and barred women from pursuing higher education. (ANI) The European Union has announced humanitarian aid of 7.6 million euros to address the needs of vulnerable citizens of Afghanistan, as the country continues to remain in the grip of food insecurity and economic crisis, reported Afghan news agency, Khaama Press. The aid has been announced to tackle the alarming levels of food insecurity they are experiencing through support to farmers and their needs, enhancing food production, and restoring unirrigated land in six provinces around the nation. The EU's financial support of 7.6 million euros will enable Afghan Aid and its partners to offer a comprehensive support programme to ensure the needs of rural Afghans, provide opportunities for income generation, and support communities in using climate-smart agriculture practices and restoring agricultural land for food production, according to Khaama Press. According to the Afghan news agency, the project will be implemented in six provinces of the country, including Badakhshan, Dykundi, Ghor, Jawzjan, Samangan, and Takhar. Afghanistan has a significant problem with food insecurity, and women, young people, and families with members who are disabled are particularly affected. We are committed to helping the people of Afghanistan, especially the most vulnerable people in local communities, such as families headed by women that cannot meet their basic needs," EU Charge dAffaires, Raffaella Iodice said, according to Khaama Press. According to Charles Davy, managing director of Afghan Aid, "More must be done to enable vulnerable households to grow more food and strengthen and diversify their incomes at a time when so many Afghans do not have enough to eat." People continue to face food shortages in the country hit by a massive humanitarian crisis. (ANI) French President Emmanuel Macron reshuffled his cabinet for important domestic sectors such as education, housing, and urban affairs on Thursday, as his administration began its reaction to the country's three-week-old unrest. The most prominent shift was at the education ministry, where budget minister Gabriel Attal, 34, replaced Pap Ndiaye, a Black studies university scholar who had come under criticism from right-wing, conservatives. The reshuffle came in the second term of President Emmanuel Macron which has been facing internal crises including months of demonstrations over pension reforms and five days of rioting after the police shot of an Algerian and Moroccan teenager during a traffic check. Other party figures are also joining government ranks, including Aurore Berg, leader of Macrons Renaissance group in the National Assembly, who is taking over as the new solidarity minister. Thomas Cazenave will replace Attal as budget minister, Politico.eu reported. Marlne Schiappa, who was junior minister for social economy, is leaving the government after holding several ministerial positions since 2017. Schiappa came under fire during fiery parliamentary debates over Macrons unpopular pension reforms for posing on the cover of Playboy magazine. She has also faced allegations of cronyism over the use of public subsidies aimed at fighting online radicalization. Heavyweights such as Economy and Finance Minister, Bruno Le Maire, and Interior Minister, Grald Darmanin, continue to hold their jobs as are European and Foreign Affairs Minister, Catherine Colonna, and Secretary of State for Europe, Laurence Boone, Politico.eu reported. Fifty-seven-year-old academic Ndiaye, whose nomination last year sparked controversy over his alleged wokeist agenda, failed to make a mark on his portfolio, though education had been touted as a priority for Macrons second term. The incoming education minister is a rising star in Macron's inner circle, who came from the Socialist ranks. Since 2018, Attal has steadily climbed the political ladder starting as government spokesperson, before moving to junior minister positions and, more recently, to the powerful budget portfolio, Politico.eu reported. When he was first appointed to government five years ago, he became the youngest minister in the history of the fifth republic. Attal is, in some ways, the exact opposite of historian Ndiaye: Often described as ambitious, Attal's a savvy, smooth political operator who spent most of his adult life in politics. Known for his catchphrases against political opponents, he has sought in recent years to prove he could manage an administration and tackle dry, technical issues, according to Les Echos, Politico.eu reported. According to observers, the French president refrained from making wide-ranging changes to his team, aiming instead for continuity and stability ahead of expected challenges over the next year. In the fall, the government will present its budget for 2024 and will likely face stiff opposition in parliament where his coalition is in a minority. Macrons government has survived several motions of no-confidence in the National Assembly but may face more in the months to come. (ANI) East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) condemned Pakistan for not breaking free from its "treacherous alliance" with China on the ongoing Uyghur genocide. "In an appalling display of moral bankruptcy, a Pakistani religious delegation, representing the Council of Islamic Ideology, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, and Islami Tehreek Pakistan, recently visited Chinese-Occupied East Turkistan. Their visit aimed to voice unwavering support for Chinas atrocious actions in East Turkistan and foster future China-Pakistan cooperation, sparking outrage within the East Turkistani diaspora," a press release by East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) stated on Thursday. "The East Turkistan Government in Exile vehemently condemns this reprehensible act, denouncing Pakistans shameful hypocrisy and complicity in endorsing Chinas ruthless campaign of colonization, genocide, and occupation in East Turkistan," the release stated further. Prime Minister Salih Hudayar was quoted as saying in the release, The world witnesses Pakistans moral bankruptcy as it stands by Chinas genocidal actions. Pakistan must break free from its treacherous alliance and unequivocally condemn Chinas crimes in Occupied East Turkistan. The meeting, asreportedby Chinese state mouthpieces theXinjiang Dailyand theGlobal Times, showcased the presence of influential Pakistani religious leaders, including Council of Islamic Ideologys Chairman Qibla Ayaz, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Deputy Amir of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, and Maulana Tayyab Tahir, Amir of Islami Tehreek Pakistan. The ETGE press release added, "The Pakistani delegation callously praised Chinas colonial and genocidal ethnic and religious policies in East Turkistan while conveniently ignoring the horrifying genocide, Islamophobia, and grave human rights abuses inflicted upon the Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim Turkic populations of East Turkistan." "This endorsement not only defies justice and humanity but also betrays the very teachings and principles of Islam, as much of the world stands united against Chinas flagrant violations of human rights and religious freedom in East Turkistan," it added. The release said since 2014, China has been committing genocide against Muslim Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in East Turkistan. The Chinese government has imprisoned millions of Uyghurs under the guise of counter-terrorism and counter-extremism, forcing them to disavow their ethnic, national, and religious-Islamic identities and subjecting them to slave labour, forced sterilization, and organ harvesting. "The Chinese government has destroyed over 16,000 mosques in East Turkistan, banned Islamic holidays, many Muslim names, and the Islamic greeting Assalam Aleykum, the ETGE release said. East Turkistan Government in Exile president Ghulam Yaghma, was quoted in the release as saying, Pakistans religious delegations endorsement of Chinas atrocities in East Turkistan is a despicable betrayal, not only to the suffering Uyghurs and all East Turkistani Muslims but also to the Islamic faith itself. The release added, "Pakistans opportunistic relationship with China has repeatedly compromised its supposed commitment to protecting Muslim human rights and promoting justice. By willingly turning a blind eye to Chinas brutal suppression of the Uyghurs, Pakistan has become an accomplice to this humanitarian catastrophe, stained by the blood of innocent lives." "As many nations united to condemn Chinas ongoing in East Turkistan, Pakistan stands at a crossroads a choice between complicity in genocide and betrayal of the Islamic faith or the embrace of humanity and justice," it said. "The East Turkistani people demand that Pakistan discard its shameful allegiance to China and stand in solidarity with the oppressed Muslims of Occupied East Turkistan," it added. Pakistan must shed its hypocritical cloak and join the global community in demanding an immediate cessation of Chinas monstrous actions in Occupied East Turkistan. We call on Pakistan to uphold the true principles of Islam, prioritize humanity over economic and political interests, and cease its support for Chinas genocidal and anti-Islamic campaign in East Turkistan, said Abdullah Khoja, the East Turkistan Government in Exiles minister of Religious Affairs. According to East-Turkistan.net, East Turkistan Government-in-Exile (ETGE), the Government in Exile of the Republic of East Turkistan, is the democratically elected official body representing East Turkistan and its people. On December 22, 1949, the Peoples Republic of China overthrew the independent East Turkistan Republic, leading many East Turkistanis including senior military and government officials to flee. The East Turkistan Government in Exile was formally established on September 14, 2004, as an official government in exile in Washington, DC, by prominent Uyghur, Kazakh and other East Turkistani independence leaders representing over a dozen organizations from across the East Turkistani / Uyghur diaspora following the dissolution of the East Turkistan National Congress (ETNC). The East Turkistan Government in Exile is a democratic body with a representative Parliament. The primary leaders President, Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker (Chair) of Parliament, and Deputy Speaker (Chair) of Parliament are democratically elected by the Parliament members from all over the East Turkistani diaspora in the General Assembly. (ANI) In terrorist attacks that occurred within a few hours at a government building in Bara and a police station close to Peshawar, Dawn reported that five police officers were killed and 12 others, including nine personnel and three civilians, were injured. Officials said policemen intercepted two suicide bombers at the entrance of the tehsil headquarters complex and police station adjacent to Bara bazaar around 11 am on Thursday. They said police engaged the bombers in a gun battle, which left one of the attackers dead, while the other blew himself up. A portion of the building collapsed owing to the impact of the explosion, Dawn reported. Three policemen were killed and 10 others, including three civilians, were injured. Dawn is a Pakistani daily providing updates on political and economic issues in Pakistan. "Offices of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), an intelligence agency, and the district administration were also located in the building which came under attack," Dawn wrote quoting sources. Officials of the bomb disposal unit said seven to eight kilograms of explosives were used by the suicide bombers, adding that they had recovered pieces of hand grenades, Dawn reported. They recalled that CTD had killed four members of an alleged extortionist gang and arrested 13 others during separate intelligence-based operations in the Akkakhel area a few days ago. They added that the deceased and the detainees were involved in extortion cases in Peshawar, Khyber and some other parts of the province. Earlier on Wednesday night, two police personnel were killed and two others sustained injuries in an attack on a police post in Regi Model Town, a township located on the outskirts of Peshawar, Dawn reported. The attack took place at around 11.45 pm, and officials believe the terrorists were equipped with night-vision gadgets - similar devices used in a strike carried out in the Sarband area near the provincial capital on January 14. A deputy superintendent of police and two gunmen lost their lives in that incident. Our personnel wore bulletproof jackets and bulletproof helmets and terrorists opened fire at them at a distance of around 50 metres. Headshots and that too precisely forehead shots were only possible with night-vision sights, Superintendent of Police Arshad Khan told Dawn. The SP said terrorists attacked the police team with US-made M-4 rifles and the investigation team had recovered around 21 empty shells from the spot, adding that police retaliated but the terrorists escaped. (ANI) The Sri Lankan President is on a two-day visit to India. "PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP of Sri Lanka at the Hyderabad House ahead of the bilateral talks. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing - ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet. The talks are being held in Hyderabad House in the national capital. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on the Sri Lanka President earlier in the day. Sri Lanka is an important partner in Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR. The visit is expected to reinforce the longstanding friendship between the two countries and explore avenues for enhanced connectivity and mutually beneficial cooperation across sectors. Wickremesinghe arrived in New Delhi on Thursday and was welcomed by Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Sri Lanka has a special place in India's neighbourhood first policy and the security interests and development of the two countries are intertwined. In his remarks to the media after talks with Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister said they have agreed on the enhancement of air connectivity between the two countries. He said India stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka in the time of crisis. Sri Lanka also has an important place in both India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision. Today we shared our views on bilateral, regional and international issues. We believe that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined, PM Modi said. "We agree on the enhancement of air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. To increase trade and travel by people, we have taken the decision to start passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanturai in Sri Lanka, he added. Welcoming the Sri Lankan President and his delegation, PM Modi congratulated him on completing one year in office. I congratulate him on this. The people of Sri Lanka faced many challenges last year but like a close friend we stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka in the time of crisis, he said. During their talks, the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest. The Sri Lankan President is on a two-day visit to India at the invitation of PM Modi. The talks were held in Hyderabad House in the national capital. Sri Lanka is an important partner in Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR. The visit has reinforced the longstanding friendship between the two countries. Wickremesinghe arrived in New Delhi on Thursday and was welcomed by Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan. (ANI) The return of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan while his brother Shehbaz Sharif is the country's Prime Minister appears to be unlikely as the ruling coalition government's term is almost up, The Express Tribune reported. Nawaz Sharif, the former prime minister and PML-N leader, will travel from Saudi Arabia to London, while Maryam Nawaz will return to Pakistan in a few days, according to Muhammad Zubair, a spokesman for the Sharif family. Nawaz will be returning to London, where he has been residing since 2019 under the pretence of receiving treatment. His arrival in the UAE gave PML-N circles hope that he would soon make his way back to Pakistan after spending more than a month in the Arabian peninsula, according to The Express Tribune. Nawaz would be departing for London in a few days, according to Zubair, who was unable to specify an exact time. When Maryam got back, he said, she would pick up her political activities again. When asked if Maryam had any rallies planned, he responded that she would attend wherever the party needed her, such as leading a march, even though no particular arrangements for rallies had been made as of yet, reported The Express Tribune. Asked when Nawaz would return, he responded that Asif had claimed the party chief would do so after September 16 and that the rest was simple to calculate, making reference to Chief Justice Bandial's retirement. The PML-N senior vice president would return to Pakistan in "a few days," Maryam's political secretary added. Earlier in the month, a PML-N source told The Express Tribune that Nawaz was delaying his trip back to Pakistan due to the plethora of legal disputes that would be waiting for him there. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday said the fishermen's issue figured in his discussions with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, adding thatthe matter should be approached from a humane angle. "Today, we also discussed the issues related to the livelihood of fishermen. We agree that we should go ahead on the matter with a humane approach," PM Modi said in a joint statement with the Sri Lankan President. "We also spoke about reconstruction and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. President Wickremesinghe told me about his inclusive approach," PM Modi said. "We hope that the Sri Lankan Govt will fulfil the aspirations of Tamils and take forward the process for equality, justice and peace. We hope it will fulfil its commitment to the implementation of the 13th Amendment and Provincial Council Elections..." he added. Earlier, in June, four Indian fishing boats were impounded and 22 fishermen apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy, for allegedly crossing into Sri Lankan waters. The fishermen, who had set sail from the Mandapam and Pudukottai fishing ports in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, were arrested near Delft Island in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. After investigation, they were produced before a local police court where the judge ordered their judicial custody till July 5. The fishermen were lodged in the Jaffna jail. After completion of the custody, the fishermen were produced before the court again, which ordered their release after due process. The released fishermen returned home a couple of days later. In other similar incidents, twelve Pudukottai fishermen fishing near Delft island in the Palkbay area were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy in March 2023. In March again, the Sri Lankan Navy said that it had carried out a special operation to chase away Indian trawlers from Sri Lankan waters. In a statement, Sri Lankan Navy said the operation led to the seizure of 2 Indian trawlers along with 16 Indian nationals northeast of Veththalakeni and off the Analativu Island. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi on Friday said Sri Lanka has a special place in India's neighbourhood first policy and the security interests and development of the two countries are intertwined. In his remarks to the media after talks with Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the Prime Minister said they agreed on the enhancement of air connectivity between the two countries. He said India stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka in its time of crisis. Sri Lanka also has an important place in both India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision. Today we shared our views on bilateral, regional and international issues. We believe that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined, PM Modi said. Welcoming the Sri Lankan President and his delegation, PM Modi also congratulated him on completing a year in office. I congratulate him. The people of Sri Lanka faced many challenges last year but like a close friend, we stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka at a time of crisis, he said. During their talks, the two leaders discussed several issues of mutual interest. The Sri Lankan President is on a two-day visit to India at the invitation of PM Modi. The talks were held at Hyderabad House in the national capital. Sri Lanka is an important partner in Indias Neighbourhood First Policy and Vision SAGAR and the visit by the Sri Lankan President reinforced the longstanding friendship between the two countries. Wickremesinghe arrived in New Delhi on Thursday and was welcomed by Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan. (ANI) Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Friday said tourism flow from India has been a consistent contributor to the economic and forex inflows into Sri Lanka. India is currently the largest source of inbound tourism into Sri Lanka. In this context, the Sri Lankan president has articulated his future plans for attracting a larger number of Indian tourists including through promotion of the Ramayana trail as well as Buddhist Hindu circuits and other places of religious worship in Sri Lanka, the Foreign Secretary said during a Special Briefing on Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghes India visit. Kwatra said a key outcome of the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe related to digital connectivity and the fintech connectivity is an agreement reached between NPCI International and Lanka pay on UPI based digital payments. This has multiple segments that it will feed into. The Foreign Secretary further said: Tourism is only one part of it but it would essentially ease up the payment flow mechanisms between the two countries. He said: Digitalization and digital public infrastructure and the rolethese two things can play in the development partnership between the two countries was also animportant element of discussion between the two leaders. Sri Lankan PresidentRanil Wickremesingheon Thursday arrived in Delhi on a two-day official visit to India. Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan welcomed Wickremesinghe at the airport. PM Modi on Friday met the Sri Lankan President, the two discussed issues of mutual interest. "PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP ofSri Lankaat theHyderabad Houseahead of the bilateral talks. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing - ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet. The talks were held in the Hyderabad House in New Delhi. To boost the economic partnership between the two nations, India and Sri Lanka adopted a vision document that would strengthen people-to-people connectivity and Maritime cooperation, trade, and power, PM Modi announced on Friday. "Today, we have adopted a vision document for our economic partnership. The vision is to strengthen maritime, air, energy and people-to-people connectivity between the two peoples. The vision is to accelerate mutual cooperation in tourism, electricity, business, higher education, and skill development,"PM Modisaid. In a joint press statement along with Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi on Friday, PM Modi also said that the two nations have decided to start a ferry service from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe "reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Friday. Kwatra said the two leaders acknowledged that the partnership and cooperation have been a source of great strength in overcoming the recent difficulties and challenges in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan President is on a two-day visit to India from Thursday at the invitation of PM Modi. While addressing a special press briefing on Wickremesinghe's visit to India, Kwatra said, "The Honourable Prime Minister and President of Sri Lanka during their discussions reviewed the entire spectrum of our bilateral relations and both acknowledged that the partnership and our cooperation has been a source of great strength in overcoming the recent difficulties and challenges in Sri Lanka." "The two leaders also outlined a common vision of theirs to further develop the bilateral relationship in coming years centred around enhanced, extended and deepened connectivity and deeper economic partnership. The essence of specifics of what the vision of the connectivity-related future partnership is, captured and reflected in a comprehensive joint vision document which is centered on connectivity that both the leaders have agreed upon and it covers various dimensions of connectivity-- maritime air connectivity, energy connectivity, power, trade and economic connectivity, financial connectivity, digital connectivity and also resulting people to people engagement," he said. Kwatra said that India and Sri Lanka have finalised a series of documents, including important documents covering crucial areas of economic cooperation. He said that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on renewable energy. "Under the Neighbourhood First policy, which was enunciated by Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, the two leaders also finalized a series of documents, important documents covering crucial areas of economic cooperation. The first was the MoU on renewable energy. The focus of this MoU is essentially on two aspects one relating to the specific cooperation in wind-solar segments of renewable energy, but also on establishing high capacity InterGrid connectivity in the power sector between India and Sri Lanka," Kwatra said. He said that the second MoU that was signed was related to Trincomali. "The second one relates to the Trincomali, where both leaders underscored the need to build upon the advantages that have already accrued from the agreement on the Trinco tank farms, the agreement of 2021, and through the MoU exchange today, both sides agreed to develop Trincomali as a regional hub for industry energy, including renewable energy and economic cooperation," Kwatra said. Kwatra said that PM Modi and Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe discussed maritime connectivity. He said both countries are looking at connecting Nagapatnam in India with Kankasanthurai in Sri Lanka. "A crucial element of connectivity, particularly maritime connectivity, discussions were focused on the resumption of passenger ferry services between India and Sri Lanka. In this connection, both sides are looking at connecting Nagapatnam in India with Kankasanthurai in Sri Lanka. This flows from the earlier cooperation on infrastructure development that has already been undertaken in Kankasanthurai through the line of credit from India," Kwatra said. "Another key element, again a part of our connectivity-centered partnership was to explore air connectivity from Southern India to Trincomali, Batikala and other destinations in Sri Lanka. You would perhaps all be aware that the increase in the frequency of flights between Jaffna and Chennai currently through the alliance here, currently stands at, I'm told, one flight a day, essentially connectivity throughout the week, every day of the week," he added. In the press briefing, Kwatra said that PM Modi and Sri Lankan President noted the implementation of Sri Lanka unique digital identity project which is being implemented using the Indian grant assistance. He said that the two leaders also held discussions on the ongoing recovery of the Sri Lankan economy. "Both of them, Prime Minister and the SriLankan President noted the successful implementation of the ongoing Sri Lanka unique Digital Identity project which is being implemented through the Indian grant assistance and would assist and enable the Sri Lankan government to deliver and host a lot of citizen-centric services for its people. "The other key element that came up for discussion with regard to the ongoing recovery of the Sri Lankan economy besides of course the substantial Indian assistance that was offered since the crisis broke out in Sri Lanka related to the role that bilateral trade and investment can play in further speeding up the economic recovery of Sri Lanka. This of course included starting discussions on bilateral economic and technology cooperation agreement and related elements on the start of the use of INR for trade settlements which as you know has been ongoing for some time," he added. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday arrived in Delhi on a two-day official visit to India. Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan welcomed Wickremesinghe at the airport. (ANI) Visiting Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday said that he believes that India's growth will be beneficial to the neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region (IOR). Wickremesinghe today held delegation-level bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following which India and Sri Lanka adopted a vision statement to significantly expand their economic partnership. In his media statement following the talks, the Sri Lankan President said, "I have congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the great strides India continues to make under his leadership in economic infrastructure and technological progress in ensuring growth and prosperity for the people of India." "We believe that India's growth will be beneficial to the neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region," he added. The Sri Lankan President conveyed his "profound appreciation" for the solidarity and support rendered to Sri Lanka by India over the past year which he described as "undoubtedly one of the challenging periods" in Sri Lanka's modern history. The two sides exchanged documents on cooperation in the field of animal husbandry, renewable energy, development projects in the Trincomalee district in eastern Sri Lanka, and online payment services between India and Sri Lanka. A joint declaration of intent in animal husbandry was signed between the two countries. An MoU of cooperation in the field of renewable energy was exchanged between the two countries. A Memorandum of cooperation was signed for the economic development of projects in Trincomalee district. India also handed over the document of energy permit for Sampur solar power project to Sri Lanka. "We agreed that the economic and technology cooperation agreement between India-Sri Lanka is critical to enhance the bilateral trade and investment in new and priority areas," Wickremesinghe said. PM Modi and I believe that the construction of a multi-project petroleum pipeline from the southern part of India to Sri Lanka will ensure an affordable and reliable supply of energy resources to Sri Lanka, he said. "I have also appraised Prime Minister Modi of the extraordinary challenges that Sri Lanka has experienced in economic, social and political terms in the past year and of the reform measures I have spearheaded on a number of fronts in overcoming these challenges," the Sri Lankan President said. He also thanked PM Modi for the hospitality extended to him and to his delegation. Wickremesinghe also said that Prime Minister Modi has expressed his solidarity and goodwill in Sri Lankan endeavours to bring about economic recovery leading to sustainable and stable growth with justice and equity. He said that India and Sri Lanka have agreed on the joint vision of the future India Sri Lanka economic partnership through enhanced connectivity. The modern day connectivity would play a crucial role in realizing India-Sri Lanka vision of economic partnership. "The recent recommencement of Chennai and Jaffna air service is an important step towards air connectivity," Sri Lankan President said. The two countries also announced the introduction of passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanturai in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan President said that the ferry services between Talemana, Ramesvaran and Nagapattinam and Kankesanturai will add more impetus to sea travel between the two countries. Examining the other forms of connectivity between Sri Lanka India could become a further catalyst to boost economic growth. Welcoming the Indian assistance in digital tech-driven service delivery and citizen-centric services, he said that enhanced connectivity will also play a crucial role in strengthening the cooperation in tourism people-to-people exchange and cultural relations. "India is currently the top market for inbound tourism for Sri Lanka," Wickremesinghe said. Network-to-network agreements for UPI acceptance in Sri Lanka were among the agreements announced between the two countries today. Speaking on the online payments system, Wickremesinghe said, "Enabling UPI-based digital payments in Sri Lanka would immediately facilitate future growth in this and other sectors." India and Sri Lanka also discussed how to improve cooperation in dairy and animal husbandry sectors to realize both nations' common interests in achieving greater socio-economic development and enhance the nutrition status of the people. "I am confident that the discussion we had today will lay the foundation for the next 25 years of Indo-Lanka relations and contribute to my vision for sustainable growth, national unity and reconciliation for all segments of people of Sri Lanka and a prosperous and a secure future for the people of India and Sri Lanka," Wickremesinghe said. The Sri Lankan President is on a two-day visit to India at the invitation of PM Modi. The bilateral talks were held in Hyderabad House here. PM Modi said that Sri Lanka is an important partner in Indias 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision SAGAR. Today we shared our views on bilateral, regional and international issues. We believe that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined, PM Modi said in his joint statement after the bilateral talks with Wickremesinghe. Wickremesinghe's visit has reinforced the longstanding friendship between the two countries. The Sri Lankan President arrived in New Delhi on Thursday and was welcomed by Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan. (ANI) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in the meeting of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) Foreign Ministers via video conference on Thursday. A thorough exchange of views took place on the development and strengthening of the strategic partnership of the BRICS states, including plans for the institutional development of the association, the Russian Embassy in India informed on Friday. "On July 20, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov took part in an extraordinary meeting of the BRICS Foreign Ministers via video conference," the embassy said. "A thorough exchange of views took place on the development and strengthening of the strategic partnership of the five states, including plans for the institutional development of the association," they informed further. "Topical issues pertained to preparation of the upcoming XV BRICS summit in Johannesburg on August 22-24 were discussed as well," the Russian Embassy in India informed further. Earlier on Wednesday, South Africa informed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not travel to the country for the summit. Later, Kremlin informed that Putin will virtually participate in the summit. Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar on Thursday attended the BRICS Foreign Ministers virtual summit, focussing on next month's annual summit in South Africa. BRICS groups five nations Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar called the meeting a useful conversation for taking the BRICS agenda forward. Participated with Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa in the extraordinary BRICS Foreign Ministers virtual meeting todaya useful conversation for taking the BRICS agenda forward. And preparing for the summit meeting, Jaishankar said in his tweet. South Africa will host the 15th BRICS Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg's Sandton from August 22-24. South Africa became Chair of BRICS on 1 January 2023 under the theme: BRICS and Africa: Partnership for Mutually Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism. The theme informs the Chair's five priorities for 2023 - Developing a partnership towards an equitable Just Transition; Transforming education and skills development for the future; Unlocking opportunities through the African Continental Free Trade Area; Strengthening post-pandemic socio-economic recovery and the attainment of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development; Strengthening multilateralism, including working towards real reform of global governance institutions and strengthening the meaningful participation of women in peace processes, according to the official statement. Notably, the first BRICS Summit was held in Russia in 2009. After the formation of BRICS, South Africa was invited to join the group in 2010. The 14th BRICS Summit was held virtually in June 2022 under the theme: Foster High-quality BRICS Partnership, Usher in a New Era for Global Development. (ANI) India, Sri Lanka have agreed to facilitate mutual investments through policy consistency, promoting ease of doing business and fair treatment of each others investors. This has been done to facilitate investments from India in the divestment of Sri Lankan State-owned Enterprises and in manufacturing/economic zones in various sectors in Sri Lanka; to undertake discussions on Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement with an aim to comprehensively enhance bilateral trade and investments in new and priority areas, according to a bilateral document issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). As per the document titled Promoting Connectivity, Catalysing Prosperity: India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision, the decision to designate INR as currency for trade settlements between the two countries has forged stronger and mutually beneficial commercial linkages and agreed to operationalise UPI-based digital payments for further enhancing trade and transactions between businesses and common people. The two countries have agreed that Indias rapid digitalisation is an important force-multiplier for ongoing transformational changes in India, both in economic development and governance, and agreed to leverage Indias Digital Public Infrastructure in accordance with Sri Lankas requirements and priorities towards effective and efficient delivery of citizen-centric services to the people of Sri Lanka India, Sri Lanka on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of renewable energy. Another MoU was signed on cooperation for economic development projects in the Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka. The two countries issued a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) in the field of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Network to Network Agreement between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lanka Pay for UPI application acceptance in Sri Lanka. An Energy Permit was issued for the Sampur Solar Power Project. This comes as the Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday arrived in Delhi on a two-day official visit to India. Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan welcomed Wickremesinghe at the airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met the Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe, the two discussed issued of mutual interest. "PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP ofSri Lankaat theHyderabad Houseahead of the bilateral talks. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing - ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet. The talks were held in Hyderabad House in New Delhi. To boost the economic partnership between the two nations, India and Sri Lanka adopted a vision document that would strengthen people-to-people connectivity and Maritime cooperation, trade, and power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday. "Today, we have adopted a vision document for our economic partnership. The vision is to strengthen maritime, air, energy and people-to-people connectivity between the two peoples. The vision is to accelerate mutual cooperation in tourism, electricity, business, higher education, and skill development,"PM Modisaid. In a joint press statement along with Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi on Friday, PM Modi also said that the two nations have decided to start ferry services from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka. "We agree on the enhancement of air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. To increase trade and travel by people, we have taken the decision to start passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanturai in Sri Lanka,"PM Modisaid. The two sides also decided to work towards early resumption of ferry services between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar, and other mutually agreed places.(ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said various projects worth Rs 75 crore have been announced for Indian origin Tamils residing in the Island nation. The Prime Minister while expressing confidence in Sri Lanka, said: I am confident Sri Lanka will keep working to fulfil aspirations of the Tamil community. The Prime Minister further said 2023 marks 75 years of India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations and 200 years since the Indian origin Tamil community arrived in Sri Lanka. I am confident Sri Lanka will keep working to fulfil aspirations of the Tamil community. This year we mark 75 years of India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations and 200 years since the Indian origin Tamil community arrived in Sri Lanka. During the joint press meet with President @RW_UNP, announced various projects worth Rs 75 crores for the Indian origin Tamils in Sri Lanka, PM Modi tweeted on Friday. The PM further wrote: India will keep contributing to the development works in the Northern and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka. To boost commercial and people-to-people linkages, passenger ferry services will start between Nagapattinam and Kankesanthurai. Meanwhile, PM Modi in a joint statement with Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe on Friday said: "We hope that the Sri Lankan Government will fulfil the aspirations of Tamils and take forward the process for equality, justice and peace. We hope it will fulfil its commitment to the implementation of the 13th Amendment and Provincial Council Elections... Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday arrived in Delhi on a two-day official visit to India. Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan welcomed Wickremesinghe at the airport. India, Sri Lanka on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of renewable energy. Another MoU was signed on cooperation for economic development projects in the Trincomalee district of Sri Lanka. The two countries issued a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) in the field of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Network to Network Agreement between NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and Lanka Pay for UPI application acceptance in Sri Lanka. An Energy Permit was issued for the Sampur Solar Power Project. Prime Minister Modi on Friday met the Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe, the two discussed issued of mutual interest. "PM @narendramodi warmly welcomes President @RW_UNP ofSri Lankaat theHyderabad Houseahead of the bilateral talks. An opportunity to review and lend further momentum to the long-standing - ties, as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet. The talks were held in Hyderabad House in New Delhi. To boost the economic partnership between the two nations, India and Sri Lanka adopted a vision document that would strengthen people-to-people connectivity and Maritime cooperation, trade, and power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Friday. (ANI) President Droupadi Murmu on Friday met Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe in New Delhi. Earlier, Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe, who arrived in Delhi on Thursday for a two-day visit, held a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders held the meeting at the Hyderabad House in Delhi. Wickremesinghe is on an official visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. In remarks to the media after his talks with Sri Lankan President, PM Modi on Friday said that Sri Lanka has a special place in India's neighbourhood first policy and the security interests and development of the two countries are intertwined PM Modi said they have agreed on the enhancement of air connectivity between the two countries. He said India stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka in the time of crisis. "Sri Lanka also has an important place in both India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision. Today we shared our views on bilateral, regional and international issues. We believe that the security interests and development of India and Sri Lanka are intertwined, PM Modi said. "We agree on the enhancement of air connectivity between India and Sri Lanka. To increase trade and travel by people, we have taken the decision to start passenger ferry services between Nagapattinam in Tamil Nadu and Kankesanturai in Sri Lanka, he added. Welcoming the Sri Lankan President and his delegation, PM Modi congratulated him on completing one year in office. I congratulate him on this. The people of Sri Lanka faced many challenges last year but like a close friend we stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sri Lanka in the time of crisis, he said. Wickremesinghe said that he believes that India's growth will be beneficial to the neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region (IOR). In his media statement following the talks, the Sri Lankam President said, "I have congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the great strides India continues to make under his leadership in economic infrastructure and technological progress in ensuring growth and prosperity for the people of India." "We believe that India's growth will be beneficial to the neighbourhood and the Indian Ocean region," he added. The Sri Lankan President conveyed his "profound appreciation" for the solidarity and support rendered to Sri Lanka by India over the past year which he described as "undoubtedly one of the challenging periods" in Sri Lanka's modern history. The two sides exchanged documents on cooperation in the field of animal husbandry, renewable energy, development projects in the Trincomalee district in eastern Sri Lanka, and online payment services between India and Sri Lanka. (ANI)